bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different systems to classify the neurological level of lesion in patients with myelomeningocele
Authors: Bartonek Åsa , Saraste Helena , MKnutsonPhD Loretta
Published: July 2010

In 73 patients with myelomeningocele (mean 17.2 years, range 5 to 40 years) the classification of level of lesion was studied according to six commonly used classification systems and to the ambulation groups of Hoffer. The distribution of the patients into classes of thoracic‐level lesions was the same for four classification systems in 10 patients and for two classification systems into categories of level L3 in 14 patients. For the other patients discrepancies occurred between systems for lesions of level L3 and downward. None of the patients was consistently categorized in the functional ambulation groups of Hoffer using all classification systems. The results show that it is not possible to compare neurological lesion levels classified according to the different systems described in this study and consequently that the distribution into the functional ambulation groups of Hoffer varies. To enhance communication and facilitate comparing the results of treatment we suggest using some basic criteria for patient documentation.
Relation of cranial ultrasound abnormalities in low‐birthweight infants to motor or cognitive performance at ages 2, 6, and 9 years
Authors: Pinto‐Martin Jennifer A , Whitaker Agnes H , Feldman Judith F , Van Rossem Ronan , Paneth Nigel
Published: July 2010

This study sought to determine whether neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities are related to motor and cognitive outcomes in low‐birthweight (LBW, <2000g) children without major motor or cognitive disability. The relation of neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities to motor performance and general cognitive ability at ages 2, 6, and 9 years was examined in a prospectively followed regional cohort of LBW children, excluding those with major disability, and controlling for other risk factors. Compared with children without ultrasound abnormalities, children with abnormalities indicative of ischemic white‐matter injury had poorer motor performance at all three ages and, at age 2, lower general cognitive ability. The latter finding was not seen when motor performance was also controlled for. It was concluded that in LBW children without major motor or cognitive disability, ischemic white‐matter injury indicated by neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities adversely affected motor performance at ages 2, 6, and 9 years, but not general cognitive ability.
Partial lipodystrophy presenting with myopathy
Authors: Moore S J , Auchterlonie I A , Cole G F , Gray E S , Dean J C S
Published: July 2010

A girl with partial lipodystrophy is described presenting with muscle weakness and developmental delay several years before lipoatrophy became apparent. The patient subsequently developed epilepsy, fatty liver, secondary amenorrhoea, hirsutism, insulin‐resistant diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, and hypothyroidism. She remains weak with poor exercise tolerance. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of the Barraquer–Simon syndrome.
Levels of cerebrospinal fluid nerve‐growth factor differ in infantile autism and Rett syndrome
Authors: Riikonen R , Vanhala R
Published: July 2010

Autism and Rett syndrome (RS) are both developmental disorders of unknown origin. Autism is a behaviourally defined syndrome. RS, which affects girls only, is characterized by a profound learning disability following early normal development, with a consistent cluster of clinical features. Differentiation of RS from infantile autism in the very early stages of the disorders is not always easy. Both syndromes still lack discriminative laboratory markers for accurate diagnosis and differentiation. We decided to compare the CSF nerve‐growth factor (NGF) levels of children with infantile autism and children with RS using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our findings of mainly normal CSF NGF in autism and low to negligible values in RS are in agreement with the different morphological and neurochemical findings (brain growth, affected brain areas, neurotransmitter metabolism) in the two syndromes. CSF NGF could be used as a biochemical marker for differentiation of patients with autism from those with RS.
Functional outcome of botulinum toxin A injections to the lower limbs in cerebral palsy
Authors: Reddihough Dinah S , King Jane A , Coleman Grahame J , Fosang Adrienne , McCoy Anne T , Thomason Pamela , Graham H Kerr
Published: July 2010

We evaluated gross motor function following botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) injections in the lower limbs of children with spastic cerebral palsy in a randomized clinical trial, using a cross‐over design. Forty‐nine children (24 males, 25 females, age range 22 to 80 months) were randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 received BTX‐A and physiotherapy, and group 2 received physiotherapy alone for 6 months. At the end of this period, group 2 received BTX‐A and physiotherapy and group 1 continued with physiotherapy alone. Assessment measures were the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the Vulpe Assessment Battery (VAB), joint range of movement, the Modified Ashworth Scale, and a parental questionnaire. Sustained gains in gross motor function were found in both groups of children but the only additional benefit found in group 1 was a significant increase in fine motor rating on the VAB. By contrast, parents rated the benefit of treatment highly. It is likely that assessment at 3 and 6 months post injection was too late to demonstrate peak gross motor function response and that changes in GMFM are not sustained over 6 months with a single dose. Further studies should investigate changes over shorter time periods and consider covariables such as BTX‐A dosage, number of injection sites, and the role of repeated injections combined with other interventions such as casting.
Treatment of ADHD in neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Mautner Victor‐F , Kluwe Lan , Thakker Sarang D , Leark Robert A
Published: July 2010

Forty‐six of 93 children with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) were found to satisfy the diagnostic criteria for attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Detailed comparisons were made among 20 children with NF1 and ADHD (12 males, 8 females; mean age 10.7 years, SD 2.2), 26 control children with NF1 (15 males, 11 females; mean age 11.3 years, SD 2.3), 14 control children with ADHD (7 males; mean age 9.9 years, SD 1.9), and 14 normally developing control children (7 males; mean age 11.2 years, SD 2.8). Children with NF1 and ADHD had the lowest IQ scores among the four groups. Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) scores were poorer in the NF1‐ADHD and ADHD control groups than in the two non‐ADHD groups. Those with NF1 and ADHD were rated significantly poorer on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) than were the NF1 control group. By administrating low doses (5 to 15 mg) of methylphenidate to the NF1‐ADHD group, significantly improved TOVA scores were obtained. One‐year follow‐up yielded significantly improved CBCL scores. Our results show a high incidence of ADHD in NF1 and support an association between ADHD and learning and social problems in children with NF1. It was demonstrated that stimulant medication can lead to improvement in cognitive, academic, and social problems of children with NF1 and ADHD.
Visual function and EEG reactivity in infants with perinatal brain lesions at 1 year
Authors: Biagioni E , Cioni G , Cowan F , Rutherford M , Anker S , Atkinson J , Braddick O J , Canapicchi R , Guzzetta A , Mercuri E
Published: July 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between EEG, visual, and brain MRI findings in 19 term infants with perinatal brain lesions. All 19 had their visual acuity and visual fields assessed and had an EEG and a brain MRI performed at 1 year of age. Four of the five infants with normal optic radiations and occipital cortices on MRI had normal vision. Involvement of optic radiations and occipital cortices was only associated with visual abnormalities in eight of 14 infants. The correlation between visual abnormalities and EEG findings was stronger. All infants with a completely normal EEG from the posterior regions had normal vision and all those with an EEG non‐reactive to eye closure had visual abnormalities, irrespective of MRI data. A reactive EEG with other abnormal features (such as spikes, rapid or slow activities) was accompanied by abnormal vision in five of eight participants. Results suggest that there is a better correlation between visual function and EEG activity than between visual function and involvement of the classical visual areas of the occipital cortex and optic radiations on brain MRI at 1 year of age.
Spastic wrist flexors are more severely affected than wrist extensors in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Pontén Eva , Fridén Jan , Thornell Lars‐Eric , Lieber Richard L
Published: July 2010

Morphological properties of skeletal muscle were compared between wrist flexors and extensors within the same children (n=8, six females, two males; age range 4 to 9y, median age 7y)with wrist muscle imbalance secondary to spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Five patients had hemiplegic CP, two diplegic CP, and one patient had tetraplegic CP. Muscle biopsies were taken during either tendon transfer or tendon lengthening procedures. Analyses included distribution of muscle fibre types, fibre sizes, and expression of developmental myosins. Extensor fibre area was significantly greater than flexor fibre area for type 2A fibres and type 2B fibres but not for type 1 fibres. Coefficient of variation (CV) of fibre size for all three fibre types was greater for flexors compared with extensors. The greatest CV was observed for the type 2A fibres in flexors (39.5 [3.6%]). A wide variation was observed for expression of developmental myosin with the magnitude of the expression being greater, but not statistically significant, in flexors compared with extensors (5.4/mm2 vs 0.53/mm2). These data demonstrate that significant secondary myopathy of wrist flexor muscles results from CP.
CEO Turnover and Retention Light: Retaining Former CEOs on the Board
Authors: EVANS JOHN HARRY , NAGARAJAN NANDU J. , SCHLOETZER JASON D.
Published: July 2010

Prior CEO turnover literature characterizes the board's decision as a choice between retaining versus replacing the CEO. We focus instead on the CEO's decision rights and introduce a third option in which the incumbent CEO is removed but retained on the board for an extended period, which we call Retention Light. Firms may benefit from Retention Light because former CEOs possess unique monitoring and advising abilities, but the former CEO could also exploit available decision rights for personal benefit. A Retention Light CEO's decision rights generally exceed those of CEOs who exit the firm entirely but fall short of the rights of a retained CEO. We find that when prior firm performance is better, the former CEO is more likely to be retained on the board (Retention Light) than to exit the firm. However, this relation is weaker when the CEO reaches normal retirement age at which time CEO power becomes more important. We also provide evidence on how the nature of the CEO's bargaining power varies with his personal attributes and board characteristics in its influence on the Retention Light decision. Retention Light firms are more likely than CEO‐exit firms to select a successor CEO with relatively weaker bargaining power. Finally, Retention Light involving a nonfounder CEO is negatively associated with the firm's postturnover financial performance. Overall, Retention Light is a distinct CEO turnover option that has important consequences for board decisions and firm performance.
Financial Contracting and the Choice between Private Placement and Publicly Offered Bonds
Authors: KWAN SIMON H. , CARLETON WILLARD T.
Published: July 2010

The financial contracting in private placement bonds and publicly offered bonds are different. Our data show that private placement bonds are more likely to have restrictive covenants than public bonds. Private placement bonds are also more likely to be issued by smaller and riskier firms. For investment‐grade firms that issue bonds in both markets, our analysis shows that firms select the bond type to minimize financing costs. We find significant differences in the pricing of private placement and publicly offered bonds, and some of these differences appear to be related to the different institutional features between the two markets.
A New Data Set on Monetary Policy: The Economic Forecasts of Individual Members of the FOMC
Authors: ROMER DAVID
Published: July 2010

This paper describes a new data set of the forecasts of output growth, inflation, and unemployment prepared by individual members of the Federal Open Market Committee. The paper discusses the scope of the data set, possibilities for extending it, and some potential uses. It offers a preliminary examination of some of the cross‐sectional features of the data.
Sell‐Side School Ties
Authors: COHEN LAUREN , FRAZZINI ANDREA , MALLOY CHRISTOPHER
Published: July 2010

We study the impact of social networks on agents’ ability to gather superior information about firms. Exploiting novel data on the educational background of sell‐side analysts and senior corporate officers, we find that analysts outperform by up to 6.60% per year on their stock recommendations when they have an educational link to the company. Pre‐Reg FD, this school‐tie return premium is 9.36% per year, while post‐Reg FD it is nearly zero. In contrast, in an environment that did not change selective disclosure regulation (the U.K.), the school‐tie premium is large and significant over the entire sample period.
Implantation of a Carotid Baroreceptor Stimulator in Patients with Pacemakers and Hypertension
Authors: KARUNARATNE HARISCHANDRA , MULUK SATISH , PAPADEMETRIOU VASILIOS , PARK W. MICHAEL , SAMPLE ROSS , IRWIN ERIC
Published: July 2010

Background: The Rheos® System (CVRx, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is an implantable device used to lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension by stimulation of the carotid baroreceptors. It is unknown if interaction might exist between Rheos and conventional pacemakers.

Methods: Compatibility of the Rheos device was tested in four patients with preexisting pacemakers. Intra‐ and postoperative testing was completed with pacemaker and Rheos settings programmed to provoke interaction. Intracardiac electrograms were printed to determine interaction with the pacemaker.

Results: No interaction was observed at maximum atrial and ventricular sensitivity settings and maximum bilateral Rheos output settings.

Conclusion: Concomitant device therapy with Rheos device and pacemakers can be achieved without interaction. (PACE 2011; 34:354–356)
Structure of GeS2–SbSI Glasses by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Ding Lihua , Zhao Donghui , Jain Himanshu , Xu Yinsheng , Wang Shufen , Chen Guorong
Published: July 2010

Glasses of (GeS2)x–(SbSI)1−x composition are promising precursors for making optically active transparent glass–ceramics with SbSI as the ferroelectric phase. We report the composition dependence of optical transmission of this glass series with x=0.1–0.5 and correlate it with the structure as determined by Raman spectroscopy. A short‐range structural model is proposed on the basis of experiment results.
Free‐Standing Ultrathin Ceramic Foils
Authors: Bonderer Lorenz J. , Chen Philipp W. , Kocher Peter , Gauckler Ludwig J.
Published: July 2010

Ceramic thin films are used in various applications for their structural or functional properties. Below a thickness of approximately 25 μm, ceramic films are typically deposited, sintered, and used on a supporting substrate due to their fragility. Here, we present a set of easy and versatile green film deposition and sintering techniques that allow the fabrication of free‐standing micrometer‐thin alumina and yttria‐stabilized zirconia foils. Because of their extremely low thickness, the foils were transparent and flexible but still strong enough that they were self‐supporting and could be handled manually. The presented concepts are not limited to the materials used here and can potentially be extended to most ceramic materials and glasses. So prepared free‐standing ultrathin ceramic foils allow new assembly and fabrication methods of devices and novel materials that contain thin ceramic membranes.
Directly auto‐transplanted mesenchymal stem cells induce bone formation in a ceramic bone substitute in an ectopic sheep model
Authors: Boos Anja M. , Loew Johanna S. , Deschler Gloria , Arkudas Andreas , Bleiziffer Oliver , Gulle Heinz , Dragu Adrian , Kneser Ulrich , Horch Raymund E. , Beier Justus P.
Published: July 2010

Bone tissue engineering approaches increasingly focus on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In most animal transplantation models MSC are isolated and expanded before auto cell transplantation which might be critical for clinical application in the future. Hence this study compares the potential of directly auto‐transplanted versus in vitro expanded MSC with or without bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) to induce bone formation in a large volume ceramic bone substitute in the sheep model. MSC were isolated from bone marrow aspirates and directly auto‐transplanted or expanded in vitro and characterized using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and RT‐PCR analysis before subcutaneous implantation in combination with BMP‐2 and β‐tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (β‐TCP/HA) granules. Constructs were explanted after 1 to 12 weeks followed by histological and RT‐PCR evaluation. Sheep MSC were CD29+, CD44+ and CD166+ after selection by Ficoll gradient centrifugation, while directly auto‐transplanted MSC‐populations expressed CD29 and CD166 at lower levels. Both, directly auto‐transplanted and expanded MSC, were constantly proliferating and had a decreasing apoptosis over time in vivo. Directly auto‐transplanted MSC led to de novo bone formation in a heterotopic sheep model using a β‐TCP/HA matrix comparable to the application of 60 μg/ml BMP‐2 only or implantation of expanded MSC. Bone matrix proteins were up‐regulated in constructs following direct auto‐transplantation and in expanded MSC as well as in BMP‐2 constructs. Up‐regulation was detected using immunohistology methods and RT‐PCR. Dense vascularization was demonstrated by CD31 immunohistology staining in all three groups. Ectopic bone could be generated using directly auto‐transplanted or expanded MSC with β‐TCP/HA granules alone. Hence BMP‐2 stimulation might become dispensable in the future, thus providing an attractive, clinically feasible approach to bone tissue engineering.
Discriminant validity of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and comparability with World Health Organization criteria in a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mendes Fausto Medeiros , Braga Mariana Minatel , Oliveira Luciana Butini , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira , Ardenghi Thiago Machado , Bönecker Marcelo
Published: July 2010

Mendes FM, Braga MM, Oliveira LB, Antunes JLF, Ardenghi TM, Bönecker M. Discriminant validity of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and comparability with World Health Organization criteria in a cross‐sectional study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 398–407. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract –  Objectives:  The aim of this cross‐sectional study in preschool children was to assess the ability of International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) in discriminating socioeconomic factors associated with the presence of caries lesions at both noncavitated and cavitated thresholds and to compare with the standard World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

Methods:  The study was carried out in Amparo, Brazil, during the National Day of Children’s Vaccination including 252 children aged 36–59 months. The same child was independently examined by two calibrated examiners, one using the ICDAS and the other using WHO criteria. Socioeconomic information was also recorded. Associations between socioeconomic factors and presence of caries assessed as binary (caries prevalence) and count outcome (actual dmfs values) obtained by WHO criteria and by ICDAS at noncavitated and cavitated thresholds were evaluated by Poisson regression analysis with robust variance.

Results:  Some covariates were significantly associated with the presence of caries evaluated by the WHO criteria and by ICDAS (using score 3 as cut‐off point). When noncavitated scores of ICDAS were used to calculate the presence of caries, the discriminant power decreased. When dmfs values were used as outcome, no differences in the associations were observed between two systems or using noncavitated caries lesions.

Conclusion:  Cavitated scores of ICDAS present similar discriminant validity compared with WHO criteria when presence of caries is used as outcome; however, when actual dmfs values are used, no differences are observed in using noncavitated or cavitated caries lesions.
Connecting the mechanisms of T‐cell regulation: dendritic cells as the missing link
Authors: Cobbold Stephen P. , Adams Elizabeth , Nolan Kathleen F. , Regateiro Frederico S. , Waldmann Herman
Published: July 2010

Summary:  A variety of different molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain the suppressive action of regulatory T cells, including the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, negative costimulatory ligands, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase‐mediated tryptophan catabolism, CD73‐mediated adenosine generation, and downregulation of antigen‐presenting cells. Until now it has been unclear how important each of these different mechanisms might be and how they are coordinated. In this review, we examine the hypothesis that it is the interaction between regulatory T cells and dendritic cells that creates a local microenvironment depleted of essential amino acids and rich in adenosine that leads to the amplification of a range of different tolerogenic signals. These signals are all eventually integrated by mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition, which enables the induction of new forkhead box protein 3‐expressing Tregs. If correct, this provides a molecular explanation for the in vivo phenomena of linked suppression and infectious tolerance.
Computational Methodologies for Compound Database Searching that Utilize Experimental Protein–Ligand Interaction Information
Authors: Tan Lu , Batista Jose , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: July 2010

Ligand‐ and target structure‐based methods are widely used in virtual screening, but there is currently no methodology available that fully integrates these different approaches. Herein, we provide an overview of various attempts that have been made to combine ligand‐ and structure‐based computational screening methods. We then review different types of approaches that utilize protein–ligand interaction information for database screening and filtering. Interaction‐based approaches make use of a variety of methodological concepts including pharmacophore modeling and direct or indirect encoding of protein–ligand interactions in fingerprint formats. These interaction‐based methods have been successfully applied to tackle different tasks related to virtual screening including postprocessing of docking poses, prioritization of binding modes, selectivity analysis, or similarity searching. Furthermore, we discuss the recently developed interacting fragment approach that indirectly incorporates 3D interaction information into 2D similarity searching and bridges between ligand‐ and structure‐based methods.
Risso's dolphins alter daily resting pattern in response to whale watching at the Azores
Authors: Visser Fleur , Hartman Karin L. , Rood Ente J. J. , Hendriks Arthur J. E. , Zult Daan B. , Wolff Wim J. , Huisman Jef , Pierce Graham J.
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Behavioral responses of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) to whale watching vessels were studied off Pico Island, Azores. Dolphin behavior was studied from a land‐based lookout, enabling observations of groups in the absence and presence of vessels. The number of whale watching vessels showed a clear seasonal pattern, dividing the whale watching period into a low season and a high season. During the low season, Risso's dolphins rested mainly in the morning and afternoon. During the high season, Risso's dolphins rested less and did so mainly at noon, when the number of active vessels was lowest. Data analysis using a generalized additive mixed model indicated that this change in resting behavior was associated with vessel abundance. When more than five vessels were present, Risso's dolphins spent significantly less time resting and socializing. During the high season, this vessel abundance was exceeded during 20% of observation days. While we cannot be sure that the observed changes in behavior have fitness consequences for Risso's dolphins, reduced resting and socializing rates can have negative impacts on the build‐up of energy reserves and on reproductive success. We suggest the adoption of precautionary management measures to regulate the timing and intensity of whale watching activities.
Localization, Growth, and Inactivation of Salmonella Saintpaul on Jalapeño Peppers
Authors: Liao C.‐H. , Cooke P.H. , Niemira B.A.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Consumption of Salmonella‐contaminated jalapeño peppers has been implicated in one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in the summer of 2008. The objective of this study was to investigate representative groups of native microflora and the distribution, growth, and inactivation of experimentally‐inoculated Salmonella Saintpaul on jalapeño peppers. Two genetically modified strains of Salm. Saintpaul producing either green‐ or red‐fluorescent protein were constructed and used in the study. Microbiological analyses showed that jalapeño peppers contained an average of 5.6 log units of total aerobic count and 3.5, 1.8, and 1.9 log units, respectively, of enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast/mold per gram of tissue. Strains typical of Pseudomonas accounted for 8.3% of total aerobic count, and 0.2% of which exhibited pectolytic activity. On inoculated peppers, a vast majority (>90%) of Salm. Saintpaul was recovered from stem/calyx and only a small proportion recovered from fleshy pods. Growth of Salm. Saintpaul on peppers was indicated by an increase in the population of 3 log units after incubation of samples at 20 °C for 48 h. Fluorescent Salm. Saintpaul aggregates could be readily detected on stem/calyx using stereofluorescence imaging microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Data presented showed that Salm. Saintpaul could survive for at least 8 wk on peppers stored at 4 °C. Immersion of inoculated peppers in 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite, acidified sodium chlorite, or peroxy acetic acid for 10 min could reduce the number of Salm. Saintpaul on stem/calyx by 1.5 to 1.7 and that on flesh by 2.1 to 2.4 log units.

Practical Application:  Consumption of Salmonella‐contaminated jalapeño peppers has been implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks. The vast majority of Salmonella Saintpaul recovered from inoculated jalapeño peppers (>90%) was from stem/calyx. Salmonella increased by 3 log units during storage at 68 °F (20 °C) for 48 h. Salmonella could survive for at least 8 wk on peppers stored at 4 °C. Immersion of inoculated peppers in 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite, acidified sodium chlorite, or peroxyacetic acid for 10 min reduced Salmonella on stem/calyx by 1.5 to 1.7 log units, compared with reductions of 2.1 to 2.4 log units on flesh. These results highlight the need to consider the stem/calyx as the most likely area for contamination of jalapeño peppers, and to process this commodity accordingly to minimize exposure and cross‐contaminations.
Optimization of Nisin Production by Lactococcus lactis UQ2 Using Supplemented Whey as Alternative Culture Medium
Authors: González‐Toledo S.Y. , Domínguez‐Domínguez J. , García‐Almendárez B.E. , Prado‐Barragán L.A. , Regalado‐González C.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Lactococcus lactis UQ2 is a nisin A‐producing native strain. In the present study, the production of nisin by L. lactis UQ2 in a bioreactor using supplemented sweet whey (SW) was optimized by a statistical design of experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). In a 1st approach, a fractional factorial design (FFD) of the order 25‐1 with 3 central points was used. The effect on nisin production of air flow, SW, soybean peptone (SP), MgSO4/MnSO4 mixture, and Tween 80 was evaluated. From FFD, the most significant factors affecting nisin production were SP (P = 0.011), and SW (P = 0.037). To find optimum conditions, a central composite design (CCD) with 2 central points was used. Three factors were considered, SW (7 to 10 g/L), SP (7 to10 g/L), and small amounts of added nisin as self‐inducer (NI 34.4 to 74.4 IU/L). Nisin production was expressed as international units (IU). From RSM, an optimum nisin activity of 180 IU/mL was predicted at 74.4 IU/L NI, 13.8 g/L SP, and 14.9 or 5.11 g/L SW, while confirmatory experiments showed a maximum activity of 178 ± 5.2 IU/mL, verifying the validity of the model. The 2nd‐order model showed a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.828. Optimized conditions were used for constant pH fermentations, where a maximum activity of 575 ± 17 IU/mL was achieved at pH 6.5 after 12 h. The adsorption‐desorption technique was used to partially purify nisin, followed by drying. The resulting powder showed an activity of 102150 IU/g.

Practical Application: Nisin production was optimized using supplemented whey as alternative culture medium, using a native L. lactis UQ2 strain. Soybean peptone, SW, and subinhibitory amounts of nisin were successfully employed to optimize nisin production by L. lactis UQ2. Dried semipurified nisin showed an activity of 102150 IU/g.
Stretched Until It Snaps: Attachment and Close Relationships
Authors: Van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J.
Published: July 2010

Abstract— M. Del Giudice and J. Belsky (this issue) suggest that males and females tend to follow different reproductive strategies associated with different types of insecure attachments. It is clear that gender differences in reproductive strategies and in close relationships may exist. However, there is no support for gender differences in attachment behaviors and representations in the current evidence base. The authors propose to consider attachment and close relationships as horses of different colors and to examine their potentially gendered association as independently assessed constructs.
Effect of NO synthase inhibition on retinal vessel reaction to isometric exercise in healthy humans
Authors: Lasta Michael , Polak Kaija , Luksch Alexandra , Garhofer Gerhard , Schmetterer Leopold
Published: July 2010

Purpose:  It has been shown that retinal blood flow is autoregulated, meaning that flow is independent of perfusion pressure within a certain range. We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition alters the response of retinal arterial and venous vessels during isometric exercise.

Methods:  In this study, nine healthy subjects were included. Each subject received the NO synthase inhibitor Ng‐monomethyl‐l‐Arginine (l‐NMMA, the α‐receptor agonist phenylephrine or placebo intravenously on three study days. Retinal vessel diameter was assessed with the retinal vessel analyser (RVA), at baseline and during a squatting period of 6–7 min in absence or presence of l‐NMMA, phenylephrine or placebo.

Results:  Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse rate (PR) increased significantly during all pretreatment squatting periods (p < 0.001) Retinal venous and arterial diameters showed a continuous decrease during squatting (p < 0.001). Phenylephrine increased MAP and PR but did not alter the retinal vessel diameter response to squatting. Administration of l‐NMMA lead to a significant decrease in venous diameter before isometric exercise (p = 0.004). In addition, the retinal venous diameter response during administration of the NO synthase inhibitor was less pronounced than during phenylephrine or placebo (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Our study confirms that NO plays an important role in the control of retinal vascular tone at rest. In addition, the present data indicate a role of NO in retinal autoregulation, because the response of retinal venous diameters was altered after NO synthase inhibition. The nature of involvement, however, appears to be complex and requires further studies.
Rational Finite Elements and Flexible Body Dynamics
Authors: Lan Peng , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: July 2010

The goal of this study is to develop the dynamic differential equations of the first finite element based on the rational absolute nodal coordinate formulation (RANCF) and to demonstrate its use in the nonlinear dynamic and vibration analysis of flexible bodies that undergo large displacements, including large deformations and finite rotations. New RANCF elements, which correctly describe rigid body displacements, will allow representing complex geometric shapes that cannot be described exactly using nonrational finite elements. Developing such rational finite elements will facilitate the integration of computer aided design and analysis and will allow for developing analysis models that are consistent with the actual geometry. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of developing RANCF finite elements, an Euler–Bernoulli beam element, called in this investigation as the cable element, is used. The relationship between the nonrational absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) finite elements and the nonrational Bezier curves is discussed briefly first in order to shed light on the transformation between the control points used in the Bezier curve representation and the ANCF gradient coordinates. Using similar procedure and coordinate transformation, the RANCF finite elements can be systematically derived from the computer aided design geometric description. The relationships between the rational Bezier and the RANCF interpolation functions are obtained and used to demonstrate that the new RANCF finite elements are capable of describing arbitrary large deformations and finite rotations. By assuming the weights of the Bezier curve representation to be constant, the RANCF finite elements lead to a constant mass matrix, and as a consequence, the Coriolis and centrifugal inertia force vectors are identically equal to zero. The assumption of constant weights can be used to ensure accurate representation of the geometry in the reference configuration and also allows for the use of the same rational interpolating polynomials to describe both the original geometry and the deformation. A large strain theory is used to formulate the nonlinear elastic forces of the new RANCF cable element. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the RANCF cable element in the analysis of flexible bodies that experience large deformations and finite rotations. The results obtained are compared with the results obtained using the nonrational ANCF cable element.
Finite Element Analysis of Thermoelastic Damping in Contour-Mode Vibrations of Micro- and Nanoscale Ring, Disk, and Elliptical Plate Resonators
Authors: Yi Yun-Bo
Published: July 2010

Thermoelastic damping in contour-mode in-plane vibrations of rings, disks, and elliptical plates is investigated on various size scales, using a reduced finite element formulation. The Fourier scheme is applied to the axisymmetric geometries including circular rings and disks, and is found to be remarkably efficient in searching solutions. The numerical accuracy is further improved by the implementation of quadratic interpolation functions. The computational results are validated by comparing with the commercial software packages as well as the existing analytical solutions in literature. For resonators of elliptical shapes, the dominant frequency has a weak dependence on the geometric aspect ratio γ, whereas the effect of γ on the quality factor (Q value) is much stronger and the peak Q value of the leading mode consistently occurs in the vicinity of γ=1.42.
Momentum Conservation and Condensing Vapor Bubbles
Authors: Eames I.
Published: July 2010

Boiling is a common feature of many daily processes, such as making tea, cooking, and heating. The growth, rise, collapse, and final disappearance of vapor bubbles are ubiquitous features of nucleate boiling. New experimental observations show that a vortex is generated as a consequence of the bubble disappearing. We categorize the possible mechanisms that lead to the generation of a vortex by bubbles. When the bubble collapses but does not change topology, the vortex is created by viscous effects, where the attached wake behind the vapor bubble persists after the bubble has disappeared. But when the bubbles collapse so rapidly that they change topology, the vortex is created by an inviscid mechanism. The total momentum communicated to the flow by the collapse processes is calculated and compared with the measurements of the vortex impulse.
Thermal Modeling of a Multilayer Insulation System
Authors: Kim D. K. , Marotta E. E. , Fletcher L. S.
Published: July 2010

An analytical investigation of a novel multilayer insulation concept was conducted using an extended analytical model. This model was developed to accommodate a multilayer screen wire insulation system with interstitial shim layers. The goal of this study was to provide a simplified model for evaluating this insulation system, which included either a single or multilayer composite structure in order to predict optimal performance. With the present model, the feasibility and performance characteristics of the insulation concept were predicted. The thermal predictions have demonstrated a very good comparison with previously published experimental data. By adding a radiative resistance to the model, improved performance predictions of overall thermal resistance/conductance were possible, leading to the extension of single layer analytical model to multiple-layered cases. From the parametric study, the key thermophysical property of the screen wire was found to be the wire’s thermal conductivity. The present model provided excellent performance prediction capability for other screen wire materials, and these results were also validated with a comparison to previously published experimental results.
A Shape Function-Based Updating Parameters Selection Method for Long-Span Bridges
Authors: Liu Gang , Huang Zongming , Shao Yimin , Weng Shangbin
Published: July 2010

We present a new updating parameters (UPs) selection method to tackle the bottleneck created by having too many UPs and limited measured data in model updating processing. While the model updating is performed by parameter optimization, an ill-conditioned numerical problem may be encountered or the reliability of the result may be unacceptable if too many parameters are used. The selection of UPs thus becomes a key issue, especially for long-span bridges with finite element models that should be divided into at least hundreds of element numbers. A new method is introduced to reduce the number of UPs and retain their physical significance. In this method, original UPs are described by a few macro-parameters based on shape functions. The model subsequently is updated by a normal optimization algorithm, such as the first-order optimization method. Based on a bridge with a three-span continuous beam and a long-span tie-arch, the optimal effects are investigated, with or without a shape function and using different types of shape functions. The results indicate that the effect of the modal updating based on a shape function is more robust than without shape function and the effect of a linear shape function is better than that of a constant value shape function.
Fractional-Order Control of a Robotic Bird
Authors: Couceiro Micael S. , Ferreira N. M. Fonseca , Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: July 2010

In this paper it is studied the relation between the angle of attack and the velocity of the bird, the tail influence over the bird trajectory, the gliding and the flapping flight in a closed loop with fractional order controllers. The results are positive for the design and construction of flying robots having similarities with flying animals. The development of computational simulation based on the dynamic of the robotic bird that should allow testing strategies and algorithms of control.
Advances in Transfer Matrix Method of Multibody System
Authors: Rui Xiaoting , Wang Guoping , Yun Laifeng , He Bin , Yang Fufeng , Rong Bao
Published: July 2010

Multibody system dynamics has become important theoretical tool for wide engineering problems analysis in the world. Transfer matrix method of multibody system (MS-TMM) is a new approach for multibody system dynamics, which is developed in 20 years. In this paper, the transfer matrix method for linear and nonlinear multibody systems are introduced respectively. For linear multibody systems, the new concept of body dynamics equation and augmented eigenvector, the construction method of orthogonality, and the computing method of vibration characteristics and dynamic response are introduced; For nonlinear multibody systems, the discrete time transfer matrix method of multibody system (MS-DT-TMM) are presented. The apply of the transfer matrix method for multibody systems with tree, closed loop and network structures are also introduced. The transfer matrix method has good characteristics: 1 It does not require overall dynamics equations of system and simplify the solution procedure. 2 It has high computing speed, because the system matrices are always small irrespective of the size of a system. 3 It avoids the difficulties caused by developing overall dynamic equations of a system and by computing too high order matrices. 4 It provides maximum flexibility in modeling various configurations of multibody systems, by creating library of transfer matrices and assembling them easily, and by introducing any suitable numerical integration scheme. The new method is efficient for linear and nonlinear multi-rigid-flexible-body system, and it has been paid great attention, because many engineering problem of important mechanical system were solved effectively by using this method.
Analysis of Fatigue Crack Growth in Friction Stir Welded Joints of 2024 Al Alloy
Authors: Zadeh M. , Ali Aidy , Golestaneh A. F. , Sahari B. B.
Published: July 2010

This paper concerned with analysis of fatigue crack growth behavior of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) joints, by the comparison of boundary element method simulation results with experimental investigation of FSW Al 2024 alloy. Crack propagation in different FSW joint zones was studied using Paris and Forman-Newman-de Koning models and fatigue life estimation provided good agreement with the experiments.
Software Support for Ground Control Station for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Jovanovic´ Mlađan , Starcˇevic´ Dusˇan , Jovanovic´ Zoran
Published: July 2010

Uninhabited vehicles can be used in many applications and domains, particularly in environments that humans cannot enter (e.g. deep sea) or prefer not to enter (e.g. war zones). The promise of relatively low cost, highly reliable and effective assets that are not subject to the physical, psychological or training constraints of human pilots has led to much research effort across the world. Due to technological advances and increasing investment, interest in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a practical, deployable technological component in many civil applications is rapidly increasing and becoming a reality, as are their capabilities and availability. UAV platforms also offer a unique experimental environment for developing, integrating and experimenting with many other technologies such as automated planners, knowledge representation systems, chronicle recognition systems, etc. UAV performs various kinds of missions such as mobile tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, land management, environmental monitoring, disaster management. UAV is a complex and challenging system to develop. It operates autonomously in unknown and dynamically changing environment. This requires different types of subsystems to cooperate. In order to realize all functionalities of the UAV, the software part becomes very complex real-time system expected to execute real-time tasks concurrently. This paper describes proposed software architecture for GCS (Ground Control Station) for lightweight UAV purpose-built for medium-scale reconnaissance and surveillance missions in civil area. The overall system architecture and implementation are described.
Simple Electromagnetic Force Model for Industrial Rotordynamic Analyses of Electrical Machines
Authors: Holopainen Timo P.
Published: July 2010

Electromagnetic fields in the air gap of an electric machine produce electromagnetic forces between the rotor and stator. These forces couple the electromagnetic system to the mechanical one. This electromechanical interaction may change the dynamic behavior of the rotor system. To control the rotordynamics of electrical machines, it is important to predict the effects of electromechanical interaction between the rotor and stator. The aim of this paper is to introduce a practical method to include electromechanical interaction in rotordydynamics of electrical machines. This aim is achieved by transforming the frequency response function of the unbalanced-magnetic-pull presenting the electromagnetic forces into the form of electromagnetically induced stiffness and damping matrices. The results calculated by this method were compared to the results obtained by a previous calculation method and experimental results. This comparison confirmed that the prediction capability of the developed method is excellent. Finally, the evaluated stiffness and damping matrices obtained by using the developed method can be easily inserted to the general purpose rotordynamic codes, which means that the effects of electromechanical interaction of real machines can be evaluated in a straightforward manner.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using Singular Value Decomposition and Hidden Markov Modeling
Authors: Wang Dong , Miao Qiang , Sun Rui , Huang Hong-Zhong
Published: July 2010

Condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of bearings are of practical significance in industry. In order to get a feature containing different fault signatures, this paper uses Wavelet Transform (WT), Wavelet Lifting Scheme (WLS) and Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), respectively, to decompose signal into different frequency bands. Then, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is utilized to extract intrinsic characteristic of signal from obtained matrix. These singular value vectors are regarded as inputs to Hidden Markov Models (HMM) for identification of machinery health condition. In this research, the fault diagnosis system is validated by motor bearing data, including normal bearings, inner race fault bearings, outer race fault bearings and roller fault bearings. Analysis results show that this method is effective in bearing fault diagnosis and its classification rate is excellent.