bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun nanofibers for enhancing structural performance of composite materials
Authors: Zucchelli Andrea , Focarete Maria Letizia , Gualandi Chiara , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: December 2010

Over the past six decades, engineered composite materials found wide ranging applications in land, sea and air transport vehicles, space exploration, military equipment and defense, storage, buildings and construction, chemical processing, electrical engineering, healthcare, and general engineering industries. Performance of engineered composites is tailored for an intended application by judiciously selecting the matrix and reinforcement materials, by modifying the fiber–matrix interface, and by controlling the architecture of fibers in the matrix. Most widely used reinforcement fibers are micron size diameter fibers. There is growing need for engineered composites with enhanced structural performance in newer applications as well as existing applications, which are expected to meet higher functional requirements and enhanced safety requirements. Moreover the global movement toward sustainable development is seeking engineered materials which are environmentally benign. Recently the electrospinning process has emerged as a viable industrial process to produce nanofibers from a variety of materials including naturally occurring polymers. This paper illustrates the benefits of using electrospun nanofibers in enhancing the structural performance of engineered composite materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silicone composites containing stabilized silver clusters or nanoparticles
Authors: Cazacu Maria , Racles Carmen , Airinei Anton , Vlad Angelica , Stoica Iuliana
Published: December 2010

Silver nanoparticles are of high importance due to their electrical, magnetic, and optical properties, as well as catalytic and biocidal activity that are superior to the bulk silver and other metals. To prepare certain devices, generally, silver is incorporated into a matrix either as preformed or in situ‐generated particles. Silver nanoparticles were generated in situ into a silicone matrix formed by cohydrolysis of the mixture of silanes, each of them having a certain role: dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES) as a precursor for highly flexible polydimethylsiloxane, methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) as a cross‐linker highly compatible with polydimethylsiloxane, and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a stabilizer, since it can readily complex to silver atoms through its amine functionality. Dimethylformamide (DMF) was used as a solvent for the silver nitrate and reducing agent. The samples were investigated both in sol state and as aged coating films deposited on glass substrate. The complexation of the silver and the matrix formation were emphasized by FTIR. The size of the formed silicone particles encapsulating silver was estimated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) (about 100 nm) in sol and by AFM in film (about 90 nm). The formation of the clusters or nanoparticles depending on the ratio between the reducing and complexing agents was evidenced by UV–Vis absorption spectra. Thus, it would create conditions to stop and isolate clusters at the desired size by precise control of the experimental conditions. The composites could be used alone as antibacterial‐coating materials but also, porous silica having incorporated silver clusters with potential applicability in catalysis may result after their calcination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation, flame retardancy, and thermal degradation of epoxy thermosets modified with phosphorous/nitrogen‐containing glycidyl derivative
Authors: Wang Xin , Hu Yuan , Song Lei , Xing Weiyi , Lu Hongdian
Published: December 2010

Phosphorus/nitrogen‐containing advanced epoxy resins were obtained by chain‐extension of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A epoxy (DGEBA) resin with phosphorus‐modified triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGICP). The structure of TGICP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the EP/TGICP composites possessed higher glass transition temperatures than that of phosphorus free EP. The thermal stability and flame retardant properties of the epoxy resin/TGICP systems were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and vertical burning test (UL‐94) test. When the TGICP content was 10 wt%, the LOI value of epoxy resin system was as high as 35.0% and it can obtain the V‐0 grade in UL‐94 protocol. From microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) measurement, it was found that the addition of TGICP reduced the value of peak heat release rate and total heat release. The thermal degradation process of EP and EP/TGICP composite was monitored by real time FTIR. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to explore the morphology and chemical components of the char residues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemoresistant hepatoblastoma in a patient with mosaic trisomy 18 treated with orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Fernandez Karen S. , Baum Rebecca , Fung Bonita , Yeager Nicholas , Leonis Mike A. , Wagner Lars M. , Tiao Greg , Ross Mary E.
Published: November 2010

We present a 9‐month‐old male with mosaic trisomy 18 with a right hepatic lobe mass. The tumor was completely resected and identified as pure fetal histology hepatoblastoma but contained increased mitotic activity. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin, vincristine, and 5‐fluorouracil. After the first and fourth cycles of chemotherapy, recurrent tumor developed. The patient underwent rescue orthotopic liver transplantation, and is currently alive without evidence of hepatoblastoma 28 months after transplantation. This report demonstrates the use of orthotopic liver transplantation in a child with mosaic trisomy 18 and hepatoblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:498–500. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Death due to asthma in two adolescents with sickle cell disease
Authors: Field Joshua J. , Horst Jennifer , Strunk Robert C. , White Frances V. , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: November 2010

In one prospective cohort study, a diagnosis of asthma was associated with an increased risk of mortality in individuals with sickle cell anemia or HbSS. However, a direct relationship between death and asthma exacerbation could not be documented. This report examines two adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) who died during worsening symptoms consistent with asthma. Autopsies in both individuals demonstrated pulmonary airway smooth muscle hyperplasia, basement membrane thickening, and eosinophilia, consistent with bronchial asthma. Individuals with SCD and asthma warrant ongoing education, treatment, and surveillance for life‐threatening complications of asthma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:454–457. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kaposi sarcoma in South African children
Authors: Stefan D. Cristina , Stones David K. , Wainwright Linda , Newton Robert
Published: November 2010

Background

The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in sub‐Saharan Africa, increased tens of times since the onset of the AIDS epidemic. There is, however, very little literature concerning the clinical features of this disease, its management and outcome in HIV‐positive children in Africa. This study describes retrospectively the clinical presentation of the malignancy, its management and outcome, in a series of HIV‐positive children.

Patients and Methods

Seventy children with KS and HIV infection were admitted consecutively from January 1998 to December 2009 in South African hospitals. Clinical data were extracted from tumor registries and patient records and analyzed.

Results

The average age in this series was 73 months. The males/females ratio was 1.59:1. Skin lesions were present in 36 out of 63 cases (57.14%), followed by lymph node lesions (28 cases, 44.44%). The mean CD4+ lymphocyte count was 440 (SD = 385). The average CD4+ percentage was 12.20% (SD = 9.13). Only 14 patients (20%) were taking combined antiretrovirals at the time of diagnosis; a further 35 were given HIV treatment after diagnosis. Thirty‐two patients (45.71%) survived only 4 months on average; 10 were lost to follow‐up; and 28 (40%) were alive, with an average follow‐up of 16 months. Antiretrovirals improved survival (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The often present skin lesions facilitated the diagnosis; lymphadenopathy was less frequently seen than skin lesions. Antiretroviral drugs were associated with higher survival rate. The mortality remains high in spite of antiretrovirals and cytostatics. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:392–396. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
B‐Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cystinuria in a patient with duplication 22q11.21 detected by chromosomal microarray analysis
Authors: Chang Vivian Y. , Quintero‐Rivera Fabiola , Baldwin Erin E. , Woo Kathy , Martinez‐Agosto Julian A. , Fu Cecilia , Gomperts Brigitte N.
Published: November 2010

Duplication 22q11.2 syndrome is the result of a microduplication of the same chromosomal region that is deleted in DiGeorge and Velocardiofacial syndromes. We describe a patient with dysmorphic features who was diagnosed with pre‐B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and developed cystinuria and pancreatitis during treatment. Duplication 22q11.2 has not been previously described in association with hematologic abnormalities. Chromosomal microarray technology was used to diagnose duplication 22q11.2 syndrome. In this era of advanced genomics, this technology has become an important method for helping to determine the molecular basis of diseases, best treatments and ultimately patient outcomes. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:470–473. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The diagnostic utility of routine chest radiography in the evaluation of the initial fever in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell
Authors: Cox Jennifer A. , DeMasi James , McCollom Susan , Jackson Gevel , Scothorn Douglas , Aquino Victor M.
Published: November 2010

Background

A routine chest radiograph is often performed to evaluate initial fever in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) given the signs and symptoms of infectious pulmonary pathology may be subtle or absent. Studies in patients receiving conventional chemotherapy have shown that chest radiographs do not appear to be helpful in the evaluation of asymptomatic patients with febrile neutropenia. We performed a retrospective review of pediatric stem cell transplant recipients to determine if chest radiographs are useful in the evaluation of initial fever.

Procedure

We retrospectively identified 81 consecutive pediatric hematopoietic stem transplant recipients who had a chest radiograph performed as a routine part of the evaluation of initial fever during stem cell transplantation.

Results

Seventy‐six (94%) of the chest radiographs performed had no evidence of pulmonary infiltrate. Of the five children with positive radiographs, three had symptomatic respiratory infection and two (40%) were asymptomatic. One asymptomatic patient had a history of pulmonary infection with persistent stable infiltrates prior to transplantation. This patient did not have any evidence of pneumonia during the transplant. The second asymptomatic patient had subsequent resolution of the infiltrate with antibiotic administration. None of the patients had a change made in the empiric antibiotic regimen based upon the results of the chest film.

Conclusions

Routine radiographs are not useful in the evaluation of asymptomatic children at the time of an initial febrile event while undergoing HSCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 666–668. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative computed tomography is unreliable for measurement of bone mineral density in inadequately chelated adolescent patients with β‐thalassemia major: A case–control study
Authors: Bansal Deepak , Venkateshwaran S. , Khandelwal N. , Marwaha R.K.
Published: November 2010

Background

Utility of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with thalassemia is not fully established. Majority of patients with thalassemia in India receive suboptimal iron chelation. There is paucity of data on BMD in this population. Aim was to assess BMD by lumbar QCT in adolescent patients with transfusion dependent β‐thalassemia major and compare with controls.

Procedure

Study was conducted prospectively, over 15 months. Single energy QCT was performed through first three lumbar vertebrae.

Results

Forty‐five patients were enrolled (age: 10–19 years). Thirty‐eight normal siblings of patients with thalassemia patients served as controls. Forty percent patients weighed <3rd percentile, 64% were stunted, and 40% had suboptimal sexual maturity scores. Eighteen (40%) patients were on iron chelation with deferiprone. Mean serum ferritin was 2,800 ± 1,473 ng/ml. Mean BMD (mg/cu mm) of cases and controls was 194.5 ± 27.1 and 170.4 ± 28.84, respectively (P = 0.0002). The mean BMD of patients with ferritin <2,000 ng/ml and those with a higher ferritin was 181.2 ± 14.9 and 196.7 ± 25, respectively (P = 0.07). The finding of increased BMD in patients with thalassemia is in stark contrast to published reports. Patients had several risk factors for low BMD, including growth retardation, delayed puberty, and iron overload.

Conclusion

Single energy QCT of lumbar vertebrae is not reliable for measurement of BMD in inadequately chelated patients with β‐thalassemia major. The deposition of iron in bone tissue may result in increased X‐ray attenuation values of trabecular bone. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:409–412. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Confounders and intermediaries in case–control study designs: a strategy for distinguishing between the two when measured using the same variable
Authors: Gruneir Andrea , Marras Connie , Fischer Hadas , Wang Xuesong , Gill Sudeep , Rochon Paula A. , Anderson Geoffrey M.
Published: December 2010

Purpose

An intermediary falls within the exposure–outcome pathway and is distinct from a confounder. In case–control studies, it may be difficult to discern between the two when both are measured by the same variable. Using data from a study on the effects of antipsychotic initiation on risk of death among older adults, where hospital use is both a confounder and intermediary, we illustrate the bias introduced when this distinction is overlooked and propose a modified exposure classification strategy to mitigate this.

Methods

We identified 5391 cases and 25 937 controls. Three analyses were completed: traditional analytic adjustment including hospital use (full), traditional analytic adjustment excluding hospital use (reduced) and exposure classification incorporating hospital use prior to antipsychotic initiation (extended).

Results

The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–3.8). Full and reduced analytic adjustment resulted in ORs of 0.8 (95% CI 0.6–1.2) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.0–1.9), respectively. The extended exposure classification strategy produced an OR of 1.4 (95% CI 0.9–2.1) among those without hospital use prior to antipsychotic initiation.

Conclusions

Full analytic adjustment resulted in a biased estimate of effect. The extended exposure analysis differentiated between hospital use that occurred prior (confounder) and subsequent (intermediary) to antipsychotic initiation. This strategy may overcome the limitations of analytic adjustment alone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opportunistic behaviors in franchise chains: the role of cohesion among franchisees
Authors: El Akremi Assâad , Mignonac Karim , Perrigot Rozenn
Published: December 2010

This paper explores social processes between franchisees as a way to control franchisee opportunism. Based on the literature of socio‐psychological and interorganizational relationships, we argue that cohesion among franchisees is negatively associated with opportunistic behaviors that are potentially harmful to the whole chain. We use multilevel and multisource data to show that perceptions of cohesion among franchisees relate both to a) how franchisees apply know‐how from franchisors (i.e., deviation from chains standards), and b) whether they transfer or withhold information that could be useful to the franchise system (i.e., information withholding). Our results underscore the importance of relationships among franchisees, an underexplored component of franchising. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Inert Gas Flow Rate on Homogenization and Inclusion Removal in a Gas Stirred Ladle
Authors: Ek M. , Wu L. , Valentin P. , Sichen D.
Published: December 2010

In the present study, the effect of gas flow rate on homogenization and inclusion removal in a gas stirred ladle was investigated. Both industrial trials and cold model experiments were conducted. CFD calculation was also carried out as an auxiliary tool. The mixing times predicted by CFD simulation agreed well with both the model experiments and industrial data. 99% mixing could be achieved in about 2–3 minutes. The increase of flow rate of inert gas would not improve the mixing substantially, while the mixing time decreased somewhat with the increase of gas flow rate. The water model study showed also that the gas flow rate had a negligible effect on the rate of inclusion removal. Both the experiments and CFD calculation strongly suggested that a low gas flow rate should be applied in the ladle treatment.
Modelling of Microstructure and Flow Stress Evolution during Hot Forging
Authors: Mukherjee M. , Prahl U. , Bleck W.
Published: December 2010

A phenomena based description of the microstructure and flow stress evolution of metals subjected to hot working is presented. The change in dislocation density with time was determined from the dislocation generation and recovery rates. Dynamic recrystallization was assumed to initiate when the dislocation density became greater than a critical value. The flow stress was calculated as a function of the overall dislocation density of the deformed and the recrystallized grains. To validate the model a set of single hit hot compression tests were carried out on two different AFP (Ausscheidungshärtende Ferritisch‐Perlitische or precipitation hardened ferritic‐pearlitic) steels at different strain rate and temperature combinations. The agreement between the calculated and experimental flow curves is quite encouraging.
Galvannealing of (High‐)Manganese‐Alloyed TRIP‐ and X‐IP®‐Steel
Authors: Blumenau M. , Norden M. , Friedel F. , Peters K.
Published: December 2010

In this study the influence of Mn on galvannealed coatings of 1.7% Mn‐1.5% Al TRIP‐ and 23% Mn X‐IP®‐steels was investigated. It is shown that the external selective oxides like Mn, Al and Si of the TRIP steel which occur after annealing at 800 °C for 60 s at a dew point (DP) of ‐25 °C (5% H2) hamper the Fe/Zn‐reaction during subsequent galvannealing. Preoxidation was beneficially utilized to increase the surface‐reactivity of the TRIP steel under the same dew point conditions. The influence of Mn on the steel alloy was investigated by using a 23% Mn containing X‐IP®‐steel which was bright annealed at 1100 °C for 60 s at DP ‐50 °C (5% H2) to obtain a mainly oxide free surface prior to hot dip galvanizing (hdg) and subsequent galvannealing. As well known from the literature Mn alloyed to the liquid zinc melt stabilizes δ‐phase at lower temperatures by participating in the Fe‐Zn‐phase reactions, it was expected that the metallic Mn of the X‐IP®‐steel increases the Fe/Zn‐reactivity in the same manner. The approximation of the effective diffusion coefficient (Deff(Fe)) during galvannealing was found to be higher than compared to a low alloyed steel reference. Contrary to the expectation no increased Fe/Zn‐reaction was found by microscopic investigations. Residual η‐ and ζ‐phase fractions prove a hampered Fe/Zn‐reaction. As explanation for the observed hampered Fe/Zn‐reaction the lower Fe‐content of the high‐Mn‐alloyed X‐IP®‐steel was suggested as the dominating factor for galvannealing.
Neubau der Rethebrücke, Hamburg
Authors: Borowski Michael , Kapusta Jörg
Published: December 2010

Mit dem Neubau der Rethebrücke, die eine Spannweite von 104,2 m aufweist, entsteht im Hamburger Hafen eine von Europas größten Doppelklappbrücken für den Straßenverkehr und die größte Doppelklappbrücke Europas für den Bahnverkehr. Getrennte Querschnitte ermöglichen eine wirtschaftliche Dimensionierung der Brücken entsprechend der unterschiedlichen Belastungen aus Bahn‐ und Straßenverkehr. Die Ausmaße der Klappen resultieren in ebenso mächtigen Klappenpfeilern, welche mit einer Tiefe im Baugrund von 21,7 m im Tidebereich der Elbe besondere Verankerungsmaßnahmen erfordern.

Das Tragwerk der Brücke wird je Brückenseite aus vier sich zur Brückenmitte hin verjüngenden Fachwerkträgern gebildet. Im geschlossenen Zustand der Brücke ermöglicht eine spezielle Fingerkonstruktion in Brückenmitte, die ohne eine mechanische Verriegelung auskommt, die Übertragung positiver Momente.

The new Rethebridge, Hamburg, Germany. With the erecting of the Rethebridge, which has a span of 104.2 m, the port of Hamburg gets one of Europe's largest road bridges and Europe's largest railway bridge with two movable spans (bascule bridge). The superstructure is divided in two parts, one for railway and one for road traffic, thus allowing an economic construction for the different loads. The size of the movable spans results in huge piers (21.7 m deep in ground) standing in Elbe's tidal area needing special anchorage measurements.

The bridge's structure is composed of four truss girders, every bridge side, tapering to the middle of the bridge. At closed position, a special finger construction in the middle of the bridge allows the transfer of positive moments without any mechanical locking system.
Geschweißte Knotenverbindungen aus Hohlprofilen
Authors: Bach Kirstin , Whitfield Steve , Morris Christopher
Published: December 2010

Die Tragfähigkeit von geschweißten Hohlprofilknoten wird bestimmt durch die Abmessungen der Stäbe, die Stahlgüte und die Knotengeometrie (Winkel, Größenverhältnisse usw.). Da alle diese Faktoren schon in den ersten Entwürfen festgelegt werden, ist damit auch bereits die Tragfähigkeit des Knotens vorgegeben. Sehr häufig wird es dann leider der Stahlbaufirma überlassen, die geschweißten Knoten zu planen und die Belastbarkeit zu überprüfen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt kann es für eine Änderung der Abmessungen, der Stahlsorte oder der Geometrie aber schon zu spät sein.

Um eine technisch sichere, wirtschaftliche und architektonisch ansprechende Konstruktion zu erhalten, muss sich der Planer schon im frühen Entwurfsstadium Gedanken über die Knotentragfähigkeit sowie über die Herstellung und die Montage der Konstruktion auf der Baustelle machen.

Der Schlüssel zum erfolgreichen Entwurf von Hohlprofilkonstruktionen ist, das Knotenverhalten von Anfang an zu berücksichtigen. Dieser Artikel möchte deshalb einen Überblick über einige einfache und schnelle Methoden zur Überprüfung der Knotentragfähigkeit geben. Wenn diese Regeln angewendet werden, können die Planer spätere zeitraubende, teure und optisch nicht ansprechende Schwierigkeiten vermeiden.
Seismic performance of l‐shaped rc shear wall subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Li Wei , Li Qing‐ning
Published: December 2010

Shear wall systems are one of the most commonly used lateral‐load resisting systems in high‐rise buildings. The height–thickness ratio of traditional RC shear wall is more than 8. In order to study the seismic performance of a new type of shear wall structure (short‐limb shear wall structure) with height–thickness ratio of 5–8, L‐shaped cross‐section. A total of six shear wall specimens with 1/2‐scaled model were tested under the cyclic loading. The test parameters included: six specimens were loaded in the web plane; axial–load ratio and height‐thickness ratio were in the range of 0.1–0.4 and 5–8, respectively. The failure process, failure mode and deformation properties were studied. The test results are shown that: L‐shaped RC shear wall with a better deformation than the traditional shear wall, when the axial‐load ratio and height‐thickness ratio are within a certain range, the seismic performance will be able to play to the best. Specimens of the axial‐load ratio of 0.1, height‐thickness ratio of 6.5, they have the most excellent ductility and energy dissipation capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Living‐donor Liver Transplantation for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Hori Tomohide , Egawa Hiroto , Miyagawa‐Hayashino Aya , Yorifuji Tohru , Yonekawa Yukihide , Nguyen Justin H. , Uemoto Shinji
Published: December 2010

Background

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) results in liver cirrhosis during the disease course, although the etiology includes unknown mechanisms. Some PFIC patients require liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

In this study, 11 patients with PFIC type 1 (PFIC1) and 3 patients with PFIC type 2 (PFIC2) who underwent living‐donor LT (LDLT) were evaluated.

Results

Digestive symptoms after LDLT were confirmed in 10 PFIC1 recipients (90.9%); 8 PFIC1 recipients showed steatosis after LDLT (72.7%), which began during the early postoperative period (71.5 ± 55.1 days). Seven of the eight steatosis‐positive PFIC1 recipients (87.5%) showed a steatosis degree of ≥80%, which was complicated with steatohepatitis and resulted in fibrosis. Cirrhotic findings persisted in six PFIC1 recipients even after LDLT (54.5%), and three PFIC1 recipients finally died. The survival rates of the PFIC1 recipients at 5, 10, and 15 years were 90.9%, 72.7%, and 54.5%, respectively. In contrast, the PFIC2 recipients showed good courses and outcomes without any steatosis after LDLT.

Conclusions

The clinical courses and outcomes after LDLT are still not sufficient in PFIC1 recipients owing to steatosis/steatohepatitis and subsequent fibrosis, in contrast to PFIC2 recipients. PFIC2 is good indication for LDLT. PFIC1 patients require LT during the disease course; therefore, we suggest that the therapeutic strategies for PFIC1 patients, including the timing of LDLT, under the donor limitation should be reconsidered. The establishment of more advanced treatments for PFIC1 patients is required to improve the long‐term prognosis of these patients.
Effect of perinatal stress on the biogenic amine neurotransmitter level of the adult rat's brain
Authors: Tekes Kornélia , Szegi P. , Laufer R. , Hantos M. , Csaba G.
Published: December 2010

The amount of biogenic amines (dopamine and serotonin) and their metabolites (DOPAC, HVA, 5‐HIAA, and 5‐HTOL) in five regions of the brain (frontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum, and brainstem) was studied in the male and female offspring of control and perinatally (48 h before birth or 48 h after birth) food and water deprived dams, when they were three months old, by using HPLC–EC determination. The increase of amine or metabolite level was dominant (19 values increased and 10 decreased related to control). Before‐birth stress caused increase in 9 case and only 2 decreased, while in the case of after‐birth stress 10 increased and 8 decreased. However, though there is no possibility to decide an exact tendency of direction, the after‐birth stress (transmitted by milk) has more expressed effect. Striatum and brainstem were the most touched regions. There was a gender dependence with the dominance of males, except striatum. Blood plasma nociceptin level was also studied and there was a significant elevation in males after pre‐ and postnatal deprivation, while in females only after postnatal deprivation. The importance of the results in correlation with other stress effects is discussed.
Oral misoprostol as an alternative to surgical management for incomplete abortion in Ghana
Authors: Taylor Joseph , Diop Ayisha , Blum Jennifer , Dolo Obed , Winikoff Beverly
Published: December 2010

Objective

To investigate whether 600‐μg oral misoprostol is an effective alternative to manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for the treatment of incomplete abortion.

Methods

From June 16, 2004, to July 20, 2005, 230 women of reproductive age presenting with incomplete abortion were randomized in an open‐label trial to either 600‐μg oral misoprostol or MVA for the treatment of incomplete abortion.

Results

Regardless of the assigned method, more than 98% of participants experienced complete uterine evacuation following initial treatment. Efficacy, acceptability, and satisfaction ratings were similar and high for both methods.

Conclusion

600‐μg oral misoprostol is a safe, effective, and acceptable alternative to MVA for the treatment of incomplete abortion.
Pain Perception During Miniplate‐assisted Orthodontic Therapy
Authors: Tseng Yu‐Chuan , Chen Chun‐Ming , Wang Huang‐Chi , Wang Chau‐Hsiang , Lee Huey‐Er , Lee Kun‐Tsung
Published: December 2010

Miniplate and screw devices are widely used for fracture repair and fixation of osteotomies. Currently, these miniplate systems are being used as orthodontic treatments for skeletal anchorage. However, despite the widespread use of these treatments, patients are apprehensive when they need to undergo miniplate procedures. Recently, we assessed pain perception using the visual analog scale (VAS) score (0–100 mm) in patients who had undergone miniplate procedures. Thirty miniplates were positioned in the maxilla as skeletal anchors for orthodontic treatment. On the first day after insertion of the fixed orthodontic appliances, the mean VAS score was 36.3 mm. The mean VAS score at 24 hours after insertion of the miniplate was 58 mm. Three months after orthodontic force was applied to the miniplate, the mean VAS scores during eating and speaking gradually decreased to 20 mm and 15 mm, respectively. The mean VAS score at 24 hours after removal of the miniplate was 41.3 mm. Three months after removal of the skeletal anchors, the VAS score decreased to 5 mm. Eighty‐eight percent of patients stated that they would be prepared to undergo these new and more efficient treatment modalities in the future. The miniplate system was successfully used in this study as a skeletal anchor, and the patients could endure the pain and discomfort of this orthodontic treatment.
A Surgical Approach for Stable Lesions of Linear Scleroderma
Authors: Kato Hiroshi , Shintani Yoichi , Yamaguchi Yuji , Morita Akimichi
Published: December 2010

A 29‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with alopecia lesions in her occipital region and was diagnosed as linear scleroderma. Topical steroids along with psoralen and UVA light therapy were applied, but the lesion persisted. A surgical approach was therefore selected to treat the lesion. The resection was successful without any recurrence for 1 year. Sclerotic lesions on the exposed areas can cause cosmetic disfigurement, and surgery may be a useful modality for treating stable linear scleroderma.
Investigation of population heterogeneity of diet use among middle-aged Australians
Authors: Wang Wei C. , Worsley Anthony , Cunningham Everarda G. , Hunter Wendy
Published: December 2010

The purpose of the study was to determine patterns of diet use among middle-aged Australian men and women and the relationships between these different usage patterns and demographic characteristics, health status and health habits. A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted among a random sample of 2975 people aged 40–71 years in Victoria, Australia. A total of 1031 usable questionnaires were obtained which included information about the use of diets (e.g. low-fat and low-salt) during the past 3 months along with demographic information, health status and health habits. Based on the responses about the use of thirteen diets for both sexes, latent class analysis was employed to identify the optimal number of use of diets and the assignment of participants to particular groups. Three types of diet uses were identified and provisionally named: diet use, selected diet use and non-diet use. This classification was associated with demographics, health status and health habits, and these associations differed between men and women. The findings suggest that nutrition education programmes should be tailored to the different needs of the diet use groups.
The El Dorado of Forestry: The Eucalyptus in India, South Africa, and Thailand, 1850–2000
Authors: Bennett Brett M.
Published: December 2010

This article argues that because of the perceived and real biological characteristics of the different species of the genusEucalyptus, imperialists and settlers, and later governments and the elites of developing nations, planted eucalypts widely and created new socio-ecological systems that encouraged and reinforced divergent patterns of economic, social, and ecological development. Planting eucalypts changed local ecologies and encouraged a movement towards market-based capitalism that benefited settlers, large landowners, urban elites and middle classes, and capital-intensive industries at the expense of indigenous groups living in and near forests. This article analyses the globalization of eucalypts in four broad phases: first, an enthusiastic expansion and planting from 1850–1900; secondly, failure in the tropics from 1850–1960; thirdly, increased planting and success rates in the tropics from 1960–2000, and fourthly, a growing criticism of eucalypts that began in the late nineteenth century and blossomed in the 1980s during an intense period of planting in India and Thailand.
Environmental Change and Globalization in Seventeenth-Century France: Dutch Traders and the Draining of French Wetlands (Arles, Petit Poitou)
Authors: Morera Raphaël
Published: December 2010

Between 1599 and the end of the 1650s, the French Crown sustained a policy of land reclamation at a large scale. It was led by the French aristocracy who were helped by representatives of the merchant elites of Amsterdam, such as Hieronimus van Uffelen and Jean Hoeufft. The works in both Arles (Provence) and Petit Poitou (Poitou) show that land reclamation involved a radical change in society, reinforced the authority of the Crown in the areas concerned, and disrupted the former social balances built around the marshes. Thus, land reclamation aroused several conflicts which revealed its deep impact on the environment. So, this article demonstrates how the making of the modern state, backed by the development of European trade and banking, caused ecological and social changes by connecting the political and financial powers on a European scale.
Environmental Changes, the Emergence of a Fuel Market, and the Working Conditions of Salt Makers in Bengal, c. 1780–1845
Authors: Kanda Sayako
Published: December 2010

During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the British East India Company monopolized salt production in Bengal, and the British sought a new market for English salt in India. As previous studies have emphasized, external political and economic forces devastated indigenous industry and its workers. However, working conditions were influenced more by the natural environments of the salt-producing localities, particularly the availability of fuel, which was indispensable to the process of manufacture. The industry had always benefitted from abundant grass and straw for use as fuel. However, as grasslands were lost due both to constant river encroachment and to land clearance for cultivation, straw prices increased with the emergence of a regional market for biomass fuels, so that increasing difficulties in procuring fuel gradually made the salt industry costly. That state of affairs was accelerated by the advance of economic activity in general and a shortage of coal in particular. The changes made workers much more dependent on the fuel market.
Restoring a just order in post-conflict situations in the light of the social teachings of the Catholic Church
Authors: Filibeck Giorgio
Published: December 2010

We should start by noting that, even today, not all post-conflict situations are marked by a return to true peace. A situation of latent conflict often persists, ranging from isolated hostile acts, sometimes terrorist in nature, to sporadic military operations which maintain a climate of aggressivity. In such situations, it may be hard to ensure the security conditions which are so vital to the proper functioning of justice. Effective justice is thus conditioned by an essentially political factor: without a real consensus on ending armed conflict, it is impossible to restore an order in which justice can be seen as a realistic goal. However, if there is no political will to punish those responsible for behaviour that is morally unacceptable, quite apart from being legally criminal, it will be impossible to pave the way for authentic peace.
Best combination of pre-stimulation and latency period duration before cluster attachment for efficient oxytocin release and milk ejection in cows with low to high udder-filling levels
Authors: Kaskous Shehadeh , Bruckmaier Rupert M
Published: December 2010

Experiments were designed to investigate the suitability of a combination of a short manual teat stimulation with a short latency period before teat cup attachment to induce and maintain oxytocin release and milk ejection without interruption. In Experiment 1, seven dairy cows in mid lactation were manually pre-stimulated for 15, 30 or 45 s, followed by either 30 s or 45 s of latency period. It was shown that all treatments induced a similar release of oxytocin without interruption until the end of milking. In particular, the latency period of up to 45 s did not cause a transient decrease of oxytocin concentration. In Experiment 2, milking characteristics were recorded in seven cows each in early, mid, and late lactation, respectively. Because the course of milk ejection depends mainly on the degree of udder filling, individual milkings were classified based on the actual degree of udder filling which differs between lactational stages but also between morning and evening milkings. All animals underwent twelve different udder preparation treatments, i.e. 15, 30, or 45 s of pre-stimulation followed by latency periods of 0, 30, 45, or 60 s. Milking characteristics were recorded. Total milk yield, main milking time and average milk flow rate did not differ between treatments if the degree of udder filling at the start of milking was >40% of the maximum storage capacity. However, if the udder filling was <40%, main milking time was decreased with the duration of a latency period up to 45 s, independent of duration of pre-stimulation. Average milk flow at an udder filling of <40% was highest after a pre-stimulation of 45 s followed by a latency period of another 45 s. In contrast, average milk flow reached its lowest values at a pre-stimulation of 15 s without additional latency period. However, average milk flow after a 15-s pre-stimulation increased with increasing latency period. In conclusion, a very short pre-stimulation when followed by a latency period up to 45 s before teat cup attachment remains a suitable alternative for continuous stimulation to induce milk ejection.
Experimental program for the Princeton Ion Source Test Facility
Authors: Grisham L.R. , Gilson E.P. , Kaganovich I. , Kwan J.W. , Stepanov A.
Published: December 2010

A 100 kV ion source test stand formerly operated at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been relocated to Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where it is being installed and prepared for operation. A variety of topics relevant to ion-beam-driven high energy density physics and heavy ion fusion will be explored at this facility. The practicality of magnetic insulation to improve the performance of electrostatic accelerators will be investigated by determining whether a pair of parallel plates forming a high-voltage gap can sustain higher electric field gradients, when an electric current is passed through the electrode at the cathode potential so as to produce a magnetic field, which is everywhere parallel to the surface. The facility will also be used to develop and characterize improved plasma sources for space charge neutralization of intense ion beam systems such as the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment-II facility. The negative halogen ion beam and ion-ion plasma studies previously initiated when this test facility was located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will be resumed, and other experimental topics are also under consideration.
Impact of Geriatric Consultation Services for Elderly Patients Admitted to Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Hogan David B.
Published: December 2010

Certains centres hospitaliers de soins à courte durée ont mis sur pied des programmes de consultation gériatrique destinés à l'intention des patients âgés. Des études évaluatives explorant l'utilité de ces programmes ont produit des résultats variés. Ces résultats inconsistants pourraient être causés par la différence au niveau de la conception des études de recherche, les différentes stratégies utilisées, les différentes façons d'analyser les résultats, et finalement certains facteurs propres à l'institution même. De toute évidence, la variable critique serait celle qui porte sur les méthodes utilisées pour recruter les patients. Des études plus poussées devraient être mises au point dans le but de (1) développer des stratégies cibles optimales, (2) déterminer la composition appropriée de service et fonction (3) étudier l'interaction entre ces programmes et les autres éléments d'un programme gériatrique d'envergure, (4) documenter l'effet à long terme (une année) sur les patients évalués et (5) évaluer l'impact institutionnel de ces programmes.
The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA): An Attempt at a More Precise Measure of Ageism
Authors: Fraboni Maryann , Saltstone Robert , Hughes Susan
Published: December 2010

“The Fraboni Scale of Ageism” (FSA), de même que les rapports de son facteur du concept psychologique, de sa crédibilité de consistance interne, et de sa relation avec “The Acceptance of Others Scale”, “The Facts on Aging Quiz”, et “The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale” (N = 231) sont présentés dans cette étude. Le concept psychologique du FSA est tiré de la définition d'âgéisme chez Butler (1978), et il veut mesurer la composante affective des attitudes, afin de compléter l'aspect cognitif mesuré par les autres instruments. Le FSA avait trouvé une validité suffisante du concept psychologique et une crédibilité interne élevée. Les rapports avec les autres concepts psychologiques mesurés ont maintenu le caractère unique du FSA et ont révélé une influence réduite de l'utilité sociale. On a remarqué que le sexe des individus expliquait quelques divergences dans les scores du FSA.
Ingrid Arnet Connidis. Family Ties and Aging. Toronto: Butterworths, 1989, pp. 130.
Authors: Kivett Vira R.
Published: December 2010

Family Ties and Aging incorpore et résume quelques unes des plus récentes études de recherche portant sur les liens de famille verticaux et horizontaux à partir d'une perspective occidentale. Le texte est soigneusement rédigé, succinct et offre une bonne perspective démographique des adultes canadiens âgés. L'auteur se reporte et incorpore dans son texte plusieurs enquêtes canadiennes d'envergure portant sur des personnes âgées dans des contextes familiaux. Le livre de Connidis ressemble quelque peu à certains textes américains moins récents sur la famille d'âge mûr. Cependant, il se distingue car l'auteur se concentre sur la personne plutôt que sur la famille et s'organise autour de liens de famille verticaux et horizontaux plutôt qu'autour de la situation de famille. Ce livre s'adresse à une grande variété de personnes, à partir du simple lecteur jusqu'au praticien, à l'enseignant et au chercheur. Chacun pourra y trouver une part de valeur plus ou moins utile. Les sujets sont variés, sinon approfondis et touchent la plupart des questions importantes concernant les relations familiales chez les personnes âgées. Une comparaison entre les données canadiennes et américaines met en relief certaines ressemblances. L'auteur cependant ne s'étend pas sur la variabilité et la théorie ethnique et raciale. Ce petit livre intéressera sûrement les étudiants inscrits à des cours de brève durée ou à des séminaires sur les relations familiales d'âge mûr.
Brachial plexus injury as an unusual complication after aortic stent implantation
Authors: Sabiniewicz Robert , Ereciński Jan , Zipser Mariusz
Published: December 2010

Aorta catheterisation can serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with aortic coarctation, especially when non-invasive evaluation cannot define severity of the abnormality. We report a case of bilateral brachial plexus injury due to standard positioning of the patient’s arms during non-complicated aorta catheterisation and aortic stent implantation under general anaesthesia. In discussion, we consider our patient’s predisposing factors, the understanding of which may be helpful in avoiding this complication in the future.
Tectonic evidence for the ongoing Africa‐Eurasia convergence in central Mediterranean foreland areas: A journey among long‐lived shear zones, large earthquakes, and elusive fault motions
Authors: Di Bucci Daniela , Burrato Pierfrancesco , Vannoli Paola , Valensise Gianluca
Published: December 2010

We investigate the role of the Africa‐Eurasia convergence in the recent tectonic evolution of the central Mediterranean. To this end we focused on two sectors of the Adriatic‐Hyblean foreland of the Apennine‐Maghrebian chain as they allow tectonic evidence for relative plate motions to be analyzed aside from the masking effect of other more local tectonic phenomena (e.g., subduction, chain building, etc.). We present a thorough review of data and interpretations on two major shear zones cutting these foreland sectors: the E‐W Molise‐Gondola in central Adriatic and the N‐S Vizzini‐Scicli in southern Sicily. The selected foreland areas exhibit remarkable similarities, including an unexpectedly high level of seismicity and the presence of the investigated shear zones since the Mesozoic. We analyze the tectonic framework, active tectonics, and seismicity of each of the foreland areas, highlighting the evolution of the tectonic understanding. In both areas, we find that current strains at midcrustal levels seem to respond to the same far‐field force oriented NNW‐SSE to NW‐SE, similar to the orientation of the Africa‐Eurasia convergence. We conclude that this convergence plays a primary role in the seismotectonics of the central Mediterranean and is partly accommodated by the reactivation of large Mesozoic shear zones.
Spatial characterization of the hydraulic conductivity using direct‐push injection logging
Authors: Lessoff Steven C. , Schneidewind Uwe , Leven Carsten , Blum Philipp , Dietrich Peter , Dagan Gedeon
Published: December 2010

Detailed information on the spatial structure of hydraulic conductivity (K) is important for understanding and predicting groundwater flow and transport. Direct‐push injection logging (DPIL) is a promising technology for rapid measurement of K in unconsolidated formations. This technology was used to gain information on the highly heterogeneous aquifer at the Lauswiesen test site in Germany. Using a large body of DPIL and direct‐push slug testing measurements, we characterize the structure of K on scales not previously possible. Two new applications of DPIL are put forward: (1) use of raw DPIL measurements of relative conductivity Kr to characterize the spatial distribution of K and (2) transformation of Kr measurements to K values based on their statistical moments. The DPIL results are compatible to those obtained using more conventional methodologies. The main achievement of the methodology is the possibility to delineate deterministic aquifer subunits as well as the identification of the statistical parameters of the log conductivity for each subunit. In particular, the horizontal integral scale I, a parameter affecting solute transport, is difficult and costly to identify using other approaches. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to clarify questions on low Kr measurements and the nature of the relationship between Kr and K.