bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculation of elastic modulus of early-age cement paste
Authors: Jiang Lei , Zhang Yamei , Hu Chuanlin , Li Zongjin
Published: August 2012

Cement-based material can be regarded as a highly heterogeneous material with multiple scales and the elastic constants have different values at different scales. To obtain a global elastic constant for a cement-based composite, a homogeneous method is used to perform the upscaling process. This paper presents a method to obtain the global elastic modulus for cement paste with consideration of capillary water pressure. The elastic modulus of different phases is determined using nano-indentation tests. The volume fractions of different phases in the cement paste are determined by using an isothermal conductive calorimeter and a cement hydration kinetic law at early age. The global elastic modulus of cement paste is calculated based on a self-consistent scheme. Considering that, at very early hydration of cement paste with a high water-to-cement ratio, water occupies a relatively high fraction and its pressure may influence the elastic properties of the paste, capillary water with capillary pressure is considered instead of pure air voids without mechanical properties during the upscaling process in this investigation. The global elastic modulus obtained in this way is compared with the value obtained from impact experiments and good agreement is found.
What's in a Name: A Question of Patient Autonomy
Authors: Engel Marcus
Published: August 2012

The author describes actions by his nurses that were the beginning of his recovery from a devastating automobile accident. By offering choices and supporting his decisions, they helped him regain a sense of control over his future.
Interaction between sorption and biodegradation in a biofilter packed with activated carbon
Authors: Dorado A. D. , Lafuente J. , Gabriel D. , Gamisans X.
Published: August 2012

The main objective of this study is to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the effect of starvation periods in the biodegradation capacity of microorganisms when the support media is a material with high sorption capacity. Pollutant sorption and biodegradation, which occur simultaneously in the biofilter, describe the overall behavior of the air treatment system during normal operation and during starvation periods. Results obtained in the present study demonstrate that sorption capacity of the material not only plays an important role during the start-up of operation, but it is also important during steady operation. Simultaneously, as biomass grows on the support, biodegradation becomes more decisive in the performance. It was found that zones of packing material with low moisture content are controlled by the sorption mechanism, at the expense of biodegradation, and they are essential as a pollutant reservoir during starvation periods. In the present study a significant decrease in the biodegradation capacity of microorganisms immobilized on activated carbon was not observed as a consequence of continuous load interruptions.
Numerical Simulation of Nitrogen Foam Injection to Control Water Cresting by Bilateral Horizontal Well in Bottom Water Reservoir
Authors: Yong-Ge Liu , Hui-Qing Liu , Zhan-Xi Pang
Published: August 2012

By numerical simulation, a bilateral horizontal well is placed in a crude oil reservoir with bottom water. The
upper branch which is located near the top of the reservoir is for producing and the lower branch which is located near the
oil water contract is for nitrogen foam injecting. Packers are used to control the alternation between productions and
injections. When water cut of the upper branch reaches a certain value, this branch is shut and nitrogen foam is injected
into the lower branch. After two days' soaking, the upper branch is opened to produce again. This process can be repeated
for several times along with the reservoir development. The main mechanisms of this development style are analyzed, and
different injecting methods including injecting foam in the lower branch (IFLB), injecting foam in the upper branch
(IFUB), and injecting nitrogen gas in the lower branch (INLB) are contrasted. The effect of reservoir heterogeneity on the
performance of IFLB is also considered. Various stochastic realizations with different shale contents and correlation
lengths are established by sequential indicator simulation method. In order to explain the large variations occurring in the
realizations with same shale content and correlation length, the definition ‘below well region’ (BWR) is put forward and
two groups of models with different BWR are built to simulate the performance of IFLB. As expected, the geological
condition of BWR has a great effect on the performance of IFLB. If the shale content of BWR is low, good performance
can be obtained with any combination of shale content and correlation length for the remaining region. On the contrary, if
shale content and continuity of BWR are high, the performance of IFLB will significantly decrease.
Frequency–time characteristics of air-borne signals from laser welds
Authors: Farson D. , Hillsley K. , Sames J. , Young R.
Published: August 2012

The acoustic emissions from laser lap welds in stainless steel sheet were recorded and analyzed. The acoustic signals emanating from the weld were sensed with an instrument microphone and analyzed using short-time Fourier spectra to characterize their time-frequency distributions. It was determined that the acoustic spectrum of good-quality, full-penetration welds could be differentiated from the spectra of poor-quality welds, defined as either partial-penetration welds or welds having a gap between the sheets being joined. A novel, relatively simple classifier based on total energy in the frequency band from 1 to 2 kHz correctly discriminated full penetration from partial penetration over 90% of the time on average. Partial-penetration welds had less energy in this range than did full-penetration welds. A slightly more sophisticated approach incorporating time-averaging was found to be capable of predicting penetration with reliability approaching 100% for some welds but much less in some anomalous cases. The performance of this relatively simple classification algorithm was shown to be comparable to that found in previous work using neural network-based classifiers. A classifier based on total signal energy was shown in preliminary trials to be capable of recognizing gapped lap welds from nongapped lap welds.
Laser shock processing of materials, physical processes involved and examples of applications
Authors: Peyre P. , Fabbro R. , Berthe L. , Dubouchet C.
Published: August 2012

Laser shock processing (LSP) consists of irradiating a metallic target with a short (about 20 ns) and intense (>1013W m−2) laser light in order to generate, through a high pressure surface plasma (>1 GPa), a plastic deformation and a surface strengthening within materials. This paper initially reviews the physical processes involved in the analytical modeling of the generation pressure mechanism in a confined plasma regime. Limiting factors such as the dielectric breakdown in the confining medium are also discussed together with current research directions aimed at improving the laser—material coupling such as using short rise time pulses instead of Gaussian ones or shorter wavelengths than the traditional λ = 1.06 μm. Surface mechanical effects are also theoretically and experimentally presented. They consist mainly of compressive residual stresses generated in the first 1–2 mm of depth that are the key to enhanced mechanical properties. The application of LSP to two new areas is presented. These areas are the improvement of the fatigue behavior in aluminum alloys and a thermomechanical treatment using both a CO2 laser for surface quenching and a pulsed Nd–glass laser for mechanical shock strengthening. Finally the attractive and detrimental features of LSP are discussed with the objective of defining an industrially convenient laser shock configuration.
A study of laser-based removal of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement
Authors: O'Neill W. , Kapadia P. , Thomas T.
Published: August 2012

Complications are often produced with the removal of bone cement from the femoral cavity in the treatment of a failed hip prosthesis. Apart from being slow and difficult the conventional process runs the risk of producing damage to the femur. Ultrasonic techniques have been suggested to achieve these ends but removal of the cement by this approach is not entirely easy. The alternative laser-based approach would seem to have significant advantages over conventional techniques. The laser is capable of delivering energy to a specific region or surface under close control. The choice of laser is determined by its ability to ablate the cement and the ease with which it can be delivered to the base of the femur cavity. This paper examines several laser wavelengths: CO2 (10.6 μm), excimer (248 nm), Hol:YAG (2.12 μm), and presents polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vaporization thresholds for each laser.
Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory (LHMEL)
Authors: Hull R. J. , Lander M. L.
Published: August 2012

Since 1976, the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory (LHMEL) has been characterizing material responses to laser energy in support of national defense programs and the aerospace industry. Now that capability is available to commercial industry as well. LHMEL's power levels, beam uniformity, and diagnostics capabilities make it an ideal facility for proof-of-concept testing or process development. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, LHMEL is managed by the Wright Laboratory Materials Directorate and operated by Lawrence Associates, Incorporated. The facility's advanced hardware is centered around two laser systems: the LHMEL I laser, producing 15 kW of continuous-wave (CW) power on target; and LHMEL II, producing 150 kW of CW power on target. Both lasers operate at 10.6 μm and can deliver stable, full-power irradiations for durations up to 80 s. Both LHMEL devices use a multimode resonator configuration producing a flat-top spatial intensity distribution. This beam profile delivers a uniform amount of energy over the entire beam diameter and ensures a controlled and repeatable laser exposure on target. The singular capabilities of the LHMEL facility provide unique opportunities for commercial materials processing. Uses of LHMEL might include demonstration of the feasibility of a new materials processing technique before investing capital in its development; simulating the high service life temperatures experienced by parts within an automobile or jet engine; performing a limited production run to laser cut thick steel plates for a special custom order; or using LHMEL's high power to perform deep-penetration welds of steel, aluminum, or titanium. LHMEL has already performed extensive work in the area of thermal load simulation and has begun initial testing efforts in other areas of materials processing. LHMEL's capabilities are perhaps most beneficial in the surface treatment of materials. Applications requiring uniform irradiation of large surface areas to produce the ideal heat treatment with limited or single passes could be satisfied by LHMEL. Initial heat treatment tests have been performed at LHMEL. Other techniques to increase wear resistance, extend service life, or even inhibit surface corrosion might be developed using LHMEL. Tests are performed on a cost-reimbursement basis or, if appropriate, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) can be negotiated.
Acoustic emission from modulated laser beam welding of materials
Authors: Gu Hongping , Duley W. W.
Published: August 2012

Acoustic emission during the laser welding of metals with a modulated CO2 laser beam has been investigated. Sharp resonances at many frequencies in the acoustic emission spectra have been observed. This was most noticeable when the average laser power was high enough to produce full penetration welds whose acoustic emission at high harmonics with frequencies that overlap with bands of vibrational frequencies corresponding to eigenmodes of the keyhole are greatly enhanced. Lower harmonics were not clearly observed. However, in partial penetration welding, many harmonic components were observed. These results are not affected by a surface coating of the metal as in the galvanized steel sheet sample. This observation indicates that the keyhole and its surrounding liquid layer act as a frequency selective amplifier for pressure fluctuations induced by changes in the interaction of the laser radiation with the walls of the keyhole. When a continuous wave (CW) beam is used, random fluctuations with frequencies within these allowed bands are amplified to produce a spectrum consisting of a large number of overlapping but discrete frequency components. When the laser beam is modulated, a forced response is elicited resulting in a much simplified emission spectrum.
Welding of aluminum: A challenging opportunity for laser technology
Authors: Dausinger Friedrich , Rapp Jürgen , Beck Markus , Faisst Frank , Hack Rüdiger , Hügel Helmut
Published: August 2012

The increasing demand for lightweight structures has led to a greater industrial use of aluminum alloys. The application of these materials is handicapped by a lack of productivity and reliability in the joining techniques currently available. The laser welding of aluminum is markedly more difficult than for steel. The difficulties to be solved include the threshold for deep penetration welding, the occurrence of material related defects and seam deficiencies such as cavities and blowholes that discourage production engineers from making greater use of lasers. A theoretical analysis reveals the requirements that have to be fulfilled by laser systems in order to obtain process stability. In comparison to steel greater focusability and shorter wavelengths are needed. An intensity distribution leading to a V-shaped keyhole is also beneficial. The results of this analysis are confirmed by welding results obtained with CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. An increase in process stability is observed when a dual beam technique or a shorter wavelength laser is applied. In conclusion, the industrial welding of aluminum alloys with appropriate laser systems is a viable option.
A modeling study on the influence of pulse shaping on keyhole laser welding
Authors: Mohanty P. S. , Kar A. , Mazumder J.
Published: August 2012

A theoretical analysis describing the effects of pulse shaping on keyhole laser welding is presented. Calculation of the keyhole profile and melt pool dimensions was performed by the balancing of surface forces and energy at the liquid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces in three dimensions. The effect of temporal pulse shape on weld dimensions has been examined over a range of power densities, pulse times and pulse frequencies. Several pulse types (e.g., top-hat, Gaussian, ramp-up and ramp-down pulses) have been considered. Pulse shaping showed significant effect on the weld dimensions. The predicted width and penetration depth of welds with ramp-up and ramp-down pulse shapes were greater than those obtained with Gaussian and top-hat pulses. The theoretical predictions have been compared with experimental data. Furthermore, the response of two different materials with considerably different physical properties (stainless steel and aluminum) has been analysed.
Teaching laser principles with nitrogen laser pumped dye lasers
Authors: Lieberman David H.
Published: August 2012

Nitrogen laser pumped dye lasers are useful aids to the understanding of the principles of lasers and also as tools for advanced undergraduate physics and chemistry laboratories. We have developed laboratory exercises that allow the students to develop necessary skills and study important principles. The students construct their own narrow linewidth dye lasers in a step-by-step process. First amplified spontaneous emission is studied and compared with broadband lasing. A grating is added to provide linewidth narrowing and tunability. The dependence of the threshold pump power on losses is examined. Dyes are studied including the dependence of the emission wavelength on concentration. Finally, the transition from the Littrow configuration to grazing incidence is made thereby illustrating the narrowing of the linewidth with an increase in the number of grating grooves.
A Bayesian Re-Assessment of the Earliest Radiocarbon Dates from Tiwanaku, Bolivia
Authors: Marsh Erik J
Published: August 2012

The development of sociopolitical complexity at Tiwanaku around AD 500 was one of the major episodes of social change in the history of the Lake Titicaca Basin. It was the result of poorly understood processes that took place at a series of ceremonial centers in the preceding centuries. The history of Tiwanaku during this time is especially unclear, because the only radiocarbon dates are from excavations whose details were never completely published. Despite this, there is consensus that Tiwanaku was founded around 300 BC. A re-evaluation of the archaeological context of each of these dates shows many of them to be unreliable. Two Bayesian models from independent excavations agree that Tiwanaku was in fact founded centuries later, most likely around AD 110 (50-170, 1σ). This has important implications for widely used monolith and ceramic sequences, as well as understanding the rise of Tiwanaku and other archaic states.
Sliding observer for synchronization of fractional order chaotic systems with mismatched parameter
Authors: Delavari Hadi , Senejohnny Danial , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we propose an observer-based fractional order chaotic synchronization scheme. Our method concerns fractional order chaotic systems in Brunovsky canonical form. Using sliding mode theory, we achieve synchronization of fractional order response with fractional order drive system using a classical Lyapunov function, and also by fractional order differentiation and integration, i.e. differintegration formulas, state synchronization proved to be established in a finite time. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme, fractional order version of a well-known chaotic system; Arnodo-Coullet system is considered as illustrative examples.
Prediction of antimicrobial activity of imidazole derivatives by artificial neural networks
Authors: Wnuk Małgorzata , Marszałł Michał , Zapęcka Anna , Nowaczyk Alicja , Krysiński Jerzy , Romaszko Jerzy , Kawczak Piotr , Bączek Tomasz , Buciński Adam
Published: August 2012

The main goal of our study is the analysis of data obtained from molecular modeling for a series of imidazole derivatives that possess strong antifungal activity. The research was designed to use artificial neural network (ANN) analysis to determine quantitative relationships between the structural parameters and anti-Streptococcus pyogenes activity of a series of imidazole derivatives. ANN in association with quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) represents a promising tool in the search for drug candidates among the practically unlimited number of possible derivatives. In this work, a series of 286 imidazole derivatives presented as cationic three-dimensional structures was used. The activity was expressed as a logarithm of the reciprocal of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, log 1/MIC. Multilayer perceptron ANN was used for predictions of antimicrobial potency of new imidazole derivatives on the basis of their structural descriptors. The obtained correlation coefficient equaled 0.9461 for the learning set, 0.9060 for the validation set and 0.8824 for the testing set of imidazole derivatives. Hence, satisfactory and practically useful predictions of anti-Streptococcus pyogenes activity for a series of imidazole derivatives was obtained, supporting the future successful interpretation of QSAR analysis for those compounds.
Dietary Acculturation of Arab Immigrants: In the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Hassan Dahlia Abou El , Hekmat Sharareh
Published: August 2012

Purpose: We explored the eating habits of Arab immigrants to determine whether they have maintained their traditional diet or have consumed a more Westernized diet since immigrating to Canada.

Methods: Arab immigrants who had been in Canada for at least eight years and were currently living in the Greater Toronto Area were recruited. A sample of 24 Arab immigrants completed a mailed, self-administered questionnaire, and six participated in a focus group. The focus group discussion was transcribed verbatim and results were recorded. Latent content analysis was used to analyze, code, and categorize emerging themes.

Results: Arab immigrants consumed a mixture of both Arabic and Western food and perceived their current diet to be healthier than it was before they immigrated to Canada. Factors that influenced their food choices included increased nutrition health awareness, differences in food preferences and preparation methods, and preservation of dietary practices in the new environment.

Conclusions: Our findings will help dietitians who work with Arab immigrants to become more aware of factors that motivate this group's food choices, and to create nutrition programs that are more culturally sensitive.
Frontal bur hole through an eyebrow incision for image-guided endoscopic evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Dye Justin A. , Dusick Joshua R. , Lee Darrin J. , Gonzalez Nestor R. , Martin Neil A.
Published: August 2012

Object

Surgical evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) remains a subject of controversy. Minimally invasive techniques for hematoma evacuation have shown a trend toward improved outcomes. The aim of the present study is to describe a minimally invasive alternative for the evacuation of sICH and evaluate its feasibility.

Methods

The authors reviewed records of all patients who underwent endoscopic evacuation of an sICH at the UCLA Medical Center between March 2002 and March 2011. All patients in whom the described technique was used for evacuation of an sICH were included in this series. In this approach an incision is made at the superior margin of the eyebrow, and a bur hole is made in the supraorbital bone lateral to the frontal sinus. Using stereotactic guidance, the surgeon advanced the endoscopic sheath along the long axis of the hematoma and fixed it in place at two specific depths where suction was then applied until 75%–85% of the preoperatively determined hematoma volume was removed. An endoscope's camera, then introduced through the sheath, was used to assist in hemostasis. Preoperative and postoperative hematoma volumes and reduction in midline shift were calculated and recorded. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were compared with postoperative scores.

Results

Six patients underwent evacuation of an sICH using the eyebrow/bur hole technique. The mean preoperative hematoma volume was 68.9 ml (range 30.2–153.9 ml), whereas the mean postoperative residual hematoma volume was 11.9 ml (range 5.1–24.1 ml) (p = 0.02). The mean percentage of hematoma evacuated was 79.2% (range 49%–92.7%). The mean reduction in midline shift was 57.8% (p < 0.01). The Glasgow Coma Scale score improved in each patient between admission and discharge examination. In 5 of the 6 patients the mRS score improved from admission exam to last follow-up. None of the patients experienced rebleeding.

Conclusions

This minimally invasive technique is a feasible alternative to other means of evacuating sICHs. It is intended for anterior basal ganglia hematomas, which usually have an elongated, ovoid shape. The approach allows for an optimal trajectory to the long axis of the hematoma, making it possible to evacuate the vast majority of the clot with only one pass of the endoscopic sheath, theoretically minimizing the amount of damage to normal brain.
Intermuscular lipoma of the gluteus muscles compressing the sciatic nerve: an inverted sciatic hernia
Authors: López-Tomassetti Fernández Eudaldo M. , Hernández Juan Ramón Hernández , Esparragon Jose Ceballos , García Angel Turegano , Jorge Valentin Nuñez
Published: August 2012

The authors report the case of a 50-year-old woman with a benign intermuscular lipoma of the gluteus compressing the sciatic nerve in its course through the sciatic notch. This benign soft-tissue tumor extended into the pelvis, displacing the rectum laterally. Resection was necessary to alleviate symptoms and prevent irreversible damage of the nerve. Wide exposure of the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve via a transgluteal approach allowed safe lesion removal, and thus avoiding a laparotomy to resect the intrapelvic extension of the tumor. This report features a curious case of soft-tissue tumor growth across the sciatic foramen forming an inverted sciatic hernia. The authors' proposed approach was simple and safe and avoided a laparotomy.
Endoscopic approaches to the trigeminal nerve and clinical consideration for trigeminal schwannomas: a cadaveric study
Authors: Komatsu Fuminari , Komatsu Mika , Di Ieva Antonio , Tschabitscher Manfred
Published: August 2012

Object

The course of the trigeminal nerve straddles multiple fossae and is known to be very complex. Comprehensive anatomical knowledge and skull base techniques are required for surgical management of trigeminal schwannomas. The aims of this study were to become familiar with the endoscopic anatomy of the trigeminal nerve and to develop a minimally invasive surgical strategy for the treatment of trigeminal schwannomas.

Methods

Ten fresh cadavers were studied using 5 endoscopic approaches with the aid of 4-mm 0° and 30° endoscopes to identify surgical landmarks associated with the trigeminal nerve. The endoscopic approaches included 3 transcranial keyhole approaches (the extradural supraorbital, extradural subtemporal, and retrosigmoid approaches), and 2 endonasal approaches (the transpterygoid and the transmaxillary transpterygoid approaches).

Results

The trajectories of the extradural supraorbital, transpterygoid, and extradural subtemporal approaches corresponded with the course of the first, second, and third divisions of the trigeminal nerve, respectively. The 3 approaches demonstrated each division in intra- and extracranial spaces, as well as the Meckel cave in the middle cranial fossa. The interdural space at the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus was exposed by the extradural supraorbital and subtemporal approaches. The extradural subtemporal approach with anterior petrosectomy and the retrosigmoid approach visualized the trigeminal sensory root and its neighboring neurovascular structures in the posterior cranial fossa. The transmaxillary transpterygoid approach revealed the course of the third division in the infratemporal fossa.

Conclusions

The 5 endoscopic approaches effectively followed the course of the trigeminal nerve with minimal invasiveness. These approaches could provide alternative options for the management of trigeminal schwannoma.
Effects of Humidity and Surfaces on the Melt Crystallization of Ibuprofen
Authors: Lee Dong-Joo , Lee Suyang , Kim Il Won
Published: August 2012

Melt crystallization of ibuprofen was studied to understand the effects of humidity and surfaces. The molecular self-assembly during the amorphous-to-crystal transformation was examined in terms of the nucleation and growth of the crystals. The crystallization was on Al, Au, and self-assembled monolayers with –CH3, –OH, and –COOH functional groups. Effects of the humidity were studied at room temperature (18–20 °C) with relative humidity 33%, 75%, and 100%. Effects of the surfaces were observed at −20 °C (relative humidity 36%) to enable close monitoring with slower crystal growth. The nucleation time of ibuprofen was faster at high humidity conditions probably due to the local formation of the unfavorable ibuprofen melt/water interface. The crystal morphologies of ibuprofen were governed by the nature of the surfaces, and they could be associated with the growth kinetics by the Avrami equation. The current study demonstrated the effective control of the melt crystallization of ibuprofen through the melt/atmosphere and melt/surface interfaces.
Association between Polymorphisms in the Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene Cluster and the Plasma Triacylglycerol Response to an n-3 PUFA Supplementation
Authors: Cormier Hubert , Rudkowska Iwona , Paradis Ann-Marie , Thifault Elisabeth , Garneau Véronique , Lemieux Simone , Couture Patrick , Vohl Marie-Claude
Published: August 2012

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have been reported to have a variety of beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, a large inter-individual variability in the plasma lipid response to an omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation is observed in different studies. Genetic variations may influence plasma lipid responsiveness. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a supplementation with n-3 PUFA on the plasma lipid profile in relation to the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster. A total of 208 subjects from Quebec City area were supplemented with 3 g/day of n-3 PUFA, during six weeks. In a statistical model including the effect of the genotype, the supplementation and the genotype by supplementation interaction, SNP rs174546 was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, pre- and post-supplementation. The n-3 supplementation had an independent effect on plasma TG levels and no significant genotype by supplementation interaction effects were observed. In summary, our data support the notion that the FADS gene cluster is a major determinant of plasma TG levels. SNP rs174546 may be an important SNP associated with plasma TG levels and FADS1 gene expression independently of a nutritional intervention with n-3 PUFA.
Pregnancy and H1N1 infection in Southeast Turkey
Authors: Soydinc Hatice Ender , Celen Mustafa Kemal , Yıldız Bahri , Sak Muhammet Erdal , Evsen Mehmet Sıddık , Gul Talip
Published: August 2012

Introduction: H1N1 Influenza made a great impact a worldwide, as well as in Turkey, in 2009. Clinical experiences have shown that it had a more serious prognosis in pregnant women. In this report, we summarize the cases of 16 pregnant women with H1N1 Influenza. Methodology: The study included 16 pregnant women hospitalized in Dicle University Hospital with complaints of fever, sore throat, cough and myalgia between October and December 2009. The diagnosis of pandemic H1N1 Influenza was confirmed on nasopharyngeal specimens using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in all patients. Patients who had the same complaints but were not diagnosed as H1N1 Influenza were excluded. The epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and outcome features of the patients were recorded. Results: The median age of the patients was 27 years (range 18-41 years). The mean gestational age was 25.4 weeks (range 5-38 weeks). Two cases were twin pregnancy. Two cases had co-morbid diseases including asthma and anemia. The most frequent admission symptoms were fever in 13 cases (81%), cough in 12 cases (75%) and dyspnea in 6 cases (37,5%). Antiviral treatment (oseltamivir 75 mg p.o. bid) was applied in 15 cases. Four cases needed intensive care monitoring and two of them died (12.5%) because of severe respiratory insufficiency. Conclusion: Patients with late gestational age, the presence of co-morbid disease, and multiple pregnancy have poor prognosis. Immediate intervention with antiviral treatment is associated with reduced severity of the disease and duration of hospital stay.
Biosafety perspective of clinical laboratory workers: a profile of Pakistan
Authors: Nasim Sadia , Shahid Anjum , Mustufa Muhammad Ayaz , Arain Ghazala Mohyuddin , Ali Ghazanfer , Taseer Ijaz-ul-Haque , Talreja Kanaya Lal , Firdous Rukhsana , Iqbal Rizwan , Siddique Shameem Ahmed , Naz Saima , Akhter Tasleem
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Biosafety during lab work is an important concern in developing countries. Some critical issues concerning biosafety are lack of training, exceeding workload, working too fast, deciding not to follow safe practices, and skepticism about biohazards. This study aimed to determine biosafety perception and practices of laboratory technicians during routine work in clinical laboratories of Pakistan. Methodology: A total of 1,782 laboratory technicians were interviewed from major public sector hospitals and a few private hospital laboratories throughout Pakistan. Results: A total of 1,647 (92.4%) males and 135 (7.6%) females participated in the study, with over half (59.7%) having more than five years of work experience. Results showed that 28.4% of the laboratory technicians from Punjab, 35.7% from Sindh, 32% from Balochistan and 38.4% from Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa (KPK) did not use any personal protective equipment. Almost 46% of the respondents (34.2% from Punjab, 61.9% from Sindh, 25.2% from Balochistan and 85% from KPK) said they reused syringes either occasionally or regularly. Furthermore, 30.7% of the respondents said they discard used syringes directly into municipal dustbins. The majority (66.7%) claimed there are no separate bins for sharps, so they throw these in municipal dustbins. Mouth pipetting was reported by 28.3% technicians. Standard operating procedures were not available in 67.2% labs, and accident records were not maintained in 83.4%. No formal biosafety training had been provided to 84.2% of the respondents. Conclusion: Laboratory technicians in Pakistan lack awareness of good laboratory practices and biosafety measures, and also face a lack of resources.
Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America
Authors: Kervyn de Lettenhove Maïté
Published: August 2012

Aujourd’hui, les transferts monétaires conditionnels (TMC) sont le nouvel outil à la mode dans les politiques de réduction de la pauvreté. La popularité des TMC dans le monde académique et auprès des institutions internationales repose en grande partie sur les nombreux rapports d’évaluation des TMC qui ont mis en évidence leur efficacité en termes de réduction de la pauvreté aussi bien dans le court que dans le long terme. Ces dernières années, sous l’influence de leur image positive et de leur design innovant, les TMC ont connu une expansion rapide dans le monde entier. Dans cet article, nous allons essayer d’établir si cet enthousiasme est justifié en évaluant l’impact de quatre programmes de TMC en Amérique latine dans l’optique aussi de déterminer, plus particulièrement, s’ils constituent ou non un engagement à long terme vers une couverture plus universelle de l’aide sociale et des services publics en Amérique latine.
Economic Convergence of Regions: Do Interpersonal Transfers Matter?
Authors: Senger Katja , Mulquin Marie-Ève
Published: August 2012

De grandes inégalités inter- et intra-pays européens sont observables. Les différents pays organisent une redistribution des richesses au travers de la taxation et des systèmes de sécurité sociale. La théorie économique permet d’expliquer l’origine de ces disparités et la dynamique de convergence ou de divergence entre économies. Les taxes et la redistribution sont généralement considérées comme constituant une distorsion dans l’économie. Cette contribution analyse la convergence entre régions européennes et l’impact des transferts interpersonnels sur la croissance régionale. La convergence est estimée sur base de données en panel relative à 229 régions européennes. La convergence intra-nationale est bien inférieure à la convergence entre pays. Dans le but d’estimer l’impact des transferts sur la croissance, un index d’intensité des transferts est estimé pour les pays contributeurs d’une part et les bénéficiaires de l’autre. Quand l’hétérogénéité régionale est contrôlée, l’impact estimé des transferts sur la croissance est non significatif tant pour les contributeurs que pour les bénéficiaires.
Generational Clashpoints in Nursing Preceptorship
Authors: Foley Vicki , Myrick Florence , Yonge Olive
Published: August 2012

The success of the preceptorship approach to teaching–learning depends on the formation of positive working relationships. Preceptors and nursing students are frequently of different generations and often have differing world-views. A phenomenological study, guided by van Manen’s approach, was conducted to develop an understanding of how generational differences influence the formation of the preceptor–student relationship and the overall success of the experience. Three main themes were revealed: being affirmed, being challenged, and being on a pedagogical journey. A key subtheme of being challenged was colliding generational worldviews; in this article, our purpose is to explore this particular subtheme. The data suggest that generational clashpoints are occurring during preceptorship experiences, and the implications of these are serious, particularly from a nursing recruitment and retention perspective. It is vital that proactive measures be taken to inspire the future generation of nurses, rather than stifling their spirit and assertiveness.
Interpreting and responding to the Johannine feeding narrative: An empirical study in the SIFT hermeneutical method amongst Anglican ministry training candidates
Authors: Francis Leslie J.
Published: August 2012

Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching maintains that different psychological type preferences are associated with distinctive readings of scripture. In the present study this theory was tested amongst two groups of ministry training candidates (a total of 26 participants) who were located within working groups according to their psychological type preferences, and invited to reflect on the Johannine feeding narrative (Jn 6:4−22), and to document their discussion. Analysis of these data provided empirical support for the theory underpinning the SIFT method.
On Hyperbolicity of Domains with Strictly
Pseudoconvex Ends
Authors: Harris Adam , Kolář Martin
Published: August 2012

This article establishes a sufficient condition for Kobayashi hyperbolicity of unbounded domains in terms of curvature. Specifically, when Ω ⊂ ℂn corresponds to a sub-level set of a smooth, real-valued function Ψ such that the form ω = is Kähler and has bounded curvature outside a bounded subset, then this domain admits a hermitian metric of strictly negative holomorphic sectional curvature.
Addendum to “Limit Sets of Typical Homeomorphisms”
Authors: Bernardes Nilson C.
Published: August 2012

Given an integer n ≥ 3, a metrizable compact topological n-manifold X with boundary, and a finite positive Borel measure μ on X, we prove that for the typical homeomorphism ƒ : X → X, it is true that for μ-almost every point x in X the restriction of ƒ (respectively of f-1) to the omega limit set ω( ƒ ; x) (respectively to the alpha limit set α( ƒ ; x)) is topologically conjugate to the universal odometer.
Modeling and analysis for surface roughness and material removal rate in machining of UD-GFRP using PCD tool
Authors: Kumar S , Gupta M , Satsangi PS , Sardana HK
Published: August 2012

In the present paper, an effective approach for the optimization of turning parameters based on the Taugchi’s method with regression analysis is presented. This paper discusses the use of Taugchi’s technique for minimizing the surface roughness and maximizing the material removal rate in machining unidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastics (UD-GFRP) composite with a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool. A multiple objective utility model has been studied to optimize both the dependent parameters. Experiments were conducted based on the established Taguchi’s technique L18 orthogonal array on a lathe machine. The cutting parameters considered were tool nose radius, tool rake angle, feed rate, cutting speed, depth of cut and cutting environment (dry, wet and cooled) on the surface roughness and material removal rate produced. The performances of the cutting tool were evaluated by measuring surface roughness and material removal rate. A second order mathematical model in terms of cutting parameters is also developed using regression modeling. The results indicate that the developed model is suitable for prediction of surface roughness and material removal rate in machining of unidirectional glass fiber reinforced plastics (UD-GFRP) composites. The predicted values and measured values are fairly close to each other. The results are confirmed by further experiments.Keywords: UD-GFRP composites, ANOVA, multi response optimization, utility concept, regression modeling, surface roughness, material removal rate, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool.
Gestão pública da UFPI: uma análise do seu Plano de Desenvolvimento Institucional (PDI)
Authors: Melo Adalgisa Costa , Sousa Delmárcio de Moura , Campelo Filho Eulálio Gomes , Ferasso Marcos
Published: August 2012

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o intuito de levantar dados a respeito dos modelos de gestão que se destacaram ao longo da nossa história e compreender a importância do planejamento estratégico para as instituições públicas. Pretende-se ainda identificar qual o modelo de gestão adotado pela Universidade Federal do Piauí e analisar o seu Plano de Desenvolvimento Educacional- PDI, comparando as ações propostas com os resultados até então obtidos.  A metodologia utilizada foi uma pesquisa exploratória do tipo estudo de caso aliada a uma abordagem bibliográfica e documental, desenvolvidos com base em princípios de pesquisa analítica, por meio da análise temática de conteúdos.  Constatou-se que a UFPI adota um modelo híbrido de gestão, apresentando elementos característicos tanto da gestão burocrática quanto da gerencialista e que é uma instituição capaz de gerir estrategicamente as suas ações.
Quantifying population exposure to airborne particulate matter during extreme events in California due to climate change
Authors: Mahmud A. , Hixson M. , Kleeman M. J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The effect of climate change on population-weighted concentrations of particulate matter (PM) during extreme pollution events was studied using the Parallel Climate Model (PCM), the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the UCD/CIT 3-D photochemical air quality model. A "business as usual" (B06.44) global emissions scenario was dynamically downscaled for the entire state of California between the years 2000–2006 and 2047–2053. Air quality simulations were carried out for 1008 days in each of the present-day and future climate conditions using year-2000 emissions. Population-weighted concentrations of PM0.1, PM2.5, and PM10 total mass, components species, and primary source contributions were calculated for California and three air basins: the Sacramento Valley air basin (SV), the San Joaquin Valley air basin (SJV) and the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB). Results over annual-average periods were contrasted with extreme events. The current study found that the change in annual-average population-weighted PM2.5 mass concentrations due to climate change between 2000 vs. 2050 within any major sub-region in California was not statistically significant. However, climate change did alter the annual-average composition of the airborne particles in the SoCAB, with notable reductions of elemental carbon (EC; −3%) and organic carbon (OC; −3%) due to increased annual-average wind speeds that diluted primary concentrations from gasoline combustion (−3%) and food cooking (−4%). In contrast, climate change caused significant increases in population-weighted PM2.5 mass concentrations in central California during extreme events. The maximum 24-h average PM2.5 concentration experienced by an average person during a ten-yr period in the SJV increased by 21% due to enhanced production of secondary particulate matter (manifested as NH4NO3). In general, climate change caused increased stagnation during future extreme pollution events, leading to higher exposure to diesel engines particles (+32%) and wood combustion particles (+14%) when averaging across the population of the entire state. Enhanced stagnation also isolated populations from distant sources such as shipping (−61%) during extreme events. The combination of these factors altered the statewide population-averaged composition of particles during extreme events, with EC increasing by 23 %, nitrate increasing by 58%, and sulfate decreasing by 46%.
Organic and inorganic markers and stable C-, N-isotopic compositions of tropical coastal aerosols from megacity Mumbai: sources of organic aerosols and atmospheric processing
Authors: Aggarwal S. G. , Kawamura K. , Umarji G. S. , Tachibana E. , Patil R. S. , Gupta P. K.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. To better understand the sources of PM10 samples from Mumbai, India, aerosol chemical compositions, i.e. total carbon (TC), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and inorganic ions were studied together with specific markers such as methanesulfonate (MSA), oxalic acid (C2), azelaic acid (C9), and levoglucosan. The results revealed that biofuel/biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion are the major sources of the Mumbai aerosols. Nitrogen-isotopic (δ15N) composition of aerosol total nitrogen, which ranged from 18.1 to 25.4‰, also suggest that biofuel/biomass burning is the dominant source in both summer and winter seasons. Aerosol mass concentrations of major species increased 3–4 times in winter compared to summer, indicating an enhanced emission from these sources in winter season. Photochemical production tracers, C2 diacid and nssSO42− do not show diurnal changes. Concentrations of C2 diacid and WSOC show a strong correlation (r2 = 0.95). In addition, WSOC to OC (or TC) ratios remain almost constant for day- (0.37 ± 0.06 (0.28 ± 0.04)) and nighttime (0.38 ± 0.07 (0.28 ± 0.06)), suggesting that mixing of fresh secondary organic aerosols is not significant rather the Mumbai aerosols are photochemically well processed. Concentrations of MSA and C9 diacid present a positive correlation (r2 = 0.75), indicating a marine influence on Mumbai aerosols in addition to local/regional influence. Backward air mass trajectory analyses further suggested that the Mumbai aerosols are largely influenced by long-range continental and regional transport. Stable C-isotopic ratios (δ13C) of TC ranged from −27.0 to −25.4‰ with slightly lower average (−26.5 ± 0.3‰) in summer than in winter (−25.9 ± 0.3‰). Positive correlation between WSOC/TC ratios and δ13C values suggested that the increment in δ13C of wintertime TC may be caused by prolonged photochemical processing of organic aerosols in this season. This study suggests that in winter, the tropical aerosols are more aged due to longer residence time in the atmosphere than in the summer aerosols.
Effects of biogenic nitrate chemistry on the NOx lifetime in remote continental regions
Authors: Browne E. C. , Cohen R. C.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We present an analysis of the NOx budget in conditions of low NOx (NOx = NO + NO2) chemistry and high biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) concentrations that are characteristic of most continental boundary layers. Using a steady-state model, we show that below 500 pptv of NOx, the NOx lifetime is extremely sensitive to organic nitrate (RONO2) formation rates. We find that even for RONO2 formation values that are an order of magnitude smaller than is typical for continental conditions significant reductions in NOx lifetime are caused by nitrate forming reactions. Comparison of the steady-state box model to a 3-D chemical transport model (CTM) confirms that the concepts illustrated by the simpler model are a useful approximation of predictions provided by the full CTM.