bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Developments in Test Methods for Investigating Crevice Corrosion
Authors: Kain RM , Lee TS 
Published: December 2008

The ultimate successful utilization of stainless steels and related alloys in marine and other chloride containing environments will depend on a more complete understanding of the factors affecting crevice corrosion. To this end, numerous test methods have been devised to investigate the effects of various metallurgical and environmental parameters. While not totally ignored in past research, more recent investigations have also emphasized the importance of crevice geometry considerations. For example, mathematical modelling of chemistry changes in the crevice electrolyte indicates a strong dependency on crevice gap and crevice depth dimensions. In addition, the bulk environment chloride level will affect the ultimate crevice electrolyte pH and chloride level. Accordingly, a given stainless steel may encounter a range of crevice solutions of varying pH and chloride level dependent upon the crevice geometry and bulk environment conditions encountered.Two experimental approaches for studying crevice corrosion are presented. A remote crevice assembly and a compartmentalized cell have been used to study both the initiation and propagation phases of crevice corrosion. Both methods make use of two specimen components consisting of physically separated but electrically connected anodes (crevice portion) and cathode members. Accordingly, corrosion potential and current data along with conventional mass loss and penetration data can be gathered. A significant feature of these methods is that neither requires the application of current from an external source. Both initiation and propagation of crevice corrosion occur spontaneously. The two techniques differ slightly in that the remote crevice assembly requires creation of a physical crevice on the anode while the compartmentalized cell approach uses a nonoccluded anode in a simulated crevice electrolyte. With the compartmentalized cell, crevice electrolytes are simulated based on the predictions of a mathematical model of crevice corrosion.Results from recent tests investigating the effects of variations in crevice tightness, bulk solution composition, and crevice solution pH are described in the present article. Remote crevice assembly research has focused on efforts to provide a consistent and reproducible condition of crevice tightness on the anode. The compartmentalized cell research has dealt with the effects of changes in both bulk environment conditions and crevice solution pH. Insights gained on the relative influence of these various factors on crevice corrosion lend credence to the testing concepts embodied by both the remote crevice assembly and the compartmentalized cell.
Measurement of Stable Crack Growth Including Detection of Initiation of Growth Using the DC Potential Drop and the Partial Unloading Methods
Authors: Schwalbe K-H , Hellmann D , Heerens J , Knaack J , Müller-Roos J 
Published: December 2008

The ability of the DC potential drop method and the partial unloading technique to measure crack growth and to detect initiation of crack growth has been investigated using a number of steels and aluminum alloys. It was found that within the range of parameters investigated both of these methods can be recommended for the determination of the R curve; however, since at small amounts of crack growth, the DC potential drop method gave more consistent results, it is therefore considered to be superior. The initiation values Jo of the J integral determined by fractography were compared with JIc as obtained by current practice. It was found that ductile fracture toughness JIc is poorly related to initiation or to a specific amount of crack growth. A modification of the JIc procedure is proposed.
Two contacting arrangements of the DC potential drop method were checked for initiation detection: one indicates initiation by a potential minimum (related to a J value Jmin), the other by the intersection of the R curve with the blunting line (related to a J value Jint).
The Use of Small-Format Aerial Photography in Aquatic Macrophyton Sampling
Authors: Breedlove BW , Dennis WM 
Published: December 2008

Standard 35- and 70-mm low altitude aerial photography provides a low cost, effective means for sampling aquatic macrophyte communities. Both color and color infrared (CIR) film have been used successfully. A haze filter should be used with color film, and a Wratten® 12 or 15 filter should be used with color infrared. Adequate water penetration is provided by color film in waters with high turbidity and suspended matter while CIR film may be preferable in low turbidity waters. Ground coverage tables provide scale and areal coverage in tabular form at various altitudes, focal lengths, and appropriate time intervals to ensure 60% stereo overlap. Various cameras and lens combinations can be used; however, a 28-mm lens with the 35-mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and a 40- or 80-mm lens with a 70-mm camera have proven very effective and allow maximum areal coverage at lower altitudes. This flexibility allows photo missions to be flown below cloud bases in less than optimum conditions while still obtaining good quality photography.When combined with appropriate ground surveys and knowledgeable photointerpretation, small-format photography can provide detailed documentation of the areal extent of macrophyte communities and, in many instances, of species composition as well.
Short-Cut Chronic Toxicity Estimates Using Daphnia magna
Authors: Adams WJ , Heidolph BB 
Published: December 2008

The use of a partial life cycle test together with an application factor (AF) is a reliable way to estimate the traditional Daphnia magna 21-day GM-MATC. Application factors were determined for twelve different endpoints from 20 D. magna 21-day chronic tests by dividing the respective endpoints by the 21-day GM-MATC for each chemical. The data indicate that the 48-h no-effect concentration, the 7-, 14-, and 21-day EC50 values, and the 7- and 14-day geometric mean no-effect/effect concentrations can be used with small AFs to reliably estimate the 21-day GM-MATC. The respective AFs are 2.9, 6.0, 2.0, 4.2, and 2.7.
The cost associated with obtaining an estimate of the 21-day GM-MATC from a 2-, 7-, 14-, or 21-day study is $800, $5000, $10 000, and $15 000, respectively. The 48-h no-effect concentration provides the shortest and most effective test and does so without sacrificing accuracy.
For purposes of ranking chemicals and obtaining preliminary estimates of environmental safety margins, the use of a 48-h no-effect concentration from an acute toxicity test and an AF (33) is recommended as a cost effective way to estimate the chronic geometric mean maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (GM-MATC) for D. magna.
The results of this study indicate that there are only minor differences between 14- and 21-day GM-MATCs. Therefore we recommend that standard protocols for testing D. magna be changed to require only a 14-day period of exposure instead of 21 days. The results of this study also provide evidence that a chronic test as short as 7 days could be conducted without significant loss of accuracy.
Delamination Threshold and Loading Effect in Fiber Glass Epoxy Composite
Authors: Bathias C , Laksimi A 
Published: December 2008

Helicopter rotor heads made of glass fiber-epoxy composite show good strength, particularly in fatigue failures. However, interlaminar defects may always grow under the effect of loading in bending. To predict the development of these plane defects, the delamination threshold and low crack growth rate were studied in double cantilever beam type specimens calibrated by compliance. Experimentally, a delamination threshold exists below which a plane crack does not propagate, either in Mode I or Mode II testing. Fatigue loading may cause the growth of delamination between adjacent plies at a strain energy release rate ΔGth five times lower than the fracture energy Gc. This difference is relatively insignificant by comparison with metals since in numerous alloys the difference can be as high as 100. This demonstrates the importance of determining a delamination threshold to evaluate the damage tolerance of the composite.Complex loadings were introduced into our tests by programming tempory overloads and sequences of loading at two stress levels during cycling. The glass fiber-epoxy composites do not show significant memory effect, but are sensitive to the load ratio R.
Placement and Compaction of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Wagner FT 
Published: December 2008

Description
Examines the effect of low mixing and compaction temperature on engineering properties of asphalt pavement; low density resulting from insufficient rolling equipment and improper construction procedures; asphalt concrete density measurements; procedures for estimating the service life of pavement when materials do not conform to specifications; and the value of creep tests in determining an asphalt mixture’s ability to resist traffic densification.
Postoperative mortality in parathyroid surgery in Sweden during five decades: improved outcome despite older patients
Authors: Norenstedt S , Ekbom A , Brandt L , Zedenius J , Nilsson I-L 
Published: November 2008

ObjectivePrimary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a common endocrine disorder. In Europe, pHPT has been associated with premature death in cardiovascular disorders. Our question was whether the risk of postoperative death has been affected by the increased proportion of elderly patients referred for parathyroid surgery.MethodsThe nationwide Cancer Registry and Causes-of-Death Registry were used to analyze mortality among 14 635 Swedish patients subjected to parathyroid adenomectomy (PTx) during 1961–2004. Standard mortality ratios (SMR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with the entire Swedish population as control, standardized for age, gender and calendar year.ResultsThe observation period was more than 166 000 person-years. The overall perioperative (30-day) mortality rate was 1.3% (185/14 635; SMR 7.9; CI 6.82–9.15); 1.1% for women (132/11 500; SMR 7.56; CI 6.32–8.96), and 1.7% for men (53/3135; SMR 9.01; CI 6.75–11.78). Cardiovascular disorder was the dominant cause of death in both sexes and in all the investigated age groups (age 15–54 years; SMR 29.0; CI 9.42–67.71, age 55–74 years; SMR 6.12; CI 3.96–9.03, age 75 years: SMR 5.26; CI 3.74–7.19). The SMR decreased over the calendar year period notwithstanding a rising proportion of elderly individuals. In the most recent period, 1997–2004, the perioperative mortality rate was only 0.5%, which represents a normalization of the excess mortality risk during the first post-PTx year (SMR 1.17; CI 0.92–1.46).ConclusionPTx is a safe procedure, regardless of patient age. Today, the perioperative mortality risk is not a reason for excluding elderly patients from parathyroid surgery.
Using Folk Media in HIV/AIDS Prevention in Rural Ghana
Authors: Panford Solomon , Nyaney Maud Ofori , Amoah Samuel Opoku , Aidoo Nana Garbrah 
Published: November 2008

The pandemic of HIV/AIDS continues to pose a serious threat to the population of sub-Saharan Africa, despite ongoing public health efforts to control the spread of infection. Given the important role of oral tradition in indigenous settings throughout rural Africa, we are beginning an innovative approach to HIV/AIDS prevention based on the use of folk media. This commentary explains the types of folk media used in the traditional Ghanaian setting and explores their consistency with well-known theories. Folk media will be integrated with broadcast radio for interventions under the HIV/AIDS Behavior Change Communication Project being undertaken as part of the CARE–CDC Health Initiative (CCHI) in 2 districts in Ghana.
Collaboration, Cholera, and Cyclones: A Project to Improve Point-of-Use Water Quality in Madagascar
Authors: Dunston Chris , McAfee David , Kaiser Reinhard , Rakotoarison Desire , Rambeloson Lalah , Hoang Anh Thu , Quick Robert E. 
Published: November 2008

In November 1999, CARE Madagascar, Population Services International (PSI), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) selected 30 poor communities in urban Antananarivo as the target population for launch of the Safe Water System. The system consists of behavior change techniques along with point-of-use treatment and safe storage of water. The project was launched in March 2000, ahead of schedule, because a cholera epidemic struck Madagascar in January. Because of the enormous demand created by the cholera epidemic and by 3 cyclones that followed in the next 3 months, the project grew to national scale in less than a year. The combination of community mobilization and social marketing resulted in increased demand for and use of the Safe Water System.
Management of Childhood Illness at Health Facilities in Benin: Problems and Their Causes
Authors: Rowe Alexander K. , Onikpo Faustin , Lama Marcel , Cokou Francois , Deming Michael S. 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. To prepare for the implementation of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) in Benin, we studied the management of ill children younger than 5 years at outpatient health facilities. Methods. We observed a representative sample of consultations; after each consultation, we interviewed caregivers and reexamined children. Health workers' performance was evaluated against IMCI guidelines. To identify determinants of performance, statistical modeling was performed and 6 focus groups with health workers were conducted to solicit their opinions. Results. Altogether, 584 children were enrolled and 101 health workers were observed; 130 health workers participated in focus group discussions. Many serious deficiencies were found: incomplete assessment of children's signs and symptoms, incorrect diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening illnesses, inappropriate prescription of dangerous sedatives, missed opportunities to vaccinate, and failure to refer severely ill children for hospitalization. Quantitative and qualitative analyses showed various health facility–, health worker–, caregiver-, and child-related factors as possible determinants of health worker performance. Conclusions. Action is urgently needed. Our results suggest that to improve health care delivery, interventions should target both the health system and the community level.
Improving Surveillance for Maternal and Perinatal Health in 2 Districts of Rural Tanzania
Authors: Kilonzo Andrew , Kouletio Michelle , Whitehead Sara J. , Curtis Kathryn M. , McCarthy Brian J. 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. As part of a community-based reproductive health project in rural Tanzania, a maternal and perinatal health care surveillance system was established to monitor pregnancy outcomes. This report presents preliminary results. Methods. Village health workers were trained to collect data during health education visits to pregnant and postpartum women. Maternal and fetal or infant survival or deaths were tracked on a community monitoring board. Results. Among 904 pregnancies, the fetoneonatal mortality rate was 69.4 deaths per 1000 live births and fetal deaths; 4 maternal deaths occurred. Intrapartum and early neonatal deaths of infants with birthweights of 1500 g or greater represented a large proportion of deaths. Conclusions. These preliminary results will be used to prioritize project interventions, including increasing access to skilled delivery care.
Obesity and Undernutrition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rural and Urban Gambian Communities
Authors: van der Sande Marianne A. B. , Ceesay Sana M. , Milligan Paul J. M. , Nyan Ousman A. , Banya Winston A. S. , Prentice Andrew , McAdam Keith P. W. J. , Walraven Gijs E. L. 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. This study documented the prevalence of and cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity and undernutrition in the Gambia. Methods. Adults (≥15 years; N = 5373) from rural and urban areas completed a questionnaire; their height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences were measured, and their cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. Results. Prevalence of undernutrition (body mass index < 18 kg/m 2 ) was 18.0%; all strata of society were affected. Prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 ) was 4.0% but was higher (32.6%) among urban women 35 years or older. Cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent among obese participants. Conclusions. Undernutrition coexists with obesity, demonstrating a “double burden of disease.” Differential interventions should focus on high-risk groups; prevention needs a multisectorial approach.
Growth in Indigenous and Nonindigenous Chilean Schoolchildren From 3 Poverty Strata
Authors: Bustos Patricia , Amigo Hugo , Muñoz Sergio R. , Martorell Reynaldo 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. This study sought to determine whether the short stature of Mapuche children, an indigenous group in Chile, reflects poverty or genetic heritage and whether the international reference population, derived from studies of US children of mostly European origin, is appropriate for assessing growth failure in indigenous peoples of the Americas. Methods. The study assessed 768 schoolchildren of Mapuche and non-Mapuche ancestry, aged 6 to 9 years, living under conditions of extreme, medium, and low poverty. Results. Growth retardation was strongly related to poverty in both ethnic groups. Within poverty levels, there were no significant differences in stature between ethnic groups, and in low-poverty areas in Santiago, the capital city, mean stature was only slightly less than in the reference population. Conclusions. Poverty, not ancestry, explains the short stature of Mapuche children, and use of the international reference to assess growth in this population is appropriate.
Extrarelational Sex Among Mexican Men and Their Partners' Risk of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Authors: Pulerwitz Julie , Izazola-Licea Jose-Antonio , Gortmaker Steven L. 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. This study explored the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among married and cohabiting women in Mexico City, Mexico, derived from their partners' sexual behaviors. Methods. Results were derived from the first population-based household survey in Mexico that investigated male sexual behavior. Analyses were restricted to sexually active married or cohabiting men (n = 3990). Results. Fifteen percent of the men reported extrarelational sex during the past year, 9% reported condom use during last intercourse, and 80% perceived no HIV risk. Most secondary partners were coworkers, mistresses, or friends. Conclusions. Targeted HIV and STD prevention efforts appear necessary because a substantial number of women may be at risk.
Factors Linked to Bacterial Vaginosis in Nonpregnant Women
Authors: Holzman Claudia , Leventhal Judith M. , Qiu Hong , Jones Nicole M. , Wang Jenny ,   the BV Study Group
Published: November 2008

Objectives. The purposes of this study were to test the hypothesis that vaginal douching is linked to bacterial vaginosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic women and to identify other demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors associated with bacterial vaginosis. Methods. In this cross-sectional study involving 3 clinic sites, 496 nonpregnant women completed a self-administered questionnaire. Their vaginal smears were assessed and cross-validated for bacterial vaginosis. Results. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis across clinics ranged from 15% to 30%. In analyses restricted to site 1, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for bacterial vaginosis remained significant for African American women with 13 or fewer years of education (OR = 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1, 14.5), hormone use within the past 6 months (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.8), and vaginal douching within the past 2 months (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.5, 5.6). Conclusions. Two lifestyle factors emerge as strongly associated with bacterial vaginosis: systemic contraceptives appear protective, whereas douching is linked to an increase in prevalence. The temporal relationship between douching and bacterial vaginosis needs further clarification.
Constructing “Sound Science” and “Good Epidemiology”: Tobacco, Lawyers, and Public Relations Firms
Authors: Ong Elisa K. , Glantz Stanton A. 
Published: November 2008

The tobacco industry has attacked “junk science” to discredit the evidence that secondhand smoke—among other environmental toxins—causes disease. Philip Morris used public relations firms and lawyers to develop a “sound science” program in the United States and Europe that involved recruiting other industries and issues to obscure the tobacco industry's role. The European “sound science” plans included a version of “good epidemiological practices” that would make it impossible to conclude that secondhand smoke—and thus other environmental toxins—caused diseases. Public health professionals need to be aware that the “sound science” movement is not an indigenous effort from within the profession to improve the quality of scientific discourse, but reflects sophisticated public relations campaigns controlled by industry executives and lawyers whose aim is to manipulate the standards of scientific proof to serve the corporate interests of their clients.
Investigating Neighborhood and Area Effects on Health
Authors: Diez Roux Ana V. 
Published: November 2008

The past few years have witnessed an explosion of interest in neighborhood or area effects on health. Several types of empiric studies have been used to examine possible area or neighborhood effects, including ecologic studies relating area characteristics to morbidity and mortality rates, contextual and multilevel analyses relating area socioeconomic context to health outcomes, and studies comparing small numbers of well-defined neighborhoods. Strengthening inferences regarding the presence and magnitude of neighborhood effects will require addressing a series of conceptual and methodological issues. Many of these issues relate to the need to develop theory and specific hypotheses on the processes through which neighborhood and individual factors may jointly influence specific health outcomes. Important challenges include defining neighborhoods or relevant geographic areas, identifying significant area or neighborhood characteristics, specifying the role of individual-level variables, incorporating life-course and longitudinal dimensions, combining a variety of research designs, and avoiding reductionism in the way in which “neighborhood” factors are incorporated into models of disease causation and quantitative analyses.analyses.
Effectiveness of Postmigration Screening in Controlling Tuberculosis Among Refugees: A Historical Cohort Study, 1984–1998
Authors: Marks Guy B. , Bai Jun , Stewart Gregory J. , Simpson Sheila E. , Sullivan Elizabeth A. 
Published: November 2008

Objectives. This study assessed the effectiveness of postmigration screening for the control of tuberculosis (TB) among refugee migrants. Methods. We conducted a historical cohort study among 24 610 predominantly Southeast Asian refugees who had arrived in Sydney, Australia, between 1984 and 1994. All had been screened for TB before arrival and had radiologic follow-up for 18 months after arrival. Incident cases of TB were identified by record linkage analysis with confirmatory review of case notes. Results. The crude annual incidence rate over 10-year follow-up was 74.9 per 100 000 person-years. Only 29.6% of the cases were diagnosed as a result of routine follow-up procedures. Conclusions. Enhanced passive case finding is likely to be more effective than active case finding for the control of TB among refugees.