bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined Model of Strain-Induced Phase Transformation and Orthotropic Damage in Ductile Materials at Cryogenic Temperatures
Authors: Garion Cedric , Skoczen Blazej 
Published: October 2003

Ductile materials (like stainless steel or copper) show at cryogenic temperatures three principal phenomena: serrated yielding (discontinuous in terms of dσ/dε), plastic strain-induced phase transformations and evolution of ductile damage. The present paper deals exclusively with the two latter cases. Thus, it is assumed that the plastic flow is perfectly smooth. Both in the case of damage evolution and for the 0 phase transformation, the principal mechanism is related to the formation of plastic strain fields. In the constitutive modeling of both phenomena, a crucial role is played by the accumulated plastic strain, expressed by the Odqvist parameter p. Following the general trends, both in the literature concerning the phase transformation and the ductile damage, it is assumed that the rate of transformation and the rate of damage are proportional to the accumulated plastic strain rate. The 0 phase transformation converts the initially homogenous material to a two-phase heterogeneous ”composite”. The kinetics of phase transformation is described by the relevant linearized law of evolution of the volume fraction of 0 martensite in the austenitic matrix [Garion, C. and Skoczen, B. (2002a). The evolution of orthotropic damage is characterized by the fact that the principal directions of damage are generally not colinear with the principal directions of stress. The damage rate tensor depends linearly on the strain energy density release rate tensor (conjugate force) and on the material properties tensor C, that reflects the orthotropy level. The relevant kinetic law of damage evolution and the combined constitutive model, including phase transformation, are developed in the present paper. The model is particularly suitable to describe the evolution of highly localized damage fields in thin-walled shells, subjected at cryogenic temperatures to the loads far beyond the yield point. It has been applied to the prediction of the response of the bellows expansion joints (corrugated thin-walled shells) designed for the inter-connections of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
Piezoelectric Actuation for Smart Sandwich Structures - Closed Form Solutions
Authors: Abramovich H. 
Published: October 2003

A new piezoelectric actuation mechanism for smart sandwich structures is investigated and its performances are compared with the traditional one, which is based on an induced bending moment. This piezoelectric mechanism deals with inducing shear forces and it is the result of piezoelectric materials, which are constrained and poled perpendicular to the applied electric field direction (across the thickness). The three-coupled equations of motion of a general nonsymmetric piezolaminated composite beam subjected to axial and lateral tractions with the new actuation mechanism are derived. The displacement field is based on a first order shear deformation theory. The static case is investigated for continuous piezoelectric layers and for piezoelectric patches embedded into the carrying beam. Closed form solutions for the bending angle and the axial and lateral displacements along the beam are presented for various configurations of lay-up, boundary conditions and lateral tractions.
Predicting persistent disease among children who wheeze during early life
Authors: Kurukulaaratchy R.J. , Matthews S. , Holgate S.T. , Arshad S.H. 
Published: October 2003

This study sought to determine factors influencing the persistence of early life wheezing up to the age of 10 yrs and to create a score identifying those with the highest risk of persistent disease.Children were seen at birth, 1, 2, 4 and 10 yrs in a whole population birth cohort study (n=1,456). Information was collected prospectively on wheeze prevalence and subjects were classified into wheezing phenotypes. Early life genetic and environmental risk factors were recorded and skin-prick testing (SPT) was performed at 4 yrs. Independently significant factors for persisting wheeze were identified at logistic regression and used to create a score for persistence.Wheezing persistence from the first 4 yrs to the age of 10 yrs occurred in 37% of early life wheezers. Independent significance for persistence was associated with asthmatic family history, atopic SPT at 4 yrs and recurrent chest infections at 2 yrs, whilst recurrent nasal symptoms at 1 yr conferred reduced risk. A cumulative risk score using these factors identified wheezing persistence in 83% scoring 4 and transience in 80% scoring 0.Thus, a combination of genetic predisposition, early life atopy and recurrent chest infections favours the persistence of early life wheezing. Risk scores using such knowledge could provide prognostic guidance on the outcome of early wheeze.
Dietary factors associated with wheezing and allergic rhinitis in children
Authors: Farchi S. , Forastiere F. , Agabiti N. , Corbo G. , Pistelli R. , Fortes C. , Dell'Orco V. , Perucci C.A. 
Published: October 2003

The effect of dietary factors on asthma is controversial. This study examined food consumption and the use of fats in relation to wheezing and allergic rhinitis in children.Baseline questionnaire data on individual and family characteristics were recorded by parents of 5,257 children aged 6–7 yrs living in central Italy participating in the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study. A total of 4,104 children (78.1%) were reinvestigated after 1 yr using a second parental questionnaire to record occurrence of respiratory symptoms over the intervening 12 months. Consumption of foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, animal fats, and food containing omega‐3 fatty acids were investigated using a food-frequency questionnaire. Frequency of use of fats was also evaluated. Wheezing, shortness of breath with wheeze, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the past 12 months were considered.Intake of cooked vegetables, tomatoes, and fruit were protective factors for any wheeze in the last 12 months and shortness of breath with wheeze. Consumption of citrus fruit had a protective role for shortness of breath with wheeze. Consumption of bread and margarine was associated with an increased risk of wheeze, while bread and butter was associated with shortness of breath with wheeze.Dietary antioxidants in vegetables may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, whereas both butter and margarine may increase the occurrence of such symptoms.
Short-term effects of air pollution on daily asthma emergency room admissions
Authors: Galán I. , Tobías A. , Banegas J.R. , Aránguez E. 
Published: October 2003

Many time-series studies have shown positive associations between air pollutants and asthma morbidity. However, few studies have included pollen as a potential confounder when examining this relationship.This study analysed the short-term association between air pollutants (sulphur dioxide (SO2), particles measured with a median aerodynamic diameter of <10 µm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)) and asthma emergency room admissions in Madrid, Spain, in 1995–1998, adjusting for four types of pollen with allergenic potential (Olea europaea,Plantago sp., Poaceae and Urticaceae). Data were analysed using autoregressive Poisson regression and generalised additive models (GAM).The strongest associations were observed at 1 day lag for O3, and 3 days lag for the remaining pollutants. Using Poisson regression, a single-pollutant model showed that a 10‐µg·m−3rise in pollutant level led to relative risks of: 1.039 for PM10; 1.029 for SO2; 1.033 for NO2; and 1.045 for O3. Adjustment for the different types of pollen led to no substantial variation in these associations. In the multipollutant models for cold-season pollutants (including PM10, SO2and the four types of pollen) and photochemical pollutants (including NO2, O3and the four types of pollen) the associations for PM10, NO2and O3held, but no relationship with SO2was evident. GAM analysis yielded the same results, both in terms of lags and of quantification of the effect for all pollutants.In conclusion, the usual air pollution levels in Madrid were associated with an increase in asthma emergency room admissions, and this association remained controlling for the presence of ambient pollen.
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: eight years of surveillance in France
Authors: Robert J. , Trystram D. , Truffot-Pernot C. , Jarlier V. 
Published: October 2003

The aim of this study was to evaluate the annual prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and to describe the characteristics of the patients with MDRTB in France.Annual questionnaire surveys from 1992–1999 were mailed to all French microbiological laboratories performing mycobacterial cultures. A total of 264 distinct patients were reported to the National Reference Centre for Resistance of Mycobacteria to Antituberculosis Drugs during the 8‐yr surveillance period resulting in a mean annual prevalence of MDRTB of 0.6%.A mean of 16% of the MDRTB patients were reported over several subsequent years. The majority of patients were male (69.7%), foreign-born (55.7%), with a previous history of treatment (65.9%), and pulmonary involvement (92.8%) with smear-positive results (59.1%). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection was present in 20.8% of the patients. Strains were resistant only to isoniazid and rifampin in 37.9% of the cases, and additional resistance to both streptomycin and ethambutol was present in 25.8%. HIV coinfection and female status were statistically associated with primary resistance, whereas smear-positive results were associated with secondary resistance. Foreign-birth and smear-positive results were associated with a chronic status.The prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is low in France (<1%). However, a substantial proportion of patients remain positive for several years, suggesting nonoptimal management. Therefore, as recommended by the World Health Organization, a few reference teams, working in collaboration with national associations of physicians and microbiologists, should be established to improve the outcome of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Increased serum concentration of urinary trypsin inhibitor with asthma exacerbation
Authors: Yasui K. , Kanda H. , Iwanami T. , Komiyama A. 
Published: October 2003

The aim of the study was to determine whether the amount of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) in serum, a degenerate induced by neutrophil elastase (NE), reflects the degree of bronchial inflammation in children with acute asthma exacerbation.The involvement of neutrophil-mediated inflammation plays as important a role as eosinophil-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of acute asthma exacerbation. However, no measurable marker is sensitive enough to assess neutrophil-mediated inflammation in the airways. The pre‐α‐/inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitors are assumed to be precursors of UTI. NE degrades pre‐α‐/inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitors to liberate UTI. UTI concentrations in 25 childhood patients admitted with asthma exacerbation and 15 control subjects were measured by means of one-step sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay.Serum UTI concentrations in the patients at admission were significantly higher than control values (10.597±0.649 and 6.136±0.303 U·mL−1, respectively (mean±sem)). These levels returned to baseline values with improvement in the asthmatic symptoms. However, serum NE and α1antitrypsin concentrations were not significantly different between patients and controls, even during acute exacerbation in the former.The findings suggest that neutrophil-mediated inflammatory events are involved in exacerbation of childhood asthma. The monitoring of urinary trypsin inhibitor concentrations might be useful for evaluating the neutrophil-mediated inflammation in childhood asthma attack.
Assessment of tidal breathing parameters in infants with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Ranganathan S.C. , Goetz I. , Hoo A-F. , Lum S. , Castle R. , Stocks J. ,   and the London Collaborative Cystic Fibrosis Group
Published: October 2003

Simple methods are needed to assess lung function in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study determined the relationship between simple measurements obtained from tidal breathing with those from more complicated forced expiratory manoeuvres.Healthy infants and infants with CF were recruited from two maternity units and five specialist CF hospitals, respectively. Respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute ventilation and the tidal breathing ratio (TPTEF:TE) were measured in sedated infants and compared with forced expiratory volume in 0.4 seconds (FEV0.4) measured by the raised volume technique.Altogether, 95 healthy infants and 47 infants with CF of similar age, sex, ethnicity and proportion exposed to maternal smoking were recruited. There was no difference in TPTEF:TEand tidal volume between healthy infants and those with CF. Minute ventilation was significantly greater in infants with CF due to a mean (95% confidence interval) increase in respiratory rate of 5.8 (3.2–8.4) min−1. Thirteen (28%) infants with CF had a respiratory rate elevated by >2 sd. However, no association between respiratory rate and FEV0.4could be identified.Tidal breathing ratio was not useful in identifying diminished airway function in infants with cystic fibrosis. An elevated respiratory rate may be due in part to ventilation heterogeneity but is poorly predictive of diminished airway function measured by forced expiration.
Indications, patient selection and timing of referral for lung transplantation
Authors: Glanville A.R. , Estenne M. 
Published: October 2003

Lung transplantation (LTx) is now generally accepted as a useful modality of care for patients with severe life-threatening respiratory diseases that are refractory to other medical or surgical therapies. With the huge development of LTx over the last 15 yrs, the disparity between the number of potential recipients and the number of donor organs available has become a major constraint, with many patients dying on the waiting lists. Therefore, it is of primary importance to control and optimise the use of this limited organ resource by weighting the risks and benefits of transplantation in individual patients, and to identify those patients who have a better chance of having a favourable outcome with transplantation.This article discusses the selection process of potential candidates and the currently accepted absolute and relative contraindications, and proposes general and disease-specific recommendations for optimising the timing of referral. Early referral for consideration of lung transplantation is highly desirable as it enhances the patient's chance of surviving to transplant and allows the transplant team to actively manage identified comorbidities during the waiting period.
Effects of a comprehensive self-management programme in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Monninkhof E. , van der Valk P. , van der Palen J. , van Herwaarden C. , Zielhuis G. 
Published: October 2003

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a comprehensive self-management intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), symptoms and walking distance in patients with stable moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).This study was part of the overall COPD study of the Dept of Pulmonary Medicine,Enschede, which consisted of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) trial and a self-management trial. After the ICS trial, all patients were randomised again to a self-management and a control group. The self-management intervention consisted of askill-oriented patient education programme and a near-home fitness programme, on top of usual care. The control group received usual care by the treating chest physician. HRQoL was measured by the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and walking distance by the 6‐min walking test. Patients recorded their symptoms in diaries and graded their health status from 1–10 in a weekly report.Altogether, 248 COPD patients were randomly allocated to either an intervention (127) or control (121) group. No differences in the SGRQ scores within and between both groups were observed over 1 yr. Similarly, no differences in symptom scores and 6‐min walking distance were found within and between groups. The intervention group reported more exacerbations than the control group. The majority (69%) of the exacerbations in the intervention group were self-treated at home.This study failed to show positive effects of a self-management programme among moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Collagen phagocytosis by lung alveolar macrophages in animal models of emphysema
Authors: Lucattelli M. , Cavarra E. , M. de Santi M. , Tetley T.D. , Martorana P.A. , Lungarella G. 
Published: October 2003

Under steady state conditions the intracellular pathway is the major route of collagen catabolism in tissues characterised by rapid collagen turnover. In the lung, the collagen is subject to continuous remodelling and turnover however, the intracellular pathway of collagen degradation is unusual under physiological conditions.The current authors previously described crystalloid inclusions in alveolar macrophages of mice with genetic emphysema at the time of septal disruption. Using an immunogold technique these inclusions were identified as collagen-derived products and related to intracytoplasmic collagen degradation. To examine whether a different degree of protease burden in lung interstitium may influence the route of intracellular collagen degradation, collagen phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages was studied in various mouse models of emphysema at the time when emphysema develops.Evident collagen by-products in alveolar macrophages were observed in destructive processes characterising spontaneous models of emphysema either with negligible (blotchy mouse) or moderate (pallid mouse) elastase burden. On the other hand, intracellular collagen by-products were appreciated only in a few macrophages from tight-skin mice with high elastolytic burden and could not be observed in mice with a very severe burden after elastase instillation. In conclusion, the interstitial level of proteases burden can affect the way by which the collagen is cleared (intracellularlyversusextracellularly).
Effect of nasal or oral breathing route on upper airway resistance during sleep
Authors: Fitzpatrick M.F. , McLean H. , Urton A.M. , Tan A. , O'Donnell D. , Driver H.S. 
Published: October 2003

Healthy subjects with normal nasal resistance breathe almost exclusively through the nose during sleep. This study tested the hypothesis that a mechanical advantage might explain this preponderance of nasal over oral breathing during sleep.A randomised, single-blind, crossover design was used to compare upper airway resistance during sleep in the nasal and oral breathing conditions in 12 (seven male) healthy subjects with normal nasal resistance, aged 30±4 (mean±sem) yrs, and with a body mass index of 23±1 kg·m2.During wakefulness, upper airway resistance was similar between the oral and nasal breathing routes. However, during sleep (supine, stage two) upper airway resistance was much higher while breathing orally (median 12.4 cmH2O·L−1·s−1, range 4.5–40.2) than nasally (5.2 cmH2O·L−1·s−1, 1.7–10.8). In addition, obstructive (but not central) apnoeas and hypopnoeas were profoundly more frequent when breathing orally (apnoea-hypopnoea index 43±6) than nasally (1.5±0.5).Upper airway resistance during sleep and the propensity to obstructive sleep apnoea are significantly lower while breathing nasally rather than orally. This mechanical advantage may explain the preponderance of nasal breathing during sleep in normal subjects.
The approach to the surgical management of cancer in four European countries
Authors: Connolly C.K. , Van Schil P.E.Y. , Milroy R. , Braendli O. , Prescott R.J. 
Published: October 2003

Outcome of lung cancer appears poorer in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. This may be due to a less aggressive approach in treatment. This study investigated whether clinicians' perceptions of their approach differed between European countries.A questionnaire was circulated to cancer specialists in four countries (Belgium, Greece, Switzerland and the UK) asking about management. An aggression score was calculated using the proportion of standard cases that would proceed to operation at different ages and levels of pulmonary function.The principle problems suggested by most of the 314 respondents were inoperability before symptoms (particularly in the UK) and confounding effects of comorbidity. Surgeons particularly blamed delay in referral. The aggression scores (Belgium 54%, UK 49%, Switzerland 47% and Greece 37%) did not suggest the UK is an outlier, but the UK was more conservative in its approach to N2 disease and isolated cerebral metastasis. The aggression scores of surgeons were greater than those of the others (51%versus42%).Lung cancer was felt to present late with potentially confounding symptoms, but delay in the clinical process was thought to be less important. Although the UK was more conservative with special cases, its approach to typical cases could account for differences in patient survival.
Formoterol as relief medication in asthma: a worldwide safety and effectiveness trial
Authors: Pauwels R.A. , Sears M.R. , Campbell M. , Villasante C. , Huang S. , Lindh A. , Petermann W. , Aubier M. , Schwabe G. , Bengtsson T. 
Published: October 2003

The aim of the study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of as-needed formoterol with salbutamol in a large international real-life asthma study.Children and adults (n=18,124) were randomised to 6 months as-needed treatment with open-label formoterol 4.5 µg Turbuhaler® or salbutamol 200 µg pressurised metered dose inhaler or equivalent. Primary safety variables were asthma-related and nonasthma-related serious adverse events (SAE)s and adverse events (AE)s resulting in discontinuation (DAE)s. The primary efficacy variable was time to first asthma exacerbation.The incidences of AEs, SAEs and DAEs arising from SAEs were not significantly different between treatments. DAEs for nonserious AEs were higher with formoterol. Asthma-related AEs decreased with formoterol (1,098 (12.3%)versus1,206 (13.5%)), asthma-related SAEs were similar (108 (1.2%)versus121 (1.4%)) but more asthma-related DAEs occurred in the formoterol group (89 (1.0%)versus48 (0.5%)). Time to first exacerbation was prolonged (hazard ratio 0.86) and less as-needed and maintenance medication was used with formoterol. Reductions of exacerbations with as-needed formoterolversussalbutamol increased with increasing age and asthma medication level.This real-life study demonstrates that formoterol as-needed has a similar safety profile to salbutamol, and its use as a reliever therapy is associated with fewer asthma symptoms and exacerbations.