bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Mechanical and Wear Behaviour of AZ91 Magnesium Hybrid Composite Materials
Authors: Mathiazhagan Palanivel , Jayabharathy S. 
Published: May 2022

In recent years, emerging requisite for advanced materials gave a path for hybrid composites. Magnesium metal matrix composites are gaining more interest and a better substitute for heavier steel, aluminium, titanium and even for plastic based materials. At present the AZ91 magnesium alloy is most widely in transport vehicle industry. However, the application of AZ91 magnesium alloys are limited due to several negative effects such as poor creep resistance, wear resistance and inferior corrosion resistance when it is exposed to atmospheric conditions. Future to improve the strength, better corrosion resistance and wear resistance are important for their extend applications of exciting alloy AZ91. The main objective of the present investigation is to achieve above mentioned properties. The AZ91 alloy was reinforced with titanium dioxide/0.5% graphene and with titanium/0.5% graphene in varying weight percentage (1%, 2%) by stir casting technique. These combinations are called hybrid metal matrix composite of materials such as AZ91 + 1%Ti +0.5% Gr (A1), AZ91 + 2%Ti +0.5% Gr (A2), AZ91 + 1%TiO2 + 0.5% Gr (B1) and AZ91 + 2%TiO2 + 0.5% Gr (B2) alloys. The following experiments such as tensile, compressive, hardness and wear tests have been carried out to find all the properties from the newly developed hybrid metal matrix composite of materials and compared with AZ91. Wear tests have been carried out by pin on disc tribometer for both dry and wet sliding condition under 20 N,40 N,60 N, and 80 N. The results indicated the AZ91–1%TiO2–0.5%Gr having high wear resistance compared to other three combinations as well as AZ91. The present experimental investigations of hybrid metal matrix composite of materials have wear resistance in the order of B1 > A2 > A1 > B2 > AZ91 and AZ91–2%TiO2–0.5% Gr showed good tensile strength and hardness. The enhanced these properties were discussed in this paper.
Proterozoic Newer Dolerite Dyke Swarm Magmatism in the Singhbhum Craton, Eastern India
Authors: R. Mir Akhtar 
Published: May 2022

Precambrian mafic magmatism and its role in the evolution of Earth’s crust has been paid serious attention by researchers for the last four decades. The emplacement of mafic dyke swarms acts as an important time marker in geological terrains. Number of shield terrains throughout the world has been intruded by the Precambrian dyke swarms, hence the presence of these dykes are useful to understand the Proterozoic tectonics, magmatism, crustal growth and continental reconstruction. Likewise, the Protocontinents of Indian Shield e.g. Aravalli-Bundelkhand, Dharwar, Bastar, and Singhbhum Protocontinent had experienced the dyke swarm intrusions having different characteristics and orientations. In Singhbhum craton, an impressive set of mafic dyke swarm, called as Newer dolerite dyke swarm, had intruded the Precambrian Singhbhum granitoid complex through a wide geological period from 2800 to 1100 Ma. Present chapter focuses on the published results or conclusions of these dykes in terms of their mantle source characteristics, metasomatism of the mantle source, degree of crustal contamination and partial melting processes. Geochemical characteristics of these dykes particularly Ti/Y, Zr/Y, Th/Nb, Ba/Nb, La/Nb, (La/Sm)PM are similar to either MORB or subduction zone basalts that occur along the plate margin. The enriched LREE-LILE and depletion of HFSE especially Nb, P and Ti probably indicate generation of these dykes in a subduction zone setting.
Use of Oral Ketamine in Palliative Care
Authors: Lopuh Mateja 
Published: May 2022

Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antagonist, has been used for more than 50 years. From its initial potential as an anesthetic drug, its use has increased in the fields of pain medicine, psychiatry, and palliative care. It is available in different formulations, of which oral use is promising due to its active metabolite, norketamine which reaches 2–3 times higher levels when administered orally in comparison with parenteral use. Oral use is also more feasible and easier to use in settings, where medical staff is not that present, such as home care or hospices. Oral solution of ketamine has not yet been officially licensed for use although there have been several reports which recommend its use in neuropathic pain, severe depression, airway obstruction, and anxiety. Palliative care is defined as total care for patients whose diseases do not respond to curative treatment. It encompasses good control of physical symptoms, and psychological, social and spiritual problems. Patients often experience pain, despite high doses of opioids, depression and anxiety, and dyspnea. Oral ketamine does not have the side effects of opioids therefore it represents a good alternative. It may also reduce the need for high opioid doses and be more suitable for patients who wish to avoid the necessary sedation.
Altered excitatory and inhibitory neuronal subpopulation parameters are distinctly associated with tau and amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ranasinghe Kamalini G , Verma Parul , Cai Chang , Xie Xihe , Kudo Kiwamu , Gao Xiao , Lerner Hannah , Mizuiri Danielle , Strom Amelia , Iaccarino Leonardo , La Joie Renaud , Miller Bruce L , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Rankin Katherine P , Jagust William J , Vossel Keith , Rabinovici Gil D , Raj Ashish , Nagarajan Srikantan S 
Published: May 2022

Background:Neuronal- and circuit-level abnormalities of excitation and inhibition are shown to be associated with tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These relationships remain poorly understood in patients with AD.Methods:Using empirical spectra from magnetoencephalography and computational modeling (neural mass model), we examined excitatory and inhibitory parameters of neuronal subpopulations and investigated their specific associations to regional tau and Aβ, measured by positron emission tomography, in patients with AD.Results:Patients with AD showed abnormal excitatory and inhibitory time-constants and neural gains compared to age-matched controls. Increased excitatory time-constants distinctly correlated with higher tau depositions while increased inhibitory time-constants distinctly correlated with higher Aβ depositions.Conclusions:Our results provide critical insights about potential mechanistic links between abnormal neural oscillations and cellular correlates of impaired excitatory and inhibitory synaptic functions associated with tau and Aβ in patients with AD.Funding:This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants: K08AG058749 (KGR), F32AG050434-01A1 (KGR), K23 AG038357 (KAV), P50 AG023501, P01 AG19724 (BLM), P50-AG023501 (BLM and GDR), R01 AG045611 (GDR); AG034570, AG062542 (WJ); NS100440 (SSN), DC176960 (SSN), DC017091 (SSN), AG062196 (SSN); a grant from John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation (KAV); grants from Larry L. Hillblom Foundation: 2015-A-034-FEL (KGR), 2019-A-013-SUP (KGR); grants from the Alzheimer’s Association: AARG-21-849773 (KGR); PCTRB-13-288476 (KAV), and made possible by Part the CloudTM (ETAC-09-133596); a grant from Tau Consortium (GDR and WJJ), and a gift from the S. D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation.
Occurrence of Leaf Spot Antrachnose in the Monostand of Rhizophora apiculata in Sitio Marabahay, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan, Philippines
Authors: Manalo-Cadigal Glenda I. , Gonzales-Plasus Maria Mojena 
Published: May 2022

Mangrove trees are naturally resilient to pathogenic attacks with its salt tolerant mechanism, but was reported to be lowest in Rhizophora apiculata making it susceptible to pathogenic attacks. This study aimed to morphologically verify the fungus affecting R. apiculata in the area and determine the extent and severity of fungal infection present in R. apiculata in Sitio Marabahay, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan, Philippines.
There were at least 100 R. apiculata trees near the settlement area that were affected by the anthracnose. Almost 85-90% of all sampled leaves were affected by the anthracnose which indicates that the R. apiculata that were thriving in Marabahay, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan, Philippines were under severe threats of great lost both in terms of quality and quantity of R. apiculata in the area.
The occurrence of this disease in R. apiculata could be attributed to the humidity brought by the rainy weather during the month of October favoring the growth of fungal pathogens. The low salt-tolerance of R. apiculata and environmental stress brought by the waste management of the settlers in the area contributed also to the spread of the disease among the monostand of R. apiculata.
Monitoring of the occurrence of this disease should be conducted frequently and water condition and other environmental factors in the settlement area should be evaluated to avoid decline of the mangrove biodiversity in the area.
Effect of lacYExpression on Homogeneity of Induction from the Ptac and Ptrc Promoters by Natural and Synthetic Inducers
Authors: Khlebnikov Artem , Keasling Jay D. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe role of the Escherichia coli lactose permease (LacY) in the homogeneous induction of the lactose‐inducible promoters Ptac and Ptrc by the natural inducer lactose and the synthetic inducer isopropyl‐β‐d‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) was investigated. Lactose requires active transport by LacY, whereas IPTG can freely penetrate the cell wall. In E. coli strains lacking a functional LacY, IPTG is required for induction of Ptac and Ptrc. In E. coli strains carrying a functional LacY, induction of Ptrc and Ptac with intermediate concentrations of lactose gave rise to two subpopulations, one fully induced and one uninduced, whereas a single, fully induced population resulted when high inducer concentrations were used. In contrast, induction with IPTG gave rise to a single population of cells at all inducer concentrations in both lacY and lacY + strains.
The evaluation of skin friction using africtional feel analyzer
Authors: Egawa Mariko , Oguri Motoki , Hirao Tetsuji , Takahashi Motoji , Miyakawa Michio 
Published: July 2002

Background/aims: Sensory evaluation is an important factor for cosmetic products. Several devices for the measurement of sensory properties have been developed in recent years. The objective here is to measure skin surface friction using these devices and examine the correlation with other physiological parameters in order to evaluate the potential of physical measurement of tactile sensation.Methods: A KES‐SE Frictional Analyzer, a commercial device for measurement of surface frictional characteristics, was used in this study. An arm holder was added to this device for measurement on the human forearm. The frictional coefficient (MIU) and its mean deviation (MMD) were used as the parameter to indicate surface friction. The moisture content in the stratum corneum was measured with a Corneometer CM825, the transepidermal water loss with a Tewameter TM210, the viscoelastic properties of the skin with a Cutometer SEM575 and the skin surface pattern by observing the negative replica using silicon rubber.Results: The MIU was not influenced by load; however, it was increased due to water application on the skin. The relationship between MIU and the moisture content in the stratum corneum, between MMD and skin surface pattern and between MMD and viscosity of both normal human forearm skin and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate)‐induced dry skin were confirmed by statistical analysis in a test on human subjects. There was also a correlation between either MIU or MMD and sensory evaluation in the morning after the application of moisturizing products.Conclusion: Human skin surface friction was measured by using a KES‐SE Frictional Analyzer. Judging from the correlation between either MIU or MMD and sensory evaluation, we considered this instrumental analysis to be useful for evaluating the tactile impression of human skin.
SPRAY OF PHOSPHOLIPID POWDER REDUCES PERITONEAL ADHESIONS IN RABBITS
Authors: Bhandarkar Deepraj S. , Nathanson Leslie K. , Hills Brian A. 
Published: July 2002

Background: The possible effects of peritoneal dialysis and a combination of two exogenous phospholipids, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), on experimentally induced intraperitoneal adhesion formation in rabbits were compared. Methods: Fifty New Zealand rabbits equally divided in five groups underwent a midline laparotomy to create a right iliac fossa 5 × 1 cm parietal peritoneal defect and a matching defect over the adjacent large bowel. In 10 control rabbits (group I) the abdominal wound was closed without any further intervention. Twenty rabbits forming groups II and III underwent two sessions of peritoneal dialysis, one following abdominal closure and the second 24 h later, through a catheter placed at surgery. Rabbits in group III received an intraperitoneal injection of DPPC and PG after each session of dialysis. In 10 animals (group IV) a DPPC gel was applied to the defect over the large bowel and in 10 animals (group V) the peritoneal cavity was sprayed with a ‘puff’ of DPPC:PG (7:3) powder prior to abdominal closure. All the animals were killed a week after the laparotomy to assess the extent of adhesion formation. Results: The formation of adhesions was reduced in all the groups compared to the controls but a statistically significant difference was observed only in the group receiving the intraperitoneal ‘puff’ of DPPC:PG powder. Conclusion: A combination of DPPC and PG sprayed as a ‘puff’ intraperitoneally reduces experimentally induced peritoneal adhesions in rabbits.
Surgical Outcome of Corpus Callosotomy in Patients with Drop Attacks
Authors: Maehara Taketoshi , Shimizu Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2002

Summary:  Purpose: We examined presurgical factors that independently influence surgical outcome after corpus callosotomy. For adequate measurement of the surgical outcome, we analyzed seizure outcome of drop attacks, postoperative overall daily function, and family satisfaction.Methods: At least 2 years after callosotomy (mean, 40.0 months), we retrospectively investigated 52 patients with drop attacks. As presurgical factors, we analyzed the age at surgery, age at seizure onset, age at drop attack onset, sex, hemiparesis, severe mental retardation, EEG abnormality, MRI abnormality, and extent of callosal section (total or partial callosotomy). Stepwise logistic regression was used for analysis.Results: Satisfactory outcome (seizure cessation or >90% seizure reduction) was achieved in 85% of patients with drop attacks, 32% of those with generalized tonic seizures, and 31% of those with generalized tonic‐clonic seizures. The families assessed the overall daily function as improved in 62% of patients, unchanged in 23%, and impaired in 15%. Family satisfaction with callosotomy was achieved in 83% of patients (definitely satisfied, 39%, somewhat satisfied, 44%). Total callosotomy is independently predictive of satisfactory reduction of drop attacks (p = 0.013). A younger age is independently predictive of improvement of overall daily function (impaired and improved: p = 0.004) and family satisfaction (unsatisfied and somewhat satisfied, p = 0.018; unsatisfied and definitely satisfied, p = 0.0006).Conclusions: In the present study, we found that total callosotomy is more effective for treatment of drop attacks than partial callosotomy and that children receive more benefit than adults after callosotomy.
An Introduction to Geriatrics for First‐Year Medical Students
Authors: Alford Cynthia L. , Miles Toni , Palmer Ray , Espino David 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVE: To prepare medical students to better serve their older patients while raising awareness of geriatrics as a career choice.DESIGN: To determine the impact of a new educational program, attitudinal assessments were administered to the group before and after participation in the program and to a comparison group of nonintervention students.SETTING: University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and three first‐year medical students.MEASUREMENTS: Student response on a scale of one to six regarding four constructs: attitudes and beliefs about providing medical care for older people, knowledge and beliefs about aging, interest in pursuing clinical geriatrics, and interest in pursuing aging research.RESULTS: Four factors were consistently formed in the analysis process: beliefs about physical decline; comfort with older people; beliefs about career opportunities; and interest in geriatric research. The intervention group made significant gains in two areas: comfort with older people and understanding of physical decline in aging. Two new factors emerged in post‐test data.CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the program was mixed. Although awareness of geriatrics and comfort with older people was increased, there was little change in career aspirations. Students in the program increased their awareness of physical decline in old age, setting the stage for teaching them about the physician's role with regard to function, and learned that geriatrics is a low‐status specialty. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:782–787, 2001.
The curvature of a Hilbert module over ℂ[
z
1
, … ,

z
d

]
Authors: Arveson William 
Published: July 2002

A notion of curvature is introduced in multivariable operator theory. The curvature invariant of a Hilbert module over ℂ[
z
1
, … ,

z
d

] is a nonnegative real number which has significant extremal properties, which tends to be an integer, and which is hard to compute directly. It is shown that for graded Hilbert modules, the curvature agrees with the Euler characteristic of a certain finitely generated algebraic module over the appropriate polynomial ring. This result is a higher dimensional operator-theoretic counterpart of the Gauss–Bonnet formula which expresses the average Gaussian curvature of a compact oriented Riemann surface as the alternating sum of the Betti numbers of the surface, and it solves the problem of calculating the curvature of graded Hilbert modules. The proof of that result is based on an asymptotic formula which expresses the curvature of a Hilbert module in terms that allow its comparison to a corresponding asymptotic expression for the Euler characteristic.
Volunteer Support in the Primary Classroom: The long‐term impact of one initiative upon children's reading performance
Authors: Elliott Julian , Arthurs Jane , Williams Robert 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTThis article reports an evaluation of the effectiveness of a volunteer tutor reading intervention. Volunteers were provided with instruction and supervision in order that they might assist class teachers in the teaching of reading. A strong emphasis upon phonological awareness and storytelling underpinned the programme. Intervention took place in reception classes in three socially disadvantaged schools that could provide parallel classes to serve as controls. Assessment immediately after the intervention, and 3 years later, indicated that children receiving the volunteer intervention failed to make greater progress than same‐school controls. The article considers a number of possible reasons for the apparent failure of the intervention and concludes by cautioning against simplistic expectations that additional adult support should necessarily lead to gains in children's learning.
Peer‐delivered hepatitis C testing and counselling: a means of improving the health of injecting drug users
Authors: AITKEN CAMPBELL K. , KERGER MICHAEL , CROFTS NICK 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWe hypothesized that providing injecting drug users (IDUs) with free hepatitis C testing and counselling at a needle and syringe programme (NSP) would be an effective model. Between August 1999 and January 2000, our peer outreach worker offered these services from a busy NSP in western Melbourne. Over 300 counselling episodes were provided, and 47 IDUs who were not tested in the previous 12 months were given tests and full pre‐ and post‐test counselling, and were interviewed about reasons for not being tested, their knowledge of hepatitis C, and their risk behaviour. Twenty‐eight IDUs (59.6%) tested antibody‐positive, demonstrating the need to improve testing coverage and compliance with counselling requirements. Most were not tested because they did not think they were at risk, but their reported behaviour and antibody test results showed otherwise. Twenty people returned for a second interview, and improvements in their risk behaviour and knowledge of hepatitis C were detected. Our experience suggests that demand exists for hepatitis C testing and counselling of IDUs in Melbourne's western suburbs, that testing and counselling improve IDUs' ability to avoid harm, and that delivery of these services by a trained and experienced peer located at an NSP is an appropriate and effective model.
Measuring women's alcohol consumption in an Australian inner‐urban community using the AUDIT
Authors: BANWELL CATHY , O'BRIEN MARY , HAMILTON MARGARET , ATTEWELL ROBYN 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe alcohol consumption of a systematically sampled population of women from an Australian inner‐urban community was measured using the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) in three different ways to produce varying estimations of hazardous and harmful drinking. The study was located in an area in which there is a high density of licensed premises and its female population contains large numbers of women who are young, students and professionals and thus considered to be potentially risky drinkers. Five hundred and twenty‐five women returned completed questionnaires giving a response rate of 74%. Using an AUDIT score of eight as the cut‐off point, 21% of women were classified as being at risk of having problems associated with their alcohol consumption. These women were more likely than women who scored less than eight to be beer drinkers, to drink at licensed premises and drink with male and female friends. An association between higher AUDIT scores and being unmarried was found. This paper argues that investigating the social and contextual factors associated with women's potentially problematic drinking can promote more effective community‐based interventions. [Banwell C, O'Brien M, Hamilton H, Attewell R. Measuring women's alcohol consumption in an Australian inner‐urban community using the AUDIT. Drug Alcohol Rev 1999:18:379–388]