Absence of detectable human herpesvirus 8 in the semen of human immunodeficiency virus-infected men without Kaposi's sarcoma

The prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)/Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus was investigated in the semen of 99 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men (median CD4 cell count, 357/mm3) by use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of detecting <10 copies of HHV-8 DNA. Of the subjects, 95 (96%) self-identified as men who have sex with men (MSM), and 3 had a history of clinical KS. Seminal cell specimens were negative for HHV-8 in 98 subjects. None of the 26 without KS (27.1% of 96 tested) who were seropositive for HHV-8 by IFA for latency-associated nuclear antigens had HHV-8 detected in their semen. The only subject with any evidence for seminal HHV-8 DNA was seropositive for HHV-8 and had active KS. HHV-8 was detected in 10 (10.4%) of 96 peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens. The prevalence of HHV-8 DNA by PCR in semen of HIV-infected MSM without KS is low.     

In-situ-Messung der Stickoxidkonzentration in turbulenten Diffusionsflammen

Zusammenfassung Die laserspektroskopischen Me?methoden laserinduzierte Fluoreszenz und spontane Ramanspektroskopie werden eingesetzt zur Messung der Konzentrationen von Stickoxid, Hydroxyl sowie der chemischen Hauptkomponenten und der Temperatur. Betrachtet wird die thermische Umsetzung von Wasserstoff mit Luftsauerstoff. Es wird die experimentelle Vorgehensweise und Problematik dargestellt. Ebenso wird der Weg der Modellierung und Berechnung turbulenter Verbrennungsvorg?nge am konkreten Beispiel skizziert. Die Annahme chemischen Gleichgewichts stellt sich als ungenügend in der Berechnung der Stickoxid- und Hydroxylkonzentrationen heraus. Eine deutlich bessere Vorhersage wird durch Einführen einer Reaktionsfortschrittsvariablen für das chemische Modell erreicht.     

Steps towards a consumer-driven ‘concept innovation machine’ for food and drink

Innovation is often left to insight and serendipity. A lot of what researchers call innovation is actually a process by which one can make the individual consumer or practitioner more ‘creative’. Although it is important to work with the creative individual in hopes of coming up with the better ‘idea’ and new product/service opportunity, an equally valid albeit novel and counterintuitive approach systematizes creativity in a ‘research-driven machine’. This paper presents an approach to the systematization, based upon the point of view that creativity and innovation comprise the recombination of components into new blends. Given this point of view, to then spur innovation requires a systematic database that the user can access, with tools to help manipulate that database. The paper shows how such a database can be constructed and then used to create a novel product. The approach provides a general framework for the sensory professional to become more involved in the early stages of product development, where the focus is on the conceptual aspects of food features rather than on their physical manifestations in actual products.     

Experimentelle Bestimmung der spezifischen elektrischen Leitfähigkeit hoch CaF2-haltiger Schlacken

In a comprehensive literature study applied measurement methods for determination of the specific electrical conductivity of slags were compared. Based on these conclusions, a Tammann furnace was modified to a conductivity measuring system with four electrodes. A qualitative and quantitative comparison of results from literature with the practical results of multiple investigations of CaF₂ slags with a purity of 99.5% was carried out.     

Surface geometry of slide bearings after percussive burnishing

A review of literature about the effect of oil pockets on improvement of sliding elements tribological performance as well as about the changes of surface topography during “zero-wear” process is shown. The paper presents also the results of experimental investigations done in the Department of Manufacturing Processes and Production Organisation of Rzeszow University of Technology, connected with the creation of oil pockets on sliding surfaces. In order to simulate a deterministic surface a program for the visualisation of pits was written. The procedures for assessment of the oil pocket size of specific shape and oil pockets coverage are presented. The tendencies of changes of surface topography and oil pockets dimensions during “zero-wear” process are also described.     

Influence of Molybdenum Silicide Additions on High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance of Silicon Nitride Materials

The influence of additions of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) material, with neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) and aluminum nitride (AIN) as sintering aids, was studied. The composites, containing 5, 10, and 17.6 wt% MoSi₂, were fabricated by hot pressing. All materials exhibited a similar phase composition, detected by X-ray diffractometry. Up to MoSi₂ additions of 10 wt%, mechanical properties such as strength, fracture toughness, or creep at 1400°C were not affected significantly, in comparison to that of monolithic Si₃N₄. The oxidation resistance of the composites, in terms of weight gain, degraded. After 1000 h of oxidation at 1400° and 1450°C in air, a greater weight gain (by a factor of approximately three) was obtained, in comparison to that of the material without MoSi₂. Nevertheless, after 1000 h of oxidation, the degradation in strength of the composites was considerably less severe than that of the material without MoSi₂. An additional layer was formed, caused by processes at the surface of the Si₃N₄ material, preventing the formation of pores, cracks, or glassy-phase-rich areas, which are common features of oxidation damage in Si₃N₄ materials. This surface layer, containing Mo₅Si₃ and silicon oxynitride (Si₂ON₂), was the result of reactions between MoSi₂, Si₃N₄, and the oxygen penetrating by diffusion into the material during the hightemperature treatment.     

Psychophysical basis for maximum pushing and pulling forces: A review and recommendations

The objective of this paper was to perform a comprehensive review of psychophysically determined maximum acceptable pushing and pulling forces. Factors affecting pushing and pulling forces are identified and discussed. Recent studies show a significant decrease (compared to previous studies) in maximum acceptable forces for males but not for females when pushing and pulling on a treadmill. A comparison of pushing and pulling forces measured using a high inertia cart with those measured on a treadmill shows that the pushing and pulling forces using high inertia cart are higher for males but are about the same for females. It is concluded that the recommendations of Snook and Ciriello (1991) for pushing and pulling forces are still valid and provide reasonable recommendations for ergonomics practitioners. Regression equations as a function of handle height, frequency of exertion and pushing/pulling distance are provided to estimate maximum initial and sustained forces for pushing and pulling acceptable to 75% male and female workers.