Determination of Active Slip/Twinning Modes in AZ31 Mg Alloy Near Room Temperature

In order to determine the deformation modes in AZ31 magnesium alloy at room temperature, computer simulations of deformation texture development and calculation of formability have been carried out. The simulation results were compared with the measured texture results. Based on agreement between the experiments and simulations the active deformation modes were determined. A Visco Plastic Self Consistent model was employed for the simulation of plastic deformation. Simulations and experiments were performed for different initial textures. The goal of the study was to develop the understanding of deformation texture evolution and its effects on mechanical properties of magnesium, with an ultimate goal of improving room temperature formability of magnesium alloys. This article was presented at Materials Science & Technology 2006, Innovations in Metal Forming symposium held in Cincinnati, OH, October 15-19, 2006.     

Development of an operational fitness test for the Royal Air Force

Since 2002, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been working towards developing role-related physical tests for use as an operational fitness test (OFT). The purpose of this study was to establish reliability of the OFT (comprising four tests), investigate gym-based tests as predictors of performance and establish performance standards. Fifty-eight RAF personnel performed the OFT on three occasions. A separate cohort carried out fitness and anthropometric tests before performing the OFT, by way of establishing performance predictors. Documented evidence and views of an expert panel were used to determine OFT standards. Reliability ranged from moderate to good for three tests, with one test (Dig) showing poor reliability. The 95% limits of agreement for the prediction models ranged from good to poor (6.7-34.2%). The prediction models were not sufficiently accurate to estimate confidently OFT performance, but could be used as a guide to quantify likely outcome and training needs.     

Physical demands of firefighter search and rescue in ambient environmental conditions

This study investigated the physiological responses and limitations to a simulated search and rescue scenario in a high-rise building under ambient conditions. Sixteen firefighters performed the scenario under four conditions: standard duration breathing apparatus (SDBA) and 45 mm hose; extended duration breathing apparatus (EDBA) and 45 mm hose; SDBA and 70 mm hose; EDBA and 70 mm hose. Core temperature, skin temperature and heart rate were monitored. In four of 32 trials the casualty was rescued; the remainder of the trials were terminated for safety, high core temperature or shortage of air. Final core temperature and heart rate were higher in the EDBA (39.1 degrees C; 72% heart rate reserve (HRR)) than SDBA conditions (38.6 degrees C; 67%HRR). No differences were observed between hose sizes. The scenario proved too onerous to complete successfully in the majority of cases. Replacing SDBA with EDBA eliminates air supply as a limiting factor, but brings with it challenges of managing thermal strain.     

Interaction of transport resistances with biochemical reaction in packed-bed solid-state fermentors: effect of temperature gradients

Subdermal superficial liposuction, first presented by the authors at the ISAPS Congress at Zurich in 1989, is performed with thin three-hole Mercedes cannulas (diameter ranges from 1.8 to 2 mm) to treat small and secondary adiposities and to allow better skin retraction. Suction of the subdermal layer of fat reduces the thickness and consistency of the superficial fat and enhances the possibility of skin retraction. In cases where there is a large adiposity of the abdomen, arms, or inner thighs, there is a conspicuous volume of fat whose weight tends to overstretch and to carry the overlying skin downward. In these cases we need to reduce the large fat volume to permit effective skin retraction. Therefore, we apply the principles of traditional liposuction with those of subdermal superficial liposuction to aspirate large amounts of fat from all the adipose layers. We call this technique Massive All Layer Liposuction (MALL). The amount of skin shrinkage after this "defatting" procedure is remarkable and the clinical results are very good. The MALL technique can be applied to other areas as well. In our experience this new liposuction technique has dramatically reduced the indications of abdominoplasties and dermolipectomies of inner thighs and arms.     

New airborne scanning lidar system: applications for atmospheric remote sensing

A new scanning airborne-aerosol lidar system that has the potential to be a valuable atmospheric remote-sensing tool has been developed. The system has the ability to scan both parallel and perpendicular to an aircraft's flight path, and this ability permits both the three-dimensional rendering of the aerosol structure below the aircraft and the measurement of aerosol extinction and optical depth. The system has been integrated into a NASA P-3 aircraft and during a recent flight was used to acquire excellent data with both scanning modes. The system design, the application of the across-track scanning data to the study of the atmospheric boundary layer, and the computation of optical depth derived from along-track scan data are reported.     

Engineering linear F(ab')2 fragments for efficient production in Escherichia coli and enhanced antiproliferative activity

We developed a novel bivalent antibody fragment, the linear(L-) F(ab')₂, comprising tandem repeats of a heavy chain fragmentV_H–C_H1–V_H–C_H1 cosecreted with a light chain.Functional humanized L-F(ab')₂ directed against p185^HER2 wassecreted from Escherichia coli at high titer (100 mg/l) andpurified to homogeneity. The L-F(ab')₂ binds two equivalentsof antigen with an apparent affinity (K_d = 0.46 nM) that iswithin 3-fold of the corresponding thioether-linked F(ab')₂fragment The N-terminal site binds antigen with an affinity(K_d = 1.2 nM) that is 4-fold greater than that for the C-terminalsite, as shown by the comparison of L-F(ab')₂ variants containinga single functional binding site. L-F(ab')₂ has greater antiproliferativeactivity than the thioether-linked F(ab')₂ against the p185^HER2-overexpressingtumor cell line BT474. Linear and thioether-linked F(ab')₂ havevery similar pharmacokinetic properties in normal mice, andtheir serum permanence times are respectively 7- and 8-foldlonger than the corresponding Fab fragment L-F(ab')₂ offersa facile route to bivalent antibody fragments that are potentiallysuitable for clinical applications, and that may have improvedbiological activity compared with thioether-linked F(ab')₂ fragments.     

The effect of soft cervical collars on persistent neck pain in patients with whiplash injury

Thirty-five male patients, aged 34-79 yr, with definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were recruited from out-patient clinics and randomized to receive monthly injections of testosterone enanthate 250 mg or placebo as an adjunct therapy for 9 months. Endpoints included disease activity parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). At baseline, there were negative correlations between the ESR and serum testosterone (r = -0.42, P < 0.01) and BMD (hip, r = -0.65, P < 0.01). A total of 29.6% of all patients had at least one vertebral fracture, most having multiple fractures. Back pain, however, was not more prevalent in fracture patients (55% vs 50%). Disease activity was significantly higher in the fracture group (joint score P < 0.05, rheumatoid factor P < 0.01). Thirty patients completed the trial, 15 receiving testosterone and 15 receiving placebo. There were significant rises in serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and oestradiol in the treatment group. There was no significant effect of treatment on disease activity overall, five patients receiving testosterone underwent a "flare'. Differences in mean BMD following testosterone or placebo were non-significant (spine: +1.2% vs -1.1%; femur: -0.3% vs +0.3%). There was no suggestion of a positive effect of testosterone on disease activity in men with RA.     

The impact of trust,risk and optimism bias on E-file adoption

One of congress’ goals for 2007 was for 80% of all tax and informational returns to be filed electronically. However, to date that lofty goal has fallen well short. This research proposes a model of e-filing adoption. To test the model a survey is administered to 260 participants. The instrument assesses citizen perceptions of trust, risk and optimism bias. Structural equation modeling is used to evaluate the relationships between these three concepts and intention to use. The results indicate that trust of the Internet, trust of the e-filer, perceived risk and optimism bias all have an impact on intention to use e-filing. Implications for practice and research are discussed.