K. Yashiro¹, Y. Nakashima¹, Y. Tomita¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.11, No.2, pp. 73-80, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.011.073

Abstract A simple back force model is proposed for a dislocation cutting into γ' precipitate, taking the work formaking and recovering an anti-phase boundary (APB) into account. The first dislocation, or a leading partial of a superdislocation, is acted upon by a back force whose magnitude is equal to the APB energy. The second dislocation, or a trailing partial of a superdislocation, is attracted by the APB with a force of the same magnitude. The model is encoded in the 3D discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) code and applied to the cutting behavior of dislocations at a… More >

S. Yoshimura ¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 17-26, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.011.017

Abstract This paper describes a development of an advanced traffic simulator based on a multi-agent approach which is named MATES (Multi-Agent based Traffic and Environment Simulator). City traffic phenomena are essentially regarded as complex systems consisting of a number of human beings. Each element creating traffic phenomena such as car (driver), traffic signal, pedestrian and others is modeled as an intelligent agent that possesses its own logic of behavior and preference. The environment surrounding each agent consists of other cars, road network, traffic signals, pedestrian and others. Interaction among numerous agents simulates nonlinear behaviors of city More >

Huawei Han¹, Kamiel S. Gabriel²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 287-298, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.287

Abstract Data on air-water co-current two-phase annular flow in a tube with an inner diameter of 9.525 mm (3/8 in) were previously collected at both microgravity u-g and normal gravity (1-g) conditions. The data contained measurements of pressure drop, in addition to previously published data of liquid film thickness. This paper presents the results and analysis of the influence of flow pressure gradient on interfacial wave properties of annular flow at both microgravity and normal gravity. The examined wave properties include wave base thickness, wave height (or roughness height), wave spacing, wave speed and wave frequency.… More >

J. Alonso Fernández¹, Irmeli Roine², Alicia Vasquez³, Marianella Cáneo²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 81-90, 2005

Abstract The role of the immune response in the severity of RSV infection was examined by determining plasma concentrations of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFR-II) in 196, previously healthy infants, during acute and convalescence phases of primary RSV infection. The results were analyzed separately for days 1-4 (early) and days 5-7 (late) of symptoms before sample collection and according to disease severity (105 hypoxic, 91 non-hypoxic). Significant associations between plasma levels and severity were found in early samples only. IL-10 and sCD25 concentrations were higher (p=0.01,… More >

Géza Bokodi¹, András Treszl¹, László Derzbach¹, Ádám Balogh¹, Barna Vásárhelyi²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 78-80, 2005

Abstract Background. High levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to lung damage in premature newborns. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of innate immunity cytokine genes influence the length of oxygen supplementation. Methods. We genotyped 123 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants for the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- α G^-308A, interleukin (IL)-1b C³⁹⁵⁴T, IL-6 G^-174C and IL-10 G^-1082A SNPs. Genomic DNA was isolated from remnant dried blood samples from the neonates. We tested the association between SNPs and ventilation characteristics using a stepwise multiple regression analysis model. Results. The carrier state of the TNF-a G^-308A allele was associated with More >

Reshma S. Phillips¹, Cyril O. Enwonwu^1,2, William A. Falkler¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 70-77, 2005

Abstract Fresh noma is a severe orofacial necrosis with an astonishingly rapid development. It is seen mainly in malnourished children less than 4 years old from developing countries. Cytokines play a central role in oral mucosal inflammation. We therefore studied the relevance of circulating cytokines to noma, and the key microorganisms associated with the lesion. Nigerian village children with acute noma (n=68) and their neighborhood village (n=63) as well as urban (n=45) counterparts of comparable age and free of overt infections were evaluated for serum cytokine levels by ELISA. Oral bacteria were studied by polymerase chain… More >

Csaba Hermann^1,5, Dóra Krikovszky², George Füst³, Margit Kovács³, Anna Körner⁴, András Szabó⁴, Ádám Vannay², László Madácsy²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 277-281, 2005

Abstract Multiple immune mediators have been mentioned as playing a role in the pathomechanism of type1 DM. Interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α play a central role in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic b-cells, whereas IL-6 inhibits TNF-α secretion, and may have some protecting effects. In our study, we aimed to investigate the association between these three cytokines’ single nucleotide polymorphisms (IL-6 gene G(-174)C, TNF-α gene G(-308)A and IL-1β gene C(3954)T polymorphisms) and age-at-onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in 165 diabetic children (median age: 17 years). Polymorphisms were determined using the PCR-RFLP method.… More >

Kaouther Snoussi¹, A. Donny Strosberg², Noureddine Bouaouina^1,3, Slim Ben Ahmed⁴, Lotfi Chouchane¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 253-260, 2005

Abstract Objectives. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are determining factors in the immune and inflammatory responses to tumors cells. Experimental data suggest that interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 play important roles in the development and progression of breast cancer. We designed a broad study to investigate the susceptibility and prognostic implications of the genetic variation in IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in breast carcinoma. Experimental design. We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the genetic variation of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in 305, unrelated Tunisian patients with breast carcinoma and 200 healthy control subjects.… More >

Kevin C. Zorn, Philippe E. Spiess, Jõao Luiz Pippi Salle, Roman Jednak

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 2614-2615, 2005

Abstract Introduction: We present the first reported case demonstrating an association of mucocolpos and bladder exstrophy.
Materials: A term baby girl presented with bladder exstrophy and underwent a successful primary bladder closure and ureteral reimplantation. Subsequently, she presented with a fluid-filled pelvic mass which was found to be a mucocolpos.
Results: Surgical drainage of the collection was required.
Conclusion: Mucocolpos should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass in a patient with bladder exstrophy. More >

H. Schulte-Baukloh, F. Thalau, B. Stürzebecher, H. H. Knispel

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 2581-2587, 2005

Abstract Objective: The opponents of the In-Tac™ bone anchor system note the risk of a high rate of wound infection and osteitis pubis. We evaluated whether there is a difference in the outcome of the use of two different sling materials – polyethylene and fascia lata – with regard to wound infection, and analyzed the incidence of osteitis pubis further in a larger series.
Material and methods: A total of 61 women (mean age = 65.4 years) were treated for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) type II and III using the In-Tac™ bone anchor system. In 15 of 61… More >