Pim J. van Leeuwen, Roderick C. N. van den Bergh, Tineke Wolters, Xiaoye Zhu, Meelan Bul, Fritz H. Schröder, Chris H. Bangma, Monique J. Roobol

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.18, No.6, pp. 6018-6024, 2011

Abstract Introduction: The value of characteristics assessed prior to diagnosis in predicting aggressive prostate cancer, metastases, and mortality in men participating in a screening study were identified.
Materials and methods: This study included 19,950 men aged 55 to 74 years at first screening in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. Factors such as age, Charlson comorbidity index, family history of prostate cancer, vasectomy status, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), digital rectal examination (DRE) status, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings, prostate volume, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were evaluated. Participants were followed for a median of 11.1… More >

M.S. Raju & Dan Bulzan

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.19, No.4, pp. 109-110, 2011, DOI:10.3970/icces.2011.019.109

Abstract The paper presents the results from a validation study undertaken as a part of the NASA's fundamental aeronautics initiative on high altitude emissions in order to assess the accuracy of several atomization models used in both sub-cooled and superheat spray calculations. As a part of this investigation we have undertaken the validation based on four different cases to investigate the spray charactereristics of (1) a ashing jet generated by the sudden release of pressurized R134A from cylindrical nozzle, (2) a liquid jet atomizing in a subsonic cross ow, (3) a Parker-Hannin pressure swirl atomizer, and More >

Mingchao Cai, Chun Yang, Mehmet H. Kural, Richard Bach, David Muccigrosso, Deshan Yang, Jie Zheng, Kristen L. Billiar, Dalin Tang

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.19, No.4, pp. 97-104, 2011, DOI:10.3970/icces.2011.019.097

Abstract Image-based computational modeling has been introduced for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques to identify critical mechanical conditions which may be used for better risk assessment and rupture predictions. In vivo patient-specific coronary plaque models are lagging due to limitations on non-invasive image resolution, flow data, and vessel material properties. We propose a procedure where intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, biaxial mechanical testing and computational modeling are combined together to acquire better and more complete plaque data and make more accurate plaque vulnerability assessment and predictions. More >

R. Djebali¹, M. El Ganaoui²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.71, No.3, pp. 179-202, 2011, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2011.071.179

Abstract The Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) became, today, a powerful tool for simulating fluid flows. Its improvements for different applications and configurations offers more flexibility and results in several schemes such as in presence of external/internal forcing term. However, we look for the suitable model that gives correct informations, matches the hydrodynamic equations and preserves some features like coding easily, preserving computational cost, stability and accuracy. In the present work, high order incompressible models and equilibrium distribution functions for the advection-diffusion equations are analyzed. Boundary conditions, acceleration, stability and preconditioning with initial fields are underlined which… More >

Marta Suárez-Santamaría¹, Francisco Santolaria², Alina Pérez-Ramírez², María-Remedios Alemán-Valls², Antonio Martínez-Riera², Emilio González-Reimers², María-José de la Vega¹, Antonio Milena¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.1, pp. 19-26, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2009.0185

Abstract Objective. Procalcitonin is useful for the diagnosis of sepsis, but its prognostic value regarding mortality is unclear. Our objective was to determine the prognostic value of procalcitonin determined at the onset of sepsis, and to compare it with other markers of inflammatory response, malnutrition and organ dys-function data. Methods. We studied 253 hospitalized patients (146 men, 107 women) with a median age of 65 years. Sepsis was defined as infection, and at least two SIRS criteria. We assessed co-morbidities, nutritional status, bacteremia, procalcitonin and other inflammatory markers (PCR, TNF-α, IL6, TREM-1, IL-10, IL-1ra, CD14 and… More >

Cerna¹ E, Y Ochoa², R Mendoza¹, MH Badii³, G Gallegos¹, J Landeros¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.79, pp. 147-152, 2010, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2010.79.147

Abstract Protein assays were conducted on Tetranychus urticae Koch, as potential resistance detection tools to plaguicides. This is a phytophagous mite that feeds on a large variety of plants. Experiments were carried out using a pesticide susceptible and three field crop strains of T. urticae. Protein was measured by colorimetric assays, using Kit-II from Bio-Rad, with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as standard. Homogenates were prepared using 10, 30, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 800 mites, with 30 replicates each. Linearity was obtained for the standard curve of the different methods, and r² values ranged from 0.877 to 0.985. The More >

H. Theilig¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.6, No.3&4, pp. 239-272, 2010, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2010.006.239

Abstract The aim of this paper is to give an overview to some problems and solutions of the fracture analysis of 2D structures. It will be shown that the common computer-aided two-dimensional fatigue crack path simulation can be considerably improved in accuracy by using a predictor-corrector procedure in combination with the modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI) method. Furthermore the paper presents an improved finite element technique for the calculation of stress intensity factors of mixed mode problems by the MVCCI Method. The procedure is devised to compute the separated strain energy release rates by using the… More >

Zihua Zhao¹, Yu Zhou, Zheng Zhang, Qunpeng Zhong

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 101-112, 2010, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2010.006.101

Abstract Annex H"Safety assessment method for straight pressure pipeline with local thinning area" of "Safety assessment for in-service pressure vessels containing defects"(GB/T 19426-2004) is briefly introduced. The maximum allowable hanging (unsupported) length of straight pressure pipeline with a local thinning area (LTA) is then determined by using this assessment method. This is the first time that the assessment method has been applied to the long-distance oil pipeline. As a typical case, we have analyzed a length of straight pressure pipeline with LTA and gave the relationship of maximum allowable unsupported length, operating pressure and the depth More >

Xue-Ren Wu¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 77-88, 2010, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2010.006.077

Abstract A review of the state-of-the-art is presented on the weight function method for fracture-mechanics-based structural integrity assessment with regard to crack-like defects. The weight function method provides a powerful tool for the determination of key parameters, such as stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements for cracked structural components. For two dimensional (2D) crack problems, weight functions were obtained in closed-form for both centre-and edge-crack configurations. For three dimensional(3D) cases, a combination of the closed-form 2D weight functions and the slice synthesis technique makes it possible for rapid determination of stress intensity factor at any More >

M. Guagliano^1,2, S. Bagherifard², I. Fernandez Parienete³, R. Ghelichi²

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.6, No.1, pp. 31-42, 2010, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2010.006.031

Abstract Surface grain refinement is a relatively new process aimed to enhance mechanical material properties. In this study Al7075-T6 bars have been shot peened with parameters (shot speed and treatment duration) much stronger from those of conventional shot peening (SP). Residual stress state and microstructure gradient have been observed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nano indentation tester. Formation of a fine grained layer of material on top surface of the specimens was confirmed by TEM and also XRD measurements. XRD results show significant depth affected both in terms of residual More >