bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Body Size and River Environment on the Upstream Migration of Adult Pacific Lampreys
Authors: Keefer Matthew L. , Moser Mary L. , Boggs Charles T. , Daigle William R. , Peery Christopher A.
Published: October 2009

Dams in the Columbia River basin present significant obstacles to declining populations of anadromous Pacific lampreys Lampetra tridentata. Mitigation efforts have focused on fine-scale improvements in passage at individual dams, but there is an increasing need for basinwide estimates of survival and escapement. We developed a half-duplex passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag monitoring array at five Columbia and Snake River dams to evaluate adult lamprey migrations. We tagged 3,598 lampreys over 3 years and calculated the rates of main-stem escapement through 15 river reaches. From these data, we assessed the relative effects of lamprey size, river discharge, water temperature, and migration timing on upstream passage. The results indicated high attrition as lampreys progressed upstream. In each year, about one-half of the fish passed one dam, 28–33% passed two dams, 17–19% passed three dams, 4–5% passed four dams, and about 1% passed the first dam on the Snake River (five dams and >300 km upstream from their release sites). In most reaches, upstream passage was strongly size dependent, the largest lampreys being two to four times more likely to pass than the smallest fish. Lamprey size was more predictive of passage than were the river discharge, temperature, or migration timing variables. These findings suggest that adult Pacific lamprey migration is affected by physiological constraints and that effective mitigation for the difficult passage conditions at dams should include size-related considerations.
Morphological Models for Identifying Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass × Spotted Bass Hybrids
Authors: Godbout Jason D. , Aday D. Derek , Rice James A. , Bangs Max R. , Quattro Joseph M.
Published: October 2009

Hybridization is common among many closely related fishes, such as the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and spotted bass M. punctulatus. Although these species are common members of the sport fish community in midwestern and southeastern U.S. reservoirs, fairly little is known about their ecological interactions or the potential for the introduction of one species to influence the other species. To address these ecological questions and develop appropriate management strategies, reliable field and laboratory identification of each parental species and their hybrid is required. To that end, we collected juvenile (n = 60) and adult (n = 78) largemouth bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass × spotted bass hybrids from Lake Norman, North Carolina, a system with a historically strong largemouth bass fishery that recently experienced a spotted bass introduction. We recorded a suite of morphological traits on each individual and correlated those observations with DNA sequences from one mitochondrial marker and three nuclear DNA markers in an attempt to develop morphological field and laboratory methods for identifying individuals of the parental species and their hybrid. After confirming that largemouth bass and spotted bass were hybridizing in Lake Norman, we used classification tree analyses to form dichotomous keys for field and laboratory identification of parental individuals and hybrids at juvenile (50–100 mm total length) and adult (300–500 mm) life stages. These keys should provide fishery biologists and managers with a tool to identify these two species, which commonly interact and closely resemble one another. In addition, these keys should be useful in providing evidence that largemouth bass and spotted bass are hybridizing before more expensive techniques like DNA sequencing are pursued.
Age and Growth Variability between Sexes of Three Catfish Species in Lake Wilson, Alabama
Authors: Marshall Matthew D. , Maceina Michael J. , Holley Michael P.
Published: October 2009

Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, channel catfish I. punctatus, and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris were collected from Lake Wilson (Tennessee River), Alabama. Fish were aged with otoliths to determine sex-specific differences in growth, age structure, and longevity. Male blue catfish grew faster, lived longer, and attained larger sizes than females. Growth of flathead catfish did not differ statistically between sexes; however, male flathead catfish tended to be longer and to attain older ages than females. Sex-specific differences in age-related population demographics were not evident for channel catfish. Reproductive strategies of catfishes may cause sexual selection toward larger male blue catfish and flathead catfish. Recently imposed harvest regulations in Alabama that permit only one catfish greater than 864 mm to be harvested daily will protect older and slower-growing female blue catfish and could allow disproportionate protection of larger male blue catfish and flathead catfish.
Factors Influencing Short-Term Hooking Mortality of Bluegills and the Implications for Restrictive Harvest Regulations
Authors: Hoxmeier R. John H. , Wahl David H.
Published: October 2009

Angling can adversely affect populations of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, and many state agencies have begun to explore restrictive creel and length limits. The fate of released fish can be influenced by a variety of factors, and the success of regulations could be reduced if the mortality of released bluegills is high. We conducted experiments using bluegills caught by the general angling public in Ridge Lake, Illinois, to quantify bluegill hooking mortality and test for the effects of bait type (live versus artificial), season (spring versus summer), retention time in live wells (1, 3, or 5 h), and retention gears (live wells versus fish baskets). Across all seasons and baits, the mortality of caught-and-released bluegills was low; the initial and short-term mortality for fish immediately released was 4.4%. There were significant differences in hooking mortality with respect to bait type, retention gear, and retention time. Bluegills caught on live bait experienced higher mortality (6.6%) than those caught on artificial baits (0%), and wire fish baskets caused higher mortality (34.0%) than live wells (7.6%). The mortality of bluegills held in live wells was higher for the 3- and 5-h retention times than for the 1-h treatment. The probability of dying from catch and release decreased with increasing fish length. We applied our results to a bluegill population under a restrictive harvest regulation consisting of a 203-mm minimum size limit and a 10-fish daily bag limit. Under these restrictive regulations, fish lost from catch and release represented 27.4% of the total kill (harvest and hooking mortality). While catch-and-release angling can cause some mortality, it does not appear from our study that releasing fish will have a deleterious effect on bluegill populations.
The Effects of Otolith Sampling Methods on the Precision of Growth Curves
Authors: Chih Ching-Ping
Published: October 2009

Estimation of growth curves is a critical component of fish stock assessments. Two widely used otolith sampling methods, the age–length key (ALK) sampling method and the random otolith sampling (ROS) method, have problems that limit their utility for estimating growth curves. First, growth curves based on the ALK method are biased in that otolith samples obtained with the ALK are not selected via simple random sampling. Second, the precision and accuracy of growth curves based on the ROS method are often compromised because random sampling frequently results in a small number of older fish samples. In this study, bias in growth curves based on ALK data that were re-sampled from a simulated data set describing king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla was corrected with a new reweighting technique. This technique reweighted the growth curves with the length-frequency distribution of randomly resampled fork length data. The resulting growth curves were compared with growth curves obtained from ROS data to determine which method (reweighted ALK sampling or ROS) was more appropriate for selecting otolith samples for the estimation of growth curves. The results showed that the reweighted growth curves constructed from ALK samples were more precise and accurate than growth curves obtained from ROS data for all sample sizes examined because the reweighted ALK growth curves (1) had less variability in the estimated growth parameters, (2) decreased the probability of drawing wrong conclusions about a fish stock, and (3) provided greater accuracy and precision in predicting mean lengths at age. Results from this study and a previous study support the view that the ALK sampling method is more efficient than the ROS method when otolith samples are used for the determination of king mackerel age composition and growth curves.
Genetic Studies of Hatchery-Supplemented Populations of Red Drum in Four Texas Bays
Authors: Carson Evan W. , Karlsson S. , Saillant E. , Gold John R.
Published: October 2009

Genetic diversity, population structure, average long-term effective population size (Ne), and average long-term genetic migration rate of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in each of four Texas bays were assessed using variation in 13 nuclear-encoded microsatellites among samples from the 2004 and 2005 cohorts. No significant differences in genetic diversity were detected among bays. Levels of gene diversity of red drum in each bay were equal to or greater than estimates reported for microsatellites in red drum sampled previously from two of the four bays and from other bays in the southeastern USA, including some that had not yet been supplemented with hatchery-raised fish. Tests of the homogeneity of allele and genotype distributions (including analysis of molecular variance) among the four bays were nonsignificant. Estimates of the migration rate (m) between bays ranged from 0.08% to 0.15%, with the average long-term number of migrants (calculated as Ne × m) between bays estimated to range from 1.04 to 2.37 fish/generation. Estimates of average long-term Ne in the four bays ranged from 1,302 to 1,581 fish and collectively were well within the range hypothesized to support sustained, long-term persistence. The estimates of Ne also were, on average, five to six times higher than comparable estimates reported for the 1986–1989 red drum cohorts sampled from seven bays across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Adjustment of long-term Ne in each of the four bays relative to bay-specific spatial parameters revealed a positive relationship with red drum abundance as measured by catch-per-unit-effort statistics compiled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department between 1982 and 2005. The observed high levels of genetic diversity, estimates of average long-term Ne, and increased Ne over the past 15–20 years are consistent with the hypothesis that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's stock enhancement program has not genetically compromised the resident red drum subpopulations in the four bays.
The ecology of dust
Authors: Field Jason P , Belnap Jayne , Breshears David D , Neff Jason C , Okin Gregory S , Whicker Jeffrey J , Painter Thomas H , Ravi Sujith , Reheis Marith C , Reynolds Richard L
Published: October 2009

Wind erosion and associated dust emissions play a fundamental role in many ecological processes and provide important biogeochemical connectivity at scales ranging from individual plants up to the entire globe. Yet, most ecological studies do not explicitly consider dust‐driven processes, perhaps because most relevant research on aeolian (wind‐driven) processes has been presented in a geosciences rather than an ecological context. To bridge this disciplinary gap, we provide a general overview of the ecological importance of dust, examine complex interactions between wind erosion and ecosystem dynamics from the scale of plants and surrounding space to regional and global scales, and highlight specific examples of how disturbance affects these interactions and their consequences. It is likely that changes in climate and intensification of land use will lead to increased dust production from many drylands. To address these issues, environmental scientists, land managers, and policy makers need to consider wind erosion and dust emissions more explicitly in resource management decisions.
Modelling and Simulation of Acid Gas Condensation in an Industrial Chimney
Authors: Serris Eric , Cournil M. Michel , Peultier Jérôme
Published: October 2009

Coal power stations as well as waste incinerators produce humid acid gases which may condense in industrial chimneys. These condensates can cause corrosion of chimney internal cladding which is made of stainless steel, nickel base alloys or non metallic materials. In the aim of polluting emission reduction and material optimal choice, it is necessary to determine and characterize all the phenomena which occur throughout the chimney and more especially condensation and dissolution of acid gases (in this particular case, sulfur dioxide SO2).
Is the 2007 US sub-prime financial crisis so different?: An international historical comparison
Authors: Reinhart Carmen , Rogoff Kenneth
Published: October 2009

The first major financial crisis of the twenty first century involves esoteric instruments, unaware regulators, and skittish investors. It also follows a well-trodden path laid down by centuries of financial folly. Is the 'special' problem of sub-prime mortgages really different? Our examination of the longer historical record finds stunning qualitative and quantitative parallels across a number of standard financial crisis indicators. At this juncture, the book is still open on how the current dislocations in the United States will play out. The precedent found in the aftermath of other episodes suggests that the strains can be quite severe, depending especially on the initial degree of trauma to the financial system (and to some extent, the policy response). The average drop in real per capita output growth is over 2 percent, and it typically takes two years to return to trend. For the five most catastrophic cases (which include episodes in Finland, Japan, Norway, Spain, and Sweden), the drop in annual output growth from peak to trough is over 5 percent, and growth remained well below pre-crisis trend even after three years.
The intersectoral linkage effects in Turkish economy: an application of static Leontief model
Authors: Gürkan Yay , Keçeli Serkan
Published: October 2009

In this study, the leading activities of Turkish Economy whose changes in their structure of production, value-added and employment are interrelated with the other activities of the economy, are found by using the input-output model which is presented and called as an 'Application of the General Equilibrium Theory' by Leontief. For this purpose; firstly theoretical foundations of the input-output model are examined. After that, 59 activities of the 2002 Input-Output Table of the Turkish Economy are aggregated at 52 sectors and classified into three categories as Ricardo Sectors, High-Technology Sectors and Heckscher-Ohlin Sectors like Dasgupta and Chakraborty did for the Indian Economy in 2005. Then, the leading, key or strong activities of the economy that are more interrelated with other activities are calculated and found by the Static Leontief Model which is used by the Traditional Methods as the techniques to calculate the linkage effects like Chenery-Watanabe and Rasmussen methods to determine the sectors having the highest priority at investment policies according to the Hirschmanian Unbalanced Growth Model. As a result of the interpretation of Leontief Model, using the traditional methods of Chenery-Watanabe and Rasmussen while calculating the linkage effects rather than the hypothesis extraction methods like Strassert's Original Extraction Method, Cella's Extraction Method, Sonis' Pure Linkage Method and Dietzenbacher and Van der Linden's Method or a SAM (Social Accounting Method) model which does not omit the income generating process (distributing income among primary factors and households as a result of production) of a sector, in Turkey, the Heckscher-Ohlin Sectors mostly seen in the manufacturing industry which Kaldor refers as the engine of growth, are stronger than the other sectors.
Financial development and economic growth: Role of institutional quality
Authors: Yahyaoui Abdelkarim , Rahmani Atef
Published: October 2009

The objective of our work is to show the importance of a healthy institutional framework in the finance-growth relation. In this context, we start by presenting, a theoretical lighting on this subject while trying to define the concept of the governorship and to determine its various measurements. Then, we empirically test a model of growth of Solow increased by the human capital, treating relation between financial development, institutions and economic growth. The various estimates were made by Panel data Methods over the period of 1990 to 2006 for 22 developing countries. Following these estimates, it seems that the quality of the institutions is regarded as an important factor which must not be neglected in the study of the relation between the financial sphere and the real sphere.
Indebtedness and mercantilism
Authors: Guichard Jean-Paul
Published: October 2009

In a closed economy, the growth of the GDP is equal to the net indebtedness (the increase of indebtedness) of it agents from one period to another, which allows current demand to be greater than the income of the preceding quarter. In an open economy, we must add to that the net indebtedness of the totality of foreign agents in operation: the currencies corresponding to the foreign trade balance. Depending on the sign of these two kinds of net indebtedness, positive or negative, a classification of countries can be made: mainly mercantilist countries that enjoy a foreign surplus, on the one hand, and 'Keynesian' countries running a deficit, whose growth is founded upon domestic demand, on the other hand.
Good Fathers and Rebellious Daughters: Reading Women in Benhabib's International Political Theory
Authors: Hutchings Kimberly
Published: October 2009

The paper traces the role of ‘women’ in Seyla Benhabib's work. It argues that this tracing helps to make clear the way that Benhabib's latest work relies on assuming distinctive political temporalities between the international (cosmopolitan and moral) and the domestic (democratic and political) spheres. The international is characterised by an unlocatable linear temporality of moral learning that draws on Habermas's reading of Kant's philosophy of history. In contrast, in the domestic, cosmopolitan temporality enters into a dialectical relation with an Arendtian, republican temporality that is open and unpredictable and is clearly located within the (revisable) boundaries of political community.
The Ambiguous Modernism of Seyla Benhabib
Authors: Onuf Nicholas
Published: October 2009

Seyla Benhabib has displayed a deeply normative concern for the origin, properties, condition and destiny of the modern world in work running from Critique, Norm, and Utopia (1986), to Situating the Self (1992), The Reluctant Modernism of Hannah Arendt (1996), and Another Cosmopolitanism (2006). I hope to show that Benhabib's view of modernity is ambiguous, and that inconsistencies in her position reach back, through Habermas and Weber, to Kant. I begin with a sketch of Benhabib's sense of what modernity is about, turn then to what I think makes her position ambiguous, and conclude with a discussion of what I think is missing in her treatment of modernity. The gap I identify is strikingly pointed up when she uses the term modernism but does not talk about modernism at all.
National Defense and State Personality
Authors: Eckert Amy E.
Published: October 2009

In his provocative book War and Self-Defense, David Rodin criticizes attempts to justify national defense based on an analogy between the individual and the state. In doing so, he treats state personality as an analogy to the personality of the individual. Yet the state possesses the key attributes of moral personality, including a conception of the good life and a sense of justice. The state's unobservable — but nevertheless real — moral personality means that it also possessed the right to defend the continued existence of that personality against an attack. Subject to the same constraints that are placed on individuals, such as necessity and proportionality, the state possesses the right to national defense based on its own personality.
Encyclopedia of Algorithms. Edited by Kao, Ming-Yang, Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2008; 1220 pages, 183 figures, 38 tables; Hard Cover. Price: € 309.- / CHF 479.50.- ISBN 978-0-387-30770-1
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: October 2009

The Encyclopedia of Algorithms provides a comprehensive set of solutions to important algorithmic problems for students and researchers, including high-impact solutions from the most recent decade. [...]
An Entropy-Like Estimator for Robust Parameter Identification
Authors: Indiveri Giovanni
Published: October 2009

This paper describes the basic ideas behind a novel prediction error parameter identification algorithm exhibiting high robustness with respect to outlying data. Given the low sensitivity to outliers, these can be more easily identified by analysing the residuals of the fit. The devised cost function is inspired by the definition of entropy, although the method in itself does not exploit the stochastic meaning of entropy in its usual sense. After describing the most common alternative approaches for robust identification, the novel method is presented together with numerical examples for validation.
A Novel Technique to Determine Concentration-Dependent Solvent Dispersion in Vapex
Authors: Abukhalifeh Hadil , Lohi Ali , Upreti Simant  Ranjan
Published: October 2009

Vapex (vapor extraction of heavy oil and bitumen) is a promising recovery technology because it consumes low energy, and is very environmentally-friendly. The dispersion of solvents into heavy oil and bitumen is a crucial transport property governing Vapex. The accurate determination of solvent dispersion in Vapex is essential to effectively predict the amount and time scale of oil recovery as well to optimize the field operations. In this work, a novel technique is developed to experimentally determine the concentration-dependent dispersion coefficient of a solvent in Vapex process. The principles of variational calculus are utilized in conjunction with a mass transfer model of the experimental Vapex process. A computational algorithm is developed to optimally compute solvent dispersion as a function of its concentration in heavy oil. The developed technique is applied to Vapex utilizing propane as a solvent. The results show that dispersion of propane is a unimodal function of its concentration in bitumen.
Food Choices and Coronary Heart Disease: A Population Based Cohort Study of Rural Swedish Men with 12 Years of Follow-up
Authors: Holmberg Sara , Thelin Anders , Stiernström Eva-Lena
Published: October 2009

Coronary heart disease is associated with diet. Nutritional recommendations are frequently provided, but few long term studies on the effect of food choices on heart disease are available. We followed coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in a cohort of rural men (N = 1,752) participating in a prospective observational study. Dietary choices were assessed at baseline with a 15-item food questionnaire. 138 men were hospitalized or deceased owing to coronary heart disease during the 12 year follow-up. Daily intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease when combined with a high dairy fat consumption (odds ratio 0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.73), but not when combined with a low dairy fat consumption (odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 0.97-2.98). Choosing wholemeal bread or eating fish at least twice a week showed no association with the outcome.
Assessing the Effects of Weather Conditions on Physical Activity Participation Using Objective Measures
Authors: Chan Catherine B. , Ryan Daniel A.
Published: October 2009

Habitual physical activity is an important determinant of health, yet many people are considered to be inactive. Identification of the obstacles to greater participation is necessary for the development of strategies to overcome those obstacles. The weather has been identified as a perceived barrier to participation in physical activity, but exactly which adverse weather conditions are most important, and the extent to which they contribute to decreases in physical activity have rarely been quantified in populations. In the past decade, a small number of studies have used publicly available databases to examine the quantitative effects of weather (e.g., temperature, precipitation, wind) on physical activity in children, adolescents and adults. This review examines our historical, qualitative versus emerging, quantitative understanding of how specific weather conditions affect a population’s activity.
Improved Adhesion, Growth and Maturation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells on Polyethylene Grafted with Bioactive Molecules and Carbon Particles
Authors: Parizek Martin , Kasalkova Nikola , Bacakova Lucie , Slepicka Petr , Lisa Vera , Blazkova Martina , Svorcik Vaclav
Published: October 2009

High-density polyethylene (PE) foils were modified by an Ar+ plasma discharge and subsequent grafting with biomolecules, namely glycine (Gly), polyethylene glycol (PEG), bovine serum albumin (BSA), colloidal carbon particles (C) or BSA and C (BSA + C). As revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), goniometry and Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS), the surface chemical structure and surface morphology of PE changed dramatically after plasma treatment. The contact angle decreased for the samples treated by plasma, mainly in relation to the formation of oxygen structures during plasma irradiation. A further decrease in the contact angle was obvious after glycine and PEG grafting. The increase in oxygen concentration after glycine and PEG grafting proved that the two molecules were chemically linked to the plasma-activated surface. Plasma treatment led to ablation of the PE surface layer, thus the surface morphology was changed and the surface roughness was increased. The materials were then seeded with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) derived from rat aorta and incubated in a DMEM medium with fetal bovine serum. Generally, the cells adhered and grew better on modified rather than on unmodified PE samples. Immunofluorescence showed that focal adhesion plaques containing talin, vinculin and paxillin were most apparent in cells on PE grafted with PEG or BSA + C, and the fibres containing α-actin, β-actin or SM1 and SM2 myosins were thicker, more numerous and more brightly stained in the cells on all modified PE samples than on pristine PE. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed increased concentrations of focal adhesion proteins talin and vinculin and also a cytoskeletal protein β-actin in cells on PE modified with BSA + C. A contractile protein α-actin was increased in cells on PE grafted with PEG or Gly. These results showed that PE activated with plasma and subsequently grafted with bioactive molecules and colloidal C particles, especially with PEG and BSA + C, promotes the adhesion, proliferation and phenotypic maturation of VSMC.
tert-Butyl 3-(4-Cyano-5-phenylisothiazol-3-yl)carbazate
Authors: Ioannidou Heraklidia , Koutentis Panayiotis
Published: October 2009

3-Iodo-5-phenylisothiazole-4-carbonitrile 1 reacts with tert-butyl carbazate via a Buchwald C-N style coupling to afford tert-butyl 3-(4-cyano-5-phenylisothiazol-3-yl)- carbazate 2 in 70% yield. [...]
The Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Insights into Asymmetry and Reaction Mechanisms by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Carrasco-Sanchez Verónica , Simirgiotis Mario  J. , Santos Leonardo  S.
Published: October 2009

This short review presents new insights on the mechanism and online monitoring using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI–MS/MS) of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reactions. MBH reactions are versatile carbon-carbon organocatalyzed bond forming reactions, making them environmentally friendly due to general organocatalysts employed. The organocatalyst behavior, which controls the transition state and thus the enantioselectivities in the obtained products, is very important in the performance of asymmetric MBH transformations. Some recent techniques and advances in asymmetric transformations are reviwed, as well as online reaction monitoring and analysis of the reaction intermediates. The mechanism accepted nowadays is also review through the insights gained from the use of ESI–MS/MS techniques.
Synthesis of Lipoamino Acids and Their Activity against Cerebral Ischemic Injury
Authors: Yao Li-Yun , Lin Qi , Niu Yin-Yao , Deng Ke-Min , Zhang Jian-Hua , Lu Yang
Published: October 2009

A series of lipoamino acids were synthesized and their neuroprotective effect against brain ischemia induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) on rat cerebral slices was evaluated. Among these compounds, N-stearoyl-L-tyrosine (4), N-stearoyl-L-serine (5) and N-stearoyl-L-threonine (6) exhibited good neuroprotective activity. We found that the neuroprotective activity of lipoamino acids depended on the acyl group, the presence of a free carboxylic function and a free hydroxyl group at the branched chain of the amino acids. The results also showed that 5 was the most active compound, protecting rat brain slices against OGD as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) insult at the range of 1–10 M.
Sulphated Zirconia as an Eco-Friendly Catalyst in Acylal Preparation under Solvent-Free Conditions, Acylal Deprotection Assisted by Microwaves, and the Synthesis of Anhydro-Dimers of o-Hydroxybenzaldehydes
Authors: Palacios-Grijalva Laura Nadxieli , Cruz-González Deysi Y. , Lomas-Romero Leticia , González-Zamora Eduardo , Ulibarri Gerardo , Negrón-Silva Guillermo E.
Published: October 2009

A solvent-free approach is described for the regioselective synthesis of acylals (1,1-diacetates) in shorter reaction times and higher yields, compared to conventional methodology using solvents. In the protection reaction of the o-hydroxybenzaldehyde the formation of acetyl compounds and anhydro-dimers was observed. The deprotection reaction involves microwave (MW) exposure of diluted reactants in the presence of solid sulphated zirconia (SZ) catalyst that can be easily recovered and reused. The sulphated zirconia was recycled several times without any loss of activity.
A New Organofunctional Ethoxysilane Self-Assembly Monolayer for Promoting Adhesion of Rubber to Aluminum
Authors: Wang Fang , Xu Juan , Luo Heyi , Wang Jinggang , Wang Qian
Published: October 2009

Practical adhesion of rubber to aluminum is measured for various aluminum silanization treatments. In this study, 6-(3-triethoxysilylpropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol (TES) was used as the coupling agent for preparing self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) on an aluminum surface. The structure and chemical composition of the SAMs were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The changes in the surface features of the aluminum surface due to TES treatment were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adhesive properties of the silanized aluminum surface and EPDM rubber have been evaluated by a T-peel strength test. The results suggested that the Si-O-Al bonding at aluminum TES interface existed and a TES self-assembly monolayer was formed on the aluminum surface. More than 6.0 KN/m adhesion strength is obtained when the aluminum is silanized with 2.5 mmol/dm3 TES, cured at 160 °C and vulcanized with EPDM rubber at 160 °C for 30 min. It is suggested that the TES self-assembly monolayer is bound to aluminum through its ethoxysilyl functional group, and the thiol function group is strongly crosslinked to EPDM rubber, respectively.
Sun Glint Correction of High and Low Spatial Resolution Images of Aquatic Scenes: a Review of Methods for Visible and Near-Infrared Wavelengths
Authors: Kay Susan , Hedley John D. , Lavender Samantha
Published: October 2009

Sun glint, the specular reflection of light from water surfaces, is a serious confounding factor for remote sensing of water column properties and benthos. This paper reviews current techniques to estimate and remove the glint radiance component from imagery. Methods for processing of ocean color images use statistical sea surface models to predict the glint from the sun and sensor positions and wind data. Methods for higher resolution imaging, used in coastal and shallow water mapping, estimate the glint radiance from the near-infrared signal. The effects of some current methods are demonstrated and possibilities for future techniques are briefly addressed.
Magnetic Field Sensors Based on Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) Technology: Applications in Electrical Current Sensing
Authors: Reig Càndid , Cubells-Beltrán María-Dolores , Ramírez Muñoz Diego
Published: October 2009

The 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics can be understood as a global recognition to the rapid development of the Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR), from both the physics and engineering points of view. Behind the utilization of GMR structures as read heads for massive storage magnetic hard disks, important applications as solid state magnetic sensors have emerged. Low cost, compatibility with standard CMOS technologies and high sensitivity are common advantages of these sensors. This way, they have been successfully applied in a lot different environments. In this work, we are trying to collect the Spanish contributions to the progress of the research related to the GMR based sensors covering, among other subjects, the applications, the sensor design, the modelling and the electronic interfaces, focusing on electrical current sensing applications.
Vehicle Signal Analysis Using Artificial Neural Networks for a Bridge Weigh-in-Motion System
Authors: Kim Sungkon , Lee Jungwhee , Park Min-Seok , Jo Byung-Wan
Published: October 2009

This paper describes the procedures for development of signal analysis algorithms using artificial neural networks for Bridge Weigh-in-Motion (B-WIM) systems. Through the analysis procedure, the extraction of information concerning heavy traffic vehicles such as weight, speed, and number of axles from the time domain strain data of the B-WIM system was attempted. As one of the several possible pattern recognition techniques, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was employed since it could effectively include dynamic effects and bridge-vehicle interactions. A number of vehicle traveling experiments with sufficient load cases were executed on two different types of bridges, a simply supported pre-stressed concrete girder bridge and a cable-stayed bridge. Different types of WIM systems such as high-speed WIM or low-speed WIM were also utilized during the experiments for cross-checking and to validate the performance of the developed algorithms.
Micro Sensor Node for Air Pollutant Monitoring: Hardware and Software Issues
Authors: Choi Sukwon , Kim Nakyoung , Cha Hojung , Ha Rhan
Published: October 2009

Wireless sensor networks equipped with various gas sensors have been actively used for air quality monitoring. Previous studies have typically explored system issues that include middleware or networking performance, but most research has barely considered the details of the hardware and software of the sensor node itself. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of a sensor board for air pollutant monitoring applications. Several hardware and software issues are discussed to explore the possibilities of a practical WSN-based air pollution monitoring system. Through extensive experiments and evaluation, we have determined the various characteristics of the gas sensors and their practical implications for air pollutant monitoring systems.
A Coupled Field Multiphysics Modeling Approach to Investigate RF MEMS Switch Failure Modes under Various Operational Conditions
Authors: Sadek Khaled , Lueke Jonathan , Moussa Walied
Published: October 2009

In this paper, the reliability of capacitive shunt RF MEMS switches have been investigated using three dimensional (3D) coupled multiphysics finite element (FE) analysis. The coupled field analysis involved three consecutive multiphysics interactions. The first interaction is characterized as a two-way sequential electromagnetic (EM)-thermal field coupling. The second interaction represented a one-way sequential thermal-structural field coupling. The third interaction portrayed a two-way sequential structural-electrostatic field coupling. An automated substructuring algorithm was utilized to reduce the computational cost of the complicated coupled multiphysics FE analysis. The results of the substructured FE model with coupled field analysis is shown to be in good agreement with the outcome of previously published experimental and numerical studies. The current numerical results indicate that the pull-in voltage and the buckling temperature of the RF switch are functions of the microfabrication residual stress state, the switch operational frequency and the surrounding packaging temperature. Furthermore, the current results point out that by introducing proper mechanical approaches such as corrugated switches and through-holes in the switch membrane, it is possible to achieve reliable pull-in voltages, at various operating temperatures. The performed analysis also shows that by controlling the mean and gradient residual stresses, generated during microfabrication, in conjunction with the proposed mechanical approaches, the power handling capability of RF MEMS switches can be increased, at a wide range of operational frequencies. These design features of RF MEMS switches are of particular importance in applications where a high RF power (frequencies above 10 GHz) and large temperature variations are expected, such as in satellites and airplane condition monitoring.
THE IMPLEMENTATION AND USE INTENTION OF AN EMBEDDED PORTABLE CHINESE PHONETIC LEARNING SYSTEM FOR HEARING IMPAIRED
Authors: Lay Yun-Long , Yang Hui-Jen , Lin Chern-Sheng , Lin Ming-Hui
Published: October 2009

The main purpose of this study is to use an embedded system to implement a portable pronunciation tool that will enable hearing-impaired people to learn Chinese phonemes, especially the four tones of a Chinese word. This system is implemented in a SPCE061A Microcontroller of Sunplus Technology. A subsyllable pronunciation database was created to store the subsyllable pronunciation data for real-time processing synthesis. An experiment for performance evaluation of implemented system has processed to verify the effectiveness of improvement on hearing-impaired students' phonetic learning. Furthermore, intention to adopt a new system is a critical factor in determining the success of developed system. Therefore, in this study, we also draw upon innovation diffusion theory and technology acceptance model to examine the usability and use intention of the implemented system. The process was empirically tested via a field questionnaire survey of 36 hearing-impaired students in a primary deaf school. The implications are also discussed at the end of paper.
MORPHOLOGY OF ADSORBED COLLAGEN LAYERS OBSERVED BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: Yang Yih-Pey , Lin Chia-Chi
Published: October 2009

The interaction between cells and biomaterials strongly depends on the assembled structure of collagen adsorption upon the solid surface. Due to its self-assembling property, Type I collagen may aggregate and form fibrils in vivo and in vitro. This study utilizes an atomic force microscope to investigate nanometer-scale organization of adsorbed Type I collagen layers on mica and on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). We have observed various film morphologies, depending on substrate hydrophobicity and the state of collagen solution used. On mica, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) study obtains dense felt-like structures of randomly distributed assemblies. Images of network-like assemblies composed of interwoven fibrils appear on PMMA. According to the above results, we believe that these assemblies are associated at the interface rather than aggregated in the solution. This work also investigates the adsorbed collagen structure on PMMA after collagen aggregation in solution, to realize the relation between adsorption and aggregation. Consequently, the result exhibits a dendritic fibrillar structure adsorbed on PMMA, following collagen molecule aggregation, to form a fibrillar structure in the solution. This result suggests that the adsorption of aggregates preformed in the solution is preferable to collagen molecules adsorption. This research created all assembled structures of adsorbed collagen layers in nanometer-scale thickness.
MICROMECHANICAL ANALYSIS AND CRACK PROPAGATION SIMULATION OF ENAMEL/CERAMIC ADHESIVE INTERFACE IN AN INCISOR VENEER USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT SUBMODELING AND ELEMENT DEACTIVATION APPROACHES
Authors: Lin Wen-Hsueng , Liu Heng-Liang , Lin Chun-Li , Tsai Hui-Chin
Published: October 2009

Retention of veneering materials to the tooth influences the survival rate in which depends primarily on an adequate adhesive bonded to enamel and ceramic substrates. Microleakages associated with resin monomers penetrating in enamel–etched porosities arise as the key issue to cause crack propagation and induce de-bonding in adhesive layer. The aim of this study is to investigate the micromechanical responses and crack propagation in a ceramic veneer adjacent to an incisal-overlapped incisor using the finite element (FE) submodeling and the element deactivation techniques. Section contours of an intact maxillary central incisor were acquired from microcomputed tomography (CT) to construct a three-dimensional (3D) FE macromodel considered with butt joint veneer design using mapping mesh approach. Ten loads from 10 to 100 N increments with 10 N were applied with an angulation of 60° to the tooth longitudinal axis at the incisal edge in the macromodel as the loading conditions to perform the simulations. The micromodel was constructed at an enamel–adhesive interface, where was the stress concentration area in the macromodel. The morphology and dimensions of the resin tags at the interface were assigned based on a SEM micrograph. Boundary conditions of the micromodel were determined from the macromodel results. An iterative code with the element deactivation technique was used while the local element stresses exceeding a self-testing tensile strength in adhesive layer to simulate the microcrack propagation. Stress concentration within the adhesive occurred at the enamel–adhesive interface of the lingual edge from the macromodels findings and at their resin tags base from the micromodels results. The maximum stress value in the micromodel exceeded the tensile strength (11.8 MPa) of resin cement when loading condition was 50 N. A simulated fracture path was found at the resin tags base along the enamel–adhesive interface from lingual to labial side. This study indicated that the FE submodeling and the element deactivation techniques could simulate efficiently the micromechanical responses and the microcrack propagation noted at the enamel–adhesive interface in the veneer system.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL STATIC AND DYNAMIC DISPLAY SYSTEM OF BOWEL SOUND MAGNITUDE MAP FOR EVALUATION OF INTESTINAL MOTILITY
Authors: Chien Chia-Hung , Huang Hsiang-Ting , Wang Cheng-Yi , Chong Fok-Ching
Published: October 2009

The aim of this work is to develop a new technique of two-dimensional (2D) bowel sound magnitude map (BSMM) with multichannel electronic stethoscopes to evaluate the location, intensity, and track of intestinal motility from the abdominal surface in real time. The static BSMM, obtained from the interpolation of captured one-dimensional (1D) signals, demonstrated an activity level of intestinal motility with different colors. It enabled spatial visualization of the sound origin to locate the peristaltic position of bowels. The dynamic BSMM, displayed in either time series or continuous mode, clearly showed the tracking pattern of intestinal motility on the whole abdomen. Our results verified the validation of this system with a computer simulation and the specific detection of bowel sounds (BSs). The detection of physiologic intestinal motility, including that before and after meal or before defecation, is also available with BSMMs. A simple, noninvasive, low-cost, visualizable, and real-time device has been successfully developed in this work.
A PERSPECTIVE VIEW ON THE PREPARATION OF MICRO- AND NANOPARTICULATES OF BIOMATERIALS FROM ELECTROSTATIC AND ULTRASONIC METHODS
Authors: Kuo Shyh Ming , Chang Shwu Jen , Yao Chun-Hsu , Manousakas Ioannis
Published: October 2009

Developments on tissue engineering, especially on tissue regeneration and drug delivery, demand also developments on biomaterials. Research on the preparation methods of biomaterials has exhibited remarkable advances in the recent years. Natural biomaterials, such as chitosan and collagen, or synthetic materials like poly(lactic acid) can be shaped in various forms. The parameters involved in the fabrication processes provide methodologies for control of the materials' properties, such as morphology, biodegradability, mechanical strength, and adhesion. As new applications develop for these materials, the preparation methods have to be optimized to achieve the desired material properties. These properties mostly not only mimic the conditions in the human body, but also may divert the microenvironment of cells in the diseased area in order to promote faster or guided healing and tissue regeneration. This review pays attention on some of the fabrication methods for biomaterial particulates of sizes in the micro- and nanoscale. The views expressed here focus on the many years of experience of the authors with electrostatic and ultrasonic fabrication methods. These methods are still under development and up to now can produce particulates of various sizes down to the nanometer scale with narrow size distributions. Such biomaterials that have extraordinary properties may provide ways for the development of remarkable biomedical applications.
A New Design Method—Deep-Layer Synthesized Design Method of Full Functions and Full Performances of Product
Authors: Wen Bang Chun , Li Xiao Peng , Sun Wei , Ren Zhao Hui
Published: October 2009

In recent one century more than 60 design methods of products have been proposed and most of them can satisfy the one or several requirements of the general qualities only. So it is necessary to develop some synthesized design method, which can satisfy requirements of general synthesized qualities of product. Up to now, several scientists and technologists have done their efforts to study several synthesized design methods in order to satisfy more requirements of users. These methods are comprehensive design method, QFD method, taguchi design method, axiomatic design method, etc. Based on the classification of the design methods, we have proposed a new synthesized design method, named 1+3+X. The present method meet the need of customers for different general synthesized qualities of product including main and supplementary functions, structural performances, working performances and manufacturing performances and the first 1 is functional optimum design, the 3 are the dynamic optimum design, intelligent design and visual design to satisfy structural performances, working performances and manufacturing performances respectively, and the X is the design to satisfy other requirements.
Identify Steel Ball Surface Defect Based on Combination of Dynamic and Static RBF Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Yan Ling , Wu Feng Ling , Wang Peng , Zhang Jian Yi
Published: October 2009

Steel ball, as a rolling body of all kinds of bearings, it direct affects the bearings precision, dynamic performance and service life. This paper introduces the digital image technology Radial Basis Function (RBF)-Neural network, based on extracting the Steel Ball surface defect image features, used the strategy which is combined with static- dynamic clustering to union the two-stage study and design the hidden layer structure. Simulation and experiment show that the RBF-neural network runs stably, has fast convergence and overall accuracy rate of 96%. These can meet the needs of practical application.