bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of four advanced 3d-conformal radiation therapy treatment planning techniques for head and neck cancer
Authors: Herrassi Mohamed Yassine , Bentayeb Farida , Malisan Maria Rosa
Published: May 2013

For the head-and-neck cancer bilateral irradiation, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the most reported technique as it enables both target dose coverage and organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing. However, during the last 20 years, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) techniques have been introduced, which are tailored to improve the classic shrinking field technique, as regards both planning target volume (PTV) dose conformality and sparing of OAR’s, such as parotid glands and spinal cord. In this study, we tested experimentally in a sample of 13 patients, four of these advanced 3DCRT techniques, all using photon beams only and a unique isocentre, namely Bellinzona, Forward-Planned Multisegments (FPMS), ConPas, and field-in-field (FIF) techniques. Statistical analysis of the main dosimetric parameters of PTV and OAR’s DVH’s as well as of homogeneity and conformity indexes was carried out in order to compare the performance of each technique. The results show that the PTV dose coverage is adequate for all the techniques, with the FPMS techniques providing the highest value for D95%; on the other hand, the best sparing of parotid glands is achieved using the FIF and ConPas techniques, with a mean dose of 26 Gy to parotid glands for a PTV prescription dose of 54 Gy. After taking into account both PTV coverage and parotid sparing, the best global performance was achieved by the FIF technique with results comparable to that of IMRT plans. This technique can be proposed as a valid alternative when IMRT equipment is not available or patient is not suitable for IMRT treatment.
Microphysical process rates and global aerosol-cloud interactions
Authors: Gettelman A. , Morrison H. , Terai C. R. , Wood R.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Cloud microphysical process rates control the amount of condensed water in clouds and impact the susceptibility of precipitation to drop number and aerosols. The relative importance of different microphysical processes in a climate model is analyzed, and the autoconversion and accretion processes are found to be critical to the condensate budget in most regions. A simple steady-state model of warm rain formation is used to illustrate that the diagnostic rain formulations typical of climate models may result in excessive contributions from autoconversion, compared to observations and large eddy simulation models with explicit bin-resolved microphysics and rain formation processes. The behavior does not appear to be caused by the bulk process rate formulations themselves, because the steady state model with bulk accretion and autoconversion has reduced contributions from autoconversion. Sensitivity tests are conducted to analyze how perturbations to the precipitation microphysics for stratiform clouds impact process rates, precipitation susceptibility and aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI). With similar liquid water path, corrections for the diagnostic rain assumptions in the GCM based on the steady state model to boost accretion over autoconversion indicate that the radiative effects of ACI may decrease by 20% in the GCM for the same mean liquid water path. Links between process rates, susceptibility and ACI are not always clear in the GCM. Better representation of the precipitation process, for example by prognosing precipitation mass and number, may help better constrain these effects in global models with bulk microphysics schemes.
EGU2012 SM1.3/GI1.7 session: "Improving seismic networks performances: from site selection to data integration"
Authors: Pesaresi D. , Vernon F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The number and quality of seismic stations and networks in Europe continually improves, nevertheless there is always scope to optimize their performance. In this session we welcome contributions from all aspects of seismic network installation, operation and management. This includes site selection; equipment testing and installation; planning and implementing communication paths; policies for redundancy in data acquisition, processing and archiving; and integration of different datasets including GPS and OBS.
Local magnitude scale in Slovenia
Authors: Bajc J. , Zaplotnik Ž. , Živčić M. , Čarman M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. In the paper a calibration study of the local magnitude scale in Slovenia is presented. The Seismology and Geology Office of the Slovenian Environment Agency routinely reports the magnitudes MLV of the earthquakes recorded by the Slovenian seismic stations. The magnitudes are computed from the maximum vertical component of the ground velocity with the magnitude equation that was derived some thirty years ago by regression analysis of the magnitudes recorded by a Wood-Anderson seismograph in Trieste and a short period seismograph in Ljubljana. In the study the present single magnitude MLV equation is replaced by a general form of the Richter local magnitude MWA equation. The attenuation function and station-component corrections that compensate the local effects near seismic stations are determined from the synthetic Wood-Anderson seismograms of a large data set by iterative least-square method. The data set used consists of approximately 18 000 earthquakes during a period of 14 yr, each digitally recorded on up to 29 stations. The derived magnitude equation is used to make the final comparison between the new MWA magnitudes and the routinely calculated MLV magnitudes. The results show good overall accordance between both magnitude equations. The main advantage of the introduction of station-component corrections is the reduced uncertainty of the local magnitude that is assigned to a certain earthquake.
Optimal configuration of a micro-earthquake network
Authors: Valtonen O. , Uski M. , Korja A. , Tiira T. , Kortström J.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This study simulates automatic event detection and location performance of a micro-earthquake network centred around a future power plant site in Finland, Fennoscandian Shield. Simulation of the event location capability is based on a relationship derived between event magnitude and maximum detection distance. Azimuthal coverage and threshold magnitude are computed for different station configurations and the results are presented as contour maps. An optimal configuration of ten seismograph stations is proposed for further on-site survey. The network fulfils the preconditions of automatic event location capability down to ML 0.0 and azimuthal coverage better than 180° within 25 km radius from the study site. Annual number of earthquakes (ML ≥ 0.0) detected by the network is estimated to be 2 and 8 within 25 and 50 km radius from the power plant site.
Assessing hydrological effects of human interventions on coastal systems: numerical applications to the Venice Lagoon
Authors: Ferrarin C. , Ghezzo M. , Umgiesser G. , Tagliapietra D. , Camatti E. , Zaggia L. , Sarretta A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The hydrological consequences of historical, contemporary and future human activities on a coastal system were investigated by means of numerical models. The changes in the morphology of the Lagoon of Venice during the last century result from the sedimentological response to the combined effects of human interventions on the environment and global changes. This study focuses on changes from 1927 to 2012 and includes the changes planned for the protection of the city of Venice from storm surges and exceptional tides under future sea level rise scenarios. The application of a hydrodynamic model allowed for the analysis of the morphological effects on the lagoon circulation, the interaction with the sea and the internal mixing processes. The absolute values of the exchange between the lagoon and sea increased from 1927 to 2002 (from 3900 to 4600 m3 s−1), while the daily fraction of lagoon water volume exchanged decreased. At the same time, the flattening of the lagoon and loss of morphological heterogeneity enhanced the internal mixing processes driven by the tide and wind, reducing thus the overall water renewal time from 11.9 days in 1927 to 10.8 days in 2002. Morphological changes during the last decade reduced the water exchange through the inlets and induced an increase of the basin-wide water renewal time of 0.5 day. In the future, Venice Lagoon will evolve to a more restricted environment due to sea level rise, which increases the lagoon volume, and periodical closure of the lagoon from the sea during flooding events, which reduces the communication with the open sea. Therefore, the flushing capacity of the lagoon will decrease considerably, especially in its central part. Furthermore, some considerations on the impact of the hydromorphological changes on the ecological dynamics are proposed.
SmartGate – connecting wireless sensor nodes to the Internet
Authors: Gamm G. U. , Sester S. , Reindl L. M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Wireless sensor nodes inside buildings are used to read out sensor data and to control actuators. The nodes need to operate for a long time with a single battery. Often the sensor data should be accessible via Internet from every point of the world. When using a standard Wi-Fi connection, the battery of the node would be depleted after a few hours due to idle currents in receive state. Using sensor nodes with included wake-up receivers can prolong the lifetime of the sensor network to several years. However, no gateway exists that can, on the one hand, connect itself to the Internet and on the other hand can send out the special coded wake-up signal needed by the wake-up receivers on the nodes. In this work we want to bridge this gap by introducing the SmartGate. It is a gateway that has two transceivers incorporated on a single printed circuit board (PCB). A Wi-Fi module connects itself to an existing Wi-Fi network and listens for incoming messages. A CC430 microcontroller analyzes the incoming Wi-Fi messages and builds up the corresponding wake-up signal with included 16-bit address coding. The wake-up signal is sent out using the integrated CC1101 transceiver core from Texas Instruments. A woken-up node will read out its sensor data and will transmit it back to the gateway, where it will be packed into a TCP/IP packet and sent back to the user. The use of the gateway allows the implementation of a wireless sensor network with wake-up receivers that can be accessed via Internet from every point of the world.
Measuring the impacts of local land-use policies on vehicle miles of travel: The case of the first big-box store in Davis, California
Authors: Lovejoy Kristin , Sciara Gian-Claudia , Salon Deborah , Handy Susan L , Mokhtarian Patricia
Published: May 2013

Concerns over climate change have brought new impetus to the goal of reducing vehicle travel through land-use policy. To determine the degree to which land-use policies are effective in reducing vehicle travel, studies are needed that measure and compare vehicle travel both before and after a land-use policy change. The opening of the first big-box retail store in Davis, California, represented a major change in the retail landscape and an unusual opportunity to study its effect on shopping travel. Surveys of residents' shopping behavior conducted before and after the opening of the store revealed a significant shift in where people shopped and a measurable reduction in overall vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for shopping. Although the observed change in VMT is specific to the Davis context, the findings support the general proposition that bringing retail destinations closer to residences could help reduce vehicle travel, particularly where the comparable alternatives for the newly introduced store are far away. The study also offers important insights into the challenges of conducting before-and-after studies of the impact of local land-use changes.
Carrier Selection:
Authors: Williams, Zachary , Garver, Michael S. , Taylor, G. Stephen
Published: May 2013

There is a substantial body of research devoted to the processes shippers use in selecting motor carriers. Using data collected from 222 less-than-truckload (LTL) shippers, the current study attempts to further extend knowledge in this area in three ways by (1) examining additional carrier selection variables that heretofore have not been investigated, (2) employing a research method that has not been used in previous studies, and (3) conducting segmentation analyses of LTL shippers in their selection of motor carriers. In addition, this study identified five distinct need-based segments of LTL shippers that assigned differential importance to the variables considered in the selection process. The authors also describe the basic demographic characteristics of each segment. Recommendations for managerial actions and future research on carrier selection are provided.
A Distributed Hunting Approach for Multiple Autonomous Robots
Authors: Cao Zhiqiang , Zhou Chao , Cheng Long , Yang Yuequan , Zhang Wenwen , Tan Min
Published: May 2013

A novel distributed hunting approach for multiple autonomous robots in unstructured mode-free environments, which is based on effective sectors and local sensing, is proposed in this paper. The visual information, encoder and sonar data are integrated in the robot's local frame, and the effective sector is introduced. The hunting task is modelled as three states: search state, round-obstacle state, and hunting state, and the corresponding switching conditions and control strategies are given. A form of cooperation will emerge where the robots interact only locally with each other. The evader, whose motion is a priori unknown to the robots, adopts an escape strategy to avoid being captured. The approach is scalable and may cope with problems of communication and wheel slippage. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified through experiments with a team of wheeled robots.
Design of a Mobile Microrobot Based on Standing and Travelling Waves
Authors: Bansevicius Ramutis , Drukteiniene Asta , Kulvietis Genadijus , Tumasoniene Inga
Published: May 2013

The design of a mobile microrobot based on standing and travelling waves is proposed and analysed in this paper. Numerical modelling based on the finite element method is performed to find the resonant frequencies and modal shapes of a microrobot, and to calculate the trajectories of the upper points' movements under an excitation scheme. Geometric Path-Planning Algorithms for a piezoelectric hemispheric microrobot and an experimental study of this are presented in this paper.
Nonlinear Filtering with IMM Algorithm for Ultra-Tight GPS/INS Integration
Authors: Jwo Dah-Jing , Hu Chia-Wei , Tseng Chien-Hao
Published: May 2013

Abstract This paper conducts a performance evaluation for the ultra-tight integration of a Global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS), using nonlinear filtering approaches with an interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm. An ultra-tight GPS/INS architecture involves the integration of in-phase and quadrature components from the correlator of a GPS receiver with INS data. An unscented Kalman filter (UKF), which employs a set of sigma points by deterministic sampling, avoids the error caused by linearization as in an extended Kalman filter (EKF). Based on the filter structural adaptation for describing various dynamic behaviours, the IMM nonlinear filtering provides an alternative for designing the adaptive filter in the ultra-tight GPS/INS integration. The use of IMM enables tuning of an appropriate value for the process of noise covariance so as to maintain good estimation accuracy and tracking capability. Two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the design and demonstrate the effective improvement in navigation estimation accuracy. A performance comparison among various filtering methods for ultra-tight integration of GPS and INS is also presented. The IMM based nonlinear filtering approach demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm for improved positioning performance.
View Transformation Based on a Single Outdoor Image
Authors: Zhang Shi-Hui , Yan Shuo
Published: May 2013

Abstract An automatic approach for view transformation based on a single outdoor image is proposed in this paper. First, the hierarchical segmentation method is conducted to segment an outdoor image into several meaningful regions and each region is labelled as sky, ground or standing object. Then, different methods are used to estimate each region's depth according to its label. After that, the obtained depth information is utilized to create a new view image after any rotation, translation and pitch. Finally, the image inpainting work for the missing colour region is accomplished using its neighbour's colour. Extensive experiments show the proposed approach not only improves the accuracy of view transformation, but also performs well even for images with occlusion phenomena.
Hybrid Intelligent Control for Submarine Stabilization
Authors: Wang Minghui , Yu Yongquan , Zeng Bi , Lin Wei
Published: May 2013

Abstract While sailing near the sea surface, submarines will often undergo rolling motion caused by wave disturbance. Fierce rolling motion seriously affects their normal operation and even threatens their security. We propose a new control method for roll stabilization. This paper studies hybrid intelligent control combining a fuzzy control, a neural network and extension control technology. Every control strategy can achieve the ideal control effect within the scope of its effective control. The neuro-fuzzy control strategy is used to improve the robustness of the controller. The speed control strategy and the course control strategy are conducted to extend the control range. The paper also proposes the design of the controller and carries out the simulation experiment in different sea conditions. The simulation results show that the control method proposed can indeed effectively improve the control performance of submarine stabilization.
Podiel osobnostných a interpersonálnych činiteľov na vysvetlení sociálnej pohody učiteľov
Authors: Janovská A. , Orosová O.
Published: May 2013

Cieľom štúdie bolo zistiť podiel osobnostných premenných a sociálnej opory poskytnutej riaditeľom školy na vysvetlení variancie sociálnej pohody učiteľov. Vychádzali sme z konceptu sociálnej pohody ako ho uvádza Keyes (1998). Osobnostné črty boli zisťované prostredníctvom dotazníka IASR-B5 (Trapnell & Wiggins, 1990), miera reziliencie prostredníctvom Brief resilience scale (Smith et al., 2008) a poskytovanie sociálnej opory prostredníctvom dotazníka SAS-C (Trobst, 2000), ktorý vychádza z kruhového modelu interpersonálneho správania a popisuje osem typov suportívneho správania. Výskumu sa zúčastnilo 256 učiteľov základných škôl a výsledky boli spracované mulitvariačnou lineárnou regresnou analýzou. Regresné modely potvrdili významný podiel suportívneho správania riaditeľa školy na vysvetlení rozptylu sociálnej pohody učiteľov.
Prepare for more realistic results
Authors: Larson Matthew , Leinwand Steven
Published: May 2013

This department publishes brief news articles, announcements and guest editorials on current mathematics education issues that stimulate the interest of TCM readers and cause them to think about an issue or consider a specific viewpoint about some aspect of mathematics education.
From Insult to Injury: How Disputes Begin and Escalate among Adolescents and Young Adults in Medellin, Colombia
Authors: Duque Luis F. , Montoya Nilton E.
Published: May 2013

This article aims to contribute to the understanding of circumstances, causes of initiation, and process of escalation of physical disputes or fights resulting in physical injury. We analyzed data from a case-control study of perpetrators of violence between the ages of 15 to 24 (n=373) in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The findings show that 89% of conflicts resulting in injury took place in public places and most often involved males (78%). Six percent involved the consumption of alcohol, 20% reported having used illicit drugs before the initiation of the confrontation. Circa 50% of disputes began because of verbal aggression. Alcohol consumption was found to be associated with verbal aggression towards a friend or companion but not to other circumstances that start disputes. Drug use was not associated with the initiation of disputes. In 18.5% of the cases, a weapon was used while 5% of these disputes ended in a homicide. In none of the cases in which homicide was the outcome was there bystander intervention. In contrast, homicide did not result in the cases in which bystanders intervened.
Towards People-Centred Economic Reintegration? An Analysis of the Economic Reintegration Strategy of Demobilised Combatants in Colombia
Authors: Thorsell Stefan
Published: May 2013

This paper investigates the suitability of the economic reintegration strategy for former Colombian combatants, taking into account the challenges facing this population. It argues that the international discourse primarily consists of a market-centred versus a people-centred perspective, each with a distinct approach to economic reintegration. The paper finds that in Colombia there was a lack of inclusion of key stakeholders in the initial design of the process. As a result, the economic reintegration strategy ended up merely accommodating certain neoliberal ideals and thereby leaned towards a marketcentred approach. Lately, steps have been taken towards an increasingly people-centred approach. This is currently reflected in improved results of the process, which predict a brighter future for economic reintegration of former combatants in Colombia.
Reintegración sin desmovilización: el caso de las milicias populares de Medellín
Authors: Giraldo Ramírez Jorge , Mesa Juan Pablo
Published: May 2013

Narratives on peace processes in Colombia do not often include the 1994 negotiations with the so-called “popular militia” in Medellín. This article analyzes the development and results of this process, revises the explanations of its failure which were produced in that time, and proposes an interpretation that appeals to a more profound institutional structure that gave way to the negotiation of disorder and the privatization of security, thus developing a thesis suggested by María Teresa Uribe.
Simple output feedback adaptive control based on passification principle
Authors: Bobtsov A.A. , Pyrkin A.A. , Kolyubin S.A.
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the output stabilization of time‐delay systems with sector‐bounded nonlinearity and disturbance. In this paper, we will consider the problem of absolute stability for a time‐delay systems class, which can be represented as a feedback connection of a linear dynamical system with unknown parameters and an uncertain nonlinearity satisfying a sector constraint. Control algorithm providing exponential stability of equilibrium position without disturbance and L ∞ ‐stability for disturbed systems is proposed for a class of output. Obtained results are validated with the aid of computer simulation of the two‐stage chemical reactor control. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxide Surface Plasmon Resonance for a New Sensing Platform in the Near‐Infrared Range
Authors: Matsui Hiroaki , Badalawa Wasanthamala , Ikehata Akifumi , Tabata Hitoshi
Published: May 2013

A new sensor platform is realized by surface plasmon resonance on doped oxide semiconductors of In2O3:Sn layers (oxide‐based SPR) in the near‐infrared range. The detection sensitivity of oxide‐based SPR is initially demonstrated by enhancement of the absorption band ascribed to molecular‐vibrational modes in the NIR range, which indicates that the enhancing effects occur only when coupling is achieved between excitations of surface plasmons and molecular vibrations. These results are supported by theoretical analyses of electromagnetic field amplitudes on the layer surfaces. Further studies with SPR measurements of glucose‐water solutions reveal that the precise detection sensitivity (S) of oxide‐based SPR is 7576 nm RIU−1, which is consistent with the theoretically estimated sensitivity (S = 7447 nm RIU−1). The experimentally and theoretically obtained resolution in the refractive index is on the order of 10−5, which also supports the appearance of molecular‐vibrational modes in the SPR spectra. Finally, it is found that the detection sensitivity of oxide‐based SPR is close to that of Au metal‐based SPR working in the visible range, a result that is discussed in relation to the spatial coherence and major characteristics of SP waves at the metal–water interfaces of In2O3:Sn and Au layers.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Carboxy‐Terminated Poly(trimethylene propane trifumarate)–Poly(ethylene glycol) as a Biodegradable Mucoadhesive Resin
Authors: Jency P. J. , Thomas Vinoy , Jayabalan M.
Published: May 2013

Carboxy‐terminated poly(trimethylene propane trifumarate) (CT‐TPF) oligomers were prepared as a mucoadhesive resin using different process variables. The process variables influence the condensation and molecular size and reactivity of the resin leading to different resins with variation in reactivity and molecular size. Four oligomers were prepared by refluxing at different temperatures, TPF1 (refluxing at 70–80°C for 15 min), TPF2 (refluxing at 80–100°C for 60 min), TPF3 (refluxing at 120–140°C for 15 min), and TPF4 (refluxing at 120–140°C for 30 min). A process parameter with refluxing at 120–140°C for 30 min resulted in a higher molecular weight fast setting resin, TPF4 (Mn2700,Mw2920 and polydispersity 1.08). Hydrogel adhesives were prepared using TPF4 resin, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA,Mn750), andn‐vinyl pyrrolidone. TPF4 undergoes setting with setting time 8 ± 0.55 min with PEGDMA andn‐vinyl pyrrolidone. The present hydrogel adhesive has higher shear holding time, 105 ± 3 s and peel strength 13 ± 0.002 kg/m at the speed of 0.022 m/s. The aging of the cured adhesive in the simulated biological fluids reveals gradual degradation due to the cross‐linked nature of the cured adhesive. The cured hydrogel adhesive is cytocompatible with L929 fibroblast cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 20200; View this article online atwileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.20200
Blood‐based gene‐expression predictors of PTSD risk and resilience among deployed marines: A pilot study
Authors: Glatt Stephen J. , Tylee Daniel S. , Chandler Sharon D. , Pazol Joel , Nievergelt Caroline M. , Woelk Christopher H. , Baker Dewleen G. , Lohr James B. , Kremen William S. , Litz Brett T. , Tsuang Ming T. ,   Marine Resiliency Study Investigators
Published: May 2013

Susceptibility to PTSD is determined by both genes and environment. Similarly, gene‐expression levels in peripheral blood are influenced by both genes and environment, and expression levels of many genes show good correspondence between peripheral blood and brain. Therefore, our objectives were to test the following hypotheses: (1) pre‐trauma expression levels of a gene subset (particularly immune‐system genes) in peripheral blood would differ between trauma‐exposed Marines who later developed PTSD and those who did not; (2) a predictive biomarker panel of the eventual emergence of PTSD among high‐risk individuals could be developed based on gene expression in readily assessable peripheral blood cells; and (3) a predictive panel based on expression of individual exons would surpass the accuracy of a model based on expression of full‐length gene transcripts. Gene‐expression levels were assayed in peripheral blood samples from 50 U.S. Marines (25 eventual PTSD cases and 25 non‐PTSD comparison subjects) prior to their deployment overseas to war‐zones in Iraq or Afghanistan. The panel of biomarkers dysregulated in peripheral blood cells of eventual PTSD cases prior to deployment was significantly enriched for immune genes, achieved 70% prediction accuracy in an independent sample based on the expression of 23 full‐length transcripts, and attained 80% accuracy in an independent sample based on the expression of one exon from each of five genes. If the observed profiles of pre‐deployment mRNA‐expression in eventual PTSD cases can be further refined and replicated, they could suggest avenues for early intervention and prevention among individuals at high risk for trauma exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel phenyl‐POSS/polyurethane aqueous dispersions and their hybrid coatings
Authors: Hu Jiankun , Li Lian , Zhang Siwei , Gong Linbo , Gong Shuling
Published: May 2013

A facile and rapid preparation of 3‐(2‐aminoethylamino)propylheptaphenylPOSS (AA‐POSS), a special phenyl‐POSS that contains two functional amino groups (Scheme 1), is demonstrated by the corner‐capping method. Then AA‐POSS forms a series of novel phenyl‐POSS/PU aqueous dispersions. The structure of AA‐POSS has been confirmed by 1H, 13C, 29Si NMR, and ESI‐MS. The POSS/PU hybrid films are studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). FT‐IR and GPC are conducted to validate the chemical structure of the hybrid PU. The properties of hybrid films display significant changes with notable increases in Tg, thermal properties, tensile strength, as well as surface hydrophobicity. These changes are attributed to the incorporation of novel POSS into PU. Moreover, these significant material property enhancements are achieved at low levels of POSS incorporation (only 4%). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1611–1620, 2013
Microwave irradiated synthesis of grafted cationic starch: Synthesis, characterization, application, and biodegradation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wang Jian‐kun , Wang Rui , Dong Yong‐chun
Published: May 2013

A biodegradable copolymer was synthesized by grafting copolymerization of acrylamide, β‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and n‐butyl acrylate onto corn cationic starch (CS) by microwave irradiation. The grafted cationic starch (GCS) was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The optimum conditions on graft copolymerization with respect to reaction temperature, exposure time, and initiator concentration were investigated. Physicochemical properties of GCS, such as swelling power, solubility, intrinsic viscosity, and apparent viscosity, were studied, and its application performances as textile sizing agent were tested. Results showed that compared with CS, physicochemical properties of GCS were significantly improved, including decreased crystallinity, weakened granular, increased hydration capacity, and rheological property. Polyester/cotton blended yarns sized with GCS obtained more reinforced mechanical properties than samples sized with CS and exhibited higher tensile strength and abrasion resistance than polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sized yarns. The mechanisms that the starch physicochemical properties affected on the sizing performances were discussed as well. Biodegradation analysis on these sizing agents showed that BOD5/CODcr of GCS was 0.263, which outclasses that of PVA (BOD5/CODcr = 0.009). This novel biomaterial could be expected to have promising applications especially in textile industry and be an ideal substitute for PVA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1645–1652, 2013
Effect of solid‐state stress induced reaction on morphology and structure of metallocene polyethylene
Authors: Zou Huawei , Chen Yang , Liang Mei , Liu Pengbo
Published: May 2013

Metallocene‐catalyzed polyethylene (mPE) powder was prepared through a mechanochemical reactor in solid state at ambient temperature. The changes of morphology and structure of mPE were investigated by SEM, FTIR, DSC, viscosimetry, GPC, WAXD, dynamic rheometer, and high pressure capillary rheometer methods. FTIR measurement illustrated that the branching degree of mPE increased after mechanochemical reaction. Combined with the dynamic rheological analysis, it was proved that the rupture and combination of macromolecular chain undergo strong shear resulted in the formation of long chain branches. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystal form of mPE transferred from rhombic to monoclinic system partly, and the crystalline degree increased slightly in the initial mechanochemical reaction period. Viscometer test results exhibited that molecular weight of mPE dropped during the mechanochemical treatment. Rheology measurement indicated that the critical shear rate of the shark‐skin failure enhanced and the extruded stands exhibited smooth face for the mPE after mechanochemical treatment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1691–1699, 2013
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Some Novel Thebaine Derivatives: N‐(Tetrazol‐1H‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endoethenotetrahydrothebaine Incorporating the 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole or the 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Moiety
Authors: Yavuz Serkan , Ünal Yusuf , Pamir Özgür , Yılmazer Demet , Kurtipek Ömer , Kavutçu Mustafa , Arslan Mustafa , Ark Mustafa , Yıldırır Yılmaz
Published: May 2013

In this study, we synthesized some novel N‐(tetrazol‐1H‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endoethenotetrahydrothebaine 7α‐substituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives as potential analgesic agents. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectral data. The analgesic activity was evaluated by a rat‐hot plate test model and a rat tail‐flick model. Compound 12 showed analgesic activity higher than that of morphine. In addition to a histopathological and biochemical evaluation, the LD50 dose for the most active compound 12 was determined.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Three‐Dimensional Bone Shape of the Knee Predicts Onset of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Neogi Tuhina , Bowes Michael A. , Niu Jingbo , De Souza Kevin M. , Vincent Graham R. , Goggins Joyce , Zhang Yuqing , Felson David T.
Published: May 2013

Objective

To examine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based 3‐dimensional (3‐D) bone shape predicts the onset of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

We conducted a case–control study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative by identifying knees that developed incident tibiofemoral radiographic knee OA (case knees) during followup, and matching them each to 2 random control knees. Using knee MRIs, we performed active appearance modeling of the femur, tibia, and patella and linear discriminant analysis to identify vectors that best classified knees with OA versus those without OA. Vectors were scaled such that −1 and +1 represented the mean non‐OA and mean OA shapes, respectively. We examined the relation of 3‐D bone shape to incident OA (new‐onset Kellgren and Lawrence [K/L] grade ≥2) occurring 12 months later using conditional logistic regression.

Results

A total of 178 case knees (incident OA) were matched to 353 control knees. The whole joint (i.e., tibia, femur, and patella) 3‐D bone shape vector had the strongest magnitude of effect, with knees in the highest tertile having a 3.0 times higher likelihood of developing incident radiographic knee OA 12 months later compared with those in the lowest tertile (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.8–5.0, P < 0.0001). The associations were even stronger among knees that had completely normal radiographs before incidence (K/L grade of 0) (odds ratio 12.5 [95% CI 4.0–39.3]). Bone shape at baseline, often several years before incidence, predicted later OA.

Conclusion

MRI‐based 3‐D bone shape predicted the later onset of radiographic OA. Further study is warranted to determine whether such methods can detect treatment effects in trials and provide insight into the pathophysiology of OA development.
Assessment of the water supply to Mediterranean heavy precipitation: a method based on finely designed water budgets
Authors: Duffourg F. , Ducrocq V.
Published: May 2013

A major ingredient for Mediterranean Heavy Precipitating Events (HPEs) is the low‐level moisture transport towards the coast. This paper proposes a methodology allowing a spatially and temporally continuous study of the water supply to Mediterranean HPEs. It is based on water budgets computed from mesoscale numerical simulation outputs. The method is applied on four typical HPEs over Southeastern France. It allows to identify and assess quantitatively the contributions of local Mediterranean and remote African and Atlantic moisture sources.
Diurnal cycle of precipitation over the eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatra Island during different phases of Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Fujita Mikiko , Takahashi Hiroshi G. , Hara Masayuki
Published: May 2013

Observed difference in diurnal cycle of precipitation over the eastern Indian Ocean between positive and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phases was investigated using a regional model. During the negative IOD phase, prominent precipitation peak was over the land during evening in both observation and model, while precipitation often appeared over the ocean during early morning. In the positive IOD phase, precipitation peak was shifted to the northern area where sea surface temperature was warm. The amount of precipitation in the southern area during the negative phase was more than three times larger than that in the positive phase.
Fluorescence quenching investigation on the interaction of glutathione‐CdTe/CdS quantum dots with sanguinarine and its analytical application
Authors: Shen Yizhong , Liu Shaopu , He Youqiu
Published: May 2013

Water‐soluble glutathione (GSH)‐capped core/shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized. In pH 5.4 sodium phosphate buffer medium, the interaction between GSH‐CdTe/CdS QDs and sanguinarine (SA) was investigated by spectroscopic methods, including fluorescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy. Addition of SA to GSH‐CdTe/CdS QDs results in fluorescence quenching of GSH‐CdTe/CdS QDs. Quenching intensity was in proportion to the concentration of SA in a certain range. Investigation of the quenching mechanism, proved that the fluorescence quenching of GSH‐CdTe/CdS QDs by SA is a result of electron transfer. Based on the quenching of the fluorescence of GSH‐CdTe/CdS QDs by SA, a novel, simple, rapid and specific method for SA determination was proposed. The detection limit for SA was 3.4 ng/mL and the quantitative determination range was 0.2–40.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9988. The method has been applied to the determination of SA in synthetic samples and fresh urine samples of healthy human with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of immune therapy on surgical site infection following Crohn's Disease resection
Authors: Serradori T , Germain A , Scherrer M L , Ayav C , Perez M , Romain B , Palot J P , Rohr S , Peyrin-Biroulet L , Bresler L
Published: May 2013

Background

Patients with Crohn's disease are increasingly receiving antitumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) therapy. Whether anti-TNF-α therapy increases the risk of postoperative infectious complications in Crohn's disease is a matter of debate.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of three referral centres. The charts of patients who underwent ileocaecal or ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed. The impact of baseline characteristics and Crohn's disease-related medications on the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications was investigated by univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 217 patients were included in the study. Median age at the time of surgery was 36·8 (range 15–78) years. A postoperative intra-abdominal infection occurred in 24 (11·1 per cent) of 217 patients. No deaths were reported. On univariable analysis, age less than 25 years (P = 0·023), steroid use (P = 0·017), anti-TNF-α therapy (P = 0·043) and anti-TNF-α treatment in combination with steroids (P = 0·004) were associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. On multivariable analysis, only anti-TNF-α therapy in combination with steroids significantly increased this risk (odds ratio 8·03, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·93 to 33·43; P = 0·035).

Conclusion

Combined use of steroids and anti-TNF-α therapy was associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications.
Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Bimetallic Pt‐Ni Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation from Chemical Hydrogen Storage Materials
Authors: Aranishi Kengo , Singh Ashish Kumar , Xu Qiang
Published: May 2013

Bimetallic Pt‐Ni dendrimer‐encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) with different Pt/Ni ratios have been successfully synthesized through the co‐complexation of Pt2+ and Ni2+ cations to the internal tertiary amine of fourth‐generation hydroxyl‐terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (G4‐OH) followed by coreduction by NaBH4 in aqueous solution. The catalytic activities for the decomposition of hydrous hydrazine and the hydrolysis of ammonia borane over the Pt‐Ni DENs have been studied in aqueous solution, and the Pt‐Ni DENs show high catalytic performances for these hydrogen‐generation reactions. TEM measurements reveal that the size‐controlled Pt‐Ni NPs, which have an average particle size of 1.1±0.3 nm, are encapsulated in the G4‐OH dendrimer.
Aptamer‐Based SERS Assay of ATP and Lysozyme by Using Primer Self‐Generation
Authors: Ye Sujuan , Xiao Jie , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhang Shusheng
Published: May 2013

A simple bifunctional surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay based on primer self‐generation strand‐displacement polymerization (PS‐SDP) is developed to detect small molecules or proteins in parallel. Triphosphate (ATP) and lysozyme are used as the models of small molecules and proteins. Compared to traditional bifunctional methods, the method possesses some remarkable features as follows: 1) by virtue of the simple PS‐SDP reaction, a bifunctional aptamer assembly binding of trigger 1 and trigger 2 was used as a functional structure for the simultaneous sensing of ATP or lysozyme. 2) The concept of isothermal amplification bifunctional detection has been first introduced into SERS biosensing applications as a signal‐amplification tool. 3) The problem of high background induced by excess bio‐barcodes is circumvented by using magnetic beads (MBs) as the carrier of signal‐output products and massive of hairpin DNA binding with SERS active bio‐barcodes relied on Au nanoparticles (Au NPs), SERS signal is significantly enhanced. Overall, with multiple amplification steps and one magnetic‐separation procedure, this flexible biosensing system exhibited not only high sensitivity and specificity, with the detection limits of ATP and lysozyme of 0.05 nM and 10 fM, respectively.
Advanced simulation of transient multiphase flow & flow assurance in the oil & gas industry
Authors: Lakehal Djamel
Published: May 2013

We discuss here current computational trends (beyond Mechanistic 1D Models) related to transient multiphase flow and flow assurance problems in the oil and gas sector. The developments needed to bring advanced Computational fluid & Multiphase‐fluid dynamics (CFD & CMFD) techniques and models to a mature stage will also be discussed. The contribution presents the possibilities offered today by these simulation technologies to treat complex, multiphase, multicomponent flow problems occurring in the gas and petroleum engineering in general. Examples of various degrees of sophistication will be presented, without focusing on the validation aspect as such. The models are briefly introduced (phase averages, N‐phase, interface tracking, Lagrangian particle tracking and granular flow model). © 2013 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Physician Factors Affecting Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral and Patient Enrollment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ghisi Gabriela L. M. , Polyzotis Peter , Oh Paul , Pakosh Maureen , Grace Sherry L.
Published: May 2013

Physicians play an important role in CR referral and enrollment. Despite established benefits and recommendations, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) enrollment rates are pervasively low. The reasons cardiac patients are missing from CR programs are multifactorial and include provider factors. A number of studies have now investigated physician factors associated with referral to CR programs and patient enrollment. The objective of this study was to qualitatively and systematically review this literature. A literature search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and EBM was conducted for published articles from database inception to October 2011. Overall, 17 articles were included following a process of independent review of each article by 2 authors. Seven (41.2%) were graded as good quality according to Downs and Black criteria. There were no randomized controlled trials. Results showed that medical specialty (ie, cardiac specialists more likely to refer; n = 8 studies) and other physician‐reported reasons (eg, physician report of their reasons for CR referral and physician sex) were related to referral. Physician factors related to patient enrollment in CR were physician endorsement, medical specialty, being referred, and physician attitudes toward CR. Physician factors are consistently related to CR referral and enrollment. The role of physician endorsements in promoting patient enrollment should be optimized and exploited.
Discovery of Piperidine‐Linked Pyridine Analogues as Potent Non‐nucleoside HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Authors: Chen Xuwang , Li Yuanyuan , Ding Shufang , Balzarini Jan , Pannecouque Christophe , De Clercq Erik , Liu Huiqing , Liu Xinyong
Published: May 2013

In our continued efforts to discover more active and less toxic HIV‐1 non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, we recently designed a novel series of piperidine‐linked pyridine analogues on the basis of diarylpyrimidine derivatives, among which two drugs—etravirine and rilpivirine—are approved for use by the US FDA. The title compounds were evaluated for activity against wild‐type and resistant mutant strains of HIV‐1 as well as HIV‐2 in MT‐4 cells. The highly potent compound BD‐c1 (EC50=10 nM, CC50≥146 μM, SI≥14 126) displays lower cytotoxicity and higher selectivity than etravirine (EC50=2.2 nM, CC50=28 μM, SI=12 884) against wild‐type HIV‐1. Compound BD‐e2 (EC50=5.1 nM) shows greater antiviral efficacy against wild‐type HIV‐1 than do the four reference drugs nevirapine, delavirdine, efavirenz, and zidovudine. Many compounds were also found to be active against the frequently observed drug‐resistant double mutant (K103N+Y181C) HIV‐1 strain. Herein we report the design, synthesis, anti‐HIV evaluation, preliminary structure–activity relationships, and molecular simulations of novel piperidine‐linked pyridine analogues.