bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Harmonious Development of the College Sports Game Status and Strategic Thinking
Authors: Di Jian Yong , Yang Yan Mei , Xi Kai Lei , Xu Xiao Feng
Published: February 2011

This paper introduces game theory to analysis of the development of college sports in the emerging imbalance. In the new social conditions, the paper is to explore the deep interaction of decision-making behavior in college educational resource allocation. Aim at exploring to make college physical education resources optimize the mode of cooperation, and promote the harmonious development of college sports.
The Unbiased Estimator Based on the Function of Poisson Population
Authors: Li Zhen Dong , Sun Cui Xian , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2011

The unbiased estimator of unknown parametric function based on possion’s population is discussed, and the expression of two classes of estimable function are given. Applying Maclaurin's series, it’s proved that the unbiased estimator of the functions are exist, and utilizing the induction method , derived out the generalized expression of unbiased estimator. By means of comparing the unbiased estimator of the two classes of estimable functions, it’s found that the estimator cannot be direct constructed with parametric estimator.
Study on the Effect Factors of Non-Perormance Loan Ratio of Chinese Commerical Banks
Authors: Li Ping , Zhuo Ming Ying , Feng Li Chao , Zhang Rui
Published: February 2011

Non-performance loan ratio is one of the important assessment criteria of the security of credit assets. It is also an important financial indicator to evaluate the general strength of commercial banks. Using principal component analysis method and statistical software SPSS16.0 and based on the non-performance loan ratio and relative data of some commercial banks in China in 2007, this paper provided a principal component analysis model for the non-performance loan ratio of China’s commercial banks. The factors that affect the non-performance loan ratio were refined in this paper. Finally, the characteristics of effect factors of each bank were analyzed and compared in detail.
Research on Generalized Green Computing
Authors: Hu Juan Li , Deng Jia Bin , Liu Jin Bo , Wu Jue Bo
Published: February 2011

Green, energy-saving, environmental protection and sustainable development have become the most popular buzzword and topic in science research. This paper presents the concept of generalized green computing and describes the limit and the range for it, including the research task and relationship. It analyzes and compares these researches on green computing. Problems of current topics are discussed, and finally future directions are proposed in this paper.
Earthquake Loss Assessment Based on Industry Association
Authors: Xue Xiao Guang , Xiong Yan , Song Xu Chao
Published: February 2011

current research on earthquake damage assessment summarizes In this paper，the composition of the input-output tables and internal relations were introduced, given the earthquake loss assessment methods which base on industry association.
Existence of Positive Solutions for a Class of Higher-Order Neutral Delay Difference Equations
Authors: Wang Dong Hua , Cui Yu Huan , Hao Pu Yu
Published: February 2011

In this paper, a class of higher-order neutral delay difference equations is investigated. Some sufficient condition of the asymptotic behavior and existence of positive solutions for the equations are obtained. At last, we give their applications to some more general equations.
Numerical Studies on Resistive Wall Instabilities in Cylindrical Plasma Confined by Surface Current
Authors: Cui Shao Yan , Xie Peng
Published: February 2011

The stability of resistive wall mode is studied in cylindrical plasma confined by surface current, which is Dirac -function distribution. For Dirac -function distribution case, it is shown that the perturbations oscillate and even decline wherever the initial perturbation seed is placed. The whole system is stable and the plasma flow has little effect on it.
Use of Information Discrepancy Measure to Register Medical Images
Authors: Sun Shao Yan , Chen Lei
Published: February 2011

Function of Degree of Disagreement (FDOD), a new measure of information discrepancy, quantifies the discrepancy of multiple sequences. This function has some peculiar mathematical properties, such as symmetry, boundedness and monotonicity. In this contribution, we first introduce the FDOD function to solve the three-dimensional (3-D) medical image registration problem. Numerical experiments illustrate that the new registration method based on the FDOD function can obtain subvoxel registration accuracy, and it is a competitive method with the mutual information based method.
Filling Holes in Triangular Meshes with Feature Preserved
Authors: Hu Ping , Wang Chang Sheng , Li Bao Jun , Liu Ming Zeng
Published: February 2011

In this paper, a novel hole-filling algorithm for triangular meshes is proposed. Firstly, the hole is triangulated into a set of new triangles using modified principle of minimum angle. Then the initial patching mesh is refined according to the density of vertices on boundary edges. Finally, the patching mesh is optimized via the bilateral filter to recover missed features. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm fills complex holes robustly, and preserves geometric features to a certain extent as well.
The Comprehensive Evaluation of the Human All-Round Development Based on G1- Standard Deviation and Empirical Study
Authors: Zhou Li Bin , Li Gang , Chi Guo Tai
Published: February 2011

According to the connotation of the Scientific Outlook on Development, this paper constructed the comprehensive Human All-Round Development evaluation index system, determined the optimal weights of indicators by combining G1 method and Standard Deviation method and analyzed the Human All-Round Development of 14 provinces. The contribution characteristics lie on two aspects. Firstly, through the evaluation of the quality of life, quality of human and human capital environment, economic development environment, social development and environment reflect the harmony between humans and nature, humans and the society, humans and humans. Secondly, to evaluate the human All-Round development by determining the weights of indicators in using G1 and Standard Deviation could reflect its own characteristics and indicator data expertise.
Dynamic Analysis of Sandwich Beams Filled with ER Elastomers
Authors: Bai Quan , Wei Ke Xiang , Zhang Wen Ming
Published: February 2011

Considered electrorheological (ER) elastomers as the visco-elasticity material, a finite element model of a sandwich beam filled with ER elastomers was developed based on Hamilton’s principle and sandwich beam’s theory. Then its dynamic characteristics were analyzed. Simulation results show that natural frequencies of the sandwich beam increase and vibration amplitudes of the beam decrease as the intensity of applied electric field increases. Increased the thickness of the ER elastomers layer, natural frequencies of the beam decrease and loss factors increase. Those indicate that the dynamic characteristic of ER elastomers sandwich beams is similar as that of ER fluids beam, which can be used for vibration control of flexible structures by applied a electric field.
Modeling and Rendering Realistic Trees
Authors: Cai Xing Quan , Qian Bao Xin , Li Jin Hong
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we present an efficient modeling and rendering realistic trees method based on recursive fractals. Firstly, according to the growth characteristics of poplar trees, we divide the trees model into three parts, trunks, branches and leaves. We provide a multi-branches tree topological structure to organize all the trunks and the branches, and add leaves to leaf nodes of our multi-branches tree structure. Then we define the recursive fractals iterator to generate trunks model and side branches model, and use billboard to simulate the tree leaves. After that, we render the trees. Finally, we implement our method, and model and render different shape trees. The experiments prove that our method is feasible and high performance.
New Method of Reliability Analysis for Deep Tunnel
Authors: Chen Guo Qing , Su Guo Shao , Li Tian Bin
Published: February 2011

The performance function of deep tunnel in the reliability analysis can not be explicitly expressed and has non-linear characteristics, a new method of reliability analysis is proposed by combining intelligent methods and Monte Carlo principle. The support vector machine(SVM) model is employed to establish the nonlinear mapping relationship between basic random variables and structural response action, particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the parameters of SVM model. The learned SVM model is integrated with Monte Carlo method to calculate the failure probability and reliability. At last, the validity of the proposed method is verified by two typical engineering examples, the reliability index of wall rock along Jinping Hydropower Station diversion tunnels is calculated，the results are in good agreement with the actual situations. The proposed method could benefits other similar projects.
Producing Mechanism and Distribution Laws of Remote Cracks for Geotechnical Engineering Structure
Authors: Zhang Hou Quan , Huang Xing Gen , Xue Li Bing , Zhang Yan Feng
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this paper is to investigate producing mechanism and distribution laws of remote cracks for geotechnical engineering structure. The fracture modes of geotechnical material containing a hole with different lateral confining pressure coefficients of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, 0.33, 0.75 and 1 were numerically simulated using RFPA2D (rock failure process analysis) code. The results indicate that under a certain confining pressure, three types of cracks, i.e., primary crack, remote crack and shear crack, can be observed simultaneously in the same sample. When the lateral pressure coefficient is satisfied that 0<k<0.33, the remote cracks in en echelon forms occur in the remote region from the hole. The minimum distance of remote crack from the hole boundary is more than 0.5r (“r” denotes the radius of hole). Remote cracks are resulted by the connection of many micro vertical tensile cracks. The distribution laws of remote cracks are followed by the modulus r (i=1, 2, 3, 4). A primary tensile crack is one necessary condition for the occurrence of remote cracks for circular geotechnical engineering structure.
A Level Set Method for Image Restoration
Authors: Huang Wai Bin , Lin Wei Ran
Published: February 2011

This paper presents a level set method for image restoration. In the light of the loss of image quality caused by occlusion or part stain, it adopts the method of picking-up image level sets and filling in level sets of occlusion to reconstruct the image. In the process of linking level lines, besides the traditional geodesic curves, it makes use of the Meaningful beeline detection technique. The experiment results show this method is of great importance in the preservation of images.
Design, Implementation and Performance Testing of Vector Control for a Flexible Biomimetic Octopus Arm
Authors: Wang Yu Kui , Guo C. , Li J. , Wang Y.W. , Wang Zhen Long
Published: February 2011

According to the principle of muscular hydrostats, a flexible biomimetic octopus arm is put forward firstly. The method of vector control for the flexible biomimetic octopus arm is presented and analysed in detail. Based on the combination of ARM (advanced RISC microprocessor) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arry), a control system for the flexibie biomiometic octopus arm is discussed, and the functions of every components is analysed. To verify the feasibility and reliability of the method of vector control, experimets are carried out. The experimemtal results demonstrate that this method applied in the control of the biomimetic octopus arm has a good performance.
Produce and Design of the Teaching Website - with an Example of Education Website of Mineral Processing Department
Authors: Bai Li Mei , Wang Ying Chun , Dai Shu Juan , Niu Fu Sheng
Published: February 2011

With the development of Network technology and multimedia, applying network to teaching and developing education and research services on the network has become the trend of deportment in teaching. Department of Mineral Processing according to its specialized characteristic designed and made the teaching website. The paper introduced the overall design and produce details of Education Web site of the mineral processing Department. In the paper, it was mainly mention who to design and plan in the pre-development, collect data and make Web page beautify in medium-term, and debug, publish, update and maintenance in the final, and so on.
Delay-Dependent Robust Stability of Cellular Neural Networks with Time-Varying Discrete and Distributed Delay
Authors: Wang Wei Wei , Su Wei Wei , Chen Yi Ming
Published: February 2011

Delay-dependent robust stability of neural networks with discrete and distributed delays is considered in this paper. Stability criteria are derived in LMIs avoiding bounding certain cross terms and the restriction of derivative of time-varying delay is removed. Numerical examples are given to indicate significant improvements over some existing results.
To Optimize a BP Network System
Authors: Tong Wei , Qin Li Ping
Published: February 2011

The neural network has been introduced into the studies of credit risk assessment. However, the ratio of the dataset for training and testing is difficult to determine, so the neural network is not robust enough to give the judgment. Therefore, using the 2000 instances of personal consumer credit data set for approval of credit applications of a provincial-level China Construction Bank, for the BP neural network model, the study focused on the ratio of the dataset for training and testing. The results show that, when the ratio of the dataset for training and testing is 800:1200, the neural network model 2 for credit risk assessment has better performance. And it can achieve the desired accuracy and computational efficiency, so the BP network system for credit risk assessment is optimized.
Investigation and Analysis about the Scientific Research Ability of Clinical Teachers Guiding Nursing Undergraduates
Authors: Dong Sheng Lian , Zhao Jia , Wu Qing Wen
Published: February 2011

In order to understand the scientific research ability of clinical teachers guiding nursing undergraduates in teaching hospitals, 221 clinical nursing teachers in 3 grade Ⅲ hospitals were investigated. The questionnaires included general information, research participation, paper writing and nursing research knowledge. The results show that the scientific research awareness of teachers in these hospitals is deficient. 51.1% of them participated in scientific research, 6.8% took charge of projects, and 51.6% published papers. Teachers with better educational background took part in more research projects and published more papers than the others, and the difference is significant (P<0.01). Those with higher professional titles or from affiliated hospitals published more papers than those with lower titles or from non-affiliated hospitals, and the difference is significant (P<0.01); however, there is no significant difference in research participation between them.
Analysis to Postgraduate Employment Plight under Dual-Economy
Authors: Li Hui Lan , Zhou Lei , Sun Chun Ling
Published: February 2011

Owing to the income gap between urban and rural, east and west, within and outside the system caused by the dual economy of our society, and the asymmetry between job opportunities and postgraduate enrollment scale, quality and requirements and so on , the structural plight in postgraduate employment appeared. In order to grasp the extent of postgraduate employment difficulties, trends and influencing factors, postgraduate employment rate, job satisfaction and the fluctuation of postgraduate enrollment in author’s university were analyzed and surveyed with samples, and the questionnaire results were analyzed through multivariate statistical analysis and social science statistics software in order to deeply analyze the causes of the plight of postgraduate employment and current employment problems and provide the basis for policy-setting and theoretical guidance.
A Review of Acute Cyanide Poisoning With a Treatment Update
Authors: Hamel Jillian
Published: February 2011

Cyanide causes intracellular hypoxia by reversibly binding to mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase a3. Signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning usually occur less than 1 minute after inhalation and within a few minutes after ingestion. Early manifestations include anxiety, headache, giddiness, inability to focus the eyes, and mydriasis. As hypoxia progresses, progressively lower levels of consciousness, seizures, and coma can occur. Skin may look normal or slightly ashen, and arterial oxygen saturation may be normal. Early respiratory signs include transient rapid and deep respirations. As poisoning progresses, hemodynamic status may become unstable. The key treatment is early administration of 1 of the 2 antidotes currently available in the United States: the well-known cyanide antidote kit and hydroxocobalamin. Hydroxocobalamin detoxifies cyanide by binding with it to form the renally excreted, non-toxic cyanocobalamin. Because it binds with cyanide without forming methemoglobin, hydroxocobalamin can be used to treat patients without compromising the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin.
Acute Kidney Injury: Not Just Acute Renal Failure Anymore?
Authors: Dirkes Susan
Published: February 2011

Until recently, no uniform standard existed for diagnosing and classifying acute renal failure. To clarify diagnosis, the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative group stated its consensus on the need for a clear definition and classification system of renal dysfunction with measurable criteria. Today the term acute kidney injury has replaced the term acute renal failure, with an understanding that such injury is a common clinical problem in critically ill patients and typically is predictive of an increase in morbidity and mortality. A classification system, known as RIFLE (risk of injury, injury, failure, loss of function, and end-stage renal failure), includes specific goals for preventing acute kidney injury: adequate hydration, maintenance of renal perfusion, limiting exposure to nephrotoxins, drug protective strategies, and the use of renal replacement therapies that reduce renal injury.
Diurnal variation of midlatitudinal NO3 column abundance over table mountain facility, California
Authors: Chen C. M. , Cageao R. P. , Lawrence L. , Stutz J. , Salawitch R. J. , Jourdain L. , Li Q. , Sander S. P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The column abundance of NO3 was measured over Table Mountain Facility, CA (34.4° N, 117.7° W) from May 2003 through September 2004, using lunar occultation near full moon with a grating spectrometer. The NO3 column retrieval was performed with the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique using both the 623 and 662 nm NO3 absorption bands. Other spectral features such as Fraunhofer lines and absorption from water vapor and oxygen were removed using solar spectra obtained at different airmass factors. We observed a seasonal variation, with nocturnally averaged NO3 columns between 5−7 × 1013 molec cm−2 during October through March, and 5−22 × 1013 molec cm−2 during April through September. A subset of the data, with diurnal variability vastly different from the temporal profile obtained from one-dimensional stratospheric model calculations, clearly has boundary layer contributions; this was confirmed by simultaneous long-path DOAS measurements. However, even the NO3 columns that did follow the modeled time evolution were often much larger than modeled stratospheric partial columns constrained by realistic temperatures and ozone concentrations. This discrepancy is attributed to substantial tropospheric NO3 in the free troposphere, which may have the same time dependence as stratospheric NO3.
Modelling the effect of denitrification on polar ozone depletion for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05
Authors: Feng W. , Chipperfield M. P. , Davies S. , Mann G. W. , Carslaw K. S. , Dhomse S.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. A three-dimensional (3-D) chemical transport model (CTM), SLIMCAT, has been used to quantify the effect of denitrification on ozone loss for the Arctic winter/spring 2004/05. The simulated HNO3 is found to be highly sensitive to the polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) scheme used in the model. Here the standard SLIMCAT full chemistry model, which uses a thermodynamic equilibrium PSC scheme, overpredicts the Arctic ozone loss for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05 due to the overestimation of denitrification and stronger chlorine activation than observed. A model run with a detailed microphysical denitrification scheme, DLAPSE (Denitrification by Lagrangian Particle Sedimentation), is less denitrified than the standard model run and better reproduces the observed HNO3 as measured by Airborne SUbmillimeter Radiometer (ASUR) and Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instruments. The overestimated denitrification causes a small overestimation of Arctic polar ozone loss (~5–10% at ~17 km) by the standard model. Use of the DLAPSE scheme improves the simulation of Arctic ozone depletion compared with the inferred partial column ozone loss from ozonesondes and satellite data. Overall, denitrification is responsible for a ~30% enhancement in O3 depletion for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05, suggesting that the successful simulation of the impact of denitrification on Arctic ozone depletion also requires the use of a detailed microphysical PSC scheme in the model.
Surface solar irradiance from SCIAMACHY measurements: algorithm and validation
Authors: Wang P. , Stammes P. , Mueller R.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Broadband surface solar irradiances (SSI) are, for the first time, derived from SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY) satellite measurements. The retrieval algorithm, called FRESCO (Fast REtrieval Scheme for Clouds from Oxygen A band) SSI, is similar to the Heliosat method. In contrast to the standard Heliosat method, the cloud index is replaced by the effective cloud fraction derived from the FRESCO cloud algorithm. The MAGIC (Mesoscale Atmospheric Global Irradiance Code) algorithm is used to calculate clear-sky SSI. The SCIAMACHY SSI product is validated against the globally distributed BSRN (Baseline Surface Radiation Network) measurements and compared with the ISCCP-FD (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Flux Dataset) surface shortwave downwelling fluxes (SDF). For one year of data in 2008, the mean difference between the instantaneous SCIAMACHY SSI and the hourly mean BSRN global irradiances is −4 W m−2(−1%) with a standard deviation of 101 W m−2 (20%). The mean difference between the globally monthly mean SCIAMACHY SSI and ISCCP-FD SDF is less than −12 W m−2 (−2%) for every month in 2006 and the standard deviation is 62 W m−2 (12%). The correlation coefficient is 0.93 between SCIAMACHY SSI and BSRN global irradiances and is greater than 0.96 between SCIAMACHY SSI and ISCCP-FD SDF. The evaluation results suggest that the SCIAMACHY SSI product achieves similar mean bias error and root mean square error as the surface solar irradiances derived from polar orbiting satellites with higher spatial resolution.
Performance of the HOMME dynamical core in the aqua-planet configuration of NCAR CAM4: equatorial waves
Authors: Mishra S. K. , Taylor M. A. , Nair R. D. , Tufo H. M. , Tribbia J. J.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. A new atmospheric dynamical core, named the High Order Method Modeling Environment (HOMME), has been recently included in the NCAR-Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4). It is a petascale capable high-order element-based conservative dynamical core developed on a cubed-sphere grid. We have examined the model simulations with HOMME using the aqua-planet mode of CAM4 (atmospheric component of CCSM4) and evaluated its performance in simulating the equatorial waves, considered a crucial element of climate variability. For this we compared the results with two other established models in CAM4 framework, which are the finite-volume (FV) and Eulerian spectral (EUL) dynamical cores. Although the gross features seem to be comparable, important differences have been found among the three dynamical cores. The phase speed of Kelvin waves in HOMME is faster and more satisfactory than those in FV and EUL. The higher phase speed is attributed to an increased large-scale precipitation in the upper troposphere and a more top-heavy heating structure. The variance of the n=1 equatorial Rossby waves is underestimated by all three of them, but comparatively HOMME simulations are more reasonable. For the n=0 eastward inertio-gravity waves, the variances are weak and phase speeds are too slow, scaled to shallow equivalent depths. However, the variance in HOMME is relatively more compared to the two other dynamical cores. The mixed Rossby-gravity waves are feeble in all the three cases. In summary, model simulations using HOMME are reasonably good, with some improvement relative to FV and EUL in capturing some of the important characteristics associated with equatorial waves.
Current sheets from Ulysses observation
Authors: Miao B. , Peng B. , Li G.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Current sheet is a significant source of solar wind MHD turbulence intermittency. It has long been recognized that these structures can arise from non-linear interactions of MHD turbulence. Alternatively, they may also be relic structures in the solar wind that have a solar origin, e.g., magnetic walls of flux tubes that separate solar wind plasma into distinct parcels. Identifying these structures in the solar wind is crucial to understanding the properties of the solar wind MHD turbulence. Using Ulysses observations we examine 3-year worth of solar wind magnetic field data when the Ulysses is at low latitude during solar minimum. Extending the previous work of Li (2007, 2008), we develop an automatic data analysis method of current sheet identification. Using this method, we identify more than 28000 current sheets. Various properties of the current sheet are obtained. These include the distributions of the deflection angle across the current sheet, the thickness of the current sheet and the waiting time statistics between current sheets.
Open‐Ended, N‐Doped Carbon Nanotube–Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures as High‐Performance Catalyst Support
Authors: Lv Ruitao , Cui Tongxiang , Jun Mun‐Suk , Zhang Qiang , Cao Anyuan , Su Dang Sheng , Zhang Zhengjun , Yoon Seong‐Ho , Miyawaki Jin , Mochida Isao , Kang Feiyu
Published: February 2011

A hierarchical N‐doped carbon nanotube‐graphene hybrid nanostructure (NCNT‐GHN), in which the graphene layers are distributed inside the CNT inner cavities, was designed to efficiently support noble metal (e.g., PtRu) nanoparticles. Well‐dispersed PtRu nanoparticles with diameters of 2–4 nm were immobilized onto these NCNT‐GHN supports by a low‐temperature chemical reduction method without any pretreatment. Compared to conventional CNTs and commercial catalysts. a much better catalytic performance was achieved by a synergistic effect of the hierarchical structure (graphene‐CNT hybrid) and electronic modulation (N‐doping) during the methanol electrooxidation reaction. Improved single‐cell performances with long‐term stability are also demonstrated using NCNT‐GHN as catalyst support.
High‐Resolution Near‐Field Optical Investigation of Crystalline Domains in Oligomeric PQT‐12 Thin Films
Authors: Kuehn Sergei , Pingel Patrick , Breusing Markus , Fischer Thomas , Stumpe Joachim , Neher Dieter , Elsaesser Thomas
Published: February 2011

The structure and morphology on different length scales dictate both the electrical and optical properties of organic semiconductor thin films. Using a combination of spectroscopic methods, including scanning near‐field optical microscopy, we study the domain structure and packing quality of highly crystalline thin films of oligomeric PQT‐12 with 100 nanometer spatial resolution. The pronounced optical anisotropy of these layers measured by polarized light microscopy facilitates the identification of regions with uniform molecular orientation. We find that a hierarchical order on three different length scales exists in these layers, made up of distinct well‐ordered dichroic areas at the ten‐micrometer‐scale, which are sub‐divided into domains with different molecular in‐plane orientation. These serve as a template for the formation of smaller needle‐like crystallites at the layer surface. A high degree of crystalline order is believed to be the cause of the rather high field‐effect mobility of these layers of 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1, whereas it is limited by the presence of domain boundaries at macroscopic distances.
Block Copolymer Permeable Membrane with Visualized High‐Density Straight Channels of Poly(ethylene oxide)
Authors: Yamamoto Takashi , Kimura Taro , Komura Motonori , Suzuki Yukimitsu , Iyoda Tomokazu , Asaoka Sadayuki , Nakanishi Haruyuki
Published: February 2011

A simple fabrication, scalable to centimeter scale, of a permeable membrane made of block copolymer containing molecular transport channels is demonstrated by coating photo‐crosslinkable liquid‐crystalline block copolymer, consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methacrylate) (PMA) bearing stilbene (Stb) mesogens in the side chains (PEO114‐b‐PMA(Stb)52), onto a sacrificial cellulose acetate film substrate. After thermal annealing, perpendicularly aligned and hexagonally arranged PEO cylindrical domains with a surface density of 1011 cm−2 were formed and then fixed efficiently by photo‐crosslinking the stilbene moieties in the PMA(Stb) domains by [2 + 2] dimerization. The fully penetrating straight PEO cylindrical domains across the 480‐nm‐thick membrane were well‐defined and visualized as molecule‐transport channels. After exfoliated by removal of the cellulose acetate layer, the membrane could be transferred onto another substrate by either scooping or a horizontal lifting method. Throughout the processes, the fully penetrating PEO channels across the membrane are preserved to open at both ends. A simple permeation experiment demonstrates that rhodamine dyes permeate efficiently through the PEO cylindrical channels of the annealed membrane but not across a non‐annealed one.
High Photoconductive Responsivity in Solution‐Processed Polycrystalline Organic Composite Films
Authors: Hernandez‐Sosa Gerardo , Coates Nelson. E , Valouch Sebastian , Moses Daniel
Published: February 2011

We demonstrate a novel approach for enhancing photoconductive responsivity (R) using a solution‐based organic semiconductor composite that yields R approaching 25 AW−1, which is two to three orders of magnitude higher than the R in films comprising a single molecular component. We present extensive studies of photoconductivity, photoluminescence, and crystalline structural order that elucidate the mechanisms underlying this high photoconductive responsivity. The high R is found to arise from high photoconductive gain (82) due to a long mobile hole lifetime stemming from a prolonged occupation of electrons in deep traps generated at interfacial regions between the molecular crystallites.
Single Molecule Electronic Devices
Authors: Song Hyunwook , Reed Mark A. , Lee Takhee
Published: February 2011

Single molecule electronic devices in which individual molecules are utilized as active electronic components constitute a promising approach for the ultimate miniaturization and integration of electronic devices in nanotechnology through the bottom‐up strategy. Thus, the ability to understand, control, and exploit charge transport at the level of single molecules has become a long‐standing desire of scientists and engineers from different disciplines for various potential device applications. Indeed, a study on charge transport through single molecules attached to metallic electrodes is a very challenging task, but rapid advances have been made in recent years. This review article focuses on experimental aspects of electronic devices made with single molecules, with a primary focus on the characterization and manipulation of charge transport in this regime.
Reducing the energy demand of corn‐based fuel ethanol through salt extractive distillation enabled by electrodialysis
Authors: Hussain Mohammed A. M. , Anthony Jennifer L. , Pfromm Peter H.
Published: February 2011

The thermal energy demand for producing fuel ethanol from the fermentation broth of a contemporary corn‐to‐fuel ethanol plant in the U.S. is largely satisfied by combustion of fossil fuels, which impacts the possible economical and environmental advantages of bioethanol over fossil fuels. To reduce the thermal energy demand for producing fuel ethanol, a process integrating salt extractive distillation—enabled by a new scheme of electrodialysis and spray drying for salt recovery—in the water‐ethanol separation train of a contemporary corn‐to‐fuel ethanol plant is investigated. Process simulation using Aspen Plus® 2006.5, with the electrolyte nonrandom two liquid Redlich‐Kwong property method to model the vapor liquid equilibrium of the water‐ethanol‐salt system, was carried out. The integrated salt extractive distillation process may provide a thermal energy savings of about 30%, when compared with the contemporary process for separating fuel ethanol from the beer column distillate. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Magnetic resonance imaging to measure concentration profiles of solutes diffusing in stagnant beds of cellulosic fibers
Authors: Tozzi E. J. , Lavenson D. M. , McCarthy M. J. , Powell R. L.
Published: February 2011

The evolution of the concentration profiles of an adsorbing solute diffusing in a stagnant bed of cellulosic fibers is measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Effective diffusivities are calculated by matching concentration profiles with a numerical model of one‐dimensional Fickian diffusion. The measured values of the effective diffusion coefficients are interpreted using a model that accounts for the porosity, tortuosity, and adsorption equilibrium constant. The effective diffusivities in fiber beds are significantly lower than the bulk diffusivity of the solute and highly dependent on fiber type. The diffusivity is lower for the fiber type that exhibited stronger adsorption properties. The influence of concentration, adsorption, and other fiber characteristics on diffusion rates and rates of reaction is discussed. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Mortality among workers at a municipal waste incinerator
Authors: Gustavsson Per
Published: February 2011

Mortality was investigated among 176 male workers employed for at least 1 year between 1920 and 1985 at a municipal waste incinerator. Expected numbers of deaths from 1951 to 1985 were calculated from national and local death rates, standardized for age and calendar year. There was an excess of deaths from lung cancer and, after long follow‐up, for ischemic heart disease. Analysis of duration of exposure supported that the excess of ischemic heart disease was caused by occupational factors; the lung cancer cases were too few to permit conclusions in this respect. Exposure to combustion products and polycyclic aromatic compounds were common, but other occupational exposures may also have contributed to the risk excesses. Smoking habits were investigated and did not differ from the average for Swedish men in cities and towns. Some work operations are very dusty and should be performed only with appropriate protection devices.
Medical surveillance of hazardous waste workers: Ability of laboratory tests to discriminate exposure
Authors: Favata Elissa Ann , Gochfeld Michael
Published: February 2011

The assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites has become a growth industry. Unlike traditional factory employment, chemical exposures on wastes sites are likely to involve uncharacterized mixtures. Medical surveillance of hazardous waste workers has become a major preventive strategy. To evaluate the effectiveness of the traditional laboratory tests employed in most surveillance programs, we compared test results in two groups of hazardous waste workers (409 males, 68 females) with responsibilities for the assessment and management of waste sites. We stratified employees into a group with a high potential for exposure (“exposed”) and a group with a low potential for exposure (“unexposed”). Fifty‐five clinical chemistry, hematologic, and urinalysis variables were contrasted using an analysis of variance. The only consistently significant difference was a low mean corpuscular volume in the “exposed” group. The lack of other significant findings suggests that either the true exposure status of individuals was not reflected in our classification or that the traditional tests were inappropriate or insensitive. We conclude that it is essential to evaluate surveillance results carefully and to develop protocols that are appropriate to the actual exposures encountered in hazardous waste work.
Mortality comparisons of chemical workers hired before, during, and after World War II (1941–1945)
Authors: Bond Gregory G. , Lipps Thomas E. , Cook Ralph R.
Published: February 2011

Cause‐specific mortality was evaluated by period of hire for 37,682 male chemical workers in order to test the hypothesis that employees hired during World War II (1941–1945) were at increased risk for selected causes of death. One recent study of refinery workers reported that those hired during the war years had experienced greater mortality from external causes (accidents, homicides, and suicides), alcoholism, and cancers of several sites relative to employees hired before or after the war. In the present study, employees were divided into three period‐of‐hire subcohorts: prior to 1941, 1941–1945 (World War II), and 1946 and after. Comparison of observed mortality among these subcohorts through 1982 was made with expected levels based on age‐ and calendar year‐specific U.S. white male rates. Neither hourly nor salaried employees hired during the war showed evidence of higher mortality from homicide, suicide, alcoholism, or any of the selected cancer types suggested from the refinery study. Hourly, but not salaried, war years new hires experienced excessive mortality from only those accidents involving motor vehicles. Possible reasons for the discrepant findings between this and the earlier study of refinery workers are discussed, with methodological differences being dismissed.
Occipital Ossification of Balaenopteroid Mysticetes
Authors: Walsh Breda M. , Berta Annalisa
Published: February 2011

The bones of the posterior portion of the mammalian skull often exhibit incomplete ossification of the joints between the bones at the time of birth, with complete ossification at some point after birth. The sequence of ossification of these joints in mysticetes can be used to characterize the relative age in the calf and early juvenile ontogenetic stages. This study examined occipital joints ossification of 38 dry prepared neonate specimens in four mysticete species from two families (Eschrichtiidae: Eschrichtius robustus; Balaenopteridae: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Balaenoptera physalus, and Megaptera novaeangliae). Each of the joints responsible for the fusion of the occiput were examined and rated for degree of ossification. The cranial ossification analysis indicates that E. robustus calves have open occipital joints until ∼6 months of age and are born at a less mature stage than closely related balaenopterids. All of the species followed the same sequence of ossification: basioccipital/exoccipital joint, followed by the basioccipital/basisphenoid joint, and completed by the supraoccipital/exoccipital joint. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aminocarbonyl Arylvinylbenzamides as Gastric Sparing Anti‐inflammatory Agents
Authors: Khadse Saurabh C. , Talele Gokul S. , Agrawal Surendra S.
Published: February 2011

Some (E/Z)‐aminocarbonyl arylvinylbenzamides (B1–B15) were synthesized, evaluated for anti‐inflammatory activity and ulcerogenic tendency, and their effect on gastro‐intestinal motility in the rats was studied. These benzamides comprising of aliphatic unsaturated region situated between two amide linkages were synthesized by nucleophilic ring opening of appropriate azlactones (AZ1–AZ4) by suitable amines. The characterization of newly synthesized benzamides was performed by IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, mass and elemental analysis. Amongst the tested compounds, benzamide B1, B2, B4, B5, and B13 were able to produce comparable or superior anti‐inflammatory activity at 10 and 20 mg/kg p.o. dose with respect to standard diclofenac in carrageenan induced rat paw edema model with lessened propensity to cause gastro‐intestinal hypermotility and were found to have nil tendencies to generate gastric ulcers.
Quality‐structure index: A new metric to measure scientific journal influence
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Liu Xu , Xu Yunjie (Calvin) , Wang Youwei
Published: February 2011

An innovative model to measure the influence among scientific journals is developed in this study. This model is based on the path analysis of a journal citation network, and its output is a journal influence matrix that describes the directed influence among all journals. Based on this model, an index of journals' overall influence, the quality‐structure index (QSI), is derived. Journal ranking based on QSI has the advantage of accounting for both intrinsic journal quality and the structural position of a journal in a citation network. The QSI also integrates the characteristics of two prevailing streams of journal‐assessment measures: those based on bibliometric statistics to approximate intrinsic journal quality, such as the Journal Impact Factor, and those using a journal's structural position based on the PageRank‐type of algorithm, such as the Eigenfactor score. Empirical results support our finding that the new index is significantly closer to scholars' subjective perception of journal influence than are the two aforementioned measures. In addition, the journal influence matrix offers a new way to measure two‐way influences between any two academic journals, hence establishing a theoretical basis for future scientometrics studies to investigate the knowledge flow within and across research disciplines.
Technical efficiency analysis of shippers using DEA
Authors: Pattanamekar Parichart , Kim Chansung , Park Dongjoo , Lee Kangdae
Published: February 2011

This study evaluated the technical efficiency of shippers using data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. The data including 7365 shipping firms in Korea collected from the 2005 commodity flow survey were used in the analysis. Several DEA models were applied to determine efficiency scores based on both input‐ and output‐orientations which each includes variable returns, constant returns, and non‐increasing returns models. Accordingly, the technical and scale efficiency scores of each evaluated shipper in the same industry were measured and the best‐practice firms for each industry were identified. Further, in order to handle the number of observed decision units and the diversity of data, the paper performed the cluster‐base analysis, including industry‐, business‐, and spatial‐based, to identify the effectiveness of the cluster‐based DEA in estimating the efficiency score. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral clefts and maternal biomarkers of folate‐dependent one‐carbon metabolism in utah
Authors: Munger Ronald G. , Tamura Tsunenobu , Johnston Kelley E. , Feldkamp Marcia L. , Pfister Roxane , Cutler Richard , Murtaugh Maureen A. , Carey John C.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND

Maternal folate intake and related biomarkers have been inconsistently associated with a risk of oral clefts.

METHODS

Maternal concentrations of plasma folate (PF) and erythrocyte folate (EF), plasma pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (PLP; active vitamin B6) and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) were measured in a Utah study with 347 cases and 469 controls.

RESULTS

Risk of all clefts combined, including cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CP), was 65% lower in the highest versus lowest PF quartile (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23–0.53; p‐trend < 0.001). Results remained significant in the subgroups with isolated CL/P and CP (p‐trend < 0.001 in each). EF results were similar. In the highest versus lowest PLP quartile, risk of CP with other malformations was lower (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07–0.95); however, no other associations were significant for PLP or tHcy. Differences in mean biomarker levels between cases and controls widened with an increasing interval between delivery and maternal blood collection. Decreased cleft risk with increasing quartiles of PF, EF, and PLP and decreasing tHcy was more apparent in mothers with a longer versus shorter interval between the index child delivery and blood collection.

CONCLUSION

Low maternal blood folate concentration was associated with an increased risk of clefts, and the differences in mean case and control PF, EF, PLP, and tHcy concentrations widened over time. Additional mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate whether an acquired or inherited disorder of folate metabolism plays a role in the etiology of clefts. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of common variants in ERBB4 with congenital left ventricular outflow tract obstruction defects
Authors: McBride Kim L. , Zender Gloria A. , Fitzgerald–Butt Sara M. , Seagraves Nikki J. , Fernbach Susan D. , Zapata Gladys , Lewin Mark , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Belmont John W.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND

The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) defects aortic valve stenosis (AVS), coarctation of the aorta (COA), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) represent an embryologically related group of congenital cardiovascular malformations. They are common and cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Prior evidence suggests a strong genetic component in their causation.

METHODS

We selected NRG1, ERBB3, and ERBB4 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway as candidate genes for investigation of association with LVOT defects based on the importance of this pathway in cardiac development and the phenotypes in knockout mouse models. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed on 343 affected case‐parent trios of European ancestry.

RESULTS

We identified a specific haplotype in intron 3 of ERBB4 that was positively associated with the combined LVOT defects phenotype (p = 0.0005) and in each anatomic defect AVS, COA, and HLHS separately. Mutation screening of individuals with an LVOT defect failed to identify a coding sequence or splice site change in ERBB4. RT‐PCR on lymphoblastoid cells from LVOT subjects did not show altered splice variant ratios among those homozygous for the associated haplotype.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest ERBB4 is associated with LVOT defects. Further replication will be required in separate cohorts to confirm the consistency of the observed association. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.