bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The generated power of multipole induction generator with secondary winding on the stator
Authors: Diļevs Guntis , Jakobsons Edgars
Published: June 2010

The generated power of multipole induction generator with secondary winding on the stator

This paper posses the construction of induction generator, which has the ability to operate at a low rotation speed. This generator can be applied for directly driven turbine without using the gearbox. The generator is multi pole with all of the windings placed on the stator. Rotor is tooth-like and has no windings on it. Primary winding is three phase, secondary winding is two phase.
The Causes of the Parameters Changes of Soil Resistivity
Authors: Kižlo Marina , Kanbergs Arvīds
Published: June 2010

The Causes of the Parameters Changes of Soil Resistivity

The grounding of electrical installations is primarily concerned with safety; in particular, the prevention of electrical shock risks of human life. As such, a grounding system must be designed, tested and maintained to satisfy this primary aim. This scientific paper presents a survey of soil resistivity and how its value varies from geological and meteorological factors. Soil resistivity is not only a useful measurable that reflects subsurface structure, but also a basic parameter to the design of effective grounding and lightening prevention / protection system. The most significant variations occur from such parameters of soil resistivity as moisture content, chemical composition, porosity, conductivity, temperature, vertical thickness and divisions, etc. Knowledge of soil resistivity at the intended site provides a valuable insight into how the desired ground resistance value can be achieved and maintained over the life of the installation with the minimum cost and effort.
Finding of the rational approach at the decision of a compensation in high-voltage networks
Authors: Georgiev G. , Zicmane I. , Antonov E.
Published: June 2010

Finding of the rational approach at the decision of a compensation in high-voltage networks

The aim of the present work is to find a computational model, sufficiently simplified for practical use which determines the sensitivity of the complex high-voltage electrical networks when switching compensatory powers. We show how this model can be used as a basis for creating practical criteria for a one-valued choice in the two situations. First, switching the compensatory power does not lead to leaving the permissible range of voltage. In this case the power which minimizes the power losses is used. Second, the compensatory power is switched in order to return the voltage to the permissible range. Then that compensatory medium is chosen which is sensitive enough in addition to causing the minimal increase in electrical power losses.
Price of Water
Authors: Survilo Josifs , Boreiko Dmitrijs
Published: June 2010

Price of Water

There are watercourses on the globe which as yet do not deliver up their energy to the needs of the people. How much energy their waters bear, is it worth to take away this energy? Those and alike questions must be (and they are) answered before start to build hydro power station. Similar problems must be solved to control hydro power plants in most gainful way which is known as hydrothermal coordination. The notion of price of water can be met lately in technical literature as one of numerical indices of these issues. The gross price of water and net price of water are considered in this paper. Gross price of 1 t water is the price of electric energy obtained by conversion of potential energy of 1 t of water, lifted to a height of power station water head. Net price of water is the difference between gross price and total expenses determined by hydro power station building and its exploitation costs in a year related to 1 m3of water. If net price of water is positive, it is worth building power station. The greater net price is, the more urgent is the building. Net price of water grows with water head but it continues only to some height of the dam because further increase of head sharply increases capital outlay and other exploitation expenses. To maximize net price of water, optimization of net price function can be done. Net price of water diminishes when some amount of water is diverted for other needs. When amount of diverted water is out of discussion, no controversy can emerge. However when by diverted water some goods with some monetary worth can be obtained, the task must be solved how much water can be diverted so that the water of watercourse be used to the maximum benefit. The environmental issues must be taken into account as well.
Voltage Monitoring on Capacitor of Modular Multilevel Converter
Authors: Steiks Ingars , Ribickis Leonids
Published: June 2010

Voltage Monitoring on Capacitor of Modular Multilevel Converter

A modular multilevel converter is an attractive solution for power conversion without transformers. As modular multilevel converter consists of cascade connections and floating dc capacitors, it requires continuous voltage monitoring. This paper represents voltage measurement circuit of a DC-storage capacitor including power supply with results of experiments.
The National Early Literacy Panel
Authors: Shanahan Timothy , Lonigan Christopher J.
Published: June 2010

This article summarizes Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel, which was published in 2008. That report provides an extensive meta-analysis of approximately 300 studies showing which early literacy measures correlate with later literacy achievement. It also provides a series of meta-analyses of a comprehensive collection of experimental and quasi-experimental studies of ways of teaching early literacy (preschool and kindergarten) that have been published in refereed journals. These analyses examine the effects of code-based instruction, shared book reading, home/parent interventions, preschool/kindergarten interventions, and early language teaching.
Recognizing Different Kinds of “Head Starts”
Authors: Orellana Marjorie Faulstich , D’warte Jacqueline
Published: June 2010

The authors consider how the National Early Literacy Panel’s decision to focus on identifying precursors to “conventional” literacy skills shaped the questions asked, conclusions drawn, and take-home message of the panel’s 2008 report. They suggest that this approach may keep the field of literacy research from seeing and valuing other kinds of “head starts”—including ones that are better aligned with the broad, flexible, transcultural literacy skills that will be demanded in the future. The authors call on the field to learn from the experiences of children from nondominant groups to build a more comprehensive model of literacy development.
Misunderstood Statistical Assumptions Undermine Criticism of the National Early Literacy Panel’s Report
Authors: Schatschneider Christopher , Lonigan Christopher J.
Published: June 2010

Many of the methodological criticisms of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) report presented in this special issue of Educational Researcher are not specific to the NELP report but are in fact broad criticisms of much of the quantitative research on early literacy. This rejoinder demonstrates that these criticisms are off target and are based on a misunderstanding of the basic statistical assumptions employed in early literacy research. These assumptions are explained in this rejoinder, with the conclusion that quantitative research on early literacy rests on a strong statistical foundation.
National Reports in Literacy
Authors: Pearson P. David , Hiebert Elfrieda H.
Published: June 2010

The authors examine the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP; 2008) report from two complementary vantage points: (a) the historical tradition of research syntheses in reading research, beginning with Chall and extending through the NELP report, and (b) other recent attempts to examine or synthesize early reading development. While acknowledging the care and precision that characterized the work, the authors of this response raise concerns about the reluctance of the NELP authors to contextualize their findings in relation to both historical and contemporary efforts.
New local hemostatic treatment for postpartum hemorrhage caused by placenta previa at cesarean section
Authors: Fuglsang Katrine , Petersen Lone Kjeld
Published: June 2010

Cesarean section in women with placenta previa is associated with the risk of heavy bleeding. We describe a new method where local hemostasis is obtained by applying a hemostatic fleece directly onto the lower uterine segment. During a 2‐year period women undergoing cesarean section due to placenta previa were treated with this hemostatic fleece if they had ongoing bleeding during the surgical procedure despite routine treatment. Data were obtained retrospectively from the hospital records. Fifteen patients were treated by 15 different surgeons. No patients required reoperation. Three patients required blood transfusion due to anemia. No patients were readmitted to the hospital due to endometritis. We conclude that the application of a hemostatic fleece directly onto the bleeding surfaces in patients with post‐cesarean bleeding due to placenta previa is technically unproblematic. The results suggest that this procedure should be considered in case of bleeding after delivery in women with placenta previa.
Intracardiac echogenic focus and trisomy 21 in a population previously evaluated by first‐trimester combined screening
Authors: HUANG SHANG‐YU , SHAW SHENG‐WEN , CHEUH HO‐YEN , CHENG PO‐JEN
Published: June 2010

Objective. To determine the relation between intracardiac echogenic focus (ICEF) and trisomy 21 in a population of fetuses previously evaluated by first‐trimester combined screening. Design. Prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of trisomy 21 for four groups of pregnancies: those with isolated ICEF, those with ICEF and positive first‐trimester combined screening, those with ICEF and other ultrasound markers, and those with ICEF, positive first‐trimester combined screening and other ultrasound markers. Setting. Teaching hospital. Population. A total of 7,118 fetuses received first‐trimester combined screening and a second‐trimester fetal anatomical scan. Methods. Amniocentesis for karyotyping was offered for those with positive result of first‐trimester combined screening, and for those with the diagnosis of ICEF or other fetal chromosomal aneuploidy ultrasound markers in mid‐trimester detailed fetal anatomical scans. Main outcome measures. The prevalence of trisomy 21 in each group. Results. For the entire study population, 25 trisomy 21 cases were diagnosed prenatally (prevalence, 0.35%). Among fetuses with positive first‐trimester combined screening results, the likelihood ratio of trisomy 21 was significantly increased for those with, as compared to without, ICEF (3.5 vs. 0.80, p = 0.012). However, among fetuses with negative first‐trimester combined screening results, the likelihood ratios of trisomy 21 did not differ significantly between those with and without ICEF. Conclusion. In pregnancies complicated by isolated ICEF but lacking additional anomalies on ultrasonographic examination and exhibiting negative first‐trimester combined screening results, fetal karyotyping is not indicated.
‘A Special Kind of Reading Game’: Maps in Children's Literature
Authors: Pavlik Anthony
Published: June 2010

This article looks at the endpaper maps that often accompany children's novels. Taking its cue from Victor Watson's suggestion that maps ‘are both a signal and an invitation to a special kind of reading game,’ it argues the case that, rather than being considered paratextual, or only ancillary to the narratives they accompany, or (far worse) ideologically confining, as some have suggested, such maps are irreducible to simply the ideology of the individuals who ‘author’ them. Following Michel de Certeau's consideration of the difference between maps and tours, the article then discusses how these maps might unfold spatial potential, repeatedly remaking territory, thereby opening up the notion of spatiality for the reader.
Translating Direction: Illustrations in Native and Translated Japanese Children's Literature
Authors: Cheetham Dominic
Published: June 2010

This paper examines the interaction of the visual and verbal texts for picture books and illustrated chapter books published in Japan. Japanese picture books are produced in both left-to-right and right-to-left gross textual directions. Visual-verbal interactions are examined for both directions, and the same kinds of interaction are found as for picture books produced in mono-directional languages such as English. Chapter books, however, are conventionally published in a right-to-left format. This means that unless some kind of action is taken by publishers, there is likely to be a conflict of direction between the visual and verbal texts. The publishing choices made for chapter books are discussed in terms of Even-Zohar's literary polysystem theory, and the reading effects of these choices are discussed in terms of Venuti's concepts of domestication and foreignization in translation.
Next Generation Sequencing of miRNAs – Strategies, Resources and Methods
Authors: Motameny Susanne , Wolters Stefanie , Nürnberg Peter , Schumacher Björn
Published: June 2010

miRNAs constitute a family of small RNA species that have been demonstrated to play a central role in regulating gene expression in many organisms. With the advent of next generation sequencing, new opportunities have arisen to identify and quantify miRNAs and elucidate their function. The unprecedented sequencing depth reached by next generation sequencing technologies makes it possible to get a comprehensive miRNA landscape but also poses new challenges for data analysis. We provide an overview of strategies used for miRNA sequencing, public miRNA resources, and useful methods and tools that are available for data analysis.
External Costs of Risky Health Behaviors Associated with Leading Actual Causes of Death in the U.S.: A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Future Research
Authors: Zohrabian Armineh , Philipson Tomas J
Published: June 2010

This paper reviews the evidence on external costs of risky behaviors in the U.S. and provides a framework for estimating them. External costs arise when a person does not bear all the costs of his or her behavior. They provide one of the strongest rationales for government interventions. Although the earlier estimates of external costs no longer have policy relevance, they demonstrated that the existence of external costs was an empirical question. We recommend that the estimates of external costs be updated as insurance structures, environments, and knowledge about these behaviors change. The general aspects of external costs may apply to countries other than the U.S. after taking into account differences in institutional, policy and epidemiological characteristics.
Medium Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery to Estimate Gross Primary Production in an Urban Area
Authors: As-syakur A. Rahman , Osawa Takahiro , Adnyana I. Wayan S.
Published: June 2010

Remote sensing data with medium spatial resolution can provide useful information about Gross Primary Production (GPP), especially on the scale of urban areas. Most models of ecosystem carbon exchange that are based on remote sensing use some form of the light use efficiency (LUE) model. The aim of this work is to analyze the distribution of annual GPP in the urban area of Denpasar, Bali. Additional analysis using two types of satellite data (ALOS/AVNIR-2 and Aster) addresses the impact of spatial resolution on the detection of various ecosystem processes in Denpasar. Annual GPP estimated using ALOS/AVNIR-2 varied from 0.13 gC m−2 yr−1 to 2,586.18 gC m−2 yr−1. Meanwhile, the Aster estimate varied from 0.14 gC m−2 yr−1 to 2,595.26 gC m−2 yr−1. GPP as measured by ALOS/AVNIR-2 was lower than that from Aster because ALOS/AVNIR-2 has medium spatial resolution and a smaller spectral range than Aster. Variations in land use may influence the measured value of GPP via differences in vegetation type, distribution, and photosynthetic pathway type. The medium spatial resolution of the remote sensing data is crucial for discriminating different land cover types in heterogeneous urban areas. Given the heterogeneity of land cover over Denpasar, ALOS/AVNIR-2 detects a smaller maximum value of GPP than Aster, but the annual mean GPP from ALOS/AVNIR-2 is higher than that from Aster. Based on comparisons with previous work, we find that ALOS/AVNIR-2 and Aster satellite data provided more accurate estimates of maximum GPP in Denpasar and in the tropical Kalimantan-Indonesia and Amazon forest than estimates derived from the MODIS GPP product (MOD17).
Electrical Conductivity Response of Poly(Phenylene-vinylene)/ Zeolite Composites Exposed to Ammonium Nitrate
Authors: Kamonsawas Jirarat , Sirivat Anuvat , Niamlang Sumonman , Hormnirun Pimpa , Prissanaroon-Ouajai Walaiporn
Published: June 2010

Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) was chemically synthesized via the polymerization of p-xylene-bis(tetrahydrothiophenium chloride) monomer and doped with H2SO4. To improve the electrical conductivity sensitivity of the conductive polymer, Zeolites Y (Si/Al = 5.1, 30, 60, 80) were added into the conductive polymer matrix. All composite samples show definite positive responses towards NH4NO3.The electrical conductivity sensitivities of the composite sensors increase linearly with increasing Si/Al ratio: with values of 0.201, 1.37, 2.80 and 3.18, respectively. The interactions between NH4NO3 molecules and the PPV/zeolite composites with respect to the electrical conductivity sensitivity were investigated through the infrared spectroscopy.
Seven Consecutive Successful Clinical Islet Isolations with Pancreatic Ductal Injection
Authors: Matsumoto Shinichi , Noguichi Hirofumi , Shimoda Masayuki , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Naziruddin Bashoo , Jackson Andrew , Tamura Yoshiko , Olson Greg , Fujita Yasutaka , Chujo Daisuke , Takita Morihito , Kobayashi Naoya , Onaca Nicholas , Levy Marlon
Published: June 2010

Inconsistent islet isolation is one of the issues of clinical islet transplantation. In the current study, we applied ductal injection to improve the consistency of islet isolation. Seven islet isolations were performed with the ductal injection of ET-Kyoto solution (DI group) and eight islet isolations were performed without the ductal injection (standard group) using brain-dead donor pancreata. Isolated islets were evaluated based on the Edmonton protocol for transplantation. The DI group had significantly higher islet yields (588,566 ± 64,319 vs. 354,836 ± 89,649 IE, p < 0.01) and viability (97.3 ± 1.2% vs. 92.6 ± 1.2%, p < 0.02) compared with the standard group. All seven isolated islet preparations in the DI group (100%), versus only three out of eight isolated islet preparations (38%) in the standard group met transplantation criteria. The islets from the DI group were transplanted into three type 1 diabetic patients and all three patients became insulin independent. Ductal injection significantly improved quantity and quality of isolated islets and resulted in high success rate of clinical islet transplantation. This simple modification will reduce the risk of failure of clinical islet isolation.
Defective Regulation of CXCR2 Facilitates Neutrophil Release from Bone Marrow Causing Spontaneous Inflammation in Severely NF-κB–Deficient Mice
Authors: von Vietinghoff Sibylle , Asagiri Masataka , Azar David , Hoffmann Alexander , Ley Klaus
Published: June 2010

NF-κB is a major regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. Neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils) constitutively express RelA/p65 (Rela), c-Rel (Crel), and p50 (Nfκb1) but not p52 (Nfκb2) subunits. In this paper, we describe Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− mice that have the most severe genetic neutrophil NF-κB deficiency compatible with life, Rela−/− mice being embryonic lethal. Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− mice developed spontaneous dermal and intestinal inflammation associated with chronic neutrophilia, elevated CXCL1, and G-CSF. The bone marrow contained fewer nucleated cells and was enriched in myeloid progenitor cells. Neutrophilia was preserved when Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− bone marrow was transferred into wild-type mice, but mixed bone marrow chimeras receiving wild-type and Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− bone marrow showed normal circulating neutrophil numbers, excluding an intrinsic proliferation advantage. In mixed bone marrow chimeras, Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− neutrophils were preferentially mobilized from the bone marrow in response to CXCL1 injection, LPS-induced lung inflammation, and thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− neutrophils expressed higher levels of the CXCL1 receptor CXCR2 both under resting and stimulated conditions and failed to downregulate CXCR2 during inflammation. Treatment with an anti-CXCR2 Ab abolished preferential mobilization of Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− neutrophils in peritonitis in mixed chimeric mice and neutrophilia in Crel−/−Nfκb1−/−Rela+/− mice. We conclude that severe NF-κB deficiency facilitates neutrophil mobilization, which causes elevated numbers of preactivated neutrophils in blood and tissues, leading to spontaneous inflammation. These neutrophil effects may limit the usefulness of global NF-κB inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Isolation of Cytotoxic T Cell and NK Granules and Purification of Their Effector Proteins
Authors: Thiery Jerome , Walch Michael , Jensen Danielle K. , Martinvalet Denis , Lieberman Judy
Published: June 2010

Killer lymphocytes induce apoptosis by the release of cytotoxic mediators from specialized secretory lysosomes, called cytotoxic granules, into the immunological synapse formed with a cell targeted for elimination. Methods are presented here for isolating CTL and NK cell cytotoxic granules using cell disruption by nitrogen cavitation followed by continuous Percoll density gradient fractionation. Protocols are also given for purifying the key cytolytic molecules (perforin, granzyme A, granzyme B, and granulysin) from isolated cytotoxic granules by fast protein liquid chromatography. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 47:3.37.1‐3.37.29. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preparation of Hydrogel Substrates with Tunable Mechanical Properties
Authors: Tse Justin R. , Engler Adam J.
Published: June 2010

The modulus of elasticity of the extracellular matrix (ECM), often referred to in a biological context as “stiffness,” naturally varies within the body, e.g., hard bones and soft tissue. Moreover, it has been found to have a profound effect on the behavior of anchorage‐dependent cells. The fabrication of matrix substrates with a defined modulus of elasticity can be a useful technique to study the interactions of cells with their biophysical microenvironment. Matrix substrates composed of polyacrylamide hydrogels have an easily quantifiable elasticity that can be changed by adjusting the relative concentrations of its monomer, acrylamide, and cross‐linker, bis‐acrylamide. In this unit, we detail a protocol for the fabrication of statically compliant and radial‐gradient polyacrylamide hydrogels, as well as the functionalization of these hydrogels with ECM proteins for cell culture. Included as well are suggestions to optimize this protocol to the choice of cell type or stiffness with a table of relative bis‐acrylamide and acrylamide concentrations and expected elasticity after polymerization. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 47:10.16.1‐10.16.16. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using the Ensembl Genome Server to Browse Genomic Sequence Data
Authors: Fernández‐Suárez Xosé M. , Schuster Michael K.
Published: June 2010

The Ensembl project provides a comprehensive source of automatic annotation of the human genome sequence, as well as other species of biomedical interest, with confirmed gene predictions that have been integrated with external data sources. This unit describes how to use the Ensembl genome browser (http://www.ensembl.org/), the public interface of the project. It describes how to find a gene or protein of interest, how to get additional information and external links, and how to use the comparative genomic data. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 30:1.15.1‐1.15.48. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Prevention of acute adverse events related to infliximab infusions in pediatric patients
Authors: Lahdenne P. , Wikström A. M. , Aalto K. , Kolho K. L.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To study whether premedication with an oral antifebrile agent (acetaminophen) and antihistamine (cetirizine) could decrease the frequency of acute infusion reactions in pediatric patients.

Methods

All pediatric patients scheduled for infliximab infusions at the Helsinki University Central Hospital, a tertiary care center, were prospectively introduced to a standard oral premedication of acetaminophen (20 mg/kg) and cetirizine (10 mg) prior to infliximab infusions for a period of 1 year. All acute adverse events related to infliximab infusions given according to the guidelines of pediatric rheumatologists or gastroenterologists were registered for this time period and retrospectively during the preceding year.

Results

During the study period, infliximab infusions with premedication were given to 64 pediatric patients (48 with rheumatic disease and l6 with inflammatory bowel disease, mean age 13 years, n = 34 boys, and n = 30 girls). Infliximab was introduced to 14 children; the rest were on maintenance therapy. Twelve infusion reactions, 4 mild and 8 severe, were observed in 8 (12.5%) of the 64 subjects, and in 1 subject 4 times. During the preceding year, 60 pediatric patients had received infliximab infusions without premedication. In this latter group, infusion reactions occurred in 5 children (8.3%; P > 0.05). The presentation of an acute infusion reaction was not related to the sex or diagnosis of the patient.

Conclusion

In pediatric patients, acute infusion reactions related to infliximab could not be prevented with premedication with oral acetaminophen and cetirizine.
The Work Instability Scale for rheumatoid arthritis predicts arthritis‐related work transitions within 12 months
Authors: Tang Kenneth , Beaton Dorcas E. , Gignac Monique A. M. , Lacaille Diane , Zhang Wei , Bombardier Claire
Published: June 2010

Objective

Among people with arthritis, the need for work transitions may signal a risk for more adverse work outcomes in the future, such as permanent work loss. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of the Work Instability Scale for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA‐WIS) to predict arthritis‐related work transitions within a 12‐month period.

Methods

Workers with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (n = 250) from 3 clinical sites participated in self‐administered surveys that assessed the impact of health on employment at multiple time points over 12 months. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to assess the ability of the RA‐WIS (range 0–23, where 23 = highest work instability) to predict 4 types of work transition: reductions in work hours, disability leaves of absence, changes in job/occupation, or temporary unemployment, assembled as a composite outcome. Covariates assessed include age, sex, education, marital status, income, pain intensity, disease duration, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCCs) were also assessed to further examine the predictive ability of the RA‐WIS and to determine optimal cut points for predicting specific work transitions.

Results

After 12 months, 21.7% (n = 50 of 230) of the participants had indicated at least one arthritis‐related work transition. Higher baseline RA‐WIS was predictive of such an outcome (relative risk [RR] 1.05 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00–1.11]), particularly at >17 (RR 2.30 [95% CI 1.11–4.77]). The RA‐WIS cut point of >13 was found to be most accurate for prediction (AUROCC 0.68 [95% CI 0.58–0.78]).

Conclusion

The RA‐WIS demonstrated the ability to predict arthritis‐related work transitions within a short timeframe, and could be a promising measurement candidate for risk prognostication where work disability outcomes are of concern.
Influence of Molecular Weight on the Performance of Organic Solar Cells Based on a Fluorene Derivative
Authors: Müller Christian , Wang Ergang , Andersson L. Mattias , Tvingstedt Kristofer , Zhou Yi , Andersson Mats R. , Inganäs Olle
Published: June 2010

The performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) bulk‐heterojunction blends comprising a liquid‐crystalline fluorene derivative and a small‐molecular fullerene is found to increase asymptotically with the degree of polymerization of the former. Similar to various thermodynamic transition temperatures as well as the light absorbance of the fluorene moiety, the photocurrent extracted from OPV devices is found to strongly vary with increasing oligomer size up to a number average molecular weight, Mn ≈ 10 kg mol−1, but is rendered less chain‐length dependent for higher Mn as the fluorene derivative gradually adopts polymeric behavior.
Job stress and healthy behavior among male Japanese office workers
Authors: Nomura Kyoko , Nakao Mutsuhiro , Tsurugano Shinobu , Takeuchi Takeaki , Inoue Mariko , Shinozaki Yasuko , Yano Eiji
Published: June 2010

Background

Lifestyle modification in healthy workers is challenging. We aim to investigate associations between job stress and healthy behavior change among workers.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study investigated 1,183 Japanese male white‐collar workers in 2008 during health checkups for Metabolic Syndrome. Healthy behavior included either a calorie‐focused diet or regular exercise. Job stress was measured by Job Content Questionnaire based on the job demands‐control model and tension‐anxiety and anger‐hostility scales on the Profile of Mood States.

Results

Healthy behaviors were confirmed in 54% of study subjects. Multivariate logistic model showed that healthy behaviors were positively associated with a higher degree of work control and negatively associated with greater work demand. Work control and support were negatively correlated with tension‐anxiety and depression, whereas work demand and strain were positively correlated with these two emotion domains (all P's < 0.0001).

Conclusions

It is suggested that addressing job stress is of clinical importance to promote healthy behaviors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1128–1134, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perceptions of nonhuman primates in human–wildlife conflict scenarios
Authors: Hill Catherine M. , Webber Amanda D.
Published: June 2010

Nonhuman primates (referred to as primates in this study) are sometimes revered as gods, abhorred as evil spirits, killed for food because they damage crops, or butchered for sport. Primates' perceived similarity to humans places them in an anomalous position. While some human groups accept the idea that primates “straddle” the human–nonhuman boundary, for others this resemblance is a violation of the human–animal divide. In this study we use two case studies to explore how people's perceptions of primates are often influenced by these animals' apparent similarity to humans, creating expectations, founded within a “human morality” about how primates should interact with people. When animals transgress these social rules, they are measured against the same moral framework as humans. This has implications for how people view and respond to certain kinds of primate behaviors, their willingness to tolerate co‐existence with primates and their likely support for primate conservation initiatives. Am. J. Primatol. 72:919–924, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) with high molar mass using high purity industrial monomer
Authors: Jia Xu , Zhang Yuejun
Published: June 2010

A preparation method for high molar mass poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDMDAAC) is reported in this article. PDMDAAC was prepared by using the high purity industrial grade dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC) monomer from one‐step method and ammonium persulphate (APS) as the initiator. The initiator was added all at once and the reaction temperature was increased stepwise to complete the polymerization gradually. The effects of several polymerization condition variables on the intrinsic viscosity value ([η]) and monomer conversion rate (Conv.) of product PDMDAAC were investigated, respectively. The variables included: T1 (42.0 to 52.0°C), T2 (47.5 to 57.5°C), T3 (55.0 to 75.0°C), m(DMDAAC) (60.0 to 70.0%), m(APS) : m(DMDAAC) (0.25 to 0.45%), m(Na4EDTA) : m(DMDAAC) (0 to 0.0071%). Under an optimum condition of T1 = 46.0°C, T2 = 52.5°C, T3 = 65.0°C, m(DMDAAC) = 65.0%, m(APS) : m(DMDAAC) = 0.35%, m(Na4EDTA) : m(DMDAAC) = 0.0035%, the maximum [η] of obtained product PDMDAAC reached 3.43 dL/g, at a Conv. of 100.00%. The Mw of the product measured with GPC‐MALLS was 1.034 × 106, polydespersity Mw/Mn was 2.421, and the Rg was 60.3 nm. The structure and properties of products were characterized by FTIR and NMR. Thermal decomposition was determined by TGA‐DSC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Discarding the ‘basic science/applied science’ dichotomy: A knowledge utilization triangle classification system of research journals
Authors: Tijssen Robert J.W.
Published: June 2010

This paper introduces a comprehensive system for classifying scholarly journals according to their degree of ‘application orientation.’ The method extends earlier models and journal classification systems that were designed to tackle the crude duality between ‘basic research’ and ‘applied research.’ This metrics‐based system rests on a ‘Knowledge Utilization Triangle’ typology, which distinguishes three types of coexisting knowledge application domains: ‘clinical,’ ‘industrial,’ and ‘civic.’ The empirical data relate to the institutional origin of authors who publish their research papers in the scientific journal literature. The case study applies indicators of ‘clinical relevance’ and ‘industrial relevance’ to 11,000 journals indexed by the Web of Science (WoS) database. The resulting multidimensional classification system of journals comprises six Journal Application Domain (JAD) categories. Macro‐level trend analysis of the WoS‐indexed research publication output by JAD category reveals redistributions within global science during the years 1999–2008, with a slight increase of output published in ‘industrially relevant’ journals.
Can the impact of scholarly images be assessed online? An exploratory study using image identification technology
Authors: Kousha Kayvan , Thelwall Mike , Rezaie Somayeh
Published: June 2010

The web contains a huge number of digital pictures. For scholars publishing such images it is important to know how well used their images are, but no method seems to have been developed for monitoring the value of academic images. In particular, can the impact of scientific or artistic images be assessed through identifying images copied or reused on the Internet? This article explores a case study of 260 NASA images to investigate whether the TinEye search engine could theoretically help to provide this information. The results show that the selected pictures had a median of 11 online copies each. However, a classification of 210 of these copies reveals that only 1.4% were explicitly used in academic publications, reflecting research impact, and the majority of the NASA pictures were used for informal scholarly (or educational) communication (37%). Additional analyses of world famous paintings and scientific images about pathology and molecular structures suggest that image contents are important for the type and extent of image use. Although it is reasonable to use statistics derived from TinEye for assessing image reuse value, the extent of its image indexing is not known.
The association between exposure determined by radiofrequency personal exposimeters and human exposure: A simulation study
Authors: Neubauer Georg , Cecil Stefan , Giczi Wolfram , Petric Benjamin , Preiner Patrick , Fröhlich Jürg , Röösli Martin
Published: June 2010

The selection of an adequate exposure assessment approach is imperative for the quality of epidemiological studies. The use of personal exposimeters turned out to be a reasonable approach to determine exposure profiles, however, certain limitations regarding the absolute values delivered by the devices have to be considered. Apart from the limited dynamic range, it has to be taken into account that these devices give only an approximation of the exposure due to the influence of the body of the person carrying the exposimeter, the receiver characteristics of the exposimeter, as well as the dependence of the measured value on frequency band, channel, slot configuration, and communication traffic. In this study, the relationship between the field strength measured close to the human body at the location of the exposimeter and the exposure, that is, the field strength at the location of the human body without the human body present, is investigated by numerical means using the Visible Human model as an anatomical phantom. Two different scenarios were chosen: (1) For FM, GSM, and UMTS an urban outdoor scenario was examined that included a transmitting antenna mounted on the roof of one of four buildings at a street crossing, (2) For WLAN an indoor scenario was investigated. For GSM the average degree of underestimation by the exposimeter (relation of the average field levels at the location of the exposimeter to the field level averaged over the volume of the human body without the body present) was 0.76, and for UMTS 0.87; for FM no underestimation was found, the ratio was 1. In the case of WLAN the degree of underestimation was more pronounced, the ratio was 0.64. This study clearly suggests that a careful evaluation of correction factors for different scenarios is needed prior to the definition of the study protocol. It has to be noted that the reference scenario used in this study does not allow for final conclusions on general correction factors. Bioelectromagnetics 31:535–545, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Verbundverhalten von vorgespannten Litzen in UHPC
Authors: Hegger Josef , Bertram Guido
Published: June 2010

Ultra‐Hochfester Beton (UHPC = Ultra‐High Performance Concrete) ist hervorragend geeignet für vorgespannte Bauteile. Um eine sichere und dennoch wirtschaftliche Bemessung von vorgespannten Trägern mit sofortigem Verbund vornehmen zu können, muss das Verankerungsverhalten der Litzen bekannt sein. Die hohen Verbundfestigkeiten führen zu kurzen Übertragungslängen und verbessern dadurch die Querkrafttragfähigkeit. Bei Vorspannung mit sofortigem Verbund ist eine Mindestbetondeckung entscheidend, um Längsrisse im Verankerungsbereich zu vermeiden, die einen erheblichen Verlust an Verbundfestigkeit und im Extremfall ein Verankerungsversagen zur Folge haben.

In diesem Beitrag, der im Rahmen des von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft geförderten Schwerpunktprogramms SPP 1182 entstand, werden die Untersuchungsergebnisse zum Verbundverhalten von Litzen in UHPC vorgestellt. Teil 1 behandelt die experimentellen Untersuchungen und Teil 2 die Herleitung eines Verbundmodells zur Berechnung der Übertragungslänge.

Bond Behavior of prestressed Strands in UHPC. Part 1: Tests on Bond Strength and Transfer Length

Ultra‐High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is an appropriate construction material for pretensioned girders. To ensure an economic and safe design a detailed knowledge of the behavior of pretensioned strands in the anchorage zone is essential. The dimension of the bond anchorage zone favors the cost‐effective design of pretensioned girders, especially when the shear resistance is decisive. However, a minimum concrete cover has to be maintained to avoid splitting cracks in the transmission zone, since they lead to an uncontrolled increase in transfer length and may cause a premature anchorage failure.

This paper, which resulted from the priority program SPP 1182 funded by the German Research Foundation, presents the results of investigations on the bond behavior of strands in UHPC. Part 1 deals with the experimental investigations and in part 2 a bond model is derived to design the transfer length.
Zur Querkraftgefährdung bestehender Spannbetonbrücken
Authors: Hegger Josef , Karakas Alexander , Pelke Eberhard , Schölch Udo
Published: June 2010

Zur Formulierung einer Handlungsanweisung wurden in Teil I die geänderten Lastannahmen für Brücken nach DIN Fachbericht 101 mit den Belastungsklassen nach alten Normen verglichen und gezeigt, wie anhand aktueller Verkehrszahlen die Lastansätze modifiziert werden können. Der aktuelle Brückenbestand in Hessen wurde mit der Straßeninformationsbank (Teilprojekt Bauwerksdaten) ausgewertet, um Klassifizierungs‐ und Bewertungskriterien zu erarbeiten. Zur Beurteilung des Querkraftwiderstandes wurden die Grundlagen der Querkraftbemessung nach DIN 1045, DIN 4227, DIN Fachbericht 102 und aus der Literatur gegenübergestellt.

In Teil II werden Verfahren zur nachträglichen Verstärkung von Querschnitten und Tragsystemen mit zu geringer Querkrafttragfähigkeit zusammengestellt. Des Weiteren werden verschiedene Varianten der Modellierung verglichen, die bei der linearelastischen Schnittgrößenermittlung nach der Finite‐Elemente‐ Methode verwendet werden. Auf Grundlage der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse werden schließlich Empfehlungen für eine Handlungsanweisung zur Beurteilung querkraftgefährdeter Brückenbauwerke formuliert.

Shear‐Vulnerability of Existing Pre‐Stressed Concrete Bridges

In Part I, to formulate an operation directive the revised load assumptions for bridges of DIN Technical Report 101 are compared with the loading classes according to old standards and it is demonstrated, how the loading models can be modified based on actual traffic data. The current bridge asset in the Federal State of Hesse is evaluated using the “Road Information Database (Sub‐Project: Structural Data)” in order to work out classification and evaluation criteria. Regarding the assessment of the shear load‐bearing capacity the fundamentals of the shear load design models of DIN 1045, DIN 4227, DIN TR 102 and from the literature are compared. In Part II, the procedures for the subsequent strengthening of cross‐sections and structural systems with a low shear load‐bearing capacity are compiled. In addition, different types of finite element modelling are compared used for the calculation of the linear‐elastic internal forces. Finally, based on the findings recommendations are formulated for an operation directive in regard to the assessment of shear‐vulnerable bridges.
Mouse brain full‐length cDNA library construction by negative selection of intact mRNAs
Authors: Wu Ning , Wu Huijuan , Li Yandong , Matand Kanyand
Published: June 2010

Synthesis of full‐length cDNA libraries is an essential step for the study of gene function. The method for selecting the intact mRNA directly affects the number of full‐length transcripts. We have developed a novel method for intact mRNA selection based on the elimination of uncapped mRNAs. A negative‐selection strategy that removes both uncapped mRNA and other non‐mRNA molecules that present a phosphate at the 5'‐end has been applied in the mRNA purification procedures. Briefly, after performing a standard mRNA purification, a biotinylated oligoribonucleotide is ligated to the 5‐end phosphate of uncapped mRNAs. Streptavidin extraction is then performed to remove truncated and non‐mRNAs from the intact mRNAs. By comparing random sequencing results of mouse brain full‐length and standard cDNA libraries, there was a significant increase of full‐length clones with the modified procedure. The results showed that the full‐length library contained more than 68% full‐length clones with the 5'‐end positions ranging between –485 to +100 compared to the standard library with 33% of full‐length clones and 5'‐end positions ranging between –233 to +100. The data were analyzed using the t‐test with the significance level set at p<0.05. The statistical results showed that there were significant differences between two libraries in both 5'‐end position and mRNA size (p<0.05).
A small bispecific protein selected for orthogonal affinity purification
Authors: Alm Tove , Yderland Louise , Nilvebrant Johan , Halldin Anneli , Hober Sophia
Published: June 2010

A novel protein domain with dual affinity has been created by randomization and selection. The small alkali‐stabilized albumin‐binding domain (ABD*), used as scaffold to construct the library, has affinity to human serum albumin (HSA) and is constituted of 46 amino acids of which 11 were randomized. To achieve a dual binder, the binding site of the inherent HSA affinity was untouched and the randomization was made on the opposite side of the molecule. Despite its small size and randomization of almost a quarter of its amino acids, a bifunctional molecule, ABDz1, with ability to bind to both HSA and the Z2 domain/protein A was successfully selected using phage display. Moreover, the newly selected variant showed improved affinity for HSA compared to the parental molecule. This novel protein domain has been characterized regarding secondary structure and affinity to the two different ligands. The possibility for affinity purification on two different matrices has been investigated using the two ligands, the HSA matrix and the protein A‐based, MabSelect SuRe matrix, and the new protein domain was purified to homogeneity. Furthermore, gene fusions between the new domain and three different target proteins with different characteristics were made. To take advantage of both affinities, a purification strategy referred to as orthogonal affinity purification using two different matrices was created. Successful purification of all three versions was efficiently carried out using this strategy.
Cellulose hydrolysis in evolving substrate morphologies III: Time‐scale analysis
Authors: Zhou Wen , Xu Ying , Schüttler Heinz‐Bernd
Published: June 2010

We present a time‐scale analysis for the enzymatic hydrolysis of solid cellulosic substrates, based on our recently developed kinetic model (Zhou et al., 2009a, Biotechnol Bioeng 104:261–274; Zhou et al., 2009b, Biotechnol Bioeng 104:275–289) which incorporates both enzymatic chain fragmentation and hydrolytic time evolution of the solid substrate morphology. Analytical order‐of‐magnitude estimates of the relevant single‐layer chain depolymerization times are first discussed. These time‐scale estimates for pure and mixed enzyme systems can be employed to calculate the degree of synergy between endo‐ and exo‐acting enzymes in a mixed enzyme system. By the way of a quasi‐steady‐state approximation which allows for a greatly simplified analytical solution of the model, we also explain the origin and give order‐of‐magnitude estimates of the two characteristic hydrolysis time scales which arise in this model when the solid substrate morphology is taken into account. These analytically derived time‐scale relations explain how the embedding of cellulose chains in a solid substrate acts as a crucial rate‐limiting factor and results in a substantial slowing down of the hydrolytic conversion process, compared to a hypothetical substrate of immediately enzyme‐accessible, isolated chains. The analytical time‐scale results are verified by numerical simulations and compared to experimental observations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 224–234. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.