bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variational retrieval of temperature and humidity profiles using rain rates versus microwave brightness temperatures
Authors: Moreau Emmanuel , Lopez Philippe , Bauer Peter , Tompkins Adrian M. , Janisková Marta , Chevallier Frédéric
Published: May 2004

This paper assesses the performance of two different approaches for the retrieval of temperature and humidity profiles from the satellite passive microwave measurements of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and of the Special Sensor Microwave Imager in rainy areas. Both methods are based on a one‐dimensional variational retrieval (1D‐Var) approach. The input to the first one is rainfall rates estimated by a standard retrieval algorithm from the raw brightness temperatures. In the second technique, 1D‐Var directly uses the brightness temperatures. The retrieval experiments utilize new simplified physical parametrizations of convection and large‐scale condensation specially designed for variational assimilation as well as a microwave radiative‐transfer model.

Several tropical and midlatitude meteorological situations are studied. In all cases, it is found that both 1D‐Var approaches are able to converge satisfactorily and produce consistent temperature and specific‐humidity increments. However, the convergence of 1D‐Var retrievals on surface rainfall rates, and to a lesser extent of 1D‐Var retrievals on brightness temperatures, is reduced when precipitation in the background is produced through convection and not by large‐scale processes. The results of the two 1D‐Var methods are then compared in brightness temperature and rainfall rate space and are validated against independent observations from the precipitation radar on‐board the TRMM. Finally, the sensitivity of the 1D‐Var retrievals to the specification of observation‐error statistics is studied. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
The dynamics of idealized katabatic flow over a moderate slope and ice shelf
Authors: Renfrew Ian A.
Published: May 2004

A non‐hydrostatic numerical weather prediction model has been employed to simulate idealized katabatic flows over a moderate slope and adjoining ice shelf. The topography of Coats Land and the adjoining Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica, has been used; this is typical of much of the Antarctic coastline. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System Version 4.3 has been adapted for simulations over compacted snow, most notably through changes to the multi‐layer soil model. The simulations are initialized using clear‐sky conditions and at rest. On the slope, a shallow katabatic flow develops, the winds becoming approximately steady on the slope by ∼12 h. The peak downslope winds are about 7 m s−1 at 30 m above the snow surface. The katabatic flow depth ranges from 50 to 100 m down the slope. Over the ice shelf the katabatic flow peters out, while a pool of cold air develops, primarily through sensible‐heat loss into the surface and partially balancing the net radiative‐heat loss to space. Near‐surface and sounding data from the model simulations compare well with archetypal and typical katabatic flow observations, especially after some tuning of the model's turbulence parametrization.

An analysis of the downslope flow dynamics shows the buoyancy force is generally balanced by the inertial force, except towards the foot of the slope where it is balanced by upslope forces related to gradients in the potential‐temperature deficit and katabatic‐layer height, caused by the pool of cold air over the ice shelf. Over time, the cooling of the ice shelf boundary layer leads to an apparent retreat of the katabatic flow from the ice shelf and some way up the slope. The dynamical analysis explains the surface climatology observed, such that the persistent katabatic winds of Coats Land rarely reach the Brunt Ice Shelf. The simulated katabatic flow moves from ‘shooting’ to ‘tranquil’ towards the foot of the slope. This transition acts to trigger a train of internal gravity waves which propagate energy upwards away from the katabatic flow jump. Previous studies have also found shooting to tranquil katabatic flow transitions, so to generalize these findings would suggest that internal gravity‐wave generation is ubiquitous around much of coastal Antarctica and Greenland. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
On the withdrawal of the Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Syroka Joanna , Toumi Ralf
Published: May 2004

The withdrawal of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is defined in terms of 850 mb daily winds. The withdrawal of the ISM is found to be more variable than the onset. Most of the interannual variability of the total seasonal rainfall is dominated by the variability of the retreat phase. The withdrawal of the ISM follows a period of enhanced convective activity over the Indian subcontinent and is associated with a dry phase of the intraseasonal oscillation. The intraseasonal break dynamics have relatively more hemispheric symmetry than during the main monsoon season. The monthly persistence of interannual anomalies, the correlations with El Niño and remote upper‐level temperature signals of a Rossby type are all stronger during the withdrawal than in the summer months. These observations are found to be consistent with a mobile latent heat source migrating towards the west Pacific during the monsoon withdrawal. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
UK tornado climatology and the development of simple prediction tools
Authors: Holden J. , Wright A.
Published: May 2004

The principle features of tornado climatology in the UK are presented based on the 5‐year period from January 1995. Just over one third of reported tornadoes occurred in the south‐east region of England, and most tornado activity took place during the spring and summer while the least activity occurred during autumn. This was different to the seasonal distribution for the period from 1960 to 1989 when autumn had the greatest number of tornadoes. The reported tornado distribution was shown to be significantly affected by topography and the density of potential observers. Of the ground‐based meteorological variables tested, air temperature was most closely related to tornado occurrence with a peak at 13°C. An equation incorporating air temperature, dew‐point temperature, wind speed and pressure was shown to predict a tornado day with an accuracy of 86.2%. The probability that a tornado would occur on a predicted day was 81.2%. The model was used to predict actual tornado occurrences across England, Wales and Scotland during the 5‐year study period, and it was estimated that just over five‐times as many tornadoes occurred than were reported. The model results suggest that the bias induced by population density was not greater than the combined influence of topography and spatial setting. This is important in the UK, because most tornadoes are reported in lowland areas which are heavily populated and it has been difficult until now to determine the extent to which tornado reports are biased by the density of potential observers. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
Describing surface fluxes in katabatic flow on Breidamerkurjökull, Iceland
Authors: Parmhed O. , Oerlemans J. , Grisogono B.
Published: May 2004

For very stable boundary layers there is no well‐accepted theory today. In this study, an improved Prandtl model with varying diffusivity is applied to less than ideal conditions for pure katabatic flow pertaining to very stable boundary layers. We find that the improved Prandtl model adequately describes the usual and persistent katabatic glacier wind on Breidamerkurjökull. This is true even for flows with very different heights and strengths of the jet. A theoretical estimate of the katabatic jet height, based on temperature deficit and lapse rate, is verified. The calculated surface fluxes compare well with the measured turbulence parameters. A possible reason for the robustness of the katabatic jet (and other low‐level jets) is given in terms of the Scorer parameter. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
Possible long‐term changes in stratospheric circulation: Evidence from total ozone measurements at the edge of the Antarctic vortex in early winter
Authors: Roscoe H. K. , Fowler C. L. , Shanklin J. D. , Hill J. G. T.
Published: May 2004

Measurements of total ozone in Antarctica during early winter show an increase, consistent with the observed descent of stratospheric air and the convergence that accompanies descent. Measurements in the vortex edge region at Faraday (65°S) show that the rate of increase has on average doubled between the 1960s and the 1990s. We speculate that this increase in rate of ozone change is caused by an increase in convergence. If so, it suggests that the strength of the Brewer–Dobson residual stratospheric circulation, which brings tropospheric air into the stratosphere with its accompanying chlorofluorocarbons and greenhouse gases, increased significantly. There is no obvious explanation for an increase in the circulation. Models predict that an ozone hole increases vortex strength, but only later in the spring. Models also predict that increased greenhouse gases increase the circulation, but the convergence did not increase gradually whereas greenhouse gases did. Some of the measurements in the 1990s are able to distinguish the different rates of increase of ozone in individual years, which show considerable variability, as expected following the eruption of Pinatubo. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
Does work stress predict insomnia? A prospective study
Authors: Linton Steven J.
Published: May 2004

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the one‐year development of self‐reported sleep problems in workers with no sleep problem at baseline, and to evaluate the role of work stress in the etiology of a new episode.

Design: A prospective design was employed.

Methods: A total of 816 employees with no sleeping problems during the past three months completed a baseline questionnaire concerning their general health, working hours and working conditions. One year later they were contacted again to ascertain whether they were experiencing problems sleeping.

Results: At the follow‐up, the three‐month point prevalence of self‐reported sleep problems for this population was 14.3%. While controlling for age and gender, it was found that irregular working hours and general health were not significantly related to the development of a new episode of sleeping problems. However, stress in the form of a ‘poor’ psychosocial work environment increased the risk of a new episode by more than twofold (odds ratio 2:15). The attributable fraction suggested that eliminating stress could prevent 53% of the cases.

Conclusion: In a population of employees with no reported sleeping problems, 14.3% developed a sleeping problem during the coming year. Even when controlling for possible confounders, stress in the form of a ‘poor’ psychosocial work environment doubled the risk of developing a sleep problem.
Positivity in illness: Self‐delusion or existential growth?
Authors: Sodergren S.C. , Hyland M.E. , Crawford A. , Partridge M.R.
Published: May 2004

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between a measure of positivity in illness, the Silver Lining Questionnaire (SLQ), and measures of personality and spirituality/religious beliefs as a way of determining whether positivity in illness is a delusion or existential growth.

Method: This is a cross‐sectional study comparing response to the SLQ, to the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ‐R), breathlessness, illness type, and spiritual and religious beliefs in a final total sample of 194 respiratory outpatients.

Results: The SLQ was associated positively with extraversion (r = .16, p< .05), unrelated to neuroticism (r = .11, n.s.) and repression (r = .10, n.s.) and was positively associated with spiritual and religious beliefs, F(2; 187) = 7.12, p < 001, as predicted by the existential growth but not the delusion interpretation. There was no relationship between positivity and age, r(194) = .09, n.s., or between positivity and gender t(192) = −1.27, n.s., and nor were there relationships with type of illness, F(4, 188) = 2.17, n.s., or breathlessness, F (5, 173) = 0.42, n.s.

Conclusions: The results suggest that positivity in illness is associated with existential growth, though the cross‐sectional nature of the study precludes a conclusion of causal direction. The non‐significant correlation between the SLQ and neuroticism is in the opposite direction predicted by the delusion explanation, but the non‐significant relationship between the SLQ and repression is in the predicted direction. We cannot rule out the possibility that some positivity is delusion.
The impact of personal and social comparison information about health risk
Authors: French David P. , Sutton Stephen R. , Marteau Theresa M. , Kinmonth Ann Louise
Published: May 2004

Objectives: To examine the emotional and cognitive impact of personal and social comparison information about health risk.

Methods: A total of 970 adults responded to vignettes describing risk presentation scenarios that varied in terms of having (a) a ‘real world’ analogue (cardiac event) versus no such analogue (a fictitious pancreatic disease) condition, (b) high versus low levels of personal risk, and (c) no comparison group information given, comparison group risk higher or lower than own risk.

Results: For both the cardiac and pancreatic disease vignettes, respondents' emotional responses and estimates of their own risk were influenced by both personal and social comparison risk information. The cardiac event vignettes produced larger effects than the pancreatic disease vignettes. Unfavourable social comparison information had no discernible impact, relative to not providing any social comparison information. Favourable social comparison information resulted in greater reassurance, less worry, and perceptions of lower susceptibility. Lower personal risk generally produced similar effects, relative to higher personal risk.

Conclusions: In contrast to previous theory and research in this area, we found that both personal and (favourable) social comparison risk information have emotional and cognitive consequences. We hypothesize that the perceived clarity of the information may account for the different patterns of findings in the literature.
Health beliefs and communication in the travel clinic consultation as predictors of adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis
Authors: Farquharson Lorna , Noble Lorraine M. , Barker Chris , Behrens Ron H.
Published: May 2004

Objectives: The objectives were, first, to determine whether adherence to malaria prophylaxis could be predicted by (i) health beliefs specified by the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and (ii) communication during the consultation in a travel clinic; and secondly, to examine the impact of the consultation in changing travellers' health beliefs.

Design: A prospective study using regression analysis.

Methods: The participants were 130 consecutive travellers attending a travel medicine clinic. Health beliefs were measured pre‐ and post‐consultation. The consultations were coded from audiotape using the Roter Interaction Analysis System and a content analysis method recording discussion about malaria and prophylaxis. Adherence was assessed by a follow‐up telephone interview.

Results: Perceived susceptibility to malaria, perceived benefits of medication and intentions to adhere increased significantly as a result of the consultation, and the perceived permanent nature of side effects reduced significantly. At follow‐up (N = 107), 62% reported full adherence, 25% partial adherence and 12% poor/no adherence. A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits of medication, length of stay, health professional discussion about adherence and travellers' questions and statements independently predicted reported adherence.

Conclusions: Health beliefs and communication significantly predicted adherence in this setting. The findings also suggested qualitative differences between travellers who adhered fully, partially or poorly. Although the clinic consultation had a positive impact, emphasizing benefits of medication and resolving potential barriers to adherence could improve adherence in the population.
Using the IPQ and PMDI to predict regular diabetes care‐seeking among patients with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Lawson Valerie L. , Bundy Christine , Lyne Patricia A. , Harvey John N.
Published: May 2004

Objectives: The objectives were, first, to identify factors associated with regular diabetes care‐seeking and, second, to compare the performance of the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) and a modified version of the Personal Models of Diabetes Interview (PMDI) in predicting care‐seeking.

Method: This was a cross‐sectional study involving 42 patients who had not attended hospital diabetes clinic for a period of 18 months or more and 42 matched controls receiving specialist care. Differences in illness representations between clinic attenders and non‐attenders were examined. Due to the variability in care‐seeking between non‐attenders (ranging from no contact with health professionals to regular general practitioners care), participants were then reclassified for further analyses into those receiving regular care from either hospital diabetes clinic or general practice (n = 52) and those receiving no regular care (n = 32).

Results: Patients not seeking regular care held more negative views of the control, course and consequences of diabetes than those who received regular care. Regression analyses showed that the most important construct was treatment effectiveness. Treatment effectiveness (PMDI) and control (IPQ) dimensions were associated with clinic attendance. PMDI constructs of treatment effectiveness, threat and worries were associated with regular care‐seeking.

Conclusions: IPQ and PMDI results were generally consistent. In order to understand diabetes care‐seeking behaviour it is important to measure beliefs about the benefits of treatment recommendations in addition to those of the disease itself. Emotional and cognitive responses to diabetes should be assessed.
Deciding to exercise: The role of anticipated regret
Authors: Abraham Charles , Sheeran Paschal
Published: May 2004

Objectives: Two studies tested (a) whether anticipated regret (AR) qualifies as an additional predictor of intentions to engage in a health‐enhancing behaviour (exercise) after variables from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and past behaviour have been controlled, and (b) whether a manipulation that induces participants to focus on AR causes stronger intentions to exercise.

Design: Study 1 employed a cross‐sectional questionnaire design; Study 2 employed a between‐participants experimental design (AR focus vs. no AR focus).

Method: Participants (N = 385) completed standard, multi‐item, reliable measures of TPB constructs and AR and also reported their past behaviour (Study 1). Participants in Study 2 (N = 70) completed measures of AR and intention; salience of AR was manipulated by means of item order.

Results: Study 1 showed that even though TPB variables and past behaviour were reliable predictors of intention, and explained 51% of the variance, AR contributed a substantial increment in the variance (5%) even after these predictors had been taken into account. Study 2 showed that participants who were induced to focus on AR prior to intention formation had significantly stronger intentions to exercise compared to controls.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that AR predicts a health‐enhancing behaviour (as well as the health‐risk behaviours examined in previous research) and that effects of AR are independent of TPB variables and past behaviour. The findings also indicate that a simple and inexpensive manipulation of the salience of AR can be used to promote exercise intentions.
Lack of age‐related increase in average glycemia in a non‐Westernized sample of rural Yucatec Maya females
Authors: McLorg Penelope A.
Published: May 2004

Age‐related decline in glucose processing and the associated progressively higher circulating glucose levels are considered well‐established biological aging phenomena. However, their occurrence in non‐Westernized populations characterized by less mechanization and dietary processing has not been well‐studied. This research extends evaluation of lifestyle conditions of diet and physical activity beyond those of Westernized areas and examines aging patterns in blood glucose among rural Yucatec Maya. The purpose is to investigate whether deteriorating glucose processing is intrinsic to human aging, while controlling for body composition in a non‐Westernized setting. Data were gathered from 60 nondiabetic Maya women, 40–85 years of age, living in 16 rural villages around Mérida, Yucatán. Information regarding personal history, diet, and physical activity was collected through interviews. Body composition was assessed through anthropometric and derived indicators of body size, fat distribution, body mass index, intra‐abdominal fat, and total fat and fat‐free masses. Glycemia was measured through microvenous samples analyzed for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine, to demonstrate average circulating glucose under customary living conditions. As indicated by glycation, average glycemia is not higher in older Maya females (age group F for HbA1c= 0.88,P> 0.05; age group F for fructosamine = 0.38,P> 0.05). Further, correlations between age and HbA1c(r = −0.13,P> 0.05) and fructosamine (r = −0.10,P> 0.05) are negative and not significant. The absence of significant, positive age associations with HbA1cand fructosamine persists when effects of body composition are taken into account. Thus, decline in glucose regulation does not appear to be a feature of aging in this non‐Westernized sample, suggesting that age‐related deterioration in glucose processing is not universal among human populations. Results suggest that relationships of age with glycemia are linked to lifestyle differences. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of varied imidization conditions on rubbed polyimide film surface morphology
Authors: Devlin C. L. H. , Chiang S. , Russell T. P.
Published: May 2004

The thermal histories of polyimide films were varied to study the effect of the extent of imidization on the response of films to rubbing. Films rubbed prior to imidization formed tears that extended to the substrate; tears in these films formed at smaller film thicknesses than in films imidized prior to rubbing. Aligned nanoscopic islands were also seen. The alignment of these islands disappeared upon imidization. Films imidized at a low temperature showed less alignment of islands than conventionally prepared films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1192–1197, 2004
Nonlinear stress relaxation in palladium(II) complexes with triblock copolymers of styrene and butadiene
Authors: Das Pronab K. , Belfiore Laurence A.
Published: May 2004

Above 200% strain, the mechanical response of triblock copolymers which contain styrene and butadiene is modified significantly by complexation with dichlorobis(acetonitrile)palladium(II). This pseudosquare‐planar transition metal salt forms π‐complexes with, and catalyzes the dimerization of, alkene groups in the main chain and the side group of Kraton's butadiene midblock. Between 10 and 100% strain, the plastic flow regime is similar for undiluted Kraton™ and its Pd2+ complexes, but the level of engineering stress is approximately twofold larger for the complex that contains 4 mol % palladium(II) [Pd(II)]. Nonlinear stress relaxation measurements in the plastic flow regime (i.e., beyond the yield point but before the large upturn in stress) are analyzed at several different levels of strain. Transient relaxation moduli were modeled by a three‐parameter biexponential decay with two viscoelastic time constants. The longer relaxation time for Kraton™ increases at higher strain, and in the presence of 4 mol % palladium chloride. A phenomenological model is proposed to describe the effect of strain on relaxation times. This model is consistent with the fact that greater length scales are required for cooperative segmental reorganization at larger strain. The resistance Ω to conformational reorganization during stress relaxation is estimated via integration of the normalized relaxation modulus versus time data. This resistance increases at higher initial jump strain because conformational rearrangements are influenced strongly by knots and entanglements at larger strain. The effect of strain on Ω is analyzed in terms of time‐strain separability of the relaxation modulus. Linear behavior is observed for Ω versus inverse strain (i.e., 1/ε), and the magnitude of the slope [i.e., −dΩ/d(1/ε)] is threefold larger in the absence of PdCl2(CH3CN)2. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1329–1336, 2004
Preparation of antimicrobial sutures by preirradiation grafting of acrylonitrile onto polypropylene monofilament. II. Mechanical, physical, and thermal characteristics
Authors: Jain Rachna , Gupta Bhuvanesh , Anjum Nishat , Revagade Nilesh , Singh Harpal
Published: May 2004

Polypropylene‐g‐polyacrylonitrile sutures were prepared by graft polymerization of acrylonitrile onto polypropylene monofilament by preirradiation method. Sutures with various graft levels were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Density, Birefriengence, X‐ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical properties of the unmodified and grafted sutures were also evaluated. The physical characteristics of sutures were markedly affected by the graft levels. Density of the polypropylene sutures increased with an increased in the degree of grafting. The heat of fusion and heat of crystallization decreased with the increase in the degree of grafting. X‐ray diffraction also revealed decrease in crystallinity with the increase in the graft levels. Tenacity of the monofilament improved, whereas the elongation at break decreased in grafted samples. Scanning electron microscopy showed significant variation in surface morphology in the grafted samples. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1224–1229, 2004
Studies on the effect of titanate coupling agent (2.0%) on the mechanical properties of flyash‐filled polybutadiene rubber
Authors: Alkadasi Nabil A. N. , Sarwade Bhimrao D. , Hundiwale D. G. , Kapadi U. R.
Published: May 2004

Flyash, a waste product of thermal power stations, generated in huge quantities, has been posing problems of disposal. Attempts have been made for its utilization as a filler in elastomers and plastics; however, it has been established that untreated flyash does not at all contribute in enhancing mechanical properties of composites. The purpose of this work was to make meaningful utilization of flyash as a filler, by treating it with a titanate coupling agent and to use it as a filler in PBR. The properties under consideration were tensile strength, modulus at 100 and 400%, Young's modulus, hardness, etc. Composites were made with varying proportion of untreated and treated flyash. A two‐roll mill was used for dispersing the filler in the rubber, and a compression‐molding technique was used to cure the compound in sheet form. Tensile properties were measured on a computerized UTM using an ASTM procedure. Comparison of properties of composites filled with treated and untreated flyash established that treatment of flyash imparts better reinforcing properties. Tensile strength was improved by 50%, while modulus at 400% was improved by 400%. Similarly, Young's modulus also was improved by 209%. The Titanate‐coupling agent used here has promoted adhesion between flyash and the PBR. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1293–1298, 2004
Polymeric phase change composites for thermal energy storage
Authors: Peng Shuo , Fuchs Alan , Wirtz R. A.
Published: May 2004

This article describes a group of thermal energy storage (TES) composites that combine TES and structural functionality. The composites are encapsulations of low melt temperature phase change materials (PCM) such as paraffin waxes in polymer matrices. Room temperature cured bisphenol‐A epoxy and styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) polymers are chosen as matrix materials because of their excellent chemical and mechanical properties. The polymeric network structure in the composite encapsulates the PCMs, which transform from the solid to the liquid phase. The PCMs provide the energy storage function via the solid–liquid latent heat effect. The resulting composite exhibits dry‐phase transition in the sense that fluid motion of the PCM, when in the liquid phase, is inhibited by the structure of the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix is formulated to provide structural functionality. The latent heat, thermal conductivity and contact conductance, and structural moduli of composites having various PCM‐to‐matrix volume fractions are measured. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1240–1251, 2004
Thermal degradation of ternary blends of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Sivalingam G. , Madras Giridhar
Published: May 2004

The thermal degradation of ternary blends of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAC), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied using a thermogravimetry analyzer under dynamic heating in flowing nitrogen atmosphere. PCL degraded in a single stage, whereas the PVAC and PVC degraded in two stages during which acid is released in the first stage followed by backbone breakage in the second stage. The addition of PVC to either PCL or PVAC affected the thermal stability of the blend, whereas the addition of PVAC to PCL did not alter the thermal stability of the blend. In ternary blends, the addition of PVC affected the degradation of PVAC but did not influence the degradation of PCL in the range investigated. The increased addition of PCL to the binary blends of PVC/PVAC decreased the extent of thermal instability of PVAC because of the addition of PVC. The addition of even 10% PVAC to the PCL/PVC blend removed the thermal instability of PCL resulting from the addition of PVC and can be attributed to the ease of chlorine or hydrogen chloride capture of PVAC over PCL. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1378–1383, 2004
Simplified method for estimation of composition of alginates by FTIR
Authors: Sakugawa Keiju , Ikeda Atsushi , Takemura Akio , Ono Hirokuni
Published: May 2004

A modified method of preparing highly purified polymannuronic acid and polyguluronic acid was developed wherein acid hydrolysis was carried out using oxalic acid and separation was made using the difference of solubility with pH value. The simplified method using FTIR measurement to estimate the M/G ratio of alginate was investigated using Ca or Mn salts of alginate. The developed method appears to offer enhanced accuracy compared to that of previous techniques. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1372–1377, 2004
The Structural Role of the Triflate Anion in the Non‐Covalent Silver Polymer [Ag(LOH)2(CF3SO3)(CH3CN)] {LOH = α‐(4‐Pyridyl)benzhydrol}
Authors: Bacchi Alessia , Bosetti Elsa , Carcelli Mauro , Pelagatti Paolo , Rogolino Dominga
Published: May 2004

Ag(CF3SO3) was reacted with the ligand α‐(4‐pyridyl)benzhydrol (LOH) in order to build a mixed organic/inorganic analogue of wheel‐and‐axle diols. In the resulting [Ag(LOH)2(CF3SO3)(CH3CN)] complex, the metal is four‐coordinate, with two pyridines trans each other and a triflate and an acetonitrile group completing a sawhorse geometry. The main structural motif is based on the strongest and most directional tectons, the coordination bond Ag−O and the hydrogen bonds −OH···O−S−O···HO−. Secondly, the sixfold phenyl embrace, CH3···π, CH3···CF3 and Ag···F tectons also direct the crystal assembly. A new synthon originating from the combination of the S−O···HO−, the π···CH3 and the CH3···CF3 individual tectons is identified. The structural roles of the anion and of the solvent are discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Regioselective Functionalization of Tetrabromophenanthroline−Ruthenium Complexes
Authors: Rau Sven , Fischer Reinald , Jäger Michael , Schäfer Bernhard , Meyer Susann , Kreisel Günter , Görls Helmar , Rudolf Manfred , Henry William , Vos Johannes G.
Published: May 2004

Structural, photophysical and photochemical characterization and reactivity of a novel polypyridyl ruthenium complex based on 3,5,6,8‐tetrabromophenanthroline are discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Cover Picture: Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Bi(Bi9)[NbCl6]3, a New Member of the Structure Family Bi(Bi9)[MX6]3, and the Crystal Structure of Bi8[Ta2O2Br7]2 (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 10/2004)
Authors: Beck Johannes , Hilbert Tobias
Published: May 2004

The cover picture shows the characteristic crystal form of elemental bismuth in the background and a perspective view of the crystal structure Bi(Bi9)[NbCl6]3 containing three‐capped trigonal prismatic Bi95+ clusters. The Bi+ cations in the channels made up of the octahedral halometalate anions are disordered and can be treated in different ways in the crystallographic description. A remarkable feature of the compound is the paramagnetic behaviour, which shows the presence of Nb in the less common oxidation state +IV. Details are discussed in the article by J. Beck and T. Hilbert on p. 2019 ff.
Obesity in children – facts and fallacies
Authors: Campbell Ian W.
Published: May 2004

Obesity is now recognised as the most prevalent nutritional disorder affecting children. Prevalence rates across Europe have increased sharply in the past decade and the consequences of this are increasingly clear with type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension now affecting children in growing numbers. The causes of this modern epidemic are many and involve complex genetic and environmental factors and the traditional view of obesity as a product of laziness and greed is increasingly being challenged. Whatever the causes, prevention and treatment need to be considered with urgency. While personal and parental responsibility remain crucial, it also falls to government to help control powerful environmental pressures which are leading our children into premature ill‐health and mortality. Equally health professionals are increasingly recognising that they have a significant role to play in delivering medical treatment of obesity in children. Successful treatment requires a greater understanding of obesity, causes, and consequences, and of the particular style of approach that is required for children, and their families. The role of weight loss medication remains unclear, but is being examined seriously, such is the need for effective treatment strategies to minimise the incidence and severity of co‐morbid disease. Inaction at any level can no longer be considered a viable option.
A convection–diffusion CFD model for aeolian particle transport
Authors: Ji S. B. , Gerber A. G. , Sousa A. C. M.
Published: May 2004

A convection–diffusion mixture model for estimating particle transport along loose surfaces, which can be incorporated within the framework of a computational‐fluid‐dynamics (CFD) solution, is presented. In consideration of the particle behaviour of saltation and suspension in wind tunnel tests, the particle flow is described by the basic parameters controlled by the surface shear stress and particle size. This description is used to derive a surface entrainment rate, and effective near‐wall saltation diffusion coefficient applied in mixture models of two‐phase flow. The derivation leads to equations that provide, based on a specified surface shear stress and particle size, an appropriately scaled estimation of the particle entrainment into the flow. Validation has been conducted against air–sand and air–coal systems where experimental and numerical predictions are available for comparison. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of a single drop impact onto liquid film using particle method
Authors: Xie Heng , Koshizuka Seiichi , Oka Yoshiaki
Published: May 2004

The process of single liquid drop impact on thin liquid surface is numerically simulated with moving particle semi‐implicit method. The mathematical model involves gravity, viscosity and surface tension. The model is validated by the simulation of the experimental cases. It is found that the dynamic processes after impact are sensitive to the liquid pool depth and the initial drop velocity. In the cases that the initial drop velocity is low, the drop will be merged with the liquid pool and no big splash is seen. If the initial drop velocity is high enough, the dynamic process depends on the liquid depth. If the liquid film is very thin, a bowl‐shaped thin crown is formed immediately after the impact. The total crown subsequently expands outward and breaks into many tiny droplets. When the thickness of the liquid film increases, the direction of the liquid crown becomes normal to the surface and the crown propagates outward. It is also found that the radius of the crown is described by a square function of time: rC = [c(t − t0)]0.5. When the liquid film is thick enough, a crown and a deep cavity inside it are formed shortly after the impact. The bottom of the cavity is initially oblate and then the base grows downward to form a sharp corner and subsequently the corner moves downward. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased expression of inducible HSP70 in apoptotic cells is correlated with their efficacy for antitumor vaccine therapy
Authors: Massé Delphine , Ebstein Frédéric , Bougras Gwenola , Harb Jean , Meflah Khaled , Grégoire Marc
Published: May 2004

Apoptosis is a physiologic process in normal development, tissue remodeling and cell turnover. This cell death is noninflammatory and nonimmunogenic, but when associated with a danger signal, it can activate the immune system. However, the capacity of apoptotic cells to activate the immune system is not clearly established, although dead tumor cells have been largely exploited as a source of TAA in cellular therapy against cancer. From these cellular preparations, contradictory results have been reported on the effect of apoptotic cells as an effective source of TAA and their immunologic properties. These conflicting data strongly suggest that the optimal preparation of apoptotic cells derived from tumor cells remains to be determined. In this work, we studied and compared the efficacy of antitumor immune responses derived from repeated injections using different preparations of apoptotic cells. We investigated the importance of HSP70 and TGF‐β expression in apoptotic cells used in the treatment of an established and nonimmunogenic rat carcinoma. UVB‐mediated apoptosis did not affect TGF‐β expression in tumor cells, whereas HS treatment sharply downregulated it. Thus, downregulation of TGF‐β permits normal DC activation and maturation and the induction of tumor immunity. We conclude that HS followed by UVB irradiation is a superior source of tumor antigen for the treatment of established tumors. Future work will determine whether HS independently upregulates HSP70, thereby suppressing expression of active TGF‐β, or whether the 2 are linked via a still undefined mechanism. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elevated expression of CCL5/RANTES in adult T‐cell leukemia cells: Possible transactivation of the CCL5 gene by human T‐cell leukemia virus type I tax
Authors: Mori Naoki , Krensky Alan M. , Ohshima Koichi , Tomita Mariko , Matsuda Takehiro , Ohta Takao , Yamada Yasuaki , Tomonaga Masao , Ikeda Shuichi , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: May 2004

HTLV‐I is the etiologic agent of ATL and of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy. Infiltration of various tissues by circulating leukemic cells and HTLV‐I‐infected T cells is a characteristic of ATL and HTLV‐I‐associated inflammatory diseases. Chemokines play important roles in migration and tissue localization of various lymphocyte subsets. Here, we report the highly frequent expression of CCL5 (RANTES) in ATL and HTLV‐I‐infected T‐cell lines. Among various human T‐cell lines, those infected with HTLV‐I selectively expressed the CCL5 gene and secreted CCL5. Furthermore, CCL5 was expressed by leukemic cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes from patients with ATL. Inducible expression of HTLV‐I transcriptional activator Tax in a human T‐cell line Jurkat, up‐regulated CCL5 mRNA and induced CCL5 secretion. Analysis of the CCL5 promoter revealed that this gene is activated by Tax, via the activation of NF‐κB, whose responsive element, R(A/B), is located at positions −71 to −43 relative to the putative transcription start site. Aberrant expression of CCL5 by HTLV‐I‐infected T cells may impact on the pathophysiology of HTLV‐I‐associated diseases. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 is associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ho Jenny C. , Cheung Siu Tim , Leung Ka Ling , Ng Irene O. , Fan Sheung Tat
Published: May 2004

Cytochrome P450‐2E1 (CYP2E1) is one of the major hepatic enzymes involved in the metabolism of procarcinogen. Our study aimed to investigate the differential expression level of CYP2E1 and its clinicopathological significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CYP2E1 revealed low level of expression in 70% of the tumor tissues, when compared to the adjacent nontumor tissues, at both mRNA and protein levels. The low expression of CYP2E1 was significantly correlated with the aggressive tumor phenotype, including poor differentiation status (by the Edmondson grading system) (p=0.038), absence of tumor capsule (p=0.030) and younger age of the patients (p=0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that CYP2E1 expression level and pTNM stage were independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. CYP2E1 was also shown to have a differential expression level in different liver tissues. The level of CYP2E1 was significantly higher in nontumor tissues from HCC patients compared to the intermediate level in cirrhosis livers from noncancer patients and normal livers from healthy persons. Tumor tissues were shown to have the lowest expression level. In conclusion, our results have shown that CYP2E1 is upregulated in the nontumor tissue and downregulated in tumor tissue, which is associated with aggressive tumor type and poor prognosis of the patients. It suggested that the differential expression of CYP2E1 may play an important role in HCC tumorigenesis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the role of CO2 laser treatment in the human serum albumin and human plasma fibronectin adsorption on zirconia (MGO‐PSZ) bioceramic surface
Authors: Hao L. , Lawrence J.
Published: May 2004

The nature of the surface strongly influences the composition and recognizability of the adsorbed protein layer, which in turn affects the subsequent cellular interactions. Thus, to understand the biological response to a material, especially in vitro, one must fully understand the nature of the adsorbed protein film that forms on the material. This study investigates the fundamental interactions between the human serum albumin (no‐cell adhesive) and human plasma fibronectin and bioinert ceramic following CO2 laser treatment. The analysis of the albumin and fibronectin adsorption was conducted on the untreated and CO2 laser‐modified magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (MgO‐PSZ) bioceramic using an ellipsometry. It was found that the adsorptions of albumin and fibronectin were influenced by the surface properties. The albumin adsorption was affected by the surface roughness and wettability characteristics of the MgO‐PSZ and decreased with these properties, while the fibronectin adsorption was increased with wettability characteristics and predominantly governed by this property. Moreover, the considerable change in the polar component of surface energy, γ, and its effect on protein adsorption implied that the albumin and fibronectin adsorption on the MgO‐PSZ surfaces was probably due to the polar and chemical interactions. The value of this work is to provide a novel technique and useful information for manipulating protein adsorption and thereof cellular interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 69A: 748–756, 2004
Analysis of the relationship between the North Atlantic oscillation and sea‐level changes in northwest Europe
Authors: Yan Zhongwei , Tsimplis Michael N. , Woolf David
Published: May 2004

The impact of the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) on sea level around northern European coasts is explored on the basis of mean monthly sea level time series back to the 19th century at 10 sites. Two types of relationship with the NAO are found. Most of northern Europe shows a positive relationship with higher sea levels under stronger NAO conditions, which is clearer for the winter season. In contrast, a negative relationship exists to the south, covering southwest England. Both the relationships are variable in time and were enhanced during recent decades, possibly due to movements of the NAO‐related pressure centres. The analysis of the NAO and sea level variability in different frequency bands suggests that the relationship is strongest at the annual and interannual time scales at all sites. The NAO is also strongly correlated with decadal and longer term sea level changes in the Baltic Sea. The wavelet spectral power peaks at about 12 months for the NAO and 13–15 months for sea level. Unusually strong and weak annual cycles in sea level are closely related to two types of seasonal variation in the NAO. The anomalous annual cycles in sea level tend to lag those in the NAO by a month for most of the sites analysed, suggesting that sea level does not simply respond to the pressure forcing, but is additionally responsive to changes in thermal conditions and fluxes associated with the NAO. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
Monte Carlo simulation of polymer analogous reaction in confined conditions: effects of ordering
Authors: Yashin Victor V. , Kudryavtsev Yaroslav V. , Kriksin Yury A. , Litmanovich Arkady D.
Published: May 2004

The influence of energetic parameters of the interchain homo‐ and heterocontacts on a local ordering of Bernoullian copolymers has been studied using Monte Carlo simulations and probabilistic analysis. The results of both methods are in a good agreement. Then simple Monte Carlo procedure was employed to study the ordering in products of a polymeranalogous reaction with accelerating effect of neighboring groups. When the reaction with intra‐ and interchain acceleration and local ordering proceed simultaneously in confined conditions, the ordering might affect the process so that the formation of certain nano‐structures (in particular, not trivial strip‐like ones) is possible.
Studies on the copolymerisation of N‐isopropyl‐acrylamide with glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Choudhary Veena , Rajya Sonal , Singh Dipti
Published: May 2004

The paper describes the homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in solution at 60°C using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator and dioxan as solvent. Copolymers were synthesized by varying the mol fraction of GMA in the initial feed from 0.025‐0.125. All the polymerization reactions were terminated at low % conversion (10‐15%) and the copolymer composition was determined by measuring the epoxy content. Percent epoxy content was determined by titration method using pyridine‐HCl mixture. The reactivity ratios determined using Fineman‐Ross method were found to be 0.94±0.05 (r1, NIPAM) and 1.05±0.08 (r2, GMA). All the polymers have high molecular weights with wide molecular weight distribution as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) i.e. Mn in the range of 3.7 x 104 ‐ 7.8 x 104 and Mw in the range of 1.2 x 105 ‐ 4.1 x 105 with a polydispersity index in the range of 2.3‐5.3. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of NIPAM homopolymer and copolymers was determined by recording DSC scans of polymers in aqueous solution. Incorporation of GMA in the poly(NIPAM) backbone resulted in a decrease in the LCST.