bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Seniors and Mobile Phone Interaction
Authors: -Pecino Roberto Martinez , Lera María J. , Martinez-Pecino Magdalena
Published: June 2012

In this study we analyzed the interaction between active seniors and mobile phone use. Results were obtained from a survey. Participants were 165 active seniors enrolled in university programs for seniors, most of whom owned a mobile phone and used it for basic functions such as making
calls, creating a contact list, checking the time, and sending text messages. The mobile phone did not have a social expansion function (that is, to extend their social networks) for these people; but it did provide them with social support by allowing them to keep in touch with their relatives.
It also made them feel secure, free, and independent.
The Timeliness of Bad Earnings News and Litigation Risk
Authors: Donelson Dain C. , McInnis John M. , Mergenthaler Richard D. , Yu Yong
Published: June 2012

This study investigates whether the timely revelation of bad earnings news is associated with a lower incidence of litigation. The timeliness of earnings news is captured by a new measure based on the evolution of the consensus analyst earnings forecast. Holding total bad earnings news and other determinants of litigation constant, we find that earlier revelation of bad earnings news lowers the likelihood of litigation. This result holds for both settled and dismissed lawsuits. Further, we reconcile our findings with prior work that measures timeliness using managerial warnings via press releases. These tests suggest our findings are attributable to the ability of our timeliness measure to capture bad earning news revealed through disclosure channels beyond press releases.

Data Availability: Data are available from public sources identified in the paper.

JEL Classifications: K22; K41; M41.
Does the Processing Fluency of a Syllabus Affect the Forecasted Grade and Course Difficulty?
Authors: Guenther R. Kim
Published: June 2012

Processing fluency is known to affect a variety of cognitive assessments, but most research has not examined such effects in the context of a real-life experience. In the first experiment, college students, enrolled in either a statistics or cognitive psychology course, read a course syllabus which varied in the clarity of its font and frequency of its vocabulary. Based on the syllabus, students then forecasted their final course grade and the course's difficulty. Despite methodological similarity to other fluency experiments and adequate statistical power, there were no significant differences in forecasts across fluency conditions. Fluency may be discounted in a task which provides information that affects people's lives. This interpretation was bolstered by a second experiment whose participants were students in a statistics course. These students read the cognitive course's syllabus and forecasted better grades and less difficulty in the cognitive course when the font of the syllabus was more clear than unclear.
Temperament and Character Inventory—R (TCI—R) and Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ): Convergence and Divergence
Authors: Capanna Cristina , Struglia Francesca , Riccardi Ilaria , Daneluzzo Enrico , Stratta Paolo , Rossi Alessandro
Published: June 2012

This study evaluated the correspondence between measures of two competing theories of personality, the five-factor model as measured by the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ), and Cloninger's psychobiological theory measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised (TCI—R). A sample of 900 Italian participants, balanced with respect to sex (393 men and 507 women), and representative of the adult population with respect to age (range 18 to 70 years; M = 39.6, SD = 15.7) completed the TCI—R and the Big Five Questionnaire. All TCI—R personality dimensions except Self-Transcendence were moderately correlated with one or more of the Big Five dimensions (from r = .40 to .61), and the two instruments showed areas of convergence. However, the differences outweighed the similarities, indicating that these current conceptualizations and measures of personality are somewhat inconsistent with each other.
Development and Reliability of a Brazilian Portuguese Version of the MCMI-III
Authors: Magalhaes Cristina L. , Noblitt Randy , Magalhaes Ellen S. , Lewis John
Published: June 2012

This paper describes the methodology used to translate the MCMI–III into Brazilian Portuguese and presents results from a reliability study conducted in Brazil with the translated instrument. The sample was comprised of 222 Brazilian college students. Test-retest correlations between first and second testings (over a period of 7 to 14 days) ranged from .70 to .93 across 27 scales. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from .54 to .87. The procedures described in this paper represent preliminary steps in the development of a Brazilian Portuguese translation of the MCMI–III. Further studies are needed to obtain reliability data with a clinical sample, evaluate the diagnostic validity of the scales, and derive appropriate base rates for the Brazilian population.
Parent Socialization Effects in Different Cultures: Significance of Directive Parenting
Authors: Sorkhabi Nadia
Published: June 2012

In this article, the controversy of divergent findings in research on parental socialization effects in different cultures is addressed. Three explanations intended to address divergent findings of socialization effects in different cultures, as advanced by researchers who emphasize cultural differences, are discussed. These include cultural differences in socialization values and goals of parents, parental emotional and cognitive characteristics associated with parenting styles, and adolescents' interpretations or evaluations of their parents' parenting styles. The empirical evidence for and against each of these arguments is examined and an alternative paradigm for understanding and empirical study of developmental outcomes associated with parenting styles in different cultures is suggested. Baum-rind's directive parenting style is presented as an alternative to the authoritarian parenting style in understanding the positive developmental effects associated with “strict” parenting in cultures said to have a collectivist orientation. Directions for research on the three explanations are mentioned.
Non-Target Language Processing in Chinese-English Bilinguals: A Study of Event-Related Potential
Authors: Li Li , Fan Meng , Sun Bing , Wang Ruiming , Mo Lei , Zhang John Xuexin
Published: June 2012

The event-related brain potential (ERP) technique was used to investigate the neural mechanism of non-target language processing in Chinese-English bilinguals. Participants were presented with a mixed list of Chinese and English words and required to make conceptual decisions for words in one language and ignore words in the other non-target language. Regardless of whether the non-target word was in Chinese or English, the ERPs they elicited were modulated by word frequency, suggesting that their meaning had been accessed. The N400 peak was delayed in the English as the non-target language condition, probably because participants were less proficient in English. The results suggest that the non-target language can be processed during conceptual tasks with participants' proficiency in this language being a critical factor.
Vortices in superconducting nano-networks with anti-dots array
Authors: Hirata Kazuto , Thakur Ajay , Ooi Shuuichi , Mochiku Takashi
Published: June 2012

Vortices (magnetic flux quanta) in the superconducting networks perforated with anti-dots (holes) arrays behave as electrons in atomic lattice of crystals. Repulsive and attractive interaction among vortices and anti-dots resemble to those among electrons and atoms in crystals. To confirm the variety of the vortex physics similar to the solid state physics, we have fabricated such superconducting networks with antidots array in metallic, inter-metallic and high-T c superconductors (HTSCs), and have measured magneto-resistance of vortex-flow. In these materials, we have observed integer-matching at the matching fields and fractional-matching effect between them. Most of them are well explained by commensurability between Abrikosov vortex lattice and anti-dots array. Furthermore, the effect of the anti-dots array in HTSCs appears as another kind of phase transitions instead of to the first-order melting transition of vortex lattice in pristine samples.
Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to amines using zinc and aqueous chelating ethers: Mild and efficient method for zinc activation
Authors: Kumar Pookot , Lokanatha Rai Kuriya
Published: June 2012

A mild, environmentally friendly method for reduction of aromatic nitro group to amine is reported, using zinc powder in aqueous solutions of chelating ethers. The donor ether acts as a ligand and also serves as a co-solvent. Water is the proton source. This procedure is also a new method for the activation of zinc for electron transfer reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. The reduction is accomplished in a neutral medium and other reducing groups remained unaffected. The ethers used are dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, ethoxymethoxyethane, dimethoxymethane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and diglyme.
Synthesis of new dendritic antenna-like polypyridine ligands
Authors: Zalas Maciej , Gierczyk Błażej , Cegłowski Michał , Schroeder Grzegorz
Published: June 2012

An efficient synthesis of multidentate polypyridine ligands, 3,5-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-4-ylethynyl)benzoic acid and 3,5-bis(2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-pyridin-4-ylethynyl)benzoic acid, with potential application in the production of ruthenium dyes for dye-sensitised solar cells was developed. Isolation of intermediate products and final compounds is simple and the yields are very high. The ligands obtained can be used in the synthesis of dendritic analogues of well known and very efficient N3 dye and “black dye”.
Comparison of Longitudinal Sciatic Nerve Movement With Different Mobilization Exercises: An In Vivo Study Utilizing Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Ellis Richard F. , Hing Wayne A. , McNair Peter J.
Published: June 2012

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study using a single-group, within-subjects comparison.

Objectives

To determine whether different types of neural mobilization exercises are associated with differing amounts of longitudinal sciatic nerve excursion measured in vivo at the posterior midthigh region.

Background

Recent research focusing on the upper limb of healthy subjects has shown that nerve excursion differs significantly between different types of neural mobilization exercises. This has not been examined in the lower limb. It is important to initially examine the influence of neural mobilization on peripheral nerve excursion in healthy people to identify peripheral nerve excursion impairments under conditions in which nerve excursion may be compromised.

Methods

High-resolution ultrasound imaging was used to assess sciatic nerve excursion at the posterior midthigh region. Four different neural mobilization exercises were performed in 31 healthy participants. These neural mobilization exercises used combinations of knee extension and cervical spine flexion and extension. Frame-by-frame cross-correlation analysis of the ultrasound images was used to calculate nerve excursion. A repeated-measures analysis of variance and isolated means comparisons were used for data analysis.

Results

Different neural mobilization exercises induced significantly different amounts of sciatic nerve excursion at the posterior midthigh region (P<.001). The slider exercise, consisting of the participant performing simultaneous cervical spine and knee extension, resulted in the largest amount of sciatic nerve excursion (mean ± SD, 3.2 ± 2.0 mm). The amount of excursion during the slider exercise was slightly greater (mean ± SD, 2.6 ± 1.5 mm; P = .002) than it was during the tensioner exercise (simultaneous cervical spine flexion and knee extension). The single-joint neck flexion exercise resulted in the least amount of sciatic nerve excursion at the posterior midthigh (mean ± SD, −0.1 ± 0.1 mm), which was significantly smaller than the other 3 exercises (P<.001).

Conclusion

These findings are consistent with the results of previous research that has examined median nerve excursion associated with different neural mobilization exercises. Such nerve excursion supports theories of nerve motion associated with cervical spine and extremity movement, as generalizable to the lower limb. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(8):667–675, Epub 18 June 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3854
Immediate Changes in Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, Neck Pain, and Cervical Range of Motion After Cervical or Thoracic Thrust Manipulation in Patients With Bilateral Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Martínez-Segura Raquel , de-la-Llave-Rincón Ana Isabel , Ortega-Santiago Ricardo , Cleland Joshua A. , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César
Published: June 2012

Study Design

Randomized clinical trial.

Objectives

To compare the effects of cervical versus thoracic thrust manipulation in patients with bilateral chronic mechanical neck pain on pressure pain sensitivity, neck pain, and cervical range of motion (CROM).

Background

Evidence suggests that spinal interventions can stimulate descending inhibitory pain pathways. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the neurophysiological effects of thoracic thrust manipulation in individuals with bilateral chronic mechanical neck pain, including widespread changes on pressure sensitivity.

Methods

Ninety patients (51% female) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: cervical thrust manipulation on the right, cervical thrust manipulation on the left, or thoracic thrust manipulation. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over the C5–6 zygapophyseal joint, lateral epicondyle, and tibialis anterior muscle, neck pain (11-point numeric pain rating scale), and cervical spine range of motion (CROM) were collected at baseline and 10 minutes after the intervention by an assessor blinded to the treatment allocation of the patients. Mixed-model analyses of covariance were used to examine the effects of the treatment on each outcome variable, with group as the between-subjects variable, time and side as the within-subject variables, and gender as the covariate. The primary analysis was the group-by-time interaction.

Results

No significant interactions were found with the mixed-model analyses of covariance for PPT level (C5–6, P>.210; lateral epicondyle, P>.186; tibialis anterior muscle, P>.268), neck pain intensity (P = .923), or CROM (flexion, P = .700; extension, P = .387; lateral flexion, P>.672; rotation, P>.192) as dependent variables. All groups exhibited similar changes in PPT, neck pain, and CROM (all, P<.001). Gender did not influence the main effects or the interaction effects in the analyses of the outcomes (P>.10).

Conclusion

The results of the current randomized clinical trial suggest that cervical and thoracic thrust manipulation induce similar changes in PPT, neck pain intensity, and CROM in individuals with bilateral chronic mechanical neck pain. However, changes in PPT and CROM were small and did not surpass their respective minimal detectable change values. Further, because we did not include a control group, we cannot rule out a placebo effect of the thrust interventions on the outcomes.

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(9):806–814, Epub 18 June 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4151
Recovery From Depressive Symptoms Over the Course of Physical Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study of Individuals With Work-Related Orthopaedic Injuries and Symptoms of Depression
Authors: Wideman Timothy H. , Scott Whitney , Martel Marc O. , Sullivan Michael J.L.
Published: June 2012

Study Design

Prospective cohort.

Objectives

(1) To determine the trajectory of depressive symptoms over the course of physical therapy, (2) to identify variables that best predict the resolution of depressive symptoms, and (3) to explore the relationship between recovery from depressive symptoms and long-term outcomes.

Background

Twenty-five percent to 50% of patients referred to physical therapy for orthopaedic injuries suffer from symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms have been identified as an influential risk factor for problematic response to physical therapy. Despite these findings, there is a dearth of research specifically exploring the trajectory and determinants of patients' depressive symptoms over the course of physical therapy, which has impeded the evidence-based management of patients with depressive symptoms.

Methods

One hundred six patients with work-related musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms of depression received 7 weeks of physical therapy and were followed 1 year after treatment onset. Pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and other psychosocial factors were evaluated throughout treatment, and data were collected at 1-year follow-up.

Results

Depressive symptoms resolved in 40% of patients, and resolution was linked to pain and disability at 1-year follow-up. Persistence of depressive symptoms at treatment completion was predicted by elevated levels of depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing at pretreatment, and by lack of improvement in levels of depressive symptoms and pain self-efficacy at midtreatment.

Conclusion

For many patients, depressive symptoms resolve over the course of physical therapy, and resolution is associated with long-term improvements in pain and disability. These findings will help identify patients whose depressive symptoms are least likely to respond to physical therapy and may therefore warrant additional treatment.

Level of Evidence

Prognosis, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(11):957–967, Epub 18 June 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4182
Towards optimal defibration: Energy reduction by fatiguing pre-treatment
Authors: Björkqvist T. , Engberg B. A. , Salminen L. I. , Salmi A.
Published: June 2012

A motive for fatiguing wood prior to defibration would be to reduce the energy consumption needed in mechanical pulping processes. Therefore, the effects of fatiguing pre-treatment were here studied on wood samples, on defibration and also on produced paper. The results indicate that pre-fatiguing changes the mechanic response of wood to be more favorable for harsh defibration which in turn is positive for the process efficiency.
3D network simulations of paper structure
Authors: Lavrykov S. , Ramarao B. V. , Lindström S. B. , Singh K. M.
Published: June 2012

The structure of paper influences its properties and simulations of it are necessary to understand the impact of fiber and papermaking conditions on the sheet properties. We show a method to develop a representative structure of paper by merging different simulation techniques for the forming section and the pressing operation. The simulation follows the bending and drape of fibers over one another in the final structure and allows estimation of sheet properties without recourse to arbitrary bending rules or experimental measurements of density and/or RBA. Fibers are first modeled as jointed beams following the fluid mechanics in the forming section. The sheet structure obtained from this is representative of the wet sheet from the couch. The pressing simulation discretizes fibers into a number of solid elements around the lumen. Bonding between fibers is simulated using spring elements. The resulting fiber network was analyzed to determine its elastic modulus and deformation under small strains. The influence of fiber dimensions, namely fiber lengths, widths and thicknesses as well as bond stiffnesses on the elasticity of the network are studied. A brief account of inclusion of fines, represented by individual cubical elements is also shown.
Mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibrils determined through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Ketoja Jukka , Paavilainen Sami , McWhirter James Liam , Róg Tomasz , Järvinen Juha , Vattulainen Ilpo
Published: June 2012

We have carried out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibrils in water and ethanol. The studied elementary fibrils consisted of regions having 34 or 36 cellulose chains whose cross-sectional diameter across the fibril was roughly 3.4 nm. The models used in simulations included both crystalline and non-crystalline regions, where the latter were designed to describe the essentials parts of amorphous cellulose nanofibrils. We examined different numbers of connecting chains between the crystallites, and found out that the elastic constants, inelastic deformations, and strength of the fibril depend on this number. For example, the elastic modulus for the whole fibril can be estimated to increase by 4 GPa for each additional connecting chain.
Optical measurement of deformation of paper under tensile load
Authors: Post Paul-Philipp , Berger Christian , Villforth Klaus , Schaffrath Heinz-Joachim , Schabel Samuel
Published: June 2012

A test method for simultaneous contactless measurement of lateral contraction and change in thickness of paper in tensile testing is presented. All the investigated paper samples showed transverse shrinkage as well as an increase in thickness during loading. Consequently, in-plane Poisson’s ratios for different tested papers were positive, whereas Poisson’s ratios in thickness direction had negative values. In general, the transverse shrinkage proved to be detectable while the resolution and accuracy of the thickness determination in some cases still requires optimization.
Fibre deformations induced by different mechanical treatments and their effect on zero-span strength
Authors: Zeng Xiling , Fu Shiyu , Retulainen Elias , Heinemann Sabine
Published: June 2012

Fibre deformations have a significant effect on fibre strength and sheet properties. There is little information, however, on the kinds of deformations different types of treatments induce and how they affect the fibre strength. In the present study, first-thinning bleached pine kraft pulp was treated with three mechanical devices: a wing defibrator (high consistency treatment), an E-compactor (high consistency treatment) and a conventional Valley beater (low consistency treatment). The fibre properties were determined with a fibre analyser. The fibre cutting induced by the hydrochloric acid (HCl) treatment (‘cleavage index’) was used for the quantification of the fibre defects. The zero-span tensile strength of dry and wet paper was used to estimate the fibre strength. Each mechanical treatment induced fibre deformations in its own characteristic way. The wing defibrator induced fibre kinks and curl whereas the E-compactor, in addition to fibre cutting, favoured kinks. Low consistency Valley beating straightened the fibres and released fibre deformations. The fibre deformations, especially the number of kinks, correlated well with the wet zero-span tensile strength. The cleavage index had some correlation with the zero-span tensile strength, but the results indicated that the cleavage index may not be directly related to the mechanical defects in fibres but depend more on the chemical conditions on the fibre surface and the wall structure.
Time-dependent, stochastic failure of paper and box
Authors: Uesaka Tetsu , Juntunen Janne
Published: June 2012

Time-dependent, stochastic failure is most common in practical situations where paper and board are used, such as web breaks and box failure. A theoretical treatment has been presented, starting from Coleman’s stochastic failure model to the models with structural hierarchy. Creep failure data of box and board published in the literature were analysed from the light of the proposed theoretical model. The results showed that the distribution of life time (not only mean life time) of corrugated boxes changes very sensitively with loading and environmental conditions. Generally the coefficient of variation varied from 6% to 90%. Another important parameter, the load sensitivity of damage growth also varied from 1.7 to 27. Such enormous variation of the key parameters is not a mere fluctuation of experimental condition, but represents the very nature of timedependent, stochastic failure. The stochastic failure model presented provides a framework for analyzing experimental data as well as for predicting life time distributions under general fluctuating loading conditions other than creep.
Simulation of creping pattern in tissue paper
Authors: Raunio Jukka-Pekka , Ritala Risto
Published: June 2012

The key operation in tissue production is the creping at the Yankee cylinder. The tissue sheet is adhered to a Yankee cylinder and then detached from the surface with a blade. As a result a strong microstructure - crepe folds - is generated on the web. In this work the structure of creping pattern in CD and MD of tissue paper was studied. The samples available in this work consisted of bath tissue and towel grades. The significant difference between the samples was in the number of crepe folds. The tissue sheets were analyzed with an imaging system. The variation of crepe folds in images was studied in spatial frequency space through 2D Welch spectrum. It was noticed that the difference in creping pattern structure between the samples can be seen clearly in spectra. The creping pattern was simulated based on the creping pattern variation found from the Welch spectra of tissue paper images. The simulation was based on a set of sinusoidal terms representing several orientations and amplitudes. The amplitudes of sinusoidal terms located in regular grid in spectra were approximated with 2D normal distribution. Thus, the structure of creping pattern can be represented with three parameters originating from the deviations and location of 2D normal distribution. The creping pattern reconstructed with simulations contains the relevant features in the creping pattern of true tissue images.
Modeling and simulation of paperboard edge wicking
Authors: Mark Andreas , Edelvik Fredrik , Tryding Johan , Nyman Ulf , Amini Junis , Fredlund Mats , Rentzhog Maria , Glatt Erik , Rief Stefan , Wiegmann Andreas , Lai Ron , Martinsson Lars
Published: June 2012

When liquid packaging board is made aseptic in the filling machine the unsealed edges of the board are exposed to hydrogen peroxide. A high level of liquid penetration may lead to aesthetic as well as functional defects. To be able to make a priori predictions of the edge wicking properties of a certain paperboard material is therefore of great interest to paper industry as well as to packaging manufacturers. The aim of this paper is to present a new analytical theory for prediction of the edge wicking properties of paperboard. The theory is based on Darcy’s law and the ideal gas law to describe the physical behavior of water flow in paperboard. The theory is compared to a recently published multi-scale framework and with pressurized edge wick experiments. The agreement is very good for paperboard samples of different sizes. The conclusion from the work is that both analytical theory and detailed simulations are useful to predict edge wicking properties of paperboard material.
Edge-wicking: Micro-fluidics of two-dimensional liquid penetration into porous structures
Authors: Wiklund Hanna , Uesaka Tetsu
Published: June 2012

We have performed free-energy-based two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulations of the penetration of liquid into the edge of a porous material. The purpose was to gain further insight into possible mechanisms involved in the penetration of liquid into the unsealed edges of paper and paper board. In order to identify the fundamental mechanisms we have focused on a model structure that consists of a network of interconnected capillaries. Two different mechanisms were identified: pinning at corners of solid surfaces and increased pressure in dead-end pores. These mechanisms significantly decelerate or even stop the liquid penetration into the porous structures.
Psychosocial Correlates of Sunburn among Young Adult Women
Authors: Heckman Carolyn J. , Darlow Susan , Cohen-Filipic Jessye , Kloss Jacqueline D. , Manne Sharon L. , Munshi Teja , Perlis Clifford S.
Published: June 2012

Skin cancer is an increasingly common disease, particularly among young adult women. Sunburn early in life is a risk factor for skin cancer. Few studies have reported on psychosocial correlates of sunburn. The current study consisted of an online survey of undergraduate women from a university in the northeastern part of the USA. A logistic regression demonstrated that young women who reported a history of four or more sunburns were significantly more likely to report fair skin, higher perceived susceptibility to skin cancer, greater perceived benefits of tanning (e.g., appearance enhancement), lower perceived control over skin protection, and more frequent sunscreen use. Sunbathing was not associated with a greater number of sunburns. These results suggest that young women who sunburn more often possess other skin cancer risk factors, are aware of their susceptibility to skin cancer, and try to use sunscreen, but feel limited control over their skin protection behavior and are not less likely to sunbathe than others. Therefore, interventions are needed to assist high risk young women in asserting more control over their sun protection behavior and perhaps improve the effectiveness of the sunscreen or other skin protection methods they do employ.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Mechanical Properties Enhancement by Adhesion Improvement
Authors: Etcheverry Mariana , Barbosa Silvia E.
Published: June 2012

Glass fibers (GF) are the reinforcement agent most used in polypropylene (PP) based composites, as they have good balance between properties and costs. However, their final properties are mainly determined by the strength and stability of the polymer-fiber interphase. Fibers do not act as an effective reinforcing material when the adhesion is weak. Also, the adhesion between phases can be easily degraded in aggressive environmental conditions such as high temperatures and/or elevated moisture, and by the stress fields to which the material may be exposed. Many efforts have been done to improve polymer-glass fiber adhesion by compatibility enhancement. The most used techniques include modifications in glass surface, polymer matrix and/or both. However, the results obtained do not show a good costs/properties improvement relationship. The aim of this work is to perform an accurate analysis regarding methods for GF/PP adhesion improvement and to propose a new route based on PP in-situ polymerization onto fibers. This route involves the modification of fibers with an aluminum alkyl and hydroxy-α-olefin and from there to enable the growth of the PP chains using direct metallocenic copolymerization. The adhesion improvements were further proved by fragmentation test, as well as by mechanical properties measurements. The strength and toughness increases three times and the interfacial strength duplicates in PP/GF composites prepared with in-situ polymerized fibers.
Urban Planning for a Renewable Energy Future: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities from a Design Perspective
Authors: Vandevyvere Han , Stremke Sven
Published: June 2012

Urban planning for a renewable energy future requires the collaboration of different disciplines both in research and practice. In the present article, the planning of a renewable energy future is approached from a designer’s perspective. A framework for analysis of the planning questions at hand is first proposed. The framework considers two levels of inquiry: the technical environmental aspect, and its wider embedding in sustainable development. Furthermore, life cycle analysis and exergy studies are discussed for their application potential in design. An altered trias energetica as proposed in earlier publications appears to remain a robust concept for low exergy, renewable energy based urban design. When considering sustainable development, environmental assessments shall be completed by an inquiry of the socio-cultural, economical, juridical, aesthetical and ethical aspects characterizing the planning or decision process. The article then presents a number of practical design principles that can help envisioning a built environment that can be sustained on the basis of renewable energy sources. In accordance with the altered trias energetica concept, elements of passive urban energy design, exergetic optimization of energy provision systems and the sourcing of renewable energy are identified, and their respective potentials assessed.
Liberalismo a prueba. La expulsión de «extranjeros perniciosos» en México durante la República Restaurada (1867-1876)
Authors: Chenillo Alazraki Paola
Published: June 2012

En México, durante la República Restaurada (1867-1876), a pesar de que el liberalismo se afianzó como un elemento fundamental en la vida política nacional, la defensa de la igualdad jurídica quedó supeditada al fortalecimiento del Estado y del partido en el poder. En este artículo, se analiza la expulsión de 17 jesuitas de origen extranjero, decretada en 1873 por el presidente Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada. El seguimiento detallado de los acontecimientos y del debate que generó pone en evidencia el papel de esta facultad como una herramienta política en dicho proceso.
Prohibir el mestizaje con chinos: solicitudes de amparo, Sonora, 1921-1935
Authors: Augustine-Adams Kif
Published: June 2012

En el estado de Sonora la población china enfrentó una manifiesta discriminación expresada en la Ley 31 de 1923. Esta Ley prohibía el matrimonio y la mestización entre hombres chinos y mujeres mexicanas. Por medio de peticiones de amparo, parejas mexicano-chinas desafiaron esta legislación, llegando con los procesos legales hasta la Suprema Corte de Justicia. En los años 1924 y 1925, jueces federales en Sonora aplicaron los principios de la Constitución y de la legislación federal para proteger a la población china. Las peticiones de amparo demuestran tanto los desafíos como las posibilidades que el derecho otorgó a los residentes de México en las primeras décadas del siglo XX.
Negros e indios en el obraje de San Ildefonso. Real Audiencia de Quito. 1665-1666
Authors: Tardieu Jean Pierre
Published: June 2012

El espacio concentracionario de los obrajes textiles del mundo andino colonial exacerbó las tensiones entre los trabajadores indígenas y los esclavos negros. Haciendo caso omiso de la legislación protectora emitida a favor de los naturales, los dueños se valieron de la inversión de los valores sociales admitida por muchos y de la sed de compensación suscitada por las frustraciones de la esclavitud, que hacían de los indios los «esclavos de los esclavos», para transformar a los negros de los obrajes en verdaderos matones serviles. Estudiaremos los mecanismos del sistema y sus consecuencias en la segunda mitad del siglo XVII a través del caso del obraje de San Ildefonso, situado cerca de Ambato, en el Ecuador actual.
A REVERSIBLE OPTICAL SENSOR BASED ON CHITOSAN FILM FOR THE SELECTIVE DETECTION OF COPPER IONS
Authors: Lin Shenhsiung , Chang Chia-Chen , Lin Chii-Wann
Published: June 2012

Heavy metals greatly influence animal physiology, even at small doses. Among these metals, the copper ion is of great concern due to its effects on humans and wide applications in industry. Compared to atomic absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, which destroy the samples that are analyzed, optical techniques do not decompose the analyte and have become a popular field of recent research. In this paper, we combined a novel optical detector that did not require sample-labeling, called surface plasmon resonance (SPR), with chitosan to detect copper ions by modifying the functional groups of chitosan through pH modification. Compared to other optical detectors, the SPR system was relatively fast and involved fewer experimental confounding factors. The three-dimensional structure of chitosan was used to obtain lower detection limits. Moreover, modification of the chitosan functional groups resulted in efficient regeneration by controlling the pH. A detection limit of 0.1 μM was obtained (linear range: 0.5–10 μM, R2 = 0.976), and the specificity was certified by comparing the copper ion with six other ions. Additionally, we successfully regenerated the SPR chips by modifying the functional groups. In conclusion, the chitosan–SPR system detected copper ions with improved detection limits using a quick and simple regeneration method.
DATA PROCESSING USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS TO IMPROVE THE SIMULATION OF LUNG MOTION
Authors: Laurent R. , Salomon M. , Henriet J. , Sauget M. , Gschwind R. , Makovicka L.
Published: June 2012

To optimize the delivery in lung radiation therapy, a better understanding of the tumor motion is required, on one hand, to have a better tumor-targeting efficiency, and on the other hand to avoid as much as possible normal tissues. The four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) allows to quantify tumor motion, but due to artifacts, it introduces biases and errors in tumor localization. Despite this disadvantage, we propose a method to simulate lung motion based on data provided by the 4D-CT for several patients. To reduce uncertainties introduced by the 4D-CT scan, we conveniently treated data using artificial neural networks. More precisely, our approach consists of a data augmentation technique. The data resulting from this processing step are then used to build a training set for another artificial neural network that learns the lung motion. To improve the learning accuracy, we have studied the number of phases required to precisely describe the displacement of each point. Thus, from 1118 points scattered across five patients and defined over 8 or 10 phases, we obtained 5800 points from 50 phases. After training, the network is used to compute the positions of 40 points from five other patients on 10 phases. These points allow to quantify the prediction performance. In comparison with the original data, the ones issued from our treatment process provide a significant increase of the prediction accuracy: an average improvement of 16% can be observed. The motion computed for several points by the neural network that has learnt the lung one exhibits an hysteresis near the one given by the 4D-CT, with an error smaller than 1 mm in the cranio-caudal axis.
Predictors and Incidence of Posttraumatic Seizures in Children and Adolescents after Brain Injury
Authors: Petridis Athanasios K. , Doukas Alexandros , Maslehaty Homajoun , Mehdorn Hubertus Maximilian
Published: June 2012

The present study evaluates the incidence of early and late seizures after head injury in patients under 18 years old. Factors correlating with a high risk of developing posttraumatic seizures were identified. Such risk factors were the severity of the head trauma and a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3-8. In contrast to many studies, we observed that the incidence of posttraumatic seizures was significantly higher in patients older than 12 years old (12-16 and 12-18). Most of the late seizures were paroxysmal electroencephalography (EEG) discharges diagnosed on a snapshot-EEG during the follow-up examination of the patients without clinical symptoms. We suppose that EEG-examination in head injured children is important to identify patients with epileptic potentials without clinical symptoms. Epileptic patterns of the EEG could worsen the diagnosis and clinical outcome of the children in accordance to studies performed in the adult population.
Labial fusion presenting as voiding dysfunction and pseudoincontinence
Authors: Madhu Chendrimada , Samarasinghe Ayshini , Taiye-Akinsun Oluseyi , Rai Harnek
Published: June 2012

Voiding dysfunction secondary to labial fusion is rarely seen in the postmenopausal women. A 68-year-old female was seen in the outpatient clinic complaining of voiding difficulties and nocturia. Examination showed extensive labial fusion with two small pinhole openings. The patient was treated with surgical division of adhesions followed by estrogen cream.
Trends in OMI NO2 observations over the US: effects of emission control technology and the economic recession
Authors: Russell A. R. , Valin L. C. , Cohen R. C.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Observations of tropospheric NO2 vertical column densities over the United States (US) for 2005–2011 are evaluated using the OMI Berkeley High Resolution (BEHR) retrieval algorithm. We assess changes in NO2 on day-of-week and interannual timescales to assess the impact of changes in emissions from mobile and non-mobile sources on the observed trends. We observe consistent decreases in cities across the US, with an average total reduction of 32 ± 7%. Changes for large power plants have been more variable (−26 ± 12%) due to regionally-specific regulation policies. An increasing trend of 10–20% in background NO2 columns in the Northwestern US is observed. We examine the impact of the economic recession on emissions and find that decreases in NO2 column densities over cities were moderate prior to the recession (−6 ± 5 % yr−1), larger during the recession (−8 ± 5 % yr−1), and then smaller after the recession (−3 ± 4 % yr−1). Differences in the trends observed on weekdays and weekends indicate that prior to the economic recession, NO2 reductions were dominated by technological improvements to the light-duty vehicle fleet but that a decrease in diesel truck activity has dominated emission reductions since the recession. We use the satellite observations to estimate a 34% decrease in NO2 from mobile sources in cities for 2005–2011 and use that value to infer changes in non-mobile sources. We find that reductions in NO2 from non-mobile sources in cities have been more variable than NO2 reductions from mobile sources (−10 ± 13%).
Influence of particle size and shape on the backscattering linear depolarisation ratio of small ice crystals – cloud chamber measurements in the context of contrail and cirrus microphysics
Authors: Schnaiter M. , Büttner S. , Möhler O. , Skrotzki J. , Vragel M. , Wagner R.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The article presents the laser scattering and depolarisation instrument SIMONE that is installed at the large aerosol and cloud chamber facility AIDA of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. SIMONE uses a 488 nm cw laser to probe simulated atmospheric clouds by measuring the scattered light from the 1.8° and 178.2° directions. At 178.2°, the scattered light is analysed for the linear polarisation state to deduce the linear depolarisation ratio δl which is a common measurement parameter of atmospheric LIDAR applications. The optical setup and the mathematical formalism of the depolarisation detection concept are given. SIMONE depolarisation measurements in spheroidal hematite aerosol and supercooled liquid clouds are used to validate the instrument. SIMONE data from a series of AIDA ice nucleation experiments at temperatures between 195 and 225 K were analysed in terms of the impact of the ice particle microphysics on δl. We found strong depolarisation values of up to 0.4 in case of small growing and sublimating ice particles with volume equivalent diameters of only a few micrometers. Modelling runs with the T-matrix method showed that the measured depolarisation ratios can be accurately reproduced assuming spheroidal and cylindrical particles with a size distribution that has been constrained by IR extinction spectroscopy. Based on the T-matrix modelling runs, we demonstrate that in case of small ice crystals the SIMONE depolarisation results are representative for the LIDAR depolarisation ratio which is measured at exact backscattering direction of 180°. The relevance of our results for the interpretation of recent LIDAR observations in cirrus and contrails is discussed. In view of our results, the high depolarisation ratios observed by the spaceborne LIDAR CALIOP in the tropical upper troposphere might be a hint for the presence of small (sublimating) ice particles in the outflows of deep convective systems.
Dissolved organic carbon dynamics in a UK podzolic moorland catchment: linking storm hydrochemistry, flow path analysis and sorption experiments
Authors: Stutter M. I. , Dunn S. M. , Lumsdon D. G.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Better knowledge of spatial and temporal delivery of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in small catchments is required to understand the mechanisms behind reported long-term changes in C fluxes from some peatlands. We monitored two storms with contrasting seasons and antecedent conditions in a small upland UK moorland catchment. We examined DOC concentrations and specific UV absorbance (SUVA at 285 nm), together with solute concentrations required to undertake end-member mixing analyses to define dominant flow paths contributing to streamflow. This was combined with laboratory soil-solution equilibrations. We aimed to resolve how seasonal biogeochemical processing of DOC and flowpath changes in organo-mineral soils combine to affect DOC exported via the stream. An August storm following a dry period gave maximum DOC concentration of 10 mg l−1. Small DOC:DON ratios (16–28) and SUVA (2.7–3.6 l mg−1 m−1) was attributed to filtration of aromatic compounds associated with up to 53% B horizon flow contributions. This selective filtration of high SUVA DOC was reproduced in the experimental batch equilibration system. For a November storm, wetter antecedent soil conditions led to enhanced soil connectivity with the stream and seven times greater DOC stream-load (maximum concentration 16 mg l−1). This storm had a 63% O horizon flow contribution at its peak, limited B horizon buffering and consequently more aromatic DOC (SUVA 3.9–4.5 l mg−1 m−1 and DOC:DON ratio 35–43). We suggest that simple mixing of waters from different flow paths cannot alone explain the differences in DOC compositions between August and November and biogeochemical processing of DOC is required to fully explain the observed stream DOC dynamics. This preliminary evidence is in contrast to other studies proposing hydrological controls on the nature of DOC delivered to streams. Although our study is based only on two storms of very different hydrological and biogeochemical periods, this should promote wider study of DOC biogeochemical alteration in headwaters so that this be better incorporated in modelling to predict the impacts of changes in DOC delivery to, and fate in, aquatic systems.