bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EMDR Treatment of Children and Adolescents With a Choking Phobia
Authors: de Roos Carlijn , de Jongh Ad
Published: August 2008

Given the limited number of reported cases in literature, it might be concluded that it is rare to develop a choking phobia in childhood. However, it appears as though confusion in terminology and the time lapse between the onset of the disorder and treatment often results in the diagnosis being missed. In this article, we discuss a review of the clinical symptoms, differential diagnosis, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment options for choking phobia. We present a case series, describing the successful EMDR treatment of choking phobia for 4 children and adolescents, with positive outcomes achieved in 1 or 2 sessions. In addition, a detailed transcript is presented of a 15-year-old girl with a choking phobia related to an incident that occurred 5 years previously. The rapid elimination of symptoms in all 4 cases indicates that EMDR can be an effective treatment for choking phobias resulting from previous disturbing events. Randomized research on this promising intervention is strongly suggested.
Biochemical and behavioral effects of diazinon exposure in hybrid striped bass
Authors: Gaworecki Kristen M. , Roberts Aaron P. , Ellis Norman , Sowers Anthony D. , Klaine Stephen J.
Published: August 2008

The effects of environmental stimuli on biochemical processes may influence behavior. Environmental contaminants that alter behavior can have major impacts on populations as well as community structures by changing species' interactions. One important behavior is the ability to capture prey. We hypothesized that sublethal exposure to diazinon, an organophosphate pesticide, may lead to feeding behavior abnormalities in hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops) through inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. This can potentially reduce the organism's survival by affecting its ability to find and capture food. To test this hypothesis, bass were exposed to diazinon for 6 d, followed by a 6-d recovery period in clean water. Brain AChE activity and the ability of bass to capture prey fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were measured every third day. Exposed fish exhibited a concentration- and duration-dependent decrease in ability to capture prey. While bass in all diazinon treatment groups had significantly inhibited brain AChE activity, only the medium and high treatment groups showed a dose- and time-dependent increase in time to capture prey. Acetylcholinesterase activity also decreased in an exposure duration- and concentration-dependent manner. The AChE levels in exposed fish did not recover to control levels during the 6-d recovery period. These results suggest that sublethal exposure to AChE-inhibiting substances may decrease the ecological fitness of hybrid striped bass by reducing their ability to capture prey.
Membrane bio-reactors for decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse
Authors: Meuler S. , Paris S. , Hackner T.
Published: August 2008

Decentralized wastewater treatment is the key to sustainable water management because it facilitates effluent (and nutrient) reuse for irrigation or as service water in households. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) can produce effluents of bathing water quality. Septic tanks can be retrofitted to MBR units. Package MBR plants for wastewater or grey water treatment are also available. Systems for decentralized treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater or grey water are also feasible for hotels, condominiums and apartment or office complexes. This paper presents the effluent qualities of different decentralized MBR applications. The high effluent quality allows infiltration even in sensitive areas or reuse for irrigation, toilet flushing and cleaning proposes in households. Due to the reusability of treated water and the possibility to design the systems for carbon reduction only, these systems can ideally and easily serve to close water and nutrient loops.
Energy- and CO2-reduction potentials by anaerobic treatment of wastewater and organic kitchen wastes in consideration of different climatic conditions
Authors: Weichgrebe D. , Urban I. , Friedrich K.
Published: August 2008

The classical municipal wastewater treatment in Germany consists of an aerobic carbon and nitrogen elimination and mostly an anaerobic sludge treatment. Organic kitchen wastes from separate waste collection as well as yard wastes are converted mostly in composting plants to soil conditioner. With these conventional types of treatment, the energy potential in waste and wastewater is lost due to aerobic material conversion.

In this article three scenarios for the treatment of municipal wastewater and waste are compared on the subject of energy efficiency and useable potential: Sc1. the classical wastewater treatment and the composting of the organic waste fraction, Sc2. the anaerobic treatment of wastewater combined with deammonification and the digestion of the organic waste fraction, and Sc3. a mutual anaerobic treatment of wastewater and waste as co-digestion with deammonification. The calculation of energy and CO2-balance considers different climatic conditions. In case of using anaerobic treatment, not only the energy balance will be positive, also the CO2-balance is improved by the substitution of fossil fuels with generated biogas.
Small scale recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW) for the treatment and reuse of wastewater
Authors: Gross A. , Sklarz M. Y. , Yakirevich A. , Soares M. I. M.
Published: August 2008

The quantity of freshwater available worldwide is declining, revealing a pressing need for its more efficient use. Moreover, in many developing countries and lightly populated areas, raw wastewater is discarded into the environment posing serious ecological and health problems. Unfortunately, this situation will persist unless low-cost, effective and simple technologies are brought in. The aim of this study is to present such a treatment method, a novel setup which is termed recirculating vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW). The RVFCW is composed of two components: (i) a three-layer bed consisting of planted organic soil over an upper layer of filtering media (i.e. tuff or beads) and a lower layer of limestone pebbles, and (ii) a reservoir located beneath the bed. Wastewater flows directly into the plant root zone and trickles down through the three-layer bed into the reservoir, allowing passive aeration. From the reservoir the water is recirculated back to the bed, several times, until the desired purification is achieved. The results obtained show that the RVFCW is an effective and convenient strategy to treat (domestic, grey and agro) wastewater for re-use in irrigation. The system performance is expected to be further improved once current optimization experiments and mathematical modeling studies are concluded.
Role of biomass adaptation in the removal of formic acid in sequencing batch reactors
Authors: Dionisi D. , Majone M. , Bellani A. , Viggi C. Cruz , Beccari M.
Published: August 2008

This study deals with formic acid removal in activated sludge processes, in particular in the processes carried out in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Formic acid removal has been investigated in a SBR fed with acetic and formic acids at equimolar concentrations. Biomass performance in the reactor has been investigated both by the analysis of the removal of the two substrates and by batch tests. Regarding SBR process, the obtained results show that a relevant difference occurred between formic and acetic acid profiles. Acetic acid was never found in the effluent and was always completely removed during the reaction phase. On the other hand, formic acid removal was determined by biomass acclimation, which is in turn determined by sludge age imposed to the system. Batch tests confirmed that formic acid removal occurs only if biomass is acclimated. It has been shown that the minimal sludge age to obtain complete formic acid removal is much higher than those predictable with the classical models of microbial growth in wastewater treatment processes. The advantages of SBRs over continuous-flow systems in the removal of formic acid have also been highlighted.
Automatic set-point titration for monitoring nitrification in SBRs
Authors: Fiocchi N. , Ficara E. , Bonelli S. , Canziani R. , Ciappelloni F. , Mariani S. , Pirani M. , Ratini P. , Mazouni D. , Harmand J.
Published: August 2008

Nitrification is usually the bottleneck of biological nitrogen removal processes. In SBRs systems, it is not often enough to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH and ORP to spot problems which may occur in nitrification processes. Therefore, automated supervision systems should be designed to include the possibility of monitoring the activity of nitrifying populations. Though the applicability of set-point titration for monitoring biological processes has been widely demonstrated in the literature, the possibility of an automated procedure is still at its early stage of industrial development. In this work, the use of an at-line automated titrator named TITAAN (TITrimetric Automated ANalyser) is presented. The completely automated sensor enables us to track nitrification rate trend with time in an SBR, detecting the causes leading to slower specific nitrification rates. It was also possible to perform early detection of toxic compounds in the influent by assessing their effect on the nitrifying biomass. Nitrifications rates were determined with average errors±10% (on 26 tests), never exceeding 20% as compared with UV-spectrophotometric determinations.
NH4+ ad-/desorption in sequencing batch reactors: simulation, laboratory and full-scale studies
Authors: Schwitalla P. , Mennerich A. , Austermann-Haun U. , Müller A. , Dorninger C. , Daims H. , Holm N. C. , Rönner-Holm S. G. E.
Published: August 2008

Significant NH4-N balance deficits were found during the measurement campaigns for the data collection for dynamic simulation studies at five full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as during subsequent calibrations at the investigated plants. Subsequent lab scale investigations showed high evidence for dynamic, cycle- specific NH4+ ad-/desorption to the activated flocs as one reason for this balance deficit. This specific dynamic was investigated at five full-scale SBR plants for the search of the general causing mechanisms. The general mechanism found was a NH4+ desorption from the activated flocs at the end of the nitrification phase with subsequent nitrification and a chemical NH4+ adsorption at the flocs in the course of the filling phases. This NH4+ ad-/desorption corresponds to an antiparallel K+ ad/-desorption.

One reasonable full-scale application was investigated at three SBR plants, a controlled filling phase at the beginning of the sedimentation phase. The results indicate that this kind of filling event must be specifically hydraulic controlled and optimised in order to prevent too high waste water break through into the clear water phase, which will subsequently be discarded.
Technological transfer to demonstrative scale of sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor (SBBGR) technology for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment
Authors: Di Iaconi C. , De Sanctis M. , Rossetti S. , Ramadori R.
Published: August 2008

The paper reports the results of an experimental investigation aimed at transferring to demonstrative scale an innovative technology (SBBGR—Sequencing Batch Biofilter Granular Reactor) for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater by financial support of the EU Life programme. When this technology was applied for treating municipal wastewater, the results showed that the system was able to remove 80–90% of COD, total suspended solids and ammonia independently of the hydraulic residence time investigated (i.e., from 12 to 4 h). In the case of tannery wastewater, chosen as representative of concentrated industrial wastewater, SBBGR technology was suitable for removing 80–90% of the COD, suspended solids and ammonia content up to organic loading values of 3.5 kg COD/m3·d. During both periods, the process was characterised by a very high sludge age value (θc≈150 d) that led to a biomass concentration as high as 35 gTSS/Lbed and a sludge production much lower (5–6 times lower) that than commonly reported for conventional treatment plants.
Remediation of chlorophenol- and phenol-contaminated groundwater by a sequencing batch biofilm reactor
Authors: Farabegoli G. , Chiavola A. , Rolle E.
Published: August 2008

The paper describes the results of an investigation aimed at evaluating suitability of a lab-scale Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR) for the remediation of groundwater contaminated by phenol (P) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CP). Kinetics of compound degradation was determined along the bed height in the absence and in presence of effluent recirculation, and with different influent composition (compounds fed separately or in combination in the same stream). SBBR performances with and without recirculation were very satisfactory for all the influent compositions: the system showed 99% removal efficiencies for both phenol and 2-CP and their complete removal was always achieved far before the end of react. In the presence of recirculation, the concentration gradient established during fill was rapidly eliminated and an even biomass distribution along the bed height was formed. Consequently, an acceleration of the elimination process was observed, particularly for phenol that was mostly removed in the first hour of the cycle. When the compounds were fed simultaneously, 2-CP removal kinetics improved probably due to cometabolism. The adsorption phenomena of the toxic compounds on the packing material were studied also, showing about 50% COD removal after 7 hours contact time.
Real-time control strategy for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal using aerobic granular sludge
Authors: Kishida N. , Tsuneda S. , Sakakibara Y. , Kim J. H. , Sudo R.
Published: August 2008

To achieve stable and simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus using aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch reactor, a real-time control strategy was established, where time derivatives of electric conductivity (EC) and pH were monitored to facilitate the determinations of ends of phosphate release, nitrification and denitrification as well as corresponding optimum time-lengths of anaerobic, oxic, and anoxic phases in treatment cycles. Although biomass concentration in a reactor drastically fluctuated at the startup period because of very short sludge settling time for the formation of aerobic granular sludge, cycle length for proper treatment was automatically adjusted in this control system. Even when characteristics of influent wastewater markedly fluctuated, stable nitrogen and phosphorus removal was successfully attained both before and at pseudo-steady-state. Effluent concentrations of NH4-N, NOx-N and PO4-P were always lower than 0.3 mg/L. On the other hand, when time lengths of the anaerobic/oxic/anoxic phases were fixed, stable nitrogen and phosphorus removal was not accomplished. Therefore, it is clear that the designed control system is very effective to obtain stable treatment performance in simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal by aerobic granular sludge.
Impact of a Pre-Semester College Orientation Program: Hidden Benefits?
Authors: Perrine Rose M. , Spain Judith W.
Published: August 2008

The present research was a two-year longitudinal study on the effects of a six-day, optional, pre-semester, freshman orientation program on academic credits earned, GPA and college retention. Regression analyses were used to remove the variance associated with other possible predictors of academic success (gender, age, race, developmental need, ACT, high school GPA, and transfer status) before testing these academic effects. Attendance at the orientation program accounted for less than 1% of the variability in one-year and two-year credits earned and grade point average. Attendance did not significantly predict one-or two-year retention. We discuss methodological issues, whether orientation programs might benefit institutions in non-obvious ways, and suggest avenues for future research.
Glycerol as An Efficient Promoting Medium for Organic Reactions
Authors: Gu Yanlong , Barrault Joël , Jérôme François
Published: August 2008

Whereas the beneficial effect of water on reaction rate is decreased with an increase of the reactant′s hydrophobicity, we report here that the use of glycerol as solvent was able to considerably accelerate the reaction rate of an organic reaction even starting from more hydrophobic substrates than those usually used on water. Moreover, the possibility of directly using crude glycerol generated by the biodiesel industry economically and environmentally improves the interest of using glycerol as solvent.
Alkenes from Alcohols by Tandem Hydrogen Transfer and Condensation
Authors: Hall Michael I. , Pridmore Simon J. , Williams Jonathan M. J.
Published: August 2008

A ruthenium‐catalysed oxidation of alcohols by hydrogen transfer has been coupled with organocatalysed condensations using pyrrolidine or piperidine, to give α,β‐unsaturated esters and nitroalkenes. Reactions proceed with high (E)‐selectivity and provide an efficient and straightforward route to α,β‐unsaturated compounds.
Straightforward Synthesis of Perhydrofuro[2,3‐b]furans through a Wacker‐Type Reaction
Authors: Alonso Francisco , Sánchez Daniel , Soler Tatiana , Yus Miguel
Published: August 2008

An efficient synthesis of substituted perhydrofuro[2,3‐b]furans has been accomplished from readily accesible 3‐methylidene‐1,5‐diols based on an intramolecular acetalisation under Wacker‐type reaction conditions.
Object‐fuzzy concept network: An enrichment of ontologies in semantic information retrieval
Authors: Calegari Silvia , Sanchez Elie
Published: August 2008

This article shows how a fuzzy ontology‐based approach can improve semantic documents retrieval. After formally defining a fuzzy ontology and a fuzzy knowledge base, a special type of new fuzzy relationship called (semantic) correlation, which links the concepts or entities in a fuzzy ontology, is discussed. These correlations, first assigned by experts, are updated after querying or when a document has been inserted into a database. Moreover, in order to define a dynamic knowledge of a domain adapting itself to the context, it is shown how to handle a tradeoff between the correct definition of an object, taken in the ontology structure, and the actual meaning assigned by individuals. The notion of a fuzzy concept network is extended, incorporating database objects so that entities and documents can similarly be represented in the network. Information retrieval (IR) algorithm, using an object‐fuzzy concept network (O‐FCN), is introduced and described. This algorithm allows us to derive a unique path among the entities involved in the query to obtain maxima semantic associations in the knowledge domain. Finally, the study has been validated by querying a database using fuzzy recall, fuzzy precision, and coefficient variant measures in the crisp and fuzzy cases.
Redox‐mediated decolorization of Direct Red 23 and Direct Blue 80 catalyzed by bioaffinity‐based immobilized tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) peroxidase
Authors: Matto Mahreen , Husain Qayyum
Published: August 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of concanavalin A (Con A)‐cellulose‐bound tomato peroxidase for the decolorization of direct dyes. Cellulose was used as an inexpensive material for the preparation of bioaffinity support. Con A‐cellulose‐bound tomato peroxidase exhibited higher efficiency in terms of dye decolorization as compared to soluble enzyme under various experimental conditions. Both Direct Red 23 and Direct Blue 80 dyes were recalcitrant to the action of enzyme without a redox mediator. Six compounds were investigated for redox‐mediating property. Immobilized peroxidase decolorized both dyes to different extent in the presence of all the used redox mediators. However, 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole emerged as a potential redox mediator for tomato peroxidase catalyzed decolorization of direct dyes. These dyes were maximally decolorized at pH 6.0 and 40°C by soluble and immobilized peroxidase. The absorption spectra of the untreated and treated dyes exhibited a marked difference in the absorption at various wavelengths. Immobilized tomato peroxidase showed a lower Michaelis constant than the free enzyme for both dyes. Soluble and immobilized tomato peroxidase exhibited significantly higher affinity for Direct Red 23 compared to Direct Blue 80.
Meeting report: How to get wrong things right – a discussion over current and future pandemic infectious diseases
Authors: Frischknecht Friedrich , Lepper Simone , Cyrklaff Marek
Published: August 2008

Infectious diseases have played a substantial part in shaping the history of humanity. In a discussion at a recent EMBL‐EMBO science and society symposium entitled ‘The future of our species’, several experts discussed how infectious diseases are still influencing our world today. Here we present examples from recent and current infectious disease epidemics followed by a discussion of the local, national and international response to these. Special emphasis is laid on how the change of our environment can augment the world‐wide spread of infectious diseases and the role of education in limiting this spread. An urgent need for improved coordinative efforts in globally combating infectious diseases is called for and examples are highlighted.
Quantitative evaluation of cortical bone thickness and root proximity at maxillary interradicular sites for orthodontic mini‐implant placement
Authors: Lim Ju‐Eun , Lim Won Hee , Chun Yoon Sic
Published: August 2008

Few studies have evaluated interradicular anatomy for cortical bone thickness and root proximity when placing a mini‐implant for orthodontic anchorage. The purpose of this study was to provide a clinical guideline to indicate the best location, according to different insertion angles, for placement of a mini‐implant with respect to the thickness of cortical bone and root proximity. CT images from 14 men and 14 women (mean age, 27 years; range, 23–35 years) were used to evaluate the buccal interradicular cortical bone thickness and root proximity from and mesial to the central incisor to the second molar. A measure of cortical bone thickness was performed at four different angles. Generally, thin cortical bone thickness was found in the central/central incisors and central/lateral incisors interradicular sites. Cortical bone thickness increased significantly as the insertion angle increased except for interradicular sites at the 2 mm level from the alveolar crest. The volume of cortical bone engagement increased significantly at the 4 and 6 mm levels from the alveolar crest with an insertion angle of 30° and 45° in most interradicular sites. The lateral incisor/canine and second premolar/first molar interradicular sites showed greater space between roots compared with other sites, although this was not statistically significant. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that mini‐implants be placed at the 4 and 6 mm levels from the alveolar crest with 30° and 45° angles for the majority of interradicular sites to ensure better cortical bone to mini‐implant contact without root damage. Clin. Anat. 21:486–491, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatially distributed assessment of channel seepage using geophysics and artificial intelligence
Authors: Khan S. , Rana T. , Dassanayake D. , Abbas A. , Blackwell J. , Akbar S. , Gabriel H. F.
Published: August 2008

Estimation of channel seepage is an essential task in improving the management of earthen channel systems. The spatial distribution of seepage rates along the channels must be quantified to establish the economic and environmental merit of reducing conveyance losses. In Australia, due to recurring droughts and irrigation induced salinity concerns, there is much pressure to improve the efficiency of existing water resource use. Saving seepage losses from earthen channels has therefore become an important issue for several reasons including the loss of a valuable resource, maintaining channel assets and reducing accessions to groundwater.

In this paper spatial distribution of channel seepage was quantified using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The electromagnetic imaging (EM31) data along with hydraulic conductivity, depth and salinity of groundwater were correlated with Idaho seepage meter measurements using the ANNs. It is estimated that over 42 million m3 of water can be lost annually from 500 km of channel in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The distributed channel seepage analysis indicates that most significant seepage (>20 mm/day) occurs in less than 32% of the surveyed channel length; therefore it is important to target channel lining investments to the leakiest parts – “hotspots” – of the channel system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intimate partner violence in women hospitalized on an internal medicine service: Prevalence and relationship to responses to the review of systems
Authors: Cleary Barbara S. , Keniston Angela , Havranek Edward P. , Albert Richard K.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND:

Although intimate partner violence is common, the prevalence in patients hospitalized on internal medicine services and whether it is associated with numerous positive responses to the review of systems are not known.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence in women hospitalized on an internal medicine service and to determine whether it is associated with the number or types of positive responses to the review of systems.

DESIGN:

This was a prospective, cross‐sectional survey.

SETTING:

The setting was a university‐affiliated public hospital.

PATIENTS:

The patients were women, 18 to 60 years old, hospitalized on an internal medicine service.

MEASUREMENTS:

The measurements were responses to screens for intimate partner violence and a review‐of‐systems questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Of the 78 women asked to participate, 72 agreed (92%). The prevalences of experiencing intimate partner violence at any time in the patient's life or within the year prior to presentation were 61% and 22%, respectively. Women with a history of intimate partner violence and women without a history of intimate partner violence had 11 ± 4 (mean ± standard deviation) and 8 ± 5 positive responses to the review of systems, respectively (P < 0.01). Women with 10 or more positive responses were more likely to have a history of intimate partner violence than those with 9 or fewer (odds ratio = 4.82, confidence interval = 1.63–14.23).

CONCLUSIONS:

Intimate partner violence is common in women hospitalized in an internal medicine service of a university‐affiliated public hospital. Although numerous somatic complaints are associated with a history of intimate partner violence, the high prevalence of this problem warrants screening of all women admitted to internal medical services. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:299–307. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Comparison of monofunctional and multifunctional monomers in phosphate binding molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Wu Xiangyang , Goswami Kisholoy , Shimizu Ken D.
Published: August 2008

In this study, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) prepared using a multifunctional and a monofunctional monomer were compared with respect to their affinities, selectivities, and imprinting efficiencies for organophosphates. This is of interest because multifunctional monomers have higher affinities than traditional monofunctional monomers for their target analytes and thus should yield MIPs with higher affinities and selectivities. However, polymers containing multifunctional monomer may also have a higher number of unselective, non‐templated binding sites. This increase in background binding sites could lead to a decrease in the magnitude of the imprinting effect and in the selectivity of the MIP. Therefore, phosphate selective imprinted and non‐imprinted polymers (NIPs) were prepared using a novel multifunctional triurea monomer. The binding properties of these polymers were compared with polymers prepared using a monofunctional monourea monomer. The binding affinities and selectivities of the monomers, imprinted polymers, and NIPs were characterized by NMR titration, binding uptake studies, and binding isotherms. MIPs prepared with the triurea monomer showed higher binding affinity and selectivity for the diphenylphosphate anion in organic solvents than the MIPs prepared with the monofunctional monomer. Surprisingly, the binding properties of the NIPs revealed that the polymers prepared using the multifunctional and monofunctional monomers were very similar in affinity and selectivity. Thus, the multifunctional monomers increase not only the affinity of the MIP but also enhance the imprinting effect. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aligning for innovation
Authors: Andrew James P. , Sirkin Harold L.
Published: August 2008

Companies that maximize the payback from their innovations have aligned their organizations around the innovation process, an endeavor that is less about structure and more about people, management processes, activities, and the internal environment. The authors describe the six alignment practices of innovative companies: designate (1) a single person with operational responsibility for driving or facilitating innovation and (2) small groups/units that carry new ideas through to commercialization; (3) make innovation part of everyone's job and vocabulary; (4) create the prerequisites for innovation—time, space, deep domain knowledge, stimulation, a challenging environment, and motivation; (5) be open to ideas from the outside; and (6) track meaningful measures of innovation inputs, performance, cash paybacks, and indirect benefits. © 2006 Boston Consulting Group.
Land cover changes in a forested watershed, southern Zagros, Iran
Authors: Salehi A. , Wilhelmsson E. , Söderberg U.
Published: August 2008

This study aims to investigate the land cover changes in relation to traditional utilization and livestock grazing, socioeconomic development, and demographic changes during recent decades in a forested watershed in the southern Zagros, Iran. Data on land cover change were collected through stereo interpretation with digital photogrammetric techniques applied to sets of scanned aerial photographs from 1969 and 1993 with a systematic grid of sample plots provided by GIS techniques. Efforts were made to mitigate errors in the interpretation. Field data were gathered in 2003 from woodland inventory, biophysical, and demographic data and in 2006 from interviews.

The results show stability in crown cover density (%) and in the number of large trees, and an increase in the woodland class. The results may be related to a change in woodland utilization. Socioeconomic development, decrease in human and livestock population, and a change in the type of livestock have influenced the traditional pattern. Steep slopes partially limit human accessibility to woodland resources. Around 54% of the oak trees are in coppice form and natural regeneration of the trees is rare. Overgrazing and seed gathering have a negative effect on regeneration and endanger the future survival of the woodland. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of friction stir welded dissimilar copper/brass joints
Authors: Meran C. , Kovan V.
Published: August 2008

In this study, an experimental investigation has been carried out on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded copper/brass dissimilar joints. Effect of axial tool force to welding quality has been investigated under obtained optimal tool rotation rate and tool traverse speed conditions. The tool for the dissimilar copper/brass friction stir welding manufactured from X155CrMoV12–1 cold work tool steel with material number of 1.2379. The friction stir welding quality was investigated by welding surface inspections, microstructural studies, micro hardness measurements and tensile tests. The experimental studies have shown that constant axial tool force during pre‐heating and during welding process are very important. As a result, by using 2.5–3 kN of axial tool force during pre‐heating and 5.5 kN of axial tool force during welding process, copper/brass dissimilar joints with well appearance and higher mechanical strength can be obtained.
Funktionale Oberflächen auf Duplex‐Stahl durch Laserfeinbeschichten
Authors: Dwars A. , Emmel A.
Published: August 2008

Während der An‐ und Abfahrvorgänge mehrstufiger Hochdruckpumpen durchlaufen mediumgeschmierte Axial‐ und Radiallager unweigerlich einen stark ausgeprägten Mischreibungsbereich. Dies führt zu einer extrem hohen tribologischen Belastung der Lagerkomponenten bei gleichzeitig hoher korrosiver Belastung durch das Fördermedium. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt einen Laserbeschichtungsprozess zur Erzeugung von hoch korrosions‐ und verschleißfesten sowie gleichzeitig tribologisch geeigneten Funktionsschichten, die ohne zusätzliche Pufferung direkt auf hochlegierten Duplex‐Stählen aufgebracht werden können, ohne die Eigenschaften des Grundmaterials zu verschlechtern. Die dargestellten Ergebnisse umfassen sowohl das Erstarrungsverhalten der erzeugten Schichten, als auch die Grenzflächen‐ und Gefügeausbildung der entstehenden Werkstoffverbunde in Abhängigkeit der möglichen Wärmebehandlungszustände. Des Weiteren werden die technologischen Eigenschaften der entwickelten Werkstoffverbunde und deren Funktionsschichten diskutiert. Relevant sind hierbei deren Korrosionsbeständigkeit sowie die tribologische Charakterisierung in einem pumpenspezifischen Tribosystem.
Zur thermischen Ermüdung der Magnesium‐Basislegierung AZ91
Authors: Krauß M. , Scholtes B.
Published: August 2008

Es wird über Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur thermischen Ermüdung der Mg‐Gusslegierung AZ91 berichtet. Die im Vakuumdruckgussverfahren hergestellten Proben wurden bei Konstanthaltung der Totaldehnung unter einachsig‐homogener Beanspruchung im Temperaturbereich zwischen ‐50°C und +190°C belastet. Die Versuche wurden bei unterschiedlichen Temperaturniveaus gestartet, so dass sich zu Beginn unterschiedliche Mittelbeanspruchungen einstellten. Das Werkstoffverhalten wird durch die resultierenden Spannungsamplituden, plastischen Dehnungsamplituden und Mittelspannungen charakterisiert. In Abhängigkeit der Temperatur und der Lastspielzahl wird sowohl zyklische Entfestigung als auch Verfestigung beobachtet. Aufgrund der komplexen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Verformung, Erholung und Rekristallisation sowie der individuellen Belastungsvorgeschichte kann das Materialverhalten nicht aus isothermen Ermüdungsexperimenten prognostiziert werden. Bei der gewählten Versuchsführung ist die Obertemperatur bzw. die Temperaturamplitude lebensdauerbestimmend.
Festigkeitsabfall in Stahldrähten beim Feuerverzinken
Authors: Masimov M.
Published: August 2008

Stahldrähte der Werkstoffe C80D und C80DNb beim Feuerverzinken wurden licht‐ und elektronmikroskopisch sowie röntgenografisch untersucht. Die Untersuchungen wurden in unterschiedlichen Stadien der Herstellung verzinkter Drähte durchgeführt, und dabei wurde die Entwicklung der mechanischen Eigenschaften durch Mikrohärtemessungen überprüft. Die Rissbildung an der Drahtoberfläche beim Feuerverzinken wurde als Ursache des Festigkeitsabfalls festgestellt. Der Einfluss von technologischen Parametern wie Verzinkungsgeschwindigkeit, Abkühlungsart sowie Eigenspannungszustand und Festigkeitsniveau der vorverzinkten Drähte auf die Rissbildung wurde in Betracht gezogen.
Unusual familial presentation of epsilon‐sarcoglycan gene mutation with falls and writer's cramp
Authors: Koukouni Vasiliki , Valente Enza Maria , Cordivari Carla , Bhatia Kailash P. , Quinn, Niall P.
Published: August 2008

Inherited myoclonus dystonia (M‐D, DYT11) is an autosomal dominant dystonia‐plus syndrome, which in many families is caused by mutations in the SGCE/ (epsilon‐sarcoglycan gene. We present a family with M‐D, with an unusual presentation characterized by infantile onset with falls in two sisters and adult‐onset writer's cramp in their father. Myoclonus dystonia is typically characterized by a variable mixture of alcohol‐sensitive myoclonic jerks and dystonia classically affecting mainly the proximal arms and neck. Leg involvement is less frequent, and to our knowledge, initial presentation with falls has not previously been described. The unusual phenotype of the family is discussed. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society.
The backup 2‐center and backup 2‐median problems on trees
Authors: Wang Hung‐Lung , Wu Bang Ye , Chao Kun‐Mao
Published: August 2008

In this paper, we are concerned with the problem of deploying two servers in a tree network, where each server may fail with a given probability. Once a server fails, the other server will take full responsibility for the services. Here, we assume that the servers do not fail simultaneously. In the backup 2‐center problem, we want to deploy two servers at the vertices such that the expected distance from a farthest vertex to the closest functioning server is minimum. In the backup 2‐median problem, we want to deploy two servers at the vertices such that the expected sum of distances from all vertices to the set of functioning servers is minimum. We propose an O(n)‐time algorithm for the backup 2‐center problem and an O(n log n)‐time algorithm for the backup 2‐median problem, where n is the number of vertices in the given tree network. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2009
Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) microspheres by dispersion polymerization
Authors: ŠponarovÁ Daniela , Horák Daniel
Published: August 2008

Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)‐based microspheres were prepared by ammonium persulfate (APS)‐initiated and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)‐stabilized dispersion polymerization. The effects of various polymerization parameters, including concentration of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm) crosslinker, monomer, initiator, stabilizer and polymerization temperature on their properties were elucidated. The hydrogel microspheres were described in terms of their size and size distribution and morphological and temperature‐induced swelling properties. While scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of the microspheres, the temperature sensitivity of the microspheres was demonstrated by dynamic light scattering. The hydrodynamic particle diameter decreased sharply as the temperature reached a critical temperature ∼ 30 °C. A decrease in the particle size was observed with increasing concentration of both the APS initiator and the PVP stabilizer. The microspheres crosslinked with 2–15 wt % of MBAAm had a fairly narrow size distribution. It was found that the higher the content of the crosslinking agent, the lower the swelling ratio. High concentration of the crosslinker gave unstable dispersions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6263–6271, 2008
Synthesis, properties, and field effect transistor characteristics of new thiophene‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐g]quinoxaline‐thiophene‐based conjugated polymers
Authors: Cheng Kai‐Fang , Chueh Chu‐Chen , Lin Chia‐Hung , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: August 2008

Four new conjugated copolymers based on the moiety of bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐6,7‐diheptyl‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐g]quinoxaline (BTHTQ) were synthesized and characterized, including poly(6,7‐diheptyl‐4,9‐bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐g]quinoxaline) (PBTHTQ), poly‐(6,7‐diheptyl‐4,9‐bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo‐[3,4‐g]quinoxaline‐alt‐2,5‐thiophene) (PTTHTQ), poly(6,7‐diheptyl‐4,9‐bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl) [1,2,5]‐thiadiazolo‐[3,4‐g]quinoxaline‐alt‐9,9‐dioctyl‐2,7‐fluore‐ne) (PFBTHTQ), and poly(6,7‐diheptyl‐4,9‐bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐g]quinoxaline‐alt‐1,4‐bis(decyloxy)phenylene) (PPBTHTQ). The λmax of PBTHTQ, PTTHTQ, PFBTHTQ, and PPBTHTP thin films was shown at 780, 876, 734, and 710 nm, respectively, with the corresponding optical band gaps (E) of 1.31, 1.05, 1.40, and 1.43 eV. The relatively small band gaps of the synthesized polymers suggested the significance of intramolecular charge transfer between the donor and TQ moiety. The estimated hole mobilities of PBTHTQ, PTTHTQ, and PFBTHTQ‐based field effect transistor devices using CHCl3 solvent were 8.5 × 10−5, 8.5 × 10−4, and 2.8 × 10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively, but significantly enhanced to 1.6 × 10−4, 3.8 × 10−3, and 1.5 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 using high boiling point solvent of chlorobenzene (CB). The higher hole mobility of PTTHTQ than the other two copolymers was attributed from its smaller band gap or ordered morphology [wormlike (chloroform) or needle‐like (CB)]. The characteristics of small band gap and high mobility suggest the potential applications of the BTHTQ‐based conjugated copolymers in electronic and optoelectronic devices. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6305–6316, 2008
Learning of your parent's BRCA mutation during adolescence or early adulthood: a study of offspring experiences
Authors: Bradbury Angela R. , Patrick‐Miller Linda , Pawlowski Kimberly , Ibe Comfort N. , Cummings Shelly A. , Hlubocky Fay , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Daugherty Christopher K.
Published: August 2008

Objective: To examine the experience, comprehension and perceptions of learning of a parent's BRCA mutation during adolescence and early adulthood, and explore the impact on offspring's physical and psychosocial well‐being.

Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were completed with 22 adult offspring who learned of their parent's BRCA mutation prior to age 25 years. Data were summarized using qualitative methods and response proportions.

Results: Offspring reports of the content shared varied; discussion of cancer risks and offspring genetic testing were described more frequently than risk modification strategies. The majority of offspring reported a good understanding of the information shared and no negative aspects for learning this information. Some offspring reported changing their health behaviors after learning of the familial mutation; many tobacco users stopped smoking. Offspring interest in genetic counseling surrounding parent disclosure and genetic testing during adulthood were high.

Conclusions: Some offspring understand and respond adaptively to early communication of a genetic risk for cancer, and disclosure may foster improved health behaviors during adolescence and young adulthood. Further research is necessary to evaluate how offspring conceptualize and utilize genetic risk and to identify the biopsychosocial factors predictive of adaptive/maladaptive responses to early disclosure of hereditary risk for adult cancer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inter‐observer variability in chest radiograph reading for diagnosing acute lung injury in children
Authors: Angoulvant François , Llor Juan , Alberti Corinne , Kheniche Ahmed , Zaccaria Isabelle , Garel Catherine , Dauger Stéphane
Published: August 2008

Acute lung injury (ALI), including its most serious form called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is a devastating disease that can occur at any age. ALI/ARDS accounts for only 5–8% of admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) but is fatal in 30–60% of cases. International multicenter prospective studies are needed to better understand pediatric ALI/ARDS. However, a reproducible definition of ALI/ARDS is crucial to ensure that study populations are homogeneous. We designed a retrospective review to test the inter‐observer variability of chest radiograph interpretation for presence of the American‐European Consensus Conference (AECC) radiographic criterion for ALI/ARDS. The medical files of 24 children ventilated for ALI/ARDS in our PICU between January 1993 and December 2002 were reviewed. Five pediatric radiologists and five pediatric intensivists interpreted one frontal chest radiograph (FCR) per patient taken on the day of ALI/ARDS diagnosis. Each reader indicated whether the radiograph showed the AECC radiographic criterion for ALI/ARDS. Data analysis involved comparing each reader to all the others based on the raw agreement and Kappa coefficient (κ). Features in the 24 patients were consistent with earlier studies. Global inter‐observer agreement beyond chance was fair (κ = 0.29 ± 0.02) among the five radiologists (κ = 0.26 ± 0.05) and among the five intensivists (κ = 0.29 ± 0.05). Thus, considerable inter‐observer variability occurred in assessing the radiographic criterion for ALI/ARDS, as previously shown in adults. Given the low incidence of ALI/ARDS in children, this variability may have a large impact in studies of pediatric ALI/ARDS. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:987–991. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nrf2‐mediated induction of detoxifying enzymes by alantolactone present in Inula helenium
Authors: Seo Ji Yeon , Lim Soon Sung , Kim Ju Ryoung , Lim Ji‐Sun , Ha Young Ran , Lee In Ae , Kim Eun Ji , Park Jung Han Yoon , Kim Jong‐Sang
Published: August 2008

Our previous study showed that a methanol extract of Inula helenium had the potential to induce detoxifying enzymes such as quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity. In this study the methanol extract was further fractionated using silica gel chromatography and vacuum liquid chromatography, to yield pure compounds alantolactone and isoalantolactone as QR inducers. Alantolactone caused a dose‐dependent induction of antioxidant enzymes including QR, GST, γ‐glutamylcysteine synthase, glutathione reductase, and heme oxygenase 1 in hepa1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells. The compound increased the luciferase activity of HepG2‐C8 cells, transfectants carrying antioxidant response element (ARE)‐luciferase gene, in a dose‐dependent manner, suggesting ARE‐mediated transcriptional activation of antioxidant enzymes. Alantolactone also stimulated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 that was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors. In conclusion, alantolactone appears to induce detoxifying enzymes via activation of PI3K and JNK signaling pathways, leading to translocation of Nrf2, and subsequent interaction between Nrf2 and ARE in the encoding genes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An adaptive dimension reduction scheme for monitoring feedback‐controlled processes
Authors: Wang Kaibo , Tsung Fugee
Published: August 2008

Detecting dynamic mean shifts is particularly important in monitoring feedback‐controlled processes in which time‐varying shifts are usually observed. When multivariate control charts are being utilized, one way to improve performance is to reduce dimensions. However, it is difficult to identify and remove non‐informative variables statically in a process with dynamic shifts, as the contribution of each variable changes continuously over time. In this paper, we propose an adaptive dimension reduction scheme that aims to reduce dimensions of multivariate control charts through online variable evaluation and selection. The resulting chart is expected to keep only informative variables and hence maximize the sensitivity of control charts. Specifically, two sets of projection matrices are presented and dimension reduction is achieved via projecting process vectors into a low‐dimensional space. Although developed based on feedback‐controlled processes, the proposed scheme can be easily extended to monitor general multivariate applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.