bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Soy Methyl Esters Reduce Fluid Transport and Improve Durability of Concrete?
Authors: Coates Kevin C. , Mohtar Samia , Tao Bernard , Weiss Jason
Published: December 2009

Many durability problems in concrete are caused by the transport of water or fluid containing aggressive ions. As a result, many seek to reduce the absorption and flow of fluids in concrete through the use of admixtures or topical sealants that refine or block pores. Results are presented of a pilot study that evaluated the potential use of soy methyl ester–polystyrene blends (SME–PS) as either an admixture or a topical treatment or both. Results are presented for tests on the fresh properties, hardened properties, and transport properties of concrete containing SME–PS. Dramatic reductions in fluid absorption can be obtained with SME–PS, with little noticeable influence on set time, strength, or shrinkage. Eventually the application of SME–PS to concrete may have the potential to be used as a method to penetrate into the pore structure at saw cuts and reduce long-term damage.
Properties of Concrete Incorporating Ultrafine Fly Ash and Silica Fume
Authors: Hossain Akhter B. , Shrestha Sandeep , Summers James
Published: December 2009

A laboratory study on the influence of the combination of ultrafine fly ash (UFFA) and silica fume (SF) on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete is described. Also compared are the performance of concrete incorporating UFFA and SF (ternary blend of cement), concrete incorporating UFFA or SF (binary blend of cement), and control portland cement concrete. The test results show that the incorporation of SF or UFFA in concrete resulted in higher strength and improved durability (resistance to chloride penetration). These benefits were found to be more pronounced in the SF concrete. However, the SF concrete demonstrated several limitations such as low slump and high early-age shrinkage. These limitations were not observed in the UFFA concrete; addition of UFFA increased the slump and decreased the early-age shrinkage. To minimize the shortcomings of SF without losing its strength and durability benefits, a concrete mixture incorporating both SF and UFFA was prepared. The test results show that the incorporation of both SF and UFFA produces a concrete mixture that demonstrates high early-age strength and improved durability similar to those properties in SF concrete. In addition, unlike SF concrete, the new concrete mixture demonstrates a higher level of slump and a lower level of free shrinkage.
A Case for Increasing Efficiency of Road Development Aid
Authors: Seneviratne Prianka N. , Date Shihiru
Published: December 2009

The millennium development goals (MDGs) of the United Nations and the Paris Declaration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have spurred aid managers–-those who oversee monies given to developing countries–-to reform their operations to increase aid effectiveness. Aid managers have responded by reforming investment strategies and partnerships with aid recipients. Road development, which has been a target of aid for decades, has benefited from this effort. More financing is available for road development now than a decade ago. However, more funds mean heavier burdens for aid recipients and managers. Both parties must improve the efficiency of aid (i.e., must “do things right”) so that macrolevel targets such as the MDGs can be achieved on time. A preliminary analysis of a sample of road projects in Asia and a review of relevant literature found several factors that limit the efficiency (i.e., the delivery of projects on time and on budget) of aid for road development. These factors are divided into two categories: aid allocation and aid management. Often underprepared and poorly articulated plans and inadequate stakeholder involvement derail the efficiency of aid allocation. Aid management inefficiencies also may be the result of inexperienced staff, rigid procurement and contracting methods, weak construction project management, and inadequate asset preservation. These factors have led to long delays in project delivery and cost overruns during implementation and to short service lives and poor transportation quality after implementation. This situation could change if aid managers pay increased attention to project management and better balance policy work and project implementation work.
Indian Bus Rapid Transit Systems Funded by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
Authors: Pai Madhav , Hidalgo Dario
Published: December 2009

This paper reviews the planning, implementation, and initial operation of bus rapid transit systems (BRTSs) in India. The initial four cities that received funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) are reviewed: Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, and Pune. JnNURM is a Government of India (GOI) program to support state and local investment in urban development. GOI also adopted a National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP). Indian states and municipalities are required to follow NUTP rules and regulations, including clear incentives for the implementation of public transport systems and nonmotorized infrastructure projects, as opposed to general road construction or expansion projects. This paper describes relevant characteristics of the BRTSs being implemented in each city and provides comments on planning, design, and institutional arrangements. The projects are an important departure from traditional urban transport practices in Indian cities: they prioritize the use of public transport and nonmotorized modes. Nevertheless, this preliminary survey suggests that in most cases a strong focus remains on infrastructure, while other elements of BRTSs receive less attention. As a result, the full potential of BRTSs is not necessarily attained. Regarding planning activities, it is noted that demand estimation and operations design could have been more elaborate. This paper provides general recommendations for planners, decision makers, and funding agencies in an effort to improve the state of the practice in India and other developing countries.
Citywide Transit Integration in a Large City
Authors: Hidalgo Dario
Published: December 2009

The Interligado System is a large-scale transit modernization plan for the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, which optimizes bus routes and services through the use of advanced technologies for fare integration, bus fleet renovations, new requirements for the companies delivering transit services, and support infrastructure for buses (e.g., priority and exclusive lanes, bus stops, integration terminals, and user information and control systems). The implementation of the Interligado System represents a significant planning and implementation effort involving 39 private bus providers, cooperatives of 6,000 self-employed van operators, and 13,700 vehicles. Electronic farecards allow passengers to ride a combination of lines within a 2-h period. Integration of municipal bus services was completed in May 2004, and integration with Metro and state buses was completed in 2006. The name “Interligado” is no longer used to brand the transit reform, but the project components not only remain in place but have been upgraded over time. The main outcome of the reform has been an increase in public transportation usage within the city of São Paulo. Transit trips grew 15% and boardings grew 49% between 2002 and 2006. The temporal integration scheme has changed the way passengers select a combination of services and has resulted in travel-time and cost savings. Users have responded well to the operational improvements in the priority corridor Passa-Rápido. Nevertheless, the overall rating of municipal buses has declined. The main complaints were high levels of pollution, long waiting and travel times, and congestion. This paper presents a description of the city context and project implementation; an assessment of planning, implementation, and operational issues; and recommendations and lessons learned.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Land Transport in India
Authors: Schipper Lee , Banerjee Ipsita , Ng Wei-Shiuen
Published: December 2009

India is experiencing rapid growth in motorization. The government and policy makers are responding to this growth by building inadequate, unsustainable infrastructure mostly geared toward private automobile owners. Because more than half the trips in India are served by public transport, and there is high usage of nonmotorized transport, the country is well poised for sustainable development. Yet policy makers must recognize this and provide an infrastructure to support it. This paper employs a bottom-up approach to explore four scenarios of growth: business as usual (BAU); energy efficiency (EE), including a large share of energy-efficient small cars; a two-wheeler world (TWW); and sustainable urban transport (SUT) with an emphasis on mass transit. These scenarios employ different, though not mutually exclusive, directions of growth that could be supported with appropriate policies. Carbon emissions would be highest under the BAU scenario, followed by the EE, TWW, and SUT scenarios. Assumptions applied to the scenarios include increasing the share of minicars, improving fuel efficiency for different types of vehicles, and reducing distances traveled for different types of vehicles, all of which significantly decreased the carbon content of fuels. This study suggests reasonable results that could come from a number of policy recommendations. More can be done to restrain the growth of emissions as policies become bolder and technologies improve.
Behavior-Based Transportation Greenhouse Gas Mitigation under the Clean Development Mechanism
Authors: Zegras P. Christopher , Chen Yang , Grütter Jürg M.
Published: December 2009

This paper proposes a methodology, consistent with the Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism (CDM), to quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction benefits of transport-efficient development (TED). TED aims to reduce transportation GHGs by changing urban development patterns. The Nanchang Transit-Oriented Development project in China is used to demonstrate the methodology and the possibilities for bringing such projects into the carbon market. The case illustrates the challenges of using the CDM to reduce transportation GHG emissions via TED. The proposed analytical approach, utilizing a control group, encounters difficulties with geographical control, the reliability of the statistical techniques, and challenges to calculating emissions “leakage.” These methodological difficulties also affect financial viability because of high monitoring costs and high project risks. Ultimately, the CDM executive board rejected the proposed methodology, suggesting limited possibilities for utilizing today's carbon market to alter developing countries’ urban transportation GHG growth trajectories.
Safety Assessment of Taxi Drivers in Singapore
Authors: Chin Hoong Chor , Huang Helai L.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a comprehensive safety assessment of taxi drivers in Singapore. Six years of accident records (2001 through 2006) maintained by traffic police were employed for three analyses: a trend analysis, a factor analysis, and a cause analysis. In the trend analysis, it was found that the taxi accident rates were consistently higher than the safety standard set by Singapore's Land Transport Authority, even though no evidence suggested an increasing trend in taxi accidents. In the factor analysis, 10 significant factors that have contributed to the taxi accidents were identified with two binomial logistic models. Accidents in which taxi drivers were responsible were compared with ( a) those accidents in which the taxi drivers were not responsible, and ( b) those accidents in which the drivers of private cars were responsible. Following the factor analysis, the seven most common accident causes were ranked. The relative accident propensities according to individual factors identified in the factor analysis were computed. These findings suggest that any behavior-modification training program to be developed must be unique for taxi drivers and must take into account the specific factors and causes highlighted in this study.
Indicators to Evaluate Road Safety Actions Promoted by a Nongovernmental Organization
Authors: Diógenes Mara Chagas , Lindau Luis Antonio
Published: December 2009

Road safety is of utmost concern to many sectors of society. It is now common to find both public and private organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) implementing actions to prevent road collisions and reduce their severity. However, little is known about the effectiveness of unconventional actions for the improvement of road safety. The literature suggests the use of performance indicators to monitor the results of actions and help in the decision-making process. The objective of this paper is to show how performance assessment can be inserted into the context of road safety by proposing road safety indicators for an NGO operating in Brazil. This NGO promotes activities related to road safety education, particularly for young people. This work can be used as an aid for setting up indicators for similar road safety organizations operating in other countries.
Expected Safety Performance of Rural Signalized Intersections in South Korea
Authors: Oh Jutaek , Washington Simon , Lee Dongmin
Published: December 2009

Understanding the expected safety performance of rural signalized intersections is critical for ( a) identifying high-risk sites where the observed safety performance is substantially worse than the expected safety performance, ( b) understanding influential factors associated with crashes, and ( c) predicting the future performance of sites and helping plan safety-enhancing activities. These three critical activities are routinely conducted for safety management and planning purposes in jurisdictions throughout the United States and around the world. This paper aims to develop baseline expected safety performance functions of rural signalized intersections in South Korea, which to date have not yet been established or reported in the literature. Data are examined from numerous locations within South Korea for both three-legged and four-legged configurations. The safety effects of a host of operational and geometric variables on the safety performance of these sites are also examined. In addition, supplementary tables and graphs are developed for comparing the baseline safety performance of sites with various geometric and operational features. These graphs identify how various factors are associated with safety. The expected safety prediction tables offer advantages over regression prediction equations by allowing the safety manager to isolate specific features of the intersections and examine their impact on expected safety. The examination of the expected safety performance tables through illustrated examples highlights the need to correct for regression-to-the-mean effects, emphasizes the negative impacts of multicollinearity, shows why multivariate models do not translate well to accident modification factors, and illuminates the need to examine road safety carefully and methodically. Caveats are provided on the use of the safety performance prediction graphs developed in this paper.
Catastrophe Bonds for Transportation Assets
Authors: Sircar Jyotirmoy , Damnjanovic Ivan , Mander John B. , Aslan Zafer
Published: December 2009

Recent catastrophic events such as floods and earthquakes have underlined the need for rapid infusion of financial and other resources to facilitate repair and reconstruction of damaged facilities and lifeline infrastructure. Because bridge structures are a major component of the essential transportation infrastructure, they require timely application of maintenance and repair. To mitigate risks associated with natural hazards and associated impacts on bridges, it is necessary to adopt suitable financial tools. Hazard-linked securities such as catastrophe (CAT) bonds are financial tools that have called the attention of investors as a risk-mitigating instrument that supports fast recovery of communities and businesses. The benefits of CAT bonds are twofold: the bonds ensure that financial resources are readily available to cover potential losses in the wake of a natural hazard, and they provide attractive returns with risks uncorrelated with other, more traditional financial assets, such as stocks or corporate bonds. This paper presents a model for determining the risk premium (spread) implied by the default-triggering event and structural design parameters. A risk-neutral cost–benefit method for pricing the risk premium (spread) is presented. Examples of conventionally designed and seismically designed bridges illustrate the implication of structural design parameters on the risk premium and the corresponding utility of these structures as potential CAT bond investments.
Transit's Effect on Mileage Responses to Oregon's Experiment in Road Pricing
Authors: Rufolo Anthony M. , Kimpel Thomas J.
Published: December 2009

The Oregon Department of Transportation tested a system to collect a vehicle-based mileage fee as a replacement for the Oregon gas tax. Preliminary analysis of the results for that experiment found that access to transit affected people's response to pricing. However, the measure used was a self-reported estimate of distance to “the nearest bus or rail stop that could take you places you want to go.” Since this is not a commonly defined measure, household addresses were used to identify actual distance to transit services in relation to various measures of transit service available. The measures of transit service available were not found to affect people's response to the mileage charges, but actual distance either to any transit or to frequent transit service did have a statistically significant effect on the changes in peak-hour miles in response to the prices. There was also an effect on changes in total miles driven, but it was not statistically significant.
Modal Choices and Spending Patterns of Travelers to Downtown San Francisco, California
Authors: Bent Elizabeth M , Singa Krute
Published: December 2009

Congestion pricing is a demand management strategy implemented on roadways to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility, and encourage public transit ridership. The San Francisco County Transportation Authority in California is determining the feasibility of pricing to manage congestion, which is most severe in the downtown, Civic Center, and south of Market districts. These districts serve a variety of purposes that are not limited to office, restaurant, retail, hotel, and industrial and everyday attract a high number of workers and visitors–-both local and tourist. The most vocal opponents to the potential congestion pricing program are downtown merchants. Many believe that their patrons primarily come by car and that drivers spend more money than transit riders and pedestrians. This study examined the travel to San Francisco's major retail and entertainment centers and the spending patterns of those traveling to these centers, to assess whether these perceptions hold true. The survey found that most travelers get to downtown San Francisco by taking transit or walking, regardless of their income. Travelers using these modes spend more per month than those traveling by car, because they come more frequently to engage in recreational activities. The belief that recreational customers predominantly travel by car and spend more than transit riders is not reflected in the data, nor is this belief consistent with similar observations in other cities. Findings indicate the need for faster, more reliable multimodal transportation that supports a vibrant economy and provides viable travel choices to all.
Policy Options for Truck User Charging
Authors: Conway Alison , Walton C. Michael
Published: December 2009

This paper provides a review of truck road user charging mechanisms employed worldwide. The purpose of this study is to identify the variables currently considered in determining user charge rates for heavy trucks within different tolling structures and to examine the relationship of these variables to policy goals.
Impact of Two-Part Pricing Scheme on Social Welfare for Congested Metropolitan Expressway Networks
Authors: Salas R. M. , Robusté A. F. , Saurí M. S.
Published: December 2009

Road pricing has proved to be an effective means of managing traffic demand, reducing the environmental impact of road traffic, and obtaining revenues. The model employed in this paper is based on the social marginal cost economic theory for assessing the total change in social welfare by means of different indicators. This model has the advantage of comparing different road-pricing systems apart from the traditional ones (simple schemes), such as cordon and kilometric toll. In this case a two-part tariffs scheme has been analyzed. The results show that to optimize the current road capacity, the two-part optimal prices must be determined (optimal combination of access toll and kilometric charge). This will allow a higher increase in social welfare. This increase is obtained by internalizing the congestion social cost (reducing deadweight loss) when diminishing demand to an optimum amount. This model has been applied on the expressway networks of the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. Conclusions show that if demand is reduced by 10%, a favorable change in social welfare takes place, which is 96% higher than if demand is reduced by only 5%. However, if demand is reduced by 15%, such change in social welfare increases by only 20% compared with a 10% demand reduction scenario.
Vehicle Mileage Fee on Income and Spatial Equity
Authors: Zhang Lei , McMullen B. Starr , Valluri Divya , Nakahara Kyle
Published: December 2009

Because of concern about the declining purchasing power of gas tax revenue due to inflation, public opposition to tax increases, and the improved fuel efficiency of new vehicles, the 2001 Oregon legislature created the Road User Fee Task Force (RUFTF) to make recommendations for a potential replacement for the gasoline tax. This paper estimates the distributional impact of the statewide vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee policy proposed by the RUFTF on individuals with different incomes and residential locations. The methodology employs both vehicle ownership and type choice models and regression-based vehicle use models. This allows an examination of both short- and long-run responses from the affected households. The measures of the distributional impact of the proposed VMT fee include changes in consumers’ surplus, fee-collection agency revenue totals, and overall welfare changes by income and location groups. The results show that the distributional effects of a $0.012/mi flat VMT fee are not significant in either the short or long run and suggest that distributional concerns should not be a hindering factor in the future implementation of the proposed VMT fees.
Developing School Nutrition Policies: Enabling and Barrier Factors
Authors: MacLellan Debbie , Taylor Jennifer , Freeze Catherine
Published: December 2009

Purpose: The study was conducted to identify the enabling and barrier factors in the development of nutrition policies in Prince Edward Island elementary and consolidated schools.

Methods: A document review and in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders (n=12).

Results: Principals were identified as important champions for change. Working group members created an interface between the school world and the nutrition world, and drew upon common philosophical ground to work together to lead the change process. Successfully navigating the process of policy development required building a case for change, testing policies in the real world, integrating healthy eating within school life, offering support to schools, engaging participants, and acknowledging the need to weigh the costs and benefits of the change. At times, external pressures on schools and available foods varied in the extent to which they enabled or challenged policy development. Finally, resource limitations, competing issues, and the use of unhealthy food as rewards were identified as the primary barriers.

Conclusions: The use of a consultative approach that engages key stakeholders early in the process is critical to the successful development of school nutrition policies. This approach also may be an important predictor of the longterm success of such initiatives.
Coming and Going: Dietetic Students’ Experience of Their Education
Authors: Atkins Jennifer , Gingras Jacqui
Published: December 2009

Purpose: Nutrition students’ expectations for and experiences of their education were explored, as was the influence of the educational process on the students.

Methods: In this qualitative research guided by a phenomenological approach, eight students in the first year and six in the final year of an undergraduate program completed semistructured interviews.

Results: Although the students were diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, and class background, all stated that they wanted to become dietitians. Our findings illuminate the ways in which dietetic education influences students’ relationship with food, their bodies, bodies of knowledge, and family and friends. Professionalization, as initiated through discourse, necessitates a particular loss of relationship with the self. Although students enter with an awareness of professional norms and discourses, their education fosters an identity shift based on the kinds of nutrition knowledge and discourses they are learning, as these are performed by educators.

Conclusions: Acknowledging that an embodied curriculum has an impact on professionalization is important for educators and students because education is a critical site for developing a professional identity; this identity then influences how dietitians practise. This research has implications for recruitment language, professional practice curricula, faculty development, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and ongoing support for students as they enter practice contexts.
Impact of Nutrition Education On University Students’ Fat Consumption
Authors: Emrich Teri E. , Mazier M.J. Patricia
Published: December 2009

Purpose: University science students who have taken a nutrition course possess greater knowledge of fats than do those who have not; whether students apply this knowledge to their diet is unknown. We measured and compared science students' total and saturated fat intake in the first and fourth years, and evaluated whether taking a nutrition course influenced fat consumption.

Methods: A sample of 269 first- and fourth-year science students at a small undergraduate university completed a survey with both demographic questions and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire about fats in the diet. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and independent-sample t-tests.

Results: Fourth-year science students consumed fewer grams of total and saturated fat than did first-year science students (p<0.001). Science students who had taken a nutrition course consumed fewer grams of total and saturated fat than did those who had not (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Taking a nutrition course may decrease first-year students’ fat consumption, which may improve diet quality and decrease the risk of chronic disease related to fat consumption.
Use of Oral Nutrition Supplements In Long-term Care Facilities
Authors: Johnson Shanthi , Nasser Roseann , Banow Tiffany , Cockburn Tanya , Voegeli Leah , Wilson Orina , Coleman Jean
Published: December 2009

Purpose: Practices related to oral nutrition supplement (ONS) use were examined in elderly people living in longterm care (LTC) facilities.

Methods: Thirteen LTC facilities within a large regional health authority participated, and 17 people responsible for prescribing ONS in their facilities were interviewed, using a key informant telephone survey. A survey on ONS practice wasmodified, pilot tested, and used.

Results:Oral nutrition supplements were primarily prescribed by nursing staff (59%), followed by physicians, registered dietitians, or other staff; ONS use was prescribed for decreased intake, unintentional weight loss, or wound healing. Various ONS products (e.g., Ensure, Boost, or Resource 2.0) were prescribed. Only 18% of respondents reported using alternative food options first to supplement nutritional intake, before introducing ONS. In terms of follow-up and evaluation, the measures of improvement included weight gain, wound healing, or improved well-being; reasons for discontinuation included weight gain, increased intake, or death.

Conclusions: Within LTC settings, the prescription and monitoring of ONS vary considerably. Evidence-based guidelines for the prescription and monitoring of ONS and for the use of a food-first strategy should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to optimize the nutritional health of the elderly in LTC facilities.
Transformation to Room Service Food Delivery In a Pediatric Health Care Facility
Authors: Kuperberg Karen , Mager Diana , Dello Susan
Published: December 2009

Patient food service is an important component in the nutritional management of hospitalized children. The previous meal delivery system at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto was a cold-plating re-thermalized system. Issues related to this model included order lead time, the reheating process, menu selection, and service style. Research into other systems led us toward room service, an innovative and flexible mode of meal delivery. Transformation to room service occurred over one year, and included implementation of a new computer system, kitchen renovation, redesign of menus and a new meal delivery system called Meal Train, and changes to human resource allocations. Throughout the transformation, consultations were held with key stakeholders, including the children’s council, the family advisory, the nursing council, and a multidisciplinary committee involving nursing staff, dietitians, patient service aides, infection control personnel, occupational health employees, patient representatives, and food services staff. Now, Meal Train is running smoothly, and meal days and food costs have been reduced. Others considering a project like this must know their clients’ needs and be willing to think outside the box. They should familiarize themselves with current information on systems and equipment, consult with key stakeholders within their organization, and then create the system that will work for them.
Discretionary Food Fortification: Implications of Consumer Attitudes
Authors: Kalergis Maria , MacDonald Andrew
Published: December 2009

Purpose: The interest in, intent to, and impact of consuming foods fortified with vitamins and minerals, particularly foods of poor nutritional quality, were evaluated among Canadians.

Methods: A Canada-wide, online survey of 1200 adults and teens was used to assess the interest in, intent to, and impact of consuming or serving foods fortified under two fortification scenarios (10% and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value). Categories of foods tested were cereal bars, energy bars, flavoured bottled water, frozen desserts, fruit drinks, fruit juice, salty snacks, soda pop, sports drinks, sweet baked goods, and sweets.

Results: The majority of adults and teens were interested in consuming fortified foods and indicated that they would increase their current consumption of specific foods if they became fortified. These foods included soft drinks, salty snacks, fruit drinks, and fruit juice. A large proportion of adults also indicated that they would serve more of these fortified foods to their children.

Conclusions: Our findings reveal that fortifying foods, particularly those of poor nutritional quality, could lead to increased consumption of these foods among children, teens, and adults. Potentially, this could have a negative impact on eating habits and, in turn, could exacerbate the current nutrition-related health issues that Canadians face.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Hydrolysis of N-Arylphthalimides
Authors: Sim Yoke-Leng , Wan Ahmad Wan Hamdah , Cheong May Ye , Ariffin Azhar , Khan M. Niyaz
Published: December 2009

The values of pseudo-first-order rate constants, kobs, for hydrolysis of N-(2'-methoxyphenyl)phthalimide (1) increase linearly with increase in [HCl] over the range 5 × 10−3 - 1.0M at 8.0 × 10−5 M 1, 0.5M μ (by NaCl) and in the temperature range 30-40°C. The rate of acidic hydrolysis of N-(4'-methoxyphenyl)phthalimide (2) reveals behaviour similar to that found for 1, N-(2'-hydro-xyphenyl)phthalimide (3) and N-(4 ‘-aminophenyl)phthalimide (4). The values of kobs at 35°C and varying [HCl] give the respective rate constants for the [HCl]-independent ( k0) and the [HCl]-dependent ( kH) hydrolysis of 1 (at [10] = 8.0 × 10−5 M, μ = 0.5 M) as 6.74 ×10−7 s−1 and 5.47 × 10−6 M−1 s−1, 2 (at [20] = 3.0 × 10−5M, μ = 0.5 M) as 12.2 × 10−7 s−1 and 4.61 × 10−6 M−1 s−1 and 4H+ (at [40] = 2.0 × 10−4 M, μ = 1.0 M) as 5.83 × 10−7 s−1 and 15.2 × 10−6 M−1 s−1. The values of kw/ k0min are of the order of 102 for 1, 2 and 4 where k0min represents the sum of the contributions of H+ - and HO- -catalysed hydrolysis towards k0 (first-order rate constant for pH-independent hydrolysis of imide) and kw is the pseudo-first-order rate constant for the uncatalysed reaction of H2O with imide.
Explanation of Unusual Behaviour in the Acidic Hydrolytic Cleavage of N-(2'-Methoxyphenyl)Phthalimide Under Typical Reaction Conditions
Authors: Sim Yoke-Leng , Khan M. Niyaz
Published: December 2009

Pseudo-first-order rate constants, kobs, for hydrolysis of N-(2'-methoxyphenyl)-phthalimide (1) show a nonlinear decrease with the increase in [HCl] over the range 5 × 10−3 - 1.0 M at 2.0 × 10−4 M 1, 1.0 M ionic strength (μ, by NaCl) and 35°C. White fluffy precipitates have been found to appear into the reaction mixtures under such conditions, not at reaction time t = 0 but during the course of reaction. Similar observations have been found at 3.0 × 10−4M 1. These rather unusual observations have been found to be due to a special NaCl salt effect on kobs.
Gender Differences in Interpersonal Problems of Alcohol-Dependent Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Mueller Sandra  E. , Degen Bigna , Petitjean Sylvie , Wiesbeck Gerhard  A. , Walter Marc
Published: December 2009

Alcohol dependence is a heavy burden on patients, their families, and society. Epidemiological studies indicate that alcohol dependence will affect many individuals at some time in their lives, with men affected more frequently than women. Since alcohol-dependent patients often exhibit a lack of social skills and suffer from interpersonal problems, the aim of this study is to elucidate whether men and women experience the same interpersonal problems. Eighty-five alcohol-dependent patients (48 men; 37 women) after detoxification and 62 healthy controls (35 men; 27 women) were recruited. Interpersonal problems were measured with the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64). Additionally, alcohol-dependent patients were interviewed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and were subtyped according to Lesch’s Alcohol Typology (LAT). There were no significant gender differences in the AUDIT and LAT between alcohol-dependent men and women. Interpersonal problems of alcohol-dependent men differed significantly in one out of eight dimensions from controls; alcohol-dependent men perceive themselves as colder than male controls. Alcohol-dependent women differed in four out of eight interpersonal dimensions from female controls. Alcohol-dependent women rated themselves as significantly more vindictive, more introverted, more overly accommodating and more intrusive than female controls. Results suggest that alcohol-dependent men and women suffer from different interpersonal problems and furthermore alcohol-dependent women perceive more interpersonal problems, whereas the severity of alcohol dependence did not differ between the groups. Our findings indicate that alcohol-dependent women may profit more from a gender-specific treatment approach aimed at improving treatment outcome than alcohol-dependent men.
Occupational Noise Exposure and Age Correction: The Problem of Selection Bias
Authors: Dobie Robert A.
Published: December 2009

Selection bias often invalidates conclusions about populations based on clinical convenience samples. A recent paper in this journal [1] makes two surprising assertions about noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS): first, that there is more NIPTS at 2 kHz than at higher frequencies; second, that NIPTS declines with advancing age. Neither assertion can be supported with the data presented, which were obtained from a clinical sample; both are consistent with the hypothesis that people who choose to attend an audiology clinic have worse hearing, especially at 2 kHz, than people of the same age and gender who choose not to attend.
Identification of Different Donor-Acceptor Structures via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) in Quantum-Dot-Perylene Bisimide Assemblies
Authors: Kowerko Danny , Krause Stefan , Amecke Nicole , Abdel-Mottaleb Mohamed , Schuster Jörg , Von Borczyskowski Christian
Published: December 2009

Nanoassemblies are formed via self-assembly of ZnS capped CdSe quantum dots (QD) and perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes. Upon assembly formation the QD photoluminescence is quenched, as can be detected both via single particle detection and ensemble experiments in solution. Quenching has been assigned to FRET and NON-FRET processes. Analysis of FRET allows for a distinction between different geometries of the QD dye assemblies. Time-resolved single molecule spectroscopy reveals intrinsic fluctuations of the PBI fluorescence lifetime and spectrum, caused by rearrangement of the phenoxy side groups. The distribution of such molecular conformations and their changed dynamics upon assembly formation are discussed in the scope of FRET efficiency and surface ligand density.
Synthesis of 2-Chloro-3-(2-naphthyloxy)quinoxaline
Authors: Obafemi Craig A. , Pfleiderer Wolfgang
Published: December 2009

A mixture of 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline 1 [1] (1.0 g, 5 mmol) and 2-naphthol (0.72 g, 5 mmol) in pyridine (10 mL) was heated to 130°C for 3 h, with magnetic stirring, to give a dark-brown reaction mixture.[...]
4,4'-Diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol dihydrochloride
Authors: Yousefi Behrooz H. , Jordis Ulrich
Published: December 2009

The bis-diethylaminoethylether of hexestrol has been shown to be hypocholesteremic by inhibiting the reduction of desmosterol to cholesterol.[...]
Spectroscopic and ab-initio study of schiff base ligand 4-[(2-hydroxyethylamino)-methylene]-5-methyl-2-p-tolyl-2,4-dihydro-pyrazol-3-one
Authors: Surati Kiran R. , Thaker B. T. , Shah Gavrang
Published: December 2009

Pyrazolone ring systems represent an important class of compounds [1] not only for their theoretical interest but also for their number of application in diverse area [2-6].[...]
Synthesis of 1-benzyl-3-chloro-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one
Authors: Yang Zhaoqi , Sun Pinhua
Published: December 2009

Combretastatin A-4, isolated from a South African tree Combretum caffrum, is one of the most potent anti-tomour agents. In this paper, an analogue of Combretastatin A-4 was synthesized in order to improve the anti-tumour activity. Compound was characterized by IR and 1HNMR.
Compare of three ways of synthesis of simple Schiff base
Authors: Yang Zhaoqi , Sun Pinhua
Published: December 2009

In this paper we propose the synthesis of (E)-4-methyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene) benzenamine in different ways and compare of the way of synthesize it. As a result, microwave irradiation is the simple way to synthesis this Schiff base.
Rhodamine B Pentyl Ester and its Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Homologues
Authors: Ross Justin A. , Ross Benjamin P. , Cosgrove Kelly L. , Rubinsztein-Dunlop Halina , McGeary Ross P.
Published: December 2009

The rhodamines are a highly fluorescent class of compound used in many different fields of research, from the lasing medium in dye lasers to biological stains and markers for cellular drug resistance [1-3].[...]
Synthesis of 2-(2-napthylthio)-quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde as a novel complexing agent
Authors: Basavaraju Bennehalli , Bhojyanaik Halehatti S. , Prabhakara C.
Published: December 2009

In this paper we propose the synthesis of 2-(2-napthylthio)-quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde. In addition to its synthesis we present elemental, IR, and NMR spectral analysis to characterize the molecule.
Synthesis and Detailed Spectroscopic Characterization of Two Novel N-(3-Acetyl-2-thienyl)acetamides
Authors: Eller Gernot A. , Holzer Wolfgang
Published: December 2009

The title compounds – N-(3-acetyl-2-thienyl)-2-bromoacetamide and N-(3-acetyl-2-thienyl)-2- phthalimidoacetamide – were synthesized in one step from 3-acetylthiophen-2-amine and the corresponding acetyl halogenides. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, MS, IR) for these compounds are presented.
The First Example of Oxidative Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydrogen in meso-Aryl Ring of the 5,10,15,20-Tetraphenylporphyrin Derivatives
Authors: Mikus Agnieszka , Kisielińska Edyta , Ostrowski Stanisław
Published: December 2009

A synthesis of [2-nitro-5-(10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin-5-yl)-phenyl]phenyl-acetonitrile zinc complex by the reaction of the respective nitroporphyrin with the anion of benzyl cyanide, followed by addition of DDQ, is described. This is the first example of this type of process in the nitrophenyl side ring of meso-tetraarylporphyrin derivatives.
Marine Pyrrolocarbazoles and Analogues: Synthesis and Kinase Inhibition
Authors: Deslandes Sébastien , Chassaing Stefan , Delfourne Evelyne
Published: December 2009

Granulatimide and isogranulatimide are alkaloids obtained from marine sources which have been shown to inhibit cell-cycle G2-checkpoint, targeting more particularly checkpoint 1 kinase (Chk1). At a structural level, they possess a characteristic pyrrolocarbazole framework also shared by the well-known rebeccamycin and staurosporine microbial metabolites which have been described to inhibit topoisomerase I and diverse kinases, respectively. This review reports precisely on the synthesis and kinase inhibitory activities of pyrrolocarbazole-based analogues of granulatimide.
Novel Bisquaternary Oximes—Reactivation of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibited by Paraoxon
Authors: Kuca Kamil , Musilova Lucie , Palecek Jiri , Cirkva Vladimir , Paar Martin , Musilek Kamil , Hrabinova Martina , Pohanka Miroslav , Karasova Jana Zdarova , Jun Daniel
Published: December 2009

Four novel bisquaternary aldoxime cholinesterase reactivators differing in their chemical structure were prepared. Afterwards, their biological activity was evaluated for their ability to reactivate acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE; EC 3.1.1.8) inhibited by paraoxon. Their reactivation activity was compared with standard reactivators—pralidoxime, obidoxime and HI-6—which are clinically used at present. As it resulted, none of the prepared compounds surpassed obidoxime, which is considered to be the most potent compound if used for reactivation of AChE inhibited by paraoxon. In case of BuChE reactivation, two compounds (K053 and K068) achieved similar results as obidoxime.
18-Crown-6 and Dibenzo-18-crown-6 Assisted Extraction of Cesium from Water into Room Temperature Ionic Liquids and Its Correlation with Stability Constants for Cesium Complexes
Authors: Vendilo Andrey  Grigoryevich , Djigailo Dmitry  Ivanovich , Smirnova Svetlana  Valeryevna , Torocheshnikova Irina  Ivanovna , Popov Konstantin  Ivanovich , Krasovsky Vladimir  Georgyevich , Pletnev Igor  Vladimirovich
Published: December 2009

The pH-profiles of the extraction of Cs+ into four conventional (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and bis[trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl]imides of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, and 1-(2-ethylhexyl)-3- methylimidazolium) and two novel (trioctylmethylammonium salicylate and tetrahexylammonium dihexylsulfosuccinate) room temperature ionic liquids have been determined both in the absence and in the presence of crown ether (18-crown-6 or dibenzo-18-crown-6). The pH-profiles of distribution ratio of crown ethers have been established in the same conditions. The relationship of cesium extraction efficiency both with the stability of its complexes with crown ethers and crown ethers’ distribution ratio has been clarified.
Effects of α-Melanocortin Enantiomers on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in CBA Mice
Authors: Turčić Petra , Bradamante Mirna , Houra Karlo , Štambuk Nikola , Kelava Tomislav , Konjevoda Paško , Kazazić Saša , Vikić-Topić Dražen , Pokrić Biserka
Published: December 2009

Proteins and peptides in mammals are based exclusively on L-amino acids. Recent investigations show that D-amino acids exhibit physiological effects in vivo, despite of their very small quantities. We have investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the Land D-enantiomers of α-melanocortin peptide (α-MSH). The results showed that peptideenantiomerism is related to the protective effects of melanocortin peptides in vivo. L-α-MSH exhibited potent hepatoprotective effect in the experimental model of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in male CBA mice, while its D-mirror image was inefficient. Furthermore, the antibody to the L-peptide did not recognize the D-structure. The results indicate that the opposite peptide configuration may be used to modulate its function and metabolism in vivo and in vitro.
Photoacoustic Techniques for Trace Gas Sensing Based on Semiconductor Laser Sources
Authors: Elia Angela , Lugarà Pietro Mario , Di Franco Cinzia , Spagnolo Vincenzo
Published: December 2009

The paper provides an overview on the use of photoacoustic sensors based on semiconductor laser sources for the detection of trace gases. We review the results obtained using standard, differential and quartz enhanced photoacoustic techniques.
Survey of Visual and Force/Tactile Control of Robots for Physical Interaction in Spain
Authors: Garcia Gabriel J. , Corrales Juan A. , Pomares Jorge , Torres Fernando
Published: December 2009

Sensors provide robotic systems with the information required to perceive the changes that happen in unstructured environments and modify their actions accordingly. The robotic controllers which process and analyze this sensory information are usually based on three types of sensors (visual, force/torque and tactile) which identify the most widespread robotic control strategies: visual servoing control, force control and tactile control. This paper presents a detailed review on the sensor architectures, algorithmic techniques and applications which have been developed by Spanish researchers in order to implement these mono-sensor and multi-sensor controllers which combine several sensors.
The Influence of Thermodynamic Ideas on Ecological Economics: An Interdisciplinary Critique
Authors: Hammond Geoffrey P. , Winnett Adrian B.
Published: December 2009

The influence of thermodynamics on the emerging transdisciplinary field of 'ecological economics‘ is critically reviewed from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is viewed through the lens provided by the 'bioeconomist' Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen (1906–1994) and his advocacy of 'the Entropy Law' as a determinant of economic scarcity. It is argued that exergy is a more easily understood thermodynamic property than is entropy to represent irreversibilities in complex systems, and that the behaviour of energy and matter are not equally mirrored by thermodynamic laws. Thermodynamic insights as typically employed in ecological economics are simply analogues or metaphors of reality. They should therefore be empirically tested against the real world.