bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biofuel Policies in the EU, US and Brazil  Les politiques en matière de biocarburants dans l’Union européenne, aux États‐Unis et au Brésil  Politikmaßnahmen zu Biokraftstoffen in der EU, den USA und Brasilien
Authors: Miranda Silvia , Swinbank Alan , Yano Yuki
Published: December 2011

summary

Biofuel Policies in the EU, US and Brazil

The development of biofuels has been one of the most visible and controversial manifestations of the use of biomass for energy. Biofuels policies in the EU, US and Brazil have been particularly important for the development of the industry in these three important markets. All three have used a variety of measures, including consumption or use mandates, tax incentives and import protection to promote the production and use of biofuels. Despite this, it is uncertain whether the EU will achieve its objective of a 10 per cent share for renewables in transport fuels by 2020. The US is also running into difficulties in meeting consumption mandates for biofuels. Questions are being raised about the continuation of tax credits and import protection. Brazil has liberalised its domestic ethanol market and adopted a more market‐oriented approach to biofuels policy, but the management of domestic petroleum prices and the inter‐relationship between the sugar market and ethanol production are important factors affecting domestic consumption and exports. In both the EU and the US an ongoing debate about the benefits of reliance on biofuels derived from food crops and concern about the efficacy of current biofuels policies may put their future in doubt.
Automatic Balancing of Twin Co-Planar Rotors
Authors: DeSmidt H. A. , Jung D.
Published: December 2011

This paper explores the dynamics and stability of a twin rotor system fitted with passive automatic balancing devices (ABD). Essentially, autobalancers consist of several freely moving eccentric balancing masses. At certain speeds, the stable equilibrium position of the balancer masses is such that they naturally adjust to cancel the rotor imbalance. This “automatic balancing” phenomena occurs as a result of nonlinear dynamic interactions between the balancer masses and the rotor vibrations. Previous studies have explored automatic balancing of single rotors. In particular, ABDs are widely utilized for imbalance correction in computer optical disk and hard-drive applications. For such systems, automatic balancing occurs at supercritical operating speeds. While automatic balancing of single rotors is generally well understood, there has been only limited work on the topic of multirotor system automatic balancing. Therefore, this investigation considers a twin co-planar rotor system consisting of two symmetrically situated rotors mounted on a common flexible foundation structure. Both rotors are fitted with ABDs and the simultaneous autobalancing behavior of both rotors is investigated. Here, the nonlinear equations-of-motion of the twin-rotor/ABD system are derived and the asymptotic stability about the balanced condition is determined via a perturbation and floquet analysis. It is found that for the case of co-rotating rotors, automatic balancing is only achievable at supercritical speeds relative to the system torsional and lateral modes. However, for counter-rotating rotors, automatic balancing occurs at both subcritical and supercritical speeds relative to the foundation torsional mode. In this investigation, a dimensionless parameter study conducted to explore the effects of rotation speed, torsion and lateral mode placement, twin-rotor imbalance phasing, autobalancer mass, and damping for both the co- and counter-rotating cases. By considering the dynamic interactions between two rotor/ABD sub-systems, it is hoped that this study will provide valuable insight into the use of ABDs in multirotor system applications.
Parametric Stability of Axially Accelerating Viscoelastic Beams With the Recognition of Longitudinally Varying Tensions
Authors: Chen Li-Qun , Tang You-Qi
Published: December 2011

In this paper, the parametric stability of axially accelerating viscoelastic beams is revisited. The effects of the longitudinally varying tension due to the axial acceleration are highlighted, while the tension was approximately assumed to be longitudinally uniform in previous studies. The dependence of the tension on the finite support rigidity is also considered. The generalized Hamilton principle and the Kelvin viscoelastic constitutive relation are applied to establish the governing equations and the associated boundary conditions for coupled planar motion of the beam. The governing equations are linearized into the governing equation in the transverse direction and the expression of the longitudinally varying tension. The method of multiple scales is employed to analyze the parametric stability of transverse motion. The stability boundaries are derived from the solvability conditions and the Routh-Hurwitz criterion for principal and sum resonances. In terms of stability boundaries, the governing equations with or without the longitudinal variance of tension are compared and the effects of the finite support rigidity are also examined. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effects of the stiffness, the viscosity, and the mean axial speed on the stability boundaries. The differential quadrature scheme is developed to numerically solve the governing equation, and the computational results confirm the outcomes of the method of multiple scales.
Early Short-Term Application of High-Frequency Percussive Ventilation Improves Gas Exchange in Hypoxemic Patients
Authors: Lucangelo Umberto , Zin Walter A. , Fontanesi Luca , Antonaglia Vittorio , Peratoner Alberto , Ferluga Massimo , Marras Emanuele , Borelli Massimo , Ciccolini Matteo , Berlot Giorgio
Published: December 2011

Background: Hypoxemia in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) patients represents a common finding in the intensive care unit (ICU) and frequently does not respond to standard ventilatory techniques. Objective: To study whether the early short-term application of high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) can improve gas exchange in hypoxemic patients with ALI/ARDS or many other conditions in comparison to conventional ventilation (CV) using the same mean airway pressure (Paw), representing the main determinant of oxygenation and hemodynamics, irrespective of the mode of ventilation. Methods: Thirty-five patients not responding to CV were studied. During the first 12 h after admission to the ICU the patients underwent CV. Thereafter HFPV was applied for 12 h with Paw kept constant. They were then returned to CV. Gas exchange was measured at: 12 h after admission, every 4 h during the HFPV trial, 1 h after the end of HFPV, and 12 h after HFPV. Thirty-five matched patients ventilated with CV served as the control group (CTRL). Results: Pao2/Fio2 and the arterial alveolar ratio (a/A Po2) increased during HFPV treatment and a Pao2/Fio2 steady state was reached during the last 12 h of CV, whereas both did not change in CTRL. Paco2 decreased during the first 4 h of HFPV, but thereafter it remained unaltered; Paco2 did not vary in CTRL. Respiratory system compliance increased after HFPV. Conclusions: HFPV improved gas exchange in patients who did not respond to conventional treatment. This improvement remained unaltered until 12 h after the end of HFPV.
Unrest Assured: Why Unipolarity Is Not Peaceful
Authors: Monteiro Nuno P.
Published: December 2011

The United States has been at war for thirteen of the twenty-two years since the Cold War ended and the world became unipolar. Still, the consensual view among international relations theorists is that unipolarity is peaceful. They base this view on two assumptions: first, the unipole will guarantee the global status quo and, second, no state will balance against it. Both assumptions are problematic. First, the unipole may disengage from a particular region, thus removing constraints on regional conflicts. Second, if the unipole remains engaged in the world, those minor powers that decide not to accommodate it will be unable to find a great power sponsor. Placed in this situation of extreme self-help, they will try to revise the status quo in their favor, a dynamic that is likely to trigger conflict with the unipole. Therefore, neither the structure of a unipolar world nor U.S. strategic choices clearly benefit the overall prospects for peace. For the world as a whole, unipolarity makes conflict likely. For the unipole, it presents a difficult choice between disengagement and frequent conflict. In neither case will the unipole be able to easily convert its power into favorable outcomes peacefully.
Background Stratospheric Aerosol Variations Deduced from Satellite Observations
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhao Xuepeng , Li Weiliang , Zhou Xiuji
Published: December 2011

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) aerosol products from 1998 to 2004 have been analyzed for the tendency of changes in background stratospheric aerosol properties. The aerosol extinction coefficient E has apparently increased in the midlatitude lower stratosphere (LS) in both hemispheres, at an annual rate that is as great as 2%–5%. Positive changes in the aerosol surface area density S in the midlatitude LS are most distinct, with a rate of increase that is as high as 5%–6% annually. At the same time, there has been a secular decrease in aerosol effective radius R, especially in the tropical LS, at a rate of up to −2.5% yr−1. Corresponding to these trends, the aerosol number concentration is inferred to have increased by roughly 5%–10% yr−1 in the tropical LS and by 4%–8% yr−1 in the midlatitude LS. Changes in aerosol mass are also deduced, with rates of increase in the midlatitude LS that are in the range of 1%–5% yr−1. The large uncertainty in operational S product is the major factor influencing the trend in S, aerosol number concentrations, and mass. The authors’ global assessment supports the speculation of Hofmann et al. on the basis of local observations that the cause of an increase in lidar backscatter over a similar period was a consequence of aerosol particle growth due to enhanced anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emissions. Moreover, it is found that an increase in the injection rate of condensation nuclei from the troposphere to the stratosphere at tropical latitudes is required to sustain the increase in stratospheric aerosol concentrations identified in this analysis.
Atmospheric Dynamics Triggered by an Oceanic SST Front in a Moist Quasigeostrophic Model
Authors: Deremble Bruno , Lapeyre Guillaume , Ghil Michael
Published: December 2011

To understand the atmospheric response to a midlatitude oceanic front, this paper uses a quasigeostrophic (QG) model with moist processes. A well-known, three-level QG model on the sphere has been modified to include such processes in an aquaplanet setting. Its response is analyzed in terms of the upper-level atmospheric jet for sea surface temperature (SST) fronts of different profiles and located at different latitudes.

When the SST front is sufficiently strong, it tends to anchor the mean atmospheric jet, suggesting that the jet’s spatial location and pattern are mainly affected by the latitude of the SST front. Changes in the jet’s pattern are studied, focusing on surface sensible heat flux and on moisture effects through latent heat release. It is found that latent heat release due to moist processes is modified when the SST front is changed, and this is responsible for the meridional displacement of the jet. Moreover, both latent heat release and surface sensible heat flux contribute to the jet’s strengthening. These results highlight the role of SST fronts and moist processes in affecting the characteristics of the midlatitude jet stream and of its associated storm track, particularly their positions.
Finite-difference modeling experiments for seismic interferometry
Authors: Thorbecke Jan W. , Draganov Deyan
Published: December 2011

In passive seismic interferometry, new reflection data can be retrieved by crosscorrelating recorded noise data. The quality of the retrieved reflection data is, among others, dependent on the duration and number of passive sources present during the recording time, the source distribution, and the source strength. To investigate these relations we set up several numerical modeling studies. To carry out the modeling in a feasible time, we design a finite-difference algorithm for the simulation of long-duration passive seismic measurements of band-limited noise signatures in the subsurface. Novel features of the algorithm include the modeling of thousands of randomly placed sources during one modeling run. The modeling experiments explore the dependency relation between the retrieved reflections and source-signature length, source positions, number of sources, and source amplitude variations. From these experiments we observed that the positions of the passive sources and the length of the source signals are of direct influence on the quality of the retrieved reflections. Random amplitude variations among source signals do not seem to have a big impact on the retrieved reflections.
Generalized dispersion of unsteady convective diffusion in couple stress poorly conducting fluid bounded by porous layer in the presence of an electric field
Authors: Mallika K. , Rudraiah N.
Published: December 2011

We investigate in this paper the simultaneous effects of electric field, couple stress, porous parameter and slip at the permeable surface on the generalized dispersion of an unsteady convective diffusion in a poorly conducting fluid in a channel bounded by porous layers. A two dimensional flow has been considered and the resulting partial differential equations have been solved analytically. The solutions are computed and the results show that the solute is dispersed relative to a plane moving with the mean speed of couple stress poorly conducting fluid with a relative unsteady dispersion coefficient. These relative unsteady dispersion coefficients are numerically computed and found that they increase with the increase in porous parameter and decrease with an increase in couple stress parameters. We have also estimated the contribution of diffusion and pure convection on the generalized dispersion coefficient. The effect of pure convection, neglecting diffusion terms on mean concentration is computed and the results show that the effect of pure convection decreases mean concentration compared to combined effect of convection and diffusion.
Numerical Investigation of Binary Droplet Collisions in All Relevant Collision Regimes
Authors: Li Xing Gang , Fritsching Udo
Published: December 2011

A numerical investigation of binary droplet collisions in a gaseous phase has been conducted. A volume of fluid (VOF) based interface capturing method, which is characterized by introducing an extra artificial compression term into the volume-fraction transport equation, is employed to capture the liquid-gas interface. The full Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the volume-fraction transport equation are discretized on a fixed, uniform grid using the finite volume method. The solution of the volume-fraction transport equation is bounded by an explicit universal multidimensional limiter. The simulations cover five major regimes of binary droplet collisions: (I) coalescence with minor deformation, (II) bouncing, (III) coalescence with major deformation, (IV) reflexive separation and (V) stretching separation. A ghost cell method is introduced in order to simulate bouncing and retarded coalescence in head-on collisions. Especially, for retarded coalescence collisions, the volume-fraction boundary condition on the symmetry plane is switched to numerically control coalescence at a critical time which is determined by tracking the interface front. The simulated results are compared with the attainable experimental data and provide detailed pictures exhibiting the droplet collision processes. The inter-droplet pressure, defined by the static pressure on the symmetry plane in head-on collisions, is also evaluated and analyzed.
Interface Tracking Simulation of Mass Transfer from a Dissolving Bubble
Authors: Hayashi Kosuke , Tomiyama Akio
Published: December 2011

An interface tracking method for predicting bubble dissolution process is proposed. A non-diffusive scheme for advecting species concentrations is adopted to accurately compute the volume change due to mass transfer. The applicability of the proposed method is examined through several benchmark tests, i.e. mass transfer from stationary bubbles and that from free rising bubbles. Dissolution of single carbon dioxide bubbles rising through a vertical pipe filled with water is also simulated to examine its applicability to high bubble Reynolds number and high Schmidt number conditions. The bubble initially consists of carbon dioxide only, whereas nitrogen and oxygen are dissolved in water. The volume change due to dissolution of carbon dioxide from the bubble and evaporation of nitrogen and oxygen from water are also accounted for. A high spatial resolution is used in this simulation to capture a thin concentration boundary layer in the vicinity of the bubble surface. As a result the following conclusions are obtained: (1) the proposed two-variable method yields no artificial diffusion of species concentrations through the interface and well conserves the species moles, (2) the method gives accurate predictions for the concentration profiles about the stationary dissolving bubbles, (3) the mass transfer rate from bubbles at intermediate Reynolds numbers and a low Schmidt number is well predicted, and (4) the method gives good predictions for the mass transfer from the high Schmidt and high Reynolds number bubbles containing multiple gaseous species and for the volume change due to the mass transfer, provided that the spatial resolution is high enough to capture thin concentration boundary layers.
Impact Testing of Cellular Materials with Field Measurement – A Review
Authors: Liu J.G. , Lu F.Y. , Fang D.N. , Zhao H.
Published: December 2011

This paper reviews impact testing technics using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar setup. Experimental aspects such as the use of large diameter soft Nylon Hopkinson/Kolsky bar for an enhanced measuring accuracy and the field measurement technics with high speed camera and digital image analysis are discussed in details. Nominal testing results on various cellular structures (hollow sphere agglomerates, foams and honeycombs) are presented. Field measurement application to the determination of shock front speed in foams and the extraction of deforming profiles of beams in lattice structures under impact loading were also presented.
A new glypheid lobster from the Late Cretaceous of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Authors: Feldmann Rodney M. , Stilwell Jeffrey D.
Published: December 2011

Recognition of a fossil previously identified as a “large Cretaceous beetle” as a glypheid lobster permits the definition of a new species, Glyphea wiffenae. The specimen was collected from the richly fossiliferous, Upper Cretaceous Maungataniwa Sandstone in eastern North Island, New Zealand. Several other fossil decapods with high southern latitude affinities have been described previously from the unit, supporting the placement of the Zealandia region within the Weddellian Biotic Province. This is only the fourth glypheid known from New Zealand and the first Cretaceous occurrence of the genus in the country.
Tax Clienteles and Debt Maturity
Authors: Harwood Elaine , Manzon Gil B.
Published: December 2011

We examine the proposition that the expected value of future interest tax shields affects firms' preferences for long-term vs. short-term debt. We extend prior work that has focused on incremental debt issuances (Newberry and Novack 1999; Guedes and Opler 1996) by examining the maturity structure reflected in the portfolio of firms' outstanding debt at year-end. Thus, our study tests a wider range of capital structure activities and includes a much larger sample of firms than examined in prior studies. Our results indicate that firms with high marginal tax rates use more long-term debt than do firms with low marginal tax rates. These findings are consistent with the existence of tax clienteles for financing with debt of different maturities.
The Impact of the Source of Changes in Marginal Tax Rates on Participation in Individual Retirement Accounts
Authors: Eaton David H.
Published: December 2011

This paper uses a series of two-year panels of tax return data to estimate the effects of two sources of tax rate changes on the participation in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). This paper uses a panel logit approach to control for individual specific fixed effects, which may also influence IRA participation behavior. This paper examines participation during the years of open eligibility for IRAs, as well as examining the impact of the 1986 tax reform on participation. A key finding of this paper is that taxpayers' IRA participation decisions are more sensitive to changes in tax rates due to changes in taxable income than to direct changes in the tax tables.
Does Acquisition by Non-U.S. Shareholders Cause U.S. Firms to Pay Less Tax?
Authors: Blouin Jennifer L. , Collins Julie H. , Shackelford Douglas A.
Published: December 2011

The U.S. corporate tax revenue implications for foreign-domiciled firms acquiring U.S. companies is an important and longstanding tax policy issue. This study attempts to provide some empirical underpinning for this controversial debate. We compare actual corporate taxable income before and after their 1996 acquisitions for 31 matched pairs of firms, half acquired by foreign-controlled companies and half acquired by American-controlled firms. Contrary to claims that foreign-controlled firms pay less tax, we find no evidence that taxable income declines more after a non-U.S. shareholder acquires a U.S.-domiciled firm than after a U.S. shareholder acquires a U.S.-domiciled firm.
Sustained release microspheres of ropinirole hydrochloride: Effect of process parameters
Authors: Avachat Amelia , Bornare Pralhad , Dash Rakesh
Published: December 2011

Sustained release microspheres of ropinirole hydrochloride: Effect of process parameters

An emulsion solvent evaporation method was employed to prepare microspheres of ropinirole hydrochloride, a highly water soluble drug, by using ethylcellulose and PEG with the help of 32 full factorial design. The microspheres were made by incorporating the drug in a polar organic solvent, which was emulsified using liquid paraffin as an external oil phase. Effects of various process parameters such as viscosity of the external phase, selection of the internal phase, surfactant selection and selection of stirring speed were studied. Microspheres were evaluated for product yield, encapsulation efficiency and particle size. Various drug/ethylcellulose ratios and PEG concentrations were assayed. In vitro dissolution profiles showed that ethylcellulose microspheres were able to control release of the drug for a period of 12 h.
Characterization of the protein gp1 from bacteriophage φIN93
Authors: Matsushita Isao , Yanase Hideshi
Published: December 2011

Characterization of the protein gp1 from bacteriophage φIN93

The protein gp1, encoded by the ORF1 gene in the genome of the Thermus phage φIN93, is similar to the replication protein encoded by repA in the Thermus sp. plasmid. To confirm that gp1 functions as a replication protein, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pIA1, by inserting ORF1 and the kanamycin acetyltransferase (kat) gene into pBluescriptII SK(+), which enabled replication of pIA1 in Thermus thermophilus HB27. By contrast, plasmid pIA1-del, which contained only a part of ORF1 (the other part deleted using KpnI), was not replicated. These results show that gp1 functions as a replication protein and that pIA1 can be used as a shuttle vector between Thermus thermophilus HB27 and Escherichia coli.
Importance of tree hollows for biodiversity of mites (Acari) in the forest reserve "Śrubita" (Carpathian Mountains, south Poland)
Authors: SKubała Piotr , Gurgul Beata
Published: December 2011

Importance of tree hollows for biodiversity of mites (Acari) in the forest reserve "Śrubita" (Carpathian Mountains, south Poland)

Tree hollows harbour a specialized fauna, and mites usually are the most numerous arthropods in this microhabitat. Mite fauna in 3 types of tree hollows was studied in the forest reserve "Śrubita" near Żywiec, at an altitude of about 850 m. In total, 2037 individuals of Acari and 1414 of Oribatida, representing 72 species, were collected. Over 1200 individuals per 100 g dry weight of wood dust were collected from tree hollows. The total number of oribatid species in tree hollows was higher than in the forest floor. Most species (also dominants) were obligate members of communities of a certain type of tree hollows.
New microsatellite markers for garlic, Allium sativum (Alliaceae)
Authors: Cunha Camila P. , Hoogerheide Eulália S. S. , Zucchi Maria I. , Monteiro Mariza , Pinheiro José B.
Published: December 2011

• Premise of the study: A new set of microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for garlic, an important medicinal spice, was developed to aid studies of genetic diversity and to define efficient strategies for germplasm conservation.

• Methods and Results: Using a (CT)8‐ and (GT)8‐enriched library, a total of 16 SSR loci were developed and optimized in garlic. Ten loci were found to be polymorphic after screening 75 accessions. The parameters used to characterize the loci were observed and expected heterozygosity, number of alleles, Shannon Index, and polymorphism information content (PIC). A total of 44 alleles were identified, with an average of 4.4 alleles per loci. The vast majority of loci were moderate to highly informative according to PIC and the Shannon Index.

• Conclusion: The new SSR markers have the potential to be informative tools for genetic diversity, allele mining, mapping and associative studies, and in the management and conservation of garlic collections.
C'est la faute aux parents…
Authors: Yvorel Jean-Jacques
Published: December 2011

Résumé Cet article tente une «?archéologie des discours?» sur les liens entre délinquance juvénile et famille tels qu’ils s’élaborent entre les monarchies constitutionnelles et la Belle Époque. Il choisit de laisser de côté les propos psychiatriques ou psychologiques pour se concentrer sur le champ judiciaire. Cette recherche met en évidence un changement de paradigme qui correspond, en France, à l’installation d’un régime républicain. La République dans sa volonté d’intégrer véritablement à la nation les ouvriers ne disqualifie plus systématiquement les parents des classes populaires. Elle s’efforce d’une part de distinguer les parents vraiment indignes et d’autre part de soutenir les pères et les mères en difficulté.
La parentalité des personnes déficientes intellectuelles
Authors: Chatroussat Sabine
Published: December 2011

Résumé L’objet de cet article est d’étudier la complexité des enjeux affectifs, familiaux et institutionnels de la parentalité des personnes déficientes intellectuelles. La stigmatisation dont elles font l’objet entraîne souvent une disqualification de leur capacité à être parents. Malgré les lois d’intégration dans la sphère sociale, les aspects psychiques de la personne handicapée restent difficiles à prendre en compte et la question du désir d’être parent est encore en suspens. À partir de la parole de travailleurs handicapés en esat et de travaux menés sur le sujet, l’article montre que malgré un changement dans l’accompagnement le regard social souvent invalidant intériorisé par les personnes déficientes influence considérablement la relation parent-enfant. Par conséquent, il est indispensable aujourd’hui de construire un accompagnement éthique de ces parents afin de garantir leur dignité.
L'accaparement comme réponse au traumatisme chez l'enfant placé en institution
Authors: Guillier Nathalie , Derivois Daniel
Published: December 2011

Résumé Dans le champ de la protection de l’enfance, la recherche que reprend cet article interroge le vécu de l’enfant placé en Maison d’enfants à caractère social, souvent traversé de failles interactionnelles précoces et d’expériences de séparation. Partant du caractère traumatogène des carences affectives et éducatives pour l’enfant et de leurs répercussions dans sa vie psychique, les auteurs envisagent le processus de répétition à l’œuvre au cœur de la relation à l’autre de ces traces psychiques brutes. À partir du cas clinique d’une fillette de 9?ans, ils étudient comment l’enfant placé, dans une absence identitaire fondamentale, s’essaie à formuler une réponse symbolisante à son vécu traumatique sur la scène institutionnelle du placement, par le biais d’un accaparement intense de son environnement objectal.
Impact of environmental factors on growth and satratoxin G production by strains of Stachybotrys chartarum
Authors: Frazer S. , Pestka J. , Kim J. , Medina A. , Aldred D. , Magan N.
Published: December 2011

The black mould Stachybotrys chartarum and its mycotoxins have been linked to damp building-associated illnesses.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of water availability (water activity, aw) and temperature on
growth and production of satratoxin G (SG) by a macrocyclic trichothecene-producing strain (IBT 7711) and non-producing
strain (IBT 1495) of S. chartarum. Growth studies were carried out on potato dextrose agar modified with
glycerol to 0.995-0.92 aw at 10-37 °C. Growth extension was measured and the cultures were extracted after 10 days
and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method used to quantify the SG content. Growth
was optimal at 25 to 30 °C at 0.995 aw, but this was modified to 0.98 aw at 30 °C for both strains (1.4-1.6 mm/day,
respectively). The ELISA method revealed that, in contrast to growth, SG production was maximal at 20 °C with
highest production at 0.98 aw (approximately 250 μg/g mycelia). When water was freely available (0.995 aw), SG
was maximally produced at 15 °C and decreased as temperature was increased. Interestingly, the strain classified
as a non-toxigenic produced very low amounts of SG (<1.6 μg/g mycelia) that were maximal at 25 °C and 0.98 aw.
Contour maps for growth and SG production were developed from these data sets. These data have shown, for the
first time, that growth and SG production profiles are very different in relation to key environmental conditions in
the indoor environment. This will be very useful in practically determining the risk from exposure to S. chartarum
and its toxins in the built environment.
Pregnancy after tension-free vaginal mesh (anterior Prolift) and concomitant tension-free vaginal tape-obturator procedure
Authors: Luo Xiao , Wan Li Xiao , Shen Hong , Xia Yin Xiu , Zhang Chao Han , Luo Yi De , Dai Yi , Wang Jia
Published: December 2011

Objective. Treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with transobturator tension-free vaginal mesh (anterior Prolift) and concomitant tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) has been proved feasible, safe and effective. However, there is little known about the influence of pregnancy on women who have had such procedures before pregnancy. Design and methods. A 32-year-old woman (gravid 1, para 1) with two years history of SUI and nine months history of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was treated with transobturator tension-free vaginal mesh (anterior Prolift) and concomitant TVT-O. Her recovery was excellent, and she was pregnant eight months after the operation. Results. The patient went through her pregnancy smoothly with no special discomfort and successfully delivered an infant via caesarean section without recurrence of POP and SUI. Her last visit to our clinic about 14 months after caesarean section revealed that the anterior Prolift mesh and TVT-O mesh still remained intact and the position of the vaginal fornix, anterior and posterior walls and uterus also remained normal. Conclusions: Pelvic floor reconstruction with vaginal mesh (Prolift) may have positive significance for young patients who desire uterine preservation for future pregnancies. However, further studies are warranted to determine whether it can be used in pregnant women or women planning future pregnancies.
Notes on the Union of Weakly Primary Submodules
Authors: Ghiasvand Peyman , Farzalipour Farkhonde
Published: December 2011

Let R be a commutative ring with identity, and let M be an R-module. A proper submodule N of M is said to be weakly primary if 0≠rm∈N for r∈R and m∈M, which implies that either m∈N or rnM⊆N for some positive integer n. In this paper, we study weakly primary submodules, and we investigate the union of weakly primary submodules of R-modules.
Teaching Geometry through Problem-Based Learning
Authors: Schettino Carmel
Published: December 2011

One secondary school's mathematics department decides to change its geometry curriculum.
Dynamic dominoes
Authors: Prater Cari , Fury Lori
Published: December 2011

The game of dominoes is the inspiration for students to deepen their number sense, measurement skills, statistical experience, and pattern recognition.
Connecting Class Talk with Individual Student Writing
Authors: Williams Madelyn M. , Casa Tutita M.
Published: December 2011

When first graders seemed to understand symmetry, their teacher gained insight into their individual conceptualizations and the unique sources from which they drew perspectives.
Morphology and tensile properties of high‐density polyethylene/natural rubber/thermoplastic tapioca starch blends: The effect of citric acid‐modified tapioca starch
Authors: Kahar A. W. M. , Ismail H. , Othman N.
Published: December 2011

The effect of citric acid on the tensile properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/natural rubber (NR)/thermoplastic tapioca starch (TPS) blends was investigated. The ratio between HDPE/NR was fixed at 70/30 and used as the matrix system. TPS loadings, after modification with citric acid (TPSCA) and without modification (TPS), were varied from 0 to 30 wt %. The morphologies and tensile properties of HDPE/NR blends were evaluated as a function of TPS loadings. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break were found to decrease with increasing TPS loading. However, a slight improvement in the tensile strength of HDPE/NR/TPSCA blends at 5 and 10 wt % TPS loadings were observed. TPS can be partly depolymerised to produce a low viscosity product when processed with citric acid. TPS with low viscosity can easily disperse in the thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) system and reduce the surface tension at the interphase of TPS‐HDPE/NR as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐containing amino acid‐based poly(ether ester amide)s
Authors: Guo Kai , Chu C. C.
Published: December 2011

A new family of biodegradable amino acid‐based poly(ether ester amide)s (AA‐PEEAs) consisting of three building blocks [poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), L‐phenylalanine (Phe), and aliphatic acid dichloride] were synthesized by a solution polycondensation. Using DMA as the solvent, these PCL‐containing Phe‐PEEA polymers were obtained with fair to very good yields with weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 6.9 kg/mol to 31.0 kg/mol, depending on the original molecular weight of PCL. The chemical structures of the PCL‐containing Phe‐PEEA polymers were confirmed by IR and NMR spectra. These PCL‐containing Phe‐PEEAs had lower Tg than most of the oligoethylene glycol (OEG) based AA‐PEEAs due to the more molecular flexibility of the PCL block in the backbones, but had higher Tg than non‐amino acid based PEEA. The solubility of the PCL‐containing Phe‐PEEA polymers in a wide range of common organic solvents, such as THF and chloroform, was significantly improved when comparing with aliphatic diol based poly(ester amide)s and OEG based AA‐PEEAs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Epoxy—Polyester IPNs modified with aromatic amines
Authors: Pandit Jyoti A. , Athawale Anjali A.
Published: December 2011

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (Semi‐IPNs) based on epoxy and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR; added in 5.9 and 11.1 wt %) have been prepared by chemical route. Room temperature curing was attempted using triethylene tetramine as a hardener. Blend with 11.1% UPR is found to exhibit best mechanical properties. Further, blends were also prepared by adding aromatic amines such as diphenylamine (DPA, secondary amine) and benzidine (Bz, primary amine). Structural elucidation of the samples through identification of functional groups was carried out with the help of Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. Absence of peak at 915 cm−1 (characteristic of epoxy ring) confirmed complete curing in all the blends. The mechanical properties such as hardness, izod impact and tensile strength of blends were compared. The co‐cured blends show decrease in shore hardness (≈ 1–6%), while, the izod impact exhibits an opposite trend. Blends with 10% DPA and Bz show an increase in izod impact by 268.6% and 38.8% respectively. Further, the tensile strength is observed to be enhanced by 45% in case of DPA while addition of Bz reduces it by 32.8%. Thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. TGA shows no significant change in onset and decomposition temperature but temperature at which it melts is lowered almost by 100–150°C together with the onset temperature (by ≈ 200°C) observed in DSC. Scanning electron micrographs reveal granular nature of the samples. The homogeneity of blends appears to be good. The blends co‐cured with DPA are relatively crystalline compared with others. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Conductivity and atmospheric aging studies of polypyrrole‐coated cotton fabrics
Authors: Patil Amol J. , Deogaonkar Smita C.
Published: December 2011

Polypyrrole (PPy) is one of the preferred alternatives among the intrinsically conductive polymers (ICPs). In this study, PPy‐coated cotton (PPy‐CT) fabrics were synthesized by two step in situ chemical polymerization. The reaction parameters, such as monomer concentration and temperature, were studied in detail. The surface resistivity of PPy‐CT fabrics ranged ∼ 15–5000 Ω−2. To assess long‐term usage potential, the atmospheric aging of conductivity characteristics of treated fabrics was monitored over a period of 6 months. It was found that the synthesis temperature had a significant impact on conductivity and atmospheric aging of PPy‐CT fabrics. Furthermore, various sulfonic acid sodium salts added as external doping agents during polymerization also had a positive effect. The scanning electron microscopy revealed smoother morphology of sulfonic acid salt doped PPy coatings. The overall study addresses the durability aspect of PPy‐CT fabrics in potential applications areas. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Facile preparation of cationic P (St‐BA‐METAC) copolymer nanoparticles and the investigation of their interaction with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Li Penghui , Hu Xiaoxi , Song Gongwu , Chu Paul K. , Xu Zushun
Published: December 2011

Cationic copolymer nanoparticles were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene and n‐butyl acrylate, using [2‐(methacryoyloxy ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride as the cationic functional comonomer and 2,2′‐azobis (2‐methypropionamidine) as the cationic initiator. FTIR spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, and GPC were applied to characterize the chemical structure and molecular weight of the obtained copolymer. The size and size distribution of the nanoparticles were characterized through photon correlation spectroscopy. The interaction of nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by the means of transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the copolymer nanoparticles were monodisperse spheres with the diameter less than 90 nm and can complex well with BSA through electrostatic interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Using Simcyp to project human oral pharmacokinetic variability in early drug research to mitigate mechanism‐based adverse events
Authors: Shaffer Christopher L. , Scialis Renato J. , Rong Haojing , Obach R. Scott
Published: December 2011

Positive allosteric modulators (‘potentiators’) of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) have been shown to display a mechanism‐based exposure–response continuum in preclinical species with procognitive electrophysiological and behavioral effects (‘efficacy’) at low exposures and motor coordination disruptions at progressively higher exposures. Due to the dose‐capping nature of such motor coordination deficits, an exposure threshold‐mediated adverse event (CAE), the adequacy of separation between the maximal total plasma compound concentration (Cmax) at a predicted clinically efficacious oral dose and this adverse event (AE) was explored in early drug research with three AMPAR potentiators considered potential candidates for clinical trials. In vitro metabolism studies in human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes demonstrated the metabolic clearance for each compound was predominately due to cytochromes P450 (CYP). Thus, for each compound's anticipated clinically efficacious dose, human Cmax variability following oral administration was assessed using Simcyp software, which combines its virtual human populations database using extensive demographic, physiological and genomic information with routinely collected compound‐specific in vitro biochemical data to simulate and predict drug disposition. Using a combination of experimentally determined recombinant human CYP intrinsic clearances for CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, human binding factors, expected fraction absorbed and estimated steady‐state volume of distribution, Simcyp simulations demonstrated that two of the three potentiators had acceptable projected Cmax variability (i.e. the 95th percentile Cmax did not breach CAE). This evaluation aided in the selection of compounds for preclinical progression, and represents a novel application of pharmacologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) software approaches to predict interpatient variability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated biofabrication for electro‐addressed in‐film bioprocessing
Authors: Terrell Jessica L. , Gordonov Tanya , Cheng Yi , Wu Hsuan‐Chen , Sampey Darryl , Luo Xiaolong , Tsao Chen‐Yu , Ghodssi Reza , Rubloff Gary W. , Payne Gregory F. , Bentley William E.
Published: December 2011

Many recent advances in bioprocessing have been enabled by developments in miniaturization and microfluidics. A continuing challenge, however, is integrating multiple unit operations that require distinct spatial boundaries, especially with included labile biological components. We have suggested “biofabrication” as a means for organizing cells and biomolecules in complex configurations while preserving function of individual components. Polysaccharide films of chitosan and alginate that are assembled on‐chip by electrodeposition are “smart” configurable interfaces that mediate communication between the biological systems and microfabricated devices. Here, we demonstrate the scalable performance of a production address, where incubated cells secrete antibodies, and a capture address, where secreted antibody is retained with specificity and subsequently assayed. The antibody exchange from one electro‐address to another exemplifies integrated in‐film bioprocessing, facilitated by the integrated biofabrication techniques used. This in‐film approach enables complex processes without need for microfluidics and valving. Finally, we have shown scalability by reducing electrode sizes to a 1 mm scale without compromising film biofabrication or bioprocessing performance. The in situ reversible deposition of viable cells, productivity characterization, and capture of secreted antibodies could find use in bioprocessing applications such as clonal selection, run‐to‐run monitoring, initial scale‐up, and areas including drug screening and biopsy analysis.
Light‐Harvesting in Multichromophoric Rotaxanes
Authors: Gallina Maria E. , Baytekin Bilge , Schalley Christoph , Ceroni Paola
Published: December 2011

Two rotaxanes with benzyl ether axles and tetralactam wheels were synthesized through an anion template effect. They carry naphthalene chromophores attached to the stopper groups and a pyrene chromophore attached to the wheel. The difference between the two rotaxanes is represented by the connecting unit of the naphthyl chromophore to the rotaxane axle: a triazole or an alkynyl group. Both rotaxanes exhibit excellent light‐harvesting properties: excitation of the naphthalene chromophores is followed by energy transfer to the pyrene unit with efficiency higher than 90 % in both cases. This represents an example of light‐harvesting function among chromophores belonging to mechanically interlocked components, that is, the axle and the wheel of the rotaxanes.
Orientation of newborn mice to lactating females: Identifying biological substrates of semiochemical interest
Authors: Al Aïn Syrina , Chraïti Amal , Schaal Benoist , Patris Bruno
Published: December 2011

Among mammals, odor‐based communication between females and infants is decisive for neonatal survival. So far, the nature of odor substrates involved in the localization of the mother and their nipples is unknown in mice. The present study aims: (1) to evaluate the specific attractive value of lactating females to newborn mice, (2) to localize the abdominal region that is most attractive to pups, and (3) to identify odor substrates that support such attraction. Results showed that 5–6‐day‐old mice roam preferentially over the abdomen of lactating females than the abdomen of non‐lactating females. In lactating females, pups are more attracted to abdominal areas comprising nipples. The blend of odor substrates from nipples, as well as separate sources presumed to compose it, viz. milk, maternal saliva and pup saliva, were detectable and equivalently attractive to pups. The equivalent attraction of these different odor substrates may derive either from overlap in chemical constituents, or from associative learning during nursing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 113–124, 2013
Synthesis, Characterisation, and Preliminary In Vitro Studies of Vanadium(IV) Complexes with a Schiff Base and Thiosemicarbazones as Mixed Ligands
Authors: Lewis Nerissa A. , Liu Fange , Seymour Luke , Magnusen Anthony , Erves Travis R. , Arca Jessa Faye , Beckford Floyd A. , Venkatraman Ramaiyer , González‐Sarrías Antonio , Fronczek Frank R. , VanDerveer Don G. , Seeram Navindra P. , Liu Aimin , Jarrett William L. , Holder Alvin A.
Published: December 2011

[VO(sal‐L‐tryp)(H2O)] (1, sal‐L‐tryp = N‐salicylidene‐L‐tryptophanate) was used as a precursor to produce the new complexes [VO(sal‐L‐tryp)(MeATSC)]·1.5C2H5OH [2, MeATSC = 9‐Anthraldehyde‐N(4)‐methylthiosemicarbazone], [VO(sal‐L‐tryp)(N‐ethhymethohcarbthio)]·H2O [3, N‐ethhymethohcarbthio = (E)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide] and [VO(sal‐L‐tryp)(acetylethTSC)]·C2H5OH {4, acetylethTSC = (E)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐[1‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide} by reaction with the respective thiosemicarbazone. The chemical and structural properties of these ligands and complexes were characterised by elemental analysis, ESI‐MS, FTIR, UV/Vis, ESR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and [D6]DMSO solutions of 1–4 were oxidised in air to produce vanadium(V) species, which were verified by ESI‐MS and 51V NMR spectroscopy. The anticancer properties of 2–4 were examined with three colon cancer cell lines, HTC‐116, Caco‐2 and HT‐29, and noncancerous colonic myofibroblasts, CCD18‐Co. Compounds 2–3 exhibited less inhibitory effects in the CCD‐18Co cells, which indicates a possible cytotoxic selectivity towards colon cancer cells. In general, compounds that exhibit antiproliferative activity to cancer cells but do not affect noncancerous cells may have a potential in chemotherapy.