bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I’m Over It”: Survivor Narratives AfterWoman-to-Woman Partner Abuse
Authors: Barnes Rebecca
Published: July 2013

This article uses qualitative data gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 40 women in the United Kingdom who identified as having experienced abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, and/or financial) in a previous same-sex relationship. Participants’ narratives of “life after abuse” are examined through two lenses; the first contributing to understandings of the varied and enduring material, psychological and relational impacts of abuse, and the second offering insights into the cultural values that shape such narratives. Applying Arthur Frank’s (1995) illness narratives, this article argues that narratives emphasizing recovery (“restitution”) or transformation (“quest”) are culturally privileged over a “chaos” narrative. It also proposes a fourth narrative of “active recovery.” The article concludes that recovery from partner abuse is neither a linear process nor one guaranteed to reach an end point. Further research is needed to understand how to better support survivors of partner abuse to move toward recovery.
Parameter Variability and Drought Models: A Study Using the Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID)
Authors: Khare Yogesh P. , Martinez Christopher J. , Muñoz‐Carpena Rafael
Published: July 2013

Water stress is one of the crucial factors that determine crop yield losses. The Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID) is a generic plant water stress index that estimates the level of water stress as the ratio of actual evapotranspiration to reference evapotranspiration, on a daily time step, considering a hypothetical grass reference crop. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soil inter‐ and intraclass variability, plant characteristics, and climate locations on ARID output using global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. Root zone depth, maximum uptake factor, the wilting point (θwp), field capacity (θfc), drainage coefficient, and runoff curve number were the ARID model parameters, while inputs consisted of rainfall and reference evapotranspiration. Global sensitivity analysis was performed for five locations in the southeastern United States and four soil types, sandy loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, and silty clay, using three methods, the method of Sobol’, partial correlation coefficients, and partial rank correlation coefficients. Sensitivity analyses results indicated the monotonic and linear nature of ARID. The effect of location on the results of this study was minimal. Root zone depth was found to be the most influential model parameter, followed by soil hydraulic properties (i.e., θfc and θwp). Uncertainty in ARID outputs varied from soil to soil (intersoil variability), with soils having similar sand content showing similar results. Considerable uncertainty was seen in the sandier soils, indicating the need for accurate estimation of soil hydraulic properties in such soils.
Specific Surface Area and Multifractal Parameters of Associated Nitrogen Adsorption and Desorption Isotherms in Soils from Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Paz-Ferreiro J. , da Luz L.R.Q.P. , Lado M. , Vázquez E. Vidal
Published: July 2013

Nitrogen adsorption isotherms (NAI) and Nitrogen desorption isotherms (NDI) are commonly used to evaluate specific surface area (SSA) of soils and other materials. Scaling analysis of N2 isotherms yield complementary information about the complexity of the soil surface. We evaluated the specific surface area (SSA) and examined the scaling properties of NAIs and associated NDIs from clayey soils, rich in organic matter sampled in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Sixty six soil horizons were sampled in 13 profiles. Ten of these profiles were developed over volcanic rocks with a wide range of mineralogical composition. Clay content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) showed a weak positive correlation to SSA, which was attributed to variable clay mineralogy. Organic carbon content showed a weak negative correlation to SSA. Both NAIs and NDIs exhibited multifractal behavior, but its scaling properties were different so that adsorption isotherms showed higher scaling heterogeneity and were less evenly distributed measures than desorption isotherm. Also, parameterization by the Hurst exponent indicates NAIs were less persistent than NDIs. Differences in multifractality between NAIs and NDIs were attributed to contrasting physical processes during adsorption and desorption. Both, SSA and various multifractal parameters estimated from NAIs and NDIs differentiated between soils developed over either acid or basic parent material. Linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA) showed increasing carbon content decreased scaling heterogeneity and increased persistence of both, NAIs and NDIs. On the other hand, increasing clay content showed a trend to increase scaling heterogeneity and to decrease persistence during the adsorption and desorption phases.
Balancing Retention and Access in Online Courses: Restricting Enrollment … is it Worth the Cost?
Authors: Hachey Alyse C. , Wladis Claire W. , Conway Katherine M.
Published: July 2013

Open access is central to the Community College mission. For this reason, any restriction in online enrollments should not be undertaken lightly. This study uses institutional data gathered from a large, urban community college to examine a policy aimed at increasing student retention in online courses by restricting those eligible to enroll based on Grade Point Average (GPA) The data, counter to expectations, show that the policy did not significantly impact attrition rates. Further analysis reveals that a high GPA cut-off (3.0) is needed to significantly affect attrition rates; however, this would severely restrict those eligible to enroll. The data indicate that students in the middle GPA range (2.0–3.5) have the highest proportional difference in attrition between online and face-to-face courses. The results suggest that rather than focusing on GPA restrictions, community colleges may be better served by addressing research and interventions targeted toward other factors to increase student retention in online learning.
The Male Initiative on Leadership and Excellence (Mile) and its Impact on Retention and Persistence of Black Men at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Authors: Palmer Robert T. , Maramba Dina C. , Dancy T. Elon
Published: July 2013

A strong body of research has documented the supportive environments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their impact on facilitating student success. Notwithstanding the consistency of these findings, recent reports and empirical research have highlighted the problems that HBCUs are experiencing with Black male enrollment, campus engagement, retention, success, and graduation. The purpose of this article is to discuss the Male Initiative on Leadership and Excellence (MILE) and to describe its impact on retention and persistence of Black men at an HBCU. Hopefully, the MILE will inspire administrators and student affairs practitioners at HBCUs to adopt a similar initiative to positively increase academic success among Black men on their campuses.
Protection Against Type 1 Diabetes Upon Coxsackievirus B4 Infection and iNKT-Cell Stimulation
Authors: Ghazarian Liana , Diana Julien , Beaudoin Lucie , Larsson Pär G. , Puri Raj K. , van Rooijen Nico , Flodström-Tullberg Malin , Lehuen Agnès
Published: July 2013

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells belong to the innate immune system and exercise a dual role as potent regulators of autoimmunity and participate in responses against different pathogens. They have been shown to prevent type 1 diabetes development and to promote antiviral responses. Many studies in the implication of environmental factors on the etiology of type 1 diabetes have suggested a link between enteroviral infections and the development of this disease. This study of the pancreatropic enterovirus Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) shows that although infection accelerated type 1 diabetes development in a subset of proinsulin 2–deficient NOD mice, the activation of iNKT cells by a specific agonist, α-galactosylceramide, at the time of infection inhibited the disease. Diabetes development was associated with the infiltration of pancreatic islets by inflammatory macrophages, producing high levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α and activation of anti-islet T cells. On the contrary, macrophages infiltrating the islets after CVB4 infection and iNKT-cell stimulation expressed a number of suppressive enzymes, among which indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was sufficient to inhibit anti-islet T-cell response and to prevent diabetes. This study highlights the critical interaction between virus and the immune system in the acceleration or prevention of type 1 diabetes.
The analysis of the flow of a micropolar fluid between two orthogonally moving porous disks with counter rotating directions
Authors: Sun Yina , Si Xinhui , Zheng Liancun , Shen Yanan , Zhang Xinxin
Published: July 2013

The present work investigates the unsteady, imcompressible flow of a micropolar fluid between two orthogonally moving porous coaxial disks. The lower and upper disks are rotating with the same angular speed in counter directions. The flows are driven by the contraction and the rotation of the disks. An extension of the Von Kármán type similarity transformation is proposed and is applied to reduce the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) to a set of non-linear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in dimensionless form. These differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions are responsible for the flow behavior between large but finite coaxial rotating disks. The analytical solutions are obtained by employing the homotopy analysis method. The effects of some various physical parameters like the expansion ratio, the rotational Reynolds number, the permeability Reynolds number, and micropolar parameters on the velocity fields are observed in graphs and discussed in detail.
The NTPase/helicase domain of hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3 inhibits protein kinase C independently of its NTPase activity
Authors: Hartjen Philip , Höchst Bastian , Heim Denise , Kammer Henning , Lucke Judith , Reinholz Michael , Baier Andrea , Smeets Ralf , Wege Henning , Borowski Peter , Wiesch Julian
Published: July 2013

Helicase motif VI is a short arginine-rich motif within the NTPase/helicase domain of the non-structural protein 3 (NS3) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). We previously demonstrated that it reduces the catalytic activity and intracellular shuttling of protein kinase C (PKC). Thus, NS3-mediated PKC inhibition may be involved in HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we expand on our earlier results, which were obtained in experiments with short fragments of NS3, to show for the first time that the catalytically active, longer C-terminal NTPase/helicase of NS3 acts as a potent PKC inhibitor in vitro. PKC inhibition assays with the NTPase-inactive mutant NS3h-D1316A revealed a mixed type kinetic inhibition pattern. A broad range of 11 PKC isotypes was tested and all of the PKC isotypes were inhibited with IC50-values in the low micromolar range. These findings were confirmed for the wild-type NTPase/helicase domain in a non-radiometric PKC inhibition assay with ATP regeneration to rule out any effect of ATP hydrolysis caused by its NTPase activity. PKCα was inhibited with a micromolar IC50 in this assay, which compares well with our result for NS3h-D1316A (IC50 = 0.7 μM). In summary, these results confirm that catalytically active NS3 NTPase/helicase can act in an analogous manner to shorter NS3 fragments as a pseudosubstrate inhibitor of PKC.
Viologen-phosphorus dendrimers exhibit minor toxicity against a murine neuroblastoma cell line
Authors: Lazniewska Joanna , Milowska Katarzyna , Katir Nadia , Kadib Abdelkim , Bryszewska Maria , Majoral Jean-Pierre , Gabryelak Teresa
Published: July 2013

Dendrimers containing viologen (derivatives of 4,4′-bipyridyl) units in their structure have been demonstrated to exhibit antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). It has also recently been revealed that novel dendrimers with both viologen units and phosphorus groups in their structure show different antimicrobial, cytotoxic and hemotoxic properties, and have the ability to influence the activity of cholinesterases and to inhibit α-synuclein fibrillation. Since the influence of viologen-phosphorus structures on basic cellular processes had not been investigated, we examined the impact of such macromolecules on the murine neuroblastoma cell line (N2a). We selected three water-soluble viologen-phosphorus (VPD) dendrimers, which differ in their core structure, number of viologen units and number and type of surface groups, and analyzed several aspects of the cellular response. These included cell viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alterations in mitochondrial activity, morphological modifications, and the induction of apoptosis and necrosis. The MTT assay results suggest that all of the tested dendrimers are only slightly cytotoxic. Although some changes in ROS formation and mitochondrial function were detected, the three compounds did not induce apoptosis or necrosis. In light of these results, we can assume that the tested VPD are relatively safe for mouse neuroblastoma cells. Although more research on their safety is needed, VPD seem to be promising nanoparticles for further biomedical investigation.
The use of artificial neural networks to predict the muscle behavior
Authors: Kutilek Patrik , Viteckova Slavka , Svoboda Zdenĕk , Smrcka Pavel
Published: July 2013

The aim of this article is to introduce methods of prediction of muscle behavior of the lower extremities based on artificial neural networks, which can be used for medical purposes. Our work focuses on predicting muscletendon forces and moments during human gait with the use of angle-time diagram. A group of healthy children and children with cerebral palsy were measured using a Vicon MoCap system. The kinematic data was recorded and the OpenSim software system was used to identify the joint angles, muscle-tendon forces and joint muscle moment, which are presented graphically with time diagrams. The musculus gastrocnemius medialis that is often studied in the context of cerebral palsy have been chosen to study the method of prediction. The diagrams of mean muscle-tendon force and mean moment are plotted and the data about the force-time and moment-time dependencies are used for training neural networks. The new way of prediction of muscle-tendon forces and moments based on neural networks was tested. Neural networks predicted the muscle forces and moments of healthy children and children with cerebral palsy. The designed method of prediction by neural networks could help to identify the difference between muscle behavior of healthy subjects and diseased subjects.
Constructal design applied to the elastic buckling of thin plates with holes
Authors: Rocha Luiz , Isoldi Liércio , Vasconcellos Real Mauro , Santos Elizaldo , Correia Anderson , Lorenzini Giulio , Biserni Cesare
Published: July 2013

Elastic buckling is an instability phenomenon that can occur if a slender and thin plate is subjected to axial compression. An important characteristic of the buckling is that the instability may occur at a stress level that is substantially lower than the material yield strength. Besides, the presence of holes in structural plate elements is common. However these perforations cause a redistribution in plate membrane stresses, significantly altering their stability. In this paper the Bejan’s Constructal Design was employed to optimize the geometry of simply supported, rectangular, thin perforated plates subjected to the elastic buckling. Three different centered hole shapes were considered: elliptical, rectangular and diamond. The objective function was to maximize the critical buckling load. The degree of freedom H/L (ratio between width and length of the plate) was kept constant, while H0/L0 (ratio between the characteristic dimensions of the holes) was optimized for several hole volume fractions (ϕ). A numerical model employing the Lanczos method and based on the finite element method was used. The results showed that, for lower values of ϕ the optimum geometry is the diamond hole. For intermediate and higher values of ϕ, the elliptical and rectangular hole, respectively, led to the best performance.
Microstructure and crack resistance of low carbon Cr-Ni and Cr-Ni-W steel after austempering
Authors: Avdjieva Tatyana , Tsutsumanova Gichka , Russev Stoyan , Staevski Konstantin
Published: July 2013

The microstructure of the low carbon Cr-Ni steel after slow cooling from austenization temperature represents a mix of granulated bainite with islands from carbon-rich martensite and carbon-poor austenite. After quick cooling throwing in salt bath from austenization temperature the microstructure is lath bainite. However, in the same treatment conditions, the microstructure of the low carbon Cr-Ni-W steel is different — clusters consist from lath ferrite and retained austenite, disposed in the frame of parent’s austenite grains. The cooling velocity has no effect upon the structure making. The impact toughness of the steel with tungsten content is bigger than the steel without tungsten.
Urban drainage control applying rational method and geographic information technologies
Authors: Aldalur Beatriz , Campo Alicia , Fernández Sandra
Published: July 2013

The objective of this study is to develop a method of controlling urban drainages in the town of Ingeniero White motivated by the problems arising as a result of floods, water logging and the combination of southeasterly and high tides.

A Rational Method was applied to control urban watersheds and used tools of Geographic Information Technology (GIT). A Geographic Information System was developed on the basis of 28 panchromatic aerial photographs of 2005. They were georeferenced with control points measured with Global Positioning Systems (basin: 6 km2). Flow rates of basins and sub-basins were calculated and it was verified that the existing open channels have a low slope with the presence of permanent water and generate stagnation of water favored by the presence of trash. It is proposed for the output of storm drains, the use of an existing channel to evacuate the flow. The solution proposed in this work is complemented by the placement of three pumping stations: one on a channel to drain rain water which will allow the drain of the excess water from the lower area where is located the Ingeniero White city and the two others that will drain the excess liquid from the port area.
Elastic analysis of exponential FGM disks subjected to internal and external pressure
Authors: Nejad Mohammad , Abedi Majid , Lotfian Mohammad , Ghannad Mehdi
Published: July 2013

Assuming exponential varying properties in the radial direction and constant Poisson’s ratio, a closed-form analytical solution based on the elasticity theory is obtained to elastic analysis of disks made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) subjected to internal and external pressure. Following this, radial displacement, radial stress, and circumferential stress profiles are plotted for different values of material inhomogeneity constant, as a function of radial direction. The displacements and stresses distributions are compared with the solutions of the finite element method (FEM) and comparison with the corresponding numerical solution indicates that the proposed solution has excellent convergence and accuracy.
Hydrodynamic perspectives of soil scour in fluvial environment
Authors: Salim Sarik , Jayaratne Ravindra
Published: July 2013

The major concern for many hydraulic structures is the effect of scour at the toe, when the racing floodwater scours away the bed just downstream of the piers. Therefore, understanding the soil-hydrodynamic interaction needs to be investigated. In this study, a series of 2D laboratory tests have been carried out to study the likelihood of soil scour due to the soil-hydrodynamic interaction and influence of sediment properties. Characteristics such as sediment deposition patterns, longitudinal/lateral spreading length/area, and bed scour profiles for three sediment diameters (i.e. 0.26, 0.30 and 2.40 mm) under dry and wet soil conditions are studied intensively. Experimental results revealed that soil of identical diameters under wet and dry conditions caused significant changes in soil scour rate and deposition patterns. Transport rates in dry condition were much slower than wet condition. It was observed that, for the same flow condition, different soils gave different long term equilibrium deposition patterns due to the grain size distribution and particle shape. Eddies were generated behind the soil samples which resulted in forming a series of ‘crescent’ zones. Findings of this study could offer a qualitative outline of the effects of various parameters to demonstrate a better representation of estimating scour rate in fluvial condition.
Some functional properties of composite material based on scrap tires
Authors: Plesuma Renate , Malers Laimonis
Published: July 2013

The utilization of scrap tires still obtains a remarkable importance from the aspect of unloading the environment from non-degradable waste [1]. One of the most prospective ways for scrap tires reuse is a production of composite materials [2] This research must be considered as a continuation of previous investigations [3, 4]. It is devoted to the clarification of some functional properties, which are considered important for the view of practical applications, of the composite material. Some functional properties of the material were investigated, for instance, the compressive stress at different extent of deformation of sample (till 67% of initial thickness) (LVS EN 826) [5] and the resistance to UV radiation (modified method based on LVS EN 14836) [6]. Experiments were realized on the purposefully selected samples. The results were evaluated in the correlation with potential changes of Shore C hardness (Shore scale, ISO 7619-1, ISO 868) [7, 8]. The results showed noticeable resistance of the composite material against the mechanical influence and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The correlation with the composition of the material, activity of binder, definite technological parameters, and the conditions supported during the production, were determined. It was estimated that selected properties and characteristics of the material are strongly dependent from the composition and technological parameters used in production of the composite material, and from the size of rubber crumb. Obtained results show possibility to attain desirable changes in the composite material properties by changing both the composition and technological parameters of examined material.
The Importance of Scaffolding the Transition
Authors: Keels Micere
Published: July 2013

I examine several potential explanations for recent evidence showing a lack of improvement in the academic achievement of children participating in several poverty reduction residential mobility programs. Detailed interviews and field notes about the relocation and school experiences of 80 children in the Gautreaux II residential mobility program are used. I find that for low-income children living in large central cities, residence in low-poverty neighborhoods has little effect on the opportunity to attend high-achieving schools. For those who relocated to suburban cities, neighborhood and school transition and adjustment difficulties create barriers that must be overcome for children to reap the educational benefits of attending high-achieving, highly resourced schools.
THE CONSTITUTION AS FRAMEWORK FOR GOVERNANCE
Authors: MacDonnell Vanessa A
Published: July 2013

Since the entrenchment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, there has been a tendency to view the judiciary as being the primary institution responsible for securing and advancing constitutional rights and values. Less attention has been paid to what role government might have in this regard. In this article I explore the government’s role in what scholars sometimes refer to as ‘constitutional implementation’ and offer a theory of Canadian constitutionalism that better reflects this role. Following Alexy, I suggest that, guided by the ‘framework’ established by the Charter, government can be understood to play a central role in securing and advancing constitutional rights and values. If the Charter imposes explicit limits on state power as well as certain affirmative obligations, then the government’s role in constitutional implementation is much greater than is generally acknowledged. Once this role is better understood, certain deficiencies in the conventional account of Canadian constitutionalism become clear, particularly insofar as this account conceptualizes the Charter as comprising a series of limits on government power and imagines government as a potential rights-infringer to be reined in by the courts.
Philosophical Interventions: Reviews 1986–2011
Authors: Levinson Sanford
Published: July 2013

Communities of readers depend, in large measure, on intermediaries between the plethora of published books and individuals who have to decide which among them actually to read themselves. Martha Nussbaum’s collected reviews, over a twenty-five-year period, present not only thoughtful and interesting comments on a wide variety of books and subjects but also a model for the craft of book-reviewing.
Transatlantic Dual Masters Degree Program in Transportation and Logistics Systems
Authors: Cheu Ruey Long , Ferregut Carlos , Bina Ladislav , Novakova Helena , Horak Tomas , Novak Andrej , Hudak Anton , Aguirre-Covarrubias Sandra
Published: July 2013

In August 2010, the University of Texas at El Paso, the Czech Technical University, and the University of Zilina jointly launched the Transatlantic Dual Master's Degree Program in Transportation and Logistics Systems. Under this program, a graduate student spends 1 year of study at the University of Texas at El Paso and a second year at Czech Technical University or University of Zilina, or vice versa. On successful completion of the 2-year program, a student earns two master's degrees. Two years of effort led to a successful proposal submitted to the funding agencies in the United States and the European Union, followed by 1 year of administrative preparation before the actual student mobility began in August 2011. The first cohort of eight students successfully completed the program in June 2012. This paper reports the sequence of events that led to the proposal submission and award, major issues that surfaced throughout the course of the project, and challenges that were overcome during the administrative preparation phase. The experiences of students and professors who have participated in this program are also documented. Key factors leading to the successful implementation in the initial years are discussed.
Culture of Progressive Longitudinal Training in the Public Transit Industry
Authors: Bart Edward , Reep Amber
Published: July 2013

Professional and workforce development is important to maintaining the safe and reliable operational integrity of the public transportation industry in the United States. This paper discusses a new concept of professional and workforce development called longitudinal training and its benefits, influences, challenges, examples, and culture. Additionally, these factors are directly associated with new advances in technology, educational techniques, paradigms, and strategies for workforce and professional development.
Evaluating Impacts of the U.S. Domestic Scan Program's Technology Transfer Model
Authors: Hirt Brian G.
Published: July 2013

The U.S. Domestic Scan program creates opportunities for face-to-face information sharing and knowledge building between transportation agency professionals on selected timely topics. Its goals are broad information dissemination and accelerated implementation of new transportation technologies and best practices. A companion to this program was a study to assess formally how well the program was meeting these goals. The study employed different collection instruments, including online surveys, telephone interviews, and webinars, to learn the extent of follow-up activities for six early scans conducted through the U.S. Domestic Scan program. Investigators communicated with a range of stakeholders: scan participants, the project oversight panel, and, notably, nonparticipants, those individuals who learned about the scan secondhand through formal or informal channels. Results confirmed that the scans were achieving their core missions: participants were making critical professional connections, sharing scan findings across a wide network of audiences, and making use of the findings at their home agencies. Nonparticipants were also found to use findings to support their own implementation efforts and to share the information with others and thus further propagate the ripple effect of information dissemination. Additional insights from the scan participants and oversight panel inform recommendations and best practices for technology transfer and accelerated implementation for any research program.
Analysis of Natural Gas Consumption by the Industrial Sector of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mahbubur , Tamin Mohammad , Rahman Lutfar
Published: July 2013

The natural gas consuming sectors in Bangladesh are: i) Power, ii) Fertilizer, iii) Industry, iv) Captive power, v) Domestic, vi) Commercial, and vii) Transportation (CNG). Broad sectoral consumptions are reported in various literatures and reports, however, further breakdown of the data are difficult to find, and neither reported. The combined consumption of fertilizer, industry and captive power sectors is a significant portion of national gas consumption. This paper presents for the first time an in-depth analysis of the industrial sector gas consumption. Data were collected for each type of industry, and grouped according to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC). Captive generation is included in the industrial sector consumption, unlike the usual practice of considering it under the power generation. It is noticed that garments, textile and leather industries together have shown remarkable growth in the last decade. All the industries are more or less related to the national GDP growth. Some are export oriented while others address the internal market. Therefore analysis presented here should be helpful for policy makers to prioritize the sectors in case preferential supply and tariff adjustments become necessary.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15846 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 1-7
Surface Microstructure Study of Polyethylene Blends for Developing Environmental Degradable Plastic Bags
Authors: Ruhul M Amin , Abu-Sharkh Basel F , Al-Harthi Mamdouh
Published: July 2013

The morphology of the polymer blends retrieved from degradation experiments was investigated by studying the fractured surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscope for investigating the degradability of environmentally degradable plastic bags. We study the influence of adding photodegradable additives to film grade polyethylene under natural weathering conditions in Saudi Arabia. The films were exposed in outdoor environments located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Comparison of different additives was determined and the additive PDQ-H shows the highest performance on the basis of degradation rate in the harsh environment of Saudi Arabian desert. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15847 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 8-11
Drying Induced Phase Separation
Authors: Arya Raj Kumar
Published: July 2013

Polymeric Membrane can be produced by several methods. This paper deals computational study to prepare polymeric membrane using drying. Asymmetric and symmetric membranes can be prepared by changing the drying parameters like air flow rates, drying temperatures, and coating compositions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15848 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 12-20
Ethylene Glycol Regeneration Plan: A Systematic Approach to Troubleshoot the Common Problems
Authors: Haque Md Emdadul
Published: July 2013

Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is used primarily at low-temperature processing plant for extracting natural gas liquids. Typically a physical process plant comprises with gas dehydration system which allows for physical separation of water saturated gas by simple dew point depression and water condensation brought about by chilling from cross exchange with propane refrigerant. The resultant wet gas is prevented from freezing by injection of liquid desiccants to inhibit hydrate formation. The resulting dehydrated gas stream will have a dew point preciously equal to the saturated water volume of the gas at its coolest temperature. Mono Ethylene Glycol has been chosen as hydrate inhibitor because of its low volatility, low toxicity, low flammability, good thermodynamic behavior, and simple proven technology requirement and availability. But it has two common characteristic problems in regeneration plant that is fouling of equipment by iron carbonate, Ca+2/Mg+2 salt deposits and cross contamination of MEG and condensate contamination. MEG in condensate causes condensate specification problems, fouling of condensate stabilization equipment and contamination of wastewater streams. Condensate in MEG causes stripping effect due to condensate vaporization, lower operating temperature, higher MEG purities, and contamination of wastewater streams from MEG Regeneration system and burping of column due to condensate buildup. Another common problem is glycol losses due to carryover with dehydrated gas and which finally accumulates in pipelines and causes corrosion. Other reasons of glycol losses are higher column temperature, foaming, leaks at pump or pipe fittings, operated with excessive gas flow rates and rapid changes in gas flow rates. Column Flooding occurred if feed glycol circulation rate exceeded design limit and it does not allow proper separation of glycol and water separator and much glycol losses through vent line. This paper presents an experimental study of glycol losses. Effort has been made to investigate the causes and the study suggests some mitigation plans. Current study suggests the efficiency of the dehydration process depends on a large extent on the cleanliness of the glycol and the regular monitoring of glycol parameters such as glycol concentration, hydrocarbon content, salt content, solids content, pH stabilization, iron content, foaming tendency etc. Losses due to vaporization from reboiler can be minimized by adjusting operating parameters. By developing monitoring procedure and periodic maintenance about 90% operating problems of Glycol Regeneration Plant can be reduced. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15853 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 21-26
Cost-effective Treatment Technology on Textile Industrial Wastewater in Bangladesh
Authors: Miah M Shohidullh
Published: July 2013

To minimize the cost effective treatment process a treatment process has been setup at Dalas Fashion Ltd and Liz Fashion Ltd, Gazipur, Dhaka. The treatment process consisted of a combined process (anaerobic and bio-filtration process) to remove the pollution through biological process. The anaerobic process followed by Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) process and Bio-filtration was maintained by polyurethane materials followed by down-flow process. The treatment processes are successfully operating without any chemical treatment process being thus more economic than the traditional chemical alternative. The raw textile wastewater is highly polluted with the characteristics of high alkaline in nature, pH=9-10, suspended biomass TSS= 1229-1500 mg/l, Chemical oxygen demand, CODt = 1448-2000 mg/l, and biological oxygen demand, BODt= 550-800 mg/l. Significant reductions were achieved to remove TSS (98%) through bio-filtration process. In addition in the final effluent the removal efficiency were found CODt (98%), BOD (94%) and color were removed significantly. Total cost taka 89.84 million per year for the chemical ETP process. On the contrary, for UASB ETP requires a total cost taka 17.84 million per year. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15855 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 32-36
Radical Group Degradation Study of Linear Low Density Polyethylene for Developing Environmentally Degradable Plastic Bags
Authors: Ruhul M Amin , Abu-Sharkh Basel F , Al-Harthi Mamdouh
Published: July 2013

We study the influence of adding three different type of additives on film grade polyethylene on the degradation behavior under natural weathering conditions in Saudi Arabia. Plastic films prepared by first premixing the film grade polyethylene pellets with different amounts of additives were exposed in outdoor environments located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Original and degraded polymeric materials, as well as the relevant extractable fractions were characterized by FTIR. Carbonyl and double bond indexes were calculated on the basis of the relative intensities of the carbonyl band at 1715 cm-1 and the double-bond band at 1650 cm-1 to that of methylene scissoring band at 1465 cm-1, respectively. Comparison of different additives on the basis of degradation rate was determined and the additive PDQ shows the highest degradation rate at the amount of 10% mixing with Polyethylene. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v27i1.15863 Journal of Chemical Engineering, IEB Vol. ChE. 27, No. 1, June 2012: 74-77
Polymorphisms of the Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene in Stabled Horses are Related to Differences in Behavioral Response to Frustration
Authors: Ninomiya Shigeru , Anjiki Akiko , Nishide Yudai , Mori Minori , Deguchi Yoshitaka , Satoh Toshiyuki
Published: July 2013

In stabled horses, behavioral responses to frustration are often observed, especially around feeding time. These behavioral responses are a useful indicator of their welfare. In this study, we investigated the association between this behavioral indicator and DRD4 gene polymorphisms in stabled horses. Twenty one horses housed in two stables were used. The horses were observed for approximately 4 h around feeding over three or more days using focal-sampling and instantaneous-sampling. Horses were genotyped for the A–G substitution in the DRD4 gene. The effects of the A–G substitution (with or without the A allele in the DRD4 gene), the stables, and their interaction on the frequency of behavioral responses to frustration were analyzed using general linear models. The total time budget of behavioral responses to frustration was higher in horses without the A allele than in those with the A allele (P = 0.007). These results indicate that the A–G substitution of the DRD4 gene is related to frustration-related behavioral responses in stabled horses. Appropriate consideration should be made for the DRD4 gene polymorphism when the welfare of stabled horses is assessed, based on this behavioral indicator.
Control of Oxidative Stress and Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-like Cells by Jun Dimerization Protein 2
Authors: Chiou Shyh-Shin , Wang Sophie , Wu Deng-Chyang , Lin Ying-Chu , Kao Li-Pin , Kuo Kung-Kai , Wu Chun-Chieh , Chai Chee-Yin , Lin Cheng-Lung , Lee Cheng-Yi , Liao Yu-Mei , Wuputra Kenly , Yang Ya-Han , Wang Shin-Wei , Ku Chia-Chen , Nakamura Yukio , Saito Shigeo , Hasegawa Hitomi , Yamaguchi Naoto , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Lin Chang-Sheng , Eckner Richard , Yokoyama Kazunari
Published: July 2013

We report here that the Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) plays a critical role as a cofactor for the transcription factors nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and MafK in the regulation of the antioxidants and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). JDP2 associates with Nrf2 and MafK (Nrf2-MafK) to increase the transcription of antioxidant response element-dependent genes. Oxidative-stress-inducing reagent led to an increase in the intracellular accumulation of ROS and cell proliferation in Jdp2 knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts. In Jdp2-Cre mice mated with reporter mice, the expression of JDP2 was restricted to granule cells in the brain cerebellum. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-like cells were generated from DAOY medulloblastoma cell by introduction of JDP2, and the defined factor OCT4. iPSC-like cells expressed stem cell-like characteristics including alkaline phosphatase activity and some stem cell markers. However, such iPSC-like cells also proliferated rapidly, became neoplastic, and potentiated cell malignancy at a later stage in SCID mice. This study suggests that medulloblastoma cells can be reprogrammed successfully by JDP2 and OCT4 to become iPSC-like cells. These cells will be helpful for studying the generation of cancer stem cells and ROS homeostasis.
Towards Realising Secure and Efficient Image and Video Processing Applications on Quantum Computers
Authors: Iliyasu Abdullah
Published: July 2013

Exploiting the promise of security and efficiency that quantum computing offers, the basic foundations leading to commercial applications for quantum image processing are proposed. Two mathematical frameworks and algorithms to accomplish the watermarking of quantum images, authentication of ownership of already watermarked images and recovery of their unmarked versions on quantum computers are proposed. Encoding the images as 2n-sized normalised Flexible Representation of Quantum Images (FRQI) states, with n-qubits and 1-qubit dedicated to capturing the respective information about the colour and position of every pixel in the image respectively, the proposed algorithms utilise the flexibility inherent to the FRQI representation, in order to confine the transformations on an image to any predetermined chromatic or spatial (or a combination of both) content of the image as dictated by the watermark embedding, authentication or recovery circuits. Furthermore, by adopting an apt generalisation of the criteria required to realise physical quantum computing hardware, three standalone components that make up the framework to prepare, manipulate and recover the various contents required to represent and produce movies on quantum computers are also proposed. Each of the algorithms and the mathematical foundations for their execution were simulated using classical (i.e., conventional or non-quantum) computing resources, and their results were analysed alongside other longstanding classical computing equivalents. The work presented here, combined together with the extensions suggested, provide the basic foundations towards effectuating secure and efficient classical-like image and video processing applications on the quantum-computing framework.
On the Entropy of a Class of Irreversible Processes
Authors: Honig Jurgen
Published: July 2013

We review a recent technique for determining the entropy change accompanying certain classes of irreversible processes involving changes in the state of a system anchored to a reservoir. Time is introduced as a parameter to specify the corresponding entropy evolution of the system. The procedural details are outlined and their relation to the standard treatment of irreversible processes is examined.
Application of Circulation Controlled Blades for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Shires Andrew , Kourkoulis Velissarios
Published: July 2013

The blades of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) rotor see an inconsistent angle of attack through its rotation. Consequently, VAWT blades generally use symmetrical aerofoils with a lower lift-to-drag ratio than cambered aerofoils tailored to maximise horizontal axis wind turbine rotor performance. This paper considers the feasibility of circulation controlled (CC) VAWT blades, using a tangential air jet to provide lift and therefore power augmentation. However CC blade sections require a higher trailing-edge thickness than conventional sections giving rise to additional base drag. The choice of design parameters is a compromise between lift augmentation, additional base drag as well as the power required to pump the air jet. Although CC technology has been investigated for many years, particularly for aerospace applications, few researchers have considered VAWT applications. This paper considers the feasibility of the technology, using Computational Fluid Dynamics to evaluate a baseline CC aerofoil with different trailing-edge ellipse shapes. Lift and drag increments due to CC are considered within a momentum based turbine model to determine net power production. The study found that for modest momentum coefficients significant net power augmentation can be achieved with a relatively simple aerofoil geometry if blowing is controlled through the blades rotation.
Influence of Age and Nutritional Status on Flight Performance of the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Kaufmann Christian , Collins Lauren , Brown Mark
Published: July 2013

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a competent vector for arboviruses and recently was implicated as the vector of the first autochthonous cases of dengue and chikungunya in southern Europe. The objective of this study was to analyze the flight performance of female Ae. albopictus of different ages that were starved, sugar-fed, or sugar-fed and blood-fed, using flight mills. After three days of starvation post emergence, females flew an average distance of 0.7 ± 0.5 km in 1.9 ± 1.5 h during a 16 h trial period, whereas sugar- or sugar- and blood-fed females of this age covered a significantly higher distance of around 3 km with a mean total flight time of around 6 h. The age of females (up to four weeks) had no effect on performance. The average of maximal continuous flight segments of sugar-fed (2.14 ± 0.69 h) and blood-fed (3.17 ± 0.82 h) females was distinctly higher than of starved females (0.38 ± 0.15 h) of which most flyers (83%) performed maximal flight segments that lasted no longer than 0.5 h. Overall, the results for the laboratory monitored flight performance of Ae. albopictus confirm their ability to disperse a few kilometres between breeding site and host.
Local Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes in Silicon Microsystems: The Effect of Temperature Distribution on Growth Structure
Authors: Ta Bao , Haugen Tormod , Hoivik Nils , Halvorsen Einar , Aasmundtveit Knut
Published: July 2013

Local synthesis and direct integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into microsystems is a promising method for producing CNT-based devices in a single step, low-cost, and wafer-level, CMOS/MEMS-compatible process. In this report, the structure of the locally grown CNTs are studied by transmission imaging in scanning electron microscopy—S(T)EM. The characterization is performed directly on the microsystem, without any post-synthesis processing required. The results show an effect of temperature on the structure of CNTs: high temperature favors thin and regular structures, whereas low temperature favors “bamboo-like” structures.