bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coatings update: new proprietary products
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

New proprietary products continue to evolve. Many of them are water‐borne and are motivated by ecological considerations. Specialty products whose producers hope that their specialised nature will capture small but profitable areas of the market also continue to appear. Following is a review of some of the products that have evolved in the recent past.
A review of water‐based printing inks
Authors: Smith Tony
Published: November 2014

The 1974 Health and Safety Act certainly gave aspects of the Printing Industry something of a jolt and in retrospect gave developments a change in direction which were of benefit to the health of print workers apart from any technological advantages.
Coatings update: review articles on related technology—Part 2
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

Related even more closely to the coatings industry's technology are printing inks. Like coatings, inks comprise a combination of vehicles, pigments, and small percentage additives Inks do not serve a protective function in the same way that coatings do but they must, on the other hand, adhere to the substrate and they must certainly frequently be decorative. Conversely, practically all inks are applied in a “factory”, analogous to factory‐applied or industrial coatings. The analogy goes even further in that the application is done by highly automated equipment at rapid speeds, although it must be pointed out that inks are applied much more rapidly than most coatings.
A review of green pigments for paints and printing inks
Authors: Smith C.A.
Published: November 2014

One of the most important functions of the green pigments over the centuries has been to reflect in paintwork the abundance of the colour in nature. Also because of this association, parts of buildings, including doors, have been painted green so that they would blend more readily with the surrounding lawns and trees. Green pigments were probably used far more extensively in the pre‐war periods for this purpose than they are today, primarily because of the conservative nature of the shades produced at the time which reflected more readily the mood of that period. Since then, however, their use in building application has tended to wane a little, because of the wider range of colours now used. More exciting shades are continually being produced now and the colour is quite extensively used in a much wider range of applications than previously.
Coatings update: the paint industry and energy
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

The paint industry is not immune to the dual problems of an ever‐decreasing supply of oil and natural gas, coupled with what some would call the predatory objectives of OPEC. The paint industry has a need for energy, and this need starts with its raw materials. To be sure, there is today a “glut” of energy. And it is predicted that this glut will exist until the end of 1985. But sooner or later the energy short‐age will be felt, and the paint industry will not be immune.
Co‐dispersion and co‐deposition of pigments and binders in electropainting
Authors: Brewer George E.F.
Published: November 2014

During the 1960s, a new paint application process began to appear, variously called “Electro‐coating”, “Electropainting”, “Electrophoretic deposition”, etc. The process extends and modifies the principles of electroplating into the field of electro‐deposition of paint. It is best characterised as the utilisation of Electrodepositable Synthetic Filmforming Macro‐ions. The process, like electroplating, consists in submerging objects to be coated in a bath of waterdispersed ions. These, through the action of an impressed DC current, are deposited on the electrode of opposite polarity. While metal ions require 1 Faraday for the deposition of approximately 30g metal, electrocoating of paints requires 1 Faraday for typically 1,600g of paint.
Coatings update: some new coatings and new raw materials
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

The coatings industry has great ability to produce each year a variety of new end products. Many of these are variations of existing materials, but nonetheless it is of importance to note them for they provide an indication of where interest in the coatings industry lies. Typical of the specialty coatings from which the industry seeks higher profits is a white latex paint that contains a small amount of insecticide concentrate which crystallizes into thousands of microscopic particles as the paint dries. These particles migrate to the surface to form a thin dry film of insecticide that kills insects on contact. The paint is registered with the EPA and State agencies for application on both exterior and interior surfaces of office buildings, schools, hotels, and farm buildings. However, it is not approved for direct contact with food or animal feed. The coating has been described in Chemical Industry Update (April 7, 1983, p. 4) and is offered by Universal Cooperatives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Coatings update: scientific advances
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

The degradation of coatings is, of course, a major area of interest for paint chemists. One of the coatings that degrades, much to the consumer's despair, is automotive coatings. The degradation of an acrylic‐melamine, cross‐linked coating containing finely dispersed pigment, metallic flake, and other additives was studied by English and Spinelli (Organic Coatings and Applied Polymer Science Proceedings, preprints of papers presented by the Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry at the American Chemical Society, 185th National Meeting, Seattle, Washington, March 20–25, 1983, p. 733) using diffuse reflectance infra‐red spectroscopy. They found that the degradation is facilitated near the surface by ultra‐violet light and that there is a cleavage of the nitrogen‐carbon bond on the methoxymethylamino moities. Much of the degradation appears to take place at the surface level and degradation of bonds does not lead to significant self‐condensation of the degraded materials. The authors indicate that they are currently using MMR techniques to identify the products of degradation.
Coatings update:1. High solids coatings 2. Epoxy resins
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

HIGH SOLIDS COATINGS Review Articles Without question, the major motivation for high solids coatings is government regulations. An interesting article which summarises what the coatings industry has done in order to meet air pollution regulations in the United States has been provided by Burger (Metal Finishing, July, 1982, p. 59). His list includes, in addition to high build and solventless coatings, electrodeposition, electrostatic powder coatings, Rule 66—acceptable solvent‐based coatings, and water‐borne coatings. Air pollution results not only from solvents but from the particulates released during surface preparation. Pollution due to surface preparation has been alleviated by the use of white water sandblasting, centrifugal and rotary blast cleaning blast cleaning with carbon dioxide pellets, improved ventilation air filters and safety equipment, plasma arc and laser cleaning, sonic cleaning, special chemical cleaning, and surface preparation and vacuum blasting. In addition, solvent recovery units have been utilised extensively in industrial coatings.
Coatings update: Alkyd resins
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

Alkyd resins are among the most mature raw materials the protective coatings industry uses. At the same time they are the largest volume oil‐based vehicles used in paints around the world. This might raise the question “is there anything really new with alkyds?” The answer is a resounding “yes!” There is new commercial as well as technical activity. In the former category one finds activity in the Arab world where oil‐based affluence has created a need for protective coatings raw materials. Thus in Jordan a company known as Universal Chemical Industries has set up to produce alkyd resins as well as poly(vinyl acetate) emulsions with the objective of supplying the domestic coatings industry. Technology comes from Ashland Chemicals' European subsidiaries. Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, Arabian Gulf Resins International announced plans to build a large alkyd resin plant at Damman using Deutsche Texaco's technology.
Large scale emulsion polymerisation
Authors: Warson Henry
Published: November 2014

This article is intended to indicate some of the problems involved in obtaining latices which have practical utility. I shall be mainly concerned with copolymers of vinyl esters and the various acrylic monomers and also with latices which are applied as such—not merely polymerised in emulsion as a convenient method of obtaining the solid polymer in particulate form.
Blue pigment review
Authors: Smith C.A.
Published: November 2014

The first applications for blue pigments are clothed in antiquity and various shades were used in early cave drawings. There has always tended to be a demand for blue pigments and they have had an extensive range of uses from early times.
Coatings update: reviews of the paint industry
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

Numerous reviews ranging from broad overviews to highly specific analysis are published each year about the paint industry. The paint industry lends itself to such reviews for it is a mature industry, and there are very little secrets about the industry's operations. Also, excellent statistics are available which provide the possibility of drawing numerous correlations.
The applications of gel permeation chromatography in the paint and allied industries. Part 3
Authors: Ellis R.A.
Published: November 2014

The effects of catalysts used to promote the reaction of epoxy‐anhydride mixtures was studied by Nuss (77) using a GPC technique. It was demonstrated that when the polymerisation reaction occuring in an identical system was monitored, in the presence of different catalysts, the relationship between the apparent molecular size distribution and the lapsed time of the curing reaction was a function of the catalyst employed.
The applications of gel permeation chromatography in the paint and allied industries. Part 5
Authors: Ellis R.A.
Published: November 2014

The direct comparison of similar polymers was achieved by a technique of differential GPC which, according to Runyon provided a simple yet sensitive technique that was relatively insensitive to operational variables. In this procedure the ‘standard’ polymer was dissolved in THF or an alternative suitable solvent, and the solution was used as the eluent in the GPC.
Coatings update: radiation curing
Authors: Americus
Published: November 2014

The importance of radiation curing was emphasised in the United States in 1984 when over 11,000 people specialising in this area — either a manufacturer or user attended a conference on the subject. Obviously interest is high.
Use of Xanthan Gum in water‐based paints
Authors: Rhône‐Poulenc
Published: November 2014

The most commonly used stabilizers and thickeners in water‐based paints are Hydroxyethyl Cellulose and Carboxymethyl Cellulose. More recently, industrial grades of xanthan gum have been developed to enter such fields as interior paints and non‐drip paints because of the specific properties of the product. The original molecular structure of xanthan gum allows the performance of unique functions in agueous solutions.
Using Multiple Scenarios for Strategic Environmental Assessment: Implications for Marketing Management
Authors: Linneman Robert E. , Klein Harold E. , Stanton John L.
Published: November 2014

In this article, we present empirical results that document the critical changes in planning attitudes and practices and their implications on strategic market planning. The particular focus of this article is to illustrate the growing use of multiple scenarios as an approach to strategic environmental assessment, and to present key factors that marketing management must consider when adopting the multiple scenario approach.
The Chemical Structure and Acid Deterioration of Paper
Authors: Hollinger William K.
Published: November 2014

The chemical structure of paper is simply explained, commencing with subatomic particles, atoms and molecules. The forces which bond atoms into molecules, molecules into chains, chains into sheets, and sheets into layers are described. Acid is defined, and the deleterious role of acid in breaking the forces which bond atoms into molecules is detailed.
Adaptive technologies for accommodating persons with disabilities: Introduction
Authors: Berliss Jane , Jones Richard R. , Flechsig Scott , Roatch Mary A. , Kneedler William H. , Sizemore E.J. , Neville Ann , Datray Tracey , White Phillip , Knox James E. , Berliss Jane
Published: November 2014

When it comes to establishing a computing environment that genuinely accommodates the range of human abilities, librarians are both cognizant of needs and capable of fulfilling those needs. They are cognizant of needs because almost everyone uses some sort of technology—glasses, adjustable chairs, computer wrist pads, Braille printers—to adjust a computing environment to his or her particular ability range. They are capable of fulfilling those needs because, even if they know nothing about making computers accessible to people with disabilities, they know how to obtain essential knowledge about their libraries: budget, needs of their clientele, current and planned computing systems, and a range of other crucial factors.
Adaptive computer technology: An overview
Authors: Jones Richard R.
Published: November 2014

The use of computers in many areas of daily life is now a fact. Banking, sales, transportation, education, and recreation are all influenced by the use of computers. The distinction between “adaptive” and “normal” equipment is breaking down as the objective of “user friendliness” becomes the accepted technology standard. A current tenet of microcomputers is that the friendliness of a computer has more to do with sophistication of the hardware and software than the physical condition of the user. As we move into the twenty‐first century, old concepts of competence, independence, intelligence, and freedom may be put aside in favor of ideals that will empower everyone.
Networked electronic information systems at the University of Houston Libraries: The IRIS project and beyond
Authors: Gunning Kathleen , Myers Judy E. , Bailey Charles W.
Published: November 2014

In 1989, the University of Houston Libraries began a two‐year project to build an experimental Intelligent Reference Information System (IRIS). The IRIS project established a ten‐workstation CD‐ROM network that provided access to 19 CD‐ROM databases, developed an expert system to recommend reference sources, and conducted three research studies. In 1992, the Libraries initiated a new project to replace the IRIS network infrastructure, expand the number of network workstations, increase the number of networked CD‐ROM databases, offer remote access to CD‐ROMs, and provide access to new types of network resources, such as electronic serials and OPACs on the Internet. The Libraries also began a related project to develop a new version of the expert system.
A Good Library Sign System: Is It Possible?
Authors: van Allen Peter R.
Published: November 2014

An unfortunate design paradox prevalent in many of America's libraries is that these bastions of well‐designed books, records, and pamphlets assault the user with a variety of rag‐tag signs and graphic devices; indeed, so much visual clutter. At best, these homemade sign “systems” are the undertakings of a well‐meaning library staff trying to reach out to the public in a cost‐effective way.
White Supremacy and Its Associated Groups: An Annotated Bibliography
Authors: Hallman Clark N. , Lister Lisa F.
Published: November 2014

This bibliography of multidisciplinary periodical literature focuses on white supremacy ideologies
and on several groups that espouse white supremacy, including the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi groups like
Aryan Nations and The Order, and skinheads. In compiling both scholarly and popular periodical material, the authors were surprised by the relatively low number of recent scholarly articles in the social sciences literature. Nevertheless, some
important scholarly sources are cited. Also, although there is voluminous published material covering racism, the authors included only material judged specifically related to white supremacy, a sometimes difficult distinction because the roots
of racism and current white supremacist thought are so intertwined.
A strategic framework for analyzing product development
Authors: Canning Gordon
Published: November 2014

Product development has proven to be a fundamental tool of strategic planning for corporations recognized as leaders in their fields. These corporations are known for their ability to consistently create new and improved products and to market them successfully. Their product development efforts are geared to supporting long‐range corporate goals and business objectives and, as a result, they are able to commercialize proprietary products and processes needed to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Comprehensive planning at a multi‐national bank
Authors: Robley Wood D.
Published: November 2014

Large U.S. banks are increasingly making use of strategic long‐range planning systems. This is the conclusion drawn from personal interviews held with planning specialists in 18 large U.S. banks, including six of the ten largest banks in the U.S.
The strategic management of technology
Authors: Harris John M. , Shaw Robert W. , Sommers William P.
Published: November 2014

It is clear that throughout the 1980s, competitive advantage, new‐product development, new markets, productivity and profitability will be tied directly to technology. Advances on the technology front are revolutionizing both mature and high‐technology industries, radically altering traditional business strategy and triggering dramatic shifts in global market share. Traditional industry leaders are already reeling from the impact of unprecedented global competition, as newly emerged world‐class competitors outperform them, as once clearcut industry lines are blurred, and as government‐business alliances proliferate.
Hot midsized companies: How their ceos play to win
Authors: Clifford Donald K. , Cavanagh Richard E.
Published: November 2014

A two‐year inquiry was commissioned by the American Business Conference (ABC) and conducted by McKinsey & Company, Inc., to explain how and why certain midsized growth companies have outpaced the nation in sales, profits, jobs, and exports. The study was based on an extensive literature search, several large data bases (PIMS, Compustat, and Dun & Bradstreet), and a survey. However, it was some sixty informal in‐depth interviews with ABC members—in some cases founders and always current leaders—that provided most of the unconventional and provocative insights.
Shadowing markets: A new competitive intelligence technique
Authors: Vella Carolyn M. , McGonagle John J.
Published: November 2014

Shadowing markets is a new technique used in competitive intelligence that owes its name to the British political concept of the “shadow cabinet,” which is formed by the party out of power in Parliament. Each member of the shadow cabinet is assigned a British government department to follow. It becomes that politician's responsibility to:
Redesign your organization for time‐based management
Authors: Stalk George , Hout Thomas M.
Published: November 2014

“To become a time‐based company, management has to learn to think as an integrated system—a linked chain of operations and decision points that continuously delivers what the customer values most.”
Managing the intelligent enterprise: Knowledge & service‐based strategies
Authors: Brian Quinn James
Published: November 2014

Contrary to popular belief, the United States never has been dominantly a manufacturing country. More people have always been employed in the service sector. They now account for about 78 percent of all employment in the U.S., although that does not include the additional 12 percent of employees in manufacturing companies who perform service activities.
Implementing strategy: Developing a partnership for change
Authors: Eisenstat Russell A.
Published: November 2014

The process described in Russell Eisenstat's presentation was developed by Eisenstat and Michael Beer in partnership with Becton Dickinson, a $2.5 billion medical technology company. The presentation by James Wessel of Becton Dickinson, which follows Mr. Eisenstat's overview, outlines some of the implementation barriers encountered.
Designing process‐based organizations
Authors: Hart Ellen R.
Published: November 2014

Every organization seeking to improve its competitive ability must evaluate the core business processes that deliver value to customers and the change processes needed to adapt to an evolving market. Companies that cultivate these two types of processes have stacked the deck in their favor.
Community action
Authors: Fieldhouse Paul
Published: November 2014

Two problems for nutrition educators are defining appropriate messages and gaining access to target groups. In addition, communication skills are essential if messages are to be presented in a convincing and persuasive manner. The exercise described by Paul Fieldhouse in this article, is designed to meet these needs by giving students the opportunity to devise suitable nutrition messages and to develop practical communication skills in putting their messages across to lay audiences. Initially, evaluation is restricted to giving as much positive feedback as possible, though later more structured assessment can be introduced. The exercise was successful in establishing links between the Polytechnic department and the local community.
Multi‐isotype antibody responses against the multimeric Salmonella Typhi recombinant hemolysin E antigen
Authors: Ong Eugene Boon Beng , Ignatius Joshua , Anthony Amy Amilda , Aziah Ismail , Ismail Asma , Lim Theam Soon
Published: November 2014

The detection and measurement of different antibody isotypes in the serum provide valuable indicators of the different stages of typhoid infection. Here, the ability of S. Typhi recombinant hemolysin E (HlyE) to detect multi‐isotype antibody responses in sera of patients with typhoid and paratyphoid A was investigated using an indirect antibody immunoassay. Nanogram amounts of HlyE were found to be sufficient for detection of IgG and IgA isotypes and, in a study of individuals' sera (n = 100), the immunoassay was able to distinguish between typhoid and non‐typhoid sera. The overall sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of the ELISA were 70% (39/56), 100% (44/44) and 83% respectively.
Forensic Entomology and the Estimation of the Minimum Time Since Death in Indoor Cases
Authors: Bugelli Valentina , Forni David , Bassi Luciani Alessandro , Di Paolo Marco , Marra Damiano , Lenzi Scilla , Toni Chiara , Giusiani Mario , Domenici Ranieri , Gherardi Mirella , Vanin Stefano
Published: November 2014

Eight cases that occurred indoors in which the insects played an important role in the mPMI estimation are presented. The bodies of socially isolated people and old people living alone were discovered in central Italy between June and November. mPMI ranged from a few days to several weeks. Insects were collected during the body recovery and the postmortem. Climatic data were obtained from the closest meteorological stations and from measurements performed on the site. Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae species were present in 75% of the cases with Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya albiceps collected in 50% of the cases. Chrysomya albiceps was always found in association with Lucilia species. Scuttle flies (Phoridae) were found in 37.5% of the cases, confirming the ability of these species in indoor body colonization. We show that if sealed environment may delay, the insect arrival dirty houses may create the environment where sarcosaprophagous insects are already present.
Performance Commitments of Controlling Shareholders and Earnings Management
Authors: Hou Qingchuan , Jin Qinglu , Yang Rong , Yuan Hongqi , Zhang Guochang
Published: November 2014

Since the Split Share Structure Reform took effect in China in 2005, holders of nontradable shares (controlling shareholders) have had to negotiate with holders of tradable shares (minority shareholders) to gain the liquidity right. In a typical deal reached, the controlling shareholder agrees to pay share compensation to minority shareholders and, in many cases, also pledges to meet a specific firm performance target (performance commitments). Using this reform setting, we examine the impact of performance commitments on earnings management behavior, and find the following results. First, less profitable firms have greater incentives to make performance commitments that help to reduce the share compensation that controlling shareholders have to pay. Second, firms entering into such commitments engage in earnings management to meet the promised performance target when actual performance falls short, and firms facing greater default costs tend to manage earnings more aggressively. Third, depending on the performance metric stipulated in the commitment contract, firms employ varying methods to manage earnings. We also find that firms that rely on earnings management to meet their performance targets display inferior performance in the postcommitment years relative to firms that do not. Overall, our evidence is consistent with performance commitment contracts (with costly defaults) between a firm's controlling and minority shareholders causing incentives for earnings management.
Seed fates in crop–wild hybrid sunflower: crop allele and maternal effects
Authors: Pace Brian A. , Alexander Helen M. , Emry Jason D. , Mercer Kristin L.
Published: November 2014

Domestication has resulted in selection upon seed traits found in wild populations, yet crop‐wild hybrids retain some aspects of both parental phenotypes. Seed fates of germination, dormancy, and mortality can influence the success of crop allele introgression in crop‐wild hybrid zones, especially if crop alleles or crop‐imparted seed coverings result in out‐of‐season germination. We performed a seed burial experiment using crop, wild, and diverse hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cross types to test how a cross type's maternal parent and nuclear genetic composition might affect its fate under field conditions. We observed higher maladaptive fall germination in the crop‐ and F1‐ produced seeds than wild‐produced seeds and, due to an interaction with percent crop alleles, fall germination was higher for cross types with more crop‐like nuclear genetics. By spring, crop‐produced cross types had the highest overwintering mortality, primarily due to higher fall germination. Early spring germination was identical across maternal types, but germination continued for F1‐produced seeds. In conclusion, the more wild‐like the maternal parent or the less proportion of the cross type's genome contributed by the crop, the greater likelihood a seed will remain ungerminated than die. Wild‐like dormancy may facilitate introgression through future recruitment from the soil seed bank.
A Thermo‐Chemo‐Mechanical Model for the Oxidation of Zirconium Diboride
Authors: Zhou Ziyuan , Peng Xianghe , Wei Zhen
Published: November 2014

A thermo‐chemo‐mechanical model was proposed, which couples the oxidation rate of ZrB2 between 1000°C and 1800°C with the induced mechanical stress in the oxide scale. The model includes the mechanism for the coupling effect. Due to the special porous microstructure of the oxide, the diffusivities of the oxidation reactants and products through the columnar pores dominate the oxidation kinetics. The pores in the oxide shrink under the compressive stress generated during the oxidation due to the constraint from the substrate to the lateral growth of the oxide. And the shrinkage reduces the Knudsen diffusivities of both the molecular oxygen coming inward and the liquid boria evaporating outward. Consequently, the oxidation rate is reduced, which also affects the stress state. Mechanical approaches, such as Mori–Tanaka homogenization method and laminate theory were adopted in the model to quantitatively describe the coupled effect. The evolutions of oxide thickness, pore diameter, and stresses in both the oxide and the substrate were predicted with the model, which showed that the oxidation rate can be significantly altered by the stress‐diffusion coupling during isothermal oxidation, especially at higher temperatures in the range 1000°C–1800°C.
The Effects of Cross‐Functional Integration on Profitability, Process Efficiency, and Asset Productivity
Authors: Swink Morgan , Schoenherr Tobias
Published: November 2014

We employ information processing theory (IPT) to posit beneficial impacts of internal integration on firm profitability and its underlying components of process efficiency and asset productivity. We further hypothesize that these effects are greater for firms that operate wider spans of supply chain processes. These expectations are tested with the combination of two different data sources: primary data collected to gauge levels of internal integration, and secondary data collected from financial reports including profitability performance and related financial ratios. The results provide evidence that internal integration mainly affects profits by driving process efficiencies. These efficiencies appear to be especially significant in sales, general, and administrative related costs for firms that have broad process spans. In contrast, the data analysis offers no evidence of a relationship between internal integration and asset productivity. Based on these findings, we point out important implications for the applicability of IPT in explaining the effects of internal integration, and identify a call for action for practitioners. Overall, our study enhances both the rigor and relevance of internal integration research by grounding it in IPT, by utilizing objectively reported financial data, by identifying specific cost benefits, and by studying the impact of process span as an important contingency.
A Comparison of Health, Health Behavior, and Access Between Farm and Nonfarm Populations in Rural New York State
Authors: Earle‐Richardson Giulia , Scribani Melissa , Scott Erika , May John , Jenkins Paul
Published: November 2014

Background

Recent technological and demographic changes in US agriculture raise questions about whether the previously observed benefits of the agricultural lifestyle persist.

Methods

In 2009, researchers conducted a household survey of 9,612 adults (aged 20+) in a rural region of Upstate New York. Data on health status, health behaviors, and health care access among farmers and rural nonfarm residents were compared.

Results

After adjustment for age, gender, education, and having a regular health care provider, male farmers had elevated prevalence of asthma (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.05‐3.16) and untreated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.12‐9.01). Farmers had significantly lower hypercholesterolemia (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50‐0.99), but not lower prevalence of heart disease or stroke. Farmers had lower rates of smoking (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40‐0.89) and higher rates of hard physical labor (OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.83‐3.72) than nonfarmers, but they had notably worse health behavior prevalence relative to various types of screening, vaccinations, and having a regular medical care provider (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.71).

Conclusions

The farm population is becoming more like the rural nonfarm population with regard to health outcomes and lifestyle, yet it remains notably poorer with regard to prevention. Targeted outreach is needed to increase prevention within the agricultural community.
Differential effects of contrasting phenotypes of a foundation legume shrub drive plant–plant interactions in a Mediterranean mountain
Authors: Al Hayek Patrick , Maalouf Jean‐Paul , Baumel Alex , Bou Dagher‐Kharrat Magda , Médail Frédéric , Touzard Blaise , Michalet Richard
Published: November 2014

Questions

Are variable effects of different phenotypes of foundation plant species on subordinates across contrasting habitat conditions (with varying stress and disturbance levels) due to either varying environmental conditions or heritable differences in traits between phenotypes? To evaluate the contribution of environmental effects we quantified the effects of contrasting phenotypes of a foundation legume shrub on their subordinate species across exposure (drought stress) and grazing conditions.

Location

A sub‐alpine xerophytic community of western Mount Lebanon, Lebanon.

Methods

For two phenotypes of the spiny cushion shrub Onobrychis cornuta, a facilitative phenotype that occurs in concave topographies (mesic soil) and a competitive phenotype that occurs in convex topographies (xeric soil), we quantified cushion traits, environmental conditions and subordinate plant species abundances (within and outside the cushions) for the two phenotypes in northern (low stress) and southern (high stress) exposures, and with and without grazing. Relative interaction index (RII) for subordinate species richness and abundance was calculated in the eight treatment combinations and a correspondence analysis (CA) was conducted on species composition.

Results

Drought stress exacerbated phenotypic effects in southern exposure, with loose phenotypes being more facilitative and tight phenotypes more competitive than in northern exposure. This was related to both changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to an increase in the pool of subordinate species sensitive to cushion effects. In contrast, grazing increased cushion positive effects of both phenotypes through the occurrence of indirect facilitation, with loose phenotypes becoming more facilitative and tight phenotypes less competitive. This was due both to changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to their shared spiny phenotype limiting grazing effects.

Conclusions

Because increasing stress from northern to southern exposure did not increase competitive effects of either phenotype, and because the cessation of grazing did not cancel out differences in facilitative effects between phenotypes, neither drought stress nor grazing disturbance appeared to be the main drivers of the observed phenotypic effects on subordinate species across habitats. We conclude that differences in phenotypic effects of this legume shrub are very likely due to heritable differences in traits between phenotypes.
Utilizing Microsimulation to Estimate the Private and Fiscal Returns to Education: Ireland 1987–2011
Authors: Flannery Darragh , O'Donoghue Cathal
Published: November 2014

This study estimates both the fiscal and net private return to education using microsimulation models. This is carried out empirically using Irish data across the period 1987–2011. The results indicate that a more generous tax/benefit system, combined with a greater state burden of education costs initially helped increase the individual's return to education, while reducing the state return from investing in education. However, this trend is reversed by 2011 as significant changes to the Irish tax/benefit system were introduced. The methodology utilized allows us to analyse the specific impact of various components of the tax/benefit system upon these returns.
Naive Realist Perspectives on Seeing Blurrily
Authors: French Craig
Published: November 2014

Naive realists hold that experience is to be understood in terms of an intimate perceptual relation between a subject and aspects of the world, relative to a certain standpoint. Those aspects of the world themselves shape the contours of consciousness. But blurriness is an aspect of some of our experiences that does not seem to come from the world. I argue that this constitutes a significant challenge to some forms of naive realism. But I also argue that there is a robust form of naive realism which is unfazed by the blurriness of some of our experiences, even when that blurriness is understood as a subjective modification of consciousness.
Space, Time and Molyneux's Question
Authors: Richardson Louise
Published: November 2014

Whatever the answer to Molyneux's question is, it is certainly not obvious that the answer is ‘yes’. In contrast, it seems clear that we should answer affirmatively a temporal variation on Molyneux's question, introduced by Gareth Evans. I offer a phenomenological explanation of this asymmetry in our responses to the two questions. This explanation appeals to the modality‐specific spatial structure of perceptual experience and its amodal temporal structure. On this explanation, there are differences in the perception of spatial properties in different modalities, but these differences do not stand in the way of the objectivity of perceptual experience.
Auditory Appearances
Authors: Nudds Matthew
Published: November 2014

It might be suggested that in auditory experience elements of the material world are not apparent to us in the way they are in vision and touch, and that this constitutes a shortcoming in the kind of cognitive contact with the world provided by auditory perception. I develop this suggestion, and then set out a way of thinking about the appearances of sound‐producing events that might provide a response.
Use of Density Centrifugation for Delayed Cryopreservation of Stallion Sperm: Perform Sperm Selection Directly after Collection or after Storage?
Authors: Heutelbeck A , Oldenhof H , Rohn K , Martinsson G , Morrell JM , Sieme H
Published: November 2014

Contents

Equipment for cryopreservation of stallion sperm is not always available. In such cases, diluted semen can be shipped to a facility for later cryopreservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate if selection of sperm via density centrifugation yields higher survival rates when cryopreservation is to be delayed (i.e. carried out after 1 day of storage at 5°C). Two‐layer iodixanol as well as single‐layer Androcoll density centrifugation were tested and compared with samples prepared with standard centrifugation. Special emphasis was placed on comparing centrifugation on the day of semen collection with centrifugation after 1‐day refrigerated storage. Sperm morphology and motility as well as membrane and chromatin integrity were evaluated before and after centrifugation. Sperm motility and membrane integrity were also assessed after cryopreservation. It was found that both two‐ and single‐layer density centrifugation processing resulted in higher percentages of morphologically normal and motile sperm with higher membrane and chromatin integrity, as compared to standard centrifugation or diluted samples. Differences were only in the order of magnitude of 5%. Recovery rates after density centrifugation were only approximately 30–40%. When cryopreservation was carried out after 1‐day refrigerated storage, centrifugation processing of sperm directly after semen collection resulted in higher percentages of plasma membrane intact sperm post‐thaw as compared to performing centrifugation processing of stored sperm just prior to cryopreservation. No significant differences in progressively motile sperm post‐thaw were seen. Taken together, for delayed cryopreservation, it is best to perform density centrifugation directly after collection rather than immediately prior to cryopreservation.
Heart rate complexity in sinoaortic‐denervated mice
Authors: Silva Luiz Eduardo V. , Rodrigues Fernanda Luciano , de Oliveira Mauro , Salgado Hélio Cesar , Fazan Rubens
Published: November 2014

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

New measurements for cardiovascular complexity, such as detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and multiscale entropy (MSE), have been shown to predict cardiovascular outcomes. Given that cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by autonomic imbalance and decreased baroreflex sensitivity, the central question is: do baroreceptors contribute to cardiovascular complexity?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Sinoaortic denervation altered both DFA scaling exponents and MSE, indicating that both short‐ and long‐term mechanisms of complexity are altered in sinoaortic denervated mice, resulting in a loss of physiological complexity. These results suggest that the baroreflex is a key element in the complex structures involved in heart rate variability regulation.

Recently, heart rate (HR) oscillations have been recognized as complex behaviours derived from non‐linear processes. Physiological complexity theory is based on the idea that healthy systems present high complexity, i.e. non‐linear, fractal variability at multiple scales, with long‐range correlations. The loss of complexity in heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Based on the idea that most cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by autonomic imbalance and a decrease in baroreflex sensitivity, we hypothesize that the baroreflex plays an important role in complex cardiovascular behaviour. Mice that had been subjected to sinoaortic denervation (SAD) were implanted with catheters in the femoral artery and jugular vein 5 days prior to the experiment. After recording the baseline arterial pressure (AP), pulse interval time series were generated from the intervals between consecutive values of diastolic pressure. The complexity of the HRV was determined using detrended fluctuation analysis and multiscale entropy. The detrended fluctuation analysis α1 scaling exponent (a short‐term index) was remarkably decreased in the SAD mice (0.79 ± 0.06 versus 1.13 ± 0.04 for the control mice), whereas SAD slightly increased the α2 scaling exponent (a long‐term index; 1.12 ± 0.03 versus 1.04 ± 0.02 for control mice). In the SAD mice, the total multiscale entropy was decreased (13.2 ± 1.3) compared with the control mice (18.9 ± 1.4). In conclusion, fractal and regularity structures of HRV are altered in SAD mice, affecting both short‐ and long‐term mechanisms of complexity, suggesting that the baroreceptors play a considerable role in the complex structure of HRV.
Development of a Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis Code and Transient Analysis for a Fluoride-Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Test Reactor
Authors: Xiao Yao , Hu Lin-Wen , Qiu Suizheng , Zhang Dalin , Guanghui Su , Tian Wenxi
Published: November 2014

The fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR) is an advanced reactor concept that uses high-temperature tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel with a low-pressure liquid salt coolant. Design of the fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature test reactor (FHTR) is a key step in the development of the FHR technology and is currently in progress both in China and the United States. An FHTR based on pebble-bed core design with a coolant temperature of 600–700°C is being planned for construction by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ (CAS) Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP). This paper provides preliminary thermal-hydraulic transient analyses of an FHTR using SINAP’s pebble-bed core design as a reference case. A point kinetic model is implemented using computer code by coupling with a simplified porous medium heat transfer model in the core. The founded models and developed code are applied to analyze the safety characteristics of the FHTR by simulating several transient conditions including the unprotected loss of flow, unprotected overcooling, and unprotected transient overpower accidents. The results show that SINAP’s pebble-bed core is a very safe reactor design.
Development and Verification of the Thermal Behavior Analysis Code for MA Containing MOX Fuels
Authors: Ikusawa Yoshihisa , Ozawa Takayuki , Hirooka Shun , Maeda Koji , Kato Masato , Maeda Seiichiro
Published: November 2014

In order to develop a minor actinide (MA) containing MOX (MA-MOX) fuel design method, the analysis models to predict irradiation behavior of MA-MOX fuel have to be developed and the accuracy of the irradiation behavior analysis code should be evaluated with the results of post-irradiation examinations (PIEs) for MA-MOX fuels. In this study, we developed the computer module TRANSIT (Thermal Property and Vapor Pressure Analysis Module for Minor Actinide Containing MOX Fuel) to compute thermal properties of MA-MOX fuel. TRANSIT can give thermal conductivity, melting temperature and vapor pressures of MA-MOX. By using this module, we improved the thermal behavior analysis code DIRAD and developed the DIRAD-TRANSIT code system to compute the irradiation behavior of MA-MOX fuel. This system was verified with the results of PIEs for the conventional MOX fuels and the MA-MOX fuels irradiated in the experimental fast reactor JOYO. As the result of the verification, we determined that the DIRAD-TRANSIT code system would precisely predict the fuel thermal behavior, i.e. fuel temperature and fuel restructuring, for oxide fuels containing several percent minor actinides.
Influence of In-Vessel Melt Progression on Uncertainty of Source Term During a Severe Accident
Authors: Itoh Hiroto , Zheng Xiaoyu , Tamaki Hitoshi , Maruyama Yu
Published: November 2014

The influence of the in-vessel melt progression on the uncertainty of source terms was examined in the uncertainty analysis with integral severe accident analysis code MELCOR (Ver. 1.8.5), taking the accident at Unit 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as an example. The 32 parameters selected from the rough screening analysis were sampled by Latin hypercube sampling technique in accordance with the uncertainty distributions specified for each parameter. The uncertainty distributions of the outputs, including the source terms of the representative radioactive materials (Cs, CsI, Te and Ba), the total mass of in-vessel H2 generation and the total debris mass released from the reactor pressure vessel to the drywell, were obtained through the uncertainty analysis with an assumption of the failure of drywell. Based on various types of correlation coefficient for each parameter, 9 significant uncertain parameters potentially dominating the source terms were identified. These 9 parameters were transferred to the subsequent sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, in which the influence of the transportation of radioactive materials was taken into account.
Evaluation of Fatigue Strength of Similar and Dissimilar Welded Joints of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel
Authors: Takaya Shigeru
Published: November 2014

This paper presents evaluation methods of fatigue strength of similar and dissimilar welded joints of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel which is a candidate structural material for a demonstration fast breeder reactor being developed in Japan. The discontinuity of mechanical properties across welded joint causes a non-homogeneous strain distribution, and this effect should be taken into account for evaluation of fatigue strength of weld joints. In this study, ‘2-element model’, which is consisted of base metal and weld metal, was employed. Firstly, strain ranges of each element are calculated, and secondly fatigue lives of each element are evaluated. Finally, shorter fatigue life is chosen as fatigue life of the weld joint. Failure position can be also estimated by this model. Evaluation results were compared with experimental data at elevated temperature, and it was shown that they agree well.