bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-resolution projections of surface water availability for Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Bennett J. C. , Ling F. L. N. , Post D. A. , Grose M. R. , Corney S. C. , Graham B. , Holz G. K. , Katzfey J. J. , Bindoff N. L.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Changes to streamflows caused by climate change may have major impacts on the management of water for hydro-electric generation and agriculture in Tasmania, Australia. We present high-resolution projections of Tasmanian surface water availability between 1961–1990 and 2070–2099. Six fine-scale (10 km) simulations of daily rainfall and potential evapotranspiration are generated with the CSIRO Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model (CCAM), a variable-resolution regional climate model (RCM). These variables are bias-corrected with quantile mapping and used as direct inputs to the hydrological models AWBM, IHACRES, Sacramento, SIMHYD and SMAR-G to project streamflows. The performance of the hydrological models is assessed against 86 streamflow gauges across Tasmania. The SIMHYD model is the least biased (median bias = −3%) while IHACRES has the largest bias (median bias = −22%). We find the hydrological models that best simulate observed streamflows produce similar streamflow projections. In contrast, the poorly performing IHACRES model amplifies changes more than the other hydrological models. There is much more variation in projections between RCM simulations than between hydrological models. This shows that it is more important to consider the range of RCM simulations than the range of hydrological models used here to adequately describe uncertainty in the projections. We use the SIMHYD model to describe future changes to streamflow in eight rivers. Changes to streamflows are projected to vary by region. Marked decreases of up to 30% are projected for annual runoff in central Tasmania, while runoff is generally projected to increase in the east. Daily streamflow variability is projected to increase for most of Tasmania, consistent with increases in rainfall intensity. Inter-annual variability of streamflows is projected to increase across most of Tasmania. This is the first major Australian study to use high-resolution bias-corrected rainfall and potential evapotranspiration projections as direct inputs to hydrological models. Our study shows that these simulations are capable of producing realistic streamflows, allowing for increased confidence in assessing future changes to surface water variability.
Impact of combining GRACE and GOCE gravity data on ocean circulation estimates
Authors: Janjić T. , Schröter J. , Savcenko R. , Bosch W. , Albertella A. , Rummel R. , Klatt O.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. With the focus on the Southern Ocean circulation, results of assimilation of multi-mission-altimeter data and the GRACE/GOCE gravity data into the finite element ocean model (FEOM) are investigated. We use the geodetic method to obtain the dynamical ocean topography (DOT). This method combines the multi-mission-altimeter sea surface height and the GRACE/GOCE gravity field. Using the profile approach, the spectral consistency of both fields is achieved by filtering the sea surface height and the geoid. By combining the GRACE and GOCE data, a considerably shorter filter length can be used, which results in more DOT details. We show that this increase in resolution of measured DOT carries onto the results of data assimilation for the surface data. By assimilating only absolute dynamical topography data using the ensemble Kalman filter, we were able to improve modeled fields. Results are closer to observations which were not used for assimilation and lie outside the area covered by altimetry in the Southern Ocean (e.g. temperature of surface drifters or deep temperatures in the Weddell Sea area at 800 m depth derived from Argo composite.)
Cornice dynamics and meteorological control at Gruvefjellet, Central Svalbard
Authors: Vogel S. , Eckerstorfer M. , Christiansen H. H.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Cornice fall avalanches endanger life and infrastructure in Nybyen, a part of Svalbard's main settlement Longyearbyen, located at 78° N in the High Arctic. Thus, cornice dynamics – accretion, cracking and eventual failure – and their controlling meteorological factors were studied along the ridgeline of the Gruvefjellet plateau mountain above Nybyen in the period 2008–2010. Using two automatic time-lapse cameras and hourly meteorological data in combination with intensive field observations on the Gruvefjellet plateau, cornice process dynamics were investigated in larger detail than previously possible. Cornice accretion starts directly following the first snowfall in late September and October, and proceeds throughout the entire snow season under a wide range of air temperature conditions that the maritime winter climate of Svalbard provides. Cornice accretion is particularly controlled by distinct storm events, with a prevailing wind direction perpendicular to the ridge line and average wind speeds from 12 m s−1. Particularly high wind speeds in excess of 30 m s−1 towards the plateau ridgeline lead to cornice scouring and reduce the cornice mass both vertically and horizontally. Induced by pronounced air temperature fluctuations which might reach above freezing and lead to midwinter rainfall events, tension cracks develop between the cornice mass and the plateau. Our measurements indicate a linear crack opening due to snow creep and tilt of the cornice around a pivot point. Four to five weeks elapsed between the first observations of a cornice crack until cornice failure. Throughout the two snow seasons studied, 180 cornice failures were recorded, of which 70 failures were categorized as distinctive cornice fall avalanches. A clear temporal pattern with the majority of cornice failures in June was found. Thus only daily air temperature could determine avalanche from non-avalanche days. Seven large cornice fall avalanches reached the avalanche fans on which the Nybyen settlement is located. The size of the avalanches was primarily determined by the size of the cornice that detached. The improved process understanding of the cornice dynamics provides a first step towards a better predictability of this natural hazard, but also highlights that any type of warning based on meteorological factors is not an adequate measure to ensure safety of the housing at risk.
Synergistically Active and Safe Fixed Dose Combination of Meropenem and Sulbactam
Authors: Beniwal Vijender Singh , Arora Parmjit
Published: February 2012

Meropenem is a third generation broad spectrum antibiotic. Emergence of meropenem resistance has been reported due to development of mutant plasmid mediated metallo-β-lactamases (IMP-6) and AmpC β–lactamases. Sulbactam, a stable β-lactamase inhibitor, increase antimicrobial activity of meropenem by inhibiting the enzyme β-lactamase. Fixed dose combination of Meropenem-sulbactam in the proportion of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1 and 3:1 were evaluated for the antimicrobial activity. Combination of meropenem and sulbactam in the ratio of 2:1 exhibited the synergistic activity. This combination was checked for the subchronic toxicity on wistar rats and no change in biochemical and physiological parameters was observed.
The Role of Spatial Switching in the Attentional Blink
Authors: Berthet Vincent , Kouider Sid
Published: February 2012

The attentional blink (AB) is a well-established paradigm in which identification of a target T2 is reduced shortly after presentation of an earlier target T1. An important question concerns the importance of backward masking during the AB. While task switching has been found to be a strong modulator mediating the AB without any masking of T2, the present study investigated whether spatial switching could similarly produce an AB without masking. Using a spatial AB paradigm in which items appeared at different locations; we found (a) a significant AB without backward masking of T2 but no AB when no distractors followed T2, (b) no evidence for Lag 1 sparing. These findings show that when there is a spatial switch between the targets, presenting the distractor following T2 at the same location than T2 (backward masking) is not a necessary condition for the AB to occur, but T2 has to be followed by surrounding distractors (appearing at different locations than T2). This pattern of data confirms that spatial switching is a robust modulator of the AB, but to a less extent than task switching.
Mechanisms of Contextual Control when Contexts are Informative to Solve the Task
Authors: León Samuel P. , Gámez A. Matías , Rosas Juan M.
Published: February 2012

An experiment was conducted using a human instrumental learning task with the goal of evaluating the mechanisms underlying the deleterious effect of context-switching on responding to an unambiguous stimulus when contexts are informative to solve the task. Participants were trained in a context-based reversal discrimination in which two discriminative stimuli (X and Y) interchange their meaning across contexts A and B. In context A, discriminative stimulus Z consistently announced that the relationship between a specific instrumental response (R1) and a specific outcome (O1) was in effect. Performance in the presence of stimulus Z was equally deteriorated when the test was conducted outside the training context, regardless of whether the test context was familiar (context B) or new (context C). This result is consistent with the idea that participants code all the information presented in an informative context as context-specific with the context playing a role akin to an occasion setter.
The Relationship between Early Lexical and Grammatical Development in Spanish: Evidence in Children with Different Linguistic Levels
Authors: Mariscal Sonia , Gallego Carlos
Published: February 2012

This study analyzes the relationship between lexical and grammatical development in Spanish children. The (European) Spanish version of the MacArthur-Bates CDI was used and administered to 593 Spanish-speaking children between the ages of 16 and 30-months-old. Regression analysis was applied to evaluate the relationship between age, vocabulary (total vocabulary, nouns, and verbs) and grammatical scores on two subsections of the Grammar Part. Total vocabulary explained a significantly greater proportion of variance in grammatical outcomes than age did. However, noun and verb vocabularies did not explain a greater proportion of variance in their respective morphologies than total vocabulary did. Additionally, the predictive relationship between vocabulary and grammar was found to be weaker for children whose scores were below the 10th percentile, although this could be due to the minor variability in this group and to extreme cases. We discuss the implications of these results in relation to the question of continuity between early vocabulary and grammar development in children.
Interparental Violence and Children's Long-Term Psychosocial Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Parenting Practices
Authors: Gámez-Guadix Manuel , Almendros Carmen , Carrobles José Antonio , Muñoz-Rivas Marina
Published: February 2012

The objectives of this study were: (a) to examine the direct and indirect relationships among witnessing interparental violence, parenting practices, and children's long-term psychosocial adjustment; (b) to analyze the possible gender differences in the relationships specified. The sample consisted of 1295 Spanish university students (M age = 21.21, SD = 4.04). We performed statistical analyses using structural equation modeling. The results showed that witnessing parental violence as a child is related to poor long-term psychosocial adjustment during the child's adult years. Furthermore, we found that parenting practices fully mediated the relation between witnessing interparental violence and the child's long-term adjustment. The multigroup analyses showed that most of the relations among the variables did not differ significantly by gender. However, the relation between harsh discipline and antisocial behavior was stronger for males, whereas the relation between harsh discipline and depressive symptoms was stronger for females. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for the clinicians and specialists who plan and develop intervention programs for populations at risk.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents: Subjective Well Being
Authors: Gaspar Tania , Ribeiro José Pais , de Matos Margarida Gaspar , Leal Isabel , Ferreira Aristides
Published: February 2012

The main objective of this study was to build a model, which includes personal and social factors, that helps to highlight factors that promote health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) in children and in adolescents. A sample of 3195 children and adolescents was acquired from 5th and 7th graders from all five Portuguese regions. In this study three independent latent variables were specified – Physical, Psychological and Social and two dependent latent variables were measured: Health behavior and Quality of Life. The integrative model was composed by different components: (1) health-related quality of life, integrated by 8 dimensions from KIDSCREEN-52; (2) health behavior, (3) variables related to physical health; (4) variables related to social health; (5) variables related to psychological health. As results were found strong correlation between psychological dimensions and self-esteem and other factors and a structural equation model was developed. The model presented a RMSEA index of .08. Similarly, adjustment levels for the CFI, NFI and IFI vary above or around .90, which suggests a good adjustment for the hypothesized model. The model presented significant qui-square.This study showed that in all the samples studied, the psychological variables were those that contributed at a superior level to HRQoL.
Affiliative Stimuli as Primers to Prosocial Predispositions
Authors: Souza Gabriela Guerra Leal , Pereira Mirtes Garcia , Vila Jaime , Oliveira Leticia , Volchan Eliane
Published: February 2012

Affiliative stimuli are pleasant and highly biologically relevant. Affiliative cues are thought to elicit a prosocial predisposition. Here affiliative and neutral pictures were exposed prior to a reaction time task which consisted in responding to a visual target. Half the participants responded with finger-flexion, a movement frequently involved in prosocial activities. The other half responded with finger extension, a less prosocially compatible movement. Results showed that under the exposure to affiliative pictures, as compared to neutral ones, participants who used finger flexion were faster, while those using finger extension were slower. Performance benefits to the task, when flexing the finger, together with performance costs, when extending it, indicate the relevance of movement compatibility to the context. These findings put forward a possible link between affiliative primers and motor preparation to facilitate a repertoire of movements related to prosocial predispositions including finger flexion.
Traits that Define the Different Alcohol Intensive Consume Type during the Practice of “Botellon”
Authors: Espejo Begoña , Cortés María Teresa , del Río Beatriz Martín , Giménez José Antonio , Gómez Consolación
Published: February 2012

There is a phenomenon contributing to the current pattern of alcohol consumption among youngsters in Spain known as “botellon”. From research financed by the National Plan on Drugs (2004-2007), data of 6009 youngsters (14-25 years old) were collected from three Spanish cities. Only individuals who engage in intensive consumption of alcohol (n = 2807) have been included. The purpose of this work has been to identify the different types of consumers at risk through a cluster analysis and to establish a profile for each particular group.

Four groups were differentiated by age, gender, alcohol consumption and years of consumption. It was observed that adolescent students and university students of the same sex consume similar quantities of alcohol, and justify their consumption alluding to personal factors, whereas university students refer to issues related to control of leisure. The consumption by males is the highest, and they are the most likely to seek drunkenness. They associate to a lesser degree their consumption with the possibility of developing an addictive process. In general, all youngsters consider that their consumption will have no negative consequences. These results indicate the need to come up with different alternatives, addressing the particularities of each group.
Anxiety, Depression and Coping: CDI, MASC and CRI-Y for Screening Purposes in Schools
Authors: de Matos Margarida Gaspar , Tomé Gina , Borges Ana Inês , Manso Dina , Simões Celeste , Ferreira Aristides
Published: February 2012

This study used depression (CDI – Kovacs, 1981), anxiety (MASC – March, 1997) and coping strategy (CRI-Y – Moos, 1993) scales and studied the fitness and discriminant validity of reduced versions. The sample consisted of 916 Portuguese pupils, 54.3% feminine, aged 10 to 21 years old. The participants were selected from a set of public schools nation-wide. Two classes were chosen from the 5th to the 12th grades.

A set of principal component analyses was carried out in a randomly chosen sample (n = 394) and all the three reduced measures were found to be strongly correlated with the previous. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) using the other part of the sample (n = 522) revealed adjustment indexes suggesting a good fit for both the whole model and gender and age groups separately. All scales revealed a good internal consistency. Globally, girls were more anxious and developed more coping strategies than boys. Older students tended to be less depressed, while younger adolescents present higher scores in depression and anxiety and less coping strategies. Reduced scales are sensitive to gender and age differences and can be used in school settings in order to establish a baseline and roadmaps for both universal and selective mental health school based programs.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Human System Audit Short-Scale of Transformational Leadership
Authors: Berger Rita , Romeo Marina , Guardia Joan , Yepes Montserrat , Soria Miguel Angel
Published: February 2012

The aim of this research is to examine the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Human System Audit transformational leadership short-scale (HSA-TFL-ES). It is based on the concept of Bass developed in 1985. The HSA-TFL is a part of the wider Human System Audit frame. We analyzed the HSA-TFL-ES in five different samples with a total number of 1,718 workers at five sectors.

Exploratory Factor Analysis corroborated a single factor in all samples that accounted for 66% to 73% of variance. The internal consistency in all samples was good (α = .92 - .95). Evidence was found for the convergent validity of the HSA-TFL-ES and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. These results suggested that the HSA-TFL short-scale is a psychometrically sound measure of this construct and can be used for a combined and first overall measurement.
Validation of the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale in a Portuguese Sample
Authors: Moutão João Miguel Raimundo Peres , Serra Luis Filipe Cid , Alves José Augusto Marinho , Leitão José Carlos , Vlachopoulos Symeon P.
Published: February 2012

In line with self-determination theory (SDT: Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2002) the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness has been identified as an important predictor of behavior and optimal functioning in various contexts including exercise. The lack of a valid and reliable instrument to assess the extent to which these needs are fulfilled among Portuguese exercise participants limits the evaluation of causal links proposed by SDT in the Portuguese exercise context. The aim of the present study was to translate into Portuguese and validate the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES: Vlachopoulos & Michailidou, 2006). Using data from 522 exercise participants the findings provided evidence of strong internal consistency of the translated BPNES subscales while confirmatory factor analysis supported a good fit of the correlated 3-factor model to the data. The present findings support the use of the translated into Portuguese BPNES to assess the extent of basic psychological need fulfilment among Portuguese exercise participants.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Thougth-Shape Fusion Questionnaire
Authors: Lobera Ignacio Jáuregui , Santed Miguel Angel , Shafran Roz , Santiago María José , Estébanez Sonia
Published: February 2012

The objectives of the study were to analyze the psychometric properties, factor structure and internal consistency of the Spanish version of the Thought-Shape Fusion Questionnaire (TSF-Q), as well as to determine its validity by evaluating the relationship of the TSF-Q to different instruments.

Two groups were studied: one comprising 146 patients with a diagnosis of anorexia (n = 82), bulimia (n = 33) or unspecified eating disorder (n = 31), and another group of 115 undergraduates with no history of psychological disorder. All participants completed the TSF-Q, TAF-Q, EDI-2, STAI, BDI and SCL-90-R. Differences in TSF-Q scores between the diagnostic subgroups were also analyzed.

Two factors were obtained which coincided with the two sections indicated by the authors of the questionnaire: conceptual and interpretative. The internal consistency of the TSF-Q and its subscales was determined by means of Cronbach's alpha, with values ranging between .93 and .96. The correlations with other instruments reflected adequate validity. There were no significant differences between the diagnostic subgroups.

The Spanish version of the TSF-Q meets the psychometric requirements for measuring thought-shape fusion and shows adequate internal consistency and validity.
Effects of Mercury Chloride (HgCl2) on Betta Splendens Aggressive Display
Authors: Mansur Bruno de Matos , Cavalcante Caio Neno Silva , dos Santos Bruno Rodrigues , Gouveia Amauri
Published: February 2012

Mercury chloride (HgCl2) is a toxic mercury salt and a major pollutant, that can be found in soil, water and air, with influences on behavior, physiology and adaptation to the environment. In this study two experiments were designed to examine interactions and effects of HgCl2 on some behavioral patterns of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). In the first experiment we tested the effect of a progressive dose (five 0.04 mg) on aggressive display with exposure to a mirror, whereas in the second experiment we tested the effect of an acute dose (0.2 mg) on the aggressive display with exposure to a mirror. The experiments were performed on 5 consecutive sessions at intervals of 18 hours between sessions. Differences of performance were shown by subjects in the acute and progressive treatments when compared with a control treatment in the majority of behaviors evaluated, namely Floating, Slow Swimming, Wavy Swimming, Emerging, Bend, Square Move and Motor Display Components. Acute treatment was different from control only on Show Body, while the progressive group differed on Resting, Horizontal Display and Appropriate Display Components. Differences between Correlate Display Components and Total were also shown. Both the acute and progressive contamination with HgCl2 decrease the motor activity in the aggressive display, mirror-image test of Betta splendens, mainly on the progressive dose. This implies an impairment on feeding behavior, predator avoidance, reproductive behavior, mate choice and territoriality. These results suggest that in this fish species, the progressive dose has a greater effect on behavior in general and that both the acute and progressive contamination with mercury chloride affect many other aspects of behavior.
Central Role of Ubiquitination in Genome Maintenance: DNA Replication and Damage Repair
Authors: Ghosh Soma , Saha Tapas
Published: February 2012

Faithful transmission of genetic information through generations ensures genomic stability and integrity. However, genetic alterations occur every now and then during the course of genome duplication. In order to repair these genetic defects and lesions, nature has devised several repair pathways which function promptly to prevent the cell from accumulating permanent mutations. These repair mechanisms seem to be significantly impacted by posttranslational modifications of proteins like phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Protein ubiquitination is emerging as a critical regulatory mechanism of DNA damage response. Non-proteolytic, proteasome-independent functions of ubiquitin involving monoubiquitination and polyubiquitination of DNA repair proteins contribute significantly to the signaling of DNA repair pathways. In this paper, we will particularly highlight the work on ubiquitin-mediated signaling in the repair processes involving the Fanconi anemia pathway, translesional synthesis, nucleotide excision repair, and repair of double-strand breaks. We will also discuss the role of ubiquitin ligases in regulating checkpoint mechanisms, the role of deubiquitinating enzymes, and the growing possibilities of therapeutic intervention in this ubiquitin-conjugation system.
A Reliable and Efficient Highway Multihop Vehicular Broadcast Model
Authors: Chuan Deng , Jian Wang
Published: February 2012

A reliable and efficient highway broadcast model based on gain prediction is proposed to solve excessive information retransmission and channel conflict that often happen to flooding broadcast in vehicular ad hoc network. We take accountofthe relative speeds, the intervehicle distance, and the coverage difference of the neighboring vehicles into predicting the gain of every neighbor, and further select the neighbor with the maximum gain as the next hop on the every direction of road. Simulations show that the proposed model is clearly superior to the original flooding model and a recent variant based on mobility prediction in packet arrival rate, average delay, forwarding count, and throughput.
Effects of Hydroquinone on Cytoskeletal Organization and Intracellular Transport in Cultured Xenopus laevis Melanophores and Fibroblasts
Authors: Aspengren Sara , Norström Elisabeth , Wallin Margareta
Published: February 2012

Hydroquinone is used as a skin-lightening agent, it is also present in different chemical products and cigarette smoke. It is believed to inhibit melanin production in melanocytes by inhibiting the key enzyme tyrosinase. In the present study, we show that hydroquinone had severe effects on microtubules and actin filaments in cultured Xenopus laevis melanophores as studied by immunohistochemistry. It affected the intracellular transport of melanosomes, induced bundling of microtubules and disassembly of actin filaments at 10 and 50 μM, and at 100 μM proper adhesion to the substrate was lost. Effects occurred at lower concentrations than what previously has been stated to be cytotoxic, and the results show that tyrosinase is not the only cellular target. The cytoskeleton is of utmost importance for the function of all cells and across species. Our data has therefore to be considered in the discussions about the use of hydroquinone for bleaching of skin.
WSWC finalizes report on water reuse in the West
Authors: Bracken Nathan S.
Published: February 2012

A forthcoming report from the Western States Water Council examines water reuse in 17 western states, with a focus on state efforts to address some of the barriers to wider use of the practice.
A Cultural Introduction to Math
Authors: Gear Alison L.
Published: February 2012

Kindergarten students, parents, and grandparents explore mathematics from an Aboriginal perspective.
Facilitation of Gene Transfection and Cell Adhesion by Gelatin‐Functionalized PCL Film Surfaces
Authors: Yuan Wei , Li Chunyan , Zhao Chen , Sui Chenguang , Yang Wan‐Tai , Xu Fu‐Jian , Ma Jie
Published: February 2012

Efficient local gene transfection on a tissue scaffold is of crucial importance in facilitating tissue repair and regeneration. In this work, the gelatin‐functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) film surfaces are prepared via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate. The resultant covalent attachment of gelatin could enhance the cell‐adhesion and local gene transfection properties. The gelatin‐functionalized PCL film surfaces exhibit excellent cell‐adhesion ability to both adherent and suspension cells. The attached adherent cells demonstrate the characteristic elongated morphologies with good spreading capability, while the attached suspension cells can maintain the original status of the round morphologies without spreading. More importantly, the gelatin coupled on the PCL surface could be used to absorb the cationic vector/plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA) complexes via electrostatic interaction. The local gene transfection property on the immobilized cells is dependent on both the density of the immobilized cells and the loading types of pDNA complexes. The transfection efficiency of different assemble methods of pDNA complex was compared. With the pre‐ and post‐loading sandwich‐like gene transfection, the gelatin‐functionalized PCL film surface can substantially enhance the transfection properties to different cell lines. The present study is very useful to spatially control local gene delivery within PCL‐based tissue scaffolds.
Stimuli‐Free Reversible and Controllable Loading and Release of Proteins under Physiological Conditions by Exponentially Growing Nanoporous Multilayered Structure
Authors: Yuan Weiyong , Lu Zhisong , Wang Huili , Li Chang Ming
Published: February 2012

A unique delivery system to reversibly and controllably load and release proteins under physiological conditions is desirable for protein therapeutics. We fabricate an ultrafast exponentially growing nanoporous multilayer structure comprised of two weak polyelectrolytes, poly(ethyleneimine) and alginate with thickness and chemical composition controlled by the assembly pH. For the first time, the assembled multilayered structure demonstrates stimuli‐free reversible protein loading and release capability at physiological conditions by a synthetic material. The protein loading and release time can also be controlled by the assembled bilayer number. The highest loading capacity for the target protein and longest release time of proteins for layer‐by‐layer films reported to date have been achieved with a 15‐bilayered film fabricated in this work. The prominent properties of the assembled film provide great potential for various biomedical applications, especially as a delivery system for protein therapeutics.
Wear‐Resistant Nanoscale Silicon Carbide Tips for Scanning Probe Applications
Authors: Lantz Mark A. , Gotsmann Bernd , Jaroenapibal Papot , Jacobs Tevis D. B. , O'Connor Sean D. , Sridharan Kumar , Carpick Robert W.
Published: February 2012

The search for hard materials to extend the working life of sharp tools is an age‐old problem. In recent history, sharp tools must also often withstand high temperatures and harsh chemical environments. Nanotechnology extends this quest to tools such as scanning probe tips that must be sharp on the nanoscale, but still very physically robust. Unfortunately, this combination is inherently contradictory, as mechanically strong, chemically inert materials tend to be difficult to fabricate with nanoscale fidelity. Here a novel process is described, whereby the surfaces of pre‐existing, nanoscale Si tips are exposed to carbon ions and then annealed, to form a strong silicon carbide (SiC) layer. The nanoscale sharpness is largely preserved and the tips exhibit a wear resistance that is orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional silicon tips and at least 100‐fold higher than that of monolithic, SiO‐doped diamond‐like‐carbon (DLC) tips. The wear is well‐described by an atom‐by‐atom wear model, from which kinetic parameters are extracted that enable the prediction of the long‐time scale reliability of the tips.
Cancer and coagulation
Authors: Khorana Alok A.
Published: February 2012

Thromboembolism, including both venous and arterial events, occurs commonly amongst patients with cancer. The occurrence of thromboembolism has significant consequences for cancer patients, including direct and indirect associations with mortality, morbidity, requirement for long‐term anticoagulant therapy and consumption of healthcare resources. Recent studies have resulted in a better understanding of clinical risk factors and biomarkers of cancer‐associated thrombosis, and a risk assessment model incorporating both has now been validated in multiple settings. Thromboprophylaxis with either unfractionated heparin or low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs) has been shown to be safe and effective in high‐risk settings such as hospitalization for medical illness and the postsurgical period. Emerging new data from randomized studies have focused on outpatient prophylaxis, suggesting potential benefits in this setting as well. Treatment of cancer‐associated thrombosis requires long‐term anticoagulation with LMWH. Results from ongoing and planned trials of novel anticoagulants in the cancer setting are awaited. Am. J. Hematol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Congenital heart defects in a novel recurrent 22q11.2 deletion harboring the genes CRKL and MAPK1
Authors: Breckpot Jeroen , Thienpont Bernard , Bauters Marijke , Tranchevent Leon‐Charles , Gewillig Marc , Allegaert Karel , Vermeesch Joris R. , Moreau Yves , Devriendt Koenraad
Published: February 2012

The proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 22 is rich in low copy repeats (LCR). Non‐allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between these substrates explains the high prevalence of recurrent rearrangements within this region. We have performed array comparative genomic hybridization in a normally developing girl with growth delay, microcephaly, and truncus arteriosus, and have identified a novel recurrent 22q11 deletion that spans LCR22‐4 and partially affects the common 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and the distal 22q11 deletion syndrome. This deletion is atypical as it did not occur by NAHR between any of the major LCRs found on 22q11.2. However, the breakpoint containing regions coincide with highly homologous regions. An identical imbalance was reported previously in a patient with striking phenotypic similarity. Computational gene prioritization methods and biological evidence denote the genes CRKL and MAPK1 as the highest ranking candidates for causing congenital heart disease within the deleted region. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Muscle Mass Scaling in Primates: An Energetic and Ecological Perspective
Authors: MUCHLINSKI MAGDALENA N. , SNODGRASS J. JOSH , TERRANOVA CARL J.
Published: February 2012

Body composition is known to vary dramatically among mammals, even in closely related species, yet this issue has never been systematically investigated. Here, we examine differences in muscle mass scaling among mammals, and explore how primate body composition compares to that of nonprimate mammals. We use a literature‐based sample of eutherian and metatherian mammals, and combine this with new dissection‐based data on muscularity in a variety of strepsirrhine primates and the haplorhine, Tarsius syrichta. Our results indicate an isometric scaling relationship between total muscle mass and total body mass across mammals. However, we documented substantial variation in muscularity in mammals (21–61% of total body mass), which can be seen both within and between taxonomic groups. We also found that primates are under‐muscled when compared to other mammals. This difference in body composition may in part reflect the functional consequences of arboreality, as arboreal species have significantly lower levels of muscularity than terrestrial species. Am. J. Primatol. 74:395‐407, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Comparison of Visualization Techniques for Models Created from Airborne Laser Scanned Data
Authors: Bennett Rebecca , Welham Kate , Hill Ross a. , Ford Andrew
Published: February 2012

The uptake of airborne laser scanned (ALS) data (commonly known as airborne lidar) for heritage landscape assessment has grown rapidly in the past decade as data have become increasingly available. Likewise there has been a recent upsurge in published techniques for modelling the ground surface from ALS data to highlight archaeological features. However, many end‐users of the data are not trained in remote sensing and visualization techniques and the lack of comparative assessment of techniques has increased the complexity of interpretation of the ALS‐derived models. This study quantitatively compares five visualization techniques ranging from the commonly used shaded relief model to newer local relief and sky view factor modelling for a study area in the UK. Outputs are compared with the baseline data of the English Heritage National Mapping Programme aerial photographic archive transcription and assessed with respect to percentage visibility of feature length. Ancillary aspects of the outputs are discussed, such as geospatial shift of features, suitability for profile mapping, ease of interpretation and ability to combine with other data sources. It is concluded that although the overall performance of the models in terms of feature recognition is relatively even, consideration of all factors enables more transparent modelling choices to be made and facilitates critical interpretation of the features recorded. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Intelligent Robust Tracking Control for a Class of Electrically Driven Mobile Robots
Authors: Chang Yeong‐Chan , Yen Hui‐Min , Wang Ping‐Tsung
Published: February 2012

This paper addresses the problem of designing robust tracking control for a class of uncertain wheeled mobile robots actuated by brushed direct current motors. This class of electrically‐driven mechanical systems consists of the robot kinematics, the robot dynamics, and the wheel actuator dynamics. Via the backstepping technique, an intelligent robust tracking control scheme that integrates a kinematic controller and an adaptive neural network‐based (or fuzzy‐based) controller is developed such that all of the states and signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded and the tracking error can be made as small as possible. Two adaptive approximation systems are constructed to learn the behaviors of unknown mechanical and electrical dynamics. The effects of both the approximation errors and the unmodeled time‐varying perturbations in the input and virtual‐input weighting matrices are counteracted by suitably tuning the control gains. Consequently, the robust control scheme developed here can be employed to handle a broader class of electrically‐driven wheeled mobile robots in the presence of high‐degree time‐varying uncertainties. Finally, a simulation example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control scheme.
Kunstbauten – Ingenieurkunst
Authors: Ommert Christian , Marx Steffen
Published: February 2012

In den Dienstvorschriften (DV) der Deutschen Reichsbahn, den Dienstsachen (DS) der Deutschen Bundesbahn und bis zum Jahr 2006 auch in der RIL 809 der heutigen Deutschen Bahn wurden Brücken, Tunnel, Unterführungen und sonstige konstruktive Ingenieurbauwerke unter dem Oberbegriff Kunstbauten zusammengefasst. Auch in der Schweiz und in Österreich ist der Begriff sowohl für Straßen‐ als auch Eisenbahnbrücken weit verbreitet. Ursprünglich aus dem Wortgebrauch “künstliches Bauwerk” abgeleitet, beinhaltet die heutige Lesart einen starken Zusammenhang zur Ingenieurkunst und zur kreativen Leistung des Entwurfsprozesses von Ingenieurbauwerken. Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, was Kunstbauten auszeichnet und worin als Äquivalent dazu die Kunst des Ingenieurs besteht. Was bedeutet Ingenieurkunst im konstruktiven Ingenieurbau heute, welche Bedingungen liegen dazu vor und unter welchen Voraussetzungen kann sie im Besonderen im Brückenbau ihrem Wortsinn gerecht werden? Anhand von Beispielen aktueller Bauwerke werden die Schwierigkeiten und deren Lösung dabei aufgezeigt.

Structural art – the art of engineers.

In former codes and guidelines of the German Railway, bridges, tunnels, underpasses and other engineering structures are summarized under the general term “Kunstbauwerke” (“Artistic Structures”). In Switzerland and Austria, this term is still very commonly used for both, street bridges as well as railway bridges. Originally derived from the term “artificial structure” the contemporary interpretation contains also a strong relationship to structural art and to the creative process of the design of structures. The paper follows the question what distinguishes structural art and the art of engineers. What does structural art in bridge design mean today and which conditions and requirements have to be considered? Using actual examples, challenges and solutions in bridge design are illustrated.
Keynotes on bridges in Spain since the mid‐1980's
Authors: Corres Hugo , Romo José
Published: February 2012

Spanish bridge engineering has developed creative and efficient answers to the challenges set by the extraordinary development of road and railway infrastructure during the last 25 years. This process provides continuity to the great tradition of good bridge engineering practice based on the ambition of overcoming such engineering challenges. These efforts also resulted in the exploration of new fields: typology, by generating new ideas to improve structural behavior; construction methods, by using new technologies (many of them perfected for other fields of activity) and by innovations using new specific methods for particular cases; structural materials by exploring the benefits of their new possibilities, deepening in the use of traditional composite steel‐concrete structures and starting a very interesting process of using composite materials.

Consistent with the old aphorism “learning by doing” the lessons learnt from these daring tasks and experiences will remain in the back of these engineers' minds which will ensure continuity for future developments. At the present and in the near future, Spanish bridge engineering must face new challenges in design and construction in foreign countries, taking advantage of the experience gained during the past 25 years.

Erfahrungen im Brückenbau in Spanien seit 1985

Brückenbauingenieure in Spanien haben sich mit ihren kreativen und wirtschaftlichen Lösungen den Herausforderungen der letzten 25 Jahre beim Ausbau der dortigen Straßenund Eisenbahnnetze gestellt. Diese Entwicklung steht in der langen und großen Tradition hervorragenden Brückenbaus, um solche Aufgaben zu meistern.

In dieser Zeit wurde viel Neues entwickelt: Neue Typologien wurden erarbeitet, um die Tragwirkung zu verbessern; neue Technologien (viele davon für andere Aufgaben geschaffen) wurden adaptiert oder neue innovative Bauverfahren für spezifische Projekte kreiert; die Anwendung von Baustoffen wurde weiterentwickelt, resultierend z. B. in der verstärkten Nutzung von Stahl‐Verbundkonstruktionen, oder neue Verbundwerkstoffe wurden erstmals im Brückenbau eingesetzt.

Im Sinne von “learning by doing” werden die Lehren und Erfahrungen dieser Aufgaben im Hinterkopf der Ingenieure bleiben und damit die Kontinuität für zukünftige Entwicklungen garantieren. Im Moment und in naher Zukunft müssen sich spanische Brückenbauingenieure den neuen Herausforderungen beim Entwurf und Bau von Brücken vor allem im Ausland stellen, wobei sie die Erfahrung der letzten 25 Jahren nutzen werden.
Mindestbewehrung zur Begrenzung der Rissbreiten in Stahlbetonbauteilen infolge des Hydratationsprozesses
Authors: Bödefeld Jörg , Ehmann Rainer , Schlicke Dirk , Tue Nguyen Viet
Published: February 2012

Zwang während des Hydratationsprozesses kann zu Rissbildung führen. Zur Sicherstellung der Gebrauchstauglichkeit müssen die Rissbreiten entsprechend den Expositionsklassen begrenzt werden. Das zurzeit in Massivbaunormen auf den Rissschnittgrößen basierende Konzept zur Ermittlung der Mindestbewehrung weist einige Schwächen auf, insbesondere für dicke Bauteile. Mit dem auf der Verformungskompatibilität basierenden, neu entwickelten Konzept können diese Schwächen aufgehoben werden. Maßgebend im neuen Konzept ist die aufzunehmende Verformungseinwirkung und nicht der Zeitpunkt der Rissbildung. Weiterhin können die wesentlichen Parameter der Betontechnologie wie Wärmeentwicklung und Nachbehandlung quantitativ erfasst werden. Die Überlagerung zwischen frühem und spätem Zwang kann ebenfalls auf einer gemeinsamen, mechanischen Grundlage beantwortet werden. Die neu gewonnenen Erkenntnisse fließen bereits in das neue Merkblatt “Früher Zwang” der Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau ein.

Minimum Reinforcement to Crack Control in Hardening Concrete Members. Part 2: New concept on base of deformation compatibility

Hydration induced restraint forces can lead to crack formation in hardening concrete members. Securing serviceability and durability of the construction crack widths has to be limited according to exposition class. For this actual standards use the concept of the cracking force. This approach is not free from failings, especially for thick concrete members. The new approach introduced in this article is based on the deformation compatibility and abolishes those failures. The authoritative of this concept is the absorption of the impacting deformation, not the time of crack formation as in the former approach. Thus essential parameters of concrete technology as heat development and curing can be considered quantitative. Furthermore the superposition of early restraint and restraint forces in the use period can be analysed on a common mechanic base. These new findings are the base of the new technical report “Early Restraint” of the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute.
Zur Geschichte der Stahlbetonflachdecke
Authors: Welsch Torsten , Held Markus
Published: February 2012

Die Stahlbetonflachdecke hat sich aufgrund ihrer hinlänglich bekannten wirtschaftlichen und gestalterischen Vorzüge ihren festen Platz im Geschossbau erobert. Nachfolgend soll ein Rückblick auf ihre Entwicklungsgeschichte gegeben werden.
THE EFFECTS OF BEHAVIOR SKILLS TRAINING ON CORRECT TEACHER IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURAL LANGUAGE PARADIGM TEACHING SKILLS AND CHILD BEHAVIOR
Authors: Gianoumis Stamatios , Seiverling Laura , Sturmey Peter
Published: February 2012

Natural Language Paradigm (NLP) is a naturalistic teaching strategy for children with autism that increases immediate and delayed imitative utterances, spontaneous utterances and new words, and production of utterances. NLP includes increasing child choice, varying stimulus items, loose shaping contingencies for communicative attempts, and providing reinforcers with a direct relationship to the response. Only one previous study investigated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on staff acquisition and generalization of implementation of NLP and child behavior. A BST package of instructions, modeling rehearsal and feedback, was used to train teachers to implement NLP teaching procedures with three pre‐school children with autism spectrum disorder. Training increased correct teacher performance systematically across all three teachers during NLP teaching sessions and with children for whom teachers did not directly receive training. Correct teacher performance increased appropriate child vocalizations and decreased maladaptive behavior for four of six children. BST is effective in quickly training teachers in the generalized implementation of complex NLP teaching procedures across children. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.