bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of rate equations of catalytic oxidation of propene to acrolein and acrylic acid in the gas phase
Authors: Švachula Jiří , Tockstein Antonín , Tichý Josef
Published: September 2010

The kinetics of propene catalytic oxidation to acrolein and acrylic acid was studied in a flow-circulation reactor over a multicomponent oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, iron, bismuth, and potassium. The rate equations were found for the total formation of acrolein and acrylic acid.
Chemical destruction of 4-nitrobiphenyl in laboratory waste and its monitoring by differential pulse polarography and voltammetry and by high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Barek Jiří , Berka Antonín , Müller Marion , Procházka Miroslav , Zima Jiří
Published: September 2010

A method for destruction of the carcinogenic 4-nitrobiphenyl in laboratory waste was elaborated based on its reduction with powdered zinc and oxidation of the produced 4-aminobiphenyl with potassium permanganate. The efficiency of the method can be checked by high-performance liquid chromatography, differential pulse polarography, and differential pulse voltammetry.
Effect of the rate of stirring on crystal size in precipitating or salting-out systems
Authors: Nývlt Jaroslav , Žáček Stanislav
Published: September 2010

A simple model is proposed to express the dependence of the mean crystal size on the rate of stirring in precipitating or salting-out systems. The nucleation rate is taken to be proportional to the interfacial area of segregated regions. This area is a function of the dissipated energy. The derived relations are applied to results of a series of experiments in which aluminium-potassium sulphate was salted out by the addition of aqueous solutions of methyl alcohol.
Sesquiterpenoids from Dittrichia viscosa (L.) GREUTER. Their structure and deterrent activity
Authors: Daniewski Włodzimierz M. , Kroszczyṅski Wojciech , Błoszyk Ełżbieta , Drożdż Bohdan , Nawrot Jan , Rychłewska Urszula , Buděšínský Miloš , Holub Miroslav
Published: September 2010

In addition to the earlier described inuviscolide (II), the sesquiterpenic vachanic (V) and 2α-hydroxyisocostic (VII) acids, as well as carabron (VIII) and the so far undescribed sesquiterpenic lactone 11αH,13-dihydroconfertin were also isolated from Dittrichia viscosa (L.) GREUTER. For the last mentioned lactone the structure IX has been derived. The structure of vachanic acid (V) was confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. Compounds V to VII were tested for their deterrent (antifeedant) activity against selected insect pests living in corn stores, and they generally had a high activity.
Alkaloids from the roots of Papaver pseudo-orientale (FEDDE) MEDW.
Authors: Věžník František , Táborská Eva , Sedmera Petr , Dolejš Ladislav , Slavík Jiří
Published: September 2010

Two new alkaloids, pseudorine (Ia) (quaternary benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline type) and pseudoronine (II) (benzil type), were isolated from the roots of Papaver pseudo-orientale (FEDDE) MEDW. This is a first occurrence of this type of alkaloids in Papaveraceae. The main component of the tertiary alkaloid fraction was isothebaine accompanied by smaller amounts of orientalidine, mecambridine, bracteolidine, nuciferine, protopine, and allocryptopine. The presence of salutaridine and papaverrubine D was established. Traces of coptisine and palmatine were also found in some samples. Strongly polar portion of the extract was converted to iodides. N-Methylisothebainium iodide (IIIa) (major component), pseudorine iodide (Ia), and corytuberine hydriodide (IV) (significant amounts), a minor alkaloids such as alborine iodide (alkaloid PO-5), pseudoronine (II), and magnoflorine iodide (IIIb) were isolated from this source. Structure of pseudorine was determined by UV, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and using the correlation with laudanosine and codamine. Proposed structure of pseudoronine is based on the mass spectra comparison.
Effect of the electric field on molecular structure in the MNDO approximation
Authors: Turi Nagy Ladislav , Tvaroška Igor , Tunega Daniel
Published: September 2010

The MNDO method has been modified to include the effect of external electric field. It has been applied to calculate the electronic structure of methane, carbon monoxide, acetylene, ammonia, ethylene, acetaldehyde, and methylamine in the electric field of various intensities. The results show that the properties of molecules are considerably influenced by the electric field. This is manifested in the distribution of electrons on the one hand, and in the change of orientation of a molecule with respect to the direction of the electric field on the other hand. The results are in a qualitative agreement with previous results of CNDO, INDO, and ab initio methods.
Topological aspects of chemical reactivity. Catalytic reactions
Authors: Ponec Robert
Published: September 2010

Recently proposed overlap determinant method is applied to the description of reactions induced by the presence of the transition metal catalysts. The use of this technique is demonstrated on a detailed analysis of a number of examples of thermally forbidden pericyclic reactions in which the interaction with the catalyst removes the symmetry restrictions imposed by Woodward-Hoffmann rules.
Entropies and information indices of star forests
Authors: Kunz Milan
Published: September 2010

Entropy function Hm measures the difference of distances of m leaves from the root in a binary tree and in a forest of binary trees, when m leaves are divided by some information into n subgraphs. The enumerator of star forests with (m+n) vertices and m edges is derived and using adjacency matrices of star forests their entropy functions and information indices are compared and their consistency discussed.
Axial dispersion of the liquid phase in vertical tubular contactors with static mixers
Authors: Fialová Marie , Redlich Karl-Heinz , Winkler Kurt
Published: September 2010

Axial dispersion characteristics in the liquid phase have been determined for three selected types of static mixers using the impulse response technique in a vertical tubular contactor for single phase (water) and two phase (water-air, cocurrent flow arrangement) systems. The character of the measured dependences for individual types of static mixers has been found different and also corresponding values of axial dispersion have been found significant. From the stand point of axial dispersion the behaviour of the static mixer under the two phase flow has been found different from its behaviour in the single phase flow system.
Solvent effects on dissociation of substituted benzenesulphonamides in acetone, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetramethylene sulphone, pyridine and some aqueous organic solvent mixtures
Authors: Ludwig Miroslav , Pytela Oldřich , Večeřa Miroslav
Published: September 2010

The potentiometric titration has been used to measure dissociation constants of fifteen substituted arenesulphonamides of general formula XC6H4SO2NH2 (or X2C6H3SO2NH2) in acetone, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetramethylene sulphone, pyridine, and mixtures water-ethanol (25, 50, 75, 90% by vol. of the organic component), water-dimethylformamide (25, 50, 75% by vol.), water-acetone (25% by vol.), and water-2-methoxyethanol (80% by wt.). The results are compared with those published earlier for water, methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, and acetonitrile.
Kinetics of the reaction of guanyl-O-methylisourea hydrochloride with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal
Authors: Kaválek Jaromír , Panchartek Josef , Potěšil Tomáš , Štěrba Vojeslav
Published: September 2010

The reaction of guanyl-O-methylisourea hydrochloride (IV) with dimethylformamide (V) proceeds in two steps. The first step consists in the reaction of the imidoester with the imidatonium ion formed in a fast pre-equilibrium to give a conjugated system with the absorption maximum at 278 nm. The subsequent slower step consists in the cyclization to 2-amino-4-methoxy-1,3,5-triazine (VI). The rate of the first step is directly proportional to the concentrations of both hydrochloride IV and acetal V. Both the steps involve base catalysis. Mechanism of the whole reaction is suggested on the basis of the kinetic results.
Formation of the Meisenheimer spiro adduct of N-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)alanine methylamide and its rearrangement to 2-amino-N-methyl-N-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)propanamide
Authors: Macháček Vladimír , Hassanien Makky M. M. , Štěrba Vojeslav , Lyčka Antonín
Published: September 2010

N-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)alanine methylamide (I) undergoes base-catalyzed cyclization in methanol to give the spiro adduct II. In aniline-anilinium chloride buffers, the spiro adduct is protonated at the oxygen atom of 2-nitro group to give the neutral compound III. In 4-bromoaniline buffers or by action of methanolic hydrogen chloride, the compound III is opened to E and Z isomers of 2-amino-N-methyl-N-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)propanamide hydrochloride (IV). The rate-limiting step of cyclization of compound Z-IV to compound III consists in the isomerization Z-IV → E-IV. At higher pH values (acetate buffers), the rate-limiting step is gradually changed to the isomerization of 2-amino-N-methyl-N-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)propanamide (Z-V → E-V).
Synthesis and characterization of Δ-cis(N)-trans(O5)-RR sodium bis-((S)-α-alaninato-N-monopropionato)cobaltate(III) isomer
Authors: Hájek Bohumil , Ondráčková Jana , Jursík František
Published: September 2010

Of the 12 possible diastereoisomers only Δ-cis(N)-trans(O5)-(RR)-Na[Co(alamp)2] isomer was isolated. Possible reasons explaining stereospecific coordination of ligand are discussed in terms of steric intra- and interligand interactions arising from the mutual position of -CH3 and N-CH2-CH2- groups. These exclude all isomers with SS or RS configuration of secondary nitrogen atoms. For the determination of the absolute configuration visible absorption, 1H, 13C NMR, circular dichroism and molecular models were employed.
Absorption of oxygen into solutions of polymers
Authors: Potůček František , Stejskal Jiří
Published: September 2010

Absorption of oxygen into water and aqueous solutions of poly(acrylamides) was studied in an absorber with a wetted sphere. The effects of changes in the liquid flow rate and the polymer concentration on the liquid side mass transfer coefficient were examined. The results are expressed by correlations between dimensionless criteria modified for non-Newtonian liquids whose flow curve can be described by the Ostwald-de Waele model.
Conversion of ajmaline, isoajmaline, sandwicine and isosandwicine to their acylation products
Authors: Ahmad S. S. , Akhtar Tanveer , Malik S. , Haider S. I. , Khan S. H.
Published: September 2010

Ajmaline, isoajmaline, sandwicine and isosandwicine were converted to their new acylation products in 68-94% yields using isobutyric anhydride and isovaleric anhydride. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic studies.
Inhibition of DNA-dependent DNA polymerase α by arabinosyl-5-azacytosine and its metabolic transformation in L1210 mouse leukemic cells
Authors: Veselý Jiří
Published: September 2010

Arabinosyl-5-azacytosine is phosphorylated by the L1210 mouse leukemic cells in vivo as well as by the cell-free extract in the presence of ATP. The drug inhibits in vitro the activity of DNA-dependent DNA polymerase α from L1210 cells in a dose-dependent manner but to a lesser degree than arabinosylcytosine. When administered in vivo, it depresses the activity of DNA polymerase to about the same extent as arabinosylcytosine. The Km constant for the phosphorylation of arabinosyl-5-azacytosine is 46% higher than the corresponding value for arabinosylcytosine.
Effect of dielectric constant on the rate of electron spin exchange of Fremy's salt in solution
Authors: Hussain Hamza A. , Kuder Waleed A. A.
Published: September 2010

The rate of electron spin exchange in aqueous solution of potassium nitrosodisulphonate K2(SO3)2NO, has been investigated by ESR and found to depend on the dielectric constant of the medium. This observation lead to the calculation of the collision diameter 2 nm which corresponds to bimolecular collisions between species carrying two nagative charges.
Elimination of systematic errors due to adsorption in the determination of trace amounts of bismuth by differential pulse polarography
Authors: Šingliar Michal , Ležovič Alfonz , Fried Pavel
Published: September 2010

The authors were concerned with the adsorption of bismuth ions on the surface of calibrated glass bottles during preparation of standard solutions and on the walls of the polarographic cell during analysis by differential pulse polarography. The adsorption can be prevented by treating the laboratory glass by a solution of O,N-bis-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide before use. The treatment must be repeated from time since its effect weakens by repeated rinsing of the glass.
Kinetics of the reduction of nitrogen oxide and dinitrogen oxide by ammonia on a V2O5/Al2O3 catalyst in the absence of oxygen
Authors: Čížek Milan , Pour Vladimír
Published: September 2010

The kinetics of the reduction of NO and N2O by ammonia on a V2O5/Al2O3 catalyst (15 mass % V2O5) have been measured over the temperature range 300-480 °C at atmospheric pressure. The presence of water vapour in the reaction mixture retards the reduction rates of both NO and N2O. The oxidation state of vanadium does not change within the concentration and temperature ranges investigated. From the results for the reaction kinetics and the oxidation state of vanadium it is concluded that the reduction of NO and N2O by ammonia occurs by the associative Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism with the surface reaction as the rate-determining step.
Oscillation reactions of Belousov-Zhabotinskii type with hydroxy acids in closed systems without removal of bromine
Authors: Adamčíková Ľubica , Ševčík Peter
Published: September 2010

Hydroxy acids such as tartaric, mandelic, lactic, and glycolic acids generate chemical oscillations in Belousov-Zhabotinskii reactions even in closed systems if the solution is not bubbled with an inert gas. Reduction of Ce(IV) ions with hydroxy acids is accelerated by bromine, whose reaction with them is sensitive to illumination.
The arsenazo 2-(2-arsenophenyl)azo-7-(4-antipyril)azo-1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-naphthalenedisulphonic acid as spectrophotometric reagent and metallochromic indicator for calcium
Authors: Cacho J. , Molinero A. L. , Pinilla E.
Published: September 2010

Ions Ca(II) react with the arsenazo [2-(2-arsenophenyl)azo-7-(4-antipyril)azo-1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-naphthalenedisulphonic acid] at pH 10.0 to produce a blue-violet complex with the maximum of absorbance at 578 nm. Its stoichiometry is 1 : 1 and its stability constant has the value of 8.56 . 104 at pH 10.0. Beer's law is obeyed in the range from 0.04 to 0.4 μg ml-1 of Ca(II), with a molar absorbance of 1.92 . 104 l mol-1 cm-1. The reagent has also been studied as the metallochromic indicator in the complexometric titration of Ca, and the colour change was specified by means of CIE chromaticity diagrams. According to Ringbom's concepts a transition pM of 4.93 is obtained when a 5.0 . 10-4 mol l-1 solution of Ca(II) is titrated.
Photocyclization of N-(3-chloro-2-benzo[b]thienocarbonyl)-N'-monosubstituted thioureas
Authors: Kutschy Peter , Imrich Ján , Bernát Juraj , Kristian Pavol , Hritzová Oľga , Schöffmann Thomas
Published: September 2010

N-(3-Chloro-2-benzo[b]thienocarbonyl)-N'-monosubstituted thioureas, when irradiated with a high-pressure mercury discharge lamp through a pyrex or quartz filter, give the corresponding benzothienothiazine derivatives in lower yields than the analogous N',N'-disubstituted thioureas. The reactivity lowering of the N'-monosubstituted thioureas is ascribed to the intramolecular hydrogen bond C=O...H-N due to which these compounds in their ground states exist in the six-membered cyclic conformation unfavourable for the cyclization. The photolysis of N'-phenylthiourea results - due to a stronger hydrogen bond - in splitting of the molecule to give 3-chlorobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide and phenyl isothiocyanate.
Endopolygalacturonase immobilized on ceramic materials substituted with aminopropyl groups. Synthesis, kinetics, and mode of action
Authors: Rexová-Benková Lubomíra , Stratilová Eva , Čapka Martin
Published: September 2010

Endopolygalacturonase was immobilized on ground porous tiles and on ceramic rings functionalized with 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde. The relative activity of the immobilized enzymes depended on loading, attaining 32.4% for porous tiles and 44.0% for ceramic rings. The immobilization resulted in the shift of the optimum of enzyme performance to lower pH values, the temperature optimum increasing from 40 to 60 °C, along with thermostability. Immobilized enzymes showed constant activity during 8-months (porous tiles) and 3-months continuous percolation with 0.5% sodium pectate solution. In both cases, the immobilization resulted in preferential cleavage of glycosidic bonds at the end of the chain of high molecular substrate and in nonspecific cleavage of tetra(D-galactosiduronic acid).
Risk of injury on third-generation artificial turf in Norwegian professional football
Authors: Bjørneboe John , Bahr Roald , Andersen Thor Einar
Published: September 2010

Background

Artificial turf is used extensively in both recreational and elite football in areas with difficult climatic conditions.

Objective

To compare the risk for acute injuries between natural grass (NG) and third-generation artificial turf (3GAT) in male professional football.

Study design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

All injuries sustained by players with a first-team contract were recorded by the medical staff of each club, from the 2004 throughout the 2007 season. An injury was registered if the player was unable to take fully part in football activity or match play.

Results

A total of 668 match injuries, 526 on grass and 142 on artificial turf, were recorded. The overall acute match injury incidence was 17.1 (95% CI 15.8 to 18.4) per 1000 match hours; 17.0 (95% CI 15.6 to 18.5) on grass and 17.6 (95% CI 14.7 to 20.5) on artificial turf. Correspondingly, the incidence for training injuries was 1.8 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0); 1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.0) on grass and 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.2) on artificial turf respectively. No significant difference was observed in injury location, type or severity between turf types.

Conclusion

No significant differences were detected in injury rate or pattern between 3GAT and NG in Norwegian male professional football.
A NONLINEAR DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE OF WOLFRAM'S NEW KIND OF SCIENCE PART XIV: MORE BERNOULLI στ-SHIFT RULES
Authors: CHUA LEON O. , PAZIENZA GIOVANNI E.
Published: September 2010

Over the past eight years, we have studied one of the simplest, yet extremely interesting, dynamical systems; namely, the one-dimensional binary Cellular Automata. The most remarkable results have been presented in a series of papers which is concluded by the present article. The final stop of our odyssey is devoted to the analysis of the second half of the 30 Bernoulli στ-shift rules, which constitute the largest among the six groups in which we classified the 256 local rules. For all these 15 rules, we present the basin-tree diagrams obtained by using each bit string with L ≤ 8 as initial state, a summary of the characteristics of their ω-limit orbits, and the space-time patterns generated from the superstring. Also, in the last section we summarize the main results we obtained by means of our "nonlinear dynamics perspective".
CONSTRUCTION OF CHAOTIC MAPS ON NONCONVEX SPACES — A SOLUTION TO A CSK DECIPHERING PROBLEM
Authors: MANJUNATH G. , FOURNIER-PRUNARET D.
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we propose a solution to one of the problems raised by the authors [Manjunath & Fournier-Prunaret, 2009a] with regard to a deciphering issue in the chaos shift keying technique. Here, we construct maps on nonconvex spaces using a class of chaotic maps on the (closed) unit square and prove that they exhibit chaos. The constructed maps serve as a practical solution to control the deciphering errors in chaos shift keying.
STABLE STATIONARY STATES OF NON-LOCAL INTERACTION EQUATIONS
Authors: FELLNER KLEMENS , RAOUL GAËL
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we are interested in the large-time behaviour of a solution to a non-local interaction equation, where a density of particles/individuals evolves subject to an interaction potential and an external potential. It is known that for regular interaction potentials, stable stationary states of these equations are generically finite sums of Dirac masses.

For a finite sum of Dirac masses, we give (i) a condition to be a stationary state, (ii) two necessary conditions of linear stability w.r.t. shifts and reallocations of individual Dirac masses, and (iii) show that these linear stability conditions imply local non-linear stability. Finally, we show that for regular repulsive interaction potential Wεconverging to a singular repulsive interaction potential W, the Dirac-type stationary states [Formula: see text] approximate weakly a unique stationary state [Formula: see text]. We illustrate our results with numerical examples.
ON COMPUTING KAUFFMAN BRACKET POLYNOMIAL OF MONTESINOS LINKS
Authors: JIN XIAN'AN , ZHANG FUJI
Published: September 2010

It is well known that Jones polynomial (hence, Kauffman bracket polynomial) of links is, in general, hard to compute. By now, Jones polynomials or Kauffman bracket polynomials of many link families have been computed, see [4, 7–11]. In recent years, the computer algebra (Maple) techniques were used to calculate link polynomials for various link families, see [7, 12–14]. In this paper, we try to design a maple program to calculate the explicit expression of the Kauffman bracket polynomial of Montesinos links. We first introduce a family of "ring of tangles" links, which includes Montesinos links as a special subfamily. Then, we provide a closed-form formula of Kauffman bracket polynomial for a "ring of tangles" link in terms of Kauffman bracket polynomials of the numerators and denominators of the tangles building the link. Finally, using this formula and known results on rational links, the Maple program is designed.
EFFECTS OF ACTUATOR IMPACT ON THE NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF A VALVELESS PUMPING SYSTEM
Authors: YANG TIAN-SHIANG , WANG CHI-CHUNG
Published: September 2010

Valveless pumping assists in fluid transport in various biomedical and engineering systems. Here we focus on one factor that has often been overlooked in previous studies of valveless pumping, namely the impact that a compression actuator exerts upon the pliant part of the system when they collide. In particular, a fluid-filled closed-loop system is considered, which consists of two distensible reservoirs connected by two rigid tubes, with one of the reservoirs compressed by an actuator at a prescribed frequency. A lumped-parameter model with constant coefficients accounting for mass and momentum balance in the system is constructed. Based on such a model, a mean flow in the fluid loop can only be produced by system asymmetry and the nonlinear effects associated with actuator impact. Through asymptotic and numerical solutions of the model, a systematic parameter study is carried out, thereby revealing the rich and complex system dynamics that strongly depends upon the driving frequency of the actuator and other geometrical and material properties of the system. The driving frequency dependence of the mean flowrate in the fluid loop and that of the mean reservoir pressures also are examined for a number of representative cases.
DOUBLE-HINGED ARTICULATED OFFSHORE TOWER UNDER SEISMIC EXCITATION
Authors: ISLAM NAZRUL , HASAN SYED DANISH , AHMAD SUHAIL
Published: September 2010

The seismic response and reliability analysis of a double-hinged articulated offshore tower under the action of sea waves, currents, and earthquakes have been investigated. Major nonlinearities associated with the system such as large deformation, variable submergence, drag force, and added mass have been incorporated. The responses are obtained by spectral analyses using El Centro earthquake ground motion records. The equations of motion are formulated by Lagrangian approach and solved by Newmark β integration scheme. A limit-state function for seismic demands at the universal joint has been derived. Using the derived limit-state function and the responses obtained after the dynamic analysis, reliability assessment of the critical joint has been carried out with a probabilistic method. The results of the study show that the earthquake response investigations are quite crucial for target-based probabilistic design of the articulated system, as seismic sea environment imposes significant demands for the survival of the tower.
RESPONSE OF CONCRETE DAMS ON RIGID AND SOIL FOUNDATIONS UNDER EARTHQUAKE LOADING
Authors: SALEH S. , MADABHUSHI S. P. G.
Published: September 2010

Dynamic response of dams under earthquake loading depends on their foundation stiffness. Additional hydrodynamic pressures are generated not only by the ground motions but also due to the dynamic response of the dam to the ground motions. The magnitude and distribution of hydrodynamic pressures vary and these effect the deformation of dam which in turn influences the pressure. This paper aims at investigating the effect of dam–foundation interaction on the dynamic response and consequent development of hydrodynamic pressure on dam face using dynamic centrifuge modelling technique. From a series of centrifuge tests it was found that the inclusion of a flexible foundation significantly reduces the dynamic response of the dam. Significant correlation was also observed between the dynamic response of dams and the hydrodynamic pressures developed on their faces. Comparisons with theoretical hydrodynamic pressures show that Westergaard's equation gives a conservative estimation of hydrodynamic pressures during most nonresonant vibrations. Comparison with Chopra's method revealed that it severely underpredicts hydrodynamic pressures for low reservoir depths. However, it yields a reasonably good approximation of the hydrodynamic pressures for higher depth of reservoirs during nonresonant vibration.
ENERGY-BASED APPROACH TO ESTIMATE SEISMIC DEMANDS FOR ASYMMETRIC BUILDINGS
Authors: TABATABAEI RAMIN , SAFFARI HAMED
Published: September 2010

In this paper, an energy-based approach to estimate the inelastic response of buildings is presented. In order to estimate torsional effects on the seismic response of structure, the associated plastic mechanism is developed in the three-dimensional model using an adapted version of the DRAIN-3DX program. The changing dynamic properties due to plastic mechanism are used for the calculation of modal lateral loads. Thus, the effects of both stiffness changes and localized response mechanisms at the structure under modal loading are included. The total input energy due to seismic loading is composed of both work done by (1) lateral force pattern acting through the translation displacement and (2) torsion acting through the rotation of each floor. For assessment of the seismic response of asymmetric buildings, the proposed procedure is shown to provide superior results compared to those obtained through deployment of the other methods commonly used: the adaptive modal combination (AMC) procedure, the modal pushover analysis (MPA), and the response history analysis (RHA) approach.
Using hydrochemistry and environmental isotopes to define the groundwater system of the Ain Maghara Spring, Jordan
Authors: El‐Naser H. , Subah A.
Published: September 2010

A in Maghara spring is an important historical water supply for agriculture in the Jordan Valley region near the Dead Sea, and is of increasing importance for industry. In the last decade, a number of deep wells have been drilled in the area to supplement industrial needs. There is concern that exploitation of the deep aquifer system (Disi/Kurnub) and shallower alluvial aquifer may adversely affect the discharge or water quality of Ain Maghara spring. Stable isotope data, geochemistry, and
14
C age dating all suggest that current water abstraction does not have a strong impact on the quantity or quality of water discharging from the spring. However, due to the increasing industrial demand for water, it would be prudent to continue the monitoring of geochemistry and isotope hydrology of the spring and surrounding wells to permit early identification of any changes in the hydrogeology of Ain Maghara spring.
Locating dissolution features in the Chalk
Authors: Matthews M. C. , Clayton C. R. I. , Rigby‐Jones J.
Published: September 2010

Dissolution features are common in the Chalk and may result in differential or collapse settlement of foundations if undetected. Dissolution pipes and cavities may be easily missed by conventional drilling methods. Probing and geophysical methods of investigation offer an attractive alternative due to their ability to cover large areas rapidly and thus minimize cost. The success of geophysical methods depends on many factors, principally the size of the feature in relation to the depth of burial and the cover material. This paper describes a study of dynamic probing and a number of geophysical methods used to locate dissolution features at two sites with contrasting ground conditions. The first site contained a bowl‐shaped doline over a clay‐filled dissolution pipe beneath a relatively thin soil cover. At the second site there was a thick, predominantly granular cover material that contained cavities which had migrated from dissolution pipes in the chalk below. Ground truth data from trenching was obtained to provide a basis for evaluating the investigation methods used. The ability of both dynamic probing and geophysical methods to locate and map dissolution features is discussed.
Comparison of suction and oedometer methods for the measurement of swell pressure
Authors: Cokca Erdal
Published: September 2010

In this paper, a thermocouple psychrometric technique is used to measure soil suction and assess the reliability of a swell pressure prediction method. Kaolinite–bentonite clay mixtures were prepared to obtain expansive soils with a wide range of plasticities. Suction measurements using thermocouple psychrometers and constant volume swell tests in oedometers were made on statically compacted specimens. Soil suction–water content relationships were evaluated. The results indicate a linear relationship between the logarithm of initial soil suction and swell pressure measured in the oedometer. It has been shown that the method proposed by Johnson & Snethen for the prediction of swell pressure using suction measurements overestimates the ultimate swell pressure.
Seabed imaging using a computer mapping package: an example from Dorset
Authors: Badman T. D. , Gravelle M. A. , Davis G. M.
Published: September 2010

Bathymetry data may be processed through a computer mapping package to produce 3D and false‐colour images useful in the interpretation of seabed geology and morphology. The value of the data is thereby enhanced and more detailed and more precise interpretations may be gained than from traditional contour‐based bathymetric mapping alone. The principal benefits to geological interpretation are the speed and ease with which the data may be processed to produce highly visual images of the seabed in which geological features may be identified immediately.
South Shore Cliffs, Whitehaven—Geomorphological survey and emergency cliff stabilization works
Authors: Boggett A. D. , Mapplebeck N. J. , Cullen R. J.
Published: September 2010

Following a period of intense rainfall during the winter of 1996/1997, a sliding rock failure occurred along a section of the Whitehaven coastline, West Cumbria. A detailed geomorphological mapping exercise and risk assessment was carried out along a 1 km section of coastline which identified several other potentially unstable areas. A combination of the geological structure and site history has promoted instabilities. Emergency remedial works for the failing rock unit were undertaken in January 1998. The emergency works comprised the removal of all loose materials by hand and the breaking up of rock using expansive grout techniques.
The UKWIR methodology for the determination of outputs of groundwater sources: a review
Authors: Beeson S.
Published: September 2010

The UKWIR methodology for the determination of groundwater source outputs was developed in order to provide a standard, relatively simple and auditable means of assessing outputs from the wide range of groundwater source types and aquifers in the UK for a variety of water level and demand conditions. New case studies are presented which illustrate aspects of the methodology and its flexibility. The cases derive from use of the methodology by the author at over 150 well sources in response to the Environment Agency’s ‘Reassessment of Water Company Yields’. The methodology can be adapted to include refinements, such as transposition to account for changes in regional abstraction, the use of a pump curve instead of a single value of pump capacity, and adaptation of the analytical approach to allow for unequal pumping from wells at a multiple source. Topics for discussion include: choosing between the options, the plotting of operational bounding curves, definition of the deepest advisable pumping water level, data requirements, refinements to the analytical approach, drought and demand, determining the average day peak week, the group licence constraint, and assessment gradings.
Uncertainties in rainfall-induced landslide hazard
Authors: Chowdhury Robin , Flentje Phil
Published: September 2010

The paper addresses the main uncertainties associated with the occurrence of rainfall induced landslides. Spatial variability of site conditions, local geology and rainfall contributes significantly to the uncertainty of landslide hazard. Urban landslide problems require the management of slopes of marginal stability. Assessment of hazard, vulnerability and risk require the use of observational approaches, the analysis of rainfall data and the relationship between rainfall magnitudes on the one hand and slope movement on the other. Details of research carried out in the Illawarra area of New South Wales, Australia are provided. Reference is made to the comprehensive database enabling the determination of landslide frequencies. The concept of antecedent rainfall percentage exceedence time (ARPET) is explained. The use of inferred threshold rainfall magnitudes for real-time prediction and warning is explained. Uncertainties concerned with this approach are explored with particular reference to rainfall distributions in the study area.
Extracting and answering why and why not questions about Java program output
Authors: Ko Amy J. , Myers Brad A.
Published: September 2010

When software developers want to understand the reason for a program's behavior, they must translate their questions about the behavior into a series of questions about code, speculating about the causes in the process. The Whyline is a new kind of debugging tool that avoids such speculation by instead enabling developers to select a question about program output from a set of “why did and why didn't” questions extracted from the program's code and execution. The tool then finds one or more possible explanations for the output in question. These explanations are derived using a static and dynamic slicing, precise call graphs, reachability analyses, and new algorithms for determining potential sources of values. Evaluations of the tool on two debugging tasks showed that developers with the Whyline were three times more successful and twice as fast at debugging, compared to developers with traditional breakpoint debuggers. The tool has the potential to simplify debugging and program understanding in many software development contexts.
An asynchronous multi-relay cooperation protocol exploiting rateless codes
Authors: Wang Xijun , Chen Wei , Cao Zhigang
Published: September 2010

Multi-relay cooperation, which can highly improve the link quality, is shown to be a promising approach for emerging wireless networks. This paper proposes an Asynchronous Multi-Relay Cooperation (AMRC) protocol using rateless codes in order to enhance the bandwidth efficiency of multi-relay transmissions. The protocol performance is analyzed and optimized so as to achieve the maximal end-to-end throughput.
On coding concurrent transmissions in wireless networks
Authors: Lakshmanan Sriram , Tsao Cheng-Lin , Sivakumar Raghupathy
Published: September 2010

In this paper we identify a specific class of collisions called asymmetric collisions where the nature of collisions is different at the receivers of the colliding signals. We show that, with appropriate handling, asymmetric collisions allow the receiver to decode its intended reception successfully. Due to the natural combining of signals from multiple senders, the received symbol can be represented as a function of the transmitted symbols fc. We identify this property of concurrent coded wireless transmissions and propose a solution called collision coding to leverage such collisions.
Consumers' Views of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Information
Authors: McBride Colleen M. , Wade Christopher H. , Kaphingst Kimberly A.
Published: September 2010

In this report, we describe the evolution and types of genetic information provided directly to consumers, discuss potential advantages and disadvantages of these products, and review research evaluating consumer responses to direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing. The available evidence to date has focused on predictive tests and does not suggest that individuals, health care providers, or health care systems have been harmed by a DTC provision of genetic information. An understanding of consumer responses to susceptibility tests has lagged behind. The Multiplex Initiative is presented as a case study of research to understand consumers' responses to DTC susceptibility tests. Three priority areas are recommended for accelerated research activities to inform public policy regarding DTC genetic information: (a) exploring consumer's long-term responses to DTC genetic testing on a comprehensive set of outcomes, (b) evaluating optimal services to support decision making about genetic testing, and (c) evaluating best practices in promoting genetic competencies among health providers.
Patents in Genomics and Human Genetics
Authors: Cook-Deegan Robert , Heaney Christopher
Published: September 2010

Genomics and human genetics are scientifically fundamental and commercially valuable. These fields grew to prominence in an era of growth in government and nonprofit research funding, and of even greater growth of privately funded research and development in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Patents on DNA technologies are a central feature of this story, illustrating how patent law adapts—and sometimes fails to adapt—to emerging genomic technologies. In instrumentation and for therapeutic proteins, patents have largely played their traditional role of inducing investment in engineering and product development, including expensive postdiscovery clinical research to prove safety and efficacy. Patents on methods and DNA sequences relevant to clinical genetic testing show less evidence of benefits and more evidence of problems and impediments, largely attributable to university exclusive licensing practices. Whole-genome sequencing will confront uncertainty about infringing granted patents, but jurisprudence trends away from upholding the broadest and potentially most troublesome patent claims.
Regulatory Environmental Federalism
Authors: Dijkstra Bouwe R. , Fredriksson Per G.
Published: September 2010

This survey encompasses multiple areas. The theoretical literature on environmental federalism continues to expand in areas such as capital competition and political economy. On the empirical side, emphasis is put on the existence of strategic interaction among states, the effects of President Reagan's decentralization of environmental policy, and possible free-riding behavior. Moreover, the European Union is currently conducting a major policy experiment with its emissions trading scheme, which has implications for policy making in federal systems.
The Life Satisfaction Approach to Environmental Valuation
Authors: Frey Bruno S. , Luechinger Simon , Stutzer Alois
Published: September 2010

In many countries, environmental policies and regulations are implemented to improve environmental quality and thus individuals' well-being. However, how do individuals value the environment? In this paper, we review the life satisfaction approach (LSA), which represents a new nonmarket valuation technique. The LSA builds on the recent development of subjective well-being research in economics and takes measures of reported life satisfaction as an empirical approximation to individual welfare. Microeconometric life satisfaction functions are estimated, taking into account environmental conditions along with income and other covariates. The estimated coefficients for the environmental good and income can then be used to calculate the implicit willingness to pay for the environmental good.
Costs of Mitigating Climate Change in the United States
Authors: Winchester Niven , Paltsev Sergey , Morris Jennifer , Reilly John
Published: September 2010

We consider the large range of estimated costs of meeting U.S. climate policy targets. Some of this range is due to different studies using different cost measures, and in principle such differences could be eliminated by more careful comparisons and greater transparency in studies that estimate costs. Still another source of differences is how the proposed policy is represented. Here, again, this source of difference could be reduced by more careful comparison and by better definition of implementation details. Even if these sources of difference could be eliminated, there would remain substantial uncertainties because of the difficulties of projecting economic activity over the long horizon of proposed policies. We show the importance of several of these factors, using a consistent modeling framework.
Carotid baroreflex control of arterial blood pressure at rest and during dynamic exercise in aging humans
Authors: Fisher James P. , Kim Areum , Young Colin N. , Fadel Paul J.
Published: September 2010

The arterial baroreflex is fundamental for evoking and maintaining appropriate cardiovascular adjustments to exercise. We sought to investigate how aging influences carotid baroreflex regulation of blood pressure (BP) during dynamic exercise. BP and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded at rest and during leg cycling performed at 50% HR reserve in 15 young (22 ± 1 yr) and 11 older (61 ± 2 yr) healthy subjects. Five-second pulses of neck pressure and neck suction from +40 to −80 Torr were applied to determine the full carotid baroreflex stimulus response curve and examine baroreflex resetting during exercise. Although the maximal gain of the modeled stimulus response curve was similar in both groups at rest and during exercise, in older subjects the operating point (OP) was located further away from the centering point (CP) and toward the reflex threshold, both at rest (OP minus CP; −10 ± 3 older vs. 0 ± 2 young mmHg, P < 0.05) and during exercise (OP minus CP; −10 ± 2 older vs. 1 ± 3 young mmHg, P < 0.05). In agreement, older subjects demonstrated a reduced BP response to neck pressure (simulated carotid hypotension) and a greater BP response to neck suction (simulated carotid hypertension). In addition, the magnitude of the upward and rightward resetting of the carotid baroreflex-BP stimulus response curve with exercise was ∼40% greater in older individuals. These data indicate that despite a maintained maximal gain, the ability of the carotid baroreflex to defend against a hypotensive challenge is reduced, whereas responses to hypertensive stimuli are greater with advanced age, both at rest and during exercise.
Tile-Ippokratis: The Experience of an Ehealth Platform for the Provision of Health Care Services in the Island of Chios and Cyprus
Authors: Papadopoulos Homer
Published: September 2010

Tile-Ippokratis proposed an integrated platform for the provision of low-cost ehealth services to citizens in southeast Mediterranean area (Island of Chios and Cyprus). The aim of the paper is to present the architecture, the design, and the evaluation results of this platform. The platform based on already evaluated state-of-the-art mobile ehealth systems and using wireless and terrestrial telecommunication networks is able to provide the following health care services: (i) telecollaboration and teleconsultation services between health care personnel and between health care personnel and patients and (ii) ehealth services for “at risk” citizens such as elderly and patients with chronic diseases (Island of Chios) and postsurgery patients (Cyprus). The ehealth systems supported capabilities for vital signal measurements (ECG 1 lead, SPO2, HR, BP, weight, and temperature), an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) infrastructure, and video conference, along with communication gateways for data transmission over ADSL, GPRS, and WLAN networks.
Relevance of Serum Leptin and Leptin-Receptor Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Koch Alexander , Weiskirchen Ralf , Zimmermann Henning W. , Sanson Edouard , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank
Published: September 2010

The adipocyte-derived cytokine leptin was implicated to link inflammation and metabolic alterations. We investigated the potential role of leptin components in critically ill patients, because systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia are common features of critical illness. Upon admission to Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), free leptin and soluble leptin-receptor serum concentrations were determined in 137 critically ill patients (95 with sepsis, 42 without sepsis) and 26 healthy controls. Serum leptin or leptin-receptor did not differ between patients or controls and were independent of sepsis. However, serum leptin was closely associated with obesity and diabetes and clearly correlated with markers of metabolism and liver function. Leptin-receptor was an unfavourable prognostic indicator, associated with mortality during three years follow-up. Our study indicates a functional role of leptin in the pathogenesis of severe illness and emphasizes the impact of complex metabolic alterations on the clinical outcome of critically ill patients.
Decreased Expression of T-Cell Costimulatory Molecule CD28 on CD4 and CD8 T Cells of Mexican Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Bernal-Fernandez German , Espinosa-Cueto Patricia , Leyva-Meza Rosario , Mancilla Nathalie , Mancilla Raul
Published: September 2010

Patients with tuberculosis frequently develop anergy, a state of T-cell hyporesponsiveness in which defective T-cell costimulation could be a factor. To know if the expression of T-cell costimulatory molecules was altered in tuberculosis, we analyzed the peripheral blood T-cell phenotype of 23 Mexican patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. There was severe CD4 (P<.001) and CD8 (P<.01) lymphopenia and upregulation of costimulatory molecule CD30 on CD4 and CD8 T cells (P<.05); this increase was higher in relapsing tuberculosis. The main finding was severe downregulation of the major costimulatory molecule CD28 on both CD8 and CD4 T cells (P<.001). Depletion of the CD4/CD28 subset, a hitherto undescribed finding, is relevant because CD4 T cells constitute the main arm of the cell-mediated antimycobacterial immune response.