bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platinum Complexes of Aromatic Selenolates
Authors: Fuller Amy L. , Knight Fergus R. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Woollins J. Derek
Published: July 2010

Several synthetic methods are used to prepare naphthalene‐based aromatic 1,2‐diselenoles. A new one‐pot synthesis starting from naphthalene is used to produce theknown compound naphtho[1,8‐c,d][1,2]diselenole (Se2naph).Friedel–Crafts alkylation is used on Se2naph to substitute either one tert‐butyl group to form 2‐tert‐butylnaphtho[1,8‐c,d][1,2]diselenole (mt‐Se2naph) or two tert‐butyl groups to form 2,7‐di‐tert‐butylnaphtho[1,8‐c,d][1,2]diselenole (dt‐Se2naph). Bromination of mt‐Se2naph results in dibromination of the naphthalene ring, rather than reaction at selenium, to give 4,7‐dibromo‐2‐tert‐butylnaphtho[1,8‐c,d][1,2]diselenole (mt‐Se2naphBr2). Reduction of the Se–Se bond in Se2naph, mt‐Se2naph, dibenzo[c,e][1,2]diselenine (dibenzSe2), or diphenyl diselenide (Se2Ph2) with LiBEt3 H, followed by in‐situ addition of [PtCl2{P(OPh)3}2] yields the four‐coordinate mono‐ and dinuclear platinum(II) bis(phosphite) complexes [Pt(Se2naph){P(OPh)3}2] (1), [Pt(mt‐Se2naph){P(OPh)3}2] (2), [Pt2(dibenzSe2)2{P(OPh)3}2] (3), cis‐[Pt(SePh)2{P(OPh)3}2] (4), and trans‐[Pt2(SePh)4{P(OPh)3}2] (5).
Synthetic Routes and Plasmonic Properties of Noble Metal Nanoplates
Authors: Pastoriza‐Santos Isabel , Alvarez‐Puebla Ramón A. , Liz‐Marzán Luis M.
Published: July 2010

This article provides an overview of recent research on the synthesis and surface‐plasmon‐related properties of noble metal nanoplates. The first part is dedicated to summarizing the most relevant wet‐chemical and physical synthetic protocols that have been used to obtain Au and Ag nanotriangles/nanoplates in high yield, with a discussion of the formation mechanisms proposed by the different authors. Finally, we present a description of the characteristic optical properties of nanoparticles with this particular morphology, in relation with the possibility of exciting different surface plasmon modes and concentrating high electromagnetic fields atcertain areas, which is important for applications in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
One‐step characterization of triacylglycerols from animal fat by MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Picariello Gianluca , Sacchi Raffaele , Addeo Francesco
Published: July 2010

Comparative characterization of milk fat, lard, and beef tallow triacylglycerols (TAG) has been achieved by using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). The samples formed characteristic patterns, with major TAG signals differing in quantity and intensity according to the fat. In milk fat, the significant contribution of short‐chain fatty acids (C4–C10) extends the TAG number to the C20–C60 range. In lard and beef tallow, C12–C18 fatty acids restrict the range to C48–C54, also typical of vegetable oils. Fats originating from ruminants contain odd TAG missing in lard. Signature TAG were identified for each animal fat. C20–C46 specifically fingerprint milk fat; 52:5, 54:5 and 54:6 TAG mark lard; and 55:0, 55:1, 55:2 and 54:0 TAG typify beef tallow. Fats were also analyzed after hydrogenation or bromination; hydrogenation helped to fingerprint the low‐abundant long‐chain TAG and to distinguish short‐chain native TAG from collision‐induced fragments; bromination allowed clear separation of saturated and unsaturated TAG. Differences in the fatty acid composition amongst homologous isobaric TAG of different structures were identified by post‐source decay analysis of hydrogenated precursors. MALDI‐TOF has proven advantageous for simultaneously detecting TAG at various unsaturation degrees within different TAG classes (Cn). The data provide insight into animal fat differentiation on a molecular basis, increasing the analytical description to a new level, proving the so far underestimated capacity of MALDI‐TOF MS in this field.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Regioselective C–H Bond ortho‐Acetoxylation of Arylpyrimidines
Authors: Zheng Xiaojian , Song Bingrui , Xu Bin
Published: July 2010

An efficient and regioselective palladium‐catalyzed orthoC–H acetoxylation reaction was developed to afford ortho monoacetoxylated arylpyrimidines in good to excellent yields by using cupric trifluoroacetate as a cocatalyst. A wide variety of oxygenated arylpyrimidines were prepared with high regioselectivity and functional group tolerance.
Minority influence and psycho‐social identity
Authors: Mugny Gabriel , Papastamou Stamos
Published: July 2010

Social influence mechanisms are considered as also relevant to intergroup dynamics. In a social influence situation, approaching or retreating from the source's position also involves accepting or rejecting psycho‐social identification with the source, implicating self‐attribution of the set of characteristics stereotypical of the category or categories to which the source belongs. This conception allows one to account for some of the difficulties encountered by minorities in their attempts to diffuse innovations.

An experiment illustrates this conception of influence. It is shown that the influence of a minority is greater when subjects are led to believe that they have in common with the minority numerous category memberships (five out of eight presented) than when they think they share fewer (one out of eight). The difference between these two inductions is, as expected, revealed to be most marked when the source is rigid and for those subjects displaying opinions already relatively close to those of the source and for whom therefore the matter of psycho‐social identification is more salient.
The effects of psychological security and insecurity on political attitudes and leadership preferences
Authors: Gillath Omri , Hart Joshua
Published: July 2010

Recent research from different perspectives suggests that uncertainty, mortality salience (MS), and other fundamental threats that cause feelings of insecurity motivate people to adhere to specific kinds of anxiety‐reducing political attitudes and values. In the current studies, we examined a complementary prediction that providing people with an alternative source of security would reduce their need to defend against insecurity, resulting in lower endorsement of the anxiety‐reducing political attitudes. Results supported this prediction, showing that security primes buffered or reversed the effects of insecurity and threats on political attitudes and leadership preferences. Participants primed with attachment security showed reduced liking of a strong, charismatic political candidate (Study 1), and lower support for the Iraq war, even in the face of mortality reminders (Study 2). We discuss these findings in the context of research on motivated social cognition, political psychology, and the effects of security and insecurity on attitudes and behaviors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The moderating role of extrinsic contingency focus on reactions to threat
Authors: Williams Todd , Schimel Jeff , Hayes Joseph , Martens Andy
Published: July 2010

Over the last decade a number of theorists have advanced a multifaceted conceptualization of self‐esteem. Central to this idea is the notion that self‐esteem is less secure and more defensive when individuals are more focused on extrinsic contingencies. To test the hypothesis that individuals with high dispositional levels of extrinsic contingency focus (ECF) are insecure and respond defensively to threat, we developed a measure of ECF and conducted two validation studies. Study 1 showed that the extrinsic contingency focus scale (ECFS) was positively correlated with measures of defensiveness and was negatively correlated with measures of security and well‐being. Study 2 showed that people with a high (vs. low) focus on extrinsic contingencies were more likely to defensively distance from a socially insensitive person following negative feedback about their own social sensitivity. Study 3 showed that when mortality (vs. dental pain) was salient, high ECF individuals responded more defensively toward a worldview violator than low ECF individuals. Discussion is focused on theoretical issues related to ECF and defensiveness. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen Peroxide on Poly(m‐toluidine)‐Nickel Modified Carbon Paste Electrode in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Ojani Reza , Raoof Jahan‐Bakhsh , Babazadeh Roghaieh
Published: July 2010

The poly(m‐toluidine) film was prepared by using the repeated potential cycling technique in an acidic solution at the surface of carbon paste electrode. Then transition metal ions of Ni(II) were incorporated to the polymer by immersion of the modified electrode in a 0.2 M NiSO4, also the electrochemical characterization of this modified electrode exhibits stable redox behavior of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple. The electrocatalytic ability of Ni(II)/poly(m‐toluidine)/modified carbon paste electrode (Ni/PMT/MCPE) was demonstrated by electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide with cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods in the alkaline solution. The effects of scan rate and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the anodic peak height of hydrogen peroxide oxidation were also investigated. The catalytic oxidation peak current showed two linear ranges with different slopes dependent on the hydrogen peroxide concentration and the lower detection limit was 6.5 μM (S/N=3). The catalytic reaction rate constant, (kh), was calculated 5.5×102 M−1 s−1 by the data of chronoamperometry. This modified electrode has many advantages such as simple preparation procedure, good reproducibility and high catalytic activity toward the hydrogen peroxide oxidation. This method was also applied as a simple method for routine control and can be employed directly without any pretreatment or separation for analysis cosmetics products.
Direct Electrochemical Determination of Glyphosate at Copper Phthalocyanine/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Film Electrodes
Authors: Moraes Fernando C. , Mascaro Lucia H. , Machado Sergio A. S. , Brett Christopher M. A.
Published: July 2010

A copper phthalocyanine/multiwalled carbon nanotube film‐modified glassy carbon electrode has been used for the determination of the herbicide glyphosate (Gly) at −50 mV vs. SCE by electrochemical oxidation using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that Gly is adsorbed on the metallic centre of the copper phthalocyanine molecule, with formation of Gly‐copper ion complexes. An analytical method was developed using DPV in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution, without any pretreatment steps: Gly was determined in the concentration range of 0.83–9.90 μmol L−1, with detection limit 12.2 nmol L−1 (2.02 μg L−1).
Use of a Voltammetric Electronic Tongue for Detection and Classification of Nerve Agent Mimics
Authors: Campos Inmaculada , Gil Luis , Martínez‐Mañez Ramón , Soto Juan , Vivancos José‐Luis
Published: July 2010

An electronic tongue (ET) based on pulse voltammetry has been used to predict the presence of nerve agent mimics in aqueous environments. The electronic tongue array consists of eight working electrodes (Au, Pt, Ir, Rh, Cu, Co, Ni and Ag) encapsulated on a stainless steel cylinder. Studies including principal component analysis (PCA), artificial neural networks (fuzzy ARTMAP) and partial least square techniques (PLS) have been applied for data management and prediction models. For instance the electronic tongue is able to discriminate the presence of the nerve agent simulants diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP) and diethyl cyanophosphate (DCNP) from the presence of other organophosphorous derivatives in water. Finally, PLS data analysis using a system of 3 compounds and 3 concentration levels shows a good accuracy in concentration prediction for DCP and DCNP in aqueous environments.
Construction of an efficient Escherichia coli cell‐free system for in vitro expression of several kinds of proteins
Authors: Ma Rongrong , Yang Zhong , Huang Lei , Zhu Xiangcheng , Kai Lei , Cai Jin , Wang Xiaoning , Xu Zhinan
Published: July 2010

Cell‐free protein synthesis systems have offered several advantages over traditional cell‐based expression methods. In this study, the effects of extract preparation and an energy‐regenerating system on protein synthesis were investigated in an Escherichia coli cell‐free system. The results indicated that the expression level of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) with the S12 extract was higher than that with the S30 extract. Among four adenosine triphosphate‐regenerating sources, the cAMP/CP/CK system (including cAMP, creatine phosphate, and creatine kinase) proved to be the most efficient one to support high‐level expression of eGFP. Further studies showed that this established cell‐free system could be successfully used to produce one model protein (eGFP), two human proteins (AK2 and coenzyme synthase) and two membrane proteins (subunit b of F1F0 adenosine triphosphate synthase and aquaporin Z). This outcome will be helpful to develop the highly efficient cell‐free technology for the production of various proteins with different bio‐origins.
Ozone is mutagenic in salmonella
Authors: Dillon Deborah , Combes Robert , McConville Malcolm , Zeiger Errol
Published: July 2010

Ozone is a highly reactive gas that has been tested for genotoxicity in a number of systems. Induced genetic damage resulting from ozone treatment may not be readily observed because of the high toxicity of the chemical and difficulties in generating and administering controlled concentrations. The mutagenicity of ozone was investigated in Salmonella typhimurium using a plate test protocol designed for reactive vapours and gases. Ozone, at two to three consecutive doses, induced weak, albeit statistically significant, mutagenic responses in tester strain TA102 with and without Aroclor‐induced rat liver S9 (lowest effective mean concentration of 0.019 ppm; 35 min total exposure). However, dose‐related responses were not always obtained. No mutagenicity was detected in strains TA98, TA100, or TA1535, with or without S9. In strain TA104, ozone induced a weak response only at a single dose with S9; this response was not reproducible. Mutagenicity was dependent on the ozone flow rate and total exposure time, with variations in the optimum dose‐time regimen leading to toxicity or complete inactivity. The data show that ozone is a very weak bacterial mutagen and only when tested under narrowly prescribed, subtoxic dosing conditions.
Ill‐conditioned information matrices, generalized linear models and estimation of the effects of acid rain
Authors: Smith Eric P. , Marx Brian D.
Published: July 2010

The problem of acid rain deposition has generated much interest in the modelling and estimation of the effects of acid rain. Recent studies in the northeastern United States have focused on the question of trends in lake acidity and the effects on aquatic organisms, especially fish. One approach has been to model the presence or absence of fish species as a function of relevant environmental variables. As the number of these explanatory variables may be large, there is concern about redundancies and collinearities. Because the model used is a special case of generalized linear models, standard approaches to assessment and adjustment for collinearity may be misleading. Estimation of parameters in the generalized linear model involve an interative method of solution. The important parameter is the information matrix. Illconditioning of this matrix, as caused by collinearity has severe effects on parameter and variance estimates. To asssess the effects of collinearities, some new diagnostics are presented. Two techniques for estimating parameters in the presence of multicollinearity; the ridge estimator and the principal component method, are extended to the generalized linear model.
Finnish lake acidification survey: Survey design and random selection of lakes
Authors: Forsius Martin , Malin Väinö , Mäkinen Irma , Kämäri Juha , Kortelainen Pirkko , Verta Matti
Published: July 2010

A survey of 1,189 lakes was conducted in the fall of 1987 as part of the Finnish Research Project on Acidification (HAPRO). Most of the lakes for the survey (n=987) were randomly selected by a two‐stage cluster sampling from two separate subregions, together covering the whole country. Lakes of sizes 0.01‐10 km2 were included in the statistical sampling of the southern and central regions (Subregion 1). In northern Finland (Subregion 2) only lakes of sizes 0.1‐10 km2 were included. The statistical sampling “frame” in each subregion consisted of the number of lakes in the grid net formed from a series of topographic maps with a scale of 1:50,000 (20X30 km2). The total number of maps was 472 in Subregion 1 and 175 in Subregion 2. In the first sampling stage, 100 maps were selected from Subregion 1 and 25 maps from Subregion 2, using the “probability proportional to size (pps)” method, selection of the maps being weighted by lake density. In the second sampling stage, all of the lakes with a size within the determined size range were numbered and eight lakes chosen by systematic random sampling from each previously selected map. A further 202 mainly head water lakes examined in previous acidification studies were also included. Water samples were taken from the surface layer (1m) of the lakes during fall overturn in 1987. An extensive analytical program was carried out on each lake‐water sample. Major watershed characteristics have been determined from topographic and soil maps. The statistically based survey design allows estimates to be made of the proportion of lakes fulfilling any predetermined criteria and the corresponding variances. The number of acidic (acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) ⩽ 0 μeq L‐1) lakes in Finland was estimated to be 4,900.
Design of a soil sampling study to determine the habitability of the emergency declaration area, Love Canal, New York
Authors: Peterson Bruce , Millard Steven P. , Wood Eric F. , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: July 2010

Love Canal is a 6.4 hectare tract, originally an uncompleted power canal, which was used for disposal of industrial chemicals in the 1940's and 1950's. The canal was later filled, and a school and residences were built on the site. Following a highly publicized discovery of contaminant migration from the canal in the 1970's, the school and nearby homes were demolished. Determination of the habitability of about 800 homes evacuated by Presidential order in 1980 in the surrounding Love Canal Emergency Declaration Area (EDA), was a highly visible environmental policy decision. The soil habitability study for the EDA was based on two‐sample comparisons of concentrations of eight trace organic indicators (Love Canal Indicator ChemicalsMdashLCICs) in EDA neighborhoods with selected comparison areas (CAs). The power of the statistical procedure (s) was an explicit criterion in the design of the study on which the habitability decision was based.

Monte Carlo experiments were used to evaluate the relative performance of candidate statistical tests. The Monte Carlo simulations led to a recommendation for a pilot study to better identify the statistical characteristics of the soil chemical data. Analysis of the pilot study data, collected in the spring of 1986, suggested 1) that Monte Carlo experiments should be focused on univariate and multivariate Wilcoxon tests, 2) that a log normal mixture distribution provided reasonable fits to the observed data and could be used to evaluate a wide range of alternative hypotheses, and 3) that between‐laboratory variation would have to be explicitly addressed by the statistical test(s) and in experimental design. The test that was finally selected was a generalization of the Wilcoxon rank sum test for blocking by laboratory.

The univariate (single chemical) and multivariate (multiple chemical) blocked Wilcoxon tests were applied to all combinations of EDA sampling areas and comparison areas using field data collected in the fall of 1987. For most comparisons and chemicals, the EDA sampling areas were found not to have significantly higher soil LCIC concentrations than the comparison areas. However, a few EDA sampling areas showed consistently higher concentrations for several LCICs. The multivariate test was particularly useful in avoiding the multiple comparison problem with respect to soil chemicals. Based in part on the results of the soil sampling study, the New York State Commissioner of Health, in September 1988, identified EDA neighborhoods that were suitable for rehabitation. Although the decision was made in a policy framework, the specific recommendations were consistent with the results of the statistical analyses.
What can environmetrics offer?
Authors: Jakeman A. J.
Published: July 2010

Environmetrics is a discipline involving statistical methods in the environmental sciences. It could also be interpreted more broadly to include the development and application of quantitative methods for the treatment of environmental problems. This broader interpretation widens the appeal of The International Environmetrics Societies, allowing it the option to be more transdisciplinary in its activities. The paper demonstrates with a simple example involving rainfall‐runoff event modelling that the development of quantitative methods often involves non‐statistical issues. There is also a plea that TIES considers attracting the interests of social scientists.
A deterministic‐probabilistic approach for groundwater flow in a semiconfined random aquifer
Authors: Satish M. G. , Zhu J.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a stochastic procedure for the solution of groundwater flow through a random shallow semiconfined aquifer. Problems dealing with flow through a semiconfined aquifer with multiple random parameters subject to deterministic boundary conditions and domain recharge are investigated using perturbation techniques associated with boundary element methods. Both the transmissivity of the main aquifer and the resistance of the leaky layer are considered as random parameters. The perturbation boundary element method does not require specification of the probability density function of the parameters but only their expectations, variances and the covariance of the two parameters. To illustrate the applicability of the method, three simple numerical examples are presented. A one‐dimensional example is examined and compared with the exact solution, along with the perturbation solutions for two two‐dimensional flow problems.
Asymptotic confidence intervals from a preliminary test estimator
Authors: Ahmed S. E. , Kulperger R. J.
Published: July 2010

A preliminary test estimator is a method of combining information from two experiments in a problem of estimating a parameter. The asymptotics of this estimator in the case of estimating a population mean is considered in a setting of a local alternative. Asymptotic confidence intervals are obtained using the asymptotic distribution.
A note on a characterization of the generalized log‐logistic distribution
Authors: El‐Saidi Mohammed A. , Singh Karan P. , Bartolucci Alfred A.
Published: July 2010

The log‐logistic distribution (LLD) is very useful in a wide variety of applications, especially in the analysis of survival data (O'Quigley and Struthers 1982; Bennett 1983; Cox and Snell 1989). The LLD is very similar in shape to the log‐normal distribution, however it has the advantage of having simple algebraic expressions for its survivor and hazard functions and a closed form for its distribution function. It is therefore more convenient than the log‐normal distribution in handling censored data. However, due to the symmetry of the log‐logistic distribution, it may be inappropriate for modelling censored survival date, especially for the cases where the hazard rate is skewed or heavily tailed. In this article we present a generalization of the LLD and refer to this as the generalized log‐logistic distribution (GLLD). The suggested GLLD reflects the skewness and the structure of the heavy tail and generally shows some improvement over the LLD. In addition, we generalize a result characterizing the log‐logistic distribution given by Shoukri, Mian, and Tracy (1988) and introduce two characterization theorems of the GLLD.
Assessing and modelling changes in rainfall erosivity at different climate scales
Authors: Diodato N. , Bellocchi G.
Published: July 2010

An understanding of the weather drivers of soil erosion necessitates an extended instrumental meteorological series and knowledge of the processes linking climate and hydrology. The nature of such linkages remains poorly understood for the Mediterranean region. This gap is addressed through a composite analysis of long‐term climatic controls on rain erosivity in the Calore River Basin (southern Italy) for the period 1869–2006. Based on a parsimonious interpretation of rainstorm processes, a model (comparable with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) was adapted to generate erosivity values on different time‐aggregation scales (yearly and seasonal). The evolution of the generated series of cumulated and extreme erosivity events was assessed by two return period (T) quantiles via a 22‐year moving window analysis (low return period, T = 2 years; high return period, T = 50 years). Erosivity extremes are shown to be characterized by increasing yearly trends (at a 100‐year rate of ∼150 MJ mm ha–1 h–1 for T = 2 years and ∼800 MJ mm ha–1 h–1 for T = 50 years), especially during the spring and autumn seasons. Quantile patterns on the extremes are also shown to be decoupled from trends in the cumulated values. The Buishand test was applied to detect the presence of temporal change points, and a wavelet spectrum analysis used for time‐frequency localization of climate signals. A change‐point in the evolution of climate is revealed over the 1970s in the spring series, which correlates to a distinct rain erosivity increase. The results indicate that soil erosion risk tends to rise as a consequence of an escalation of the climate erosive hazard, predominantly between April and November (associated with cultivation and tillage practices). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glacier reconstruction and mass‐balance modelling as a geomorphic and palaeoclimatic tool
Authors: Carr Simon J. , Lukas Sven , Mills Stephanie C.
Published: July 2010

The reconstruction of former mountain glaciers has long been used to examine the implications of rapid climate shifts, for example at the last glacial–interglacial transition, and for evaluating asynchronous behaviour of mountain glaciers compared with mid‐latitude ice sheets during the Late Quaternary. Glacier reconstruction has also been used as a source of palaeoclimatic information, based on the recognition of empirical relationships between glaciers and climate. This paper reviews the application and implications of a recently revised method of glacier reconstruction (Carr and Coleman, 2007), based around glaciological principles of mass‐balance. This study examines how this approach can be used to test geomorphological interpretations of former mountain glaciation and also to infer precipitation fields at sites of former glaciation. Sites of Younger Dryas niche and icefield glaciation in the British Isles demonstrate how this method can verify interpretations of marginal glaciation and begin to understand the different behaviour of outlet glaciers within the same environmental regime. Examination of a site of former niche glaciation in Southern Africa demonstrates how glacier reconstruction may be used to infer annual and seasonal precipitation values and strongly supports the idea that winter precipitation in Lesotho and SE South Africa was substantially greater than present‐day values during the last glacial cycle. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field and laboratory studies on alpine soil erodibility, southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Authors: Summer Rebecca M.
Published: July 2010

Soil erodibility has been studied on the alpine tundra of Trail Ridge in the southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Field experiments were conducted using a portable rainfall simulator to estimate an erodibility index (grams of detached soil per unit area) at 71 sites. The index determined on eight soil types allowed discrimination of a high erodibility group (mean index of 18.9 g), moderate or transitional group (mean index of 10.1 g), and one low group (mean index of 4.5 g). Laboratory measurements of physical propertiesMdashtexture, water absorption capacity, organic carbon, and aggregationMdashwere compared with the erodibility index and results of simple and multiple regressions showed that 29 per cent of the variance in erodibility is explained by the measured variables, the strongest correlation (r=0.42) being associated with aggregation. Unexplained variability (71 per cent) may be due in part to unmeasured soil properties, non‐linearity in the data, random processes, bias, and experimental error. These correlations represent a beginning in understanding factors influencing alpine soil erodibility. The results suggest that field measurement is still the most satisfactory method of estimating an erodibility index and that laboratory surrogates for this index are not readily applicable in this environment.
Spatial and seasonal aspects of beach stability
Authors: Carr A. P. , Blackley M. W. L. , King H. L.
Published: July 2010

Recent work at three contrasting sites in England and Wales has shown characteristics atypical of those frequently reported elsewhere. These differences are:

(a) Taking each entire beach system there is no uniform trend of erosion or accretion, nor a progressive variation in beach elevation or volume alongshore, from one survey to the next. However, for Swansea Bay the ‘long‐term’ (i. e. 18 months) range in profile height along that stretch of coast where the alignment of the beach is normal to the direction of wave approach, correlates well with computed wave energy derived from relevant offshore wave directions.

(b) While beach variability is greatest during the ‘winter’ (i. e. storm) period there is no overall tendency for a drawdown of sediment from the intertidal zone at that time. Response times are relatively short. Thus high beach levels need not necessarily be associated with ‘summer’ conditions.

(c) Although in Swansea Bay there is a tendency for the beach height to fluctuate least at mid‐tide level this is not true of the other two sites. In no area does sediment eroded from the upper exposed part of the beach regularly appear to be deposited on the lower exposed part, or vice versa.
A comment on the continuity equation model of slope profile development and its boundary conditions
Authors: Armstrong Adrian C.
Published: July 2010

The constant base boundary condition used by Kirkby to derive characteristic form solutions to the continuity equation are unlikely in practice. Constant form solutions relying on constant basal erosion are however more probable.
Height distortion and the sedimentation of dust on topographic scale models: Considerations and simulations
Authors: Goossens Dirk
Published: July 2010

The study focuses on the effect of height distortion of a scale model on the sedimentation of natural dust (loess) on that model, when dust storm simulation experiments are conducted in a wind tunel. A scale model of a very simple topographic feature (symmetrical hill) has been used first. Both the air‐flow field over the hill and the loess deposition pattern on the hill are examined in detail for four different height distortion cases. Later on, the effect of height distortion in complex topography in discussed.

The results of the experiments indicate that height distortion has an important effect on both the air‐flow field and the loess sedimentation pattern. Height distortion must therefore, in principle, be avoided, unless it is necessary to meet the flow simulation requirements during the experiment or to intensity the contrasts in the sedimentation pattern on the scale model surface.

For complex, hilly topography, a not‐too‐excessive height distortion may be allowable (especially in the case of very high horizontal scale reductions), but for open areas, where topographic features are situated relatively far from each other, great care must be taken in extrapolating wind tunnel results to the field.
Development of formulated reference sediments for freshwater and estuarine sediment testing
Authors: Suedel Burton C. , Rodgers John H.
Published: July 2010

Sediments collected at various field locations may have chemical and physical constituents that influence test results and may contain organisms that cannot be readily removed. Thus, reference sediments are needed that can be formulated to match diverse freshwater and estuarine sediments encountered in comprehensive testing programs. This research evaluated formulated reference sediments in terms of (a) their ability to match field-collected sediments both chemically and physically; (b) their suitability as habitat (survival and reproduction) for typical invertebrate toxicity testing species (Hyalella azteca Saussure, Chironomus tentans Fabricius, and Daphnia magna Straus) during chronic exposures; and (c) their suitability as a substrate for Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard, and Pimephales promelas Rafinesque in 14-d whole-sediment exposures. Formulated reference sediments were prepared to match naturally occurring sediments with respect to particle-size distribution, organic matter, organic carbon, pH, solids, CEC, but not redox potential. After preparation, a conditioning period of at least 7 d was required for pH stabilization of formulated reference sediments. In culture experiments, formulated reference sediment was suitable for Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Daphnia magna survival and reproduction for 56, 40, and 28 d, respectively. Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas survival was ≥88% in 14-d exposures to formulated reference sediment. Formulated reference sediments may reduce some unexplained physical, chemical, or biological “toxicity” of field-collected sediments (e.g., organic matter) that may influence toxicity testing results.
Comparison of in vitro digestive fluid extraction and traditional in vivo approaches as measures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioavailability from sediments
Authors: Weston Donald P , Mayer Lawrence M
Published: July 2010

The bioavailability of particle-associated contaminants was measured by a new approach that employs the digestive fluid of deposit feeders to solubilize contaminants in vitro. The proportion of contaminant solubilized by digestive fluid of the polychaete Arenicola brasiliensis was considered a measure of bioavailability and was contrasted with other, more traditional measures (i.e., uptake clearance, bioaccumulation factor, and absorption efficiency). There was generally good agreement among the four methods on the relative bioavailability of benzo[a]pyrene from six sandy sediments. Measures of phenanthrene bioavailability did not show strong correlations due to both a more limited data set and perhaps greater importance of uptake from the dissolved phase. The bioavailability of spiked polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) differed from that of equivalent in situ–contaminated PAH but not in a predictable and consistent manner. By direct measurement of PAH content of recently ingested sediments collected from the foregut, we were able to quantify the importance of particle-selective feeding in increasing PAH content of ingested material relative to the bulk, ambient sediments. In most instances, the effect of selective feeding by A. brasiliensis was minimal, increasing PAH content of ingested material <20% above the ambient sediments. Absorption efficiencies of PAH during gut passage were determined by direct measurement of PAH concentration in sediments at various points along the digestive tract. Overall digestive absorption efficiencies were similar to the extent of in vitro solubilization by digestive fluids from the same sediments. These data suggest that extent of solubilization of sediment-bound contaminants during gut passage is a critical constraint on uptake and that absorption efficiency, with respect to the solubilized fraction, approaches 100%.
Modeling the vertical distribution of carbendazim in sediments
Authors: Koelmans Albert A , Hubert Edith , Koopman Hendrikus W , Portielje Robert , Crum Steven JH
Published: July 2010

The sorption, fate, and vertical distribution of the fungicide Derosal ® with active ingredient carbendazim in sediments were investigated in indoor freshwater microcosms. Carbendazim penetration in the sediment was measured as a function of time and depth. Freundlich sorption parameters were determined by batchwise equilibration of carbendazim in a sediment suspension. Freundlich parameters were Kf = 258 μg(1-n)Ln/kg and n = 0.78. Analysis of different layers of sediment cores showed a slow penetration of carbendazim in the first 6 cm of the sediment in 60 d. The penetration was successfully simulated with a multilayer model accounting for sorption to organic matter (using the measured isotherm), molecular diffusion, biodegradation, and bioturbation. The calibrated model was most sensitive to the parameters for molecular diffusion and sorption in the sediment. Bioturbation did not affect the carbendazim profiles because of carbendazim toxicity for bioturbators. So there was a direct feedback between carbendazim toxicity and fate. The calibrated model was validated using a dataset obtained from another freshwater microcosm.
Parallel Processing Architecture for Subband Coding Using DSPs
Authors: Fazekas K.
Published: July 2010

In the last decades, several new requirements came into being: progressive image transmission, compatible coding, layered coding for networks. The solutions of these problems are related to splitting the input image signal into required parts and to effective coding these subimages. The wavelet theory and the subband techniques are used in most cases for real time realizations. In these cases, solely VLSI ICs and parallel processing methods are applicable. In this paper the basic conception of an experimental parallel processing codec using high performance DSPs (AT&T DSP32C) is described. The aim of this unit is to make possible the investigations of the several subband coding algorithms of image and speech codecs in real time.
Rapeseed: Constituents and protein products Part 2: Preparation and properties of protein‐enriched products
Authors: Mieth G. , Brückner J. , Kroll J. , Pohl J.
Published: July 2010

The Literature is reviewed about the preparation and functional properties and application of defatted meals, protein concentrates and isolates of Brassica seeds. Especially the influence of physico‐chemical, microbiological and enzymatical treatments is represented on antinutritional compounds, glucosinolates, their splitting products and phytic acid.
Availability of essential amino acids in corn flour and corn bread
Authors: El‐Shafei Malak M. , Abbassi Mahassen H. , Bassily Nargis S. , Said Amin K.
Published: July 2010

The availability of nitrogen, lysine and 9 essential amino acids was determined in corn before and after baking. Lysine availability was determined by the growth response method on weaning rats using regression analysis of body weight gain or moisture gain against lysine consumed from corn flour and corn bread. The results show a high correlation between lysine consumed and weight gain or moisture gain (r = 0.95) for rats fed the standard diets for 3 weeks. A good correlation was also obtained for corn bread. The results of lysine availability show that baking greatly improves availability by both ways of calculation.

The availability of nitrogen and essential amino acids were also investigated by the balance trials with rats. Results show that availability values for nitrogen and all amino acids except threonine increased by baking. Data for food intake, weight gain, food efficiency, PER, NPR and true digestibility revealed that baking had little or no effect on nutritive value of corn tested in this investigation.
A Comparison of Box—Jenkins and objective methods for determining the order of a non‐seasonal ARMA Model
Authors: Beveridge Steve , Oickle Cyril
Published: July 2010

This paper evaluates different procedures for selecting the order of a non‐seasonal ARMA model. Specifically, it compares the forecasting accuracy of models developed by the personalized Box‐Jenkins (BJ) methodology with models chosen by numerous automatic procedures. The study uses real series modelled by experts (textbook authors) in the BJ approach. Our results show that many objective selection criteria provide structures equal or superior to the time‐consuming BJ method. For the sets of data used in this study, we also examine the influence of parsimony in time‐series forecasting. Defining what models are too large or too small is sensitive to the forecast horizon. Automatic techniques that select the best models for forecasting are similar in size to BJ models although they often disagree on model order.
Forecasting car expenditures using household survey data
Authors: Jonsson Bo , Ågren Anders
Published: July 2010

Surveys collecting data on consumer attitudes and buying intentions have been performed in Sweden since 1973. This paper examines the usefulness of these data as quick indicators of the development of household expenditures on automobiles. In the evaluation we are considering the explanatory power as well as the prediction accuracy. It turns out that the best single indicator is among the plan indices. However, an indicator based on car registration statistics is found to be at least as good. By combining plan/attitude indices with car registrations our study shows that considerable improvements can be obtained.
Rituximab in advanced rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Guida Michael
Published: July 2010

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) continues to have a major impact on public health. Costs to the individual and to the NHS are high, and treatment options for RA are by no means perfect. This article reviews rituximab, an agent that interrupts inflammatory events via a novel mode of action, and shows promise as a new intervention in cases of moderate to severe RA. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sorafenib: advances in targeted therapy for renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Hawkins Robert E , Thistlethwaite Fiona C
Published: July 2010

Sorafenib is the first dual action oral multi‐kinase inhibitor to target serine/threonine and receptor tyrosine kinases in both the tumour cell and the tumour vasculature. Phase II studies and now the largest ever phase III study in advanced renal cell cancer suggest that sorafenib will be a valuable new therapy for patients with kidney cancer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Study of PEM Fuel Cell Models for Integration in Propulsion Systems of Urban Public Transport
Authors: Garcia P. , Fernández L. M. , Garcia C. A. , Jurado F.
Published: July 2010

Steady state and dynamic simulations are performed in order to compare the models. Considering the external response of FC system integrated in the tramway hybrid system, both reduced models show similar results with an important reduction of computation time with respect to the complete model. However, the reduced model 1 shows better results than the reduced model 2 when representing the internal behaviour of FC system, so that this model is considered the most appropriate for propulsion system applications.
‘Nanohybrid Capacitor’: The Next Generation Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Naoi K.
Published: July 2010

Conventional electric double layer capacitors (EDLC) designed with two symmetrical activated carbon electrodes can deliver substantially more power than similar size Li‐ion batteries. There is presently a major effort to increase the energy density of EDLC s up to a target value in the vicinity of 20‐30 Wh kg–1.The present review article deals with the recent contributions to get this high energy density and new approaches that have been made to increase the withstanding voltage of the EDLCs. Important alternative approach to meet this goal that is under serious investigation is to develop an asymmetric (hybrid) capacitors. Hybrid capacitor systems are the promising approach to meet the goal to effectively increase the energy density. The investigation is to develop hybrid capacitors has been initiated by Li‐ion capacitors. And, now Nanohybrid capacitor certainly achieves as high energy density as Li‐ion capacitors with higher stability, higher safety and higher productivity. This is the new lithium‐ion based hybrid capacitor using the lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) negative intercalation electrode that can operate at unusually high current densities. The high‐rate Li4Ti5O12 negative electrode has a unique nano‐structure consisting of unusually small nano‐crystalline Li4Ti5O12 nucleated and grafted onto carbon nano‐fiber anchors (nc‐Li4Ti5O12/CNF).
Local‐scale adaptations: A modeled assessment of soil, landscape, microclimatic, and management factors in Norse home‐field productivities
Authors: Adderley W. Paul , Simpson Ian A. , Vésteinsson Orri
Published: July 2010

Adaptation of farming practices to inherent site conditions was essential to the success of Norse colonization in pristine landscapes. A key factor in the initial success of colonization, or landnám, of Iceland was management of the area adjacent to the domestic dwelling, the home‐field, to provide fodder for over‐wintering livestock. In this paper we examine three settlement home‐fields in the Mývatn and Laxá valley area of northeast Iceland. Contemporary evidence reveals a distinct climatic toposequence together with differences in the nature of the inherent soils between sites. By considering the influence of these differences, microscale adaptations in early land management practices in the production of hay are sought within a tightly defined chronological context. Using an integrated agroecosystem modeling approach, the factors affecting long‐term sustainability of hay production in the Norse home‐field are examined. Results indicate that regional‐level climate differences will have an impact on production, especially pronounced cold periods. It is also clear that small‐scale climate factors, as well as inherent soil differences between sites influenced productivity for the Norse farmer. However, productivities overall are at subsistence level, emphasizing the need for optimized land management to sustain home‐field production. After examining different management scenarios, it is apparent that the effect of an increased rate of manuring will be most apparent during the first century of settlement; thereafter the effect is relatively diminished. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The stratigraphic implications of long‐term terrace agriculture in dynamic landscapes: Polycyclic terracing from Kythera Island, Greece
Authors: Krahtopoulou Athanasia , Frederick Charles
Published: July 2010

Geoarchaeological work in conjunction with the Kythera Island Project indicates that significant portions of the island are now or have at some time been terraced. Geoarchaeological observations and local historical records confirm extensive terracing during the last few centuries. Detailed stratigraphic, soil, and sediment analysis along with radiocarbon dating suggest, however, that some of the slopes and small drainages of the island were terraced more than once and that this relatively recent phase of terracing followed earlier efforts, some dating to the early second millennium B.C. (Bronze Age). During each phase of slope organization significant amounts of soil were moved locally on the slopes. Polycyclic terracing has, therefore, interesting implications for surface survey visibility, preservation of archaeological record, early agricultural landscapes and soils, and past land use, as well as for interpretation of local records of Holocene sediment mobilization and valley alluviation. Geoarchaeological investigation of terraces may reveal unique archaeological information not available in urban or village dwelling sites. Early features, such as those reported in this paper, however, usually remain hidden due to the remarkable lack of stratigraphic investigations of non‐site landscapes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.