bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epoxy/Silica Nanocomposites: Nanoparticle‐Induced Cure Kinetics and Microstructure
Authors: Rosso Patrick , Ye Lin
Published: January 2007

This study reveals the influence of silica nanoparticles on the cure reactions of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin. As soon as the silica nanoparticles are added to the neat resin (1, 3, and 5 vol.‐%), the total degree of conversion increases with an increasing amount of nanoparticles, and the cure reaction shows a more complex autocatalytic behaviour, which can not be described by a traditional kinetic model. Results from subsequent thermo‐mechanical analyses confirm an alteration in the microstructure attributable only to the presence of the nanoparticles in the curing stage. An amino‐rich interphase around the reactive treated particles is formed, which shifts the resin/hardener ratio, and benefits the homopolymerization of the epoxy and leads to a more highly crosslinked epoxy network. At the same time, the nanophase consists of a core‐shell structure with the rigid particle inside and a rubber‐like shell because of the excess hardener in this region.

TEM image of two neighboring silica nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix showing a 2–3 nm altered interphase region.

magnified image

TEM image of two neighboring silica nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix showing a 2–3 nm altered interphase region.
A New Type of Macroscopically Oriented Smectic‐A Liquid Crystal Elastomer
Authors: Komp Ansgar , Finkelmann Heino
Published: January 2007

Smectic‐A liquid single crystal elastomers (SA‐LSCE) are materials where the rubber elasticity of the polymer network is combined with the one‐dimensional positional long‐range order of mesogenic groups which are covalently attached to the network. In the systems investigated so far, a mechanical deformation of the network causes significant reorientation processes of the layered structure. We present a new type of SA‐LSCE in which this structure remains unaffected on mechanical deformation both parallel and perpendicular to the director. The thermoelastic behavior, macroscopic dimensions, and stress–strain measurements parallel as well as perpendicular to the director are investigated. X‐ray studies confirm that a deformation parallel and perpendicular to the layer normal does not alter the macroscopically ordered lamellar structure with respect to the order parameter and the layer correlation length. We propose a simple picture where defects within the lamellar structure might account for these findings.

magnified image
Swelling and Dissolution of Cellulose Part II: Free Floating Cotton and Wood Fibres in NaOH–Water–Additives Systems
Authors: Cuissinat Celine , Navard Patrick
Published: January 2007

Summary: The swelling and dissolution mechanisms of native cotton and wood cellulose fibres in NaOH–water are studied. The cellulose fibres exhibit a heterogeneous swelling by ballooning in the best dissolving conditions (−5 °C, 7.6% of NaOH). This corresponds to the mode 3 of the swelling‐dissolution (see companion paper). In this region of the mixture phase diagram, cellulose is only dissolved inside the balloons. A lot of insoluble parts are present. Increasing the temperature and/or the content of NaOH decreases the quality of the solvent. In this case, the cellulose fibres do not show ballooning, but only a homogeneous swelling (mode 4). Three components are tested as additives: urea, zinc oxide and N‐methylmorpholine– N–oxide (NMMO). The swelling and dissolution mechanisms in NaOH‐water and NaOH–water–additives stay the same. Adding urea to NaOH‐water (−5 °C, 7.6% of NaOH) gives the same ballooning mechanisms, but with a larger expansion of the balloons, indicating that the solvent is better. Zinc oxide does not increase the expansion of the balloons, but the kinetics of swelling is faster. NMMO acts as a dissolution inhibitor.
Regioselectively Functionalized Cellulose Derivatives: A Mini Review
Authors: Koschella Andreas , Fenn Dominik , Illy Nicolas , Heinze Thomas
Published: January 2007

Summary: The paper reviews recent developments in synthesis and characterization of regioselectively functionalized cellulose derivatives. It demonstrates the importance of protecting groups like triphenylmethyl‐ and thexyldimethylsilyl (TDMS) ethers in cellulose chemistry. The protected cellulose derivatives can be used for the preparation of 2,3‐O‐functionalized polymers. Moreover, the TDMS group opens up the synthesis of 3‐O‐ethers of cellulose that possess interesting properties in terms of structure in solution, water‐solubility, and thermoreversible gelation.
A New Kinetic Model for Water Sorption Isotherms of Cellulosic Materials
Authors: Kohler Robert , Alex Rainer , Brielmann Renate , Ausperger Bernhard
Published: January 2007

Summary: Some natural fibres like flax, hemp and others show excellent mechanical properties which make them a promising choice for the reinforcement of polymers. For natural fibre reinforced composites, hydrophilicity is a problem with respect to dimensional changes, fibre to matrix adhesion and long term stability. The interaction of differently prepared and modified fibres with water vapour has been investigated by dynamic vapour sorption. It has been found that the sorption and desorption kinetics of cellulosic fibres can be excellently fitted by assuming two parallel, independent first order processes. This empirical model, defined here as the “Parallel Exponential Kinetics” model (PEK‐model), reveals two distinct mechanisms with slow and fast exchange of water vapour respectively, related to different sorption sites. The specific sorption mechanisms are represented by individual sorption‐desorption isotherms as components of the total isotherms. The results suggest a relation to the differing types of amorphous regions in the fibres and/or to the different states of “bound” or “free” water, discussed for hydrophilic materials. The PEK‐model proved to be consistently applicable for sorption and desorption over the whole humidity range, and also for all tested cellulose fibres. It is especially useful for a clearer distinction of different fibre types or modifications and can be successfully used for an extended fibre characterization.
Novel Thermoplastic Composites from Commodity Polymers and Man‐Made Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Fink Hans‐Peter , Ganster Johannes
Published: January 2007

Summary: A new class of fibre reinforced commodity thermoplastics suited for injection moulding and direct processing applications has been developed using man‐made cellulosic fibres (Rayon tire yarn, Tencel, Viscose, Carbacell) and thermoplastic commodity polymers, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) as the matrix polymer. For compounding, a specially adapted double pultrusion technique has been employed which provides composites with homogeneously distributed fibres. Extensive investigations were performed with Rayon reinforced PP in view of applications in the automotive industry. The Rayon‐PP composite is characterized by high strength and an excellent impact behaviour as compared with glass fibre reinforced PP, thus permitting applications in the field of engineering thermoplastics such as polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends (PC/ABS). With the PP based composites the influence of material parameters (e.g. fibre type and load, coupling agent) were studied and it has been demonstrated how to tailor the desired composite properties as modulus and heat distortion temperature (HDT) by varying the fibre type or adding inorganic fillers. Man‐made cellulose fibers are also suitable for the reinforcement of further thermoplastic commodity polymers with appropriate processing temperatures. In case of PE modulus and strength are tripled compared to the neat resin while Charpy impact strength is increased five‐fold. For HIPS mainly strength and stiffness are increased, while for TPE the property profile is changed completely. With Rayon reinforced PLA, a fully biogenic and biodegradable composite with excellent mechanical properties including highly improved impact strength is presented.
Aerocellulose: Aerogels and Aerogel‐like Materials made from Cellulose
Authors: Innerlohinger Josef , Weber Hedda K. , Kraft Gregor
Published: January 2007

Summary: Cellulose aerogels have been prepared starting from cellulose‐NMMO solutions via the classical aerogel‐path. Different cellulosic materials have been tested and their influence on the properties of the product aerogels has been studied. Other parameters that have been varied include solution composition as well as the way of cellulose regeneration (solvent and temperature). More than 300 different samples were prepared and analysed. Their density is in a typical range from 0.02 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3 and their internal surface area ranges from 100 m2/g to 400 m2/g. Another property investigated in detail beside density and internal surface area was the shrinkage of the cellulosic bodies during the production process.
Nanoparticle Modified Cellulose Fibres
Authors: Melle Jürgen , Mooz Micheal , Meister Frank
Published: January 2007

Summary: The dissolution of cellulose in N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide monohydrate exhibits a remarkable acceptance towards well ground organic or inorganic additives up to high concentrations. Particle sizes generally in the lower micrometer range have been the most common features of all additives applied up to now. With the assumption, that it would succeed to exploit the capabilities to a surface and matrix manipulation already described for combinations of synthetic fibres and polymer bulk materials for cellulose as well, then very interesting opportunities for the development of shaped cellulosic bodies would result that possess improved product characteristics. Inorganic, hydrophilic nanoclays and different organic modified nanoparticles of various manufacturers were chosen for the investigation. The effect of the different nanoparticle types on the matrix structure after the incorporation was determined by means of X‐ray wide angle scattering. Nanoadditives did not influence the structural formation of cellulose shapes significantly. Compared to a film forming process, in case of fibre spinning it was found that the nanoclays obviously underwent a preferred orientation as a result of the solvent extraction after a dry‐wet extrusion process.
An oncogenetic tree model in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) identifies different pathways of cytogenetic evolution with prognostic implications
Authors: Gunawan B , von Heydebreck A , Sander B , Schulten H‐J , Haller F , Langer C , Armbrust T , Bollmann M , Gašparov S , Kovač D , Füzesi L
Published: January 2007

To model the cytogenetic evolution in gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), an oncogenetic tree model was reconstructed using comparative genomic hybridization data from 203 primary GISTs (116 gastric and 87 intestinal GISTs, including 151 newly analysed cases), with follow‐up available in 173 cases (mean 40 months; maximum 133 months). The oncogenetic tree model identified three major cytogenetic pathways: one initiated by − 14q, one by − 1p, and another by − 22q. The − 14q pathway mainly characterized gastric tumours with predominantly stable karyotypes and more favourable clinical course. On the other hand, the − 1p pathway was more characteristic of intestinal GISTs, with an increased capacity for cytogenetic complexity and more aggressive clinical course. Loss of 22q, more closely associated with − 1p than − 14q, appeared to initiate the critical transition to an unfavourable cytogenetic subpathway. This − 22q pathway included accumulation of + 8q, − 9p, and − 9q, which could all predict disease‐free survival in addition to tumour site. Thus, insights into the cytogenetic evolution obtained from oncogenetic tree models may eventually help to gain a better understanding of the heterogeneous site‐dependent biological behaviour of GISTs. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low levels of physical activity in back pain patients are associated with high levels of fear‐avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing
Authors: Elfving Britt , Andersson Teresia , Grooten Wilhelmus Ja
Published: January 2007

Background and Purpose. Fear‐avoidance beliefs are important determinants for disability in patients with non‐specific low‐back pain (LBP). The association with self‐reported level of physical activity is less known. The aim of the present study was to describe the level of physical activity in patients with chronic non‐specific LBP and its relation to fear‐avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing. Method. A cross‐sectional study on 64 patients with chronic non‐specific LBP in primary healthcare. The variables measured and the questionnaires used were: level of physical activity (six‐graded scale); activity limitations (Roland Morris Disability Questionnare (RDQ)); fear‐avoidance beliefs (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) 13‐item and sub‐scales ‘activity avoidance’ and ‘somatic focus’); and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)). The level of physical activity was dichotomised into low and high physical activity. Individual median scores on the TSK and PCS scales were used to group the patients into different levels of fear‐avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing. Univariate logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios for having low physical activity. Results. Patients with low physical activity had significantly higher scores in fear‐avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing (p < 0.05). Odds ratios for low level of physical activity were between 4 and 8 (p < 0.05) for patients with high fear‐avoidance beliefs or medium/high pain catastrophizing. Conclusions. This study indicates that it seems important for physiotherapists in primary care to measure levels of fear‐avoidance beliefs or pain catastrophizing. In particular, the two subscales of the TSK could be of real value for clinicians when making treatment decisions concerning physical exercise therapy for patients with chronic LBP. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical relevance using timed walk tests and ‘timed up and go’ testing in persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Nilsagard Ylva , Lundholm Cecilia , Gunnarsson Lars‐Gunnar , Denison Eva
Published: January 2007

Background and Purpose. One must understand the potentials and limitations of all tests used to evaluate interventions. The aim of the present study was to clarify the reproducibility, smallest percentage difference needed to be able to detect a genuine change and correlation regarding the 10‐m and 30‐m timed walks (10TW, 30TW) and the ‘timed up and go’ (TUG) test in people with moderate multiple sclerosis (MS). Method. A repeated‐measures design was used, with randomization into two groups and different time intervals used for testing. The 10TW and 30TW were performed three times and TUG twice at each testing. Self‐selected speed was used for 10TW and forced speed (quickly but safely) for 30TW and TUG. Forty‐three people were tested on three occasions within one week. Each person was tested at approximately the same time of the day and by the same physiotherapist on each occasion. Results. The reproducibility was very high. For a single testing occasion, the intraclass correlation was 0.97 for the 10TW and 0.98 for the 30TW and TUG. The smallest percentage difference needed to be able to detect a genuine change in the entire study group was approximately −23% or +31% for either the 10TW or TUG. It was evident from the 30TW testing results that lower values applied to those with less (−14% to +17%) rather than more (−38% or +60%) disability. The correlation between all tests for the entire study group was 0.85 (0.76–0.91). Conclusion. It is sufficient to use only one attempt and to choose only one of the tests when evaluating people with moderate MS. In the case of the 30TW, greater attention must be paid to the degree of disability when determining the smallest percentage difference needed to establish a genuine change, than with either the 10TW or TUG. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons. Ltd.
Antimicrobial efficiency and sorbic acid migration from active films into pastry dough
Authors: Silveira M. F. A. , Soares N. F. F. , Geraldine R. M. , Andrade N. J. , Gonçalves M. P. J.
Published: January 2007

Antimicrobial films of 25 and 70¯m thickness, incorporated with 7 and 3% sorbic acid, respectively, were layered with pastry dough without additive and evaluated for sorbic acid migration and antimicrobial efficiency. Pastry dough containing potassium sorbate layered with low‐density polyethylene films (LDPE) was used as a control. The films/pastry sandwiches were stored in LDPE bags at 8±1°C. After 40 days of storage, the dough layered with 25¯m/7% films showed a reduction of 2log cycles in the aerobic mesophilic count; however, there were no significant differences (p ≥0.05) for the psychotropic andStaphylococcus spp.counts. For the dough layered with 70¯m/3% films there were reductions of 2 and 1.5log cycles in the mesophilic and psychotropic counts, respectively. In the control dough, the aerobic mesophilic, psychotropic andStaphylococcus spp.counts increased by 1.5, 1 and 2log cycles, respectively. Regardless of the film, the counts of filamentous fungi, yeasts and coagulase‐positive staphylococcus were<1.0¥102CFU/g, whereas the coliform counts at 35 and 45°C, andEscherichia coliwere<3.0¥100NMP/g. The diffusion coefficients of the sorbic acid from the films into the dough had values in the order of 10‐18m2/s. There were no differences (p ≥0.05) between migration values among the films. The maximum additive release from the 25¯m/7% film into the dough after 20 days was 0.07%, and from the 70¯m/3% film after 9 days was 0.09%. Both values are below the maximum limit allowed by current legislation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moral decision‐making among professionals in the pharmaceutical industry: a ‘communities of practice’ model
Authors: Pearson Thomas D. , Aldridge James W. , Winkel Mark
Published: January 2007

Ethical decision‐making in a major USA pharmaceutical company was studied. One prevailing model for investigating professional ethics has been to assume that the professional domain itself is morally neutral, and that individuals simply deploy their own personal, privately held values within their professions. Our research, however, indicates that the professional context – which we describe by means of the current concept ‘communities of practice’ – plays a significant role in guiding how these researchers and project managers express their beliefs about what is appropriate behavior in their own profession. We further discovered that it is quite possible to overlook the influence of a community of practice in shaping a moral perspective, owing to differences in the way testing instruments frame the questions. We conclude that in organizations involving an identifiable community of professionals, Quality Assurance programs may face unnecessary obstacles if they neglect attention to the community's culture. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What's New?
Authors: Hattemer‐Apostel Rita
Published: January 2007

The What's New? section in the Quality Assurance Journal aims to draw attention to items of importance to QA professionals. There is usually a three‐month interval between final submission of manuscripts and distribution of the journal. For this issue, the entries in the What's New? section arise from the period of 1 June 2006 to 31 August 2006. If you feel that there is any other new information that should be brought to the attention of readers, please let us know by e‐mailing rha@verdandi.ch. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Torsions‐Querschnittswerte für rechteckige Hohlprofile nach EN 10210‐2:2006 und EN 10219‐2:2006
Authors: Rubin Helmut
Published: January 2007

Die neu erschienenen Normen EN 10210‐2:2006 und EN 10219‐2:2006 enthalten für die rechteckigen Hohlprofile das Torsionsträgheitsmoment und das Torsionswiderstandsmoment, welche zur Berechnung der Verformungen und Spannungen aus der primären Torsion (St. Venant‐Torsion) benötigt werden und ausreichend sind. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden darüber hinaus jene weiteren Querschnittswerte angegeben, die zur Berechnung der Wölbnormal‐ und Wölbschubspannungen aus der sekundären Torsion erforderlich sind. Diese Spannungen sind nicht vernachlässigbar, treten aber im wesentlichen nur an bestimmten Störstellen auf. Wie stets bei geschlossenen Querschnitten, müssen die sekundären Schubverformungen berücksichtigt werden.
Regen‐Wind‐induzierte Schwingungen – ein State‐of‐the‐Art Report
Authors: Peil Udo , Steiln Oliver
Published: January 2007

Regen‐Wind‐induzierte Schwingungen (RWIS) können bei gleichzeitigem Auftreten von Regen und Wind entstehen. Betroffen sind vor allem geneigte Seile von Schrägseilbrücken, geneigte Hänger von Bogenbrücken oder die Pardunen abgespannter Maste. Auf der Oberfläche dieser Bauteile läuft das Regenwasser, bedingt durch Schwerkraft und Wind, in Form kleiner Rinnsale herunter. Diese Rinnsale stören die Umströmung des in trockenem Zustand zylindrischen Querschnitts und verursachen eine veränderte, unsymmetrische Winddruckverteilung, die zu periodischen, schwingungsanregenden Kräften führt. Durch die Bewegung des Seils und durch die Windkräfte ist die Lage der Rinnsale auf der Seiloberfläche aber auch selbst periodisch veränderlich. Diese Konstellation kann zu aeroelastischer Anregung mit großen Schwingungsamplituden führen. RWIS können die Lebensdauer der betroffenen Bauwerke erheblich herabsetzen, da die Einsetzgeschwindigkeiten für RWIS deutlich unterhalb der Bemessungswindgeschwindigkeit liegen und somit eine relativ große Eintretenswahrscheinlichkeit haben. Im vorliegenden Report werden die bisherigen Erkenntnisse zu RWIS zusammengetragen und kommentiert.
Stabilität und Bemessung bisymmetrischer schlanker Stahlträger
Authors: Jankowiak Roman , Żmuda Jan
Published: January 2007

Der Beitrag behandelt den Einfluß der Geometrie eines Stahlträgerquerschnitts auf sein Grenzbiegemoment. Dabei wird eine vereinfachte Lösung unter Berücksichtigung des Einflusses des Biegedrillknickens und des lokalen Knickens angewendet. Untersucht wurden bisymmetrische frei gelagerte Träger, die an ihren Enden mit Momenten und mit verteilten oder einzelnen Lasten beansprucht wurden. Die Kräfte wurden in den Querschnitts‐Schwerpunkten eingebracht.

Geprüft wurde der Einfluß des globalen und lokalen Knickens von Trägern sowie des interaktiven globalen und lokalen Knickens der Flansche hinsichtlich der Grenzbiegemomente bisymmetrischer warmgewalzter Träger oder aus Stegblechteilen zusammengesetzten Trägern. Unter Berücksichtigung der Abminderungsfaktoren für globales und lokales Knicken wurden auch die Auswirkungen veränderter Breite und Dicke des beanspruchten Flansches auf das Grenzbiegemoment des Trägers beurteilt. Weiterhin wurden die effektivsten Flanschbreiten und ‐dicken hinsichtlich optimaler Nutzung ermittelt. Die Ergebnisse angenäherter Verfahren werden im Aufsatz mit den gemäß Eurocode 3 berechneten verglichen.

Ziel des Aufsatzes ist es, den Einfluß der Trägergeometrie und der Belastungsart auf sein Grenzbiegemoment darzustellen und unter Berücksichtigung des globalen und lokalen Knickens zu beurteilen. Dazu werden die Näherungslösungen und Formeln aus dem Eurocode 3 sowie aus der Norm PN‐90/B‐03200 genutzt.
Artificial neural networks for rice yield prediction in mountainous regions
Authors: JI B. , SUN Y. , YANG S. , WAN J.
Published: January 2007

Decision-making processes in agriculture often require reliable crop response models. The Fujian province of China is a mountainous region where weather aberrations such as typhoons, floods and droughts threaten rice production. Agricultural management specialists need simple and accurate estimation techniques to predict rice yields in the planning process. The objectives of the present study were to: (1) investigate whether artificial neural network (ANN) models could effectively predict Fujian rice yield for typical climatic conditions of the mountainous region, (2) evaluate ANN model performance relative to variations of developmental parameters and (3) compare the effectiveness of multiple linear regression models with ANN models. Models were developed using historical yield data at multiple locations throughout Fujian. Field-specific rainfall data and the weather variables (daily sunshine hours, daily solar radiation, daily temperature sum and daily wind speed) were used for each location. Adjusting ANN parameters such as learning rate and number of hidden nodes affected the accuracy of rice yield predictions. Optimal learning rates were between 0·71 and 0·90. Smaller data sets required fewer hidden nodes and lower learning rates in model optimization. ANN models consistently produced more accurate yield predictions than regression models. ANN rice grain yield models for Fujian resulted in R2 and RMSE of 0·87 and 891 vs 0·52 and 1977 for linear regression, respectively. Although more time consuming to develop than multiple linear regression models, ANN models proved to be superior for accurately predicting rice yields under typical Fujian climatic conditions.
The influence of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napusssp.oleiferavar.biennis) canopy size on grass weed growth and grass weed seed return
Authors: SIM L. C. , FROUD-WILLIAMS R. J. , GOODING M. J.
Published: January 2007

Four experiments conducted over three seasons (2002–05) at the Crops Research Unit, University of Reading, investigated effects of canopy management of autumn sown oilseed rape (Brassica napusL. ssp.oleiferavar.biennis(DC.) Metzg.) on competition with grass weeds. Emphasis was placed on the effect of the crop on the weeds.

Rape canopy size was manipulated using sowing date, seed rate and the application of autumn fertilizer.Lolium multiflorumLam.,L.×boucheanumKunth andAlopecurus myosuroidesHuds. were sown as indicative grass weeds.

The effects of sowing date, seed rate and autumn nitrogen on crop competitive ability were correlated with rape biomass and fractional interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by the rape floral layer, to the extent that by spring there was good evidence of crop: weed replacement.

An increase in seed rate up to the highest plant densities tested increased both rape biomass and competitiveness, e.g. in 2002/3,L. multiflorumhead density was reduced from 539 to 245 heads/m2and spikelet density from 13 170 to 5960 spikelets/m2when rape plant density was increased from 16 to 81 plants/m2. Spikelets/head ofLoliumspp. was little affected by rape seed rate, but the length of heads ofA. myosuroideswas reduced by 9% when plant density was increased from 29–51 plants/m2.

Autumn nitrogen increased rape biomass and reducedL. multiflorumhead density (415 and 336 heads/m2without and with autumn nitrogen, respectively) and spikelet density (9990 and 8220 spikelets/m2without and with autumn nitrogen, respectively). The number of spikelets/head was not significantly affected by autumn nitrogen.

Early sowing could increase biomass and competitiveness, but poor crop establishment sometimes overrode the effect. Where crop and weed establishment was similar for both sowing dates, a 2-week delay (i.e. early September to mid-September) increasedL. multiflorumhead density from 226 to 633 heads/m2and spikelet density from 5780 to 15 060 spikelets/m2.
The influence of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napusssp.oleiferavar.biennis) cultivar and grass genotype on the competitive balance between crop and grass weeds
Authors: SIM L. C. , FROUD-WILLIAMS R. J. , GOODING M. J.
Published: January 2007

Three experiments conducted over two years (2002–04) at the Crops Research Unit, University of Reading, investigated competition between autumn sown oilseed rape cultivars (Brassica napusL. ssp.oleiferavar.biennis(DC.) Metzg.) andLolium multiflorumLam.,L.×boucheanumKunth andAlopecurus myosuroidesHuds., sown as indicative grass weeds.

Rape cultivar (cv.) had a substantial effect on grass weed seed return. Over the six cultivars tested,L. multiflorumspikelet production ranged from just under 400 spikelets/m2in the presence of cv. Winner to nearly 5800 in competition with cv. Lutin. Cultivar competitiveness was associated with high biomass, large dense floral layers and early stem extension. There was some evidence of differential competitive tolerance between rape cultivars.

The results suggested that rape cultivars could be screened for competitiveness by measuring floral layer interception of photosynthetic active radiation.

L.×boucheanumcultivars varied in ability to compete with rape. In the absence of inter-specific competition, spikelet density was similar for Aberecho and Polly (circa31 000 spikelets/m2) but when grown with rape Polly outyielded Aberecho (i.e. 12 090 and 7990 spikelets/m2respectively).
Women over-winterers in Svalbard, 1898–1941
Authors: Nicol Susan
Published: January 2007

During the period of approximately forty years after 1898, a small number of Norwegian women chose to over-winter with their men folk who were trappers in Svalbard. Some were primarily engaged in a housekeeping role, while some were actively involved in hunting and trapping activities. Diaries and contemporary newspaper accounts provide interesting insights into the experiences and the perceptions of these women. This paper provides brief, but illustrative, examples drawn from transcripts of original material. Translations are by the author.
Hitler's Antarctic base: the myth and the reality
Authors: Summerhayes Colin , Beeching Peter
Published: January 2007

In January-February 1939, a secret German expedition visited Dronning (or Queen) Maud Land, Antarctica, apparently with the intention inter alia of establishing a base there. Between 1943 and 1945 the British launched a secret wartime Antarctic operation, code-named Tabarin. Men from the Special Air Services Regiment (SAS), Britain's covert forces for operating behind the lines, appeared to be involved. In July and August 1945, after the German surrender, two U-boats arrived in Argentina. Had they been to Antarctica to land Nazi treasure or officials? In the southern summer of 1946–1947, the US Navy appeared to ‘invade’ Antarctica using a large force. The operation, code-named Highjump, was classified confidential. In 1958, three nuclear weapons were exploded in the region, as part of another classified US operation, code-named Argus. Given the initial lack of information about these various activities, it is not, perhaps, surprising that some people would connect them to produce a pattern in which governments would be accused of suppressing information about ‘what really happened’, and would use these pieces of information to construct a myth of a large German base existing in Antarctica and of allied efforts to destroy it. Using background knowledge of Antarctica and information concerning these activities that has been published since the early 1940s, it is demonstrated: that the two U-Boats could not have reached Antarctica; that there was no secret wartime German base in Dronning Maud Land; that SAS troops did not attack the alleged German base; that the SAS men in the region at the time had civilian jobs; that Operation Highjump was designed to train the US Navy for a possible war with the Soviet Union in the Arctic, and not to attack an alleged German base in Antarctica; and that Operation Argus took place over the ocean more than 2000 km north of Dronning Maud Land. Activities that were classified have subsequently been declassified and it is no longer difficult to separate fact from fancy, despite the fact that many find it attractive not to do so.
The psychological costs of unsustainable housing commitments
Authors: TAYLOR MARK P. , PEVALIN DAVID J. , TODD JENNIFER
Published: January 2007

Background. The extended recession and stagnant housing market in the 1990s following the boom of the late 1980s resulted in more than half a million housing repossessions. This study explores the impact of unsustainable housing commitments on psychological well-being. We test the hypotheses that housing payment problems and housing arrears have adverse impacts on heads of households' psychological well-being over and above those caused by financial hardship more generally.

Method. Data came from the British Household Panel Survey 1991–2003 and the samples for analysis consist of: (1) 5651 male head of households producing 26618 person-year observations, and (2) 2534 female head of households producing 9091 person-year observations. Summary statistics and multivariate, fixed effects regression models are used. Mental health was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

Results. For male heads of households housing payment problems and entering arrears have significant detrimental effects on mental well-being and for female heads of households longer-term housing payment problems and arrears have significant detrimental effects on mental well-being. The sizes of these effects are in addition to and larger in magnitude than those associated with financial hardship more generally. The net effects appear to be relatively stable over the time of the panel data.

Conclusions. This study provides evidence that housing payment problems have independent psychological costs over and above those associated with general financial hardship. The magnitude of the effect is similar to that shown for marital breakdown and job loss.
Punk Rock as Popular Theatre
Authors: Double Oliver
Published: January 2007

Punk rock performance consciously draws on popular theatre forms such as music hall and stand-up comedy – as was exemplified on the occasion when Max Wall appeared with Ian Dury at the Hammersmith Odeon. Oliver Double traces the historical and stylistic connections between punk, music hall and stand-up, and argues that punk shows can be considered a form of popular theatre in their own right. He examines a wide range of punk bands and performers – including The Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, Devo, Spizz, The Ramones, The Clash, and Dead Kennedys – to consider how they use costume, staging, personae, characterization, and audience–performer relationships, arguing that these are as important and carefully considered as the music they play. Art movements such as Dada and Futurism were important influences on the early punk scene, and Double shows how, as with early twentieth-century cabaret, punk performance manages to include avant-garde elements within popular theatre forms. Oliver Double started his career performing a comedy act alongside anarchist punk bands in Exeter, going on to spend ten years on the alternative comedy circuit. Currently, he lectures in Drama at the University of Kent, and he is the author of Stand-Up! On Being a Comedian (Methuen, 1997) and Getting the Joke: the Inner Workings of Stand-Up Comedy (Methuen, 2005).
Lament and Revenge in the Hekabe of Euripides
Authors: Billing Christian M.
Published: January 2007

In this article Christian M. Billing considers the relationship between female lament and acts of vengeance in fifth-century Athenian society and its theatre, with particular emphasis on the Hekabe of Euripides. He uses historical evidence to argue that female mourning was held to be a powerfully transgressive force in the classical period; that considerable social tensions existed as a result of the suppression of female roles in traditional funerary practices (social control arising from the move towards democracy and the development of forensic processes as a means of social redress); and that as a piece of transvestite theatre, authored and performed by men to an audience made up largely, if not entirely, of that sex, Euripides' Hekabe demonstrates significant gender-related anxiety regarding the supposedly horrific consequences of allowing women to speak at burials, or to engage in lament as part of uncontrolled funerary ritual. Christian M. Billing is an academic and theatre practitioner working in the fields of ancient Athenian and early modern English and European drama. He has worked extensively as a director and actor and has also taught at a number of universities in the United Kingdom and the USA. He is currently Lecturer in Drama at the University of Hull.
Ann-Christin Rommen in conversation with Maria Shevtsova Experiencing the Movement: Working with Robert Wilson
Authors: Rommen Ann-Christin
Published: January 2007

Ann-Christin Rommen began to work with Robert Wilson in 1983 with The CIVIL warS. Her long collaboration with him since then has included more than thirty productions, most recently her co-direction of Dreamplay (Stockholm, 1998), Woyzeck (Copenhagen, 2000), Peer Gynt (Oslo, 2005), and The Winter's Tale (Berlin, 2005). She also has her own company in Germany, Codanza, which combines contemporary dance and early music, and whose work has been seen in Europe, Asia, and Australia. In this interview with Maria Shevtsova, which began in Oslo on 7 February 2005, Ann-Christin Rommen offers insights into Wilson's working methods, with particular reference to his Oslo Peer Gynt. Maria Shevtsova, Co-Editor of NTQ, is the author of Robert Wilson for the Routledge Performance Practitioners Series (forthcoming 2007).
Feeding the System: the Paradox of the Charismatic Acting Teacher
Authors: Hornby Richard
Published: January 2007

British actor training has always been linked closely with the names of particular schools or conservatories. American actor training, however, has at least until recently been associated with the names of charismatic individuals – star teachers who conceived it as their function to prepare their pupils to be star actors, whether in film or on stage. Now that generation of teachers has died, and in the following article Richard Hornby explores the legacy of their teaching, in terms both of the training methods now practised and the expectations about a future career they are framed to meet. Richard Hornby is Professor of Theatre at the University of California, Riverside, and for over twenty years has been regular theatre critic for The Hudson Review. He is the author of five books and over a hundred articles on theatre. Notable books include Script into Performance, Mad about Theatre, and The End of Acting.
Scham, Schuldgefühle und Delinquenz
Authors: Hosser Daniela , Windzio Michael , Greve Werner
Published: January 2007

Zusammenfassung: Scham und Schuldgefühle zählen zu den moralischen Emotionen, die durch Abweichung von internalisierten Normen entstehen. Sie dienen im Sinne eines Monitoring als Instanzen der Handlungskontrolle und sind eine Voraussetzung für Selbstkontrolle bzw. Handlungssteuerung. Scham und Schuldgefühle unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich des Entstehungsprozesses, der begleitenden emotionalen Erfahrungen sowie der resultierenden Verhaltenstendenzen. Während Schamgefühle mit sozialem Rückzug, Ärger und Aggressivität in Verbindung gebracht werden, werden Schuldgefühle in einen Zusammenhang mit prosozialem Verhalten gestellt. Anhand einer längsschnittlichen Untersuchung von männlichen Inhaftierten aus dem Jugendstrafvollzug prüft die vorliegende Studie, inwieweit Scham- und Schuldgefühle, die während einer Strafhaft erlebt werden, das (kriminelle) Handeln nach der Entlassung beeinflussen. Eine auf den Daten von 447 Inhaftierten basierende Ereignisanalyse zeigt, dass Schuldgefühle tendenziell mit niedrigeren Rückfallraten einhergehen, Schamgefühle hingegen mit höheren; die Effekte sind allerdings nicht signifikant. Schuldgefühle, die in Folge eines schweren Gewaltdeliktes auftreten, wirken sich jedoch hemmend in Bezug auf die weitere Delinquenz aus.
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the GHQ12 Using a Large Australian Sample
Authors: Campbell Alistair , Knowles Simon
Published: January 2007

The GHQ12 has become a popular screening instrument used by both clinicians and researchers. To date there have been a number of studies investigating the factor structure of the GHQ12. Most have identified a factorial structure to the instrument but there has been little consistency in the factors identified. One reason for this may be that different investigators are using different scoring methods and this could impact the structure identified. This study used structured equation modeling (LISREL 8.7) to carry out a confirmatory factor analysis, with a large sample of 8,732 university staff, on four 3-factor and one unitary model solutions using the three most common scoring methods (Classical, Corrected, and Likert). It was found that the method of scoring substantially affects model estimation and suggestions were made as to the best scoring method for future use.
Reexamining the Parenting Scale
Authors: Prinzie Peter , Onghena Patrick , Hellinckx Walter
Published: January 2007

The reliability, factor structure, and concurrent validity of the Parenting Scale ( Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Acker, 1993 ), a 30-item instrument originally developed to assess the discipline practices of parents of preschool children, was examined for parents of elementary school-aged children. Participants were 596 mothers and 559 fathers of a proportionally stratified sample of nonclinical elementary school-aged children. A confirmatory factor analysis could not replicate the three factors found by Arnold et al. (1993) . An exploratory factor analysis, using data of the mother sample, revealed two interpretable factors corresponding with the overreactivity and laxness factors identified in previous studies of the parenting scale. The first factor contains 11 and the second factor 9 items. Confirmatory factor analyses, using 3-year follow-up data from the mother and the father sample separately, replicated this factor structure. The internal consistency and test-retest stability were acceptable to good. Evidence was found for the assumption that inadequate parenting is positively related to problem behavior measured by the Child Behavior Checklist ( Achenbach, 1991 ) and stress in parenting measured by the NOSI, a Dutch revision of the Parenting Stress Index ( Abidin, 1983 ).
Psychometric Properties of an Emotional Adjustment Measure
Authors: Rubio Víctor J. , Aguado David , Hontangas Pedro M. , Hernández José M.
Published: January 2007

Item response theory (IRT) provides valuable methods for the analysis of the psychometric properties of a psychological measure. However, IRT has been mainly used for assessing achievements and ability rather than personality factors. This paper presents an application of the IRT to a personality measure. Thus, the psychometric properties of a new emotional adjustment measure that consists of a 28-six graded response items is shown. Classical test theory (CTT) analyses as well as IRT analyses are carried out. Samejima's (1969) graded-response model has been used for estimating item parameters. Results show that the bank of items fulfills model assumptions and fits the data reasonably well, demonstrating the suitability of the IRT models for the description and use of data originating from personality measures. In this sense, the model fulfills the expectations that IRT has undoubted advantages: (1) The invariance of the estimated parameters, (2) the treatment given to the standard error of measurement, and (3) the possibilities offered for the construction of computerized adaptive tests (CAT). The bank of items shows good reliability. It also shows convergent validity compared to the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPQ-A; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975 ) and the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ; Caprara, Barbaranelli, & Borgogni, 1993 ).
Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships Measure of Adult Attachment
Authors: Tsagarakis Michael , Kafetsios Konstantinos , Stalikas Anastassios
Published: January 2007

The present article examined the psychometric properties (factor structure, internal and test-retest reliability, convergent and criterion validity) of the Greek version of the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships (G-ECR-R) self-report inventory. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the G-ECR-R is characterized by a clear two-factor structure consistent with adult attachment research and theory developed mainly in English-speaking countries. The results showed that the scale has adequate classical psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The G-ECR-R anxiety and avoidance dimensions showed convergent validity with the widely used Relationship Questionnaire ( Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991 ) as well as with theoretically relevant variables such as self-esteem and trait anxiety. The results also demonstrated criterion validity on measures of relationship satisfaction. The importance of using culturally validated dimensional measures of romantic attachment is discussed.
Influence of ozone and temperature climatology on the accuracy of satellite total ozone retrieval
Authors: Lamsal L. N. , Weber M. , Labow G. , Burrows J. P.
Published: January 2007

Deviation of assumed ozone profile shape from true profile in the radiative transfer calculation affects the accuracy of total ozone (TOZ) retrieval. Earlier studies have identified high profile shape sensitivity of retrieved TOZ in polar latitudes, in particular at high solar zenith angles (SZA). This paper is devoted to the question of how TOZ retrievals are influenced by the choice of ozone and temperature profiles from various currently available climatologies. Ozone and temperature profiles from those climatologies are applied in the Weighting Function Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (WFDOAS) algorithm to retrieve TOZ from GOME spectral measurements. Comparison of the retrieved TOZ with ground based measurements from selected stations in the polar, middle‐, and low‐latitude regions indicate both systematic error and random errors associated with the profile shapes. Those errors become prominent at SZA more than 70°. The systematic error might be caused by the differences in the ozone number density peak altitude between the climatological profile and the actual profile. Biases in true temperature with respect to the climatological temperature profile contribute to the TOZ error by their impact on the ozone absorption coefficient and molecular scattering. Our studies based on GOME spectral measurements and synthetic radiance show that at high SZA, more than 10% systematic error in the retrieved TOZ can be easily introduced by the choice of climatological profiles. The random error is of the same order of magnitude, and it can be related to day‐to‐day variability of ozone and temperature profiles. In this paper we show that an improved and updated ozone and temperature climatological profiles can reduce the systematic errors in the retrieved TOZ from satellite spectral measurements.
Rapid intensification, eyewall contraction, and breakdown of Hurricane Charley (2004) near landfall
Authors: Lee Wen‐Chau , Bell Michael M.
Published: January 2007

The rapid intensification and decay in Hurricane Charley (2004) was sampled by the WSR‐88Ds in Key West and Tampa. Charley's axisymmetric wind fields, vertical vorticity, perturbation pressure, and reflectivity were derived from the ground‐based velocity track display (GBVTD) technique. Charley's rapid intensification was accompanied by a contracting eyewall. The central pressure dropped ∼33 hPa in three hours. The vortex was unstable (possessed a ring vorticity profile) during the eyewall contraction while the vortex became stable (monopole vorticity profile) after Charley reached its peak intensity. Charley's eyewall broke down during the decaying stage after the land fall. This study demonstrates the powerful combination of the GBVTD technique and coastal WSR‐88D data in monitoring landfalling tropical cyclones.