bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiculturalism in Vojvodina and demographic development of national minorities
Authors: Raduski Nada
Published: October 2011

One of the basic characteristics of Vojvodina is multiculturalism, namely a large number of various ethnic communities mutually settled in the same region. Apart from the majority nation, numerous national minorities live there which are extremely differentiated in view of demographic development, socio-economic, historical and cultural-civilization characteristics, and by national emancipation and political organization. This paper analyzes population dynamics, ethno-demographic changes, as well as geographical distribution of the minorities which is characterized by spatial dispersion or distinct concentration and process of ethnic homogenization conditioned by numerous factors. Good inter-ethnic relations, respect of the rights of minorities, integration and loyalty of the minorities to the state in which they live are necessary for an even demographic and stable economic and political development of this region. .
Population in the territory of the economic-geographic unit of the Vrsac mountains
Authors: Bjeljac Zeljko , Lukic Vesna
Published: October 2011

Vrsac mountains are located in a direction west-east from Vrsac, through the Serbian-Romanian border, to the river Cerna. Their surface is about 172 km2, of which 122 km2 in the territory of Serbia, and 50 km2 in the territory of Romania. Considering the direction position and gravity zone of mountains of Vrsac, Vrsac mountain economic area on the Serbian side includes a district of nine settlements (Vrsac, Mali Zam, Malo Srediste, Veliko Srediste, Markovac, Mesic, Jablanka, Gudurica, Socica) with a total area of 424 km2. Changes in population in the settlements of the Vrsac Mountains can be traced in the course of 166 years (from the 1836 to 2002) because we have reliable statistics for that period. The population changes show a nearly linear increase in Vrsac itself and the decline of the population in other eight villages. In the area of economic geographic area of the mountains of Vrsac, according to the 2002 census there were 40.736 inhabitants (74,9% of the total population in the municipality Vrsac). The population is ethnically heterogeneous and this composition, to a greater or lesser extent, dates back to colonization during the 18th and 19 century. .
Possibilities for connection and cooperation with Serbia: Standpoints of new Serbian Diaspora in Canada and the USA
Authors: Predojevic-Despic Jelena
Published: October 2011

Virtual and real contacts create possibilities for a flow of ideas and information and in that way a so-called a culture of networks is developed, which can multiply contribute, not only to bringing spectrums of new development models together, but also creating new ones, especially in the field of economics. Based on a survey questionnaire which was carried out in 2008 among highly educated persons from Serbia who now live in the USA and Canada (on a sample of 430 respondents), the paper deals with the following: what is the standpoint of our diaspora towards the current socio- economic situation in Serbia, what are their plans for the future regarding life and work, if is it possible to establish cooperation with our highly qualified diaspora, as well as which fields of cooperation could be developed with Serbia and its institutions. .
Quality of life research in North Vojvodina
Authors: Gabric-Molnar Iren
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the research pertaining to the quality of life of citizens in four municipalities in North Vojvodina. The empirical research was conducted by the Regional Science Association from Subotica during 2008. It mainly deals with the analysis of subjective indicators and viewpoints which suggest what could be of great assistance in improving the quality of life in the region. I have come to the conclusion that citizens are moderately satisfied with their quality of life and they are mostly concerned about their environment. Different nations have slightly different opinions about evaluation of social and political situation and the majority of the population is more critical. According to the respondents, political stability of the state and improvement of macroeconomic indicators could contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of families and individuals. .
Possibilities of the analysis of demographic characteristics of consumers on the basis of the facts from the survey about household consumption
Authors: Vasic Petar
Published: October 2011

Household Consumption Survey has been done according to current methodology following EUROSTAT suggestions since 2003. The structure of the data obtained with the household consumption diary gives us significant opportunities to investigate demographic features of consumers, i.e. households as observation units for researching preferences of consumers of different social-demographic population categories. Although the data published in HCS regard only the structure of households' consumption and households' income related both to territorial and urban-rural division of Serbia, there are possibilities for this data to be cross-analysed with different demographic, social and economic characteristic of subjects observed. Therefore, consumers' characteristics according to education, marital status, economic activity, profession, and above all according to sex and age can also be observed. As consumption structure is discussed, important notice is that the consumption has been looked at as the aggregation of each household member's consumption, where values of demographic characteristics refer to the head of that household. HCS provides a number of other possibilities for analysing demographic characteristics of population that are not in regard to consumption, such as continuous analysis of changes in marital or educational structure. .
Serbia and geoeconomic globalization
Authors: Hrustic Hasiba
Published: October 2011

Serbia takes part in the process of the economic globalization through the process of economic convergence towards Europe. Currently this economic convergence with the EU nations represents the most important aspect of the economic globalization for Serbia. Otherwise, the national states, regardless of their size, can influence the economic globalization, if they have the national strategy for the regionalization, harmonization, and governance of the global processes. Serbia has opportunities to be an important world oil and gas crossroads. For Serbia it is interesting not only what will happen with oil and gas sector in the future, but also what kind of (geo)politics will follow it. Moreover, as a modern transport 'backbone', Corridor 10 might at the same time stimulate the development and connection of the remaining Serbian road and railway infrastructure with the neighborhood, as well as the entire economy as a whole. The reform agenda is comprehensive and neglecting important challenges such as creating institutions will result in deeper crises in the future. Growth will only take place if the society creates the institutions and policies that encourage innovation, investment, and education. The rise in competitiveness of the Serbian economy is becoming increasingly important for at least two reasons - one being the expected EU accession, and the other being the persistent high current account deficits and increased foreign debt jeopardizing macroeconomic stability. Serbia does not have the luxury of postponing this work on longer-term issues.
Tertium datur: Sloterdijk and philosophy of the media
Authors: Prole Dragan
Published: October 2011

Peter Sloterdijk is one of the rare contemporary philosophers who insist on the relevance of Hegel's thesis that philosophy is its own time apprehended in thought. Philosophy's duty to reflect on contemporary phenomena, according to him, is primarily concerned with the necessity of the adequate reflections of the media. Philosophy of the media, inter connected with the metadisciplinary cultural thought, could be acknowledged as Sloterdijk's contribution to the philosophical project of the enlarged mind. Unlike his predecessors, Sloterdijk will no longer possess confidence in the academic aura of spiritual sciences, unless they have managed to distance themselves from the stigma of their Eurocentrically motivated origin. There fore Sloterdijk's reflection on the media is in a unique relation to the analysis of the European tradition in the light of new integrations. Arguing for the necessity that Europe breaks up with the imperialistic in hesitance, the author examines the contemporary tendencies, especially the productivity of the tertium datur logic which reflects it self in the abandoning of the radical attitude either/or, and turning to the more integrative and/and: which means both an extensive critique and a inherent confidence into the existent world.
Traveling through time: Respect and use of Virgin Mary icons in Serbian tradition and nowadays
Authors: Pavicevic Aleksandra
Published: October 2011

The beginning of the process of repeated actualisation and revitalisation in Serbia coincided with the beginning of the social, economic and political crisis on the territory of the former SFRY, which took place in the beginning of 1990s.On the official political (and life) scene during the 1990s and in the first decade of the 21 century, religious symbols have been used liberally. In everyday life, casinos, brothels and new cars are consecrated, religious paraphernalia become current fashion accessories, icons are used to decorate premises of political parties, tycoons and businessmen, while images of saints entice customers from consumer goods, such as paper napkins, towels, key rings, spirits bottles, etc. Festive days, holidays, transitional and critical situations are frequently marked with mass gatherings under religious text or implications, but certainly once again using religious paraphernalia, only this time those which evoke collectivity and national unity. Thus, while in public premises it is usual to see an icon of St. Sava, the first Serbian archbishop, as well as the icon of the White Angel, a detail from the painting The myrrh-bearers on Christ's grave, at mass celebrations, but equally so at revolutionary street protest rallies (which in the capital were plentiful during the last dozen years), as well as at celebrations of town Patron Saint's days and various festivities, there appears the image of the Theotokos. Leading processional walks of the towns, it emerges as a symbol which manages to mobilise the nation with its fullness and multi-layered meaning. Political and ideological usage of Virgin Mary icons is characteristic of not only modern Serbian society. This paper also brings the review of traditional cult and respect of Virgin Mary and Her icons and their usage in secular context in previous historical periods.
Grading from the perspective of pupils
Authors: Malinic Dusica , Komlenovic Djurdjica
Published: October 2011

Grading is an integral, inevitable part of educational-upbringing process and presents an especially sensitive segment of teaching practice. With regard to that, the aim of our research was directed towards determining and analysing what pupils think about the process of grading and teachers in the context of grading. This research comprised 200 primary school pupils and 200 grammar school pupils. The questions were grouped into three thematic wholes (pupil's perception of teacher's actions in the process of grading; identification of pupil's preferred ways of grading and their reactions to grades and desirable and undesirable characteristics of teachers in the context of grading from pupil's perspective). On the basis of our findings, it can be concluded that pupils think: that teachers apply lower criteria when grading bad pupils, that they use grades as a disciplinary measure and that they are guided by pupil's grades in other subjects when grading. The grade is a strong motivator of a more active engagement of pupils in teaching process, where pupils especially appreciate regular checking and objective grading in teachers and object to excessively strict and unequal criterion of grading. The paper also provides the lists of desirable and undesirable characteristics of teachers in the context of grading, perceived on the part of pupils.
Conceptual model development for landscape management in the mountains of the Indian Himalayan region: an approach for sustainable socio-ecological development
Authors: Nautiyal Sunil , Rado Kottapalli S. , Kaechele Harald , Zander Peter M.
Published: October 2011

This study aims at presenting a conceptual model for landscape management in the Himalayan region of India, using quantitative/mathematical approach. Keeping in view the requirement, (based on fifteen years empirical field work in the Himalayan region and as well as literature survey) the MODAM (Multiple Objectives Decision Support Tools for Landscape Management) model along with linear programming approach was adopted with a view to presenting additional methodological perspectives on interdisciplinary landscape research. The work has stemmed out from the original research contribution, which tries to integrate interdisciplinary research planning with landscape management related research in the Himalayan region. This biodiversity hotspot has relatively high complexity in terms of sustainable socioeconomic development vis a vis conservation and management of the resources. The concepts and insights presented in this article will provide the basis for a discussion, on decision-making issues among multidisciplinary experts with regard to sustainable socioecological development within complex environments.
Science Teacher Learning Progressions
Authors: Schneider Rebecca M. , Plasman Kellie
Published: October 2011

Learning progressions are the successively more sophisticated ways of thinking about an idea that follow one another over a broad span of time. This review examines the research on science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in order to refine ideas about science teacher learning progressions and how to support them. Research published between 1986 and 2010 relevant to science teacher learning and PCK was examined for what ways teachers’ knowledge becomes more developed and what appears to be the sequence. Analysis indicates that it is helpful for teachers to think about learners first, then to focus on teaching, and points out the essential role of reflection for teachers to rearrange their ideas in ways that develop their PCK. This review takes a unique approach to thinking about research on what science teachers learn and can support teacher educators in designing professional programs that support beginning and advanced learning for science teachers.
A clinical trial of bevacizumab, temozolomide, and radiation for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Narayana Ashwatha , Gruber Deborah , Kunnakkat Saroj , Golfinos John G. , Parker Erik , Raza Shahzad , Zagzag David , Eagan Patricia , Gruber Michael L.
Published: October 2011

Object

The presence of angiogenesis is a hallmark of glioblastoma (GBM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which drives angiogenesis, provides an additional target for conventional therapy. The authors conducted a prospective clinical trial to test the effectiveness of bevacizumab, an inhibitor of VEGF, in newly diagnosed GBM.

Methods

From 2006 through 2010, 51 eligible patients with newly diagnosed GBM were treated with involved-field radiation therapy and concomitant temozolomide (75 mg/m2 daily for 42 days) along with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks), starting 29 days after surgery. This was followed by 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide therapy (150 mg/m2 on Days 1–7 of a 28-day cycle) with bevacizumab administered at 10 mg/kg on Days 8 and 22 of each 28-day cycle.

Results

The 6- and 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 85.1% and 51%, respectively. The 12- and 24-month overall survival (OS) rates were 85.1% and 42.5%, respectively. Grade III/IV toxicities were noted in 10 patients (19.6%). No treatment-related deaths were observed. Asymptomatic intracranial bleeding was noted in 5 patients.

Conclusions

The addition of bevacizumab to conventional therapy in newly diagnosed GBM appears to improve both PFS and OS in patients with newly diagnosed GBM, with acceptable morbidity. A shift toward diffuse relapse was noted in a significant number of patients. Ongoing Phase III clinical trials will show the true benefit of this antiangiogenic approach.
On historical gazetteers
Authors: Southall Humphrey , Mostern Ruth , Berman Merrick Lex
Published: October 2011

Gazetteers play an important but largely unsung role in historical research, used with maps to help place people and events in spatial context. Recent years have seen new interest in digital gazetteers as bridges between the geospatial web and the semantic web, but many existing digital gazetteers and data models do not meet the needs of historians, as they focus on physiographic landforms rather than places of cultural meaning or administrative units. Historical researchers need to know about places whose locations are not knowable with certainty. They need to know about alternative names for places, about how names have evolved over time, and the specific historical contexts in which names were used. While GIS researchers propose temporal gazetteers, which will somehow include the precise dates at which features were created and removed, we propose historical gazetteers in which dates appear mainly in order to help reference particular instances of place names. Longer term, we need cultural gazetteers or toponymic encyclopedias that describe places as well as locate them.
The Utility of Proton Beam Therapy with Concurrent Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Esophageal Cancers
Authors: Lin Steven H.
Published: October 2011

The standard of care for the management of locally advanced esophageal cancers in the United States is chemotherapy combined with radiation, either definitively, or for those who could tolerate surgery, preoperatively before esophagectomy. Although the appropriate radiation dose remains somewhat controversial, the quality of the radiation delivery is critical for the treatment of esophageal cancer since the esophagus is positioned close to vital structures, such as the heart and lung. The volume and relative doses to these normal tissues affect acute and late term complications. Advances in radiation delivery from 2D to 3D conformal radiation therapy, to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or charged particle therapy (carbon ion or proton beam therapy (PBT)), allow incremental improvements in the therapeutic ratio. This could have implications in non-cancer related morbidity for long term survivors. This article reviews the evolution in radiation technologies and the use of PBT with chemotherapy in the management of esophageal cancer.
A Generalized Maximum Entropy Stochastic Frontier Measuring Productivity Accounting for Spatial Dependency
Authors: Tonini Axel , Pede Valerien
Published: October 2011

In this paper, a stochastic frontier model accounting for spatial dependency is developed using generalized maximum entropy estimation. An application is made for measuring total factor productivity in European agriculture. The empirical results show that agricultural productivity growth in Europe is driven by upward movements of technology over time through technological developments. Results are then compared for a situation in which spatial dependency in the technical inefficiency effects is not accounted.
Review of Crystalline Structures of Some Selected Homologous Series of Rod-Like Molecules Capable of Forming Liquid Crystalline Phases
Authors: Zugenmaier Peter
Published: October 2011

The crystal structures of four homologous series of rod-like molecules are reviewed, two of which form hydrogen bonds and two with a symmetric chemical constitution. Many of the compounds investigated turn into liquid crystalline phases upon temperature increase. It is of valuable interest to know possible conformations and possible packing arrangements as prerequisites to model liquid crystalline structures. The hydrogen bonds of homologous series of pure 4-(ω-hydroxyalkyloxy)-4′-hydroxybiphenyl (HnHBP, n the alkyloxy tail length) are realized through head to tail arrangements of the hydroxyl groups and crystallize except one compound in chiral space groups without the molecules containing any asymmetric carbon. The hydrogen bonds of the homologous series of 4-substituted benzoic acids with various lengths of the tail provide dimers through strong polar bonding of adjacent carboxyl groups and thus provide the stiff part of a mesogenic unit prerequisite for liquid crystalline phases. The homologous series of dialkanoyloxybiphenyls (BP-n, n = 1, 19), of which nine compounds could be crystallized, show liquid crystalline behavior for longer alkane chain lengths, despite the high mobility of the alkane chain ends already detectable in the crystal phase. A single molecule, half a molecule or two half molecules form the asymmetric unit in a centrosymmetric space group. The homologous series of 1,4-terephthalidene-bis-N-(4′-n-alkylaniline) (TBAA-n) exhibit a large variety of packing arrangements in the crystalline state, with or without relying on the symmetry center within the molecules.
Mental Health, Cardiovascular Disease and Declining Economies in British Columbia Mining Communities
Authors: Shandro Janis , Koehoorn Mieke , Scoble Malcolm , Ostry Aleck , Gibson Nancy , Veiga Marcello
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between community-level exposure to changes in economic conditions and the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders and cardiovascular disease in 29 resource-based communities (with a focus on mining communities) in British Columbia (BC) during a period of time marked by an economic downturn (1991–2002) The investigation relied on Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Statistics Canada Census data, and health records from the British Columbia Ministry of Health (MoH). Age and sex adjusted prevalence and incidence rates were calculated for each community from 1991 to 2002 and the development of an economic change indicator defined using Census data and industry/government documents allowed for yearly assessment of community-level exposure to economic conditions. The relationship between exposure to economic change and rates of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease and mental disorders across the 29 study communities was investigated using a generalized linear model (stratified by type of community, and adjusted for the effect of the community). Findings indicate an impact on the prevalence rates for acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) during periods of economic decline (rate increased by 13.1 cases per 1,000 population, p < 0.0001 as compared with stable periods) and bust conditions (rate increased by 30.1 cases per 1,000 population, p < 0.0001 as compared with stable conditions) and mental disorders (rate increased by 13.2 cases per 1,000 population, p = 0.0001) in mining communities during declining economic conditions as compared to steady periods of mining employment. This is not observed in other resource-based communities. The paper concludes by highlighting implications for the mining industry to consider as they begin to recognize and commit to mining community health.
A New Eudesmane Sesquiterpene Glucoside from Liriope muscari Fibrous Roots
Authors: Zhang Hai Ming , Wang Gang Li , Bai Chun Qi , Liu Peng , Liu Zi Mu , Liu Qi Zhi , Wang Yong Yan , Liu Zhi Long , Du Shu Shan , Deng Zhi Wei
Published: October 2011

The screening of several Chinese medicinal herbs for nematocidal properties showed that the ethanol extract of Liriope muscari fibrous roots possessed significant nematocidal activity against the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). From the ethanol extract, a new constituent (1,4-epoxy-cis-eudesm-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) and three known glycosides [1β,6α-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (liriopeoside A), 1β,6β-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 1α,6β-dihydroxy-5,10-bis-epi-eudesm-4(15)-ene-6-O-β D-glucopyranoside] were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and MS techniques. 1,4-Epoxy-cis-eudesm-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside possessed moderate nemato-cidal activity against B. xylophilus with a LC50 value of 339.76 μg/mL, while liriopeoside A (LC50 = 82.84 μg/mL) and 1β,6β-dihydroxy-cis-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (LC50 = 153.39 μg/mL) also exhibited nematocidal activity against B. xylophilus. The crude extract of L. muscari fibrous roots exhibited nematocidal activity against the pine wood nematode with a LC50 value of 182.56 μg/mL.
Molecular Characterization and Tandem Mass Spectrometry of the Lectin Extracted from the Seeds of Dioclea sclerocarpa Ducke
Authors: Correia Jorge Luis Almeida , Nascimento Antônia Sâmia Fernandes do , Cajazeiras João Batista , Gondim Ana Cláudia Silva , Pereira Ronniery Ilario , Sousa Bruno Lopes de , Silva André Luiz Coelho da , Garcia Wanius , Teixeira Edson Holanda , Nascimento Kyria Santiago do , Rocha Bruno Anderson Matias da , Nagano Celso Shiniti , Sampaio Alexandre Holanda , Cavada Benildo Sousa
Published: October 2011

Lectin from the seeds of Dioclea sclerocarpa (DSL) was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex G-50 column. The primary sequence, as determined by tandem mass spectrometry, revealed a protein with 237 amino acids and 81% of identity with ConA. DSL has a molecular mass of 25,606 Da. The β and γ chains weigh 12,873 Da and 12,752 Da, respectively. DSL hemagglutinated rabbit erythrocytes (both native and treated with proteolytic enzymes), showing stability even after one hour of exposure to a specific pH range. The hemagglutinating activity of DSL was optimal between pH 6.0 and 8.0, but was inhibited after incubation with D-galactose and D-glucose. The pure protein possesses a molecular mass of 25 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 25,606 Da by mass spectrometry. The secondary structure content was estimated using the software SELCON3. The results indicate that b-sheet secondary structures are predominant in DSL (approximately 42.3% antiparallel b-sheet and 6.7% parallel b-sheet). In addition to the b-sheet, the predicted secondary structure of DSL features 4.1% a-helices, 15.8% turns and 31.3% other contributions. Upon thermal denaturation, evaluated by measuring changes in ellipticity at 218 nm induced by a temperature increase from 20 °C to 98 °C, DSL displayed cooperative sigmoidal behavior with transition midpoint at 84 °C and permitted the observation of two-state model (native and denatured).
Baculovirus Induced Transcripts in Hemocytes from the Larvae of Heliothis virescens
Authors: Breitenbach Jonathan E. , Shelby Kent S. , Popham Holly J.R.
Published: October 2011

Using RNA-seq digital difference expression profiling methods, we have assessed the gene expression profiles of hemocytes harvested from Heliothis virescens that were challenged with Helicoverpa zea single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HzSNPV). A reference transcriptome of hemocyte-expressed transcripts was assembled from 202 million 42-base tags by combining the sequence data of all samples, and the assembled sequences were then subject to BLASTx analysis to determine gene identities. We used the fully sequenced HzSNPV reference genome to align 477,264 Illumina sequence tags from infected hemocytes in order to document expression of HzSNPV genes at early points during infection. A comparison of expression profiles of control insects to those lethally infected with HzSNPV revealed differential expression of key cellular stress response genes and genes involved in lipid metabolism. Transcriptional regulation of specific insect hormones in baculovirus-infected insects was also altered. A number of transcripts bearing homology to retroviral elements that were detected add to a growing body of evidence for extensive invasion of errantiviruses into the insect genome. Using this method, we completed the first and most comprehensive gene expression survey of both baculoviral infection and host immune defense in lepidopteran larvae.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF COMPETITIVENESS IN CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES
Authors: Lielgaidina Laura , Geipele Ineta
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the authors present a short review of statistics in European counstruction market and describe literature on management in construction – concept and definitions of competitiveness, including PARTS checklist and Project Values, and suggestions for successful marketing as well. The enhancement of the competitiveness of construction enterprises is one of the most important strategic objectives in the construction industry. The company’s loss of competitiveness is its greatest threat. The focus of this paper is on improving quality and safety in construction enterprises – the research was done in order to obtain more information about quality performance measures used by building materials producers in Latvia. At the end of this paper, the authors shortly describe the results of the research.
THE EVALUATION OF SOCIAL CAPITAL BENEFITS: ENTERPRISE LEVEL
Authors: Mačerinskienė Irena , Aleknavičiūtė Giedrė
Published: October 2011

This paper aims to present how social capital can benefit business processes of an enterprise, which uses its social networks for business purposes, and which of those benefits are the most important in this context. The first part of this article represents the theory of social capital. The main conceptual approaches to social capital were investigated. According to this, the conception of social capital and its dimensions were introduced. The second part of this paper seeks to evaluate the benefits of social capital to enterprise’s business activities by mentioning not only benefits, which create social capital but also risks, which can occur if social capital is used improperly. The last part of this essay introduced the model of social capital’s benefits to enterprise’s business processes and evaluated, which of them are the most relevant.
Variant Insertion of the Fibularis Tertius Muscle Is an Evidence of the Progressive Evolutionary Adaptation for the Bipedal Gait
Authors: Jana Rashmoni , Roy Tara Sankar
Published: October 2011

Fibularis tertius (FT) is often considered as part of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. The muscle is absent in hominoid apes and with the acquisition of the bipedal gait; the muscle emerged as a recent addition in the human foot. From its various modes of insertions, it is evident that the muscles of the sole are in search of its distal attachment, which can best support the relatively weak human midfoot. We describe an unusual insertion of the muscle in support of this hypothesis.
Antiplane Wave Scattering from a Cylindrical Void in a Pre-Stressed Incompressible Neo-Hookean Material
Authors: Parnell William J. , David Abrahams I.
Published: October 2011

An isolated cylindrical void is located inside an incompressible nonlinear-elastic medium whose constitutive behaviour is governed by a neo-Hookean strain energy function. In-plane hydrostatic pressure is applied in the far-field so that the void changes its radius and an inhomogeneous region of deformation arises in the vicinity of the void. We consider scattering from the void in the deformed configuration due to an incident field (of small amplitude) generated by a horizontally polarized shear (SH) line source, a distance r0 (R0) away from the centre of the void in the deformed (undeformed) configuration. We show that the scattering coefficients of this scattered field are unaffected by the pre-stress (initial deformation). In particular, they depend not on the deformed void radius a or distance r0, but instead on the original void size A and original distance R0.
Non-Matching Grids for a Flexible Discretization in Computational Acoustics
Authors: Flemisch Bernd , Kaltenbacher Manfred , Triebenbacher Simon , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: October 2011

Flexible discretization techniques for the approximative solution of coupled wave propagation problems are investigated. In particular, the advantages of using non-matching grids are presented, when one subregion has to be resolved by a substantially finer grid than the other subregion. We present the non-matching grid technique for the case of a mechanical-acoustic coupled as well as for acoustic-acoustic coupled systems. For the first case, the problem formulation remains essentially the same as for the matching situation, while for the acoustic-acoustic coupling, the formulation is enhanced with Lagrange multipliers within the framework of Mortar Finite Element Methods. The applications will clearly demonstrate the superiority of the Mortar Finite Element Method over the standard Finite Element Method both concerning the flexibility for the mesh generation as well as the computational time.
Perfectly Matched Layer with Mixed Spectral Elements for the Propagation of Linearized Water Waves
Authors: Cohen Gary , Imperiale Sébastien
Published: October 2011

After setting a mixed formulation for the propagation of linearized water waves problem, we define its spectral element approximation. Then, in order to take into account unbounded domains, we construct absorbing perfectly matched layer for the problem. We approximate these perfectly matched layer by mixed spectral elements and show their stability using the “frozen coefficient” technique. Finally, numerical results will prove the efficiency of the perfectly matched layer compared to classical absorbing boundary conditions.
Transparent Boundary Conditions for Elastic Anisotropic VTI Media: Axially Symmetric Case
Authors: Podgornova Olga
Published: October 2011

Transparent boundary conditions (TBCs) for anisotropic vertical transverse isotropic VTI medium are formulated for the axially symmetric case. The high accuracy of the derived TBCs and their long-time stability are demonstrated in numerical experiments. The TBCs are represented in terms of the vertical component of the velocity vector and tangential component of the stress tensor that facilitates the easy implementation of the boundary condition into the finite-difference staggered-grid scheme.
Micro-Differential Boundary Conditions Modelling the Absorption of Acoustic Waves by 2D Arbitrarily-Shaped Convex Surfaces
Authors: Barucq Hélène , Diaz Julien , Duprat Véronique
Published: October 2011

We propose a new Absorbing Boundary Condition (ABC) for the acoustic wave equation which is derived from a micro-local diagonalization process formerly defined by M.E. Taylor and which does not depend on the geometry of the surface bearing the ABC. By considering the principal symbol of the wave equation both in the hyperbolic and the elliptic regions, we show that a second-order ABC can be constructed as the combination of an existing first-order ABC and a Fourier-Robin condition. We compare the new ABC with other ABCs and we show that it performs well in simple configurations and that it improves the accuracy of the numerical solution without increasing the computational burden.
Physical controls on the spatial evolution of a dinoflagellate bloom in a large lake
Authors: Ng S. M. Y. , Antenucci J. P. , Hipsey M. R. , Tibor G. , Zohary T.
Published: October 2011

A set of satellite images of chlorophyll a concentration for Lake Kinneret (Israel) from the period February to April 2007 captured the temporal evolution of horizontal patchiness that developed during the typical spring bloom of the dinoflagellate Peridinium gatunense. Narrow bands of high concentration located adjacent to the shoreline at the start of the bloom were followed by progressive propagation of this high‐concentration region from the shoreline toward the center of the lake as the bloom proceeded. A three‐dimensional (3‐D) hydrodynamic numerical model and an analytical model for a flat‐bottomed elliptical basin together explain the observed phenomenon. The spatial structure of Kelvin waves, which were demonstrated to most likely be present in February and April due to resonance, produced regions of high velocity gradient, contributing to horizontal dispersion close to the shoreline. This region of high dispersion was narrow and close to the shoreline at the start of the bloom when the Burger number was relatively small, but it widened over the course of the season as the Burger number increased due to increasing stratification. In addition, an increase in the dispersion rate with time in the lake interior was inferred from numerical simulation due to increasing wind speeds and a thinner surface layer. Physical processes, in this case, horizontal dispersion as a result of both Kelvin waves and wind, can play an important role in governing the dynamics and spatial evolution of dinoflagellate blooms in lakes.
Analyzing precipitationsheds to understand the vulnerability of rainfall dependent regions
Authors: Keys P. W. , van der Ent R. J. , Gordon L. J. , Hoff H. , Nikoli R. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. It is well known that rivers connect upstream and downstream ecosystems within watersheds. Here we describe the concept of precipitationsheds to show how upwind terrestrial evaporation source areas contribute moisture for precipitation in downwind sink regions. We illustrate the importance of upwind land cover in precipitationsheds to sustain precipitation in critically water stressed downwind areas, i.e. dryland agricultural areas. We first identify seven regions where rainfed agriculture is particularly vulnerable to reductions in precipitation, and then map their precipitationsheds. We further develop a framework for qualitatively assessing the vulnerability of precipitation for these seven agricultural regions. We illustrate that the sink regions have varying degrees of vulnerability to changes in upwind evaporation rates depending on the extent of the precipitationshed, source region land use intensity and expected land cover changes in the source region.
Negotiating a Korean National Myth: Dialogic Interplay and Entextualization in an Ethnographic Encounter
Authors: Yun Kyoim
Published: October 2011

This article examines a discordant, collaborative telling of Korea’s founding myth, one accomplished by a traditional singer and two native folklorists, including myself. Highlighting the discursive and intertextual construction of talk, I demonstrate how the event’s participants coped with different agendas as we evaluated each other and negotiated our expectations regarding the myth’s content and performance. I argue that dissonant ethnographer-performer interactions such as this one warrant more study. Scholarly attention to the ways specific events and texts develop can help us better understand negotiations of power, authority, and participant roles, as well as the intertextual and intersubjective relations that constitute ethnographic encounters.
Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]
Authors: Shadi Leyla , Gheybi Homa , Entezami Ali Akbar , Safa Kazem D.
Published: October 2011

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10−5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10−7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Carboxybetaine, sulfobetaine, and cationic block copolymer coatings: A comparison of the surface properties and antibiofouling behavior
Authors: Wu Lin , Jasinski Jacek , Krishnan Sitaraman
Published: October 2011

Two different zwitterionic block copolymers (BCs) and a cationic BC were synthesized from the same BC precursor, which consisted of a polystyrene (PS) block and a poly[N‐(3‐dimethylamino‐1‐propyl)acrylamide] block. The zwitterionic BCs contained the dimethylammonioacetate (carboxybetaine) and dimethylammoniopropyl sulfonate (sulfobetaine) groups. Thin films cast from these polymers were investigated for surface wettability, surface charge, and protein adsorption. Surface‐energy parameters calculated with advancing contact angle (θa) and receding contact angle (θr) of different probe liquids showed that it was θr and not θa that was representative of the polar/ionic groups in the near‐surface regions of the coatings. Electrophoretic mobility was used to characterize the influence of pH on the net surface charge. In aqueous dispersions, the carboxybetaine polymer showed an ampholyte behavior with an isoelectric point of 6, whereas the sulfobetaine polymer was found to be anionic at all pH values between 2 and 10. Protein adsorption on the carboxybetaine BC was relatively independent of the net charges on the protein or the polymer, but the negatively charged sulfobetaine polymer showed a higher adsorption of positively charged protein molecules. Regardless of the net protein charge, both zwitterionic coatings adsorbed less protein compared to the PS and poly(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene) controls. The sulfobetaine and cationic BCs adsorbed higher amounts of oppositely charged protein molecules than like‐charged protein molecules. However, the adsorption of oppositely charged protein was much higher on the cationic surface than on the sulfobetaine surface. The zwitterionic BCs, particularly the carboxybetaine polymer, from this article are expected to function as stable, low‐fouling surface modifiers in different biological environments. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Injection‐molded high‐density polyethylene–hydroxyapatite–aluminum oxide hybrid composites for hard‐tissue replacement: Mechanical, biological, and protein adsorption behavior
Authors: Tripathi Garima , Basu Bikramjit
Published: October 2011

In this article, we report the mechanical and biocompatibility properties of injection‐molded high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with 40 wt % ceramic filler [hydroxyapatite (HA) and/or Al2O3] and 2 wt % titanate as a coupling agent. The mechanical property measurements revealed that a combination of a maximum tensile strength of 18.7 MPa and a maximum tensile modulus of about 855 MPa could be achieved with the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al2O3 composites. For the same composite composition, the maximum compression strength was determined to be 71.6 MPa and the compression modulus was about 660 MPa. The fractrography study revealed the uniform distribution of ceramic fillers in the semicrystalline HDPE matrix. The cytocompatibility study with osteoblast‐like SaOS2 cells confirmed extensive cell adhesion and proliferation on the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al2O3 composites. The cell viability analysis with the 3(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay revealed a statistically significant difference between the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al2O3 composites and sintered HA for various culture durations of upto 7 days. The difference in cytocompatibility properties among the biocomposites is explained in terms of the difference in the protein absorption behavior. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of reactive poly(ethylene glycol) flexible chains on curing kinetics and impact properties of bisphenol‐a glycidyl ether epoxy
Authors: Yao Dahu , Kuila Tapas , Sun Kyung‐Bok , Kim Nam‐Hoon , Lee Joong‐Hee
Published: October 2011

Bisphenol‐A glycidyl ether epoxy resin was modified using reactive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO). Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that introducing PEO chains into the structure of the epoxy resin increased the mobility of the molecular segments of the epoxy network. Impact strength was improved with the addition of PEO at both room (RT) and cryogenic (CT, 77 K) temperature. The curing kinetics of the modified epoxy resin with polyoxypropylene diamines was examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Curing kinetic parameters were determined from nonisothermal DSC curves. Kinetic analysis suggested that the two‐parameter autocatalytic model suitably describes the kinetics of the curing reaction. Increasing the reactive PEO content decreased the heat flow of curing with little effect on activation energy (Ea), pre‐exponential factor (A), or reaction order (m and n). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Mechanistic study on carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose as fluid loss control additive in oil well cement
Authors: Bülichen Daniel , Plank Johann
Published: October 2011

The working mechanism of carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC, Mw 2.6 × 105 g/mol) as fluid loss control additive (FLA) for oil well cement was investigated. First, characteristic properties of CMHEC such as anionic charge amount, intrinsic viscosity in cement pore solution, and static filtration properties of cement slurries containing CMHEC were determined at 27°C and 70 bar. Effectiveness of the FLA was found to rely on reduction of cement filter cake permeability. Consequently, the working mechanism is ascribed to constriction of cement filter cake pores. Zeta potential measurements confirm that at low CMHEC dosages (0–0.3% by weight of cement, bwoc), adsorption of the polymer onto the surface of hydrating cement occurs. However, at dosages of 0.4% bwoc and higher, an associated polymer network is formed. This was evidenced by a strong increase in hydrodynamic diameter of solved CMHEC molecules, an exponential increase in viscosity and a noticeable reduction of surface tension. Thus, the working mechanism of CMHEC changes with dosage. At low dosages, adsorption presents the predominant mode of action, whereas above a threshold concentration of ∼ 10 g/L (the “overlapping concentration”), formation of associated polymer networks is responsible for effectiveness of CMHEC. Addition of anionic polyelectrolytes (e.g., sulfonated melamine formaldehyde polycondensate, Mw 2.0 × 105 g/mol) to cement slurries containing CMHEC greatly improves fluid loss control. Apparently, the presence of such polyelectrolytes causes the formation of colloidal associates from CMHEC to occur at lower dosages. Through this mechanism, effectiveness of CMHEC as cement fluid loss additive is enhanced. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012