bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamically Controllable Emission of Polymer Nanofibers: Electrofluorescence Chromism and Polarized Emission of Polycarbazole Derivatives
Authors: Kawabata Kohsuke , Goto Hiromasa
Published: October 2012

Electrochemical polymerization of a series of N‐alkyl‐2,7‐di(2‐thienyl)carbazoles in acetonitrile was performed to obtain conjugated polymers with fluorescence. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies revealed that the surface morphology of the polymer films significantly depends on the alkyl chain lengths of the polymers. Particularly, a homopolymer bearing hexyl groups and copolymers with an average alkyl chain length of six carbon atoms show nanofiber morphology. The polymer nanofibers were stacked on a substrate electrode. The fluorescence of the polymer nanofiber film was tunable with application of voltage, with good repeatability. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of the fibers showed the structural order. The polymer nanofibers thus prepared showed an electrochemically driven change in polarized photoluminescence.
Monodispersed Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Carbon Nanotubes as an Enhanced Sensing Platform for Nanomolar Detection of Tramadol
Authors: Atta Nada F. , Ahmed Rasha A. , Amin Hatem M. A. , Galal Ahmed
Published: October 2012

A promising composite‐modified glassy carbon electrode is fabricated by electrodeposition of mono‐dispersed gold nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes (AuNPs/CNTs/GCE). The electroanalysis of Tramadol (TRA) was achieved by different electrochemical techniques. The effect of different parameters including pH, concentration and potential scan on the oxidation current signal of TRA was investigated. Large excess of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) with a maximum molar ratio of 1/1000 and 1/100, respectively, did not interfere with the response of TRA. The detection limit with high sensitivity is 68 nM. TRA was successfully determined in pharmaceutical dosage forms, without any pretreatment of the samples.
Electrochemical Oxidation of Tolterodine
Authors: Macíková Pavla , Skopalová Jana , Cankař Petr , Papoušková Barbora , Straková Radka , Jirovský David , Maier Vítězslav
Published: October 2012

The electrochemical behavior of tolterodine, an antimuscarinic drug used to treat urge incontinence and overactive bladder, was investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry at glassy carbon electrode. Electrooxidation of tolterodine proceeds as a complex two‐step pH‐dependent process. Controlled potential electrolysis of tolterodine solutions was performed at platinum gauze electrode in methanolic, aqueous‐methanolic and acetonitrile media. Electrolyzed solutions were analyzed using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. 5‐Hydroxymethyl tolterodine, the main biologically active metabolite of tolterodine, was identified among monomeric oxidation products. Dimeric products, formed by oxidative coupling of phenoxy radicals, were found in all electrolyzed solutions. The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of tolterodine has been proposed.
Sediment contact tests as a tool for the assessment of sediment quality in German waters
Authors: Feiler Ute , Höss Sebastian , Ahlf Wolfgang , Gilberg Daniel , Hammers-Wirtz Monika , Hollert Henner , Meller Michael , Neumann-Hensel Helga , Ottermanns Richard , Seiler Thomas-Benjamin , Spira Denise , Heininger Peter
Published: October 2012

A sediment contact test (SCT) battery consisting of five ecotoxicological test systems was applied to 21 native freshwater sediments characterized by a broad variety of geochemical properties and anthropogenic contamination. Higher plants (Myriophyllum aquaticum), nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans), oligochaetes (Lumbriculus variegatus), zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), and bacteria (Arthrobacter globiformis), representing various trophic levels and exposure pathways, were used as test organisms. The test battery detected sediment toxicity caused by anthropogenic pollution, whereas the various tests provided site-specific, nonredundant information to the overall toxicity assessment. Based on the toxicity pattern derived from the test battery, the sediments were classified according to a newly proposed classification system for sediment toxicity assessment. The SCT-derived classification generally agreed well with the application of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), especially with regard to sediments with high toxic potential. For sediments with low to medium toxic potential, the SQGs often underestimated the toxicity that was detected by the SCTs, underpinning the need for toxicity tests in sediment quality assessment. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:144–155. © 2012 SETAC
Slaking of solid clays and claystones under hydraulic and mechanical action / Zerfall von festen Tonen und Tonsteinen bei hydraulischer und mechanischer Beanspruchung
Authors: Baumgärtel Tobias , Fillibeck Jochen , Vogt Norbert
Published: October 2012

In tunnel drives with slurry‐supported face in semi‐solid to solid clay and claystone, hydraulic and mechanical actions can lead to the slaking of the excavated soil aggregates. Heavy slaking can lead to laborious separation associated with high cost. For investigations as preparation for a project, two test rigs were developed at the Zentrum Geotechnik of the TU München. These can be used to investigate slaking both phenomenologically in series tests and also on a large scale. Investigations on solid clays and claystones showed that varied soil properties influence the slaking. High plasticity indices and high lime contents tend to reduce slaking. Bentonite suspensions can approximately halve slaking compared to water and suitable polymer suspensions can largely prevent slaking.

Beim Tunnelvortrieb mit flüssigkeitsgestützter Ortsbrust in halbfesten bis festen Tonen und Tonsteinen führt die hydraulische und mechanische Beanspruchung zum Zerfall der gelösten Bodenaggregate. Starker Zerfall kann zu einem sehr hohen Aufwand und hohen Kosten bei der Separierung führen. Für Untersuchungen im Vorfeld eines Projekts wurden am Zentrum Geotechnik der TU München zwei Versuchstechniken konzipiert. Mit ihnen kann der Zerfall sowohl phänomenologisch in Reihenuntersuchungen als auch großmaßstäblich untersucht werden. Untersuchungen an festen Tonen und Tonsteinen zeigten, dass variierende Bodeneigenschaften den Zerfall beeinflussen. Tendenziell vermindern hohe Plastizitätszahlen und hohe Kalkanteile den Zerfall. Bentonitsuspensionen können den Zerfall im Vergleich zu Wasser etwa halbieren und geeignete Polymersuspensionen einen Zerfall auch weitgehend verhindern.
The great significance of dam safety in Austria / Der hohe Stellenwert der Talsperrensicherheit in Österreich
Authors: Zenz Gerald , Obernhuber Pius , Czerny Helmut
Published: October 2012

Each dam and each reservoir is an individual facility, since their foundation conditions are rarely similar. Due to their location, their height and their storage capacity, dams and reservoirs can hold a considerable hazard potential, which is why they are designed conservatively; projects are examined meticulously (e.g. by the Austrian Commission on Dams) and monitored comprehensively during the construction phase and during operation. To guarantee their continuous safety, dams and reservoirs are monitored with great care by the operating company with the help of trained staff and the latest measuring equipment. The most important measurement data are acquired continuously so as to gain an up‐to‐date impression of the load‐bearing behaviour of the dam and its foundation and to be able to react swiftly and efficiently should any changes occur.

On an international level, the state of the technology concerning dam safety is updated in the bulletins published by ICOLD. Austria takes part in the work of the various committees and has built up a renowned high standing worldwide for guaranteeing dam safety. In training courses and seminars for junior engineers, it is mainly the basics of dam monitoring and safety checks that are imparted, later reinforced by practical work. This approach should also keep the facilities safe in the future.

Talsperren und Speicher sind vor allem aufgrund der jeweiligen Untergrundverhältnisse – jedes Bauwerk hat einen anderen, nur selten ähnlichen Untergrund – individuelle Anlagen. Sie können aufgrund ihrer Lage, ihrer Bauwerkshöhe bzw. ihres Staurauminhalts ein erhebliches Gefährdungspotenzial aufweisen. Sie werden daher konservativ geplant, die Projekte sorgfältig geprüft (u. a. Staubeckenkommission des Bundes) und im Zuge der Bauausführung sowie des späteren Betriebs umfassend kontrolliert. Um die Sicherheit fortlaufend zu gewährleisten, werden diese Bauwerke seitens der Betreiber durch geschultes Personal und modernste Messausstattung sorgfältig überwacht. Die wesentlichsten Messwerte werden permanent erfasst, um so ständig ein aktuelles Bild über das Tragwerksverhalten von Sperre und Untergrund verfügbar zu haben und bei Veränderungen rasch und effizient reagieren zu können.

International wird auf dem Gebiet der Talsperrensicherheit der Stand der Technik mit den Bulletins der ICOLD fortgeschrieben. Österreich arbeitet in den Gremien mit und hat einen weltweit anerkannt hohen Stand für die Gewährleistung der Talsperrensicherheit aufgebaut. In Kursen und Seminaren für die Ausbildung junger Ingenieurinnen und Ingenieure werden insbesondere die Grundalgen für die Talsperrenüberwachung und Sicherheitsüberprüfung vermittelt und in praktischen Übungen vertieft, um so auch in Zukunft Anlagen sicher zu betreiben.
Rapid drinking is associated with increases in driving‐related risk‐taking
Authors: Bernosky‐Smith Kimberly A. , Aston Elizabeth R. , Liguori Anthony
Published: October 2012

Objective

The rate of alcohol drinking has been shown to predict impairment on cognitive and behavioral tasks. The current study assessed the influence of speed of alcohol consumption within a laboratory‐administered binge on self‐reported attitudes toward driving and simulated driving ability.

Method

Forty moderate drinkers (20 female, 20 male) were recruited from the local community via advertisements for individuals who drank alcohol at least once per month. The equivalent of four standard alcohol drinks was consumed at the participant's desired pace within 2‐h session.

Results

Correlation analyses revealed that, after alcohol drinking, mean simulated driving speed, time in excess of speed limit, collisions, and reported confidence in driving were all associated with rapid alcohol drinking.

Conclusion

Fast drinking may coincide with increased driving confidence because of the extended latency between the conclusion of drinking and the commencement of driving. However, this latency did not reduce alcohol‐related driving impairment, as fast drinking was also associated with risky driving. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacotherapy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Shafeeq Hira , Lat Ishaq
Published: October 2012

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represent a continuum of a clinical syndrome of respiratory failure due to refractory hypoxia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is differentiated from ALI by a greater degree of hypoxemia and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The mortality for ARDS ranges from 22–41%, with survivors usually requiring long‐term rehabilitation to regain normal physiologic function. Numerous pharmacologic therapies have been studied for prevention and treatment of ARDS; however, studies demonstrating clear clinical benefit for ARDS‐related mortality and morbidity are limited. In this focused review, controversial pharmacologic therapies that have demonstrated, at minimum, a modest clinical benefit are discussed. Three pharmacologic treatment strategies are reviewed in detail: corticosteroids, fluid management, and neuromuscular blocking agents. Use of corticosteroids to attenuate inflammation remains controversial. Available evidence does not support early administration of corticosteroids. Additionally, administration after 14 days of disease onset is strongly discouraged. A liberal fluid strategy during the early phase of comorbid septic shock, balanced with a conservative fluid strategy in patients with ALI or ARDS during the postresuscitation phase, is the optimum approach for fluid management. Available evidence supports an early, short course of continuous‐infusion cisatracurium in patients presenting with severe ARDS. Evidence of safe and effective pharmacologic therapies for ARDS is limited, and clinicians must be knowledgeable about the areas of controversies to determine application to patient care.
Thrombotic Events Associated with C1 Esterase Inhibitor Products in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema: Investigation from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System Database
Authors: Gandhi Pranav K. , Gentry William M. , Bottorff Michael B.
Published: October 2012

Study Objective

To investigate reports of thrombotic events associated with the use of C1 esterase inhibitor products in patients with hereditary angioedema in the United States.

Design

Retrospective data mining analysis.

Source

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adverse event reporting system (AERS) database.

Measurements and Main Results

Case reports of C1 esterase inhibitor products, thrombotic events, and C1 esterase inhibitor product–associated thrombotic events (i.e., combination cases) were extracted from the AERS database, using the time frames of each respective product's FDA approval date through the second quarter of 2011. Bayesian statistical methodology within the neural network architecture was implemented to identify potential signals of a drug‐associated adverse event. A potential signal is generated when the lower limit of the 95% 2‐sided confidence interval of the information component, denoted by IC025, is greater than zero. This suggests that the particular drug‐associated adverse event was reported to the database more often than statistically expected from reports available in the database. Ten combination cases of thrombotic events associated with the use of one C1 esterase inhibitor product (Cinryze) were identified in patients with hereditary angioedema. A potential signal demonstrated by an IC025 value greater than zero (IC025 = 2.91) was generated for these combination cases.

Conclusion

The extracted cases from the AERS indicate continuing reports of thrombotic events associated with the use of one C1 esterase inhibitor product among patients with hereditary angioedema. The AERS is incapable of establishing a causal link and detecting the true frequency of an adverse event associated with a drug; however, potential signals of C1 esterase inhibitor product–associated thrombotic events among patients with hereditary angioedema were identified in the extracted combination cases.
Corrigenda: Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Paracetamol on Ni and NiCu Alloy Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Feizbakhsh Alireza
Published: October 2012

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Paracetamol on Ni and NiCu Alloy Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

1. Section Results and Discussion, p. 1089, left column, line 7, the “Figs. 4a and 5a” should be removed and replaced by “Figs. 5a and 6a”

2. Section Results and Discussion, p. 1089, left column, line 11, “Figs. 4b, c and 5b” should be removed and replaced by “Figs. 5b, c and 6b”

3. Section Results and Discussion, p. 1089, left column, line 21, “Figs. 4d and 4e” should be removed and replaced by “Figs. 5d and 5e”
Impregnation of activated carbon by iron oxyhydroxide and its effect on arsenate removal
Authors: Deliyanni Eleni , Bandosz Teresa J. , Matis Kostas A.
Published: October 2012

Background

Impregnation of activated carbon or oxidized activated carbon was carried out using iron(III) nitrate as starting solution and ammonia as the precipitating agent, intending the removal from aqueous solution of arsenates – a priority pollutant. The high affinity of iron oxyhydroxide nanocrystals toward inorganic arsenic species is known. Activated carbon, on the other hand, can provide a high surface area for adsorption. The initial materials and those after adsorption of arsenate were characterized, in order to explain the adsorption enhancing effect found, when using this precipitating agent.

Results

The role of carbon surface chemistry and structural heterogeneity on iron oxyhydroxide and thus, on the adsorption of arsenate were investigated. The study of the materials was carried out by adsorption of nitrogen, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal analysis. In this paper, it is suggested that a meso/microporous carbon surface possibly contributed to changes of arsenic, via reduction of As(V) to As (III). This might be visible in the increased degree of carbon oxidation. The adsorption capacity found was 32.86 mg of arsenic per gram of carbon, which is higher than the capacities of the other adsorbents reported in the literature.

Conclusion

Oxidation of the carbon support increased the dispersion of iron oxyhydroxide species on the surface and thus, enhanced the efficiency of arsenate immobilization in the carbon pore system. These species react with arsenate‐forming salts. Moreover, iron impregnation (or doping) of activated carbon combined by ammonia precipitation, especially on oxidized carbon support, led to ammonium moieties capable of attracting by electrostatic forces arsenate anionic species, resulting in enhanced adsorption capacity.
Electrochemically fabricated nanovolcano arrays for SERS applications
Authors: Tsang Chun Kwan , Shu Shiwei , Liang Fengxia , Zhang Jie , Zheng Lingxia , Li Yang Yang
Published: October 2012

Nanovolcano arrays were fabricated by electrodepositing Ni/Cu alloys into a monolayer of self‐assembled nanospheres and then electrochemically etching the deposited alloy film. The fabricated nanovolcano arrays feature highly ordered hexagonally arranged concave nanobowls decorated with triangular nanopores at their interstices. After coated with Ag, the nanovolcano arrays serve as high‐performance substrates for surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements. The experimental study shows that the structural features of the nanovolcano arrays, including concave nanobowls, nanopores, and their long‐range orders, all contribute to the observed strong SERS enhancement in a synergetic manner, which is further confirmed by the simulation results obtained using the finite‐difference time‐domain method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of auditory startle and nonstartle stimuli on step initiation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fernández‐Del‐Olmo Miguel , Bello Olalla , Lopez‐Alonso Virginia , Andrés Sanchez Jose , Santos‐García Diego , Valls‐Solé Josep
Published: October 2012

Background:

Auditory external cues enhance step initiation in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. We wanted to explore whether a startle reaction has a comparable effect on step initiation in PD.

Methods:

Thirteen PD patients and 13 aged‐matched controls participated in this study. Electromyography pattern and onset toe‐off time during a step initiation task were recorded in response to three different stimuli: a visual imperative stimulus; visual stimulus simultaneous with a nonstartle auditory stimulus and with a startle auditory stimulus.

Results:

In all subjects, onset of tibialis anterior was faster in the startle auditory condition, compared with the nonstartle auditory condition. However, in the patient group, there was no difference in onset of soleus and toe‐off between the startle and nonstartle conditions.

Conclusions:

Startle reaction in PD patients demonstrates a disordered coupling between the anticipatory postural adjustments that initiate the weight shift and the movement to initiate toe‐off during step initiation. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Muscle X‐ray attenuation is not decreased during experimental bed rest
Authors: Rittweger Jörn , Möller Klaus , Bareille Marie‐Pierre , Felsenberg Dieter , Zange Jochen
Published: October 2012

Introduction: Muscle X‐ray attenuation (MXA) in Hounsfield units (HU) is decreased in dystrophy, aging, and immobilization. We hypothesized a decrease also during bed rest (BR). Methods: Twenty‐five healthy men performed BR for 90 days, 8 of whom performed flywheel exercise 2–3 times per week. Muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and MXA were assessed by computed tomography. Results: In the control group, calf muscle CSA decreased during 89‐day BR by 26.6 (SD 3.8) %, while MXA increased by 1.2 HU on day 28 and almost reached baseline values on day 89. Changes were mitigated in the flywheel group for the calf (P < 0.001). All changes were reversed within 90 days after BR. Conclusions: Results contradict the initial hypothesis. Increased intramuscular blood content, interstitial fluid space shrinkage, and reduction of intramuscular lipid stores are possible explanations for the moderate increase in MXA during the initial phase of bed rest. Muscle Nerve 47: 722–730, 2013
The nsBETI method: an extension of the FETI method to non‐symmetrical BEM‐FEM coupled problems
Authors: González José A. , Rodríguez‐Tembleque Luis , Park K.C. , Abascal Ramón
Published: October 2012

The finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI) method is recognized as an effective domain decomposition tool to achieve scalability in the solution of partitioned second‐order elasticity problems. In the boundary element tearing and interconnecting (BETI) method, a direct extension of the FETI algorithm to the BEM, the symmetric Galerkin BEM formulation, is used to obtain symmetric system matrices, making possible to apply the same FETI conjugate gradient solver. In this work, we propose a new BETI variant labeled nsBETI that allows to couple substructures modeled with the FEM and/or non‐symmetrical BEM formulations. The method connects non‐matching BEM and FEM subdomains using localized Lagrange multipliers and solves the associated non‐symmetrical flexibility equations with a Bi‐CGstab iterative algorithm. Scalability issues of nsBETI in BEM–BEM and combined BEM–FEM coupled problems are also investigated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternative approaches to decreasing maternal anemia: identifying the need for social marketing strategies to promote iron‐folic acid supplementation in the Peruvian highlands
Authors: Shaw Alina , Golding Lenette , Girard Aimee Webb
Published: October 2012

Anemia is the most common health condition affecting women during pregnancy, and leads to adverse health outcomes of both the mother and infant. Despite national fortification and supplementation programs in Peru, 21% of women of reproductive age are anemic. Adherence to iron‐folic acid (IFA) supplements in this vulnerable population is low and influenced by side effects of the tablets, such as nausea and vomiting, caused by the generic formula of the tablets. The trust within a patient–provider relationship and the provider's competency at effective counseling increases women's adherence, whereas late entry into prenatal care and government regulations limit early initiation of IFA supplementation. It is important for partners to support women during supplementation and participate in their prenatal care. Social marketing strategies targeting the product, price, place, promotion, and policy of IFA supplements should decrease barriers to women's ability to obtain IFA tablets and adhere to the supplementation regimen and reduce iron deficiency maternal anemia. Public health practitioners implementing supplementation programs should consider different behavioral influences at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community levels that affect adherence.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methodologies for the detection of adverse drug reactions: comparison of hospital databases, chart review and spontaneous reporting
Authors: Miguel Ana , Azevedo Luís Filipe , Lopes Fernando , Freitas Alberto , Pereira Altamiro Costa
Published: October 2012

Purpose

To evaluate a methodology for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) detection through hospital databases.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify ADRs using diagnostic codes from databases, later validated by chart review. An independent chart review was performed for comparison, as well as assessment of spontaneous reports.

Results

325 ADRs were identified (prevalence of 2.41%, positive predictive value of 87.6%). Independent chart review identified 9% of ADRs at a cost of 35 person‐hours (versus two person‐hours in databases). There were seven spontaneous reports of ADRs.

Conclusions

Although not frequently used, the detection of ADRs through databases is a relatively less expensive, fast and effective methodology that can improve current pharmacovigilance systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New directions for an old construct: Depressive personality research in the DSM‐5 era
Authors: Huprich Steven
Published: October 2012

The DSM‐5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group has suggested that the DSM‐IV depressive personality disorder (DPD) construct be assessed within a proposed set of trait domains, which include anxiousness, depressivity, and anhedonia, and that the diagnostic category itself be removed from the DSM‐5. A review of studies on DPD has demonstrated many challenges and limitations to DPD research, despite strong evidence of its validity and clinical utility. Nevertheless, there remains much interest in how a depressive personality construct fits into a dimensionalized framework of assessing psychopathology. In this paper, I offer three major research directions that can help advance our understanding of the depressive personality construct. These directions can inform researchers and clinicians how depressive personality fits within broad trait dimensions of classification, as well as the internal psychological processes, dynamics and content that characterize this type of psychopathology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional protein microarray as molecular decathlete: A versatile player in clinical proteomics
Authors: Zhu Heng , Cox Eric , Qian Jiang
Published: October 2012

Functional protein microarrays were developed as a high‐throughput tool to overcome the limitations of DNA microarrays and to provide a versatile platform for protein functional analyses. Recent years have witnessed tremendous growth in the use of protein microarrays, particularly functional protein microarrays, to address important questions in the field of clinical proteomics. In this review, we will summarize some of the most innovative and exciting recent applications of protein microarrays in clinical proteomics, including biomarker identification, pathogen–host interactions, and cancer biology.
New on‐line methods for determining the deuterium/hydrogen composition of water and hydrocarbon gases using O2– ion‐conducting solid electrolyte reactor
Authors: Sevastyanov Vyacheslav S. , Pedentchouk Nikolai , Babulevich Nataliya E. , Galimov Eric M.
Published: October 2012

RATIONALE

The deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) composition of water and hydrocarbon gases is widely used in geological, environmental and petroleum studies. The aim of this work was to develop a simple reduction zirconium dioxide solid electrolyte reactor (SER) for water decomposition and new methods for measuring hydrogen isotope ratios in water and hydrocarbon gases.

METHODS

δ2HVSMOW values were determined using two new different on‐line methods: solid electrolyte reactor isotope ratio mass spectrometry (SER‐IRMS) for water and gas chromatography combustion solid electrolyte reactor isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC‐C‐SER‐IRMS) for hydrocarbon gases.

RESULTS

We have designed a solid electrolyte reactor based on oxygen ion‐conducting zirconium dioxide stabilized by yttria (Y2O3). The reactor was used for catalytic electrochemical decomposition of water in a helium carrier gas. The solid electrolyte reactor has a small internal volume of 0.1 cm3. It was operated at a temperature of ~950 °C. The total time of analysis for determining the hydrogen isotope ratio in water was 150 s. A typical water sample volume was about 0.2 μL (split ratio 500:1). The precision of the δ2HVSMOW measurements for water was better than or equal to 2.2‰ and that for hydrocarbon gases was within 0.5–3.0‰.

CONCLUSIONS

Fast, simple and accurate on‐line methods (SER‐IRMS and GC‐C‐SER‐IRMS) were developed. The SER‐IRMS method makes it possible to work with small water samples. Although the GC‐C‐SER‐IRMS method was developed for hydrocarbons, it can also be used for other organic gases and their mixtures. The new solid electrolyte reactor for water decomposition is low cost and the ceramic tube is inexpensive. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the control of Markov jump linear systems with no mode observation: application to a DC Motor device
Authors: Vargas Alessandro N. , Costa Eduardo F. , do Val João B.R.
Published: October 2012

This paper deals with the control problem of discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems for the case in which the controller does not have access to the state of the Markov chain. A necessary optimal condition, which is nonlinear with respect to the optimizing variables, is introduced, and the corresponding solution is obtained through a variational convergent method. We illustrate the practical usefulness of the derived approach by applying it in the control speed of a real DC Motor device subject to abrupt power failures.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous adaptive observer for state affine sampled‐data systems
Authors: Hann Cheikh A.B. , Ahmed‐Ali Tarek
Published: October 2012

In this paper, a hybrid adaptive observer is designed for a class of nonlinear sampled‐data systems with constant unknown parameters. The proposed observer uses a predictor of the output between the sampling times. This predictor is re‐initialized at each sampling time. This observer is very simple to implement and converges exponentially under some sufficient conditions. An explicit relation between the bound of the maximum allowable sampling time (τMASP) and the parameters of the observer is also given. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MULTIPLICATIVE LOSS OF LANDLOCKED ATLANTIC SALMON Salmo salar L. SMOLTS DURING DOWNSTREAM MIGRATION TROUGH MULTIPLE DAMS
Authors: Norrgård J. R. , Greenberg L. A. , Piccolo J. J. , Schmitz M. , Bergman E.
Published: October 2012

Relatively little is known about the downstream migration of landlocked stocks of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. smolts, as earlier migration studies have generally focused on upstream migration. However, in watersheds with many hydroelectric plants (HEPs), multiplicative loss of downstream‐migrating salmon smolts can be high, contributing to population declines or extirpations. Here we report the results from a study of wild landlocked Atlantic salmon smolts in the River Klarälven. Salmon smolts, tagged with acoustic transmitters, were released at different locations and followed as they passed 37 receivers along a 180‐km‐long river segment, including eight dams as well as free‐flowing control stretches. We found that 16% of the smolts successfully migrated along the entire river segment. Most losses occurred during HEP passages, with 76% of the smolts being lost during these passages, which contrasts with the 8% smolt loss along unregulated control stretches. Migration speed was 83% slower along regulated stretches than along unregulated stretches. The observed lower migration speed at regulated stretches was dependent on fish size, with large fish moving slower than small fish. Discharge affected migration speed but not losses. As previously shown for anadromous populations, our study of landlocked salmon demonstrates similar negative effects of multiple passages of HEPs by downstream‐migrating smolts. On the basis of this and previous migration studies, we advocate using a holistic approach in the management and conservation of migratory fish in regulated rivers, which includes safe passage for both upstream‐ and downstream‐migrating fish. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling the hierarchical structure in datasets with very small clusters: a simulation study to explore the effect of the proportion of clusters when the outcome is continuous
Authors: Sauzet O. , Wright K.C. , Marston L. , Brocklehurst P. , Peacock J.L.
Published: October 2012

In cluster‐randomised trials, the problem of non‐independence within clusters is well known, and appropriate statistical analysis documented. Clusters typically seen in cluster trials are large in size and few in number, whereas datasets of preterm infants incorporate clusters of size two (twins), size three (triplets) and so on, with the majority of infants being in ‘clusters’ of size one. In such situations, it is unclear whether adjustment for clustering is needed or even possible. In this paper, we compared analyses allowing for clustering (linear mixed model) with analyses ignoring clustering (linear regression). Through simulations based on two real datasets, we explored estimation bias in predictors of a continuous outcome in different size datasets typical of preterm samples, with varying percentages of twins. Overall, the biases for estimated coefficients were similar for linear regression and mixed models, but the standard errors were consistently much less well estimated when using a linear model. Non‐convergence was rare but was observed in approximately 5% of mixed models for samples below 200 and percentage of twins 2% or less. We conclude that in datasets with small clusters, mixed models should be the method of choice irrespective of the percentage of twins. If the mixed model does not converge, a linear regression can be fitted, but standard error will be underestimated, and so type I error may be inflated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beginn der Brückenschweißung vor 80 Jahren
Authors: Braun Michael
Published: October 2012

Der nachfolgende Beitrag soll einen vor ca. acht Jahrzehnten vollzogenen, mühevollen aber auch sehr mutigen Schritt deutscher Ingenieure und Stahlfachleute beschreiben. Vor rund 80 Jahren begann der Einzug der Schweißtechnik in den Stahlbrückenbau langsam Fahrt aufzunehmen und sich alsbald in einen Siegeszug zu entwickeln. Die Sorge vor Versagen war dennoch nicht frugal, waren doch Brücken per se hohen und zudem ständig wechselnden statischen und dynamischen Beanspruchungen ausgesetzt. In der Nachschau indes kann festgehalten werden, dass es, gemessen an der doch revolutionären Veränderung des Fügeprozesses, zu nachgerade erstaunlich wenigen Versagensfällen gekommen ist.

Als dezidiert entschiedensten Befürworter und Förderer der Schweißtechnik im deutschen Stahlbrückenbau muss man Gottwalt Schaper bezeichnen. Nicht zuletzt deshalb sind im nachstehenden Beitrag überdurchschnittlich viele Verweise auf seine Urheberschaft zu finden, wie überhaupt gerade dieses Thema als eine Hommage an Schaper außerordentlich geeignet erscheint.
A systemic review of shipboard SCR installations in practice
Authors: Österman Cecilia , Magnusson Mathias
Published: October 2012

Growing customer demands and more stringent regulations to reduce harmful air emissions from ships have resulted in an increased interest for the installation of shipboard abatement technologies. Specifically, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) was early adopted by several Swedish shipping companies. The potential NOxreduction efficiency of the SCR is well established, but the practical experiences of shipboard installations have been less documented. This paper reviews from a systems perspective the practical experiences of marine SCR installations in Swedish shipping. The aim is to identify important not only technical but also human and organizational conditions necessary for safe, efficient, and sustainable SCR operations at sea. Further, to investigate to what extent the capabilities and limitations of human operators and maintainers are taken into account in the design and installation phase of the systems. Two focus group interviews (n = 10) and five individual interviews were held with relevant stakeholders in the industry, following a semi-structured schedule on the themes installation, operation, maintenance, and training. The results show that deficiencies in the overall system design—with a combination of technical issues, maintenance access problems, and untrained operators with inadequate understanding of the SCR process—have led to inefficient, costly, and unsafe operations. It is concluded that installations and operations of marine SCR systems, and possibly other forthcoming abatement technologies, would benefit from the use of traditional ergonomic principles and methods. This would in turn contribute towards increased sustainability and a reduced environmental impact from shipping.
The Artistic Practice, Protracted Publication and Posthumous Completion of Charles Alfred Stothard's Monumental Effigies of Great Britain
Authors: Lindley Phillip
Published: October 2012

This paper examines the complicated circumstances surrounding the very slow production of The Monumental Effigies of Great Britain, the great masterpiece of Charles Alfred Stothard, FSA, and the various reasons why it took twenty-one years to complete. The methods and techniques Stothard adopted to produce his celebrated etchings and the evolution of his artistic style are first analysed, as is the role played by Thomas Kerrich, FSA, in the project. Next, this paper investigates the severe problems facing Stothard's young widow, Anna Eliza, and his brother-in-law, Alfred Kempe, FSA, as they tried to bring the project to a conclusion, and the reasons why it was necessary to employ four different etchers to produce the remaining plates from Stothard's original drawings. Anna Eliza's recording of Charles Stothard's achievements, her scrupulous preservation of his drawings and her poignant publication of his life story are shown to have consolidated and enhanced his posthumous reputation as perhaps the finest antiquarian artist ever to depict medieval monumental sculpture.
The King's High Table at the Palace of Westminster
Authors: Collins Mark , Emery Phillip , Phillpotts Christopher , Samuel Mark , Thomas Christopher
Published: October 2012

Archaeological and engineering work that took place in Westminster Hall in 2005–6 led to the discovery of further remains of the King's High Table, to add to those discovered in 1960. The Purbeck marble table stood at the south end of the hall from the thirteenth century to the seventeenth century and was the focus and symbol of English monarchy, serving particular roles in coronation feasts and in the development of the law courts. This paper suggests a reconstruction of the original table and its later extensions from the recovered fragments, and reviews the evidence for the construction, usage and destruction of the table in the context of the evolution of the hall and the palace, tracing its history through to its recent rediscovery and exhibition.
Effects of high-fat chow on heart tissue in acute and chronic experimental murine schistosomiasis mansoni
Authors: GÓES V. C. , NEVES R. H. , ALENCAR A. C. M. B. , OLIVEIRA A. V. , GOMES D. C. , MACHADO-SILVA J. R.
Published: October 2012

This study aimed to investigate myocardial injuries in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and fed a high-fat chow. Sections of myocardial tissue from S. mansoni-infected mice, and controls that had been killed 9 and 17 weeks post-infection, were stained with H&E and Picrosirius red. Histopathological examination, stereological design-based method (optical disector) and morphometry (vessels, cardiomyocytes and an amount of collagen) were used. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA. Regardless of time of infection, myocardial tissue from the infected mice fed high-fat chow showed myocarditis characterized by a higher number of inflammatory foci, several areas displaying coagulation of cardiac fibres, a greater loss of cardiomyocytes and fibroblast proliferation than in the standard chow control. Comparing infected mice from acute and chronic infections, a higher cardiomyocyte hyperplasia (P < 0·0001) and higher amounts of collagen (P < 0·05) were observed than in standard chow control. In addition, all animals fed high-fat chow showed lower numerical density and total number of cardiomyocytes (P < 0·05), thicker vessel walls and narrowed luminal intramyocardial vessels (P > 0·05) than in the standard chow control. Altogether the data supported the view that a double burden has a synergistic deleterious effect on the myocardial tissue.
The role of the invasive polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) (Serpulidae) as facilitator of parasite transmission in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: ETCHEGOIN J. A. , MERLO M. J. , PARIETTI M.
Published: October 2012

In Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Argentina), the reefs of the invasive polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Serpulidae) serve as concentration areas for invertebrates and vertebrates and as potential foci of parasite transmission (mainly digeneans). To analyse the role of F. enigmaticus as facilitator of parasite transmission, and to evaluate the influence of the habitats selected by 2 species of cochliopid snails (Heleobia conexa and Heleobia australis), on the richness and on the prevalence of the digenean assemblages that parasitize them, 1945 snails were collected from 2 sampling sites. The comparisons between larval digenean communities parasitizing both snail hosts revealed significant differences related to the overall prevalence and the prevalence contributed by birds in the snails collected from reefs. These results support the idea that the reefs may increase the number of links between intermediate and definitive hosts of digeneans, facilitating parasite transmission only when the aggregates of F. enigmaticus become the unique habitat of the snail host. This first report of an exotic species acting as facilitator of parasite transmission in an estuarine area highlights the importance of analysing the effects of the assimilation process of exotic species by recently colonized environments (including the possible effects on parasite transmission).
On bubble and spike oscillations in a dusty gas Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Authors: Balakrishnan Kaushik
Published: October 2012

The Multiphase Buoyancy-Drag model recently formulated in Balakrishnan & Menon, Laser and Particle Beams, 2011 is applied to investigate the (1) rise of dusty gas Rayleigh-Taylor bubbles into a pure gas and (2) fall of pure gas Rayleigh-Taylor spikes into a region of particles. It is demonstrated that for these two scenarios, the bubble or spike amplitude oscillates about the dusty gas/pure gas interface. The ratio of the bubble or spike amplitudes on the pure gas side to the dusty gas side, asymptotes to a constant that depends only on the initial Atwood number, A, the multiphase Atwood number, Am, and the initial wavelength of the perturbation, λo. For the same Am, the ratio decreases with A for oscillating bubbles, and vice versa for oscillating spikes.
Peri-operative care in adults with congenital heart disease: room for improvement in after care
Authors: Schoormans Dounya , Smets Ellen M. A. , Zwart Ronald , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Veelenturg Tonny H. M. , de Mol Bas A. J. M. , Hazekamp Mark G. , Koolbergen Dave R. , Sojak Vladimir , Bouma Berto J. , Groenink Maarten , Boekholdt Matthijs S. M. , Backx Ad P. C. M. , Mulder Barbara J. M.
Published: October 2012

Background

Patient satisfaction with care has received little attention within the field of congenital heart disease. Our objective was to examine patient satisfaction with the care received when undergoing open-heart surgery in order to identify the best and worst aspects of peri-operative care. Moreover, we examined whether having contact with a specialised nurse in addition to usual care is associated with higher patient satisfaction levels.

Methods

Patient satisfaction was measured by the Satisfaction with Hospital Care Questionnaire, evaluating nine aspects of care by answering individual items and giving overall grades. A top 10 of the best and worst items was selected. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between having contact with a specialised nurse and patient satisfaction (9 grades), independent of patient characteristics – sex, age, educational level, and health status.

Results

Data were available for 75 patients. Grades ranged from 6.74 for “discharge and after care” to 8.18 for “medical care”. In all, 21% of patients were dissatisfied with the clarity of the information about lifestyle adjustments given by the surgeon. However, patients who had contact with a specialised nurse were more satisfied with the provided information (B-coefficient is 0.497, p-value is 0.038), independent of patient characteristics.

Conclusions

Patients were satisfied with the received care, although there is room for improvement, especially in discharge and after care and the clarity of the information provided by the surgeon. This gap in care can be compensated for by specialised nurses, as patients who were counselled by a specialised nurse were more satisfied with the provided information.
Necrotising enterocolitis in infants with congenital heart disease: the role of enteral feeds
Authors: Iannucci Glen J. , Oster Matthew E. , Mahle William T.
Published: October 2012

Objective

Necrotising enterocolitis is a rare, though catastrophic complication that may occur in term newborns with congenital heart disease. There is considerable controversy regarding the factors that lead to necrotising enterocolitis in this population. We sought to determine the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis among term and near-term newborns with congenital heart disease, focusing on the relationship of enteral feeding to this complication.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we identified the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis among 1551 newborns admitted to our cardiac intensive care unit between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2010. In order to understand the impact of enteral feeding upon the development of necrotising enterocolitis, we undertook a nested 2:1 matched case–control analysis to compare feeding patterns in an age- and lesion-matched control population.

Results

Necrotising enterocolitis developed in 45 term or near-term infants (3%). The majority of these cases, 27 (60%), occurred in the post-operative period after the introduction of enteral feeds. This subgroup was used for matched analysis. There were no differences in enteral feeding patterns among the patients who developed necrotising enterocolitis and their matched controls. The overall mortality rate for patients who developed necrotising enterocolitis was 24.4% (11 out of 45).

Conclusions

Despite numerous advances in the care of infants with congenital heart disease, necrotising enterocolitis remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. In these infants, there is no clear relationship between enteral feeding patterns and the development of necrotising enterocolitis in the post-operative period. The benefits of graduated feeding advancements to avoid the development of necrotising enterocolitis remain unproven.