bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KHMER PRINTED CHARACTER RECOGNITION BY USING WAVELET DESCRIPTORS
Authors: CHEY C. , KUMHOM P. , CHAMNONGTHAI K.
Published: June 2006

In Khmer printed characters, same character has various shapes according to the fonts and some characters are very similar in shape. In this paper we try to solve these problems, and propose a method of Khmer printed character recognition by using Wavelet Descriptors. In the recognition, firstly the Khmer printed character images are converted to skeleton forms, then skeletons of Khmer character are converted to temporal domain. The templates are obtained by wavelet coefficients from the character training set. To match the input characters with templates, the character recognition method using deformable wavelet descriptor is adapted by using fixed template and Euclidean distance classifier for matching. The smallest distance is the recognition result of the proposed method. As a result, the deformation can be skipped because it might get low recognition rate of similar characters. The experiment consists of two parts. The first part is to evaluate the overall recognition rate of input characters with three different sizes (22-point, 18-point and 12-point) from 10 different fonts of Khmer printed character. Twenty styles of characters are used as the training set. The results show 92.85, 91.66, and 89.27 percent for 22-point, 18-point, and 12-point respectively. The second part is to specifically evaluate the system, testing with one document that has 21 pages of Khmer printed character with different resolutions from a scanner and facsimile (fax). The document is initially printed with 300 dpi (dots per inch), then scanned with three different resolutions, 600 dpi, 300 dpi and 150 dpi. The document that received from fax machine is scanned by 300 dpi. The results show 92.99, 88.61, and 80.05 percent recognition rate for 300, 150 dpi resolutions, and input from fax respectively.
OUTCOME UNCERTAINTY AND INTERESTEDNESS IN GAME-PLAYING: A CASE STUDY USING SYNCHRONIZED HEX
Authors: CINCOTTI ALESSANDRO , IIDA HIROYUKI
Published: June 2006

Outcome uncertainty is a key-factor to measure the interestedness of a game because people are not attracted by the game where the outcome is easily predictable. To create new variants of classical games is quite easy but to refine solved games, in order to make them much more fascinating, is challenging. We introduce two simple techniques (synchronism and stochastic elements) to refine the game of Hex. Experimental results show an increment of the outcome uncertainty defined as entropic function.
SELF-PLAYING-BASED OPENING BOOK TUNING
Authors: NAGASHIMA JUN , HASHIMOTO TSUYOSHI , IIDA HIROYUKI
Published: June 2006

This paper proposes a method to tune an opening book based on self-playing games. In this method, many self-playing games are performed from various positions that are contained in the book. The book is well tuned for the target computer program that it may lure the opponent to play into its own hands. We produced some different types of books through the self-playing based tuning to perform a tournament. The tournament results indicate a remarkable playing strength improvement compared to the program with the original book. The proposed idea was implemented in our computer shogi program TACOS, which won the latest Computer Olympiad.
Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of lignin and humic acids with supported TiO2
Authors: Portjanskaja Elina , Preis Sergei , Kallas Juha
Published: June 2006

The photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of UV‐irradiated aqueous solutions containing humic acids and lignin was studied. The photocatalyst TiO2 was attached to buoyant hollow glass microspheres and glass plates. A maximum oxidation efficiency as low as 1.1 and 2.54 mg W−1h−1 for humic acids and lignin, respectively, was achieved in neutral and alkaline media with 25 gm−2 of the buoyant catalyst. In acidic media, efficiency was even lower. The photocatalytic efficiency with the photocatalyst attached to glass plates was about 3 to 4 times higher than that for the buoyant catalyst. Ferrous ions added to acidic solutions did not increase the rate of PCO of humic acids. However the addition of Fe2+ ions, up to 0.05 mM, to the lignin solution leads to a dramatic increase, about 25%, in PCO efficiency. A further increase in ferrous ion concentration results in a decrease in the PCO efficiency of lignin. Proceeding most likely by a radical mechanism, the efficiency of PCO of humic acids did not benefit from an excessive presence of hydroxyl radical promoters, such as hydrogen peroxide, although the reaction rate increased. However, PCO of lignin in the acidic medium, where OH.‐radical formation is suppressed, benefited from the introduction of hydrogen peroxide due to promoted radical formation.
Factors affecting research productivity of production and operations management groups: An empirical study
Authors: Hadjinicola George C. , Soteriou Andreas C.
Published: June 2006

This paper identifies factors that promote research productivity
of production and operations management (POM) groups of
researchers in US business schools. In this study, research
productivity of a POM group is defined as the number of articles
published per POM professor in a specific period of time. The
paper also examines factors that affect research quality, as
measured by the number of articles published per POM professor in
journals, which have been recognized in the POM literature as an
elite set. The results show that three factors increase both the
research productivity and the quality of the articles published by
professors of a POM group. These factors are (a) the presence of a
POM research center, (b) funding received from external sources
for research purposes, and (c) better library facilities. Doctoral
students do assist in improving research quality and productivity,
but they are not the driving force. These results have important
implications for establishing policy guidelines for business
schools. For example, real-world problems are funded by external
sources and have a higher probability of publication. Furthermore,
schools could place more emphasis on external funding, as most
engineering schools do, since groups receiving external funding
are more productive in terms of research.
The Levels of Ghrelin, Leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma due to HBV and HDV Infection
Authors: Ataseven Huseyin , Bahcecioglu Ibrahim Halil , Kuzu Nalan , Yalniz Mehmet , Celebi Selman , Erensoy Ahmet , Ustundag Bilal
Published: June 2006

Background/Aim. Malnutrition, a common problem in liver
cirrhosis and HCC, may readily deteriorate the clinical functions
with resultant poor prognosis. Beside the hyper catabolic state
frequently encountered in chronic liver disease and HCC, anorexia
and reduced food intake also worsen the malnutrition. The recently
discovered peptide hormone ghrelin acts as a counterpart of leptin
in regulation of food intake and fat utilization. The aim of the
present study was to investigate the ghrelin and leptin levels in
cirrhosis and HCC due to hepatitis B and D viruses, and the
association of ghrelin and leptin with TNF‐α, IL‐6 and the severity of the disease. Materials and methods. We
measured serum ghrelin, leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 levels using specific immunoassay in 45 patients (23 cirrhosis, 22 HCC)
with HBV and/or HDV and in 25 control subjects. Results.
In comparison to controls, serum ghrelin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 levels were significantly higher in cirrhosis and HCC (P < .05), whereas serum leptin levels were found decreased (P < .05). There was a positive correlation between ghrelin and TNF‐α, and a negative correlation between leptin and TNF‐α (P < .05). Conclusion. In cirrhosis and HCC due to HBV or HDV, serum
ghrelin levels were increased with a corresponding decrease in
serum leptin concentrations, acting as a physiological counterpart
of ghrelin. The increasing of ghrelin is more prominent in Child
C cirrhosis and the level was correlated with TNF‐α. The presence of nutritional and metabolic abnormalities, including
malnutrition, in cirrhosis and HCC may, at least partly, elucidate high ghrelin and low leptin levels.
A Phase II Nonrandomised Open‐Label Study of Liposomal Daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: McTiernan Anne , Whelan Jeremy , Leahy Michael , Woll Penella J. , Judson Ian
Published: June 2006

Thirty four patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma not previously treated with an anthracycline were treated with DaunoXome 100mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Thirty‐three patients were evaluable for toxicity. Grade 3‐4 neutropenia was seen in 20 patients (60.6%), complicated by febrile neutropenia in 2 (6.1%). Other grade 3 toxicities were rare. Among 32 patients assessable for response, one patient had a partial response, giving a response rate of 3.13% (95% confidence interval, 0.08–16.22%). Seven patients (21.9%) had stable disease, and 24 patients (75.0%) had disease progression. The median time to progression for all patients was 42 days (95% CI, 39–49) and the progression‐free rate at 3 months was 12.5%. In conclusion, DaunoXome at this dose and schedule is well tolerated in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, but is not associated with significant activity. Further studies at this dose and schedule cannot be recommended in this disease.
A common origin of the 4143insA ADAMTS13 mutation
Authors: Hovinga Johanna A. , Becker Tim , Budde Ulrich , Karpman Diana , Brockhaus Wolfgang , Hrachovinová Ingrid , Korczowski Bartosz , Oyen Florian , Rittich Šimon , von Rosen Johannes , Tjønnfjord Geir , Pimanda John , Wienker Thomas , Lämmle Bernhard , Schneppenheim Reinhard
Published: June 2006

Severely deficient activity of the von Willebrand Factor (VWF) cleaving metalloprotease,ADAMTS13, is associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).The mutation spectrum of ADAMTS13 is rather heterogeneous,and numerous mutations spread across the gene have been described in association with congenital TTP. The 4143insA mutation is unusual with respect to its geographic concentration. Following the initial report from Germany in which the 4143insA mutation was detected in four apparently unrelated families, we have now identified this mutation in a further eleven patients from Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Australia. Confirmation that the Australian patient is of German ancestry, together with the Northern and Central European origin of most of the other patients, suggests that the 4143insA mutation has a common genetic background. We established ADAMTS13 haplotypes by analyzing 17 polymorphic intragenic markers. The haplotypes linked to 4143insA were identical in all informative families. Three novel candidate mutations, C347S, P671L and R1060W, as well as the known mutation R507Q, were also identified during the course of the study. We conclude that 4143insA has a common genetic background and is frequent among patients with hereditary ADAMTS13 deficiency in Northern and Central European countries.
Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphism and venous thrombosis
Authors: Cochery-Nouvellon Eva , Vitry Fabien , Cornillet-Lefebvre Pascale , Hezard Nathalie , Gillot Lucile , Nguyen Philippe
Published: June 2006

The human interleukin-10 promoter gene is highly polymorphic. IL-10 polymorphisms have been associated with various autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. Although IL-10 has been shown to modulate thrombin generation in several experimental models, it is not known whether IL-10 polymorphisms could be a risk factor for venous thrombosis. We therefore conducted a case-control study comparing 74 consecutive patients who experienced at least one episode of documented venous thromboembolic event and 100 healthy controls. All subjects were Caucasians. Five polymorphisms of the IL-10 promoter gene were studied: two highly polymorphic dinucleotide repeats, IL-10 R and IL-10G, and three single nucleotide polymorphisms at position −1082, −819 and −592. Factor VG1691C Leiden mutation was systematically determined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IL-10 G13 and G10 alleles are independent risk factors for venous thrombosis (Odds ratio:OR = 3.33, p = 0.003 and OR = 2.83, p = 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, IL-10 G10 allele is more frequent in recurrent disease.
Flow cytometry-sorted non-viable endotoxin-treated human monocytes are strongly procoagulant
Authors: Klingenberg Olav , Joø Gun-Britt , Kierulf Peter , Henriksson Carola , Hellum Marit , Landsverk Kirsti
Published: June 2006

Monocytes/macrophages are important in disease states such as gram-negative sepsis and coronary artery disease. Following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), monocytes express tissue factor (TF), the main initiator of blood coagulation. We previously demonstrated that human monocytes treated with high concentrations of LPS, or with LPS and calcium ionophore, displayed higher TF activity than monocytes treated with only low concentrations of LPS, even though the monocytes under all conditions expressed similar amounts of cell surface TF antigen. Such restrained TF activity is often referred to as encryption and its release as de-encryption. We also observed that the increase in TF activity, de-encryption, coincided with an increase in cell surface phosphatidylserine (PS) representing apoptosis and necrosis. In the present work, we separated LPS and LPS and calcium ionophore-treated human monocytes into two populations, one of mainly viable, PS negative cells, and one of mainly non-viable, PS positive cells, by sorting flow-cytometry. We observed that non-viable cells expressed considerably less TF antigen than viable cells. Despite this, non-viable cells were clearly more procoagulant than viable cells in two different coagulation assays. Procoagulant activity was dependent on both TF and PS. We consider the higher content of externalized PS in non-viable monocytes as the major reason for the stronger procoagulant activity of these cells. Thus, TF de-encryption appears largely to occur on PS positive, non-viable cells under these conditions. This supports the important role of PS in coagulation, and it suggests that PS expression signifying cell death, may be clinically relevant.
The Role of Tax Exemption in a Competitive Health Care Market
Authors: Colombo John D.
Published: June 2006

The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice 2004 report on competition in health care raises the issue of nonprofit versus for-profit form in several contexts, including their relative financial performance, pricing behavior, and role in caring for the uninsured poor. The report, however, does not discuss in detail the connection between tax exemption and the nonprofit/for-profit debate. Is tax exemption, for example, “buying” charity care for the poor, and would withdrawal of exemption negatively impact health care for the uninsured poor? Or is tax exemption justified on the grounds of other nonprofit behavior outside the financial realm and thus not considered by the report? If nonprofit status does not result in differential financial behavior (as the report concludes) and if competition will end the ability of hospitals to cross subsidize free care for the poor (as the report speculates), is there any reason to retain tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals? This article summarizes the debate on these issues and offers some alternatives to the current structure of tax exemption for nonprofit health care providers.
Synthesis of Diphenyl Carbonate from CO2, Phenoxide, and CCl4 with ZnCl2 as Catalyst
Authors: Li Zhenhuan , Qin Zhangfeng , Zhu Huaqing , Wang Jianguo
Published: June 2006

Direct synthesis of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) from phenoxide, CO2 and CCl4 in one pot was realized with ZnCl2 as catalyst. Trichloromethyl cation may act on potassium phenyl carbonate, which brings the carbonyl more easily attached on by the phenoxide. Onium salts promote the reaction greatly, especially with phenol and potassium carbonate instead of phenoxide as reactants. Moreover, the substituent on the aromatic ring has significant effects on the selectivity and yield of carbonate.
A Novel Poly(Dl-lactic acid) Nanoparticle of Nitroxide Derivative, 4-Ferrocenecarboxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl Piperidine-1-oxyl
Authors: Wu Ying , Miao Lede , Yuan Huihui , Zuo Shaohua , Ding Changming , Lan Minbo
Published: June 2006

A newly synthesized nitroxide radical, 4-ferrocenecarboxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl (FC-TEMPO), was firstly encapsulated in the poly(Dl-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles by the modified spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method. The formation of the nanoparticles with diameters of 120 ± 15 nm has been confirmed by a laser particle size analyzer. The morphology of the nanoparticles exhibited a fine spherical shape without aggregation or adhesion by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra indicated that FC-TEMPO was mainly encapsulated into PLA nanoparticle core.
A Precursor Route for the Preparation of Metal–Dielectric Composite in Large Scale
Authors: Tian Chungui , Wang Enbo , Gao Lei , Kang Zhenhui , Zhang Chao , Wang Chunlei , Lan Yang
Published: June 2006

In this paper, a novel method based on formation of a precursor was developed to fabricate metal–dielectric colloids in large scale. Metal nanoparticles formed in situ on the surface of the polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified dielectric colloids.
The Paradox Facing DNA Patenting in Europe
Authors: Hsu Shun-liang
Published: June 2006

Nowadays there are increasing biological innovations standing in the filing queue to be passed by the authority so that the patentee can claim the trophy of exclusive right awarded by State. On the one hand, this may be seen as a sign that the heavily invested bio-industry is beginning to bear fruits, which according to some famous management school, serves as an important indication to demonstrate how competitive a State is as a whole. Whereas, on the other hand, because the controversy centering biotechnology has long time been the material

DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid consists of four building blocks, termed nucleotides – Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T). Usually in the cell nucleus, genes are contained in long DNA molecules and can be represented as letters in a four- letter alphabet used to write out the biological messages. Each cell of the human body maintains information-containing hereditary units, the genes that control identifiable traits of an organism. There are approximately 26,000 to 31,000 protein-encoding genes in the human genome.

In the knowledge-based era, patent provides an excellent vehicle to drive technology further into exploration of the unknown world. Despite any potential risk from upstream scientific R&D to downstream business strategy, government's policy often plays a pivotal role in the whole picture. As a result, political interpretation of a newly developed technology seems to always surpass the appealing benefits envisaged by different interested groups, being academia or industry. The reason why biotech craze can boom within the industry is likely to be attributed to the incentive a rather rigid patent system can provide. In addition to other pre-requisites, to determine whether a biological invention constitutes patentable subject matter, two notions have been raised to argue in practical evaluation. The first one is the substantial difference between discovery and invention and the second, the ethical judgment-whether or not an invention is contrary to ‘

‘

Despite any potential drawbacks imposed by ethical deliberation, what seems fast growing nowadays is the piled up applications for gene patent and a still ambiguous principle tangled by vigorous ethical debate.
Gesteuerter und ungesteuerter Grammatikerwerb, Bericht über die AG 4 auf der Jahrestagung der „Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sprachwissenschaft“ (DGfS) in Mainz, 25.–27. Februar 2004
Authors: Becker Tabea , Peschel Corinna
Published: June 2006

Der traditionelle Grammatikunterricht hat sich immer wieder vorwerfen lassen müssen, die Verstehens- und Handlungsmöglichkeiten der Schülerinnen und Schüler nicht ausreichend zur berücksichtigen. Dieser Vorwurf liegt vor allem darin begründet, dass Kenntnisse über das Sprachwissen der Schüler und damit über die Integrierbarkeit und Verwendbarkeit des unterrichtlich zu Vermittelnden bei Lehrkräften in der Regel nur in sehr eingeschränktem Maße vorhanden sind. Fragen wie die folgenden sind aber für einen schülergerechten wie auch sachangemessenen Grammatikunterricht unerlässlich: Was wissen Schüler schon über sprachliche Formen und ihre Funktionen, was müssen sie neu lernen? Was sollte lediglich aus dem Status impliziten Wissens in explizites Wissen umgewandelt werden. Hier kommt der Kategorie der „Sprachbewusstheit” entscheidende Bedeutung zu.
Das Klassikerwörterbuch: Begründung und Erläuterung eines digitalen Wörterbuchprojekts zum differenten Wortschatz in der klassischen Literatur
Authors: Brückner Dominik , Knoop Ulrich
Published: June 2006

This article is a delineation of the „Projekt Klassikerwortschatz“ that collects and processes those words in german literature between ca. 1750 and 1900 which are semantically different in today's german due to language change. It is the aim of the project to publish a dictionary in print, on CD-ROM as well as on the internet that explains these words in order to help to understand the literary language of the german „classic period“. The dictionary will therefore be a beginning of an attempt to fill the gap between Reichmann's FWB, the DWB and the DWDS which curiously coincides with this important period of german literature. The article focuses on the survey phase, when voluntary readers marked those words that made it difficult for them to understand a passage, the digitalization and the processing within the computerized environment. The main focus is on the digital editorial system „Paula“ which has been developped specifically for the „Klassikerwörterbuch“ and enables the lexicographer to focus exclusively on the content of the article rather than its format.
Molecular Evolution and Population Genetic Analysis of Candidate Female Reproductive Genes in Drosophila
Authors: Panhuis Tami M , Swanson Willie J
Published: June 2006

Molecular analyses in several taxa have consistently shown that genes involved in reproduction are rapidly evolving and subjected to positive selection. The mechanism behind this evolution is not clear, but several proposed hypotheses involve the coevolution between males and females. In Drosophila, several male reproductive proteins (Acps) involved in male–male and male–female interactions show evidence of rapid adaptive evolution. What has been missing from the Drosophila literature is the identification and analysis of female reproductive genes. Recently, an evolutionary expressed sequence tag analysis of Drosophila female reproductive tract genes identified 169 candidate female reproductive genes. Many of these candidate genes still await further molecular analysis and independent verification of positive selection. Our goal was to expand our understanding of the molecular evolution of Drosophila female reproductive genes with a detailed polymorphism and divergence study on seven additional candidate female reproductive genes and a reanalysis of two genes from the above study. We demonstrate that 6 candidate female genes of the 9 genes surveyed show evidence of positive selection using both polymorphism and divergence data. One of these proteins (CG17012) is modeled to reveal that the sites under selection fall around and within the active site of this protease, suggesting potential differences between species. We discuss our results in light of potential function as well as interaction with male reproductive proteins.
Performance of Marker-Based Relatedness Estimators in Natural Populations of Outbred Vertebrates
Authors: Csilléry Katalin , Johnson Toby , Beraldi Dario , Clutton-Brock Tim , Coltman Dave , Hansson Bengt , Spong Goran , Pemberton Josephine M
Published: June 2006

Knowledge of relatedness between pairs of individuals plays an important role in many research areas including evolutionary biology, quantitative genetics, and conservation. Pairwise relatedness estimation methods based on genetic data from highly variable molecular markers are now used extensively as a substitute for pedigrees. Although the sampling variance of the estimators has been intensively studied for the most common simple genetic relationships, such as unrelated, half- and full-sib, or parent–offspring, little attention has been paid to the average performance of the estimators, by which we mean the performance across all pairs of individuals in a sample. Here we apply two measures to quantify the average performance: first, misclassification rates between pairs of genetic relationships and, second, the proportion of variance explained in the pairwise relatedness estimates by the true population relatedness composition (i.e., the frequencies of different relationships in the population). Using simulated data derived from exceptionally good quality marker and pedigree data from five long-term projects of natural populations, we demonstrate that the average performance depends mainly on the population relatedness composition and may be improved by the marker data quality only within the limits of the population relatedness composition. Our five examples of vertebrate breeding systems suggest that due to the remarkably low variance in relatedness across the population, marker-based estimates may often have low power to address research questions of interest.
Chemical Fractionation of Ellements in Airborne Particulate Matter: Primary Results on PM10 and PM2.5 Samples in the Lazio Region (Central Italy)
Authors: Astolfi Maria Luisa , Canepari Silvia , Cardarelli Enrico , Ghighi Silvano , Marzo Maria Letizia
Published: June 2006

This paper describes how a two‐step chemical fractionation method that allows the determination of 17 elements in airborne particulate matter, has been applied to a monitoring campaign of PM10 and PM2.5 in the Lazio region (Italy). This method involved an extraction in a pH buffered aqueous solution followed by a microwave‐assisted acid digestion of the residue. With respect to the determination of the total elemental contents, the evaluation of a soluble fraction provides more reliable information on the presence and of the destiny of heavy metals in the environment. Furthermore, the pH buffered extraction conditions chosen, rendered the results independent of the intrinsic acidity of the collected samples and, although the chemical fractionation has a purely operational function, it facilitates the study of the relationship between the distribution of solubility and the different emission sources. Results are discussed in relation to the different concentration and the different degrees of solubility of the elements observed in two sampling sites; one in an urban and one in a rural environment. Since in‐parallel sampling of PM2.5 and PM10 were performed in both sites, the influence of particle size is also discussed.Behaviour of some tracers deriving from both vehicular traffic, with particular attention to re‐suspended road dusts, and naturally generated particulate matter, such as marine aerosol and Saharian dust, are discussed.
Biosorption of Au (III) and Cu (II) from Aqueous Solution by a Non‐Living Cetraria Islandica (L.) Ach.
Authors: Ekinci Dogan Canan , Turhan Kadir , Akcin Göksel , Aslan Ali
Published: June 2006

Biosorption of Au(III) and Cu(II) from dilute aqueous solutions was investigated by biomass of the non‐living Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. The removal and recovery of gold and copper were studied by applying batch technique. The experimental parameters such as the pH of the solution, contact time, the amount of Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. (dried lichen), the concentration of metals on retention and eluents kind and amount have been investigated. Au(III) and Cu(II) were adsorbed on the dried lichen at pH 3 and pH 8, respectively. Quantitative retention (≥90%) was obtained within 60 minutes for metals. Maximum capacity of 1.0 g of dried lichen for biosorption of Au(III) and Cu(II) were found as 7.4 mg of Au(III) and 19.2 mg of Cu(II). It was seen that the adsorption equilibrium data conformed well to the Langmuir model and Freundlich equation for Au(III) and only Freundlich equation for Cu(II). The method proposed in this study was applied to spiked mineral water analysis and metals adsorbed on the lichens were quantitatively (≥90%) recovered from mineral water samples by using 0.5 mol L‐1 HCl.
Partner's behavior, not reward distribution, determines success in an unequal cooperative task in capuchin monkeys
Authors: Brosnan Sarah F. , Freeman Cassiopeia , De Waal Frans B.M.
Published: June 2006

It was recently demonstrated that capuchin monkeys notice and respond to distributional inequity, a trait that has been proposed to support the evolution of cooperation in the human species. However, it is unknown how capuchins react to inequitable rewards in an unrestricted cooperative paradigm in which they may freely choose both whether to participate and, within the bounds of their partner's behavior, which reward they will receive for their participation. We tested capuchin monkeys with such a design, using a cooperative barpull, which has been used with great success in the past. Contrary to our expectations, the equity of the reward distribution did not affect success or pulling behavior. However, the behavior of the partner in an unequal situation did affect overall success rates: pairs that had a tendency to alternate which individual received the higher‐value food in unequal reward situations were more than twice as successful in obtaining rewards than pairs in which one individual dominated the higher‐value food. This ability to equitably distribute rewards in inherently biased cooperative situations has profound implications for activities such as group hunts, in which multiple individuals work together for a single, monopolizable reward. Am. J. Primatol. 68:713–724, 2006.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intragroup lethal aggression in wild spider monkeys
Authors: Valero Alejandra , Schaffner Colleen M. , Vick Laura G. , Aureli Filippo , Ramos‐Fernandez Gabriel
Published: June 2006

We report the first evidence of intragroup coalitionary aggression leading to the death of a wild young adult male spider monkey. During a long‐term study of a well‐habituated community at the Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh reserve in Yucatan, Mexico, a young adult male sustained severe injuries repeatedly between January and March 2002. On 1 April 2002 the same male was the victim of an intragroup attack by at least one adult male that resulted in his death. We highlight several causes of intragroup aggression that may account for the killing. Am. J. Primatol. 68:732–737, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selective attention toward female secondary sexual color in male rhesus macaques
Authors: Waitt Corri , Gerald Melissa S. , Little Anthony C. , Kraiselburd Edmundo
Published: June 2006

Pink‐to‐red anogenital and facial sexual skin occurs in females of many primate species. Since female sexual skin color varies with reproductive state, it has long been assumed that color acts to stimulate male sexual interest. Although there is supportive evidence for this as regards anogenital skin, it is unclear whether this is also the case for facial sexual skin. In this study we experimentally manipulated digital facial and hindquarter images of female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) for color within the natural range of variation. The images were presented to adult male conspecifics to assess whether the males exhibited visual preferences for red vs. non‐red female coloration, and whether preferences varied with anatomical region. The males displayed significantly longer gaze durations in response to reddened versions of female hindquarters, but not to reddened versions of faces. This suggests that female facial coloration may serve an alternative purpose to that of attracting males, and that the signal function of sexual skin and the intended recipients may vary across anatomical regions. Am. J. Primatol. 68:738–744, 2006.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, spectral and antimicrobial studies of diorganotin(IV)3(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐(4‐substituted phenyl) pyrazolinates
Authors: Tripathi U. N. , Venubabu G. , Safi Ahmad Mohd. , Rao Kolisetty S. S. , Srivastava A. K.
Published: June 2006

Diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates of the type R2Sn(C15H12N2OX)2 [where C15H12N2OX = 3(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐5(4‐X‐phenyl)pyrazoline {where X = H (a); CH3 (b); OCH3 (c); Cl (d) and R = Me, Prn and Ph}] have been synthesized by the reaction of R2SnCl2 with sodium salt of pyrazolines in 1:2 molar ratio, in anhydrous benzene. These newly synthesized derivatives have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl and Sn), molecular weight measurement as well as spectral [IR and multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C and 119Sn)] studies. The bidentate behaviour of the pyrazoline ligands was confirmed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectral data. A distorted trans‐octahedral structure around tin(IV) atom for R2Sn(C15H12N2OX)2 has been suggested. The free pyrazoline and diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Some diorganotin(IV) dipyrazolinates exhibit higher antibacterial and antifungal effect than free ligand and some of the antibiotics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cure behavior of DGEBA vinyl ester–styrene resins near silane‐treated interfaces
Authors: Brill Russel P. , Palmese Giuseppe R.
Published: June 2006

An experimental technique using FTIR‐ATR was developed for monitoring the copolymerization behavior of a DGEBA‐based vinyl ester (VE) and styrene (ST) near the surface of a germanium internal reflection element. The data were compared to previously obtained bulk measurements of the cure behavior. It was found that the extent of conversion may be slightly greater for ST and slightly lower for VE near an untreated interface compared to the bulk. The cure behavior of VE–ST in the vicinity of a germanium IRE surface treated with a styryl amine silane (Dow Corning Z‐6032) was also investigated. In this case the effect on the cure was more dramatic, as exhibited by a more rapid consumption of ST compared to VE, thus resulting in a greatly reduced final conversion of VE double bonds compared to the bulk. These results suggest that, in glass fiber–reinforced composites, such sizings could significantly alter the composition of the crosslinked network in the vicinity of a fiber surface with the potential for a lower Tg interphase being formed that is rich in homopolymerized styrene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2784–2792, 2006
Adsorption of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions onto phenolated wood resin
Authors: Kara Ali , Acemioğlu Bilal , Alma M. Hakkı , Cebe Mustafa
Published: June 2006

In this study, phenolated wood resin was used an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions by adsorption from aqueous solution. The adsorption of metal ions from solution was carried at different contact times, concentrations and pHs at room temperature (25°C). For individual metal ion, the amount of metal ions adsorbed per unit weight of phenolated wood resin at equilibrium time increased with increasing concentration and pH. Also, when the amounts of metal ions adsorbed are compared to each other, it was seen that this increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II). This increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed the intraparticle diffusion model. It was also determined that adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir and Freundlich models. Adsorption isotherm obtained for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin was consistent with Freundlich model well. Adsorption capacities from Langmuir isotherm for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin were higher than those of phenolated wood resin, in the case of individual metal ions. Original adsorption isotherm demonstrated the monolayer coverage of the surface of phenolated wood resin. Adsorption kinetic followed the intraparticle diffusion model. The positive values of ΔG° determined using the equilibrium constants showed that the adsorption was not of spontaneous nature. It was seen that values of distribution coefficient (KD) decreasing with metal ion concentration in solution at equilibrium (Ce) indicated that the occupation of active surface sites of adsorbent increased with metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2838–2846, 2006
Synthesis and properties of polyurethane/clay nanocomposite by clay modified with polymeric methane diisocyanate
Authors: Seo W. J. , Sung Y. T. , Han S. J. , Kim Y. H. , Ryu O. H. , Lee H. S. , Kim W. N.
Published: June 2006

A polyurethane (PU)/clay nanocomposite was synthesized from polyol, polymeric 4,4′‐diphenyl methane diisocyanate (PMDI), and modified clay with PMDI. To achieve the modified clay with PMDI, the silanol group of the clay and the NCO group of the PMDI were reacted for 24 h at 50°C to form urethane linkage. Fourier transform IR analysis of the clay modified with the PMDI demonstrated that the NCO characteristic peak was observed in the clay after a modification reaction with PMDI. The results of the X‐ray pattern suggested that the clay layers were exfoliated from the PU/clay nanocomposite. From the results of the mechanical properties, the maximum values of the flexural and tensile strength were observed when 3 wt % clay based on PMDI was added into the PU/clay nanocomposites. The glass‐transition temperature and change in the heat capacity at glass transition temperature (ΔCp) of the PU/clay nanocomposite decreased with an increase in the modified clay content. We suggested that the decrease in the ΔCp with the modified clay content might be due to the increase of steric hindrance by the exfoliated clay layers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2879–2883, 2006
Synthesis of an alginate–poly(sodium acrylate‐co‐acrylamide) superabsorbent hydrogel with low salt sensitivity and high pH sensitivity
Authors: Marandi G. Bagheri , Sharifnia N. , Hosseinzadeh H.
Published: June 2006

This article describes the synthesis and swelling behavior of a superabsorbing hydrogel based on sodium alginate (NaAlg) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The physical mixture of NaAlg and PAN was hydrolyzed with a solution of NaOH to yield an alginate–poly(sodium acrylate‐co‐acrylamide) [Alg–poly(NaAA‐co‐AAm)] superabsorbent hydrogel. A proposed mechanism for hydrogel formation was suggested, and the structure of the product was established with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of reaction variables were systematically optimized to achieve a hydrogel with a swelling capacity as high as possible. Under the optimized conditions concluded, the maximum capacity of swelling in distilled water was 610 g/g. The absorbency of the synthesized hydrogels was also measured in various salt solutions. The swelling ratios decreased with an increase in the ionic strength of the salt solutions. In addition, the swelling capacity was determined in solutions with pHs ranging from 1 to 13. The Alg–poly(NaAA‐co‐AAm) hydrogel exhibited pH responsiveness, so a swelling–deswelling pulsatile behavior was recorded at pHs 2 and 8. This on–off switching behavior made the hydrogel as a good candidate for the controlled delivery of bioactive agents. Finally, the swelling kinetics of the hydrogels with various particle sizes were preliminarily investigated as well. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2927–2937, 2006
Thermal degradation of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyacrylamide with ascorbic acid
Authors: Vijayalakshmi S. P. , Raichur Ashok , Madras Giridhar
Published: June 2006

The degradation of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyacrylamide in aqueous solution was studied with ascorbic acid. Gel permeation chromatograph was used to monitor molecular weight dynamics with time. A model based on continuous distribution kinetics showed that the experimental data matched well with theory. The results showed that the degradation of polymers is significantly enhanced in the presence of ascorbic acid. The degradation rate initially increased with ascorbic acid concentration but was independent of it at higher concentrations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3067–3072, 2006
A fast triangle to triangle intersection test for collision detection
Authors: Tropp Oren , Tal Ayellet , Shimshoni Ilan
Published: June 2006

The triangle‐to‐triangle intersection test is a basic component of all collision detection data structures and algorithms. This paper presents a fast method for testing whether two triangles embedded in three dimensions intersect. Our technique solves the basic sets of linear equations associated with the problem and exploits the strong relations between these sets to speed up their solution. Moreover, unlike previous techniques, with very little additional cost, the exact intersection coordinates can be determined. Finally, our technique uses general principles that can be applied to similar problems such as rectangle‐to‐rectangle intersection tests, and generally to problems where several equation sets are strongly related. We show that our algorithm saves about 20% of the mathematical operations used by the best previous triangle‐to‐triangle intersection algorithm. Our experiments also show that it runs 18.9% faster than the fastest previous algorithm on average for typical scenarios of collision detection (on Pentium 4). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability analysis of the Crank–Nicholson method for variable coefficient diffusion equation
Authors: Tadjeran Charles
Published: June 2006

The Crank–Nicholson method is a widely used method to obtain numerical approximations to the diffusion equation due to its accuracy and unconditional stability.

When the diffusion coefficient is not a constant, the general approach is to obtain a discretization for the PDE in the same manner as the case for constant coefficients. In this paper, we show that the manner of this discretization may impact the stability of the resulting method and could lead to instability of the numerical solution. It is shown that the classical Crank–Nicholson method will fail to be unconditionally stable if the diffusion coefficient is computed at the time gridpoints instead of at the midpoints of the temporal subinterval. A numerical example is presented and compared with the exact analytical solution to examine its divergence. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local volume‐conserving free surface smoothing
Authors: Sousa F. S. , Castelo A. , Nonato L. G. , Mangiavacchi N. , Cuminato J. A.
Published: June 2006

Removing high‐frequency undulations in surfaces is a problem that appears in different fields, such as computer graphics and computational fluid mechanics. This problem is typically handled by surface smoothing techniques, such as Laplacian filters, that eliminate high‐frequency undulations but degrade the volume encompassed by the surface. The need for conserving volume (or mass) rules out the use of such techniques in several application, as for example incompressible flows. In this work we present a smoothing technique that suppresses undulations while conserving local volumes, ensuring that the global mass is conserved. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is illustrated in synthetic datasets as well as in free surface flows simulation. Comparisons between our smoothing approach and the well‐known Laplacian filter are also presented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast Rate Growth of Organized Carbon Nanotubes by CVD Using Iron Pentacarbonyl as Gas‐Phase Catalyst
Authors: Kuo D.‐H. , Su M.‐Y. , Chen W.‐R.
Published: June 2006

Organized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been grown at a fast rate by a gas‐phase, catalytic CVD technique at 600–750 °C for 15 min with the iron pentacarbonyl/acetylene/hydrogen system. The CNT growth at various temperatures and flow rates of iron pentacarbonyl, acetylene, and hydrogen, has been quantitatively analyzed by its length. The CNT growth accelerates with growth temperatures up to 700 °C, but depends upon growth conditions at 750 °C. Acetylene at a higher input deactivates catalysts owing to its supersaturated carbon content, approaching that of Fe3C. The deactivation of catalysts can be overcome by the addition of hydrogen via a hydrocarbon reaction to refresh the poisoned catalysts or by the high input of iron pentacarbonyl to provide fresh catalysts for the continuous CNT growth. CNTs with a longest tube length of 845±28 μm and a fastest growth rate of 56±1.9 μm min–1 were obtained. A mixed‐mode growth mechanism combining the tip‐ and base‐growth modes was suggested.
Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Ferromagnetic‐Filled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Leonhardt A. , Hampel S. , Müller C. , Mönch I. , Koseva R. , Ritschel M. , Elefant D. , Biedermann K. , Büchner B.
Published: June 2006

Ferromagnetic‐filled carbon nanotubes are new nanostructured materials with many possible applications. They can be synthesized using the thermal decomposition of metallocenes of the iron triad. Two different methods (solid and liquid source CVD) are suitable for producing, at very high filling rates, filled nanotubes on precoated Si substrates. The diameters of deposited filled nanotubes are particularly dependent on the size of catalyst particles on the substrate, while the lengths depend more on the sublimation and decomposition rate of metallocene. The growth mechanism of filled carbon nanotubes is based on the root growth mode. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes, filled with body‐centered cubic Fe, show unusual magnetic properties. Aligned‐growth nanotube ensembles can reach coercivities up to 130 mT (bulk iron 0.09 mT). Ferromagnetic‐filled carbon nanotubes can be successfully used both as cantilever tips in magnetic force microscopy and as a nanocontainer for new therapies in medicine.
MOCVD Synthesis of Germanium Filled “Diamondlike” Carbon Nanotubes and Microtubes from Organogermanium Precursors and Their Field‐Emission Properties
Authors: Domrachev G. A. , Ob'edkov A. M. , Kaverin B. S. , Zaitsev A. A. , Titova S. N. , Kirillov A. I. , Strahkov A. S. , Ketkov S. Y. , Domracheva E. G. , Zhogova K. B. , Kruglova M. V. , Filatov D. O. , Bukalov S. S. , Mikhalitsyn L. A. , Leites L. A.
Published: June 2006

Ge‐filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with an average diameter of 15–100 nm, and Ge‐filled carbon microtubes (CMTs) with an average diameter of 100‐8000 nm, with diamondlike structures have been prepared by metal‐organic (MO)CVD from organogermanium precursors [(C2H5)4Ge and (n‐C4H9)4Ge]. These new composite structures of arrays of CNTs/germanium nanowires (GeNWs) and CMTs/GeNWs have been characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning Auger microscopy (SAM), Raman spectroscopy, and field‐emission measurements. The promising field‐emission properties observed for mixtures of CNTs/GeNWs and CMTs/GeNWs form a basis for important applications of these new hybrid nanomaterials.
The World of Carbon Nanotubes: An Overview of CVD Growth Methodologies
Authors: Terranova M. L. , Sessa V. , Rossi M.
Published: June 2006

Carbon nanotubes are a new form of completely artificial crystalline carbon, which have never been found as a natural form. These fascinating hollow cylinders can be considered as prototypes of one‐dimensional quantum wires, exhibit peculiar chemical‐physical properties very different from those of other C‐based nanostructures, and are envisaged to have potential in a wide range of applications. This review examines some of the most interesting CVD methodologies employed for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes. The results obtained from different methodologies demonstrate that carbon nanotubes can be grown by CVD under a wide range of experimental conditions, permitting flexible, tunable synthesis. Overall, in the last few years, CVD approaches have emerged as the most promising among those proposed for synthesizing carbon nanotubes.