bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density‐dependent life‐history compensation of an iteroparous salmonid
Authors: Johnston Fiona D. , Post John R.
Published: February 2009

Over the course of a decade, the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population in Lower Kananaskis Lake, Alberta, Canada, recovered from a heavily overexploited state, experiencing a 28‐fold increase in adult abundance after the implementation of zero‐harvest regulations. This system provided a unique opportunity to monitor the changes in life‐history characteristics in a natural population throughout the recovery process. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which life‐history traits were able to compensate for harvest‐induced changes and the implications of this for management. Density‐dependent changes in growth, survival, and reproductive life‐history characteristics were observed. As density increased, maturation was delayed, and the frequency of skipped reproductive events, primarily by individuals of poor condition, increased. However, size at maturation and the proportion of fish skipping reproduction differed between the sexes, suggesting that life‐history trade‐offs differ between the sexes. The rapid response of these life‐history traits to changes in density suggests that these changes were primarily due to phenotypic plasticity, although the importance of natural and artificial selection should not be discounted. The magnitude of the variation in the traits represents the degree to which the population was able to compensate for overharvest, although the overexploited state of the population at the beginning of the study demonstrates it was not able to fully compensate for this mortality. However, no evidence of depensatory processes was found. This, in combination with the plasticity of the life‐history traits, has important implications for the resilience of the population to overharvest. Furthermore, density‐dependent growth may have the unintended result of making size‐based regulations less conservative at low levels of population abundance, as younger fish, perhaps even immature fish, become vulnerable to harvest. Finally, the variation in life‐history traits in relation to evolutionary change is discussed. Results from this study demonstrate the importance of considering not only survival, but also changes in life‐history characteristics for management and conservation.
Impacts of Fire and Fire Surrogate treatments on forest soil properties: a meta‐analytical approach
Authors: Boerner Ralph E. J. , Huang Jianjun , Hart Stephen C.
Published: February 2009

The soils underlying the 12 Fire and Fire Surrogates Network include six soil orders and >50 named soil series. Across the network, pretreatment soils varied from 3.7 to 7.1 in pH, and exhibited ranges of twofold in bulk density, fourfold in soil organic C (SOC) content, 10‐fold in total inorganic N (TIN), and 200–1000‐fold in extractable Ca and K. Nonmetric multidimensional (NMS) ordination of pretreatment soil conditions arrayed the FFS sites along gradients of pH/base cation status, net N transformation rates, bulk density, and SOC. At the network scale, mineral soil exposure was significantly greater in fire‐only (mean of 9.2%) and mechanical + fire (5.0%) treatments than in the controls (1.5%) during the first posttreatment year, and this persisted through the later sampling year (second through fourth year, depending on site) in the fire‐only treatment (fire 4.1%, control 1.1%). Bulk density was not affected significantly at the network scale. TIN concentrations during the first posttreatment year increased after all three manipulative treatments, but this effect did not persist to the later sampling year. Neither SOC content nor soil C:N ratio was affected by any of the treatments at the network scale. At the individual site scale, the combined mechanical + fire treatment produced more significant site × treatment × year effects than did the fire‐only or mechanical‐only treatments, though in most cases even the statistically significant differences produced by the manipulative treatments were modest in magnitude. Ordination of first‐year standardized effect sizes produced no discernable separation of the three manipulative treatments but did separate the three sites with the greatest fire severity (based on proportional fuel consumption) from the majority of the network sites, with changes in pH, TIN, SOC content, and soil C:N ratio correlating most strongly with this separation. Ordination of the effect sizes from the later sampling year produced somewhat clearer separation of treatments than did the first‐year ordination, though fewer sites were represented in this second ordination. Overall, the network‐wide effects of the FFS treatments on soil properties appear to have been modest and transient.
Optimal adaptive management for the translocation of a threatened species
Authors: Rout Tracy M. , Hauser Cindy E. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: February 2009

Active adaptive management (AAM) is an approach to wildlife management that acknowledges our imperfect understanding of natural systems and allows for some resolution of our uncertainty. Such learning may be characterized by risky strategies in the short term. Experimentation is only considered acceptable if it is expected to be repaid by increased returns in the long term, generated by an improved understanding of the system. By setting AAM problems within a decision theory framework, we can find this optimal balance between achieving our objectives in the short term and learning for the long term. We apply this approach to managing the translocation of the bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), an endangered species from Queensland, Australia. Our task is to allocate captive‐bred animals, between two sites or populations to maximize abundance at the end of the translocation project. One population, at the original site of occupancy, has a known growth rate. A population potentially could be established at a second site of suitable habitat, but we can only learn the growth rate of this new population by monitoring translocated animals. We use a mathematical programming technique called stochastic dynamic programming, which determines optimal management decisions for every possible management trajectory. We find optimal strategies under active and passive adaptive management, which enables us to examine the balance between learning and managing directly. Learning is more often optimal when we have less prior information about the uncertain population growth rate at the new site, when the growth rate at the original site is low, and when there is substantial time remaining in the translocation project. Few studies outside the area of optimal harvesting have framed AAM within a decision theory context. This is the first application to threatened species translocation.
Multivariate forecasts of potential distributions of invasive plant species
Authors: Ibáñez Inés , Silander John A. , Wilson Adam M. , LaFleur Nancy , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Tsuyama Ikutaro
Published: February 2009

The fact that plant invasions are an ongoing process makes generalizations of invasive spread extraordinarily challenging. This is particularly true given the idiosyncratic nature of invasions, in which both historical and local conditions affect establishment success and hinder our ability to generate guidelines for early detection and eradication of invasive species. To overcome these limitations we have implemented a comprehensive approach that examines plant invasions at three spatial scales: regional, landscape, and local levels. At each scale, in combination with the others, we have evaluated the role of key environmental variables such as climate, landscape structure, habitat type, and canopy closure in the spread of three commonly found invasive woody plant species in New England, Berberis thunbergii, Celastrus orbiculatus, and Euonymus alatus. We developed a spatially explicit hierarchical Bayesian model that allowed us to take into account the ongoing nature of the spread of invasive species and to incorporate presence/absence data from the species' native ranges as well as from the invaded regions. Comparisons between predictions from climate‐only models with those from the multiscale forecasts emphasize the importance of including landscape structure in our models of invasive species' potential distributions. In addition, predictions generated using only native range data performed substantially worse than those that incorporated data from the target range. This points out important limitations in extrapolating distributional ranges from one region to another.
Set‐asides can be better climate investment than corn ethanol
Authors: Piñeiro Gervasio , Jobbágy Esteban G. , Baker Justin , Murray Brian C. , Jackson Robert B.
Published: February 2009

Although various studies have shown that corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by displacing fossil fuel use, many of these studies fail to include how land‐use history affects the net carbon balance through changes in soil carbon content. We evaluated the effectiveness and economic value of corn and cellulosic ethanol production for reducing net GHG emissions when produced on lands with different land‐use histories, comparing these strategies with reductions achieved by set‐aside programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Depending on prior land use, our analysis shows that C releases from the soil after planting corn for ethanol may in some cases completely offset C gains attributed to biofuel generation for at least 50 years. More surprisingly, based on our comprehensive analysis of 142 soil studies, soil C sequestered by setting aside former agricultural land was greater than the C credits generated by planting corn for ethanol on the same land for 40 years and had equal or greater economic net present value. Once commercially available, cellulosic ethanol produced in set‐aside grasslands should provide the most efficient tool for GHG reduction of any scenario we examined. Our results suggest that conversion of CRP lands or other set‐aside programs to corn ethanol production should not be encouraged through greenhouse gas policies.
A Message From the Director
Authors: Burgess Michael J.
Published: February 2009

Editor’s Note: The following article is reprinted with permission from the New York State Office for the Aging.
Letter: Notes on Keynes and a Reply to Greg Hill
Authors: Barro Robert J
Published: February 2009

Robert Barro of Harvard recalls the days when he did work on Keynesian macroeconomics.
Cognitive Function Is Not Associated With Recurrent Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes and Neuropathy
Authors: Kloos Christof , Hagen Franziska , Lindloh Claudia , Braun Anke , Leppert Karena , Müller Nicolle , Wolf Gunter , Müller Ulrich A.
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To study whether there is an association between cognitive impairment and the relapse rate of foot ulcers in diabetic patients and those with previous foot ulcers.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This single-center prospective study assessed the association of cognitive function and risk for ulcer relapse in 59 patients with diabetes (mean age 65.1 years, diabetes duration 16.5 years, and A1C 7.4%), peripheral neuropathy, and a history of foot ulceration. Premorbid and current cognitive functions were measured (multiple-choice vocabulary test [Lehrl], number-symbol test, mosaic test [HAWIE-R], and trail-making tests A and B [Reitan]). Prevalence of depression was evaluated retrospectively (diagnoses in patient files or use of antidepressive medication). Patients were re-examined after 1 year.

RESULTS

Three patients (5%) died during follow-up (one of sepsis and two of heart problems). The remaining 56 patients (48%) developed 27 new foot ulcerations (78% superficial ulcerations [Wagner stage 1]). Characteristics of patients with and without ulcer relapse were not different. In a binary logistic regression analysis, cognitive function is not predictive of foot reulceration.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive function is not an important determinant of foot reulceration.
Metabolic Screening After the American Diabetes Association's Consensus Statement on Antipsychotic Drugs and Diabetes
Authors: Morrato Elaine H. , Newcomer John W. , Kamat Siddhesh , Baser Onur , Harnett James , Cuffel Brian
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

Several second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) drugs have been associated with weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. We evaluated whether glucose and lipid testing increased after the American Diabetes Association (ADA) consensus statement recommending metabolic monitoring for SGA-treated patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Laboratory claims for serum glucose and lipid testing were identified for an incident cohort of 18,876 adults initiating SGA drugs in a U.S. commercial health plan (2001–2006) and a control group of 56,522 adults with diabetes not receiving antipsychotics. Interrupted time-series models were used to estimate the effect of ADA recommendations on baseline and annual testing trends after adjusting for differences in age, sex, mental health diagnoses, and cardiovascular risk using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Mean baseline testing rates for SGA-treated patients during the study period were 23% (glucose) and 8% (lipids). Among persistent users of SGA medication, annual testing rates were 38% (glucose) and 23% (lipid). Before the ADA statement, screening rates for SGA-treated patients were increasing (glucose: baseline 3.6% per year, annual 7.2% per year; lipid: baseline 1.2% per year, annual 4.8% per year; P < 0.001 for each trend). Increases were similar to background testing trends in control subjects. The ADA statement was not associated with an increase in screening rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In a commercially insured population, glucose and lipid testing for SGA-treated adults was infrequent. A gradual increase in screening rates occurred over the 6-year period, but the changes were not temporally associated with the ADA statement. More effort is needed to improve diabetes and dyslipidemia screening in these at-risk patients.
Effect of Drinking on Adiponectin in Healthy Men and Women
Authors: Imhof Armin , Plamper Ines , Maier Steffen , Trischler Gerlinde , Koenig Wolfgang
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality and increases adiponectin concentrations, but effects might differ according to sex and beverage consumed.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 72 healthy individuals (22–56 years) were enrolled in this randomized controlled crossover trial. After washout, two interventions for 3 weeks followed: ethanol (concentration 12.5%), beer (5.6%), or red wine (12.5%) equivalent to 30 g ethanol/day for men and 20 g/day for women or the same de-alcoholized beverages or water. Adiponectin was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Among women, adiponectin significantly increased after consuming red wine (29.8%, P < 0.05) and increased among men after ethanol solution (17.4%, P < 0.05) and consuming beer (16.1%, P < 0.05). De-alcoholized beverages had no substantial effect on adiponectin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate amounts of ethanol-containing beverages increased adiponectin concentrations, but sex-specific effects might depend on type of beverage consumed.
Dynamics of Memory in Twenty-first Century Germany
Authors: Langenbacher Eric , Niven Bill , Wittlinger Ruth
Published: February 2009

As the inestimable Harold Wilson once put it, “a week is a long

time in politics.” Certainly, the evolution of collective memory and

scholarship devoted to it is much slower than the pace of day-to-day

politics. Yet, there are periods of rapid change—of paradigm shifts

even—where the landscape shifts rapidly over a relatively short

period of time. This special issue, we think, captures one of these

periods of rapid change. Compared to the last special thematic issue

of German Politics and Society from 20051 and even compared to

many books published in the last few years, the state of collective

memory in Germany appears very different today. Most prominently,

Holocaust-centered memory is foregrounded to a much

lesser extent than previously.
The Merkel Government's Politics of the Past
Authors: Wittlinger Ruth
Published: February 2009

Angela Merkel came to power at a crucial time in regards to Germany's relationship with its past. Where would she position herself in light of Gerhard Schröder's approach that had offered a new way of accepting responsibility for the past and integrating it into the twenty-first century present by explicitly making it a key element of German national identity, but also in view of her East German biography? Would she continue and maybe even reinforce the institutionalization of Holocaust-centered memory and-given the forceful return of the topic of German victimhood-complement it with the institutionalization of the memory of German suffering, or would she emphasize the latter at the expense of the former? This paper attempts to answer these questions by examining Merkel's politics of the past during her first three years in office.
Performing the New German Past: The People's Day of Mourning and 27 January as Postunification Commemorations
Authors: Kaiser Alexandra
Published: February 2009

The article sketches the ruptures in today's German memory culture, concentrating on the Volkstrauertag (People's Day of Mourning) and the Gedenktag für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus (Remembrance Day for the Victims of National Socialism) on 27 January. It starts with an overview of the history of the Volkstrauertag with its (outward) transformation from a commemoration day for dead German soldiers into one for “all victims of war and violence.” The inclusive model of commemoration that was typical for the Bonn Republic is disintegrating today. In united Germany, the Volkstrauertag and 27 January reflect antagonistic memory strands, that is a memory focussed on the war dead and German suffering or on the Holocaust and German guilt. In light of discussions about commemorating Bundeswehr dead, the article ends by describing a re-heroicizing of the Volkstrauertag and, in a more general way, tries to outline the shifting construction of German national identity.
A (Trans) National Site of Remembrance: The Former Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg
Authors: Manka Inge
Published: February 2009

During the course of the 2006 Soccer World Cup, Germans started to celebrate a “new patriotism.” As the construction of national identity is inseparable in Germany from the Nazi past, this occurrence can be considered an indicator of an altered relationship to this past. This article examines these changes by focusing on a nationally recognized site of remembrance, the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, where five matches of the World Cup were played. The convergence of site and event evokes contradictions and ambiguities, such as the encounter of the opposed needs of sports and remembrance at the same location. It shows what problems arise at a site of national collective memory today, when the role of the national collective is challenged by developments like European integration, migration within and to Europe, and the on-going effects of globalization.
Nacre in Mollusk Shells as a Multilayered Structure with Strain Gradient
Authors: Pokroy Boaz , Demensky Vladislav , Zolotoyabko Emil
Published: February 2009

How do living organisms attain the complicated shapes of grown bio‐composites? This question is answered when studying the mechanics of the nacre layer in the bivalve mollusk shells. In this study, the internal strains/stresses across the shell thickness are profiled as a function of depth by strain gauge measurements during controlled etching in the selected areas. Measurements of stress release under etching provide clear evidence that the investigated shells, in fact, are strained multilayered structures, which are elastically bent due to the forces evolving at the organic/inorganic interfaces. The stresses are mostly concentrated in the “fresh” nacre sub‐layers near the inner surface of the shell adjacent to the mollusk mantle. This analysis unexpectedly shows that the elastic bending of the nacre layer is due to strain gradients which are originated in the gradual in‐depth changes of the thickness of ceramic lamellae. The changes mentioned were directly observed by scanning electron microscopy. By this sophisticated design of the ultra‐structure of the nacre layer, the bowed shape of the bivalve shells is apparently achieved.
Microscopical Investigations of PEDOT:PSS Thin Films
Authors: Lang Udo , Müller Elisabeth , Naujoks Nicola , Dual Jurg
Published: February 2009

Electron microscopy studies are used to explore the morphology of thin poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate acid (PEDOT:PSS) films. The figures show that the films are composed of grains with diameters in the range of about 50 nm. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis reveals that individual grains have a PEDOT‐rich core and a PSS‐rich shell with a thickness of about 5–10 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is then used to analyze the topography of fracture surfaces of ruptured PEDOT:PSS tensile specimens. These AFM scans also show that the films are composed of grains dispersed in a matrix. The investigations presented herein yield a picture of PEDOT:PSS morphology with unprecedented clarity.
Analysis of Nanostructuring in High Figure‐of‐Merit Ag1–xPbmSbTe2+m Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Cook Bruce A. , Kramer Matthew J. , Harringa Joel L. , Han Mi‐Kyung , Chung Duck‐Young , Kanatzidis Mercouri G.
Published: February 2009

Thermoelectric materials based on quaternary compounds Ag1−xPbmSbTe2+m exhibit high dimensionless figure‐of‐merit values, ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 at 700 K. The primary factor contributing to the high figure of merit is a low lattice thermal conductivity, achieved through nanostructuring during melt solidification. As a consequence of nucleation and growth of a second phase, coherent nanoscale inclusions form throughout the material, which are believed to result in scattering of acoustic phonons while causing only minimal scattering of charge carriers. Here, characterization of the nanosized inclusions in Ag0.53Pb18Sb1.2Te20 that shows a strong tendency for crystallographic orientation along the {001} planes, with a high degree of lattice strain at the interface, consistent with a coherent interfacial boundary is reported. The inclusions are enriched in Ag relative to the matrix, and seem to adopt a cubic, 96 atom per unit cell Ag2Te phase based on the Ti2Ni type structure. In‐situ high‐temperature synchrotron radiation diffraction studies indicated that the inclusions remain thermally stable to at least 800 K.
Polymerization of 2,2′‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate by lutetium complexes bearing amino‐phosphine ligands
Authors: Liu Bo , Cui Dongmei
Published: February 2009

A series of lutetium alkyl, amino, and guanidinato complexes based upon an amino‐phosphine ligand framework had been prepared. These complexes were applied to initiate ring‐opening polymerization of 2,2′‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC). The type of the initiator significantly influenced the catalytic activity of these complexes in a trend as follows: alkyl ≈ guanidinate > amide, whereas the complexes with flexible backbone between P and N atoms within the ligand exhibited higher activity than those with rigid backbone. The isolated PDTC had bimodal‐mode molecular weight distribution. The molecular weights of each fraction increased linearly with the conversion, indicating that there might be two active species. This had been confirmed by analyses of oligomeric DTC living species and oligomer with NMR technique as the metal‐alkoxide and the four‐membered metallocyclic lactate. Kinetic investigation displayed that the polymerization rate was the first order with the monomer concentration. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Effect of dopant type on the properties of polyaniline
Authors: Sinha Surajit , Bhadra Sambhu , Khastgir Dipak
Published: February 2009

The comparative study on the effect of different type of dopants on the properties of polyaniline (PANI) is relative less although dopant has profound effect of the properties of PANI. So, the aim of the present work is to study the effect of different type of dopant, namely strong inorganic hydrochloric acid (HCl), organic and aromatic acids containing different aromatic substitution, namely p‐toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), organic and aliphatic acids having long hydrocarbon chain, namely lauric acid (LA), on the properties of PANI. The PANI was prepared through oxidative polymerization methods and doped with HCl, PTSA, DBSA, and LA and then characterized through different methods like conductivity measurement, UV, X‐ray, DSC, TGA, and SEM. It was found that the properties of doped PANI depend on the type and molecular size of the dopant. With the increase in dopant chain length, the crystallinity is decreased, whereas the d‐spacing, interchain separation, and solubility are increased. The bond formation of water molecules with the backbone nitrogen of the polymers is much less in presence of aromatic dopants when compared with those of inorganic or aliphatic dopants. All the doped polyanilines under investigation do not decompose up to 500°C. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The effect and analysis on Cr3+ gel improving profile control in alkalescent alkaline/surfactant/polymer flooding
Authors: Lu Xiangguo , Zhao Lanlan , Zhang Ke
Published: February 2009

The emulsification of produced fluid and the scaling along production system have always been one of the most difficult problems in NaOH/surfactant/polymer flooding. To decrease those influences on production, the pilot test of Na2CO3/surfactant/polymer flooding was developed in Daqing Oilfield. The results show fluid emulsification and scaling of production system were prevented effectively, but scaling along the injection system appeared and reservoir heterogeneity was aggravated. This is becoming a new technical problem. By analyzing scaling mechanism and the property of profile control agent, the author presents a technical solution that using Cr3+ polymer gel is improving fluid entry profile of injection well in Na2CO3/surfactant/polymer flooding. Optimization of formula and evaluation of its property and its compatibility with Na2CO3/surfactant/polymer flooding system were investigated and a pilot test was conducted in well B2‐1‐P56 of Daqing Oilfield. The results shows polymer gel has dual function, i.e., removing scale and plugging off high permeability zone. The scale in the instrument of injection, pipes and wellside of wellbore is thoroughly cleared up. The fluid entry into high permeability layer is decreased from 100 to 64.9%, and fluid entry in low and intermediate permeability layer is increased from 0 to 35.1%. The profile control of injection well is effectively improved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Surface modification and preparation of nanofiltration membrane from polyethersulfone/polyimide blend—Use of a new material (polyethyleneglycol‐triazine)
Authors: Mansourpanah Yaghoub , Madaeni Sayed Siavash , Adeli Mohsen , Rahimpour Ahmad , Farhadian Arman
Published: February 2009

Blends of polyethersulfone/polyimide (PES/PI) were prepared by dissolving in dimethylformamide/dioxane (DMF/DO) to manufacture nanofiltration membranes by using polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) as a pore former. The membrane modification was carried out by adding ethylenediamine (EDA) to open the imide group ring of PI and by using polyethyleneglycol (PEG)‐triazine, as a new modifier material, that was produced in the laboratory. This modification involves the formation of a covalence ‐C‐N‐ bound between PEG‐triazine and amine groups (according to addition‐elimination reactions) at different temperatures. After functionalizing the membranes, diethanolamine (DA) was utilized as a hydrophilic modifier to change the membranes properties. SEM, AFM, FTIR‐ATR, EDS (X‐ray analysis) and contact angle tests were carried out to characterize modified membranes. The hydrophilicity of PES/PI membranes was improved by modification. An increase in pure water flux (up to 195 kg/m2 h) and a decline in NaCl rejection (from 25 to 16%) are largely influenced by diminishing the PES/PI ratio in L1‐L5 membranes (Category 1). In L6, L7, and L8 membranes (Category 2), by introducing PEG‐triazine into the membrane recipe, salt rejection increased from 75 to 80%. Addition of DA further enhances the salt rejection up to 93%. Fluxes were approximately similar for membranes in Category 2. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Application of photo initiation copolymerization during the preparation of polymethacrylimide copolymer foam
Authors: Liu Tie‐Min , Zheng Yuan‐Suo , Zhang Guang‐Cheng , Chen Ting
Published: February 2009

Using methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylonitrile (AN), and acryl amide (AM) as monomers, a new high‐performance PMI copolymer foam was prepared via radical bulk copolymerization and free heat foaming; afterward, the effects of photo initiation polymerization technology on the foam mechanical and craft performances were further researched. The results showed that photo initiation technology was only fit to be used as the prepolymerization reaction during the preparation of PMI copolymer foam, and it was faster and more easily controlled than thermal initiation prepolymerization. Photo initiation prepolymerization could eliminate not only the foam inner flaws, but also the size nonuniformity of the foam cells effectively. Accordingly, photo initiation prepolymerization is able to make the foam uniform, transparent, stable, and isotropy, and moreover improve the foam tensile strength. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Preparation and characterization of the latexes with different particle sizes by semibatch emulsion polymerization and the influence on properties of waterborne pressure‐sensitive adhesives
Authors: Qu Xiongwei , Wang Nongyue , Lovell Peter A.
Published: February 2009

Increasing environmental concerns and regulations are the major driving forces for the development of waterborne pressure‐sensitive adhesives. This article reported the synthesis of a series of poly[(n‐butyl acrylate)‐co‐(acrylic acid)] latexes with different particle sizes using a semibatch emulsion polymerization process. By changing the levels of surfactant (Aerosol Series) at the seed stage, the z‐average particle diameters (dzs) measured with dynamic light scattering varied from 124 to 366 nm. The polymerizations proceeded under monomer‐starved conditions, and the values of dz measured for samples removed during the polymerizations were consistent with theoretical prediction for particle growth spherically without the secondary nucleation. The gel contents of the polymers were determined by Soxhlet extraction, and the molecular parameters were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The adhesive properties, loop tack, peel force, and shear resistance were measured according to the Fédération Internationale des Fabricants et Transformateurs d′Adhésifs et Thermocollants sur Papiers et Autres Supports (FINAT) test methods. The results were reported and correlated with the latex particle size and molecular parameters. The spatial architecture of gel domains in the dry film and the molecular connectivity between those gel domains play an important role in controlling its adhesive properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
An assessment of the developmental, reproductive, and neurotoxicity of endosulfan
Authors: Silva Marilyn H. , Gammon Derek
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Endosulfan has been used for over 50 years. Although most analogs have been discontinued, endosulfan has less environmental persistence. Nevertheless, pressure groups are lobbying for a worldwide ban. The reasons are: possible rodent male reproductive toxicity, other endocrine effects and cancer; human epidemiology, and exposure studies; residues appearing in remote areas of the world, e.g., the Arctic.METHODS: The endosulfan toxicology database is described and risks of its use assessed.RESULTS: Endosulfan is an antagonist at the GABAAreceptor Cl−ionophore in mammalian CNS. Rat acute toxicity is moderate, LD50=48 (M) or 10 mg/kg/d (F), oral gavage; 130 (M), 70 mg/kg/d (F) dermal; LC50=34.5 µg/L (M), 12.6 µg/L (F), inhalation. Critical NOELs for risk assessment: acute oral (gavage)=0.7 mg/kg/d (rabbit developmental); Subchronic oral (diet)=1.2 mg/kg/d (rat reproduction); Chronic oral (diet)=0.6 mg/kg/d. There were no acceptable dermal toxicity studies. The critical acute and subchronic inhalation NOELs=0.001 mg/L, chronic inhalation=0.0001 mg/L (estimated). Toxicity to rat sperm occurred at doses causing neurotoxicity. Endocrine effects, resulting from P450 oxygenase(s) induction, were reversible. Increased cancer, genotoxicity, or histopathology in rodents was not observed in any organ. Possible effects on brain biogenic amine levels were probably secondary.CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiology and rodent studies suggesting autism and male reproductive toxicity are open to other interpretations. Developmental/ reproductive toxicity or endocrine disruption occurs only at doses causing neurotoxicity. Toxicity to the fetus or young animals is not more severe than that shown by adults.Birth Defects Res (Part B)86:1‐28, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Connective tissue growth factor: Context‐dependent functions and mechanisms of regulation
Authors: Cicha Iwona , Goppelt‐Struebe Margarete
Published: February 2009

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) is a secreted matricellular protein, the functions of which depend on the interactions with other molecules in the microcellular environment. As an example of context‐dependent activity of CTGF, this review will outline different aspects of CTGF function in relation to angiogenesis. CTGF is barely expressed in normal adult tissue, but is strongly upregulated in fibrotic tissue and is also increased during development, in wound healing, or in certain types of cancer. Accordingly, gene expression of CTGF is tightly regulated. To highlight the complexity of the regulation of CTGF gene expression, we discuss here the mechanisms involved in CTGF regulation by TGFbeta in different cell types, and the mechanisms related to CTGF gene expression in cells exposed to mechanical forces. Finally, we will touch upon novel aspects of epigenetic regulation of CTGF gene expression. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Flexible engineering degree programs with remote access laboratories in an Australian regional university known for its excellence in e‐learning
Authors: Ku H. , Goh S. , Ahfock A.
Published: February 2009

Flexible delivery of education is the starting point for discussion in this article. The e‐learning history of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) was used to contextualize the article. USQOnline was mentioned next. The article then describes the Distance and e‐Learning Centre (DeC) in USQ. It then focused on the innovative delivery of USQ engineering degree programs, where the course flexibility was then highlighted together with their innovative residential schools and future remote access laboratories at USQ; an example of a remotely accessible laboratory was also mentioned. A large number of international and domestic students enrolled in USQ Bachelor of Engineering programs since their inception by external mode only. Finally, the article discussed distance education and e‐learning in USQ and Australia. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 18–25, 2011
An open‐source software for interactive visualization using C++ and OpenGL: Applications to stochastic theory education in water resources engineering
Authors: Florence Robby , Hossain Faisal , Huddleston David
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this article is to explain the design and implementation of an open‐source engineering education software called Stochastic Theory Education through Visualization Environment (STEVE), version 2.0. In an earlier article, a proof‐of‐concept for a computer‐aided visualization tool (also named STEVE, version 1.0) for stochastic theory education in water resources engineering was articulated [see, Schwenk et al. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ., 2008, in press). Using Java Native Interfacing, it was shown that STEVE 1.0 could wrap a space–time stochastic model written in any computer language and be independent of any specific language compiler during tool usage. This article describes the general philosophy, software design, and classroom usage for STEVE with significant improvements on visualization and user‐friendliness (hence, rightfully called version 2.0). The software was created using the C++ programming language with the Microsoft Windows Applications Programming Interface (API). OpenGL was used for the visualization display, and the OpenGL Utility Toolkit (GLUT) was used to visualize text inside the OpenGL window. The instructor‐specified simulation program on stochastic theory was written in Fortran 77. The application has user‐friendly options for modifying input data and parameter specifications as desired by the instructor or the student user. STEVE 2.0 has been tested with the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. For the benefit of interested users and software makers, we also provide the software application, a short tutorial and all pertinent source codes as freeware for download on our STEVE homepage at http://iweb.tntech.edu/saswe/steve.html. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 48–55, 2011
The ecosystem approach in corporate environmental management – expert mental models and environmental drivers in the Finnish forest industry
Authors: Vihervaara Petteri , Kamppinen Matti
Published: February 2009

The ecosystem approach has been adopted as the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and is recommended to be used widely in the integrated management of land, water and living resources, to promote conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way, also in corporations. The forest industry is a resource‐intensive branch with various impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Our aims in this study were to examine (i) how the ecosystem approach is implemented in the Finnish forest industry; and (ii) to outline the mental models of environmental experts of corporations, and their conceptualization of some key terms of ecosystem thinking. We interviewed 12 experts about their opinions on the main future challenges, the risks, the mistakes of the past, the possibilities and the successes confronting the forest industry. The results were analyzed using the DPSIR (Driving forces‐Pressures‐State‐Impacts‐Responses) framework model. Finally, we give several recommendations as to how the ecosystem approach can be integrated into corporate environmental management. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The management of greenhouse gas emissions in large European companies
Authors: Sullivan Rory
Published: February 2009

Based on the published climate change policies and the performance of 125 large European companies, this paper examines how these companies are responding to regulatory and other pressures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It concludes that most large companies have now established the management systems and processes necessary for them to effectively manage their emissions and related business risks. Companies with significant greenhouse gas emissions have noticeably stronger governance oversight and reporting.

However, it also suggests that a significant minority of companies – perhaps 20% of the total – have significant weaknesses in their management systems and processes. Furthermore, a majority of companies have yet to significantly reduce their emissions, and just one‐third expect their emissions to reduce over time. This paper argues that the uncertainties in climate change policy are the key barrier to companies taking a more proactive approach to reducing their emissions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Assessment of standard force field models against high‐qualityab initiopotential curves for prototypes of π–π, CH/π, and SH/π interactions
Authors: Sherrill C. David , Sumpter Bobby G. , Sinnokrot Mutasem O. , Marshall Michael S. , Hohenstein Edward G. , Walker Ross C. , Gould Ian R.
Published: February 2009

Several popular force fields, namely, CHARMM, AMBER, OPLS‐AA, and MM3, have been tested for their ability to reproduce highly accurate quantum mechanical potential energy curves for noncovalent interactions in the benzene dimer, the benzene‐CH4complex, and the benzene‐H2S complex. All of the force fields are semi‐quantitatively correct, but none of them is consistently reliable quantitatively. Re‐optimization of Lennard‐Jones parameters and symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory analysis for the benzene dimer suggests that better agreement cannot be expected unless more flexible functional forms (particularly for the electrostatic contributions) are employed for the empirical force fields. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
A binary coding method of RNA secondary structure and its application
Authors: Liao Bo , Chen Weiyang , Sun Xingming , Zhu Wen
Published: February 2009

According to the three classifications of nucleotides, we introduce a sort of binary coding method of RNA secondary structures. On the basis of this representation, we can reduce a RNA secondary structure into three binary digit sequences. We also propose coding rules based on the exclusive‐OR operation. Associating with the proposed coding rules, we can judge the mutation between bases or between base and base pair, and make sequence alignment easily. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
CH3NHNH2 + OH reaction: Mechanism and dynamics studies
Authors: Liu Hong‐Xia , Wang Ying , Yang Lei , Liu Jing‐Yao , Gao Hong , Li Ze‐Sheng , Sun Chia‐Chung
Published: February 2009

A direct dynamics study was carried out for the multichannel reaction of CH3NHNH2 with OH radical. Two stable Conformers (I, II) of CH3NHNH2 are identified by the rotation of the CH3 group. For each conformer, five hydrogen‐abstraction channels are found. The reaction mechanisms of product radicals (CH3NNH2 and CH3NHNH) with OH radical are also investigated theoretically. The electronic structure information on the potential energy surface is obtained at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level and the energetics along the reaction path is refined by the BMC‐CCSD method. Hydrogen‐bonded complexes are presented at both the reactant and product sides of the five channels, indicating that the reaction may proceed via an indirect mechanism. The influence of the basis set superposition error (BSSE) on the energies of all the complexes is discussed by means of the CBS‐QB3 method. The rate constants of CH3NHNH2 + OH are calculated using canonical variational transition‐state theory with the small‐curvature tunneling correction (CVT/SCT) in the temperature range of 200–1000 K. Slightly negative temperature dependence of rate constant is found in the temperature range from 200 to 345 K. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is good. It is shown that for Conformer I, hydrogen‐abstraction from NH position is the primary pathway at low temperature; the hydrogen‐abstraction from NH2 is a competitive pathway as the temperature increases. A similar case can be concluded for Conformer II. The overall rate constant is evaluated by considering the weight factors of each conformer from the Boltzmann distribution function, and the three‐term Arrhenius expressions are fitted to be kT = 1.6 × 10−24T4.03exp (1411.5/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 between 200–1000 K. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Graphs with the n‐e.c. adjacency property constructed from resolvable designs
Authors: Baker Catharine A. , Bonato Anthony , McKay Neil A. , Prałat Paweł
Published: February 2009

Only recently have techniques been introduced that apply design theory to construct graphs with the n‐e.c. adjacency property. We supply a new random construction for generating infinite families of finite regular n‐e.c. graphs derived from certain resolvable Steiner 2‐designs. We supply an extension of our construction to the infinite case, and thereby give a new representation of the infinite random graph. We describe a family of deterministic graphs in infinite affine planes which satisfy the 3‐e.c. property. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 294–306, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of some nitrogen heterocycles from d‐galactose derivatives
Authors: Faraco André Augusto Gomes , De Souza Filho José Dias , Prado Maria Auxiliadôra Fontes , Alves Ricardo José , Prado Renata Fontes , D'Accorso Norma Beatriz
Published: February 2009

The tetrazoles 5‐(6′‐acetamido‐6′‐deoxy‐1′,2′:3′,4′‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D‐glycero‐α‐D‐galactohexopyranos‐6′‐yl)tetrazole (1) and 5‐(6′‐acetamido‐6′‐deoxy‐1′,2′:3′,4′–di‐O‐isopropylidene‐L‐glycero‐α‐D‐galacto‐hexopyranos‐6′‐yl)‐tetrazole (2) were synthesized by the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the epimeric α‐acetamidonitriles 5 and 6, respectively, with sodium azide. Reaction of tetrazole 1 with acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine afforded the N‐acetyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivative 3 and the N‐acetylacetamido‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivative 7. The N‐acetylacetamido‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivative (8) was isolated when the tetrazole 2 was allowed to react under the same conditions. The physical and spectroscopic data of the five new compounds 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are presented.
Synthesis of 6,7‐dimethoxy‐1‐halobenzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines
Authors: Cho Su‐Dong , Kweon Deok‐Heon , Kang Young‐Jin , Lee Sang‐Gyeong , Lee Woo Song , Yoon Yong‐Jin
Published: February 2009

Some 6,7‐dimethoxy‐1‐halobenzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines were synthesized from 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine and halophenylacetic acids in three steps in good yield.
A re-evaluation of the risk factors for the recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in liver allografts
Authors: Alabraba Edward , Nightingale Peter , Gunson Bridget , Hubscher Stefan , Olliff Simon , Mirza Darius , Neuberger James
Published: February 2009

Previously, we have found that the absence of the colon after liver transplantation (LT) protects the patient from recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis (rPSC). As our previous observation has not been confirmed in other series, we have reviewed our cohort of patients grafted for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with greater numbers and longer follow-up to reassess the rate, consequences, and risk factors for rPSC. We collected data on patients who underwent LT for PSC between January 1986 and April 2006. Data were collected for cytomegalovirus status, inflammatory bowel disease status, time of colectomy, type of colectomy, donor-recipient gender mismatch, recipient sex, extended donor criteria (EDC), and donor risk index. Accepted criteria were used to diagnose rPSC. Of a total of 230 consecutive adult patients, 61 (27%) underwent colectomy pre-/peri-LT, and 54 (23.5%) developed rPSC at a median of 4.6 (range, 0.5–12.9) years post-LT. A total of 263 deceased donor grafts were used, and 73 were EDC grafts. A diagnosis of rPSC was made in 61 of the 263 grafts (23%). The recurrence-free patient survival was significantly better (P < 0.05) in patients who underwent pre-/peri-LT colectomy and in those with non-EDC grafts. In conclusion, in this larger cohort of 230 patients and with longer follow-up of 82.5 (range, 0.0–238.6) months [in comparison with the previous report of 152 recipients with a follow-up of 52.8 (range, 1–146) months], we have shown that colectomy remains a significant risk factor for rPSC and that colectomy before and during initial LT for PSC confers a protective effect against rPSC in subsequent graft(s). Moreover, we have shown that EDC grafts are also a significant risk factor for rPSC.