bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Role of Touch in the First Year of Life: Mothers' Perspectives of Tactile Interactions with Their Infants
Authors: O'Brien Mairéad , Lynch Helen
Published: March 2011

Introduction:

Touch is a basic instinctual interaction between a parent and his or her infant and has a vital role in the infant's early development. Parents provide a variety of tactile stimulation while addressing their infant's daily care routines. This paper reports on research findings, exploring the nature of this tactile interaction and how it is influenced by personal and contextual factors.

Method:

A qualitative study, employing a phenomenological approach, was conducted to explore the experiential nature of tactile interaction. Data were collected from six mothers of typically developing infants through single semi-structured interviews, and analysed thematically. Credibility and trustworthiness were addressed throughout the research process through peer checking, an audit trail and the completion of a reflexive diary.

Findings:

The mothers described the importance of tactile interaction as a medium through which to bond with their infant and also discussed the influence that the infant's development has on this dyadic relationship. Personal and contextual factors were identified as affecting engagement in tactile interaction.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, recommendations are made for occupational therapists who work with infants. The consideration of personal and contextual factors that influence mother-infant tactile interaction will contribute to a family-centred approach to therapy and support the achievement of best practice in this area.
Work-Related Injuries Amongst Occupational Therapists: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Passier Leanne , McPhail Steven
Published: March 2011

Purpose:

The purpose of this investigation was to establish preliminary information regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) amongst occupational therapists working in Australia.

Method:

Forty-six of 141 occupational therapists accepted an email invitation to complete a web-based survey.

Results:

The incidence of WRMDs was high, with 29 (63%) respondents experiencing one or more WRMDs within the previous 12 months and 38 (80.4%) over the course of their career. Of the 76 WRMDs described, 37 (48.7%) were not reported at all and only 5 (6.5%) were reported through official reporting systems.

Conclusion:

The findings from this study indicate that the current reporting of WRMDs is poor and that WRMDs have an impact on individuals' work and leisure activities.
Enhancing Professional Reasoning through the Use of Evidence-Based Assessments, Robust Case Formulations and Measurable Goals
Authors: Parkinson Sue , Shenfield Megan , Reece Katrina , Fisher Jessica
Published: March 2011

The value of therapists documenting their clinical reasoning and negotiating specific and measurable goals is widely acknowledged. However, the literature suggests that practitioners often encounter barriers when implementing best practice.

This article details how occupational therapists in Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust entered an academic partnership, which transformed their communication of clinical and professional reasoning. Having adopted a conceptual model of practice, they established clearly defined processes for assessment, case formulation and goal setting. Service users, carers and team members confirmed that these initiatives enhanced person-centred practice, highlighted occupational issues and made treatment planning more effective for the whole team.
Evaluating the effects of microphysical complexity in idealised simulations of trade wind cumulus using the Factorial Method
Authors: Dearden C. , Connolly P. J. , Choularton T. W. , Field P. R.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The effect of microphysical and environmental factors on the development of precipitation in warm idealised cloud is explored using a kinematic modelling framework. A simple one-dimensional column model is used to drive a suite of microphysics schemes including a flexible multi-moment bulk scheme (including both single and dual moment cloud liquid water) and a state-of-the-art bin-resolved scheme with explicit treatments of liquid and aerosol. The Factorial Method is employed to quantify and compare the sensitivities of each scheme under a set of controlled conditions, in order to isolate the effect of additional microphysical complexity in terms of the impact on surface precipitation. At relatively low updraught speeds, the sensitivity of the bulk schemes was found to depend on the assumptions made with regards the treatment of droplet activation. It was possible to achieve a much closer agreement between the single and dual moment bulk schemes by tuning the specified droplet number concentration in the single moment scheme, suggesting that a diagnostic representation of droplet number may be an acceptable alternative to the more expensive prognostic option. However the effect of changes in CCN concentration were found to produce a relatively stronger effect on precipitation in the bulk schemes compared to the bin scheme; this is believed to be a consequence of differences in the treatment of drop growth by collision and coalescence. Collectively, these results demonstrate the usefulness of the Factorial Method as a model development tool for quantitatively comparing and contrasting the behaviour of microphysics schemes of differing levels of complexity within a specified parameter space.
The impact of orbital sampling, monthly averaging and vertical resolution on climate chemistry model evaluation with satellite observations
Authors: Aghedo A. M. , Bowman K. W. , Shindell D. T. , Faluvegi G.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Ensemble climate model simulations used for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments have become important tools for exploring the response of the Earth System to changes in anthropogenic and natural forcings. The systematic evaluation of these models through global satellite observations is a critical step in assessing the uncertainty of climate change projections. This paper presents the technical steps required for using nadir sun-synchronous infrared satellite observations for multi-model evaluation and the uncertainties associated with each step. This is motivated by need to use satellite observations to evaluate climate models. We quantified the implications of the effect of satellite orbit and spatial coverage, the effect of variations in vertical sensitivity as quantified by the observation operator and the impact of averaging the operators for use with monthly-mean model output. We calculated these biases in ozone, carbon monoxide, atmospheric temperature and water vapour by using the output from two global chemistry climate models (ECHAM5-MOZ and GISS-PUCCINI) and the observations from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) satellite from January 2005 to December 2008. The results show that sampling and monthly averaging of the observation operators produce biases of less than ±3% for ozone and carbon monoxide throughout the entire troposphere in both models. Water vapour sampling biases were also within the insignificant range of ±3% (that is ±0.14 g kg−1) in both models. Sampling led to a temperature bias of ±0.3 K over the tropical and mid-latitudes in both models, and up to −1.4 K over the boundary layer in the higher latitudes. Using the monthly average of temperature and water vapour operators lead to large biases over the boundary layer in the southern-hemispheric higher latitudes and in the upper troposphere, respectively. Up to 8% bias was calculated in the upper troposphere water vapour due to monthly-mean operators, which may impact the detection of water vapour feedback in response to global warming. Our results reveal the importance of using the averaging kernel and the a priori profiles to account for the limited vertical resolution of a nadir observation during model application. Neglecting the observation operators resulted in large biases, which are more than 60% for ozone, ±30% for carbon monoxide, and range between −1.5 K and 5 K for atmospheric temperature, and between −60% and 100% for water vapour.
Response of the Antarctic stratosphere to warm pool El Niño Events in the GEOS CCM
Authors: Hurwitz M. M. , Song I.-S. , Oman L. D. , Newman P. A. , Molod A. M. , Frith S. M. , Nielsen J. E.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. A new formulation of the Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry-Climate Model, Version 2 (GEOS V2 CCM), with an improved general circulation model and an internally generated quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), is used to investigate the response of the Antarctic stratosphere to (1) warm pool El Niño (WPEN) events and (2) the sensitivity of this response to the phase of the QBO. Two 50-yr time-slice simulations are forced by repeating annual cycles of sea surface temperatures and sea ice concentrations composited from observed WPEN and neutral ENSO (ENSON) events. In these simulations, greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance concentrations represent the present-day climate. The modelled responses to WPEN, and to the phase of the QBO during WPEN, are compared with NASA's Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis. WPEN events enhance poleward planetary wave activity in the central South Pacific during austral spring, leading to relative warming of the Antarctic lower stratosphere in November/December. During the easterly phase of the QBO (QBO-E), the GEOS V2 CCM reproduces the observed 3–5 K warming of the polar region at 50 hPa, in the WPEN simulation relative to ENSON. In the recent past, the response to WPEN events was sensitive to the phase of the QBO: the enhancement in planetary wave driving and the lower stratospheric warming signal were mainly associated with WPEN events coincident with QBO-E. In the GEOS V2 CCM, however, the Antarctic response to WPEN events is insensitive to the phase of the QBO: the modelled response is always easterly QBO-like. OLR, streamfunction and Rossby wave energy diagnostics are used to show that the modelled QBO does not extend far enough into the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere to modulate convection and thus planetary wave activity in the south central Pacific.
Isotopic fractionation during soil uptake of atmospheric hydrogen
Authors: Rice A. , Dayalu A. , Quay P. , Gammon R.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Soil uptake of atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and the associated hydrogen isotope effect were studied using soil chambers in a Western Washington second-growth coniferous forest. Chamber studies were conducted during both winter and summer seasons to account for large natural variability in soil moisture content (4–50%) and temperature (6–22 °C). H2 deposition velocities were found to range from 0.01–0.06 cm s−1 with an average of 0.033 ± 0.008 cm s−1 (95% confidence interval). Consistent with prior studies, deposition velocities were correlated with soil moisture below 20% soil moisture content during the summer season. During winter, there was considerable variability observed in deposition velocity that was not closely related to soil moisture. The hydrogen kinetic isotope effect with H2 uptake was found to range from −24‰ to −109‰. Aggregate analysis of experimental data results in an average KIE of −57 ± 5‰ (95% CI). Some of the variability in KIE can be explained by larger isotope effects at lower (<10%) and higher (>30%) soil moisture contents. The measured KIE was also found to be correlated with deposition velocity, with smaller isotope effects occurring at higher deposition velocities. If correct, these findings will have an impact on the interpretation of atmospheric measurements and modeling of δD of H2.
Climate-CH4 feedback from wetlands and its interaction with the climate-CO2 feedback
Authors: Ringeval B. , Friedlingstein P. , Koven C. , Ciais P. , de Noblet-Ducoudré N. , Decharme B. , Cadule P.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The existence of a feedback between climate and methane (CH4) emissions from wetlands has previously been hypothesized, but both its sign and amplitude remain unknown. Moreover, this feedback could interact with the climate-CO2 cycle feedback, which has not yet been accounted for at the global scale. These interactions relate to (i) the effect of atmospheric CO2 on methanogenic substrates by virtue of its fertilizing effect on plant productivity and (ii) the fact that a climate perturbation due to CO2 (respectively CH4) radiative forcing has an effect on wetland CH4 emissions (respectively CO2 fluxes at the surface/atmosphere interface). We present a theoretical analysis of these interactions, which makes it possible to express the magnitude of the feedback for CO2 and CH4 alone, the additional gain due to interactions between these two feedbacks and the effects of these feedbacks on the difference in atmospheric CH4 and CO2 between 2100 and pre-industrial time (respectively ΔCH4 and ΔCO2). These gains are expressed as functions of different sensitivity terms, which we estimate based on prior studies and from experiments performed with the global terrestrial vegetation model ORCHIDEE. Despite high uncertainties on the sensitivity of wetland CH4 emissions to climate, we found that the absolute value of the gain of the climate-CH4 feedback from wetlands is relatively low (<30% of climate-CO2 feedback gain), with either negative or positive sign within the range of estimates. Whereas the interactions between the two feedbacks have low influence on ΔCO2, the ΔCH4 could increase by 475 to 1400 ppb based on the sign of the C-CH4 feedback gain. Our study suggests that it is necessary to better constrain the evolution of wetland area and the substrate for methanogenesis under future climate change, as these are the dominant sources of uncertainty in our model.
The effect of aggregates on N2O emission from denitrification in an agricultural peat soil
Authors: Stolk P. C. , Hendriks R. F. A. , Jacobs C. M. J. , Moors E. J. , Kabat P.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are highly variable in time, with high peak emissions lasting as couple of days to weeks and low background emissions. This temporal variability is poorly understood which hampers the simulation of daily N2O emissions. In structured soils, like clay and peat, aggregates hamper the diffusion of oxygen, which leads to anaerobic microsites in the soil, favourable for denitrification. In this paper we studied the effect of aggregates in soils on the N2O emissions from denitrification. We presented a parameterization to simulate the effects of aggregates on N2O, following the mobile-immobile model concept. This parameterization was implemented in a field-scale hydrological-biogeochemical model combination. We compared the simulated fluxes with observed fluxes from a fertilized and drained peat soil with grass. The results of this study showed that aggregates strongly affect N2O emissions: peak emissions are lower, whereas the background emissions are slightly higher. Implementation of the effect of aggregates caused a decrease in the simulated annual emissions of more than 40%. The new parameterization also significantly improved the model performance to simulate observed N2O fluxes. Aggregates have more impact on the reduction of N2O than on the production of N2O. Reduction of N2O is more sensitive to changes in the drivers than production of N2O and is in that sense the key process to understand N2O emissions from denitrification. The effects of changing conditions on reduction of N2O relative to N2O production is dependent on the NO3 content of the soil. It is expected that in soils with a low NO3 content the influence of aggregates on the NO3 concentration is not negligible. This study showed that the current knowledge of the hydrological, biogeochemical and physical processes is sufficient to understand the observed N2O fluxes from a fertilized peatland. Further research is needed to test how aggregates affect the N2O fluxes in areas or periods with little NO3 in the soil.
LANL* V2.0: global modeling and validation
Authors: Koller J. , Zaharia S.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. We describe in this paper the new version of LANL*. Just like the previous version, this new version V2.0 of LANL* is an artificial neural network (ANN) for calculating the magnetic drift invariant, L*, that is used for modeling radiation belt dynamics and for other space weather applications. We have implemented the following enhancements in the new version: (1) we have removed the limitation to geosynchronous orbit and the model can now be used for any type of orbit. (2) The new version is based on the improved magnetic field model by Tsyganenko and Sitnov (2005) (TS05) instead of the older model by Tsyganenko et al. (2003). We have validated the model and compared our results to L* calculations with the TS05 model based on ephemerides for CRRES, Polar, GPS, a LANL geosynchronous satellite, and a virtual RBSP type orbit. We find that the neural network performs very well for all these orbits with an error typically Δ L* < 0.2 which corresponds to an error of 3% at geosynchronous orbit. This new LANL-V2.0 artificial neural network is orders of magnitudes faster than traditional numerical field line integration techniques with the TS05 model. It has applications to real-time radiation belt forecasting, analysis of data sets involving decades of satellite of observations, and other problems in space weather.
Association between anomalies of moisture flux and extreme runoff events in the south-eastern Alps
Authors: Müller M. , Kaspar M.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. The aims of the paper are (i) to describe the annual distribution of extreme runoff events on the Mura, Drava and Sava Rivers, (ii) to demonstrate their association with moisture fluxes, and (iii) to explain their annual distribution by moisture flux climatology. Extreme runoff events were defined as rapid increases in daily mean discharge. Moisture flux anomalies were studied within six pixels of the ERA-40 database around the studied region. In general, extreme runoff events were concentrated in the summer and autumn and were usually associated with anomalies in moisture flux, mainly from the south. Nevertheless, while southern and western moisture fluxes were typical of Sava River events that occurred mainly in autumn, summer events prevailed on the Mura River and were frequently associated with moisture fluxes from the east or the north. It is remarkable that moisture fluxes from the west and south have their maxima in the autumn, whereas those from the east and north have their maxima in the summer. Therefore, the climatology of moisture flux seems to be one of the major reasons for the annual distribution of extreme runoff events in the study region. This result should be confirmed in other regions in the future.
The mass and energy balance of ice within the Eisriesenwelt cave, Austria
Authors: Obleitner F. , Spötl C.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Meteorological measurements were performed in a prominent ice cave (Eisriesenwelt, Austria) during a full annual cycle. The data show the basic features of a dynamically ventilated cave system with a well distinguished winter and summer regime. The calculated energy balance of the cave ice is largely determined by the input of long-wave radiation originating at the host rock surface. On average the turbulent fluxes withdraw energy from the surface. This is more pronounced during winter due to enhanced circulation and lower humidity. During summer the driving gradients reverse sign and the associated fluxes provide energy for melt. About 4 cm of ice were lost at the measurement site during a reference year. This was due to some sublimation during winter, while the major loss resulted from melt during summer. Small amounts of accumulation occurred during spring due to refreezing of seepage water. These results are largely based on employing a numerical mass and energy balance model. Sensitivity studies prove reliability of the calculated energy balance regarding diverse measurement uncertainties and show that the annual mass balance of the ice strongly depends on cave air temperature during summer and the availability of seepage water in spring.
Systemic Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Exudative Retinal Detachment Secondary to Choroidal Melanoma
Authors: Newman Hadas , Finger Paul T. , Chin Kimberly J. , Pavlick Anna C.
Published: March 2011

Purpose.

To evaluate the safety and effect of systemic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor bevacizumab (Avastin) in treatment of exudative retinal detachment secondary to choroidal melanoma.

Methods.

Two patients were definitively treated with ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy and subsequently given 10 mg/kg intravenous bevacizumab every 2 weeks for 3 or 4 cycles.

Results.

Complete resolution of the exudative retinal detachments occurred 1.2 months and 6.5 months after completion of systemic bevacizumab and 4.7 and 10 months after plaque therapy. The first patient's visual acuity improved from counting fingers at 1 foot to 20/80 (at 40 months), while his tumor regressed from 9.2 to 3.7 mm in apical height. The second patient's initial acuity was 20/20 and final acuity was 20/80 (at 35 months), while her tumor height regressed from 12.2 to 6.3 mm. No exudative retinal detachment, intraocular or systemic tumor recurrence was noted up to 40 and 35 months, respectively. Acute side effects of intravenous bevacizumab therapy included hypertension, headaches, and amenorrhea, which shortly resolved after completion of therapy.

Conclusions.

This pilot study suggests that systemic bevacizumab was associated with transient systemic effects as well as resolution of choroidal melanoma-related exudative retinal detachment.
International research and development projects at Geological Survey of Slovenia for the period 1995–2009
Authors: Komac Marko , Grebenc Meta
Published: March 2011

The purpose of the paper is to give a short overview of international activities of Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS) in the field of research and development in the period of past fifteen years. The background of such an overview is to present the range and scale of these activities at GeoZS to wider scientific public. In addition to the overview short description of each project will be given, its duration, relative financial frame, and sources of financing. Some trends of described activities will also be addressed.
Structural Determinants of the Sign of the Pyroelectric Effect in Quasi‐Amorphous SrTiO3 Films
Authors: Shelukhin Victor , Ehre David , Lavert Etay , Wachtel Ellen , Feldman Yishay , Tagantsev Alexander , Lubomirsky Igor
Published: March 2011

The magnitude and direction of the permanent electric polarization in the non‐crystalline, polar phase (termed quasi‐amorphous) of SrTiO3 in Si\SiO2\Me\SrTiO3\Me, (Me = Cr or W), Si\SrRuO3\SrTiO3, and Si\SrTiO3 layered structures were investigated. Three potential sources of the polarization which appears after the material is pulled through a temperature gradient were considered: a) contact potential difference; b) a flexoelectric effect due to a strain gradient caused by substrate curvature; and c) a flexoelectric effect due to the thermally induced strain gradient that develops while pulling through the steep temperature gradient. Measurements show that options a) and b) can be eliminated from consideration. In most cases studied in this (Si\SrTiO3, Si\SiO2\Me\SrTiO3\Me, M = Cr or W) and previous works (Si\BaTiO3, Si\BaZrO3), the top surface of the quasi‐amorphous phase acquires a negative charge upon heating. However, in Si\SrRuO3\SrTiO3 structures the top surface acquires a positive charge upon heating. On the basis of the difference in the measured expansion of the upper and lower surfaces of the SrTiO3 layer in the presence and absence of SrRuO3, we contend that the magnitude and direction of the pyroelectric effect are determined by the out‐of‐plane gradient of the in‐plane strain in the SrTiO3 layer while pulling through the temperature gradient.
Self‐Assembly at Different Length Scales: Polyphilic Star‐Branched Liquid Crystals and Miktoarm Star Copolymers
Authors: Ungar Goran , Tschierske Carsten , Abetz Volker , Holyst Robert , Bates Martin A. , Liu Feng , Prehm Marko , Kieffer Robert , Zeng Xiangbing , Walker Martin , Glettner Benjamin , Zywocinski Andrzej
Published: March 2011

The diversity of phase morphologies observed recently in star‐branched liquid‐crystalline and polymeric compounds containing at least three immiscible segments is reviewed. Bolaamphiphiles and facial amphiphiles with rodlike aromatic cores, two end‐groups, and one (T‐shape) or two (X‐shape) chains attached laterally to the core, form numerous honeycomblike liquid‐crystal phases, as well as a variety of novel lamellar and 3D‐ordered mesophases. Molecular self‐organization is described in bulk phases and in thin films on solid and liquid surfaces, as well as in Langmuir–Blodgett films. The remarkably reversible formation of mono‐ and trilayer films is highlighted. In the bulk, T‐shaped “rod–coil” molecules without appended end‐groups form predominantly lamellar phases if the core is a straight rod, but the bent‐core variety forms hexagonal honeycombs. Furthermore, self‐assembly of “Janus”‐type molecules, is discussed. Also covered is the diversity of morphologies observed in miktoarm star terpolymers, i.e., polymers with three different and incompatible arms of well defined lengths. Similarities and differences are highlighted between the liquid‐crystal morphologies on the 3–15 nm scale and the polymer morphologies on the scale of 10–100 nm. A separate section is dedicated to computer simulations of such systems, particularly those using dissipative particle and molecular dynamics. Of special interest are the recently synthesised X‐shaped tetraphilic molecules, where two different and incompatible side‐chains are attached at opposite sides of the rodlike core. The tendency for their phase separation produces liquid‐crystal honeycombs with cells of different compositions that can be represented as a plane paved with different colored tiles. The independent variation of chain length and “color” creates the potential for developing a considerable range of complex new 2D and 3D soft nanostructures. Analogous X‐shaped rod–coil compounds with unequal side groups are also of considerable interest, forming tubular lyotropic structures capable of confining strings of guest molecules.
Neutron Diffraction Investigations of Magnetism in BiFeO3 Epitaxial Films
Authors: Ratcliff William , Kan Daisuke , Chen Wangchun , Watson Shannon , Chi Songxue , Erwin Ross , McIntyre Garry J. , Capelli Sylvia C. , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: March 2011

The recovery of a modulated magnetic structure in epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films as revealed by neutron diffraction is reported. The magnetic structure in thin films is found to strongly depend on substrate orientation. The substrate orientation causes different strain–relaxation processes resulting in different thin‐film crystal structures. The (110) oriented film with a monoclinic structural phase has a single‐domain modulated magnetic structure where the magnetic moment lies in the HHL plane. For the (111) oriented film that has a rhombohedral structure, a modulated structure superimposed on the G‐type antiferromagnetic order is found. These results indicate that slight structural modifications in the BiFeO3 thin film cause drastic changes in the magnetic structure.
Salt Concentration Effects in Planar Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: van Reenen Stephan , Matyba Piotr , Dzwilewski Andrzej , Janssen René A. J. , Edman Ludvig , Kemerink Martijn
Published: March 2011

Incorporation of ions in the active layer of organic semiconductor devices may lead to attractive device properties like enhanced injection and improved carrier transport. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the salt concentration on the operation of light‐emitting electrochemical cells, using experiments and numerical calculations. The current density and light emission are shown to increase linearly with increasing ion concentration over a wide range of concentrations. The increasing current is accompanied by an ion redistribution, leading to a narrowing of the recombination zone. Hence, in absence of detrimental side reactions and doping‐related luminescence quenching, the ion concentration should be as high as possible.
A Microfluidic, Reversibly Stretchable, Large‐Area Wireless Strain Sensor
Authors: Cheng Shi , Wu Zhigang
Published: March 2011

This article describes the implementation and characterization of a new self‐contained large‐area wireless strain sensor, operating around 1.5 GHz, based on the concept of multi‐layer microfluidic stretchable radiofrequency electronics (μFSRFEs). Compared to existing solutions, the presented integrated strain sensor is capable of remotely detecting repeated high tensile dynamic strains of up to 15% over very large surfaces or movable parts, and gets rid of all hardwiring to external storage or data processing equipment. Unlike conventional electronic devices, the major part of the sensor is a mechanically reconfigurable and reversibly deformable patch antenna, which consists of two layers of liquid metal alloy filled microfluidic channels in a silicone elastomer. A simplified radiofrequency (RF) transmitter composed of miniaturized rigid active integrated circuits (ICs) associated with discrete passive components was assembled on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and then heterogeneously integrated to the antenna. The elastic patch antenna can withstand repeated mechanical stretches while still maintaining its electrical function to some extent, and return to its original state after removal of the stress. Additionally, its electrical characteristics at frequency of operation are highly sensitive to mechanical strains. Consequently, not only is this antenna a radiator for transmitting and receiving RF signals like any other conventional antennas, but also acts as a reversible large‐area strain sensor in the integrated device. Good electrical performance of the standalone antenna and the RF transmitter sub‐module was respectively verified by experiments. Furthermore, a personal computer (PC)‐assisted RF receiver for receiving and processing the measured data was also designed, implemented, and evaluated. In the real‐life demonstration, the integrated strain sensor successfully monitored periodically repeated human body motion, and wirelessly transmitted the measured data to the custom‐designed receiver at a distance of 5m in real‐time.
Fabrication of Silica Nanoparticles with Both Efficient Fluorescence and Strong Magnetization and Exploration of Their Biological Applications
Authors: Mahtab Faisal , Yu Yong , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Liu Jianzhao , Zhang Bei , Lu Ping , Zhang Xixiang , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2011

Nanoparticles with both efficient light emission and strong magnetization (MFSNPs) are fabricated by one‐pot, surfactant‐free sol–gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane and silole‐functionalized siloxane in the presence of citrate‐coated magnetite nanoparticles. The MFSNPs are uniformly sized with smooth surfaces. They possess core–shell structures and exhibit appreciable surface charges and hence good colloidal stability. The MFSNPs are superparamagnetic, exhibiting no hysteresis at room temperature. UV irradiation of the suspension of MFSNPs in ethanol gives strong green emission at 486 nm, thanks to the novel aggregation‐induced emission characteristics of the silole aggregates in the hybrid nanoparticles. The MFSNPs can selectively stain the cytoplasmic regions of the living cells. Addition of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane during the fabrication of MFSNPs has generated MFSNP‐NH2 with numerous amino groups decorated on the surface, enabling the nanoparticles to immobilize bovine serum albumin efficiently.
Continuous‐time modeling and global optimization approach for scheduling of crude oil operations
Authors: Li Jie , Misener Ruth , Floudas Christodoulos A.
Published: March 2011

Scheduling of crude oil operations is a critical and complicated component of overall refinery operations, because crude oil costs account for about 80% of the refinery turnover. Moreover, blending with less expensive crudes can significantly increase profit margins. The mathematical modeling of blending different crudes in storage tanks results in many bilinear terms, which transforms the problem into a challenging, nonconvex, and mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) optimization model. Two primary contributions have been made. First, the authors developed a novel unit‐specific event‐based continuous‐time MINLP formulation for this problem. Then they incorporated realistic operational features such as single buoy mooring (SBM), multiple jetties, multiparcel vessels, single‐parcel vessels, crude blending, brine settling, crude segregation, and multiple tanks feeding one crude distillation unit at one time and vice versa. In addition, 15 important volume‐based or weight‐based crude property indices are also considered. Second, they exploited recent advances in piecewise‐linear underestimation of bilinear terms within a branch‐and‐bound algorithm to globally optimize the MINLP problem. It is shown that the continuous‐time model results in substantially fewer bilinear terms. Several examples taken from the work of Li et al. are used to illustrate that (1) better solutions are obtained and (2) ε‐global optimality can be attained using the proposed branch‐and‐bound global optimization algorithm with piecewise‐linear underestimations of the bilinear terms. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
A linear model predictive control algorithm for nonlinear large‐scale distributed parameter systems
Authors: Bonis Ioannis , Xie Weiguo , Theodoropoulos Constantinos
Published: March 2011

This work provides a framework for linear model predictive control (MPC) of nonlinear distributed parameter systems (DPS), allowing the direct utilization of existing large‐scale simulators. The proposed scheme is adaptive and it is based on successive local linearizations of the nonlinear model of the system at hand around the current state and on the use of the resulting local linear models for MPC. At every timestep, not only the future control moves are updated but also the model of the system itself. A model reduction technique is integrated within this methodology to reduce the computational cost of this procedure. It follows the equation‐free approach (see Kevrekidis et al., Commun Math Sci. 2003;1:715–762; Theodoropoulos et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000;97:9840‐9843), according to which the equations of the model (and consequently of the simulator) need not be given explicitly to the controller. The latter forms a “wrapper” around an existing simulator using it in an input/output fashion. This algorithm is designed for dissipative DPS, dissipativity being a prerequisite for model reduction. The equation‐free approach renders the proposed algorithm appropriate for multiscale systems and enables it to handle large‐scale systems. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
P2RX7 gene is associated consistently with mood disorders and predicts clinical outcome in three clinical cohorts
Authors: Soronen Pia , Mantere Outi , Melartin Tarja , Suominen Kirsi , Vuorilehto Maria , Rytsälä Heikki , Arvilommi Petri , Holma Irina , Holma Mikael , Jylhä Pekka , Valtonen Hanna M. , Haukka Jari , Isometsä Erkki , Paunio Tiina
Published: March 2011

We investigated the effect of nine candidate genes on risk for mood disorders, hypothesizing that predisposing gene variants not only elevate the risk for mood disorders but also result in clinically significant differences in the clinical course of mood disorders. We genotyped 178 DSM‐IV bipolar I and II and 272 major depressive disorder patients from three independent clinical cohorts carefully diagnosed with semistructured interviews and prospectively followed up with life charts for a median of 60 (range 6–83) months. Healthy control subjects (n = 1322) were obtained from the population‐based national Health 2000 Study. We analyzed 62 genotyped variants within the selected genes (BDNF, NTRK2, SLC6A4, TPH2, P2RX7, DAOA, COMT, DISC1, and MAOA) against the presence of mood disorder, and in post‐hoc analyses, specifically against bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. Estimates for time ill were based on life charts. The P2RX7 gene variants rs208294 and rs2230912 significantly elevated the risk for a familial mood disorder (OR = 1.35, P = 0.0013, permuted P = 0.06, and OR = 1.44, P = 0.0031, permuted P = 0.17, respectively). The results were consistent in all three cohorts. The same risk alleles predicted more time ill in all cohorts (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6, P = 0.0069 and OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3, P = 0.0002 with rs208294 and rs2230912, respectively), so that homozygous carriers spent 12 and 24% more time ill. P2RX7 and its risk alleles predisposed to mood disorders consistently in three independent clinical cohorts. The same risk alleles resulted in clinically significant differences in outcome of patients with major depressive and bipolar disorder. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial 6p22.2 duplication associates with mild developmental delay and increased SSADH activity
Authors: Siggberg Linda , Mustonen Aki , Schuit Robert , Salomons Gajja S. , Roos Birthe , Gibson K. Michael , Jakobs Cornelis , Ignatius Jaakko , Knuutila Sakari
Published: March 2011

We present a family with mild developmental delay and a duplication (6)(p22.2). Array CGH analyses revealed this 0.7 Mb duplication in all three patients, spanning candidate genes ALDH5A1, DCDC2, and KIAA0319. Results were confirmed by MLPA analysis of the dyslexia genes DCDC2 and KIAA0319. Of interest, ALDH5A1 encodes succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH), an enzyme responsible for γ‐amino‐butyric acid (GABA) degradation. Inherited deficiency of SSADH results in accumulation of the neuromodulator γ‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which likely contributes to some aspects of the neurological phenotype of SSADH deficiency (MIM #271980). Based on autosomal‐recessive inheritance, we sequenced ALDH5A1 in all patients, which revealed no pathogenic mutations. SSADH enzyme studies in cultured white cells confirmed elevated SSADH activity, consistent with the duplication, whereas concentrations of SSA were slightly elevated in urine, suggesting oxidant stress. We speculate that the duplication (6)(p22.2) and corresponding hyperactive level of SSADH activity may have negative consequences for GABA metabolism and the role of SSADH in other metabolic sequences. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nucleic Acid Based Molecular Devices
Authors: Krishnan Yamuna , Simmel Friedrich C.
Published: March 2011

In biology, nucleic acids are carriers of molecular information: DNA’s base sequence stores and imparts genetic instructions, while RNA’s sequence plays the role of a messenger and a regulator of gene expression. As biopolymers, nucleic acids also have exciting physicochemical properties, which can be rationally influenced by the base sequence in myriad ways. Consequently, in recent years nucleic acids have also become important building blocks for bottom‐up nanotechnology: as molecules for the self‐assembly of molecular nanostructures and also as a material for building machinelike nanodevices. In this Review we will cover the most important developments in this growing field of nucleic acid nanodevices. We also provide an overview of the biochemical and biophysical background of this field and the major “historical” influences that shaped its development. Particular emphasis is laid on DNA molecular motors, molecular robotics, molecular information processing, and applications of nucleic acid nanodevices in biology.
Study on surface functional group characteristics of Yanzhou coal for thermal maturity
Authors: Sun Lushi , Shi Jinming , Xiang Jun , Hu Song , Su Sheng , Xu Chaofen , Xu Kai
Published: March 2011

To reveal the changing rule of coal structure during coal gasification, Yanzhou coal was used to make raw coal char, acid‐washed coal char and semi‐cokes in tube furnace at different temperatures, 300–1000 °C, and the infrared spectra were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy at every gasification conditions, to analyze the surface functional group characteristics of Yanzhou coal. It was found that the absorption peaks of NH group, as well as free SH and SiO groups, of raw coal were removed during acid‐washing; char‐making temperature had influence on organic groups of raw coal greatly, but little on SiO groups and organic sulfur groups; the function of heating rate was activated only when the temperature reaches a certain role, and heating rate was selective on the characteristic group formation; for semi‐cokes, limited aliphatic structure in coal led to small hydrocarbon generation capacity during coal gasification at low temperature, but the synergistic effect of aromatic structure cracking and condensation increases the hydrogen‐enriched degree of semi‐cokes at high temperature; aliphatic and aromatic structures were affected little by low temperature, and the original aliphatic structure broke off firstly with increasing temperature, whereas at high temperature, aromatic structure began to crack to aliphatic structure to break off gradually; CO2 participating in gasification, intervening CO group of phenols, ethers, alcohols and esters could influence the total oxygen‐enriched efficiency of semi‐cokes. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oligodendroglial Cells Express and Secrete Reelin
Authors: Siebert Justin R. , Osterhout Donna J.
Published: March 2011

Oligodendrocyte (OL) progenitor cells (OPCs) give rise to the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), the OL. To examine molecular changes involved in OPC differentiation, a microarray analysis was performed at several time points during OPC maturation. The results revealed significant expression levels of mRNA for reelin, one reelin receptor, very low density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr), and the cytoplasmic adaptor molecule, disabled homolog 1 (Dab1). The expression of these proteins in oligodendroglial (ODG) cells was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. It was also discovered that both progenitors and mature OLs secrete reelin. Although there is no known effect of reelin on ODG cells, the data suggest that these cells may be a source of reelin in the CNS. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the Anchoring Morphology and Mineral Content of the Anterior Cruciate and Medial Collateral Ligaments of the Knee
Authors: Sinclair Kristofer D. , Curtis Benjamin D. , Koller Karyn E. , Bloebaum Roy D.
Published: March 2011

The manner in which ligament connects to bone remains an area of interest for researchers, bioengineers, and clinicians. Stable fixation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft has been shown to be paramount to preventing excess anterior tibial translation and to restoring the normal kinematics of the knee joint. In this study, the surface area of attachment and the mineral characteristics of the ACL and medial collateral ligament (MCL) attachment sites were characterized to determine the factors that contributed to ligament attachment strength. Findings from this study indicated that the area of attachment of the ACL's insertion was significantly greater than the ligament's origin (95.8 mm2 ± 21.5 vs. 73.2 mm2 ± 16.2, P = 0.009). Additionally, the ACL was measured to have a greater surface area of attachment when compared with the MCL (84.5 mm2 ± 18.8 vs. 58.2 mm2 ± 23.8, P = 0.005); although, the MCL was observed to have a greater region of calcified fibrocartilage (CFC) than the ACL (533.0 μm ± 116.9 vs. 195.5 μm ± 36.6, P = 0.0003). No significant correlation was observed between the ligament's area of attachment and the thickness of the CFC region. Measurements of ash percent suggested that the boundary region, between the CFC and host bone, possessed the least mineral content for the three regions of interest. These data suggest that ligament attachment strength can be attributed to several factors, including the ligament's area of attachment, regional thickness, and mineral content of the CFC. Anat Rec,, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomical Sciences Education Vol. 4, Issue 2, 2011 Cover Image
Authors: Higazi Tarig B.
Published: March 2011

Anatomy and Physiology undergraduate students learn histology using live digital imaging of microscopic slides on a SMART board. The interactive live digital imaging system consists of a digital camera‐equipped microscope that projects images from glass slides on a wall‐mounted SMART board via a classroom computer. This setup allows the instructor to make real‐time annotations of key structural components of the cells and tissues. In this issue of ASE, Dr. Higazi from the Department of Biological Sciences at the Ohio University Zanesville Campus discusses the impact of interactive live digital imaging technology on students' performance in his undergraduate A&P course. The photograph (taken by Ms. Christine Shaw, Director of Public Relations at Ohio University Zanesville Campus) shows Dr. Higazi and his students discussing different epithelial cell characteristics found in the medulla of the kidney.
Abatement of intractable vocal stereotypy using an overcorrection procedure
Authors: Anderson Jesse , Le Duy D.
Published: March 2011

We conducted a series of reversals to compare the effects of four different treatments on vocal stereotypy emitted by a 7‐year‐old boy with autism. The results showed that (1) the level of vocal stereotypy decreased during exposure to matched stimulation but returned to high levels immediately upon its removal; (2) stereotypy did not significantly decrease during differential reinforcement of other behavior; and (3) contingent withdrawal of movies and music (i.e., response cost) was only moderately effective. However, positive practice overcorrection decreased vocal stereotypy by clinically significant levels. Further, when differential reinforcement of engagement in a Lego® building task was implemented, the level of engagement was significantly higher when positive practice overcorrection was in place than when overcorrection was withdrawn. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive multivariable temperature and conductivity RFID sensors for single‐use biopharmaceutical manufacturing components
Authors: Potyrailo Radislav A. , Wortley Timothy , Surman Cheryl , Monk David , Morris William G. , Vincent Mark , Diana Rafael , Pizzi Vincent , Carter Jeffrey , Gach Gerard , Klensmeden Staffan , Ehring Hanno
Published: March 2011

Single‐use biopharmaceutical manufacturing requires monitoring of critical manufacturing parameters. We have developed an approach for passive radio‐frequency identification (RFID)‐based sensing that converts ubiquitous passive 13.56 MHz RFID tags into inductively coupled sensors. We combine several measured parameters from the resonant sensor antenna with multivariate data analysis and deliver unique capability of multiparameter sensing and rejection of environmental interferences with a single sensor. We demonstrate here the integration of these RFID sensors into single‐use biopharmaceutical manufacturing components. We have tested these sensors for over 500 h for measurements of temperature and solution conductivity with the accuracy of 0.1°C (32–48°C range) and accuracy of 0.3–2.9 mS/cm (0.5–230 mS/cm range). We further demonstrate simultaneous temperature and conductivity measurements with an individual RFID sensor with the accuracy of 0.2°C (5–60°C range) and accuracy of 0.9 mS/cm (0.5–183 mS/cm range). Developed RFID sensors provide several important features previously unavailable from other single‐use sensing technologies such as the same sensor platform for measurements of physical, chemical, and biological parameters; multi‐parameter monitoring with individual sensors; and simultaneous digital identification. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011