bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wetland conservation in Nepal: policies, practices, problems and possibilities
Authors: Poudel BS
Published: August 2009

Wetlands are among the most productive but threatened ecosystems on earth. Wetlands provide many benefits - environmental, economic and social - yet there is a limited assessment of these multiple values and therefore, have little attention in national accounts. Nepal has been transforming its resource management policies in favor of local people. This paper reviews existing policy framework and legal mechanisms involved in wetlands. There are several acts and regulations which have direct or indirect bearing on wetland conservation and management. It also discusses issues and possibilities of wetland management in Nepal. Finally, it recommends capacity building, wetland survey and inventory. Key words: Wetlands, policies, plans, acts, Ramsar, ecosystem, values    doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2205 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 5-9
Updated status of Nepal’s wetland birds
Authors: Baral HS
Published: August 2009

Wetland birds in Nepal comprise significant portion of avian fauna of Nepal. However, they are also highly threatened because of several factors. A thorough study on wetland bird communities is lacking which is hampering conservation of wetlands and bird communities dependent on them. Proper management of the wetland beyond the protected areas is essential to conserve wetland birds in Nepal. Key words: Wetlands, birds, threatened, management   doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2209 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 30-35
Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Nepal (CSUWN - NEP/05/G01)
Authors: Editor The
Published: August 2009

doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2211 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 40-42
HeadTalk, HandTalk and the corpus: towards a framework for multi-modal, multi-media corpus development
Authors: Knight Dawn , Evans David , Carter Ronald , Adolphs Svenja
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we address a number of key methodological challenges and concerns faced by linguists in the development of a new generation of corpora: the multi-modal, multi-media corpus – that which combines video, audio and textual records of naturally occurring discourse. We contextualise these issues according to a research project which is currently developing such a corpus: the ESRC-funded Understanding New Digital Records for e-Social Science (DReSS) project based at the University of Nottingham.22 For further information, results and publications related to the project, please refer to the main DReSS website, at: http://web.mac.com/andy.crabtree/NCeSS_Digital_Records_Node/Welcome.html

This paper primarily explores the questions of the functionality of the corpus, identifying the problems we faced in making multi-modal corpora ‘usable’ for further research. We focus on the need for new methods for categorising and marking up multiple streams of data, using, as examples, the coding of head nods and hand gestures. We also consider the challenges faced when integrating and representing the data in a functional corpus tool, to allow for further synthesis and analysis.

Here, we also underline some of the ethical challenges faced in the development of this tool, exploring the issues faced both in the collection of data and in the future distribution of video corpora to the wider research community.
Schematic meaning and pragmatic inference: the Mandarin adverbshai,youandzai
Authors: Zhuo Jing-Schmidt , Stefan Th. Gries
Published: August 2009

In this study, we provide a unitary account for three functionally complementary adverbs in Mandarin Chinese: hai, you and zai. Contrastive schematic meanings are proposed as core semantic input from which various pragmatic inferences are derived in context. A multifactorial analysis based on corpus data reveals collocation patterns both in terms of discourse type and linguistic structure. The quantitative findings confirm semantic coherences predicted on the basis of the proposed schematic meanings. The study demonstrates the analytical strengths of cognitive semantic schemata over the fractional view of meaning.
Issues in the development of the British Academic Written English (BAWE) corpus
Authors: Alsop Sian , Nesi Hilary
Published: August 2009

The British Academic Written English (BAWE) corpus is a collection of texts produced by undergraduate and Master's students in a wide range of disciplines, for assessment as part of taught degree programmes undertaken in the UK. The majority of the contributors to the corpus are mother tongue speakers of English, but, in order to be included in the corpus, each assignment had to be judged proficient by assessors in the contributor's discipline, regardless of the writer's mother tongue. The corpus contains, therefore, only texts that have met departmental requirements for the given level of study.

University writing programmes are typically aimed at undergraduate and Master's students, and it would be useful for writing tutors to know more about student assignment genres and the linguistic features of successful writing at undergraduate and Master's level. However, most large-scale descriptive studies of academic writing focus on published or publicly accessible texts, or learner essays on general academic topics, probably because there are practical difficulties associated with collecting large amounts of well-documented student output. This paper charts the experience of collecting data for the BAWE corpus, highlighting the problems we encountered and the solutions we chose, with a view to facilitating the task of future developers of academic student writing corpora.
‘She's afuckingticket’: the pragmatics offuckin Irish English – an age and gender perspective
Authors: Murphy Bróna
Published: August 2009

In this paper, I examine the pragmatics of fuck in terms of age and gender in an Irish English context. The paper aims to explore sociolinguistic variation in the use of this taboo form by using quantitative and qualitative corpus-based tools and methodologies, which include relative frequency lists and concordances, as well as details of formulaic strings, including significant clusters. I show that fuck is a high-frequency item in everyday talk. I illustrate that, in terms of age and gender, fuck occurs most frequently among male speakers in their twenties. I also focus on fucking as an extremely emotionally charged form that is a high frequency item in the interactions of both the males in their twenties and the males in their forties. I note that the use of this form brings a certain dramatic intensity or dynamism to their discourse. I attribute this intensity to being a feature of how males interact. I conclude by discussing other variables at play in the data.
Addendum: Tanabe, K. A Review of Ultrahigh Efficiency III-V Semiconductor Compound Solar Cells: Multijunction Tandem, Lower Dimensional, Photonic Up/Down Conversion and Plasmonic Nanometallic Structures. Energies, 2009, 2, 504-530.
Authors: Tanabe Katsuaki
Published: August 2009

I have stated in my recent review article that no direct observation of multiple exciton generation (MEG) in the shape of photocurrent extracted from a semiconductor had been made yet. [...]
Intramolecular Transformations of 3-Cyanoamino- and 3-Cyanoimino-1,2-diferrocenylcyclopropenes
Authors: Klimova Elena Ivanovna , Klimova Tatiana , Flores-Alamo Marcos , Backinowsky Leon Vladimirovich , Garcia Marcos Martinez
Published: August 2009

3-Cyanoamino-1,2- and -2,3-diferrocenylcyclopropenes 6a,b and 11a,b prepared by the reaction of diferrocenylcyclopropenylium salts with sodium cyanamide undergo smooth intramolecular transformations with both conservation of the three-membered ring [affording 3-cyanoimino-1,2-diferrocenylcyclopropene (8)] and its opening [affording Z-3-morpholino- and Z-3-piperidino-3-(cyanoimino)-1,2-diferrocenylprop-1-enes 7a,b and Z-3-cyanoimino-2,3-diferrocenyl-1-methylthioprop-1-ene (10)]. 3-Cyano-imino-1,2-diferrocenylcyclopropene (8) reacts with hydrazine to form 3-amino-6-ferrocenyl-5-ferrocenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazine (12) and Z-2,3-diferrocenylacrylohydrazide N-cyanoimide (13) as a result of intramolecular transformations. The structures of the compounds obtained were determined by IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structures of compounds 7a and 10 were additionally confirmed by their X-ray diffraction analysis data.
Synthesis, ex Vivo and in Vitro Hydrolysis Study of an Indoline Derivative Designed as an Anti-Inflammatory with Reduced Gastric Ulceration Properties
Authors: Chung Man Chin , Dos Santos Jean Leandro , Oliveira Ednir Vizioli , Blau Lorena , Menegon Renato Farina , Peccinini Rosângela Gonçalves
Published: August 2009

The compound 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one (1), planned as a pro-drug of diclofenac (2), was easily synthesized in 94% yield by an intramolecular reaction in the presence of coupling agent (i.e., EDC). Compound 1 showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity without gastro-ulcerogenic effects. The chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis profile of the lactam derivative 1 does not indicate conversion to diclofenac (2). This compound is a new non-ulcerogenic prototype for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Detecting the Land-Cover Changes Induced by Large-Physical Disturbances Using Landscape Metrics, Spatial Sampling, Simulation and Spatial Analysis
Authors: Chu Hone-Jay , Lin Yu-Pin , Huang Yu-Long , Wang Yung-Chieh
Published: August 2009

The objectives of the study are to integrate the conditional Latin Hypercube Sampling (cLHS), sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) and spatial analysis in remotely sensed images, to monitor the effects of large chronological disturbances on spatial characteristics of landscape changes including spatial heterogeneity and variability. The multiple NDVI images demonstrate that spatial patterns of disturbed landscapes were successfully delineated by spatial analysis such as variogram, Moran’I and landscape metrics in the study area. The hybrid method delineates the spatial patterns and spatial variability of landscapes caused by these large disturbances. The cLHS approach is applied to select samples from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images from SPOT HRV images in the Chenyulan watershed of Taiwan, and then SGS with sufficient samples is used to generate maps of NDVI images. In final, the NDVI simulated maps are verified using indexes such as the correlation coefficient and mean absolute error (MAE). Therefore, the statistics and spatial structures of multiple NDVI images present a very robust behavior, which advocates the use of the index for the quantification of the landscape spatial patterns and land cover change. In addition, the results transferred by Open Geospatial techniques can be accessed from web-based and end-user applications of the watershed management.
Fabrication of a Multi-Walled Nanotube (MWNT) Ionic Liquid Electrode and Its Application for Sensing Phenolics in Red Wines
Authors: Kim Kyo-Il , Kang Hee-Young , Lee Jae-Chan , Choi Seong-Ho
Published: August 2009

A multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) ionic liquid was prepared by the immobilization of 1-butylimidazole bromide onto an epoxy group on a poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted MWNT, which was synthesized by radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto MWNT in an aqueous solution. Subsequently, a MWNT ionic liquid electrode was fabricated by hand-casting MWNT ionic liquid, tyrosinase, and chitosan solution as a binder on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The sensing ranges of the MWNT ionic liquid electrode with immobilized tyrosinase was in the range of 0.01-0.08 mM in a phosphate buffer solution. The optimal conditions such as pH, temperature, and effects of different phenolic compounds were determined. The total phenolic compounds of three commercial red wines were also determined on the tyrosinase-immobilized biosensor.
Significance of Coronavirus Mutants in Feces and Diseased Tissues of Cats Suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Authors: Pedersen Niels C. , Liu Hongwei , Dodd Kimberly A. , Pesavento Patricia A.
Published: August 2009

The internal FECV→FIPV mutation theory and three of its correlates were tested in four sibs/half-sib kittens, a healthy contact cat, and in four unrelated cats that died of FIP at geographically disparate regions. Coronavirus from feces and extraintestinal FIP lesions from the same cat were always >99% related in accessory and structural gene sequences. SNPs and deletions causing a truncation of the 3c gene product were found in almost all isolates from the diseased tissues of the eight cats suffering from FIP, whereas most, but not all fecal isolates from these same cats had intact 3c genes. Other accessory and structural genes appeared normal in both fecal and lesional viruses. Deliterious mutations in the 3c gene were unique to each cat, indicating that they did not originate in one cat and were subsequently passed horizontally to the others. Compartmentalization of the parental and mutant forms was not absolute; virus of lesional type was sometimes found in feces of affected cats and virus identical to fecal type was occasionally identified in diseased tissues. Although 3c gene mutants in this study were not horizontally transmitted, the parental fecal virus was readily transmitted by contact from a cat that died of FIP to its housemate. There was a high rate of mutability in all structural and accessory genes both within and between cats, leading to minor genetic variants. More than one variant could be identified in both diseased tissues and feces of the same cat. Laboratory cats inoculated with a mixture of two closely related variants from the same FIP cat developed disease from one or the other variant, but not both. Significant genetic drift existed between isolates from geographically distinct regions of the Western US.
Projecting Paradise: The Surf Media and the Hermeneutic Circle in Surfing Tourism
Authors: Ponting Jess
Published: August 2009

Imagery of perfect uncrowded surf in paradisaical tropical destinations has been the dominant theme in the surf media since its inception. The hermeneutic circle of representation in tourism has been explored in the context of tourism industry advertising material with tourists reproducing
iconic images of destinations through their own photographic choices (Butler & Hall, 1998; Crawshaw & Urry, 1997; Hall, 1997; Jenkins, 2003; Urry, 1990a, 1990b). This article extends such research by exploring the media's role in driving a hermeneutic circle in the absence of tourism
industry marketing. The article employs grounded theory method in an instrumental case study investigating the role of the surf media in the social construction of an idealized surfing tourist space. As well as providing the first empirical evidence of the relationship between the surf media
and tourism demand, the article explores the symbolic elements of surfing tourist space, imagery of which drives a multi-billion-dollar global surf industry. The article expands the notion of the hermeneutic circle by looking beyond impacts on marketing and tourist behavior and questioning
the implications of a tourism industry that continues to develop in remote, less-developed regions as an ad hoc response to demand fueled by media imagery of commercially created symbols designed to sell fashion items and consumer goods.
Living Paradoxically: Understanding the Discourse of Authentic Freedom as it Emerges in the Travel Space
Authors: Matthews Amie
Published: August 2009

In contemporary society, youth travel is understood and represented by travelers and media alike as a contemporary rite of passage or significant, transitional moment. It is argued that the rapid accumulation of experience, an inherent component of travel, influences processes of identity
construction and reconstruction. Central to these conceptualizations are concerns with authenticity and freedom, discourses that ultimately serve to structure the travel space and influence interactions between travelers and the travel media and industries. Based on semistructured in-depth
interviews with young Australian travelers and discourse, image, and content analysis of key travel publications and advertisements, this article will examine the interplay between discourses of authenticity and freedom in traveler narratives and travel media. It will examine how travel media
(and the travel industries) imagine backpackers and the backpacking community and how backpackers' own self and travel-narratives correspond with or contest such representations. Central to this examination is the centrality of discourses of authenticity and freedom, and the tensions that
emerge between the two as they arise in traveler narratives and media and industry representations of travel. Ultimately, following Wang (2000), I will argue that travelers reconcile some of these tensions with reference to existential authenticity and that this intersubjective awareness,
along with heightened reflexivity, gives rise to a concern with "authentic freedom."
Exploring the Role of the Media in Shaping Motivations Behind Frontier Travel Experiences
Authors: Laing Jennifer H. , Crouch Geoffrey I.
Published: August 2009

This article explores the role of the media in shaping frontier travel motivations and experiences, using examples drawn from a qualitative study of frontier travelers—individuals who travel to places that currently lie at the fringes or extremes of our world or experiences, both
geographically and socially/culturally. Long interviews were conducted to uncover motivations behind these experiences and the data analyzed using a grounded theory approach and interpretative paradigm. The interviews were supplemented by a content analysis of autobiographies and diaries.
Interviewees referred to seminal experiences, often occurring during childhood, which were the genesis of their future frontier travel experiences. These seminal experiences involved image formation agents such as literature (both fiction and nonfiction), cinema, television, and pictures or
photographs. The findings suggest that the anticipation stage of travel for frontier travelers incorporates a period well before they actively plan a journey, and their future plans are inspired or shaped, even at a subconscious level, by this early imagery and narrative. It would also appear
that the association of frontier destinations and frontier travel experiences with the media, particularly that based on or reinforcing adventure or exploration narratives, may help to shape and personalize the creation of travel mythology, which then influences motivations. While a variety
of image formation agents appeared to influence frontier travel motivations, literature had a particularly powerful impact in shaping fantasies or myths connected with the frontier. These findings may have implications for the future development or marketing of frontier travel experiences,
including media selection.
From Familiarity Tours to Media Representations: Finland in the British Press
Authors: Saraniemi Saila
Published: August 2009

Tourism destinations are facing increasing challenges in the competition with numerous other places with similar attractions. Multiple promotional tools are used to create favorable destination images, familiarize international audiences with the tourist destination, and differentiate
destinations from the competitors. In extensively studied tourists' image formation processes, noncommercial forms of media are almost invariably the most important travel information source, especially for unfamiliar destinations. Despite the media's importance, publicity management of destinations
has been an overlooked topic in academic literature. This article aims to fill that gap by exploring the media work practices of the Finnish Tourist Board (FTB) in the British market. The itineraries of familiarity tours for British journalists are considered in the present study to express
a desirable image that the FTB wishes to communicate. By comparing these itineraries with representations in the press, it was found that itineraries are influential, though the final word is that of the journalist.
Rural Tourism Research in China: 1997–2006
Authors: Zhang Xinmei , Cai Liping , Harrill Rich
Published: August 2009

This article identifies five themes in Chinese rural tourism studies, including (1) definitions of rural tourism, (2) rural tourism planning and development, (3) pragmatic challenges and solutions, and (4) policies and impacts. Further, these themes are grouped by three methodological
approaches, including supply-side perspectives, policy-oriented research, and descriptive methods. The article is based on the review and synthesis of 325 research articles published between 1997 and 2006 in China. The findings contribute to an understanding of China's rural tourism industry
and current state of academic research on rural tourism issues unique to China but having global significance.
The Mechanics of Gross Moist Stability
Authors: Raymond David J , Sessions Sharon L , Sobel Adam H , Fuchs Željka
Published: August 2009

The gross moist stability relates the net lateral outflow of moist entropy or moist static energy from an atmospheric convective region to some measure of the strength of the convection in that region. If the gross moist stability can be predicted as a function of the local environmental conditions, then it becomes the key element in understanding how convection is controlled by the large‐scale flow. This paper provides a guide to the various ways in which the gross moist stability is defined and the subtleties of its calculation from observations and models. Various theories for the determination of the gross moist stability are presented and its roles in current conceptual models for the tropical atmospheric circulation are analyzed. The possible effect of negative gross moist stability on the development and dynamics of tropical disturbances is currently of great interest.
Metaphorical bridge-building for promoting understanding and peaceful coexistence
Authors: Van der Walt Johannes L.
Published: August 2009

After briefly sketching the tumultuous nature of life in modern societies, the author calls on the reader to imagine for him- or herself the construction of a metaphorical traffic intersection that would enable those who make use of it to ‘fly over’ all the mayhem and disturbances. The proposed ‘flyover’ consists of three sub-structures or ‘bridges’, namely social capital, spirituality and education. A discussion of each of these sub-structures is followed by a discussion of the combination of all three in a virtual flyover that could contribute to a world characterised by greater understanding, respect, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Study of Energy Transfer and Triplet Exciton Diffusion in Hole‐Transporting Host Materials
Authors: Wu Chao , Djurovich Peter I. , Thompson Mark E.
Published: August 2009

A device structure is used in which the hole‐transporting layer (HTL) of an OLED is doped with either fluorescent or phosphorescent emitters, that is, anode/HTL‐host/hole blocker/electron‐transporting layer/cathode. The HTL hosts have higher HOMO energy allowing holes to be transported without being trapped by dopant molecules, avoiding direct recombination on the dopant. The unconventional mismatch of HOMO energies between host and dopant allow for the study of energy transfer in these host/guest systems and triplet exciton diffusion in the HTL‐host layers of OLED devices, without the complication of charge trapping at dopants. The host materials examined here are tetraaryl‐p‐phenylenediamines. Data shows that Förster energy transfer between these hosts and emissive dopant in devices is inefficient. Triplet exciton diffusion in these host materials is closely related to molecular structure and the degree of intermolecular interaction. Host materials that contain naphthyl groups demonstrate longer triplet exciton diffusion lengths than those with phenyl substituents, consistent with DFT calculations and photophysical measurements.
Hard Macrocellular Silica Si(HIPE) Foams Templating Micro/Macroporous Carbonaceous Monoliths: Applications as Lithium Ion Battery Negative Electrodes and Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Brun Nicolas , Prabaharan Savari R. S. , Morcrette Mathieu , Sanchez Clément , Pécastaings Gilles , Derré Alain , Soum Alain , Deleuze Hervé , Birot Marc , Backov Rénal
Published: August 2009

By using Si(HIPEs) as hard, exotemplating matrices, interconnected macro‐/microporous carbon monolith‐type materials with a surface area of around 600 m2 g−1 are synthesized and shaped. The carbonaceous foams exhibit a conductivity of 20 S cm−1, addressed with excellent mechanical properties (Young's modulus of 0.2 GPa and toughness of 13 J g−1, when the carbon core is optimized). The above‐mentioned specificities, combined with the fact that the external shape and size can be easily designed on demand, are of primary importance for applications. The functionality of these carbonaceous monoliths is tested as both an electrochemical capacitor and a lithium ion negative electrode. The electrochemical capacitors' voltage–current profiles exhibit a non‐ideal rectangular response, confirming the double‐layer behavior of the carbon studied, while the charge‐discharge current profile of the electric double‐layer capacitor is directly proportional to the scan where the current response during charge and discharge exhibits high reversibility. When acting as a lithium ion negative electrode, after initial irreversibility, a good cyclability is obtained, associated with a stable capacity of 200 mA h g−1 during the first 50 cycles at a reasonable current density (C/10).
Particle‐scale simulation of the flow and heat transfer behaviors in fluidized bed with immersed tube
Authors: Zhao Yongzhi , Jiang Maoqiang , Liu Yanlei , Zheng Jinyang
Published: August 2009

A kind of new modified computational fluid dynamics‐discrete element method (CFD‐DEM) method was founded by combining CFD based on unstructured mesh and DEM. The turbulent dense gas–solid two phase flow and the heat transfer in the equipment with complex geometry can be simulated by the programs based on the new method when the k‐ε turbulence model and the multiway coupling heat transfer model among particles, walls and gas were employed. The new CFD‐DEM coupling method that combining k‐ε turbulence model and heat transfer model, was employed to simulate the flow and the heat transfer behaviors in the fluidized bed with an immersed tube. The microscale mechanism of heat transfer in the fluidized bed was explored by the simulation results and the critical factors that influence the heat transfer between the tube and the bed were discussed. The profiles of average solids fraction and heat transfer coefficient between gas‐tube and particle‐tube around the tube were obtained and the influences of fluidization parameters such as gas velocity and particle diameter on the transfer coefficient were explored by simulations. The computational results agree well with the experiment, which shows that the new CFD‐DEM method is feasible and accurate for the simulation of complex gas–solid flow with heat transfer. And this will improve the farther simulation study of the gas–solid two phase flow with chemical reactions in the fluidized bed. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Dispersion in non‐ideal packed beds
Authors: Scheven U. M.
Published: August 2009

This work reanalyzes published time series dispersion traces (Han et al., AIChE J. 1985;31:277–288) from step input tracer passages recorded at different locations along the length of a packed bed filled with monodisperse solid spheres. The intrinsic dispersivity and sample dependent dispersion are separated by imposing a heuristic model where coarse grained axial advection velocities vary in a plane perpendicular to the flow but not along the direction of flow. The derived intrinsic dispersivity agrees with the predicted value (Scheven et al., Phys Rev Lett. 2007;99:054502‐1–054502‐4). It serves as a bench mark for different implementations of simulations coupling Stokes flow and diffusion in random geometries, and for experimental tests of injection and packing methods. Conceptually, a well defined and fittable effective dispersivity is introduced in an analytical framework describing dispersion data obtained in non‐ideal packed beds, where elution profiles cannot be fitted to the solution of the one dimensional advection diffusion equation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Production of β‐globin and adult hemoglobin following G418 treatment of erythroid precursor cells from homozygous β039 thalassemia patients
Authors: Salvatori Francesca , Breveglieri Giulia , Zuccato Cristina , Finotti Alessia , Bianchi Nicoletta , Borgatti Monica , Feriotto Giordana , Destro Federica , Canella Alessandro , Brognara Eleonora , Lampronti Ilaria , Breda Laura , Rivella Stefano , Gambari Roberto
Published: August 2009

In several types of thalassemia (including β039‐thalassemia), stop codon mutations lead to premature translation termination and to mRNA destabilization through nonsense‐mediated decay. Drugs (for instance aminoglycosides) can be designed to suppress premature termination, inducing a ribosomal readthrough. These findings have introduced new hopes for the development of a pharmacologic approach to the cure of this disease. However, the effects of aminoglycosides on globin mRNA carrying β‐thalassemia stop mutations have not yet been investigated. In this study, we have used a lentiviral construct containing the β039‐thalassemia globin gene under control of the β‐globin promoter and a LCR cassette. We demonstrated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis the production of β‐globin by K562 cell clones expressing the β039‐thalassemia globin gene and treated with G418. More importantly, after FACS and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses, erythroid precursor cells from β039‐thalassemia patients were demonstrated to be able to produce β‐globin and adult hemoglobin after treatment with G418. This study strongly suggests that ribosomal readthrough should be considered a strategy for developing experimental strategies for the treatment of β0‐thalassemia caused by stop codon mutations. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stochastic scheduling problem with varying weight for each job
Authors: Gu Manzhan , Lu Xiwen
Published: August 2009

This paper studies the preemptive stochastic online scheduling problem, which is a simple combination of online and stochastic scheduling. The processing times of jobs are assumed to be subject to independent probability distributions, and we assume that jobs arrive overtime, which means there is no knowledge about the jobs that arrive in the future. We particularly consider the preemptive setting where a job is allowed to be interrupted during its processing. The weight (holding cost ratio) associated with each job may change during its processing, and the objective is to minimize the expected value of total holding cost for all jobs. For the single andmidentical machine problems, we propose scheduling policies, SPGS [semi‐preemptive Gittins Index Priority Policy (GIPP) on single machine] and SPGI (semi‐preemptive GIPP on identical machines), respectively, both of which are proved to be constant‐factor approximation. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Schubtragverhalten dünner Scheiben aus Ultrahochfestem Beton
Authors: Heidrich Julia
Published: August 2009

Ultrahochfester Beton ist ein Baustoff mit herausragenden mechanischen Eigenschaften. Weit gespannte Brückentragwerke mit schlanken Stegen aus Ultrahochfestem Beton sind denkbar. Dadurch kann Eigengewicht und Material gespart werden. Die Lebensdauer der Brücken würde aufgrund der Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen mechanische und chemische Einflüsse steigen.

Die Zug‐ und die Druckfestigkeit wurden inzwischen in einigen Forschungsarbeiten untersucht. Demgegenüber gibt es noch kaum Erkenntnisse zum Schubtragverhalten. Auch existieren noch keine Normen oder Vorschriften dazu. Eine Arbeit am Institut für Betonbau der TU‐Graz befasst sich mit der Schubtragfähigkeit von schlanken, nicht beulgefährdeten Scheiben aus Ultrahochfestem Beton.

Shear Carrying Capacity of Ultra High Performance Concrete

Ultra High Performance Concrete is a building material with fantastic mechanical properties. Slender, durable Bridges with large spans and thin webs are imaginable. The life cycle will increase because of the chemical and mechanical resistance. The tension and compression strength are well investigated, but there are less investigations about the shear carrying capacity. One research work at the Institute for Structural Concrete of Graz University of Technology deals with the shear carrying capacity of thin Panels without buckling risk.
Belastungsversuche an einer Schwimmhalle mit vorgespanntem Seilhängedach in Dresden
Authors: Quade Jochen , Wojan Immanuel , Dehn Frank
Published: August 2009

Die betreffende Schwimmhalle soll nach 40jähriger Nutzung für weitere 30 Jahre zur Verfügung stehen. Dazu war sie auf einen entsprechenden technischen Stand zu bringen. Das setzte voraus, dass die Konstruktion der Halle, seiner Zeit ab Oberkante Fundament durchweg aus Fertigteilen mit entsprechenden Bindungselementen aufgebaut, eine ausreichend dauerhafte und sichere Nutzung zulässt.

Nach entsprechenden Voruntersuchungen wurde das Hängedach im August 2008 Belastungsversuchen ausgesetzt. Im Besonderen interessierte, ob die aufgebrachte Vorspannung noch wirksam war. Die Tests erfolgten in Anlehnung an die DAfStb‐Richtlinie für “Belastungsversuche an Betonbauwerken” vom September 2000. Es wurden je 12 m breite Feldstreifen der 60 m langen Halle mit 39,5 m Stützweite über je acht mit Wasser gefüllte Schläuche (0,45 m belastet.

Die Reaktionen der wichtigsten Tragelemente, wie die vorgespannte Seilrippenschale und die Zweibockstützen, wurden in Form von Verschiebungen und zwar

– Dacheinsenkungen sowie

– Stützenkopfauslenkungen

mittels PC‐gestützter Wegsensortechnik sowie Tachymetrie gemessen und aufgezeichnet. Der zeitweise erhebliche Einfluss der Temperaturänderungen auf die Messergebnisse konnte durch eine Vergleichsmessung kompensiert und berücksichtigt werden.

Es zeigte sich, dass

– sich das Dach einschließlich der Stützkonstruktion elastisch verhielt,

– sich das Dach wie eine dünne Rippenschale mit bemerkenswertem Lastabtrag in Querrichtung benahm und

– die seinerzeit eingetragene Vorspannung

unverändert geblieben ist.

Der Beitrag fasst die Vorgehensweise sowie die wesentlichen Ergebnisse zusammen.
Peptide‐dominated membranes preceding the genetic takeover by RNA: latest thinking on a classic controversy
Authors: Egel Richard
Published: August 2009

It is commonly presumed that abiotic membranes were colonized by proteins later on. Yet, hydrophobic peptides could have formed primordial protein‐dominated membranes on their own. In a metabolism‐first context, “autocatalytically closed” sets of statistical peptides could organize a self‐maintaining protometabolism, assisted by an unfolding set of ribotide‐related cofactors. Pairwise complementary ribotide cofactors may have formed docking guides for stochastic peptide formation, before replicating RNA emerged from this subset. Tidally recurring wet‐drying cycles and an early onset of photosynthetic activities are considered most likely to meet the thermodynamic requirements. Conceivably, the earliest peptide‐dominated vesicles were engaged in light harvesting, together with isoprenoid‐tethered pigments, rather than providing an external boundary. Early on, the bulk of prebiotic organic matter can have formed a contiguous layer covering the mineral sediment, held in place by colloidal coherence of a hydrogel matrix. This unconventional scenario assumes a late onset of cellular individualization – perhaps from within, resembling endosporogenesis.
Toward general prophylactic cancer vaccination
Authors: Hobohm Uwe
Published: August 2009

It is well established that chronic infections can lead to cancer. Almost unknown is that, in contrast, acute brief viral and bacterial infections may have beneficial effects in cases of established neoplastic disease, while exposure to pathogenic products by infection, vaccination, and inhalation can cause prophylactic effects. In the following I will align evidence from case studies of spontaneous regression and from epidemiological studies with recent immunology to conclude that pathogenic substances belonging to the group of “pathogen‐associated molecular patterns” can trigger the innate immune system to establish anti‐neoplastic immune responses. A better understanding of the protective role of the innate immune system might leverage considerable prophylactic potential.
Quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Hu Yong Mei , Su Guang Hai , Sze Stephen Cho‐Wing , Ye Wencai , Tong Yao
Published: August 2009

A simple method based on liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS) was developed for the quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri (CP), which was mainly derived from two species of Phellodendron chinense Schneid and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Total 41 compounds, including 14 phenols, 24 alkaloids and three liminoidal triterpenes were identified or tentatively characterized from the 75% methanol extract of CP samples by online ESI‐MSn fragmentation and UV spectra analysis. Among them, two phenols and six alkaloids were simultaneously quantified using HPLC‐DAD method. The validated HPLC‐DAD method showed a good linearity, precision, repeatability and accuracy for the quantification of eight marker compounds. Furthermore, the plausible fragmentation pathway of the representative compounds were proposed in the present study. The differences of the chemical constituents content and the comprehensive HPLC profiles between the two CP species using LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS method are reported for the first time, indicating that the CP drugs from different resources should be used separately in the clinic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The roles of self‐discrepancy and social support in young females' decisions to undergo cosmetic procedures
Authors: Pentina Iryna , Taylor David G. , Voelker Troy A.
Published: August 2009

Advertising appeals emphasizing unrealistic body images are increasingly linked to depression, loss of self‐esteem, and unhealthy eating habits. Understanding the motivation of young and vulnerable populations to undergo cosmetic procedures can help modify marketing and public policy practices. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this paper confirms the motivating role of self‐concept discrepancy in young women seeking cosmetic procedures. It also reveals conflicting moderating influences of different types of social support on the relationship between self‐discrepancy and choice of cosmetic procedures. Our findings show that family‐based social support attenuates the effect of perceived actual‐ideal self‐discrepancy on the choice of cosmetic procedures, while social support from friends amplifies this effect. Actual‐ought discrepancy appears to negatively affect the propensity for cosmetic procedures. Discussion of the findings and implications for public policy and marketing managers are presented.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Australian consumers' attitudes toward France a decade after nuclear testing: evidence of forgiveness
Authors: Heslop Louise A. , Lu Irene R. R. , Cray David
Published: August 2009

Surveys of Australian consumers before, during, and after French nuclear testing in the Pacific in 1995 show clear evidence of negative reaction of consumers to the testing with regards to their ratings of France and French products. Although beliefs about French products did not decline following the announcement of the planned testing, evaluative feelings, and behavioral orientation towards France, the French and French products did. However, by 2005 behavioral orientation to French products, as well as attitudes to France and the French had more than recovered. The components of attitudes to products and country‐people are examined in the context of theories of forgiveness to understand processes that could explain such a recovery. Implications for researchers and marketers in the increasingly frequent situations of international tensions are discussed.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidative Dehydrierung niederer Alkane in einem selektiven Membranreaktor mit gestufter Sauerstoffzugabe und In‐situ‐Wasserstoffoxidation
Authors: Czuprat O. , Werth S. , Schirrmeister S. , Schiestel T. , Caro J.
Published: August 2009

Ein neues Membranreaktorkonzept für die oxidative Dehydrierung von Kohlenwasserstoffen (ODH) zu den entsprechenden Olefinen wird vorgestellt. Der durch konventionelle katalytische Dehydrierung entstandene Wasserstoff wird in situ selektiv mit Sauerstoff zu Wasser oxidiert. Der für die Wasserstoffoxidation benötigte Sauerstoff wird durch eine sauerstofftransportierende Perowskitmembran in Hohlfasergeometrie kontinuierlich aus Luft abgetrennt und dem Dehydrierreaktor zugeführt. Durch wiederholte Dehydrier‐ und Oxidationsschritte kann die thermodynamische Limitierung der konventionellen Dehydrierung überwunden werden. Das neue Membranreaktorkonzept für die ODH wird am Beispiel der oxidativen Ethandehydrierung (ODE) vorgestellt. Durch Einsatz einer neuen Perowskit‐Hohlfasermembran konnte die Sauerstoffabtrennung aus Luft bei der vergleichsweise tiefen Temperatur von 725 °C realisiert werden.
Improvement of the oxidation stability of biodiesel as prepared by supercritical methanol method with lignin
Authors: Xin Jiayu , Saka Shiro
Published: August 2009

An antioxidation effect of lignin‐derived products in biodiesel prepared using supercritical methanol (300°C/20 MPa) with molar ratio between rapeseed oil and methanol of 1:42 was studied. It was found that lignin could be decomposed to low molecular compounds that have a free radical‐trapping effect after supercritical methanol treatment. However, longer treatment time decreased the antioxidation effect of the lignin‐derived compounds. Rapeseed biodiesel prepared by supercritical methanol method at 300°C/20 MPa for 20 min with a small amount of added lignin showed an induction period longer than 6 h at 110°C in a Rancimat test. In addition, it was found that lignin had a catalytic effect in biodiesel production using the supercritical methanol method without significantly affecting other fuel properties of the prepared biodiesel. Thus, the study proved that lignin addition provides an inexpensive and technically acceptable way to improve the oxidation stability of biodiesel prepared by the supercritical methanol method with satisfactory fuel properties.
A method for the determination of polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel: Results of an interlaboratory study
Authors: Schober Sigurd , Seidl Ingrid , Meinitzer Andreas , Mittelbach Martin
Published: August 2009

A gas chromatographic method for the determination of fatty acid methyl esters with four or more double bonds in biodiesel was developed and tested. The method is based on gas chromatographic separation on a wax capillary column using methyl tricosanoate as internal standard. The performance of the method was proved with the participation of 11 European laboratories by a Round Robin test on six different biodiesel samples containing different amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. The results showed that the precision is sufficient around the EN 14214 limit of 1 % (m/m). At lower concentrations the variation is too high. The scope of the application can be given between as 0.6 and 1.5%.
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of extracts of Ginkgo leaves
Authors: Kobus Joanna , Flaczyk Ewa , Siger Aleksander , Nogala‐Kałucka Małgorzata , Korczak Józef , Pegg Ronald B.
Published: August 2009

The aim of the present study was to determine the flavonol contents of crude extracts from Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilobaL.) leaves, their antioxidant properties in model system studies, and their inhibitory action of linoleic acid oxidation in an emulsion system and of triacylglycerols (TAG) in rapeseed oil. Extracts were prepared from both green and yellow leaves of Ginkgo trees using water, aqueous acetone, and ethanol. Extracts were analyzed by HPLC for their presence and content of selected flavonols; these included myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and morin. The highest level of flavonols, especially quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol, were found in the aqueous acetonic extracts. Crude extracts from yellow Ginkgo leaves contained greater amounts of flavonols. The best DPPH radical‐scavenging activity amongst the Ginkgo extracts examined was determined for aqueous acetonic extracts, while the lowest was noted for the ethanolic extract of green leaves. Water infusion extracts exhibited the highest iron(II) chelating activity. The reducing power of extracts from yellow leaves was 2 higher than that of crude extracts from green leaves. Nevertheless, extracts from green Ginkgo leaves imparted a greater protection factor against TAG oxidation, as assessed by the Rancimat method. Crude extracts from yellow Ginkgo leaves were more efficacious than green ones at inhibiting oxidation of the linoleic acid emulsion.
Analysis of fatty acid profile in plasma phospholipids by solid‐phase extraction in combination with GC
Authors: Taylor Lenka A. , Ziroli Vittorio , Massing Ulrich
Published: August 2009

Phospholipids are recognised as an important source and transport form for metabolically active fatty acids. Therefore, detailed analysis of fatty acid profiles in plasma phospholipids as marker for dietary habits or interventions gains more and more importance. Appropriate analytical methods described so far are either expensive or susceptible to handling errors. We developed a method to separate plasma phospholipids by acetone fractionation combined with SPE in order to analyse the fatty acid compositions in phospholipid fractions of human plasma by GC analysis. The method has been validated in order to be applied to the routinely performed analysis of the samples of patients who will be participating in a dietary supplement study. The method presented here was successfully validated and is stable, efficient and reproducible. It can be used in a routine fashion to deliver the fatty acid profile [palmitic acid (16:0), heptadecanoic acid (17:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1n‐9), linoleic acid (18:2n‐6), linolenic acid (18:3n‐3), arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3)] in plasma phospholipid samples. Using a sample volume of 500 µL, recovery of plasma phospholipids is 92 ± 11%; LOQ is 2.2 µg fatty acid/mL. A set of samples from cancer patients and healthy individuals was analysed and confirmed the applicability of the described method.
The application of biotechnological methods for the synthesis of biodiesel
Authors: Adamczak Marek , Bornscheuer Uwe T. , Bednarski Włodzimierz
Published: August 2009

Synthesis of biodiesel is performed mainly by chemical catalysis, but can also be performed by enzymatic or microbial methods, and these might play an important role in future substitution of petroleum‐based diesel. To discover sustainable, economically attractive biotechnological processes for biodiesel synthesis, close cooperation between different disciplines is needed. Currently, lipases are the enzymes of choice for the synthesis of fatty acid esters (FAE) from fats and oils, yielding biodiesel with the methyl esters (FAME) as the most important product. More recently, the direct production of FAE using engineered whole cell microorganism has also been described (MicroDiesel). Current enzymatic processes are still hampered by the high costs of the biocatalyst, but significant progress has recently been made leading to the first industrial enzymatic biodiesel production. Enzymatic biodiesel production is mostly attractive because of the starting materials (waste frying oils, oils with high water content, etc.), for which conventional chemical interesterification can hardly be applied.