bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation on Vehicle Speed Analysis of Rear-End Collision
Authors: Tang Yang Shan , Wang Feng Jiao
Published: August 2011

As an accident analysis tool, the simulation system of vehicle collision are developed. On the basis of momentum conservation, speed analysis model for vehicle rear-end collision was established. Then the analysis algorithm was designed. Based on the function structure design, the simulation system for vehicle speed analysis of rear-end collision was finished with Visual C. An actual example was also applied in the system. The simulation result is very closely to actual condition. It indicates that the simulation system is adaptive for analysis of vehicle collision.
The Research and Application of Smoke-Free Low-Noise Environment-Friendly Ground Flare
Authors: Dong Ji Xian , Gu Jing
Published: August 2011

This paper offers many advantages of smoke-free low-noise environment-friendly ground flare in comparison to traditional elevated flare in performance and technology, briefly summarizes the research status and development trends of ground flare at home and abroad. This paper makes a more detailed analysis and description focusing on the application of smoke-free low-noise environment-friendly ground flare in petrochemical industry. At the premise of safety, reliablity and environmental protection, how to study the new ground flare, in aspects such as dealing capability, combustion efficiency and control mode of flare burner, is the major direction of petrochemical waste gas treatment device in future development.
Preparation and Application of Iron-Loaded Activated Carbon for Catalytic Oxidation of Phenol Wastewater
Authors: Li Mei , Lu Yan Yue , Zhong Lei , Wang Shuang Fei
Published: August 2011

The catalyst was prepared by using activated carbon as the carrier and loading with iron oxide as the active component, the main factors affecting the preparation of this catalyst were further analyzed. When this catalyst was applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation degradation of phenol simulation wastewater, the affecting factors on the removing rate of phenol were studied. Under the optimized preparation conditions of soaking in 2mol/L HCl and 5%NaOH for 12 h, respectively, and then in FeCl3 with the concentration of 10% for 24h, calcination temperature 240°C for 2.5 h, the optimum catalytic activity could be obtained.
CEP-Based Massive Data Processing Approach for RFID Data
Authors: Liu Chang Hong , Zhong Run Yang , Yan Yi Er , Hu Xiao
Published: August 2011

Complex Event Processing (CEP) is proposed in this paper to tackle the changeability, tense correlation, and association in massive data process. This paper takes RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) data for example to illustrate how CEP works on dealing with massive data processing. First, semantic expressions are introduced as the reason of modeling for CEP. Then, model solution based on semantic expressions is proposed. Finally, this methodology achieves good results in processing massive RFID data in terms of speed, efficiency and veracity. The experiment results demonstrate that it is better in getting rid of complexity data after comparing with traditional data management based on database with massive data.
Spectra Characterization of Mo(W)-S-Ag Cluster Compounds Films Modified Silver Electrodes and their Electrochemical Behavior
Authors: Li Dao Hua , Xin Xin Quan
Published: August 2011

The modified electrodes of Mo(W)-S-Ag cluster compounds films on silver surface were investigated by FT-IR, FT-Raman and XPS. The new modified electrodes were applied to the catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid. This sort of catalytic effects can be inferred because the oxidation peak potentials of ascorbic acid moved to more negation compared with the bare Ag electrode and the oxidation peak currents increased with the increasing of ascorbic acid concentration. The overpotentials of ascorbic acid were significantly reduced. The cycle voltammograms (CV) measurement revealed the linear relationship between the oxidation peak current and the concentration of ascorbic acid ranging among 0.001~ 0.06 mol.L-1.
Removal of Cu(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution by KH-570 Modified Attapulgite Clay
Authors: Xu Hui , Guo Dong Hong , Xu Yao
Published: August 2011

Attapulgite clay (ATP) was modified by Silane coupling agent (KH-570) to creat more efficient sites for Cu(II) adsorption. The natural and KH-570 modified attapulgite clay were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and SEM. The effects of various experimental parameters such as the amount of modifier, the quality of KH-570 modified ATP, adsorption time, adsorption temperature on Cu(II) adsorption onto KH-570modified ATP were studied in detail. The results showed that the 30% of modifier (The quality of the modifier mass fraction attapulgite) had the best adsorption capacity. When the dosage of modified attaplgite clay was 0.5g and the absorption time was 240min under 20°C, the adsorption rate of Cu(II) in wastewater approached 97%. Meanwhile, the type of absorption was Langmuir isotherm. Desorption experiments showed that the adsorption mechanism of KH-570 modified ATP to Cu(II) was the chemical adsorption.
Atomistic Simulations of Heat Transport in Carbon Nanotubes Effected by Temperature and Stretch Strain
Authors: Meng Qing Yuan , Gao Yu Fei , Qin Xian
Published: August 2011

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a well thermal transport nano materials, however, the thermal conductivity of CNTs has not been well established, only a few groups had reported experimental data and the existed simulation results ranged widely. Specially, the conclusions in low temperature section and dynamic structures were not very clearly. In this paper, the methods based on phonon scattering theory were applied to explore the thermal transport properties CNTs. The investigation was carried out under the conditions of temperature and axial strain. In the consideration of quantum effect, the thermal conductivity increased linearly with the growth of temperature in low-temperature section, and began to decrease gradually when the temperature exceeded a definite value. If an axial strain was concerned, there was an increasing trend of thermal conductivity as the stretch strain increases. However, after the strain exceeded a particular value the thermal conductivity decreased significantly. In addition, the high frequency phonon peak in PDOS was found to be an important parameter in describing thermal transport properties of dynamic structures.
Distribution Parameter Optimization of an FGM Pressure Vessel
Authors: Wang Ze Wu , Gao Shu Juan , Zhang Qian , Liu Pei Qi , Jiang Xiao Long
Published: August 2011

Functionally graded material (FGM) is well-known as one of the most promising materials in the 21stcentury, which has become the hot issue on its mechanical behavior and composition design. The optimization design of the material distribution properties for an FGM hollow vessel subjected to internal pressure were investigated in this paper. By constructing an exponentially function determining the material properties, the general analytical solution of the stresses of the FGM pressure vessel was given based on the Euler-Cauchy formula. And then, an optimization model for obtaining the optimal material distribution of FGM vessel was proposed coupling the general finite element (FE) code. The discrepancy between the analytical solution and the numerical solution was about 2%, which verified the reliability of the proposed models, and the optimization results also proved the feasibility of proposed optimization scheme because of arriving at the optimal solution in a few iterations. Results obtained would be helpful in designing an FGM pressure vessel.
Nonlinear Transport of Short Period AlGaN/GaN Superlattice as a Terahertz Oscillator
Authors: Chen Jun Feng
Published: August 2011

We studied the transport properties of short period AlGaN/GaN superlattice induced by terahertz field. Due to the strong polarize effect it is not precise enough to calculate the energy dispersion relation just using the nearest wells in tight binding method. The distortion of the conduction band profile by the polarization fields has been taken into account in our improved model. The calculations indicate that the potential wells of next to nearest neighbors cause anharmonic electron oscillations at the multiples of the fundamental Bloch frequency. The results show that the AlGaN/GaN superlattice is a promising candidate to convert radiation of frequency ω to radiation at frequency 3ω or even higher.
In Situ Synthesis and Luminescence Characteristics of Complexes Europium with Schiff Base Ligands
Authors: Tai Xi Shi
Published: August 2011

The complexes of europium with two schiff base ligands [2-carboxybenzaldehyde- diethylenetriamine (1), 2-carboxybenzaldehyde-triethylenetetramine (2)] were in-situ synthesized. The formation of complexes was confirmed by the luminescence spectra. The luminescence spectra of two europium complexes were investigated in solid and in DMSO solution, respectively. The results show that two europium complexes exhibit low luminescence emission. And organic solvent DMSO could quench the luminescence of europium complexes.
Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Two Novel Magnesium Complex Materials
Authors: Tai Xi Shi
Published: August 2011

In order to prepare efficient luminescence material, two kinds of novel magnesium luminescence materials were synthesized by the reaction of magnesium chloride with 2-acetyl-1-naphthol-diethylenetriamine (1) and 2-acetyl-1-naphthol-triethylenetetramine (2), respectively. The luminescent properties of two novel magnesium luminescence materials were investigated in solid and in DMSO solutions. The results show that two magnesium luminescence materials have high blue. The DMSO solvent could enhance the luminescence of complex (1), and also quench the luminescence of complex (2).
Comparative Study of FVM and FEM Using Rectangular Element in Heat Conduction Problems for Conductive Materials
Authors: Qin Yue Ping , Liu Hong Bo , Qin Chuan , Su Guo Hui
Published: August 2011

This paper established the mathematic model of plane transient temperature field using the Finite Volume Method according to the energy conservation rule, it clearly interprets the actual physical meaning of fundamental formula in the calculus of variations. The computational domains were subdivided by rectangular elements and the contributing formula was obtained from the elements to respective dots. Comparing the results with FEM results showed that they have same coefficient except the coefficient of time change. This paper analyzed the reason of the different results between FEM and FVM. In addition, the actual problem of two-dimensional temperature field of thermal calculations is resolved by the new arithmetic of FVM and the FEM. Comparing FVM results with the theoretical solution and FEM result shows that the FVM is more approximate to the theoretical solution than the FEM. The new arithmetic of FVM not only can simplify the process of establish equation and make the meaning of formula understandable but also can ensure the calculation accuracy. What’s more, it can extend widely the applied range of the FVM on the problem of temperature field, and has great application value on solving complicated technological problems.
A Novel Design of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMCs) Actuator Based on Poly(MMA-co-AA)
Authors: Jiang Tao , Lian Hui Qin
Published: August 2011

In this study, we report for the first time the fabrication of poly(methyl methacrylate-co- acrylic acid) (PMMAA)-based IPMCs actuator. The PMMAA membranes were prepared by a solution casting method and the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrodes on both sides of the membrane. The physical properties were tested in terms of ion-exchange capacity, water uptake and linear expansion. The composition of PMMAA was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis. The results showed that the PMMAA20 ionic polymer–metal composite actuator had good blocking force harmonic and step responses as an electro-active polymer.
Research of Deformation in Integral Stereolithography System
Authors: Xu Guang Shen , Gong Jing
Published: August 2011

There is more reaction heat of layer curing during fabrication process, so the integral SL System has shrinkage deformation. To improve the building accuracy of integral SL System, the deformation of integral SL is analyzed, a little deflection temperature stress bending differential equation, which describe the relationship of deformation with other parameters in integral SL System, is established with elastic mechanics. The relationship of distortion deformation with layer thickness, contract rate of resin, temperature difference and locations is obtained through the equation. The deformation of a bridge model is simulated with ANSYS software in different building condition. In the simulation process, curing units are activated layer by layer with the method of elements birth and death. The simulation results are in good agreement with the equation. The research results lay a foundation for building high accuracy objects with integral SL System.
The Source and Control of Nitrate Pollution to Surface and Underground Water
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Qian , Yang Li Yuan , Yu Shu Bin , Ma Zhen Min
Published: August 2011

In recent years, due to population growth, increasing demand for the food and human disturbance to natural ecological processes etc, the nitrate pollution to water body is serious throughout the world. Based on the harmfulness of nitrate pollution, this article reviewed the contamination sources of nitrate in surface water and groundwater and the control measures in the present research. Based on the previous research, the research direction and emphasis were proposed in this paper.
The Process to Recover Soda Ash from Mining Solution in a Pilot Plant
Authors: Huang Juan Ru , Xu Chang Chun , Sun Yong Li , Cao Zhen Yan , Wang Ji Gang , Yang Ke Jian
Published: August 2011

The process to recover soda ash from mining solution is combined CO2stripping with falling film evaporation, and the stripping operation is the key step in the process, the processing installations include a CO2stripping tower, falling film evaporators and other accessories. The stripping and combined operation(linking CO2stripping with falling film evaporation) are implemented to examine tower operational conditions and ascertain how to efficiently concentrate mining solution, respectively. As a result, after the better design scheme(17-meter height packing) is evidently proposed and the process design is also favorably optimized, such as diminishing equipment sizes in a following industrial scale. Besides, the work also analyzes the solubility of Na2CO3and NaHCO3in H2O and discusses its probable equilibrium in the operation.
Model and Simulation of Reheater Based on Thermal System Dynamics
Authors: Zeng De Liang , Liu Ji Wei , Liu Ji Zhen , Xie Xie
Published: August 2011

Energy-saving and improving energy utilization efficiency are common concerned topics of the whole world. Control quality of reheat steam temperature is an important factor for thermo economy, which is mostly controlled by mankind and leads to uneconomical operation. One of the reasons is unsuitable controller parameters, causing by inaccurate models. In this paper, reheater model was established based on single-phase heat-exchanger thermal system dynamics. And parameters of the model were determined by design manual. Simulation on a 1000WM unit showed that, the model had good dynamic and steady performance.
Synthesis, Photoluminescence and Surface Analysis of Bis(salicylicaldehyde-trimethylol amino methane)Zn(II)
Authors: Tai Xi Shi
Published: August 2011

A new zinc (II) complex material [bis(salicylicaldehyde-trimethylol amino methane)Zn(II)] has been prepared and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR spectra, molar conductivity and photoluminescence spectra. The results show that the O and N atoms interact with Zn atoms through coordination bonds. As a potential organic light-emitting material ( OLEDs), the surface electron state of zinc (II) complex material has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technology.
Design of Anti-Radiation Notebook Computers
Authors: Gai Zhi Wu , Zhang Jing , Yang Xian Chang
Published: August 2011

After comparing with the shortage of traditional model notebook computers and desktop computers, we disclose sets of new anti-radiation notebook computers. They have all the advantages of traditional desktop computers and notebook computers. You can enjoy their portable, comfortable, excellent heat-spread, high reliability, modularized hardware, quality and cost effective. Much more than these, LCD Monitors of these new designed computers are set before cabinets, so the cabinets behind are far away from you during your operation, they can significantly reduce electromagnetic radiation to you. The radiation can be reduced to less than 10％ of its original level，by taking other precautions ,such as shielding and absorbing, these new anti-radiation notebook computers hardly have any radiation. Hence, these anti-radiation notebook computers are green products indeed, have no radiation to computer users, and much more accord with Human-Machine Engineering principles.
Study on Self-Evolutionary Game in Co-Operative Knowledge Sharing Manufacturing Network
Authors: Liu Bing Feng , Liu Hui , Liu Su Ming
Published: August 2011

Knowledge sharing in industry-university cooperation through the exterior resources internalization, has realized the resource sharing and the survival of the fittest, is helpful reduces the innovation time in the organization, the enhancement organization's competition status. To analyze the concept connotation of knowledge sharing network in industry-university cooperation; promulgate the self-evolution gambling supposition and the forming process of knowledge sharing network in industry-university cooperation; thus to provide the theory reference and certain practice instruction about how to found knowledge sharing network in industry-university cooperation.
Study on Project Contract Management Practice in Manufacturing Engineering
Authors: Li Xu Wei , Dong Ming Ming
Published: August 2011

Economic relations of modern enterprises are the most important factor for the modern enterprise management in Manufacturing Engineering, which is mainly carried out by contract and the effectiveness of contract. As foreign construction enterprises entering China market, with their advantages of powerful funds technology and management, China's construction enterprises will exert enormous pressure and impact. Meanwhile, our construction enterprises couldn’t be in order to enter the international market and international competition, without high level of contract management. For this reason, China's construction enterprises should be attention to contract management, and improve awareness of all employees of the contract. The contract management is into business management, it should be allowed to operate freely according to the law, to accelerate the development of construction enterprises in China.
TEM Characterization of near Sub-Grain Boundary Dislocations in Directionally Solidified Multicrystalline Silicon
Authors: Kivambe Maulid , Stokkan Gaute , Ervik Torunn , Ryningen Birgit , Lohne Otto
Published: August 2011

A crystal is known to achieve lower energy if lattice dislocations are re-arranged in arrays forming a sub-grain boundary through a recovery process. Interaction of boundary dislocations with glide dislocations is also expected to bring about local equilibrium. In this work, dislocations localised in the vicinity of a sub-grain boundary (mis-orientation ) are studied in detail by transmission electron microscopy in order to determine their source. Contrary to the processes described above, it appears that the sub-grain boundary is the source of these dislocations, which are emitted from some locally stressed parts of the boundary. Several slip systems have been activated along the boundary resulting in high density of dislocations. It appears, further, that dislocation propagation from one or more sources is disrupted by interaction with other dislocations or other defects. The dislocations from various sources will be piled up against the obstacles of the other, resulting in the localization of the dislocations close to the sub-grain boundary
Optimum extent of barley grain processing and barley silage proportion in feedlot cattle diets: Growth, feed efficiency, and fecal characteristics
Authors: Koenig Karen , Beauchemin Karen
Published: August 2011

Koenig, K. M. and Beauchemin, K. A. 2011. Optimum extent of barley grain processing and barley silage proportion in feedlot cattle diets: Growth, feed efficiency and fecal characteristics. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 411–422. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of forage proportion and extent of processing of barley grain on growth, intake, feed conversion efficiency, and fecal characteristics of feedlot cattle. Crossbred steers (120; 407±31 kg) were housed individually and assigned to 10 diets (n=12): two degrees of temper rolling of barley grain [processing index (PI) of 82% (standard) or 87% (coarse)] were combined with five levels of barley silage [3, 6, 9, 12, and 15% of dietary dry matter (DM)]. The PI was determined as the weight of grain after processing expressed as a percentage of the weight before processing. Cattle were slaughtered after 104–109 d on feed, at a final weight of 576 kg, SEM = 5.1. There were very few interactions between grain processing and silage proportion for the variables measured. Grain processing had no effect (P>0.05) on average daily gain (1.59 kg d−1, SEM = 0.057) or final weight. Feeding PI-87% barley tended to increase dry matter intake (DMI) over the experiment (7.63 vs. 7.34 kg d−1, SEM = 0.123, P=0.10) compared with feeding PI-82% barley. Higher DMI of cattle fed PI-87% barley corresponded to lower estimated starch digestibility, as a result of increased appearance of whole kernels and grain fragments in feces. Consequently, gain:feed ratio tended (0.210 vs. 0.219, SEM = 0.0035, P=0.06) to decrease by 4% with PI-87% versus PI-82% barley. Similarly, silage proportion had no effect on gain but DMI increased (P=0.05) linearly from 7.19 to 7.75 kg d−1 (SEM = 0.194) with increasing proportion of silage. Consequently, gain:feed ratio decreased linearly from 0.225 to 0.202 (SEM = 0.0056) with increasing silage proportion. Optimum proportion of barley silage to maximize feed conversion efficiency was 3 to 6% of DM. Decreasing the extent of barley processing or increasing the silage proportion may reduce the risk of acidosis, but feed conversion efficiency is lowered. Formulating diets to reduce the incidence of digestive disorders may decrease the cost of mortalities and treatment of sick animals, thereby improving animal health and welfare, but these costs are unlikely to offset the increased cost of gain in commercial feedlots.
Projecting future HFC-23 emissions
Authors: Miller B. R. , Kuijpers L. J. M.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. A Reference Case (RC) scenario for emissions of HFC-23 from co-production during HCFC-22 manufacture over the next 25 yr is presented. Offered as a template rather than a prediction, this model projects current production practices and existing abatement frameworks to yield insights into how the atmosphere might evolve with and without additional efforts to constrain HFC-23 emissions. Assuming that no additional abatement measures are implemented, emissions for year 2035 in this Reference Case would rise to 24 ktonnes yr−1, (cf., 8.6 ktonnes yr−1 in 2009), the atmospheric abundance of HFC-23 would rise to 50 ppt, which is a 121 % increase over the 2009 observed abundance, and HFC-23 would be expected to contribute a radiative forcing of 9 mW m−2 (cf., 4 mW m−2 in 2009). Under such a scenario, the HFC-23 emission growth rate would be a continuation of the historical trend of ~0.2 ktonnes yr−2 until 2030, after which the growth is projected to quadruple as the Montreal Protocol phase-out of HCFC production for dispersive use concludes and HFC-23 thermal decomposition in the projects of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) comes to a scheduled end while growth in the production of HCFC-22 for feedstock use continues to climb with projected GDP growth. Two opposite variations regarding the future renewal of CDM projects are examined for their impact on projected emissions and abundance, relative to the Reference Case scenario.
Fully-compliant statically-balanced mechanisms without prestressing assembly: concepts and case studies
Authors: Chen G. , Zhang S.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to present new concepts for designing fully-compliant statically-balanced mechanisms without prestressing assembly. A statically-balanced compliant mechanism can ideally provide zero stiffness and energy free motion like a traditional rigid-body mechanism. These characteristics are important in design of compliant mechanisms where low actuation force, accurate force transmission or high-fidelity force feedback are primary concerns. Typically, static balancing of compliant mechanisms has been achieved by means of prestressing assembly. However, this can often lead to creep and stress relaxation arising in the flexible members. In this paper two concepts are presented which eliminate the need for prestressing assembly of compliant mechanisms: (1) a weight compensator which employs a constant-force compliant mechanism, (2) a near-zero-stiffness mechanism which combines two multistable mechanisms. In addition to the advantages provided by statically-balanced compliant mechanisms, two other notable features of these statically-balanced mechanisms are their ability to be monolithically fabricated and to return to their as-fabricated position without any disassembly when not in use.
Synthesis and characterization of soybean‐oil‐based polyurethane composites containing industrial and agricultural residual wastes as fillers
Authors: Costa Ana Paula O. , Silva Rafael B. , Gerbase Annelise E. , Petzhold Cesar L.
Published: August 2011

Thermosetting composites were prepared from soybean‐oil‐based polyols (hydroxyl number = 190 mg of KOH/g, [OH]/[NCO] for 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate = 0.9) and fillers (10 wt %) from industrial and agricultural residual wastes. Different types of inexpensive residual wastes were used: black rice husk ash, coconut husk ash, calcined retorted oil shale, and retorted oil shale. The fillers were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and measurements of particle size distribution, specific surface area, and pore size distribution. The fillers were microporous materials with different chemical compositions, with average particle diameters varying from 5.6 to 76.6 μm, specific surface areas varying between 6 and 165 m2/g, and thermal stability at the polyurethane cure temperature (65°C). All composites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, flexural tests, Shore A hardness tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Coconut husk ash, rice husk ash, and retorted oil shale presented better mechanical properties; nevertheless, coconut husk ash and rice husk ash had higher particle sizes, which caused bad dispersion of the filler in the matrix and resulted in nonhomogeneous composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Studies of particle dispersion in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)/montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Saad A. L. G. , Dimitry O. I. H.
Published: August 2011

Poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were mixed with 5 and 10 wt % of Cloisite Na+, Cloisite 30B or Cloisite 93A. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized by thermal analysis using a thermogravimetric analyzer which showed that addition of 5 wt % of nanoclay to PVC increased its thermal stability in the sequence: Cloisite Na+< Cloisite 93A< Cloisite 30B. The electrical conductivity of these composites was studied as a function of temperatures and showed that the conductivity of PVC was enhanced upon using 5 wt % of nanoclay in the sequence: Cloisite Na+< Cloisite 30B < Cloisite 93A. The activation energy of interaction of PVC with nanoclay was found to be lowest for the composite containing 5 wt % of nanoclay in the same sequence. The tensile strength, elongation (%), and Young's modulus were considerably enhanced upon increasing the clay content to 5 wt % in the sequence: Cloisite Na+< Cloisite 93A < Cloisite 30B. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study these nanocomposite structures, and it was found that the organoclay layers are homogeneously dispersed in the PVC matrix when 5 wt % of Cloisite 30B or Cloisite 93A was used. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Compatibilizer in waste tire powder and low‐density polyethylene blends and the blends modified asphalt
Authors: Ouyang Chunfa , Gao Qun , Shi Yutao , Shan Xiaoqian
Published: August 2011

With the increasing ratio of waste tire powder (WTP) to low‐density polyethylene (LDPE), the hardness and tensile strength of the WTP/LDPE blends decreased while the elongation at break increased. Five kinds of compatibilizers, such as maleic anhydride‐grafted polyethylene (PE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene‐octene copolymer (POE‐g‐MA), maleic anhydride‐grafted linear LDPE, maleic anhydride‐grafted ethylene vinyl‐acetate copolymer, and maleic anhydride‐grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene, were incorporated to prepare WTP/LDPE blends, respectively. PE‐g‐MA and POE‐g‐MA reinforced the tensile stress and toughness of the blends. The toughness value of POE‐g‐MA incorporating blends was the highest, reached to 2032.3 MJ/m3, while that of the control was only 1402.9 MJ/m3. Therefore, POE‐g‐MA was selected as asphalt modifier. The toughness value reached to the highest level when the content of POE‐g‐MA was about 8%. Besides that the softening point of the modified asphalt would be higher than 60°C, whereas the content of WTP/LDPE blend was more than 5%, and the blends were mixed by stirring under the shearing speed of 3000 rpm for 20 min. Especially, when the blend content was 8.5%, the softening point arrived at 82°C, contributing to asphalt strength and elastic properties in a wide range of temperature. In addition, the swelling property of POE‐g‐MA/WTP/LDPE blend was better than that of the other compalibitizers, which indicated that POE‐g‐MA /WTP/LDPE blend was much compatible with asphalt. Also, the excellent compatibility would result in the good mechanical and processing properties of the modified asphalt. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
A validated enantioselective HPLC assay of dexibuprofen in dexibuprofen tablet formulations
Authors: Awad Hanan , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. , Lashin Sherif
Published: August 2011

A high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of dexibuprofen in dexibuprofen tablets using ovomucoid chiral stationary phase (Ultron ES‐OVM). The mobile phase was composed of 0.025  m potassium phosphate dibasic (pH 4.5)–methanol–ethanol (85:10:5 v/v/v). The method was validated for specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision and robustness. The method was enantiomer‐specific for the determination of dexibuprofen [S‐(+)‐isomer ibuprofen] in the presence of R‐(−)‐isomer ibuprofen in bulk drug, pharmaceutical dosage form and under stress degradation. The method was linear over the range 15–35 µg/mL with r2 = 0.9995; accuracy and precision were acceptable with %RSD < 2.0%. The method was found to be specific, precise, accurate, robust and stability‐indicating, and can be successfully applied for the routine analysis of dexibuprofen in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage form. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced schwann cell adhesion and elongation on a topographically and chemically modified poly(L‐lactic acid) film surface
Authors: Huang Wei‐Chin , Yao Chih‐Kai , Liao Jiunn‐Der , Lin Chou‐Ching K. , Ju Ming‐Shaung
Published: August 2011

A dense poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) film was employed as the primary material and hot‐embossed with the formation of microgrooves (g‐PLLA). A thin layer of Au was then deposited on the film to obtain a morphologically modified substrate (Au/g‐PLLA). The Au/g‐PLLA film surface was then chemically modified by imprinting octadecanethiolate (ODT) self‐assembled monolayers on the upper surface (ODT/Au/g‐PLLA), followed by Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) peptide sequences on the microgrooves (RGD_ODT/Au/g‐PLLA). The surface chemistry of the as‐prepared RGD_ODT/Au/g‐PLLA samples was examined. The bioactivity and spreading function of Schwann cells cultured on the morphologically and chemically modified surfaces were assessed. The results demonstrate that Schwann cells adhered to the RGD/Au/g‐PLLA surface and proliferated along the microgrooves without crossing over the ODT/Au/PLLA surface. The proposed film surface can be used for manipulating the outgrowth of axons by modifying and arranging a selected region to induce cell growth and to prevent cells from spreading out nondirectionally. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
High‐output cardiac failure in a fetus with thanatophoric dysplasia associated with large placental chorioangioma: Case report
Authors: Akercan Fuat , Oncul Seyfettinoglu Sevtap , Zeybek Burak , Cirpan Teksin
Published: August 2011

Placental chorioangioma is an angioma arising from chorionic tissue. Fetal thanatophoric dysplasia is a lethal skeletal dysplasia due to mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene. These two conditions are rare and their coexistence in a given fetus is even rarer. We present a case of a fetus with thanatophoric dysplasia having high‐output cardiac failure due to a large placental chorioangioma. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
On Proper Choice of Variability Control Chart for Normal and Non‐normal Processes
Authors: Abbasi Saddam Akber , Miller Arden
Published: August 2011

Control charts are an important statistical process control tool used to monitor changes in process location and variability. This study addresses issues regarding the proper choice of control chart for efficient monitoring of process variability. The choice of the best estimator to be used for variability charts has not been made clear in literature. We have analyzed the performance of eight control chart structures, based on different estimates of process standard deviation. The performance of control charts is investigated under the existence and violation of ideal assumptions of normality. Control chart constants and factors required for computing probability limits, considering normal and different non‐normal parent distributions, are provided for all variability charts. This study aims at providing guidance to quality practitioners in choosing the appropriate variability control chart for normal and non‐normal processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An arteriovenous malformation within the internal acoustic meatus and cerebellopontine angle cistern
Authors: Patel P N , Connor S , Brew S , Gleeson M J
Published: August 2011

Objectives:

We report a case of an arteriovenous malformation within the internal auditory meatus and cerebellopontine angle, and we discuss its imaging appearances and management.

Case report:

A 50-year-old man presented with a two-year history of vertigo. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated a lesion consisting of multiple ‘high flow’ vessels within the left internal auditory meatus and cerebellopontine angle. Transarterial embolisation was performed, with obliteration of the arteriovenous malformation.

Conclusion:

Arteriovenous malformations of the internal auditory meatus and cerebellopontine angle are exceedingly rare. It is important that a pre-treatment diagnosis is made, as the management of arteriovenous malformation differs from that of other, more common lesions at this site.
Limits of Autonomy in Biomedical Ethics? Conceptual Clarifications
Authors: REHBOCK THEDA
Published: August 2011

In biomedical ethics the principle of autonomy is closely connected with the moral and legal claim to informed consent. After World War II and the dramatic misuse of medicine in Nazi Germany, informed consent regulations were expected to help avoid similar misuse in the future, to help overcome the traditional medical paternalism, and to advance the liberty rights of patients and human subjects of research. With the rise of the new field of bioethics in the 1970s, the traditional beneficence-based model of medical ethics shifted in the direction of an individual autonomy model.
Ethical Endgames: Broad Consent for Narrow Interests; Open Consent
for Closed Minds
Authors: KARLSEN JAN REINERT , SOLBAKK JAN HELGE , HOLM SØREN
Published: August 2011

The ongoing legal and bioethics debates on consent requirements for collecting,
storing, and utilizing human biological material for purposes of basic and
applied research—that is, genomic research biobanking—have
already managed to pass through three ostensibly dissimilar stages
Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation, by Patricia Benner, Molly Sutphen, Victoria Leonard, and Lisa Day. Stanford, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2010.
Authors: Schlairet Maura C.
Published: August 2011

Readers are invited to contact Greg S. Loeben in writing at Midwestern University, Glendale Campus, Bioethics Program, 19555 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308 (gloebe@midwestern.edu) regarding books they would like to see reviewed or books they are interested in reviewing.
Assessment of set-up discrepancies using daily portal imaging during radiotherapy treatment for patients with spine and bone metastases
Authors: Young L. , Blyth C.M.
Published: August 2011

It is well established that patients with bone metastases get good pain relief from radiotherapy. The aim of treatment is to achieve maximum pain relief with minimum morbidity. Accuracy and reproducibility of the patient’s position are fundamental to the successful delivery of radiation therapy. It has been recognised for many years, that the accuracy of patient positioning will improve the success of radiation treatment. A previous study carried out in the department showed that the use of only a single tattoo for the set-up of palliative patients resulted in poor accuracy. The aim of this study was to assess if the addition of extra skin marks improved the set-up accuracy of palliative patients being treated for spine and bone metastases. A protocol was implemented detailing the extra skin marks to be used. Daily portal images were acquired and analysed retrospectively using anatomy matching. The results obtained were then compared with those of the previous study. The use of extra skin marks resulted in a total of 45% of images within 5 mm tolerance compared with 36% of images in patients treated with a single centre tattoo. Also, the number of images with deviations greater than 15 mm was reduced by more than 50% with the addition of extra skin marks. This study has shown that extra skin marks do increase the set-up accuracy in palliative patients treated for spine and bone metastases. Therefore, the practice of using extra skin marks has become standard protocol for all palliative patients within the department.
Open the door to more of the same? The development of interest group representation at the WTO
Authors: HANEGRAAFF MARCEL , BEYERS JAN , BRAUN CAELESTA
Published: August 2011

The openness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) towards non-state actors has led to much debate among scholars and practitioners. The objective of this paper is to add empirical knowledge to this ongoing debate. In particular, we examine the effects of allowing interest groups to participate at WTO Ministerial Conferences (MCs) during 1996–2009 by analyzing a novel dataset of 1992 interest organizations that attended seven MCs. The data we present demonstrate that, in contrast to what many expected, the WTO did not attract a more diverse population of interest groups since these organizations were allowed to participate at MCs. Moreover, we observe an increasing overrepresentation of some specific issue-related interests, especially agriculture, and a strong presence of Northern American and European interest organizations attending MCs. Another important observation is that MCs are not particularly dominated by business interests at the expense of NGOs (non-governmental organization), who are also consistently well represented at the WTO meetings. Yet, the high levels of volatility observed at the level of individual organizations suggests that, although it is rather easy to start lobbying at WTO MCs, only a relatively small number of interest organizations keep a long lobbying presence at this level.
Wettability and “petal effect” of GaAs native oxides
Authors: Gocalinska A. , Gradkowski K. , Dimastrodonato V. , Mereni L. O. , Juska G. , Huyet G. , Pelucchi E.
Published: August 2011

We discuss unreported transitions of oxidized GaAs surfaces between (super)hydrophilic and hydrophobic states when stored in ambient conditions. Contact angles higher than 90° and high adhesive force were observed for several air-aged epitaxial samples grown under different conditions as well as on epi-ready wafers. Regardless of the morphologies of the surface, superhydrophilicity of oxygen-plasma treated samples was observed, an effect disappearing with storage time. Reproducible hydrophobicity was likewise observed, as expected, after standard HCl surface etching. The relation between surface oxides and hydrophobic/hydrophilic behavior is discussed.
Anomalous plastic deformation and martensitic transformation in metastable austenitic steels at low strain rate characterized by in-situ hydrogen and argon releases and scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Zhang L. , An B. , Iijima T. , Fukuyama S. , Yokogawa K.
Published: August 2011

Plastic deformation behavior and strain-induced martensite (α’) transformation in metastable austenitic stainless steel sheets are investigated during tensile loading at a slow strain rate of 1.7 × 10−4 s−1 at 298 K by in situ hydrogen and argon releases and scanning probe microscopy. Anomalous stress peaks, which occur on the stress-strain curve in the later half stage of plastic deformation, are simultaneous with distinct hydrogen release peaks and argon release valleys, and the α’ content measured at a fixed region increases stepwisely with increasing strain in the corresponding stage of deformation. Such anomalous deformation and α’ transformation phenomena result from repeatedly occurring and propagating of X-shaped strain localization accompanied by the rapid α’ transformation in the later half stage of deformation.
The Paf oncogene is essential for hematopoietic stem cell function and development
Authors: Amrani Yacine M. , Gill Jonathan , Matevossian Armine , Alonzo Eric S. , Yang Chingwen , Shieh Jae-Hung , Moore Malcolm A. , Park Christopher Y. , Sant'Angelo Derek B. , Denzin Lisa K.
Published: August 2011

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) self-renew to maintain the lifelong production of all blood populations. Here, we show that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen–associated factor (Paf) is highly expressed in cycling bone marrow HSCs and plays a critical role in hematopoiesis. Mice lacking Paf exhibited reduced bone marrow cellularity; reduced numbers of HSCs and committed progenitors; and leukopenia. These phenotypes are caused by a cell-intrinsic blockage in the development of long-term (LT)-HSCs into multipotent progenitors and preferential loss of lymphoid progenitors caused by markedly increased p53-mediated apoptosis. In addition, LT-HSCs from Paf−/− mice had increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), failed to maintain quiescence, and were unable to support LT hematopoiesis. The loss of lymphoid progenitors was likely due the increased levels of ROS in LT-HSCs caused by treatment of Paf−/− mice with the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine restored lymphoid progenitor numbers to that of Paf+/+ mice. Collectively, our studies identify Paf as a novel and essential regulator of early hematopoiesis.
Inhibition of IκB kinase by thalidomide increases hepatitis C virus RNA replication
Authors: Rance E. , Tanner J. E. , Alfieri C.
Published: August 2011

Summary.  Hepatic fibrosis is an integral element in the progression of chronic liver disease. Elevated hepatic interleukin (IL)‐8 is an important contributor to fibrosis in patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thalidomide has been used to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis in HCV‐infected patients, but its impact on HCV replication remains unclear. This study examined the effect of thalidomide on HCV replication in vitro. Results revealed that while thalidomide reduced IL‐8 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activity by 95% and 46% in Huh‐7 cells, increasing concentrations of thalidomide correlated with a linear rise in HCV replication (17‐fold at 200 μm). The NF‐κB inhibitors, wedelolactone and NF‐κB activation inhibitor‐1, which mimic the actions of thalidomide by preventing phosphorylation and activation of IκB kinase (IKK) and hence block NF‐κB activity, increased HCV RNA by 18‐ and 19‐fold, respectively. During in vitro HCV replication in Huh‐7 cells, we observed a 30% increase in IKKα protein and 55% decrease in NF‐κB(p65)/RelA protein relative to cellular β‐actin. Ectopic expression of IKKα to enhance the inactive form of IKK in cells undergoing virus replication led to a 13‐fold increase in HCV RNA. Conversely, enhanced expression of NF‐κB(p65)/RelA in infected cells resulted in a 17‐fold reduction in HCV RNA. In conclusion, HCV RNA replication was significantly augmented by the inhibition of IKK activation and subsequent NF‐κB signalling, whereas a restoration of NF‐κB activity by the addition of NF‐κB/RelA markedly reduced HCV replication. This study lends added importance to the role of the NF‐κB signalling pathway in controlling HCV replication.
Postoperative morbidity after fast‐track laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer
Authors: Stottmeier S. , Harling H. , Wille‐Jørgensen P. , Balleby L. , Kehlet H.
Published: August 2011

Aim  Analysis was carried out of the nature and chronological order of early complications after fast‐track laparoscopic rectal surgery with a view to optimizing the short‐time outcome of rectal cancer surgery.

Method  A total of 102 consecutive patients who underwent elective fast‐track laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were analysed prospectively from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Database supplemented by data from the medical records. We studied in detail the nature and chronological order of postoperative morbidity and reason for prolonged stay (> 5 days).

Results  Twenty‐five patients (25%) had one or more complications. Surgical complications occurred in 19 patients, while six patients had medical complications as the primary event. Fifteen patients underwent reoperation, three died, and eight were readmitted within 30 days. The median length of stay was 5 days (range 2–42).

Conclusion  Postoperative morbidity remains a significant problem in the fast‐track era, even in experienced surgical hands. Our results suggest that besides improvement of surgical technique further improvement of outcome lies in early recognition and proper treatment of complications and the perioperative optimization of organ function.