bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Insecticide Residues in Vegetal Fruits
Authors: Rodrigues Dasciana , Carvalho Tecia , Sousa Anayla , Sousa Neto Vicente , Fechine Pierre , Nascimento Ronaldo
Published: February 2011

Pesticides compounds represent an important class of pollutants for food, soil and surface water resources. Thus, a simplified method using gas chromatography was used for determining five insecticide residues in fruit samples produced in Ceará State (Brazil). The insecticides were simultaneously extracted from the fruit samples with a mixture of water-methanol (1 : 1% v/v) from lipid-containing crops and then reextracted with ethyl acetate. Cleanup by silica gel column chromatography was not necessary. The extracts were analyzed by GC-ECD. Analytical parameters, such as limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), linearity, precision, and recovery were considered for the orange fruit. A sufficient recovery of 52.1, 57.0, 49.5, and 108.5% for parathion methyl, malathion, chlorpyrifos, and 2,4-dichlorophenol was found. The compounds 2,4-dichlorophenol, malathion, parathion methyl, and chlorpyrifos were found in all the fruit samples analyzed.
Metastatic primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder in a twenty-five years old woman
Authors: Valerio Massimo , Lhermitte Benoit , Bauer Jean , Jichlinski Patrice
Published: February 2011

Primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder is a rare tumor. The classification between primary vesical and urachal is debated. We present the case of a young female who presented clinicopathological features of a metastatic urachal adenocarcinoma, but the histological result revealed primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder contrary to expectancy. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of a metastatic adenocarcinoma of the bladder in a 25 years old female. This case emphasizes the challenge for urologists to recognize and manage this aggressive tumor in the setting described.
Construct Validity of the Three Motor-Reduced Subscales of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception — Adolescent and Adult (DTVP-A): A Rasch Analysis Model Evaluation
Authors: Brown Ted
Published: February 2011

Background:

The Developmental Test of Visual Perception — Adolescent and Adult (DTVP-A) is a test used by therapists even though its construct validity has not been thoroughly assessed.

Purpose:

This study evaluated the scalability/interval level measurement, unidimensionality, lack of differential item functioning (DIF) and hierarchical ordering of the items of the three motor-free subscales (Figure-Ground, Form Constancy and Visual Closure) of the DTVP-A.

Method:

The motor-free visual perceptual performance scores from a sample of 221 participants aged 20+ years (49 adults with and 172 adults without neurological impairment) were used to complete a Rasch analysis of the DTVP-A's three motor-free subscales.

Results:

On the DTVP-A Figure-Ground (FG) subscale, items FG2 and FG6 demonstrated Rasch model misfit, while no item exhibited DIF. On the Form Constancy (FC) subscale, items FC1, FC2, FC4 and FC6 were misfitting, while items FC3 and FC11 exhibited DIF based on gender. Visual Closure (VC) subscale items VC2, VC3, VC13 and VC15 exhibited misfit with the Rasch model requirements, while VC1 and VC5 demonstrated DIF. When all three subscales were analysed together as one Total Motor-Reduced Visual Perception Scale, items FC2, FC1, FC4, VC12, VC15, FC17 and FG6 demonstrated Rasch model misfit, while items VC1, VC2, VC5 and FC11 exhibited DIF based on gender.

Conclusion:

The construct validity, scalability, hierarchical ordering and lack of DIF requirements were met by the majority of the motor-free DTVP-A items. However, items FG6, FC1, FC2, FC4 and FC11 appeared to be particularly problematic. Given the fact that a number of items exhibited Rasch analysis model misfit or DIF, clinicians need to take this into consideration when using the three motor-free DTVP-A subscales individually or collectively to assess clients.
A Factor Analytic Study of the Japanese Interest Checklist for the Elderly
Authors: Nakamura-Thomas Hiromi , Yamada Takashi
Published: February 2011

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to identify the interest patterns among Japanese older people.

Method:

This study of 967 healthy older people examined the factorial structure of the Japanese Interest Checklist for the Elderly (JICE) and also examined whether interest patterns differed across genders and two age groups of older people.

Results:

The rotated varimax factor analysis extracted six factors: Activities Parallel to Daily Living (APDL), Pleasurable Outings, Cultural/Educational Activities, Entertainment Activities, Nature-related Activities and Social Activities. Alpha coefficients indicated adequacy for APDL, Pleasurable Outings and Cultural/Educational Activities (that is, above 0.70). The other three factors had lower coefficients, near or above 0.60. Differences in the strength of interest within each of the factors were found when men and women and different age groups were compared.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate that the JICE adequately captures the interests of Japanese older people. Considered in the light of previous research, the results also suggest that valid assessments of interests must include items targeted to a relatively homogeneous group.
Solar radiation–enhanced dissolution of particulate organic matter from coastal marine sediments
Authors: Shank G. Christopher , Evans Anne , Yamashita Youhei , Jaffé Rudolf
Published: February 2011

We investigated the influence of solar radiation on the transfer of organic matter from the particulate to dissolved phase during resuspension of coastal sediments collected from seven sites across Florida Bay (organic carbon values ranged from 2% to 9% by weight). Sediments were resuspended in oligotrophic seawater for 48 h in 1‐liter quartz flasks in the dark and under simulated solar radiation (SunTest XLS+) at wet weight concentrations of 100 mg L−1 and 1 g L−1 (dry weights ranged from 27 to 630 mg L−1). There were little to no dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increases in dark resuspensions, but substantial DOC increases occurred in irradiated resuspensions. DOC levels increased 4 mg C L−1 in an irradiated 1 g L−1 suspension (dry weight 400 mg L−1) of an organic‐rich (7% organic carbon) sediment. At a particle load commonly found in coastal waters (dry weight 40 mg L−1), an irradiated suspension of the same organic‐rich sediment produced 1 mg C L−1. DOC increases in irradiated resuspensions were well‐correlated with particulate organic carbon (POC) added. Photodissolution of POC ranged from 6% to 15% at high sediment levels and 10% to 33% at low sediment levels. Parallel factor analysis modeling of excitation‐emission matrix fluorescence data (EEM PARAFAC) suggested the dissolved organic matter (DOM) produced during photodissolution included primarily humic‐like components and a less important input of protein‐like components. Principal component analysis (PCA) of EEM data revealed a marked similarity in the humic character of photodissolved DOM from organic‐rich sediments and the humic character of Florida Bay waters.
Temperature and nutrient stoichiometry interactively modulate organic matter cycling in a pelagic algal–bacterial community
Authors: Wohlers-Zöllner Julia , Breithaupt Petra , Walther Katja , Jürgens Klaus , Riebesell Ulf
Published: February 2011

A microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of rising sea‐surface temperature and altered nutrient stoichiometry on the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter in a pelagic algal–bacterial assemblage. Natural seawater, containing a mixed bacterial community, was inoculated with an axenic culture of the bloom‐forming diatom species Skeletonema costatum. A factorial combination of three temperatures, simulating weak to strong warming as projected for the end of the 21st century, and either nitrogen (N)‐replete or ‐deficient growth conditions were applied. Depending on the type of nutrient limitation, the mixed algal–bacterial communities displayed pronounced differences in the accumulation and microbial utilization of organic matter in response to warming. Under N‐deficient conditions, the build‐up of organic matter occurred, irrespective of temperature, dominantly in the particulate pool, and only small amounts of dissolved material accumulated. The subsequent bacterial consumption of organic matter was low, as indicated by measurements of bacterial secondary production and extracellular enzyme activities, and remained also largely unaffected by an increase in temperature from 4°C up to 12°C. Contrastingly, warming resulted in a distinct temperature‐dependent increase in the accumulation of dissolved organic carbon compounds under N‐replete growth conditions. Moreover, rising temperature notably stimulated the bacterial activity, indicating an enhanced flow of organic matter through the microbial loop. These findings suggest that there will be strong shifts in the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter in the upper ocean in response to increased temperature and nutrient loading that will affect pelagic food‐web structures and the biological sequestration of organic matter.
The green ribbon: Multiscale physical control of phytoplankton productivity and community structure over a narrow continental shelf
Authors: Lucas Andrew J. , Dupont Christopher L. , Tai Vera , Largier John L. , Palenik Brian , Franks Peter J. S.
Published: February 2011

Chlorophyll concentration, phytoplankton biomass, and total and nitrate‐fueled primary productivity increase toward the coast over the 12‐km‐wide continental shelf of the southern portion of the Southern California Bight. These gradients are accompanied by changes in phytoplankton community composition: the outer shelf is characterized by offshore assemblages including pelagophytes and oligotrophic Synechococcus ecotypes while the inner shelf is dominated by diatoms, coastal Synechococcus ecotypes, and the picoeukaryote Ostreococcus. Across the small horizontal scale of the shelf, large changes in the vertical distribution and flux of nitrate maintain elevated productivity, driving variability in the vertical distribution of biomass and the integrated biomass and productivity of the entire shelf. Temporal variability from hours to days in chlorophyll fluorescence as measured by an autonomous profiling vehicle demonstrates that phytoplankton respond vigorously and rapidly to physical variability. The interaction of physical processes at different temporal and spatial scales is responsible for the observed biological gradients. These dynamics include: (1) vertical shear in the alongshore currents, (2) local wind forcing, (3) the internal tide, and (4) remote, large‐scale variability. Individually, these mechanisms rarely or never explain the phytoplankton community composition and metabolic rate gradients. These results and a reanalysis of historical data suggest that monitoring thermal stratification at the shelf break and the tilt of the thermocline across the shelf will augment our ability to predict phytoplankton productivity, community composition, and biomass, thereby improving our understanding of fisheries dynamics and carbon cycling in the coastal ocean.
Cultural eutrophication, anoxia, and ecosystem recovery in Meretta Lake, High Arctic Canada
Authors: Antoniades Dermot , Michelutti Neal , Quinlan Roberto , Blais Jules M. , Bonilla Sylvia , Douglas Marianne S. V. , Pienitz Reinhard , Smol John P. , Vincent Warwick F.
Published: February 2011

We studied the effects of four decades of cultural eutrophication on Meretta Lake, in the Canadian High Arctic, through a multiproxy analysis of its sediments, including sedimentary pigments, metal concentrations, stable isotope ratios, chironomids, and diatoms. While Meretta Lake's biota clearly responded to nutrient inputs, the manner in which the changes differed from those expected in temperate lakes underlined the profound effects in Arctic lakes of extended ice and snow cover on light penetration, mixing, and interactions with the atmosphere. Hypolimnetic anoxia developed rapidly in Meretta Lake in response to sewage enrichment and was accompanied by the appearance of photosynthetic sulfur bacteria. Benthic communities responded rapidly to sewage inputs, but phytoplankton biomass did not increase until eutrophication was accompanied by climate warming, further reinforcing the importance of ice cover in controlling biotic processes in high Arctic lakes. With climate‐mediated ice cover reductions in Meretta Lake, the response to eutrophication began to more closely resemble temperate processes. Recent trajectories indicate that slightly more than a decade after the cessation of sewage inputs, Meretta Lake is recovering toward pre‐enrichment conditions.
Copepod guts as biogeochemical hotspots in the sea: Evidence from microelectrode profiling of Calanus spp
Authors: Tang Kam W. , Glud Ronnie N. , Glud Anni , Rysgaard Søren , Nielsen Torkel Gissel
Published: February 2011

The environmental conditions inside the gut of Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis were measured with microelectrodes. An acidic potential hydrogen (pH) gradient was present in the gut of C. hyperboreus, and the lowest pH recorded was 5.40. The gut pH of a starved copepod decreased by 0.53 after the copepod resumed feeding for a few hours, indicating the secretion of acidic digestive fluid. A copepod feeding on Thalassiosira weissflogii (diatom) had slightly lower pH than that feeding on Rhodomonas salina (cryptophyte). Oxygen was undersaturated in the gut of both C. hyperboreus and C. glacialis, with a steep gradient from the anal opening to the metasome region. The central metasome region was completely anoxic. Food remains in the gut led to a lower oxygen level, and a diatom diet induced a stronger oxygen gradient than a cryptophyte diet. The acidic and suboxic–anoxic environments of the copepod gut may support iron dissolution and anaerobic microbial activities that otherwise are not favored in the well‐buffered and oxygenated ambient ocean.
Submarine groundwater discharge from oceanic islands standing in oligotrophic oceans: Implications for global biological production and organic carbon fluxes
Authors: Kim Guebuem , Kim Jong-Sun , Hwang Dong-Woon
Published: February 2011

We investigated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD)–associated nutrient fluxes and budgets in two coastal embayments, Hwasun Bay and Bangdu Bay, off the volcanic island of Jeju, Korea. SGD in Hwasun Bay is a composite of marine and meteoric groundwater, while that in Bangdu Bay mainly includes marine groundwater. The submarine inputs of groundwater into Hwasun and Bangdu Bays were approximately 0.12 and 0.27 m3 m−2 d−1, respectively, on the basis of the 222Rn mass balance models. The nitrogen:phosphorus ratios in coastal groundwater (85 ± 96) were considerably larger than those in the seawater (3.8 ± 1.6) of both bays. Fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) through SGD were more than 90% of the net DIN input into both bays; approximately 93% and 39% of SGD‐driven DIN was consumed inside Hwasun and Bangdu Bays, respectively. The discharge of DIN through SGD from the entire island was approximately 2.1 × 109 mol yr−1, which is equivalent to that of some large rivers, potentially supporting approximately 1.6 × 1011 g carbon yr−1 of new primary production. Because Jeju accounts for less than 1% of the total land mass of the volcanic islands, SGD‐driven nutrient fluxes from highly permeable islands standing in oligotrophic oceans could be very important for global nutrient budgets.
The relative importance of species diversity and functional group diversity on carbon uptake in phytoplankton communities
Authors: Behl Stephan , Donval Anne , Stibor Herwig
Published: February 2011

We conducted laboratory experiments with 85 assembled phytoplankton communities composed of species from four predefined functional groups (chlorophytes, diatoms, cyanobacteria, chrysophytes) to distinguish the relative importance of species diversity from functional group diversity on carbon uptake. We separated the observed diversity effects on carbon uptake into those caused by species with particularly important traits (selection effect) and those caused by positive interactions among species (e.g., complementary resource use or facilitation [complementarity effect]). Additionally, we measured the composition of photosynthetically active pigments and light absorbance in communities and monocultures, and related them to species and functional diversity effects on carbon accrual. Biodiversity effects were weak or even absent in pure cyanobacterial and diatom communities compared to strong effects in chlorophytes. Complementarity effects and light absorbance increased as functional (i.e., phylogenetic) diversity increased. There was a positive correlation between complementarity effects on carbon accrual and light absorbance. These findings support hypotheses regarding biodiversity–productivity relationships in phytoplankton communities based on niche separation along spectral light gradients.
Source contributions to Northern Hemisphere CO and black carbon during spring and summer 2008 from POLARCAT and START08/preHIPPO observations and MOZART-4
Authors: Tilmes S. , Emmons L. K. , Law K. S. , Ancellet G. , Schlager H. , Paris J.-D. , Fuelberg H. E. , Streets D. G. , Wiedinmyer C. , Diskin G. S. , Kondo Y. , Holloway J. , Schwarz J. P. , Spackman J. R. , Campos T. , Nédélec P. , Panchenko M. V.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Anthropogenic pollution and wildfires are main producers of carbon monoxide (CO) and black carbon (BC) in the Northern Hemisphere. High concentrations of these compounds are transported into the Arctic troposphere, influencing the ecosystem in high northern latitudes and the global climate. The global chemical transport model MOZART-4 is used to quantify the seasonal evolution of the contribution of CO and BC from different source regions in spring and summer 2008 by tagging their emissions. Aircraft observations from the POLARCAT experiments, in particular NASA ARCTAS, NOAA ARCPAC, POLARCAT-France, DLR GRACE and YAK-AEROSIB, as well as the NSF START08/preHIPPO experiments during Spring-Summer 2008 are combined to quantify the representation of simulated tracer characteristics in anthropogenic and fire plumes. In general, the model reproduces CO and BC well. Based on aircraft measurements and FLEXPART back-trajectories, the altitude contribution of emissions coming from different source regions is well captured in the model. Uncertainties of the MOZART-4 model are identified by comparing the data with model results on the flight tracks and using MOPITT satellite observations. Anthropogenic emissions are underestimated by about 10% in high northern latitudes in spring, and shortcomings exist in simulating fire plumes. The remote impact of East-Siberian fire emissions is underestimated for spring, whereas the impact of Southeast Asian fire emissions to mid-latitude CO values is overestimated by the model. In summer, mid-latitude CO values agree well between model and observations, whereas summer high latitude East-Siberian fire emissions in the model are overestimated by 20% in comparison to observations in the region. On the other hand, CO concentrations are underestimated by about 30% over Alaska and Canada at altitudes above 4 km. BC values are overestimated by the model at altitudes above 4 km in summer. Based on MOZART-4, with tagged CO and BC tracers, anthropogenic emissions of Asia, Europe and the US have the largest contribution to the CO and BC in mid- and high latitudes in spring and summer. Southeast Asian, Chinese and Indian fires have a large impact on CO pollution in spring in low latitudes with a maximum between 20° and 30°, whereas Siberian fires contribute largely to the pollution in high latitudes, up to 10% in spring and up to 30% in summer. The largest contributions to BC values in high latitudes are from anthropogenic emissions (about 70%). CO and BC have larger mass loadings in April than in July, as a result of photochemistry and dynamics.
Localized electron density enhancements in the high-altitude polar ionosphere and their relationships with storm-enhanced density (SED) plumes and polar tongues of ionization (TOI)
Authors: Kitanoya Y. , Abe T. , Yau A. W. , Hori T. , Nishitani N.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Events of localized electron density increase in the high-altitude (>3000 km) polar ionosphere are occasionally identified by the thermal plasma instruments on the Akebono satellite. In this paper, we investigate the vertical density structure in one of such events in detail using simultaneous observations by the Akebono and DMSP F15 satellites, the SuperDARN radars, and a network of ground Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, and the statistical characteristics of a large number (>10 000) of such events using Akebono data over half of an 11-year solar cycle. At Akebono altitude, the parallel drift velocity is remarkably low and the O+ ion composition ratio remarkably high, inside the high plasma-density regions at high altitude. Detailed comparisons between Akebono, DMSP ion velocity and density, and GPS total electron content (TEC) data suggest that the localized plasma density increase observed at high altitude on Akebono was likely connected with the polar tongue of ionization (TOI) and/or storm enhanced density (SED) plume observed in the F-region ionosphere. Together with the SuperDARN plasma convection map these data suggest that the TOI/SED plume penetrated into the polar cap due to anti-sunward convection and the plume existed in the same convection channel as the dense plasma at high altitude; in other words, the two were probably connected to each other by the convecting magnetic field lines. The observed features are consistent with the observed high-density plasma being transported from the mid-latitude ionosphere or plasmasphere and unlikely a part of the polar wind population.
Rare Earth Elements from an ice core in the Atlantic sector of Antarctica indicate a dust provenance change at the end of the last deglaciation
Authors: Wegner A. , Gabrielli P. , Wilhelms-Dick D. , Ruth U. , Kriews M. , De Deckker P. , Barbante C. , Cozzi G. , Delmonte B. , Fischer H.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. We present a Rare Earth Elements (REE) record at decadal resolution determined in the EPICA ice core drilled in Dronning Maud Land (EDML) in the Atlantic Sector of the East Antarctic Plateau, covering the transition from the last glacial age (LGA) to the early Holocene (26 600–7500 yr BP). Additionally, samples from potential source areas (PSAs) for Antarctic dust were analysed for their REE characteristics. The dust provenance is discussed by comparing the REE fingerprints in the ice core and the PSAs samples. We find a shift in REE composition at 15 200 yr BP in the ice core samples. Before 15 200 yr BP, the dust composition is very uniform and its provenance was likely to be dominated by a South American source. After 15 200 yr BP, multiple sources such as Australia and New Zealand become relatively more important, albeit South America is possibly still an important dust supplier. A similar change in the dust characteristics was observed in the EPICA Dome C ice core at around ~15 000 yr BP. A return to more glacial dust characteristics between ~8300 and ~7500 yr BP, as observed in the EPICA Dome C core, could not be observed in the EDML core. Consequently, the dust provenance at the two sites must have been different at that time.
Downscaling of surface moisture flux and precipitation in the Ebro Valley (Spain) using analogues and analogues followed by random forests and multiple linear regression
Authors: Ibarra-Berastegi G. , Saénz J. , Ezcurra A. , Elías A. , Diaz de Argandoña J. , Errasti I.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. In this paper, reanalysis fields from the ECMWF have been statistically downscaled to predict from large-scale atmospheric fields surface moisture flux and daily precipitation at two observatories (Zaragoza and Tortosa, Ebro Valley, Spain) during the 1961–2001 period. Three types of downscaling models have been built (i) analogues, (ii) analogues followed by random forests and (iii) analogues followed by multiple linear regression. The inputs consist of data (predictor fields) taken from the ERA-40 reanalysis. The predicted fields are precipitation and surface moisture flux as measured at the two observatories. With the aim to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, the ERA-40 fields have been decomposed using empirical orthogonal functions. Available daily data has been divided into two parts: a training period used to find a group of about 300 analogues to build the downscaling model (1961–1996) and a test period (1997–2001), where models' performance has been assessed using independent data. In the case of surface moisture flux, the models based on analogues followed by random forests do not clearly outperform those built on analogues plus multiple linear regression, while simple averages calculated from the nearest analogues found in the training period, yielded only slightly worse results. In the case of precipitation, the three types of model performed equally. These results suggest that most of the models' downscaling capabilities can be attributted to the analogues-calculation stage.
Critical analysis of the electrostatic turbulence enhancements observed by DEMETER over the Sichuan region during the earthquake preparation
Authors: Onishi T. , Berthelier J.-J. , Kamogawa M.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. In this paper, we report initial results from a detailed statistical study of the plasma waves observed by the DEMETER satellite over the Sichuan region during a period of 20 days encompassing the large earthquake of magnitude M =7.9 that occurred on 12 May 2008. The main objective of this paper is to present a statistical method to process and analyze plasma wave data and assist in detecting possible earthquake precursors among larger irregular disturbances arising from the natural variability of the ionized environment of the Earth. This method, presently used for dayside observations, involves two stages. First, VLF wave spectra are processed to recognize the various types of plasma waves usually observed at mid and low latitudes and derive a reduced number of parameters that fully characterize these emissions and may be conveniently used for a detailed statistical study. In a second stage, we perform a statistical analysis of the results by taking into account two "reference zones" displaced respectively 30° eastward and westward from the "epicentre zone". Plasma and wave disturbances possibly induced by earthquakes in preparation are likely to maximize close to the "epicentre zone", while natural disturbances associated, in particular, with the varying magnetic activity are rather uniform over a wider longitude sector, thus enabling the use of observations over the reference zones as a base line. The initial results of this study show a deviation of the power spectrum of electrostatic turbulence in the epicentre zone about 6 days prior to the earthquake but no significant anomalous variations can be observed on other characteristics of plasma waves. From the analysis of the data over the two reference~zones and using recently produced sector magnetic activity indices, we conclude that the enhancement of electrostatic turbulence is associated with magnetospheric processes rather than with pre-seismic activity.
Operative forecast of hydrophysical fields in the Georgian Black Sea coastal zone within the ECOOP
Authors: Kordzadze A. A. , Demetrashvili D. I.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. One of the part of the Black Sea Nowcasting/Forecasting System is the regional forecasting system for the Easternmost part of the Black Sea (including the Georgian water area), which have been developed within the context of the EU International projects ARENA and ECOOP. A core of the regional system is a high-resolution baroclinic regional model of the Black Sea dynamics developed at M. Nodia Institute of Geophysics (RM-IG). This model is nested in the basin-scale model (BSM) of Marine Hydrophysical Institute (MHI, Sevastopol/Ukraine). The regional area is limited to the Caucasian and Turkish coastal lines and the western liquid boundary coinciding with a meridian 39.36° E. Since June 2010 we regularly compute 3 days' forecasts of current, temperature and salinity for the Easternmost part of the Black Sea with 1 km spacing. In this study results of two forecasts are presented. The first forecast corresponds to Summer season and covers the prognostic interval from 00:00 h, 6 August to 00:00 h, 9 August 2010. The second one corresponds to Autumn season and covers the prognostic interval from 00:00 h, 26 October to 00:00 h, 29 October 2010. Data needed for the forecasts – the 3-D initial and prognostic hydrophysical fields, also 2-D prognostic meteorological fields at the sea surface, wind stress, heat fluxes, evaporation and precipitation rates for the our regional area are placing on the MHI server every day and we are available to use these data operatively. Prognostic hydrophysical fields are results of forecast by BSM of MHI and 2-D meteorological boundary fields represent results of forecast by regional atmospheric model ALADIN. All these fields are given on the grid of BSM with 5 km spacing and with one-hour time step frequency for the integration period. The analysis of predicted fields shows that to use the model with high resolution is very important factor for identification of nearshore eddies of small sizes. It should be noted very different character of regional circulation in summer and autumn seasons in the Easternmost part of the Black Sea.
Exploring Academic Entrepreneurship in the Milan Area
Authors: Colapinto Cinzia
Published: February 2011

Academic entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important means by which universities can contribute to the economic development of a country. In Italy, universities have produced more than 700 academic spin-off companies in the last ten years. This paper uses case studies to develop an understanding of the key factors that underpin the spin-off phenomenon in the area around Milan, a region which contains three public universities and has experience of spin-off activity originating from public research dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. The role of technology transfer offices in increasing the capacity for knowledge transfer and commercial exploitation is discussed. The paper also outlines how the involvement of the financial services sector, and venture capital companies and business angels in particular, can be necessary for supporting revenue growth in academic spin-offs.
Leaning and Greening the Supply Chain
Authors: Grantham Katie , Cudney Elizabeth
Published: February 2011

A version of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, passed by the House of Representatives in June 2009, mandates a 17% cut in emissions by 2020 and upwards of an 80% cut by 2050, based on emissions from 2005. This impending legislation is a challenge to companies already trying to survive in an economic downturn. It is critical that the decisions made by the companies with respect to economic survival and environmental awareness are studied by engineering students. Learning from both good and bad corporate decisions will equip tomorrow's workforce better to prevent both economic and environmental disasters. This paper presents a case study of a lean supply chain that illustrates one company's efforts to cut costs while reducing, and thus improving, its impact on the environment.
Health Service Provision through Social Enterprise
Authors: Muñoz Sarah-Anne
Published: February 2011

This paper discusses the role of social enterprise (SE) – the use of business practice to achieve a social goal – in UK health services delivery. Such SE activity has increased in recent years along with the rise in public sector commissioning of health and care services. SE has been identified as an organizational model with the potential to deliver socially and economically sustainable health and social care services. This paper presents evidence from workshops held with SE practitioners and public sector procurement professionals, during which they discussed the current and potential role of SE in health services delivery. The paper reflects on the opportunities for, but also the potential pitfalls of, greater SE involvement in the health and social care sector from the point of view of both SE practitioners and public sector procurement professionals. It demonstrates that SE-type businesses are viewed by both SE practitioners and public sector professionals as suited to working in certain areas of health and social care provision, but as falling short of what is needed in others, particularly in terms of capacity and expertise.
EchoPixel Technologies Inc: A Latin American SME Competing in the Global Market
Authors: Díaz-Pichardo René , Arriaga-Múzquiz Juan
Published: February 2011

Commercializing new technologies implies a process of adding value for different stakeholders in specific industries. This case study offers the opportunity to evaluate potential global markets in the early stages of technological innovation development. The process of commercializing new technologies is seen from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – the subject of the case is an SME that is trying to take a position in the promising and growing market of digital imaging for medical purposes in the USA. After several years of remarkable achievements, the entrepreneur must decide on the next steps in order to finish his product and take it to the market.
Protein‐Directed Solution‐Phase Green Synthesis of BSA‐Conjugated MxSey (M=Ag, Cd, Pb, Cu) Nanomaterials
Authors: Huang Peng , Bao Le , Yang Dapeng , Gao Guo , Lin Jing , Li Zhiming , Zhang Chunlei , Cui Daxiang
Published: February 2011

Bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐conjugated MxSey (M=Ag, Cd, Pb, Cu) nanomaterials with different shapes and sizes were synthesized in water at room temperature by a protein‐directed, solution‐phase, green synthetic method. The method features very low energy consumption and nontoxic reagents with high yields of concentrated nanoparticles. The obtained bioconjugated nanoparticles have good dispersibility, bioactivity, and biocompatibility. In addition, various functional groups of protein on the surface of the nanocrystals are suitable for further biological interactions or couplings, which is very important for further biological applications.
Regulation of the Chiral Twist and Supramolecular Chirality in Co‐Assemblies of Amphiphilic L‐Glutamic Acid with Bipyridines
Authors: Zhu Xuefeng , Duan Pengfei , Zhang Li , Liu Minghua
Published: February 2011

A series of amphiphilic L‐glutamic acid derivatives with various saturated alkyl chains has been designed and their co‐assembly with 4,4′‐bipyridine in aqueous media has been investigated. While the individual amphiphiles formed hydrogels with water and self‐assembled into fine fiber networks, the addition of 4,4′‐bipyridine caused significant changes in the co‐assembled nanostructures such that twisted chiral ribbons were formed. In these supramolecular systems, either fine structural changes or adjustment of the stoichiometric ratio of the two components had crucial effects on the formation of the chiral twists. Based on detailed investigations by SEM and XRD analyses, FTIR, CD, and UV/Vis spectroscopies, and molecular simulation, it is considered that a delicate synergistic balance between π–π stacking, hydrophobic, and chiral interactions is responsible for the formation of the chiral twists. An interesting sandwich structure, in which an excess of 4,4′‐bipyridine is inserted into the space of primary cages constructed from the amphiphile and 4,4′‐bipyridine, is proposed. Remarkably, the handedness of these chiral twists is related not only to the chiral center of the glutamic unit, but also the chain length of the alkyl tails. This work provides a deeper understanding of the formation mechanism of chiral twists, and exemplifies a feasible shortcut to the rational design of chiral structures from basic molecular structures to supramolecular systems.
Ground and Excited State Double Hydrogen Transfer in Symmetric and Asymmetric Potentials: Comparison of 2,7,12,17‐Tetra‐n‐propylporphycene with 9‐Acetoxy‐2,7,12,17‐tetra‐n‐propylporphycene
Authors: Fita Piotr , Garbacz Piotr , Nejbauer Michał , Radzewicz Czesław , Waluk Jacek
Published: February 2011

Analysis of time‐resolved anisotropy of transient absorption enabled determination of room temperature ground and excited state rate constants for intramolecular double hydrogen transfer in two similar porphycenes, one of them with symmetric and the other, with asymmetric character of a double minimum potential for hydrogen motion. The perturbation preserves a quasi‐symmetric minimum in S0, but the rate decreases approximately two times. In S1, the perturbed potential becomes strongly asymmetric, and the downhill hydrogen transfer occurs with a rate higher than that observed for a symmetrical compound.
Studies on fermentation aeration: I. The oxygen transfer coefficient
Authors: Carpani R. E. , Roxburgh J. M.
Published: February 2011

The transfer coefficients for oxygen from air to water and dilute salt solutions and from air to sodium sulphide solutions catalyzed by copper ion have been determined in an unbaffled stirred vessel. Up to the level of agitation at which the vortex broke the surface there is no apparent simple relation between these coefficients. Scale up on the basis of sulphite oxidation rates is therefore likely to be successful only under conditions of similar geometry and Reynold's number. Apparent activation energies of 1.2 and 10.6 kcal./g.mole were obtained for the transfer of oxygen to water and M/20 sodium sulphite solution respectively.
The relationship between the capacity and efficiency of dewaxing filters
Authors: Butler R. M.
Published: February 2011

The throughput, and the sharpness of separation of the oil from the wax, are factors which must be balanced against each other in the design and operation of a lubricating oil dewaxing plant. Changes in this balance can be made by varying such quantities as dilution ratio, speed of filter rotation, quantity of wash applied and wax content of the feed. The relations between these quantities and their effect on the performance of a plant are discussed. The treatment is largely a theoretical one and involves an extension of conventional filtration theory to take account of the quantity of liquid remaining in the filter cake and the rate at which wash can be applied to displace it. The predicted interrelationships between the different variables have been shown by families of curves plotted on coordinates of dewaxed oil output (capacity) and dewaxed oil yield (efficiency). From these diagrams it is possible to predict the effect of changes in the operating conditions on the yield and capacity for a plant.
A heat exchanger design for heavy water reactor service
Authors: Duff A. D. , Wilson E. E.
Published: February 2011

The volume of heavy water required for a power reactor plant using this moderator has an important influence on investment. Likewise, the cost of leakage justifies extraordinary containment measures. A heat exchanger design is described which satisfies these requirements, as well as those imposed by the radiation field in which the equipment must operate.
First order rate processes and axial dispersion in packed bed reactors
Authors: Carberry James J.
Published: February 2011

By employing recently secured data for the axial dispersion of mass flowing through fixed beds, it is shown that for first order isothermal processes conducted in fixed beds of practical aspect ratios (L/Dp), the effect of mixing upon kinetics is insignificant. It follows that in shallow bed systems usually employed in kinetic research efforts, the influence of axial mixing cannot be ignored, particularly in the case of a liquid reactant. The dispersion data and the analyses support the contention of Ergun (14) and the recent treatment of the problem by Epstein (16).
Theoretical analogies between heat, mass and momentum transfer and modifications for fluids of high prandtl or schmidt numbers
Authors: Metzner A. B. , Friend W. L.
Published: February 2011

The presently‐available analogies for turbulent flow inside smooth round tubes are reviewed in detail; an empirical coefficient in the most promising equation is evaluated experimentally using the first heat transfer data of high accuracy obtained in the region of Prandtl numbers above 100. The final correlation is based on both heat and mass transfer data, and covers Prandtl (or Schmidt) numbers from 0.46 to 3,000. Up to Prandtl or Schmidt numbers of 600 the results are correlated with a standard deviation of 9.4%.
Mass transfer in a bubble column
Authors: Johnson A. I. , Bowman C. W.
Published: February 2011

The effects of gas and liquid flow rates and of seal height on the absorption of carbon dioxide in water have been studied. The gas bubbles were formed from 1/16 in. orifices, with both single and multiple hole arrangements.

Bubble frequencies were measured using a high speed motion picture camera and are reported graphically as a function of gas flow rate. At high flow rates, considerable breaking up of the bubbles was observed.

Because of the difficulty of estimating interfacial areas, the transfer data were reported using the product of the transfer coefficient and the interfacial area, KLa. For single orifices KLa was found to vary directly with the gas rate, was only slightly dependent on liquid rate and was almost independent of seal height after due allowance for end effects. With multiple hole plates having 5/8 in. spacing, there was no appreciable change in the transfer rate per hole until the hole density exceeded 1.5 per square inch, after which the rate decreased slightly.

End effect contributions to transfer are also reported.
Horizontal pipeline flow of mixtures of oil and water
Authors: Russell T. W. F. , Hodgson G. W. , Govier G. W.
Published: February 2011

The flow characteristics of the two‐phase system —white mineral oil and water—were examined in a horizontal, smooth, one‐inch pipe. Flow conditions were investigated over a range of input oil‐water volume ratios from 0.1 to 10 at thirteen superficial water velocities ranging from 0.116 ft./sec. to 3.55 ft./sec. A theoretical analysis of the laminar flow of two immiscible liquids between wide parallel plates yielded a modified parallel plate friction factor based on the water properties and the superficial water velocity. It was evaluated for a number of input oil‐water volume ratios and plotted against the superficial water velocity. The experimental pressure drop data that were obtained were correlated using a modified Fanning friction factor which was evaluated for the range of input ratios studied and correlated with the superfical water velocity. A flow pattern correlation was obtained for visually observed types of flow—bubble, stratified and mixed—and it was shown that these patterns occurred in laminar, transitional or turbulent conditions of flow. The theoretical analysis for flow between wide parallel plates was adapted to obtain hold‐up relationships, and a plot of the hold‐up ratio HR (the input divided by the in situ oil‐water volume ratio) versus the input oil‐water ratio was constructed. This plot indicated that in the laminar region of flow the hold‐up was not dependent on the superficial water velocity but was only a function of liquid viscosity and input ratio. Experimental results for flow in the pipe conformed with this prediction while indicating that in the turbulent region superficial water velocity was also a factor.
Mixing efficiency determinations for continuous flow systems
Authors: Cholette A. , Cloutier Leonce
Published: February 2011

Models are defined for various mixing conditions, in continuous flow systems. Differential equations are derived which take into account an effective volume of mixing, possible short‐circuiting, hold‐up time of the system, partial displacement or piston flow.

The values of the different factors contained in the integrated equations can he determined experimentally by the particular response of a given system to a sudden change in composition of the feed.

A correlation of the effective volume of mixing and the agitator r.p.m. is presented.

A design procedure is suggested for tank flow reactors when partial mixing occurs.
Fundamental aspects of solids‐gas flow: Part II. The sphere wake in steady laminar fluids
Authors: Torobin L. B. , Gauvin W.
Published: February 2011

A review is made of the experimental evidence and theoretical considerations evolving from studies of the wake formed by an aerodynamically‐smooth sphere moving in steady rectilinear motion through a turbulence‐free stream. The roles of complex fluid dynamic phenomena which include boundary layer separation, vorticity transfer and those characterized by the Strouhal Number, as well as less evident fine scale processes are presented, with reference being made to pertinent two‐dimensional cylinder studies.
Development of design criteria for biological treatment of an industrial effluent containing 2,4‐d waste water
Authors: Mills R. E.
Published: February 2011

The development of design criteria for a waste water treatment plant is described. Operating results for a laboratory activated sludge unit, a Dowpac trickling filter pilot plant, and an aero‐accelator activated sludge pilot plant are given. Studies with the aero‐accelator pilot unit indicated that by observing certain critical nutrient and dilution requirements the industrial effluent, containing toxic 2,4‐D waste water, could be satisfactorily treated by bio‐oxidation. A phenol removal of 99% and a biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) removal of 90% to 95% was obtained. In the full scale treatment plant, the estimated cost of operation was calculated at $0.50 per pound of phenol removed, and $0.08 per pound of B.O.D. removed.
Heat transfer in water spouted beds
Authors: Ghosh B. , Osberg G. L.
Published: February 2011

Heat transfer from a column wall to water spouted sand beds was studied in a 9 in. diam. steel column. The heat transfer rate to water flowing through a spouted bed was lower than when the column was empty. The presence of a bed suppressed convection currents, causing a large temperature gradient from the wall to the centre of the bed, and consequently a lowered heat transfer rate. At the same water flow rate, the spouted bed gave a lower rate than a fixed bed, because a large fraction of the water bypassed the wall region and flowed up the spout.
Liquid‐liquid extraction with association effects
Authors: Raal J. D. , Johnson A. I.
Published: February 2011

A special case of liquid‐liquid extraction as been considered where the solute on absorption reacts to form a dimer through a rapid second order reversible reaction with the solvent.

If dimer and monomer have different diffusivities (in the same solvent) the rate of absorption becomes dependent on the ratio of these diffusivities and the isotherm governing the “association” reaction.

The non linear differential equation governing the absorption was solved numerically with the aid of a digital computer for the case of resistance in one phase only.

Correlations based on these solutions were then used in formulating a rate equation. Methods were suggested for the determination of the quantities occurring in the “driving force” of the predicted rate equation.
A simplified method for determination of solid diffusion coefficient with non‐linear adsorption isotherm
Authors: Tien Chi
Published: February 2011

A simplified method is proposed which enables the determination of solid diffusion coefficient for systems with non‐linear adsorption isotherm. The method involves the approximation of the concentration history of the liquid phase with polynominal functions and consequently the match of the experimental results and calculated values. Experimental work has given rather satisfactory results.