bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum S100B in elderly patients with and without delirium
Authors: van Munster Barbara C. , Korevaar Johanna C. , Korse Catharina M. , Bonfrer Johannes M. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , de Rooij Sophia E.
Published: July 2009

Objective

Elevation of S100B has been shown after various neurologic diseases with cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to compare the serum level of S100B of patients with and without delirium and investigate the possible associations with different subtypes of delirium.

Methods

Acutely admitted medical patients aged 65 years or more were included from 2005 through 2008. Delirium was diagnosed by Confusion Assessment Method, delirium subtype by Delirium Symptom Interview and preexistent global cognitive function by the ‘Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline‐short form’. S100B levels were determined in serum by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

Results

Samples of 412 patients were included, 91 during delirium, 35 after delirium and 286 of patients without delirium. Patients with delirium (31%) were significantly older, 81.5 versus 76.6 years (p < 0.001) and experienced significantly more often preexistent cognitive and functional impairment (p < 0.001). S100B level differed significantly (p = 0.004) between the three groups: median 0.07 μg/L (inter‐quartile ranges: 0.05–0.14 μg/L) during delirium, 0.12 μg/L (0.05–0.29 μg/L) after delirium and 0.06 μg/L (0.03–0.10 μg/L) in patients without delirium. Combining the impact of cognitive impairment, infection and age on S100B, highest S100B was observed in the oldest patients after delirium with preexistent cognitive impaired and infection. Delirium subtype and S100B level were not significantly correlated.

Conclusion

Higher S100B levels were found in patients with delirium than in patients without delirium, with highest levels of S100B in samples taken after delirium. Future studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the increase of S100B and the possible association with long term cognitive impairment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
fMRI activation in late‐life anxious depression: a potential biomarker
Authors: Andreescu Carmen , Butters Meryl , Lenze Eric J. , Venkatraman Vijay K. , Nable Megan , Reynolds Charles F. , Aizenstein Howard J.
Published: July 2009

Objective and Methods

The neurobiology of late‐life anxious depression (LLAD) is poorly characterized despite evidence that this is a common and severe subtype of late‐life depression. To identify the neuroanatomical substrate of LLAD, we examined event‐related fMRI data collected in eight subjects with late‐life depression, half of whom had high levels of comorbid anxiety. Subjects were trained on the Preparing to Overcome Prepotency (POP) task, which is an executive control task that reliably activates the lateral prefrontal cortex–anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) cognitive control circuit.

Results

Time series analysis showed that, when compared with elderly depressed subjects, elderly subjects with anxious depression performing the POP task produced a significantly greater and more sustained signal in three regions: BA24 (dorsal anterior cingulate), BA31 (posterior cingulate), and BA6 (prefrontal cortex). While elderly subjects with pure depression presented a bimodal activation curve in the dorsal anterior cingulate and the posterior cingulate, elderly subjects with anxious depression presented a sustained unimodal activation pattern.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results suggest specific activation patterns unique to anxious depression that may suggest greater and more sustained efforts of the ACC to carry out cognitive control tasks. Further research is needed to clarify the neuroanatomical basis of LLAD. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cognitive change checklist (3CL): cross‐validation of a measure of change in everyday cognition
Authors: Schinka John A. , Raj Ashok , Loewenstein David A. , Small Brent J. , Duara2 Ranjan , Potter Huntington
Published: July 2009

Objective

The recently developed cognitive change checklist (3CL) is comprised of four scales titled memory, executive, language, and remote recall. A previous study demonstrated that the checklist met criteria for reliability and validity in characterizing cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia in a memory disorder clinic sample. In this study we examined further the reliability, validity, and efficacy of the 3CL in distinguishing among groups of normal individuals, those with cognitive complaints, amnestic and non‐amnestic MCI cases, and early‐stage demented individuals.

Design

Scale validation study.

Setting

Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Participants

One hundred and twenty‐five individuals who completed extensive evaluations as part of a longitudinal study of cognitive change.

Results

Scale reliabilities were found to be well within guidelines to support their use in the clinical assessment of change in global and specific cognitive domains. The factor structure of the 3CL was found to be highly similar to that originally reported. Validation support was obtained from correlational analyses that showed significant scale relationships with neurocognitive measures and with MRI ratings of medial temporal atrophy. Informant 3CL scales were found to discriminate individuals with cognitive complaints but without clinical findings from those individuals with amnestic MCI or early dementia.

Conclusion

Results extend the foundation of support for the use of the 3CL as a measure to facilitate identification of cases of MCI and early AD. Further examination of the diagnostic utility of the scale, and of its value in combination with cognitive screening measures, will also be required. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immature myeloid cells induced by a high-fat diet contribute to liver inflammation #
Authors: Deng Zhong-bin , Liu Yuelong , Liu Cunren , Xiang Xiaoyu , Wang Jianhua , Cheng Ziqiang , Shah Spandan V. , Zhang Shuangyin , Zhang Liming , Zhuang Xiaoying , Michalek Sue , Grizzle William E. , Zhang Huang-Ge
Published: July 2009

Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in promoting obesity-related disorders, such as fatty liver disease. The inflammatory cells that mediate these effects remain unknown. This study investigated the accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the liver and their role in liver inflammation. We found that the accumulation of immature myeloid cells, i.e., CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells, in the liver of B6 mice fed a high-fat diet contribute to liver inflammation. Adoptive transfer of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells isolated from the liver of obese B6 mice, but not from lean B6 mice, resulted in liver damage that was evident by an increase in the activity of liver transferases in serum. CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells isolated from the liver of obese mice are more easily activated by way of Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation resulting in interleukin 12 and other inflammatory cytokine expression in an MyD88-dependent fashion. TLR7-activated CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− cells also enhance liver natural killer T cell (NKT) death in an Fas-dependent manner. Experiments using mice depleted of Gr-1+ immature myeloid cells demonstrated the important role of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G− in liver inflammation. Repeated injection of exosome-like particles causes CD11b+ cell activation and subsequent homing to and accumulation of the cells in the liver. Conclusion: Consumption of a high-fat diet by B6 mice triggers an accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the liver. The immature myeloid cells release proinflammatory cytokines and induce NKT cell apoptosis. Activation-induced NKT apoptosis further promotes excessive production of Th-1 cytokines. This diet-induced accumulation of immature myeloid cells may contribute to obesity-related liver disease. (Hepatology 2009.)
Hydrometeorological controls and erosive response of an extreme alpine debris flow
Authors: Marchi Lorenzo , Cavalli Marco , Sangati Marco , Borga Marco
Published: July 2009

On 29 August, 2003, an intense convective storm system affected the Fella River basin, in the eastern Italian Alps, producing rainfall peaks of approximately 390 mm in 12 h. The storm triggered an unusually large debris flow in the ungauged Rio Cucco basin (0·65 km2), with a volume of approximately 78 000 m3. The analysis of the time evolution of the rainstorm over the basin has been based on rainfall estimates from radar observations and data recorded by a raingauge network. Detailed geomorphological field surveys, carried out both before and after the flood of August 2003, and the application of a distributed hydrological model have enabled assessment of flood response, estimation of erosion volumes and sediment supply to the channel network. The accounts of two eyewitnesses have provided useful elements for reconstructing the time evolution and the flow processes involved in the event. Liquid peak discharge estimates cluster around 20 m3 s−1 km−2, placing this event on the flood envelope curve for the eastern Italian Alps. The hydrological analysis has shown that the major controls of the flood response were the exceptional cumulated rainfall amount, required to exceed the large initial losses, and the large rainfall intensities at hourly temporal scales, required to generate high flood response at the considered basin scale. Observations on the deposits accumulated on the alluvial fan indicate that, although the dominant flow process was a debris flow, sheetflood also contributed to fan aggradation and fluvial reworking had an important role in winnowing debris‐flow lobes and redistributing sediment on the fan surface. This points out to the large discharge values during the recession phase of the flood, implying an important role for subsurface flow on runoff generation of this extreme flash flood event. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis of SWAT model in upper reaches of the Heihe river basin
Authors: Li Zhanling , Xu Zongxue , Shao Quanxi , Yang Jing
Published: July 2009

Heihe river basin, the second largest inland river basin in China, has attracted more attention in China due to the ever increasing water resources and eco‐environmental problems. In this article, SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool; http://www.brc.tamus.edu/swat/) model was applied to upper reaches of the basin for better understanding of the hydrological process over the watershed. Parameter uncertainty and its contribution on model simulation are the main foci. In model calibration, the aggregate parameters instead of the original parameters in SWAT model were used to reduce the computing effort. The Bayesian approach was employed for parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis because its posterior distribution provides not only parameter estimation but also uncertainty analysis without normality assumption. The results indicated that: (1) SWAT model performs satisfactorily in this watershed as a whole, although some low and high flows were under‐ or overestimated, particularly in dry (e.g. 1991) and wet (e.g. 1996) years; (2) all calibrated parameters were not normally distributed (essentially positively or negatively skewed) and the parameter uncertainties were relatively small; and (3) the contributions of parameter uncertainty on model simulation uncertainty were relatively small. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated dual disorders treatment
Authors: Tsai Jack , Salyers Michelle P. , Rollins Angela L. , McKasson Mike , Litmer Melissa L.
Published: July 2009

Mental health programs are increasingly combining evidence‐based practices to provide comprehensive services. Individuals with complex services needs, such as those dually diagnosed with mental illness and substance use disorders, are at high risk for numerous negative outcomes and may benefit from such comprehensive programs. This report describes the process and outcomes of a program that formally integrated assertive community treatment, supported housing, and integrated dual disorders treatment for a sample of clients with dual diagnoses. Over a 2‐year period, this pilot program targeted 14 clients with 12 clients successfully transitioned out of a state hospital into the community. Results showed large reductions in hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration, and increases in employment and later stages of treatment for substance abuse. This study demonstrates the potential of such an integrated program and points to areas for further research in housing services. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of immigrants on the sense of community
Authors: Hombrados‐Mendieta Isabel , Gomez‐Jacinto Luis , Dominguez‐Fuentes Juan Manuel
Published: July 2009

This study investigated the sense of community among residents in the Spanish city of Malaga and the relationship between the components of the sense of community and the quality of life. Given that the phenomenon of immigration is a fact of city life, the authors examine how such coexistence could affect the sense of community and the quality of life as perceived by the residents in different city neighborhoods. The study was conducted in an urban context; 1,600 residents were included in the sample. The sense of community is measured using six dimensions: connection, belonging, support, safety, empowerment, and participation.

The results indicate that there are significant differences between most of the components of the sense of community. These results also prove that the increase of the sense of community and quality of life in the residents living with immigrants in the same block of apartments is related to an increase in the contact with immigrants. Implications of the study are described and directions for future research discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Empowerment and peer support: structure and process of self‐help in a consumer‐run center for individuals with mental illness
Authors: Schutt Russell K. , Rogers E. Sally
Published: July 2009

Personal empowerment is a guiding philosophy of many mental health service programs, but there has been little empirical research on the empowerment process in these programs. The authors examine social processes and consumer orientations within a self‐help drop‐in center for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, using intensive interviews and focus groups. They investigate motives for consumer involvement, bases for program retention, and processes of participant change. Motives for involvement in the center were primarily instrumental, whereas the bases of retention were more often maintaining social support and developing self‐esteem. Participants valued the center's nonstigmatizing environment and its supportive consumer staff. Some used the opportunity to become a staff member to move into a more normalized social role; all seemed to derive benefits from helping peers. There were indications of some staff members adopting a more authoritarian posture, but participants repeatedly lauded most staff for their supportive orientation. The authors conclude that the “helper/therapy” process was a key to successful empowerment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychometric properties of the volunteer functions inventory with Chinese students
Authors: Wu Joseph , Wing Lo T. , Liu Elaine S.C.
Published: July 2009

The authors report an evaluation of the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Volunteer Functions Inventory on a sample of university student volunteers. Reliabilities were high for four out of the six scales of the Inventory (Values, Career, Social, and Understanding) in terms of internal consistency. Items in these four scales also yielded a clean structure in an exploratory factor analysis. Making new friends was found to be a motive, which was separate from sustaining friendships and separate from other motives captured by the Inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the superiority of a 6‐factor model over other measurement models such as unitary, bipartite, and second‐order factor models. Implications for the measurement of motives in volunteerism in general and refinement of the Inventory in particular, are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Monkeys, babies, idiots” and “primitives”: Nature–nurture debates and philanthropic foundation support for American anthropology in the 1920s and 1930s
Authors: Biehn Kersten Jacobson
Published: July 2009

There has been a long discussion among historians about the impact that foundation policies had on the development of the social sciences during the interwar era. This discussion has centered on the degree to which foundation officers, particularly from the Rockefeller boards, exercised a hegemonic influence on research. In this essay, I argue that the field of American cultural anthropology has been neglected and must be reconsidered as a window into foundation intervention in nature–nurture debates. Despite foundation efforts to craft an anthropology policy that privileged hereditarian explanations, I contend that cultural anthropologists were committed to proving the primacy of “nurture,” even when that commitment cost them valuable research dollars. It was this commitment that provided an essential bulwark for the discipline. Ironically, it was the need to negotiate with foundations about the purpose of their research that helped cultural anthropologists to articulate their unique, and thus intrinsically valuable, approach to nature–nurture debates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organizing intelligence: Development of behavioral science and the research based model of business education
Authors: Bottom William P.
Published: July 2009

Conventional history of the predominant, research‐based model of business education (RBM) traces its origins to programs initiated by the Ford Foundation after World War II. This paper maps the elite network responsible for developing behavioral science and the Ford Foundation agenda. Archival records of the actions taken by central nodes in the network permit identification of the original vision statement for the model. Analysis also permits tracking progress toward realizing that vision over several decades. Behavioral science was married to business education from the earliest stages of development. The RBM was a fundamental promise made by advocates for social science funding. Appraisals of the model and recommendations for reform must address its full history, not the partial, distorted view that is the conventional account. Implications of this more complete history for business education and for behavioral theory are considered. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1‐Alkyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones by a tandem Michael‐SNAr annulation reaction
Authors: Bunce Richard A. , Nago Takahiro
Published: July 2009

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A tandem Michael‐SNAr annulation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 1‐alkyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones. Success in the reaction followed expected electronic effects for the final SNAr ring closure. Treatment of doubly activated 1‐(2‐fluoro‐5‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐propen‐1‐one with primary amines in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 50°C for 24 h provided 2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones in 67–78% yields. Singly activated 1‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐propen‐1‐one reacted similarly, but failed to undergo the final ring closure with hindered or aromatic amines. Finally, 1‐(2‐fluoro‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐propen‐1‐one, with one activating and one deactivating group on the ring, gave only simple 1,4‐addition products. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Empowering the ‘socially excluded’ in rural local governments: An exploratory study from a State in India
Authors: Bonu Sekhar , Rani Manju , Peters David H. , Baker Timothy D.
Published: July 2009

The study investigates the effects of mandatory political representation of women and non‐forward castes in India (73rd Constitutional Amendment) on development preferences and social equity. We used systematic content analysis of proceedings from meetings of 155 rural village assemblies. The study revealed overemphasis on physical infrastructure, relative neglect of health and education, influence of state government directives and marginalization of gender issues. However, there was higher likelihood of articulation of non forward caste‐related issues by non‐forward caste chairpersons. A paradigm shift in the development perspective of local governments, stressing investments in leadership development is needed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of wide‐pore monolithic silica column in protein separation
Authors: Morisaka Hironobu , Kobayashi Kengo , Kirino Aya , Furuno Masahiro , Minakuchi Hiroyoshi , Nakanishi Kazuki , Ueda Mitsuyoshi
Published: July 2009

A monolithic wide‐pore silica column was newly prepared for protein separation. The wide distribution of the pore sizes of monolithic columns was evaluated by mercury porosimetry. This column, as well as the conventional monolithic column, shows high permeability in the chromatographic separation of low‐molecular‐sized substances. In higher‐molecular‐sized protein separation, the wide‐pore monolithic silica column shows better performance than that of the conventional monolithic column. Under optimized conditions, five different proteins – ribonuclease A, albumin, aldolase, catalase, and ferritin – were baseline‐separated within 3 min, which is faster than that using the particle‐packed columns. In addition, the monolithic wide‐pore silica column could also be prepared in fused silica capillary (600 mm long, 0.2 mm i.d.) for highly efficient protein separation. The peak capacity of the wide‐pore monolithic silica capillary column is estimated to be approximately 300 in the case of protein separation, which is a characteristic performance.
Fast analysis of prominent flavonoids in tomato using a monolithic column and isocratic HPLC
Authors: Biesaga Magdalena , Ochnik Urszula , Pyrzynska Krystyna
Published: July 2009

RP HPLC–UV–MS was optimized for simultaneous determination of several prominent flavonoids (quercetin, naringenin, naringin, myricetin, rutin and kaempferol) using a commercially available monolithic column and isocratic elution. The concentration of organic modifier (methanol and ACN) was tested in order to obtain the best resolution. The LODs for a UV detector at 254 nm were comprised between 0.1 μg/mL for myricetin and quercetin and 0.5 μg/mL for rutin, naringin and kaempferol with the precision in the range of 1.5–3.0% RSD. MS detection with multiply reaction monitoring (MRM) offers a considerable gain in selectivity as well as sensitivity LODs for flavonoids were in the range of 1–20 ng/mL. The developed method was used for monitoring the content of some flavonoids in tomatoes during their maturation process.
Characterization of monolithic capillary columns using inverse gas chromatography
Authors: Kanatyeva Anastasiya , Korolev Alexander , Shiryaeva Valeria , Popova Tamara , Kurganov Alexander
Published: July 2009

Polymeric monoliths of different polymeric natures and different degrees of cross‐linking were prepared in capillaries of inner diameter 100 μm. The properties of the monoliths prepared were investigated by means of inverse gas chromatography. Solubility coefficient S, Flory–Huggins parameter χ12∞, and reduced Flory–Huggins parameter χ12∞′ were evaluated. The solubility parameter S of all samples depends on the degree of cross‐linking of the monoliths, which is characterized by the reduced Flory–Huggins parameter χ12∞′. A linear dependence of the logarithm of the solubility parameter S on the solute critical temperature was also demonstrated, as it is well known for non‐cross linked polymers. The diffusivity of low molecular mass solutes in monoliths was evaluated by calculation of the ratio D/d2f. and a maximum was detected for the dependence of the ratio D/d2f on the degree of cross‐linking of monoliths. Correlation of the measured monolith properties with the separation performance of capillary columns was carried out and revealed that the best performance in GC is provided by monolithic columns prepared from purely bifunctional monomer, i. e. having 100% cross‐linking.
Design and optimization of porous polymer enzymatic digestors for proteomics
Authors: Lin Wei , Skinner Cameron D.
Published: July 2009

Effective protein characterization and identification are demanding and time‐consuming operations in proteomics because of long‐protein purification/separation procedures, and even longer enzymatic digestions. In this work, polymer‐based monolithic enzyme reactors were fabricated in fused‐silica capillaries, and performance was characterized through protein digestion and identification by MALDI‐MS and ESI‐MS. Reactors were prepared by fabricating a porous methacrylate base monolith followed by photografting with glycidyl methacrylate, and immobilization of the enzyme(s) with carbonyldiimidazole. Trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V‐8 protease (Glu‐C) were used to produce three types of reactors: trypsin‐based, Glu‐C‐based, and trypsin combined with Glu‐C. Protein digestions, performed by perfusing protein solutions through the reactor under pressure, were evaluated based on the peptide map generated when directly coupled to an ESI mass spectrometer. Excellent digestion was observed over flow rates from 0.2 to 1 μL/min, which corresponds to reactor residence times of 0.24–1.4 min. As a proof of principle, chromatographic separation of model proteins followed by the digestion of specific fractions using these proteolytic enzyme reactors and ESI‐MS is demonstrated.
Desipramine inhibits the growth of a mouse skin squamous cell carcinoma cell line and affects glucocorticoid receptor‐mediated transcription
Authors: Kinjo Tatsuya , Kowalczyk Piotr , Kowalczyk Magdalena , Walaszek Zbigniew , Nishimaki Tadashi , Slaga Thomas J. , Hanausek Margaret
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of tricyclic antidepressant desipramine (DMI) on the growth inhibition and translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in cancerous and noncancerous cell lines and the effect of DMI on GR‐mediated transcription. Nontumorigenic, immortalized keratinocytes cell line (3PC), papilloma (MT1/2), and squamous cell carcinoma (Ca3/7) cell lines were initially used to study the cell growth inhibition by DMI. Although, the growth of all three cell lines was suppressed by DMI, it was more effective in Ca3/7 cells. Therefore, we next examined the effect of DMI on Ca3/7 cells, resistant to growth inhibition by the synthetic glucocorticoid fluocinolone acetonide (FA). DMI inhibited cell proliferation in a time‐dependent manner. The translocation of GR was induced by FA alone, DMI alone, and combination of both agents. FA induced GR‐mediated transcription in Ca3/7 cells transfected with a luciferase reporter gene under the control of glucocorticoid response element (GRE), but DMI alone did not affect GR‐mediated transcription. However, DMI inhibited FA‐induced, GR‐mediated transcription when both agents were given together. Pretreatment with DMI followed by combination of DMI and FA decreased GR‐mediated transcription more than pretreatment with FA. The expression of metallothionein‐1 (Mt‐1) gene, which is regulated by GR, was induced significantly by the combination of DMI and FA, and enhanced significantly by pretreatment with FA but not DMI. DMI is suggested to inhibit the growth of Ca3/7 cells and to affect GR‐mediated transcription. Mol. Carcinog. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating wind fields from a diagnostic model over complex terrain in the Phoenix region and implications to dispersion calculations for regional emergency response
Authors: Wang Weiguo , Shaw William J.
Published: July 2009

This paper compares the wind field from a diagnostic model (CALMET) over complex terrain in the Phoenix region in the USA with observations that are gridded by a state‐of‐the‐art Four‐Dimensional Data Assimilation (FDDA) system. The wind difference between the CALMET and FDDA wind fields is larger at night than in the day. The magnitude of the wind difference can be smaller than 5% of the mean wind speed at low levels in areas with dense observational stations, while it can be larger than 80% in areas without observational stations or at high altitudes. The vector‐mean wind direction difference over the domain is 15° on the surface level and 25° between 10 and 1500 m. To evaluate the effects of the wind difference on dispersion calculations, dispersion of a hypothetical passive tracer released from surface point sources is simulated by the second‐order closure integrated puff (SCIPUFF) model driven by the CALMET and FDDA wind fields, respectively. Differences in the two simulated tracer concentration fields increase with time due to accumulation of effects of the wind differences both near the surface and at higher altitudes. Even for release in the area with the densest distribution of surface stations, the relative difference in the peak surface concentration from CALMET‐SCIPUFF and from FDDA‐SCIPUFF is less than 10% only within 0.5 h after the release in the afternoon, and increases to 70% at 1.5 h; this is because of large differences in wind above the surface. For release in the area with few stations, the difference can be larger than 100% or even larger after 1.5 h from the release. To improve dispersion simulations driven by the CALMET wind in the region, observations at upper‐air stations are needed and the current surface observation network needs to be reorganized or more stations are needed to account for the influence of terrain. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Homotopy perturbation method for homogeneous Smoluchowsk's equation
Authors: Biazar Jafar , Ayati Zainab , Yaghouti Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2009

In this work, homotopy perturbation method (HPM) has been used to solve homogeneous Smoluchowsk's equation. The results will be compared with Adomian decomposition method (ADM). It is shown that the results of the HPM are the same as those obtained by ADM. To illustrate the reliability of the method, some special cases of the equation have been solved as examples. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Interpreting diachronic osteological variation at the medieval necropolis of the Sant Pere Churches (Terrassa, Spain)
Authors: Jordana X. , Isidro A. , Malgosa A.
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyse the diachronic variation in the skeletal sample exhumed from the medieval necropolis of Sant Pere Churches, interpreting the results using the archaeological and historical evidence. The Sant Pere Churches are a monumental Romanic complex located in Terrassa (Spain) and built over the earlier Episcopal Cathedral of Egara from the Visigoth period. Egara has traditionally been considered the precursor of the current city of Terrassa; however this name disappeared from historical documentary sources after the period of Muslim incursions into Hispania (8th century). An archaeological excavation undertaken recently at the Sant Pere Churches provided us with the opportunity to study the population that was interred in this complex during that epoch. In total, the skeletal remains of 208 individuals were examined. In order to analyse the diachronic variation, the sample was divided into two periods, that of the Cathedral of Egara (4th–8th centuries;N = 128) and that of the Parish Churches of Terrassa (9th–13th centuries;N = 80). Both periods of the complex exhibited a similar skeletal age distribution, including under‐representation of non‐adult individuals. Nevertheless, a bias towards males in terms of sex distribution, sex differences in the mortality level and greater sexual dimorphism were observed in the population interred at the Cathedral of Egara. Moreover, analysis of the prevalence of skeletal disorders also provided evidence of higher differences between sexes for the period of the Episcopal Cathedral of Egara, the female population exhibiting the lower prevalence. Additionally, diachronic variation in both postcranial and dental disease patterns was observed, suggesting different activity patterns and food consumption between the periods. Overall, the results suggested that diachronic osteological variation observed in the Sant Pere Churches skeletal sample was most probably linked with the changes in the role of the complex following the Muslim incursion of the 8th century. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composites of carbon nanofibers and thermoplastic polyurethanes with shape‐memory properties prepared by chaotic mixing
Authors: Jimenez Guillermo A. , Jana Sadhan C.
Published: July 2009

Composites of carbon nanofibers (CNFs), oxidized carbon nanofibers (ox‐CNFs), and shape‐memory thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were prepared in a chaotic mixer and their shape‐memory properties evaluated. The polymer was synthesized from 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,4‐butanediol chain extender, and semicrystalline poly(ε‐caprolactone) diol soft segments. The shape‐memory action was triggered by both conductive and resistive heating. It was found that soft segment crystallinity and mechanical reinforcement by nanofibers produced competing effects on shape‐memory properties. A large reduction in soft segment crystallinity in the presence of CNF and stronger mechanical reinforcement by well‐dispersed ox‐CNF determined the shape‐memory properties of the respective composites. It was found that the maximum shape recovery force, respectively, 3 and 4 MPa, was obtained in the cases of 5 and 1 wt% CNF and ox‐CNF, respectively, compared with ∼1.8 MPa for unfilled TPU. The degree of soft segment and hard segment phase separation and thermal stability of the composites were analyzed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
A real‐time process optimization system for injection molding
Authors: Li Dequn , Zhou Huamin , Zhao Peng , Li Yang
Published: July 2009

The proposed real‐time intelligent model for the injection molding process control consists of the initial parameters setting and online defects correction. First, preliminary optimization based on a simplified simulation model is used for the initial setting. This simplified model adopts a geometric approximation of the original part by a rectangular edge‐gated plate. Then, the molding trial will be run on the molding machine by using the initial process parameters. And a fuzzy inference model based on expert knowledge is developed for correcting defects during the molding trial. This defects correction procedure will be repeated until the part quality is found satisfactory. A corresponding intelligent system has been developed that is integrated with the injection machine by communicating with the controller. The system can be used to optimize process parameters real time. Experimental studies have been carried out for verification. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Effect of carbon black on electrical property of graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy resin composites
Authors: Fan Zhuangjun , Zheng Chao , Wei Tong , Zhang Yicheng , Luo Guilian
Published: July 2009

Epoxy/graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)/carbon black (CB) composites were prepared by liquid mixing method. The morphologies and microstructures of the composites were examined by scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicated that CB can improve effectively the dispersion of GNPs and form excellent conductive network in the matrix. When the weight ratio of GNPs to CB was 9:1 (total filler content was 1 wt%), the conductivity of the composite was three orders of magnitude higher than that of composites with GNPs alone (1 wt%). The percolation threshold of GNPs0.9CB0.1/epoxy resin composites was 0.5 wt. %, which was lower than that of composites with GNPs alone (1 wt%). The mechanism for the effect of CB on electrical property of GNPs/epoxy resin composites was also investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Reinforcing and toughening on poly(ether imide) by a novel thermo tropic liquid crystalline poly(ester‐imide‐ketone) with low content
Authors: Xu Bing , Zhang Yi , Liu Siwei , Chi Zhenguo , Peng Xiangfang , Lin Yongqiang , Xu Jiarui
Published: July 2009

Reinforcing and toughening effects on the thermoplastic poly(ether imide) (PEI) by a novel thermo tropic liquid crystalline poly(ester‐imide‐ketone) (TLCPEIK) with low content were studied in this work. The novel TLCPEIK with kink naphthalene structure in the backbone was synthesized in our laboratory. A series of in‐situ composites (TLCPEIK/PEI) with a low concentration of TLCPEIK(≤5 wt%) were prepared by direct extrusion. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the composites increased with increasing TLCPEIK content. Impact strength and elongation at break of the composites were enhanced greatly when compared with that of pure PEI. To explain the simultaneously reinforcing and toughening effects on PEI by TLCPEIK, miscibility and morphology of the composites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results suggest that good compatibility of the components is beneficial to improve the ultimate properties of TLCPEIK/PEI in‐situ composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
A novel miniature mixing device for polymeric blends and nanocomposites
Authors: Sentmanat Martin , Stamboulides Christos , Hatzikiriakos Savvas G.
Published: July 2009

A new miniature mixer has been developed to monitor and optimize the preparation protocol of various polymeric compounds and blend systems. The effect of mixing time and other basic processing parameters on the shear and extensional rheological properties of said compounds and blends is examined to understand the effect of undermixed and/or overmixed conditions on the rheological properties and thus the quality of the final products. Results from the new miniature mixer are compared with the results from other conventional mixing techniques to assess the scalability of the new mixing protocol. Two examples are used, those of polymer blending and nanocomposite formation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Monitoring epoxy and unsaturated polyester reactions under pressure—Reaction rates and mechanical properties
Authors: Cruz Javier C. , Osswald Tim A.
Published: July 2009

The effects of pressure on reaction rates and final mechanical properties were studied for an unsaturated polyester (UP) and epoxy resin. A pressure chamber where reactions can be monitored by use of Raman spectroscopy has been built for these purposes. The chamber allows for pressures up to 13.8 MPa at 200°C. An advanced temperature control system has been adapted to the vessel to precisely control and monitor sample temperature variations and overshoots. It is described how for an accelerated UP reaction increasing pressure will result in a competing effect on the reaction rate where the rate will initially lower, but with increased pressures it may accelerate due to acceleration of the reaction rate constants. The final mechanical properties exhibit a similar behavior slightly increasing with pressure but lowering as pressure is raised further. For epoxy, it was shown that the reaction kinetics were accelerated by pressure although no mechanical property differences could be noted for the pressure ranges tested. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Graduate students' administration and scoring errors on the Woodcock‐Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Ramos Erica , Alfonso Vincent C. , Schermerhorn Susan M.
Published: July 2009

The interpretation of cognitive test scores often leads to decisions concerning the diagnosis, educational placement, and types of interventions used for children. Therefore, it is important that practitioners administer and score cognitive tests without error. This study assesses the frequency and types of examiner errors that occur during the administration and scoring of the Woodcock‐Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III COG). Data from 36 graduate students across 108 test records revealed a total of 500 errors across all records. Further analyses indicated three frequently occurring errors, including the use of incorrect ceilings, failure to record errors, and failure to encircle the correct row for the total number correct. The results of this study may be used to inform training programs so that appropriate steps can be taken to decrease the number of examiner errors on the WJ III COG and similar cognitive test batteries. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolution of Atmospheric‐Pressure RF Plasmas as the Excitation Frequency Increases
Authors: Liu Da Wei , Iza Felipe , Kong Michael G.
Published: July 2009

Experimental results confirm the previously reported computational finding that increasing the excitation frequency of an atmospheric‐pressure plasma leads to an extension of the glow‐like operation mode. Furthermore, it is shown that more intense plasmas are attainable at higher frequencies due to the ability to couple more power into the plasma without inducing the transition into the γ mode. If the frequency is increased at a constant power, however, the plasmas become noticeably less intense even though more power is coupled into the electrons. This paradox is explained by the different evolution of the power coupled to electrons in the sheaths and in the bulk as frequency increases.

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Or0404—Effect of a Tribochemical Reacted Film on Friction and Wear Properties of DLC Coatings
Authors: Yoshida Kentaro , Horiuchi Takahiro , Kano Makoto , Kumagai Masao
Published: July 2009

Diamond‐like carbon (DLC) coatings provide low friction properties without lubricants and, with lubricants, should provide super low friction. In this study, the friction and wear properties of DLC coatings with lubrication in the sliding contact area were evaluated to find an environmentally friendly material combination that can provide super low friction (i.e., a coefficient of friction lower than 0.01). The friction and wear properties of a steel pin on a DLC coated disk with lubrication were evaluated by using environmentally friendly fluids (organic acid or alcohol) as lubricants. In a sliding test of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta‐C) lubricated with DL (a mixture of dextrorotatory and levorotatory molecules)‐lactic acid, a super low coefficient of friction (0.01) was obtained at the end of the test and was much lower than that of an uncoated disk and an amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a‐C:H) disk. The coefficient of friction obtained with DL‐lactic acid was lower than that seen for acetic acid or glycerol. The ta‐C disk lubricated with DL‐lactic acid showed a small wear scar width. The main reason for the reduced friction and wear is probably attributable to the formation of a tribochemical reacted film in a tribochemical reaction with the acid. An oxidation film (white colored layer) of FeO also formed on the mating pin under DL‐lactic acid lubrication in the sliding contact area. These results showed not only the difference in the adsorbed lubricants due to the chemical structure of DLC, but also that the oxidized condition of the steel pin influenced the coefficient of friction.
“Magnetically enhanced hollow cathode—a new plasma source for high‐rate deposition processes”
Authors: Fietzke Fred , Morgner Henry , Günther Steffen
Published: July 2009

Hollow cathode arc discharges have been studied for some decades in basic research and different fields of practical application. Especially in the field of physical vapor deposition (PVD) they are often used for metal evaporation and the generation of plasma. Problematical aspects were found in the high throughput of working gas necessary for stable operation and in the inhomogeneous, locally concentrated ionization efficiency. A promising way out of this dilemma was found in a special arrangement of hollow cathode and annular anode in an axial magnetic field. This configuration allows a drastic reduction of working gas flow without loss of discharge stability. Moreover, with reduction of gas flow a strong increase in ion current density was observed together with a highly expanded volume of plasma plume.
Plasma Sheath Dynamics in Dielectric Barrier‐Free Atmospheric Pressure Radio‐Frequency Glow Discharges
Authors: Laimer Johann , Puchhammer Alexander , Störi Herbert
Published: July 2009

The atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) makes use of a dielectric barrier‐free atmospheric pressure radio‐frequency (RF) glow discharge. In its usual operation mode it produces a uniform glow discharge, filling the gap. This alpha mode of the RF discharge is sustained by bulk ionization by oscillating electrons, as long as the gap spacing is sufficient. At higher RF powers the alpha sheath breaks down and the gamma mode, sustained by secondary electron emission occurs. Present experiments test the above model by taking images with nanosecond time resolution. The experiments clearly showed the differences in the development of the discharge over the RF cycle in correlation with gap spacing and α or γ mode, corroborating the model.
Surface Modification of Natural Vulcanized Rubbers by Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharges Plasma Treatments
Authors: Moreno‐Couranjou Maryline , Choquet Patrick , Guillot Jerôme , Migeon Henri‐Noël
Published: July 2009

A natural vulcanized rubber was treated by atmospheric dielectric barrier discharges to improve its adhesion to silicone adhesive. The different operating conditions were: (i) the nature of the plasma gas associated or not with organic precursors such as acetic acid or allyl alcohol, (ii) the concentration of the precursors in the gas phase, (iii) the power discharge (between 500 and 1 000 W) and (iv) the treatment time (between 18 and 30 s). The surface modifications induced by the plasma treatments were characterized by water contact angle measurements and XPS analyses. T‐peel tests were carried out to evaluate the influence of the surface modifications on the adhesion properties of the treated rubber. The efficiency of plasma treatments with the use of allyl alcohol has been proved for the adhesion improvement of natural vulcanized rubbers to a silicone adhesive (increase by a factor of 10). XPS analysis revealed that this treatment induced an increase of the total oxygen amount in the sample with the preferential formation of CO bonds, which might explain the adhesion improvement observed.
New‐build gentrification in Central Shanghai: demographic changes and socioeconomic implications
Authors: He Shenjing
Published: July 2009

In Shanghai, globalised urban images and a well‐functioning accumulation regime are enthusiastically sought after by urban policy, and explicitly promoted as a blueprint for a civilised city life. The city is celebrating its thriving neo‐liberal urbanism by implementing enormous new‐build gentrification, mostly in the form of demolition–rebuild development involving direct displacement of residents and landscapes. This study aims to understand demographic changes and the socioeconomic consequences of new‐build gentrification in central Shanghai. The paper first examines demographic changes between 1990 and 2000 in central Shanghai, i.e. the changing distribution of potential gentrifiers and displacees. It then looks into two cases of new‐build gentrification projects in central Shanghai, to compare residents' socioeconomic profiles in old neighbourhoods and new‐build areas. This study also examines the impacts of gentrification on displacees' quality of life and socioeconomic prospects. Because the enlarging middle class and the pursuit of wealth‐induced growth by the municipal government are turning the central city into a hotspot of gentrification, inequalities in housing and socioeconomic prospects are being produced and intensified in the metropolitan area. This study thus emphasises that critical perspectives in gentrification research are valuable and indispensable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.