bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scope/need of soft path water resource management in developing countries
Authors: Amin M.T. , Han M.
Published: December 2007

The goal of this paper is to identify the major outlines of innovative, integrated and decentralized water management practices, training, research, and development needs in various aspects of soft path water resource management in developing countries of Asia. The decentralized water strategies including science, regulations, training, government policies, and funding for some of the developing countries in Asian region are reviewed. There are two primary ways or paths of meeting water-related needs; one the “hard” path, and the other “soft” path that complements mainly decentralized and open decision-making, application of efficient technology, and environmental protection. One of the soft path decentralized solution being implemented in many developing countries of Asia is small scale rainwater harvesting and management and both government and non-government sectors are promoting the practice on a regional community and family basis. Overall, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing development of environmentally sound and economically viable approaches to water management in the developing world.
Elicitation of expert knowledge to develop decision support tools for use in water demand management planning
Authors: Inman D. , Simidchiev D. , Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2007

This paper examines the use of influence diagrams (IDs) in water demand management (WDM) strategy planning with the specific objective of exploring how IDs can be used in developing computer-based decision support tools (DSTs) to complement and support existing WDM decision processes. We report the results of an expert consultation carried out in collaboration with water industry specialists in Sofia, Bulgaria. The elicited information is presented as influence diagrams and the discussion looks at their usefulness in WDM strategy design and the specification of suitable modelling techniques. The paper concludes that IDs themselves are useful in developing model structures for use in evidence-based reasoning models such as Bayesian Networks, and this is in keeping with the objectives set out in the introduction of integrating DSTs into existing decision processes. The paper will be of interest to modellers, decision-makers and scientists involved in designing tools to support resource conservation strategy implementation.
Have we achieved the savings? The importance of evaluations when implementing demand management
Authors: Turner A. , White S. , Kazaglis A. , Simard S.
Published: December 2007

Even though millions of dollars have been spent on demand management (DM) over the last decade across Australia, there is still very little evaluation of implemented DM/water efficiency programs. This paper brings together some of the limited examples of evaluation studies undertaken, providing details of both the statistical analysis method used and the findings of such studies undertaken by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) on behalf of water utilities. The studies include measurement of water savings in the residential and non-residential sectors and economic assessment of implemented programs. The paper highlights the importance of evaluation and need for embedding evaluation into the water planning process. It also highlights additional research currently being undertaken in this field associated with pressure reduction and energy usage when implementing DM programs. This paper will be of interest to a broad spectrum of practitioners beginning or currently involved in the development of DM programs or implementing and evaluating existing DM programs.
Parameter optimization of SWMM for runoff quantity and quality calculation in a eutrophic lake watershed using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Cho J.H. , Seo H.J.
Published: December 2007

Currently, various calibration methods including manual and automatic ways have been used to calibrate rainfall-runoff models. This study used a genetic algorithm(GA) to accurately reflect the SWMM output of each parameter set for the parameter optimization and to reduce the possibility of local optimum solution. To integrate the SWMM and GA, subroutines in the SWMM source code were modified. A developed program was applied to the Jangcheon catchment in Youngrang Lake watershed. Parameters that sensitively affected the runoff flow and water quality calculation were determined using the GA. For runoff flow calculation, eight parameters in the runoff block and one parameter in the transport block were calibrated. Four parameters in the runoff block were also calibrated for the water quality calculation. The validated SWMM then estimated the runoff pollutant loads flowing into Youngrang Lake discharged from the Jangcheon catchment.
Assessment of wastewater utilities and priority determination of budget allocation using performance indicators in Korean
Authors: Kim S.G. , Koo J.Y. , Choi T.Y. , Koizumi A.
Published: December 2007

A budget of US $ 40.8 billion was allocated for wastewater utilities in Korea for the year 2004, but no definite standard for determining the appropriate budget allotted to wastewater utilities in Korea has been established. Thus, an effective method of determining the conditions of wastewater utilities and the allotment of an appropriate budget has been developed in this study. To this end, 36 indicators of the condition of Korean wastewater utilities were chosen, and then divided into four categories, namely: facilities, maintenance, management efficiency and environmental effects. The wastewater utilities of 48 Korean cities were allocated scores for each category based on their pertinent conditions. Through a cluster analysis, these cities were then subdivided into eight groups based on their individual scores for each category. From the cluster analysis, V and IV groups were found to be very good in all categories, I and II groups were average, III and VII groups required a bigger budget in the facilities category, IV group required a bigger budget in the maintenance category, and VIII group needed a bigger budget for both the facilities and maintenance categories. After examining the scores of all the groups in the different categories, it was determined that the facilities and maintenance categories were of the highest priority for the budget allocation.
Evaluation of organic matter fouling potential by membrane fouling index
Authors: Park C. , Kim H. , Hong S. , Lee S. , Choi S.-I.
Published: December 2007

The membrane fouling index, widely used in the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane industry, is developed mainly to assess the fouling potential of particulate matter. However, the fouling potential by organic matter should also be accurately evaluated as the productivity loss by organic fouling is often more severe than particle fouling, despite its low concentration in feed water. This study was performed to investigate the influence of organic characteristics and feed water solution chemistry on the membrane fouling index, such as the silt density index (SDI). The results showed that the feed solution chemistry (i.e. pH, ionic strength and hardness) affected the SDI values of organic rich feed water to some degree. In addition, Aldrich humic acid (AHA) exhibited higher fouling potential by SDI than Suwannee river humic acid (SRHA), emphasising the importance of organic properties. Lastly, it is shown that although SDI values measured were the same, the degree of NOM fouling was significantly different for the membranes with different surface properties.
Application of submerged membranes for the treatment of spent filter backwash water
Authors: Saravia F. , Zwiener C. , Frimmel F.H.
Published: December 2007

The application of membrane filtration in the treatment of spent filter backwash water (SFBW) permits efficient removal of microorganisms, suspended particles and organic substances, depending on the used membrane molecular weight cut-off. However, flux decline, due to deposits and adsorption of substances (salts, colloids, organics, particles, microorganisms, etc.) tends to limit the use of membranes.

Characterization of SFBW samples from different waterworks showed that three major factors contribute to the SFBW properties: the raw water itself, the time interval of sand filter operation and additional treatment steps. The main differences between SFBW samples were found principally in DOC, TOC and turbidity. Experiments with submerged membranes (lab- and pilot- scale modules) showed that there was a clear correlation between DOC concentration of the feed and the flux decline: when the DOC-concentration increased, the flux decline increased. Additionally, the presence of calcium led not only to an important flux decline but to high adsorption of NOM on the membrane surface. Iron concentrations in the micromolar range resulted in a considerably decline of flux. Filtration of SFBW revealed that the decline of permeability is mainly determined by DOC, calcium and iron concentrations. A decisive effect of biofouling on membrane performance is expected for long term experiments.
Virus removal in a hybrid coagulation–microfiltration system–Investigating mechanisms of virus removal by a combination of PCR and PFU methods
Authors: Shirasaki N. , Matsushita T. , Matsui Y. , Ohno K. , Kobuke M.
Published: December 2007

Virus removal performance and mechanisms were investigated in a hybrid coagulation–microfiltration (MF) system by using river water spiked with bacteriophage Qβ. Virus removal increased with filtration time: the rate of virus removal was 4 log at the beginning of filtration and gradually increased to 6 log over 5 h, probably because of the growth of a cake layer that accumulated on the membrane surface. Quantification of the virus particles in the MF compartment by a combination of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and a plaque forming unit (PFU) method revealed that most of the virus (>99.999%) in the MF compartment was entrapped in the aluminium floc and then located in the solid phase; most of the virus (>99.9%) in the solid phase was inactivated. The rate of recovery of virus particles from the MF compartment decreased with filtration time: after 3 h of filtration approximately half of the virus particles in the MF compartment were not recovered by hydraulic backwashing, indicating that the virus might have been retained on the MF membrane as part of an irreversible foulant.
Fluid dynamic gauging: a new technique for studying membrane fouling
Authors: Chew Y.M.J. , Paterson W.R. , Wilson D.I.
Published: December 2007

The deposition of fouling layers on porous surfaces such as those experienced in membrane/filtration systems has been investigated using the technique of fluid dynamic gauging (FDG). In this work, dead end microfiltration was simulated using polymeric microfiltration membranes and Sphericel (hollow glass spheres) suspensions. FDG was used to track, in situ and in real time, the build-up of a Sphericel cake during the filtration process. The permeate flux through the membrane was also simultaneously monitored.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were also performed to illuminate the fluid dynamics of FDG, with particular focus on the flow patterns and on the stresses imposed on the porous surface. The governing Navier-Stokes, Darcy's and continuity equations were solved using the commercial partial differential equation solver, Fastflo™. Simulations of gauging flow with a permeable gauged surface were then conducted and comparison with filtration experiments showed excellent agreement.
Ceramic silver-impregnated pot filters for household drinking water treatment in developing countries: material characterization and performance study
Authors: van Halem D. , Heijman S.G.J. , Soppe A.I.A. , van Dijk J.C. , Amy G.L.
Published: December 2007

The ceramic silver-impregnated pot filter (CSF) is a low-cost drinking water treatment system currently produced in many factories worldwide. The objective of this study is to gather performance data to provide a scientific basis for organisations to safely scale-up and implement the CSF technology. Filters from three production locations are included in this study: Cambodia, Ghana and Nicaragua. The microstructure of the filter material was studied using mercury intrusion porosimetry and bubble-point tests. Effective pores were measured with a mean of 40 μm, which is larger than many pathogenic microorganisms. The removal efficiency of these microorganisms was measured by using indicator organisms; total coliforms naturally present in canal water, sulphite reducing Clostridium spores, E.coli K12 and MS2 bacteriophages. The removal of these organisms was monitored during a long-term study of several months in the laboratory. Ceramic silver impregnated pot filters successfully removed total coliforms and sulphite reducing Clostridium spores. High concentrations of Escherichia coli K12 were also removed, with log(10) reduction values consistently higher than 2. MS2 bacteriophages were only partially removed from the water, with significantly better results for filters without an impregnation of colloidal silver. During this study the main deficiency of the filter system proved to be the low water production; after 12 weeks of use all filter discharges were below 0.5 Lh−1, which is insufficient to provide drinking water for a family
Head loss performance and modeling of burnt oil palm shell in deep bed filtration
Authors: Jusoh Ahmad , Goh Eng Giap S. , Shiung Lam Su , Ali N. , Noor M.J.M.M. , Halim A.G.
Published: December 2007

Filtration is a common unit operation in a water treatment plant. The effectiveness of granular filter media in treating surface water and removing suspended solids is already well established. However, less effort in the mathematical modeling towards the design of the filtration unit is observed. The current study involved head loss performance evaluation and development of a mathematical model to correlate maximum service time of filter at a maximum allowable head loss with various effective sizes and flow rates. Sand and burnt oil palm shell (BOPS) used as filter media in single and dual media filters were subjected to different effective sizes and flow rates. The average influent water turbidity for each filter (at specific effective size and flow rate) before entering the filtration unit was from 1 to 5 NTU. This was a pilot a study on settled water that was conducted in a Malaysian water treatment plant. Results suggest that all filters are capable of producing water with acceptable turbidity unit (<1 NTU). The total running time and filtrate water quality produced by BOPS/sand dual media filter was much better (i.e. the running time of BOPS/sand was four to nine times greater than sand single media filter) than BOPS and sand single media filters. The experimental data were well represented by a newly developed model and results of fitting show a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.991. The maximum allowable head loss was selected as 240 cm with an acceptable filtrate water quality (less than 1 NTU). In addition, the current results will be a supplementary tool for engineers in designing a proper filtration unit.
Screening and evaluation of natural coagulants for water treatment
Authors: Gunaratna K.R. , Garcia B. , Andersson S. , Dalhammar G.
Published: December 2007

In developing countries many people are forced to drink turbid water and as a consequence many children are dying related to water borne diseases. Hence there is a need for inexpensive and easy methods to purify drinking water. The objective of this research is to screen different plant seeds to find a primary natural coagulant able to reduce the turbidity of the drinking water. The protein from 21 different seeds was extracted with water and salt solution and coagulation properties in synthetic clay solution were studied. The crude extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) showed the same coagulation activity as that of alum. The protein from red bean, sugar maize and red maize were promising in having coagulation activity, compared with a known coagulant protein from MO. These seeds were selected and purified to homogeneity with fast flow Sepharose ion exchange chromatography and the properties of the purified proteins were characterized. The characteristics of these coagulant proteins are different from MO protein based on molecular weight and ionic determinations. The coagulant proteins were temperature tolerant and can withstand temperature of around 85 °C and maintain the coagulation activity. The seeds identified as a coagulant source could be used as an alternative to chemicals for drinking water clarification.
Novel dual media combination for drinking water treatment
Authors: Mikol A. , Fitzpatrick C.S.B. , Chipps M.J. , Steele M.E.J. , Bayley R.G.W.
Published: December 2007

A novel media combination comprising of two layers of commercially available expanded clay (EC) media was tested for use in existing roughing filters (RF). Results have indicated a potentially suitable alternative to anthracite/sand, a dual media combination of a fine grade of high density EC media and a coarse grade of low density EC media. This novel dual media consistently achieved longer run lengths, whilst producing filtrate of adequate quality for slow sand filter influent – even when challenged with algal laden water.
Characterisation of carbonyl byproducts of drinking water ozonation
Authors: Khan S.J. , Weinberg H.S.
Published: December 2007

Ozone treatment of drinking waters has been applied for a range of purposes including taste and odour control, inactivation of protozoan parasites, degradation of cyanotoxins, ‘enhanced coagulation’, ‘enhanced biodegradation’ and oxidative degradation of recalcitrant organics. Molecular ozone reacts at unsaturated sites of natural organic matter (NOM) to produce smaller oxygenated molecules including carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. The elucidation of the nature and precise identity of these ozonation by-products is hindered by two complicating factors. The first is the inherent aqueous solubility of many of these compounds, which renders their efficient extraction from water difficult to achieve. Second is the lack of established identity of specific potential by-products, which complicates targeted analytical approaches. To address these challenges, we have approached the task of by-product identification by methods involving aqueous functional group-specific derivatisation reactions. A range of carbonyl byproducts were identified during laboratory-scale testing. These ranged in size from formaldehyde up to 7-carbon species with multiple carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups.
Fanfiction Writing and the Construction of Space
Authors: Black Rebecca W.
Published: December 2007

In this article, a spatial lens is used to look at a popular online culture-based writing website as a means of understanding how fan authors' literacy practices and the design features of the site interact to shape a writing space that engenders affiliation with and facilitates access to literacy and language learning. Discussion also focuses on how the site, conceptualized as an affinity space, provides English-language-learning youth with multiple means of displaying expertise in and affiliating around popular culture, as well as of positioning themselves as capable and accomplished users of multiple social languages.
Applying Future Studies Methods to Understanding the Impact of University Information and Communication Technology Strategies on Learning
Authors: Aczel J.C. , Hardy P.
Published: December 2007

This article aims to explore the potential of certain future studies techniques to provide insight into the question of the impact of higher education information and communication technology (ICT) strategies on student learning. The approach is to consider three case studies of new universities in different countries, and to identify the main features of their ICT strategies, related variables, key change drivers and trends. Models representing ICT strategy and dimensions of student learning are then drawn together to produce a number of possible scenarios and testable hypotheses. Recommendations for refining the analysis are highlighted.
Pedagogy in Cyberspace: The Dynamics of Online Discourse
Authors: Xin Cindy , Feenberg Andrew
Published: December 2007

This article elaborates a model for understanding pedagogy in online educational forums. The model identifies four key components. Intellectual engagement describes the foreground cognitive processes of collaborative learning. Communication processes operating in the background accumulate an ever richer store of shared understandings that enable the forward movement of the conversation. The collaborative process requires a moderator to coordinate communication and learning in a group. The moderator in online education is usually a teacher, who shares knowledge in the process of leading discussion. Finally, a successful discussion generates intrinsic motivations to participate, which keep the discussion going. This framework is designed to bring out the complexity of online discussion and to provide a basis for advising teachers, and evaluating applications and software.
Dissecting the African Digital Divide: Diffusing e-Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Beaudoin Michael F.
Published: December 2007

Many countries identified with the developing world, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, have been recipients of aid programs over the past five decades totaling billions of dollars and aimed at fostering social and economic development to achieve global parity with the industrialized world. Much of this activity has been focused on building capacity in the higher education sector, especially through the introduction and implementation of distance education delivery systems to move from print to electronic resources for teaching and learning. The conventional wisdom is that, despite these efforts, success will ultimately be compromised by the lack of available and affordable technology. In fact, the constraints imposed by culturally driven traditional educational practices, as well as lack of strategic planning and effective management, are at least as powerful barriers to change in this arena. Unless both indigenous and expatriate advocates, consultants and managers of online learning are able to integrate new systems and structures, whether modest or ambitious, with new instructional approaches, the consequence of much of their efforts is likely to be an overlay of impressive instructional technology that largely masks the continuation of colonial-era, print-dependent educational practices.
Supporting Teacher Candidates during the Electronic Portfolio Development Process
Authors: Wray Susan
Published: December 2007

In recent years, there has been a movement in the USA towards performance-based evaluation of teachers. As a result, many schools, colleges, and departments of education have moved towards integrating performance-based approaches into their programs. This has involved many promising practices, but none have caught on more than the use of teaching portfolios, and especially electronic or digital teaching portfolios. As a follow-up to an earlier article in E-Learning on portfolio implementation issues, this article will address the logical next step when considering using electronic portfolios with teacher candidates: supporting students during the development of their electronic teaching portfolios. An overview of issues to consider specific to the implementation and support of electronic portfolios is discussed. Methods of supporting the portfolio development process represented in the research literature are addressed and critiqued as to their effectiveness specific to various purposes attributed to teaching portfolios in general. The article concludes with a call to integrate technological needs and conceptual issues into any effective support plan so that the complex and critical attributes of teaching portfolios are realized.
Web-Based Graduate Diploma in Computer Sciences
Authors: El-Khouly Mahmoud M.
Published: December 2007

With support from the Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF), the Faculty of Science at Helwan University (Egypt) has constructed a number of online courses in support of the graduate diploma in computer sciences programme. All courses in the diploma have a web presence, and the course offerings are now moving towards a much more interactive mode of learning, utilising online testing systems and collaborative learning, and incorporating elements of active learning. Starting from web-based learning, the site is preparing for the advent of ‘distance education’ by creating a multimedia CD for each course in the diploma programme.
Pedagogic Thinking That Grounds E-Learning for Secondary School Science Students in New Zealand
Authors: Shaw Robert
Published: December 2007

Course designers adopted a language-learners approach to the online teaching of New Zealand secondary school students in the subject of astronomy. This was possible because the curriculum for astronomy that was in 2004 established as a part of New Zealand's national curriculum was specifically designed to engage underachieving students in science and technology. A criterion-referenced assessment regime was established and an Internet platform was built specifically to facilitate this form of assessment. This platform contrasts with the norm-referenced assessment programmes that are most frequently used with online instruction. In this situation – where the essential task is to reward students for learning basic vocabulary and to motivate them to further study – the theory of psychologist William James assisted the teachers to develop their online pedagogy. The article concludes with a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet to deliver science courses to secondary school students.
How Do We Know E-Learning Works? Or Does it?
Authors: Lee Kar-Tin , Duncan-Howell Jennifer
Published: December 2007

E-learning is an accepted and commonly used component in tertiary education. However, success would appear to remain variable. Effective e-learning is a concept which sometimes eludes even the most reputable of online educators. It is an issue which plagues both the corporate and education fields and which is frequently aggravated by the numerous, often contradictory, studies on the subject. This article seeks to yield the merits of these studies in order to decipher some of the better means of effectively evaluating, designing and managing e-learning programmes and to accurately envisage what the future may hold for the development of online education in the tertiary education sector. It attempts to merge the experiences of the business and education sectors into an effective approach to be used in the design of such programmes and to present guidelines concerning the future of e-learning in tertiary education.
Shifting Design Values: A Playful Approach to Serious Content
Authors: Jenson Jennifer , Taylor Nicholas , De Castell Suzanne
Published: December 2007

This article documents the design and development of an online tutorial for student and practising teachers at York University, Canada, that familiarizes them with the ethical and legal aspects of teaching. In particular, it focuses on the key design decisions that were made, emphasizing how these were also deeply pedagogical considerations, including: (1) a modular menu and content structure which, in combination with a user-enabled progress tracking system, allows for non-linear, entirely student-directed progress through the site; (2) accessible and engaging, rather than dense and jargonistic content, redesigned around the spatial economy of the site; and (3) a series of animated legal case stories that moves content delivery from a narrowly propositional mode to one driven by narrative and play. The article concludes with a discussion of how these attempts at enacting ‘pedagogic interactivity’ – a unity of pedagogy and design – were undermined by the introduction of an evaluative component requiring students to achieve and submit a score. The ‘ELSE’ (Ethics and Legal Studies in Education) tutorial site illustrates what types of innovations in instructional design in what has been broadly termed ‘e-learning’ are made possible by subverting the conventional dichotomy between content and delivery.
Variation in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity among bullied and non‐bullied children
Authors: Vaillancourt Tracy , Duku Eric , Decatanzaro Denys , Macmillan Harriet , Muir Cameron , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: December 2007

We examined the relationship between being bullied during childhood and activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis as assessed through repeated measures of salivary cortisol. A non‐clinical sample of 154 (74 boys) predominantly Caucasian middle‐class 12‐year‐olds each provided detailed information about their experiences with bullying and six saliva samples were standardized across time and day. Children with a history of child maltreatment, diagnosed psychiatric illness, foster care placement, medication use (psychotropic and oral contraception) and aggression directed toward peers and/or family members were excluded. Using multilevel regression and applying orthogonal polynomial contrasts to model the observed circadian pattern in the data, we found that occasional and frequent verbal peer victimization was associated with hyposecretion of cortisol when controlling for sex, pubertal status, age, depression and anxiety. This relation, however, was moderated by sex. For boys, occasional exposure was associated with higher cortisol levels, whereas for girls exposure was associated with lower cortisol levels. The present study highlights the need to consider the plight of peer‐victimized children seriously, as it is associated with alterations to the HPA axis that affect males and females differently, and likely diminishes a person's ability to cope with stress, possibly placing them at risk for psychopathology and ill health. Aggr. Behav. 34:294–305, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
WT1 protein expression in childhood acute leukemia
Authors: Kerst Gunter , Bergold Nina , Gieseke Friederike , Coustan‐Smith Elaine , Lang Peter , Kalinova Marketa , Handgretinger Rupert , Trka Jan , Müller Ingo
Published: December 2007

In patients with acute leukemia, Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) has been used as a target for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) by PCR techniques. The expression of WT1 protein, however, has not been extensively studied. To determine the relation between expression of WT1 transcripts and of the encoded protein, we examined leukemic cell lines and primary childhood leukemia samples using both real‐time quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR) and flow cytometry. WT1 protein was highly expressed in the leukemic cell lines K562, HL‐60, PLB 985, KG‐1a and CEM. By contrast, 40 primary samples of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; B‐ALL, n = 15 and T‐ALL, n = 10) and acute myeloid leukemia (n = 15) expressed low levels of WT1 protein. RQ‐PCR detected WT1 transcript levels in the same range as reported in earlier studies in childhood acute leukemia. The results of this study indicate the following: (i) there are considerable discrepancies between WT1 transcripts and protein expression; (ii) WT1 is not a suitable marker for flow cytometric MRD detection in childhood acute leukemia. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and validation of SIMS: An instrument for measuring quality of life of adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Adams‐Graves Patricia , Lamar Kimberly , Johnson Cage , Corley Pat
Published: December 2007

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the assessment of quality of life (QOL) issues, particularly in chronic debilitating conditions. Several instruments have been developed, tested, and validated in the general population and in other chronic diseases; however, few studies have examined QOL issues in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). We developed Sickle Cell Impact Measurement Scale (SIMS), an instrument for measuring the QOL of adults with SCD. The 142‐item multi‐dimensional SIMS questionnaire was developed using 4 validated instruments and additional questions based upon recommendations of patient focus groups. The SIMS was self‐administered to 106 SCD and 45 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients over 4 sites. SIMS was evaluated on measures of both internal consistency and construct validity. Item reduction was performed based on results of factor analysis. The SIMS achieved good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient reported of 0.86, and distinguished between patients with SCD and RA. Overall, QOL did not differ significantly among SCD and RA patients. However, SCD patients scored higher in both physical and social domains, which was expected and reflected the differences in the pathophysiology of each disease. The SIMS is a reliable, valid, and responsive questionnaire, which functions well as a discriminative instrument for the measure of health‐related QOL (HRQOL) of adults with SCD. The SIMS is currently being administered to adults with SCD across several centers for further validation to become a disease‐specific, global QOL instrument. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased longevity in offspring of mothers with alzheimer's disease
Authors: Silverman Jeremy M. , Schmeidler James , Schnaider‐Beeri Michal , Grossman Hillel T. , Luo Xiaodong , West Rebecca , Lally Rachel C. , Wang Joy Y.
Published: December 2007

Life expectancy is a familial trait. However, the effectiveness of using the age at death of a deceased parent to estimate life expectancy in their offspring can vary depending on whether death in the parent was due to extrinsic versus intrinsic causes, as well as demographic characteristics such as sex. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk increases with increased age, mortality for individuals with AD is increased in contrast to comparably aged individuals without AD. Yet in most cases it is not the defining neuropathology of AD that directly terminates life but instead conditions and illnesses extrinsic to AD pathology that nevertheless have increased likelihood in its presence. For this reason, we hypothesized that offspring of AD mothers would have greater longevity than offspring of mothers without AD (insufficient numbers prevented a comparable analysis using fathers with AD). The longevity of 345 offspring of 100 deceased 60+ year old AD mothers was compared with 5,465 offspring in 1,312 deceased 60+ year old non‐AD mothers. We used a proportional hazards model that accounted for clustered (nonindependent) observations due to the inclusion of several offspring from the same family. In both an unadjusted model and one that adjusted for the age at death in the mother, and the sex and birth year in the offspring we found evidence for increased longevity in the offspring of AD mothers. The results suggest that, in addition to genes that might directly affect pathways leading to AD, there may be familial/genetic factors not connected to specific pathophysiological processes in AD but instead associated with increased longevity that contribute to the familial aggregation observed in AD. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arboreal nesting as anti‐predator adaptation by savanna chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in southeastern Senegal
Authors: Pruetz J.D. , Fulton S.J. , Marchant L.F. , McGrew W.C. , Schiel M. , Waller M.
Published: December 2007

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) make nests for resting and sleeping, which is unusual for anthropoid primates but common to all great apes. Arboreal nesting has been linked to predation pressure, but few studies have tested the adaptive nature of this behavior. We collected data at two chimpanzee study sites in southeastern Senegal that differed in predator presence to test the hypothesis that elevated sleeping platforms are adaptations for predator defense. At Assirik in the Parc National du Niokolo‐Koba, chimpanzees face four species of large carnivore, whereas at Fongoli, outside national park boundaries, humans have exterminated almost all natural predators. We quantified the availability of vegetation at the two sites to test the alternative hypothesis that differences in nesting reflect differences in habitat structure. We also examined possible sex differences in nesting behavior, community demographic differences, seasonality and nest age differences as variables also potentially affecting nest characteristics and nesting behavior between the two sites. Chimpanzees at Fongoli nested at lower heights and farther apart than did chimpanzees at Assirik and sometimes made nests on the ground. The absence of predators outside of the national park may account for the differences in nest characteristics at the two sites, given the similarities in habitat structure between Fongoli and Assirik. However, Fongoli chimpanzees regularly build arboreal nests for sleeping, even under minimal predation pressure, and this requires explanation. Am. J. Primatol. 70:393–401, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A fine line: A comparison of methods for estimating ages of linear enamel hypoplasia formation
Authors: Ritzman Terrence B. , Baker Brenda J. , Schwartz Gary T.
Published: December 2007

It is accepted that linear enamel hypoplasias (LEHs), a specific type of enamel thickness deficiency, are related to periodic physiological disruptions to enamel matrix secretion during times that teeth are developing. Thus, LEHs are treated as general indicators of metabolic stress. Because the disruptions that cause LEHs affect only the portion of the crown that is in the process of forming, determining their locations allows researchers to reconstruct chronologies of stressful events. It is widely held that the many of the commonly used macroscopic methods for estimating the timing of LEHs are imprecise and do not conform to our current understanding of the process of enamel formation. The goal of the present study is to compare estimated ages of LEH formation produced by two of the most commonly used macroscopic methods to those derived from data in recent histological studies that include more precise information about the timing of crown formation across diverse human populations. These approaches are compared in two ways: 1) by creating a theoretical model using simulated LEHs and 2) empirically, by analyzing data collected on a sample of ancient Nubians from Semna South (present‐day Sudan). Results indicate that the approach derived from histological studies provides significantly higher age estimates than the commonly used methods and this difference is particularly marked in early forming LEHs. The magnitude of this difference is large enough to produce divergent interpretation of bioarchaeological datasets and suggests that reevaluation of the methods used to estimate ages of LEH formation may be justified. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Population continuity or replacement? A novel computer simulation approach and its application to the numic expansion (Western Great Basin, USA)
Authors: Cabana Graciela S. , Hunley Keith , Kaestle Frederika A.
Published: December 2007

In a previous study, Kaestle and Smith [Am J Phys Anthropol 115 (2001) 1–12] supported a recent (A.D. 1000) Numic expansion into the Great Basin region based on a molecular and statistical analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of ancient and modern native inhabitants of the region. Their statistical methodology could not rule out the possibility that observed differences in haplogroup frequencies are instead the result of long‐term microevolutionary change within a single population. To distinguish more effectively between a Numic expansion versus population continuity, we employed a novel computer simulation approach that incorporates microevolutionary factors likely to affect human population genetic variation. We test whether the observed differences in haplogroup frequencies between ancient and modern Great Basin groups could have been produced solely via in situ microevolutionary change. Our results indicate that for reasonable demographic conditions, the observed genetic differences between the observed samples are consistent with population continuity if gene flow among prehistoric Great Basin local groups was less than 1% of local group size per generation. Our analysis also supports a recent population expansion if gene flow between neighboring groups exceeded 8% of local group size per generation. The simulations demonstrate that relatively low gene flow levels and random genetic drift can produce the observed degree of genetic differences between population samples. Although this study focuses on the Numic expansion, this simulation approach can be applied to any geographic region for which genetic data have been collected to address similar questions of population relationships over time. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
N‐alkylation of chitosan by β‐halopropionic acids in the presence of various acceptors
Authors: Pestov Alexander V. , Skorik Yury A. , Kogan Grigorij , Yatluk Yury G.
Published: December 2007

N‐carboxyethylation of chitosan by β‐halopropionic acids in the presence of various proton and halogen ion acceptors was investigated. It has been observed that carboxyethylation of chitosan in aqueous medium is accompanied by the by‐processes of hydrolysis and dehydrohalogenation of the β‐halopropionic acids yielding β‐hydroxypropionic acid, bis(2‐carboxyethyl) ether, and acrylic acid. Degree of carboxyethyl substitution (DS) of chitosan and the relative rates of the by‐processes varied significantly depending on the conditions used and nature of the proton or halogen ion acceptor. At carboxyethylation of chitosan with the alkaline β‐bromopropionates, the DS increased in the order Cs+ < Rb+ < K+ ∼ Na+ < Li+. For alkaline earth salts BrCH2CH2COOM0.5 (M = Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+), the highest DS was obtained with strontium and barium salts, which could be subsequently removed from the reaction mixture by precipitation as sulfates. Among the organic bases applied (tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, triethylamine, trimethylamine, pyridine, 4‐N,N‐dimethylaminopyridine, 2,6‐lutidine, and 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0] non‐5‐ene), the highest DS was obtained using a moderately strong base triethylamine. For the halogen acceptors (Pb2+, Ag+, Tl+), the stoichiometrically highest DS was achieved in a system comprising iodopropionic acid plus Tl+ and a comparable conversion rate was obtained using also a combination of chloropropionic acid and Ag+. A novel alternative preparative approach—gel‐state synthesis—was suggested that provides for the highest DS at the optimum reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of a cellulose‐grafted polymeric support and its application in the reductions of some carbonyl compounds
Authors: Dhiman Poonam K. , Kaur Inderjeet , Mahajan R. K.
Published: December 2007

The reduction of carbonyl compounds by borohydride supported on a cellulose–anion exchange resin is known. The synthesis of a graft copolymer of cellulose and poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) [CellO‐g‐poly(4‐VP)] has been carried out with ceric ions as a redox initiator. A postgrafting treatment of CellO‐g‐poly(4‐VP) with sodium borohydride has produced CellO‐g‐poly(4‐VP) borane, a polymer‐supported reducing agent. Optimum conditions pertaining to the maximum percentage of grafting have been evaluated as a function of the concentrations of the initiator, monomer, and nitric acid, amount of water, time, and temperature. The maximum percentage of grafting (585%) has been obtained with 0.927 mol/L of 4‐vinyl pyridine and 0.018 mol/L of ceric ammonium nitrate in 120 min at 45°C. The polymeric support, CellO‐g‐poly(4‐VP) borane, has been used for reduction reactions of different carbonyl compounds such as benzaldehyde, cyclohexanone, crotonaldehyde, acetone, and furfural. The graft copolymer has been characterized with IR and thermogravimetric analysis. The grafted cellulose has been found to be thermally stable. The reduced products have been characterized with IR and NMR spectral methods. The reagent has been reused for the reduction of a fresh carbonyl compound, and it has been observed that the polymeric reagent reduces the compounds successfully but with a little lower product yield. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Phosphorus‐containing terephthaldialdehyde adducts—Structure determination and their application as flame retardants in epoxy resins
Authors: Seibold S. , Schäfer A. , Lohstroh W. , Walter O. , Döring M.
Published: December 2007

Two novel phosphorus‐rich prepolymers based on epoxy novolac and terephthaldialdehyde and potential flame retardants, 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) and 2,8‐dimethyl‐phenoxaphosphin‐10‐oxide (DPPO) were synthesised. The resultant flame‐retardant epoxy resins were cured with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and 4,4′‐diamino‐dicyclohexylmethane (PACM). Their flammability and burning behavior were characterised by UL 94 and LOI and compared with analogue prepolymers based on diethylphosphite (DEPP). The glass transition temperatures were determined by DSC measurements. Furthermore, the structures of two exemplary molecules based on p‐tolylaldehyde adducts were examined by XRD and NMR analysis to determine the possibilities of linking the two novel DOPO and DPPO derivatives to the backbone of the epoxy resin. Additionally, the char yields were determined by TG analysis and thermal desorption mass spectroscopy of the thermosets used and compared with each other to obtain more information about the possible mode of flame‐retardant action of the different phosphorus compounds. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Gas turbine environment effect on morphology and mechanical properties of pultruded composite
Authors: Shivakumar Kunigal , Chen Huanchun , Holloway Gary
Published: December 2007

The effect of gas turbine lubricant oil soaking, thermal cycling and their combination on morphology and tension and flexure properties of pultruded composite was studied. Two types of lubricant oils were used: Mil‐L‐7808 and Mil‐L‐23699. Composite samples were oil soaked for 720 h and microscopic analysis and mechanical tests were conducted. Samples were thermal cycled for 600 cycles (RT to 315°C) and measured tension and flexure properties. Samples were oil soaked, thermal cycled and then tested. Results of these three groups of environmentally aged samples were compared with non‐aged samples. The significance of aging effect is discussed in the article. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Double‐yielding behavior in injection‐molded polycarbonate/high‐density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer blends
Authors: Pan Ji‐Lin , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: December 2007

A uniaxial tensile test was performed for polycarbonate (PC)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) blends with a fixed EVA content but various PC contents. The double‐yielding phenomenon and its composition dependence, as observed in the PC/HDPE blend, were again detected. EVA did not serve as a successful compatibilizer of PC and HDPE in the PC/HDPE/EVA blend. The incorporation of EVA resulted in a larger size and a more irregular shape of the PC fibers, as indicated in the scanning electron microscope observations; this, consequently, produced a higher serious stress concentration in the blend. This more complicated and instable morphology produced different double‐yielding behaviors in the PC/HDPE/EVA blends compared with the binary one. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008