bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contact and Artificial Soil Tests Using Earthworms to Evaluate the Impact of Wastes in Soil
Authors: Neuhauser EF , Loehr RC , Malecki MR
Published: December 2008

This study was designed to evaluate two methods using earthworms that can be used to estimate the biological impact of organic and inorganic compounds that may be in wastes applied to land for treatment and disposal. The two methods were the contact test and the artificial soil test. The contact test is a 48-h test using an adult worm, a small glass vial, and filter paper to which the test chemical or waste is applied. The test is designed to provide close contact between the worm and a chemical, similar to the situation in soils. The method provides a rapid estimate of the relative toxicity of chemicals and industrial wastes. The artificial soil test uses a mixture of sand, kaolin, peat, and calcium carbonate as a representative soil. Different concentrations of the test material are added to the artificial soil, adult worms are added, and worm survival is evaluated after two weeks.

These studies have shown that (1) earthworms can be used to distinguish among a wide variety of chemicals with a high degree of accuracy, (2) earthworms are a suitable biomonitoring tool to measure the impact of chemicals in wastes added to soils, (3) the contact and artificial soil tests can measure the biological impact of chemicals applied to soils, (4) earthworms can be used to differentiate the impact of chemical groups and specific chemicals, and (5) the contact and artificial soil tests appear to identify the same relative toxicity of chemicals as rat toxicity data.
Design of Laterally Loaded Displacement Piles Using a Driven Pressuremeter
Authors: Robertson PK , Hughes JMO , Campanella RG , Sy A
Published: December 2008

The nonlinear subgrade reaction method is widely used for the design of laterally loaded piles. This method replaces the soil reaction with a series of independent springs. The nonlinear behavior of the soil springs is represented by P-y curves, which relate soil reaction and pile deflection at points along the pile length. Most of the existing methods for obtaining P-y curves are highly empirical. Often little account is taken of the method of pile installation. The pressuremeter offers an almost ideal in-situ modelling tool for determining directly the P-y curves for a pile. As the pressuremeter can either be driven or self-bored into the soil, the results can be used to model either a displacement or a non-displacement pile.

The driven pressuremeter used in the study described in this paper was essentially a standard pressuremeter with a solid 60° cone shoe at the tip. The instrument was pushed into the soil. This paper provides a detailed description of the equipment, testing procedures, and the theory that enables the family of P-y curves for laterally loaded displacement piles to be obtained. A case study, using the driven pressuremeter results to predict and compare the performance of two full-scale field lateral pile load tests, is presented.
Experimental Determination of the Critical Cavity Radius in Fe-10Cr for Ion Irradiation
Authors: Horton LL , Mansur LK
Published: December 2008

An ion bombardment experiment was designed to investigate the minimum critical radius, rcc*, for the ferritic alloy Fe-10Cr. Specimens were implanted with 300 atomic parts per million (appm) helium, annealed, and then irradiated to 30 displacements per atom (dpa) at 850 K with 4 Me V Fe++ ions. The specimens contained a bimodal cavity distribution consisting of a population of larger cavities (average radius 7.6 nm) and a population of smaller cavities (average radius 1.2 nm). The upper cut-off of the cavity radii for the smaller cavities, 2.5 nm, is interpreted as rcc*. Theoretical calculations of rcc* for physically allowable combinations of bias, surface energy, vacancy migration energy, and vacancy formation energy and entropy were performed using the measured minimum critical radius and microstructural data. Thus, an estimation of these fundamental parameters was made for this alloy. The results suggest that a bias of ∼0.2 is reasonable. An assessment of the possible values of the other fundamental parameters is given. In addition, the low irradiation-induced dislocation density (1 × 1013/m2), which results in the ratio of the dislocation and cavity sink strengths, Q, being much less than unity, may be partially responsible for the low cavity growth rate in this alloy.
External Stress Corrosion Cracking of Stainless Steel Under Thermal Insulation—20 Years Later
Authors: Ashbaugh WG
Published: December 2008

In the mid-1960s, a rash of costly stress corrosion cracking failures of stainless steel under insulation occurred. A series of tests were performed to establish the failure mechanism and to provide information for prevention. Since that time, the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) Central Engineering policy has been to use protective coatings on the stainless steel. No special insulation materials, inhibitors, or protective weather barriers have been used to prevent external stress corrosion cracking (ESCC). During these past 20 years, there has been only a few incidents of ESCC of painted stainless steel; therefore a satisfactory pay back on the cost of painting the stainless steel has been realized. There are still questions to be answered, and optimization of the painting practice is taking place. Although painting is not the only way to prevent ESCC, it is a proven procedure that can be accomplished with today's technology.
A Study of Corrosion of Steel Under a Variety of Thermal Insulation Materials
Authors: Ashbaugh WG , Laundrie TF
Published: December 2008

Corrosion of steel equipment under thermal insulation is and has been a costly problem in Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) chemical operations as well as other refining and chemical plants throughout the world. The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) has spent about $30 thousand trying to develop a nondestructive inspection method to detect and measure corrosion under insulation. The corrosion rate of carbon steel under insulation depends upon a number of variables: moisture, oxygen availability, metal temperature, paint system, and the insulation. Little work has been published that defines the effects different types of insulation have on the corrosion rate of carbon steel. Some suggest that the type of insulation does make a difference. An in plant test was designed and operated to obtain quantitative data comparing several types of insulation and their effect on corrosion of steel.

Twelve pieces of insulation were applied to carbon steel pipe and were exposed to the atmosphere at Texas City, TX. Water, in addition to rain, was occasionally added to the outside of the pipe, and steam was run through the inside of the pipe once a week in order to accelerate the corrosion rate.

This paper will report qualitatively and quantitatively on the corrosion rates of the carbon steel under the various types of insulation. The data will be useful to insulation specialists in guiding their selection of the kind of insulation from the standpoint of its influence on steel corrosion.
Behavior of a Copper Water Tube Exposed to Natural Carbonaceous Granular and Cellulosic Insulation Materials
Authors: Myers JR , Cohen A
Published: December 2008

Copper is essentially immune to corrosion in most underground environments because of the protective films that naturally form on the metal's surface. In general, there is no major concern regarding the corrosion of copper underground unless it is exposed to certain aggressive substances. These include moist environments containing (1) appreciable quantities of chlorides, sulfates, sulfides, or ammonium compounds or both; (2) organic or inorganic acids or both; or (3) active anaerobic bacteria or all three. It is also known that copper should not be directly embedded in cinders that generally contain sulfides or carbon or both. Fortunately, when corrosive conditions exist, a variety of cost effective techniques can be used to mitigate unacceptable corrosion of buried copper.

In spite of these well known general guidelines regarding the underground behavior of copper, situations do occur where the metal is placed in contact with aggressive thermal insulations. When these insulations are hygroscopic, have low resistivities and acidic pH values, and contain sulfur compounds along with carbon, it is understandable that unacceptable corrosion of the copper will occur.

The conditions that caused natural carbonaceous granular “thermal insulation” to deteriorate the underground copper tube domestic hot water system for a low-rise high density housing development are presented. Basically, the copper water tubes corroded because the “thermal insulation” absorbed large quantities of moisture, had a low resistivity (less than 1200 Ω∙cm), and an acidic pH (as low as 4.8). Corrosion was facilitated by the presence of appreciable quantities of sulfur (8000 ppm) and possibly carbon in the “insulation.”

Corrosion of the adversely affected copper water tube system was mitigated by cathodic protection. In order to minimize shielding effects created by the complexity of the underground system, deep anode beds were incorporated into the cathodic protection design. The unaffected underground copper tube domestic cold water and steel gas distribution systems were bonded to the cathodically protected copper hot water tubes in order to prevent the possibility of stray current corrosion.

In addition, other insulation systems have been shown to be deleterious to copper. For example, certain chemically treated cellulosic insulation materials can contain constituents that become aggressive to copper when either moist or under high relative humidity conditions.
Recent Advances in Composites in the United States and Japan
Authors: Vinson JR , Taya M
Published: December 2008

Description

This publication, Recent Advances in Composites in the United States and Japan, contains papers presented at the United States/Japan Symposium on Composite Materials which was held in Hampton, Virginia, 6-8 June 1983. The symposium was sponsored by ASTM Committees D30 on High Modulus Fibers and Their Composites and E09 on Fatigue in cooperation with the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. Jack R. Vinson and Minoru Taya, University of Delaware, served as symposium chairman and secretary, respectively. Jack R. Vinson and Minoru Taya are editors of this publication.
New Approaches to Monitoring Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Boyle TP
Published: December 2008

Description

Offers examples where new methods and approaches of environmental monitoring are being employed. Papers elaborate on specific concerns, questions, and program criteria that characterize the development of monitoring programs and provide paradigams for future monitoring programs. Key discussion concepts include water quality, statistical design criteria, long-term sampling programs, ecological data base management, quality assurance, and data integrity.
Asphalt Rheology: Relationship to Mixture
Authors: Briscoe OE
Published: December 2008

Description

Nine papers explain how to utilize materials of marginal quality, improve mixture characteristics and improve pavement performance. Deals primarily with asphalt and asphalt mixture rheological modifications. Examines the precision testing of asphalt and asphalt mixtures as related to rheological properties.
Slurry Erosion: Uses, Applications, and Test Methods
Authors: Miller JE , Schmidt F
Published: December 2008

Description

Papers focus on the abrasion and corrosion effects of different slurries on pipeline and pumping equipment. They review wear and corrosion resistant materials and detail a wide variety of tests to measure slurry effects.
Roofing Research and Standards Development
Authors: Critchell RA
Published: December 2008

Description

Nine papers provide laboratory and field data on modern roofing components and systems as a prelude to standards development. Topics include one ply roofing assemblies, single-ply rubber membranes, rubberized asphalts, and bitumen roofing systems.
The Influence of Alewife Year‐Class Strength on Prey Selection and Abundance of Age‐1 Chinook Salmon in Lake Michigan
Authors: Warner David M. , Kiley Courtney S. , Claramunt Randall M. , Clapp David F.
Published: December 2008

We used growth and diet data from a fishery‐independent survey of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, acoustic estimates of prey density and biomass, and statistical catch‐at‐age modeling to study the influence of the year‐class strength of alewife Alosa pseudoharengus on the prey selection and abundance of age‐1 Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan during the years 1992‐1996 and 2001‐2005. Alewives age 2 or younger were a large part of age‐1 Chinook salmon diets but were not selectively fed upon by age‐1 Chinook salmon in most years. Feeding by age‐1 Chinook salmon on alewives age 2 or younger became selective as the biomass of alewives in that young age bracket increased, and age‐1 Chinook salmon also fed selectively on young bloaters Coregonus hoyi when bloater density was high. Selection of older alewives decreased at high densities of alewives age 2 or younger and, in some cases, high densities of bloater. The weight and condition of age‐1 Chinook salmon were not related to age‐1 Chinook salmon abundance or prey abundance, but the abundance of age‐1 Chinook salmon in year t was positively related to the density of age‐0 alewives in year t − 1. Our results suggest that alewife year‐class strength exerts a positive bottom‐up influence on age‐1 Chinook salmon abundance, prey switching behavior by young Chinook salmon contributing to the stability of the predator‐prey relationship between Chinook salmon and alewives.
Chronic effects of polychlorinated dibenzofurans on mink in laboratory and field environments
Authors: Zwiernik Matthew J , Beckett Kerrie J , Bursian Steve , Kay Denise P , Holem Ryan R , Moore Jeremy N , Yamini Behzad , Giesy John P
Published: December 2008

Mink are often used as a sentinel species in ecological risk assessments of chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) that cause toxicity mediated through the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor. Considerable toxicological information is available on the effects of PCBs and PCDDs on mink, but limited toxicological information is available for PCDFs. Thus, exposure concentrations at which adverse effects occur could not be determined reliably for complex mixtures in which PCDFs dominate the total calculated concentration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (TEQ). Two studies were conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity of PCDFs to mink. The first was a chronic exposure, conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, in which mink were exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (2,3,7,8-TCDF) concentrations as great as 2.4 × 103 ng 2,3,7,8-TCDF/kg wet-weight (ww) diet or 2.4 × 102 ng TEQ2006-WHO-mammal/kg ww diet. In that study, transient decreases in body masses of kits relative to the controls was the only statistically significant effect observed. The second study was a 3-y field study during which indicators of individual health, including hematological and morphological parameters, were determined for mink exposed chronically to a mixture of PCDDs and PCDFs under field conditions. In the field study, there were no statistically significant differences in any of the measured parameters between mink exposed to a median estimated dietary dose of 31 ng TEQ2006-WHO-mammal/kg ww and mink from an upstream reference area where they had a median dietary exposure of 0.68 ng TEQ2006-WHO-mammal/kg ww. In both studies, concentrations of TEQ2006-WHO-mammal to which the mink were exposed exceeded those at which adverse effects, based on studies with PCDD and PCB congeners, would have been expected. Yet in both instances where PCDF congeners were the sole or predominant source of the TEQ2006-WHO-mammal, predicted adverse effects were not observed. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that the values of the mammalian-specific toxicity equivalency factors suggested by the World Health Organization overestimate the toxic potency of PCDFs to mink. Therefore, hazard cannot be accurately predicted by making comparisons to toxicity reference values derived from exposure studies conducted with PCBs or PCDDs in situations where mink are exposed to TEQ mixtures dominated by PCDFs.
The Effect of a Supragingival Plaque‐Control Regimen on the Subgingival Microbiota in Smokers and Never‐Smokers: Evaluation by Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Gomes Sabrina C. , Nonnenmacher Claudia , Susin Cristiano , Oppermann Rui V. , Mutters Reinier , Marcantonio Rosemary A.C.
Published: December 2008

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of strict supragingival plaque control on the subgingival microbiota in smokers and never‐smokers. Research into the impact of supragingival plaque control on the number of subgingival bacteria has resulted in contradictory findings. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been suggested as a valid alternative to current microbiologic methods based on bacteria cultures.

Methods: Forty‐five subjects with chronic periodontitis were selected. Twenty‐four of them had never smoked, and 21 were active smokers. Four sites per patient were selected for sampling. Supragingival debridement was performed at baseline, and the subjects received weekly instructions on oral hygiene for 180 days. A clinical examination and subgingival plaque sampling were carried out at baseline and at 30, 90, and 180 days. A real‐time PCR assay was used to detect and quantify Porphyromonas gingivalis, Parvimonas micra (previously Peptostreptococcus micros or Micromonas micros), Dialister pneumosintes, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), and the total bacteria load (eubacteria) in the subgingival samples. Statistical analysis was performed using linear models adjusted for the clustering of observations within individuals.

Results: Smokers and never‐smokers exhibited a similar and significant reduction in total bacteria counts over time. Irrespective of smoking status, deep sites consistently harbored greater quantities of total bacteria throughout the study. Higher numbers of the bacteria investigated were associated with bleeding on probing.

Conclusion: Supragingival plaque control markedly reduced subgingival microbiota counts in smokers and never‐smokers.
Transport Regimes and Concentration Tails for Classical Diffusion in Heterogeneous Media with Sharply Contrasting Properties
Authors: Dykhne Alexander , Dranikov Ilya , Kondratenko Peter , Matveev Leonid
Published: December 2008

In this study, we solved a problem of tracer transport in heterogeneous media with a sharp contrast in properties. Two kinds of media were considered. The first was a heterogeneous medium with a highly permeable domain in the shape of a plain‐parallel layer or a straight cylinder. A highly permeable domain in the second medium corresponded to a percolation system. Classical diffusion was considered for both kinds of media as the basic physical mechanism for tracer transport. Due to long residence times of tracer particles in the low‐permeability domain, three transport regimes (fast classical diffusion, subdiffusion, and slow classical diffusion) occurred in the first heterogeneous medium. Similarly, in the second medium the presence of sinks (dead ends of percolation clusters) led to subdiffusion at early times, changing to slow classical diffusion at large times when the system was above the percolation threshold. For both kinds of media, the change of transport regimes with time resulted in a complex multistage structure of breakthrough curves. The structure of the more distant tail segments was found to be more strongly affected by the earlier time transport regimes.
Design of Cost Optimal and Environmentally Conscious Phosphoric Acid Production Processes under Uncertainty
Authors: Papadopoulos Athanasios I , Seferlis Panos
Published: December 2008

This work addresses the optimum design of a phosphoric acid (PA) production process under uncertainty, both from an economic and environmental perspective. A design and optimization framework is employed that utilizes generic process modules to enable systematic process flowsheet development and to facilitate interconnectivity among the utilized processing components. This is coupled with a systematic method of incorporating uncertainty into the process design and optimization, hence, enabling a realistic representation of industrial conditions during the PA process design stages. The integrated design of PA production processes and downstream phosphogypsum utilization processes is further proposed, in the form of the Ammonium Sulfate (AS) production process, as a means of mitigating the environmental impact of the PA production process associated with phosphogypsum. The case studies, presented to illustrate the proposed developments, highlight the significant impact of considering uncertainties in the design of optimum PA process schemes as well as generate useful insights regarding the synergies developed in the integrated PA and AS process design.
Natural History of Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Secretion in the Progression From Normal Glucose Tolerance to Impaired Fasting Glycemia and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: The Inter99 Study
Authors: Færch Kristine , Vaag Allan , Holst Jens J. , Hansen Torben , Jørgensen Torben , Borch-Johnsen Knut
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to describe the natural history of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in the development of isolated impaired fasting glycemia (i-IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT), and combined IFG/IGT.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Baseline and 5-year follow-up data from the Inter99 study were used. Individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at baseline and i-IFG, i-IGT, combined IFG/IGT, or NGT at the 5-year follow-up were examined with an oral glucose tolerance test (n = 3,145). Insulin sensitivity index (ISI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS), early-phase insulin release (EPIR), and insulin secretion relative to insulin action (disposition index) were estimated.

RESULTS—Five years before the pre-diabetes diagnoses (i-IFG, i-IGT, and IFG/IGT), ISI, HOMA-IS, EPIR, and disposition index were lower than in individuals who maintained NGT. During the 5-year follow-up, individuals developing i-IFG experienced a significant decline only in HOMA-IS, whereas individuals developing i-IGT experienced significant declines in ISI, EPIR, and disposition index. Individuals with IFG/IGT exhibited pronounced declines in ISI, HOMA-IS, EPIR, and disposition index during the 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS—A stationary reduced insulin secretion followed by a decline in primarily hepatic insulin sensitivity characterizes the transition from NGT to i-IFG. In contrast, low whole-body insulin sensitivity with a secondary lack of β-cell compensation is associated with the development of i-IGT. Thereby, i-IFG and i-IGT appear to result from different underlying mechanisms, which may have implications for the prevention and treatment of the diabetes that succeeds them.
Yield and Quality of Rice as Affected by Molybdenum Applied With Chemical Fertilizers and Organic Matter
Authors: Bala P , Hossain SMA
Published: December 2008

A field experiment was conducted at the field laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the effect of molybdenum (Mo) with recommenced chemical fertilizer and organic matter on yield and quality of rice cv. BRRI dhan 30. Three levels of Mo viz. 0, 100 and 200 ppm were applied with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (80, 15, 40, 10, 1.5 kg ha-1NPKSZn) and organic matter as both cow dung and compost. Plant height, number of ear bearing tillers hill-1, straw yield and biological yield were maximum when 100 ppm Mo was applied with chemical fertilizer. Number of total spikelets panicle-1, grains panicle-1, nitrogen content, nitrogen uptake in grain and straw, and protein content in grain were recorded better when 100 ppm Mo was applied with cowdung. Those parameters were minimum when 0 ppm Mo was applied with either cowdung or compost or NPK. The best performance was obtained when 100 ppm Mo was applied either with recommended fertilizers or with cow dung/compost. The performance of rice with 200 ppm of Mo was better than no addition of Mo in respect of yield and yield contributing characters. Key words: Molybdenum, quality, rice, yield. doi:10.3329/jard.v6i1.1653 J Agric Rural Dev 6(1&2), 19-23, June 2008
Determination of Inhibitory Action of Allamanda Leaf Extracts Against Some Important Plant Pathogens
Authors: Masuduzzaman S , Meah MB , Rashid MM
Published: December 2008

Allamanda leaf extract and separated compounds were studied to determine their inhibitory efficiency against Phomopsis vexans, Fusarium sp, Rhizoctina solani, Sclerotiurn rolfsii and Phytophthora capsici. Four concentrations of the extract namely 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 were used. Extract at 1:3 concentration completely inhibited mycelial growth of P. vexans while other three concentrations were also near completely inhibitory. No concentration showed good performance to inhibit mycelial growth of Fusarium sp. But all concentrations completely inhibited the growth of mycelia of R. solani. Higher concentration (1:1, 1:2) completely inhibited S. rolfsii whereas lower concentration (1:3, 1:4) arrested its growth to some extent. In case of P. capsici, though 1:3 concentration completely inhibited mycelial growth but other three were also promising. For separated compounds, compound 1 and 3 completely inhibited the growth of P. vexans, the other one was not so much promising. In case of Fusarium sp and R. solani, compound 3 showed partial inhibition, but the same compound completely inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii and P. capsici. Water extract showed better performance compared to separated compounds which indicated that some of the essential compounds for the inhibitory action might have been removed during preparation of extracts in other solvents. Key words: Allamanda, leaf extracts, compounds, plant pathogens, efficiency. doi:10.3329/jard.v6i1.1664 J Agric Rural Dev 6(1&2), 107-112, June 2008
Effects of Youth Empowerment Strategies on Conflict Resolutions in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria: Evidence from Cross River State
Authors: Ofem NI , Ajayi AR
Published: December 2008

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been ridden by youth restiveness and yet several intervention program have not yielded positive results. The study, therefore, evaluates the impact of youth empowerment strategies on conflict resolution using an ordered probit regression model. The study reveals that youth educational programs, provision of infrastructures and credit facilities showed significant effects as tools for conflict resolution. Employment opportunities and income indicated positive results yet they were not significant. This indicates that youth empowerment strategies must be sustainable if they have to make reasonable impact on conflict management. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jard.v6i1.1671 J Agric Rural Dev 6(1&2), 139-146, June 2008
Reproductive Ecology of Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola)
Authors: Hoque ASMM , Rahman MR
Published: December 2008

Reproductive cycle of mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) in a pond and in a beel along with some aspects of their physico-chemical parameters, morphometry etc. were carried out at Rajshahi. The highest (81.08%) average monthly percentage of ovigenous female Mola in pond was in September and lowest (20%) in November, whereas the highest (87.30%) and the lowest (28.57%) values in beel were found in May and in November respectively. Both the Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) and Gonadal Langth Index (GLI) of Mola showed two distinct peaks, one in May and another in September where GSI values were 19.51% and 22.48% and GLI values were 36.31% and 36.19% respectively. Similar peaks were found in the beel where GSI values were 20.98% and 18.72% and GLI values were 41.77% and 40.58% respectively. The lowest mean fecundity of Mola in pond was 1023±625 and the highest was 6806±125 in size groups of 5.0-5.5cm and 8.1-8.5cm respectively. Ova diameter of Mola in pond showed two distinct peaks one in May and another in September where Ova diameter values were 30?m and 29?m respectively. Similar peaks were found in beel where OD values were 28?m and 27 ?m respectively. Above result shows that Mola (A. mola) breeds twice a year with one peak in May and another in September in both pond and beel. Some ecological parameters were also observed in the study areas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jard.v6i1.1674 J Agric Rural Dev 6(1&2), 165-174, June 2008
Low‐Temperature‐Grown Transition Metal Oxide Based Storage Materials and Oxide Transistors for High‐Density Non‐volatile Memory
Authors: Lee Myoung‐Jae , Kim Sun I. , Lee Chang B. , Yin Huaxiang , Ahn Seung‐Eon , Kang Bo S. , Kim Ki H. , Park Jae C. , Kim Chang J. , Song Ihun , Kim Sang W. , Stefanovich Genrikh , Lee Jung H. , Chung Seok J. , Kim Yeon H. , Park Youngsoo
Published: December 2008

An effective stacked memory concept utilizing all‐oxide‐based device components for future high‐density nonvolatile stacked structure data storage is developed. GaInZnO (GIZO) thin‐film transistors, grown at room temperature, are integrated with one‐diode (CuO/InZnO)–one‐resistor (NiO) (1D–1R) structure oxide storage node elements, fabricated at room temperature. The low growth temperatures and fabrication methods introduced in this paper allow the demonstration of a stackable memory array as well as integrated device characteristics. Benefits provided by low‐temperature processes are demonstrated by fabrication of working devices over glass substrates. Here, the device characteristics of each individual component as well as the characteristics of a combined select transistor with a 1D–1R cell are reported. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of a NiO resistance layer deposited by sputter and atomic layer deposition confirms the importance of metallic Ni content in NiO for bi‐stable resistance switching. The GIZO transistor shows a field‐effect mobility of 30 cm2 V−1 s−1, a Vth of +1.2 V, and a drain current on/off ratio of up to 108, while the CuO/InZnO heterojunction oxide diode has forward current densities of 2 × 104 A cm−2. Both of these materials show the performance of state‐of‐the‐art oxide devices.
Microstructure–property–quality‐correlated paint design: An LMC‐based approach
Authors: Xiao Jie , Huang Yinlun
Published: December 2008

Paint is designed to offer various chemical and physical properties for surface protection, styling, and appearance. Nevertheless, the anticipated quality of the surface coating is frequently unsatisfactory, which is often attributed to paint formulation. As new demands on coating performance continuously emerge, paint formulation design becomes much more challenging than ever. It is recognized that paint design can be significantly improved with the help of advanced computational methods, as they can provide great freedom and control over the investigation of paint formulation through any number of in silico experiments virtually under any application conditions. This article introduces a lattice Monte Carlo based computational methodology for paint formulation design. By this methodology and structural analysis techniques, a variety of correlations among paint material, curing condition, coating microstructure, and coating qualities can be generated, which are critical for the development of superior paint formulations. A comprehensive study on acrylic‐melamine‐based paint design and analysis demonstrates the methodological efficacy. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Operational modeling of multistream heat exchangers with phase changes
Authors: Hasan M. M. Faruque , Karimi I. A. , Alfadala H. E. , Grootjans H.
Published: December 2008

Multistream heat exchangers (MSHE) enable the simultaneous exchange of heat among multiple streams, and are preferred in cryogenic processes such as air separation and LNG. Most MSHEs are complex; proprietary and involve phase changes of mixtures. Although modeling MSHE is crucial for process optimization, no such work exists to our knowledge. We present a novel approach for deriving an approximate operational (vs. design) model from historic data for an MSHE. Using a superstructure of simple 2‐stream exchangers, we propose a mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation to obtain a HE network that best represents the MSHE operation. We also develop an iterative algorithm to solve the large and nonconvex MINLP model in reasonable time, as existing commercial solvers fail to do so. Finally, we demonstrate the application of our work on an MSHE from an existing LNG plant, and successfully predict its performance over a variety of seasons and feed conditions. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Identification of occupational cancer risk in British Columbia: A population‐based case–control study of 2,998 lung cancers by histopathological subtype
Authors: MacArthur Amy C. , Le Nhu D. , Fang Raymond , Band Pierre R.
Published: December 2008

Background

Few studies have investigated occupational lung cancer risk in relation to specific histopathological subtypes.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between lung cancer and occupation/industry of employment by histopathological subtype. A total of 2,998 male cases and 10,223 cancer controls, diagnosed between 1983 and 1990, were identified through the British Columbia Cancer Registry. Matched on age and year of diagnosis, conditional logistic regression analyses were performed for two different estimates of exposure with adjustment for potentially important confounding variables, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, marital status, educational attainment, and questionnaire respondent.

Results

For all lung cancers, an excess risk was observed for workers in the primary metal (OR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.01–1.71), mining (OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.20–1.96), machining (OR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.09–1.63), transport (OR = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.08–2.07), utility (OR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.22–2.09), and protective services (OR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.05–1.55) industries. Associations with histopathological subtypes included an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in construction trades (OR = 1.25, 95% CI, 1.06–1.48), adenocarcinoma for professional workers in medicine and health (OR = 1.73, 95% CI, 1.18–2.53), small cell carcinoma in railway (OR = 1.62, 95% CI, 1.06–2.49), and truck transport industries (OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.00–2.28), and large cell carcinoma for employment in the primary metal industry (OR = 2.35, 95% CI, 1.11–4.96).

Conclusions

Our results point to excess lung cancer risk for occupations involving exposure to metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and asbestos, as well as several new histopathologic‐specific associations that merit further investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:221–232, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural‐Product Sugar Biosynthesis and Enzymatic Glycodiversification
Authors: Thibodeaux Christopher J. , Melançon Charles E. , Liu Hung‐wen
Published: December 2008

Many biologically active small‐molecule natural products produced by microorganisms derive their activities from sugar substituents. Changing the structures of these sugars can have a profound impact on the biological properties of the parent compounds. This realization has inspired attempts to derivatize the sugar moieties of these natural products through exploitation of the sugar biosynthetic machinery. This approach requires an understanding of the biosynthetic pathway of each target sugar and detailed mechanistic knowledge of the key enzymes. Scientists have begun to unravel the biosynthetic logic behind the assembly of many glycosylated natural products and have found that a core set of enzyme activities is mixed and matched to synthesize the diverse sugar structures observed in nature. Remarkably, many of these sugar biosynthetic enzymes and glycosyltransferases also exhibit relaxed substrate specificity. The promiscuity of these enzymes has prompted efforts to modify the sugar structures and alter the glycosylation patterns of natural products through metabolic pathway engineering and enzymatic glycodiversification. In applied biomedical research, these studies will enable the development of new glycosylation tools and generate novel glycoforms of secondary metabolites with useful biological activity.
The development of clinical reasoning skills: A major objective of the anatomy course
Authors: Elizondo‐Omaña Rodrigo E. , López Santos Guzmán
Published: December 2008

Traditional medical school curricula have made a clear demarcation between the basic biomedical sciences and the clinical years. It is our view that a comprehensive medical education necessarily involves an increased correlation between basic science knowledge and its clinical applications. A basic anatomy course should have two main objectives: for the student to successfully gain a solid knowledge base of human anatomy and to develop and hone clinical reasoning skills. In a basic anatomy course, clinical case discussions based on underlying anatomic anomalies or abnormalities are the major means to teach students clinical reasoning skills. By identifying, classifying, and analyzing the clinical data given, a student learns to methodically approach a clinical case and formulate plausible diagnoses. Practicing and perfecting clinical problem‐solving skills should be a major objective of the anatomy curriculum. Such clinical reasoning skills are indeed crucial for the successful and expert practice of medicine. Anat Sci Ed 1:267–268, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.
Effects of smoking on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a nicotine patch
Authors: Yun Hwi‐yeol , Seo Jeong‐won , Choi Ji‐eun , Baek In‐hwan , Kang Wonku , Kwon Kwang‐il
Published: December 2008

The effect of smoking on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a nicotine transdermal delivery system, administered as a single dose or multiple doses, was examined in smokers (n=12) and nonsmokers (n=12). The study was a two‐period, parallel trial. In the first period, a single dose of the Nicotinell TTS 20 patch was administered, followed by a 1‐week washout period. Then, in the second period, multiple doses of the Nicotinell TTS 20 patch were administered over 4 days. Regarding the pharmacokinetics of nicotine, theAUC36handAUCτof smokers were about 20% and 40% greater, respectively, than those of nonsmokers. Significant differences in heart rate were observed between smokers and nonsmokers at 10, 12, 16 and 24 h, and significant differences in systolic blood pressure were seen between smokers and nonsmokers at 12, 30 and 36 h in the single‐dose study. With multiple doses, significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were detected between smokers and nonsmokers only at 72.5 and 82 h. Here, it is demonstrated for the first time that the pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effects of a nicotine patch are significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randnahe Vierfachbefestigungen unter Querlast
Authors: Unterweger Andreas , Spyridis Panagiotis , Bergmeister Konrad
Published: December 2008

Ankergruppen in Beton kommen als Befestigungsmittel häufig am Rand zur Anwendung. Bei der Verbindung der Stahlanker mit der Montageplatte kommt es wegen des Lochspiels zu einer zufälligen Ankerstellung in den Durchgangslöchern der Montageplatte. Dadurch werden bei einer Querbelastung nicht alle Anker gleichzeitig aktiviert, was die Tragfähigkeit der Gruppenbefestigung beeinflusst. Bei randnahen Vierfachbefestigungen ist die für die Bruchlast ungünstigste Ankerstellung dann erreicht, wenn die randnäheren Anker zuerst belastet werden. Ausgehend davon berücksichtigt die derzeitige Bemessung nach ETAG 001 für den Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit (ULS) ausschließlich die randnähere Ankerreihe.

Wie in Beton‐ und Stahlbetonbau Heft 11 gezeigt, weisen Versuche gängiger Geometrien mit ungünstigster Ankerstellung im Vergleich dazu wesentlich höhere Bruchlasten auf. Daher wird in diesem Beitrag für den ULS ein neues Bemessungskonzept erarbeitet, welches das bisherige System der Stirnflächen ausbaut und somit anwenderfreundlich die Bemessungslast kontinuierlich aufgrund der Geometrie bestimmt. Im Anschluss wird das neue Bemessungskonzept experimentell für quadratische Vierfachbefestigungen im niederfesten Beton verifiziert.
Efficiency of Functional Regression Estimators for Combining Multiple Laser Scans of cDNA Microarrays
Authors: Glasbey C. A. , Khondoker M. R.
Published: December 2008

The first stage in the analysis of cDNA microarray data is estimation of the level of expression of each gene, from laser scans of hybridised microarrays. Typically, data are used from a single scan, although, if multiple scans are available, there is the opportunity to reduce sampling error by using all of them. Combining multiple laser scans can be formulated as multivariate functional regression through the origin. Maximum likelihood estimation fails, but many alternative estimators exist, one of which is to maximise the likelihood of a Gaussian structural regression model. We show by simulation that, surprisingly, this estimator is efficient for our problem, even though the distribution of gene expression values is far from Gaussian. Further, it performs well if errors have a heavier tailed distribution or the model includes intercept terms, but not necessarily in other regions of parameter space. Finally, we show that by combining multiple laser scans we increase the power to detect differential expression of genes. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Brown Melissa A. , Iyer Rohin K. , Radisic Milica
Published: December 2008

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality in North America. Cardiac tissue engineering aims to engineer a contractile patch of physiological thickness to use in surgical repair of diseased heart tissue. We previously reported that perfusion of engineered cardiac constructs resulted in improved tissue assembly. Because heart tissues respond to mechanical stimuli in vitro and experience rhythmic mechanical forces during contraction in vivo, we hypothesized that provision of pulsatile interstitial medium flow to an engineered cardiac patch would result in enhanced tissue assembly by way of mechanical conditioning and improved mass transport. Thus, we constructed a novel perfusion bioreactor capable of providing pulsatile fluid flow at physiologically relevant shear stresses and flow rates. Pulsatile perfusion (PP) was achieved by incorporation of a normally closed solenoid pinch valve into the perfusion loop and was carried out at a frequency of 1 Hz and a flow rate of 1.50 mL/min (PP) or 0.32 mL/min (PP‐LF). Nonpulsatile flow at 1.50 mL/min (NP) or 0.32 mL/min (NP‐LF) served as controls. Static controls were cultivated in well plates. The main experimental groups were seeded with cells enriched for cardiomyocytes by one preplating step (64% cardiac Troponin I+, 34% prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase+), whereas pure cardiac fibroblasts and cells enriched for cardiomyocytes by two preplating steps (81% cardiac Troponin I+, 16% prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase+) served as controls. Cultivation under pulsatile flow had beneficial effects on contractile properties. Specifically, the excitation threshold was significantly lower in the PP condition (pulsatile perfusion at 1.50 mL/min) than in the Static control, and the contraction amplitude was the highest; whereas high maximum capture rate was observed for the PP‐LF conditions (pulsatile perfusion at 0.32 mL/min). The enhanced hypertrophy index observed for the PP‐LF group was consistent with the highest cellular length and diameter in this group. Within the same cultivation groups (Static, NP‐LF, PP‐LF, PP, and NP) there were no significant differences in the diameter between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes, although cardiomyocytes were significantly more elongated than fibroblasts under PP‐LF conditions. Cultivation of control cell populations resulted in noncontractile constructs when cardiac fibroblasts were used (as expected) and no overall improvement in functional properties when two steps of preplating were used to enrich for cardiomyocytes in comparison with only one step of preplating.
On the use, and reuse, of polymers for the treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated water via a solid–liquid partitioning bioreactor
Authors: Prpich George P. , Rehmann Lars , Daugulis Andrew J.
Published: December 2008

Aqueous environments contaminated with diesel components pose a threat to the native biota due to the intrinsically toxic nature of the many hydrocarbon compounds present. In the event of diesel being released into an aqueous environment it is imperative that the contaminant is recovered in a rapid manner to ensure the safety of aquatic organisms as well as to maintain desired water quality. The research presented in this study investigates the potential of polymeric sorbents to recover diesel from a contaminated aqueous source. Thermoplastic materials, such as styrene butadiene derived polymers, were shown to substantially reduce diesel levels in excess of 98% with 90% of this recoverable fraction being removed in less than 30 min. Recyclable materials, such as used automobile tires, were shown to obtain similar results with added potential benefit including lower cost and reuse of a waste material. The polymeric sorbents were also biologically regenerated and this was accomplished in a solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactor, in which 65% of the initial diesel contamination was degraded within a 9 day period. The result of this work was the demonstration of a low cost, reusable remediation technology for the recovery, and destruction of diesel from aqueous environments.
Rare Tautomers of 1‐Methyluracil and 1‐Methylthymine: Tuning Relative Stabilities through Coordination to PtII Complexes
Authors: van der Wijst Tushar , Fonseca Guerra Célia , Swart Marcel , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Lippert Bernhard
Published: December 2008

We have computationally explored how the relative stabilities of 1‐methyluracil (1‐MeUH) tautomers can be tuned through coordination of these tautomers to PtII complexes with a particular set of ligands. This has been done using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level. Thus, we have examined the water/1‐MeUH exchange reactions of [PtII(A)(B)(C)(OH2)]q + 1‐MeUH to uncover: i) which tautomers are best stabilized by the PtII complex, and ii) how the net charge q in the complex affects the reaction energy. The net charge q depends on the ligands A, B, and C, which can be the neutral NH3 or anionic Cl−. To reveal the effect of solvation, all reaction systems are studied both in the gas phase and in water. Also the stabilization of tautomers of 1‐methylthymine (1‐MeTH) by cisplatin is investigated. The calculations reveal that relative energies of the metal (here: PtII)‐complexed forms of the various tautomers (here: of 1‐MeUH and 1‐MeTH) do not parallel those of the free tautomers. Rather, a rare nucleobase tautomer, despite its low natural abundance, may become favored over the predominant one when complexed to a metal ion.