bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Theory of Certain Distribution Functions in MHD Turbulent Flow for Velocity and Concentration Undergoing A First Order Reaction in a Rotating System
Authors: Azad MAK , Aziz MA , Sarker MS Alam
Published: August 2011

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 54-59, 2011
Association of Moderate Coffee Intake with Self-Reported Diabetes among Urban Brazilians
Authors: Machado Liliane M. M. , Da Costa Teresa H. M. , Da Silva Eduardo F. , Dórea José G.
Published: August 2011

Coffee has been associated with reductions in the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD), including diabetes mellitus. Because differences in food habits are recognizable modifying factors in the epidemiology of diabetes, we studied the association of coffee consumption with type-2 diabetes in a sample of the adult population of the Federal District, Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted by telephone interview (n = 1,440). A multivariate analysis was run controlling for socio-behavioural variables, obesity and family antecedents of NCCD. A hierarchical linear regression model and a Poisson regression were used to verify association of type-2 diabetes and coffee intake. The independent variables which remained in the final model, following the hierarchical inclusion levels, were: first level—age and marital status; second level—diabetes and dyslipidaemias in antecedents; third level—cigarette smoking, supplement intake, body mass index; and fourth level—coffee intake (£100 mL/d, 101 to 400 mL/day, and >400 mL/day). After adjusting hierarchically for the confounding variables, consumers of 100 to 400 mL of coffee/day had a 2.7% higher (p = 0.04) prevalence of not having diabetes than those who drank less than 100 mL of coffee/day. Compared to coffee intake of £100 mL/day, adults consuming >400 mL of coffee/day showed no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of diabetes. Thus, moderate coffee intake is favourably associated with self-reported type-2 diabetes in the studied population. This is the first study to show a relationship between coffee drinking and diabetes in a Brazilian population.
Experimental and Theoretical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Study on the Temperature-Dependent Structural Changes of Methylsulfanylmethane
Authors: Tapramaz Recep , Türkkan Ercan , Dereli Ömer
Published: August 2011

Methylsulfonylmethane (or dimethyl sulfone), a naturally produced and vitally important organosulfur compound in living organisms, was irradiated with gamma rays, and the produced radicals were investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy at different temperatures. The structure and behavior of the radical changed when the temperatures varied. The hyperfine splitting of the CH3 group was small, and the 33S splitting was relatively high between 80 and −50 °C. When the temperature was between −50 and −160 °C, the 33S splitting became small and the CH3 splitting was higher. However, the group kept rotating; therefore, only the isotropic splitting values were measured, and the g-values were anisotropic. When the temperature decreased below −180 °C, the CH3 group stopped rotating, and the hydrogen splitting values became nonequivalent due to an inhomogeneous electron distribution. The observed structures can be explained by referring to both the experimental and theoretically calculated values reported.
Charge transfer through single molecule contacts: How reliable are rate descriptions?
Authors: Kast Denis , Kecke L , Ankerhold J
Published: August 2011

Background: The trend for the fabrication of electrical circuits with nanoscale dimensions has led to impressive progress in the field of molecular electronics in the last decade. However, a theoretical description of molecular contacts as the building blocks of future devices is challenging, as it has to combine the properties of Fermi liquids in the leads with charge and phonon degrees of freedom on the molecule. Outside of ab initio schemes for specific set-ups, generic models reveal the characteristics of transport processes. Particularly appealing are descriptions based on transfer rates successfully used in other contexts such as mesoscopic physics and intramolecular electron transfer. However, a detailed analysis of this scheme in comparison with numerically exact solutions is still elusive.

Results: We show that a formulation in terms of transfer rates provides a quantitatively accurate description even in domains of parameter space where strictly it is expected to fail, e.g., at lower temperatures. Typically, intramolecular phonons are distributed according to a voltage driven steady state that can only roughly be captured by a thermal distribution with an effective elevated temperature (heating). An extension of a master equation for the charge–phonon complex, to effectively include the impact of off-diagonal elements of the reduced density matrix, provides very accurate solutions even for stronger electron–phonon coupling.

Conclusion: Rate descriptions and master equations offer a versatile model to describe and understand charge transfer processes through molecular junctions. Such methods are computationally orders of magnitude less expensive than elaborate numerical simulations that, however, provide exact solutions as benchmarks. Adjustable parameters obtained, e.g., from ab initio calculations allow for the treatment of various realizations. Even though not as rigorously formulated as, e.g., nonequilibrium Green’s function methods, they are conceptually simpler, more flexible for extensions, and from a practical point of view provide accurate results as long as strong quantum correlations do not modify the properties of the relevant subunits substantially.
The EU Sustainable Development Discourse – An Analysis
Authors: Boissière Bruno
Published: August 2011

Résumé Le développement durable semble aujourd’hui clairement déﬁni en tant que concept et dans ses implications politiques. Son usage dans les discours politiques s’est multiplié au ﬁl des années, à un point tel que certains n’hésitent pas à abuser de l’adjectif « durable », sans renoncer au dogme productiviste. L’analyse de discours de référence des institutions de l’Union européenne sur le développement durable montre que l’évolution du concept lui-même a fait évoluer le processus au niveau des institutions européennes depuis la première stratégie déﬁnie au Conseil européen de Göteborg (juin 2001). Cependant, si le concept a pénétré les discours des institutions, sa traduction opérationnelle et l’adaptation des structures organisationnelles apparaissent extrêmement lentes et souvent très partielles. On est loin d’une refonte du fonctionnement général en fonction de ce qui est annoncé comme une priorité politique, y compris dans les 3 principaux domaines concernés: économique, social et environnemental. Mais la cohérence du discours avec la pratique se vériﬁe dans la partie émergée de l’iceberg de la Commission, où la coordination et la supervision du développement durable ont été conﬁées au Secrétariat général en liaison directe avec le Président de la Commission.
Le discours sur la stratégie nationale de développement durable en France
Authors: Baechler Laurent
Published: August 2011

Résumé Les autorités françaises présentèrent en 2003 la première stratégie officielle de développement durable. Ce premier programme fut mis à jour en 2006 pour se mettre en accord avec la stratégie européenne. Cependant, toute la stratégie fut révisée après l’élection présidentielle de 2007 dans un processus dynamique appelé « Grenelle de l’environnement ». Ce processus concerne un grand nombre d’acteurs, chacun ayant – au moins en théorie – une position sur la stratégie nationale de développement durable. Dès lors, le Grenelle est un parfait cas d’étude pour l’analyse du discours sur la stratégie nationale du développement durable en France. Deux conclusions ressortent de cette étude : le discours des acteurs est intrinsèquement dépendant de leurs positions et intérêts respectifs, ce qui signifie que l’on trouvera difficilement un discours intégrateur cohérent avec la conception à trois dimensions du développement durable. Cependant, plus les acteurs impliqués sont loin du niveau où l’on mesure le développement durable, plus leur discours est intégrateur.
Le développement durable – un principe directeur de la politique allemande ?
Authors: Marhold Hartmut , Lallemand Xavier
Published: August 2011

Résumé Le développement durable est largement reconnu en Allemagne comme un sujet prioritaire par la plupart des acteurs gouvernementaux et sociétaux. Le débat sur ce sujet est très vivant, et le nombre de participants, que ce soit des institutions, des organisations ou des individus, est très élevé. Cependant, d’un acteur à l’autre, la définition du concept varie d’une approche sectorielle à une approche intégrative. Ainsi, si certains acteurs envisagent le développement durable de façon globale, d’autres n’arrivent pas à dépasser l’intérêt sectoriel dont ils sont les détenteurs.
Sustainable Development Discourse in Norway
Authors: Ruud Audun
Published: August 2011

Résumé La Norvège constitue le cas d’un précurseur qui devient ensuite un acteur secondaire et réfractaire. Il n’y a pour l’instant aucun débat public en cous sur le développement durable. Et si l’on en trouve des éléments, la dimension environnementale demeure dominante. Le changement climatique reste l’enjeu central. En dépit de ce nouveau contexte politique et d’objectifs nouveaux et ambitieux (par exemple que la Norvège devienne neutre en matière d’émission de carbone pour 2030), et malgré le fait que la Norvège dispose d’un important potentiel en termes de production et d’exportation d’énergies renouvelables en Europe, on trouve peu d’information sur de nouveaux changements politiques substantiels sur le plan sectoriel.
Sustainability Discourse in Hungary
Authors: Gyene Gyöngyvér
Published: August 2011

Résumé Dans la période qui va de son accession à l’Union européenne en 2004 jusqu’à la crise financière en 2008, la Hongrie est devenue membre de l’Union, a eu trois gouvernements, a préparé sa stratégie de développement durable, a mis en place son Conseil national du développement durable, et a créé un poste de Commissaire parlementaire pour les générations futures. Cet article analyse le discours du développement durable de l’État et des principaux responsables gouvernementaux durant cette période dans les médias électroniques hongrois, et examine trois sondages d’opinion réalisés en 2006 et 2008 sur la prise de conscience du développement durable, et la recherche de possibles changements d’attitude de la population hongroise à ce sujet.
How to Tell the History of European Integration in the 1970s
Authors: Marhold Hartmut
Published: August 2011

Résumé Les « années 1970 » sont une période controversée, et ceci pas seulement dans l’histoire de la construction européenne. L’Europe était-elle en crise à l’époque, avec un système politique en stagnation et des projets politiques essentiels en suspens ? Ou était-elle au contraire assez solide pour affronter efficacement les défis de la crise du dollar, des chocs pétroliers et de la « stagflation » ? Quels sont les facteurs (et acteurs) principaux du malaise économique et social de l’époque ? Et quel est leur impact sur la construction européenne entre « La Haye » (1969) et l’Acte unique européen (1985-1987) ? Les historiens subdivisent le temps historique en ères, périodes, époques, selon l’importance relative qu’ils attachent à l’un ou l’autre de ces facteurs. L’article analyse des approches historiographiques sous cet angle et développe une proposition de périodisation de cette période cruciale pour la construction européenne.
La Grande-Bretagne et l'xEurope : du pragmatisme insulaire au partenariat sceptique
Authors: Gueldry Michel
Published: August 2011

Résumé Le 1er janvier 1973, la Grande-Bretagne devint finalement membre de la Communauté européenne, après moult hésitation et forces négociations. Ce chapitre étudie donc les rapports de ce pays avec l’intégration européenne des origines aux années 1970. Il présente d’abord les facteurs structurels qui interdirent la participation britannique de 1950 à la fin des années 1960 et continuèrent à le handicaper après. Ensuite il analyse les facteurs conjoncturels spécifiques qui permirent l’évolution britannique entre la décennie des refus fondateurs (CECA, CED et Messine) et ses trois candidatures semi-convaincues et conditionnelles. Une troisième partie examine les problèmes de cette entrée tardive dans la Communauté. La quatrième analyse l’action de Margaret Thatcher, Premier ministre en 1979, qui paralysa l’Europe jusqu’au Conseil de Fontainebleau en 1984 et, en rupture avec le modèle de Lord Beveridge qui domina les décennies de l’après-guerre au Royaume-Uni, diffusa une vision libérale et déréglementée de l’économie en Europe, une alternative aux compromis fondateurs des Six. A ces analyses essentiellement historiques succède une partie plus analytique qui identifie les invariants de la participation britannique et en ébauche quelques interprétations théoriques.
Territoires : de la communauté de destins à une communauté de desseins
Authors: Ollivro Jean
Published: August 2011

Résumé La crise énergétique puis la crise économique ont contraint une partie de la population à se recentrer sur son territoire local et à y créer de nouveaux échanges de proximité, du reste facilités par l’évolution en cours des technologies de communication.
Négociations de grands contrats en Chine : un théâtre d'ombres, du prologue à l'épilogue ?
Authors: Brucker François , Rolland Thierry
Published: August 2011

Résumé AREVA NP construit en Chine deux nouveaux réacteurs de troisième génération. Mais la Chine se prépare à prendre la relève. Les Chinois, actuellement clients d’AREVA NP, deviendront sans doute à terme ses partenaires pour la construction de ses prochains réacteurs.
Typhlocharis vicariantes del Estrecho de Gibraltar. II: T. silvanoides Dieck, 1869 (Coleoptera, Caraboidea, Trechidae)
Authors: Zaballos J. P. , Pérez González S.
Published: August 2011

Typhlocharis silvanoides Dieck, 1869 es la especie tipo del género y hasta ahora solo era conocida de Marruecos. Nuevas capturas de esta especie en la provincia de Cádiz (España) y el estudio del material antiguo de varios museos, han permitido formalizar una serie típica, inexistente hasta la fecha; ampliar la información morfológica de la especie con la descripción de la genitalia femenina y la variabilidad de las poblaciones estudiadas, comentar sus relaciones con otras especies del género y establecer la vicarianza de la especie en el Estrecho de Gibraltar, circunstancia que comparte con Typhlocharis armata Coiffait, 1969 a la que se dedicó la primera parte de este estudio.
Towards a comprehensive knowledge package for teaching proof: A focus on the misconception that empirical arguments are proofs
Authors: Stylianides Andreas J.
Published: August 2011

The concept of proof is central to meaningful learning of mathematics, but is hard for students to learn. A serious misconception dominant amongst students at all levels of schooling is that empirical arguments are proofs. An important question, then, is the following: What knowledge might enable teachers to help students overcome this misconception? Earlier research led to construction of a significant but rather incomplete ‘knowledge package’ for teaching in this area. Major elements of this knowledge package are summarised and its further development is contributed to by discussing a research-based instructional intervention found to be effective in helping secondary students begin to overcome the misconception that empirical arguments are proofs. Implications for mathematics teacher education are considered.
Semiclassical Limits of Eigenfunctions on Flat n-Dimensional Tori
Authors: Aϊssiou Tayeb
Published: August 2011

We provide a proof of a conjecture by Jakobson, Nadirashvili, and Toth stating that on an n-dimensional flat torus 𝕋n, and the Fourier transform of squares of the eigenfunctions |φ λ|2 of the Laplacian have uniform ln bounds that do not depend on the eigenvalue λ. The proof is a generalization of an argument by Jakobson, et al. for the lower dimensional cases. These results imply uniform bounds for semiclassical limits on 𝕋n+2. We also prove a geometric lemma that bounds the number of codimension-one simplices satisfying a certain restriction on an n-dimensional sphere Sn(λ) of radius √λ, and we use it in the proof.
Multiple Solutions for Nonlinear Periodic Problems
Authors: Kyritsi Sophia Th. , Papageorgiou Nikolaos S.
Published: August 2011

We consider a nonlinear periodic problem driven by a nonlinear nonhomogeneous differential operator and a Carathéodory reaction termf(t;x) that exhibits a (p– 1)-superlinear growth in x 2Rnear 1 and near zero. A special case of the differential operator is the scalarp-Laplacian. Using a combination of variational methods based on the critical point theory with Morse theory (critical groups), we show that the problem has three nontrivial solutions, two of which have constant sign (one positive, the other negative).
O processo de conversão do conhecimento em uma escola de atendimento especializado
Authors: Pereira Frederico Cesar Mafra
Published: August 2011

Este artigo apresenta o processo de conversão do conhecimento em uma empresa de pequeno porte localizada em Belo Horizonte (MG) - estudo de caso em uma escola de atendimento especializado -, utilizando-se do referencial teórico dos quatro processos de conversão do conhecimento (NONAKA e TAKEUCHI, 1997).
Transferência de tecnologia entre a universidade e a indústria
Authors: Cysne Maria do Rosário de Fátima Portela
Published: August 2011

Abordagem conceitual de tecnologia, inovação tecnológica e de transferência de tecnologia entre universidade e indústria como transferência de conhecimento (tácito e codificado), como base teórica que permite incluir os serviços de informação como componente relevante para o sucesso da transferência. Análise do processo de transferência de tecnologia, dos mecanismos, dos atores envolvidos em sua execução e da complexidade de sua implantação.
Global dust model intercomparison in AeroCom phase I
Authors: Huneeus N. , Schulz M. , Balkanski Y. , Griesfeller J. , Prospero J. , Kinne S. , Bauer S. , Boucher O. , Chin M. , Dentener F. , Diehl T. , Easter R. , Fillmore D. , Ghan S. , Ginoux P. , Grini A. , Horowitz L. , Koch D. , Krol M. C. , Landing W. , Liu X. , Mahowald N. , Miller R. , Morcrette J.-J. , Myhre G. , Penner J. , Perlwitz J. , Stier P. , Takemura T. , Zender C. S.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. This study presents the results of a broad intercomparison of a total of 15 global aerosol models within the AeroCom project. Each model is compared to observations related to desert dust aerosols, their direct radiative effect, and their impact on the biogeochemical cycle, i.e., aerosol optical depth (AOD) and dust deposition. Additional comparisons to Angström exponent (AE), coarse mode AOD and dust surface concentrations are included to extend the assessment of model performance and to identify common biases present in models. These data comprise a benchmark dataset that is proposed for model inspection and future dust model development. There are large differences among the global models that simulate the dust cycle and its impact on climate. In general, models simulate the climatology of vertically integrated parameters (AOD and AE) within a factor of two whereas the total deposition and surface concentration are reproduced within a factor of 10. In addition, smaller mean normalized bias and root mean square errors are obtained for the climatology of AOD and AE than for total deposition and surface concentration. Characteristics of the datasets used and their uncertainties may influence these differences. Large uncertainties still exist with respect to the deposition fluxes in the southern oceans. Further measurements and model studies are necessary to assess the general model performance to reproduce dust deposition in ocean regions sensible to iron contributions. Models overestimate the wet deposition in regions dominated by dry deposition. They generally simulate more realistic surface concentration at stations downwind of the main sources than at remote ones. Most models simulate the gradient in AOD and AE between the different dusty regions. However the seasonality and magnitude of both variables is better simulated at African stations than Middle East ones. The models simulate the offshore transport of West Africa throughout the year but they overestimate the AOD and they transport too fine particles. The models also reproduce the dust transport across the Atlantic in the summer in terms of both AOD and AE but not so well in winter-spring nor the southward displacement of the dust cloud that is responsible of the dust transport into South America. Based on the dependency of AOD on aerosol burden and size distribution we use model bias with respect to AOD and AE to infer the bias of the dust emissions in Africa and the Middle East. According to this analysis we suggest that a range of possible emissions for North Africa is 400 to 2200 Tg yr−1 and in the Middle East 26 to 526 Tg yr−1.
An effective method for the detection of trace species demonstrated using the MetOp Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer
Authors: Walker J. C. , Dudhia A. , Carboni E.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Fast and reliable methods for the detection of atmospheric trace species are needed for near-real-time applications including volcanic hazard avoidance. One common approach using hyperspectral instruments is to measure the difference in brightness temperature between a small number of target sensitive and background channels to determine the presence of the target species. Although fast and robust, current brightness temperature difference methods do not fully exploit the spectral range and resolution of hyperspectral instruments, and the noise associated with the measurements remains high. In this paper, we describe a way to make full use of the spectral information from hyperspectral sounders allowing the presence of the target species to be determined with much better sensitivity in near-real-time if required. The technique is demonstrated using the MetOp Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer considering two case studies: (a) the detection of sulphur dioxide from the eruption of the Kasatochi volcano in Alaska in August 2008, and (b) the detection of ammonia emissions related to agriculture over Southern Asia in May 2008. The performance of this method is compared against that of existing brightness temperature difference methods. It is found that the sensitivity of the detection of these trace species is improved by up to an order of magnitude.
Needle in a Haystack—Parathyroid Gland in a 10-Day Old Infant: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ismail Adel , Abbas Tariq O. , Al-Khalaf Fawziya
Published: August 2011

Neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism (NSPHT) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of calcium homeostasis. It presents shortly after birth and is characterized by striking hyperparathyroidism, marked hypercalcemia, and hyperparathyroid bone disease. It is caused by mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR), the ionized calcium sensor for the parathyroid cells, the parafollicular thyroid C cells, and the kidney epithelium, as well as cells in bone and intestine. Without early intervention, which frequently requires surgical removal of the hyperplastic parathyroids, the patients often succumb to complications of hypercalcemia and respiratory failure. Finding the parathyroid gland in small neonates is not an easy task. Here we report on a patient with neonatal hyperparathyroidism who was treated by total parathyroidectomy and discuss the various ways of helping to find the parathyroid glands during surgery at this young age.
Deformation Strengthening of Biopolymer in Nacre
Authors: Xu Zhi‐Hui , Li Xiaodong
Published: August 2011

Nacre is an ultratough natural nanocomposite found in mollusc shells. It consists of hard aragonite nanocrystals and a soft biopolymer matrix. Apart from maintaining the integrity of nacre's brick‐and‐mortar nanoarchitecture, the biopolymer plays a critical role in the strengthening and toughening of nacre. By directly probing the biopolymer strands using atomic force microscopy, it is revealed that the biopolymer in nacre has the capability to strengthen itself during deformation. This remarkable deformation–strengthening mechanism contributes significantly to the ultrahigh toughness of nacre, and can be explained by a coiled‐spring model. The findings explain the mystery of nacre's toughening mechanisms, provide additional design guidelines for developing biomimetic nanomaterials, and lay a constitutive foundation for modeling the deformation behavior of nacre.
Bioinspired Design Criteria for Damage‐Resistant Materials with Periodically Varying Microstructure
Authors: Kolednik Otmar , Predan Jozef , Fischer Franz Dieter , Fratzl Peter
Published: August 2011

Many biological materials, such as bone, nacre, or certain deep‐sea glass sponges, have a hierarchical structure that makes them stiff, tough, and damage tolerant. Different structural features contributing to these exceptional properties have been identified, but a common motif of these materials, the periodic arrangement of structural components with strongly varying stiffness, has not gained sufficient attention. Here we show that the periodicity of the material properties is one of the dominant reasons for the high fracture resistance of these structures and their tolerance to short cracks. If the composite architecture fulfills certain design rules, which are derived in this paper, the stiff structure becomes fracture resistant and, most of all, flaw tolerant. This architectural criterion inspired from nature provides useful guidelines for the design of defect‐tolerant resistant man‐made materials.
Mechanistic model for kinetics of propene hydroformylation with Rh catalyst
Authors: Murzin Dmitry Yu , Bernas Andreas , Salmi Tapio
Published: August 2011

Hydroformylation of propene to isobutyraldehyde and n‐butyraldehyde was studied in the kinetic regime in a semibatch stainless steel reactor at 85–115°C and 1–15 bar pressure in 2,2,4‐trimethyl‐1,3‐pentanediol monoisobutyrate solvent with rhodium catalyst cyclohexyl diphenylphosphine as a ligand, which showed lower normal/isometric aldehyde ratio (n/i) than previously studied triphenylphosphine. The rate was pressure and Rh concentration dependent. The regioselectivity was conversion independent; however, dependent on the ligand concentration, as higher ligand concentration promoted isobutyraldehyde formation. The influence of ligand concentration on regioselectivity was investigated. A kinetic model was proposed based on the mechanism of alkene hydroformylation and compared with experimental observations. Numerical data fitting was performed showing good agreement of reaction rates and regioselectivity with experimental data. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Achieving profitably, operationally, and environmentally compromise flow‐sheet designs by a single‐criterion optimization
Authors: Kasaš Mihael , Kravanja Zdravko , Pintarič Zorka Novak
Published: August 2011

Compromise designs that can be achieved to a certain extent in process flow‐sheet optimization not only by multicriteria but also by single‐criterion optimization are described. A well‐balanced compromise between the profitability, operational, and environmental efficiencies can be achieved using a suitable economic criterion. From the financial point of view, the net present value (NPV) is the correct criterion for selection from among mutually exclusive solutions and, hence, for evaluating different designs in process optimization. Other criteria are also often used in engineering practice. It is shown that optimal designs obtained using different economic objectives vary not only in their investment and other financial indicators, but also in operational efficiencies and environmental indicators. Operationally more efficient and environmentally less harmful solutions can be obtained at lower profitability, by increasing the invested funds. The net present value generates the best compromise between these objectives, as illustrated by three flow‐sheet synthesis problems. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Information as ontologization
Authors: Saab David J. , Riss Uwe V.
Published: August 2011

The traditional view of data, information, and knowledge as a hierarchy fosters an understanding of information as an independent entity with objective meaning—that while information is tied to data and knowledge, its existence is not dependent upon them. While traditional conceptions assume a static nature of information, expressed by the equation information = data + meaning, we have argued that this understanding is based on an ontologization of an entwined process of sense making and meaning making. This process starts from the recognition of a pattern that is interpreted in a way that influences our behavior. At the same time, the process character of meaning making makes us aware of the fact that this ontologized hierarchy is in fact an interwoven process. We conclude that the phenomenological analysis of this ontologization that makes into being data, information, and knowledge has to go back to this process to reveal the essential underlying dependencies.
Cassia obtusifolia MetE as a Cytosolic Target for Potassium Isolespedezate, a Leaf‐Opening Factor of Cassia plants: Target Exploration by a Compact Molecular‐Probe Strategy
Authors: Ueda Minoru , Manabe Yoshiyuki , Otsuka Yuki , Kanzawa Nobuyuki
Published: August 2011

Affinity chromatography by using ligand‐immobilized bead technology is generally the first choice for target exploration of a bioactive ligand. However, when a ligand has comparatively low affinity against its target, serious difficulties will be raised in affinity‐based target detection. We report here that the use of compact molecular probes (CMP) will be advantageous in such cases; it enables the retention of moderate affinity between the ligand and its target in contrast to immobilizing the ligand on affinity beads that will cause a serious drop in affinity to preclude target detection. In the CMP strategy, a CMP containing an azide handle is used for an initial affinity‐based labeling of target, and subsequent tagging by CuAAC with a large FLAG tag will give a tagged target protein. By using the CMP strategy, we succeeded in the identification of Cassia obtusifolia MetE as a cytosolic target protein of potassium isolespedezate (1), a moderately bioactive ligand.
Relationship between ESI tendency and Indian monsoon rainfall: a possible mechanism
Authors: Kakade S. B. , Kulkarni Ashwini
Published: August 2011

In this article, we have studied spatial and temporal variabilities of temperature and zonal wind field over 90°–0°N, 90°W–90°E during contrasting phases of Effective Strength Index (ESI) tendency and its relationship with Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). During positive (negative) ESI tendency, there is winter‐time anomalous cooling (warming) over western Eurasia surrounding Moscow but magnitude of warming is stronger than cooling. The correlation analysis also suggests that negative ESI tendency is significantly associated with warming over western Eurasia during winter and spring seasons. The study further reveals that positive (negative) ESI tendency is indicating winter‐time anomalous trough (ridge) over the Russian region surrounding Moscow. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Integrating Sustainability into Firms' Processes: Performance Effects and the Moderating Role of Business Models and Innovation
Authors: Hall Jeremy , Wagner Marcus
Published: August 2011

Innovation has been widely regarded as a panacea for sustainable development, but there remains considerable uncertainty about how it will lead to a more sustainable society. We analyze the role of innovation and business models for the link between the integration of sustainable management with other corporate functions and the economic and environmental performance of companies. Drawing on survey data in the manufacturing sector, we apply structural equation modeling to compare differences between business models and the role of different stakeholder groups in a moderation analysis. We find a positive association of the integration of strategic issues and environmental management with the economic and environmental performance of firms. The results also suggest differences in the link between integration and economic and environmental performance, respectively, depending on the type of business model or innovation pursued, and that secondary stakeholders influence sustainability integration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
A hydrodynamic model of a circulating fluidised bed with low‐density particles
Authors: Miao Qi , Zhu Jesse , Barghi Shahzad , Wu Chuangzhi , Yin Xiuli , Zhou Zhaoqiu
Published: August 2011

In this study, a two‐dimensional mathematical model was developed considering the hydrodynamic behaviour of a circulating fluidised bed biomass gasifier (CFBBG), which is also applicable for other low‐density particles. In the modelling, the CFB riser was divided into two regions: a dense region at the bottom and a dilute region at the top of the riser. Kunii and Levenspiel's [Kunii and Levenspiel, Powder Technol. 61, 193‐206 (1990)] model was adopted to express the vertical solids distribution with some other assumptions. Radial distributions of bed voidage were taken into account in the upper zone by using Zhang et al.'s [Zhang et al., Chem. Eng. Sci. 46(12), 3045‐3052 (1991)] correlation. For model validation purposes, a cold model CFB was employed, in which sawdust was transported with air as the fluidising agent. The column is 10 m in height and 280 mm in diameter, and is equipped with pressure transducers to measure axial pressure profile and with a reflective optical fibre probe to measure local solids holdup. A satisfactory agreement between the model predictions and experimental data was found. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
A comparative study on optimised and non‐optimised axial flow, spherical reactors in naphtha reforming process
Authors: Iranshahi Davood , Bahmanpour Ali Mohammad , Pourazadi Ehsan , Rahimpour Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2011

In this study, the operating conditions of an axial flow spherical reactor have been optimised using a reliable optimisation technique and the results are compared with the results of non‐optimised conditions. The dynamic behaviour of the reactor has been considered in the optimisation process and orthogonal collocation method has been used in order to solve the obtained equations from mathematical modelling of the process. The goal of this study is to maximise the aromatics and hydrogen production rate. Therefore, the objective function is the combination of two terms which include the production rate of the mentioned components. The catalyst distribution for each reactor, the inlet pressure of the system, Length per radius for each reactor, the naphtha feed molar flow rate and the hydrogen mole fraction in the recycle stream as well as the inlet temperature of each reactor have been optimised in this study. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Application of optical microscopy as a screening technique for cellulose and lignin solvent systems
Authors: FitzPatrick Michael , Champagne Pascale , Cunningham Michael F. , Falkenburger Charlene
Published: August 2011

Rapid and facile screening techniques to determine the effectiveness of solvents for cellulose or biomass dissolution can advance biomass processing research. Here, we report the use of a simple optical microscopy method to screen potential cellulose and lignin solvents. The described methodology was used to screen the dissolution of cellulose and lignin in two imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs), two phosphonium‐based ILs, as well as a N,N‐dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solution in less time than other techniques. The imidazolium‐based ILs and the DMAc/LiCl were found to dissolve both cellulose and lignin. Also, it was observed that one of the phosphonium‐based ILs dissolved lignin and not cellulose, demonstrating a potential for biomass fractionation applications. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Flow of nanodispersed catalyst particles through porous media: Effect of permeability and temperature
Authors: Zamani Amir , Maini Brij , Pereira‐Almao Pedro
Published: August 2011

The proposed in situ catalytic upgrading of heavy oil to achieve an environmentally sustainable method for heavy oil recovery requires the placement of nanodispersed catalyst particles deep into the formation where it can accelerate the high‐temperature upgrading reactions. In continuation of the previous work [Zamani et al., Energy Fuels 24, 4980‐4988 (2010)], this paper presents results of several new experiments carried out to examine the effects of other parameters, including the connate brine salinity, absolute permeability, sand‐bed temperature and particle concentration on the propagation of nanoparticles in porous media. The results show that lower permeability, increased operating temperature and higher particle concentration did not significantly affect the propagation of nanodispersed catalyst suspension through the sand‐bed. Virtually the same filtration behaviour, displaying a rapid increase of effluent concentration at 1 pore volume injected to a steady concentration close to the inlet concentration was seen in all experiments. A classical phenomenological approach was used to model the macroscopic propagation behaviour of suspended particles in the porous medium. The model was successful in history matching the effluent composition profile observed in the experiments and the deposition profile obtained from post‐test analysis of the sand‐bed. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Adsorption of Chromium(III), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Alumina
Authors: Rajurkar Nilima S. , Gokarn Ashok N. , Dimya Kumaree
Published: August 2011

The possible use of activated alumina powder (AAP) as adsorbent for Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cu(II) from synthetic solutions was investigated. The effect of various parameters on batch adsorption process such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, particle size, temperature, and initial metal ions concentration were studied to optimize the conditions for maximum metal ion removal. Both higher (molar) and lower (ppm) initial metal ion concentration sets were subjected to adsorption on AAP. Adsorption process revealed that equilibrium was established in 50 min for Cr(III) at pH 4.70, 80 min for Ni(II) at pH 7.00, and 40 min for Cu(II) at pH 3.02. Percentage removal was found to be highest at 55°C for Cr(III) and Ni(II) with 420 µm and 45°C for Cu(II) with 250‐µm particle size AAP. A dosage of 2 g for Cr(III), 8 g for Ni(II), and 10 g Cu(II) gave promising data in the metal ion removal. The adsorption process followed Langmuir as well as Freundlich models. The thermodynamics of adsorption of these metal ions on activated aluminum indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Present study indicates that AAP can act as a promising adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment.
Distribution Characteristics of Pollutants and Their Mutual Influence in Highway Runoff
Authors: Zuo XiaoJun , Fu DaFang , Li He , Singh R. P.
Published: August 2011

Many environmental pollution issues from highway runoff increasingly become a serious concern, which has been revealed by many previous studies. However, very less information is available on the distribution characteristics of pollutants and their mutual influence in highway runoff. In this paper, the partitioning of pollutant and particle size distribution were investigated based on the initial road runoff of 47 rainfall events from July 2007 to May 2009 on the Lukou section of the Nanjing Airport Expressway, China. This study is emphasizing on the analysis of the mutual impact of pollutant distribution and the relationship between particle size and pollutant distribution. The impact of rainfall characteristics, water temperature, and pH values in runoff samples on the pollutant distribution was also studied. Result shows that partitioning of different pollutants was varying significantly. Volume of particles in different sizes was different, with the highest volume of particles of 21–75 µm size. The distribution of COD highly affected the distribution of TN, and somewhat promoted the distribution of Pb in particles. TP, Pb, and Cd promoted distribution of each other's in particles. There was better competition among Zn, Cu, and Cd, when heavy metals combined with particles. The particles ranged between 21 and 75 µm size had an obvious impact on the distribution of COD, Pb, and TN in the particulate matter. TP in the particulate matter mainly distributed in particles ranged in 151–300 µm size. Rainfall duration significantly affected the Pb in particulate matter. The distribution of Zn in the particulate matter mostly was affected by pH values.
Biosorption of Cadmium(II) Ions by Citrus Peels in a Packed Bed Column: Effect of Process Parameters and Comparison of Different Breakthrough Curve Models
Authors: Chatterjee Abhijit , Schiewer Silke
Published: August 2011

The efficiency of low cost citrus peels as biosorbents for removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution was investigated in a fixed bed column, a process that could be applied to treat industrial wastewaters similar to commonly used ion exchange columns. Effluent concentration versus time profiles (i.e., breakthrough curves) were experimentally determined in a laboratory‐scale packed bed column for varying operational parameters such as flow rate (2, 9, and 15.5 mL/min), influent cadmium concentration (5, 10, and 15 mg/L), and bed height (24, 48, and 72 cm) at pH 5.5. Column operation was most efficient for empty bed contact times of at least 10 min, which were apparently necessary for mass transfer. While the sorption capacity was largely unaffected by operational variables, the Thomas (Th) rate constant increased with the flow rate, and slightly decreased with increasing column length. Three widely used semi‐mechanistic models (Th, Bohart–Adams, and Yoon–Nelson) were shown to be equivalent and the generalized model was compared with a two‐parameter empirical model (dose‐response). The latter was found to be able to better simulate the breakthrough curve in the region of breakthrough and saturation.
What Prompts Small and Medium Enterprises to Engage in Corporate Social Responsibility? A Study from Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Jui‐Ling , Cheng Meng‐Cheng
Published: August 2011

This paper applies the innovation diffusion theory to analyze the impact of perceptive characteristics on the willingness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Results from 136 SMEs in the manufacturing industry demonstrate that the characteristic of compatibility has a strong and positive influence on the willingness of SMEs to engage in CSR, which means not only that managers' personal values and morality and managers' support are CSR drivers, but also that current corporate culture consistent with CSR and the corporate image fitting well with the concept of CSR will encourage higher take‐up of CSR. Conversely, complexity has a negative impact, which means that the social compliance costs, time, and lack of guidance or benchmarks are regarded as a barrier for SMEs to implement CSR. The educational levels of owner‐top managers have a marked effect on CSR initiatives; the impact is greatest from managers with graduate level degrees. Due to the size effect among SMEs, the annual revenue is positively associated with the willingness of SMEs to engage in CSR. Finally, some implications and limitations are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Transgenerational effects of infantile adversity and enrichment in male and female rats
Authors: Leshem Micah , Schulkin Jay
Published: August 2011

To discover whether the accumulation of life's experiences, adverse and enriching, inform, and serve the following generation by inheritance we examine whether stress to a weanling female will influence her future offspring, whether prereproductive enrichment to the dam, or postweaning enrichment to the offspring, can reverse the transgenerational effects of stress, and whether, like adversity, enrichment might have transgenerational effects. Female rats were exposed to stressors when they were 27–29 days old. Half of these females and their controls were then raised in an enriched environment from weaning until mating at 60 days to examine whether preproduction enrichment reverses the effects of preproduction stress on offspring. Half of the offspring of each group were raised in an enriched environment after weaning, to see whether it reverses the effects of preproduction stress and buttresses prereproductive enrichment. Behavior was examined in 625 adult offspring in 16 groups covering all permutations of the experimental variables (preproduction weanling stress (PS), preproduction enrichment (PE), offspring enrichment (OE), sex). Exploration, avoidance learning, startle, and social interaction were tested. Results reveal that very early prereproductive experience in females, adverse or enriching, will transgenerationally influence their future offspring, depending on the behavior tested and sex. Our finding that enrichment, whether to the parent or offspring generation, can ameliorate the transgenerational impact of adversity, has novel implications for the malleability of transgenerational inheritance, and its individual, social, and therapeutic impact. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54:169‐186, 2012.
Phylogeography of the antMyrmica rubraand its inquiline social parasite
Authors: Leppänen Jenni , Vepsäläinen Kari , Savolainen Riitta
Published: August 2011

Widely distributed Palearctic insects are ideal to study phylogeographic patterns owing to their high potential to survive in many Pleistocene refugia and—after the glaciation—to recolonize vast, continuous areas. Nevertheless, such species have received little phylogeographic attention. Here, we investigated the Pleistocene refugia and subsequent postglacial colonization of the common, abundant, and widely distributed antMyrmica rubraover most of its Palearctic area, using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The western and eastern populations ofM. rubrabelonged predominantly to separate haplogroups, which formed a broad secondary contact zone in Central Europe. The distribution of genetic diversity and haplogroups implied thatM. rubrasurvived the last glaciation in multiple refugia located over an extensive area from Iberia in the west to Siberia in the east, and colonized its present areas of distribution along several routes. The matrilineal genetic structure ofM. rubrawas probably formed during the last glaciation and subsequent postglacial expansion. Additionally, becauseM. rubrahas two queen morphs, the obligately socially parasitic microgyne and its macrogyne host, we tested the suggested speciation of the parasite. Locally, the parasite and host usually belonged to the same haplogroup but differed in haplotype frequencies. This indicates that genetic differentiation between the morphs is a universal pattern and thus incipient, sympatric speciation of the parasite from its host is possible. If speciation is taking place, however, it is not yet visible as lineage sorting of the mtDNA between the morphs.