bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring foot-pad lesions in commercial broiler houses. Some aspects of methodology
Authors: de Jong IC , van Harn J , Gunnink H , Lourens A , van Riel JW
Published: September 2012

For monitoring purposes there is a need for a protocol to measure foot-pad dermatitis (FPD) on-farm. Therefore, we studied the effect of number of birds sampled, number of locations sampled and sampling location in a broiler house on the accuracy of measurement, in order to construct a protocol that can be applied in practice. Samples were taken from eight commercial flocks (Ross 308) at up to ten locations with up to 25 birds sampled per location. Foot-pad lesions were scored in all birds for both feet using the Swedish scoring method. No significant differences in FPD score were found between the first five birds and all birds sampled at a particular location. Although locations near the walls did not differ in FPD score from locations in the central area of a house, the severity of foot-pad lesions was unevenly distributed over the house. A model was constructed showing the inaccuracy related to the number of locations sampled in the house and the number of birds sampled per location. The model shows that in situations with at least five locations differences in inaccuracy are relatively small when a total of 100 birds or more is sampled. Inaccuracy is largest in a flock with variation in foot-pad scores, as compared to flocks with little variation. The results of this experiment can be used to determine the optimal sample size in a commercial broiler house.
Welfare outcomes assessment in laying hen farm assurance schemes
Authors: Main DCJ , Mullan S , Atkinson C , Bond A , Cooper M , Fraser A , Browne WJ
Published: September 2012

Most farm assurance schemes in the UK at least, in part, aim to provide assurances to consumers and retailers of compliance with welfare standards. Inclusion of welfare outcome assessments into the relevant inspection procedures provides a mechanism to improve animal welfare within assurance schemes. In this study, taking laying hens as an example, we describe a process for dealing with the practical difficulties in achieving this in two UK schemes; Freedom Food and Soil Association. The key challenges arise from selecting the most appropriate measures, defining sampling strategies that are feasible and robust, ensuring assessors can deliver a consistent evaluation and establishing a mechanism to achieve positive change. After a consultation exercise and pilot study, five measures (feather cover, cleanliness, aggressive behaviour, management of sick or injured birds, and beak trimming) were included within the inspection procedures of the schemes. The chosen sampling strategy of assessing 50 birds without handling provided reasonable certainty at a scheme level but less certainty at an individual farm level. Despite the inherent limitations within a time and cost sensitive certification assessment, the approach adopted does provide a foundation for welfare improvement by being able to highlight areas of concern requiring attention, enabling schemes to promote the use of outcome scoring as a management tool, promoting the dissemination of relevant technical information in a timely manner and increasing the scrutiny of standards important for the welfare of the birds.
Les soins de santé des familles haïtiennes de Montréal face aux maux de ventre de leurs enfants
Authors: Gomez Cardona Liliana
Published: September 2012

Cet article fait la suite à une recherche de terrain menée auprès de migrants haïtiens de Montréal et dont l’objectif était de comprendre le faible taux des familles immigrantes qui consultent le département de gastroentérologie du CHU Ste-Justine. Nous nous sommes intéressée aux immigrants haïtiens parce qu’ils sont porteurs d’une culture médicale importante et constituent une des minorités les plus nombreuses à Montréal. La démarche méthodologique adoptée a été qualitative, selon une approche anthropologique de type herméneutique. L’analyse s’est basée sur le modèle « signes, sens, actions » (Corin et Bibeau, 1995). Par le biais de treize entretiens semi-dirigés menés auprès de cinq familles haïtiennes, nous documentons les explications et les moyens de soulagement des maux de ventre chez leurs enfants. De même, nous identifions les facteurs qui amènent ces familles à effectuer ou non des démarches de recherche d’aide auprès des services cliniques, et dégageons quelques pistes de réflexion utiles aux cliniciens et intervenants qui travaillent avec cette population.
Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic ImagingUpdate based on the original article by Todd Richards,Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, © 2000, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Authors: Richards Todd L.
Published: September 2012

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is a technique for producing spatially resolved maps or images of different chemicals that are found in the body or tissue. These chemicals may be naturally inherent or may be introduced by injection, but they must be detectable by the magnetic resonance (MR) process (i.e. they must have nuclei that have a magnetic moment, and are mobile enough to give a free‐induction decay (FID)). The MRSI technique is based on many of the same principles that are used for conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and also uses much of the same equipment as MRI. This chapter focuses on multinuclear applications of MRSI such as phosphorus‐31, carbon‐13, fluorine‐19, sodium‐23, xenon‐129, helium‐3, and boron‐11. The MRSI method is an important technique for noninvasive measurement of biochemical and physiological changes in health and disease.
Quantitative Spectroscopic CalibrationUpdate based on the original article by H. Mark,
Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry
, © 2000, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Mark Howard
Published: September 2012

Spectroscopic calibration is the process of using mathematical calculations to relate the measured spectroscopic properties of a set of samples to the chemical composition (and sometimes other properties) of those samples. Any of several algorithms are employed to perform these calculations. Regardless of the algorithms used, however, successful execution of this process depends on properly performing several tasks before and after the main calibration algorithm is applied: selecting a suitable set of calibration samples to ‘train’ the system, using the correct algorithm to match the characteristics of the measured data, and properly evaluating and validating the calibration model developed. In this article, these various aspects of calibrating spectroscopic instruments to perform quantitative analysis are discussed. The article ends with an overview of the various algorithms that are available to perform the calibration process.
Dark‐Operative Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase
Authors: Moser Jürgen , Schubert Wolf‐Dieter
Published: September 2012

Dark‐operative (or light‐independent) protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase is an enzyme of the chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll biosynthetic pathway catalyzing the reduction of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide. DPOR catalysis involves the ATP‐dependent, two‐electron reduction and trans‐hydrogenation of the C17–C18 double bond of the conjugated D ring system of protochlorophyllide converting the pheoporphyrin backbone of protochlorophyllide to a chlorin macrocycle characteristic of all chlorophylls. The process is mediated by the dynamic interaction of two DPOR subcomplexes, each carrying redox active 4Fe–4S clusters. We discuss all available structural and biochemical data on this enzyme and compare it to nitrogenase and other related enzyme systems.
Craniofacial evolution in polynesia: A geometric morphometric study of population diversity
Authors: Buck Trudi , Viđarsdóttir Una Strand
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

This study tests differences in craniofacial size and shape attributed to demographic history and plastic responses to differing environments in the islands of Polynesia. The dispersal of modern humans into Polynesia provides a useful scenario to investigate the impact of migration on human craniofacial diversity.

Methods:

Three dimensional geometric morphometric techniques are used to examine morphological diversity within Oceanic population samples. The importance of geographic and climatic variables is quantified by partial linear regression.

Results:

The results show a homogeneous Polynesian morphology grouping in relation to neighboring regions. There is, however, considerable diversity within the Polynesian samples themselves. Natural selection due to environmental differences is not an important factor in the patterns of craniofacial diversity found in the samples.

Conclusions:

Historical patterns such as migration and population isolation influence patterns of craniofacial morphology within Polynesia, and our results demonstrate that morphological diversity can evolve in populations isolated for a relatively short period of time. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Central nervous system malformations and deformations in FGFR2‐related craniosynostosis
Authors: Khonsari Roman Hossein , Delezoide Anne‐Lise , Kang Wenfei , Hébert Jean M. , Bessières Bettina , Bodiguel Valérie , Collet Catherine , Legeai‐Mallet Laurence , Sharpe Paul T. , Fallet‐Bianco Catherine
Published: September 2012

Central nervous system anomalies in Pfeiffer syndrome (PS) due to mutations in the FGFR2 gene are poorly understood, even though PS is often associated with serious cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to describe the neuropathological phenotype in PS. We present four severe fetal cases of sporadic PS with FGFR2 mutations who underwent termination followed by fetopathological and neuropathological examination. We studied the expression pattern of Fgfr2 in the mouse brain using radioactive fluorescence in situ hybridization. PS is associated with brain deformations due to the abnormal skull shape, but FGFR2 mutations also induce specific brain developmental anomalies: megalencephaly, midline disorders, amygdala, and hippocampus malformations, and ventricular wall alterations. The expression pattern of Fgfr2 in mice matches the distribution of malformations in humans. The brain anomalies in PS result from the combination of mechanical deformations and intrinsic developmental disorders due to FGFR2 hyperactivity. Several similarities are noted between these anomalies and the brain lesions observed in other syndromes due to mutations in FGF‐receptor genes. The specific involvement of the hippocampus and the amygdala should encourage the precise cognitive screening of patients with mild forms of PS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidental finding of alpha‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase deficiency in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism type 4
Authors: Verhagen Judith M.A. , Huijmans Jan G. , Williams Monique , van Ruyven Rutger L.J. , Bergen Arthur A.B. , Wouters Cokkie H. , Brooks Alice S.
Published: September 2012

Genome‐wide studies may lead to the discovery of genetic variants of potential clinical importance beyond the aims of the study. We performed single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis in a boy with oculocutaneous albinism to identify copy‐neutral regions of homozygosity harboring genes involved in melanin biosynthesis. An unanticipated homozygous deletion of chromosome 5p13.3 was discovered, encompassing not only the OCA gene SLC45A2, but also four additional genes. This led to an unexpected presymptomatic diagnosis of alpha‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase deficiency in the same patient. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial and temporal coherence effects in interference microscopy and full‐field optical coherence tomography
Authors: Abdulhalim I.
Published: September 2012

Low‐coherence optical microscopy or optical coherence microscopy uses light with short coherence length. The well‐known case is: “white‐light interferometry”, which became recently more known as: “optical coherence tomography”. However, when lenses and microscope objectives are used to create interferometric images, in what is known classically as “interference microscopy” or today as “full‐field optical coherence tomography” the spatial coherence starts to play a critical role. In this article the coherence effects in low‐coherence optical microscopy are reviewed. As this technology is becoming increasingly publicized due to its importance in three‐dimensional imaging, particularly of scattering biological media and optical metrology, the understanding of the fundamental physics behind it is essential. The interplay between longitudinal spatial coherence and temporal coherence and the effects associated with them are discussed in detail particularly when high numerical apertures are used. An important conclusion of this study is that a high‐contrast, high‐resolution system for imaging of multilayered samples is the one that uses narrowband illumination and high‐NA objectives with an index‐matching fluid. Such a system, when combined with frequency‐domain operation, can reveal nearly real‐time three‐dimensional images, and is thus competitive with confocal microscopy.
Properties of recycled and virgin poly(ethylene terephthalate) blend fibers
Authors: Lee Joo Hyung , Lim Ki Sub , Hahm Wan Gyu , Kim Seong Hun
Published: September 2012

Material from recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) chips obtained from used water bottles was extruded with virgin fiber‐grade PET chips in blends of 20, 40, and 70 wt %. Filament fibers from the recycled/virgin PET blends were spun using a melt spinning process and drawn by a thermal drawing process to improve their mechanical properties. As the virgin PET chips were compounded with recycled PET chips, the thermal degradation temperature (Td) and the melting temperature (Tm) were increased, and the crystallization temperature (Tc) and crystallization rate were decreased. This means that virgin PET has a better thermal stability but a lower crystallization rate than recycled PET. The double melting behavior observed in the case of the drawn fibers may have been a consequence of larger crystallites or areas of crystallites being formed during the thermal drawing process. The birefringence and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and tensile modulus, increased and elongation at break decreased for the drawn fibers, and this was attributed to the orientation induced during crystallization. The effect of the virgin PET content in the blends on mechanical properties was investigated; 30/70 wt % recycled/virgin blended fibers showed comparable mechanical properties to virgin PET fibers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Microextraction by packed sorbent and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry as a tool for quantification of peptides in plasma samples: determination of sensory neuron‐specific receptors agonist BAM8‐22 and antagonist BAM22‐8 in plasma samples
Authors: Ashri Nadia Y. , Daryanavard Mosayeb , Abdel‐Rehim Mohamed
Published: September 2012

Microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) is a miniaturized, solid‐phase extraction (SPE) technique that works online with gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). Not only is the automation process with MEPS advantageous, but the much smaller volumes of the samples, solvents and dead space in the system also provide other significant advantages such as the speed and the simplicity of the sample preparation process. In this study MEPS has been evaluated for quantification of sensory neuron‐specific receptors agonist (BAM8‐22). Owing to the instability of BAMs, the focus was on fast extraction and determination of the peptide online using LC‐MS/MS. Sorbents such as C2, C8 and ENV+ (hydroxylated polystyrene–divinylbenzene copolymer) were investigated in the present study. MEPS‐C8 gave the best results compared with C2 and ENV and it was used for the method validation. The calibration curve was obtained within the concentration range of 20.0–3045 nmol/L in plasma. The regression correlation coefficients for plasma samples were ≥0.99 for all runs (n = 6). The between‐batch accuracy and precision for BAM8‐22 ranged from −13 to −2.0% and from 4.0 to 14%, respectively. Additionally, the accuracy and precision for BAM22‐8 ranged from −13 to 7.0% and from 3.0 to 12%, respectively. The present method was used for pharmacokinetic studies for BAMs in plasma samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of p16INK4a/Ki‐67 dual stain in comparison with an mRNA human papillomavirus test on liquid‐based cytology samples with low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
Authors: Waldstrøm Marianne , Christensen Rikke Kølby , Ørnskov Dorthe
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND:

The objective of the current study was to investigate the clinical performance of detecting high‐grade lesions with the CINtec PLUS p16INK4a/Ki‐67 dual stain and the APTIMA human papillomavirus (HPV) Assay in a cohort of women with low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cytology. The authors also assessed the reproducibility of the evaluation of immunocytochemical staining.

METHODS:

The 2 tests were performed on liquid‐based residual material from 469 women with LSILs. The samples had at least 5 years of follow‐up and the gold standard used was high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+/CIN3+) proven on histology.

RESULTS:

Approximately 69% of all the women included in the study had a positive test for HPV mRNA and 56% was positive for the dual stain. The 2 tests demonstrated high sensitivities. When examining the specificities, the APTIMA HPV Assay performed with significantly lower values than the CINtec PLUS test. For patients with CIN2+, the APTIMA HPV Assay had a specificity of 36.1% versus 51.3% for the CINtec PLUS test, and for women with CIN3+, the specificity was 33.8% versus 48.2%, respectively. The difference was even more pronounced when analyzing women aged < 30 years separately. The kappa values between the 3 observers in scoring the dual stain ranged from 0.43 to 0.49 and improved in a second evaluation round to values ranging from 0.50 to 0.66.

CONCLUSIONS:

The CINtec PLUS p16INK4a/Ki‐67 dual‐staining test in LSIL cytology samples demonstrated high sensitivity that was similar to that of the APTIMA HPV Assay in the detection of underlying high‐grade disease but with enhanced specificity, especially among women aged < 30 years. The kappa value for the evaluation of the CINtec PLUS dual‐staining test was moderate but could be improved through training. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of a simple PWM‐1 controlled interrupted electric circuit
Authors: Asahara Hiroyuki , Kousaka Takuji
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we analyze a simple PWM‐1 controlled interrupted electric circuit in order to essentially understand the circuit fundamental characteristics. First, we explain the circuit dynamics, and then we define the return map by using the exact solution. Next, we focus on the existence region of the solution (invariant interval) and bifurcation phenomena in the circuit. In particular, we find the circuit has three types of the invariant interval depending on the parameter. We also clarify that the period‐doubling bifurcation and the border‐collision bifurcation effect in the existence region of the periodic solution in a wide parameter plane. Finally, the mathematical results are verified by the laboratory experiment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wall Charge and Potential from a Microscopic Point of View
Authors: Bronold F.X. , Fehske H. , Heinisch R. L. , Marbach J.
Published: September 2012

Macroscopic objects floating in an ionized gas (plasma walls) accumulate electrons more efficiently than ions because the influx of electrons outruns the influx of ions. The floating potential acquired by plasma walls is thus negative with respect to the plasma potential. Until now plasma walls are typically treated as perfect absorbers for electrons and ions, irrespective of the microphysics at the surface responsible for charge deposition and extraction. This crude description, sufficient for present day technological plasmas, will run into problems in solid‐state based gas discharges where, with continuing miniaturization, the wall becomes an integral part of the plasma device and the charge transfer across it has to be modelled more precisely. The purpose of this paper is to review our work, where we questioned the perfect absorber model and initiated a microscopic description of the charge transfer across plasma walls, put it into perspective, and indicate directions for future research (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of thin Film Formation From Silicon‐Containing Precursors Produced by an RF Non‐Thermal Plasma Jet at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Schäfer J. , Foest R. , Sigeneger F. , Loffhagen D. , Weltmann K.‐D. , Martens U. , Hippler R.
Published: September 2012

The deposition of thin silicon‐organic films by atmospheric pressure PECVD using an RF‐excited plasma jet has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. Static deposition experiments have been performed on flat polymer and glass samples using the silicon containing molecules HMDSO, OMCTS and silane. The experiments are classified with respect to power, flow rate, operating conditions and deposition rate. The deposited films have been analysed using profilometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It is found that electric power and gas flow stability determine distinctive areas in the operating diagram characterized by the deposition rate, profile shape and the chemical properties of the film depending on introduced precursors. The highest O/Si ratio (close to two) is found for laminar flow regimes. Here, the films are characterized by a low carbon content, too. The experimental findings for different flow conditions are discussed in relation to results of a two‐dimensional axisymmetric fluid model. The model predicts the interaction of gas heating and flow, the plasma generation in the active volume, the transport of active plasma particles into the effluent and the generation and transport of precursor fragments towards the substrate surface. A remarkable influence of the gas flow on the plasma kinetics is observed only with respect to the density of molecular argon ions, which are transported together with electrons into the effluent. The calculated flux of precursor fragments onto the substrate surface agrees qualitatively with measured profiles of the film thickness (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Early gonadogenesis in mammals: Significance of long and narrow gonadal structure
Authors: Harikae Kyoko , Miura Kento , Kanai Yoshiakira
Published: September 2012

In mammalian embryogenesis, the gonadal primordium arises from the thickening of the coelomic epithelium, which results in a pair of extremely long and narrow gonadal structures along the anteroposterior axis. These gonadal structures are conserved in various mammalian species, suggesting a great advantage in properly receiving migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) that are widely scattered throughout the hindgut tube. Soon after the PGCs settle, the bipotential gonads undergo sex determination into testes or ovaries by the sex‐determining gene, Sry, which is expressed in supporting cell precursors in a center‐to‐pole manner. Such a long, narrow gonadal structure bestows a considerable time lag on Sry expression between the center and pole regions, but testiculogenesis with cord formation and Leydig cell differentiation occurs synchronously throughout the whole organ. This synchronous testiculogenesis could be explained by a positive‐feedback mechanism between SOX9 (another SRY‐related transcription factor) and FGF9 downstream of Sry. FGF signals are likely secreted from the center region, rapidly diffuse into the poles, and then induce the establishment of SOX9 expression in Sertoli cells in the pole domains. This work focuses on recent knowledge of the molecular and cellular events of PGC migration, gonadogenesis, and testiculogenesis, and their biological significance in mammalian embryogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 242:330–338, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights into the Thermal Decomposition of Lanthanide(III) and Actinide(III) Oxalates – from Neodymium and Cerium to Plutonium
Authors: De Almeida Lucie , Grandjean Stephane , Vigier Nicolas , Patisson Fabrice
Published: September 2012

Lanthanides are often used as surrogates to study the properties of actinide compounds. Their behaviour is considered to be quite similar as they both possess f valence electrons and are close in size and chemical properties. This study examines the potential of using two lanthanides (neodymium and cerium) as surrogates for plutonium during the thermal decomposition of isomorphic oxalate compounds, in the trivalent oxidation state, into oxides. Thus, the thermal decomposition of neodymium, cerium and plutonium(III) oxalates are investigated by several coupled thermal analyses (TG–DTA/DSC–MS/FTIR) and complementary characterisation techniques [XRD, UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), carbon analysis] under both oxidizing and inert atmospheres. The thermal decomposition mechanisms determined in this study confirmed some previously reported results, among diverging propositions, and also elucidated some original mechanisms not previously considered. The calculated thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the studied systems under both atmospheres are reported and compared with available literature data. Similarities and differences between the thermal behaviour of plutonium(III) and lanthanide(III) oxalates are outlined.
TADDOL‐Based Phosphane–Phosphite Ligands in Enantioselective Cu‐Catalyzed Grignard 1,4‐Additions Followed by Mannich‐Type Alkylations
Authors: Drusan Michal , Lölsberg Wibke , Škvorcová Andrea , Schmalz Hans‐Günther , Šebesta Radovan
Published: September 2012

Copper(I) complexes of TADDOL‐based phosphane–phosphite ligands catalyze enantioselective conjugate additions of various Grignard reagents to cyclic enones. Through trapping of the resulting chiral magnesium enolates with N‐benzylidene‐4‐methylbenzenesulfonamide (as an imine) in one‐pot procedures, the corresponding Mannich products (i.e., β‐aminocarbonyl compounds) were obtained in good yields and high enantiomeric purities, although with only low diastereoselectivities.
Politics and US LNG export projects heat up
Authors: Sakmar Susan L.
Published: September 2012

This summer was a busy time for US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters. In June, the tiny Kenai LNG plant, located approximately 60 air miles from Anchorage, Alaska, resumed shipments of LNG to Japan. Kenai LNG, in operation since 1969 and currently the only US facility capable of exporting LNG, had previously been targeted for closure. But in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that shut down Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan has increased imports of LNG breathing new life into Kenai LNG, at least in the short term.1
Strategies: Outsourcing by energy equipment manufacturers
Authors: Whitfield Milton
Published: September 2012

Over the last several years, there has been an increasing trend in outsourcing by manufacturers. Besides the traditional outsourcings of information processing (e.g., IT infrastructure) and business processes (e.g., finance and accounting, human resources/benefits, and facilities management), manufacturers have significantly increased outsourcing of industry‐unique functions such as assembly, energy supply management, fabrication, and transportation. For instance, manufacturers of drilling rigs and facilities for oil and gas exploration companies might engage other companies with expertise in die casting, grinding, forging, and other technical specialties to fabricate key parts and components.
The win‐win of adult degree programs
Authors: Ellis J. Richard
Published: September 2012

Adult degree programs have been seen as a win‐win solution for private colleges and adult learners, but their innovative and often‐entrepreneurial postures are not a natural fit with governance structures in more traditional institutions. Through narrative and illustrative vignettes, this chapter presents an overview of efforts employed by some institutions to strike a balance between their historic missions and these nontraditional programs.
Practicing what we teach: Learning from experience to improve adult program administration
Authors: Jass Lori K.
Published: September 2012

Although Bethel University uses separate administrative structures and physical spaces for its three academic units, program planning and student services remain very connected, creating a hybrid balance of centralized and decentralized functions in the overall administrative structure.
Projected Hg dietary exposure of 3 bird species nesting on a contaminated floodplain (South River, Virginia, USA)
Authors: Wang Jincheng , Newman Michael C
Published: September 2012

Dietary Hg exposure was modeled for Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Eastern song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), and Eastern screech owl (Otus asio) nesting on the contaminated South River floodplain (Virginia, USA). Parameterization of Monte-Carlo models required formal expert elicitation to define bird body weight and feeding ecology characteristics because specific information was either unavailable in the published literature or too difficult to collect reliably by field survey. Mercury concentrations and weights for candidate food items were obtained directly by field survey. Simulations predicted the probability that an adult bird during breeding season would ingest specific amounts of Hg during daily foraging and the probability that the average Hg ingestion rate for the breeding season of an adult bird would exceed published rates reported to cause harm to other birds (>100 ng total Hg/g body weight per day). Despite the extensive floodplain contamination, the probabilities that these species' average ingestion rates exceeded the threshold value were all <0.01. Sensitivity analysis indicated that overall food ingestion rate was the most important factor determining projected Hg ingestion rates. Expert elicitation was useful in providing sufficiently reliable information for Monte-Carlo simulation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013; 9: 285–293. © 2013 SETAC
Far‐field patterns of solutions of the perturbed Dirac equation
Authors: Marmolejo‐Olea Emilio , Pérez‐Esteva Salvador
Published: September 2012

The purpose of the paper is to study the asymptotic behavior at infinity of solutions of a perturbed Dirac equation in called k‐monogenic. Every such solution is a solution of the Helmholtz equation with values in a complex Clifford algebra. The main goal is to use the far‐field pattern to characterize the radiating (outgoing) k‐monogenic functions among the radiating solutions of the Helmholtz equation. It will be shown that an algebraic condition characterizes these far‐field patterns. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DFT and experimental determination of conformations of 2‐(ethoxycarbonylmethoxy)‐5‐(arylazo)benzaldehydes and their oximes
Authors: Manimekalai A. , Balachander R.
Published: September 2012

2‐(Ethoxycarbonylmethoxy)‐5‐(arylazo)benzaldehydes 1–4 and their oximes 5–8 were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The favoured conformations of aldehydes 1–4 and oximes 5–8 were predicted theoretically. Selected geometrical parameters and charges were derived from optimized structures. IR, 1H and 13C NMR data were also computed using Gaussian‐03 package and compared with the observed values. 15N and 17O chemical shifts were also determined theoretically. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uni‐ and biaxial impact behavior of double‐gated nanoclay‐reinforced polypropylene injection moldings
Authors: Pettarin Valeria , Viau Gastón , Fasce Laura , Viana Julio C. , Pontes Antonio J. , Frontini Patricia M. , Pouzada Antonio S.
Published: September 2012

Polypopylene/nanoclay three‐dimensional parts were produced without intermediate steps by direct injection molding to explore the influence of flow features and nanoclay incorporation in their impact performance. The nanocomposite was obtained by direct compounding of commercial PP with nanoclay masterbatch. The as‐molded morphology was analyzed by X‐ray and TEM analyses in terms of skin‐core structure and nanoclay particle dispersion. The nanoclay particles induced the reduction of β‐form spherulites, a known toughener. The impact behavior was assessed in tensile and biaxial modes. The PP nanocomposite molding toughness was practically unaffected by the processing melt temperature and flow rate. Conversely the nanoclay presence is influent in the impact performance. Under biaxial stress impact, the regions close to weld lines are tougher than the bulk and the fracture develops with main crack paths along the flow direction and the weld line. Cracking along the weld line results from less macromolecular interpenetration and chain entanglement, and unfavorable nanoparticle orientation. It seems that a failure mechanism which involves nanoclay delamination and multiple matrix crazing explains the toughening of PP in the directions where the nanoparticle orientation with respect to loading is adequate. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) in the management of stroke and DVT
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Haunton Victoria , Robinson Thompson , Bagot Catherine
Published: September 2012

Rivaroxaban is now licensed for the prevention of stroke and the treatment and prevention of DVT. In our New products review, Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data for its efficacy and adverse events related to these new indications, and specialists comment on its likely place in therapy.
Triptans: properties and use in the treatment of acute migraine
Authors: Chaplin Steve , MacGregor Anne
Published: September 2012

Steve Chaplin and Professor Anne MacGregor provide an overview of the properties of triptans and how they compare in the treatment of acute migraine.
Degradation of quantum dots under nuclear irradiation and its influence on exciton spectra in semimagnetic semiconductors
Authors: Mykhaylovskyy Vitaliy , Sugakov Volodymyr , Vertsimakha Ganna
Published: September 2012

The paper studies radiation‐induced modification of energetic spectra of excitons in CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in a (Cd, Mn)Te matrix. Exciton levels in such system are very sensitive to the changes in Mn concentration due to the exchange interaction between magnetic Mn ions and charge carriers (the giant splitting effect). Radiation‐enhanced diffusion causes Mn penetration into the QD that leads to the changes in the exciton level energy. We found the spatial distribution of Mn ions for different durations of the irradiation and performed quantum calculations of the energy of exciton states with the obtained Mn concentration profiles. The dependences of the position of the exciton levels and the splitting between the energy of exciton states with σ+ and σ– polarizations on the irradiation parameters and the QD's radius have been investigated. The calculations show that the irradiation causes a large shift of exciton levels. The splitting between levels with σ+ and σ– polarizations may be increased in the order of value due to the irradiation. The radiation effects are stronger for QD with smaller radius.
Diurnally forced convergence lines in the Australian Tropics
Authors: Reeder Michael J. , Smith Roger K. , Taylor John R. , Low David J. , Arnup Sarah J. , Muir Les , Thomsen Gerald
Published: September 2012

Observations and analyses of low‐level convergence lines over the Gulf of Carpentaria region of northeastern Australia made during the second and third Gulf Lines EXperiments (GLEX II and GLEX III) are reported.

During GLEX II, the initiation of the North Australian Cloud Line (NACL) was documented using a small autonomous aircraft and two Doppler sodars. NACLs are long convergence lines that form on the western side of northern Cape York Peninsula and are typically marked by a line of contiguous cumulus or cumulus congestus cloud. The observations show that the degree of asymmetry between west‐coast and east‐coast sea breezes (as characterized by the wind field) depends on the strength of the background easterlies, and that NACLs develop only when the background easterlies are sufficiently large (≥ 5 m s−1).

GLEX III focused on morning glories, which are (mostly) southwestward‐moving bore‐like convergence lines that originate over the southern part of the gulf region. The field experiment involved Doppler sodar measurements as well as high‐temporal‐resolution data from operational automatic weather stations. The sodar measurements showed that undular bore‐like morning glory cloud lines develop only when the background easterlies are sufficiently weak (≤ 10 m s−1) and that strong bore‐like morning glories develop when the background winds exceed about 10 m s−1. If the background easterlies are too strong, no morning glories develop. Numerical simulations show that the structure of convergence line produced depends on the strength of the collision between the sea breezes from each side of the Cape York Peninsula, which in turn depends on the strength of the background easterlies. When the easterlies are weak (≤ 10 m s−1), the sea breezes have similar depths and strengths, and their collision is relatively violent, whereas when the background easterlies are strong (> 10 m s−1) the sea breezes have very different depths and strengths and their collision is comparatively benign.
Cryo‐XPS study of xanthate adsorption on pyrite
Authors: Deng Meijiao , Karpuzov Dimitre , Liu Qingxia , Xu Zhenghe
Published: September 2012

The adsorption of xanthate on pyrite has been extensively studied. However, the adsorption mechanisms remain a subject of controversy. Formation of both dixanthogen and metal‐xanthate complexes has been suggested. In this study, both room temperature X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (RT‐XPS) and liquid nitrogen temperature XPS (Cryo‐XPS) were used to study interactions between pyrite and xanthate. While dixanthogen was not detected by RT‐XPS, it was successfully identified through C1s and S 2p peaks using Cryo‐XPS. The impact of pH and copper activation on adsorption of xanthate on pyrite was also investigated. It was found that at low pH, dixanthogen is the dominant species of xanthate adsorption on pyrite. At high pH, metal‐xanthate complexes were found to be prevalent on pyrite surfaces, which are responsible for the surface hydrophobicity. Copper activation showed a significant effect on xanthate adsorption on Cu‐activated pyrite, resulting in mostly the formation of Cu‐xanthate complexes rather than dixanthogen, mainly in the form of Cu(I)‐isopropyl xanthate complex (CuIPX). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High Performance Photoswitches Based on Flexible and Amorphous D–A Polymer Nanowires
Authors: Liu Yao , Wang Haifeng , Dong Huanli , Jiang Lang , Hu Wenping , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: September 2012

A fluorene‐based donor–acceptor conjugated polymer is synthesized and the polymer nanowires are successfully prepared with high quality and large scale using a simple and practical template dipping method. These amorphous polymer nanowires are flexible and show excellent photoconductive properties with reliable reproducibility. The individual nanowire photoswitches exhibit a responsivity as high as 1700 mA W−1 and an on/off ratio as high as 2000 under a light intensity of 5.76 mW cm−2 and a driving voltage of 40 V.
Behavior and Toxicity of Graphene and Its Functionalized Derivatives in Biological Systems
Authors: Yang Kai , Li Yingjie , Tan Xiaofang , Peng Rui , Liu Zhuang
Published: September 2012

Graphene, as a class of 2D carbon nanomaterial, has attracted tremendous interest in different areas in recent years including biomedicine. The toxicity and behavior of graphene in biological systems are thus important fundamental issues that require significant attention. In this article, the toxicity of graphene is reviewed by describing the behavior of graphene and its derivatives in microorganisms, cells, and animals. Despite certain inconsistencies in several detailed experimental results and hypotheses of toxicity mechanisms, results from numerous reports all agree that the physicochemical properties such as surface functional groups, charges, coatings, sizes, and structural defects of graphene may affect its in vitro/in vivo behavior as well as its toxicity in biological systems. It is hoped that this review article will provide an overview understanding of the impacts, behavior, and toxicology of graphene and its derivatives in various biological systems.
Sustainability as Moral Action
Authors: Dunn Merrily S. , Hart‐Steffes Jeanne S.
Published: September 2012

This chapter operationalizes “sustainability” using the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and economic sustainability as well as ways moral action is inherently present in a variety of sustainability practices
Interference‐aware spectrum handover for cognitive radio networks
Authors: Lu Dianjie , Huang Xiaoxia , Zhang Weile , Fan Jianping
Published: September 2012

Cognitive radio (CR) is a promising technique for future wireless networks, which significantly improves spectrum utilization. In CR networks, when the primary users (PUs) appear, the secondary users (SUs) have to switch to other available channels to avoid the interference to PUs. However, in the multi‐SU scenario, it is still a challenging problem to make an optimal decision on spectrum handover because of the the accumulated interference constraint of PUs and SUs. In this paper, we propose an interference‐aware spectrum handover scheme that aims to maximize the CR network capacity and minimize the spectrum handover overhead by coordinating SUs’ handover decision optimally in the PU–SU coexisted CR networks. On the basis of the interference temperature model, the spectrum handover problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem, which is in general a non‐deterministic polynomial‐time hard problem. To address the problem in a feasible way, we design a heuristic algorithm by using the technique of Branch and Bound. Finally, we combine our spectrum handover scheme with power control and give a convenient solution in a single‐SU scenario. Experimental results show that our algorithm can improve the network performance efficiently.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A critical appraisal of NLO+PS matching methods
Authors: Höche Stefan , Krauss Frank , Schönherr Marek , Siegert Frank
Published: September 2012

Abstract

In this publication, uncertainties in and differences between the MC@NLO and POWHEG methods for matching next-to-leading order QCD calculations with parton showers are discussed. Implementations of both algorithms within the event generator SHERPA and based on Catani-Seymour subtraction are employed to assess the impact on a representative selection of observables. In the case of MC@NLO a substantial simplification is achieved by using dipole subtraction terms to generate the first emission. A phase space restriction is employed, which allows to vary in a transparent way the amount of non-singular radiative corrections that are exponentiated. Effects on various observables are investigated, using the production of a Higgs boson in gluon fusion, with or without an associated jet, as a benchmark process. The case of H+jet production is presented for the first time in an NLO+PS matched simulation. Uncertainties due to scale choices and non-perturbative effects are explored in the production of W
± and Z bosons in association with a jet. Corresponding results are compared to data from the Tevatron and LHC experiments.
Construction of blow-up solutions for Zakharov system on \( T^{2} \)
Authors: Kishimoto Nobu , Maeda Masaya
Published: September 2012

We consider the Zakharov system in two space dimension with periodic boundary condition:

\tag{Z}
\left\{\begin{array}{l} i\partial _{t}u = −\mathrm{\Delta }u + nu, \\ \partial _{tt}n = \mathrm{\Delta }n + \mathrm{\Delta }|u|^{2},\:(t,x) \in [0,T) \times \mathbb{T}^{2}. \end{array}\right.

We prove the existence of finite time blow-up solutions of (Z). Further, we show there exists no minimal mass blow-up solution.

Nous considérons le système de Zakharov dans lʼespace à deux dimensions avec la condition périodique au bord :

\tag{Z}
\left\{\begin{array}{l} i\partial _{t}u = −\mathrm{\Delta }u + nu, \\ \partial _{tt}n = \mathrm{\Delta }n + \mathrm{\Delta }|u|^{2},\:(t,x) \in [0,T) \times \mathbb{T}^{2}. \end{array}\right.

Nous prouvons lʼexistence de solutions de (Z) explosant au temps fini. En outre, nous prouvons quʼil nʼy a aucune solution explosive de masse minimale.
EXISTENCE OF NONINNER AUTOMORPHISMS OF ORDER p IN SOME FINITE p-GROUPS
Authors: SHABANI-ATTAR M.
Published: September 2012

Let G be a nonabelian finite p-group of order pm. A long-standing conjecture asserts that G admits a noninner automorphism of order p. In this paper we prove the validity of the conjecture if exp (G)=pm−2. We also show that if G is a finite p-group of maximal class, then G has at least p(p−1) noninner automorphisms of order p which fix Φ(G) elementwise.
NOTE ON ODD MULTIPERFECT NUMBERS
Authors: DAI LI-XIA , PAN HAO , TANG CUI-E
Published: September 2012

For $k\geq 2$ and $r\geq 1$, we prove that the number of odd $k$-perfect numbers with $r$ distinct prime factors is at most $4^{r^2}(k-1)^{2r^2+3}$.
Fruit yield and quality responses of apple cvars Gala and Fuji to partial rootzone drying under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: FRANCAVIGLIA D. , FARINA V. , AVELLONE G. , LO BIANCO R.
Published: September 2012

Increasing irrigation efficiency is a major goal for fruit production in dry Mediterranean environments. The present study was conducted in three consecutive years (2007–09) under typical Mediterranean conditions and tested the effect of partial rootzone drying (PRD) on yield and fruit quality of two apple cultivars: Gala, with fruit maturing in summer and Fuji, with fruit maturing in autumn. Three irrigation treatments were imposed: conventional irrigation (CI), PRD (0·50 of CI water on one side of the rootzone, which was alternated periodically) and continuous deficit irrigation (DI, 0·50 of CI water on both sides of the rootzone). During the 2008 and 2009 irrigation seasons, DI reduced tree water status, and to some extent soil moisture, compared with CI and PRD. In all the years and both cultivars, DI reduced crop load by 11 and 5% over CI and PRD, respectively. In cvar Fuji, DI reduced production per tree by 9% and yield efficiency by 16% compared with CI. In all years for cvar Gala and in 2 of the 3 years for cvar Fuji, PRD and DI increased fruit soluble solid content by 5–6%, whereas PRD improved peel colour only in cvar Fuji and in 2 of the 3 years. In cvar Gala, DI fruit showed 27% more sorbitol and 55% more sucrose than PRD fruit. In both cultivars, PRD determined greater marketable yield and profit than DI. Irrigation water productivity (IWP) was increased by both PRD and DI, and in Fuji, PRD induced 18% greater IWP than DI. The different responses of the two cultivars to irrigation treatments can be attributed to differences in canopy size, crop load and mostly to the different timing of fruit growth. In particular, undergoing fast fruit growth during the irrigation period seems to induce permanent yield reductions in DI (but not PRD) trees of cvar Fuji, whereas water deficit during late fruit growth and lower crop load may have cancelled the negative effect of DI in the smaller trees of cvar Gala.