bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationships Among Sensorimotor Components, Fine Motor Skill, and Functional Performance in Preschool Children
Authors: Case-Smith Jane
Published: April 2012

Objectives. This correlational study investigated the relationships among sensorimotor components, standardized measures of fine motor skill, and functional performance in self-care, mobility, and social interaction. It also examined which sensorimotor components and fine motor skills were predictors of functional performance.

Method. Thirty preschool children with motor delays were evaluated with tests of in-band manipulation, tactile defensiveness, stereognosis, grasping strength, and fine motor skill. Parents of the subjects were interviewed with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disabilities Inventory. Correctional and regression analyses were computed.

Results. Significant correlations were found among sensorimotor components and discrete fine motor skills as measured on standardized observational tests. Few correlations emerged between functional components of fine motor skill and functional performance in self-care, mobility, and social function.

Conclusion. Lack of significant relationships among the variables, all of which were aspects of functional performance might be due to the difference between judgment-based and observational evaluation, the inf1uence of the environmental context on the child’s performance, and the inf1uence of cultural values on the opportunities afforded to the child.
A Play-Focused Intervention Involving Mothers of Preschoolers
Authors: Esdaile Susan A.
Published: April 2012

Objectives. This study examined the effect of an occupational therapy intervention program for mothers of preschoolers. It was designed to enhance mother–child interaction through play, reduce mothers’ perceived stress, and increase mothers’ knowledge about child development.

Method. Maternal causal attributions for parent–child interaction outcomes, stress, self-concept as educator, and children’s temperament and behavior were measured with standardized questionnaires before, after, and at 18 months follow-up to the intervention program. The intervention comprised a 2.5-hr, 10-week activity-based program that involved 35 mothers and their 2-year-old to 3.5-year-old children in toy making and toy demonstrations. Subjects were assigned to two intervention program (experimental) groups and one control group, which was administered questionnaires but whose members did not attend a program.

Results. No group changes were detected on conclusion of, or allow-up to, the program according to measures of attributions for parent–child interaction outcomes, perceived stress, self-concept as educator, or child temperament and behavior. However, some subjects had substantial score increases in their self-concept as educators of their children. Subjects’ evaluations for each session and the overall program were positive. Feedback from community nurses confirmed that several subjects subsequently used the skills they had learned through the intervention about use of toys and child development to conduct playgroups in the community. Previously undetected developmental or behavioral problems were identified for 8 (23%) of the 35 subjects.

Conclusion. Subjects’ positive responses to the program, the skills they acquired and shared, and identification of problems needing treatment supported the value of the intervention. Lack of quantifiable group changes suggested that qualitative, single-case design evaluations, or both may have been more appropriate methods to assess outcomes.
Influence of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Assessment Method on Judgments of Independence
Authors: Brown Catana , Moore William P. , Hemman Darcee , Yunek Amy
Published: April 2012

Objective: Occupational therapists frequently evaluate instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performance with interviews and observation of simulated tasks. This study examined the congruence of judgments of independence when comparing task performance assessed by interview and simulation with task performance assessed by observation in the natural environment.

Method: Twenty person with severe mental illness were selected through convenience sampling and evaluated on two IADL task (making a purchase in a store and using the bus). The participants were evaluated on each task with two methods of assessment: interview and simulation and observation in the natural environment.

Results. Results indicated inconsistent performance across assessment approaches and tasks and supported the importance of considering contextual features in understanding the complexity of performance in the natural environment. A trend toward false positives was found in which several participants were judged independent on the IADL assessment but could not perform the same tasks in the natural environment.

Conclusion. Occupational therapists should be cautious when making judgments of independence on the basis of interview and observation of simulated tasks. Evaluating IADL performance in the persons’ natural environment may provide more accurate information.
The Story of Maricela and Miguel: A Narrative Analysis of Dimensions of Adaptation
Authors: Larson Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2012

Objectives. A mother–child life history was analyzed to examine the multiple dimensions of adaptation in a family grouping, including temporality, maternal values, and life contexts.

Method. In-depth interviews, participant observation, and documents (e.g., therapy notes, medical records) produced the data for this study. A multiple step narrative analysis included narrative shaping, analysis of major life turnings, and macrostructural analysis of the progress toward life goals.

Results. This mother–child life history portrays the challenging life events of a Mexican-origin mother, Maricela, seeking care and assistance to further the development of her son with disabilities, Miguel. Major turnings in her life had both costs and benefits for her in the present and future. Analysis of her multiple roles of mother, professional, daughter, lover–wife, and spiritual devotee revealed that Maricela’s life choices, driven by maternal values, diminished the achievement of her personal goals, except those related to her maternal and spiritual roles. Maricela chose actions to realign current and future happenings with her desired life trajectory for her son, which instead of enhancing life conditions for the family often involved short-term and long-term costs.

Conclusion. This mother–child life history demonstrates that a series of moral, relational, and circumstantial factors influence a mother’s projected life courses for herself and her child. Adaptation appears to be a dynamic process of realigning life paths to desired life courses, with success evaluated not in a microcosm of time, but from a larger view as these actions contribute to the achievement of desired life goals within a constellation of the person’s life goals.
Current Trends in Assistive Technology Education in Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Curricula
Authors: Kanny Elizabeth M. , Anson Denis K.
Published: April 2012

Objective. This replication study investigated what changes, if any, occurred in the education of entry-level occupational therapy students relative to assistive technology between 1989 and 1994–1995.

Method. A questionnaire was mailed to all entry-level occupational therapy programs in the United States (N = 79). The response rate was 88.6% (n = 70). Results were compared with those of a similar survey that examined the same issues in 1989.

Results. Assistive technology education had increased from 1989 to 1994–1995 in 11 identified areas. The highest increases were found in environmental access and robotics, sensory aids, augmentative communication, and prosthetics and orthotics. Only 10% of the respondent programs had less than 20 hours of assistive technology education compared with 50% in the earlier study. Thirty (43%) programs included one or more technology courses in the curriculum compared with 17 (29%) in 1989, and 62 (89%) programs included assistive technology content in lectures or units throughout the curriculum compared with 32 (54%) in 1989.

Conclusion. Occupational therapy educators are placing more emphasis on assistive technology education than they did in 1989 and are learning the skills to teach this content. If this trend continues, we will see assistive technology content taught in all occupational therapy programs in the next millennium.
Evolving Competence in the Practitioner Role
Authors: Youngstrom Mary Jane
Published: April 2012

This article discusses competence from the viewpoint of the practitioner role. Concepts from two documents published by the American Occupational Therapy Association—Occupational Therapy Roles and Developing, Maintaining, and Updating Competency in Occupational Therapy: A Guide to Self-Appraisal—are integrated within the discussion. Discussed in this article are factors that affect competence, the interrelationship of competence and practice, and personal responsibility for competence; ways in which competence may be challenged during the practitioner’s career; common misconceptions about competence; and attitudes and actions in which the competent practitioner engages.Competence is described as a complex and evolving set of abilities that develops throughout the practitioner’s career.
Developing a Research Career: Advice From Occupational Therapy Researchers
Authors: Case-Smith Jane
Published: April 2012

Objective. Occupational therapy faculty members often need guidance in developing a research program that will result in publication and sponsorship. This qualitative study investigated how university faculty members had successfully established research programs.

Method. Nine well-known occupational therapy researchers were interviewed by telephone regarding how they had established a research career. These interviews were transcribed and analyzed.

Results. The advice of the occupational therapy researchers included the following: complete a doctoral education, find mentors, and link with colleagues who have similar research interests. They also recommended that new researchers learn to take risks and accept criticism, prioritize, manage work time, and learn about the systems that support research.

Conclusion. Occupational therapy researchers’ experiences can be used to provide helpful advice and guidance for faculty members who are beginning research programs.
Student Perspectives on Problem-Based Learning in an Occupational Therapy Curriculum: A Multiyear Qualitative Evaluation
Authors: Hammel Joy , Royeen Charlotte Brasic , Bagatell Nancy , Chandler Barbara , Jensen Gail , Loveland Jeff , Stone Gretchen
Published: April 2012

Objectives. Problem-based learning (PBL) is increasingly being used within health care professional educational programs to develop critical thinking skills via a learner-centered approach. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of participation in a PBL-centered curriculum on occupational therapy knowledge and skill development over time from the perspective of the students involved. This study examined student evaluations of the first three class cohorts participating in a PBL-based curriculum.

Method. A participatory action design study involving qualitative, student-led focus groups was conducted with 154 students across 2 years of the education program. Fourteen focus groups were audiotaped, and those audiotapes were transcribed by an outside expert, followed by two levels of analysis by program faculty members and a member check by student participants.

Results. Themes that emerged from the data analysis related to (a) defining elements of PBL, (b) the role of students and faculty members, (c) learning strategies used by students in a PBL versus traditional education program, (d) the challenges of a PBL approach, and (e) PBL’s relationship to clinical reasoning and occupational therapy practice.

Conclusions. Students perceived that a PBL approach adopted consistently across the curriculum contributed to the development of information management, critical reasoning, communication, and team-building skills; however, identified challenges were time and role management, information access, instructor versus PBL expectations and practices, and coping with the ambiguity of knowledge and reasoning.
A Decision-Making Model for the Provision of Adaptive Technology
Authors: Loebl Dina
Published: April 2012

This article presents a model that is designed to assist in the decision-making process of applying technologically based solutions to problems that arise from functional deficits. The model links task analysis with functional assessment of the client. The task analysis identifies the performance component of the required task, and the functional assessment identifies the disabilities that hinder the client in performing the task. The gaps between the performance components of the tasks and the client’s skills are indicators for technological intervention.
Reliability and Validity of the Self-Assessment of Occupational Functioning
Authors: Henry Alexis D. , Baron Kathi Brenneman , Mouradian Laurie , Curtin Clare
Published: April 2012

Objective. Two studies examined the reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment of Occupational Functioning (SAOF), a 23-item self-assessment of perceptions of strengths and weaknesses relative to occupational functioning, grounded in the Model of Human Occupation.

Method. The first study examined the test–retest reliability of the SAOF, and involved 37 college students without disabilities who completed the SAOF twice. The second study, which involved 39 young persons hospitalized with psychiatric disorders, examined internal consistency reliability of the SAOF, and examined correlations between SAOF scores and composite scores on the Self-Perception Profile, a widely used measure of perceived competence. In addition, data from both studies were combined to examine the ability of the SAOF to discriminate between the college students without disabilities and the young persons with psychiatric disorders.

Results. Kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to examine test–retest reliability and Cronbach’s alpha was used to examine internal consistency. Acceptable levels of test–retest (ICCs) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) reliability were found for the subscale and total scores of the SAOF. However, test–retest reliability (kappa) was lower than desirable for many of the individual SAOF items. The young persons with psychiatric disorders had lower item, subscale, and total scores on the SAOF than did the college students without disabilities. In addition, a discriminant analysis predicting group membership (college students without disability vs. young persons with psychiatric disorder) correctly classified 76.6% of the participants based on the four subscale scores of the SAOF.

Conclusion. The SAOF has the potential to be a reliable and valid clinical assessment; however, additional research is needed.
Two new species of Endophragmiella from southern China
Authors: Ma Jian , Zhang Yi-Dong , Ma Li-Guo , Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael F. , Zhang Xiu-Guo
Published: April 2012

Endophragmiella gardeniae sp. nov., on dead branches of Gardenia hainanensis, and E. machili sp. nov., on dead branches of Machilus grijsii, are described and illustrated. They differ from other described Endophragmiella species in their obclavate
or fusiform conidia with branches that developed a Selenosporella-like synanamorph. The specimens are deposited in Herbarium of Shandong Agricultural University, Plant Pathology (HSAUP) and Mycological Herbarium, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HMAS).
Alveariospora, a new anamorphic genus from trichomes of Dimorphandra mollis in Brazil
Authors: Silva Meiriele Da , Castañeda-Ruíz Rafael F. , Pereira Olinto Liparini , Barreto Robert Weingart
Published: April 2012

A dematiaceous fungus associated with trichomes on leaflets of Dimorphandra mollis was collected during a survey of fungi associated with the genus Dimorphandra (Fabaceae). The host tree is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado. Although widely distributed there, this
plant has been neglected in mycological studies, since no fungus has ever been recorded in association with it. The new fungus produces large alveariform (skep or beehiveshaped), muriform, dictyosporous, distoseptate, verruculose conidia from large, thickened, dark washer-like conidiogenous
loci. Among previously described anamorphic genera, this fungus is somewhat similar to Annellophragmia, Annellosympodia, Briansuttonia, Dictyospiropes, and Veracruzomyces as well as Spiropes dictyosporus but has some significant differences from those taxa.
Hence, the new genus Alveariospora (type species: A. distoseptata sp. nov.) is proposed for this fungus.
Gyalidea minuta in Central Europe – new data on its distribution, ecology, and morphological variation
Authors: Kubiak Dariusz , Malíček Jiří
Published: April 2012

New localities of Gyalidea minuta in Central Europe are reported. The distribution, ecology, and morphological variation of the species are discussed and differentiating characters presented.
First record of Dendrothele mangiferae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from the Neotropics
Authors: Gorjón Sergio P.
Published: April 2012

Dendrothele mangiferae, previously known only from the Mascarene Islands, is reported for the first time from Central America. It has been found in Costa Rica growing on bark of living Terminalia catappa. A full description, line drawing, and colour photos are provided.
Candelariella, Ochrolechia, Physcia, and Xanthoria species new to Turkey
Authors: Yazıcı Kenan , Aptroot André , Aslan Ali
Published: April 2012

Candelariella kuusamoensis, Ochrolechia frigida, Physcia phaea, and Xanthoria papillifera were determined as new to Turkey and the Middle East following a recent lichenological foray in Iğdır and Van regions (Turkey). Geographic distribution, substrate, chemistry,
and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa are presented.
Mycena moconensis, a new species in section Polyadelphia from Argentina
Authors: Niveiro N. , Popoff O. , Desjardin D. , Albertó E.
Published: April 2012

A new agaric species, Mycena moconensis, is described from Paranaense Rain Forest, Argentina. This species is characterized by small bicoloured basidiomata with yellow to orange yellow or golden pilei and magenta to purple stipes, pip-shaped spores, and spinulose cheilocystidia
and pellicular hyphae.
Fungal pathogens of 'cat's claws 'from Brazil for biocontrol of Macfadyena unguis-cati
Authors: Silva Meiriele da , Barreto Robert Weingart , Pereira Olinto Liparini
Published: April 2012

Recent searches in Brazil for plant pathogens with potential for use as classical biocontrol agents of Macfadyena unguis-cati yielded five fungal species, two previously undescribed. These are described herein and preliminary evaluations based on field and laboratory observations
of the diseases with which they are associated are given. These are: Guignardia mangiferae (leaf spots), Meliola herteri (black mildew), Passalora macfadyenae sp. nov. (leaf spots), Pseudocercospora unguis-cati (leaf spots) and Prospodium macfadyenae sp.
nov. (rust). The two newly described species, Pa. macfadyenae and Pr. macfadyenae, are regarded as having the greatest potential for use in classical biological control.
Zelodactylaria, an interesting new genus from semi-arid northeast Brazil
Authors: Cruz Alisson Cardoso Rodrigues da , Gusmão Luís Fernando Pascholati , Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael F. , Stadler Marc , Minter David W.
Published: April 2012

During investigation of microfungi on dead plant material in a semiarid region of northeast Brazil, an interesting fungus was collected that is described and illustrated here. Zelodactylaria verticillata anam. gen. & sp. nov. is distinguished by macronematous verticillate
brown conidiophores with marked sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cells with long cylindrical denticles and solitary obovoid to clavate hyaline 0–1-septate conidia.
Two new species of Hyphoderma (Agaricomycetes) from India
Authors: Priyanka  , Dhingra G.S.
Published: April 2012

Two new corticioid species, Hyphoderma bicystidiatum and H. subglobosum, are described from Kangra Hills in Himachal Pradesh.
A new Hysterostomella species from the Cerrado in Brasília National Park
Authors: Inácio C.A. , Pereira-Carvalho R.C. , Souza E.S.C. , Sales H.B. , Dianese. J.C.
Published: April 2012

A new Hysterostomella species found on leaves of Connarus suberosus is illustrated and described as Hysterostomella connari.
A new species of Skeletocutis (Polyporaceae) on bamboo in tropical China
Authors: Zhou Li-Wei , Qin Wen-Min
Published: April 2012

Skeletocutis bambusicola sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the tropical region of Yunnan, southern China. The species is characterized by the annual, resupinate cream-colored basidiocarps, small pores, a dimitic hyphal system, small ellipsoid basidiospores, and habit
on dead bamboo. The combination of characters distinguishes S. bambusicola from other known species of Skeletocutis.
A new name for a Coltricia (Basidiomycota) from India
Authors: Baltazar Juliano M. , Silveira Rosa Mara B. da
Published: April 2012

Examination of the isotype of a Coltricia species described from India confirms it as a good morphological species. A new name, Coltricia indica, is proposed to replace its two previous illegitimate names. The species is characterized by very small, centrally stipitate
basidiomes with shiny pilei when dried, lobed to serrate and ciliate margins, and oblongellipsoid, more or less thick-walled basidiospores.
The first report of Ceriporia lacerata (Phanerochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) in Korea
Authors: Jang Yeongseon , Choi Ha Eun , Lim Young Woon , Lee Jin Sung , Kim Jae-Jin
Published: April 2012

An unrecorded Ceriporia species was collected during the field survey in Korea University Experimental Forests. Based on morphological characteristics and 28S, 18S, and internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence analyses, the species was identified as Ceriporia lacerata,
new to South Korea. A key to the Korean Ceriporia species is provided.
Nomenclatural notes 13. An incorrect neotype designation and provision for a lectotype and an epitype for Helvella fusca
Authors: Landeros Fidel , Korf Richard P.
Published: April 2012

A neotype designation for Helvella fusca proposed in 1997 proves to have been erroneous because an illustration accompanying the original description was overlooked. Such illustrations normally have served as the lectotype when all known specimens of the author's taxon have been
lost. The authors of that neotype designation should instead have designated the illustration as a lectotype and a specimen as an epitype, which is done in this paper. The so-called neotype specimen is now selected as the epitype specimen. A full description, illustrations and remarks about
synonyms and a non-synonym are also provided.
New combinations in Lactifluus . 2. L. subg. Gerardii
Authors: Stubbe D. , Wang X.-H. , Verbeken A.
Published: April 2012

In this second of a series of three papers, new combinations in the genus Lactifluus are proposed. This paper treats Lactarius subg. Gerardii (proposed here as new combination in Lactifluus). In this subgenus 17 combinations at species level are proposed.
Minimizing the chaos following the loss of Article 59: Suggestions for a discussion
Authors: Gams Walter , Humber Richard A. , Jaklitsch Walter , Kirschner Roland , Stadler Marc
Published: April 2012

We assert that the suppression at the 2011 Melbourne Botanical Congress of the dual nomenclature for pleomorphic fungi was premature since most fungal genera still remain inadequately typified and need molecularly based revisions. The new system turns a rule-determined nomenclature
into a system of names to be decided by committees. The new system cannot be implemented until experts publish well-documented rationales about the generic names to be accepted or suppressed among alternative morphs and the responsible committees act officially. Prioritization vs. suppression
is not the same as conservation vs. rejection. If a teleomorphic generic name is suppressed, it still remains valid and legitimate and can still serve as a basis for names of higher-rank taxa. In most cases the teleomorph genus name should be prioritized unless convincing arguments favor preference
of the anamorph name. Paraphyletic genera must be recognized. Unless the phylogenetic positions of all type species for possible morphs are confirmed, no prioritization can be fixed. When a binomial in a prioritized genus has a younger epithet than the corresponding name in the suppressed
genus, only priority of extant names in the prioritized genus should count.
Queletia mirabilis, a rare gasteroid species in Gran Canaria, Spain
Authors: Moreno G. , Ribes M.A. , Escobio V. , Khalid A.N.
Published: April 2012

This paper provides the first report of a rare gasteroid taxon, Queletia mirabilis, from the Canary Islands, accompanied by color photographs of its macro- and microscopic characteristics and scanning electron micrographs of spore ornamentation and capillitium. A comparison with
other similar species of Queletia and Schizostoma is also given.
New species and a new record of Solicorynespora from southern China
Authors: Ma Jian , Ma Li-Guo , Zhang Yi-Dong , Xia Ji-Wen , Zhang Xiu-Guo
Published: April 2012

Four species of Solicorynespora were collected on dead branches from tropical or subtropical forests in southern China. The new species S . ligustri on Ligustrum quihoui, S. machili on Machilus chinensis, and S. cryptocaryae on
Cryptocarya chinensis are described, illustrated, and compared with closely related taxa. Solicorynespora pseudolmediae is recorded for the first time from China.
Introducing a New Resource for Water and Wastewater System Business Continuity Planning
Authors: Spence Shannon , Moyer Jack , Novick Kate
Published: April 2012

Business continuity planning (BCP) is your investment in a more positive future ‐ for your utility, for the community it serves, for your employees, and for your customers. A new BCP resource for the water sector has been developed by the Water Research Foundation in collaboration with its partners the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and AWWA. This resource, called the Business Case Analysis Tool, includes a guidance document, a template, and online tools, which will enable all water and wastewater utilities, large and small, to develop their own BCPs and reap the associated benefits.
Evaluation of Oregano and α-Tocopheryl Acetate on Laying Japanese Quail Diets
Authors: E. Christaki  , E. Bonos  , I. Giannenas  , P. Florou-Paneri
Published: April 2012

In this experiment 108 Coturnix japonica quail, 149 days old, were randomly allocated into four equal groups with three subgroups of 9 birds each (6 females and 3 males). A commercial laying diet was fed to the control group. The remaining three groups were fed the same diet supplemented with ground oregano at 10 g/kg or 20 g/kg or additional 300 mg α-tocopheryl acetate /kg. The birds were offered feed and water ad libitum for a period of 29 days, while being kept under commercial conditions. During the whole experiment, egg production, feed consumption and mortality were recorded daily. Also, at the end of the experiment the egg weight, the weight percentages of egg yolk, albumen and shell, the egg yolk colour (using the L*a*b* colour space) were determined. Moreover, blood serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. The results showed that the α-tocopheryl acetate addition did not affect any of the examined parameters. In contrast, oregano at 10 g/kg increased the a* yolk colour parameter (redness) compared to control, but did not affect the other examined parameters.
Evolutionary Ecology, Elite Feasting, and the Hohokam: A Case Study from a Southern Arizona Platform Mound
Authors: Grimstead Deanna N. , Bayham Frank E.
Published: April 2012

A number of researchers have shown that the abundance, diversity, and size of prey consumed or displayed at a feast can be used by elites to solidify and/or aggrandize their social position. Expectations for archaeological signatures of elite feasting—derived from ethnographic studies, archaeological research, and ecological theory—are used to assess the archaeofaunal record from selected contexts of the Marana platform mound site, located in southern Arizona. The magnitude of work conducted in the region provides a unique opportunity to address the importance of feasting as a mechanism of power consolidation among Hohokam elites. Here, we examine a hypothesized locus of elite feasting among the Classic period Hohokam (ca. A.D. 1250). A relatively high concentration of animal bone derived from a burned room adjacent to the Marana platform mound was first thought to represent debris from elite feasting. Analysis reveals a proportionate taxonomic profile that is similar to the remainder of the community and an overwhelming abundance of small game relative to large prey. Neither situation is consistent with elite feasting expectations. These results argue for a form of feasting among non-elites that likely served to promote intragroup solidarity or political support within the community.
Households, Time, and Practice: a Reply to Vitelli
Authors: Silliman Stephen W.
Published: April 2012

Giovanna Vitelli (this volume) offers interesting perspectives on the archaeological study of Indigenous people in colonial contexts. She does so through a commentary on my recently published (Silliman 2009) article in which I outlined a perspective on practice and memory that has helped me interpret the ways that Indigenous communities can persist between the dichotomies of change and continuity. I offer here some clarifications and engagements with her comments.
A Public Database of Archaeological Resources on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) Using Google Earth
Authors: Hochstetter Francisco Torres , Haoa Sergio Rapu , Lipo Carl P. , Hunt Terry L.
Published: April 2012

The archaeological record of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) has long captivated the public and archaeologists alike. The monumental statues (moai) are the most famous of the archaeological features of the island. Other aspects of the record, however, include platforms (ahu), statue (moai), transport roads, and a wide range of architectural features. Although large portions of the island have been surveyed as part of government-funded projects to document the archaeological record, there is yet no single publicly available and published source providing data on the composition and distribution of moai, ahu, or the many other architectural/artifact classes of the island. Here, we describe a project to build a publicly accessible archaeological database. Using the freely available Google Earthtm mapping service, which provides high-resolution color images of the earth’s surface, photographs, and data generated from recent surveys, we show how researchers can contribute to this database making the archaeological record freely available to everyone with an interest in the archaeology of Easter Island.
Registro Arqueofaunistico en los Andes Meridionales Entre 11,000 Y 5000 Años A.P.: Evidencias en Agua de la Cueva-Sector Sur (Mendoza, Argentina)
Authors: Gil Adolfo F. , Neme Gustavo A. , Otaola Clara , García Alejandro
Published: April 2012

Se presentan los resultados del análisis arqueofaunístico del sitio arqueológico Agua de la Cueva (sector sur), en el lapso temporal comprendido entre ca. 11,000 y 5000 a.P. Los materiales analizados indican una escasa diversidad de taxa, con un fuerte predominio deLama guanicoeen todos los componentes. Las diferencias principales entre las ocupaciones pertenecientes al Pleistoceno Final-Holoceno Temprano en relación a las del Holoceno Medio se vinculan principalmente a la disminución significativa en la tasa de especímenes óseos a lo largo del tiempo y la ausencia deVicugna vicugnaa partir de ca. 9000 años a.P. En relación a esto último, los análisis osteométricos y morfológicos descartan la posibilidad de que los especímenes pertenecientes a esta especie correspondan a la denominada subespecie extintaLama (Vicugna)gracilis. Por el contrario, los mismos parecen corresponder a la actualVicugna vicugna, cuya dispersión tiene su límite sur unos 600 km al norte del sitio estudiado. Por último, los datos aquí presentados permiten discutir aspectos de la subsistencia humana en el centro-oeste del continente sudamericano durante las primeras etapas de ocupación de la región y cómo los hombres reaccionaron a los principales cambios ambientales ocurridos durante la primera mitad del Holoceno.
Two‐Dimensional Nanoarchitectures for Lithium Storage
Authors: Liu Jiehua , Liu Xue‐Wei
Published: April 2012

Two dimensional nanoarchitectures are of great interest in lithium storage for energy‐storage devices, in particular lithium‐ion batteries, due to its shortened paths for fast lithium ion diffusion and large exposed surface offering more lithium‐insertion channels. Their competitive lithium‐storage features provide huge potentials to develop next‐generation high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. This review is devoted to the recent progress in the fabrication of innovative 2D structures with various synthetic strategies and their applications for lithium storage in lithium‐ion batteries. These 2D architectures are categorized into six styles, i.e., nanoporous nanosheets, ultrathin nanosheets, flower‐like structures assembled by nanosheets, sandwich‐like nanosheets, corrugated nanosheets, and nanosheets with specific facets. Based on the lithium‐storage manner, we further summerized their electrochemical performance for lithium storage with four classified themes including surface Li storage, zero or low‐strain Li storage, volume‐variation Li storage and synergic‐effect Li storage. Finally, the outlook and perspective on 2D lithium‐storage materials is concisely provided.
Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by defluorination of PTFE with silicon
Authors: Carotenuto G. , de Nicola S. , Camerlingo C. , Peluso A. , Nicolais L.
Published: April 2012

Nowadays, there is a strong interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) since these nanostructured materials have large potential applications in different technological fields. In this work, a very simple approach for synthesizing CNTs in mild conditions has been developed and investigated. In particular, the nanotubes have been obtained by thermal defluorination of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) by Si, which also acts as an inorganic catalyst for the CNT growth. Fine powders of PTFE and Si were homogeneously mixed together and then compacted by cold pressing. The obtained composite pills were placed into a quartz tube furnace at 650°C, and a vacuum was applied to remove the gaseous by‐product (SiF4). The obtained pyrolysis product consisted of CNTs, wrapping the surface of silicon grains. CNTs have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and large angle x‐ray powder diffraction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 31: 246–251, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21267
Voltage‐Induced Formation of Accumulation Layers at Electrode Interfaces in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Stelzl Felix F. , Schulz‐Gericke Jan , Crossland Ed , Ludwigs Sabine , Würfel Uli
Published: April 2012

This work reports on organic bulk heterojunction solar cells based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in a configuration with so‐called interdigital nanoelectrodes, i.e., vertical electrodes on substrates structured in the submicrometer range. In this setup, both electrodes are in place prior to the deposition of the photoactive blend solution and therefore allow for the application of a voltage during drying of the blend. A strong correlation is observed between the photovoltaic performance of these devices and the voltage that is applied during film formation. Even the polarity of the solar cells can be controlled with this method. It is suggested that this is a consequence of a strong segregation of donor and acceptor phases at the electrode interfaces induced by the applied voltage. Further experiments on planar solar cell geometries, including a solvent‐vapor treatment and the introduction of an additional layer of pure P3HT, as well as numerical simulations, are presented. All results obtained are consistent with the suggested hypothesis.
Click‐Functionalized Ru(II) Complexes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Stengel Ilona , Pootrakulchote Nuttapol , Dykeman Ryan R. , Mishra Amaresh , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Dyson Paul J. , Grätzel Michael , Bäuerle Peter
Published: April 2012

Three heteroleptic ruthenium complexes incorporating new ancillary ligands synthesized by sequential connection of different alkyl functionalities with triazole as a linker are prepared using click chemistry. These sensitizers exhibit low‐energy metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer bands centered at 540 nm with molar extinction coefficients of up to 1.54 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1. The devices using these sensitizers in conjunction with a volatile electrolyte show high photovoltaic conversion efficiencies of 8.7 to 9.9% under standard AM 1.5G sunlight (100 mW cm−2) conditions. Using an ionic liquid electrolyte, the cells show not only a good power‐conversion efficiency of up to 7.1%, but also promising long‐term stability under full sunlight intensity at 60 °C. The difference in the photovoltaic parameters during the ageing process is investigated by employing transient photoelectrical measurements.
Presence of Check‐Off Programs and Industry Concentration in the Food Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Schulz Lee L. , Crespi John M.
Published: April 2012

The authors examine industry concentration for the U.S. food manufacturing sector. This study is the first to examine whether particular subsectors within the food manufacturing industry, which operate in the presence of industry‐funded check‐off programs such as marketing orders, are more or less concentrated than industries without such research and marketing programs. The authors find evidence to the hypothesis that industries with demand‐enhancing check‐off programs have lower concentration relative to industries without these programs.[JEL Classifications: L11, L5, D29, D49]
On the quantum statistics of bound states within the Rutherford model of matter
Authors: Ebeling W. , Kraeft W.‐D. , Röpke G.
Published: April 2012

The quantum statistical treatment of the Rutherford model, considering matter as a system of point charges (electrons and nuclei), is analyzed. First, in the historical context, the solutions of different fundamental problems, such as the divergence of the partition function, elaborated by Herzfeld, Planck, Brillouin and Rompe, are discussed. Beyond this, the modern state of art is presented and new results are given which explain why bound states according to a discrete part of the spectra occur only in a valley in the temperature‐density plane. Based on the actual state of the quantum statistics of Coulomb systems, virial expansions within the canonical ensemble and the grand ensemble and combinations are derived. The following transitions along isotherms are studied: (i) the formation of bound states occurring by increasing the density from low to moderate values, (ii) the disappearance of bound state effects at higher densities due to medium effects. Within the physical picture isotherms of pressure for Hydrogen are calculated in a broad density region, and it is shown that in the region between 20 000 K and 100 000 K and particle densities below 1022 cm‐3 the cross‐over from full to partial ionization may be well described by the contributions of extended ring diagrams and ladder diagrams.
Synthesis and characterization of comb polycarboxylic acid dispersants for coatings
Authors: Najafi F. , Ranjbar Z. , Shirkavand Hadavand B. , Montazeri Sh.
Published: April 2012

Comb polycarboxylic acid dispersants (CPCADs) graft acrylic copolymers which consist of hanging methoxy polyethylene glycol chains and carboxylic acid groups on main acrylic chain. The CPCADs have been synthesized by radical polymerization of methacrylic acid and methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate as a nonionic unsaturated hydrophilic macromonomer. The CPCADs are polymeric surfactants that can be used as anionic dispersant. Methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate has been synthesized by esterification of methacrylic acid and methoxy polyethylene glycol in the presence of methanesulfonic acid as catalyst. These have been characterized with 1H‐NMR and GPC. Acid values of CPCA dispersants have been determined. The dispersion of CPCA dispersants depends on their molecular weights, length mPEG, and acid values. Dispersion of titanium dioxide in typical solvent‐based paint formulation has been investigated. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of surface coatings having CPCADs such as gloss, hardness, and contrast ratio have been investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effects of ultraviolet absorbers on the ultraviolet degradation of rice‐hull/high‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Du Hua , Wang Weihong , Wang Qingwen , Sui Shujuan , Song Yongming
Published: April 2012

In China, rice‐hull powder is widely used as a fiber component to reinforce polymers because of its ready availability and lower cost compared to wood fibers. However, an issue concerning these composites is their weathering durability. In this study, the effects of two ultraviolet absorbers (UVAs), UV‐326 and UV‐531, on the durability of rice‐hull/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were evaluated after the samples were exposed to UV‐accelerated weathering tests for up to 2000 h. All of the samples showed significant fading and color changes in exposed areas. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to detect surface chemical changes. The results indicate that surface oxidation commenced immediately within the first 500 h of exposure for all of the samples. However, the control rice‐hull/HDPE composites underwent a greater degree of oxidation than those with the UVAs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the rice‐hull/HDPE composites degraded significantly upon accelerated UV aging, with dense cracking on the exposed surface. The UVAs provided effective protection for the rice‐hull/HDPE composites, and UV‐326 had a more positive effect on the color stability than UV‐531. The results reported herein serve to enhance our understanding of the efficiency of UV stabilizers in the protection of rice‐hull/HDPE composites against UV radiation, with a view toward improving their formulation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and properties of magnetic sensitive shape memory Fe3O4/poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐polyurethane nanocomposites
Authors: Cai Yan , Jiang Ji‐Sen , Zheng Bing , Xie Mei‐Ran
Published: April 2012

Fe3O4/poly (ε‐caprolactone)‐polyurethane (PCLU) shape memory nanocomposites were prepared by an in situ polymerization method. The thermal properties, magnetic properties, and shape memory properties of the nanocomposites were investigated systematically. The results showed that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in the PCLU matrix, which ensured good shape memory properties of nanocomposites in both hot water and an alternating magnetic field (f = 45 kHz, H = 29.7 kA m−1/36.7 kA m−1). The nanocomposites started to recover near 40°C, which is slightly higher than body temperature. Thus, they would not change their deformed shape during the implanting process into the human body. Considering potential clinical applications, 45°C was chosen as shape recovery temperature which is slightly higher than 37°C, and the nanocomposites had high shape recovery rate at this temperature. With increasing content of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the shape memory properties of the nanocomposites in an alternating magnetic field increased and the best recovery rate reached 97%, which proves that this kind of nanocomposites might be used as potential magnetic sensitive shape memory materials for biomedical applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
Toughness optimization of elastomer‐modified glass–fiber reinforced PA6 materials
Authors: Kroll Markus , Langer Beate , Grellmann Wolfgang
Published: April 2012

To investigate the influence of moisture and EPR‐g‐MA content on the fracture behavior of glass–fiber reinforced PA6 materials, brittle‐to‐tough transition temperatures (Tbtt) were determined. Water absorption was taken into account by conditioning the analyzed materials. Tensile tests could reveal the temperature range of the largest moisture dependence of mechanical properties between 10 and 50°C. J‐integral values were used to describe the fracture behavior under conditions of impact load as a function of temperature. The brittle‐to‐tough transition of reinforced polyamides was found to be less approximate than in unreinforced materials. Two different characteristic temperature points Ts and Te were identified, which were the intercept between elastic and elastic–plastic deformation on the one hand and the starting point of dominating stable crack propagation with strong plastic deformation on the other hand. Characteristic brittle‐to‐tough transition temperatures Tbtt could be calculated as the arithmetic average of these two points. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Copper nanoparticles loaded alginate‐impregnated cotton fabric with antibacterial properties
Authors: Bajpai Sunil Kumar , Bajpai Manjula , Sharma Leena
Published: April 2012

In the present study, calcium alginate‐impregnated cotton fabric has been loaded with copper nanoparticles to impart antimicrobial properties. The fabric, so prepared, has been characterized by TEM and FTIR analysis. There has been no adverse effect found on the mechanical properties of fabric due to alginate impregnation. The release of Cu(II) ions has been studied in the physiological fluid at 37°C under different experimental conditions, such as varying concentrations of sodium alginate and the crosslinker calcium chloride. The fabrics showed an appreciable release of Cu(II) ions, extended over a period of 50 h. The amount of Cu(II) ions released showed a negative dependence on the amount of alginate present within the fabric network and the concentration of crosslinker calcium chloride used. The release data was fitted on the Higuchi diffusion‐controlled release model successfully. Finally, the antibacterial activity of fabric was tested by zone inhibition method against E. coli as model bacteria. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012