bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient- and Family-Centered Care and the Pediatrician's Role
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON HOSPITAL CARE and INSTITUTE FOR PATIENT- AND FAMILY-CENTERED CARE
Published: January 2012

Drawing on several decades of work with families, pediatricians, other health care professionals, and policy makers, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a definition of patient- and family-centered care. In pediatrics, patient- and family-centered care is based on the understanding that the family is the child’s primary source of strength and support. Further, this approach to care recognizes that the perspectives and information provided by families, children, and young adults are essential components of high-quality clinical decision-making, and that patients and family are integral partners with the health care team. This policy statement outlines the core principles of patient- and family-centered care, summarizes some of the recent literature linking patient- and family-centered care to improved health outcomes, and lists various other benefits to be expected when engaging in patient- and family-centered pediatric practice. The statement concludes with specific recommendations for how pediatricians can integrate patient- and family-centered care in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, and in broader systems of care, as well.
Characterization of the Fracture of an Automobile Drum Brake
Authors: Perrusquia N. López , Doñu M. A. , Cortez V. J. , Sánchez D. , Vázquez F.
Published: January 2012

In this research we studied the fracture of a cast iron drum for 3.5 ton trucks, and it seeks to determine the causes that led to a series of cracks in different areas of the part of drum brake during the manufacturing process, casting or machining. The work followed the methodology usually used in failure analysis; we used the following analytical techniques: visual inspection, penetrating liquids, fractography, metallography, chemical analysis and mechanical testing of hardness. The analysis of the automotive part surface is divided into four sections which are the flange, track, belt and covers powders which were evaluated by the above techniques to determine the failure of the piece. Metallography analysis in each section of the piece showed different microstructure on gray cast iron; showing that pieces works with different cooling conditions during manufacture, giving a mechanism of failure-prone fragile.
Microstructural Rejuvenation Through Non-conventional Heat Treatments of an Inconel 939 Superalloy
Authors: González M. A. , Martínez D. I. , Pérez A. , Guajardo H.
Published: January 2012

The microstructural rejuvenation through non-conventional heat treatments (NCHT) of a conventional cast superalloy Inconel 939 was investigated. The primary and secondary main constituents of the NCHT microstructures were characterized through its morphology and composition applying conventional microscopy and analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed a complete rejuvenation of the overage microstructure (disordered coarse cuboids of 1.2μm from γ´, continuous films of M23C6 carbides and coarse MC carbides as well as γ-γ´eutectics) into a more homogeneous microstructure; spherical ordered primary γ´ and secondary γ´ precipitates ranging between 357 to 442 nm and 30 to50 nm respectively and depending on the applied heat treatment. Also blocky type MC and discreet M23C6 carbides dispersed within the dendrite and in the interdendritic regions were observed. There was no evidence of the formation of detrimental phases with the NCHT, which can affect the long-term properties of the alloy during service.
Structural Characterization of Nanoparticles Obtained by a Polyol Synthesis in the Bimetallic System Pt-Pd
Authors: García-Ruiz A. F. , Salazar J. J. Velázquez , Esparza R. , Castillo N.
Published: January 2012

A modified polyol synthesis has been utilized to study the different structures obtained in the bimetallic system of platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd). Some results are shown in this work. Thermal methods under refluxing, carrying on the reaction up to 285 ºC, have been assayed to reduce metallic salts using ethylene glycol (EG) as reducer and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as protective reagent of the formed bimetallic nanoparticles. The special core-shell structure has been observed in these bimetallic nanoparticles, whose synthesis was assisted by Ag, showing polyhedral shapes. The average diameter size of the core has been estimated at 10 nm, and the diameter size of the shell in 13 nm, consequently the thickness of the shell is around 1.5 nm. Nanoparticles were structurally characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) equipped with detector to generate high angle annular dark field (HAADF) images. This kind of structures have been studied and utilized to increase successfully the catalytic properties of monometallic nanoparticles of Pt or Pd according to other works. Here, the synthesis procedure is described; as the main results, several images are presented showing the obtained bimetallic core-shell structures and their fast Fourier transform (FFT), and also the size and the elemental analysis of the nanoparticles are reported, concluding that this synthesis method is very efficient for preparing bimetallic core shell structures.
Effect of the Thermal Treatment on the Capacity of Removal of Cr (VI) of Sol-Gel Hydrotalcite-like Materials
Authors: Ramos E. , Gutiérrez N. L. , Contreras C. A. , del Angel G. A.
Published: January 2012

In this work the effect on the adsorption of Cr (VI) by thermally treated Hydrotalcite-like Material (HTM) synthesized by the sol-gel method with a Mg/Al = 2 was studied. The characterization of the HTM before and after Cr (VI) removal, as well as the kinetic studies were carried out. When the HTM are thermally treated at 350ºC the hydrotalcite crystalline structure remains and the textural properties improve. The Cr (VI) adsorption capacity of HTM was 125 mg of Cr (VI) / g of HTM. This capacity augments at 132 mg of Cr (VI) / g of HTM after heating HTM at 300°C. The crystallinity as well the porosity of the HTM diminished after adsorption of Cr (VI), due to the obstruction of both the pores and the interlayer space. The adsorption of Cr (VI) occurred before 4 minutes contact time. It can be concluded that HTM exhibits a high Cr (VI) adsorption capacity in a short time.
Structural Characterization of Iron Nanoparticles Synthesized by Chemical -Methods
Authors: Ruíz-Baltazar A. , López Claudia , Pérez R. , Rosas G.
Published: January 2012

Different synthesis methods has been employed to produce nanoparticles, however, chemical reduction method offer a effective route to obtained sizes nanoparticles controlled and morphologies very well defined. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction using sodium borohydride (SB) NaBH4, Fe (III) Chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) as starting metallic salt (MS) and Poly-vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as surfactant agent. The nanoparticles have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Effects of Displacing Radiation on Graphite Observed Using in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Hinks J.A. , Jones A.N. , Donnelly S.E.
Published: January 2012

Graphite is used as a moderator and structural component in the United Kingdom’s fleet of Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors (AGRs) and features in two Generation IV reactor concepts: the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) and the Molten Salt Reactor (MSR). Under the temperature and neutron irradiation conditions of an AGR, nuclear-grade graphite demonstrates significant changes to it mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. These changes include considerable dimensional change with expansion in the c-direction and contraction in the a/b-directions. As the United Kingdom’s AGRs approach their scheduled decommissioning dates, it is essential that this behaviour be understood in order to determine under what reactor conditions their operating lifetimes can be safely extended.

Two models have been proposed for the dimensional change in graphite due to displacing radiation: the “Standard Model” and “Ruck and Tuck”. The Standard Model draws on a conventional model of Frenkel pair production, point defect migration and agglomeration but fails to explain several key experimental observations. The Ruck and Tuck model has been proposed by M.I. Heggie et al. and is based upon the movement of basal dislocation to create folds in the “graphene” sheets and seeks not only to account for the dimension change but also the other phenomena not explained by the Standard Model.

In order to test the validity of these models, work is underway to gather experimental evidence of the microstructural evolution of graphite under displacing radiation. One of the primary techniques for this is transmission electron microscopy with in situ ion irradiation. This paper presents the results of electron irradiation at a range of energies (performed in order to separate the effects of the electron and ion beams) and of combined electron and ion beam irradiation.
Relating the fatigue lifetime of hot rolled AA7xxx alloys to the pore size distribution as determined by 3D X-ray tomography
Authors: Wu Xiaomin , Schlangen Erik , van der Zwaag Sybrand
Published: January 2012

A set of hot rolled 7xxx aluminum alloys with modification of processing conditions were analyzed on their fatigue life time as well as the internal microstructure using 3D computed X-ray tomography with a lab scale scanner and optical microscopy. It is shown that for conventional hot rolling conditions many large (>300μm) casting pores were retained in the material. With modifications of the rolling conditions the size and density distribution of the retained casting pores were significantly reduced, leading to greatly improved fatigue life times.
Size and Shape Dependencies of Nanomaterial Properties: Thermodynamic Considerations
Authors: Guisbiers Grégory
Published: January 2012

A top-down approach using classical thermodynamics is presented in this paper to deduce size and shape dependencies of different material properties. Particular attention is focused on the thermal expansion coefficient. The theory developed here can also be used to deduce information on surface energies.
Near-Equilibrium Solubility of Nanocrystalline Alloys
Authors: Kirchner Alexander , Riedl Thomas , Eymann Konrad , Noethe Michael , Kieback Bernd
Published: January 2012

Grain boundaries are the dominating type of defect in nanocrystalline materials. Understanding their properties is crucial to the comprehension of nanocrystalline materials behavior. A facile thermodynamic model for alloy grain boundaries is developed. The macroscopic analysis is based on established descriptions of metallic solutions and the universal equation of state at negative pressure, using mainly parameters obtainable from measurements on macroscopic samples. The free energy of atoms in grain boundaries is derived as a function of excess volume, composition, and temperature. Interfacial enrichment is computed using equilibrium conditions between bulk phase and grain boundaries. The excess volume of symmetric ‘100’ tilt grain boundaries in Cu as a common system is obtained by atomistic computer simulation. In a general case the predictions of the proposed model are compared to experimental grain boundary segregation data, yielding a good match. The near-equilibrium solubility of Ag in nanocrystalline Cu and of Cu in nanocrystalline Fe is calculated.
Polymer Nanohybrids With High Electrical Conductivities
Authors: Yañez-Macías R. , González-Morones P. , Ávila-Orta C , Torres-Rincón S. , Valdéz-Garza J. , Rosales-Jasso A. , Telles-Padilla J.G. , Saénz-Galindo A.
Published: January 2012

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Nylon-6 nanohybrids were prepared by in situ polymerization under microwave irradiation. The effect of time and power of irradiation on the surface conductivity of the nanohybrid was studied. It was observed that the resistivity increases with irradiation time at low microwave power (200W). On the other hand, at high power (600W) an opposite behavior was observed. And at intermediate power (400W) the resistivity was independent of the irradiation time. Resistivity values range from 102 to 101 Ω/sq. This behavior was associated with the polymer nanocoating covering the surface of the carbon nanotubes.
Study of Fracture Behavior of Polypropylene/MWCNT and Polypropylene/m-MMT Nanocomposites by Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)
Authors: Mata-Padilla José. M. , Ávila-Orta Carlos. A. , Medellín-Rodríguez Francisco. J. , Valdéz-Garza Janet. A. , Torres-Martínez Adriana
Published: January 2012

The fracture behavior of polypropylene (PP) and its composites was studied as a function of concentration of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and modified montmorillonite (m-MMT). SAXS and WAXS (Small/Wide Angle X-ray Scattering) techniques were used to monitor the morphological changes (i.e. nanocomposite structure and crystalline morphology) caused by various nanoparticle concentrations and polymer uniaxial stretching deformation. The effect of nanoparticle nature was also investigated. The mechanical analysis shows a great effect of nanoclay concentration on the PP deformation, while uniaxial stretching of the PP/MWCNT nanocomposites was less affected by carbon nanotubes concentration. The SAXS and WAXS analysis of stretched samples indicated that the pure polypropylene and nanocomposites with low nanoparticles concentrations (1 wt/wt%) developed a fracture governed by shear yielding mechanism, while PP nanocomposites with higher concentrations of carbon nanotubes and nanoclay showed a crazing and microcraking fracture mechanism. On the other hand, different chemical nature of MWCNT and m-MMT did not affect the fracture mechanism of polypropylene at low nanoparticles concentrations.
Synthesis of Soluble Carcerands
Authors: Eddy Jiménez-Gutiérrez I. , Erika Sánchez-Montes K. , Sandra Cortez-Maya , Gabriel Flores-Rojas , Marcos Martínez-García
Published: January 2012

An efficient synthetic route for the synthesis of carcerands derived from tetramethylchlorocavitands and its tetraesters derivative were synthesized. A large-scale preparation was achieved in good yield. These carcerands are in bridging unit between oxygen atoms, i.e. contains a 3,5 dihydroxybencyl alcohol units. 1H, and 13C NMR in solution, FTIR, UV-vis spectroscopy, MS-FAB+ spectrometry and elemental analysis confirmed the structure of this carcerands.
Shape and stability of silver nanoparticles and their dependence on the conditions of preparation.
Authors: Hernández-Castillo M.I. , Zaca-Moran O. , Zaca-Moran P. , Rojas-López M. , Gayou V.L. , Delgado-Macuil R. , Orduña-Díaz A.
Published: January 2012

By using the citrate reduction procedure we have synthesized Ag nanoparticles, applying several conditions of preparation, being after characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry. Following a logical sequence, the starting experiment was realized varying the reaction time, after that it was varied the concentration of the reductor agent, and finally it was varied the volume of the reductor agent. According to this methodology, TEM measurements show that firstly we have nanostructures with different shape and size, whereas in the last part of the experiment we have Ag nanoparticles with homogeneous shape and size.
Three-dimensional tomography of single charge inside dielectric materials using electrostatic force microscopy
Authors: Riedel Clement , Arinero Richard , Alegria Angel , Colmenero Juan , Saenz Juan Jose
Published: January 2012

In this contribution, we report on a numerical study demonstrating how to realize Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) tomography. Based on the Equivalent Charge Method, both force and force gradient between a buried object (or trapped charges) and the Atomic Force Microscope tip are calculated. The main idea is to scan the sample at different tip sample distances and obtain the position and charge value of the object using reconstruction algorithms. The quantitative analysis here presented is a first step toward tomography for samples presenting “dilute” point charges creating non correlated signals by the interpretation of EFM signals. Lateral resolution, sensitivity (i.e. ability to detect an object), performance and limitations of EFM are also discussed in the paper.
The spatial dimension of pastoral herding: A case study from the northern Negev
Authors: Arnon Amir , Svoray Tal , Ungar Eugene David
Published: January 2012

Sustainable management of heterogeneous grazing systems requires better understanding of the spatial dimension of grazing ecology. We deployed animal-borne GPS devices to map the daily foraging excursions of a shepherded flock of 200 goats under traditional Bedouin management, on a study site in the semiarid region of the northern Negev, Israel. A total of 88 daily foraging excursions were mapped during the herbaceous growing seasons of 2002 and 2003, and the spatial dimension was analyzed with GIS tools. A typical foraging excursion lasted 5.5 h, during which the flock moved across the landscape at an average speed of 0.3 m/s (1.1 km/h) and traveled 5.4 km. The foraging route was highly elongated in shape and reached a distance of 1.5 km from the night corral. Flock movement speed was affected significantly by distance from the night corral, being greatest at shortest and longest distances. Speed decreased with increasing slope angle and differed between aspects. The frequency of flock presence across the study site deviated significantly from random with respect to aspect but not to slope angle and distance from the corral. The effect of aspect changed slightly between the study years. The product of daily distance traveled and flock path width yielded a rate of area coverage of 0.122 km2per day. The average amount of herbage dry matter removed on any one pass of the flock is therefore in the order of just a few grams per square meter. The use of the area available to the flock was highly non-uniform, which suggests that better planning of grazing management could mitigate negative effects of grazing.
Quality of life in individuals with cervical dystonia before botulinum toxin injection in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital
Authors: Queiroz Mariana Ribeiro , Chien Hsin Fen , Barbosa Egberto Reis
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) in a Brazilian population of individuals with cervical dystonia (CD) without effect of botulinum toxin (BTx) or with only residual effect of BTx, and identify possible physical and social aspects that affect their QoL. METHOD: Sixty five out of sixty seven consecutive patients with CD were assessed with two instruments: Short-form Health Survey with 36 questions (SF-36) and Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). RESULTS: Severity of CD (TWSTRS) correlated moderately with two SF-36 subscale: role-physical (r= -0.42) and body pain (r= -0.43). Women also scored worse in two subscale of SF-36: vitality (p<0.05) and mental-health (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Severity of CD and gender (female) were the main factors related to a worse QoL perception. These findings may help health professionals to predict which characteristics could lead to worse QoL, and therefore, better target their interventions to lessen the burden caused by CD.
Risk and determinant factors for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Venturi Monique , Neves Gisele Schenkel Leite Moura , Pontes Igor Monteiro , Valois Andre , Gomes Marleide da Mota
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of risk of having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its determinants in patients with epilepsy (PE). METHOD: 98 adult PE were prospectively screened for risk of OSA by Berlin questionnaire. Data was also collected about excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The PE main characteristics: 59-men/39-women, mean age=39.97, SD=12.3, range 18-66. The prevalence of the risk of OSA was 55.1% (CI 95%, 0.45-0.65). The high risk for OSA was related with body mass index (BMI) (p=0.000), neck circumference (NC) (p=0.000), arterial hypertension (AH) (p=0.000), and anxiety (p=0.006), without relationship with number of seizures, number of antiepileptic drugs, age or depression. The NC was statistically significant regarding risk of OSA, mainly in men. CONCLUSION: We found a high risk of OSA in this sample. The main implicated measures were the large NC, high BMI and anxiety. The anthropometric variables were more relevant than those related to epilepsy itself and similar to those of the general population.
Identidade e profissionalidade docente: sentidos e (im)possibilidades
Authors: Morgado José Carlos
Published: January 2012

A complexidade do tempo presente e a diversidade de solicitações que hoje se colocam às escolas têm avivado a importância estratégica que a educação continua a ter em termos sociais. Assim se compreende a atenção que a educação tem merecido por parte do poder político e se justificam as reformas desencadeadas com o intuito de adequar os sistemas educativos aos desafios contemporâneos. Nesse processo, tem sido atribuído um papel especial aos professores, já que deles dependem, em grande parte, as transformações a imprimir no ensino e o sucesso educativo dos estudantes. Porém, a possibilidade de os professores perseguirem em melhores condições as finalidades educativas depende, em nosso entender, de três factores: competência profissional, identidade profissional e profissionalidade docente. Partindo dos elementos referidos, reflectimos sobre alguns dos desafios e problemas com que actualmente se confrontam as escolas e os professores e que têm dificultado a mudança e melhoria das suas práticas. Além disso, elencamos vários aspectos fundamentais para revalorizar a profissão e devolver aos professores o protagonismo e o reconhecimento que merecem por parte da sociedade.
Plant growth rates and seed size: a re‐evaluation
Authors: Turnbull Lindsay A. , Philipson Christopher D. , Purves Drew W. , Atkinson Rebecca L. , Cunniff Jennifer , Goodenough Anne , Hautier Yann , Houghton Jennie , Marthews Toby R. , Osborne Colin P. , Paul-Victor Cloé , Rose Karen E. , Saner Philippe , Taylor Samuel H. , Woodward F. Ian , Hector Andy , Rees Mark
Published: January 2012

Small‐seeded plant species are often reported to have high relative growth rate or RGR. However, because RGR declines as plants grow larger, small‐seeded species could achieve higher RGR simply by virtue of their small size. In contrast, size‐standardized growth rate or SGR factors out these size effects. Differences in SGR can thus only be due to differences in morphology, allocation, or physiology. We used nonlinear regression to calculate SGR for comparison with RGR for 10 groups of species spanning a wide range of life forms. We found that RGR was negatively correlated with seed mass in nearly all groups, but the relationship between SGR and seed mass was highly variable. We conclude that small‐seeded species only sometimes possess additional adaptations for rapid growth over and above their general size advantage.
CONTINGENT STIMULI SIGNAL SUBSEQUENT REINFORCER RATIOS
Authors: Boutros Nathalie , Davison Michael , Elliffe Douglas
Published: January 2012

Conditioned reinforcer effects may be due to the stimulus' discriminative rather than its strengthening properties. While this was demonstrated in a frequently‐changing choice procedure, a single attempt to replicate in a relatively static choice environment failed. We contend that this was because the information provided by the stimuli was nonredundant in the frequently‐changing preparation, and redundant in the steady‐state arrangement. In the present experiments, 6 pigeons worked in a steady‐state concurrent schedule procedure with nonredundant informative stimuli (red keylight illuminations). When a response‐contingent red keylight signaled that the next food delivery was more likely on one of the two alternatives, postkeylight choice responding was reliably for that alternative. This effect was enhanced after a history of extended informative red keylight presentation (Experiment 2). These results lend support to recent characterizations of conditioned reinforcer effects as reflective of a discriminative, rather than a reinforcing, property of the stimulus.
REINFORCEMENT: FOOD SIGNALS THE TIME AND LOCATION OF FUTURE FOOD
Authors: Cowie Sarah , Davison Michael , Elliffe Douglas
Published: January 2012

It has long been understood that food deliveries may act as signals of future food location, and not only as strengtheners of prefood responding as the law of effect suggests. Recent research has taken this idea further—the main effect of food deliveries, or other “reinforcers”, may be signaling rather than strengthening. The present experiment investigated the ability of food deliveries to signal food contingencies across time after food. In Phase 1, the next food delivery was always equally likely to be arranged for a left‐ or a right‐key response. Conditions were arranged such that the next food delivery was likely to occur either sooner on the left (or right) key, or sooner on the just‐productive (or not‐just‐productive) key. In Phase 2, similar contingencies were arranged, but the last‐food location was signaled by a red keylight. Preference, measured in 2‐s bins across interfood intervals, was jointly controlled by the likely time and location of the next food delivery. In Phase 1, when any food delivery signaled a likely sooner next food delivery on a particular key, postfood preference was strongly toward that key, and moved toward the other key across the interreinforcer interval. In other conditions in which food delivery on the two keys signaled different subsequent contingencies, postfood preference was less extreme, and quickly moved toward indifference. In Phase 2, in all three conditions, initial preference was strongly toward the likely‐sooner food key, and moved to the other key across the interfood interval. In both phases, at a more extended level of analysis, sequences of same‐key food deliveries caused a small increase in preference for the just‐productive key, suggesting the presence of a “reinforcement effect”, albeit one that was very small.
Research on High Performance Fe3Si-Si3N4-SiC Composite Used for Blast Furnace
Authors: Li Yong , Zhu Xiaoyan , Zhai Yawei , Wang Jiaping , Xue Wendong , Chen Junhong , Sun Jialin
Published: January 2012

Excellent Fe3Si-Si3N4-SiC composites were successfully prepared with FeSi75 and SiC as main starting materials by
nitridation reaction(at 1300°C for 8Hrs). The material properties were studied; the ferrosilicon nitridation mechanism was
analyzed through chemical thermodynamics; phase composition, microstructure, corrosion resistance of products were also
investigated. The results are shown that the comprehensive properties of Fe3Si-Si3N4-SiC are outstanding. The nitridation
products are fiber-like α-Si3N4 and rod-like β-Si3N4, which makes better mechanical behavior due to fiber reinforcement; a great
deal of Fe3Si intermetallic compounds uniformly distribute in matrix, which is one of the products of Fe-Si nitridation and as a
plastic phase forming in grain boundary optimizes the performance of products. Chemical thermodynamic analysis is shown that
the fiber-like α-Si3N4 is formed by SiO(g) and N2(g) reaction which also increases the rate of nitridation. Fe3Si-Si3N4-SiC
material has high corrosion resistance. Now it has been successfully applied to one 2000M3 domestic steel plant, the blast furnace
operation goes well.
Evidence Based Development of a Novel Lateral Fibula Plate (VariAx Fibula) Using a Real CT Bone Data Based Optimization Process During Device Development
Authors: Schulz Arndt P , Reimers Nils , Wipf Felix , Vallotton Michel , Bonaretti Serena , Kozic Nina , Reyes Mauricio , Kienast Benjamin J
Published: January 2012

Development of novel implants in orthopaedic trauma surgery is based on limited datasets of cadaver trials or artificial bone models. A method has been developed whereby implants can be constructed in an evidence based method founded on a large anatomic database consisting of more than 2.000 datasets of bones extracted from CT scans. The aim of this study was the development and clinical application of an anatomically pre-contoured plate for the treatment of distal fibular fractures based on the anatomical database.

48 Caucasian and Asian bone models (left and right) from the database were used for the preliminary optimization process and validation of the fibula plate. The implant was constructed to fit bilaterally in a lateral position of the fibula. Then a biomechanical comparison of the designed implant to the current gold standard in the treatment of distal fibular fractures (locking 1/3 tubular plate) was conducted. Finally, a clinical surveillance study to evaluate the grade of implant fit achieved was performed. The results showed that with a virtual anatomic database it was possible to design a fibula plate with an optimized fit for a large proportion of the population. Biomechanical testing showed the novel fibula plate to be superior to 1/3 tubular plates in 4-point bending tests. The clinical application showed a very high degree of primary implant fit. Only in a small minority of cases further intra-operative implant bending was necessary. Therefore, the goal to develop an implant for the treatment of distal fibular fractures based on the evidence of a large anatomical database could be attained. Biomechanical testing showed good results regarding the stability and the clinical application confirmed the high grade of anatomical fit.
The Miyazawa-Jernigan Contact Energies Revisited
Authors: Zeng Hui , Liu Ke-Song , Zheng Wei-Mou
Published: January 2012

The Miyazawa-Jernigan (MJ) contact potential for globular proteins is a widely used knowledge-based
potential. It is well known that MJ’s contact energies mainly come from one-body terms. Directly in the framework of the
MJ energy for a protein, we derive the one-body term based on a probabilistic model, and compare the term with several
hydrophobicity scales of amino acids. This derivation is based on a set of native structures, and the only information of
structures manipulated in the analysis is the contact numbers of each residue. Contact numbers strongly correlate with
layers of a protein when it is viewed as an ellipsoid. Using an entropic clustering approach, we obtain two coarse-grained
states by maximizing the mutual information between coordination numbers and residue types, and find their differences
in the two-body correction. A contact definition using sidechain centers roughly estimated from Cα atoms results in no
significant changes.
Marine Macrophytes as Effective Lead Biosorbents
Authors: Pennesi Chiara , Totti Cecilia , Romagnoli Tiziana , Bianco Barbara , De Michelis Ida , Beolchini Francesca
Published: January 2012

Several species of seagrass and marine macrophytes were investigated for their biosorption performance in the removal of lead from aqueous solution. The effect of pH on the equilibrium of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa as a biosorbent also was studied. It was found that increasing pH increased lead biosorption, with a maximum uptake of approximately 140 mg/g in the range pH 3.3 to 5. Equilibrium data at different pH levels were successfully fitted to competitive equilibrium models. In addition, the seaweeds belonging to different phyla (i.e., Chlorophyta, Heterokontophyta, and Rhodophyta) were studied for the effect of their structure on equilibrium at a constant pH 5. The brown algae (Heterokontophyta) showed the highest potential for lead sorption, with a maximum uptake of 220 mg/g for C. compressa and 140 mg/g for S. lomentaria. The green algae (Chlorophyta) showed lead uptake in the range 40 to 90 mg/g, and the red algae (Rhodophyta) was least effective, with uptake in the range 10 to 40 mg/g.
An Observation on Sludge Granulation in an Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Process
Authors: Ong Ying Hui , Chua Adeline Seak May , Lee Boon Pin , Ngoh Gek Cheng , Hashim Mohd Ali
Published: January 2012

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) seeded with flocculated sludge and fed with synthetic wastewater was operated for an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process. Eight weeks after reactor startup, sludge granules were observed. The granules had a diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 mm and were brownish in color and spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. No significant change was observed in sludge granule size when operational pH was changed from 7 to 8. The 208‐day continuous operation of the SBR showed that sludge granules were stably maintained with a sludge volume index (SVI) between 30 to 55 mL/g while securing a removal efficiency of 83% for carbon and 97% for phosphorus. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the enrichment of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the SBR. The observations of sludge granulation in this study encourage further studies in the development of granules‐based EBPR process.
Delivery and Frequency Distributions of Combined Wastewater Collection System Wet and Dry Weather Loads
Authors: Piro Patrizia , Carbone Marco , Sansalone John
Published: January 2012

Combined wastewater collection systems continue to serve as a common urban conveyance method in urban areas of Europe and older urban areas of the United States. This study uses combined wastewater collection system monitoring data from the urbanizing Liguori catchment and channel in Cosenza (Italy) to illustrate event‐based delivery and distribution of conveyed pollutant indices. Motivated by recent European Union (EU) discharge control legislation, this study specifically differentiates the event‐based delivery of these indices between dry and wet‐weather flows. Although the relatively steady to diurnal‐variable delivery phenomena in dry weather flows are known, transport limiting phenomena for wet‐weather hydrology and mass delivery typically are not known for the same catchment. Limiting categories of transport for a pollutant phase are generated by variables such as flow volume and duration, stream power, hydrograph parameters, and previous dry hours (PDH). Transport limitations of wet and dry weather events from the 414‐ha catchment were analyzed and characterized as limited by mass indices (first‐order, first flush transport) or limited by flow (zero‐order transport). Results indicated significant concentration differences between mass‐ and flow‐limited events. Higher concentrations were associated with mass‐limited events. Frequency distributions of flow, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and five‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) were consistently exponential for wet‐weather and mass‐limited events. In contrast, flow, TSS, and BOD5 concentrations were distributed normally for flow‐limited events. Results indicated a reasonable linear relationship between discharged TSS, COD, and BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand) for Liguori Channel discharges into the Crati River. Wet‐weather event transport was predominately mass‐limited for TSS, COD, and BOD5.
Use of an integrated monitoring approach to determine site‐specific effluent metal limits
Authors: Diamond Jerome M. , Hall John C. , Pattie Dudley M. , Gruber David
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  An integrated monitoring approach was implemented for an overland‐flow wastewater facility over a 1‐year period to determine whether the effluent caused water quality impairment in the receiving system (X‐Trib) and appropriate metal effluent limits. The Rapidan Service Authority (Gordonsville, Va.) wastewater effluent comprises approximately 98% of the X‐Trib flow under 7Q10 conditions. Aquatic life in both X‐Trib and South Anna River, downstream of the discharge, were previously recorded as heavily impacted prior to the addition of overland‐flow treatment. Three forms of monitoring were implemented at this facility: chemical‐specific analyses of effluent samples, whole effluent chronic toxicity tests, and stream bioassessments. Two reference streams in the area were also sampled to determine the types of fauna capable of inhabiting the receiving stream. Chemical data suggested elevated levels of copper, cadmium, and lead instream compared to U.S. EPA criteria and Virginia Standards. Chronic toxicity tests, however, often indicated no effects on sensitive EPA indicator species. Stream bioassessments suggested that both habitat and benthic substrate quality were limiting for aquatic biota in the X‐Trib. Benthic grab samples and fish sampling suggested ecological impairment due to the effluent. However, introduced benthic substrate studies in the fall and spring indicated no impairment. Thus, the adverse impact observed in benthic samples appeared to be an historical effect of the effluent prior to upgrade, and not an indication of present effluent quality. The biological results indicated that the upgraded plant was in compliance with the goals of the Clean Water Act despite elevated metal levels. High effluent total organic carbon (TOC) was at least partly responsible for this result since even occasional high levels of dissolved metals did not cause toxicity. Our results suggest that following a truly integrated monitoring approach can yield appropriate effluent metal limits on a site‐specific basis without necessarily relying on criteria or standards modification studies; state standards for metals, even based on the dissolved fraction, may, in some cases, be overly stringent where other factors are present that reduce the bioavailability of those metals; and setting appropriate standards for effluent‐dominated streams requires consideration of effluent characteristics which may affect the bioavailability of pollutants.
Effects of particulate size in anaerobic acidogenesis using cellulose as a sole carbon source
Authors: Chyi Yaw Tzuu , Dague Richard R.
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  Pure cellulose with average diameters of 20 and 50 µm were treated in laboratory‐scale CSTRs to study the effect of pH, reactor hydraulic retention time (HRT), and substrate concentration on the rate of anaerobic acidogenesis for those two cellulose particle sizes. The pH effect was studied using a particle size of 20 µm at an HRT of 48 hours while controlling the pH at levels of 5.2, 5.6, 6.0, 6.4, and 6.8. After determining that a pH of 5.6 was optimum, the effect of HRT was evaluated by operating the reactors at HRTs of 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours for both the 20 and 50 µm cellulose sizes. After finding that an HRT of 48 hours was sufficient for acidogenesis, the effect of organic loading rate (OLR) was studied by varying the OLR between 2 and 8 g/L/day. The results of the research indicate that the conversion of particulate cellulose to soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) ranged from 31% (pH 6.8) to 44% (pH 5.6). The HRT studies illustrated that a substrate with a smaller particle size (20 µm) and operation at a longer HRT resulted in a higher conversion to SCOD compared with a larger particle size (50 µm) and operation at a shorter HRT. It was also observed that the effluent SCOD increased proportionally with increases in the influent particulate COD.
Modeling of anaerobic corrosion influenced by sulfate‐reducing bacteria
Authors: Peng Ching‐Gang , Suen Shing‐Yi , Park J. K.
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the corrosion influenced by sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB). A mathematical model was developed and fitted to the pitting depths measured at 0.1 and 0.5 mM sulfate concentrations. The model was successful in predicting the pitting depth at two different sulfate concentrations when the kinetic variables reported in the literature were used. The deepest pitting depths were observed to be approximately 0.19 and 0.39 mm for bulk sulfate concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mM after 150 days of exposure, respectively. The pitting depths were predicted to be 0.17 and 0.36 mm for bulk sulfate concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mM after 150 days of simulation, respectively. The steady‐state pitting depth was predicted to be 0.48 mm for a bulk sulfate concentration of 0.5 mM after 400 days of simulation. The model was most sensitive to the sulfate diffusion coefficient (DSO42−), closely followed by the maximum sulfate utilization rate (q), and the biomass concentration (Xc), but it was less sensitive to the half‐velocity coefficient (Km). At the initial stage, the pitting depth was affected only by q and Xc. As the pitting depth increased, however, the diffusion of sulfate in the reaction zone became one of the dominant limiting factors. The decrease in the q or Xc value by 20% resulted in the increase in the pitting depth by 19%.
Hydraulics of corrosive gas pockets in force mains
Authors: Walski Thomas M. , Barnhart Tad S. , Driscoll John M. , Yencha Richard M.
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  Hydrogen sulfide corrosion can occur in sewage force mains in places where the sewage does not continuously contact the top of the pipe. This situation can occur because air is drawn into the pipe when the hydraulic grade line is below the pipe, or a gas pocket cannot be dragged down a downward slope because of the buoyancy of the pocket. This paper presents and verifies methods for predicting when each of these situations can occur and applies the results to an existing force main.
A kinetic model of a recirculated upflow anaerobic sludge blanket treating phenolic wastewater
Authors: Wen Ten‐Chin , Cheng Sheng‐Shung , Lay Jiunn‐Jyi
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  Sludge taken from a recirculated upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (RUASB) treating phenolic wastewater at organic loadings of 6, 12, 16, and 20 kg COD/m3 day was tested by the biochemical methane potential (BMP) method at intervals over a three‐year period for an accurate determination of the specific gas production rate. A modified version of the Haldane equation was used in the selection of a statistically significant model describing this process. Statistical diagnosis was carried out with student t‐test, Durbin‐Watson test for two‐tail distribution and Kalmogorov‐Smirmov statistical approach. The estimated ranges of the maximum specific reaction rate, K; saturation constant, Ks inhibitor constant, Ki; and the order of inhibition, n were as follows: 280–764 mL biogas/gVSS‐day, 202–398 mg phenol/L, 516–880 mg phenol/L, and 1.47–2.51, respectively. The physical meaning of these parameters is explained. BMP tests with sludge taken from the recirculating upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (RUASB) bioreactor running at a loading of 14 kg COD/m3 day validated the effectiveness of the selected model through comparisons of experimental data and predictions. The results indicate that model predictions accurately reflect experimental data within one standard deviation.
Heavy metals contribution of household washing products to municipal wastewater
Authors: Jenkins David , Russell Larry L.
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  The contribution of heavy metals from sources including household washing products, other residential sources, water supply and permitted industry to influent wastewater and treated effluent was determined for the wastewater treatment plants of the cities of San Jose/Santa Clara, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale, which are located in the Southern San Francisco Bay Area of Calif. The heavy metals studied were arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc. In no case were household washing products the major heavy metal contributor to influent wastewater or wastewater effluents. The highest heavy metal contribution from household washing products was from arsenic. It accounted for 13% of the influent and effluent wastewater arsenic content. All other household washing product heavy metals contributions to influent and effluent wastewater were below 0.5% of the total metal present.
Fecal pollution events reconstructed and sources identified using a sediment bag grid
Authors: Nix P. G. , Daykin M. M. , Vilkas K. L.
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT:  Conventional microbiological surveys, relying on periodic sampling of the water column, were unable to identify sources of fecal contamination at a local beach in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Many sources of human and/or animal wastes to the cove were evident (for example, storm sewers, animal feces on the beach, urban streams, discharges from boats, leaking sanitary sewers) but it was not possible to identify any one source as the cause of the pollution by sampling the water column since the contaminant source was likely episodic (that is, discharging for only brief periods). It was unlikely that any conventional sampling survey would coincide with a pollution event and thereby reveal a pattern of contamination. As a result, a novel sampling strategy was devised using sediment bags (porous bags filled with sand) suspended from buoys and deployed in a grid pattern around the beach. The sand in these bags accumulated fecal bacteria during pollution events and retained them long enough so that they could be analyzed during weekly sampling surveys; in this way, the true pattern of the pollution plume was documented and the source was revealed. Results from an analysis of the sediment bag grid indicated that storm sewers were the principal contaminant sources. The subsequent clean‐up was inexpensive compared with other proposed remedies (for example, diversion of urban creeks, replacement of sanitary sewers).
Synthesis and characterization of new 2-amino-4-(substituted phenyl)-6-(7’’-methoxy, 3’’,4’’-dihydro, 2’’,2’’-dimethyl-2hbenzopyran) pyrimidines and their bio evaluation
Authors: Murthy Y.L.N. , Suhasini Padma , Anjali Jha
Published: January 2012

A series of eight novel 2-amino-4-(substituted phenyl)-6-(7"- methoxy,
3",4"-dihydro, 2",2"-dimethyl-2H-benzopyran) pyrimidines were designed and
synthesized by utilizing benzene-1,3-diol as starting material. The
structures of the isolated products (6a-h) were established through 1HNMR,
13C-NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. The
synthesized compounds were utilized for screening antimicrobial properties
against gram positive (Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus
faecalis), gram negative bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Escheria coli,
Proteus vulgaris) and fungi (Pencillian expasom, Aspergillus niger, Candida
albicans) using Ampicillin and Ketoconazole. Most of the compounds showed
moderate to high antibacterial and antifungal activities against studied
strains with inhibition zones between 8 and 30 mm.
Determining Performance Targets
Authors: Dekker Henri C. , Groot Tom , Schoute Martijn
Published: January 2012

Performance targets direct organizational participants toward firm strategy, provide guidance for allocating effort, and induce effort toward performance goals. Key aspects of the setting of performance targets are how specific they should be and at which levels they should be set. We develop a structural model that aims to explain the specificity of targets set for subordinate managers and the information sources used to set target levels for defined performance dimensions, which sources include past performance, future planning, and benchmarking information. An analysis of 364 survey responses provides support for our expectations that both target specificity and the use of information sources to determine target levels vary with firms' environmental dynamism and task uncertainty, and with the intensity of financial incentives provided to subordinate managers. In addition, the results show that in response to these contextual variables, firms typically combine information sources to determine adequate target levels, instead of treating them as substitutes.