bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and construction of the Fabian Way bridge superstructure
Authors: Sanders Paul A , MacKenzie David K , Walker Chris J
Published: July 2010

The Fabian Way Bridge crosses a dual carriageway in Swansea and forms part of a local express bus route. The bridge is a 71 m long, heavily skewed cable stayed structure with a single central spine beam. Cantilevers extending either side of the central spine beam support twin orthotropic decks that carry vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The deck is supported by a slender inclined mast with an unusual open cross-section. The superstructure design was developed in close collaboration with the end client, main contractor and steelwork sub-contractor as an alternative to the client's original design, and maximises offsite prefabrication and buildability while achieving a graceful yet striking new landmark. The paper presents an interesting case study describing the reasons for the selection of an all-steel deck as the preferred solution, along with special aspects of the detailed design including the buckling analysis of the mast. The paper also describes the positive impact on urban regeneration, as well as the construction of the bridge. Ways in which a very tight design and construction programme was achieved are also described, together with issues affecting long-term maintenance of the bridge.
Design and construction of Busan–Geoje fixed link, S. Korea
Authors: Yeoward Andrew , Koo Im Sig , Fraser Don
Published: July 2010

This paper describes the construction of two major cable-stayed bridges on the 8·2 km long US$2·5 billion fixed link connecting Busan to Geoje Island on Korea's south coast. The 1·65 km two-pylon and the 1·87 km three-pylon cable-stayed bridges cross water depths of up to 30 m with main spans of 475 m and 2 × 230 m, respectively. The alignment takes an island-hopping route that is exposed to severe open sea conditions from the Pacific Ocean. To minimise off-shore working, large precast concrete units were used extensively for the sub-structures. This included placing 9600 t caissons, 1800 t pier shafts and 2080 t pier cross beams by floating crane. The prefabricated approach bridge superstructure spans up to 90 m long and 2427 t were also placed by floating crane. The pylons for the bridges are up to 158 m high and have a distinctive curved elevation. From the caisson, the two legs splay outwards until they reach the cross beam at deck level, where they lean back towards each other while both forming a large-radius curve. This imposes additional complexity on the construction but is considered to give enhanced appearance. Unusually, the deck has no vertical bearings at the pylon locations, instead being supported entirely by the cable stays. During superstructure construction, five sets of balanced cantilevers will be in simultaneous use and temporary typhoon stabilising measures will be the major risk management challenge. Completion is due in December 2010.
Forth Road Bridge main cables: replacement/augmentation study
Authors: Colford Barry R , Clark Colin A
Published: July 2010

The 1800 m long suspended structure of the Forth Road Bridge spans the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It forms an integral part of the roads network, carrying in excess of 24 million vehicles each year. Since its opening in 1964, the bridge has received a high level of continuous maintenance and, when required, retrofitting to enhance the capacity of the structure. In 2004, as part of this maintenance and inspection regime, the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) undertook the first internal inspection of a main cable of a suspension bridge in the UK. This inspection revealed significant corrosion in the wires forming the cable, and a subsequent inspection in 2008 confirmed these findings. To combat progression of the corrosion, the authority retrofitted dehumidification systems on the main cables, and acoustic monitoring has been fitted to monitor wire breaks within the cables. As a precautionary measure, FETA also commissioned a study into the feasibility of augmenting or replacing the bridge's main cables. This paper outlines the processes undertaken in this study, the options for undertaking the works and the conclusions reached to date.
The effect of an external magnetic field on the entropy generation in three-dimensional natural convection
Authors: Kolsi Lioua , Abidi Awatef , Borjini Naceur , Aïssia Ben
Published: July 2010

A 3-D original numerical study of entropy generation in the case of liquid metal laminar natural convection in a differentially heated cubic cavity and in the presence of an external magnetic field orthogonal to the isothermal walls is carried out. The effect of this field on the various types of irreversibilities is analyzed. It was observed that in the presence of a magnetic field the generated entropy is distributed on the entire cavity and that the magnetic field limits the 3-D character of the distribution of the generated entropy.
A unified approach to stability analysis of switched linear descriptor systems under arbitrary switching
Authors: Zhai Guisheng , Xu Xuping
Published: July 2010

A unified approach to stability analysis of switched linear descriptor systems under arbitrary switching

We establish a unified approach to stability analysis for switched linear descriptor systems under arbitrary switching in both continuous-time and discrete-time domains. The approach is based on common quadratic Lyapunov functions incorporated with linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). We show that if there is a common quadratic Lyapunov function for the stability of all subsystems, then the switched system is stable under arbitrary switching. The analysis results are natural extensions of the existing results for switched linear state space systems.
A vehicle-track-soil dynamic interaction problem in sequential and parallel formulation
Authors: Kogut Janusz , Ciurej Henryk
Published: July 2010

A vehicle-track-soil dynamic interaction problem in sequential and parallel formulation

Some problems regarding numerical modeling of predicted vibrations excited by railway traffic are discussed. Model formulation in the field of structural mechanics comprises a vehicle, a track (often in a tunnel) and soil. Time consuming computations are needed to update large matrices at every discrete step. At first, a sequential Matlab code is generated. Later on, the formulation is modified to use grid computing, thereby a significant reduction in computational time is expected.
K3M: A universal algorithm for image skeletonization and a review of thinning techniques
Authors: Saeed Khalid , Tabędzki Marek , Rybnik Mariusz , Adamski Marcin
Published: July 2010

K3M: A universal algorithm for image skeletonization and a review of thinning techniques

This paper aims at three aspects closely related to each other: first, it presents the state of the art in the area of thinning methodologies, by giving descriptions of general ideas of the most significant algorithms with a comparison between them. Secondly, it proposes a new thinning algorithm that presents interesting properties in terms of processing quality and algorithm clarity, enriched with examples. Thirdly, the work considers parallelization issues for intrinsically sequential algorithms of thinning. The main advantage of the suggested algorithm is its universality, which makes it useful and versatile for a variety of applications.
A hierarchical decomposition of decision process Petri nets for modeling complex systems
Authors: Clempner Julio
Published: July 2010

A hierarchical decomposition of decision process Petri nets for modeling complex systems

We provide a framework for hierarchical specification called Hierarchical Decision Process Petri Nets (HDPPNs). It is an extension of Decision Process Petri Nets (DPPNs) including a hierarchical decomposition process that generates less complex nets with equivalent behavior. As a result, the complexity of the analysis for a sophisticated system is drastically reduced. In the HDPPN, we represent the mark-dynamic and trajectory-dynamic properties of a DPPN. Within the framework of the mark-dynamic properties, we show that the HDPPN theoretic notions of (local and global) equilibrium and stability are those of the DPPN. As a result in the trajectory-dynamic properties framework, we obtain equivalent characterizations of that of the DPPN for final decision points and stability. We show that the HDPPN mark-dynamic and trajectory-dynamic properties of equilibrium, stability and final decision points coincide under some restrictions. We propose an algorithm for optimum hierarchical trajectory planning. The hierarchical decomposition process is presented under a formal treatment and is illustrated with application examples.
Decomposition-based logic synthesis for PAL-based CPLDs
Authors: Opara Adam , Kania Dariusz
Published: July 2010

Decomposition-based logic synthesis for PAL-based CPLDs

The paper presents one concept of decomposition methods dedicated to PAL-based CPLDs. The proposed approach is an alternative to the classical one, which is based on two-level minimization of separate single-output functions. The key idea of the algorithm is to search for free blocks that could be implemented in PAL-based logic blocks containing a limited number of product terms. In order to better exploit the number of product terms, two-stage decomposition and BDD-based decomposition are to be used. In BDD-based decomposition methods, functions are represented by Reduced Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams (ROBDDs). The results of experiments prove that the proposed solution is more effective, in terms of the usage of programmable device resources, compared with the classical ones.
Internet shopping optimization problem
Authors: B£A ZÿEWICZ JACEK , Kovalyov Mikhail , Musiał Jędrzej , Urbanski Andrzej , Wojciechowski Adam
Published: July 2010

Internet shopping optimization problem

A high number of Internet shops makes it difficult for a customer to review manually all the available offers and select optimal outlets for shopping. A partial solution to the problem is brought by price comparators which produce price rankings from collected offers. However, their possibilities are limited to a comparison of offers for a single product requested by the customer. The issue we investigate in this paper is a multiple-item multiple-shop optimization problem, in which total expenses of a customer to buy a given set of items should be minimized over all available offers. In this paper, the Internet Shopping Optimization Problem (ISOP) is defined in a formal way and a proof of its strong NP-hardness is provided. We also describe polynomial time algorithms for special cases of the problem.
Minimization of the total completion time for asynchronous transmission in a packet data-transmission system
Authors: Piórkowski Adam , Werewka Jan
Published: July 2010

Minimization of the total completion time for asynchronous transmission in a packet data-transmission system

The minimization of the total completion time for asynchronous transmission in distributed systems is discussed. Attention is focused on the problem of message scheduling on part of the sender. Messages to be sent form a queue, and the order in which they are to be sent has to be first established. The methods of scheduling messages, which minimize the factor of the total completion time, are presented herein. The message-scheduling problem becomes considerably complicated when the stream of data transmitted between the sender and the receiver is organized into packets. A scheduling rule, according to which the shortest messages (SPT—Shortest Processing Time) are selected as the first to be sent, has been proven to be appropriate for the proposed model. A heuristic algorithm for scheduling messages with real-time constraints is proposed. The performance of the scheduling algorithm is experimentally evaluated. The results of the study show the possibility of improving the total completion time from a few to ten percent, depending on the characteristics of the sender. Thus, the practicability of the method has been proved.
Synthesis of Bishomobenzoctamine 2-(9,10-Dihydro-9,10-Propanoanthracen-9-yl)-N-Methylethanamine
Authors: Karama Usama , Al-Saidey Adel , Almansour Abdel Rahman
Published: July 2010

Tetracyclic bishomobenzoctamine as a homologue of benzoctamine 1 was synthesised. The key intermediate 9-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-propanoanthracen-12-one was successfully synthesised via [3+4] cycloaddition of tetrabromoacetone on 9-allylanthracene by using ultrasonication at 15–20 °C followed by debromination.
Selective Synthesis of “Paco” or “Alt” Isomers of Acetoxylcalixarenes Catalysed by Bi(OTf)3
Authors: Jin Can , Wang Youran , Su Weike
Published: July 2010

The “paco” or “alt” isomers of acetoxylcalixarenes were selectively prepared in the presence of catalytic amount (2 mol%) of Bi(OTf)3,. Calix[4]arenes selectively gave two different isomers under specified conditions with a good selectivity, but, calix[6]arenes and calix[8]arenes only gave the “alt” isomers with a high selectivity.
A Facile and General Synthesis of Tropolonyl-Substituted Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Chang Mingqin , Li Yang , Zhang Hong , Gao Wentao
Published: July 2010

A facile and general synthesis of a series of new troplonyl-substituted chalcone derivatives by Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction from 3-acetyltropolone and substituted benzaldehydes as well as pyridine aldehydes is described. The method using 5% aq. KOH as catalyst and 50% aq. methanol as solvent is attractive since it specifically generates (E)-isomers with high yields under mild reaction conditions.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Antimicrobial Activity 1-Aminopyrimidine-2(1H)-Thione and its Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes
Authors: Gülcan Mehmet , Sönmez Mehmet
Published: July 2010

Metal complexes of 1-aminopyrimidine-2(1H)-thione were prepared from acetate salts of Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) in methanol. Electronic spectral data and magnetic moment measurements suggest mononuclear square planar geometrical structures for the metal complexes. The ligand and all the metal complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. The newly synthesised ligand and the Co(II) complex showed moderate activity against all tested bacteria and yeast strains.
Phase Diagram and Critical Properties within an Effective Model of QCD: The Nambu–Jona-Lasinio Model Coupled to the Polyakov Loop
Authors: Costa Pedro , Ruivo Maria C. , De Sousa Célia A. , Hansen Hubert
Published: July 2010

We investigate the phase diagram of the so-called Polyakov–Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model at finite temperature and non-zero chemical potential with three quark flavors. Chiral and deconfinement phase transitions are discussed and the relevant order-like parameters are analyzed. The results are compared with simple thermodynamic expectations and lattice data. We present the phase diagram in the (T, μB) plane, paying special attention to the critical end point: as the strength of the flavor-mixing interaction becomes weaker, the critical end point moves to low temperatures and can even disappear.
DETERMINING KEY ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS FOR URBAN LAND CONSOLIDATION
Authors: Lin Kuo-Liang
Published: July 2010

Urban land consolidation, which reforms land parcels to remove fragmentation and produce ideal blocks, is an effective means of urban renewal. Successful urban land consolidation benefits city officials as well as the general public, in improved city image, increased land value, and more effective land use. However, urban land consolidation can be ecologically detrimental to the environment, while land consolidation has focused solely on development for human benefit. To remove the negative effects of urban land consolidation on the ecological system, this paper establishes a set of criteria for evaluating ecological impacts of an urban land consolidation plan. The current study first identifies key ecological indicators using a special group decision‐making process called “habitual domain analysis” and then records individual weighting of each indicator by an analytical hierarchy process, thus developing an urban ecological evaluation model with four levels and twenty‐three indicators.

Santruka

Miestu žemes sujungimas, kurio metu pertvarkomi žemes sklypai, pašalinamas susiskaldymas, pateikiami pavyzdiniai blokai, yra veiksmingos miestu atnaujinimo priemones. Sekmingas miestu žemes sujungimas naudingas miestu vadovams, taip pat plačiajai visuomenei, nes pagerina miesto ivaizdi, padidina žemes verte ir veiksmingesni žemes naudojima. Tačiau miesto žemes sujungimas gali būti ekologiškai kenksmingas aplinkai, nes tai atliekama tik žmoniu naudai. Siekiant pašalinti neigiama miestu žemes sujungimo poveiki ekologinei sistemai, šiame straipsnyje nustatomi tam tikri kriterijai, kuriais vadovaujantis vertinamas ekologinis miestu žemes sujungimo poveikis. Dabartinis tyrimas pirmiausia nustato pagrindinius ekologinius rodiklius, taikant specialu grupes sprendimu priemimo metoda, vadinama iprastos aplinkos analize. Tada, atsižvelgiant i analitini hierarchijos procesa, pagal svarba nurodomi atskiri rodikliai ir sudaromas keturiu lygiu ir dvidešimt triju rodikliu miesto ekologinis ivertinimas.
ALYTAUS MIESTO ARCHITEKTŪRA PRIEŠKARIU
Authors: Mačiulis Algimantas
Published: July 2010

During a couple of hundred years, a mixed-plan system has been formed in Alytus: an irregular one in the old town and exact and rational in the new town parts, based on a regular street network, correct plan and spatial structure. Historical factors determined the town’s development: on the right bank of the Nemunas river the development was slow (Alytus I), and the center of the town, formed on the left bank of the Nemunas river (Alytus II), from the urban point of view, was the most valuable part of the town. The period 1930–1940 was extremely important for the town’s development: central areas were arranged, quite a number of public buildings were built (town hospital, tuberculosis sanatorium, town municipality, seminary, etc.), a reinforced concrete bridge over Nebulas. In 1935–1944 Vytautas Trečiokas, the chief architect and designing engineer of Alytus district, tried to make Alytus look like a holiday resort and designed a modern elementary school.

Santrauka

Straipsnyje aptariama Alytaus miesto architektūra prieškariu, istorinės aplinkybės, kai miestas, pradėjęs kurtis dešiniajame Nemuno krante, menkai plėtojosi (I-as Alytus), o miesto branduolys, jo centras susiformavo upės kairiajame krante (II-as Alytus). Prieškariu II-me Alytuje šalia senamiesčio kūrėsi nauji rajonai – Naujamiestis, Kurortas. 1930–1940 m. – Alytaus augimo dešimtmetis, miestas plėtėsi ir vystėsi kaip vasarvietė. Pažymėtina Alytaus apskrities ir miesto vyriausiojo inžinieriaus, architekto Vytauto Trečioko veikla, jo prieškariu projektuoti visuomeniniai ir privatūs gyvenamieji namai, tarp jų moderni Alytaus pradinė mokykla Nr. 4 Birutės g. 26.
A Framework for Educational Collaborative Activities Based on Mobile Devices: A Support to the Instructional Design
Authors: Cruz Flores Rene , López Morteo Gabriel
Published: July 2010

In this paper we present a framework (CA-Mobile Framework) for develop educational activities for collaborative learning based on mobile devices, this framework is composited by two main components: A documental reference and an API for develop mobile software, these components are described in this paper, included a process model for apply the framework as well as a evaluation of the documental reference. The results of this evaluation show that is possible replicate the procedure of describe and define activities based on mobile devices using the CA-Mobile Framework.
A Framework for Building an Interactive Satellite TV Based M-Learning Environment
Authors: Issa Ghassan , Hussain Shakir M. , Al-Bahadili Hussein
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a description of an interactive satellite TV based mobile learning (STV-ML) framework, in which a satellite TV station is used as an integral part of a comprehensive interactive mobile learning (M-Learning) environment. The proposed framework assists in building a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective environment to meet the growing demands of M-Learning all over the world, especially in developing countries. It utilizes recent advances in satellite reception, broadcasting technologies, and interactive TV to facilitate the delivery of gigantic learning materials. This paper also proposed a simple and flexible three-phase implementation methodology which includes construction of earth station, expansion of broadcasting channels, and developing true user interactivity. The proposed framework and implementation methodology ensure the construction of a true, reliable, and cost effective M-Learning system that can be used efficiently and effectively by a wide range of users and educational institutions to deliver ubiquitous learning.
From Virtual Communities to Project-Driven Mediated Collectives
Authors: Lejeune Christophe
Published: July 2010

The lay notion of a virtual community is not satisfactory as, strictly speaking, depicted phenomena (Internet-coordinated collectives) are neither communitarian nor virtual. Moreover, the idiom embraces too wide a range of situations. For these reasons, we propose the narrower notion of mediated collectives. Previous ethnographies of Debian, Open Directory and Wikipedia help to define the notion based on empirical observation.
Articulating Tacit Knowledge in Multinational E-Collaboration on New Product Designs
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: July 2010

An e-business new product development (NPD) knowledge articulation model is built from the interdisciplinary empirical and theoretical literature. The model is intended to facilitate a case study of a large multinational mobile communications services/products company (with team members in Europe, Asia and Australia). The NPD teams include subject matter experts that function as a community of practice, electronically collaborating in a virtual context. The knowledge created and shared in the NPD teams involve various unknown levels of tacit and explicit ideas, which are difficult to understand or assess. The goal of the research is to build a tacit knowledge articulation framework and measurement construct that can be used to understand how a successful (or unsuccessful) NPD team operates, in terms of knowledge innovation and productivity. Complex issues and controversies in knowledge management are examined to clarify terminology for future research.
TLR2 Is One of the Endothelial Receptors for β2-Glycoprotein I
Authors: Alard Jean-Eric , Gaillard Fanny , Daridon Capucine , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Jamin Christophe , Youinou Pierre
Published: July 2010

During the antiphospholipid syndrome, β2-gpI interacts with phospholipids on endothelial cell (EC) surface to allow the binding of autoantibodies. However, induced-pathogenic intracellular signals suggest that β2-gpI associates also with a receptor that is still not clearly identified. TLR2 and TLR4 have long been suspected, yet interactions between TLRs and β2-gpI have never been unequivocally proven. The aim of the study was to identify the TLR directly involved in the binding of β2-gpI on EC surface. β2-gpI was not synthesized and secreted by ECs in vitro, but rather taken up from FCS. This uptake occurred through association with TLR2 and TLR4 which partitioned together in the lipid rafts of ECs. After coimmunoprecipitation, mass-spectrometry identification of peptides demonstrated that TLR2, but not TLR4, was implicated in the β2-gpI retention. These results were further confirmed by plasmon resonance-based studies. Finally, siRNA were used to obtain TLR2-deficient ECs that lost their ability to bind biotinylated β2-gpI and to trigger downstream phosphorylation of kinases and activation of NFκB. TLR4 may upregulate TLR2 expression, thereby contributing to β2-gpI uptake. However, our data demonstrate that direct binding of β2-gpI on EC surface occurs through direct interaction with TLR2. Furthermore, signaling for anti–β2-gpI may be envisioned as a multiprotein complex concentrated in lipid rafts on the EC membrane.
Correlation of rheumatology subspecialty choice and identifiable strong motivations, including intellectual interest
Authors: Rahbar L. , Moxley G. , Carleton D. , Barrett C. , Brannen J. , Thacker L. , Waterhouse E. J. , Roberts W. N.
Published: July 2010

Objective

To describe motivations correlating with subspecialty choices, particularly rheumatology.

Methods

A total of 179 respondents answered queries about various aspects affecting specialty and subspecialty choice with ordinal ratings of importance. Likert scale response data were analyzed to determine independent predictors of being a rheumatology fellow. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to develop models predicting rheumatology fellowship. Factor analysis methods to condense the individual responses into fewer underlying variables or factors were employed.

Results

While every group ranked intellectual interest as more important than all other responses, its score in the rheumatology fellow group was significantly higher than that in the medical student group. A model using 4 composite variables based on prior literature did not fit well. Exploratory factor analysis identified 5 underlying motivations, which were designated as time, money, external constraints, practice content, and academics. All motivations except money were statistically significant, with the rheumatology fellow group attributing greater importance than medical students to time, practice content, and academics, and lesser importance than medical students to external constraints.

Conclusion

Values and motivations leading toward rheumatology subspecialty choice can be traced to identifiable factors. Intellectual interest appears to be split between 2 distinct significant variables: practice content and academics. Time or controllable lifestyle, external constraints, practice content, and academic issues appear to be important influences on the choice of rheumatology fellowship. Such variables appear to reflect underlying values and motivations.
High Tg Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Gate Dielectrics for N,N′‐Ditridecyl Perylene Diimide Based Field‐Effect Transistors: Improving Performance and Stability with Thermal Treatment
Authors: Jang Jaeyoung , Nam Sooji , Chung Dae Sung , Kim Se Hyun , Yun Won Min , Park Chan Eon
Published: July 2010

A novel application of ethylene‐norbornene cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) as gate dielectric layers in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) that require thermal annealing as a strategy for improving the OFET performance and stability is reported. The thermally‐treated N,N′‐ditridecyl perylene diimide (PTCDI‐C13)‐based n‐type FETs using a COC/SiO2 gate dielectric show remarkably enhanced atmospheric performance and stability. The COC gate dielectric layer displays a hydrophobic surface (water contact angle = 95° ± 1°) and high thermal stability (glass transition temperature = 181 °C) without producing crosslinking. After thermal annealing, the crystallinity improves and the grain size of PTCDI‐C13 domains grown on the COC/SiO2 gate dielectric increases significantly. The resulting n‐type FETs exhibit high atmospheric field‐effect mobilities, up to 0.90 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the 20 V saturation regime and long‐term stability with respect to H2O/O2 degradation, hysteresis, or sweep‐stress over 110 days. By integrating the n‐type FETs with p‐type pentacene‐based FETs in a single device, high performance organic complementary inverters that exhibit high gain (exceeding 45 in ambient air) are realized.
Triplet Formation in Fullerene Multi‐Adduct Blends for Organic Solar Cells and Its Influence on Device Performance
Authors: Dyer‐Smith Clare , Reynolds Luke X. , Bruno Annalisa , Bradley Donal D. C. , Haque Saif A. , Nelson Jenny
Published: July 2010

In organic solar cells, high open circuit voltages may be obtained by choosing materials with a high offset between the donor highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and acceptor lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). However, increasing this energy offset can also lead to photophysical processes that compete with charge separation. In this paper the formation of triplet states is addressed in blends of polyfluorene polymers with a series of PCBM multi‐adducts. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the formation of such triplets occurs when the offset energy between donor ionization potential and acceptor electron affinity is ∼1.6 eV or greater. Spectroscopic measurements support a mechanism of resonance energy transfer for triplet formation, influenced by the energy levels of the materials, but also demonstrate that the competition between processes at the donor–acceptor interface is strongly influenced by morphology.
Extraction of free fatty acids from soybean oil using ionic liquids or poly(ethyleneglycol)s
Authors: Manic Marina S. , Najdanovic‐Visak Vesna , da Ponte Manuel Nunes , Visak Zoran P.
Published: July 2010

The alternative solvents poly(ethyleneglycol)s (PEGs) with various molar masses and room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) AMMOENG100 and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide (bmimDCA) were studied for the purpose of extraction of linoleic acid from soybean oil. Liquid‐liquid phase equilibrium was measured for binary (PEG + soybean oil), (RTIL + soybean oil) as well as ternary (PEG + soybean oil + linoleic acid), (RTIL + soybean oil + linoleic acid) mixtures, as a function of temperature and composition. The influence on distribution coefficients and separation factor of temperature, initial acid content of the oil and solvent to oil ratio were studied. The effect of molar mass in the case of the PEGs was also examined. The experimental results were modeled using the Peng‐Robinson cubic equation of state coupled with the Mathias‐Klotz‐Prausnitz mixing rule, with good results. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Robust processes through latent variable modeling and optimization
Authors: Yacoub Francois , MacGregor John F.
Published: July 2010

A data‐based approach for developing robust processes is presented and illustrated with an application to an industrial membrane manufacturing process. Using historical process data, principal component analysis and partial least squares are used to extract models of the process and of the sensitivities of the process to various disturbances, including raw material variations, environmental conditions, and process equipment differences. Robustness measures are presented to quantify the robustness of the process to each of these disturbances. The process is then made robust (insensitive) to the disturbances over which one has some control (e.g., by modifying the equipment units to which the process is sensitive and imposing specification regions on sensitive raw materials). It is also made robust to disturbances over which one has little control (e.g., environmental variations) by optimizing the process operating conditions with respect to performance and robustness measures. The optimization is easily performed in the low‐dimensional space of the latent variables even though the number of process variables involved is very large. After applying the methodology to historical data from the membrane manufacturing process, results from several months of subsequent operation are used to demonstrate the large improvement achieved in the robustness of the process. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
The face of Noonan syndrome: Does phenotype predict genotype
Authors: Allanson Judith E. , Bohring Axel , Dörr Helmuth‐Guenther , Dufke Andreas , Gillessen‐Kaesbach Gabrielle , Horn Denise , König Rainer , Kratz Christian P. , Kutsche Kerstin , Pauli Silke , Raskin Salmo , Rauch Anita , Turner Anne , Wieczorek Dagmar , Zenker Martin
Published: July 2010

The facial photographs of 81 individuals with Noonan syndrome, from infancy to adulthood, have been evaluated by two dysmorphologists (JA and MZ), each of whom has considerable experience with disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway. Thirty‐two of this cohort have PTPN11 mutations, 21 SOS1 mutations, 11 RAF1 mutations, and 17 KRAS mutations. The facial appearance of each person was judged to be typical of Noonan syndrome or atypical. In each gene category both typical and unusual faces were found. We determined that some individuals with mutations in the most commonly affected gene, PTPN11, which is correlated with the cardinal physical features, may have a quite atypical face. Conversely, some individuals with KRAS mutations, which may be associated with a less characteristic intellectual phenotype and a resemblance to Costello and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndromes, can have a very typical face. Thus, the facial phenotype, alone, is insufficient to predict the genotype, but certain facial features may facilitate an educated guess in some cases. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization and in situ compatibilization
Authors: Wu Fangjuan , Yang Guisheng
Published: July 2010

A novel cyclic initiator was synthesized from dibutyl tin(IV) oxide and hydroxyl‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and was used to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic butylene terephthalate oligomers to prepare poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/MWNT nanocomposites. The results of Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that a graft structure of PBT on the MWNTs was formed during the in situ polymerization; this structure acted as an in situ compatibilizer in the nanocomposites. The PBT covalently attached to the MWNT surface enhanced the interface adhesion between the MWNTs and PBT matrix and, thus, improved the compatibility. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which showed that the nanotubes were homogeneously dispersed in the PBT matrix when the MWNT content was lower than 0.75 wt %. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The results indicate that the MWNTs acted as nucleation sites in the matrix, and the efficiency of nucleation was closely related to the dispersion of the MWNTs in the matrix. Additionally, the thermal stability of PBT was improved by the addition of the MWNTs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Semi‐IPN carrageenan‐based nanocomposite hydrogels: Synthesis and swelling behavior
Authors: Mahdavinia Gholam Reza , Marandi Gholam Bagheri , Pourjavadi Ali , Kiani Gholamreza
Published: July 2010

Inclusion of nano‐clays into hydrogels is an efficient approach to produce nanocomposite hydrogels. The introduction of nano‐clay into hydrogels causes an increase in water absorbency. In the present work, Nanocomposite hydrogels based on kappa‐carrageenan were synthesized using sodium montmorillonite as nano‐clay. Acrylamide and methylenebisacrylamide were used as monomer and crosslinker, respectively. The structure of nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated by XRD and SEM techniques. Swelling behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels was studied by varying clay and carrageenan contents as well as methylenebisacrylamide concentration. An optimum swelling capacity was achieved at 12% of sodium montmorilonite. The swollen nanocomposite hydrogels were used to study water retention capacity (WRC) under heating. The results revealed an increase in WRC due to inclusion of sodium montmorilonite clay. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of nonsolvent on morphologies of polyamide 6 electrospun fibers
Authors: Wei Wei , Yeh Jen‐Taut , Li Peng , Li Min‐Rui , Li Wei , Wang Xin‐Ling
Published: July 2010

The effect of nonsolvent on morphologies of electrospun polyamide 6 (PA6) fibers was reported in this study. An investigation of electrospinning PA6 / formic acid (FA) / dichloromethane (DCM) solutions was conducted, wherein FA was used as solvent and DCM was used as nonsolvent for PA6. It is interesting to note that PA6 pellets could dissolve in FA/DCM mixtures with various volume ratios faster than in pure FA. Moreover, the addition of DCM to PA6/FA solution modified the solution properties, that is, conductivity, surface tension, and viscosity. It is found that at any fixed PA6 concentration, the conductivity values and surface tensions values of PA6/FA/DCM solution reduce significantly, whereas the viscosity values of PA6/FA/DCM solution increase significantly, as the volume fraction of DCM in FA/DCM increase. The influences of mixed solvents component on morphological appearance and sizes of the resulting PA6 electrospun fibers were also investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of solid state grinding on properties of PP/PET blends and their composites with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Koysuren Ozcan , Yesil Sertan , Bayram Goknur
Published: July 2010

In this study, it was aimed to improve electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of conductive polymer composites, composed of polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and carbon nanotubes (CNT). Grinding, a type of solid state processing technique, was applied to PP/PET and PP/PET/CNT systems to reduce average domain size of blend phases and to improve interfacial adhesion between these phases. Surface energy measurements showed that carbon nanotubes might be selectively localized at PET phase of immiscible blend systems. Grinding technique exhibited improvement in electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of PP/PET/CNT systems at low PET compositions. Ground composites molded below the melting temperature of PET exhibited higher tensile strength and modulus values than those prepared above the melting temperature of PET. According to SEM micrographs, micron‐sized domain structures were obtained with ground composite systems in which PET was the minor phase. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
On delay‐dependent stabilization of retarded systems—an integral‐inequality based approach
Authors: Song Yan , Wang Jingcheng
Published: July 2010

In this paper, a new integral‐inequality method is proposed by taking both the Leibniz‐Newton formula and the discussed system into account. By using a Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional approach combined with the new integral inequality, we present the new stabilization criteria for the time‐delay system which employs a memoryless state feedback control law. We exert ourselves to find a less conservative transformation way by bringing the free weighting matrices into the integral inequality, and also these free matrices express greatly the relationships among the system variables and among the terms in the Leibniz‐Newton formula. The techniques applied here improve the results in existing literature. The results obtained by solving LMIs in this note are illustrated to be less conservative comparing with the previous ones. Moreover, numerical examples demonstrate the validity and the evident superiority of the proposed criteria.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Neural‐network‐based predictive controller design: An application to temperature control of a plastic injection molding process
Authors: Lu Chi‐Huang , Tsai Ching‐Chih , Liu Chi‐Ming , Charng Yuan‐Hai
Published: July 2010

This paper presents a neural‐network‐based predictive control (NPC) method for a class of discrete‐time multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) systems. A discrete‐time mathematical model using a recurrent neural network (RNN) is constructed and a learning algorithm adopting an adaptive learning rate (ALR) approach is employed to identify the unknown parameters in the recurrent neural network model (RNNM). The NPC controller is derived based on a modified predictive performance criterion, and its convergence is guaranteed by adopting an optimal algorithm with an adaptive optimal rate (AOR) approach. The stability analysis of the overall MIMO control system is well proven by the Lyapunov stability theory. A real‐time control algorithm is proposed which has been implemented using a digital signal processor, TMS320C31 from Texas Instruments. Two examples, including the control of a MIMO nonlinear system and the control of a plastic injection molding process, are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Results from both numerical simulations and experiments show that the proposed method is capable of controlling MIMO systems with satisfactory tracking performance under setpoint and load changes.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Randomized clinical trial of mesh versus sutured wound closure after open abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery
Authors: Bevis P M , Windhaber R A J , Lear P A , Poskitt K R , Earnshaw J J , Mitchell D C
Published: July 2010

Background

Incisional herniation is a common complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This study investigated whether prophylactic mesh placement could reduce the rate of postoperative incisional hernia after open repair of AAA.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was undertaken in three hospitals. Patients undergoing elective open AAA repair were randomized to routine abdominal mass closure after AAA repair or to prophylactic placement of polypropylene mesh in the preperitoneal plane.

Results

Eighty-five patients with a mean age of 73 (range 59–89) years were recruited, 77 (91 per cent) of whom were men. There were five perioperative deaths (6 per cent), two in the control group and three in the mesh group (P = 0·663), none related to the mesh. Sixteen patients in the control group and five in the mesh group developed a postoperative incisional hernia (hazard ratio 4·10, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·72 to 9·82; P = 0·002). Hernias developed between 170 and 585 days after surgery in the control group, and between 336 and 1122 days in the mesh group. Four patients in the control group and one in the mesh group underwent incisional hernia repair (P = 0·375). No mesh became infected, but one was subsequently removed owing to seroma formation during laparotomy for small bowel obstruction.

Conclusion

Mesh placement significantly reduced the rate of postoperative incisional hernia after open AAA repair without increasing the rate of complications. Registration number: ISRCTN28485581 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
Surgical management of refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux (Br J Surg 2010; 97: 139–140)
Authors: Zia M K , Hassn A
Published: July 2010

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Consumer response to tobacco smoke in service settings
Authors: Kraft Frederic B. , Benet Suzeanne B.
Published: July 2010

Establishing smoking policies which accommodate customers' smoking preferences is a major problem for restaurants, bars, hotels, and other firms in the service industry. This study is based on the premise that tobacco smoke can be considered a component of both the physical and ambient retail service environment. Because of legal and ethical concerns, the presence or absence of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in two types of eating facilities (bar and fine dining restaurant) was operationalized by the presentation to respondents of photographs which pictured customers in a setting where smoking was either present or absent. The success of this method of manipulation of the treatment variable was assessed with a thought listing procedure. Thought listing responses indicate that both treatments (type of facility and smoking policy) were adequately conveyed by the photographs. Results indicate that cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses were all negatively affected by the presence of tobacco smoke. The conclusion is that managers who permit smoking in their facilities risk losing non‐smoking patrons while smokers are little affected by either the presence or absence of smoke.

The major contributions of this study include both the exploration of tobacco smoke as part of the retail service environment for eating establishments and the use of thought listings as a manipulation check for variables which were manipulated through use of photographs depicting the treatment conditions.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Haplotype analysis of the CYP2J2 gene associated with myocardial infarction in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Jie Zeng , Hong Kong , Jianhong Tao , Biao Cheng , Yongmei Zhou , Jingchuan Lai
Published: July 2010

The cytochromes P450 epoxygenases CYP2J2 synthesize epoxyeicosatrienoic, which regulate endothelial function. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the human CY2J2 gene and myocardial infarction (MI) in a Chinese population using a haplotype‐based case–control study. There were 440 Chinese Han MI patients and 440 age‐matched control subjects genotyped for three SNPs (rs2271800, rs11572223, and rs14493270) of the human CYP2J2 gene. Haplotypes were constructed and their frequencies compared between the MI patients and the controls. The CC genotype of rs2271800 was found more frequently in the MI group than in the control group (p = 0.004). The frequency of the C–C–G haplotype was significantly higher in MI patients than in control subjects (p < 0.001). The present results indicate that MI is associated with the CC genotype of rs2271800 in the human CYP2J2 gene. The C–C–G haplotype appears to be a useful genetic marker of MI in Chinese Han people. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transradial complex coronary interventions using a five‐in‐six system
Authors: Hayashida Kentaro , Louvard Yves , Lefèvre Thierry
Published: July 2010

The “Mother and Child” technique has emerged as a powerful tool for providing additional backup force to conventional guiding catheters. In this report, we show five consecutive cases (including six lesions), in which the “mother and child” technique (five‐in‐six system) solved the problem of lesion access in various coronary arteries and clinical contexts. These cases illustrate the wide‐ranging applicability of the five‐in‐six system for complex lesion treatment in the modern era. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.