bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of short range ordering in PES/PEES alternative copolymer by means of radial distribution functions derived from X‐ray diffraction
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Ming , Jiang Zhen‐Hua
Published: March 2007

Two samples of poly(ether sulfone)/poly (ether ether sulfone) alternative copolymer, showing marked differences in tensile behavior due to different thermal histories, were investigated by radial distribution function (RDF) methods. The RDF patterns were virtually identical and showed that the short range order (0–14 Å) in the samples had been essentially unaffected by the annealing procedures. Two intramolecular distances in the polymer repeat unit were successfully resolved in the RDF pattern. However, there were only suggestions of broad peaks at r = 5.5 Å and r = 11 Å attributable to intermolecular ordering, indicating that little intermolecular ordering had occurred in either sample. The appearance of two peaks at ∼ 5 Å periodic suggested the existence of more or less parallel chain segments in the copolymers. Explanations of the different tensile properties of the two samples which assume a significant short range reordering on annealing are thus ruled out on the available evidence. A more highly annealed sample was examined to assess the sensitivity of the RDF method to short range intermolecular ordering. The RDF plot of this sample showed a marked periodicity peaking at intervals of ∼ 5 Å which was attributed to intermolecular ordering, thus confirming the above conclusion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3746–3750, 2007
New bleeding model of additives in a polypropylene film under atmospheric pressure
Authors: Wakabayashi Makoto , Kohno Takayuki , Kimura Tokutaro , Tamura Satoshi , Endoh Masahiko , Ohnishi Satoru , Nishioka Toshikatsu , Tanaka Yoshikatsu , Kanai Toshitaka
Published: March 2007

Many additives are commercially used to add more favorable qualities to films. The bleeding process by which the additive in a film comes to the surface is considered. A new bleeding model of additives in a polypropylene film under atmospheric pressure was investigated. Solubility and diffusion are found to be important for explaining this bleeding process. The solubilities and diffusion coefficients of higher fatty acid amides such as erucamide (13‐cis‐docosenamide) and behenamide (docosanamide) were determined between 40 and 70°C and the difference between the solubilities and the diffusion coefficients was discussed. The experimental results are explained more precisely by assuming two transport processes between the crystalline regions and the amorphous ones. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3751–3757, 2007
Synthesis and characterization of a novel polyurethane elastomer based on CO2 copolymer
Authors: Xu Shouping , Zhang Min
Published: March 2007

Novel poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyurethane elastomers (PEC‐PUE) based on methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and poly(ethylene ether carbonate) diol (PEC) were prepared and characterized. The diol PEC was a new material obtained by copolymerization of ethylene oxide and CO2 in the presence of polymer supported bimetallic catalyst (PBM). When the diol PEC reacted with MDI and with 1,4‐butanediol as the chain extender, a novel polyurethane elastomer can be formed. The elastomer was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR. The mechanical properties were studied by tensile set and the thermal properties were studied by TGA. Results of the tests indicated that mechanical strength of the elastomer can be improved by adjusting the ratio of NCO/OH. The thermal stability as well as tensile strength (TS) decreased sharply after being exposed to moisture and with bonded water in the polymer structure. It was also discovered that as the bonded water evaporated, both the thermal stability and TS would recover. Moreover, shape memory behaviors of the elastomer were also studied, and it was found that all the samples tested returns to its original shape in 100 s. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3818–3826, 2007
Rheological and electrical properties of bentonite in anionic polystyrene sulfonate and nonionic poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Mostafa Bassem A. , Assaad Faiz F.
Published: March 2007

The flow properties of bentonite were studied with a combination of anionic polystyrene sulfonate (molecular weight = 70,000 g/mol) and nonionic poly(vinyl alcohol) (molecular weight = 50,000 g/mol). This combination had a significant effect on clay suspensions depending on the sequence of the polymer addition. The addition of 50 mg/L anionic polystyrene sulfonate followed by 200 mg/L nonionic poly(vinyl alcohol) improved the rheological properties with a 7% bentonite suspension, especially at 20°C and after 24 h of aging. However, by the reversal of this addition sequence, the rheological properties of bentonite suspensions were reduced. The ζ potential of bentonite suspensions of the individual polymers at the same concentration was −42 mV for polystyrene sulfonate and −63 mV for poly(vinyl alcohol). The combined effect of anionic polystyrene sulfonate followed by nonionic poly(vinyl alcohol) noticeably changed the ζ potential (−95 mV). With the reversal of the addition sequence, this parameter did not change. Potential energy profiles were constructed to investigate the suspension stability. Potential energy profiles of polystyrene sulfonate added to bentonite suspensions and followed by poly(vinyl alcohol) produced high repulsion potential energy between clay surfaces, reflecting high suspension stability. By the reversal of this sequence, a significant reduction of the energy barrier was observed. On the basis of the rheological and electrical properties of this system, the addition of polystyrene sulfonate followed by poly(vinyl alcohol) provides a promising tendency for a 7% clay concentration to meet desirable drilling mud properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3886–3894, 2007
Thermotropic color changing nanoparticles prepared by encapsulating blue polystyrene particles with a poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide gel
Authors: Yuan Bing , Wicks Douglas A.
Published: March 2007

Water‐dispersed thermotropic nanoparticles with core‐shell structures were synthesized by the in situ polymerization of a lightly crosslinked shell of poly(N‐ isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] onto blue polystyrene cores. At room temperature, the thermal responsive outer shell is hydrophilic and is in a fully swollen gel state; but as the temperature is raised above 31°C, it becomes increasingly hydrophobic and eventually collapses as the temperature reaches the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the poly(NIPAM). Passing through the LCST has a drastic effect on the color of the latex solution, which exhibited an intense blue color at room temperature and gradually pales or lightens as the temperature is raised above 31°C. Analysis using spectroscopic and dynamic light scattering techniques showed that it is a reversible process. Microscopy evaluation of samples dried by the evaporation of water at temperatures above and below the LCST revealed that the swollen/collapse state of the polymer shell influenced the morphology of the dry state. Drying at room temperature resulted in thin films in which only particles of sizes corresponding to the polystyrene core are clearly seen in the microscopy images; but for samples prepared above the LCST, the images revealed a morphology made of much larger particles with diameters of 400–500 nm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Effect of UV irradiation on the physicochemical properties of collagen stabilized using aldehydes
Authors: Nishad Fathima Nishtar , Suresh Raju , Raghava Rao Jonnalagadda , Unni Nair Balachandran
Published: March 2007

Collagen is an important biomaterial, finding immense application in the field of wound healing. In this study, effect of UV irradiation on aldehydes crosslinked collagen has been carried out. Aldehydes find predominant application in crosslinking of collagen for various end uses. The physical and optical properties of aldehydes crosslinked collagen affected by UV irradiation have been detailed. Viscosity measurements have shown that aldehydes crosslinked collagen has better stability against UV radiation than native collagen. Circular dichroic studies showed that prolonged exposure to UV radiation changes the triple helical structure of collagen into random coil conformation. The difference spectra for both emission and absorption show that formaldehyde brings about more stability to collagen against UV irradiation than gluteraldehyde. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3642–3648, 2007
Effects of carboxyl group on the ambient self‐crosslinkable polyacrylate latices
Authors: Guo Tian‐Ying , Liu Jin‐Chao , Song Mou‐Dao , Zhang Bang‐Hua
Published: March 2007

Ambient curable carbonyl functional acrylic latices were synthesized by incorporating diacetone acrylamide as functional monomer into acrylic copolymer, adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) was used as curing agent. In this work acrylic acid (AA) and acrylic acid homopolymer (PAA) were used to facilitate the crosslinking reaction. We found that the properties of latex film were different when use AA and PAA as the source of the carboxyl groups separately. The results from the characterization of carboxyl groups of the latex particles demonstrated that the distribution of the carboxyl group on the latex particle surface is optimal for the crosslinking reaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3948–3953, 2007
Effect of polyisocyanate hardener on adhesive force of waterborne polyurethane adhesives
Authors: Mizanur Rahman Mohammad , Kim Han‐Do
Published: March 2007

A series of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU)/hardener adhesives were obtained from mixing of WBPU containing different types of polyol as a soft segment with aliphatic and aromatic polyisocyanates hardeners. By characterization of allophanate and biuret bonds formed from the reaction of hardener NCO with urethane/urea groups of WBPU using 1HNMR spectroscopy. It was found that the optimum number ratio (molar ratio) of NCO group of hardener to urethane/urea group of WBPU that shows the highest adhesion force was depended on the type of hardener (aliphatic/aromatic polyisocyanate) and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) content (total content of urethane/urea groups); however independent of the type of soft segment (polyol) of WBPU. The optimum number ratio (molar ratio) of NCO group of aromatic polyisocyanate hardener to urethane/urea was higher than that of aliphatic hardener to achieve the highest adhesion force of WBPU. The adhesive force increased with increasing hardener content up to the optimum point and then decreased. Poly(tetramethylene adipate glycol) (PTAd) based WBPUs with aliphatic hardener show higher adhesive force than Poly(tetramethylene oxide glycol) (PTMG) and aliphatic hardener‐based WBPUs at the optimum number ratio (molar ratio) of NCO group of hardener to urethane/urea group of WBPU. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3663–3669, 2007
Properties of amylopectin/montmorillonite composite films containing a coupling agent
Authors: Nordqvist D. , Hedenqvist M. S.
Published: March 2007

The addition of clay to polymers has the combined effects of enhancing both the strength/stiffness and the barrier properties. This investigation presents a novel approach to further enhance the strength/stiffness of cast plasticized amylopectin (AP)/Na+‐montmorillonite clay films using a water‐soluble coupling agent, poly[(isobutylene‐alt‐maleic acid, ammonium salt)‐co‐(isobutylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride)], between the filler and the matrix. The addition of clay increased the strength and stiffness of the film and the addition of 0.4 parts of a coupling agent per 1 part clay further increased these properties. The trends were the same after each treatment, and there were always significant differences in stiffness and strength between the films without clay and with clay with 0.4 parts of the coupling agent. The increase in stiffness/strength in the presence of a small amount of the coupling agent suggested that it had a bridging effect, presumably through strong secondary bonds to the clay and to the matrix. Infrared spectroscopy and moisture swelling experiments indicated that ester bonds were formed between the coupling agent and AP. X‐ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the clay‐particle/polymer structure was qualitatively independent of the presence of the coupling agent showing a mixture of intercalated clay stacks and exfoliated platelets. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 4160–4167, 2007
Nachweis des konstruktiven Brandschutzes bei Stahlbetonstützen
Authors: Fingerloos Frank , Richter Ekkehard
Published: March 2007

Die Hintergründe der bauaufsichtlichen Einführung einer gegenüber DIN 4102‐4 neuen Tabelle 31 für den brandschutztechnischen Nachweis von Stahlbetonstützen werden erläutert. Die Anwendungsgrenzen für die Tabellenbemessung sind nach wie vor streng. Die Auslegung der Tabelle auf eine Stützenlänge von 6 m für Rechteckstützen bzw. 5 m für Rundstützen führt zu deutlich auf der sicheren Seite liegenden Ergebnissen bei im üblichen Geschossbau geringeren Geschosshöhen. Für diese Fälle wird eine Ergänzung der Tabellenwerte für kürzere Stützenlängen mit Interpolationsmöglichkeit vorgeschlagen. Anhand eines Beispiels wird die Tabellenanwendung erläutert.
A scaffold for the Chinese hamster genome
Authors: Wlaschin Katie F. , Hu Wei‐Shou
Published: March 2007

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are a prevalent tool in biological research and are among the most widely used host cell lines for production of recombinant therapeutic proteins. While research in other organisms has been revolutionized through the development of DNA sequence‐based tools, the lack of comparable genomic resources for the Chinese hamster has impeded similar work in CHO cell lines. A comparative genomics approach, based upon the completely sequenced mouse genome, can facilitate genomic work in this important organism. Using chromosome synteny to define regions of conserved linkage between Chinese hamster and mouse chromosomes, a working scaffold for the Chinese hamster genome has been developed. Mapping CHO and Chinese hamster sequences to the mouse genome creates direct access to relevant information in public databases. Additionally, mapping gene expression data onto a chromosome scaffold affords the ability to interpret information in a genomic context, potentially revealing important structural and regulatory features in the Chinese hamster genome. Further development of this genomic scaffold will provide opportunities to use biomolecular tools for research in CHO cell lines today and will be an asset to future efforts to sequence the Chinese hamster genome. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98; 429–439. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meta-analysis of oral water-soluble contrast agent in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction
Authors: Abbas S M , Bissett I P , Parry B R
Published: March 2007

Background

Adhesions are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction. Identification of patients who require surgery is difficult. This review analyses the role of Gastrografin® as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Methods

A systematic search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies of the use of Gastrografin® in adhesive small bowel obstruction. Studies that addressed the diagnostic role of water-soluble contrast agent were appraised, and data presented as sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results were pooled and a summary receiver–operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. A meta-analysis of the data from six therapeutic studies was performed using the Mantel–Haenszel test and both fixed- and random-effect models.

Results

The appearance of water-soluble contrast agent in the colon on an abdominal radiograph within 24 h of its administration predicted resolution of obstruction with a pooled sensitivity of 97 per cent and specificity of 96 per cent. The area under the summary ROC curve was 0·98. Water-soluble contrast agent did not reduce the need for surgical intervention (odds ratio 0·81, P = 0·300), but it did reduce the length of hospital stay for patients who did not require surgery compared with placebo (weighted mean difference − 1·84 days; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Published data strongly support the use of water-soluble contrast medium as a predictive test for non-operative resolution of adhesive small bowel obstruction. Although Gastrografin® does not reduce the need for operation, it appears to shorten the hospital stay for those who do not require surgery.
Enantiomeric separation and determination of absolute stereochemistry of asymmetric molecules in drug discovery—Building chiral technology toolboxes
Authors: McConnell Oliver , Bach Alvin , Balibar Carl , Byrne Neal , Cai Yanxuan , Carter Guy , Chlenov Michael , Di Li , Fan Kristi , Goljer Igor , He Yanan , Herold Don , Kagan Michael , Kerns Edward , Koehn Frank , Kraml Christina , Marathias Vasilios , Marquez Brian , McDonald Leonard , Nogle Lisa , Petucci Christopher , Schlingmann Gerhard , Tawa Gregory , Tischler Mark , Williamson R. Thomas , Sutherland Alan , Watts William , Young Mairead , Zhang Mei‐Yi , Zhang Yingru , Zhou Dahui , Ho Douglas
Published: March 2007

The application of Chiral Technology, or the (extensive) use of techniques or tools for the determination of absolute stereochemistry and the enantiomeric or chiral separation of racemic small molecule potential lead compounds, has been critical to successfully discovering and developing chiral drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. This has been due to the rapid increase over the past 10–15 years in potential drug candidates containing one or more asymmetric centers. Based on the experiences of one pharmaceutical company, a summary of the establishment of a Chiral Technology toolbox, including the implementation of known tools as well as the design, development, and implementation of new Chiral Technology tools, is provided. Chirality, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular localization of androgen and estrogen receptors in mouse‐derived motoneuron hybrid cells and mouse facial motoneurons
Authors: Tetzlaff Julie , Tanzer Lisa , Jones Kathryn J.
Published: March 2007

The ability of gonadal steroid hormones to augment axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury has been well established in rat and hamster motoneuron systems, and provides a foundation for the use of these agents as neurotherapeutics. With the advent of mouse genetics and the availability of transgenic and knockout mice, the use of mice in studies of neuroprotection is growing. It has recently been demonstrated that both androgens and estrogens rescue motoneurons (MN) from injury in mouse‐derived motoneuron hybrid cells in vitro and mouse facial motoneurons (FMN) in vivo (Tetzlaff et al. [2006] J Mol Neurosci 28:53–64). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these effects, the present study examined the cellular localization of androgen and estrogen receptors in mouse MN in vitro and in vivo. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry studies established the presence of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor α/β in immortalized mouse motoneuron hybrid cells and AR and estrogen receptor α in mouse FMN. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
The determinants of environmental innovation: the impacts of environmental policies on the Nordic pulp, paper and packaging industries
Authors: Kivimaa Paula
Published: March 2007

Innovations may have positive societal effects such as improved environmental performance, and they are often portrayed as solutions to environmental problems. However, the mechanisms through which innovations develop and the ways in which public incentives support improved environmental performance of innovations are complex. This paper uses empirical cases to examine how environmental policies, market factors and technological push affect process and product innovations in the Nordic pulp, paper and packaging industries. The results show that environmental improvements in technologies and products are simultaneously driven by all three of these factors. Environmental innovations are often developed in anticipation of future policy or as side‐effects of existing policies. However, while environmental policy directly influences process innovations, its connection to product innovations is less clear. The study points towards the importance of gradually tightening and predictable environmental policies that are flexible enough to allow the exploration of new technological developments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Synthesis, X‐ray Structure, Thermal and Magnetic Behavior of [(bipy)2Ni2(μ‐Cl)2Cl2(H2O)2]: The First Neutral Ferromagnetically Coupled Six‐Coordinate Dichlorido‐Bridged Nickel(II) Dimer
Authors: Ikotun Oluwatayo F. , Ouellette Wayne , Lloret Francesc , Julve Miguel , Doyle Robert P.
Published: March 2007

NiCl2·6H2O and 2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) (1:1) were allowed to react under ambient conditions in dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of acetylacetone (Hacac). The resulting green solution was concentrated in vacuo, and a green solid was isolated by precipitation with cold acetone. X‐ray quality crystals of [(bipy)2Ni2(μ‐Cl)2(Cl)2(H2O)2] (1) were grown by subsequent vapor/liquid diffusion of acetonitrile into a methanolic solution for one week. The structure of 1 consists of a dimeric nickel system with each metal atom in an octahedral geometry. Both equatorial bridging and axial chlorine atoms are present in this neutral species. The nickel–nickel distance (3.441 Å) is the shortest reported to date for this class of complexes and the bridging chlorido angles at 91.5° are the most acute. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the complex to have the strongest ferromagnetic interaction reported to date (J = +16.8 cm–1, the Hamiltonian being defined as H = –JSA·SB) for this family of complexes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Ketones to β‐Nitrostyrenes by Means of 1,2‐Amino‐Alcohol‐Derived Prolinamides as Bifunctional Catalysts
Authors: Almaşi Diana , Alonso Diego A. , Gómez‐Bengoa Enrique , Nagel Yvonne , Nájera Carmen
Published: March 2007

Different L‐prolinamides 21, prepared from L‐proline and chiral β‐amino alcohols are active bifunctional catalysts for the direct nitro‐Michael addition of ketones to β‐nitrostyrenes. In particular, catalyst 21e, prepared from L‐proline and (1S,2R)‐cis‐1‐amino‐2‐indanol, exhibits the highest catalytic performance working in polar aprotic solvents such as NMP, especially in the presence of 20 mol‐% of acid additives such as p‐nitrobenzoic acid or under microwave heating. High syn diastereoselectivities (up to 94 % de) and good enantioselectivities (up to 80 % ee) are obtained at room temp. Moreover, catalyst 21e can be easily recovered and reused. ESI‐MS studies are used to characterize the intermediates assumed for the catalytic cycle. The stereochemical control attending Michael addition reactions between ketones and nitrostyrenes catalyzed by prolinamide derivatives 21 has been investigated with computational density functional methods. Transition‐state energies for the rate‐limiting C–C bond‐forming step are calculated. Analysis of these structures indicates that hydrogen bonding plays an important role in catalysis, and that the energy barrier for Re‐face attack to form syn‐(4S,5R) products is lower than that for Si‐face attack leading to syn‐(4R,5S) products. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Cover Picture: Dynamic Rotational Oscillation of Cerium(IV) Bis(porphyrinate) and Its Control by Diamine Guest Binding with Positive Homotropic Allosterism (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 12/2007)
Authors: Ikeda Masato , Kubo Yohei , Yamashita Kousei , Ikeda Tomohiro , Takeuchi Masayuki , Shinkai Seiji
Published: March 2007

The cover picture shows a porphyrin oscillator that comprises a cerium(IV) bis(porphyrinate) bearing four peripheral zinc(II) porphyrinates. The cooperative binding of guest molecules (shown as “lock”) slows down the rotational oscillation frequency of the porphyrin oscillator in solution, which is evaluated by VT NMR spectroscopy. Details are discussed in the Short Communication by M. Takeuchi, S. Shinkai et al. on p. 1883 ff.
High earthquake risk buildings in New Zealand
Authors: Shepherd R.
Published: March 2007

Many existing buildings in seismically active areas were constructed prior to the acceptance of any design criteria specifically intended to produce earthquake resistance in the structure. Although such buildings are typically fifty or more years old they still constitute a large proportion of occupied domestic and commercial accommodation. Since almost all these structures comprise greater hazards than more recent constructions they are referred to as High Earthquake Risk buildings.

The problems of identification, assessment and alleviation of the deficiencies have received increasing attention in recent years. In this paper some New Zealand experience is recounted.
A reconnaissance report for the Romanian earthquake of 4 March 1977
Authors: Tezcan Semih S. , Yerlici Vedat , Durguno H. Turan
Published: March 2007

The engineering aspects of the 4 March 1977 Romanian earthquake are presented. They are based upon a field investigation conducted by the writers in Bucharest and in southern Romania in collaboration with members of the Building Research Institute of Romania, during the period 25–31 March 1977.

This report covers general observations, data and evaluation on the character of the earthquake, structural damage inflicted by it, performance of different types of buildings during the earthquake and relief operations.
Stochastic characterization of earthquakes through their response spectrum
Authors: Kaul Maharaj K.
Published: March 2007

If earthquakes are modelled by a stochastic process, it is possible to interpret the associated response spectrum in terms of the statistics of extreme values of oscillator response to the process. For a stationary earthquake model this interpretation leads to a relationship between the power spectral density function of the process and the response spectrum. This relationship is examined in this paper and forms the basis for two methods presented to obtain the power spectrum of the earthquake process from its response spectrum. One of these methods is approximate but leads to an explicit representation of the power spectral density function in terms of the response spectrum. The other method is exact wherein an iterative scheme for the solution of the problem is established. An example problem is solved to illustrate the use of the two methods and it is shown that for small values of damping, the approximate derivation yields a fairly accurate solution.
Preliminary empirical model for scaling fourier amplitude spectra of strong ground acceleration in terms of modified mercalli intensity and recording site conditions
Authors: Trifunac M. D.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents an empirical model for scaling Fourier amplitude spectra of ground acceleration during strong earthquake shaking in terms of the reported Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) and the simplified characteristics of the geologic environment at the recording station. This analysis shows that (i) for the intermediate and high‐frequency motions the spectral amplitudes approximately double for every level of the MMI; that (ii) the uncertainties associated with estimation of Fourier spectral amplitudes in terms of MMI are not greater than the uncertainties associated with similar estimation in terms of earthquake magnitude and epicentral distance; that (iii) the high frequency spectral amplitudes tend to be greater on basement rock sites relative to alluvium sites, with this trend being reversed for the low‐frequency spectral amplitudes; and that (iv) the spectral amplitudes of very high‐frequency vertical shaking are equal to or higher than the corresponding spectral amplitudes for horizontal shaking.
A note on an instrumental comparison of the modified mercalli (MMI) and the Japanese meteorological agency (JMA) intensity scales, based on computed peak accelerations
Authors: Wong H. L. , Trifunac M. D.
Published: March 2007

In many parts of the world, subjectively based earthquake intensity scales similar to those of the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) are applied regularly. Although the characteristics of these scales are quite similar, it is often difficult to convert an estimate of strong ground shaking measured by the MMI scale into its equivalent on other scales.

In this paper, an instrumental correlation of the Japanese Intensity scale (JMA) with the MMI scale is described. Currently, one common yardstick that is available for both Japan and the United States is the statistic of peak accelerations. The correlation is done by comparing the JMA for sites where the ‘peak acceleration’ is known in Japan with the MMI for sites in the United States where the peak acceleration is also known. To ensure a direct correspondence of peak accelerations in these two countries, the peak values recorded in the U.S. are corrected by determining the peak acceleration as recorded by the Japanese accelerograph, the SMAC, while it is subjected to the excitation recorded in the United States.
Minimizing structural vibrations with absorbers
Authors: Ayorinde E. O. , Warburton G. B.
Published: March 2007

In a companion paper1 the authors show that the parameters of an absorber which will minimize the resonant response of a simple elastic body can be determined from known results by treating the body as an equivalent single degree‐of‐freedom system. In this paper cylindrical shells are considered as examples of dynamically complex structures, for which the ratio of the natural frequencies of adjacent modes tends towards unity. It is shown that as dynamic complexity increases optimum absorber parameters for the reduction of resonant response deviate increasingly from those for an equivalent single degree‐of‐freedom system.

Absorbers can be used also to reduce the random response of structures. Simple expressions for optimum parameters are given for an undamped main system, which has one degree of freedom and is subjected to white noise excitation. Optimum absorber parameters for beams, plates and cylindrical shells show similar qualitative behaviour for random and harmonic response with the concept of an equivalent single degree‐of‐freedom system being applicable only for the simpler structures.
Optimum absorber parameters for minimizing vibration response
Authors: Warburton G. B.
Published: March 2007

Optimum parameters are determined for absorbers, which, when attached to one mass of a main system with two degrees of freedom, minimize the harmonic response of that mass. Comparison is made with the absorber parameters that are determined by treating the main system as an equivalent one degree‐of‐freedom system and using classical results. Close agreement is obtained if the ratio of the two natural frequencies of the main system is reasonably large. This is in agreement with the author's recent work on optimum absorber parameters which minimize the response of elastic bodies. The extension of the method to multi degree‐of‐freedom main systems is outlined. The conditions for which different values of these parameters are predicted when the response is minimized over narrow and broad frequency bands are determined.
Response of a plate and elastic half‐space to harmonic waves
Authors: Whittaker W. L. , Christiano Paul
Published: March 2007

Analytical results are presented for the dynamic interaction of an elastic flexural plate and an elastic half‐space subjected to harmonic seismic waves. Displacements and contact stresses are presented for square, massless plates having a practical range of flexural stiffness and subjected to incident waves oriented parallel to either an edge or a diagonal of the plate. The behaviour of massive plates is also briefly discussed; such plates exhibit additional resonances higher than those normally associated with the motion of a rigid mass.
Resistance of a soil layer to horizontal vibration of a pile
Authors: Nielsen Mette Thiel
Published: March 2007

The resistance of a soil to horizontal harmonic vibration of a vertical, end bearing pile with circular cross‐section is theoretically investigated. The soil is considered to be a continuum with material damping of the hysteretic type. The motions of the soil and pile are expressed as series, and a resistance coefficient on each term in the series of the pile motion is found. The resistance is found to depend on the excitation frequency, the pile slenderness and on the material properties of the soil. Finally a study of the influence of the parameters is carried out.
Pesticide use and colorectal cancer risk in the agricultural health study
Authors: Lee Won Jin , Sandler Dale P. , Blair Aaron , Samanic Claudine , Cross Amanda J. , Alavanja Michael C.R.
Published: March 2007

We investigated the relationship between agricultural pesticides and colorectal cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study. A total of 56,813 pesticide applicators with no prior history of colorectal cancer were included in this analysis. Detailed pesticide exposure and other information were obtained from self‐administered questionnaires completed at the time of enrollment (1993–1997). Cancer incidence was determined through population‐based cancer registries from enrollment through December 31, 2002. A total of 305 incident colorectal cancers (212 colon, 93 rectum) were diagnosed during the study period, 1993–2002. Although most of the 50 pesticides studied were not associated with colorectal cancer risk, chlorpyrifos use showed significant exposure response trend (p for trend = 0.008) for rectal cancer, rising to a 2.7‐fold (95% confidence interval: 1.2–6.4) increased risk in the highest exposure category. Aldicarb was associated with a significantly increased risk of colon cancer (p for trend = 0.001), based on a small number of exposed cases, with the highest exposure category resulting in a 4.1‐fold increased risk (95% confidence interval: 1.3–12.8). In contrast, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid showed a significant inverse association with colon cancer but the association was not monotonic. Our findings should be interpreted cautiously since the literature suggesting that pesticides are related to colorectal cancer is limited. Nonetheless the possibility of an association between exposure to certain pesticides and incidence of colorectal cancer among pesticide applicators deserves further evaluation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Allergy and risk of childhood leukaemia: Results from the UKCCS
Authors: Hughes Ann M. , Lightfoot Tracy , Simpson Jill , Ansell Pat , McKinney Patricia A. , Kinsey Sally E. , Mitchell Christopher D. , Eden Tim O.B. , Greaves Mel , Roman Eve
Published: March 2007

We investigated the relationship between childhood leukaemia and preceding history of allergy. A nationwide case–control study of childhood cancers was conducted in the United Kingdom with population‐based sampling of cases (n = 839) and controls (n = 1,337), matched on age, sex and region of residence. Information about clinically diagnosed allergies was obtained from primary care records. More than a third of subjects had at least one allergy diagnosed prior to leukaemia diagnosis (cases) or pseudo‐diagnosis (controls). For both total acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and common‐ALL/precursor B‐cell ALL (c‐ALL), a history of eczema was associated with a 30% significant reduction in risk: the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 0.70 (0.51–0.97) and 0.68 (0.48–0.98), respectively. Similar associations were observed for hayfever (OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26–0.85 and OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.33–1.16 for ALL and c‐ALL, respectively). No such patterns were seen either for asthma and ALL, or for any allergy and acute myeloid leukaemia. A comparative analysis of primary care records with parents recall of allergy revealed only moderate agreement with contemporaneous clinical diagnoses for both cases and controls—confirming the unreliability of parental report at interview. Our finding of a reciprocal relationship between allergy and ALL in children is compatible with the hypothesis that a dysregulated immune response is a critical determinant of childhood ALL. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Farm water and rural poverty reduction in developing Asia
Authors: Lipton Michael
Published: March 2007

The study on “pro‐poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia” by Hussain 2005 shows that, in 26 major and medium‐size canal irrigation schemes in Asia, irrigated areas average 20% lower poverty than adjacent rainfed areas; gains are more with pro‐poor management of water for farming (PPMWF) and where distribution of farmland or farm water is more equal. These findings, and the measured endorsement of participatory irrigation management (PIM) of these schemes, look robust, though they need to allow for externalities (interaction with groundwater and micro‐irrigation; out‐of‐scheme downstream effects).

This paper explores some implications. The diagnosed “inefficiency of gross inequality” in irrigation echoes similar wider‐scale findings on aggregate inequality and vulnerability. The choice among irrigation techniques, and science to develop new ones, need to adapt more to the needs of PPMWF. PPMWF planning must itself adapt – as must design of new schemes – to the needs for sustainable water resources, manageable health impacts, and proper treatment of displaced people. Technical and management design to reduce irrigation corruption – as it relates to poverty impact of irrigation, and to PIM – needs more review. The causal links from various types of irrigation to growth, distribution and poverty need more extensive modelling and testing. The important implications of this study (with the above contexts) for major irrigation in Africa – almost certainly essential for major progress against poverty there – need systematic assessment. Finally, some open issues are listed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance assessment, irrigation service delivery and poverty reduction: benefits of improved system management
Authors: Molden David , Burton Martin , Bos M. G.
Published: March 2007

Effective irrigation service provides the environment for productive and sustainable agriculture vital for incomes and employment, economic growth and lifting people out of, and keeping them out of, poverty. Poorly managed irrigation can have the opposite effect. Irrigation performance assessment is an important management tool to aid in providing sound service. Performance assessment in irrigation and drainage is the systematic observation, documentation and interpretation of activities related to irrigated agriculture with the objective of continuous improvement. In this paper we provide basic concepts of performance assessment, then pay particular attention to aspects of performance assessment and service provision related to poverty alleviation. Particularly important are the management specifications for irrigation service, providing rules for access to water and payment for service. Inequitable access to water and poverty in irrigation are related to the degree to which specifications are met; who is included and excluded from the specifications; and whether specifications encompass the multiple uses and users of water. Primary focus for irrigation service has typically been given to irrigated crop farmers. For poverty alleviation, service provision and related performance assessment programmes need to give due attention to the many other people dependent on irrigation water including the landless, livestock keepers, fishermen and domestic water users. Advances in performance assessment techniques are needed in this area. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporation of basic fibroblast growth factor by a layer‐by‐layer assembly technique to produce bioactive substrates
Authors: Ma Lie , Zhou Jie , Gao Changyou , Shen Jiacong
Published: March 2007

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized onto quartz slides and collagen films by assembly with chondroitin sulfate (CS) in a layer‐by‐layer (LBL) manner. First, the LBL‐deposition process on the amino‐silanized quartz slides was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy and water contact angle measurement. By substituting the normal bFGF with rhodamine‐labeled one (Rd‐bFGF), a linear increase of the absorbance versus bilayer number was recorded. The water contact angle oscillated between the odd CS and the even bFGF layers, demonstrating the alternating change of the surface chemistry. Scanning force microscopy (SFM) revealed that the surface topography was altered slightly after multilayer assembly. In vitro incubation of the CS/bFGF multilayers in PBS showed that ∼30% of the incorporated bFGF was released within 8 days. In vitro cell culture found that the fibroblasts showed star‐like morphology with plenty of pseudopods on the bFGF‐incorporated collagen film after cultured for 1 day, and the collagen films assembled with bFGF possess improved bioactivity than that of the virgin one and the bFGF control. Since the immobilized growth factors can maximally retain their bioactivity, the LBL assembly would be a potential approach to construct a bioactive substrate for biomedical applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Administration of pamidronate alters bone‐titanium attachment in the presence of endotoxin‐coated polyethylene particles
Authors: Xing Zhiqing , Hasty Karen A. , Smith Richard A.
Published: March 2007

Bisphosphonates are promising in the treatment of periprosthetic osteolysis induced by particulate wear debris. The in vivo effects of pamidronate with different doses and durations of administration on bone‐titanium attachment in the presence of endotoxin‐coated polyethylene particles were examined in a rat model in this study. Titanium pins and endotoxin‐coated polyethylene particles were introduced into rat femoral canals followed by intraperitoneal injection of pamidronate every other day. The treatment varied in the dose from 0 to 40 μg/kg and the duration of either 10 days or 6 weeks. Bilateral femurs were harvested after 6 weeks and examined by bone densitometer and MicroCT scan. Pamidronate increased the bone density of the left, unoperated femurs in a dose and duration dependent manner. Bone‐titanium attachment significantly increased in all treatment groups compared to the control group. When pamidronate was administered for 10 days, the increase of bone‐titanium attachment was significantly dose‐dependent. However, when pamidronate was given for 6 weeks at 4 μg/kg, the bone‐titanium attachment was significantly (p < 0.001) lower compared to the 10 day treatment of the same dose, although it was significantly higher than controls. Our results suggest that pamidronate effectively increase bone‐titanium attachment even in the presence of endotoxin‐coated polyethylene particles. However, long‐term administration may reduce its efficacy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Bayesian Modeling and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulations for a Kinetic Study of Homo‐ and Co‐ Polymerization Systems
Authors: Habibi Ali , Vasheghani‐Farahani Ebrahim
Published: March 2007

A Bayesian modeling and Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation was developed for a kinetic study of homopolymerization and copolymerization systems at the molecular scale. Two copolymerization models – the terminal unit model and the penultimate unit model – were considered. Prior estimates of the kinetic parameters were obtained by L1‐norm robust statistics. Using the structure of experimental data through a likelihood function, Bayesian modeling was employed to update the prior estimates. The joint posterior probability regions and shimmer bands were calculated for updated reactivity ratios. A method for assessing the power of experimental data in discrimination between copolymerization models is presented. This method was validated for free radical polymerization in binary systems. The evolution of species and radical populations during the course of polymerization were determined. The computational time was considerably decreased by calculating the propagation step from lifetime of the polymer chain and local monomer concentration. To avoid inaccuracies in the results caused by poor choice or false computation of the time step, the time step between successive Monte Carlo events was adapted to the time scale of the fastest reaction. The simulation algorithm is exact, in the sense that it takes full account of the fluctuations and correlations.

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Broadband series‐fed printed dipole arrays with mutual coupling
Authors: Mao Shau‐Gang , Chen Shiou‐Li , Yeh Jen‐Chun
Published: March 2007

A uniplanar printed antenna consisting of the series‐fed dipole elements and the conductor‐backed coplanar waveguide‐to‐coplanar stripline (CBCPW‐to‐CPS) transition with broad impedance bandwidth and end‐fire radiation is presented. The measured results of the antenna indicate the operating bandwidth of 100% under the 10 dB return loss criterion and the end‐fire radiation patterns with 4.5–9.1 dBi peak gain. Mutual couplings between two series‐fed dipole antennas placed in face‐to‐face as well as side‐by‐side configurations with different separations are measured. The diversity of the array system is characterized by the correlation coefficient based on mutual coupling between antennas. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1044–1047, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22331
Compact CPW‐fed stacked‐circle monopole antenna with very wide bandwidth
Authors: Wu Qi , Jin Ronghong , Geng Junping , Ding Min
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a new CPW‐fed monopole antenna, which is composed of two stacked circles with different radii. This novel structure reduces the dimension and improves the impedance bandwidth dramatically. The measured bandwidth defined by VSWR <2.5 is from 3.15 GHz to 27.5 GHz, i.e., a ratio of about 8.7:1. This proposed monopole exhibits a nearly omni‐directional radiation pattern with very compact size and simple structure, which is suitable for various military and commercial wideband applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49:1192–1194, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22377
CPW‐fed dual‐mode double‐ring resonators with Butterworth approximations for band‐pass filter applications
Authors: Liu Ji‐Chyun , Wu Tai‐Yi , Kuei Ching‐Pin
Published: March 2007

The CPW‐fed configurations of dual‐mode ring resonator (DMRR) are introduced to improve the performance of the dual‐mode double ring resonator (DMDRR). To obtain low insertion loss (1.65 dB at TM110 mode and 0.91 dB at TM210 mode) and high out‐of‐band rejection level (−51.95 dB) and wider band (BW 13.09% at TM110 and 16.14% at TM210 mode) filters, using voltage‐couples and dual‐mode perturbations are proposed here. Simulation results including surface current distributions and frequency responses are presented and discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1217–1221, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI.10.1002/mop.22397