Predicting parent and child outcomes of a filial therapy program.

The present study investigated parent and child factors that predict outcome in a filial therapy program for parents (N = 27) and young children (ages 2–10). Higher levels of parent distress and poorer child regulation of emotion at pretest were predictive of greater reductions in child behavior problems; poorer parent regulation of emotion at pretest was predictive of greater increases in parent acceptance; and less parent satisfaction with social support from family and friends at pretest was predictive of greater increases in parent communication of acceptance in parent–child play. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fast Bayesian FFT Method for Ambient Modal Identification with Separated Modes

Previously a Bayesian theory for modal identification using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of ambient data was formulated. That method provides a rigorous way for obtaining modal properties as well as their uncertainties by operating in the frequency domain. This allows a natural partition of information according to frequencies so that well-separated modes can be identified independently. Determining the posterior most probable modal parameters and their covariance matrix, however, requires solving a numerical optimization problem. The dimension of this problem grows with the number of measured channels; and its objective function involves the inverse of an ill-conditioned matrix, which makes the approach impractical for realistic applications. This paper analyzes the mathematical structure of the problem and develops efficient methods for computations, focusing on well-separated modes. A method is developed that allows fast computation of the posterior most probable values and covariance matrix. The analysis reveals a scientific definition of signal-to-noise ratio that governs the behavior of the solution in a characteristic manner. Asymptotic behavior of the modal identification problem is investigated for high signal-to-noise ratios. The proposed method is applied to modal identification of two field buildings. Using the proposed algorithm, Bayesian modal identification can now be performed in a few seconds even for a moderate to large number of measurement channels.     

A new era for cancer treatment: gold-nanoparticle-mediated thermal therapies

Nanotechnology-based cancer treatment approaches potentially provide localized, targeted therapies that aim to enhance efficacy, reduce side effects, and improve patient quality of life. Gold-nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia shows particular promise in animal studies, and early clinical testing is currently underway. In this article, the rapidly evolving field of gold nanoparticle thermal therapy is reviewed, highlighting recent literature and describing current challenges to clinical translation of the technology.     

A new CdS/Bi1−xInxTaO4 heterostructured photocatalyst containing solid solutions for H2 evolution from water splitting

A new strategy has been put forward to improve the performance of photocatalytic H₂ evolution of tantalate-based catalysts through designing solid solutions Bi_1−xIn_xTaO₄ combined with CdS, among which the solid solutions Bi_1−xIn_xTaO₄ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.0) were firstly synthesized by the citrate method using cheap and environment-friendly Ta₂O₅. The experimental results reveal that the Bi_0.5In_0.5TaO₄ solid solution shows the best photocatalytic performance among the Bi_1−xIn_xTaO₄ solid solutions. And in the absence of noble metals, the 30% CdS/Bi_0.5In_0.5TaO₄ (30CBITO) catalyst exhibits good photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting with a rate of H₂ production of 511.75 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ under simulated sunlight irradiation. And the rate of hydrogen evolution does not markedly change for 60 h. Their compositions, structures and morphologies were characterized by UV–vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A photocatalytic enhancement mechanism was put forward to elucidate the superior photocatalytic activity and long-term stability of the heterostructured CdS/Bi_0.5In_0.5TaO₄ composites.     

Effects of flow, brass location, tube materials and temperature on corrosion of brass plumbing devices

Effects of plumbing-specific installation factors on brass corrosion were investigated in a series of pipe-loop experiments. Increased flow velocity increased corrosion rates, but did not affect corrosion type. The presence of copper tubing in the plumbing system increased selectivity of brass corrosion for zinc, unless a galvanic connection was made between copper and brass, in which case corrosion became more uniform and was accelerated. Plastic tubing allowed oxidant (i.e., free chlorine) to persist in water, increasing brass exposure. Additionally, hot water significantly increased lead leaching from brass. These findings may inform future investigations into brass corrosion issues and plumbing designs.     

Creative intervention in a dynamic city: A sustainability assessment of an interim use strategy for brownfields in Leipzig,Germany

Urban shrinkage affects many cities across the world, especially former industrial areas. One of the most dramatic areas of population decline has been in eastern Germany since the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1999, the City of Leipzig started a program to revitalize its declining neighborhoods. Taking over the development of private brownfields and waiving property taxes in return for a promise of regular maintenance in a program called interim use, the city has vastly increased public greenspace in these neighborhoods. Despite regional acclaim and imitation, the strategy has thus far lacked a comprehensive evaluation: How successful has the interim use strategy been? This study approaches that question in the context of the city's sustainability goals and public use and perception of the sites, thereby providing insights for planners into the efficacy of this planning tool for neighborhood revitalization. Our sustainability assessment of the interim use sites uses a triangular integrated evaluation method combining indicator-integrated surveys and questionnaires with expert interviews. The results show that interim use sites scored higher overall than their closest counterparts, recently demolished brownfields. They also have a much greater usage rate. However, most people using the sites do not recognize the sites as being a result of city intervention, and many complain about the lack of site maintenance and benches. We conclude that public acceptance and support for interim use can be strengthened with more seating, punitive measures for property owners and increased communication about the strategy and its potential as a planning tool.     

Effects of strain hardening of reinforcement on flexural strength and ductility of reinforced concrete columns

In the evaluation of flexural strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns, the elastic–perfectly plastic constitutive model is generally used for steel reinforcement, which ignores the strain hardening effect. While some engineers believe that the flexural strength so obtained is on the safe side, others are concerned that underestimation of member strength could lead to inaccurate prediction of overall structural behaviour especially under extreme events. In any case, better understanding of the possible over‐strength and its effects on flexural ductility and failure mechanism is necessary. In this paper, the effects of strain hardening of reinforcement on the flexural strength and ductility of reinforced normal‐ and high‐strength concrete columns are studied based on rigorous full‐range moment–curvature analysis. The study has identified if and how various parameters affect the strain hardening effect, which include axial load ratio, concrete strength, confining stress, reinforcement ratio and the tensile‐strength‐to‐yield‐stress ratio of steel. The effects of strain hardening can be quite significant for RC columns under relatively low axial load and relatively high confining stress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new catalytic process for high‐efficiency synthesis of p‐xylene by methylation of toluene with CH3Br

A new catalytic process for p‐xylene synthesis from the methylation of toluene with CH₃Br was proposed. CH₃Br was prepared from the catalytic bromination of natural gas (CH₄), by using H₂O + HBr + O₂ as mediator over supported Rh catalyst. The methylation conditions were investigated using HZSM‐5 or modified HZSM‐5 catalyst. Under optimal reaction conditions, p‐xylene selectivity is up to 93%, and p‐xylene yield is more than 21% at 673 k over the Si—P modified HZSM‐5 catalyst. Compared to the processes using MeOH or dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as methylation agent, this new process is very attractive in an economic standpoint since CH₄ is much cheaper than MeOH and DMC. In addition, the process has other advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, simple operation, high‐product yield, and so on. It is predicted that the process has good industrial potential for para‐xylene production. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 532–540, 2013