Limitations on the uses of multimedia exposure measurements for multipathway exposure assessment--Part II: Effects of missing data and imprecision.

Multimedia data from two probability-based exposure studies were investigated in terms of how missing data and measurement-error imprecision affected estimation of population parameters and associations. Missing data resulted mainly from individuals'refusing to participate in certain measurement activities, rather than from field or laboratory problems; it suggests that future studies should focus on methods for maximizing participation rates. Measurement error variances computed from duplicate-sample data were small relative to the inherent variation in the populations; consequently, adjustments in nonparametric percentile estimates to account for measurement imprecision were small. Methods of adjustment based on lognormality assumptions, however, appeared to perform poorly.     

A comparison study of multi-component Lattice Boltzmann models for flow in porous media applications

A comparison study of three different multi-component Lattice Boltzmann models is carried out to explore their capability of describing binary immiscible fluid systems. The Shan–Chen pseudo potential model, the Oxford free energy model and the colour gradient model are investigated using the multi-relaxation time scheme (MRT) algorithm to study the flow of binary immiscible fluids. We investigate Poiseuille flow of layered immiscible binary fluids and capillary fingering phenomena and evaluate the results against analytical solutions. In addition, we examine the capability of the various models to simulate fluids with significant viscosity and density contrast and suitable interface thickness. This is of great importance for large scale flow in porous media applications, where it is important to minimise the interfacial thickness from a computational point of view. We find that the Shan–Chen model can simulate high density ratios up to 800 for binary fluids with the same viscosity. Imposing a viscosity contrast will lead to highly diffusive interfaces in the Shan–Chen model and therefore this will affect significantly the numerical stability. The Free Energy model and the colour gradient model have similar capabilities on this point: they can simulate binary fluids having the same density but with significant viscosity contrast. This is of great importance to study the flow of water, supercritical CO₂ and oil in porous media, for CO₂ storage and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations.     

Development of the design of car bodywork from first concept to prototype

This paper deals with the design of car bodies from the first sketches to the master model, ie to the last stage before mass manufacture. Close scrutiny of the various steps needed in drawing, control and construction make it possible to determine which of them can be replaced by modern automatic procedures.     

A facility location allocation model for reusing carpet materials

Re-using the huge quantities of carpet waste that are yearly generated has become a must. A facility location–allocation model for the collection, preprocessing and redistribution of carpet waste is presented. This model differs from other mathematical models for supporting the design of the logistic structure of reuse networks among others in a completely free choice of the locations for preprocessing and in explicitly taking into account depreciation costs. Two applications of the model, one in Europe and one in the United States of America, are described.     

The relevance and acceptance of green wines in South Africa: some marketing insights

This study provides insights into consumers' decision-making when purchasing green wine, and the market perceptions regarding green wines in terms of price, quality, trendiness and acceptance of green terms such as ‘carbon neutral'. Data were collected from 191 South African wine consumers through an online survey. Although greening is indeed recognised by the consumer as a social responsibility image cue that shapes their choices, its importance is relatively low compared with that of other conventional cues. Some of the most common green marketing strategies, such as green certification, were of relatively low significance to the consumer. Green wines were generally regarded as trendy and fashionable but are unlikely to play a significant role in the pricing of these wines. Consumer demographics are an important determinant regarding the relevance of greening as a purchasing consideration, with females attributing more significance to this purchasing factor. This study is of value to academic researchers and wine industry practitioners alike. It contributes to the knowledge base by providing new perspectives on consumer perception of green wines, the social responsibility aspects and its marketing, and is the first of its kind conducted in the South African environment.     

CACNA1A Mutations Causing Early Onset Ataxia: Profiling Clinical,Dysmorphic and Structural-Functional Findings

The CACNA1A gene encodes the pore-forming α_1A subunit of the voltage-gated Ca_V2.1 Ca²⁺ channel, essential in neurotransmission, especially in Purkinje cells. Mutations in CACNA1A result in great clinical heterogeneity with progressive symptoms, paroxysmal events or both. During infancy, clinical and neuroimaging findings may be unspecific, and no dysmorphic features have been reported. We present the clinical, radiological and evolutionary features of three patients with congenital ataxia, one of them carrying a new variant. We report the structural localization of variants and their expected functional consequences. There was an improvement in cerebellar syndrome over time despite a cerebellar atrophy progression, inconsistent response to acetazolamide and positive response to methylphenidate. The patients shared distinctive facial gestalt: oval face, prominent forehead, hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures and narrow nasal bridge. The two α_1A affected residues are fully conserved throughout evolution and among the whole human Ca_V channel family. They contribute to the channel pore and the voltage sensor segment. According to structural data analysis and available functional characterization, they are expected to exert gain- (F1394L) and loss-of-function (R1664Q/R1669Q) effect, respectively. Among the CACNA1A-related phenotypes, our results suggest that non-progressive congenital ataxia is associated with developmental delay and dysmorphic features, constituting a recognizable syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.     

Shape deterioration and reversible shape-memory effect in Ni-Ti alloys

The effect of constraint heating on shape-memory properties in Ni-Ti alloys is studied. Specimens which memorized linear shape showed remarkable shape deterioration under constraint conditions above 1% bending surface strain and 100° C heating temperature. A reversible shape-memory effect was obtained after constraint heating, and shape change due to this was about 1.4% bending surface strain. These effects strongly depend on ageing temperatures during shape-memory treatment.     

4 Pro-R hydrogen of NADPH was abstracted for enzymatic hydride transfer by N-ethylmaleimide-reductase of Yarrowia lipolytica

We studied the steric course of the reaction catalyzed by the N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) reductase of Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica (Y. lipolytica), using 4R-[4-2H1]NADPH and 4S-[4-2H1]NADPH as cofactors and N-ethylcitraconimide as substrate. Active substrates and inhibitors of NEM reductase and its subcellular distribution were also investigated to clarify the biochemical properties of this enzyme. NEM reductase catalyzes the reduction of N-ethylmaleimide to N-ethylsuccinimide with NAD(P)H as the cofactor. Several maleimide and cyclopentenone derivatives tested were also active substrates for NEM reductase of Y. lipolytica. Some pyrazolone derivatives, particularly 1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone, were found to be effective inhibitors of NEM reductase. Subcellular localization of NEM reductase was carried out using protoplast formation and differential centrifugation. Ninety-eight percent of the NEM reductase activity was recovered in the cytosolic fraction, indicating that NEM reductase in Y. lipolytica was the cytosolic enzyme. We also determined the stereochemical specificity of the reduction of N-ethylcitraconimide by NEM reductase in Y. lipolytica, showing that 4 Pro-R hydrogen of NADPH was abstracted for enzymatic hydride transfer by NEM reductase, and two hydrogen atoms from NADPH and H2O added to opposite faces of the double bond of N-ethylcitraconimide.     

Ozonolysis of α-PINENE, β-PINENE,d- and l-Turpentine Oil Studied by Chirooptical Methods; Some Implications on the Atmospheric Chemistry of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds

The main constituents of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) released in the atmosphere from vegetation are terpenes. The most common terpenes are α-pinene and β-pinene. These molecules react with ozone, forming oxidized derivatives which have low vapor pressure and which nucleate into secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Such aerosol-forming reactions have been simulated in the gas phase on laboratory scale with the visualization of the formation of SOA. Electronic absorption spectroscopy shows that the UV peak of pinenes at 205 nm is shifted to 225 nm during and after ozonolysis and is accompanied by a series of spectral features in the near infrared region (between 850 nm and 1100 nm). Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra were recorded on pure β(+)pinene and β(?)pinene. After ozonolysis β-pinene enantiomers are converted into nopinone enantiomers. The ORD spectra of both (?)nopinone and (+)nopinone respectively were recorded. The former showed a peak at 453 nm, an inflection point at 430 nm and a trough at 405 nm. The ORD spectrum of (?)-nopinone appears completely symmetrical to that of (+)nopinone. Thus, ORD spectroscopy can distinguish between BVOC and oxidized BVOC quite easily at least in the case of β-pinene. The ORD spectra of α-pinene enantiomers are different from those of β-pinene enantiomers and although the ORD spectra of ozonized α-pinene are not easily distinguishable from those of the primary compounds, they are completely different from those of ozonized β-pinene enantiomers. A reasonable natural model of BVOC is offered by l- and d-turpentine oil whose composition reflects that of the BVOC from conifer forests. The ORD spectra of ozonized l- and d-turpentine has permitted to distinguish between the levorotatory and dextrorotatory oxidation products and showing the ketone peak at about 367–380 nm, thus permitting in a real model to distinguish between primary BVOC (turpentine) and oxidized BVOC (or SOA) corresponding to ozonized turpentine. It has been proposed that ORD spectra in the gas phase could be used to detect chiral BVOC and oxidized chiral BVOC.