A rubber-modified thermoplastic where the morphology produced by phase-separation induced by polymerization disappears at high conversions

An unexpected experimental finding is reported where the primary morphology developed during polymerization-induced phase separation in a rubber-modified thermoplastic practically disappears at high conversions. This process was evidenced by light scattering (LS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for a particular composition of solutions of polyisobutylene oligomers (PIB) in isobornylmethacrylate (IBoMA), during the free-radical polymerization of the monomer. The primary phase separation produced a dispersion of domains rich in PIB containing significant amounts of the monomer (IBoMA). Polymerization of the monomer in these domains occurred at high overall conversions producing the filling of dispersed domains with a PIBoMA-PIB blend that could not be distinguished from the matrix. Under these conditions the final material had the appearance of a homogeneous blend.     

Effects of urbanization on the aquatic fauna of the Line Creek watershed, Atlanta—a satellite perspective

Impervious surface area (ISA) was derived for a period from 1979 to 1997 from Landsat MSS and TM data for the Line Creek watershed that lies to the south of the city of Atlanta, GA. The change in ISA is presented as an ecological indicator to examine the cumulative water resource impacts on mussel population in three sub-watersheds of Line Creek—namely, Line, Flat, and Whitewater creeks. The satellite analysis shows that ISA expansion occurred substantially from 1987 to 1997 and is predominantly in industrial, commercial, and shopping center (ICS) complexes but also in smaller lot-size residential development. Evidence of mussel habitat degradation is indicated and loss of species (in the region of 50 to 70%) is present in areas where ISA expansion is observed—specifically in ICS complex development in and around Peachtree City that drains directly into the Line and Flat creeks. This is in marked contrast to Whitewater Creek where overall development of ISA is less and no major loss of mussel species is observed.     

Rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the management of bladder exstrophies: late clinical outcome and urodynamic findings

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-compliant bladder exstrophies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The RAMF technique was used in two girls and two boys (mean age at operation, 31.7 months, range 3-72) with bladder exstrophy. The clinical outcome and urodynamics were assessed during a follow-up of 29 months to 6 years (mean 49.2 months) and included imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies. RESULTS: There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMF with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucus production were detected. Currently, three patients void using clean intermittent catheterization through the native urethra and the fourth through an appendiceal Mitrofanoff valve. However, the bladder volume was insufficient at the late follow-up and three patients required bladder augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMF technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity; however, although there is a mild improvement in bladder capacity and compliance. RAMF should not be used as a bladder augmentation procedure. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.     

"I Buy American": The American Image as Reflected in Israeli Advertising

Analysis of advertisements in Israeli newspapers over the past decade has shown that American symbols have been widely used to market an array of consumer goods. Products made in America, Israel, or other countries are marketed with some sort of American angle by invoking America's values, symbols, landscapes, or lifestyle. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, we analyzed how central components of the nation-state/national sphere—language, flag, political leaders, borders, landscapes, and sights—are reflected in advertising. We attempt to show how social values metamorphose, shedding their "Israeliness" and taking on an American veneer. Using Israel as an example may provide a test case for the Americanization process in other societies at the turn of the millennium.     

Outcome of different treatment mixes in a multidimensional neuropsychological rehabilitation program.

Within a clinical demonstration program, 59 traumatically brain-injured patients were treated with 1 of 3 mixes of treatment. Mix 1 included cognitive remediation (CGR), small-group interpersonal (SGI) communication training, therapeutic community activities, and personal counseling. Mix 2 was similar to Mix 1 but stressed SGI exercises and eliminated CGR. Mix 3 emphasized CGR and eliminated SGI exercises. The efficacy of the treatment mixes was evaluated with performance on neuropsychological tests, improved independence in functional activities, measures of intra- and interpersonal functioning, and vocational outcome. Ss' participation in the program, irrespective of treatment mix, yielded improvements in (1) self-image, (2) quality of interpersonal relatedness and interaction, (3) involvement with others in naturalistic settings, and (4) vocational outcome. Overall, data point to the superiority of the balanced mix (Mix 1) over Mixes 2 and 3. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microstress estimate of stochastically heterogeneous structures by the functional perturbation method: A one dimensional example

A new functional perturbation method (FPM) for calculating the probabilistic response of stochastically heterogeneous, linear elastic structures is developed. The method is based on treating the governing differential operator as well as the unknown displacement function as a functional of material modulus field. By executing a functional perturbation around the homogeneous case, a set of successive differential equations is obtained and solved, from which the average and variance of any local parameter (displacements, stresses, strains) can be found. For a linear problem, the equations to be solved in each approximation order differ from the one for the homogeneous case by a pseudo external loading (right hand side) part only. Thus, only the Green function for the homogeneous case is needed for an analytical solution of the corresponding heterogeneous problem. A one dimensional stochastically heterogeneous rod embedded in a uniform shear resistant elastic medium is solved as an example. The statistical variance of displacements and stresses are found analytically, including the edge regions. Morphological (grain size) and material (modulus) effects on the stochastic response are demonstrated. The above results are essential for estimating the stochastic features of local stress concentrations, which are the source for many strength-related macro properties of materials. Extensive usage of generalized functions (Dirac operator and its derivatives) is needed for the analysis.     

Perception and action are based on the same visual information: distinction between position and velocity.

Ss were presented with spiders running from left to right at various velocities over a structured background. Motion of the background influenced the perceived velocity of the spider: Motion of the background in the opposite direction than the spider increased the perceived velocity. The perceived position of the spider was not influenced by background motion. Ss were asked to hit the spiders as quickly as possible. Fast spiders were hit with a higher velocity than slow spiders. The same effect was found if the spiders only differed in apparent velocity, induced by motion of the background. The trajectory of the hit was not influenced by motion of the background. The authors concluded that although velocity is nothing but the change of position in time, velocity and position are processed independently. Furthermore, these two separately processed sources of information are used in both perception and action. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of a surface active pyrrole on the conductivity of polypyrrole composites

A surface active pyrrole, which has a long hydrophobic chain attached to the 3 position of the pyrrole ring, is used to modify the surface properties of the pores of a porous, crosslinked polystyrene. The latter is prepared starting from a concentrated emulsion (an emulsion with a large volume fraction of the dispersed phase, here 0.81) of water dispersed in a continuous medium composed of styrene, divinyl benzene, a suitable surfactant, an initiator, and the surface active pyrrole. This modified crosslinked porous medium is emplyed as the host for a polypyrrole composite that is prepared first by imbibing the host with a solution of pyrrole and subsequently with an oxidant solution. The latter plays the role of catalyst for polymerization as well as the role of dopant. The presence of the head groups of 3-alkyl pyrrole molecules on the surface of the pores of the host polymer increases the affinity of the surface for pyrrole. The improved wetting thus achieved for the pyrrole solution ensures a higher connectivity among the pyrrole films present on the internal surface of the host polymer and increases the conductivity of the polypyrrole composites by a factor of 2 to 14, depending upon the solvents employed for pyrrole and oxidant.     

Smooth Loops from Unconstrained Video

Converting unconstrained video sequences into videos that loop seamlessly is an extremely challenging problem. In this work, we take the first steps towards automating this process by focusing on an important subclass of videos containing a single dominant foreground object. Our technique makes two novel contributions over previous work: first, we propose a correspondence‐based similarity metric to automatically identify a good transition point in the video where the appearance and dynamics of the foreground are most consistent. Second, we develop a technique that aligns both the foreground and background about this transition point using a combination of global camera path planning and patch‐based video morphing. We demonstrate that this allows us to create natural, compelling, loopy videos from a wide range of videos collected from the internet.