bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intimate insider: negotiating the ethics of friendship when doing insider research
Authors: Taylor Jodie
Published: February 2011

Favoured by ethnographers with some degree of closeness to the culture they wish to examine, the cultural participant as insider researcher has become relatively commonplace across the humanities. A large body of methodological literature now exists on this, highlighting the advantages and some of the dilemmas of conducting insider research. This literature is not exhaustive, as there remain elements of insider research still underdeveloped, such as how one goes about negotiating previously established friendships and intimate relationships in this context. Indeed, what are the benefits and dilemmas engendered by such negotiations? Drawing on existing scholarly accounts of field-based friendship and the author’s experiences of researching queer culture as an insider, this article addresses these questions in relation to the author’s field of inquiry and to social research paradigms more broadly. Subsequently, it argues that while being intimately inside one’s field does offer significant advantages, it also reshapes the researcher’s role in and experiences of her own culture and those within it.
The theory and method of comparative area studies
Authors: Ahram Ariel I.
Published: February 2011

Though many now downplay the tension between area studies and disciplinary political science, there has been little substantive guidance on how to accomplish complementarity between their respective approaches. This article seeks to develop the idea of comparative area studies (CAS) as a rubric that maintains the importance of regional knowledge while contributing to general theory building using inductive intra-regional, cross-regional, inter-regional comparison. Treating regions as theoretically-grounded analytical categories, rather than inert or innate geographical entities, can help inform both quantitative and qualitative attempts to build general theory.
‘Going deep’ and ‘giving back’: strategies for exceeding ethical expectations when researching amongst vulnerable youth
Authors: Swartz Sharlene
Published: February 2011

This article interrogates how research amongst vulnerable populations, especially youth, may be designed and implemented to exceed the usual standards of research ethics. It describes the dual aims of ethical research within an emancipatory framework as ‘going deep’ through utilizing ‘an ethics of parallax perspectives’; and ‘giving back’ by employing an ‘intentional ethics of reciprocation’. It offers a package of six additional ethical strategies, which may be combined in various permutations in order to achieve these ends. These strategies include choosing appropriate research activities; deliberately building relationships with research participants; conveying researcher subjectivity; developing mutuality and flattening the power gradient; considering how language is used and representations are made; and planning ‘research-as-intervention’. Drawing on a multi-layered ethnographic study of the moral understandings of a group of impoverished South African township youth, the article offers insight into how these ethical strategies address vulnerability and emancipation in practice, including the multiple ethical dilemmas they raise.
The speed and accuracy of voice recognition software-assisted transcription versus the listen-and-type method: a research note
Authors: Johnson Brian Edward
Published: February 2011

Prior work has acknowledged the use of voice recognition software in transcription, but extant studies have not directly compared the speed and accuracy of software-assisted transcription to the listen-and-type method. This paper, therefore, asks: how quickly and accurately can a researcher transcribe using voice recognition software, as compared to the traditional listen-and-type method? I transcribed an interview recording twice, first dictating into voice recognition software while listening to an audio file, then listening and typing manually. In this side-by-side comparison, the listen-and-type transcription took 14.2 percent less time than the voice recognition software-assisted approach, and resulted in a more accurate transcript. Unfortunately, voice recognition software does not offer time or accuracy benefits over the listen-and-type method. The currently available software is best employed as a means to ease the physical and mental stress of transcription.
Long-term results of fludarabine/melphalan as a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen in mantle cell lymphoma: the GELTAMO experience
Authors: Gayoso Jorge , Martino Rodrigo , Balsalobre Pascual , Heras Inmaculada , Piñana José Luis , Serrano David , Serna Javier de la , Tomás José Francisco , Díez-Martín José Luis , Caballero Dolores
Published: February 2011

Background: We herein report the long-term results of an allogeneic reduced-intensity conditioning (allo-RIC) protocol used in 21 consecutive patients (16 males, median age 56 years, 71% in complete remission) diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Methods: The allo-RIC consisted of fludarabine plus melphalan and peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSCs) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical siblings were used in all cases. Median CD34+ infused cells was 5.8 × 106/kg. All patients engrafted promptly.

Results: Early toxicity included mild/moderate mucositis (43%), febrile neutropenia (33%) and bacterial infections (19%). With a median follow up of 48 months, four deaths were reported, all due to infections and/or graft- versus-host disease (GVHD), yielding a 3-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality of 19.5%. Grade III–IV acute GVHD occurred in 15% and chronic GVHD in 78%, being extensive in 39%. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were both 80% (95% CI: 63–97%). Age was the only possible prognostic factor for OS, which was 43% for those aged more than 60 years and 100% for those younger ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our data confirm that allo-RIC offers a low toxicity profile and a chance for prolonged long-term disease-free survival in MCL, particularly in younger patients.
c-JUN promotes BCR-ABL–induced lymphoid leukemia by inhibiting methylation of the 5′ region of Cdk6
Authors: Kollmann Karoline , Heller Gerwin , Ott Rene Georg , Scheicher Ruth , Zebedin-Brandl Eva , Schneckenleithner Christine , Simma Olivia , Warsch Wolfgang , Eckelhart Eva , Hoelbl Andrea , Bilban Martin , Zöchbauer-Müller Sabine , Malumbres Marcos , Sexl Veronika
Published: February 2011

The transcription factor c-JUN and its upstream kinase JNK1 have been implicated in BCR-ABL–induced leukemogenesis. JNK1 has been shown to regulate BCL2 expression, thereby altering leukemogenesis, but the impact of c-JUN remained unclear. In this study, we show that JNK1 and c-JUN promote leukemogenesis via separate pathways, because lack of c-JUN impairs proliferation of p185BCR-ABL–transformed cells without affecting their viability. The decreased proliferation of c-JunΔ/Δ cells is associated with the loss of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) expression. In c-JunΔ/Δ cells, CDK6 expression becomes down-regulated upon BCR-ABL–induced transformation, which correlates with CpG island methylation within the 5′ region of Cdk6. We verified the impact of Cdk6 deficiency using Cdk6−/− mice that developed BCR-ABL–induced B-lymphoid leukemia with significantly increased latency and an attenuated disease phenotype. In addition, we show that reexpression of CDK6 in BCR-ABL–transformed c-JunΔ/Δ cells reconstitutes proliferation and tumor formation in Nu/Nu mice. In summary, our study reveals a novel function for the activating protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor c-JUN in leukemogenesis by antagonizing promoter methylation. Moreover, we identify CDK6 as relevant and critical target of AP-1–regulated DNA methylation on BCR-ABL–induced transformation, thereby accelerating leukemogenesis.
Osteoclast Activity and Subtypes as a Function of Physiology and Pathology—Implications for Future Treatments of Osteoporosis
Authors: Henriksen K. , Bollerslev J. , Everts V. , Karsdal M. A.
Published: February 2011

Osteoclasts have traditionally been associated exclusively with catabolic functions that are a prerequisite for bone resorption. However, emerging data suggest that osteoclasts also carry out functions that are important for optimal bone formation and bone quality. Moreover, recent findings indicate that osteoclasts have different subtypes depending on their location, genotype, and possibly in response to drug intervention.

The aim of the current review is to describe the subtypes of osteoclasts in four different settings: 1) physiological, in relation to turnover of different bone types; 2) pathological, as exemplified by monogenomic disorders; 3) pathological, as identified by different disorders; and 4) in drug-induced situations.

The profiles of these subtypes strongly suggest that these osteoclasts belong to a heterogeneous cell population, namely, a diverse macrophage-associated cell type with bone catabolic and anabolic functions that are dependent on both local and systemic parameters. Further insight into these osteoclast subtypes may be important for understanding cell–cell communication in the bone microenvironment, treatment effects, and ultimately bone quality.
Moving and Speaking through the Event, Once More
Authors: Brandl-Risi Bettina
Published: February 2011

Bettina Brandl-Risi discusses two performances based on reenactments of historical events: Jeremy Deller's The Battle of Orgreave (2001), which revisits a bloody clash between picketers and police during a miners' strike in Thatcher-era Britain, and Rimini Protokoll's Deutschland 2—Berlin Back Up (2002), which restages a German parliamentary debate. She discusses the role of participation and spectatorship in such reenactments, arguing that these performance pieces embody new ways of thinking about history and politics.
ADS
Authors:   New York City Players
Published: February 2011

Conceived and directed by Richard Maxwell

Texts by Christian Nuñez, Rosalie Ann Kaplan, Kate Valk, Ariana Smart Truman, Bob Feldman, Farooq Muhammad, Philip Moore, Nicole, Lou Kuhlmann, Keith Connolly, Rosie Goldensohn, Janet Coleman, Lakpa Bhutia, and Ginger Corker
A Simple N-Acyl-l-amino Acid Constructed Metal-complexed Organic Nanotube Having an Inner Diameter below 10 nm
Authors: Mukai Masaru , Aoyagi Masaru , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Asakawa Masumi , Shimizu Toshimi , Kogiso Masaki
Published: February 2011

A novel metal-complexed organic nanotube (M–ONT) having an inner diameter below 10 nm was readily prepared from simple N-acyl-l-phenylalanine and nickel(II) ion.
Addition-type Oxidation of Silylalkene Using Ozone: An Efficient Approach for Acyloin and Its Derivatives
Authors: Igawa Kazunobu , Kawasaki Yuuya , Tomooka Katsuhiko
Published: February 2011

Acyloins are efficiently synthesized in three steps from alkynes via hydrosilylation followed by an addition-type ozone oxidation and hydrogenation. The key intermediate α-silylperoxy ketone is convertible to not only acyloin but also O-silylated acyloin and diketone.
Synthesis of Sodium-vanadate-doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Foams as Capacitor Electrode Materials
Authors: Lv Yaokang , Liu Mingxian , Gan Lihua , Cao YongJie , Chen Liuhua , Xiong Wei , Xu Zijie , Hao Zhixian , Liu Honglai , Chen Longwu
Published: February 2011

Sodium-vanadate-doped ordered mesoporous carbon foams (V-MCFs) were prepared through an evaporation-induced self-assembly strategy. The resultant V-MCFs exhibit highly ordered mesostructure with specific surface areas of 714 m2 g−1 and uniform pore sizes of 4.1 nm. The surface wettability and graphitization degree of V-MCFs were increased due to the incorporation of sodium vanadate into the carbon matrix. Besides, sodium vanadate brings a pseudo-capacitive effect in V-MCFs. V-MCFs thus exhibit higher capacitance and fast charge–discharge properties compared with pure mesoporous carbon foams.
One-pot Separation of Highly Enriched (6,5)-Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Using a Fluorene-based Copolymer
Authors: Ozawa Hiroaki , Ide Natsuko , Fujigaya Tsuyohiko , Niidome Yasuro , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: February 2011

We now describe the finding that a copolymer of 9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl and bipyridine (BPy) can extract in “one-pot” ≈96–97%-enriched (6,5)-SWNTs in m-xylene and p-xylene not containing metallic SWNTs, which was revealed by vis–near IR absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopies.
A Formal Synthesis of Antimalarial Diterpenoid 7,20-Diisocyanoadociane
Authors: Miyaoka Hiroaki , Okubo Yusuke , Muroi Makiko , Mitome Hidemichi , Kawashima Etsuko
Published: February 2011

A formal synthesis of antimalarial diterpenoid 7,20-diisocyanoadociane, isolated from marine sponge Adocia sp., was achieved. The authors synthesized Corey’s synthetic intermediate 2 for 7,20-diisocyanoadociane. This synthesis involves the synthesis of a perhydropyrene derivative using a sequential isomerization–intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction as the key step.
Formation of Six-membered Aza-nickelacycles by Oxidative Addition of Cyclopropyl Imines to Nickel(0)
Authors: Tamaki Takashi , Ohashi Masato , Ogoshi Sensuke
Published: February 2011

Cyclopropyl imines reacted with nickel(0) in the presence of IPr to give the expected six-membered aza-nickelacycles confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure of aza-nickelacyles shows monomeric η1-aza-nickelenolate structures. The reaction of aza-nickelacycle with an enone occurred to generate an η3-oxa-allylnickel complex.
Cationic Comb-type Copolymers Do Not Cause Collapse but Shrinkage of DNA Molecules
Authors: Sonda Naotaka , Hirano Masanori , Shimada Naohiko , Kano Arihiro , Kidoaki Satoru , Maruyama Atsushi
Published: February 2011

A flow-stretching assay was employed to elucidate polycation/DNA interactions at the single-molecule level. Bacteriophage λ-DNA (48.5 kbp) was attached at one end to a PEG-modified glass surface and stretched by buffer flow. The stretched DNA had an approximate length of 12 µm. Upon injection of polylysine homopolymer, the DNA folded into a globule structure within a few seconds. Injection of a polylysine graft copolymer having hydrophilic dextran side chains also induced collapse of the stretched DNA. In comparison to these polymers, a copolymer with higher graft content did not cause DNA collapse but rather caused 25% shrinkage of the extended DNA. These results were compared with those observed with unstretched DNA.
Catalytic Electrooxidation of Formaldehyde at Ta2O5-modified Pt Electrodes
Authors: Masud Jahangir , Alam Muhammad Tanzirul , Okajima Takeyoshi , Ohsaka Takeo
Published: February 2011

The Ta2O5-modified Pt electrode, which was prepared by electrodeposition of Ta on a Pt electrode from 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPTFSI) ionic liquid and subsequent calcination, possesses excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of formaldehyde to CO2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution compared with the bare Pt electrode. This significant improvement in catalytic performance may be attributed to the strong metal–oxide interaction as well as hydroxide spillover effect of the modified electrode. A possible reaction mechanism is proposed.
Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy of Chemically Synthesized Graphene Oxide and Interlayer Conduction
Authors: Kanamori Yoshio , Obata Seiji , Saiki Koichiro
Published: February 2011

Graphene oxide, a chemically modified graphene, has been attracting wide attention because of promising adaptability to a wide variety of applications. However, the properties of graphene oxide itself are not known well. Using a conductive cantilever, we observed a current image of graphene oxide nanosheets of various thicknesses. Current–voltage characteristics were found to reflect the local conductivity normal to the nanosheets. Under high electric fields, the conduction was well described in terms of Poole–Frenkel emission mechanism. The fitting of I–V curves to the Poole–Frenkel model provides information on dielectric properties, and the relative permittivity of graphene oxide was found to be 4.8 ± 0.8.
Foam Superstabilization by Lamellar Liquid Crystal Gels
Authors: Yan Yong-Li , Jia Xin-Gang , Meng Mei , Qu Cheng-Tun
Published: February 2011

Highly stable microbubble dispersions with mean bubble radii of less than 100 µm stabilized solely with nonionic surfactant of glyceryl monostearate are reported, and the stability was sustained for more than 10 months which is attributed to the presence of lamellar liquid-crystal gels. The elastic response of the interface provides a physical barrier to collapse of dispersed microbubbles. Our study identifies a route to fabricate extremely stable dispersions of microbubbles.
Tuning Photoluminescent Wavelength of Water-Soluble Oligothiophene/Polymer Complex Film by Proton Bonding
Authors: Kondo Mizuho , Miyake Jun-ichi , Tada Kazuya , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro
Published: February 2011

We synthesized a new oligothiophene derivative with pyridine end groups and investigated their optical properties. Upon adding an aqueous polystyrene sulfonic acid solution, it forms homogeneous polymer complex films with protonated structure. Furthermore, reversible color change in photoluminescence in response to a base due to reversible protonation of pyridyl end groups in oligothiophene was demonstrated, which can be applied to acid sensors.
Separation of Naproxen Enantiomers Using Hollow Fiber Molecularly Imprinted Membrane Chromatography
Authors: Bing Nai Ci , Tian Zhen , Jin Hai Ying , Wang Li Jun , Zhu Lu Ping , Xu Zhen Liang
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the use of molecularly imprinted membrane (MIM) for chromatographic separation is described. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) hollow-fiber membranes were grafted on an imprinted polymer layer by using 4-vinylpyridine and trimethylolpropane triacrylate as monomer and crosslinker and were applied as the chromatographic media. During separation, naproxen enantiomers were separated efficiently, and the separation factor was 2.36. Molecularly imprinted membrane chromatography (MIMC) showed an apparently opposite transport behavior compared to molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-packed chromatography.
Social paternalism and basic income
Authors: Fitzpatrick Tony
Published: February 2011

This article offers a philosophical discussion of paternalism. First, it establishes the relevance to basic income of the concept of ‘paternalism’. Second, it provides an overview and critique of the main philosophical schools of paternalism. Third, it argues in favour of a version of soft/weak paternalism, which is here termed ‘social paternalism’. Fourth, it reviews the main positions that advocates of various paternalisms might take towards basic income. Finally, it defends a proposal to allow a basic income stream to be ‘mortgaged’ into lumpsum capital grants. The article therefore fills an important gap in the theoretical literature pertaining to basic income.
Development of transition-metal-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions leading to polycarbocyclic systems
Authors: Gulías Moisés , López Fernando , Mascareñas José L.
Published: February 2011

We present a compilation of methodologies developed in our laboratories to assemble polycyclic structures containing small- and medium-sized cycles, relying on the use of transition-metal-catalyzed (TMC) cycloadditions. First, we discuss the use of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) as 3C-atom partners, in particular in their Pd-catalyzed (3 + 2) cycloadditions with alkynes, alkenes, and allenes, reactions that lead to cyclopentane-containing polycyclic products in excellent yields. Then, we present the expansion of this chemistry to a (4 + 3) annulation with conjugated dienes, and to inter- and intramolecular (3 + 2 + 2) cycloadditions using external alkenes as additional 2C-π-systems. These reactions allow the preparation of different types of polycyclic structures containing cycloheptene rings, the topology of the products depending on the use of Pd or Ni catalysts. Finally, we include our more recent discoveries on the development of (4 + 3) and (4 + 2) intramolecular cyclo-additions of allenes and dienes, promoted by Pt and Au catalysts, and discuss mechanistic insights supported by experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. An enantioselective version of the (4 + 2) cycloaddition with phosphoramidite Au(I) catalysts is also presented.
Design of frustrated Lewis pair catalysts for metal-free and selective hydrogenation
Authors: Soós Tibor
Published: February 2011

After a short introduction to place our work in a proper context, this account summarizes our theoretical and synthetic results in the field of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry.
Glossary of terms used in biomolecular screening (IUPAC Recommendations 2011)
Authors: Proudfoot John , Nosjean Olivier , Blanchard Jan , Wang John , Besson Dominique , Crankshaw Denis , Gauglitz Günter , Hertzberg Robert , Homon Carol , Llewellyn Lyndon , Neubig Richard , Walker Larry , Villa Pascal
Published: February 2011

Biomolecular screening is now a crucial component of the drug discovery process, and this glossary will be of use to practitioners in the field of screening and to those who interact with the screening community. The glossary contains definitions related to various aspects of the screening process such as assay types, data handling, and relevant technologies. Many of the terms used in this discipline are not covered by existing glossaries, and where they are, the definitions are often not appropriate for this field. Where appropriate, this document provides new or modified definitions to better reflect the new context. The field of biomolecular screening is multidisciplinary in nature, and this glossary, containing authoritative definitions, will be useful not only for regular practitioners, but also for those who make use of data generated during the screening process.
Organelle stress-induced activating transcription factor-3 downregulates low-density lipoprotein receptor expression in Sk-Hep1 human liver cells
Authors: Lim Joo Hyun , Lee Hyo Jung , Pak Youngmi Kim , Kim Won-Ho , Song Jihyun
Published: February 2011

The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) plays a central role in cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we provide evidence that an increase in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response or a disturbance of mitochondrial function inhibits LDLR expression in human liver Sk-Hep1 cells. Both organelle stresses triggered activation of activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3), which subsequently reduced LDLR expression. Serial deletion studies revealed that theLDLRpromoter region within -234 bp was involved in the repression of LDLR by ATF3. In addition, we identified the region between -8 and -3 of LDLR promoter region as a putative binding site for ATF3 by using deletion construct lacking 6 bp nucleotide corresponding to this region. Transfection ofATF3-specific siRNA rescued LDLR expression under organelle stress, indicating that ATF3 was mainly responsible for the repression of LDLR by these stressors. Additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that ATF3 directly binds to the LDLR promoter in a stress-dependent manner. The unique sterol-independent LDLR repression by organelle stress via ATF3 demonstrated here could be involved in obesity-related hypercholesterolemia, which can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Organosolv pretreatment of olive tree biomass for fermentable sugars
Authors: Díaz Manuel J. , Huijgen Wouter J.J. , van der Laan Ron R. , Reith Johannes H. , Cara Cristóbal , Castro Eulogio
Published: February 2011

Olive tree pruning biomass is one of the main agricultural residues available in Mediterranean countries and is currently lacking commercial applications. To take advantage of its sugar content, a pretreatment is necessary to enhance enzyme accessibility of the cellulose fraction of the residue. This paper describes for the first time the use of organosolv pretreatment in this regard. The main process variables such as pretreatment temperature, residence time, and solvent composition (aqueous ethanol) are studied. Results show that organosolv pretreatment causes delignification and hydrolysis of hemicelluloses and improves the enzymatic digestibility of olive tree pruning biomass. A higher pretreatment severity and ethanol content of the solvent were found to increase delignification (up to 64% at 66% w/w aqueous ethanol, 210°C, 60 min). By contrast, xylan hydrolysis was promoted by a lower ethanol content (maximum 92%). The highest enzymatic hydrolysis yield (90% of the structural glucan present in the raw material) has been obtained after pretreatment with 43% w/w aqueous ethanol at 210°C for 15 min. Organosolv pretreatment was found to be the most effective pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis of olive tree pruning biomass.
The effect of galactan content on the mechano-sorptive strain in loblolly pine
Authors: Entwistle Kenneth , Chauhan Shakti
Published: February 2011

Mechano-sorptive (MS) strains were measured in torsion on eight loblolly pine specimens as a function of galactan content. The strains were generated by an increase of environmental humidity from 38% to 84% and were measured during an anticlockwise and a clockwise loading scheme that caused the specimen to recover its original dimensions at the end of the test. The magnitude of the MS strains was found to be independent of galactan concentration. The specimens with high and low galactan contents had different MS strains but the average of the measured data was the same. The number of observations (eight) was too small for a reliable statistical analysis to identify the regressors that are the main sources of the strain variations. The cell structure of the specimens was visualised by X-ray tomography.
Comparison of NDE techniques for assessing mechanical properties of unjointed and finger-jointed lumber
Authors: Biechele Tobias , Chui Ying Hei , Gong Meng
Published: February 2011

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods are common for grading structural lumber with static bending as the traditional NDE method for strength. More recently, longitudinal and transverse vibration techniques have also been proposed for grading lumber. In this study, unjointed and finger-jointed sawn lumber has been evaluated by these traditional and relatively new NDE methods. In total, 188 pieces of 38 mm×89 mm black spruce lumber were tested. Of these, 40 were unjointed, 47 had 2–3 finger joints, and 101 had 5–7 finger joints. The main objective was to evaluate the reliability of the various NDE techniques in predicting the bending stiffness and tensile strength of finger-jointed lumber with different number of finger joints. Results show that all NDE methods provide stiffness values of unjointed and finger-jointed lumber that correlate well with laboratory measured static bending stiffness with R2 values ranging from 0.76 to 0.97. Moreover, lumber with finger joints has lower bending stiffness than unjointed lumber. Based on the correlation coefficients, there is no evidence that finger joints affect the precision of the strength prediction by NDE methods.
Aging of wood: Analysis of color changes during natural aging and heat treatment
Authors: Matsuo Miyuki , Yokoyama Misao , Umemura Kenji , Sugiyama Junji , Kawai Shuichi , Gril Joseph , Kubodera Shigeru , Mitsutani Takumi , Ozaki Hiromasa , Sakamoto Minoru , Imamura Mineo
Published: February 2011

The color properties of aging wood samples from historical buildings have been compared with those of recent wood samples that were heat treated at temperatures ranging from 90°C to 180°C. The results of kinetic analysis obtained by the time-temperature superposition method showed that the color change during natural aging was mainly due to a slow and mild oxidation process. In other words, heat treatment could accelerate the changes in wood color that occur during aging. In one sample, the color change (ΔE*ab) after 921 years at ambient temperature was almost equivalent to that of heating (artificial aging) approximately for 6.7 h at 180°C. The results have been interpreted that the aging and the subsequent change in wood color begin at the time of tree harvesting.
Fracture-Mechanical Characterization of Parquet-Adhesive-Screed Systems
Authors: Jamek M. , Tschegg E. K. , Stamminger O.
Published: February 2011

Parquet-adhesives-screed-compounds are convenient systems when it comes to laying planks of wood on cementitious screeds indoors. Established testing methods for characterizing construction materials can be used to describe and evaluate these systems. This paper compares three different frequently used adhesives in terms of crack growth resistance and notch-tensile strength. The fracture-mechanical properties were determined by means of the wedge-splitting test. The results show that the wedge-splitting test shows the differences between these three adhesive systems much more clearly than the inter-laminar tensile test, as the latter is not accurate enough for characterizing material properties because of lacking information about the strain softening behavior and the fracture energy.
Portable solid state scintillation calibrator for beta microirradiator
Authors: Steeb Jennifer , West Ryan , Janata Jirí
Published: February 2011

A microirradiator is a radiation tool with a low amount of total activity but high flux density due to its small active area. The solid state calibrator is designed to be a bench-top detection device in conjunction with the microirradiator for ease of detection and calibration of the source. Results indicate that the device is more accurate and precise during longer measurements, and the addition of liquid scintillation cocktail with plastic scintillation increases the efficiency of detection. Ni-63 is commonly measured by a liquid scintillation cocktail due to the low energy (67 keV max.) beta electrons emitted. Here we report the assembly and calibration of a solid state scintillation device to detect and measure total activity vs. liquid scintillation of Ni-63.
Photoluminescent nano-sized ternary and quaternary complexes of thorium(IV)
Authors: Baranwal B. P. , Jain A. K. , Varma A. , Singh A. K. , Fatma T.
Published: February 2011

Some ternary and quaternary complexes of thorium(IV) with the general formula [Th(OOCCH3)2−n
(SB)
n
(OOCC15H31)2] (HSB=Schiff bases and n=1 or 2) have been synthesized by the stepwise substitutions of acetate ions from thorium(IV) acetate, first with straight chain carboxylic acid and then with Schiff bases. The complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (electronic, infrared, 1H NMR, FAB mass, photoluminescence and powder XRD) and TEM studies. Conductance measurements indicated non-conducting behaviour of the complexes. Structural parameters from powder XRD data for complexes 5 and 6 which indicate poorly crystalline nano-sized triclinic particles. Electronic absorption spectra of the complexes showed π→π
*
and n→π
*
charge transfer transitions. All complexes displayed fluorescence and a correlation was sought between luminescence spectra of complexes in solution at room temperature. On the basis of physico-chemical studies, coordination number 8 was assigned for thorium(IV) in the complexes. The morphology and microstructure of the complexes were examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED).
Thermodynamic study of Th(IV) complexes with dicarboxylates by potentiometry and calorimetry
Authors: Rawat Neetika , Sharma R. S. , Nishad Abdul , Tomar B. S. , Manchanda V. K.
Published: February 2011

The thermodynamic quantities (ΔG
c, ΔH
c and ΔS
c) for formation of Th(IV) complexes with dicarboxylic ligands, namely, malonate, succinate, glutarate and adipate were determined using potentiometry and calorimetry. The protonation constants of the dicarboxylate ligands were determined by potentiometric titration of the ligand solution, while the corresponding enthalpy values were taken from the literature. In the case of Th(IV)-malonate, multiple species (ML
j
, j=1–3) were revealed from the potentiometric data, while in the case of higher homologues, the data for only 1:1 complex could be obtained owing to precipitation at higher ligand concentration. The effect of chain length on the thermodynamic parameters of Th(IV)-dicarboxylate complexation was studied. All the complexation reactions were found to be highly entropy driven, which is the characteristic of the hard acid (metal ion) and hard base (ligand) interactions. The TΔS
c values for 1:1 complexes were found to be nearly constant while the ΔH
c values increased from malonate to glutarate and then leveled off in adipate. The thermodynamic data of Th(IV) have been compared with corresponding data for U(VI) and rare earths.
Injection Site and Risk of Medically Attended Local Reactions to Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
Authors: Jackson Lisa A. , Yu Onchee , Nelson Jennifer C. , Dominguez Clara , Peterson Do , Baxter Roger , Hambidge Simon J. , Naleway Allison L. , Belongia Edward A. , Nordin James D. , Baggs James ,   for the Vaccine Safety Datalink Team
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether the risk of medically attended local reactions to the fifth dose of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine varies according to injection site (arm versus thigh).

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged 4 through 6 years in the Vaccine Safety Datalink population who received a DTaP vaccination during the period from 2002 through 2006. Medically attended local reactions to the DTaP vaccine were presumptively identified from administrative data and were confirmed by medical record review.

RESULTS:

Among the 233 616 children in the study population, 1017 (0.4%) had a confirmed medically attended local reaction to the fifth dose of the DTaP vaccine. The rate of those reactions was significantly higher with vaccinations given in the arm (47.4 per 10 000 vaccinations) compared with vaccinations given in the thigh (32.1 per 10 000 vaccinations) (P < .001). In a multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender, and study site, children vaccinated in the arm had a 78% higher risk of a local reaction (relative risk: 1.78 [95% confidence interval: 1.43–2.21]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Local reactions to the fifth dose of the DTaP vaccine that require medical evaluation are uncommon, but the risk of those reactions is significantly higher when the vaccine is injected in the arm. These findings suggest that the thigh should be considered as an acceptable site of injection for this vaccination.
Transparent conductive carbon‐nanotube films directly coated onto flexible and rigid polycarbonate
Authors: Hecht David S. , Sierros Konstantinos A. , Lee Roland S. , Ladous Corinne , Niu Chunming , Banerjee Derrick A. , Cairns Darran R.
Published: February 2011

Abstract— Carbon nanotubes have quickly emerged over the last several years as a potential candidate material to replace metal oxides in devices which require transparent and conductive electrodes. Typically, these materials are coated onto substrates such as PET and PEN for flexible electrodes and glass for rigid electrodes. Recently, there has been interest in more durable and lightweight substrates to replace glass, one such substrate being polycarbonate. Sputter coating of indium tin oxide onto polycarbonate leads to low conductivity and inconsistent results, due to out‐gassing and materials mismatch issues. In this work, it is shown that direct coating of carbon nanotubes onto polycarbonate leads to high‐performance films with facile manufacturing.
Multi‐color LC/BL algorithm in field‐sequential‐color LCD for color‐breakup suppression
Authors: Huang Shao‐Chang , Chu Chun‐Li , Chiu Ta‐Liang , Chen Ke‐Horng
Published: February 2011

Abstract— The proposed liquid‐crystal and backlight (LC/BL) algorithm presents the dynamic field‐sequential‐color (D‐FSC) algorithm to reduce the color‐breakup (CBU) effect without greatly increasing the subframe rate. The D‐FSC algorithm can intelligently select one adequate color sequence from multiple color sequences according to the image data. In other words, the scope of CBU suppression of the proposed LC/BL algorithm is more extensive than other conventional FSCs. Simulation results show that the CBU suppression can be improved substantially by the proposed evaluation equation.
15‐in. RGBW panel using two‐stacked white OLED and color filters for large‐sized display applications
Authors: Han Chang‐Wook , Tak Yoon‐Heung , Ahn Byung‐Chul
Published: February 2011

Abstract— A 15‐in. HD panel employing two‐stacked WOLEDs and color filters for which the color gamut can be as high as 101.2% (CIE1976) and the power consumption is 5.22 W. The WOLEDs exhibit a current efficiency of 61.3 cd/A and a power efficiency of 30 lm/W at 1000 nits and their CIE coordinate is (0.340, 0.334). A 15‐in. RGBW panel was investigated to verify the electrical and optical performance compared to that of a 15‐in. RGB TV made by using FMM technology. The characteristics of the 15‐in. RGBW panel are comparable to those of the 15‐in. RGB panel. Color filters combined with WOLEDs is a possible patterning technology for large‐sized OLED TV, which surpasses the limits of fine‐metal‐mask technology.
Variation in resource consumption across a gradient of increasing intra‐ and interspecific richness
Authors: Hargrave Chad W. , Hambright K. David , Weider Lawrence J.
Published: February 2011

Based on the premise that ecosystems with more species will function at more efficient rates, declining biodiversity is expected to alter important ecosystem functions, goods, and services across the globe. However, applicability of this general hypothesis to genetic or clonal richness in assemblages composed of few species is understudied. This illustrates the need to expand the focus of biodiversity–ecosystem‐function experiments across all levels of biological diversity (including genetic). To explore this generality, we manipulated intraspecific (clonal) and interspecific (species) richness of a primary consumer, Daphnia, and measured assemblage feeding rate and total resource consumption. Our results showed that greater clonal richness had no effect on Daphnia feeding, and greater species richness decreased feeding‐related effects of Daphnia. This suggests that multiclonal Daphnia assemblages may be no more efficient at consuming resources than monocultures, and that monocultures of Daphnia may consume resources more efficiently than more species‐rich assemblages. The inhibitory effect of increasing richness observed in this study resulted from chemical and mechanical interference among some of the Daphnia taxa. This suggests that consumer‐mediated ecosystem functions could be reduced when assemblages include taxa equipped with adaptations for interference competition.
Overturning conclusions of Lévy flight movement patterns by fishing boats and foraging animals
Authors: Edwards Andrew M.
Published: February 2011

A surprisingly diverse variety of foragers have previously been concluded to exhibit movement patterns known as Lévy flights, a special type of random walk. These foragers range in size from microzooplankton in experiments to fishermen in the Pacific Ocean and the North Sea. The Lévy flight conclusion implies that all the foragers have similar scale‐free movement patterns that can be described by a single dimensionless parameter, the exponent μ of a power‐law (Pareto) distribution. However, the previous conclusions have been made using methods that have since been shown to be problematic: inaccurate techniques were used to estimate μ, and the power‐law distribution was usually assumed to hold without testing any alternative hypotheses.

Therefore, I address the open question of whether the previous data still support the Lévy flight hypothesis, and thus determine whether Lévy flights really are so ubiquitous in ecology. I present a comprehensive reanalysis of 17 data sets from seven previous studies for which Lévy flight behavior had been concluded, covering marine, terrestrial, and experimental systems from four continents. I use the modern likelihood and Akaike weights approach to test whether simple alternative models are more supported by the data than Lévy flights.

The previously estimated values of the power‐law exponent μ do not match those calculated here using the accurate likelihood approach, and almost all of them lie outside of the likelihood‐based 95% confidence intervals. Furthermore, the original power‐law Lévy flight model is overwhelmingly rejected for 16 out of the 17 data sets when tested against three other simple models. For one data set, the data are consistent with coming from a bounded power‐law distribution (a truncated Lévy flight). For three other data sets, an exponential distribution corresponding to a simple Poisson process is suitable. Thus, Lévy flight movement patterns are not the common phenomena that was once thought, and are not suitable for use as ecosystem indicators for fisheries management, as has been proposed.
Subjective evaluation of mental fatigue and characteristics of attention during a driving simulation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Gong Jingjing , Miao Danmin , Zhu Xia , Yang Yebing
Published: February 2011

Sixteen healthy taxi drivers comprised the sample in this study. A variety of attention and the Subjective Fatigue Symptom Questionnaire (Hideki, Masaya, & Heihachiro, 1999) were recorded before and after their 6-hour driving simulation. For comparison, the drivers' attention and
fatigue levels were measured again on their days off. It can be concluded that, under the condition of driving simulation, drivers' attention was damaged by fatigue before they perceived it.
Job stress and job performance among employees in the Taiwanese finance sector: The role of emotional intelligence
Authors: Wu Yu-Chi
Published: February 2011

Prior empirical research findings regarding the relationship between job stress and job performance are inconsistent. It was argued in this study that one reason for these inconsistent results may be an existing moderating effect. Stress does not always result directly from the source
of pressure itself, but rather from the perception of that pressure. Therefore, individual difference variables (e.g., emotional intelligence) that might relate to that perception should also be considered. The effects of emotional intelligence on the relationship between job stress and job
performance were investigated with a sample of employees in the Taiwanese finance sector. The results indicated that emotional intelligence had a positive impact on job performance and moderated this relationship. In this respect, highly emotionally intelligent employees are more likely than
are low emotional intelligence employees to be able to reduce or transform the potential negative effects of job stress on job performance. The results of this study clarify knowledge of stress effects and, thus, the usefulness of stress management practices can be improved and enhanced.
The prosocial and moral character of the spiritual leader
Authors: Huang Yueh-Chuen , Shih Hui-Chuan
Published: February 2011

Using a case study the authors explored a spiritual leader's value differences, focusing on his prosocial orientation and moral character by using the Q-sort template-matching technique (Bem & Allen, 1974). Using 511 employees working in the company as the experimental control group,
the researchers found that the spiritual leader's value system was very different from all others. Results demonstrate that a spiritual leader's values are more prosocial and concerned with morality compared to the control group's material and practical values. Also, through the same case
study, the trends for the industry of department stores.
University staff performance evaluation systems, organizational learning, and organizational identification in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Hsing-Kuo , Tseng Jung-Feng , Yen Yu-Fang , Huang Ing-Chung
Published: February 2011

We tested a model of performance evaluation systems, organizational identification, and organizational learning with a sample of staff at Taiwan's national universities and found that performance evaluation systems have a positive effect on both organizational learning and organizational
identification. In addition, organizational learning has a positive effect on organizational identification. The mediating effect of organizational learning was also found to be significant.
Are the Shau people in Taiwan of Dutch descent?
Authors: Tu Chin-Jung , Tsai Bi-Kun , Chang Shu-Chun
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the culture and origins of the Shau Aborigines of Sun Moon Lake in Central Taiwan are examined. Conclusions presented in this article depend on clues from documents and long-term observation, that reveal that the characteristics of the Shau Aborigines are quite different
from those of other aboriginal inhabitants of Taiwan. They lived on islands for a long time, were good at trading, and had a high material living standard, versatile language, and facial features similar to Western people. It is assumed from many reasonable interpretations of questions concerning
their cultural characteristics that they may be descended from Dutch preachers and their families in Shaulon, Tainan, who married local Pingpu Aborigines. The Shau fled from Soulang when Zheng Chen-Kung (also known as Coxinja) attacked in 1661, moving to Mattauw, then to Dorcko, Tilaossen,
and finally to Lehyee, the territory of Chou Aborigines, where they settled at Laichi for a time. When they discovered Sun Moon Lake, they moved to its island where they are today.
Teachers' perceptions of self-efficacy, English proficiency, and instructional strategies
Authors: Yilmaz Cevdet
Published: February 2011

The main purpose in the study was to examine the efficacy beliefs of Turkish EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers. Teachers' perceptions of their teaching efficacy regarding personal capabilities to teach English and their self-reported English proficiency level were also investigated.
The data were collected through a survey completed by 54 teachers. Results indicated that teachers' perceived efficacy was correlated with their self-reported English proficiency, and that teachers' efficacy for instructional strategies was greater than their efficacy for management and engagement.
The study provides useful insights into the need to help teachers develop their language proficiency that, in turn, has relevance for their perceived self-efficacy.
Words coding set partitions
Authors: Oliver Kamilla , Prodinger Helmut
Published: February 2011

The words in the title are characterized by the fact that a smaller number
must (first) appear earlier than a larger number, and that all numbers 1,...,
k are present (for some k). Under the assumption that the letters are drawn
from a geometric distribution, the probability that a word of length n enjoys
these properties is determined, both exactly and asymptotically.
Bipartite subgraphs and the signless Laplacian matrix
Authors: Kirkland Steve , Paul Debdas
Published: February 2011

For a connected graph G, we derive tight inequalities relating the smallest
signless Laplacian eigenvalue to the largest normalized Laplacian eigenvalue.
We investigate how vectors yielding small values of the Rayleigh quotient for
the signless Laplacian matrix can be used to identify bipartite subgraphs.
Our results are applied to some graphs with degree sequences approximately
following a power law distribution with exponent value 2:1 (scale-free
networks), and to a scale-free network arising from protein-protein
interaction.