bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical characterization of corrosion products of copper and its alloys on stained stone surfaces
Authors: Macchia A. , Laurenzi Tabasso M. , Salvi A. M. , Sammartino M. P. , Mangialardo Sara , Dore P. , Postorino P.
Published: January 2013

Monuments, where stone and metals or metallic alloys are used together, are very frequently met in all historical periods and in all countries. In the case of bronze and other copper alloys, their corrosion products can be dissolved by the action of acid rain and thus reach the porous building materials in contact with (or near to) the metallic structures. Once absorbed by the stone, they precipitate on the external stone surface and inside its porous space. As the majority of these products are coloured, their precipitates may produce stains, which are perceived as unpleasant alterations of the original ‘values’ of the stone monuments. The removal of stains is therefore required on the occasion of conservation treatments. The paper reports on the characterisation of copper corrosion products found on two, very different, monuments in Rome: ‘Fontana delle Tartarughe’ (by T. Landini, last quarter of the 16th century) and ‘Statua dello Studente’ (by A. Cataldi, 1920). To identify the speciation of copper compounds in their carbonate matrices, different techniques [X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, SEM/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), micro‐Raman and XPS] had to be employed. To further confirm the identification of the chemical species, SEM/EDS data were also processed by principal component analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization of a Non‐preserved Cadaver to Address Deficiencies in Technical Skills During the Third Year of Medical School: A Cadaver Model for Teaching Technical Skills
Authors: Kaplan Stephen J. , Carroll Joseph T. , Nematollahi Saman , Chuu Andy , Adamas‐Rappaport William , Ong Evan
Published: January 2013

Background

Emergency technical procedures performed by medical students have decreased in the last decade. An Emergency Surgical Skills Laboratory (ESSL) using a non‐preserved cadaver was developed in response to address this deficiency.

Methods

A total of 232 students rotating through a 6‐week surgery clerkship participated in the ESSL from 1 July 2008 to 1 July 2011. Two four‐hour sessions using case‐based trauma scenarios in the ESSL served as a model for procedural instruction. Skills taught included basic suturing, intubation, cricothyrotomy, chest tube placement, thoracentesis, venous access, central line, and radial arterial line placement.

Results

Students noted that technical proficiency in suturing was obtained during the ESSL sessions in comparison to the emergency department or operating room (p < 0.001) during the 6‐week clerkship. During the 6‐week rotation only 12 % of students participated in chest tube insertion, 5 % central venous line placement, and 14 % femoral vein blood draw. Finally, 90 % of respondents reported increased understanding and comfort in regard to trauma resuscitation following the ESSL.

Conclusions

Technical procedural proficiency has become increasingly difficult to obtain in medical school due to multifactorial limitations. The ESSL provides an opportunity for developing technical skills needed for emergency situations not otherwise provided during the surgical clerkship.
Combinatorial models of expanding dynamical systems
Authors: NEKRASHEVYCH VOLODYMYR
Published: January 2013

We prove homotopical rigidity of expanding dynamical systems, by showing that they are determined by a group-theoretic invariant. We use this to show that the Julia set of every expanding dynamical system is an inverse limit of simplicial complexes constructed by inductive cut-and-paste rules. Moreover, the cut-and-paste rules can be found algorithmically from the algebraic invariant.
Specific antibody responses against Neospora caninum recombinant rNcGRA7, rNcSAG4, rNcBSR4 and rNcSRS9 proteins are correlated with virulence in mice
Authors: JIMÉNEZ-RUIZ ELENA , BECH-SÀBAT GREGORI , ÁLVAREZ-GARCÍA GEMA , REGIDOR-CERRILLO JAVIER , HINOJAL-CAMPAÑA LAURA , ORTEGA-MORA LUIS M.
Published: January 2013

The intraspecific diversity of Neospora caninum is a determinant for in vivo parasite virulence and in vitro parasite behaviour. The relationship between isolate virulence and specific antibody responses against key parasite proteins has not been well characterized. The response kinetics and the differences in specific anti-rNcGRA7, -rNcSAG4, -rNcBSR4 and -rNcSRS9 antibody levels were analysed by recombinant protein-based ELISA in groups of mice inoculated with 10 different N. caninum isolates that differ in their virulence. The majority of the virulence parameters analysed correlated with the specific antibody levels against the 4 recombinant proteins. The antibodies developed against the highly immunogenic protein NcGRA7 were significantly higher in mice inoculated with high virulence isolates than in those inoculated with low-to-moderate virulence isolates in both non-pregnant and pregnant mouse models. Moreover, these levels were correlated with the anti-N. caninum IgG1 and IgG2a responses and the in vitro tachyzoite yield at 56 h. The antibodies directed against the bradyzoite-specific proteins were not detected in a non-pregnant mouse model. However, some seropositive mice were found in groups inoculated with high virulence isolates in a pregnant mouse model. NcGRA7 and NcSAG4 are proteins clearly correlated with virulence, and to a lesser extent NcBSR4 and NcSRS9 proteins. Moreover, antibodies to bradyzoite-specific proteins appear to also be related to virulence in mice. Further analyses should be performed in order to verify the usefulness of these proteins as predictive markers for virulence in an experimental bovine model of neosporosis.
When they don't bite, we smell money: understanding malaria bednet misuse
Authors: HONJO KEITA , CHAVES LUIS FERNANDO , SATAKE AKIKO , KANEKO AKIRA , MINAKAWA NOBORU
Published: January 2013

Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a major tool to control malaria. Over recent years increased ITN coverage has been associated with decreased malaria transmission. However, ITN ‘misuse’ has been increasingly reported and whether this emergent behaviour poses a threat to successful malaria control and elimination is an open question. Here, we use a game theory mathematical model to understand the possible roles of poverty and malaria infection protection by individual and emerging ‘community effects’ on the ‘misuse’ of malaria bednets. We compare model predictions with data from our studies in Lake Victoria Islands (LVI), Kenya and Aneityum, Vanuatu. Our model shows that alternative ITN use is likely to emerge in impoverished populations and could be exacerbated if ITNs become ineffective or when large ‘community effects’ emerge. Our model predicted patterns of ITN use similar to the observed in LVI, where ‘misuse’ is common and the high ITN use in Aneityum, more than 20 years after malaria elimination in 1990. We think that observed differences in ITN use may be shaped by different degrees of economic and social development, and educational components of the Aneityum elimination, where traditional cooperative attitudes were strengthened with the malaria elimination intervention and post-elimination surveillance.
Supporting Fathers in Multi-Ethnic Societies: Insights from British Asian Fathers
Authors: CHOWBEY PUNITA , SALWAY SARAH , CLARKE LYNDA
Published: January 2013

There is concern that current UK policy and intervention aimed at supporting fathers remains primarily informed by dominant White middle-class values and experiences, and therefore fails to respond adequately to the needs of Britain's diverse fathers. This paper contributes to understanding of ethnic diversity in fathering contexts, practices and experiences, by reporting findings from a qualitative study of British Asian fathers, involving in-depth interviews with fifty-nine fathers and thirty-three mothers from Bangladeshi Muslim, Pakistani Muslim, Gujarati Hindu and Punjabi Sikh background, and over eight additional respondents engaged through Key Informant interviews, ethnographic interviews and group discussions. The paper highlights four areas that require greater recognition by policy-makers and practitioners to appropriately meet the needs of fathers from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. These are: recognising that fathers and mothers do not necessarily constitute an autonomous unit; appreciating diversity in fathers’ understandings of desirable child outcomes; addressing additional obstacles to achieving similar outcomes for children; and understanding that the boundaries and content of fathering are not universally recognised. Policies that are less normative and more responsive to diversity are essential to ensure that all fathers can be effectively supported.
Bilingual call centers at the US-Mexico border: Location and linguistic markers of exploitability
Authors: Alarcón Amado , Heyman Josiah McC.
Published: January 2013

Bilingual call centers in El Paso, Texas, an extensively bilingual US-Mexico border setting, provide a valuable opportunity to examine empirically what occurs with respect to language shift reversal of Spanish in the context of new information economy. Interviews were conducted with thirty-nine call center operators and managers, and twelve translators and interpreters. Call centers provide an important occupational performance of and recognition to the Spanish language. Nevertheless, bilingual call centers mainly rely on uncompensated, socially provided language skills in Spanish, a freely available “heritage language” in the border setting. Spanish is not valued as a technical competency, worth specific attention to training, management of language features, and extra compensation. Bilingualism is used in the labor market as a sign of cheap and flexible labor, rather than as economically and socially valued “skill,” even though in the new information workplace it serves the latter role. (Call centers, new economy, language and workplace, bilingualism, Spanish, borders)*
Chaotic Ising-like dynamics in traffic signals
Authors: Suzuki Hideyuki , Imura Jun-ichi , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: January 2013

The green and red lights of a traffic signal can be viewed as the up and down states of an Ising spin. Moreover, traffic signals in a city interact with each other, if they are controlled in a decentralised way. In this paper, a simple model of such interacting signals on a finite-size two-dimensional lattice is shown to have Ising-like dynamics that undergoes a ferromagnetic phase transition. Probabilistic behaviour of the model is realised by chaotic billiard dynamics that arises from coupled non-chaotic elements. This purely deterministic model is expected to serve as a starting point for considering statistical mechanics of traffic signals.
A hybrid neutron diffraction and computer simulation study on the solvation of N-methylformamide in dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: Cordeiro João M. M. , Soper Alan K.
Published: January 2013

The solvation of N-methylformamide (NMF) by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in a 20% NMF/DMSO liquid mixture is investigated using a combination of neutron diffraction augmented with isotopic substitution and Monte Carlo simulations. The aim is to investigate the solute-solvent interactions and the structure of the solution. The results point to the formation of a hydrogen bond (H-bond) between the H bonded to the N of the amine group of NMF and the O of DMSO particularly strong when compared with other H-bonded liquids. Moreover, a second cooperative H-bond is identified with the S atom of DMSO. As a consequence of these H-bonds, molecules of NMF and DMSO are rather rigidly connected, establishing very stable dimmers in the mixture and very well organized first and second solvation shells.
Simulating rare events using a weighted ensemble-based string method
Authors: Adelman Joshua L. , Grabe Michael
Published: January 2013

We introduce an extension to the weighted ensemble (WE) path sampling method to restrict sampling to a one-dimensional path through a high dimensional phase space. Our method, which is based on the finite-temperature string method, permits efficient sampling of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. Sampling obtained from the WE method guides the adaptive refinement of a Voronoi tessellation of order parameter space, whose generating points, upon convergence, coincide with the principle reaction pathway. We demonstrate the application of this method to several simple, two-dimensional models of driven Brownian motion and to the conformational change of the nitrogen regulatory protein C receiver domain using an elastic network model. The simplicity of the two-dimensional models allows us to directly compare the efficiency of the WE method to conventional brute force simulations and other path sampling algorithms, while the example of protein conformational change demonstrates how the method can be used to efficiently study transitions in the space of many collective variables.
Coherent control of radiationless transitions: Simultaneous excitation and decay of overlapping resonances
Authors: Grinev Timur , Shapiro Moshe , Brumer Paul
Published: January 2013

We develop a simple analytical theory for the study of coherent control of radiationless transitions, and in particular, internal conversion leading to dissociation, in molecules possessing overlapping resonances. The method is applied to a model diatomic system. In contrast to previous studies, we consider here the control of a molecule that is allowed to decay during and after the preparation process. We use this theory to derive the shape of the laser pulse that creates the specific excited wave packet that best enhances or suppresses the radiationless transitions process. The results show the importance of resonance overlap in the molecule in order to achieve efficient coherent control over radiationless transitions via laser excitation. Specifically, resonance overlap is proven to be crucial in order to alter interference contributions to the controlled observable, and hence to achieve efficient coherent control by varying the phase of the laser field.
Exploring electric field induced structural evolution of water clusters, (H2O)n [n = 9–20]: Density functional approach
Authors: Rai Dhurba , Kulkarni Anant D. , Gejji Shridhar P. , Bartolotti Libero J. , Pathak Rajeev K.
Published: January 2013

Response of neutral water clusters (H2O)n, n = 9–20, to external uniform dipolar static electric fields is studied for some lowest-energy conformers for each “n” within an energy band of about 9 kcal mol−1 of their field-free counterparts. We perform density functional theory computations with B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) model chemistry. Increasing the electric field destabilizes and distorts a cluster by elongating, hence weakening its hydrogen bonds, culminating into a catastrophic structural breakdown beyond a specific threshold field-strength. The electric field induced conformational transitions to extended structures stretched along the field direction to lower-energy configurations that appear as local minima on their potential energy surface are presented. It is observed that a typical structural transition of this type is always accompanied by an abrupt increase in the electric dipole moment of the cluster over and above its smooth increment with increasing applied field; the increase being phenomenal during breakdown. Interestingly, the HOMO-LUMO energy gap for a given conformer is found to diminish with increasing field strength, abruptly approaching zero at structural breakdown. In essence, the structural evolution traced through hydrogen-bond networks of the clusters reveals multiple enhancements in size by “opening up” of three-dimensional morphologies to form net-like structures with less number of hydrogen bonds. These clusters exhibit greater structural complexity than that encountered in the relatively small clusters reported previously.
Growth of M-type hexaferrite thin films with conical magnetic structure
Authors: Borisov P. , Alaria J. , Yang T. , McMitchell S. R. C. , Rosseinsky M. J.
Published: January 2013

Thin films of the M-type hexaferrite, BaFe10.2Sc1.8O19, have been grown on Al2O3 (00.1) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Post-deposition annealing improves the structural quality and produces completely relaxed thin films. The post-annealed films show magnetic behavior corresponding to a conical magnetic structure, which is required to establish the magnetoelectric effect in hexaferrites. The magnetic phase diagram has been obtained from hard magnetization curves. Finite-size effects due to the restricted length scale of the magnetic helix explain differences in magnetic properties between thin films and the bulk.
Electrical and chemical characteristics of probe-induced two-dimensional SiOx protrusion layers
Authors: Lin Jin-Han , Chiu Hsien-Che , Lin Yu-Rong , Wen Teng-Kai , Patil Ranjit A. , Devan Rupesh S. , Chen Chia-Hao , Shiu Hung-Wei , Liou Yung , Ma Yuan-Ron
Published: January 2013

Three two-dimensional SiOx (x ≡ O/Si content ratio and x > 2) protrusion layers of ∼0.5, ∼4, and ∼6 nm high were induced on a native SiO2 layer by atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) was used to reveal the elemental quantity of the photoelectrons, Si 2p core-levels, and Si oxidation states in the three SiOx protrusion layers and native SiO2 layer. Pt-coated conductive AFM probes were also exploited to acquire the rectifying current-voltage (IV) characteristics of the three SiOx protrusion layers and the native SiO2 layer, indicating all the three SiOx protrusion layers to be good Schottky diodes.
Experimental determination of electron-hole pair creation energy in 4H-SiC epitaxial layer: An absolute calibration approach
Authors: Chaudhuri Sandeep K. , Zavalla Kelvin J. , Mandal Krishna C.
Published: January 2013

Electron-hole pair creation energy (ε) has been determined from alpha spectroscopy using 4H-SiC epitaxial layer Schottky detectors and a pulser calibration technique. We report an experimentally obtained ε value of 7.28 eV in 4H-SiC. The obtained ε value and theoretical models were used to calculate a Fano factor of 0.128 for 5.48 MeV alpha particles. The contributions of different factors to the ultimate alpha peak broadening in pulse-height spectra were determined using the calculated ε value and Monte-Carlo simulations. The determined ε value was verified using a drift-diffusion model of variation of charge collection efficiency with applied bias.
Anisotropic strained cubic MgZnO/MgO multiple-quantum-well nanorods: Growths and optical properties
Authors: Wang Lei , Ma Jiangang , Xu Haiyang , Zhang Cen , Li Xinghua , Liu Yichun
Published: January 2013

In present study, [110]-oriented cubic phase Mg0.21Zn0.79O/MgO biaxial strained multiple-quantum-well (MQW) nanorods were grown on Al2O3 (101¯0) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique. In spite of the large lattice mismatch between Mg0.21Zn0.79O and MgO layers, coherent epitaxial growths of cubic Mg0.21Zn0.79O /MgO MQWs have been realized in each nanorod structure, which has been confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. A quasi-Stranski-Krastanov (SK) growth mode was exploited to describe the growth of the MQW nanorods. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that in-plane compressive stress not only converts low Mg-content MgZnO alloys in an anomalous rocksalt (RS) phase but also broadens the band gaps of RS-MgZnO/MgO MQWs into the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) range. Our results indicate that RS-MgZnO/MgO MQW structures have potential applications in UV and DUV optoelectronic devices.
Optical and electrical simulations of two-junction III-V nanowires on Si solar cell
Authors: Bu Shaojiang , Li Xinhua , Wen Long , Zeng Xuesong , Zhao Yufeng , Wang Wenbo , Wang Yuqi
Published: January 2013

A coupled optoelectronic simulation was used to theoretically assess the performance of core-shell GaInP nanowires array (NWA)/Si thin-film two-junction solar cell. Outstanding light harvesting rooted from the strong light trapping and the formation of Fabry-Pérot optical cavity in the NWA enables the cell to produce high photocurrent. From the detailed balance calculation, above 32% of efficiency could be obtained at the current matching geometries. Coupled optoelectronic simulation shows that current matching can be easily achieved even under relatively high recombination rate. A promising efficiency of 27.1% is obtained for the proposed cell with appropriate nanowires surface passivation.
Autler-Townes splitting and quantum confined Stark effect of sideband peak in asymmetric double quantum wells
Authors: Hong-wei Wu , Xian-wu Mi , Yong-gang Huang , Ke-hui Song
Published: January 2013

Optical absorption is investigated by self-consistent density matrix approach in asymmetric double quantum wells driven by an intense terahertz field and a direct current electric field polarized along the growth direction. Rich nonlinear dynamic behaviors of sideband absorption peaks are systematically studied in undoped asymmetric double quantum wells. When only in presence of a resonant terahertz field, the Autler-Townes splitting of the sideband peaks becomes pronounced with increasing the strength of the terahertz field. Quantum confined Stark effect of sideband peaks is discussed when an invariant terahertz field and a direct current electric field are simultaneously applied to the quantum well. It is shown that the sideband peaks of the 1s main absorption peak undergo a red-shift and the sideband peaks of the 2s main absorption peak undergo a blue-shift with increasing intensity of the direct current electric field. The presented results have potential applications in electro-optical devices.
Extended X-ray absorption fine structure study of Gd doped ZrO2 systems
Authors: Basu S. , Varma Salil , Shirsat A. N. , Wani B. N. , Bharadwaj S. R. , Chakrabarti Aparna , Jha S. N. , Bhattacharyya D.
Published: January 2013

ZrO2 samples with 7%, 9%, 11%, and 13% Gd doping have been prepared by co-precipitation route followed by high temperature sintering for potential application as high conductivity electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells. The samples have been characterised by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy measurement around Gd L3 edge with Synchrotron radiation. The EXAFS spectra have been analysed to find out relevant local structure parameters of the Gd-O and Gd-Gd(Zr) shells, viz., bond distances, co-ordination numbers, and disorder parameters. The results were explained in the light of our earlier propositions from EXAFS measurements on the samples at Zr edge that Gd doping creates oxygen vacancies near the Zr sites and doping ∼9% is optimum for generation of oxygen vacancies in the ZrO2 matrix. The experimental results have also been corroborated by ab-initio first principle calculations of the energetics of the systems.
Pyroelectric behavior and thermally stimulated processes in niobium modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Peláiz-Barranco A. , Garcia-Wong A. C. , González-Abreu Y. , Guerra J. D. S.
Published: January 2013

The thermally stimulated processes in niobium modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric system are analyzed from the thermally stimulated depolarization current. Different theoretical models are considered to evaluate the i-T experimental data. The results are associated with the space charge, the pyroelectric response, and the electrical conduction mechanism related to the oxygen vacancies. The results for the pyroelectric contribution are discussed considering the niobium concentration.
Photoluminescence study of Zn-doped wurtzite InP core-shell nanowires
Authors: Wallentin Jesper , Borgström Magnus T. , Samuelson Lars , Ekawa Mitsuru , Kawaguchi Kenichi
Published: January 2013

In situ Zn doping of InP shells on nanowires in the wurtzite crystal structure has been investigated using diethyl zinc (DEZn) as a precursor. Photoluminescence measurements of single nanowires unexpectedly exhibit an acceptor-related peak at room temperature, in contrast to thin films grown at identical conditions. This peak is observable even using low DEZn molar fractions, which indicates efficient Zn incorporation at the InP wurtzite facets. The spectra indicate a 52 meV binding energy for the Zn acceptor in wurtzite, which is higher than that of bulk zinc blende. These results demonstrate that in situ Zn doping of wurtzite InP nanowire shells can be achieved.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering effect of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots hybridized with Au nanowire
Authors: Lee Yong-baek , Ho Lee Seok , Lee Sunmi , Lee Hyunsoo , Kim Jeongyong , Joo Jinsoo
Published: January 2013

Functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were attached to the surface of Au nanowire (NW). Analysis of optical absorption spectra disclosed surface plasmon bands of Au NWs at 562 and 627 nm and showing an overlap with the QD absorption band. Micro Raman spectra (λex = 514 nm) of the QDs/Au single NW exhibited surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peaks at 180, 205, and 277 cm−1, corresponding to surface, longitudinal, and transverse optical phonon modes, respectively. From time-resolved fluorescence spectra, the exciton lifetime of QDs decreased after hybridization with Au NW due to the energy transfer, supporting the SERS effect.
Probing viscosity of nanoliter droplets of butterfly saliva by magnetic rotational spectroscopy
Authors: Tokarev Alexander , Kaufman Bethany , Gu Yu , Andrukh Taras , Adler Peter H. , Kornev Konstantin G.
Published: January 2013

Magnetic rotational spectroscopy was employed for rheological analysis of nanoliter droplets of butterfly saliva. Saliva viscosity of butterflies is 4–5 times greater than that of water and similar to that of 30%–40% sucrose solutions at 25 °C. Hence, viscosity stratification would not be expected when butterflies feed on nectar with 30%–40% sugar concentrations. We did not observe any viscoelastic effects or non-Newtonian behavior of saliva droplets. Thus, butterfly saliva is significantly different rheologically from that of humans, which demonstrates a viscoelastic behavior.
Synthesis and enhanced nonlinear optical properties of graphene/CdS organic glass
Authors: Ouyang Qiuyun , Yu Hailong , Xu Zheng , Zhang Yue , Li Chunyan , Qi Lihong , Chen Yujin
Published: January 2013

Graphene/CdS (G/CdS) nanocomposite was first fabricated by a hydrothermal method. G/CdS nanocomposite was then dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for preparation of organic glass by a casting method. The G/CdS/PMMA organic glass exhibits enhanced nonlinear optical (NLO) properties compared to G/PMMA and CdS/PMMA organic glass. Moreover, NLO properties of the G/CdS/PMMA organic glass can be controlled by adjusting the addition amount of G/CdS nanocomposite in PMMA. Our results demonstrate that the G/CdS/PMMA organic glass is very promising for optical devices, such as optical limiters and optical switch.
Separating poroviscoelastic deformation mechanisms in hydrogels
Authors: Strange Daniel G. T. , Fletcher Timothy L. , Tonsomboon Khaow , Brawn Helen , Zhao Xuanhe , Oyen Michelle L.
Published: January 2013

Hydrogels have applications in drug delivery, mechanical actuation, and regenerative medicine. When hydrogels are deformed, load-relaxation arising from fluid flow—poroelasticity—and from rearrangement of the polymer network—viscoelasticity—is observed. The physical mechanisms are different in that poroelastic relaxation varies with experimental length-scale while viscoelastic does not. Here, we show that poroviscoelastic load-relaxation is the product of the two individual responses. The difference in length-scale dependence of the two mechanisms can be exploited to uniquely determine poroviscoelastic properties from simultaneous analysis of multi-scale indentation experiments, providing insight into hydrogel physical behavior.
Two-photon-absorption photodiodes in Si photonic-crystal slow-light waveguides
Authors: Hayakawa Ryo , Ishikura Norihiro , Nguyen Hong C. , Baba Toshihiko
Published: January 2013

We demonstrate two-photon-absorption photodiodes in Si photonic-crystal waveguides, which shows wideband low-dispersion slow light. The device was fabricated on SOI substrate by CMOS-compatible process. The responsivity was improved by higher group indexes of slow light up to 0.052 A/W for pulses at wavelengths around 1550 nm with a 2.7 ps width and sub-watt peak powers. We applied this device to an optical correlator and dispersion detector. In the former, the correlation waveforms of 0.7−10 ps pulses were observed with small errors. In the latter, photocurrents inversely proportional to the pulse width were detected.
Total cellular glycomics allows characterizing cells and streamlining the discovery process for cellular biomarkers
Authors: Fujitani Naoki , Furukawa Jun-ichi , Araki Kayo , Fujioka Tsuyoshi , Takegawa Yasuhiro , Piao Jinhua , Nishioka Taiki , Tamura Tomohiro , Nikaido Toshio , Ito Makoto , Nakamura Yukio , Shinohara Yasuro
Published: January 2013

Although many of the frequently used pluripotency biomarkers are glycoconjugates, a glycoconjugate-based exploration of novel cellular biomarkers has proven difficult due to technical difficulties. This study reports a unique approach for the systematic overview of all major classes of oligosaccharides in the cellular glycome. The proposed method enabled mass spectrometry–based structurally intensive analyses, both qualitatively and quantitatively, of cellularN- andO-linked glycans derived from glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, and glycosphingolipids, as well as free oligosaccharides of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and various human cells derived from normal and carcinoma cells. Cellular total glycomes were found to be highly cell specific, demonstrating their utility as unique cellular descriptors. Structures of glycans of all classes specifically observed in hESCs and hiPSCs tended to be immature in general, suggesting the presence of stem cell–specific glycosylation spectra. The current analysis revealed the high similarity of the total cellular glycome between hESCs and hiPSCs, although it was suggested that hESCs are more homogeneous than hiPSCs from a glycomic standpoint. Notably, this study enabled a priori identification of known pluripotency biomarkers such as SSEA-3, -4, and -5 and Tra-1–60/81, as well as a panel of glycans specifically expressed by hESCs and hiPSCs.
Monitoring the fishing process in the sea urchin diving fishery of Galicia
Authors: Fernández-Boán María , Freire Juan , Parma Ana M. , Fernández Luis , Orensanz José M.
Published: January 2013

Fernández-Boán, M., Freire, J., Parma, A. M., Fernández, L., and Orensanz, J. M. 2013. Monitoring the fishing process in the sea urchin diving fishery of Galicia – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 604–617. The assessment and management of small-scale benthic fisheries requires attention to the spatial structure of stocks and patterns of effort allocation. Spatial information helps in the interpretation of fisheries data, and is required for designing spatially explicit management strategies, often prescribed in the case of benthic fisheries. Monitoring of boats with GPS, combined with port interviews, was evaluated as an approach to investigate the spatial pattern of fishing intensity and catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) diving fishery from Galicia, Spain. Fishing opportunities (FOs), relatively small regions of high fishing intensity, were identified and mapped at a fine scale. New FOs were first visited at an approximately constant rate. Concentration analysis shows that effort intensity was not uniformly distributed within FOs. CPUE did not exhibit a significant trend throughout the season, either at the scale of the aggregated fishery or within individual FOs. Catch per area and area covered per unit of diving time were inversely related, indicating that fishers stay longer in high-density patches. While abundance is the primary driver of effort allocation, other factors contributing to suitability were identified. Based on these results, we discuss realistic options for the monitoring of this and comparable fisheries.
A Public Program to Evaluate Commercial Soybean Cultivars for Pathogen and Pest Resistance
Authors: Chawla Shilpi , Bowen Charles R. , Slaminko Tara L. , Hobbs Houston A. , Hartman Glen L.
Published: January 2013

The soybean crop is one of the most important crops worldwide, as the seeds are used for both protein meal and vegetable oil. Soybean acreage covers an estimated 6% of the arable land in the world, and since the 1970s, soybean has had the highest percent increase of hectares in production compared to any other major crop. As demand for soybean continues to rise, the production area and worldwide trade are likely to increase. Biotic constraints, such as pathogens, pests, and weeds, can be detrimental to soybean production, causing significant negative impacts to yield. To successfully reduce losses caused by pathogens and pests, various practices such as cultural and seed sanitation techniques, pesticide applications, and deployment of resistance are used. For many years, public institutions have conducted regional yield trials on both private and public sector soybean cultivars. In Illinois, the University of Illinois Variety Testing Program created a public database for growers. Prompted in part by disease reports on cultivars entered into the Variety Testing Program, the Illinois Soybean Association began providing funds in 1998 to obtain additional information from regional trials to benefit growers in the state. The researchers in the Soybean Variety Testing Program conduct replicated field trials and evaluate these plots for agronomic characteristics such as height, lodging, maturity, and yield. In addition to standard yield trial data, protein and oil content are analyzed.
New crosslinkers for electrospun chitosan fibre mats. Part II: mechanical properties
Authors: Donius Amalie E. , Kiechel Marjorie A. , Schauer Caroline L. , Wegst Ulrike G. K.
Published: January 2013

Few studies exist on the mechanical performance of crosslinked electrospun chitosan (CS) fibre mats. In this study, we show that the mat structure and mechanical performance depend on the different crosslinking agents genipin, epichlorohydrin (ECH), and hexamethylene-1,6-diaminocarboxysulphonate (HDACS), as well as the post-electrospinning heat and base activation treatments. The mat structure was imaged by field emission scanning electron microscopy and the mechanical performance was tested in tension. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, strain at failure and work to failure were found to range from 52 to 592 MPa, 2 to 30 MPa, 2 to 31 per cent and 0.041 to 3.26 MJ m
−3
, respectively. In general, neat CS mats were found to be the stiffest and the strongest, though least ductile, while CS–ECH mats were the least stiff, weakest, but the most ductile, and CS–HDACS fibre mats exhibited intermediary mechanical properties. The mechanical performance of the mats is shown to reflect differences in the fibre diameter, number of fibre–fibre contacts formed within the mat, as well as varying intermolecular bonding and moisture content. The findings reported here complement the chemical properties of the mats, described in part I of this study.
Crop diversification and technical efficiency in food crop production
Authors: Ogundari Kolawole
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the trends in crop diversification (CD) while examining its impact on the technical efficiency of peasant farmers in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the Herfindahl and Ogive indices to compute the diversification indices and the stochastic frontier production model (SFPM) to estimate the technical efficiency (TE) level of the farms using unbalanced panel data covering three farming seasons (2006/2007 to 2008/2009).

Findings

The results of both the Herfindahl and Ogive indices showed that cropping pattern increased significantly with the intensification of crop diversification in the study across the three seasons. The result of the SFPM shows evidence of decreasing returns‐to‐scale and technical progress in the food crop production in the region. Education, extension, and CD are identified as efficiency increasing policy variables while an average TE level of about 81 percent was obtained from the analysis.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, this the very first study that employs panel data to analyze technical efficiency of farms in Nigeria.
Evidence based commissioning: calculating shift potentials for paediatric services
Authors: Barnes Katie , Longfield Philip , Jones Katie , Littlemore Gill , McDonough Claire , McIntyre Archie , Robertson Jo , Turton Neil , Urdhin Kevin , McLaughlin Melanie
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the new arrangements for commissioning services in the English NHS can facilitate innovations in service delivery leading to improvements in outcomes and cost effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses cost modelling based upon the Hospital Episodes Statistics compiled by the NHS Information Centre to calculate recent expenditure upon treatment of routine childhood illnesses managed as short stay hospital admissions, and then uses a case study of a children's walk‐in centre to show how an alternative service can be provided, and a new service embedded in general practice to show a further alternative type of provision.

Findings

The study finds that large sums are currently being spent on inappropriate treatment of routine childhood conditions, especially in large urban conurbations. It demonstrates that in the case studies, the alternative provision can provide a viable and effective alternative.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based upon historical data by necessity. The new commissioning groups are not co‐located with the historical PCTs on which this study is based. The data are collected by providers and co‐ordinated by the NHS Information Centre. Therefore the investigators do not have control over the data quality. The second case study is a new service and therefore is used as an illustration of other service types.

Practical implications

This study suggests that paediatric ambulatory services can be provided at lower cost with better outcomes.

Social implications

This study provides the basis for a pilot study in Salford, where additional social benefits are targeted including better school attendance and increased self‐awareness over child health amongst local families.

Originality/value

The study provides quantitative evidence for commissioning alternative paediatric ambulatory services.
Application of artificial neural network for fuzzy logic based leanness assessment
Authors: Vimal K.E.K. , Vinodh Sekar
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a case study in which artificial neural network (ANN) has been used for performing fuzzy logic based leanness assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

Leanness is the measure of lean manufacturing practice. Fuzzy logic has been used for the calculation of leanness. To improve the effectiveness of computation, ANN tool has been used in this study. The network has been modeled, trained and simulated using the MATLAB software.

Findings

The disadvantages associated with the scoring method has been overcome by the deployment of fuzzy logic. The problem associated with manual computation has been overcome by the application of ANN. The simulated model has been validated by measuring the leanness level of the case organization.

Research limitations/implications

The case study has been carried out in a single electronic switches manufacturing organization. In the fuzzy logic approach, triangular fuzzy numbers are being used in the present study.

Practical implications

The paper reports a case study conducted in an Indian transformers manufacturing organisation. Hence, the results derived from the study are validated in a real time manufacturing environment.

Originality/value

The idea of applying ANN for fuzzy logic based leanness assessment is the original contribution of the authors.
The ethics of care as a determinant for stakeholder inclusion and CSR perception in business education
Authors: André Kévin
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to show that, among business students, care ethics is a determinant for CSR perception and stakeholder inclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted utilising a quantitative approach. The population for this study consisted of students from a leading French business school.

Findings

Stakeholder inclusion is related to care ethics among students. CSR perception is related to stakeholder perception. CSR perception is related to care ethics.

Research limitations/implications

Population sampled has cultural and curricula specificities. Further research should extend the findings to other populations.

Practical implications

If business schools want their students to implement CSR when they later become managers, they should build a bridge in the curriculum between business ethics education based on care theory (“educare”) and CSR teaching.

Originality/value

Empirical exploration of the relationship between teaching CSR and teaching care ethics has not been undertaken. Relationship between care ethics and stakeholder theory has been addressed in the literature but only from a theoretical perspective and not from an empirical perspective.
The impact of political instability on tourism: case of Thailand
Authors: Ingram Hadyn , Tabari Saloomeh , Watthanakhomprathip Wanthanee
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between political instability upon destination image and perception and tourism consumer behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a case study approach and uses cross‐sectional and qualitative methods to measure and contrast the perceptions of respondents who have and have not, visited Thailand.

Findings

The study affirms the power of image as a subjectively‐held, but important lever of consumer behavior. The findings reinforce the popularity of Thailand as a tourist destination, by both those who have and have not visited, and suggest that its image is a strong one.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that destination managers need to work with governments to ensure political stability, which can lead to continued tourism revenues.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that the effects of adverse publicity on political instability to tourism receipts may be temporary, providing a destination has a strong perceived image (such as Thailand) and the disruption does not last too long.
Persuasion, patriotism and PR: US advertising in the Second World War
Authors: Stole Inger L.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore how the (War) Advertising Council organized the advertising community to assist the US government's home front campaigns during the Second World War. It aims to discuss how the council urged individual advertisers to use their product‐ads to instruct the civilian population about behavioral changes that the government deemed essential to the war effort. The task required great ambidexterity: paying a high level of attention to the government's wartime needs while coaching and encouraging advertisers into compliance. As such, the article also aims to discuss the council's challenge in weighing the government's wartime needs against commercial pressures. A case study of the Advertising Council's 1944 campaign to “Stamp out VD” seeks to illustrate the latter concern.

Design/methodology/approach

The article comprises an historical account of the US advertising industry during the Second World War. Applying a qualitative approach, it relies on archival sources, industry trade publications, newspapers accounts and existing scholarship for its information.

Findings

While publicly framing its wartime contribution as a patriotic gesture, the council's underlying rationale was that of serving the advertising industry in a public relations capacity. Unsure of its standing as America entered the war, the donation of time and talent to the government's war effort helped strengthen the advertising industry's economic position and social standing. As such, the council was not only a pioneer of “social marketing”, but also demonstrated a sophisticated use of “strategic philanthropy,” long before it became a common marketing practice.

Originality/value

Analyzing previously un‐explored sources, the article sheds new light on the US advertising industry's public relations strategies during the Second World War.
Efficiency measurements in multi‐activity data envelopment analysis with shared inputs
Authors: Chen Po‐Chi , Hsu Shih‐Hsun , Chang Ching‐Cheng , Yu Ming‐Miin
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to propose a modified multi‐activity data envelopment analysis (MDEA) to provide information on the efficiency performance of farmers' cooperatives with inputs shared among several closely‐related activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The directional distance functions are used to construct a non‐radial measure of performance in which the optimal input/output adjustment and the optimal allocation of shared inputs is simultaneously taken into consideration. The model is applied to study the case of 201 farmers' cooperatives in Taiwan.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that there exist significant discrepancy in terms of the performance among the four departments of the farmers' cooperatives. Furthermore, the wide discrepancy in the returns to scale warrant further deregulations by easing restrictions on their consolidation with other cooperatives to operate over broader geographical areas.

Originality/value

An empirical study on Taiwan's farmers' cooperatives is used to demonstrate its applicability and how they can effectively allocate their fixed resources in a multi‐activity environment. Such a measure can be used for rewarding the individual groups of an organization based on their relative contributions to the overall performance.
A summary on the research of GRA models
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Yang Yingjie , Cao Ying , Xie Naiming
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review systematically the research of grey relation analysis (GRA) models.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different approaches, the springboard to build a GRA model, the angle of view in modelling, and the dimension of objects, are analysed, respectively.

Findings

The GRA models developed from the models based on relation coefficients of each point in the sequences in early days to the generalized GRA models based on integral or overall perspective. It evolved from the GRA models which measure similarity based on nearness, into the models which consider similarity and nearness, respectively. The objects of the research advanced from the analysis of relationship among curves to that among curved surfaces, and further to the analysis of relationship in three‐dimensional space and even the relationship among super surfaces in n‐dimensional space.

Originality/value

The further research on GRA models is proposed. One is about the property of GRA model. An in‐depth knowledge about the properties of GRA model will help people to understand its function, applicable area and requirements for modelling. The other one is about the extension of research object system. The object to be analysed should be extended from the common sequence of real numbers to grey numbers, vectors, matrices, and even multi‐dimensional matrices, etc.