bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Separation of Concerns: Toward Preprocessors 2.0
Authors: Kästner Christian
Published: February 2012

Conditional compilation with preprocessors like cpp is a simple but effective means to implement variability. By annotating code fragments with #ifdef and #endif directives, different program variants with or without these fragments can be created, which can be used (among others) to implement software product lines. Although, preprocessors are frequently used in practice, they are often criticized for their negative effect on code quality and maintainability. We show how simple tool support — views, visualizations, disciplined annotations, and variability-aware type systems — can address these problems and emulate some benefits of modularized implementations. Instead of separating source code into files, we pursue a “virtual separation of concerns”.
Beyond genetics – The emerging role of epigenetics and its clinical aspects
Authors: Urbán S. Veronika , Benevolenskaya Elizabeta , Kiss Judit , Sági Bernadett , Hegyi Beáta , Uher Ferenc
Published: February 2012

Analysis of genomic sequences has clearly shown that the genomic differences among species do not explain the diversity of life. The genetic code itself serves as only a part of the dynamic complexity that results in the temporal and spatial changes in cell phenotypes during development. It has been concluded that the phenotype of a cell and of the organism as a whole is more influenced by environmentally-induced changes in gene activity than had been previously thought. The emerging field of epigenetics focuses on molecular marks on chromatin; called the epigenome, which serve as transmitters between the genome and the environment. These changes not only persist through multiple cell division cycles, but may also endure for multiple generations. Irregular alterations of the epigenome; called epimutations, may have a decisive role in the etiology of human pathologies such as malignancies and other complex human diseases. Epigenetics can provide the missing link between genetics, disease and the environment. Therefore, this field may have an increasing impact on future drug design and serve as a basis for new therapeutic/preventative approaches. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 214–221.
Colonic diverticular: disease diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Lakatos László , Lakatos Péter László
Published: February 2012

Colonic diverticular disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the Western world, affecting approximately 50% of the population above the age of 70 years. Symptoms develop only in about one quarter of the affected individuals with complications in one-third of the symptomatic patients. Diagnosis is mostly confirmed by colonoscopy. Abdominal CT is the most sensitive for the diagnosis of complicated severe diverticulitis, while colonoscopy or in severe cases angiography may be performed in bleeding patients. Initial therapy of non-complicated symptomatic diverticulitis includes antibiotics and more recently non-absorbable antibiotics. In complicated cases should be treated with broad spectrum i.v. antibiotics, however surgery may became necessary in a minority of the cases. The proportion of patients needing acute surgical intervention has decreased in the last decades with the advancement of conservative management including medical therapy, endoscopy and imaging techniques and the indication of elective was also changed. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 205–213.
Agglomeration Dynamics In Thermo-Sensitive Polymers Across The Lower Critical Solution Temperature: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Deshmukh Sanket A. , Sankaranarayanan Subramanian K.R.S. , Mancini Derrick C.
Published: February 2012

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a classic thermo-sensitive polymer, has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at ∼32°C. In this work we have used molecular dynamics simulations to understand the origin of the LCST and agglomeration of PNIPAM chains of 5 and 30 monomer units (5-mer and 30-mer). Experimentally, when the concentration of PNIPAM is >1 ppm, polymer chains after undergoing coil-to-globule transition above the LCST aggregates to yield a stable colloidal dispersion.In our study two PNIPAM chains, consisting of 30 monomer units each, were placed in a cubic simulation cell and were subsequently solvated. Simulations were carried out below and above the LCST, namely at 278 and 310K for 10ns. Simulated trajectories were analyzed for structural and dynamical properties of both PNIPAM and water. We observe coil-to-globule transition in PNIPAM above the LCST. We also find that the PNIPAM chains agglomerate above the LCST. We also observe entanglement in PNIPAM chains below the LCST. We also study agglomeration of 5 PNIPAM chains each consisting of 5 monomer units. There was no significant difference in polymer agglomeration behavior across the LCST for these short chain oligomers. The agglomeration behavior is thus strongly correlated to the size of the polymer chains. These results provide fundamental insight into the atomistic scale mechanism of PNIPAM agglomeration across the LCST.
Photoembossing for Surface Texturing of Films and Fibres for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Hughes-Brittain Nanayaa Freda , Picot Olivier T. , Qiu Lin , Sanchez Carlos , Peijs Ton , Bastiaansen Kees
Published: February 2012

Photoembossing is a technique used to create relief structures using a patterned contact photo-mask exposure and a thermal development step. Typically, the photopolymer consists of a polymer binder and a monomer in a 1/1 ratio together with a photo-initiator which results in a solid and non-tacky material at room temperature. Here, new mixtures for photoembossing are presented which are potentially biocompatible. A polymer binder such as poly (methyl methacrylate) with triacrylate monomer and biocompatible photo-initiator Irgacure 369 is used. Photopolymer films produced are successfully embossed with height of relief structures controlled by UV dosage and developing temperature. Furthermore, the photopolymer blend is electrospun to form fibres with diameters of 5 μm which are then photoembossed. The photoembossed fibres showed homogenous reproducible surface textures. Biocompatibility is evaluated by culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on films of this photopolymer blend. The study shows that photoembossing is a feasible method of producing surface texturing on both films and electrospun fibres for tissue engineering applications.
Controlling microscopic friction on gold surfaces by electrochemical potential
Authors: Hausen Florian , Zimmet Johannes A. , Bennewitz Roland
Published: February 2012

The nano-scale friction on crystalline gold surfaces can be systematically varied by changing the oxidation state of the surfaces through an applied electrochemical potential. We present experimental results from high-resolution friction force microscopy, where the atomic structure of the surface is reflected in lateral force maps. While the oxidation of gold surfaces always brings upon a significant increase in friction, the situation is more complex in the potential regime where only sulfate anions are adsorbed. The influence of adsorbed anions on friction depends on electrochemical potential and on normal load, demonstrating that electrochemical processes and sliding dynamics are altered in the confinement of the tip-sample contact.
Combinatorial exploration of new transparent conducting oxide films by using radio frequency sputtering and their application in optoelectronic devices
Authors: Kim Tae-Won , Heo Gi-Soek , Kim Ho-Sung , Lee Jong-Ho
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this study is to develop new transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films by using combinatorial approach and to apply them for organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and/or thin film photovoltaic devices. For this, we have explored several TCO films with multi-components and optimized their properties by employing combinatorial sputtering system. For the first, we have fabricated combinatorial libraries composed Zn-In-Sn-O (ZITO) to reduce In content comparing with Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO). The ZITO films showed amorphous structure at the substrate temperature ranged RT∼ 350 °C, high transmittance over 85% at the visible range wavelength, and resistivity as low as 3x10-4∼10-3Ωcm. These results reveal that the ZITO films have indium composition as low as 30∼40% comparing with equivalent ITO films. Furthermore, we have fabricated OLED on glass substrates by using the amorphous ZITO anode. OLED fabricated on amorphous ZITO-coated glasses have exhibited good characteristics comparable to OLED on ITO films. Besides OLED, the amorphous ZITO TCO can be applied for other optoelectronic devices like electronic paper, thin film photovoltaic, and smart window.
High-Throughput Materials Discovery by Inkjet-Printing of Composition Spread Libraries
Authors: Stoewe Klaus , Maier Wilhelm F. , Weidenhof Boris
Published: February 2012

High-throughput synthesis and screening rely on structurally diverse catalyst libraries. As a consequence of increased parallelization and integration of reactor and analysis systems, the requirements for new synthesis methodologies include even smaller amounts of samples, e.g. different multi-component mixed oxides in the mg or even μg-range have to be prepared reproducibly and fully automated. We tried to bring solution chemistry, composition spread libraries and a very high sample density together within one approach and tested inkjet printing of materials libraries using sol-gel recipes as synthesis method. Inkjet printing allows the deposition of liquid volumes in the pL range thus enabling the deposition of very small catalyst amounts. For the application of this technique in sol-gel chemistry several restrictions have to be handled, such as viscosity limitations of the printing head. Parameters as solvent, solvent amount, metal precursors, metal salt concentrations, deposition sequences etc. as well as gelification procedures have to be optimized. Catalytic screening relies on porous samples with high surface area to get conversions, which can be detected by HT screening methods. Thus, additionally the recipe itself as well as the support structure has to be optimized. In our first tests we used emission corrected IR thermography for screening.
Enzymatic Biofuel Cell with Self-regulating Enzyme-Nanotube Ensemble Films
Authors: MIYAKE TAKEO , YOSHINO SYUHEI , YAMADA TAKEO , HATA KENJI , NISHIZAWA MATSUHIKO
Published: February 2012

Nanostructured carbons have been widely used for fabricating enzyme-modified electrodes due to their large specific surface area. However, because they are random aggregates of particular or tubular nanocarbons, the post-modification of enzymes to their intra-nanospace is generally hard to control. Here, we describe a free-standing film of carbon nanotube forest (CNTF) that can form a hybrid ensemble with enzymes through liquid-induced shrinkage. This provides in-situ regulation of itsintra-nanospace (inter CNT pitch) to the size of enzymes, and eventually serves as a highly active electrode. The CNTF ensemble with fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) showed the oxidation current density of 16 mA cm-2in stirred 200 mM fructose solution. The power density of a biofuel cell using the FDH-CNTF anode and the Laccase-CNTF cathode reached 1.8 mW cm-2(at 0.45 V) in the stirred oxygenic fructose solution, more than 80 % of which could be maintained after continuous operation for 24 h. Application of the free-standing, flexible character of the enzyme-CNTF ensemble electrodes is demonstrated via their use in the patch or wound form.
Statistical Comparison of Various Reconstruction Algorithms with respect to Missing Wedge Artifacts in Computed Tomography
Authors: Lueck Sebastian , Kupsch Andreas , Lange Axel , Hentschel Manfred P. , Schmidt Volker
Published: February 2012

The presence of elongation, streak and blurring artifacts in tomograms recorded under a missing wedge of rotation angles presents a major challenge for the quantitative analysis of tomographic image data. We show that the missing wedge artifacts of standard reconstruction algorithms may be reduced by the innovative reconstruction technique DIRECTT. For the comparison of missing wedge artifacts we apply techniques from spatial statistics, which have been specifically designed to investigate the shape of phase boundaries in tomograms.
Changes in Biomarkers of Inflammation and Angiogenesis During Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Saylor Philip J. , Kozak Kevin R. , Smith Matthew R. , Ancukiewicz Marek A. , Efstathiou Jason A. , Zietman Anthony L. , Jain Rakesh K. , Duda Dan G.
Published: February 2012

Introduction.

Angiogenesis and inflammation are both important to the pathogenesis of malignancies. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer causes drastic hormonal changes that alter both disease and host factors. We measured inflammatory and angiogenic biomarkers in ADT-treated and control groups of men with prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods.

Baseline and 12-week plasma samples were collected from 37 ADT-naïve men with locally advanced or recurrent prostate cancer. Of those, 23 initiated ADT with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and 14 served as nontreatment controls. Samples were tested for a panel of angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers.

Results.

The treatment group had significantly higher concentrations of the inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1α. None of the angiogenic biomarkers were significantly different between the groups at baseline. Among patients with a short prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (<6 months), the proangiogenic factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was lower at baseline. In the treatment group, plasma placental growth factor (PlGF) increased and IL-6 decreased after 12 weeks of ADT. Moreover, the treatment group continued to have significantly higher concentrations of the inflammatory biomarkers IL-1β, IL-8, and SDF-1α as well as bFGF than controls.

Discussion.

These men were characterized by elevations in several traditional markers of aggressive disease and also by higher levels of several inflammatory biomarkers. Although ADT decreased IL-6 levels, IL-1β, IL-8, and SDF-1α remained significantly higher than in controls. The role of these biomarkers should be further explored.
Health Care Costs: How Do We Decide Value? When Do We Decide? How Do We Particularize the Decisions?
Authors: Theriault Richard L.
Published: February 2012

The role of cost-effectiveness analyses in medical decision making is examined.
Assessing the Real-World Cost-Effectiveness of Adjuvant Trastuzumab in HER-2/neu Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Hedden Lindsay , O'Reilly Susan , Lohrisch Caroline , Chia Stephen , Speers Caroline , Kovacic Laurel , Taylor Suzanne , Peacock Stuart
Published: February 2012

Background.

Among women with surgically removed, high-risk HER-2/neu-positive breast cancer, trastuzumab has demonstrated significant improvements in disease-free and overall survival. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the currently recommended 12-month adjuvant protocol of trastuzumab using a Markov modeling approach and real-world cost data.

Methods.

A 10-health-state Markov model tracked patients' quarterly transitions between health states in the local and advanced states of breast cancer. Clinical data were obtained from the joint analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and North Central Cancer Treatment Group, as well as from the metastatic study conducted by Norum et al. Clinical outcomes were adjusted for quality of life using utility estimates published in a systematic review. Real cost data were obtained from the British Columbia Cancer Agency and were evaluated from a payer perspective. Costs and utilities were discounted at 5% per year, respectively, for a 28-year time horizon.

Results.

In the base case analysis, treatment with a 12-month adjuvant trastuzumab regimen resulted in a gain of 1.38 quality-adjusted life years or 1.17 life years gained at a cost of $18,133 per patient. Thus, the cost per QALY gained for the base case is $13,095. Cost per LYG is $15,492.

Conclusions.

Over the long term, treatment of HER-2/neu mutation positive breast cancer with a 12-month protocol of trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting is predicted to be cost-effective in a Canadian context.
Call It Cancer
Authors: Chabner Bruce A. , Smith Matthew
Published: February 2012

The findings of the National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on the role of active surveillance in the management of men with localized prostate cancer are examined.
Adapting Dating Violence Prevention to Francophone Switzerland: A Story of Intra-Western Cultural Differences
Authors: Hamby Sherry , Nix Kaki , De Puy Jacqueline , Monnier Sylvie
Published: February 2012

Dating violence prevention programs, which originated in the United States, are beginning to be implemented elsewhere. This article presents the first adaptation of a violence prevention program for a European culture, Francophone Switzerland. A U.S. dating violence prevention program, Safe Dates (Foshee & Langwick, 1994), was reviewed in 19 youth and 4 professional focus groups. The most fundamental program concepts—“dating” and “violence”—are not the same in Switzerland and the United States. Swiss youth were not very focused on establishing monogamous romantic relationships, and there is no ready translation for “dating.” Violence has not become the focus of a social movement in Switzerland to the same extent that it has in the United States, and distinctions among terms such as “dating violence” and “domestic violence” are not well known. Psychoeducational approaches are also less common in the Swiss context. As the movement to prevent violence extends worldwide, these issues need greater consideration.
Twenty-First Century End-of-Life Issues in Selected U.S. Professional Schools
Authors: Dickinson George E.
Published: February 2012

Health professionals often relate to dying and death, but what does their professional training do to prepare them for these often stressful situations? With this question in mind, selected professional schools (medical, nursing, dental, child life, and veterinary) were surveyed to determine their emphasis on end-of-life issues in the 21st century. Return rates ranged from 71 to 100%. With the exception of dental schools, over 96% offer “something” on end-of-life issues. The lecture format and interdisciplinary background of the instructors frequently occur, with medical schools tending to be the most interdisciplinary. Topics covered vary, though attitudes toward death and dying, communication with the family and patient/owner of the animal, social and psychological contexts of dying, the experience of dying, and grief and bereavement are especially often addressed.
Arab Parents' Attitudes toward Out-of-Home Placement of Their Adult Children with Psychiatric Disability
Authors: Duvdevany Ilana , Azaiza Faisal , Rbach Manar
Published: February 2012

Background:

The decision of out-of-home placement for the Arab population is a very stressful event that sometimes causes a real crisis situation for them, because of cultural assumptions and attitudes against placement. The tradition in the Arab culture is to take care of their offspring at home, no matter how serious the situation is. Mental health is also a case of chronic illness and it is very important for us to understand who are those who are willing to place their adult child and what the factors are that make them to do this decision. Better understanding will lead to better use of the services that the state offers them. The rate of placement in Arab society remains significantly lower than among the Jewish population of Israel. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of Arab parents who have an adult son or daughter with a psychiatric disability toward out-of home placement.

Method:

A convenience sample of 189 parents of adult children with a mental disability from the Arab population of Israel. The questionnaires included were assessing social support, emotional stress, cognitive appraisal of the situation, and various socio-demographic characteristics.

Results:

Parents who chose home placement reported being in a better financial position and were more religious than parents who chose out-of-home placement. Parents who chose to care for their children at home had a significantly higher perception of this as a challenge. The decision regarding the child's placement appears to depend mainly on the parents' education and financial situation.

Conclusions:

Financial situation, social support and perceiving the illness as a challenge are the most important factors in the process of the decision.
A Computerized Treatment Algorithm Trial to Optimize Mineral Metabolism in ESRD
Authors: Spiegel David M. , McPhatter Lesley , Allison Ann , Drumheller Joanne C. , Lockridge Robert
Published: February 2012

Background and objectives

Achievement of mineral targets in patients receiving dialysis remains challenging. This study sought to evaluate outcomes for phosphorus, calcium, and parathyroid hormone when a dialysis population was switched from a predominantly active vitamin D analogue treatment regimen to a computerized algorithm incorporating both cinacalcet and active vitamin D as potential first-line therapies.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This longitudinal prospective trial enrolled 92 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Baseline measures (the average of the 3 months before computerized algorithm implementation) were compared with the proportion of patients achieving the prespecified targets at 6 and 12 months.

Results

After 6 months there was a statistically significant improvement in the percentage of patients achieving the primary and secondary phosphorus targets (primary: phosphorus ≤ 5.5 mg/dl, increase from 41% to 75%, P<0.001; secondary: phosphorus 3.0–4.6 mg/dl, increase from 16% to 38%; P=0.005). These improvements were sustained at 12 months. There was a statistically significant improvement in the percentage of patients achieving all three prespecified secondary endpoints (an increase from 12.8% to 25.6% at 12 months; P=0.04); however, this was mainly driven by improved phosphorus control. The proportion of patients achieving the primary or secondary parathyroid hormone targets did not improve.

Conclusions

A greater proportion of dialysis patients achieved improved phosphorus but not parathyroid hormone control by switching from a predominantly active vitamin D analogue–based treatment regimen for mineral and bone disorder to a computer-driven algorithm that incorporated cinacalcet and low-dose active vitamin D analogues as first-line therapy.
Interpretation of Body Mass Index in Children with CKD
Authors: Gao Tao , Leonard Mary B. , Zemel Babette , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Foster Bethany J.
Published: February 2012

Background and objectives

Clinical practice guidelines recommend that body mass index (BMI) in children with CKD be expressed relative to height-age (BMI-height-age-z) rather than chronologic age (BMI-age-z) to account for delayed growth and sexual maturation. This approach has not been validated. This study sought to (1) compare children who have CKD with healthy children regarding the relationships between BMI-age-z and each of relative lean mass (LM) and adiposity and (2) determine whether BMI-height-age-z reflects relative LM and adiposity in CKD in the same way that BMI-age-z does in healthy children.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In a cross-sectional study, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess whole-body fat mass (FM) and LM in 143 participants with CKD and 958 healthy participants (age, 5–21 years); FM and LM were expressed as sex-specific Z-scores relative to height (LM-height-z, FM-height-z), with healthy participants as the reference. BMI-age-z and BMI-height-age-z were determined using the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference data.

Results

Compared with healthy children of the same sex, age, race, and BMI-age-z, LM-height-z was significantly higher in males with all CKD stages (by 0.41–0.43 SDs) and in females with mild to moderate CKD (by 0.38 SD); FM-height-z was significantly higher in both males (by 0.26 SD) and females (by 0.52 SD) with severe CKD. Underestimation of relative LM and adiposity was improved by expressing BMI relative to height-age.

Conclusions

In children with CKD, BMI-height-age-z reflects relative LM and adiposity in the same way that BMI-age-z does in healthy children.
Should we prescribe “vasodilating” beta-blockers in Marfan syndrome to prevent aortic aneurysm and dissection?
Authors: Koracevic Goran , Sakac Dejan , Pavlovic Milan , Ilic Dragana , Tomasevic Miloje , Kostic Tomislav
Published: February 2012

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Depressive symptoms as a side effect of the sustained release form of methylphenidate in a 7-year-old boy with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lakic Aneta
Published: February 2012

Introduction. Hyperkinetic disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) is a clinical entity consisting of a cluster of symptoms
including hyperactivity, attention disorder and impulse control disorder
group. In the context of ADHD etiology we may say that genetic, clinical and
imaging studies point out a disruption of the brain dopamine system, which is
corroborated by the clinical effectiveness of stimulant drugs, which increase
extracellular dopamine in the brain. Basically, it is a biological and not
psychological disorder, which is important both for the comprehension and
therapeutical approach to this problem. Today, the best recommended approach
regarding children with ADHD is a combination of two therapeutic modalities:
pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatment. The first-choice drugs for this
disorder belong to the group of sympathomimetics - psychostimulants and
atomoxetine (more recently). As the firstchoice therapy, methylphenydate in
sustained release form has numerous advantages. Like all drugs,
methylphenidate has its unwanted side effects. Most common are: loss of
appetite, weight loss, sleeping disorders, irritability, headache. These side
effects are well-known and documented in the literature. By analysing the
available literature we have found cases of psychiatric side effects such as:
psychosis, mania, visual hallucinations, agitation, suicidal ideas. We have
not found examples of ADHD in children who use increased dosage of sustained
release of methylphenidate leading to depressive symptomatology. On the other
side, methylphenidate may be prescribed for off-label use in
treatmentresistant cases of depression. Case report. The case of a 7-
year-old boy diagnosed with ADHD was on a minimal dose of sustained release
form of methylphenidate. After initial titration of the drug, i.e. after
raising the dose to the next level the boy developed clinical signs of
depression. The treatment was ceased and depressive symptoms were withdrawed.
Conclusion. Manifestation of depressive symptomatology after dose
increasement of sustained release form of methylphenidate in a 7-year-old boy
with ADHD represents an uncommon side effect. Precise drug activity
mechanisms responsible for the appearance of these symptoms remains to be
explained.
Tax Professionals' Responsibility for Fraud Detection: The Effects of Engagement Type and Audit Status
Authors: DeZoort F. Todd , Harrison Paul D. , Schnee Edward J.
Published: February 2012

SYNOPSIS

Despite a traditional advocacy role, tax professionals face growing pressure to help manage the tax fraud problem. However, the authoritative tax literature lacks explicit guidance in the area, motivating questions about the extent tax professionals perceive fraud detection responsibility. This study evaluates 236 tax professionals' perceived responsibility for tax fraud detection, and the extent that tax engagement type (planning versus compliance) and audit client status (audit client versus not an audit client) affect responsibility. We also use the triangle model of responsibility to test the extent that task clarity, professional obligation, and personal control mediate the effects of engagement type and audit client status on detection responsibility. The results indicate moderate and varied perceived detection responsibility among the participants. We also find that reported detection responsibility varies across tax engagement type and audit client status. As expected, tax professionals report higher detection responsibility in a tax compliance engagement and when the tax client is also an audit client. Subsequent path analysis results show that the triangle model components are positively related to detection responsibility, and that professional obligation and personal control mediate the effects of engagement type and audit client status on detection responsibility.
Electrodeposition of hafnium and hafnium-based coatings in molten salts
Authors: Kuznetsov Sergey
Published: February 2012

At present, coatings are mostly produced by CVD, PVD methods, plasma, and detonation spraying. Molten salts for coatings deposition are also becoming highly attractive. They provide wide possibilities for coating production of hafnium by electrodeposition, electrochemical synthesis, and precise surface alloying. Consideration is given to all these methods. The production of heat-resistant coatings from hafnium and niobium-hafnium alloys, and the electrochemical syntheses of copperhafnium solder and HfB2 coatings are also discussed.
N-alkylation of ethylenediamine with alcohols catalyzed by CuO-NiO/γ-Al2O3
Authors: Huang Jia-Min , Xu Lu-Feng , Qian Chao , Chen Xin-Zhi
Published: February 2012

A simple method for N-alkylation of 1,2-diaminoethane with different alcohols in a fixed-bed reactor using cheap CuO-NiO/γ-Al2O3 as the catalyst has been developed. The present catalytic system was applicable in the N-alkylation of 1,2-diaminoethane with both primary and secondary alcohols. Mono-N-alkylation of 1,2-diaminoethane with low-carbon alcohols resulted in high yields; the yields of tetra-N-alkylation of 1,2-diaminoethane with low-carbon alcohols declined markedly with the increase of the molecular volume of alcohols.
Feature fusion of palmprint and face via tensor analysis and curvelet transform
Authors: Xu X. , Guan X. , Zhang D. , Zhang X. , Deng W. , Wang Z.
Published: February 2012

In order to improve the recognition accuracy of the unimodal biometric system and to address the problem of the small samples recognition, a multimodal biometric recognition approach based on feature fusion level and curve tensor is proposed in this paper. The curve tensor approach is an extension of the tensor analysis method based on curvelet coefficients space. We use two kinds of biometrics: palmprint recognition and face recognition. All image features are extracted by using the curve tensor algorithm and then the normalized features are combined at the feature fusion level by using several fusion strategies. The k-nearest neighbour (KNN) classifier is used to determine the final biometric classification. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the unimodal solution and the proposed nearly Gaussian fusion (NGF) strategy has a better performance than other fusion rules.
Patterned mist deposition of tri-colour CdSe/ZnS quantum dot films toward RGB LED devices
Authors: Pickering S. , Kshirsagar A. , Ruzyllo J. , Xu J.
Published: February 2012

In this experiment a technique of mist deposition was explored as a way to form patterned ultra-thin-films of CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystalline quantum dots using colloidal solutions. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of mist deposition as a patterning method for creating multicolour quantum dot light emitting diodes. Mist deposition was used to create three rows of quantum dot light emitting diodes on a single device with each row having a separate colour. The colours chosen were red, green and yellow with corresponding peak wavelengths of 620 nm, 558 nm, and 587 nm. The results obtained from this experiment show that it is possible to create multicolour devices on a single substrate. The peak brightnesses obtained in this experiment for the red, green, and yellow were 508 cd/m, 507 cd/m, and 665 cd/m, respectively. The similar LED brightness is important in display technologies using colloidal quantum dots in a precursor solution to ensure one colour does not dominate the emitted spectrum. Results obtained in-terms of brightness were superior to those achieved with inkjet deposition. This study has shown that mist deposition is a viable method for patterned deposition applied to quantum dot light emitting diode display technologies.
Spatio-temporal dependencies in functional connectivity in rodent cortical cultures
Authors: Spencer Matthew C. , Downes Julia H. , Xydas Dimitris , Hammond Mark W. , Becerra Victor M. , Whalley Benjamin J. , Warwick Kevin , Nasuto Slawomir J.
Published: February 2012

Models of functional connectivity in cortical cultures on multi-electrodes arrays may aid in understanding how cognitive pathways form and improve techniques that aim to interface with neuronal systems. To enable research on such models, this study uses both data- and model-driven approaches to determine what dependencies are present in and between functional connectivity networks derived from bursts of extracellularly recorded activity. Properties of excitation in bursts were analysed using correlative techniques to assess the degree of linear dependence and then two parallel techniques were used to assess functional connectivity. Three models presenting increasing levels of spatio-temporal dependency were used to capture the dynamics of individual functional connections and their consistencies were verified using surrogate data. By comparing network-wide properties between model generated networks and functional networks from data, complex interdependencies were revealed. This indicates the persistent co-activation of neuronal pathways in spontaneous bursts, as can be found in whole brain structures.
The impact of Outer Western Carpathian nappe tectonics on the recent stress-strain state in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Moravosilesian Zone, Bohemian Massif)
Authors: Ptáček Jiří , Grygar Radomír , Koníček Petr , Waclawik Petr
Published: February 2012

The impact of Outer Western Carpathian nappe tectonics on the recent stress-strain state in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Moravosilesian Zone, Bohemian Massif)

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) represents a typical foreland basin developed during the Variscan orogenic phase of the Late Carboniferous. Later, during the Alpine orogeny the Outer Western Carpathian nappes were thrust over the post-Variscan foreland, to which the USCB belongs. Due to this complex tectonic history, redistribution of stress fields occurred in the post-Variscan basement. Furthermore, post-Variscan denudation processes probably also contributed to recent stress regimes. Nevertheless, the impact of the West Carpathian orogeny can be regarded as the most significant influence. The in-situ measurement of recent stress fields in deposits of the Karviná Formation of the USCB and structural analysis of the Czech part of the USCB, has focused on verification of the structure and stress interference of the Carpathian nappes and post-Variscan foreland basement. In the southernmost part of the Karviná Subbasin, the easternmost domain of the USCB, situated in the apical zone of the Variscan accretionary wedge, hydrofracturing and overcoring stress measurements have been recorded in coal seams from selected coal mines. The data have been supplemented by interpretation of focal mechanism solutions of mine induced seismic events. Measurements of recent in-situ stress regimes in the Karviná Formation of the USCB indicate a dominant generally NW-SE orientation of the maximum horizontal compression stress. The results demonstrate that the stress-strain regime in the Karviná Formation in the Variscan Upper Carboniferous basement is significantly influenced by the stress field along the Outer Western Carpathian nappes front. Besides improving our understanding of recent regional stress fields within an area of mutual structural-tectonic interference by both the Variscan and Alpine orogenies, the measured data may contribute to more optimal and safer mining activities in the coal basin.
Late Pleistocene voles (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from the Baranica Cave (Serbia)
Authors: Bogićević Katarina , Nenadić Draženko , Mihailović Dušan
Published: February 2012

Late Pleistocene voles (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from the Baranica Cave (Serbia)

Baranica is a cave system situated in the south-eastern part of Serbia, four kilometers south to Knjaževac, on the right bank of the Trgoviški Timok. The investigations in Baranica were conducted from 1994 to 1997 by the Faculty of Philosophy from Belgrade and the National Museum of Knjaževac. Four geological layers of Quaternary age were recovered. The abundance of remains of both large and small mammals was noticed in the early phase of the research. In this paper, the remains of eight vole species are described: Arvicola terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758), Chionomys nivalis (Martins, 1842), Microtus (Microtus) arvalis (Pallas, 1778) and Microtus (Microtus) agrestis (Linnaeus, 1761), Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis (Pallas, 1779), Microtus (Terricola) subterraneus (de Sélys-Longchamps, 1836), Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and Lagurus lagurus (Pallas, 1773). Among them, steppe and open area inhabitants prevail. Based on the evolutionary level and dimensions of the Arvicola terrestris molars, as well as the overall characteristics of the fauna, it was concluded that the deposits were formed in the last glacial period of the Late Pleistocene. These conclusions are rather consistent with the absolute dating of large mammal bones (23.520 ± 110 B.P. for Layer 2 and 35.780 ± 320 B.P. for Layer 4).
Multi-Agent and Service Oriented Architectures for Intelligent Tutoring System Development
Authors: Lavendelis Egons , Bicans Janis
Published: February 2012

Multi-Agent and Service Oriented Architectures for Intelligent Tutoring System Development

Traditional modular architecture of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) does not provide sufficient modularity of complex ITSs. Distributed technologies like services and agents are used to increase modularity of ITSs by implementing traditional modules as sets of services or agents. The paper describes holonic agent architecture that implements each module as one or more holonic agents. It uses the lessons learned from the multi-agent architecture to propose service oriented ITS architecture.
Interactive Inductive Learning: Application in Domain of Education
Authors: Birzniece Ilze , Kirikova Marite
Published: February 2012

Interactive Inductive Learning: Application in Domain of Education

globalization presents an opportunity to obtain education from several education providers by using different study exchange programmes. This possibility, in turn, creates the need to compare available study courses in foreign institutions to courses on the curriculum of the institution which issues the degree. Manual course comparision is time consuming and requires involvment of highly skilled experts. Otherwise, the comparison may result in a superficial intuitive judgement and, consequently, course incompatibility problems. Interactive inductive learning supported by enterprise modelling is proposed as a supporting mechanism which can help to save the time an effort in study course comparison.
An Analysis of Wi-Fi Based Indoor Positioning Accuracy
Authors: Jekabsons Gints , Kairish Vadim , Zuravlyov Vadim
Published: February 2012

An Analysis of Wi-Fi Based Indoor Positioning Accuracy

The increasing demand for location based services inside buildings has made indoor positioning a significant research topic. This study deals with indoor positioning using the Wireless Ethernet IEEE 802.11 (Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi) standard that has a distinct advantage of low cost over other indoor wireless technologies. The aim of this study is to examine several aspects of location fingerprinting based indoor positioning that affect positioning accuracy. Overall, the positioning accuracy achieved in the performed experiments is 2.0 to 2.5 meters.
Anthropogenic Influence on the Dynamics of the River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis Landings in the River Daugava Basin
Authors: Birzaks Janis , Abersons Kaspars
Published: February 2012

Anthropogenic Influence on the Dynamics of the River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis Landings in the River Daugava Basin

The construction of the Daugava hydro power station (HPS) cascade has significantly transformed Latvia's largest river the Daugava, reducing its importance in the natural reproduction of anadromous fish species. Currently in Latvia, as well as in other Baltic Sea countries, the river lamprey catch is decreasing, whereas the landings in the river Daugava have tended to increase. The dynamics of the river lamprey landings show the possible redistribution of lamprey stocks between the rivers Gauja and the Daugava. Possibly, this is a result of anthropogenic influence and changes in the river lamprey resource management may be necessary in the future.
Modelling and Mapping of Critical Loads of Acidification and Eutrophication on Forest Ecosystems in Latvia
Authors: Steinberga Iveta
Published: February 2012

Modelling and Mapping of Critical Loads of Acidification and Eutrophication on Forest Ecosystems in Latvia

The Very Simple Dynamic model (VSD), which has been developed as the simplest extension of steady-state models, has been used for dynamic modelling of critical loads to forest ecosystems. The model consisting of a set of mass balance equations describes the soil input and output data relationships and fluxes, and soil properties. The mapping of critical loads of acidity and eutrophication effects is performed on 25562 deciduous, coniferous and mixed forest soil receptor polygons (area > 0.01 km2). The results have been mapped in the geographical units of EMEP grid (50 × 50 km2).
Design-Based Research
Authors: Anderson Terry , Shattuck Julie
Published: February 2012

Design-based research (DBR) evolved near the beginning of the 21st century and was heralded as a practical research methodology that could effectively bridge the chasm between research and practice in formal education. In this article, the authors review the characteristics of DBR and analyze the five most cited DBR articles from each year of this past decade. They illustrate the context, publications, and most popular interventions utilized. They conclude that interest in DBR is increasing and that results provide limited evidence for guarded optimism that the methodology is meeting its promised benefits.
Tea in Toronto and the Liberal Order, 1880–1914
Authors: Walden Keith
Published: February 2012

Abstract:

Although afternoon tea was a cornerstone of sociability in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, there is little information about its lived experience. Most discussions of tea in scholarly literature are based on information contained in advice books. Drawing especially from the reporting found in Saturday Night magazine, this article provides a more realistic understanding of how the rite was conducted in Toronto. Further, it argues that as a device intended to promote circulation in the modern city, tea was linked fundamentally to an emerging liberal order. As problems associated with tea became more pronounced with the growth of the city, the location of tea began to shift from domestic to commercial settings, and the scale of gatherings began to be much more intimate. While the lure of commercial culture undoubtedly pulled women downtown, they were also pushed there by the mounting inconvenience of a primary social ritual.
A History Teacher Looks Back
Authors: Osborne Ken
Published: February 2012

Abstract:

Ken Osborne looks back on his career as a history teacher and teacher of history teachers, exploring what first drew him to the study of history, why he thinks history matters, why he decided to teach it, and how he became involved in issues surrounding the teaching of history. Along the way he also comments on the emergence of history education as a distinct field of study and research.
‘Slotting’ Chinese Families and Refugees, 1947–1967
Authors: Madokoro Laura
Published: February 2012

Abstract:

This article explores the changing policy and legal frameworks governing migration from China to Canada from 1949 to 1967. The transition period between exclusion and universal access was characterized by slow and contested change, as the Canadian state persistently resisted pressure from community actors and religious groups to facilitate the entry of Chinese migrants, concerned as it was with the domestic stability of the nation. By exploring the intersection of the campaign to expand family sponsorship rights for Chinese Canadians, led by the Chinese Benevolent Association in Vancouver, and church interest in refugee resettlement from Hong Kong in the 1960s, this article demonstrates the critical role that civil society actors played in effecting change in the face of entrenched suspicion about immigration from China and growing state intervention in all aspects of Canadian family life in the postwar period. The debates that took place over expanded family migration from China were rooted in a fundamental conflict between family reunification as a basic human right and the state's desire to control the shape and character of the Canadian nation and suggest that the liberalization of Canada's immigration system in the postwar period was far from certain.
Negotiating theMultiin Multilingualism and Multiliteracies: Undergraduate Students in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Marshall Steve , Hayashi Hisako , Yeung Paul
Published: February 2012

This article poses the following research question: How do multilingual students in higher education negotiate the multi in their multilingualism and multiliteracies? The article presents data from a qualitative study conducted with eight multilingual undergraduate university students in which the participants describe their complex multilingualism and literacy practices in interviews and provide samples of their formal and less formal literacies for analysis. Findings show that participants creatively use their multilingual and multiliterate competencies in safe informal contexts, but in high-stakes academic contexts they relegate these competencies to conform to institutional expectations of standard academic writing in English. Analysis involves an interweaving of several theoretical perspectives: multilingualism as something combined and hybrid rather than discrete languages, multiliteracies, academic literacies, and identity formation as performed and negotiated in relation to powerful social and institutional discourses. The authors find the participants of the present study to be highly reflexive, knowledgeable, and skilled transnational learners, a finding that challenges pervasive discourses around multilingual learners that focus on deficit and remediation.