bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evaluation of oil and fatty acid composition in seed of cotton accessions from various countries
Authors: Lukonge Everina , Labuschagne Maryke T , Hugo Arno
Published: November 2006

Cottonseed oil has a 2:1 ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, but in large amounts it contributes to a short shelf‐life due to rancidity. The aim of this study was to screen germplasm from various countries for oil and fatty acid content, to identify parents that can be used in hybridisation to increase stearic and oleic acids and reduce palmitic fatty acids. Oil content varied from 13.6% to 24.7%. Linoleic acid ranged from 51.5% to 63%, palmitic from 19.2% to 25.6%, oleic from 14.2% to 18.5% and stearic from 2.1% to 2.8%. Stearic and palmitic acids were positively correlated, and stearic and linoleic acids were negatively correlated; therefore breeding for increased stearic acid and reduced palmitic acid as well as breeding for increased stearic and linoleic acids at the same time might be difficult through conventional breeding. CIM70 and Cyto 12/74 had high values for stearic and oleic acids and Stoneville had high values of stearic and oleic acids and low palmitic acid. These can be used as parents to improve these two fractions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Travel stimulated by international students in Australia
Authors: Min‐En Aaron Tham
Published: November 2006

The international student (IS) market in Australia has been a growing export economy. Because of the traditional definition of tourism being that of ‘a leisure activity outside a usual work scope area for a period of less than a year’, tourism research on IS has been minimal. This research investigates the tourism demand stimulated by IS in Australia. Besides tourism statistics, the research involved 23 IS in focus groups who provided responses of their tourism activities while in Australia. The research illustrates that such IS are significant contributors to tourism by visiting places of interest, purchasing souvenirs, casual work in hospitality and visits by friends and relatives. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser with linear and orthogonal polarized components of a radiation at the wavelength 0.532 μm
Authors: Petrovskiy V N , Prokopova N M , Protsenko E D , Yermachenko V M
Published: November 2006

A diode-pumped continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser with two linear and mutually orthogonal polarized components of radiation at a wavelength 0.532 μm is studied theoretically and experimentally. The cavity configuration for the realization of generation in this region is suggested. Stable lasing with two mutually orthogonal polarized components is implemented within the range of the intercomponent separation practically from zero to approximately 10 GHz.
The relative efficiency of four representative cropland conversions in reducing water erosion: evidence from long‐term plots in the Loess hilly area, China
Authors: Huang Z. L. , Chen L. D. , Fu B. J. , Lu Y. H. , Huang Y. L. , Gong J.
Published: November 2006

Large areas of traditional slope cropland were recently converted to other land‐use types in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. In this study, we selected four representative conversion options of slope croplands, i.e., pastureland rotated with cropland (cultivated with Medicago sativa L. and rotated with Triticum aestivum L.), shrubland and woodland (afforested with Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Pinus tabulaeformis), and grassland (native herbage Stipa breviflora) to study the effect of land‐use conversion by comparing with traditional cropland. Compared with slope cropland, the relative effects of different conversion options on surface runoff and soil erosion were assessed over a 14‐year measurement period. Observations showed that distinct features and consequences of vegetation succession were found among the conversion options. Plots of shrubland had the highest vegetation coverage with dense undergrowth; natural herbaceous and subshrub species gradually spread into plots of grassland resulting in higher vegetation cover. Neither bushes nor herbs colonized the plots of Pinus tabulaeformis, which resulted in a higher percentage of bare soil. Significant differences in runoff generation, sediment yield and conservation efficiencies among the selected conversion options were detected through an analyses of variance (ANOVA). Compared with cropland, total runoff and sediment decreased by 65 per cent and 95 per cent in shrubland, 41 per cent and 92·5 per cent in grassland, 18 per cent and 77 per cent in woodland, and 12 per cent and 58 per cent in pastureland, respectively. The ranking of soil and water conservation efficiencies was shrubland > grassland > woodland > pastureland > cropland. Based on the effectiveness of soil and water conservation, shrubland and grassland are highly recommended as promising options for cropland conversion projects. However, pastureland and woodland are not suggested as potential options for slope‐cropland conversion because of low soil and water conservation in the long term. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ex vivo histological characterization of a novel ablative fractional resurfacing device
Authors: Hantash Basil M. , Bedi Vikramaditya P. , Chan Kin Foong , Zachary Christopher B.
Published: November 2006

Background and Objectives

We introduce a novel CO2 laser device that utilizes ablative fractional resurfacing for deep dermal tissue removal and characterize the resultant thermal effects in skin.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A prototype 30 W, 10.6 µm CO2 laser was focused to a 1/e2 spot size of 120 µm and pulse duration up to 0.7 milliseconds to achieve a microarray pattern in ex vivo human skin. Lesion depth and width were assessed histologically using either hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) or lactate dehyrdogenase (LDH) stain. Pulse energies were varied to determine their effect on lesion dimensions.

Results

Microarrays of ablative and thermal injury were created in fresh ex vivo human skin irradiated with the prototype CO2 laser device. Zones of tissue ablation were surrounded by areas of tissue coagulation spanning the epidermis and part of the dermis. A thin condensed lining on the interior wall of the lesion cavity was observed consistent with eschar formation. At 23.3 mJ, the lesion width was approximately 350 µm and depth 1 mm. In this configuration, the cavities were spaced approximately 500 µm apart and interlesional epidermis and dermis demonstrated viable tissue by LDH staining.

Conclusion

A novel prototype ablative CO2 laser device operating in a fractional mode was developed and its resultant thermal effects in human abdominal tissue were characterized. We discovered that controlled microarray patterns could be deposited in skin with variable depths of dermal tissue ablation depending on the treatment pulse energy. This is the first report to characterize the successful use of ablative fractional resurfacing as a potential approach to dermatological treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:87–95, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermoplastic Starch Plasticized by Glycerol as Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Ma Xiaofei , Yu Jiugao , He Kang
Published: November 2006

Summary: Melt extrusion can be used to prepared GPTPS mixed with alkali metal chlorides (LiCl, NaCl and KCl) as a potential solid polymer electrolytes. SEM reveals that excess salt results in the congregation of salt crystals, which affects the mechanical properties and conductivities of GPTPS. FT‐IR spectroscopy shows that alkali metal ions can interact with starch, which restrains starch recrystallization, as proved by XRD. The introduction of salts improves the elongation at break, but reduces the tensile stress of GPTPS. Both salt content and water content have an effect on the conductance of GPTPS. The introduction of salts increases the conductance by a factor of 1–2, while the conductance increases about 5 orders of magnitude as the water content increases from 0.05 to 0.55 wt.‐%. The relationship of conductance versus water content can be well described by a second‐order polynomial, with R2 > 0.96. The type of salt has no obvious effect on the correlation between the conductance and water contents.

SEM micrographs of native starch granules and fractured surfaces of GPTPS filled with different types and amounts of alkali metal chlorides per 100 g starch.

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SEM micrographs of native starch granules and fractured surfaces of GPTPS filled with different types and amounts of alkali metal chlorides per 100 g starch.
Stereocomplex Formation from Enantiomeric Polyamides Derived from Tartaric Acid
Authors: Marín Romina , Alla Abdelilah , Muñoz‐Guerra Sebastián
Published: November 2006

Summary: The formation of stereocomplexes from the pair of enantiomorphs of the chiral polyamide poly(hexamethylene di‐O‐methyl tartaramide) was investigated for a variety of experimental conditions. DSC and X‐ray diffraction data evidenced that efficiency in enantiomeric association is highly sensitive to the procedure used for preparing the complex. A comparative isothermal crystallization study revealed that the stereocomplex crystallized from the melt at a rate lower than the enantiomerically pure components. The radial growth of individual spherulites was also delayed in the crystallization of the complex. No evidence of stereocoupling was detected for other poly(alkylene di‐O‐methyl tartaramide)s with the alkylene unit length different from six. It was concluded that molecular interlocking of hydrogen bonds in the enantiomeric pair is highly selective in this family of polymers.

Spherulitic growth at 200 °C from the melt.

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Spherulitic growth at 200 °C from the melt.
Thermoreversible Gelation of Polybenzimidazole in Phosphoric Acid
Authors: Sannigrahi Arindam , Arunbabu Dhamodaran , Jana Tushar
Published: November 2006

Summary: We report a study of thermoreversible gelation of polybenzimidazole (PBI) in phosphoric acid (PA). The PBI gel in PA exhibits fibrillar network morphology and reversible first order phase transition. The gelation rate is measured by the tube tilting method and found to depend both upon gelation concentration and gelation temperature. The UV‐vis study demonstrates that the gelation process is a two‐step process: conformational transformation and aggregation which produces crystallites for gel formation. The WAXS study supports the presence of crystallites in the gel. The PA doping level of the membrane increases significantly because of gelation.

Thermoreversible gelation of polybenzimidazole in phosphoric acid and the membrane produced from the gel.

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Thermoreversible gelation of polybenzimidazole in phosphoric acid and the membrane produced from the gel.
Saturated Red‐Emitting Electrophosphorescent Polymers with Iridium Coordinating to β‐Diketonate Units in the Main Chain
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chen Zhao , Yang Chuluo , Gong Shaolong , Qin Jingui , Cao Yong
Published: November 2006

Summary: A series of novel copolymers with fluorene‐alt‐carbazole segments and β‐diketonate moieties coordinating to iridium were synthesized by Suzuki polycondensation, and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and GPC. In the absorption spectra of the copolymers, metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer transitions coming from iridium complex increased in intensity with increasing content of Ir complex in copolymers. The photoluminescence spectra of the copolymers were dominated by emission from the iridium complex with peak at ca. 620 nm even at the feed ratio of the complex as low as 0.5 mol‐%. The electrochemical investigation indicated that the incorporation of carbazole and iridium complex units reduce the barrier for both hole and electron injection compared with the polyfluorene. The light‐emitting diodes using the copolymers as emission layer under different device configurations were fabricated. The devices with 2‐(4‐biphenylyl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (PBD) show significantly higher external quantum efficiencies than those without PBD. A saturated red‐emitting polymer light‐emitting diode with emission peak at 628 nm, the maximum external quantum efficiency of 0.6% at the current density (J) of 38.5 mA · cm−2, and the maximum luminance of 541 cd · m−2 at 15.8 V was achieved from the device ITO/PEDOT/PFCzIrpiq3 + PBD (40%)/Ba/Al.

Novel copolymers with fluorene‐alt‐carbazole segments and iridium coordinating to β‐diketonate in the main chain.

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Novel copolymers with fluorene‐alt‐carbazole segments and iridium coordinating to β‐diketonate in the main chain.
Preparation and SO2 Absorption/Desorption Properties of Crosslinked Poly(1,1,3,3‐Tetramethylguanidine Acrylate) Porous Particles
Authors: Wu Linbo , An Dong , Dong Jie , Zhang Zhengmin , Li Bo‐Geng , Zhu Shiping
Published: November 2006

Summary: Novel crosslinked porous particles based on the ionic copolymer of 1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine acrylate (TMGA) and N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) were prepared via an inverse suspension polymerization using cyclohexane as continuous phase and Span 60 as the dispersant. The SO2 absorption–desorption properties of the P(TMGA‐co‐MBA) particles were studied for the first time. The particles showed excellent SO2 absorption properties: high capacity and rate. These absorption properties, as well as the particle volume, shape, and morphology, remained unchanged during the SO2 absorption–desorption cycles. The material appeared to be a good candidate as SO2 absorbent for fuel gas desulfurization (FGD) and purification of other SO2‐containing gases.

Optical microscope image of the P(TMGA‐co‐MBA) porous particles.

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Optical microscope image of the P(TMGA‐co‐MBA) porous particles.
Ions in space
Authors: Petrie Simon , Bohme Diethard Kurt
Published: November 2006

We review the detection history, observation, distribution, and reactivity of molecular ions in extraterrestrial space, with particular (though not exclusive) reference to interstellar monocations. The diversity of interstellar ion chemistry is highlighted with reaction examples, drawn from the authors' own laboratories and elsewhere, and attempt to provide an overview of this broad and increasingly divergent field. Emphasis is given to the role of ions in the synthesis of molecules, including their ability to catalyze the transformation of neutral molecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 26:258–280, 2007
Valproate‐induced Parkinsonism in epilepsy patients
Authors: Jamora Dominic , Lim Shih‐Hui , Pan Andrew , Tan Louis , Tan Eng‐King
Published: November 2006

We systematically examined 226 epilepsy patients in a tertiary‐referral center and found 6 (5.04%) to have valproate‐induced Parkinsonism. There was a significantly higher prevalence of patients with Parkinsonism in the group of patients treated with valproate compared to those who were on other antiepileptic drugs (6 [5.04%] of 119 vs. 0 [0%] of 107; χ2 = 5.54; P = 0.025). These six patients had been on valproate for more than 3 years (mean, 75.67 ± 25.32 months) at an average dose of 750 ± 273.86 mg/day. The valproate doses were decreased or discontinued with supplementation from another antiepileptic medication. The mean UPDRS motor score significantly improved from 10.67 ± 5.1 to 4.75 ± 2.75 (P < 0.05). There was no relapse of seizures. Clinicians working in tertiary‐referral centers should have a high index of suspicion for valproate‐induced Parkinsonism. Early recognition and switching into another antiepileptic medication may help reduce unnecessary suffering in these patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Acute effects of immediate and controlled‐release levodopa on mood in Parkinson's disease: A double‐blind study
Authors: Kulisevsky Jaime , Pascual‐Sedano Berta , Barbanoj Manel , Gironell Alexandre , Pagonabarraga Javier , García‐Sánchez Carmen
Published: November 2006

Mood fluctuations related to levodopa (LD) dosing are well‐known psychiatric complications of Parkinson's disease (PD). No formal studies explored how affective response to LD relates to the type of motor response to oral LD (stable or wearing‐off) and to different pharmacokinetic profiles of oral LD. We used an intrasubject randomized double‐blind crossover design to study 14 patients (7 stable, 7 wearing‐off) who were monitored for motor status, mood, anxiety, and plasma LD levels 1 hour before and 6 hours after an oral dose of immediate‐release (IR) and controlled‐release LD formulations. Analysis of the dose–response curves showed a significant interaction between the type of motor response and the type of LD. Only the wearing‐off patients had a significant mood elevation, and this effect was only significant following challenge with IR LD. Motor status strongly correlated with LD plasma levels and anxiety but not with mood ratings. Mood changes in PD patients are related to the patient's type of motor response to oral LD and also to the kinetic profile of the LD formulation used for dopaminergic replacement. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Analysis of L–L transmission line metamaterials with coupled inductances
Authors: Alù Andrea , Bilotti Filiberto , Vegni Lucio
Published: November 2006

Here we solve the transmission‐line equations for a metamaterial having shunt and series inductances electromagnetically coupled together. We derive and analyze the anomalous wave properties that such a metamaterial may have, envisioning its realization both as a transmission‐line metamaterial and as a bulk complex material whose electromagnetic relations may be read in terms of the present theory. The dependence of the wave impedances on the coupling factor between the inductive elements is derived in closed form, showing an anomalous distinct behavior between the incident and reflected waves. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 94–97, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22028
Design of a CPW‐fed ultrawideband fractal antenna
Authors: Ding Min , Jin Ronghong , Geng Junping , Wu Qi
Published: November 2006

A new ultrawideband antenna is presented in this letter, and the fractal structure is used to obtain such a wideband feature. The parameters and the characteristics of the antenna are given. The simulated and the measured results show that a bandwidth larger than 6:1 is achieved. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 173–176, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22078
Modelling of non linear elements using an extended iterative method
Authors: Glaoui Mohamed , Hajlaoui El Amjed , Zairi Hassen , Trabelsi Hichem , Baudrand Henri
Published: November 2006

This paper presents an iterative method based on the wave concept for investigation of structures including Non‐linear components. The principle of the iterative method consists to establishing a relationship between incident and reflected waves in order to characterize the studied structure. A passage from frequency domain to time domain is used to describe the behavior of a non‐linear transmission line (NLTL) including eight Varactor diodes. It is demonstrated that the NLTL plays the role of a delay time line (DTL). The reflected and transmission coefficients are determined. The numerical results are compared with published data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 143–147, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22079
Accurate equivalent circuit for etched resonator with effective negative permittivity
Authors: Wu Hung‐Wei , Weng Min‐Hang , Su Yan‐Kuin , Yang Ru‐Yuan , Hung Cheng‐Yuan
Published: November 2006

This latter demonstrates an accurate equivalent circuit for a negative permittivity resonator using single‐cell complementary split ring resonator underneath a microstrip line that introduces two attenuation poles in desired frequencies. The proposed equivalent circuit consists of lumped elements that can be accurately extracted from the measured S‐parameters. Good agreement with response of equivalent circuit, electromagnetic simulation, and measurement is demonstrated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 231–234, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22090
A compact wide‐band bandpass filter integrating SCMRC and SIRW structures
Authors: Che Wenquan , Deng Kuan , Xu Lei , Wang Dapeng
Published: November 2006

A wideband bandpass filter constructed into substrate integrated rectangular waveguide (SIRW) and incorporating spiral compact microstrip resonant cell (SCMRC) is proposed. Design considerations of these two dissimilar structures are introduced separately. A prototype was fabricated and measured. Good agreements are observed between the experimental results and the simulations. The results demonstrate a wide bandwidth of 70.7% (from 8.6 to 18 GHz), and the ripple in the entire passband is less than 2 dB. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 195–198, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22092
Design of compact microstrip dual‐band bandpass filters with λ/4 stepped‐impedance resonators
Authors: Jhuang He‐Kai , Lee Ching‐Her , Hsu Chung‐I. G.
Published: November 2006

This article presents a compact microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) design for the 2.45 and 5.25 GHz wireless local‐area network (WLAN) applications. U‐shaped quarter‐wavelength stepped‐impedance resonators (λ/4 SIRs), for which the circuit size is small and the second resonant frequency can be tuned over a wide range, are adopted in the BPF design. It is shown that the first spurious passbands of the resultant filters are farther away from their second passbands than are those of the corresponding filters using half‐wavelength SIRs. Experiments on a second‐order and a fourth‐order BPF are conducted for validating the filter performance. Good agreement between the measured and the simulated results are observed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 164–168, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22094
Optimising the coaxial‐fed location to enhance circular polarization bandwidth of stacked microstrip antennas
Authors: Nasimuddin N. , Esselle Karu P. , Verma A. K.
Published: November 2006

A new technique is developed to best locate the coaxial feed of a circularly polarized stacked microstrip antenna with the objective of improving the axial‐ratio bandwidth and CP quality of the antenna. In the proposed technique, we move the single feed on an arc between the diagonal and main axis of the driven patch to optimize CP performance. An antenna, on the basis of this technique, has been designed using the Microwave Studio software, and a prototype has been fabricated and tested. The antenna measurements show an excellent 14.8% AR bandwidth, 8 dB gain (over the impedance bandwidth), and 19.5% impedance bandwidth. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 132–135, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22096
1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of alkyl and polyamine‐linked bis(2‐thioxo‐[1,3,5]‐thiadiazinan‐3‐yl) carboxylic acids
Authors: Molero Dolores , Coro Julieta , Pérez Rolando , Suárez Margarita , Martínez‐Álvarez Roberto , Herrera Antonio , Martín Nazario
Published: November 2006

The 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic data for alkyl and polyamine‐linked bis(2‐thioxo‐[1,3,5]thiadiazinan‐3‐yl) carboxylic acids, prepared from alkyl diamines and N4‐(benzyl) spermidine have been fully assigned by combination of one‐ and two‐dimensional experiments (DEPT, HMBC, HMQC, COSY). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR signals of some hydroxyphenylcoumarins
Authors: Quezada Elías , Vilar Santiago , Viña Dolores , Santana Lourdes , Uriarte Eugenio
Published: November 2006

The complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments of six hydroxyphenylcoumarins have been made using 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NGOSS‐based convergent OSS framework toward business agility: KT case
Authors: Kim Cheol‐Seong , Ok Kisang , Hong Daniel W. , Chang Byungsoo , Bang Yoon‐Hak
Published: November 2006

Recently, most wireline telecom service providers have confronted a decrease of subscribers because wireless service providers are making inroads into traditional telecom markets and gaining tangible net earnings. To overcome a severely competitive business environment, wireline service providers strive to change their service infrastructure from a network‐focused service to a value‐added and customer‐focused one that can create new value and markets. This also entails a paradigm shift in operations and management, and now most service providers are rushing to build a new converged OSS to efficiently accommodate the network and service evolution. KT has driven the NeOSS (New OSS) project to build a convergent OSS for the past 3 years. This paper presents three NGOSS‐based architectural core principles that are the foundation of NeOSS, which are business process integration by using BPM technology, distributed application integration by using EAI technology, and building a consolidated inventory DB based on a standard information model. Lastly, we present KT's operational improvement through the use of NeOSS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of linear and classical velocity update rules in particle swarm optimization: notes on diversity
Authors: Wilke Daniel N. , Kok Schalk , Groenwold Albert A.
Published: November 2006

In this study, we investigate the significance of diversity in the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. To do so, we study two different implementations of the PSO, being the so‐calledlinearandclassicalPSO formulations. While the behaviour of these two implementations is markedly different, they only differ in the formulation of the velocity update rule. In fact, the differences are merely due to subtle differences in the introduction of randomness into the algorithm.

In this paper, we show that in algorithms employing thelinearPSO velocity update rule, particle trajectories collapse to line searches inn‐dimensional space. Theclassicalformulation does not suffer this drawback. Instead, directional diverse stochastic search trajectories are retained, which in turn helps to alleviate premature convergence. The performance of the classical implementation is therefore superior for all test problems considered, due to the presence of adequate diversity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C1 macroelements in adaptive finite element methods
Authors: Stogner Roy H. , Carey Graham F.
Published: November 2006

Some interesting properties of composite basis functions for C1 macroelements are investigated, including their use for constructing conforming C1 function spaces on non‐conforming adaptively refined meshes. Of particular interest is the classical cubic Hsieh–Clough–Tocher 3‐split triangle because of its simplicity and convergence properties in fourth‐order problems, as compared with the Powell–Sabin–Heindl 6‐split and 12‐split triangles. A posteriori error indicators for adaptive refinement are developed. Numerical experiments demonstrate convergence rates, and adaptive refinement performance based on a simplified error indicator is tested. Extensibility to analogous three‐dimensional tetrahedral elements is briefly discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The partition of unity finite element method for elastic wave propagation in Reissner–Mindlin plates
Authors: Hu N. , Wang H. H. , Yan B. , Fukunaga H. , Roy Mahapatra D. , Gopalakrishnan S.
Published: November 2006

This paper reports a numerical method for modelling the elastic wave propagation in plates. The method is based on the partition of unity approach, in which the approximate spectral properties of the infinite dimensional system are embedded within the space of a conventional finite element method through a consistent technique of waveform enrichment. The technique is general, such that it can be applied to the Lagrangian family of finite elements with specific waveform enrichment schemes, depending on the dominant modes of wave propagation in the physical system. A four‐noded element for the Reissner–Mindlin plate is derived in this paper, which is free of shear locking. Such a locking‐free property is achieved by removing the transverse displacement degrees of freedom from the element nodal variables and by recovering the same through a line integral and a weak constraint in the frequency domain. As a result, the frequency‐dependent stiffness matrix and the mass matrix are obtained, which capture the higher frequency response with even coarse meshes, accurately. The steps involved in the numerical implementation of such element are discussed in details. Numerical studies on the performance of the proposed element are reported by considering a number of cases, which show very good accuracy and low computational cost. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A convergence analysis of the performance of the DRM‐MD boundary integral approach
Authors: Portapila M. , Power H.
Published: November 2006

In this article, we study the performance of the dual reciprocity multi‐domains approach (DRM‐MD) when the shape functions of the boundary elements, for both the approximation of the geometry and the surface variables of the governing equations, are quadratic functions. A series of tests are carried out to study the consistency of the proposed boundary integral technique. For this purpose a limiting process of the subdivision of the domain is performed, reporting a comparison of the computed solutions for every refining scheme. Furthermore, the DRM‐MD is solved in its dual reciprocity approximation using two different radial basis interpolation functions, the conical function r plus a constant, i.e. (1+r), and the augmented thin plate spline. Special attention is paid to the contrast between numerical results yielded by the DRM‐MD approach using linear and quadratic boundary elements towards a full understanding of its convergence behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining corporate social responsibility
Authors: Wan‐Jan Wan Saiful
Published: November 2006

This paper aims to provide a working definition of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It begins by describing how the lack of a widely agreed definition contributed to misunderstandings and cynicism towards the concept itself and argued that hence the need for a working definition. The paper then goes on to divide current literature on CSR, and current business practices, into two main categories depending on the way CSR is perceived—as an ethical position or as a business strategy. A brief overview on how CSR is practised in the real business world is also presented. The paper describes how practitioners seem to be practising CSR despite the lack of a universally agreed definition. Subsequently, based on the ongoing academic debates on CSR and on examples of what is happening in the real business world, the paper concludes with a proposed definition that reconciles ongoing academic debates with practice.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development
Authors: Payne Adrian
Published: November 2006

Given today's concerns about the impact of globalisation on the developing world, companies must demonstrate that they are operating responsibly, and work to become more accountable to stakeholders. At the same time there is continuing debate as to the proper role and responsibilities of companies in relation to that of governments when it comes to sustainable development. A cornerstone of British American Tobacco's corporate social responsibility strategy is the initiation of partnerships with non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) to address issues of mutual concern that impact on sustainable development. This paper describes in detail two such partnerships, one focused on preserving biodiversity, the other on trying to eliminate child labour in tobacco growing. it is argued that business‐NGO partnerships such as these can add an extra dimension to the contribution that companies can make themselves in terms of helping the communities and countries in which they operate meet their sustainable development needs.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From a weak letter of intent to prevalence: the toy industries' code of conduct
Authors: Biedermann Reinhard
Published: November 2006

In 2003, the global toy industry started a new attempt to implement common standards on working conditions in the notorious ‘sweatshop‐factories’ especially in China, where up to three million people from rural provinces produce toys for Western brand name companies. This article explores, why and how the common industry code of conduct (CoC) of the International Council of the Toy Industries (ICTI) gathered momentum and who will benefit from this dynamic. One reason for this harmonization is the uncontrolled growth of unilateral CoC in the industry, that makes it impossible for suppliers to comply with all the requirements, particularly when they deliver to many different brand name companies. Credibility gaps of‐ and critical reports about the CoC‐record of major brand name companies like Disney, Mattel and Hasbro were continuously issued by Nongovernmental Organisations (NGOs) from Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, HKCIC), its Northern network partner, the German Catholic Organization Misereor under the umbrella of the ‘fair‐play’ campaign and, by several media reports in reputable newspapers in the USA. Since 2004, even Mattel as a widely acknowledged ambitious company on codes of conduct, supports the less ambitious sector code. Moreover, the ICTI CoC enjoys support from some big retailers like Karstadt‐Quelle, Argos and Woolworth, that give the industry code real authority within the industry. ICTI negotiates with the biggest toy retailers Toys'R'Us and Walmart to accept the code like their own. The coordination between the big retailers and the brand name companies can potentially end current weaknesses of single codes of conduct, that leaves the managerial thesis about ‘first‐mover‐advantages’ or reputation effects for the brand name companies as a myth. In the long run, the major brand companies may benefit of a better reputation of the whole industry, due to the fact that the image of a brand is strongly connected with the image of the whole sector.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trade unions and CSR: a European research agenda
Authors: Preuss Lutz , Haunschild Axel , Matten Dirk
Published: November 2006

There is much evidence that Corporate Social Responsibility has increasingly become embraced by industry in Europe. The transfer to Europe of what essentially is a concept embedded in American capitalism, however, results in some interesting contextualizations. One of the most interesting of these is the impact of CSR on one of the most powerful actors to determine the social responsibility of corporations in the European context, namely trade unions and their institutional infrastructure. In many cases unions perceive CSR as a threat, as it transfers yet more power and discretion to managers. By contrast, trade unions in countries with a strong corporatist tradition claim to be themselves drivers of CSR. An altogether different situation exists in Eastern Europe, where unions lack the legitimacy and influence to shape the emerging CSR agenda. Given such a spread of positions, what similarities and differences can be detected in union approaches to CSR? Which specific aspects of CSR are supported by European unions? How have European unions adapted their strategies in response to CSR? This article employs an institutional comparison perspective of selected European countries to explore the role unions play in CSR activities. It maps out the conceptual territory and provides one of the first overviews of the topic.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescent gel particles in the nanometer range for detection of metabolites in living cells
Authors: Almdal Kristoffer , Sun Honghao , Poulsen Allan K. , Arleth Lise , Jakobsen Iver , Gu Hong , Scharff‐Poulsen Anne Marie
Published: November 2006

In this present work a research program that aims at the development of sensor particles based on ratiometric detection of fluorescence from two dyes was embarked on. Such particles can in principle be used to achieve spatially and time resolved measurements of metabolite concentrations in living cells. The dyes are chosen such that the fluorescence of one dye is a function of an analyte concentration whereas the fluorescence of the other dye is independent of variations in the medium. Methods have been investigated for synthesizing such particles based on crosslinked polyacrylamide in inverse micelles in oil microemulsions. Typical sizes of the particles are tens of nanometers. Characterization methods for such particles based on size exclusion chromatography, photon correlation spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy have been developed. The stability of the sensor particles and their potential as an analytical tool will be discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New potentially biodegradable polyurethanes
Authors: Borda Jenő , Kéki Sándor , Bodnár Ildikó , Németh Nóra , Zsuga Miklós
Published: November 2006

New potentially biodegradable, thermoplastic multiblock copolymers from poly(lactic acid), poly (ε‐caprolactone) and/or poly(lactic acid‐ε‐caprolactone) copolymers were synthesized using toluene diisocyanate (TDI) as chain extender and poly(ethylene glycol) as intrinsic plasticizer. The structures of the resulting copolymers were unambiguously confirmed by NMR, IR and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) methods. The effects of the molar ratio of the polymers to TDI on the molar mass and on the mechanical properties of the resulting multiblock copolymers were also investigated. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young's modulus, Shore A hardness and elongation at break of the multiblock copolymers suitable for making foils are compared with those of some relevant commercially available plastics. According to the comparative mechanical tests, some mechanical properties of the new biodegradable copolymers exceed those of the conventional plastics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of polymer architecture and composition on the interfacial properties of temperature‐responsive hydrophobically‐modified poly(N‐isopropylacrylamides)
Authors: Liu Roger C. W. , Cantin Sophie , Perrot Françoise , Winnik Françoise M.
Published: November 2006

The relationship between polymer structure and activity at the air/water interface was investigated as a function of temperature for various hydrophobically‐modified poly(N‐isopropylacrylamides) (HM‐PNIPAM). To examine the importance of several structural parameters, an unmodified PNIPAM was used as a reference polymer and two sets of HM‐PNIPAM were used (i) bearing an n‐alkyl chain at one or both terminal positions of the polymer backbone, and (ii) carrying n‐alkyl or n‐perfluoroalkyl chains randomly along the polymer backbone. The interfacial properties of HM‐PNIPAM, including the formation and the compression/expansion reversibility of the monolayers, at different subphase temperatures were studied by using the Langmuir film balance technique. The stability and dynamic nature of the HM‐PNIPAM monolayers were further studied by the time‐dependent surface pressure measurements. Within the studied temperature range (12–28°C), all polymers formed monolayers on the water surface, with the surface activity of polymers enhanced with increasing subphase temperature. Decreasing the monolayer compression/expansion rate enhanced the hysteresis between the compression and expansion isotherms. All results suggested a compression‐promoted temperature‐ and rate‐dependent conformational rearrangement of the polymer on the water surface. Increasing the level of hydrophobic modifications progressively improved the monolayer compressibility and stability, and reduced the hysteresis. Samples of HM‐PNIPAM bearing fluorocarbon chains formed more stable and compressible monolayers, comparing to their hydrocarbon analogs, and showed a less pronounced hysteresis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of new poly(ethylene) based materials by coordination (co)polymerization of macromonomers with ethylene
Authors: Lahitte J.‐F. , Peruch F. , Isel F. , Lutz P.‐J.
Published: November 2006

The present work discusses first the homopolymerization of ω‐allyl, ω‐undecenyl or ω‐vinylbenzyl polystyrene (PS) macromonomers in the presence of selected early or late transition metal catalysts. Homopolymerization degrees were found to depend on the type of catalyst, the terminal double bond, the polymerization temperature and the concentration of the various species. Higher molar masses were reached at low temperatures and low catalyst and cocatalyst concentrations. Best results were obtained with the constrained geometry catalyst (CGC)‐Ti.

The same PS macromonomers were copolymerized with ethylene in the presence of the VERSIPOLTM catalyst to design a new type of poly(ethylene) based graft copolymer. The macromonomer weight percent content decreases with increasing ethylene pressure whereas the molar mass of the copolymer increases with ethylene pressure. The PS macromonomer content as well as the molar mass of the copolymer can be still increased by using α,ω‐difunctional PS macromonomers. The dilute solution and solid‐state behavior of these copolymers were examined and compared to those of poly(ethylenes) prepared under the same conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silica‐immobilized cumyl dithiobenzoate as mediating agent in reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization
Authors: Nguyen Duc Hung , Vana Philipp
Published: November 2006

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate were performed in bulk at 60°C, using cumyl dithiobenzoate as the mediating RAFT agent that has been immobilized via the stabilizing Z‐group to nanometer‐sized fumed silica particles. Increasing molecular weights with monomer conversion and absence of conventional polymerization activity in the interstitial solution phase were observed when the overall concentration of silica particles was carefully balanced with their respective cumyl dithiobenzoate loading. After completion of the polymerization, potentially sulfur‐free polymers with controlled molecular weights were obtained, initially via collecting the terminated polymeric material from the interstitial solution phase and, secondly, via cleavage of the surface‐confined polymer by a single addition fragmentation chain transfer step, which provides a pathway for recovery of the solid‐supported RAFT agent. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermally reversible materials based on thermosetting systems modified with polymer dispersed liquid crystals for optoelectronic application
Authors: Tercjak A. , Serrano E. , Mondragon I.
Published: November 2006

The main aim of this research was the generation of new intelligent materials, in this case thermoreversible material, based on an epoxy matrix modified with liquid crystal for optoelectronic application. The samples were prepared by the reaction‐induced phase separation (RIPS) of a solution of 4′‐(hexyloxy)‐4‐biphenyl‐carbonitrile (HOBC) and polystyrene (PS) in diglicydylether of bisphenol‐A epoxy resin (DGEBA). The systems were cured with a stoichiometric amount of an aromatic amine hardener, 4,4′‐methylene bis(3‐chloro‐2,6‐diethylaniline) (MCDEA). Taken into account results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission optical microscopy (TOM) equipped with a hot stage it was found that depending on morphology generated by RIPS of HOBC/thermoplastic particles in the epoxy matrix thermally reversible light scattering (TRLS) material can be obtained. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organic/inorganic nanocomposites prepared by mechanical smashing of agglomerated silica ultrafine particles in molten thermoplastic resin
Authors: Tanahashi Mitsuru , Hirose Masaki , Lee Jeong‐Chang , Takeda Kunihiko
Published: November 2006

A new approach for the preparation of organic/inorganic nanocomposites was investigated in which nano‐sized silica particles without surface modification were dispersed by the mechanical smashing of strength‐controlled porous silica agglomerates in molten resin during direct melt‐compounding. The method consists of two stages. The first stage involves preparation of the strength‐controlled agglomerated silica nanoparticles with pore structure, and the second stage involves melt‐compounding of a thermoplastic resin with the silica agglomerates prepared in the first stage. In the first stage, on the basis of the theory of stability of an aqueous colloidal silica solution, the pore structure and the fracture strength of the silica agglomerate could be controlled by pH‐control and electrolyte ion‐addition to the colloidal solutions of silica nanoparticles. In the next stage, primary silica nanoparticles could be dispersed in some matrix resins such as a poly(ethylene‐ran‐vinyl alcohol) and polystyrene uniformly by the proposed mechanical approach by the use of the high shear stress acting on porous silica agglomerates inside these melt‐compounded resins. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of micropatterns with dyes in polymer films by selective doping of dye vapor in a vacuum
Authors: Mizokuro Toshiko , Mochizuki Hiroyuki , Tanigaki Nobutaka , Hiraga Takashi
Published: November 2006

In this article a novel process for patterning of dye into a positive‐type novolac resin is reported by doping vapor of the blue dye, Solvent Blue 59 (SB59), using a simple vacuum process named the vapor transportation method. SB59‐doped novolac resin films were examined by UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and optical microscopy. When SB59 vapor was doped into unexposed films at temperatures above 130°C, absorption peaks due to SB59 were detected. In contrast, no absorption peaks were detected when SB59 vapor was doped into exposed films. These results indicated the selective doping of SB59 vapor into unexposed novolac resin films. When SB59 vapor reached the surfaces of micropatterned novolac resin films with both unexposed and exposed areas, SB59 was doped selectively into the unexposed areas of the films, resulting in the production of micropatterns with SB59 molecules in the patterned films. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.