bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of L‐ergothioneine in whole blood by hydrophilic interaction ultra‐performance liquid chromatography and UV‐detection
Authors: Sotgia Salvatore , Zinellu Angelo , Pintus Gianfranco , Pinna Gerard Aime , Deiana Luca , Carru Ciriaco
Published: December 2012

A new hydrophilic interaction ultra‐performance LC method was established for the whole blood measurement of L‐ergothioneine. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a fairly short time, less than 4 min, on a 100 × 2.1 mm Acquity UPLC BEH HILIC 1.7 μm column with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate/ACN/water (5:85:10, v/v/v) that flowed isocratically at 0.250 mL/min. The LOD and the limit of quantification were 3.85 and 11.67 μmol/L, respectively. The method exhibited linearity in a concentration range of 15.63–1000 μmol/L (R2 > 0.999). Mean recovery was 96.34% whereas intraassay and interassay precision were 1.52 and 1.82% RSD, respectively. On the whole, the developed method is simple, fast, precise, accurate, and sensitive and may be useful for routine analyses.
Understanding the Benefit Sought by Rural Tourists and Accommodation Preferences: A South Korea Case
Authors: Park Duk‐Byeong , Lee Hee‐Jung , Yoon Yoo‐Shik
Published: December 2012

Rural tourism has been widely acknowledged for its effectiveness in contributing to rural areas’ development. With strong government support, rural tourism has developed in many countries during the last several decades. This study aims to improve the understanding regarding tourism in Korean rural areas using a segmentation approach. The responses of 442 tourists in 23 rural villages were analyzed. Four segments of tourists were identified based on the different benefits they sought for their vacation in rural establishments. The estimation of a multinomial logit model determined the socio‐demographic characteristics and the preferred accommodations of a rural tourist. Discussions and implications of the detailed findings are provided in the last section. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heat‐Induced Dry Tailoring of Porosity in Polymer Scaffolds
Authors: Hild Nora , Abaecherli Matteo L. , Mohn Dirk , Stark Wendelin J.
Published: December 2012

The present study evaluates the effect of heat treatment on electrospun poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) fibrous membranes. Both a temperature (75–150 °C) and a treatment time range (5–40 min) are tested. The effect on the fibrous structure is investigated in terms of morphology, showing that with increasing temperature or longer treatment time the fusion of fibres progresses continuously. Additionally, the tensile properties of the various scaffolds deliver results on the effect of increasing fibre‐to‐fibre linkages. Both modulus and yield increase within the heat treatment procedures. The elevated stiffness of the membranes accompanies a loss in porosity. These findings deliver insights into the tailoring of membranes that might be used in the fabrication of customised scaffolds intended for cell culture in tissue engineering.

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Chemistry of Crosslinking Processes for Self‐Healing Polymers
Authors: Billiet Stijn , Hillewaere Xander K. D. , Teixeira Roberto F. A. , Du Prez Filip E.
Published: December 2012

Recent developments in material design have seen an exponential increase of polymers and polymer composites that can repair themselves in response to damage. In this review, a distinction is made between extrinsic materials, where the self‐healing property is obtained by adding healing agents to the material to be repaired, and intrinsic materials, where self‐healing is achieved by the material itself through its chemical nature. An overview of the crosslinking chemistries used in self‐healing materials will be given, discussing the advantages and drawbacks of each system. The review is not only aiming to enable researchers to compare their ongoing research with the state‐of‐the‐art but also to serve as a guide for the newcomers, which allows for a selection of the most promising self‐healing chemistries.
Miscibility and Transport Properties of Poly(lactide)/Phenoxy System
Authors: Chaos A. , García J. M. , Iriarte M. , Fernández J. , Sarasua J. R. , Etxeberria A.
Published: December 2012

Summary: The addition of Phenoxy to Polylactide causes a decrease of the permeability coefficients proportional to the amount of Phenoxy, even in spite of the lack of miscibility between both polymers. The effect of a Poly(caprolactone‐b‐lactide) multiblock copolymer as a compatibilizer of a Poly(lactide)/Phenoxy blend was analyzed,1 achieving miscibility and providing an improvement in the barrier properties of the blend.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyampholytic Poly(acrylic acid acrylamide) Hydrogels and Investigation of Swelling Behavior in Different Media
Authors: Sepehrianazar A. , Mohtasham M.
Published: December 2012

Summary: Stimuli‐responsive polyampholyte hydrogels were synthesized by the copolymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) and acrylamide (AAm) by thermal methods. Polyampholytic hydrogels are crosslinked networks composed of positively and negatively charged repeating units that show entirely different properties from their origins. In this work, polyampholytic poly (acrylic acid acrylamide) hydrogels prepared in different molar ratio in feed composition by thermal methods. The structures of hydrogels were characterized by FTIR analysis. Thermal stabilities of the hydrogels were investigated using TGA analysis. The swelling behavior of hydrogels investigated by some parameters such as pH, salt concentration and temperature. We determined this swelling capacity in different temperatures (25, 50 and 70 °C) and different pH (2, 7 and 12). In addition, we investigated the effects of different salts such as LiCl, CaCl2, Na2SO4 and NaCl with concentration of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 M on swelling properties.
An Alternative Solvent System for Blend Electrospinning of Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibres
Authors: Steyaert I. , Van der Schueren L. , Rahier H. , de Clerck K.
Published: December 2012

Summary: PCL/chitosan blend nanofibres could provide an excellent nanostructured material for biomedical use since their beneficial properties are combined into one material. This paper focuses on the solvent use in the production of PCL/chitosan nanofibres by solution electrospinning, since this is a crucial parameter in the electrospinning process. It was established that an acetic acid/formic acid shows great potential for the stable electrospinning of the blend. Additionally, the fibre morphology using this solvent system was analysed.
Morphology and Properties of Polyamide 6/Poly(propylene) Blends Fine‐Tuned with Nanosilica
Authors: Laoutid F. , François D. , Paint Y. , Bonnaud L. , Dubois P.
Published: December 2012

Summary: The influence of the incorporation of hydrophobic nanosilica on morphological and mechanical properties of polyamide 6 (PA) and poly(propylene) (PP) blends has been investigated. Depending on the amount of silica nanoparticles in the blend and the melt mixing procedure, a strong refinement of PP (as minor dispersed phase) droplet size can be achieved thanks to the interfacial confinement of nanoparticles. The accumulation of nanoparticles at the interface allows the formation of an anti‐coalescence rigid barrier around PP domains that prevents/refrains dispersed phase domains from coalescence as highlighted by transmission and scanning electron microscopies. The mechanical properties of the hybrid blends were also discussed and interpreted in relation with the blend morphology.
Urethane/Siloxane Copolymers with Hydrophobic Properties
Authors: Santiago A. , González A. , Iruin J. J. , Fernández‐Berridi M. J. , Muñoz M. E. , Irusta L.
Published: December 2012

Summary: Different composition polyurethane‐siloxane thermoset copolymers obtained from isophorone diisocyanate trimer, poly (caprolactone) triol and hydroxy terminated poly(dimethyl siloxane) were casted over aluminium surfaces. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) measurements showed that the copolymers presented a phase separated morphology. The water contact angle increased with the siloxane percentage. In addition, for a fixed siloxane percentage, the water contact angle obtained in the air contact generated surface was higher than the one registered in the aluminium contact generated surface, suggesting that the low surface energy siloxane component migrated to the air contact generated surface.
Structure and Thermomechanical Evaluation of Melt Processed Organoclay/ABS/PC Nanocomposites
Authors: Triantou M. I. , Tarantili P. A.
Published: December 2012

Summary: In this work, blends of ABS and PC with various compositions were processed by melt compounding in a twin screw extruder and the obtained samples were studied in terms of structure and thermomechanical properties. The effect of incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoparticles on the above properties was also investigated. The addition of PC improves the thermal degradation resistance and tensile properties of ABS. The incorporation of OMMT into ABS/PC mixtures alters the thermal degradation mechanism for blends containing more than 50% PC and further improves the tensile properties and especially the modulus of elasticity.
Recycled Polycarbonate Blend as Matrix for Development of Polymer Nanocomposite
Authors: Zicans J. , MerijsMeri R. , Ivanova T. , Berzina R. , Kalkis V. , Maksimov R.
Published: December 2012

Summary: Secondary polycarbonate (SPC) is modified with various amounts (5, 10, 30 wt%) of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAc) in order to reduce its brittleness. It is observed that at optimal EVAc weight content maximum tensile strength σM and impact strength AI increse by 14% (ωEVAc = 5 wt%) and 450% (ωEVAc = 10 wt%) in comparison to neat SPC, respectively. Addition of montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT) allowed further increase of elastic modulus E, strength and creep resistance of the investigated SPC blend with 10 wt% of EVAc.
Photonics Research and Development Perspectives in Poland
Authors: Woliński Tomasz R. , Domański Andrzej W.
Published: December 2012

Photonics is one of the most promising and fastest developing innovative technologies and a key‐enabling technology of Europe. Poland has a long tradition in optics and photonics research, especially in laser‐based and optical fiber technologies. This article will describe current research activities in the field of photonics as well as presenting selected development perspectives occurring in this area in recent years in Poland.
Novel Applications of Ultra‐short Pulsed Lasers
Authors: Peters Rigo , Oldorf Paul
Published: December 2012

Due to their outstanding properties ultra‐short pulsed lasers (USP) have recently gained strong interest in laser material processing. While first applications of this laser type have been mainly found in mass production like photovoltaics or cutting of hardened glass for display panels, nowadays, a broad range of diverse applications is emerging, making USP‐lasers one of the fastest growing fields in laser technology.
Plasma Meets Glass
Authors: Gerhard Christoph , Viöl Wolfgang , Kretschmer Marcus
Published: December 2012

Due to its particular optical and mechanical properties, fused silica is one of the most relevant materials for the production of optical, opto‐mechanical and opto‐electrical components and systems. Since such glasses feature a high transmittance in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, deep UV‐laser irradiation or several hybrid methods are usually applied in laser‐based manufacturing of optically operative micro‐structures on fused silica substrates. Against this background, the development of novel methods for increasing the UV‐absorption temporarily is of great interest for laser scribing of optical gratings, micro optics and integrated optical systems. Here, cost‐ and energy‐efficient plasma treatment techniques at atmospheric pressure offer different approaches that can also be applied to other optical glasses.
Optical Fiber Applicators for Fluorescence Measurements
Authors: Cappius Hans‐Joachim , Schmitt Franz‐Josef , Südmeyer Heinrich
Published: December 2012

For health protection and reproducible process outcome in chemical engineering clean surfaces are necessary. Optical methods and special applicators can enable cleaning validation in areas to date not as accessible as desired, e.g. in tubes. Here, design concepts for fiberbased fluorescence and Raman detection in long thin lumina and the lower detection limits of protein coatings are presented. The main aspect of this type of fiber applicators is the maximization of light transmitted to and collected from the illuminated spot. This is achieved by a patented manufacturing method of melting the fiber tip and grinding and polishing the ball‐lens formed at the fiber tip to deflect the light from the fiber core towards one side.
Components and Tools for Polarization‐maintaining Fiber Optics
Authors: Krischke Anja , Knothe Christian , Oechsner Ulrich , Lamott André
Published: December 2012

Fiber cables open up new vistas for the design of modular devices and compact setups for industrial and scientific applications. Special fibers, such as polarization‐maintaining singlemode fibers, are predestined for use in complex, selfcontained setups, increasing laser safety by reducing the laser safety classification. Most importantly, a sensitive and delicate measurement system can still enjoy the benefits of a laser beam, with the desirable features of polarization state and coherence, but be physically separated from the laser source. The measurement setup and the laser source are decoupled mechanically and thermally in order to avoid any mutual negative impacts.
AlGaN layer structures for deep UV emitters on laterally overgrown AlN/sapphire templates
Authors: Knauer A. , Kueller V. , Zeimer U. , Weyers M. , Reich C. , Kneissl M.
Published: December 2012

The crystalline perfection of n‐type AlxGa1 − xN layers with Al content higher than x > 0.4 on epitaxial laterally overgrown AlN was investigated by high resolution X‐ray diffraction, photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL) and resistivity mapping. The critical layer thickness of AlGaN is drastically increased compared to planar AlN/sapphire templates. CL mapping reveals compositional variations caused by different Ga incorporation during growth over steps resulting from step bunching of the AlN. With increasing Al content the homogeneity is improved. N‐type conductivity was achieved for AlGaN with Al content of up to 82%. Temperature dependent PL measurements of AlGaN/AlN multi quantum wells (MQW) emitting at 230 nm show that the internal quantum efficiency improves by a factor of about two for MQWs on defect reduced laterally overgrown AlN compared to planar AlN/sapphire templates. The data show the usefulness of defect reduced AlN templates as quasi‐substrates for AlGaN layer structures with high Al content that can be employed in light emitting diodes emitting in the deep ultraviolet.
Measuring methods for the investigation of in‐plane and cross‐plane thermal conductivity of thin films
Authors: Völklein F. , Reith H. , Meier A.
Published: December 2012

The characterization of the thermal properties of thin film materials is important both for understanding of their structure and conduction mechanisms and for their technical applications. Thermal conductivity and diffusivity are crucial parameters for the design of integrated devices, thermal microsensors and actuators. Reliable system simulation and design optimization of such devices is based on the accurate determination of thermophysical properties. It is therefore highly desirable to acquire such data. Usually, thermal properties of thin films differ considerably from the bulk values, since the parasitic surface effects are much stronger due to the smaller dimensions and aspect ratios. The measurement of these properties is sophisticated and associated with various problems. We report on steady‐state and transient methods for the characterization of in‐plane and cross‐plane film properties by using microelectrothermal chips.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylidene‐trifluoroethylene)/NiTiO2
Authors: Kuang Xiwen , Lin Shuang , Zhu Hong
Published: December 2012

NiTiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel method, and a composite film of poly(vinylidene‐trifluoroethylene) (PVDF‐TrFE)/NiTiO2 was prepared by the solution cast method. The microstructure of NiTiO2 was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The film was characterized by TEM, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dielectric property testing. The results showed that the NiTiO2 nanoparticles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. With the increase of NiTiO2 content, the crystallinity of PVDF‐TrFE/NiTiO2 decreased. The permittivity of the films improved significantly with the increase of NiTiO2 content. The permittivity at 1000 Hz and room temperature increased to 18.56 for PVDF‐TrFE/Ni0.1TiO2 (60 wt%) from the value of 11.17 for the pure PVDF‐TrFE film. Furthermore, the permittivity of the composite film increased with the increase of temperature.
Symmetry breaking and low energy conformational fluctuations in amorphous graphene
Authors: Li Y. , Drabold D. A.
Published: December 2012

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Recently, the prospects for amorphous phases of graphene (α‐g) have been explored computationally. Initial models were flat, and contained odd‐member rings, while maintaining threefold coordination and sp2 bonding. Upon relaxation, puckering occurs, and may be traced to the existence of pentagons, in analogy with the situation for fullerenes. In this work, we systematically explore the inherent structures with energy close to the flat starting structure. As expected, the planar symmetry can be broken in various ways, which we characterize for 800‐atom model of α‐g, always using local basis density functional techniques. The classical normal modes of various structural models are discussed, with an emphasis on imaginary modes indicating the evolution from flat to puckered. We also discuss very low energy conformational fluctuations akin to those seen previously in amorphous silicon, and reflect on the nature of the amorphous “ground state” within a network of fixed topology. For completeness, high energy modes were also computed, and are found to be associated with strained parts of the network.
Sodium molecule on the surface of liquid helium‐4 droplets: optical transitions probe collective excitations
Authors: Tehver Imbi , Hizhnyakov Vladimir , Benedek Giorgio
Published: December 2012

Alkali molecules trapped at the surface of a liquid helium‐4 droplets offer a unique tool to explore their surface excitations. An optical transition between the triplet states in a sodium dimer leads to a contraction of the molecule and a conversion of the helium‐droplet collective excitations localized around the sodium dimer into much softer, delocalized excitations of the liquid droplet surface similar to tidal waves. The localized phonon zero‐point energy released in this process yields a peculiar asymmetric triangular shape of the surface‐phonon sideband of the molecular vibronic lines, with the suppression of the zero‐phonon line. An optical transition between the singlet states of a sodium molecule changes the forces between the molecule and the neighbor helium‐4 atoms. As a result, the singlet‐singlet transition in a sodium molecule leads, in addition to the zero‐phonon transition, to transitions accompanied by the excitation of bulk phonons of the quantum liquid droplet and its surface phonons. In the low‐frequency limit surface phonons contribute more strongly to the vibration of the neighbor helium‐4 atoms than bulk phonons. This results in a dominant contribution of surface phonons in the low‐energy wing of the zero‐phonon line in the spectrum. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Luminescence and scintillation mechanism in Ce3+ and Pr3+ doped (Lu,Y,Gd)3(Ga,Al)5O12 single crystal scintillators
Authors: Nikl M. , Kamada K. , Kurosawa S. , Yokota Y. , Yoshikawa A. , Pejchal J. , Babin V.
Published: December 2012

Luminescence processes occurring in the 5d1 excited state of Ce3+ and Pr3+ centers in the (Gd,RE)3(Ga,Al)5O12, RE=Lu,Y, multicomponent garnet host were studied by purely optical contactless methods. Combination of measurements of the prompt nanosecond decay and slow delayed radiative recombination decay allows to resolve the presence of thermal quenching and thermally induced ionization processes acting upon the 5d1 excited state. Additional energy transfer process depleting the 5d1 state of Pr3+ center was found and is due to the resonance of 5d1‐3H4 emission transition of Pr3+ and 8S‐6Px absorption transition of Gd3+ which might be responsible for noticeably lower light yield in Pr‐doped multicomponent garnets. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hall effect of tetragonal and orthorhombic SrRuO3 films
Authors: Bern Francis , Ziese Michael , Dörr Kathrin , Herklotz Andreas , Vrejoiu Ionela
Published: December 2012

High quality orthorhombic and tetragonal SrRuO3 thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO3(001) and Ba0.75Sr0.25TiO3 buffered LaAlO3(001) substrates. Resistivity vs. temperature curves showed a slope change at a Curie temperature of 147.5 ± 2 K for 40 nm thick films irrespective of crystalline symmetry. The Hall resistivity of both films contained an anomalous Hall contribution. The anomalous Hall coefficient was positive throughout the whole temperature range for the tetragonal film, whereas it showed a sign change at 143 K for the orthorhombic film. This is a strong indication that the Berry‐phase mechanism is the dominant anomalous Hall effect mechanism in SrRuO3. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Supporting students’ progression in science: Continuity between the particular, the contingent, and the general
Authors: HAMZA, KARIM M. , WICKMAN PER‐OLOF
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we analyze the relation between particular, contingent, and general aspects of a school science activity and show how they are intertwined in nontrivial ways as students give explanations for how a real galvanic cell works during conversations with a researcher. The conversations were examined by using practical epistemology analysis, which made it possible to follow students’ meaning making in detail. The analysis revealed interactions between generic explanations of electrochemistry and the distinctions and correlations that were connected to particulars and contingencies of the galvanic cell. Consequences of these interactions amounted to becoming reminded of knowledge one had come across before, being able to connect distinctions of particular features of the cell to generalized chemical explanations, and realizing which aspects may be excluded from the account. The results indicate that learning in science needs to be approached more as a contingent process than as something that progresses along one particular dimension. They show how students appropriate the sociocultural tools of science and how they situate what they learn in both the particular features of the activity and in the relevant science. Hence, there is a need for more inclusive accounts of how students progress toward increased competency in science.
How students blend conceptual and formal mathematical reasoning in solving physics problems
Authors: KUO ERIC , HULL MICHAEL M. , GUPTA AYUSH , ELBY ANDREW
Published: December 2012

Current conceptions of quantitative problem‐solving expertise in physics incorporate conceptual reasoning in two ways: for selecting relevant equations (before manipulating them) and for checking whether a given quantitative solution is reasonable (after manipulating the equations). We make the case that problem‐solving expertise should include opportunistically blending of conceptual and formal mathematical reasoning even while manipulating equations. We present analysis of interviews with two students, Alex and Pat. Interviewed students were asked to explain a particular equation and solve a problem using that equation. Alex used and described the equation as a computational tool. By contrast, Pat found a shortcut to solve the problem. His shortcut blended mathematical operations with conceptual reasoning about physical processes, reflecting a view—expressed earlier in his explanation of the equation—that equations can express an overarching conceptual meaning. Using case studies of Alex and Pat, we argue that this opportunistic blending of conceptual and formal mathematical reasoning (i) is a part of problem‐solving expertise, (ii) can be described in terms of cognitive elements called symbolic forms (Sherin, 2001), and (iii) is a feasible instructional target.
A new intrusion detection method based on SVM with minimum within‐class scatter
Authors: An Wenjuan , Liang Mangui
Published: December 2012

Intrusion detection has become an indispensable technique to ensure the security and reliability of information systems. Support vector machine (SVM) and its many improved algorithms have been successfully applied to intrusion detection systems in recent years. However, the training process of SVM ignores an important prior knowledge, the within‐class structure in the training set. In this paper, we propose an improved classification algorithm, which combines minimum within‐class scatter in Fisher discriminant analysis with traditional SVM. The central idea is to find an optimal separating hyperplane such that the margin is maximized, whereas the within‐class scatter is kept as small as possible. This new algorithm is called SVM with minimum within‐class scatter (WCS‐SVM). A set of experiments is conducted on ten benchmarking datasets and KDDCUP'99 experimental data of MIT Lincoln Laboratory to test the generalization performance of the WCS‐SVM algorithm. Experimental results show that the WCS‐SVM algorithm has better discriminatory power than traditional SVM and kernel Fisher discriminant analysis and it has higher true detection rate and lower false positive rate for intrusion detection systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wireless security: securing mobile UMTS communications from interoperation of GSM
Authors: Southern Eric , Ouda Abdelkader , Shami Abdallah
Published: December 2012

Wireless communications have revolutionized the way the world communicates. An important process used to secure that communication is authentication. As flaws in the security of a wireless network are discovered, new protocols and algorithms are required to meet those security issues. When creating new algorithms and systems, it is possible that the existing equipment may not be able to implement the new protocols, which means that integration may be required to transition from an old security protocol to the new more secure protocol. Stationary wireless networks were created without a strong need to integrate protocols and have simply developed slightly more secure protocols to protect old equipment. New protocols in stationary wireless networks are implemented without integration as a requirement. Mobile wireless networks have the requirement of allowing old equipment to use the entire network as it is advantageous to allow new mobile equipment to connect to old networking equipment to increase coverage areas and for old equipment to connect to new towers for roaming and billing. This requirement for mobile networks means that integration is required. There are flaws in this integration of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) into Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks. Those flaws are analyzed, and two practical solutions are proposed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure investigation of peptides using G‐SIMS
Authors: Aoyagi Satoka , Mihara Ichiro , Kudo Masahiro
Published: December 2012

In terms of the development of new medicines, the identification of peptides in organs and tissues is crucial. Because time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) has extremely high sensitivity and does not require a special pretreatment of samples, it is one of the most promising analysis techniques for evaluation of unknown peptides in organ extract. It is, however, often difficult to interpret TOF‐SIMS spectra of biomolecules because of the overlap of fragment ions from biomolecules and organic molecules and the difficulty for identifying high mass secondary ions. Therefore, appropriate data analysis methods such as G‐SIMS and multivariate analysis are necessary to characterize intricate TOF‐SIMS spectra. In this study, G‐SIMS was applied to interpret TOF‐SIMS spectra of peptide samples. As a result, molecular ions of two peptides, approximately 400 molecular weight, were indicated automatically using G‐SIMS analysis without preinformation on the tested peptides. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser surface treatment of high‐speed tool steel (AISI M2)
Authors: Yilbas B. S. , Patel F. , Karatas C.
Published: December 2012

High‐speed tool steel (AISI M2) surface is pre‐prepared to form a thin carbon film containing 5% B4C particles prior to laser treatment process. Morphological and metallurgical changes are examined in the treated layer using electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The microhardness and the residual stress formed at the treated surfaces are measured for samples with and without B4C particles. It is found that the micro‐stresses formed in the neighborhood of B4C particles at the treated surface contributed to the microhardness enhancement at the surface. This is associated with the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients between B4C particles and the base alloy. The nitride phases are formed at the treated surface, which also contribute to the microhardness increase at the surface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Biomimetic Mineralo‐Protein Nanoparticles Formed Spontaneously in Biological Fluids
Authors: Peng Hsin‐Hsin , Wu Cheng‐Yeu , Young David , Martel Jan , Young Andrew , Ojcius David M. , Lee Yu‐Hsiu , Young John D.
Published: December 2012

Recent studies indicate that mineral nanoparticles (NPs) form spontaneously in human body fluids. These biological NPs represent mineral precursors that are associated with ectopic calcifications seen in various human diseases. However, the parameters that control the formation of mineral NPs and their possible effects on human cells remain poorly understood. Here a nanomaterial approach to study the formation of biomimetic calcium phosphate NPs comparable to their physiological counterparts is described. Particle sizing using dynamic light scattering reveals that serum and ion concentrations within the physiological range yield NPs below 100 nm in diameter. While the particles are phagocytosed by macrophages in a size‐independent manner, only large particles or NP aggregates in the micrometer range induce cellular responses that include production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, caspase‐1 activation, and secretion of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). A comprehensive proteomic analysis reveals that the particle‐bound proteins are similar in terms of their identity and number, regardless of particle size, suggesting that protein adsorption is independent of particle size and curvature. In conclusion, the conditions underlying the formation of mineralo‐protein particles are similar to the ones that form in vivo. While mineral NPs do not activate immune cells, they may become pro‐inflammatory and contribute to pathological processes once they aggregate and form larger mineral particles.
Considering Context: Developing Students' Leadership Capacity
Authors: Osteen Laura , Coburn Mary B.
Published: December 2012

This chapter describes the contextual factors that influence the development of students' leadership capacity in higher education. International Leadership Association overarching Context Guiding Question: “How does the context of the leadership education program affect the program?”
Using Standards to Develop Student Learning Outcomes
Authors: Komives Susan R. , Smedick William
Published: December 2012

This chapter asserts that leadership programs based on quality standards of practice should lead to strong student outcomes. The chapter explores applications of The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), and the International Leadership Association (ILA) Guiding Questions. ILA Outcomes and Assessment Guiding Question: “What are the intended outcomes of the leadership education program and how are they assessed and used to ensure continuous quality improvement?”
Exploring Local to Global Leadership Education Assessment
Authors: Dugan John P.
Published: December 2012

From individual student learning outcomes to full‐scale program enhancement, assessment is critical in developing and sustaining leadership education. This chapter will look at assessment techniques and trends spanning from local to global frameworks. International Leadership Association overarching Outcomes and Assessment Guiding Question: “What are the intended outcomes of the leadership education program and how are they assessed and used to ensure continuous quality improvement?”
Determining the chiral condensate from the distribution of the winding number beyond topological susceptibility
Authors: Bernard Véronique , Descotes-Genon Sébastien , Toucas Guillaume
Published: December 2012

Abstract

The first two non-trivial moments of the distribution of the topological charge (or gluonic winding number), i.e., the topological susceptibility and the fourth cumulant, can be computed in lattice QCD simulations and exploited to constrain the pattern of chiral symmetry breaking. We compute these two topological observables at next-to-leading order in three-flavour Chiral Perturbation Theory, and we discuss the role played by the η propagation in these expressions. For hierarchies of light-quark masses close to the physical situation, we show that the fourth cumulant has a much better sensitivity than the topological susceptibility to the three-flavour quark condensate, and thus constitutes a relevant tool to determine the pattern of chiral symmetry breaking in the limit of three massless flavours. We provide the complete formulae for the two topological observables in the isospin limit, and predict their values in the particular setting of the recent analysis of the RBC/UKQCD collaboration. We show that a combination of the topological susceptibility and the fourth cumulant is able to pin down the three flavour condensate in a particularly clean way in the case of three degenerate quarks.
An Assessment of the Hospital Disease Burden and the Facilities for the In‐hospital Care of Trauma in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Hardcastle Timothy C. , Samuels Candice , Muckart David J.
Published: December 2012

Background

Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa. The present study was designed to review the hospital trauma disease burden in light of the facilities available for the care of the injured in KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN), South Africa’s most populous province.

The primary outcomes were the annual hospital burden of trauma in KZN, determined through data extrapolation, and evaluation of the data in light of available hospital facilities within the province of KZN, a developing province. The data were obtained through review of the trauma load in relation to all emergency cases at all levels of hospitals.

Methods

Hospital administrators in KZN were requested to submit trauma caseloads for the months of March and September 2010. Caseloads were reviewed to determine the trauma load for the province per category using two extrapolation methods to determine the predicted range of annual incidence of trauma, intentional versus non‐intentional trauma ratios and population‐related incidence of trauma. The results were GIS mapped to demonstrate variations across districts. Hospital data were obtained from assessments of structure, process, and personnel undertaken prior to a major sporting event. These were compared to the ideal facilities required for accreditation of trauma care facilities of the Trauma Society of South Africa and other established documents.

Results

Data were obtained from 36 of the 47 public hospitals in KZN that manage acute emergency cases. The predicted annual trauma incidence in KZN ranges from 124,000 to 125,000, or 12.9 per 1,000 population. This would imply a national public hospital trauma load on the order of at least 750,000 cases per year. Most hospitals are required to treat trauma; however, within KZN many hospitals do not have adequate personnel, medical equipment, or structural integrity to be formally accredited as trauma care facilities in terms of existing criteria.

Conclusions

There is a significant trauma load that consumes vital emergency center resources. Most hospitals will need extensive upgrading to provide appropriate care for trauma. An inclusive trauma system needs to be formalized and funded, especially in light of the planned National Health Insurance for South Africa
Constructing Labour Regionalism in Europe and the Americas, 1920s–1970s
Authors: García Magaly Rodríguez
Published: December 2012

This article provides an analysis of the construction of labour regionalism between the 1920s and 1970s. By means of a comparative examination of the supranational labour structures in Europe and the Americas prior to World War II and of the decentralized structure of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), I attempt to defend the argument that regionalism was a labour leaders' construct that responded to three issues: the quest for power among the largest trade-union organizations within the international trade-union movement; mutual distrust between labour leaders of large, middle-sized, and small unions from different regions; and (real or imaginary) common interests among labour leaders from the same region. These push-and-pull factors led to the construction of regional labour identifications that emphasized “otherness” in the world of international labour. A regional labour identity was intended to supplement, not undermine, national identity. As such, this study fills a lacuna in the scholarly literature on international relations and labour internationalism, which has given only scant attention to the regional level of international labour organization.
Image guidance in rhinology and anterior skull base surgery: five-year single institution experience
Authors: Visvanathan V , McGarry G W
Published: December 2012

Objectives:

We examined our experience of image guidance surgery in rhinology, and compared image guidance surgery cases with non-image guidance cases. We also audited our practice against the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery image guidance surgery guidelines.

Method:

The study employed a single institution retrospective approach comprising 174 image guidance surgery patients (106 males and 68 females) and 134 non-image guidance surgery patients (75 males and 59 females).

Results:

In the image guidance surgery group, tumour operations represented 45 per cent of cases (55 per cent were non-neoplastic). Basic, intermediate and advanced (structured classification) procedures represented 19 per cent, 24 per cent and 61 per cent, respectively. Five minor complications were recorded. In non-image guidance surgery, tumour operations represented 8 per cent of cases (92 per cent were non-neoplastic). Basic, intermediate and advanced procedures represented 73 per cent, 12 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. One minor complication was observed.

Conclusion:

We report the largest series of image-guided ENT surgical procedures in the UK. In the cases we examined, image guidance surgery was predominantly used in advanced procedures and tumour surgery.
‘Intranasal toothache’: case report
Authors: van Essen T A , van Rijswijk J B
Published: December 2012

Objective:

This paper describes a patient with recurrent unilateral nasal discomfort and pain due to an intranasal tooth. A short overview of the literature is provided in relation to the aetiology, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of intranasal teeth.

Case report:

A 26-year-old man was referred with a history of recurrent left-sided nasal obstruction, facial pain and discomfort, and chronic purulent rhinorrhoea. Computed tomography revealed a nasal tooth, which was likely to have been the cause of these symptoms. After transnasal surgical extraction under endoscopic guidance, the patient was relieved of his complaints (at the one-year follow up).

Conclusion:

An ectopic tooth in the nasal cavity is a rare phenomenon, and in most cases the cause of an intranasal tooth remains unclear. The treatment of an intranasal tooth entails surgical extraction even though such teeth may remain asymptomatic; several cases have illustrated the potential significant morbidity associated with their occurrence.
Residency and behavioural rhythmicity of ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) and rays (Raja spp.) captured in Portelet Bay, Jersey: implications for Marine Protected Area design
Authors: Morel G.M. , Shrives J. , Bossy S.F. , Meyer C.G.
Published: December 2012

We monitored the long-term residency of reef-associated ballan wrasse and sand-dwelling rays captured at the site of a potential future Marine Protected Area (MPA: Portelet Bay, Jersey) by implanting them with small transmitters and deploying underwater receivers inside the bay. Individual fish were detected at Portelet Bay for up to 618 days, but there were species-specific differences in residency and detection patterns. Ballan wrasse were year-round residents at the study site where they exhibited distinct, rhythmic, diel, tidal and seasonal patterns of behaviour, whereas rays were occasional visitors to Portelet Bay with no discernible pattern to their visits. Results indicate relatively small MPAs (<0.5 km2) that with suitable habitat could provide effective, long-term protection for ballan wrasse, but would likely be of little conservation benefit for rays. Our findings emphasize the importance of quantifying fish movements when planning MPAs which intend to protect multi-species assemblages of coastal fishes.
Feasibility study of the magnetic beam self-focusing phenomenon in a stack of conducting foils: Application to TNSA proton beams
Authors: Ni P.A. , Logan B.G. , Lund S.M. , Alexander N. , Bieniosek F.M. , Cohen R.H. , Roth M. , Schaumann G.
Published: December 2012

This paper investigates prospects of utilizing a high-power laser-driven target-normal-sheath-acceleration proton beam for the experimental demonstration of the magnetic self-focusing phenomenon in charged particle beams. In the proposed concept, focusing is achieved by propagating a space-charge dominated ion beam through a stack of thin conducting and grounded foils separated by vacuum gaps. As the beam travels through the system, image charges build up at the foils and generate electric field that counteracts the beam's electrostatic self-field — a dominant force responsible for expansion of a high current beam. Once the electrostatic self-field is “neutralized” by the image charges, the beam currents magnetic self-field will do the focusing. The focal spot size and focal length depends on the choice of a number of foils and distance between foils. Considering the typical electrical current level of a target-normal-sheath-acceleration proton beam, we conclude that it is feasible to focus or collimate a beam within tens of millimeters distance, e.g., using 200–1000 Al foils, 0.5 µm thick each, with foil spacing ranging from 25 µm to 100 µm. These requirements are within technical capabilities of modern target fabrication, thus allowing the first possible demonstration of the pinch effect with heavy ion beams.
A REASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF THE EASTERN AZTEC EMPIRE IN THE MESOAMERICAN GULF LOWLANDS
Authors: Venter Marcie L.
Published: December 2012

Ethnohistoric documents have been used to define the eastern limits of the Aztec empire in the Mesoamerican southern Gulf lowlands with contradictory results. Until the research presented here, complementary archaeological evidence for Aztec imperial interactions has largely evaded detection in this region. In this paper, I review the documentary data for Aztec expansion and interactions near its eastern frontier and present the most robust archaeological evidence discovered to date that supports this imperial presence in the southern Gulf lowlands. A new model for imperial-local interaction is also introduced.
PRE-HISPANIC-TO-COLONIAL DIETARY TRANSITIONS AT ETZATLAN, JALISCO, MEXICO
Authors: Porcasi Judith F.
Published: December 2012

Faunal analysis of subsistence remains from four sites in the Etzatlan Basin in western central Mexico presents important contrasts between pre-Hispanic and colonial dietary patterns. Specific changes in animal remains are well correlated with the transition from pre-Hispanic to colonial occupations tracked along a statistically derived timeline in which ceramic evidence for the onset of colonization is found. Allometry is used to calculate faunal biomass, and abundance and diversity indices are used to define these dietary patterns relative to the timeline. There is a decrease in use of large mammals over time and an increased use of smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians. In particular, a marked increase in exploitation of the most important native large mammal (for example, deer) is found during early colonial occupation. However, this bounty decreased appreciably during later periods, consistent with widening of dietary breadth by inclusion of less preferred resources.
CAZA Y PESCA PREHISPÁNICAS EN LA COSTA NORTE PENINSULAR YUCATECA
Authors: Götz Christopher M.
Published: December 2012

Recientes exploraciones arqueológicas en el litoral norteño de la península yucateca, México, han arrojado nuevos datos de la interacción entre humanos y animales en tiempos prehispánicos. En este artículo queremos discutir el patrón de aprovechamiento seguido por parte de los pobladores prehispánicos en dicha zona costera, basándonos en dos conjuntos zooarqueológicos correspondientes a los sitios de Isla Cerritos e Xcambo respectivamente, ambos ubicados en el Estado Mexicano de Yucatan y pertenecientes a la cultura maya prehispánica. La discusión conjunta del aprovechamiento manifestado a través de los dos sitios está motivada en primer lugar por la relativa cercanía entre ambos asentamientos, y en segundo lugar, porque los dos sitios son cronológicamente continuos y permiten esbozar el desarrollo del aprovechamiento precolombino de fauna costera a través de una secuencia cronológica de aproximadamente 850 años.

Una parte importante del trabajo está dedicada a describir los hallazgos de una especie de mamífero hoy extinta, identificada entre los materiales faunísticos: la foca tropical (Monachus tropicalis). Los especímenes constituyen los únicos hallazgos de su tipo relacionados a reminiscencias culturales prehispánicas en Mesoamérica hasta la fecha y son de particular interés, porque desde hace más de 20 años se había supuesto, sin sustento en hallazgos materiales, el aprovechamiento de focas por parte de los mayas prehispánicos. El hallazgo de huesos de esta especie en contextos arqueológicos nos permite ahora afirmar la hipótesis, demostrando que sí hubo aprovechamiento, a pequeña escala, de esta especie por parte de los ocupantes costeros prehispánicos de la región.