bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable multi‐band radio‐frequency transceiver based on photonics technology for future optical wireless communications
Authors: Borges Ramon Maia , Rodovalho Tércio Naves , Cerqueira Sodré Junior Arismar
Published: June 2015

This study presents the concept and the implementation of a fully photonics‐based and reconfigurable multi‐band radio‐frequency (RF) transceiver for future optical‐wireless communications networks. The proposed device is based on frequency multiplication using optical external modulation technique, which enables to achieve discrete tuning of the wireless frequency by simply manipulating the modulator bias voltage. The physical mechanism behind the frequency multiplication is analytically explained and experimentally demonstrated by generating RF carriers at 5.2 GHz with signal‐to‐noise ratio of up to 54 dB. High spectral purity, distortion absence and low phase noise of the generated RF signals have been observed. Furthermore, the photonics‐based reconfigurable RF transceiver has been implemented and tested in a real optical‐wireless network from the telecom operator Telecom Italia Mobile using a femtocell base station. Data transmission and a high‐quality voice call have been realised using the proposed approach in order to illustrate its applicability.
A hybrid dielectrophoretic system for trapping of microorganisms from water
Authors: Allahrabbi Narjes , Chia Yi Shi Michelle , Saifullah Mohammad S. M. , Lim Kian-Meng , Yung Lin Yue Lanry
Published: June 2015

Assessment of the microbial safety of water resources is among the most critical issues in global water safety. As the current detection methods have limitations such as high cost and long process time, new detection techniques have transpired among which microfluidics is the most attractive alternative. Here, we show a novel hybrid dielectrophoretic (DEP) system to separate and detect two common waterborne pathogens, Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium, and Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), a protozoan parasite, from water. The hybrid DEP system integrates a chemical surface coating with a microfluidic device containing inter-digitated microelectrodes to impart positive dielectrophoresis for enhanced trapping of the cells. Trimethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) silane, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, and polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (p-DADMAC) were used as surface coatings. Static cell adhesion tests showed that among these coatings, the p-DADMAC-coated glass surface provided the most effective cell adhesion for both the pathogens. This was attributed to the positively charged p-DADMAC-coated surface interacting electrostatically with the negatively charged cells suspended in water leading to increased cell trapping efficiency. The trapping efficiency of E. coli and C. parvum increased from 29.0% and 61.3% in an uncoated DEP system to 51.9% and 82.2% in the hybrid DEP system, respectively. The hybrid system improved the cell trapping by encouraging the formation of cell pearl-chaining. The increment in trapping efficiency in the hybrid DEP system was achieved at an optimal frequency of 1 MHz and voltage of 2.5 Vpp for C. parvum and 2 Vpp for E. coli, the latter is lower than 2.5 Vpp and 7 Vpp, respectively, utilized for obtaining similar efficiency in an uncoated DEP system.
Compression and lubrication of salt free polyelectrolyte microgel particles in highly compressed suspensions by counterion osmotic pressure
Authors: Sokoloff J. B.
Published: June 2015

The compression of polyelectrolyte microgel particles in a salt-free highly compressed colloid due to osmotic pressure outside of the particles due to counterions located there is studied for a model based on a quasi-analytic solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and a model for the gel elasticity based on counterion osmotic pressure inside the particles and polymer elasticity (of entropic origin). It is found that for particles of radius of the order of a tenth of a micron, the counterion osmotic pressure should play a significant role in the compression of the particles, especially particles which do not have a corona (i.e., nonlinked polymer chains attached to their surface). The presence of a corona of monomer density smaller than that of the core of the microgel reduces the contribution of the osmotic pressure due to counterions outside of the microgel. It is also demonstrated that counterion osmotic pressure outside the particles can provide a significant contribution to the lubrication of the interface between the particles and a surface along which the compressed colloid is made to slide, for sufficiently slow velocities.
Traveling wave parametric amplifier with Josephson junctions using minimal resonator phase matching
Authors: White T. C. , Mutus J. Y. , Hoi I.-C. , Barends R. , Campbell B. , Chen Yu , Chen Z. , Chiaro B. , Dunsworth A. , Jeffrey E. , Kelly J. , Megrant A. , Neill C. , O'Malley P. J. J. , Roushan P. , Sank D. , Vainsencher A. , Wenner J. , Chaudhuri S. , Gao J. , Martinis John M.
Published: June 2015

Josephson parametric amplifiers have become a critical tool in superconducting device physics due to their high gain and quantum-limited noise. Traveling wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) promise similar noise performance, while allowing for significant increases in both bandwidth and dynamic range. We present a TWPA device based on an LC-ladder transmission line of Josephson junctions and parallel plate capacitors using low-loss amorphous silicon dielectric. Crucially, we have inserted λ/4 resonators at regular intervals along the transmission line in order to maintain the phase matching condition between pump, signal, and idler and increase gain. We achieve an average gain of 12 dB across a 4 GHz span, along with an average saturation power of −92 dBm with noise approaching the quantum limit.
Dielectric barrier structure with hollow electrodes and its recoil effect
Authors: Yu Shuang , Chen Qunzhi , Liu Jiahui , Wang Kaile , Jiang Zhe , Sun Zhili , Zhang Jue , Fang Jing
Published: June 2015

A dielectric barrier structure with hollow electrodes (HEDBS), in which gas flow oriented parallel to the electric field, was proposed. Results showed that with this structure, air can be effectively ignited, forming atmospheric low temperature plasma, and the proposed HEDBS could achieve much higher electron density (5 × 1015/cm3). It was also found that the flow condition, including outlet diameter and flow rate, played a key role in the evolution of electron density. Optical emission spectroscopy diagnostic results showed that the concentration of reactive species had the same variation trend as the electron density. The simulated distribution of discharge gas flow indicated that the HEDBS had a strong recoil effect on discharge gas, and could efficiently promote generating electron density as well as reactive species.
Dynamics of electron solvation in methanol: Excited state relaxation and generation by charge-transfer-to-solvent
Authors: Elkins Madeline H. , Williams Holly L. , Neumark Daniel M.
Published: June 2015

The charge-transfer-to-solvent dynamics (CTTS) and excited state relaxation mechanism of the solvated electron in methanol are studied by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy on a liquid methanol microjet by means of two-pulse and three-pulse experiments. In the two-pulse experiment, CTTS excitation is followed by a probe photoejection pulse. The resulting time-evolving photoelectron spectrum reveals multiple time scales characteristic of relaxation and geminate recombination of the initially generated electron which are consistent with prior results from transient absorption. In the three-pulse experiment, the relaxation dynamics of the solvated electron following electronic excitation are measured. The internal conversion lifetime of the excited electron is found to be 130 ± 40 fs, in agreement with extrapolated results from clusters and the non-adiabatic relaxation mechanism.
Trapping of diffusing particles by striped cylindrical surfaces. Boundary homogenization approach
Authors: Dagdug Leonardo , Berezhkovskii Alexander M. , Skvortsov Alexei T.
Published: June 2015

We study trapping of diffusing particles by a cylindrical surface formed by rolling a flat surface, containing alternating absorbing and reflecting stripes, into a tube. For an arbitrary stripe orientation with respect to the tube axis, this problem is intractable analytically because it requires dealing with non-uniform boundary conditions. To bypass this difficulty, we use a boundary homogenization approach which replaces non-uniform boundary conditions on the tube wall by an effective uniform partially absorbing boundary condition with properly chosen effective trapping rate. We demonstrate that the exact solution for the effective trapping rate, known for a flat, striped surface, works very well when this surface is rolled into a cylindrical tube. This is shown for both internal and external problems, where the particles diffuse inside and outside the striped tube, at three orientations of the stripe direction with respect to the tube axis: (a) perpendicular to the axis, (b) parallel to the axis, and (c) at the angle of π/4 to the axis.
Formation and coarsening of near-surface Ga nanoparticles on SiNx
Authors: Canniff J. C. , Jeon S. , Huang S. , Goldman R. S.
Published: June 2015

We have investigated the formation and coarsening of near-surface Ga nanoparticles (NPs) in SiNx using Ga+ focused-ion-beam-irradiation of SiNx, followed by rapid thermal annealing. For surfaces with minimal curvature, diffusive growth is apparent, leading to nearly close packed arrays with NP diameters as small as 3 nm and densities as high as ∼4 × 1012 cm−2. The diffusive flux increases with annealing temperature, leading to NP coarsening by Ostwald ripening. For surfaces with increased curvature, diffusion towards the valleys also increases during annealing, leading to Ga NP coalescence and a bi-modal distribution of NP sizes.
Nonlinear response of metal nanoparticles: Double plasmon excitation and electron transfer
Authors: Gao Shiwu
Published: June 2015

We investigate the dynamical response of a metal nanoparticle and the electron transfer to a molecule near its surface using time-dependent density functional theory. In addition to the linear response of the Mie resonance, double plasmon excitations and a low-frequency charge transfer band emerge and become prominent at high laser intensities. Both modes are nonlinear processes, which are derived from the re-excitation and decay of the primary plasmon mode, respectively. Our results shed light on the localised characters of the plasmon-molecule coupling and hot electron distributions. These findings have general implications to photoinduced phenomena in nanosystems.
Vanadium doped Sb2Te3 material with modified crystallization mechanism for phase-change memory application
Authors: Ji Xinglong , Wu Liangcai , Cao Liangliang , Zhu Min , Rao Feng , Zheng Yonghui , Zhou Wangyang , Song Zhitang , Feng Songlin
Published: June 2015

In this paper, V0.21Sb2Te3 (VST) has been proposed for phase-change memory applications. With vanadium incorporating, VST has better thermal stability than Sb2Te3 and can maintain in amorphous phase at room temperature. Two resistance steps were observed in temperature dependent resistance measurements. By real-time observing the temperature dependent lattice structure evolution, VST presents as a homogenous phase throughout the whole thermal process. Combining Hall measurement and transmission electron microscopy results, we can ascribe the two resistance steps to the unique crystallization mechanism of VST material. Then, the amorphous thermal stability enhancement can also be rooted in the suppression of the fast growth crystallization mechanism. Furthermore, the applicability of VST is demonstrated by resistance-voltage measurement, and the phase transition of VST can be triggered by a 15 ns electric pulse. In addition, endurance up to 2.7×104 cycles makes VST a promising candidate for phase-change memory applications.
Abnormal difference between the mobilities of left- and right-twisted conformations of C6H12N2 roto-symmetrical molecules at very low temperatures
Authors: Gabuda S. P. , Kozlova S. G.
Published: June 2015

We report an abnormal difference of low-temperature mobility of left-twisted and right-twisted conformations of roto symmetric molecules C6H12N2 (dabco) located in the same positions in crystal Zn2(C8H4O4)2⋅C6H12N2. The difference between 1H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spin-relaxation data for left-twisted and right-twisted molecules reaches ∼3 × 103 times at 8 K and tends to grow at lower temperatures. We argue that taking into account four-component relativistic Dirac wave functions in the vicinity of the nodal plane of dabco molecules and vacuum fluctuations due to virtual particle-antiparticle pairs can explain the changes which C6H12N2 conformations undergo at low temperatures.
Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with double barrier and single or synthetic antiferromagnetic storage layer
Authors: Cuchet Léa , Rodmacq Bernard , Auffret Stéphane , Sousa Ricardo C. , Prejbeanu Ioan L. , Dieny Bernard
Published: June 2015

The magnetic properties of double tunnel junctions with perpendicular anisotropy were investigated. Two synthetic antiferromagnetic references are used, while the middle storage magnetic layer can be either a single ferromagnetic or a synthetic antiferromagnetic FeCoB-based layer, with a critical thickness as large as 3.0 nm. Among the different achievable magnetic configurations in zero field, those with either antiparallel references, and single ferromagnetic storage layer, or parallel references, and synthetic antiferromagnetic storage layer, are of particular interest since they allow increasing the efficiency of spin transfer torque writing and the thermal stability of the stored information as compared to single tunnel junctions. The latter configuration can be preferred when stray fields would favour a parallel orientation of the reference layers. In this case, the synthetic antiferromagnetic storage layer is also less sensitive to residual stray fields.
Thermal conductivity of methanol-ethanol mixture and silicone oil at high pressures
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Pin
Published: June 2015

4:1 methanol-ethanol (ME) mixture and silicone oil are common, important pressure transmitting media used in high pressure diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiments. Their thermal conductivities and elastic properties are critical for modeling heat conduction in the DAC experiments and for determining thermal conductivity of measurement samples under extreme conditions. We used time-domain thermoreflectance and picosecond interferometry combined with the DAC to study the thermal conductivities and elastic constants C11 of the ME mixture and silicone oil at room temperature and to pressures as high as ≈23 GPa. We found that pressure dependence of the thermal conductivity of ME and silicone oil are both well described by the prediction of the minimum thermal conductivity model, confirming the diffusion of thermal energy between nonpropagating molecular vibrational modes is the dominant heat transport mechanism in a liquid and amorphous polymer. Our results not only provide new insights into the physics of thermal transport in these common pressure media for high pressure thermal measurements, but will also significantly extend the feasibility of using silicone fluid medium to much higher pressure and moderately high temperature conditions with higher measurement accuracy than other pressure media.
Enhanced light extraction of scintillator using large-area photonic crystal structures fabricated by soft-X-ray interference lithography
Authors: Zhu Zhichao , Wu Shuang , Xue Chaofan , Zhao Jun , Wang Liansheng , Wu Yanqing , Liu Bo , Cheng Chuanwei , Gu Mu , Chen Hong , Tai Renzhong
Published: June 2015

Soft-X-ray interference lithography is utilized in combination with atomic layer deposition to prepare photonic crystal structures on the surface of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) scintillator in order to extract the light otherwise trapped in the internal of scintillator due to total internal reflection. An enhancement with wavelength- and emergence angle-integration by 95.1% has been achieved. This method is advantageous to fabricate photonic crystal structures with large-area and high-index-contrast which enable a high-efficient coupling of evanescent field and the photonic crystal structures. Generally, the method demonstrated in this work is also suitable for many other light emitting devices where a large-area is required in the practical applications.
Exciton luminescence in AlN triggered by hydrogen and thermal annealing
Authors: Feneberg Martin , Son Nguyen Tien , Kakanakova-Georgieva Anelia
Published: June 2015

Exciton recombination bands in homoepitaxial AlN layers are strongly dependent on the presence of hydrogen. By thermal treatment under hydrogen-free and hydrogen-rich ambient, respectively, several sharp bound exciton lines are modulated in intensity reversibly. In contrast, the exciton bound at the neutral donor silicon remains unaffected. The mechanism causing these effects is most probably hydrogen in- and out-diffusion into the AlN sample. The main factor determining hydrogenation of AlN layers is found to be molecular H2 in contrast to NH3. We find hints that carbon incorporation into AlN may be closely related with that of hydrogen. Besides photoluminescence spectra of exciton bands, our model is supported by theoretical reports and comparison to the case of hydrogen in GaN.
Unusual spin correlations in a nanomagnet
Authors: Balasubramanian Balamurugan , Manchanda Priyanka , Skomski Ralph , Mukherjee Pinaki , Das Bhaskar , George T. A. , Hadjipanayis George C. , Sellmyer David J.
Published: June 2015

We show how atomic-scale exchange phenomena can be controlled and exploited in nanoscale itinerant magnets to substantially improve magnetic properties. Cluster-deposition experiments, first-principle simulations, and analytical calculations are used to demonstrate the effect in Co2Si nanoclusters, which have average sizes varying from about 0.6 to 29.5 nm. The cluster-deposited nanoparticles exhibit average magnetic moments of up to 0.70 μB/Co at 10 K and 0.49 μB/Co at 300 K with appreciable magnetocrystalline anisotropies, in sharp contrast to the nearly vanishing bulk magnetization. The underlying spin correlations and associated cluster-size dependence of the magnetization are explained by a surface induced ferromagnetic spin polarization with a decay length of the order of 1 nm, much larger than the nearest-neighbor interatomic distance in the alloy.
Critical current and linewidth reduction in spin-torque nano-oscillators by delayed self-injection
Authors: Khalsa Guru , Stiles M. D. , Grollier J.
Published: June 2015

Based on theoretical models, the dynamics of spin-torque nano-oscillators can be substantially modified by re-injecting the emitted signal to the input of the oscillator after some delay. Numerical simulations for vortex magnetic tunnel junctions show that with reasonable parameters this approach can decrease critical currents as much as 25% and linewidths by a factor of 4. Analytical calculations, which agree well with simulations, demonstrate that these results can be generalized to any kind of spin-torque oscillator.
Elegant Gaussian beams for enhanced optical manipulation
Authors: Alpmann Christina , Schöler Christoph , Denz Cornelia
Published: June 2015

Generation of micro- and nanostructured complex light beams attains increasing impact in photonics and laser applications. In this contribution, we demonstrate the implementation and experimental realization of the relatively unknown, but highly versatile class of complex-valued Elegant Hermite- and Laguerre-Gaussian beams. These beams create higher trapping forces compared to standard Gaussian light fields due to their propagation changing properties. We demonstrate optical trapping and alignment of complex functional particles as nanocontainers with standard and Elegant Gaussian light beams. Elegant Gaussian beams will inspire manifold applications in optical manipulation, direct laser writing, or microscopy, where the design of the point-spread function is relevant.
Dialectics of culture and dynamic balancing between individuality and collectivity
Authors: Lim Tae-Seop , Ahn Seokhoon
Published: June 2015

This study offers an Eastern alternative to the Western perspective that is fundamentally disjunctive in its approach to culture and communication. Inspired by Cartesian dualism and Hegelian dialectics, most Western theories subscribe to the concept of cultural divides that separate two different, often opposing, cultural premises, such as individualism-collectivism and high-low context communication. Based upon the holistic worldview and Taoist dualism of the East, this study proposes that intercultural communication scholars should pay more attention to the dynamic processes in which two seemingly opposite forces such as collectivism and individualism interact with each other to maintain homeostasis in society. This study does not intend to mitigate the importance of studying cultural differences or similarities, but aims to steer researchers away from regarding culture as a completely static or dummy variable, claiming that a certain culture is a high-context culture or an individualistic culture.
The Internet in translation education
Authors: Jiménez-Crespo Miguel A.
Published: June 2015

Within the context of the global digital revolution, translation in professional settings cannot be understood without the Internet, as a communicative, documentary, and productivity tool (Cronin 2013; Jimenez-Crespo 2013). Similarly, translation training has been revolutionized by the wide range of possibilities afforded by the Internet. This paper reviews the impact of the Internet on translation e research within the framework of translation competence models (PACTE 2005; Göpferich 2009), as well as socio-constructivist approaches to translation education (Kiraly 2012; 2000). Its impact has been felt in two areas: (1) how translation is taught and (2) how the world of translation has been changed by the Internet. Related to the first area is the rapid increase in the number of online and hybrid programs offered and in the use of online teaching platforms in classroom-based contexts. Related to the second area, a wide range of new opportunities has arisen, such as: (1) those related to the Internet as a communicative platform, (2) those related to the use of the Internet during translation tasks, both in terms of cloud-based translation memory and human-aided machine translation, as well as the use of the Internet for ‘external support’ (Alves and Liparini 2009) to solve translation problems, and (3) the emergence of new translation modalities such as web localization, new textual genres, such as social networking sites or tweets, as well as new translation practices, such as online crowdsourcing and volunteer translation communities.
Reacting to Translations Past
Authors: McDonough Dolmaya Julie
Published: June 2015

Reacting to the Past is a pedagogical approach that incorporates historical role-playing games into the classroom. In this paper I discuss this approach and demonstrate how it could be adapted for translation studies courses. Two games are described: one is set in England in the early 1500s and focuses on William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible, while the other is set in Canada in 2007 and focuses on the development of the Canadian standard for translation services. Finally, to shed some light on the experiences and reactions of students who are taught using the Reacting to the Past approach, I briefly discuss the results of a survey of translation students who played the two games in an undergraduate theory of translation course during the Fall 2012 term.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts prevent high glucose-induced endothelia dysfunction via PKC and NF-κB inhibition
Authors: Jiang Yanfei , Li Yujie , Ding Ye , Dai Xiaoqian , Ma Xiaotao , Bao Lei , Zhang Zhaofeng , Li Yong
Published: June 2015

In our study, it has been detected in vivo and in vitro that GSPE reversed high glucose-induced the increase of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. It is shown that by western blotting detection, GSPE significantly inhibited the activation of NF-κB induced by high glucose while there was significant decrease of the expression of PKC with GSPE intervention. By adding the NF-κB blocker PDTC and the PKC inhibitor peptide 19–31(10−6 M), no significant difference was found in the levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 among GSPE group, the PKC inhibitor peptide 19–31-added GSPE group and the PDTC-added GSPE group. So the conclusion could be drawn that PKC inhibition must be involved in GSPE decreasing the level of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.We proved for the first time that GSPE prevented high glucose-induced the increase of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 by PKC and NF-κB inhibition. These findings show a novel mechanism of the action GSPE preventing endothelial dysfunction, which may have clinical application values.
Local existence of solutions to randomized Gross-Pitaevskii hierarchies
Authors: Sohinger Vedran
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we study the local-in-time existence of solutions to randomized forms of the Gross-Pitaevskii hierarchy on periodic domains. In particular, we study theindependently randomized Gross-Pitaevskii hierarchyand thedependently randomized Gross-Pitaevskii hierarchy, which were first introduced in the author’s joint work with Staffilani (2013). For these hierarchies, we construct local-in-time low-regularity solutions in spaces which contain a random component. The constructed density matrices will solve the full randomized hierarchies, thus extending the results from the author and Staffilani’s joint work, where solutions solving arbitrarily long subhierarchies were given.

Our analysis will be based on the truncation argument which was first used in the deterministic setting in the work of T. Chen and Pavlović (2013). The presence of randomization in the problem adds additional difficulties, most notably to estimating the Duhamel expansions that are crucial in the truncation argument. These difficulties are overcome by a detailed analysis of the Duhamel expansions. In the independently randomized case, we need to keep track of which randomization parameters appear in the Duhamel terms, whereas in the dependently randomized case, we express the Duhamel terms directly in terms of the initial data. In both cases, we can obtain stronger results with respect to the time variable if we assume additional regularity on the initial data.
Effects of Annealing and Concentration of Calcium Salts on Thermal and Rheological Properties of Maize Starch During an Ecological Nixtamalization Process
Authors: Santiago‐Ramos David , Figueroa‐Cárdenas Juan de Dios , Véles‐Medina José Juan , Reynoso‐Camacho Rosalía , Ramos‐Gómez Minerva , Gaytán‐Martínez Marcela , Morales‐Sánchez Eduardo
Published: June 2015

The objective of the present work was to study the effect of annealing and concentration of Ca(OH)2 (lime) and calcium salts on the thermal and rheological properties of maize starch during an ecological nixtamalization process. Thermal and rheological properties of maize starch changed during the ecological nixtamalization process because of three main causes: the annealing phenomenon, type of calcium salt, and calcium salt concentration. In all treatments thermal properties (To, Tp, and Tf) of nixtamal starch increased owing to the annealing process, whereas the type of salt or lime increased thermal properties and decreased pasting properties in this order: CaCl2 > CaSO4 > Ca(OH)2 ≈ CaCO3. This behavior was because of the dissociation of each salt or lime in water. Anions (OH−) can penetrate much more easily into the starch granule and start the gelatinization process by rupturing hydrogen bonds. Additionally, amylose‐lipid complexes were formed during the nixtamalization processes, as indicated by an increasing peak at 4.5 Å in X‐ray diffraction patterns.
System for in situ observation of three-dimensional structural changes in polymer films during uniaxial deformation
Authors: Miyazaki Tsukasa , Shimokita Keisuke , Ogawa Hiroki , Yamamoto Katsuhiro
Published: June 2015

A simple three-dimensional structural evaluation system for a film during uniaxial deformation has been developed. The system is realized with an automatic film stretching machine, which allows the horizontally symmetric stretching of a film, and a synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering apparatus. Using this system, two-dimensional patterns of small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction can be obtained simultaneously during film stretching in the so-called edge and end views, together with stress–strain data. As cylindrical symmetry of the structure can be expected for a uniaxially stretched film, the two-dimensional patterns in the through view are identical to those in the edge view, indicating that three-dimensional structural characterization can be performed with a combination of edge and end views during film stretching. For amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) and crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) films, the preliminary results of three-dimensional structural characterization during film stretching are shown.
Scholarly impact in the organizational sciences in and from Iberoamerica
Authors: Kausel Edgar E.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer the author’s view about the conceptualization of scholarly impact, and some of the challenges young Iberoamerican scholars face to have an impact.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a personal account based on previous theory and the author’s personal experience.

Findings

– The paper presents a short critique of the conceptualization and measurement of scholarly impact, and introduces dimensions and challenges of being a scholar in Iberoamerica.

Originality/value

– The paper offers an analytical perspective of scholarly impact in Iberoamerica and offers some insights to help overcome different challenges.
Perceptions of corporate social responsibility, organizational commitment and job satisfaction
Authors: Closon Caroline , Leys Christophe , Hellemans Catherine
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to, first, investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR)’s various dimensions on organizational commitment and job satisfaction, and, second, to examine the moderating role of employee expectations in this relationship. Studies have increasingly focused the attention on the links between perceptions of CSR and employees’ attitudes. However, a majority of studies do concentrate on internal CSR impact.

Design/methodology/approach

– A field study based on data from 621 workers. The constructs were measured by validated self-report questionnaires.

Findings

– The results show that ethical and legal internal and external practices significantly influence the affective organizational commitment. The results also indicate that job satisfaction is positively influenced by internal and external ethico-legal practices as well as by philanthropic practices. Nonetheless, the role of expectation as moderator could not be demonstrated. This matter is discussed in the section dedicated to the limitations of the study.

Originality/value

– The originality of the contribution is undoubtedly to have integrated the concept of citizen-worker in this research on CSR.
Generational perceptions and their influences on organizational commitment
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Cunha da , Dutra Joel Souza , Veloso Elza Fátima Rosa , Fischer André  Luiz , Trevisan Leonardo Nelmi
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the existence of delimitations more suited to the emergence of generations in Brazil, and to assess generational perceptions on constructs of the work environment and their influences on organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The perceptions of 102,540 respondents employed by 394 organizations were classified into nine constructs. The methodology used entailed an initial confirmatory factorial analysis, which was undertaken to investigate the validity of the proposed measurement model. Regression analyses were applied to test the relationship between work environment and commitment.

Findings

– The results highlight that the Baby Boomer generation attributed more value to the meaning of work and corporate social responsibility. Meaning of work, learning and development were given a high level of importance in the results for Generation X. Generation Y values learning and development, relationships with co-workers and Work-life balance more than the other two generations.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is classified as a cross-sectional study that does not allow us to substantiate whether differences between the groups were caused by influence of generations or the age of respondents. Therefore, nationwide surveys capable of offsetting the age effect on generational differences are still necessary. Another constraint is related to the fact that only data from the survey that annually elects the “Best Companies to Work for in Brazil” were used for undertaking this study. Moreover, because all variables were collected simultaneously from the same source, the authors recognize that the results could have problems related to common method biases.

Practical implications

– The authors believe that the identification of critical dimensions of workers’ perception regarding the work environment equips human resources professionals with the ability to implement policies and practices that align people management with the differing desires of each generation, effectively ensuring commitment from these professionals.

Social implications

– This study may contribute to researchers by highlighting the need for temporal outlines suited to the Brazilian reality, which might also inspire further research on the country’s generations, even associating them with other themes, such as values, personality and professional motivation.

Originality/value

– As the main contributions, the authors have sought to highlight that generational differences may be related to specific periods in each country’s historical context. The authors also show the determining factors influencing each generation’s affective commitment and justify each of their choices.
Education or Personality Traits and Intelligence as Determinants of Political Knowledge?
Authors: Rasmussen Stig Hebbelstrup Rye
Published: June 2015

Recently the causal influence of education on political knowledge has been questioned. Rather, pre-adult predispositions such as personality traits and intelligence are proposed as the real causal agents. This article investigates in two studies whether education retains its explanatory power regarding political knowledge when personality traits and intelligence are taken into account. One study draws on a draftee sample and has excellent measures of both personality traits and intelligence; the other study draws on a representative sample and has excellent measures of personality traits. Openness to experience and intelligence are found to be positive predictors of political knowledge and neuroticism a negative predictor of political knowledge. In both studies, education remains the single strongest predictor of political knowledge. Furthermore, education can, to a large extent, even out the differences in political knowledge between those with high and low cognitive abilities.
The media of sociology: tight or loose translations?
Authors: Guggenheim Michael
Published: June 2015

Sociologists have increasingly come to recognize that the discipline has unduly privileged textual representations, but efforts to incorporate visual and other media are still only in their beginning. This paper develops an analysis of the ways objects of knowledge are translated into other media, in order to understand the visual practices of sociology and to point out unused possibilities. I argue that the discourse on visual sociology, by assuming that photographs are less objective than text, is based on an asymmetric media‐determinism and on a misleading notion of objectivity. Instead, I suggest to analyse media with the concept of translations. I introduce several kinds of translations, most centrally the distinction between tight and loose ones. I show that many sciences, such as biology, focus on tight translations, using a variety of media and manipulating both research objects and representations. Sociology, in contrast, uses both tight and loose translations, but uses the latter only for texts. For visuals, sociology restricts itself to what I call ‘the documentary’: focusing on mechanical recording technologies without manipulating either the object of research or the representation. I conclude by discussing three rare examples of what is largely excluded in sociology: visual loose translations, visual tight translations based on non‐mechanical recording technologies, and visual tight translations based on mechanical recording technologies that include the manipulation of both object and representation.
Improving Hospital Reporting of Patient Race and Ethnicity—Approaches to Data Auditing
Authors: Zingmond David S. , Parikh Punam , Louie Rachel , Lichtensztajn Daphne Y. , Ponce Ninez , Hasnain‐Wynia Romana , Gomez Scarlett Lin
Published: June 2015

Objective

To investigate new metrics to improve the reporting of patient race and ethnicity (R/E) by hospitals.

Data Sources

California Patient Discharge Database (PDD) and birth registry, 2008–2009, Healthcare and Cost Utilization Project's State Inpatient Database, 2008–2011, cancer registry 2000–2008, and 2010USCensus Summary File 2.

Study Design

We examined agreement between hospital reported R/E versus self‐report among mothers delivering babies and a cancer cohort in California. Metrics were created to measure root mean squared differences (RMSD) by hospital between reported R/E distribution and R/E estimates using R/E distribution within each patient's zip code of residence.RMSDcomparisons were made to corresponding “gold standard” facility‐level measures within the maternal cohort for California and six comparison states.

Data Collection

Maternal birth hospitalization (linked to the state birth registry) and cancer cohort records linked to preceding and subsequent hospitalizations. Hospital discharges were linked to the corresponding Census zip code tabulation area using patient zip code.

Principal Findings

Overall agreement between thePDDand the gold standard for the maternal cohort was 86 percent for the combined R/E measure and 71 percent for race alone. TheRMSDmeasure is modestly correlated with the summary level gold standard measure for R/E (r = 0.44). TheRMSDmetric revealed general improvement in data agreement and completeness across states. “Other” and “unknown” categories were inconsistently applied within inpatient databases.

Conclusions

Comparison between reported R/E and R/E estimates using zip code level data may be a reasonable first approach to evaluate and track hospital R/E reporting. Further work should focus on using more granular geocoded data for estimates and tracking data to improve hospital collection of R/E data.
Use of a syndromic surveillance system to describe the trend in cycling‐related presentations to emergency departments in Sydney
Authors: Dinh Michael M , Kastelein Christopher , Bein Kendall J , Green Timothy C , Bautovich Tanya , Ivers Rebecca
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To describe population‐based trends in cycling‐related presentations to EDs over the past decade.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of road trauma patients (motor vehicle, motor cyclist, cyclist and pedestrian) presenting to EDs in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area between 2004 and 2013 was obtained using the Public Health Real‐time Emergency Department Surveillance System. The outcomes of interest were the cycling‐related ED presentation rate per 1000 population, as well as the proportion of cycling‐related presentations that died in ED or were admitted to a critical care ward. Trends in ED presentation rates based on presentation counts and Sydney population data were plotted and described.

Results

There were 68 438 cycling‐related presentations identified, representing 30% of all road trauma patients presenting to EDs in Sydney. There was a 91% increase in cycling‐related presentations for the 35 to 64‐year‐old age group and a 123% increase in cycling‐related presentations in the 65‐year‐old and over age group. All other age groups were associated with a stable or decrease in cycling‐related ED presentation rates. The proportion of presentations requiring critical care ward admission or death in ED has decreased by 20%.

Conclusion

Using an ED syndromic surveillance system, cycling‐related ED presentation rates in Sydney Australia have increased in those aged 35 years and over the past 10 years, with a relative decrease in the proportion of deaths in ED or those requiring critical care admission.
Regional and Temporal Differences in Nitrate Trends Discerned from Long‐Term Water Quality Monitoring Data
Authors: Stets E.G. , Kelly V.J. , Crawford C.G.
Published: June 2015

Riverine nitrate (NO3) is a well‐documented driver of eutrophication and hypoxia in coastal areas. The development of the elevated river NO3 concentration is linked to anthropogenic inputs from municipal, agricultural, and atmospheric sources. The intensity of these sources has varied regionally, through time, and in response to multiple causes such as economic drivers and policy responses. This study uses long‐term water quality, land use, and other ancillary data to further describe the evolution of river NO3 concentrations at 22 monitoring stations in the United States (U.S.). The stations were selected for long‐term data availability and to represent a range of climate and land‐use conditions. We examined NO3 at the monitoring stations, using a flow‐weighting scheme meant to account for interannual flow variability allowing greater focus on river chemical conditions. River NO3 concentration increased strongly during 1945‐1980 at most of the stations and have remained elevated, but stopped increasing during 1981‐2008. NO3 increased to a greater extent at monitoring stations in the Midwest U.S. and less so at those in the Eastern and Western U.S. We discuss 20th Century agricultural development in the U.S. and demonstrate that regional differences in NO3 concentration patterns were strongly related to an agricultural index developed using principal components analysis. This unique century‐scale dataset adds to our understanding of long‐term NO3 patterns in the U.S.
Making an Almost Joyful Noise: Augustan Imitation and the Psalms of David
Authors: Lund Roger
Published: June 2015

This essay examines the transformation of psalmody in the long eighteenth century, from metrical translation set to music and sung by an English congregation into a purely literary imitation designed to be appreciated like any other form of modern poetry. Under the influence of an Augustan theory of poetic imitation, poets move beyond simple paraphrase or translation to create a new literary commodity. While these poems identify themselves as Psalms, assuming the cachet of scriptural authority, they seem largely unrelated to worship or liturgy; they are intended not so much to express private devotion as to ‘amuse’ ingenious readers.
Computed tomography‐guided percutaneous microwave ablation of early stage non‐small cell lung cancer in a pneumonectomy patient
Authors: Wei Zhigang , Wang Jiao , Ye Xin , Yang Xia , Huang Guanghui
Published: June 2015

A squamous cell lung cancer patient was treated with pneumonectomy. A recurrent lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) was found 45 months later and successfully biopsied and treated with microwave ablation. After 18 months of follow up, no evidence of tumor recurrence was observed.
Disease recurrence and survival in patients with multifocal breast cancer: a follow‐up study with 7‐year results
Authors: Kuan Li Lian , Tiong Leong Ung , Parkyn Robert , Walters David , Lai Christine , Walsh David
Published: June 2015

Background

Few studies have shown that multifocal breast cancer (MBC) has poorer outcomes compared with unifocal breast cancer (UBC). Currently, there is no long‐term data on disease recurrence and survival in patients with MBC. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether patients with MBC have worse outcomes compared with UBC in respect to disease recurrence and survival.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with stage I–III MBC from 2000 to 2007 in comparison with UBC with a median follow‐up of 7 years. Prognostic factors were prospectively collected from the breast cancer unit database. Univariate and multivariable analyses for disease recurrence and survival were performed as well as Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

A total of 152 patients were included; 75 with MBC, 77 with UBC. The multifocal group was treated more aggressively with mastectomy (73% versus 25%, P < 0.0001) and chemotherapy (53% versus 42%). Breast cancer recurred in nine (11.7%) patients in the UBC group and nine (12%) patients in the MBC group respectively (hazard ratio (HR): 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45–2.86, P = 0.794). There were 10 (13%) mortalities in the unifocal group as compared with 11 (14.7%) in the multifocal group (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.42–2.48, P = 0.969). There were no statistically significant differences in the all‐cause mortality and disease recurrence rates between both groups.

Discussion

There were no statistically significant differences in disease recurrence or mortality rates between MBC and UBC at a median follow‐up of 7 years. However, patients in the MBC group received more aggressive treatment than the unifocal group.
Synchronous colorectal liver metastases in pregnancy and post‐partum
Authors: Robson Danielle E. , Lewin Joel , Cheng Anthony W. , O'Rourke Nicholas A. , Cavallucci David J.
Published: June 2015

Background

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in pregnancy and post‐partum is rare, but represents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is essential. This study reports the first series in the Australasian literature, describing our experience with and management of pregnant and post‐partum patients diagnosed with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (sCRLM).

Method

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients with sCRLM diagnosed during pregnancy or post‐partum, presenting to a tertiary referral hospital between 2009 and 2014, was performed. Data regarding patient presentation, imaging, management, histopathology and survival were analysed. Patient characteristics and outcomes were reviewed, including age, presenting complaint and median survival.

Results

Five patients were identified with sCRLM: three patients were diagnosed antepartum and two post‐partum. Median age was 31 years (range 26–34). All patients were diagnosed with colorectal primary and synchronous liver lesions. All patients received folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin chemotherapy, two intrapartum. One patient had both the primary lesion and liver metastases excised early post‐partum. Second‐line chemotherapy with folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan and other biological agents was used in some cases post‐partum. One patient suffered a fetal loss, while the other four had uncomplicated live births. Median survival was 7.6 months, with two patients dying shortly after delivery.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of mCRC in pregnancy is challenging and survival is poor. A MDT approach to management is essential. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment from the second trimester. Rapid confirmation of diagnosis and early chemotherapy, followed by post‐partum colorectal and liver resection may improve survival.