bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanocrystals of Nitrides and Oxides
Authors: Kikkawa Shinichi
Published: September 2013

Nanocrystals are important to attain high performance in optical & magnetic materials such as phosphors, laser emitters and information recording media. They are also required in future devices that involve magnetoresistance, logic gates, magnetic resonance and metamaterials. Nanocrystals of oxides and nitrides (and oxynitrides) were studied as nanosized powders, nanowires and dispersed granular thin films. Recent advancements of such nanocrystals prepared at Hokkaido University are introduced in this paper. Nanocrystals were prepared in transparent conducting oxides, white LED phosphor oxides and oxynitrides and magnetic iron nitride. Nanowires were grown in semiconducting gallium oxynitride and magnetic nanogranular thin films were prepared both in oxide and nitride.
A Neural Networks Approach to Measure Residual Stresses Using Spherical Indentation
Authors: Mahmoudi Amir Hossein , Ghanbari-Matloob Mitra , Heydarian Soroush
Published: September 2013

In the present study an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach is proposed for residual stresses estimation in engineering components using indentation technique. First of all, load-penetration curves of indentation tests for tensile and compressive residual stresses are studied using Finite Element Method (FEM) for materials with different yield stresses and work-hardening exponents. Then, experimental tests are carried out on samples made of 316L steel without residual stresses. In the next step, multi-layer feed forward ANNs are created and trained based on 80% of obtained numerical data using Back-Error Propagation (BEP) algorithm. Then the trained ANNs are tested against the remaining data. The obtained results show that the predicted residual stresses are in good agreement with the actual data.
Macroscopic Fracture Behaviour of CrN Hard Coatings Evaluated by X-Ray Diffraction Coupled with Four-Point Bending
Authors: Stefenelli Mario , Riedl Angelika , Todt Juraj , Bartosik Matthias , Daniel Rostislav , Mitterer Christian , Keckes Jozef
Published: September 2013

Fracture behavior of hard nanocrystalline coatings decisively influences the lifetime and performance of coated tools. In this work, residual stresses in as-deposited and annealed CrN coatings deposited at 350 °C using bias voltages of −40 V and −120 V were evaluated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled with four-point bending. The stress development during the bending experiments was used to analyse fracture properties of the coatings. The results indicate that an annealing at 550 °C does not deteriorate the fracture behavior of the coatings prepared using −40 V bias. In the case of −120 V bias coatings, the residual stress relaxation after the thermal treatment is accompanied by a fracture strain decrease and a fracture stress increase. The as-deposited and annealed CrN coatings deposited using −120 V bias exhibit significantly large fracture strains in comparison with −40 V samples. Finally the results document that the fracture stress may not be the only relevant parameter when comparing different coating systems. Also the strain at fracture can be considered as significant indicator of the coating fracture response. Methodologically, the results indicate that in-situ X-ray diffraction coupled with four point bending can be effectively used to evaluate macroscopic fracture behaviour of hard coatings.
Study of Stresses in Texture Components Using Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Baczmański Andrzej , Gadalińska Elżbieta , Wroński Sebastian , Le Joncour Léa , Panicaud Benoit , François Manuel , Braham Chedly , Klosek Vincent , Paradowska Anna M.
Published: September 2013

In this work a new method for analysis of neutron diffraction results obtained during “in situ” tensile load is proposed and tested. The methodology is based on the measurements of lattice strains during “in situ” tensile test for several hkl reflections and for different orientations of the sample with respect to the scattering vector. As the result the full stress tensor for preferred texture orientations in function of applied stress can be determined with help of crystallite group method. The experimental data are presented and compared with self-consistent model calculations performed for groups of grains corresponding to the measured hkl reflections.
Study on Ductile Damage Progress of Aluminum Single Crystal Using Synchrotron White X-Ray
Authors: Shibano Junichi , Kiso Minoru , Kajiwara Kentaro , Shobu Takahisa , Miura Setsuo , Kobayashi Michiaki
Published: September 2013

A ductile damage progress of FCC single crystal was verified by a profile analysis using white X-ray obtained in BL28B2 beam line of SPring-8. In this study, an aluminum single crystal of the purity 6N was used as a specimen prepared in I-type geometry for tensile test. A notch was introduced into one side of the center of a parallel part of the specimen by the wire electric discharge machining. White X-ray, which has 100 microns in height and 200 microns in width, was incident into the specimen on the Bragg angle θ of 3 degrees using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction technique. The specimen was deformed by elongation along crystal orientation [001], and a diffraction profile of the white X-ray which penetrated it was analyzed. In profile analysis, an instrumental function was defined in consideration both of a divergence by a slit and a response function peculiar to the energy dispersive method. The Gauss component of integral breadth related to non-uniform strain and the Cauchy component of integral breadth related to crystallite size were determined by eliminating the broadening by the instrumental function from the diffraction profile of white X-ray. As a result, the direction of progress and the characteristics of ductile damage near the notch of the aluminum single crystal were clarified from the Gauss component and the Cauchy component of integral width of the single diffraction profile.
Sensitivity of Macro- and Micro-Residual Stress States of Steel Surfaces to Thermal Influences Caused by Grinding Burn and Laser Treatments
Authors: Eigenmann Bernd , Zösch Antje , Seidel Martin
Published: September 2013

Thermal influences, introduced intentionally or unintentionally do have significant effects on surfaces of steel components. Materials properties are reduced by annealing effects or even re-hardening zones can occur. Grinding, one of the most important technological processes for preci-sion manufacturing of hardened steel components, is an important source of thermal influences to steel surfaces. In pronounced cases, these influences are referred to as grinding burn. They are known as possible reasons for gray stains as well as development of cracks and pittings on heavy-duty gears and on roller bearings. The basic effect of thermal influences on the material is a change of the macro- and micro-residual stress states. Therefore, the knowledge of these residual stress states is of fundamental importance. The paper treats the mechanisms of grinding which can lead to thermal influences. Some characteristic appearances of grinding burn are shown and characterized by X-ray macro- and micro residual stress determinations. It is shown that defined laser treatments can be used to create reproducible thermal influences similar to grinding burn. Their effects are also characterized by X-ray residual stress measurements. The sensitivities of X-ray and metallographical investigations are compared. Defined laser traces are proposed as calibration samples for magnetic and eddy current measurements which allow to determine threshold values for the actual apparatus and measuring problem.
3D Model of Shot Dynamics for Ultrasonic Shot Peening
Authors: Badreddine Jawad , Rouhaud Emmanuelle , Micoulaut Matthieu , Remy Sebastien , Desfontaine Vincent , Renaud Pierre
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a 3D model that simulates an ultrasonic shot peening (USP) operation, using realistic process parameters and peening setups (part and chamber geometries). By simulating the shot dynamics (shot trajectories and impacts), statistical and spatial data are obtained for the peened component, i.e. surface coverage and coverage rate, impact speeds and angles, dissipated energy... This data can then be used for i) optimizing the design of peening chambers and process parameters and ii) predicting the residual stress and displacement fields induced by USP in the peened component. In fact, data from the 3D model can be used as initial data in existing residual stress prediction models. A chaining methodology was developed for this purpose and allows linking the choice of process parameters and USP setup to the induced residual stress displacement fields.
Surface Modification Analysis after Shot Peening of AA 7075 in Different States
Authors: Žagar Sebastjan , Grum Janez
Published: September 2013

The paper deals with the effect of different shot peening (SP) treatment conditions on the ENAW 7075-T651 aluminium alloy. Suitable residual stress profile increases the applicability and life cycle of mechanical parts, treated by shot peening. The objective of the research was to establish the optimal parameters of the shot peening treatment of the aluminium alloy in different precipitation hardened states with regard to residual stress profiles in dynamic loading. Main deformations and main residual stresses were calculated on the basis of electrical resistance. The resulting residual stress profiles reveal that stresses throughout the thin surface layer of all shot peened specimens are of compressive nature. The differences can be observed in the depth of shot peening and the profile of compressive residual stresses. Under all treatment conditions, the obtained maximum value of compressive residual stress ranges between -200 MPa and -300 MPa at a depth between 250 μm and 300 μm. Comparison of different temperature-hardened aluminium alloys shows that changes in the Almen intensity values have greater effect than coverage in the depth and profile of compressive residual stresses. Positive stress ratio of R=0.1 was selected. Wöhler curves were determined in the areas of maximum bending loads between 30 - 65 % of material's tensile strength, measured at thinner cross-sections of individual specimens. The results of material fatigue testing differ from the level of shot peening on the surface layer.
Neutron Residual Strain Surface Scans - Experimental Results and Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Kornmeier Joana Rebelo , Šaroun Jan , Gibmeier Jens , Hofmann Michael
Published: September 2013

Precise determination of diffraction peak positions is of particular importance for the evaluation of residual strains. Neutrons are commonly used to probe residual strains from material volumes in depths of several millimetres under the sample surface. However, neutron strain analyses are critical for the near surface region. When scanning close to a sample surface, aberration peak shifts arise, which can be of the same order as the peak shifts related to residual strains [1]. Series of Monte Carlo (M.C.) simulations using the software package RESTRAX/SIMRES [2] were carried out to simulate the peak shift as a function of gauge volume depth, monochromator curvature and other instrumental parameters, which can be used to quickly optimise the experimental setup for direct measuring residual strains near the sample surface at an arbitrary surface orientation. The M.C. simulations were compared and agree very well with the experimental data, not only for a stress free steel sample but as well for a deep rolled steel sample, measured at the STRESS-SPEC diffractometer at the research reactor FRM II, Garching (Germany).
Graphite Morphology's Influence on Shot Peening Results in Cast Irons
Authors: Lundberg Matthias , Peng Ru Lin , Ahmad Maqsood , Bäckström Daniel , Vuoristo Taina , Johansson Sten
Published: September 2013

The different shot peening responds of a grey cast iron (GI) with its flake graphite and a compacted cast iron (CGI) with its vermicular graphite was analyzed and compared in this paper. For peening using identical parameters, CGI showed a larger plastic deformation zone with higher subsurface compressive stresses than GI. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping and backscatter electron imaging revealed that plastic deformation of the matrix near graphite inclusions is affected by the size and geometry of the graphite. The different behaviors of graphite are explained by their capability to damp mechanical force but at the same time to cause stress concentration in the matrix. The better shot peening results for CGI may be attributed to a lower damping effect of its graphite inclusions and capability of the matrix for larger plastic deformation.
Corrosion and Fatigue of AL-Alloys AA359.0 and AA6060 in Different Surface Treatment States
Authors: Timmermann Klaus , Zinn Wolfgang , Scholtes Berthold
Published: September 2013

The consequences of near surface materials properties and residual stress states produced by specific manufacturing operations on damage evolution during corrosion fatigue of the Al-base alloys AA359.0 (German grade G-AlSi9Cu3) and AA6060 (German grade AlMgSi0.5) were systematically investigated. Specimens were processed applying mechanical surface treatments like shot peening or deep rolling and investigated in comparison with turned states. Surface topographies as well as near surface work hardening states and residual stress depth distributions were analyzed. Tension-compression fatigue tests were carried out under laboratory air as well as under salt spray test conditions or in salt solution. Crack formation and crack propagation was studied and characteristic examples are presented. The influence of the mechanical surface treatments on the electrochemical behavior was also investigated. To assess the consequences of near surface materials properties on the corrosion fatigue behavior, their stability during fatigue, in particular the relaxation of residual stress distributions introduced by mechanical surface treatments, was taken into account.
Use of Noninvasive Gas Exchange to Track pulmonary Vascular Responses to exercise in Heart Failure
Authors: Taylor Bryan J. , Olson Thomas P. , Chul-Ho-Kim  , Maccarter Dean , Johnson Bruce D.
Published: September 2013

We determined whether a non-invasive gas exchange based estimate of pulmonary vascular (PV) capacitance [PVCAP = stroke volume (SV) x pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)] (GXCAP) tracked the PV response to exercise in heart-failure (HF) patients. Pulmonary wedge pressure (Ppw), Ppa, PV resistance (PVR), and gas exchange were measured simultaneously during cycle exercise in 42 HF patients undergoing right-heart catheterization. During exercise, PETCO2 and VE/VCO2 were related to each other ( r= -0.93, P < 0.01) and similarly related to mean Ppa (mPpa) ( r = -0.39 and 0.36; P < 0.05); PETCO2 was subsequently used as a metric of mPpa. Oxygen pulse (O2 pulse) tracked the SV response to exercise (r = 0.91, P < 0.01). Thus, GXCAP was calculated as O2 pulse x PETCO2. During exercise, invasively determined PVCAP and non-invasive GXCAP were related (r = 0.86, P < 0.01), and GXCAP correlated with mPpa and PVR (r = -0.46 and -0.54; P < 0.01). In conclusion, noninvasive gas exchange measures may represent a simple way to track the PV response to exercise in HF.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Brazilian Pediatric Patients
Authors: Pinheiro Mayra Isabel Correia , Pamplona De Góes Cavalcanti Luciano , Honório Rodrigo Schuler , De Alencar Moreno Luïs Hélder , Fortes Mayara Carvalho , Antônio Bruno Da Silva Carlos
Published: September 2013

We examined 11 pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis with a tardy diagnosis. The symptoms were initially thought to be related to other diseases, leading to the use of inadequate therapeutic approaches. The patients were between 3 and 17 years old (mean 7.8 ± 3.8 years), and 8 of the patients were male. Common symptoms included abdominal pain, regurgitation, difficulty in gaining weight, vomiting, dysphagia, and coughing. The mean age for the onset of symptoms was 4.3 ± 2.9 years. Endoscopic findings included normal mucosa in five (45%) patients, thickening of the mucosa with longitudinal grooves in three (27%), erosive esophagitis in two (18%), and a whitish stippling in one (9%) patient. Treatment included the use of a topical corticosteroid for 10 patients. In eight (73%) cases, the treatment made the symptoms disappear. Ten patients underwent histopathological management after treatment, with a decrease in the number of eosinophils.
Identification, Nomenclature, and Evolutionary Relationships of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Genes in Soybean
Authors: Neupane Achal , Nepal Madhav P. , Piya Sarbottam , Subramanian Senthil , Rohila Jai S. , Reese R. Neil , Benson Benjamin V.
Published: September 2013

Mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK) genes in eukaryotes regulate various developmental and physiological processes including those associated with biotic and abiotic stresses. Although MAPKs in some plant species including Arabidopsis have been identified, they are yet to be identified in soybean. Major objectives of this study were to identify GmMAPKs, assess their evolutionary relationships, and analyze their functional divergence. We identified a total of 38 MAPKs, eleven MAPKKs, and 150 MAPKKKs in soybean. Within the GmMAPK family, we also identified a new clade of six genes: four genes with TEY and two genes with TQY motifs requiring further investigation into possible legume-specific functions. The results indicated the expansion of the GmMAPK families attributable to the ancestral polyploidy events followed by chromosomal rearrangements. The GmMAPK and GmMAPKKK families were substantially larger than those in other plant species. The duplicated GmMAPK members presented complex evolutionary relationships and functional divergence when compared to their counterparts in Arabidopsis. We also highlighted existing nomenclatural issues, stressing the need for nomenclatural consistency. GmMAPK identification is vital to soybean crop improvement, and novel insights into the evolutionary relationships will enhance our understanding about plant genome evolution.
Effects of Tranilast on the Urinary Excretion of Kynurenic and Quinolinic Acid under Conditions of L Tryptophan Loading
Authors: Noakes Rowland R.
Published: September 2013

The pathogenesis of morphea and other cutaneous sclerosing disorders remain poorly understood. Although they are considered to be autoimmune disorders, abnormal tryptophan metabolism may be involved. Current therapy is directed to supressing the autoimmune response. Demonstration of a therapeutic response to manipulation of the kynurenine pathway would both support a role for abnormal tryptophan metabolism and offer additional targets for therapy. Tranilast is a 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid derivative known to target the kynurenine pathway. The aim of this study was to see if tranilast lowered the urinary excretion of the kynurenine metabolites kynurenic and quinolinic acid under condition of L tryptophan loading in a volunteer. Mean baseline value for kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid were 1.1 and 2.1 mmol/mol creatinine, respectively. This rose to 5.6 and 3.8 mmol/mol creatinine respectively under conditions of L tryptophan loading 2 grams daily. Adding 1 g of tranilast daily lowered the values to 2.0 and 2.9 mmol/mol creatinine, respectively. These data suggest that tranilast acts as a competitive inhibitor of either indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), tryptophan 2, 3 di-oxygenase (TDO) or both. As it involved only 1 subject, the results may not be representative of the larger population and must be considered preliminary.
Vibrational Properties of Vacancy in Na and K Using MEAM Potential
Authors: Gairola Vandana , Semalty P. D.
Published: September 2013

The modified embedded atom method (MEAM) with the universal form of embedding function and a modified energy term along with the pair potential has been employed to determine the potentials for alkali metals: Na, K, by fitting to the Cauchy pressure (C12 − C44)/2, shear constants Gν = (C11 − C12 + 3C44)/5 and C44, the cohesive energy and the vacancy formation energy. The obtained potentials are used to calculate the phonon dispersions of these metals. Using these calculated phonons we evaluate the local density of states of neighbours of vacancy using Green’s function method. The local density of states of neighbours of vacancy has been used to calculate mean square displacements of these atoms and formation entropy of vacancy. The calculated mean square displacements of both 1st and 2nd neighbours of vacancy are found to be lower than that of host atom. The calculated phonon dispersions agree well with the experimental phonon dispersion curves and the calculated results of vacancy formation entropy compare well with the other available results.
EXPLORATION OF OIL SEEPAGES USING TARGET DETECTION ALGORITHMS IN HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGES
Authors: Sayedain S. A. , Valadan zouj M .J. , Maghsoudi Y.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The oil industry is one of the most important and high income industries for the oil-rich countries. In the oil industry, exploration of oil and gas seepages has a great help to estimate the quality and quantity of tanks products. Due to the expense of any exploration activity, reaching a high certainty about the presence of hydrocarbons in an area are the main objectives of exploration activities. In this regard, the use of satellite images and remote sensing techniques can reduce the risk and increase certainty. In this paper, by considering the impact of hydrocarbon seeps on the environment and the use of target detection algorithms, the identification of hydrocarbons seepages was conducted. Finally, four points as the locations of hydrocarbon seeps were identified, that two of them were well correlated with ground truth.
A mechanism for catastrophic filter divergence in data assimilation for sparse observation networks
Authors: Gottwald G. A. , Majda A. J.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. We study catastrophic filter divergence in data assimilation procedures whereby the forecast model develops severe numerical instabilities leading to a blow-up of the solution. Catastrophic filter divergence can occur in sparse observational grids with small observational noise for intermediate observation intervals and finite ensemble sizes. Using a minimal five-dimensional model, we establish that catastrophic filter divergence is a numerical instability of the underlying forecast model caused by the filtering procedure producing analyses which are not consistent with the true dynamics, and stiffness caused by the fast attraction of the inconsistent analyses towards the attractor during the forecast step.
Development of Instruments for Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in Performing Venepuncture and Inserting Peripheral Venous Catheters
Authors: Ahlin Catharina , Löfmark Anna , Klang-Söderkvist Birgitta , Johansson Eva
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Performing venepuncture is one of the most routinely performed invasive procedures in nursing care. The aim of this study was to develop instruments for the assessment of nursing students' knowledge and skills when performing venepuncture and inserting a peripheral venous catheter.

Methods

Two instruments were developed using the following steps. 1) Assessment items of importance for the procedures (venepuncture 48 items and peripheral venous catheter 51 items) were collected from focus groups including nurses, lecturers and patients. 2) The number of items was reduced using a method based on the Delphi method. Experts (n=51) reviewed the instruments in two rounds. The revised versions included 31 items for venepuncture and 33 items for peripheral venous catheter insertion. 3) Usability tests were conducted by nurses who tested the instruments to confirm that items were possible to assess. 4) Inter-rater reliability was assessed by twelve lecturers who in pairs, but independently of each other, used the instruments to assess 50 nursing students.

Results

Proportion of agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient were calculated for each item to determine inter-rater reliability. Among the tested items for both instruments, the median proportion of agreement was 1 (range 0.66-1) and the median kappa was 0.52 (range 0.22-1).

Conclusions

The instruments developed for assessing nursing students' knowledge and skills of venepuncture and peripheral venous catheter insertion showed satisfactory inter-rater reliability.
Phytochemical, Proximate and Nutrient Composition of Vernonia calvaona Hook (Asterecea): A Green-Leafy Vegetable in Nigeria
Authors: G. O. Igile , I. A. Iwara , I. A. Mgbeje B. , F. E. Uboh , P. E. Ebong
Published: September 2013

The leaf of Vernonia calvaona was analysed for its phytochemical, proximate, anti-nutrient, mineral elements and vitamin compositions using standard analytical procedures. Flavonoids (7.07 ± 0.43%) were the most dominant plant secondary compound, followed by steroidal saponins (4.42 ± 0.23%), phenolic compounds (3.19 ± 0.05%), and carotenoids (1.62 ± 0.11%). Alkaloids (1.26 ± 0.13%), and sesquiterpene lactones (1.64 ± 0.13%) were also present in the plant. The proximate analysis of the fresh leaf gave a carbohydrate content of 20.80± 0.67 mg/100 g, with a corresponding reducing sugar content of 8.56 ± 0.06 mg/100 g. The sample also gave a protein content of 19.80 ± 0.61 mg/100 g and fat content of 4.17 ±0.15 mg/100 g respectively. The total fatty acid content of the plant was 3.57 ± 0.52 mg/100 g. Overall the green-leafy vegetable of Vernonia calvaona which is usually eaten raw and fresh contains a very balanced nutrient composition and provides a total metabolising energy value of 844.49 ± 6.19 KJ/100 g. The plant has a crude fibre content of 7.63 ± 0.22 mg/100 g and an ash content of 10.67 ± 0.33 mg/100 g respectively. The anti-nutrient levels, including oxalates (0.34 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), phytates (0.94 ± 0.04 mg/100 g) and cyanates (0.09 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) were low compared to many known vegetables. The leaf is rich in vitamins (Vit C 11.33 ± 0.88, Vit A 0.61 ± 0.01 and Vit E 0.99 ± 0.13 mg/100 g). The leaf is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin and folic acid. The mineral profile of the leaf sample is also impressive, and includes some key elements such as, Fe, Zn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, P and Se. It may be concluded that the leaves of V. calvaona contribute to nutrient intake by the consuming populations in Nigeria and can serve as an antimalarial, antidiabetic, fertility agent, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and cardioprotective agent.
Influence of Fat and Moisture Content in the Processing of Light Requeijão
Authors: Navarro da Silva Rita de Cássia Santos , Rodrigues Minim Valéria Paula , Simiqueli Andréa Alves , Minim Luis Antônio
Published: September 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of fat and moisture contents in the sensory characteristics and acceptance of light requeijão. The experiment followed the Central Composite Rotatable design. Formulations were characterized by Conventional Profile and the acceptability was evaluated by 100 consumers. The results were analyzed by Analysis of Variance, fitting of regression models and Preference Map. The multiple linear regression model showed the best fit for all sensorial attributes. Requeijão samples that fat reduction was coupled with increasing moisture demonstrated intermediate intensity of the sensory properties and showed the best acceptance among consumers. Such a result indicated that the reduction in fat levels should be associated to the increase in moisture of the final product so that there is equilibrium in the sensorial properties and the optimization the acceptance of the consumers.
An Analysis of Yield Gap and Some Factors of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Yields in Ghana
Authors: F. Aneani , K. Ofori-Frimpong
Published: September 2013

Although cocoa productivity has recently been increasing in Ghana, it is still low compared with that of other countries such as Cote d’Ivoire and Malaysia. This situation has been attributed to the low adoption of cocoa production technologies. The study was aimed at analysing the yield gap as well as some cocoa yield factors. Cross-sectional socio-economic survey was conducted in six (6) cocoa growing districts: Nkawie, Goaso, Enchi, Oda, Twifo Praso/Assin Fosu and Hohoe. A structured questionnaire was employed in the collection of data from 300 respondents who were randomly chosen with multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The yield gaps and their proportion to yield potentials were estimated using data from the survey and on-station trials. The findings indicated an experimental yield gap of 1 553.4 kg ha-1, accounting for 82.1% of the experimental yield potential whereas farmer-based yield gap was 1 537.2 kg ha-1, also accounting for 82.0% of the farmer (survey) yield potential. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis indicated that frequency of spraying fungicides against black pod disease, spraying insecticides against capsids, weeding of cocoa farms, cocoa variety planted by farmer, area of cocoa farm and total cocoa production variables had a significant impact on cocoa yield. It is recommended that the Government should encourage cocoa farmers, through pragmatic measures, to adopt improved technologies for enhancing productivity instead of focusing on excessive land expansion which eventually leads to low productivity.
Memecylon pseudomegacarpum M.Hughes (Melastomataceae), a new species of tree from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Hughes Mark
Published: September 2013

A new species, Memecylon pseudomegacarpum (Melastomataceae), is described from southern Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. This taxon was previously known under the misapplied name M. megacarpum, which is now considered endemic to Borneo. Memecylon pseudomegacarpum sp. nov. differs from M. megacarpum in having smaller leaves (8–)10.5–17(–22.5) cm rather than (10–)17–28(–35) cm long, with an elliptic lamina (not lanceolate) with a raised mid-rib (not sunken) and a marginal vein which is 2–4 mm from the margin (not 5–12 mm). Both species have similar flowers and share large (c. 15 mm diameter) globose fruits.
Take the First Step: Embrace Diversity
Authors: Collins Heather
Published: September 2013

The water industry consists of a vast array of people, manufacturers, partners, and communities. Working with people whose backgrounds and languages are different from yours can expand your cultural awareness and enrich your appreciation for the industry. We are all unified by the same thing ‐ water.
Polchinski-Strassler does not uplift Klebanov-Strassler
Authors: Bena Iosif , Graña Mariana , Kuperstein Stanislav , Massai Stefano
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Anti-D3-branes at the tip of the Klebanov-Strassler solution with D3-charge dissolved in fluxes give rise, in the probe approximation, to a metastable state. The fully back-reacted smeared solution has singular three-form fluxes in the IR, whose presence suggests a stringy resolution by brane polarization à la Polchinski-Strassler. In this paper we show that there is no polarization into anti-D5-branes wrapping the S
2 of the conifold at a finite radius. The singularities therefore do not seem to be physical, signaling that antibranes cannot be used to uplift AdS and obtain a very large landscape of de Sitter vacua in string theory.
Induced Neural Stem Cells Generated from Rat Fibroblasts
Authors: Xi Guangjun , Hu Pingfang , Qu Cunye , Qiu Shenfeng , Tong Chang , Ying Qi-Long
Published: September 2013

The generation of induced tissue-specific stem cells has been hampered by the lack of well-established methods for the maintenance of pure tissue-specific stem cells like the ones we have for embryonic stem (ES) cell cultures. Using a cocktail of cytokines and small molecules, we demonstrate that primitive neural stem (NS) cells derived from mouse ES cells and rat embryos can be maintained. Furthermore, using the same set of cytokines and small molecules, we show that induced NS (iNS) cells can be generated from rat fibroblasts by forced expression of the transcriptional factors Oct4, Sox2 and c-Myc. The generation and long-term maintenance of iNS cells could have wide and momentous implications.
Embodied cognition and social consumption: Self‐regulating temperature through social products and behaviors
Authors: Lee Seung Hwan (Mark) , Rotman Jeff D. , Perkins Andrew W.
Published: September 2013

Extant embodied cognition research suggests that individuals can reduce a perceived lack of interpersonal warmth by substituting physical warmth, and vice versa. We suggest that this behavior is self‐regulatory in nature and that this self‐regulation can be accomplished via consumptive behavior. Experiment 1 found that consumers perceived ambient temperature to be significantly lower when eating alone compared to eating with a partner. Experiment 2 found that consuming a cool (vs. warm) drink led individuals to generate more socially‐oriented attributes for a hypothetical product. Experiment 3 found that physically cooler individuals desired a social consumption setting, whereas physically warmer individuals desired a lone consumption setting. We interpret these results within the context of self‐regulation, such that perceived physical temperature deviations from a steady state unconsciously motivate the individual to find bodily balance in order to alleviate that deviation.
The acuity of vice: Attitude ambivalence improves visual sensitivity to increasing portion sizes
Authors: Cornil Yann , Ordabayeva Nailya , Kaiser Ulrike , Weber Bernd , Chandon Pierre
Published: September 2013

A rapid increase in the size of food portions has underlined the importance of understanding consumers' ability to accurately perceive portion sizes. Drawing on research on motivated perception, we posit that attitude ambivalence (simultaneously desiring a food and perceiving it as unhealthy) enhances visual sensitivity to increasing portion sizes. We manipulate or measure attitude ambivalence in three experimental studies conducted among children and adults and find that visual sensitivity is driven not simply by desire but by the coexistence of desire and perceived unhealthiness of the food (e.g., for hedonic food and among restrained eaters). Our findings suggest that framing foods as vices improves the estimation of portion sizes among health‐conscious people.
Dimension and measure for typical random fractals
Authors: FRASER JONATHAN M.
Published: September 2013

We define a random iterated function system (RIFS) to be a finite set of (deterministic) iterated function systems (IFSs) acting on the same metric space. For a given RIFS, there exists a continuum of random attractors corresponding to each sequence of deterministic IFSs. Much work has been done on computing the ‘almost sure’ dimensions of these random attractors. Here we compute the typical dimensions (in the sense of Baire) and observe that our results are in stark contrast to those obtained using the probabilistic approach. Furthermore, we examine the typical Hausdorff and packing measures of the random attractors and give examples to illustrate some of the strange phenomena that can occur. The only restriction we impose on the maps is that they are bi-Lipschitz and we obtain our dimension results without assuming any separation conditions.
Lest We Forget: Lessons Learned in Ireland Following Budget 2012
Authors: Mc Guckin Conor , O'Brien Aoife M.
Published: September 2013

School-based guidance and counselling provision suffered significantly in the austerity measures announced as part of the Irish national Budget for 2012. Through an exploration of the rapid changes visited on the profession in Ireland, this article offers a timely warning to international colleagues to engage in a service-wide reflective process regarding the nature, organisation, and efficacy of their role and profession. Highlighted are the central issues that have been experienced in Ireland, with suggestions for how colleagues could reflect upon the robustness of the profession in their own country.
A Government of Men: Presidential Address, The Ninth Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, December 28, 1912
Authors: Hart Albert Bushnell
Published: September 2013

“In the government of this commonwealth, the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers, or either of them: the executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them: the judicial shall never exercise the legislative and executive powers, or either of them: to the end, it may be a government of laws, and not of men.”

So runs the thirtieth article of the constitution adopted by the people of Massachusetts in their town meetings in the year 1780; and still a part of the fundamental law of this Commonwealth. The fine and sonorous phrase states two important principles: that in every proper government there should be three balanced departments; and that a government of laws must control not only the people but those charged with government—that is, that the rule is stronger than the rulers.
Law and Organization: Presidential Address the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association
Authors: Moore John Bassett
Published: September 2013

Webster, as a prelude to his reply to Hayne, asked for the reading of the resolution before the Senate, in order that the mind of his hearers might be led back to the original and perhaps forgotten subject of the debate. Today we may well imitate his example, by recurring to fundamental principles. For five months we have stood in the presence of one of the most appalling wars in history, appalling not only because of its magnitude and destructiveness but also because of its frustration of hopes widely cherished that the progress of civilization had rendered an armed conflict between the leading powers of the world morally impossible. As a result we have since the outbreak of the great conflict been tossing about on the stormy sea of controversy, distrustful of our charts and guides, and assailed on every hand with cries of doubt and despair. We have been told that there is no such thing as international law; that, even if its existence be admitted, it is at most nothing but what superior force for the time being ordains; that international understandings, even when embodied in treaties, are practically worthless, being obligatory only so long as they may be conceived to subserve the interests or necessities of the moment; that the only security for the observance of international rules, general or conventional, is force, and that in force we must in the last analysis find our sole reliance.
High-throughput sequencing of autism spectrum disorders comes of age
Authors: WANG MINGBANG , FAN XIAOMEI , WANG TAO , WU JINYU
Published: September 2013

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong neurodevelopmental disabilities that affect 1 in 88 children in the USA. Despite the high heritability, the genetic basis for a majority of the ASDs remains elusive. The considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity pose a significant challenge technically. State-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing (HTS), which makes the analyses of any specific single/multiple genes or whole exomes feasible, has shown a promising perspective in disease gene discovery. To date, numerous genetic studies using HTS have been reported and many rare inherited or de novo mutations have been identified. This review will focus on the progress and prospective of genome studies of ASDs using HTS.
Neuropsychological functions among adolescents with persistent, subsyndromal and remitted attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lin Y. J. , Chen W. J. , Gau S. S.
Published: September 2013

Background

Previous studies have reported mixed results on neuropsychological deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and only a few studies have focused on adolescents. There is also a debate about whether the executive function (EF) impairments in ADHD are primary deficits or have some contribution from the underlying non-EF processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the impairments in EF and neuropsychological function with relatively low executive demand (low-EF) in adolescents with childhood diagnosis of ADHD as a function of current ADHD status.

Method

Psychiatric diagnostic interviews and computerized neuropsychological tests classified into EF and low-EF tasks were completed by 435 adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD (300 adolescents classified as persistent ADHD, 109 as subsyndromal ADHD and 26 as remitted ADHD based on the current diagnosis) and 263 typically developing (TD) adolescents.

Results

There were significant EF (spatial working memory, spatial planning and verbal working memory) and low-EF (signal detectability, spatial span and visual recognition memory) impairments in persistent and subsyndromal ADHD. The impairments in EF were independent of low-EF despite significant moderate correlations between any two of these tasks. Adolescents with remitted ADHD showed no deficit in either EF or low-EF.

Conclusions

This study suggests that adolescents with persistent and subsyndromal ADHD have EF and low-EF impairments that might contribute to ADHD independently.
On the chemical composition of prehistoric Greek copper-based artefacts from mainland Greece
Authors: Mangou Helen , Ioannou Panayiotis V.
Published: September 2013

170 copper-based objects from various sites in mainland Greece covering the Late Neolithic period and the whole of the Bronze Age have been analysed for their chemical content (twelve elements) by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that at all sites during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age relatively pure copper and arsenical copper were used, while during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages bronze dominated. Bronze objects of the Early Bronze Age were probably imported. Lead was not usually used to help casting. Metallographic examination of eight Late Neolithic, Early and Late Bronze Age hammered objects revealed that they have been cold-worked and annealed, most probably through several cycles.
Missing sheep: on the meaning and wider significance of 0 in Knossos sheep records
Authors: Halstead Paul
Published: September 2013

According to Linear B texts from Knossos, the sheep which the palace kept for wool were far too numerous to have been reared from recorded flocks of breeding ewes. The wool flocks are dominated by castrated males (wethers) but also include ewes, yearlings, old sheep and ‘deficits’. Following Killen, deficits often occur as round numbers and so represent sheep not returned to the palace rather than losses through natural deaths. Moreover, most flocks have no deficits, implying that inevitable losses were made up by the herders to whom the flocks were entrusted. This paper examines the association of different categories of sheep among the wool flocks and the nature of legible amendments to texts. It is argued that ewes, yearlings and old sheep were all substituted for wethers, which herders removed in large numbers, perhaps for feasting or sacrifice. Herders were thus responsible for both culling and replacing palatial wool sheep, while the palace was primarily concerned with the collection of wool.
Praisos IV: a preliminary report on the 1993 and 1994 survey seasons
Authors: Whitley James , Prent Mieke , Thorne Stuart
Published: September 2013

Two seasons of fieldwalking were undertaken in the environs of the city of Praisos in Eastern Crete in 1993 and 1994. This is a preliminary report on the results. The topography of the area is described, as are the survey methods used. Finds include sites of FN/EM I date; MM ‘megalithic’ structures and one possible sanctuary; few remains of Neopalatial date. Attention is concentrated on the LM III, PG, G and Orientalising periods which saw a movement of settlement from the refuge settlement of Kypia above Kalamafki to Praisos itself. The urban survey of 1994 indicates that Praisos was a considerable settlement well before the Classical period, and there seems to be some overlap in the periods in which Kypia and Praisos were occupied. Further work was also undertaken on the Classical and Hellenistic periods in the Praisos area. Later periods have proven more difficult to pin down through analysis of their surface remains.
The roles of the epistates in Macedonian contexts
Authors: Hammond N. G. L.
Published: September 2013

In 1996 Dr M. B. Hatzopoulos published a large amount of new evidence in his two volumes of The Macedonian Institutions under the Kings, and further evidence appears in the Astronomical Diaries of Babylon. In this evidence the epistates holds an important place. With the opening of a new chapter in Macedonian studies, it seems desirable to provide an overall view of the roles of the epistates in all Macedonian contexts, including the Alexander-cities in Asia.
The Aghia Kyriaki, Melos survey: prospecting for the elusive earths in the Roman period in the Aegean
Authors: Photos-Jones E. , Hall A. J. , Atkinson J. A. , Tompsett G. , Cottier A. , Sanders G. D. R.
Published: September 2013

The industrial minerals (IM) of antiquity, the ‘earths’ of the Classical sources, have for long eluded the archaeological record because of the limited material evidence they leave behind in the course of their extraction and processing. The extensive references in Classical and medieval literature and travellers' accounts have never previously been followed up by detailed surveys and by scientific analysis. In the course of April–May 1998 archaeological, topographic and geological surveys were carried out at the Roman site of Aghia Kyriaki, on the island of Melos, with the long term aim of putting the elusive ‘earths’ on the archaeological map of ancient industries. The present article outlines the work so far and highlights the complex factors that may contribute to the identification and characterisation of industrial minerals working in the absence of pyrotechnological waste. Furthermore, since IM processing requires a sustainable low temperature energy source, the hypothesis is put forward that Aghia Kyriaki may have been built on agriculturally inhospitable terrain mainly in order to take advantage of the area's still active geothermal field. If proven, this may constitute evidence for the first use of a ‘soft’ and environmentally friendly energy source during the Roman period in the Aegean.
Excavations at the ancient theatre of Sparta 1995–1998: preliminary report
Authors: Waywell G. B. , Wilkes J. J.
Published: September 2013

Exacavations and study at the ancient theatre of Sparta in the area of the stage building and the west parodos have revealed new evidence for the original stage arrangements of the theatre as built under G. Julius Eurykles,c. 30-20 BC. A new trench laid across the west parodos, and the reopening of trials made by H. Bulle in 1935, have confirmed beyond doubt the existence of a scenery store building (skanotheke), from which three trackways, at least two of which were certainly fitted with continuous grooved blocks, allowed a moveable stage structure to be rolled out roughly into the position later occupied by the existing second phase stage building. Within the west parodos three contiguous channelled blocks have been revealed for the north line, the middle line and two poros bedding blocks for the south line. These indicate a gauge between the outer lines ofc. 6 m, within a skanotheke 9 m in width and 36 m long, the walls of which have been confirmed on the north, south and west. Bulle's 1937 hypothesis concerning a rolling stage for Sparta, which was challenged by Buckler in 1986, is therefore largely confirmed. Numerous fragments of a marble Doric columned order reused within the walls and foundations of the Flavian stage building suggest that a colonnaded façade may have fronted the moving stage area, and possibly also enclosed it at the rear.
Professor William George Grieve Forrest
Authors: Davies J. K.
Published: September 2013

This is the text of an address given at a commemoration of George Forrest in Oxford in February 1998. It surveys his life and background, teaching, scholarship and publications. It is accompanied by a bibliography, with separate listings for books, articles, reviews, and obituary notices.