bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technological Infrastructure and Implementation Environments
Authors: Cowie Bronwen , Jones Alister , Harlow Ann
Published: October 2010

The integration of ICT is the apparent goal of range of educational initiatives worldwide. To date, however, the impact of ICTs has lagged behind the rhetoric. Rather than technology transforming teaching and learning it appears that teachers often assimilate it into existing practices. This chapter uses Douglas Engelbart’s (1992) notion of an improvement infrastructure to explore and explain the factors that have framed and shaped New Zealand teacher access to, adoption of, and resistance to the use of laptops. Engelbart posits that organizations should aspire to creating three levels of infrastructure for improvement: a core capability infrastructure, an infrastructure that enables the improvement of core work, and an infrastructure that enables the on-going improvement of the improvement processes. Improvement of improvement typically receives the least long-term strategic investment. For teachers with laptops improvement of improvement is what enables teachers to enhance their ability to use their laptop. In this chapter we show that this involves the system of teacher confidence and expertise, teacher professional development opportunities, teacher access to a reliable technological infrastructure, and the existence of a supportive school leadership and culture for ICT/laptop use.
Peer Assistance and Interaction in an Online Forum
Authors: Kale Ugur
Published: October 2010

This study examines peer interaction and peer assistance observed in on an online forum, part of a graduate level instructional design course during the 2008 spring academic term. It incorporates both content analysis and social network analysis techniques. The content analysis results showed that the four types of peer assistance adopted from an existing framework were adequate to categorize the peer assistance that the students received during the study. Students tended to receive more Reflective assistance from their peers if their reading reflections provided high relevance to the course projects. Social network analysis results revealed that while 70% of the students provided peer assistance to one another, they were less likely to go beyond the course requirement of posting toward to end of the semester. Also, a further analysis demonstrated how SNA approach may help examine the influences of actor attributes on their observed communication.
Harnessing the Potential of Cooperative Interaction
Authors: Hilk Caroline L. , Mensink Michael C.
Published: October 2010

As educators make greater use of online learning environments and virtual communities, increased attention is being paid to the aspects of computer-mediated communication which facilitate constructive interaction between learners. The benefits of face-to-face cooperative learning are being pursued in the evolving computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. The success of computer-supported collaborative learning is influenced by the amount and quality of social and physical presence available in the online environment. This chapter offers several best practices for enhancing learners’ perceptions of social and physical presence within the digital realm, and it suggests future avenues of research which may lead to further improvements in the instructional potential of online learning environments.
Field Notes from the Wild
Authors: Aurilio Suzanne
Published: October 2010

This chapter takes a novel orientation to understanding adults as learners by arguing that the context rather than age of the learner is more indicative of their approaches to learning to use technologies. Drawing on data from a study of everyday avatars learning to build the online virtual world Second Life®, this chapter argues that learning through recreational activities such as these adults do in Second Life® is adult learning and a kind of 21st century learning that takes place in the wild of virtual worlds. In order to imagine ourselves, students and colleagues or corporate employees engaged by and in world-building, educators must view online technologies as rich social contexts rather than simply educational technologies. The roles of teachers, trainers or support personnel are as designers for learning. They create contexts where the learning objectives they have set can be achieved.
The Integration of Social Networking in Creating Collaborative Partnerships in Education
Authors: Tinnerman Larry S. , Johnson James
Published: October 2010

Technological communication advancements in recent years, including, but not limited to, the Internet, cell phones, PDAs and texting, have changed communication, accessing information, and doing business. Unfortunately, education has often lagged behind in the effective implementation of these technological advances. This chapter examines one technological development that has the potential to change the higher educational landscape. The use of online social networking tools can be used to help establish connections student to student, student to faculty, faculty to student and faculty to faculty. These tools can be used to encourage scholarly collaboration in a constructivist manner that builds upon the social learning theories of Albert Bandura and Lev Vygotski.
ICT Ecologies of Learning
Authors: Arntzen Jenny , Krug Don
Published: October 2010

This multiple case study investigates how a cohort of thirty-eight elementary teacher candidates (TC) and a volunteer subgroup of eight teacher candidate researchers (TCR) were prepared to use ICT in their teacher education program (TEP). The authors expected social and cultural relationships would contribute to the formation of these beginning teacher’s pedagogical perspectives and practices in relation to ICT. The study examined both TC and TCR uses of ICT from multiple perspectives: as students in the TEP; as teachers in their practicum classrooms; and as research participants. The researchers collected data on how their TEP, and ICT ecologies of learning (ICT-EL) experiences, influenced the formation of TC and TCR ICT perspectives regarding curriculum knowledge (ICT literacies) and pedagogy (ICT practices). This chapter describes the role institutional isomorphism and knowledge and curriculum fragmentation appear to play in the formation of oppositional, or resistant, ICT perspectives. It argues for active socially engaged learning (ASEL), efficacious learning, and critical inquiry as emergent systems that are in a continuous state of formation and change within these institutional contexts.
IT Service Quality Management
Authors: Spath Dieter , Bauer Wilhelm , Praeg Claus-Peter
Published: October 2010

IT service management is a focal point of interest for practitioners, managers and researchers. In this chapter, the authors outline the field of IT service quality management - a topic that has not been adequately discussed in research literature to date. The authors introduce a framework for IT service quality management and show how the framework can be applied to different phases of an IT service lifecycle. Furthermore, they illustrate possible effects of IT service quality on business performance. For this reason, they define indicators, which are effective measures of business performance, and the relations between indicators and IT service quality. Due to the increased use of modular IT services and the high pressure on IT effectiveness and IT efficiency, IT service quality management has the potential to become a highly relevant topic for IT service providers and IT departments within enterprises.
e-Service Quality
Authors: Barrutia Jose M , Gilsanz Ainhize
Published: October 2010

The development of new orientations and focuses for the conceptualisation and measurement of electronic service quality (henceforth, e-SQ) is demonstrably necessary. This chapter is mainly addressed to highlight research avenues for improving our understanding of e-SQ management, based on a critical review of previous literature. The orientation of this study aims to reduce the efforts of researchers who desire to enter this field. To do this, we offer a research agenda and synthesise the main previous studies, including the dimensions employed within a set of selected works. We start by expounding the reasons that justify the carrying out of a project of investigation to measure e-SQ. We move on to describe the current e-SQ research gaps (research opportunities). And we conclude with a section devoted to the setting out of our conclusions and indicating possible routes for future investigation.
Quality of Cloud Services
Authors: Weisbecker Anette
Published: October 2010

Cloud Computing has become the predominant paradigm in information technology for the use of distributed resources. It enables the Internet of Services where different provider offer services and compose services to new value added services. For the emerging service value chains the quality the services plays an important role. Therefore, beside software engineering methods aspects like quality of services, business models, and the interaction with the customer have to be considered during the development of cloud services. This chapter describes how these aspects can be integrated in the development process by combining software and service engineering methods and considering quality as a critical success factor in the design time.
Measuring and Profiling Self-Regulated Learning in the Online Environment
Authors: Barnard-Brak Lucy , Lan William Y. , Paton Valerie Osland
Published: October 2010

While the presence of technology-enhanced learning environments (TELEs) will only increase in higher education, this book chapter examines current literature concerning the measurement of online SRL behaviors and the application of this online SRL measurement with regard to profiling SRL behaviors in TELEs. The methodologies and issues associated with the measurement of SRL behaviors in TELEs is discussed in view of extant research. The organization of SRL behaviors into five, distinct profiles is then discussed in view of a social cognitive perspective concerning the development of SRL (e.g. Zimmerman & Schunk, 2001). The book chapter concludes with recommendations for future research concerning the presence of SRL profiles and their relationship to other metacognitive factors and academic achievement.
Re-Conceptualizing Calibration Using Trace Methodology
Authors: Egan Rylan G. , Zhou Mingming
Published: October 2010

In this chapter, the authors challenge the traditional differentiation between metacognitive monitoring and control in text-based self-regulated learning (SRL). Building on Pieshl (2009), the authors presented a case for conceptualizing and measuring calibration as the interaction between metacognitive monitoring and control under the assumption that learners adjust metacognitive judgments as they monitor and control their learning both within and between trials. To this end they describe three separate but related measures of calibration – assessment, internal, and strategic calibration – to address such questions as what kind of test will be given; how will I perform on such a test; and what can I do to improve my performance, respectively. Each type of calibration is mutually exclusive; however, overall calibration accuracy relies on the hierarchical interplay among all three types. Finally, they provide examples of how trace data for each type of calibration may be collected in a multimedia-learning environment.
Using Student Assessment Choice and eAssessment to Achieve Self Regulated Learning
Authors: Ellis Cath , Folley Sue
Published: October 2010

This chapter explores how we can harness technology to foster self-regulated learning in assessment practices. Traditionally innovation in assessment lags behind that in other areas of teaching and learning, however, it is important to make sure that assessment methods and practices are aligned with learning objectives. For assessment to be a beneficial learning experience for students it is important that they are afforded more autonomy and agency over what, when and how they are assessed. This chapter reflects on the ‘problem’ that assessment and feedback presents and on what the research is showing academics need to concentrate. Secondly, it considers how eAssessment tools can provide a way forward to achieving these objectives and helping students to develop more self-regulated learning strategies. Finally the authors will explore how the use of these tools can allow students greater autonomy over the whole assessment process, and the essential role that technology may play in achieving this.
Strategies to Promote Self-Regulated Learning in Online Environments
Authors: Harris Bruce R. , Lindner Reinhard W. , Piña Anthony A.
Published: October 2010

The primary purpose of this chapter is to present techniques and strategies that can be incorporated in online courses to promote students’ use of self-regulated learning strategies. In addition, the authors discuss why self-regulated learning skills are particularly critical in online learning environments, present a model of self-regulated learning, discuss issues related to measuring self-regulated learning, address the issue of whether or not self-regulated learning can be taught, and discuss why online learning environments are ideal environments to scaffold self-regulation. The authors present several strategies and techniques they have found successful for promoting self-regulated learning that can be readily incorporated and implemented in online courses. These strategies are organized by the three main components of the Self-Regulated Learning Model: Executive Processing, Cognitive Processing, and Motivation. The chapter concludes with a scenario that represents an idealized model of how to promote self-regulated learning in an online learning environment by employing an intelligent tutoring component as a tool to support students’ use and development of self-regulated learning tactics and strategies.
The Role of Self-Regulated Learning in Enhancing Conceptual Understanding of Rate of Chemical Reactions
Authors: Olakanmi Eunice Eyitayo , Blake Canan , Scanlon Eileen
Published: October 2010

The authors have investigated the effects of self-regulated learning (SRL) prompts on the academic performance of 30 year 9 students (12-13 year olds) learning science in a computer-based simulation environment by randomly assigning participants to either a SRL prompted or non-SRL prompted group. Mixed methods approaches were adopted for data collection and data analysis. Students in the SRL prompted group were given activity sheets which contained SRL prompts, whereas students in the non-SRL prompted group received no SRL-prompts in their activity sheets but some general prompts regarding how to follow the activity sheet. The incorporation of SRL prompted instructions into a computer-based simulation environment that teaches the rates of chemical reactions facilitated the shift in learners’ academic performance more than the non-SRL-prompted condition did. This shift was associated with the presence of the SRL behavioural prompts in the activity sheets. This study is a starting point in understanding the impact of the application of SRL-prompted instructions to the teaching of topics in a computer-based learning environment with a view to improving students’ academic attainment.
Enriching Quality of Self-Regulated Learning through Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments
Authors: N/A Vighnarajah , Wong Su Luan , Abu Bakar Kamariah
Published: October 2010

Current development in the Malaysian educational policies observed heightened interest in the integration of self-regulation of the learning process through engagement in technology-enhanced learning environments. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence to the effectiveness of the iELC discussion platform in enhancing practice of self-regulation among Malaysian secondary school students. This involved participation of 102 Physics students from four regular national secondary schools. Practice of self-regulation was measured using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and was analyzed using the two-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) on a .05 level of significance. Findings provided evident arguments that engagement in this technology-enhanced learning environment warrants for self-regulation in the learning process.
Exploring the Effects of an Optional Learning Plan Tool in Technology-Enhanced Learning
Authors: Proske Antje , Narciss Susanne , Körndle Hermann
Published: October 2010

Self-regulated learners deal with a complex interplay of forethought, performance, and self-reflection processes. This might be a reason why many students struggle with regulating their learning in a technology-enhanced learning environment (TELE). Although TELEs provide various tools supporting self-regulation, research indicates that learners seldom use the tools meaningfully. This contribution investigates whether the provision of an optional metacognitive tool (i.e. a tailored learning plan) affects tool use, learning activities, and posttest performance in the TELE “Studierplatz”. To this end, students were instructed to use a learning plan in order to reach a predetermined learning goal. Results show that only 20% of the students used the tool. Furthermore, no significant effects on posttest performance were found. However, learning plan tool use positively affected working on learning goal relevant sections. These results are discussed with respect to current research on tool use in self-regulated learning with TELEs.
Informal Self-regulated Learning in Corporate Organizations
Authors: Veen Wim , van Staalduinen Jan-Paul , Hennis Thieme
Published: October 2010

Sharing knowledge is one of the most challenging tasks modern companies have to deal with. A vast amount of knowledge exists within organizations; however it is often difficult to find and to judge its value. As a consequence, learning and knowledge building seem to be a lonely activity, separated from everyday work. Transfer of knowledge acquired in formal courses has little impact and effect on day-to-day work. That is why training often has a low return on investment. Knowledge management systems have also proven to be ineffective as they fail to present the knowledge employees are looking for. So how can we improve learning in organizations using ICT? To find an answer to this question we might learn from the generation that has grown up with modern communication technologies. This Homo Zappiens has shaped new ways of communication and information sharing including attitudes and views leading to collective knowledge building strategies. Prominent characteristics of Homo Zappiens include their preference for images and symbols as an enrichment of plain text, their seemingly effortless adoption of technology and their cooperation and sharing in networks. This generation seems to take exploration and learning, discovering the world, into their own hands. Homo Zappiens shows us we can increasingly rely on technology to connect us and allow us to organize as a group. In a networked society, the individual has more room for contributing its unique value, and innovation and knowledge reside in a network, rather than in each separate individual. Realizing that we need a flexible structure for organizing ourselves and the world around us, we can look at Homo Zappiens for a clue. This chapter describes self-regulated learning within a network (Networked Learning) and presents a model for it. It also presents experiences with the model at the multi-national corporation IBM, where a Technology-Enhanced Learning Environment (TELE) was built and introduced.
From DNA Radiation Damage to Cell Death: Theoretical Approaches
Authors: Ballarini Francesca
Published: October 2010

Some representative models of radiation‐induced cell death, which is a crucial endpoint in radiobiology, were reviewed. The basic assumptions were identified, their consequences on predicted cell survival were analyzed, and the advantages and drawbacks of each approach were outlined. In addition to “historical” approaches such as the Target Theory, the Linear‐Quadratic model, the Theory of Dual Radiation Action and Katz′ model, the more recent Local Effect Model was discussed, focusing on its application in Carbon‐ion hadrontherapy. Furthermore, a mechanistic model developed at the University of Pavia and based on the relationship between cell inactivation and chromosome aberrations was presented, together with recent results; the good agreement between model predictions and literature experimental data on different radiation types (photons, protons, alpha particles, and Carbon ions) supported the idea that asymmetric chromosome aberrations like dicentrics and rings play a fundamental role for cell death. Basing on these results, a reinterpretation of the TDRA was also proposed, identifying the TDRA “sublesions” and “lesions” as clustered DNA double‐strand breaks and (lethal) chromosome aberrations, respectively.
Long-term trends of black carbon and sulphate aerosol in the Arctic: changes in atmospheric transport and source region emissions
Authors: Hirdman D. , Burkhart J. F. , Sodemann H. , Eckhardt S. , Jefferson A. , Quinn P. K. , Sharma S. , Ström J. , Stohl A.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. As a part of the IPY project POLARCAT (Polar Study using Aircraft, Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models, of Climate, Chemistry, Aerosols and Transport) and building on previous work (Hirdman et al., 2010), this paper studies the long-term trends of both atmospheric transport as well as equivalent black carbon (EBC) and sulphate for the three Arctic stations Alert, Barrow and Zeppelin. We find a general downward trend in the measured EBC concentrations at all three stations, with a decrease of −2.1±0.4 ng m−3 yr−1 (for the years 1989–2008) and −1.4±0.8 ng m−3 yr−1 (2002–2009) at Alert and Zeppelin respectively. The decrease at Barrow is, however, not statistically significant. The measured sulphate concentrations show a decreasing trend at Alert and Zeppelin of −15±3 ng m−3 yr−1 (1985–2006) and −1.3±1.2 ng m−3 yr−1 (1990–2008) respectively, while there is no trend detectable at Barrow. To reveal the contribution of different source regions on these trends, we used a cluster analysis of the output of the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART run backward in time from the measurement stations. We have investigated to what extent variations in the atmospheric circulation, expressed as variations in the frequencies of the transport from four source regions with different emission rates, can explain the long-term trends in EBC and sulphate measured at these stations. We find that the long-term trend in the atmospheric circulation can only explain a minor fraction of the overall downward trend seen in the measurements of EBC (0.3–7.2%) and sulphate (0.3–5.3%) at the Arctic stations. The changes in emissions are dominant in explaining the trends. We find that the highest EBC and sulphate concentrations are associated with transport from Northern Eurasia and decreasing emissions in this region drive the downward trends. Northern Eurasia (cluster: NE, WNE and ENE) is the dominant emission source at all Arctic stations for both EBC and sulphate during most seasons. In wintertime, there are indications that the EBC emissions from the eastern parts of Northern Eurasia (ENE cluster) have increased over the last decade.
An aircraft-borne chemical ionization – ion trap mass spectrometer (CI-ITMS) for fast PAN and PPN measurements
Authors: Roiger A. , Aufmhoff H. , Stock P. , Arnold F. , Schlager H.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. An airborne chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometer instrument (CI-ITMS) has been developed for tropospheric and stratospheric fast in-situ measurements of PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) and PPN (peroxypropionyl nitrate). The first scientific deployment of the FASTPEX instrument (FASTPEX = Fast Measurement of Peroxyacyl nitrates) took place in the Arctic during 18 missions aboard the DLR research aircraft Falcon, within the framework of the POLARCAT-GRACE campaign in the summer of 2008. The FASTPEX instrument is described and characteristic properties of the employed ion trap mass spectrometer are discussed. Atmospheric data obtained at altitudes of up to ~12 km are presented, from the boundary layer to the lowermost stratosphere. Data were sampled with a time resolution of 2 s and a 2σ detection limit of 25 pmol mol−1. An isotopically labelled standard was used for a permanent online calibration. For this reason the accuracy of the PAN measurements is better than ±10% for mixing ratios greater than 200 pmol mol−1. PAN mixing ratios in the summer Arctic troposphere were in the order of a few hundred pmol mol−1 and generally correlated well with CO. In the Arctic boundary layer and lowermost stratosphere smaller PAN mixing ratios were observed due to a combination of missing local sources of PAN precursor gases and efficient removal processes (thermolysis/photolysis). PPN, the second most abundant PAN homologue, was measured simultanously. Observed PPN/PAN ratios range between ~0.03 and 0.3.
Technical Note: Multi-centennial scale analysis and synthesis of an ensemble mean response of ENSO to solar and volcanic forcings
Authors: Sánchez-Sesma J.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. The response of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to solar and volcanic radiative forcings over the past millennium is reanalyzed and extrapolated based on historical data and numerical experiments employing the Zebiak–Cane (ZC) model of the tropical Pacific coupled ocean–atmosphere system. The results suggest a self-similarity of the centennial scale component of the reconstructed ENSO record with a shift in frequencies around 1700 AD when the frequencies almost double. This shift of regime puts forward the non-linearity of ENSO climate with a possible centennial scale forecast, suggesting an ENSO trend toward La Niña conditions for the next three decades.
Estimates of radiance reflected towards the zenith at the surface of the sea
Authors: Aas E.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Remote sensing of water colour by ship-mounted sensors represents an important tool for the validation of satellite products and the monitoring of water quality. The recorded radiance from the sea has to be corrected for the surface-reflected radiance from sun and sky in order to obtain the water-leaving radiance. Here the simple case of radiance reflected towards the zenith is studied. A set of observed sky radiance and solar irradiance data from Oslo has been used together with a Gaussian slope distribution for the sea surface in order to estimate the reflected radiance. The spectral range studied is 405–650 nm, the solar zenith angles are in the range 37°–76°, and the wind speeds are up to 10 m s−1. The analysis of the results show that the reflected radiance has to be separated into three contributions: sky radiance and sun rays reflected at the foam-free surface and irradiance reflected by whitecaps and foam. It is then demonstrated that by using four input values, namely the downward irradiance, the sky radiance from the zenith, the solar zenith angle and the wind speed, it is possible to obtain by simple expressions estimates of the reflected radiance that only differ from the former calculated values by relative errors of less than 5%. The analysis also indicates that for the spectral range studied neither the water-leaving radiance nor the surface-reflected radiance can be disregarded relative to the other one in the Case 2 waters of the Oslofjord-Skagerrak area. The results form a first step towards the study of reflected radiance in viewing angles differing from the nadir direction.
Facile Fabrication of Two‐Dimensionally Ordered Macroporous Silver Thin Films and Their Application in Molecular Sensing
Authors: Hong Guosong , Li Cheng , Limin Qi
Published: October 2010

Large‐area, freestanding, two‐dimensionally ordered macroporous (2DOM) Ag thin films with adjustable periodic spacings and good mechanical robustness were fabricated via nanosphere lithography at the solution surface (NSLSS) combined with interfacial reactions. The obtained 2DOM Ag thin films exhibited typical properties of plasmonic crystals with well‐resolved reflectivity dips and vivid colors. The facile NSLSS method enabled the 2DOM Ag thin films to be readily transferred to arbitrary substrates to realize application as thin film sensors. Their application as both a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor and a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor in the detection of both small molecules and biological macromolecules were explored. As SERS substrates for the detection of 4‐aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) molecules, the 2DOM Ag thin films showed enhancement factors as high as the 107 order, which made them a promising sensor for the detection of trace amount of analyte adsorbed on the surface. As SPR sensors, the 2DOM Ag thin films modified with a self‐assembled monolayer of recognizing molecules as binding sites showed remarkable shift in the reflectivity dips responsive to the chemical environments. When used for the specific detection of avidin molecules, the 2DOM Ag thin film biosensors exhibited excellent performance with low detection limit (≈100 pM) and broad working range (100 pM–200 nM), indicating that they may be a promising candidate for high‐performance biosensors.
Chemical synthesis, characterization, and properties of conducting copolymers of imidazole and carbazole
Authors: Raj V. , Madheswari D. , Mubarak Ali M.
Published: October 2010

Conducting copolymers of imidazole and carbazole were chemically synthesized in various molar ratios of the imidazole and carbazole by chemical oxidative polymerization in acetonitrile medium using ammonium persulphate as oxidant. The selection and composition of solvent, concentration of the monomer, polymerization time, and temperature were optimized to obtain better quality and yield of the copolymers. The synthesized conducting copolymers were characterized by various techniques such as UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. The solubility of the copolymers was tested in various solvents. Their conductivity was tested at various temperatures. The thermodynamic stability of the copolymers was examined by differential scanning colorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis. The copolymers show comparatively higher conductivity, better solubility, and higher thermal stability than the homopolymer poly(carbazole) and lower than that of poly(imidazole). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Compression‐molded biocomposite boards from red and white wine grape pomaces
Authors: Jiang Yan , Simonsen John , Zhao Yanyun
Published: October 2010

Biocomposite boards from red wine grape pomace (WGP; Pinot Noir) or white WGP (Morio Muscat) were investigated on the basis of crosslinking and thermal compression mechanisms. We used an orthogonal experimental design to optimize the formulations by examining the effects of binder type, pomace‐to‐binder (P/B) ratio, and hydrophobic and crosslinking agents on the mechanical properties, water sensitivity, and biodegradability of the board. The optimized formulations were as follows: (1) for red WGP boards, soy flour (SF) or soy protein isolate (SPI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA; 1 : 1) as binders at a P/B ratio of 19 : 1 with 1% stearic acid (SA) and 1% epichlorohydrin and (2) for white WGP boards, SF or SPI–PVA (1 : 1) as binders, with a P/B ratio of 4 : 1, and 1% SA. The red WGP boards showed a high break strength and modulus of elasticity with a moderate percentage strain value, whereas the white WGP boards had a high flexibility and biodegradability. After burial in soil for 30 days, the red and white WGP boards degraded by about 50 and 80%, respectively. Microstructure studies indicated that the use of binders and other functional agents resulted in a compact fracture surface of the WGP biocomposite boards. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of different types of filler and filler loadings on the properties of carboxylated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber latex films
Authors: Ain Z. N. , Azura A. R.
Published: October 2010

The effects of different types of fillers and filler loadings on the properties of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) latex were identified. Silica, mica, carbon black (CB; N330), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were used as fillers with filler loadings of 10, 15, and 20 parts per hundred rubber. Furnace ashing and Fourier transform infrared analysis proved that interaction existed between the fillers and XNBR latex films. The morphology of the filled XNBR films was significantly different for different types of fillers. Mica and CaCO3 fillers showed uneven distribution within the XNBR film, whereas other fillers, such as silica and CB, showed homogeneous distribution within the films. In the observation, silica and mica fillers also illustrated some degree of agglomeration. The mechanical properties (e.g., tensile and tear strengths) showed different trends with different types of fillers used. For silica and mica fillers, the mechanical properties increased with filler loadings up to a certain loading, and decreased with higher filler loadings. For CB filler, the mechanical properties increased gradually with increasing filler loadings. CaCO3 fillers did not increase the mechanical properties. The crosslinking density of the XNBR films increased when they were incorporated with fillers because of the presence of elastomer–filler and filler–filler interactions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Persönliches: Bautechnik 10/2010
Authors: Zimmermann Hans‐H.
Published: October 2010

Dipl.‐Ing. Richard Laumer gestorben †

Dipl.‐Ing. Albrecht Memmert gestorben †
Occupational exposure to electric fields and induced currents associated with 400 kV substation tasks from different service platforms
Authors: Korpinen Leena H. , Elovaara Jarmo A. , Kuisti Harri A.
Published: October 2010

The aim of the study was to investigate the occupational exposure to electric fields, average current densities, and average total contact currents at 400 kV substation tasks from different service platforms (main transformer inspection, maintenance of operating device of disconnector, maintenance of operating device of circuit breaker). The average values are calculated over measured periods (about 2.5 min). In many work tasks, the maximum electric field strengths exceeded the action values proposed in the EU Directive 2004/40/EC, but the average electric fields (0.2–24.5 kV/m) were at least 40% lower than the maximum values. The average current densities were 0.1–2.3 mA/m2 and the average total contact currents 2.0–143.2 µA, that is, clearly less than the limit values of the EU Directive. The average values of the currents in head and contact currents were 16–68% lower than the maximum values when we compared the average value from all cases in the same substation. In the future it is important to pay attention to the fact that the action and limit values of the EU Directive differ significantly. It is also important to take into account that generally, the workers' exposure to the electric fields, current densities, and total contact currents are obviously lower if we use the average values from a certain measured time period (e.g., 2.5 min) than in the case where exposure is defined with only the help of the maximum values. Bioelectromagnetics 32:79–83, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigations on Azeotropy in Multicomponent Polymerizations
Authors: Kazemi N. , Duever T. A. , Penlidis A.
Published: October 2010

This work aims at presenting a general approach to locate azeotropic points in multicomponent polymerizations. Typically, for azeotropy studies in ternary systems, the literature is dominated by graphical solutions which may only be approximate. The approach consists of obtaining an azeotropic composition through a direct numerical solution of the relevant terpolymerization composition equations. The numerical approach is capable of locating the correct azeotropic composition for any ternary or multicomponent system, if such a point exists, and is illustrated via three case studies. Compared to prior efforts for azeotropic composition calculations in the literature, the presented numerical approach can be considered as general, direct, reliable, and more straightforward.
Fermentative Production of L‐Lysine‐L‐lactate with Fractionated Press Juices from the Green Biorefinery
Authors: Leiß S. , Venus J. , Kamm B.
Published: October 2010

Lactic acid (LA) is a platform chemical for a future bio‐based economy. Aminium lactates act as intermediates for the production of lactic acid sequence products like lactide. It could be demonstrated that, after separation of proteins from alfalfa press juice, the supernatant can be used as fermentation media for the production of the aminium lactate, L‐lysine‐L‐lactate.
Thermal and Hydrothermal Hardening of Granules Made of Construction Waste
Authors: Schnell A. , Müller A.
Published: October 2010

Bei der Aufbereitung von Bauschutt entsteht technologisch bedingt ein großer Anteil an feinen Partikelfraktionen. Die einzelnen mineralischen Bestandteile können nach dem gegenwärtigen Stand der Technik nur sehr schwer oder gar nicht sortiert werden, während Metalle nahezu vollständig separiert werden können. In einem derzeit laufenden Forschungsprojekt werden daher Möglichkeiten einer stofflichen Verwertung des heterogenen mineralischen Anteils der Bau‐ und Abbruchabfälle durch eine Granulatherstellung untersucht. Die chemische Zusammensetzung der praxisnahen Stoffgemische ermöglicht es, durch Zugabe kleiner Mengen an Zusatzstoffen mittels thermischer oder hydrothermaler Behandlung Festigkeiten zu erzielen, die einen Einsatz beispielsweise als (Leicht‐)Zuschlag für Beton, Schüttung oder Pflanzgranulat ermöglichen. Vor allem im Hinblick auf die Wirtschaftlichkeit sollen möglichst keine zusätzlichen Bindemittel eingesetzt werden und alle verwendeten Zusatzstoffe idealer weise ebenfalls aus Reststoffen bestehen. Der Kurzbeitrag liefert einen Überblick über die ersten Ergebnisse aus dem laufenden Projekt.
Force relaxation and thin filament protein phosphorylation during acute myocardial ischemia
Authors: Han Young Soo , Ogut Ozgur
Published: October 2010

Ischemia impairs myocardial function and may contribute to the progression of heart failure. In this study, rats subjected to acute ischemia demonstrated reduced Ca2+‐activated force as well as a decrease in myosin‐binding protein‐C, titin, and Ser23/24 phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI). All three proteins have been demonstrated to be downstream targets of β‐adrenergic receptor activation (β‐AR), leading to the hypothesis that decreased β‐AR signaling during ischemia leads to reduced protein phosphorylation and reduced rate constants of force relaxation. To test this hypothesis, force relaxation transients were recorded from permeabilized perfused and ischemic rat heart fibers following photolysis of the caged chelator diazo‐2. Relaxation transients were best fit by double exponential functions whereby the majority (>70%) of the force decline was described by the fast rate constant, which was ∼5 times faster than the slow rate constant. However, rate constants of relaxation between perfused and ischemic fibers were not different, despite significant decreases in sarcomeric protein phosphorylation in ischemic fibers. Treatment of perfused fibers with a cAMP analog increased Ser23/24 phosphorylation of TnI, yet the rate constants of relaxation remained unchanged. Interestingly, similar treatment of ischemic fibers did not impact TnI phosphorylation or force relaxation transients. Therefore, acute ischemia does not influence the rate constants of relaxation of permeabilized fibers. These results also suggest that the physiological level of sarcomeric protein phosphorylation is unlikely to be the primary driver of relaxation kinetics in permeabilized cardiac muscle fibers. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The relevant distinction between “progression” in ovarian cancer drug trials and the clinical decision to change therapy
Authors: Markman Maurie
Published: October 2010

It is rational to suggest that the decision to alter treatment in advanced ovarian cancer should be based on the totality of evidence that the disease is worsening, on patient tolerability of the therapy, and on a determination that the current regimen is providing no benefit or unacceptably limited benefit to the specific individual. Knowledge of an objective measure of “progression” should play an important, but not a singular, role.
The relation between atomic shape and crystal structure illustrated by metallic elements
Authors: Ruhnow M.
Published: October 2010

A new look at the relation between the shape of the atoms and the crystal structure of the elements is made. As a result it was possible to describe the variety of crystal structures (Cu‐, W‐, Mg‐type of structure) of pure metallic elements using a consistent principle. The guiding rule of the principle is the dense arrangement of atoms in the form of a hexagon with a central atom. Different atomic shapes and stacking arrangements lead to different unit cells. The shape of an atom is a more useful visualisation construct than the complicated charge density distribution. The consequences of the proposed model on various aspects of crystallography are discussed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Zebrafish calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (cam‐kii) inhibitors: Expression patterns and their roles in zebrafish brain development
Authors: Hsu Li‐Sung , Tseng Chen‐Yuan
Published: October 2010

Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaM‐KII) plays a critical role in neuronal functions. In this report, we demonstrate the expression patterns, functional analysis, and development role of the two zebrafish CaM‐KII inhibitors, cam‐kiin1 and cam‐kiin2. Both of these genes were detected in the 5‐somite stage and are persistently expressed thereafter. The RNA transcripts of cam‐kiin1 were prominently expressed in the forebrain and hindbrain regions, especially in the telencephalon, while cam‐kiin2 was detected in the anterior brain region and neurons of the hindbrain. Through GST‐pull down, co‐immunoprecipitation, and kinase assay, cam‐kii inhibitors can bind to and reduce cam‐kiiα activity. However, no overt alternation of brain marker such as ngn1, otx2, and pax2.1 was observed in morphants received each one or combined MO. Our results suggest that the two cam‐kii inhibitors exhibited distinct expression pattern and may play a minor role in zebrafish brain development. Developmental Dynamics 239:3098–3105, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigating giant (Gt) repression in the formation of partially overlapping pair‐rule stripes
Authors: Ribeiro Thiago Casé , Ventrice Glauber , Machado‐Lima Ariane , Andrioli Luiz Paulo
Published: October 2010

Drosophila pair‐rule genes are expressed in striped patterns with a precise order of overlap between stripes of different genes. We investigated the role of Giant (Gt) in the regulation of even‐skipped, hairy, runt, and fushi tarazu stripes formed in the vicinity of Gt expression domains. In gt null embryos, specific stripes of eve, h, run, and ftz are disrupted. With an ectopic expression system, we verified that stripes affected in the mutant are also repressed. Simultaneously hybridizing gt misxpressing embryos with two pair‐rule gene probes, we were able to distinguish differences in the repression of pairs of stripes that overlap extensively. Together, our results showed Gt repression roles in the regulation of two groups of partially overlapping stripes and that Gt morphogen activity is part of the mechanism responsible for the differential positioning of these stripes borders. We discuss the possibility that other factors regulate Gt stripe targets as well. Developmental Dynamics 239:2989–2999, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AES/GRG5: More than just a dominant‐negative TLE/GRG family member
Authors: Beagle Brandon , Johnson Gail V.W.
Published: October 2010

The human Transducin‐like Enhancer of Split (TLE) and mouse homologue, Groucho gene‐related protein (GRG), represent a family of conserved non‐DNA binding transcriptional modulatory proteins divided into two subgroups based upon size. The long TLE/GRGs consist of four pentadomain proteins that are dedicated co‐repressors for multiple transcription factors (TF). The second TLE/GRG subgroup is composed of the Amino‐terminal Enhancer of Split (AES) in humans and its mouse homolog GRG5 (AES/GRG5). In contrast to the dedicated co‐repressor function of long TLE/GRGs, AES/GRG5 can both positively or negatively modulate various TF as well as non‐TF proteins in a long TLE/GRG‐dependent or ‐independent manner. Therefore, AES/GRG5 is a functionally dynamic protein that is not exclusively defined by its role as a long TLE/GRG antagonist. AES/GRG5 may function in various developmental and pathological processes but the functional characteristics of endogenous AES/GRG5 in a physiologically relevant context remains to be determined. Developmental Dynamics 239:2795–2805, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinct troponin C isoform requirements in cardiac and skeletal muscle
Authors: Sogah Vanessa M. , Serluca Fabrizio C. , Fishman Mark C. , Yelon Deborah L. , MacRae Calum A. , Mably John D.
Published: October 2010

The zebrafish mutant silent partner is characterized by a dysmorphic, non‐contractile ventricle resulting in an inability to generate normal blood flow. We have identified the genetic lesion in the zebrafish homolog of the slow twitch skeletal/cardiac troponin C gene. Although human troponin C1 (TNNC1) is expressed in both cardiac and skeletal muscle, duplication of this gene in zebrafish has resulted in tissue‐specific partitioning of troponin C expression and function. Mutation of the zebrafish paralog tnnc1a, which is expressed predominantly in the heart, results in a loss of contractility and myofibrillar organization within ventricular cardiomyocytes, while skeletal muscle remains functional and intact. We further show that defective contractility in the developing heart results in abnormal atrial and ventricular chamber morphology. Together, our results suggest that tnnc1a is required both for the function and structural integrity of the contractile machinery in cardiomyocytes, helping to clarify potential mechanisms of troponin C–mediated cardiomyopathy. Developmental Dynamics 239:3115–3123, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contrasting roles of macrophages and dendritic cells in controlling initial pulmonary Brucella infection
Authors: Archambaud Cristel , Salcedo Suzana P. , Lelouard Hugues , Devilard Elisabeth , de Bovis Beatrice , Van Rooijen Nico , Gorvel Jean‐Pierre , Malissen Bernard
Published: October 2010

Control of pulmonary pathogens constitutes a challenging task as successful immune responses need to be mounted without damaging the lung parenchyma. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, we analyzed in the mouse the initial innate immune response that follows intranasal inoculation of Brucella abortus. Bacteria were absent from parenchymal dendritic cells (DC) but present in alveolar macrophages in which they replicated. When the number of alveolar macrophages was reduced prior to Brucella infection, small numbers of pulmonary DC were infected and a massive recruitment of TNF‐α‐ and iNOS‐producing DC ensued. Coincidentally, Brucella disseminated to the lung‐draining mediastinal lymph nodes (LN) where they replicated in both migratory DC and migratory alveolar macrophages. Together, these results demonstrate that alveolar macrophages are critical regulators of the initial innate immune response against Brucella within the lungs and show that pulmonary DC and alveolar macrophages play rather distinct roles in the control of microbial burden.