bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effect of carbon nanotubes in combination with magnesium hydroxide on the flame retardant poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)
Authors: Li Hongyan , Liu Hongli , Li Junwei , Tao Sen , Li Jing , Li Yajing , Li Po 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
To investigate the synergistic effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in combination with magnesium hydroxide (MH) on the flame retardant poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), a series of EVA-based composites filled with CNTs, MH, a mixture of MH and CNTs, and MH-modified CNTs (MH-CNTs) were prepared. Characterizations of the fillers and the composites were performed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimetry. The results indicated that the presence of CNTs affected the size of the attaching MH, which was decreased to around 20 nm. MH also had an enlarged special surface area in the MH-CNTs. A synergism was found in the MH-CNTs on the thermal retardant EVA composites due to the interaction between MH and CNTs.
Theoretical and Experimental Understanding of Charge-Injection GeTe/Sb2Te3Superlattice Phase Change Memory
Authors: Takaura Norikatsu 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTA charge-injection GeTe/Sb2Te3 superlattice phase change memory (PCM or PRAM) has been developed as a candidate for a non-volatile memory that replaces NAND flash memory. It differs from PRAM with the conventional material of GeSbTe, and is therefore named “TRAM (topological switching random access memory)”. First principle calculations showed a resistance change in the GeTe/Sb2Te3 superlattice was enhanced by charge injection. The fabrication and analyses of a one-resistor TEG revealed that the superlattice structure was maintained after 1M endurance, which proved the occurrence of non-melting resistance change in TRAM. The reset current of TRAM was found to be less than 1/5 of that of conventional PRAM. Furthermore, TRAM enables a set -speed of 10 ns and reset -operation by DC-sweep to be achieved, which experimentally proved the atomic movement in TRAM can be enhanced by charge injection.
Properties and Characterization of Building Materials from the Laosicheng Ruins in Southern China*
Authors: Xiao Ya , Wang Ning , Gu Haibin , Guo Weimin , Gao Feng , Niu Ning , Liu Shaojun 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTAs one of the most typical ancient cultural relics in southern China's minority regions near Changsha in Hunan province, the magnificent Laosicheng ruins excavated recently have been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List. Urgent conservation of excavated Laosicheng ruins brings about the need for a study of the formulation and properties of construction materials used, including earth, stone, mortar, and brick. In the present study, comprehensive analyses were carried out to determine their raw material compositions, mineralogical, and microstructural properties using sheet polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer, thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Special attention was paid to mortars, which were the most widely used in building the Laosicheng. Results show that mortar used as external render of the city wall is mainly built up from inorganic CaCO3 and MgCO3 based hybrid materials produced by the carbonation of Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 with a small amount of sticky rice. In contrast, mortar used to bond stones of the city walls is a traditional mortar that does not contain sticky rice. This study is a part of a huge interdisciplinary project aimed to clarify the role of organics in ancient China’s organic-inorganic hybrid mortar, which can be considered as one of the greatest invention in construction material history. The results provide valuable basic data and restoration strategies that can be used in the conservation of the ruins as well.
Dispersions of Surface Modified Calcium Hydroxide Nanoparticles with Enhanced Kinetic Stability: Properties and Applications to Desalination and Consolidation of the Yungang Grottoes
Authors: Xiao Ya , Gao Feng , Fang Yun , Tan Youdan , Liu Kaiyu , Liu Shaojun 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTCalcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is one of the most interesting materials used to consolidate stone sculptures, monuments, mortars or wall paintings. In this study, we reported on the synthesis and characterization of surface modified Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles as a dispersion with enhanced kinetic stability and the applications for the conservation of sandstone monuments. Uniform hexagonal Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles (∼35nm) were obtained by mixing NaOH and NaCl aqueous solutions at 100∼175oC using homogeneous-phase reactions. It was further demonstrated that 3-(Methacryloyloxypropane oxygen) trimethoxysilane surfactant agent can significantly reduce agglomeration and simultaneously improve specific surface area of as-synthesized Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurement showed that specific surface area of modified Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles reaches up to ∼48.78m2/g, about 2.5 and 3.4 times higher than that of unmodified and commercial ones, respectively. The kinetic stability of Ca(OH)2 despersion can be further enhanced and its viscosity can be decreased by optimizing the ratio of ethanol and n-propanol. Especially, a technique, which combined the Ferroni-Dini method and dispersion of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles with enhanced kinetic stability, was proposed to effectively desalinate and consolidate the decayed stone, as evidenced by significant decreases of the porosity and concentration of detrimental Cl- and SO42- ions in the severely decayed sandstone samples from the Yungang grottoes.
Electrodeposited Cu2O|ZnO Heterostructures With High Built-In Voltages For Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Heffernan Shane , Flewitt Andrew J. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTMethods of improving low-cost Cu2O|ZnO heterojunction diodes fabricated through galvanostatic deposition of Cu2O are presented. Improved processing parameters responsible for maximizing built-in voltage (Vbi) are determined. The relationship between pH, deposition current, temperature, and diode quality is analyzed and a process window for optimal Cu2O deposition on ZnO is obtained with a pH range between 12.0 and 12.1 and a current density range which is determined by the effect of both pH and deposition current (Jdep) on grain size. The pH window is found to be narrower than previously reported1 and much narrower than the processing window for the deposition of Cu2O films. A two-step approach deposition based on the use of different Jdep is presented for the first time. A Vbi of 0.6 V is achieved, which is the highest reported for cells produced using low temperature processing routes involving electrodeposition and reactive sputtering.
Synthesis and electrical characterization of ZnO and TiO2 thin films and their use as sensitive layer of pH field effect transistor sensors
Authors: Fernandes Jessica C. , Mulato Marcelo 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTOxide thin films of zinc and titanium materials were deposited by different deposition techniques, to be applied as sensitive layers of pH sensor – EGFET device. The deposition techniques tested were dip-coat, spin-coat, electrodeposition and spray-pyrolysis. The routine and the parameters of each technique were changed aiming optimized the procedures. The pHs buffer solutions tested ranged from 2 to 12. ZnO thin film shows sensitivity about 23 mV/pH, while TiO2 thin films shows only 13.8 mV/pH. The final purpose of this study is to optimize the parameters for each deposition technique for both oxide materials.
Chemical doping tunes the half-metallic properties of AlN nanoribbons
Authors: Lopez-Bezanilla Alejandro 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTSpin-polarized first-principles calculations have been conducted to study the electronic structures and magnetic properties of O and S functionalized zigzag aluminium nitride (AlN) nanoribbons. Chemical functionalization with O atoms at the edges strengthens the half-metallic properties of the AlN by adding new electronic states at the Fermi level for one spin-channel and widening the gap of the other. On the contrary, edge-termination with S atoms renders the AlN ribbon a semiconductor. Peierls instabilities towards the dimerization and trimerization of the doping atoms were observed.
Structural Aspects of Magnetic Coupling in CaCu3Mn4O12 and CaCu3Ti4P12
Authors: Johannes M. D. , Pickett W. E. , Weht R. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTwo perovskite-derived materials, CaCu3Mn4O12, have drawn much recent interest due to their magnetoresistive, dielectric, and mafnetoelectronic characteristics. Here we present initial theoretical insights into each of these points, based on first principles, density functional based calculations. Our results predict CCMO to have a spin-asymmetric energy gap, which leads to distinct temperature- and magnetic field-dependent changes in properties, and helps to account for its observed negative magnetoresistivity. We have studied CCTO primarily to gain insight into the exchange coupling in both these compounds, where the conventional superexchange coupling vanishes by symmetry for both nearest and next nearest Cu-Cu neighbors, a consequence of the structure. In CCTO, it is necessary to go 5th Cu-Cu neighbors to obstain a (superexchange) coupling that can provide the coupling necessary to give three dimensional order. Non-superexchange mechanisms may be necessary to describe the magnetic coupling in this structural clss.
Efficient blue-green molecular organic light emitting diodes based on novel silole derivatives
Authors: Palilis Leonidas C. , Murata Hideyuki , Mäkinen Antti J. , Uchida Manabu , Kafafia Zakya H. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe report on highly efficient molecular organic light-emitting diodes (MOLEDs) using two novel silole derivatives as emissive and electron transport materials. A silole derivative, namely 2,5-di-(3-biphenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylsilacyclopentadiene (PPSPP), which shows blue fluorescence with a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 85% in the solid state, was used as the emissive material. Another silole derivative, namely 2,5-bis-(2‘2“-bipyridin-6-yl)-1,1- dimethyl-3,4-diphenylsilacyclopentadiene (PyPySPyPy), that exhibits a non-dispersive high electron mobility of 2x10-4 cm2/Vsec was used as the electron transport material. MOLEDs using these two siloles and a common hole transport material show blue-green emission centered at 495 nm. This red-shifted electroluminescence (EL) band relative to the blue fluorescence of PPSPP is assigned to a PPSPP:NPB exciplex. A low operating voltage of 4.5 V was measured at a luminance of 100 cd/m2 and an EL quantum efficiency of 3.4% was achieved at 100 A/m2. To our knowledge, this is the highest EL quantum efficiency ever reported based on exciplex emission.
Oviposition Site Preference for Natural Breeding Sites in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Populations from Argentina
Authors: Betti María I L , Soto Eduardo M , Hasson Esteban 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Maternal decisions, like the choice of a site for laying eggs, have important ecological and evolutionary implications. In the current study, we investigated variation both within and between populations in oviposition site preference (OSP) in a collection of isofemale lines derived from three Drosophila melanogaster Meigen natural populations of western Argentina. In the oviposition preference assay, we used two resources that fruit flies use as egg-laying sites in nature. Results revealed 1) the distribution of eggs across the two alternative resources offered to the flies deviated from random when flies were given the chance to choose between grape and orange, 2) OSP varied within and between populations, and 3) a substantial proportion of OSP variation has a genetic basis as suggested by the significant contribution of variation among lines to total trait variance. Our survey represents an initial step in understanding patterns of natural variation in oviposition preferences for natural resources in D. melanogaster.
Cynipidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) on Cyclobalanopsis (Fagaceae) in Mainland China, with the First Record of Sexual Generation of Cynipini in Winter
Authors: Abe Yoshihisa , Ide Tatsuya , Odagiri Ken-Ichi 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Cycloneuroterus wangi Abe, Ide, & Odagiri sp. nov. and Dryocosmus nanlingensis Abe, Ide, & Odagiri sp. nov. are described from Mainland China. Gall wasps associated with Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis) sessilifolia Blume, which is distributed in Japan, Taiwan, and Mainland China, have not yet been recorded. However, this evergreen oak species is considered to be the host plant of C. wangi on the basis of an observation in which eight females of this gall wasp species inserted their ovipositors into the buds of Q. (C.) sessilifolia. This is the first record of the Cynipidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) being associated with Cyclobalanopsis from Mainland China. As cynipids associated with Cyclobalanopsis have previously been known from Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the discovery of C. wangi indicates that oak gall wasps associated with Cyclobalanopsis are widely distributed in Asia, as predicted previously. The collection of an adult male of D. nanlingensis by sweeping Fagaceae trees represents the first observation of a sexual generation of Cynipini in winter. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the life cycle and to identify the host plant of D. nanlingensis. Cynipid species richness in broadleaf forests dominated by Fagaceae is considered to be high in Mainland China because of remarkable diversity of potential host plants, such as oaks and related taxa.
Serum Myostatin Levels are Elevated in Overweight Patients
Authors: Zhu Hui J. , Yang Hong B. , Wang Xiang Q. , Pan Hui , Zhang Dian X. , Li Nai S. , Wang Lin J. , Gong Feng Y. 
Published: August 2014

Objective:
Myostatin has recently been proposed as an important factor that not only regulates skeletal muscle
mass, but also body fat mass. The aim of our study is to explore serum myostatin levels in overweight patients and its
association with metabolic-related characteristics.

Methods:
40 overweight patients and 40 normal weight controls were recruited, and serum myostatin were measured by
ELISA methods and the relationships between myostatin and metabolic-related parameters were investigated.

Results:
Serum myostatin concentrations were significantly increased in overweight patients compared with normal
weight controls (10.99±1.99 vs. 9.75±0.96 ng/ml, P=0.001) and positively correlated with body weight (r = 0.272,
P=0.015), BMI (r = 0.263, P=0.018), waist circumference (r = 0.291, P=0.009), hip circumference (r = 0.336, P=0.002)
and TNF-α (r = 0.611, P<0.001) in all subjects. Contrarily, serum adiponectin levels were negatively associated with body
weight (r = -0.270, P=0.018), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = -0.253, P=0.027), TG (r = -0.235, P=0.040), ALT (r = -0.268,
P=0.019), uric acid (UA) (r = -0.262, P=0.021) and positively correlated with HDL (r = 0.454, P<0.001).

Conclusion:
Serum myostatin levels in overweight patients are notably increased and positively correlated with BMI,
body weight, waist and hip circumference, TNF-α, suggesting myostatin is a metabolic regulatory factor.
The Economic Consequences of Disclosure Quality under SFAS No. 131
Authors: Chen Tsung-Kang , Liao Yi-Ping 
Published: August 2014

SYNOPSIS
We investigate the economic consequences of SFAS No. 131 by evaluating whether improved segment-disclosure quality is associated with the reduction of cost of debt (as measured by bond yield spread). Based on firms' compliance with the disclosure guidance by SFAS No. 131, we construct a score that measures segment-reporting quality. The results indicate that: (1) the level of a firm's compliance with SFAS No. 131 significantly and negatively relates to bond yield spreads, and (2) the time-series variation in the level of a firm's compliance with SFAS No. 131 associates significantly and positively with bond yield spreads. More specifically, the yield spreads decrease 17.065 bps per standard deviation increase in segment-reporting quality. Overall, our findings offer direct motivation for management to commit to high-quality segment reporting.
Characteristics and Treatment of Hairy Cell Leukaemia
Authors: Greksák R. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare chronic indolent lymphoproliferative disease of B-lymphocytes. It always infiltrates the spleen, bone marrow or other organs and is also present in the peripheral blood in more than 95% of cases. The disease takes its name from its characteristic wrinkled surface with hair-like projections. The prognosis of this infaust diagnosis has dramatically changed since the 1980s through more precise diagnosis and efective treatment with purine analogues (1984, 2-deoxycoformy-cine (2-dCF); 1990, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA)). In our group of 38 patients, we confrmed the diagnostic possibilities and their accuracy; in addition to morphological examination, these include fow cytometric detection of typical surface CD antigens and immunohistochemical recognition of hairy cells in the trephine biopsy. The treatment percentage in the number of response rates (RRs) (100%), complete remissions (CRs) (79%) and overall survival of patients is comparable with previously known data. Overall survival rate without symptoms of disease for more than 10 years after treatment is 87% (33/38). The presence and quantity of minimal residual disease (MRD) after frst-line treatment in bone marrow determine subsequent progression or relapse of the disease, sometimes even occurring many years after the treatment. Probably some new pharmacotherapeutical possibilities (monoclonal antibodies, immunotoxins, tyrosine kinase inhibitors or inhibitors of B-Raf enzyme) could demonstrate the ability to eliminate MRD and cure it in relapsed patients or patients refractory to purine analogues. HCL has become an oncological disease with a relatively good prognosis and long-term survival after standard treatment with purine analogues despite the persistence of indolent MRD in the bone marrow at varying degree of residual infiltration intensity.
Complex Multidisciplinary Follow-Up Of Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Bolčeková A. , Hlavatá A. , Zat'ková A. , Némethová M. , Holobradá M. , Sýkora P. , Gerinec A. , Husáková K. , Ilenčíková D. , Kovács L 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders with mainly mild cutaneous manifestations. Some patients with NF1, however, develop severe complications such as progressive optic pathway glioma, plexiform neurofibroma or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. Due to potentially progressive and asymptomatic course of the disease, patients with NF1 require a regular multidisciplinary follow-up in coordination with various specialties and early intervention. In this article, we summarise our long-term experience with multidisciplinary follow-up of NF1 patients in the Centre for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 patients at the Children's University Hospital in Bratislava.
Developing innovative competencies in view of biographies of innovative managers
Authors: Nawrat Dorota 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The article presents fragments of the author's own research, which was conducted among innovative managers. A thesis is advanced, that competencies and innovative behaviors of managers are also sources of formation of team and organizational spirit that fosters creativity and innovation of employees. The study focused on the factors influencing the innovation competence. The author pays particular attention to the subjective conditioning as well as to the educational and organizational factors, emphasizing their importance. Based on the results of the research, the article also presents a silhouette of an innovative manager. The author also highlights the need to develop innovative competencies, both in the executive and general education.
The use of Social Networking Sites in modern recruitment – empirical study
Authors: Sułkowski Łukasz , Chmielecki Michał 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Current changes in technology and the role of the Internet open up new opportunities for companies both to communicate and to work. The fact that Social Media entered the business landscape, and in particular the recruitment landscape leads to a demand for knowledge about recruitment trends regarding social media. Contemporary social media and recruitment texts have been reviewed in order to identify what impact social media is having on the recruitment industry. It focuses on how companies and recruitment professionals are taking advantage of the social media landscape to recruit talented people. Relevant existing research has been reviewed and primary research conducted (both qualitative and quantitative). The authors have conducted 8 IDIs with recruiter from various industries. The latter consisted of 147 CAWIs with employees from various Polish organizations from several different industries. The article presents interesting results that can be especially useful for recruitment managers, specialists and company owners. It is recommended that in order to gain a fuller picture of the issues underlying the findings, quantitative research on a bigger scale should be undertaken.
The effectiveness of capital management strategies used by the investment funds in Poland
Authors: Trippner Paweł 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Collective investors play an extremely important role in the financial system of the state and in the economy. They operate in the financial market as institutions that enable households and businesses to convert savings into investments. Investment funds are the most conventional institutions which are dealing with financial intermediation.
The main purpose of the submitted paper is to characterise the essence of investment funds operation in the role as financial intermediaries, to present the investment strategies and to characterise the methodology for measuring the effectiveness of capital management entrusted by the clients.
The author has formulated a research hypothesis, according to which, the strategies of capital location policy used by the investment funds have an impact on the level of their performance, while funds holding higher risk portfolios perform better compared to the funds using passive investment strategies
An assessment of reaction time development in females using polynomial regression analysis
Authors: Jaworski Janusz , Kosiba Grażyna , Madejski Eligiusz 
Published: August 2014

PurposeThe objective of this study was to determine the level and rate of change of reaction time during the developmental period from early childhood to early adulthood. Polynomial regression analysis was applied to determine the age at which the best reaction time results are achieved.MethodsThe study involved 550 females between the ages of 7 and 20 years. Participants completed a computer test measuring simple reaction times to visual and auditory stimuli and choice reaction time during the ontogenetic developmental period.ResultsAnalysis of the results for age group distinguished two sub-periods of reaction time dynamics: a progressive increase throughout the developmental period followed by a plateau phase. This was evident for all reaction time measures (simple and choice) particularly in the case of that data collected empirically.ConclusionsBest reaction times to visual and auditory stimuli were approximately at the age of 17 years. In turn, quickest choice reaction time was approximately one year earlier in life. The most dynamic increase in the results of both simple reaction times was between the age of 7 and 8 years, whereas for choice reaction time this was between 10 and 11 years of age.