The collegial role of editors and reviewers.

Prompted by D. H. Eichorn and G. R. VandenBos's (see record 1986-15484-001) article, the author describes his initiation into the journal publication process and reminds editors and reviewers that they have a collegial responsibility to develop contributing researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis of nitrogen-rich B–C–N materials from melamine and boron trichloride

Nitrogen-rich B–C–N materials have been prepared by the reaction between melamine and boron trichloride at different temperatures. The composition of the materials was dependent on the synthesis and annealing temperatures: C6N10.8-11H9.4B1.5-1.7 (for products synthesized and annealed at 673 K), C6N9.3-9.4H3.8-3.9B2.2-2.5 (for those synthesized at 673 K and annealed at 873 K) and C6N9.2H3.6B1.2-1.3 (for those synthesized and annealed at 873 K). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the s-triazine rings from the melamine molecules were preserved in materials synthesized and annealed at 673 and 873 K. The sample obtained at 873 K had a graphite-like structure as suggested by X-ray and electron diffraction studies. The s-triazine rings were decomposed in the materials synthesized or annealed at 1223 K and the main product obtained was turbostratic boron nitride. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Hydrothermal Solubilization–Hydrolysis–Dehydration of Cellulose to Glucose and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Over Solid Acid Carbon Catalysts

Solid acid catalysts based on graphite-like mesoporous carbon material Sibunit were developed for the one-pot solubilization–hydrolysis–dehydration of cellulose into glucose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The catalysts were produced by treating Sibunit surface with three different procedures to form acidic and sulfo groups on the catalyst surface. The techniques used were: (1) sulfonation by H₂SO₄ at 80–250 °C, (2) oxidation by wet air or 32 v/v% solution of HNO₃, and (3) oxidation-sulfonation what meant additional sulfonating all the oxidized carbons at 200 °C. All the catalysts were characterized by low-temperature N₂ adsorption, titration with NaOH, TEM, XPS. Sulfonation of Sibunit was shown to be accompanied by surface oxidation (formation of acidic groups) and the high amount of acidic groups prevented additional sulfonation of the surface. All the Sibunit treatment methods increased the surface acidity in 3–15 times up to 0.14–0.62 mmol g^?1 compared to pure carbon (0.042 mmol g^?1). The catalysts were tested in the depolymerization of mechanically activated microcrystalline cellulose at 180 °C in pure water. The main products 5-HMF and glucose were produced with the yields in the range of 8–22 wt% and 12–46 wt%, respectively. The maximal yield were achieved over Sibunit sulfonated at 200 °C. An essential difference in the composition of main products obtained with solid acid Sibunit carbon catalysts (glucose, 5-HMF) and soluble in water H₂SO₄ catalysts (formic and levulinic acids) as well as strong dependence of the reaction kinetics on the morphology of carbon catalysts argue for heterogenious mechanism of cellulose depolymerization over Sibunit.     

Tridimensional ultrastructure of perfusion fixed gastrointestinal epithelial cells by high resolution scanning electron microscopy

Improvements in the design of modern scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and new methods of specimen preparation incorporating chemical removal of the cytosol and cytoskeleton, now make it possible to view cells and their organelles in three dimensions (3D) at high magnification. In this experiment, high resolution SEM (HRSEM) utilizing new methods of tissue preparation was used to study the intracellular structures of the mouse ileum. In addition, in vivo intestinal perfusion was used to further enhance cellular preservation. Using these modifications it was possible to visualize, in 3D, the fine structure of intestinal epithelial cells and intracellular organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex, as well as microvilli and cell membrane. Whole mitochondria appeared as irregularly shaped organelles which contained tubular cristae. Plate-like cristae were not observed. The brush border was found to be a closely packed array of cylindrical projections. The extensive folding and structural intricacy of lateral cell membranes between absorptive cells could only be appreciated by viewing this tissue with 3D HRSEM. The use of HRSEM to study 3D ultrastructure of cells and their organelles will improve our understanding of the structure-function relationships in both the healthy and diseased gastrointestinal tract.     

Forward Light Cuts: A Scalable Approach to Real‐Time Global Illumination

We present Forward Light Cuts, a novel approach to real‐time global illumination using forward rendering techniques. We focus on unshadowed diffuse interactions for the first indirect light bounce in the context of large models such as the complex scenes usually encountered in CAD application scenarios. Our approach efficiently generates and uses a multiscale radiance cache by exploiting the geometry‐specific stages of the graphics pipeline, namely the tessellator unit and the geometry shader To do so, we assimilate virtual point lights to the scene's triangles and design a stochastic decimation process chained with a partitioning strategy that accounts for both close‐by strong light reflections, and distant regions from which numerous virtual point lights collectively contribute strongly to the end pixel. Our probabilistic solution is supported by a mathematical analysis and a number of experiments covering a wide range of application scenarios. As a result, our algorithm requires no precomputation of any kind, is compatible with dynamic view points, lighting condition, geometry and materials, and scales to tens of millions of polygons on current graphics hardware.     

You like it,you learn it: affectivity and learning in competitive social role play gaming

Despite the alleged ability of digital game-based learning (DGBL) to foster positive affect and in turn improve learning, the link between affectivity and learning has not been sufficiently investigated in this field. Regarding learning from team-based games with competitive elements, even less is known about the relationship between competitiveness (as a dispositional trait) and induced positive affect. In this media comparison study with between-subject design, participants (N?=?325; high school and college students) learned about the EU’s policy agenda by means of a debate-based method delivered through one of three educational media: a) through a social role-playing game with competitive elements played on computers, b) through a very similar game played without computers and c) through a non-game workshop. Unlike many previous DGBL studies, this study used participant randomization and strived to address the teacher effect and the length of exposure effect, while also using the same learning materials and a very similar educational method for all three treatments. Both games induced comparatively higher generalized positive affect and flow. Participants also learned more with the games. Positive affect, but not flow, mediated the influence of educational media on learning gains. Participants’ competitiveness was partly related to positive affect and experiencing flow but unrelated to learning gains. These outcomes held both when the game was played using computers, as well as without them. The study indicates that the ability of an educational intervention to instigate positive affect is an important feature that should be considered by educational designers.     

Lipid Emulsions Containing Medium Chain Triacylglycerols Blunt Bradykinin-Induced Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation in Porcine Coronary Artery Rings

Lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition are used to provide calories and essential fatty acids for patients. They have been associated with hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic stress, which may promote the development of endothelial dysfunction in patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether five different industrial lipid emulsions may affect the endothelial function of coronary arteries. Porcine coronary artery rings were incubated with lipid emulsions 0.5, 1, or 2% (v/v) for 30 min before the determination of vascular reactivity in organ chambers and the level of oxidative stress using electron paramagnetic resonance. Incubation of coronary artery rings with either Lipidem^®, Medialipid^® containing long- and medium-chain triacylglycerols (LCT/MCT), or SMOFlipid^® containing LCT, MCT, omega-9, and -3, significantly reduced the bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, affecting both the nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) components, whereas, Intralipid^® containing LCT (soybean oil) and ClinOleic^® containing LCT (soybean and olive oil) did not have such an effect. The endothelial dysfunction induced by Lipidem^® was significantly improved by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, inhibitors of oxidative stress (N-acetylcysteine, superoxide dismutase, catalase) and transition metal chelating agents (neocuproine, tetrathiomolybdate, deferoxamine and l-histidine). Lipidem^® significantly increased the arterial level of oxidative stress. The present findings indicate that lipid emulsions containing LCT/MCT induce endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery rings by blunting both NO- and EDH-mediated relaxations. The Lipidem^®-induced endothelial dysfunction is associated with increased vascular oxidative stress and the formation of COX-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids.     

NOx Reduction over CeO2–ZrO2 Supported Iridium Catalyst in the Presence of Propanol

The 1-propanol assisted-reduction of NO _x was investigated over Ir/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂. The catalytic performances of such a catalyst, the associated FTIR characterizations, and transient experiments suggest the formation of adsorbed R-NO _x species as intermediates of the deNO _x process; they provide the partially oxidized species required by the deNO _x model.     

Education and the Coloration Industries

Technical education for the coloration industries is reviewed with particular reference to course and syllabus content, the needs of industry, and the development of the ability and capability of students. The Associateship examination scheme of the Society is considered in detail in relation to aims and content, achievements, possible developments and future prospects. The current position and future of technical education is outlined and discussed briefly.     

Voltammetric response of ferrocene-grafted mesoporous silica

The electrochemical behavior of ferrocene moieties immobilized by covalent grafting on ordered mesoporous silica samples has been studied by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous medium using carbon paste electrodes modified with these solids. The functionalized silica samples were obtained using (3-(ferrocenylamide)propyl)triethoxysilane as the grafting agent. The results have been discussed in relation to the ferrocene content in the materials and compared to those obtained with non-ordered ferrocene-grafted silica gels. Well-defined voltammetric signals have been observed in spite of the insulating character of the mesoporous silica matrix and they were found to increase as a function of the ferrocene groups content in the material. They displayed a better stability upon continuous cycling potentials in comparison to those recorded with amorphous gels, suggesting a beneficial effect of the long-range structural order on the electron transfer processes in such confined media.