Scientific publishing and global university rankings. How well are top publishing universities recognized?

Scientometrics - The paper asks to what extent the top 200 universities in scientific publishing in four research fields are the same universities that occupy the top 200 positions in global...     

Active Mixers for Direct Conversion Receivers with 0.35-μm BiCMOS

In this paper, the design requirements of different mixers for direct conversion receivers are discussed. Special attention has been paid into the detection of amplitude-modulated RF signal envelope. Three active mixers have been implemented to investigate the discussed requirements by using a 0.35-m, 25-GHz BiCMOS technology. The same process allows an objective comparison between the different topologies. The mixers are designed for a single 2.7 V supply, and specified for low power consumption. Different topologies are compared by their spurious free dynamic ranges (SFDR) with respect to their individual power consumption. Also, their performance were measured at different LO power levels and supply voltages. The results show insignificant differences between the topologies in low voltage applications.     

Why the old world cannot publish? Overcoming challenges in publishing high-impact IS research

We review the status of European publishing in high-impact Information System (IS) journals finding that the European publication record is disappointing. We consider popular explanations to this state of affairs and find them neither credible nor useful for improving the European record. We propose several constructive reasons for this including (1) the lack of appreciation of the article genre, (2) weak publishing cultures, (3) inadequate Ph.D. preparation for article publishing, (4) weak reviewing practices, (5) poorer command of research methods, (6) poorer understanding of the reviewing protocols, and (7) institutional shaping of research funding in Europe. We formulate several recommendations to affect these causes at the individual, institutional, journal, and European community level.     

Children's Moral Judgments as a Function of Intention, Damage, and an Actor's Physical Harm.

A study was conducted to examine the moral judgments of kindergartners, third graders, and fifth graders with respect to physical harm to the actor. The subjects were exposed to stories varying in terms of intention, damage, and harm to the actor. Younger children rated the hurt actors more negatively than unhurt actors; however, this distinction disappeared by fifth grade. It is suggested that young children's belief in the notion of immanent justice accounted for the obtained results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hydrated calcareous oil-shale ash as potential filter media for phosphorus removal in constructed wetlands

The P-retention in hydrated calcareous ash sediment from oil-shale burning thermal power plants in Estonia was studied. Batch experiments indicate good (up to 65 mg P g(-1)) P-binding capacity of the hydrated oil-shale ash sediment, with a removal effectiveness of 67-85%. The high phosphorus sorption potential of hydrated oil-shale ash is considered to be due to the high content of reactive Ca-minerals, of which ettringite Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12.26H2O and portlandite Ca(OH)2 are the most important. The equilibrium dissolution of ettringite provides free calcium ions that act as stable nuclei for phosphate precipitation. The precipitation mechanism of phosphorus removal in hydrated ash plateau sediment is suggested by Ca-phosphate formation in batch experiments at different P-loadings. Treatment with a P-containing solution causes partial-to-complete dissolution of ettringite and portlandite, and precipitation of Ca-carbonate and Ca-phosphate phases, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-EDS studies. Thus, the hydrated oil-shale ash sediment can be considered as a potential filtration material for P removal in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.     

Chemical composition of ripe fruits of Rubus chamaemorus L. grown in different habitats

BACKGROUND: Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) is one of the most valuable berry‐producing plants because of its nutritional properties. The chemical composition and crop yield of ripe fruits of cloudberry grown wild in 10 habitats in northern Finland was analysed over two consecutive summers. For comparison, two clones of cultivated cloudberries were studied as well. RESULTS: The concentrations of citric and malic acids, α‐tocopherol, anthocyanins and β‐carotene had notable variations between habitats. In particularly, cloudberries grown on open habitats had higher content of citric acid and less α‐tocopherol compared to those grown on shaded sites. In a colder and rainy summer the content of anthocyanins and the unsaturation level of fatty acids were significantly higher than in a warmer and drier summer. Crop yields were higher in the warmer summer, except in open sites where yields were quite equal. CONCLUSION: Cloudberries grown in open habitats showed notable differences in chemical composition when compared to those grown on shaded sites. Results suggest that the amount of sunlight and temperature levels could be the main factors affecting crop yield and chemical composition of cloudberry. In addition, the amount of rainfall may have an effect on anthocyanin concentrations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Transformation of calcareous oil-shale circulating fluidized-bed combustion boiler ashes under wet conditions

The hydration and transformation of Ca-rich kerogenous oil-shale (kukersite) ashes, formed in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion furnaces, were investigated during a one-year experiment. During the first stages the process was characterized by rapid hydration of free lime hydration into portlandite and dissolution of anhydrite and periclase, whereas the formation of (crystalline) ettringite was somewhat delayed. During the final process, ettringite and portlandite that are unstable under atmospheric conditions were replaced by stable calcite and Ca-sulphate.     

Effects of direct melt compounding and masterbatch dilution on the structure and properties of nanoclay‐filled polyolefins

The differences that direct melt compounding and masterbatch dilution cause in the properties of melt compounded polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene‐based (PE‐HD) nanocomposites are presented. The results include comparison of properties and morphology of directly melt processed organoclay nanocomposites with similar compounds diluted from commercial and in‐house‐made masterbatches to clay concentrations of 1, 3, 6, and 8 wt%. The compounds were prepared with a co‐rotating Brabender twin‐screw extruder. The degree of exfoliation and the dispersion of the nanoclay were verified with transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Thermal stability of the materials was examined with thermogravimetric analysis and the mechanical properties of the compounded materials were also determined. The most promising results regarding mechanical behavior were achieved with the in‐house‐made masterbatch in the form of a notable increase in Young's modulus in both matrices. There was also a distinct increase in impact strength when masterbatch was used. Changes were more pronounced in case of PP. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers