On bibliometrics in academic promotions: a case study in computer science and engineering in Italy

Scientometrics - Due to its quantitative nature, bibliometrics is becoming increasingly popular among policy makers for academic hiring and career promotions. In this article, we quantitatively...     

The relation between electrochemical tests and in vitro evaluation of titanium alloy biocompatibility

In this paper, the electrochemical behaviour of the titanium and Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloy in artificial saliva (Tani&Zucchi and Carter–Brugirard), ion release tests and in vitro biocompatibility of human osteoblasts (HOB) were studied. Titanium and its implant Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloy present self‐passivation and very stable passive films in Tani&Zucchi artificial saliva of pH = 2.5; 5; 6.7; 9; the total quantity of ions released in the artificial saliva and corrosion rates are very low, proving a very good corrosion resistance and very low toxicity. In undoped and doped Carter–Brugirard saliva, the open circuit potentials have highly electropositive values, denoting passive state and good stability; the open circuit potential gradients, simulating the non‐uniformity of the saliva composition, show very low values, no danger for the implant integrity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloy was evaluated on the basis of cell morphology and cell viability. The results obtained revealed a high biocompatibility between HOB and Ti‐6Al‐7Nb alloy.     

Soutien familial et ajustement des enfants de parents séparés.

Studied social interactions of children with each member of their maritally disrupted family, and the contribution of family support variables to children's adjustment. 113 normal 1st–5th graders and 62 from maritally disrupted families (average of 1.2 yrs since parental separation) were interviewed twice, 1 yr apart. An ANOVA and a series of multivariate analyses of variance were performed. An adaptation of the Children's Inventory of Social Support (N. I. Sandler et al, 1984), the Child Behavior Checklist and the Self-Esteem Questionnaire were used. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Processing Ti-25Ta-5Zr Bioalloy via Anodic Oxidation Procedure at High Voltage

The current paper reports the processing of Ti-25Ta-5Zr bioalloy via anodic oxidation in NH4BF4 solution under constant potentiostatic conditions at high voltage to obtain more suitable properties for biomedical application. The maximum efficiency of the procedure is reached at highest applied voltage, when the corrosion rate in Hank’s solution is decreased approxomately six times. The topography of the anodic layer has been studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the results indicated that the anodic oxidation process increases the surface roughness. The AFM images indicated a different porosity for the anodized surfaces as well. After anodizing, the hydrophilic character of Ti-25Ta-5Zr samples has increased. A good correlation between corrosion rate obtained from potentiodynamic curves and corrosion rate from ions release analysis was obtained.     

Multivariate Profile Charts for Statistical Process Control

The multivariate profile (MP) chart is a new control chart for simultaneous display of univariate and multivariate statistics. It is designed to analyze and display extended structures of statistical process control data for various cases of grouping, reference distribution, and use of nominal specifications. For each group of observations, the scaled deviations from reference values are portrayed together as a modified profile plot symbol. The vertical location of the symbol is determined by the multivariate distance of the vector of means from the reference values. The graphical display in the MP chart enjoys improved visual characteristics as compared with previously suggested methods. Moreover, the perceptual tasks required by the use of the MP chart provide higher accuracy in retrieving the quantitative information. This graphical display is used to display other combined univariate and multivariate statistics, such as measures of dispersion, principal components, and cumulative sums     

Influence of Various Albumin Concentrations on the Corrosion Resistance of Zr-2.5%Nb Alloy

The Zr-2.5% Nb alloy corrosion resistance in four saline solutions with and without albumin was tested through electrochemical measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization, and cyclic voltammetry at human body temperature.

The EIS measurements were performed at open circuit potential. The impedance spectra were recorded and the equivalent electric circuits were elaborated. From the linear polarization the Tafel slopes were recorded and the corrosion parameters were calculated. From the potentiodynamic polarization curves, the breakdown potential, the protection potential, and the protection domain were observed.

The amount of ions released from the material was quantified using the ICPMS technique and the results concerning the corrosion resistance were compared with those obtained from linear and cyclic polarization.

Before and after potentiodynamic polarization the topographic measurements were performed; the roughness at the samples surface was observed using AFM. The roughness was co-related to the contact angle measurements.     

Comparison between corrosion behaviour of implant alloys Ti6Al7Nb and Ti6Al4Zr in artificial saliva

The present paper investigates two different titanium alloys: Ti6Al7Nb – a well‐established implant biomaterial and Ti6Al4Zr – a relatively new titanium alloy. Roughness is evaluated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance by contact angle measurements. Furthermore, an extensive characterization was done in order to evaluate and compare the electrochemical behaviour for both titanium alloys in artificial Fusayama and Afnor saliva, at different immersion times, and consisted of Tafel plots, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Also, metals ions release was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). In both studied artificial saliva, Ti6Al4Zr alloy presents a better electrochemical behaviour according to corrosion rates from both electrochemical techniques and ICP‐MS.     

On computer science research and its temporal evolution

Scientometrics - In this article, we study the evolution of the computer science research community over the past 30 years. Analyzing data from the full Scopus database, we investigate how aspects...     

Discovery and Characterization of New Hydroxamate Siderophores,Baumannoferrin A and B,produced by Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii AYE does not produce acinetobactin but grows under iron limitation. Accordingly, analyses of AYE iron‐restricted culture supernatants resulted in the isolation of two fractions, which contained only hydroxamates and showed siderophore activity. Structural analyses identified baumannoferrin A and baumannoferrin B, which differ only by a double bond. These siderophores are composed of citrate, 1,3‐diaminopropane, 2,4‐diaminobutyrate, decenoic acid, and α‐ketoglutarate. Analysis of the AYE genome showed the presence of a 12‐gene cluster coding for proteins similar to those involved in the production and utilization of the hydroxamate siderophores acinetoferrin and achromobactin. As A. baumannii AYE does not produce acinetobactin and harbors only one gene cluster encoding the production and utilization of a siderophore, this strain's growth under iron limitation depends on baumannoferrin, a novel hydroxamate that could play a role in its virulence.