bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practices, Governance, and Politics: Applying MacIntyre’s Ethics to Business
Authors: Sinnicks Matthew
Published: May 2014

This paper argues that attempts to apply Alasdair MacIntyre’s positive moral theory to business ethics are problematic, due to the cognitive closure of MacIntyre’s concept of a practice. I begin by outlining the notion of a practice, before turning to Moore’s attempt to provide a MacIntyrean account of corporate governance. I argue that Moore’s attempt is mismatched with MacIntyre’s account of moral education. Because the notion of practices resists general application I go on to argue that a negative application, which focuses on regulation, is more plausible. Large-scale regulation, usually thought antithetical to MacIntyre’s advocacy of small-scale politics, has the potential to facilitate practice-based work and reveals that MacIntyre’s own work can be used against his pessimism about the modern order. Furthermore, the conception of regulation I defend can show us how management is more amenable to ethical understanding than MacIntyre’s work is often taken to imply.
SOX implementation can be a savior or a burden: scholars’ & practitioners’ review
Authors: Daniel Tse W K
Published: May 2014

With the rapid evolution of computer systems in business organizations worldwide, use of computer systems must be controlled. Because of the characteristics of information, they may give rise to the security problems of information. Most business organizations rely on business information for decision making and even status reporting to stockholders, misuse of accounting information, fraudulent business activities or misrepresentation of company financial status may arise if there is no control over the data subject, data user and data custodian. Corporate governance is required in this regard. SOX implementation is one of the corporate governance tools and has been compulsorily adopted by all American-related companies as well as being widely adopted by non-American companies globally. This paper reviews past literature on SOX implementation in order to establish whether it can help to eradicate the above problems or only bring burdens to stakeholders.
Load Allocation in Academic Environment: A Multi Objective PSO Approach
Authors: Rout Sushri Samita , Misra Bijan Bihari , Samanta Sasmita
Published: May 2014

In an Organization, mapping the competency of personnel with different level of expertise, skill set, and experience in professional fields is a tough, complex but essential task. In this work, we have considered an Engineering College with moderate number of faculties with different level of experience, expertise and research exposure. Here we have considered the load assignment to the faculties at the beginning of a semester as the competency mapping task. Each faculty having capabilities of teaching different subjects out of the total set of papers needs to take about two theory papers with or without laboratory component. The decisive factors for subject assignment may be depth of knowledge, sincerity, class management, contribution towards research, text book publication. Further preference of the faculty member should be considered with top priority unless there are some valid constraints. Again the teaching personnel in a department hold different designations and different administrative responsibility, therefore each of them cannot be assigned equal hours of teaching load. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines is considered as a baseline for assignment of teaching load. The decisive factors are considered as objectives to be optimized and multi-objective particle Swarm optimization (MOPSO) is employed to perform the competency mapping task. The simulation results show the effectiveness of this approach.
Ouya: The Launch of a New Video Game Paradigm
Authors: Kissinger Jonathon , Morelli Tony
Published: May 2014

Recently a new approach to console video gaming, Ouya, was released. This console is relatively inexpensive, and offers all of its games on a free to play basis. This paper compares the release of Ouya to the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii U as well as investigates how games on Ouya are utilizing unique control features, including a touchpad on the controller itself. We found that when comparing the first 12 weeks after launch of the systems, Ouya had a significantly higher number of games released when compared to the other three consoles, and the ratio of games being released since launch when compared to the launch day was significantly higher than the other three consoles. We also found that only 12.5% of Ouya games made use of the touch pad.
Music Training Interface for Visually Impaired through a Novel Approach to Optical Music Recognition
Authors: Kiriella Dawpadee B. , Kumari Shyama C. , Ranasinghe Kavindu C. , Jayaratne Lakshman
Published: May 2014

Some inherited barriers which limits the human abilities can be surprisingly win through technology. This research focuses on defining a more reliable and a controllable interface for visually impaired people to read and study eastern music notations which are widely available in printed format. One of another concept behind was that differently-abled people should be assisted in a way which they can proceed interested tasks in an independent way. The research provide means to continue on researching the validity of using a controllable auditory interface instead using Braille music scripts converted with the help of 3rd parties. The research further summarizes the requirements aroused by the relevant users, design considerations, evaluation results on user feedbacks of proposed interface.
Mathematics Ability and Anxiety, Computer and Programming Anxieties, Age and Gender as Determinants of Achievement in Basic Programming
Authors: Owolabi J , Olanipekun P , Iwerima J
Published: May 2014

Computer programming which forms the major component of most technological inventions is perceived by most computer science students as difficult. Some researchers have also reported that failure rates in programming courses are between 30% and 40%. It has therefore become necessary to study factors that could influence achievement in programming. This study therefore investigated the interaction between some selected factors (mathematics ability, mathematics anxiety, computer anxiety, programming anxiety, age and gender) and achievement in Basic programming. The study adopted a correlational design with achievement in Basic programming as the dependent variable, while mathematics ability, mathematics anxiety, computer anxiety, programming anxiety, age and gender serve as the independent variables. Three scales namely; mathematics anxiety (r = 0.82), computer anxiety (r = 0.82) and programming anxiety (r = 0.82) rating scales were used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) coefficient and multiple regression analyses.The result of the analysis showed that the correlation between mathematics ability and achievement in Basic programming are positive and significant. The composite effect of the factors under study on achievement in Basic programming is 20.8%. Efforts should be made to motivate students to improve their mathematics ability so as to improve programming performance and consequently improve efficiency in programming.
Pharmaceutical and Analytical Evaluation of Prolonged Release Rosuvastatin-Ca Buccoadhesive Tablets
Authors: Marzouk Maha A. , Abdel-Razeq Sawsan A. , Soliman Marwa M.
Published: May 2014

Rosuvastatin-Ca was prepared in solid dispersion as buccoadhesive tablets to increase its bioavailability and the release of the drug from its buccoadhesive formulae due to its poor aqueous solubility. The solid dispersions were prepared using β-cyclodextrin, polyethylene glycol 6000 and polyethylene glycol 4000 by kneading and solvent evaporation methods and were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). They were also prepared using poloxamer 407 as a biocompatible and mucoadhesive carrier by freeze drying method. The buccoadhesive tablets of the drug were formulated using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and sodium alginate by direct compression method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for their physical, dissolution, mucoadhesive and swelling properties. An in-vitro release study showed slow and prolonged release of the drug from tablets as compared to marketed formulation. Five formulae were selected for applying the recently reported analytical methods and results were compared statistically with a compendial one.
Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Studies of Ethanol Seed Extract of Raphia hookeri on Swiss Albino Rats
Authors: Mbaka G. O. , Ogbonnia S. O. , Awoyemi F. O.
Published: May 2014

Aim: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicities of Raphia hookeri (Rh) seed hydroethanolic extract on experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Acute toxicity study was evaluated on Swiss albino mice of both sexes. Administration of a single dose of 4000mg/kg of Rh seed extract by gavages to five mice showed no mortality, hence, its 1/20th dose was used as the highest therapeutic dose. The intra-peritoneal administration produced dose dependent mortality with median lethal dose (LD50) of approximately 323.6mg/kg body weight (bwt). In sub-acute toxicity study, Wistar rats received daily administration of the extract in the dose range of 50 to 200mg/kgbwt for 30 days. The effects on biochemical, histological and haematological parameters were evaluated. Results: The animals exhibited dose dependent body weight changes. There were some organs weight gains with the exception of the liver and testes which showed comparably lower weight compared to the control. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin levels compared to the control while bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased appreciably at the highest extract dose. The urea level decreased while the creatinine level increased in dose dependent manner. In lipid profile study, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) levels showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in value. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol). Marked decrease in red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit occurred. The white blood cells also decreased while neutrophil and lymphocytes increased appreciably. The extract caused marked deleterious effect on the testes leading to drastic reduction in sperm cells. Conclusion: The extract caused undesirable effect on the male reproductive organ of the animals making it unsafe for consumption by males of reproductive age.
Addressing Climate‐Related Challenges and Information Needs in Africa
Authors: Shongwe M. E. , Pirani Anna , Bekele Seleshi
Published: June 2014

The Africa Climate Conference 2013 (ACC‐2013), which was organized by the World Climate Research Programme, the African Climate Policy Center of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the University of Dar es Salaam, brought together more than 300 participants, including decision makers, representatives of research funding agencies, scientists from various disciplines, and practitioners from Africa and around the globe.
How the Madden‐Julian Oscillation affects North American weather
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: June 2014

The unusual weather in the United States during the winter of 2013–2014—when the West stayed hot and dry, the Northeast was battered by Arctic winds, and the South was blanketed in snow—was caused in part by an atmospheric phenomenon that blocked normal weather patterns from reaching the West Coast. The jet stream, forced to flow around a stable high‐pressure system, became curvier than normal. Over the eastern Pacific, the jet stream flowed far to the north before turning south over Alaska, bringing cold Arctic air to the Midwest.
Simulation of magnetic cloud erosion during propagation
Authors: Manchester W. B. , Kozyra J. U. , Lepri S. T. , Lavraud B.
Published: June 2014

We examine a three‐dimensional (3‐D) numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation describing a very fast interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) propagating from the solar corona to 1 AU. In conjunction with its high speed, the ICME evolves in ways that give it a unique appearance at 1 AU that does not resemble a typical ICME. First, as the ICME decelerates far from the Sun in the solar wind, filament material at the back of the flux rope pushes its way forward through the flux rope. Second, diverging nonradial flows in front of the filament transport poloidal flux of the rope to the sides of the ICME. Third, the magnetic flux rope reconnects with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). As a consequence of these processes, the flux rope partially unravels and appears to evolve to an entirely unbalanced configuration. At the same time, filament material at the base of the flux rope moves forward and comes in direct contact with the shocked plasma in the CME sheath. We find evidence that such remarkable behavior has actually occurred when we examine a very fast CME that erupted from the Sun on 2005 January 20. In situ observations of this event near 1 AU show very dense cold material impacting the Earth following immediately behind the CME sheath. Charge state analysis shows this dense plasma is filament material. Consistent with the simulation, we find the poloidal flux (Bz) to be entirely unbalanced, giving the appearance that the flux rope has eroded. The dense solar filament material and unbalanced positive IMF Bz produced a number of anomalous features in a moderate magnetic storm already underway, which are described in a companion paper by Kozyra et al. (2014).
Nanolithography Based on Metalized DNA Templates for Graphene Patterning
Authors: Jin Zhong , Sun Wei , Yin Peng , Strano Michael S.
Published: June 2014

DNA self‐assembly, such as DNA origami and single‐stranded tile (SST) assembly, can create complex nanostructures with prescribed two‐dimensional (2‐D) and three‐dimensional (3‐D) shapes. Distinct patterned DNA nanostructures can be used as templates or shadow masks for the lithographic patterning of 2‐D thin‐film materials for nanodevices. The protocols in this article describe a general procedure of metalized DNA nanolithography based upon DNA metalization and subsequent etching to transfer the shape information from DNA templates to graphene, such that the shape of complex graphene nanostructures can be rationally programmed. Spatial information within the predesigned DNA patterns, such as width, orientation, curvature, and angles, can be successfully transferred to the graphene nanostructures with sub–10 nm resolution. This method could be further generalized to enable patterning of nano‐sized modules of graphene and other 2‐D electronic materials with predesigned shapes for complex electronic and quantum circuits. Curr. Protoc. Chem. Biol. 6:53‐64 © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Perspectives of Nano‐Carbon Based Engineering Materials
Authors: Greil Peter
Published: June 2014

Nano‐carbon materials attained considerable scientific interest due to their unique physico‐chemical properties. Much less reports can be found on transferring the unique properties of super‐strong individual nanoparticles like carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets into load bearing engineering materials. After reviewing structure and properties of nano‐carbon properties the size effect governing the reduction of inherent mechanical properties upon transfer into macroscopic engineering materials is considered. While the potential of mechanical property enhancement of composites with random orientation of elongated carbon nanoparticles is limited by very low percolation thresholds, manufacturing of aligned microstructures, and tailoring of nanoparticle/matrix interface offers plenty of space for optimizing the mechanical properties of composites subjected to tensile loads. Since compression is the more common loading situation for ultra low‐density nano‐carbon materials the collapse stress is important for deriving design limits of nanoporous carbon materials. At the same level of density materials with nanotube or sheet carbon allotropes forming the struts may be expected to achieve a compression strength orders of magnitude higher than the porous graphitic materials. Finally, economic aspects of nano‐carbon manufacturing are discussed.
A Novel High‐Speed Production Process to Create Modular Components for the Bottom‐Up Assembly of Large‐Scale Tissue‐Engineered Constructs
Authors: Khan Omar F. , Voice Derek N. , Leung Brendan M. , Sefton Michael V.
Published: June 2014

To replace damaged or diseased tissues, large tissue‐engineered constructs can be prepared by assembling modular components in a bottom‐up approach. However, a high‐speed method is needed to produce sufficient numbers of these modules for full‐sized tissue substitutes. To this end, a novel production technique is devised, combining air shearing and a plug flow reactor‐style design to rapidly produce large quantities of hydrogel‐based (here type I collagen) cylindrical modular components with tunable diameters and length. Using this technique, modules containing NIH 3T3 cells show greater than 95% viability while endothelial cell surface attachment and confluent monolayer formation are demonstrated. Additionally, the rapidly produced modules are used to assemble large tissue constructs (>1 cm3) in vitro. Module building blocks containing luciferase‐expressing L929 cells are packed in full size adult rat‐liver‐shaped bioreactors and perfused with cell medium, to demonstrate the capacity to build organ‐shaped constructs; bioluminescence demonstrates sustained viability over 3 d. Cardiomyocyte‐embedded modules are also used to assemble electrically stimulatable contractile tissue.
Does bilingualism influence cognitive aging?
Authors: Bak Thomas H. , Nissan Jack J. , Allerhand Michael M. , Deary Ian J.
Published: June 2014

Recent evidence suggests a positive impact of bilingualism on cognition, including later onset of dementia. However, monolinguals and bilinguals might have different baseline cognitive ability. We present the first study examining the effect of bilingualism on later‐life cognition controlling for childhood intelligence. We studied 853 participants, first tested in 1947 (age = 11 years), and retested in 2008–2010. Bilinguals performed significantly better than predicted from their baseline cognitive abilities, with strongest effects on general intelligence and reading. Our results suggest a positive effect of bilingualism on later‐life cognition, including in those who acquired their second language in adulthood. Ann Neurol 2014;75:959–963
Component ratio effects of hyperbranched triazine compound and ammonium polyphosphate in flame‐retardant polypropylene composites
Authors: Xu Menglan , Chen Yajun , Qian Lijun , Wang Jingyu , Tang Shuo
Published: June 2014

A hyperbranched derivative of triazine group (EA) was synthesized by elimination reaction between ethylenediamine and cyanuric chloride. The different‐mass‐ratio EA and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were mixed and blended with polypropylene (PP) in a constant amount (25%) to prepare a series of EA/APP/PP composites. The component ratio effect of EA/APP on the flame‐retardant property of the EA/APP/PP composites was investigated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL‐94), and cone calorimetry tests. Results indicated that the EA/APP/PP (7.50/17.50/75.00) composite with the appropriate EA/APP mass ratio had the highest LOI, UL94 V‐0 rating, lowest heat release rate, and highest residue yield. These results implied that the appropriate EA/APP mass ratio formed a better intumescent flame‐retardant system and adequately exerted their synergistic effects. Furthermore, average effective combustion heat values revealed that EA/APP flame retardant possessed the gaseous‐phase flame‐retardant effect on PP. Residues of the EA/APP/PP composites were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that the appropriate EA/APP mass ratio can fully interact and lock more chemical constituents containing carbon and nitrogen in the residue, thereby resulting in the formation of a dense, compact, and intumescent char layer. This char layer exerted a condensed‐phase flame‐retardant effect on EA/APP/PP composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41006.
Delinquency Diversion using Home‐based Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Mentoring
Authors: Desmarais Renee , Sacco‐Dion Cristen , Sacco Frank C. , Decoteau Nicholas
Published: June 2014

Delinquency is often a source of crime and misery in a community. Truancy is frequently identified as a first step to delinquency too often resulting in a life of social deviance, addiction, and daily living instability. This paper provides case examples illustrating how long‐term home‐based psychotherapy, community supports such as therapeutic mentoring, and a strong mother can combine to divert delinquency in school aged children identified early with behavioral problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Projective Techniques and Psychological Assessment in Disadvantaged Communities
Authors: Storey Robert , Gapen Mark , Sacco James S.
Published: June 2014

This paper outlines the use of psychological testing in a community clinic. The emphasis is on the use of projective techniques in designing treatment plans for youth in disadvantaged communities. These assessments fall into three categories of testing referrals: determining mental impairment for disability, learning disability assessments, and diagnostic clarifications and treatment recommendations for therapists. The demands of psychological testing often require that the psychological evaluation play a role in how the client progresses in a system of care. Placement and risk decisions are often made in the psychological report. Projective techniques are stressed as a means to answer the most common questions asked from community referral agents such as schools, child protective case workers, courts, and human services agencies involved with residential programs. The relative strength of projective testing is compared with the value of empirical approaches stressed in modern psychology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Variation of Psychopharmacological Prescription Rates for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 30 Countries
Authors: Wong Angel Y.S. , Hsia Yingfen , Chan Esther W. , Murphy Declan G.M. , Simonoff Emily , Buitelaar Jan K. , Wong Ian C.K.
Published: June 2014

There is significant variation in prescriptions among countries in clinical practice for the treatment of comorbidities associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been suggested that many people with mental health disorders in low‐/middle‐income countries do not receive adequate treatment. Hence, this study investigated psychopharmacological treatment patterns for ASD comorbidities in 30 countries and the association between country's income and prescription rates.

The IMS Prescribing Insights database was used to investigate prescription patterns for ASD comorbidity treatment from 2007 to 2012. Data were obtained from 30 countries in continents of Europe, Asia, Oceania, Central America, South America, and Africa. The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was used as a proxy for each country's income. Spearman correlation was used to examine the association between prescription rate and GDP per capita.

The highest prescription rates were found in Western Europe (3.89–36.36/10,000) while the lowest prescription rates were found in Asian countries, such as Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan (0.04–0.82/10,000). The most commonly prescribed drug for ASD comorbidity treatment in most of the countries was risperidone, but antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs were also frequently prescribed. There was a significant positive correlation between GDP per capita and prescription rate (Spearman ρ = 0.60; P = 0.0011; 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.81), that is, the higher the GDP per capita, the higher the prescription rate.

There are marked international differences in prescription rates, and this is partially accounted by economic factors. Future research should combine more data for ASD comorbidity treatment to explore the disparity of psychopharmacological treatment between countries. Autism Res 2014, 7: 543–554. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of covariate omission in Weibull accelerated failure time model: A caution
Authors: Gosho Masahiko , Maruo Kazushi , Sato Yasunori
Published: June 2014

The accelerated failure time model is presented as an alternative to the proportional hazard model in the analysis of survival data. We investigate the effect of covariates omission in the case of applying a Weibull accelerated failure time model. In an uncensored setting, the asymptotic bias of the treatment effect is theoretically zero when important covariates are omitted; however, the asymptotic variance estimator of the treatment effect could be biased and then the size of the Wald test for the treatment effect is likely to exceed the nominal level. In some cases, the test size could be more than twice the nominal level. In a simulation study, in both censored and uncensored settings, Type I error for the test of the treatment effect was likely inflated when the prognostic covariates are omitted. This work remarks the careless use of the accelerated failure time model. We recommend the use of the robust sandwich variance estimator in order to avoid the inflation of the Type I error in the accelerated failure time model, although the robust variance is not commonly used in the survival data analyses.
Beneficial properties of natural phenols: Highlight on protection against pathological conditions associated with amyloid aggregation
Authors: Stefani Massimo , Rigacci Stefania
Published: June 2014

Mediterranean and Asian diets are currently considered as the most healthy traditional feeding habits effective against risk of age‐associated, particularly cardiovascular and neurodegenerative, diseases. A common feature of these two regimens is the abundance of foods and beverages of plant origin (green tea, extra virgin olive oil, red wine, spices, berries, and aromatic herbs) that are considered responsible for the observed beneficial effects. Epidemiological data suggest that the phenolic component remarkably enriched in these foods plays an important role in reducing the incidence of amyloid diseases, pathological conditions associated to tissue deposition of toxic protein aggregates responsible for progressive functional deterioration. Great effort is being spent to provide knowledge on the effects of several natural phenols in this context, moving from the test tube to animal models and, more slowly, to the patient's bed. An emerging feature that makes these molecules increasingly attractive for amyloid disease prevention and therapy is their wide spectrum of activity: recent pieces of evidence suggest that they can inhibit the production of amyloidogenic peptides from precursors, increase antioxidant enzyme activity, activate autophagy and reduce inflammation. Our concept should than shift from considering natural phenols simply as antioxidants or, at the best, as amyloid aggregation inhibitors, to describing them as potentially multitargeting drugs. A main concern is the low bioavailability of such compounds and efforts aimed at improving it are underway, with encapsulation strategies being the most promising ones. © 2014 BioFactors, 40(5):482–493, 2014
Mechanisms of blindness: Animal models provide insight into distinct CRX‐associated retinopathies
Authors: Tran Nicholas M. , Chen Shiming
Published: June 2014

Background: The homeodomain transcription factor CRX is a crucial regulator of mammalian photoreceptor gene expression. Mutations in the human CRX gene are associated with dominant inherited retinopathies Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Cone‐Rod Dystrophy (CoRD), and Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), of varying severity. In vitro and in vivo assessment of mutant CRX proteins have revealed pathogenic mechanisms for several mutations, but no comprehensive mutation‐disease correlation has yet been reported. Results: Here we describe four different classes of disease‐causing CRX mutations, characterized by mutation type, pathogenetic mechanism, and the molecular activity of the mutant protein: (1) hypomorphic missense mutations with reduced DNA binding, (2) antimorphic missense mutations with variable DNA binding, (3) antimorphic frameshift/nonsense mutations with intact DNA binding, and (4) antimorphic frameshift mutations with reduced DNA binding. Mammalian models representing three of these classes have been characterized. Conclusions: Models carrying Class I mutations display a mild dominant retinal phenotype and recessive LCA, while models carrying Class III and IV mutations display characteristically distinct dominant LCA phenotypes. These animal models also reveal unexpected pathogenic mechanisms underlying CRX‐associated retinopathies. The complexity of genotype‐phenotype correlation for CRX‐associated diseases highlights the value of developing comprehensive “true‐to‐disease” animal models for understanding pathologic mechanisms and testing novel therapeutic approaches. Developmental Dynamics 243:1153–1166, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo cell tracking of mouse embryonic myoblasts and fast fibers during development
Authors: Guerrero Lucia , Villar Pedro , Martínez Lidia , Badia‐Careaga Claudio , Arredondo Juan J. , Cervera Margarita
Published: June 2014

Fast and slow TnI are co‐expressed in E11.5 embryos, and fast TnI is present from the very beginning of myogenesis. A novel green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter mouse lines (FastTnI/GFP lines) that carry the primary and secondary enhancer elements of the mouse fast troponin I (fast TnI), in which reporter expression correlates precisely with distribution of the endogenous fTnI protein was generated. Using the FastTnI/GFP mouse model, we characterized the early myogenic events in mice, analyzing the migration of GFP+ myoblasts, and the formation of primary and secondary myotubes in transgenic embryos. Interestingly, we found that the two contractile fast and slow isoforms of TnI are expressed during the migration of myoblasts from the somites to the limbs and body wall, suggesting that both participate in these events. Since no sarcomeres are present in myoblasts, we speculate that the function of fast TnI in early myogenesis is, like Myosin and Tropomyosin, to participate in cell movement during the initial myogenic stages. genesis 52:793–808, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Architectures in Copper Metal–Organic Frameworks from 4‐Substituted Anionic 1,2,4‐Triazoles
Authors: Gómez Verónica , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Martin Eddy , Galán‐Mascarós José Ramón
Published: June 2014

Three new metal‐organic frameworks, [Cu3(L1)2(OH)4]n (1), [Cu(L1)(Cl)]n (2), and [Cu(H2O)(L2)(Cl)]n (3), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by reaction of 4‐substituted 1,2,4‐triazole derivative ligands (L1 = 4‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)ethanesulfonate; L2 = 4‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)benzenesulfonate) with Cu2+ salts. The different geometry and chemical features of the ligands have yielded unique crystal structures with different dimensionalities. The magnetic properties of the three compounds have been analyzed, all of which show antiferromagnetic interactions: J1 = –130 cm–1 and J2 = –370 cm–1 (1), J = –12.3 (2), and –216 cm–1 (3) (convention used H = –J). The nature and the magnitude of the antiferromagnetic super exchange are correlated with the crystal structure and the distinct bridging modes between spin carriers in the solid state.
From MoS2 Microspheres to α‐MoO3 Nanoplates: Growth Mechanism and Photocatalytic Activities
Authors: Zhong Mianzeng , Wei Zhongming , Meng Xiuqing , Wu Fengmin , Li Jingbo
Published: June 2014

Flowerlike MoS2 microspheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. 2H‐MoS2 nanoparticles, MoS2/MoO3 heterojunctions, and α‐MoO3 nanoplates were prepared by annealing the MoS2 microspheres under different reaction conditions. The formation and growth mechanism of the samples from flowerlike MoS2 microspheres to α‐MoO3 nanoplates is explained in detail. The photocatalytic properties of the four samples for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible‐light irradiation were studied. The results showed that the flowerlike MoS2 microspheres, MoS2/α‐MoO3 heterojunctions, and α‐MoO3 nanoplates all have excellent photocatalytic activities. In particular, the flowerlike MoS2 microspheres exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB.
Zinc Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on a Flexible Benzylaminetetracarboxylic Acid and Bipyridine Colinkers
Authors: Wang Chao , Tang Sifu , Lv Xiaoxia , Li Liangjun , Zhao Xuebo
Published: June 2014

Three new metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn2(L)(H2O)]·3DMF·1.5H2O (1), [Zn2(L)(4,4′‐bpy)1.5(H2O)2]·2DMF·2H2O (2), and [Zn2(L)(2,2′‐bpy)2(DMF)2]·2DMF·4H2O (3) [H4L = 5,5′‐(2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(methylene)bis(azanediyl)diisophthalic acid, 4,4′‐bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine, 2,2′‐bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, DMF = N,N‐dimethylformamide], were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The L4– ligands in 1–3 display different coordination modes, and the introduction of bipyridine colinkers brings significant structural variation into the frameworks. Complex 1 is constructed from dinuclear carboxylate [Zn2O(COO)4] secondary building units (SBUs) and H4L ligands and exhibits a binodal (4,4)‐connected pts net with 54.6 % solvent‐accessible void. Complex 2 exhibits an unprecedented tetranodal (3,4,4,4)‐connected net, which is constructed from two types of crystallographically independent ZnII ions, H4L ligands, and the 4,4′‐bipyridine colinker. Complex 3 is constructed from parallel 1D molecular ladders stacked along the a axis that generate 1D channels (7.8 × 10.4 Å) and are hydrogen bonded to form 2D layers. The thermal stabilities and luminescence properties of 1–3 have also been studied in detail.
AgI‐Directed Triple‐Stranded Helicates with meta‐Ethynylpyridine Ligands
Authors: Li Qiaolian , Huang Fu , Fan Yaxun , Wang Yilin , Li Jianfeng , He Yujian , Jiang Hua
Published: June 2014

A series of triple‐stranded complexes, [1a3Ag]BF4, [1b3Ag]BF4, [2a3Ag2](BF4)2, [2b3Ag2](BF4)2, and [33Ag3](BF4)3, have been obtained through the self‐assembly of AgI ions with p‐phenylene ethynylpyridine ligands. X‐ray crystallographic studies unambiguously demonstrated a AgI‐directed monodentate triple‐stranded helical structure in the solid state for 1b and 2b. A combination of NMR spectroscopy, HRMS (ESI), and isothermal titration microcalorimetry studies further confirmed that strands 1, 2, and 3 are also able to form triple‐stranded helical structures in the presence of AgI ions in solution.
How should periods without social interaction be scheduled? Children's preference for practical schedules of positive reinforcement
Authors: Luczynski Kevin C. , Hanley Gregory P.
Published: June 2014

Several studies have shown that children prefer contingent reinforcement (CR) rather than yoked noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) when continuous reinforcement is programmed in the CR schedule. Preference has not, however, been evaluated for practical schedules that involve CR. In Study 1, we assessed 5 children's preference for obtaining social interaction via a multiple schedule (periods of fixed‐ratio 1 reinforcement alternating with periods of extinction), a briefly signaled delayed reinforcement schedule, and an NCR schedule. The multiple schedule promoted the most efficient level of responding. In general, children chose to experience the multiple schedule and avoided the delay and NCR schedules, indicating that they preferred multiple schedules as the means to arrange practical schedules of social interaction. In Study 2, we evaluated potential controlling variables that influenced 1 child's preference for the multiple schedule and found that the strong positive contingency was the primary variable.
Configuration and conformation of alfentanil hydrochloride. Conformational study by NMR and theoretical calculations
Authors: Jaime Carlos , Virgili Albert , Portillo Susana , Caparrós Antoni , Burusco Kepa K.
Published: June 2014

The configurational and conformational structure of alfentanil hydrochloride (1) was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and theoretical calculations. Compound 1 is best described by equilibrium between two stereoisomeric piperidinium rings with the N‐substituent always being in equatorial position. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra demonstrate that, depending on the solvent, 1 adopts the conformation with an axial methoxymethylene group. Computations were crucial in determining the importance of the transannular attractive interaction between the positive charge at the piperidinium N‐atom and the methoxymethyl group in position 4. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The structure‐dependent self‐association of five phenolic acids in aqueous solution
Authors: Xiao Chaoni , Wu Man , Zhang Yajun , Zhao Xinfeng , Yu Jie , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: June 2014

Weak self‐interaction plays an important role in interpreting the biomechanisms and modes of drug action. The structure‐dependent self‐association of five phenolic acids with various bioactivities, including danshensu (DSS), caffeic acid (CA), rosmarinic acid (RA), lithospermic acid (LA), and salvianolic acid B (SA), was investigated by 1H NMR. These phenolic acids have similar condensed structures, with a CA moiety and varying numbers of DSS moieties. The strengths of the self‐association constants are in the order DSS < CA < RA < LA < SA, which corresponds to the increasing molecular size of these phenolic acids and roughly corresponds to the increasing number of DSS moieties. The binding site for the self‐aggregation of these phenolic acids has been identified to be on the CA moiety, rather than on the DSS moiety, as a result of CA's stronger aromatic π–π interactions, which cause larger chemical shift variations. The thermodynamic parameters for the self‐association of these phenolic acids show that the self‐association is spontaneous and enthalpically favorable at room temperature in all cases. It was inferred that π–π interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonding stabilize the stacking structures of the phenolic acids. Knowledge of self‐association processes will enable us to quantitatively assess the possible effects of self‐aggregation on the interaction between drug and protein. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1H 2D MRSI tissue type analysis of gliomas
Authors: Raschke Felix , Fellows Greg A. , Wright Alan J. , Howe Franklyn A.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

To decompose 1H MR spectra of glioma patients into normal and abnormal tissue proportions for tumor classification and delineation.

Methods

Anatomical imaging and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging data have been acquired from 11 grade II and 13 grade IV glioma patients. LCModel was used to decompose the magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging data into normal brain, grade II, and grade IV tissue proportions using a tissue type basis set. Simulations were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the methodology. Results were visualized using colormaps and abnormality contours showing tumor grade and extent.

Results

Simulations suggest that infiltrative tumor proportions as low as 20% can be identified at the typical 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal‐to‐noise found in vivo. Tumor grading according to the highest estimated tumor grade within a lesion gave a classification accuracy of 86% discriminating between grade II and grade IV glioma. Voxels with significant proportions of tumor type spectra were found beyond the margins of contrast enhancement for most grade IV cases consistent with infiltration whereas the abnormality contours show that some tumors are confined within the hyperintensities shown by both post contrast T1 weighted and T2 weighted imaging.

Conclusion

LCModel can be used to decompose 1H MR spectra into proportions of normal and abnormal tissue to identify tumor extent, infiltration, and overall grade. Magn Reson Med 73:1381–1389, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arterial spin labeling‐fast imaging with steady‐state free precession (ASL‐FISP): a rapid and quantitative perfusion technique for high‐field MRI
Authors: Gao Ying , Goodnough Candida L. , Erokwu Bernadette O. , Farr George W. , Darrah Rebecca , Lu Lan , Dell Katherine M. , Yu Xin , Flask Chris A.
Published: June 2014

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a valuable non‐contrast perfusion MRI technique with numerous clinical applications. Many previous ASL MRI studies have utilized either echo‐planar imaging (EPI) or true fast imaging with steady‐state free precession (true FISP) readouts, which are prone to off‐resonance artifacts on high‐field MRI scanners. We have developed a rapid ASL‐FISP MRI acquisition for high‐field preclinical MRI scanners providing perfusion‐weighted images with little or no artifacts in less than 2 s. In this initial implementation, a flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) ASL preparation was combined with a rapid, centrically encoded FISP readout. Validation studies on healthy C57/BL6 mice provided consistent estimation of in vivo mouse brain perfusion at 7 and 9.4 T (249 ± 38 and 241 ± 17 mL/min/100 g, respectively). The utility of this method was further demonstrated in the detection of significant perfusion deficits in a C57/BL6 mouse model of ischemic stroke. Reasonable kidney perfusion estimates were also obtained for a healthy C57/BL6 mouse exhibiting differential perfusion in the renal cortex and medulla. Overall, the ASL‐FISP technique provides a rapid and quantitative in vivo assessment of tissue perfusion for high‐field MRI scanners with minimal image artifacts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stakeholders' Attributes, Behaviors, and Decision-Making Strategies in Construction Projects: Importance and Correlations in Practice
Authors: Yang Rebecca J. , Wang Yaowu , Jin Xiao-Hua
Published: June 2014

Project managers need to make decisions on how to balance competing claims between the different stakeholders in projects. Previous studies have suggested that the choice of decision-making strategies is highly related to stakeholders' attributes and behaviors in practice; however, limited studies have been conducted in the construction field to analyze the importance of stakeholders' attributes, behaviors, and decision-making strategies, and validate the correlations between the factors and decision-making strategies. To analyze the underlying meanings of stakeholders' attributes, behaviors, and decision-making strategies from the practitioners' perspectives, and indicate the influence of stakeholder-related factors on decision-making strategies, an interview, questionnaire survey, and case study were adopted. Empirical studies suggest that three stakeholder attributes (power, urgency, and proximity), and four types of stakeholder behaviors (cooperative potential, competitive threat, opposite position, and neutral attitude) are perceived by the practitioners as important to dealing with stakeholder claims. Depending on stakeholders' salience levels and behavior types, strategies of defense, compromise, or concession/adaptation are chosen and applied by project managers in practice. The findings can help project managers to proactively understand stakeholder performance, place emphasis on particular attributes and behaviors, and formulate appropriate schemes under different circumstances.
Nanomaterials: a Map for Their Selection in Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Reig Carmen Sanchez , Lopez Antonio Dobon , Ramos Mercedes Hortal , Ballester Vicente Agustin Cloquell
Published: June 2014

Even though research on nanotechnology has increased rapidly in the last decades, the application of nanotechnology in food and beverage packaging started to show an interest in the scientific community much more recently. Food safety, quality and improvements of properties compared with conventional materials make nanomaterials very attractive in the field of food and beverage packaging applications. Furthermore, in many cases, nanomaterials are used for both food packaging and the food contained, especially when we talk about nanomaterials for active and intelligent packaging. Oxygen scavengers, antimicrobial nanomaterials and nanobiosensors are some examples of current research efforts on nanomaterials for food packaging. This fact has led to a variety of nanoparticles and nanomaterials. The wide range of existing nanomaterials could make its selection for food packaging applications a challenge. Thus, building up a map based on the current state‐of‐the‐art nanoparticles and nanomaterials is required. Furthermore, there is a need to classify all the nanomaterials used specifically in food packaging, independently of their nature, the packaging material and the way they are integrated to this material. In this paper, a classification of the latest advances in this field was made accompanied by the use of Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis in order to find which are the most relevant (and/or expected to be potentially exploited in the near future) nanomaterials in the area of food packaging. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bauen mit Leichtigkeit – Ein spannendes Montagekonzept
Authors: Schröppel Wolfgang
Published: June 2014

Beim Bau von großen Stadiondächern bieten sich Seilnetztragwerke an. Sie sind leicht, können sehr große Spannweiten überbrücken und sind daher ohne störende Stützen realisierbar. Ein Seilnetzdach ist von einem oder zwei ringförmigen Druckringen im Bereich des oberen Tribünenrands über das Stadion gespannt. Die statische Lösung hat eine Leichtigkeit und eine Effizienz, die sich dem Betrachter geradezu aufdrängt. Aber wie kommt das Seilnetz dorthin und wie wird es gespannt? Der folgende Aufsatz soll helfen, dieses Rätsel aufzulösen und beschreibt die verschiedenen gängigen Methoden der Seilnetzmontage mit Litzenhebern. Je nach Bauart und Geometrie des Tragwerks ergeben sich mögliche Methoden für das Heben und Spannen. Eines der weltweit größten Membrandächer, mit einer Fläche von 203462 m², wurde 2013 beim Umbau des berühmten Estadio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro installiert.

Construction with lightness – exciting assembly concept. Cable‐net structures are an ideal option for the construction of large stadium roofs. They are lightweight and can span large areas without obstructing columns. One or two circular compression rings above the upper edge of the grand stands act as the abutments for the cable net roof. This structural solution is obviously very efficient and compelling. But how will the cable structure be installed and tensioned? The following article should answer these questions and show the different methods for the cable‐net installation with strand jacks. Depending on the type and geometry of the structure different methods for lifting and tensioning can be applied. In 2013 one of the largest membrane roofs, with a surface area of 203462 m², has been installed during the renovation of the famous Estadio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.