bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crack and Shock Propagation Through the Interlayer in Soda Lime Glass Under Detonation Loading
Authors: Choi Joon Hong , Kim Do Kyung
Published: August 2015

Dynamic wave interaction and crack propagation in glass have been observed with the edge‐on impact (EOI) style test method using an exploding bridged wire (EBW) detonator. The existence of an interlayer or internal surface displayed meaningful wave distortions, delays, reflections, and decreasing amplitude. The interlayer materials used were rubber, stainless steel, and cut surface. The results indicate that the shocks passing the interlayer decrease following the impedance condition and that much of the crack is stopped at the interlayer. The damage pattern was analyzed with the energy and stress dissipation rate.
Alkali Activation of AOD Stainless Steel Slag Under Steam Curing Conditions
Authors: Salman Muhammad , Cizer Özlem , Pontikes Yiannis , Snellings Ruben , Dijkman Jan , Sels Bert , Vandewalle Lucie , Blanpain Bart , Van Balen Koen
Published: August 2015

Crystalline argon oxygen decarburization slag, in powdery form, was investigated for its hydration potential by alkali activation and curing at 80°C. Na‐silicate and K‐silicate of the same modulus were used as activators. Isothermal calorimetry at 80°C indicated exothermic reactions in the slag pastes. When the slag mortars were cured under steam at 80°C appreciable gain in compressive strength was measured. This was attributed to C–S–H which was detected in TG, FTIR, and 29Si NMR analyses. Upon hydration at 90 d, the amount of crystalline phases decreased, whereas the XRD amorphous content in the slag increased. Electron microscopy showed the formation of different morphologies of reaction products depending on the alkaline activator employed. Presence of reaction rims around the crystalline phases with a major presence of Ca, Si, and O in the reacted matrix was observed in elemental maps.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of CdO Ceramics Via Ba2+ Doping
Authors: Gao Linjie , Zhai Shengjun , Liu Ran , Fu Nian , Wang Jianglong , Fu Guangsheng , Wang Shufang
Published: August 2015

Polycrystalline Cd1−xBaxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) ceramics were synthesized via conventional solid‐state reaction method, and the effect of Ba2+ doping on the microstructure as well as the thermoelectric transport properties of the samples were investigated. It was found that doping of Ba2+ can inhibit the grain growth of CdO, resulting in a considerable reduction in grain size. Moreover, with the increase in Ba2+ doping content, both the electrical conductivity and the thermal conductivity of Cd1−xBaxO decreased, whereas the Seebeck coefficient increased. A high ZT value of 0.47 was achieved for Cd0.99Ba0.01O at 1000 K, 38% higher than the undoped CdO, mostly due to reduction of the thermal conductivity.
Repeated evolution of exaggerated dewlaps and other throat morphology in lizards
Authors: Ord T. J. , Klomp D. A. , Garcia‐Porta J. , Hagman M.
Published: August 2015

The existence of elaborate ornamental structures in males is often assumed to reflect the outcome of female mate choice for showy males. However, female mate choice appears weak in many iguanian lizards, but males still exhibit an array of ornament‐like structures around the throat. We performed a phylogenetic comparative study to assess whether these structures have originated in response to male–male competition or the need for improved signal efficiency in visually difficult environments. We found little evidence for the influence of male–male competition. Instead, forest species were more likely to exhibit colourful throat appendages than species living in open habitats, suggesting selection for signal efficiency. On at least three independent occasions, throat ornamentation has become further elaborated into a large, conspicuously coloured moving dewlap. Although the function of the dewlap is convergent, the underlying hyoid apparatus has evolved very differently, revealing the same adaptive outcome has been achieved through multiple evolutionary trajectories. More generally, our findings highlight that extravagant, ornament‐like morphology can evolve in males without the direct influence of female mate choice and that failure to consider alternative hypotheses for the evolution of these structures can obscure the true origins of signal diversity among closely related taxa.
Sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera support inclusive fitness theory
Authors: Bourke A. F. G.
Published: August 2015

Inclusive fitness theory predicts that sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera are a function of the relatedness asymmetry (relative relatedness to females and males) of the individuals controlling sex allocation. In monogynous ants (with one queen per colony), assuming worker control, the theory therefore predicts female‐biased sex investment ratios, as found in natural populations. Recently, E.O. Wilson and M.A. Nowak criticized this explanation and presented an alternative hypothesis. The Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis proposes that, in monogynous ants, there is selection for a 1 : 1 numerical sex ratio to avoid males remaining unmated, which, given queens exceed males in size, results in a female‐biased sex investment ratio. The hypothesis also asserts that, contrary to inclusive fitness theory, queens not workers control sex allocation and queen–worker conflict over sex allocation is absent. Here, I argue that the Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis is flawed because it contradicts Fisher's sex ratio theory, which shows that selection on sex ratio does not maximize the number of mated offspring and that the sex ratio proposed by the hypothesis is not an equilibrium for the queen. In addition, the hypothesis is not supported by empirical evidence, as it fails to explain ‘split’ (bimodal) sex ratios or data showing queen and worker control and ongoing queen–worker conflict. By contrast, these phenomena match predictions of inclusive fitness theory. Hence, the Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis fails both as an alternative hypothesis for sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera and as a critique of inclusive fitness theory.
Nano‐level position resolution for particle tracking in digital in‐line holographic microscopy
Authors: LEI H. , HU X. , ZHU P. , CHANG X. , ZENG Y. , HU C. , LI H. , HU X.
Published: August 2015

Three‐dimensional particle tracking in biological systems is a quickly growing field, many techniques have been developed providing tracking characters. Digital in‐line holographic microscopy is a valuable technique for particle tracking. However, the speckle noise, out‐of‐focus signals and twin image influenced the particle tracking. Here an adaptive noise reduction method based on bidimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition is introduced into digital in‐line holographic microscopy. It can eliminate the speckle noise and background of the hologram adaptively. Combined with the three‐dimensional deconvolution approach in the reconstruction, the particle feature would be identified effectively. Tracking the fixed beads on the cover‐glass with piezoelectric stage through multiple holographic images demonstrate the tracking resolution, which approaches 2 nm in axial direction and 1 nm in transverse direction. This would facilitate the development and use in the biological area such as living cells and single‐molecule approaches.
USP46: a new piece of the memory puzzle?
Authors: Ribeiro Felipe C. , Santos Luis E. , Ferreira Sergio T.
Published: August 2015

image

Long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD) are crucial for synaptic plasticity, and are driven by AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking. Recent findings indicate that the ubiquitin–proteasome system, the main protein degradation machinery of the cell, plays a significant role in memory formation by regulating the induction and maintenance of LTP. Although previously suggested as a possibility, deubiquitination of mammalian AMPARs had not been demonstrated, and the search for an enzyme that mediates the processes continued. This Editorial Highlight discusses the relevance of a study published in the current issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, in which the authors Huo and collaborators now identified ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 46 (USP46) as a specific AMPAR deubiquitinase.
Nutrition‐based interventions to address metabolic syndrome in the Navajo: a systematic review
Authors: Nava Lorenzo T , Zambrano Jenelle M , Arviso Karen P , Brochetti Denise , Becker Kathleen L
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectives

The objective of this systematic review is to identify nutrition‐based interventions that may be effective for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome in the Navajo.

Background

Metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affects almost half of the Navajo population. The diet of the Navajo, heavy in fat and refined carbohydrates, has been identified as an important contributing factor to the high rates of metabolic syndrome in this population.

Design

A search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL to identify studies published before October, 2013, involving nutrition‐based interventions in adult populations similar to the Navajo targeting at least one measure of metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Data on efficacy and participation were gathered and synthesised qualitatively.

Results

Out of 19 studies included in this systematic review, 11 interventions were identified to be effective at improving at least one measure of metabolic syndrome. Level of exposure to the intervention, frequency of intervention activities, family and social support, cultural adaptation and case management were identified as factors that may improve the efficacy of an intervention.

Conclusions

Multiple nutrition‐based interventions have been found to be effective in populations similar to the Navajo.

Relevance to clinical practice

Development of a strategy to address metabolic syndrome in the Navajo may involve aspects from multiple interventions to increase efficacy and maximise participation.
Reprivatized Womanhood: Changes in Mainstream Media's Framing of Urban Women's Issues in China, 1995–2012
Authors: Sun Shengwei , Chen Feinian
Published: August 2015

After waves of women's liberation movements, the reform era has witnessed a puzzling stagnation, if not decline, in women's status in China. Among the existing literature on the changing public gender discourse in postsocialist China, few studies have substantially engaged with feminist critiques of the “separate spheres” as an analytical framework. In this study the authors performed content analyses on 202 articles drawn from 3 Chinese mainstream magazines between 1995 and 2012 to describe changes in media's framing of urban women's issues. Over time, topics on marriage and private relationships became increasingly predominant, while concerns over gender discrimination diminished in the mainstream media. The results provide evidence for a revitalization of traditional gender values attributing women to “private” spheres and reveal the media's repeated use of individualistic approaches to structural problems, suggesting an alliance between patriarchal and neoliberal ideologies in shaping public gender discourse while concealing structural inequalities in urban China.
Contingent Work Rising: Implications for the Timing of Marriage in Japan
Authors: Piotrowski Martin , Kalleberg Arne , Rindfuss Ronald R.
Published: August 2015

Employment has become increasingly precarious in developed countries, meaning that, for many young adults, jobs provide neither benefits nor security, more work is part time, and employers are increasingly hiring workers from temporary help agencies and contract companies rather than as employees of their own company. These changes in employment relations have profound effects on gender roles and on family transitions of young adults, especially young men and in particular in countries such as Japan, where there are rigid family norms and the male‐breadwinner tradition still prevails. The authors examined the effects of the experience of non‐regular work on the timing of marriage and whether this differs by sex. Using recent life history data from Japan, they found that men working in non‐regular jobs are especially likely to postpone marriage. The implications of the growth of precarious work for changes in work and family institutions in Japan are discussed.
Toward a Dynamic Theory of Intermediate Conformity
Authors: Bascle Guilhem
Published: August 2015

The issue of conformity to social norms has been a major focus of research. Yet, intermediate conformity, which refers to actors who are neither total conformers nor non‐conformers, has received scant attention even though the behaviour is likely widespread. This paper aims to extend the literature on conformity to social norms by laying the foundations for a tractable theory of intermediate conformity. Here, a set of key factors hypothesized to lead actors into intermediate conformity is identified and formal arguments about the dynamic‐legitimacy and reputational effects of their intermediate conformity moves are formulated. Important building blocks include a taxonomy of norms that allows for norm heterogeneity and a recognition that conformity may change over time. The developed framework provides a new conceptual lever for better understanding how intermediate conformers cope over time with social norms of different types and importance.
Comparison of Glioblastomas and Brain Metastases using Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced Perfusion MRI
Authors: Jung Brian C. , Arevalo‐Perez Julio , Lyo John K. , Holodny Andrei I. , Karimi Sasan , Young Robert J. , Peck Kyung K.
Published: August 2015

PURPOSE

To compare glioblastoma and brain metastases using T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI perfusion technique.

METHODS

26 patients with glioblastoma and 32 patients with metastatic brain lesions with no treatment who underwent DCE‐MRI were, retrospectively, analyzed. DCE perfusion parameters Ktrans and Vp were calculated for the whole tumor. Signal intensity time curves were quantified by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) and the logarithmic slope of the washout phase to explore the heterogeneous tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

Glioblastoma did not differ from all brain metastases in Ktrans (P = .34) or Vp (P = .47). Glioblastoma and melanoma metastases differed from hypovascular metastases in AUC and log slope of the washout phase of the signal intensity time curve (P < .05); however, glioblastoma and melanoma metastases did not differ from each other (AUC: P = .78, Log slope: P = .77). Glioblastoma and melanoma metastases differed from hypovascular metastases in the ratio of Voxelneg/Voxelpos (P< .03); however, they did not differ from each other. Glioblastoma and melanoma metastases differed from each other in Voxelneg_threshold at higher negative log slope threshold.

CONCLUSION

DCE‐MRI showed that it has a potential to differentiate glioblastomas, melanoma metastases and hypovascular brain tumors. Logarithmic slope of the washout phase and AUC of the signal intensity time curve were shown to be the best discriminator between hypervascular and hypovascular neoplasms.
Skill Acquisition in the Informal Economy and Schooling Decisions: Evidence from Emerging Economies
Authors: Tumen Semih
Published: August 2015

Informal jobs offer skill acquisition opportunities that may facilitate a future switch to formal employment for young workers. In this sense, informal training on the job may be a viable alternative to formal schooling in an economy with a large and diverse informal sector. In this paper, I investigate if these considerations are relevant for the schooling decisions of young individuals using panel data for 17 Latin American countries and micro‐level data for Turkey. Specifically, I ask if the prevalence of informal jobs distorts schooling attainment. I concentrate on three measures of schooling outcomes: (1) secondary education enrollment rate; (2) out‐of‐school rate for lower secondary school; and (3) tertiary education graduation rate. I find that the secondary education enrollment rate is negatively correlated with the size of the informal economy, whereas the out‐of‐school rate is positively correlated. Moreover, the tertiary education graduation rates tend to fall as the informal employment opportunities increase. This means that informal training on the job may be crowding out school education in developing countries. Policies that can potentially affect the size of the informal sector should take into consideration these second‐round effects on aggregate schooling outcomes.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for portal vein thrombosis with variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis: outcomes and predictors in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Qi Xingshun , He Chuangye , Guo Wengang , Yin Zhanxin , Wang Jianhong , Wang Zhengyu , Niu Jing , Bai Ming , Yang Zhiping , Fan Daiming , Han Guohong
Published: August 2015

Background & Aims

The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains obscure. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with TIPS technical success, outcome and prognosis in cirrhotic patients with PVT and a history of variceal bleeding.

Methods

Between May 2009 and April 2011, 51 cirrhotic patients with PVT who attempted TIPS procedures for the prevention of variceal rebleeding were enrolled.

Results

TIPS success rate was 84% (43/51). An increased degree of thrombosis within the portal trunk and portal vein branches was inversely associated with TIPS success. Median follow‐up time was 40.07 months (range: 0.02–56.87). The cumulative risk of rebleeding was significantly different between TIPS success and failure group (P = 0.002). The univariate analysis also demonstrated that TIPS failure was the only significant predictor associated with rebleeding (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.174, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.558–11.186). In TIPS success group, the cumulative rates free of shunt dysfunction at the 6th and 12th month were 79% and 76% respectively. Absence of total superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis was the only independent predictor (HR = 0.189, 95% CI: 0.047–0.755). In TIPS success group, the 1‐ and 3‐year cumulative survival rates were 77% and 62% respectively. Albumin level was the only independent predictor (HR = 0.877, 95% CI: 0.779–0.986).

Conclusion

Successful TIPS insertions could effectively prevent from rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with PVT and variceal bleeding. Degree of PVT and SMV thrombosis was associated with TIPS failure and shunt dysfunction respectively.
Low air temperature increases the risk of oesophageal variceal bleeding: a population and hospital‐based case‐crossover study in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Wen‐Chieh , Chen Yung‐Tai , Chen Ping‐Hsien , Su Chien‐Wei , Huang Wei‐Ming , Yang Tsung‐Chieh , Li Szu‐Yuan , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Hou Ming‐Chih
Published: August 2015

Background & Aims

Studies concerning seasonal variations and the impact of air temperature on oesophageal variceal bleeding have yielded conflicting results. We aimed to explore the impact of air temperature on the occurrence of variceal bleeding.

Methods

A case‐crossover study design was employed, and two cohorts were used, including the NHI‐EVB cohort from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2010, and the VGH‐EVB cohort from the Taipei Veterans General Hospital, from 4 May 2002 to 31 December 2010. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

In total, 2542 cases from the NHI‐EVB cohort and 220 cases from the VGH‐EVB cohort were analysed. Our analysis showed that low air temperature (LAT) increased the risk of variceal bleeding regardless of age, sex, decompensated cirrhosis, Child‐Pugh classification, aetiology of liver disease and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma; the lag effect was also observed. The ORs per 5°C decrease in daily mean air temperature were 1.144 (95% CI, 1.060–1.235) for the NHI‐EVB cohort and 1.307 (95% CI: 1.031–1.658) for the VGH‐EVB cohort. Oesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with small varices, end‐stage liver disease score ≧15 or those using non‐selective beta blockers was not influenced by air temperature.

Conclusions

Patients have higher risk of oesophageal variceal bleeding at low air temperature regardless of age, sex, aetiology of cirrhosis, Child‐Pugh classification, decompensated cirrhosis and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma and can be protected by use non‐selective beta blockers.
Worldly Reasons: An Ontological Inquiry into Motivating Considerations and Normative Reasons
Authors: Mantel Susanne
Published: August 2015

In this article I advocate a worldly account of normative reasons according to which there is an ontological gap between these and the premises of practical thought, i.e. motivating considerations. While motivating considerations are individuated fine‐grainedly, normative reasons should be classified as coarse‐grained entities, e.g. as states of affairs, in order to explain certain necessary truths about them and to make sense of how we count and weigh them. As I briefly sketch, acting for normative reasons is nonetheless possible if the connection between normative reasons and motivating considerations is a competence‐based correspondence.
Predictors of outcome of an Internet‐based cognitive‐behavioural therapy for post‐traumatic stress disorder in older adults
Authors: Böttche Maria , Kuwert Philipp , Pietrzak Robert H. , Knaevelsrud Christine
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of resource‐oriented variables such as self‐efficacy, locus of control (LOC) and post‐traumatic growth (PTG) in predicting treatment response in older adults with post‐traumatic stress.

Methods

Fifty‐eight older adults with subsyndromal or greater severity of war‐associated post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms completed a randomized controlled Internet‐based cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) with immediate and delayed treatment groups. Assessments of PTSD severity and resource‐oriented variables of self‐efficacy, LOC and PTG were conducted at baseline, post‐treatment and at a 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

Results revealed that pre‐treatment scores on measures of internal LOC and PTG predicted PTSD symptom severity at post‐treatment, even after controlling for initial PTSD. At a 6‐month follow‐up, internal LOC continued to predict PTSD symptom severity. In addition, repeated‐measures analyses of variance revealed that, relative to older adults with low internal LOC and PTG, older adults with high internal LOC and PTG, respectively, did not differ with respect to initial PTSD severity, but they showed a more pronounced response to treatment.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that greater locus of control and post‐traumatic growth is associated with greater improvement in PTSD symptoms following Internet‐based CBT. Assessment of these constructs may be useful in identifying trauma survivors who are most likely to respond to CBT.

Practitioner points

Greater internal locus of control and post‐traumatic growth is associated with greater improvement in PTSD symptoms following Internet‐based CBT.

Older adults with initial high internal locus of control and post‐traumatic growth, respectively, did not differ with respect to initial PTSD severity, but they showed a more pronounced response to treatment.

It could be assumed that patients with initial functional appraisals could benefit easier and faster from a trauma‐focused cognitive‐behavioural therapy compared to individuals with lower internal locus of control and post‐traumatic growth
Indexicals and Reference‐Shifting: Towards a Pragmatic Approach
Authors: Åkerman Jonas
Published: August 2015

I propose a pragmatic approach to the kind of reference‐shifting occurring in indexicals as used in e.g. written notes and answering machine messages. I proceed in two steps. First, I prepare the ground by showing that the arguments against such a pragmatic approach raised in the recent literature fail. Second, I take a first few steps towards implementing this approach, by sketching a pragmatic theory of reference‐shifting, and showing how it can handle cases of the relevant kind. While the immediate scope of the paper is restricted to indexicals and reference‐shifting, and the discussion is confined to a specific range of theories and cases, the approach proposed is compatible with a fairly broad range of more or less semantically conservative theories, and many of the conclusions drawn are significant for the evaluation of pragmatic explanations in philosophy more generally. The overall goal is to offer a new perspective on the issues under discussion, and to prompt philosophers to reconsider some of the established methods by which pragmatic explanations are evaluated.
Knowledge and Other Norms for Assertion, Action, and Belief: A Teleological Account
Authors: Mehta Neil
Published: August 2015

Here I advance a unified account of the structure of the epistemic normativity of assertion, action, and belief. According to my Teleological Account, all of these are epistemically successful just in case they fulfill the primary aim of knowledgeability, an aim which in turn generates a host of secondary epistemic norms. The central features of the Teleological Account are these: it is compact in its reliance on a single central explanatory posit, knowledge‐centered in its insistence that knowledge sets the fundamental epistemic norm, and yet fiercely pluralistic in its acknowledgment of the legitimacy and value of a rich range of epistemic norms distinct from knowledge. Largely in virtue of this pluralist character, I argue, the Teleological Account is far superior to extant knowledge‐centered accounts.
Risk Factors for Antenatal Depression and Associations with Infant Birth Outcomes: Results From a South African Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Brittain Kirsty , Myer Landon , Koen Nastassja , Koopowitz Sheri , Donald Kirsten A. , Barnett Whitney , Zar Heather J. , Stein Dan J.
Published: August 2015

Background

Maternal antenatal depression may be particularly prevalent in low‐ and middle‐income countries, but there is a paucity of data on its effect on birth outcomes in such settings. We investigated risk factors for antenatal depression and the associations between depression and infant birth outcomes in the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), a birth cohort study in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Methods

The prevalence of depression in pregnant women enrolled in the DCHS from primary care antenatal clinics was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II). Predictors of antenatal depression were investigated using logistic regression, and the associations between depression and infant birth outcomes were examined in linear regression models.

Results

Among 726 pregnant women (median age: 26 years), 156 (21%) had BDI‐II scores suggesting depression. Independent predictors of depression included single marital status, low socioeconomic status (SES), recent stressful life events, unplanned pregnancy, childhood trauma, and past‐year intimate partner violence. No association was observed between antenatal depression and preterm birth. Strong associations were observed between antenatal depression and decreased infant weight‐for‐age (WAZ) and head circumference‐for‐age (HCAZ) z‐scores at birth. In multivariable analysis, the association between depression and decreased HCAZ remained significant, when adjusted for clinic, SES, and recent stressful life events.

Conclusions

Antenatal depression and associated risk factors are highly prevalent in this setting and are associated with adverse fetal growth. Maternal mental health may be an important predictor of infant growth in utero.
The impact of product piracy on corporate IP strategy
Authors: Veer Theresa , Berger Florian , Blind Knut
Published: August 2015

We analyze how cases of unauthorized reproduction of a company's technology (‘product piracy’) influence the subsequent intellectual property (IP) protection strategy of around 200 German manufacturing companies. Specifically, we examine whether product piracy induces a stronger use of formal IP strategies or whether a shift to informal protection mechanisms occurs. Using propensity score matching, we compare companies with similar characteristics (e.g. prior IP strategy, business activities, industry affiliation, etc.). We find that imitation incidences induce a stronger use of formal protection rights, whereas for informal protection, we detect no significant differences between the copied companies and the control group. We are able to further distinguish this effect according to firm size and detect that it especially plays out for large firms. These insights raise the question whether large companies should reconsider their further focus on filing additional patents and take the strengths of the alternative protection mechanisms stronger into account. For small firms, our findings raise the concern of a restriction in scope of potential strategic response toward product piracy. On a policy level, the general and further pushed disadvantage for small‐ and medium‐sized companies in the patent system generally calls for a policy initiative, which addresses this problem by addressing their resource constraints.
Beyond invention: the additive impact of incubation capabilities to firm value
Authors: Markovitch Dmitri G. , O'Connor Gina Colarelli , Harper Pamela J.
Published: August 2015

Incubation is a process whereby the firm nurtures breakthrough discoveries and inventions to test their potential as new business platforms. The recent emergence of organizational roles associated with innovation incubation shows that internal incubation is becoming recognized as an important organizational capability. This development also suggests that firms that invest in discovery for competitive advantage recognize a need to leverage that investment more fully. While case studies describe incubation activities and note their importance, empirical research linking this capability to firm performance is limited. The current study represents an initial attempt at exploring the relationship empirically. Our main finding is that financial markets have difficulty valuing a firm's exploratory discovery investments and that the presence of an incubation capability positively moderates the impact of such investments on firm market valuation. The implication of this result is that investments in certain types of R&D may be suboptimized if there is not a parallel investment in a capability to incubate the opportunities that arise from potentially breakthrough inventions.
The impact of organizational culture on a firm's capability to innovate the business model
Authors: Hock Marianne , Clauss Thomas , Schulz Esther
Published: August 2015

Recent literature on business model innovation tries to identify operational changes occurring within the business model components. We suggest that a significant part of the business model cannot be understood without an investigation of the underlying logic of the firm. Drawing on organizational culture literature, this study explores the idea that parts of the capabilities that enable business model innovation are determined by the firm's underlying cultural values. In this study, we utilize existing literature on organizational culture to analyze the underlying organizational values of the two main business model design themes (novelty and efficiency) and link these to the firm's capabilities that foster business model innovation. By empirically analyzing a sample of 305 companies in the engineering industry, we find that novelty‐oriented cultural values foster capabilities (strategic sensitivity, collective commitment and resource fluidity) in favor of business model innovation, while efficiency‐oriented cultural values do not show positive effects. We further find that strategic sensitivity and resource fluidity significantly enhance the propensity to business model innovation.
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonist + long‐acting beta agonist versus long‐acting beta agonist + inhaled corticosteroid for COPD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Horita Nobuyuki , Miyazawa Naoki , Tomaru Koji , Inoue Miyo , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: August 2015

Some trials have been conducted to compare long‐acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) + long‐acting beta agonist (LABA) versus LABA + inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but no meta‐analysis were reported.

Two investigators independently searched for eligible articles using the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane databases. Articles in authors' reference files were also regarded as candidates. The eligibility criteria for the current meta‐analysis were original trials written in English comparing the impact of LAMA + LABA and LABA + ICS for COPD patients. A pooled value for the continuous value was calculated using the genetic inverse variance method for mean difference. Incidence of events was evaluated using the odds ratio (OR). Minimal clinically important difference were 50 mL for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), four points for St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and one point for transition dyspnoea index (TDI).

We included seven randomized controlled trials and one cross‐over trial with follow‐up period of 6–26 weeks. Compared with LABA + ICS, LAMA + LABA led to significantly greater improvements of trough FEV1 by 71 (95% CI: 48–95) mL, TDI by 0.38 points (95% CI: 0.17–0.58), less exacerbations with an OR of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62–0.96) and less pneumonia with an OR of 0.28 (95% CI: 0.12–0.68). Frequencies of any adverse event, serious adverse event, adverse event leading to discontinuation, all‐cause death and change of total score of SGRQ were not different in both arms. LAMA + LABA might be a better option for treating COPD than LABA + ICS.
Current Account Deficit in Mauritius: Risks and Prospects
Authors: Khadaroo Ahmad Jameel
Published: August 2015

Mauritius is often cited by international institutions, including theInternationalMonetaryFund andWorldBank, as a success story in economic development. The island has, since the early 1970s, adopted an export‐led growth strategy to power its economy. However, a constant decline over the last decade in the exports to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio has resulted in a worsening current account toGDPratio, which is now a cause for concern. Using a three‐regime, self‐exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) model, this paper finds that theMauritian economy may converge to either of two current account equilibria, namely a deficit of 9% or a surplus of 2.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis. A dynamic simulation exercise suggests that theMauritian current account is more likely to switch from surplus to deficit equilibrium than from deficit to surplus equilibrium. Given that the prevailing deficit is in the vicinity of the deficit equilibrium, structural policies aiming to boost productivity and efficiency are indispensable for pullingMauritius out of the “deficit trap,” the more so since the island has been experiencing a continuous erosion of trade preferences, which formerly enabled it to have privileged access for its exports to the EU market.
Hand–Schüler–Christian disease presenting with recurrent, bilateral, symmetrical mandibular lesions in an 8‐year‐old boy: report of a case
Authors: Emmanouil Dimitris , Birpou Eleftheria , Chatzidimitriou Konstantina , Matsioula Chrysanthi , Christopoulos Panos , Tosios Konstantinos
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Hand–Schüller–Christian disease (HSC) is the unisystem multifocal form of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) and is primarily seen in infants and children.

Case report

An 8‐year‐old boy was referred for acute mandibular pain. His medical history included otic LCH and diabetes insipidus at age of 11 months. Intraorally, a pressure sensitive swelling, and radiographically, extensive bone loss were revealed on the area of lower second primary molars. The primary molars were extracted and histological examination confirmed the final diagnosis of HSC. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and the lesions decreased considerably. Two years later, a new swelling was recorded in the same area bilaterally. Biopsy confirmed recurrent HSC disease and the patient entered an alternative chemotherapy protocol. Six months later, improvement of the lesions was revealed.

Conclusions

Dentists can contribute to a timely and valid identification of HSC disease by correctly differentially diagnosing lesions of head and neck.
Native American Food Security and Traditional Foods: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Gurney Rachel M. , Caniglia Beth Schaefer , Mix Tamara L. , Baum Kristen A.
Published: August 2015

This piece explores the emergent themes and subthemes represented within the recent contemporary discourse on Native American food security. Analysis revealed traditional foods as the most common theme present within the sampled literature. We offer a review of this theme (and related subthemes such as food access and human and environmental health) to illuminate the primary concerns, opportunities, preferences, and barriers associated with Native American food security. Our assessments also provide a nuanced understanding of existing literature related to food security and sovereignty, as well as key dimensions of environmental and social equality.
The Press and the Financial Crisis: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Schiffrin Anya
Published: August 2015

In recent years, a growing amount of scholarly interest has focused on the nature of the business/financial press and how it covers key economic events. Some of the literature examines the failings of the business press and its focus on narrow, short‐term events instead of analytical writing that educates the public about macroeconomics, including long‐term trends. Other studies have looked at how these tendencies affected press coverage before and during the 2008 financial crisis. As would be expected, the crisis caused an increase in writing about the business/financial press. Initially, the scholarship examined whether the media should have seen the crisis coming and questioned why journalists hadn't done a better job covering it. Other scholars, however, looked at the nature of the coverage itself vis‐à‐vis a larger discussion of how economic issues are framed. Much of the debate mirrored points made in previous analyses on the shortcomings of the business and financial press. They argue that more – or more accurate – information necessarily changes outcomes and tend to make normative judgements about the quality of journalism coverage studied.
[Mis]Placing Race in Biomedical Clinical Context: Racial Categories, Medical Research, and the Reproduction of Health Disparities
Authors: Rondini Ashley C.
Published: August 2015

Notions of racial categories as biologically significant remain persistently salient to oppressive hegemonic ideas about race, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Biomedical and epidemiological researchers are both professionally socialized and institutionally mandated to utilize racial categories in their research design, implementation, and interpretation processes, under the premise that doing so can facilitate the development of measures to combat racial disparities in health outcomes and care. However, when aggregate data intended to illustrate racial disparities are inappropriately extrapolated to the individualized context of biomedical clinical practice, essentialist notions of racial difference are reified. This paper integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from the fields of sociology, medicine, public health, epidemiology, evolutionary biology, and biological anthropology to explore the ideological, historical, and structural contexts through which the conflation of racial categories as indicators of group‐level inequities in health outcomes and care experiences with essentialized notions of biological differences between racial groups may inform disparate care at the level of individual patient encounter in biomedical clinical practice.
A novel HLA allele, HLA‐DQB1*02:57, was identified by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Dai B. , He J. , Zhu F.‐M. , Lv H.‐J.
Published: August 2015

HLA‐DQB1*02:57 has one base substitution at position 260 T>C in exon 2 from HLA‐DQB1*02:01:01.
Olfaction in the kidney: ‘smelling’ gut microbial metabolites
Authors: Natarajan Niranjana , Pluznick Jennifer L.
Published: August 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This review covers recent findings highlighting roles for renal and vascular sensory receptors that modify blood pressure control in response to changes in gut microbial metabolites.

What advances does it highlight?

This review highlights the novel roles that G‐protein‐coupled receptor 41 and olfactory receptor 78 play in blood pressure regulation.

The gut microbiota have recently been recognized as an important component of host physiology and pathophysiology. Our recent studies have shown that a subset of gut microbial metabolites, known as short‐chain fatty acids, act as ligands for host G‐protein‐coupled receptors (G‐protein‐coupled receptor 41 and olfactory receptor 78). Short‐chain fatty acid‐mediated activation of G‐protein‐coupled receptor 41 and olfactory receptor 78 modulates blood pressure control, both by modulating renin secretion and by modulating vascular tone directly. Further studies are needed in order to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanism by which microbiota and microbial metabolites modulate host physiology and their potential implications in health and disease.
The Effect of Laser Type and Power on the Efficiency of Industrial Cutting of Mild and Stainless Steels
Authors: Pocorni Jetro , Petring Dirk , Powell John , Deichsel Eckard , Kaplan Alexander F. H.
Published: August 2015

This paper investigates the effect of material type, material thickness, laser wavelength, and laser power on the efficiency of the cutting process for industrial state-of-the-art cutting machines. The cutting efficiency is defined in its most basic terms: as the area of cut edge created per Joule of laser energy. This fundamental measure is useful in producing a direct comparison between the efficiency of fiber and CO2 lasers when cutting any material. It is well known that the efficiency of the laser cutting process generally reduces as the material thickness increases, because conductive losses from the cut zone are higher at the lower speeds associated with thicker section material. However, there is an efficiency dip at the thinnest sections. This paper explains this dip in terms of a change in laser–material interaction at high cutting speeds. Fiber lasers have a higher cutting efficiency at thin sections than their CO2 counterparts, but the efficiency of fiber laser cutting falls faster than that of CO2 lasers as the material thickness increases. This is the result of a number of factors including changes in cut zone absorptivity and kerf width. This paper presents phenomenological explanations for the relative cutting efficiencies of fiber lasers and CO2 lasers and the mechanisms affecting these efficiencies for stainless steels (cut with nitrogen) and mild steel (cut with oxygen or nitrogen) over a range of thicknesses. The paper involves a discussion of both theoretical and practical engineering issues.
Reducing Geometrical, Physical, and Chemical Constraints in Surface Integrity of High-Performance Stainless Steel Components by Surface Modification
Authors: Lei M. K. , Zhu X. P. , Guo D. M.
Published: August 2015

High-performance manufacturing is difficult to perform using conventional materials removal processes since a surface integrity demand for high-performance components is strongly restricted by intrinsic interactions between the geometrical feature of components and the physical and chemical characteristics of the base material. Surface modification techniques based on known processing loads, including mechanical, thermomechanical, and thermochemical loads, are utilized for manufacturing the Fe–Cr–Ni austenitic stainless steel components. The geometrical feature and the physical and chemical characteristics as well as the controllable interactions between them are identified in the surface integrity of the surface-modified components by creating new surface layers coupled with base material. The effective surface states control, including surface morphology, microhardness, and residual stress, leads to surface integrity improvement by reducing geometrical, physical, and chemical constraints from base materials, otherwise unobtainable merely using conventional materials removal manufacturing. The fatigue life of the surface-modified components is significantly increased due to the improved surface integrity. It is proposed that high surface integrity possesses a pivotal role between the functional properties of components and their geometrical feature and materials characteristics for the high-performance manufacturing.
Theoretical and Experimental Identification of Cantilever Beam With Clearances Using Statistical and Subspace-Based Methods
Authors: Li Bing , Han Luofeng , Jin Wei , Quan Shuanglu
Published: August 2015

Clearance turns up in a large number of engineering structures because of the errors during assembling, manufacturing, and wearing. The presence of clearance in engineering structures changes the normal dynamic response and will result in low precision and short lifetime. The clearance parameter identification of such nonlinear system is the prerequisite to control and eliminate the effect of clearance nonlinearity. In this paper, a derivative plot of probability density function (DPPDF) for displacement response is proposed to precisely identify the clearance value of continuous system, and the nonlinear subspace identification (NSI) method is modified to recognize the related contact stiffness based on the frequency response function (FRF) equations of continuous system. The DPPDF method is carried out by analyzing the distribution characteristic of displacement response, and the clearance value is derived through inspecting the probability density function (PDF) plot and the second derivative plot of the PDF. Based on the identified clearance, the clearance nonlinearity is regarded as external force, and the relationship between the dynamic responses and the external forces in frequency domain can be expressed as the form of FRF equations. Based on the FRF equations, the contact stiffness in continuous system is obtained with modified NSI method. This combined identification process is verified by a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system and a cantilever beam system with clearances, and some influence factors of this identification process, including noise, transfer error, and force level, are discussed in detail. In the end, an experiment device with changeable clearance and contact stiffness was designed to conduct identification experiments, and the results show that the proposed methods perform effectively in identifying the clearance parameters.