bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remixing work, family and leisure: teleworkers' experiences of everyday life
Authors: Hilbrecht Margo , Shaw Susan M. , Johnson Laura C. , Andrey Jean
Published: July 2013

This paper explores whether and in what ways telework is associated with a reconfiguration or remixing of daily work, family and leisure activities. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 51 teleworkers employed in a financial organisation in Canada. For some, telework was a condition of employment, while others negotiated part‐time telework arrangements with managers. Using interpretive thematic analysis techniques, intersections and inter‐relationships between experiences of work, family and leisure were identified. Three main themes emerged, including the need to not only protect, but also containing work time and space; the significance of family and being available for children; and, the relative devaluation of leisure. Although it was anticipated that differences between involuntary and voluntary teleworkers would be evident, gender and family stage were more influential in structuring daily life. The flexibility of telework was valued, but there was little evidence of a reconfiguration of life spheres except for women with children at home.
Voices from higher up the ladder: exploring the team leader role in call centres
Authors: McDonnell Anthony , Connell Julia , Hannif Zeenobiyah , Burgess John
Published: July 2013

This paper focuses on an under‐researched employee category in the call centre literature—the team leader. The paper, drawing on data from nine Australian call centres, finds that the team leader role is integral to the effectiveness of call centres, yet it is a role that consists of considerable complexity and contradictions. The research demonstrates the critical role performed by team leaders: coach, mentor, trainer, performance evaluator, communicator and supervisor. It also shows team leaders as being far more positive about many of the features of the call centre work environment compared with those on the front line. However, there does appear to be a need for greater acknowledgement of their challenging role, the contradictions that are inherent in the job and the need, in many cases, for increased support being made available to assist.
Difficulties in the neuroscience of creativity: jazz improvisation and the scientific method
Authors: McPherson Malinda , Limb Charles J.
Published: July 2013

Creativity is a fundamental and remarkable human capacity, yet the scientific study of creativity has been limited by the difficulty of reconciling the scientific method and creative processes. We outline several hurdles and considerations that should be addressed when studying the cognitive neuroscience of creativity and suggest that jazz improvisation may be one of the most useful experimental models for the study of spontaneous creativity. More broadly, we argue that studying creativity in a way that is both scientifically and ecologically valid requires collaboration between neuroscientists and artists.
Cardiac considerations in the operative management of the patient with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Cripe Linda H. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: July 2013

Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is a progressive multisystem neuromuscular disorder. In addition to the skeletal muscle, the myocardium in the DMD/BMD patient is dystrophin deficient which results in a progressive cardiomyopathy. The myopathic myocardium poses significant risk of increased morbidity and mortality at the time of major surgical procedures. Careful attention must be given to the DMD/BMD patient during the intraoperative and postoperative period. Anesthesia selection is critical and anesthetics should be avoided which have been shown to be harmful in this patient population. Preanesthesia assessment should include cardiac consultation and detailed preoperative evaluation. Intraoperative management needs to insure that the weakened myocardium is not compromised by physiologic changes such as hypotension or major fluid shifts. Finally, attention to the cardiac status of the patient must continue into the postoperative period. The surgical care of the DMD/BMD patient requires a multispecialty approach to insure operative success.
Oxygen‐Dependent Photochemistry and Photophysics of “MiniSOG,” a Protein‐Encased Flavin
Authors: Pimenta Frederico M. , Jensen Rasmus L. , Breitenbach Thomas , Etzerodt Michael , Ogilby Peter R.
Published: July 2013

Selected photochemical and photophysical parameters of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) have been examined under conditions in which FMN is (1) solvated in a buffered aqueous solution, and (2) encased in a protein likewise solvated in a buffered aqueous solution. The latter was achieved using the so‐called “mini Singlet Oxygen Generator” (miniSOG), an FMN‐containing flavoprotein engineered from Arabidopsis thaliana phototropin 2. Although FMN is a reasonably good singlet oxygen photosensitizer in bulk water (ϕΔ = 0.65 ± 0.04), enclosing FMN in this protein facilitates photoinitiated electron‐transfer reactions (Type‐I chemistry) at the expense of photosensitized singlet oxygen production (Type‐II chemistry) and results in a comparatively poor yield of singlet oxygen (ϕΔ = 0.030 ± 0.002). This observation on the effect of the local environment surrounding FMN is supported by a host of spectroscopic and chemical trapping experiments. The results of this study not only elucidate the behavior of miniSOG but also provide useful information for the further development of well‐characterized chromophores suitable for use as intracellular sensitizers in mechanistic studies of reactive oxygen species.
Optimal immune defence in the light of variation in lifespan
Authors: Boots M. , Donnelly R. , White A.
Published: July 2013

There is good evidence for costs to both the uses of immune defences and their development and maintenance. The optimal defence will be a balance of these costs with the risk of infection and the virulence of the disease. It is therefore clear that the life‐history characteristics of both host and parasite will impact the optimal level of defence, and that this may in part explain the variation in immune defence against different pathogens and parasites. For instance, it has traditionally been suggested that long‐lived hosts should invest in immune memory. Ecological evolutionary theory can be used to examine in detail how different host characteristics will affect the optimal immune response that evolves. Here, we review theoretical studies on the impact of host lifespan on various immune defence characteristics including acquired immunity and highlight the importance of population‐level epidemiological feedbacks on the outcome. In particular, we discuss when longer‐lived hosts may invest less in acquired immunity and develop new theory to highlight the importance of the mechanism of host population regulation to the outcome. We finish by discussing where more theory is needed and how comparative and experimental studies may test the theory.
Fat cells and membranous fat necrosis of aortic valves: A clinicopathological study
Authors: Matsukuma Susumu , Takeo Hiroaki , Kono Takako , Sato Kimiya
Published: July 2013

We examined 152 aortic valves (AVs), which included 82 postmortem non‐dysfunctional AVs (nd‐AVs) and 70 surgically removed dysfunctional AVs showing aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR), or combined AS and AR (AS‐R). Fat cells, membranous fat necrosis (MFN), and fat‐MFN‐related lesions composed of fat cells and/or MFN were found in 127 (83.6%), 110 (72.4%), and 140 (92.1%) of 152 AVs, respectively, and all were associated with older age (P = 0.010, P = 0.022, and P = 0.003, respectively). MFN was associated with fibrous thickening and calcification (both, P = 0.001). Nd‐AV fat cells and fat‐MFN‐related lesions were not correlated with body mass index. Compared with age‐ and sex‐matched control cases, MFN in AS and AS‐R cases was more frequent (P = 0.030 and P = 0.045, respectively), but MFN in AR cases showed no significant differences. Fat‐MFN‐related lesions, possibly representing true preceding fat cells, showed no differences in AVs with and without dysfunction or in dysfunctional types. These data suggest that AV fat cells are age‐related, obesity‐independent, and AV dysfunction‐unrelated common phenomenon. MFN is also age‐dependent and could be caused by AS and AS‐R, which is probably concerned with AV thickening and calcification.
Over‐expression of BACH2 is related to ongoing somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene variable region of de novo diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kikuchi Tomoki , Tokunaka Mami , Kikuti Yara Yukie , Carreras Joaquim , Ogura Go , Takekoshi Susumu , Kojima Minoru , Ando Kiyoshi , Hashimoto Yuko , Abe Masafumi , Takata Katsuyoshi , Yoshino Tadashi , Muto Akihiko , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Nakamura Naoya
Published: July 2013

The basic region–leucine zipper (bZip) factor BTB, CNC homology 2 (BACH2) is known to have important roles in class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) gene. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression of BACH2 and the status of SHM of the Ig heavy chain gene variable region (IgHV) for SHM in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We examined 20 cases of DLBCL, 13 of which were germinal center B‐cell (GCB) DLBCL and 7 were non‐GCB DLBCL. Seven cases were negative, 6 were positive (cytoplasmic expression) and 7 were strongly positive (both nuclear and cytoplasmic expression) for BACH2. Confirmed mutation (CM) was identified in 8 cases and the CM index (number of confirmed mutations per 10 subclones) was distributed from 0 to 5. A CM index of 7 strongly positive (over‐expression) cases with BACH2 were distributed from 0 to 5, and that of 7 negative and 6 positive cases were distributed from 0 to 1. Over‐expression of BACH2 was statistically related to CM index (P = 0.008). In conclusion, over‐expression of BACH2 is critical for ongoing SHM of IgHV in DLBCL, and our data suggest that BACH2 may play an essential role for SHM of the Ig gene in B‐cell lymphoma.
Desmin‐positivity in spindle cells: Under‐recognized immunophenotype of lipoblastoma
Authors: Kubota Fumie , Matsuyama Atsuji , Shibuya Ryo , Nakamoto Mitsuhiro , Hisaoka Masanori
Published: July 2013

Lipoblastoma is a distinct benign fatty tumor composed of adipocytes, lipoblasts, and primitive mesenchymal cells with a myxoid stroma. Lipoblastoma harbors characteristic fusion genes involving thePLAG1,resulting in aberrant expression ofPLAG1. However, the nature of the primitive mesenchymal cells remains obscure. In our routine pathology practice, we noticed desmin‐positive spindle mesenchymal cells in lipoblastomas, which is a hitherto poorly described phenomenon. Thus, we examined the expression of several myogenic markers including desmin in a variety of 95 mesenchymal tumors with fatty elements. Fourteen of the 15 lipoblastomas examined contained desmin‐positive spindle cells, which also showed nuclear expression ofPLAG1, whereas α‐smooth muscle actin, muscle specific actin,h‐caldesmon, and myogenin were negative. Some spindle cells in subsets of atypical lipomatous tumors/well differentiated liposarcomas (6/20), dedifferentiated liposarcomas (11/31) and pleomorphic liposarcomas (2/10) were positive for actins and/or desmin, supporting focal myofibroblastic or smooth muscle differentiation. The other tumors, including 11 myxoid/round cell liposarcomas, four spindle cell lipomas, and four lipofibromatoses, were negative for all of the myogenic markers assessed. The almost consistent desmin expression in spindle mesenchymal cells suggests a potential diagnostic utility of this marker and myofibroblastic phenotype of fractions in lipoblastoma cells.
The Roles of Bank and Trade Credits: Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Cai Gangshu (George) , Chen Xiangfeng , Xiao Zhiguo
Published: July 2013

This study investigates the roles of bank and trade credits in a supply chain with a capital‐constrained retailer facing demand uncertainty. We evaluate the retailer's optimal order quantity and the creditors' optimal credit limits and interest rates in two scenarios. In the single‐credit scenario, we find the retailer prefers trade credit, if the trade credit market is more competitive than the bank credit market; otherwise, the retailer's preference of a specific credit type depends on the risk levels that the retailer would divert trade credit and bank credit to other risky investments. In the dual‐credit scenario, if the bank credit market is more competitive than the trade credit market, the retailer first borrows bank credit prior to trade credit, but then switches to borrowing trade credit prior to bank credit as the retailer's internal capital declines. In contrast, if the trade credit market is more competitive, the retailer borrows only trade credit. We further analytically prove that the two credits are complementary if the retailer's internal capital is substantially low but become substitutable as the internal capital grows, and then empirically validate this prediction based on a panel of 674 firms in China over the period 2001–2007.
Diversity of virulence phenotypes among annual populations of wheat leaf rust in Israel from 1993 to 2008
Authors: Kosman E. , Ben‐Yehuda P. , Manisterski J.
Published: July 2013

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, is the most common rust disease of wheat in wheat‐producing areas worldwide. The Israeli population of wheat leaf rust has been consistently monitored since 1993. A total of 840 single urediniospore isolates from Triticum aestivum (567), T. dicoccoides (119) and T. durum (154) were analysed during 1993–2008. The structure of the pathogen population has changed to a large extent since 1993. The annual populations of P. triticina were separated into two distinct groups: 1993–1999 and 2000–2008. Differentiation among the annual pathogen populations, as well as between the overall populations of the 1990s and 2000s, could be mainly attributed to the following forces: (i) migration of leaf rust urediniospores from neighbouring regions; and (ii) selection pressure of new yellow rust‐resistant wheat cultivars that have been introduced into Israel since 1997. Genetic multiplicity of wild emmer contributes to P. triticina variability in Israel. Leaf rust populations collected from common wheat, wild emmer and durum wheat differed. The population that originated from T. durum was rather stable during the years of the survey, whereas that from T. aestivum changed significantly from the 1990s to the 2000s. Diversity within the annual populations of P. triticina was highest in 1994 when many new pathotypes and associations between virulences were observed. Single‐step derivatives of the new pathotypes became dominant after 2000. Significant changes in virulence frequency to a number of Lr genes (e.g. Lr2a, Lr15, Lr17, Lr21, Lr26) were also registered in 2000–2008.
Identification of the herbaceous host range of Apple scar skin viroid and analysis of its progeny variants
Authors: Walia Y. , Dhir S. , Ram R. , Zaidi A. A. , Hallan V.
Published: July 2013

Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) is the type member of the genus Apscaviroid of the family Pospiviroidae and is known to cause scarring and dappling of apple fruits. The herbaceous host range of ASSVd was identified using an infectious dimeric clone. Among 13 plant species inoculated with the viroid, nine were found to be systemic hosts and three served as indicator hosts. The viroid could be transferred to these hosts through agroinoculation, rubbing of dimeric RNA transcripts, dimeric DNA plasmids and through sap inoculation. Single‐strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the progeny obtained after inoculation of the infectious ASSVd clone showed the presence of four sequence variants (V1, V2, V3 and V4) which was also confirmed by sequencing. Two sequence variants (V1 and V3) were identified as dominant, representing 47·72 and 36·36% of the total progeny, respectively. The V4 sequence variant was similar to the wild type and occurred at a frequency of only 4·5% of the total progeny.
The effect of silicon on antioxidant metabolism of wheat leaves infected by Pyricularia oryzae
Authors: Debona D. , Rodrigues F. A. , Rios J. A. , Nascimento K. J. T. , Silva L. C.
Published: July 2013

This study investigated whether the increase in wheat resistance to blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, potentiated by silicon (Si) is linked to changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. Wheat plants (cv. BR 18) were grown in hydroponic culture with either 0 (–Si) or 2 mm (+Si) Si and half of the plants in each group were inoculated with P. oryzae. Blast severity in the +Si plants was 70% lower compared to the −Si plants at 96 h after inoculation (hai). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities were higher in the leaves of the −Si plants compared with the +Si plants at 96 hai. This indicates that other mechanisms may have limited P. oryzae infection in the +Si plants restricting the generation of reactive oxygen species, obviating the need for increased antioxidative enzyme activity. In contrast, glutathione reductase (GR) activity at 96 hai was higher in the +Si plants than in the −Si plants. Although the inoculated plants showed significantly higher concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) than the non‐inoculated plants, lower MDA concentrations were observed in the +Si plants compared with the −Si plants. The lower MDA concentration associated with decreased activities of SOD, CAT, POX, APX and GST, suggest that the amount of reactive oxygen species was lower in the +Si plants. However, GR appears to play a pivotal role in limiting oxidative stress caused by P. oryzae infection in +Si plants.
Evidence and Implications of Regime Shifts: Time‐Varying Effects of the United States and Japanese Economies on House Prices in Hawaii
Authors: Krainer John , Wilcox James A.
Published: July 2013

We show that local house prices may be driven almost entirely by the demands of one identifiable group for several years and then by demands of another group at other times. We present evidence that house prices in Hawaii were subject to such regime shifts. Prices responded to demands associated with U.S. incomes and wealth for most years from 1975 through 2008. For about a decade starting in the middle of the 1980s, after the Japanese yen appreciated dramatically and Japanese housing and stock market wealth soared, however, house prices in Hawaii responded to Japanese incomes and wealth. Estimated models with these regime shifts outperformed conventional, constant‐coefficient models. The regime‐shifting model helps explain why, when and by how much the volatility and the elasticities of house prices in Hawaii with respect to the incomes and wealth of the United States and Japan varied over time.
The Foreclosure–House Price Nexus: A Panel VAR Model for U.S. States, 1981–2009
Authors: Calomiris Charles W. , Longhofer Stanley D. , Miles William R.
Published: July 2013

Despite housing's economic importance, little has been written on how foreclosures and home prices interact in a framework that includes macroeconomic and housing variables such as employment, permits or sales. Panel VAR results for quarterly state‐level data indicate that price–foreclosure linkages run both ways. Foreclosures negatively impact home prices. The negative impact of prices on foreclosures, however, is much larger. These results suggest the low‐frequency association observed between foreclosures and prices is mostly driven by the endogenous adjustment of foreclosures to prices via the strategic choices of homeowners and lenders, rather than through the effects of foreclosures on home prices.
Robust Repeat Sales Indexes
Authors: Bourassa Steven C. , Cantoni Eva , Hoesli Martin
Published: July 2013

Using single‐family sales data for Louisville, Kentucky, we show the benefits of applying robust methods to down‐weight problematic transactions in a repeat sales context. Robust estimators reduce the influence of outliers in repeat sales price changes that are due to data entry errors, quality changes or nonmarket transactions. In addition to comparing conventional and robust indexes, we also use simulated data, where the correct index is known, to show that robust methods control for the impacts of contaminated data. Finally, we demonstrate that robust methods reduce the magnitude and volatility of index revisions.
Housing Tenure Transitions of Older Households: What is the Role of Child Proximity?
Authors: Lee Kwan Ok , Painter Gary
Published: July 2013

This study examines the role of proximity of children to their parents and recent moves of children within a proximate distance in housing tenure transitions of older households. This study is the first to investigate the interplay between health status of older households, moves of their children and a household's decision to make housing tenure transitions. In doing so, we rely on longitudinal household data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics with residential location information at the census tract level. The results demonstrate that after controlling for the financial and demographic characteristics of children, living near children reduces the likelihood of making a housing tenure transition for older households, but that the impact of distance is not monotonic with respect to the degree of geographic distances. The results also demonstrate that if a child enters or moves closer to her or his parents’ home, it increases the probability that older households exit homeownership. Finally, we find no evidence that children's moves mitigate the likelihood that their older parents whose health deteriorates become renters.
Modeling Risk‐Related Knowledge in Tunneling Projects
Authors: Cárdenas Ibsen Chivatá , Al‐Jibouri Saad S.H. , Halman Johannes I.M. , van Tol Frits A.
Published: July 2013

Knowledge on failure events and their associated factors, gained from past construction projects, is regarded as potentially extremely useful in risk management. However, a number of circumstances are constraining its wider use. Such knowledge is usually scarce, seldom documented, and even unavailable when it is required. Further, there exists a lack of proven methods to integrate and analyze it in a cost‐effective way. This article addresses possible options to overcome these difficulties. Focusing on limited but critical potential failure events, the article demonstrates how knowledge on a number of important potential failure events in tunnel works can be integrated. The problem of unavailable or incomplete information was addressed by gathering judgments from a group of experts. The elicited expert knowledge consisted of failure scenarios and associated probabilistic information. This information was integrated using Bayesian belief‐networks‐based models that were first customized in order to deal with the expected divergence in judgments caused by epistemic uncertainty of risks. The work described in the article shows that the developed models that integrate risk‐related knowledge provide guidance as to the use of specific remedial measures.
On the Integrability of a Generalized Variable‐Coefficient Forced Korteweg‐de Vries Equation in Fluids
Authors: Tian Shou‐Fu , Zhang Hong‐Qing
Published: July 2013

With the inhomogeneities of media taken into account, under investigation is hereby a generalized variable‐coefficient forced Korteweg‐de Vries (vc‐fKdV) equation, which describes shallow‐water waves, internal gravity waves, etc. Under an integrable constraint condition on the variable coefficients, in this paper, the complete integrability of the generalized vc‐fKdV equation is proposed. By virtue of a generalization of Bells polynomials, we systematically present its bilinear representations, Bäcklund transformations, Lax pairs and Darboux covariant Lax pairs, which can be reduced to the ones of some integrable models, such as vcKdV model, cylindrical KdV equation, and an analytical model of tsunami generation. It is very interesting that its bilinear formulism is free for the integrable constraint condition. Besides, researching the Lax equations yield its infinitely conservation laws, all conserved densities and fluxes of them are obtained by explicit recursion formulas. Furthermore, by considering its bilinear formulism with an extra auxiliary variable, we present the soliton solutions and Riemann theta function periodic wave solutions of the equation. According to the constraint among the nonlinear, dispersive, and line‐damping coefficients, we further discuss the solitonic structures and interaction properties by some graphic analysis. Finally, the relationships between the periodic wave solutions and soliton solutions are presented in detail by a limiting procedure.
Musical taste, employment, education, and global region
Authors: North Adrian C. , Davidson Jane W.
Published: July 2013

Sociologists have argued that musical taste should vary between social groups, but have not considered whether the effect extends beyond taste into uses of music and also emotional reactions to music. Moreover, previous research has ignored the culture in which participants are located. The present research employed a large sample from five post‐industrial global regions and showed that musical taste differed between regions but not according to education and employment; and that there were three‐way interactions between education, employment, and region in the uses to which participants put music and also their typical emotional reactions. In addition to providing partial support for existing sociological theory, the findings highlight the potential of culture as a variable in future quantitative research on taste.
Striae distensae are characterized by distinct microstructural features as measured by non‐invasive methods in vivo
Authors: Bertin C. , Lopes‐DaCunha A. , Nkengne A. , Roure R. , Stamatas G. N.
Published: July 2013

Background

Stretch marks or striae distensae (SD) are characterized by epidermal atrophy following repeated over‐stretching of the skin tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate the skin texture and microstructure of SD lesions compared to those of normal adjacent skin in vivo using non‐invasive methods.

Methods

A population of 26 women and 3 men with SD were examined after giving written informed consent. Following clinical grading, skin replicas were collected, confocal microscopy was performed on SD lesions and healthy neighboring skin. Skin surface texture parameters were calculated using 3D image analysis of the skin replicas and epidermal and dermal microstructure were evaluated by analysis of the confocal images. In a parallel study, histological analysis was performed on 6 skin biopsies taken from abdominal reduction surgeries in areas where skin exhibited SD.

Results

Analysis of the skin surface texture showed that the SD area was more anisotropic and with higher skin roughness than the adjacent skin in terms of directions of skin microglyphics. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that SD were characterized by shallower dermal papillae (P < 0.05) and that dermal papillae height inversely correlated to the intensity of collagen alignment on the SD sites (P < 0.05). The histology findings confirmed the in vivo confocal microscopy findings.

Conclusions

The skin structure of SD is qualitatively and quantitatively different compared to healthy skin. Altered skin relief reflects structural modifications in the dermis. Flattening of the dermal–epidermal junction maybe functionally related to the observed collagen fiber alignment. Observations by non‐invasive methods were in line with the histological findings and therefore relevant in studies assessing the efficacy of SD treatment options.
Impact of various color LED flashlights and different lighting source to skin distances on the manual and the computer‐aided detection of basal cell carcinoma borders
Authors: Bakht Mohamadreza K. , Pouladian Majid , Mofrad Farshid B. , Honarpisheh Hamid
Published: July 2013

Background/aims

Quantitative analysis based on digital skin image has been proven to be helpful in dermatology. Moreover, the borders of the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions have been challenging borders for the automatic detection methods. In this work, a computer‐aided dermatoscopy system was proposed to enhance the clinical detection of BCC lesion borders.

Methods

Fifty cases of BCC were selected and 2000 pictures were taken. The lesion images data were obtained with eight colors of flashlights and in five different lighting source to skin distances (SSDs). Then, the image‐processing techniques were used for automatic detection of lesion borders. Further, the dermatologists marked the lesions on the obtained photos.

Results

Considerable differences between the obtained values referring to the photographs that were taken at super blue and aqua green color lighting were observed for most of the BCC borders. It was observed that by changing the SSD, an optimum distance could be found where that the accuracy of the detection reaches to a maximum value.

Conclusion

This study clearly indicates that by changing SSD and lighting color, manual and automatic detection of BCC lesions borders can be enhanced.
Comments on the paper ‘Type I error and test power of different tests for testing interaction effects in factorial experiments’ by M. Mendes and S. Yigit (Statistica Neerlandica, 2013, pp. 1–26)
Authors: Brunner Edgar , Puri Madan L.
Published: July 2013

We give some comments on the paper by Mendes and Yigit where some misleading statements on rank tests have been given. Also, we give some additional important references on the same topic, which are not cited in this paper. By extending the simulations presented in the Mendes and Yigit paper to larger and unequal sample sizes, we demonstrate that the main conclusions are misleading.
Comment on ‘Type I error and test power of different tests for testing interaction effects in factorial experiments’
Authors: Konietschke Frank , Gao Xin , Bathke Arne C.
Published: July 2013

We discuss the rank transform method and particularly the hypotheses being tested. Some counter examples show that the rank transformation method is invalid in factorial designs.
Can Indispensability‐Driven Platonists Be (Serious) Presentists?
Authors: Baron Sam
Published: July 2013

In this articleIconsider what it would take to combine a certain kind of mathematicalPlatonism with serious presentism.Iargue that a Platonist moved to accept the existence of mathematical objects on the basis of an indispensability argument faces a significant challenge if she wishes to accept presentism. This is because, on the one hand, the indispensability argument can be reformulated as a new argument for the existence of past entities and, on the other hand, if one accepts the indispensability argument for mathematical objects then it is hard to resist the analogous argument for the existence of the past.
The plant‐specific transcription factor gene NAC103 is induced by bZIP60 through a new cis‐regulatory element to modulate the unfolded protein response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sun Ling , Yang Zheng‐Ting , Song Ze‐Ting , Wang Mei‐Jing , Sun Le , Lu Sun‐Jie , Liu Jian‐Xiang
Published: July 2013

The unfolded protein response (UPR) plays important roles in plant development and plant–pathogen interactions, as well as in plant adaptation to adverse environmental stresses. Previously bZIP28 and bZIP60 have been identified as important UPR regulators for mitigating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we report the biological function of NAC103 in a novel transcriptional regulatory cascade, connecting bZIP60 to the UPR downstream genes in Arabidopsis. Expression of NAC103 was induced by ER stress, and was completely abolished in the bZIP60 null mutant. A new ER stress‐responsive cis‐element UPRE–III (TCATCG) on the NAC103 promoter was identified, and trans‐activation of UPRE–III by bZIP60 was confirmed in both yeast cells and Arabidopsis protoplasts. The direct binding of bZIP60 to UPRE–III‐containing DNA was also demonstrated in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. NAC103 formed homodimers in yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. It had transcriptional activation activity and was localized in the nucleus. Over‐expression of NAC103 had pleiotropic effects on plant growth, and induced expression of several UPR downstream genes in Arabidopsis under normal growth conditions. The activation of UPR gene promoters by NAC103 was also confirmed in effector/reporter protoplast assays. Thus, our study demonstrates a transcriptional regulatory cascade in which NAC103 relays ER stress signals from bZIP60 to UPR downstream genes through a newly identified ER stress cis‐element (UPRE–III) and transcriptional activation activity of its encoded protein NAC103.
Phosphorylation of S344 in the calmodulin‐binding domain negatively affects CCaMK function during bacterial and fungal symbioses
Authors: Routray Pratyush , Miller J. Benjamin , Du Liqun , Oldroyd Giles , Poovaiah B. W.
Published: July 2013

Calcium and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) plays a critical role in the signaling pathway that establishes root nodule symbiosis and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Calcium‐dependent autophosphorylation is central to the regulation of CCaMK, and this has been shown to promote calmodulin binding. Here, we report a regulatory mechanism of Medicago truncatula CCaMK (MtCCaMK) through autophosphorylation of S344 in the calmodulin‐binding/autoinhibitory domain. The phospho‐ablative mutation S344A did not have significant effect on its kinase activities, and supports root nodule symbiosis and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, indicating that phosphorylation at this position is not required for establishment of symbioses. The phospho‐mimic mutation S344D show drastically reduced calmodulin‐stimulated substrate phosphorylation, and this coincides with a compromised interaction with calmodulin and its interacting partner, IPD3. Functional complementation tests revealed that the S344D mutation blocked root nodule symbiosis and reduced the mycorrhizal association. Furthermore, S344D was shown to suppress the spontaneous nodulation associated with a gain‐of‐function mutant of MtCCaMK (T271A), revealing that phosphorylation at S344 of MtCCaMK is adequate for shutting down its activity, and is epistatic over previously identified T271 autophosphorylation. These results reveal a mechanism that enables CCaMK to ‘turn off’ its function through autophosphorylation.
TIME FOR COFFEE is an essential component in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sanchez‐Villarreal Alfredo , Shin Jieun , Bujdoso Nora , Obata Toshihiro , Neumann Ulla , Du Shen‐Xiu , Ding Zhaojun , Davis Amanda M. , Shindo Takayuki , Schmelzer Elmon , Sulpice Ronan , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano , Stitt Mark , Fernie Alisdair R. , Davis Seth J.
Published: July 2013

Plants often respond to environmental changes by reprogramming metabolic and stress‐associated pathways. Homeostatic integration of signaling is a central requirement for ensuring metabolic stability in living organisms. Under diurnal conditions, properly timed rhythmic metabolism provides fitness benefits to plants. TIME FOR COFFEE (TIC) is a circadian regulator known to be involved in clock resetting at dawn. Here we explored the mechanism of influence of TIC in plant growth and development, as initiated by a microarray analysis. This global profiling showed that a loss of TIC function causes a major reprogramming of gene expression that predicts numerous developmental, metabolic, and stress‐related phenotypes. This led us to demonstrate that this mutant exhibits late flowering, a plastochron defect, and diverse anatomical phenotypes. We further observed a starch‐excess phenotype and altered soluble carbohydrate levels. tic exhibited hypersensitivity to oxidative stress and abscisic acid, and this was associated with a striking resistance to drought. These phenotypes were connected to an increase in total glutathione levels that correlated with a readjustment of amino acids and polyamine pools. By comparatively analyzing our transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we concluded that TIC is a central element in plant homeostasis that integrates and coordinates developmental, metabolic, and environmental signals.
Cutaneous lesions associated with dual infection caused by canine distemper virus and orthopoxvirus in a domestic cat
Authors: Wiener Dominique J. , Welle Monika M. , Origgi Francesco C.
Published: July 2013

Background

Within the context of an increased epidemiological pressure caused by canine distemper virus (CDV) in Switzerland together with a potential re‐emergence of endemic pathogens such as orthopoxviruses (OPXV), dual infections are possible among susceptible species.

Objective

To describe a case of concurrent CDV and OPXV infection in a cat.

Animal

A 5‐year‐old, neutered male cat was presented with erythema, crusts and ulcerations around the left eye. High‐grade pruritus and a severe conjunctivitis were also present.

Methods

Formalin‐fixed skin biopsy samples were obtained from lesional skin. Histopathology, CDV immunohistochemistry and CDV and OPXV RT‐PCR were performed.

Results

Histopathological examination showed severe epidermal necrosis extending to the follicular walls and a dermal infiltration, predominantly eosinophilic. Intranuclear and intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were visible in the wall of affected hair follicles, with occasional formation of syncytia. The RT‐PCR revealed the contextual presence of both CDV and OPXV. Scattered cells stained positive for CDV by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusion and discussion

Dual infections with CDV and OPXV, although rare, may occur and represent additional differential diagnoses for ulcerative skin lesions in cats.
Tunable Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanoscroll Crystals Under Uniaxial Lateral Compression
Authors: Shi Xinghua , Yin Qifang , Pugno Nicola M. , Gao Huajian
Published: July 2013

A theoretical model is developed to investigate the mechanical behavior of closely packed carbon nanoscrolls (CNSs), the so-called CNS crystals, subjected to uniaxial lateral compression/decompression. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to verify the model predictions. It is shown that the compression behavior of a CNS crystal can exhibit strong hysteresis that may be tuned by an applied electric field. The present study demonstrates the potential of CNSs for applications in energy-absorbing materials as well as nanodevices, such as artificial muscles, where reversible and controllable volumetric deformations are desired.
Investigation of the Machinability of PA-6/nano-CaCO3 Composite
Authors: Zinati Reza Farshbaf , Razfar Mohammad Reza , Haghi Mehdi
Published: July 2013

Nowadays, polymer nano-composites have attracted manufacturers’ attention because of good mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. During the past decade, the requirement of the direct machining of polymer nano-composites increases because most of the polymer nano-composites were produced by extrusion method in simple cross section shapes and request for personalized products increases. In this study, the effect of milling parameters (spindle speed and feed per tooth) and nano-CaCO3 content on the machinability properties of PA-6/nano-CaCO3 composites was studied by means of analysis of variance. Additionally, the effect of nano-CaCO3 content on the mechanical properties of PA-6/nano-CaCO3 composites was investigated. To this end, several experiments were carried out on PA-6/nano-CaCO3 composites to attain the required data. The results reveal that the nano-CaCO3 content on PA-6 significantly decreases the cutting forces, but does not have a considerable significance on surface roughness.
Life Cycle Analysis of Diamond Coating of Machining Tools
Authors: Wilfong Carlos , Gomez Humberto , Durham Delcie
Published: July 2013

To begin to identify the environmental impacts of coated cutting tools, lathe cutting inserts were coated with a thin film of diamond. To assess the environmental impacts of the coating process on the life cycle analysis (LCA) of a cutting tool, all chemical processes, including pre- and post-deposition processes and energy expenditures were monitored and recorded for entry into SimaPro LCA software. For the conditions evaluated, the primary deposition process was found to have a carbon footprint of 6.6 equivalent kilograms of carbon dioxide, and the etching process was found to be responsible for 96.8 equivalent grams of carbon dioxide.
Surface Variation Reduction for Face Milling Based on High-Definition Metrology
Authors: Tai Bruce L. , Wang Hui , Nguye Hai , Hu S. Jack , Shih Albert
Published: July 2013

This paper develops a face milling planning method to reduce surface height variation based on the high definition metrology (HDM). HDM provides high-lateral resolution data over an area up to 300×300 mm2. The measurement results on production engine head surfaces reveal a strong correlation between the surface height and the effective material removal rate (eMRR) along the cutting path. Such a correlation can be explained by a cutting force model which verifies that the surface variation is attributed to the axial cutting force variations, and the axial force is proportional to the eMRR. This paper proposes a machining algorithm that minimizes eMRR to reduce the cutting force variation by altering the feed rate and cutter path, thereby reducing the surface height variation. The varying feed approach can eliminate one surface pattern in the case study without significantly changing the cycle time. The optimized cutter path results in 25% reduction in zone flatness on the other surface pattern. This improvement demonstrates the potential of the eMRR based approach in attaining cost-effective high-precision machining. The method may also be extended to a wide range of face milling applications.
Ultrasonic-Vibration Assisted Pelleting for Cellulosic Ethanol Manufacturing: Effects of Particle Size and Moisture Content on Power Consumption
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Pengfei , Pritchett Graham , Pei Z. J. , Zhang Meng , Song Xiaoxu , Deines T. W.
Published: July 2013

Ethanol produced from cellulosic materials is an alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels. However, its manufacturing costs are too high to be competitive at present. Raw cellulosic biomass materials have low density, causing their transportation and handling expensive, contributing to high manufacturing costs of cellulosic ethanol. Pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic biomass and reduce their transportation and handling costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting is a new pelleting method. Earlier studies show that moisture content and particle size have significant effects on pellet quality and sugar yield. However, their effects on power consumption in UV-A pelleting have not been studied. Since power consumption directly affects ethanol manufacturing costs, it is desirable to understand how input variables affect power consumption. The objective of this paper is to study effects of moisture content and particle size on power consumption in UV-A pelleting of wheat straw. Results show that higher moisture content and larger particle size result in higher power consumption.
Optimization of Machining Parameters in CFRP/Ti Stacks Drilling
Authors: Krishnaraj V. , Prabukarthi A. , Santhosh M. , Senthilkumar M. , Zitoune R.
Published: July 2013

Carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) and titanium (Ti) stacks have been steadily replacing metals as choice for engineering materials in aerospace applications. Although materials can be manufactured separately and stacked together to attain a near-net shape, it still involves post processing operations such as trimming and drilling. In order to drill holes efficiently without defects (delamination, circularity, variation in hole diameter) in the CFRP/Ti stacks, it is essential to understand the machining behavior of stacks. An experimental study on the drilling of CFRP/Ti stacks was conducted using K20 carbide drill. The drilling characteristics were evaluated for drilling force and torque, delamination in CFRP, drilled-hole quality (hole diameter and circularity) and exit burr height in Ti. This paper describes an attempt made to maximize the hole quality parameters by employing multi-objective optimization using weighted sum method.
Thin-Film PVDF Sensor Based Monitoring of Cutting Forces in Peripheral End Milling
Authors: Ma Lei , Melkote Shreyes N. , Morehouse John B. , Castle James B. , Fonda James W. , Johnson Melissa A.
Published: July 2013

A sensor module that integrates a thin film Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric strain sensor and an in situ data logging platform has been designed and implemented for monitoring of feed and transverse forces in the peripheral end milling process. The module, which is mounted on the tool shank, measures the dynamic strain(s) produced in the tool and logs the data into an on-board card for later retrieval. The close proximity between the signal source and the PVDF sensor(s) minimizes the attenuation and distortion of the signal along the transmitting path and provides high-fidelity signals. It also facilitates the employment of a first principles model based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the constitutive equations of the piezoelectric sensor material to relate the in situ measured PVDF sensor signals to the feed and transverse forces acting on the tool. The PVDF sensor signals are found to compare well with the force signals measured by a platform type piezoelectric force dynamometer in peripheral end milling experiments.
Application of OLI Electrolyte Simulation to the Resolution of Corrosion Concerns Within a Reciprocating Compressor
Authors: Stewart Diane L. , Gerbino Anthony J. , Scribner Tony
Published: July 2013

A 38 MMSCF/D Cooper Bessemer Model LM-9 reciprocating compressor in hydrogen service at the Praxair Westlake LA facility has experienced notable particulate contamination within the feed gas. The particulates were believed to be caused by upstream piping corrosion; however, to definitely state the cause, the properties of the fluid existing in the five-stage compressor needed to be more fully understood. An OLI electrochemical simulation software was used for dew point prediction, determination of the condensed phase ionic equilibria, and corrosion rate prediction. These tasks were beyond capabilities of the site-licensed UniSim software, as presently configured. Specifically, the model was used to identify the dew point conditions (temperature, pressure) and properties of the condensed water (pH, corrosivity, dissolved O2, and chlorine speciation). Model results were compared with site inspection findings. Subsequently, recommended limits for chlorine and oxygen in the feed gas were established to improve long term compressor reliability.