bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AAOS Research Symposium Updates and Consensus: Biologic Treatment of Orthopaedic Injuries
Authors: LaPrade Robert F. , Dragoo Jason L. , Koh Jason L. , Murray Iain R. , Geeslin Andrew G. , Chu Constance R.
Published: May 2016

Strategies that seek to enhance musculoskeletal tissue regeneration and repair by modulating the biologic microenvironment at the site of injury have considerable therapeutic potential. Current and emerging biologic approaches include the use of growth factors, platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and scaffolds. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons hosted a research symposium in November 2015 to review the current state-of-the-art biologic treatments of articular cartilage, muscle, tendon, and bone injuries and identify knowledge gaps related to these emerging treatments. This review outlines the findings of the symposium and summarizes the consensus reached on how best to advance research on biologic treatment of orthopaedic injuries.
Social Media and Environmental Sustainability: An Overview of European Countries
Authors: De Leo Federica , Gravili Ginevra , Miglietta Pier Paolo
Published: May 2016

The theme of the relationship between social media and sustainability has prompted many scholars to analyze the impact that “virtual information” has on the environment. This study empirically tests two models that examine the effects of cultural values and social media on environmental performance by considering different variables such as Social Media penetration, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Environmental Performance Index. Two multiple linear regression models were employed to test the hypotheses on a sample of 30 European Countries.

Empirical results, extensible to all of Europe, conclude that the cultural dimensions analyzed, as well as social media penetration, significantly influence environmental performance of European Countries when we execute a combined model.
Social media are arguably an integral part of sustainability strategy and future research on IT and sustainability needs to take a more integrated approach. If we consider that social media have a positive effect on the environment it is easy to intuit that if governance implements effective policies to ensure social media access for everyone, real sustainable development could be achieved.
Compensation Committee Quality and Effective Executive Remuneration
Authors: Catuogno Simona , Arena Claudia , Viganò Riccardo
Published: May 2016

Grounding in the agency theory, this paper questions whether high quality compensation committee influences the design of executive remuneration towards the alignment of the contrasting interests between managers and shareholders. Relying on a comprehensive approach that captures the compensation committee quality based on different attributes (i.e. independence, interlocking directorates, directors appointed by minorities) we conduct a two-step empirical analysis. First, we illustrate the evolution over time of the stock option plan characteristics and construct an illustrative diagram that shows the linkages between the attributes of the compensation committee quality and the elements of the option plans. Second, we run a probit regression analysis to deeply investigate the picture emerging from the diagram. Our results document that the quality of compensation committee significantly affects the assignment of incentive stock option plans. The paper evidence advances the knowledge in the literature on compensation committee and executive remuneration, by highlighting that structural characteristics of the committee other than independence of its members play a pivotal role in writing effective remuneration contracts for the executives. Our findings are also useful for investors and policymakers.
Factors Affecting Loyalty Customer Services Banking Industry in East Java
Authors: Koesharijadi Koesharijadi
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors contained in the quality of services and how these factors influence the underlying between the formation of customer loyalty in the banking services industry.This study is designed for internal and external customers banking is also seen as internal and external customer banking. Respondents of this research there are two types of internal respondents with a sample of 152 people and external respondents with a sample of 198 people, the number of total samples of 350 people in the banking industry in East Java. Data was collected through a questionnaire with statements that refer to Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using AMOS program.The results showed that the image of the organization significantly influence customer expectations and customer value, organizational image does not affect the customer's satisfaction. Internal service quality significantly influence employee satisfaction and employee satisfaction significantly influence the quality of external services. External service quality effect on customer value. Customer expectations significantly influence the external service quality and value for the customer but the customer expectations significant negative effect on customer satisfaction. Value customers significant effect on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Customer satisfaction significantly influence customer loyalty.
The Effect of Organizational Agility on Quality of Work Life: A Study on Commercial Banks in Egypt
Authors: Wageeh Nafei A.
Published: May 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to identify the types of OA (sensing agility, decision-making agility and acting agility) and its role in promoting Quality of Work Life (QWL) of the employees at commercial banks in Egypt.

Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive OA refer to (OA questionnaire, Jaworski, & Kohli, 1993) and QWL (QWL survey Seashore et al., 1983; Cammann et al., 1983; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2002) are used. The data of the study was collected from the employees at commercial banks in Egypt. Out of the 382 questionnaires that were distributed to employees, 325 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 85%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.

Findings: It has been paid to how OA factors have an impact on QWL. In other words, sensing agility, decision-making agility and acting agility significantly correlated with QWL. The study findings support the view that OA and QWL are related constructs. In other words, the research has found that the study subjects do agree that OA directly affects the dimensions of QWL of the employees at commercial banks in Egypt involved in the current study.

Practical implications: The study suggests that at commercial banks in Egypt can improve QWL by influencing its OA, specifically, by developing sensing agility, decision-making agility and acting agility. The study provided that it is necessary to pay more attention to the dimensions of OA as a key source for organizations to enhance the competitive advantage which is of prime significance for QWL.
Originality/value: The study observes that there is a critical shortage of OA and that a greater understanding of the factors that influence the QWL. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between OA and QWL among employees at commercial banks in Egypt. This research dealt with OA in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the role of OA in promoting QWL at commercial banks in Egypt.
Defining the Concept of Innovation and Firm Innovativeness: A Critical Analysis from Resorce-Based View Perspective
Authors: Mohd Zawawi Nur Fadiah , Abd Wahab Sazali , Al-Mamun Abdullah , Sofian Yaacob Abu , Kumar AL Samy Naresh , Ali Fazal Syed
Published: May 2016

The primary objective of this paper is to contribute to the existing literatures by comprehensively reviewing the definitions, concept, as well as the importance of innovative and innovativeness in the business world. This review covers various definitions of innovation and innovativeness, multi dimensions of innovation and how this innovation acts to generate a good firm performance and competitive advantage, relying strongly on the famous Resource-Based View theory. Since the term ‘innovation’ itself is quite difficult to interpret, observe or evaluate, as argued by many scholars, this review attempts to provide discussion and enhance understanding on these concepts especially in the firm’s context. This review could shed some dynamic ideas for future researchers to further identify, conceptualize and understand the underlying theories and perspectives which strongly influence the previous, current and future concept of innovation.
Relating Big Five Factor Model to the Acceptance and Use of On-line Shopping
Authors: Mendonca Mumtaz Reina
Published: May 2016

The main purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of the Big Five personality traits on consumers’ online shopping performance and perceptions of shopping experience. Building on previous research, it was found that personality characteristics shape an individual’s motivation, goals, and perception, thereby providing criteria to evaluate external stimuli and affect performance. The influence of personality traits on a consumer adopting online purchases as well as his acceptability and adaptability with the said medium is assessed. The paper consists of theoretical and research aspects. The first part encompasses theoretical insights into the secondary research regarding personality traits while the practical part presents the methodology and primary research results. In the study, research goals as well as previous findings and primary research results, corresponding hypothesis were set and confirmed. Inter variable correlation analysis has been performed to test the hypothesis followed by a regression analysis. The results potrayed respondents’ consistency in their personality traits (Extraversion, Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness) and their behaviour while shopping online. However, the trait neuroticism did not conform to the generalisation and hence did not display consistency between the trait and its related behaviour in online shopping.
Europees Depositoverzekeringsstelsel (EDIS). Institutionele en praktische perspectieven
Authors: ter Kuile G. , Veuskens A.
Published: May 2016

Europees Depositoverzekeringsstelsel (EDIS). Institutionele en praktische perspectieven

De bankenunie krijgt een derde pijler voor het verzekeren van deposito’s binnen de gehele Eurozone. Het voorstel hiertoe van de Europese Commissie, dat eind november 2015 werd gepubliceerd, wordt in dit artikel besproken. Aandacht wordt gegeven aan het concept van depositogarantie, de grondslag, de reikwijdte en de ratio, de interne governance (gelieerd aan die van het resolutiemechanisme), en aan het nieuwe depositofonds. Met enkele bespiegelingen over ‘vertrouwen’, de grondgedachte van de derde pijler, wordt het artikel besloten.

Voorstel voor een Verordening van het Europees Parlement en de Raad tot wijziging van Verordening (EU) 806/2014 met het oog op de instelling van een Europees depositoverzekeringsstelsel, van de Europese Commissie, Straatsburg 24.11.2015, COM(2015)586 final, 2015/0270(COD).

Verordening (EU) Nr. 806/2014 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 15 juli 2014 tot vaststelling van eenvormige regels en een eenvormige procedure voor de afwikkeling van kredietinstellingen en bepaalde beleggingsondernemingen in het kader van een gemeenschappelijk afwikkelingsmechanisme en een gemeenschappelijk afwikkelingsfonds en tot wijziging van Verordening (EU) nr. 1093/2010, PbEU 2014, L 225/1
BALANCED SCORECARD: Uma Análise da Efetividade nas Escolas Técnicas do Governo do Estado de Pernambuco
Authors: Souza Michael Lucena , Filho Rodolfo Araujo
Published: May 2016

Neste estudo, tem como objetivo avaliar a percepção do corpo discente quanto à eficácia do programa de educação integral do governo do estado de PE nas escolas técnicas. Assim, o lócus de investigação desta pesquisa são as escolas técnicas ligadas a Gerencia Regional de Pernambuco Mata Centro - (GRE). Utilizou-se como metodologia a abordagem qualitativa de caráter exploratório utilizando-se do método de pesquisa de estudo de casos múltiplos. A coleta de dados foi efetuada por meio de pesquisa documental, observação direta e de entrevistas semiestruturadas com aplicação de questionários estruturados dentro das perspectivas do Balanced Scorecard, em uma amostragem de 24 (vinte e quatro) discentes. Os resultados dados empíricos mostraram que os alunos o modelo de gestão adotado pelo Governo do Estado está sendo efetivo na sociedade. Palavras- chave: Balanced Scorcard, Modelo de Gestão, Efetividade.
Implantação da Manufatura Enxuta e a Cultura Organizacional: Estudo de Múltiplos Casos
Authors: Paoli Filipe Marafon de , Lucato Wagner Cezar , Santos José Carlos Da Silva
Published: May 2016

Os conceitos expressos no livro "A máquina que mudou o mundo", contribuíram para que empresas de diversos ramos da indústria tomassem conhecimento sobre a Manufatura Enxuta (ME). No Brasil, em particular, houve nos últimos anos um aumento expressivo da sua implementação em diversos setores industriais. Muitas vezes considera-se apenas o conceito de suas ferramentas para solucionar todos os problemas de uma organização. Porém, às vezes elas não surtem os efeitos desejados, pois diversos fatores externos à sua adoção, tais com a cultura organizacional, não são considerados. Será possível medir e comparar a influência da cultura organizacional no sucesso da implantação e manutenção da ME nas empresas industriais? Com a finalidade de responder a esta questão, este trabalho propôs o desenvolvimento de um estudo com o objetivo de identificar e determinar os impactos da cultura organizacional no sucesso da implantação da ME. Para poder verificar se as empresas industriais que possuem cultura organizacional favorável, têm maior sucesso na implementação e manutenção da ME, este trabalho realizou uma pesquisa do tipo estudo de casos múltiplos, na qual seis empresas foram estudadas, e nas quais se procurou avaliar a existência de uma relação entre as características da cultura organizacional e o sucesso na adoção da ME. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar que quanto mais favoráveis foram os traços da cultura organizacional das empresas estudadas, mais efetiva, completa e duradoura foi a implementação da ME.
Inovação e agregação de valor: Um estudo das empresas brasileiras mais inovadoras
Authors: Carmona Charles Ulises De Montreuil , De Aquino Joás Tomaz , Gouveia Rafaela Lemos Andrade
Published: May 2016

A inovação é um dos assuntos mais debatidos tanto na academia quanto no mercado, devido a sua importância para a economia e por servir como elemento norteador para a sustentabilidade empresarial. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se a inovação influencia no retorno sobre o investimento realizado por empresas brasileiras consideradas mais inovadoras. No presente estudo exploratório, a amostra foi composta por empresas brasileiras, de vários setores econômicos, denominadas como inovadoras, segundo um conjunto de rankings analisados, que possuíam metodologias diferenciadas. O período de análise foi de 2010 a 2014. Os resultados mostraram que a inovação tem impacto positivo e estatisticamente significativo sobre o retorno sobre investimento, o que confirma a hipótese de que investir em inovação agrega valor para a empresa, ajudando-lhe a manter competitiva frente as intempéries do mercado. No entanto, a relação da inovação com a persistência do retorno defasado não foi evidenciada.
Strabismus surgery among Medicare beneficiaries: imputed rates of reoperation in the same calendar year
Authors: Leffler Christopher T. , Pariyadath Allison
Published: May 2016

PurposeTo compare strabismus surgery reoperation rates in a large national database of provider payments when the adjustable-suture technique was available and not available.

Materials and MethodsFee-for-service payments to Medicare providers for horizontal (CPT 67311) and vertical (CPT 67314) strabismus surgery in 2012 were analyzed to identify payments for reoperations in the same calendar year. The adjustable-suture technique was considered to be available to the patient if the patient’s surgeon billed for adjustable sutures during the year. We determined the association of reoperation with the availability of the adjustable-suture technique and with surgeon volume.

ResultsPatients having horizontal muscle surgery had a rate of reoperation in 2012 of 4.1% (15 of 364 patients) when the adjustable technique was available, compared with 7.1% (77 of 1,082 patients) when the adjustable technique was not available (P = 0.047). Patients having vertical muscle surgery had a rate of reoperation in 2012 of 4.1% (8 of 196 patients) when the adjustable technique was available, compared with 8.3% (38 of 458 patients) when the adjustable technique was not available (P = 0.07). Having surgery in a high-volume surgical practice was not reliably associated with reoperation rates.

ConclusionsFor patients having strabismus surgery, the availability of the adjustable-suture technique was associated with a lower reoperation rate in this large national database (compared with patients for whom the adjustable technique was not available). The difference was statistically significantly different from zero for horizontal muscle surgery but not for vertical muscle surgery.
Action publique et solidarité civile : le cas du maintien à domicile des personnes âgées
Authors: Jobert Bruno
Published: May 2016

L’auteur présente les conclusions d’une recherche portant sur les politiques de maintien à domicile pour les personnes âgées. L’objectif de la recherche était de comprendre l’agencement des relations entre solidarité publique, marché et solidarité primaire. La recherche a été effectuée à partir d’entretiens qualitatifs auprès de personnes âgées de deux quartiers de l’agglomération grenobloise. Contrairement à la vision largement répandue d’une opposition consacrée entre État et société civile, la recherche montre plutôt ici que l’action publique n’apparaît pas toujours et par nature comme l’ennemi de la solidarité privée. Mais il ressort clairement que l’entourage joue un rôle essentiel dans le maintien des personnes âgées à domicile. Et cette réalité devient particulièrement difficile à gérer lorsque nous sommes en présence de cas de dépendance sévère ou de sénilité. À cet égard, il faut parler de déficit grave de l’action publique.
Mouvements sociaux, mouvements post-politiques
Authors: Melucci Alberto
Published: May 2016

Dans cet article, l’auteur s’efforce de saisir les mouvements sociaux qui parcourent les sociétés post-industrielles comme les signes d’une transformation profonde de la logique et des mécanismes qui guident nos sociétés. Il esquisse une interprétation de ces formes contemporaines d’action collective que constituent les mouvements « post-politiques » des jeunes, des femmes, des groupes nationaux et des communautés ethniques ainsi que les mobilisations écologiques.

Ces mouvements sont pour l’auteur « post-politiques », dans le sens où ils débordent complètement les cadres traditionnels d’organisation et de compréhension politiques des sociétés industrielles. Il n’est donc plus possible de les saisir correctement à travers des schèmes d’analyse qui sont marqués historiquement par les formes politiques que ces sociétés ont produites.

Peut-on même parler de « mouvements » ? Il s’agit plutôt d’espaces de rassemblement, de réseaux diffus de groupes, de points de rencontre qui diffèrent profondément de l’acteur collectif organisé politiquement. Doit-on qualifier ces phénomènes de désagrégation ? Nous nous trouvons plutôt en face d’un changement du modèle et de la forme de rassemblement de l’acteur collectif qui pose le problème du rapport entre les mouvements et les systèmes de représentation et d’organisation politique.
Le conflit des deux modernités et la question de la disparition des solidarités
Authors: Beck Ulrich
Published: May 2016

Dans ce texte synthétique reprenant deux courts chapitres publiés en allemand en 1995, Ulrich Beck présente quelques-uns des concepts essentiels sur lesquels il appuie sa lecture de la société contemporaine et, en particulier, la notion de « modernisation reflexive », qu'il partage avec Anthony Giddens. Selon Beck, les trente dernières années ont été marquées par un processus continu de détraditionalisation. Avec ce processus, plusieurs des clefs de voûte de la société industrielle se sont dissoutes : partage des rôles des sexes, famille nucléaire, classes sociales. Ces catégories qui permettaient d'orienter les trajectoires sociales et de définir les positions dans la société industrielle, mais aussi qui étaient relayées par les institutions, n'organisent plus les trajectoires individualisées. La biographie normalisée devient une biographie choisie. Nous vivons désormais dans une société sans classe, mais gorgée d'inégalités sociales, une société où s'érodent les fondements existentiels des institutions et des formes de consensus qui les ont portées. Ces transformations ont aussi des conséquences majeures pour les formes de mobilisation et d'expression politique. Beck aborde cette question dans un second temps, en évoquant la question des solidarités dans les sociétés modernes avancées.
Treatment failure and drug resistance in HIV‐positive patients on tenofovir‐based first‐line antiretroviral therapy in western Kenya
Authors: Brooks Katherine , Diero Lameck , DeLong Allison , Balamane Maya , Reitsma Marissa , Kemboi Emmanuel , Orido Millicent , Emonyi Wilfred , Coetzer Mia , Hogan Joseph , Kantor Rami
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Tenofovir‐based first‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended globally. To evaluate the impact of its incorporation into the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, we examined treatment failure and drug resistance among a cohort of patients on tenofovir‐based first‐line ART at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, a large HIV treatment programme in western Kenya.

Methods

We determined viral load (VL), drug resistance and their correlates in patients on ≥six months of tenofovir‐based first‐line ART. Based on enrolled patients’ characteristics, we described these measures in those with (prior ART group) and without (tenofovir‐only group) prior non‐tenofovir‐based first‐line ART using Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher's exact tests.

Results

Among 333 participants (55% female; median age 41 years; median CD4 336 cells/µL), detectable (>40 copies/mL) VL was found in 18%, and VL>1000 copies/mL (WHO threshold) in 10%. Virologic failure at both thresholds was significantly higher in 217 participants in the tenofovir‐only group compared with 116 in the prior ART group using both cut‐offs (24% vs. 7% with VL>40 copies/mL; 15% vs. 1% with VL>1000 copies/mL). Failure in the tenofovir‐only group was associated with lower CD4 values and advanced WHO stage. In 35 available genotypes from 51 participants in the tenofovir‐only group with VL>40 copies/mL (69% subtype A), any resistance was found in 89% and dual‐class resistance in 83%. Tenofovir signature mutation K65R occurred in 71% (17/24) of the patients infected with subtype A. Patients with K65R had significantly lower CD4 values, higher WHO stage and more resistance mutations.

Conclusions

In this Kenyan cohort, tenofovir‐based first‐line ART resulted in good (90%) virologic suppression including high suppression (99%) after switch from non‐tenofovir‐based ART. Lower virologic suppression (85%) and high observed resistance levels (89%) in the tenofovir‐only group impact future treatment options, support recommendations for widespread VL monitoring in such resource limited settings to identify early treatment failure and suggest consideration of individualized resistance testing to design effective subsequent regimens.
Valence of praseodymium in superconducting Pr(O,F)BiS2 single crystals
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Hongu Yasuaki , Miura Akira , Nagao Masanori
Published: May 2016

The praseodymium (Pr) valence in superconducting PrO1−

x
F
x
BiS2

single crystals was evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Pr 3d core level is split into 3d3/2 and 3d5/2 levels. Both PrO1−

x
F
x
BiS2 and Pr2S3, which contain only Pr3+, showed 3d spectra at a lower binding energy than Pr6O11, which contains both Pr3+ and Pr4+. Neither PrO1−

x
F
x
BiS2 nor Pr2S3 showed the characteristic satellites of Pr4+ in 3d5/2 spectra. The valence fluctuation between the Pr3+ and Pr4+ states was not confirmed, suggesting that Pr3+ is dominant in PrO1−

x
F
x
BiS2

single crystals.
Bioinformatics analysis of the structural and evolutionary characteristics for toll-like receptor 15
Authors: Wang Jinlan , Zhang Zheng , Chang Fen , Yin Deling
Published: May 2016

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important role in the innate immune system. TLR15 is reported to have a unique role in defense against pathogens, but its structural and evolution characterizations are still poorly understood. In this study, we identified 57 completed TLR15 genes from avian and reptilian genomes. TLR15 clustered into an individual clade and was closely related to family 1 on the phylogenetic tree. Unlike the TLRs in family 1 with the broken asparagine ladders in the middle, TLR15 ectodomain had an intact asparagine ladder that is critical to maintain the overall shape of ectodomain. The conservation analysis found that TLR15 ectodomain had a highly evolutionarily conserved region on the convex surface of LRR11 module, which is probably involved in TLR15 activation process. Furthermore, the protein–protein docking analysis indicated that TLR15 TIR domains have the potential to form homodimers, the predicted interaction interface of TIR dimer was formed mainly by residues from the BB-loops andαC-helixes. Although TLR15 mainly underwent purifying selection, we detected 27 sites under positive selection for TLR15, 24 of which are located on its ectodomain. Our observations suggest the structural features of TLR15 which may be relevant to its function, but which requires further experimental validation.
Connecting HIV‐1 integration and transcription: a step toward new treatments
Authors: Lucic Bojana , Lusic Marina
Published: May 2016

Thanks to the current combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV‐1 infection has become a manageable although chronic disease. The reason for this lies in the fact that long‐lived cellular reservoirs persist in patients on cART. Despite numerous efforts to understand molecular mechanisms that contribute to viral latency, the important question of how and when latency is established remains unanswered. Related to this is the connection between HIV‐1 integration and the capacity of the provirus to enter the latent state. In this review, we will give an overview of these nuclear events in the viral life cycle in the light of current therapeutic approaches, which aim to either reactivate the provirus or even excise the proviral DNA from the cellular genome.
Propagation of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in an integral oil‐gas plume model
Authors: Wang Shitao , Iskandarani Mohamed , Srinivasan Ashwanth , Thacker W. Carlisle , Winokur Justin , Knio Omar M.
Published: May 2016

Polynomial Chaos expansions are used to analyze uncertainties in an integral oil‐gas plume model simulating the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The study focuses on six uncertain input parameters—two entrainment parameters, the gas to oil ratio, two parameters associated with the droplet‐size distribution, and the flow rate—that impact the model's estimates of the plume's trap and peel heights, and of its various gas fluxes. The ranges of the uncertain inputs were determined by experimental data. Ensemble calculations were performed to construct polynomial chaos‐based surrogates that describe the variations in the outputs due to variations in the uncertain inputs. The surrogates were then used to estimate reliably the statistics of the model outputs, and to perform an analysis of variance. Two experiments were performed to study the impacts of high and low flow rate uncertainties. The analysis shows that in the former case the flow rate is the largest contributor to output uncertainties, whereas in the latter case, with the uncertainty range constrained by aposteriori analyses, the flow rate's contribution becomes negligible. The trap and peel heights uncertainties are then mainly due to uncertainties in the 95% percentile of the droplet size and in the entrainment parameters.
Robust adaptive control of Hammerstein nonlinear systems and its application to typical CSTR problems
Authors: Zhang Bi , Mao Zhizhong
Published: May 2016

This paper considers the robust adaptive control of Hammerstein nonlinear systems with uncertain parameters. The control scheme is derived from a modified criterion function which can overcome non‐minimum phase property of the linear subsystem. The parameter adaptation is performed by using a robust recursive least squares algorithm with a deadzone weighted factor. The control law compensates the model error by incorporating the unmodeled dynamics estimation. An online pole assignment technique is also presented to guarantee that Assumption 2 always holds. Rigorous theoretical analysis indicates that the parameter estimation convergence and the closed‐loop system stability can be guaranteed under mild conditions. Simulation examples including two typical continuous stirred tank reactor problems are studied to verify the effectiveness of the control scheme. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐free fault‐tolerant control approach for uncertain state‐constrained linear systems with actuator faults
Authors: Xie Chun‐Hua , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates the robust adaptive fault‐tolerant control problem for state‐constrained continuous‐time linear systems with parameter uncertainties, external disturbances, and actuator faults including stuck, outage, and loss of effectiveness. It is assumed that the knowledge of the system matrices, as well as the upper bounds of the disturbances and faults, is unknown. By incorporating a barrier‐function like term into the Lyapunov function design, a novel model‐free fault‐tolerant control scheme is proposed in a parameter‐dependent form, and the state constraint requirements are guaranteed. The time‐varying parameters are adjusted online based on an adaptive method to prevent the states from violating the constraints and compensate automatically the uncertainties, disturbances, and actuator faults. The time‐invariant parameters solved by using data‐based policy iteration algorithm are introduced for helping to stabilize the system. Furthermore, it is shown that the states converge asymptotically to zero without transgression of the constraints and all signals in the resulting closed‐loop system are uniformly bounded. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The TiC/Ni–Cr Composites with Low Thermal Expansion and Electrical Resistivity Applied for IT‐SOFC Interconnects
Authors: Qi Qian , Liu Yan , Zhang Hui , Zhao Jing , Gai Linlin , Huang Zhengren
Published: May 2016

The TiC/Ni–Cr composites are promising candidates for IT‐SOFC interconnects. In this paper, the TiC/Ni–Cr composites are fabricated by pressureless infiltration, and in order to increase the contiguity of TiC, the partial in situ method and isothermal heat treatment are used. The results show that with the increase of in situ TiC from 10 (TG1) to 20 wt% (TG2), the thermal expansion (CTE) decreases by 0.1 × 10–6 °C–1, and electrical resistivity (σ) decreases from 5.23 × 10–3 to 1.59 × 10–3 Ω cm and from 2.23 × 10–3 to 0.93 × 10–3 Ω cm with isothermal heat treatment. By contrast, the isothermal heat treatment at 1 300 °C for 20 min can nearly doubly increase the contiguity of TiC. The CTE shows decrease by 0.4 × 10–6 °C–1, and (σ decreases from 5.23 × 10–3 to 2.23 × 10–3 Ω cm in TG1 and from 1.59 × 10–3 to 0.93 × 10–3 Ω cm in TG2.
Diamond Nanothread as a New Reinforcement for Nanocomposites
Authors: Zhan Haifei , Zhang Gang , Tan Vincent B. C. , Cheng Yuan , Bell John M. , Zhang Yong‐Wei , Gu Yuantong
Published: May 2016

This work explores the application of a new 1D carbon nanomaterial, the diamond nanothread (DNT), as a reinforcement for nanocomposites. Owing to the existence of Stone–Wales transformation defects, the DNT intrinsically possesses irregular surfaces, which is expected to enhance the noncovalent interfacial load transfer. Through a series of in silico pull‐out studies of the DNT in polyethylene (PE) matrix, it is found that the load transfer between DNT and PE matrix is dominated by the noncovalent interactions, in particular the van der Waals interactions. Although the hydrogenated surface of the DNT reduces the strength of the van der Waals interactions at the interface, the irregular surface of the DNT can compensate for the weak bonds. These factors lead to an interfacial shear strength of the DNT/PE interface comparable with that of the carbon nanotube/PE interface. The results show that the DNT/PE interfacial shear strength remains high even as the number of Stone–Wales transformation defects decreases. It can be enhanced further by increasing the PE density or introduction of functional groups to the DNT, both of which greatly increase the noncovalent interactions.
Mechano‐ and Photochromism from Bulk to Nanoscale: Data Storage on Individual Self‐Assembled Ribbons
Authors: Genovese Damiano , Aliprandi Alessandro , Prasetyanto Eko A. , Mauro Matteo , Hirtz Michael , Fuchs Harald , Fujita Yasuhiko , Uji‐I Hiroshi , Lebedkin Sergei , Kappes Manfred , De Cola Luisa
Published: May 2016

A Pt(II) complex, bearing an oligo‐ethyleneoxide pendant, is able to self‐assemble in ultralong ribbons that display mechanochromism upon nanoscale mechanical stimuli, delivered through atomic force microscopy (AFM). Such observation paves the way to fine understanding and manipulation of the mechanochromic properties of such material at the nanoscale. AFM allows quantitative assessment of nanoscale mechanochromism as arising from static pressure (piezochromism) and from shear‐based mechanical stimuli (tribochromism), and to compare them with bulk pressure‐dependent luminescence observed with diamond‐anvil cell (DAC) technique. Confocal spectral imaging reveals that mechanochromism only takes place within short distance from the localized mechanical stimulation, which allows to design high‐density information writing with AFM nanolithography applied on individual self‐assembled ribbons. Each ribbon hence serves as an individual microsystem for data storage. The orange luminescence of written information displays high contrast compared to cyan native luminescence; moreover, it can be selectively excited with visible light. In addition, ribbons show photochromism, i.e., the emission spectrum changes upon exposure to light, in a similar way as upon mechanical stress. Photochromism is here conveniently used to conceal and eventually erase information previously written with nanolithography by irradiation.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Semiconductors as Stable Photoelectrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide Photosynthesis
Authors: Jakešová Marie , Apaydin Doǧukan Hazar , Sytnyk Mykhailo , Oppelt Kerstin , Heiss Wolfgang , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Głowacki Eric Daniel
Published: May 2016

Research on semiconductor photocatalysts for the conversion of solar energy into chemical fuels has been at the forefront of renewable energy technologies. Water splitting to produce H2 and CO2 reduction to hydrocarbons are the two prominent approaches. A lesser‐known process, the conversion of solar energy into the versatile high‐energy product H2O2 via reduction of O2 has been proposed as an alternative concept. Semiconductor photoelectrodes for the direct photosynthesis of H2O2 from O2 have not been applied up to now. Photoelectrocatalytic oxygen reduction to peroxides in aqueous electrolytes by hydrogen‐bonded organic semiconductor is observed photoelectrodes. These materials have been found to be remarkably stable operating in a photoelectrochemical cell converting light into H2O2 under constant illumination for at least several days, functioning in a pH range from 1 to 12. This is the first report of a semiconductor photoelectrode for H2O2 production, with catalytic performance exceeding prior reports on photocatalysts by one to two orders of magnitude in terms of peroxide yield/catalyst amount/time. The combination of a strongly reducing conduction band energy level with stability in aqueous electrolytes opens new avenues for this widely available materials class in the field of photo(electro) catalysis.
A Ruthenium Complex‐Catalyzed Cyclotrimerization of Halodiynes with Nitriles. Synthesis of 2‐ and 3‐Halopyridines
Authors: Bednářová Eva , Colacino Evelina , Lamaty Frédéric , Kotora Martin
Published: May 2016

Monohalo‐ and dihalodiynes efficiently undergo [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization with nitriles in the presence of a catalytic amount of the ruthenium complex Cp*RuCl(cod) (10 mol%) to afford the corresponding halopyridines under ambient conditions in good isolated yields (up to 90%). The halopyridines are formed as two separable regioisomers. This is the first example of a direct synthesis of halopyridines from haloalkynes and nitriles.

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CH Bond Arylation of Diamondoids Catalyzed by Palladium(II) Acetate
Authors: Larrosa Marta , Heiles Sven , Becker Jonathan , Spengler Bernhard , Hrdina Radim
Published: May 2016

We have developed an effective approach to 1,2‐disubstituted diamondoids by palladium(II) acetate catalyzed functionalization of CH bond. Selective mono‐arylation of the adamantane framework was achieved using picolylamide as a directing group in yields up to 87 %. Kinetic studies in combination with deuterium labeling experiments, competitive experiments and mass spectrometry contribute to the mechanistic understanding of the arylation process of alkanes with number of CH bonds neighboring the directing group. Triflic anhydride promoted cyclization of the directing group generates imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine derivatives. Acid‐mediated removal of the directing group provides access to 2‐aryl diamondoid carboxylic acids, which are common precursors for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds (drug candidates).

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Rhodium‐Catalyzed [5+2] Cycloaddition of 3‐Acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne with Alkene or Allene
Authors: Song Wangze , Lynch John C. , Shu Xing‐zhong , Tang Weiping
Published: May 2016

We recently developed a completely new type of Rh‐catalyzed [5+2] cycloaddition by using 3‐acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne (ACE) as the 5‐carbon building block. In this update, we show that ACE can undergo intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition with either an alkene or an allene in the presence of an appropriate rhodium catalyst and ligands to afford bicyclic compounds with multiple stereogenic centers. In most cases, cis‐fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decadienes are prepared highly diastereoselectively.

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Uranyl Ion Sorption Characteristics of Novel Polymer/Montmorillonite/Carboxymethyl Cellulose‐Composite Biosorbent‐Based AAm/AMPS Hydrogels and Semi‐IPNs
Authors: Karadağ Erdener , Nalbantoğlu Aylİn , Kundakcı Semİha , Üzüm Ömer Barış
Published: May 2016

In this report, uranyl ion sorption performance from aqueous solutions has been investigated by highly swollen novel polymer/clay‐composite biosorbent‐based acrylamide (AAm)/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) hydrogels and semi‐IPNs composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and/or montmorillonite (MMT). For this, AAm/AMPS hydrogels with CMC and/or MMT were prepared by free radical polymerization in an aqueous solution of monomers, CMC and MMT using ammonium persulfate/N,N,N',N'‐tetramethylethylenediamine as a redox‐initiating pair in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate as a cross‐linker. Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. Some swelling kinetic and diffusion parameters were calculated. Water diffusion was found to be non‐Fickian in character. The sorption performance of uranyl ions into the hydrogels was studied by a spectrophotometric method at 25°C. Sorption capacity, removal efficiency, and partition coefficient of the hydrogels were investigated. Removal efficiency was changed within a range of 20.52–67.68%.
Chord length distribution to particle size distribution
Authors: Pandit Ajinkya V. , Ranade Vivek V.
Published: May 2016

A simple model is presented to extract the particle size distribution (PSD) from the chord length distribution measured using a focused beam reflectance measurement probe. The model can be implemented using simple spread sheeting tools and does not require the description of additional parameters as opposed to previous models. The model was validated for two systems consisting of spherical ceramic beads by comparing model predicted PSD against the PSD obtained through image analysis (IA). Then, the model was evaluated by considering various systems consisting of irregularly shaped particles (sand/zinc dust/plasma alumina). Model predictions accurately predicted the mean but over‐predicted the variance of the PSD in comparison with the PSD obtained from IA. However, overall, a reasonable agreement was observed. Finally, the model was shown to be accurate in predicting PSD in comparison with the measured PSD for systems of practical relevance such as for paracetamol and p‐aminophenol crystals. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4215–4228, 2016
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma with central nervous system involvement: An international multicenter collaboration
Authors: Cheah Chan Y. , Bröckelmann Paul J. , Chihara Dai , Moskowitz Alison J. , Engert Andreas , Jerkeman Mats , El‐Galaly Tarec C. , Augustson Bradley , Vose Julie , Bartlett Nancy L. , Villa Diego , Connors Joseph M. , Feldman Tatyana , Pinnix Chelsea C. , Milgrom Sarah A. , Dabaja Bouthaina , Oki Yasuhiro , Fanale Michelle A.
Published: May 2016

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is rare in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Thus, the clinical features and outcomes are not well described. Cases of histologically confirmed CNS HL diagnosed between 1995 and 2015 were retrospectively identified in institutional (n = 7), national (n = 2), and cooperative group (n = 1) databases. We screened 30,781 patients with HL in our combined databases and identified 21 patients meeting eligibility criteria, an estimated frequency of 0.07%. CNS involvement was present at initial diagnosis in 10 patients (48%) and a feature of relapsed/refractory disease in 11 (52%). Among these 11 patients, the median time from initial diagnosis of HL to development of CNS involvement was 1.9 years (range 0.4–6.6) and the median number of prior lines of therapy was 2 (range 1–7). Altogether, treatments included radiation, multiagent systemic chemotherapy, combined modality therapy, and subtotal resection. The overall response rate was 65%. After a median follow‐up of 3.6 years (range 0.8–13.2) from diagnosis of CNS HL, the median PFS and OS were 7.6 and 29 months, respectively. CNS involvement as a feature of relapsed/refractory disease was adversely prognostic for both PFS and OS; however, four patients remain alive and free of relapse at 7–78 months follow‐up. CNS involvement in HL is exceedingly rare and has a distinct clinical presentation with predilection for parenchymal lesions with dural extension. Around one‐quarter of patients, mostly with CNS involvement at initial HL diagnosis, experience prolonged disease‐free survival. Am. J. Hematol. 91:894–899, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patterns of directional asymmetry in the pelvis and pelvic canal
Authors: Tobolsky Victoria A. , Kurki Helen K. , Stock Jay T.
Published: May 2016

Objectives

The human pelvis is unique among modern taxa for supporting both parturition of large brained young and obligate bipedalism. Though much work has focused on pelvic development and variation, little work has explored the presence or absence of asymmetry in the pelvis despite well‐known patterns of asymmetry in other skeletal regions. This study investigated whether patterns of directional asymmetry (DA) could be observed in the pelvis or pelvic canal.

Methods

Seventeen bilaterally paired osteometric measurements of the os coxae (34 measures in total) were taken from 128 skeletons (female n = 65, male n = 63) from recent human populations in five geographic regions. Paired sample t‐tests and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to investigate DA.

Results

Results from a pooled sample of all individuals showed that the pelvis exhibited a left‐bias in DA. In contrast, the pelvic canal exhibited a pattern in which the anterior canal exhibited a right‐bias and the posterior canal exhibited a left‐bias. Neither sex nor populational differences in DA were observed in the pelvis or pelvic canal.

Conclusions

The varying patterns of asymmetry uncovered here accord with prior work and may indicate that loading from the trunk and legs place differing stresses on the pelvis and canal, yielding these unequal asymmetries. However, this is speculative and the possible influence of genetics, biomechanics, and nutritional status on the development of pelvic and canal asymmetries presents a rich area for future study. Additionally, the potential influence of pelvic canal asymmetry on obstetric measures of pelvic capacity merits future research. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:804–810, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Canine and incisor microwear in pitheciids and Ateles reflects documented patterns of tooth use
Authors: Delezene Lucas K. , Teaford Mark F. , Ungar Peter S.
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Platyrrhine species differ in the extent to and the manner in which they use their incisors and canines during food ingestion. For example, Ateles uses its anterior teeth to process mechanically nondemanding soft fruits, while the sclerocarp‐harvesting pitheciids rely extensively on these teeth to acquire and process more demanding foods. Pitheciids themselves vary in anterior tooth use, with the pitheciines (Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia) noted to use their robust canines in a variety of ways to predate seeds, while Callicebus, which rarely predates seeds, uses its incisors and exceptionally short canines to scrape tough mesocarp from fruits. To investigate the relationship between tooth use and dental wear, microwear textures were investigated for the anterior teeth of these five genera of platyrrhine primates.

Methods

Using a white light confocal microscope, 12 microwear texture attributes that reflect feature size, anisotropy, density, and complexity were recorded from high‐resolution epoxy casts of the incisors and canines of adult wild‐collected Brazilian specimens of Ateles, Callicebus, Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia.

Results

Pitheciine canines tend to have deep microwear features and complex, anisotropic microwear textures, while Ateles anterior teeth tend to have very small features, low feature density, and less complex and anisotropic surfaces. Callicebus incisor and canine microwear is generally intermediate in size and complexity between those extremes.

Conclusions

These findings align with expectations from reported field observations of tooth use and illustrate the potential for using microwear texture analysis to infer patterns of anterior tooth use in extinct primates. Am J Phys Anthropol 161:6–25, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.