bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A taxonomy of antecedents to user adoption of health information systems: A synthesis of thirty years of research
Authors: Najaftorkaman Mohammadreza , Ghapanchi Amir Hossein , Talaei‐Khoei Amir , Ray Pradeep
Published: May 2014

In the past three decades, several studies have extracted antecedents to the user adoption of health information systems (HIS). This study proposes a reflective pause on the HIS adoption literature to broaden our understanding of factors contributing to the user adoption of electronic medical record (EMR). This paper provides a comprehensive taxonomy of the factors influencing the user adoption of EMR and classifies these factors into meaningful categories. We searched the selected keywords on several academic databases and found an initial set of 9,684 studies. We excluded papers on the basis of their title, abstract, and full text (89 remaining papers). The effectiveness of adoption theories has been explored based on the empirical results identified in the EMR research. Furthermore, according to the conceptualization of the factors in the literature, a list of 78 factors affecting EMR adoption was identified. These factors were classified to eight categories: individual factors, psychological factors, behavioural factors, environmental factors, organizational factors, financial factors, legal factors, and technical factors. The results have implications for researchers and practitioners, including policymakers, marketers, information technology (IT) professionals, health information management (HIM) practitioners, health practice managers, and EMR system developers.
Data Practices and Curation Vocabulary (DPCVocab): An empirically derived framework of scientific data practices and curatorial processes
Authors: Chao Tiffany C. , Cragin Melissa H. , Palmer Carole L.
Published: May 2014

Conceptual frameworks and taxonomies are an important part of the emerging base of knowledge on the curation of research data. We present the Data Practices and Curation Vocabulary (DPCVocab), a functional vocabulary created for specifying relationships among data practices in research, types of data produced and used, and curation roles and activities. The vocabulary consists of 3 categories—Research Data Practices, Data, and Curation—with 187 terms validated through empirical studies of scientific data practices in the Earth and life sciences. The present article covers the DPCVocab development process and examines applications for mapping relationships across the 3 categories, identifying factors for projecting curation costs and important differences in curation requirements across disciplines. As a tool for curators, the vocabulary provides a framework for charting curation options and guiding systematic administration of curation services. It can serve as a shared terminology or lingua franca to support interactions and collaboration among curators, data producers, system developers, and other stakeholders in data infrastructure and services. The DPCVocab as a whole supports both the technical and the human aspects of professional curation work essential to the modern research system.
Real‐time classification of Twitter trends
Authors: Zubiaga Arkaitz , Spina Damiano , Martínez Raquel , Fresno Víctor
Published: May 2014

In this work, we explore the types of triggers that spark trends on Twitter, introducing a typology with the following 4 types: news, ongoing events, memes, and commemoratives. While previous research has analyzed trending topics over the long term, we look at the earliest tweets that produce a trend, with the aim of categorizing trends early on. This allows us to provide a filtered subset of trends to end users. We experiment with a set of straightforward language‐independent features based on the social spread of trends and categorize them using the typology. Our method provides an efficient way to accurately categorize trending topics without need of external data, enabling news organizations to discover breaking news in real‐time, or to quickly identify viral memes that might inform marketing decisions, among others. The analysis of social features also reveals patterns associated with each type of trend, such as tweets about ongoing events being shorter as many were likely sent from mobile devices, or memes having more retweets originating from a few trend‐setters.
Intimate partner violence online: Expectations and agency in question and answer websites
Authors: Westbrook Lynn
Published: May 2014

This article presents the first situation‐rooted typology of intimate partner violence (IPV) postings in social question and answer (Q&A) sites. Survivors as well as abusers post high‐risk health, legal, and financial questions to Q&A sites; answers come from individuals who self‐identify as lawyers, experts, survivors, and abusers. Using grounded theory this study examines 1,241 individual posts, each within its own context, raising issues of agency and expectations. Informed by Savolainen's everyday life information seeking (ELIS) and Nahl's affective load theory (ALT), the resultant Q&A typology suggests implications for IPV service design, policy development, and research priorities.
Novel Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres: Superimposed Effect of Gold Nanoparticles and Lanthanum Doping in Photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Guannan , Wang Pei , Luo He‐Kuan , Hor T. S. Andy
Published: May 2014

Novel multielement Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres were synthesized by a solvothermal method using monodisperse gold and La‐SrTiO3 nanocrystals as building blocks. The porous Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres had a large surface area of 94.6 m2 g−1. The stable confined Au nanoparticles demonstrated strong surface plasmon resonance effect, leading to enhanced absorption in a broad UV/Vis/NIR range. Doping of rare‐earth metal La also broadened the absorption band to the visible region. Both the conduction and valence bands of Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres thus show favorable potential for proton reduction under visible light. The superimposed effect of Au nanoparticles and La doping in Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres led to high photocurrent density in photoelectrochemical water splitting and good photocatalytic activity in photodegradation of rhodamine B. The photocatalytic activities are in the order of the following: Au/La‐SrTiO3 microspheres>Au/SrTiO3 microspheres>La‐SrTiO3 microspheres>SrTiO3 microspheres.
Dual Association Modes of the 2,5,8‐Tris(pentafluorophenyl)phenalenyl Radical
Authors: Uchida Kazuyuki , Hirao Yasukazu , Kurata Hiroyuki , Kubo Takashi , Hatano Sayaka , Inoue Katsuya
Published: May 2014

The 2,5,8‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)phenalenyl radical was obtained by a straightforward synthesis in 11 steps from 2,7‐dibromonaphthalene. This radical crystallized as a σ dimer from a solution in MeCN and as a π‐stack from a melted liquid. The π stack was not confined to dimerization, but extended into a uniform 1D stack with an interplanar distance of 3.503 Å. This unique duality in association mode arose from the thermodynamic stability of the phenalenyl moiety.
Dynamic T‐S Fuzzy Systems Identification Based on Sparse Regularization
Authors: Luo Minnan , Sun Fuchun , Liu Huaping
Published: May 2014

Fuzzy system identification suffers from rules explosion, i.e., a large number of fuzzy rules are required for fuzzy systems with high dimension input variable. In this paper, a dynamic algorithm is proposed to address T‐S fuzzy system identification with both sparsity and dynamic clustering, named as dynamic sparse fuzzy inference systems (D‐sparseFIS). Due to two different estimation approaches of fuzzy rule consequence parameter, i.e., global estimation and local estimation, D‐sparseFIS.local and D‐sparseFIS.global methods are exploited with local least squares and global least squares estimation based on sparse regularization. Both two dynamic algorithms can guarantee a minimal number of fuzzy rules and nonzero consequence parameters are equipped in T‐S fuzzy system. Finally, some numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Distributed Robust H∞ Consensus for Multi‐Agent Systems with Nonlinear Dynamics and Parameter Uncertainties
Authors: Wang Yinqiu , Wu Qinghe
Published: May 2014

In this study, the consensus problem is discussed for a class of multi‐agent systems with unknown Lipschitz nonlinear dynamics, external disturbances, and parameter uncertainties under a fixed directed graph. By some model transformations, the consensus problem becomes a reduced‐order H∞ control problem. Based on the reduced‐order control problem, sufficient conditions to achieve the consensus with the desired H∞ performance are presented. These conditions are to check the solvability of only one linear matrix inequality (LMI) and the dimension of the LMI independent of the number of agents in the network. Moreover, an algorithm is proposed to design the dynamic output feedback controller. Simulation on networked multi‐agents is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
A ranking of high‐resolution daily precipitation extreme events for the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Ramos Alexandre M. , Trigo Ricardo M. , Liberato Margarida L. R.
Published: May 2014

A method for ranking daily precipitation events is presented based on the most comprehensive database of daily gridded precipitation dataset available for the Iberian Peninsula spanning from 1950 to 2008. The magnitude of an event is obtained after considering the area affected as well as its intensity in every grid point and taking into account the daily normalized departure from climatology. Different precipitation rankings are presented considering the entire Iberian Peninsula, Portugal and also the six largest river basins in the Iberian Peninsula.
Adriaan van den Spiegel (1578–1625): Anatomist, physician, and botanist
Authors: Ghosh Sanjib Kumar , Sharma Suranjali , Biswas Sudipa , Chakraborty Soumya
Published: May 2014

Adriaan van den Spiegel (1578–1625) was a Flemish anatomist and physician. He was one of the most prominent anatomists at the University of Padua during the 17th century and became professor of anatomy and surgery there in 1619. He was privileged to have two of the most accomplished anatomists of that period, Fabricius ab Aquapendente and Iulius Casserius, as his teachers. His anatomical works were published after his death by his pupil Bucretius and his son‐in‐law Liberalis Crema, with illustrations procured from Casserius's unpublished anatomical atlas. He contributed significantly to establishing basic morphological facts about the developing embryo in his text De formato foetu liber singularis. In his book De humani corporis fabrica libri decem, Spiegel's lobe (caudate lobe) of the liver and the linea semilunaris (Spiegel's line) on the lateral side of the rectus abdominis muscle were described for the first time. Subsequently, Spigelian aponeurosis (between the lateral margin of the rectus abdominis and the linea semilunaris) and Spigelian hernia (lateral ventral hernia) were named after him. He was a renowned physician in his time and was the first to give a detailed description of malaria. He made significant contributions as a botanist: the genus Spigelia, which has six species, is named after him. Clin. Anat. 27:952–957, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interactive MOLP explorer—A graphical‐based computational tool for teaching and decision support in multi‐objective linear programming models
Authors: Alves Maria João , Antunes Carlos Henggeler , Clímaco João
Published: May 2014

This article presents an interactive computational tool for teaching and providing decision support in multi‐objective linear programming models. The main aim is to offer students in engineering and economics & management a user‐friendly environment where the main theoretical and methodological concepts of multi‐objective optimization can be apprehended through experimentation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:314–326, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21601
Identification and expression of troponin T, a new marker on the surface of cultured tumor endothelial cells by aptamer ligand
Authors: Ara Mst. Naznin , Hyodo Mamoru , Ohga Noritaka , Akiyama Kosuke , Hida Kyoko , Hida Yasuhiro , Shinohara Nobuo , Harashima Hideyoshi
Published: May 2014

The identification of a specific biomarker involves the development of new clinical diagnostic tools, and an in‐depth understanding of the disease at the molecular level. When new blood vessels form in tumor cells, endothelial cell production is induced, a process that plays a key role in disease progression and metastasis to distinct organs for solid tumor types. The present study reports on the identification of a new biomarker on primary cultured mouse tumor endothelial cells (mTECs) using our recently developed high‐affinity DNA aptamer AraHH001 (Kd = 43 nmol/L) assisted proteomics approach. We applied a strategy involving aptamer‐facilitated biomarker discovery. Biotin‐tagged AraHH001 was incubated with lysates of mTECs and the aptamer‐proteins were then conjugated with streptavidin magnetic beads. Finally, the bound proteins were separated by sodiumdodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) with silver staining. We identified troponin T via matrix assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry, the molecular target of aptamer AraHH001, and its presence was confirmed by measuring mRNA, protein levels, western blot, immunostaining, a gel shift assay of AraHH001 with troponin T. We first report here on the discovery of troponin T on mTECs, a promising and interesting diagnostic tool in the development of antiangiogenic therapy techniques the involves the targeting of the tumor vasculature.
The role of laser interstitial thermal therapy in enhancing progression‐free survival of difficult‐to‐access high‐grade gliomas: a multicenter study
Authors: Mohammadi Alireza M. , Hawasli Ammar H. , Rodriguez Analiz , Schroeder Jason L. , Laxton Adrian W. , Elson Paul , Tatter Stephen B. , Barnett Gene H. , Leuthardt Eric C.
Published: May 2014

Surgical extent‐of‐resection has been shown to have an impact on high‐grade glioma (HGG) outcomes; however, complete resection is rarely achievable in difficult‐to‐access (DTA) tumors. Controlled thermal damage to the tumor may have the same impact in DTA‐HGGs. We report our multicenter results of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in DTA‐HGGs. We retrospectively reviewed 34 consecutive DTA‐HGG patients (24 glioblastoma, 10 anaplastic) who underwent LITT at Cleveland Clinic, Washington University, and Wake Forest University (May 2011–December 2012) using the NeuroBlate® System. The extent of thermal damage was determined using thermal damage threshold (TDT) lines: yellow TDT line (43°C for 2 min) and blue TDT line (43°C for 10 min). Volumetric analysis was performed to determine the extent‐of‐coverage of tumor volume by TDT lines. Patient outcomes were evaluated statistically. LITT was delivered as upfront in 19 and delivered as salvage in 16 cases. After 7.2 months of follow‐up, 71% of cases demonstrated progression and 34% died. The median overall survival (OS) for the cohort was not reached; however, the 1‐year estimate of OS was 68 ± 9%. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 5.1 months. Thirteen cases who met the following two criteria—(1) <0.05 cm3 tumor volume not covered by the yellow TDT line and (2) <1.5 cm3 additional tumor volume not covered by the blue TDT line—had better PFS than the other 21 cases (9.7 vs. 4.6 months; P = 0.02). LITT can be used effectively for treatment of DTA‐HGGs. More complete coverage of tumor by TDT lines improves PFS which can be translated as the extent of resection concept for surgery.
Rapid Total Synthesis of Cyclic Lipodepsipeptides as a Premise to Investigate their Self‐Assembly and Biological Activity
Authors: De Vleeschouwer Matthias , Sinnaeve Davy , Van den Begin Jos , Coenye Tom , Martins José C. , Madder Annemieke
Published: May 2014

A rapid and efficient total synthesis is reported for the cyclic lipodepsipeptide pseudodesmin A. This member of the Pseudomonas viscosin group is active against Gram‐positive bacteria and features self‐assembling properties. A conserved serine residue within the lactone macrocycle is exploited for initial immobilization on 2‐chlorotrityl chloride resin through ether formation with the side‐chain alcohol. Subsequent elongation proceeds through Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis, including automated incorporation of the enantioselectively synthesized (R)‐3‐hydroxydecanoic acid lipid tail. Following esterification to generate the incipient lactone bond, the macrocycle is formed by on‐resin head‐to‐tail macrolactamization and cleaved from the resin to give the desired compound in good purity. The short and efficient synthesis route allows rapid generation of analogues by facile variation of both the peptide and lipid moieties with good control of epimerization while maximizing automation. Synthesis of the pseudodesmin A enantiomer yields identical self‐assembly and biological activity to that observed for the natural compound, showing that activity is not mediated by chiral interactions. A D‐Asn8 analogue developed en route retains self‐assembly, but loses activity. The synthesis strategy should be generally applicable for the rapid generation of analogues from various cyclic lipodepsipeptide groups, allowing an investigation of their self‐assembling properties and structure–activity relationships.
Tuning Thiophene with Phosphorus: Synthesis and Electronic Properties of Benzobisthiaphospholes
Authors: Qiu Yunyan , Worch Joshua C. , Chirdon Danielle N. , Kaur Aman , Maurer Andrew B. , Amsterdam Samuel , Collins Christopher R. , Pintauer Tomislav , Yaron David , Bernhard Stefan , Noonan Kevin J. T.
Published: May 2014

1,4‐Dimercapto‐2,5‐diphosphinobenzene and 3,6‐bis(hexyloxy)‐1,4‐dimercapto‐2,5‐diphosphinobenzene were synthesized and combined with various acid chlorides to obtain a series of benzobisthiaphospholes. Electrochemical and photophysical properties of the substituted benzobisthiaphospholes have been evaluated, and the observed reductions are more facile than the related benzothiaphospholes and 2,6‐diphenylbenzobisthiazole. A benzobisthiaphosphole with C6H4‐p‐CN substituents was reduced at E1/2=−1.08 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). X‐ray diffraction data for several of these phosphorus heterocycles has been obtained, and DFT calculations at the B3LYP level have been performed.
Fe or FeNO Catalysis? A Quantum Chemical Investigation of the [Fe(CO)3(NO)]−‐Catalyzed Cloke–Wilson Rearrangement
Authors: Klein Johannes E. M. N. , Knizia Gerald , Miehlich Burkhard , Kästner Johannes , Plietker Bernd
Published: May 2014

A quantum chemical investigation of the Bu4N[Fe(CO)3(NO)]‐catalyzed Cloke–Wilson rearrangement of vinyl cyclopropanes is reported. It was found that allylic CC bond activation can proceed through a SN2′ or SN2‐type mechanism. The application of the recently reported intrinsic bond orbital (IBO) method for all structures indicated that one FeN π bond is directly involved. Further analysis showed that during the reaction oxidation occurs at the NO ligand exclusively.
Selective Separation of Ultrafine Particles Using Two‐Liquid Flotation
Authors: Leistner Tom , Müller Martin , Erler Jacqueline V. , Rudolph Martin , Peuker Urs A.
Published: May 2014

Die Vergrößerung des effizienten Anwendungsbereiches von Sortierprozessen in den Bereich feinster Partikelsysteme (0,1 – 10 μm) stellt eine erhebliche Herausforderung für die Forschung dar. Ein möglicher Prozessansatz zur Verbesserung des Sortierergebnisses ist die Flüssig/Flüssig‐Flotation. In dieser Studie werden Aussagen bezüglich Anwendbarkeit und Prozessverhalten dieses Ansatzes in Abhängigkeit von ausgewählten Prozessparametern an verschiedenen Modellpartikelsystemen präsentiert.
8‐Benzyltetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purinediones: Water‐Soluble Tricyclic Xanthine Derivatives as Multitarget Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Brunschweiger Andreas , Koch Pierre , Schlenk Miriam , Pineda Felipe , Küppers Petra , Hinz Sonja , Köse Meryem , Ullrich Stefan , Hockemeyer Jörg , Wiese Michael , Heer Jag , Müller Christa E.
Published: May 2014

8‐Benzyl‐substituted tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purinediones were designed as tricyclic xanthine derivatives containing a basic nitrogen atom in the tetrahydropyrazine ring to improve water solubility. A library of 69 derivatives was prepared and evaluated in radioligand binding studies at adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes and for their ability to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAO). Potent dual‐target‐directed A1/A2A adenosine receptor antagonists were identified. Several compounds showed triple‐target inhibition; one of the best compounds was 8‐(2,4‐dichloro‐5‐fluorobenzyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione (72) (human AR: Ki A1 217 nM, A2A 233 nM; IC50 MAO‐B: 508 nM). Dichlorinated compound 36 [8‐(3,4‐dichlorobenzyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione] was found to be the best triple‐target drug in rat (Ki A1 351 nM, A2A 322 nm; IC50 MAO‐B: 260 nM), and may serve as a useful tool for preclinical proof‐of‐principle studies. Compounds that act at multiple targets relevant for symptomatic as well as disease‐modifying treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are expected to show advantages over single‐target therapeutics.
Mathematical modelling of the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma‐induced bone disease
Authors: Ji Bing , Genever Paul G. , Patton Ronald J. , Fagan Michael J.
Published: May 2014

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy and results in destructive bone lesions. The interaction between MM cells and the bone microenvironment plays an important role in the development of the tumour cells and MM‐induced bone disease and forms a ‘vicious cycle’ of tumour development and bone destruction, intensified by suppression of osteoblast activity and promotion of osteoclast activity. In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed to simulate how the interaction between MM cells and the bone microenvironment facilitates the development of the tumour cells and the resultant bone destruction. It includes both the roles of inhibited osteoblast activity and stimulated osteoclast activity. The model is able to mimic the temporal variation of bone cell concentrations and resultant bone volume after the invasion and then removal of the tumour cells and explains why MM‐induced bone lesions rarely heal even after the complete removal of MM cells. The behaviour of the model compares well with published experimental data. The model serves as a first step to understand the development of MM‐induced bone disease and could be applied further to evaluate the current therapies against MM‐induced bone disease and even suggests new potential therapeutic targets. © 2014 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Structural Control of Hierarchically‐Ordered TiO2 Films by Water for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Ahn Sung Hoon , Kim Dong Jun , Roh Dong Kyu , Chi Won Seok , Kim Jong Hak
Published: May 2014

A facile way of controlling the structure of TiO2 by changing the amount of water to improve the efficiency of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. Hierarchically ordered TiO2 films with high porosity and good interconnectivity are synthesized in a well‐defined morphological confinement arising from a one‐step self‐assembly of preformed TiO2 (pre‐TiO2) nanocrystals and a graft copolymer, namely poly(vinyl chloride)‐g‐poly(oxyethylene methacrylate). The polymer–solvent interactions in solution, which are tuned by the amount of water, are shown to be a decisive factor in determining TiO2 morphology and device performance. Systematic control of wall and pore size is achieved and enables the bifunctionality of excellent light scattering properties and easy electron transport through the film. These properties are characterized by reflectance spectroscopy, incident photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses. The TiO2 photoanode that is prepared with a higher water ratio, [pre‐TiO2]:[H2O]=1:0.3, shows a larger surface area, greater light scattering, and better electron transport, which result in a high efficiency (7.7 %) DSSC with a solid polymerized ionic liquid. This efficiency is much greater than that of commercially available TiO2 paste (4.0 %).
A Polyoxovanadate as an Advanced Electrode Material for Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Han‐Yi , Wee Grace , Al‐Oweini Rami , Friedl Jochen , Tan Kim Soon , Wang Yuxi , Wong Chui Ling , Kortz Ulrich , Stimming Ulrich , Srinivasan Madhavi
Published: May 2014

Polyoxovanadate Na6V10O28 is investigated for the first time as electrode material for supercapacitors (SCs). The electrochemical properties of Na6V10O28 electrodes are studied in Li+‐containing organic electrolyte (1 M LiClO4 in propylene carbonate) by galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry in a three‐electrode configuration. Na6V10O28 electrodes exhibit high specific capacitances of up to 354 F g−1. An asymmetric SC with activated carbon as positive electrode and Na6V10O28 as negative electrode is fabricated and exhibits a high energy density of 73 Wh kg−1 with a power density of 312 W kg−1, which successfully demonstrates that Na6V10O28 is a promising electrode material for high‐energy SC applications.
Environmental Reporting: Transparency to Stakeholders or Stakeholder Manipulation? An Analysis of Disclosure Tone and the Role of the Board of Directors
Authors: Arena Claudia , Bozzolan Saverio , Michelon Giovanna
Published: May 2014

We study whether environmental reporting serves as a transparency tool to communicate sound environmental policies to stakeholders or rather as a manipulation tool of stakeholders' perceptions. In particular, we focus on the relationship between environmental disclosure tone and future environmental performance and we furthermore explore the role of the board of directors' monitoring and stakeholder orientation in shaping this relationship. Using a sample of 288 US oil and gas firms, we find that the bias towards positive language does not reflect purely opportunistic managerial reasons, but rather is a transparency tool to signal future environmental performance. In addition, we document that the stakeholder orientation of the board plays a transparency role in communicating the firm's superior performance. Our findings contribute to the debate on whether discretionary strategies in environmental reporting are more about increased transparency or about stakeholder manipulation. Moreover, they help investors and policymakers to interpret managers' language choices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Process of Attracting College Graduates
Authors: Barrena‐Martínez Jesús , López‐Fernández Macarena , Márquez‐Moreno Cristina , Romero‐Fernández Pedro Miguel
Published: May 2014

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is acquiring great relevance in academic and professional fields as a tool which enables an increase in business competitiveness and sustainable development. Additionally, a growing number of authors have started to consider CSR as an internal capability that allows firms to attract and retain a qualified workforce. Taking into account this premise, this study has a two‐fold aim: (i) to analyse which CSR aspects are assessed higher or lower by valuable human capital such as college graduates when they decide to join a company, and (ii) to show the existence of personal and social integration factors which influence this assessment. To address these purposes, this study carried out a quantitative analysis at different Spanish universities. The results conclude that social integration factors have greater influence on the assessment of CSR and sustainable practices with regard to the processes of attracting college graduates than do personal explanatory factors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Distributed power flow loss minimization control for future grid
Authors: Nakayama Kiyoshi , Zhao Changhong , Bic Lubomir F. , Dillencourt Michael B. , Brouwer Jack
Published: May 2014

In this paper, a novel decentralized algorithm is proposed to minimize power flow loss in a large‐scale future grid connecting with many real‐time‐distributed generation systems by which power flows bi‐directionally. The DC‐power loss at each link is defined as the product of resistance and the square of current that can be considered as a quadratic flow cost. We employ the notion of tie‐sets that reduces the complexity of the power flow loss problem by dividing a power network into a set of loops that forms a linear vector space on which the power loss problem can be formulated as a convex optimization problem. As finding a solution in each tie‐set enables global optimization, we realize parallel computing within a system of independent tie‐sets by integrating autonomous agents. Simulation results demonstrate the minimization of the power loss on every link by iteratively optimized power flows and show the superiority against the traditional centralized optimization scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid method for the simultaneous determination of DDTs and PCBs in hair of children by headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HSSPME/GC‐MS)
Authors: Tzatzarakis Manolis N. , Barbounis Emmanouil G. , Kavvalakis Matthaios P. , Vakonaki Elena , Renieri Elisavet , Vardavas Alexander I. , Tsatsakis Aristidis M.
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and cost efficient hair extraction method, using the headspace solid phase microextraction (HSSPME) technique for the simultaneous determination and biomonitoring of 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)ethane) (DDT) and its isomers/metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in hair samples. A total of 72 head hair samples were collected from children living in urban and rural regions of the island of Crete. Two hundred milligrams of hair were digested under alkaline conditions and thermostated for 30 min at 90°C while a 65 µm PDMS/DVB fibre was exposed into the headspace of the vial. Analytical parameters of the method (time of incubation, agitation speed, recovery, precision, accuracy, carry over, matrix effect, linearity, and selectivity) were examined. Recoveries of the DDTs in the spiked hair samples were calculated from 42.3% for opDDD to 87.1% for opDDE, while recoveries for PCB congeners were from 52.6% for PCB138 to 96.6 % for PCB28. The method was applied for the analysis of authentic hair samples. Significant differences (p=0.001) of the burden to total DDTs (sumDDTs) as well as of the frequencies of detection of positive samples (p=0.020) were observed between the examined regions. Moreover, significant differences in the detected concentrations of PCB congeners were observed for PCB52 (p<0.001) and PCB28 (p=0.017) as well for their prevalence between urban and rural regions. Application of HSSPME for the biomonitoring of DDTs and PCBs biomarkers in hair was tested and successfully applied to the analysis of spiked and authentic hair samples. HSSPME was found to be substantially simpler and faster procedure than previous reported sample treatment procedures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utility of coloured hair for the detection of drugs and alcohol
Authors: Agius Ronald
Published: May 2014

The aim of this paper is to assess the utility of coloured hair for the detection of drugs and alcohol in a large statistically significant population. The positivity rate, the 1st, 5th, 50th, 95th, and 99th percentiles of five amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, four opiates, methadone, buprenorphine, seven benzodiazepines, and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in 9488 non‐treated and 1026 cosmetically treated (dyed or bleached) authentic hair samples was compared. Analytical methods used were accredited for forensic purposes at the cut‐offs defined by the German driving licence re‐granting medical and psychological assessment (MPA) guidelines.

Considering only the drug classes for which at least 10 positive samples were detected, the positivity rate in non‐treated hair was highest for alcohol (4.50%; measured using EtG at concentrations ≥ 7 pg/mg hair), followed by THC (2.00%), cocaine (1.75%), and amphetamine (0.59%). While the 1st to 99th percentile range was significantly lower for drugs in treated, compared to non‐treated hair, no significant change was observed for EtG. Additionally, no significant difference in the positivity rate was observed between treated hair and non‐treated hair for both drugs and EtG. This study is the first attempt to evaluate the influence of cosmetic treatment, mainly dying, on the positivity rate for both drugs and EtG in hair samples submitted routinely for abstinence testing and the first to indicate that dyed and eventually bleached hair is not necessarily useless in detecting drugs and/or alcohol consumption, thus making coloured hair analysis still useful, often being the only possibility to prove such misuse. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hair analysis as a useful procedure for detection of vapour exposure to chemical warfare agents: simulation of sulphur mustard with methyl salicylate
Authors: Spiandore Marie , Piram Anne , Lacoste Alexandre , Josse Denis , Doumenq Pierre
Published: May 2014

Chemical warfare agents (CWA) are highly toxic compounds which have been produced to kill or hurt people during conflicts or terrorist attacks. Despite the fact that their use is strictly prohibited according to international convention, populations' exposure still recently occurred. Development of markers of exposure to CWA is necessary to distinguish exposed victims from unexposed ones. We present the first study of hair usage as passive sampler to assess contamination by chemicals in vapour form. This work presents more particularly the hair adsorption capacity for methyl salicylate used as a surrogate of the vesicant sulphur mustard. Chemical vapours toxicity through the respiratory route has historically been defined through Haber's law's concentration‐time (Ct) product, and vapour exposure of hair to methyl salicylate was conducted with various times or doses of exposure in the range of incapacitating and lethal Ct products corresponding to sulphur mustard. Following exposure, extraction of methyl salicylate from hair was conducted by simple soaking in dichloromethane. Methyl salicylate could be detected on hair for vapour concentration corresponding to about one fifth of the sulphur mustard concentration that would kill 50% of exposed individuals (LCt50). The amount of methyl salicylate recovered from hair increased with time or dose of exposure. It showed a good correlation with the concentration‐time product, suggesting that hair could be used like a passive sampler to assess vapour exposure to chemical compounds. It introduces great perspectives concerning the use of hair as a marker of exposure to CWA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliable LC‐MS/MS assay for the estimation of rilpivirine in human plasma: application to a bioequivalence study and incurred sample reanalysis
Authors: Gupta Ajay , Guttikar Swati , Patel Yogesh , Shrivastav Pranav S. , Sanyal Mallika
Published: May 2014

A simple, precise, and rapid stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of rilpivirine, a non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in human plasma. Rilpivirine and its deuterated analogue, rilpivirine‐d6, used as an internal standard (IS) were quantitatively extracted by liquid‐liquid extraction with methyl‐tert‐butyl ether and diethyl ether solvent mixture from 50 μL plasma. The chromatography was achieved on Gemini C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) analytical column in a run time of 2.2 min. The precursor → product ion transitions for rilpivirine (m/z 367.1 → 128.0) and IS (m/z 373.2 → 134.2) were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the positive ionization mode. The linearity of the method was established in the concentration range of 0.5–200 ng/mL. The mean extraction recovery for rilpivirine (94.9%) and IS (99.9%) from spiked plasma samples was consistent and reproducible. The IS‐normalized matrix factors for rilpivirine ranged from 0.98 to 1.02 across three quality controls. Bench top, freeze‐thaw, wet extract, and long‐term stability of rilpivirine was examined in spiked plasma samples. The application of the method was demonstrated by a bioequivalence study with 25 mg rilpivirine tablet formulation in 40 healthy subjects. The assay reproducibility was shown by reanalysis of 200 study samples and the % change in the concentration of repeat values from the original values was within ±15%. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistance training enhances muscular performance in patients with anorexia nervosa: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fernandez‐del‐Valle Maria , Larumbe‐Zabala Eneko , Villaseñor‐Montarroso Angel , Cardona Gonzalez Claudia , Diez‐Vega Ingnacio , Lopez Mojares Luis Miguel , Perez Ruiz Margarita
Published: May 2014

Objective

Low‐intensity exercise applied in anorexia nervosa patients has been shown to have a harmless effect on body composition and to effect short‐term improvements in muscular strength and agility. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a high‐intensity resistance training program designed for adolescents to improve strength and agility in anorexia nervosa restricting‐type patients (AN‐R).

Methods

From a total of 36 female patients with AN‐R, one group (intervention, n = 18) underwent a supervised high‐intensity resistance training program lasting 8 weeks, and the other group with no exercise (control, n = 18). Body weight, body mass index, whole‐body muscular strength, and agility were assessed before, after, and 4 weeks after training (detraining).

Results

Leg‐press, bench‐press, and lateral row tests improved significantly (p < 0.001) after 8 weeks of training compared with controls. Improvements were maintained after the detraining period. The training program also showed beneficial effects on agility.

Discussion

A high‐intensity resistance training program adapted to the recommendations for adolescents in AN‐R patients was effective and safe, improving muscular strength in the whole body and the ability to perform daily tasks. However, long‐term maintenance of gains seems to be linked to the continuance of training or the use of a maintenance program. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:601–609)
Diels–Alder Reactions of Masked o‐Benzoquinones with 1‐Vinylcyclohexenes: A Short and Efficient Entry to Highly Functionalized Decahydrophenanthrene Skeleton
Authors: Niu Guang‐Hao , Hou Chieh‐Shen , Chuang Gary Jing , Wu Chi‐Phi , Liao Chun‐Chen
Published: May 2014

Masked o‐benzoquinones (MOBs), which were generated in situ from 2‐methoxyphenols, underwent Diels–Alder reactions with 1‐vinylcyclohexenes to produce the corresponding cycloaddition products, that is, decahydrophenanthrenes along with bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones. In the former case, the MOBs serve as the dienophile, and in the later case, the 1‐vinylcyclohexenes act as the dienophile. The obtained bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones could be transformed into the corresponding decahydrophenanthrenes through a Cope rearrangement at 220 °C. Thus, these tandem reactions provide a short and efficient entry to the decahydrophenanthrene skeleton from easily available 2‐methoxyphenols.
Temperament Subtypes in Treatment Seeking Obese Individuals: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Müller Astrid , Claes Laurence , Wilderjans Tom F. , de Zwaan Martina
Published: May 2014

Objective

This study aimed to investigate temperament subtypes in obese patients.

Methods

Ninety‐three bariatric surgery candidates and 63 obese inpatients from a psychotherapy unit answered the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS), the Effortful Control subscale of the Adult Temperament Questionnaire‐Short Form (ATQ‐EC), and questionnaires for eating disorder, depressive and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and completed neurocognitive testing for executive functions. Binge eating disorder and impulse control disorders were diagnosed using interviews.

Results

A latent profile analysis using BIS/BAS and ATQ‐EC scores revealed a ‘resilient/high functioning’ cluster (n = 88) showing high ATQ‐EC and low BIS/BAS scores and an ‘emotionally dysregulated/undercontrolled’ cluster (n = 68) with low ATQ‐EC and high BIS/BAS scores. Patients from the ‘emotionally dysregulated/undercontrolled’ cluster showed more eating disorder, depressive and ADHD symptoms, and poorer performance in the labyrinth task.

Conclusion

The findings support the assumptions regarding the heterogeneity of obesity and the association between temperament subtypes and psychopathology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Forecasting the Term Structure when Short‐Term Rates are Near Zero
Authors: Steeley James M.
Published: May 2014

This paper compares the experience of forecasting the UK government bond yield curve before and after the dramatic lowering of short‐term interest rates from October 2008. Out‐of‐sample forecasts for 1, 6 and 12 months are generated from each of a dynamic Nelson–Siegel model, autoregressive models for both yields and the principal components extracted from those yields, a slope regression and a random walk model. At short forecasting horizons, there is little difference in the performance of the models both prior to and after 2008. However, for medium‐ to longer‐term horizons, the slope regression provided the best forecasts prior to 2008, while the recent experience of near‐zero short interest rates coincides with a period of forecasting superiority for the autoregressive and dynamic Nelson–Siegel models. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the Macroeconomic Forecasting Performance of Boosting: Evidence for the United States, the Euro Area and Germany
Authors: Wohlrabe Klaus , Buchen Teresa
Published: May 2014

The use of large datasets for macroeconomic forecasting has received a great deal of interest recently. Boosting is one possible method of using high‐dimensional data for this purpose. It is a stage‐wise additive modelling procedure, which, in a linear specification, becomes a variable selection device that iteratively adds the predictors with the largest contribution to the fit. Using data for the United States, the euro area and Germany, we assess the performance of boosting when forecasting a wide range of macroeconomic variables. Moreover, we analyse to what extent its forecasting accuracy depends on the method used for determining its key regularization parameter: the number of iterations. We find that boosting mostly outperforms the autoregressive benchmark, and that K‐fold cross‐validation works much better as stopping criterion than the commonly used information criteria. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and IL‐3 on human eosinophil–basophil lineage commitment: Relevance to atopic sensitization
Authors: Hui Claudia C. K. , Rusta‐Sallehy Sina , Asher Ilan , Heroux Delia , Denburg Judah A.
Published: May 2014

An important immunopathological hallmark of allergic disease is tissue eosinophilic and basophilic inflammation, a phenomenon which originates from hemopoietic progenitors (HP). The fate of HP is determined by local inflammatory cytokines that permit “in situ hemopoiesis,” which leads to the accumulation of eosinophils and basophils (Eo/B). Given that recent evidence supports a critical immunomodulatory role for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in allergic inflammation, as well as TSLP effects on CD34+ progenitor cytokine and chemokine secretion, we investigated the role of TSLP in mediating eosinophilo‐ and basophilopoiesis, the mechanisms involved, and the association of these processes with atopic sensitisation. In the studies presented herein, we demonstrate a direct role for TSLP in Eo/B differentiation from human peripheral blood CD34+ cells. In the presence of IL‐3, TSLP significantly promoted the formation of Eo/B colony forming units (CFU) (including both eosinophils and basophils) from human HP (HHP), which was dependent on TSLP–TSLPR interactions. IL‐3/TSLP‐stimulated HHP actively secreted an array of cytokines/chemokines, key among which was TNFα, which, together with IL‐3, enhanced surface expression of TSLPR. Moreover, pre‐stimulation of HHP with IL‐3/TNFα further promoted TSLP‐dependent Eo/B CFU formation. HHP isolated from atopic individuals were functionally and phenotypically more responsive to TSLP than those from nonatopic individuals. This is the first study to demonstrate enhanced TSLP‐mediated hemopoiesis ex vivo in relation to clinical atopic status. The capacity of HHP to participate in TSLP‐driven allergic inflammation points to the potential importance of “in situ hemopoiesis” in allergic inflammation initiated at the epithelial surface.
BANK DIVIDENDS, REAL GDP GROWTH AND DEFAULT RISK
Authors: Kanas Angelos
Published: May 2014

We reveal evidence that the US aggregate bank dividends exercise a causal impact on the US real GDP growth during the period from the introduction of the Prompt Corrective Action framework in 1992 until the outburst of the subprime mortgage market crisis in 2007. Over this period, the positive signalling effects of bank dividends outperform the negative effect of dividends on default risk. During the pre‐Prompt Corrective Action and the recent post‐2007 periods, bank dividends do not affect GDP growth. This regime‐dependent relation is due to an asymmetric role of bank default risk. These findings are of interest to bank regulators in reassessing the role of bank dividends within Basel III and carry important policy implications as bank dividends constitute an important tool available to policy makers for strengthening real activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE IMPACT OF FALLEN ANGELS ON INVESTMENT GRADE CORPORATE BONDS PORTFOLIOS: EVIDENCE FROM THE EUROPEAN MARKET
Authors: Bolognesi Enrica , Ferro Marianna , Zuccheri Andrea
Published: May 2014

This work examines the impact on the price of corporate bonds denominated in Euro of a downgrade to high yield announced by Standard & Poor's and/or Moody's Investors Service. In particular, we observe the bond price behaviour around three events. The first event is the first downgrade announcement from one of the rating agencies, and we find significant cumulative abnormal returns before and at around the event. The second event is the downgrade announcement by the second rating agency: in this case, the security becomes a fallen angel and must leave the institutional portfolios constrained to investment grade (IG) securities. We record again a significant negative price reaction but larger than in the previous case and significantly higher when preceded by a widening of the credit spread in the corporate bonds market. Broadening the existing literature, we perform a third event study, focused on the subsequent bond deletion from an IG benchmark. In this case, our results show positive and significant excess returns after the month‐end index rebalancing, revealing a price reversal pattern of the fallen angel after its release from the index. This price rebound is the higher, whereas the stronger was the bond price pressure at the downgrade announcement. These insights offer some practical guideline for those professionals that manage IG and high‐yield portfolios. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.