bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CASH FLOW PREDICTION FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT USING A NOVEL ADAPTIVE TIME-DEPENDENT LEAST SQUARES SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE INFERENCE MODEL
Authors: Cheng Min-Yuan , Hoang Nhat-Duc , Wu Yu-Wei
Published: June 2015

Cash flow information is crucial for the decision making process in construction management. Due to the complexity and the dynamic progress of a construction project, forecasting cash flow demand throughout various phases of the project remains a challenging problem. This article presents a novel inference model, named as Adaptive Timedependent Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVMAT) for cash flow prediction. In the LS-SVMAT, Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) is integrated with an adaptive time function (ATF) to generalize the inputoutput mapping of cash flow. Since cash flow data are time-dependent, data points recorded in different periods can contribute dissimilarly to the training process of the prediction model. Thus, the role of the ATF is to determine the appropriate weight associated with each data point at a specific time period. By doing so, LS-SVMAT can better deal with the dynamic nature of the time series. Furthermore, to identify the optimal parameters for the inference model, Differential Evolution (DE) based cross validation process is utilized in this research. Comparing to other benchmark methods, the proposed model has identified the most appropriate time function and has yielded superior forecasting results. Therefore, LS-SVMAT can be a promising tool for construction managers in cash flow prediction.
Pratiques de RSE sociale dans les PME libanaises : une prise de conscience
Authors: Chidiac El Hajj Mireille
Published: June 2015

Le présent article traite le concept de la Responsabilité Sociale de l’Entreprise (RSE) dans le contexte libanais. L’objectif de cette étude est de comprendre l’engagement de la Petite et Moyenne Entreprise (PME) libanaise dans le développement économique durable, et d’étudier le visage social de la RSE, en privilégiant la relation dirigeant-salarié. Un questionnaire soumis à une trentaine de propriétaires-dirigeants de PME de secteurs différents prouve que les dirigeants de ces PME intègrent, sans le savoir, le concept de la RSE, et qu’il existe une relation entre la culture organisationnelle, l’adoption des pratiques sociales et la performance des entreprises. Les résultats ont montré qu’en combinant leurs préoccupations sociales à leurs activités commerciales, les propriétaires-dirigeants s’attendent en contrepartie à un retour sur la RSE, dans un mode de relation bilatérale « donnant-donnant ». L’implantation d’une culture sociale spécifique et stimulante au sein de la PME, dans un cadre de pratiques équitables, serait appréciée.
Use Cases and Application Purposes of Social Media in Healthcare
Authors: Denecke Kerstin
Published: June 2015

This chapter presents the current state and outlines future directions in the possibilities of applying and exploiting social media in supporting healthcare processes. Starting from the abstracts of the Medicine 2.0 conference in 2012, the authors identify categories of application purposes for social media-based healthcare applications. The applications of social media tools and data are categorized into five groups: 1) supporting the treatment process, 2) for information gathering and prevention, 3) for networking and information exchange, 4) for knowledge management, and 5) for research and monitoring. Use of social media for information gathering and disease prevention is most prevalent. Existing applications mainly concentrate on supporting treatment of chronic and mental diseases. Technology is ready for supporting such applications. To go further in that direction, organizational and legal issues need to be addressed, including developing concepts for integrating with clinical information settings, establishing financing models, and ensuring security and trust.
Social Presence
Authors: Shen Libi , Chen Irene Linlin
Published: June 2015

Over the years, the advance of technology has changed the ways of instructions in higher education, and new communication trends as well as innovative pedagogy evolved to be reconciled with new technology trends in distance education. What are the major challenges of communication in distance education? This chapter explores how dissertation chairs perceive social presence in online dissertation courses, and what challenges these online instructors have in distance dissertation mentorship. In this study, the authors interviewed eight experienced dissertation chairs to explore their insights and opinions on the effectiveness of social presence in distance dissertation mentorship as well as to examine the controversies hidden in online instructions. Major issues and problems in applying social presence theories in dissertation mentorship emerged from the interview results. Solutions and recommendations are provided to tackle the problems. Future research directions are indicated as well.
A Sobolev non embedding
Authors: Mironescu Petru , Sickel Winfried
Published: June 2015

If

\Omega

is a bounded domain in

\mathbb R^n

,

1 ≤ q < p ≤ \infty

and

s=0, 1, 2,\ldots

, then we clearly have

W^{s,p}(\Omega)\subset W^{s,q}(\Omega)

. We prove that this property does not hold when

s

in not an integer.
Integrated radar and lidar analysis reveals extensive loss of remaining intact forest on Sumatra 2007–2010
Authors: Collins M. B. , Mitchard E. T. A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Forests with high above ground biomass (AGB), including those growing on peat swamps, have historically not been thought suitable for biomass mapping and change detection using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). However, by integrating L-band (λ = 0.23 m) SAR with lidar data from the ALOS and ICESat earth-observing satellites respectively, and 56 forest plots, we were able to create a forest biomass and change map for a 10.7 Mha section of eastern Sumatra that still contains high AGB peat swamp forest. Using a time series of SAR data we estimated changes in both forest area and AGB. We estimate that there were 274 ± 68 Tg AGB remaining in natural forest (≥ 20 m height) in the study area in 2007, with this stock reducing by approximately 11.4% over the subsequent 3 years. A total of 137.4 kha of the study area were deforested between 2007 and 2010; an average rate of 3.8% yr−1. The ability to attribute forest loss to different initial biomass values allows for far more effective monitoring and baseline modelling for avoided deforestation projects than traditional, optical-based remote sensing. Furthermore, given SAR's ability to penetrate the smoke and cloud which normally obscure land cover change in this region, SAR-based forest monitoring can be relied on to provide frequent imagery. This study demonstrates that even at L-band, which typically saturates at medium biomass levels (ca. 150 Mg ha−1), it is possible to make reliable estimates of not just the area but the carbon emissions resulting from land use change.
Thermal-Plume fibre Optic Tracking (T-POT) test for flow velocity measurement in groundwater boreholes
Authors: Read T. , Bense V. F. , Bour O. , Le Borgne T. , Lavenant N. , Hochreutener R. , Selker J. S.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We develop an approach for measuring in-well fluid velocities using point electrical heating combined with spatially and temporally continuous temperature monitoring using Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). The method uses a point heater to warm a discrete volume of water. The rate of advection of this plume, once the heating is stopped, equates to the average flow velocity in the well. We conducted Thermal-Plume fibre Optic Tracking (T-POT) tests in a borehole in a fractured rock aquifer with the heater at the same depth and multiple pumping rates. Tracking of the thermal plume peak allowed the spatially varying velocity to be estimated up to 50 m downstream from the heating point, depending on the pumping rate. The T-POT technique can be used to estimate the velocity throughout long intervals provided that thermal dilution due to inflows, dispersion, or cooling by conduction do not render the thermal pulse unresolvable with DTS. A complete flow log may be obtained by deploying the heater at multiple depths, or with multiple point heaters.
A large-scale simulation model to assess karstic groundwater recharge over Europe and the Mediterranean
Authors: Hartmann A. , Gleeson T. , Rosolem R. , Pianosi F. , Wada Y. , Wagener T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Karst develops through the dissolution of carbonate rock and is a major source of groundwater contributing up to half of the total drinking water supply in some European countries. Previous approaches to model future water availability in Europe are either too-small scale or do not incorporate karst processes, i.e. preferential flow paths. This study presents the first simulations of groundwater recharge in all karst regions in Europe with a parsimonious karst hydrology model. A novel parameter confinement strategy combines a priori information with recharge-related observations (actual evapotranspiration and soil moisture) at locations across Europe while explicitly identifying uncertainty in the model parameters. Europe's karst regions are divided into four typical karst landscapes (humid, mountain, Mediterranean and desert) by cluster analysis and recharge is simulated from 2002 to 2012 for each karst landscape. Mean annual recharge ranges from negligible in deserts to > 1 m a−1 in humid regions. The majority of recharge rates range from 20 to 50% of precipitation and are sensitive to subannual climate variability. Simulation results are consistent with independent observations of mean annual recharge and significantly better than other global hydrology models that do not consider karst processes (PCR-GLOBWB, WaterGAP). Global hydrology models systematically under-estimate karst recharge implying that they over-estimate actual evapotranspiration and surface runoff. Karst water budgets and thus information to support management decisions regarding drinking water supply and flood risk are significantly improved by our model.
Detailed quantification of delta subsidence, compaction and interaction with man-made structures: the case of the NCA airport, France
Authors: Cavalié O. , Sladen A. , Kelner M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. River deltas are dynamic costal systems and their evolutions are closely monitored as it often concentrates vital natural resources for the surrounding areas. Many deltas, worldwide, experience subsidence due to geological processes (sediment loading and compaction) or human activities (groundwater or hydrocarbon extraction, land reclamation). This causes shoreline erosion or wetland loss which represent serious issues for the population. In this study, we investigate the dynamic of the Var delta (France) where reclaimed lands over sea have been built to host the Nice côte d'Azur airport (NCA). Actually, the stability of this infrastructure is a permanent concern since, in 1979, a newly built extension of the runway platform collapsed in the sea, causing important damages. The project of land extension stopped, but the present airport platform is still located on reclaimed land. Factors that can trigger such catastrophic landslide are thought to be linked to the delta activity and the artificial airport platform load. We used, therefore, Envisat InSAR data to measure accurately the ground deformation of the area that includes the Var delta and NCA airport. Combining data from ascending and descending orbits, we estimated the east–west and vertical components of the deformation and obtained very accurate displacement rate (with a 1σ error of 0.25 mm yr-1). We found that nearly all the deformation is vertical and impacts the whole Var delta. The Var valley subsides at a very low rate (0.5–1 mm yr-1) but downstream the subsidence rate increases and a clear jump is observed at the transition with the reclaimed lands (1–2 mm yr-1). On average, the reclaimed lands subside at 3 mm yr-1. Since the subsidence rate increases in correlation with the sediment thickness, we interpret it as the compaction of the delta quaternary sedimentary wedge. In addition, three areas subsides faster (between 5 and 10 mm yr-1), with one calling for more attention as it is the largest and overlooks the steep Var canyon. The progressive increase of subsidence rates toward the sea also suggests that the underwater parts of the margins could subside at rates well above 10 mm yr-1.
Climatological features and trends of extreme precipitation during 1979–2012 in Beijing, China
Authors: Xu Z. X. , Chu Q.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In this study, three kinds of hourly precipitation series with the spatial resolution of 0.1° are used to analyze the climatological features and trends of extreme precipitation during the period of 1979–2012 in Beijing, China. The results show that: (1) the spatial distribution of median annual precipitation, with a range from 500 to 825 mm, is similar to that of local topography, which increases from the northwest to the southeast. Taking the urban area as a centre, the inter-annual precipitation in the Beijing area displays an outward decreasing tendency at the maximum rate of 125 mm per decade (125 mm × 10 a−1); (2) extreme precipitation amount, which accounts for 40–48% of total precipitation amount, has a similar spatial distribution to average annual precipitation; (3) the spatial distribution of extreme precipitation days and threshold estimated as the upper 95 percentile are significantly different from that of extreme precipitation, with maximum values concentrated on the urban area and the eastern mountain area, and minimum values in northwest; (4) extreme precipitation days (Ex_pd95) show an opposite distribution to extreme precipitation threshold (Ex_pv95), indicating that areas with greater precipitation threshold may has less precipitation days, and vice versa; (5) an apparent spatiotemporal decreasing tendency is detected in extreme precipitation amount. The downward tendencies are also found in extreme precipitation threshold. Unlike Ex_pv95, in most of the study area, Ex_pd95 is virtually unchanged; (6) downward trends of extreme precipitation is slightly smaller than that of annual precipitation, and the reducing amplitude of north-eastern areas are much higher than the areas in the southwest.
Upstream structural management measures for an urban area flooding in Turkey
Authors: Akyurek Z. , Bozoğlu B. , Sürer S. , Mumcu H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In recent years, flooding has become an increasing concern across many parts of the world of both the general public and their governments. The climate change inducing more intense rainfall events occurring in short period of time lead flooding in rural and urban areas. In this study the flood modelling in an urbanized area, namely Samsun-Terme in Blacksea region of Turkey is performed. MIKE21 with flexible grid is used in 2-dimensional shallow water flow modelling. 1 × 1000−1 scaled maps with the buildings for the urbanized area and 1 × 5000−1 scaled maps for the rural parts are used to obtain DTM needed in the flood modelling. The bathymetry of the river is obtained from additional surveys. The main river passing through the urbanized area has a capacity of 500 m3 s−1 according to the design discharge obtained by simple ungauged discharge estimation depending on catchment area only. The upstream structural base precautions against flooding are modelled. The effect of four main upstream catchments on the flooding in the downstream urban area are modelled as different scenarios. It is observed that if the flow from the upstream catchments can be retarded through a detention pond constructed in one of the upstream catchments, estimated Q100 flood can be conveyed by the river without overtopping from the river channel. The operation of the upstream detention ponds and the scenarios to convey Q500 without causing flooding are also presented. Structural management measures to address changes in flood characteristics in water management planning are discussed.
Two-dimensional hydrodynamic flood modelling for populated valley areas of Russian rivers
Authors: Belikov V. V. , Krylenko I. N. , Alabyan A. M. , Sazonov A. A. , Glotko A. V.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Results of flood modelling for three cities located in different parts of Russia: (1) Veliky Ustyug at the Northern Dvina river (Europe); (2) Mezhdurechensk at the Tom river (Siberia); and (3) Blagoveschensk at the Amur river (Far East) are presented. The two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of flow in channels and on floodplain STREAM_2D on the basis of the numerical solution of two-dimensional Saint–Venant equations on a hybrid curvilinear quadrangular and rectangular mesh was used for the simulations. Verification of the model through a comparison of simulated inundated areas with outlines of flooded zones from satellite images for known hydrologic situations demonstrate close correspondence (relative errors of 7–12% in terms of the area for peaks of the analysed floods). Analyses of embankment influence of large-scale levees on the water flow demonstrate that, in some cases, water levels could rise by more than 1 m and the patterns of the flooding zones could significantly differ.
Kultur, privatliv og offentlighet: Religionens plass i det sekulariserte samfunnet
Authors: Myskja Bjørn , Nydal Rune , Solberg Berge
Published: June 2015

Den dominerende oppfatningen i den politiske og moralfilosofiske tenkningen de siste tiår har vært at religion ikke bør spille noen avgjørende politisk rolle i det moderne sekulariserte demokrati. Religion tilhører privatsfæren, og politiske avgjørelser må fattes på et felles grunnlag, uavhengig av livssyn. De mest sentrale tenkerne i vår tids politiske filosofi, John Rawls og Jürgen Habermas, har begge i tidlige arbeider gitt uttrykk for at dette er en oppfatning som vil få en allmenn, global tilslutning, for de ser modernisering og sekularisering som to sider av samme sak. Det er nærmest to uunngåelige fenomen ettersom globalisering og modernisering vil føre til svekkelse av tradisjonelle kulturer og utbredelse av individualisme og demokratiske idealer. Bakgrunnen for dette temanummeret er at en rekke erfaringer fra de siste tiår har ledet til en gjenåpning av spørsmålet om religionens plass i sekulariserte samfunn.
Biomedisinsk teknologi i idrett: Hvor går grensene?
Authors: Loland Sigmund
Published: June 2015

I denne artikkelen drøfter jeg bruk av biomedisinsk teknologi i prestasjonsfremmende hensikt i konkurranseidrett. Mer presist utforsker jeg mulighetene for å skille mellom etisk akseptabel og etisk uakseptabel bruk. Jeg kritiserer WADAs normative grunnlag for å forby visse biomedisinske midler og metoder, og argumenterer for at eventuelle forbud må bygge på tydeligere verdisyn på idrett. Jeg undersøker to idealtypiske syn og deres teknologiske implikasjoner. Det smale synet er liberalt og avviser begrensninger i bruk av biomedisinske midler og metoder blant voksne idrettsutøvere som dårlig begrunnet paternalisme. Det brede synet innebærer en mer restriktiv holdning og aksepterer en viss regulering av trening og prestasjonsutvikling også utenfor konkurransene. I en avsluttende del veier jeg det smale og det brede synet mot hverandre og reflekterer over hvilket syn som vil dominere framtidens idrett.Nøkkelord: etikk, idrett, biomedisinsk teknologi, dopingEnglish summary: The use of biomedical technology in sport: Are there any limits?In the article I examine the use of biomedical technology to enhance performance in competitive sport. More specifically I examine the possibilities for distinguishing between ethically acceptable and ethically unacceptable use of such technology. I criticize the World Antidoping Agency's (WADA) normative criterion for banning certain technologies as it is vague and unclear. I argue that any ban by WADA has to build on a clear and operational normative view of sport. Two relevant ideal-typical views are examined together with their technological implications. The narrow view is liberal and rejects restrictions on the use of biomedical technology among professional athletes as unjustifiable paternalism. The wider view implies a more restrictive approach and accepts certain regulations of performance-enhancing means and methods outside of competitions. In the conclusion, I compare the narrow and the wider views and reflect upon their possible status in competitive sport in the future.
Bør man tillate at norske statsborgere benytter seg av surrogati i India?
Authors: Haukeland Annelin , Heggebø Liv Cathrine , Bærøe Kristine
Published: June 2015

I Norge er ikke surrogati tillatt, og myndighetene fraråder norske statsborgere å benytte seg av surrogati i utlandet. I denne artikkelen fokuserer vi på kommersiell gestational surrogati og stiller spørsmålet: Bør man tillate at norske statsborgere benytter seg av surrogati i India? De etiske problemstillingene rundt surrogati er mange og sammensatte og blir spesielt utfordrende når tjenesten tilbys i et land med store kulturelle og økonomiske forskjeller både internt og i forhold til Norge. Vi baserer analysen og drøftingen av dette etisk utfordrende spørsmålet på Beauchamps og Childress sin veletablerte metodiske tilnærming innen biomedisinsk etikk. Vi anvender de fire allmennmoralske prinsipper: respekt for autonomi, velgjørenhet, ikke-skade og rettferdighet på sakskomplekset for å synliggjøre spenningene involvert i dette etiske dilemmaet. Med full bevissthet om at det ikke finnes noen lettvinte og omkostningsfrie løsninger på dilemmaer generelt og dette spesielt, konkluderer vi med at interessene til de berørte parter, og spesielt surrogatmødrenes, kan bli bedre ivaretatt om surrogati tillates under omfattende reguleringer. Dersom man velger å gjøre praksisen illegal, vil man også miste mulighetene til å påvirke prosessen og sikre rettighetene til de involverte partene.Nøkkelord: surrogati, Norge–India, utnyttelse, autonomi, regulering av prosessenEnglish summary: Should Norwegian citizens be permitted to use surrogacy in India?Surrogacy is not permitted in Norway, and the government strongly advises against Norwegian citizens travelling abroad to have children through the use of the surrogacy industry. In this article, we focus on commercial gestational surrogacy and debate the question: Should Norwegian citizens be permitted to use surrogacy in India? The ethical concerns regarding surrogacy are complex and are especially challenging when the service is offered in a country with big cultural and economic differences both internal and in comparison to Norway. We base our analysis of this ethical, challenging question on Beauchamp’s and Childress’s well-established approach within biomedical ethics. We apply the four principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice to shed light on the conflicts of interests in this ethical dilemma. With full awareness that there are no simple and correct solutions to dilemmas in general and on this issue, especially, our conclusion is that the interests of the involved parties, and especially those of the surrogate mothers, might be better attended to if surrogacy is allowed with extensive regulations. If this practice is made illegal, the opportunity to influence the process and secure the rights of the involved parties is lost.
What Students Want: Elements of Job Satisfaction Expectations among Multicultural Cohorts
Authors: Brown Dannie L.
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this research was to assess students' expectations of future job satisfaction. Data were collected from 484 students enrolled in the BBA programme at Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia, Canada. Locke's job satisfaction theory and Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Kendall's W was used to determine the degree of agreement between the current results and earlier research results and mean ranking was applied to determine the respondents' Top 10 expectations. One Way Anova was used to determine the differences among the multicultural cohorts. While each cohort had similar expectations by ranking, some cultural differences were evident. The results also indicate that today's students have different expectations for job satisfaction than employees of a generation ago. These findings may help employers prepare for the new employees they will hire through a foreknowledge of the new recruits' expectations of job satisfaction.
Who Can Help Working Students?
Authors: Wyland Rebecca L. , Winkel Doan E. , Lester Scott W. , Hanson-Rasmussen Nancy
Published: June 2015

A significant number of employees attend graduate school, and the impact of the student role may be substantial and valuable to the work-life literature. In this study the authors examine whether psychological involvement in graduate school increases school-work facilitation. Further, they suggest that employers and graduate schools can provide social support resources that will strengthen the relationship between psychological involvement and school-work facilitation, thereby creating a win-win situation for both student and employer. The study results suggest that the interaction between psychological school involvement and social support in the school and work domains produce stronger levels of school-work facilitation. Specifically, co-worker support, classmate support and supervisor support strengthened the relationship between involvement and facilitation.
Efficacité des mécanismes de gouvernance des PME
Authors: Moungou Mbenda Sabine Patricia , Niyonsaba Sebigunda Edson
Published: June 2015

Cet article teste l’hypothèse de la gouvernance comme facteur de performance des PME via une analyse multidimensionnelle. Des données d’enquête auprès de 300 PME camerounaises permettent de construire un indice de qualité de gouvernance (IQG) avec 39 variables des mécanismes de gouvernance spécifiques aux PME. Au moyen des modèles économétriques, l’IQG est confronté à trois indicateurs de la performance : le chiffre d’affaires, la création d’emplois et la pérennité. Les résultats révèlent un IQG moyen égal à 0,473 avec un écart-type de 0,231, sur une échelle allant de 0 à 1. Par ailleurs, il existe une relation positive et significative entre l’IQG et les indicateurs de performance retenus, ce qui montre que les pratiques de gouvernance déployées au sein des PME améliorent leur performance. En effet, une amélioration unitaire dans l’IQG induit une augmentation plus proportionnelle du chiffre d’affaires de la PME. De même, la probabilité moyenne prédite pour qu’une PME crée des emplois est majorée de 24,76 %, suite à une amélioration unitaire de l’IQG. Enfin, la variation unitaire de l’IQG rallonge de 3 ans l’âge moyen des PME de l’échantillon qui est de 8,5 ans.
La conjugaison des facteurs contextuels, organisationnels et individuels comme déterminant de la sensibilité des PME au sujet du développement durable
Authors: Labelle François , St-Pierre1 Josée
Published: June 2015

Les recherches sur le développement durable (DD) au sein des PME se multiplient depuis 10 ans. Elles ont permis de clarifier les principaux concepts et de partager un ensemble de constats, particulièrement à propos des « freins à l’engagement » et des retombées positives liées à celui-ci. Malgré ce volume de travaux, nous savons peu de choses sur les facteurs qui favorisent cet engagement, si ce n’est que les valeurs du dirigeant l’alimentent. Mais qu’en est-il des autres déterminants possibles ? L’intérêt de cette question est lié d’une part au constat d’une nécessaire implication des PME pour s’approcher d’un réel DD et, d’autre part, aux besoins des pouvoirs publics et des organismes d’accompagnement qui souhaitent « mieux » soutenir les dirigeants dans la mise en place des pratiques de DD. Les résultats d’une enquête à laquelle ont répondu 314 dirigeants de PME québécoises révèlent qu’une combinaison de facteurs contextuels, organisationnels et individuels a une influence sur la sensibilité des PME au DD. Ainsi, pour les accompagner sur cette voie, il faut agir à la fois sur les contextes dans lesquels elles opèrent, notamment auprès des organismes régionaux où elles sont implantées, sur leurs capacités organisationnelles, particulièrement celles liées à l’innovation, et surtout sur les valeurs du dirigeant. Cependant, ces actions devront être modulées selon la taille des PME, laquelle joue un rôle majeur sur les facteurs à mobiliser.
Influence of Thermal Fiber Pretreatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of C/C‐SiC with Thermoplastic Polymer‐Derived Matrices
Authors: Reichert Florian , Langhof Nico , Krenkel Walter
Published: June 2015

Two thermoplastic matrices, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI), are examined in this work in terms of their suitability as carbon precursors for C/C‐SiC composites. The carbon fibers are pretreated between 400 and 1600 °C in nitrogen atmosphere to modify the surface functionality, which was characterized with XPS. An analysis of the C/C‐SiC composition shows an increasing SiC content as a function of the increased fiber pretreatment temperature and the polymer precursor. Bending tests of C/C‐SiC composites exhibit enhanced fiber‐pull‐out effects at a fiber pretreatment temperatures from 400 to 800 °C.
High Quality Carbon Nanotubes on Conductive Substrates Grown at Low Temperatures
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Anguita Jose V. , Stolojan Vlad , Corless Tony , Chen Jeng‐Shiung , Carey J. David , Silva S. Ravi P.
Published: June 2015

For carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to be exploited in electronic applications, the growth of high quality material on conductive substrates at low temperatures (<450 °C) is required. CNT quality is known to be strongly degraded when growth is conducted on metallic surfaces, particularly at low temperatures using conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Here, the production of high quality vertically‐aligned CNTs at low substrate temperatures (350–440 °C) on conductive TiN thin film using photo‐thermal CVD is demonstrated by confining the energy required for growth to just the catalyst using an array of optical lamps and by optimizing the thickness of the TiN under‐layer. The thickness of the TiN plays a crucial role in determining various properties including diameter, material quality, number of shells, and metallicity. The highest structural quality with a visible Raman D‐ to G‐band intensity ratio as low as 0.13 is achieved for 100 nm TiN thickness grown at 420 °C; a record low value for low temperature CVD grown CNTs. Electrical measurements of high density CNT arrays show the resistivity to be 1.25 × 10‐2 Ω cm representing some of the lowest values reported. Finally, broader aspects of using this approach as a scalable technology for carbon nanomaterial production are also discussed.
Gene set analysis: A step‐by‐step guide
Authors: Mooney Michael A. , Wilmot Beth
Published: June 2015

To maximize the potential of genome‐wide association studies, many researchers are performing secondary analyses to identify sets of genes jointly associated with the trait of interest. Although methods for gene‐set analyses (GSA), also called pathway analyses, have been around for more than a decade, the field is still evolving. There are numerous algorithms available for testing the cumulative effect of multiple SNPs, yet no real consensus in the field about the best way to perform a GSA. This paper provides an overview of the factors that can affect the results of a GSA, the lessons learned from past studies, and suggestions for how to make analysis choices that are most appropriate for different types of data. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gene delivery of neurturin to putamen and substantia nigra in Parkinson disease: A double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Warren Olanow C. , Bartus Raymond T. , Baumann Tiffany L. , Factor Stewart , Boulis Nicholas , Stacy Mark , Turner Dennis A. , Marks William , Larson Paul , Starr Phillip A. , Jankovic Joseph , Simpson Richard , Watts Ray , Guthrie Barton , Poston Kathleen , Henderson Jaimie M. , Stern Matthew , Baltuch Gordon , Goetz Christopher G. , Herzog Christopher , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Alterman Ron , Lozano Andres M. , Lang Anthony E.
Published: June 2015

Objective

A 12‐month double‐blind sham‐surgery–controlled trial assessing adeno‐associated virus type 2 (AAV2)‐neurturin injected into the putamen bilaterally failed to meet its primary endpoint, but showed positive results for the primary endpoint in the subgroup of subjects followed for 18 months and for several secondary endpoints. Analysis of postmortem tissue suggested impaired axonal transport of neurturin from putamen to substantia nigra. In the present study, we tested the safety and efficacy of AAV2‐neurturin delivered to putamen and substantia nigra.

Methods

We performed a 15‐ to 24‐month, multicenter, double‐blind trial in patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) who were randomly assigned to receive bilateral AAV2‐neurturin injected bilaterally into the substantia nigra (2.0 × 1011 vector genomes) and putamen (1.0 × 1012 vector genomes) or sham surgery. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to final visit performed at the time the last enrolled subject completed the 15‐month evaluation in the motor subscore of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale in the practically defined off state.

Results

Fifty‐one patients were enrolled in the trial. There was no significant difference between groups in the primary endpoint (change from baseline: AAV2‐neurturin, −7.0 ± 9.92; sham, −5.2 ± 10.01; p = 0.515) or in most secondary endpoints. Two subjects had cerebral hemorrhages with transient symptoms. No clinically meaningful adverse events were attributed to AAV2‐neurturin.

Interpretation

AAV2‐neurturin delivery to the putamen and substantia nigra bilaterally in PD was not superior to sham surgery. The procedure was well tolerated, and there were no clinically significant adverse events related to AAV2‐neurturin. Ann Neurol 2015;78:248–257
Measuring social attention and motivation in autism spectrum disorder using eye‐tracking: Stimulus type matters
Authors: Chevallier Coralie , Parish‐Morris Julia , McVey Alana , Rump Keiran M. , Sasson Noah J. , Herrington John D. , Schultz Robert T.
Published: June 2015

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by social impairments that have been related to deficits in social attention, including diminished gaze to faces. Eye‐tracking studies are commonly used to examine social attention and social motivation in ASD, but they vary in sensitivity. In this study, we hypothesized that the ecological nature of the social stimuli would affect participants' social attention, with gaze behavior during more naturalistic scenes being most predictive of ASD vs. typical development. Eighty‐one children with and without ASD participated in three eye‐tracking tasks that differed in the ecological relevance of the social stimuli. In the “Static Visual Exploration” task, static images of objects and people were presented; in the “Dynamic Visual Exploration” task, video clips of individual faces and objects were presented side‐by‐side; in the “Interactive Visual Exploration” task, video clips of children playing with objects in a naturalistic context were presented. Our analyses uncovered a three‐way interaction between Task, Social vs. Object Stimuli, and Diagnosis. This interaction was driven by group differences on one task only—the Interactive task. Bayesian analyses confirmed that the other two tasks were insensitive to group membership. In addition, receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated that, unlike the other two tasks, the Interactive task had significant classification power. The ecological relevance of social stimuli is an important factor to consider for eye‐tracking studies aiming to measure social attention and motivation in ASD. Autism Res 2015, 8: 620–628. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding replication fork progression, stability, and chromosome fragility by exploiting the Suppressor of Underreplication protein
Authors: Nordman Jared T. , Orr‐Weaver Terry L.
Published: June 2015

There are many layers of regulation governing DNA replication to ensure that genetic information is accurately transmitted from mother cell to daughter cell. While much of the control occurs at the level of origin selection and firing, less is known about how replication fork progression is controlled throughout the genome. In Drosophila polytene cells, specific regions of the genome become repressed for DNA replication, resulting in underreplication and decreased copy number. Importantly, underreplicated domains share properties with common fragile sites. The Suppressor of Underreplication protein SUUR is essential for this repression. Recent work established that SUUR functions by directly inhibiting replication fork progression, raising several interesting questions as to how replication fork progression and stability can be modulated within targeted regions of the genome. Here we discuss potential mechanisms by which replication fork inhibition can be achieved and the consequences this has on genome stability and copy number control.
Towards next generation CHO cell biology: Bioinformatics methods for RNA‐Seq‐based expression profiling
Authors: Monger Craig , Kelly Paul S. , Gallagher Clair , Clynes Martin , Barron Niall , Clarke Colin
Published: June 2015

High throughput, cost effective next generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the publication of genome sequences for Cricetulus griseus and several Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. RNA‐Seq, the utilization of NGS technology to study the transcriptome, is expanding our understanding of the CHO cell biological system in areas ranging from the analysis of transcription start sites to the discovery of small noncoding RNAs. The analysis of RNA‐Seq data, often comprised of several million short reads, presents a considerable challenge. If the CHO cell biology field is to fully exploit the potential of RNA‐Seq, the development of robust data analysis pipelines is critical. In this manuscript, we outline bioinformatics approaches for the stages of a typical RNA‐Seq expression profiling experiment including quality control, pre‐processing, alignment and de novo transcriptome assembly. Algorithms for the analysis of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression as well as methods for the detection of alternative splicing from RNA‐Seq data are also presented. At this relatively early stage of Cricetulus griseus genome assembly and annotation, it is likely that a combination of isoform deconvolution and raw count based methods will provide the most complete picture of transcript expression patterns in CHO cell RNA‐Seq experiments.
Methanol – die Basischemikalie
Authors: Bertau Martin , Räuchle Konstantin , Offermanns Heribert
Published: June 2015

Methanol, das entweder aus Synthesegas auf Basis von Erdgas bzw. Kohle oder aus Kohlendioxid und Wasserstoff (z.B. aus der Elektrolyse von Wasser mit Windenergie oder Kernkraft) gewonnen werden kann, hat das Potential, eine führende Rolle als Treibstoff, Energie‐ und Chemierohstoff zu übernehmen. Als flüssiger Energiespeicher ist es zugleich auch als Transportform für chemisch gebundene Energie einsetzbar. Durch Homologisierung, beispielsweise im Rahmen der “Mobil‐Zeolithprozesse” (MTG, MTO, MTA) als auch über die methanolbasierenden Plattformchemikalien Methylformiat und Dimethylether, ist ein Großteil des Spektrums der industriellen organischen Chemie zugänglich. Durch seine vielseitigen Einsatzmöglichkeiten kann Methanol Erdöl und zukünftig auch Erdgas als die gegenwärtig führenden Rohstoffe für organische Chemieprodukte nahtlos ersetzen.
Synthesis, characterization and thermal analysis of ursolic acid solid forms
Authors: Zhou Zhengzheng , Tong Henry H. Y. , Li Liang , Shek Fanny L. Y. , Lv Yang , Zheng Ying
Published: June 2015

This study performed a solid‐state characterization of ursolic acid (UA) crystalline forms, a poorly water‐soluble triterpene with anticancer activity. Two new polymorphs (form I, II), two new solvates (propanol and isopropanol solvates), and a known ethanol solvate were determined and elucidated using a combination of multi‐techniques, including X‐ray single crystal and powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A colorless single crystal of UA was grown from a propanol solution, and its crystalline structure was determined through X‐ray single crystal diffraction. It was determined that the propanol solvate was crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit‐cell parameters a = 7.17200 (8) Å, b = 12.24100 (16) Å, c = 33.8950 (4) Å and Z = 4. The ethanol solvate and propanol solvate were isomorphous crystals. The results of the thermal analysis demonstrate that form I is a meta‐stable form, while form II is a stable form that is monotropically related.
Alternative splicing of the cell fate determinant Numb in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lu Yinying , Xu Wanping , Ji Junfang , Feng Dechun , Sourbier Carole , Yang Youfeng , Qu Jianhui , Zeng Zhen , Wang Chunping , Chang Xiujuan , Chen Yan , Mishra Alok , Xu Max , Lee Min‐Jung , Lee Sunmin , Trepel Jane , Linehan W. Marston , Wang Xinwei , Yang Yongping , Neckers Len
Published: June 2015

The cell fate determinant Numb is aberrantly expressed in cancer. Numb is alternatively spliced, with one isoform containing a long proline‐rich region (PRRL) compared to the other with a short PRR (PRRS). Recently, PRRL was reported to enhance proliferation of breast and lung cancer cells. However, the importance of Numb alternative splicing in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unexplored. We report here that Numb PRRL expression is increased in HCC and associated with early recurrence and reduced overall survival after surgery. In a panel of HCC cell lines, PRRL generally promotes and PRRS suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation. Knockdown of PRRS leads to increased Akt phosphorylation and c‐Myc expression, and Akt inhibition or c‐Myc silencing dampens the proliferative impact of Numb PRRS knockdown. In the cell models explored in this study, alternative splicing of Numb PRR isoforms is coordinately regulated by the splicing factor RNA‐binding Fox domain containing 2 (RbFox2) and the kinase serine/arginine protein–specific kinase 2 (SRPK2). Knockdown of the former causes accumulation of PRRL, while SRPK2 knockdown causes accumulation of PRRS. The subcellular location of SRPK2 is regulated by the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90, and heat shock protein 90 inhibition or knockdown phenocopies SRPK2 knockdown in promoting accumulation of Numb PRRS. Finally, HCC cell lines that predominantly express PRRL are differentially sensitive to heat shock protein 90 inhibition. Conclusion: Alternative splicing of Numb may provide a useful prognostic biomarker in HCC and is pharmacologically tractable. (Hepatology 2015;62:1122‐1131)
Questions of Matter
Authors: Albers Peggy , Turnbull Sarah , Angay‐Crowder Tuba ,   with the GCLR Research Team: Aram Cho, JiHye Shin, Christi Pace, MyoungEun Pang, MandiSena, & JinKyeong Jung
Published: June 2015

How professional development is delivered in today's networked world has shifted greatly, and research into online spaces of learning is growing. Numerous questions, however, remain regarding how online spaces can be leveraged to foster meaningful conversations that address current critical educational issues. This qualitative study examines the complex nature of questions and discussions that emerge in and across a critical literacy Web seminar project, Global Conversations in Literacy Research (GCLR), a series of open‐access Web seminars that engage global audiences in discussions around literacy theory, research, and practice. This article addresses the following research questions: (1) When initial questions are posed, how are the discussion questions taken up by participants and speakers in this critical literacy Web seminar project? (2) What learning occurs in online professional development spaces grounded in critical literacy?
Cardiac adaptations of bullfrog tadpoles in response to chytrid infection
Authors: Salla Raquel Fernanda , Gamero Fernando Urban , Ribeiro Larissa Rodrigues , Rizzi Gisele Miglioranza , Medico Samuel Espinosa Dal , Rissoli Rafael Zanelli , Vieira Conrado Augusto , Silva‐zacarin Elaine Cristina Mathias , Leite Domingos Silva , Abdalla Fábio Camargo , Toledo Luis Felipe , Costa Monica Jones
Published: June 2015

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) can result in heart failure in Bd‐susceptible species. Since Bd infection generally does not cause mortality in North American bullfrogs, the aim of this work was to verify whether this species presents any cardiac adaptation that could improve the tolerance to the fungus. Thus, we analyzed tadpoles' activity level, relative ventricular mass, ventricle morphology, in loco heart frequency, and in vitro cardiac function. The results indicate that infected animals present an increase in both ventricular relative mass and in myofibrils' incidence, which accompanied the increase in myocytes' diameter. Such morphological alterations enabled an increase in the in vitro twitch force that, in vivo, would result in elevation of the cardiac stroke volume. This response requires much less energy expenditure than an elevation in heart frequency, but still enables the heart to pump a higher volume of blood per minute (i.e., an increase in cardiac output). As a consequence, the energy saved in the regulation of the cardiac function of Bd‐infected tadpoles can be employed in other homeostatic adjustments to avoid the lethal effect of the fungus. Whether other species present this ability, and to what extent, remains uncertain, but such possible interspecific variability might explain different mortality rates among different species of Bd‐infected amphibians. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 487–496, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social Tourism and Healthy Ageing
Authors: Ferrer Jordi Garcés , Sanz Mireia Ferri , Ferrandis Estrella Durá , McCabe Scott , García Javier Sánchez
Published: June 2015

Recent research in social tourism notes possible links between tourism participation and improvements in health. However, there is a lack of quantitative evidence concerning the potential links between tourism participation and self‐reported health amongst older people. An ageing society requires measures to promote independent living and enhance older people's quality of life. This paper provides evidence that older tourists are more active and healthy than non‐tourists, from a study comparing health perceptions amongst Spanish older people. The results provide tentative conclusions of causal relationships between tourism and dimensions of physical and mental health through a Structural Equation Model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Degradation Mechanism and Long‐Term Cytotoxicity of Poly(l‐lactide) and Poly(Lactide‐co‐ϵ‐Caprolactone) Terpolymer Film and Air‐Spun Nanofiber Scaffold
Authors: Sabbatier Gad , Larrañaga Aitor , Guay‐Bégin Andrée‐Anne , Fernandez Jorge , Diéval Florence , Durand Bernard , Sarasua Jose‐Ramon , Laroche Gaétan
Published: June 2015

Degradable nanofiber scaffold is known to provide a suitable, versatile and temporary structure for tissue regeneration. However, synthetic nanofiber scaffold must be properly designed to display appropriate tissue response during the degradation process. In this context, this publication focuses on the design of a finely‐tuned poly(lactide‐co‐ϵ‐caprolactone) terpolymer (PLCL) that may be appropriate for vascular biomaterials applications and its comparison with well‐known semi‐crystalline poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA). The degradation mechanism of polymer film and nanofiber scaffold and endothelial cells behavior cultured with degradation products is elucidated. The results highlights benefits of using PLCL terpolymer as vascular biomaterial compared to PLLA.