bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single network adaptive critic aided dynamic inversion for optimal regulation and command tracking with online adaptation for enhanced robustness
Authors: Lakshmikanth Geethalakshmi S. , Padhi Radhakant , Watkins John M. , Steck James E.
Published: July 2013

To combine the advantages of both stability and optimality‐based designs, a single network adaptive critic (SNAC) aided nonlinear dynamic inversion approach is presented in this paper. Here, the gains of a dynamic inversion controller are selected in such a way that the resulting controller behaves very close to a pre‐synthesized SNAC controller in the output regulation sense. Because SNAC is based on optimal control theory, it makes the dynamic inversion controller operate nearly optimal. More important, it retains the two major benefits of dynamic inversion, namely (i) a closed‐form expression of the controller and (ii) easy scalability to command tracking applications without knowing the reference commands a priori. An extended architecture is also presented in this paper that adapts online to system modeling and inversion errors, as well as reduced control effectiveness, thereby leading to enhanced robustness. The strengths of this hybrid method of applying SNAC to optimize an nonlinear dynamic inversion controller is demonstrated by considering a benchmark problem in robotics, that is, a two‐link robotic manipulator system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DIFFERING OPINIONS DO NOT SPOIL FRIENDSHIPS: MANAGING PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN JORDAN
Authors: Mistarihi Ali , Hutchings Kate , Shacklock Arthur
Published: July 2013

This research investigates the approaches, strategies and challenges facing the management of the implementation phase of public–private partnership (PPP) projects in Jordan. Jordan is a newer but common user of PPPs in the Middle Eastern region, where PPPs not only are of economic strategic importance but also entail significant investment risk given resource scarcity. This research involves semi‐structured interviews with senior managers representing different partnering organisations in two case study organisations in Jordan. The research finds that, despite the management difficulties confronting PPP managers, strategies adopted by them limit the impact of these challenges. The research makes an important theoretical contribution in providing a detailed analysis of effective PPP management approaches in response to difficulties at the implementation phase, which had not been systematically explored in extant PPP research, and broadens PPP research to the Jordanian context. Moreover, the research contributes greater understanding of how partnerships should be effectively managed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Personality Factors in the Reduction of Intergroup Anxiety and Amelioration of Outgroup Attitudes via Intergroup Contact
Authors: Turner Rhiannon N. , Dhont Kristof , Hewstone Miles , Prestwich Andrew , Vonofakou Christiana
Published: July 2013

Two studies investigated the role of personality factors in the amelioration of outgroup attitudes via intergroup contact. In study 1, the effect of extraversion on outgroup attitude operated via an increase in cross–group friendship, whereas openness to experience and agreeableness had a direct effect on outgroup attitude. In study 2, we included intergroup anxiety as a mediator explaining these relationships, and we ruled out ingroup friendship as a potential confound. We found that the relationships between openness to experience and agreeableness on the one hand and outgroup attitude on the other were mediated by reduced intergroup anxiety. In addition, the effect of extraversion on outgroup attitude operated via an increase in cross–group friendship that was in turn associated with lower levels of intergroup anxiety. Across both studies, the friendship–attitude relationship was stronger among those low in agreeableness and extraversion. We discuss the importance of integrating personality and situational approaches to prejudice reduction in optimizing the impact of contact–based interventions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reciprocal Associations between Parenting Challenges and Parents’ Personality Development in Young and Middle Adulthood
Authors: Hutteman Roos , Bleidorn Wiebke , Keresteš Gordana , Brković Irma , Butković Ana , Denissen Jaap J. A.
Published: July 2013

Having children affects many aspects of people's lives. However, it remains unclear to what degree the challenges that come along with having children are associated with parents’ personality development. We addressed this question in two studies by investigating the relationship between parenting challenges and personality development in mothers of newborns (Study 1, N = 556) and the reciprocal associations between (mastering) parenting challenges and personality development in parents of adolescents (Study 2, N = 548 mothers and 460 fathers). In Study 1, we found the stress of having a newborn baby to be associated with declines in maternal Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability. Parenting challenges were also related to personality development in parents of adolescent children in Study 2, with parent–child conflict being reciprocally associated with decreases in Conscientiousness and Emotional Stability. Mastering parenting challenges in the form of high parenting self–efficacy, on the other hand, was found to be associated with increases in Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability, and vice versa. In sum, our results suggest that mastering the challenges associated with the social role of parenthood is one of the mechanisms underlying personality development in young and middle adulthood. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between experimental pKa values in aqueous solution and a gas phase bond length in bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and cubane carboxylic acids
Authors: Alkorta Ibon , Griffiths Mark Z. , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: July 2013

Linear correlations were established between the calculated bond lengths and the pKa or σI values for a series of 4‐substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐1‐carboxylic acid and 4‐cubane‐1‐carboxylic acid derivatives. The bond lengths have been calculated at a modest computational level, HF/6‐31G(d), both in the gas phase and with the continuum solvation model, polarisable continuum model (PCM). In general, the best correlations are obtained when the PCM model is taken into account, especially when neutral and charged molecules are considered together. The best models in each case show square correlation coefficients (R2) larger than 0.9 and indicate that they can be used as predictive tools. These results expand previous results that indicate the possibility of a relationship between gas phase bond length and pKa values in aqueous solution and indicate that such relationships are more general than hitherto expected. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen‐rich culture conditions enhance the conidial infectivity and the quality of two strains of Isaria fumosorosea for potentially improved biocontrol processes
Authors: Miranda‐Hernández Francisco , Saucedo‐Castañeda Gerardo , Alatorre‐Rosas Raquel , Loera Octavio
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

In addition to high production levels of conidia, the success of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents depends both on their prevalence under the environmental conditions found in open fields (resistance to stress) and on the capacity of these conidia to infect pests. This study compares conidium production, infectivity and resistance to thermal and osmotic stress in two strains of Isaria fumosorosea (ARSEF 3302 and CNRCB1) grown either under a normal atmosphere (21% O2) or using enriched oxygen pulses (26% O2).

RESULTS

After 180 h, the ARSEF 3302 strain with 26% O2 pulses increased conidium production nearly fivefold compared with the normal atmosphere, while conidium production by the CNRCB1 strain decreased by 50% under O2 pulses, relative to the values measured with the normal atmosphere. The conidia obtained with 26% O2 pulses had a greater germination rate and resistance to thermal and osmotic stress, in addition to improved infectivity against Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) larvae. These findings were associated with an increase in catalase activities for both strains.

CONCLUSION

An enriched oxygen atmosphere increases the quality of conidia of both strains of I. fumosorosea, with a variable effect on conidium production. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
One decade of fully transparent oxide thin‐film transistors: fabrication, performance and stability
Authors: Frenzel Heiko , Lajn Alexander , Grundmann Marius
Published: July 2013

We review the history of fully transparent oxide thin‐film transistors. Their performance and stability increased during the past ten years of their existence, thus enabling the design of novel applications in transparent electronics. However, certain disadvantages of the well established leading technology of metal–insulator–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MISFETs), adapted from the silicon‐based complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) and thin‐film transistor technology, may be overcome by alternative transistor designs like metal–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MESFETs). We compare the stability of published transparent MISFET with our transparent MESFET (TMESFET) technology against bias stress, towards illumination, at elevated temperatures and long‐term stability.

magnified image

Photograph of a sample (10 × 10 mm2) with 88 TMESFETs. The inset depicts a scheme of one single TMESFET (G: gate, S: source, D: drain, M: channel mesa).

(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In vitro Inhibition of Human CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 by Six Herbs Commonly Used in Pregnancy
Authors: Langhammer Astrid Jordet , Nilsen Odd Georg
Published: July 2013

Black elderberry, cranberry, fennel, ginger, horsetail, and raspberry leaf, herbs frequently used in pregnancy, were investigated for their in vitro CYP1A2, 2D6, and 3A4 inhibitory potential. Aqueous or ethanolic extracts were made from commercially available herbal products, and incubations were performed with recombinant cDNA‐expressed human CYP enzymes in the presence of positive inhibitory controls. Metabolite formation was determined by validated LCMS/MS or HPLC methodologies. IC50 inhibition constants were estimated from CYP activity inhibition plots using non‐linear regression. The most potent inhibition was shown for fennel towards CYP2D6 and 3A4 with respective IC50 constants of 23 ± 2 and 40 ± 4 µg/ml, horsetail towards CYP1A2 with an IC50 constant of 27 ± 1 µg/ml, and raspberry leaf towards CYP1A2, 2D6, and 3A4 with IC50 constants of 44 ± 2, 47 ± 8, and 81 ± 11 µg/ml, respectively. Based on the recommended dosing of the different commercial herbal products, clinically relevant systemic CYP inhibitions could be possible for fennel, horsetail, and raspberry leaf. In addition, fennel and raspberry leaf might cause a clinically relevant inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4. The in vivo inhibitory potential of these herbs towards specific CYP enzymes should be further investigated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring the Process Yield for Simple Linear Profiles with one‐Sided Specification
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun
Published: July 2013

Profile monitoring is mainly for checking the stability of the relationship between response and explanatory variables over time based on observed data. Linear profiles are common in calibration applications. In this study, we develop two new indices for measuring the process yield for simple linear profiles with one‐sided specification. The asymptotic distribution of the estimated index is provided. The approximate lower confidence bound for the true process yield is also obtained and used to determine whether the process yield meets the quality requirement. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the coverage rates of the confidence intervals for all simulated cases are greater than the 95% lower limit of the stated nominal value. One real example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Control Charts for Monitoring Process Dispersion
Authors: Haq Abdul , Brown Jennifer , Moltchanova Elena
Published: July 2013

Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts have received considerable attention for detecting small changes in the process mean or the process variability. Several EWMA control charts are constructed using logarithmic and normalizing transformations on unbiased sample variance for monitoring changes in the process dispersion. In this paper, we propose new EWMA control charts for monitoring process dispersion based on the best linear unbiased absolute estimators obtained under simple random sampling (SRS) and ranked set sampling (RSS) schemes, named EWMA‐SRS and EWMA‐RSS control charts. The performance of the proposed EWMA control charts is evaluated in terms of the average run length and standard deviation of run length, estimated by using Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed EWMA control charts are then compared with their existing counterparts for detecting increases and decreases in the process dispersion. It turns out that the EWMA‐RSS control chart performs uniformly better than its analogues for detecting overall changes in process dispersion. Moreover, the EWMA‐SRS chart significantly outperforms the existing EWMA charts for detecting increases in process variability. A real data set is also used to explain the construction and operations of the proposed EWMA control charts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Process Yield for Nonlinear Profiles
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Guo Yi‐Cyuan
Published: July 2013

Assuring the process capability in nonlinear profiles to meet the requirement is a very important task. This paper aims at evaluating the process yield for nonlinear profiles in manufacturing processes. We present the statistical properties of the estimatedSpkAand obtain its lower confidence bound. This index provides an exact measure of the process yield for nonlinear profiles. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method. The simulation results confirm that the estimatedSpkAvalue is close to the target value and has the smallest standard deviation. One real example is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EVALUATING SHALLOW‐WATER BATHYMETRY FROM THROUGH‐WATER TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING UNDER A RANGE OF HYDRAULIC AND PHYSICAL WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
Authors: Smith M.W. , Vericat D.
Published: July 2013

The fine‐scale structure of the water–sediment boundary in fluvial environments is dynamic and complex, influencing near‐bed flows, sediment transport and instream ecology. However, accurate high‐resolution surveying of marginally or partially inundated areas of river channels is problematic. Previous work has shown that terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) through relatively shallow‐water columns using standard green‐wavelength equipment introduces errors of <5 mm in a static, clear water column. This paper presents seven laboratory and field tests of through‐water TLS under variable flow velocities, depths, suspended sediment concentrations, water colour levels and scan ranges. Flow velocity decreased point accuracy only for supercritical flows, whereas point density decreased as a function of both water depth and suspended sediment concentration. A similar point return threshold was observed for water colour variations with no grains in suspension. Conversely, point precision and accuracy were a function of suspended sediment concentration alone (a threshold of 0.11 g L−1 was observed). Field tests showed larger errors (<10 mm) and lower point precisions. A clear‐water depth‐penetration limit of 0.68 m was identified. Fluvial bathymetry acquired from through‐water TLS is presented for a gravel/boulder bed reach. Despite observed limits, these experiments demonstrate that our approach provides centimetre‐resolution bathymetry and sub‐aerial survey in an integrated dataset without the need for the following: (i) additional financial resources; (ii) concurrent depth measurements; or (iii) extra field effort for bathymetry acquisition, thereby enabling regular surveys to characterize the fine‐scale structure of channel beds and to constrain the geomorphic effect of individual flood events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smartphone security: understanding smartphone users' trust in information security management
Authors: Jang Yu‐Teng , Chang Shuchih Ernest , Tsai Yi‐Jey
Published: July 2013

Owing to the rapid advancement of technologies, today's mobile phones (e.g., smartphones) can not only fulfill users' basic requirements for communication purposes but also serve as powerful pervasive devices with various valuable functions for users. With wide and close Internet accessibility, smartphones nowadays inevitably suffer security threats and information security management (ISM) issues like common computers do. In this research, information security related trust issues are investigated through a user‐based empirical study. Our research project aims to study the relationships between smartphone users' computer literacy, network literacy, knowledge on mobile phone viruses, and trust in ISM principles (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability). The study results indicate that smartphone users' network literacy positively influence their knowledge on mobile phone viruses, whereas users' computer literacy is not significantly associated with their knowledge on mobile phone viruses. Moreover, smartphone users' knowledge on mobile phone viruses would significantly affect their trusts in three ISM principles. The validated research model and corresponding findings can be referenced by business executives and ISM decision makers in electronic commerce (e‐commerce) for making favorable tactics to catch the revolutionary benefits offered by effective ISM policies in the ubiquitous computing environment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifunctional Upconversion Mesoporous Silica Nanostructures for Dual Modal Imaging and In Vivo Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Chunxia , Yang Dongmei , Ma Ping'an , Chen Yinyin , Wu Yuan , Hou Zhiyou , Dai Yunlu , Zhao Jihong , Sui Changping , Lin Jun
Published: July 2013

Incorporating the agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and therapy in one nanostructured matrix to construct multifunctional nanomedical platform has attracted great attention for simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this work, a facile methodology is developed to construct a multifunctional anticancer drug nanocarrier by combining the special advantages of upconversion nanoparticles and mesoporous silica. β‐NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+@β‐NaGdF4:Yb3+ is chosen as it can provide the dual modality of upconversion luminescence and MRI. Then mesoporous silica is directly coated onto the upconversion nanoparticles to form discrete, monodisperse, highly uniform, and core–shell structured nanospheres (labeled as UCNPs@mSiO2), which are subsequently functionalized with hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to improve the colloidal stability and biocompatibility. The obtained multifunctional nanocomposites can be used as an anticancer drug delivery carrier and applied for imaging. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is absorbed into UCNPs@mSiO2‐PEG nanospheres and released in a pH‐sensitive pattern. In vitro cell cytotoxicity tests on cancer cells verify that the DOX‐loaded UCNPs@mSiO2‐PEG has comparable cytotoxicity with free DOX at the same concentration of DOX. In addition, the T1‐weighted MRI that measures in aqueous solutions reveals that the contrast brightening increases with the concentration of Gd3+ component. Upconversion luminescence images of UCNPs@mSiO2‐PEG uptaken by cells show green emission under 980 nm infrared laser excitation. Finally, the nanocomposites show low systematic toxicity and high in vivo antitumor therapy efficacy. These findings highlight the fascinating features of upconversion‐mesoporous nanocomposites as multimodality imaging contrast agents and nanocarrier for drug molecules.
Brief report: miR-290–295 regulate embryonic stem cell differentiation propensities by repressing pax6
Authors: Kaspi Haggai , Chapnik Elik , Levy Maayan , Beck Gilad , Hornstein Eran , Soen Yoav
Published: July 2013

microRNAs of the miR-290–295 family are selectively expressed at high levels in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and have established roles in regulating self-renewal. However, the potential influence of these microRNAs on cell fate acquisition during differentiation has been overlooked. Here, we show that miR-290–295 regulate the propensity of mESCs to acquire specific fates. We generated a new miR-290–295-null mESC model, which exhibits increased propensity to generate ectoderm, at the expense of endoderm and mesoderm lineages. We further found that in wild-type cells, miR-290–295 repress Pax6 and ectoderm differentiation; accordingly, Pax6 knockdown partially rescues the mESCs differentiation impairment that is caused by loss of miR-290–295. Thus, in addition to regulating self-renewal, the large reservoir of miR-290–295 in undifferentiated mESCs fine-tunes the expression of master transcriptional factors, such as Pax6, thereby regulating the equilibrium of fate acquisition by mESC descendants.
Tuning of β-catenin activity is required to stabilize self-renewal of rat embryonic stem cells
Authors: Meek Stephen , Wei Jun , Sutherland Linda , Nilges Benedikt , Buehr Mia , Tomlinson Simon R. , Thomson Alison J. , Burdon Tom
Published: July 2013

Stabilization of β-catenin, through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity, in conjunction with inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK) promotes self-renewal of naïve-type mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC). In developmentally more advanced, primed-type, epiblast stem cells, however, β-catenin activity induces differentiation. We investigated the response of rat ESCs to β-catenin signaling and found that when maintained on feeder-support cells in the presence of a MEK inhibitor alone (1i culture), the derivation efficiency, growth, karyotypic stability, transcriptional profile, and differentiation potential of rat ESC cultures was similar to that of cell lines established using both MEK and GSK3 inhibitors (2i culture). Equivalent mouse ESCs, by comparison, differentiated in identical 1i conditions, consistent with insufficient β-catenin activity. This interspecies difference in reliance on GSK3 inhibition corresponded with higher overall levels of β-catenin activity in rat ESCs. Indeed, rat ESCs displayed widespread expression of the mesendoderm-associated β-catenin targets, Brachyury and Cdx2 in 2i medium, and overt differentiation upon further increases in β-catenin activity. In contrast, mouse ESCs were resistant to differentiation at similarly elevated doses of GSK3 inhibitor. Interestingly, without feeder support, moderate levels of GSK3 inhibition were necessary to support effective growth of rat ESC, confirming the conserved role for β-catenin in ESC self-renewal. This work identifies β-catenin signaling as a molecular rheostat in rat ESC, regulating self-renewal in a dose-dependent manner, and highlights the potential importance of controlling flux in this signaling pathway to achieve effective stabilization of naïve pluripotency.
Patterning pluripotency in embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhang Yue Shelby , Sevilla Ana , Wan Leo Q. , Lemischka Ihor R. , Vunjak-Novakovic Gordana
Published: July 2013

Developmental gradients of morphogens and the formation of boundaries guide the choices between self-renewal and differentiation in stem cells. Still, surprisingly little is known about gene expression signatures of differentiating stem cells at the boundaries between regions. We thus combined inducible gene expression with a microfluidic technology to pattern gene expression in murine embryonic stem cells. Regional depletion of the Nanog transcriptional regulator was achieved through the exposure of cells to microfluidic gradients of morphogens. In this way, we established pluripotency-differentiation boundaries between Nanog expressing cells (pluripotency zone) and Nanog suppressed cells (early differentiation zone) within the same cell population, with a gradient of Nanog expression across the individual cell colonies, to serve as a mimic of the developmental process. Using this system, we identified strong interactions between Nanog and its target genes by constructing a network with Nanog as the root and the measured levels of gene expression in each region. Gene expression patterns at the pluripotency-differentiation boundaries recreated in vitro were similar to those in the developing blastocyst. This approach to the study of cellular commitment at the boundaries between gene expression domains, a phenomenon critical for understanding of early development, has potential to benefit fundamental research of stem cells and their application in regenerative medicine.
Space weather radiation effects on geostationary satellite solid‐state power amplifiers
Authors: Lohmeyer W.Q. , Cahoy K.
Published: July 2013

In order to understand and mitigate the effects of space weather on the performance of geostationary (GEO) communications satellites, we analyze 16 years of archived telemetry data from Inmarsat, the UK‐based telecommunications company. We compare 665,112 operational hours of housekeeping telemetry from two generations of satellites, designated as Fleet A and Fleet B. Each generation experienced 13 solid‐state power amplifier (SSPA) anomalies for a total of 26 anomalies from 1996 to 2012. We compare telemetry from the Inmarsat anomalies with space weather observations, including data from the OMNI2 database, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, the Advanced Composition Explorer Satellite, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) GEO observations; the evolution of the sunspot number; and the Kp index. Most SSPA anomalies for Fleet A occur as solar activity declines; Fleet B has not yet experienced a full solar cycle. For both fleets, the average value of Kp remained < 2 over time periods of 2 days, 3 days, and 2 weeks around the time of anomaly, which suggests that the anomalies occurred at times of relatively quiet geomagnetic activity and that they were probably not solely caused by surface charging. From 1996 to 2009, the average of the 1.8–3.5 MeV electron flux was 1.98 #/(cm2 s st keV). Five of the 26 anomalies, unfortunately, do not have corresponding science observations (specifically, electron flux data in the LANL data set), so part of this study focuses on the 21 anomalies when science observations were available. Six out of 21 anomalies experienced a high‐energy electron flux greater than 1.5 standard deviations above the mean of the log10 of the flux between 7 and 14 days prior to the anomaly. By contrast, a Monte Carlo simulation finds that on average, only 2.8 out of 21 (13%) of randomly assigned “anomalies” occur between 7 and 14 days after an electron flux greater than 1.5 standard deviations above the mean. Our observations suggest that internal charging from either past elevated radiation belt fluxes or some conditions related to relativistic electron enhancements (either causally or accidentally) is most likely responsible for the SSPA anomalies. We next consider the timing of these anomalies with respect to the local time (LT) and season. Anomalies occur at all LT sectors with 46% (Fleet A) and 38.5% (Fleet B) in the midnight to dawn sector and 54% (Fleet A) and 46% (Fleet B) in the local noon to dusk sector. From the local time distribution, surface charging does not appear to be the sole causative agent of the anomalies. Understanding the connection between the space weather conditions and anomalies on subsystems and specific components on identical and similar geostationary communications satellites for periods of time longer than a solar cycle will help guide design improvements and provide insight on their operation during space weather events.
Property‐Model Methodology: A Model‐Based Systems Engineering Approach UsingVHDL‐AMS
Authors: Micouin Patrice
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the definition of a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach which would meet the objective laid out byINCOSEin its Systems Engineering Vision 2020. After briefly presenting the tools used and summarizing a state‐of‐the‐art system design process, we show how it is possible to define property‐based requirements (PBRs) as features of specification models and to apply the design process to this specification model in order to develop design models. Then, we show how it is possible to perform a simulation‐based verification process of design models in order to detect and remove design errors, to substitute the initial requirements of the system with derived requirements gradually assigned to the subentities of the system, to perform a simulation‐based validation process of specification models in order to detect and remove specification errors. Additionally, we show how we define safetyPBRsto prevent the consequences of failure conditions and verify mitigation means, such as redundancy or dissimilarity, introduced in design models to meet these safetyPBRs. Thus, we consider that our proposals improveMBSEcurrent practices making them safer for the development of present and future systems.
A novel decoding scheme based on recalculation for double binary convolutional turbo code
Authors: Zhan Ming , Wu Jun , Zhou Liang
Published: July 2013

To decrease the storage complexity of a double binary convolutional turbo code (DB‐CTC) decoder, a novel decoding scheme is proposed in this paper. Different from the conventional decoding scheme, only a part of the state metrics is stored in the last‐in first‐out (LIFO) state metrics cache (SMC). Based on an improved maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) algorithm, we present a method to recalculate the unstored state metrics at the corresponding decoding time slot, and discuss in detail the procedures of the recalculation are discussed. Because of the compare–select–recalculate processing operations, compared to the classical decoding scheme, the proposed decoding scheme reduces the storage complexity of SMC and the amount of memory accesses by approximately 40% while limiting involved computational cost. Moreover, simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves good decoding performance, which is close to that of the well‐known Log‐MAP algorithm. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Different response to acetic acid stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild‐type and l‐ascorbic acid‐producing strains
Authors: Martani Francesca , Fossati Tiziana , Posteri Riccardo , Signori Lorenzo , Porro Danilo , Branduardi Paola
Published: July 2013

Biotechnological processes are of increasing significance for industrial production of fine and bulk chemicals, including biofuels. Unfortunately, under operative conditions microorganisms meet multiple stresses, such as non‐optimal pH, temperature, oxygenation and osmotic stress. Moreover, they have to face inhibitory compounds released during the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomasses, which constitute the preferential substrate for second‐generation processes. Inhibitors include furan derivatives, phenolic compounds and weak organic acids, among which acetic acid is one of the most abundant and detrimental for cells. They impair cellular metabolism and growth, reducing the productivity of the process: therefore, the development of robust cell factories with improved production rates and resistance is of crucial importance. Here we show that a yeast strain engineered to endogenously produce vitamin C exhibits an increased tolerance compared to the parental strain when exposed to acetic acid at moderately toxic concentrations, measured as viability on plates. Starting from this evidence, we investigated more deeply: (a) the nature and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS); (b) the activation of enzymes that act directly as detoxifiers of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, in parental and engineered strains during acetic acid stress. The data indicate that the engineered strain can better recover from stress by limiting ROS accumulation, independently from SOD activation. The engineered yeast can be proposed as a model for further investigating direct and indirect mechanism(s) by which an antioxidant can rescue cells from organic acid damage; moreover, these studies will possibly provide additional targets for further strain improvements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superluminality in the Bi- and Multi-Galileon
Authors: de Fromont Paul , de Rham Claudia , Heisenberg Lavinia , Matas Andrew
Published: July 2013

Abstract

We re-explore the Bi- and Multi-Galileon models with trivial asymptotic conditions at infinity and show that propagation of superluminal fluctuations is a common and unavoidable feature of these theories, unlike previously claimed in the literature. We show that all Multi-Galileon theories containing a Cubic Galileon term exhibit superluminalities at large distances from a point source, and that even if the Cubic Galileon is not present one can always find sensible matter distributions in which there are superluminal modes at large distances. In the Bi-Galileon case we explicitly show that there are always superluminal modes around a point source even if the Cubic Galileon is not present. Finally, we briefly comment on the possibility of avoiding superluminalities by modifying the asymptotic conditions at infinity.
Retention of factual knowledge after practical training for intrapartum emergencies
Authors: Crofts Joanna F. , Fox Robert , Draycott Timothy J. , Winter Catherine , Hunt Linda P. , Akande Valentine A.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To determine knowledge retention 1 year after training for intrapartum emergencies.

Methods

Training was undertaken in 6 hospitals and the Bristol Medical Simulation Centre, UK, between November 2004 and March 2005. Participants (22 junior and 23 senior doctors, 47 junior and 48 senior midwives) were randomly recruited from participating hospitals and underwent practical training at their local hospital or simulation center with or without additional teamwork training. The primary outcome was change in factual knowledge over time, as assessed by a 185‐question multiple‐choice questionnaire before and after training.

Results

Mean scores at 6 (97.6 ± 23.0; n = 107) and 12 (98.2 ± 21.6; n = 98) months remained higher than those before training (79.6 ± 21.9, n = 140; both P < 0.001), but were slightly lower than those immediately after training (101.0 ± 21.3, n = 133; P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). The type of training had no effect on retention of knowledge.

Conclusion

Training was associated with sustained retention of factual knowledge of obstetric emergencies care for at least 1 year. The decay in knowledge was small compared with the original gain in knowledge. Neither training location nor inclusion of teamwork training affected knowledge retention. Annual training seemed to be satisfactory for all staff groups.
Mitochondrial DNA deletions in Alzheimer's brains: A review
Authors: Phillips Nicole R. , Simpkins James W. , Roby Rhonda K.
Published: July 2013

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress have been associated with normal aging and are possibly implicated in the etiology of late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). DNA deletions, as well as other alterations, can result from oxidative damage to nucleic acids. Many studies during the past two decades have investigated the incidence of mitochondrial DNA deletions in postmortem brain tissues of late‐onset AD patients compared with age‐matched normal control subjects. Published studies are not entirely concordant, but their differences might shed light on the heterogeneity of AD itself. Our understanding of the role that mitochondrial DNA deletions play in disease progression may provide valuable information that could someday lead to a treatment.
EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS RISK FACTORS MANAGEMENT TO PREDICT SURRENDER BEHAVIOURS
Authors: Milhaud Xavier
Published: July 2013

Insurers have been concerned about surrenders for a long time especially in saving business, where huge sums are at stake. The emergence of the European directive Solvency II, which promotes the development of internal risk models (among which a complete unit is dedicated to surrender risk management), strengthens the necessity to deeply study and understand this risk. In this paper, we investigate the topics of segmenting and modelling surrenders in order to better take into account the main risk factors impacting policyholders' decisions. We find that several complex aspects must be specifically dealt with to predict surrenders, in particular the heterogeneity of behaviour as well as the context faced by the insured. Combining them, we develop a new methodology that seems to provide good results on given business lines, and that moreover can be adapted for other products with little effort.
Serum lipid peroxidation markers are correlated with those in brain samples in different stress models
Authors: Celikbilek Asuman , Gocmen Ayse Yesim , Tanik Nermin , Yaras Nazmi , Yargicoglu Piraye , Gumuslu Saadet
Published: July 2013

Objective

Stress can stimulate increased production of oxygen radicals. We investigated the correlations between serum levels of lipid peroxidation markers and those in brain samples in different stress models.

Methods

Animals (n= 96) were divided equally into eight groups: a control group and groups treated with vitamin E (Vit E); exposed to immobilisation stress; exposed to immobilisation stress and treated with Vit E; exposed to cold stress; exposed to cold stress and treated with Vit E; exposed to both immobilisation and cold stress; and a final group exposed to both immobilisation and cold stress and treated with Vit E. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) in brain samples and levels of TBARS, corticosterone, conjugated dienes (CD), lipids, and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity in serum were analysed.

Results

Serum corticosterone (p< 0.001), CD (p< 0.05), lipid (p< 0.05) levels, and brain TBARS (p< 0.05) levels were significantly higher in all stress groups than in controls, and the elevated levels were reversed in the Vit E-treated stress groups (p< 0.05). Serum PON1 activity was not different among the groups (p> 0.05). Serum TBARS levels increased significantly in all stress groups (p< 0.05), but this elevation was only reversed in the group exposed to both immobilisation and cold stress and treated with Vit E (p< 0.001).

Conclusion

These results suggest that serum levels of lipid peroxidation markers can be determined readily and may be useful as indicators to evaluate the effects of oxidative stress in the brain.
A multivariate model for predicting segmental body composition
Authors: Tian Simiao , Mioche Laurence , Denis Jean-Baptiste , Morio Béatrice
Published: July 2013

The aims of the present study were to propose a multivariate model for predicting simultaneously body, trunk and appendicular fat and lean masses from easily measured variables and to compare its predictive capacity with that of the available univariate models that predict body fat percentage (BF%). The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) dataset (52 % men and 48 % women) with White, Black and Hispanic ethnicities (1999–2004, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) was randomly divided into three sub-datasets: a training dataset (TRD), a test dataset (TED); a validation dataset (VAD), comprising 3835, 1917 and 1917 subjects. For each sex, several multivariate prediction models were fitted from the TRD using age, weight, height and possibly waist circumference. The most accurate model was selected from the TED and then applied to the VAD and a French DXA dataset (French DB) (526 men and 529 women) to assess the prediction accuracy in comparison with that of five published univariate models, for which adjusted formulas were re-estimated using the TRD. Waist circumference was found to improve the prediction accuracy, especially in men. For BF%, the standard error of prediction (SEP) values were 3·26 (3·75) % for men and 3·47 (3·95) % for women in the VAD (French DB), as good as those of the adjusted univariate models. Moreover, the SEP values for the prediction of body and appendicular lean masses ranged from 1·39 to 2·75 kg for both the sexes. The prediction accuracy was best for age < 65 years, BMI < 30 kg/m2and the Hispanic ethnicity. The application of our multivariate model to large populations could be useful to address various public health issues.
Indexicalité et horizon chez Husserl
Authors: GALLERAND ALAIN
Published: July 2013

Parce que leur sens semble fluctuant, les expressions indexicales ont longtemps constitué une énigme pour la théorie phénoménologique de la signification. La première analyse que Husserl leur a consacrée dans les Recherches logiques laisse deux difficultés en suspens. 1) En quoi une signification visant directement un objet et se remplissant dans une intuition donatrice est-elle différente de l’objet référentiel? 2) Comment une compréhension «symbolique» des expressions indexicales, sans le secours de la perception, est-elle possible? Nous montrons comment les notions de «concept propre» et d’«horizon intentionnel» ont permis d’apporter une réponse à ces questions. Sans cet enrichissement phénoménologique de la théorie du concept et de l’intentionnalité, le fonctionnement linguistique de l’indexicalité demeure inintelligible.
Phytoplankton community size structure, primary production and copepod production in a subtropical coastal inlet in Hong Kong
Authors: Lie Alle A.Y. , Wong Lik Chi , Wong C. Kim
Published: July 2013

Phytoplankton primary production and copepod production, and the size composition of the phytoplankton community in Tolo Harbour, a semi-enclosed bay in north-eastern Hong Kong, were studied from February 2008 to March 2009. Chlorophyll-a (Chl a) concentrations decreased from an average of 9.07 µg l−1 in the inner part of the bay to 3.07 µg l−1 at the mouth of the bay. In terms of contribution to total Chl a biomass, the >20 µm size fraction dominated the phytoplankton community. The zooplankton community in Tolo Harbour was dominated by small copepods, with cephalothorax length ranging from ~0.3 to 0.4 mm, and the density of copepods decreased from ~15,000 ind.m−3 in the inner part of the bay to ~9,700 ind.m−3 at the mouth of the bay. Depth-integrated net primary production in Tolo Harbour was high, ranging from 0.34 to 10.40 g C m−2 day−1, with an overall mean of 2.64 g C m−2 day−1. In contrast, copepod production was low, ranging from 0.19 to 16.64 mg C m−3 day−1, with an overall mean of 2.73 mg C m−3 day−1. The low transfer efficiency of 1.4% between phytoplankton primary production and copepod secondary production suggests that the large phytoplankton was inefficiently grazed by the small copepods in Tolo Harbour.
Dimensions of Financial Autonomy in Low-/Moderate-Income Couples from a Gender Perspective and Implications for Welfare Reform
Authors: BENNETT FRAN , SUNG SIRIN
Published: July 2013

The ‘unitary household’ lives on in policymakers’ assumptions about couples sharing their finances. Yet financial autonomy is seen as a key issue in gender relations, particularly for women. This article draws on evidence from semi-structured individual interviews with men and women in thirty low-/moderate-income couples in Britain. The interviews explored whether financial autonomy had any meaning to these individuals; and, if so, to what extent this was gendered in the sense of there being differences in men's and women's understanding of it. We develop a framework for the investigation of financial autonomy, involving several dimensions: achieving economic independence, having privacy in one's financial affairs and exercising agency in relation to household and/or personal spending. We argue that financial autonomy is a relevant issue for low-/moderate-income couples, and that women are more conscious of tensions between financial togetherness and autonomy due to their greater responsibility for managing togetherness and lower likelihood of achieving financial independence. Policymakers should therefore not discount the aspirations of women in particular for financial autonomy, even in low-/moderate-income couples where there remain significant obstacles to achieving this. Yet plans for welfare reform that rely on means testing and ignore intra-household dynamics in relation to family finances threaten to exacerbate these obstacles and reinforce a unitary family model.
A tale of two assemblages: Early Neolithic manufacture and use of beads in the Konya plain
Authors: Baysal Emma
Published: July 2013

Beads and personal ornamentation have often been overlooked in the intense debates that have surrounded archaeological work on the Neolithic settlements of the Konya plain. In this article I assess the bead assemblages from the ninth- to eighth-millennium BC calibrated sites of Pınarbaşı and Boncuklu Höyük to ask what they can tell us about the technology, sense of personal expression and interactions with the wider landscape of Neolithic populations. The two sites in question occupy significantly different positions within the plain: the former right at the edge; the latter next to a low ridge surrounded by wetland. Evidence suggests that these communities adopted some materials, ideas and influences from outside sources, while holding on to their own, very local identities.
Bronze Age höyüks, Iron Age hilltop forts, Roman poleis and Byzantine pilgrimage in Germia and its vicinity. ‘Connectivity’ and a lack of ‘definite places’ on the central Anatolian high plateau
Authors: Niewöhner Philipp , Dikilitaş Gülseren , Erkul Ercan , Giese Stefan , Gorecki Joachim , Prochaska Walter , Sarı Deniz , Stümpel Harald , Vardar Ali , Waldner Alice , Walser Andreas Victor , Woith Heiko
Published: July 2013

Germia was a well-connected Byzantine polis in western-central Anatolia, famous for its healing waters and a church of St Michael. After three years of survey the site can now be reconstructed: it included several other churches and monasteries, but little space for ordinary residential buildings. This comes as a surprise, but can be explained by the discovery of two older Roman cities within walking-distance of Germia, where the ordinary people seem to have lived. One of these cities, Mantalos, was home to a local cult of the pagan god Men. This may explain why the Christian healing centre was established at Germia. Later, Mantalos shed its pagan legacy and was apparently renamed Eudoxias after a homonymous member of the Theodosian dynasty. No Roman or Byzantine settlement of the region has a history extending back beyond the Iron Age, when the population retreated to fortified hilltop settlements and many sizable Bronze Age höyüks were deserted. Settlement locations changed often and grew little in central Anatolia, and this may be blamed on the uniform landscape of the high plateau; it lacks the Mediterranean's diverse geography of ‘definite places’ that would favour one site above others and ensure its continuity and growth.