bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Brand Likeability Scale: An Exploratory Study of Likeability in Firm-Level Brands
Authors: Nguyen Bang , Ekinci Yuksel , Simkin Lyndon , Melewar T.C.
Published: October 2015

We develop a new measurement scale to assess consumers' brand likeability in firm-level brands. We present brand likeability as a multidimensional construct. In the context of service experience purchases, we find that increased likeability in brands results in: (1) greater amount of positive association; (2) increased interaction interest; (3) more personified quality; and (4) increased brand contentment. The four-dimensional multiple-item scale demonstrates good psychometric properties, showing strong evidence of reliability as well as convergent, discriminant and nomological validity. Our findings reveal that brand likeability is positively associated with satisfaction and positive word of mouth. The scale extends existing branding research, providing brand managers with a metric so that likeability can be managed strategically. It addresses the need for firms to act more likeably in an interaction-dominated economy. Focusing on likeability acts as a differentiator and encourages likeable brand personality traits. We present theoretical implications and future research directions on the holistic brand likeability concept.
IT and Fast Growth Small-to-Medium Enterprise Performance: An Empirical Study in Australia
Authors: Bi Rui , Davison Robert M , Smyrnios Kosmas X
Published: October 2015

Information technology (IT) is regarded as a facilitator for both small and large firms to speed up transactions between firms and their suppliers and customers, achieve real-time communication, lower transaction costs, and enhance speed and flexibility. However, understanding whether and how IT helps small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to create business value still remains unclear. Drawing upon resource-based view theory, source-positional advantage-performance framework, we develop and test a theoretical model to explore the interrelationships between IT resources (IT expertise, IT infrastructure), IT capability (IT integration), IT-enabled inter-firm partnership processes (activity integration, coordination, partnership enhancement), and organizational performance in the fast growth SME context. We propose that IT business value depends on how firms employ IT resources to develop IT capability which facilitates inter-firm partnership processes along value chains. Structural equation modeling is employed to test our theoretical conceptualization of 310 Australian fast-growth SMEs across different industrial sectors. Results show that IT contributes to fast growth SME performance through the development of IT capability and enhancement of inter-firm partnership activities. This research highlights the role of IT in business value creation and the ways in which IT is used by fast growth SMEs to foster core business competencies.
Moving from Evaluation to Trial: How do SMEs Start Adopting Cloud ERP?
Authors: Salim Siti Aisyah , Sedera Darshana , Sawang Sukanlaya , E Alarifi Abdulrahman Hamad , Atapattu Maura
Published: October 2015

The advent of cloud technology involving low subscription overheads cost has provided small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the opportunity to adopt new cloud-based corporate-wide systems (i.e., cloud ERP). This technology, operating through subscription-based services, has now provided SMEs with a complete range of IT applications that were once restricted to larger organisations. As anecdotal evidences suggest, SMEs are increasingly adopting cloud-based ERP software. The selection of an ERP is a complex process involving multiple stages and stakeholders, suggesting the importance of closer examination of cloud ERP adoption in SMEs. Yet, prior studies have predominantly treated technology adoption as a single activity and largely ignored the issue of ERP adoption in SMEs. Understanding of the process nature of the adoption and the factors that are important in each stage of the adoption potentially may result in guiding SMEs to make well-informed decisions throughout the ERP selection process. Thus, our study proposes that the adoption of cloud ERP should be examined as a multi-stage process. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Ettlie’s adoption stages, as well as employing data gathered from 162 owners of SMEs, our findings show that the factors that influence the intention to adopt cloud ERP vary significantly across adoptive stages.
Solvent Free Synthesis of Four Cationic Surfactants: Evaluation of Their Corrosion Inhibition Properties on Zinc Phosphate Conversion Coating on Mild Steel
Authors: Thomas Ruby , Umapathy M. J.
Published: October 2015

Four cationic surfactants have been synthesized in the absence of solvent using triethylamine and four different long chain alkyl halides. Using FTIR, 1H NMR spectra and elementary analysis the chemical structure of the synthesized surfactants were confirmed. The physio-chemical properties have been evaluated using standard analytical procedures. The corrosion inhibition properties of these four surfactants as additives were evaluated on zinc phosphate conversion coating on mild steel using nano silica as accelerator. The efficacy of the surfactants as corrosion inhibitor increases with increase in the side chain length and surface activity. With the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscope (AFM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) the surface morphology have been studied. The protective performance of the coatings was evaluated by salt spray exposure studies.
Beckett, Vichy, Maurras, and the Body: Premier amour and Nouvelles
Authors: Gibson Andrew
Published: October 2015

This essay is about the relation between the treatment of the body in Beckett's major French texts of 1945–6 and the Vichy regime. It examines Vichy conceptions of physical life and their effect on Beckett's texts, considering those texts as responses to them. It addresses the ideological construction of the body in France 1940–4 and its connection with Vichy pastoralism, folkloric regionalism, natalism, familialism, and paternalism; the historical materiality of mutilated, impoverished, ‘inferior’, and expelled bodies and their significance under Vichy; and the influence on the Vichyite conception of the body of Le Play, Barrès, and above all Maurras, his nationalism, provincialism, and reactionary aesthetics. Beckett's letters show him to have been dismissive of these influences. Premier amour and the Nouvelles repeatedly evoke certain features of the experience of bodily life under Vichy. They also conduct a war on Vichyite, Pétainist, and Maurrasian body politics and its moral terrorism, not least because the ideological construction of the body in Vichy France was strikingly close to that in de Valera's Ireland. The texts are a weird, ironical hymn to incapacity, to the ‘second-rate’ or ‘defective’ body. This in turn dictates the specific character of Beckett's break with representation at this time.
The Intertextual Presence of Samuel Beckett's All That Fall in Martin McDonagh's Six Shooter
Authors: Clare David
Published: October 2015

As many critics have pointed out, Martin McDonagh's work for the stage and screen is deeply indebted to the drama of Samuel Beckett. While critics have spotted most of McDonagh's intertextual debts to Beckett, they have curiously failed to recognise that his Oscar-winning short film, Six Shooter (2004), draws heavily on Beckett's classic radio play, All That Fall (1957). As Julia Kristeva contends, intertextuality always involves the ‘absorption and transformation’ of the earlier text. There is much evidence of Six Shooter's ‘absorption’ of All That Fall: both works centrally feature trains, the death of young children, childless couples, animals, reflections on Christianity, and haunting Irish memories which inspire bizarre and, indeed, violent behaviour in the present. With regards to ‘transformation’, McDonagh's film challenges and updates the reflections on Christianity, adult-child relationships, and Dublin found in Beckett's play, and McDonagh uses the visual medium of film to extend the unexploited ‘performativity’ of Beckett's earlier, audio work.
Fruit and Vegetable Co-Products as Functional Feed Ingredients in Farm Animal Nutrition for Improved Product Quality
Authors: Kasapidou Eleni , Sossidou Evangelia , Mitlianga Paraskevi
Published: October 2015

There are significant environmental, economic and social factors favoring the reutilization of fruit and vegetable processing co-products in farm animal nutrition. Current evidence shows that fruit and vegetable processing co-products can be effectively used in farm animal nutrition as functional feed ingredients for the production of food products of improved quality. These ingredients comply with consumer requests for the production of “clean,” “natural” and “eco/green” label food products. The main parameters affecting extensive application of fruit and vegetable processing by-/co-products as functional feed ingredients in livestock nutrition are related to animal factors, logistics, and commercial value. Further research is needed to enable the commercial application of these products to livestock nutrition.
Sidelobe Reduction in Non-Contiguous OFDM-Based Cognitive Radio Systems Using a Generalized Sidelobe Canceller
Authors: Elahi Atif , Qureshi Ijaz , Khan Zafar , Zaman Fawad
Published: October 2015

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), sidelobes of the modulated subcarriers cause high out-of-band (OOB) radiation, resulting in interference to licensed and un-licensed users in a cognitive radio system environment. In this work, we present a novel technique based on a generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) for the reduction of sidelobes. The upper branch of the GSC consists of a weight vector designed by multiple constraints to preserve the desired portion of the input signal. The lower branch has a blocking matrix that blocks the desired portion and preserves the undesired portion (the sidelobes) of the input signal, followed by an adaptive weight vector. The adaptive weight vector adjusts the amplitudes of the undesired portion (the sidelobes) so that when the signal from the lower branch is subtracted from the signal from the upper branch, it results in cancellation of the sidelobes of the input signal. The effectiveness and strength of the proposed technique are verified through extensive simulations. The proposed technique produces competitive results in terms of sidelobe reduction as compared to existing techniques.
Study of Three-Dimensional Image Brightness Loss in Stereoscopy
Authors: Yu Hsing-Cheng , Tsai Xie-Hong , Luo An-Chun , Wu Ming , Chen Sei-Wang
Published: October 2015

When viewing three-dimensional (3D) images, whether in cinemas or on stereoscopic televisions, viewers experience the same problem of image brightness loss. This study aims to investigate image brightness loss in 3D displays, with the primary aim being to quantify the image brightness degradation in the 3D mode. A further aim is to determine the image brightness relationship to the corresponding two-dimensional (2D) images in order to adjust the 3D-image brightness values. In addition, the photographic principle is used in this study to measure metering values by capturing 2D and 3D images on television screens. By analyzing these images with statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) software, the image brightness values can be estimated using the statistical regression model, which can also indicate the impact of various environmental factors or hardware on the image brightness. In analysis of the experimental results, comparison of the image brightness between 2D and 3D images indicates 60.8% degradation in the 3D image brightness amplitude. The experimental values, from 52.4% to 69.2%, are within the 95% confidence interval
The Tip of the Iceberg: Clinical Implications of Genomic Sequencing Projects in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Birkeland Andrew , Ludwig Megan , Meraj Taha , Brenner J. , Prince Mark
Published: October 2015

Recent genomic sequencing studies have provided valuable insight into genetic aberrations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Despite these great advances, certain hurdles exist in translating genomic findings to clinical care. Further correlation of genetic findings to clinical outcomes, additional analyses of subgroups of head and neck cancers and follow-up investigation into genetic heterogeneity are needed. While the development of targeted therapy trials is of key importance, numerous challenges exist in establishing and optimizing such programs. This review discusses potential upcoming steps for further genetic evaluation of head and neck cancers and implementation of genetic findings into precision medicine trials.
A Solution Based on Bluetooth Low Energy for Smart Home Energy Management
Authors: Collotta Mario , Pau Giovanni
Published: October 2015

The research and the implementation of home automation are getting more popular because the Internet of Things holds promise for making homes smarter through wireless technologies. The installation of systems based on wireless networks can play a key role also in the extension of the smart grid towards smart homes, that can be deemed as one of the most important components of smart grids. This paper proposes a fuzzy-based solution for smart energy management in a home automation wireless network. The approach, by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), introduces a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) in order to improve a Home Energy Management (HEM) scheme, addressing the power load of standby appliances and their loads in different hours of the day. Since the consumer is involved in the choice of switching on/off of home appliances, the approach introduced in this work proposes a fuzzy-based solution in order to manage the consumer feedbacks. Simulation results show that the proposed solution is efficient in terms of reducing peak load demand, electricity consumption charges with an increase comfort level of consumers. The performance of the proposed BLE-based wireless network scenario are validated in terms of packet delivery ratio, delay, and jitter and are compared to IEEE 802.15.4 technology.
Effects of Visual Grading on Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.) Seedlings Planted in Two Shelterwood Stands on the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, USA
Authors: Clark Stacy , Schlarbaum Scott , Schweitzer Callie
Published: October 2015

Artificial regeneration of oak has been generally unsuccessful in maintaining the oak component in productive upland forests of eastern North America. We tested visual grading effects on quality-grown northern red oak (Quercus rubra) seedlings planted in two submesic stands on the Cumberland Plateau escarpment of Tennessee, USA. Seedlings were grown for one year using advanced fertilization and irrigation protocols to increase overall size of seedlings, but large variability in size was still evident. Seedlings were divided into two grades prior to planting. The “standard” grade represented seedlings that had undergone a light culling, and the “premium” grade represented the highest quality seedlings. Seven years after planting in a midstory-removal stand, 50 percent of trees survived, growth was negligible, and seedling grade had no effect on survival and yearly growth. In a shelterwood harvest stand, premium grade seedlings had taller height and larger basal diameter (BD) (241 cm and 29.5 mm, respectively) compared to standard seedlings (201 cm and 25.9 mm, respectively), and a two-year height growth advantage was achieved by planting premium grade compared to standard grade seedlings. Competitive ability and planting shock were similar between grades, and we postulate that an exceptional drought and large size variability in both grades equalized response. While our findings should be confirmed through additional testing, they suggest currently accepted seedling quality standards for northern red oak should be refined to improve regeneration efforts on productive sites in the eastern United States.
Grafting Techniques towards Production of Peptide-Tethered Hydrogels, a Novel Class of Materials with Biomedical Interest
Authors: Barbosa Mariana , Martins M. , Gomes Paula
Published: October 2015

In recent years, new highly functional polymeric biomaterials are being developed to increase the therapeutic efficacy in tissue regeneration approaches. Peptides regulate most physiological processes and display several other biological activities. Therefore, their importance in the field of biomedical research and drug development is rapidly increasing. However, the use of peptides as therapeutic agents is restricted by some of their physicochemical properties. The development of improved routes of delivery of peptide-based therapeutics is crucial and is crucial and its biomedical value is expected to increase in the near future. The unique properties of hydrogels triggered their spreading as localized drug depots. Several strategies, such as the carbodiimide chemistry, have been used to successfully immobilize bioactive peptide sequences into the hydrogels backbone. Peptide tethering through the so-called “click” chemistry reactions is also a highly promising, yet underexplored, approach to the synthesis of hydrogels with varying dimensions and patterns. The present review focus on the approaches that are being used for the establishment of chemical bonds between peptides and non-peptidic hydrogels throughout the last decade.
Characterization of DNA Methylation in Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Pixberg Constantin , Schulz Wolfgang , Stoecklein Nikolas , Neves Rui
Published: October 2015

Epigenetics contributes to molecular mechanisms leading to tumor cell transformation and systemic progression of cancer. However, the dynamics of epigenetic remodeling during metastasis remains unexplored. In this context, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) might enable a direct insight into epigenetic mechanisms relevant for metastasis by providing direct access to systemic cancer. CTCs can be used as prognostic markers in cancer patients and are regarded as potential metastatic precursor cells. However, despite substantial technical progress, the detection and molecular characterization of CTCs remain challenging, in particular the analysis of DNA methylation. As recent studies have started to address the epigenetic state of CTCs, we discuss here the potential of such investigations to elucidate mechanisms of metastasis and to develop tumor biomarkers.
How Porin Heterogeneity and Trade-Offs Affect the Antibiotic Susceptibility of Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Ferenci Thomas , Phan Katherine
Published: October 2015

Variations in porin proteins are common in Gram-negative pathogens. Altered or absent porins reduce access of polar antibiotics across the outer membrane and can thus contribute to antibiotic resistance. Reduced permeability has a cost however, in lowering access to nutrients. This trade-off between permeability and nutritional competence is the source of considerable natural variation in porin gate-keeping. Mutational changes in this trade-off are frequently selected, so susceptibility to detergents and antibiotics is polymorphic in environmental isolates as well as pathogens. Understanding the mechanism, costs and heterogeneity of antibiotic exclusion by porins will be crucial in combating Gram negative infections.
Abnormal Paraplegin Expression in Swollen Neurites, τ- and α-Synuclein Pathology in a Case of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia SPG7 with an Ala510Val Mutation
Authors: Thal Dietmar , Züchner Stephan , Gierer Stephan , Schulte Claudia , Schöls Ludger , Schüle Rebecca , Synofzik Matthis
Published: October 2015

Mutations in the SPG7 gene are the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegias and spastic ataxias. Ala510Val is the most common SPG7 mutation, with a frequency of up to 1% in the general population. Here we report the clinical, genetic, and neuropathological findings in a homozygous Ala510Val SPG7 case with spastic ataxia. Neuron loss with associated gliosis was found in the inferior olivary nucleus, the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum, the substantia nigra and the basal nucleus of Meynert. Neurofilament and/or paraplegin accumulation was observed in swollen neurites in the cerebellar and cerebral cortex. This case also showed subcortical τ-pathology in an unique distribution pattern largely restricted to the brainstem. α-synuclein containing Lewy bodies (LBs) were observed in the brainstem and the cortex, compatible with a limbic pattern of Braak LB-Disease stage 4. Taken together, this case shows that the spectrum of pathologies in SPG7 can include neuron loss of the dentate nucleus and the inferior olivary nucleus as well as neuritic pathology. The progressive supranuclear palsy-like brainstem predominant pattern of τ pathology and α-synuclein containing Lewy bodies in our SPG7 cases may be either coincidental or related to SPG7 in addition to neuron loss and neuritic pathology.
The Development of Philosophy and Its Fundamental Informational Turn
Authors: Wu Kun
Published: October 2015

Through the rescientification of philosophy and the philosophization of science, an entirely new concept of science and philosophy as part of general human knowledge is developing. In this concept, science and philosophy become intrinsically integrated and unified, forming dynamic feedback-loops which lead to further mutual transformation and integration. This development is taking place in the face of two kinds of dogmatism: one is naturalistic dogmatism, the other the dogmatism of consciousness philosophy. These two kinds of dogmatism are an inevitable consequence of the method of segmentation of the field of existence in traditional philosophy namely: existence = matter + Spirit (mind). The development of the Science and Philosophy of Information reveals a world of information-by-itself lying between the worlds of matter and Sprit, and re-interprets the essence of the Spiritual world in the sense of prior information activities. Accordingly, we can describe the movements from matter to Spirit, and from Spirit to matter in these activities as processes, eliminating their dualistic separation, and achieve an informational turn in philosophy, the first truly fundamental one.
MicroRNA Library-Based Functional Screening Identified Androgen-Sensitive miR-216a as a Player in Bicalutamide Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Miyazaki Toshiaki , Ikeda Kazuhiro , Sato Wataru , Horie-Inoue Kuniko , Okamoto Koji , Inoue Satoshi
Published: October 2015

Prostate cancer is a major hormone-dependent tumor affecting men, and is often treated by hormone therapy at the primary stages. Despite its initial efficiency, the disease eventually acquires resistance, resulting in the recurrence of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Recent studies suggest that dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) function is one of the mechanisms underlying hormone therapy resistance. Identification of critical miRNAs involved in endocrine resistance will therefore be important for developing therapeutic targets for prostate cancer. In the present study, we performed an miRNA library screening to identify anti-androgen bicalutamide resistance-related miRNAs in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Cells were infected with a lentiviral miRNA library and subsequently maintained in media containing either bicalutamide or vehicle for a month. Microarray analysis determined the amounts of individual miRNA precursors and identified 2 retained miRNAs after one-month bicalutamide treatment. Of these, we further characterized miR-216a, because its function in prostate cancer remains unknown. miR-216a could be induced by dihydrotestosterone in LNCaP cells and ectopic expression of miR-216a inhibited bicalutamide-mediated growth suppression of LNCaP cells. Furthermore, a microarray dataset revealed that the expression levels of miR-216a were significantly higher in clinical prostate cancer than in benign samples. These results suggest that functional screening using an miRNA expression library could be useful for identifying novel miRNAs that contribute to bicalutamide resistance in prostate cancer.
Eco-Friendly Multipurpose Lubricating Greases from Vegetable Residual Oils
Authors: Nagendramma Ponnekanti , Kumar Prashant
Published: October 2015

Environmentally friendly multipurpose grease formulation has been synthesized by using Jatropha vegetable residual oil with lithium soap and multifunctional additive. The thus obtained formulation was evaluated for its tribological performance on a four-ball tribo-tester. The anti-friction and anti-wear performance characteristics were evaluated using standard test methods. The biodegradability and toxicity of the base oil was assessed. The results indicate that the synthesized residual oil grease formulation shows superior tribological performance when compared to the commercial grease. On the basis of physico-chemical characterization and tribological performance the vegetable residual oil was found to have good potential for use as biodegradable multipurpose lubricating grease. In addition, the base oils are biodegradable and non toxic.
Deformation and Plateau Region of Functionally Graded Aluminum Foam by Amount Combinations of Added Blowing Agent
Authors: Hangai Yoshihiko , Utsunomiya Takao , Kuwazuru Osamu , Kitahara Soichiro , Yoshikawa Nobuhiro
Published: October 2015

Recently, to further improve the performance of aluminum foam, functionally graded (FG) aluminum foams, whose pore structure varies with their position, have been developed. In this study, three types of FG aluminum foam of aluminum alloy die casting ADC12 with combinations of two different amounts of added blowing agent titanium(II) hydride (TiH2) powder were fabricated by a friction stir welding (FSW) route precursor foaming method. The combinations of 1.0–0 mass %, 0.4–0 mass %, and 0.2–0 mass % TiH2 were selected as the amounts of TiH2 relative to the mass of the volume stirred by FSW. The static compression tests of the fabricated FG aluminum foams were carried out. The deformation and fracture of FG aluminum foams fundamentally started in the high-porosity (with TiH2 addition) layer and shifted to the low-porosity (without TiH2 addition) layer. The first and second plateau regions in the relationship between compressive stress and strain independently appeared with the occurrence of deformations and fractures in the high- and low-porosity layers. It was shown that FG aluminum foams, whose plateau region varies in steps by the combination of amounts of added TiH2 (i.e., the combination of pore structures), can be fabricated.
3D Microstructure Effects in Ni-YSZ Anodes: Influence of TPB Lengths on the Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Pecho Omar , Mai Andreas , Münch Beat , Hocker Thomas , Flatt Robert , Holzer Lorenz
Published: October 2015

3D microstructure-performance relationships in Ni-YSZ anodes for electrolyte-supported cells are investigated in terms of the correlation between the triple phase boundary (TPB) length and polarization resistance (Rpol). Three different Ni-YSZ anodes of varying microstructure are subjected to eight reduction-oxidation (redox) cycles at 950 °C. In general the TPB lengths correlate with anode performance. However, the quantitative results also show that there is no simplistic relationship between TPB and Rpol. The degradation mechanism strongly depends on the initial microstructure. Finer microstructures exhibit lower degradation rates of TPB and Rpol. In fine microstructures, TPB loss is found to be due to Ni coarsening, while in coarse microstructures reduction of active TPB results mainly from loss of YSZ percolation. The latter is attributed to weak bottlenecks associated with lower sintering activity of the coarse YSZ. The coarse anode suffers from complete loss of YSZ connectivity and associated drop of TPBactive by 93%. Surprisingly, this severe microstructure degradation did not lead to electrochemical failure. Mechanistic scenarios are discussed for different anode microstructures. These scenarios are based on a model for coupled charge transfer and transport, which allows using TPB and effective properties as input. The mechanistic scenarios describe the microstructure influence on current distributions, which explains the observed complex relationship between TPB lengths and anode performances. The observed loss of YSZ percolation in the coarse anode is not detrimental because the electrochemical activity is concentrated in a narrow active layer. The anode performance can be predicted reliably if the volume-averaged properties (TPBactive, effective ionic conductivity) are corrected for the so-called short-range effect, which is particularly important in cases with a narrow active layer.
Porous Titanium for Dental Implant Applications
Authors: Wally Zena , Van Grunsven William , Claeyssens Frederik , Goodall Russell , Reilly Gwendolen
Published: October 2015

Recently, an increasing amount of research has focused on the biological and mechanical behavior of highly porous structures of metallic biomaterials, as implant materials for dental implants. Particularly, pure titanium and its alloys are typically used due to their outstanding mechanical and biological properties. However, these materials have high stiffness (Young’s modulus) in comparison to that of the host bone, which necessitates careful implant design to ensure appropriate distribution of stresses to the adjoining bone, to avoid stress-shielding or overloading, both of which lead to bone resorption. Additionally, many coating and roughening techniques are used to improve cell and bone-bonding to the implant surface. To date, several studies have revealed that porous geometry may be a promising alternative to bulk structures for dental implant applications. This review aims to summarize the evidence in the literature for the importance of porosity in the integration of dental implants with bone tissue and the different fabrication methods currently being investigated. In particular, additive manufacturing shows promise as a technique to control pore size and shape for optimum biological properties.
Six-Membered Aromatic Polyazides: Synthesis and Application
Authors: Chapyshev Sergei
Published: October 2015

Aromatic polyazides are widely used as starting materials in organic synthesis and photochemical studies, as well as photoresists in microelectronics and as cross-linking agents in polymer chemistry. Some aromatic polyazides possess high antitumor activity, while many others are of considerable interest as high-energy materials and precursors of high-spin nitrenes and C3N4 carbon nitride nanomaterials. The use of aromatic polyazides in click-reactions may be a new promising direction in the design of various supramolecular systems possessing interesting chemical, physical and biological properties. This review is devoted to the synthesis, properties and applications of six-membered aromatic compounds containing three and more azido groups in the ring.
Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Br-Doped Bismuth Oxide Formate Nanosheets
Authors: Feng Xin , Cui Wen , Zhong Junbo , Liu Xiaoying , Dong Fan , Zhang Yuxin
Published: October 2015

A facile method was developed to enhance the visible light photocatalytic activity of bismuth oxide formate (BiOCOOH) nanosheets via Br-doping. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms measurement. The Br− ions replaced the COOH− ions in the layers of BiOCOOH, result in a decreased layer distance. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared materials was evaluated by removal of NO in qir at ppb level. The results showed that the Br-doped BiOCOOH nanosheets showed enhanced visible light photocatalytic activtiy with a NO removal of 37.8%. The enhanced activity can be ascribed to the increased visible light absorption and the promoted charge separation.
γ-Alumina Nanoparticle Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of Highly Substituted Imidazoles
Authors: Reddy Bandapalli , Vijayakumar Vijayaparthasarathi , Arasu Mariadhas , Al-Dhabi Naif
Published: October 2015

γ-Alumina nano particle catalyzed multi component reaction of benzil, arylaldehyde and aryl amines afforded the highly substituted 1,2,4,5-tetraaryl imidazoles with good to excellent yield in less reaction time under the sonication as well as the conventional methods. Convenient operational simplicity, mild conditions and the reusability of catalyst were the other advantages of this developed protocol.
Consumption of Milk Protein or Whey Protein Results in a Similar Increase in Muscle Protein Synthesis in Middle Aged Men
Authors: Mitchell Cameron , McGregor Robin , D’Souza Randall , Thorstensen Eric , Markworth James , Fanning Aaron , Poppitt Sally , Cameron-Smith David
Published: October 2015

The differential ability of various milk protein fractions to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS) has been previously described, with whey protein generally considered to be superior to other fractions. However, the relative ability of a whole milk protein to stimulate MPS has not been compared to whey. Sixteen healthy middle-aged males ingested either 20 g of milk protein (n = 8) or whey protein (n = 8) while undergoing a primed constant infusion of ring 13C6 phenylalanine. Muscle biopsies were obtained 120 min prior to consumption of the protein and 90 and 210 min afterwards. Resting myofibrillar fractional synthetic rates (FSR) were 0.019% ± 0.009% and 0.021% ± 0.018% h−1 in the milk and whey groups respectively. For the first 90 min after protein ingestion the FSR increased (p < 0.001) to 0.057% ± 0.018% and 0.052% ± 0.024% h−1 in the milk and whey groups respectively with no difference between groups (p = 0.810). FSR returned to baseline in both groups between 90 and 210 min after protein ingestion. Despite evidence of increased rate of digestion and leucine availability following the ingestion of whey protein, there was similar activation of MPS in middle-aged men with either 20 g of milk protein or whey protein.
DHA in Pregnant and Lactating Women from Coastland, Lakeland, and Inland Areas of China: Results of a DHA Evaluation in Women (DEW) Study
Authors: Li You , Li Hong-tian , Trasande Leonardo , Ge Hua , Yu Li-xia , Xu Gao-sheng , Bai Man-xi , Liu Jian-meng
Published: October 2015

Few studies have examined docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in pregnant and lactating women in developing countries like China, where DHA-enriched supplements are increasingly popular. We aimed to assess the DHA status among Chinese pregnant and lactating women residing areas differing in the availability of aquatic products. In total, 1211 women in mid-pregnancy (17 ± 2 weeks), late pregnancy (39 ± 2 weeks), or lactation (42 ± 7 days) were enrolled from Weihai (coastland), Yueyang (lakeland), and Baotou (inland) city, with approximately 135 women in each participant group by region. DHA concentrations were measured using capillary gas chromatography, and are reported as weight percent of total fatty acids. Mean plasma DHA concentrations were higher in coastland (mid-pregnancy 3.19%, late pregnancy 2.54%, lactation 2.24%) and lakeland women (2.45%, 1.95%, 2.26%) than inland women (2.25%, 1.67%, 1.68%) (p values < 0.001). Similar differences were observed for erythrocyte DHA. We conclude that DHA concentrations of Chinese pregnant and lactating women are higher in coastland and lakeland regions than in inland areas. DHA status in the study population appears to be stronger than populations from other countries studied to date.
Comparative Efficacies of a 3D-Printed PCL/PLGA/β-TCP Membrane and a Titanium Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Shim Jin-Hyung , Won Joo-Yun , Sung Su-Jin , Lim Dong-Hyuk , Yun Won-Soo , Jeon Young-Chan , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: October 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a 3D-printed resorbable polycaprolactone/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/PLGA/β-TCP) membrane on bone regeneration and osseointegration in areas surrounding implants and to compare results with those of a non-resorbable titanium mesh membrane. After preparation of PCL/PLGA/β-TCP membranes using extrusion-based 3D printing technology; mechanical tensile testing and in vitro cell proliferation testing were performed. Implant surgery and guided bone regeneration were performed randomly in three groups (a no membrane group, a titanium membrane group, and a PCL/PLGA/β-TCP membrane group (n = 8 per group)). Histological and histometric analyses were conducted to evaluate effects on bone regeneration and osseointegration. Using the results of mechanical testing; a PCL/PLGA/β-TCP ratio of 2:6:2 was selected. The new bone areas (%) in buccal defects around implants were highest in the PCL/PLGA/β-TCP group and significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Bone-to-implant contact ratios (%) were also significantly higher in the PCL/PLGA/β-TCP and titanium groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). When the guided bone regeneration procedure was performed using the PCL/PLGA/β-TCP membrane; new bone formation around the implant and osseointegration were not inferior to those of the non-resorbable pre-formed titanium mesh membrane.
The Social Democrats of Scholarship: Austrian Imperial Peripheries and the Making of a Progressive Science of Nationality, 1885–1903
Authors: Prendergast Thomas
Published: October 2015

To what extent and in what ways did the intellectual climate of Austria’s often ethnolinguistically heterogeneous borderlands contribute to the formation, institutionalization and diffusion of emerging social scientific discourses during the final decades of the 19th century? Investigating the intellectual exchange between two early proponents of folklore studies (Volkskunde)—the Slavonian-German-Jewish Friedrich Salomon Krauss (1859–1938) and Bukovinian-German Raimund Friedrich Kaindl (1866–1930)—this paper argues that imperial peripheries, while traditionally overlooked as sites of knowledge production, in fact played a pivotal role in the development of an important brand of “progressive” social scientific research, one defined by a critical stance toward the prevailing historicist paradigms of the time. These self-described “social democrats of scholarship” collaborated, both formally and informally, on a number of related theoretical projects aimed at disrupting the exclusionary narratives of the academic establishment and re-focusing scholarly attention on the sociological, rather than historical, character of ethnonational difference. In this way, the nationalities question spurred, both in the center and at the margins of the monarchy, the development of new sciences of nationality intended to sustain Austria’s imperial structure.
Spatio-Temporal Changes in Vegetation Activity and Its Driving Factors during the Growing Season in China from 1982 to 2011
Authors: Qu Bo , Zhu Wenbin , Jia Shaofeng , Lv Aifeng
Published: October 2015

Using National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA/AVHRR) and Climatic Research Unit (CRU) climate datasets, we analyzed interannual trends in the growing-season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in China from 1982 to 2011, as well as the effects of climatic variables and human activities on vegetation variation. Growing-season (period between the onset and end of plant growth) NDVI significantly increased (p < 0.01) on a national scale and showed positive trends in 52.76% of the study area. A multiple regression model was used to investigate the response of vegetation to climatic factors during recent and previous time intervals. The interactions between growing-season NDVI and climatic variables were more complex than expected, and a lag existed between climatic factors and their effects on NDVI. The regression residuals were used to show that over 6% of the study area experienced significantly human-induced vegetation variations (p < 0.05). These regions were mostly located in densely populated, reclaimed agriculture, afforestation, and conservation areas. Similar conclusions were drawn based on land-use change over the study period.
Evaluation of a Backpack-Mounted 3D Mobile Scanning System
Authors: Lauterbach Helge , Borrmann Dorit , Heß Robin , Eck Daniel , Schilling Klaus , Nüchter Andreas
Published: October 2015

Recently, several backpack-mounted systems, also known as personal laser scanning systems, have been developed. They consist of laser scanners or cameras that are carried by a human operator to acquire measurements of the environment while walking. These systems were first designed to overcome the challenges of mapping indoor environments with doors and stairs. While the human operator inherently has the ability to open doors and to climb stairs, the flexible movements introduce irregularities of the trajectory to the system. To compete with other mapping systems, the accuracy of these systems has to be evaluated. In this paper, we present an extensive evaluation of our backpack mobile mapping system in indoor environments. It is shown that the system can deal with the normal human walking motion, but has problems with irregular jittering. Moreover, we demonstrate the applicability of the backpack in a suitable urban scenario.
Developing Superfine Water Index (SWI) for Global Water Cover Mapping Using MODIS Data
Authors: Sharma Ram , Tateishi Ryutaro , Hara Keitarou , Nguyen Luong
Published: October 2015

Monitoring of water cover and shorelines at a global scale is essential for better understanding climate change consequences and modern human disturbances. The level and turbidity of the surface water, and the background objects in which they interact with, vary significantly at a global scale. The existing water indices applicable to detection and extraction of water cover at local and regional scales cannot work efficiently everywhere in the globe. In this research, a new water index called Superfine Water Index (SWI) was developed for robust detection and discrimination of the surface water at a global scale using MODIS based multispectral data. The SWI was designed in such a way that it provides high contrast between the water and non-water areas. Achieving high contrast is vital for discriminating the surface water mixed with a variety of objects. The sensitivity analysis of the SWI demonstrated its high sensitivity to the surface water compared to the existing water indices. One single-layered global mosaic of a 90-percentile SWI image was used as a master image for global water cover mapping by reducing the large volume of MODIS data available between 2012 and 2014 globally. The random walker algorithm was applied in the SWI image with the support of reference training data for the extraction and mapping of water cover. This research produced an up-to-date global water cover map of the year 2013. The performance of a new map was evaluated with a number of case studies and compared with existing maps. The supremacy of the SWI over the existing water indices, and high performance of the SWI based water map confirmed the reliability of the new water mapping methodology developed. We expect that this methodology can contribute to seasonal and annual change analysis of the global water cover as well.
An Enhanced Data Visualization Method for Diesel Engine Malfunction Classification Using Multi-Sensor Signals
Authors: Li Yiqing , Wang Yu , Zi Yanyang , Zhang Mingquan
Published: October 2015

The various multi-sensor signal features from a diesel engine constitute a complex high-dimensional dataset. The non-linear dimensionality reduction method, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), provides an effective way to implement data visualization for complex high-dimensional data. However, irrelevant features can deteriorate the performance of data visualization, and thus, should be eliminated a priori. This paper proposes a feature subset score based t-SNE (FSS-t-SNE) data visualization method to deal with the high-dimensional data that are collected from multi-sensor signals. In this method, the optimal feature subset is constructed by a feature subset score criterion. Then the high-dimensional data are visualized in 2-dimension space. According to the UCI dataset test, FSS-t-SNE can effectively improve the classification accuracy. An experiment was performed with a large power marine diesel engine to validate the proposed method for diesel engine malfunction classification. Multi-sensor signals were collected by a cylinder vibration sensor and a cylinder pressure sensor. Compared with other conventional data visualization methods, the proposed method shows good visualization performance and high classification accuracy in multi-malfunction classification of a diesel engine.
Fiber-Amplifier-Enhanced QEPAS Sensor for Simultaneous Trace Gas Detection of NH3 and H2S
Authors: Wu Hongpeng , Dong Lei , Liu Xiaoli , Zheng Huadan , Yin Xukun , Ma Weiguang , Zhang Lei , Yin Wangbao , Jia Suotang
Published: October 2015

A selective and sensitive quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) sensor, employing an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and a distributed feedback (DFB) laser operating at 1582 nm was demonstrated for simultaneous detection of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Two interference-free absorption lines located at 6322.45 cm−1 and 6328.88 cm−1 for NH3 and H2S detection, respectively, were identified. The sensor was optimized in terms of current modulation depth for both of the two target gases. An electrical modulation cancellation unit was equipped to suppress the background noise caused by the stray light. An Allan-Werle variance analysis was performed to investigate the long-term performance of the fiber-amplifier-enhanced QEPAS sensor. Benefitting from the high power boosted by the EDFA, a detection sensitivity (1σ) of 52 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) and 17 ppbv for NH3 and H2S, respectively, were achieved with a 132 s data acquisition time at atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Mitigating the Risk of Extreme Water Scarcity and Dependency: The Case of Jordan
Authors: Schyns Joep , Hamaideh Arwa , Hoekstra Arjen , Mekonnen Mesfin , Schyns Marlou
Published: October 2015

Jordan faces great internal water scarcity and pollution, conflict over trans-boundary waters, and strong dependency on external water resources through trade. This paper analyzes these issues and subsequently reviews options to reduce the risk of extreme water scarcity and dependency. Based on estimates of water footprint, water availability, and virtual water trade, we find that groundwater consumption is nearly double the groundwater availability, water pollution aggravates blue water scarcity, and Jordan’s external virtual water import dependency is 86%. The review of response options yields 10 ingredients for a strategy for Jordan to mitigate the risks of extreme water scarcity and dependency. With respect to these ingredients, Jordan’s current water policy requires a strong redirection towards water demand management. Actual implementation of the plans in the national water strategy (against existing oppositions) would be a first step. However, more attention should be paid to reducing water demand by changing the consumption pattern of Jordanian consumers. Moreover, unsustainable exploitation of the fossil Disi aquifer should soon be halted and planned desalination projects require careful consideration regarding the sustainability of their energy supply.