bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job expectations of Chinese college students: re-examining gender differences
Authors: Chullen Cody Logan , Adeyemi-Bello Tope , Xi Xiao-Yu
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine current gender differences in job expectations among Chinese college students, how current job expectations across gender differ from an earlier study, and how they might impact organizational practices such as recruitment and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Manhardt’s 25-item measure of job expectations, this study asked Chinese college students to rate the importance of various job characteristics on a five-point Likert scale (5=very important to 1=very unimportant). Male and female responses were compared for 430 college students.

Findings

– Results of the current study found that males and females differed in their ratings on 23 of 25 items, with females rating all 23 of these items to be of higher importance. These findings differ significantly from an earlier study so they are compared and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is limited in that it focusses solely on college students and only examines gender as a basis for comparison. Future studies should examine employees and consider other factors such as Chinese ethnicity as a basis for comparison.

Practical implications

– Organizations may choose to change/improve aspects of certain jobs to more closely align with job candidates’ interests and/or choose to differently implement tools such as realistic job previews in order to improve retention.

Social implications

– This paper provides an updated status on gender differences in job expectations of China’s soon-to-be emerging workforce. Findings provide organizations with insight on how to develop human resource tools to hold on to talent.

Originality/value

– This paper advances on previous work by drawing on a much larger sample and by utilizing a structured forward-translation, back-translation process for its survey.
Social repair and structural inequity: implications for disaster recovery practice
Authors: Aijazi Omer
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper introduces a model of social repair to the language of disaster recovery that potentially provides a new way of conceptualizing reconstruction and recovery processes by drawing attention to the dismantling of structural inequities that inhibit post-disaster recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper first engages with the current discourse of vulnerability reduction and resilience building as embedded within a distinct politics of post-disaster recovery. The concept of social repair is then explored as found within post-conflict and reconciliation literature. For application within the context of natural disasters, the concept of social repair is modified to have evaluative and effectiveness significance for disaster recovery. A short case example is presented from post-flood Pakistan to deepen our understanding of the potential application and usage of a social repair orientation to disaster recovery.

Findings

– The paper recommends that the evaluative goals of post-disaster recovery projects should be framed in the language of social repair. This means that social relationships (broadly defined) must be restored and transformed as a result of any disaster recovery intervention, and relationship mapping exercises should be conducted with affected communities prior to planning recovery interventions.

Originality/value

– Current discourses of disaster recovery are rooted within the conceptual framings of reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience. While both theoretical constructs have made important contributions to the disaster recovery enterprise, they have been unable to draw sufficient attention to pre-existing structural inequities. As disaster recovery and reconstruction projects influence the ways communities negotiate and manage future risk, it is important that interventions do not lead to worsened states of inequity.
Eyewitness identification for prudent police
Authors: McGuire M. Dyan , Kenny Tamara , Grabic Arijana
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Both anecdotal and empirical evidence indicates that even well-intentioned eyewitnesses can make inaccurate identifications resulting in erroneous prosecutions and wrongful convictions. The risk of erroneous identification increases when witnesses are asked to identify people belonging to other races. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the policies which enhance the likelihood of obtaining accurate identifications from eyewitnesses. Legal implications especially relevant to police administrators in the USA including constitutional considerations and risks of civil liability are integrated with the empirical record and used to make policy recommendations likely to decrease legal and public relations entanglements for police.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper integrates an empirical literature review with legal research and analysis in order to advocate for prudent policy reforms.

Findings

– Both the empirical record and current US law indicate that police administrators would be well-advised to require serial, double-blind identification procedures where witnesses are routinely warned about the perpetrator’s potential absence and required to give immediate certainty statements. Officers should be prohibited from using the same suspect with the same witness more than once and should be provided with training on the inherent dangers of inaccuracy associated with cross-racial identifications.

Originality/value

– While a significant amount of material concerning eyewitness identification exists, most of the existing work does not integrate legal realities, especially those concerning civil liability, within the framework of the eyewitness identification literature. Nor does past work contextualize the need for reform with the emerging racially charged atmosphere in which US police must currently work.
The prevalence and content of police discipline matrices
Authors: Harris Christopher J. , Chierus Kristen , Edson Timothy C.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of the use of discipline matrices across large US police departments, as well as to compare the structure and content of such matrices.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employs a two phase approach. Phase I consisted of a brief online survey of a stratified, random sample of police departments with 100 or more sworn police officers and asked about whether or not the agency employed a discipline matrix. Phase II consisted of requesting a copy of the matrix and corresponding materials from all agencies who indicated they employed a matrix, and analyzing the content of those matrices.

Findings

– In total, 37 percent of responding agencies said they are using or are planning a discipline matrix, and the authors obtained a matrix from 32 police departments. The structure of the matrices and recommended discipline varied widely across these departments, indicating a lack of consensus on the development of this relatively new accountability tool.

Research limitations/implications

– The survey focussed on large police departments and the response rate was somewhat lower than other past national surveys.

Practical implications

– Discipline matrices are employed to a greater extent than is implied by the current research literature. The lack of consensus and variability in policies around matrices indicates a need for more research which could contribute toward the formation of a model policy in this regard.

Originality/value

– To date the prevalence of discipline matrices across US police departments was unknown, and very little was known about how they were structured or what comprised their content.
Energetic constraint of non‐monotonic mass change during offspring growth: a general hypothesis and application of a new tool
Authors: Arnold Jennifer M. , Nisbet Ian C. T. , Oswald Stephen A.
Published: November 2015

Post‐natal growth is an important life‐history trait and can be a sensitive indicator of ecological stress. For over 50 years, monotonic (never‐decreasing) growth has been viewed as the predominant trajectory of post‐natal mass change in most animal species, notably among birds. However, prevailing analytical approaches and energetic constraints may limit detection of non‐monotonic (or multiphasic), determinate growth patterns, such as mass recession in birds (weight loss prior to fledging, preceded by overshooting adult mass), which is currently believed to be restricted to few taxa.

Energetic surplus and shortfall are widespread conditions that can directly influence the degree of mass overshooting and recession. Thus, we hypothesize that in many species, prevailing energetic constraints force mass change away from a fundamental non‐monotonic trajectory to instead follow a monotonic curve.

We observed highly non‐monotonic, mass change trajectories (overshooting adult mass by up to almost 20%) among common ternSterna hirundochicks, a well‐studied species long‐established as growing monotonically. We quantified the prevalence and magnitude of non‐monotonic mass change prior to fledging for 313 common tern chicks that successfully fledged from two discrete populations in multiple years. We used a new approach for analysing non‐monotonic curves to examine differences in mass change trajectories between populations under contrasting abiotic (freshwater vs. saltwater) and biotic stresses (low rates of food provisioning).

Some degree of mass recession occurred in 73% of all study chicks. Overshooting adult mass followed by extensive mass recession was most prevalent at our freshwater colony, being detected among 34–38% of chicks annually. Non‐monotonic trajectories were less marked in populations experiencing ecological stress and among lower quality individuals. Chicks that were provisioned at higher rates were more likely to both overshoot adult mass and experience subsequent mass recession.

Our results in common terns provide strong support for the hypothesis that non‐monotonic trajectories are the fundamental pattern of mass change but are constrained to be monotonic under energetic shortfall. This justifies future tests of the generality of this hypothesis across a broad range of taxa. We also demonstrate a recent analytical tool that prevents routine fitting of monotonic curves without prior investigation of non‐monotonic trends.
Survey of rheumatologists on the use of the Philippine Guidelines on the Screening for Tuberculosis prior to use of Biologic Agents
Authors: Aquino‐Villamin Melissa , Tankeh‐Torres Sandra , Lichauco Juan Javier
Published: November 2015

Background

The use of biologic agents has become an important option in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, these drugs have been associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. Local guidelines for TB screening prior to the use of biologic agents were developed to address this issue.

Aim

This study is a survey describing the compliance of Filipino rheumatologists to these guidelines.

Method

Eighty‐seven rheumatologists in the Philippines were given the questionnaire and responses from 61 rheumatologists were included in the analysis.

Results

All respondents agree that patients should be screened prior to giving the biologic agents. Local guidelines recommend screening with tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiograph. However, cut‐off values considered for a positive TST and timing of initiation of biologic agents after starting TB prophylaxis and treatment varied among respondents. In addition, screening of close household contacts were only performed by 41 (69.5%) respondents. There were 11 respondents who reported 16 patients developing TB during or after receiving biologic agents, despite adherence to the guidelines.

Conclusion

This survey describes the compliance rate of Filipino rheumatologists in applying current local recommendations for TB screening prior to initiating biologic agents. The incidence of new TB cases despite the current guidelines emphasizes the importance of compliance and the need to revise the guidelines based on updated existing literature.
Renewable energy, neoliberal governance and the tragedy of the Cornish commons
Authors: Bailey Ian
Published: November 2015

In this commentary I explore new forms of government‐sponsored neoliberal environmental governance being pursued under the banner of the green economy to promote renewable energy in the UK. Drawing on analysis of the UK feed‐in tariff and controversies over single wind turbine developments in Cornwall, I highlight problematic features of combining centrally‐driven government agendas with market instruments for the safeguarding of procedural and distributive justice in local planning procedures. I conclude by offering brief suggestions for reinserting local justice into decision‐making on renewable energy siting.
A high‐performance liquid chromatography method for the serotonin release assay is equivalent to the radioactive method
Authors: Sono‐Koree N. K. , Crist R. A. , Frank E. L. , Rodgers G. M. , Smock K. J.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

The serotonin release assay (SRA) is considered the gold standard laboratory test for heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The historic SRA method uses platelets loaded with radiolabeled serotonin to evaluate platelet activation by HIT immune complexes. However, a nonradioactive method is desirable. We report the performance characteristics of a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) SRA method.

Methods

We validated the performance characteristics of an HPLC‐SRA method, including correlation with a reference laboratory using the radioactive method. Serotonin released from reagent platelets was quantified by HPLC using fluorescent detection. Results were expressed as % release and classified as positive, negative, or indeterminate based on previously published cutoffs.

Results

Serum samples from 250 subjects with suspected HIT were tested in the HPLC‐SRA and with the radioactive method. Concordant classifications were observed in 230 samples (92%). Sera from 41 healthy individuals tested negative. Between‐run imprecision studies showed standard deviation of <6 (% release) for positive, weak positive, and negative serum pools. Stability studies demonstrated stability after two freeze–thaw cycles or up to a week of refrigeration.

Conclusion

The HPLC‐SRA has robust performance characteristics, equivalent to the historic radioactive method, but avoids the complexities of working with radioactivity.
Predictive or not predictive: understanding the mixed messages from the patient's DNA sequence
Authors: Janssens A Cecile J W , Patch Christine , Skirton Heather
Published: November 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim of this discussion paper is to enable nurses to understand how deoxyribonucleic acid analysis can be predictive for some diseases and not predictive for others. This will facilitate nurses to interpret genomic test results and explain them to patients.

Background

Advances in technology mean that genetic testing is now commonly performed by sequencing the majority of an individual's genome or exome. This results in a huge amount of data, some of which can be used to predict or diagnose disease.

Design

This is a discussion paper.

Methods

This paper emerged from multiple discussions between the three authors over many months, culminating in a writing workshop to prepare this text.

Results

The results of DNA analysis can be used to diagnose or predict rare diseases that are caused by a mutation in a single gene. However, while there are a number of genetic factors that contribute to common diseases, the ability to predict whether an individual will develop that condition is limited by the overall heritability of the condition. Environmental factors (such as lifestyle) are likely to be more useful in predicting common disease than genomic testing. Genomic tests may be of use to inform management of diseases in specific situations.

Conclusions

Genomic testing will be of use in diagnosing disorders due to single gene mutations, but the use of genomic testing to predict the chance of a patient being affected in the future by a common disease is unlikely to be a realistic option within a health service setting.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses will increasingly be involved in the use of genomic tests in mainstream patient care. However, they need to understand and be able to explain to patients the practical applications of and limitations of such tests.
Rheological and Textural Properties of Sodium Reduced Salt Soluble Myofibrillar Protein Gels Containing Sodium Tri‐Polyphosphate
Authors: Çarkcioğlu E. , Rosenthal A.J. , Candoğan K.
Published: November 2015

The effect of partial replacement of NaCl (50%) with KCl in the presence of sodium tri‐polyphosphate (STPP) on the cooking loss (CL), water‐holding capacity (WHC), rheological and textural properties of salt soluble myofibrillar proteins (SSMP) gels was investigated. KCl substitution, either alone or in combination with STPP, was found worse than NaCl alone in terms of elasticity of the gels (G′). Both KCl and STPP reduced the CL of the gels. While the gels with replacement of NaCl with KCl had lower (P < 0.05) WHC, addition of STPP to this gels gave rise to similar (P > 0.05) WHC to only NaCl added gels. Substitution of NaCl with KCl resulted in a decrease in hardness of gels whereas STPP addition improved the hardness. Results obtained from the present study suggest that substitution 50% of NaCl with KCl in presence of STPP would be a sound salt reduction alternative in meat systems.

Practical Applications

Salt is one of the most crucial ingredients affecting meat products functionality. However, recent research has focused on reducing salt in meat products due to its association with some health problems such as hypertension. Reducing sodium chloride (NaCl) decreases extractability of salt soluble myofibrillar proteins (SSMP), thus, negatively affects functional properties of the meat systems. One of the approaches in reducing salt is to replace NaCl with other chloride salts, the most common of which is potassium chloride (KCl). This study focused on determining the effect of partially substituting of NaCl with KCl in the presence of sodium tri‐polyphosphate (STPP) on some functional characteristics of meat SSMP gels. Results indicated that 50% NaCl reduction using KCl and STPP could be achieved with an improvement of textural and functional properties in meat gels. Future research should focus on combined effects of salt substitutes on the rheological and textural characteristics of meat gel systems.
Pharmacokinetics of single‐dose oral ponazuril in weanling goats
Authors: Love D. , Gibbons P. , Fajt V. , Jones M.
Published: November 2015

Ponazuril (toltrazuril sulfone) is a triazine antiprotozoal agent that targets apicomplexan organisms. Ponazuril may have clinical application in the treatment of clinical coccidiosis due to Eimeria species in goats, along with other protozoal infections. To evaluate the absorption, distribution and elimination characteristics of ponazuril in goats, a sensitive, validated high‐pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy method for ponazuril in caprine plasma was developed. After a single oral dose of ponazuril at 10 mg/kg, plasma samples from seven weanling goats were collected and assayed. Plasma concentrations of ponazuril in the goats peaked at 36 ± 13 h post drug administration at a concentration of 9 ± 2 μg/mL. Concentrations declined to an average of 4.2 ± 0.8 μg/mL after 168 h with an average elimination half‐life of 129 ± 72 h post drug administration. This study shows that ponazuril is relatively well absorbed after a single oral dose in goats. Efficacy trials are underway to determine clinical efficacy of ponazuril in the treatment of clinical coccidiosis in goats at 10 mg/kg dosage.
Fabrication of metal strip waveguides for optical and microwave data transmission
Authors: Banan Behnam , Tait R. Niall , Liboiron-Ladouceur Odile , Berini Pierre
Published: November 2015

Metal strip waveguides and devices suitable for high-speed digital signal transmission at both microwave and optical frequencies are fabricated and demonstrated in this work. The waveguide structure consists of three metal strips forming a coplanar waveguide (CPW) to support a microwave mode. In the proposed structure, the signal line consists of a copper strip sandwiched between two thin gold layers. The CPW ground planes are thin gold strips supporting long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LRSPPs) at optical frequencies. Thus, the proposed structure can simultaneously support LRSPPs at optical frequencies and microwave signals up to at least 40 GHz. The metalizations are patterned using bilayer photolithography followed by thermal evaporation. Then, to create the signal waveguide, an O2 plasma etch of the cladding and copper E-beam evaporation are used. The fabrication process steps are verified through experimental characterization. Microwave and optical transmission through the fabricated devices is demonstrated using radio frequency probes applied to the top of the device and optical fibers in an end-fire coupling configuration, respectively.
Accuracy of a bistatic scattering substitution technique for calibration of focused receivers
Authors: Rich Kyle T. , Mast T. Douglas
Published: November 2015

A recent method for calibrating single-element, focused passive cavitation detectors (PCD) compares bistatic scattering measurements by the PCD and a reference hydrophone. Here, effects of scatterer properties and PCD size on frequency-dependent receive calibration accuracy are investigated. Simulated scattering from silica and polystyrene spheres was compared for small hydrophone and spherically focused PCD receivers to assess the achievable calibration accuracy as a function of frequency, scatterer size, and PCD size. Good agreement between measurements was found when the scatterer diameter was sufficiently smaller than the focal beamwidth of the PCD; this relationship was dependent on the scatterer material. For conditions that result in significant disagreement between measurements, the numerical methods described here can be used to correct experimental calibrations.
Longitudinal Study on the Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Anthropometric Parameters and Blood Lipids
Authors: Mertens Evelien , Clarys Peter , Lefevre Johan , Charlier Ruben , Knaeps Sara , Deforche Benedicte
Published: November 2015

Background:

Longitudinal evidence concerning the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and blood lipids and between anthropometric parameters (ANTP) and blood lipids is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in CRF and ANTP and changes in blood lipids.

Methods:

In 2002–2004 and 2012–2014, 652 participants were tested. CRF was measured as VO2peak using a maximal ergometer test. Waist circumference (WC) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were used as ANTP. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. A linear regression analysis was performed to investigate associations between changes in CRF and ANTP and changes in blood lipids.

Results:

After adjustment a decrease in CRF was associated with an increase in triglycerides and a decrease in HDL cholesterol in men. An increase in WC was associated with an increase in TC, LDL cholesterol and ratio total/HDL cholesterol and a decrease in HDL cholesterol, while an increase in BMI was associated with an increase in ratio total/HDL cholesterol and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Conclusions:

WC and BMI were more longitudinally associated with blood lipids compared with CRF. Improving ANTP can enhance the blood lipid profile, while CRF had only limited influence.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bartonella ancashensis Strain 20.00, Isolated from the Blood of a Patient with Verruga Peruana
Authors: Hang Jun , Mullins Kristin E. , Clifford Robert J. , Onmus-Leone Fatma , Yang Yu , Jiang Ju , Leguia Mariana , Kasper Matthew R. , Maguiña Ciro , Lesho Emil P. , Jarman Richard G. , Richards Allen L. , Blazes David
Published: November 2015

Here we present the complete genome sequence of
Bartonella ancashensis
strain 20.00, isolated from the blood of a Peruvian patient with verruga peruana, known as Carrion's disease.
Bartonella ancashensis
is a Gram-negative bacillus, phylogenetically most similar to
Bartonella bacilliformis
, the causative agent of Oroya fever and verruga peruana.
Whole-Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Profftella armatura” from
Diaphorina citri
in Guangdong, China
Authors: Wu F. , Deng X. , Liang G. , Huang J. , Cen Y. , Chen J.
Published: November 2015

The genome of “
Candidatus
Profftella armatura” strain YCPA from
Diaphorina citri
in Guangdong, China, was sequenced. The strain has a chromosome of 457,565 bp, 24.3% G+C content, 364 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), and 38 RNAs, and a plasmid, pYCPA54, of 5,458 bp with 23.9% G+C content and 5 ORFs.
A rare case of metachronous penile and urethral metastases from a rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma
Authors: Christodoulidou Michelle , Sahdev Varun , Muneer Asif , Nigam Raj
Published: November 2015

Metastatic lesions in the penis are uncommon in patients with prostate or bladder cancer but penile metastatic lesions from rectal tumours are rare with only 65 cases reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 70-year-old man who developed metastatic lesions within his corpus cavernosum 2 years after being diagnosed and treated for a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the rectum and a year after a wedge resection of an isolated lung metastasis. He proceeded with total penectomy and intraoperatively two skip lesions were also found within the wall of his urethra; histological analysis proved that these were also metastatic lesions. A perineal urethrostomy was formed with the remaining macroscopically healthy urethra. He made a good recovery from his operation and continued his treatment under the oncology team.
A revision of the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene eutherian mammalCimolestesMarsh, 1889
Authors: Fox Richard C.
Published: November 2015

Cimolestes Marsh is a North American eutherian mammal primarily known from latest Cretaceous deposits in Alberta, Wyoming, Saskatchewan, and Montana. At present, five species of Cimolestes are considered valid, all Lancian in age; they include one of the largest North American Late Cretaceous therian mammals as well as one of the smallest, a size range far exceeding that within other genera of tribosphenic therians contemporary with Cimolestes, such as the leptictoid eutherian Gypsonictops Simpson or genera of alphadontid or pediomyid marsupials. Moreover, the species of Cimolestes display a disparity of dental morphology in addition to size well in excess of interspecific differences within these genera. Given these considerations, Cimolestes is clearly a grade-taxon, uniting species sharing an adaptively subzalambdodont dentition, but showing divergent specializations within this pattern that are inconsistent with monophyly of its presently included species. To correct these imbalances, this paper limits Cimolestes to Cimolestes incisus Marsh and Cimolestes stirtoni Clemens; Cimolestes magnus Clemens and Russell, Cimolestes cerberoides Lillegraven, and Cimolestes propalaeoryctes Lillegraven are reclassified in the new genera Altacreodus, Ambilestes, and Scollardius, respectively. Altacreodus magnus, having a massive shearing dentition, is reconfirmed as showing a relationship to some Tertiary ‘creodonts’ not shared by other species of Lancian cimolestids; Ambilestes cerberoides exhibits a distinctive molar wear pattern that emphasized horizontal grinding, not orthal shear; Scollardius propalaeoryctes, the smallest species in this revision and having hyper-faunivorous molars, was not ancestral to Paleogene Palaeoryctidae, as indicated in part by contradictions in premolar number and morphology.
Efficient Self-Stabilizing Algorithm for Independent Strong Dominating Sets in Arbitrary Graphs
Authors: Neggazi Brahim , Guellati Nabil , Haddad Mohammed , Kheddouci Hamamache
Published: November 2015

In computer networks area, the minimal dominating sets (MDS) and maximal independent sets (MIS) structures are very useful for creating virtual network overlays. Often, these set structures are used for designing efficient protocols in wireless sensor and ad-hoc networks. In this paper, we give a particular interest to one kind of these sets, called Independent Strong Dominating Set (ISD-set).

In addition to its domination and independence properties, the ISD-set considers also node’s degrees that make it very useful in practical applications where nodes with larger degrees play important role in the networks. For example, some network clustering protocols chose nodes with large degrees to be cluster-heads, which is exactly the result obtained by an ISD-set algorithm. Thence, we propose the first distributed self-stabilizing algorithm for computing an ISD-set of an arbitrary graph (called ISDS). Then, we prove that ISDS algorithm operates under the unfair distributed scheduler and converges after at most [Formula: see text] rounds requiring only [Formula: see text] space memory per node where Δ is the maximum node degree. The complexity of ISDS algorithm in rounds has the same order as the best known self-stabilizing algorithms for finding MDS and MIS. Moreover, performed simulations and comparisons with well-known self-stabilizing algorithms for MDS and MIS problems showed the efficiency of ISDS, especially for reducing the cardinality of dominating sets founded by the algorithms.
Jet production in association with vector bosons or top quarks
Authors: Blumenschein Ulla
Published: November 2015

The LHC experiments ATLAS and CMS have measured [Formula: see text] + jets and [Formula: see text] + jets final states over a large energy range in data collected between 2010 and 2012 at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The results have been compared to pQCD calculations at NLO and have been used to validate novel Monte Carlo techniques.
Neutral donor in a bilayer spherical semiconductor quantum dot
Authors: Acosta J. González , Joya Miryam R. , Barba-Ortega J.
Published: November 2015

The binding energy of bilayer spherical quantum dots (BSQDs) with randomly distributed neutral donor [Formula: see text] is computationally simulated. We analyze the ground state energy by using different potentials of confinement that include changes in its height, transition region and width, considering theoretical development in which the variational procedure takes a trial function as a product of the ground state wavefunction of the uncoupled electron in the heterostructure, with a correlation function that depends only on electron–ion separation. We find that the curves of the binding energy with repulsive layer have additional peaks, whose position and height depend on the configuration of the confinement is chosen at the center of the dot. Additionally, our results include novel curves for the density of [Formula: see text] impurity states for different potentials’ shapes.
AUTOMATIC C-ARM REPOSITIONING USING A TWO-BAR LINK SYSTEM FOR REDUCING RADIATION EXPOSURE
Authors: CHOI JIWON , LEE CHANG-HYUK , LEE KYUNG-MIN , YE SUNG-JOON , BANG YOUNG-BONG
Published: November 2015

A C-arm fluoroscopy is a useful instrument for finding out the position of a needle in a minimally invasive surgery, but its use means that the surgeon and patient are exposed to radiation while the surgeon places the C-arm into the previous position and orientation as well as he/she regularly uses it to take X-ray images. In this paper, a two-bar link system and moving mechanism added on a C-arm are proposed to reduce the dose of the exposure. The two-bar link system consists of two bar links and three absolute encoders. It measures the relative position and angle between the C-arm and the surgical table in real time and stores the measurements in the system. The moving platform of C-arm is proposed to have two switchable casters for both passive freewheeling and active motor driving. Passive freewheeling allows the C-arm to be freely moved by human force and active motor driving returns the C-arm to its original position automatically. A simple experiment is performed to verify the feasibility of C-arm repositioning using a two-bar link system.
On Characteristic Poset and Stanley Decomposition of S/I
Authors: Ahmad Sarfraz , Anwar Imran
Published: November 2015

Let K be a field and S = K[x1,…,xn] be the polynomial ring in n variables. Let I ⊂ S be a monomial ideal such that S/I is Cohen-Macaulay. By associating a finite poset [Formula: see text] to S/I, we show that if S/I is a Stanley ideal then T/Ĩ is also a Stanley ideal, where T = K[x11,…,x1a1,…,xn1,…,xnan] and Ĩ is the polarization of I.
On Classification of Filiform Leibniz Algebras
Authors: Gómez J.R. , Omirov B.A.
Published: November 2015

In this work we prove that in classifying of filiform Leibniz algebras whose naturally graded algebra is a non-Lie algebra, it suffices to consider some special basis transformations. Moreover, we derive a criterion for two such Leibniz algebras to be isomorphic in terms of such transformations. The classification problem of filiform Leibniz algebras whose naturally graded algebra is non-Lie in an arbitrary dimension, is reduced to the investigation of the conditions obtained.
Combinatorial Algebra and Its Antisymmetrized Algebra I
Authors: Choi Seul Hee , Park Hong Goo , Wang Moon-Ok , Nam Ki-Bong
Published: November 2015

The simple non-associative algebra N(eAS, q, n, t)k and its simple subalgebras are defined in [1, 3, 5–7, 13]. In this work, we define the combinatorial algebra N(e𝔄p, n, t)k and its antisymmetrized algebra [Formula: see text] and their subalgebras. We prove that these algebras are simple. Some authors [2, 5–7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17] found all the derivations of an associative algebra, a Lie algebra, and a non-associative algebra. We find all the derivations of the subalgebra N(e±x1x2 ⋯xn, 0, n)[1] of N(e𝔄p, n, t)k and the Lie subalgebra [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text].
Rings in Which the Annihilator of an Ideal Is Pure
Authors: Majidinya A. , Moussavi A. , Paykan K.
Published: November 2015

A ring R is a left AIP-ring if the left annihilator of any ideal of R is pure as a left ideal. Equivalently, R is a left AIP-ring if R modulo the left annihilator of any ideal is flat. This class of rings includes both right PP-rings and right p.q.-Baer rings (and hence the biregular rings) and is closed under direct products and forming upper triangular matrix rings. It is shown that, unlike the Baer or right PP conditions, the AIP property is inherited by polynomial extensions and has the advantage that it is a Morita invariant property. We also give a complete characterization of a class of AIP-rings which have a sheaf representation. Connections to related classes of rings are investigated and several examples and counterexamples are included to illustrate and delimit the theory.
Finite Element Analysis of Interfacial Fracture in Polyurethane Foam–Steel Composites at Micro-Scale
Authors: Das Raj , Navaranjan Namasivayam , Browne Patrick , Riley Glen , Nguyen Chuong
Published: November 2015

Foam–metal composites are being increasingly used in a variety of applications. One important aspect in the structural integrity of foam–metal interface is the ability to resist failure around the interface whilst ensuring required load bearing capacity. This study investigated the mechanical and failure behavior at the interface region at micro-scale. The foam–metal composite consisted of polyurethane (PU) foam directly adhered to a galvanized steel face sheet. Optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopies were used to examine the interface geometry and to obtain a realistic surface profile for use in a finite element (FE) model. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to study the effects of different interfacial roughness profiles on the mechanical interlocking and modes of failure, which are directly related to the interfacial strength. A set of FE models of idealized surface pairs of different geometries and dimensions were developed based on the microscopic observations at the foam–metal interface. The FE modeling results show that the micro-scale roughness profile at the foam–metal interface causes mechanical interlocking and affects the stress field at the scale of the interface surface roughness, which consequently governs the specific failure mode and the relative proportion of the cohesive to adhesive failure in the interface region for a given foam–metal interface. It was found that the aspect ratio (relative width and height) and width ratio (relative spacing) of roughness elements have a significant effect on the stresses and deformations produced at the interface and consequently influence the modes (cohesive or adhesive) of failure.
Damage Criteria Based on Plastic Strain Energy Intensity Under Complicated Stress State
Authors: Shi Junping , Cao Xiaoshan , Shen Chao
Published: November 2015

In this study, total strain theory and isotropic hardening model based on Mises yield condition are used to derive the expression for plastic strain energy density under complicated stress state. The normal and shear stress distributions of a solid cylindrical bar under a combination of tensile and torsional stresses as well as the equation and integral formula for plastic strain energy density are presented. The plastic strain energy density of critical point and the plastic strain energy intensity on the fracture plane of different materials under several typical stress states are obtained by measuring the fracture data of different materials. With the plastic strain energy intensity as the failure parameter, uniaxial tensile experiments were conducted to measure the final plastic strain energy intensity of the failure section. The plastic strain energy intensity failure criteria of the material under complex stress state are established. Combined tension–torsion tests were conducted on two types of materials, LC9 and LY12, to verify the validity and applicability of the criteria.
Li Keqiang’s Economic Agenda
Authors: TONG Sarah Y
Published: November 2015

Sustaining modest growth while promoting reforms and further opening tops Li Keqiang’s agenda for 2015. Having gained confidence from the experience of 2014, the government aims to employ more flexible and targeted policy instruments in macroeconomic management. Modifying growth targets downwards, the Li government also aims to push forward reforms in several areas, including administrative streamlining, deregulation and liberalisation of investment financing, and fiscal and taxation reforms.
Changes in the Global Energy Strategic Landscape: Implications for China’s International Strategic Environment
Authors: ZHANG Chi
Published: November 2015

The global energy strategic landscape is undergoing significant changes. Factors leading to such changes include the eastward shift of the world energy consumption centre, the emergence of the United States as a major oil producer and the dramatic waning of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ influence. These developments are shaping a new order of the global energy system and exerting profound influence on China’s international strategic environment.
Vietnam’s Domestic Politics and South China Sea Policy
Authors: TSENG Katherine Hui-Yi
Published: November 2015

Since May 2014, China-Vietnam relations had plummeted due to conflicts in the South China Sea. The two sides eventually managed to repair relations via both governmental and party channels. Vietnam’s South China Sea policy was a conglomeration of political calculations, energy pursuits and legal pragmatism. However, China still holds great sway over Vietnam’s future South China Sea policies due to economic concerns and the Vietnam Communist Party’s aspiration to maintain a tight grip on power.
Sri Lanka and China’s Maritime Silk Road: A Convergence of Interests
Authors: LAM Peng Er
Published: November 2015

China had invested heavily in many mega infrastructural projects in Sri Lanka even before President Xi Jinping’s “One Belt, One Road” strategy. In January 2015, the pro-China President Mahinda Rajapaksa unexpectedly lost his reelection bid. Western and Indian press generally believe that the new Sri Lankan president will reconsider projects with China agreed to by Rajapaksa. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka needs China for its economic development and China needs Sri Lanka for its Maritime Silk Road.
South Asian Legal History
Authors: Sharafi Mitra
Published: November 2015

Since the late 1990s, there has been an explosion of scholarship on South Asian legal history. This article situates the new literature within the longer tradition of postcolonial South Asian legal studies, focusing on work written by lawyers and historians. The first wave of South Asian legal studies emerged in what historians would call the long 1960s from a group of American lawyers and social scientists working on the legal profession and the experience of dispute resolution in India. The second wave, which has concentrated on the themes of gender and religion in British India, has been shaped by different influences, namely developments in the Indian women's movement and in Indian legal education during the 1980s and 1990s. The survey considers whether the new scholarship is overly focused on elites, the state, the colonial period, and English-language sources. It also identifies regional crosscutting themes that have generated research on South Asia beyond India, particularly constitutionalism, states of emergency, and the legal profession; Buddhist legal studies; gender; and rule-of-law development efforts.
Finanzas y Salud Mental
Authors: Lopez Fernando
Published: November 2015

Los esfuerzos para cuantificar y mitigar los daños asociados a eventos inesperados que producen perjuicios económicos, como desastres naturales o caídas inesperadas en el valor de los activos, se concentran en los daños materiales. Sin embargo, esta aproximación ignora un tipo de daño altamente relevante para las personas afectadas y la sociedad: el daño a la salud mental. Este artículo discute la medida en que los servicios financieros podrían contribuir a mitigar el efecto de shocks adversos en la salud mental, presenta una selección de la evidencia científica disponible y describe los desafíos que enfrentan los estudios orientados a analizar esta hipótesis.
O USO DO VDC SCORECARD NA VALIDAÇÃO DE MÉTODOS PARA ANÁLISE DE DESEMPENHO DA GESTÃO DO PROCESSO DE PROJETO NO CENÁRIO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Britto Saulo Almeida dos Santos , Scheer Sergio , Kam Calvin , Fischer Martin
Published: November 2015

A implementação de tecnologias da informação na construção civil, como Virtual Design and Construction / Building Information Modeling (VDC/BIM) representam uma nova perspectiva para melhores práticas na AECO (Arquitetura; Engenharia; Construção; Operação). Contudo, no cenário brasileiro, estas práticas carecem de métodos para medição e análise de desempenho processual da informação na gestão do processo de projeto, demonstrando a deficiência da documentação de critérios e seleção de indicadores que contribuam para melhoria do setor da construção civil. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva sobre a exploração do método VDC Scorecard e a adaptação à realidade brasileira, tendo por base pesquisa bibliográfica e documental existentes em bases de dados internacionais e nacionais explorando os seguintes aspectos: benefícios registrados; dificuldades na implementação; boas práticas na gestão do projeto. A pesquisa valida a importância dos métodos de desempenho que se adequem ao contexto nacional, viabilizando a integração e controle da informação entre agentes envolvidos num modelo colaborativo de edificação virtual e apropriação de dados por meio dos modelos de desempenho configurados através da análise contínua dos processos, da organização e do produto. Esta apropriação possibilita a documentação de um banco de dados de práticas eficientes para gestão de processos de projeto configurando o desempenho do modelo.
DISCUTINDO CITY INFORMATION MODELING (CIM) E CONCEITOS CORRELATOS
Authors: Amorim Arivaldo Leão de
Published: November 2015

Este artigo discute o paradigma City Information Modeling (CIM) a partir de uma abordagem ampla, considerando um viés teórico e conceitual deste e de outros termos relacionados. O CIM tem sido apontado por alguns autores como uma extensão do conceito de BIM para o espaço urbano. Contudo, face às características da cidade em relação à edificação isolada e à profusão de conceitos ora em uso, algumas questões precisam ser aprofundadas. Estes conceitos estão intimamente relacionados, apresentando algum tipo de sobreposição, e talvez por isto, sejam confundidos. Assim, pretende-se ampliar a discussão sobre esses conceitos, contribuindo para a utilização dos mesmos e avançando no estabelecimento de uma conceituação e terminologias que facilitem o desenvolvimento das aplicações e a adoção das tecnologias nas práticas relativas ao planejamento, à gestão e ao monitoramento da cidade. Não e tem a pretensão de esgotar o tema, seja pela vastidão das questões envolvidas, seja ainda pelo reduzido espaço a para discussão das mesmas, mas principalmente, porque estas questões estão “em aberto”, sendo objeto de discussões e controvérsias. 
Integrative Mouse and Human Studies Implicate
ANGPT1
and
ZBTB7C
as Susceptibility Genes to Ischemic Injury
Authors: Du Rose , Zhou Jing , Lorenzano Svetlana , Liu Wenming , Charoenvimolphan Nareerat , Qian Baogang , Xu Jun , Wang Jian , Zhang Xinmu , Wang Xin , Berndt Annerose , Devan William J. , Valant Valerie J. , Wang Jinyi , Furie Karen L. , Rosand Jonathan , Rost Natalia , Friedlander Robert M. , Paigen Beverly , Weiss Scott T.
Published: November 2015

Background and Purpose—

The extent of ischemic injury in response to cerebral ischemia is known to be affected by native vasculature. However, the nonvascular and dynamic vascular responses and their genetic basis are not well understood.

Methods—

We performed a genome-wide association study in 235 mice from 33 inbred strains using the middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Population structure and genetic relatedness were accounted for using the efficient mixed-model association method. Human orthologs to the genes associated with the significant and suggestive single-nucleotide polymorphisms from the mouse strain survey were examined in patients with M1 occlusions admitted with signs and symptoms of acute ischemic stroke.

Results—

We identified 4 genome-wide significant and suggestive single-nucleotide polymorphisms to be associated with infarct volume in mice (rs3694965,
P
=2.17×10
–7
; rs31924033,
P
=5.61×10
–6
; rs32249495,
P
=2.08×10
–7
; and rs3677406,
P
=9.56×10
–6
). rs32249495, which corresponds to angiopoietin-1 (
ANGPT1
), was also significant in the recessive model in humans, whereas rs1944577, which corresponds to
ZBTB7C
, was nominally significant in both the additive and dominant genetic models in humans.
ZBTB7C
was shown to be upregulated in endothelial cells using both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemia.

Conclusions—

Genetic variations of
ANGPT1
and
ZBTB7C
are associated with increased infarct size in both mice and humans.
ZBTB7C
may modulate the ischemic response via neuronal apoptosis and dynamic collateralization and, in addition to
ANGPT1
, may serve as potential novel targets for treatments of cerebral ischemia.