bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Engineering Approach for Online Learning
Authors: Uden Lorna
Published: March 2014

The design and development of effective online courses for distance learning is a complex process involving many forms of expertise. Several disciplines such as instructional design theories, software engineering principles, human-computer interaction and multimedia are involved. It is not always feasible for a novice to be familiar with such a range of expertise. A methodology integrating all of these various disciplines is urgently needed. The Courseware Engineering Methodology (CME) has been developed by the author to guide novices to design effective online courses, based on the integration of the various disciplines. CEM has been used successfully by over 70 students at a UK university to develop their online courses in the last few years. This paper describes the CEM development process. The CEM process consists of four models. The pedagogical model is concerned with the pedagogical aspects of the course; the conceptual model, dealing with the software engineering aspects of the design; the interface model relating to the interface of the course, and the Web modelling that deals with the Web useability and navigation issues of the course. Each of the nodels will be briefly reviewed. Design principles concerning both the pedagogical and interface models will be further discussed. The paper concludes by stating the benefits of using an engineering approach to online development and reuse.
Classifier Ensemble Methods for Diagnosing COPD from Volatile Organic Compounds in Exhaled Air
Authors: Kuncheva Ludmila Ilieva , Rodríguez Juan Jose , Syed Yasir Iftikhar , Phillips Christopher O. , Lewis Keir Edward
Published: March 2014

The diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is based on symptoms, clinical examination, exposure to risk factors (smoking and certain occupational dusts) and confirming lung airflow obstruction (on spirometry). However, most people with COPD remain undiagnosed and controversies regarding spirometry persist. Developing accurate and reliable automated tests for the early diagnosis of COPD would aid successful management. We evaluated the diagnostic potential of a non-invasive test of chemical analysis (volatile organic compounds - VOCs) from exhaled breath. We applied 26 individual classifier methods and 30 state-of-the-art classifier ensemble methods to a large VOC data set from 109 patients with COPD and 63 healthy controls of similar age; we evaluated the classification error, the F measure and the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The results show that classifying the VOCs leads to substantial gain over chance but of varying accuracy. We found that Rotation Forest ensemble (AUC 0.825) had the highest accuracy for COPD classification from exhaled VOCs.
Evidence-Based Combination of Weighted Classifiers Approach for Epileptic Seizure Detection using EEG Signals
Authors: Mohamed Abduljalil , Shaban Khaled Bashir , Mohamed Amr
Published: March 2014

Different brain states and conditions can be captured by electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. EEG-based epileptic seizure detection techniques often reduce these signals into sets of discriminant features. In this work, an evidence theory-based approach for epileptic detection, using several classifiers, is proposed. Within the framework of the evidence theory, each of these classifiers is considered a source of information and given a certain weight based on both its overall classification accuracy as well as its precision rate for the respective brain state. These sources are fused using the Dempster’s rule of combination. Experimental work is done where five time domain features are obtained from EEG signals and used by a set classifiers, namely, Bayesian, K-nearest neighbor, neural network, linear discriminant analysis, and support vector machine classifiers. Higher classification accuracy of 89.5% is achieved, compared to 75.07% and 87.71% accuracy obtained from the worst and best used classifiers.
Perspective Wall Technique for Visualizing and Interpreting Medical Data
Authors: Ltifi Hela , Ben Ayed Mounir , Trabelsi Ghada , Alimi Adel M.
Published: March 2014

Increasing the improvement of confidence and comprehensibility of medical data as well as the possibility of using the human capacities in medical pattern recognition is a significant interest for the coming years. In this context, we have created a visual knowledge discovery from databases application. It has been developed to efficiently and accurately understand a large collection of fixed and temporal patients’ data in the Intensive Care Unit in order to prevent the nosocomial infection occurrence. It is based on data visualization technique which is the perspective wall. Its application is a good example of the usefulness of data visualization techniques in the medical domain.
Conducting research in a resource-constrained environment: avoiding the pitfalls
Authors: Munsamy Janine I. , Parrish Andy , Steel Gavin
Published: March 2014

Practical challenges affected the conducting of a retrospective drug use evaluation (DUE) on the rational use of tenofovir in a resourceconstrained South African Antiretroviral Treatment Programme. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patient records compliant with DUE criteria using initiation prescriptions from March 2009 to February 2010. Health system challenges encountered included stringent institutional administrative procedures, lack of efficient communication channels, reliance on overburdened personnel and fear of audit. Forty percent (222 of 556) of patient records identified for inclusion in the study had to be excluded, mainly due to poor record keeping. Research budgetary constraints also limited data collection. This experience highlighted real, unforeseen challenges when conducting a retrospective study in a resource-constrained environment. A sound understanding of the environment and adequate preparation is recommended. The lessons learnt may prove valuable to both firsttime and experienced researchers in a resource-limited setting using a similar methodology.
Effect of Exercise Training on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Diabetic Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction: Rationale and Design
Authors: Ul Haq Muhammad Asrar , Wong Chiew , Levinger Itamar , Srivastava Piyush M. , Sbaraglia Melissa , Toia Deidre , Jerums George , Selig Steve , Hare David L.
Published: March 2014

Introduction

This study will examine the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on left ventricular remodeling in diabetic patients with diastolic dysfunction. This is the first randomized controlled trial to look for effects of combined strength training and aerobic exercise on myocardial function as well as other clinical, functional, or psychological parameters in diabetic patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction, and will provide important insights into the potential management strategies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and Analysis

This is a prospective, randomized controlled investigator initiated single center trial. Diabetic patients with LV diastolic dysfunction suitable for exercise training intervention will be randomized to three months of a supervised combination of aerobic and strength training exercises, or supervised light stretching (control arm). Pre and post intervention assessment will include stress echocardiography, peak aerobic power with 12-lead ECG, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength, the capacity to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and questionnaires to assess self-perceived quality of life and symptoms of depression. The primary endpoint is to compare any change in tissue Doppler-derived LV systolic and early diastolic velocities.

Ethics and Dissemination

The current trial protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Austin Health and the University of Melbourne, Melbourne. The study will be performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The investigator, regardless of the outcome, will publish the results of the study.

Trial Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000943044.
A Cross-Cultural Study on Hedging Devices in Kurdish Conversation
Authors: BEHNAM Biook , KHALILIAQDAM Salam
Published: March 2014

Hedges are words whose job is to make things fuzzier or less fuzzy. Truth and falsity are a matter of degree, and hedges make natural language sentences more/less true or more/less false.  The purpose of the study is to investigate hedging devices in Kurdish spoken language. The aim is  to know how hedging devices are used in Kurdish spoken discourse. Also the researchers are willing to know whether Kurdish speakers use hedging devices to indicate a lack of complete commitment to the truth of the proposition, and a desire not to express the commitment categorically, or to lessen the impact of an utterance. The data needed for the study was collected through observation, tape recording, and interviews. The dialogues of 35 people were recorded by the researchers as well as the researchers have interviewed with 21 people from different social classes.15 classes and meetings which Kurdish language was the means of communication were observed. The research showed that hedging as a mitigating device is extensively employed in different conversations. The study shows that hedging devices have the same roles  in Kurdish as they have in English. They are used to reduce the certainty and sureness of the utterances. It indicates that some pragmatic devices modify the epistemic strength of the statement in Kurdish language just as they do in English and Arabic.
Automatic Addition of Genre Information in a Japanese Dictionary
Authors: BLIN Raoul
Published: March 2014

This article presents the method used for the automatic addition of genre information to the Japanese entries in a Japanese-French dictionary. The dictionary is intended for a wide audience, ranging from learners of Japanese as a second language to researchers. The genre characterization is based on the statistical analysis of corpora representing different genres. We will discuss the selection of genres and corpora, the tool and method of analysis, the difficulties encountered during this analysis and their solutions.
Reading Tutor, A Reading Support System for Japanese Language Learners
Authors: KAWAMURA Yoshiko
Published: March 2014

The present paper gives an overview of the tools and materials included in the Japanese language reading tutorial system Reading Tutor and the multilingual lexicographical project Reading Tutor Web Dictionary, and discusses their possible uses both for Japanese language instruction and to support autonomous language learning. The paper further presents one particular use of these tools and resources for the development of learning materials for foreign candidates to the Japanese certified care worker national examination, and concludes with suggestions for effective guidance geared at fostering autonomous vocabulary learning.
On the Formation of Verb Compounds in Early Middle Japanese
Authors: LI Wenchao
Published: March 2014

This paper is dedicated to the formation of verb compounds in Early Middle Japanese, a stage of the Japanese language used in the Heian Period (794–1185). The findings reveal that current verb compounds have come a long way from Old Japanese. Multiple verbs in Old Japanese are assigned to an associate type, rather than a compounding type of relation. Thus, the serial constituents receive equal syntactic weight, giving rise to the extensive use of the coordinate type and succession type of multi-verbs. In Early Middle Japanese, the combinations of the two constituents seem much tighter, giving rise the frequent use of the modifier-predicate V-V. The conclusion emerging from this study is that it was not until Early Middle Japanese that verb compounds in the strict sense appeared. Moreover, two types of verb weakening are observed in Early Middle Japanese: (a) transformation of the first verb into a prefix, (b) grammaticalization of the second verb into a directional/resultative complement.
Input Method "Five Strokes": Advantages and Problems
Authors: PETROVČIČ Mateja
Published: March 2014

Five Stroke “Wubi Hua” is an input method, based on the stroke shape and stroke order of a character, and requires only 5 keys from 1 to 5 on numerical keypad to input every character. As an input method for Chinese, it is already integrated in Mac OS X, and is available as part of different applications for Windows OS. Although stroke order in Chinese and Japanese is different to some extent, this input method can be applied to characters of both writing systems.

Since the Five Stroke input method is easily accessible, simple to master and is not pronunciation-based, we would expect that the students will use it to input unknown characters. The survey comprises students of Japanology and Sinology at Department of Asian and African Studies, takes in consideration the grade of the respondent and therefore his/her knowledge of characters. This paper also discusses the impact of typeface to the accuracy of the input.
Problems of Hangeul Romanization into Slovene
Authors: ZIRALDO Iva , KROFIČ Jasmina
Published: March 2014

Slovenian grammar does not deal with Korean language and words of Korean origin. Since the number of Korean words in newspapers and other media in Slovenia is increasing, and different writers romanize these words in different ways, a need exists for a uniform transliteration system as soon as possible in order to avoid misapprehensions.The romanization of Korean is not a problem only in Slovenia but also in Korea. There are several systems of romanization. At the moment the Republic of Korea is using the Revised Romanization system, which was approved in the year 2000, while the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea uses the McCune-Reischauer system. The Republic of Korea stopped using the McCune-Reischauer system because of the inconvenient usage of diacritics and apostrophes. The problem of romanization of Korean consists not only in the difficulty of transcription but also the fact that not everyone follows the approved system. When writing proper names typically none of the existing systems is followed. Geographical names are written according to the Revised Romanization system, while names of universities, festivals etc., which include geographical names as well, are still written according to the McCune-Reischauer system.Koreans are aware of the problem of romanization and recently there has been new discussion in the Republic of Korea about another revision and the unification of the romanization of personal names. There is, however, an established convention according to which each individual writes their own name as wished. Due to specific morphophonological characteristics of the Korean language, consistent Romanization is impossible without adequate knowledge of the language.Since there are currently few Korean words used in Slovenian language an opportunity exists to establish an agreed spelling convention without the excessive revision that might be required later.
Denitrification alternates between a source and sink of nitrous oxide in the hypolimnion of a thermally stratified reservoir
Authors: Beaulieu Jake J. , Smolenski Rebecca L. , Nietch Christopher T. , Townsend-Small Amy , Elovitz Michael S. , Schubauer-Berigan Joseph P.
Published: March 2014

Nitrogen loading from developed watersheds to aquatic ecosystems can stimulate microbial denitrification, a process that reduces nitrate (NO−3) to dinitrogen (N2) or nitrous oxide (N2O), the latter a potent greenhouse gas. While aquatic ecosystems are a globally significant source of N2O to the atmosphere, the relationship between denitrification and N2O production is not well known. Until recently, this field of research has been limited by the technical challenges of simultaneously measuring denitrification and N2O production or consumption in situ at the ecosystem scale. Here we use membrane inlet mass spectrometry, an analytical method providing precise and accurate measurements of dissolved N2, and gas chromatography to directly measure N2 and N2O concentrations in the hypolimnion of a stratified reservoir draining an agricultural watershed. Denitrification resulted in a consistent increase in dissolved N2 and decrease in NO−3 concentrations in the hypolimnion during the 5 month period of stratification, though temporal patterns in dissolved N2O concentrations were less consistent. Denitrification alternated between an N2O source and sink, with the N2O yield, defined as the relative production of N2O to N2 via denitrification, ranging from −3.4% (i.e., net N2O consumption) to 19.5% (mean = −0.03%). Whereas denitrification in the hypolimnion functioned as a small N2O sink during the stratified period, the reservoir was an N2O source on an annual time scale. Additional studies across reservoirs of different sizes, trophic status, and ages are needed to resolve the role of reservoirs in the global N2O budget.
Aggregation as a function of and mineral particles
Authors: Passow Uta , De La Rocha Christina L. , Fairfield Caitlin , Schmidt Katrin
Published: March 2014

A laboratory experiment was designed to investigate the effects of ocean acidification (three levels) in the presence or absence of the clay mineral illite (five concentrations) on the coagulation of organic particles. The formation of aggregates > 1 mm from marine detritus and phytoplankton, and their characteristics and sinking velocity, were monitored during the 48 h experiment. Aggregation of particulate organic carbon (POC) was independent of both partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and illite addition, implying that the fraction of POC available for export is not affected by either mineral supply or ocean acidification conditions up to ambient + 52.7 Pa PCO2 (+ 520 ppm). This was true even though the illite appreciably influenced aggregate size, number, and characteristics, including the percentage of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) incorporated in aggregates. Carbonate chemistry, in the presence of illite, did affect particle formation by clay, carbon, and TEP at the micrometer scale (allocation between dissolved and particulate pools). Our experiment did not resolve processes on this scale well and it remains to be seen if such shifts in the size spectrum of organic carbon and minerals are relevant for the biological pump. High illite content led to small aggregates with a low average sinking velocity. In the absence of biological changes to particle production or loss, coagulation of POC, which is central to the biological pump, is not influenced by ocean acidification or dust input, but sinking velocity and, hence, flux attenuation of POC are likely to be affected by changes in dust input.
Modeling photoinhibition‐driven bleaching in Scleractinian coral as a function of light, temperature, and heterotrophy
Authors: S.M. Gustafsson Malin , Baird Mark E. , Ralph Peter J.
Published: March 2014

It has been proposed that corals with symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) bleach under thermal stress due to temperature‐dependent inactivation of the Rubisco protein that impairs CO2 uptake, causing a backlog of electrons that result in the formation of damaging Reactive Oxygen Species. We present a numerical model of this mechanism of photoinhibition for symbiotic algae residing within coral tissue. The resulting rate of bleaching depended on temperature, light intensity, and the rate of heterotrophic feeding. The model was validated using three independently published experimental data sets. The model was capable of capturing both the diurnal change in the state of the photosystem, as well as changes in the symbiont population and the coral host caused by different temperature, light, and feeding treatments. Elevated temperatures and light led to a degradation of the photosystem and the expulsion of symbiont cells. If the coral fed heterotrophically, this degradation of the photosynthetic apparatus was reduced, but still a clear decrease in maximum quantum yield (Fv : Fm) and cell numbers was observed when the coral was exposed to elevated temperature. The reduction in chlorophyll content of cells at elevated temperatures and light was compared with the observational bleaching index Degree Heating Days (DHD). As quantified by DHD, the model was found to bleach under similar thermal stress regimes as field studies, except under elevated heterotrophic feeding conditions, which resulted in reduced severity of bleaching over a 90 d period.
Micropropagation of the Halophyte Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A. J. Scott
Authors: Maria Filomena de Jesus Raposo  , Rui Manuel Santos Costa de Morais
Published: March 2014

Details of investigation to evaluate the effects of the number of nodes (one, two or three) of Sarcocornia fruticosa explants on growth and multiplication rate of plantlets are presented in this paper. The responses of the 3-node explants to some supplementary sources of different aminoacids and growth regulators indol-3-acetic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine and gibberellins A3 were also analysed. Plantlets from 3-node explants showed a marked increase in growth and number of lateral shoots, indicating that Sarcocornia does not respond well when explants are very small. The addition of 100 mg l-1 casein hydrolysate plus 150 mg l-1 glutamine, and 100 mg l-1 casein hydrolysate plus vitamins showed to be good growth promoters in micropropagating Sarcocornia, giving longer plantlets and higher multiplication rates.
Contextual Influences on Financial Behavior: A Proposed Model for Adult Financial Literacy Education
Authors: Way Wendy L.
Published: March 2014

This chapter presents an ecological model that highlights the importance of considering multiple contextual influences on behavior as well as other factors that may impact learning when designing research and practice aimed at enhancing financial capability.
Measuring the Impacts of Financial Literacy: Challenges for Community‐Based Financial Education
Authors: Collins J. Michael , Holden Karen C.
Published: March 2014

This chapter addresses financial education across the lifespan, which has the potential to enhance adult financial capability, yet methodological barriers and a lack of robust measures have hampered the ability to identify and measure the effects of educational programs on financial decisions and behavior.
Short‐Term Viscoelastic Properties of Bloodmeal‐Based Thermoplastics
Authors: Bier James Michael , Verbeek Casparus Johannes Reinhard , Lay Mark Christopher , van der Merwe De Wet
Published: March 2014

The effects of sodium sulfite (SS) content and injection molding temperature on the viscoelasticity of bloodmeal‐based thermoplastics were assessed using creep, recovery, and stress relaxation. Both SS and processing temperature affected standard mechanical properties and time‐dependent behavior. Increased SS content led to greater creep, greater strain at break, and reduced modulus and mechanical strength of the material. Furthermore, the use of a higher injection molding temperature also reduced modulus and strength. Higher molding temperature also caused an increase in the fraction of creep recovered in 20 min. These results confirmed that increased SS increased chain mobility and that injection molding at 140°C instead of 120°C did not cause excessive thermal cross‐linking.
Adoption of a clinical pharmacogenomics implementation program during outpatient care–initial results of the University of Chicago “1,200 Patients Project”
Authors: O'Donnell Peter H. , Danahey Keith , Jacobs Michael , Wadhwa Nisha R. , Yuen Shennin , Bush Angela , Sacro Yasmin , Sorrentino Matthew J. , Siegler Mark , Harper William , Warrick Andrea , Das Soma , Saner Don , Corless Christopher L. , Ratain Mark J.
Published: March 2014

Pharmacogenomic testing is viewed as an integral part of precision medicine. To achieve this, we originated The 1,200 Patients Project which offers broad, preemptive pharmacogenomic testing to patients at our institution. We analyzed enrollment, genotype, and encounter‐level data from the first year of implementation to assess utility of providing pharmacogenomic results. Results were delivered via a genomic prescribing system (GPS) in the form of traffic lights: green (favorable), yellow (caution), and red (high risk). Additional supporting information was provided as a virtual pharmacogenomic consult, including citation to relevant publications. Currently, 812 patients have participated, representing 90% of those approached; 608 have been successfully genotyped across a custom array. A total of 268 clinic encounters have occurred at which results were accessible via the GPS. At 86% of visits, physicians accessed the GPS, receiving 367 result signals for medications patients were taking: 57% green lights, 41% yellow lights, and 1.4% red lights. Physician click frequencies to obtain clinical details about alerts varied according to color severity (100% of red were clicked, 72% yellow, 20% green). For 85% of visits, clinical pharmacogenomic information was available for at least one drug the patient was taking, suggesting relevance of the delivered information. We successfully implemented an individualized health care model of preemptive pharmacogenomic testing, delivering results along with pharmacogenomic decision support. Patient interest was robust, physician adoption of information was high, and results were routinely utilized. Ongoing examination of a larger number of clinic encounters and inclusion of more physicians and patients is warranted. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of endoglucanase and endoxylanase in liquefaction of hydrothermally pretreated wheat straw
Authors: Skovgaard Pernille Anastasia , Thygesen Lisbeth Garbrecht , Jørgensen Henning , Cardona Maria , Tozzi Emilio , McCarthy Michael , Siika‐Aho Matti , Jeoh Tina
Published: March 2014

The role of endocellulases and endoxylanase during liquefaction and saccharification of hydrothermally pretreated wheat straw was studied. The use of a flow‐loop setup with in‐line magnetic resonance imaging enabled frequent measurements of viscosity at 55°C during saccharification at 6% total solids content. Viscosity data were complemented with off‐line measurements of fiber lengths and release of soluble sugars. A clear correlation between fiber attrition and a decrease in viscosity was found. Fiber lengths and viscosity dropped quickly within the first hour and then stagnated, while sugar yields increased substantially thereafter, illustrating that liquefaction and saccharification are separate mechanisms. Both endoglucanase and endoxylanase were shown to have a significant effect on viscosity during liquefaction while the addition of endoxylanase also increased sugar yield. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:923–931, 2014
Logic Functions with Stimuli‐Responsive Single Nanopores
Authors: Ramirez Patricio , Cervera Javier , Ali Mubarak , Ensinger Wolfgang , Mafe Salvador
Published: March 2014

We present the concept of logic functions based on a single stimuli‐responsive nanopore and analyze its potential for electrochemical transducers and actuators. The responsive molecules at the surface of the polymeric nanopore immersed in an electrolyte solution are sensitive to thermal, chemical, electrical, and optical stimuli, which are the input signals required to externally tune the conductance of the nanopore (the logical output). A single nanostructure can be operated as a resistor or as a diode with a broad range of rectifying properties, allowing for logical information‐processing schemes that are useful pH and temperature sensors, electro‐optical detectors, and electrochemical actuators and transducers. Some of the limitations to be addressed in practical applications are also cited.
Suspension Catalysis in Slug Flow Microreactor – Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Mass Transfer
Authors: Scheiff Frederik , Neemann Frank , Tomasiak Sylwia J. , Agar David W.
Published: March 2014

Pfropfenströmungs‐Kapillarreaktoren bieten einen Ansatz zur zweiphasigen Suspensionskatalyse die eine einfachere Katalysatorrückgewinnung und Reduzierung der Partikelgröße ermöglicht, sofern eine ausreichende Stofftransportleistung durch die Zirkulationsströmung gewährleistet wird. Experimentelle Messungen und ein dynamisches Modell zeigen, dass der Flüssig/Fest‐Stofftransport zunächst eine Limitierung darstellt und durch eine inhomogene Suspendierung gehemmt wird. Die Reduzierung der Katalysatorgröße hebt diese Limitierung jedoch auf, so dass die zweiphasige Suspensionskatalyse vielversprechend erscheint.
Speciation of Technetium in Sulfuric Acid/Hydrogen Sulfide Solutions
Authors: Ferrier Maryline , Roques Jérôme , Poineau Frederic , Sattelberger Alfred P. , Unger Jeremy , Czerwinski and Kenneth R.
Published: March 2014

The reaction between TcVII and H2S(g) in 12 M H2SO4 has been studied. This reaction produced a black solid and a brown supernate. The solid was analyzed by energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) and X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and the results were consistent with the presence of Tc2S7. The speciation of technetium in the supernate was performed by UV/Visible and XAFS spectroscopy. Experiments showed that in 12 M H2SO4 an intermediate TcV sulfate complex was formed. Analysis indicated that the final complex present in solution was a polymeric species with a Tc–O–Tc core coordinated to sulfate ligands. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations showed that the proposed complexes were stable and that the theoretical structure was in good agreement with XAFS data.
Supramolecular 3‐/4‐Mercaptobenzoic Acid Complexes of Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Stabilized by Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Vivekananda Kotipalli V. , Dey Sandip , Wadawale Amey , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Jain Vimal K.
Published: March 2014

The reaction of cis‐[Pt(PEt3)2(OTf)2] with 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4‐H2mba) in the presence of sodium methoxide yielded trans‐[Pt(SC6H4COOH‐4)2(PEt3)2] (1), the simple addition of 3‐/4‐mercaptobenzoic acid to cis‐[Pt(PEt3)2(OTf)2] and cis‐[M(PP)2(OTf)2] gave the self‐assembled complexes cis‐[Pt(μ‐SC6H4COOH‐n)(PEt3)2]2(OTf)2 [n = 3 (2), 4 (3)] and [M(μ‐SC6H4COOH‐n)(PP)]2(OTf)2 [M/n/PP = Pd/3/dppe (4), Pd/4/dppe (5), Pt/4/dppp (6); dppe = 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppp = 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane], respectively, and the reactions of cis‐[PtCl2(PR3)2] (R = Et, Ph) and [PtCl2(dppm)] with 3‐/4‐mercaptobenzoic acids in the presence of triethylamine yielded 1, trans‐[Pt(SC6H4COOH‐4)2(PPh3)2] (7) and [Pt(SC6H4COOH‐n)2(dppm)] [n = 3 (8), 4 (9); dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane], respectively. The complexes 1–4 and 7 form supramolecular assemblies through intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the solid state. A one‐dimensional zigzag chain of carboxy dimers is formed in the structures of 1·H2O and 7, whereas methanol‐interrupted large‐ring formation leads to a 2D network for 1·(MeOH)2. In the cases of 3·(H2O)2 and 4·(H2O)2, water and counter‐anions assisted the formation of 1D networks rather than dimers through carboxylic acid groups.
Fluorescence Enhancement of a Porphyrin–Viologen Dyad by Pseudorotaxane Formation with Cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Fathalla Maher , Strutt Nathan L. , Barnes Jonathan C. , Stern Charlotte L. , Ke Chenfeng , Stoddart J. Fraser
Published: March 2014

Dicationic viologen species are known to form strong supramolecular complexes with cucurbit[7]uril, as well as participate in electron‐transfer processes with donor systems. We describe the use of cucurbit[7]uril to modulate the electron transfer between a hybrid porphyrin (donor) and a viologen (acceptor) dyad. The X‐ray crystal structure of these hybrids reveals the formation of 1D coordination polymers held together through zinc coordination in the solid state.
Fabrication and Performance of Different Structural Cathode Catalyst Layers by EHDA Deposition for DMFC
Authors: Wang D. Z. , Li Y. , Liang J. S. , Xia Z. X. , Wang S. L. , Liu C. , Sun G. Q. , Luo Y. , Wang X. D.
Published: March 2014

In this work, electrohydrodynamic atomization Layer‐by‐Layer deposition was used to deposit cathode catalyst layers (CLs) at different working distances of 3, 5, and 7 mm. The influence of working distance on the structural characteristics of cathode CLs was analyzed. The cyclic voltammograms of the cathode electrodes with different structures and the performance of the assembled membrane‐electrode assemblies (MEAs) were examined. It was observed that the cathode CLs presented well‐packed and porous features. The dispersity of the deposited catalyst and the thickness of cathode CL increased with higher working distance, which resulted in larger electrochemical active surface area (ESA), higher performance of the assembled MEAs and higher catalyst utilization. The ESA increased by approximately 70% when the cathode CL produced at the working distance of 7 mm compared with that at 3 mm. The peak power density of 56.1 mW cm–2 and the peak cathode catalyst specific power of 140.3 mW mg–1 Pt were obtained when the cathode CLs produced at the working distance of 7 mm.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Bromination of Diethyl 2,4,6‐Trimethyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate
Authors: Petrova Marina , Muhamadejev Ruslan , Cekavicus Brigita , Vigante Brigita , Plotniece Aiva , Sobolev Arkadij , Duburs Gunars , Liepinsh Edvards
Published: March 2014

A reaction of diethyl 2,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate with 1, 2, and more equivalents of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) in methanol was investigated by NMR spectroscopy at a temperature interval ranging from 25 to 40°C. The reaction was found to proceed through several steps. The structures of the intermediates diethyl 3‐bromo‐2,4,6‐trimethyl‐3,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate, diethyl 3‐bromo‐2‐methoxy‐2,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate, and diethyl 3,5‐dibromo‐2‐methoxy‐2,4,6‐trimethyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate were identified by multinuclear (1H, 13C, and 15N) NMR spectral data. The optimal structures of all species participating in the reaction as well as changes in their relative energies along with the proposed pathway of the reaction were analyzed by quantum‐chemical calculations. The mechanism of bromination of diethyl 2,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate with NBS in methanol was found to favor the bromination in the 2,6‐methyl side chains as the only products in full agreement with experimental observations.
Ethical Implications of a Critical Legal Case for the Counseling Profession: Ward v. Wilbanks
Authors: Kaplan David M.
Published: March 2014

This article presents the official position of the American Counseling Association on a seminal legal case for professional counseling: Ward v. Wilbanks. The focus is on three key questions: Is it permissible to deny counseling services to a homosexual client on the basis of a counselor's values? Can referrals be made at any time a counselor wishes to do so? When is a client a client?
ENJOYING THE QUIET LIFE UNDER DEREGULATION? NOT QUITE
Authors: Restrepo‐Tobón Diego , Kumbhakar Subal C.
Published: March 2014

Most empirical studies in the banking literature assume that the alternative profit function is linearly homogeneous in input prices. We show that such an assumption is theoretically unwarranted and that its use may yield misleading results. We use Koetter et al. (Review of Economics and Statistics 2012; 94(2): 462–480) as a benchmark to showcase how empirical results can be sensitive to the linear homogeneity assumption. Contrary to Koetter et al., we find a positive relation between market power and profit efficiency when this assumption is dropped. This relation is slightly weakened after the wave of intrastate and interstate deregulation but not enough to support the ‘quiet life’ hypothesis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of Sprouty1 and Jagged1 With Aggressive Prostate Cancer Cells With Different Sensitivities to Androgen Deprivation
Authors: Terada Naoki , Shiraishi Takumi , Zeng Yu , Aw‐Yong Koh‐Meng , Mooney Steven M. , Liu Zhi , Takahashi Sayuri , Luo Jun , Lupold Shawn E. , Kulkarni Prakash , Getzenberg Robert H.
Published: March 2014

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease and thus, it is important to understand whether among the heterogeneous collection of cell types, androgen‐deprivation insensitive cells exist prior to hormonal manipulation. We established several LNCaP subclones with distinct insensitivities to androgen deprivation from a parental LNCaP cell line. In the resulting clones, the sensitivity to androgen‐deprivation negatively correlated with their PSA expression levels. In two of these clones, an androgen insensitive clone, LNCaP‐cl1, and an androgen sensitive clone, LNCaP‐cl5, the DNA copy number differed significantly, indicating that these clones contain genetically distinct cells. LNCaP‐cl1 had higher PSA expression but lower invasiveness and tumor growth potential than LNCaP‐cl5. The expression levels of two genes that are known to be regulated by miR‐21, an androgen‐regulated microRNA, Sprouty1 (SPRY1) and Jagged1 (JAG1) were significantly lower in LNCaP‐cl1 than in LNCaP‐cl5. Knocking down SPRY1 in LNCaP cells enhanced PSA expression and cell proliferation. JAG1 administration in LNCaP cells enhanced cell invasion and JAG1 knockdown in PC3 cells suppressed cell invasion and tumor formation. These results indicated that the expression differences in SPRY1 and JAG1 may contribute to the phenotypic differences between the LNCaP‐cl1 and LNCaP‐cl5 clones. In tissue samples, SPRY1 expression levels were significantly lower in prostate cancer patients with PSA recurrence after surgical treatment (P = 0.0076) and JAG1 expression levels were significantly higher in Gleason sum (GS) 8–9 disease than in GS 5–6 (P = 0.0121). In summary a random population of LNCaP cells comprises a heterogeneous group of cells with different androgen‐deprivation sensitivities and potential for invasiveness. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1505–1515, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polymorphic differences in SOD‐2 may influence HCV viral clearance
Authors: Houldsworth Annwyne , Metzner Magdalena , Shaw Steve , Kaminski Edward , Demaine Andy G , Cramp Matthew E
Published: March 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pathogen causing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer occurring in about 3% of the world's population. Most individuals infected with HCV develop persistent viremia. Oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including HCV infection and diabetes mellitus. Polymorphisms in the antioxidant genes may determine cellular oxidative stress levels as a primary pathogenic role in HCV and/or in its complications. Patients with HCV and normal, healthy controls were investigated for a superoxide dismutase (SOD‐2) polymorphism in the mitochondrial targeting sequence with Ala/Val (C‐9T) substitution. Polymorphisms in antioxidant gene SOD‐2 were carried out by PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism assays and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. For the SOD‐2 polymorphism, the RNA positive group showed a higher percentage of “CT” genotype than the RNA negative group (89.3% vs. 66.1%, P = 0.001, χ2 = 11.9). The RNA negative group had more TT genotypes than the RNA positive group (27.4% vs. 6.80%, P = 0.01, χ2 = 11.6). The exposed uninfected group had an increased frequency of the “CT” genotype (86.2% vs. 66.1%, P = 0.02, χ2 = 5.5). The RNA positives had a higher frequency of the “CT” from the normal controls (72.1% vs. 89.2%, P = 0.005, χ2 = 7.8). J. Med. Virol. 86:941–947, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HPV16 E6 variants: Frequency, association with HPV types and in silico analysis of the identified novel variants
Authors: Gokhale Priyanka S. , Sonawani Archana , Idicula‐Thomas Susan , Kerkar Shilpa , Tongaonkar Hemant , Mania‐Pramanik Jayanti
Published: March 2014

High‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, specifically HPV 16 E6 variants are involved in viral persistence and the development of cervical lesions. India contributes to 1/3rd of the global cervical cancer deaths; however, information on E6 variants in the Indian population is limited. Information on these variants is essential for successful implementation of cervical cancer immunization programs. The E6 variants and their possible biological implications to the outcome of infection were studied in women attending the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. Cervical cancer patients with HPV 16 as a single infection (n = 33), co‐infection with another HPV type (n = 20) or with multiple types (n = 10) were examined for HPV16 E6 variants using PCR and sequence analysis. The variants were identified using the prototype sequence (HPV 16R) belonging to the European lineage. The results revealed that the European T350G was the most common variant (50%) followed by the European prototype (40.3%) and the North‐American (N = 3; 4.8%). The European prototype was significantly more frequent in patients infected with HPV16 alone (P < 0.05, C.I. 1.2–13.6), while the European T350G variants were seen in women with co‐infections. The North‐American lineage was found in women infected with HPV16 and 33. Three novel variants were identified of which two were non‐synonymous. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the variant F69L + L83V is not related to any of these lineages, while the variant M137L + L83V is closely related to the North American variant. This study found a difference in the prevalence of E6 variants compared to earlier Indian studies and their association with type of infection. J. Med. Virol. 86:968–974, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gate leakage currents model for FinFETs implemented in Verilog‐A for electronic circuits design
Authors: Garduño Salvador I. , Alvarado Joaquín , Cerdeira Antonio , Estrada Magali , Kilchytska Valeriya , Flandre Denis
Published: March 2014

Because different conduction mechanisms can dominate the gate and drain/source leakage currents, mainly depending on the insulating materials used as gate dielectric, the dimensions of the gate structure, and the transistor operation regime, we proposed an improved analytical model to describe the behavior of these currents in silicon on insulator fin‐shaped field‐effect transistor devices by taking into account changes in the aforementioned factors. This model considers the direct tunneling, trap‐assisted tunneling, and band‐to‐band tunneling as the predominating mechanisms for leakage currents associated with the gate structure. These specific features make the model valid for a wide operation range and include its impact on the drain leakage current. The implementation of this model in Verilog‐A code is presented in this work, which allows calculating quickly and accurately the scaling constraint of a specific gate dielectric material and the power consumption that yields such leakage currents in a circuit by using commercial simulators. All presented results are validated with experimental data from fin‐shaped field‐effect transistors with different dimensions and gate dielectric materials and performed under different bias conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Destination Brand Personality: An Application to Spanish Tourism
Authors: Gómez Aguilar Alejandro , Yagüe Guillén María Jesús , Villaseñor Roman Nieves
Published: March 2014

In the current economic climate, destinations increasingly attempt to differentiate themselves. Brand personality (BP) is a useful tool for understanding differentiation in terms of identity and image perceptions. The authors are unaware of any prior study that develops and analyses to what extent Jennifer Aaker's BP scale is reliable and valid in destination branding.

This paper studies UK visitors to two specific Spanish destinations: Granada and Torremolinos. The study concludes that the BP model is second‐order. The results help to more adequately establish the personality trait dimensions that create favourable evaluations of tourism destinations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic Mineralization of Silk Scaffolds
Authors: Samal Sangram K. , Dash Mamoni , Declercq Heidi A. , Gheysens Tom , Dendooven Jolien , Voort Pascal Van Der , Cornelissen Ria , Dubruel Peter , Kaplan David L.
Published: March 2014

The present study focuses on the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) mediated formation of apatitic minerals on porous silk fibroin protein (SFP) scaffolds. Porous SFP scaffolds impregnated with different concentrations of ALP are homogeneously mineralized under physiological conditions. The mineral structure is apatite while the structures differ as a function of the ALP concentration. Cellular adhesion, proliferation, and colonization of osteogenic MC3T3 cells improve on the mineralized SFP scaffolds. These findings suggest a simple process to generate mineralized scaffolds that can be used to enhanced bone tissue engineering‐related utility.
Trends in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs consumption, Israel, 2005–2012
Authors: Ponizovsky Alexander M. , Marom Eli , Fitoussi Israel
Published: March 2014

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe trends in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs consumption in Israel (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, Vyvanse, Focalin, and Adderall) over the 8 years, 2005–2012, and to explore explanations for changes in amounts and patterns of the utilization.

Methods

Data for the period from 2005 to 2012 were extracted from the database maintained by the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration. The data were converted into a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day.

Results

Consumption of all ADHD drugs covered by Israel's national health care system doubled over the study period, from 4.02 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2005 to 9.92 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012. This rise was largely due to a fivefold increase in Concerta consumption (from 0.46 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2005 to 2.28 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012) and a threefold increase in Ritalin consumption (from 1.43 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2005 to 4.84 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012). Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts) consumption rose by 30% for the same period. A substantial trend was noted for increased utilization of high‐dose formulations together with proportional decline in low‐dose consumption. In the same period, cost of the medications has been reduced an average by 20–25%.

Conclusions

There has been a drastic rise in ADHD drugs consumption in Israel over 2005–2012. This has been associated with substantial reduction in cost and changes in the pattern of prescribing that characterized by increased prescription of high‐dose long‐acting preparations of ADHD drugs and decreased prescription of their low‐dose, short‐acting formulations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of recurrence of non muscle‐invasive bladder cancer by means of a protein signature identified by antibody microarray analyses
Authors: Srinivasan Harish , Allory Yves , Sill Martin , Vordos Dimitri , Alhamdani Mohamed Saiel Saeed , Radvanyi Francois , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Schröder Christoph
Published: March 2014

About 70% of newly diagnosed cases of bladder cancer are low‐stage, low‐grade, non muscle‐invasive. Standard treatment is transurethral resection. About 60% of the tumors will recur, however, and in part progress to become invasive. Therefore, surveillance cystoscopy is performed after resection. However, in the USA and Europe alone, about 54 000 new patients per year undergo repeated cystoscopies over several years, who do not experience recurrence. Analysing in a pilot study resected tumors from patients with (n = 19) and without local recurrence (n = 6) after a period of 5 years by means of an antibody microarray that targeted 724 cancer‐related proteins, we identified 255 proteins with significantly differential abundance. Most are involved in the regulation and execution of apoptosis and cell proliferation. A multivariate classifier was constructed based on 20 proteins. It facilitates the prediction of recurrence with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. As a measure of overall accuracy, the area under the curve value was found to be 91%. After validation in additional sample cohorts with a similarly long follow‐up, such a signature could support decision making about the stringency of surveillance or even different treatment options.