bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proving or Improving Science Learning? Understanding High School Students’ Conceptions of Science Assessment in Taiwan
Authors: LEE MIN‐HSIEN , LIN TZUNG‐JIN , TSAI CHIN‐CHUNG
Published: January 2013

Classroom assessment is a critical aspect of teaching and learning. In this paper, Taiwanese high school students’ conceptions of science assessment and the relationship between their conceptions of science assessment and of science learning were investigated. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. First, 60 students were interviewed regarding their conceptions of science assessment. From these interviews, a survey was developed, validated, and used with 914 students to quantitatively examine the same question. Third, 224 students were surveyed to determine the relationship between their conceptions of both science assessment and science learning. Using the phenomenographic method, the first study revealed six categories of conceptions of science assessment: reproducing knowledge, rehearsing, accountability to learning, improving learning, problem solving, and critical judgment, which seem to reveal the surface, summative, and formative purposes of assessment, respectively. The second study, based on what the high school students reported about science assessment, resulted in the use of the Conceptions of Science Assessment questionnaire, which confirmed the second‐order analysis (surface, summative, and formative) of the purposes of science assessment. In the third study, the relationships between high school students’ conceptions of science assessment and of learning science were revealed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 97:244–270, 2013
Corrosion fatigue behaviour of Ti‐6Al‐4V in methanol environment
Authors: Baragetti Sergio
Published: January 2013

During the last decades, the Ti‐6Al‐4V titanium alloy has been widely used for several advanced applications in the aerospace, automotive and naval industry. Particularly, an improvement on the knowledge of the fatigue behaviour of mechanical components made of Ti‐6Al‐4V, while operating in corrosive media, would be fundamental for aircraft or offshore applications to prevent dramatic failures due to environment‐assisted fatigue or notch‐induced fatigue crack growth. The fatigue resistance of smooth Ti‐6Al‐4V components and specimens tested in air has been already extensively studied, but the effect of a very aggressive environment, such as a methanol solution, has not been evaluated enough despite its great importance in some technical applications. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of a methanol solution (at different concentrations) on the axial fatigue performances of smooth flat dog‐bone specimens. The collected data will be then compared to previous experimental results obtained for the same specimens tested in a NaCl solution (3.5 wt%) and under inert environments, by considering also the influence of mechanical notches. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of anodizing cycles for enhanced performance
Authors: Curioni M. , Gionfini T. , Vicenzo A. , Skeldon P. , Thompson G. E.
Published: January 2013

Anodizing of aluminium alloys is often used to improve appearance, corrosion resistance or adhesion with organic coatings, with properties of the oxides tailored by controlling the anodizing conditions. Some electrolytes can be used in relatively wide ranges of concentration, temperature and potential or current, while others display a narrower operational range. Optimization of the anodizing process is a non‐trivial task, involving the control of voltage and electrolyte nature, concentration and temperature. In this work, potentiodynamic anodizing is proposed as a tool to characterize rapidly the behaviour of electrolyte/alloy combinations over a wide range of potential. It is shown that each electrolyte/alloy displays a fingerprint response, carrying information on the potential/current intervals suitable for porous oxide growth, on the oxidation behaviour of the second phase material on the alloy surface and on the maximum applicable potential or current. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of Causal Odds of Concordance using the Aalen Additive Model
Authors: Martinussen Torben , Pipper Christian Bressen
Published: January 2013

A simple summary of a treatment effect is attractive, which is part of the explanation of the success of the Cox model when analysing time‐to‐event data since the relative risk measure is such a convenient summary measure. In practice, however, the Cox model may fail to give a reasonable fit, very often because of time‐changing treatment effect. The Aalen additive hazards model may be a good alternative as time‐changing effects are easily modelled within this model, but results are then evidently more complicated to communicate. In such situations, the odds of concordance measure (OC) is a convenient way of communicating results, and recently Martinussen & Pipper (2012) showed how a variant of the OC measure may be estimated based on the Aalen additive hazards model. In this study, we propose an estimator that should be preferred in observational studies as it always estimates the causal effect on the chosen scale, only assuming that there are no un‐measured confounders. The resulting estimator is shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal, and an estimator of its limiting variance is provided. Two real applications are provided.
The effect of white‐tailed deer browsing on wheat quality and yields in Delaware
Authors: Springer Matthew T. , Bowman Jacob L. , Vasilas Bruce L.
Published: January 2013

Locally overabundant white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter, deer) have caused increased damage to agronomic crops across their range. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is grown in >60% of the states in the United States where white‐tailed deer occur. Although the effect of deer browsing on corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) yields has been documented, research on the effect of deer browsing on winter wheat yields and quality is limited. In 2007–2009, we investigated the effect of deer browse timing and wheat type (bearded and unbearded) on yields and quality in Delaware, USA. We randomly stratified 3 treatments (i.e., no protection, protected at planting, or protected prior to heading) in 1,680 plots. After head emergence, we surveyed the plots weekly to estimate browse rates and biomass removed by deer. We harvested a 1‐m2 area in the middle of each plot to determine the deer impact on yield. Browsing increased in intensity as head development progressed and more browsing occurring on the unbearded wheat. Unprotected plots had 195 kg/ha greater wheat yield than did protected plots in 2007 (P = 0.08). We found no difference in wheat yield among treatments during 2008 and 2009 (P = 0.38). Bearded wheat fields had 379 kg/ha greater wheat yield during 2007 and 399 kg/ha greater yield during 2008 and 2009 than did unbearded wheat fields (P < 0.001). We also observed no difference in wheat quality among treatments or between types of wheat (P > 0.417). Our browse surveys suggested avoidance of bearded wheat but the overall browsing was not intense enough to affect yield. Our results demonstrated that white‐tailed deer had no impact on wheat yield at a deer density of 15 deer/km2. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Behavioral Analysis of Tiger Night Housing Practices
Authors: Miller Angela , Leighty Katherine A. , Bettinger Tamara L.
Published: January 2013

The systematic evaluation of changes in animal management practices is critical to ensuring the best possible welfare. Here, we examined the behavioral impacts of intermittently housing our six adult female tigers, who have been housed socially for much of their lives, individually overnight to allow for specialized care required by their advancing age. We looked for behavioral changes indicative of both positive and negative changes in welfare by monitoring time spent asleep, sleeping position, body position while awake, as well as pacing, door pounding, self‐grooming, roaring, and chuffing while housed socially as compared to individually overnight. Housing condition did not affect time spent asleep, sleeping positions assumed or the more preferred body positions while awake. Further, pacing, door‐pounding, and roaring were infrequent and not altered by housing condition. Self‐grooming did increase when housed individually but no evidence of over‐grooming was present and chuffing, a close proximity social vocalization, was more likely to occur when socially housed. Taken together, these findings support the notion that transitioning to individual housing as needed is a viable option for managing cats accustomed to being maintained in a social group. Zoo Biol. 32:189–194, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Associations of a Sexually Transmitted Disease Diagnosis During a Relationship with Condom Use and Psychosocial Outcomes: (Short) Windows of Opportunity
Authors: Reid Allecia E. , Magriples Urania , Niccolai Linda M. , Gordon Derrick M. , Divney Anna A. , Kershaw Trace S.
Published: January 2013

Few studies have examined whether and how receiving an sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis while in a romantic relationship relates to condom use and psychosocial sexual outcomes. Using dyadic data, we examined associations of a personal or a partner's STD diagnosis during a relationship with condom use, monogamy intentions, condom intentions and attitudes, and STD susceptibility and communication. Because beliefs about how the STD was acquired may shape associations with behavior and cognitions, gender and suspecting that one's partner had other sexual partners (i.e., partner concurrency) were examined as moderators. Participants were 592 individuals in 296 couples expecting a baby; 108 individuals had been diagnosed with an STD during the relationship. Personal STD diagnosis was unrelated to outcomes or was associated with increased risk. A partner's diagnosis related to more positive condom intentions and attitudes. Among men who suspected concurrency, both a personal and a partner's STD diagnosis were associated with less condom use. Receiving the STD diagnosis during pregnancy was associated with greater susceptibility and marginally greater condom use. Results suggest potential benefits of enhancing communication and encouraging joint risk reduction counseling among couples, engaging men more fully in preventive efforts, and capitalizing on the short window during which risk reduction occurs.
Modeling the distribution of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on a Mediterranean island
Authors: Kontsiotis V. J. , Bakaloudis D. E. , Xofis P. , Konstantaras N. , Petrakis N. , Tsiompanoudis A.
Published: January 2013

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a widely distributed mammal with an often contradictory ecological role, imposing the need for population management. Sound management requires an in‐depth understanding of the complex species–habitat relationships. In this study, CART analysis was employed to identify the most important environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting the spatial distribution of wild rabbit on Lemnos Island, northeastern Aegean Sea in Greece. On Lemnos, this species is considered an agricultural pest due to its overabundance resulting from the long‐term absence of viral diseases, limited predation pressure, and lack of effective management. The study was carried out during the summer of 2008 by surveying rabbit densities in 181 2 × 2‐km squares. Seven environmental and 14 anthropogenic variables, measured at two spatial scales, were used as explanatory variables. Soil hardness was the most influential variable, dividing the island into two distinct areas, namely the rabbit‐poor areas with hard rocky soils and the rabbit‐rich areas where soft soils prevail. In the former, the presence of a sharp relief can lead to complete absence of the species, while a combination of gentle relief, low altitudes, and low presence of arable land can lead to moderate rabbit density. In the latter, human‐caused disturbance can reduce the number of rabbits, while a high density of ecotones and streams and a high presence of riparian vegetation can increase population densities to its highest levels observed. Our findings can formulate a scientific basis for the development of an effective management strategy for its population control.
Robust structure from motion with affine camera via low-rank matrix recovery
Authors: Wu Lun , Wang YongTian , Liu Yue , Wang YuXi
Published: January 2013

We present a novel approach to structure from motion that can deal with missing data and outliers with an affine camera. We model the corruptions as sparse error. Therefore the structure from motion problem is reduced to the problem of recovering a low-rank matrix from corrupted observations. We first decompose the matrix of trajectories of features into low-rank and sparse components by nuclear-norm and ℓ
1-norm minimization, and then obtain the motion and structure from the low-rank components by the classical factorization method. Unlike pervious methods, which have some drawbacks such as depending on the initial value selection and being sensitive to the large magnitude errors, our method uses a convex optimization technique that is guaranteed to recover the low-rank matrix from highly corrupted and incomplete observations. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is more efficient and robust to large-scale outliers.
The Range of Movement of the Thumb
Authors: Barakat M. J. , Field J. , Taylor J.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The movements at each thumb joint are flexion and extension (called radial abduction in the CMCJ) and additional movements of anteposition, retroposition and opposition at the CMCJ, due to the saddle shape of the articulation. Our study was designed to provide a means of thumb movement measurement and provide a range for each.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed looking at 100 consecutive individuals without thumb pathology to determine thumb joint range of movements and evaluate the reliability of such measurements.

Results

The mean age was 26 (range of 18–37) with 62 female individuals. The mean range of movement of the IPJ was flexion of 88 ° (80–90 °) and extension of 12° (0–45°). That of the MCPJ was flexion of 60° (43–70°) and extension of 8.1° (0–15°). That of the CMCJ was anteposition of 61.2° (50–71°), retroposition of 31.1 mm (25–38 mm), radial abduction of 62.9° (53–71°), opposition Kapandji grade 9 (grades 9–10) and adduction of 10.2 ± 4°(5–20°). CMC adduction was difficult to measure with a poor intra- and inter-observer correlation (inter-reliability correlation coefficient of 0.02 and intra-reliability coefficient of 0.04). For the remaining measurements, the mean inter-reliability correlation coefficient was 0.82 ( p<0.01) while the mean intra-reliability correlation coefficient was 0.93 ( p<0.01). There was negative correlation identified between IPJ extension and MCPJ extension (−0.50) and between CMCJ radial abduction and MCPJ extension (−0.60).

Conclusions

Having established the normal ranges of movements for the thumb joints and shown that our measurement methods are reliable and reproducible, we have identified that a reduction in certain thumb joint movements appears to be compensated for by an increased movement range in the other joints.
trans‐10,cis‐12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Improved Growth Performance, Reduced Lipid Deposition and Influenced CPT I Kinetic Constants of Juvenile Synechogobius hasta
Authors: Tan Xiao‐Ying , Luo Zhi , Zeng Qiang , Zhao Yan‐Hong , Liu Xu
Published: January 2013

trans‐10,cis‐12 (t10c12) Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced body lipid deposition in various experimental animals, but the mechanisms involved were still emerging. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) catalyzes an important regulatory step in lipid metabolism. At present, no studies, to our knowledge, have evaluated the kinetic constants influenced by dietary CLA in fish. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that changes in body lipid content in fish as a response to dietary t10c12 CLA was related to the change of CPT I kinetic constants [Michaelis constant (Km), maximal velocity and catalytic efficiency for carnitine and palmitoyl‐CoA]. Juvenile Synechogobius hasta were fed three experimental diets with fish oil replaced with 0 (control), 1, or 2 % t10c12 CLA for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency rate increased with dietary t10c12 CLA level. Dietary t10c12 CLA addition significantly reduced lipid contents both in liver and muscle. Dietary CLA addition also improved CPT I activities in muscle but did not significantly influence hepatic CPT I activity. CPT I kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax and catalytic efficiency) were significantly influenced by t10c12 CLA. CPT I catalytic efficiencies with carnitine and palmitoyl‐CoA as substrates were higher in muscle and liver of fish fed increasing t10c12 CLA. For the first time, the findings demonstrated effect of dietary CLA addition on CPT I kinetics in fish and supported our starting hypothesis that dietary t10c12 CLA addition induced alterations in CPT I kinetic constants of muscle and liver. Increased CPT I catalytic efficiency might be the main reason for reduced lipid deposition in these tissues by dietary t10c12 CLA supplementation.
Does Culture Affect Divorce? Evidence From European Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Furtado Delia , Marcén Miriam , Sevilla Almudena
Published: January 2013

This article explores the role of culture in determining divorce by examining country-of-origin differences in divorce rates of immigrants in the United States. Because childhood-arriving immigrants are all exposed to a common set of U.S. laws and institutions, we interpret relationships between their divorce tendencies and home-country divorce rates as evidence of the effect of culture. Our results are robust to controlling for several home-country variables, including average church attendance and gross domestic product (GDP). Moreover, specifications with country-of-origin fixed effects suggest that immigrants from countries with low divorce rates are especially less likely to be divorced if they reside among a large number of coethnics. Supplemental analyses indicate that divorce culture has a stronger impact on the divorce decisions of females than of males, pointing to a potentially gendered nature of divorce taboos.
Skewed Sex Ratios in India: “Physician, Heal Thyself”
Authors: Patel Archana B. , Badhoniya Neetu , Mamtani Manju , Kulkarni Hemant
Published: January 2013

Sex selection, a gender discrimination of the worst kind, is highly prevalent across all strata of Indian society. Physicians have a crucial role in this practice and implementation of the Indian Government’s Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act in 1996 to prevent the misuse of ultrasound techniques for the purpose of prenatal sex determination. Little is known about family preferences, let alone preferences among families of physicians. We investigated the sex ratios in 946 nuclear families with 1,624 children, for which either one or both parents were physicians. The overall child sex ratio was more skewed than the national average of 914. The conditional sex ratios decreased with increasing number of previous female births, and a previous birth of a daughter in the family was associated with a 38 % reduced likelihood of a subsequent female birth. The heavily skewed sex ratios in the families of physicians are indicative of a deeply rooted social malady that could pose a critical challenge in correcting the sex ratios in India.
An Abramov formula for stationary spaces of discrete groups
Authors: HARTMAN YAIR , LIMA YURI , TAMUZ OMER
Published: January 2013

Let $(G, \mu )$ be a discrete group equipped with a generating probability measure, and let $\Gamma $ be a finite index subgroup of $G$. A $\mu $-random walk on $G$, starting from the identity, returns to $\Gamma $ with probability one. Let $\theta $ be the hitting measure, or the distribution of the position in which the random walk first hits $\Gamma $. We prove that the Furstenberg entropy of a $(G, \mu )$-stationary space, with respect to the action of $(\Gamma , \theta )$, is equal to the Furstenberg entropy with respect to the action of $(G, \mu )$, times the index of $\Gamma $ in $G$. The index is shown to be equal to the expected return time to $\Gamma $. As a corollary, when applied to the Furstenberg–Poisson boundary of $(G, \mu )$, we prove that the random walk entropy of $(\Gamma , \theta )$ is equal to the random walk entropy of $(G, \mu )$, times the index of $\Gamma $ in $G$.
The first aglaspidid sensu stricto from the Cambrian of China (Sandu Formation, Guangxi)
Authors: LEROSEY-AUBRIL RUDY , ORTEGA-HERNÁNDEZ JAVIER , ZHU XUEJIAN
Published: January 2013

Aglaspidids represent an obscure group of lower Palaeozoic arthropods with a patchy biogeographic distribution. Before the recent description of a representative from Tasmania, these arthropods were exclusively known from Laurentia during the late Cambrian. Here we describe a new species, Aglaspella sanduensis sp. nov., from the Furongian of China, confirming that aglaspidids sensu stricto were already widely distributed worldwide by the late Cambrian; this demonstrates that some aglaspidids had great dispersal capabilities. A new diagnosis of the genus Aglaspella is proposed and the species formerly known as Aglaspella eatoni is assigned to a new taxon, Hesselbonia gen. nov.
Trimodality approach for ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal
Authors: Mourad W F , Hu K S , Shourbaji R A , Harrison L B
Published: January 2013

Background:

Ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal is extremely rare. This paper highlights the impact of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on the outcomes of this disease.

Case report:

A 47-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of otalgia and a mass in her right ear. Biopsy revealed high grade ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. She underwent surgical excision of the right external auditory canal and right upper neck dissection. Pathological analysis of tumour–node–metastasis staging revealed a T2 N0 (stage II) tumour. One year later, computed tomography scanning of the temporal bone showed tumour recurrence. Biopsy revealed recurrent ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient underwent salvage resection. Pathology revealed that the tumour was diffusely invading nearby structures, with perineural invasion, lymphatic spread and extracapsular extension. Pathological analysis of tumour–node–metastasis staging revealed a T3 N1 M0 (recurrent stage IV) tumour.

Results:

The patient subsequently received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. There was no evidence of disease at 37 months' follow up.

Conclusion:

The trimodality approach, using surgery plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy, provided reasonable loco-regional control with tolerable toxicity. Further detailed case reports are warranted to optimise the management of this rare malignancy.
Expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma
Authors: Erbek S , Erinanc H , Hizal E , Ozluoglu L N
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Proteases of the disintegrin and metalloproteinase family (also known as ADAM proteins) are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. This study assessed the expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma.

Materials and methods:

The study evaluated cholesteatoma specimens from 19 patients, and external ear canal skin samples from 7 of the same patients (as controls), for the expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17, using immunohistochemical methods.

Results and analysis:

The study observed over-expression of proteins 10 and 17 in blood vessels, and over-expression of proteins 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma stroma. Immunostaining scores for proteins 10, 12 and 17 in epithelial and inflammatory cells from cholesteatoma specimens versus control specimens showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion:

Over-expression of disintegrin and metalloproteinase family proteins 10, 12 and 17 in cholesteatoma may be related to cholesteatoma pathogenesis. These proteins deserve further study as they may represent potential targets for cholesteatoma treatment.
The Ambivalence and Lust of Marriage: With and Beyond Augustine Towards a Theology of Marriage as Consecrated Sacrifice
Authors: Ellis Daryl
Published: January 2013

This article argues that the Christian West's indebtedness to contractual logic in regard to marriage, as canonically depicted in 1 Corinthians 7, has resulted in a corresponding theological and pastoral myopia. The weakness of this reliance, as seen paradigmatically in Augustine's theology of marriage, consists in its articulation of marriage's constitution apart from any meaningful reference to the particular dynamics of any given marital common life. ‘Marriage’, in this sense, remains extrinsic to the living of marriage. Augustine doubly solidifies this separation by construing marriage as a contractually negotiated site for the sinful, though forgivable, expression of sexual desire, which he then roots in a christological account of sacrament whereby the sacramental bond of marriage canneverbe broken regardless of the lived particularities of marital life. A promising corrective can be found by way of a theological retrieval of a minor set of images suggestively employed in passages such as Ephesians 5:21–33 and Revelation 19:7–9 rooted in cultic themes such as sacrifice and consecration, which Augustine employs in describing marriage's preferred ecclesial alternative: the consecration of virginity. The constructive result is a theology of marriage in which every moment of marital life is marked by the ambivalence of vulnerably and ‘deathly’ surrendering to one another, which is pre-eminently embodied in the surrender of Christ himself upon the cross to the one he called Father. This ambivalence is characterised by the dual possibility, inherent in the posture of surrender itself, in which the result can either bear the healing fruits of love and reciprocal embraceorthe tragic inhumanity of abuse, rejection and manipulation. Finally, the sacrificial and contractual elements of marriage might be ultimately reconciled in a refigured notion of ‘covenant’, which too often has been understood simply as a synonym for ‘contract’. Instead, a proper covenantal understanding of marriage emerges as a participatory analogy to the entire, complicated and contingent history of God, with God's people marked by seemingly endless cycles of sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration. Intriguingly, this history was also founded within a temporal space outlined by a mix of contractual elements and cultic regulations. Likewise, the covenantal founding of a marriage mirrors a similar dynamic: the initial ‘contractual’ vows speak into existence a temporalised space within which a daily, mundane life of lovemightcome to pass and bear its fruits, in due time, by God's grace and the daily improvisations of love and sacrifice.
Developing a computational model to understand the contributions of social learning modes to task coordination in teams
Authors: Singh Vishal , Dong Andy , Gero John S.
Published: January 2013

This paper reports on a computational model developed to study the effects of various modes of social learning on task coordination in teams through the mapping of distributed team competence, a significant aspect of efficient teamwork. The computational model emphasizes and operationalizes distinct modes of social learning, differentiated in terms of socialization opportunities. Simulation results demonstrate that computational models based on fundamental principles of social learning provide a robust approach to study task coordination in teams and can be used to explore ways to organize opportunities for social learning depending upon member retention, team structure, and the complexity of the design task.
A semantic space approach to the computational semantics of noun compounds
Authors: UTSUMI AKIRA
Published: January 2013

This study examines the ability of a semantic space model to represent the meaning of noun compounds such as ‘information gathering’ or ‘heart disease.’ For a semantic space model to compute the meaning and the attributional similarity (or semantic relatedness) for unfamiliar noun compounds that do not occur in a corpus, the vector for a noun compound must be computed from the vectors of its constituent words using vector composition algorithms. Six composition algorithms (i.e., centroid, multiplication, circular convolution, predication, comparison, and dilation) are compared in terms of the quality of the computation of the attributional similarity for English and Japanese noun compounds. To evaluate the performance of the computation of the similarity, this study uses three tasks (i.e., related word ranking, similarity correlation, and semantic classification), and two types of semantic spaces (i.e., latent semantic analysis-based and positive pointwise mutual information-based spaces). The result of these tasks is that the dilation algorithm is generally most effective in computing the similarity of noun compounds, while the multiplication algorithm is best suited specifically for the positive pointwise mutual information-based space. In addition, the comparison algorithm works better for unfamiliar noun compounds that do not occur in the corpus. These findings indicate that in general a semantic space model, and in particular the dilation, multiplication, and comparison algorithms have sufficient ability to compute the attributional similarity for noun compounds.
Fast-food menu offerings vary in dietary quality, but are consistently poor
Authors: Kirkpatrick Sharon I , Reedy Jill , Kahle Lisa L , Harris Jennifer L , Ohri-Vachaspati Punam , Krebs-Smith Susan M
Published: January 2013

Objective

To evaluate five popular fast-food chains’ menus in relation to dietary guidance.

Design

Menus posted on chains’ websites were coded using the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and MyPyramid Equivalents Database to enable Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores to be assigned. Dollar or value and kids’ menus and sets of items promoted as healthy or nutritious were also assessed.

Setting

Five popular fast-food chains in the USA.

Subjects

Not applicable.

Results

Full menus scored lower than 50 out of 100 possible points on the HEI-2005. Scores for Total Fruit, Whole Grains and Sodium were particularly dismal. Compared with full menus, scores on dollar or value menus were 3 points higher on average, whereas kids’ menus scored 10 points higher on average. Three chains marketed subsets of items as healthy or nutritious; these scored 17 points higher on average compared with the full menus. No menu or subset of menu items received a score higher than 72 out of 100 points.

Conclusions

The poor quality of fast-food menus is a concern in light of increasing away-from-home eating, aggressive marketing to children and minorities, and the tendency for fast-food restaurants to be located in low-income and minority areas. The addition of fruits, vegetables and legumes; replacement of refined with whole grains; and reformulation of offerings high in sodium, solid fats and added sugars are potential strategies to improve fast-food offerings. The HEI may be a useful metric for ongoing monitoring of fast-food menus.
Understanding chromatin and chromosomes: from static views to dynamic thinking
Authors: Haering Christian H , Losada Ana
Published: January 2013

The 106th Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds International Titisee Conference, ‘Reconstituting Chromatin: From Self‐assembly to Self‐organization’, took place in October 2012. The organizers, Andrea Musacchio and Tom Muir, brought together biologists, chemists and physicists to discuss the principles of chromosome assembly and organization. Topics of discussion ranged from new insights gained from the static views provided by crystal structures to analyses of chromatin dynamics inside living cells.
Death takes a holiday—non‐apoptotic role for caspases in cell migration and invasion
Authors: Portela Marta , Richardson Helena E
Published: January 2013

Many types of cancer exhibit significantly elevated caspase activity and this is positively correlated with tumour aggression. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Cagan and colleagues reveal a non‐apoptotic role for active caspase in cell migration in Drosophila.
Navigating the enhancement landscape
Authors: Forlini Cynthia , Hall Wayne , Maxwell Bruce , Outram Simon M , Reiner Peter B , Repantis Dimitris , Schermer Maartje , Racine Eric
Published: January 2013

Research into the efficacy and safety of cognitive enhancers for recreational or lifestyle use has not been done. Should society pay for studies that might improve the lives of already healthy people?
Research funding is not enough
Authors: Hunter Philip
Published: January 2013

Universities compete for research money but at the risk of neglecting teaching and maintenance of their infrastructure.
Use of 3-D Plate in Displaced Angle Fracture of Mandible
Authors: Pal Uma Shanker , Singh R.K. , Dhasmana Satish , Das Somdipto , Das Sanjib K.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Mandibular angle fractures can be treated by various methods, but even the most popular methods may not be able to give satisfactory results, as the pterygomasseteric sling and masticatory forces can result in displaced angle fracture. These displaced fragments cannot be satisfactorily retained by single miniplate fixation. The aim of this study is to assess treatment of displaced angle fracture with 3-D miniplate fixation. This study can also be considered as a therapeutic study with level V evidence.

Materials and Methods

This study was designed to assess the feasibility of 3-D matrix miniplate fixation in displaced angle fractures. Eighteen patients with displaced angle fractures were included in this study. Matrix miniplate fixation was done transorally under general anesthesia.

Results

All these cases were treated successfully, and common complications like infection (5.5% of patients), wound dehiscence (11%), paresthesia (16.7%), and malocclusion (11%) were observed in our study.

Conclusions

Three-dimensional miniplate fixation in displaced angle fractures provides better stability and function.
Language Quality in Requirements Development: Tracing Communication in the Process of Information Systems Development
Authors: Rosenkranz Christoph , Charaf Marianne Corvera , Holten Roland
Published: January 2013

Knowledge transfer, communication, and shared understanding between project stakeholders are important factors in requirements development and in the information systems development process. Nevertheless, the impact and analysis of language and linguistic communication during requirements development is still an open issue. In our research, we claim that requirements development depends on the ability to deal with language and communication issues in practice and reach shared understanding of requirements. We propose the concept of language quality as a suitable means for analyzing the emergence of coherent and meaningful requirements. By applying the thereby developed dimensions of language quality to a real information systems development project, we are able to obtain practice-grounded propositions to further evaluate the consequences of different actions on the interaction and communication process of stakeholders in requirements development.
Performance of the Los Alamos National Laboratory spallation-driven solid-deuterium ultra-cold neutron source
Authors: Saunders A. , Makela M. , Bagdasarova Y. , Back H. O. , Boissevain J. , Broussard L. J. , Bowles T. J. , Carr R. , Currie S. A. , Filippone B. , García A. , Geltenbort P. , Hickerson K. P. , Hill R. E. , Hoagland J. , Hoedl S. , Holley A. T. , Hogan G. , Ito T. M. , Lamoreaux Steve , Liu Chen-Yu , Liu J. , Mammei R. R. , Martin J. , Melconian D. , Mendenhall M. P. , Morris C. L. , Mortensen R. N. , Pattie R. W. , Pitt M. , Plaster B. , Ramsey J. , Rios R. , Sallaska A. , Seestrom S. J. , Sharapov E. I. , Sjue S. , Sondheim W. E. , Teasdale W. , Young A. R. , VornDick B. , Vogelaar R. B. , Wang Z. , Xu Yanping
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we describe the performance of the Los Alamos spallation-driven solid-deuterium ultra-cold neutron (UCN) source. Measurements of the cold neutron flux, the very low energy neutron production rate, and the UCN rates and density at the exit from the biological shield are presented and compared to Monte Carlo predictions. The cold neutron rates compare well with predictions from the Monte Carlo code MCNPX and the UCN rates agree with our custom UCN Monte Carlo code. The source is shown to perform as modeled. The maximum delivered UCN density at the exit from the biological shield is 52(9) UCN/cc with a solid deuterium volume of ∼1500 cm3.
Molecular dynamics simulations of diffusion and clustering along critical isotherms of medium-chain n-alkanes
Authors: Mutoru J. W. , Smith W. , O’Hern C. S. , Firoozabadi A.
Published: January 2013

Understanding the transport properties of molecular fluids in the critical region is important for a number of industrial and natural systems. In the literature, there are conflicting reports on the behavior of the self diffusion coefficient Ds in the critical region of single-component molecular systems. For example, Ds could decrease to zero, reach a maximum, or remain unchanged and finite at the critical point. Moreover, there is no molecular-scale understanding of the behavior of diffusion coefficients in molecular fluids in the critical regime. We perform extensive molecular dynamics simulations in the critical region of single-component fluids composed of medium-chain n-alkanes—n-pentane, n-decane, and n-dodecane—that interact via anisotropic united-atom potentials. For each system, we calculate Ds, and average molecular cluster sizes \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\kappa _\text{cl}$\end{document}κcl and numbers \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$N_\text{cl}$\end{document}Ncl at various cluster lifetimes τ, as a function of density ρ in the range 0.2ρc ⩽ ρ ⩽ 2.0ρc at the critical temperature Tc. We find that Ds decreases with increasing ρ but remains finite at the critical point. Moreover, for any given τ < 1.2 × 10−12 s, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\kappa _\text{cl}$\end{document}κcl increases with increasing ρ but is also finite at the critical point.
A Noether theorem for Markov processes
Authors: Baez John C. , Fong Brendan
Published: January 2013

Noether's theorem links the symmetries of a quantum system with its conserved quantities, and is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics. Here we prove a version of Noether's theorem for Markov processes. In quantum mechanics, an observable commutes with the Hamiltonian if and only if its expected value remains constant in time for every state. For Markov processes that no longer hold, but an observable commutes with the Hamiltonian if and only if both its expected value and standard deviation are constant in time for every state.
Phthalocyanine dimers in a blend: Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of MnPcδ +/F16CoPcδ −
Authors: Lindner Susi , Mahns Benjamin , König Andreas , Roth Friedrich , Knupfer Martin , Friedrich Rico , Hahn Torsten , Kortus Jens
Published: January 2013

We have prepared mixed phthalocyanine films out of MnPc and F16CoPc, which were characterized by means of photoemission spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Our data reveal the formation of MnPc/F16CoPc charge transfer dimers in analogy to the related heterojunction. The electronic excitation spectrum of these blends is characterized by a new low energy excitation at 0.6 eV. Density functional theory calculations show that the new signal is caused by a strong absorption between the states of the interface induced two level system.
Nodal soliton solutions for quasilinear Schrödinger equations with critical exponent
Authors: Deng Yinbin , Peng Shuangjie , Wang Jixiu
Published: January 2013

This paper is concerned with constructing nodal radial solutions for quasilinear Schrödinger equations in \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathbb {R}^N$\end{document}RN with critical growth which have appeared as several models in mathematical physics. For any given integer k ⩾ 0, by using a change of variables and minimization argument, we obtain a sign-changing minimizer with k nodes of a minimization problem. Since the critical exponent appears and the lower order term may change sign, we should use more delicate arguments.
Velocity relaxation of an ellipsoid immersed in a viscous incompressible fluid
Authors: Felderhof B. U.
Published: January 2013

The motion of an ellipsoid in a viscous incompressible fluid, caused by a small time-dependent applied force, is studied on the basis of the linearized Navier-Stokes equations in terms of the frequency-dependence of the friction tensor. The asymptotic behavior of the hydrodynamic force at high frequency contains a term linear in frequency, with an added mass coefficient, and a term proportional to the square root of frequency, with a Basset coefficient. The latter is calculated from an expression derived by Batchelor [An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1967)]. A simple approximate three-pole expression is proposed for the frequency-dependent admittance for each principal direction, embodying added mass, particle mass, the steady state friction coefficient, and the Basset coefficient. It is suggested that a remaining unknown coefficient in the expression be determined by experiment, computer simulation, or numerical solution of an integral equation derived by Pozrikidis [“A study of linearized oscillatory flow past particles by the boundary-integral method,” J. Fluid Mech. 202, 17 (1989)10.1017/S0022112089001084].
A constraint for the subgrid-scale stresses in the logarithmic region of high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers: A solution to the log-layer mismatch problem
Authors: Wu Peng , Meyers Johan
Published: January 2013

This paper addresses one of the most persisting problems in wall-modeled large eddy simulation (LES): the overshoot of the mean velocity gradient near the wall, often referred to as the “log-layer mismatch” problem. An analysis of the relationship between turbulent kinetic energy budgets and mean velocity gradient is elaborated for both direct numerical simulations and LES of fully developed channel flow at high Reynolds number. Based on the analysis, a self-adaptive Smagorinsky model for LES of high-Reynolds-number boundary layer flows is proposed, in which the Smagorinsky coefficient is dynamically adjusted so that a logarithmic mean velocity distribution is captured. The model is then implemented in a second-order finite-volume code, and applied to a high-Reynolds-number channel flow with rough walls. We find that the desired logarithmic mean velocity distribution is well predicted for different resolutions and grid aspect ratios.
Modelling of GaAsP/InGaAs/GaAs strain-balanced multiple-quantum well solar cells
Authors: Cabrera C. I. , Rimada J. C. , Connolly J. P. , Hernandez L.
Published: January 2013

A model of strain balanced quantum well solar cells is presented, together with a high efficiency design for a GaAsP/InGaAs/GaAs device. The effect of tensile and compressive strain on bandstructure is considered in order to compute the electron and hole dispersion relation E(k) in conduction and valence bands. The optical transitions in quantum well and barrier are evaluated and the quantum efficiency, dark current and the photocurrent calculated. Experimental data quantum efficiency and dark current are compared with theoretical calculations in the presence of strain, showing a good agreement. The resulting model is initially applied to a GaAsP/InGaAs/GaAs solar cell and the structure optimised to yield the greatest output power. The model is also applied to the problem of determining the highest efficiencies achievable for quantum well solar cells as a function of strain and confirms the high efficiency potential of strained quantum well solar cells.
Charge transport in HfO2 due to multiphonon traps ionization mechanism in SiO2/HfO2 stacks
Authors: Novikov Yu. N.
Published: January 2013

Theoretically, the gate leakage current of the metal-oxide-semiconductors structure composed of hafnium oxide (HfO2) is studied. In a broad range of electric fields and temperatures, experimental data are described within the multiphonon traps ionization mechanism in HfO2.
Interface states in metal-insulator-semiconductor Pt-GaN diode hydrogen sensors
Authors: Irokawa Yoshihiro
Published: January 2013

Exposure of Pt-SiO2-GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diodes to hydrogen at room temperature is found not only to shift the flat-band voltage toward negative bias values as compared with that in nitrogen, which results in significant sensitivity of the devices to hydrogen, but also to reduce the interface state density (Dit) dramatically for the first time. Pt-SiO2-GaN MIS diodes in nitrogen yields the Dit of ∼8 × 1011 cm−2 eV−1 at 0.4 eV from the conduction band edge (Ec), and hydrogen exposure reduces the Dit by more than one order of magnitude to the low 1010 cm−2 eV−1 range. In sharp contrast to Pt-SiO2-GaN MIS diodes, neither flat-band voltage shift nor Dit (∼1 × 1013 cm−2 eV−1 at 0.4 eV) reduction is observed for Pt-SixNy-GaN MIS diodes upon hydrogen exposure. These results suggest that atomic hydrogen interacts with MIS interface in Pt-SiO2-GaN MIS diodes even at room temperature. In addition, hydrogen treatment would be a promising method in order to reduce the Dit in GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors using SiO2 as the gate dielectric, leading to the mobility enhancement of the devices.
Nonlocal optical properties in InGaN/GaN strained quantum wells with a strong built-in electric field
Authors: Chen Shaojuan , Wang Guanghui
Published: January 2013

Based on the microscopic nonlocal optical response theory, the linear and nonlinear intersubband optical absorption properties in InyGa1−yN/GaN strained single quantum wells (SQWs) with a strong built-in electric field are investigated. The numerical results show that the optical absorption spectrum has an obvious blueshift originating from the nonlocal optical responses. The dependence of the blueshift on the SQW width and the mixing fraction y is clarified. In addition, the influence of the SQW structural parameters, the incident light intensity, and the incident angle on the optical absorption properties is demonstrated. These properties are desirable for controlling the nonlocal effect and optical absorption loss in optical device application.
Search for spin gapless semiconductors: The case of inverse Heusler compounds
Authors: Skaftouros S. , Özdoğan K. , Şaşıoğlu E. , Galanakis I.
Published: January 2013

We employ ab-initio electronic structure calculations to search for spin gapless semiconductors among the inverse Heusler compounds. The occurrence of this property is not accompanied by a general rule and results are materials specific. The six compounds identified show semiconducting behavior concerning the spin-down band structure and in the spin-up band structure the valence and conduction bands touch each other leading to 100% spin-polarized carriers. Moreover, these six compounds should exhibit also high Curie temperatures and thus are suitable for spintronics applications.