bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of manufacturing deviations in waveguide filters and manifold multiplexers using metal insertions
Authors: Cogollos Santiago , Carceller Carlos , Taroncher Mariam , Boria Vicente E. , Guglielmi Marco , Vicente Carlos , Brumos María
Published: May 2015

Microwave filters and multiplexers commonly employ tuning screws to compensate for small errors occurring during the fabrication process. Nevertheless, the use of tuning screws has some disadvantages, because the small gaps between the screws and the holes are prone to create unwanted effects when dealing with high-power signals, especially for space applications, and are also the source of potential radiation losses. In this paper, an alternative technique to correct manufacturing deviations is presented, in which tuning screws are replaced by fixed metal insertions. In this case, the correction is made by means of designing new insertion pieces that will be able to correct those small deviations. In order to find the dimensions of the new pieces, a space-mapping technique is applied. For verification purposes, the method has been applied over a circular-waveguide dual-mode filter and later over a manifold multiplexer containing the same type of filters. However, the technique can be directly extended to other types of waveguide filters and multiplexers where tuning screws are also employed.
Motivational Interviewing: Ein Literaturüberblick
Authors: Demmel Ralf
Published: May 2015

Der dysfunktionale Konsum psychotroper Substanzen geht in der Regel mit einem Zwiespalt zwischen
Abstinenzvorsatz bzw. der Absicht, den Konsum zu reduzieren, einerseits und dem Wunsch oder Zwang, den Konsum fortzusetzen, andererseits einher. Das
von Miller und Rollnick (1991) beschriebene Motivational Interviewing (MI) ist ein zugleich klientenzentrierter und direktiver Behandlungsstil, der dieser
Ambivalenz Rechnung tragen und somit Veränderungsbereitschaft erhöhen soll. Miller und Rollnick (1991) nennen fünf Prinzipien motivationaler Gesprächsführung: Empathie, Widersprüche aufzeigen, Wortgefechte vermeiden, Nachgiebig auf Widerstand reagieren und Selbstwirksamkeit
fördern. Diese Prinzipien stimmen mit den Annahmen (sozial-) psychologischer Modelle der Einstellungs- und Verhaltensänderung überein. Seit Ende der achtziger Jahre wurden vorwiegend in den angelsächsischen Ländern verschiedene motivationale Interventionen zur Sekundärprävention und Behandlung von Substanzabhängigkeit und -missbrauch entwickelt, die den von Miller und Rollnick (1991) formulierten Behandlungsprinzipien entsprechen
(der Drinkers Checkup, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, das Harm-Reduction-Programm BASICS,
Brief Motivational Interviewing, Brief Negotiation sowie eine Reihe weiterer motivationaler Kurzinterventionen). Vor dem Hintergrund der bislang vorliegenden Literatur erscheint insbesondere die Durchführung standardisierter motivationaler Interventionen zur Reduktion dysfunktionalen Alkoholkonsums bzw. der negativen Konsequenzen eines fortgesetzten Alkoholmissbrauchs gerechtfertigt. Voraussetzungen
einer Optimierung des Behandlungserfolgs sind neben der Identifikation zentraler Wirkmechanismen
u.a. eine fortlaufende Prozess-Evaluation der Implementierung motivationaler Interventionen sowie eine evidenzbasierte Ausbildung.
Nüchtern, trocken und enthaltsam oder: Problematische Implikationen metaphorischer Konzepte der Abstinenz
Authors: Schmitt Rudolf
Published: May 2015

Die drei gebräuchlichsten deutschen Worte für den Nichtgebrauch von Alkohol, »nüchtern«, »trocken« und »enthaltsam«, sind Metaphern, die Abstinenz unattraktiv darstellen. Aus Interviews in einem Berufsbildungswerk werden zwei metaphorische Konzepte vorgestellt, die Abstinenz positiv besetzen und die Sprache der KlientInnen ernst nehmen.
Monitoring von Medikamentenmissbrauch in der Klientel ambulanter Einrichtungen: Wie repräsentativ ist die Stichprobe ebis-med?
Authors: Simon Roland , Kraus Ludwig , Pfeiffer Tim , Strobl Michael
Published: May 2015

Ziel: Überprüfung der Repräsentativität
von ebis-med für Aussagen zum
Medikamentmissbrauch in der Klientel
ambulanter Beratungsstellen.

Methodik: Eckdaten über ambulante
Beratungsstellen wurden aus den Datenbeständen
zu 615 ebis-Einrichtungen
bzw. per Fragebogen aus 673 sonstigen
Einrichtungen gewonnen und
mit ebis-med (N=25) verglichen.

Ergebnisse:
Nur wenige Vergleiche zwischen
ebis-med und ebis bzw. den sonstigen
Einrichtungen zeigen signifikante
Unterschiede. Allerdings liegt
der Anteil von Klienten im Bereich illegaler
Drogen in ebis-med deutlich niedriger.

Schlussfolgerungen: Die Repräsentativität
ist in Bezug auf Monitoring
von Medikamentmissbrauch in
der Klientel und Trendbetrachtungen
gegeben. Bei Hochrechnungen und
Prävalenzschätzungen muss der niedrigere
Anteil illegaler Drogen jedoch
berücksichtigt werden.
Characterization of the Escherichia coli σS core regulon by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis
Authors: Peano Clelia , Wolf Johannes , Demol Julien , Rossi Elio , Petiti Luca , De Bellis Gianluca , Geiselmann Johannes , Egli Thomas , Lacour Stephan , Landini Paolo
Published: May 2015

In bacteria, selective promoter recognition by RNA polymerase is achieved by its association with σ factors, accessory subunits able to direct RNA polymerase “core enzyme” (E) to different promoter sequences. Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), we searched for promoters bound by the σS-associated RNA polymerase form (EσS) during transition from exponential to stationary phase. We identified 63 binding sites for EσS overlapping known or putative promoters, often located upstream of genes (encoding either ORFs or non-coding RNAs) showing at least some degree of dependence on the σS-encoding rpoS gene. EσS binding did not always correlate with an increase in transcription level, suggesting that, at some σS-dependent promoters, EσS might remain poised in a pre-initiation state upon binding. A large fraction of EσS-binding sites corresponded to promoters recognized by RNA polymerase associated with σ70 or other σ factors, suggesting a considerable overlap in promoter recognition between different forms of RNA polymerase. In particular, EσS appears to contribute significantly to transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in LPS biosynthesis and in cell surface composition. Finally, our results highlight a direct role of EσS in the regulation of non coding RNAs, such as OmrA/B, RyeA/B and SibC.
Multisensory attention training for treatment of tinnitus
Authors: D. P. Spiegel , T. Linford , B. Thompson , M. A. Petoe , K. Kobayashi , C. M. Stinear , G. D. Searchfield
Published: May 2015

Tinnitus is the conscious perception of sound with no physical sound source. Some models of tinnitus pathophysiology suggest that networks associated with attention, memory, distress and multisensory experience are involved in tinnitus perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a multisensory attention training paradigm which used audio, visual and somatosensory stimulation would reduce tinnitus. Eighteen participants with predominantly unilateral chronic tinnitus were randomized between two groups receiving 20 daily sessions of either integration (attempting to reduce salience to tinnitus by binding with multisensory stimuli) or attention diversion (multisensory stimuli opposite side to tinnitus) training. The training resulted in small but statistically significant reductions in Tinnitus Functional Index and Tinnitus Severity Numeric Scale scores and improved attentional abilities. No statistically significant improvements in tinnitus were found between the training groups. This study demonstrated that a short period of multisensory attention training reduced unilateral tinnitus, but directing attention toward or away from the tinnitus side did not differentiate this effect.
Preparation of a reduced graphene oxide/poly-l-glutathione nanocomposite for electrochemical detection of 4-aminophenol in orange juice samples
Authors: Vilian A. T. Ezhil , Veeramani Vediyappan , Chen Shen-Ming , Madhu Rajesh , Huh Yun Suk , Han Young-Kyu
Published: May 2015

Schematic representation of the preparation of the RGO/P-l-GSH film.
Molybdenum blue photometry method for the determination of colloidal silica and soluble silica in leaching solution
Authors: Yang Hailong , Li Cunxiong , Wei Chang , Li Minting , Li Xingbin , Deng Zhigan , Fan Gang
Published: May 2015

An improved analytical procedure has been described for the spectrophotometric determination of colloidal silica in leaching solution by means of adding fluoride to convert colloidal silica into reactive silica.
Heterobimetallic complexes with redox-active mesoionic carbenes as metalloligands: electrochemical properties, electronic structures and catalysis
Authors: Hettmanczyk Lara , Manck Sinja , Hoyer Carolin , Hohloch Stephan , Sarkar Biprajit
Published: May 2015

Electronic structures and redox-induced catalysis are presented with the first example of heterobimetallic ferrocenyl–Au(i) complexes with mesoionic carbenes.
Templated microstructural growth of perovskite thin films via colloidal monolayer lithography
Authors: Hörantner M. T. , Zhang W. , Saliba M. , Wojciechowski K. , Snaith H. J.
Published: May 2015

Highly ordered perovskite domains within metal oxide honeycomb structures for optoelectronic applications.
Renewable gasoline-range aromatics and hydrogen-enriched fuel gas from biomass via catalytic microwave-induced pyrolysis
Authors: Zhang Xuesong , Lei Hanwu , Wang Lu , Zhu Lei , Wei Yi , Liu Yupeng , Yadavalli Gayatri , Yan Di
Published: May 2015

A pathway for producing renewable gasoline-range aromatics and hydrogen-enriched fuel gases from biomass via catalytic microwave-induced pyrolysis.
Substituted 4-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles: synthesis, characterization and first drug design applications through bioisosteric modulation and scaffold hopping approaches
Authors: Pippione Agnese C. , Dosio Franco , Ducime Alex , Federico Antonella , Martina Katia , Sainas Stefano , Frølund Bente , Gooyit Major , Janda Kim D. , Boschi Donatella , Lolli Marco L.
Published: May 2015

The hydroxytriazole system is here analysed and used to modulate acidic moieties present in lead compounds.
The role of nanoscale defect features in enhancing the thermoelectric performance of p-type nanostructured SiGe alloys
Authors: Bathula Sivaiah , Jayasimhadri M. , Gahtori Bhasker , Singh Niraj Kumar , Tyagi Kriti , Srivastava A. K. , Dhar Ajay
Published: May 2015

A substantial enhancement in ZT ∼ 1.2 at 900 °C has been realized in p-type nanostructured Si80Ge20 alloys by creating nano-to-meso scale defect features.
A novel nanoporous Fe-doped lithium manganese phosphate material with superior long-term cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zuo Pengjian , Wang Liguang , Zhang Wei , Yin Geping , Ma Yulin , Du Chunyu , Cheng Xinqun , Gao Yunzhi
Published: May 2015

LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 exhibits an ultralong cycling ability exceeding 1000 cycles with a capacity decay of 0.0068 mA h g−1 loss per cycle.
Phosphonate derivatives of tetraazamacrocycles as new inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases
Authors: Kobzar Oleksandr L. , Shevchuk Michael V. , Lyashenko Alesya N. , Tanchuk Vsevolod Yu. , Romanenko Vadim D. , Kobelev Sergei M. , Averin Alexei D. , Beletskaya Irina P. , Vovk Andriy I. , Kukhar Valery P.
Published: May 2015

α,α-Difluoro-β-ketophosphonate derivatives of tetraazamacrocycles were synthesized and found to be potential inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases.
A eutectic mixture of choline chloride and urea as an assisting solvent in the synthesis of flower-like hierarchical BiOCl structures with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Ge Jianhua , Guo Xuetao , Xu Xin , Zhang Pingping , Zhu Jingling , Wang Jingbo
Published: May 2015

Flower-like hierarchical BiOCl structures were successfully synthesized in the presence of a eutectic mixture of choline chloride and urea through a solvothermal process.
Highly enterprising calcium zirconium phosphate [CaZr4(PO4)6:Dy3+, Ce3+] phosphor for white light emission
Authors: Nair Govind B. , Dhoble S. J.
Published: May 2015

A series of CaZr4(PO4)6:Dy3+, CaZr4(PO4)6:Ce3+and CaZr4(PO4)6:Dy3+, Ce3+phosphors were prepared by the solid state reaction process.
Prospects for multitarget lipid-raft-coated silica beads: a remarkable online biomaterial for discovering multitarget antitumor lead compounds
Authors: Firempong Caleb Kesse , Cao Xia , Tong Shanshan , Yu Jiangnan , Xu Ximing
Published: May 2015

Application of lipid raft biomaterial with multiple cancer-related receptors for screening novel multitarget antitumour lead compounds.
Diindenothienoacene–tetrathiafulvalene redox systems
Authors: Christensen Mikkel A. , Rudebusch Gabriel E. , Parker Christian R. , Andersen Cecilie Lindholm , Kadziola Anders , Haley Michael M. , Hammerich Ole , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: May 2015

The redox properties and cation associations of extended tetrathiafulvalenes with diindenothienoacene cores are strongly dependent on the number and regioisomeric structural orientation of the central thiophene units.
UV-activated multilayer nanomatrix provides one-step tunable carbohydrate structural characterization in MALDI-MS
Authors: Obena Rofeamor P. , Tseng Mei-Chun , Primadona Indah , Hsiao Jun , Li I-Che , Capangpangan Rey Y. , Lu Hsiu-Fong , Li Wan-Sheung , Chao Ito , Lin Chun-Cheng , Chen Yu-Ju
Published: May 2015

Our work highlights DHB@MNP-induced pseudo-MS/MS for oligosaccharide characterization, with some insights on this nanoparticle-mediated energy transfer dynamics.
Highly sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent probes for Cu2+ based on rhodamine B
Authors: Yuan Ye , Sun Shiguo , Liu Si , Song Xinwei , Peng Xiaojun
Published: May 2015

A new rhodamine B-based fluorescent probe RL for Cu2+ has been designed, synthesized, and characterized.
3D printing technology to control BMP-2 and VEGF delivery spatially and temporally to promote large-volume bone regeneration
Authors: Park Ju Young , Shim Jin-Hyung , Choi Song-Ah , Jang Jinah , Kim Myungshin , Lee Sang Hwa , Cho Dong-Woo
Published: May 2015

When large engineered tissue structures are used to achieve tissue regeneration, formation of vasculature is an essential process.
Prenatal ethanol exposure induces an intrauterine programming of enhanced sensitivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in female offspring rats fed with post-weaning high-fat diet
Authors: Lu Juan , Wen Yinxian , Zhang Li , Zhang Chong , Zhong Weihua , Zhang Lu , Yu Ying , Chen Liaobin , Xu Dan , Wang Hui
Published: May 2015

“Intrauterine programming” involved in the intrauterine origin of prenatal ethanol exposure induced enhanced sensitivity of the HPA axis in female offspring rats fed with high-fat diet.
Compact folded dipole rectenna with RF‐based energy harvesting for IoT smart sensors
Authors: Khang Seung‐Tae , Yu Jong Won , Lee Wang‐Sang
Published: May 2015

For demonstrating autonomous operation of the Internet of things (IoT) smart sensors, the compact folded dipole rectenna with radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting is proposed. The rectifying circuits in the proposed rectenna consist of the impedance matching network and the voltage multiplier for the optimised received power. It has achieved the RF‐dc conversion efficiency of approximately 23% when illuminated by a radio signal of 1 mW available power from the commercial UHF RFID reader.
Four‐fingered lightweight exoskeleton robotic device accommodating different hand sizes
Authors: Iqbal J. , Tsagarakis N.G. , Caldwell D.G.
Published: May 2015

A wearable hand exoskeleton (EXO) device that permits exertion of bidirectional forces on finger phalanges throughout the human finger workspace is proposed. The novelty of the proposed device lies in its direct‐driven, portable and optimised mechanism with the ability to adjust variable hand sizes in addition to other distinguishing features. The adjustable link lengths and structure of the device have emerged from kinematic‐based optimisation criterion, which targets the natural finger workspace. The selection of actuators for the EXO is backed by the results of experiments conducted using appropriate sensory instrumentation to measure the force exertion levels of a human hand. A four‐fingered prototype of the EXO is designed and fabricated. The device is then subjected to various test inputs to characterise the tracking performance. Preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed device can flex and extend the fingers following accurate trajectories.
Hyperaccumulators from the serpentines of Andaman, India
Authors: Datta S. , Chaudhury K. , Mukherjee P. K.
Published: May 2015

Serpentines are reported to occur over wide areas at or near the surface in the Andaman group of islands of India. Rutland Island and Chidyatappu in South Andaman and the Saddle Hills in North Andaman possess ophiolites in contiguous blocks covering appreciable areas. The soils had a low nutrient content and high concentrations of nickel, varying from 2700 to 10 100 μg g–1. In total, 11 hyperaccumulators of nickel were identified from the Andaman group, belonging to eight genera and seven families. Of these, Dichapetalum gelonioides (Roxb.) Engl. subsp. andamanicum (King) Leenh. and Rinorea bengalensis O.Kuntze accumulated nickel up to 30 000 μg g–1 dry leaf. The vegetation was evergreen, broad-leaved sclerophyllous scrub, with trees never exceeding 4–5 m in height.
Synthesis of Eu-Doped Bi2O3/CeO2 Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity by a Facile Sol–Gel–Calcination Route
Authors: Zhang Fengjun , Xiao Guosheng , Lu Wei , Wang Tianye , Xuan Limin , Yu Jie
Published: May 2015

Eu-Doped Bi2O3/CeO2 composites were successfully synthesized by a facile sol–gel–calcination route. The as-prepared composites were prepared with different molar ratios of Bi/Ce/Eu by the sol–gel route, and then calcined at 500°C for 2 h. The photocatalytic efficiencies of all composites were tested by degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The result suggested that the best composite is the one that was prepared with a Bi/Ce/Eu mole ratio of 8 : 8 : 1, and achieved a MO degradation rate of nearly 98.5 % within 2 h of irradiation. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results suggested that Eu doping may have led to some lattice distortion and particle aggregation that enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. The UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy results showed that Eu-doped Bi2O3/CeO2 exhibited higher visible light response properties and enhanced separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs, which is the main reason for the higher photocatalytic activity. In general, this study could provide a facile route to synthesize Eu-doped Bi2O3/CeO2 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity by a sol–gel–calcination route for environmental purification.
Cusps and butterflies: multiple stable states in marine systems as catastrophes
Authors: Petraitis P. S. , Dudgeon S. R.
Published: May 2015

Ecologists usually view smooth threshold-like shifts and sudden discontinuous jumps in stable states as an either–or proposition. This need not be the case, and using only graphs and no equations, it will be shown how it is possible to have a single model containing one, two or three stable points. This is not a new idea and the basics, known as catastrophe theory, were developed in the 1960s, and are well known to engineers and physicists. Systems with two stable points, which are known as cusp catastrophes, and those with three points, which are known as butterfly catastrophes, will be introduced without equations. Coral reefs and temperate intertidal rocky shores are discussed as possible examples of cusp and butterfly catastrophes. It has also been well known since the 1960s that there are nine hallmarks of catastrophes, and the relative merit of these hallmarks for use by experimentalists will be discussed. The hallmarks can be placed into three groups: the shape of the equilibrium surface (modality and inaccessibility), the behaviour of the equilibrium points as conditions change (discontinuous jumps, hysteresis, divergence and one-jump paths) and transient behaviour near cusps and folds (critical slowing down, anomalous variances and non-linear responses). There are two caveats. First, hysteresis and divergence may not occur in systems with noise. Second, unusual transient behaviour such as critical slowing down is not unique to systems with catastrophes and can be found in systems with smooth threshold-like shifts. We suggest that the two-state system of rockweeds and mussels in the Gulf of Maine is an example of a cusp catastrophe, and the three-state systems of corals, seaweeds and algal turfs may be an example of a butterfly catastrophe. In closing, we speculate why ecologists have overlooked and then reinvented catastrophe theory and rediscovered its hallmarks.
Syntactic and prosodic focus marking in contact varieties of South African English
Authors: Zerbian Sabine
Published: May 2015

The article presents results of an elicited-production study investigating syntactic and prosodic consequences of language contact on two varieties of multilingual Black speakers of South African English, namely Black South African English (BlSAfE) and a newly emerging variety by Black speakers (“crossing over variety”). The results indicate that contact varieties of South African English share syntactic traits of General South African English (GenSAfE) relating to focus marking. At the same time, BlSAfE also shows differences in the frequency of use of the syntactic structures. The differences cannot be accounted for solely by L1 influence. Also, in prosody, significant differences between the varieties emerge. For BlSAfE, the differences can be related to L1 influence. A language can exert its influence differently on different areas of another language’s grammar: With respect to syntax the “crossing over” variety groups with GenSAfE, with respect to prosody it is in-between GenSAfE and BlSAfE.
A DETAILED STUDY OF GIANTS AND HORIZONTAL BRANCH STARS IN M68: ATMOSPHERIC PARAMETERS AND CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES
Authors: Schaeuble M. , Preston G. , Sneden C. , Thompson I. B. , Shectman S. A. , Burley G. S.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we present a detailed high-resolution spectroscopic study of post main sequence stars in the globular cluster (GC) M68. Our sample, which covers a range of 4000 K in

, and 3.5 dex in log(g), is comprised of members from the red giant, red horizontal, and blue horizontal branch, making this the first high-resolution GC study covering such a large evolutionary and parameter space. Initially, atmospheric parameters were determined using photometric as well as spectroscopic methods, both of which resulted in unphysical and unexpected

, log(g),

, and [Fe/H] combinations. We therefore developed a hybrid approach that addresses most of these problems, and yields atmospheric parameters that agree well with other measurements in the literature. Furthermore, our derived stellar metallicities are consistent across all evolutionary stages, with

[Fe/H]

= −2.42 (σ = 0.14) from 25 stars. Chemical abundances obtained using our methodology also agree with previous studies and bear all the hallmarks of GCs, such as a Na-O anti-correlation, constant Ca abundances, and mild r-process enrichment.
Quantum dynamics of tunneling dominated reactions at low temperatures
Authors: Hazra Jisha , Balakrishnan N
Published: May 2015

We report a quantum dynamics study of the Li + HF → LiF + H reaction at low temperatures of interest to cooling and trapping experiments. Contributions from non-zero partial waves are analyzed and results show narrow resonances in the energy dependence of the cross section that survive partial wave summation. The computations are performed using the ABC code and a simple modification of the ABC code that enables separate energy cutoffs for the reactant and product rovibrational energy levels is found to dramatically reduce the basis set size and computational expense. Results obtained using two ab initio electronic potential energy surfaces for the LiHF system show strong sensitivity to the choice of the potential. In particular, small differences in the barrier heights of the two potential surfaces are found to dramatically influence the reaction cross sections at low energies. Comparison with recent measurements of the reaction cross section (Bobbenkamp et al 2011 J. Chem. Phys.
135 204306) shows similar energy dependence in the threshold regime and an overall good agreement with experimental data compared to previous theoretical results. Also, usefulness of a recently introduced method for ultracold reactions that employ the quantum close-coupling method at short-range and the multichannel quantum defect theory at long-range, is demonstrated in accurately evaluating product state-resolved cross sections for D + H2 and H + D2 reactions.
7. Defences to Negligence
Authors: Witting Christian
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines several defences in negligence cases, including contributory negligence, voluntary assumption of risk, express exclusion or limitation of liability, and illegality. This chapter explains that the plea of voluntary assumption of risk and the defences of express exclusion of liability and illegality can help the defendant reduce liability or avoid liability altogether. It argues that contributory negligence is by far the most important of these defences in practical terms.
24. Vicarious Liability
Authors: Witting Christian
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines the provisions of tort law on vicarious liability. It discusses the distinction between employees and independent contractors and explains that an employer is ordinarily liable only for the torts of his employees and not for torts committed by mere independent contractors. This chapter also considers various justifications for the imposition of stricter liability in tort law and evaluates whether a separate category of agent should be included in vicarious liability.
26. Remedies:
Authors: Witting Christian
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines the basic principles of remedies for tort claims. It explains that a defendant can claim self-help remedies or judicial remedies. The judicial remedies include damages, accounts of profits, and injunctions. This chapter discusses principles concerning the award of the different types of damages, which include nominal damages, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, and contemptuous damages. It also considers limits to the recovery of damages.
Glycemic modulation in neuro-oncology: experience and future directions using a modified Atkins diet for high-grade brain tumors
Authors: Strowd Roy E. , Cervenka Mackenzie C. , Henry Bobbie J. , Kossoff Eric H. , Hartman Adam L. , Blakeley Jaishri O.
Published: May 2015

Dietary glycemic modulation through high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets, which induce a state of systemic ketosis and alter systemic metabolic signaling, have been incorporated into the clinical management of patients with neurological disease for more than a century. Mounting preclinical evidence supports the antitumor, proapoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of disrupting glycolytic metabolism through dietary intervention. In recent years, interest in incorporating such novel therapeutic strategies in neuro-oncology has increased. To date, 3 published studies incorporating novel dietary therapies in oncology have been reported, including one phase I study in neuro-oncology, and have set the stage for further study in this field. In this article, we review the biochemical pathways, preclinical data, and early clinical translation of dietary interventions that modulate systemic glycolytic metabolism in the management of primary malignant brain tumors. We introduce the modified Atkins diet (MAD), a novel dietary alternative to the classic ketogenic diet, and discuss the critical issues facing future study.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in Fecal Specimens From Adults Diagnosed With Pulmonary Tuberculosis Using the Xpert MTB/Rifampicin Test
Authors: Kokuto Hiroyuki , Sasaki Yuka , Yoshimatsu Shoji , Mizuno Kazue , Yi Lina , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: May 2015

Background.  The Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampicin (RIF) is a fully automated diagnostic test that allows for the detection of MTB including its RIF resistance. Although the test is used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in sputum samples worldwide, studies using fecal specimens are scarce. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of the Xpert MTB/RIF test for detection of MTB in fecal specimens obtained from adult pulmonary TB patients, confirmed by culture and/or molecular diagnostic methods.

Methods.  We conducted a retrospective case-control study to provide proof-of-concept regarding the efficacy of the Xpert MTB/RIF test using fecal samples for diagnosing pulmonary TB via detection of MTB in adult patients (≥20 years) at the Fukujuji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

Results.  Fecal specimens were obtained from 56 active pulmonary TB patients (including 48 sputum smear-positive and 8 sputum smear-negative patients), 10 non-TB patients (including 4 Myocobacterium avium complex infections), and 27 healthy individuals who were exposed to active pulmonary TB patients. The sensitivity of the fecal Xpert MTB/RIF was 100% (81.7%–100%) for detection of MTB in specimens from sputum smear-positive (1+ to 3+) patients, 81.0% (58.1%–94.6%) in specimens from sputum smear scanty positive patients, and 50.0% (15.7%–84.3%) in specimens from sputum smear-negative patients. Meanwhile, each of the fecal specimens from the non-TB group was negative for MTB (specificity 100%; 95% confidence interval, 86.2–100).

Conclusions.  The fecal Xpert MTB/RIF test could detect MTB in a large proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB patients, without frequent false-positive results at a TB referral hospital in Japan.
Direct Evidence of Egestion and Salivation of Xylella fastidiosa Suggests Sharpshooters Can Be “Flying Syringes”
Authors: Backus Elaine A. , Shugart Holly J. , Rogers Elizabeth E. , Morgan J. Kent , Shatters Robert
Published: May 2015

Xylella fastidiosa is unique among insect-transmitted plant pathogens because it is propagative but noncirculative, adhering to and multiplying on the cuticular lining of the anterior foregut. Any inoculation mechanism for X. fastidiosa must explain how bacterial cells exit the vector’s stylets via the food canal and directly enter the plant. A combined egestion-salivation mechanism has been proposed to explain these unique features. Egestion is the putative outward flow of fluid from the foregut via hypothesized bidirectional pumping of the cibarium. The present study traced green fluorescent protein-expressing X. fastidiosa or fluorescent nanoparticles acquired from artificial diets by glassy-winged sharpshooters, Homalodisca vitripennis, as they were egested into simultaneously secreted saliva. X. fastidiosa or nanoparticles were shown to mix with gelling saliva to form fluorescent deposits and salivary sheaths on artificial diets, providing the first direct, conclusive evidence of egestion by any hemipteran insect. Therefore, the present results strongly support an egestion-salivation mechanism of X. fastidiosa inoculation. Results also support that a column of fluid is transiently held in the foregut without being swallowed. Evidence also supports (but does not definitively prove) that bacteria were suspended in the column of fluid during the vector’s transit from diet to diet, and were egested with the held fluid. Thus, we hypothesize that sharpshooters could be true “flying syringes,” especially when inoculation occurs very soon after uptake of bacteria, suggesting the new paradigm of a nonpersistent X. fastidiosa transmission mechanism.
Locoregional and Overall Recurrence After Neaodjuvant Endocrine Therapy Versus Chemotherapy in Postmenopausal Women With Estrogen Receptor+ HER2− Breast Cancer
Authors: Wright Jean L. , Saigal Kunal , Reis Isildinha M. , Zhao Wei , Takita Cristiane , Ambros Tadeu , Saeed Ali M. , Sujoy Victoria , Hurley Judith
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

We report clinical outcomes in patients treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) versus neoadjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy (NCT) in a cohort of postmenopausal women with ER+, HER2− breast cancer.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 140 patients treated between May 1998 and September 2010 and collected patient, disease, and treatment characteristics, response to neoadjuvant therapy, and clinical outcome.

Results:

The median age was 59.5 years. Stage group: stage I 2.2%, stage II 26.8%, stage III 71%, the median tumor size 6 cm (range, 1.5 to 19 cm). Fifty-seven (40.7%) received NET and 83 (59.3%) NCT. One patient (1.8%) in the NET group and 7 (8.4%) in the NCT group had a pathologic complete response (P=0.142). The median follow-up was 48.1 months. Five-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LRR) among the entire cohort was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 8.9), and any recurrence 25.3% (95% CI: 17.6, 33.6). There was no difference in cumulative incidence of LRR or overall recurrence between NET and NCT. On multivariate analysis adjusting for receipt of chemotherapy, presenting stage, and positive lymph nodes, the use of adjuvant radiation therapy was associated with decreased risk of LRR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.24, P=0.035), and ypN2 status with higher risk of LRR (HR=4.91, P=0.032). When the same multivariate model was fitted for any recurrence outcome, only ypN2 status was a significant predictor of overall recurrence (HR=3.02, P=0.005).

Conclusions:

We have demonstrated equivalent locoregional and overall outcomes in patients receiving NET versus NCT in a cohort of postmenopausal women with locally advanced ER+HER2−tumors.
ESPGHAN 2012 Guidelines for Coeliac Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Donat Ester , Ramos Jose M. , Sánchez‐Valverde Félix , Moreno Ana , Martinez Maria‐Jose , Leis Rosaura , Peña‐Quintana Luis , Castillejo Gemma , Fernández Sonia , Garcia Zuriñe , Ortigosa Luis , Balmaseda Elena , Marugán José‐Manuel , Eizaguirre Francisco‐Javier , Lorenzo Helena , Barrio Josefa , Ribes‐Koninckx Carmen ,   SEGHNP Working Group on Coeliac Disease
Published: May 2015

Objectives:

A large retrospective multicentre study was conducted in Spain to evaluate the efficiency of the new European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) criteria for the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD).

Methods:

The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe (Valencia, Spain). The present study included 2177 children (ages 0.6–15.9 years) with small bowel biopsy (SBB) performed for diagnostic purposes (from 2000 to 2009) and with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up after biopsy.

Results:

CD was diagnosed in 2126 patients (97.5%) and excluded in 51 (2.5%). Tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TG2A), anti‐endomysial antibodies (EMA), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) were reported in 751 patients, 640 symptomatic and 111 asymptomatic. TG2A levels >10 times the upper limit of normal, plus positive EMA and HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotypes, were found in 336 symptomatic patients, all of them with final diagnosis of CD. In 65 of 69 asymptomatic patients, 65 had confirmed CD and 4 did not have CD. According to the 2012 ESPGHAN guidelines, SBB may have been omitted in 52% of the symptomatic patients with CD with serologic and HLA available data. Gluten challenge was performed in 158 children, 75 of them <2 years at first biopsy. Only 1 patient in whom according to the new proposed diagnostic criteria gluten challenge would not have been mandatory did not relapse.

Conclusions:

Our results support the new ESPGHAN 2012 guidelines for diagnosis of CD can be safely used without the risk of overdiagnosis. A prospective multicentre study is needed to confirm our results.
Familiar and unfamiliar face recognition in crested macaques (Macaca nigra)
Authors: Micheletta Jérôme , Whitehouse Jamie , Parr Lisa A. , Marshman Paul , Engelhardt Antje , Waller Bridget M.
Published: May 2015

Many species use facial features to identify conspecifics, which is necessary to navigate a complex social environment. The fundamental mechanisms underlying face processing are starting to be well understood in a variety of primate species. However, most studies focus on a limited subset of species tested with unfamiliar faces. As well as limiting our understanding of how widely distributed across species these skills are, this also limits our understanding of how primates process faces of individuals they know, and whether social factors (e.g. dominance and social bonds) influence how readily they recognize others. In this study, socially housed crested macaques voluntarily participated in a series of computerized matching-to-sample tasks investigating their ability to discriminate (i) unfamiliar individuals and (ii) members of their own social group. The macaques performed above chance on all tasks. Familiar faces were not easier to discriminate than unfamiliar faces. However, the subjects were better at discriminating higher ranking familiar individuals, but not unfamiliar ones. This suggests that our subjects applied their knowledge of their dominance hierarchies to the pictorial representation of their group mates. Faces of high-ranking individuals garner more social attention, and therefore might be more deeply encoded than other individuals. Our results extend the study of face recognition to a novel species, and consequently provide valuable data for future comparative studies.
Rhizobium oryzicola sp. nov., potential plant-growth-promoting endophytic bacteria isolated from rice roots
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Xia , Gao Ju-Sheng , Cao Yan-Hua , Sheirdil Rizwan Ali , Wang Xiu-Cheng , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2015

Bacterial strains ZYY136Tand ZYY9 were isolated from surface-sterilized rice roots from a long-term experiment of rice–rice–Astragalus sinicusrotation. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains ZYY136Tand ZYY9 showed the highest similarity, of 97.0  %, toRhizobium tarimensePL-41T. Sequence analysis of the housekeeping genesrecA,thrCandatpDclearly differentiated the isolates from currently described species of the genusRhizobium. The DNA–DNA relatedness value between ZYY136Tand ZYY9 was 82.3  %, and ZYY136Tshowed 34.0  % DNA–DNA relatedness with the most closely related type strain,R. tarimensePL-41T. The DNA G+C content of strain ZYY136Twas 58.1 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7cand/or C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0and C16 : 03-OH. Strains ZYY136Tand ZYY9 could be differentiated from the previously defined species of the genusRhizobiumby several phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, we conclude that strains ZYY136Tand ZYY9 represent a novel species of the genusRhizobium, for which the nameRhizobium oryzicolasp. nov. is proposed (type strain ZYY136T = ACCC 05753T = KCTC 32088T).
General formulation of Luria-Delbrück distribution of the number of mutants
Authors: Houchmandzadeh Bahram
Published: May 2015

The Luria-Delbrück experiment is a cornerstone of evolutionary theory, demonstrating the randomness of mutations before selection. The distribution of the number of mutants in this experiment has been the subject of intense investigation during the last 70 years. Despite this considerable effort, most of the results have been obtained under the assumption of constant growth rate, which is far from the experimental condition. We derive here the properties of this distribution for arbitrary growth function, for both the deterministic and stochastic growth of the mutants. The derivation we propose is surprisingly simple and versatile, allowing many generalizations to be taken easily into account.
Surveys in business process management – a literature review
Authors: Roeser Tobias , Kern Eva-Maria
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct a literature review to provide an overview of surveys focussing on business process management (BPM)/business process orientation (BPO) or on BPM-related topics in order to describe the status quo, uncover trends, classify survey contributions and assess the possible further development of survey research.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to achieve the research goals, the authors conduct a literature review. The authors analyze the retrieved literature by means of a developed analysis framework which allows the authors to examine the surveys from the meta-perspective and content-based perspective.

Findings

– A lot of surveys focussing on BPM/BPO or on BPM-related topics have been published in German- and English-speaking literature over the last years. Nevertheless, the authors find out that while some topics, countries/regions and industries are well explored others were neglected in the past. Moreover, the authors provide first evidence that companies have a different BPM demand. Finally, the authors conclude that although the implications of the incorporated surveys provide a good starting point for practitioners they seem to be too abstract to be helpful for them. Thus, the authors recommend the conduction of qualitative research endeavors to develop adaptable theories for practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

– This literature review focusses on survey research in BPM. It could be repeated in order to verify the findings and moreover to track progress. However, although the authors followed the steps proposed for a literature review, the selection of relevant articles might be a limitation of this paper.

Originality/value

– The literature review provides an overview of surveys focussing on BPM/BPO or on BPM-related topics that have been published so far. The developed and strictly applied analysis framework supports a systematic analysis of survey research and could therefore provide a detailed picture of the current state of this research field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no comparable literature review has been undertaken until now.
Education and training for successful career in Big Data and Business Analytics
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Gunasekaran Angappa
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify Big Data and Business Analytics (BDBA) skills and further propose an education and training framework for a successful career in BDBA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study adopts a review of extant literature and appreciative enquiry (AI) which is a quasi-ethnographic approach to identify the skills required for BDBA.

Findings

– The study helps to identify skills for BDBA and based on extant literature and AI, proposes a theoretical framework for education and training for a successful career in BDBA. Further research directions are outlined which can help take the present research to the next level.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper presents a theoretical framework, but it has to be validated through empirical data. This research will generate a lot of interest to develop a more practical framework and conduct empirical and case study research.

Practical implications

– The present study has outlined skills for BDBA. The authors have also proposed a theoretical framework which can further help an educational or training institute to embrace the framework to train young undergraduates or graduates to acquire BDBA skills. It may also motivate an institution to structure their curriculum for a BDBA program.

Social implications

– This research is a timely one to develop necessary skills for being successful in BDBA career and in turn contribute to the well-being of business community and society.

Originality/value

– This research is a novel one as there is no research done earlier on this new and emerging areas of research, namely, education and training for BDBA.
Assessing the effectiveness of the policies to boost hydropower consumption
Authors: Solarin Sakiru
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate, with the view to determine the effectiveness of blueprints that are designed to boost hydroelectricity use, the unit root properties of hydroelectricity consumption in 50 countries for the period from 1965 to 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

– A newly proposed non-linear unit root test is used for the purpose of estimations.

Findings

– The results show that 26 countries (which are mostly developing countries) or 52 per cent of the total sample have unit roots in their hydroelectricity consumption series.

Practical implications

– The policy implication of these results is that policies associated with the enhancement of hydroelectric power use are likely to be effective in several cases, especially in the developing countries.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of this paper is that we estimate the non-stationarity of hydroelectricity series within a non-linearity framework. Failure to use a non-linearity method in the presence of non-linear data-generation processes will create biased inferences and wrong policy implications.
Mentor education: challenging mentors’ beliefs about mentoring
Authors: Lejonberg Eli , Elstad Eyvind , Christophersen Knut-Andreas
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight university-based mentor education as a negative antecedent to mentors’ beliefs which are consistent with judgementoring (Hobson and Malderez, 2013). The concept of beliefs consistent with judgementoring (evaluative or judgemental mentoring) is introduced as a quantitative construct which is then used as a dependent variable. The concept of “folk mentoring” is introduced to theorise why and how mentor education may challenge mentors’ beliefs about mentoring.

Design/methodology/approach

– Structural equation modelling of cross-sectional survey data is used to estimate and compare the strengths between mentors’ perceived self-efficacy, role clarity, experience and education as independent variables and beliefs about mentoring aligned with judgementoring as the dependent variable. The survey was completed by 146 mentors who attended mentor education programmes in universities and university colleges across Norway.

Findings

– The findings indicate that mentor education contributes to lower levels of beliefs consistent with judgementoring and strengthens mentors’ awareness of their role as a mentor. Higher levels of self-efficacy related to the mentor role were associated with stronger beliefs consistent with judgementoring. Mentor experience was not associated strongly with any tested variable.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper identifies new questions pertaining to the effects of mentor education and variables associated with judgementoring. Omitted variables might have influenced the explored models and the methods used do not allow us to determine causal relationships.

Originality/value

– Taking an approach based on social exchange theory, the authors describe judgementoring as a form of mentoring that hampers potential exchanges which would enable mentoring to contribute to professional development. This paper provides new insights into judgementoring by introducing it as a quantitative construct, by testing relevant antecedents and by introducing the concept of “folk mentoring”. Mentor education is highlighted as a potential moderator of mentors’ beliefs in judgementoring.