bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2 Recycling: A Key Strategy to Introduce Green Energy in the Chemical Production Chain
Authors: Perathoner Siglinda , Centi Gabriele
Published: March 2014

The introduction of renewable energy in the chemical production chain is a key strategic factor both to realize a sustainable, resource‐efficient, low‐carbon economy and society and to drive innovation and competiveness in the chemical production. This Concept discusses this concept in terms of motivations, perspectives, and impact as well as technical barriers to achieve this goal. It is shown how an important element to realize this scenario is to foster the paths converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into feedstock for the chemical/process industry, which is one of the most efficient methods to rapidly introduce renewable energy into the chemical production chain. Some of the possible options to proceed in this direction are discussed, with focus on the technical barriers and enabling factors such as catalysis. The tight interconnection between CO2 management and the use of renewable energy is evidenced.
Affine Projection‐Type Blind Multiuser Detection with Block Length Control under the Multipath Environment
Authors: Tanabe Nari , Takezawa Masatoshi , Furukawa Toshihiro
Published: March 2014

This paper proposes affine‐projection blind multiuser detection with block length control for improvement of convergence speed in DS‐CDMA (direct sequence code division multiple access) systems in a multipath environment. The traditional method of controlling the block length is discussed for the situation in which the desired signal of the system is given. But due to the difficulty of the application of the above method to blind multiuser detection, some suitable improvements are performed in the proposed method. These give the proposed method advantages over the traditional detectors.
Novel CD3‐specific antibody induces immunosuppression via impaired phosphorylation of LAT and PLCγ1 following T‐cell stimulation
Authors: Shiheido Hirokazu , Aoyama Takane , Takahashi Honami , Hanaoka Kaori , Abe Tomoki , Nishida Emi , Chen Chen , Koga Orie , Hikida Masaki , Shibagaki Yoshio , Morita Akimichi , Nikawa Takeshi , Hattori Seisuke , Watanabe Takeshi , Shimizu Jun
Published: March 2014

The activation of T cells is known to be accompanied by the temporary downmodulation of the TCR/CD3 complex on the cell surface. Here, we established a novel monoclonal antibody, Dow2, that temporarily induces downmodulation of the TCR/CD3 complex in mouse CD4+ T cells without activating T cells. Dow2 recognized the determinant on CD3ε; however, differences were observed in the binding mode between Dow2 and the agonistic anti‐CD3ε Ab, 145–2C11. An injection of Dow2 in vivo resulted in T‐cell anergy, and prolonged the survival of cardiac allografts without a marked increase in cytokine release. The phosphorylated forms of the signaling proteins PLC‐γ1 and LAT in Dow2‐induced anergic T cells were markedly decreased upon stimulation. However, the levels of phosphorylated LAT and PLCγ1 in Dow2‐induced anergic T cells could be rescued in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG‐132. These results suggest that proteasome‐mediated degradation is involved in hypophosphorylated LAT and PLCγ1 in Dow2‐induced anergic T cells. The novel CD3‐specific Ab, Dow2, may provide us with a unique tool for inducing immunosuppression.
Push–Pull‐Type Purine Nucleoside‐Based Fluorescent Sensors for the Selective Detection of Pd2+ in Aqueous Buffer
Authors: Li Jian‐Ping , Wang Hui‐Xuan , Wang Hai‐Xia , Xie Ming‐Sheng , Qu Gui‐Rong , Niu Hong‐Ying , Guo Hai‐Ming
Published: March 2014

Push–pull‐type purine nucleoside‐based fluorescent sensor L1 bearing a chelating N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine group at the C6 position was designed and synthesized. Sensor L1 showed clear and selective detection of Pd2+ in aqueous buffer, and it is the first “on–off”‐type purine nucleoside‐based fluorescent sensor for Pd2+.
A simple fabrication method for tapered capillary tip and its applications in high‐speed CE and ESI‐MS
Authors: Cheng Yong‐Qiang , Su Yuan , Fang Xiao‐Xia , Pan Jian‐Zhang , Fang Qun
Published: March 2014

Fabrication of capillaries with tapered tips is an important technique that is required in many analytical chemistry areas, such as ESI‐MS, CE, electrochemical analysis, and microinjection. This paper describes a simple and effective grinding‐based fabrication method for capillaries with tapered tips. A novel grinding mode utilizing the combination of rotation and precession of an elastic capillary was developed, which significantly improved the controllability to the grinding process as well as the capillary tip shape. The capillary was fabricated by fixing it in an electric drill installed perpendicularly, and grind the capillary tip rotated around its own axis as well as the drill axis on sandpapers. Compared with conventional fabrication techniques for capillary tips, the present method is easy to control the capillary tip shape in routine laboratories without the requirement of expensive equipments or poisonous reagent (e.g. hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution). Various capillaries with different tip diameters and tip taper angles could be fabricated using the present method with good controllability and reproducibility. These capillaries were applied in high‐speed CE and ESI‐MS analysis to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of this fabrication method.
Uranium accumulation and toxicity in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is modulated by pH
Authors: Lavoie Michel , Sabatier Sébastien , Garnier-Laplace Jacqueline , Fortin Claude
Published: March 2014

The effects of pH on metal uptake and toxicity in aquatic organisms are currently poorly understood and remain an evolving topic in studies about the biotic ligand model (BLM). In the present study, the authors investigated how pH may influence long-term (4 d) uranium (U) accumulation and chronic toxicity in batch cultures of the freshwater green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The toxicity expressed as a function of the free uranyl ion was much greater at pH 7 (effective concentration, 50% [EC50] = 1.8 × 10−9 M UO22+) than at pH 5 (EC50 = 1.2 × 10−7 M UO22+). The net accumulation rate of U in algal cells was much higher at pH 7 than at pH 5 for the same free [UO22+], but the cells exposed at pH 5 were also more sensitive to intracellular U than the cells at pH 7 with EC50s of 4.0 × 10−15 and 7.1 × 10−13 mol of internalized U cell−1, respectively. The higher cellular sensitivity to U at pH 5 than at pH 7 could be explained partly by the increase in cytosolic U binding to algal soluble proteins or enzymes at pH 5 as observed by subcellular fractionation. To predict U accumulation and toxicity in algae accurately, the important modulating effects of pH on U accumulation and U cellular sensitivity should be considered in the BLM. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1372–1379. © 2014 SETAC
HMTP: Multipath transport protocol for multihoming wireless erasure networks
Authors: Hwang Younghak , Saha Abhijit , Choi Hanbit , Lim Hyuk , Obele Brownson O.
Published: March 2014

This paper proposes a fountain‐code‐based multipath transport protocol, called heterogeneous multipath transport protocol (HMTP), and evaluates its performance. HMTP improves the throughput performance and path utilisation of multihoming wireless erasure networks. It solves the receive buffer blocking problem and eliminates the need for retransmissions and in‐order packet delivery, both of which severely degrade the performance of existing multipath transport protocols in multihoming networks. The encoding and decoding algorithms of HMTP are based on efficient and computationally inexpensive coding algorithms such as LT codes. To minimise the fountain encoding/decoding overhead, complexity and computational cost while ensuring the desired decoding performance, the appropriate values of the parameters of the LT codes are determined. We implement and extensively evaluate the performance of HMTP using both NS‐2 simulator and an 802.11 wireless local area network laboratory test bed. Our simulations and experimental results show that HMTP significantly outperforms the concurrent multipath transfer stream control transmission protocol, especially in multihoming 802.11 wireless local area networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survey of volatile substances in kitchen utensils made from acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene and acrylonitrile–styrene resin in Japan
Authors: Abe Yutaka , Yamaguchi Miku , Mutsuga Motoh , Kawamura Yoko , Akiyama Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

Residual levels of 14 volatile substances, including 1,3‐butadiene, acrylonitrile, benzene, ethylbenzene, and styrene, in 30 kitchen utensils made from acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene resin (ABS) and acrylonitrile–styrene resin (AS) such as slicers, picks, cups, and lunch boxes in Japan were simultaneously determined using headspace gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (HS‐GC/MS). The maximum residual levels in the ABS and AS samples were found to be 2000 and 2800 μg/g of styrene, respectively. The residual levels of 1,3‐butadiene ranged from 0.06 to 1.7 μg/g in ABS, and three of 15 ABS samples exceeded the regulatory limit for this compound as established by the European Union (EU). The residual levels of acrylonitrile ranged from 0.15 to 20 μg/g in ABS and from 19 to 180 μg/g in AS. The levels of this substance in seven ABS and six AS samples exceeded the limit set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, the levels of acrylonitrile in three AS samples exceeded the voluntary standard established by Japanese industries. These results clearly indicate that the residual levels of some volatile compounds are still high in ABS and AS kitchen utensils and further observations are needed.
Risk factors for age at onset of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease in a sample of patients with low mean schooling from São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Fabricio Ferreira , Bertolucci Paulo Henrique Ferreira , Chen Elizabeth Suchi , Smith Marilia Cardoso
Published: March 2014

Objective

In view of the mild effects of pharmacological treatment for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), the search for modifiable risk factors is an important challenge. Although risk factors for AD are widely recognized, elements that influence the time of onset of the dementia syndrome have not been comprehensively reported. We aimed to investigate which risk factors might be associated with the age at onset of AD in a sample of patients with low mean schooling from São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods

We included 210 consecutive patients with late‐onset AD to investigate whether education, gender, nationality, urban living and sanitation, occupation, cognitive and physical inactivity, head trauma, depression, systemic infections, surgical interventions, cerebrovascular risk factors, family history of neurodegenerative diseases or cardiovascular diseases and apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) haplotypes might be related to the age at AD onset.

Results

Each copy of APOE‐ε4 led to onset of AD almost 2 years earlier, while depression, smoking, higher body mass index and family history of cardiovascular diseases were also highly significant. Protective factors included non‐Brazilian nationality, use of a pacemaker and waist circumference. Cerebrovascular risk factors had a mild combined effect for earlier onset of AD.

Conclusion

APOE haplotypes, depression, nationality and cerebrovascular risk factors were the most important elements to influence the age at AD onset in this sample, whereas gender, education, occupation and physical activities had no isolated effects over the age at onset of this dementia syndrome. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial variability of throughfall and stemflow in an exotic pine plantation of subtropical coastal Australia
Authors: Fan Junliang , Oestergaard Kasper T. , Guyot Adrien , Jensen David G. , Lockington David A.
Published: March 2014

Large‐scale exotic pine plantations have been developed for timber production in subtropical Australia. Few studies investigate the spatial variability of both throughfall and stemflow in such managed pine plantations despite their acknowledged effects on the heterogeneity of hydrological and biochemical processes of forested ecosystems. To examine the spatial variability of rainfall under a 12‐year‐old pine plantation in a subtropical coastal area of Australia, we observed gross rainfall, throughfall and stemflow over a 1‐year period. Our results show that the spatial variability of gross rainfall within a 50 m × 50 m plot is minimal. Throughfall is significantly different among three tree zones (midway between rows, west and east side of trunks), particularly for rainfall <50 mm, with the highest throughfall on the east side of the tree trunks (sum = 85% of gross rainfall) and the lowest in the midway between tree rows (sum = 68% of gross rainfall). These spatial patterns persist among 84% of recorded rainfall events. Spatial variability and time stability of throughfall are better explained by canopy interception of the inclined rainfall resulting from the prevailing easterly wind direction throughout the experiment. The annual stemflow is different among individual sample trees, which is mainly ascribed to the difference in tree size (e.g. projected canopy area and stem diameter). The outcomes of this study would help future investigators better design appropriate sampling strategies in these pine plantations under similar climate conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recognition of Debt Restructuring and Resolution Measures under the European Union Regulatory Framework
Authors: Arons Tomas
Published: March 2014

Under the proposed Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD), member states will be required to provide for bail‐in powers to restructure failing financial institutions. At this moment, the Dutch, French, UK and German legislator already provide public authorities with resolution powers. In order to be effective in debt restructuring of failing (non‐)financial institutions, the measures taken by the resolution authorities need to be enforceable (before all courts) and effective in the entire European Union. Given the fact that not all the firm's debt is issued in the home jurisdiction, the question of recognition is critically important. In regard of non‐financial firms, the Dutch, UK, French and German jurisdictions provide for court proceedings to impose a collective settlement reached by the debtor and the majority of its creditors binding on the opposing minority. Out‐of‐insolvency plans approved by the court are recognised under the Brussels I Regulation. If the EU Insolvency Regulation reform proposal is adopted, these court‐approved debt restructuring plans in insolvency situations will be subject to the recognition regime of this regulation. Credit institutions, insurance undertakings, investment undertakings holding funds or securities for third parties and collective investment undertakings are excluded from the scope of the Insolvency Regulation whereas the scope of application of the Reorganisation and Winding Up Directive is limited to credit institutions. The regime under the future BRRD and the Single Resolution Mechanism is limited to credit institutions. National (private international) law determines the recognition of resolution measures taken by the authorities of another member state. Copyright © 2014 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
THE EYE OF THE BEGETTER: PREDICTING INFANT ATTACHMENT DISORGANIZATION FROM WOMEN'S PRENATAL INTERPRETATIONS OF INFANT FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Authors: Bernstein Rosemary E. , Tenedios Catherine M. , Laurent Heidemarie K. , Measelle Jeffery R. , Ablow Jennifer C.
Published: March 2014

Infant–caregiver attachment disorganization has been linked to many long‐term negative psychosocial outcomes. While various prevention programs appear to be effective in preventing disorganized attachment, methods currently used to identify those at risk are unfortunately either overly general or impractical. The current investigation tested whether women's prenatal biases in identifying infant expressions of emotion—tendencies previously shown to relate to some of the maternal variables associated with infant attachment, including maternal traumatization, trauma symptoms, and maternal sensitivity—could predict infant attachment classification at 18 months postpartum. Logistic regression analyses revealed that together with women's adult history of high betrayal traumatization, response concordance with a normative reference sample in labeling infant expressions as negatively valenced, and the number of infant facial expressions that participants classified as “sad” and “angry” predicted subsequent infant attachment security versus disorganization. Implications for screening and prevention are discussed.
Evaluating Corrective Feedback Self‐Efficacy Changes Among Counselor Educators and Site Supervisors
Authors: Motley Veronica , Reese Mary Kate , Campos Peter
Published: March 2014

Analysis of pretest–posttest scores on the Corrective Feedback Self‐Efficacy Instrument (Page & Hulse‐Killacky, ) following a supervision workshop indicated a significant positive relationship between workshop training and supervisors' feedback self‐efficacy in giving corrective feedback. Furthermore, the association between prior supervision training, supervision experience, and feedback self‐efficacy was measured. Practical and research implications are discussed.
School Counselors Supporting African Immigrant Students' Career Development: A Case Study
Authors: Watkinson Jennifer Scaturo , Hersi Afra Ahmed
Published: March 2014

School counselors play a critical role in preparing adolescent immigrant students to be college and career ready by attending to the complex variables that promote and inhibit career development. This article provides an illustrative case study of a Somali immigrant student's educational journey to highlight the academic and familial challenges that she encountered while attending U.S. schools. Through this case study, the authors discuss the issues immigrant high school students experience and present culturally responsive practices that school counselors can use to address career development. These culturally responsive practices include developing a strong knowledge of students’ backgrounds and cultures, designing small group interventions that are timely and sensitive to immigrant students’ needs, and strengthening school–family partnerships.
Pet veterinarians have no increased risk of hepatitis E compared to the general population
Authors: Mesquita J.R. , Valente‐Gomes G. , Conceição‐Neto N. , Nascimento M.S.J.
Published: March 2014

The discovery of autochthonous hepatitis E in industrialized countries associated to genotype 3 has changed substantially the understanding about hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulation. In these countries transmission has been associated to the consumption and direct contact to swine, a well‐known reservoir for HEV. More animal reservoirs for HEV might exist since antibodies to HEV have been detected in other animal species, such as dogs and cats. Given the intimate contact between these pets and humans, the potential zoonotic HEV transmission from dogs and cats deserves to be explored. To address this issue, 493 sera from pet veterinarians (373) and matched general population (120) were tested for the presence of anti‐HEV IgG using a commercial ELISA. Antibodies to HEV were found in 9.9% veterinarians and 13.3% general population. No statistically significant difference was found between these two groups showing that pet veterinarians have no increased risk to hepatitis E compared to the general population. J. Med. Virol. 86:954–956, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does assessment of personal exposure matter during experimental neurocognitive testing in MRI‐related magnetic fields?
Authors: van Nierop Lotte E. , Christopher‐de Vries Yvette , Slottje Pauline , Kromhout Hans
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To determine whether the use of quantitative personal exposure measurements in experimental research would result in better estimates of the associations between static and time‐varying magnetic field exposure and neurocognitive test performance than when exposure categories were based solely on distance to the magnetic field source.

Methods

In our original analysis, based on distance to the magnet of a 7 T MRI scanner, an effect of exposure to static magnetic fields was observed. We performed a sensitivity analysis of test performance on a reaction task and line bisection task with different exposure measures that were derived from personal real‐time measurements.

Results

The exposure measures were highly comparable, and almost all models resulted in significant associations between exposure to time‐varying magnetic fields within a static magnetic field and performance on a reaction and line bisection task.

Conclusion

In a controlled experimental setup, distance to the bore is a good proxy for personal exposure when placing subjects at fixed positions with standardized head movements in the magnetic stray fields of a 7 T MRI. Use of a magnetic field dosimeter is, however, important for estimating quantitative exposure response associations. Magn Reson Med 73:765–772, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Offline parameter estimation using EnKF and maximum likelihood error covariance estimates: Application to a subgrid‐scale orography parametrization
Authors: Tandeo P. , Pulido M. , Lott F.
Published: March 2014

Recent work has shown that the parameters controlling parametrizations of the physical processes in climate models can be estimated from observations using filtering techniques. In this article, we propose an offline parameter estimation approach, without estimating the state of the climate model. It is based on the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) and an iterative estimation of the error covariance matrices and of the background state using a maximum likelihood algorithm. The technique is implemented in a subgrid‐scale orography (SSO) parametrization scheme which works in a single vertical column. First, the parameter estimation technique is evaluated using twin experiments. Then, the technique is used with synthetic observations to estimate how the parameters of the SSO scheme should change when the resolution of the input orography dataset of a general circulation model is increased. Our analysis reveals that, when the resolution of the orography dataset increases, the scheme should take into account the dynamical sheltering that can occur at low levels between mountain peaks located within the same gridbox area.
Formation of deaminated dimer species of amino acids by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
Authors: Choi Sung‐Seen , Kim Ok‐Bae
Published: March 2014

RATIONALE

Interactions of biological molecules to form cluster species play a key role in biological processes and investigation of non‐covalent complexes is one of the research fields using mass spectrometry. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS) is a useful method for the investigation of cluster formation of amino acids (AAs) by ion‐molecule reactions.

METHODS

A mixture of 20 protein AAs was ionized by APCI and the product ions were analyzed. The ionization was performed in the positive and negative ion modes. Formation of the homo‐ and heterocluster ions of AAs was investigated. Mechanism for the formation of AA homo‐ and heterocluster ions was examined using hydrogen/deuterium (H/D)‐exchange experiments.

RESULTS

In the positive ion mode, of the dimer species only the [2Pro + H]+ ion was detected. In the negative ion mode, the [2M − H]− ions of His, Val, Ser, and Gln were observed. The deaminated dimers such as the [2Gln − H − NH3]− and [His + Gln − H − NH3]− ions were also observed. In the negative ion mass spectra of the His/Arg, His/Asn, and His/Lys binary mixture solutions, the [His + AA − H − NH3]− ions of Asn, Arg, and Lys were also detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The number and abundances of the negative product ions were much greater than those of the positive ones. Mechanism for the formation of [2Gln − H − NH3]− and [His + AA − H − NH3]− was examined by deuterium replacement of the amine and hydroxide groups to distinguish the deamination and dehydration reactions with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. The [His + AA − H − NH3]− ion is formed by ion‐molecule reaction between the [His − H]− ion and a neutral AA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Large‐scale Three‐dimensional Mobile Mapping for Underground Mines
Authors: Zlot Robert , Bosse Michael
Published: March 2014

Mapping large‐scale underground environments, such as mines and tunnels, is typically a time‐consuming and challenging endeavor. Existing methods based on terrestrial laser scanning are inefficient, and commercial mobile mapping systems are not suitable for underground use. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) solutions have the potential to efficiently survey underground environments while continuously moving, without relying on external positioning systems. However, no three‐dimensional (3D) SLAM systems have thus far been demonstrated to be capable of mapping underground mines at kilometer scales. We have developed a solution that can accurately estimate, based on laser range and inertial measurements, the six‐degrees‐of‐freedom trajectory of a sensor platform that continuously moves through an environment, as well as a 3D point cloud map of that environment. The key software components of the solution are continuous‐time non‐rigid registration, scalable place recognition, and robust pose graph optimization. A system consisting of a spinning 2D laser scanner and an industrial‐grade inertial measurement unit mounted on a light vehicle was deployed at Northparkes Mine in Australia and used to map over 17 km of mine tunnel in 113 min while traveling at typical mine traffic speeds. Our processing software automatically produces a trajectory and point cloud of the mine in under half of the data acquisition time. The accuracy of the solution exceeds the raw sensor characteristics and matches closely to a surveyed map of the same environment.
Automatic lipreading by optical‐flow analysis
Authors: Mase Kenji , Pentland Alex
Published: March 2014

While the acoustic signal is the primary cue in human speech recognition, the visual cue is also very useful, especially when the acoustic signal is distorted. A computer system is developed for automatic recognition of continuously spoken words by using only visual data. The velocity of lip motions may be measured from optical flow data which allows muscle action to be estimated. Pauses in muscle action result in zero velocity of the flow and are used to locate word boundaries. The pattern of muscle action is used to recognize the spoken words.

In limited experiments involving the recognition of digits, it appears that the visually derived patterns of muscle action are stable for multiple utterances of the same word. Even across speakers the patterns are so similar that speaker‐independent recognition is possible. An overall accuracy including word spotting and recognition of approximately 70 percent is obtained across for continuously spoken test samples from three speakers.
A kinematic model with a self‐learning capability of a series of motions based on instinctive incentive
Authors: Yoda Haruo , Miyatake Takafumi , Matsushima Hitoshi
Published: March 2014

The process of self‐learning of motions by animals has been modeled by a three‐layered neural net, and its function has been verified. In this model the neural net takes the place of a controller which receives the current shape and posture of an animal as input and feeds out the next optimum motion as output. To give a self‐learning capability to this neural net, this model includes a function to add a random number to the output of the neural net, an ability to evaluate the change of its shape and posture according to its instinct (evaluation function) and to generate appropriate training patterns.

When a learning takes place following this model, an optimal motion sequence based on the instinct is formed automatically in the weights of the neural net. By computer simulation it has been observed that a starfish learns the sequences of getting‐up motions successfully and becomes skillful as it gains experience.
Toward a Research Agenda for the Informal Economy: A Survey of the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal's Editorial Board
Authors: Ketchen David J. , Ireland R. Duane , Webb Justin W.
Published: March 2014

Scholarly attention to strategy and entrepreneurship within the informal economy appears to be on the rise, but a large gap remains between the importance of the informal economy and the amount of research that is devoted to it. The survey reported herein is an effort to offer insights to researchers who wish to help build the knowledge base about strategy and entrepreneurship within the informal economy. Specifically, we surveyed members of the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal's editorial board regarding what they view as the most promising theories, research questions, and methods to leverage in order to develop greater understanding of the informal economy. Board members' views vary, but in general institutional theory and network theory are seen as the best perspectives to fuel major contributions at this time. The research questions that attracted the strongest support centered on the boundaries of and interchanges between the formal and informal economies. Finally, field interviews, case studies, and ethnography were ranked as the most promising investigative methods. Taken together, these findings offer a possible agenda for research into the informal economy. Copyright © 2014 Strategic Management Society.
Oxide Nanostructures Hyperbranched with Thin and Hollow Metal Shells for High‐Performance Nanostructured Battery Electrodes
Authors: Xia Xinhui , Xiong Qinqin , Zhang Yongqi , Tu Jiangping , Ng Chin Fan , Fan Hong Jin
Published: March 2014

High‐performance electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices require the ability to modify and assemble electrode materials with superior reactivity and structural stability. The fabrication of different oxide/metal core‐branch nanoarrays with adjustable components and morphologies (e.g., nanowire and nanoflake) is reported on different conductive substrates. Hollow metal branches (or shells) wrapped around oxide cores are realized by electrodeposition using ZnO nanorods as a sacrificial template. In battery electrode application, the thin hollow metal branches can provide a mechanical protection of the oxide core and a highly conductive path for charges. As a demonstration, arrays of Co3O4/Ni core‐branch nanowires are evaluated as the anode for lithium ion batteries. The thin metal branches evidently improve the electrochemical performance with higher specific capacity, rate capability, and capacity retention than the unmodified Co3O4 counterparts.
Pedagogy Matters, Too: The Impact of Adapting Teaching Approaches to Formal Learning Environments on Student Learning
Authors: Brooks D. Christopher , Solheim Catherine A.
Published: March 2014

This chapter reveals how thoughtful course redesign that specifically addresses the physical environment of a learning space can significantly improve student learning.
Protective effects of puerarin against tetrabromobisphenol a‐induced apoptosis and cardiac developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryo‐larvae
Authors: Yang Suwen , Wang Shengrui , Sun Fengchao , Zhang Mengmeng , Wu Fengchang , Xu Fanfan , Ding Zhishan
Published: March 2014

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a brominated flame retardant, is detected commonly in aquatic environments, where it is thought to be highly toxic to the development of aquatic life. In this study, zebrafish embryos and larvae were used to investigate the protective effects of puerarin after exposure to TBBPA. Malformation, blood flow disorders, pericardial edema, and spawn coagulation rates increased, whereas survival decreased significantly after exposure to 0.5 and 1.0 mg L−1 TBBPA. The measured indices of morphological toxicity improved after treatment with puerarin. TBBPA also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose‐dependent manner. Acridine orange staining results revealed that TBBPA exposure caused cardiomyocyte apoptosis and induced the expression of three proapoptotic genes: P53, Bax, and Caspase9. In contrast, the expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2 was down‐regulated. When genes related to cardiac development were assessed, the expression of Tbx1, Raldh2, and Bmp2b changed after exposure to the combination of TBBPA and puerarin. These results suggest that TBBPA induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ROS production, resulting in cardiac developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos or larvae. Therefore, puerarin regulates the expression of cardiac developmental genes, such as Tbx1, Bmp2b, and Raldh2 by inhibiting ROS production, and subsequently modulates cardiac development after the exposure of zebrafish larvae to TBBPA. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1014–1023, 2015.
The Location of Displaced New Orleans Residents in the Year After Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Sastry Narayan , Gregory Jesse
Published: March 2014

Using individual data from the restricted version of the American Community Survey, we examined the displacement locations of pre–Hurricane Katrina adult residents of New Orleans in the year after the hurricane. More than one-half (53 %) of adults had returned to—or remained in—the New Orleans metropolitan area, with just under one-third of the total returning to the dwelling in which they resided prior to Hurricane Katrina. Among the remainder, Texas was the leading location of displaced residents, with almost 40 % of those living away from the metropolitan area (18 % of the total), followed by other locations in Louisiana (12 %), the South region of the United States other than Louisiana and Texas (12 %), and elsewhere in the United States (5 %). Black adults were considerably more likely than nonblack adults to be living elsewhere in Louisiana, in Texas, and elsewhere in the South. The observed race disparity was not accounted for by any of the demographic or socioeconomic covariates in the multinomial logistic regression models. Consistent with hypothesized effects, we found that following Hurricane Katrina, young adults (aged 25–39) were more likely to move further away from New Orleans and that adults born outside Louisiana were substantially more likely to have relocated away from the state.
Propuesta de salvaguardas para la independencia de la función de auditoría interna
Authors: Perez Lopez Aurora , Perez Lopez Jose
Published: March 2014

La presente investigación tiene por objetivo proponer un conjunto de salvaguardas que sirva de referenciaa auditores internos y entidades, con el fin de garantizar la existencia de independencia en la funciónde auditoría interna. Para conseguir este objetivo se aplicó el método Delphi. Los principales resultadosobtenidos evidencian que no existen opiniones diferentes por grupos de expertos sobre la importanciade las salvaguardas, pudiéndose proponer un uniforme conjunto de salvaguardas, con la excepción dela externalización de la función de auditoría interna, la cual, según el grupo de auditores internos, esconsiderada como la menos importante. La independencia sobre las actividades y los sistemas de controlinterno es la salvaguarda considerada de forma unánime como la más importante.
The role of a public university in a global environment: networks and externalities of the R&D of the Cauca University
Authors: Correa Correa Zamanda , Delgado Hurtado Carolina , Conde Cardona Yenni AngÃ©lica
Published: March 2014

This article analyzes indicators of science and technology, showing the participation of the University ofCauca in the generation of network externalities. The methodology addresses quantitative and qualitativedesigns. Consists of a descriptive study that covers the main indicators of R&D and network externalitiesfrom the view of the specialized literature, and an analytical study that uses the technique known asmethod of consensus panel of experts. The answers of the experts are processed to determine the level ofconsistency and identify indicators of R&D that facilitate the measurement of network externalities, suchas the production of new knowledge-related products; number of networks through programs ofpostgraduates in national conventions; and number of graduates in specializations, masterâ€™s and doctoralprograms.
Cuantificación del riesgo de incumplimiento en créditos de libre inversión: un ejercicio econométrico para una entidad bancaria del municipio de Popayán, Colombia
Authors: Salazar Villano Fabián Enrique
Published: March 2014

Este documento aborda el estudio del riesgo de crédito como un objetivo de la regulación bancaria moderna,partiendo de la teoría económica hasta llegar a una aproximación cuantitativa concreta. En este sentido,se plantean 2 modelos econométricos para una institución bancaria representativa en la cartera de libreinversión en el municipio de Popayán, Departamento del Cauca (Colombia), con los cuales se logra demostrarque su cartera de libre inversión es de bajo riesgo, aun bajo ciertas características del acreditado y delcontrato de crédito, y por otro lado, que el riesgo de incumplimiento es elástico o altamente sensible anteel ciclo económico, e inelástico ante las tasas de interés y desempleo de la ciudad.
Importancia de la gerencia del conocimiento: contrastes entre la teoría y la evidencia empírica
Authors: Bernal Torres César Augusto , Frost González José Salomón , Sierra Arango Hernán Darío
Published: March 2014

Este estudio analiza la importancia que las organizaciones dan en Colombia a la gerencia del conocimiento,para responder a los retos del actual orden económico mundial. Para ello se aplicó una encuesta a2.249 personas en 83 organizaciones de diferentes tama˜nos y sectores de actividad económica, localizadasen la ciudad de Bogotá. En general, los resultados indican que la gerencia del conocimiento no esuna práctica usual en estas organizaciones, situación que contrasta desfavorablemente con el alto gradode importancia que las organizaciones en los países desarrollados dan a estas actividades, consideradascomo estratégicas para potenciar su capacidad innovadora y competitividad sostenible. Rasgos estos delos que en general adolecen las empresas en Colombia y los cuales son necesarios potenciar.
7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex is recruited to the HIV‐1 promoter via short viral transcripts
Authors: Mizutani Taketoshi , Ishizaka Aya , Suzuki Yutaka , Iba Hideo
Published: March 2014

In this study, we demonstrate that the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex is recruited to the HIV‐1 promoter via newly‐synthesized HIV‐1 nascent transcripts (short transcripts) in an hnRNP A1‐dependent manner and negatively regulates viral transcript elongation. Our deep‐sequence analysis showed these short transcripts were mainly arrested at approximately +50 to +70 nucleotides from the transcriptional start site in the U1 cells, an HIV‐1 latent model. TNF‐α treatment promptly disrupted the 7SK snRNP complex on the nascent transcripts and viral elongated transcripts were increased. This report provides insight into how 7SK snRNP complex is recruited to HIV‐1 promoter in the absence of Tat.
Simply-connected vortex-patch shallow-water quasi-equilibria
Authors: Płotka H. , Dritschel D. G.
Published: March 2014

We examine the form, properties, stability and evolution of simply-connected vortex-patch relative quasi-equilibria in the single-layer $f$-plane shallow-water model of geophysical fluid dynamics. We examine the effects of the size, shape and strength of vortices in this system, represented by three distinct parameters completely describing the families of the quasi-equilibria. Namely, these are the ratio $\gamma = L/L_D$ between the horizontal size of the vortices and the Rossby deformation length; the aspect ratio $\lambda $ between the minor to major axes of the vortex; and a potential vorticity (PV)-based Rossby number $\mathit{Ro}= q^{\prime }/f$, the ratio of the PV anomaly $q^{\prime }$ within the vortex to the Coriolis frequency $f$. By defining an appropriate steadiness parameter, we find that the quasi-equilibria remain steady for long times, enabling us to determine the boundary of stability $\lambda _c=\lambda _c(\gamma ,\mathit{Ro})$, for $0.25 \leq \gamma \leq 6$ and $\delimiter "026A30C \mathit{Ro}\delimiter "026A30C \leq 1$. By calling two states which share $\gamma ,\delimiter "026A30C \mathit{Ro}\delimiter "026A30C $ and $\lambda $ ‘equivalent’, we find a clear asymmetry in the stability of cyclonic ($\mathit{Ro}> 0$) and anticyclonic ($\mathit{Ro}<0$) equilibria, with cyclones being able to sustain greater deformations than anticyclones before experiencing an instability. We find that ageostrophic motions stabilise cyclones and destabilise anticyclones. Both types of vortices undergo the same main types of unstable evolution, albeit in different ranges of the parameter space, (a) vacillations for large-$\gamma $, large-$\mathit{Ro}$ states, (b) filamentation for small-$\gamma $ states and (c) vortex splitting, asymmetric for intermediate-$\gamma $ and symmetric for large-$\gamma $ states.
Cell wall reinforcement in watermelon shoot base related to its resistance to Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum
Authors: CHANG T.-H. , LIN Y.-H. , CHEN K.-S. , HUANG J.-W. , HSIAO S.-C. , CHANG P.-F. L.
Published: March 2014

Fusarium wilt of watermelon, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, is one of the limiting factors for watermelon production in Taiwan. In recent research, the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene expressed in the shoot base of the Fusarium wilt resistant line JSB was related to Fusarium wilt resistance. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase is the key regulatory enzyme in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway. The downstream products of phenolic compounds are considered to be involved in the complicated plant defence mechanisms. They could act as signal molecules, antimicrobial substances and/or structural barriers. To study the resistant mechanisms of Fusarium wilt, the resistant JSB line was examined for comparison of F. oxysporum-watermelon interactions with the susceptible Grand Baby (GB) cultivar. Unlike infected GB, which was seriously colonized by F. oxysporum in the whole plant, the pathogen was limited below the shoot base of inoculated JSB, suggesting that the shoot base of JSB may contribute to Fusarium resistance. The data indicated that a significant increase in PAL activity was found in shoot bases of the resistant JSB line at 3, 9, 12 and 15 days after inoculation (DAI). Shoot bases of resistant watermelons accumulated higher amounts of soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics at 3–9 DAI; the susceptible GB cultivar, however, only increased the cell wall-bound phenolics in shoot bases at 3 DAI. High lignin deposition in the cell walls of vascular bundles was observed in the shoot bases of JSB but not of GB seedlings at 6 and 9 DAI. In the roots and shoot bases of JSB seedlings at 6 DAI, peroxidase enzyme activity increased significantly. In summary, the results suggest that accumulation of cell wall-bound phenolics and increase of peroxidase activity in shoot bases of JSB seedlings during F. oxysporum inoculation, together with the rapid deposition of lignin in the cell walls of vascular bundles, may have provided structural barriers in resistant JSB line to defend against F. oxysporum invasion.
Least limiting water range and soil pore-size distribution related to soil organic carbon dynamics following zero and conventional tillage of a black soil in Northeast China
Authors: CHEN X. W. , SHI X. H. , LIANG A. Z. , ZHANG X. P. , JIA S. X. , FAN R. Q. , WEI S. C.
Published: March 2014

The present work built on a previous study of tillage trials, which found the effectiveness of least limiting water range (LLWR) as an indicator of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization under different tillage practices in a black soil of Northeast China in 2009. To improve the understanding of soil structure controls over SOC dynamics, a study was conducted to explore the relationship between LLWR, which was calculated based on soil bulk density and soil pore-size distribution, and the effects of LLWR, which was calculated based on soil bulk density and soil pore-size distribution on SOC mineralization following no tillage (NT) and mouldboard ploughing (MP). In contrast to MP, NT had a significantly greater volume of large macropores (>100 μm) at depths of 0–0·05 and 0·2–0·3 m, but a significantly lower volume of small macropores (30–100 μm) at depths of 0–0·05, 0·05–0·1, 0·1–0·2 and 0·2–0·3 m. The volume of meso- (0·2–30 μm) and micro-pores (<0·2 μm) at different depths under the two tillage practices were similar. Tillage-induced changes in soil bulk density and pore-size volumes affected the ability of soil to fulfil essential soil functions in relation to organic matter turnover. Soil pore-size distribution, especially small macropores greatly affected LLWR and there was a significant correlation between LLWR, which was calculated based on soil bulk density, and the proportion of small macropores. The proportion of small macropores were used to calculate LLWR instead of soil bulk density and the values for NT and MP soils ranged from 0·073 to 0·148 m3water/m3soil. Using the proportion of small macropores rather than bulk density in the calculation of LLWR resulted in more sensitive indications of SOC mineralization. Variation in the proportion of small macropores can help characterize the impacts of tillage practices on dynamics of LLWR and SOC sequestration.
Diet, lifestyle and body weight in Irish children: findings from Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance national surveys
Authors: Walton Janette , McNulty Breige A. , Nugent Anne P. , Gibney Michael J. , Flynn Albert
Published: March 2014

Childhood obesity is an issue of public health concern globally. This review reports on levels of overweight and obesity in Irish children and examines some aspects of their diet and lifestyle proposed to promote or protect against increasing body fatness in children. While there is still some debate with regard to the most appropriate cut-off points to use when assessing body fatness in children, approximately one in five Irish children (aged 2–17 years) have been classified as overweight (including obese) according to two generally accepted approaches. Furthermore, comparison with previous data has shown an increase in mean body weight and BMI over time. On examining dietary patterns for Irish children, there was a noticeable transition from a less energy dense diet in pre-school children to a more energy dense diet in older children and teenagers, associated with a change to less favourable dietary intakes for fibre, fat, fruit and vegetables, confectionery and snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages as children got older. A significant proportion of school-aged children and teenagers reported watching more than 2 h television per day (35 % on school-days and 65 % on week-ends) compared with 13 % of pre-school children. For children aged 5–12 years, eating out of the home contributed just 9 % of energy intake but food eaten from outside the home was shown to contribute a higher proportion of energy from fat and to be less fibre-dense than food prepared at home. Improvements in dietary lifestyle are needed to control increasing levels of overweight and obesity in children in Ireland.