bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary neutrality of mtDNA introgression: evidence from complete mitogenome analysis in roe deer
Authors: Matosiuk M. , Sheremetyeva I. N. , Sheremetyev I. S. , Saveljev A. P. , Borkowska A.
Published: September 2014

Introgressive hybridization offers a unique platform for studying the molecular basis of natural selection acting on mitogenomes. Most of the mtDNA protein‐coding genes are extremely conserved; however, some of the observed variations have potentially adaptive significance. Here, we evaluated whether the evolution of mtDNA in closely related roe deer species affected by widespread mtDNA introgression is neutral or adaptive. We characterized and compared 16 complete mitogenomes of European (Capreolus capreolus) and Siberian (C. pygargus) roe deer, including four of Siberian origin introgressed into European species. The average sequence divergence of species‐specific lineages was estimated at 2.8% and varied across gene classes. Only 21 of 315 fixed differences identified in protein‐coding genes represented nonsynonymous changes. Only three of them were determined to have arisen in the C. pygargus lineage since the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of both Capreolus species, reflecting a decelerated evolutionary ratio. The almost four‐fold higher dN/dS ratio described for the European roe deer lineage is constrained by overall purifying selection, especially pronounced in the ND4 and ND5 genes. We suggest that the highly divergent C. capreolus lineage could have maintained a capability for genomic incorporation of the well‐preserved and almost ancestral type of mtDNA present in C. pygargus. Our analyses did not indicate any signs of positive selection for Siberian roe deer mtDNA, suggesting that the present widespread introgression is evolutionarily neutral.
No patterns in thermal plasticity along a latitudinal gradient inDrosophila simulansfrom eastern Australia
Authors: van Heerwaarden B. , Lee R. F. H. , Overgaard J. , Sgrò C. M.
Published: September 2014

Phenotypic plasticity may be an important initial mechanism to counter environmental change, yet we know relatively little about the evolution of plasticity in nature. Species with widespread distributions are expected to have evolved higher levels of plasticity compared with those with more restricted, tropical distributions. At the intraspecific level, temperate populations are expected to have evolved higher levels of plasticity than their tropical counterparts. However, empirical support for these expectations is limited. In addition, no studies have comprehensively examined the evolution of thermal plasticity across life stages. Using populations ofDrosophila simulanscollected from a latitudinal cline spanning the entire east coast of Australia, we assessed thermal plasticity, measured as hardening capacity (the difference between basal and hardened thermal tolerance) for multiple measures of heat and cold tolerance across both adult and larval stages of development. This allowed us to explicitly ask whether the evolution of thermal plasticity is favoured in more variable, temperate environments. We found no relationship between thermal plasticity and latitude, providing little support for the hypothesis that temperate populations have evolved higher levels of thermal plasticity than their tropical counterparts. With the exception of adult heat survival, we also found no association between plasticity and ten climatic variables, indicating that the evolution of thermal plasticity is not easily predicted by the type of environment that a particular population occupies. We discuss these results in the context of the role of plasticity in a warming climate.
Human uterine lower segment myometrial cell and nuclear volume at term: influence of maternal age
Authors: Sweeney Eva M. , Dockery Peter , Crankshaw Denis J. , O'Brien Yvonne M. , Walsh Jennifer M. , Morrison John J.
Published: September 2014

Little is known about the cytoarchitecture of human myometrial cells in pregnancy, and whether or not this may be influenced by maternal characteristics such as age, parity and body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was primarily to evaluate human myometrial smooth muscle cell (SMC) and nuclear volume in the third trimester of human pregnancy, and secondarily to investigate if these parameters are altered in relation to the maternal characteristics outlined above. Myometrial biopsies were obtained from 30 women undergoing elective caesarean delivery at term. One‐micrometer sections were prepared for light microscopy and 100‐nm sections for electron microscopy. The nucleator technique was used to assess nuclear volume from the light microscopy images. Point‐counting methodology was used on transmission electron micrographs to assess the percentage of the cell volume occupied by the nucleus. Cell volume was calculated from these measurements. The euchromatin to heterochromatin (Eu/Het) ratio was determined to ascertain whether differences in nuclear volume were due to an increased range of genes being transcribed. The mean (± SEM) nuclear volume was 175 ± 10 μm3, the nucleus occupied 1.5 ± 0.1% of the SMC and the mean cell size was 14 047 ± 1352 μm3. The Eu/Het ratio was 7.54 ± 0.4. The mean volume of heterochromatin and euchromatin in the nucleus was 21.5 ± 1.7 and 149 ± 9 μm3, respectively. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that advanced maternal age was associated with an increase in the percentage of the cell occupied by nucleus (R2 = 0.32, P = 0.004). There were no other significant effects of maternal age, BMI or parity on the measured parameters. These findings provide reliable volumes for human myometrial cells and their nuclei at term gestation, and show that nuclear volume fraction may be influenced by maternal age.
Effects of Three Different Testosterone Formulations in Female-to-Male Transsexual Persons
Authors: Pelusi Carla , Costantino Antonietta , Martelli Valentina , Lambertini Martina , Bazzocchi Alberto , Ponti Federico , Battista Giuseppe , Venturoli Stefano , Meriggiola Maria C.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Gender dysphoria is characterized by a strong discomfort with the gender assigned at birth and the urge to live as a member of the opposite gender. The acquisition of phenotypic features of the desired gender requires the use of cross-sex hormones. Female-to-male (FtM) transsexual persons are treated with testosterone to induce virilization.

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of three different testosterone formulations on body weight and composition and metabolic and bone parameters.

Methods

Forty-five FtM transsexuals were randomly assigned to receive testoviron depot (i.m.: 100 mg/10 days; n = 15), testosterone gel (50 mg/die; n = 15), and testosterone undecanoate (i.m.: 1,000 mg every 6 weeks for the first 6 weeks and then every 12 weeks, n = 15). FtM individuals were studied before, at week 30, and at week 54 of testosterone treatment.

Main Outcome Measures

Anthropometric, metabolic, bone, hematological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months of treatment.

Results

Lean body mass significantly increased and fat mass decreased in all groups. No modifications were reported in fasting insulin and insulin sensitivity index. High-density plasma lipoprotein levels declined significantly and low-density lipoprotein concentrations increased significantly in the three groups. The activated partial thromboplastin time and factor I did not change while prothrombin time significantly increased in all groups. At week 54, all subjects were amenorrheic and time to amenorrhea did not differ between the three groups. Current general life satisfaction was increased in all subjects after 1 year of treatment.

Conclusions

One-year testosterone administration in FtM transsexuals appears to be very safe with no differences among the testosterone formulations used. Our study is preliminary, and the detection of subtle or long-term differences in the effects of the three formulations may require further larger and longer term studies in this and other populations.
Endoscopy for diagnosis and treatment in esophageal cancers: high‐technology assessment
Authors: Akiyama Junichi , Komanduri Srinadh , Konda Vani J.A. , Mashimo Hiroshi , Noria Sabrena , Triadafilopoulos George
Published: September 2014

The following, from the 12th OESO World Conference: Cancers of the Esophagus, includes commentaries on the endoscopic tools to recognize squamous cell dysplasia; confocal laser endomicroscopy for Barrett's esophagus; confocal microscopy in the cancer patient; optical coherence tomography in the assessment of subsquamous Barrett's metaplasia; endoscopic mucosal resection for high‐grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus; HALO in the treatment of squamous dysplasia; and the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Recent Developments in Dynamic Pricing Research: Multiple Products, Competition, and Limited Demand Information
Authors: Chen Ming , Chen Zhi‐Long
Published: September 2014

Dynamic pricing enables a firm to increase revenue by better matching supply with demand, responding to shifting demand patterns, and achieving customer segmentation. In the last 20 years, numerous success stories of dynamic pricing applications have motivated a rapidly growing research interest in a variety of dynamic pricing problems in the academic literature. A large class of problems that arise in various revenue management applications involve selling a given amount of inventory over a finite time horizon without inventory replenishment. In this study, we identify most recent trends in dynamic pricing research involving such problems. We review existing research on three new classes of problems that have attracted a rapidly growing interest in the last several years, namely, problems with multiple products, problems with competition, and problems with limited demand information. We also identify a number of possible directions for future research.
The Role of Discount Vouchers in Market with Customer Valuation Uncertainty
Authors: Gao Fei , Chen Jian
Published: September 2014

Online discount voucher market In the discount voucher market, customers usually face two types of valuation uncertainty, namely, preference uncertainty and consumption state uncertainty. Preference uncertainty is related to the customer's lack of relevant experience with the merchant, whereas consumption state uncertainty is related to the advance selling nature of the discount voucher mechanism. By taking a comprehensive perspective (i.e., considering revenue management and promotion effect at the same time), we find (i) no show of voucher buyers may not be a good thing for the merchant, especially for those large or start‐up ones; (ii) offering refund may always hurt the merchant's profit and the PayPal model may not be optimal in terms of maximizing social welfare; and (iii) market segmentation is not necessary for the profitability of promotion.
Tillage and residue management effects on temporal changes in soil organic carbon and fractions of a silty loam soil in the North China Plain
Authors: Dikgwatlhe S. B. , Kong F. L. , Chen Z. D. , Lal R. , Zhang H. L. , Chen F.
Published: September 2014

Soil degradation and associated depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC) have been major concerns in intensive farming systems because of the subsequent decline in crop yields. We assessed temporal changes in SOC and its fractions under different tillage systems for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – maize (Zea mays L.) cropping in the North China Plain. Four tillage systems were established in 2001: plow tillage (PT), rotary tillage (RT), no‐till (NT), and plow tillage with residues removed (PT0). Concentrations of SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), non‐POC (NPOC), labile organic carbon (LOC), non‐LOC (NLOC), heavy fraction carbon (HFC) and light fraction carbon (LFC) were determined to assess tillage‐induced changes in the top 50 cm. Concentrations of SOC and C fractions declined with soil depth and were significantly affected by tillage over time. The results showed that SOC and its fractions were enhanced under NT and RT from 0 to 10 cm depth compared with values for PT and PT0. Significant decreases were observed below 10 cm depths (P < 0.05) regardless of the tillage system. The SOC concentration under NT for 0–5 cm depth was 18%, 8%, and 10% higher than that under PT0 after 7, 9, and 12 yr of NT adoption, respectively. Apparent stratification of SOC occurred under NT compared with PT and PT0 for depths >10 cm. All parameters were positively correlated (P < 0.01); linear regressions exhibited similar patterns (P < 0.01). Therefore, to maintain and improve SOC levels, residue inputs should be complemented by the adoption of suitable tillage systems.
Metabolome‐genome‐wide association study dissects genetic architecture for generating natural variation in rice secondary metabolism
Authors: Matsuda Fumio , Nakabayashi Ryo , Yang Zhigang , Okazaki Yozo , Yonemaru Jun‐ichi , Ebana Kaworu , Yano Masahiro , Saito Kazuki
Published: September 2014

Plants produce structurally diverse secondary (specialized) metabolites to increase their fitness for survival under adverse environments. Several bioactive compounds for new drugs have been identified through screening of plant extracts. In this study, genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted to investigate the genetic architecture behind the natural variation of rice secondary metabolites. GWAS using the metabolome data of 175 rice accessions successfully identified 323 associations among 143 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 89 metabolites. The data analysis highlighted that levels of many metabolites are tightly associated with a small number of strong quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The tight association may be a mechanism generating strains with distinct metabolic composition through the crossing of two different strains. The results indicate that one plant species produces more diverse phytochemicals than previously expected, and plants still contain many useful compounds for human applications.
A fluorescence‐activated cell sorting‐based strategy for rapid isolation of high‐lipid Chlamydomonas mutants
Authors: Terashima Mia , Freeman Elizabeth S. , Jinkerson Robert E. , Jonikas Martin C.
Published: September 2014

There is significant interest in farming algae for the direct production of biofuels and valuable lipids. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is the leading model system for studying lipid metabolism in green algae, but current methods for isolating mutants of this organism with a perturbed lipid content are slow and tedious. Here, we present the Chlamydomonas high‐lipid sorting (CHiLiS) strategy, which enables enrichment of high‐lipid mutants by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) of pooled mutants stained with the lipid‐sensitive dye Nile Red. This method only takes 5 weeks from mutagenesis to mutant isolation. We developed a staining protocol that allows quantification of lipid content while preserving cell viability. We improved separation of high‐lipid mutants from the wild type by using each cell's chlorophyll fluorescence as an internal control. We initially demonstrated 20‐fold enrichment of the known high‐lipid mutant sta1 from a mixture of sta1 and wild‐type cells. We then applied CHiLiS to sort thousands of high‐lipid cells from a pool of about 60 000 mutants. Flow cytometry analysis of 24 individual mutants isolated by this approach revealed that about 50% showed a reproducible high‐lipid phenotype. We further characterized nine of the mutants with the highest lipid content by flame ionization detection and mass spectrometry lipidomics. All mutants analyzed had a higher triacylglycerol content and perturbed whole‐cell fatty acid composition. One arbitrarily chosen mutant was evaluated by microscopy, revealing larger lipid droplets than the wild type. The unprecedented throughput of CHiLiS opens the door to a systems‐level understanding of green algal lipid biology by enabling genome‐saturating isolation of mutants in key genes.
Intracellular Transport of Fat‐Soluble Vitamins A and E
Authors: Kono Nozomu , Arai Hiroyuki
Published: September 2014

Vitamins are compounds that are essential for the normal growth, reproduction and functioning of the human body. Of the 13 known vitamins, vitamins A, D, E and K are lipophilic compounds and are therefore called fat‐soluble vitamins. Because of their lipophilicity, fat‐soluble vitamins are solubilized and transported by intracellular carrier proteins to exert their actions and to be metabolized properly. Vitamin A and its derivatives, collectively called retinoids, are solubilized by intracellular retinoid‐binding proteins such as cellular retinol‐binding protein (CRBP), cellular retinoic acid‐binding protein (CRABP) and cellular retinal‐binding protein (CRALBP). These proteins act as chaperones that regulate the metabolism, signaling and transport of retinoids.CRALBP‐mediated intracellular retinoid transport is essential for vision in human. α‐Tocopherol, the main form of vitamin E found in the body, is transported by α‐tocopherol transfer protein (α‐TTP) in hepatic cells. Defects of α‐TTPcause vitamin E deficiency and neurological disorders in humans. Recently, it has been shown that the interaction of α‐TTPwith phosphoinositides plays a critical role in the intracellular transport of α‐tocopherol and is associated with familial vitamin E deficiency. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms and biological significance of the intracellular transport of vitamins A and E.
Fourier analysis of thermal diffusive waves
Authors: Sabieh Anwar Muhammad , Alam Junaid , Wasif Muhammad , Ullah Rafi , Shamim Sohaib , Zia Wasif
Published: September 2014

We present details of an experiment that improves earlier attempts to study the propagation of diffusive thermal waves inside a metal rod. In addition to technical improvements in data acquisition and heater control, the experiment physically illustrates insightful concepts in Fourier analysis. For example, the harmonic content and the differential damping of harmonics can be observed in the thermal domain, thus providing a valuable extension to the standard Fourier analysis of electric circuits.
fissioncore: A desktop-computer simulation of a fission-bomb core
Authors: Cameron Reed B. , Rohe Klaus
Published: September 2014

A computer program, fissioncore, has been developed to deterministically simulate the growth of the number of neutrons within an exploding fission-bomb core. The program allows users to explore the dependence of criticality conditions on parameters such as nuclear cross-sections, core radius, number of secondary neutrons liberated per fission, and the distance between nuclei. Simulations clearly illustrate the existence of a critical radius given a particular set of parameter values, as well as how the exponential growth of the neutron population (the condition that characterizes criticality) depends on these parameters. No understanding of neutron diffusion theory is necessary to appreciate the logic of the program or the results. The code is freely available in FORTRAN, C, and Java and is configured so that modifications to accommodate more refined physical conditions are possible.
A Case Study of a Parasport Coach and a Life of Learning
Authors: Taylor Shaunna L. , Werthner Penny , Culver Diane
Published: September 2014

The complex process of sport coaching is a dynamic and evolving practice that develops over a long period of time. As such, a useful constructivist perspective on lifelong learning is Jarvis’ (2006, 2009) theory of human learning. According to Jarvis, how people learn is at the core of understanding how we can best support educational development. The purpose of the current study is to explore the lifelong learning of one parasport coach who stood out in his feld, and how his coaching practice evolved and developed throughout his life. A thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to extract themes and examples from three two-hour interviews as well as interviews with key collaborators in his coaching network. The findings reveal a coach whose coaching practice is founded on pragmatic problem solving in the face of a lack in resources; an investment in formal and nonformal adapted activity education at the start of his parasport career; and observation, communication, and relationship-building with his athletes and the parasport community. Suggestions are provided for coach developers on how they might invest resources and create learning opportunities for coaches of athletes with a disability.
Mastery, Autonomy and Transformational Approaches to Coaching: Common Features and Applications
Authors: Vella Stewart A. , Perlman Dana J.
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise resource for coaches, coach educators, and coaching scientists by reviewing three common approaches to coaching: the mastery approach to coaching; autonomy-supportive coaching; and the transformational leadership approach to coaching. The theoretical foundations, purpose, evidence base, specifed behaviours, and translation into coaching and coach education of each approach are reviewed. Despite diverse theoretical foundations and variations in purpose, there is some overlap in the coaching behaviours prescribed by each approach. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support the use of the three approaches in coach education and this is detrimental to effective and evidence-based coach education. Efforts to integrate theoretical foundations are promising, and a comprehensive prescription of coaching behaviours based on an integration of the three approaches is possible. This approach can potentially lead to cumulative effects on positive athlete outcomes. Future research should elucidate the common and unique contributions of these approaches to athletes’ outcomes, and whether they differ by age, sex, type of sport, or competition level.
Sensitization of Intracellular Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium to Aminoglycosides
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
by a Host-Targeted Antimicrobial Agent
Authors: Lo Jung-Hsin , Kulp Samuel K. , Chen Ching-Shih , Chiu Hao-Chieh
Published: September 2014

Aminoglycosides exhibit relatively poor activity against intracellular
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium due to their low permeativity across eukaryotic cell membranes. Previously, we identified the unique ability of AR-12, a celecoxib-derived small-molecule agent, to eradicate intracellular
Salmonella
Typhimurium in macrophages by facilitating autophagosome formation and suppressing Akt kinase signaling. In light of this unique mode of antibacterial action, we investigated the ability of AR-12 to sensitize intracellular
Salmonella
to aminoglycosides in macrophages and in an animal model. The antibacterial activities of AR-12 combined with various aminoglycosides, including streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, and amikacin, against intracellular
S
. Typhimurium in murine RAW264.7 macrophages were assessed. Cells were infected with
S
. Typhimurium followed by treatment with AR-12 or individual aminoglycosides or with combinations for 24 h. The
in vivo
efficacies of AR-12, alone or in combination with gentamicin or amikacin, were also assessed by treating
S
. Typhimurium-infected BALB/c mice daily for 14 consecutive days. Exposure of
S
. Typhimurium-infected RAW264.7 cells to a combination of AR-12 with individual aminoglycosides led to a reduction in bacterial survival (
P
< 0.05), both intracellular and extracellular, that was greater than that seen with the aminoglycosides alone. This sensitizing effect, however, was not associated with increased aminoglycoside penetration into bacteria or macrophages. Moreover, daily intraperitoneal injection of AR-12 at 0.1 mg/kg of body weight significantly increased the
in vivo
efficacy of gentamicin and amikacin in prolonging the survival of
S
. Typhimurium-infected mice. These findings indicate that the unique ability of AR-12 to enhance the
in vivo
efficacy of aminoglycosides might have translational potential for efforts to develop novel strategies for the treatment of salmonellosis.
Fatal Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome due to Serotype CNeisseria meningitidisin a young HIV negative MSM (men who have sex with men).
Authors: Agrawal Abhinav , Jasdanwala Sarfaraz , Agarwal Abhishek , Eng Margaret
Published: September 2014

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (fulminant meningococcaemia) is a fulminating infection, often leading to mortality in a matter of hours. In the past 3 years there has been a rise in cases ofNeisseria meningitisin the men who have sex with men (MSM) population in the USA and sporadic cases over the world especially in those who are HIV positive. We describe a case of a 34-year-old Caucasian man who presented with acute fulminant meningococcaemia, which proved fatal over a period of hours. This case report emphasises the need for further vigilance, prompt diagnosis and treatment of fulminant meningococcaemia without signs of meningitis especially in the MSM population and the need to expand vaccination recommendations of Meningococcaemia in the MSM population across the USA in both HIV positive and negative males.
Oral health and elite sport performance
Authors: Needleman Ian , Ashley Paul , Fine Peter , Haddad Fares , Loosemore Mike , de Medici Akbar , Donos Nikos , Newton Tim , van Someren Ken , Moazzez Rebecca , Jaques Rod , Hunter Glenn , Khan Karim , Shimmin Mark , Brewer John , Meehan Lyndon , Mills Steve , Porter Stephen
Published: September 2014

While the research base is limited, studies have consistently reported poor oral health in elite athletes since the first report from the 1968 Olympic Games. The finding is consistent both across selected samples attending dental clinics at major competitions and more representative sampling of teams and has led to calls from the International Olympic Committee for more accurate data on oral health. Poor oral health is an important issue directly as it can cause pain, negative effects on appearance and psychosocial effects on confidence and quality of life and may have long-term consequences for treatment burden. Self-reported evidence also suggests an impact on training and performance of athletes. There are many potential challenges to the oral health of athletes including nutritional, oral dehydration, exercise-induced immune suppression, lack of awareness, negative health behaviours and lack of prioritisation. However, in theory, oral diseases are preventable by simple interventions with good evidence of efficacy. The consensus statement aims to raise awareness of the issues of oral health in elite sport and recommends strategies for prevention and health promotion in addition to future research strategies.
Gauge inflation by kinetic coupled gravity
Authors: Darabi F. , Parsiya A.
Published: September 2014

Recently, a new class of inflationary models, so-called gauge-flation or non-Abelian gauge field inflation has been introduced where the slow-roll inflation is driven by a non-Abelian gauge field A with the field strength F. This class of models are based on a gauge field theory having F2and F4terms with a non-Abelian gauge group minimally coupled to gravity. Here, we present a new class of such inflationary models based on a gauge field theory having only F2term with non-Abelian gauge fields non-minimally coupled to gravity. The non-minimal coupling is set up by introducing the Einstein tensor besides the metric tensor within the F2term, which is called kinetic coupled gravity. A perturbation analysis is performed to confront the inflation under consideration with Planck and BICEP2 results
A Survey on FDTD-Based Interconnect Modeling
Authors: Murthy N. S. , Kavicharan M.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a selective survey of finite difference time domain (FDTD)-based interconnects modeling for signal integrity analysis problems. In spite of 47 years of its existence, researchers have focused on FDTD method with further modifications and enhancements for the signal integrity analysis of interconnects over the past two decades only. Because of the remarkable amount of interconnect-based FDTD-related research activity, tracking the FDTD literature can be a tedious and challenging task. This survey presents some of the significant methods and approaches employed to analyze the developments achieved up to the present-day signal integrity related research. These methods are based on solving telegrapher's equations which represent the transmission line behavior of interconnects. Recent research concentrates on developing novel methods for accurate interconnect modeling, extraction of interconnect parameters and incorporation of more lumped elements into FDTD. In this paper an attempt has been made to compare and summarize some of the well-known FDTD-based methods, which were used in interconnect related research.
ARACE – A New Method for Verbal Decision Analysis
Authors: Oleynikov Denis P. , Butenko Lyudmila N. , Moshkovich Helen M. , Mechitov Alexander I.
Published: September 2014

ARACE is a new method developed within the framework of Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA). VDA methods work with verbal form of preference elicitation and evaluation of alternatives without resorting to numbers. ARACE is based on the ideas of the VDA method ZAPROS but uses a more flexible approach to inconsistency of the decision-maker's preferences by introducing a special construct of a "quasi-expert." Mismatched preferences of the decision-maker are viewed as preferences of several quasi-experts. The preference system for each quasi-expert is transitive, leading to consistent decision rules formed for each quasi-expert separately. These rules are used to compare alternatives. Differences in possible comparison of alternatives based on different quasi-experts are resolved through a Clustered Rankings Method for rankings with ties.
INVESTIGATING FIRM-LEVEL EFFECTS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON INNOVATION PERFORMANCE
Authors: MANGIAROTTI GIOVANNI , MENTION ANNE-LAURE
Published: September 2014

This study contributes to the scarce stream of literature that concentrates on measuring the firm-level effects of knowledge management (KM) strategies on innovation performance. It evaluates the impact of codification and personalisation strategies, both individually and jointly, distinguishing between innovation propensity and innovation output. The research applies a knowledge production function (KPF) approach to the Community Innovation Survey (CIS) data for Luxembourg. Reliance on internationally agreed definitions and focus on an open international economy largely dominated by innovative service firms provide an original and significant contribution to the available empirical literature. Findings indicate that personalisation and codification effects on innovation propensity are highly comparable. In contrast, personalisation exerts a positive effect on innovation output, whereas codification does not. Results further advocate that codification affects output only when combined with personalisation. However, the adoption of mixed strategies does not seem to be more effective than a pure personalisation strategy.
XX. On continuous internal movements in the Earth’s crust
Authors: Reid John
Published: September 2014

T
he
author, in proof of the various internal movements in the crust of the earth, which formed the subject of his communication, referred to many well-known phenomena, such as the thin, soft, clayey layers always found between the various beds in our coal-pits, and which are composed of the ground materials of the contiguous beds—the soft fire-clay at the bottom, and sometimes forming the roof of our coal seams—the vertical cracks in all hard beds of coal and rocks, of which there are two lines running nearly at right angles to each other, one of which, running north-east and south-west, forms what in coal-workings is called the
plane
of the coal, the other, north-west and south-east, forming the so-called
end cracks
—also, the oblique cracks in softer strata, and the highly-polished surfaces so abundantly found in fire-clay, coals, &c., known by the name of
slickensides.
Fire-clay, especially when affected by the movements he referred to, was the worst possible roof that a coal-mine could have, and also the most dangerous, as it falls without giving warning. The finest seam of coal for domestic purposes in the Glasgow district has this kind of roof, which makes it very expensive to work; and large portions of the splint coal in the Wishaw district are all but unworkable, from their having this roof full of what the miners call
“lypes”
and
“lunkers.”
The author stated his conviction that, but for the movements he referred to, colliery managers would not require to leave such large
XV.—
A Possible Eastern Extension of the Ballachulish Granite
Authors: Bowes D. R.
Published: September 2014

The occurrence of two areas of low grade thermally metamorphosed rocks and hydrothermal veins in the Dalradian meta-sediments south of the village of Ballachulish is recorded. They are interpreted as being the result of a structurally controlled underground eastern extension of the Ballachulish Granite, which is considered to be batholithic in form. Eight new chemical analyses of meta-sediments indicate the isochemical nature of the thermal metamorphism.
Research on Discretization PI Control Technology of Single‐Phase Grid‐Connected Inverter with LCL Filter
Authors: Li Jianke , Wang Jinquan , Xu Ye , Li Jianting , Chen Jingjing , Hou Pengfei , Qian Shuhua
Published: September 2014

Compared with L‐type filter, LCL‐type filter is more suitable for high‐power low‐switching frequency applications with reducing the inductance, improving dynamic performance. However, the parameter design for the LCL filter is more complex due to the influence of the controller response performance of the converter. If the harmonic current around switching frequency can be fully suppressed, it is possible for inverter to decrease the total inductance as well as the size and the cost. In this paper, the model of the LCL filter is analyzed and numerical algorithms are adopted to analyze the stability of the closed‐loop control system and stable regions are deduced with different parameters of LCL filter. Then, the minimum sampling frequencies are deduced with different conditions. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the research on the generating mechanism for the unstable region of sampling frequency.
Concurrent Intracranial and Spinal Subdural Hematoma in a Teenage Athlete: A Case Report of This Rare Entity
Authors: Treister Daniel S. , Kingston Sara E. , Zada Gabriel , Singh Manu , Jones Jesse G. A. , Mills Jena N. , Lerner Alexander , Boyko Orest B. , Law Meng , Rajamohan Anandh , Shiroishi Mark S.
Published: September 2014

A 15-year-old male high school football player presented with episodes of headache and complete body stiffness, especially in the arms, lower back, and thighs, immediately following a football game. This was accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting for several days. Viral meningitis was suspected by the primary clinician, and treatment with corticosteroids was initiated. Over the next several weeks, there was gradual symptom improvement and the patient returned to his baseline clinical status. The patient experienced a severe recurrence of the previous myriad of symptoms following a subsequent football game, without an obvious isolated traumatic episode. In addition, he experienced a new left sided headache, fatigue, and difficulty ambulating. He was admitted and an extensive workup was performed. CT and MRI of the head revealed concurrent intracranial and spinal subdural hematomas (SDH). Clinical workup did not reveal any evidence of coagulopathy or predisposing vascular lesions. Spinal SDH is an uncommon condition whose concurrence with intracranial SDH is an even greater clinical rarity. We suggest that our case represents an acute on chronic intracranial SDH with rebleeding, membrane rupture, and symptomatic redistribution of hematoma to the spinal subdural space.
Numerical Study on Different Series Modes of Jet Fan in a Longitudinal Tunnel Ventilation System
Authors: Pei Guihong , Pan Jie
Published: September 2014

Efficient ventilation systems will contribute to maintaining air quality in the tunnel. In order to improve ventilation performance in normal traffic condition, the 3D tunnel models were established according to the original design for the tunnel located in central plains of China. Based on the commercial CFD software Fluent 6.3 and k‐ε turbulence model, numerical simulations were carried out to study the patterns of jet flow and the optimization of fan combinations. It is found that the axial velocity profile obtained from numerical simulation agrees quite well with turbulent free jet theory although there is a little difference on the magnitude. The comparison of four combination modes under the condition of operating four fans indicates that the ventilation effectiveness is affected mainly by both the interval of adjacent groups of fans and the combination modes of operational fans. According to the simulation results, a novel combination mode which consists of a group double paralleled fans and two groups single fan is designed. The novel combination mode is regarded as the optimum combination mode with respect to maximizing air velocity in the tunnel. Compared to the traditional combination modes, it will increase the air velocity by 5.7%.
Element‐Free Approximation of Generalized Regularized Long Wave Equation
Authors: Huang Dong-Mei , Zhang L. W.
Published: September 2014

The generalized regularized long wave (GRLW) equation is an important nonlinear equation for describing a large number of physical phenomena, for examples, the shallow water waves and plasma waves. In this study, numerical approximation of the GRLW using the element‐free improved moving least‐squares Ritz (IMLS‐Ritz) method is performed. In the solution procedure, the IMLS approximation is employed to reduce the number of unknown coefficients in the trial functions. The Ritz minimization procedure is then used to derive the final algebraic equation system through discretizing the constructed energy formulation of the nonlinear GRLW equation. Time difference technique and Newton‐Raphson method are adopted to solve the nonlinear equation system. Numerical experiments are conducted on the final form of the governing equation system to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the element‐free IMLS‐Ritz method by comparing the computed IMLS‐Ritz results with the existing available analytical solutions.
Dietary Consumption of Virgin Coconut Oil Ameliorates Lipid Profiles in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Akinnuga A. M. , Jeje S. O. , Bamidele O. , Sunday V. E.
Published: September 2014

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a saturated fat with promising antidiabetic properties but its ameliorative effect on lipid profiles in diabetics is rarely reported. Therefore, in this study, a total of fifteen (15) male rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into 3 experimental groups (n=5). Group I (control) and Group II (diabetic control group) were fed a normal rat chow while Group III (diabetic test group) was fed a 10% VCO diet for 3 weeks. Group II and Group III were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. After 72 hours of injection, blood glucose was tested to confirm diabetes mellitus. After 3 weeks, the animals were sacrificed to collect blood samples for lipid profile analysis. The results showed a significant increase in concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein and decrease in concentration of high density lipoprotein in Group II when compared to Group I. Also, the concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein except high density lipoprotein significantly reduced in Group III when compared to Group II (P<0.01, 0.001). VCO consumption can be claimed to ameliorate lipid levels in diabetes mellitus.
Phenotypic Profile of Rh and Kell Blood Group Systems among Blood Donors in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa
Authors: Siransy Bogui L. , Dembele B. , Sekongo Y. , Abisse S. , Konaté S. , Sombo M.
Published: September 2014

Few countries in sub-Saharan Africa make systematic searches for antigens C, c, E, and e of the Rh and Kell system antigens in the donor and recipient, thereby exposing transfused patients. Purpose and Objectives. In this paper, we propose to determine the red cell Rh and Kell blood groups among blood donors from traditional techniques to improve medical care of transfused patients. This study will allow us to assess the frequency of blood group antigens in these systems. Study Design and Methods. We carried out a study on the red cell typing in the blood donor population of the National Blood Transfusion Center in Abidjan. This study was performed on 651 blood donors. Results. For the Rh system, the antigen frequencies of D, c, e, C, and E are, respectively, 92.93%, 99.85%, 99.85%, 21.97%, and 13.82%. K antigen is found in 0.77% of donors. Discussion and Conclusion. Although the frequencies of the most immunogenic antigens are lower than in the white race, lack of preventive measures makes the immunological risk high in Africa. Furthermore, Africa is full of specificities that are important to note for a better care of our patients.
Data Fusion Based Thermal Sensors for Mass Flow Measurement in Pneumatic Conveying
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhang Wenqian , Ling Dan
Published: September 2014

This paper mainly investigates the mass flow measurement of the gas‐solid two‐phase flow in pneumatic conveyor. A new data fusion method based on the thermal sensors is proposed, which can improve the overall accuracy of the flow rate of the gas‐solid two‐phase flow and the time resolution, that is, the overall response rate of the system. Based on this method, a model fusion used in time domain is obtained. Several examples are given to illustrate the advantages of the proposed method.
Algorithms of Finite Difference for Pricing American Options under Fractional Diffusion Models
Authors: Xi Jun , Chen Yanqing , Cao Jianwen
Published: September 2014

It is well known that linear complementarity problem (LCP) involving partial integro differential equation (PIDE) arises from pricing American options under Lévy Models. In the case of infinite activity process, the integral part of the PIDE has a singularity, which is generally approximated by a small Brownian component plus a compound Poisson process, in the neighborhood of origin. The PIDE can be reformulated as a fractional partial differential equation (FPDE) under fractional diffusion models, including FMLS (finite moment log stable), CGMY (Carr‐Madan‐Geman‐Yor), and KoBol (Koponen‐Boyarchenko‐Levendorskii). In this paper, we first present a stable iterative algorithm, which is based on the fractional difference approach and penalty method, to avoid the singularity problem and obtain numerical approximations of first‐order accuracy. Then, on the basis of the first‐order accurate algorithm, spatial extrapolation is employed to obtain second‐order accurate numerical estimates. Numerical tests are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm and the extrapolation method. We believe that
this can be used as necessary tools by the engineers in research.
Numerical Simulations of Spread Characteristics of Toxic Cyanide in the Danjiangkou Reservoir in China under the Effects of Dam Cooperation
Authors: Chen Libin , Yang Zhifeng , Liu Haifei
Published: September 2014

Many accidents of releasing toxic pollutants into surface water happen each year in the world. It is believed that dam cooperation can affect flow field in reservoir and then can be applied to avoiding and reducing spread speed of toxic pollutants to drinking water intake mouth. However, few studies investigated the effects of dam cooperation on the spread characteristics of toxic pollutants in reservoir, especially the source reservoir for water diversion with more than one dam. The Danjiangkou Reservoir is the source reservoir of the China’ South‐to‐North Water Diversion Middle Route Project. The human activities are active within this reservoir basin and cyanide‐releasing accident once happened in upstream inflow. In order to simulate the spread characteristics of cyanide in the reservoir in the condition of dam cooperation, a three‐dimensional water quality model based on the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) has been built and put into practice. The results indicated that cooperation of two dams of the Danjiangkou Reservoir could be applied to avoiding and reducing the spread speed of toxic cyanide in the reservoir directing to the water intake mouth for water diversions.
Collaborative Opportunistic Scheduling in Heterogeneous Networks: A Distributed Approach
Authors: Sun Donglai , Liu Yang , Li Jianhua , Wu Yue
Published: September 2014

We consider a collaborative opportunistic scheduling problem in a decentralized network with heterogeneous users. While most related researches focus on solutions for optimizing decentralized systems’ total performance, we proceed in another direction. Two problems are specifically investigated. (1) With heterogenous users having personal demands, is it possible to have it met by designing distributed opportunistic policies? (2) With a decentralized mechanism, how can we prevent selfish behaviors and enforce collaboration? In our research, we first introduce a multiuser network model along with a scheduling problem constrained by individual throughput requirement at each user’s side. An iterative algorithm is then proposed to characterize a solution for the scheduling problem, based on which collaborative opportunistic scheduling scheme is enabled. Properties of the algorithm, including convergence, will be discussed. Furthermore in order to keep the users staying with the collaboration state, an additional punishment strategy is designed. Therefore selfish deviation can be detected and disciplined so that collaboration is enforced. We demonstrate our main findings with both analysis and simulations.
An Affinity Propagation Clustering Algorithm for Mixed Numeric and Categorical Datasets
Authors: Zhang Kang , Gu Xingsheng
Published: September 2014

Clustering has been widely used in different fields of science, technology, social science, and so forth. In real world, numeric as well as categorical features are usually used to describe the data objects. Accordingly, many clustering methods can process datasets that are either numeric or categorical. Recently, algorithms that can handle the mixed data clustering problems have been developed. Affinity propagation (AP) algorithm is an exemplar‐based clustering method which has demonstrated good performance on a wide variety of datasets. However, it has limitations on processing mixed datasets. In this paper, we propose a novel similarity measure for mixed type datasets and an adaptive AP clustering algorithm is proposed to cluster the mixed datasets. Several real world datasets are studied to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Comparisons with other clustering algorithms demonstrate that the proposed method works well not only on mixed datasets but also on pure numeric and categorical datasets.
A Guaranteed Global Convergence Social Cognitive Optimizer
Authors: Sun Jia-ze , Wang Shu-yan , Chen Hao
Published: September 2014

From the analysis of the traditional social cognitive optimization (SCO) in theory, we see that traditional SCO is not guaranteed to converge to the global optimization solution with probability one. So an improved social cognitive optimizer is proposed, which is guaranteed to converge to the global optimization solution. The global convergence of the improved SCO algorithm is guaranteed by the strategy of periodic restart in use under the conditions of participating in comparison, which helps to avoid the premature convergence. Then we give the convergence proof for the improved SCO based on Solis and Wets’ research results. Finally, simulation results on a set of benchmark problems show that the proposed algorithm has higher optimization efficiency, better global performance, and better stable optimization outcomes than the traditional SCO for nonlinear programming problems (NLPs).