bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transferência de Conhecimento em Projetos de Consultoria em Vendas: Um Estudo de Caso de uma Empresa P-KIBS
Authors: Molas Quiroga Gaston Marcos , Silva e Meirelles Dimária
Published: May 2014

Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever as etapas do processo de transferência do conhecimento em uma empresa prestadora de serviços de consultoria, tendo como base de análise dois projetos de consultoria em vendas. As empresas prestadoras de serviços de consultoria são consideradas empresas intensivas em conhecimento, denominadas p-KIBS (Personal Knowledge Intensive Business Services). O atributo mais importante das p-KIBS refere-se à interação entre prestadores e usuários do serviço, necessária para a transferência de conhecimento. Como resultado da pesquisa, identificou-se que durante a prestação do serviço que a etapa de integração e retenção do conhecimento não ocorreu. Esta é uma das uma das mais importantes etapas no processo de prestação de serviço, pois os mecanismos de feedback e replicação do conhecimento são fundamentais para garantir a renovação de competências. Em função dos resultados encontrados, é proposto um modelo que integra as etapas de transferência no processo de prestação do serviço. As etapas integradas, se realizadas de forma eficiente dão rapidez de resposta às possíveis demandas do cliente, sem ter que esperar o processo normal de seleção de fornecedores, e, ao mesmo tempo, ampliam e atualizam a base de conhecimento da empresa, de modo que a base de serviços prestados também se amplia.DOI:10.5585/gep.v4i3.174
Projeto de Redução do Desperdício de Matéria-Prima: Estudo de Caso na Indústria de Embalagens de Papel no Brasil
Authors: Martins Gleison Hidalgo , Lima Tatiane Santos , Tigrinho Carlos Eduardo , Kossowski Lorete
Published: May 2014

Pode-se dizer que em se tratando de produção industrial os desperdícios que podem ocorrer ao longo dos processos são diversos, vão de matéria-prima à recursos financeiros. No entanto pode-se classificar o desperdício de matéria-prima como sendo o mais urgente deste setor e também o mais passivo de ser estudado, uma vez que impacta diretamente no fluxo fabril e na quantidade do produto acabado. O conteúdo desta pesquisa apresenta argumentos através de embasamento teórico e prático que apontam para a importância de trabalhos sobre as possíveis causas do problema do desperdício de matéria-prima nas linhas industriais de embalagem de papel assim como as formas de combater e reagir ao problema.DOI:10.5585/gep.v4i3.186
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) – Análise de Eficiência da Gestão de Portfólio de Projetos de Desenvolvimento de Produtos
Authors: Gonçalves Regina Rocha Morais , Lara José Edson , Lopes Ana Lucia Miranda , Locatelli Ronaldo Lamounier
Published: May 2014

Este estudo aplicou a metodologia Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) em uma indústria siderúrgica. Esta metodologia se baseia em modelos matemáticos não paramétricos que avalia o desempenho de cada unidade de observação com uma perspectiva multidimensional. Foi estudado um portfólio composto por 12 projetos, para os quais foram obtidos os escores de eficiência técnica e de escala. Os escores de eficiência técnica indicaram os projetos “benchmarks”, comprovando a potencialidade do método. Para efeito de análises, foram aplicadas as técnicas de Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) com o modelo BCC (Banker, Charnes e Cooper, 1984) orientado à entrada, a análise de conteúdo e o modelo NTCR (Novidade, Tecnologia, Complexidade e Ritmo). Pode-se concluir que a adoção de metodologias voltadas à gestão da eficiência de projetos é ferramenta indispensável para a competitividade da organização, motivação dos colaboradores, melhoria dos processos de gestão e redução do tempo de entrega de produtos.DOI:10.5585/gep.v4i3.208
Percepção masculina sobre violência: um olhar dos usuários de serviços de saúde em Marília, São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Fernandes Carolina Barretos , Spazzapan Martins Vinicius , Dos Santos Janiele , Mendes da Silva Nathalia , Carvalho Bortoleto Juliana , Moreira Pirolo Sueli
Published: May 2014

Objetivo: este estudo buscou analisar a percepção masculina de violência a partir da sua compreensão de atos violentos. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e exploratório no qual foram entrevistados 600 homens, entre 18 e 59 anos, pacientes ou acompanhantes de pacientes de um pronto atendimento de referência para a Estratégia Saúde da Família, de um pronto-socorro e de um ambulatório de especialidades do Departamento Regional de Saúde de Marília-SP. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um questionário estruturado a respeito de identificação e de julgamento sobre atos violentos. Resultados: agressão à criança com arma de fogo, gritar e bater em criança foram caracterizados pelos homens entrevistados como atos extremamente violentos. Atos de agressão física como: socos, ameaças e tapas, foram considerados como muito violentos. Situações de média violência foram discussões entre casais, cenas de empurrão, homem segurando mulher pelos cabelos e mulher que chuta um homem. Atitudes consideradas como pouco violentas foram quando a mulher é autora de violência psicológica no casal. Conclusão: identificou-se um processo de naturalização de ações violentas pela ótica dos homens, o que requer um debate coletivo, tanto no setor de saúde quanto na sociedade em geral, para que ocorram soluções coletivas para o enfrentamento da violência enquanto problema de saúde pública.
Complicação de abscesso hepático em criança ribeirinha poliparasitada: um relato de caso e discussão sobre as condições de saneamento e acesso à saúde dessa população
Authors: Oliveira Sandro Henrique de Souza Dantas , Sousa Lorena Margalho , Brasil Jean Karlos Costa , Pires Carla Andréa Avelar
Published: May 2014

A falta de saneamento básico e as dificuldades de acesso aos serviços de saúde favorecem o poliparasitismo, contribuindo para retardo no desenvolvimento cognitivo e físico de crianças ou evolução com complicações que colocam em risco sua saúde. Relata-se aqui uma complicação de abscesso hepático em criança de três anos, poliparasitada, proveniente de comunidade ribeirinha, e discute-se sobre as condições de saneamento e acesso à saúde dessa população. Os dados foram obtidos junto à equipe multiprofissional envolvida durante a internação, ao prontuário e familiares. Dados da literatura são compatíveis com o relato ao mostrarem que, apesar das medidas de ampliação do acesso à saúde via fluvial e da melhoria sanitária em algumas comunidades, ainda há locais desassistidos pelo poder público, sendo necessária a realização de mais estudos para o conhecimento do perfil dessa população e a implantação de políticas públicas que visem melhorar a qualidade de vida, com menores custos em longo prazo.
Urbanização da leishmaniose visceral: aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos em Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil
Authors: Góes Marco Aurélio Oliveira , Jeraldo Verònica de Lourdes Sierpe , Oliveira Alex Santana
Published: May 2014

Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos da Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) na cidade de Aracaju-SE, no período de 2007 a 2011. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico retrospectivo, descritivo, utilizando dados oriundos do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Sergipe, com análise estatística pelo Epi Info 6.04d. Resultados: Foram registrados 128 casos de LV no município, representando média anual de 25,6 casos, e um coeficiente de incidência de 23,5 casos para cada 100 mil habitantes. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (65,6%) e uma maior concentração de casos ocorreu em crianças até quatro anos (26,6%). As manifestações clínicas mais encontradas foram: febre (96,1%); esplenomegalia (89,1%); hepatomegalia (79,7%); fraqueza (82,0%), e emagrecimento (77,3%). O critério de confirmação foi clínico-laboratorial em 95,5% dos casos. O coeficiente de letalidade geral no período estudado foi de 7,8% (dez óbitos) e de 26,7% em pessoas entre 40 e 49 anos (quatro óbitos). No período, foi identificado pelo menos um caso de LV em 65,8% dos 38 bairros de Aracaju, distribuídos em todas as regiões da cidade. Conclusões: Verifica-se no estudo uma ampla distribuição da LV no município, além de uma alta letalidade. Para o enfrentamento adequado da LV, além das medidas relacionadas às intervenções ambientais e ao controle vetorial, é necessária a constante atualização dos profissionais de saúde, principalmente dos médicos da atenção primária e das unidades de pronto-atendimento, para que consigam identificar precocemente os casos suspeitos a fim de que o diagnóstico e o tratamento ocorram de forma oportuna.
Modulation of total electron content by ULF Pc5 waves
Authors: Pilipenko V. , Belakhovsky V. , Murr D. , Fedorov E. , Engebretson M.
Published: May 2014

An intriguing effect was found while analyzing the small‐scale variations of total electron content (TEC) derived from global positioning system (GPS) signals. We found a response in TEC variations to intense global Pc5 pulsations with periods of a few millihertz covering the corrected geomagnetic latitudes ~58°–75° during the recovery phase of the strong magnetic storms on 31 October 2003. Earlier studies demonstrated that the GPS‐TEC technique is a powerful method to study the propagation pattern of transient disturbances in the ionosphere, generated by seismic or internal gravity waves. This technique has turned out to be sensitive enough to ULF waves as well. During periods with intense Pc5 geomagnetic wave activity, distinct pulsations with the same periodicity were found in the TEC data from high‐latitude GPS receiving stations in Scandinavia. Wavelet and cross‐spectral analysis showed a high coherence (~0.9) between the periodic geomagnetic and TEC variations. Moreover, the relative amplitude of TEC periodic fluctuations ΔTEC/TEC was about or even larger than the relative amplitude of geomagnetic variations ΔB/B. So far, the effect of TEC modulation by Pc5 waves is not well understood and is still a challenge for the MHD wave theory. Various possible modulation mechanisms have been estimated, but no mechanism has been firmly identified.
Along‐arc variation in the 3‐D thermal structure around the junction between the Japan and Kurile arcs
Authors: Morishige Manabu , van Keken Peter E.
Published: May 2014

The thermal structure in subduction zones has a strong influence on seismogenesis and arc volcanism. Traditional 2‐D models have been used to provide reasonable agreement between models and observations, but in a number of cases clear 3‐D effects are present. One such case is in the Northern Japan subduction system. At the junction between Japan and Kurile arcs, surface heat flow and the occurrence of intermediate‐depth seismicity are different than in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions. We investigate the effects of 3‐D slab geometry and a local deepening of slab‐mantle decoupling depth on the thermal structure in this region based on 3‐D finite element approach. We find that both effects produce the along‐arc variation of slab surface temperature, which could reach ∼100°C. The warmer region arises through 3‐D effects of thermal conduction and the colder region arises through localized slow incoming flow in the case where 3‐D slab geometry is taken into account. 3‐D flow arises where a local deepening of slab‐mantle decoupling depth is assumed, which leads to both warmer and colder regions. The effects on surface heat flow are small. While intermediate‐depth seismicity in the subducted crust is suggested to be controlled by temperature‐dependent phase transitions, the predicted changes in thermal structure are not sufficient to cause the observed deepening of seismicity. This suggests that the thermal structure of this subduction zone may be more strongly influenced by time‐dependent deformation of the overriding crust and slab.
Thermospheric density perturbations in response to substorms
Authors: Clausen L. B. N. , Milan S. E. , Grocott A.
Published: May 2014

We use 5 years (2001–2005) of CHAMP (Challenging Minisatellite Payload) satellite data to study average spatial and temporal mass density perturbations caused by magnetospheric substorms in the thermosphere. Using statistics from 2306 substorms to construct superposed epoch time series, we find that the largest average increase in mass density of about 6% occurs about 90 min after substorm expansion phase onset about 3 h of magnetic local time east of the onset region. Averaged over the entire polar auroral region, a mass density increase of about 4% is observed. Using a simple model to estimate the mass density increase at the satellite altitude, we find that an energy deposition rate of 30 GW applied for half an hour predominantly at an altitude of 110 km is able to produce mass density enhancements of the same magnitude. When taking into account previous work that has shown that 80% of the total energy input is due to Joule heating, i.e., enhanced electric fields, whereas 20% is due to precipitation of mainly electrons, our results suggest that the average substorm deposits about 6 GW in the polar thermosphere through particle precipitation. Our result is in good agreement with simultaneous measurements of the NOAA Polar‐orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) Hemispheric Power Index; however, it is about 1 order of magnitude less than reported previously.
Enzyme Activity: Allosteric Regulation
Authors: Traut Thomas
Published: May 2014

Cells can respond to changes in their environment by altering the flow through special, regulated metabolic steps performed by allosteric enzymes. These enzymes adopt either an active or inactive conformation in response to binding positive or negative effectors. As the energy difference between the two conformations is normally modest, the binding of a small metabolite ligand is adequate to stabilise the conformation that binds it. Most allosteric enzymes are K‐type, denoting that the principal feature that is altered is their affinity for their substrate, measured as the
K
M
constant. This enables them to become more or less active when the substrate concentration in the cell remains largely constant. A small, but important, subset of enzymes are V‐type, denoting that the important change is in their maximum activity, defined as
V
max
. These normally inactive enzymes can increase their activity by up to a million‐fold.

Key Concepts:

All protein enzymes are sufficiently flexible to modestly alter their folded structure and experience two or more different conformational states under normal physiological conditions.

Such conformational changes may modestly alter the position of amino acids around the catalytic site, thereby making the ability of the substrate to bind at this site more, or less, favourable.

The change in the free energy for such different conformations is quite modest (normally in the range of 2–7 kcal mol
−1
). Then, if one of these conformations has an appropriately formed binding site for a regulatory ligand, the binding energy with such a ligand binding with simple noncovalent interactions (normally in the range of 2–7 kcal mol
−1
) is adequate to stabilise that particular conformation, and make it more abundant in the cell.

For about a third of all enzymes there exist one or more cellular metabolite(s) that can bind to and stabilise either the more active or the less active conformation.

Many allosteric enzymes may also be regulated by being covalently modified, via the attachment of some chemical group. Though more than 20 different types of such regulatory adducts have been observed, phosphorylation is most common, being used with almost half of all allosteric enzymes.

Allosteric enzymes are defined as K‐type (approximately 30% of all enzymes) or V‐type (less than 1% of enzymes), depending on whether the major regulatory feature is their change in affinity (
K
M
) or their change in maximum activity (
V
max
).

More than 90% of K‐type enzymes display positive cooperativity, as they are converted from a fairly inactive T conformation to the active R conformation.

A fairly small subset of K‐type enzymes displays negative cooperativity, resulting when many of the catalytic sites, either in a single enzyme oligomer, or in the overall enzyme ensemble, have a normal affinity for the substrate, while the remaining sites have a much lower affinity. This feature greatly extends the concentration range over which the substrate can be used.
Multidomain Proteins
Authors: Traut Thomas
Published: May 2014

Protein domains that have a necessary function are often used in many different proteins. Protein architecture has evolved to utilise a large set of such domains in forming the thousands of different proteins necessary for any living organism. Definitions for domains are still somewhat variable, and therefore current databases show domain sizes ranging from a few amino acids to more than 800 amino acids, with the great majority at 50–150 amino acids, or approximately 5–16 kDa. Simple proteins normally contain only one or two domains, whereas larger proteins may have incorporated more than 30 domains needed for the more complex cellular functions. At least two‐thirds of mammalian proteins have more than one domain. Only multicellular eukaryotes have a significant proportion of proteins with repeating domains.

Key Concepts:

Protein domains may represent the earliest or simplest proteins formed at the beginning of life.

Protein domains are usually the individual units for protein folding.

Protein domains often serve as structural units that define a protein.

By having useful functions that may be selected, protein domains become central units in the evolution of diverse proteins.

Almost all protein domains have a specific ligand‐binding function.

Conformational changes in a protein may involve a reorientation of two or more domains to form or disrupt a ligand‐binding site, and thereby control an enzyme's catalytic activity.
Ancient Human
DNA
: Phylogenetic Applications
Authors: Knapp Michael , Hofreiter Michael
Published: May 2014

Ever since
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
was first extracted from the remains of long‐dead organisms in the 1980s, researchers have been interested in the investigation of ancient human DNA. Such studies of DNA extracted from ancient human remains attempt to shed light on the genetic makeup of archaic and extinct, anatomically modern human populations, as well as on the relationships between these individuals and modern humans. These studies have long been limited by several factors, including the contamination of ancient samples with modern human DNA, and the limited accessibility of nuclear DNA from ancient human remains. However, recent innovations in DNA sequencing technology have lead to a dramatic increase in DNA sequence data available from archaic or extinct human populations and to unexpected new insights into human evolution.

Key Concepts:

The study of ancient human DNA is complicated by potential contamination with modern human DNA.

Studies on ancient human DNA have long been limited by the availability of suitable DNA sequencing technologies.

The development of new high‐throughput sequencing technologies has revolutionised the study of ancient human DNA.

The latest genetic analyses of human evolution have provided increasingly more detailed insights into the origin and development of our own species.

Genetic data now also allow for the study of coevolution of humans and their pathogens.
Meselson, Matthew Stanley
Authors: Abir‐Am Pnina Geraldine
Published: May 2014

The article highlights Meselson's unique position in science and society as an innovative scientist involved in several ‘crucial experiments’ in molecular biology; a policy analyst in the domain of biological and chemical weapons for US administrations in the 1960s and 1970s; and a public intellectual shaping the public opinion against the use of such weapons in both war and peace times. Meselson's role in the ‘Meselson–Stahl experiment’ (hereafter the ‘M–S experiment’) which established the semiconservative mode ofdeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)replication for which both Meselson and Stahl remain best known, is highlighted.

Meselson's role as a public intellectual is discussed mainly in terms of his sustained refutation of the US claim in the 1970s that its East Asian enemies used chemical weapons on civilians in the form of ‘yellow rain’. Meselson's association with Caltech in the 1950s and Harvard, since 1960, is discussed as a pertinent institutional context for his scientific and policy activities.
Stahl, Franklin William
Authors: Abir‐Am Pnina Geraldine
Published: May 2014

This article highlights Stahl's role as a leading expert on the central biological process of ‘genetic recombination’ (Stahl, 1987, 1988) during the last six decades as his main research interest, as well as his collaborations indeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)replication, mutagenesis and genetic mapping. Starting with Stahl's PhD thesis (Stahl, 1956) on the genetic recombination of phage T4, and continuing with Stahl's seminal collaboration on the ‘Meselson–Stahl experiment’ which established how DNA replicates, a discovery for which both Meselson and Stahl remain best known, the article grounds Stahl's various contributions to molecular biology in his institutional legacies at the University of Rochester (PhD 1955), Caltech in the mid‐ and late 1950s and the University of Oregon at Eugene since 1959. The article further highlights Stahl's role as a foundation member of its Institute of Molecular Biology, his long‐term collaboration with his late spouse Mary Morgan Stahl (1934–1996), his mentorship of two generations of students and his current collaboration, as a professor emeritus, with his former PhD student and partner Henriette (Jette) Foss. Stahl's contributions to the history of molecular biology, as both author and editor, are also mentioned.
De novo ANKRD11 and KDM1A gene mutations in a male with features of KBG syndrome and Kabuki syndrome
Authors: Tunovic Sanjin , Barkovich James , Sherr Elliott H. , Slavotinek Anne M.
Published: May 2014

KBG syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations or deletions leading to haploinsufficiency for the Ankrin Repeating Domain‐Containing protein 11 (ANKRD11) at chromosome 16q24.3. Kabuki syndrome is caused by mutations or deletions of lysine (K)‐specific methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) and lysine‐specific methylase 6A (KDM6A). We report on a male with developmental delays, cleft palate, craniofacial dysmorphism, hypotonia, and central nervous system anomalies including diminished white matter with thinning of the corpus callosum. Exome sequencing revealed a de novo mutation in ANKRD11, c.2606_2608delAGA, predicting p.Lys869del and an additional, de novo mutation, c.2353T>C, predicting p.Tyr785His in KDM1A, a gene not previously associated with a human phenotype. We describe this child as the first report of a deleterious sequence variant in KDM1A and hypothesize that his phenotype resulted from the combined effect of both mutations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and severe intellectual disability in a patient with 3q29 microduplication syndrome
Authors: Fernández‐Jaén Alberto , Castellanos María del Carmen , Fernández‐Perrone Ana Laura , Fernández‐Mayoralas Daniel Martín , de la Vega Alberto González , Calleja‐Pérez Beatriz , Fernández Ester Corbacho , Albert Jacobo , Hombre María Carmen Sánchez
Published: May 2014

Interstitial microduplication of 3q29 has been recently described. Individuals with this syndrome have widely variable phenotypes. We describe the first clinical case with a 1.607 Mb duplication at 3q29 (chr3: 195,731,956–197,339,329), accompanied by severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. This duplication involves 22 genes; PAK2, DLG1, BDH1, and FBXO45 are implicated in neuronal development and synaptic function and could play an important role in this syndrome. We propose considering genetic studies, particularly array comparative genomic hybridization, in patients with epilepsy and/or cerebral palsy of unknown etiology when dysmorphic features are present. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variation in dietary breadth among groups of black howler monkeys is not associated with the vegetation attributes of forest fragments
Authors: Dias Pedro Américo D. , Rangel‐Negrín Ariadna , Coyohua‐Fuentes Alejandro , Canales‐Espinosa Domingo
Published: May 2014

Habitat disturbance alters vegetation structure and composition. For example, in forest fragments, the rate of secondary plant species recruitment and mortality in species typical of old‐growth forests are higher. For many arboreal primates, movement between fragments is infrequent and difficult, thus the dietary breadth of herbivorous primates that live in fragments is expected to change. It is likely that the ability of howler monkeys (Alouattaspp.) to live in a large array of habitat types is related to their ability to exploit a broad set of both difficult to digest and high energy resources. However, if small fragments have fewer trees and plant species, food selection by howler monkeys could be limited, which would undermine their persistence. To address this question, we compared the dietary breadth of 14 groups of Yucatán black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) living in different fragments, and hypothesized that dietary breadth should be associated to the vegetation attributes of the habitat. We characterized the vegetation structure and composition in each fragment and collected a total of 3,747 focal hr on the feeding behavior of 60 adult individuals. Dietary diversity, both in terms of the rate of plant species used as food sources (plant species used per unit of time) and percentage of ingested food from the top five plant species with overall highest ingestion rate, was not related to vegetation attributes but rather associated with the degree of folivory, such that higher folivory led to more diverse diets. Groups living in fragments with higher tree density used a larger number of trees as food sources. Therefore, black howler monkeys living in small fragments with disturbed vegetation continued to preserve diet diversity, confirming that dietary diversification is an important goal in the foraging strategy of howler monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 76:1151–1162, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro biocompatibility study of novel disulfide cross‐linked hydrogels based on poly(amic acid)
Authors: Peng Kun , Sun Jiaoxia , Wang Yuanliang , Li Yuxiao , Zhang Bingbing , Wang Bin
Published: May 2014

In this study, novel disulfide cross‐linked hydrogels were designed and synthesized. First, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride reacted with butanediamine and amino‐terminated polyethylene glycol via N‐acylation reaction to give biocompatible poly(amic acid) (PAA) with pendant carboxyl groups; then, the amino groups of cystamine reacted with carboxyl groups of PAA to generate disulfide cross‐linked network polymer (PAA‐SS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, gel permeation chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering, potentiometric titration, rheology, hydrolytic degradation, morphology, porosity, and in vitro biocompatibility studies were used to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the obtained polymers. The results indicated that the equilibrium swelling ratio of the PAA‐SS decreased with the increase in Rm. The PAA‐SS provided good mechanical strength to maintain their integrity, and the storage modules (G′) of the hydrogels can be adjusted by Rm. The PAA‐SS presented co‐continuum pores, and the pore size correlated with the cross‐linking degree. The degradation of PAA‐SS could be controlled by regulating the concentration of dithiothreitol. Particularly, the PAA‐SS possessed an excellent biocompatibility, as the average proliferating rate of osteoblasts on PAA‐SS was appreciably higher than that on PAA and glass coverslips. In conclusion, the above obtained results demonstrate that the performance of the PAA‐SS outbalance and facilitate the application in biomedical region, particularly in bone tissue regeneration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40930.
Applying knowledge flow mining to group recommendation methods for task‐based groups
Authors: Lai Chin‐Hui
Published: May 2014

In a knowledge‐intensive environment, a task in an organization is typically performed by a group of people who have task‐related knowledge and expertise. Each group may require task‐related knowledge of different topic domains and documents to accomplish its tasks. Document recommendation methods are very useful to resolve the information overload problem and proactively support knowledge workers in the performance of tasks by recommending appropriate documents to meet their information needs. A worker's document referencing behavior can be modeled as a knowledge flow (KF) to represent the evolution of his information needs over time. However, the information needs of workers and groups may change over time, so that modeling the knowledge referencing behavior of a group of workers is difficult. Additionally, most traditional recommendation methods which provide personalized recommendations do not consider workers'KFs, or the information needs of the majority of workers in a group to recommend task knowledge. In this work, I integrate the KF mining method and propose group‐based recommendation methods, including group‐based collaborative filtering (GCF) and group content‐based filtering (GCBF), to actively provide task‐related documents for groups. Experimental results show that the proposed methods have better performance than the personalized recommendation methods in recommending the needed documents for groups. Thus, the recommended documents can fulfill the groups' task needs and facilitate knowledge sharing among groups.
Data mining from web search queries: A comparison of google trends and baidu index
Authors: Vaughan Liwen , Chen Yue
Published: May 2014

Numerous studies have explored the possibility of uncovering information from web search queries but few have examined the factors that affect web query data sources. We conducted a study that investigated this issue by comparing Google Trends and Baidu Index. Data from these two services are based on queries entered by users into Google and Baidu, two of the largest search engines in the world. We first compared the features and functions of the two services based on documents and extensive testing. We then carried out an empirical study that collected query volume data from the two sources. We found that data from both sources could be used to predict the quality of Chinese universities and companies. Despite the differences between the two services in terms of technology, such as differing methods of language processing, the search volume data from the two were highly correlated and combining the two data sources did not improve the predictive power of the data. However, there was a major difference between the two in terms of data availability. Baidu Index was able to provide more search volume data than Google Trends did. Our analysis showed that the disadvantage of Google Trends in this regard was due to Google's smaller user base in China. The implication of this finding goes beyond China. Google's user bases in many countries are smaller than that in China, so the search volume data related to those countries could result in the same issue as that related to China.
The Effect of Atrazine Administered by Gavage or in Diet on the LH Surge and Reproductive Performance in Intact Female Sprague‐Dawley and Long Evans Rats
Authors: Foradori Chad D. , Sawhney Coder Prägati , Tisdel Merrill , Yi Kun Don , Simpkins James W. , Handa Robert J. , Breckenridge Charles B.
Published: May 2014

Atrazine (ATR) blunts the hormone‐induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, when administered by gavage (50–100 mg/kg/day for 4 days), in ovariectomized rats. In this study, we determined if comparable doses delivered either by gavage (bolus dose) or distributed in diet would reduce the LH surge and subsequently affect fertility in the intact female rat. ATR was administered daily to intact female Sprague‐Dawley (SD) or Long Evans (LE) rats by gavage (0, 0.75 1.5, 3, 6, 10, 12, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) or diet (0, 30, 100, 160, 500, 660, or 1460 ppm) during one complete 4‐day estrous cycle, starting on day of estrus. Estrous status, corpora lutea, ova, and LH plasma concentrations were evaluated. A second cohort of animals was mated on the fourth treatment day. Fertility metrics were assessed on gestational day 20. A higher portion of LE rats had asynchronous estrous cycles when compared to SD rats both during pretreatment and in response to ATR (≥50 mg/kg). In contrast, bolus doses of ATR (≥50 mg/kg) inhibited the peak and area under the curve for the preovulatory LH surge in SD but not LE animals. Likewise, only bolus‐treated SD, not LE, rats displayed reduced mean number of corpora lutea and ova. There were no effects of ATR administered by gavage on mating, gravid number, or fetus number. Dietary administration had no effect on any reproductive parameter measured. These findings indicate that short duration, high‐bolus doses of ATR can inhibit the LH surge and reduce the number of follicles ovulated; however, dietary administration has no effect on any endocrine or reproductive outcomes
Disruption of daily rhythms in gene expression: The importance of being synchronised
Authors: Hughes Alun T. L. , Piggins Hugh D.
Published: May 2014

Extending a normal 24 hours day by four hours is unexpectedly highly disruptive to daily rhythms in gene expression in the blood. Using a paradigm in which human subjects were exposed to a 28 hours day, Archer and colleagues show how this sleep‐altering forced desynchrony protocol caused complex disruption to daily rhythms in distinct groups of genes. Such perturbations in the temporal organisation of the blood transcriptome arise quickly, and point to the fragile nature of coordinated genomic activity. Chronic disruption of the daily and circadian rhythms in sleep compromise health and well‐being and this study reveals potential new molecular targets to combat the disruptive effects of shift work and jetlag.
In situ detection of salicylic acid binding sites in plant tissues
Authors: Liu Jing‐Wen , Deng Da‐Yi , Yu Ying , Liu Fang‐Fei , Lin Bi‐Xia , Cao Yu‐Juan , Hu Xiao‐Gang , Wu Jian‐Zhong
Published: May 2014

The determination of hormone‐binding sites in plants is essential in understanding the mechanisms behind hormone function. Salicylic acid (SA) is an important plant hormone that regulates responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to label SA‐binding sites in plant tissues, a quantum dots (QDs) probe functionalized with a SA moiety was successfully synthesized by coupling CdSe QDs capped with 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) to 4‐amino‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PAS), using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethyllaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) as the coupling agent. The probe was then characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, as well as UV/vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The results confirmed the successful conjugation of PAS to CdSe QDs and revealed that the conjugates maintained the properties of the original QDs, with small core diameters and adequate dispersal in solution. The PAS–CdSe QDs were used to detect SA‐binding sites in mung bean and Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in vitro and in vivo. The PAS–CdSe QDs were effectively transported into plant tissues and specifically bound to SA receptors in vivo. In addition, the effects of the PAS–CdSe QDs on cytosolic Ca2+ levels in the tips of A. thaliana seedlings were investigated. Both SA and PAS–CdSe QDs had similar effects on the trend in cytosolic‐free Ca2+ concentrations, suggesting that the PAS–CdSe QDs maintained the bioactivity of SA. To summarize, PAS–CdSe QDs have high potential as a fluorescent probe for the in vitro/in vivo labeling and imaging of SA receptors in plants. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and optical properties of alloyed ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Liping , Sun Yujie
Published: May 2014

ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles were synthesized via a colloidal route by reacting zinc and cadmium ions with sulfide ions, followed by coating with alginate. The crystal structure, morphology, size and optical properties of the core/shell nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV/vis and photoluminescent spectra, respectively. The ZnxCd1‐xS nanoparticles are spherical and have a cubic structure with a mean crystalline size of 2–4 nm. The band gap of ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles increases with increasing Zn/Cd molar ratio, and the UV/vis absorption blue‐shifts correspondingly. Two emissions related to zinc and sulfide ion vacancies were observed for the ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles due to the surface changes from the alginate coating. A cadmium‐related emission was observed for both the uncovered ZnxCd1‐xS and ZnxCd1‐xS/alginate core/shell nanoparticles, which has a significant blue‐shift with increasing Zn/Cd molar ratio. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved dynamic method to measure kLa in bioreactors
Authors: Damiani Andrew L. , Kim Min Hea , Wang Jin
Published: May 2014

An accurate measurement or estimation of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient kLa is crucial for the design, operation, and scale up of bioreactors. Among different physical and chemical methods, the classical dynamic method is the most widely applied method to simultaneously estimate both kLa and cell's oxygen utilization rate. Despite several important follow‐up articles to improve the original dynamic method, some limitations exist that make the classical dynamic method less effective under certain conditions. For example, for the case of high cell density with moderate agitation, the dissolved oxygen concentration barely increases during the re‐gassing step of the classical dynamic method, which makes kLa estimation impossible. To address these limitations, in this work we present an improved dynamic method that consists of both an improved model and an improved procedure. The improved model takes into account the mass transfer between the headspace and the broth; in addition, nitrogen is bubbled through the broth when air is shut off. The improved method not only enables a faster and more accurate estimation of kLa, but also allows the measurement of kLa for high cell density with medium/low agitation that is impossible with the classical dynamic method. Scheffersomyces stipitis was used as the model system to demonstrate the effectiveness of the improved method; in addition, experiments were conducted to examine the effect of cell density and agitation speed on kLa. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 2120–2125. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Problem‐solving Test: DNA manipulation with alkaline phosphatase and polynucleotide kinase
Authors: Szeberényi József
Published: May 2014

Terms to be familiar with before you start to solve the test: 3′‐ and 5′‐ends of DNA fragments, plasmids, restriction endonucleases, agarose gel electrophoresis, linear and circular DNA, superhelical DNA, blunt and sticky ends, DNA ligase, nuclease, [γ‐32P] ATP, and radioactive labeling. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(4):348–350, 2014.
How Do Environmental Violation Events Harm Corporate Reputation?
Authors: Zou H. L. , Zeng R. C. , Zeng S. X. , Shi Jonathan J.
Published: May 2014

This study, based on attribution theory, provides empirical evidence for how environmental violation events (EVEs) damage corporate reputation, using media reputation as a proxy. Hypotheses are developed to address the influences of violating firms’ past environmental behaviors and ownership on the reputational effect of EVEs. The results show that firms with a history of unfavorable behaviors (precedent environmental violation) are deemed by the media to be more culpable for adverse environmental events and consequently suffer more damage to their reputation, while for firms with a favorable environmental record (environmental awards and honors gained) the reputational harm of an EVE is alleviated to some extent. EVEs cause more reputational damage to foreign‐owned enterprises than to domestic‐owned firms. These findings reveal that certain company behaviors could exert an indirect effect on a firm's reputation by influencing public perception of later relevant behaviors, and imply a discriminatory treatment in a host country for foreign‐owned enterprises. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
A haptic‐enabled novel approach to cardiovascular visualization
Authors: Yasmin Shamima , Du Nan , Chen James , Feng Yusheng
Published: May 2014

Intravascular ultra sound (IVUS) imaging technique is widely used for the detection of plaque deposit inside coronary artery wall. Adequate detection of plaque deposit is necessary for further treatment of the patient, but image by image analysis, nevertheless, is cumbersome. In this paper, we proposed a fully automatic novel method for coronary artery visualization, which takes as an input a number of intravascular ultrasound images to construct the 3D model of coronary artery wall where the plaque deposit is demarcated in a rapid 3D rendering environment. This 3D visualization of coronary artery model has been enhanced in a haptic environment where the user is not only able to visualize the fatty plaque deposit but is also able to feel and differentiate stiffness of plaque deposit as well as soft, elastic property of normal artery through a virtual tour along the artery pathway. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cannabis use among juvenile detainees: Typology, frequency and association
Authors: Grigorenko Elena L. , Edwards Laurel , Chapman John
Published: May 2014

Background

As both lifetime and daily use of marijuana remain prevalent among US adolescents and are likely to increase, given the legalisation of marijuana in a number of states, their correlates with other negative (including delinquent) behaviours have been studied. Most of this research has been carried out with general‐population‐based samples. Thus, little is known about this association among court‐involved and detained juveniles.

Aims

This study aimed to assess lifetime and daily marijuana use among detainees aged 10–16 years. Our hypotheses were that such use would be higher among youth who had been in detention than in general population samples and that it would be associated with other mental health indicators and criminal justice indicators, such as total number of detentions and number and types of charges.

Methods

The records of a random 20% sample of all juveniles in detention in Connecticut's state facilities were studied. Data extracted included self‐reported information on lifetime and daily use of marijuana, mental health indicators, lifetime psychiatric diagnoses and criminal justice indicators.

Results

Rates of both lifetime (54%) and daily (16%) use of marijuana in this sample of 371 young people were substantially higher than previous studies have reported in general population samples. As a group, daily users of marijuana demonstrated a more negative mental health profile but did not differ from the rest of the sample in their criminal justice indicators.

Conclusions/implications for practice

Our findings suggest that it is unlikely that cannabis use by young offenders can serve as an independent factor in understanding the frequency and severity of delinquency, although it might be associated with the severity of mental health disorder or dysfunction among them. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and Stereochemical Studies of a Tetralin Norsesquiterpenoid from Ligularia kangtingensis
Authors: Xie Guangbo , Tian Jin , Kövér Katalin E. , Mándi Attila , Kurtán Tibor
Published: May 2014

A chiral tetralin norsesquiterpenoid, ligukangtinol, was isolated from the plant Ligularia kangtingensis. Its planar structure was determined by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data (MS, IR, and NMR), and (1S,3R) absolute configuration of the tetralin ring was established by TDDFT‐ECD calculations of the solution conformers. Conformational analysis and ECD calculations proved that the semiempirical helicity rules of 6‐hydroxytetralins correlating the 1Lb Cotton effect and P/M helicity of the fused carbocyclic ring correctly predicts the absolute configuration and thus can be used for the configurational assignment of related substituted tetralin derivatives. Chirality 26:574–579, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Interplay Between Chirality and Exciton Coupling: A DFT Calculation of the Circular Dichroism in π‐Stacked Ethylene
Authors: Norman Patrick , Linares Mathieu
Published: May 2014

The chirality of stacked weakly interacting π‐systems was interpreted in terms of Frenkel exciton states and the formation of excitonic circular dichroism (CD) bands was monitored for ethylene stacks of varying sizes. Convergence of CD bands with respect to the system size was observed for stacks involving around 10 molecules. By means of rotation around the C–C double bond in ethylene, chirality was induced in the monomeric system and which was shown to dominate the spectral responses, even for polymer aggregates. In helical assemblies of chiral entities, there will always be a mix of excitonic and monomeric contributions to the CD signal and it is demonstrated that the complex polarization propagator approach in combination with Density Functional Theory is a suitable method to address this situation. Chirality 26:483–489, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural control of Na2TiO3 in pre‐treating natural rutile ore by alkali roasting for TiO2 production
Authors: Meng Fancheng , Liu Yahui , Chu Jinlong , Wang Weijing , Qi Tao
Published: May 2014

To improve the use of natural rutile ore with fine particle size and high contents of MgO and CaO in China, a novel pre‐treatment method of natural rutile ore by NaOH roasting to prepare α‐Na2TiO3 for TiO2 production was proposed. γ‐Na2TiO3 is a stable by‐product that can lead to serious caking in the reactor and low titanium yield. Thus, structural control in alkali roasting is necessary. The influence of particle size of natural rutile ore, NaOH‐to‐ore mass ratio, roasting temperature and roasting time on the crystal forms of Na2TiO3 was systematically investigated. The optimized reaction parameters were as follows: average particle size of natural rutile ore, −9.2 µm; NaOH‐to‐rutile mass ratio, 1.2; roasting temperature, 550 °C; and roasting time, 70 min. In these conditions, the titanium conversion and the fraction of α‐Na2TiO3 exceeded 99.5 % and 98 %, respectively. Moreover, the addition of H2O or as‐prepared partial α‐Na2TiO3 as crystal seeds into the reaction system could prepare the roasting product with α‐Na2TiO3 as its main phase using −45 µm (−325 mesh) natural rutile ore.
Mixed‐Ligand Mononuclear Copper(II) Complex: Crystal Structure and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Qin Xiu‐Ying , Liu Ya‐Nan , Yu Qian‐Qian , Yang Li‐Cong , Liu Ying , Zhou Yan‐Hui , Liu Jie
Published: May 2014

A novel copper(II) complex with mixed ligands including β‐[(3‐formyl‐5‐methyl‐2‐hydroxy‐benzylidene)amino]propionic acid anion and 1,10′‐phenanthroline was synthesized, and its crystal structure was thoroughly characterized. It exerted excellent inducing apoptosis, anti‐angiogenesis and antiproliferative properties in vitro. The complex can bind human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological pH conditions. Remarkably, it can induce formation of the mixed parallel/antiparallel G‐quadruplex structures in the G‐rich sequence of the proximal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoter, and stabilize these G‐quadruplex structures, which provide an opportunity for anti‐angiogenesis chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, the complex showed a strong uptake, and exhibited multiple anticancer functions by inhibiting the expression of p‐Akt and p‐Erk1/2 proteins and by upregulating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because of the reported results, this new copper(II) complex qualifies itself as a potential anticancer drug candidate.