bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model for Effective Collaborative Learning in Virtual Worlds with Intelligent Agents
Authors: Ugaz Max , Alva Augusto Bernuy
Published: June 2015

The predecessors of virtual worlds are the multiplayer online role playing games; they appeared in the mid-nineties and have been studied since then. Virtual worlds are part of the shared spaces technologies and are applied to strengthen the weaknesses of teamwork, allowing identifying a direct relationship with the intellectual capital. Theoretical models have attributes that differentiate them from other digital media and allow getting more effective team collaboration. A feature of virtual worlds that allows such collaboration is that unlike 3D games, virtual world's user actions lie on their interests, which vary from meeting people to manage business. Based on the information about virtual worlds, intellectual capital, collaborative knowledge management, intelligent agents, and MPLM3D platform, this work proposes a model through which to demonstrate how the interaction with intelligent agents allow to achieve an effective collaborative learning into a controlled distributed computer environment using the platform Second Life.
Impact of Social Media in Service Innovations
Authors: Kong Eric , Lien Ching-Yu
Published: June 2015

Service innovations have become an important source for organisations to gain competitive advantage in today's increasingly dynamic, complex, and unpredictable business environment. While the concept of technology as a driving force for service innovations has long been recognised, the recent growing popularity in the use of social media has given rise to many concerns by businesses as there is insufficient knowledge and understanding about the usage of social media in the context of service innovations. This research seeks to investigate the impact of social media and the key challenges that impede businesses from leveraging social media in service innovations within the Australian hotel industry. The research adopts the use of a case study methodology that involves 12 in-depth interviews conducted with 6 businesses in the hotel sector. The findings highlight 4 key themes (i.e. behavioural change, online reputation, customer service channel, and monitoring and responding) in which social media has impacted service innovations and also revealed 9 major challenges (i.e. lack of adequate funding, difficult to determine financial gains, lack of human resources, lack of management support, lack of understanding of social media innovation, resistance to change, lack of proven evidences, lack of technological infrastructure and knowledge, and security concerns) that pose potential barriers for businesses to adopt and leverage the use of social media in service innovations.
Factors Shaping Assessment Design in the Virtual Environment
Authors: Davis Deborah , Stewart Sarah
Published: June 2015

The Virtual Birth Centre was created to provide student midwives with an opportunity to develop their midwifery knowledge and skills through a variety of teaching and learning strategies including role-play with peers in a safe, flexible, immersive learning environment. Role-play in the virtual environment has been shown to create a sense of presence or “really being there,” which is associated with increased knowledge transfer from virtual to real world. Assessment in this project focused on formative “service user” (peer) feedback along with self-assessment against midwifery professional standards. The approach to assessment was shaped by a number of factors including the philosophical underpinnings and pedagogy of the programmes involved and the opportunities and limitations of the virtual world environment. Using the Virtual Birth Centre and midwifery as a case study, this chapter explores the factors influencing the development of assessments for the practice discipline of midwifery in a simulated, virtual environment.
Social Media as a Tool for Nonprofit Advocacy and Civic Engagement
Authors: Chapman David , Miller-Stevens Katrina , Morris John C. , O'Hallarn Brendan
Published: June 2015

Blue Star Families is a small nonprofit organization whose goal is to create a virtual community for military families, spouses, children, relatives, and the general public. Founded in 2009 by a group of military spouses, Blue Star Families combines community building and civic engagement with an advocacy role on behalf of military families. Blue Star Families aims to create a cross-sectoral community space that includes other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, private businesses, and private citizens. The organization employs several forms of social media to accomplish its goals. While Blue Star Families has been largely successful in its efforts, the study finds that social media creates challenges for small organizations, particularly in terms of monitoring for appropriate use of the common space by members of the community, acquiring adequate staff resources to analyze usage data, and finding resources to purchase access to more powerful analytics.
Recognised Creativity
Authors: Musial Monika , Kauppinen Antti , Puhakka Vesa
Published: June 2015

This chapter explores the importance of acknowledging the creativity and creative work of individuals in creative industries. This phenomenon is investigated from three different perspectives: social-psychological, social and flow of experience, and third drive. The third drive, as a part of a new operating system, is seen as the most important factor in the work of creative individuals. This study examines four empirical cases from the computer games industry from three different geographical regions: Finland, the UK, and Poland. In addition, the authors analyse a stand-up comedian from the United States. Based on these cases, this study concludes that intrinsic drive and the need to be creative are the critical motivations of creative individuals when a new product is developed or a new creative company is founded. Additionally, this study reveals that acknowledgment for creative work is the reason why creative individuals do what they do. This study examines the paradox between creative/artistic work and business interests by analysing creative processes and the social needs of creative individuals. The authors explain how this happens through social media and express how academics may find creative spaces inspiring when teaching the principles of creative industries.
Enhancing the Acquisition of Social Skills through the Interactivity of Multimedia
Authors: Mandasari Vivi , Theng Lau Bee
Published: June 2015

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neuro-developmental disorders caused by brain abnormalities which result in impaired social story. Research on treatment in helping children with ASD to improve social story is growing as the cases of children diagnosed with ASD are on the rise. Social story is one of the proven methods of treatment in helping children with ASD to acquire social story through scenarios written in the form of stories. However, the current approaches to present the social story lack interactivity, consuming more intensive efforts to acquire the social story. Learning is most effectual when motivated; thus, the purpose of this study is to discover a learning tool that children with ASD will be motivated to learn independently, and it is achievable by combining elements that they are interested in. This research utilizes the interactivity of multimedia as a medium to present an interactive pedagogical tool for children with ASD to acquire social story. This combination is anticipated to be an effective tool in teaching social story to children with ASD, as they are naturally drawn to computers and visual cues, combined with the fact that Social Story™ has been effective in changing the social behavior of children with ASD. Thus, this study has contributed to the emergent research of treatment for children with ASD in social story acquisition. The result of this study is important as it presents a novel assistance that can be used effectively in assisting children with ASD to improve their main deficit, social story.
Social Media for Knowledge Workers
Authors: Maulana Ikbal
Published: June 2015

This chapter explores social media for knowledge workers. Social media enables people to connect with others beyond their physical social circle. Constraints of space and time, as well as class boundaries, can easily be overcome by the use of social media. Socializing through social media is not merely the virtual version of physical socialization. It allows for different kinds of social interactions. The preservation of expression allows asynchronous communication and learning what others have written, which in turn shows one their interests and identities. The mostly simple and short messages cannot, however, accommodate the sophisticated information, which knowledge workers usually create and exchange at work. Social media is designed to be simple to use so that anyone with access to the Internet can use it. Many users become addicted to social media such that they cannot resist wasting their productive time. However, despite its limitations and potential for distraction, social media can be beneficial for knowledge workers. It may not be a good source of Know-What and Know-Why, but it can provide us with abundant and rich information of Know-Who. The uniqueness and specialty of Know-Who gained from social media is that it contains personal information, which in physical company only close friends possess. It allows us to develop social bonds with people who are difficult to reach through conventional media. It also enables us to develop our identity and makes us more easily discoverable by potential partners or employers.
Performing Arts for Effective Civic Engagement
Authors: Chitiga Miriam
Published: June 2015

There is a dearth of civic knowledge, skills, dispositions, and interest among pre-and post-secondary students and the general public. Many people are not equipped with the necessary knowledge of American political history, democratic institutions, processes, and civic life needed to allow them to become active, effective, responsible, and empowered citizens and leaders of the future. The traditional mode of incorporating civics in the lecture format in social studies and political science curricula is ineffective. The Performing Arts for Effective Civic Engagement (PAECE) program is a cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional effort that was created to address this problem through creative, entertaining performance-based content delivery that is designed by students. This paper describes the details on the program implementation, evalution, as well as its outcomes, in an effort to disseminate pertinent information for possible replication or adaptation of the model by other institutions. The paper concludes with some implications for higher education institutions.
Leveraging New Media as Social Capital for Diversity Officers
Authors: Cotton Kindra , Green Denise O'Neil
Published: June 2015

While most have grasped how to utilize social media in their personal lives, very few have been able to bridge the gap in leveraging new media effectively to enhance their careers. This chapter is a how-to guide for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) professionals seeking to use social media to carve a niche in the social networking arena. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight how EDI professionals can benefit from utilizing new media marketing tools to position themselves as subject-matter experts and use this authority to create engaged communities surrounding the topics of equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education. A current review of new media technologies and emerging strategies starts the chapter. It continues with further details on the steps needed to develop and implement a successful social media marketing strategy. The chapter concludes with how to turn plans into actionable steps and includes a social media marketing planning worksheet.
Comparing visual acuity in preschool children using the Lea symbols and Sheridan Gardiner charts
Authors: Osaiyuwu Aghafekokhian B. , Atuanya George N.
Published: June 2015

Visual acuity measurement is a vital part of an optometric examination. The purpose of the present study was to compare visual acuity in preschool children using two charts – the Lea symbols chart and the Sheridan Gardiner chart. One hundred and fifty-three preschool children (72 boys and 81 girls) between the ages of 3 and 5 years (mean age and standard deviation 4.23 ± 0.78 years) were recruited from five randomly selected nursery schools. Distance visual acuity was measured monocularly and binocularly after a pre-test was done. An interval of 5 minutes was allowed for testing with both charts. The ages and sexes of each child were documented. Results showed a statistical difference in visual acuities using both charts (p < 0.05). There was also a statistical difference in both charts regarding age. There was no significant gender difference between the results from each chart.
Black carbon concentrations and mixing state in the Finnish Arctic
Authors: Raatikainen T. , Brus D. , Hyvärinen A.-P. , Svensson J. , Asmi E. , Lihavainen H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol composition was measured using a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) in the Finnish Arctic during winter 2011–2012. The Sammaltunturi measurement site at the Pallas GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch) station receives air masses from different source regions including the Arctic Ocean and continental Europe. SP2 is a unique instrument that can give detailed information about mass distributions and mixing state of refractory black carbon (rBC). As expected, the measurements showed widely varying rBC mass concentrations (0–120 ng m−3), which were related to varying contributions of different source regions and aerosol removal processes. The log-normally distributed rBC core size was relatively constant with an average geometric mass mean diameter of 194 nm. On the average, the number fraction of particles containing rBC was 0.24 and the average rBC core size in these particles was half of the total size (coated to core diameter ratio was 2.0). These numbers mean that the core was larger and had a significantly thicker coating than in typical particles closer to their source regions. Comparison of the measured rBC mass concentration with that of the optically detected equivalent black carbon (eBC) showed a factor of five difference, which could not be fully explained without assuming that a part of the absorbing material is non-refractory. Finally, climate implications of five different rBC mixing state representations were quantified using the Mie approximation and simple direct radiative forcing efficiency calculations. These calculations showed that the observed mixing state (separate non-absorbing and coated rBC particles) means significantly lower warming effect or even a net cooling effect when compared with that of an homogenous aerosol containing the same amounts of rBC and non-absorbing material.
Changes in the snow water equivalent in mountainous basins in Slovakia over recent decades
Authors: Hlavčová K. , Kotríková K. , Kohnová S. , Valent P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Changes in snowpack and duration of snow cover can cause changes in the regime of snow and rain-snow induced floods. The recent IPCC report suggests that, in snow-dominated regions such as the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains and the northern parts of Europe, spring snowmelt floods may occur earlier in a future climate because of warmer winters, and flood hazards may increase during wetter and warmer winters, with more frequent rain and less frequent snowfall. The monitoring and modelling of snow accumulation and snow melting in mountainous catchments is rather complicated, especially due to the high spatial variability of snow characteristics and the limited availability of terrestrial hydrological data. An evaluation of changes in the snow water equivalent (SWE) during the period of 1961–2010 in the Upper Hron river basin, which is representative of the mountainous regions in Central Slovakia, is provided in this paper. An analysis of the snow cover was performed using simulated values of the snow water equivalent by a conceptual semi-distributed hydrological rainfall-runoff model. Due to the poor availability of the measured snow water equivalent data, the analysis was performed using its simulated values. Modelling of the SWE was performed in different altitude zones by a conceptual semi-distributed hydrological rainfall-runoff model. The evaluation of the results over the past five decades indicates a decrease in the simulated snow water equivalent and the snow duration in each altitude zone and in all months of the winter season. Significant decreasing trends were found for December, January and February, especially in the highest altitude zone.
Analysing the impact of urban areas patterns on the mean annual flow of 43 urbanized catchments
Authors: Salavati B. , Oudin L. , Furusho C. , Ribstein P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. It is often argued that urban areas play a significant role in catchment hydrology, but previous studies reported disparate results of urbanization impacts on stream flow. This might stem either from the difficulty to quantify the historical flow changes attributed to urbanization only (and not climate variability) or from the inability to decipher what type of urban planning is more critical for flows. In this study, we applied a hydrological model on 43 urban catchments in the United States to quantify the flow changes attributable to urbanization. Then, we tried to relate these flow changes to the changes of urban/impervious areas of the catchments. We argue that these spatial changes of urban areas can be more precisely characterized by landscape metrics, which enable analysing the patterns of historical urban growth. Landscape metrics combine the richness (the number) and evenness (the spatial distribution) of patch types represented on the landscape. Urbanization patterns within the framework of patch analysis have been widely studied but, to our knowledge, previous research works had not linked them to catchments hydrological behaviours. Our results showed that the catchments with larger impervious areas and larger mean patch areas are likely to have larger increase of runoff yield.
A European Flood Database: facilitating comprehensive flood research beyond administrative boundaries
Authors: Hall J. , Arheimer B. , Aronica G. T. , Bilibashi A. , Boháč M. , Bonacci O. , Borga M. , Burlando P. , Castellarin A. , Chirico G. B. , Claps P. , Fiala K. , Gaál L. , Gorbachova L. , Gül A. , Hannaford J. , Kiss A. , Kjeldsen T. , Kohnová S. , Koskela J. J. , Macdonald N. , Mavrova-Guirguinova M. , Ledvinka O. , Mediero L. , Merz B. , Merz R. , Molnar P. , Montanari A. , Osuch M. , Parajka J. , Perdigão R. A. P. , Radevski I. , Renard B. , Rogger M. , Salinas J. L. , Sauquet E. , Šraj M. , Szolgay J. , Viglione A. , Volpi E. , Wilson D. , Zaimi K. , Blöschl G.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The current work addresses one of the key building blocks towards an improved understanding of flood processes and associated changes in flood characteristics and regimes in Europe: the development of a comprehensive, extensive European flood database. The presented work results from ongoing cross-border research collaborations initiated with data collection and joint interpretation in mind. A detailed account of the current state, characteristics and spatial and temporal coverage of the European Flood Database, is presented. At this stage, the hydrological data collection is still growing and consists at this time of annual maximum and daily mean discharge series, from over 7000 hydrometric stations of various data series lengths. Moreover, the database currently comprises data from over 50 different data sources. The time series have been obtained from different national and regional data sources in a collaborative effort of a joint European flood research agreement based on the exchange of data, models and expertise, and from existing international data collections and open source websites. These ongoing efforts are contributing to advancing the understanding of regional flood processes beyond individual country boundaries and to a more coherent flood research in Europe.
Moraliska räkenskaper – etik och praxis inom biomedicinsk forskning
Authors: Lundin Susanne
Published: June 2015

Artikelns utgångspunkt är att dagens biomedicinska samhälle ger upphov till frågor om teknikens möjligheter och risker. Avstamp tas i Ulrich Becks diskussion om att dessa motpoler föder en reflexiv modernitet. Ambitionen är att undersöka hur detta reflexiva tillstånd försiggår på ett individuellt plan, närmare bestämt inom en yrkesgrupp som bedriver omdebatterad biomedicinsk forskning. Den empiriska ingången är diskussioner om etik som författaren har haft med forskare från Lund Stem Cell Center. Forskarnas funderingar präglas av komplexitet och motsägelsefullhet. Å ena sidan förekommer ifrågasättande av den egna forskningen, å andra sidan en pragmatisk inställning som innebär att den laboratoriestyrda verksamheten blir riktgivande. Artikeln visar hur reflexioner om etik får ringa betydelse för hur biomedicinsk kunskap produceras – snarare blir de redskap för forskarna att göra yrkesverksamheten kulturellt hanterlig. Artikeln betonar samtidigt att på sikt får reflexiva etiska samtal betydelse för forskningens praxis.
Frykten for et samfunn uten Downs syndrom
Authors: Solberg Berge
Published: June 2015

Det er muligens ikke lenger et spørsmål om, men når mennesker med Downs syndrom ikke lenger finnes blant oss. Moderne medisinsk teknologi brukt i masseundersøkelser av gravide, tilsier at det nesten ikke behøver å bli født mennesker med Downs syndrom i fremtiden. I den politiske debatten i flere av de nordiske landene er dette kontroversielt. Det handler om et samfunn der det er plass til alle, hevdes det. På samme tid tas moderne genteknologi i bruk for bl.a. å forhindre at mennesker disponert for Huntingtons sykdom eller arvelig brystkreft blir født. Om noen generasjoner kan slike sykdommer være utryddet. Dette påkaller imidlertid ikke henvisninger til «sortering» og «seleksjon». I denne artikkelen undersøkes de viktigste forutsetningene for hvorfor fosterdiagnostikk på noen indikasjoner vekker etisk debatt, mens det ikke skjer i andre tilfeller. Det argumenteres for at den medisinske forståelsen av alvorlighetsgrad ved en sykdom/funksjonshemming ikke gir oss nøkkelen til å forstå den etiske bekymringen rundt seleksjon. Identitets- og anerkjennelsesproblematikk, hevdes det, er kjernen i kontroversene rundt fosterdiagnostikk i Norden. Derfor står det noe vesentlig på spill i fosterdiagnostikkdebatten. Men bare for noen grupper.
Reflections on philosophy of nanoscience from nanoscience practitioners
Authors: Wickson Fern , Nepstad Raymond , Åm Trond , Winkler Mathias
Published: June 2015

In this paper we present findings from an experiment involving both scientists working at the nanoscale and philosophers interested in this emerging field of research. Early career scientists working at the nanoscale were asked to read, discuss and debate two examples of philosophy of science that had been written with a specific focus on nanoscale science and technology. The papers that our participating scientists were asked to read were one by Jan Schmidt (2004) and one by George Khushf (2004). These papers are interesting for comparative discussion because although both draw on similar cases to make their arguments, Schmidt argues that nanotechnology represents a new form of reductionism, while Khushf argues that the field represents a shift towards more systems-based approaches of understanding and acting. The initial aim of this experimental exercise was both to create a space for discussion and reflection, and to investigate the scientific literacy of emerging works in the philosophy of nanoscience. Interestingly, interdisciplinary interaction during the exercise saw unexpected topics of interest and discussion emerge. In discussing the two articles, the scientists participating in our exercise highlighted a range of questions that not only related to the scientific content of the philosophers' arguments, but also to the way in which they conducted and presented their research. This exercise demonstrates the added value and richness that can come from interdisciplinary interactions across the social and natural sciences and from iterative discussions across theory and practice, especially when focused on emerging fields of research such as that of nanoscience and technology.
Den krænkede religion, Habermas, Honneth og profetens turban
Authors: Jakobsen Jonas
Published: June 2015

Jeg diskuterer i denne artikel en række principielle spørgsmål angående det der kaldes «religionens genkomst» i det moderne demokrati. Mit hovedeksempel er den såkaldte «Muhammed-krise» (efterfølgende kaldet «karikaturkrisen»), som stadigvæk debatte­res med stor intensitet i nationale og internationale sammenhænge. De tre hovedspørg­smål lyder: (1) Hvilken plads kan religiøse synspunkter og ytringer gøre krav på i den demokratiske offentlighed? (2) Kan vi indholdsmæssigt fastsætte grænsen for religiøs blasfemi ved lov eller står den til løbende demokratisk debat? (3) I hvilken grad kan reli­giøse minoritetsgrupper kræve anerkendelse fra – og beskyttelse mod – majoritetskultu­ren i moderne, liberale demokratier? Til det første spørgsmål svarer jeg med Jürgen Habermas at religiøse grupper bør forsøge at oversætte deres holdninger til ikke-religiøse argumenter, samtidig med at denne oversættelse af forskellige årsager ikke kan fremtvin­ges retsligt eller afkræves som betingelse for demokratisk deltagelse. Mht. til det andet spørgsmål argumenterer jeg – igen med Habermas – for, at den konkrete anvendelse af abstrakte retsprincipper som ytringsfrihed og religionsfrihed kræver åben, demokratisk debat med bred deltagelse for athave legitimitet. Resultatet af denne debat kan godtvære et strengt syn på, hvad der tæller som blasfemisk, men muligheden for at kritisere dette syn – eller for generel religionskritik – kan ikke undertrykkesuden at gå kompromis med det liberale demokratis grundprincipper. Som svar på det tredje spørgsmål, og som et kritisk supplement til Habermas, fremfører jeg med Axel Honneth, at samfundsmæssig integration ikke skabes af demokratiske debatter alene. Der kræves også  en vis før-dis­kursiv atmosfære af solidaritet: Religiøse minoritetsgrupper kan ganske vist ikke kræve juridisk beskyttelse af religiøse følelser, men de kan påpege «asymmetriske anerkendel­sesforhold», f.eks. ensidigt negative fremstillinger i medierne, som forringer deres mulighed for at bidrage til samfundet som anerkendte og anerkendende medborgere.
Rettferdige minutter: Fordeling av spilletid i fotballkamper for aldersbestemte klasser
Authors: Anker Trine
Published: June 2015

På et fotballag i overgangen mellom barne- og ungdomsfotballen er spilletid på fotballbanen under kamp både en knapp ressurs og en kilde til diskusjoner om fordeling. Spørsmålet som er utgangspunkt for denne artikkelen, er hvilke hensyn som bør tas når trener og lagleder skal fordele samlet spilletid på enkeltspillere. Er det viktigst å vinne fotballkampen, eller har det størst betydning å fordele spilletiden mest mulig likt mellom spillerne? Skal det tas hensyn til guttenes evner, motivasjon og preferanser? Er deres familiebakgrunn og personlighet av betydning? Diskusjonen baserer seg på en gjennomgang av ulike politiske rettferdighetsteorier for fordeling av knappe goder.Nøkkelord: rettferdighet, practice, fordelingsrettferdighet, diskursetikk, idrettsetikkEnglish summary: Minutes of justice: Distribution of time during football matches in a boys' teamDuring a football match, time for playing can be considered as a limited good. In this article the point of departure is the redistribution of time in a boys' football team in the transition phase between children and youth football. The questions are how and under which conditions time for playing should be distributed among the players. Is winning the game more important than trying to let every player play for an equal amount of time? Should the boys' talents, motivation, and preferences be considered while distributing time, or are family background and personality of importance? Different theories of political justice for the distribution of limited goods underpin the discussion of how to distribute the minutes of playing time during a football match.
Loophole ethics in sports
Authors: Kvalnes Øyvind , Hemmestad Liv
Published: June 2015

Ethical challenges in sports occur when the practitioners are caught between the will to win and the overall task of staying within the realm of acceptable values and virtues. One way to prepare for these challenges is to formulate comprehensive and specific rules of acceptable conduct. In this paper we will draw attention to one serious problem with such a rule-based approach. It may inadvertently encourage what we will call loophole ethics, an attitude where every action that is not explicitly defined as wrong, will be seen as a viable option. Detailed codes of conduct leave little room for personal judgement, and instead promote a loophole mentality. We argue that loophole ethics can be avoided by operating with only a limited set of general principles, thus leaving more space for personal judgement and wisdom.
THE MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO THE MODELLING OF MODAL SPLIT
Authors: Szarata Andrzej
Published: June 2015

Transport in cities plays a crucial role in the lives of inhabitants. Development of cities affects the functional aspects of the network include the emergence of new areas of traffic generators. Unsuited infrastructure causes many negative effects that outraged the standard of living in cities. In this paper the concept of Park and Ride was presented as a way to cope with the growing volume of traffic. Full procedure for estimating the contribution of different modes of transport including the Park and Ride was presented. Additionally, an important part of the article is devoted to a description of full Delphic approach, applied for membership function (MF) shape definition of chosen function, estimating linguistic variable.
Adaptations of a native Subantarctic flightless fly to dehydration stress: more plastic than we thought? ( Short Communication)
Authors: Barrio Isabel C. , Hik David S. , Charrier Maryvonne , Frenot Yves , Renault David
Published: June 2015

Water conservation is a critical aspect affecting the survival, distribution and abundance of terrestrial arthropods. In this study we investigate mechanisms of dehydration tolerance of the native, flightless fly, Calycopteryx moseleyi, inhabiting contrasting environments at two localities in the Kerguelen Islands. We compare the survival abilities and management of body water content of adult flies from two different ecophenotypes when exposed to conditions of low relative humidity. Our results suggest a broad plasticity in the responses of C. moseleyi to desiccation, showing distinct local adaptations to environmental conditions.
Periodization and Historiography of Indian Philosophy. Edited with an introduction by Eli Franco
Authors: Freschi Elisa
Published: June 2015

Periodization and Historiography of Indian Philosophy. Edited with an introduction by Eli Franco. Vienna: De Nobili, 2013. Pp. viii + 388. € 40.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Tetrahydrofurans through Diverted Carbene OH Insertion Reaction
Authors: Nicolle Simon M. , Lewis William , Hayes Christopher J. , Moody Christopher J.
Published: June 2015

Copper‐ or rhodium‐catalyzed reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds with β‐hydroxyketones give highly substituted tetrahydrofurans with excellent diastereoselectivity. Under mild conditions, the single‐step process starts as a carbene OH insertion reaction, but is diverted by an intramolecular aldol reaction.
Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Desymmetric Aryl CO Coupling for the Enantioselective Construction of Chiral Dihydrobenzofurans and Dihydrobenzopyrans
Authors: Yang Wenqiang , Liu Yangyuan , Zhang Shasha , Cai Qian
Published: June 2015

O‐Heterocyclic structures such as 2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans are key motifs in many natural compounds and pharmaceuticals. Enantioselective formation of chiral dihydrobenzofurans and analogues was achieved through a copper‐catalyzed desymmetrization strategy with a chiral cyclic 1,2‐diamine. A broad range of substrates are compatible with this CuI‐diamine catalytic system and afford the desired coupling products with chiral tertiary or quaternary carbon centers in high yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities under mild conditions.
Speckle observations with PISCO in Merate (Italy): XIV. Astrometric measurements of visual binaries in 2013 and new orbits for ADS 1097, 5871, 7203, 7775, 9378, 9578, and 11186
Authors: Scardia M. , Prieur J.‐L. , Pansecchi L. , Argyle R. W. , Zanutta A. , Aristidi E.
Published: June 2015

We present relative astrometric measurements of visual binaries made in 2013 with the speckle camera PISCO at the 102‐cm Zeiss telescope of Brera Astronomical Observatory, in Merate. Our observing list contains orbital couples as well as binaries whose motion is still uncertain. We obtained 134 new measurements of 129 visual binary stars, with angular separations in the range 0.≈23–5 and an average accuracy of 0.≈01. The mean error on the position angles is 0.°5. Most of the position angles were determined without the usual 180° ambiguity with the application of triple‐correlation techniques and/or by inspection of the long integration files. We also present new revised orbits for ADS 1097, 5871, 7203, 7775, 9378, 9578, and 11186, partly derived from PISCO observations. The corresponding estimated values for the masses of those systems are compatible with the spectral types. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Star formation rates and the kinematics of gas in the spiral arms of NGC 628
Authors: Gusev A. S. , Sakhibov F. , Efremov Yu. N.
Published: June 2015

The relations between star formation rates along the spiral arms and the velocities of gas inflow into the arms in the grand‐design galaxy NGC 628 were studied. We found that the radial distribution of the average star formation rate in individual star formation regions in regular spiral arms correlates with the velocity of gas inflow into the spiral arms. Both distributions have maxima at a galactocentric distance of 4.5–5 kpc. There are no correlations between the radial distributions of the average star formation rate in star formation regions in spiral arms and outside spiral arms in the main disc. We also did not find a correlation between the radial distribution of the average star formation rate in star formation regions in spiral arms and the H I column density. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and application of boronic acid‐functionalized magnetic adsorbent for sensitive analysis of salbutamol residues in pig tissues
Authors: Fan Hua , Wang Chaozhan , Wei Yinmao
Published: June 2015

Salbutamol (SAL) is the most widely used β2‐agonist drug for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary patients, but it is also often abused as feed additive. In recent years, the abuse of SAL has led to a large number of food safety incidents. Therefore, the monitoring of SAL residues in animal products is very important. A highly selective boronate affinity magnetic adsorbent was synthesized and developed for detection of trace levels of SAL residues in pig tissue samples. The obtained Fe3O4@SiO2@FPBA(4‐formylphenylboronic acid) magnetic adsorbent showed good adsorption ability to catechol and SAL, and then it was successfully applied as special magnetic solid‐phase phase extraction adsorbent coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for simultaneous isolation and determination of cis‐diol compounds. The binding capacity of catechol and SAL reached 96 and 50 µmol/g, respectively. The method was successfully established for the detection of trace levels of SAL in pig tissue samples. The linear range extended from 0.32 to 800 µg/kg (R2 = 0.9994). The limit of detection of SAL was 0.19 µg/kg. The recoveries were satisfactory (89.5–108.0%) at three spiked levels with RSD between 2.1 and 11.3%. These results indicated that the method has potential for enrichment and detection of trace levels of SAL residual in animal food products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Problem MetaHeuristic Solver: An educational tool aimed at studying heuristic optimization methods
Authors: Expósito‐Izquierdo Christopher , López‐Plata Israel , Moreno‐Vega J. Marcos
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we introduce Problem MetaHeuristic Solver (PMHS), a new educational software tool aimed at the generic study of the concepts related to the optimization field. Its relevance in this environment arises from the performed coverage of the main stages when solving optimization problems. Its modular architecture, graphical functionalities, interaction level, and wide flexibility give rise to its educational interest, allowing its adaptation to multitude of educational environments, being an assistant during the theoretical lectures as well as a transversal tool over the practical sessions. PMHS has been used during an undergraduate optimization course. The results obtained from the experience suggest that the tool improves the understanding of the theoretical concepts and reduces the workload of the students when implementing optimization methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:897–909, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21661
Imaging the Anisotropic Reactivity of a Tungsten Diselenide Photocathode
Authors: Eisenberg David
Published: June 2015

The reported activity of a photoelectrode reflects all kinds of reactive sites, good or bad. To understand localized behavior, such as catalytic sites or recombination centers, methods for mapping the anisotropic surface photoreactivity are constantly sought. The layered crystal structure of tungsten diselenide, a small bandgap semiconductor of great importance to solar fuels research, makes it especially prone to step‐edge defects. Such steps are detrimental to photoelectrochemical performance. The first direct mapping of the photoreactivity of p‐doped WSe2 single crystals in solution by using scanning electrochemical microscopy under illumination (photo‐SECM) is presented herein. This nondestructive method reveals the anisotropic reactivity of step edges of p‐WSe2 photocathodes, which serve as sites for both dark oxidation and lowered photoreduction in the dark and under illumination.
New Semiconducting Polymer Based on Benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]diselenophene Donor and Diketopyrrolopyrrole/Isoindigo Acceptor Unit: Synthesis, Characterization and Photovoltaics
Authors: Xu Zhongjie , Shi Guozheng , Yuan Jianyu , Glenn Emily , Wang Hai‐Qiao , Ma Wanli
Published: June 2015

Two new D‐A type polymers PBDSe‐DPP and PBDSe‐ID were synthesized to explore new ideal semiconducting polymers, by conjugating acceptor unit diketopyrrolopyrrole/isoindigo to a donor unit benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]diselenophene, which is designed by substituting the sulfur atom with a selenium atom in the benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene. The thermal, optical, electrochemical, photoelectric and photovoltaic properties of the two polymers were studied systematically. Relatively high open circuit voltage (0.7 and 0.75 V) and fill factor (>65%) were demonstrated for both polymers. Huge increase (by 64% and 120%) of the short circuit current density was achieved for both polymer based devices by using additive compared to the corresponding reference without additive, resulting in decent power conversion efficiency of 3.7% and 2.5% respectively with only simple optimizing consideration. We believe this class of BDSe polymer possesses a good potential to be alternatives of active material for photovoltaic applications.
Prediction of cerebrospinal fluid parameters for tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Zou Yueli , He Junying , Guo Li , Bu Hui , Liu Yajuan
Published: June 2015

Background

Tuberculous meningitis is the most lethal form of tuberculosis, but current diagnostic methods are inadequate. The measurement of cerebrospinal fluid parameters can provide early information for diagnosis. The present study focus on the validity of the cut‐off value of cerebrospinal fluid parameters according to the Lancet consensus of scoring system for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Method

A total of 100 confirmed patients were enrolled in this study. We evaluated significance of protein level (>1 g/l), chloride level (<120 mmol/l), glucose level (<2.2 mmol/l), cell counts (10–500 cells/μl, lymphocytic pleocytosis (>50%), and neutrophil predominance (>50%) in early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Result

The cerebrospinal fluid parameters were significantly different between the tuberculous meningitis group and the control group. The independent factors for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis were protein level (>1 g/l), glucose level (<2.2 mmol/l), cell counts (10–500 cells/μl and neutrophil predominance >50%). Neutrophil predominance (>50%) performed the best with the area under the curve of 89.7%. The sensitivity of protein level (>1 g/l), glucose level (<2.2 mmol/l), cell counts (10–500 cells/μl) and neutrophil predominance (>50%) for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis were 66%, 58%, 86%, and 54%, and the specificity were 84%, 98%, 32%, and 98%. There are 84% patients in tuberculous meningitis group at least having two positive parameters among the four independent parameters, while only 10% in control group.

Conclusion

The cerebrospinal fluid parameters can help the clinicians to make a prompt diagnosis in the early stage of the disease. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:701–704. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Vinylnickel and Nickelacyclopropane Complexes Containing a Chelate [P,Se]‐Ligand
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Sun Hongjian , Zheng Tingting , Zhang Shumiao , Li Xiaoyan
Published: June 2015

The reaction of 2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)benzeneselenol with Ni(PMe3)4 yielded the hydridonickel(II) complex [Ph2P(C6H4)Se]NiH(PMe3)2 (1). The insertion reactions of 1 with alkynes have been investigated. The vinylnickel complexes [Ph2P(C6H4)Se]Ni(CPh=CH2)(PMe3) (2) and [Ph2P(C6H4)Se]Ni(CCH3=CHPh)(PMe3) (3) were obtained by reacting phenylacetylene and 1‐phenyl‐1‐propyne with 1. The nickelacyclopropane complexes [Ph2P(C6H4)Se]Ni[Ph(PMe3)C–CHPh] (4), [Ph2P(C6H4)Se]Ni[(SiMe3)(PMe3)C–CH2] (5) and 6 (6A and 6B) containing an ylidic ligand were obtained by reacting diphenylacetylene, (trimethylsilyl)acetylene, and 1‐phenyl‐2‐(trimethylsilyl)acetylene with 1. The molecular structures of 1–5 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.
Pd‐Catalysed Direct Arylation of Heteroaromatics Using (Poly)halobenzenesulfonyl Chlorides as Coupling Partners: One Step Access to (Poly)halo‐Substituted Bi(hetero)aryls
Authors: Skhiri Aymen , Beladhria Anissa , Yuan Kedong , Soulé Jean‐Francois , Ben Salem Ridha , Doucet Henri
Published: June 2015

The reactivity of (poly)halo‐substituted benzenesulfonyl chlorides for Pd‐catalysed desulfitative arylation was investigated. 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐bromobenzenesulfonyl chlorides react nicely to afford arylated heteroarenes in moderate to high yields without cleavage of the C–Br bonds, allowing further transformations. A minor influence upon reaction yeilds was found to be exerted by the bromo substituent on the benzene ring. Even 4‐iodobenzenesulfonyl chloride, di‐ and tri‐bromobenzenesulfonyl chlorides were successfully coupled with a range of heteroarenes without cleavage of the C–Br or C–I bonds and very regioselective arylations were observed in all cases. The reaction was also found to tolerate bromo substituents on the heteroarene.
Nucleophilic‐Bisphosphine‐Catalysed One‐Pot Sequential [4+2]/[4+2] Annulation of an Allenoate with Benzylidenepyrazolones
Authors: Jia Yu , Tang Xiao , Cai Guowei , Jia Ruxuan , Wang Boran , Miao Zhiwei
Published: June 2015

An efficient bisphosphine‐catalysed sequential [4+2]/[4+2] annulation reaction of a γ‐benzyl allenoate with benzylidenepyrazolones has been developed. Under the catalysis of DPPB [1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)butane], the [4+2]/[4+2] annulation proceeded smoothly to give spiro‐pyrazolidinone derivatives in moderate yields. This protocol provides a simple and practical strategy for the construction of highly substituted 2H‐spiro[naphthalene‐pyrazole] skeletons.
Minimizing Basel III Capital Requirements with Unconditional Coverage Constraint
Authors: Kleinknecht Manuel , Ng Wing Lon
Published: June 2015

The new Basel III framework increases the banks’ market risk capital requirements. In this paper, we introduce a new risk management approach based on the unconditional coverage test to minimize the regulatory capital requirements. Portfolios optimized with our new minimum capital constraint successfully reduce the Basel III market risk capital requirements. In general, portfolios with value‐at‐risk and conditional‐value‐at‐risk objective functions and underlying empirical distribution yield better portfolio risk profiles and have lower capital requirements. For the optimization we use the threshold‐accepting heuristic and the common trust‐region search method.
Consumer Attachments to Human Brands: The “Oprah Effect”
Authors: Loroz Peggy Sue , Braig Bridgette M.
Published: June 2015

Human brands offer an interesting complement to product brands in that consumer attachments to human brands take on personal relationship qualities that can engender greater affiliation and loyalty. At present, one of the most powerful human brands in the developed world is that of Oprah Winfrey. This research uses the Oprah brand as a context in which to explore and expand the existing model of human brand attachment because of the enduring strength and consistency of how she has cultivated her brand. The existing model of human brand attachment identifies autonomy, relatedness, and competence as the antecedents of attachment strength. However, the expanded model in the current research introduces and validates brand personality appeal (and its sub‐dimensions of favorability, originality, and clarity) as an important moderating factor in the relationship between these antecedents of attachment and attachment outcomes. Two studies utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data investigate the impact of these factors on attachment strength as manifested in emotional attachment behaviors, markers of relationship quality, and marketplace responses in the form of brand loyalty and purchase intentions.