bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does it matter how you deny it?: The role of demeanour in evaluations of criminal suspects
Authors: Douglass Amy Bradfield , Ray Jennifer L. , Hasel Lisa E. , Donnelly Kathryn
Published: December 2013

Purpose

In some cases of wrongful convictions, demeanour seen as inappropriate can trigger suspicions of guilt. Two experiments systematically manipulated the demeanour of criminal suspects in interrogations to test its impact on guilt ratings.

Methods

In Experiment 1 (N = 60), participants saw a videotaped interrogation in which the suspect displayed flat demeanour or emotional demeanour. Before viewing the interrogation, participants were told that normal reactions to trauma consisted of either flat or emotional demeanour. In Experiment 2 (N = 147), the presence of the suspect's coerced confession and demeanour evidence were both manipulated.

Results

In Experiment 1, a suspect who displayed flat demeanour during the interrogation produced higher ratings of guilt than did a suspect who displayed emotional demeanour, especially when participants were told to expect emotional demeanour. In Experiment 2, without a confession, flat demeanour inflated guilt ratings, whereas emotional demeanour slightly (but non‐significantly) decreased guilt ratings compared with a no demeanour information condition. When a confession was introduced, guilt ratings increased for all groups, with the highest ratings in the emotional demeanour condition.

Conclusions

Flat demeanour biases judgments against defendants. On its own, emotional demeanour is neutral (or potentially exonerating), but when paired with a confession, it becomes just as incriminating as flat demeanour. Recommendations for educating police professionals on the wide range of appropriate reactions to trauma are described.
Predicting verdicts using pre‐trial attitudes and standard of proof
Authors: Lundrigan Samantha , Dhami Mandeep K. , Mueller‐Johnson Katrin
Published: December 2013

Purpose

Several measures have been developed of juror pre‐trial attitudes and interpretations of beyond reasonable doubt (BRD). These have been primarily tested in North American samples. We aimed to integrate the literature on these two issues, and explored whether the effect of jurors' pre‐trial attitudes on verdicts is mediated by their interpretations of BRD. We also aimed to establish the relative predictive utility of the various measures and their relevance to a non–North American sample.

Methods

A total of 113 members of the jury‐eligible British public completed three measures of juror pre‐trial attitudes (i.e., Revised Legal Attitudes Questionnaire‐23 [RLAQ‐23], Juror Bias Scale [JBS], and Pre‐trial Juror Attitudes Questionnaire [PJAQ]) and two measures of BRD (i.e., direct rating [DR] and membership function [MF] methods). Participants also rendered a verdict on a hypothetical burglary case.

Results

With the exception of the RLAQ‐23, the pre‐trial attitude measures and the two measures of BRD were significantly independent predictors of verdicts. The PJAQ outperformed the RLAQ‐23 and JBS, whereas the MF method outperformed the DR method. We found support for a partial mediation model predicting verdicts, whereby interpretations of BRD (measured by the MF method) partially mediated the effect of pre‐trial juror attitudes (measured by the PJAQ) on verdicts.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the importance of examining both juror pre‐trial attitudes and interpretations of BRD when studying juror decision making.
Ecological aspects of fin whale and humpback whale distribution during summer in the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Nøttestad Leif , Sivle Lise D. , Krafft Bjørn A. , Langård Lise , Anthonypillai Valantine , Bernasconi Matteo , Langøy Herdis , Axelsen Bjørn E.
Published: December 2013

The Norwegian Sea is a migration and feeding ground for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in summer. During the last decade, significant structural changes in the prey community, including northerly expansion and movement in the distribution of pelagic fish species, have been reported from this ecosystem. However, little information on whale feeding ecology exists in the Norwegian Sea and surrounding waters. A total of 59 fin whales and 48 humpback whales were sighted during 864 h of observation over an observation distance of about 8200 nmi (15,200 km) in the Norwegian Sea from 15 July to 6 August 2006 and 2007. The fin whale group size, as mean (±SD), varied between one and five individuals (2.1 ± 1.2 ind.) and humpback whale group size varied between one and six individuals (2.5 ± 1.7 ind.). Fin‐ and humpback whales were observed mainly in the northern part of the study area, and were only found correlated with the presence of macro‐zooplankton in cold Arctic water. Humpback whales were not correlated with the occurrence of adult Norwegian spring‐spawning herring (Clupea harengus) except for the northernmost areas. Despite changes in the whale prey communities in the Norwegian Sea, no apparent changes in fin‐ or humpback whale distribution pattern could be found in our study compared to their observed summer distribution 10–15 years ago.
Life cycle and population dynamics of Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772), Isopoda Valvifera from the Bizerte lagoon (Southern Mediterranean Sea – Tunisia)
Authors: Zaabar Wahiba , Achouri Mohamed S. , Charfi‐Cheikhrouha Faouzia
Published: December 2013

The population dynamics and life cycle of Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772) were studied at the Menzel Jemil (lagoon of Bizerte, Tunisia) based on monthly samples taken from October 2009 to September 2011. The presence of juveniles and gravid females throughout the sampling period showed that this species exhibits continuous reproduction. Sexual differentiation occurs in approximately 43–59 days. Females took 88–160 days (3–5.5 months) to reach sexual maturation, and males took 102 days (3.5 months). The fecundity and fertility values exhibited a great variation in the number of eggs and embryos or mancae inside the marsupium which was correlated with the length of the gravid females. The sex ratio underwent fluctuations throughout the sampling period but was always in favour of females. Size frequency distributions were analysed recognizing 24 cohorts during the sampling period. Six cohorts were identified in October 2009 and 18 cohorts in November 2009–September 2011. Among these latter cohorts, nine were tracked till they disappeared. The minimum average size of new cohorts ranged from 1.92 ± 0.31 to 2.97 ± 0.26 mm and the maximum values ranged from 12.83 ± 0.96 to 19.23 ± 0.56 mm. Life span was estimated at 10–14 months. I. balthica basteri, in the lagoon of Bizerte, is a semi‐annual species with iteroparous females, and a bivoltine life cycle that produces two generations per year.
Size‐frequency distributions of Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata (Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Central Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Evangelisti Francesca , Albano Paolo G. , Sabelli Bruno
Published: December 2013

Size‐frequency distributions can support reliable inferences concerning population dynamics of brachiopods, but only a few data are available so far. In this study, length and width frequency distributions of dead specimens of the Recent brachiopods Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata from the Marine Protected Area ‘Secche di Tor Paterno’, Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy (41°35′ N, 12°20′ E), are reported in order to add new data about size‐frequency distributions of brachiopods. The studied specimens came from death assemblages in the coralligenous substrate, in the Posidonia oceanica meadows, and in the sand channels. The observed patterns vary from left‐skewed (J. cordata) to right‐skewed (A. cuneata), indicating respectively a low and high mortality of smaller individuals. Significant differences between the coralligenous substrate and the P. oceanica meadow were observed for both species, revealing a variation among different habitats. All length and width distributions are clearly polymodal, but the biological meaning of the peaks is difficult to interpret, as the two species seem to have a 2‐year life span. A biometric analysis of shell sizes revealed that length and width are the most variable parameters during the growth of the animal.
AdcA and AdcAII employ distinct zinc acquisition mechanisms and contribute additively to zinc homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Plumptre Charles D. , Eijkelkamp Bart A. , Morey Jacqueline R. , Behr Felix , Couñago Rafael M. , Ogunniyi Abiodun D. , Kobe Bostjan , O'Mara Megan L. , Paton James C. , McDevitt Christopher A.
Published: December 2013

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a globally significant human pathogen responsible for nearly 1 million deaths annually. Central to the ability of S. pneumoniae to colonize and mediate disease in humans is the acquisition of zinc from the host environment. Zinc uptake in S. pneumoniae occurs via the ATP‐binding cassette transporter AdcCB, and, unusually, two zinc‐binding proteins, AdcA and AdcAII. Studies have suggested that these two proteins are functionally redundant, although AdcA has remained uncharacterized by biochemical methods. Here we show that AdcA is a zinc‐specific substrate‐binding protein (SBP). By contrast with other zinc‐binding SBPs, AdcA has two zinc‐binding domains: a canonical amino‐terminal cluster A‐I zinc‐binding domain and a carboxy‐terminal zinc‐binding domain, which has homology to the zinc‐chaperone ZinT from Gram‐negative organisms. Intriguingly, this latter feature is absent from AdcAII and suggests that the two zinc‐binding SBPs of S. pneumoniae employ different modalities in zinc recruitment. We further show that AdcAII is reliant upon the polyhistidine triad proteins for zinc in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our studies suggest that, despite the overlapping roles of the two SBPs in zinc acquisition, they may have unique mechanisms in zinc homeostasis and act in a complementary manner during host colonization.
Increased levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) but not transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGFβ1) are associated with the severity of congenital hydrocephalus in the hyh mouse
Authors: Jiménez Antonio‐Jesús , Rodríguez‐Pérez Luis‐Manuel , Domínguez‐Pinos María‐Dolores , Gómez‐Roldán María‐Carmen , García‐Bonilla María , Ho‐Plagaro Ailec , Roales‐Buján Ruth , Jiménez Sebastián , Roquero‐Mañueco María‐Carmen , Martínez‐León María‐Isabel , García‐Martín María‐Luisa , Cifuentes Manuel , Ros Bienvenido , Arráez Miguel‐Ángel , Vitorica Javier , Gutiérrez Antonia , Pérez‐Fígares José‐Manuel
Published: December 2013

Aims

Here, we tested the hypothesis that glial responses via the production of cytokines such as transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGFβ1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases, are correlated with the severity of congenital hydrocephalus in the hyh mouse model. We also searched for evidence of this association in human cases of primary hydrocephalus.

Methods

Hyh mice, which exhibit either severe or compensated long‐lasting forms of hydrocephalus, were examined and compared with wild‐type mice. TGFβ1, TNFα and TNFαR1 mRNA levels were quantified using real‐time PCR. TNFα and TNFαR1 were immunolocalized in the brain tissues of hyh mice and four hydrocephalic human foetuses relative to astroglial and microglial reactions.

Results

The TGFβ1 mRNA levels were not significantly different between hyh mice exhibiting severe or compensated hydrocephalus and normal mice. In contrast, severely hydrocephalic mice exhibited four‐ and two‐fold increases in the mean levels of TNFα and TNFαR1, respectively, compared with normal mice. In the hyh mouse, TNFα and TNFαR1 immunoreactivity was preferentially detected in astrocytes that form a particular periventricular reaction characteristic of hydrocephalus. However, these proteins were rarely detected in microglia, which did not appear to be activated. TNFα immunoreactivity was also detected in the glial reaction in the small group of human foetuses exhibiting hydrocephalus that were examined.

Conclusions

In the hyh mouse model of congenital hydrocephalus, TNFα and TNFαR1 appear to be associated with the severity of the disease, probably mediating the astrocyte reaction, neurodegenerative processes and ischaemia.
Sensation of stasis is poorly correlated with impaired esophageal bolus transport
Authors: Bogte A. , Bredenoord A. J. , Oors J. , Siersema P. D. , Smout A. J. P. M.
Published: December 2013

Background

It is common belief that symptoms of patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia are the result of impaired bolus clearance in the esophagus, usually caused by esophageal motility disorders. We therefore investigated the relationship between transit of swallowed boluses and the symptom dysphagia.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers and 20 patients with dysphagia underwent videofluoroscopy. Success of bolus transport was graded on a 7‐point scale. Each subject swallowed five liquid and five solid barium boluses.

Key Results

For liquids, patients reported dysphagia during 1 [0–3] of the five swallows, while controls reported no dysphagia (median 0 [0–0]; p = 0.003). For solids, patients reported dysphagia during 3 [2–4] of five swallows, while controls reported dysphagia in 0.5 [0–2] of five swallows (p = 0.001). When correlating dysphagia to ineffective clearance (score ≥3), in 3 [2–4] of five liquids, the subjects perception of clearance was related to the clearance result on fluoroscopy in patients and also 3 [1–5] were correctly perceived in controls (p = 0.6). For solids, in 4 [3–5] of five swallows, the subjects perception of clearance was related to the clearance result on fluoroscopy in patients, but only 2 [1–3] of five swallows were correctly perceived by controls, the difference being statistically significant.

Conclusions & Inferences

Patients very frequently report dysphagia when bolus clearance is successful. Therefore, the major underlying problem in patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia is disordered perception and increased sensitivity to physiological bolus stasis. Treatment should therefore be directed at reducing increased sensitivity rather than at improving motility.
Review of implementation processes for integrated nutrition and psychosocial stimulation interventions
Authors: Yousafzai Aisha K. , Aboud Frances
Published: December 2013

This article reviews the implementation processes for interventions that integrate nutrition and psychosocial stimulation for children under 5 years of age in low‐ and middle‐income countries. We examine the content of these programs, the delivery strategy, intensity and duration, personnel training and supervision, compliance, and fidelity. A systematic search of the Global Health Ovid database yielded 1020 articles, of which 29 fit the criteria, and two further studies recently completed were reported by author communication. Some of these articles describe efficacy or effectiveness studies where nutritional supplements or education along with psychosocial stimulation experiences or education were delivered directly to children or their caregivers. Other papers describe large‐scale programs, such as conditional cash transfers in Latin America, Integrated Child Development Services preschools in India, and World Bank collaborations with national governments in Africa. A summary table of the implementation processes of the 31 programs is included. We conclude with a set of recommendations summarizing what we know so far regarding best practices for integrative programs.
Measures and indicators for assessing impact of interventions integrating nutrition, health, and early childhood development
Authors: Frongillo Edward A. , Tofail Fahmida , Hamadani Jena D. , Warren Andrea M. , Mehrin Syeda F.
Published: December 2013

When implementing interventions integrating nutrition, health, and early childhood development, evaluation studies of effectiveness that assess the intermediate and ultimate impacts on the four domains of food and nutrition, family care, health, and child development are needed. Such studies should demonstrate impact, both benefits and potential harms, and understand mechanisms through which impact has been achieved. This article reviews and suggests measures and indicators suitable for use in evaluation studies of effectiveness of integrated interventions for children under 5 years of age. Within each of the four domains, multiple constructs and subconstructs were considered. For each construct and subconstruct, we identified measures and indicators, using several search processes, and reviewed them in relation to validity, responsiveness to intervention inputs and activities, equivalence in constructs and items across contexts with appropriate adaptation, and feasibility for use in effectiveness studies. Suggested measures and indicators for each domain, construct, and subconstruct are tabulated and described. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of measures and indicators across domains and constructs, further research establishing validity, and guidance on adaptation of measures to particular contexts.
Gene therapy
Authors: Baum BJ
Published: December 2013

Applications of gene therapy have been evaluated in virtually every oral tissue, and many of these have proved successful at least in animal models. While gene therapy will not be used routinely in the next decade, practitioners of oral medicine should be aware of the potential of this novel type of treatment that doubtless will benefit many patients with oral diseases.
Enhancing sense of recovery and self‐reflectivity in people with schizophrenia: A pilot study of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy
Authors: Bargenquast Rebecca , Schweitzer Robert D.
Published: December 2013

Objectives

This study investigated the effectiveness of an innovative, manualized psychotherapy aimed at enhancing recovery and self‐experience in people with schizophrenia, Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy.

Design

Treatment effects were assessed using a mixed methodology. Data were quantitatively assessed using a single‐sample, pre‐ and post‐therapy design and qualitatively assessed using a case‐study methodology.

Methods

Eleven patients diagnosed with schizophrenia received Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy over the course of 11–26 months. Therapists were seven supervised postgraduate psychology students. On average patients attended 49 sessions over the course of therapy. Patients completed interview‐based and self‐report measures for general and treatment‐specific outcomes at pre‐, mid‐, and post‐treatment.

Results

Quantitative analyses showed that patients significantly improved on the general outcome of subjective recovery, as well as the treatment‐specific outcome of self‐reflectivity, with medium to large effect sizes. Case‐study evidence also showed improvements for some patients in symptom severity, and narrative coherence and complexity.

Conclusions

These results are consistent with previous case‐study evidence and suggest that this manualized version of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy produces general and approach‐specific improvements for people with schizophrenia. Replication is needed to ascertain its effectiveness with a larger sample size and within a controlled design.

Practitioner points

People with psychotic symptoms experience disruptions in self‐disturbance that are amenable to psychological interventions.

A focus on enhancing metacognitive capacity in people with psychotic symptoms may contribute to enhancing sense of recovery.

The current findings support the use of interventions that target capacity for meaningful storytelling in people with psychotic symptoms.
Comparison of symptoms of delirium across various motoric subtypes
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Sharma Akhilesh , Aggarwal Munish , Mattoo Surendra K. , Chakrabarti Subho , Malhotra Savita , Avasthi Ajit , Kulhara Parmanand , Basu Debasish
Published: December 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between delirium motor subtypes and other symptoms of delirium.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty‐one (n = 321) consecutive patients referred to consultation‐liaison psychiatry services were evaluated on Delirium Rating scale‐Revised‐98 version and amended Delirium Motor Symptom Scale.

Results

Half of the patients had hyperactive subtype (n = 161; 50.15%) delirium. One‐quarter of the study sample met the criteria for mixed subtype (n = 79; 24.61%), about one‐fifth of the study sample met the criteria for hypoactive delirium subtype (n = 64; 19.93%), and only very few patients (n = 17; 5.29%) did not meet the required criteria for any of these three subtypes and were categorized as ‘no subtype’. When the hyperactive and hypoactive subtypes were compared, significant differences were seen in the prevalence of perceptual disturbances, delusions, lability of affect, thought process abnormality, motor agitation and motor retardation. All the symptoms were more common in the hyperactive subtype except for thought process abnormality and motor retardation. Compared to hyperactive subtype, the mixed subtype had significantly higher prevalence of thought process abnormality and motor retardation. Significant differences emerged with regard to perceptual disturbances, delusions, lability of affect and motor agitation when comparing the patients with mixed subtype with those with hypoactive subtype. All these symptoms were found to be more common in the mixed subtype. No significant differences emerged for the cognitive symptoms as assessed on Delirium Rating scale‐Revised‐98 across the different motoric subtypes.

Conclusion

Different motoric subtypes of delirium differ on non‐cognitive symptoms.
Association analysis of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase /methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genes and cognition in late‐onset depression
Authors: Wang Xiaoquan , Wang Zusen , Wu Yanfeng , Yuan Yonggui , Hou Zhenghua , Hou Gang
Published: December 2013

Aims

Increasing evidence suggests that the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene might be associated with cognition in patients with mental disorders and healthy people. The metabolic pathways of COMT and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are closely interconnected. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the COMT‐MTHFR genotype interacted with cognitive function in late‐onset depression (LOD) patients and COMT Val/Val homozygous individuals who also carried the MTHFR T allele and had poor neuropsychological test performance.

Methods

Ninety‐seven unrelated LOD patients who met DSM‐IV criteria for major depressive disorder were recruited for the study and 103 normal controls were recruited from the local community. All of these patients and 44 normal controls completed a series of neuropsychological tests. Patients and normal controls were genotyped for COMT (rs4680) and MTHFR (rs1801133) variants using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the single alleles and genotypes of two polymorphisms between LOD patients and normal controls. No main effects of COMT or MTHFR genotype on any neuropsychological test performance were observed. There was a significant interactive effect of COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test independent of diagnosis (P < 0.05). After controlling for covariates, the subjects with COMT Met/ Met and MTHFR C/C genotype had better Symbol Digit Modalities Test performance.

Conclusions

The results suggest no major effect of COMT or MTHFR on cognitive function alone. However, an interaction of COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms may be associated with cognitive function. Further studies in a large sample are needed to replicate the genetic role in the LOD patients.
Effect of L‐theanine on sensorimotor gating in healthy human subjects
Authors: Ota Miho , Wakabayashi Chisato , Matsuo Junko , Kinoshita Yukiko , Hori Hiroaki , Hattori Kotaro , Sasayama Daimei , Teraishi Toshiya , Obu Satoko , Ozawa Hayato , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: December 2013

Aim

l‐Theanine (N‐ethyl‐l‐glutamine) is an amino acid uniquely found in green tea. Growing evidence has suggested the possible effects of l‐theanine on cognition. Previously, we found that l‐theanine attenuates MK‐801‐induced deficit in prepulse inhibition (PPI) in mice. In this study, we examined the effect of l‐theanine in increasing the PPI in healthy humans.

Methods

The subjects were 14 healthy adults who underwent PPI testing as a measure of sensorimotor gating 90 min after an oral intake of l‐theanine (0, 200, 400, or 600 mg). PPI tests were done by examiners who were blind to the dose.

Results

The administration of 200 mg of l‐theanine and that of 400 mg, but not 600 mg, significantly increased the % PPI compared to the baseline (0 mg). There was no significant relation between the dose of l‐theanine and the startle magnitude or the habituation of startle response. The plasma concentrations of l‐theanine correlated with the dose of l‐theanine.

Conclusion

The observed effect with 200–400 mg of l‐theanine on PPI suggested that l‐theanine at a particular dose range increases sensorimotor gating in humans.
Rush Rhees on Wittgenstein and “What Language Is”
Authors: Knott Hugh A.
Published: December 2013

Rush Rhees identified the question of “what language is” as central to Wittgenstein's philosophy, but believed he failed to follow up adequately the connections between the reality of discourse and our reality as persons. Integral to this is Rhees's elaboration of the distinction between such investigations into language and approaches to philosophy restricted to elucidating “the grammars of particular expressions.” The failure to fully acknowledge Rhees's contribution to the understanding of these issues has vitiated recent New Wittgensteinian discussion of both Wittgenstein and Rhees.
Novel Porphyrazine Derivatives show Promise for Photodynamic Therapy despite Restrictions in Hydrophilicity
Authors: Horne Tamarisk K. , Cronjé Marianne J.
Published: December 2013

Complexing of ligands to photosensitizers (Ps) has gained popularity by enhancing solubility, cell‐surface recognition and tissue specificity for applications in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and fluorescence‐based diagnostics. Here we report on nine carbohydrate‐functionalized porphyrazine (Pz‐galactopyranose/methyl‐ribose) derivatives bearing either H2, Zn(II) or Ni(II) cores for potential use in PDT. Derivatives proved soluble only in organic solvents; dichloromethane (DCM) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). Derivatives were subsequently solubilized using DCM‐based PEG‐DSPE5000‐PBS encapsulation for biological studies due to THF cytotoxicity. Absorption spectra analyses viewed no correlation between core ion, carbohydrate type and peripheral position though encapsulation efficiency (%EE) followed a general order of Zn(II) (60–92%) > H2 (5–34%) > Ni(II) (4–21%). As such, phototoxicity of Zn(II)Pz derivatives were far superior to H2Pz and Ni(II)Pz counterparts following 631.4 nm excitation of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Variation was attributed to persistent aggregation and low %EE when regarding the absorption properties recorded. It is therefore believed that revision of the encapsulation method for H2Pz and Ni(II)Pz derivatives would render improved phototoxicity. Zn(II)Pz derivatives show promise as agents for PDT of cancer.
Novel Photodynamic Effect of a Psoralen‐Conjugated Oligonucleotide for the Discrimination of the Methylation of Cytosine in DNA
Authors: Yamayoshi Asako , Matsuyama Yohei , Kushida Mikihiko , Kobori Akio , Murakami Akira
Published: December 2013

DNA methylation and demethylation significantly affect the deactivation and activation processes of gene expression significantly. In particular, C‐5‐methylation of cytosine in the CpG islands is important for the epigenetic modification in genes, which plays a key role in regulating gene expression. The determination of the location and frequency of DNA methylation is important for the elucidation of the mechanisms of cell differentiation and carcinogenesis. Here we designed a psoralen‐conjugated oligonucleotide (PS‐oligo) for the discrimination of 5‐methylcytosine (5‐mC) in DNA. The cross‐linking behavior of psoralen derivatives with pyrimidine bases, such as thymine, uracil and cytosine has been well discussed, but there are no reports which have examined whether cross‐linking efficiency of psoralen with cytosine would be changed with or without C‐5 methylation. We found that the cross‐linking efficiency of PS‐oligo with target‐DNA containing 5‐mC was greatly increased compared to the case of target‐DNA without 5‐mC, approximately seven‐fold higher. Here we report a new aspect of the photocross‐linking behavior of psoralen with 5‐mC that is applicable to a simple, sequence‐specific and quantitative analysis for the discrimination of 5‐mC in DNA, which can be applicable to study the epigenetic behavior of gene expressions.
Photobiological Interactions of Blue Light and Photosynthetic Photon Flux: Effects of Monochromatic and Broad‐Spectrum Light Sources
Authors: Cope Kevin R. , Snowden M. Chase , Bugbee Bruce
Published: December 2013

Photosynthesis (Pn) and photomorphogenesis (Pm) are affected by light quality, light intensity and photoperiod. Although blue light (BL) is necessary for normal development, it is less efficient in driving Pn than other wavelengths of photosynthetically active radiation. The effects of BL on Pm are highly species dependent. Here we report the interacting effects of BL and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) on growth and development of lettuce, radish and pepper. We used light‐emitting diode (LED) arrays to provide BL fractions from 11% to 28% under broad‐spectrum white LEDs, and from 0.3% to 92% under monochromatic LEDs. All treatments were replicated three times at each of two PPFs (200 and 500 μmol m−2 s−1). Other than light quality, environmental conditions were uniformly maintained across chambers. Regardless of PPF, BL was necessary to prevent shade‐avoidance responses in radish and lettuce. For lettuce and radish, increasing BL reduced stem length, and for both species, there were significant interactions of BL with PPF for leaf expansion. Increasing BL reduced petiole length in radish and flower number in pepper. BL minimally affected pepper growth and other developmental parameters. Pepper seedlings were more photobiologically sensitive than older plants. Surprisingly, there were few interactions between monochromatic and broad‐spectrum light sources.
Complex adaptive system mechanisms, adaptive management practices, and firm product innovativeness
Authors: Akgün Ali E. , Keskin Halit , Byrne John C. , Ilhan Özgün Ö.
Published: December 2013

As a fascinating concept, the mechanisms of complex adaptive system (CAS) attracted many researchers from a variety of disciplines. Nevertheless, how the mechanism‐related variables, such as strategic resonance, accreting nodes, pattern forming, and catalytic behavior of organization, impact the firm product innovativeness is rarely addressed empirically in the new product development (NPD) literature. Also, there exist limited studies on the antecedents of the mechanisms ofCASin theNPDliterature. In this respect, we identified and operationalized the adaptive management practices, which involve bonding, nonlinear, and attractor behaviors of management, as antecedents of mechanisms and firm product innovativeness. By studying 235 firms, we found that (1) strategic resonance and accreting nodes are positively related to firm product innovativeness, (2) bonding, nonlinear, and attractor behaviors of management positively influence the mechanism variables, and (3) market and technology turbulence impact the adaptive management practices. We also found that mechanisms ofCASpartially mediate the relationship between adaptive management practices and firm product innovativeness.
Identification of intangible assets in knowledge‐based organizations using concept mapping techniques
Authors: Martínez‐Torres María del Rocío
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes a procedure for identifying the intangible assets that generate value to knowledge‐intensive organizations using concept mapping techniques. Concept mapping is a form of structured conceptualization that incorporates and processes the opinion of a set of experts. A double statistical treatment consisting of a multidimensional scaling analysis and a cluster analysis is applied to a set of data provided by experts to obtain the results, which are presented in the form of maps. As a case study, the social and legal departments in a Spanish university were analyzed. As a result, 60 items referring to different intangible assets of these departments were identified and grouped into 10 clusters, and they were in turn grouped in regions corresponding to the three basic components of intellectual capital: human capital, structural capital and relational capital. The evaluation of the relative importance of each of them leads to the preeminent position of the structural capital.
Strategy transformation through strategic innovation capability – a case study ofFanuc
Authors: Kodama Mitsuru , Shibata Tomoatsu
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a theoretical framework under which large companies should be able to bring about strategy transformation. First, we present the concept of ‘strategic innovation capability’, a corporate system capability to achieve corporate strategy transformation by strategic innovation. Then, we consider strategic innovation capability by comparing it with previous theories (dynamic capability, major innovation, dynamic capability, breakthrough innovation capability). Second, we present the case example of strategy transformation atFanuc, a company that holds the top global share in the numerical control (NC) market. In this case study research, we consider and analyze historically how the company aimed for new creativity in theNCmarket, developed innovativeNCtechnology for the machine tool market, and used that technology energetically for commercialized products. From the strategic innovation capability framework, the core theory of this paper, we also analyze and consider how top management made conscious efforts to form a new development organization within the company, and the processes involved in achieving strategy transformation to establish competitive superiority in this field. Finally, we discuss the implications drawn from this case analysis, and the issues for future research.
Not only in trauma patients: hospital‐wide implementation of a massive transfusion protocol
Authors: Baumann Kreuziger L. M. , Morton C. T. , Subramanian A. T. , Anderson C. P. , Dries D. J.
Published: December 2013

Objectives

To review outcomes of massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation and determine the impact of MTP implementation on blood bank use.

Background

MTP has been established to rapidly provide plasma and packed red blood cells in ratios approaching 1 : 1. Due to availability, MTP has been utilised in non‐traumatic haemorrhage despite evidence of benefit in this population. Our hospital‐wide implementation of MTP was reviewed for propriety, outcomes and effect on blood bank resources.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients receiving transfusion after MTP activation from October 2009 to 2011. Underlying medical conditions and baseline medication use were determined. In‐hospital and 24‐h mortality were compared with evaluation for confounding by Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score and duration of MTP activation. Blood product use before and after MTP implementation was reviewed.

Results

MTP activation occurred in 62 trauma and 63 non‐trauma patients. Non‐trauma patients were older, had more underlying medical conditions and higher APACHE scores compared with trauma patients; 24‐h mortality was higher in trauma compared with non‐trauma patients (27·4 vs 11·1%, P = 0·02). There was no significant difference of in‐hospital mortality. Transfusion ratio did not differ between trauma and non‐trauma patients and was not associated with mortality even when MTP activation duration and APACHE score were considered. Hospital‐wide blood product use did not change with MTP implementation.

Conclusions

MTP may be successfully used in trauma and non‐trauma settings without significantly impacting overall blood product utilisation. Inclusion of non‐trauma patients into prospective studies of resuscitation with blood products is warranted to ensure benefit in these patients.
Surface Texturing Through Cylinder Buckling
Authors: Seffen K. A. , Stott S. V.
Published: December 2013

We consider the axial buckling of a thin-walled cylinder fitted onto a mandrel core with a prescribed annular gap. The buckling pattern develops fully and uniformly to yield a surface texture of regular diamond-shaped buckles, which we propose for novel morphing structures. We describe experiments that operate well into the postbuckling regime, where a classical analysis does not apply; we show that the size of buckles depends on the cylinder radius and the gap width, but not on its thickness, and we formulate simple relationships from kinematics alone for estimating the buckle proportions during loading.
Structure Decomposition and Homomorphism Identification of Planar Variable Topology Mechanisms
Authors: Kuo Chin-Hsing , Chang Lung-Yu
Published: December 2013

Structural analysis of variable topology mechanisms (VTMs) is the leading task when studying the topological variability of mechanisms. Of several major concerns, structure decomposition and homomorphism identification are two dominating issues for the structural analysis of VTMs. This paper presents a systematic computational approach for the structure decomposition and homomorphism identification of planar VTMs. Along with the proposed method, a constraint matrix representation, that records the potential motion constraints and the topological structures of a VTM, is introduced for serving as the basis of the approach. In addition, a new index, namely, degrees of homomorphism (DOHs), is suggested for quantifying the topological similarity among VTMs. For illustration, an automatic steel clamping and sawing mechanism and a group of mechanisms with similar topologies are adopted, from which their structure decomposition and homomorphism identification are carried out. As shown, the method is both symbolically readable and computationally considerable. The result is helpful for the automated structural analysis and synthesis of variable topology mechanisms.
Model-Based Shape Estimation for Soft Robotic Manipulators: The Planar Case
Authors: Trivedi Deepak , Rahn Christopher D.
Published: December 2013

Soft robotic manipulators are continuum robots made of soft materials that undergo continuous elastic deformation and produce motion with a smooth backbone curve. In many applications, these manipulators offer significant advantages over traditional manipulators due to their ability to conform to their surroundings, and manipulate objects of widely varying size using whole arm manipulation. Theoretically, soft robots have infinite degrees of freedom (DOF), but the number of sensors and actuators are limited. Many DOFs of soft robots are not directly observable and/or controllable, complicating shape estimation and control. In this paper, we present three methods of shape sensing for soft robotic manipulators based on a geometrically exact mechanical model. The first method uses load cells mounted at the base of the manipulator, the second method makes use of cable encoders running through the length of the manipulator, and the third method uses inclinometers mounted at the end of each section of the manipulator. Simulation results show an endpoint localization error of less than 3% of manipulator length with typical sensors. The methods are validated experimentally on the OctArm VI manipulator.
Kinematic Study of the Original and Revised General Line-Symmetric Bricard 6R Linkages
Authors: Song Chao-Yang , Chen Yan , Chen I-Ming
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the solutions to closure equations of the original general line-symmetric Bricard 6R linkage are derived through matrix method. Two independent linkage closures are found in the original general line-symmetric Bricard 6R linkage, which are line-symmetric in geometry conditions, kinematic variables and spatial configurations. The revised general line-symmetric Bricard 6R linkage differs from the original linkage with negatively equaled offsets on the opposite joints. Further analysis shows that the revised linkage is equivalent to the original linkage with different setups on joint axis directions. As a special case of the general line-symmetric Bricard linkage, the line-symmetric octahedral Bricard linkage also has two forms in the closure equations. Their closure curves are not independent but joined into a full circle. This work offers an in-depth understanding about the kinematics of the general line-symmetric Bricard linkages.
Centroidal Area-Constrained Partitioning for Robotic Networks
Authors: Patel Rushabh , Frasca Paolo , Bullo Francesco
Published: December 2013

We consider the problem of optimal coverage with area-constraints in a mobile multi-agent system. For a planar environment with an associated density function, this problem is equivalent to dividing the environment into optimal subregions such that each agent is responsible for the coverage of its own region. In this paper, we design a continuous-time distributed policy which allows a team of agents to achieve a convex area-constrained partition of a convex workspace. Our work is related to the classic Lloyd algorithm, and makes use of generalized Voronoi diagrams. We also discuss practical implementation for real mobile networks. Simulation methods are presented and discussed.
Temperature Analysis of Involute Gear Based on Mixed Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Theory Considering Tribo-Dynamic Behaviors
Authors: Dong Hui L. , Hu Ji B. , Li Xue Y.
Published: December 2013

An integrated model is proposed for involute gear pair combining the mixed elastodhydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory for finite line contact with surface temperature rise equations considering tribo-dynamic loading behaviors. The film stiffness and viscous damping as well as the friction force are taken into account. The surface topography of tooth flank measured by 3D surface profiler is also included to solve the local temperature and pressure distribution in the contact area. The results show that the temperature distributions in different meshing positions along the line of action exhibit dissimilar characteristics due to the varying of dynamic load and the changing slip-to-roll ratio, which denotes the relationship between sliding velocity and rolling velocity on the tooth flank. Besides, the maximum of temperature is likely to appear at different sides of the gear tooth width as the gear pair meshes along the line of action. Moreover, with the increasing surface roughness, the ratio of asperity contacts becomes larger, so more heat generates from the contact area and leads to higher temperature rise.
Elastodynamics of a Two-Dimensional Square Lattice With Entrained Fluid—Part I: Comparison With Biot's Theory
Authors: Dorodnitsyn Vladimir , Spadoni Alessandro
Published: December 2013

In the present paper, the performance of Biot's theory is investigated for wave propagation in cellular and porous solids with entrained fluid for configurations with well-known drained (no fluid) mechanical properties. Cellular solids differ from porous solids based on their relative density ρ*<0.3. The distinction is phenomenological and is based on the applicability of beam (or plate) theories to describe microstructural deformations. The wave propagation in a periodic square lattice is analyzed with a finite-element model, which explicitly considers fluid-structure interactions, structural deformations, and fluid-pressure variations. Bloch theorem is employed to enforce symmetry conditions of a representative volume element and obtain a relation between frequency and wavevector. It is found that the entrained fluid does not affect shear waves, beyond added-mass effects, so long as the wave spectrum is below the pores' natural frequency. One finds strong dispersion in cellular solids as a result of resonant scattering, in contrast to Bragg scattering dominant in porous media. Configurations with 0.0001≤ρ*≤1 are investigated. One finds that Biot's theory, derived from averaged microstructural quantities, well estimates the phase velocity of pressure and shear waves for cellular porous solids, except for the limit ρ*→1. For frequencies below the first resonance of the lattice walls, only the fast-pressure mode of the two modes predicted by Biot's theory is found. It is also shown that homogenized models for shear waves based on microstructural deformations for drained conditions agree with Biot's theory.
A New Accurate Closed-Form Analytical Solution for Junction Temperature of High-Powered Devices
Authors: Ling J. H. L. , Tay A. A. O.
Published: December 2013

The peak junction temperature has a profound effect on the operational lifetime and performance of high powered microwave devices. Although numerical analysis can help to estimate the peak junction temperature, it can be computationally expensive and time consuming when investigating the effect of the device geometry and material properties on the performance of the device. On the other hand, a closed-form analytical method will allow similar studies to be done easily and quickly. Although some previous analytical solutions have been proposed, the solutions either require over-long computational times or are not so accurate. In this paper, an accurate closed-form analytical solution for the junction temperature of power amplifier field effect transistors (FETs) or monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) is presented. Its derivation is based on the Green's function integral method on a point heat source developed through the method of images. Unlike most previous works, the location of the heat dissipation region is assumed to be embedded under the gate. Since it is a closed-form solution, the junction temperature as well as the temperature distribution around the gate can be easily calculated. Consequently, the effect of various design parameters and material properties affecting the junction temperature of the device can be easily investigated. This work is also applicable to multifinger devices by employing superposition techniques and has been shown to agree well with both numerical and experimental results.
Effect of Meniscus Recession on the Effective Pore Radius and Capillary Pumping of Copper Metal Foams
Authors: Shirazy Mahmood R. S. , Fréchette Luc G.
Published: December 2013

An experimental study is performed to characterize the effect of meniscus recession on the effective pore radius and capillary pumping of copper metal foams which are to be used as wicks in heat pipes for electronic cooling. Knowledge of the effective pore radius is critical in defining the capillary pumping of a wicking material but is rarely measured under operating conditions. It is known that the meniscus of a liquid recedes when evaporating from a porous media, which could impact the effective pore radius and therefore the capillary pumping capabilities of the foam. To elucidate this impact, the evaporation rate is measured from foam strips wicking ethanol from a reservoir while applying heat fluxes to the foam. Using thermocouple and IR camera measurements, the measured evaporation rates are corrected to account for different thermal losses, including natural convection, direct thermal conduction to the liquid, and evaporation from the container. An analytical model is then developed to relate the evaporated mass to the maximum capillary pressure (minimum effective pore radius) provided by the foam. It is shown for the first time, that just before the onset of dryout, the recessed meniscus will lead to 15%, 28%, and 52% decrease in effective pore radius for samples with 68%, 75%, and 82% porosities, respectively. The capillary pumping therefore increases during evaporation. This can have significant impact on the prediction of the capillary limits in two phase capillary driven devices.