bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis virus hijacks shuttle: Exosome-like vesicles provide protection against neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Ramakrishnaiah Vedashree , van der Laan Luc J.W.
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Animal viruses are broadly categorized structurally by the presence or absence of an envelope composed of a lipid-bilayer membrane, attributes that profoundly affect stability, transmission and immune recognition. Among those lacking an envelope, the Picornaviridae are a large and diverse family of positive-strand RNA viruses that includes hepatitis A virus (HAV), an ancient human pathogen that remains a common cause of enterically transmitted hepatitis. HAV infects in a stealth-like manner and replicates efficiently in the liver. Virus-specific antibodies appear only after 3-4 weeks of infection, and typically herald its resolution. Although unexplained mechanistically, both anti-HAV antibody and inactivated whole-virus vaccines prevent disease when administered as late as 2 weeks after exposure, when virus replication is well established in the liver. Here we show that HAV released from cells is cloaked in host-derived membranes, thereby protecting the virion from antibody-mediated neutralization. These enveloped viruses (‘eHAV’) resemble exosomes, small vesicles that are increasingly recognized to be important in intercellular communications. They are fully infectious, sensitive to extraction with chloroform, and circulate in the blood of infected humans. Their biogenesis is dependent on host proteins associated with endosomal-sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT), namely VPS4B and ALIX. Whereas the hijacking of membranes by HAV facilitates escape from neutralizing antibodies and probably promotes virus spread within the liver, anti-capsid antibodies restrict replication after infection with eHAV, suggesting a possible explanation for prophylaxis after exposure. Membrane hijacking by HAV blurs the classic distinction between ‘enveloped’ and ‘non-enveloped’ viruses and has broad implications for mechanisms of viral egress from infected cells as well as host immune responses.
NHS arm's length bodies and regulatory networks in England: quantitative analysis
Authors: McManus Richard
Published: November 2013

Health regulation is an area of English public policy that involves a plethora of different bodies operating independently of one another with the purported aim of monitoring standards, ensuring minimum standards are met and providing assurance for the public and government. The purpose of this research is to ascertain as well as possible whether regulation generally is having a positive effect on service provision as well as what the relationship between the data collected by these bodies is. The rationale for testing whether the effect of regulation is positive is obvious; it costs money, time and effort, so does it work? The rationale for testing the relationships is that providers who score well on quality measures should also be experiencing fewer deaths compared with what would be expected. They should also be the providers who are performing well in terms of finances and governance. If there is no relationship between these data sets, then surely something is going wrong; that is, does the various regulatory monitoring and scrutiny actually measure what it sets out to measure? Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed Convection Over a Vertical Plate in a Doubly Stratified Fluid‐Saturated Non‐Darcy Porous Medium with Cross‐Diffusion Effects
Authors: Srinivasacharya D. , Surender O.
Published: November 2013

The present article investigates the influence of Dufour and Soret effects on mixed convection heat and mass transfer over a vertical plate in a doubly stratified fluid‐saturated porous medium. The plate is maintained at a uniform and constant wall heat and mass fluxes. The Darcy–Forchheimer model is employed to describe the flow in porous medium. The nonlinear governing equations and their associated boundary conditions are initially transformed into dimensionless forms. The resulting system of nonlinear partial differential equations is then solved numerically by the Keller‐box method. The variation of the dimensionless velocity, temperature, concentration, heat, and mass transfer rates for different values of governing parameters involved in the problem are analyzed and presented graphically. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21114
The process of winter streamflow generation in a subarctic Precambrian Shield catchment
Authors: Spence Christopher , Kokelj Shawne A. , Kokelj Steve V. , Hedstrom Newell
Published: November 2013

There have been widespread increases in winter streamflow across the circumpolar north since the mid to late 1900s. However, the physical processes that result in winter runoff generation are not well understood. The objective of this research was to determine the runoff generation processes and pathways of cold season streamflow, and to compare and contrast them with those of spring freshet in a subarctic Canadian Shield study catchment in which winter streamflow regime changes have been documented. Traditional hydrometric methods were used in conjunction with modelling and hydrochemistry to estimate runoff sources and pathways. Results suggest that while runoff generation processes do not necessarily differ between spring and winter runoff events, the timing at which pre‐event and event water contributes does differ. Furthermore, the periods in which certain runoff pathways activate and deactivate are different. Runoff during the spring freshet is dominated by pre‐event water that has not been exposed to the subsurface. In contrast, and most notably, isotopic chemistry reveals that 72% of high cold season streamflow is from new precipitation. In Precambrian Shield regions, or in other landscapes where there may be a large fraction of lakes, late autumn rainfall can increase lake levels, and in turn, storage, to ample volumes that can provide high amounts of winter runoff. Where autumn rainfall has been increasing, precipitation and surface water should be considered as a source of enhanced winter streamflow in these types of landscapes. These results have implications for how widespread environmental changes in the circumpolar north, especially those of aquatic chemistry and permafrost thaw, should be interpreted and predicted. © 2013 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Hydrological Processes. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Household Location on First‐Year Engineering Students' Environmental Awareness and Resistance to Change
Authors: Weber Nicole , Dyehouse Melissa , Miller Christopher C. , Fang Jun , Hua Inez , Strobel Johannes
Published: November 2013

Background

To prepare engineers for their future roles, responsibilities, and professional demands, undergraduate engineering programs must integrate sustainable design into their curricula. Hence, we need to understand engineering students' awareness, conceptions, and, particularly, their prior knowledge and what shaped it.

Purpose

This study proposed to examine the impact of their home location on engineering students' environmental awareness and resistance to change.

Design/Method

We administered two environmental surveys to students in a first‐year undergraduate engineering program. First, a macrolevel analysis focused on differences between students from different U.S. regions and international students. Then, to examine differences hypothesized in our environmental awareness model at the zip code‐level (students' household location, i.e., location from which they applied to college), we focused on first‐year engineering students with Indiana zip codes (n = 1,367).

Results

Significant differences appeared in environmental awareness and knowledge according to students' household location (U.S. regions and international). As a result, we created a predictive model of the students' environmental knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and resistance to change using a GIS location‐based model.

Conclusions

This study extends the existing literature and provides a starting point for further exploring these relationships with engineering students. Since engineering programs provide different experiences to students, this study cautiously supports the idea that student household location has an impact and should be considered a viable variable. Further work is necessary to study the impact of location‐based class projects on the students' awareness and knowledge about sustainability and environmental issues.
Multicolor Ramsey Numbers For Complete Bipartite Versus Complete Graphs
Authors: Lenz John , Mubayi Dhruv
Published: November 2013

Let be graphs. The multicolor Ramsey number is the minimum integer r such that in every edge‐coloring of by k colors, there is a monochromatic copy of in color i for some . In this paper, we investigate the multicolor Ramsey number , determining the asymptotic behavior up to a polylogarithmic factor for almost all ranges of t and m. Several different constructions are used for the lower bounds, including the random graph and explicit graphs built from finite fields. A technique of Alon and Rödl using the probabilistic method and spectral arguments is employed to supply tight lower bounds. A sample result is

urn:x-wiley:03649024:media:jgt21771:jgt21771-math-0007for any t and m, where c1 and c2 are absolute constants.
Advice for Improving Memory: Exercising, Strengthening, and Cultivating Natural Memory, 1860–1910
Authors: Collins Alan F.
Published: November 2013

The idea that human memory can be improved appears to be as ancient as the concept of memory itself. For centuries, authors have promised that using artificial mnemonical systems can improve remembering. However, in the late nineteenth century many authors of memory improvement texts emphasized the importance of enhancing natural memory as opposed to developing artificial memory systems. In doing so, they portrayed natural memory as something analogous to other body functions and parts, such as muscles, and promoted a metaphorical view of memory that did not rely wholly on the more familiar root metaphors of storage and inscription. At the same time, they stressed that natural memory could be reconciled with moral purposes, especially through notions of exercise, training, and discipline. This article explores these ideas and how they chimed with Victorian concerns about free will, the education of the young, moral imperatives around self‐improvement, and the increasing interest in science and especially a science of the mind.
Synthesis of Isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline Derivatives in Ionic Liquid Catalyzed by Iodine
Authors: Lu Lian , Yang Ke , Zhang Mei‐Mei , Wang Xiang‐Shan
Published: November 2013

A mild, green, and facile method for the synthesis of 6,6a‐dihydroisoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione derivatives is described in high yields using ionic liquids as green media. The method involves the reaction of 2‐aminobenzamides with 2‐formylbenzoic acid catalyzed by iodine and provides a new alkaloid library with potential activity for biomedical screening.
Using an Example Statement Increases Information but Does Not Increase Accuracy of CBCA, RM, and SCAN
Authors: Bogaard Glynis , Meijer Ewout H. , Vrij Aldert
Published: November 2013

Verbal credibility assessment methods are frequently used in the criminal justice system to investigate the truthfulness of statements. Three of these methods are Criteria Based Content Analysis (CBCA), Reality Monitoring (RM), and Scientific Content Analysis (SCAN). The aim of this study is twofold. First, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy of CBCA, RM, and especially SCAN. Second, we tested whether giving the interviewee an example of a detailed statement can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of these verbal credibility methods. To test the latter, two groups of participants were requested to write down one true and one fabricated statement about a negative event. Prior to this request, one group received a detailed example statement, whereas the other group received no additional information. Results showed that CBCA and RM scores differed between true and fabricated statements, whereas SCAN scores did not. Giving a detailed example statement did not lead to better discrimination between truth tellers and liars for any of the methods but did lead to the participants producing significantly longer statements. The implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0 T differentiates malignant breast lesions from benign lesions and breast parenchyma
Authors: Bokacheva Louisa , Kaplan Jennifer B. , Giri Dilip D. , Patil Sujata , Gnanasigamani Merlin , Nyman C. Gregory , Deasy Joseph O. , Morris Elizabeth A. , Thakur Sunitha B.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To study the differentiation of malignant breast lesions from benign lesions and fibroglandular tissue (FGT) using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 26 malignant and 14 benign breast lesions in 35 patients who underwent diffusion‐weighted MRI at 3.0T and nine b‐values (0–1000 s/mm2). ADC and IVIM parameters (perfusion fraction fp, pseudodiffusion coefficient Dp, and true diffusion coefficient Dd) were determined in lesions and FGT. For comparison, IVIM was also measured in 16 high‐risk normal patients. A predictive model was constructed using linear discriminant analysis. Lesion discrimination based on ADC and IVIM parameters was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results

In FGT of normal subjects, fp was 1.1 ± 1.1%. In malignant lesions, fp (6.4 ± 3.1%) was significantly higher than in benign lesions (3.1 ± 3.3%, P = 0.0025) or FGT (1.5 ± 1.2%, P < 0.001), and Dd ((1.29 ± 0.28) × 10−3 mm2/s) was lower than in benign lesions ((1.56 ± 0.28) × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.011) or FGT ((1.86 ± 0.34) × 10−3 mm2/s, P < 0.001). A combination of Dd and fp provided higher AUC for discrimination between malignant and benign lesions (0.84) or FGT (0.97) than ADC (0.72 and 0.86, respectively).

Conclusion

The IVIM parameters provide accurate identification of malignant lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:813–823. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of malignant breast tissue of breast cancer patients and the normal breast tissue of healthy lactating women volunteers using diffusion MRI and in vivo 1H MR spectroscopy
Authors: Sah Rani G. , Agarwal Khushbu , Sharma Uma , Parshad Rajinder , Seenu Vurthaluru , Jagannathan Naranamangalam R.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To investigate the potential of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and in vivo proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) in the differentiation of breast tissue of healthy lactating women volunteers and breast cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

DWI and MRS were carried out at 1.5 Tesla on 12 breast cancer patients and 12 normal lactating women volunteers. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and total choline (tCho) concentration were determined.

Results

tCho was observed in all breast cancer patients and in 10/12 lactating women. Additionally a peak at 3.8 ppm corresponding to lactose was seen in 10/12 of lactating women. Concentration of tCho was similar in malignant breast tissue of patients (3.51 ± 1.72 mmol/kg) and in normal breast tissue of lactating women (3.52 ± 1.70 mmol/kg). However, ADC was significantly higher in the normal breast tissue of lactating women (1.62 ± 0.22 × 10−3 mm2/s) compared with the malignant breast tissue of patients (1.01 ± 0.10 × 10−3 mm2/s).

Conclusion

Observation of lactose peak with higher ADC in the breast tissue of healthy lactating women volunteers may aid in differentiation of changes that occur in breast tissue due to normal physiological conditions like lactation compared with malignant transformation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:169–174. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progress toward a liquid crystal contact lens display
Authors: De Smet Jelle , Avci Aykut , Joshi Pankaj , Schaubroeck David , Cuypers Dieter , De Smet Herbert
Published: November 2013

A contact lens embeddable display using electro‐optic modulation was designed and fabricated. Using a guest–host liquid crystal configuration, a spherically deformed liquid crystal cell was fabricated comprising poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) as a conductive layer and obliquely evaporated SiO2 as an alignment layer. An additional SiO2 buffer layer was evaporated on top of the PEDOT : PSS to overcome compatibility problems with the patterning of the photolithographically defined spacers. Although the contrast is modest, a patterned modulation could clearly be observed, indicating that our approach and fabrication process could eventually lead to a fully pixelated contact lens display.
Minimally invasive image‐guided cochlear implantation surgery: First report of clinical implementation
Authors: Labadie Robert F. , Balachandran Ramya , Noble Jack H. , Blachon Grégoire S. , Mitchell Jason E. , Reda Fitsum A. , Dawant Benoit M. , Fitzpatrick J. Michael
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Minimally invasive image‐guided approach to cochlear implantation (CI) involves drilling a narrow, linear tunnel to the cochlea. Reported herein is the first clinical implementation of this approach.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

On preoperative computed tomography (CT), a safe linear trajectory through the facial recess targeting the scala tympani was planned. Intraoperatively, fiducial markers were bone‐implanted, a second CT was acquired, and the trajectory was transferred from preoperative to intraoperative CT. A customized microstereotactic frame was rapidly designed and constructed to constrain a surgical drill along the desired trajectory. Following sterilization, the frame was employed to drill the tunnel to the middle ear. After lifting a tympanomeatal flap and performing a cochleostomy, the electrode array was threaded through the drilled tunnel and into the cochlea.

Results

Eight of nine patients were successfully implanted using the proposed approach with six insertions completely within the scala tympani. Traditional mastoidectomy was performed on one patient following difficulty threading the electrode array via the narrow tunnel. Other difficulties encountered included use of the backup implant when an electrode was dislodged during threading via the tunnel, tip fold‐over, and facial nerve paresis (House‐Brackmann II/VI at 12 months) secondary to heat during drilling. The average time of intervention was 182 ± 36 minutes.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive image‐guided CI is clinically achievable. Further clinical study is necessary to address technological difficulties during drilling and insertion, and to assess potential benefits including decreased time of intervention, standardization of surgical intervention, and decreased tissue dissection potentially leading to shorter recovery and earlier implant activation.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 124:1915–1922, 2014
A Facile Method for Preparing Porous, Optically Active, Magnetic Fe3O4@poly(N‐acryloyl‐leucine) Inverse Core/Shell Composite Microspheres
Authors: Liu Dong , Deng Jianping , Yang Wantai
Published: November 2013

The first synthesis of porous, optically active, magnetic Fe3O4@poly(N‐acryloyl‐leucine) inverse core/shell composite microspheres is reported, in which the core is constructed of chiral polymer and the shell is constructed of Fe3O4 NPs. The microspheres integrate three significant concepts, “porosity”, “chirality”, and “magneticity”, in one single microspheric entity. The microspheres consist of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres, and thus combine the advantages of both magnetic nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres. The pore size and specific surface area of the microspheres are characterized by N2 adsorption, from which it is found that the composite microspheres possess a desirable porous structure. Circular dichroism and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that the microspheres exhibit the expected optical activity. The microspheres also have high saturation magnetization of 14.7 emu g–1 and rapid magnetic responsivity. After further optimization, these novel microspheres may potentially find applications in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, chiral adsorption, etc.

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BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC, an efficient method for measuring proton–proton and heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants
Authors: Furihata Kazuo , Tashiro Mitsuru
Published: November 2013

Natural products often possess various spin systems consisting of a methine group directly bonded to a methyl group (e.g. –CHa–CHb(CH3)–CHc–). The methine proton Hb splits into a broadened multiplet by coupling with several vicinal protons, rendering analysis difficult of nJC–H with respect to Hb in the J‐resolved HMBC‐1. In purpose of the reliable and easy measurements of nJC–H and nJH–H in the aforesaid spin system, we have developed a new technique, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC. This method incorporates band selective homo decoupled pulse and J‐scaling pulse into HMBC. In this method, high resolution cross peaks can be observed along the F1 axis by J‐scaling pulse, and band selective homo decoupled pulse simplified multiplet signals. Determinations of nJC–H and nJH–H of multiplet signals can easily be performed using the proposed pulse sequence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skin‐derived precursor schwann cell myelination capacity in focal tibial demyelination
Authors: Grochmal Joey , Dhaliwal Sundeep , Stys Peter K. , van Minnen Jan , Midha Rajiv
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Skin‐derived precursor cells (SKPs) are neural crest progenitor cells that can attain a Schwann cell–like phenotype through in vitro techniques (SKP‐SCs). We hypothesized that SKP‐SCs could produce mature myelin and, in doing so, facilitate the recovery of a focal demyelination injury. Methods: We unilaterally injected DiI‐labeled, green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐producing SKP‐SCs into the tibial nerves of 10 adult Lewis rats (with contralateral media control), 9 days after bilateral doxorubicin injury (0.38 μg). Tibial compound motor action potentials (CMAPs) were followed for 57 days. A separate morphometric cohort also included a Schwann cell injection group. Results: SKP‐injected nerves recovered fastest in terms of electrophysiology and morphometry. SKP‐SCs formed morphologically mature myelin, accounting for 15.3 ± 5.3% of the total myelin in SKP‐SC–injected nerves. Conclusions: SKP‐SCs are robustly capable of myelination. They improve the recovery of a focal tibial nerve demyelination model by myelinating a measured percentage of axons. Muscle Nerve 50:262–272, 2014
A posteriori error estimates of edge residual type of finite element method for nonmonotone quasi‐linear elliptic problems
Authors: Guo Liming , Huang Ziping , Wang Cheng
Published: November 2013

In this article, we study the edge residual‐based a posteriori error estimates of conforming linear finite element method for nonmonotone quasi‐linear elliptic problems. It is proven that edge residuals dominate a posteriori error estimates. Up to higher order perturbations, edge residuals can act as a posteriori error estimators. The global reliability and local efficiency bounds are established both in H
1‐norm and L
2‐norm. Numerical experiments are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed error estimators. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 813–837, 2014
Perfluorocyclohexenyl aryl ether polymers via polycondensation of decafluorocyclohexene with bisphenols
Authors: Sharma Babloo , Hill Sarah C. , Liff Shawna M. , Pennington William T. , Smith Dennis W.
Published: November 2013

A novel class of semifluorinated perfluorocyclohexenyl (PFCH) aryl ether homo/copolymers was successfully synthesized with high yield through the step‐growth polymerization of commercially available bisphenols and decafluorocyclohexene in the presence of a triethylamine base. The synthesized polymers exhibit variable thermal properties depending on the functional spacer group (R). PFCH aryl ether copolymers with random and alternating architectures were also prepared from versatile bis‐perfluorocyclohexenyl aryl ether monomers. The PFCH polymers show high thermal stabilities with a 5% decomposition temperature ranging from 359 to 444 °C in air and nitrogen atmosphere. These semifluorinated PFCH aromatic ether polymers contain intact enchained PFCH olefin moieties, making further reactions such as crosslinking and application specific functionalization possible. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 232–238
Molecule motion at polymer brush interfaces from single‐molecule experimental perspectives
Authors: Wang Shengqin , Jing Benxin , Zhu Yingxi
Published: November 2013

Polymer brushes have been widely used as functional surface coatings for broad applications including antifouling, energy storage, and lubrications. Understanding the molecule dynamics at polymer brush interfaces is important in unraveling the structure–property relationships in these materials and establishing a new materials design paradigm of novel functional polymer thin films with efficient interfacial transport. By applying modern fluorescence‐based single‐molecule spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, molecule dynamics at varied polymer brush interfaces have been experimentally investigated in recent years. New insights are given to the understandings of some unique and unusual materials properties of polymer brush thin films. This review summarizes some recent studies of molecular diffusion at polymer brush interfaces, highlights some new understandings of the interfacial properties of polymer brushes, and discusses future research opportunities in this field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys.2014, 52, 85–103
Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Bacon Mitchell , Bradley Siobhan J. , Nann Thomas
Published: November 2013

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are nanometer‐sized fragments of graphene that show unique properties, which makes them interesting candidates for a whole range of new applications. This review article gives an overview of the synthesis, properties and applications of GQDs. Synthesis methods discussed include top‐down and bottom‐up approaches. Properties such as luminescence up‐ and down‐conversion have been used in applications ranging from energy conversion to bio‐analytics. This article provides an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art and highlights promising findings as well as potential future directions of the research field.
Resource orchestration in practice: CEO emphasis on SHRM, commitment‐based HR systems, and firm performance
Authors: Chadwick Clint , Super Janice F. , Kwon Kiwook
Published: November 2013

In order to be effective, managers at all levels of the firm must engage in resource management activities, and these efforts are synchronized and orchestrated by top management. Using a specific type of strategic resource, commitment‐based human resource systems, we examine the effect of CEO resource orchestration in a multi‐industry sample of 190 Korean firms. Our results demonstrate that CEO emphasis on strategic HRM is a significant antecedent to commitment‐based HR systems. Furthermore, our results also suggest that CEO emphasis on strategic HRM has its primary effects on firm performance through commitment‐based HR systems. This finding underscores the importance of middle managers in operationalizing top management's strategic emphasis, lending empirical support to a fundamental tenet of resource orchestration arguments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in firm knowledge couplings and firm innovation performance: The moderating role of technological complexity
Authors: Yayavaram Sai , Chen Wei‐Ru
Published: November 2013

We investigate the effect of changes in a firm's knowledge couplings on its innovation performance. We develop arguments to explain how changes in couplings among existing knowledge domains and those between new and existing knowledge domains affect the generation of valuable inventions. We also examine how observed domain complexity, an indicator of the inherent interdependencies among knowledge domains, moderates the effects of changes in a firm's knowledge couplings on innovation performance. Our results suggest that a change in couplings among existing knowledge domains hurts innovation outcomes, but not when the degree of domain complexity is high, whereas coupling new and existing knowledge domains leads to improved outcomes, but not when the degree of domain complexity is high. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Free‐Standing Metal Sulfide Nanoarrays via Anion Exchange Reaction and Their Electrochemical Energy Storage Application
Authors: Xia Xinhui , Zhu Changrong , Luo Jingshan , Zeng Zhiyuan , Guan Cao , Ng Chin Fan , Zhang Hua , Fan Hong Jin
Published: November 2013

Metal sulfides are an emerging class of high‐performance electrode materials for solar cells and electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, a facile and powerful method based on anion exchange reactions is reported to achieve metal sulfide nanoarrays through a topotactical transformation from their metal oxide and hydroxide pre‐forms. Demonstrations are made to CoS and NiS nanowires, nanowalls, and core‐branch nanotrees on carbon cloth and nickel foam substrates. The sulfide nanoarrays exhibit superior redox reactivity for electrochemical energy storage. The self‐supported CoS nanowire arrays are tested as the pseudo‐capacitor cathode, which demonstrate enhanced high‐rate specific capacities and better cycle life as compared to the powder counterparts. The outstanding electrochemical properties of the sulfide nanoarrays are a consequence of the preservation of the nanoarray architecture and rigid connection with the current collector after the anion exchange reactions.
Pruned Bagging Aggregated Hybrid Prediction Models for Forecasting the Steel Temperature in Ladle Furnace
Authors: Lv Wu , Mao Zhizhong , Yuan Ping , Jia Mingxing
Published: November 2013

For accurate control of the steel temperature during ladle furnace (LF) refining, in this study, a novel ensemble based steel temperature prediction model is presented. The base learning algorithm of this ensemble predictor is developed by hybrid modeling of the LF thermal system, where first principle method and data‐driven modeling algorithm are combined for obtaining a precise prediction. Thereafter, for addressing the over‐fitting problem and thereby further boosting the prediction performance, an ensemble based prediction model is presented on the basis of the proposed pruned Bagging method. The pruned Bagging uses negative correlation learning to prune the original Bagging ensemble for resulting in a robust and efficient ensemble which is able to improve the ensemble efficiency without deteriorating the prediction performance. As a result, the proposed ensemble based steel temperature predictor is able to provide a precise prediction with high reliability. The effectiveness of the presented steel temperature prediction model is validated by the practical data.
Strategy selection: An introduction to the modeling challenge
Authors: Marewski Julian N. , Link Daniela
Published: November 2013

Modeling the mechanisms that determine how humans and other agents choose among different behavioral and cognitive processes—be they strategies, routines, actions, or operators—represents a paramount theoretical stumbling block across disciplines, ranging from the cognitive and decision sciences to economics, biology, and machine learning. By using the cognitive and decision sciences as a case study, we provide an introduction to what is also known as the strategy selection problem. First, we explain why many researchers assume humans and other animals to come equipped with a repertoire of behavioral and cognitive processes. Second, we expose three descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive challenges that are common to all disciplines which aim to model the choice among these processes. Third, we give an overview of different approaches to strategy selection. These include cost‐benefit, ecological, learning, memory, unified, connectionist, sequential sampling, and maximization approaches. We conclude by pointing to opportunities for future research and by stressing that the selection problem is far from being resolved. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:39–59. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1265

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Constraining Higgs mediated dark matter interactions
Authors: Greljo Admir , Julio J. , Kamenik Jernej F. , Smith Christopher , Zupan Jure
Published: November 2013

Abstract

We perform an analysis of Higgs portal models of dark matter (DM), where DM is light enough to contribute to invisible Higgs decays. Using effective field theory we show that DM can be a thermal relic only if there are additional light particles present with masses below a few 100 GeV. We give three concrete examples of viable Higgs portal models of light DM: (i) the SM extended by DM scalar along with an electroweak triplet and a singlet, (ii) a Two Higgs Doublet Model of type II with additional scalar DM, (iii) SM with DM and an extra scalar singlet that is lighter than DM. In all three examples the$ \mathcal{B} $(h→ invisible) constraint is not too restrictive, because it is governed by different parameters than the relic abundance. Additional light particles can have implications for flavor violation and collider searches.
Factors affecting Common Quail's Coturnix coturnix occurrence in farmland of Poland: is agriculture intensity important?
Authors: Kosicki Jakub Z. , Chylarecki Przemysław , Zduniak Piotr
Published: November 2013

Over the last four decades, the majority of European farmland birds have shown marked population declines attributed to the intensification of agriculture. The Common Quail is a widespread farmland breeder across most of Europe. Its populations have shown marked decline, particularly pronounced at the end of the previous century. Ongoing agriculture intensification may be the factor responsible for the observed declines; however, links between species occurrence and farming intensification have not been addressed so far. We analyzed factors affecting the occurrence of the Quail in Poland using data from 722 1 × 1‐km study plots and a set of 22 environmental variables, including proxies for agriculture intensification. Predictors were aggregated using PCAs and related to species presence/absence data using GAMs. The best‐supported model of the species’ occurrence included eight variables and was clearly better (AIC weight = 0.54) than other models. Quails preferred open fields, showing high photosynthetic activity in March or June, with rather low precipitation and often at relatively high altitudes (up to 900 m a.s.l.). Importantly, quails were more frequent on plots located in regions with rather high inorganic fertilizer input, and showed no avoidance of areas with a high level of agriculture mechanization. We postulate that singing male quails are attracted to areas with medium or high intensity of agriculture but it may represent a maladaptive habitat choice enhanced by changing agriculture practices and peculiarities of the quail's breeding strategy. Given the results, the quail cannot be classified as a good indicator of extensive traditional agriculture.
Responses of carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in rice grain (Oryza sativa L.) to an increase in air temperature during grain filling in the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Akamatsu Fumikazu , Suzuki Yaeko , Nakashita Rumiko , Korenaga Takashi
Published: November 2013

Stable isotopic compositions of carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) in plants reflect growth conditions. Therefore, these isotopes might be good indicators of changes in environmental factors, such as variations in air temperature caused by climate change. It is predicted that climate change will lead to a greater increase in minimum air temperatures (primarily during the night) than in maximum air temperatures (primarily during the day) in many parts of Japan. In the present study, we investigated whether the δ13C and δ18O of the rice grain Koshihikari (Oryza sativa L.) from the northern latitudes (30.49°–37.14°) of Japan reflect variations in air temperature during grain filling and are related to the yield and proportion of first‐grade rice (<15 % transparency, roundness, and cracking) as an indicator of quality. We revealed that rice δ13C was not correlated with mean maximum or minimum air temperatures for each prefecture. By contrast, rice δ18O was positively correlated with mean minimum air temperature, suggesting that rice δ18O reflects changes in night air temperature. We further showed that an increase in the mean minimum air temperature during grain filling had a negative effect on rice yield and quality. Our findings indicate that the δ18O of rice grain may be a good indicator of physiological changes in response to minimum air temperatures during grain filling.
Distribution of (n‐9) and (n‐7) Isomers of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Authors: Bhogal N. S. , Bala Manju , Kumar Sandeep , Nanjundan J. , Singh Y. P.
Published: November 2013

The seed oils of 19 Indian mustard varieties were analyzed for fatty acid composition using GC–MS, reporting the presence of n‐7 isomers of C18:1, C20:1 and C22:1 fatty acids. n‐7 isomers namely cis‐vaccenic (C18:1), 11, eicosenoic(C20:1) and 13‐cis‐docosenoic (C22:1) acids ranged from 0.61 to 1.73, 1.04 to 1.69 and 0.58 to 1.17 %, respectively. The average values of C20:1(n‐7) was highest (1.36) amongst the three acids. Nervonic acid was also reported in the range of 0.69 to 2.52 %. The ratios of (n‐7)/(n‐9) ranged from 6.22 to 14.62, 12.38 to 27.35 and 2.01 to 3.24 % for C18:1, C20:1 and C22:1 fatty acids, respectively. The variety RLM‐619 had the lowest elongation ratio (ER) as 0.44 and the highest desaturation ratio (DR) as 0.41 indicating higher efficiency of the desaturation pathway than for other varieties. The oleic desaturation ratio (ODR) values varied from 0.68 (Basanti) to 0.75 (GM‐2) with a mean value of 0.72 and linoleic desaturation ratio from 0.40 (Basanti) to 0.49 (Pusa Bold) with a mean value of 0.45. Palmitoleic acid showed positive correlation with C18:1(n‐7), C20:1(n‐7), C20:2, C22:0, C22:1(n‐7), C24:1, (n‐7)/(n‐9) ratio of C18:1 and C22:1 and a positive trend with ER but a significant negative correlation with C18:3, DR and ODR. The results indicated that palmitoleic acid is an important intermediate component in the synthesis of long chain (n‐7) fatty acids.
Female second-year undergraduate medical students’ attitudes towards research at
the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University: a Saudi Arabian perspective
Authors: Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Alnajjar Asma
Published: November 2013

There is a rapidly increasing movement towards integrating scientific research
training into undergraduate medical education. The aim of this study was to explore the
perceived attitudes of female second-year undergraduate medical students towards
research at the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia, as well as to
explore if any differences exist between students with and without previous research
experiences. An online, anonymous, cross-sectional, self-rating survey was administered.
A two-tailed Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the mean 5-point Likert scale
responses between students with and without previous research experiences. Sixty-one
students (61/81) participated in the survey with a 75.3 % response rate. Nineteen
participants (31.1 %) had previous research experiences. Overall, all students
demonstrated positive attitudes towards undergraduate research. There were significant
statistical differences in the means of attitudes towards undergraduate research between
students with versus without previous research experiences in regards to the following
statements: ‘my adequate possession of research knowledge and skills promotes
participation in future research activities’ (3.4 vs. 2.9; p < 0.02), ‘I will
participate in scientific research activities throughout my undergraduate medical
education’ (3.7 vs. 3.1; p < 0.00), and ‘I have no interest at all in scientific
research’ (1.6 vs. 2.4; p < 0.01). Previous exposure to scientific research
experiences promotes more positive attitudes towards scientific research.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Surgical Attire
Authors: Braswell Melanie L. , Spruce Lisa
Published: November 2013

Surgical attire is intended to protect both patients and perioperative personnel. AORN published the “Recommended practices for surgical attire” to guide perioperative RNs in establishing protocols for selecting, wearing, and laundering surgical attire. Perioperative RNs should work with vendors and managers to ensure appropriate surgical attire is available, model the correct practices for donning and wearing surgical attire, and teach team members about evidence‐based practices. The recommendation that surgical attire not be home laundered is supported by evidence that perioperative nurses can share with their colleagues and managers to help support appropriate practices. Hospital and ambulatory surgery center scenarios have been included as examples of appropriate execution of these recommended practices.
An Effective Process for Making Decisions About Major Operating Room Purchases
Authors: Pennington Carol , DeRienzo Nancy Ruby
Published: November 2013

In today's economy, it is imperative that nurses exhibit stewardship for their organization's resources and help ensure that purchasing decisions are sound. Regardless of the decision‐making method chosen, a formal, consistent review process that evaluates cost, compares products, examines implications, analyzes risk, uses evidence, and includes safety and outcome measures is vital to success. Clinical Quality Value Analysis (CQVA) is a product evaluation platform that can be used to determine whether a proposed product or service will add value to the organization as well as improve patient outcomes. Using CQVA for a proposed product or service is a five‐step process: assess, plan, design, implement, and measure/sustain.
Decision-Support Information System to Manage Mass Casualty Incidents at a Level 1 Trauma Center
Authors: Bar-El Yaron , Tzafrir Sara , Tzipori Idan , Utitz Liora , Halberthal Michael , Beyar Rafael , Reisner Shimon
Published: November 2013

Mass casualty incidents are probably the greatest challenge to a hospital. When such an event occurs, hospitals are required to instantly switch from their routine activity to conditions of great uncertainty and confront needs that exceed resources. We describe an information system that was uniquely designed for managing mass casualty events. The web-based system is activated when a mass casualty event is declared; it displays relevant operating procedures, checklists, and a log book. The system automatically or semiautomatically initiates phone calls and public address announcements. It collects real-time data from computerized clinical and administrative systems in the hospital, and presents them to the managing team in a clear graphic display. It also generates periodic reports and summaries of available or scarce resources that are sent to predefined recipients. When the system was tested in a nationwide exercise, it proved to be an invaluable tool for informed decision making in demanding and overwhelming situations such as mass casualty events. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:549–554)
Orientation dynamics of small, triaxial–ellipsoidal particles in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Chevillard Laurent , Meneveau Charles
Published: November 2013

The orientation dynamics of small anisotropic tracer particles in turbulent flows is studied using direct numerical simulation (DNS) and results are compared with Lagrangian stochastic models. Generalizing earlier analysis for axisymmetric ellipsoidal particles (Parsa et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 109, 2012, 134501), we measure the orientation statistics and rotation rates of general, triaxial–ellipsoidal tracer particles using Lagrangian tracking in DNS of isotropic turbulence. Triaxial ellipsoids that are very long in one direction, very thin in another and of intermediate size in the third direction exhibit reduced rotation rates that are similar to those of rods in the ellipsoid’s longest direction, while exhibiting increased rotation rates that are similar to those of axisymmetric discs in the thinnest direction. DNS results differ significantly from the case when the particle orientations are assumed to be statistically independent from the velocity gradient tensor. They are also different from predictions of a Gaussian process for the velocity gradient tensor, which does not provide realistic preferred vorticity–strain-rate tensor alignments. DNS results are also compared with a stochastic model for the velocity gradient tensor based on the recent fluid deformation approximation (RFDA). Unlike the Gaussian model, the stochastic model accurately predicts the reduction in rotation rate in the longest direction of triaxial ellipsoids since this direction aligns with the flow’s vorticity, with its rotation perpendicular to the vorticity being reduced. For disc-like particles, or in directions perpendicular to the longest direction in triaxial particles, the model predicts noticeably smaller rotation rates than those observed in DNS, a behaviour that can be understood based on the probability of vorticity orientation with the most contracting strain-rate eigendirection in the model.
A decoupled 2-DOF flexure-based micropositioning stage with large travel ranges
Authors: Sun Xiantao , Chen Weihai , Zhou Rui , Chen Wenjie , Zhang Jianbin
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a new flexure-based micropositioning stage (FMPS) is proposed to achieve decoupled XY translational motions and large travel ranges. The stage consists of four independent kinematic chains, each comprising two flexure-beam prismatic joints. The mechanism with such a special topological structure enables the motions of the platform strictly along XY axes and minimizes the parasitic rotation in theta axis. The kinematics and dynamics analysis of the mechanism are conducted to evaluate the performance of the mechanism in terms of travel range, parasitic motions, linearity, as well as natural frequency. According to the developed models, a parameter optimization of the mechanism is performed under the condition of the maximum travel range. The finite element simulation is carried out to examine the mechanical performance and the theoretical models. The experimental results show that the proposed FMPS possesses a workspace of 600 × 600 μm2, a relative coupling error of 0.6%, and the natural frequencies of 209.7 Hz and 212.4 Hz for the first two modes.
Is there an ‘agro-town’ model for Southern Italy? Exploring the diverse roots and development of the agro-town structure through a comparative case study in Apulia
Authors: CURTIS DANIEL
Published: November 2013

Large, concentrated settlements known as ‘agro-towns’ abound across Southern Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean. The prevalence and persistence of these settlements are very curious but not yet well understood. Initially, scholars interpreted their development as stemming from Southern Italy's economic and social ‘backwardness’ and inequality. This view has now been challenged by scholarship which emphasises that the pre-industrial Mezzogiorno supported not only a dynamic economy but also a diverse array of institutional structures. By recourse to a comparative study within Apulia, this paper suggests that both interpretations are equally correct. ‘Agro-towns’ in Southern Italy were linked to the inequitable distribution of land, perpetuated over the long term, but the institutional origins of this inequality were both diverse and dynamic.