bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of stochastic model for nonlinear volcanic dynamics
Authors: Alexandrov D. V. , Bashkirtseva I. A. , Ryashko L. B.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Motivated by important geophysical applications we consider a dynamic model of the magma-plug system previously derived by Iverson et al.~(2006) under the influence of stochastic forcing. Due to strong nonlinearity of the friction force for a solid plug along its margins, the initial deterministic system exhibits impulsive oscillations. Two types of dynamic behavior of the system under the influence of the parametric stochastic forcing have been found: random trajectories are scattered on both sides of the deterministic cycle or grouped on its internal side only. It is shown that dispersions are highly inhomogeneous along cycles in the presence of noises. The effects of noise-induced shifts, pressure stabilization and localization of random trajectories have been revealed by increasing the noise intensity. The plug velocity, pressure and displacement are highly dependent of noise intensity as well. These new stochastic phenomena are related to the nonlinear peculiarities of the deterministic phase portrait. It is demonstrated that the repetitive stick–slip motions of the magma-plug system in the case of stochastic forcing can be connected with drumbeat earthquakes.
Personality traits and Risk taking attitudes among Firefighters of Rescue service
Authors: Riaz Gillani Yasir , Atif Muhammad
Published: April 2015

The Present Research was conducted to assess the Personality traits and Risk taking attitude among Firefighters of Rescue Service. The sample consisted of 63firefighters from rescue service of Lahore and Sialkot through purposive sampling technique. The NEO-FFI personality inventory (Costa & McCrae, 2010) and Risk taking attitude survey scale (Stehman, 2012) was administered on all the participants. The correlation analysis, anova and independent sample t-test was applied to find out the statistical significance of the results. The results indicates that there are 31 firefighters having high score on risk taking attitude, 10 firefighters have normal risk taking attitude and 22 have low risk taking attitude. The lowest score on risk taking attitude is 21 and highest score on risk taking attitude is 55. The firefighters have common personality type’s extroverted, openness and conscientiousness. The result indicates that newly inducted or less experience firefighters has high risk taking attitude as compared to experienced firefighters. The firefighters of Lahore rescue service have high risk taking attitude as compared to Sialkot. The research is found that personality and risk taking attitude plays strong role in firefighters of rescue service.
Assessing the recreational value of protective forests at Taitung Forest Park in Taiwan
Authors: Chiou Chyi-Rong , Lin Jiunn-Cheng , Liu Wan-Yu , Lin Tsung-Wei
Published: April 2015

The protective forests in the Taitung Forest Park, Taiwan, are studied to explore the potential recreational benefits in the year 2014. First, the importance performance analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis are first adopted to analyze the relationship between the tourist satisfaction and environmental factors. The contingent valuation method and Tobit regression model are then applied to evaluate the benefits of protective forests. It shows that the willingness to pay price for entrance to the Taitung Forest Park is NT$21.7 for each person. Note that US$1 is around NT$30. The Taitung Forest Park creates a recreational value of NT$12,732,120 per year on average. The research outcomes are crucial for the Taitung Forest Park Administration Office for potential price-making in the future.
Norwegian students’ package trip propensity in 2007 and 2014 – A logistic regression analysis
Authors: Thrane Christer
Published: April 2015

This study examines how certain independent variables explain the propensity for package trips to be chosen over independent travel. The empirical setting is the student travel market, and the analyses are of surveys carried out at a Norwegian university college in 2007 and 2014. The results show that package trip propensity dropped in the period studied and that certain background variables, trip motives and trip characteristics explain more than a fair share of students’ propensity to opt for a package trip rather than independent travel.
Which Direction Is the Regulatory Quality Pendulum Taking?
Authors: Di Donato Luca
Published: April 2015

Which Direction Is the Regulatory Quality Pendulum Taking?

This article seeks a systematic definition of regulatory quality. Most of the literature has recognised that the concept of regulatory quality is particularly difficult to define. Member states, international organisations, and others have produced studies on regulatory quality, and they have reached different findings. Even if regulatory quality is based on conventional good governance principles, the enforcement and measurement of the quality of regulations and of its tools within any single country can differ widely and be very complicated.

For these reasons, Part I explores regulatory quality in the European Union and – through the analysis of the policies, reports, and documents – indicates which direction the regulatory quality pendulum has taken.

Part II, basing itself on the results of Part I, provides a general definition of quality, and it based on the procedures that legislator should comply with to enact its rules.

Part III confirms the relationship between regulatory quality and competitiveness, and, in particular, this link has become more solid because the financial crisis has promoted new regulatory reforms by member states.

Finally, this article notes that the legislator’s objectives can be achieved if the former takes into account the real people, including their irrational choices, human errors, and limits.
Regulating Genetic Discrimination in the European Union
Authors: de Paor Aisling , Ferri Delia
Published: April 2015

Regulating Genetic Discrimination in the European Union: Pushing the EU into Unchartered Territory or Ushering in a New Genomic Era?

Against the backdrop of rapid developments in genetic science and technology, one of the main concerns arising in this area is the potential use of genetic testing to discriminate, especially in the employment and insurance contexts. Employers and insurance companies may use the results of genetic tests to discriminate (primarily for economic advantage), based on perceptions of future health risks or future disabilities. This article explores the scope for an EU to effectively address genetic discrimination and the misuse of genetic information. It first provides a theoretical overview of the choice of regulatory frameworks. It then examines the scope and protection of current non- discrimination laws in the EU and investigates the possibility of an EU level response to address the misuse of genetic information.
The Rule of Law Reform and Judicial Education in Pakistan
Authors: Iqbal Khurshid
Published: April 2015

The Rule of Law Reform and Judicial Education in Pakistan: Search for a Model

The article investigates the intrinsic and instrumental roles of judicial education in broader contours of the rule of law theory and reform practice in a developing country. It focuses on: firstly, the relationship between judicial education and the rule of law theory and reform practice; secondly, whether and how judicial education can promote the rule of law; and third, the challenges to a successful judicial education in strengthening the rule of law. Examining Pakistan as a case study, the article explores challenges to judicial education in Pakistan and critically assesses Pakistan’s rule of law reform efforts to overcome those challenges. Evidence shows that key challenges to judicial education in Pakistan are lack of a national judicial educational vision and a well thought out policy, coordinated efforts to training needs assessment, curriculum and faculty, research and learning best practices, as means of development and innovation. Of special concern is the role of judicial education in promoting the rule of law to address security issues embedded in (bad) governance. The article finds that in view of its initial limited success, the judicial academy of Pakistan’s terrorism-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province may play a role model to improve judicial services and thereby help promote the rule of law in a post-conflict society.
Extra-Marital Children and Their Right to Inherit from Their Fathers in Botswana
Authors: Jonas Obonye
Published: April 2015

Extra-Marital Children and Their Right to Inherit from Their Fathers in Botswana: A Critical Appraisal

Despite the fact that in recent years a number of states have extended to non-marital children many of the legal rights previously exclusively granted to legitimate children, Botswana still denies non-marital children a wide constellation of their basic rights. One such area where the rights of non-marital children are violated in Botswana is inheritance. In terms of the law of succession of Botswana, extra-marital children have no real legal rights to inherit from and through their father, both at customary law and Common Law. This article discusses and analyses the rule that excludes non-marital children from inheriting from and through their fathers under the two systems of laws. Its central claim is that this rule is antithetical to extra-marital children’s rights to equality, non-discrimination, and dignity. The article argues that the rule is devoid of social currency, has no place in a democratic society, and must be abolished.
Goodwill/Intangibles Accounting Rules, Earnings Management, and Competition
Authors: Nwogugu Michael I.C.
Published: April 2015

Goodwill/Intangibles Accounting Rules, Earnings Management, and Competition

Intangible assets account for 60%-75% of the market capitalization value in most developed stock markets around the world. The US GAAP and IFRS Goodwill and Intangibles accounting regulations (ASC 805, Business Combinations; ASC 350, Goodwill and Intangible Assets; IFRS-3R, Business Combinations; and IAS 38, Accounting for Intangible Assets) are inefficient and create potentially harmful psychological biases. These regulations facilitate earnings management and money laundering, reduce competition within industries, and are likely to increase the incidence of fraud and misconduct. This article introduces a new goodwill/intangibles disclosure/accounting model that can reduce the incidence of fraud, information asymmetry, moral hazard, adverse selection, and inaccuracy. The article also introduces new economic psychological theories that can explain fraud, misconduct, and non-compliance arising from the implementation of the goodwill/intangibles accounting rules.
Un-Constitutionality of the Dodd-Frank Act
Authors: Nwogugu Michael I.C.
Published: April 2015

Un-Constitutionality of the Dodd-Frank Act

‘Restoring American Financial Stability Act’ of 2010 (‘RAFSA’ or the ‘Dodd-Frank Act’) was the first set of statutes in any country that attempted to simultaneously address the Global Financial Crisis, the national securities law framework, the structure of the executive branch of the federal government, and delegation of powers to federal government agencies (to the detriment of state governments). Other countries have enacted statutes that are similar to RAFSA. However, RAFSA and similar statutes in many countries are inefficient and have failed to address the fundamental problems in financial systems, and parts of RAFSA are unconstitutional.
Development of a real-time, semi-capacitive impedance phlebography device
Authors: Weyer Sören , Weber Hannes , Kleeberg Christian , Leonhardt Steffen , Wartzek Tobias
Published: April 2015

Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs is a disease which is caused by an increased blood pressure inside the veins of the leg and the resulting increase of the contained blood volume. This work focuses on developing a device which uses impedance plethysmography, also known as impedance phlebography, to obtain information about the blood volume in the lower leg and provides the possibility to measure the impedance semi contact-less, e.g. through compression stockings. Furthermore a real-time beat-to-beat interval detection algorithm was implemented. Finally, the function of the developed impedance measuring system and the whole system was verified by comparing it with a gold standard. In comparison to the conductive coupling, the system performed similarly. The analysis showed that the developed system is suitable for semi-capacitive IPG. The algorithm was implemented conservatively since it provided a good false-positive rate of 0 %, but only a moderate sensitivity of about 68 %. Reliable and continuous measurement of the pulse signal was only possible in periods of immobility.
Applying Hierarchical Task Analysis Method to Discovery Layer Evaluation
Authors: Promann Marlen , Zhang Tao
Published: April 2015

Libraries are implementing discovery layers to offer better user experiences. While usability tests have been helpful in evaluating the success or failure of implementing discovery layers in the library context, the focus has remained on its relative interface benefits over the traditional federated search. The informal site- and context specific usability tests have offered little to test the rigor of the discovery layers against the user goals, motivations and workflow they have been designed to support. This study proposes hierarchical task analysis (HTA) as an important complementary evaluation method to usability testing of discovery layers. Relevant literature is reviewed for the discovery layers and the HTA method. As no previous application of HTA to the evaluation of discovery layers was found, this paper presents the application of HTA as an expert based and workflow centered (e.g. retrieving a relevant book or a journal article) method to evaluating discovery layers. Purdue University’s Primo by Ex Libris was used to map eleven use cases as HTA charts. Nielsen’s Goal Composition theory was used as an analytical framework to evaluate the goal carts from two perspectives: a) users’ physical interactions (i.e. clicks), and b) user’s cognitive steps (i.e. decision points for what to do next). A brief comparison of HTA and usability test findings is offered as a way of conclusion.
La relation artiste/enfant entre asymétrie et égalité. Propos et regards d’artistes en résidence en milieu scolaire
Authors: Filiod Jean Paul , Kerlan Alain
Published: April 2015

Cet article interroge la différence enfant/adulte, une des questions centrales de la problématique éducative contemporaine. Sa mise en question est particulièrement vive là où l’adulte est un artiste, quand la relation avec l’enfant se développe sur le terrain de l’art et de l’esthétique. C’est pourquoi les résidences artistiques auprès d’enfants peuvent être étudiées comme des lieux où s’expérimente une nouvelle relation à l’enfance. La méthodologie qualitative adoptée met en valeur les points de vue d’artistes recueillis à partir d’entretiens individuels et collectifs. L’analyse montre que sous le signe de l’art, de la création partagée, selon les artistes eux-mêmes, la différence enfant/adulte s’efface, au profit d’une égalité dans la différence, dont les diverses déclinaisons sont présentées et discutées au terme de l’article.
Soutenir une dynamique de changement dans les pratiques collaboratives : les lieux d’éducation associés à l’Institut français de l’éducation
Authors: Laflotte Lara , Loisy Catherine
Published: April 2015

L’objectif du présent article est d’interroger les pratiques collaboratives et la continuité entre recherche et pratiques, deux attentes du ministère de l’Éducation en France, dans le contexte de la mise en place des lieux d’éducation associés (LéA) à l’Institut français de l’éducation. Plusieurs méthodologies sont utilisées : analyse de carnets de bord, associations d’idées, entretiens semi- directifs. Les résultats mettent en évidence que les lieux d’éducation associés soutiennent une dynamique de changement dans les pratiques collaboratives au moyen d’une continuité recherche/pratiques, mais le lien avec la mise en place des lieux d’éducation associés ne peut pas être affirmé. Les relations entre acteurs du terrain et chercheurs montrent une prise de pouvoir partagée. Ces instruments nous encouragent à poursuivre le projet, tout en nous interrogeant sur les instruments à développer pour le soutenir.
Transient transformation of cultured photosynthetic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium spp.) with plant-targeted vectors
Authors: Ortiz-Matamoros Mario Fernando , Villanueva Marco A , Islas-Flores Tania
Published: April 2015

Reproducible and reliable genetic transformation methods are a key tool for understanding the physiology and cell biology of Symbiodinium. Nevertheless, transformation methods previously applied to cells such as microalgae, including those utilizing glass beads, have not been tested on these microorganisms. Here, we report a simple, transient transformation method, which allowed plasmid incorporation into three distinct clades of cultured Symbiodinium cells with the plant-targeted plasmid pCB302 harboring sequences encoding a fusion of green fluorescent protein (gfp) with RACK1C from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtRACK1C). Accessibility of the plasmid to the resistant cell wall and through the plasma membrane of the dinoflagellates was achieved through vigorous shaking in the presence of glass beads and polyethylene glycol. A resistance gene to the herbicide Basta allowed appropriate selection in the photosynthetic cells. The transformation frequency per every 106 cells was 107 ± 7 transformants for Symbiodinium kawagutii, 74 ± 8 for Symbiodinium microadriaticum ssp. microadriaticum, and 65 ± 5 for Symbiodinium sp. Mf11. Moreover, Symbiodinium pulchrorum cultures were successfully transformed with a different vector (pCAMBIA-FABD2-gfp) under the same conditions, further validating our procedure. The observation of green fluorescent emission from the cell cytoplasm in all performed transformations indicated that the procedure allowed the heterologous plasmids to enter and undergo expression in the Symbiodinium cells. The success of this transient transformation method opens interesting possibilities for functional genomics studies in Symbiodinium spp.
A revised global estimate of dissolved iron fluxes from marine sediments
Authors: Dale A. W. , Nickelsen L. , Scholz F. , Hensen C. , Oschlies A. , Wallmann K.
Published: April 2015

Literature data on benthic dissolved iron (DFe) fluxes (µmol m−2 d−1), bottom water oxygen concentrations (O2BW, μM), and sedimentary carbon oxidation rates (COX, mmol m−2 d−1) from water depths ranging from 80 to 3700 m were assembled. The data were analyzed with a diagenetic iron model to derive an empirical function for predicting benthic DFe fluxes: where γ (= 170 µmol m−2 d−1) is the maximum flux for sediments at steady state located away from river mouths. This simple function unifies previous observations that COX and O2BW are important controls on DFe fluxes. Upscaling predicts a global DFe flux from continental margin sediments of 109 ± 55 Gmol yr−1, of which 72 Gmol yr−1 is contributed by the shelf (<200 m) and 37 Gmol yr−1 by slope sediments (200–2000 m). The predicted deep‐sea flux (>2000 m) of 41 ± 21 Gmol yr−1 is unsupported by empirical data. Previous estimates of benthic DFe fluxes derived using global iron models are far lower (approximately 10–30 Gmol yr−1). This can be attributed to (i) inadequate treatment of the role of oxygen on benthic DFe fluxes and (ii) improper consideration of continental shelf processes due to coarse spatial resolution. Globally averaged DFe concentrations in surface waters simulated with the intermediate‐complexity University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model were a factor of 2 higher with the new function. We conclude that (i) the DFe flux from marginal sediments has been underestimated in the marine iron cycle and (ii) iron scavenging in the water column is more intense than currently presumed.
A protocol for variable‐resolution first‐order reversal curve measurements
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Heslop David , Roberts Andrew P.
Published: April 2015

High‐resolution first‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams are being increasingly used in rock and environmental magnetism, including for detection of biomagnetic signals in sediments. Resolution can be a major barrier to obtaining high‐quality FORC diagrams, and time‐consuming measurements that employ small field steps are necessary to resolve the finest features of a FORC distribution. We present a new experimental protocol with irregularly spaced field steps that allow different parts of a FORC diagram to be measured at different resolutions. Larger numbers of measurements can, therefore, be made in key regions of a FORC distribution to resolve diagnostic features at higher resolution. Specification of the field steps in the irregular measurement grid is based on major hysteresis properties; no a priori knowledge concerning the underlying FORC distribution is required. FORC diagrams obtained with conventional measurements and with our new measurement protocol give consistent results. Because of its variable resolution, the irregular protocol provides a clear representation of fine‐scale features produced by quasireversible superparamagnetic and noninteracting single‐domain particles. Although the proposed irregular measurement protocol is not as efficient at suppressing noise as recently developed postprocessing techniques (e.g., VARIFORC), it enables efficient high‐resolution analysis for relatively strongly magnetized samples where measurement noise is not detrimental to FORC distribution estimation.
Evolution of precipitation and convective echo top heights observed by TRMM radar over the Indian Ocean during DYNAMO
Authors: Powell Scott W. , Houze Robert A.
Published: April 2015

Radar data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission show the evolution of echo tops of convective elements over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent during the Dynamics of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign of 2011–2012. Echo top heights exhibited a bimodal distribution wherein cumulonimbi of moderate height constituted a “congestus mode” while vertically extensive cumulonimbus made up a “deep mode.” An intraseasonal time scale dominated variability in these modes from October to January over much of the Indian Ocean. Over the Maritime Continent, there was no clear intraseasonal signal in convective echo top heights. Where the intraseasonal oscillation was detected, radar echoes evolved from being dominated by the congestus mode to being characterized by more deep mode convection on time scales of less than 1 week. The areal coverage of congestus echoes began to increase 2–8 days prior to the rise in area of deep echoes. These satellite‐derived results confirm that the time scale for convective deepening seen at individual DYNAMO observational sites is consistent with that of convection on the large scale over the Indian Ocean. Intraseasonal variability of zonal wind, temperature, and humidity as depicted by reanalysis is also consistent with that derived from rawinsonde observations during DYNAMO. Thus, the gradual buildup of convection as depicted by recent versions of the “discharge‐recharge” hypothesis does not accurately describe evolutions of convection prior to MJO events observed during DYNAMO, although cloud moistening processes may still be relevant on time scales of 1 week or less.
Effects of earthquake ground motion on tracking characteristics of new Global Navigation Satellite System receivers
Authors: Berglund Henry T. , Blume Frederick , Prantner Andrea
Published: April 2015

We use a shake table capable of large (7 G) three‐dimensional accelerations with large payloads to simulate ground motion reconstructed from acceleration data collected during the February 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake. The tracking performance of five modern geodetic GNSS receiver and antenna combinations was investigated while undergoing simulated seismic shaking at three two levels of amplification. Individual system performance was characterized by the number of tracked GNSS observations. The L1 and L2 GPS signal tracking was significantly impacted for the majority of the receiver models during simulations with maximum accelerations of 4 G, and the tracking performance for all of the tested receiver types was significantly impaired during the 7 G simulations. Results show improved tracking when only the antenna was shaken suggesting that vibration‐induced oscillator phase noise may contribute significantly to tracking degradation during shaking.
Improved pattern scaling approaches for the use in climate impact studies
Authors: Herger Nadja , Sanderson Benjamin M. , Knutti Reto
Published: April 2015

Pattern scaling is a simple way to produce climate projections beyond the scenarios run with expensive global climate models (GCMs). The simplest technique has known limitations and assumes that a spatial climate anomaly pattern obtained from a GCM can be scaled by the global mean temperature (GMT) anomaly. We propose alternatives and assess their skills and limitations. One approach which avoids scaling is to consider a period in a different scenario with the same GMT change. It is attractive as it provides patterns of any temporal resolution that are consistent across variables, and it does not distort variability. Second, we extend the traditional approach with a land‐sea contrast term, which provides the largest improvements over the traditional technique. When interpolating between known bounding scenarios, the proposed methods significantly improve the accuracy of the pattern scaled scenario with little computational cost. The remaining errors are much smaller than the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 model spread.
Recent slowdown of tropical upper tropospheric warming associated with Pacific climate variability
Authors: Kamae Youichi , Shiogama Hideo , Watanabe Masahiro , Ishii Masayoshi , Ueda Hiroaki , Kimoto Masahide
Published: April 2015

Observed upper tropospheric temperature over the tropics (TTUT) shows a slowdown in warming rate during 1997–2011 despite the continuous warming projected by coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs). This observation‐model discord is an underlying issue regarding the reliability of future climate projections based on AOGCMs. To investigate the slowdown, we conducted ensemble historical simulations using an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced by observed sea surface temperature both with and without anthropogenic influences. The historical AGCM run reproduced a muted TTUT change over the central Pacific (CP) found in multiple observations, while the multi‐AOGCM mean did not. Recent tropical Pacific cooling, which is considered natural variability, contributes to the muted trend over the CP and the resultant slowdown of TTUT increase. The results of this study suggest that difficulties in simulating the recent “upper tropospheric warming hiatus” do not indicate low reliability of AOGCM‐based future climate projections.
Particle distributions and dynamics in the euphotic zone of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Barone Benedetto , Bidigare Robert R. , Church Matthew J. , Karl David M. , Letelier Ricardo M. , White Angelicque E.
Published: April 2015

During the summer of 2012, we used laser diffractometry to investigate the temporal and vertical variability of the particle size spectrum (1.25–100 µm in equivalent diameter) in the euphotic zone of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Particles measured with this optical method accounted for ∼40% of the particulate carbon stocks (<202 µm) in the upper euphotic zone (25–75 m), as estimated using an empirical formula to transform particle volume to carbon concentrations. Over the entire vertical layer considered (20–180 m), the largest contribution to particle volume corresponded to particles between 3 and 10 µm in diameter. Although the exponent of a power law parameterization suggested that larger particles had a lower relative abundance than in other regions of the global ocean, this parameter and hence conclusions about relative particle abundance are sensitive to the shape of the size distribution and to the curve fitting method. Results on the vertical distribution of particles indicate that different size fractions varied independently with depth. Particles between 1.25 and 2 µm reached maximal abundances coincident with the depth of the chlorophyll a maximum (averaging 121 ± 10 m), where eukaryotic phytoplankton abundances increased. In contrast, particles between 2 and 20 µm tended to accumulate just below the base of the mixed layer (41 ± 14 m). Variability in particle size tracked changes in the abundance of specific photoautotrophic organisms (measured with flow cytometry and pigment concentration), suggesting that phytoplankton population dynamics are an important control of the spatiotemporal variability in particle concentration in this ecosystem.
Influence of the Scanning Strategy on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in Selective Electron Beam Melting of Ti–6Al–4V
Authors: Scharowsky Thorsten , Juechter Vera , Singer Robert F. , Körner Carolin
Published: April 2015

Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) is perhaps the fastest production process for additive manufacturing techniques from powder beds. In the present investigation, scan speeds of 10 m s−1have been used successfully for the melting. Nevertheless, the beam power has to be adjusted to guarantee a density of more than 99.5% for the build samples. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of the scan speed and beam power on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of Ti‐6Al‐4V. Therefore, a process map with a window for samples with a density higher than 99.5% and a good geometrical accuracy was developed. But, there are strong differences in microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties. These differences result from changes in the total energy input. In the presented work, strength is found to increase somewhat with decreasing volume energy (60–30 J mm−3) at a scan speed of 4 m s−1as the cooling rate increases. This causes a change in microstructure, as the α platelet size varies in the range between 400 nm and 1.3 μm. Thus, an increase in ultimate tensile strength of 5% could be realized by adjusted energy input.
Effect of Annealing Atmosphere on the Recrystallized Texture and Abnormal Grain Growth of Ni–5%W Alloy Sheets
Authors: Ateba Betanda Yanick , Helbert Anne‐Laure , Brisset François , Waeckerlé Thierry , Baudin Thierry
Published: April 2015

The effect of the annealing atmosphere on the recrystallization of Ni–5%W alloy used as substrate sheet for superconductor wire was investigated. The annealing was made in two different annealing atmospheres: hydrogen and argon. After analyzing the recrystallized texture and microstructure by EBSD, the main texture component formed in both annealing atmospheres is the {100}<001> cube orientation. Furthermore, it is shown that hydrogen promotes the cube texture development, while argon slows down its development. Besides, it is shown that hydrogen favors the triggering of the abnormal grain growth at a temperature higher than 1 120 °C, while under argon, the abnormal grain growth is not observed before 1 200 °C. Then, an optimized annealing process has been put forward combining both the atmospheres. Note that the origin of hydrogen and argon effects on boundary mobility is also discussed.
Development of Highly Stable and Mass Transfer‐Enhanced Cathode Catalysts: Support‐Free Electrospun Intermetallic FePt Nanotubes for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Lee Jaehyuk , Yoo Ji Mun , Ye Youngjin , Mun Yeongdong , Lee Seonggyu , Kim Ok‐Hee , Rhee Hee‐Woo , Lee Hyung Ik , Sung Yung‐Eun , Lee Jinwoo
Published: April 2015

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are an alternative clean energy source and they are attracting increased attention. However, several limitations such as degradation of the carbon support and Nafion ionomer in the cathode electrode must be overcome for practical applications of PEMFCs. Support‐free 1D‐ordered intermetallic nanotubes (NTs) are considered as promising candidates for highly active and durable cathode catalysts in PEMFCs. However, 1D nanotubes are difficult to produce at large scale because they have generally been synthesized using a template‐based method that requires multistep synthetic routes. Herein, a simple and scalable method to produce ordered‐intermetallic FePt nanotubes by electrospinning is reported. When tested as cathode catalysts, under the US Department of Energy's reference condition, the activity of face‐centered‐tetragonal (fct) FePt NTs surpasses that of commercial Pt/C. In an accelerated degradation test at 1.4 V for 3 h, the degradation activity rate of fct‐FePt NTs is only 10%, whereas that of commercial Pt/C catalysts is 65%. For practical PEMFCs, this approach would provide simple routes to support‐free intermetallic nanotube structures with superior kinetic activity and higher durability than those of commercial Pt/C catalyst.
Metal‐Free Direct Aryltrifluoromethylation of Allylic Alcohols with Langlois’ Reagent through Concomitant 1,2‐Aryl Migration
Authors: Huang Hong‐Li , Yan Hang , Gao Guo‐Lin , Yang Chao , Xia Wujiong
Published: April 2015

A metal‐free and cost‐effective synthetic protocol for selective aryltrifluoromethylation of allylic alcohols with Langlois’ reagent (CF3SO2Na) through cascade trifluoromethyl radical addition/1,2‐aryl migration has been developed. The highlights of this procedure are operational simplicity, excellent functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions.
Facile Self‐Assembly of Metallo‐Supramolecular Ring‐in‐Ring and Spiderweb Structures Using Multivalent Terpyridine Ligands
Authors: Fu Jun‐Hao , Lee Yin‐Hsuan , He Yun‐Jui , Chan Yi‐Tsu
Published: April 2015

A series of metallo‐supramolecular ring‐in‐ring structures was generated by assembling CdII ions and the multivalent terpyridine ligands (L1‐3) composed of one 60°‐bent and two 120°‐bent bis(terpyridine)s with varying alkyl linker lengths. The mechanistic study for the self‐assembly process excluded an entropically templated pathway and showed that the intramolecularly complexed species is the key intermediate leading to ring‐in‐ring formation. The next‐generation superstructure, a spiderweb, was produced in quantitative yield using the elongated decakis(terpyridine) ligand (L5).
Thermal degradation kinetics of a commercial epoxy resin—Comparative analysis of parameter estimation methods
Authors: Chairat Aziza , Joulia Xavier , Floquet Pascal , Vergnes Hugues , Ablitzer Carine , Fiquet Olivier , Brothier Meryl
Published: April 2015

The thermal degradation behavior of a commercial epoxy resin, EpoFix® (Struers), has been investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal gravimetry (DTG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) under nonisothermal conditions in an argon atmosphere. Different methods (Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Friedman isoconversion methods, and nonlinear least‐squares (NLSQ) estimation method) have been used to analyze the thermal degradation process and determine the apparent kinetic parameters. The methods produce similar results in terms of activation energy estimations. Nevertheless, the NLSQ method has several advantages over the other methods in terms of both characterizing the activation energy and modeling the thermal degradation—i.e., including this model in a resin degradation process simulation. However, it is interesting to combine the NLSQ method with other isoconversion methods: they can reflect the dependence and variability of the activation energies during pyrolysis processes, while providing a good starting point for a nonlinear procedure, especially with respect to the activation energy E. This work is the first step (apparent kinetic reaction) of complete simulation of experimental oven of degradation of epoxy resin coating of impregnate nuclear fuel sample. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42201.
litewi: A combined term extraction and entity linking method for eliciting educational ontologies from textbooks
Authors: Conde Angel , Larrañaga Mikel , Arruarte Ana , Elorriaga Jon A. , Roth Dan
Published: April 2015

Major efforts have been conducted on ontology learning, that is, semiautomatic processes for the construction of domain ontologies from diverse sources of information. In the past few years, a research trend has focused on the construction of educational ontologies, that is, ontologies to be used for educational purposes. The identification of the terminology is crucial to build ontologies. Term extraction techniques allow the identification of the domain‐related terms from electronic resources. This paper presents LiTeWi, a novel method that combines current unsupervised term extraction approaches for creating educational ontologies for technology supported learning systems from electronic textbooks. LiTeWi uses Wikipedia as an additional information source. Wikipedia contains more than 30 million articles covering the terminology of nearly every domain in 288 languages, which makes it an appropriate generic corpus for term extraction. Furthermore, given that its content is available in several languages, it promotes both domain and language independence. LiTeWi is aimed at being used by teachers, who usually develop their didactic material from textbooks. To evaluate its performance, LiTeWi was tuned up using a textbook on object oriented programming and then tested with two textbooks of different domains—astronomy and molecular biology.
Visual and Vestibular Induced Eye Movements in Verbal Children and Adults with Autism
Authors: Furman Joseph M. , Osorio Maria J. , Minshew Nancy J.
Published: April 2015

This study assessed the functionality of vestibular, pursuit, and saccade circuitry in autism across a wide age range. Subjects were 79 individuals with autism (AUT) and 62 controls (CON) aged 5 to 52 years with IQ scores > 70. For vestibular testing, earth‐vertical axis rotation was performed in darkness and in a lighted visual surround with a fixation target. Ocular motor testing included assessment of horizontal saccades and horizontal smooth pursuit. No between‐group differences were found in vestibular reflexes or in mean saccade velocity or accuracy. Saccade latency was increased in the AUT group with significant age‐related effects in the 8–18 year old subgroups. There was a trend toward decreased pursuit gain without age effects. Normal vestibular‐induced eye movements and normal saccade accuracy and velocity provide the most substantial evidence to date of the functional integrity of brainstem and cerebellar pathways in autism, suggesting that the histopathological abnormalities described in these structures may not be associated with intrinsic dysfunction but rather reflect developmental alterations related to forebrain cortical systems formation. Increased saccade latency with age effects adds to the extensive existing evidence of altered function and maturation of cortical systems in autism. Autism Res 2015, 8: 658–667. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects and Moderators of a Short Theory of Mind Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Begeer Sander , Howlin Patricia , Hoddenbach Elske , Clauser Cassandra , Lindauer Ramon , Clifford Pamela , Gevers Carolien , Boer Frits , Koot Hans M.
Published: April 2015

Limited perspective taking or “Theory of Mind” (ToM) abilities are a core deficit of autism, and many interventions are aimed to improve ToM abilities. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a ToM treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and, for the first time, the moderating roles of social interaction style (SIS) and disruptive behavior (DB), to determine which children are most likely to respond to this intervention. The trial protocol is registered at www.trialregister.nl, trial number 2327 and published before the data collection was finished (www.trialsjournal.com). Children with autism aged 7–12 years (n = 97) were randomized over a waitlist control or a treatment condition. Outcome measures included ToM and emotion understanding, parent and teacher questionnaires on children's social skills, ToM‐related social behavior, and autistic traits. Six‐month follow‐up parent reported data were collected for the treatment group. The treatment had a positive effect on ToM understanding, parent‐reported ToM behavior, and autistic traits, but not on parent or teacher‐reported social behavior. Passive SIS was associated with diminished treatment effects on autistic traits, but DB was unrelated to outcomes. The ToM intervention improved conceptual social understanding and ToM‐related behavior of children with ASD. However, broader application of learned skills to other domains of functioning was limited. Individual differences with regard to treatment response are discussed. Autism Res 2015, 8: 738–748. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of NF‐κB inhibitors in Qishenyiqi dropping pills for myocardial infarction treatment based on bioactivity‐integrated UPLC‐Q/TOF MS
Authors: Han Yanqi , Zhou Mengge , Xing Lu , Jiang Min , Bai Gang , Luo Guoan
Published: April 2015

Qishenyiqi dropping pills (QSYQ) are a type of standardized cardiovascular multiherb medicine for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). Knowledge concerning the systemic identification of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) inhibitors of QSYQ is generally lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an effective method to screen the bioactive components of NF‐κB inhibition. In the present study, a rat model of coronary artery ligation was used to assess the cardioprotective effects of QSYQ. The electrocardiograms, histopathology of heart tissues and serum biochemical indicators, such as brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I and inflammatory cytokines, were measured. Subsequently, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q/TOF MS) combined with the NF‐κB luciferase reporter assay system was applied to screen the potential anti‐inflammatory compounds in QSYQ. The results revealed that the administration of QSYQ could improve heart function, ameliorate neutrophil infiltration and diminish the levels of inflammatory cytokines in MI rats. Furthermore, 22 compounds were determined to be potential NF‐κB inhibitors. In conclusion, NF‐κB inactivation and cytokine suppression might be the main mechanisms of QSYQ for MI treatment. The method of UPLC‐Q/TOF MS combined with a bioactive human cell functional evaluation system was proved to be a simple and effective strategy for screening bioactive compounds in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aortic and coronary aneurysms: Are they really distinct entities?
Authors: Mastoris Ioannis , Mehran Roxana
Published: April 2015

Key Points

Connective tissue/inflammatory diseases affecting the aorta and coronaries should be considered as continuum

Patients with both atherosclerotic and non‐atherosclerotic aneurysms should be properly treated for hypertension

Physicians should stay alert of the potential coexistence of the two entities.
Combination of Reaction and Separation in Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Ethylformate
Authors: Martin Gerson , Pereira Carla , Pettersson Frank , Saxén Henrik , Murzin Dmitry Y. , Rodrigues Alírio , Salmi Tapio
Published: April 2015

Continuous hydrogenation reaction of ethyl benzoylformate was studied over a (–)‐cinchonidine (CD)‐modified Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. The catalyst showed a good stability, and high enantioselectivity was achieved in the fixed‐bed reactor. Chromatographic separation of (R)‐ and (S)‐ethyl mandelate originating from a post‐continuous hydrogenation reaction of ethyl benzoylformate over the (–)‐CD‐modified Pt/Al2O3 catalyst was investigated in the same reaction mixture. A commercial column filled with a chiral selector resin was chosen as a perspective preparative‐scale adsorbent. Since adsorption equilibrium isotherms were linear within the entire investigated range of concentrations, they were determined by pulse experiments for the isomers present in a post‐reaction mixture. Breakthrough curves were measured and described successfully by the dispersive plug‐flow model with linear driving force approximation.
Asymmetric Copper‐Catalyzed Vinylogous Mukaiyama Michael Addition of Cyclic Dienol Silanes to Unsaturated α‐Keto Phosphonates
Authors: Steinkamp Anne‐Dorothee , Frings Marcus , Thomé Isabelle , Schiffers Ingo , Bolm Carsten
Published: April 2015

A highly stereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama Michael reaction (VMMR) leading to α‐keto phosphonate‐containing γ‐butenolides with two stereogenic centers is described. The presented transformation is catalyzed by a combination of a commercially available C2‐symmetric bisoxazoline (BOX) ligand and a copper salt and tolerates a variety of nucleophiles and electrophiles. The stereoselectivities of the reactions are good to excellent and the products are obtained in moderate to high yields.
Produktschonende Betriebs‐ und Designparameter von Wärmeübertragern für temperaturempfindliche Prozessströme
Authors: Dippel Moritz , Grünewald Marcus
Published: April 2015

Um die Berechnung von Produktschädigungsraten als Erweiterung der üblichen wärmetechnischen Auslegungsrechnungen von Wärmeübertragern zu ermöglichen, wird ein volumenbezogener, reaktionskinetischer Ansatz entwickelt. Dazu wird ein Modellstoffsystem ausgewählt und simulationsgestützt möglichst produktschonende Betriebsparameter für einen Laborwärmeübertrager ermittelt. Die Validierung kann im Experiment demonstriert werden. Weiterhin werden produktschonende Betriebsparameter im Laborwärmeübertrager mit einem technisch relevanten Stoffsystem berechnet.
Multifunctional MgO Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Guo Xudong , Dong Haopeng , Li Wenzhe , Li Nan , Wang Liduo
Published: April 2015

A multifunctional magnesium oxide (MgO) layer was successfully introduced into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to enhance their performance. MgO was coated onto the surface of mesoporous TiO2 by the decomposition of magnesium acetate and, therefore, could block contact between the perovskite and TiO2. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy showed that the amount of H2O/hydroxyl absorbed on the TiO2 decreased after MgO modification. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of the perovskite with MgO modification revealed an enhanced photoelectric performance compared with that of unmodified perovskite after UV illumination. In addition to the photocurrent, the photovoltage and fill factor also showed an enhancement after modification, which resulted in an increase in the overall efficiency of the cell from 9.6 to 13.9 %. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed that MgO acts as an insulating layer to reduce charge recombination.