bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Old walls, modern city: research on urban memory of disappearing ancient Beijing city walls
Authors: Wang Fang , Peng Yaoyao , Wang Hsiao Chieh , Yin Fan
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Ancient city walls are typical linear space elements of Beijing that represent the transformation of urban form over the past 800 years and have greatly influenced the memory of the entire city. However, recently, most of the walls have been torn down in the process of fast urbanization and old city renewal. The purpose of this paper is to focus on people’s cognition and evaluation of urban memory during this pull-down-and-preserve process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of 380 participants was investigated on a number of issues using questionnaires, including memory case reminders (stability, variability, temporality), emotional bonding with memory case (identity, dependence, authenticity), and socio-demographic variables (age, education, life experience, length of residence). The urban memory cognition model and attitude evaluation value model which were based on Likert scale were used to process the collected data.

Findings

– In the three aspects of memory case reminders, stability and temporary elements can be most cognized, whereas variability elements are more difficult due to their change over time. As for emotional bonding with memory case, people show a high level of identification with the walls; the walls’ memory being passed down could enhance people’s memory when mentioning Beijing. Further, higher education groups consider the walls’ authenticity to be most important and are unwilling to accept the outcome of walls-ruins parks; older adults have tolerant attitudes to the ruins parks.

Originality/value

– This study could not only contribute to the excavation of urban memory, but also strengthen citizens’ sense of identity and cohesiveness, thus shaping the spirit and culture of the city. Some findings could provide applicable guidelines for urban heritage protection and contribute a new perspective on the interrelationship between people and their physical surroundings.
The motivation for transformational leadership scale
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie , Horsman Patrick , Kelloway E. Kevin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address the question of what motivates leaders to engage in effective leadership behaviours by integrating transformational leadership theory and self-determination theory. The authors propose that the type of enacted leadership behaviour is related to level of self-determined motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study presents validity evidence for an 18-item scale of motivation for transformational leadership based on Gagné and Deci’s (2005) six levels of internalization. A total of 310 employees (mean age=39, 64.5 per cent female, 46 per cent formal leaders) completed the scale, other measures of leadership, and job satisfaction.

Findings

– Results supported the theorized six-factor structure of the scale and provided evidence for incremental validity in the prediction of job satisfaction and transformational leadership above and beyond another measure of motivation to lead.

Research limitations/implications

– The lack of amotivation and the presence of autonomously controlled extrinsic motivation are predictive of effective leadership behaviour, a key finding with implications for leadership selection. The study was limited by the use of self-report data. Future studies should examine additional predictors and outcomes of the construct (e.g. subordinate attitudes or performance and leader personality), and whether it is stable over time.

Originality/value

– Leaders’ motivation for role effectiveness is an unexplored area of research. This study suggests that type of motivation can be important for effective leadership and provides a validated scale for use in future leadership research and selection.
The effects of authentic leadership and organizational commitment on turnover intention
Authors: Ausar Kweisi , Kang Hee Jung Annette , Kim Jungsun Sunny
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore whether authentic leadership in hospitality is composed of four distinctive but related substantive components (i.e. self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and internalized moral); the impact of authentic leadership on employees’ organizational commitment (OC); the impact of employees’ OC on their turnover intention (TI); and the indirect effect of authentic leadership on employees’ TI via OC.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors tested a sample of 236 students working as employees in hospitality in the USA, on the idea that authentic leadership increases OC which in turn decreases TI. The participants were asked to rate the manager’s leadership style and the frequency of their leadership behavior.

Findings

– Results of structural equation modeling provide support for the positive effect of authentic leadership on OC in the hospitality industry, and suggest that OC mediates reduced TI.

Practical implications

– The findings in the present study are extremely useful to managers, human resource managers, and organizations as a whole. Practitioners looking to increase employee OC and decrease TI can do so by augmenting the authentic leadership qualities of managers.

Originality/value

– The results of this study suggests a variety of significant theoretical contributions as well as critical leadership and organizational implications. The effects of authentic leadership were empirically tested on employees’ OC and the effects of that OC on TI.
Diversity as an aspect of effective leadership: integrating and moving forward
Authors: Gotsis George , Grimani Katerina
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to elaborate an integrative framework that positions diversity considerations in a continuum of various leadership theories. The authors thus seek to differentiate between distinct leadership styles and assess their potential in fostering inclusive leader behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors proceed to a brief review of the extant literature on diversity leadership by distinguishing between diverse followers and diverse leaders on one hand, and leadership styles in diverse and heterogeneous teams, on the other. The authors then provide a rationale for leadership theories that are more likely to support leader inclusiveness and foster inclusive leader and follower behaviors.

Findings

– Four distinct theoretical frameworks capturing the importance of emerging leadership theories (ethical, authentic. servant and spiritual leadership) for informing caring and inclusive climates, are introduced. The authors thus seek to delineate leadership styles effectively entrenched in organizational environments valuing, affirming and supporting diversity, which can better fit to inclusiveness goals.

Practical implications

– In view of designing and implementing inclusive initiatives, organizations should consider the specific context in which diverse leaders operate and through which diverse followers interact with diverse leaders. In so doing, corporations should encourage leadership styles that effectively combine goal attainment with an unconditional affirmation of the intrinsic value of diversity.

Originality/value

– The paper offers certain insights into the particular conditions that may help organizational leaders implement inclusion strategies facilitating thriving and fulfillment of diverse employees. In this respect, the authors elaborate on distinct leadership frameworks that are more pertinent to, and commensurate with inclusiveness objectives.
An Inquiry of the Friction Factor “Jump” Phenomenon in Hole-Pattern Seals
Authors: Sekaran Aarthi , Morrison Gerald , Ranjan Devesh
Published: March 2016

Experiments measuring the leakage rate through hole-pattern seals operating at high pressures of up to 8400 kPa reveal the presence of an abrupt variation in the friction factor (up to a factor of three) with change in the pressure difference across the seal. The measured pressure fluctuations suggest that this observation may, perhaps, be understood as a change in fluid instability modes across the cavities of the seal. A more detailed investigation via large eddy simulations (LES) suggest that the switching from shear layer instability mode to a wake instability mode, a phenomenon well known in fundamental studies of cavity flow (without a top bounding wall), is responsible for the observed variation.
The Flow and Decay Behavior of a Submerged Shear-Thinning Jet With Yield Stress
Authors: Hammad Khaled J.
Published: March 2016

The flow and decay characteristics of submerged jets of shear-thinning fluids with yield stress are studied. Numerical solutions to the governing mass and momentum conservation equations, along with the Herschel–Bulkley rheological model, are obtained using a finite-difference scheme. A parametric study is implemented to investigate the influence of flow inertia and rheology over the following range of parameters: Reynolds number, 50 ≤ Re ≤ 200; yield number, 0 ≤ Y ≤ 1; and shear-thinning index, 0.6 ≤ n ≤ 1. A large recirculation region exists for Newtonian and shear-thinning non-Newtonian jets. However, the extent and strength of the recirculation region substantially diminish with the yield number and, to a lesser extent, when the shear-thinning index is reduced from 1 to 0.6. Increasing the yield number beyond a critical value eliminates flow recirculation. The centerline velocity and momentum decay of shear-thinning jets with yield stress, in general, increase with the yield number. Velocity- and momentum-based depths of penetration, DPU, and DPM, respectively, are introduced and presented. DPU and DPM are the downstream locations corresponding to 90% decay in the initial centerline velocity and jet momentum, respectively. A substantial decrease in DPU and DPM is observed when the shear-thinning index is reduced from 1 to 0.6 for Y = 0. The presence of yield stress significantly reduces both DPU and DPM of submerged jets. The impact of shear-thinning on the decay characteristics of the jet is more pronounced at low yield numbers.
Empirical Correlation of the Primary Stability Variable of Liquid Jet and Liquid Sheet Under Acoustic Field
Authors: Sivadas V. , Balaji K. , Sampathkumar M. , Hassan M. M. , Karthik K. M. , Saidileep Koneru
Published: March 2016

The investigation focuses on optimizing the length of wind-pipe that transmits acoustic energy from the compression driver to the cavity of twin-fluid atomizers. To accomplish this objective, the primary variable of stability, that is, the breakup length of liquid jet and sheet under acoustic perturbations has been experimentally characterized for a range of wind-pipe length and liquid velocity. The analysis considers liquid phase Weber number in the range of 0.7–8, and the results are compared with primary breakup data without acoustic perturbations. The range of Weber number tested belongs to Rayleigh breakup zone, so that inertia force is negligible compared to surface tension force. It shows the existence of unique stability functions based on dimensionless products up to an optimum wind-pipe length, which extends greater for liquid sheet configuration. The present results may find relevance in atomizer design that utilizes acoustic source to enhance liquid column breakup processes.
Structure of Turbulent Flows Over Forward Facing Steps With Adverse Pressure Gradient
Authors: Iftekhar Hassan , Agelin-Chaab Martin
Published: March 2016

This paper reports an experimental study on the effects of adverse pressure gradient (APG) and Reynolds number on turbulent flows over a forward facing step (FFS) by employing three APGs and three Reynolds numbers. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to conduct velocity measurements at several locations downstream, and the flow statistics up to 68 step heights are reported. The step height was maintained at 6 mm, and the Reynolds numbers based on the step height and freestream mean velocity were 1600, 3200, and 4800. The mean reattachment length increases with the increase in Reynolds number without the APG whereas the mean reattachment length remains constant for increasing APG. The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) results confirmed that higher Reynolds numbers caused the large-scale structures to be more defined and organized close to the step surface.
On the Numerical Influences of Inertia Representation for Rigid Body Dynamics in Terms of Unit Quaternion
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Zhong Wanxie
Published: March 2016

Inertia plays a crucial role in the quaternion-based rigid body dynamics, the associated mass matrix, however, presents singularity in the traditional representation. Recent researches demonstrated that the singularity can be avoided by adding an extra term into kinetic energy via a multiplier. Here, we propose a modified inertia representation through splitting the kinetic energy into two parts, where a square term of quaternion velocity, governed by an extra inertial parameter, is separated from the original expression. We further derive new numerical integration schemes in both Lagrange and Hamilton framework. Error estimation shows that the extra inertial parameter has a significant influence on the numerical error in discretization, and an iterative scheme of optimizing the extra inertial parameter to reduce the numerical error in simulation is proposed for quaternion-based rigid body dynamics. Numerical results demonstrate that the mean value of the three principal moments of inertia is a reasonable value of the extra inertia parameter which can impressively improve the accuracy in most cases, and the iterative scheme can further reduce the numerical error for numerical integration, taking the implementation in Lagrange's frame as an example.
On the Nonlinear Kinematic Oscillations of Railway Wheelsets
Authors: Antali Mate , Stepan Gabor
Published: March 2016

In this paper, nonlinear dynamics of a railway wheelset is investigated during kinematic oscillations. Based on the nonlinear differential equations, the notion of nonlinearity factor is introduced, which expresses the effect of the vibration amplitude on the frequency of the oscillations. The analytical formula of this nonlinearity factor is derived from the local geometry of the rail and wheel profiles. The results are compared to the ones obtained from the rolling radius difference (RRD) function.
A Discharge Separation Model for Powder Mixed Electrical Discharge Machining
Authors: Ekmekci Bülent , Yaşar Hamidullah , Ekmekci Nihal
Published: March 2016

Added powders in a dielectric medium substantially influence the features of electrical discharges due to altered interelectrode conditions during the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. The main discharge channel is disturbed due to the added powders in dielectric liquid and leads formations of secondary discharges. Such altered discharge conditions generate a unique topography on the machined surface and consequent subsurface microstructure beneath it. Ti6Al4V work material machined using SiC powder mixing in de-ionized water for an extensive set of pulse-on duration and pulse currents. Then, different forms of secondary discharges were identified from the resultant surface features and corresponding subsurface microstructures. The results pointed out that generation of unevenly separated secondary discharges increased the material transfer rate from the powder mixed dielectric liquid to the machined surface by means of the decomposed ions in the plasma channel. Complete separation of the main discharge channel into evenly distributed secondary discharges is possible under specific machining conditions that suggested minimal deformation of the machined surface regarding microcracks, roughness, and heat affected layer thickness. Under such machining conditions, another means of material transfer mechanism is activated that lead a powder particle build-up process on the machined surface. Consequently, five different discharge forms were proposed to describe the resultant surface topographies and subsurface microstructures. The material migration phenomena and the mechanisms are discussed in relation to the pulse-on time and pulse current.
Parallel imaging MS/MS TOF-SIMS instrument
Authors: Fisher Gregory L. , Hammond John S. , Larson Paul E. , Bryan Scott R. , Heeren Ron M. A.
Published: March 2016

The authors have developed a parallel imaging MS/MS capability for the PHI nanoTOF II time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) instrument. The unique design allows a 1 Da wide precursor mass window to be extracted from a stream of mass separated secondary ions while all other secondary ions are detected in the normal manner at the standard TOF-SIMS detector. The selected precursor ions are deflected into an activation cell where they are fragmented using high energy collision induced dissociation and mass analyzed in a separate linear TOF mass spectrometer. This TOF-TOF approach allows MS/MS to be accomplished at a high speed maintaining the primary ion beam repetition rates used in TOF-SIMS. The new MS/MS capability enables molecular identification to be extended to higher mass ions where the mass accuracy of TOF-SIMS is not sufficient to unambiguously identify molecular structure. The ability to acquire TOF-SIMS and MS/MS data simultaneously from the identical analytical volume is a powerful new method for mass spectrometry imaging.
Chemical stability of polymers under argon gas cluster ion beam and x-ray irradiation
Authors: Bernasik Andrzej , Haberko Jakub , Marzec Mateusz M. , Rysz Jakub , Łużny Wojciech , Budkowski Andrzej
Published: March 2016

In this work, the authors examine chemical stability of polymers under x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling coupled with argon gas cluster ion sputtering. The depth profiles measured for polystyrene, poly(3-dodecylthiophene), and poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films do not reveal changes in the XPS spectra due to cluster bombardment. Nevertheless, x-ray irradiation influences the shape of the sputter craters. The observed features are attributed to cross-linking or chain scission occurring in the polymers.
Once and future epidemics: Zika virus emerging
Authors: Nabel Gary J. , Zerhouni Elias A.
Published: March 2016

Zika virus again reminds us that we need a globally coordinated system to protect against outbreaks caused by perilous pathogens.
SuhB Associates with Nus Factors To Facilitate 30S Ribosome Biogenesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Singh Navjot , Bubunenko Mikhail , Smith Carol , Abbott David M. , Stringer Anne M. , Shi Ronald , Court Donald L. , Wade Joseph T.
Published: March 2016

A complex of highly conserved proteins consisting of NusB, NusE, NusA, and NusG is required for robust expression of rRNA in
Escherichia coli
. This complex is proposed to prevent Rho-dependent transcription termination by a process known as “antitermination.” The mechanism of this antitermination in rRNA is poorly understood but requires association of NusB and NusE with a specific RNA sequence in rRNA known as BoxA. Here, we identify a novel member of the rRNA antitermination machinery: the inositol monophosphatase SuhB. We show that SuhB associates with elongating RNA polymerase (RNAP) at rRNA in a NusB-dependent manner. Although we show that SuhB is required for BoxA-mediated antitermination in a reporter system, our data indicate that the major function of the NusB/E/A/G/SuhB complex is not to prevent Rho-dependent termination of rRNA but rather to promote correct rRNA maturation. This occurs through formation of a SuhB-mediated loop between NusB/E/BoxA and RNAP/NusA/G. Thus, we have reassigned the function of these proteins at rRNA and identified another key player in this complex.

IMPORTANCE
As RNA polymerase transcribes the rRNA operons in
E. coli
, it complexes with a set of proteins called Nus that confer enhanced rates of transcription elongation, correct folding of rRNA, and rRNA assembly with ribosomal proteins to generate a fully functional ribosome. Four Nus proteins were previously known, NusA, NusB, NusE, and NusG; here, we discover and describe a fifth, SuhB, that is an essential component of this complex. We demonstrate that the main function of this SuhB-containing complex is not to prevent premature transcription termination within the rRNA operon, as had been long claimed, but to enable rRNA maturation and a functional ribosome fully competent for translation.
Feasibility of surgical randomised controlled trials with a placebo arm: a systematic review
Authors: Wartolowska Karolina , Collins Gary S , Hopewell Sally , Judge Andrew , Dean Benjamin J F , Rombach Ines , Beard David J , Carr Andrew J
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To find evidence, either corroborating or refuting, for many persisting beliefs regarding the feasibility of carrying out surgical randomised controlled trials with a placebo arm, with emphasis on the challenges related to recruitment, funding, anaesthesia or blinding.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources and study selection

The analysis involved studies published between 1959 and 2014 that were identified during an earlier systematic review of benefits and harms of placebo-controlled surgical trials published in 2014.

Results

63 trials were included in the review. The main problem reported in many trials was a very slow recruitment rate, mainly due to the difficulty in finding eligible patients. Existing placebo trials were funded equally often from commercial and non-commercial sources. General anaesthesia or sedation was used in 41% of studies. Among the reviewed trials, 81% were double-blinded, and 19% were single-blinded. Across the reviewed trials, 96% (range 50–100%) of randomised patients completed the study. The withdrawal rate during the study was similar in the surgical and in the placebo groups.

Conclusions

This review demonstrated that placebo-controlled surgical trials are feasible, at least for procedures with a lower level of invasiveness, but also that recruitment is difficult. Many of the presumed challenges to undertaking such trials, for example, funding, anaesthesia or blinding of patients and assessors, were not reported as obstacles to completion in any of the reviewed trials.
Mining social media data for opinion polarities about electronic cigarettes
Authors: Dai Hongying , Hao Jianqiang
Published: March 2016

Background

There is an ongoing debate about harm and benefit of e-cigarettes, usage of which has rapidly increased in recent years. By separating non-commercial (organic) tweets from commercial tweets, we seek to evaluate the general public's attitudes towards e-cigarettes.

Methods

We collected tweets containing the words ‘e-cig’, ‘e-cigarette’, ‘e-liquid’, ‘vape’, ‘vaping’, ‘vapor’ and ‘vaporizer’ from 23 July to 14 October 2015 (n=757 167). A multilabel Naïve Bayes model was constructed to classify tweets into 5 polarities (against, support, neutral, commercial, irrelevant). We further analysed the prevalence of e-cigarette tweets, geographic variations in these tweets and the impact of socioeconomic factors on the public attitudes towards e-cigarettes.

Results

Opinions from organic tweets about e-cigarettes were mixed (against 17.7%, support 10.8% and neutral 19.4%). The organic—against tweets delivered strong educational information about the risks of e-cigarette use and advocated for the general public, especially youth, to stop vaping. However, the organic—against tweets were outnumbered by commercial tweets and organic—support tweets by a ratio of over 1 to 3. Higher prevalence of organic tweets was associated with states with higher education rates (r=0.60, p<0.0001), higher percentage of black and African-American population (r=0.34, p=0.01), and higher median household income (r=0.33, p=0.02). The support rates for e-cigarettes were associated with states with fewer persons under 18 years old (r=−0.33, p=0.02) and a higher percentage of female population (r=0.3, p=0.02).

Conclusions

The organic—against tweets raised public awareness of potential health risks and could aid in preventing non-smokers, adolescents and young adults from using e-cigarettes. Opinion polarities about e-cigarettes from social networks could be highly influential to the general public, especially youth. Further educational campaigns should include measuring their effectiveness.
No evidence for home-site advantage in the seedling establishment of the invasive Lupinus polyphyllus in Finland
Authors: Ramula Satu
Published: March 2016

The establishment success of an invasive species in its introduced range may be promoted by local adaptation and (or) phenotypic plasticity. Here, I tested for local adapation in the seedling establishment of the perennial herb Lupinus polyphyllus (Lindl.) in Finland, where the species has been invasive since the late 1800s. Reciprocal seed-sowing experiments conducted in multiple populations revealed that seedling establishment increased with the increasing genetic variation of the source population. However, there was no evidence for local adaptation when assessed in terms of seedling establishment; that is, establishment was not higher in the home population than in more distant populations located either in the same or in a different geographic region. Overall, these results suggest that the seedling establishment of L. polyphyllus is robust to changes in environmental conditions, and that genetic variation together with phenotypic plasticity — rather than local adaptation — may have contributed to its invasion success in this part of its introduced range.
Variants of the Szeged index in certain chemical nanosheets
Authors: Arockiaraj Micheal , Clement Joseph , Shalini Arul Jeya
Published: March 2016

A topological index is a numeric quantity of a molecule that is mathematically derived in an unambiguous way from the structural graph of a molecule. In this paper, we compute the edge Szeged index, edge–vertex Szeged index, and total Szeged index of nanosheets such as type I and type II C4C8(S) nanosheets, peri-condensed benzenoid nanosheet, and H-naphtalenic nanosheet. In addition, we correct the computational errors occurring on the values of the Wiener and vertex Szeged indices of these nanosheets in the literature.
On degree-based topological descriptors of strong product graphs
Authors: Akhter Shehnaz , Imran Muhammad
Published: March 2016

Topological descriptors are numerical parameters of a graph that characterize its topology and are usually graph invariant. In a QSAR/QSPR study, physicochemical properties and topological indices such as Randić, atom–bond connectivity, and geometric–arithmetic are used to predict the bioactivity of different chemical compounds. There are certain types of topological descriptors such as degree-based topological indices, distance-based topological indices, counting-related topological indices, etc. Among degree-based topological indices, the so-called atom–bond connectivity and geometric–arithmetic are of vital importance. These topological indices correlate certain physicochemical properties such as boiling point, stability, strain energy, etc., of chemical compounds. In this paper, analytical closed formulas for Zagreb indices, multiplicative Zagreb indices, harmonic index, and sum-connectivity index of the strong product of graphs are determined.
A Slow Intelligence System Test Bed Enhanced with Super-Components
Authors: Chang Shi-Kuo , Chang Sen-Hua , Chen Jun-Hui , Ge Xiao-Yu , Katsipoulakis Nikolaos , Petrov Daniel , Shein Anatoli
Published: March 2016

The slow intelligence system (SIS) technology is a novel technology for the design of a complex information system that is aware of the environment through multiple sensors and capable of improving its performance over time. In this paper we describe a practical slow intelligence system test bed where super-components can be specified to describe interactions among components. These super-components are automatically transformed into time controllers for components so they can be managed by the SIS test bed. We illustrate the application of this methodology to personal healthcare system design.
Reliable and Secure Distributed Cloud Data Storage Using Reed-Solomon Codes
Authors: Xu Haiping , Bhalerao Deepti
Published: March 2016

Despite the popularity and many advantages of using cloud data storage, there are still major concerns about the data stored in the cloud, such as security, reliability and confidentiality. In this paper, we propose a reliable and secure distributed cloud data storage schema using Reed-Solomon codes. Different from existing approaches to achieving data reliability with redundancy at the server side, our proposed mechanism relies on multiple cloud service providers (CSP), and protects users’ cloud data from the client side. In our approach, we view multiple cloud-based storage services as virtual independent disks for storing redundant data encoded with erasure codes. Since each CSP has no access to a user’s complete data, the data stored in the cloud would not be easily compromised. Furthermore, the failure or disconnection of a CSP will not result in the loss of a user’s data as the missing data pieces can be readily recovered. To demonstrate the feasibility of our approach, we developed a prototype distributed cloud data storage application using three major CSPs. The experimental results show that, besides the reliability and security related benefits of our approach, the application outperforms each individual CSP for uploading and downloading files.
Ranking Developers’ Importance Factors Based on Team Leader Perspective
Authors: Tangari Guilherme Costantin , Maia Marcelo de Almeida
Published: March 2016

Several companies use amount of deliveries as a metric for performance evaluation of developers. However, the productivity of a developer and his importance for the company is not only related to the amount of produced lines of code. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the relevance of developers for their teams. This paper aims at mapping some of these factors, measuring those that are more important for companies and propose an evaluation model of developer importance that considers more than just deliveries. We have found that some factors are more important than others and that there are minor differences for different companies. We have also developed a high accuracy classifier that can indicate the importance of the developer based on a set of attributes.
Using Learning Styles of Software Professionals to Improve Their Inspection Team Performance
Authors: Goswami Anurag , Walia Gursimran , Singh Abhinav
Published: March 2016

Inspections of software artifacts during early software development aids managers to detect early faults that may be hard to find and fix later. Results showed inspection ability does not depend on educational background and technical knowledge. This paper presents the results from an industrial empirical study, wherein the Learning Styles (i.e. ability to perceive and process information) of individual inspectors were manipulated to measure its impact on the fault detection effectiveness of inspection teams. Using inspection data from professional developers, we developed virtual teams with varying LS’s of individual inspectors and analyzed the team performance. The results from the current study show that teams of inspectors with diverse LS’s are significantly more effective at detecting faults as compared to teams of inspectors with similar LS’s. Therefore, LS’s can aid software managers to create high performance inspection team(s) and manage software quality.
Coding Productivity in MapReduce Applications for Distributed and Shared Memory Architectures
Authors: Adornes Daniel , Griebler Dalvan , Ledur Cleverson , Fernandes Luiz Gustavo
Published: March 2016

MapReduce was originally proposed as a suitable and efficient approach for analyzing and processing large amounts of data. Since then, many researches contributed with MapReduce implementations for distributed and shared memory architectures. Nevertheless, different architectural levels require different optimization strategies in order to achieve high-performance computing. Such strategies in turn have caused very different MapReduce programming interfaces among these researches. This paper presents some research notes on coding productivity when developing MapReduce applications for distributed and shared memory architectures. As a case study, we introduce our current research on a unified MapReduce domain-specific language with code generation for Hadoop and Phoenix++, which has achieved a coding productivity increase from 41.84% and up to 94.71% without significant performance losses (below 3%) compared to those frameworks.
Finding and Emulating Keyboard, Mouse, and Touch Interactions and Gestures while Crawling RIAs
Authors: Nakstad Frederik H. , Washizaki Hironori , Fukazawa Yoshiaki
Published: March 2016

Existing techniques for crawling Javascript-heavy Rich Internet Applications tend to ignore user interactions beyond mouse clicking, and therefore often fail to consider potential mouse, keyboard and touch interactions. We propose a new technique for automatically finding and exercising such interactions by analyzing and exercising event handlers registered in the DOM. A basic form of gesture emulation is employed to find states accessible via swiping and tapping. Testing the tool against 6 well-known gesture libraries and 5 actual RIAs, we find that the technique discovers many states and transitions resulting from such interactions, and could be useful for cases such as automatic test generation and error discovery, especially for mobile web applications.
The Evolution of Process Safety: Current Status and Future Direction
Authors: Mannan M. Sam , Reyes-Valdes Olga , Jain Prerna , Tamim Nafiz , Ahammad Monir
Published: March 2016

The advent of the industrial revolution in the nineteenth century increased the volume and variety of manufactured goods and enriched the quality of life for society as a whole. However, industrialization was also accompanied by new manufacturing and complex processes that brought about the use of hazardous chemicals and difficult-to-control operating conditions. Moreover, human-process-equipment interaction plus on-the-job learning resulted in further undesirable outcomes and associated consequences. These problems gave rise to many catastrophic process safety incidents that resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries, losses of property, and environmental damages. These events led eventually to the necessity for a gradual development of a new multidisciplinary field, referred to as process safety. From its inception in the early 1970s to the current state of the art, process safety has come to represent a wide array of issues, including safety culture, process safety management systems, process safety engineering, loss prevention, risk assessment, risk management, and inherently safer technology. Governments and academic/research organizations have kept pace with regulatory programs and research initiatives, respectively. Understanding how major incidents impact regulations and contribute to industrial and academic technology development provides a firm foundation to address new challenges, and to continue applying science and engineering to develop and implement programs to keep hazardous materials within containment. Here the most significant incidents in terms of their impact on regulations and the overall development of the field of process safety are described.
Chemical Ecology of Neuroptera
Authors: Aldrich Jeffrey R. , Zhang Qing-He
Published: March 2016

With 6,000 species, Neuroptera (lacewings, antlions, dustywings, and allies) is a relatively small order; however, most larval neuropterans are predacious, often in agricultural systems, lending added importance to this group. Advances in neuropteran phylogeny, most recently through genomic studies, stabilized the nomenclature of this ancestral order of Holometabola, facilitating basic and applied research on these important and interesting insects. The first pheromones for green lacewings (Chrysopidae) have been identified; this, and other research on antlions (Myrmeleontidae), suggests that male-produced long-range pheromones are the norm for the order. Characterizations of the myriad neuropteran exocrine gland systems, including prothoracic, metathoracic, abdominal, dermal, and anal glands, are revealing unforeseen trophic relationships with biological control implications. For examples, males of Chrysopa and other lacewing genera evidently must sequester specific chemical precursors from prey or plants to produce their attractant pheromones, and larval antlion venoms are potentially important genetic leads for insecticidal peptides.
Plasticity in Insect Olfaction: To Smell or Not to Smell?
Authors: Gadenne Christophe , Barrozo Romina B. , Anton Sylvia
Published: March 2016

In insects, olfaction plays a crucial role in many behavioral contexts, such as locating food, sexual partners, and oviposition sites. To successfully perform such behaviors, insects must respond to chemical stimuli at the right moment. Insects modulate their olfactory system according to their physiological state upon interaction with their environment. Here, we review the plasticity of behavioral responses to different odor types according to age, feeding state, circadian rhythm, and mating status. We also summarize what is known about the underlying neural and endocrinological mechanisms, from peripheral detection to central nervous integration, and cover neuromodulation from the molecular to the behavioral level. We describe forms of olfactory plasticity that have contributed to the evolutionary success of insects and have provided them with remarkable tools to adapt to their ever-changing environment.
Recent Advances in Quantum Dynamics of Bimolecular Reactions
Authors: Zhang Dong H. , Guo Hua
Published: March 2016

In this review, we survey the latest advances in theoretical understanding of bimolecular reaction dynamics in the past decade. The remarkable recent progress in this field has been driven by more accurate and efficient ab initio electronic structure theory, effective potential-energy surface fitting techniques, and novel quantum scattering algorithms. Quantum mechanical characterization of bimolecular reactions continues to uncover interesting dynamical phenomena in atom-diatom reactions and beyond, reaching an unprecedented level of sophistication. In tandem with experimental explorations, these theoretical developments have greatly advanced our understanding of key issues in reaction dynamics, such as microscopic reaction mechanisms, mode specificity, product energy disposal, influence of reactive resonances, and nonadiabatic effects.
Chavismo, Liberal Democracy, and Radical Democracy
Authors: Hawkins Kirk A.
Published: March 2016

Scholars studying Hugo Chávez and his movement are generally divided into two camps: a liberal one that sees Chavismo as an instance of democratic backsliding and a radical one that upholds Chavismo as the fulfillment of its aspirations for participatory democracy. Boundaries are not fixed, but the two sides generally fail to understand each other's assumptions or to acknowledge each other's criticisms. The result has been a less productive body of scholarly work on both sides.
Muscle fatigue increases beta-band coherence between the firing times of simultaneously active motor units in the first dorsal interosseous muscle
Authors: McManus Lara , Hu Xiaogang , Rymer William Z. , Suresh Nina L. , Lowery Madeleine M.
Published: March 2016

Synchronization between the firing times of simultaneously active motor units (MUs) is generally assumed to increase during fatiguing contractions. To date, however, estimates of MU synchronization have relied on indirect measures, derived from surface electromyographic (EMG) interference signals. This study used intramuscular coherence to investigate the correlation between MU discharges in the first dorsal interosseous muscle during and immediately following a submaximal fatiguing contraction, and after rest. Coherence between composite MU spike trains, derived from decomposed surface EMG, were examined in the delta (1–4 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (15–30 Hz), and gamma (30–60 Hz) frequency band ranges. A significant increase in MU coherence was observed in the delta, alpha, and beta frequency bands postfatigue. In addition, wavelet coherence revealed a tendency for delta-, alpha-, and beta-band coherence to increase during the fatiguing contraction, with subjects exhibiting low initial coherence values displaying the greatest relative increase. This was accompanied by an increase in MU short-term synchronization and a decline in mean firing rate of the majority of MUs detected during the sustained contraction. A model of the motoneuron pool and surface EMG was used to investigate factors influencing the coherence estimate. Simulation results indicated that changes in motoneuron inhibition and firing rates alone could not directly account for increased beta-band coherence postfatigue. The observed increase is, therefore, more likely to arise from an increase in the strength of correlated inputs to MUs as the muscle fatigues.
A Recipe Composed of Chinese Herbal Active Components Regulates Hepatic Lipid Metabolism of NAFLDIn VivoandIn Vitro
Authors: Meng Sheng-xi , Liu Qian , Tang Ya-jun , Wang Wen-jing , Zheng Qing-shan , Tian Hua-jie , Yao Dong-sheng , Liu Lin , Peng Jing-hua , Zhao Yu , Hu Yi-yang , Feng Qin
Published: March 2016

This study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of the recipe composed ofAtractylodes macrocephalapolysaccharide, chlorogenic acid, and geniposide (named ACG) on experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). The research was divided into two parts as screening experiment and verification experiment. In the screening experiment, we used high-fat diet (HFD) induced NAFL rat model and uniform design to get the recipe from five Chinese herbal active components. In the verification experiment, HFD induced fatty liver rat and mouse NAFL models and free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 cell model were used to verify the effects of ACG. According to the multiple regression equation of the hepatic triglyceride (TG) contents of each group in the screening experiment, the recipe ACG was obtained and the doses ofAtractylodes macrocephalapolysaccharide, chlorogenic acid, and geniposide for rats were 266.67, 3.33, and 45 mg/kg, respectively. The results of verification experiment verified that ACG could significantly reduce hepatic TG contents of NAFL rats and mice, as well as the cellular TG content of FFA-induced HepG2 cells. ACG could also improve HOMA-IR and hepatic mitochondrial ultrastructure of NAFL mice. Our study verified that ACG recipe could regulate lipid metabolism of NAFLin vivoandin vitro.
Aminopropyl-Functionalized Silica CO2Adsorbents via Sonochemical Methods
Authors: Knowles Gregory P. , Chaffee Alan L.
Published: March 2016

Aminopropyl-functionalized hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) products, as are of interest for CO2capture applications, were separately prepared by mixing aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTS) and HMS in toluene via a conventional stirred reactor and via sonication assisted methods, to investigate the potential of sonication to facilitate the preparation of products with higher tether loadings and correspondingly higher CO2sorption capacities. Sonication was expected to improve both the dispersion of the substrate in the solvent and the diffusion of the silane throughout the mesoporous substrate. Structural properties of the products were determined by X-ray diffraction, N2adsorption/desorption (77 K), helium pycnometry, and elemental analysis, and CO2adsorption/desorption properties were determined via thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The tether loadings of the sonication products (up to 1.8 tethers·nm−2) were found to increase with sonication time and in each case were greater than the corresponding product prepared by the conventional approach. It was also found that the concentration of the reagent mixture influenced the extent of functionalization, that the crude products cured effectively under N2flow as under vacuum, and that rinsing the crude products prior to curing was not essential. Sonication products with higher tether loadings were found to exhibit higher CO2sorption capacities as expected.
Aesthetic Surgical Approach for Bone Dehiscence Treatment by Means of Single Implant and Interdental Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report with Five Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Lombardo Giorgio , Pighi Jacopo , Corrocher Giovanni , Mascellaro Anna , Lehrberg Jeffrey , Marincola Mauro , Nocini Pier Francesco
Published: March 2016

The replacement of single anterior teeth by means of endosseous implants implies the achievement of success in restoring both aesthetic and function. However, the presence of wide endoperiodontal lesions can lead to horizontal hard and soft tissues defects after tooth extraction, making it impossible to correctly place an implant in the compromised alveolar socket. Vertical augmentation procedures have been proposed to solve these clinical situations, but the amount of new regenerated bone is still not predictable. Furthermore, bone augmentation can be complicated by the presence of adjacent teeth, especially if they bring with them periodontal defects. Therefore, it is used to restore periodontal health of adjacent teeth before making any augmentation procedures and to wait a certain healing period before placing an implant in vertically augmented sites, otherwise risking to obtain a nonsatisfactory aesthetic result. All of these procedures, however, lead to an expansion of treatment time which should affect patient compliance. For this reason, this case report suggests a surgical technique to perform vertical bone augmentation at a single gap left by a central upper incisor while placing an implant and simultaneously to regenerate the periodontal attachment of an adjacent lateral incisor, without compromising the aesthetic result.
Cannabinoid Receptors CB1 and CB2 Modulate the Electroretinographic Waves in Vervet Monkeys
Authors: Bouskila Joseph , Harrar Vanessa , Javadi Pasha , Beierschmitt Amy , Palmour Roberta , Casanova Christian , Bouchard Jean-François , Ptito Maurice
Published: March 2016

The expression patterns of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) are well documented in rodents and primates. In vervet monkeys, CB1R is present in the retinal neurons (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and ganglion cells) and CB2R is exclusively found in the retinal glia (Müller cells). However, the role of these cannabinoid receptors in normal primate retinal function remains elusive. Using full-field electroretinography in adult vervet monkeys, we recorded changes in neural activity following the blockade of CB1R and CB2R by the intravitreal administration of their antagonists (AM251 and AM630, resp.) in photopic and scotopic conditions. Our results show that AM251 increases the photopic a-wave amplitude at high flash intensities, whereas AM630 increases the amplitude of both the photopic a- and b-waves. In scotopic conditions, both blockers increased the b-wave amplitude but did not change the a-wave amplitude. These findings suggest an important role of CB1R and CB2R in primate retinal function.