bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Five misconceptions about Personal Data: Why we need a people‐centred approach to “Big” Data
Authors: MARGOLIS ABBY
Published: February 2014

We produce vast amounts of data in our daily lives. Email, text, search, check‐in, photos, payments – all these activities create a trail of digital exhaust. This personal data has been triumphantly declared a “new asset class” by the WEF, compared to oil as the world's newest economic resource, and sparked a big data race to gather it. This paper argues that this gold rush can obscure the real value of personal data by forgetting a fundamental rule of innovation: start with the person. The paper draws on global ethnographic research with data‐driven individuals, experts, and start‐ups to address five common misconceptions about personal data. It concludes with a set of simple principles and business case examples to bring a human‐centred, small data perspective to life.
Small packages for Big (qualitative) Data
Authors: ERWIN KIM , POLLARI THEODORE
Published: February 2014

Smart devices and online research platforms are changing the landscape of qualitative data collection and analysis. While data collection mechanisms have flourished, analytic tools to work with that data have not meaningfully evolved. Changes in professional practice and advances in technology are creating new opportunities—and new pressure—to develop software tools that are focused, simple to use, fit flexibly with a variety of analytic processes, adapt to different data sets and do not lock data into proprietary formats or researchers into predefined analytic processes. We call such tools Small Packages for Big (Qualitative) Data. This paper defines the concept and introduces three such early stage tools—Voyant, Mandala Browser and Nineteen, and links qualitative research to another field experiencing similar changes and tool development, the Digital Humanities. Lastly, we present a case study to demonstrate how Small Packages can focus investigations, build early‐stage familiarity with data, and inform subsequent analysis.
Techno|theory deathmatch: An agonistic experiment in Theory and Practice
Authors: DAUTCHER JAY , GRIFFIN MIKE , ROMAIN TIFFANY , LIMB EUGENE
Published: February 2014

Theories about humans and their relationships with technology are part of a lifeworld shared by many corporate ethnographers, although individuals' practices for engaging with theory can vary considerably due to factors such as disciplinary training and workplace norms. Within the EPIC community the perception of a constrained relationship between theory and corporate ethnographic praxis has emerged as a matter of concern. This paper recounts our experiment with bringing theory into daily work by designing and playing a game that had us adopt the personas of theorists while engaging in rhetorical combat, competing to surface insights relevant to an ongoing technology development project. Each phase, from initial game design, through prototyping play, to the final event, supported our collective practice of theory, brought to light hidden assumptions about the role of theory in our work, and provided actionable value to our daily work activities.
Stability of Aqueous Barium Titanate Suspensions for MLCC Inkjet Printing
Authors: Beaudrouet Eloi , Vivet Aurélien , Lejeune Martine , Santerne Claire , Rossignol Fabrice , Dossou‐Yovo Chrystelle , Mougenot Marion , Noguera Rémi
Published: February 2014

BaTiO3‐based materials are currently used for the fabrication of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) because of their high dielectric properties. The inkjet printing (IJP) process can be used to fabricate MLCC of complex configurations by integrating internal electrodes and dielectric layers in a single step using a multi printing‐head system. Stabilized aqueous suspensions of BaTiO3‐based powders are required to obtain dielectric inks adapted to IJP. This study investigates the influence of BaTiO3 powder hydrolysis in water on the surface chemistry and stability in relationship with the milling step used to adjust the powder grain size to IJP. Optimum parameters for a good stability of BaTiO3 suspensions are identified. The selected dispersant is a polyacrylate (PAA) for which the content is adjusted to minimize the sedimentation rates as required by IJP. Moreover, the addition of ethylene glycol is shown to be necessary to avoid the formation of a gel structure which could result from the interaction of borates ions leached from the surface of BaTiO3 with the PAA dispersant. A mechanism of gel formation is proposed.
Anisotropic Grain Boundary Mobility in Undoped and Doped Alumina
Authors: Akiva Ran , Katsman Alexander , Kaplan Wayne D.
Published: February 2014

The grain boundary mobility of polycrystalline alumina (α‐Al2O3), and the effective grain boundary mobility of the basal (0001) plane as it grew into polycrystalline alumina, was determined for undoped alumina, alumina doped with 23 ppm MgO, and alumina doped with 13 ppm CaO at 1600°C. Doping with MgO at a level below the solubility limit decreased the grain‐boundary mobility from 2.7 × 10−15 to 1.5 × 10−15 m2/s, and doping with CaO at a level below the solubility limit increased the mobility to 3.5 × 10−15 m2/s. For the undoped samples at 1600°C, the activation energy for the average grain boundary mobility was 372 ± 39 kJ/mol. The mobility of the (0001) plane growing into alumina doped with MgO at a level below the solubility limit decreased to 1.1 × 10−15 m2/s compared with the mobility of the (0001) plane growing into undoped alumina (2.5 × 10−15 m2/s), and the mobility of the (0001) plane growing into alumina doped with CaO (below the solubility limit) increased to 3.2 × 10−15 m2/s. The activation energy for the mobility of the (0001) plane was 483 ± 76 kJ/mol. Although a measured Ca excess of 2.6 Ca/nm2 at the boundary between the (0001) plane and CaO‐doped alumina is correlated with an increased mobility, the platelike morphology of CaO‐doped polycrystalline alumina is associated with an increased mobility of nonbasal planes.
Dielectric Properties and Relaxation of Bi2Ti2O7
Authors: Turner Christopher G. , Esquivel‐Elizondo J. Roberto , Nino Juan C.
Published: February 2014

The dielectric properties of Bi2Ti2O7 were explored as a function of temperature and frequency. A comparison between the dielectric response of the well‐known Bi1.5Zn0.92Nb1.5O6.92 (BZN) pyrochlore and the recently available Bi2Ti2O7 sintered ceramic revealed considerable differences, which indicate that chemical disorder, and not atomic displacement on its own, is chiefly responsible for the dielectric relaxation in bismuth pyrochlores. A low‐frequency (<10 kHz) and relatively high‐temperature (~125 K) dielectric relaxation was observed in Bi2Ti2O7. An Arrhenius function was used to model the relaxation behavior and yielded an activation energy of 0.162 eV and an attempt jump frequency of ~1 MHz. This response is consistent with space charge polarization and not the result of dipolar or ionic disorder.
Synthesis, Structure, and Tunable Luminescence Properties of Novel Ba3NaLa(PO4)3F:Eu2+,Mn2+ Phosphors
Authors: Mi Ruiyu , Zhao Chenglong , Xia Zhiguo
Published: February 2014

A series of luminescent emission‐tunable phosphors Ba3NaLa(PO4)3F:Eu2+,Mn2+ have been prepared by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The Rietveld refinement analysis confirms that the obtained phosphors possess pure apatite crystalline phase and the sites' occupancy of dopant has been also discussed. Upon the excitation of 355 nm, the emission spectra of Ba3NaLa(PO4)3F:Eu2+,Mn2+ consist of two broad bands assigned to 5d–4f transition of Eu2+ and 4T1 (4G)–6A1 (6S) transitions of Mn2+, respectively. Energy transfer (ET) occurs in Eu2+, Mn2+ codoped Ba3NaLa(PO4)3F host. On the basis of the thorough analysis and comparison upon their excitation, emission properties, and the decay behaviors, it is demonstrated that the ET mechanism between Eu2+ and Mn2+ is ascribed to the exchange interaction, and the tunable emission color in the novel apatite host can be realized.
Facile Ion‐Exchange Synthesis and Visible Light Photocatalytic Studies of Cu2+, Sn2+, and Ag+‐Substituted LiMg0.5Ti0.5O2
Authors: Veldurthi Naveen Kumar , Ravi Gundeboina , Reddy Jitta Raju , Palla Suresh , Muniratnam Nagegownivari R. , Prasad Guduru , Vithal Muga
Published: February 2014

A novel series of visible light‐sensitive Cu2+, Sn2+, and Ag+‐substituted LiMg0.5Ti0.5O2 photocatalysts were synthesized by a facile ion‐exchange method and characterized by XRD, UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an X‐ray energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The characterization results showed that morphology, crystallite size, and surface areas of the ion‐exchange products were almost similar to the parent compound. Absorption edges of Ag+‐doped (AMT), Cu2+‐doped (CMT), and Sn2+‐doped (SMT) samples were red shifted remarkably into the visible light region while parent LiMg0.5Ti0.5O2 (LMT) was UV active. Photocatalytic activity of these samples was evaluated by studying the degradation of methylene blue and nitro benzene under visible light irradiation and the stability of all samples during photocatalytic experiment was also investigated. The activity of all photocatalysts was ranked accordingly as SMT ≥ AMT > CMT > LMT. The correlation between photocatalytic properties, band gap energy, rate of recombination of the charge carriers, and amount of ●OH radicals generated during photocatalysis and the underlying reasons were discussed.
Towards Virtual Testing of Textile Composites: Calibration of Thermoelastic Tow Properties
Authors: Shaw John H. , Rajan Varun P. , Blacklock Matthew , Zok Frank W.
Published: February 2014

We present a methodology for calibrating the thermoelastic properties of constituent tows in a woven C/SiC composite using a combination of experimental measurements and finite element simulations of strain distributions that arise upon heating. Because of the nonuniform distribution of the matrix phase and the presence of matrix microcracks, tow properties cannot be reliably predicted a priori using micromechanical models alone; instead, some can only be inferred from coupled experimental/numerical studies of the kind presented here. A small number of iterations of finite element simulations is required to achieve satisfactory agreement in all thermal strain components. The number of iterations is minimized by first performing simulations using model‐based estimates of the effective tow properties, followed by judicious adjustments to select property values. Comparisons between measurements and simulations are performed on the basis of strains averaged over a characteristic area dictated by tow dimensions. The study reveals that, although each segment of a particular tow genus is nominally equivalent to all others, the strains within each population exhibit considerable variation. This is attributable to variations in both tow geometry and connectivity between adjacent tows. The virtual tests predict strain variations of comparable magnitude.
Chemical Sequence and Kinetics of Alkali–Silica Reaction Part II. A Thermodynamic Model
Authors: Kim Taehwan , Olek Jan
Published: February 2014

This manuscript describes development of a thermodynamic model for the chemical sequence of the alkali–silica reaction (ASR) process in the model, closed reactive system consisting of mixture of reactive silica mineral, calcium hydroxide, and alkali hydroxide solution. The focus of the first part of the study is on formulating the kinetic rate law for silica dissolution as a function of several factors, including pH, temperature, concentration of alkalis in solution, and type of the reactive silica mineral. This kinetic rate law was then incorporated into the commercial modeling software (Geochemist's Workbench®) in an attempt to simulate the chemical sequence of the ASR process. Once the proper input data and parameters were selected, the model generated reasonably accurate predictions of the distribution of species in the reacting system and captured distinct features of experimental data. In addition, this model suggested that the thermodynamic equilibrium condition among reactant (reactive silica mineral), products, and ionic species in the solution resulted in the threshold value of alkali concentration needed for the ASR to take place. Though the application of the proposed model is currently limited to the closed ASR system, the model may offer the possibility of the establishment of the unified theory which can bridge the gap between fundamental (chemical) mechanisms of ASR and the mechanical responses of concrete by providing the kinetic basis for the evolution of ASR process.
Residual Strength of a Low‐Strength Ceramic with a Precrack Induced by Thermal Shock
Authors: Jin Xinxin , Zhang Xinghong , Han Jiecai , Hu Ping , Wang Lingling
Published: February 2014

A method of introducing a single sharp crack with controllable length and position in brittle materials by thermal shock is proposed. This method is simple to conduct and suitable for the precise testing of critical fracture parameters, with accurate values of fracture toughness of brittle ceramics, such as ZrB2–SiC–graphite (ZSG), able to be obtained. Moreover, this provides an experiment foundation for the study of the relationship between mechanical properties and cracks: The effects of crack length and specimen thickness on the residual strength of ZSG were investigated here. Further comparison between the experimental data and the results of the extended finite‐element calculation was made. Through proper control over the thermal shock, a desired number of uniformly distributed and roughly parallel cracks can be obtained.
The Scope of the Argument from Species Overlap
Authors: Horta Oscar
Published: February 2014

The argument from species overlap has been widely used in the literature on animal ethics and speciesism. However, there has been much confusion regarding what the argument proves and what it does not prove, and regarding the views it challenges. This article intends to clarify these confusions, and to show that the name most often used for this argument (‘the argument from marginal cases’) reflects and reinforces these misunderstandings. The article claims that the argument questions not only those defences of anthropocentrism that appeal to capacities believed to be typically human, but also those that appeal to special relations between humans. This means the scope of the argument is far wider than has been thought thus far. Finally, the article claims that, even if the argument cannot prove by itself that we should not disregard the interests of nonhuman animals, it provides us with strong reasons to do so, since the argument does prove that no defence of anthropocentrism appealing to non‐definitional and testable criteria succeeds.
Segregation distortion affected by transgenes in early generations of rice crop‐weed hybrid progeny: Implications for assessing potential evolutionary impacts from transgene flow into wild relatives
Authors: YANG Chao , WANG Zhe , YANG Xiao , LU Bao‐Rong
Published: February 2014

The significant role of segregation distortion as a driving force of evolution has increasingly gained recognition worldwide. Segregation distortion of parental alleles is commonly reported in hybrid progeny between crops and wild relative species, which possibly influences the evolution potential of the hybrid progeny. Whether transgene introgression into wild and weedy populations through repeated hybridization causes changes of segregation distortion of parental alleles in hybrid progeny is an important question to be addressed to understand the long‐term evolution potential of the populations that have received transgenes. To study the influence of a transgene on allelic segregation, we examined gene and genotype frequencies in transgenic and non‐transgenic populations of F3 and F4 lineages derived from hybrids between transgenic insect‐resistant rice (Bt/CpTI) and weedy rice, involving randomly selected 25 simple sequence repeat markers with polymorphisms between the two parents. We found that the transgenes can significantly alter the segregation distortion pattern in hybrid progeny, particularly the direction of segregation deviated to different parents. In transgenic F3 and F4 populations, there are approximately 64% and 77% simple sequence repeat loci, respectively, with alleles deviated significantly to the insect‐resistant cultivated rice parent; whereas, in non‐transgenic F3 and F4 populations, approximately 68% and 58% loci, respectively, deviated significantly to the weedy rice parent. Transgenes with strong selection advantages may have evolutionary impacts on hybrid progeny by changing their pattern of allelic segregation distortion after introgression from transgenic crops to wild relatives through hybridization.
Darbepoetin alfa once monthly corrects anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis
Authors: Roger Simon D , Kolmakova Elena , Fung Maple , Malecki Robert , Vinhas José , Dellanna Frank , Thomas Mark , Manamley Nick , Ferenczi Sándor
Published: February 2014

Aim

While darbepoetin alfa (DA) can be administered once monthly (QM) to maintain haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in anaemic patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (CKD‐ND), the QM use of DA for anaemia correction has not been previously investigated.

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, non‐inferiority, active‐controlled study, adult subjects with CKD‐ND, Hb levels <10 g/dL, and not treated with an erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent were randomized 1:1 to receive DA every 2 weeks (Q2W) or QM for 33 weeks with initial doses of 0.75 μg/kg Q2W or 1.5 μg/kg QM. Subjects were treated to target Hb levels of 10–12 g/dL and ≥1 g/dL increase from baseline. The primary end‐point was Hb change between baseline and the evaluation period (weeks 29–33), with a non‐inferiority margin of −0.5 g/dL.

Results

Three hundred and fifty‐five subjects received ≥1 dose of DA. Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) change in Hb between baseline and the evaluation period was 2.16 (1.98–2.33) g/dL for the Q2W group and 1.97 (1.80–2.14) g/dL for the QM group, the mean (95% CI) difference in Hb change being −0.19 (−0.43 to 0.05) g/dL. Most subjects (97.9% Q2W; 98.1% QM) achieved a Hb level ≥10.0 g/dL and ≥1.0 g/dL increase in Hb from baseline. Mean DA (SD) weekly equivalent doses over the evaluation period were 0.20 (0.23) and 0.27 (0.31) μg/kg per week for the Q2W and QM groups, respectively. Safety profiles were similar between groups.

Conclusion

In subjects with CKD‐ND, QM dosing was non‐inferior to Q2W dosing for anaemia correction and had a similar safety profile.
Biochemical and molecular characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots forming a barrier to radial oxygen loss
Authors: KULICHIKHIN KONSTANTIN , YAMAUCHI TAKAKI , WATANABE KOHTARO , NAKAZONO MIKIO
Published: February 2014

The formation of a barrier to radial oxygen (O2) loss (ROL) in the root is an important adaptation of plants to root flooding, but the biochemical changes in plant roots where the barrier is formed are unclear. In this study, we analysed metabolic profiles and gene expression profiles in roots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants grown under stagnant deoxygenated conditions, which induce suberization in the outer cell layers of the roots and formation of barrier to ROL. Under these conditions, two distinctive biochemical features of the roots were the accumulations of malic acid and very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). We also showed that the expressions of some genes encoding plastid‐localized enzymes, which convert malic acid to acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA), were simultaneously up‐regulated under stagnant conditions. The expression levels of these genes in specific root tissues isolated by laser microdissection suggested that malic acid is converted to AcCoA predominantly in the plastids in the outer cell layers of rice roots. We propose that the physiological role of malic acid accumulation in rice roots grown under stagnant conditions is to provide a substrate for the biosynthesis of fatty acids, which, in turn, are used in the biosynthesis of suberin.
One‐year rehospitalization rates of patients with first‐episode bipolar mania receiving lithium or valproate and adjunctive atypical antipsychotics
Authors: Woo Young Sup , Bahk Won‐Myong , Jung Young‐Eun , Jeong Jong‐Hyun , Lee Hwang‐Bin , Won Seung‐Hee , Lee Kwang Heun , Jon Duk‐In , Yoon Bo‐Hyun , Kim Moon‐Doo , Min Kyung Joon
Published: February 2014

Aim

We compared the 1‐year rehospitalization rates of first‐episode bipolar manic patients who were discharged while being treated with lithium or valproate in combination with an atypical antipsychotic.

Methods

We investigated the rehospitalization status of first‐episode bipolar manic patients who were discharged between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2010 while they were taking lithium or valproate in combination with aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone. Rehospitalization rates during a 1‐year period after discharge were compared between the group receiving lithium plus an atypical antipsychotic and the group receiving valproate plus an atypical antipsychotic using the Kaplan–Meier method. A Cox regression model was used to analyze covariates hypothesized to affect time to rehospitalization.

Results

The rehospitalization rate was 17.3% during the 1‐year follow‐up period. We found significant differences in the rehospitalization rates of patients in the lithium (23.1%) and the valproate (13.3%) groups using the Kaplan–Meier formula. According to Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, higher Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Version–Severity score at discharge (P = 0.005) and lithium treatment (P = 0.055) contributed to the risk of rehospitalization.

Conclusion

Treatment with valproate and an atypical antipsychotic can be more effective than treatment with lithium and an atypical antipsychotic in preventing rehospitalization during the 1 year after hospitalization due to a first manic episode in patients with bipolar I disorder. Higher Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Version–Severity scores at discharge also negatively affected rehospitalization rates.
Association between depression, examination‐related stressors, and sense of coherence: The ronin‐sei study
Authors: Koyama Asuka , Matsushita Masateru , Ushijima Hirokage , Jono Tadashi , Ikeda Manabu
Published: February 2014

Aims

In the Japanese education system, students who fail university entrance exam often go to special preparatory schools to prepare for the following year's exam. These students are called ronin‐sei. The purpose of this study was to clarify: (i) depression and somatic complaints in ronin‐sei; and (ii) the association between depression, examination‐related stressors, and sense of coherence (SOC).

Methods

A total of 914 ronin‐sei from two preparatory schools were asked to answer a self‐rating questionnaire. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) and SOC was measured using the SOC‐13 Scale.

Results

Overall, 57.9% of subjects were considered to have depression (CES‐D ≥ 16) and 19.8% had severe depression (CES‐D ≥ 26). Higher CES‐D scores were associated with a higher rate of somatic complaints. In hierarchical logistic regression analysis, having no one to talk to about his/her worries and having parents who disagree about the first‐choice of university and faculty were independent risk factors for depression and severe depression, respectively, even after controlling for SOC.

Conclusions

Preparatory school students have various somatic complaints, and their depression is in part related to examination‐related stressors. To maintain mental health, it is important to enhance SOC, to understand their examination‐related stressors and to provide adequate support for these students.
Determination of concept technology – the ontology of the concept as a component of the knowledge development in caring science
Authors: Korhonen Eila‐Sisko , Nordman Tina , Eriksson Katie
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study is to determine the ontology of the concept of technology from the perspective of caring science. The aim is to increase knowledge of the concept in caring science and to answer the research question concerning what the concept of technology is in caring science. In literature, the concept of technology is used diversely referring it to caring technology, nursing technology, wellbeing technology, information technology, telenursing and technology in care named by a specific device or an area of nursing or medicine. The definition of the concept of technology and its ontology has not been determined from the viewpoint of caring science. Eriksson's model of concept determination provides a method to explore the ontology of the concept. This includes an etymological and semantic analysis as well as a determination of essence and basic category of the concept. The results showed that the concept of technology is multidimensional. It has evolved and altered over the centuries. The origin of the concept formulated from the Greek word ‘techne’, which has wider ontological dimensions. It is universal, it can be taught and it depends on the substance. Subsequently, the concept was introduced an ethical dimension, and it also developed more to the direction of engineering, mechanics and technical know‐how. The semantic analysis revealed synonyms of the concept: art, equipment and knowledge. These introduced concepts such as craft, skill, treatment, engineering, science, study method and way. The nuances of the concept framed its nature. On the one hand, it stands out as practical and advanced, but on the other hand, it is difficult and conventional. The knowledge gained in this study will help to understand the phenomenon of technology in caring science.
Phylogeny of the lacebugs (Insecta: Heteroptera: Tingidae) using morphological and molecular data
Authors: GUILBERT ERIC , DAMGAARD JAKOB , D'HAESE CYRILLE A.
Published: February 2014

A phylogeny of the Tingidae is provided on the basis of parsimony analysis with pre‐alignment as well as with direct optimization of 2018 bp from five loci (COI, Leu‐tRNA, COII, 16S and 28S) and a set of 30 morphological characters. The results obtained with either direct optimization or pre‐alignment methods of parsimony clearly show that Cantacaderinae are sister group to (Phatnominae + Tinginae). Several apomorphies, retrieved in different studies, characterize Cantacaderinae, Phatnominae and Tinginae, but only one characterizes the grouping of Phatnominae + Tinginae. In addition, no clear tribal division as currently used was highlighted within the Tinginae. The results are discussed in the light of earlier morphologically based hypotheses.
A molecular phylogeny of Phasmatodea with emphasis on Necrosciinae, the most species‐rich subfamily of stick insects
Authors: BRADLER SVEN , ROBERTSON JAMES A. , WHITING MICHAEL F.
Published: February 2014

The phasmatodeans or stick and leaf insects are considered to be a mesodiverse insect order with more than 3000 species reported mainly from the tropics. The stick insect subfamily Necrosciinae comprises approximately 700 described species in more than 60 genera from the Oriental and Australian region, forming the most species‐rich subfamily traditionally recognized within Phasmatodea. However, the monophyly of this taxon has never been thoroughly tested and the evolutionary relationships among its members are unknown. We analyse three nuclear (18S and 28S rDNA, histone 3) and three mitochondrial (CO II, 12S and 16S rDNA) genes to infer the phylogeny of 60 species of stick insects that represent all recognized families and major subfamilies sensu Günther and the remarkable diversity within Necrosciinae. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian techniques largely recover the same substantial clades, albeit with highly discordant relationships between them. Most members of the subfamily Necrosciinae form a clade. However, the genus Neohirasea – currently classified within Lonchodinae – is strongly supported as subordinate to Necrosciinae, whereas Baculofractum, currently classified within Necrosciinae, is strongly supported within Lonchodinae. Accordingly, we formally transfer Neohirasea and allied taxa (namely Neohiraseini) to Necrosciinae sensu nova (s.n.) and Baculofractum to Lonchodinae s.n. We also provide further evidence that Leprocaulinus, until recently recognized as Necrosciinae, belongs to Lonchodinae, and forms the sister taxon of Baculofractum. Furthermore, Lonchodinae is paraphyletic under exclusion of Eurycantha and Neopromachus. We reinstate the traditional view that Neopromachus and related taxa (Neopromachini sensu Günther) are a subgroup of Lonchodinae and transfer those taxa + the New Guinean Eurycanthinae accordingly. Morphological evidence largely corroborates our molecular‐based findings and also reveals that Menexenus fruhstorferi is a member of the genus Neohirasea and is thus transferred from Menexenus (Lonchodinae) to Neohirasea, as Neohirasea fruhstorferi comb.n. (Necrosciinae s.n.). Other phylogenetic results include Areolatae and Anareolatae each supported as polyphyletic, Heteropteryginae and Lanceocercata (Bayesian analysis) are monophyletic, albeit with low support, and Necrosciinae s.n. and Lonchodinae s.n. are recovered as sister taxa (Bayesian analysis).
AN OPTIMIZED PROTOCOL FOR MULTISLICE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE BRAIN
Authors: Zarelli Micaela , Schwarz Tobias , Puggioni Antonella , Pinilla Manuel , O'Doherty John V , McAllister Hester
Published: February 2014

Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in veterinary practice to evaluate dogs with suspected brain disease, however contrast resolution limitations and artifacts may reduce visualization of clinically important anatomic features. The purpose of this study was to develop an optimized CT protocol for evaluating the canine brain. The head of a 5‐year‐old Springer Spaniel with no neurological signs was imaged immediately following euthanasia using a 4‐slice CT scanner and 282 protocols. Each protocol used a fixed tube voltage of 120 kVp and 10 cm display field of view. Other acquisition and reconstruction parameters were varied. For each protocol, four selected images of the brain were reconstructed, anonymized and saved in DICOM format. Three board‐certified veterinary radiologists independently reviewed each of the four images for each protocol and recorded a numerical quality score for each image. The protocol yielding the lowest total numerical score was defined as the optimal protocol. There was overall agreement that the optimal protocol was the one with the following parameters: sequential mode, 300 mAs, 1 mm slice thickness, 1 s tube rotation time, medium image reconstruction algorithm and applied beam hardening correction. Sequential imaging provided optimal image resolution. The thin‐sliced images provided a small blur due to partial volume artifacts. A high tube current resulted in a relatively low noise level. Use of a medium frequency image reconstruction algorithm provided optimal contrast resolution for brain tissue. Use of a proprietary beam hardening correction filter (Posterior Fossa Optimization) markedly reduced beam‐hardening artifact.
Effect of surface states on the electrical properties of MBE grown modulation doped AlGaAs/GaAs
Authors: Cisneros-de-la-Rosa Alejandro , Cortes-Mestizo Irving Eduardo , Cruz-Hernández Esteban , Méndez-García Víctor Hugo , Zamora-Peredo Luis , González-Fernández José Vulfrano , Balderas-Navarro Raúl , Gorbatchev Andrei Yu. , López-López Máximo
Published: February 2014

The influence of near surface structure termination and surface treatments on the surface electric fields and mobility of modulation doped AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures (MDH) were investigated. The built-in and surface electric fields were evaluated by photoreflectance spectroscopy, and these values were utilized to simulate the conduction band bending of the MDH. When the capping layer of the MDH was changed, both the built in internal electric field and the surface electric field are decreased, while the electron mobility of the samples is increased. After passivated the surface samples with Si, the surface electric fields were also reduced. Finally, a (NH4)2Sx-based treatment of the surface was applied, the surface electric field is annulled, and the conduction band modeling showed an important redistribution of carriers in the films. The electron mobility of the passivated samples does not show any change, neither the internal electric fields, corroborating the close relationship that exist between these two parameters.
The Impact of Gender Quotas on Gender Equality in Sport Governance
Authors: Adriaanse Johanna , Schofield Toni
Published: February 2014

A common intervention to address women’s underrepresentation in governance has been the introduction of gender quotas. This study examined the impact of gender quotas on gender equality in governance among boards of National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in Australia. Central to the study was the theoretical concept of a gender regime. Part of a larger study, the research design comprised a comparative case study of five NSOs with data collected mainly through semistructured interviews with directors and CEOs. The findings suggest that a quota of a minimum of three women was a first condition to advance gender equality in governance. It needed to operate, however, in conjunction with other gender dynamics to move toward equal participation by men and women in board decision making. These included women in influential board positions, solidaristic emotional relations between men and women directors, and directors’ adoption of gender equality as an organizational value.
Corpus cavernosum abscess after Winter procedure performance
Authors: Paladino Joao Roberto , Nascimento Fabio Jose , Gromatsky Celso , Pompeo Antonio Carlos Lima
Published: February 2014

A 23-year-old male patient with sickle-cell disease reported his third episode of priapism complicated by the presence of a corpus cavernosum abscess after the performance of a Winter procedure 20 days prior to his presentation. While in hospital for 11 days, two penile needle aspirations and three surgical drainages were performed with associated antibiotic therapy. He evolved with erectile dysfunction refractory to drug therapy and his infectious condition improved. An early penile prosthesis implantation followed after the use of a vacuum pump in an attempt to decrease the fibrotic process of the corpora cavernosa. Final results were positive.
Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa: 30 years follow-up
Authors: Weller Julia M , Michelson Georg , Juenemann Anselm G
Published: February 2014

This case report depicts the clinical course of a female patient with unilateral retinitis pigmentosa (RP), who presented first in 1984 at the age of 43 years. At the beginning, there were cells in the vitreous leading to the diagnosis of uveitis with vasculitis. Within 30 years, the complete clinical manifestation of RP developed with bone spicule-shaped pigment deposits, pale optic disc, narrowed arterioles, cystoid macular oedema, posterior subcapsular cataract, concentric narrowing of the visual field and undetectable electroretinogram signal. At the age of 72 years, there are still no signs of retinal dystrophy in the other eye.
Acute exercise ameliorates differences in insulin resistance between physically active and sedentary overweight adults
Authors: Nelson Rachael K. , Horowitz Jeffrey F.
Published: February 2014

Although regular exercise is associated with reduced cardiometabolic disease risk among overweight adults, it remains unclear whether much of the health benefits of exercise are derived from the most recent session(s) of exercise or if they are the result of adaptations stemming from weeks, months, or even years of training. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of habitual and acute exercise on key markers of cardiometabolic disease risk in overweight adults. We compared insulin sensitivity index (ISI) using an oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure (BP), blood lipids, and systemic inflammatory cytokines in 12 overweight to mildly obese adults (BMI: 27–34 kg/m2) who exercise regularly (EX; >2.5 h exercise per week) with a well-matched cohort of 12 nonexercisers (Non-EX). Baseline measurements in EX were performed exactly 3 days after exercise, whereas Non-EX remained sedentary. We repeated these measurements the day after a session of exercise in both groups. At baseline, ISI was significantly greater in EX versus Non-EX (3.1 ± 0.2 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2; p = 0.02), but BP, blood lipids, and plasma concentration of the systemic inflammatory cytokines we measured were not different between groups. Acute exercise increased ISI the next morning in Non-EX (2.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.8 ± 0.3; p = 0.03) but not EX. As a result, ISI was similar between groups the morning after exercise. In summary, exercising regularly was accompanied by a persistent improvement in insulin sensitivity that lasted at least 3 days after exercise in overweight adults, but just one session of exercise increased insulin sensitivity among sedentary overweight adults to levels equivalent to the regular exercisers.
Plant traits and taxonomy drive host associations in tropical phyllosphere fungal communities
Authors: Kembel Steven W. , Mueller Rebecca C.
Published: February 2014

The aerial surface of plants, known as the phyllosphere, represents a widespread and diverse habitat for microbes, but the fungal communities colonizing the surface of leaves are not well characterized, and how these communities are assembled on hosts is unknown. We used high-throughput sequencing of fungal communities on the leaves of 51 tree species in a lowland tropical rainforest in Panama to examine the influence of host plant taxonomy and traits on the fungi colonizing the phyllosphere. Fungal communities on leaves were dominated by the phyla Ascomycota (79% of all sequences), Basidiomycota (11%), and Chytridiomycota (5%). Host plant taxonomic identity explained more than half of the variation in fungal community composition across trees, and numerous host functional traits related to leaf morphology, leaf chemistry, and plant growth and mortality were significantly associated with fungal community structure. Differences in fungal biodiversity among hosts suggest that individual tree species support unique fungal communities and that diverse tropical forests also support a large number of fungal species. Similarities between phyllosphere and decomposer communities suggest that fungi inhabiting living leaves may have significant roles in ecosystem functioning in tropical forests.
Indicator variables for a robust estimation of an acoustic index of abundance
Authors: Bez Nicolas , Braham Cheikh-Baye
Published: February 2014

In North West Africa, pelagic fisheries are an essential economic sector. However, the scientific community fails to perform satisfactory assessments of key pelagic species like sardinella, owing to a lack of relevant indices of abundance to tune the model. This paper provides an alternative acoustic index based on a semiquantitative modelisation of acoustic densities. Acoustic energy is split into binomial variables coding for null, low, medium, large, and very large densities. A multivariate geostatistical approach allows (i) mapping the spatial distribution of classes of densities and (ii) computing a new acoustic index of abundance for Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis. We used the surveys of RV Fridtjof Nansen (1995–2006) and RV Al-Awam (2007–2010). Our results indicated that empirical spatial structures were highly stable over time for both between areas and surveys. Co-kriging maps also showed that sardinella had stable hot spots of distribution. The indices of abundance developed in the present study were tested in an assessment procedure and outperformed all the indices used routinely by the FAO–CECAF (Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic) assessment working group.
Simulation of the structure of GeAs4Te7 chalcogenide materials during memory switching
Authors: Popescu M. , Sava F. , Velea A. , Lőrinczi A. , Simandan I.D.
Published: February 2014

The complex chalcogenides with excellent memory switching properties are mainly situated close to the border of glass formation domain. The simulation of the structural changes occurring during the memory switching process of a ternary chalcogenide composition has been carried out. The transition of a high resistivity GeAs4Te7 amorphous cluster with 120 atoms to a low resistivity crystalline cluster was analyzed. The coordination of atoms changes from that corresponding to 8-N coordination rule (two for tellurium, three for arsenic, and four for germanium) in the amorphous phase to six (the same for all atoms) in metastable crystalline phase. Because of spatial constraints exercised by the amorphous matrix, the amorphous cluster cannot expand. In these circumstances Te atoms seem to be over-coordinated (up to sixfold-coordinated). During the switching process, the atoms are moving on distances up to 4.0 Å. The average displacement is of 2.36 Å.
THE MULTILEVEL TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVING FILTERLESS CLASS-D AUDIO AMPLIFIERS
Authors: LIN CHUN-WEI , HSIEH BING-SHIUN
Published: February 2014

Class-D amplifier features very high efficiency on power delivery because its switching operation consumes tiny static power on very low on-resistance. In this work, a multilevel technique is presented to improve total-harmonic-distortion (THD) and signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of pulse-width-modulation (PWM) filterless class-D amplifiers. The proposed method consists of a multilevel converter and a time division adder (TDA) followed by PWM modulator. The PWM-modulated signal is arranged into several time divisions and then integrated and encoded to a set of parallel control signals for multilevel converter. Instead of the two-level PWM signal, the output signal of a multilevel converter is as stairway with less transient variation. The performance of THD and SNR are therefore improved because the instantaneous variation of signal is greatly reduced. To demonstrate the proposed method, a filterless audio amplifier was implemented by TSMC 5 V–0.35 μm CMOS technology. With 8 Ω speaker and 550 mW maximum power, experiment results show that the THD, SNR and power efficiency can be achieved over 0.02%, 85 dB and 85%, respectively.
A CIRCUIT SIMPLIFICATION FOR AC POWER SUPPLY SPD
Authors: SHENG CAIWANG , ZHANG XIAOQING
Published: February 2014

An attempt is made for simplifying the circuit structure of the surge protective device (SPD) installed on single-phase AC power supply lines of electronic systems. In the light of the drawback of the traditional circuit, a simplified circuit is proposed. The simplified circuit can substantially reduce the number of the protective components and the size of the SPD chassis. In order to compare the protective performances between the traditional and simplified circuits, an impulse experimental arrangement is built to measure their residual voltages. The measured results show that the voltage protection level of the simplified circuit is the same as that of the traditional circuit. Therefore, replacement of the traditional circuit by the simplified circuit is really feasible in lightning overvoltage protection of AC power supplies of electronic systems.
A FAST AND LOW SETTLING ERROR CONTINUOUS-TIME COMMON-MODE FEEDBACK CIRCUIT BASED ON DIFFERENTIAL DIFFERENCE AMPLIFIER
Authors: KHANESHAN TOHID MORADI , NAGHAVI SAEED , NEMATZADE MOJDE , HADIDI KHAYROLLAH , ABRISHAMIFAR ADIB , KHOEI ABDOLLAH
Published: February 2014

A high-speed and high-accuracy continuous-time common-mode feedback block (CMFB) is presented. To satisfy speed and accuracy requirements, some modifications have been applied on differential difference amplifier (DDA) CMFB circuit. The proposed method is applied to a folded cascode op-amp with power supply of 3.3 V. In order to verify the proposed circuit, simulations are done in 0.35 μm standard CMOS technology. In the worst condition when the output common-mode (CM) voltage is initialized to VCC or GND, only 1.1 ns is required to set the output CM voltage on the desired level. Also in a wide range of input CM voltage variations, the deviation of the output CM voltage from reference voltage is less than 6 mV, so simulation results confirm the expected accuracy and speed while simultaneously the proposed CMFB circuit preserves other characteristics of DDA CMFB circuit such as unity gain frequency, 3-dB bandwidth, phase margin and linearity.
Isomorphy classes of k-involutions of G2
Authors: Hutchens John
Published: February 2014

Isomorphy classes of k-involutions have been studied for their correspondence with symmetric k-varieties, also called generalized symmetric spaces. A symmetric k-variety of a k-group G is defined as Gk/Hk where θ : G → G is an automorphism of order 2 that is defined over k and Gk and Hk are the k-rational points of G and H = Gθ, the fixed point group of θ, respectively. This is a continuation of papers written by A. G. Helminck and collaborators [Involutions of SL (2, k), (n > 2), Acta Appl. Math.90(1–2) (2006) 91–119, Classification of involutions of SO (n; k; b), to appear, On the classification of k-involutions, Adv. Math.153(1) (1988) 1–117, Classification of involutions of SL (2, k), Comm. Algebra30(1) (2002) 193–203] expanding on his combinatorial classification over certain fields. Results have been achieved for groups of type A, B and D. Here we begin a series of papers doing the same for algebraic groups of exceptional type.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX STATE ON UNIAXIAL STRETCHING FOR TENOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION
Authors: MORITA YASUYUKI , SUZUKI SATOSHI , JU YANG , KAWASE NAOKI
Published: February 2014

There have been no previous reports of tendon tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with regard to quantitative evaluation of protein expression levels and observation of derived extracellular matrix (ECM) state. Therefore, we approached tendon tissue engineering from both perspectives. Human bone marrow MSCs (hBMSCs) were subjected to 8% or 10% cyclic stretching at 1 Hz to promote differentiation into tenocytes and ECM production. The type I collagen (Col I) and Tenascin-C (Tnc) protein expression levels were evaluated quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Confocal fluorescence microscopy was employed to observe the derived ECM state. Col I state derived from 10%-stretched cells as ECM was elongated like actual tendon ECM, although the quantitative protein expression levels were slightly higher in 8%-stretched cells. The results suggested that the optimal uniaxial stretching ratio was different between protein expression levels and derived ECM state. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to both protein expression levels and ECM state in tendon tissue engineering.
MICROWAVE-ASSISTED HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS AND LUMINESCENCE PROPERTIES OF Eu3+-DOPED CdTe QUANTUM DOTS
Authors: CHEN HU , LIU YUNFEI , LU YINONG , WU HONGMING , QIAN HAO , HUANG BAOSHUAI
Published: February 2014

The Eu 3+-doped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully synthesized in aqueous phase through microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray photoclectron spectrum (XPS), UV-visble (UV-Vis) absorption spectrum and photoluminescence (PL). As the results show, the average sizes of the cubic phase CdTe and CdTe :1% Eu 3+ are an average size of 3.7 nm and 3.5 nm, respectively. The average lattice parameter of CdTe : Eu 3+ decreases with increasing Eu 3+ ions concentration. Furthermore, compared to green emission of the host CdTe , the CdTe :1% Eu 3+ presents additional orange fluorescence emission of Eu 3+ ions. Recombination luminescence color is almost located in the yellow region of the CIE 1931, and the CIE 1931 coordinate is (0.448, 0.513). The effect of different Eu 3+ doping concentration on the luminescence of CdTe : Eu 3+ QDs was discussed in detail. It suggests that CdTe : Eu 3+ QDs are potential phosphors for white light-emitting materials.