bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate High‐Pressure Measurements of Carbon Monoxide's Electrical Properties
Authors: Tsankova Gergana , Richter Markus , Stanwix Paul L. , May Eric F. , Span Roland
Published: December 2017

Accurate measurements of carbon monoxide's electrical properties were carried out at high pressure for the first time enabling stringent comparisons with theoretical values calculated ab initio. Dielectric permittivity measurements were conducted utilising a microwave re‐entrant cavity resonator over the temperature range from (255 to 313) K and at pressures up to 8 MPa with a relative combined expanded uncertainty (k=2) less than or equal to 52 ppm. The new data enable carbon monoxide's molar polarizability to be correlated within 0.5 %, significantly improving upon existing literature data, which have a relative scatter of about 10 %. The measured molecular polarizability and electric dipole moment of carbon monoxide were determined to be 2.176×10−40 C2 m2 J−1 and 0.107 D. Literature values from ab initio calculations for these properties are within 0.28 % and 3.9 %, respectively, of the measured quantities. Moreover, our measurement of the electric dipole moment at finite temperature agrees within 2.2 % with the value derived from accurate spectroscopic measurements for the ground rovibrational state. The second dielectric virial coefficient of carbon monoxide was determined experimentally for the first time to be bϵ=(1.015±0.044) cm3 mol−1, which compares reasonably with ab initio estimates.
Intense Vibronic Modulation of the Chiral Photoelectron Angular Distribution Generated by Photoionization of Limonene Enantiomers with Circularly Polarized Synchrotron Radiation
Authors: Rafiee Fanood Mohammad M. , Ganjitabar Hassan , Garcia Gustavo A. , Nahon Laurent , Turchini Stefano , Powis Ivan
Published: December 2017

Photoionization of the chiral monoterpene limonene has been investigated using polarized synchrotron radiation between the adiabatic ionization threshold, 8.505 and 23.5 eV. A rich vibrational structure is seen in the threshold photoelectron spectrum and is interpreted using a variety of computational methods. The corresponding photoelectron circular dichroism—measured in the photoelectron angular distribution as a forward–backward asymmetry with respect to the photon direction—was found to be strongly dependent on the vibronic structure appearing in the photoelectron spectra, with the observed asymmetry even switching direction in between the major vibrational peaks. This effect can be ultimately attributed to the sensitivity of this dichroism to small phase shifts between adjacent partial waves of the outgoing photoelectron. These observations have implications for potential applications of this chiroptical technique, where the enantioselective analysis of monoterpene components is of particular interest.
In Vitro Assays for the Functional Characterization of the Dopamine Transporter (DAT)
Authors: Aggarwal Shaili , Mortensen Ole V.
Published: December 2017

Detailed in this unit are protocols for studying the in vitro uptake of dopamine (DA) as a means for defining the functional characteristics of dopamine transporters. All assays are performed using commercially available cell lines that transiently express the transporter under investigation. The three main assays provided are: a kinetic assay to calculate the affinity (KM) and maximal velocity (Vmax) of radiolabeled DA uptake into cells; concentration‐response assays to measure the potencies (IC50/Ki values) of test compounds as transport inhibitors; and an efflux assay to assess the ability and potency (EC50) of a ligand to elicit reverse transport of DA accumulated in the cell. Although the methods are described using DAT and its ligands, the same procedure can be employed for studying serotonin and norepinephrine transporters as well. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acknowledge and develop leadership skills in students
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: December 2017

One early morning last fall in the chilly darkness, I headed to a rural campus to celebrate another of our Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership events. The asphalt was black with faded lines, the sky a midnight blue, and the sides of the road dark green with pine trees and scrub brush. When I go that way, I am keenly aware of how difficult it is to see and how likely it is that a deer will dart out in front of me.
De novo assembly and characterization of the Hucho taimen transcriptome
Authors: Tong Guang‐Xiang , Xu Wei , Zhang Yong‐Quan , Zhang Qing‐Yu , Yin Jia‐Sheng , Kuang You‐Yi
Published: December 2017

Taimen (Hucho taimen) is an important ecological and economic species that is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; however, limited genomic information is available on this species. RNA‐Seq is a useful tool for obtaining genetic information and developing genetic markers for nonmodel species in addition to its application in gene expression profiling. In this study, we performed a comprehensive RNA‐Seq analysis of taimen. We obtained 157 M clean reads (14.7 Gb) and used them to de novo assemble a high‐quality transcriptome with a N50 size of 1,060 bp. In the assembly, 82% of the transcripts were annotated using several databases, and 14,666 of the transcripts contained a full open reading frame. The assembly covered 75% of the transcripts of Atlantic salmon and 57.3% of the protein‐coding genes of rainbow trout. To learn about the genome evolution, we performed a systematic comparative analysis across 11 teleosts including eight salmonids and found 313 unique gene families in taimen. Using Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout transcriptomes as the background, we identified 250 positive selection transcripts. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed a unique characteristic of taimen: It possesses more immune‐related genes than Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout; moreover, some genes have undergone strong positive selection. We also developed a pipeline for identifying microsatellite marker genotypes in samples and successfully identified 24 polymorphic microsatellite markers for taimen. These data and tools are useful for studying conservation genetics, phylogenetics, evolution among salmonids, and selective breeding for threatened taimen.
Careers in ecology: a fine‐scale investigation of national data from the U.S. Survey of Doctorate Recipients
Authors: Hampton Stephanie E. , Labou Stephanie G.
Published: December 2017

For several decades, economists have been warning the academic community that graduate training has been too tightly focused on careers in higher education, using the apprenticeship model in which students are trained to become tenure‐track faculty at research‐focused institutions. These jobs are simply not growing at the same rate as graduate admissions. In biomedical research, the mismatch in supply and demand has now been widely recognized. Other disciplines have begun these discussions, but for smaller fields, employment trends are more difficult to identify because they are subsumed in aggregated national statistics. For non‐biomedical biological fields in particular, such as ecology, using biology statistics may be inappropriate since trends within the field may be obscured by the strong signal from biomedical disciplines. Here, we use the 2013 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) to investigate career paths for ecology Ph.D. recipients in the United States, and present the first fine‐scale national profile of careers in ecology. Our results demonstrate that while involuntary unemployment is low for ecology Ph.D. recipients (3.3%) and job satisfaction is high, the assumptions of the prevailing apprenticeship model are inappropriate: Less than 20% of employed recent ecology Ph.D. graduates are in tenure‐track positions at a Ph.D.‐granting university. Accordingly, proactive steps could be taken to create more realistic expectations about graduate training and preparation for diverse careers. Further, the SDR data provide demographic profiles for ecology. Ethnic diversity has remained low in ecology (7.5% non‐Caucasian for Ph.D. recipients since 2000). Gender balance in career‐track positions appears to have improved by multiple metrics. However, women are overrepresented in non‐tenure‐track academic positions, where access to resources that support professional advancement may be limited relative to tenure‐track jobs, and salary disparities appear for women in private academic institutions. Thus, while there is much good news in these data, we suggest that ecology as a field would benefit from (1) a broad analysis of the training required to make Ph.D.s best prepared for jobs outside of the research‐oriented tenure track and (2) continued attention to increasing diversity and equity.
Robust bias correction model for estimation of global trend in marine populations
Authors: Komori Osamu , Eguchi Shinto , Saigusa Yusuke , Okamura Hiroshi , Ichinokawa Momoko
Published: December 2017

In modeling biological and ecological processes from data, it is essential to deal with data selection bias properly in order to obtain reliable and reasonable predictions. To incorporate the mechanism of selection bias into a statistical analysis, a propensity score (PS) is widely employed as an inverse probability weight in order to obtain a consistent estimation of a binary response variable of interest. However, the estimation performance often becomes unstable due to the mis‐estimation of the PS. In order to obtain a consistent estimation as well as to stabilize the estimation performance, we propose a new regression model that incorporates the PS as an explanatory variable. Moreover, we show that the proposed model has a the property of double robustness, which enables us to obtain a consistent estimation of the response without suffering from selection bias if either the PS model or the proposed model is correctly specified. The robust bias correction model also accommodates heterogeneity of data distributions based on an asymmetric logistic model, which in turn improves model fitting and prediction accuracy. The PS in our regression model enables us to estimate consistently the global fish stock status even if the information of the stock status available is biased.
Landscape indicators of groundwater nitrate concentrations: an approach for trans‐border aquifer monitoring
Authors: Gallagher Tanya L. , Gergel Sarah E.
Published: December 2017

Groundwater is the primary source of nearly half the freshwater used in drinking and cooking worldwide. Excess nitrate contamination of groundwater is a growing health concern, particularly in regions of intensive agriculture. Monitoring the world's nearly 500 transboundary aquifer bodies is complicated by the complexities associated with multi‐jurisdictional governance, disparities in data collection, and inconsistencies in geospatial data among countries. In a region where elevated groundwater nitrate concentrations are linked to overlying land use practices and land cover, we develop landscape indicators characterizing likely sources and examine their correspondence with groundwater nitrate concentrations. We evaluate an aquifer spanning the United States and Canada (the Abbotsford–Sumas aquifer) and ask two primary questions: Are nitrate concentrations in the aquifer changing over time? How well do landscape indicators help explain patterns of groundwater nitrate concentrations? To answer our first question, a time series (2005–2013) of groundwater nitrate concentrations was examined for 15 shallow wells using Mann–Kendall trend analysis tests. Nitrate concentrations in nine of the fifteen monitoring wells decreased while two increased over time. To answer our second question, a seamless harmonized cross‐border land cover mosaic was created using available U.S. and Canadian land use and land cover data. Landscape indicators such as crop type (proportion of raspberries, forage, and pasture, etc.) were measured in terrestrial zones of influence (of varying sized radii which incorporated groundwater flow direction) surrounding each well. Backward stepwise regression was used to identify parsimonious models of landscape indicators which explain nitrate concentrations in the United States and Canada. The proportions of different berry types (e.g., blueberries and raspberries, and mixed berries), forage/pasture, and area of renovations explained 21–72% of the variance in groundwater nitrate concentrations, depending on zonal scale, direction, and/or jurisdiction. As very few studies have quantitatively linked groundwater nitrate concentrations to land use, land cover, or land use practices, our work provides an important transportable approach that is highly relevant to other regions facing similar management challenges.
Uranyl Ion Complexes with Chiral Malic and Citramalic, and Prochiral Citric and Tricarballylic Acids: Influence of Coligands and Additional Metal Cations
Authors: Thuéry Pierre , Harrowfield Jack
Published: December 2017

Seven homo‐ or heterometallic uranyl ion complexes with R,S‐malic (H3ml), R‐citramalic (H3cml), citric (H4cit), and tricarballylic (H3tca) acids were obtained under (solvo‐)hydrothermal conditions and characterized by their crystal structures, and for five of them, by their uranyl emission spectra. All of the malate, citramalate, and citrate complexes contain the frequently observed 2:2 dimeric uranyl subunit in which the alkoxide group is bridging, these subunits being generally assembled into one‐dimensional (1D) polymeric chains by bridging carboxylate groups. Complexes [(UO2)4(ml)2(C2O4)(NMP)4] (1) and [(UO2)2Cu2(ml)2(C2O4)(phen)2] (2), which contain oxalate anions formed in situ, crystallize as two‐dimensional (2D) networks, the increase in dimensionality being provided by uranyl or copper oxalate bridges. The complex [(UO2)2Ni(cml)2(cyclam)] (3) is also a 2D species, while [(UO2)2Cd(cml)2(bipy)(H2O)2] (4) crystallizes as a three‐dimensional (3D) framework (even if CdII cations are disregarded). The complex [(UO2)2Zn(Hcit)2(bipy)2(H2O)] (5) is a 1D polymer with decorating Zn(bipy)2(H2O)2+ groups, while [(UO2)2Cd(Hcit)2(bipy)2] (6) is a 2D network. The complex [(UO2)2Pb(tca)2(H2O)4] (7), in which the three carboxylate groups are chelating and two of them are further bridging, is a 3D framework. The uranyl emission spectra of complexes 3–6 are in agreement with a previously described trend, the largest blueshift being found for the eight‐coordinate complex 7.
Copper‐Catalyzed S‐Arylation Starting from Arylboronic Acids and Tetraalkylthiuram Disulfide
Authors: Xu Wan , Gao Fan , Dong Zhi‐Bing
Published: December 2017

A convenient and useful protocol for the synthesis of diverse S‐aryl dithiocarbamates was studied. Starting from arylboronic acid and tetraalkylthiuram disulfide, copper‐catalyzed C–S coupling proceeds smoothly to give the desired S‐aryl dithiocarbamates in good to excellent yields. The broad substrate scope, short reaction time, easy performance, cheap substrates, and nice yields make this approach attractive, showing its practical synthetic value for the preparation of some biologically or pharmaceutically active compounds.
The impact of technology on U.S. and worldwide higher education
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: December 2017

In their book The Innovative University, published in 2011, authors Clayton M. Christensen and Henry J. Eyring define the “theory of disruptive innovation.” The authors make the case that while the traditional university is still indispensable, technology and innovation are disrupting the status quo. They list online learning as one example of disruptive innovation and caution colleges and universities to “rethink the entire traditional higher education model.”
Recipe for Conducting Quality Accreditation Site Visits
Authors: Capela Stanley , Frisino Joseph M.
Published: December 2017

This chapter describes key ingredients that contribute to a successful accreditation site visit. The authors describe the site‐visit process as it currently exists for organizations seeking accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). The chapter focuses on the logistical aspects of a successful site visit rather than the results of the site visit itself. Based on their experience, the authors share key ingredients needed to ensure quality accreditation site visits.
Site Visits: Conversations for Practice
Authors: Newhouse Corey , Roseland Denise , Lawrenz Frances
Published: December 2017

The existence of multiple purposes for site visits can explain some of the variation seen in the design and use of site visits in practice. In some instances, site visits are one element of a larger evaluation design where results are blended with data from a variety of sources. In other instances, site visits stand alone as the entire evaluation. This chapter discusses three case studies from the perspective of evaluation practitioners that are aligned with the typology presented in the previous chapter by Chapman Haynes, Murphy, and Patton. They illustrate three distinct conditions where site visits have been used in evaluation. The cases selected include two site visits that are part of a suite of numerous evaluation activities that comprise the evaluation design and one case where the site visit comprises the entire evaluation. The chapter concludes with five cross‐cutting themes that form practical considerations for incorporating site visits into evaluation practice.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Site‐Visit Quality and Use
Authors: Nelson Randi K.
Published: December 2017

The chapter is an exploration of site‐visit practices used in diverse program contexts based on individual telephone interviews in 2016 with 41 individuals who participated in site visits that were part of evaluations conducted within and outside of the United States. Participants included professional evaluators, site‐visit commissioners, and staff of U.S. programs that were the subject of site visits. The findings are based on the diverse perspectives expressed about characteristics of effective site visitors, strategies for conducting high‐quality site visits, and approaches to identifying and handling impression management. Most, but not all, participants said effective site visitors were those who had good interpersonal skills, content and evaluation expertise and knowledge, cultural competence, and were nonjudgmental. There were interesting differences of opinion among participants about the relative importance of content and evaluation expertise. Strategies for conducting effective site visits included careful preparation, having a clearly articulated and communicated purpose, focusing on learning and program improvement, setting a positive and collaborative tone, and using a team approach. Most participants said impression management on the part of program staff was common and not unexpected. Strategies to reduce the impact of impression management included triangulation of data sources, using elements of control and surprise in planning and conducting the visit, visiting frequently for longer periods, and focusing on learning and improvement.
Technological complexity and the global dispersal of modern humans
Authors: Hoffecker John F. , Hoffecker Ian T.
Published: December 2017

Anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) dispersed out of Africa roughly 120,000 years ago and again after 75,000 years ago. The early dispersal was geographically restricted to the Arabian Peninsula, Levant, and possibly parts of southern Asia. The later dispersal was ultimately global in scope, including areas not previously occupied by Homo. One explanation for the contrast between the two out‐of‐Africa dispersals is that the modern humans who expanded into Eurasia 120,000 years ago lacked the functionally and structurally complex technology of recent hunter‐gatherers. This technology, which includes, for example, mechanical projectiles, snares and traps, and sewn clothing, provides not only expanded dietary breadth and increased rates of foraging efficiency and success in places where plant and animal productivity is low, but protection from cold weather in places where winter temperatures are low. The absence of complex technology before 75,000 years ago also may explain why modern humans in the Levant did not develop sedentary settlements and agriculture 120,000 years ago (i.e., during the Last Interglacial).
Renewables, Gas Prices, Slack Demand to Create Crossroads for Utilities
Authors: Wong Alex
Published: December 2017

Disruption is a buzzword that is applied to any industry in which the status quo is upended, thus creating financial stress and/or siphoning market share away from incumbent participants.
Early Cretaceous Extensional‐tectonism‐related petrology of the Gan‐Hang Belt SE China: Lingshan A‐type granite at ca. 130 Ma
Authors: Wang Cunzhi , Zhao Xilin , Huang Zhizhong , Xing Guangfu , Wang Lianxun
Published: December 2017

A number of Late Mesozoic (ca. 130 Ma) A‐type granitic plutons have been identified in Southeast (SE) China. The Lingshan pluton, located in the Gan‐Hang Belt, is a typical one which is mainly composed of coarse‐grained biotite monzogranite in the pluton centre and medium‐ to coarse‐grained syenogranite on the margin. Zircons from three representative samples show U–Pb ages of 132.0 ± 1.3, 134.4 ± 2.1, and 133.0 ± 1.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that the Lingshan pluton were formed in the Early Cretaceous. The Lingshan granites display typical A‐type affinities, with high SiO2, K2O, Na2O + K2O, rare earth element (REE) and high field strength element (HFSE) contents, high Ga/Al and Fe# [FeOT/(FeOT + MgO)] ratios and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents, and apparent depletion of Ba, Sr, Ti, and Eu. The calculated zircon saturation temperatures (TZr) are high, ranging from 841 to 966 °C (mean of 886 °C). The εHf (t) values and TDM2 (Hf) of the Lingshan granites mainly vary from −3.0 to 0.2 and 1.18 to 1.38 Ga, respectively. Consistently, the εNd(t) values vary from −3.9 to −2.8 and TDM2 (Nd) range from 1.16 to 1.26 Ga. These isotopic data indicate that the Lingshan granites were likely to be generated by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic metamorphic basement rocks with the involvement of a certain amount of mantle‐derived materials. Subsequent fractional crystallization processes were also suggested during subsequent magma evolution. We propose that the ca. 130 Ma Lingshan granites together with other coetaneous A‐type granitic rocks from adjacent region indicate a back‐arc extensional setting in SE China during Early Cretaceous. The extension event might be caused by the rollback of paleo‐Pacific Plate which results in upwelling of the asthenosphere and subsequently induces a high degree partial melting of Mesoproterozoic basement sedimentary material, to generate the A‐type granitic plutons along the Gan‐Hang Belt.
The diagenetic and tectonic significance of hydrocarbon accumulation in the southern Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Hu Hanwen , Tian Xiaoru , Zhang Jian , Zhuo Qingong , Jia Chengzao , Guo Zhaojie
Published: December 2017

The Jurassic petroleum system plays an increasingly important role in petroleum explorations in the southern Junggar Basin. To assess the hydrocarbon distribution and the accumulation history of the Jurassic reservoirs in this area, we carried out reservoir petrographic, fluorescence spectroscopic, and fluid inclusion petrographic analyses on the core and cutting samples from the QQ‐2 well in the Qigu Anticline. The oil accumulation has the partiality for high‐quality sandstone reservoirs that have the high porosity and permeability with values of 14–18% and (1–450) × 10−2 μm2, respectively, in the Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation (J2t) reservoirs. The pores are big with average diameters of 60–100 μm, and the pore throats are wide with values of 3.45–6.92 μm in the oil reservoirs. The intergranular pores survive thanks to the poor compaction and the poor cementation, and the dissolved and mould pores develop attributed to the strong dissolution in the oil reservoirs. Two episodes of oil charging and one episode of gas invasion were identified in the Middle Jurassic reservoirs in the southern Junggar Basin. The low‐maturity paleo‐oil charged the sandstone reservoirs at about 35 Ma when the paleo‐traps took shape during the Cretaceous–Eocene. A large number of faults and anticlinal traps was developed in the southern Junggar Basin at about 7 Ma, caused by the reactivation of the Tianshan Mountains in the late Cenozoic. Simultaneously, the leakage of the paleo‐oil, the accumulation of late oil, and the gas invasion all took place. Fault activities led to the leakage of paleo‐oil and helped the oil and gas accumulate in the Middle Jurassic reservoirs in the anticlinal trap shaping at about 7–8 Ma in the southern Junggar Basin.
Evaluation of the potential land for biofuel plant development in the Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Yin Fang , Yang Xuefei , Wang Hanlin , Liu Lei , Meng Xianpeng
Published: December 2017

As a renewable energy, biofuel has greatly attracted worldwide attention due to the growing demands for cleaner sources of energy as an intervention to mitigate the serious environmental problems associated with fossil fuel consumption. As an important non‐food biodiesel plant, Pistacia chinensis has a promising prospect for bioenergy development. Based on the principles of multifactor integrated assessment, this paper provides an operational method for comprehensively evaluating the marginal land resources suitable for developing the plantation of Pistacia chinensis in Shaanxi province, China. The results show that the areas of marginal land resources suitable and fairly suitable for growing Pistacia chinensis in Shaanxi province are 1.21 million hectares and 4.45 million hectares, respectively. The suitable land resources are mainly located in Hanzhong (0.44 million hectares), Ankang (0.30 million hectares), and Shangluo (0.31 million hectares), most of which are moderate dense grassland (accounting for 50.65%), dense grassland (accounting for 21.83%), shrub land (accounting for 8.62%), and sparse forest land (accounting for 15.32%). The comparison between the results and field work data suggests that the pixel size of spatial data and soil organic matter content have important impacts on the final results. The outcome of this research can be used to implement specific policies for developing Pistacia chinensis in China and other countries especially the countries along the Silk Road.
Factors influencing accuracy of cortical thickness in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Belathur Suresh Mahanand , Fischl Bruce , Salat David H. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Published: December 2017

There is great value to use of structural neuroimaging in the assessment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, to date, predictive value of structural imaging tend to range between 80% and 90% in accuracy and it is unclear why this is the case given that structural imaging should parallel the pathologic processes of AD. There is a possibility that clinical misdiagnosis relative to the gold standard pathologic diagnosis and/or additional brain pathologies are confounding factors contributing to reduced structural imaging classification accuracy. We examined potential factors contributing to misclassification of individuals with clinically diagnosed AD purely from cortical thickness measures. Correctly classified and incorrectly classified groups were compared across a range of demographic, biological, and neuropsychological data including cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, amyloid imaging, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, cognitive, and genetic factors. Individual subject analyses suggested that at least a portion of the control individuals misclassified as AD from structural imaging additionally harbor substantial AD biomarker pathology and risk, yet are relatively resistant to cognitive symptoms, likely due to “cognitive reserve,” and therefore clinically unimpaired. In contrast, certain clinical control individuals misclassified as AD from cortical thickness had increased WMH volume relative to other controls in the sample, suggesting that vascular conditions may contribute to classification accuracy from cortical thickness measures. These results provide examples of factors that contribute to the accuracy of structural imaging in predicting a clinical diagnosis of AD, and provide important information about considerations for future work aimed at optimizing structural based diagnostic classifiers for AD.
Multilevel convergence of interoceptive impairments in hypertension: New evidence of disrupted body–brain interactions
Authors: Yoris Adrián , Abrevaya Sofía , Esteves Sol , Salamone Paula , Lori Nicolás , Martorell Miguel , Legaz Agustina , Alifano Florencia , Petroni Agustín , Sánchez Ramiro , Sedeño Lucas , García Adolfo M. , Ibáñez Agustín
Published: December 2017

Interoception, the sensing of visceral body signals, involves an interplay between neural and autonomic mechanisms. Clinical studies into this domain have focused on patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders, showing that damage to relevant brain mechanisms can variously alter interoceptive functions. However, the association between peripheral cardiac‐system alterations and neurocognitive markers of interoception remains poorly understood. To bridge this gap, we examined multidimensional neural markers of interoception in patients with early stage of hypertensive disease (HTD) and healthy controls. Strategically, we recruited only HTD patients without cognitive impairment (as shown by neuropsychological tests), brain atrophy (as assessed with voxel‐based morphometry), or white matter abnormalities (as evidenced by diffusion tensor imaging analysis). Interoceptive domains were assessed through (a) a behavioral heartbeat detection task; (b) measures of the heart‐evoked potential (HEP), an electrophysiological cortical signature of attention to cardiac signals; and (c) neuroimaging recordings (MRI and fMRI) to evaluate anatomical and functional connectivity properties of key interoceptive regions (namely, the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex). Relative to controls, patients exhibited poorer interoceptive performance and reduced HEP modulations, alongside an abnormal association between interoceptive performance and both the volume and functional connectivity of the above regions. Such results suggest that peripheral cardiac‐system impairments can be associated with abnormal behavioral and neurocognitive signatures of interoception. More generally, our findings indicate that interoceptive processes entail bidirectional influences between the cardiovascular and the central nervous systems.
Organisational adoption of telecommuting: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Ansong Eric , Boateng Richard
Published: December 2017

Even though telecommuting has been a growing phenomenon in the more advanced world over the past 2 decades, businesses in Africa and more specifically West Africa are yet to adopt the practice, hence providing a gap for research into telecommuting in a developing country such as Ghana to be filled. The study sought to investigate the technological, environmental, and organisational factors that influence telecommuting adoption and to also examine the potential benefits of adopting telecommuting in the operations of Ericsson Ghana.

Technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework was used as the guiding lens. The study, from the critical realism perspective, adopted the qualitative research approach. Hence, Ericsson Ghana was selected as the case. Miles and Huberman's transcendental realism data analysis approach was used for the case study.

This study's findings established that the staff and the company as a whole benefited from the adoption of telecommuting practices. The study also identified some factors that influence the adoption of telecommuting. Contribution is therefore made by the findings of the study to the body of knowledge by probing into strategies and guidelines for implementing telecommuting in Ghana and to a larger extent West Africa. Arguably, few studies have been conducted on telecommuting from a developing economy's perspective using the TOE framework. Again, this study provides the guideline for policy discourse in relation to telecommuting adoption in Ghana.

The originality of this study lies in the ability to identify an organisation in a developing country such as Ghana, which has institutionalised telecommuting practices for a case study.
Information technology to support digitally networked action in developing economies: A case of Nyanzi's #Pads4GirlsUg campaign
Authors: Kasadha Juma
Published: December 2017

Advancement in the use of information technologies (ITs) has contributed to the invention of new communicative features, in particular social media networks. In developed economies, use of social media contributed to the digitally networked action (DNA) of Occupy Wall Street and los indignados in Spain. Through use of social media, European cities digitally connected and collectively called upon world leaders to eradicate poverty, create jobs, and show commitment to climate change during the G20 summit. In the developing economies of Africa, there is need for scholarly studies that examine how technologies, in particular social media networks, have been adopted in building a DNA based on informally shared knowledge. This study focuses on examining how connectivity through social media technology helped in mobilizing the Ugandan Community to support a DNA for girl child education necessities of sanitary requirements. This was through a digitally networked #Pads4GirlsUg campaign based on assumptions of social identity theory to build on connectivity theorization. Findings in this ethnography study contribute new knowledge in understanding how IT creates awareness based on informally shared knowledge resulting into DNA. The studied DNA increased levels of awareness and mobilized Ugandan communities to support girl child education. Over 2000 girls in different parts of Uganda benefited from digitally mobilized sanitary requirements and resulted in the government scrapping value‐added tax on sanitary requirements. In future studies, the use of IT for DNA should be investigated, as well as its contributions to policy at national, regional, and international levels.
Digitally connected living and quality of life: An analysis of the Gauteng City‐Region, South Africa
Authors: Cohen Jason , Bancilhon Jean‐Marie , Grace Thomas
Published: December 2017

Access to digitally connected living should support social and economic inclusion and provide opportunities for people to improve their quality of life. Yet evidence linking digital access and quality of life is lacking. We contribute by examining the relationship between quality of life and the extent to which individuals have accessed the Internet and whether they own their devices and connectivity. The dataset covers 27 490 individuals living in the Gauteng City‐Region of South Africa. Results show that after controlling for other factors, individuals who are digitally connected exhibit significantly larger scores on quality of life indicators than individuals without access. However, 95% of individuals without access are from households below the median income category, and the odds of access are 9.85 times as large as for above median income than for those below median income. Thus, digitally connected living depends on, and cannot be disentangled from, preexisting opportunities for social and economic inclusion.
A mobile health technology intervention for addressing the critical public health issue of child mortality
Authors: O'Connor Yvonne , O'Sullivan Timothy , Gallagher Joseph , Heavin Ciara , Hardy Victoria , O'Donoghue John
Published: December 2017

Evaluations of development initiatives in resource‐poor settings dominate Health Information Technology/Systems research. Yet a dearth of research exists, which documents the design and development of these technological artefacts. Through the lens of Transition Management Framework, this research attempts to address this gap in literature, to describe a particular technology (ie, Supporting LIFE—SL eCCM App) and the way in which its hardware, software, and system configurations interact with the sociocultural and economic context in one rural region of the Malawian community. This study uses a design science perspective to ensure the design and development of a health technology intervention that is relevant and has utility in the context for which it has been built, ie, Malawi Africa. This paper addresses the manner in which the configurations of a mobile Health intervention (known as Supporting LIFE eCCM App) interact within a developing world context. Supporting LIFE eCCM aims to leverage the critical societal issue of reducing child mortality in Malawi, Africa. The design science approach supports the design and build of a health intervention that is a good fit for the “real‐world” health scenario considered. Coupled with Geel's Transition Management Framework, we emphasise the need for a balanced sociotechnical approach to mHealth, placing individuals at the centre of the IT development project while also considering social, economic, and cultural factors. These are key environmental aspects of a development project such as this one.
Determination of the pKa of Benzophenones by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
Authors: Shiung Yuan‐Chi , Chen Chih‐Yu , Wu Jong‐Chang , Chang Shu‐Wen , Lin Chen‐Hsing
Published: December 2017

Electrophoretic behavior of seven benzophenones as a function of the buffer pH was investigated, and their pKa values were determined by capillary zone electrophoresis. The determination of pKa allows us to rationalize the influence of the buffer pH on the migration behavior of benzophenones. The results reveal that both the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bond and the favorable π‐electronic delocalization decrease the degree of the acid dissociation of the hydroxyl groups of hydroxybenzophenones. However, the introduction of a hydroxyl group at the 4‐position or at the 2′‐position of the aromatic ring of hydroxybenzophenones would decrease greatly their pKa1 values. Thus the presence of this type of hydrogen bonding also plays an important role in the acid dissociation of these hydroxybenzophenones.
Classroom relationships, sense of community, perceptions of justice, and collective efficacy for students’ social well‐being
Authors: Capone Vincenza , Donizzetti Anna Rosa , Petrillo Giovanna
Published: December 2017

A review of literature suggests a lack of studies analyzing the correlates of school context to social well‐being (SWB). By integrating the perspective of community psychology and social cognition, this study uses structural equation model to examine the effect of classroom climate, classroom sense of community, collective efficacy, and justice beliefs on students SWB. The study involves 390 high school students (58.6% females) between the ages of 13 and 20 years. The results show that classroom relationships as indicator of classroom climate and sense of community are associated with collective efficacy. Furthermore, collective efficacy, sense of community, and relational and procedural justice correlate with SWB. We discuss the implications of this finding for the positive development of adolescents and school‐based intervention programs.
The Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor (PF‐06700841) in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Banfield Christopher , Scaramozza Matthew , Zhang Weidong , Kieras Elizabeth , Page Karen M. , Fensome Andrew , Vincent Michael , Dowty Martin E. , Goteti Kosalaram , Winkle Peter J. , Peeva Elena
Published: December 2017

The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PF‐06700841 were assessed in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single‐ and multiple‐dose escalation, parallel‐group study in healthy subjects and patients with plaque psoriasis. The single ascending dose (1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 200 mg) and multiple ascending dose (MAD; PF‐06700841; up to 175 mg once daily or 50 mg twice daily for 10 days) periods included 54 healthy participants. In addition, 30 patients with psoriasis received PF‐06700841 30 or 100 mg or placebo once daily for 28 days. Single PF‐06700841 doses were rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations ≤ 1 hour, proportional exposure up to 100 mg, and mean half‐life 3.8–7.5 hours. On day 10 of MAD, plasma concentrations peaked at ≤1.5 hours postdose (10–175 mg once daily). Elimination half‐life was 4.9–10.7 hours; steady state was reached by day 8. In psoriasis patients on day 28, peak plasma concentrations occurred at 1–2 hours. Biomarkers IP‐10 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were reduced and returned to near baseline levels after dosing. Maximal mean percent change from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores for PF‐06700841 30 mg once daily and 100 mg once daily were −67.92% and −96.31%, respectively, in week 4. All adverse events were mild/moderate. PF‐06700841 was safe and well tolerated up to 200 mg once daily in healthy subjects and 100 mg once daily in patients with psoriasis, suggesting potential therapeutic utility in plaque psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.
Oxygen anion (O−) and hydroxide anion (HO−) reactivity with a series of old and new refrigerants
Authors: Le Vot Clotilde , Lemaire Joël , Pernot Pascal , Heninger Michel , Mestdagh Hélène , Louarn Essyllt
Published: December 2017

The reactivity of a series of commonly used halogenated compounds (trihalomethanes, chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, fluorocarbons, and hydrofluoroolefin) with hydroxide and oxygen anion is studied in a compact Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance. O− is formed by dissociative electron attachment to N2O and HO− by a further ion‐molecule reaction with ammonia. Kinetic experiments are performed by increasing duration of introduction of the studied molecule at a constant pressure. Hydroxide anion reactions mainly proceed by proton transfer for all the acidic compounds. However, nucleophilic substitution is observed for chlorinated and brominated compounds. For fluorinated compounds, a specific elimination of a neutral fluorinated alkene is observed in our results in parallel with the proton transfer reaction. Oxygen anion reacts rapidly and extensively with all compounds. Main reaction channels result from nucleophilic substitution, proton transfer, and formal H2+ transfer. We highlight the importance of transfer processes (atom or ion) in the intermediate ion‐neutral complex, explaining part of the observed reactivity and formed ions. In this paper, we present the first reactivity study of anions with HFO 1234yf. Finally, the potential of O− and HO− as chemical ionization reagents for trace analysis is discussed.
Multiple calcium patterns of rat osteoblasts under fluidic shear stress
Authors: Meng Guixian , Li Cunbo , Sun Haiying , Lee Imshik
Published: December 2017

The intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) response induced by external forces can be diverse and complex. Using primary osteoblasts from Wistar rats, we found multiple patterns of [Ca2+]i responses induced by fluidic shear stress (Fss), including homogeneous non‐oscillation and heterogeneous oscillations. These multiple‐patterned [Ca2+]i responses could be influenced by Fss intensity, cell density, and cell differentiation. Our real‐time measurements with free calcium, ATP, ATP without calcium, suramin, apyrase, and thapsigargin confirmed homogeneous [Ca2+]i patterns and/or heterogeneous [Ca2+]i oscillations with respect to the combined degree of external Ca2+ influx, and intracellular Ca2+ release. Our theoretical model supported diverse Fss‐induced calcium activities as well. We concluded that a singular factor of Ca2+ influx or release dominated to produce smooth homogeneous patterns, but combined factors produced oscillatory heterogeneous patterns. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2039–2051, 2018.
Development and validation of the ecotourism behavior scale
Authors: Lee Tsung Hung , Jan Fen‐Hauh
Published: December 2017

This study conceptualizes ecotourism behavior as a multidimensional construct and develops a framework that offers a reliable and valid scale to assess ecotourism behavior; the framework is based on an empirical survey using 3 studies. In Study 1, measurement items are established and refined using a literature review, content analysis, and the fuzzy Delphi method. In Study 2, a research instrument is developed, and its reliability and validity are tested. In Study 3, cross‐validation of this research instrument is employed to assess ecotourism behavior using two populations of ecotourists. A reliable and valid 30‐item scale with a seven‐construct model is developed based on Taiwan's forests and wetlands as ecotourism destinations. This research instrument provides researchers with an invaluable instrument to accurately measure ecotourism behavior and offers a theoretical framework for researchers, decision makers, managers, and tourists in the field of ecotourism; thus, it makes a significant contribution to the literature.
Quantum Monte Carlo Study of Buckled GaAs Monolayer
Authors: Sharma Rajesh O. , Saini Lalit K. , Bahuguna Bhagwati Prasad
Published: December 2017

We have investigated the ground state properties of buckled GaAs monolayer using density functional theory (DFT) and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) method. Standard first‐principles approaches such as DFT with approximate exchange‐correlation functionals do not describe the correlation effect accurately and hence, usually cannot predict results within the chemical accuracy. In order to accurate evaluation of correlation energy that makes a small but very important contribution to the total energy of an electronic system, the quantum Monte Carlo methods are used which include the correlation effect of electron‐electron using Jastrow function. We found QMC energies are few tenths eV lower than the DFT energies and the buckled GaAs monolayer have direct the band gap of 1.46 eV within DFT calculations, whereas quasiparticle gap is 3.4(8) eV within QMC calculations. We have also calculated the electron affinity and ionization potential as a function of system size.
Investigation of High Z Components Doped in Polymeric Films, Using 2π Configuration X‐Ray Fluorescence Technique
Authors: Hammannavar Preeti B. , Lobo Blaise
Published: December 2017

Doping of a polymeric material involves incorporation of different reduction − oxidation agents into the host polymeric material, resulting in an increase in electrical conductivity, modification of optical properties and changes in microstructure of the polymeric material. The detection of high atomic number (Z) components in doped polymeric films is performed using Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique in 2 π geometrical configuration. In order to study K shell (Kαβ) X‐rays emitted from the prepared films, thallium doped sodium iodide [NaI(Tl)] scintillator is used as the detector of X‐rays and cobalt‐57 radio‐isotope is used as the source of low energy gamma rays. Initially, the calibration data is recorded considering the different known concentrations of high Z element in a host polymeric matrix. This involves the identification of the X‐ray fluorescent peak of the metal/metal ion and use of stripping software to isolate the X‐ray fluorescence spectrum. The area under the fluorescence peak is determined, at each concentration level of dopant/filler. A calibration plot of area under the fluorescence peak versus known concentration of high Z component in the dopant/filler is plotted. This helps in the determination of unknown amount of that particular high Z‐component doped or filled in a host matrix. The different parameters involved in this measurement is discussed along with studies on polymeric composites doped with a salt/compound containing high Z‐components, namely bismuth subcarbonate in a host polymeric matrix (epoxy filled with graphite powder).