bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining fatigue life of bent and tensioned elements with a notch, with use of fictitious radius
Authors: Krzyżak D. , Robak G. , Łagoda T. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe work presents verification of Neuber's fictitious radius method, used in fatigue life calculation of notched elements and welded joints. Stress values, calculated according with fictitious radius method, were compared with smooth specimens Basquin fatigue curves, and number of cycles was read. However, obtained calculated number of cycles of fatigue life does not correspond to experimental fatigue life, especially in a low cycle fatigue range. Hence, different equivalent microstructural length values were calculated for different loading levels. It was observed that equivalent microstructural length depends on loading level and type of loading. Finally, equivalent microstructural length was presented in a linear regression equation, as dependant on loading level and its relation to yield strength.
Analytical and Semi‐Analytical Tools for the Design of Oscillatory Pumping Tests
Authors: Cardiff Michael , Barrash Warren 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOscillatory pumping tests—in which flow is varied in a periodic fashion—provide a method for understanding aquifer heterogeneity that is complementary to strategies such as slug testing and constant‐rate pumping tests. During oscillatory testing, pressure data collected at non‐pumping wells can be processed to extract metrics, such as signal amplitude and phase lag, from a time series. These metrics are robust against common sensor problems (including drift and noise) and have been shown to provide information about aquifer heterogeneity. Field implementations of oscillatory pumping tests for characterization, however, are not common and thus there are few guidelines for their design and implementation. Here, we use available analytical solutions from the literature to develop design guidelines for oscillatory pumping tests, while considering practical field constraints. We present two key analytical results for design and analysis of oscillatory pumping tests. First, we provide methods for choosing testing frequencies and flow rates which maximize the signal amplitude that can be expected at a distance from an oscillating pumping well, given design constraints such as maximum/minimum oscillator frequency and maximum volume cycled. Preliminary data from field testing helps to validate the methodology. Second, we develop a semi‐analytical method for computing the sensitivity of oscillatory signals to spatially distributed aquifer flow parameters. This method can be quickly applied to understand the “sensed” extent of an aquifer at a given testing frequency. Both results can be applied given only bulk aquifer parameter estimates, and can help to optimize design of oscillatory pumping test campaigns.
The risks of do‐it‐yourself and over‐the‐counter devices for tattoo removal
Authors: Kluger Nicolas 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe tattoo removal market has boomed over the years following the increased prevalence of tattooed individuals around the world. Surgery and laser are currently the gold standards for tattoo removal. However, both of them have drawbacks. Surgery is better suited for small tattoos in areas of adequate skin laxity but leave a scar, while laser removal is a long and painful procedure, with no guarantee of a complete efficacy. Both are expensive procedures, and not all individuals are ready to fund them privately. Consequently, some individuals are in the search of faster, easier, and cheaper procedures that can be performed either by themselves or by laypeople. The unregulated market of internet provides a favorable ground for many websites to offer various tattoo removal methods. Besides, some tattooists and other non‐medical laypeople have started to get interested by such a growing market, especially as some laser devices manufactured in Asia are now available at competitive prices, and due to weaknesses in the EU legislation regarding the use of lasers for cosmetic procedures by non‐medical laypeople. We review here different do‐it‐yourself and over‐the‐counter tattoo removal methods. We discuss the potential risks for tattooed individuals and stress the importance of a better regulation of such a market.
Managing e‐Government: value positions and relationships
Authors: Rose Jeremy , Persson John Stouby , Heeager Lise Tordrup , Irani Zahir 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPublic sector managers take much of the responsibility for selecting, commissioning, implementing and realising benefits from information technology (IT) projects. However, e‐Government initiatives often suffer from complexity, vision failure, lack of goal clarity and insufficient commitment. These problems may stem from value traditions that are deeply ingrained in managers' cultural environments but not always in harmony with each other. A first step towards working with value complexity is to understand it; we synthesise a model of value positions for e‐Government derived from major traditions in the public administration literature. Four value positions relevant to e‐Government together with their IT assumptions are identified; they reflect the ideals of professionalism, efficiency, service and engagement. A qualitative investigation of Danish local authority managers displays both value congruence and value divergence. The interpretive study results in a theoretical model that combines value positions and relationships, and the model's implications for researchers and practitioners in focusing successful e‐Government initiatives are outlined.
M&A Decisions and US Firms’ Voluntary Adoption of Clawback Provisions in Executive Compensation Contracts
Authors: Brown Anna Bergman , Davis‐Friday Paquita Y. , Guler Lale , Marquardt Carol 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe examine whether US firms’ M&A decisions influence the likelihood of voluntary adoption of clawback provisions in executive compensation contracts and whether clawback adoption improves subsequent M&A decisions. Because prior research finds that poor M&A decisions are associated with future earnings restatements, we predict that clawback adoption is more likely after these transactions. We further conjecture that M&A decisions will improve after clawback adoption, as its presence reduces executives’ willingness to manipulate post‐acquisition earnings. Consistent with our expectations, we find that (1) firms with more negative M&A announcement returns are more likely to adopt clawbacks; (2) firms that acquire targets with relatively poor accounting quality are more likely to adopt clawbacks; (3) clawbacks improve investor perception of M&A quality; and (4) executives are more responsive to the market when completing M&A deals if their compensation contracts include clawbacks. These results suggest that boards take a pro‐active approach and consider factors that may lead to restatements when adopting clawbacks. Our results have implications for US policymakers, as the Dodd‐Frank Act of 2010 requires mandatory adoption of clawbacks. Our results also suggest that non‐US firms can reduce managerial incentives to manipulate post‐takeover earnings by using clawbacks.
Examining the perceived social support and psychological symptoms among adolescents with leukemia
Authors: Çavuşoğlu Hicran , Sağlam Hatice 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeThe purpose was to determine the perceived social support and psychological symptoms of adolescents with leukemia.Design and MethodsThe sample consisted of 70 adolescents with leukemia. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), and a demographical data form were used for data collection.ResultsScores of the Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI), and Positive Symptom Total (PST) of the BSI were higher than those of the healthy adolescents with the same age in other studies. There was a negative relationship between the MPSSS and negative self‐image, depression, anxiety, PSDI, and PST of the BSI.Practice ImplicationsIt would likely be beneficial to increase adolescents' perceived social support in order to decrease psychological symptoms.
Mechanistic insights into landscape genetic structure of two tropical amphibians using field‐derived resistance surfaces
Authors: Nowakowski A. Justin , DeWoody J. Andrew , Fagan Matthew E. , Willoughby Janna R. , Donnelly Maureen A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractConversion of forests to agriculture often fragments distributions of forest species and can disrupt gene flow. We examined effects of prevalent land uses on genetic connectivity of two amphibian species in northeastern Costa Rica. We incorporated data from field surveys and experiments to develop resistance surfaces that represent local mechanisms hypothesized to modify dispersal success of amphibians, such as habitat‐specific predation and desiccation risk. Because time lags can exist between forest conversion and genetic responses, we evaluated landscape effects using land‐cover data from different time periods. Populations of both species were structured at similar spatial scales but exhibited differing responses to landscape features. Litter frog population differentiation was significantly related to landscape resistances estimated from abundance and experiment data. Model support was highest for experiment‐derived surfaces that represented responses to microclimate variation. Litter frog genetic variation was best explained by contemporary landscape configuration, indicating rapid population response to land‐use change. Poison frog genetic structure was strongly associated with geographic isolation, which explained up to 45% of genetic variation, and long‐standing barriers, such as rivers and mountains. However, there was also partial support for abundance‐ and microclimate response‐derived resistances. Differences in species responses to landscape features may be explained by overriding effects of population size on patterns of differentiation for poison frogs, but not litter frogs. In addition, pastures are likely semi‐permeable to poison frog gene flow because the species is known to use pastures when remnant vegetation is present, but litter frogs do not. Ongoing reforestation efforts will probably increase connectivity in the region by increasing tree cover and reducing area of pastures.
A thioesterase bypasses the requirement for exogenous fatty acids in the plsX deletion of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Parsons Joshua B. , Frank Matthew W. , Eleveld Marc J. , Schalkwijk Joost , Broussard Tyler C. , de Jonge Marien I. , Rock Charles O. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryPlsX is an acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP):phosphate transacylase that interconverts the two acyl donors in Gram‐positive bacterial phospholipid synthesis. The deletion of plsX in Staphylococcus aureus results in a requirement for both exogenous fatty acids and de novo type II fatty acid biosynthesis. Deletion of plsX (SP0037) in Streptococcus pneumoniae did not result in an auxotrophic phenotype. The ΔplsX S. pneumoniae strain was refractory to myristic acid‐dependent growth arrest, and unlike the wild‐type strain, was susceptible to fatty acid synthesis inhibitors in the presence of exogenous oleate. The ΔplsX strain contained longer chain saturated fatty acids imparting a distinctly altered phospholipid molecular species profile. An elevated pool of 18‐ and 20‐carbon saturated fatty acids was detected in the ΔplsX strain. A S. pneumoniae thioesterase (TesS, SP1408) hydrolyzed acyl‐ACP in vitro, and the ΔtesS ΔplsX double knockout strain was a fatty acid auxotroph. Thus, the TesS thioesterase hydrolyzed the accumulating acyl‐ACP in the ΔplsX strain to liberate fatty acids that were activated by fatty acid kinase to bypass a requirement for extracellular fatty acid. This work identifies tesS as the gene responsible for the difference in exogenous fatty acid growth requirement of the ΔplsX strains of S. aureus and S. pneumoniae.
Variations in heart rate and rhythm of harbor seal pups during rehabilitation
Authors: Fonfara Sonja , Casamian‐Sorrosal Domingo , Sundermeyer Janne , Rosenberger Tanja 
Published: December 2014

AbstractHeart rate and rhythm is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which matures during the first months of life. Little is known about heart rate and rhythm development and potential arrhythmias in seal pups during rehabilitation in seal centers. Using an iPhone ECG device, 1 min ECGs were obtained from harbor seal pups admitted to a seal rehabilitation facility. ECGs were taken from 55 seals after admission, 53 seals after 14 d, and 52 seals prior to release. From 24 seal pups additional ECGs were taken daily for the first week of rehabilitation. At admission sinus rhythm with a median heart rate of 148 complexes per minute was detected, prior to release sinus bradycardia or sinus arrhythmia with a median heart rate of 104 complexes minute was present. P wave morphology was highly variable and single supra‐ and ventricular premature complexes were recorded in individual animals. The first 14 d were characterized by highly variable heart rates and rhythms, including episodes of sinus tachycardia and 2nd degree atrioventricular blocks. The reduction in heart rates and development of a regular heart rhythm during rehabilitation suggest adaptation to the unfamiliar environment, resolution of disease, and/or maturation of the autonomic nervous system.
Soil bacteria hold the key to root cluster formation
Authors: Lamont Byron B. , Pérez‐Fernández Maria , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Jesús 
Published: December 2014

Summary

Root clusters are bunches of hairy rootlets that enhance nutrient uptake among many plants. Since first being reported in 1974, the involvement of rhizobacteria in their formation has received conflicting support. Attempts to identify specific causative organisms have failed and their role has remained speculative.

We set up a gnotobiotic experiment using two root‐clustered species, Viminaria juncea (Fabaceae) and Hakea laurina (Proteaceae), and inoculated them with two plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bradyrhizobium elkanii and Bacillus mageratium, that produce indole‐3‐acetic‐acid (IAA). Plants were suspended in water culture with four combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Clusters only developed in the presence of PGPR in two treatments, were greatly enhanced in another four, suppressed in five, and unaffected in five. Nitrogen amendment was associated with a higher density of clusters. Bradyrhizobium promoted cluster formation in Hakea, whereas Bacillus promoted cluster formation in Viminaria and suppressed it in Hakea.

Greater root cluster numbers were due either to a larger root system induced by PGPR (indirect resource effect) and/or to more clusters per unit length of parent root (direct morphogenetic effect). The results are interpreted in terms of greater IAA production by Bradyrhizobium than Bacillus and greater sensitivity of Viminaria to IAA than Hakea.
Peripheral nasal‐temporal corneal asymmetry in relation to corneal thickness: a Scheimpflug imaging study
Authors: Jonuscheit Sven , Doughty Michael J. , Martin Raul , Río‐Cristóbal Ana , Cruikshank Victoria , Lang Sue 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the asymmetry of the peripheral cornea up to 5 mm nasally and temporally from the centre and to assess correlations with regional peripheral corneal thickness.MethodsCentral and peripheral corneal thickness was measured by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) in 113 eyes of 113 healthy, pre‐presbyopic Caucasian subjects. Absolute and relative corneal thickness were analysed in 1 mm steps up to 5 mm to the nasal and temporal sides with the corneal apex as the central reference point. Nasal‐temporal asymmetry was calculated as the thickness ratio between corresponding off‐centre thickness measurements.ResultsThe mean (±SD) central corneal thickness was 552 ± 36 μm. CT increased by 22% at 4 mm temporally to 672 ± 44 μm, and 32% at 4 mm nasally to 731 ± 45 μm. The nasal‐temporal asymmetry became greater with increasing distance from the corneal centre, with a mean difference of 59 ± 22 μm at 4 mm from the apex. The nasal‐temporal thickness ratio, based on this difference, was significantly related to the relative temporal (r = −0.41, p < 0.001, simple linear regression) and nasal corneal thickness (r = 0.61, p < 0.001).ConclusionsA substantial and progressively increasing nasal‐temporal asymmetry in corneal thickness has been confirmed by Scheimpflug imaging, which is related to the magnitude of corneal thickness at peripheral locations. Pachymetry output data and models, including volume calculations, that assume symmetry to the corneal thickness profile may not provide optimum metrics for planning and predicting the outcome of corneal refractive surgery procedures.
Predictors of Food Insecurity among Older Adults in the United States
Authors: Goldberg Shari L. , Mawn Barbara E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveFood insecurity among U.S. households is a national concern. Since 2010, the U.S. Healthy People goal has been to reduce food insecurity to 6%. Despite this goal, 14.5% of households remained food insecure in 2013 (U.S. Department of Agriculture). The purpose of this study was to examine the antecedents of food insecurity among older adults through the lens of the social ecological model.Design and SampleThis retrospective cross‐sectional study utilized secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the years 2007 and 2008 from a sample that included 2,045 adults 60 years of age and older.MeasuresVariables related to the constructs of the social ecological model were examined using descriptive, chi‐square, and logistic regression analyses.ResultsAnalyses of the model indicated that the severity of depression, reports of financial support, and having ever received household food stamp benefits had statistically significant main effects on food insecurity among older adults.ConclusionsThe study findings have implications for nursing practice, education, and research and could facilitate the development of screening methods, interventions, and policy evaluation that focus on food insecurity at multiple spheres of influence among the targeted population.
Percutaneous Thrombectomy of AVF: Immediate Success and Long‐term Patency Rates
Authors: Nassar George M. , Rhee Edward , Khan Abdul Jabbar , Nguyen Binh , Achkar Katafan , Beathard Gerald 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to report the results obtained in a cohort of 520 cases of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) treated by percutaneous intervention over a period of 8 years. The methods used varied according to the individual characteristics of the case. A clinical success rate of 91.1% was obtained with no significant difference being noted among radial‐cephalic, brachial‐cephalic, and brachial‐basilic AVFs. The mean primary patency for this group was 227.3 ± 14.6 days, and the mean assisted primary patency was 677.2 ± 44.6 days. The lower arm AVFs had both a primary patency and an assisted primary patency that were significantly better than the upper arm cases (p = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). The primary patency for radial‐cephalic AVFs was significantly better than that for brachial‐cephalic AVFs (p = 0.021), but not for brachial‐basilic cases (p = 0.122). Assisted primary patency for radial‐cephalic cases was significantly superior to the values for either patients with a brachial cephalic (p = 0.046) or a brachial‐basilic (p = 0.004). Complications occurred in seven cases (1.3%), all of which were venous ruptures. Blood flow was affected in four cases. Only one of these was salvaged with angioplasty balloon tamponade. In the remaining three cases, the AVF was lost.
Effects of kynurenine on CD3+ and macrophages in wound healing
Authors: Salimi Elizei Sanam , Poormasjedi‐Meibod Malihe‐Sadat , Li Yunyuan , Baradar Jalili Reza , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAs prolongation of the inflammation phase in a healing process frequently leads to wound impairment, here we queried whether kynurenine (Kyn) could modulate this phase of wound healing. To address this, a protein microarray, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), flow cytometry for immune cells and immune cell proliferation in the presence and absence of Kyn were conducted and compared. The result of a protein microarray revealed that the expression of 12 pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was modulated in Kyn‐treated mouse splenocytes as compared with those of control. These findings were then evaluated by conducting a qPCR for the gene expression of these factors and showed a significant reduction in the gene expression of majority of these cytokines and chemokines (interleukin [IL]‐2, IL‐17, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL] 10, CXCL1, C‐C motif ligand [CCL] 12, CXCL9, CCL4, CXCL2, and CCL5) in response to Kyn treatment. To test the anti‐inflammatory effect of Kyn in an animal model, dorsal surface wounds were generated in a mouse model and wounds received daily topical application of either nothing (control), dermal cream (second control), or Kyn cream using uninjured skin tissue as another control. The wounded tissues were harvested on days 3, 6, and 10 postwounding. As anticipated, the results of fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis revealed that upon wounding, the number of total infiltrated CD3+ cells and macrophages (CD11b+) significantly increased on day 3, peaked on day 6, and reduced on day 10 post‐wounding. Interestingly, as compared with those of uninjured and dermal cream alone‐treated wounds, Kyn treatment significantly reduced the number of infiltrated CD3+ cells, but not CD11b+ cells, at different time intervals examined. These findings collectively suggest that Kyn, as a small molecule, can potentially be used to overcome the difficulties associated with persistency of inflammation in healing wounds.