bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On Legal Validity – Using the Work of Patent Courts for Quality Management
Authors: Laub Christoph 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe patent courts of the world's leading patent systems annually pass judgment in more than 12,000 cases originating from decisions made at first instance. These judgments constitute a statistically significant resource of final opinions relating to the quality of the work of the legal authorities, but one that has so far not been systematically exploited by the patent offices. This paper shows, for the first time, a way to provide objective and cost‐efficient metrics for the work of patent offices and patent attorney professionals. Accordingly, the following key conclusions are developed in this paper:

Patent case law is sufficiently representative and suitable for statistical analysis of first instance decisions;
The current academic approaches to legal validity analysis of patent court decisions seem not sufficiently transparent for the application in patent and trademark office operative quality systems;
The legal remedies of refusal and opposition appeal can be modeled;
Legal validity and the harmonization level of a patent system are measurable;
The legal validity of European Patent Office (EPO) refusal decisions appears to be comparatively higher than the validity of opposition decisions in view of the EPO Boards of Appeal;
The analysis methodology for the EPO is fully transferable to the worldwide relevant patent systems whilst retaining their national legal autonomy;
The new EU Patent: there will be a degree of competition between EU patent revocation procedure and the EPO opposition procedure. In future, it will be necessary to evaluate also the quality of the EU Patent Court of First Instance.
Photocoagulation in rabbits: Optical coherence tomographic lesion classification, wound healing reaction, and retinal temperatures
Authors: Koinzer Stefan , Hesse Carola , Caliebe Amke , Saeger Mark , Baade Alexander , Schlott Kerstin , Brinkmann Ralf , Roider Johann 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe rabbit is the most common animal model to study retinal photocoagulation lesions. We present a classification of retinal lesions from rabbits, that is based on optical coherence tomographic (OCT) findings, temperature data, and OCT‐follow‐up data over 3 months.Materials and MethodsFour hundred eighty‐six photocoagulation lesions (modified Zeiss Visulas® 532 nm CW laser, lesion diameter 133 µm, exposure duration 200 milliseconds or variable, power variable) were analyzed from six eyes of three chinchilla gray rabbits. During the irradiation of each lesion, we used an optoacoustics‐based method to measure the retinal temperature profile. Two hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the treatment, we obtained fundus color and OCT (Spectralis®) images of each lesion. We classified the lesions according to their OCT morphology and correlated the findings to ophthalmoscopic and OCT lesion diameters, and temperatures.ResultsBesides an undetectable lesion class 0, we discerned subthreshold lesions that were invisible on the fundus but detectable in OCT (classes 1 and 2), very mild lesions that were partly visible on the fundus (class 3), and 3 classes of suprathreshold lesions. OCT greatest linear diameters (GLDs) were larger than ophthalmoscopic lesion diameters, both increased for increasing classes, and GLDs decreased over 3 months within each class. Mean peak end temperatures for 200 milliseconds lesions ranged from 61°C in class 2 to 80°C in class 6.ConclusionThe seven step rabbit lesion classifier is distinct from a previously published human lesion classifier. Threshold lesions are generated at comparable temperatures in rabbits and humans, while more intense lesions are created at lower temperatures in rabbits. The OCT lesion classifier could replace routine histology in some studies, and the presented data may be used to estimate lesion end temperatures from OCT images. Lasers Surg. Med. 45:427–436, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Curl, Then Wrinkle
Authors: Trindade Ana C. , Canejo João P. , Teixeira Paulo I. C. , Patrício Pedro , Godinho Maria H. 
Published: August 2013

The excellent properties of elastomers are exploited to trigger wrinkling instabilities in curved shells. Micro‐ and nano‐fibres are produced by electrospinning and UV irradiated: each fibre consists of a soft core and a stiff outer half‐shell. Upon solvent de‐swelling, the fibres curl because the shell and the core have different natural lengths. Wrinkling only starts after the fibre has attained a well‐defined helical shape. A simple analytical model is proposed to find the curling curvature and wrinkle wavelength, as well as the transition between the “curling” and “wrinkling” regimes. This new instability resembles that found in the tendrils of climbing plants as they dry and lignify.
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Investigation of the properties of low temperature (Cr1‐xAlx)N coatings deposited via hybrid PVD DC‐MSIP/HPPMS
Authors: Bagcivan N. , Bobzin K. , Brugnara R. H. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTernary nitrides such as (Cr1‐xAlx)N deposited via PVD find widespread application as hard protective coatings on cutting tools and as corrosion and wear resistant coatings on mechanical components due to their good tribological, mechanical and chemical properties. The combination of these properties makes (Cr1‐xAlx)N coatings attractive for many applications. For an effective protection of coated parts a uniform layer of coating material is required. In this regard, the high power pulse magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) technology offers possibilities to improve coating thickness uniformity and to enhance mechanical properties. The present work deals with the investigation of the influence of process parameters on the properties of (Cr1‐xAlx)N deposited at 200°C via DC‐MSIP/HPPMS technology in an industrial coating unit. The Al content was varied between 22 at.% and 88 at.%. Further, the bias voltage was varied from 0 V up to –200 V. Chemical composition, morphology, mechanical properties and phase composition of the coatings were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Nanoindentation and XRD (X‐Ray diffraction), respectively. The maximum hardness of 20 GPa was achieved for the coatings with 31 at.% Al and 51 at.% Al. With increasing bias voltage a preferred (200) grain orientation and denser crystalline morphology are indentified. An improvement of coating thickness distribution is observed for the coatings deposited with a bias voltage of –100 V and –150 V.
Investigating the relationship between COMT polymorphisms and working memory performance among childhood brain tumor survivors
Authors: Howarth Robyn A. , Adamson Amanda M. , Ashford Jason M. , Merchant Thomas E. , Ogg Robert J. , Schulenberg Stefan E. , Ogg Susan , Li Jiang , Wu Shengjie , Xiong Xiaoping , Conklin Heather M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundSurvivors of childhood brain tumors are at increased risk for neurocognitive impairments, including deficits in abilities supported by frontal brain regions. Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) metabolizes dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, with the Met allele resulting in greater dopamine availability and better performance on frontally mediated tasks compared to the Val allele. Given the importance of identifying resiliency factors against the emergence of cognitive late effects, the current study examined the relationship between COMT genotype and working memory performance among childhood brain tumor survivors.ProcedureChildren treated for a brain tumor with conformal radiation therapy (N = 50; mean age at irradiation = 7.41 ± 3.41; mean age at assessment = 13.18 ± 2.88) were administered two computerized measures of working memory (self‐ordered search verbal and object tasks). Buccal (cheek) swabs were used to provide tissue from which DNA was extracted.ResultsFindings revealed an association between COMT genotype and performance on the self‐ordered verbal (P = 0.03) but not object task (P = 0.33). Better performance was found for the Met/Val group compared to either Met/Met or Val/Val.ConclusionsCOMT may indicate a potential resiliency factor against neurocognitive effects of cancer and its treatment; however, there is a need for replication with larger samples of childhood brain tumor survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:40–45. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cumulative cisplatin dose is not associated with event‐free or overall survival in children with newly diagnosed average‐risk medulloblastoma treated with cisplatin based adjuvant chemotherapy: Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Rao Amulya A. Nageswara , Wallace Dana J. , Billups Catherine , Boyett James M. , Gajjar Amar , Packer Roger J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundSurvival rates for children with medulloblastoma have risen over the past decade, in part due to the addition of cisplatin‐containing adjuvant chemotherapy. Total dose of cisplatin required for optimal treatment is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival outcomes based on cumulative cisplatin doses (CCD) in children with newly diagnosed average‐risk medulloblastoma.ProcedureCCD data were reviewed for 363 patients in a prospective study evaluating patients between 3 and 21 years with a newly diagnosed average‐risk medulloblastoma and treated with craniospinal radiation and post‐radiation cisplatin based adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsEight‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) estimates were 78.2 ± 2.6% and 83.9 ± 2.4%, respectively. Only 73 patients received the protocol specified CCD of 600 mg/m2, primarily due to mandated cisplatin toxicity‐related dose reductions. The median CCD given to those without relapse or death on treatment was 487.5 mg/m2. CCD, as a time‐dependent covariate, was not associated with EFS (P = 0.54) or OS (P = 0.11). The 343 patients who completed chemotherapy failure‐free were categorized into four groups according to CCD (n = 10; 75–150 mg/m2), (n = 26; 151–300 mg/m2), (n = 113; 301–450 mg/m2), and (n = 194; 451–600 mg/m2). There were no statistically significant differences in distributions of EFS (P = 0.53) or OS (P = 0.49) among these four groups.ConclusionCCD is not associated with EFS or OS suggesting that lower doses of cisplatin may be incorporated into future medulloblastoma trials, thereby limiting its toxicity profile without affecting survival. If ototoxicity is encountered, more stringent cisplatin dose modification/cessation rules seem warranted. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:102–106. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phase stability of Crn+ 1GaCn MAX phases from first principles and Cr2GaC thin‐film synthesis using magnetron sputtering from elemental targets
Authors: Petruhins Andrejs , Ingason Arni Sigurdur , Dahlqvist Martin , Mockute Aurelija , Junaid Muhammad , Birch Jens , Lu Jun , Hultman Lars , Persson Per O. Å. , Rosen Johanna 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAb‐initio calculations have been used to investigate the phase stability and magnetic state of Crn+ 1GaCn MAX phase. Cr2GaC (n = 1) was predicted to be stable, with a ground state corresponding to an antiferromagnetic spin configuration. Thin‐film synthesis by magnetron sputtering from elemental targets, including liquid Ga, shows the formation of Cr2GaC, previously only attained from bulk synthesis methods. The films were deposited at 650 °C on MgO(111) substrates. X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy show epitaxial growth of (000ℓ) MAX phase. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural and electrical analysis of In–Sb–Te‐based PCM cells
Authors: Fallica Roberto , Stoycheva Toni , Wiemer Claudia , Longo Massimo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTwo In–Sb–Te compounds with low Te content (12 at.% and 17 at.%), deposited by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition, were implemented into prototype phase‐change memory devices of size 50 × 50 nm2 and 93 × 93 nm2. These chalcogenides yielded devices with higher threshold voltage than those based on Ge–Sb–Te alloys. The endurance and programming window were markedly improved (from 103 to 106 cycles and from 1 to 2 orders of magnitude, respectively) when employing the Te‐richer alloy. Moreover, in situ structural and electrical analysis on TiN/In–Sb–Te/dielectric stacks provided additional insight on the thermal stability of the two ternary phases In3SbTe2 and InSb0.8Te0.2, which were found to coexist in these compounds. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Impact of navigated‐control assistance on performance, workload and situation awareness of experienced surgeons performing a simulated mastoidectomy
Authors: Luz M. , Manzey D. , Mueller S. , Dietz A. , Meixensberger J. , Strauss G. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundNavigated control (NC) is an advanced image‐guided navigation system that provides an additional control function to enhance patient safety. It automatically stops the surgical instrument if it comes close to critical anatomical structures that need to be protected during surgery. The purpose of this study was to explore the human performance consequences of computer‐based navigated control assistance.MethodsSeven experienced surgeons conducted a simulated mastoidectomy manually and with support of the NC system. The impact on surgical performance, workload and situation awareness was analysed.ResultsNC support led to a better quality of surgical outcome and a lower level of physiological effort during surgery. Cost effects were reflected in reduced time efficiency and an increased subjectively experienced workload.ConclusionThe results demonstrate the potential of NC support in terms of lower workload and enhanced patient safety. Cost effects might be reduced by remodelling the control function. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrusion‐aware trust model for vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Shaikh Riaz Ahmed , Alzahrani Ahmed Saeed 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn vehicular ad hoc networks, peers make decisions on the basis of the information provided by the other peers. If the received information is fake, then the result could be catastrophic, such as road accidents. Therefore, many researchers use the concept of trust to evaluate the trustworthiness of the received data. However, existing trust management schemes (proposed so far for the vehicular networks) are suffered from various limitations. For example, some schemes measure trust on the basis of the history of interactions, which is infeasible for vehicular networks due to its ephemeral nature. Also, none of the existing schemes operate in an identity anonymous environment. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose a novel trust management scheme for identity anonymous vehicular ad hoc networks. The proposed method is simple and completely decentralized that makes it easy to implement in the vehicular networks. Also, we prove that the proposed method is not only robust, but it also detects false location and time information. Furthermore, it introduces linear time complexity, which makes it suitable to use in real time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel signature based on the combination of global and local signatures for image copy detection
Authors: Zhou Zhili , Sun Xingming , Chen Xianyi , Chang Cheng , Fu Zhangjie 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTTo prevent digital image from unauthorized use, image copy detection is an important technique in the field of copyright protection. The conventional methods of image copy detection concentrate on extracting global or local signatures to resist various kinds of copy attacks. However, the global signatures are sensitive to some geometric transformations, such as rotation and cropping, while the local signatures are not discriminative enough to identify copies from similar images. Considering both the robustness and discriminability, a novel image signature based on the combination of global and local signatures is proposed for image copy detection. Firstly, the interest points are detected from a given image by using the Hessian–Affine detector. Secondly, the image is divided into some circle tracks, and thus the interest points are distributed into these tracks. Finally, to combine the advantages of the circle‐track‐based global signature and the interest points, the global distribution characteristics of interest points based on circle tracks are used to generate our image signature. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method in the aspects of both robustness and discriminability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conducting Polymer Nanowire Arrays for High Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Kai , Wu Haiping , Meng Yuena , Wei Zhixiang 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis Review provides a brief summary of the most recent research developments in the fabrication and application of one‐dimensional ordered conducting polymers nanostructure (especially nanowire arrays) and their composites as electrodes for supercapacitors. By controlling the nucleation and growth process of polymerization, aligned conducting polymer nanowire arrays and their composites with nano‐carbon materials can be prepared by employing in situ chemical polymerization or electrochemical polymerization without a template. This kind of nanostructure (such as polypyrrole and polyaniline nanowire arrays) possesses high capacitance, superior rate capability ascribed to large electrochemical surface, and an optimal ion diffusion path in the ordered nanowire structure, which is proved to be an ideal electrode material for high performance supercapacitors. Furthermore, flexible, micro‐scale, threadlike, and multifunctional supercapacitors are introduced based on conducting polyaniline nanowire arrays and their composites. These prototypes of supercapacitors utilize the high flexibility, good processability, and large capacitance of conducting polymers, which efficiently extend the usage of supercapacitors in various situations, and even for a complicated integration system of different electronic devices.
Becoming a Global SME: Determinants of SMEs' Decision to Use E‐Intermediaries in Export Marketing
Authors: Cho Hyuksoo , Tansuhaj Patriya Silpakit 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTechnological advances have made it feasible for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to become active in global markets through information technology (IT)‐mediated electronic intermediaries (e‐intermediaries) instead of relying only on traditional export channels. E‐intermediaries may offer SMEs a level playing field for competing with their larger competitors. Based on transaction cost economics (TCE), this study develops a model that can address the question of which transaction costs and characteristics are closely related to e‐intermediary use by SMEs. In addition to providing a better understanding of e‐intermediaries, the study explores the relationships between e‐intermediary use, transaction costs, and transaction characteristics in the context of Korean SMEs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Culture‐Led Discrepancies and Negotiating Conflicts in Strategic Outsourcing Alliances
Authors: Gammelgaard Jens , Kumar Rajesh , Worm Verner 
Published: August 2013

AbstractOutsourcing and alliance collaboration have become prominent features of the global economy. Empirical studies demonstrate that outsourcing alliances are often not as successful as their initiators expect them to be. National cultural differences are frequently viewed as a crucial factor when such alliances fail. While empirical studies are abundant, theoretical frameworks that explicate the role of national cultural differences in shaping the dynamics of outsourcing alliances are rare. This article builds on Kumar and Nti's (1998) discrepancy model to specify how culture affects the dynamics of outsourcing alliances. We suggest that national cultural differences give rise to process and outcome discrepancies in outsourcing alliances. Notably, outsourcing alliances evolve through three stages–formation, operation and outcome–with discrepancies arising in each of these stages (Das & Teng, 2002). We develop a framework to link discrepancy management to these different stages, and to the notions of task‐oriented and relationship‐oriented cultures. Our study has a number of implications for future research and managerial practice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tales of Motives in Bank M&As in Emerging Markets
Authors: Mihai Yiannaki Simona 
Published: August 2013

AbstractFor the past 12 years volatile waves of M&As and divestments in the banking sector were generated by numerous, but often similar motives. This article analyses the motives behind bank M&As regarding the acquirer's and the target's reasons and their perceived criteria of success or failure. The study has identified soft “irrational” factors such as bargain deals or excess cash, behind several economic motives such as synergies, survival, market penetration, or following the customer. Overall, the motives proved to be interconnected, allowing traceable further bank consolidation, especially during financial crisis, at the intercountry level. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Emergence of Contemporary Chinese Enterprise: The Heterogeneity of National Culture, Corporate Controls and Integration Approaches in M&As
Authors: Chatzkel Jay , Ng Artie W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis article aims to explore the emergence of the three main types of contemporary Chinese enterprises (CCEs),1 the heterogeneity of their underlying cultures beyond Confucianism, their adopted corporate controls and their implications for mergers and acquisitions (M&As). An interdisciplinary literature review is provided to investigate the interrelated concepts between ancient Chinese wisdom, traditional Chinese culture as embedded in its national culture, and dissimilar developments in the corporate culture of CCEs. The implications for corporate controls in relation to postmerger integration approaches are also examined. Theoretical analyses and propositions are then made regarding the reinforcing cultures, adopted corporate controls and the integration approaches among the three main types of CCEs in their M&A initiatives. Through a multiple‐case study of three proposed clusters of CCEs with distinct ownership structures, this article reveals the characteristics of these respective clusters as they seek growth and development through regional and international M&As. The heterogeneity among the clusters is reflected in their variations in human capital, corporate governance, and controls, as well as the efficacy of their M&A activities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.