bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Context-dependent fluctuation of serotonin in the auditory midbrain: the influence of sex, reproductive state, and experience
Authors: Hanson Jessica L. , Hurley Laura M. 
Published: November 2013

Summary
In the face of changing behavioral situations, plasticity of sensory systems can be a valuable mechanism to facilitate appropriate behavioral responses. In the auditory system, the neurotransmitter serotonin is an important messenger for context-dependent regulation because it is sensitive to both external events and internal state, and it modulates neural activity. In male mice, serotonin increases in the auditory midbrain region, the inferior colliculus (IC) in response to changes in behavioral context such as restriction stress and social contact. Female mice have not been measured in similar contexts, although the serotonergic system is sexually dimorphic in many ways. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sex, experience, and estrous state on fluctuation of serotonin in the IC across contexts, as well as potential relationships between behavior and serotonin. Contrary to our expectation, there were no sex differences in serotonergic increase in response to a restriction stimulus. Both sexes had larger increases in second exposures, suggesting experience plays a role in serotonergic release in the IC. In females, serotonin increased during both restriction and interactions with males; however, the increase was more rapid during restriction. There was no effect of female estrous phase on the serotonergic change for either context, but serotonin was related to behavioral activity in females interacting with males. These results show that changes in behavioral context induce increases in serotonin in the IC by a mechanism that appears to be uninfluenced by sex or estrous state, but may depend on experience and behavioral activity.
Phenotype manipulations confirm the role of pectoral muscles and haematocrit in avian maximal thermogenic capacity
Authors: Petit Magali , Vézina François 
Published: November 2013

SummaryIn small resident bird species living at northern latitudes, winter cold acclimatization is associated with an increase in pectoral muscle size and haematocrit level and this is thought to drive the seasonal increase in summit metabolic rate (Msum, a measure of maximal shivering thermogenic capacity). However, evidences suggesting that pectoral muscle size influences Msum are correlational and the link between haematrocrit level and Msum remains to be demonstrated. We experimentally tested the relationship between pectoral muscle size and Msum by manipulating muscle size using a feather clipping protocol in free-living wintering black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). This also allowed us to investigate the link between haematocrit and thermogenic capacity. After a first series of measures on all birds, we cut half of the flight feathers of experimental individuals (n = 14) and compared their fat and pectoral muscle scores, Msum and haematocrit level at recapture with their previous measures and with those of control birds (n = 17) that were captured and recaptured at comparable times. Results showed 1) that experimental birds developed larger pectoral muscles than control individuals and 2) that mass-independent Msum was up to 16% higher in birds expressing large pectoral muscles. Msum was also positively correlated with haematocrit, which was not affected by the experimental manipulation. These findings demonstrate that, for a given body mass, large pectoral muscles are associated with a higher Msum in black-capped chickadees and that oxygen carrying capacity likely supports thermogenesis in this species.
Blood constituents as phagostimulants for the bed bug,Cimex lectularius L
Authors: Romero Alvaro , Schal Coby 
Published: November 2013

SummaryMany hematophagous arthropods are stimulated by blood constituents to initiate feeding. We used a membrane-based feeding system to identify chemicals that stimulate acceptance and engorgement responses in various life stages of bed bugs. Water was fortified with a variety of compounds (e.g. salts, amino acids, vitamins, nucleotides, cholesterol and fatty acids) in these bioassays. Adenosine triphosphate was the most effective phagostimulant in adults and nymphs, resulting in &gt;70% of bed bugs fully engorging. Addition of NaCl to low ATP solutions that alone elicited &lt;50% engorgement significantly enhanced feeding responses of bed bugs. A comparison of feeding responses with solutions of various adenine nucleotides showed that ATP was more stimulatory than ADP, which was more effective than AMP. Feeding assays with physiological levels of other blood constituents such as D-glucose, albumin, globulin, cholesterol and mixtures of vitamins and amino acids did not stimulate engorgement, suggesting that adenine nucleotides are the most important feeding stimulants in bed bugs. Identification of phagostimulants for bed bugs will contribute toward the development of artificial diets for rearing purposes as well as for the development of alternative methods to eliminate bed bug infestations.
Fabrication of Dense and Multilayered Films of a Nickel Bis(dithiolene) Nanosheet by Means of the Langmuir–Schäfer Method
Authors: Hoshiko Ken , Kambe Tetsuya , Sakamoto Ryota , Takada Kenji , Nishihara Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
A nickel bis(dithiolene) complex nanosheet fabricated from benzenehexathiol and nickel(II) acetate in a bottom-up fashion exhibits semiconductivity, thereby being potentially useful as an electronics material. In the present communication we perform stepwise layering of the nanosheet in high density, taking advantage of the Langmuir–Schäfer method.
Resource Flexibility and Capital Structure
Authors: Chod Jiri , Zhou Jianer 
Published: November 2013

This paper examines how the optimal investment in the capacity of flexible and nonflexible resources is affected by financial leverage and, conversely, how a firm's resource flexibility affects its optimal capital structure. We consider a two-product firm that invests in the optimal capacity of product-flexible and product-dedicated resources in the presence of demand uncertainty. Before investing in capacity, the firm issues the optimal amount of debt, trading off the tax benefit and lower transaction cost of debt financing against the cost of financial distress and the agency cost associated with leverage. We show that in the presence of debt, resource flexibility has benefits in addition to reducing the mismatch between supply and demand. Namely, resource flexibility mitigates the shareholder–debtholder agency conflict as well as the risk of costly default. Most interestingly, we show that resource flexibility mitigates the underinvestment problem because it reduces the probability that a firm will go bankrupt with some of its capacity being fully utilized. When lenders anticipate that a firm will choose a relatively flexible capacity mix, they should provide more favorable credit terms, to which the firm should respond by issuing more debt. The main empirical predictions are that resource flexibility is negatively related to the cost of borrowing and positively related to debt. This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Models for Effective Deployment and Redistribution of Bicycles Within Public Bicycle-Sharing Systems
Authors: Shu Jia , Chou Mabel C. , Liu Qizhang , Teo Chung-Piaw , Wang I-Lin 
Published: November 2013

We develop practical operations research models to support decision making in the design and management of public bicycle-sharing systems. We develop a network flow model with proportionality constraints to estimate the flow of bicycles within the network and the number of trips supported, given an initial allocation of bicycles at each station. We also examine the effectiveness of periodic redistribution of bicycles in the network to support greater flow, and the impact on the number of docks needed. We conduct our numerical analysis using transit data from train operators in Singapore. Given that a substantial proportion of passengers in the train system commute a short distance—more than 16% of passengers alight within two stops from the origin—this forms a latent segment of demand for a bicycle-sharing program. We argue that for a bicycle-sharing system to be most effective for this customer segment, the system must deploy the right number of bicycles at the right places, because this affects the utilization rate of the bicycles and how bicycles circulate within the system. We also identify the appropriate operational environments in which periodic redistribution of bicycles will be most effective for improving system performance.
Cross-temporal explorations: Notes on fashion and nostalgia
Authors: Jenß Heike 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The article explores intersections among nostalgia, the circulation of images and temporalities of fashion. It traces shifting meanings of nostalgia from its spatial connotation as a diagnosis for homesickness to its temporal connotation as longing for the past. While homesickness became counterproductive to ideals of modernity, consumer culture became a key site for the processing of spatio-temporal longings – potentially associated with the production of ‘false’ memories. This article highlights how nostalgia and memory are dynamically configured and intimately bound up with the development of sociotechnical practices, mediation and commodification. Uses and experiences of nostalgia range from the idealization of the past to its demystification. A perspective on the current enactment of nostalgia through vintage dress and photography points to its potencies in embodied practice as performative exploration of the experiential dynamics of temporality and being/becoming in time.
Age and fashion: A study of ambiguous status representation in granny chic
Authors: Mackinney-Valentin Maria 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The research objective with this article is to examine the role of age in granny chic. Granny chic is understood as a contemporary fashion phenomenon characterized as the celebration by younger consumers of elements that may generally be considered to belong to the realm of older women, such as grey hair, orthopaedic shoes, craft and old clothes. The article challenges the binary construction of ‘young’ versus ‘old’, which is based on a biogerontological model of aging as decline (Kriebernegg and Maierhofer 2013). It explores whether the rise of granny chic since the millennium suggests a move towards an ‘age-irrelevant society’ (Cole 1992: 241) with a rise in tolerance for age diversity. To that end, it draws on age and ageing theory to question whether the nature of age in ‘granny chic’ is less about chronological age and more about old age as a symbolic tool for negotiating social status among younger consumers. Examples are drawn from the fashion industry with special attention to fashion campaigns, fashion spreads in magazines and runway shows. In addition, examples of granny chic in food and leisure are referenced. This article is not about older women per se, but about the social paradox of celebrating the old, imperfect and out-dated in an age focused on newness and perfection. The study uses a narrative method for the study of ‘granny chic’ as a fashion phenomenon. It analyses the representation in images and texts in mainly American and British newspapers, magazines and blogs – from 2010 to 2012.
Heterogeneity in diabetic distal neuropathy and differential approach to its treatment
Authors: Khutornaya Oksana Evgen'evna , Bregovskiy Vadim Borisovich , Demina A G , Karpova I A 
Published: November 2013

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), to evaluate the composition and efficacy of pharmacotherapy and to develop a differential algorithm for symptomatic treatment of PDN.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4494 outpatient subjects participated in this study. Severity of pain syndrome was assessed with DN4 question- naire (supplemented with NTSS-9 scale) and visual analogue scale (VAS). After initial examination, a pharmacological evaluation of treatment was performed.
RESULTS: Based on our data, prevalence of diabetic neuropathy was estimated at 54%, with painful form reaching 6.4%. Median age was 57.2-12.1, duration of diabetes mellitus - 16.5-10.6 years. Type 1 / type 2 ratio equaled 32.4% : 67.6%, male/female - 29.7%: 70.3%. Median HbA1c level was 8.4?1.6%. Ratio of chronic/acute forms of neuropathy was 267 : 20. Pain severity (as measured by VAS) distribution was as following: 15.6% ? severe, 40.6% ? moderate, 12.3% - mild, and 31.3% ? no pain symptoms. We did not find PDN to be associated with any parameters but sensory deficit (NTSS-9 and NDS: r=0.4; p 0.001). 21% of patients with chronic painful neuropathy (CPN) demonstrated allodynia and hyperalgesia besides typical symptoms. 97.9% of patients were previously treated with "pathogenetic" agents, 2.1% received anticonvulsants; overall efficiency was estimated at 22%. Patients with CPN and allodynia did not respond to treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), but pregabalin was efficient. After the examination treatment composition was adjusted as follows: treatment was ceased in 23% of patients, 11.9% received ALA, 53.6% - anticonvulsants, and 11.5% - antidepressants; overall efficiency was estimated at 75%.
CONCLUSION: Prevalence of PDN is relatively low. 15.6% of patients suffer from severe pain. Neuropathic pain intensity correlates only with sensory deficit and is not dependent on any other parameters. CPN consists of two forms with higher and lower intensity of pain symptoms. Symptomatic therapy is indicated in acute variant of PDN, but also in chronic cases accompanied with allodynia and hyperalgesia. ALA appears to be effective as an initial stage of management of moderate or mild CPN.
BKT IX 10 = P.Berol. 21110r: Dorische Lyrik oder Tragödie?
Authors: Benelli Luca 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
BKT IX 10 = P.Berol. 21110r [MP3 1910.01; LDAB 4566] was published by Grace Ioannidou in 1996 and was attributed to Doric lyric. The form στεναξε[ (l. 11), however, is unusual for an Archaic lyric text, but not for tragic texts. It could therefore be a tragic text.
Nutzer erforschen Nutzer
Authors: Siems Renke 
Published: November 2013

Zusammenfassung:
Die Entwicklung zum Lernort verlief an der Universitätsbibliothek Tübingen sehr dynamisch, aber in der Vergangenheit nicht von einer konzisen Strategie geleitet. Um die künftige Gestaltung auf Basis eines reflektierten Konzepts vorantreiben zu können, entschloss sich die Universitätsbibliothek, das Instrument des Service Learnings auszuprobieren und als Form eines Participatory Designs zu verwenden. In einem zweisemestrigen Projekt entwickelten Studierende Aspekte eines künftigen Benutzungskonzepts, das in künftige Maßnahmen Eingang finden wird.
Bibliotheken in Irland 2013
Authors: Waidmann Simone 
Published: November 2013

Zusammenfassung:
Dieser Bericht ist das Ergebnis eines Fachaufenthalts an der Dublin Central Public Library und an der Boole Bibliothek des University College Cork. Er beschreibt die dortigen Angebote und Arbeitsweisen mit einem Fokus auf Angeboten zum Selbststudium, insbesondere zum Fremdsprachenerwerb, und auf Fachreferatsarbeit in den Geisteswissenschaften und im Bereich historischer Bestände.
Evaluation of Thin-Layer Drying Models and Artificial Neural Networks for Describing Drying Kinetics of Canola Seed in a Heat Pump Assisted Fluidized Bed Dryer
Authors: Malekjani Narjes , Jafari Seid Mahdi , Rahmati Mohammad Hashem , Zadeh Ebrahim Esmaeel , Mirzaee Hbibollah 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In this study, drying characteristics of canola seeds were determined using heated ambient air at 40, 50 and 60°C, relative humidity of 20, 40 and 60% and constant velocity of 3 m/s. To select a suitable drying curve, six thin-layer drying models were fitted to experimental data. The models were compared according to three statistical parameters: R
2, reduced chi-square (χ
2) and root mean square error. Using some experimental data, an Artificial neural network model, trained by Feed Forward Back-Propagation algorithm, was developed to predict moisture ratio values based on the three input variables. Different activation functions and several rules were used to assess percentage error between the desired and predicted values. According to the results, the approximation of diffusion drying model had better agreement with the drying data. The artificial neural network model was able to predict the moisture ratio quite well with R
2 of 0.9994. The predicted mean square error was obtained as 0.00012575.
Disease Identification and Grading of Pomegranate Leaves Using Image Processing and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Sannakki Sanjeev S. , Rajpurohit Vijay S. , Nargund V. B. , Arunkumar R. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Plant diseases cause major losses to several agricultural and horticultural crops around the World. Therefore, methods for proper diagnosis of diseases found in any parts of the plant body play a crucial role in disease management. In the past few decades, many methods and techniques of image processing and soft computing are applied on a number of plants to diagnose and treat variety of plant diseases. Hence, the present work is aimed to develop an automated system that results in three major outcomes for a leaf image. They are disease identification, disease grading and treatment advisory. The methodology begins with capturing of samples of healthy and diseased leaf images of Pomegranate plant. All the images are made to undergo pre-processing steps and different features are extracted and stored in the database. Analysis is done on the extracted features to determine those features that constitute a disease in the leaf. Later, a query image is taken and is tested to determine whether that image is healthy or diseased one. If the query image is found to be diseased, then the grade of the disease is determined. Finally, a treatment advisory module is built which ultimately helps agriculturists/farmers.
Stress, Depression, and Anxiety among Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Chernomas Wanda M. , Shapiro Carla 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAdmission to a professional program marks the beginning of fulfilling a career goal. However, the rigors of professional education can be demanding. Stress, depression, and anxiety (SDA) can interfere with learning, affect academic performance, and impair clinical practice performance. Studies report a general increase in the severity of and extent of mental health problems among college/university students. The literature regarding nursing students’ mental health distress identifies academic and personal sources of stress and coping efforts, with emphasis on the stress and anxiety associated with clinical practice. This cross-sectional descriptive exploratory study investigated levels of SDA among nursing students in 3 years of a university-based program. The association between quality of life indicators including known stressors, such as financial concerns and balance between school and personal life, and SDA was also investigated. Through an online survey, 437 participants from one mid-western Canadian undergraduate nursing program completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and provided data on quality of life indicators and demographic information. Participants also were invited to provide narrative data about their experiences with SDA. This article will present significant findings including: levels of SDA; comparisons between our sample and a normative sample on the dimensions of SDA; and the results of multiple regression analysis identifying significant predictors of each dimension. Themes from the qualitative comments from 251 of the participants were identified and added depth and clarity to the quantitative findings. The predominant themes represented were: perceptions of clinical practice, coping, personal issues, and balancing school, work, and personal life. Implications and recommendations for curriculum design, ensuring students understand program expectations prior to admission, and enhancing accessibility to mental health/support services need to be considered.
Ultra Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Characterization of Temperature-Sensitive Ferrogels Prepared Using Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Suthar Kamlesh J. , Ghantasala Muralidhar K. , Mancini Derrick C. , Ilavsky Jan 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTTemperature-sensitive ferrogel prepared using Fe3O4 nanoparticles are characterized under varying temperature conditions. The nanoparticles were distributed in Nisopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) during their polymerization to form hydrogel. Particle distribution and agglomeration characteristics of the prepared ferrogels were investigated using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) at various temperatures through the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to estimate the particle size distribution. The magnetic property was investigated using direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID) under hydrated conditions. The USAXS analysis showed an increase in the volume of particles without changing the agglomeration characteristics as the temperature is increased during the measurements. The ferrogel did not show any sedimentation or particle detachment from the gel under thermal cycling. Details of our results and analysis are presented.
Photodegradation of Polypropylene/ZnO Nanocomposites Films Prepared by Cryomilling under Xenon-arc Radiation
Authors: Bustos-Torres Karen A. , Vázquez-Rodríguez Sofia , Sepulveda-Guzman Selene , Guzmán-Soto Alejandra , Martínez-de la Cruz Azael , Torres-Martínez Leticia M. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe photodegradation of polypropylene (PP)/ZnO composites at different concentrations was evaluated under solar simulated exposure of respective nanocomposite films. Nanocomposites were prepared by solid mixing using a cryogenic mill, and then films were prepared by compression molding. All films showed a good dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles without affect considerably the optical properties of the films. The films were exposed in a solar simulation chamber under three xenon arc lamps with a 340nm filter. Degradation of PP/ZnO nanocomposite films was monitored by formation of oxidative groups and changes on surface microstructure. FTIR results showed that oxidation groups in nanocomposites films increased by using cuasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles.
Comparison of the Electrical Properties of PS-PMMA-MWNT Composites Made by Three Different Fabrication Methods
Authors: Wilson Samual J. , Gerhardt Rosario A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPolystyrene (PS), polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were used to fabricate conductive nanocomposites using various mixing methods, followed by compression molding to analyze their electrical properties. The main objective of this research project was to evaluate how using different mixing techniques alter the composite microstructure and hence the properties of the resultant composite material. Three fabrication techniques were selected to be investigated: mechanical mixing, melt-mixing, and solution mixing. The concentration of the fillers was kept constant at 2 wt% MWNT to simplify comparisons. After mixing, the composite mixtures were compression molded at the same temperature of 180°C. It was found that each mixing method yielded uniquely different AC conductivity profiles which can be attributed to how the fabrication method used affected the arrangement of the CNTs in the composite structure. This newfound control of the electrical properties of the composite materials could definitely be useful to researchers because one can choose the proper fabrication technique based on what properties are desired.