bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graphene decorated microelectrodes for simultaneous detection of ascorbic, dopamine, and folic acids by means of chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Namdar N , Hassanpour Amiri M , Dehghan Nayeri F , Gholizadeh A , Mohajerzadeh S 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
In this paper, high quality and large area graphene layers were synthesized using thermal chemical vapour deposition on copper foil substrates. We use graphene incorporated electrodes to measure simultaneously ascorbic acid, dopamine and folic acid. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods were used to evaluate electrochemical behaviour of the grown graphene layers. The graphene-modified electrode shows large electrochemical potential difference compared to bare gold electrodes with higher current responses. Also our fabricated electrodes configuration can be used easily for microfluidic analysis.
Use and Perceived Impact of the County Health Rankings Report in Florida and North Carolina
Authors: Winterbauer Nancy L. , Rafferty Ann P. , Tucker Ashley , Jones Katherine , Tucker-McLaughlin Mary 
Published: August 2015

Objective:
Examine overall level of and variation in local health department (LHD) use and perceived impact of the County Health Rankings report (Rankings) in Florida (2010, 2011) and North Carolina (2010-2012, 2013).

Design:
Two cross-sectional surveys among LHDs.

Participants:
Local health directors and relevant staff.

Main Outcome Measures:
Use of the Rankings was measured by asking respondents if their LHD had used the Rankings in any of 10 ways and through assessment of community engagement. Perceived impact was measured by amount of attention the Rankings received from various stakeholders and whether they had already produced or would likely produce any of 7 possible results.

Results:
Overall, LHDs used the Rankings most often to educate staff in Florida (78%) and North Carolina (56%). Engagement with community groups around the Rankings was variable. Media engagement, through press releases (41%; 40%) or interviews (51%; 36%) in Florida and North Carolina, was moderate. Florida LHDs used the Rankings in more ways and significantly more frequently than North Carolina LHDs. There were few significant differences in perceived impact by state. At least a moderate amount of attention was received from media in Florida (52%) and North Carolina (46%). Twenty-percent of LHDs reported the Rankings received at least moderate attention from the general public in both states and 38% (Florida) and 33% (North Carolina) from policy makers. Tangible benefits to communities from the Rankings, such as having already influenced adoption of new policies, were modest in Florida (3%) and North Carolina (11%).

Conclusions:
Results suggest that tangible benefits to communities from use of the Rankings have yet to be fully realized but are encouraging. More effective media engagement could produce the community awareness necessary to maximize the Rankings' potential to mobilize communities for health improvement. State variation in Rankings use suggests that more support to LHDs may be helpful.
Statistical Inference of a Convergent Antibody Repertoire Response to Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Strauli Nicolas , Hernandez Ryan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundVaccines dramatically affect an individual’s adaptive immune system, and thus provide an excellent means to study human immunity. Upon vaccination, the B cells that express antibodies (Abs) that happen to bind the vaccine are stimulated to proliferate and undergo mutagenesis at their Ab locus. This process may alter the composition of B cell lineages within an individual, which are known collectively as the antibody repertoire (AbR). Antibodies are also highly expressed in whole blood, potentially enabling unbiased RNA sequencing technologies to query this diversity. Less is known about the diversity of AbR responses across individuals to a given vaccine and if individuals tend to yield a similar response to the same antigenic stimulus.MethodsHere we implement a bioinformatic pipeline that extracts the AbR information from a time-series RNA-seq dataset of 5 patients who were administered a seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). We harness the detailed time-series nature of this dataset and use methods based in functional data analysis (FDA) to identify the B cell lineages that respond to the vaccine. We then design and implement rigorous statistical tests in order to ask whether or not these patients exhibit a convergent AbR response to the same TIV.ResultsWe find that high-resolution time-series data can be used to help identify the Ab lineages that respond to an antigenic stimulus, and that this response can exhibit a convergent nature across patients inoculated with the same vaccine. However, correlations in AbR diversity among individuals prior to inoculation can confound inference of a convergent signal unless it is taken into account.ConclusionsWe developed a framework to identify the elements of an AbR that respond to an antigen. This information could be used to understand the diversity of different immune responses in different individuals, as well as to gauge the effectiveness of the immune response to a given stimulus within an individual. We also present a framework for testing a convergent hypothesis between AbRs; a hypothesis that is more difficult to test than previously appreciated. Our discovery of a convergent signal suggests that similar epitopes do select for antibodies with similar sequence characteristics.
Mapping lean experiences and emerging connections with clinical risk management in Italian context
Authors: Crema Maria , Verbano Chiara 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe the Italian state of art of Health Lean Management (HLM) and to analyze the Italian projects that connect this approach with clinical risk management (CRM).

Design/methodology/approach
– After introducing Italian healthcare system and its main challenges, relevant Italian experiences have been searched investigating regional health plans (RHPs), managerial reports, books, workshops, conference proceedings and hospital web sites. The degree of experience of each Italian region has been first studied. Further, field of applicability, objectives, tools, practices and results of the projects with first signs of HLM and CRM integration have been analyzed.

Findings
– Although interest in new managerial approaches is spreading in almost all the territory and new managerial solutions are fostered in many RHPs, HLM projects are implemented patchy in Italy. For what regards HLM projects with CRM connections, the Italian context seems aligned with the international one, apart from few features. First indications for the implementation of HLM projects with CRM connections emerged.

Originality/value
– Healthcare systems are facing multiple challenges in a context where public funds decrease but quality of care must be guaranteed. Combining different managerial approaches could solve these issues. In this research, for the first time, a map about Italian HLM adoption has been drawn, and Italian HLM projects with CRM connections have been analyzed. The results constitute one of the first contributions useful to develop guidelines for the implementation of projects pursuing efficiency, quality and safety objectives.
The job of a performance consultant: a qualitative content analysis of job descriptions
Authors: Carliner Saul , Castonguay Chantal , Sheepy Emily , Ribeiro Ofelia , Sabri Hiba , Saylor Chantal , Valle Andre 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– This study aims to explore the competencies needed by performance consultants, a particular role identified for training and development professionals. The role was formally named and promoted nearly two decades ago. Two ongoing discussions in the field are the competencies needed by training and development professionals and the role of consulting within the field.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study identifies the general competencies needed by a performance consultant as reflected in job descriptions for the position. It accomplished this goal by collecting job descriptions for the position from organizations in Canada (the result of a practical arrangement with an organization that would collect the descriptions and remove identifying information before the research team analyzed them), systematically analyzing them using qualitative content analysis techniques and generating a profile of the position, which can be used as a basis for further analysis of the position.

Findings
– The job title and competencies sought in the job descriptions differ from those proposed in the literature. Specific areas of difference include the title (none of the job descriptions analyzed explicitly used the title performance consultant), role in needs analysis and client relationships, technology competence (the job descriptions sought little, if any, while the literature suggests broad conceptual knowledge) and qualifications (most job descriptions only require a bachelor’s degree; many training and development professionals have more education).

Research limitations/implications
– The profile presented in this paper only represents that used in job descriptions (typically an idealized version) and in a particular national context. But if the results are validated with other methodologies and in other contexts, they suggest that the actual consulting role significantly differs from the one conceptualized in the literature.

Practical implications
– The findings suggest that the consultant role conceived in the literature differs from the actual job expected by employers, at least as reflected in job descriptions. Research with incumbents in the job is needed to assess whether the inconsistencies are also reflected in the day-to-day work.

Social implications
– Social implications validate the broad concern that trainers have skills and talents to offer organizations that those organizations do not fully utilize.

Originality/value
– The paper provides one of the few empirical studies of the job responsibilities of a performance consultant.
Immigrant family businesses: social capital, network benefits and business performance
Authors: Tata Jasmine , Prasad Sameer 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to look at immigrant family business through the framework of social capital by investigating how the social capital of immigrant family business owners helps them obtain network benefits and improve business performance.Design/methodology/approach– This paper presents an empirical investigation of 170 immigrant family business owners. The authors examine social capital as a multidimensional construct and focus on two attributes of social capital: structural embeddedness and relational embeddedness. In addition, this study examines how social capital influences business performance through the mediating effect of network benefits. Finally, the constructs of family capital and immigrant community capacity are also investigated.Findings– The results suggest that the two attributes of social capital differed in their effects on network benefits, and that network benefits mediated the influence of social capital attributes on family business performance. Specifically, relational social capital influenced access to resources and information, and structural social capital influenced access to resources. Family ties affected network benefits and business performance, and immigrant community capacity had the predicted moderating effect on the relationship between immigrant community ties and network benefits.Originality/value– This investigation has the potential to advance understanding of immigrant family businesses by assessing how the overall social capital of the family business owner influences business performance. The study also furthers the understanding of family capital and immigrant community capacity. In addition, these results serve practitioners by helping identify avenues to increase immigrant family business performance, an issue that is increasingly important today given the contribution of such businesses to the economic vitality of societies.
Entrepreneurial aspirations and start-up motives of women chemists in Germany
Authors: Pascher Ute , Roski Melanie , Halbfas Brigitte 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to promote better understanding of different women entrepreneurs and self-employed women with regard to their educational level and field of study. Foremost, the aim is providing detailed knowledge about the phenomenon of women self-employed chemists in R & D sectors and throwing light not only on the single women but also on the general conditions they are working in and their opportunities to get ahead.Design/methodology/approach– The interdisciplinary research team followed an integrated research approach and combined qualitative with quantitative methods. By focussing on motives and causes of women self-employed chemists, this paper refers to the findings of two sub-studies, an online survey on self-employed (female and male) chemists in Germany and a qualitative study on the basis of biographical interviews tracing the professional biographies of women self-employed chemists. Moreover, the findings are analysed based on other sub-studies, like the analysis of the (start-up) conditions within the chemical industry and a discourse analysis of a well-known chemical periodical.Findings– It was found that the differences between female and male chemists turning self-employed or starting a business are less pronounced than the differences between male and female founders, in general. Research demonstrates that women chemists do have high qualifications and if they become entrepreneurs, the main cause for that is escaping their organisational employment. Being entrepreneurially active, women chemists might work more satisfactorily, at least they are able to surround the glass ceiling.Originality/value– This paper seeks to fill the gap of limited in-depth information on knowledge about female entrepreneurs and self-employed women with an academic background in chemistry. Focussing on one single field of study and profession of female entrepreneurs is, in that way, unique, as the research has looked on professionals who are not predestined for entry in entrepreneurship.
Islamic finance, contagion effects, spillovers and monetary policy
Authors: Grais Wafik , Rajhi Wassim 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to review monetary and systemic liquidity management policies that essentially aim at containing crisis and limiting their spread. A corollary is whether relevant public authorities and market participants have tools at their disposal to deal with a systemic crisis affecting Institution Offering Islamic Financial Services (IIFS).Design/methodology/approach– The method used in this study is an examination of existing literature. This paper considers mechanisms that may help contain a crisis and those that may foster post crisis recovery in the case of conventional and Islamic finance.Findings– The progress made to date to develop money markets accessible to IIFS is commendable; however, it is not sufficient. Licensing IIFS in dual financial systems entails a public authority responsibility linked to the authorities’ accountability for the conduct of monetary policy and systemic liquidity management. Licensing an IIFS entails acknowledging the responsibility of being able to manage a system that includes IIFS. This is feasible and possible, but the issue needs to be addressed directly. In a crisis monetary policy and systemic liquidity management will be at the forefront of the stabilization efforts.Originality/value– The experiences of Bahrain and Malaysia in developing a monetary policy and systemic liquidity management framework for their jurisdiction are assessed. The paper identifies also channels of potential spillover effects from conventional to Islamic finance.
Bonding of zero-shrink LTCC with alumina ceramics
Authors: Somer Jakub , Štekovič Michal , Urban František , Šandera Josef , Szendiuch Ivan 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to focus on a description of reliable bonding technique of zero-shrink low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and alumina ceramics. LTCC is widely used for manufacturing electrical systems in 3D configuration. LTCC substrates were so far bonded with alumina ceramics using additional adhesive layers with subsequent firing or curing cycle. With the advent of the zero-shrink LTCC substrates, it is now possible to bond unfired substrates with other fired substrates, for example fired LTCC or alumina substrates. Alumina substrate in combination with LTCC brings advantages of good thermal conductivity for usage in heating elements or packaging.

Design/methodology/approach
– The test structure contains a thick-film pattern for verification of the compatibility of the bonding process. We have used two methods for bonding the substrates: cold chemical lamination (CCL) and thermo compression method, using a dielectric thick-film paste as the adhesive. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electric testing of the screen-printed patterns were used for verification of the bonding quality.

Findings
– The thermo-compression method gave poor results in comparison with the CCL method. The best quality of lamination was achieved at room temperature combined with low pressure for both types of bonding materials. In addition, a possibility of using this bonding method for sensor fabrication was investigated. The ceramic pressure sensor samples with a cavity were created.

Originality/value
– The possibility of bonding two different ceramic materials was investigated. A new approach to ceramic bonding showed promising results with possible use in sensors.
Asymptotic allometry and transition to the canopy in Abies balsamea
Authors: Wood Zachary T. , Peart David R. , Palmiotto Peter A. , Kong Lixi , Peart Noah V. 
Published: August 2015

Summary

There is a lack of consensus in theoretical and empirical literature on whether height–diameter (H:D) relationships of canopy trees are asymptotic.

To investigate H:D allometry, particularly in the transition to the canopy, we focused on shade‐tolerant Abies balsamea, across steep physical gradients associated with elevation, and correlated biotically generated gradients of stem density, canopy height and canopy species composition.

We addressed these questions: A. What is the relation between H:D allometric form and emergence into the canopy? B. Is H:D allometry asymptotic? C. What aspects of the H:D relationship are most sensitive to environmental conditions? Using maximum likelihood, we compared the performance of alternative H:D forms (linear, power function, non‐sigmoid asymptotic and sigmoid asymptotic), incorporating elevation and local canopy height as covariates.

Abies balsamea H:D allometric form was clearly sigmoid asymptotic, by a wide AIC margin, across all gradients, to an asymptote slightly above canopy height. The commonly used power function had essentially no empirical support (ΔAIC >> 10).

Canopy height decreased with elevation, but with much variation, so elevation was a poor predictor of the asymptote. Across environmental gradients, H:D allometries overlapped for trees far below the canopy, but diverged strongly for trees approaching different canopy heights.

Changes in resource allocation and modification of growth form that could generate asymptotic H:D allometries are consistent with known physical forces and diverse research findings in tree developmental biology and physiology.

Synthesis. The H:D asymptote and its tight relation to canopy height, unapparent in aggregated H:D data, became clear only when canopy height and elevation were included explicitly in allometric models. Asymptotic H:D allometries may be the norm, though often undetected, in unmanaged forests without recent catastrophic disturbance. Appropriate asymptotic H:D models may reduce error in forest carbon and biomass estimation and promote theoretical and empirical integration in the ecology and evolution of tree allometry.
The Effects of Dextromethorphan on Driving Performance and the Standardized Field Sobriety Test
Authors: Perry Paul J. , Fredriksen Kristian , Chew Stephanie , Ip Eric J. , Lopes Ingrid , Doroudgar Shadi , Thomas Kelan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractDextromethorphan (DXM) is abused most commonly among adolescents as a recreational drug to generate a dissociative experience. The objective of the study was to assess driving with and without DXM ingestion. The effects of one‐time maximum daily doses of DXM 120 mg versus a guaifenesin 400 mg dose were compared among 40 healthy subjects using a crossover design. Subjects’ ability to drive was assessed by their performance in a driving simulator (STISIM® Drive driving simulator software) and by conducting a standardized field sobriety test (SFST) administered 1‐h postdrug administration. The one‐time dose of DXM 120 mg did not demonstrate driving impairment on the STISIM® Drive driving simulator or increase SFST failures compared to guaifenesin 400 mg. Doses greater than the currently recommended maximum daily dose of 120 mg are necessary to perturb driving behavior.
Lack of support for Rensch's rule in an intraspecific test using red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) populations
Authors: Martin Oliver Y. , Michalczyk Łukasz , Millard Anna L. , Emerson Brent C. , Gage Matthew J. G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRensch's rule proposes a universal allometric scaling phenomenon across species where sexual size dimorphism (SSD) has evolved: in taxa with male‐biased dimorphism, degree of SSD should increase with overall body size, and in taxa with female‐biased dimorphism, degree of SSD should decrease with increasing average body size. Rensch's rule appears to hold widely across taxa where SSD is male‐biased, but not consistently when SSD is female‐biased. Furthermore, studies addressing this question within species are rare, so it remains unclear whether this rule applies at the intraspecific level. We assess body size and SSD within Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), a species where females are larger than males, using 21 populations derived from separate locations across the world, and maintained in isolated laboratory culture for at least 20 years. Body size, and hence SSD patterns, are highly susceptible to variations in temperature, diet quality and other environmental factors. Crucially, here we nullify interference of such confounds as all populations were maintained under identical conditions (similar densities, standard diet and exposed to identical temperature, relative humidity and photoperiod). We measured thirty beetles of each sex for all populations, and found body size variation across populations, and (as expected) female‐biased SSD in all populations. We test whether Rensch's rule holds for our populations, but find isometry, i.e. no allometry for SSD. Our results thus show that Rensch's rule does not hold across populations within this species. Our intraspecific test matches previous interspecific studies showing that Rensch's rule fails in species with female‐biased SSD.