bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AssistOn-Finger: An under-actuated finger exoskeleton for robot-assisted tendon therapy
Authors: Ertas Ismail Hakan , Hocaoglu Elif , Patoglu Volkan 
Published: July 2014

SUMMARYWe present AssistOn-Finger, a novel under-actuated active exoskeleton for robot-assisted tendon therapy of human fingers. The primary use for the exoskeleton is to assist flexion/extension motions of a finger within its full range, while decreasing voluntary muscle contractions helping to keep the tendon tension levels to stay within acceptable limits, avoiding gap formation or rupture of the suture. The device can also be employed to administer range of motion (RoM)/strengthening exercises. AssistOn-Fingeris designed to be passively back-driveable, can cover the whole RoM of patients, and can do so in a natural and coordinated manner. In particular, the device employs human finger as an integral part of its kinematics and when coupled to a human operator, the parallel kinematic structure of exoskeleton supports three independent degrees of freedom, dictated by the kinematics of the human finger. Automatically aligning its joint axes to match finger joint axes, AssistOn-Fingercan guarantee ergonomy and comfort throughout the therapy. The self-aligning feature also significantly shortens the setup time required to attach the patient to the exoskeleton. We present the kinematic type selection for the exoskeleton to satisfy the design requirements for tendon therapy applications, detail optimal dimensional synthesis of the device considering trade-offs between multiple design criteria and discuss implementation details of the exoskeleton. We also present feasibility studies conducted on healthy volunteers and provide statistical evidence on the efficacy of exoskeleton driven exercises in keeping the average muscle recruitment and the maximum tendon tension levels as low as human guided therapies.
Stiffness and singularity analysis of foldable parallel mechanism for ship-based stabilized platform
Authors: Zhao Tie-shi , Wang Chang , Liu Xiao , Bian Hui , Zhao Yan-zhi 
Published: July 2014

SUMMARYThis paper investigates a 6-degree-of-freedom foldable parallel mechanism for the ship-based stabilized platform, which is driven by closed chain linkages. The velocity and acceleration mappings between the moving platform and inputs of the closed chain linkages are deduced in the form of the first- and second-order influence coefficient matrices. The continuous stiffness matrix is deduced; furthermore, the translation and rotational stiffness along any direction are also deduced. With directional stiffness, the singularity of the mechanism is analyzed, and the explanation of the singularity is given from the viewpoint of stiffness. The directions the platform cannot move or lose its constraints are got from directional stiffness.
Patient Informed Choice for Altruism
Authors: DOUKAS DAVID J. , HARDWIG JOHN 
Published: July 2014

Abstract:Respect for persons protects patients regarding their own healthcare decisions. Patient informed choice for altruism (PICA) is a proposed means for a fully autonomous patient with decisionmaking capacity to limit his or her own treatment for altruistic reasons. An altruistic decision could bond the patient with others at the end of life. We contend that PICA can also be an advance directive option. The proxy, family, and physicians must be reminded that a patient’s altruistic treatment refusal should be respected.
Coherent Longitudinal Acoustic Phonon Approaching THz Frequency in Multilayer Molybdenum Disulphide
Authors: Ge Shaofeng , Liu Xuefeng , Qiao Xiaofen , Wang Qinsheng , Xu Zhen , Qiu Jun , Tan Ping-Heng , Zhao Jimin , Sun Dong 
Published: July 2014

AbstractCoherent longitudinal acoustic phonon is generated and detected in multilayer Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) with number of layers ranging from 10 to over 1300 by femtosecond laser pulse. For thin MoS2, the excited phonon frequency exhibits a standing wave nature and shows linear dependence on the sample thickness. The frequency varies from 40 GHz to 0.2 THz (10 layers), which promises possible application in THz frequency mechanical resonators. This linear thickness dependence gradually disappears in thicker samples above about 150 layers and the oscillation period shows linear dependence on the probe wavelength. From both the oscillation period of the coherent phonon and the delay time of acoustic echo, we can deduce a consistent sound velocity of 7.11*103 m/s in MoS2. The generation mechanisms of the coherent acoustic phonon are also discussed through pump power dependent measurement.
In vitrostudies on the reaction rates of acrylamide with the key body-fluid thiolsl-cysteine, glutathione, and captopril
Authors: Bent Grace-Anne , Maragh Paul , Dasgupta Tara 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe mechanisms of interactions of acrylamide with l-cysteine, glutathione and captopril were studied in vitro. Experimental second order rate constants calculated at 303 K were 0.34 ± 0.02, 0.18 ± 0.02, and 0.13 ± 0.01 dm3 mol−1 s−1 for l-cysteine, glutathione, and captopril, respectively, potentially involving inter- and intra-molecular H-bonding in the acrylamide-glutathione complex.
Structural basis for allosteric cross-talk between the asymmetric nucleotide binding sites of a heterodimeric ABC exporter
Authors: Hohl Michael , Hürlimann Lea M. , Böhm Simon , Schöppe Jendrik , Grütter Markus G. , Bordignon Enrica , Seeger Markus A. 
Published: July 2014

Significance
ATP binding cassette (ABC) exporters contain a pair of nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), which bind and hydrolyze ATP to pump substrates across the membrane. Functional studies suggest that the two ATP binding sites are conformationally coupled. In contrast to other ABC exporters, we show that the asymmetric NBDs of the heterodimeric ABC exporter TM287/288 remain in contact, even in the absence of nucleotides. By comparing the apo state with the adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate–bound structure of TM287/288, we unravel the structural basis for allosteric coupling between the ATP binding sites. NBD-NBD contacts in the inward-facing transporter warrant cross-communication between the ATP binding sites throughout the transport cycle and are in agreement with functional models of clinically important heterodimeric ABC exporters including CFTR, SUR1, and TAP1/2.
TMEM129 is a Derlin-1 associated ERAD E3 ligase essential for virus-induced degradation of MHC-I
Authors: van den Boomen Dick J. H. , Timms Richard T. , Grice Guinevere L. , Stagg Helen R. , Skødt Karsten , Dougan Gordon , Nathan James A. , Lehner Paul J. 
Published: July 2014

Significance
Newly synthesized proteins undergo a strict quality-control checkpoint, and misfolded secretory proteins are targeted across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane back to the cytosol for proteasome degradation. This process requires tagging errant proteins with ubiquitin by an E3 ubiquitin ligase. In a genetic screen we identified TMEM129 as a novel and unusual E3 ligase. TMEM129 is hijacked by the human cytomegalovirus to degrade MHC-I signaling molecules and avert immune recognition of the infected cell. We suggest TMEM129 is an important ligase in the turnover of misfolded secretory proteins within a novel endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation complex.
Equivariant cohomology, syzygies and orbit structure
Authors: Allday Christopher , Franz Matthias , Puppe Volker 
Published: July 2014

Let

X
X

be a “nice” space with an action of a torus

T
T

. We consider the Atiyah–Bredon sequence of equivariant cohomology modules arising from the filtration of

X
X

by orbit dimension. We show that a front piece of this sequence is exact if and only if the

H

∗

(
B
T
)

H^{*}(BT)

-module

H
T

∗

(
X
)

H_T^{*}(X)

is a certain syzygy. Moreover, we express the cohomology of that sequence as an

E
x
t

\mathrm {Ext}

module involving a suitably defined equivariant homology of

X
X

.

One consequence is that the GKM method for computing equivariant cohomology applies to a Poincaré duality space if and only if the equivariant Poincaré pairing is perfect.
From a single network to a network of networks
Authors: Gao Jianxi , Li Daqing , Havlin Shlomo 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Network science has attracted much attention in recent years due to its interdisciplinary applications. We witnessed the revolution of network science in 1998 and 1999 started with small-world and scale-free networks having now thousands of high-profile publications, and it seems that since 2010 studies of ‘network of networks’ (NON), sometimes called multilayer networks or multiplex, have attracted more and more attention. The analytic framework for NON yields a novel percolation law for n interdependent networks that shows that percolation theory of single networks studied extensively in physics and mathematics in the last 50 years is a specific limit of the rich and very different general case of n coupled networks. Since then, properties and dynamics of interdependent and interconnected networks have been studied extensively, and scientists are finding many interesting results and discovering many surprising phenomena. Because most natural and engineered systems are composed of multiple subsystems and layers of connectivity, it is important to consider these features in order to improve our understanding of such complex systems. Now the study of NON has become one of the important directions in network science. In this paper, we review recent studies on the new emerging area—NON. Due to the fast growth of this field, there are many definitions of different types of NON, such as interdependent networks, interconnected networks, multilayered networks, multiplex networks and many others. There exist many datasets that can be represented as NON, such as network of different transportation networks including flight networks, railway networks and road networks, network of ecological networks including species interacting networks and food webs, network of biological networks including gene regulation network, metabolic network and protein–protein interacting network, network of social networks and so on. Among them, many interdependent networks including critical infrastructures are embedded in space, introducing spatial constraints. Thus, we also review the progress on study of spatially embedded networks. As a result of spatial constraints, such interdependent networks exhibit extreme vulnerabilities compared with their non-embedded counterparts. Such studies help us to understand, realize and hopefully mitigate the increasing risk in NON.
Reagent contamination can critically impact sequence-based microbiome analyses
Authors: Salter Susannah J , Cox Michael J , Turek Elena M , Calus Szymon T , Cookson William O , Moffatt Miriam F , Turner Paul , Parkhill Julian , Loman Nick , Walker Alan W 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe study of microbial communities has been revolutionised in recent years by the widespread adoption of culture independent analytical techniques such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics. One potential confounder of these sequence-based approaches is the presence of contamination in DNA extraction kits and other laboratory reagents. In this study we demonstrate that contaminating DNA is ubiquitous in commonly used DNA extraction kits, varies greatly in composition between different kits and kit batches, and that this contamination critically impacts results obtained from samples containing a low microbial biomass. Contamination impacts both PCR based 16S rRNA gene surveys and shotgun metagenomics. These results suggest that caution should be advised when applying sequence-based techniques to the study of microbiota present in low biomass environments. We provide an extensive list of potential contaminating genera, and guidelines on how to mitigate the effects of contamination. Concurrent sequencing of negative control samples is strongly advised.
Adjustment of the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale for adults with intellectual disabilities. A pilot study
Authors: Louise Tveter Anne , Lise Bakken Trine , G. Bramness Jørgen , Ivar Røssberg Jan 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– Patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and additional psychiatric disorders are often treated with psychotropic medication. However, examinations of side effects among these patients are scarce. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the most frequently used side effect scale, UKU Side Effect Rating Scale (UKU-SERS), in this patient population.

Design/methodology/approach
– The aim of the present study is to explore whether the UKU-SERS is feasible for patients with ID. The UKU-SERS consists originally of 48 items, measuring side effects of psychotropic medication. In the study, UKU-SERS was used to score a group of 13 adults with ID admitted to a specialised inpatient psychiatric unit. First, an expert panel of seven psychiatrists and five psychiatric nurses independently evaluated the UKU-SERS and decided which items they considered possible to score after observation alone. Second, a total of 26 staff members, based on observation, scored the 13 patients on the ward. These results were used as the basis for recommending items from UKU-SERS to be used. Items scored differently by the two groups were examined more thoroughly.

Findings
– The expert panel and the ward staff agreed on 24 of the original 48 UKU-SERS items. The other 24 items were examined more thoroughly based on clinical meaningfulness. Consequently, 11 more items were included despite disagreement in the scorer groups. As expected, items that are based on observations seem more feasible than items based on the patients’ subjective experiences.

Originality/value
– The revised checklist comprises 35 items and seems applicable for further research and for use in clinical settings for this patient population. It is possible to observe important side effects using the UKU Side Effect Scale, but adjustment of the scale is desirable to make it more appropriate for the specific purpose and target group.
Harmony as means to enhance affective commitment in a Chinese organization
Authors: Chin Tachia 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– Identifying the in-built art-based, multi-dimensionally dynamic nature of the Chinese notion of harmony from the philosophical perspective of Yijing, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms among the degree of harmony, employee affective commitment (AC) and compliance behavior at workplace in China.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper follows an empirical research design. To reduce extraneous sources of variation and measurement error, this study constrained the sample collection to full-time employees in manufacturing. Regression analysis was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings
– Results show that the degree of harmony is positively related to AC and compliance behavior. Findings also confirm the mediation effect of AC on the relationship between the degree of harmony and employee compliance behavior.

Practical implications
– The research suggests that firms in China may exploit boosting the degree of harmony in organizations as an effective means to enhance employee AC to and compliance with their employers. It enables non-Chinese managers to gain a better understanding of the importance of creating harmonious environment for Chinese employees.

Originality/value
– This study demonstrates the East-West cultural differences on the notion of harmony (art-based vs science-based views), investigating HR-related issues in China through a newer and broader lens, namely a revolutionary view of “East-West” integrative thinking. Using the model decoded by Yijing's eight trigrams to measure organizational harmony, this paper proposes a novel framework illustrating the relationships between a unique Chinese cultural variable (harmony) and two well-established Western measures (AC and compliance behavior), in response to the recent call for analyzing context-specific implications to develop new context-sensitive theories in HRM.
How managing the interaction created a system of learning in a wholesale distribution model
Authors: R. Reese Simon 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a manufacturer improved the interaction within the channel to facilitate a system of learning between three subsequent customer levels.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper provides an example of how a manufacturer designed steps to change the traditional interactions between the customer levels and place themselves in the middle of a knowledge-sharing environment.

Findings
– To best ensure consistency in knowledge sharing across the multiple levels, the learning and development (L&D) practitioner should examine the interactions and identify the unique benefits to encourage all members to freely engage in the learning system.

Practical implications
– Managing the learning system allows the manufacturer to manage knowledge sharing and reinforce a consistent message.

Originality/value
– The paper offers the steps undertaken and the benefits resulting from the improved interactions. The example provides the L&D professionals areas into which they can expand traditional learning environments.
Optimal allocation of emergency response services for managing disasters
Authors: Mitsakis Evangelos , Stamos Iraklis , Maria Salanova Grau Jose , Aifadopoulou Georgia 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present and apply a methodology that optimally assigns emergency response services (ERS) stations in Peloponnesus, Greece that was severely hit by wildfires in 2007, in an effort to describe the actual emergency response in this disaster and identify disaster management possibilities that can arise from the optimal allocation of the existing fire stations.

Design/methodology/approach
– The methodology concerns the development of an objective function that aims to minimize maximum and average response times of ERS stations and the evaluation of developed scenarios. Simulated annealing is used for the minimization of the objective function, providing near-optimal solutions with low computation times for medium-scale networks.

Findings
– The findings concern the comparison of average and maximum response times of ERS stations to hearths of fire, based on their actual and optimal allocation. They reveal an overall reduction in the average and maximum response time by 20 and 30 percent, respectively, for the entire region, while there is a reduction of 15 and 35 percent in the average and maximum response time for the locations affected by the 2007 wildfires.

Research limitations/implications
– The methodology is formulated as a facility location problem with unitary demand and unlimited capacity in the stations, which means that the allocation does not take into account simultaneous events.

Originality/value
– The paper fulfills an identified need to apply innovative research solutions to actual case studies in order to identify existing gaps and future disaster management possibilities.
Critical failure factors of public-private partnership low-cost housing program in Thailand
Authors: Trangkanont Surangkana , Charoenngam Chotchai 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– Numerous studies to date have demonstrated the public-private partnership (PPP) project procurement method's failure to deliver low-cost housing (LCH) to low-income groups (LIGs) in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate critical failure factors (CFFs), and how they cause the failure of PPP-LCH program.

Design/methodology/approach
– Grounded Theory methodology was used to gather and analyze the data in order to identify, categorize, and develop the logically causal relationships among CFFs that cause PPP-LCH program failure.

Findings
– Ten CFFs in various phases of PPP-LCH project life cycle caused PPP-LCH program failure. Some CFFs resulted from ineffective PPP policy and strategy, while some were beyond the control of the project/program management team. These CFFs were inter-/intra-related to one another in a particular way.

Originality/value
– Despite the increase in PPP-LCH projects/programs for LIGs in practice and the prevalence of failure, the studies of PPP-LCH project/program failure still suffer from insufficient conceptual clarity about the causes of these failures. The lessons learned, to some extent, help decision makers in both public and private sectors to reduce the probability of the PPP-LCH project/program failure by clearly explaining the nature of each CFF.
Transaction costs incurred by construction owners
Authors: Li Huimin , Arditi David , Wang Zhuofu 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– Transaction costs arise from economic exchange rather than production activities. However, the term “transaction cost” is not consistently defined in the construction industry because the concept of transaction cost is not universally accepted by all stakeholders in construction projects. As a result, empirical studies are few and conflicting because accessing data on transaction costs is problematic, and the interpretation of the data is difficult. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the transaction costs borne by the owner in a construction project from the perspective of transaction cost economics and construction project characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach
– A questionnaire survey was administered to construction owners. The factors that impact transaction costs were analyzed in the context of human-related issues (the owner's and the contractor's positions in the transaction), and environment-related issues (the transaction environment, and project management efficiency). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the transaction costs incurred in the pre- vs post-contract phases of a project relative to the private vs public sector, different project delivery systems, different procurement methods, and different types of contracts.

Findings
– The owners surveyed believe that transaction costs may be reduced if the owner and the contractor follow some basic guidelines (e.g. experience in similar projects, prompt payment, good relationship with project participants, no irregularities in bidding, and only few material substitutions and claims), if the project is well-run (e.g. technical competency, strong leadership, prompt decision-making, effective communication, and fair/speedy conflict management), and if the transaction environment is favorable (e.g. fair risk allocation, early contractor involvement, and complete design documents). The findings of the survey also indicate that post-contract transaction costs are much higher than pre-contract transaction costs expressed as percent of project value and that transaction costs are affected by the owner (public vs private), the procurement method, the project delivery system, and the type of contract.

Originality/value
– The primary contribution that this research makes to the body of knowledge is a better understanding of transaction costs incurred by construction owners in the USA. The highest transaction costs are to be expected in the post-contract phase of public projects awarded on a unit price basis, but can be reduced, hence reducing overall project cost.