bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new time‐dependent mobility degradation model for MOS transistors
Authors: Özcelep Yasin , Kuntman Ayten 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a time‐dependent mobility degradation model which is independent from the process or operating conditions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, four transistors under test are electrically stressed using constant positive electrical stress voltage technique with the gate bias of VG=40 V DC, where the source and drain were grounded. The authors increased the stress voltage step by step to avoid electrostatic discharge and recorded the ID‐VDS and ID‐VGS measurements in time intervals during the stress.FindingsThe experimental results show that the output current and the threshold voltage of the transistor are increased after the stress. Mobility and channel length are decreased. The changes in the transistor parameters were associated to interface state Si/SiO2 effects. The authors used the physical changes in transistor and proposed a new‐time dependent mobility degradation model. The mobility change was calculated using the proposed model and compared with the experimental results. It was seen that the calculated and experimental results are in good agreement.Originality/valueThis is an original research paper and enables the mobility degradation to be predicted independently from effects of process or operational changes such as oxide thickness, substrate doping, and applied voltages on transistor.
The potential of converged mobile telecommunication services: a conjoint analysis
Authors: Nikou Shahrokh , Bouwman Harry , de Reuver Mark 
Published: July 2012

PurposeFearing that their voice and SMS business will be substituted by IP‐based services from internet companies, mobile operators are developing various IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) based technologies to enable richer communication services. They reason that since the new rich communication services – such as enhanced presence, group communication and seamless switching between devices and media types within the same communication session – provide secure and more reliable services than those offered by internet companies – Skype, Whatsapp and Google+, for instance – consumers will readily appreciate their services and consequently use them. This paper seeks to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachTo validate these claims, this study analyzes the results of a conjoint survey among 82 respondents in The Netherlands, France and Spain. Are users really willing to adopt these rich communication services and, if so, do issues like reliability, privacy and security impact their decision?FindingThe results indicate that while users are most interested in “group communication” features of rich communication services, they appreciate other services like “switching devices”, “switching media during communication sessions” and “file‐sharing”. Still, for all services, reliability, security and interoperability (i.e. switching between devices) are valued as important requirements.Research limitation/implicationsThese findings contribute to the debate on platform competition, as these rich communication services are provided on the basis of the IMS platform, while competing services are offered via an internet base platform.Originality/ valueThis paper contributes to the discussion in the mobile telecommunications domain on whether and how operators can counter the threat from internet players that look to take over their voice and SMS business. Theoretically, this paper will contribute both to understanding why users intend to adopt advanced mobile services and creating insight into the consumer‐related factors that drive the war between competing service platforms.
Alliance network and innovation: evidence from China's third generation mobile communications industry
Authors: Lin Runhui , Zhang Hongjuan , Fan Jianhong , Hou Rujing 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore the evolution of a third generation mobile communications (3G) industry based on TD‐SCDMA technical standard in China through the lens of network analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe authors argue that inter‐firm alliances help companies gain and integrate internal and external resources and foster technical innovation. The paper analyzes alliance governance structures and governance mechanisms in particular, and shows how they protect and improve network‐based innovation capabilities and competitive advantages during a ten‐year period with the method of social network analysis and case studies.FindingsThe authors offer a theoretical model that incorporates cooperation among organizations, the maturity of the industrial chain, and the accumulation of organizational knowledge and social capital.Originality/valueThe paper offers a theoretical model of factors that contributes greatly to the development of technical innovation.
Bio‐energetics underpins the spatial response of North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) and sole (Solea solea L.) to climate change
Authors: Teal Lorna R. , van Hal Ralf , van Kooten Tobias , Ruardij Piet , Rijnsdorp Adriaan D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractClimate change is currently one of the main driving forces behind changes in species distributions, and understanding the mechanisms that underpin macroecological patterns is necessary for a more predictive science. Warming sea water temperatures are expected to drive changes in ectothermic marine species ranges due to their thermal tolerance levels. Here, we develop a mechanistic tool to predict size‐ and season‐specific distributions based on the physiology of the species and the temperature and food conditions in the sea. The effects of climate conditions on physiological‐based habitat utilization was then examined for different size‐classes of two commercially important fish species in the North Sea, plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, and sole, Solea solea. The two species provide an attractive comparison as they differ in their physiology (e.g. preferred temperature range). Combining dynamic energy budget (DEB) models with the temperature and food conditions estimated by an ecosystem model (ERSEM), allowed spatial differences in potential growth (as a proxy for habitat quality) to be estimated for 2 years with contrasting temperature and food conditions. The resulting habitat quality maps were in broad agreement with observed ontogenetic and seasonal changes in distribution as well as with the recent changes in distribution which could be attributed to an increase in coastal temperatures. Our physiological‐based model provides a powerful tool to explore the effect of climate change on the spatio‐temporal fish dynamics, predict effects of local or broad‐scale environmental changes and provide a physiological basis for observed changes in species distributions.
Hepatitis E virus infection in Ghanaian blood donors – the importance of immunoassay selection and confirmation
Authors: Meldal B. H. M. , Sarkodie F. , Owusu‐Ofori S. , Allain J.‐P. 
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is emerging as a potential new threat to blood safety after several cases of transfusion–transmission were reported from non‐epidemic countries. On the basis of seroprevalence data, HEV is endemic in Ghana where poor sanitary conditions and regular flooding are prevalent. However, no data are available for HEV prevalence in blood donors.Materials and Methods  Plasma samples from 239 Ghanaian blood donors were tested for anti‐HEV IgG and IgM by ELISA (two and three assays, respectively) and Western blot (recomLine) and for HEV‐RNA by RT‐qPCR.Results  All donors were RNA negative. Results from the different serological assays were discrepant: reactivity in two of the three IgM assays was correlated with elevated IgM levels, but the discrepancies between IgG assays were unrelated to the donors’ IgG levels and more likely related to assay sensitivity. Fourteen samples (5·9%) were anti‐HEV IgM reactive and 11 samples (4·6%) anti‐HEV IgG reactive in at least two serological assays from different manufacturers.Conclusions  (a) In the absence of accepted confirmatory assays, it is crucial to confirm anti‐HEV reactive samples with an alternative assay, especially when the population tested carries high levels of immunoglobulin M. (b) Although asymptomatic HEV infections are common in Ghanaian blood donors, currently, it does not seem to be a major risk to blood safety.
Stoichiometric flexibility as a regulator of carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems under change
Authors: Sistla Seeta A. , Schimel Joshua P. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryEcosystems across the biosphere are subject to rapid changes in elemental balance and climatic regimes. A major force structuring ecological responses to these perturbations lies in the stoichiometric flexibility of systems – the ability to adjust their elemental balance whilst maintaining function. The potential for stoichiometric flexibility underscores the utility of the application of a framework highlighting the constraints and consequences of elemental mass balance and energy cycling in biological systems to address global change phenomena. Improvement in the modeling of ecological responses to disturbance requires the consideration of the stoichiometric flexibility of systems within and across relevant scales. Although a multitude of global change studies over various spatial and temporal scales exist, the explicit consideration of the role played by stoichiometric flexibility in linking micro‐scale to macro‐scale biogeochemical processes in terrestrial ecosystems remains relatively unexplored. Focusing on terrestrial systems under change, we discuss the mechanisms by which stoichiometric flexibility might be expressed and connected from organisms to ecosystems. We suggest that the transition from the expression of stoichiometric flexibility within individuals to the community and ecosystem scales is a key mechanism regulating the extent to which environmental perturbation may alter ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling dynamics.
TRPV1–tubulin complex: involvement of membrane tubulin in the regulation of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Goswami Chandan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractExistence of microtubule cytoskeleton at the membrane and submembranous regions, referred as ‘membrane tubulin’ has remained controversial for a long time. Since we reported physical and functional interaction of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Sub Type 1 (TRPV1) with microtubules and linked the importance of TRPV1‐tubulin complex in the context of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy, a few more reports have characterized this interaction in in vitro and in in vivo condition. However, the cross‐talk between TRPs with microtubule cytoskeleton, and the complex feedback regulations are not well understood. Sequence analysis suggests that other than TRPV1, few TRPs can potentially interact with microtubules. The microtubule interaction with TRPs has evolutionary origin and has a functional significance. Biochemical evidence, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer analysis along with correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence anisotropy measurements have confirmed that TRPV1 interacts with microtubules in live cell and this interaction has regulatory roles. Apart from the transport of TRPs and maintaining the cellular structure, microtubules regulate signaling and functionality of TRPs at the single channel level. Thus, TRPV1‐tubulin interaction sets a stage where concept and parameters of ‘membrane tubulin’ can be tested in more details. In this review, I critically analyze the advancements made in biochemical, pharmacological, behavioral as well as cell‐biological observations and summarize the limitations that need to be overcome in the future.
A Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Analysis for Overdenture Attachments Supported by Teeth and/or Mini Dental Implants
Authors: Fatalla Abdalbseet A. , Song Ke , Du Tianfeng , Cao Yingguang 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study was to establish the optimum design and attachment combination to support an overdenture with minimal stress and flexing produced in the alveolar bone surrounding any natural teeth and/or mini dental implants.Materials and Methods: Twelve models were included in the study: the six main models (A, B, C, D, E, and F) were categorized according to the support designs of the overdenture prosthesis, and each model was further subdivided according to the attachment combinations into model 1: with Dalbo elliptic and/or O‐ring attachments only and model 2: with flexible acrylic attachments. Vertical loads (35 N) and 17.5 N lateral loads under static conditions were applied to the models to simulate the occlusal forces following the concept of lingualized occlusion. All conditions were created using a finite element software program. Maximum von Mises stress at the level of the attachments and at the bone support foundation interfaces were compared in all 12 models. The flexing of the mandible and the attachments were also compared qualitatively.Results: Stress on these models was analyzed after the given loading condition. The results showed that the model with three freestanding mini dental implants and flexible acrylic attachments showed the lowest von Mises stress and flexing, while the models with four freestanding mini dental implants and O‐ring attachments showed the highest von Mises stress.Conclusion: Three freestanding mini dental implants with flexible acrylic attachment systems supporting an overdenture were better choices than four mini dental implants with O‐ring attachment systems, which showed the maximum flexing and stress values in this qualitative comparison.
Specific Gene Responses of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 during Growth in Soil
Authors: Iino Toju , Wang Yong , Miyauchi Keisuke , Kasai Daisuke , Masai Eiji , Fujii Takeshi , Ogawa Naoto , Fukuda Masao 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

Transcriptome analysis of
Rhodococcus jostii
RHA1 during growth in sterilized soil was performed. A total of 165 soil-specific genes were identified by subtracting genes upregulated in late growth phases and on solid medium from 264 genes commonly upregulated during growth on biphenyl or pyruvate in sterilized soil. Classification of the 165 genes into functional categories indicated that this soil-specific group is rich in genes for the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and nitrogen and relatively poor in those for cellular processes and signaling. The ro06365–ro06369 gene cluster, in which ro06365 to ro06368 were highly upregulated in transcriptome analysis, was characterized further. ro06365 and ro06366 show similarity to a nitrite/nitrate transporter and a nitrite reductase, respectively, suggesting their involvement in nitrogen metabolism. A strain with an ro06366 deletion, D6366, showed growth retardation when we used nitrate as the sole nitrogen source and no growth when we used nitrite. A strain with a deletion of ro06365 to ro06368, DNop, utilized neither nitrite nor nitrate and recovered growth using nitrite and nitrate by introduction of the deleted genes. Both of the mutants showed growth retardation in sterilized soil, and the growth retardation of DNop was more significant than that of D6366. When these mutants were cultivated in medium containing the same proportions of ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite ions as those in the sterilized soil, they showed growth retardation similar to that in the soil. These results suggest that the ro06365–ro06369 gene cluster has a significant role in nitrogen utilization in sterilized soil.
Predicting the Presence of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Ground Beef by Using Molecular Tests for Shiga Toxins, Intimin, and O Serogroups
Authors: Bosilevac Joseph M. , Koohmaraie Mohammad 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

When 3,972 ground beef enrichments with 6 confirmed to contain a non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing intimin-positive
Escherichia coli
isolate were tested for Shiga toxin, intimin, and O group (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) genes, 183 potential positives and only 2 of the 6 confirmed positives were identified.
Trial participants’ experiences of early enhanced speech and language therapy after stroke compared with employed visitor support: a qualitative study nested within a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Young Alys , Gomersall Timothy , Bowen Audrey ,   on behalf of the ACT NoW investigators
Published: July 2012

Objectives: To explore trial participants’ experiences of the process and outcomes of early, enhanced speech and language therapy after stroke with support from an employed visitor. Design: Qualitative study nested within a randomized controlled trial. Participants: Twney-two people who, after stroke, had a diagnosis of aphasia (12), dysarthria (5) or both (5) and who participated in the ACT NoW study. Setting: Eight English NHS usual care settings. Method: Individual interviews. Thematic content analysis assisted by a bespoke data transformation protocol for incorporating non-verbal and semantically ambiguous data. Results: Participants highly regarded regular and sustained contact with someone outside of immediate family/friends who engaged them in deliberate activities/communication in the early months after stroke. Participants identified differences in the process of intervention between speech and language therapists and employed visitors. But no major discriminations were made between the impact or value of this contact according to whether provided by a speech and language therapist or employed visitor. Participant-defined criteria for effectiveness of contact included: impact on mood and confidence, self-recognition of progress and the meeting of individual needs. Conclusions: As in the randomized controlled trial, participants reported no evidence of added benefit of early communication therapy beyond that from attention control. The findings do not imply that regular contact with any non-professional can have beneficial effects for someone with aphasia or dysarthria in the early weeks following a stroke. The study points to specific conditions that would have to be met for contact to have a positive effect.
Effectiveness of aerobic physical training for treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria in subjects with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lavado Edson L , Cardoso Jefferson R , Silva Luiza GA , Dela Bela Lais F , Atallah Alvaro N 
Published: July 2012

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aerobic physical training for treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria in subjects with spinal cord injury. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Forty-two participants with spinal cord injury between C8 and T12 segments were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Intervention: In the intervention group, subjects received a risk evaluation, stress test and urinary culture before the start of the study and after 16 weeks. The study consisted of aerobic physical conditioning with moderate intensity for the intervention group while the control group was asked to maintain their daily life activities. Main measures: Increase of estimated peak oxygen consumption and also if there was a decrease in the proportions of positive urinary culture. Results: The intervention group showed an increase of estimated peak oxygen consumption of between 939 (714–1215) and 1154 (1005–1351) mL/min ( P = 0.009) and a reduction of chronic asymptomatic bacteria of between 52.3% (29.8–74.3%) and 14.2% (3–36.3%) ( P < 0.001). No adverse effects related to physical activity were recorded during the period of training. Conclusion: The regular practice of physical activity of moderate intensity applied to patients with spinal cord injury may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria.
“That must be so hard”- Examining the impact of children’s palliative care services on the psychological well-being of parents
Authors: Gupta Vineeta , Prescott Helen 
Published: July 2012

In 2003 the New Opportunities Fund (NOF, now known as The Big Lottery) awarded £48 million to 70 home-based care teams to enable them to provide a range of services to allow children with non-malignant life-limiting conditions to be cared for at home. Four grants were made available in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset to enhance existing children’s palliative care services. As there is limited evidence about the impact of palliative care services on psychological well-being, this study measured parental stress and the psychological wellbeing of parents of newly referred children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Measures were administered at the point of referral and at 12 months follow-up. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant change at 12 month follow-up. The lack of deterioration in levels of parental stress and psychological wellbeing is viewed positively within this context. It is hypothesised that multi-agency and partnership working was a significant contributory factor in not increasing levels of parental stress and psychological wellbeing through social support.
Genome-wide identification of significant aberrations in cancer genome
Authors: Yuan Xiguo , Yu Guoqiang , Hou Xuchu , Shih Ie-Ming , Clarke Robert , Zhang Junying , Hoffman Eric P , Wang Roger R , Zhang Zhen , Wang Yue 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Somatic Copy Number Alterations (CNAs) in human genomes are present in almost all human cancers. Systematic efforts to characterize such structural variants must effectively distinguish significant consensus events from random background aberrations. Here we introduce Significant Aberration in Cancer (SAIC), a new method for characterizing and assessing the statistical significance of recurrent CNA units. Three main features of SAIC include: (1) exploiting the intrinsic correlation among consecutive probes to assign a score to each CNA unit instead of single probes; (2) performing permutations on CNA units that preserve correlations inherent in the copy number data; and (3) iteratively detecting Significant Copy Number Aberrations (SCAs) and estimating an unbiased null distribution by applying an SCA-exclusive permutation scheme.

Results
We test and compare the performance of SAIC against four peer methods (GISTIC, STAC, KC-SMART, CMDS) on a large number of simulation datasets. Experimental results show that SAIC outperforms peer methods in terms of larger area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics curve and increased detection power. We then apply SAIC to analyze structural genomic aberrations acquired in four real cancer genome-wide copy number data sets (ovarian cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma). When compared with previously reported results, SAIC successfully identifies most SCAs known to be of biological significance and associated with oncogenes (e.g., KRAS, CCNE1, and MYC) or tumor suppressor genes (e.g., CDKN2A/B). Furthermore, SAIC identifies a number of novel SCAs in these copy number data that encompass tumor related genes and may warrant further studies.

Conclusions
Supported by a well-grounded theoretical framework, SAIC has been developed and used to identify SCAs in various cancer copy number data sets, providing useful information to study the landscape of cancer genomes. Open–source and platform-independent SAIC software is implemented using C++, together with R scripts for data formatting and Perl scripts for user interfacing, and it is easy to install and efficient to use. The source code and documentation are freely available at http://www.cbil.ece.vt.edu/software.htm.