bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical semigroup for unbounded repeated perturbation of an open system
Authors: Tamura Hiroshi , Zagrebnov Valentin A.
Published: February 2016

We consider a dynamical semigroup for unbounded Kossakowski-Lindblad-Davies generator corresponding to evolution of an open system for a tuned repeated harmonic perturbation. For this evolution, we prove the existence of uniquely determined minimal trace-preserving strongly continuous dynamical semigroups on the space of states. The corresponding dual W∗-dynamical system is shown to be unital quasi-free and completely positive automorphisms of the canonical commutation relation-algebra.
Entropic effects of thermal rippling on van der Waals interactions between monolayer graphene and a rigid substrate
Authors: Wang Peng , Gao Wei , Huang Rui
Published: February 2016

Graphene monolayer, with extremely low flexural stiffness, displays spontaneous rippling due to thermal fluctuations at a finite temperature. When a graphene membrane is placed on a solid substrate, the adhesive interactions between graphene and the substrate could considerably suppress thermal rippling. On the other hand, the statistical nature of thermal rippling adds an entropic contribution to the graphene-substrate interactions. In this paper, we present a statistical mechanics analysis on thermal rippling of monolayer graphene supported on a rigid substrate, assuming a generic form of van der Waals interactions between graphene and substrate at T = 0 K. The rippling amplitude, the equilibrium average separation, and the average interaction energy are predicted simultaneously and compared with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. While the amplitude of thermal rippling is reduced by adhesive interactions, the entropic contribution leads to an effective repulsion. As a result, the equilibrium average separation increases and the effective adhesion energy decreases with increasing temperature. Moreover, the effect of a biaxial pre-strain in graphene is considered, and a buckling instability is predicted at a critical compressive strain that depends on both the temperature and the adhesive interactions. Limited by the harmonic approximations, the theoretical predictions agree with MD simulations only for relatively small rippling amplitudes but can be extended to account for the anharmonic effects.
Interactions between photoexcited NIR emitting CdHgTe quantum dots and graphene oxide
Authors: Jagtap Amardeep M. , Varade Vaibhav , Konkena Bharathi , Ramesh K. P. , Chatterjee Abhijit , Banerjee Arup , Pendyala Naresh Babu , Koteswara Rao K. S. R.
Published: February 2016

Hydrothermally grown mercury cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdHgTe QDs) are decorated on graphene oxide (GO) sheets through physisorption. The structural change of GO through partial reduction of oxygen functional groups is observed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in GO-QDs composites. Raman spectroscopy provides relatively a small change (∼1.1 times) in D/G ratio of band intensity and red shift in G band from 1606 cm−1 to 1594 cm−1 in GO-CdHgTe QDs (2.6 nm) composites, which indicates structural modification of GO network. Steady state and time resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy shows the electronic interactions between photoexcited near infrared emitting CdHgTe QDs and GO. Another interesting observation is PL quenching in the presence of GO, and it is quite effective in the case of smaller size QDs (2.6 nm) compared to the larger size QDs (4.2 nm). Thus, the observed PL quenching is attributed to the photogenerated electron transfer from QDs to GO. The photoexcited electron transfer rate decreases from 2.2 × 109 to 1.5 × 108 s−1 with increasing particle size from 2.6 to 4.2 nm. Photoconductivity measurements on QDs-GO composite devices show nearly 3 fold increase in the current density under photo-illumination, which is a promising aspect for solar energy conversion and other optoelectronic applications.
Observation of micropinch formation in cathode jet of a low-power laser-induced vacuum discharge
Authors: Romanov I. V. , Paperny V. L. , Korobkin Yu. V. , Podviaznikov V. A. , Rupasov A. A. , Chevokin V. K. , Shikanov A. S.
Published: February 2016

The report presents the results from experimental investigation of micropinch formation in the plasma of a vacuum discharge induced by a 6 ns laser pulse of energy J = 0.5–200 mJ (at a storage voltage from 4 to 15 kV and the discharge current range of 6–26 kA, respectively). The discharge gap images were obtained using a pinhole camera in the EUV and soft X-ray ranges of 15–73 eV and 80–284 eV energy. It is shown that micropinch formation in the plasma cathode jet occurs, mainly, in the matter evaporated by the laser pulse at the discharge ignition near the moment when the current derivative reaches the maximum. It is found that the cathode jet may consist of several pinched areas, and each of them has its own structure, and the improvement of the discharge and laser radiation parameters allows us to reach a stable single pinching of plasma. The parameters of the micropinch (the plasma compression ratio, size, and position of the emitting area in the interelectrode gap) as well as the current flow through the interelectrode gap, at the given storage voltage, are completely governed by the laser radiation characteristics.
Supermembrane limit of Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Lechtenfeld Olaf , Popov Alexander D.
Published: February 2016

We consider Yang-Mills theory with N = 1 super-translation group in eleven auxiliary dimensions as the structure group. The gauge theory is defined on a direct product manifold Σ3 × S1, where Σ3 is a three-dimensional Lorentzian manifold and S1 is a circle. We show that in the infrared limit, when the metric on S1 is scaled down, the Yang-Mills action supplemented by a Wess-Zumino-type term reduces to the action of an M2-brane.
Curie temperature of Co-doped TiO2 as functions of carrier density and Co content evaluated from electrical transport and magnetization at low temperature regime
Authors: Krasienapibal Thantip S. , Fukumura Tomoteru , Hasegawa Tetsuya
Published: February 2016

Curie temperature (TC) of anatase Co-doped TiO2 epitaxial thin films was systematically investigated as functions of carrier density (n) and Co content (x) by electrical transport and magnetization measurements at low temperature regime. The estimated TC from both measurements showed similar TC. For x = 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07, non-monotonic TC vs. n relations were observed, whereas TC was monotonically increasing function of n for x = 0.10. Possible mechanism of high TC ferromagnetism for this compound was discussed.
Effect of boron doping on nanostructure and magnetism of rapidly quenched Zr2Co11-based alloys
Authors: Jin Yunlong , Zhang Wenyong , Kharel Parashu R. , Valloppilly Shah R. , Skomski Ralph , Sellmyer David J.
Published: February 2016

The role of B on the microstructure and magnetism of Zr16Co82.5-xMo1.5Bx ribbons prepared by arc melting and melt spinning is investigated. Microstructure analysis show that the ribbons consist of a hard-magnetic rhombohedral Zr2Co11 phase and a minor amount of soft-magnetic Co. We show that the addition of B increases the amount of hard-magnetic phase, reduces the amount of soft-magnetic Co and coarsens the grain size from about 35 nm to 110 nm. There is a monotonic increase in the volume of the rhombohedral Zr2Co11 unit cell with increasing B concentration. This is consistent with a previous theoretical prediction that B may occupy a special type of large interstitial sites, called interruption sites. The optimum magnetic properties, obtained for x = 1, are a saturation magnetization of 7.8 kG, a coercivity of 5.4 kOe, and a maximum energy product of 4.1 MGOe.
Champion of the humiliated and insulted or xenophobic satirist?
Authors: Boulogne Pieter
Published: February 2016

Although Dostoevsky’s name rarely triggers associations with humour among western readers, the writer entertained his Russian contemporaries by making fun of the German minorities. Folklore studies illustrate that the Russian collective consciousness perceived the German nation with mixed feelings. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the German character had become a trustworthy source of literary satire. Dostoevsky, often accused of ‘xenophobia’ as a political thinker, uses an original combination of literary techniques to systematically deride the Germans as a nation. A descriptive translation study, illustrated with examples from The Humiliated and Insulted, shows that this derision was largely and at least partly deliberately softened by his early German and Dutch translators. In so doing, they both supported and completed the systematic depiction of Dostoevsky as a tragic humanist, which dominated the critical dimension of his early European reception.
Executive control processes in verbal and nonverbal working memory
Authors: Sullivan Margot D. , Prescott Yolanda , Goldberg Devora , Bialystok Ellen
Published: February 2016

Studies across the lifespan have revealed modifications in executive control (EC) from bilingualism, but studies of working memory (WM), a key aspect of EC, have produced varied results. Healthy older (M = 71.0 years) and younger participants (M = 21.1 years) who were monolingual or bilingual, performed working memory tasks that varied in their demands for EC. Tasks included a star counting task, a flanker task, and a nonverbal recent probe memory task. Bilinguals performed similarly to monolinguals on the star counting task after controlling for differences in vocabulary. Monolinguals were faster than bilinguals on the flanker task with only age group differences significant for the WM manipulation. Bilinguals were faster than monolinguals on the nonverbal recent probe memory task, particularly for the condition that included proactive interference. The interpretation is that better bilingual performance in nonverbal working memory tasks is linked to the need for executive control.
Two semantic patterns of reduplication
Authors: Ivanovich Rozhanskiy Fedor
Published: February 2016

This paper focuses on the semantics of reduplicated forms. Apart from expressing plurality, intensity, distributivity, and other well-known iconic meanings, reduplication often derives forms that do not have quantitative differences from the original words. I propose that the relation between the original and reduplicated forms can be described not only through the notion of doubling, but also through inexact similarity. I further introduce a list of meanings that are based on the idea of similarity and are found in reduplicated forms in many languages. In particular, it concerns such functions of reduplication as a change of lexical class, expressing similarity and pejorativity. Attenuative and emphatic meanings of reduplication, as well as marking some oppositions in verbal systems, can be explained through the combination of the similarity and quantitative meanings. The main conclusion of the study is that the correlation between the form and the meaning of reduplicated forms is much stronger than is usually considered, and the notion of iconicity relating to reduplication should be significantly extended.
Total reduplication as a productive process in German
Authors: Freywald Ulrike
Published: February 2016

In this paper I discuss two types of total reduplication that prove to be productive in Contemporary German: real-X Reduplication (RXR) and Durative Reduplication (DR). The function of the former, RXR, is to restrict the meaning of a word to its prototypical content (cf.Buchbuch‘book-book; real book, not an e-book’). Based on corpus data I address the question whether we are dealing with reduplication or with compounding here. As a result it will become apparent that the process of RXR, while showing some parallels to compounding, lacks crucial characteristics of compounding and is therefore to be seen as a case of reduplication. The latter type of total reduplication, DR, involves the doubling of a bare, inflectionless verb stem, thus encoding durativity of the denoted event or activity (cf.grummel-grummel‘grumble-grumble, to be continuously grumbling’). Finally I sketch a path of diachronic development of the emergence of DR from ideophones.
Economic impacts of parasitic diseases in cattle.
Authors: Lopes L. B. , Nicolino R. , Capanema R. O. , Oliveira C. S. F. , Haddad J. P. A. , Eckstein C.
Published: February 2016

Economic evaluations can be very useful in animal health management, including adopting control and prevention measures based on financial and data analyses. Diseases can impact the production of livestock considerably through, e.g. treatment costs, prevention, technical assistance, lowered performance and/or quality of feedstock. This review focuses on economic analyses on the impacts of parasitic diseases, control costs and strategies to improve economic efficiency in cattle farms, as well as on methodological analyses to measure the impacts of livestock diseases. From an economic point of view, information on the animal health aspects of farm management is wanting. It is necessary to determine what livestock-related variables are considered and how much value is placed on each variable to reach an objective conclusion. In other words, it is important to determine how much resources should be allocated to the detection, control and prevention of infectious and parasitic diseases in livestock systems.
Toponyms of a Different Type: Metaphors as Placenames and Place Nicknames
Authors: Shumsky Neil Larry
Published: February 2016

Some placenames and nicknames should be understood metaphorically and not literally. The nicknames of two well-known places — “Hell’s Kitchen” and the “Dust Bowl” — illustrate this by using contemporary theory of metaphor to explain them. The work of two sociologists, James Skipper and Paul Leslie, supports this argument, although they never used the word metaphor in their analyses. The similarities between their studies and this article strongly suggest that metaphoric analysis provides a way of understanding the names and nicknames of some geographic locations.
The sources of secessionist war: the interaction of local control and foreign forces in post-Soviet Georgia
Authors: Siroky David
Published: February 2016

Nationalism is one of the most powerful forces in the modern world – but why some ethno-national groups mobilize for conflict, while others remain quiescent, remains subject to significant disagreement. This paper argues that domestic politics create the incentives for secession, and international forces make conflict feasible against a sometimes stronger military adversary – the state. The proposed theory unpacks this interaction of domestic and international factors, and posits that when regional elites possess local control in an area that is contiguous with a potential sponsor, external support is more feasible and more apt to lead to mobilization and conflict. When regional elites lack local control, external sponsors will be wary of supporting a potentially lost cause and regional elites will exhibit more restraint, reducing the chances of conflict – external support therefore often flows from strong states to strong regions in weaker states. It is instrumental and variable, rather than affective and constant, and thus kin states will not always support their secessionist brethren in neighbouring states. Using a sub-national research design from post-Soviet Georgia, the results lend support to these conjectures.
Noncoding RNAs, Emerging Regulators in Root Endosymbioses
Authors: Lelandais-Brière Christine , Moreau Jérémy , Hartmann Caroline , Crespi Martin
Published: February 2016

Endosymbiosis interactions allow plants to grow in nutrient-deficient soil environments. The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is an ancestral interaction between land plants and fungi, whereas nitrogen-fixing symbioses are highly specific for certain plants, notably major crop legumes. The signaling pathways triggered by specific lipochitooligosaccharide molecules involved in these interactions have common components that also overlap with plant root development. These pathways include receptor-like kinases, transcription factors (TFs), and various intermediate signaling effectors, including noncoding (nc)RNAs. These latter molecules have emerged as major regulators of gene expression and small ncRNAs, composed of micro (mi)RNAs and small interfering (si)RNAs, are known to control gene expression at transcriptional (chromatin) or posttranscriptional levels. In this review, we describe exciting recent data connecting variants of conserved si/miRNAs with the regulation of TFs, such as NSP2, NFY-A1, auxin-response factors, and AP2-like proteins, known to be involved in symbiosis. The link between hormonal regulations and these si- and miRNA-TF nodes is proposed in a model in which different feedback loops or regulations controlling endosymbiosis signaling are integrated. The diversity and emerging regulatory networks of young legume miRNAs are also highlighted.
Golimumab Therapy in Six Patients With Severe Pediatric Onset Crohn Disease
Authors: Merras‐Salmio Laura , Kolho Kaija‐Leena
Published: February 2016

Anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) blockade is so far the most effective therapy for extensive pediatric Crohn disease (CD), but loss of response is frequently encountered. We describe here the use of golimumab (Simponi) in 6 pediatric CD patients with antibody formation/loss of response to infliximab and adalimumab. Most patients had undergone surgery but had poor disease control. After introduction of golimumab, the levels of inflammatory markers and fecal calprotectin declined at first, but the response was not sustained. Each patient needed dose escalation of golimumab from 4 to 2 week intervals, to maintain response and to increase trough levels. Importantly, most patients were able to attend school when undergoing golimumab therapy. As with other anti‐TNFα drugs, follow‐up of drug levels is advisable. Although golimumab therapy failed in most patients, it is an alternate treatment option in pediatric patients with severe CD. The therapeutic response, however, is suboptimal in anti‐TNFα exposed patients.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Strength of the Cultural Affiliation Scale
Authors: Kruse Julie A. , Williams Reg A. , Mood Darlene
Published: February 2016

Background:

Within the United States, there are individuals who retain the traditions and beliefs of cultural groups that vary from the general majority population. Both healthcare providers and researchers have reported that many individuals who live in but are less affiliated with the dominant culture tend to have less positive health outcomes.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to use factor analysis to assess the psychometric properties of Mood’s 18-item Strength of Cultural Affiliation Scale (SCAS).

Methods:

The SCAS was administered to 604 participants from a randomized clinical trial of cancer patients who were treated with radiotherapy at a large central city hospital located in the Midwest.

Results:

Confirmatory Factor Analyses using Principal Component Analysis with Oblimin Rotation indicated a 16-item, 4-factor final solution with the following subscales: factor 1, lifestyle (7 items); factor 2, language and cultural-specific holidays (3 items); factor 3, relationships (4 items); and factor 4, cultural health practices (2 items).

Conclusion:

The SCAS demonstrated high reliability and content, construct, discriminant, convergent, divergent, and predictive validity.

Implications for Practice:

The SCAS seems to be a reliable and valid tool for practitioners to use to assess a patient’s strength of cultural affiliation to provide the best culturally sensitive care possible for the patient.
Low Levels of Evidence on the Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Exam
Authors: Silvestre Jason , Bilici Nadir , Serletti Joseph M. , Chang Benjamin
Published: February 2016

Background:

The Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Exam is written by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Examinees reasonably infer that tested material reflects the Society’s vision for the core curriculum in plastic surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of evidence on which credited answers to the examination questions are based.

Methods:

Two recent Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Exams (2014 and 2015) were analyzed. Questions were categorized using a taxonomy model. Recommended journal article references for Level III (decision-making) questions were assigned a level of evidence. Exam sections were analyzed for differences in question taxonomy distribution and level of evidence. To look for studies with higher levels of evidence, a PubMed search was conducted for a random sample of 10 questions from each section.

Results:

One hundred three Level I (25.8 percent), 138 Level II (34.5 percent), and 159 Level III (39.8 percent) questions were analyzed (p < 0.001). The hand and lower extremity section had the highest percentage of Level III questions (50.0 percent; p = 0.005). Journal articles had a mean level of evidence of 3.9 ± 0.7. The number of articles with a low level of evidence (IV and V) (p = 0.624) and the percentage of questions supported by articles with a high level of evidence (I and II) (p = 0.406) did not vary by section. The PubMed search revealed no instances of a higher level of evidence than the recommended reading list.

Conclusions:

A significant percentage of Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Exam questions test clinical management, but most are supported with a low level of evidence. Although that is consistent with low level of evidence of plastic surgery literature, educators should recognize the potential for biases of question writers.
Perfusion Assessment Using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion-Based Analysis of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Lee Ju Hee , Cheong Hyunhee , Lee Seung Soo , Lee Chang Kyung , Sung Yu Sub , Huh Jae-Wan , Song Jung-A , Choe Han
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The aims of this study were to demonstrate the theoretical meaning of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters and to compare the robustness of 2 biexponential fitting methods through magnetic resonance experiments using IVIM phantoms.

Materials and Methods

Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging was performed on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner using 15 b values (0–800 s/mm2) for 4 phantoms with different area fractions of the flowing water compartment (FWC%), at the infusion flow rates of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mL/min. Images were quantitatively analyzed using monoexponential free biexponential, and segmented biexponential fitting models.

Results

There were some inconsistent variations in D

slow
with changing flow rates. The perfusion fraction, f, showed a significant positive correlation with the flow rate for both the free and segmented fitting methods (ρ = 0.838 to 0.969; P < 0.001). The fast diffusion coefficient, D

fast
, had a significant positive correlation with the flow rate for segmented fitting (ρ = 0.745 to 0.969; P < 0.001), although it showed an inverse correlation with the flow rate for free fitting (ρ = −0.527 to −0.791; P ≤ 0.017). Significant positive correlations with the FWC% of the phantoms were noted for f (P = 0.510 for free fitting and P = 0.545 for segmented fitting, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The IVIM model allows for an approximate segmentation of molecular diffusion and perfusion, with a minor contribution of the perfusion effect on D

slow
. The f and D

fast
can provide a rough estimation of the flow fraction and flow velocity. Segmented fitting may be a more robust method than free fitting for calculating the IVIM parameters, especially for D

fast
.
Mathematics in modern immunology
Authors: Castro Mario , Lythe Grant , Molina-París Carmen , Ribeiro Ruy M.
Published: February 2016

Mathematical and statistical methods enable multidisciplinary approaches that catalyse discovery. Together with experimental methods, they identify key hypotheses, define measurable observables and reconcile disparate results. We collect a representative sample of studies in T-cell biology that illustrate the benefits of modelling–experimental collaborations and that have proven valuable or even groundbreaking. We conclude that it is possible to find excellent examples of synergy between mathematical modelling and experiment in immunology, which have brought significant insight that would not be available without these collaborations, but that much remains to be discovered.
A physiome interoperability roadmap for personalized drug development
Authors: Thomas Simon , Wolstencroft Katherine , de Bono Bernard , Hunter Peter J.
Published: February 2016

The goal of developing therapies and dosage regimes for characterized subgroups of the general population can be facilitated by the use of simulation models able to incorporate information about inter-individual variability in drug disposition (pharmacokinetics), toxicity and response effect (pharmacodynamics). Such observed variability can have multiple causes at various scales, ranging from gross anatomical differences to differences in genome sequence. Relevant data for many of these aspects, particularly related to molecular assays (known as ‘-omics’), are available in online resources, but identification and assignment to appropriate model variables and parameters is a significant bottleneck in the model development process. Through its efforts to standardize annotation with consequent increase in data usability, the human physiome project has a vital role in improving productivity in model development and, thus, the development of personalized therapy regimes. Here, we review the current status of personalized medicine in clinical practice, outline some of the challenges that must be overcome in order to expand its applicability, and discuss the relevance of personalized medicine to the more widespread challenges being faced in drug discovery and development. We then review some of (i) the key data resources available for use in model development and (ii) the potential areas where advances made within the physiome modelling community could contribute to physiologically based pharmacokinetic and physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling in support of personalized drug development. We conclude by proposing a roadmap to further guide the physiome community in its on-going efforts to improve data usability, and integration with modelling efforts in the support of personalized medicine development.
Applications of the second virial coefficient: protein crystallization and solubility. Corrigendum
Authors: Wilson William W. , DeLucas Lawrence J.
Published: February 2016

A number of citations in the article by Wilson & DeLucas [(2014).Acta Cryst.F70, 543–554] are corrected.
Neutron diffraction analysis ofPseudomonas aeruginosapeptidyl-tRNA hydrolase 1
Authors: McFeeters Hana , Vandavasi Venu Gopal , Weiss Kevin L. , Coates Leighton , McFeeters Robert L.
Published: February 2016

Perdeuterated peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase 1 fromPseudomonas aeruginosawas crystallized for structural analysis using neutron diffraction. Crystals of perdeuterated protein were grown to 0.15 mm3in size using batch crystallization in 22.5% polyethylene glycol 4000, 100 mMTris pH 7.5, 10%(v/v) isopropyl alcohol with a 20-molar excess of trilysine as an additive. Neutron diffraction data were collected from a crystal at room temperature using the MaNDi single-crystal diffractometer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Purification, crystallization and initial crystallographic analysis of the α-catenin homologue HMP-1 fromCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kang Hyunook , Bang Injin , Weis William I. , Choi Hee-Jung
Published: February 2016

Adherens junctions transmit mechanical force between cells. In these junctions, β-catenin binds to cadherins and to the N-terminal domain of α-catenin, which in turn binds to actin filamentsviaits C-terminal domain. The middle (M) domain of α-catenin plays an important role in responding to mechanical tension. The nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganscontains α- and β-catenin homologues called HMP-1 and HMP-2, respectively, but HMP-1 behaves differently from its mammalian homologue. Thus, structural and biochemical studies of HMP-1 have been initiated to understand the mechanism of HMP-1 and the evolution of α-catenin. The N-terminal domain of HMP-1 in complex with the minimal HMP-1-binding region of HMP-2 was purified and crystallized. These crystals diffracted to 1.6 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP3121, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 57.1,c= 155.4 Å. The M domain of HMP-1 was also purified and crystallized. The M-domain crystals diffracted to 2.4 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa = 72.8,b= 81.5,c = 151.4 Å. Diffraction data were collected and processed from each crystal, and the structures were solved by molecular replacement.
Crystal structure of FhuD at 1.6 Å resolution: a ferrichrome-binding protein from the animal and human pathogenStaphylococcus pseudintermedius
Authors: Abate Francesca , Cozzi Roberta , Maritan Martina , Lo Surdo Paola , Maione Domenico , Malito Enrico , Bottomley Matthew James
Published: February 2016

Staphylococcus pseudintermediusis a leading cause of disease in dogs, and zoonosis causes human infections. Methicillin-resistantS. pseudintermediusstrains are emerging, resembling the global health threat ofS. aureus. Therefore, it is increasingly important to characterize potential targets for intervention againstS. pseudintermedius. Here, FhuD, anS. pseudintermediussurface lipoprotein implicated in iron uptake, was characterized. It was found that FhuD bound ferrichrome in an iron-dependent manner, which increased the thermostability of FhuD by >15°C. The crystal structure of ferrichrome-free FhuD was determinedviamolecular replacement at 1.6 Å resolution. FhuD exhibits the class III solute-binding protein (SBP) fold, with a ligand-binding cavity between the N- and C-terminal lobes, which is here occupied by a PEG molecule. The two lobes of FhuD were oriented in a closed conformation. These results provide the first detailed structural characterization of FhuD, a potential therapeutic target ofS. pseudintermedius.
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[[bis(pyridine-4-carbothioamide-κN1)cadmium]-di-μ-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N] methanol disolvate]
Authors: Neumann Tristan , Jess Inke , Näther Christian
Published: February 2016

The asymmetric unit of the polymeric title compound, {[Cd(NCS)2(C6H6N2S)]·2CH3OH}n, consists of one cadmium(II) cation that is located on a centre of inversion as well as one thiocyanate anion, one pyridine-4-carbothioamide ligand and one methanol molecule in general positions. The CdIIcations are octahedrally coordinated by the pyridine N atom of two pyridine-4-carbothioamide ligands and by the S and N atoms of four thiocyanate anions and are linked into chains along [010] by pairs of anionic ligands. These chains are further linked into layers extending along (201) by intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...S hydrogen bonds. One of the amino H atoms of the pyridine-4-carbothioamide ligand is hydrogen-bonded to the O atom of a methanol molecule, and a symmetry-related methanol molecule is the donor group to the S atom of another pyridine-4-carbothioamide ligand whereby each of the pyridine-4-carbothioamide ligands forms two pairs of centrosymmetric N—H...S and O—H...S hydrogen bonds. The methanol molecules are equally disordered over two orientations.
A 2:1 co-crystal of 2-methylbenzoic acid andN,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanediamide: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Syed Sabrina , Jotani Mukesh M. , Halim Siti Nadiah Abdul , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: February 2016

The asymmetric unit of the title 2:1 co-crystal, 2C8H8O2·C14H14N4O2, comprises an acid molecule in a general position and half a diamide molecule, the latter being located about a centre of inversion. In the acid, the carboxylic acid group is twisted out of the plane of the benzene ring to which it is attached [dihedral angle = 28.51 (8)°] and the carbonyl O atom and methyl group lie approximately to the same side of the molecule [hydroxy-O—C—C—C(H) torsion angle = −27.92 (17)°]. In the diamide, the central C4N2O2core is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.031 Å), and the pyridyl rings are perpendicular, lying to either side of the central plane [central residue/pyridyl dihedral angle = 88.60 (5)°]. In the molecular packing, three-molecule aggregates are formedviahydroxy-O—H...N(pyridyl) hydrogen bonds. These are connected into a supramolecular layer parallel to (12\overline{2})viaamide-N—H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds, as well as methylene-C—H...O(amide) interactions. Significant π–π interactions occur between benzene/benzene, pyridyl/benzene and pyridyl/pyridyl rings within and between layers to consolidate the three-dimensional packing.
Understanding recovery: the perspective of substance misusing offenders
Authors: Senker Sarah , Green Gill
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically regard the concept of recovery from the perspective of substance misusing offenders. It intended to understand how these individuals came to define recovery by asking “what does recovery mean to you?”

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 35 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with individuals with a history of heroin and crack cocaine use as well as convictions for a range of offences. Interviews took place in both prison and community settings, reflecting a spectrum of experience.

Findings

– Whilst the constellation of recovery varied, it was at times made up of the same “stars” – and some re-occurring themes emerged; recovery was transient, fragile and unpredictable, it was ongoing, lacking a definitive end, it was more than abstinence and often involved a total psychological overhaul, recovery was about reintegrating with society and feeling “normal”.

Practical implications

– Practitioners and services need to value the individual interpretations of recovery rather than being prescriptive around what it “should” look like. The components of recovery that were raised by participants permit specific recommendations for practice to be made.

Originality/value

– This study sought the perspectives of those actually affected by and experiencing drug treatment in the Criminal Justice System. It allowed participants to tell their story without preconceived ideas or hypotheses, putting their voice at the centre of the stage. The study uses feedback from the ground to make informed recommendations for practice.
Improving access and managing healthcare demand with walk-in clinic
Authors: Kork Anna-Aurora , Vakkuri Jarmo
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Poor access to healthcare and increasing demand for services represent a management dilemma how to balance between needs and costs. Scrutinising the concept of demand management and using a case study from Finnish primary care, the purpose of this paper is to examine the complexities of managing demand for health services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Convenience has explained the popularity of walk-in clinics (WIC), making it an attractive demand management tool. By analysing the quantitative service utilisation data of frequent attenders at WIC, the paper exemplifies what enhanced access to care means for demand management of public welfare services.

Findings

– High user rates and satisfaction indicate demand for this type of service; however, the establishment of WIC provided supplementary care for the high users of health services, most suffering chronic diseases.

Research limitations/implications

– Better understanding of the structure of service demand is needed in order to develop a more coordinated service system and to manage demand for public welfare services.

Practical implications

– The study demonstrates the importance of identifying service utilisation patterns in managing demand. Instead of single solutions, a wider system-level perspective is essential.

Originality/value

– Managing demand and facilitating access are core primary care attributes but there is little evidence about the impact of demand management strategies. The paper ties together important healthcare management issues: how to control demand and improve the access? Moreover, few studies have examined the frequent attendance at WIC. This paper presents a practical illustration of demand management tool and indicates some demand management problems to be considered in healthcare management.
Are online communities on par with experts in the evaluation of new movies? Evidence from the Fandango community
Authors: Ponnamma Divakaran Pradeep Kumar , Nørskov Sladjana
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate two questions. First, are movie-based online community evaluations (CE) on par with film expert evaluations of new movies? Second, which group makes more reliable and accurate predictions of movie box office revenues: film reviewers or an online community?

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from a movie-based online community Fandango for a 16-month period and included all movies released during this time (373 movies). The authors compared film reviewers’ evaluations with the online CE during the first eight weeks of the movie’s release.

Findings

– The study finds that community members evaluate movies differently than film reviewers. The results also reveal that CE have more predictive power than film reviewers’ evaluations, especially during the opening week of a movie.

Research limitations/implications

– The investigated online community is based in the USA, hence the findings are limited to this geographic context.

Practical implications

– The main implication is that film studios and movie-goers can rely more on CE than film reviewers’ evaluation for decision making. Online CE can help film studios in negotiating with distributors, theatre owners for the number of screens. Also, community reviews rather than film reviewers’ reviews are looked upon by future movie-goers for movie choice decisions.

Originality/value

– The study makes an original contribution to the motion picture performance research as well as to the growing research on online consumer communities by demonstrating the predictive potential of online communities with regards to evaluations of new movies.
Towards a better understanding of system analysts’ tacit knowledge
Authors: Prasarnphanich Pattarawan , Janz Brian D. , Patel Jignya
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to elicit tacit knowledge exhibited in expert information system (IS) professionals in a form that can be shared with others; and to develop categorical framework suggesting key content areas of tacit knowledge in the requirements analysis domain.

Design/methodology/approach

– Requirements analysis is selected as the main focus of this study due to the importance of this phase to the success of IS development and the nature of requirements analysis tasks requiring extensive amount of tacit knowledge. The authors used the “storytelling” approach, a semi-structured interview technique for knowledge elicitation.

Findings

– The study resulted in 132 knowledge items using a qualitative method and categorized them into 14 categories using cluster analysis. The study found that experienced, successful analysts see systems analysis in behavioral, managerial, and political terms and focus heavily on interpersonal, project management, and organizational issues.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations in the research sample, or in the recollection capability of the research subjects could compromise the comprehensiveness of the tacit knowledge in the requirements analysis domain; however, the elicited knowledge at least represents important dimensions one might reasonably find in this domain.

Originality/value

– Very little research has attempted to capture this tacit dimension of system analysts’ knowledge. Thus, capturing and transferring the tacit knowledge from experts should help in the evolution of novice to expert system analysts thereby improving both their effectiveness and the quality of the information systems developed.
Enhancing perceived enjoyment in social games through social and gaming factors
Authors: Chen Aihui , Lu Yaobin , Wang Bin
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Residing on social networking platforms, social games have unique characteristics distinguishing them from other digital games or online games. The purpose of this paper is to explore both social and gaming factors of social games and investigate their roles on enhancing perceived enjoyment. The authors also examine the relationships between perceived enjoyment, subject norm, perceived critical mass, intention to play, and actual behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper develops a research model including nine hypotheses. Using a survey questionnaire, empirical data were collected from 169 actual social game players. Structured equation modeling was used to test the proposed research models.

Findings

– Social identification, social interaction, and diversion significantly influence perceived enjoyment. Perceived enjoyment significantly influences the intention to play, which in turn significantly influences the actual behavior. Moreover, subject norm and perceived critical mass play different roles in determining the intention to play and the actual behavior.

Practical implications

– The results of this study provide social game practitioners with a set of rich insights into guidelines on designing specific social and gaming characteristics to improve users’ perceived enjoyment and actual playing behavior.

Originality/value

– Through analyzing characteristics of social games, The authors emphasize the difference between social games and other online games or computer games and recognize the enhancing role of social and gaming factors on perceived enjoyment. Findings of this study contribute to the literature on social games.
Examining information systems infusion from a user commitment perspective
Authors: Kim Hee-Woong , Chan Hock Chuan , Gupta Sumeet
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to : first, examine information systems (IS) infusion from a user commitment perspective, and second, examine the formation of user commitment toward the use of IS in terms of job design.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adopts a survey approach with structural equation modeling to test the developed research model and hypotheses.

Findings

– A survey of 236 enterprise system users shows that user commitment has a positive effect on IS infusion. User commitment, in turn, is influenced by task technology fit, technology self-efficacy, and task autonomy. Further mediation and direct effects to IS infusion are explored.

Research limitations/implications

– This study offers implications for research, such as explaining a driver of IS infusion; and extending commitment theory by finding antecedents of user commitment.

Practical/implications

– The results of this study offer suggestions to management on how to improve IS infusion in terms of user commitment and, consequently, how to develop user commitment based on the socio-technical system (STS) design.

Social/implications

– The study highlights the critical impact of technology autonomy on IS infusion. An individual user’s authority in using and regulating the system is required for IS infusion.

Originality/value

– This study has proposed a theoretical model of IS infusion based on commitment and socio-technical job design factors.
Design-based mathematics workshops
Authors: Xiao Lu , Namukasa Immaculate , Zhang Yibing
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a workshop model for engaging children and parents in mathematics activities in public libraries or other informal education settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper explores a workshop model for helping the school-aged children learn mathematics outside the school. The model includes five workshop sessions and designs the parent’s role in the mathematics activities. Each workshop session has both a mathematics task activity and a user interface design activity. The model was implemented in a major Canadian city and a major Chinese city over a period of one month. This paper presents the workshop attendees’ experiences and their feedback on the workshop design. It also presents several suggestions on the design of such workshops.

Findings

– The parents acknowledged that they learned about how mathematics is currently taught in schools and appreciated the opportunities to interact with their children in the workshops. The children participated in the workshops actively and enjoyed the design sessions the most. The potential of using design activities to help children learn mathematics concepts is recognized.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings suggest that future workshops should provide a structure to the parents’ engagement in design activities, offer one design project that spans several design sessions and set aside time for families to mingle and share experiences with each other. A big limitation of this paper is the small sample size – 12 families participated in the workshops on each site. Although the paper offered rich data about the participants’ experiences, a larger sample would have made the findings more generalizable and conclusive.

Practical implications

– Computer technologies such as iPad and tablets are increasingly common as public library resources; yet the integration of these technologies into library programs is falling behind. This paper offers one example of how such integration can bring benefits to the patrons, encouraging more considerations to be put on this aspect in library practice.

Originality/value

– Although many programs are offered in public libraries that facilitate children to learn mathematics concepts, very less research has been reported on the design of these programs. In addition, the existing programs have not considered the inclusion of parent–child design activities for mathematics learning engagement. This paper reports an empirical study that addresses these research gaps. The encouraging results call for more investigations on this workshop model.
Omeka.net as a librarian-led digital humanities meeting place
Authors: Rath Linda
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This case study aims to evaluate Omeka.net, the hosted Web publishing exhibit tool, as a low-cost and technology-friendly platform encouraging dynamic academic and non-academic communities to collaborate, explore and contribute to a genre film festival resource.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review established six variables to assess Omeka.net as a viable platform for libraries seeking to administer a resource-focused website adhering to information standards with limited budgets, training and technical or institutional support. The variables identified were cost; website management; content building and management; communities, engagement and collaboration; exploration and knowledge building; and website support.

Findings

– Omeka.net supports many activities with notable functions for website administration; collection building; media formats; collaboration; metadata; social media; user contributions; technical support; and the creation of simple, custom pages. While templates for page layouts offer a surprising amount of choices, some options are limited. Currently, interactive and exploratory items cannot be embedded into website pages.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses Omeka.net, the hosted version of the exhibit tool offered by Omeka, as a platform to encourage cross-sector collaboration for digital humanities projects, addressing a gap in the literature which focuses on Omeka.org, the open-source software version installed by libraries with access to servers and technical staff.