bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of different types of bank liquidity: evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Sun Gang
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants of three different types of bank liquidity: funding liquidity, liquidity creation, and stock liquidity in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses an extensive set of data from all the listed banks of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS countries, spanning the period 2002-2014. Multiple linear regression has been used to estimate the coefficients of the determinants.

Findings

In case of emerging markets, bank size is not a determinant of different types of liquidity, except funding liquidity. Besides, the recent financial crisis had an impact on funding liquidity as well as “cat nonfat” measure of liquidity creation but it did not affect “cat fat” measure and stock liquidity. The variation in funding liquidity is also explained by the profitability and the riskiness of the bank. Effective interest rate, national savings rate, and inflation rate are also the determinants of funding liquidity. Bank-specific determinants of liquidity creation include bank leverage and profitability, and macroeconomic determinants include stock market index, effective interest rate, and unemployment rate. The variation in stock liquidity of the bank is explained by profitability and price of stocks, trading volume, volatility of stock returns, and percentage change in real gross domestic product. Neither market capitalization nor stock market index is the determinant of stock liquidity of the banks.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses the data from publically listed banks only.

Practical implications

The findings of this study may be used by the policy makers and bank managers in the emerging markets to design better policies and to strengthen the banking system to avoid financial turmoil in future.

Originality/value

Most of the existing studies focus on bank liquidity in developed countries and studies aiming on emerging countries are rare. The existing studies focus more on funding liquidity and liquidity creation but to the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the studies analyze the determinants of banks’ stock liquidity. So, this study bridges the above mentioned gaps by focusing on bank liquidity in emerging markets, and exploring the determinants of the stock liquidity of the banks.
Dynamical evolution of trading behavior on anti-coordination game in complex networks
Authors: Bian Yue-tang , Xu Lu , Li Jin-Sheng , Liu Xia-qun
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolvement of investors’ behavior in stock market dynamically on the basis of non-cooperative strategy applied by investors in complex networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Using modeling and simulation research method, this study designs and conducts a mathematical modeling and its simulation experiment of financial market behavior according to research’s basic norms of complex system theory and methods. Thus the authors acquire needed and credible experimental data.

Findings

The conclusions drawn in this paper are as follows. The dynamical evolution of investors’ trading behavior is not only affected by the stock market network structure, but also by the risk dominance degree of certain behavior. The dynamics equilibrium of trading behavior’s evolvement is directly influenced by the risk dominance degree of certain behavior, connectivity degree and the heterogeneity of the stock market networks.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the dynamical evolvement of investors’ behavior on the basis of the hypothesis that common investors prefer to mimic their network neighbors’ behavior through different analysis by the strategy of anti-coordination game in complex network. While the investors’ preference and the beliefs among them are not easy to quantify, that is deterministic or stochastic as the environment changes, and is heterogeneous definitely. Thus, these limitations should be broken through in the future research.

Originality/value

This paper aims to address the dynamical evolvement of investors’ behavior in stock market networks on the principle of non-cooperative represented by anti-coordination game in networks for the first time, considering that investors prefer to mimic their network neighbors’ behavior through different analysis by the strategy of differential choosing in every time step. The methodology designed and used in this study is a pioneering and exploratory experiment.
On managing business, organization climate and enterprise system implementation
Authors: Upadhyay Parijat , Kundu Amit , Nair Sreethi
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore the linkage between organization climate, politics and enterprise system implementation in context to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Organizational climate and politics play a significant role in determining the outcome of enterprise implementations. Adequate focus on such factors can help resource-starved MSMEs to ensure a positive outcome of their enterprise system implementation exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data used in this study were collected from the users in 62 MSMEs who have been part of the implementation process in their organization. Responses were collected by means of validated questionnaires and personal interviews given by end-users. The study presents the reduced factors after analyzing the responses through exploratory study followed by a confirmatory study.

Findings

The results highlight that in addition to factors like project execution and management competency, package and vendor competency, top management support and leadership factors, organizational politics and organizational climate factors play a significant role in ensuring success of an implementation process. Organization climate in the form of organization politics emerges as a major inhibitor in context to MSMEs. The analysis also showed a statistically significant relationship between the identified factors like technical, project management competency and vendor- and package-specific competency.

Practical implications

MSMEs are resource-constrained and hence cannot afford any failure in the implementation of processes running within the system. For enterprise system implementation, not only financial commitments are required but a successful execution of processes is also required, otherwise there are chances of failures, which can adversely affect the business continuity of many MSMEs. Thus, the finding of this study can provide an insight into the management of such organizations, so that they can plan properly to ensure a successful implementation.

Originality/value

Some published studies have reported the role of top management in the enterprise implementation process but have not been able to provide specific evidence of the factor “organization climate” in the implementation process. Also in context to a developing economy, few published studies are available exploring this linkage in context to MSMEs, as attempted by this study.
Organizational culture, innovative behaviour and work related attitude
Authors: Sinha Shruti , Priyadarshi Pushpendra , Kumar Pankaj
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of psychological empowerment (PE) in mediating the relationship between organizational culture, innovative behaviour and work-related attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in two phases from a total sample of 324 middle- and senior-level executives working in India through a completed self-report questionnaire.

Findings

The results show a significant relation between organization culture, PE and work-related outcomes. PE fully mediated the relationship between adaptability and mission culture and innovative behaviour. PE also fully mediated the relationship between consistency and adaptability culture and job satisfaction; adaptability culture and commitment; and involvement culture and turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional design undermines the causal conclusions derived from the findings. Generalizability is limited, as the study was set up in India. The research highlights the role of PE for innovative behaviour and other work-related attitudes.

Originality/value

The study establishes the linkage between organizational culture, PE, work-related attitude and innovative behaviour, thus extending the PE theory.
Increased expression of nerve growth factor correlates with visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function in diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a preliminary explorative study
Authors: Xu X. J. , Zhang Y. L. , Liu L. , Pan L. , Yao S. K.
Published: November 2016

Background

Neural‐immune‐endocrine network mechanism has attracted increased attention in diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐D). Pre‐clinical evidence indicates that nerve growth factor (NGF) mediates visceral hypersensitivity and gut barrier dysfunction, via interactions with mast cells and sensory nerve fibres.

Aim

To explore the role of nerve growth factor, as well as mast cell–nerve growth factor–nerve interaction in IBS‐D pathophysiology.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, IBS‐D patients and healthy controls first underwent clinical and psychological assessments. Visceral sensitivity to rectal distension was tested. As gut barrier function markers, serum diamine oxidase and d‐lactate were detected. Rectosigmoid biopsies were taken for the analyses of nerve growth factor expression, mast cell count and activation, and sensory nerve fibres expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Correlations between these parameters were examined in patients.

Results

Thirty‐eight IBS‐D patients (28 males, 10 females; average age 30.2 years) and 20 healthy controls (12 males, 8 females; average age 26.8 years) participated in the study. The patients presented increased psychological symptoms, visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function. NGF gene expression, mast cell count and sensory nerve fibres were significantly increased in the patients (P < 0.05). In correlation analysis, NGF expression was positively correlated with the disease severity, anxiety and serum diamine oxidase; visceral sensitivity thresholds were negatively associated with NGF expression (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.0029).

Conclusions

Elevated mucosal NGF may interact with mast cells and sensory nerve fibres, contributing to visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function in IBS‐D.
lncRNAs: novel players in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis
Authors: Chen Wen‐Kang , Yu Xiao‐Hua , Yang Wei , Wang Cheng , He Wen‐Si , Yan Yi‐Guo , Zhang Jian , Wang Wen‐Jun
Published: November 2016

The term long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to a group of RNAs with length more than 200 nucleotides, limited protein‐coding potential, and having widespread biological functions, including regulation of transcriptional patterns and protein activity, formation of endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and natural microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) are the most common chronic, prevalent and age‐related degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. Numbers of lncRNAs are differentially expressed in human degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and OA cartilage. Moreover, some lncRNAs have been shown to be involved in multiple pathological processes during OA, including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammatory responses, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning lncRNAs, from their biogenesis, classification and biological functions to molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential in IDD and OA.
Modi der Erinnerung. Zu den medialen Adaptionen von Uwe Timms Die Entdeckung der Currywurst
Authors: Seifener Christoph , Choi Moon Sun
Published: November 2016

Uwe Timms Novelle Die Entdeckung der Currywurst (1993) ist Erinnerungsliteratur in zweierlei Hinsicht. Zum einen bilden die Erinnerungen der Protagonistin an ihre Erlebnisse in den letzten Tagen des Zweiten Weltkriegs und der unmittelbaren Nachkriegszeit die eigentliche Handlung der Novelle. Zum anderen reflektiert Timms Text, vor allem in der Rahmenhandlung, die Bedingungen und die Bedeutung des Erinnerns selbst. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Novelle und die Adaptionen des Textes als Film, Comic und Theaterstück und richtet ihre Aufmerksamkeit darauf, wie die jeweiligen Autoren die verschiedenen Zeitebenen, die Gegenwart der Erinnernden und die erinnerte Vergangenheit, miteinander verbinden und welche unterschiedlichen Perspektiven auf das Vergangene sich aus dem jeweiligen Verhältnis der Zeitebenen zueinander ergeben. Relevanz hat dieses Verhältnis nicht zuletzt im Zusammenspiel von kollektivem und kulturellem Gedächtnis vor dem Hintergrund der gesellschaftlichen Einordnung der historischen Ereignisse. Die vier untersuchten Versionen des Textes kommen in dieser Hinsicht zu divergierenden Ergebnissen.
Alcohol and dietary factors associate with gut integrity and inflammation in HIV‐infected adults
Authors: Webel AR , Sattar A , Funderburg NT , Kinley B , Longenecker CT , Labbato D , Alam SM Khurshid , McComsey GA
Published: November 2016

Objectives

HIV‐infected adults have heightened monocyte activation and inflammation, at least partially as a consequence of altered gut integrity. The role of dietary factors in microbial translocation and inflammation and their downstream effect on markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have not been explored. Our purpose was to describe the longitudinal dietary patterns of HIV‐infected adults, and to examine the relationship between dietary intake, gut integrity, inflammation and subclinical markers of CVD in HIV‐infected adults.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of 147 HIV‐infected participants in a 96‐week randomized clinical trial of rosuvastatin as primary CVD prevention. Dietary intake was assessed using dietary recall; plasma gut integrity, monocyte activation and inflammation markers were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and CVD risk was assessed using carotid ultrasound and the coronary artery calcium score. Linear mixed models were used to analyse longitudinally measured biomarkers.

Results

The median age was 45 years and 78% of patients were male. At baseline, participants consumed a mean (standard deviation) of 108 (70) g of fat daily, 19 (15.6) g of fibre, 266 (186) g of carbohydrates and 15.6 (5.9) g of protein; 45% of the sample consumed alcohol. Over time, alcohol consumption was associated with several markers of gut integrity and inflammation (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

HIV‐infected adults in a contemporary, high‐resource setting have poor dietary patterns. Alcohol use was associated with worse gut integrity and increased inflammation, while other aspects of diet (fibre, carbohydrates and fat) were not. These data add to growing evidence illustrating the need for a better understanding of the effect of lifestyle factors on comorbidities in HIV‐infected adults.
Workplace health in dental care – a salutogenic approach
Authors: Lindmark U , Wagman P , Wåhlin C , Rolander B
Published: November 2016

Objective

The purpose was to explore self‐reported psychosocial health and work environments among different dental occupations and workplaces from a salutogenic perspective. A further purpose was to analyse possible associations between three salutogenic measurements: The Sense of Coherence questionnaire (SOC), the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS).

Methods

Employees in the Public Dental Service in a Swedish county council (n = 486) were invited to respond to a self‐reported web survey including demographics, work‐related factors, the SOC, the SHIS and the WEMS.

Results

This study showed positive associations between employee characteristics and self‐reported overall psychosocial health as well as experienced work environment. Autonomy was reported more among men than women (P < 0.000) and to a higher degree by dentists and dental hygienists than dental nurses (P < 0.000). Meaningfulness, happiness, job satisfaction, autonomy and positive to reorganization were reported by personnels aged less than 40 years (P ≤ 0.047). Clinical coordinators reported significant better health (SOC, SHIS) and experienced more autonomy, better management and more positive to reorganization than other dental professions. Dental hygienists and nurses experienced less time pressure than dentists (P ≤ 0.007). Better health and positive work experiences were also seen in smaller clinics (P ≤ 0.29).

Conclusion

Dental professionals reported a high degree of overall psychosocial health as well as a positive work experience. Some variations could be seen between employee characteristics such as gender, years in dental care, professionals, managing position and workplace size. Identify resources and processes at each workplace are important and should be included in the employee's/employers dialogue.
Mental Health Conditions Among North Korean Female Refugee Victims of Sexual Violence
Authors: Kim Jae Yop , Kim Hee Jin , Choi Kwonho , Nam Boyoung
Published: November 2016

The study aims to examine the negative effects of sexual violence on North Korean (NK) female refugees in South Korea. Although the prevalence of sexual violence victimization is extremely high and mental health problems are serious among these refugees, little to no research has been done on the relationship between sexual violence and mental health among these women. The mental health conditions of two groups of women (sexual violence victims and those who have not experienced sexual violence) were compared using ANCOVA analyses. The results show that suicidal ideation and alcohol use are significantly more prevalent in the sexual violence group than in the non‐sexual violence group. The women who had experienced sexual violence in particular should be provided with more professional and sustained treatment and management services. The government must improve the effectiveness of existing policies related to suicide and the drinking culture in South Korea.
Supporting a Counterfactual Futurity: Cash Transfers and the Interface between Multilateral Banks, the Mexican State, and its People
Authors: Dapuez Andrés
Published: November 2016

Basado en entrevistas con funcionarios de desarrollo y análisis de evidencias históricas, sostengo que, en lugar de estar dirigida a romper el ciclo intergeneracional de reproducción de la pobreza, los programas de transferencias monetarias de México Procampo (1994) y Progresa‐Oportunidades (1997–2002–2014) se implementaron para facilitar un ajuste estructural de largo plazo, mantener una constante migración de zonas rurales a zonas urbanas, “convertir” a niños campesinos a nuevas actividades económicas, monetizar la economía rural, incentivar nuevas formas de liderazgo político y abolir el “caciquismo tradicional”. Validado no sólo a través de estadísticas y de análisis cualitativo, sino también por los “métodos experimentales de evaluación de impacto,” Progresa‐Oportunidades se justifica en una dimensión “contrafactual” de (pseudo) Casos Controlados Aleatoriamente. Por lo tanto, concluyo que la prueba “contrafactual” de las transferencias monetarias asocia progreso y desarrollo a causalidades redundantes de formas de vida urbana, en vez de demostrar el alcance de objetivos.
School‐Based HIV/STD Testing Behaviors and Motivations Among Black and Hispanic Teen MSM: Results From a Formative Evaluation
Authors: Morris Elana , Topete Pablo , Rasberry Catherine N. , Lesesne Catherine A. , Kroupa Elizabeth , Carver Lisa
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

This evaluation explores experiences with, and motivations for, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing among black and Hispanic school‐aged young men who have sex with men (YMSM).

METHODS

Participants were recruited at community‐based organizations that serve YMSM in New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Eligible participants were 13‐ to 19‐year‐old black or Hispanic males who reported attraction to or sexual behavior with other males and/or identified as gay or bisexual, and attended at least 90 days of school in the previous 18 months. Participants (N = 415) completed web‐based questionnaires and/or in‐depth interviews (N = 32).

RESULTS

In the past year, 72.0% of questionnaire participants had been tested for HIV, 13.5% of them at school or school clinic. Participants reported that they would be more likely to get an HIV test if they could be tested close to or at school (34.4%), and 64.4% would use HIV testing if offered in schools. Most interview participants reported willingness to use school‐based services if they were offered nonjudgmentally, privately, and confidentially by providers with experience serving YMSM.

CONCLUSION

Schools can provide opportunities to make HIV and STD testing accessible to school‐aged YMSM, but the services must be provided in ways that are comfortable to them.
Schoolyard Characteristics, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior: Combining GPS and Accelerometry
Authors: Van Kann Dave H.H. , de Vries Sanne I. , Schipperijn Jasper , de Vries Nanne K. , Jansen Maria W.J. , Kremers Stef P.J.
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is decreasing among children, while sedentary behavior (SB) is increasing. Schoolyards seem suitable settings to influence children's PA behavior. This study investigated the associations between schoolyard characteristics and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB of children aged 8‐11 years at schoolyards.

METHODS

Twenty primary schools in the Netherlands were involved. A total of 257 children wore an accelerometer and global positioning system (GPS) device for 5 consecutive days to objectively assess their PA levels and presence at the schoolyard, respectively. Accelerometer and GPS data were merged using the personal activity and location measurement system. Multilevel linear regression analyses were used to study correlates of MVPA and SB at schoolyards.

RESULTS

On average, children spent 54 minutes a day at the schoolyard, 9 minutes of which were spent in MVPA and 20 minutes in SB. Boys engaged in MVPA longer than girls at the schoolyard. Fixed equipment, such as high bars and soccer goals, teacher‐initiated activities, and the presence of a ball games policy were correlates of more MVPA and less SB.

CONCLUSION

Well‐designed schoolyards, including PA‐enhancing fixed equipment, a supportive PA climate created by teachers, and supportive schoolyard policies may contribute to increased PA and decreased SB during school recess among school‐aged children.
Effectiveness of Universal School‐Based Mental Health Awareness Programs Among Youth in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Salerno John P.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND:

Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness and low mental health literacy have been identified as links to social adversity, and barriers to seeking and adhering to treatment among adolescents suffering from mental illness. Prior research has found that it is possible to improve these outcomes using school‐based mental health awareness interventions. The purpose of this study was to review empirical literature pertaining to universal mental health awareness interventions aiming to improve mental health related outcomes among students enrolled in US K‐12 schools, especially minorities vulnerable to health disparities.

METHODS:

PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, PUBMED, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for K‐12 school‐based mental health awareness interventions in the United States. Universal studies that measured knowledge, attitudes, and/or help‐seeking pertinent to mental health were included.

RESULTS:

A total of 15 studies were selected to be part of the review. There were 7 pretest/post‐test case series, 5 nonrandomized experimental trial, 1 Solomon 4‐groups, and 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs. Nine studies measuring knowledge, 8 studies measuring attitudes, and 4 studies measuring help‐seeking, indicated statistically significant improvements.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although results of all studies indicated some level of improvement, more research on implementation of universal school‐based mental health awareness programs is needed using RCT study designs, and long‐term follow‐up implementation.
Dietary Protein Level Affects the Growth Performance of Large Male Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, Reared in Fertilized Freshwater Cages
Authors: Liu Wei , Jiang Ming , Wu Jin‐Ping , Wu Fan , Tian Juan , Yang Chang‐Geng , Wen Hua
Published: November 2016

An 8‐wk experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein on the growth performance, body composition, and serum biochemical indices of large male genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), Oreochromis niloticus, reared in fertilized freshwater cages. Six semi‐purified diets were formulated, containing 18.05, 22.39, 25.97, 31.62, 35.97, and 39.89% protein (designated as P18, P22, P26, P30, P34, and P38, respectively). Each diet was fed to randomly selected fish (initial mean weight 216.7 g) in four cages. At the end of the experiment, the final body weights varied significantly (P < 0.05), ranging from 520 to 580 g. Fish receiving the P30 diet had the highest final weight value (580.5 ± 5.4 g). Weight gains of fish fed the P26 and P30 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those fed the P18 and P38 diets. The apparent feed efficiency of fish fed the P18 diet was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of fish in the other groups except the P22 group (P > 0.05). The apparent protein efficiency ratio decreased gradually with increasing dietary protein. Whole‐body moisture and ash showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), but protein and fat content were significantly affected by dietary protein level (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found for serum total protein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase levels among different diets (P > 0.05); only serum glucose level was affected by dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). Second‐order polynomial regression of weight gain suggested 29.3% dietary protein is adequate content for maximum growth of large male GIFT, O. niloticus.
GLI1, a master regulator of the hallmark of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kasai Kenji
Published: November 2016

Hedgehog signaling is highly conserved across species and governs proper embryonic development. Germline gene mutations that reduce this signaling activity cause a variety of developmental abnormalities such as holoprosencephaly, while those that enhance Hedgehog signaling activity induce a tumor‐predisposition condition Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Furthermore, dysregulated activation of Hedgehog signaling has been recognized in various sporadic malignancies, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma develops through a multistep carcinogenesis starting with oncogenic mutation of the KRAS gene. During this process, precancerous or cancer cells secrete Hedgehog ligand proteins to promote characteristic desmoplastic stroma around the cells, which in turn activates the expression of the downstream transcription factor GLI1 inside the cells. The quantitative and spatiotemporal dysregulation of GLI1 subsequently leads to the expression of transcriptional target genes of GLI1 that govern the hallmark of malignant properties. Here, after a brief introductory outline, a perspective is offered of Hedgehog signaling with a special focus on the role of GLI1 in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
Developing Practice‐Oriented Theory on Collaboration: A Paradox Lens
Authors: Vangen Siv
Published: November 2016

Collaboration is present throughout public administration as a means to address social issues that sit in the interorganizational domain. Yet research carried out over the last three decades has concluded that collaborations are complex, slow to produce outputs, and by no means guaranteed to deliver synergies and advantage. This article explores whether a “paradox lens” can aid the development of practice‐oriented theory to help those who govern, lead, and manage collaborations in practice. It draws on a long‐standing research program on collaboration and a synthesis of relevant literature on paradox and collaboration. The article develops five propositions on the application of a paradox lens that explicitly recognizes the context of collaboration as inherently paradoxical; acknowledges the limitations of mainstream theory in capturing adequately the complex nature of and tensions embedded in collaborative contexts; and uses the principles of paradox to develop practice‐oriented theory on governing, leading, and managing collaborations.
Commentary: Reputation and Accountability: Incentives and Reputation as a Harness
Authors: Tucker Paul
Published: November 2016

Related Content: Busuioc and Lodge (PAR January/February 2017)
Vague Comparisons
Authors: Constantinescu Cristian
Published: November 2016

Some comparisons are hard. How should we think about such comparisons? According to John Broome, we should think about them in terms of vagueness. But the vagueness account has remained unpopular thus far. Here I try to bolster it by clarifying the notion of comparative vagueness that lies at its heart.
Different associations of cryoprotectants for testicular tissue of prepubertal cats submitted to vitrification
Authors: Lima DBC , Silva TFP , Morais GB , Aquino‐Cortez A , Evangelista JSAM , Xavier Júnior FAF , Viana DA , Silva LDM
Published: November 2016

Contents

The cryopreservation of testicular tissue is presented as the only alternative for the preservation of genetic material from prepubertal animals. However, this biotechnology is still being tested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different associations of cryoprotectants and the potential of cell proliferation after vitrification of testicular tissue of prepubertal cats. Five testicular pairs from five prepubertal cats were used, and each pair was divided into four fragments. Of these, one fragment composed of the control group (CG) and the rest were distributed in experimental groups according to the associations of cryoprotectants to be tested (dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO)/glycerol (GLY); ethylene glycol (EG)/GLY) or DMSO/EG) in a final cryoprotectant concentration of 5.6 m. The fragments were submitted to vitrification, and after one week, fragments were heated and processed for histomorphological evaluation and quantification of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). DMSO/GLY did not differ from CG and was superior to the other vitrified groups, as to cell separation and degree of shrinkage of the basal membrane. Concerning cell differentiation, visibility of the nucleus and nuclear condensation, all the vitrified groups were inferior to CG; however, DMSO/EG was inferior to DMSO/GLY and EG/GLY, which did not differ among themselves. CG was superior to all groups in quantification of NORs. DMSO/EG was inferior to all others, and there was no difference between DMSO/GLY and EG/GLY. The association DMSO/GLY presented the best preservation of tissue integrity and potential of cell proliferation after vitrification of the testicular tissue of prepubertal cats.
Frankenfish or Fish to Feed the World? Scientism and Biotechnology Regulatory Policy
Authors: Bruce Analena B.
Published: November 2016

Scientism is an attempt to apply the methods and approach of the natural sciences to matters of human social and political concern. Scientism‐based discourse has been used to reframe the public debate about controversial science and technology into a risk assessment carried out by experts. The biotechnology industry has used a scientism‐based discourse to avoid regulation and labeling, claiming that the scientific makeup of their products is all that matters for governing regulatory policy, not their social, economic, or environmental impact. In this case study I examine the discourse used in support of and opposition to AquaAdvantage salmon, the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption. This case inspired an opposition coalition of consumer and environmental groups that led the FDA to organize a public meeting about its review of the fish. The analysis finds support for previous studies showing that regulatory debates over biotechnology in the United States are dominated by scientism, and that scientism generates public skepticism rather than confidence. In previous cases citizen groups were unable to challenge the authority of scientism‐based regulatory policy, but in this case the agency's decision not to require labeling was overruled by a congressional labeling mandate driven by citizen mobilization.
The circumstances of post‐phenomenological life worlds
Authors: McCormack Derek P
Published: November 2016

This paper contributes to the development of a post‐phenomenological account of worlds through a discussion of the concept of circumstance. This account is developed initially through a consideration of how the concept of world figures in two important strands of contemporary thinking, namely, speculative realism and theories of affective life. By making connections across these approaches, the paper argues for a circumstantial sense of worlds irreducible to the status of surrounds for human‐centred forms of life and experience. This account of worlds is post‐phenomenological insofar as it does not assume the already constituted subject as the condition for worlds to take shape: instead, it attends to the circumstantial worlding of forces excessive of the subject. At the same, via a scenographic orientation it remains attentive to the affective force of life worlds, to how they are felt as a kind of circumstantial palpability.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Flow in a Multiple Layer Water Filter
Authors: Su Yan , Sun Liyong
Published: November 2016

The transient fields of fluid flow and concentrations of polluted maters carried in water inside a multiple layer water filter have been simulated by a new Lattice Boltzmann Method. This new Lattice Boltzmann Method speed up the simulation of flow and mass transfer through the complex geometries, which make the present simulations of real flow in water filter structures possible. The water is purified by this filter by passing multiple units of sandwich like porous medium structures. A new porous medium model is introduced to model different structures and materials inside the filter as multiple zone porous medium with different porosity and microscopic geometry. The new porous medium model which fit for the new LBM numerical method can be applied in irregular microscopic structures based on a geometry factor. This geometry factor is independent of porosity which represents how widely the solid is distributed in the fluid. Based on this model, the conjugate simulations of the complex flow and concentration distributions inside the water filter can be modeled by three lattice Boltzmann governing equations in a uniform simple form. The volume averaged drag forces vary with the porosity and structures for each layer of the sandwich structures. The transient flow and concentration governing equations have been solved by define dynamic relaxation time for both flow and concentration lattice Boltzmann equations. The semipermeable films are modeled as reactors, which track the large molecular maters as a mass sink. The simulations have been performed in wide range of the governing parameters obtained by scaling analysis to obtain a better design based on the flow characteristics. The transient streamlines, concentration of larger size molecular in water and attached on films of the sandwich solid structures have been presented to show the transient procedure of purification of the water.
Underwater Wetting Behavior on Micro-Patterned Surfaces
Authors: Mitra Surjyasish , Gunda Naga Siva Kumar , Mitra Sushanta K.
Published: November 2016

An experimental study has been presented to validate the applicability of Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter theories for wetting of textured surfaces placed under-water. Silicon based micro-patterned substrates are fabricated and careful experimental investigation has been performed to study the wetting signature of oil drops on these substrates when placed under-water. On analysis of relevant experimental data (macroscopic advancing, equilibrium and receding contact angles), it has been found that they are inconsistent with the Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter wetting theories.
Experimental Study on Local Subcooled Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in a Vertical Mini-Gap Channel
Authors: Li Jun-ye , Feng Zhao-zan , Coyle Carolyn , McKrell Thomas J. , Buongiorno Jacopo , Zhou Kan , Li Wei
Published: November 2016

An experimental study of subcooled flow boiling in a high-aspect-ratio, one-sided heating rectangular mini-gap channel was conducted using deionized water. The local heat transfer coefficient, onset of nucleate boiling, and flow pattern of subcooled boiling were investigated. The influence of heat flux and mass flux were studied with the aid of a high-speed camera. The results show that the flow pattern was mainly isolated bubbly flow when the narrow microchannel was placed vertically. The bubbles generated at lower mass fluxes were larger and did not easily depart, forming elongated bubbly flow and flowing upstream. The thin film evaporation mechanism dominated the entire test section due to the elongated bubbles and transient local dryout as well as rewet. The local heat transfer coefficient near the exit of the test section was larger.
Effect of Micropillar Characteristics on Leidenfrost Temperature of Impacting Droplets
Authors: Park Il Woong , Fernandino Maria , Dorao Carlos Albert
Published: November 2016

When a liquid droplet gets in contact with a surface at a temperature above the Leidenfrost temperature, the part of the droplet in contact with the surface vaporizes creating an insulating vapor layer that keeps the droplet levitating. In this study, the effects of the width, height to width and pitch to the width of the Si micro pillar on Leidenfrost temperature and boiling characteristics are investigated. The difference of dynamic LFP between surface with micro pillar and unprocessed silicon was −25K to 80K. And that of nominal LFP was −10 to 90K. It was observed that the micro pillars could control the temperature range of the transition boiling region and transition film boiling region. This transition has been observed to be broader than the one corresponding to the plain silicon surface.
Flow Boiling in a Horizontal Tube at High Vapor Qualities
Authors: Deng Han , Fernandino Maria , Dorao Carlos A.
Published: November 2016

The current study presents the experimental results for the boiling heat transfer coefficient of R134a flowing inside a 5 mm inner diameter, smooth horizontal tube. The study cases are set for pressures ranging from 5 to 10 bar, and mass fluxes from 300 to 400 kg/m2s. The heat transfer coefficients are measured at vapor qualities from 0.01 to 1.3, particularly in small quality increments over the high quality region.

The experimental heat transfer coefficients are compared with the predicted results by the method of Wojtan et al. [1,2]. The method gives a good prediction in the quality range 0.1–0.7. There exist large errors in the high quality region, and the maximum value can reach −90%. The method is modified using the correlation by Del Col et al. [2] for dryout inception and a new proposed approach for the dry angle. The modified method improves the predicted results with good estimation in the quality range 0.1–0.8, and the maximum error in the high quality region is reduced to −60%.
Observation of Contact Line Dynamics in Evaporating Droplets Under the Influence of Electric Fields
Authors: Greyson Marcette , Maki Kara L. , Schertzer Michael J.
Published: November 2016

Deposition of colloidal material in evaporating droplets is important in many applications including DNA sequencing and medical diagnostic testing. When colloidal droplets evaporate, the majority of material is often deposited at the periphery of the resultant deposition in a coffee-ring pattern. Formation of this pattern is the result of contact line pinning and the interplay between evaporative and surface tension effects in the droplet. When the contact line is pinned and the evaporative flux in the droplet is highest at the periphery, a radially outward flow is generated to conserve mass that deposits particles in the fluid at the contact line. Evaporation at the contact line can also create a temperature gradient across the droplet. This gradient gives rise to a surface tension driven flow that can resuspend particles in the droplet. When the evaporative flow dominates, particles are deposited at the contact line in a coffee-ring pattern. The presence of the coffee-ring pattern is undesirable in many printing and medical diagnostic processes. Suppression of the coffee-ring effect has been achieved by addition of surfactant, enhancement of surface tension flow, surface modification, alteration of particle shape, and application of an electric field.

Manipulation of the coffee-ring effect has been achieved through the application of both AC and DC electric fields. One result of the presence of this field is the electrowetting force at the contact line which acts to reduce the contact angle and increase contact area. Since this force acts at the contact line, it may disrupt typical contact line dynamics, including evaporative dynamics, which are responsible for the formation of the coffee-ring effect.

This work will experimentally examine contact line dynamics of evaporating droplets in the presence of DC electric fields. Droplets of water will be desiccated on a device with a photolithographically patterned electrode covered with a thin layer of SU8-3005. Experimental cases with applied DC fields will be compared with unactuated control cases to examine changes in transient interface shape and contact diameter.
Low Cost Graphene Electrodes for Performing Digital Microfluidic Operations on a Hand Held Portable Platform
Authors: Yafia Mohamed , Najjaran Homayoun
Published: November 2016

This work presents a new fabrication method for the electrodes of digital microfluidic (DMF) systems in which the electrodes are fabricated from laser scribed graphene on PET substrates. The new fabrication method helps in rapid design and prototyping of the DMF electrodes easily without a need for highly equipped facilities. The electrodes are fabricated on flexible substrates. Hence, the prospered method improves both the versatility of the DMF chips as we can form them to any desirable shape. The laser scribed graphene chips are then inserted to a battery-powered handheld DMF device to perform different applications such as point of care testing (POCT). The portable device is controlled using a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. The DMF droplets are magnified using a micro lens installed on top of the smartphone camera to monitor and record DMF processes.
Deposition of an organic–inorganic hybrid material onto carbon fibers via the introduction of furfuryl alcohol into the atomic layer deposition process of titania and subsequent pyrolysis
Authors: Militzer Christian , Knohl Stefan , Dzhagan Volodymyr , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Goedel Werner A.
Published: November 2016

Exposing bundles of carbon and quartz fibers as well as silicon wafers to sequential pulses of gaseous TiCl4/furfuryl alcohol (FFA) and H2O/TiCl4/furfuryl alcohol, respectively gave rise to conformal organic/inorganic coatings on all of these substrates. The deposition during the FFA pulse is self-limiting and the process shows a linear growth per cycle of (0.65 ± 0.05) nm/cycle in the absence of water pulses and (1.68 ± 0.04) nm/cycle in the presence of water pulses. A possible reaction mechanism comprises classic atomic layer deposition steps as well as a polymerization route of furfuryl alcohol, which leads to the release of water during the furfuryl alcohol pulse and further comprises hydrolytic ring opening of furan rings and/or hydrolytic cleavage of Ti–Cl bonds. Since an additional subsequent water pulse significantly enhances the growth, it seems that without additional water pulse these reactions are limited by the amount of water that is formed or desorbed. Oxidizing the coated carbon fibers at 700 °C gave rise to thin-walled titania microtubes with wrinkled tube walls. Titania/carbon-hybrid microtubes were obtained by coating quartz fibers with TiO2/FFA, pyrolysis at 600 °C under nitrogen atmosphere, and subsequent etching with hydrogen fluoride. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (of coated silicon wafers) confirm that the coating consists predominantly of titanium, oxygen, carbon, and comprises residual chlorine. The stoichiometry is TiO2C3.5Cl0.1 before and TiO1.8C1.4 after the pyrolysis. According to XPS and thermogravimetric analysis, the molar ratio of titania to furfuryl alcohol is approximately 1.
Large area fast-AFM scanning with active “Quattro” cantilever arrays
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad , Nikolov Nikolay , Angelov Tihomir , Ivanov Tzvetan , Reum Alexander , Atanasov Ivaylo , Guliyev Elshad , Ishchuk Valentyn , Kaestner Marcus , Krivoshapkina Yana , Lenk Steve , Lenk Claudia , Rangelow Ivo W. , Holz Mathias
Published: November 2016

In this work, the fabrication and operation of an active parallel cantilever device integrating four self-sensing and self-actuating probes in an array is presented. The so called “Quattro” cantilever system is controlled by a multichannel field programmable gate array (FPGA) controller. The integrated cantilever devices are fabricated on the basis of a silicon-on-insulator wafer using surface micromachining and gas chopping plasma-etching processes [I. W. Rangelow, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 21, 1550 (2003)]. The unique design of the active cantilever probes provides both patterning and readout capabilities [Kaestner et al., J. Micro-Nanolithogr. MEMS 14, 031202 (2015)]. The thermomechanical actuation allows the individually operation of each cantilever in static and dynamic modes. This enables a simultaneous atomic force microscopy operation of all cantilevers in an array, while the piezoresistive read-out of the cantilever bending routinely ensures atomic resolution at a high imaging speed. The scanning probe lithography capabilities of the active cantilevers are based on the utilization of a Fowler–Nordheim field emission process of low-energy electrons (20–50 eV) for direct writing maskless lithography. The cantilever in the Quattro active cantilever array have a pitch of 125 μm (tip-to-tip distance), which allows an image size of 0.5 × 0.2 mm to be acquired within a single scan with 0.2 nm resolution in the vertical direction. Using parallel imaging, an effective scanning speed of 5.6 mm/s is achieved. The multichannel, scalable controller architecture allows four FPGA channels to scan and collect data simultaneously. A data buffer of 128 Mbits for a single frame of 4096 × 1024 pixels is applied. The designed data transfer system allows a packet size of 128 pixels to be transmitted within less than 10 μs, respectively. Thus, the entire image frame is transferred in less than 280 ms, which exceeds the required throughput in the practical cases like critical dimension-metrology and inspection. In this article, the authors are presenting the concept of the system, which combines imaging, metrology, and lithography capabilities with a low-cost of ownership. In this context, the authors are investigating the throughput capability, reproducibility, resolution, and positioning accuracy of the Quattro active cantilever system.