bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Barium Titanate Based Ferroelectrics by Containerless Processing
Authors: Magome Eisuke , Moriyoshi Chikako , Kuroiwa Yoshihiro , Sumitani Kazushi , Ishiji Koutaro , Okajima Toshihiro
Published: November 2015

Lead-free ferroelectric materials are desired in our lives owing to the environmental problem, and are anticipated to replace conventional ferroelectrics such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT) ceramics. Many researchers have attempted to develop lead-free ceramics whose ferroelectric properties would surpass those of PZT ceramics. Recently, it has been reported that oxygen-deficient hexagonal-BaTiO3which is metastable state of perovskite-BaTiO3exhibits giant dielectric constants over the wide temperature range. Such a metastable material has capability as a lead-free dielectric material with high performance. The containerless processing has an advantage over the other conventional methods in synthesizing metastable materials. It can suppress heterogeneous nucleation from the container wall, and produce the undercooled state below the solidification point of the metastable phase, which is lower than that of the stable phase. The purpose of this study is to synthesize barium titanate based ferroelectrics by the containerless processing as lead-free metastable materials. We developed the aerodynamic levitation furnace which enables us to levitate and melt a sample about 1-3 mm in diameter in containerless condition. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the aerodynamic levitation furnace. The samples are levitated by the gas jet nozzle, and are melted using the CO2laser radiation. The metastable crystals of the barium titanate based ferroelectrics were fabricated by the aerodynamic levitation furnace. The crystal structure is demonstrated by analyzing high energy synchrotron radiation powder diffraction data. We discuss the prospects of the ferroelectricity on the basis of the determined crystal structure.
Crystallisation and conformation-controlled breathing of the Al-MOF CAU-13
Authors: Lieb Alexandra , Niekiel Felicitas , Stock Norbert
Published: November 2015

Within the last couple of years an enormous variety of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been synthesized. Besides characteristics like large specific surface area or a defined interaction with gas molecules a "breathing" effect was described as well. During this breathing the atoms can undergo certain movements keeping the same structural topology and without losing crystallinity. Most known MOFs contain rigid aromatic linker molecules. A rare example of a MOF with flexible aliphatic linkers is [Al(OH)(trans CDC)] (CDC = cyclohexanedicarboxylate), known as CAU 13.[1] The structure was determined from PXRD-data using synchotron radiation. In analogy to Al-MIL 53,[2] CAU 13 is build up from chains of corner-sharing AlO6-octahedra interconnected by the linker molecules. Interestingly, the trans-CDC ion is incorporated in a,a- as well as e,e-conformation. Time-resolved in-situ EDXRD experiments at HASYLAB (DESY, Hamburg) show short induction times for the crystallization of CAU-13. Full crystallization occurs within two hours even at low reaction temperatures. CAU-13[3] shows porosity towards different adsoptives after thermal activation. In-situ temperature dependent PXRD experiments show a widening of the pores along the b-axis up to 3500C. The flexibility of the linker molecules allows structural changes of the compound during adsorption. While the adsorption of hydrophilic molecules only cause a small breathing effect, the adsorption of xylene leads to drastic changes in the crystal structure. The a,a-CDC2- ions change conformation to e,e-type to increase the cell volume per formula sum by 25 %. This combination of pore widening and conformational changes constitutes a new type of breathing in Metal-Organic Frameworks.
Structural Study of Ferroelectric Phase Transition of Sn-doped SrTiO3
Authors: Kasatani Hirofumi , Suzuki Shoichiro , Ando Akira , Magome Eisuke , Moriyoshi Chikako , Kuroiwa Yoshihiro , Deguchi Kiyoshi
Published: November 2015

Recently, ferroelectricity was discovered in Sn-doped SrTiO3 (abbreviated by SSTO), in which Sr-atom was substituted by a few percent Sn-atom[1]. The ferroelctricity of SSTO was confirmed by means of the appearance of the dielectric anomaly, that reached several thousands and the clear D-E hysteresis loop in low temperature phase. In order to clarify the mechanism of ferroelectric phase transition of SSTO from the viewpoint of the crystal structure, we investigated the average crystal structure and the local structure around the substitutional Sn-atom of SSTO10 (10% Sn concentration, ferroelectric phase transition temperature 180K) by means of synchrotron-radiation powder X-ray diffraction and transmission XAFS spectrum of Sn:K-edge, respectively. From the results of MEM/Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data, it was obtained that crystal structure of paraelectric phase of SSTO10 was cubic perovskite structure with the disorder state of Sn-atom. In ferroelectric phase, the crystal system was tetragonal, which was similar in structure to tetragonal ferroelectric structure of BaTiO3, and Sn-atom was order state. XAFS study revealed that the valence of Sn-ion was +2 charge and the local structure of Sn-atom was seemed as being the self-insistent state of SnO crystal structure. However, strangely, the coordination number of the nearest neighbor atom, that is O-atom, was 2 instead of 4. This is a mystery result and we have been analyzing. We have considered that the ferroelectricity of SSTO is induced by the distortion around the subsitituional Sn-atom. At the meeting, we are planning to discuss the precise crystal structure and the mechanism of the ferroelectric phase transition of SSTO.
Structural and optical study of the phase transitions in Lead Hafnate, PbHfO3
Authors: Huband Steven , Glazer Anthony , Roleder Krystian , Majchrowski Andrzej , Thomas Pam
Published: November 2015

Lead Hafnate undergoes two structural phase transitions as a function of temperature. The first occurs at about 1630C, consisting of a transition from an antiferroelectric orthorhombic Pbam structure [1] to another antiferroelectric orthorhombic phase with an as-yet undetermined space group. The second is to a paraelectric cubic Pm3m structure at 2090C. Dielectric spectroscopy measurements on a single crystal have shown a distinct temperature hysteresis at the orthorhombic to orthorhombic transition [2]. Recently, dielectric measurements on a ceramic sample have shown a much larger temperature hysteresis and following x-ray diffraction measurements, it is suggested that the second orthorhombic phase is in space group A2mm and undergoes another transition to a tetragonal P4mm structure before the cubic transition [3]. We report on the results of an investigation of a PbHfO3crystal using a combination of high-resolution x-ray diffraction and birefringence imaging measurements with the Metripol system. These measurements have been performed as a function of temperature from the room-temperature orthorhombic structure to the high-temperature cubic structure. The results are discussed both in the context of the published work and fundamental understanding of the origin of antiferroelectricity.
Developing Next Generation Phase Change Materials for Heat Storage Applications
Authors: Clark Rowan , Pulham Colin
Published: November 2015

A large proportion of energy consumption in the UK is in the form of heat, associated with domestic and commercial heating of buildings, and the heating requirements for a wide range of industrial processes. Since many heating requirements rely ultimately on the combustion of fossil fuels, inevitably this has a major impact on the release of CO2. Furthermore, with the ever-increasing price of fuel and electricity, there are significant economic impacts for both domestic and industrial consumers. Hence there is a very strong driver towards the exploitation of renewable heat, and a key challenge for renewable heat must be effective heat storage. Latent heat storage systems have the potential to be more economical and reduce CO2 emissions compared to heating systems currently used in homes and industry. Phase-change materials (PCMs) are the key materials used in the technology, and can include organic compounds such as waxes and sugar alcohols, and inorganic compounds such as salt hydrates. On melting these materials absorb heat and on freezing they release heat. This poster describes the development of new PCMs based on hydrates of magnesium , calcium, and strontium compounds which have tailored properties such as specific melting temperature ranges, improved long-term stabilities (over many heating and cooling cycles), and high energy densities. Variable temperature crystallographic studies (single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction) provide valuable insight into phenomena such as incongruent melting, supercooling, the appearance of intermediate hydrates, and the effects of additives that promote crystal nucleation. Such information leads to a better understanding of the behaviour of these PCMs, ultimately leading to more effective methods for heat storage.
High-pressure behavior of Fe2O3
Authors: Bykova Elena , Bykov Maxim , Prakapenka Vitali , Konôpková Zuzana , Liermann Hanns-Peter , Dubrovinskaia Natalia , Dubrovinsky Leonid
Published: November 2015

High pressure behavior of Fe2O3has been a long-standing subject of research due to its high importance for understanding Earth's interiors. At pressures from 40 to 60 GPa it undergoes a series of transformations, such as structural changes with a large volume discontinuity (~10 %), a drop of the resistivity, a spin crossover of Fe3+, and a disappearance of the ordered magnetic state. The crystal structure of the phase(s) observed on compression at ambient temperature above 50 GPa is still under question since only powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data were available so far. Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopy studies cannot provide definitive structural information. Applying laser heating to Fe2O3, compressed up to 70 GPa and above, results in a distinct reconstructive phase transition to the CaIrO3-type structure, according to powder XRD. Poverty of the available structural data encouraged us to perform a series of high-pressure and high-temperature XRD experiments on single crystals of Fe2O3in diamond anvil cells. We have studied the behavior of Fe2O3at pressures up to 100 GPa and temperatures up to 2500 K. Here we report crystal structures of two novel high-pressure Fe2O3polymorphs, as well as the relations between a spin state of iron atoms and the crystal chemistry of the iron compound. In our compression experiments initially hematite-structured Fe2O3transformed to a new phase at ~54 GPa with 10 % of the volume reduction. This phase has a triclinic distorted perovskite-type structure. The second reconstructive transition occurred at 66–70 GPa with 3 % of the volume discontinuity and resulted in formation of an orthorhombic phase. Laser heating to ~21001100 K at pressures above 70 GPa promoted a transition to a Cmcm CaIrO3-type phase, whose crystal structure was refined by means of single crystal XRD to R1~ 9.7 %. Decompression experiments showed that the Cmcm phase transforms back to hematite at pressures between ~25 and 15 GPa.
Atomic, strain and domain dynamics in ferroelectrics under cyclic electric field
Authors: Gorfman Semën , Choe Hyeokmin , Ziolkowski Michael , Heidbrink Stefan , Vogt Marco , Pietsch Ullrich
Published: November 2015

Structural dynamics is a subject of a recent interest in solid state physics and a challenge for modern X-ray crystallography. Time-dependent response of solids to an external perturbation on atomic, mesoscopic and macroscopic length scales is the key to understanding many physical properties. We present the data-acquisition system (Gorfman et al., 2013) (DAQ) for X-ray diffraction study of repetitive micro- or millisecond dynamics in a broad range of materials (Gorfman, 2014) under cyclic perturbation. The DAQ operates on the principle of a multichannel analyser: it collects pulses from a single-photon-counting detector and resorts them between 10000 channels. Each channel corresponds to a certain time delay relative to the beginning of a latest perturbation cycle. The width of a channel (temporal resolution of the experiment) can be as small as 10 ns. We investigated atomic, strain and domain dynamics in SrxBa1-xNb2O6 single crystals: SBN50 (x=0.5, uniaxial ferroelectric) and SBN61(x=0.61, uniaxial relaxor ferroelectric). The experiments questioned the reason for large piezoelectric effect in uniaxial ferroelectrics where 1800(inversion) domains are present, while non-1800domains are absent. We applied triangular electric field (Figure 1) of variable frequencies and variable strengths. The time and electric field dependence of a set of Bragg rocking curves were followed: intensities, positions and peak widths were analysed giving access to atomic, strain and domain dynamics under external electric field. Figure 1. Left: contour plot of a -5 9 7 Bragg rocking curves from SBN50 single crystal collected under dynamically applied sub-coercive electric field. Right: dynamics of the peak position as a function of applied electric field, showing non-linear and hysteretic behaviour.
The large angle technique and lattice defect identifications
Authors: Tanaka Michiyoshi
Published: November 2015

The history of the Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction (CBED) is shortly introduced. Symmetry determinations[1] of crystals or the point groups and space groups of 3, 4, 5 and 6 dimensional crystals, and crystal structure analysis including the determination of charge density distribution and potential distribution of a crystal are briefly reviewed.[2] Then, the large angle CBED (LACBED) technique is described.[3] Applications of the LACBED technique to the determinations of the Burgers vector of a dislocation, the shift vector at a stacking fault, the precise orientation difference of a twin domain and the strain of an advanced multi-layer material are reviewed.
The mystery of membrane fusion: structural biology of Munc18 proteins
Authors: Martin Jennifer
Published: November 2015

Membrane fusion is a fundamentally important process that underpins systems as diverse as neurotransmission and blood glucose control. The importance of the process is evident by the award of the 2013 Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine to Rothman, Schekman and Südhof for identifying the molecular components required for fusion and showing that these are conserved from yeast to humans. Abnormalities in this process contribute to a wide range of diseases including diabetes and neurological disorders. A key regulator of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion is the Sec1p/Munc18 (SM) protein family. Whilst the molecular basis for SM protein-regulated SNARE complex formation has been extensively studied, it remains poorly understood. This presentation will focus on the structural biology of Munc18 proteins that provide clues to how these enigmatic and highly plastic proteins regulate membrane fusion.
Application of Direct Methods to Inorganic Materials Characterization
Authors: Rius Jordi
Published: November 2015

Although in the last years most attention has been paid to the development of direct methods (DM) in the macromolecular field, DM also play an important role in the characterization of inorganic materials. Very challenging is nowadays the structure solution of increasingly small crystals. Here the difficulty is not associated with the large number of atoms but with experimental limitations which may affect the data accuracy and the completeness of the data sets. It is obvious that DM have to adapt to this emerging scientific need. Particularly interesting has been the evolution of Patterson-function DM to cope with these objectives. The initial formulation based on the explicit use of triple-phase sums was modified to permit the calculation with Fourier transforms thus resulting in the more simple and accurate S-FFT algorithm [1]. Thanks to the resulting increased simplicity, this algorithm could be easily adapted to the treatment of powder diffraction data of complex inorganic materials [2]. The practical application of this algorithm is analyzed by using data of some synthetic and natural materials. Recently, the possibility of collecting good quality 3D intensity data from very small nanovolumes by new sophisticated electron diffraction (ED) techniques has become a reality. However, these data sets are often incomplete and, in addition, the intensities are not completely kinematical. The processing of these data sets represents a new challenge for DM. To this purpose a new (even more simple) Patterson-function DM (called delta-recycling) has been developed and tested on precession ED data from inorganic materials with variable degree of difficulty [3]. Phasing with delta-recycling proves to be highly efficient and from the interpretation of the results important practical conclusions can be drawn.
Impact of Crystallography on Design of Cathode Materials for Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Antipov Evgeny , Khasanova Nellie
Published: November 2015

Ninety percent of the energy produced today come from fossil fuels, making dramatically negative impact on our future due to rapid consumption of these energy sources, ecological damage and climate change. This justifies development of the renewable energy sources and concurrently efficient large storage devices capable to replace fossil fuels. Li-ion batteries have originally been developed for portable electronic devices, but nowadays new application niches are envisaged in electric vehicles and stationary energy storages. However, to satisfy the needs of these rapidly growing applications, Li-ion batteries require further significant improvement of their properties: capacity and power, cyclability, safety and cost. Cathode is the key part of the Li-ion batteries largely determining their performance. Severe requirements are imposed on a cathode material, which should provide fast reversible intercalation of Li-ions at redox potential close to the upper boundary of electrolyte stability window, possess relatively low molecular weight and exhibit small volume variation upon changing Li-concentration. First generation of the cathode materials for the Li-ion batteries based on the spinel (LiM2O4, M – transition metal) or rock-salt derivatives (LiMO2) has already been widely commercialised. However, the potential to further improve the performance of these materials is almost exhausted. The compounds, containing lithium and transition metal cations together with different polyanions (XmOn)p- (X=B, P, S, Si), are now considered as the most promising cathode materials for the next generation of the Li-ion batteries. Covalently-bonded structural frameworks in these compounds offer long-term structural stability, which is essential for good cyclability and safety. Further advantages are expected from combining different anions (such as (XO4)p- and F- ) in the anion sublattice, with the hope to enhance the specific energy and power of these materials. Various fluoride-phosphates and fluoride-sulphates have been recently discovered, and some of them exhibit attractive electrochemical performance. An overview of the research on the cathode materials for the Li-ion batteries will be presented with special emphasis on crystallography as a guide towards improved properties important for practical applications.
Crystal Engineering and Applications of Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: November 2015

As a new kind of molecular materials composed of metal ions (or clusters) and organic bridging ligands that are interconnected by coordination bonds, porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have many useful characteristics, such as high crystallinity, high porosity, structural diversity, designable frameworks, framework flexibility, as well as unique and modifiable organic pore surface. Therefore, they exhibit very promising potential applications in molecular adsorption/separation, catalysis, and sensors, etc. For example, they can be used for selective adsorption and separation of different gas molecules, such as CO2 and N2, capture of CO2 [2], sensing of small organic molecules and gas molecules, such as O2 and CO2, as well as catalysts and devices for solid-phase microextraction. In this presentation, the design and synthesis, unique pore surface, interesting functionalities will be presented by selected examples, in particular those of metal-azolate frameworks (MAFs) and a few devices useful for practical applications, from our group [1-3]. This work was supported by MoST (973 project) and NSFC.
Macromolecular Ab Initio Phasing Enforcing Secondary and Tertiary Structure
Authors: Usón Isabel
Published: November 2015

Ab Initio phasing of macromolecular structures, from the native intensities alone with no experimental phase information or previous particular structural knowledge has been the object of a long quest, limited by two main barriers: structure size and resolution of the data. Beyond the first successful atomic resolution scenario, current approaches have been developed, exploiting alternative constraints to atomicity, through use of the Patterson function, density modification and data extrapolation [1]. Our own approach relies on the combination of locating model fragments such as polyalanine alpha-helices with the program PHASER [2] and density modification with the program SHELXE [3]. Given the difficulties in discriminating correctly positioned fragments, many putative groups of fragments have to be tested in parallel, thus calculations are performed in a grid or supercomputer. The method has been called after the Italian painter Arcimboldo, who used to compose portraits out of fruits and vegetables. In the case of our program, most collections of fragments remain a "still-life", but some are correct enough for density modification to reveal the protein's true portrait (http://chango.ibmb.csic.es/ARCIMBOLDO). Beyond alpha-helices, any unknown structure should contain fragments already seen in the PDB, but how to retrieve and exploit this information? Our program BORGES identifies, retrieves and exploits this geometric information The PDB database contains a vast amount of information and for any unknown structure, given small enough fragments (e.g. two helices or three strands in a particular disposition), similar models (<0.5Å rmsd) are bound to occur in some of the deposited entries. In analogy to Borges' "Library of Babel" that enclosed books with all random combinations of letters and therefore held any possible book, the information required to phase a structure through fragment search and density modification should already be present somewhere in the PDB. The more so as unlike "Borges library", the PDB is non-random, containing in all sort of structural contexts only meaningful structural units. In addition, to bootstrap phasing our method requires small sentences instead of complete volumes, that is, a small fraction of perfect mainchain rather than a complete description of the structure (http://chango.ibmb.csic.es/BORGES). Using these methods, a number of unknown macromolecules with a few thousand atoms and resolutions around 2 Å have been solved.
Phonon and phasons : from incommensurate phases to quasicrystals
Authors: de Boissieu Marc
Published: November 2015

Aperiodic crystals are long range ordered phases, which lack translational symmetry. They encompass incommensurately modulated phases, incommensurate composites phases and quasicrystals (1). Whereas their atomic structure is now well understood, even for the case of quasicrystals, the understanding of their physical properties remains a challenging problem. In particular, because of the aperiodic long range order, the lattice dynamics present a specific behavior. In particular, it can be shown theoretically that besides phonon, a supplementary excitation exits in all aperiodic phases named phason. Phason modes arise from the degeneracy of the free energy of the system with respect to a phase shift and are always diffusive modes (1). After a general introduction on the different class of aperiodic crystals, we will illustrate experimental results on phason modes. We will in particular demonstrate that these phason modes lead to a flexibility of the structure that might have important consequences for physical properties. We will also discuss their importance for the understanding of stabilizing mechanisms that lead to the long-range aperiodic order.
Modelling marketing resources, procurement process coordination and firm performance in the Malaysian building construction industry
Authors: Othman Akmal Aini , Abd Rahman Sofiah , Sundram Veera Pandiyan KalIani , Bhatti Muhammad Awais
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish a link between marketing resources, procurement process coordination (PPC) and firm performance. To allow for greater understanding in the field of supply chain management, the present study looked into the coordination between the construction firms and their main building materials suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employed the quantitative method where stratified random sampling and self-administrated questionnaires were sent to respondents in the construction industry. The research framework was tested using structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

– The empirical result revealed that marketing resources have positive and significant effects on PPC dimensions. It was also found that PPC (mainly joint operation planning and supplier relationship development dimensions) has significant positive relationship towards firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study focused solely on the firms in the construction industry and data collection was on a single respondent basis.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study underlines some implication and suggests that construction industry players adopt and emphasise such orientations in order to enhance their performance – operational and customer performance in particular.

Originality/value

– This study employed a newly developed framework based on the existing theoretical arguments to empirically examine the link between marketing resources, PPC and firm performance and offers fresh insights on the effects of PPC in linking marketing resources and firm performance. Besides that, since there are very limited studies that have taken the initiative to specifically list down the activities involved in the PPC, mainly in the context of the construction industry, this study offers a significant contribution.
Risk factors affecting practitioners’ attitudes toward the implementation of an industrialized building system
Authors: Luo Li-zi , Mao Chao , Shen Li-yin , Li Zheng-dao
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– An industrialized building system (IBS) is regarded as an effective residential building system that provides several benefits, including high quality, low cost, short time, good flexibility, reduced waste, and strong environmental performance. This system is considered to be valuable in promoting sustainable practices in China, where plans for urbanization have been established. However, the adoption of IBS in China is extremely limited. Potential risks exist and affect the attitudes of practitioners toward the use of this system. The purpose of this paper is to prioritize and analyze these risks and to develop corresponding strategies for mitigating these risks in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 24 risks that inhibit the implementation of IBS in China are identified through literature review and examined through interviews for consistency. A questionnaire survey is conducted to quantify the significance of these risks. Cronbach’s coefficientαis employed to measure the internal consistency among the risk factors. The survey results are further analyzed using three case studies.

Findings

– The top five risks identified are “poor cooperation between multi-interface,” “inappropriate design codes and standards for industrialized buildings,” “lack of management practices and experiences,” “enormous difficulty in achieving return on high initial investment,” and “lack of a quality monitoring mechanism for the production process.” The findings emphasize the government’s leading role in promoting the new building system in its introduction and enforcement of adequate policies and regulations. Practitioners are also instrumental in establishing proper understanding and knowledge of IBS and its application.

Originality/value

– This study bridges the knowledge gaps on risk identification for implementing IBS in China. The findings provide practitioners and decision makers with valuable references for adopting adequate risk management methods and policies to promote IBS in China.
Control and synchronization of a hyperchaotic finance system via single controller scheme
Authors: He Ping , Li Yangmin
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the control and synchronization of the hyperchaotic finance system.

Design/methodology/approach

– A single controller scheme is introduced. The Routh-Hurwitz criteria and the structure of solution of first-order linear differential equations are adopted in analysis of control and synchronization.

Findings

– Two single controllers are designed and added to the new hyperchaotic finance system. The stability of the hyperchaotic finance system at its zero equilibrium point is guaranteed by applying the appropriate single controller signal based on Routh-Hurwitz criteria. Another effective controller is also designed for the global asymptotic synchronization on the hyperchaotic finance system based on the structure of solution of first-order linear differential equations. Numerical simulations are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed single controller scheme.

Originality/value

– The introduced approach is interesting for control and synchronization the hyperchaotic finance system.
Diploidy in evolutionary algorithms for dynamic optimization problems
Authors: Shabash Boris , Wiese Kay C.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– In this work, the authors show the performance of the proposed diploid scheme (a representation where each individual contains two genotypes) with respect to two dynamic optimization problems, while addressing drawbacks the authors have identified in previous works which compare diploid evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to standard EAs. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the proposed diploid representation of EA, each individual possesses two copies of the genotype. In order to convert this pair of genotypes to a single phenotype, each genotype is individually evaluated in relation to the fitness function and the best genotype is presented as the phenotype. In order to provide a fair and objective comparison, the authors make sure to compare populations which contain the same amount of genetic information, where the only difference is the arrangement and interpretation of the information. The two representations are compared using two shifting fitness functions which change at regular intervals to displace the global optimum to a new position.

Findings

– For small fitness landscapes the haploid (standard) and diploid algorithms perform comparably and are able to find the global optimum very quickly. However, as the search space increases, rediscovering the global optimum becomes more difficult and the diploid algorithm outperforms the haploid algorithm with respect to how fast it relocates the new optimum. Since both algorithms use the same amount of genetic information, it is only fair to conclude it is the unique arrangement of the diploid algorithm that allows it to explore the search space better.

Originality/value

– The diploid representation presented here is novel in that instead of adopting a dominance scheme for each allele (value) in the vector of values that is the genotype, dominance is adopted across the entire genotype in relation to its homologue. As a result, this representation can be extended across any alphabet, for any optimization function.
Food consumption and marketing: turning toward Asia
Authors: Seo Yuri , Cruz Angela Gracia B. , Fam Kim-Shyan
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify a need to incorporate Asian perspectives in theories of food consumption and marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

– This editorial discusses the mutually recursive relationship between food and culture in Asian markets, offers an integrative summary of the special issue and develops several key themes for future research.

Findings

– Food consumption plays a central role within Asian cultures and markets. Thus, understanding Asian perspectives and contexts provides an important complement and contrast to current theories of food consumption and marketing that have been primarily sited in North American and European contexts. In particular, the complex multiplicity of Asian consumer cultures creates dynamic heterogeneity within Asian food markets.

Research limitations/implications

– Although food consumption plays a central role in Asian consumer cultures, extant theory regarding Asian food consumption and marketing is still in its infancy. We highlight important developments in this area that suggest a path for future work.

Originality/value

– The authors make three contributions to the literature on food consumption and marketing. First, while engaging with these questions, this issue points to the importance of Asian cultural perspectives into the marketing literature on food consumption. Second, through the articles of this special issue, we trace the relationships between food consumption practices, marketing practices and cultural multiplicity in Asian contexts. Finally, we draw the threads together to provide directions for future research in this area.
Environmental influences on living marine stromatolites: insights from benthic microalgal communities
Authors: Rishworth Gavin M. , van Elden Sean , Perissinotto Renzo , Miranda Nelson A. F. , Steyn Paul‐Pierre , Bornman Thomas G.
Published: November 2015

Extant marine stromatolites act as partial analogues of their Achaean counterparts, but are rare due to depleted ocean calcium carbonate levels and suppression by eukaryotic organisms. Unique, peritidal tufa stromatolites at the interface between marine and freshwater inputs were discovered in South Africa in the past decade. Our aim was to investigate the benthic microalgal community (green algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria) of these stromatolites to assess succession and dominance patterns using real‐time, in situ measurements of algal concentrations and composition. These biological measurements were modelled using generalized linear modelling (GLM) multivariate statistics against water physical and chemical parameters measured at regular monthly intervals, from January to December 2014. Salinity peaked and temperature dipped in winter, with both correlated to microalgal community change (GLM: P < 0.01). Diatoms and cyanobacteria, which construct the stromatolites, were consistently the dominant groups within the algal community, with minimal green algae present throughout the year. Importantly, this demonstrates a unique, relatively stable microalgal stromatolite community as opposed to those of other marine stromatolites, which likely require seasonal and stochastic disturbance to persist. This has implications in terms of interpreting community succession and differential layering in modern and fossilized stromatolites respectively.
Integrated approach to understanding the onset and pathogenesis of black band disease in corals
Authors: Sato Yui , Civiello Michael , Bell Sara C. , Willis Bette L. , Bourne David G.
Published: November 2015

Emerging infectious diseases are contributing to global declines in coral reef ecosystems, highlighting a growing need for aetiological knowledge to develop effective management strategies. In this review, we focus on black band disease (BBD), one of the most virulent diseases and the only polymicrobial disease so far known to affect corals. A multipartite microbial consortium dominated byCyanobacteria, but also including sulfur‐cycling bacteria, other bacterial groups and members of theArchaeaandEukarya, forms a sulfide‐rich anaerobic mat that migrates across the surface of coral colonies, killing the underlying tissues. The polymicrobial nature of the disease challenges classic aetiological approaches to unravelling disease causation. Here, we synthesize current knowledge on the range of pathogens forming the microbial consortium with recent studies on the transmission, biogeochemistry and environmental drivers ofBBDto develop a conceptual model ofBBDpathogenesis. The model illustrates how the development ofBBDvirulence factors is linked to a cascade of microbial community shifts and associated functional roles that progressively develop the microbial consortium from comparatively benign cyanobacterial patches to virulentBBDlesions. This review showcases how an approach that integrates multiple key aspects of the disease provides insights essential to elucidating the aetiology ofBBD.
Applying Knowledge of Species‐Typical Scavenging Behavior to the Search and Recovery of Mammalian Skeletal Remains
Authors: Young Alexandria , Stillman Richard , Smith Martin J. , Korstjens Amanda H.
Published: November 2015

Forensic investigations involving animal scavenging of human remains require a physical search of the scene and surrounding areas. However, there is currently no standard procedure in the U.K. for physical searches of scavenged human remains. The Winthrop and grid search methods used by police specialist searchers for scavenged remains were examined through the use of mock red fox (Vulpes vulpes) scatter scenes. Forty‐two police specialist searchers from two different regions within the U.K. were divided between those briefed and not briefed with fox‐typical scavenging information. Briefing searchers with scavenging information significantly affected the recovery of scattered bones (χ2 = 11.45, df = 1, p = 0.001). Searchers briefed with scavenging information were 2.05 times more likely to recover bones. Adaptions to search methods used by searchers were evident on a regional level, such that searchers more accustom to a peri‐urban to rural region recovered a higher percentage of scattered bones (58.33%, n = 84).
Physicochemical Properties of Starch Isolated from Bracken (Pteridium aquilinim) Rhizome
Authors: Yu Xurun , Wang Jin , Zhang Jing , Wang Leilei , Wang Zhong , Xiong Fei
Published: November 2015

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is an important wild plant starch resource worldwide. In this work, starch was separated from bracken rhizome, and the physicochemical properties of this starch were systematically investigated and compared with 2 other common starches, that is, starches from waxy maize and potato. There were significant differences in shape, birefringence patterns, size distribution, and amylose content between bracken and the 2 other starches. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that bracken starch exhibited a typical C‐type crystalline structure. Bracken starch presented, respectively, lower and higher relative degree of crystallinity than waxy maize and potato starches. Ordered structures in particle surface differed among these 3 starches. The swelling power tendency of bracken starch in different temperature intervals was very similar to that of potato starch. The viscosity parameters during gelatinization were the lowest in waxy maize, followed by bracken and potato starches. The contents of 3 nutritional components, that is, rapidly digestible, slowly digestible, and resistant starches in native, gelatinized, and retrograded starch from bracken rhizome presented more similarities with potato starch than waxy maize starch. These finding indicated that physicochemical properties of bracken starch showed more similarities with potato starch than waxy maize starch.
Effect of organic matter on nitrogenase metal cofactors homeostasis in Azotobacter vinelandii under diazotrophic conditions
Authors: Jouogo Noumsi Christelle , Pourhassan Nina , Darnajoux Romain , Deicke Michael , Wichard Thomas , Burrus Vincent , Bellenger Jean‐Philippe
Published: November 2015

Biological nitrogen fixation can be catalysed by three isozymes of nitrogenase: molybdenum (Mo)‐nitrogenase, vanadium (V)‐nitrogenase and iron‐only (Fe)‐nitrogenase. The activity of these isozymes strongly depends on their metal cofactors, molybdenum, vanadium and iron, and their bioavailability in ecosystems. Here, we show how metal bioavailability can be affected by the presence of tannic acid (organic matter), and the subsequent consequences on diazotrophic growth of the soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii. In the presence of tannic acids, A. vinelandii produces a higher amount of metallophores, which coincides with an active, regulated and concomitant acquisition of molybdenum and vanadium under cellular conditions that are usually considered not molybdenum limiting. The associated nitrogenase genes exhibit decreased nifD expression and increased vnfD expression. Thus, in limiting bioavailable metal conditions, A. vinelandii takes advantage of its nitrogenase diversity to ensure optimal diazotrophic growth.
Conceptual and Operational Definitions of the Defining Characteristics and Related Factors of the Diagnosis Ineffective Health Management in People With Heart Failure
Authors: de Souza Carneiro Camila , Takao Lopes Camila , de Lima Lopes Juliana , Batista Santos Vinicius , Bachion Maria Márcia , de Barros Alba Lucia Bottura Leite
Published: November 2015

Objective

To construct conceptual and operational definitions for the defining characteristics (DCs) and related factors (RFs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) ineffective health management for people with chronic heart failure.

Method

Conceptual and operational definitions for the DC and RF were based on studies found in an integrative literature review in the databases Latin American Literature in Health Sciences, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and MEDLINE by using the key words Nursing diagnosis, Heart Failure, and Patient Cooperation in different combinations.

Results

Conceptual and operational definitions for all the DCs and RFs were constructed.

Conclusions and Implications for Practice

The definitions will facilitate in the identification of ND in clinical practice in patients with heart failure, future research on ND validation, and education in undergraduate courses.
Chronic intermittent alcohol disrupts the GluN2B‐associated proteome and specifically regulates group I mGlu receptor‐dependent long‐term depression
Authors: Wills Tiffany A. , Baucum Anthony J. , Holleran Katherine M. , Chen Yaoyi , Pasek Johanna G. , Delpire Eric , Tabb David L. , Colbran Roger J. , Winder Danny G.
Published: November 2015

N‐Methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are major targets of both acute and chronic alcohol, as well as regulators of plasticity in a number of brain regions. Aberrant plasticity may contribute to the treatment resistance and high relapse rates observed in alcoholics. Recent work suggests that chronic alcohol treatment preferentially modulates both the expression and subcellular localization of NMDARs containing the GluN2B subunit. Signaling through synaptic and extrasynaptic GluN2B‐NMDARs has already been implicated in the pathophysiology of various other neurological disorders. NMDARs interact with a large number of proteins at the glutamate synapse, and a better understanding of how alcohol modulates this proteome is needed. We employed a discovery‐based proteomic approach in subcellular fractions of hippocampal tissue from chronic intermittent alcohol (CIE)‐exposed C57Bl/6J mice to gain insight into alcohol‐induced changes in GluN2B signaling complexes. Protein enrichment analyses revealed changes in the association of post‐synaptic proteins, including scaffolding, glutamate receptor and PDZ‐domain binding proteins with GluN2B. In particular, GluN2B interaction with metabotropic glutamate (mGlu)1/5 receptor‐dependent long‐term depression (LTD)‐associated proteins such as Arc and Homer 1 was increased, while GluA2 was decreased. Accordingly, we found a lack of mGlu1/5‐induced LTD while α1‐adrenergic receptor‐induced LTD remained intact in hippocampal CA1 following CIE. These data suggest that CIE specifically disrupts mGlu1/5‐LTD, representing a possible connection between NMDAR and mGlu receptor signaling. These studies not only demonstrate a new way in which alcohol can modulate plasticity in the hippocampus but also emphasize the utility of this discovery‐based proteomic approach to generate new hypotheses regarding alcohol‐related mechanisms.
α2A‐Adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and mRNA expression levels are associated with delay discounting in cocaine users
Authors: Havranek Michael M. , Hulka Lea M. , Tasiudi Eve , Eisenegger Christoph , Vonmoos Matthias , Preller Katrin H. , Mössner Rainald , Baumgartner Markus R. , Seifritz Erich , Grünblatt Edna , Quednow Boris B.
Published: November 2015

Cocaine users characteristically display preferences for smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards, and this delay discounting (DD) has been proposed as an endophenotype of cocaine addiction. Recent evidence suggests that the norepinephrine system and more specifically the α2A‐adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) are impacted by chronic cocaine use while also being potentially involved in the neural mechanisms underlying DD. Hence, we investigated the effects ofADRA2Apolymorphisms andADRA2AmRNA expression levels on DD of cocaine users and stimulant‐naïve controls. Two hundred and twenty‐three participants (129 cocaine users and 94 stimulant‐naïve healthy controls) completed a computerized DD paradigm and were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs1800544, rs521674 and rs602618) in theADRA2Agene, while their peripheralADRA2AmRNA expression was quantified in whole blood samples. The three SNPs were in near‐perfect linkage disequilibrium. Accordingly, significantgroup*genotypeinteractions were found for all threeADRA2Avariants revealing steeper DD in cocaine users (but not in controls) carrying the G‐allele of SNP rs1800544, the T‐allele of rs521674 and the C‐allele of rs602618. Similarly, highADRA2AmRNA expression levels were significantly associated with a reduced tendency to choose smaller more immediate rewards (over larger delayed rewards) in cocaine users but not in controls. As the relationship between DD and cocaine use was moderated byADRA2ASNPs and by peripheralADRA2Agene expression, we propose that the norepinephrine system is involved in DD deficits observed in cocaine using individuals. Consequently, pharmacological compounds targetingADRA2As might be considered for the symptom‐specific treatment of delay aversion in stimulant addiction.
Haemaphysalis longicornis tick bites are a possible cause of red meat allergy in Japan
Authors: Chinuki Y. , Ishiwata K. , Yamaji K. , Takahashi H. , Morita E.
Published: November 2015

Recent studies revealed that Amblyomma or Ixodes tick bites may cause red meat allergy, in which galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (α‐Gal) is a major IgE‐binding epitope. The incidence of red meat allergy is high in Shimane Prefecture, as is tick‐transmitted Japanese spotted fever. Therefore, we speculated that tick bites may cause these meat allergies. The carbohydrate α‐Gal was detected in the salivary gland protein of Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis), the vector for Japanese spotted fever, by immunoblotting using anti‐α‐Gal antibody. H. longicornis salivary gland protein‐specific IgE was detected in the sera of 24 of 30 patients with red meat allergies. Sensitization to tick salivary gland protein containing α‐Gal is possibly a major etiology of red meat allergy; the carbohydrate plays a crucial role in its allergenicity. These results further indicate that the α‐Gal epitope is present not only in Amblyomma or Ixodes, but also in Haemaphysalis.