bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zero valent metal/RAFT agent mediated CRP of functional monomers at room temperature: a promising catalyst system for CRP
Authors: Gu Yuwei , Zhao Junfei , Liu Qingqing , Pan Xiangqiang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Xiulin
Published: October 2014

A facile approach to synthesize GMA polymers using Fe(0)/RAFT agent mediated control radical polymerization.
Impact of denatured anhydrous ethanol–gasoline fuel blends on a spark-ignition engine
Authors: Masum B. M. , Kalam M. A. , Masjuki H. H. , Rahman S. M. Ashrafur , Daggig E. E.
Published: October 2014

Like other alcohols, denatured anhydrous ethanol is a promising alternative fuel for SI engine.
Comparison of second-order nonlinear optical chromophores with D–π–A, D–A–π–A and D–D–π–A architectures: diverse NLO effects and interesting optical behavior
Authors: Liu Fenggang , Yang Yuhui , Cong Shengyu , Wang Haoran , Zhang Maolin , Bo Shuhui , Liu Jialei , Zhen Zhen , Liu Xinhou , Qiu Ling
Published: October 2014

Four second-order nonlinear optical chromophores with D–π–A, D–A–π–A and D–D–π–A architectures have been synthesized and systematically characterized.
Liquid–liquid phase separation and its effect on the crystallization in polylactic acid/poly(ethylene glycol) blends
Authors: Xu Yafang , Yu Wei , Zhou Chixing
Published: October 2014

Phase diagram of PLA/PEG determined from rheology and DSC data.
Effect of edge modification on transport properties of finite-sized, graphene nanoribbon-based molecular devices
Authors: Ding Zongling , Sun Zhaoqi , Li Guang , Meng Fanming , Wu Mingzai , Ma Yongqing , Chen Xiaoshuang
Published: October 2014

The transport mechanisms of several finite-sized, graphene nanoribbon-based junctions have been computationally investigated using density functional theory and Green's functional method.
Smart electrospun fibrous scaffolds inhibit tumor cells and promote normal cell proliferation
Authors: Zhao Jingwen , Jiang Shichao , Zheng Reila , Zhao Xin , Chen Xinliang , Fan Cunyi , Cui Wenguo
Published: October 2014

A smart and stable electrospun fibrous drug carrier was fabricated to release an incorporated drug in response to the local presence of acid and to provide a favourable micro-environment for tissue regeneration.
Effect of the presence of titania nanoparticles in the development of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms on LDPE
Authors: Arroyo J. M. , Olmos D. , Orgaz B. , Puga C. H. , San José C. , González-Benito J.
Published: October 2014

In this study the use of TiO2nanoparticles in the preparation of active packaging film materials is investigated.
Electromagnetic wave absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotube–epoxy composites in the R band
Authors: Wang Zhou , Zhao Guang-Lin
Published: October 2014

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–epoxy composites with MWCNT (outer diameter 8–15 nm) loadings from 0.1 to 5 wt% were fabricated and their morphologies, conductivities, dielectric permittivities, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorptions were investigated.
Prenatal nicotine exposure-induced intrauterine programming alteration increases the susceptibility of high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic simple fatty liver in female adult offspring rats
Authors: Xu Dan , Bai Jing , Zhang Li , Shen Lang , Wang Linlong , Liu Zhongfen , Xia Liping , Wang Hui
Published: October 2014

“Two intrauterine programming”, involved in the intrauterine origin of high-fat diet-induced NAFL in female offspring rats, induced by prenatal nicotine exposure.
Role of microRNAs in cancers of the female reproductive tract: insights from recent clinical and experimental discovery studies
Authors: Logan Monica , Hawkins Shannon M.
Published: October 2014

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that represent the top of the pyramid of many tumorigenesis cascade pathways as they have the ability to affect multiple, intricate, and still undiscovered downstream targets. Understanding how miRNA molecules serve as master regulators in these important networks involved in cancer initiation and progression open up significant innovative areas for therapy and diagnosis that have been sadly lacking for deadly female reproductive tract cancers. This review will highlight the recent advances in the field of miRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer, endometrioid endometrial cancer and squamous-cell cervical carcinoma focusing on studies associated with actual clinical information in humans. Importantly, recent miRNA profiling studies have included well-characterized clinical specimens of female reproductive tract cancers, allowing for studies correlating miRNA expression with clinical outcomes. This review will summarize the current thoughts on the role of miRNA processing in unique miRNA species present in these cancers. In addition, this review will focus on current data regarding miRNA molecules as unique biomarkers associated with clinically significant outcomes such as overall survival and chemotherapy resistance. We will also discuss why specific miRNA molecules are not recapitulated across multiple studies of the same cancer type. Although the mechanistic contributions of miRNA molecules to these clinical phenomena have been confirmed using in vitro and pre-clinical mouse model systems, these studies are truly only the beginning of our understanding of the roles miRNAs play in cancers of the female reproductive tract. This review will also highlight useful areas for future research regarding miRNAs as therapeutic targets in cancers of the female reproductive tract.
Monolithically integrated optical receiver with large‐area avalanche photodiode in high‐voltage CMOS technology
Authors: Brandl P. , Enne R. , Jukić T. , Zimmermann H.
Published: October 2014

A novel monolithically integrated optoelectronic receiver with a 200 µm diameter, high responsivity avalanche photodiode (PD) is presented. The whole receiver was developed in a high‐voltage 0.35 µm CMOS technology. This permits high PD bias voltages and the implementation of the receiver circuitry in a single chip. With a PD bias voltage of 65 V, a high responsivity of 30 A/W has been reached at a wavelength of 675 nm. Together with a folded‐cascode transimpedance amplifier, the complete receiver achieves a sensitivity of −31.8 dBm at a data rate of 1 Gbit/s with a bit error rate of 10−9 and a pseudorandom binary sequence of 231–1.
Fluid-induced propulsion of rigid particles in wormlike micellar solutions
Authors: Gagnon David A. , Keim Nathan C. , Shen Xiaoning , Arratia Paulo E.
Published: October 2014

In the absence of inertia, a reciprocal swimmer achieves no net motion in a viscous Newtonian fluid. Here, using tracking methods and birefringence imaging, we investigate the ability of a reciprocally actuated particle to translate through a complex fluid that possesses a network. A geometrically polar particle, a rod with a bead on one end, is reciprocally rotated using magnetic fields. The particle is immersed in a wormlike micellar (WLM) solution that is known to be susceptible to the formation of shear bands and other localized structures due to shear-induced remodeling of its microstructure. Results show that the nonlinearities present in this WLM solution break time-reversal symmetry under certain conditions, and enable propulsion of an artificial “swimmer.” We find three regimes dependent on the Deborah number (De): net motion towards the bead-end of the particle at low De, net motion towards the rod-end of the particle at intermediate De, and no appreciable propulsion at high De. At low De, where the particle time scale is longer than the fluid relaxation time, we believe that propulsion is caused by an imbalance in the fluid first normal stress differences between the two ends of the particle (bead and rod). At De ∼ 1, however, we observe the emergence of a region of network anisotropy near the rod using birefringence imaging. This anisotropy suggests alignment of the micellar network, which is “locked in” due to the shorter time scale of the particle relative to the fluid.
Simulations of water transport through carbon nanotubes: How different water models influence the conduction rate
Authors: Liu L. , Patey G. N.
Published: October 2014

The conduction rate of water through (8,8) and (9,9) carbon nanotubes at 300 K and a pressure difference of 220 MPa is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The TIP3P, SPC/E, and TIP4P/2005 water models are considered. The pressure-driven flow rate is found to be strongly model dependent for both nanotubes. The fastest model (TIP3P) has a flow rate that is approximately five times faster than the slowest (TIP4P/2005). It is shown that the flow rate is significantly influenced by the structure taken on by the water molecules confined in the nanotube channels. The slower models, TIP4P/2005 and SPC/E, tend to favor stacked ring arrangements, with the molecules of a ring moving together through the nanotube, in what we term a “cluster-by-cluster” conduction mode. Confined TIP3P water has a much weaker tendency to form ring structures, and those that do form are fragile and break apart under flow conditions. This creates a much faster “diffusive” conduction mode where the water molecules mainly move through the tube as individual particles, rather than as components of a larger cluster. Our results demonstrate that water models developed to describe the properties of bulk water can behave very differently in confined situations.
Excitonic effects in oxyhalide scintillating host compounds
Authors: Shwetha G. , Kanchana V. , Valsakumar M. C.
Published: October 2014

Ab-initio calculations based on density functional theory have been performed to study the electronic, optical, mechanical, and vibrational properties of scintillator host compounds YOX (X = F, Cl, Br, and I). Semiempirical dispersion correction schemes are used to find the effect of van der Waals forces on these layered compounds and we found this effect to be negligible except for YOBr. Calculations of phonons and elastic constants showed that all the compounds studied here are both dynamically and mechanically stable. YOF and YOI are found to be indirect band gap insulators while YOCl and YOBr are direct band gap insulators. The band gap is found to decrease as we move from fluorine to iodine, while the calculated refractive index shows the opposite trend. As the band gap decreases on going down the periodic table from YOF to YOI, the luminescence increases. The excitonic binding energy calculated, within the effective mass approximation, is found to be more for YOF than the remaining compounds, suggesting that the excitonic effect to be more in YOF than the other compounds. The optical properties are calculated within the Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) and compared with results obtained within the random phase approximation. The TDDFT calculations, using the newly developed bootstrap exchange-correlation kernel, showed significant excitonic effects in all the compounds studied here.
On the bipolar resistive-switching characteristics of Al2O3- and HfO2-based memory cells operated in the soft-breakdown regime
Authors: Goux L. , Raghavan N. , Fantini A. , Nigon R. , Strangio S. , Degraeve R. , Kar G. , Chen Y. Y. , De Stefano F. , Afanas'ev V. V. , Jurczak M.
Published: October 2014

In this article, we investigate extensively the bipolar-switching properties of Al2O3- and HfO2-based resistive-switching memory cells operated at low current down to <1 μA. We show that the switching characteristics differ considerably from those typically reported for larger current range (>15 μA), which we relate as intrinsic to soft-breakdown (SBD) regime. We evidence a larger impact of the used switching-oxide in this current range, due to lower density of oxygen-vacancy (Vo) defects in the SBD regime. In this respect, deep resetting and large memory window may be achieved using the stoichiometric Al2O3 material due to efficient Vo annihilation, although no complete erasure of the conductive-filament (CF) is obtained. We finally emphasize that the conduction may be described by a quantum point-contact (QPC) model down to very low current level where only a few Vo defects compose the QPC constriction. The large switching variability inherent to this latter aspect is mitigated by CF shape tuning through adequate engineering of an Al2O3\HfO2 bilayer.
Room temperature elastic properties of Rh-based alloys studied by surface Brillouin scattering
Authors: Sumanya C. , Mathe B. A. , Comins J. D. , Every A. G. , Osawa M. , Harada H.
Published: October 2014

Platinum metal group alloys are promising materials for use in a new generation of gas turbine engines owing to their excellent high-temperature properties. In the present work, room temperature elastic properties of single crystals of Rh3Nb and Rh3Zr are investigated. Surface Brillouin scattering spectra for a range of wave vector directions on the (001) surface have been acquired in order to determine the angular variation of the velocities of the Rayleigh and pseudo-surface acoustic waves and that of the longitudinal lateral wave (LLW) threshold within the Lamb shoulder. The elastic stiffness constants C11, C12, and C44 of these cubic crystal specimens have been derived using two approaches: the first involving the least-squares fit of the combined measured wave velocity data to calculated values and the second an analytical approach using the Rayleigh velocities in the [100] and [110] directions and LLW velocity in the [100] direction, and extracting the elastic stiffness constants from the secular equations for these velocities. Results from the two methods are in good agreement and are for Rh3Nb, C11 = 368 ± 3, C12 = 186 ± 5, and C44 = 161 ± 3 in GPa; and for Rh3Zr, C11 = 329 ± 4, C12 = 185 ± 6, and C44 = 145 ± 4 in GPa.
Large interface diffusion in endotaxial growth of MnP films on GaP substrates
Authors: Nateghi N. , Ménard D. , Masut R. A.
Published: October 2014

The metal organic vapor deposition of MnP films on GaP (100) substrates is shown to have a substantial endotaxial component. A study of the growth time evolution of the endotaxial depths of MnP grains reveals a diffusion-controlled growth with a relatively large diffusion coefficient of Mn in GaP. The value (2.2 ± 1.5) × 10−15 (cm2/s) obtained at 650 °C is at least two orders of magnitude larger than the reported Mn diffusion in bulk GaP. GaP surface mounds provide further indirect evidence that this large diffusion coefficient is concurrent with the out-diffusion of Ga atoms at the growing MnP/GaP interface. No trace of dislocations could be observed at or near this interface, which strongly suggests that Mn diffusion occurs through vacant sites generated by the difference between the crystallographic structures of MnP and GaP.
A unified mechanism for the stability of surface nanobubbles: Contact line pinning and supersaturation
Authors: Liu Yawei , Zhang Xianren
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we apply the molecular dynamics simulation method to study the stability of surface nanobubbles in both pure fluids and gas-liquid mixtures. First, we demonstrate with molecular simulations, for the first time, that surface nanobubbles can be stabilized in superheated or gas supersaturated liquid by the contact line pinning caused by the surface heterogeneity. Then, a unified mechanism for nanobubble stability is put forward here that stabilizing nanobubbles require both the contact line pinning and supersaturation. In the mechanism, the supersaturation refers to superheating for pure fluids and gas supersaturation or superheating for the gas-liquid mixtures, both of which exert the same effect on nanobubble stability. As the level of supersaturation increases, we found a Wenzel or Cassie wetting state for undersaturated and saturated fluids, stable nanobubbles at moderate supersaturation with decreasing curvature radius and contact angle, and finally the liquid-to-vapor phase transition at high supersaturation.
Communication: Identification of daughter ions through their electronic spectroscopy at low temperature
Authors: Dedonder Claude , Féraud Géraldine , Jouvet Christophe
Published: October 2014

We present experimental results on photofragmentation of cooled fragments issued from the photofragmentation of cold parent ions. The cooling of the daughter ions at a few K allows its characterization not only through its fragmentation pattern but also through its well resolved electronic spectroscopy. The proof of principle of the method is demonstrated on the photofragment resulting from Cα–Cβ bond rupture in protonated tyrosine (TyrH+). The analysis of the daughter ion (m/z 108) photofragmentation spectrum is in agreement with the proposed mechanism implying a proton transfer to the phenyl ring as the first step of the fragmentation mechanism of TyrH+.
Cd1−xMnxTe ultrasmall quantum dots growth in a silicate glass matrix by the fusion method
Authors: Dantas Noelio Oliveira , de Lima Fernandes Guilherme , Baffa Oswaldo , Gómez Jorge Antônio , Almeida Silva Anielle Christine
Published: October 2014

In this study, we synthesized Cd1−xMnxTe ultrasmall quantum dots (USQDs) in SiO2-Na2CO3-Al2O3-B2O3 glass system using the fusion method. Growth of these Cd1−xMnxTe USQDs was confirmed by optical absorption, atomic force microscopy (AFM), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The blueshift of absorption transition with increasing manganese concentration gives evidence of incorporation of manganese ions (Mn2+) in CdTe USQDs. AFM, TEM, and MFM confirmed, respectively, the formation of high quality Cd1−xMnxTe USQDs with uniformly distributed size and magnetic phases. Furthermore, EPR spectra showed six lines associated to the S = 5/2 spin half-filled d-state, characteristic of Mn2+, and confirmed that Mn2+ are located in the sites core and surface of the CdTe USQD. Therefore, synthesis of high quality Cd1−xMnxTe USQDs may allow the control of optical and magnetic properties.
Improved mechanical and electrical properties in electrospun polyimide/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanofibrous composites
Authors: Zha Jun-Wei , Sun Fang , Wang Si-Jiao , Wang Dongrui , Lin Xiang , Chen George , Dang Zhi-Min
Published: October 2014

Highly aligned polyimide (PI) and PI/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PI/MWCNTs) nanofibrous composites by incorporating poly(ethylene oxide) as the dispersing medium were fabricated using electrospinning technique. The morphology, mechanical, and electrical properties of the electrospun nanofibrous composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscope showed that the functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) were well dispersed and oriented along the nanofiber axis. Analysis of electrical properties indicated a remarkable improvement on the alternating current conductivity by introduction of the aligned f-MWCNTs. Besides, with addition of 3 vol. % f-MWCNTs, the obvious enhancement of tensile modulus and strength was achieved. Thus, the electrospun PI/MWCNTs nanofibrous composites have great potential applications in multifunctional engineering materials.
Trap and recombination centers study in sprayed Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films
Authors: Courel Maykel , Vigil-Galán O. , Jiménez-Olarte D. , Espíndola-Rodríguez M. , Saucedo E.
Published: October 2014

In this work, a study of trap and recombination center properties in polycrystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films is carried out in order to understand the poor performance in Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film solar cells. Thermally stimulated current has been studied in Cu2ZnSnS4 deposited by pneumatic spray pyrolysis method using various heating rates, in order to gain information about trap centers and/or deep levels present within the band-gap of this material. A set of temperature-dependent current curves revealed three levels with activation energy of 126 ± 10, 476 ± 25, and 1100 ± 100 meV. The possible nature of the three levels found is presented, in which the first one is likely to be related to CuZn antisites, while second and third to Sn vacancies and SnCu antisites, respectively. The values of frequency factor, capture cross section, and trap concentration have been determined for each center.
The field induced e31,f piezoelectric and Rayleigh response in barium strontium titanate thin films
Authors: Garten L. M. , Trolier-McKinstry S.
Published: October 2014

The electric field induced e31,f piezoelectric response and tunability of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 (70:30) and Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (60:40) thin films on MgO and silicon was measured. The relative dielectric tunabilities for the 70:30 and 60:40 compositions on MgO were 83% and 70%, respectively, with a dielectric loss of less than 0.011 and 0.004 at 100 kHz. A linear increase in induced piezoelectricity to −3.0 C/m2 and −1.5 C/m2 at 110 kV/cm was observed in Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 on MgO and Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 on Si. Hysteresis in the piezoelectric and dielectric response of the 70:30 composition films was consistent with the positive irreversible dielectric Rayleigh coefficient. Both indicate a ferroelectric contribution to the piezoelectric and dielectric response over 40–80 °C above the global paraelectric transition temperature.
Tug-of-war between driver and passenger mutations in cancer and other adaptive processes
Authors: McFarland Christopher D. , Mirny Leonid A. , Korolev Kirill S.
Published: October 2014

Significance

During rapid adaptation, populations start in hostile conditions and must evolve new traits to survive. Development of cancer from a population of precancerous cells within a body is an example of such rapid adaptation. New traits required for cancer progression are acquired by driver mutations in a few key genes. Most mutations, however, are unimportant for progression and can be damaging to cancer cells, termed “passengers.” The role these damaging passengers play in cancer and other adaptive processes is unknown. Here we show that driver mutations engage in a tug-of-war with damaging passengers. This tug-of-war explains many phenomena in oncology, suggesting how to develop new therapies and target existing therapies to exploit damaging passengers.
Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill
Authors: Macnamara Brooke N. , Moore Adam B. , Kegl Judy A. , Conway Andrew R.A.
Published: October 2014

This exploratory study examined domain-general cognitive abilities that may serve as aptitudes for interpreting skill by comparing highly skilled signed language interpreters (those considered competent in most interpreting situations) and less skilled signed language interpreters (those considered less than competent in most interpreting situations) on various measures. Specifically, the current study examined the feasibility of predicting interpreter skill level based only on a variety of cognitive abilities and personality traits. We collected data on several cognitive measures, including processing speed, psychomotor speed, cognitive control and task switching ability, fluid intelligence, working memory capacity, and mental flexibility, as well as several personality measures, including risk-taking orientation and emotion-cognition integration style, and intrinsic motivation to engage in complex cognitive tasks. Significant differences emerged between the two groups on both cognitive and personality measures suggesting that a combination of stable domain-general cognitive abilities and personality traits may be responsible for differentiating highly skilled from less skilled interpreters and may therefore be predictive of individuals’ future interpreting effectiveness and skill level.
Sulfitobacter pseudonitzschiae sp. nov., isolated from the toxic marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries
Authors: Hong Zhuan , Lai Qiliang , Luo Qiaoqi , Jiang Simeng , Zhu Ruilin , Liang Junrong , Gao Yahui
Published: October 2014

A taxonomic study was carried out on bacterial strain H3T, which was isolated from the toxic marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries. Cells of strain H3T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and capable of reducing nitrate to nitrite, but not denitrification. Growth was observed at NaCl concentrations of 1–9 %, pH 6–12 and 10–37 °C. It was unable to degrade aesculin or gelatin. The dominant fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c (summed feature 8) and C16 : 0. The respiratory ubiquinone was Q10. The major lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an aminolipid and one unknown lipid, and the minor lipids were two phospholipids and three unknown lipids. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 61.7 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that strain H3T was related most closely to

Sulfitobacter donghicola

DSW-25T (97.3 % similarity) and levels of similarity with other species of the genus

Sulfitobacter

were 95.1–96.9 %. The mean (±sd) DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain H3T and

Sulfitobacter donghicola

DSW-25T was 18.0±2.25 %. The average nucleotide identity between strain H3T and

Sulfitobacter donghicola

DSW-25T was 70.45 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain H3T formed a separate clade close to the genus

Sulfitobacter

and was distinguishable from phylogenetically related species by differences in several phenotypic properties. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain H3T represents a novel species of the genus

Sulfitobacter

, for which the name Sulfitobacter pseudonitzschiae is proposed (type strain H3T = DSM 26824T = MCCC 1A00686T).
The Drosophila Genome Nexus: a population genomic resource of 605Drosophila melanogastergenomes, including 197 genomes from a single ancestral range population
Authors: Lack Justin B. , Cardeno Charis M. , Crepeau Marc W. , Taylor William , Corbett-Detig Russell B. , Stevens Kristian A. , Langley Charles H. , Pool John E.
Published: October 2014

Hundreds of wild-derivedD. melanogastergenomes have been published, but rigorous comparisons across data sets are precluded by differences in alignment methodology. The most common approach to reference-based genome assembly is a single round of alignment followed by quality filtering and variant detection. We evaluated variations and extensions of this approach, and settled on an assembly strategy that utilizes two alignment programs and incorporates both SNPs and short indels to construct an updated reference for a second round of mapping prior to final variant detection. Utilizing this approach, we reassembled publishedD. melanogasterpopulation genomic data sets (previous DPGP releases and the DGRP freeze 2.0), and added unpublished genomes from several sub-Saharan populations. Most notably, we present aligned data from phase 3 of the Drosophila Population Genomics Project (DPGP3), which provides 197 genomes from a single ancestral range population ofD. melanogaster(from Zambia). The large sample size, high genetic diversity, and potentially simpler demographic history of the DPGP3 sample will make this a highly valuable resource for fundamental population genetic research. The complete set of assemblies described here, termed the Drosophila Genome Nexus, presently comprises 605 consistently aligned genomes, and is publicly available in multiple formats with supporting documentation and bioinformatic tools. This resource will greatly facilitate population genomic analysis in this model species by reducing the methodological differences between data sets.
Crystal structure of poly[(μ3-thiocyanato-κ3N:S:S)(trimethylphosphine sulfide-κS)copper(I)]
Authors: Corfield Peter W. R.
Published: October 2014

In the title compound, [Cu(NCS)(C3H9PS)]n, the thiocyanate ions bind the CuIatoms covalently, forming infinite –Cu—SCN—Cu– chains parallel to theaaxis. Each CuIatom is also coordinated to a trimethylphosphine sulfide groupviaa Cu—S bond. Two crystallographically independent chains propagate in opposite directions, and are held together in a ribbon arrangement by long bonds between CuIatoms in the first chain and thiocyanate S atoms in the second, with Cu—S = 2.621 (1) Å. The geometry around the CuIatoms in the first chain is distorted tetrahedral, with angles involving the long Cu—S bond much less than ideal, and the S—Cu—N angle between the phosphine sulfide S atom and the thiocyanate N atom opening out to 133.19 (9)°. Each CuIatom in the second chain appears to be disordered between two positions 0.524 (4) Å apart, with occupancy factors of 0.647 (6) and 0.353 (6). The CuIatom in the major site is in a distorted trigonal–planar configuration, with the S—Cu—N angle between the phosphine sulfide and the thiocyanate N atom again opened out, to 137.01 (15)°. The CuIatom in the minor site, however, forms in addition a long bond [Cu—S = 2.702 (5) Å] to the phosphine sulfide of the first chain, not the thiocyanate S atom, to provide a further link between the chains.
Domain theory and method theory in management accounting research
Authors: Lukka Kari , Vinnari Eija
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to distinguish two roles of theories, domain theory and method theory, and examine their relationships in management accounting research. Are these two roles explicitly distinguished in management accounting studies? Can this be achieved in an unambiguous manner? Where do ambitions for theoretical contribution lie in management accounting studies that employ method theories?

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors develop a conceptual framework for analysing possible relationships between domain theories and method theories in studies and illustrate the theoretical arguments with examples from management accounting studies employing Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as their method theory.

Findings

– There can be various types of relationships between domain theories and method theories, and the theoretical ambition of the analysed studies typically focused on domain theories. However, ambiguity can exist with regard to the location of a study's theoretical ambition. Both domain theories and method theories tend to be moving fields, and their interaction can add to this feature.

Research limitations/implications

– The suggested conceptual clarification assists in the reconciliation of extreme perspectives that relate to management accounting and theory. It will also help researchers to systematically design their own work and evaluate that of others. An increased understanding of how a field develops as a result of interaction with method theories might perhaps alleviate concerns regarding the value of mobilizing the latter.

Originality/value

– The analysis contributes to the on-going debate on the value and effects of employing method theories, or theoretical lenses, in management accounting research.
Creative spaces in interdisciplinary accounting research
Authors: Jeacle Ingrid , Carter Chris
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of interdisciplinary accounting research and suggest ways of broadening its creative scope to embrace significant contemporary phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is conceptual in nature and therefore draws only on secondary sources.

Findings

– The paper suggests that one of the defining features of interdisciplinary accounting research is that it should be a creative space in which novel ideas emerge and new agendas flourish. The authors identify three such creative spaces of scholarly inquiry: the media space, the virtual space and the popular culture space.

Originality/value

– The paper identifies three new creative spaces in which interdisciplinary accounting research may continue to flourish. It also identifies a possible threat to creativity within future interdisciplinary accounting research.
From persuasive to authoritative speech genres
Authors: Nørreklit Hanne , W. Scapens Robert
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contrast the speech genres in the original and the published versions of an article written by academic researchers and published in the US practitioner-oriented journal,Strategic Finance. The original version, submitted by the researchers, was rewritten by a professional editor in the USA before it was published.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyses the “persuasive” speech genre of the original version and the “authoritative” speech genre of the published version.

Findings

– Although it was initially thought that the differences between the two versions were due to differences in the forms communication used by academics and practitioners, as the analysis progressed it became clear that the differences the authors were observing could be traced to more profound differences in philosophical assumptions about the “way of understanding and constructing a world”.

Research limitations/implications

– The choice of language and argumentation should be given careful attention when the authors craft the accounting frameworks and research papers, and especially when the authors seek to communicate the findings of the research to practitioners. However, the authors have focused on just one instance in which a text written by academics was re-written for publication in a practitioner journal.

Originality/value

– The paper contrasts the rationalism of the persuasive speech genre and the pragmatism of the authoritative speech genre. It cautions academic researchers against uncritically adopting specific speech genres, whether they are academic or practitioner speech genres, without carefully reflecting on their relevance and implications for understanding the nature of the phenomenon being discussed.
A dream deferred: interdisciplinary accounting in the US
Authors: J. Fogarty Timothy
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to set out to examine and critique the current state and future trajectory of interdisciplinary accounting research in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis is based on the author's involvement in and research into accounting research and publication contexts, drivers and patterns in the accounting discipline.

Findings

– In all likelihood, research will continue established traditions that prevent the explorations of economics and finance from material broadening. This paper identifies how that which everyone believes to be such a good idea cannot bear fruit.

Research limitations/implications

– Conventional economics-based accounting research has proliferated in volume but has largely exhausted its potential for significant contributions to knowledge. Failure to embrace broadened interdisciplinary perspectives risks a crisis of accounting research contribution to policy, practice, and society.

Originality/value

– This critique reveals the serious weaknesses and serious risks to international accounting scholarship of the continuance and global mimicking of the North American pursuit of an exclusively economic accounting research perspective.
Enactive management: dancing with uncertainty and complexity
Authors: García de la Cerda Osvaldo , Soledad Saavedra Ulloa María
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present and explain an enactive tool to be used by managers to move effectively in the context of high uncertainty and complexity that organizations nowadays operate.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach raises in the enactive management that focusses on the ability of the manager to incorporate distinctions as an observer and self-observer to design interactions that can move the situation to be transformed. The key ontological tool that allow this learning is called CLEHES©.

Findings

– Using a soft technology as CLEHES, re configures the ways to observe and self-observe of manager and opens the design possibilities of the situation in which the organization is. Managers become choreographers in the sense they can design and move the interactions they observe. The embodied us of this tool requires an educational program that takes the form of hermeneutical laboratory where managers incorporate distinctions in the body and change the perspective they enact.

Practical implications

– This approach evokes changes in the observer and the enactor situation/situated in the organizational areas where the manager is responsible.

Originality/value

– A different and nurturing technology to self-observer and observation, allow enactive management in multiples domains and organizational contexts where the manager dance. The structural dynamics of the CLEHES dimensions creates multiples realities, through enactive conversations in a learning self-awareness process.
Containment control of second-order multi-agent systems with directed topology and time-delays
Authors: Qi Bin , Lou Xuyang , Cui Baotong
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impacts of the communication time-delays to the distributed containment control of the second-order multi-agent systems with directed topology.

Design/methodology/approach

– A basic theoretical analysis is first carried out for the containment control of the second-order multi-agent systems under directed topology without communication time-delay and a sufficient condition is proposed for the achievement of containment control. Based on the above result and frequency-domain analysis method, a sufficient condition is also derived for the achievement of containment control of the second-order multi-agent systems under directed topology with communication time-delays. Finally, simulation results are presented to support the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Findings

– For the achievement of containment control of the second-order multi-agent systems under directed topology with communication time-delay, the control gain in the control protocols is completely dependent on the communication topology structure and the maximum of time-delay in the control protocols is dependent on the given control gain and communication topology structure.

Originality/value

– The paper investigates the containment control of the second-order multi-agent systems under directed topology with communication time-delays and presents a sufficient conditions for the achievement of containment control. The results and approach proposed in the paper may benefit interesting researchers.
Research on the relationship between air quality and economy development in major cities of China
Authors: Ma Xin , Ge Rubing , Zhang Li
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build a support vector machine (SVM) model to evaluate the city air quality level, using the three main air pollutants selected as evaluation index.

Design/methodology/approach

– PM10, SO2, NO2 are the most important three air pollutants and their concentration data are selected as the influencing factor. And the SVM model is build and used to evaluate the air quality level of 29 major cities in China 2011. The cross-validation is adopted to select optimal penalty parameters and optimal kernel function, and the classification accuracies achieved under different normalization methods and kernel functions are compared in the end.

Findings

– The study found, the parameters and kernel functions chosen by the SVM model have influence on the model's prediction accuracy. Through continuous optimization of model parameters, finally it is found that the model performs better with [0, 1] normalization method and RBF kernel function. It proves that SVM classification model is effective in dealing with the problem of city air quality evaluation.

Practical implications

– The result of this study shows that the SVM classification model can be well applied to predict the city air quality level by using air pollutants concentration data as evaluation index. It can help the government and relevant department issue corresponding environmental policy and environmental protection measures.

Originality/value

– The qualitative and quantitative study method are combined in this paper, on the basis of predecessors’ research results, as well as careful analysis to select evaluation index. The SVM classification model build is simulated by using Matlab technique, beyond comparing the accuracy, its outcomes and its efficiency in classification are demonstrated.
HDR imaging for feature tracking in challenging visibility scenes
Authors: Chermak Lounis , Aouf Nabil , Richardson Mark
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– In visual-based applications, lighting conditions have a considerable impact on quality of the acquired images. Extremely low or high illuminated environments are a real issue for a majority of cameras due to limitations in their dynamic range. Indeed, over or under exposure might result in loss of essential information because of pixel saturation or noise. This can be critical in computer vision applications. High dynamic range (HDR) imaging technology is known to improve image rendering in such conditions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of performance that can be achieved for feature detection and tracking operations in images acquired with a HDR image sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, four different feature detection techniques are selected and tracking algorithm is based on the pyramidal implementation of Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) feature tracker. Tracking algorithm is run over image sequences acquired with a HDR image sensor and with a high resolution 5 Megapixel image sensor to comparatively assess them.

Findings

– The authors demonstrate that tracking performance is greatly improved on image sequences acquired with HDR sensor. Number and percentage of finally tracked features are several times higher than what can be achieved with a 5 Megapixel image sensor.

Originality/value

– The specific interest of this work focuses on the evaluation of tracking persistence of a set of initial detected features over image sequences taken in different scenes. This includes extreme illumination indoor and outdoor environments subject to direct sunlight exposure, backlighting, as well as dim light and dark scenarios.
A new classification strategy for human activity recognition using cost sensitive support vector machines for imbalanced data
Authors: M’hamed Abidine Bilal , Fergani Belkacem , Oussalah Mourad , Fergani Lamya
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The task of identifying activity classes from sensor information in smart home is very challenging because of the imbalanced nature of such data set where some activities occur more frequently than others. Typically probabilistic models such as Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and Conditional Random Fields (CRF) are known as commonly employed for such purpose. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this work, the authors propose a robust strategy combining the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) with Cost Sensitive Support Vector Machines (CS-SVM) with an adaptive tuning of cost parameter in order to handle imbalanced data problem.

Findings

– The results have demonstrated the usefulness of the approach through comparison with state of art of approaches including HMM, CRF, the traditional C-Support vector machines (C-SVM) and the Cost-Sensitive-SVM (CS-SVM) for classifying the activities using binary and ubiquitous sensors.

Originality/value

– Performance metrics in the experiment/simulation include Accuracy, Precision/Recall and F measure.
State‐Dependence and Stepping‐Stone Effects of Low‐Pay Employment in Australia
Authors: Cai Lixin
Published: October 2014

Using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA)Survey, this study shows that low‐pay employment not only exhibits state‐dependence, but it also has a stepping‐stone effect towards higher pay, after observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity is accounted for. The results also show that, other things being equal, people who are on low pay are more likely to be in employment in the future than those who are either unemployed or not in the labour force. However, people on low pay do not appear to be more likely to become jobless in the future than those on higher pay.
Structural and Functional Properties of Hemp Seed Protein Products
Authors: Malomo Sunday A. , He Rong , Aluko Rotimi E.
Published: October 2014

The effects of pH and protein concentration on some structural and functional properties of hemp seed protein isolate (HPI, 84.15% protein content) and defatted hemp seed protein meal (HPM, 44.32% protein content) were determined. The HPI had minimum protein solubility (PS) at pH 4.0, which increased as pH was decreased or increased. In contrast, the HPM had minimum PS at pH 3.0, which increased at higher pH values. Gel electrophoresis showed that some of the high molecular weight proteins (>45 kDa) present in HPM were not well extracted by the alkali and were absent or present in low ratio in the HPI polypeptide profile. The amino acid composition showed that the isolation process increased the Arg/Lys ratio of HPI (5.52%) when compared to HPM (3.35%). Intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism data indicate that the HPI proteins had a well‐defined structure at pH 3.0, which was lost as pH value increased. The differences in structural conformation of HPI at different pH values were reflected as better foaming capacity at pH 3.0 when compared to pH 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0. At 10 and 25 mg/mL protein concentrations, emulsions formed by the HPM had smaller oil droplet sizes (higher quality), when compared to the HPI‐formed emulsions. In contrast at 50 mg/mL protein concentration, the HPI‐formed emulsions had smaller oil droplet sizes (except at pH 3.0). We conclude that the functional properties of hemp seed protein products are dependent on structural conformations as well as protein concentration and pH.
Cerebellopontine angle mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after dental implant placement: a case report
Authors: Momota Y , Kani K , Takano H , Azuma M
Published: October 2014

This is a rare case report of a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after a dental implant placement. Lingual nerve injury is a common complication following dental implant placement. CPA masses are likely to cause symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, and thus can mimic and be easily confused with oral diseases. We experienced a case of CPA mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after dental implant placement. The patient was a 57‐year‐old Japanese female who complained of glossalgia. She underwent dental implant placement in the mandible before visiting our clinic. Panoramic x‐ray radiography revealed no abnormalities; the salivary flow rate by gum test was 7.0 ml/10 min. She was diagnosed with lingual nerve injury and secondary burning mouth syndrome. Vitamin B12 and oral moisturizer did not provide relief; furthermore, numbness in the lower lip emerged. A Semmes Weinstein test demonstrated elevation of her sensitivity threshold. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 20‐mm diameter mass in the CPA. The patient is now being followed under conservative management. Our experience underscores the importance of including CPA mass in the differential diagnosis of dental diseases.