bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quantum mitochondrion and optimal health
Authors: Nunn Alistair V.W. , Guy Geoffrey W. , Bell Jimmy D.
Published: August 2016

A sufficiently complex set of molecules, if subject to perturbation, will self-organize and show emergent behaviour. If such a system can take on information it will become subject to natural selection. This could explain how self-replicating molecules evolved into life and how intelligence arose. A pivotal step in this evolutionary process was of course the emergence of the eukaryote and the advent of the mitochondrion, which both enhanced energy production per cell and increased the ability to process, store and utilize information. Recent research suggest that from its inception life embraced quantum effects such as ‘tunnelling’ and ‘coherence’ while competition and stressful conditions provided a constant driver for natural selection. We believe that the biphasic adaptive response to stress described by hormesis–a process that captures information to enable adaptability, is central to this whole process. Critically, hormesis could improve mitochondrial quantum efficiency, improving the ATP/ROS ratio, whereas inflammation, which is tightly associated with the aging process, might do the opposite. This all suggests that to achieve optimal health and healthy aging, one has to sufficiently stress the system to ensure peak mitochondrial function, which itself could reflect selection of optimum efficiency at the quantum level.
Agreement function model for pose estimation
Authors: Zhang Haopeng , Jiang Zhiguo
Published: August 2016

Pose estimation is a critical problem in the challenge of visual object recognition. An alternative model, agreement function (AF), is proposed to solve this problem, which is essentially a generative model since it is learned to represent the joint probability distribution of the inputs and their poses. Estimated poses of unseen samples can be obtained by maximising the AF conditional on the given samples. Extensive experiments are performed on several challenging datasets to validate the authors’ model, and achieved state‐of‐the‐art experimental results.
Generalised design method of broadband array antennas using curved geometry
Authors: Gonzalez Maria C. , Kumar Balasubramaniam Preetham , Branner George R.
Published: August 2016

Curved array antennas offer increased degrees of freedom when antenna elements are configured in non‐uniform geometries. This permits increased flexibility over control of pattern structure and increase in the bandwidth of operation. In this study, the authors present a generalised design method for broadband antenna arrays using such curved structures. Following this design process, two types of array structures evolved: pseudo‐curved array (PCA), with the array apertures parallel to one another and the fully curved array (FCA), with the outer element apertures oriented radially outwards. These antenna arrays were designed, analysed and measured on five and seven element structures at a centre frequency of 18 GHz. Both PCA and FCA performance showed a broader frequency response as compared with the uniform array; additionally, it was determined that the variation in array geometry permits them to control the number of beams and nulls in the far‐field pattern, as well as the beamwidth of the array. Overall, it was observed that curved arrays showed a narrowing of multibeam positions and conversely a broader frequency response as compared with uniform arrays.
Experimental investigation on the effect of user's hand proximity on a compact ultrawideband MIMO antenna array
Authors: Zhekov Stanislav Stefanov , Tatomirescu Alexandru , Foroozanfard Ehsan , Pedersen Gert Frølund
Published: August 2016

An experimental study of the interaction between user's hand and an ultrawideband multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna array is presented for mobile terminals. The dual‐element array covers the frequency ranges 698–990 MHz and 1710–5530 MHz with a good efficiency in free space. Depending on the standard, it can be used for channel sensing in cognitive radio networks or for communications in cellular networks. Hand phantoms for three usage scenarios are used for the investigation, namely, personal digital assistant (PDA) right hand, PDA left hand, and two hands. The absorption in the immediate located hand is the main factor causing degradation of the total efficiency (slightly affected by the hand induced changes in the S‐parameters), reduction and imbalance in the antennas mean effective gain contributing to a deteriorated diversity gain (DG). The user caused changes in the antennas radiation patterns reduce the correlation in the lower band which enhance the DG and multiplexing efficiency. The exposure of the hand in each scenario is studied by the specific absorption ratio.
Electrochemical cell design for the impedance studies of chlorine evolution at DSA® anodes
Authors: Silva J. F. , Dias A. C. , Araújo P. , Brett C. M. A. , Mendes A.
Published: August 2016

A new electrochemical cell design suitable for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies of chlorine evolution on Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA®) has been developed. Despite being considered a powerful tool, EIS has rarely been used to study the kinetics of chlorine evolution at DSA anodes. Cell designs in the open literature are unsuitable for the EIS analysis at high DSA anode current densities for chlorine evolution because they allow gas accumulation at the electrode surface. Using the new cell, the impedance spectra of the DSA anode during chlorine evolution at high sodium chloride concentration (5 mol dm−3 NaCl) and high current densities (up to 140 mA cm−2) were recorded. Additionally, polarization curves and voltammograms were obtained showing little or no noise. EIS and polarization curves evidence the role of the adsorption step in the chlorine evolution reaction, compatible with the Volmer-Heyrovsky and Volmer-Tafel mechanisms.
Late stages of high rate tension of aluminum melt: Molecular dynamic simulation
Authors: Mayer Polina N. , Mayer Alexander E.
Published: August 2016

With the help of molecular dynamic simulation, we investigate late stages of aluminum melt tension up to the deformation degree of about 10, including a stage of bubble liquid, a foamed melt, and a fragmentation with formation of droplets. Complete fracture of melt is a complex process, which includes nucleation of pores, growth and coalescence of neighboring pores, thinning and breaking of walls between them with the formation of a system of jets, and, finally, breaking of jets into droplets. The transition from the foamed melt to the system of jets and the subsequent fragmentation into droplets occur at the volume fraction of condensed matter considerably smaller than 0.1. The number of pores at the volume fraction of condensed matter about 0.5 and the number of droplets at the final stage of fragmentation are not directly connected with each other. At the same time, both numbers are increased together with the increase in the strain rate and have the same order of magnitude. At the stage of melt with pores, the growth and coalescence of pores are controlled by surface tension, which allows us to construct an analytical estimation for time dependence of the pore average radius. Also, we propose analytical estimations for the mean pressure of melt with pores, which remain negative, and for the work of tension. A few times larger work is spent on the tension of melt with pores if compared with the initial stage of tension near the dynamic strength threshold. The last fact is favorable for the production of the foamed aluminum by means of the high-rate tension of its melt.
Effect of intrinsic curvature and edge tension on the stability of binary mixed-membrane three-junctions
Authors: Gardner Jasmine M. , Deserno Markus , Abrams Cameron F.
Published: August 2016

We use a combination of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical modeling to examine three-junctions in mixed lipid bilayer membranes. These junctions are localized defect lines in which three bilayers merge in such a way that each bilayer shares one monolayer with one of the other two bilayers. The resulting local morphology is non-lamellar, resembling the threefold symmetric defect lines in inverse hexagonal phases, but it regularly occurs during membrane fission and fusion events. We realize a system of junctions by setting up a honeycomb lattice, which in its primitive cell contains two hexagons and four three-line junctions, permitting us to study their stability as well as their line tension. We specifically consider the effects of lipid composition and intrinsic curvature in binary mixtures, which contain a fraction of negatively curved lipids in a curvature-neutral background phase. Three-junction stability results from a competition between the junction and an open edge, which arises if one of the three bilayers detaches from the other two. We show that the stable phase is the one with the lower defect line tension. The strong and opposite monolayer curvatures present in junctions and edges enhance the mole fraction of negatively curved lipids in junctions and deplete it in edges. This lipid sorting affects the two line tensions and in turn the relative stability of the two phases. It also leads to a subtle entropic barrier for the transition between junction and edge that is absent in uniform membranes.
Dissociation of multiply charged ICN by Coulomb explosion
Authors: Eland J. H. D. , Singh R. , Pickering J. D. , Slater C. S. , Hult Roos A. , Andersson J. , Zagorodskikh S. , Squibb R. J. , Brouard M. , Feifel R.
Published: August 2016

The fragmentations of iodine cyanide ions created with 2 to 8 positive charges by photoionization from inner shells with binding energies from 59 eV (I 4d) to ca. 900 eV (I 3p) have been examined by multi-electron and multi-ion coincidence spectroscopy with velocity map imaging ion capability. The charge distributions produced by hole formation in each shell are characterised and systematic effects of the number of charges and of initial charge localisation are found.
Tunneling magnetoresistance and electroresistance in Fe/PbTiO3/Fe multiferroic tunnel junctions
Authors: Dai Jian-Qing
Published: August 2016

We perform first-principles electronic structure and spin-dependent transport calculations for a Fe/PbTiO3/Fe multiferroic tunnel junction with asymmetric TiO2- and PbO-terminated interfaces. We demonstrate that the interfacial electronic reconstruction driven by the in situ screening of ferroelectric polarization, in conjunction with the intricate complex band structure of barrier, play a decisive role in controlling the spin-dependent tunneling. Reversal of ferroelectric polarization results in a transition from insulating to half-metal-like conducting state for the interfacial Pb 6pz orbitals, which acts as an atomic-scale spin-valve by releasing the tunneling current in antiparallel magnetization configuration as the ferroelectric polarization pointing to the PbO-terminated interface. This effect produces large change in tunneling conductance. Our results open an attractive avenue in designing multiferroic tunnel junctions with excellent performance by exploiting the interfacial electronic reconstruction originated from the in situ screening of ferroelectric polarization.
Robust atomic force microscopy using multiple sensors
Authors: Baranwal Mayank , Gorugantu Ram S. , Salapaka Srinivasa M.
Published: August 2016

Atomic force microscopy typically relies on high-resolution high-bandwidth cantilever deflection measurements based control for imaging and estimating sample topography and properties. More precisely, in amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM), the control effort that regulates deflection amplitude is used as an estimate of sample topography; similarly, contact-mode AFM uses regulation of deflection signal to generate sample topography. In this article, a control design scheme based on an additional feedback mechanism that uses vertical z-piezo motion sensor, which augments the deflection based control scheme, is proposed and evaluated. The proposed scheme exploits the fact that the piezo motion sensor, though inferior to the cantilever deflection signal in terms of resolution and bandwidth, provides information on piezo actuator dynamics that is not easily retrievable from the deflection signal. The augmented design results in significant improvements in imaging bandwidth and robustness, especially in AM-AFM, where the complicated underlying nonlinear dynamics inhibits estimating piezo motions from deflection signals. In AM-AFM experiments, the two-sensor based design demonstrates a substantial improvement in robustness to modeling uncertainties by practically eliminating the peak in the sensitivity plot without affecting the closed-loop bandwidth when compared to a design that does not use the piezo-position sensor based feedback. The contact-mode imaging results, which use proportional-integral controllers for cantilever-deflection regulation, demonstrate improvements in bandwidth and robustness to modeling uncertainties, respectively, by over 30% and 20%. The piezo-sensor based feedback is developed using H∞ control framework.
Comment on “On the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian description of the damped linear harmonic oscillator” [J. Math. Phys. 48, 032701 (2007)]
Authors: Bender Carl M. , Gianfreda Mariagiovanna , Hassanpour Nima , Jones Hugh F.
Published: August 2016

In a remarkable paper Chandrasekar et al. showed that the (second-order constant-coefficient) classical equation of motion for a damped harmonic oscillator can be derived from a Hamiltonian having one degree of freedom. This paper gives a simple derivation of their result and generalizes it to the case of an nth-order constant-coefficient differential equation.
Parameter estimation for the fractional Schrödinger equation using Bayesian method
Authors: Zhang Hui , Jiang Xiaoyun , Fan Wenping
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the fractional Schrödinger equation is studied. The Bayesian method is put forward to estimate some relevant parameters of the equation. Results show that the estimated values can fit well with the exact solution. The varying initial values and maximum iterations have little effect on the estimated results. It indicates that the Bayesian method is efficient for the multi-parameter estimation for the fractional Schrödinger equation. This method can also be used to estimate parameters for the fractional Schrödinger equation in other potential field.
Hopf and period-doubling bifurcations in an electromechanical resonator
Authors: Mahboob I. , Dupuy R. , Nishiguchi K. , Fujiwara A. , Yamaguchi H.
Published: August 2016

An electromechanical resonator is developed in which the dissipation can be dynamically eliminated. The resultant motional dynamics captured by the Van der Pol equation of motion opens up the possibility of a Hopf bifurcation where the mechanical resonance loses stability when the dissipation is eliminated and period-doubling bifurcations when the dissipation becomes negative. In this latter regime, the mechanical spectral response is characterised by multi-stability spanning a bandwidth that is more than an order of magnitude wider than the intrinsic linewidth and it sustains a peak structure that can be tuned by the input used to dynamically manipulate the dissipation.
On the emergence of the Navier-Stokes-α model for turbulent channel flows
Authors: Foias Ciprian , Tian Jing , Zhang Bingsheng
Published: August 2016

In a series of papers (see Foias et al. [J. Dyn. Differ. Equations 14(1), 1–35 (2002)] and the pertinent references therein), the 3D Navier-Stokes-α model was shown to be a useful complement to the 3D Navier-Stokes equations, and in particular, to be a good Reynolds version of the latter equations. In this work, we introduce a simple Reynolds averaging which, due to the wall roughness, transforms the Navier-Stokes equations into the Navier-Stokes-α model.
Backward Raman amplification of broad-band pulses
Authors: Balakin A. A. , Dodin I. Y. , Fraiman G. M. , Fisch N. J.
Published: August 2016

A reduced fluid model of Raman backscattering is proposed that describes backward Raman amplification (BRA) of pulses with duration τ0 comparable to or even smaller than the plasma period 2π/ωp. At such a small τ0, a seed pulse can be amplified even if it has the same frequency as the pump (which is technologically advantageous), as opposed to that satisfying the Raman resonance condition. Using our theoretical model, we numerically calculate the BRA efficiency for such pulses as a function of τ0 and show that it remains reasonably high up to τ0≈2π/ωp. We also show that using short seed pulses in BRA makes the amplification less sensitive to quasistatic inhomogeneities of the plasma density. Amplification can persist even when the density perturbations are large enough to violate the commonly known condition of resonant amplification.
Particle-in-cell simulations of hot electron generation using defocused laser light in cone targets
Authors: Yang Lei , Pasley John
Published: August 2016

The effects of defocusing a high intensity pulse of laser light on the generation of hot electrons in a cone are investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. The results indicate that defocused laser light can soften the electron energy spectrum and increase the coupling efficiency compared to the use of a laser in tight focus. It is shown that this is a consequence of the density profile of plasma produced by the laser prepulse, which is less dense in the case of the defocused laser. The relevance of this result to fast ignition inertial confinement fusion is discussed.
High performance ultraviolet photodetectors based on ZnO nanoflakes/PVK heterojunction
Authors: Cai Yuhua , Tang Libin , Xiang Jinzhong , Ji Rongbin , Lai Sin Ki , Lau Shu Ping , Zhao Jun , Kong Jincheng , Zhang Kai
Published: August 2016

A high performance ultraviolet (UV) photodetector is receiving increasing attention due to its significant applications in fire warning, environmental monitoring, scientific research, astronomical observation, etc. The enhancement in performance of the UV photodetector has been impeded by lacking of a high-efficiency heterojunction in which UV photons can efficiently convert into charges. In this work, the high performance UV photodetectors have been realized by utilizing organic/inorganic heterojunctions based on a ZnO nanoflakes/poly (N-vinylcarbazole) hybrid. A transparent conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)-coated quartz substrate is employed as the anode in replacement of the commonly ITO-coated glass in order to harvest shorter UV light. The devices show a lower dark current density, with a high responsivity (R) of 7.27 × 103 A/W and a specific detectivity (D*) of 6.20 × 1013 cm Hz1/2/W−1 at 2 V bias voltage in ambient environment (1.30 mW/cm2 at λ = 365 nm), resulting in the enhancements in R and D* by 49% and one order of magnitude, respectively. The study sheds light on developing high-performance, large scale-array, flexible UV detectors using the solution processable method.
Sociolinguistic variation and change in Chilean voseo
Authors: Rivadeneira Valenzuela Marcela
Published: August 2016

Chilean forms of address display a tripartite system, including voseo, tuteo and ustedeo. Empirical evidence suggests that voseo is now gaining social prestige and is extending to other communicative contexts (Rivadeneira, 2009; Bishop & Michnowicz, 2010; Rouse, 2010; among others). The present study shows some partial results from a research project and where social variables such as gender, age and geographical origin have been considered. Results indicate that the predictive factors show a correlation with voseo. The assumption of a linguistic change in progress is supported by the findings, especially regarding the generational variable.
Second person singular forms in Cali Colombian Spanish
Authors: Newall Gregory
Published: August 2016

Inspired by previous research, this investigation includes both social and linguistic variables in analyses of production of second person singular forms in Cali, Colombian Spanish. Preliminary analyses had found similarities between the forms; to clarify variation, there are three separate analyses (tú/vos, tú/usted, vos/usted). Twenty-one participants completed an oral-discourse completion task. Results show tú and vos pattern similarly by age and relationship but differ by gender, social network, and all linguistic variables. Tú and usted differ by age, relationship, verbal frequency, and subject pronoun expression. Vos and usted differ by all social factors and show similar rates of subject pronoun expression. The analysis complements previous research on this phenomenon and enhances the envelope of variation by more descriptively reporting variation.
Reconceptualizing identity and context in the deployment of forms of address
Authors: Raymond Chase Wesley
Published: August 2016

This methodological study uses naturally occurring interaction to examine the roles of identity and context in the selection of forms of address in Spanish. While many previous investigations have taken the stance that these aspects of interactions and speakers are static or fixed, the present analysis argues for a more fluid conceptualization of identity and context as features that are created, re-created, modified, defended, and so on – in and through the ongoing talk. Using as a case-in-point data from a Peruvian political news interview show, I demonstrate that forms of address are a crucial means through which interactants engage in this process, co-constructing who they are to one another, as well as their context, on a moment-by-moment basis in interaction.
On the concept of grammatical tradition and its application to linguistic studies in Brazil
Authors: Cavaliere Ricardo
Published: August 2016

The concept of tradition dates back to the origins of human language studies in Classical Antiquity. It stems from the idea that there is an imperative connection between being traditional and belonging to the set of classical oeuvres that are in the cradle of linguistic thinking. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to find oeuvres in the contemporary production that can be characterized as traditional seminal works or that are introductory to a certain paradigm, no matter how recent they may be. This paper seeks to contribute to the clarification of the polysemic value the term ‘tradition’ has in the field of linguistic science, with a special reference to the meaning it holds within Brazilian linguistic studies.
The relation of gesture to thought and language
Authors: Christy T. Craig
Published: August 2016

The relationship between gesture and language has typically been theorized in terms of gesture preceding language along a continuum of evolving symbolization. Recent research in cognitive science and allied fields suggests that, from the beginning, gesture has figured constitutively, along with vocalization, in the communicative process, as it continues to do. This evolved symbiotic relationship between vocalization and co-speech gestures, constructed atop a common neural network and marked by emergent properties, figures in the representation, processing, and transformation of thought – in the embodiment of cognition – and provides an infrastructure for action understanding, for reading the intentions of others.
Anton Marty’s philosophy of language and his dialogue with linguists
Authors: Raynaud Savina
Published: August 2016

Marty (1847–1914), a Swiss pupil of the philosopher Franz Brentano, was called to the German University in Prague in 1880. According to Brentano’s ‘empirical standpoint’, he devoted a great deal of his philosophy of language to descriptive semasiology. His model intertwines general grammar, logic and psychology. Two case studies are considered: the theory of judgment vs. sentences without subjects, and the theory of relationships vs. case theories. He wishes to establish agreement with linguists he feels close to, both because of their knowledge of linguistic facts and rules and because they, too, are keen on the enquiry regarding language functions and invariant structures – which remains a desirable objective.
The Effects of a Transition Diet on the Smoltification of Chinook Salmon
Authors: Hanson Kyle C , Twibell Ronald G , Glenn Richard A , Barron James M , Gannam Ann L
Published: August 2016

Transition diets, often supplemented with salt and other additives, have been used to prepare Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. being moved directly from freshwater to saltwater net pens for aquaculture production. However, the use of transition diets to prepare hatchery-reared salmon released into freshwater prior to out-migration to the ocean has shown mixed results. We compared the physiological (size, condition factor, Na+,K+-ATPase [NKA] enzyme activity, survival during a saltwater challenge) and nutritional (proximate composition, fatty acid profile) condition of juvenile Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha that were fed either a standard hatchery feed or a commercially available transition diet for the final 6 weeks of hatchery rearing to determine whether the transition diet altered smolt condition. At release, NKA activity of fish fed the transition diet was higher than that of fish fed the control diet, though survival during a saltwater challenge was similar between groups. Differences were seen in the proximate composition of the fish, with increased total body moisture and decreased lipid in the fish fed the transition diet relative to fish fed the control diet. Whole-body fatty acid composition of fish was similar to the fatty acid composition of the feeds in both groups, though some key whole-body fatty acids did not follow this trend. Palmitic acid (16:0), linoleic acid (18:2[n-6]), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5[n-3]), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6[n-3]) varied between prefeeding trial samples and fish fed the two diets. Further research is required to determine whether the physiological changes that occurred are related to smoltification or the maintenance of osmotic balance while fish are fed additional salt.
Effect of Paternal Blue Catfish Strain Effects on Hatchery Fry Production and Performance of Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish F1 Hybrid Fry Production and Fingerling Performance Under Commercial Conditions
Authors: Chatakondi Nagaraj G , Yant Roger D , Dunham Rex A
Published: August 2016

This study examined the influence of strain of sire on hybrid catfish embryo production and performance of fingerlings under commercial conditions. Four hundred 4-year-old female Gold Kist strain Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus were induced to spawn in eight spawning trials. The stripped eggs were fertilized with the sperm of either D&B or Rio Grande Blue Catfish I. furcatus to produce D&B or Rio Grande hybrid catfish embryos. Testes weight (g/kg body weight [BW]) was higher in Rio Grande (1.98 ± 0.28 g/kg BW) than in D&B (1.02 ± 0.12 g/kg BW) Blue Catfish males. Hatching parameters between Rio Grande and D&B hybrids did not differ. Approximately 100,000 hybrid catfish fry produced from each spawning trial were stocked in an individual 0.4-ha pond to raise fingerlings. Four ponds of D&B and four ponds of Rio Grande hybrids were stocked in eight ponds of identical conditions at the same time. The mean individual BW of D&B hybrid fingerlings (38.5 g) was higher than that of Rio Grande hybrid fingerlings (32.5 g) at 9 months of age. Mean survival (99.3%), production (8,875 kg/ha), and feed conversion (1.14) of D&B hybrid catfish fingerlings were superior to Rio Grande hybrid catfish fingerling survival (92.1%), production (7,664 kg/ha), and feed conversion (1.23), the catfish being raised in replicated earthen ponds under farm conditions. While the D&B strain of sire improved the performance of hybrid catfish fingerlings, it had minimal influence on hybrid catfish fry production.
Extrusion Temperature and Pellet Size Interact to Influence Growth Performance of Hybrid Striped Bass Fed Industrially Compounded Aquafeeds
Authors: Bowzer John , Page Michael , Trushenski Jesse T
Published: August 2016

The objective of this experiment was to jointly assess the possible influences of aquafeed extrusion temperature and pellet size and uniformity on growth performance of juvenile hybrid Striped Bass (White Bass Morone chrysops × Striped Bass M. saxatilis). A diet formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional requirements of hybrid Striped Bass was coupled with different feed manufacturing strategies to yield a range of compositionally identical but physically distinct feeds. Batches of feed were extruded at 107 ± 6°C or 127 ± 3°C through dies estimated to yield pellets that were “small” (3 mm), “recommended” (4 mm), or “large” (5 mm) relative to the size ranges suggested for the target fish size. Portions of the uniformly small and large feeds were combined (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 ratios of small : large pellets) to create additional mixed-sized feeds. Fish were stocked in a recirculating aquaculture system (fish size: 19.6 ± 0.7 g [mean ± SE]; 10 fish/tank) comprising thirty-six 119-L circular tanks, mechanical and biological filtration units, and a supplemental aeration system. Feeds were randomly assigned to triplicate tanks of fish (N = 3), and fish were fed to apparent satiation once daily for 8 weeks. Results indicated that extrusion temperature and, to a lesser extent, pellet size and uniformity affect the practical feeding value of hybrid Striped Bass feed. Although the effects were observed to be interactive and somewhat variable, there appears to be value in extruding the formulation tested at higher temperatures and producing uniform pellets of a size somewhat larger than is typically recommended for phase II hybrid Striped Bass.
Effects of Dietary Protein Concentrations and Sources on Production Characteristics of Pond-Raised Hybrid Catfish Fingerlings
Authors: Li Menghe H , Wise David J , Mischke Charles C , Lucas Penelope M
Published: August 2016

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to examine the growth performance of pond-raised hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) fingerlings fed diets containing two levels of protein (35% or 32%) with two animal protein sources (fish meal or porcine meat, bone, and blood meal [PMBB]). Small hybrid catfish fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 2.0 g/fish (SD = 0.6) were stocked into 20 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of approximately 172,970 fish/ha, based on a sample count of 1,000 fish. The fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 113 d. Total weight of feed fed, gross yield, feed conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor, and observed mortality were not significantly affected by either dietary protein concentration or animal protein source. Results demonstrate that dietary protein levels can be reduced from 35% to 32% without compromising fish growth and FCR for hybrid catfish fingerlings raised from 2 to 71 g in a growing season. Porcine meat, bone, and blood meal may completely replace fish meal in the diet. At current feed prices, a 32% protein diet with PMBB can provide considerable savings compared with the 35% protein diet with fish meal that is now used in commercial hybrid catfish fingerling production.
Toll-tally tubular: A newly identified Toll-like receptor–FoxO pathway regulates dynamics of the neuronal microtubule network
Authors: O’Connor-Giles Kate
Published: August 2016

Recent studies reveal a conserved role for FoxO transcription factors in establishing neuronal structure and circuit function. In this issue, McLaughlin et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201601014) identify a novel Toll-like receptor–FoxO pathway that represses the mitotic kinesin Pavarotti/MKLP1 to promote dynamic microtubules required for axonal transport and activity-dependent remodeling of presynaptic terminals.
Transduction of skin-migrating dendritic cells by human adenovirus 5 occurs via an actin-dependent phagocytic pathway
Authors: Guzman Efrain , Taylor Geraldine , Hope Jayne , Herbert Rebecca , Cubillos-Zapata Carolina , Charleston Bryan
Published: August 2016

Dendritic cells (DC) are central to the initiation of immune responses, and various approaches have been used to target vaccines to DC in order to improve immunogenicity. Cannulation of lymphatic vessels allows for the collection of DC that migrate from the skin. These migrating DC are involved in antigen uptake and presentation following vaccination. Human replication-deficient adenovirus (AdV) 5 is a promising vaccine vector for delivery of recombinant antigens. Although the mechanism of AdV attachment and penetration has been extensively studied in permissive cell lines, few studies have addressed the interaction of AdV with DC. In this study, we investigated the interaction of bovine skin-migrating DC and replication-deficient AdV-based vaccine vectors. We found that, despite lack of expression of Coxsackie B–Adenovirus Receptor and other known adenovirus receptors, AdV readily enters skin-draining DC via an actin-dependent endocytosis. Virus exit from endosomes was pH independent, and neutralizing antibodies did not prevent virus entry but did prevent virus translocation to the nucleus. We also show that combining adenovirus with adjuvant increases the absolute number of intracellular virus particles per DC but not the number of DC containing intracellular virus. This results in increased trans-gene expression and antigen presentation. We propose that, in the absence of Coxsackie B–Adenovirus Receptor and other known receptors, AdV5-based vectors enter skin-migrating DC using actin-dependent endocytosis which occurs in skin-migrating DC, and its relevance to vaccination strategies and vaccine vector targeting is discussed.
climwin: An R Toolbox for Climate Window Analysis
Authors: Bailey Liam D. , van de Pol Martijn
Published: August 2016

When studying the impacts of climate change, there is a tendency to select climate data from a small set of arbitrary time periods or climate windows (e.g., spring temperature). However, these arbitrary windows may not encompass the strongest periods of climatic sensitivity and may lead to erroneous biological interpretations. Therefore, there is a need to consider a wider range of climate windows to better predict the impacts of future climate change. We introduce the R packageclimwinthat provides a number of methods to test the effect of different climate windows on a chosen response variable and compare these windows to identify potential climate signals.climwinextracts the relevant data for each possible climate window and uses this data to fit a statistical model, the structure of which is chosen by the user. Models are then compared using an information criteria approach. This allows users to determine how well each window explains variation in the response variable and compare model support between windows.climwinalso contains methods to detect type I and II errors, which are often a problem with this type of exploratory analysis. This article presents the statistical framework and technical details behind theclimwinpackage and demonstrates the applicability of the method with a number of worked examples.
Cultivating an organizational effort for development
Authors: Crumpton Michael A.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the concept of providing education and guidance to library staff for the purpose of supporting philanthropic activities made on behalf of the library. The need for this type of activity and basic principles of philanthropy are included.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper includes a through literature review and a case study narrative with examples on activities at the author’s home institution.

Findings

The literature supports that cultivating a broader, more detailed understanding of philanthropic activities within the organization, will improve fundraising results and individual satisfaction for giving and receiving.

Practical implications

The concepts discussed have beginnings in other institutions and recognize a trend of adapting business models to libraries’ needs.

Originality/value

The is the author’s own work, shared with members of the author’s organization.
Crowdfunding in libraries, archives and museums
Authors: Riley-Huff Debra A. , Herrera Kevin , Ivey Susan , Harry Tina
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the fundraising strategy known as crowdfunding because it applies to galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) and to share a crowdfunding case study experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A rich literature review provides the basis for understanding the central issues related to crowdfunding. Survey data provides information about the perception and experiences of other GLAM organizations with crowdfunding, and a case study shares an experience with the fundraising method.

Findings

Some GLAM organizations are attempting crowdfunding projects with varied levels of success, whereas others remain unsure but curious. The case study shares one academic library’s direct experience with crowdfunding.

Research limitations/implications

There is little research currently available related to library use of crowdfunding.

Practical implications

This paper provides a resource and research starting point for GLAM organizations interested in the crowdfunding model.

Originality/value

In a comprehensive manner, this article provides much needed research on the current state of crowdfunding as it pertains to GLAM organizations.
Stress of underworked and overpaid
Authors: Beal Brian
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Frequent absences from work can be highly disruptive, while also potentially indicating problematic working conditions that can lead to increased withdrawal behavior. The purpose of this paper is to test the predictive capability of an expanded effort-reward imbalance model on employee absenteeism within the context of policing.

Design/methodology/approach

Three separate reward systems are identified by the effort-reward imbalance model. In this study, the authors assessed these individual components for their contribution to officer withdrawal behavior in the form of absenteeism frequency. Data were gathered from officers within a large Australian police agency.

Findings

Findings indicate that there was a strong influence of social rewards, such as social support and recognition in the workplace on officer absenteeism rates. Low workload was associated with a higher frequency of absenteeism, suggesting a potential underloading effect. There were a number of significant interactions providing support for the effort-reward imbalance mechanism and the separation of the reward construct. Security rewards were particularly influential and significantly moderated the relationship between effort and absenteeism.

Originality/value

This paper considers an expanded model of worker strain and contributes a longitudinal assessment of the association between perceived effort and reward systems and worker absenteeism.
Jordanian perspectives on the disabled at work
Authors: Wheatcroft John
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore attitudes of disabled employees towards their work in the Jordanian public sector, including facilities, the way that they are treated by other employees and working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of disabled public sector employees was selected to participate in the study by filling in a questionnaire. The response rate was very high.

Findings

Contrary to some previous studies elsewhere, disabled employees reported a relatively moderate level of satisfaction about the availability of facilities. They were also satisfied with the treatment by their supervisors and colleagues and with the working conditions. Disabled female participants and those who hold graduate degrees reported high satisfaction levels.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to investigate the status of disabled public sector employees in Jordan and in the Arab world.
Why firms should develop women professionals: organizational support, growth and retention
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

A company's most valuable resource is its human capital. This fact is widely acknowledged. Talent retention should, therefore, be high on the agenda for any business hoping to enjoy sustainable success. It is crucially important to identify gifted individuals and nurture them in preparation for top management positions in the future. The present time is supposedly one where equality is greater than ever before. Reality is somewhat different though. Some things remain much more equal than others. Take company leadership, for instance. In many organizations, these roles are predominantly filled by men. Women are at best a minor presence.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Earnings management by top Chinese listed firms in response to the global financial crisis
Authors: Xu Guanglu (Luke) , Ji Xudong
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The main aim of this study was to examine the earnings management behaviours, including both accrual-based and cash flow-based earnings management, of Chinese firms during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 1,392 firm-year observations derived from a large sample of China's top listed firms (based on total assets) was constructed and investigated via univariate and ordinary least squares regression analyses.

Findings

Two distinct conclusions can be drawn from the results of the study. First, the top Chinese listed firms did engage in earnings management, as indicated by comparisons of the means of the absolute values of both accrual-based and cash flow-based earnings management indicators in the periods before and after 2008 when the GFC started. Second, investigation of earnings management directions revealed that in response to the GFC, the firms from construction-related industries and the airline industry manipulated earnings upwards through either accrual-based and/or cash flow-based earnings management activities. On the other hand, firms in the household durables industry engaged in earnings-reducing activities. These findings reflect the effect of the stimulus package launched by the Chinese Government in an effort to combat the GFC. In addition, the results indicate that firm characteristics such as size, leverage, profitability and growth affected the earnings management behaviours of the firms analysed in the study.

Originality/value

The empirically derived findings of this study contribute to the literature pertaining to the effects of the GFC on earnings management practices in China, which has remained relatively scant to date.
Safeguarding vulnerable older people: a job for life?
Authors: Moore Steve
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from one component of an empirical, mixed methods research project designed to determine the extent, nature and causes of abuse in contemporary independent sector care homes for older people.

Design/methodology/approach

– A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that were subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in five participating care homes to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked.

Findings

– A significant proportion of respondents described instances of predominantly psychological and physical abuse and neglect and revealed hitherto undisclosed abusive practices.

Research limitations/implications

– Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 140 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 94 had witnessed abuse, data suggest abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people.

Originality/value

– The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. Findings suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes.
Preparing leaders for the multi-generational workforce
Authors: Dwyer Rocky J. , Azevedo Ana
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to advocate the need for educational leadership to understand and consider the immediate role and challenges associated with the unique values and characteristics of an age-diverse population and their impact on teaching and the facilitation of learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the review of the generational and diversity literatures and related organizational best practices to identify key definitions and empirical findings and to develop recommendations which can be deployed in future research and practice in different types of organizational settings.

Findings

This paper provides insights into how organizational leaders can promote a multicultural environment that leverages multi-generational differences. Also, the present study offers innovative pedagogical approaches that can help better prepare future business leaders for these challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The study attempts to reignite the debate through a detailed review that describes the current understanding of generational differences among four generational cohorts. Given the research approach, the recommendations may lack generalizability.

Practical implications

This paper advocates the need to understand generational differences to manage the challenges associated with differences in attitudes, values and preferences regarding leadership, human resource practices and organizational change initiatives.

Social implications

Organizations which create environments that are value-based and that support divergent views and values of each of the cohorts, create a positive outcome for both the organization and its employees.

Originality/value

This paper enhances knowledge and understanding at the theoretical and practical levels, enabling business leaders and faculty to gain insight regarding the generational differences and unique characteristics of four organizational workgroups – Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
An empirical analysis of factors that determine poverty among the beneficiaries of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
Authors: Yusuf Muhammad-Bashir Owolabi , Shirazi Nasim Shah , Mat Ghani Gairuzazmi
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the determinants of poverty among microcredit beneficiaries in Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a nationwide survey of microcredit beneficiaries of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund. Using the national poverty line, this study classified borrowers into the poor and the non-poor. A Tobit model was estimated to examine the determinants of poverty among the borrowers.

Findings

The model was found to fit the data well and six out of the ten specified independent variables are found to be statistically significant.

Practical implications

The results of the study can be helpful in fully characterizing poverty dynamics and in policy formulation in using microcredit to reduce poverty.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to examine the determinants of poverty among Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund recipients.