bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABC random forests for Bayesian parameter inference
Authors: Raynal Louis , Marin Jean-Michel , Pudlo Pierre , Ribatet Mathieu , Robert Christian P , Estoup Arnaud
Published: October 2018

Motivation

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has grown into a standard methodology that manages Bayesian inference for models associated with intractable likelihood functions. Most ABC implementations require the preliminary selection of a vector of informative statistics summarizing raw data. Furthermore, in almost all existing implementations, the tolerance level that separates acceptance from rejection of simulated parameter values needs to be calibrated.

Results

We propose to conduct likelihood-free Bayesian inferences about parameters with no prior selection of the relevant components of the summary statistics and bypassing the derivation of the associated tolerance level. The approach relies on the random forest (RF) methodology of Breiman (2001) applied in a (non-parametric) regression setting. We advocate the derivation of a new RF for each component of the parameter vector of interest. When compared with earlier ABC solutions, this method offers significant gains in terms of robustness to the choice of the summary statistics, does not depend on any type of tolerance level, and is a good trade-off in term of quality of point estimator precision and credible interval estimations for a given computing time. We illustrate the performance of our methodological proposal and compare it with earlier ABC methods on a Normal toy example and a population genetics example dealing with human population evolution.

Availability and implementation

All methods designed here have been incorporated in the R package abcrf (version 1.7.1) available on CRAN.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Neutral technical progress and the measure of value: along the Kaldor–Kennedy line
Authors: Nukulkit Up Sira
Published: October 2018

In this paper, I investigate the question of ‘the effect of progress upon distribution’ based on the analyses of Hicks, Robinson, Harrod, Salter, Kaldor, Samuelson and Kennedy. The paper aims to address a neglected and controversial theoretical argument on neutral technical progress related to the measure of value that preceded and then continued to the period of the Cambridge Capital Theory Controversy. I focus on Kennedy’s writings and his solutions to the complications between the measure of value and technical progress. Important intuitions behind the measure of value are crucial to the formulation of neutral technical progress in both the post-Keynesian and the neoclassical-Keynesian endogenous growth models. The paper concludes with mathematical illustrations of neutral technical progress theories.
Perceptions of Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines Among Older Chinese Adults
Authors: Siu Judy Yuen-man
Published: October 2018

Background and Objectives

Seasonal influenza can lead to pneumonia. In Hong Kong, deaths from pneumonia increased steadily from 2001 to 2015, and pneumonia was the second most common cause of death between 2012 and 2015. The seasonal influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine have been clinically proven as effective measures against these two diseases among older adults, who are at particularly high risk. Despite the availability of vaccine subsidies, however, more than 60% of older adults in Hong Kong remain unvaccinated against pneumococcal diseases and seasonal influenza. The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions and barriers associated with the seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations among older adults in Hong Kong.

Research Design and Methods

A qualitative approach of individual semistructured interviews was adopted; 40 adults aged 65 years and older were interviewed between September and November 2016.

Results

The intersecting influences of belief of vaccines as harmful, low perceived risk of contracting the diseases, negative rumors about the vaccines, lack of promotion by health care providers, the perceived risk posed by the vaccinating locations, and the preference of using traditional Chinese medicine were discovered to prevent the participants from receiving the two vaccinations.

Discussion and Implications

Perceptions and cultural factors should be considered in future vaccination promotion among older adults. This study found that, in particular, the participants’ cultural associations and stereotypes of hospitals and clinics and health care providers’ lack of perceived need to vaccinate older adults contributed to low vaccine acceptance among the participants.
Unravelling the baffling mystery of the ultrahot wind phenomenon in white dwarfs
Authors: Reindl Nicole , Bainbridge M , Przybilla N , Geier S , Prvák M , Krtička J , Østensen R H , Telting J , Werner K
Published: October 2018

The presence of ultrahigh excitation (UHE) absorption lines (e.g. O VIII) in the optical spectra of several of the hottest white dwarfs poses a decades-long mystery and is something that has never been observed in any other astrophysical object. The occurrence of such features requires a dense environment with temperatures near 106 K, by far exceeding the stellar effective temperature. Here we report the discovery of a new hot wind white dwarf, GALEX J014636.8+323615. Astonishingly, we found for the first time rapid changes of the equivalent widths of the UHE features, which are correlated to the rotational period of the star (P = 0.242035 d). We explain this with the presence of a wind-fed circumstellar magnetosphere in which magnetically confined wind shocks heat up the material to the high temperatures required for the creation of the UHE lines. The photometric and spectroscopic variability of GALEX J014636.8+323615 can then be understood as consequence of the obliquity of the magnetic axis with respect to the rotation axis of the white dwarf. This is the first time a wind-fed circumstellar magnetosphere around an apparently isolated white dwarf has been discovered and finally offers a plausible explanation of the ultrahot wind phenomenon.
An International Radiosurgery Research Foundation Multicenter Retrospective Study of Gamma Ventral Capsulotomy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Gupta Amitabh , Shepard Matthew J , Xu Zhiyuan , Maiti Tanmoy , Martinez-Moreno Nuria , Silverman Joshua , Iorio-Morin Christian , Martinez-Alvarez Roberto , Barnett Gene , Mathieu David , Borghei-Razavi Hamid , Kondziolka Douglas , Sheehan Jason P
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) across its full spectrum of severity is a psychiatric illness affecting ∼2% to 3% of the general population and results in significant functional impairment. There are few large patient series regarding Gamma ventral capsulotomy (GVC).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical outcomes of severe medically refractory OCD treated with GVC.

METHODS

This is an international, multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Forty patients with pre-GVC Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores ≥ 24 (indicating severe OCD) were included. GVC was performed with 1 or 2 isocenters with a median maximum dose of 135 Gy (range, 120-180 Gy). Patients were deemed “responders” to GVC if there was ≥35% reduction of follow-up Y-BOCS scores, and considered in remission if their Y-BOCS scores were ≤16. The median follow-up was 36 mo (range, 6-96 mo).

RESULTS

The median pre-SRS Y-BOCS score was 35 (range, 24-40). Eighteen patients (45%) were considered “responders,” and 16 (40%) of them were in remission at their last follow-up. Nineteen patients (47.5%) remained stable with Y-BOCS of 33 (range, 26-36) following GVC, whereas 3 patients (7.5%) experienced worsening in Y-BOCS scores. Patients treated with 2 isocenters were more likely to have improvement in Y-BOCS score at 3 and 5 yr (P < .0005). Ten patients (25%) experienced post-GVC mood disturbance and neurological complications in 3 patients (7.5%). One patient developed radiation necrosis with edema that improved with steroids.

CONCLUSION

GVC serves as a reasonable treatment strategy for severe medical refractory OCD. Patients treated with 2 isocenters were more likely to have substantial improvement in OCD.
Complementary and alternative medicine use by glioma patients in Switzerland
Authors: Eisele Günter , Roelcke Ulrich , Conen Katrin , Huber Fabienne , Weiss Tobias , Hofer Silvia , Heese Oliver , Westphal Manfred , Hertler Caroline , Roth Patrick , Weller Michael
Published: October 2018

Background

During the course of disease, most glioma patients learn that there is no cure for their tumor. It is therefore not uncommon for patients or caregivers to seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. Patterns of CAM use vary across the globe, but little is known about the type of, and motivation for, CAM use in most countries.

Methods

Here we conducted a cross-sectional survey of CAM use in patients harboring gliomas of World Health Organization (WHO) grades II to IV at 3 specialized neuro-oncology centers in Switzerland.

Results

Of 208 patients who returned the survey, approximately half reported having used or using CAM. CAM use was associated with younger age. Patients suffering from WHO grade II gliomas were less likely to indicate CAM use. The leading motivation for CAM use was to contribute actively to the treatment of the disease. CAM use was commonly not counseled or supervised by a health care professional. Cost and issues of reimbursement were not an important factor in the decision against or for CAM use.

Conclusions

Physicians caring for glioma patients should be aware of and explore CAM use to better understand patients’ attitudes toward their disease, to provide counseling, and to identify potential interactions of CAM with standard treatments for gliomas.
Language Policy and Girls’ Education in Francophone West and Central Africa
Authors: Angrist Michele Penner
Published: October 2018

Across Africa, weak states, poverty, high fertility, and early marriage pose barriers to girls’ schooling. Francophone West and Central Africa registers the continent’s lowest female literacy rates, in part because it inherited a weak educational infrastructure at independence, and is home to Muslim communities that initially rejected schools of Christian origin. Policies insisting on exclusively French-medium instruction have also been an obstacle to girls’ schooling. Such schooling was perceived as preparation for state employment not expected of females. Moreover, French-medium schools were perceived as a cultural threat even as girls were central to communities’ efforts to resist assimilation.
A Strategy for Risk-adjusted Ranking of Surgeons and Practices Based on Patient-reported Outcomes After Elective Lumbar Surgery
Authors: Sivaganesan Ahilan , Asher Anthony L. , Bydon Mohamad , Khan Inamullah , Kerezoudis Panagoitis , Foley Kevin T. , Nian Hui , Harrell Frank E. , Archer Kristin R. , Devin Clinton J.
Published: October 2018

Study Design.

This study retrospectively analyzes prospectively collected data.

Objective.

The primary aim of this study is to present a scheme for patient-reported outcome (PRO)-based, risk-adjusted rankings of spine surgeons and sites that perform elective lumbar surgery, using the Quality and Outcomes Database (QOD).

Summary of Background Data.

There is currently no means of determining which spine surgeons or centers are positive or negative outliers with respect to PROs for elective lumbar surgery. This is a critical gap as we move toward a value-based model of health care in which providers assume more accountability for the effectiveness of their treatments.

Methods.

Random effects regression models were fit for the following outcomes, with QOD site as a fixed effect but surgeon ID as a random effect: Oswestry Disability Index, EQ-5D, back pain and leg pain, and satisfaction. Hierarchical Bayesian models were also fit for each outcome, with QOD site as a random effect and surgeon as a nested random effect.

Results.

Our study cohort consists of 8834 patients who underwent surgery by 124 QOD surgeons, for the degenerative lumbar diseases. Nonoverlapping Bayesian credible intervals demonstrate that the variance attributed to QOD site was greater than the nested variance attributed to surgeon ID for the included PROs.

Conclusion.

This study presents a novel strategy for the risk-adjusted, PRO-based ranking of spine surgeons and practices. This can help identify positive and negative outliers, thereby forming the basis for large-scale quality improvement. Assuming adequate coverage of baseline risk adjustment, the choice of surgeon matters when considering PROs after lumbar surgery; however, the choice of site appears to matter more.

Level of Evidence: 3
Safety Follow-up of a Dengue Vaccine When Administered Concomitantly with a Yellow Fever Vaccine in Healthy Toddlers in Colombia
Authors: Cortés Margarita , López Pio , Márquez Viviana , Cortes Carlos , Toro Elizabeth , Noriega Fernando , Zambrano Betzana
Published: October 2018

This was a safety follow-up study conducted in 382 toddlers in Colombia who had last received dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) 2 years before. A review of local municipal epidemiologic reports for dengue cases was also conducted for ~28 months postimmunization. One case of clinical dengue was reported; it was neither considered as severe nor related to the study vaccine.
The Impact of Infection and Elevated INR in LVAD-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Case-Crossover Study
Authors: Cho Sung-Min , Lee Tiffany , Starling Randall C. , Thompson Nicolas R. , Uchino Ken
Published: October 2018

Despite the common occurrence left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–associated intracranial hemorrhage, the etiology of intracranial hemorrhage is uncertain. We aim to explore the impact of infection and international normalized ratio (INR) on intracranial hemorrhage in a case-crossover study. We reviewed consecutive patients with intracranial hemorrhage in a prospectively collected data of LVAD patients from a single, tertiary center from October 2004 to December 2016. Information on infection and INR values were collected at the time and 1 month before the intracranial hemorrhage as controls. Of 477 persons with LVAD, 47 (10%) developed intracranial hemorrhage (27 intracerebral, 14 subarachnoid, and 6 subdural hemorrhages). Of 47 (median age 58; 39 males), 27 (54%) persons had active infection at the time of intracranial hemorrhage; seven (21%) of 44 LVADs had infection at 1 month before intracranial hemorrhage. The relative risk of intracranial hemorrhage because of active infection compared with the infections at 1 month was 2.3 (95% CI: 1.5–3.4; p < 0.0001). The mean INRs at the time of intracranial hemorrhage were also significantly higher at the time of hemorrhage compared with those at 1 month (2.6 ± 1.9 vs. 1.8 ± 0.8; p = 0.01). Of 13 persons with cerebral angiogram (seven subarachnoid and six intracerebral hemorrhages), four (57%) infectious intracranial aneurysms were identified only in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who also had bloodstream infections. Active infection and elevated INR were associated with LVAD-associated intracranial hemorrhage. The occurrence of both bloodstream infection and subarachnoid hemorrhage may indicate the presence of infectious intracranial aneurysm in LVAD.
Cysteine biosynthesis in Neisseria species
Authors: Hicks Joanna L. , Mullholland Claire V.
Published: October 2018

The principal mechanism of reducing sulfur into organic compounds is via the synthesis of l-cysteine. Cysteine is used for protein and glutathione synthesis, as well as being the primary sulfur source for a variety of other molecules, such as biotin, coenzyme A, lipoic acid and more. Glutathione and other cysteine derivatives are important for protection against the oxidative stress that pathogenic bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis encounter during infection. With the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae, the development of inhibitors for the future treatment of this disease is critical, and targeting cysteine biosynthesis enzymes could be a promising approach for this. Little is known about the transport of sulfate and thiosulfate and subsequent sulfate reduction and incorporation into cysteine in Neisseria species. In this review we investigate cysteine biosynthesis within Neisseria species and examine the differences between species and with other bacteria. Neisseria species exhibit different arrangements of cysteine biosynthesis genes and have slight differences in how they assimilate sulfate and synthesize cysteine, while, most interestingly, N. gonorrhoeae by virtue of a genome deletion, lacks the ability to reduce sulfate to bisulfide for incorporation into cysteine, and as such uses the thiosulfate uptake pathway for the synthesis of cysteine.
Quantifying point-mutations in shotgun metagenomic data
Authors: Magesh Shruthi , Jonsson Viktor , Bengtsson-Palme Johan
Published: October 2018

Metagenomics has emerged as a central technique for studying the structure and function of microbial communities. Often the functional analysis is restricted to classification into broad functional categories. However, important phenotypic differences, such as resistance to antibiotics, are often the result of just one or a few point mutations in otherwise identical sequences. Bioinformatic methods for metagenomic analysis have generally been poor at accounting for this fact, resulting in a somewhat limited picture of important aspects of microbial communities. Here, we address this problem by providing a software tool called Mumame, which can distinguish between wildtype and mutated sequences in shotgun metagenomic data and quantify their relative abundances. We demonstrate the utility of the tool by quantifying antibiotic resistance mutations in several publicly available metagenomic data sets. We also identified that sequencing depth is a key factor to detect rare mutations. Therefore, much larger numbers of sequences may be required for reliable detection of mutations than for most other applications of shotgun metagenomics. Mumame is freely available from http://microbiology.se/software/mumame
Alternative stable states in a model of microbial community limited by multiple essential nutrients
Authors: Dubinkina Veronika , Fridman Yulia , Pandey Parth Pratim , Maslov Sergei
Published: October 2018

Microbial communities routinely have several alternative stable states observed for the same environmental parameters. Sudden and irreversible transitions between these states make external manipulation of these systems more complicated. To better understand the mechanisms and origins of multistability in microbial communities, we introduce and study a model of a microbial ecosystem colonized by multiple specialist species selected from a fixed pool. Growth of each species can be limited by essential nutrients of two types, e.g. carbon and nitrogen, each represented in the environment by multiple metabolites. We demonstrate that our model has an exponentially large number of potential stable states realized for different environmental parameters. Using game theoretical methods adapted from the stable marriage problem we predict all of these states based only on ranked lists of competitive abilities of species for each of the nutrients. We show that for every set of nutrient influxes, several mutually uninvadable stable states are generally feasible and we distinguish them based upon their dynamic stability. We further explore an intricate network of discontinuous transitions (regime shifts) between these alternative states both in the course of community assembly, or upon changes of nutrient influxes.
Positive feedback and feedforward loops between PERIANTHIA, WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 and GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 modulate gene expression and function in the Arabidopsis root
Authors: Fisher Adam Paul , Clark Natalie Minako , Sozzani Rosangela
Published: October 2018

The Arabidopsis root meristem consists of populations of stem cells that surround the mitotically less active cells known as the Quiescent Center (QC). The QC maintains the stem cells in a non-cell-autonomous manner through the function of the transcription factor (TF) WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 (WOX5), which is required for columella stem cell (CSC) maintenance. However, whether WOX5 has a regulatory role in any other adjacent stem cells is less understood. To this end, we identified a set of TFs downstream of WOX5 in both QC and Cortex Endodermis Initial (CEI) cells. We then utilized Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) inference to identify GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (GIF1) as a key gene involved in positive feedback and feedforward loops with WOX5 as well as another stem cell regulator, PERIANTHIA (PAN). Finally, we constructed an ordinary differential equation model based on this inferred GRN to simulate GIF1, PAN, and WOX5 expression over time, which suggests the precise temporal expression of WOX5 and GIF1 is important to sustain QC function.
Bromodomain Protein, BRD4, Contributes to the Regulation of Alternative Splicing
Authors: Uppal Sheetal , Chen Qingrong , Meerzaman Daoud , Gegonne Anne , Singer Dinah S.
Published: October 2018

Bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) is an atypical kinase and a histone acetyl transferase (HAT) which plays an important role in chromatin remodeling and early transcriptional elongation. During transcription elongation, BRD4 travels with the elongation complex. Since most of the alternative splicing events take place co-transcriptionally, we asked if BRD4 plays a role in regulation of alternative splicing. We find that distinct patterns of alternative splicing are associated with conditional deletion of BRD4 during thymocyte differentiation in vivo. Similarly, depletion of BRD4 in T-ALL cells alters patterns of splicing. Most of the alternatively spliced events affected by BRD4 are usage of exon skipping. In an established insulin receptor minigene model of splicing, BRD4 over expression modulates alternative splicing. Importantly, as assessed by both immunoprecipitation (IP) and proximity ligation (PLA) assays, BRD4 interacts with components of the splicing machinery. BRD4 also co-localizes on chromatin with one of the splicing regulators. We propose that BRD4 contributes to patterns of alternative splicing through its interaction with the splicing machinery during transcription elongation.

Significance Statement

The bromodomain protein, BRD4, is a transcriptional and epigenetic regulator that plays a critical role in both cancer and inflammation. It has pleiotropic activities, including chromatin organization, transcriptional pause release and initiation. We now report that it also contributes to the regulation of alternative splicing. Taken together, these findings indicate that BRD4 functions to coordinate the various steps in gene expression.
Empirically-Derived Synthetic Populations to Mitigate Small Sample Sizes
Authors: Fowler Erin E. , Berglund Anders , Schell Michael J. , Sellers Thomas A. , Eschrich Steven , Heine John
Published: October 2018

Limited sample sizes can hinder biomedical research and lead to spurious findings. The objective of this work is to present a new method to generate synthetic populations (SPs) from sparse data samples to aid in modeling developments. Matched case-control data (n=180 pairs) defined the limited samples. Cases and controls were considered as two separate limited samples. Synthetic populations were generated for these observed samples using multivariate unconstrained bandwidth kernel density estimations. We included four continuous variables and one categorical variable for each individual. Bandwidth matrices were determined with Differential Evolution (DE) optimization driven by covariance comparisons. Four synthetic samples (n=180) were constructed from their respective SP for comparison purposes. Similarity between the observed samples with equally sized synthetic-samples was compared under the hypothesis that their sample distributions were the same. Distributions were compared with the maximum mean discrepancy (MMD) test statistic based on a Kernel Two-Sample Test. To evaluate similarity within a modeling context, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) score distributions and residuals were summarized with the distance to the model in X-space (DModX) as additional comparisons.

Four SPs were generated with the optimization procedure. The probability of selecting a replicate when randomly constructing synthetic samples with n=180 was infinitesimally small. The MMD tests indicated that the observed sample distributions were similar to the respective synthetic distributions. For both case and control samples, PCA scores and residuals did not deviate significantly when compared with their respective synthetic samples.

The reasonableness of this SP generation approach was demonstrated. This approach produced synthetic data at the patient level statistically similar to the observed samples, and thus could be used to generate larger-sized simulated data. The methodology coupled kernel density estimation with DE optimization and deployed novel similarity metrics derived from PCA. The use of large-sized synthetic samples may be a way to overcome sparse datasets. To further develop this approach into a research tool for model building purposes, additional evaluation with increased dimensionality is required; moreover, comparisons with other techniques such as bootstrapping and cross-validation will be required for a complete evaluation.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (Z)-4-chloro-N′-(4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)benzenesulfonohydrazide monohydrate
Authors: Pai Nikhila , Foro Sabine , Thimme Gowda B.
Published: October 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title thiazole derivative containing a sulfonylhydrazinic moiety, C9H8ClN3O3S2·H2O, consists of two independent molecules and two water molecules. The central parts of the molecules are twisted as both the molecules are bent at both the S and N atoms. In the crystal, N—H...N, N—H...O, C—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions connect the molecules, forming layers parallel to the ab plane. Two-dimensional fingerprint plots associated with the Hirshfeld surface show that the largest contributions to the crystal packing come from O...H/H...O (32.9%) and H...H (22.6%) interactions.
Crystal structure of N-isopropyl-N-(phenyl)phenylglyoxylamide
Authors: Miyamoto Hisakazu , Yamauchi Genta , Ueno Takuya , Uekusa Hidehiro
Published: October 2018

The title compound [systematic name: 2-oxo-N,2-diphenyl-N-(propan-2-yl)acetamide], C17H17NO2, was synthesized and its photoreactive properties in the crystalline state were investigated. In the molecule, the carbonyl group attached to the phenyl ring adopts an s-trans configuration with respect to the isopropyl group. Moreover, the distance between the C atom of the carbonyl group and the N-bound C atom of the isopropyl group is 3.845 (2) Å, which is much longer than 3.2 Å, the threshold for photoreactions to take place in the molecule. As a result, the crystal did not photoreact upon UV light irradiation. In the crystal, the molecules are linked via weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure parallel to the ab plane.
Crystal structure of bis[(S)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-4-methylpentanoato-κ2
N,O
1](1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)cadmium dihydrate
Authors: Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Dege Necmi , Pogrebetsky James , Iskenderov Turganbay S.
Published: October 2018

The asymmetric unit of the mononuclear mixed-ligand title complex, [Cd(C13H18NO3)2(C12H8N2)]·2H2O, contains two crystallographically independent molecules that differ insignificantly in their geometrical parameters. In both, the CdII cation lies on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion to two monodeprotonated residues of the L-leucine-derived ligand (S)-2-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-4-methylpentanoic acid (L), as well as to a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand in a κ2
N,N′ mode. The former coordinate in an N,O-chelating mode, exhibiting a trans-N,N′ mutual disposition. The phenolic oxygen donor groups remain protonated and do not coordinate to the cation but take part in intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonding results in the formation of a three-dimensional network structure. The contribution to the electron density of two disordered water molecules was removed with the SQUEEZE procedure in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The studied crystal was refined as a two-component inversion twin. The title complex was also characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic methods.
A new form of Cd3TeO6revealing dimorphism
Authors: Weil Matthias , Veyer Théo
Published: October 2018

Phase-formation studies in the system CdO–TeO3using a CsCl/NaCl melt at comparatively low temperatures revealed that tricadmium orthotellurate(VI), Cd3TeO6, is dimorphic. The new modification of Cd3TeO6is denoted as the β-form and adopts the rhombohedral Mg3TeO6structure type with one Cd and two O sites in general positions, and two Te sites with site symmetry \overline{3} each. In comparison with the previously reported monoclinic cryolite-type α-form that was prepared at higher temperatures, β-Cd3TeO6has a much lower density and most likely represents a metastable modification. Whereas the [TeO6] octahedra in both polymorphs are very similar and show only minor deviations from ideal values, the polyhedra around the CdIIsites are different, with a distorted [CdO6] octahedron in both modifications but an additional [CdO8] polyhedron with a [4 + 4] coordination in the α-form.
Corrosion behavior of 20# steel in aqueous CO2 solution under stratified gas-liquid two-phase flow condition
Authors: Yang Guirong , Song Wenming , Wang Fuqiang , Ma Ying , Hao Yuan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the corrosion rate, surface morphology and composition of corrosion products of 20# seamless steel in aqueous CO2 solution under stratified gas-liquid two-phase flow condition. The development of a corrosion products layer has also been discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The following methods were used: weight loss method, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Findings

The corrosion rate curve presents an irregular zigzag change trend with a gradual increase in time. The peak value of the corrosion rate appears when the corrosion time is 4 h and 8 h. The corrosion products layer is composed of two sub-layers: the inner dense layer that is about 6 µm thick and the outer loose layer that is about 9 µm thick when the corrosion time is 8 h. The main corrosion product are FeCO3 and Fe2O3.

Originality/value

The atomic ratio of Fe/C/O is relatively stable for the inner dense layer, but changes in thickness for the outer loose layer. There is a densification stage after a loose corrosion products layer forms, and it is periodic.
Analysis of surveillance position error for airfield detection
Authors: Ku SungKwan , Baik Hojong , Kim Taehyoung
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The surveillance equipment is one of the most important parts for current air traffic control systems. It provides aircraft position and other relevant information including flight parameters. However, the existing surveillance equipment has certain position errors between true and detected positions. Operators must understand and account for the characteristics on magnitude and frequency of the position errors in the surveillance systems because these errors can influence the safety of aircraft operation. This study aims to develop the simulation model for analysis of these surveillance position errors to improve the safety of aircrafts in airports.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the characterization of the position errors observed in airport surface detection equipment of an airport ground surveillance system and proposes a practical method to numerically reproduce the characteristics of the errors.

Findings

The proposed approach represents position errors more accurately than an alternative simple approach. This study also discusses the application of the computational results in a microscopic simulation modeling environment.

Practical implications

The surveillance error is analyzed from the radar trajectory data, and a random generator is configured to implement these data. These data are used in the air transportation simulation through an application programing interface, which can be applied to the aircraft trajectory data in the simulation. Subsequently, additionally built environment data are used in the actual simulation to obtain the results from the simulation engine.

Originality/value

The presented surveillance error analysis and simulation with its implementation plan are expected to be useful for air transportation safety simulations.
Distributed measurement system based on CAN data bus
Authors: Grzybowski Piotr , Klimczuk Maciej , Rzucidlo Pawel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the idea behind and design of a miniaturized distributed measurement system based on a controller area network (CAN) data bus.

Design/methodology/approach

The intention of the designers was to build a light and modular measurement system which can be used in remotely piloted aircraft systems and ultra-light aircraft during flight tests, as well as normal operation. The structure of this distributed measurement system is based on a CAN data bus. The CAN aerospace standard has been applied to the software as well as the hardware comprising this system. PRP-W2 software designed for PCs is an additional component of the proposed measurement system. This software supports data acquisition from a recorder unit and allows for preliminary data analysis, as well as data conversion and presentation.

Findings

The system, complete with a high-speed data recorder, was successfully installed on board of an MP-02 Czajka aircraft. A research experiment using the system and oriented on airframe high frequency vibration analysis is presented in the final part of this paper.

Research limitations/implications

This measurement system allows analysis of high-frequency vibrations occurring at selected points of the aircraft. A data set is recorded by three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes at frequencies up to 1 kHz.

Practical implications

The use of a miniature and lightweight modular measurement system will, in many cases, be faster and less expensive than full-scale measurement and data acquisition systems, which often require a lengthy assembly process. The implementation of this class of lightweight flight test systems has many advantages, in particular to the operation of small aircraft. Such solutions are likely to become increasingly common in unmanned aerial vehicles and in other light aircraft in the future.

Originality/value

The adaptation of a distributed measuring system with a high frequency of measurements for purposes of small and miniature aircraft.
Body image dissatisfaction and health-enhancing food choices
Authors: Bimbo Francesco , Bonanno Alessandro , Van Trijp Hans , Viscecchia Rosaria
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Psychological factors, such as body image dissatisfaction and the negative feelings associated with it may be related to the adoption of unhealthy eating behaviours. Also, body image dissatisfaction may lower the likelihood of engaging in long-term healthy eating habits and in the level of attention paid to the quality of the food consumed. As a result, body image may be related to consumers’ choice to purchase and consume health-enhancing food products. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot study of a small sample of Italian yogurt consumers was employed to explore if there is a relationship between respondents’ level of body image dissatisfaction and the number of health-enhancing yogurt choices. The data were collected by means of a virtual-shelf technique and were analysed using a negative binomial regression.

Findings

Results indicate that body image dissatisfaction is inversely related to the number of yogurt packages with health-enhancing features chosen from the virtual shelf. Also, respondents who read the nutrition label and those with more knowledge regarding leading functional yogurt brands, selected a higher number of functional yogurts from the virtual shelf compared, especially among women.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that body image dissatisfaction is inversely related to the number of yogurt packages with health-enhancing features chosen from the virtual shelf. Also, respondents who read the nutrition label and those with more knowledge regarding leading health-enhancing yogurt brands selected a higher number of health-enhancing yogurts options from the virtual shelf compared to others, especially among women.

Originality/value

The relationship between body image dissatisfaction and health-enhancing food choices has not been investigated in the consumer science and marketing literature. Additionally, this is one of the few papers that use a virtual shelf as a data-collection method.
Characterization of a novel 10T SRAM cell with improved data stability and delay performance for 20-nm tri-gated FinFET technology
Authors: Limachia Mitesh Jethabhai , Thakker Rajesh A. , Kothari Nikhil J.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new ten-transistor (10T) SRAM bit-cell with differential read and write operations. The cell structure has read buffer on each side of the cell to improve read performance and comprises six main body transistors’ connections similar to the commercial 6T SRAM cell to improve write performance. The proposed bit-cell is designed with tri-gated FinFET technology and implemented on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. 3D TCAD simulations are performed to characterize the efficacy of the proposed bit-cell. Performance characteristics of the proposed bit-cell are compared with the recently reported 8T bit-cell as well as the commercial 6T cell. The proposed bit-cell achieves 26.50 per cent and 35.10 per cent higher read static noise margin (RSNM) as compared with that of 8T and 6T bit-cells, respectively, at a VDD of 0.9 V. The proposed bit-cell also offers 54.78 per cent and 21.18 per cent smaller read delay compared with 8T SRAM-NEW and 6T bit-cells, respectively. The static power dissipation of the proposed bit-cell is comparable with that of the 6T bit-cell and 24.5 per cent lesser compared with that of the 8T bit- cell. The overall electrical quality of the SRAM circuit with the proposed bit-cell is enhanced up to 1.673 times and 1.22 times as compared with the 8T SRAM-NEW and 6T bit-cells, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

A new 10T SRAM bit-cell with differential read and write operations is proposed. The proposed bit-cell is designed with tri-gated FinFET technology and implemented on an SOI substrate. 3D TCAD simulations are performed to characterize the efficacy of the proposed bit-cell. Performance characteristics of the proposed bit-cell are compared with the recently reported 8T bit-cell as well as the commercial 6T cell.

Findings

The proposed bit-cell achieves 26.50 per cent and 35.10 per cent higher RSNM as compared with that of the 8T and 6T bit-cells, respectively, at a VDD of 0.9V. The proposed bit-cell also offers 54.78 per cent and 21.18 per cent smaller read delay compared with the 8T SRAM-NEW and 6T bit-cells, respectively. The static power dissipation of the proposed bit-cell is comparable with that of the 6T bit-cell and 24.5 per cent lesser compared with that of the 8T bit-cell.

Originality/value

The proposed bit-cell is novel compared with existing bit-cells.
A reliable convergent Adomian decomposition method for heat transfer through extended surfaces
Authors: Turkyilmazoglu Mustafa
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to revisite the traditional Adomian decomposition method frequently used for the solution of highly nonlinear extended surface problems in order to understand the heat transfer enhancement phenomenon. It is modified to include a parameter adjusting and controlling the convergence of the resulting Adomian series.

Design/methodology/approach

It is shown that without such a convergence control parameter, some of the published data in the literature concerning the problem are lacking accuracy or the worst is untrustful. With the proposed amendment over the classical Adomian decomposition method, it is easy to gain the range of parameters guaranteeing the convergence of the Adomian series.

Findings

With the presented improvement, the reliable behavior of the fin tip temperature and the fin efficiency of the most interested from practical perspective are easily predicted.

Originality/value

The relevant future studies involving the fin problems covering many physical nonlinear properties must be properly treated as guided in this paper, while the Adomian decomposition method is adopted for the solution procedure.
Influence of partial slip flow and thermal jump on mixed convection from an exponentially stretching surface
Authors: Patil Prabhugouda Mallanagouda , Hadimani Geeta , A. Shashikant , Kulkarni P.S. , Kumar Mukesh
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a detailed study on the influence of slip flow and thermal jump over mixed convection flow along an exponentially stretching surface. Also, impacts of suction/blowing, volumetric heat source/sink and velocity ratio parameter will be studied in this analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The modeled governing equations for the assumed problem are dimensional nonlinear partial differential equations in nature. To reduce these equations, non-similar transformations are used to get the dimensionless nonlinear partial differential equations. Then, quasi-linearization technique is used to linearize these non-dimensional nonlinear partial differential equations. Finally, an implicit finite difference scheme is used to discretize the resulting equations.

Findings

The physical explanations are provided for the variations of various non-dimensional governing parameters over the velocity and temperature profiles. Also, the effects of these dimensionless parameters on skin friction coefficient and heat transfer rate are scrutinized in a manner which highlights their physical interpretation. The detailed discussion exhibits the fact that the streamwise co-ordinate velocity ratio parameter, partial slip parameter and the thermal jump parameter have significant influence over the flow and thermal fields.

Originality/value

This work has not been reported in the literature to the authors’ best of knowledge.
Ten years of conflict management research 2007-2017
Authors: Caputo Andrea , Marzi Giacomo , Maley Jane , Silic Mario
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to map the intellectual structure of conflict management studies by investigating the key themes, concepts and their relationships for the period 2007-2017. The study updates the previous decade (1997-2006) investigation by Ma et al. (2008) to reflect the increased publication efforts in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis was used to trace the development path of the extant literature. The study included activity indicators such as distribution of articles and most-cited journals; relationship indicators such as co-author analysis and keyword analysis; and the mapping of the theoretical foundations.

Findings

The analysis identified five key themes that help track the direction of conflict management research: negotiation, mediation, trust, conflict management styles and performance.

Originality/value

These themes show a wider diversification of topics in the field than in the past, corroborating previous results about the reputation and maturity of conflict management as an independent scientific field of research. This study will help scholars to improve their understanding of the evolution of conflict management studies and the direction that conflict management research is taking, in particular, identifying available avenues for future research.
An investigation into lean production practice in mining
Authors: Lööw Joel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Using a theory of translation of ideas, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how the mining industry has implemented and practices lean production as well as the form of this practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviewed the scientific literature on lean production in the mining industry, as well as in the reported practice of the concept in a mining company. The results were then analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

Lean production has not seen a full implementation in the mining industry. Rather, select practices are focused, though the literature covers several more. The findings suggest that the form and extension of lean production in mining differ from other industries owing to characteristics of the industry itself.

Research limitations/implications

The scientific literature on the subject is limited. Additional material was used to attempt to offset this. However, there are still blind spots relating to practice that is not reported in the type of material investigated.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to understanding the evolution of lean production in a unique industry. It suggests why lean implementation may be unsuccessful in this type of industry while also identifying the focal point of its lean production practice.
Establishing a partnership between top and IT managers
Authors: Manfreda Anton , Indihar Štemberger Mojca
Published: October 2018

Purpose

A poor relationship between top management and IT personnel is often denoted as a business–IT gap. In an era of digital transformation, bridging this gap and establishing a strong relationship between business and IT are more important than ever before. The purpose of this paper is thus to examine a particular link between business and IT managers – a partnership relationship – together with the factors facilitating it.

Design/methodology/approach

A partnership construct is developed based on interdisciplinary studies and transferred to the business–IT context since it is not generally used in IT disciplines. The model was empirically tested with structural equation modelling using data obtained from 221 IT managers in Slovenian companies.

Findings

The results show that both the perceived value of IT and the business orientation of the IT department exert a positive influence on the partnership, while a mere technology-oriented IT department has a negative effect on the partnership relationship. Furthermore, the paper also presents the prerequisites for a business-oriented IT department.

Originality/value

In this digitalisation era, IT is becoming even more important for its strategic role in organisations. There is thus a strong need to bridge the business–IT gap. Despite significant efforts made to close this gap, it remains a major issue. This research contributes to understanding the business–IT gap and presents the key factors for ensuring a partnership relationship is in place. The study also combines the views of social exchange theory and knowledge-based theory and upgrades findings concerning the influence of social facilitators on collaboration outcomes.