bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consistent formulation of the crossover from density to velocity dependent recombination in organic solar cells
Authors: Ansari-Rad Mehdi , Garcia-Belmonte Germà , Bisquert Juan
Published: August 2015

Carrier recombination is a central process in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Based on the competition of hopping rates that either implies escape in a broad density of states or recombination across the interface, we formulate a general theory of recombination flux that distinguishes reaction or transport limited recombination according to charge density. The Langevin picture is valid only in the low charge density limit, and a crossover to the reaction controlled regime occurs at higher densities. We present results from impedance spectroscopy of poly(3-hexylthiophene):methanofullerene solar cell that exhibit this crossover.
Investigating the benefits of a compliant gold coated multi-walled carbon nanotube contact surface in micro-electro mechanical systems switching
Authors: Down M. P. , Jiang L. , McBride J. W.
Published: August 2015

The application of a metal-carbon nanotube composite consisting of Au sputtered coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as an electrical contact has been shown to greatly improve the lifetime and switching characteristics. A benefit of this contact surface is shown here to be the compliance of the composite, which allows the contact to conform the shape of its opposite counterpart and increase apparent contact area. The improvement of the lifetime is shown to be affected by the contact force applied, with a limit at 4.5 mN where the composite begins to fail under “hot switching” conditions (0.4 W) at only 1.5 × 106, an order of magnitude lower than at 4 mN.
Stabilization of high-compression, indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions using a 4-shock adiabat-shaped drive
Authors: MacPhee A. G. , Peterson J. L. , Casey D. T. , Clark D. S. , Haan S. W. , Jones O. S. , Landen O. L. , Milovich J. L. , Robey H. F. , Smalyuk V. A.
Published: August 2015

Hydrodynamic instabilities and poor fuel compression are major factors for capsule performance degradation in ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility. Using a recently developed laser drive profile with a decaying first shock to tune the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (ARM) instability and subsequent in-flight Rayleigh-Taylor growth, we have demonstrated reduced growth compared to the standard ignition pulse whilst maintaining conditions for a low fuel adiabat needed for increased compression. Using in-flight x-ray radiography of pre-machined modulations, the first growth measurements using this new ARM-tuned drive have demonstrated instability growth reduction of ∼4× compared to the original design at a convergence ratio of ∼2. Corresponding simulations give a fuel adiabat of ∼1.6, similar to the original goal and consistent with ignition requirements.
Compliance current induced non-reversible transition from unipolar to bipolar resistive switching in a Cu/TaOx/Pt structure
Authors: Kurnia F. , Jung C. U. , Lee B. W. , Liu Chunli
Published: August 2015

Unipolar resistive switching (URS) as well as bipolar resistive switching (BRS) behaviors in a Cu/TaOx/Pt structure were investigated. Upon increasing the compliance current (Ic), the current-voltage characteristics of the Cu/TaOx/Pt structure showed a URS behavior at Ic = 0.1 mA then experienced a non-reversible transition from the URS to a BRS mode at Ic = 10 mA. Through a detailed analysis of the electrical properties in each resistance state of URS and BRS, we revealed that the permanent transition from the URS to the BRS mode was induced by the formation of stronger Cu metal conductive filaments within the TaOx thin film. More interestingly, both URS and BRS modes were governed by the formation and rupture of conductive filaments, whereas the rupture of these filamentary paths in BRS was proposed due to both Joule heating and electric field effects.
The exploration of the effect of microstructure on crackling noise systems
Authors: Faran Eilon , Salje Ekhard K. H. , Shilo Doron
Published: August 2015

A wide variety of physical systems respond to changing external conditions through discrete impulsive events called jerks, typically leading to collective “crackling noise” behaviour. Statistical distributions of jerky events often exhibit a universal scale-invariant power law, regardless of the specific mechanisms that are responsible for crackling noise processes and microstructural features that affect them. Here, we analyse uniaxial compression loading curves of two different physical systems that exhibit jerky behaviour: a martensitic NiMnGa single crystal and a stack of corrugated fiberboards. The jerky response is attributed to a non-uniform twin boundary motion along the NiMnGa crystal and to a local buckling of individual fiberboard layers. In both cases, our analysis reveals that different variables exhibit different statistical distributions. While the velocity of temporal processes within jerky events exhibits scale invariant distribution, the irreversible displacements induced throughout complete events are distributed around a characteristic value. In the case of NiMnGa, the displacement of a twin boundary is directly related to the length-scale of the internal magneto-mechanical microstructure. Similarly, the displacement of the fiberboard stack corresponds to the thickness of individual board layers. These observations reveal the effect of the internal microstructure on crackling noise systems and demonstrate an analysis approach for uncovering the details of the jerk mechanism.
Validation of single photon absorptiometry for on-farm measurement of density and mineral content of tail bone in cattle
Authors: Coates D. B. , Dixon R. M. , Mayer R. J. , Murray R. M.
Published: August 2015

A validation study examined the accuracy of a purpose-built single photon absorptiometry (SPA) instrument for making on-farm in vivo measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) in tail bones of cattle. In vivo measurements were made at the proximal end of the ninth coccygeal vertebra (Cy9) in steers of two age groups (each n = 10) in adequate or low phosphorus status. The tails of the steers were then resected and the BMD of the Cy9 bone was measured in the laboratory with SPA on the resected tails and then with established laboratory procedures on defleshed bone. Specific gravity and ash density were measured on the isolated Cy9 vertebrae and on 5-mm2 dorso-ventral cores of bone cut from each defleshed Cy9. Calculated BMD determined by SPA required a measure of tail bone thickness and this was estimated as a fraction of total tail thickness. Actual tail bone thickness was also measured on the isolated Cy9 vertebrae. The accuracy of measurement of BMD by SPA was evaluated by comparison with the ash density of the bone cores measured in the laboratory. In vivo SPA measurements of BMD were closely correlated with laboratory measurements of core ash density (r = 0.92). Ash density and specific gravity of cores, and all SPA measures of BMD, were affected by phosphorus status of the steers, but the effect of steer age was only significant (P < 0.05) for steers in adequate phosphorus status. The accuracy of SPA to determine BMD of tail bone may be improved by reducing error associated with in vivo estimation of tail bone thickness, and also by adjusting for displacement of soft tissue by bone mineral. In conclusion a purpose-built SPA instrument could be used to make on-farm sequential non-invasive in vivo measurements of the BMD of tailbone in cattle with accuracy acceptable for many animal studies.
Monthly variations in the profile of sex steroids and ovarian development of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) during the annual reproductive cycle in Tasmania
Authors: Fatima Shafaq , Adams Mark , Wilkinson Ryan
Published: August 2015

Control of maturation in all-female salmonid stock can be achieved by manipulating photoperiod. This initially requires an assessment of the annual reproductive cycle under ambient photoperiod. This study therefore describes the seasonal variations in ovarian development and plasma profiles of oestradiol-17β and testosterone during the second year of a population of female brook trout. It was found that fish recruited for maturation following the summer solstice in December. Shortening of photoperiod likely stimulated the brain–pituitary–gonadal axis for vigorous progress of ovarian development, as indicated by increasing levels of oestradiol-17β and gonadosomatic index values. The highest gonadosomatic index value (18.26 ± 1.1%) was observed in June. During July, eggs were released from mature females by manual stripping. Total fecundity was observed as 4266 ± 341 oocytes per mature fish. Profiles of sex steroids observed here were found to be finely entrained within the succession of seasonal photoperiod. This finding indicates that maturation suppression by photoperiod manipulation should be instigated before initiation of oocyte recruitment that commenced during December.
Non-nativeness in communication
Authors: Hornikx Jos
Published: August 2015

One of the linguistic consequences of globalization is the increase in the number of people communicating with each other in a language that is not their own. Studies have started to examine how non-nativeness affects people in their production and evaluation of discourse. This special interest section brings together a collection of empirical papers in a particular domain of non-nativeness in communication, that is, the use and effects of foreign languages in job and product advertisements. These papers investigate how the use of foreign languages is appreciated by non-native users, what determines the occurrence of foreign languages, how recall of foreign languages compares to the recall of L1 advertising, and whether foreign languages attract the readers’ curiosity. Together, these papers demonstrate the growing academic interest in non-nativeness in communication.
The curiosity-evoking capacity of foreign languages in advertising
Authors: Hornikx Jos , Mulder Ellen
Published: August 2015

In commercial messages, such as advertisements, foreign languages are sometimes displayed. Regardless of whether readers understand the foreign language utterance, researchers have claimed that such foreign language display evokes curiosity to read the ad, and improves ad and product evaluation. Whereas empirical research has established the impact of foreign language display on evaluation, no studies have been conducted on its curiosity-evoking capacity. In this research note, the importance of this capacity is highlighted, and a first study is presented that tested this capacity. The results did not find support for the curiosity-evoking capacity of foreign language display.
The Interaction Tool
Authors: Koole Tom
Published: August 2015

For professionals such as doctors, teachers, or different kinds of counsellors, talking with their clients is a major part of their profession. Professionals and clients give and ask information until they reach a state of mutual knowledge or understanding. This paper argues that for this talk they use a tool, the machinery of social interaction, with characteristics that influence the outcomes of their talk. One characteristic is the normative organization of interaction through which the contribution of one participant puts restrictions on the range of possible follow-up contributions of another participant. This may cause client behavior that does not align with the institutional aims of the professional. A second trait is that interactants have no access to each other’s cognitions such as intentions, interpretations, knowing, and understanding. Professionals should thus be aware that what clients say has a relatively loose relation with what they know and understand.
A quantitative approach to the grammaticalization of discourse markers
Authors: Koops Christian , Lohmann Arne
Published: August 2015

This article takes a quantitative approach to the grammar of English two-part discourse marker sequences likeoh well,you know I mean, etc. We investigate the internal ordering preferences of such sequences in spoken American English corpus data from the perspective of grammaticalization. From this perspective, the development of many discourse markers can be understood as involving a process of increasing syntactic de-categorialization (Hopper 1991) as the grammaticalizing element loses its original grammatical constraints and comes to function as a marker at the level of discourse. We test the hypothesis that discourse marker grammaticalization results in largely unconstrained ordering possibilities. Our analysis shows that, on the contrary, discourse marker sequencing is highly constrained. We interpret these constraints in terms of Auer’s (1996) model of discourse marker grammaticalization. Discourse marker sequencing is characterized by strong persistence of a marker’s original syntactic category and reflects its specific grammaticalization trajectory.
Exploring the effect of a user’s personality traits on tactile communication with a robot using Bayesian networks
Authors: Hwang Jungsik , Lee Kun Chang
Published: August 2015

Because robots are physically embodied agents, touch is one of the important modalities through which robots communicate with humans. Among the several factors that affect human-robot interaction, this research focuses on the effect of a user’s personality traits on tactile interactions with a robot. Participants interacted freely with a robot and their tactile interaction patterns were analyzed. Several classifiers were used to examine the effect of a participant’s degree of extroversion on tactile communication patterns with the robot and our results showed that a user’s personality traits affected the way in which they interacted with the robot. Specifically, important features of Bayesian networks, such as the Markov blanket and what-if/goal-seeking power were tested and showed the effect of personality on tactile interaction with respect to where and how participants touched the robot. We also found that, by using Bayesian network classifiers, a user’s personality traits can be inferred based on tactile communication patterns.
Mental models of robots among senior citizens
Authors: Walden Justin , Hwa Jung Eun , Shyam Sundar S. , Celeste Johnson Ariel
Published: August 2015

An emerging topic in robot design and scholarly research is socially assistive robots (SAR) for senior citizens. Compared to robots
in other sectors, SARs can augment their assistive-utilitarian functions by offering social, emotional, and cognitive support to
seniors. This study draws upon interviews with 45 senior citizens to understand this group’s expectations for human-robot
interactions (HRI) and their anticipated needs for robots. Our grounded theory analysis suggests that senior citizens expect
robots to meet three types of needs: physical, informational, and interactional. Furthermore, they seek assurances that they will
have complete control over interactions with robots. Findings show that seniors’ mental models about robots are shaped by their
recent experiences with advanced communications technologies and mediated representations of robots in popular culture. Findings
are discussed in light of practical design considerations and two theoretical perspectives.
Language regimes and acts of citizenship in multilingual Luxembourg
Authors: Horner Kristine
Published: August 2015

Linked to global processes and the reconfigurations of ‘outer’ and ‘inner’ European Union (EU) borders are attempts at harmonizing migration policies across EU member-states as well as introducing an additional layer of EU citizenship to that of the state. At the same time, discourses on citizenship in many EU member-states continue to be informed by the ideal of nation-state congruence and the dogma of social and linguistic homogeneism. Combining research on regimes of language and acts of citizenship, this paper provides an analysis of discourses on language, integration and citizenship in Luxembourg. The analysis shows how disputes concerning the introduction of the formalized testing of Luxembourgish as part of the 2008 law onla nationalité luxembourgeoise‘Luxembourgish nationality’ are intertwined with contestations over transformations of long-standing language regimes and with the issue of whether the authority of Luxembourgish is bound up with notions of anonymity or authenticity.
‘They look into our lips’
Authors: Khan Kamran , Blackledge Adrian
Published: August 2015

The British citizenship ceremony marks the legal endpoint of the naturalisation process. While the citizenship ceremony may be a celebration, it can also be a final examination. Using an ethnographically-informed case study, this article follows one candidate, ‘W’, through the naturalisation process in the UK. W is a migrant Yemeni at the end of the naturalisation process. Bakhtin’s notion of “ideological becoming” offers an analytic orientation into how competing discourses may operate. This article focuses on the role of what Bakhtin describes as “authoritative discourse” in the citizenship ceremony, in particular the Oath/Affirmation of Allegiance which citizenship candidates are required to recite. Success in the ceremony is dependent on how individuals negotiate authoritative discourse. This study follows W and highlights the complexities and negotiations of authoritative discourse in a citizenship ceremony.
Fish Community Distributions and Movements in Two Tributaries of the San Juan River, USA
Authors: Cathcart C. Nathan , Gido Keith B. , McKinstry Mark C.
Published: August 2015

Recognizing how stream fish communities—and their habitats—differ across space and time relative to their position in stream networks (i.e., main‐stem versus tributary habitats) is increasingly important for the conservation of imperiled native fish communities in altered river networks such as those in the Colorado River basin. We studied the patterns (community composition) and processes (movements) that shape species occurrences and distributions in two tributaries of the San Juan River, Utah and New Mexico, between 2012 and 2014. Our results show that distance from the San Juan River was a strong driver of tributary fish community structure, whether through declines in species richness (Chaco Wash) or species turnover (McElmo Creek), and that these patterns coincided with habitat gradients (i.e., depth, substrate, and width). Occurrences of passive integrated transponder (PIT)–tagged fish at a stationary antenna in McElmo Creek just upstream of its confluence with the San Juan River varied by species but generally were associated with spring spawning migrations (Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnis, Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus), exploratory movements (Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius), and monsoon flooding (Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Razorback Sucker). Occurrences of PIT‐tagged fish in Chaco Wash were dominated by endangered Razorback Suckers and Colorado Pikeminnows, suggesting that this habitat supplies useful habitat, forage, or both. Given the common occurrences of native fishes in these tributaries, incorporating these habitats into basinwide management actions seems necessary to fully understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of native and nonnative fish communities.
Low Variation in a Y‐Chromosomal Growth Hormone Pseudogene Relative to its Functional Autosomal Progenitor Gene in Chinook Salmon
Authors: Muttray Annette F. , Sakhrani Dionne , Withler Ruth E. , Devlin Robert H.
Published: August 2015

Most fish species do not have single‐chromosome‐based sex determination or display cytologically distinguishable sex chromosomes. The selective forces acting on homologous sequences in diploid autosomal versus haploid sex‐chromosomal regions are expected to be distinct and thus to differentially influence genetic variation. In Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, the Y chromosome possesses a growth hormone pseudogene (ghp) that is linked to the sex‐determination locus and is derived from the functional autosomal growth hormone 2 gene (gh2). Thus, examining these two paralogues provides a model with which to study the forces affecting the persistence of genetic variation between sex‐linked and autosomal loci among individuals in Chinook Salmon populations. We characterized single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in a 1.6‐kb contiguous homologous region in gh2 and ghp in 315 individuals from 19 Chinook Salmon populations ranging from Russia to Alaska, British Columbia, and California. The ghp sequence was highly similar among individuals and populations, with variant haplotypes being detected in only 5.4% of individuals and restricted to just two populations. In contrast, gh2 variants from the most common haplotype were found in 46.7% of individuals. We detected more sites of variation in ghp (nine positions, five haplotypes) than in gh2 (three positions, five haplotypes), but these were restricted to just four genotypes for ghp, compared with nine for gh2. Selection may have caused a single Y chromosome to become fixed among most populations in this species, while the variation at the gh2 locus is maintained under diploid autosomal conditions. Since the ghp locus variants are not likely to be directly associated with strong functions, other linked Y‐chromosomal loci may have important functions that, when selected, cause Y chromosomes to either be damaged and rapidly eliminated or to have enhanced fitness and sweep through the species. Whether such loci include the sex‐determination locus itself or other functional loci is not yet known.
Multiscale Environmental Influences on Fish Assemblage Structure of South Atlantic Coastal Plain Streams
Authors: Marion Cathy A. , Scott Mark C. , Kubach Kevin M.
Published: August 2015

South Atlantic coastal plain streams are unique and understudied freshwater environments that provide crucial habitats for a wide range of aquatic taxa. We investigated patterns in fish assemblages across South Carolina's coastal plain, and developed statistical models to identify the dominant multiscale abiotic environmental factors that influence assemblage structure. Cluster and indicator species analyses of fish assemblage data collected at 208 wadeable streams indicated the presence of four predominant species associations that commonly occur in the South Atlantic coastal plain, which we termed the (1) fluvial, (2) Eastern Mudminnow, (3) centrarchid, and (4) nonfluvial assemblages. A random forest analysis indicated that geographic gradients and instream habitat variables associated with velocity, channel form, stream size, depth, and large wood generally played a greater role in distinguishing fish assemblages than catchment land cover. A follow‐up principal component analysis showed that these instream habitat variables showed weak relationships with current anthropogenic land‐cover conditions. We suggest several possible explanations for our findings, including (1) a sustained dynamic equilibrium among catchment, riparian, and instream conditions over time may encourage assemblage partitioning among differential instream habitats, (2) past landscape conditions may have a greater influence on current instream habitat conditions and fish assemblage structure than current landscape conditions, (3) weak relationships between catchment land cover and instream habitats may be common in low‐elevation regions, and (4) seasonal variation in hydrologic patterns may dominantly influence instream habitat conditions and fish assemblage structure. Our study adds essential information towards a better understanding of how South Atlantic coastal plain fish assemblages respond to environmental factors across multiple spatial scales. Such knowledge will help improve management and conservation strategies, as well as assist in the development of appropriate indicators for standardized evaluations of ecological integrity.
Using Salmon Survey and Commercial Fishery Data to Index Nearshore Rearing Conditions and Recruitment of Alaskan Sablefish
Authors: Yasumiishi Ellen M. , Shotwell S. Kalei , Hanselman Dana H. , Orsi Joseph A. , Fergusson Emily A.
Published: August 2015

We examined physical and biological indices from Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. surveys and commercial fisheries to index nearshore rearing habitats used by age-0 and age-1 Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria in the eastern Gulf of Alaska and as indicators for their recruitment to age2 during the period 2001–2013. The best-fitting general linear model used to estimate age-2 Sablefish recruitment included chlorophyll-a concentration during late August and an index of juvenile Pink Salmon O. gorbuscha abundance during the age-0 stage of Sablefish. The model and biophysical indices from 2012 and 2013 produced a forecast of 23 million age-2 Sablefish for 2014 and a forecast of 8 million Sablefish for 2015. This study highlights the opportunity to use proxies for direct ambient physical and biological observations of rearing habitats in estimating groundfish recruitment to older ages.

Received November 6, 2014; accepted April 10, 2015
Mdm1/Snx13 is a novel ER–endolysosomal interorganelle tethering protein
Authors: Henne W. Mike , Zhu Lu , Balogi Zsolt , Stefan Christopher , Pleiss Jeffrey A. , Emr Scott D.
Published: August 2015

Although endolysosomal trafficking is well defined, how it is regulated and coordinates with cellular metabolism is unclear. To identify genes governing endolysosomal dynamics, we conducted a global fluorescence-based screen to reveal endomembrane effector genes. Screening implicated Phox (PX) domain–containing protein Mdm1 in endomembrane dynamics. Surprisingly, we demonstrate that Mdm1 is a novel interorganelle tethering protein that localizes to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–vacuole/lysosome membrane contact sites (MCSs). We show that Mdm1 is ER anchored and contacts the vacuole surface in trans via its lipid-binding PX domain. Strikingly, overexpression of Mdm1 induced ER–vacuole hypertethering, underscoring its role as an interorganelle tether. We also show that Mdm1 and its paralogue Ydr179w-a (named Nvj3 in this study) localize to ER–vacuole MCSs independently of established tether Nvj1. Finally, we find that Mdm1 truncations analogous to neurological disease–associated SNX14 alleles fail to tether the ER and vacuole and perturb sphingolipid metabolism. Our work suggests that human Mdm1 homologues may play previously unappreciated roles in interorganelle communication and lipid metabolism.
Paraspeckles: Paragons of functional aggregation
Authors: Courchaine Edward , Neugebauer Karla M.
Published: August 2015

Low-complexity proteins undergo phase separation in vitro, forming hydrogels or liquid droplets. Whether these form in vivo, and under what conditions, is still unclear. In this issue, Hennig et al. (2015. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201504117) show that formation of the paraspeckle, a nuclear body that regulates gene expression, requires low-complexity prion-like domains (PLDs) within paraspeckle proteins. The same proteins were shown to form hydrogels, shedding light on the role of “functional aggregation” in nuclear substructure.
The spindle plays both ends
Authors: Short Ben
Published: August 2015

In 2003, Khodjakov et al. extended the search and capture model of mitotic spindle assembly.
Elias Spiliotis: Septins set it up
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: August 2015

Spiliotis studies the contributions of septins to cellular spatial organization.
A convergence theorem for harmonic measures with applications to Taylor series
Authors: Gardiner Stephen , Manolaki Myrto
Published: August 2015

Let

f
f

be a holomorphic function on the unit disc, and let

(

S

n

k

)

(S_{n_{k}})

be a subsequence of its Taylor polynomials about

0
0

. It is shown that the nontangential limit of

f
f

and lim

k
→
∞

S

n

k

_{k\rightarrow \infty }S_{n_{k}}

agree at almost all points of the unit circle where they simultaneously exist. This result yields new information about the boundary behaviour of universal Taylor series. The key to its proof lies in a convergence theorem for harmonic measures that is of independent interest.
Inner ideals of Lie algebras of skew elements of prime rings with involution
Authors: Brox Jose , López Antonio , Gómez Lozano Miguel
Published: August 2015

In this note we extend the Lie inner ideal structure of simple Artinian rings with involution, initiated by Benkart and completed by Benkart and Fernández López, to centrally closed prime rings with involution of characteristic not

2
2

,

3
3

or

5
5

. New Lie inner ideals (which we call special) occur when making this extension. We also give a purely algebraic description of the so-called Clifford inner ideals, which had only been described in geometric terms.
Chryseobacterium sediminis sp. nov., isolated from a river sediment
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Busse Hans-Jürgen , McInroy John A. , Glaeser Stefanie P.
Published: August 2015

A slightly yellow-pigmented strain (IMT-174T) isolated from a river sediment in Guyana was studied in detail for its taxonomic position. Cells of the isolate appeared rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate had the highest sequence similarities to type strains of Chryseobacterium rhizoplanae (99.0 %), Chryseobacterium viscerum (98.9 %), Chryseobacterium lactis (98.8 %) and Chryseobacterium indologenes (98.6 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other species of the genus Chryseobacterium were below 98.5 %. Fatty acid analysis of whole-cell hydrolysates of the strain resulted in a pattern typical of members of the genus Chryseobacterium, with fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major compounds. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly sym-homospermidine. The major quinone was menaquinone MK-6 and the only lipid identified in the polar lipid profile was phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, 13 unidentified lipids were detected in moderate to major amounts. DNA–DNA hybridizations with type strains of C. rhizoplanae, C. viscerum, C. lactis and C. indologenes resulted in values below 70 %. In addition to the genotypic differences, differentiating biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties confirmed that isolate IMT-174T represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium sediminis sp. nov. (type strain IMT-174T = LMG 28695T = CIP 110895T) is proposed.
Variability and pathogenicity of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 variants
Authors: Smith Donald B. , Ijaz Samreen , Tedder Richard S. , Hogema Boris , Zaaijer Hans L. , Izopet Jacques , Bradley-Stewart Amanda , Gunson Rory , Harvala Heli , Kokki Inka , Simmonds Peter
Published: August 2015

Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be clinically inapparent or produce symptoms and signs of hepatitis of varying severity and occasional fatality. This variability in clinical outcomes may reflect differences in host susceptibility or the presence of virally encoded determinants of pathogenicity. Analysis of complete genome sequences supports the division of HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) variants into three major clades: 3ra comprising HEV isolates from rabbits, and 3efg and 3abchij comprising the corresponding named subtypes derived from humans and pigs. Using this framework, we investigated associations between viral genetic variability of HEV-3 in symptomatic and asymptomatic infections by comparing HEV-3 subgenomic sequences previously obtained from blood donors with those from patients presenting with hepatitis in the UK (54 blood donors, 148 hepatitis patients), the Netherlands (38 blood donors, 119 hepatitis patients), France (24 blood donors, 55 hepatitis patients) and Germany (14 blood donors, 36 hepatitis patients). In none of these countries was evidence found for a significant association between virus variants and patient group (P>0.05 Fisher's exact test). Furthermore, within a group of 123 patients in Scotland with clinically apparent HEV infections, we found no evidence for an association between variants of HEV-3 and disease severity or alanine aminotransferase level. The lack of detectable virally encoded determinants of disease outcomes in HEV-3 infection implies a more important role for host factors in its clinical phenotype.
Cookiecutter: a tool for kmer-based read filtering and extraction
Authors: Starostina Ekaterina , Tamazian Gaik , Dobrynin Pavel , O’Brien Stephen , Komissarov Aleksey
Published: August 2015

Motivation

Kmer-based analysis is a powerful method used in read error correction and implemented in various genome assembly tools. A number of read processing routines include extracting or removing sequence reads from the results of high-throughput sequencing experiments prior to further analysis. Here we present a new approach to sorting or filtering of raw reads based on a provided list of kmers.

Results

We developed Cookiecutter — a computational tool for rapid read extraction or removing according to a provided list of k-mers generated from a FASTA file. Cookiecutter is based on the implementation of the Aho-Corasik algorithm and is useful in routine processing of high-throughput sequencing datasets. Cookiecutter can be used for both removing undesirable reads and read extraction from a user-defined region of interest.

Availability

The open-source implementation with user instructions can be obtained from GitHub:https://github.com/ad3002/Cookiecutter.
Data science identifies novel drug interactions that prolong the QT interval
Authors: Lorberbaum Tal , Sampson Kevin J , Woosley Raymond L , Kass Robert S , Tatonetti Nicholas P
Published: August 2015

Drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram (long QT syndrome, LQTS) can lead to a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia called Torsades de Pointes (TdP). 180 drugs with both cardiac and non-cardiac indications have been found to increase risk for TdP, but drug-drug interactions contributing to LQTS (QT-DDIs) remain poorly characterized. Traditional methods for mining observational healthcare data are poorly equipped to detect QT-DDI signals due to low reporting numbers and a lack of direct evidence for LQTS. In this study we present an integrative data science pipeline that effectively circumvents these limitations by identifying latent signals for QT-DDIs in the FDA?s Adverse Event Reporting System and retrospectively validating these predictions using electrocardiogram data in electronic health records. We present 26 novel QT-DDIs flagged using this method that warrant further investigation.
The atomic scale structure of graphene powder studied by neutron and X-ray diffraction
Authors: Woznica Natalia , Hawelek Lukasz , Fischer Henry E. , Bobrinetskiy Ivan , Burian Andrzej
Published: August 2015

The structure of graphene obtained by chemical exfoliation of graphiteviathe oxidation/reduction procedure has been determined using wide-angle scattering of neutrons and X-rays combined with computer simulations based on classical molecular dynamics (MD). A comparison of results obtained from wide-angle neutron scattering (WANS) with the D4 neutron diffractometer dedicated for liquids and amorphous materials (Institute Laue–Langevin in Grenoble) and from wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) with the laboratory Rigaku-Denki D/MAX RAPID II diffractometer has shown that both techniques provide data of a good quality that can be used to derive precise and valuable structural information about graphene. To obtain detailed structural information, the paracrystal formalism has been used along with MD simulations. The MD simulations were performed at 300 K with second-generation reactive empirical bond order potential for atoms lying in the same layer and the Lennard–Jones potential for interlayer interactions. The proposed models consist of three-layered systems, 36 Å in diameter, in which mono-vacancy, di-vacancy and Stone–Thrower–Wales types of defects are introduced. The reported results show that the WANS and WAXS methods together with the MD simulations contribute to a detailed description of the graphene materials, including the presence of topological defects, which is important as their structure at the atomic scale dramatically affects their electrical and mechanical properties.
Synthesis and investigation of the properties of tungstate-based anticorrosion pigments in coatings
Authors: Kalendova Andrea , Hájková Tereza
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to synthesize anticorrosion pigments containing tungsten for paints intended for corrosion protection of metals.

Design/methodology/approach

– The anticorrosion pigments were prepared by high-temperature, solid-state synthesis from the respective oxides, carbonates and calcium metasilicate. Stoichiometric tungstates and core-shell tungstates with a nonisometric particle shape containing Ca, Sr, Zn, Mg and Fe were synthesized. The pigments were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis and by scanning electron microscopy. Paints based on an epoxy resin and containing the substances at a pigment volume concentration (PVC) = 10 volume per cent were prepared. The paints were subjected to physico-mechanical tests and to tests in corrosion atmospheres. The corrosion test results were compared to those of the paint with a commercial pigment, which is used in many industrial applications.

Findings

– The tungstate structure of each pigment was elucidated. The core-shell tungstates exhibit a nonisometric particle shape. The pigments prepared were found to impart a very good anticorrosion efficiency to the paints. A high efficiency was demonstrated for the stoichiometric tungstates containing Fe and Zn and for core-shell tungstates containing Mg and Zn.

Practical implications

– The pigments can be used with advantage for the formulation of paints intended for corrosion protection of metals. The pigments also improve the paints’ physical properties.

Originality/value

– The use of the pigments in anticorrosion paints for the protection of metals is new. The benefits include the use and the procedure of synthesis of anticorrosion pigments which are free from heavy metals and are acceptable from the environmental protection point of view. Moreover, the core-shell tungstates, whose high efficiency is comparable to that of the stoichiometric tungstates, have lower tungsten content.
Failure investigation of an underground low voltage XLPE insulated cable
Authors: Ul-Hamid Anwar , Soufi Khaled Y. , Al-Hadhrami Luai M. , Shemsi Ahsan M.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine the effect of exposure of underground electrical cables to chemically contaminated water.

Design/methodology/approach

– Visual inspection and photography were carried out to record the appearance of electrical cables. Failed and un-failed cable samples were collected and analyzed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Sand and water samples were chemically tested for contaminants.

Findings

– Underground low-voltage 0.6/1-kV cross-linked polyethene insulated cables belonging to a chemical production plant suffered failure after four years of service. Excavation of the cable trench revealed that the cables were buried in sand polluted with chemically contaminated water. The cables were discolored and covered with corrosion deposits. Experimental results indicated that the cable insulation was heavily degraded and the outer jacket of polyvinyl chloride exhibited cracks that had penetrated through its thickness. Water and sand surrounding the cable were found to have high concentrations of ammonia. Mechanical testing of the cables indicated high values of stiffness that could contribute to the formation of cracks at the surface.

Practical implications

– It was concluded that contamination in the water had degraded the cable, resulting in the development of a network of branched cracks within the cable insulation through which water could permeate, leading to eventual failure of the cable. Accelerated degradation took place due to exposure to the contaminated environment, which promoted aging and brittleness. Continued exposure of electric cables to contamination would lead to power failures and plant shutdowns.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an account of a failure investigation of low-voltage electrical cable buried underground. It discusses the role of contaminated environment in the eventual failure of electrical cable due to corrosion. This information will be useful for plant engineers and project managers working in any industry that makes use of chemicals.
Revisiting the construction project failure factors in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Tan Phat , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The Vietnam construction industry has considerably developed since 1986 as a result of “Doi Moi” or all-round renovation process. However, despite the pace of economic reforms, a number of challenges continue to plague the construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to revisit the factors causing construction project failure in Vietnam. Some of the selected best practices from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) and China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa (CIVETS) are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a mixed method approach, data were collected from construction stakeholders in Vietnam using a postal survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistics using ranking and frequencies analysis, and qualitative data employed content analysis.

Findings

– Despite the lack of systematic approach to managing projects risks, there is a high level of acknowledgement regarding the importance of risk management practices. The highly ranked critical factors still causing construction project failure in Vietnam are: disregard of the significance of project planning process and project planning; lack of experience in executing complicated project; poor design capacity and frequent design changes; lack of knowledge and ability in managing construction projects; lack of financial capacity of owner; poor performance of contractors; lack of a systematic approach to managing the project and entire organisation; corruption and bribery in construction projects; the delays in payment; and economic volatility and high inflation.

Practical implications

– The identified and revisited project failure factors could be used as a “road map” for the revaluation, and development of appropriate project management practices.

Originality/value

– The construction sector has undergone through significant structural changes following “Doi Moi”. This study provides the opportunity to realign the strategies for addressing project failure factors and learning from comparative studies in BRICS and CIVETS countries.
Comparative analysis of back-to-back subcontracts in the construction and telecommunications industries
Authors: Nielsen Lars-Henrik Kvist , Akanmu Abiola , Anumba Chimay J.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– “Back-to-back” contracts are widely used in the engineering and construction industry and are recently spreading into the telecommunication industry. In back-to-back contracts, the principals require the main contractors to assume majority of the liability in delivering a project and in turn, the main contractors try to allocate most of that liability to their subcontractors. The successful delivery of the projects hinges on how the contracts are drafted and risks are allocated between the parties involved. The purpose of this paper is to undertake a comparative analysis of “back-to-back” subcontracts in the telecommunication and construction industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– By examining contracting practices and texts from contract documents for the telecommunication and construction industries, this paper reveals how certain aspects of “back-to-back” contracts lose their meaning when seen out of context. Using comparative research method, this paper discusses reasons why the adoption of “back-to-back” contracts should be a matter of degree, based on the business strategy and relevance to the intended transactions rather than on the typical model of “back-to-back” contracts.

Findings

– Good contracting practices should be such as to enable parties negotiate the contract terms to ensure clarity and common understanding before commencing the project. Construction universally adopts back-to-back even for minor straightforward works, an approach supported by readily available industry model contracts as well as the traditional tender process (design before construction). In telecoms, back-to-back is mainly desired where the subcontractor has a major part of the scope, whereas minor subcontractor scope is considered “leverage commodity” where suppliers are engaged using in-house contract templates, often in a frame contract arrangement, to satisfy corporate strategies for supplier management and pricing.

Originality/value

– This paper provides value by presenting an insightful review of the nature of back-to-back contracting practices in the telecommunication and construction industries. The paper outlines advantages, disadvantages and opportunities for improving “back-to-back” contracting practices in the telecommunication and construction industries.
Job involvement, organizational commitment, professional commitment, and team commitment
Authors: Singh Ajay , Gupta Bindu
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among job involvement, organizational commitment, team commitment and professional commitment and to explore generational differences for these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– It used structured questionnaire survey approach for which data were collected from 477 full-time employees of 13 organizations from diverse sectors in India. Respondents were categorized into four generational cohorts following the classification reported in Robbinset al.(2011).

Findings

– The findings of the study indicated that professional commitment is negatively related with job involvement, affective organizational commitment, normative organizational commitment, and team commitment. Job involvement, affective and normative organizational commitment, and team commitment were positively correlated. Differences were observed among Generation Y, Generation X, Liberals, and Socialist for job involvement, affective organizational commitment, normative organizational commitment, professional commitment, and team commitment. Generation Y, for example, was found high in professional commitment, while Socialist were found higher on affective organizational commitment compared to other generations.

Practical implications

– Findings suggests that there is a decrease in job involvement, affective organizational commitment, normative organizational commitment, and increase in professional commitment in young generations. Organizations need to take consideration this while designing the HR policies for employees’ engagement.

Originality/value

– The contribution of the study lies in examining the employees’ attitude to different dimensions of work life and differences among Indian generations.