bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the effects of the in situ generated arene anion radical and imine radical on catecholase like activity: a DFT supported experimental investigation
Authors: Dasgupta Sanchari , Adhikary Jaydeep , Giri Sanjib , Bauza Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Das Debasis
Published: March 2017

A comparative mechanistic account has been portrayed on the basis of arene anions and imine radicals in this study on catecholase activity.
Synthesis of layer-like Ni(OH)2 decorated ZnIn2S4 sub-microspheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production activity
Authors: Li Songsong , Dai Dongsheng , Ge Lei , Gao Yangqin , Han Changcun , Xiao Nan
Published: March 2017

Novel layer-like Ni(OH)2 co-catalyst-decorated ZnIn2S4 microsphere photocatalysts were synthesized for the first time via a facile in situ deposition method to boost the photocatalytic H2-production performance.
Antibodies to H2a and H2b histones from the sera of HIV-infected patients catalyze site-specific degradation of these histones
Authors: Baranova Svetlana V. , Dmitrienok Pavel S. , Ivanisenko Nikita V. , Buneva Valentina N. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: March 2017

IgGs against H2a and H2b histones from HIV-infected patients specifically hydrolysed only histones but not many other tested globular proteins.
Discovery and optimization of selective inhibitors of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 by docking-based virtual screening
Authors: Ye Yan , Zhang Bidong , Mao Ruifeng , Zhang Chenhua , Wang Yulan , Xing Jing , Liu Yu-Chih , Luo Xiaomin , Ding Hong , Yang Yaxi , Zhou Bing , Jiang Hualiang , Chen Kaixian , Luo Cheng , Zheng Mingyue
Published: March 2017

A series of highly selective and potent inhibitors against PRMT5 have been achieved using virtual screening and medicinal chemistry approaches.
Metal-free enantioselective addition of nucleophilic silicon to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by a [2.2]paracyclophane-based N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst
Authors: An Ping , Huo Yuwen , Chen Zhen , Song Chun , Ma Yudao
Published: March 2017

A transition metal-free enantioselective 1,2-silylation of aromatic aldehydes to yield chiral α-hydroxysilanes was developed for the first time.
Annealing effects on the magnetic properties of highly-packed vertically-aligned nickel nanotubes
Authors: Antohe Vlad-Andrei , Nysten Emeline , Martínez-Huerta Juan Manuel , Pereira de Sá Pedro Miguel , Piraux Luc
Published: March 2017

Hysteresis loops showing the decrease of the saturation magnetic moment (left) through a dense array of vertically-aligned Ni nanotubes after their progressive thermal conversion into hybrid ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic Ni/NiO nanotubes (right).
A facile fabrication method for ultrathin NiO/Ni nanosheets as a high-performance electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Xu Yushuai , Huang Kai , Ou Gang , Tang Hao , Wei Hehe , Zhang Qingyun , Gong Jianghong , Fang Minghao , Wu Hui
Published: March 2017

A facile method to fabricate NiO/Ni nanosheets in large yield by repeated size reduction and thermal oxidation has been developed.
Nitrogen-doped porous graphene as a highly efficient cathodic electrocatalyst for aqueous organic redox flow battery application
Authors: Cao Jianyu , Zhu Zhentao , Xu Juan , Tao Meng , Chen Zhidong
Published: March 2017

The redox flow battery (RFB) is considered one of the most attractive energy storage technologies because of its high efficiency, long service life and great safety.
Novel carbon channels from loofah sponge for construction of metal sulfide/carbon composites with robust electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Xie Dong , Xia Xin-hui , Tang Wang-jia , Zhong Yu , Wang Ya-dong , Wang Dong-huang , Wang Xiu-li , Tu Jiang-ping
Published: March 2017

New bundled carbon tubes from loofah sponge are, for the first time, discovered and served as backbone for MoS2/N–C composites with enhanced lithium/sodium storage properties including high capacity and excellent cycles.
Elucidating the diffusion pathway of protons in ammonium polyphosphate: a potential electrolyte for intermediate temperature fuel cells
Authors: Sun Chunwen , López Carlos Alberto , Alonso José Antonio
Published: March 2017

The diffusion pathway of protons in ammonium polyphosphate is revealed.
Gadolinium-based nanoscale MRI contrast agents for tumor imaging
Authors: Cao Yi , Xu Lijun , Kuang Ye , Xiong Dangsheng , Pei Renjun
Published: March 2017

Gadolinium-based nanoscale MRI CAs have been considered as a promising nanoplatform for tumor diagnosis, due to their favorable capability of enhancing the longitudinal relaxivity (r1) of individual gadolinium ions, delivering to the region of interest a large number of gadolinium ions, and incorporating different functionalities.
A low loading of grafted thermoplastic polystyrene strengthens and toughens transparent epoxy composites
Authors: Gu Hongbo , Ma Chao , Liang Chaobo , Meng Xudong , Gu Junwei , Guo Zhanhu
Published: March 2017

Transparent epoxy composites strengthened and toughened by thermoplastic polystyrene grafted with epichlorohydrin (g-PS) have been prepared at low loading levels.
High performance pure blue organic fluorescent electroluminescent devices by utilizing a traditional electron transport material as the emitter
Authors: Li Yanan , Zhou Liang , Jiang Yunlong , Cui Rongzhen , Zhao Xuesen , Zhang Hongjie
Published: March 2017

We obtained efficient pure blue organic fluorescent electroluminescent (EL) devices by doping a traditional electron transport material into a hole transporting host material.
Fabrication of branched nanostructures for CNT@Ag nano-hybrids: application in CO2 gas detection
Authors: Kaur Billing Beant , Agnihotri Prabhat K. , Singh Narinder
Published: March 2017

CNT@Ag nano-hybrid fabricated and utilized as electrochemical sensor for CO2 detection and conversion of CO2 into oxalate in aqueous medium.
Optical characteristics of UV–VUV lamps on the electronic‐vibrational transitions of the hydroxyl radical pumped by a nanosecond capacitive discharge
Authors: Shuaibov Alexandr , Gritzak Roksolana
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the results of a study of UV and VUV low‐pressure lamp pumped by nanosecond capacitive discharge. This lamp works on the mixtures of helium and argon with water vapor (H2O) or ‘heavy’ water (D2O). At the capacitive low‐pressure lamp emission spectra are mainly narrow band 308 nm OH (A–X) and large band in the VUV spectral range: 140–200 nm OH (C, B, A). Found, that the increasing the partial pressure of H2O and D2O (>130–150 Pa) led to a decrease in the intensity of VUV radiation of hydroxyl radicals. In the transition from He/H2O mixture to He/D2O mixture, the optimal pressure of helium is decreased. Reduced partial pressure of argon led to increased intensity of radiation of hydroxyl in the VUV range. The study of emission characteristics of OD* – lamps on a mixture of He/D2O and the OH* – lamps on a mixture of He/H2O showed that the intensity of the bands OD (X, C, A) is 1.5 times larger than the intensity of the bands OH (X, C, A). The maximum absolute intensity of UV–VUV radiation of the lamp (at a frequency of 1000 Hz) reached 1 W.
Ultra-fast charge carrier dynamics across the spectrum of an optical gain media based on InAs/AlGaInAs/InP quantum dots
Authors: Khanonkin I. , Mishra A. K. , Karni O. , Mikhelashvili V. , Banyoudeh S. , Schnabel F. , Sichkovskyi V. , Reithmaier J. P. , Eisenstein G.
Published: March 2017

The charge carrier dynamics of improved InP-based InAs/AlGaInAs quantum dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers are examined employing the multi-wavelength ultrafast pump-probe measurement technique. The transient transmission response of the continuous wave probe shows interesting dynamical processes during the initial 2-3 ps after the pump pulse, when carriers originating from two photon absorption contribute the least to the recovery. The effects of optical excitations and electrical bias levels on the recovery dynamics of the gain in energetically different QDs are quantified and discussed. The experimental observations are validated qualitatively using a comprehensive finite-difference time-domain model by recording the time evolution of the charge carriers in the QDs ensemble following the pulse.
Study of ultraviolet-visible light absorbance of exfoliated graphite forms
Authors: Uran S. , Alhani A. , Silva C.
Published: March 2017

Despite the fact that there have been many studies of graphite exfoliation, none really addresses the issue of starting form of graphite. To address this issue various graphite forms (solid, powder and sooth) and graphite oxide (powder) are exfoliated in acetonitrile and studied via ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. In different graphite forms two major absorbance peaks are observed at 223 nm and 273 nm corresponding to graphene oxide and graphene dispersions, respectively. The intensity change of the peaks refers to the layer number change. The intensity ratios of these peaks give information about the concentration of the exfoliation products. We observed that graphite oxide sample has the thinnest graphene dispersions among the compared samples, whereas graphite rod has the thickest. It appears that few layer graphene oxide dispersions exist more in graphite sooth and graphite oxide samples. Graphite oxide UV-Vis spectrum reveals two new absorbance peaks at 312 nm and 361 nm in addition to the graphene oxide and graphene dispersion peaks. To our knowledge these peaks were not observed before. We think that these new peaks are formed due to conjugated polyenes that affect π → π* plasmon peak.
Endothelial transcription factor KLF2 negatively regulates liver regeneration via induction of activin A
Authors: Manavski Yosif , Abel Tobias , Hu Junhao , Kleinlützum Dina , Buchholz Christian J. , Belz Christina , Augustin Hellmut G. , Boon Reinier A. , Dimmeler Stefanie
Published: March 2017

Significance

Regeneration of the liver after injury is essential for proper hepatic function. Endothelial cells contribute to liver homeostasis via paracrine interaction with hepatocytes. Here we show that endothelial-derived activin A, as a transcriptional target of Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), negatively regulates hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. This study highlights a mechanism by which endothelial cells control liver regeneration.
High-throughput identification of small molecules that affect human embryonic vascular development
Authors: Vazão Helena , Rosa Susana , Barata Tânia , Costa Ricardo , Pitrez Patrícia R. , Honório Inês , de Vries Margreet R. , Papatsenko Dimitri , Benedito Rui , Saris Daniel , Khademhosseini Ali , Quax Paul H. A. , Pereira Carlos F. , Mercader Nadia , Fernandes Hugo , Ferreira Lino
Published: March 2017

Significance

It is well recognized that several chemicals and/or drugs are potentially harmful if used during pregnancy. Unfortunately, systems capable of predicting which drugs affect embryonic development rely almost exclusively on prenatal animal testing, with all the associated limitations. Using human pluripotent stem cells, we developed a fully humanized system capable of predicting which drugs affect, specifically, vascular embryonic development. The system was used to screen a library of chemicals (1,280 drugs), and two compounds were identified as specific inhibitors of human embryonic vasculature. The platform described here is a valid alternative to animal testing and can be used to screen existing and newly developed drugs.
Communicating the deadly consequences of global warming for human heat stress
Authors: Matthews Tom K. R. , Wilby Robert L. , Murphy Conor
Published: March 2017

Significance

Extremely hot weather can have deadly human consequences. As the climate warms, the frequency and intensity of such conditions are expected to increase—among the most certain negative impacts expected under global warming. Concerns about dangerous climate change have encouraged the international community to commit to limiting global temperature changes to below 2 °C above preindustrial. Although lauded as a great achievement to avoid dangerous climate change, we find that, even if such aspirations are realized, large increases in the frequency of deadly heat should be expected, with more than 350 million more megacity inhabitants afflicted by midcentury. Such conclusions underline the critical role for ambitious adaptation alongside these climate change mitigation targets.
Spresso: an ultrafast compound pre-screening method based on compound decomposition
Authors: Yanagisawa Keisuke , Komine Shunta , Suzuki Shogo D , Ohue Masahito , Ishida Takashi , Akiyama Yutaka
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Recently, the number of available protein tertiary structures and compounds has increased. However, structure-based virtual screening is computationally expensive owing to docking simulations. Thus, methods that filter out obviously unnecessary compounds prior to computationally expensive docking simulations have been proposed. However, the calculation speed of these methods is not fast enough to evaluate ≥ 10 million compounds.

Results

In this article, we propose a novel, docking-based pre-screening protocol named Spresso (Speedy PRE-Screening method with Segmented cOmpounds). Partial structures (fragments) are common among many compounds; therefore, the number of fragment variations needed for evaluation is smaller than that of compounds. Our method increases calculation speeds by ∼200-fold compared to conventional methods.

Availability and Implementation

Spresso is written in C ++ and Python, and is available as an open-source code (http://www.bi.cs.titech.ac.jp/spresso/) under the GPLv3 license.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
rMSI: an R package for MS imaging data handling and visualization
Authors: Ràfols Pere , Torres Sònia , Ramírez Noelia , del Castillo Esteban , Yanes Oscar , Brezmes Jesús , Correig Xavier
Published: March 2017

R platform provides some packages that are useful to process mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data; however, none of them provide an easy to use graphical user interface (GUI). Here, we introduce rMSI, an R package for MSI data analysis focused on providing an efficient way to manage MSI data together with a GUI integrated in R environment. MS data is loaded in rMSI custom format optimized to minimize the memory footprint yet maintaining a fast spectra access. The rMSI GUI is designed for simple and effective data exploration and visualization. Moreover, rMSI is designed to be integrated in the R environment through a library of functions that can be used to share MS data across others R packages. The release of rMSI for R environment establishes a novel and flexible platform for MSI data analysis, completely free and open-source.

Availability and Implementation

The code, the documentation, a tutorial and example data are available open-source at: github.com/prafols/rMSI.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An improved method for detecting telomere size differences in T-lymphocyte interphases from older people with Down syndrome with and without mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Jenkins E. C. , Ye L. , Marchi E. , Krinsky-McHale S. J. , Zigman W. B. , Schupf N. , Silverman W. P.
Published: March 2017

Telomere size (quantified by fluorescence intensity and physical lengths) in short-term T-lymphocyte cultures from adults with Down syndrome (DS) with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI-DS) or dementia was compared. For these studies, dementia status was determined based on longitudinal assessments employing a battery of cognitive and functional assessments developed to distinguish adult-onset impairment from preexisting developmental disability. In the course of our studies using a MetaSystems Image Analyzer in combination with ISIS software and a Zeiss Axioskop 2, we found that Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) telomere fluorescence referenced to chromosome 2-identified FITC probe fluorescence as a nontelomere standard (telomere/cen2 ratio) showed great promise as a biomarker of early decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in this high-risk population. We have now obtained a cen (2) CY3 probe that can clearly be distinguished from the blue–green FITC interphase telomere probe, providing a clear distinction between telomere and centromere fluorescence in both interphase and metaphase. We used FITC/CY3 light intensity ratios to compare telomere length in interphases in adults with DS with and without MCI-DS or dementia. Five age-matched female and five age-matched male pairs (n = 10) all showed clear evidence of telomere shortening associated with clinical progression of AD (P < 0.002 – P < 0.000001), with distributions of mean values for cases and controls showing no overlap. We also examined the time needed for microscopy using interphase versus metaphase fluorescence preparations. With interphase preparations, examination time was reduced by an order of magnitude compared with metaphase preparations, indicating that the methods employed herein have considerable practical promise for translation into broad diagnostic practice.
Risks and benefits of catching pretty good yield in multispecies mixed fisheries
Authors: Thorpe Robert B. , Jennings Simon , Dolder Paul J.
Published: March 2017

Multispecies mixed fisheries catch ecologically interacting species with the same gears at the same time. We used an ensemble of size-based multispecies models to investigate the effects of different rates of fishing mortality (F) and fleet configurations on yield, biomass, risk of collapse and community structure. Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and FMSY for 21 modelled species’ populations in the North Sea were defined at the Nash equilibrium, where any independent change in F for any species would not increase that species’ MSY. Fishing mortality ranges leading to “Pretty Good Yield” (F-PGY), by species, were defined as ranges yielding ≥0.95 × MSY. Weight and value of yield from the entire fishery increased marginally when all species were fished at the upper end of F-PGY ranges rather than at FMSY, but risk of species’ collapse and missing community targets also increased substantially. All risks fell markedly when fishing at the lower end of F-PGY ranges, but with small impacts on total fishery yield or value. While fishing anywhere within F-PGY ranges gives managers flexibility to manage trade-offs in multispecies mixed fisheries, our results suggest high long-term yields and disproportionately lower risks of stock collapse are achieved when F ≤ FMSY for all component stocks.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome and the risk of subsequent primary ovarian insufficiency: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Pan Mei-Lien , Chen Li-Ru , Tsao Hsiao-Mei , Chen Kuo-Hu
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the risk of subsequent primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) amongst patients with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods:

This nationwide, population-based study is an inspection and review of data from the 1998 to 2012 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In a sample of 1,000,000 randomly sampled individuals, women with PCOS (exposure group; n = 7,049) and women without PCOS (contrast group; n = 70,490) were compared. Women initially diagnosed with PCOS at less than 15 or more than 35 years of age were excluded. Each woman with PCOS was age-matched to 10 women without PCOS. The diagnoses of PCOS and POI (coded using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification) were further confirmed with blood test results and ultrasonographic findings to ensure the accuracy of the diagnoses.

Results:

POI occurred more among women with PCOS compared with women without PCOS (3.73% vs 0.44%; P < 0.001). Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the POI-free survival rates were significantly different between the exposure and contrast groups (P < 0.001). During 10 years of follow-up, Cox proportional-hazard analysis revealed that the risk for POI was significantly higher in the exposure than in the contrast group (hazard ratio [HR] 8.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.33-10.18) and remained similar after adjustment for covariates (adjusted HR 8.31, 95% CI 7.05-9.81). Compared with that of women without PCOS, the risk of POI was even higher for women with PCOS who did not receive metformin treatment (adjusted HR 9.93, 95% CI 8.28-11.90). However, the risk for POI was significantly reduced for women with PCOS who received metformin treatment (adjusted HR 5.66, 95% CI 4.36-7.35).

Conclusions:

As a possible precursor stage, prior PCOS is a significant and independent risk factor for development of POI. The use of metformin reduces the risk of POI.
Predicting the Mental Health and Functioning of Torture Survivors
Authors: Song Suzan J. , Subica Andrew , Kaplan Charles , Tol Wietse , de Jong Joop
Published: March 2017

The psychological effects of war represent a growing public health concern as more refugees and asylum seekers migrate across borders. This study investigates whether sociodemographic, premigration and postmigration, and psychosocial factors predict adverse psychiatric symptoms in refugees and asylum seekers exposed to torture (N = 278). Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that female sex, older age, and unstable housing predicted greater severity of anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Cumulative exposure to multiple torture types predicted anxiety and PTSD, while mental health, basic resources (access to food, shelter, medical care), and external risks (risk of being victimized at home, community, work, school) were the strongest psychosocial predictors of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Also, time spent in the United States before presenting for services significantly predicted anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Consequently, public-sector services should seek to engage this high-risk population immediately upon resettlement into the host country using a mental health stepped care approach.
Taking the strain: quantifying the contributions of all cell behaviours to changes in epithelial shape
Authors: Blanchard Guy B.
Published: March 2017

Computer-assisted tracking of the shapes of many cells over long periods of development has driven the exploration of novel ways to quantify the contributions of different cell behaviours to morphogenesis. A handful of similar methods have now been published that are used to calculate tissue deformations (strain rates) in epithelia. These methods are further used to quantify strain rates attributable to each of the cell behaviours in the tissue, such as cell shape change, cell rearrangement and cell division, that together sum to the tissue strain rates. In this review, aimed at developmental biologists, I will introduce the general approach, characterize differences in current approaches and highlight extensions of these methods that remain to be fully explored. The methods will make a major contribution to the emerging field of tissue mechanics. Precisely quantified strain rates are an essential first step towards exploring constitutive equations relating stress to strain via tissue mechanical properties.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’.
(3R,5S,7R,8R,9S,10S,12S,13R,14S)-10,13-Dimethyl-17-[5-oxo-5-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)pentan-2-yl]hexadecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,7,12-triyl triacetate
Authors: Kavitha T. , Anandkumar Devaraj , Rajakumar Perumal , Bargavi Srinivasan , Lakshmi Srinivasakannan
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C33H48O8, four terminal H atoms of cholic acid are replaced by three acetyl and one terminal alkyne group. All the acetyl residues are twisted with respect to the rings (A, B and C) to which they are attached. The cyclopentane ring D adopts an envelope conformation with the methyl-substituted C atom as the flap. Rings A, B and C have chair conformations. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of rings C and D is 4.70 (11)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure.
2-[5-(Pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]pyridin-1-ium perchlorate
Authors: Laachir Abdelhakim , Bentiss Fouad , Guesmi Salaheddine , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: March 2017

The cation of the title molecular salt, C12H9N4S+·ClO4
−, is approximately planar, with the pyridine and pyridinium rings being inclined to the central thiadiazole ring by 6.51 (9) and 9.13 (9)°, respectively. The dihedral angle between the pyridine and pyridinium rings is 12.91 (10)°. In the crystal, the cations are linked by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, involving the perchlorate anion, forming chains propagating along the [100] direction. The chains are linked by weak offset π–π interactions [inter-centroid distance = 3.586 (1) Å], forming layers parallel to the ab plane.
A simple thermodynamic model on the cracking of concrete due to rust formed after casting
Authors: Sánchez-Deza Agustín , Bastidas David M. , La Iglesia Angel , Bastidas Jose-María
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use thermodynamic data to estimate the pressure exerted by the crystallization of iron oxyhydroxides following the equation proposed by Correns and Steinborn.

Design/methodology/approach

Standard free energy and molar volume data have been considered for goethite, lepidocrocite, magnetite and hematite, which are described in the literature as the most commonly found mineral phase rust constituents.

Findings

The studied mineral phases generate higher to lower crystallization pressure values in the following order: goethite > lepidocrocite > hematite > magnetite. The crystallization pressures calculated for these phases are in the 32-350 MPa range, which is higher than the tensile strength of concrete (of the order of 0.2-10 MPa) and thus leads to failure of the cover concrete.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to shed light on this issue by calculating the stresses generated by the crystallization of iron oxide from a supersaturated solution using thermodynamic data. A deliberately simplistic method was proposed, taking as reference the Correns–Steinborn model (Correns and Steinborn, 1939; Correns, 1949). The crystalline phases considered in this paper are those most commonly found in the literature as rust constituents, that is, goethite (α-FeOOH), lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3). The FeO synthetic phase was also included as a reference.
Aerodynamic parameter identification of hypersonic vehicle via Pigeon-inspired optimization
Authors: Xue Qiang , Haibin Duan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach for aerodynamic parameter identification of hypersonic vehicles, which is based on Pigeon-inspired optimization (PIO) algorithm, with the objective of overcoming the disadvantages of traditional methods based on gradient such as New Raphson method, especially in noisy environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of hypersonic vehicles and PIO algorithm is established for aerodynamic parameter identification. Using the idea, identification problem will be converted into the optimization problem.

Findings

A new swarm optimization method, PIO algorithm is applied in this identification process. Experimental results demonstrated the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method: it can guarantee accurate identification results in noisy environment without fussy calculation of sensitivity.

Practical implications

The new method developed in this paper can be easily applied to solve complex optimization problems when some traditional method is failed, and can afford the accurate hypersonic parameter for control rate design of hypersonic vehicles.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors converted this identification problem into the optimization problem using the new swarm optimization method – PIO. This new approach is proved to be reasonable through simulation.
Hypersonic dynamic stability of wave riders
Authors: Khalid Mahmood , Juhany Khalid A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain close form expressions for the dynamic stability of conical wave riders with flat surfaces which could be equipped with lifting surfaces on its plain flat surface. Numerical simulation would require very large meshes to resolve flows at subscale level and the experimental evaluations would be equally difficult, requiring expensive measurement facilities with challenging procedures to secure such vehicles in confined test sections to obtain satisfactory wind on and wind off oscillations.

Design/methodology/approach

The design method uses appropriate pressure fields using small disturbance theory, which, in turn, is perturbed using the unsteady shock expansion theory to recover suitable expressions for the dynamic stability behaviour.

Findings

It was observed that the dynamic stability of the standard half-cone-type wave riders with flat upper surfaces deteriorates with the axis position measured from the pointed apex reaching a minimum at around x/co = 0.666. The half-cone wave rider with flat upper surfaces is dynamically less stable than a pure cone.

Research limitations/implications

The method is typically less accurate when the similarity parameter M∞θ ≤ 1 = 1 or if the angle of attack is not small.

Practical implications

With renewed interest in hypersonic, future hypersonically would be designed as fast lifting bodies whose shapes would be close to the configurations of hypersonic wave riders, especially if they are designed to operate at upper atmosphere altitudes.

Originality/value

The analytic approach outlined in this paper for the evaluation of dynamic and static stability derivatives is original, drawing from the strengths of the small disturbance theory and shock expansion techniques. The method is particularly important, as there are no reported theoretical, numerical or experimental results in the literature.
Empty truck trips problem at container terminals
Authors: Islam Samsul
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, through a synthesis of the literature, the causes, benefits, constraints and ways for reducing the number of empty trips made by container trucks. Reduced empty truck trips contribute to sustainable transportation practices in the port territory.

Design/methodology/approach

To contribute in the current body of the literature, through a comprehensive synthesis of the studies, this study examines many perspectives surrounding the empty truck trips at container terminals. Hence different, but relevant operational aspects of empty truck trips are explored. This study adopts a content analysis as the research methodology.

Findings

Different perspectives, which are drawn from the reviewed literature, identify a research gap in published research in the area of transport collaboration (of supply chain collaboration) and coordination problems in hinterland transport chains (of maritime logistics), and the literature relating to backhauling (of vehicle routing problems with backhauls). To cover that research gap in the literature, this study attempts to highlight and synthesize the important empty-trips studies currently available into a coherent and understandable form.

Practical implications

As an integral part of encouraging collaboration in the container transportation industry, this research may be effective in persuading port authorities to evaluate and to help transport managers to reply to specific enquiries of truck-sharing arrangements.

Social implications

The utilization of available empty space of container trucks is a feasible option of increasing transport capacity and achieving sustainable transportation benefits.

Originality/value

This paper provides a contemporary lens to view the relationship between empty trips and their applications in the carrier industry, in order to resolve the perceived issues of non-sustainable transportation and their implications for the society.
Beamless or beam-supported building floors
Authors: Jarkas Abdulaziz M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Due to a dearth of quantitative research into buildability factors affecting formwork labour productivity of in situ reinforced concrete construction, the purpose of this paper is to establish a distinct point of departure from the prevalent qualitative trend of buildability research practices by exploring, quantifying and comparing the influence of the two widely used design schemes; namely, beamless and beam-supported building floors, on formwork labour productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A considerable quantity of relevant formwork labour productivity data associated with each building floor configuration was collected from projects sharing similar characteristics. The data were analysed to determine the statistical significance of the difference between the two labour productivity “means” of the sample sets representing both populations. Regression analyses were further carried out to assess the impact of floor area on labour efficiency.

Findings

The results obtained show a statistically significant difference between the two means of formwork labour productivity achieved, where the efficiency of “forming” the beam-supported floor type is, on average, lower by 57 per cent than that of the beamless configuration. The outcomes further demonstrate a significant influence of building floor area on the productivity of the form-working operation.

Practical implications

The findings can provide designers with feedback on how well their decisions consider the requirements of buildability principles, and the consequences thereto on labour productivity. The depicted pattern of results may, moreover, provide guidance to estimators and project managers for reasonable cost estimation, effective planning and efficient labour utilisation.

Originality/value

The general guidelines available for buildability improvement lack the supporting quantitative evidence, and thus are often viewed with scepticism, especially amongst design practitioners. On the contrary, the quantitative outcomes reported in this study are based on rigorous methodology, hence can be used as a supporting reference to “formalise” the specific buildability knowledge of the activity explored.
The influence of culture on trust in B2B banking relationships
Authors: Houjeir Roudaina , Brennan Ross
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance of culture generally, and Arab culture in particular, for the development of trust in business-to-business (B2B) banking relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative fieldwork was employed, gathering in-depth interview data from bankers and their business clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In total, 80 relationships between bankers and business clients were investigated.

Findings

The development of trusting relationships between bankers and clients is affected by the cultural origins of the relationship partners. Strongly held religious beliefs, and loyalty to family, tribe and nation, lead to strong affect-based trust between bankers and clients from Arab culture. Cognitive-based trust is more characteristic of UAE banker/client relationships that involve partners from outside the Arab world.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in the UAE. Additional tests in other Arab countries would be valuable. The qualitative nature of the study means that statistical generalizations cannot be drawn.

Practical implications

The cultural origins of banking relationship managers are of considerable importance when seeking to develop relationships of trust with business banking clients in the Arab world.

Originality/value

This substantial, qualitative study of banker relationships with business clients throws considerable light on the importance of culture as an antecedent to trust in B2B banking relationships.
A mixed methods empirical exploration of UK consumer perceptions of trust, risk and usefulness of mobile payments
Authors: Hampshire Chris
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore UK consumer perceptions of trust, risk and perceived usefulness of mobile payments through the use of sequential mixed methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A post-positivist philosophy is used with a social constructionist ontology with a questionnaire as the first survey instrument using an empirical sequential mixed methods approach. Summary quantitative analysis of the questionnaire data is undertaken followed by semi-structured interviews that produce qualitative data on which content analysis is undertaken to assess and explore UK consumer perspectives. The technology acceptance model is used as the underlying framework on which a conceptual model is developed.

Findings

UK consumers have significant risk and trust concerns with mobile payments, although these concerns can be overcome when clear consumer benefits are identified whilst bank supported mobile payments have an increased level of trust compared to new market entrants and other established companies. Furthermore, perceived trust positively influences perceived usefulness and mitigates perceived risk, whilst perceived risk negatively influences perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived usefulness significantly and positively influences UK consumer attitude which can lead to adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst 120 completed questionnaire responses are received, only 101 questionnaires are used for analysis. In addition, ten semi-structured interviews are undertaken using a purposeful sample to minimise any imbalance (Oakley, 1981) which increases the reliability of the research findings (Hackley, 2003). This mobile payments research does not have a statistically secure universalisation of the findings, which negates the application of these research findings to other groups and to different social settings (Lincoln and Guba, 1985).

Practical implications

Mobile payment organisations will need to focus on identifying the specific benefits of mobile payments to UK consumers as mitigating risk and increasing trust do not compensate for the absence of usefulness.

Social implications

UK consumers indicate a lack of awareness of existing contactless payment guarantees provided by UK banks, although these payment guarantees significantly increase UK consumer trust.

Originality/value

Both quantitative and qualitative empirical data are obtained on UK consumer perspectives of risk, trust and perceived usefulness of mobile payments using sequential mixed methods.
Healthcare seeking behaviour among Chinese elderly
Authors: Lu Hui , Wang Wei , Xu Ling , Li Zhenhong , Ding Yan , Zhang Jian , Yan Fei
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The Chinese population is rapidly ageing before they are rich. The purpose of this paper is to describe healthcare seeking behaviour and the critical factors associated with healthcare seeking behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a purposive sampling method, the authors recruited 44 adults aged 60 years or older from three provinces, representing the developed (Shanghai), undeveloped (Ningxia) regions and the regions in between (Hubei). From July to September 2008, using a semi-structured guide, the authors interviewed participants in focus group discussions.

Findings

The healthcare needs for chronic and catastrophic diseases were high; however, the healthcare demands were low and healthcare utilizations were even lower owing to the limited accessibility to healthcare services, particularly, in underdeveloped rural areas. “Too expensive to see a doctor” was a prime complaint, explaining substantial discrepancies between healthcare needs, demands and use. Care seeking behaviour varied depending on insurance availability, perceived performance, particularly hospital services, and prescription medications. Participants consistently rated increasing healthcare accessibility as a high priority, including offering financial aid, and improving service convenience. Improving social security fairness was the first on the elderly’s wish list.

Originality/value

Healthcare demand and use were lower than needs, and were influenced by multiple factors, primarily, service affordability and efficiency, perceived performance and hospital service quality.
The effect of women’s representation on the Global Gender Gap Index
Authors: Mastracci Sharon
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the most important factors to the Index that explains gender gaps in education, health, politics, and economic outcomes worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

World Economic Forum (WEF) data are analyzed using hedonic regression analysis to estimate which factors affect a country’s Global Gender Gap Index. Standardized β coefficients reveal the top five factors influencing the Index, just as key components of the US Consumer Price Index are teased out using this method.

Findings

Women in public sector management, administration, and politics explain a substantial portion of gender inequality. Policies to increase women’s representation in parliaments, as heads of state, in ministerial positions, and in public sector management mitigate inequality as gauged by the Gender Gap Index. Economic indicators are also among the leading components of the Gender Gap Index.

Research limitations/implications

Although comprehensive and drawn from several sources including the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme, WEF data do not capture the full experience of women worldwide. Subsequent qualitative research is recommended.

Practical implications

This analysis reveals policy recommendations for advocates working to close gender gaps, particularly in politics and economic outcomes. Increasing proportions of women in public sector management can mitigate inequality. This supports electoral quotas and human resource management initiatives to diversify management ranks.

Social implications

Increasing women’s share of public sector managerial positions fosters gender equity, as does increasing women’s share of elected and appointed positions.

Originality/value

This study provides quantitative evidence of the important role of women’s representation to guide subsequent fieldwork. This evidence supports efforts to increase women in elective office and public sector management.
An evaluation of corporate social responsibility communication on the websites of telecommunication companies operating in Ghana
Authors: Boateng Henry , Abdul-Hamid Ibn Kailan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication on corporate websites have become an emerging trend by firms. Similarly, corporate websites have been used to manage stakeholders’ impressions about the organization. Meanwhile, CSR by firms have been criticized for been a manipulative tactics used by firms. The purpose of this paper therefore is to ascertain how telecommunication companies operating in Ghana communicate CSR on their corporate websites.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative content analysis technique. It also used Bolino et al.’s (2008) impression management framework as the conceptual framework. Data were extracted from the websites of four telecommunication companies operating in Ghana. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques.

Findings

The results show that the companies use impression management in communicating CSR on their corporate websites. Account, assertive impression management; blaring, boasting, defensive impression management; demonstrative impression management; exemplification, favor-rendering, illustrative impression management; ingratiation, other-enhancement, other-focused impression management; self-enhancement, self-focused impression management; and self-promotion tactics are tactics prevalent in the CSR communication of the companies. Actor-to-actor link impression management and other emotional appeal also emerged as some of the impression management tactics used by the companies.

Originality/value

This provides insights into how organizations use impression management in their CSR communication on their corporate websites. Studies of this nature are limited. Again, studies specifically adapting Bolino et al.’s impression management to study CSR communication on corporate websites are rare.
Effects of customer-based corporate reputation on perceived risk and relational outcomes: empirical evidence from gender moderation in fashion retailing
Authors: Walsh Gianfranco , Schaarschmidt Mario , Ivens Stefan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Given the strategic importance of firm reputation because of its potential for value creation, extant reputation research focuses on favorable customer outcomes. This study proposes and tests a model that relates the customer-based corporate reputation (CBR) of fashion retailers to customer-perceived risk and two relational outcomes – trust and commitment. In addition, this study aims to test whether or not the hypothesized paths are equally strong for male and female shoppers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected through an online survey approach. Using a sample of more than 300 retail customers and structural equation modeling, the authors tested the hypotheses.

Findings

Drawing on previous research, the commitment–trust theory of relationship marketing and signaling theory, the authors find support for direct and indirect links between retailers’ reputation and relational outcomes, the intervening role of perceived risk and the partially moderational role of gender.

Practical implications

The findings of this research suggest that a retailer’s positive reputation can reduce customers’ risk and engender trust, which in turn promotes customer commitment.

Originality/value

A growing number of examples suggests that retailers (specially fashion retailers) need to manage their reputation, which can come under threat in myriad ways, and its outcomes. However, so far, no individual study empirically investigated any of these reputation outcomes simultaneously or considered gender differences. Thus, the authors address an important research gap by examining the mechanism through which CBR affects relevant customer outcomes and by considering contextual factors.
Investor behavior: hedge fund returns and strategies
Authors: Bello Andres , Smolarski Jan , Soydemir Gökçe , Acevedo Linda
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent hedge funds are subject to irrationality in their investment decisions. The authors advance the hypothesis that irrational behavior affects hedge fund returns despite their sophistication and active management style.

Design/methodology/approach

The irrational component may follow a pattern consistent with the observed hedge fund returns yet far distant from market fundamentals. The authors include factors beyond the original version of capital asset pricing model such as Fama and French and Carhart models, as well as less stringent models, such as APT and Fung and Hsieh, to test whether these models are able to capture the irrational nature of the residuals.

Findings

After finding that institutional irrational sentiments play a role in hedge fund returns, we note that the returns are not completely shielded against irrational trading; however, hedge fund returns appear to be affected only by the irrational component derived from institutional trading rather than that emanated from individuals.

Research limitations/implications

Different sources of irrationality may have asymmetric effects on hedge fund returns. Using a different set of sophisticated investors along with different market sentiment proxies may yield different results.

Practical implications

The authors argue that investors can use irrational beta to gauge the extent of institutional irrational sentiments prevailing in markets for the purpose of re-adjusting their portfolios and therefore use the betas as an early warning sign. It can also guide investors in avoiding funds and strategies that display greater irrational behavior.

Originality/value

The study advance the idea that the unexpected, hereafter irrational, component may follow a pattern consistent with the observed hedge fund returns, yet different from market fundamentals.