bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled radical polymerization and in-depth mass-spectrometric characterization of poly(ionic liquid)s and their photopatterning on surfaces
Authors: Steinkoenig Jan , Bloesser Fabian R. , Huber Birgit , Welle Alexander , Trouillet Vanessa , Weidner Steffen M. , Barner Leonie , Roesky Peter W. , Yuan Jiayin , Goldmann Anja S. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: October 2015

Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) bearing a polystyrene backbone preparedviaRAFT polymerization and their photolithographic patterning on silicon wafers is reported.
Antimicrobial and anti-adhesive activities of cell-bound biosurfactant from Lactobacillus agilis CCUG31450
Authors: Gudiña Eduardo J. , Fernandes Elisabete C. , Teixeira José A. , Rodrigues Lígia R.
Published: October 2015

Lactobacillus agilisCCUG31450 produces a cell-bound biosurfactant (glycoprotein) which exhibits anti-adhesive and antimicrobial activities againstStaphylococcus aureus.
Resorcinol–formaldehyde based nanostructured carbons for CO2 adsorption: kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Goel Chitrakshi , Bhunia Haripada , Bajpai Pramod K.
Published: October 2015

Silica templated nanostructured carbons were developed from a resorcinol–formaldehyde polymeric precursor by varying the carbonization temperature for capture of CO2 from simulated flue gas under dynamic flow conditions.
Plasmooptoelectronic tuning of optical properties and SERS response of ordered silver grating by free carrier generation
Authors: Kalachyova Y. , Alkhimova D. , Kostejn M. , Machac P. , Svorcik V. , Lyutakov O.
Published: October 2015

Electrical current induced reversible tuning of the optical properties of ordered silver gratings.
Isomerization of hexoses from enzymatic hydrolysate of poplar sawdust using low leaching K2MgSiO4 catalysts for one-pot synthesis of HMF
Authors: Shen Xiang , Wang Yanxin , Ahring Birgitte K. , Lei Hanwu , Gao Qiang , Liu Hui
Published: October 2015

A K2MgSiO4 catalyst with moderate base sites could promote a one-pot conversion of saccharides from poplar sawdust into HMF, leading to a high yield of 56.9%. The solid catalyst presented stability and potential for the synthesis of lactic acid.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active desert-rose-like Ag mesoparticles prepared using cyclic voltammetric methods
Authors: You You-Hong , Lin Yang-Wei , Chen Chung-Yu
Published: October 2015

Desert-rose-like Ag mesoparticles prepared by cyclic voltammetric method possess excellence SERS-activity, reproducibility, thermal stability and aging behavior.
Scaling of optical forces on Au–PEG core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Spadaro Donatella , Iatì Maria A. , Donato Maria G. , Gucciardi Pietro G. , Saija Rosalba , Cherlakola Anurag R. , Scaramuzza Stefano , Amendola Vincenzo , Maragò Onofrio M.
Published: October 2015

Optical trapping of hybrid core–shell gold–polymer particles is studied.
Simultaneous adsorption of Cd2+ and reactive dye on mesoporous nanocarbons
Authors: Acevedo Beatriz , Barriocanal Carmen
Published: October 2015

The presence of the dye facilitated the elimination of the heavy metal. Moreover a synergic effect was observed: simultaneous adsorption enhanced each individual adsorption.
An improved soluble polynorbornene support for peptide synthesis
Authors: Naganna Nimmashetti , Madhavan Nandita
Published: October 2015

A soluble polynorbornene support containing an oligoether linker as well as alkyl and oligoether side chains has been developed and used to synthesize Leu5-Enkephalin in 52% overall yield using only 1.2 equivalents of coupling reagents.
Oxidation triggers extensive conjugation and unusual stabilization of two di-heme dication diradical intermediates: role of bridging group for electronic communication
Authors: Sil Debangsu , Dey Soumyajit , Kumar Amit , Bhowmik Susovan , Rath Sankar Prasad
Published: October 2015

Synthetic analogs of diheme enzyme MauG have been reported. Unlike the bis-Fe(iv) state in MauG, the 2e-oxidation stabilizes two ferric hemes, each coupled with a porphyrin π-cation radical.
Nickel-catalyzed arylation of heteroaryl-containing diarylmethanes: exceptional reactivity of the Ni(NIXANTPHOS)-based catalyst
Authors: Cao Xinyu , Sha Sheng-Chun , Li Minyan , Kim Byeong-Seon , Morgan Catherine , Huang Rudan , Yang Xiaodong , Walsh Patrick J.
Published: October 2015

Nickel(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling of heteroaryl-containing diarylmethanes with both aryl bromides and chlorides has been achieved.
Adaptive soft molecular self-assemblies
Authors: Wang Andong , Shi Wenyue , Huang Jianbin , Yan Yun
Published: October 2015

Adaptive molecular self-assemblies provide possibility of constructing smart and functional materials owing to their adaptiveness to environments, chemicals, and fields.
No Association Between Time of Onset of Hearing Loss (Childhood Versus Adulthood) and Self-Reported Hearing Handicap in Adults
Authors: Aarhus Lisa , Tambs Kristian , Engdahl Bo
Published: October 2015

Purpose

This study examined the association between time of onset of hearing loss (childhood vs. adulthood) and self-reported hearing handicap in adults.

Methods

This is a population-based cohort study of 2,024 adults (mean = 48 years) with hearing loss (binaural pure-tone average 0.5–4 kHz ≥ 20 dB HL) who completed a hearing handicap questionnaire. In childhood, the same persons (N= 2,024) underwent audiometry in a school investigation (at ages 7, 10, and 13 years), in which 129 were diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (binaural pure-tone average 0.5–4 kHz ≥ 20 dB HL), whereas 1,895 had normal hearing thresholds.

Results

Hearing handicap was measured in adulthood as the sum-score of various speech perception and social impairment items (15 items). The sum-score increased with adult hearing threshold level (p< .001). After adjustment for adult hearing threshold level, hearing aid use, adult age, sex, and socioeconomic status, there was no significant difference in hearing handicap sum-score between the group with childhood-onset hearing loss (n= 129) and the group with adult-onset hearing loss (n= 1,895;p= .882).

Conclusion

Self-reported hearing handicap in adults increased with hearing threshold level. After adjustment for adult hearing threshold level, this cohort study revealed no significant association between time of onset of hearing loss (childhood vs. adulthood) and self-reported hearing handicap.
Voice Disorder Management Competencies: A Survey of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists in Nebraska
Authors: Teten Amy F. , DeVeney Shari L. , Friehe Mary J.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this survey was to determine the self-perceived competence levels in voice disorders of practicing school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and identify correlated variables.

Method

Participants were 153 master's level, school-based SLPs with a Nebraska teaching certificate and/or licensure who completed a survey, including demographic information and a 25-item voice disorders competency checklist.

Results

Findings indicated school-based SLPs did not feel particularly competent in their ability to assess and treat students with voice disorders. Only 1 response mean was higher than a “moderately competent” level. All other item means were at or below this level. Four correlations indicated positive associations with SLPs' overall self-perceived competence levels: number of continuing education activities related to voice disorders, number of clients with voice disorders in the last 3 months, percentage of time spent with clients who have voice disorders, and feelings of preparation in the area of voice disorders immediately after academic program completion. Informal comparisons to medically based SLP respondents (
n
= 22) were included.

Conclusion

School-based SLPs' competence perceptions with voice disorders are consistent with the minimal levels of competence reported for other underserved or low-incidence populations. Pursuing continuing education in voice disorders is recommended at the same time as access to the population becomes available.
Dark current reduction in InAs/InAsSb superlattice mid‐wave infrared detectors through restoration etch
Authors: Plis E.A. , Schuler‐Sandy T. , Ramirez D.A. , Myers S. , Krishna S.
Published: October 2015

An investigation on the suppression of surface‐related dark current in InAs/InAsSb superlattice mid‐wave infrared detectors with pin architecture through the optimisation of device fabrication scheme is presented. In particular, the ‘restoration’ chemical etch for the removal of redeposited dry etch by‐products that resulted in more than order of magnitude dark current level reduction is utilised. Further, electrochemical sulphur passivation was applied with no substantial effect on device performance. Thus, different passivation schemes shall be developed for the InAs/InAsSb‐based detectors.
Untilted edge‐slot antenna arrays fed by wiggly double‐ridged waveguide
Authors: Moradian M.
Published: October 2015

A new method is proposed to feed untilted edge slots using a wiggly double‐ridged waveguide. The ridges have constant heights nearby each slot, but the heights of the ridges vary linearly from each slot towards the vicinity of adjacent slots. The heights of the ridges vary alternatively for successive slots whereas gap spacing between the upper and the lower ridges are constant. It is shown that by changing the wiggle depth, the radiated energy of the proposed untilted edge slot can be controlled. An appropriate equivalent circuit is employed for the proposed slot antenna and values of the elements of the equivalent circuit are derived by sweeping slot depths and wiggle depths. A linear array consists of 11 slots are then designed based on the proposed equivalent circuit to achieve −20 dB of side‐lobe level. The designed array is constructed and tested. There is an agreement between the simulation and the measurement results that indicates the effectiveness of the proposed untilted slot.
Transparent thin‐film transistor and diode circuit using graphene and amorphous indium–gallium–zinc‐oxide active layer
Authors: Kim J. , Jeong S.M. , Jeong J.
Published: October 2015

A transparent thin‐film transistor–diode (TFT–diode) circuit through the serial connection of a transparent TFT and a transparent graphene diode comprised of an amorphous indium–gallium–zinc–oxide (a‐IGZO) active layer and a graphene electrode are demonstrated. Through transferring the graphene electrode onto the fabricated TFT, the TFT operates in a single direction due to the directional operation of the transparent graphene diode. The resulting transparent TFT–diode device can be applied to transparent a‐IGZO and graphene integrated circuits.
Local directional mask maximum edge patterns for image retrieval and face recognition
Authors: Vipparthi Santosh Kumar , Murala Subrahmanyam , Gonde Anil Balaji , Jonathan Wu Q.M.
Published: October 2015

This study proposes a new feature descriptor, local directional mask maximum edge pattern, for image retrieval and face recognition applications. Local binary pattern (LBP) and LBP variants collect the relationship between the centre pixel and its surrounding neighbours in an image. Thus, LBP based features are very sensitive to the noise variations in an image. Whereas the proposed method collects the maximum edge patterns (MEP) and maximum edge position patterns (MEPP) from the magnitude directional edges of face/image. These directional edges are computed with the aid of directional masks. Once the directional edges (DE) are computed, the MEP and MEPP are coded based on the magnitude of DE and position of maximum DE. Further, the robustness of the proposed method is increased by integrating it with the multiresolution Gaussian filters. The performance of the proposed method is tested by conducting four experiments onopen access series of imaging studies‐magnetic resonance imaging, Brodatz, MIT VisTex and Extended Yale B databases for biomedical image retrieval, texture retrieval and face recognition applications. The results after being investigated the proposed method shows a significant improvement as compared with LBP and LBP variant features in terms of their evaluation measures on respective databases.
2.4.1 Carbon Monoxide Insertion into Epoxides and Oxetanes
Authors: Ibrahim H.
Published: October 2015

In this chapter, the most significant developments in the relatively unexplored but industrially relevant area of epoxide and oxetane carbonylation are reviewed. The coverage includes only catalytic procedures and excludes hydroformylation chemistry of the substrates discussed herein. Methods include the ring-expansion carbonylation and ring-opening carbonylation of epoxides and oxetanes, with a full coverage of the underdeveloped asymmetric carbonylation of epoxides. A historic and mechanistic background of the chemistry is presented in the General Introduction. The section on epoxide carbonylation begins with the ring-expansion carbonylation of epoxides to β-lactones and is structured according to the diverse catalytic systems reported thus far. This is followed by other carbonylative epoxide ring-expansion reactions. The ring-opening carbonylation of epoxides covers alkoxy- and aminocarbonylation, leading to β-hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives. The chapter closes with an overview of the relatively few methods reported for oxetane carbonylation.
2.5.5 Reaction of Formaldehyde with Organometallic Reagents
Authors: Kaposi M. , Witt J. , Cokoja M. , Kühn F. E.
Published: October 2015

Formaldehyde is one of the most important single-carbon electrophiles; it is inexpensive and can be used in many organic reactions and thus in natural product synthesis. However, there are scant examples of the application of formaldehyde with organometallic reagents in synthesis. This may be due to the properties of formaldehyde. Monomeric formaldehyde tends to polymerize rapidly to give poorly reactive species such as paraformaldehyde and the trimer trioxane. Paraformaldehyde and trioxane are depolymerized thermally; however, thermal cracking produces highly toxic, gaseous formaldehyde that rapidly repolymerizes. Alternatively, paraformaldehyde and trioxane can be depolymerized with Lewis acids, but this introduces new factors, such as corrosion, toxic waste disposal, and difficult handling. Formaldehyde is also available as an aqueous solution, known as formalin, but this approach is often unsuitable due to the instability of the organometallic compounds in the presence of water. This section discusses all that can be achieved despite these factors.
2.5.7 Formylation and the Vilsmeier Reagent
Authors: Zhang N. , Dong D.
Published: October 2015

Formylation, allowing the introduction of a formyl group to an organic molecule, is a useful reaction in organic synthesis. The obtained formyl group can be readily reduced to afford alcohols or oxidized to give acids. Moreover, formylation plays a key role in biological and pharmaceutical fields. This chapter covers formylating reagents that are capable of efficiently introducing a formyl group to various organic molecules. Due to the versatility, ease of operation, and tolerance of many functional groups, the Vilsmeier reaction for the formylation of organic compounds is the main focus of this chapter.
Proton beam production by a laser ion source with hydride target
Authors: Okamura M. , Stifler C. , Palm K. , Steski D. , Ikeda S. , Kumaki M. , Kanesue T.
Published: October 2015

We studied proton beam production from a laser ion source using hydrogen rich target materials. In general, gas based species are not suitable for laser ion sources since formation of a dense laser target is difficult. In order to achieve reliable operation, we tested hydride targets using a sub nanosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser, which may help suppress target material consumption. We detected enough yields of protons from a titanium hydride target without degradation of beam current during the experiment. The combination of a sub nanosecond laser and compressed hydride target may provide stable proton beam.
Fatigue reliability based optimal design of planar compliant micropositioning stages
Authors: Wang Qiliang , Zhang Xianmin
Published: October 2015

Conventional compliant micropositioning stages are usually developed based on static strength and deterministic methods, which may lead to either unsafe or excessive designs. This paper presents a fatigue reliability analysis and optimal design of a three-degree-of-freedom (3 DOF) flexure-based micropositioning stage. Kinematic, modal, static, and fatigue stress modelling of the stage were conducted using the finite element method. The maximum equivalent fatigue stress in the hinges was derived using sequential quadratic programming. The fatigue strength of the hinges was obtained by considering various influencing factors. On this basis, the fatigue reliability of the hinges was analysed using the stress-strength interference method. Fatigue-reliability-based optimal design of the stage was then conducted using the genetic algorithm and MATLAB. To make fatigue life testing easier, a 1 DOF stage was then optimized and manufactured. Experimental results demonstrate the validity of the approach.
Range of applicability of modified Fick-Jacobs equation in two dimensions
Authors: Berezhkovskii Alexander M. , Dagdug Leonardo , Bezrukov Sergey M.
Published: October 2015

Axial diffusion in a two-dimensional channel of smoothly varying geometry can be approximately described as one-dimensional diffusion in the entropy potential with position-dependent effective diffusivity by means of the modified Fick-Jacobs equation. In this paper, Brownian dynamics simulations are used to study the range of applicability of such a description, as well as the accuracy of the expressions for the effective diffusivity proposed by different researchers.
Existence and stability of standing waves for coupled derivative Schrödinger equations
Authors: Guo Boling , Huang Daiwen , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we consider the coupled derivative Schrödinger equations. First, by studying a constrained minimization problem and applying the method of concentration-compactness principle, we obtain the existence of standing waves for the coupled nonlinear derivative Schrödinger equations. Second, we prove that the set of minimizers is a stable set for the initial value problem of the equations in the sense that a solution with initial value starting near the set will remain near it for all time. Finally, we study the structure of the set of minimizers for some special cases.
Spectral geometry of symplectic spinors
Authors: Vassilevich Dmitri
Published: October 2015

Symplectic spinors form an infinite-rank vector bundle. Dirac operators on this bundle were constructed recently by Habermann, K. [“The Dirac operator on symplectic spinors,” Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 13, 155-168 (1995)]. Here we study the spectral geometry aspects of these operators. In particular, we define the associated distance function and compute the heat trace asymptotics.
Size dependence of the bandgap of plasma synthesized silicon nanoparticles through direct introduction of sulfur hexafluoride
Authors: Theingi S. , Guan T. Y. , Kendrick C. , Klafehn G. , Gorman B. P. , Taylor P. C. , Lusk M. T. , Stradins P. , Collins R. T.
Published: October 2015

Developing silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) synthesis techniques that allow for straightforward control of nanoparticle size and associated optical properties is critical to potential applications of these materials. In addition, it is, in general, hard to probe the absorption threshold in these materials due to silicon's low absorption coefficient. In this study, size is controlled through direct introduction of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) into the dilute silane precursor of plasma synthesized SiNPs. Size reduction by nearly a factor of two with high crystallinity independent of size is demonstrated. The optical absorption spectra of the SiNPs in the vicinity of the bandgap are measured using photothermal deflection spectroscopy. Bandgap as a function of size is extracted taking into account the polydispersity of the samples. A systematic blue shift in absorption edge due to quantum confinement in the SiNPs is observed with increasing flow of SF6. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show a similar blue shift with size. However, a ∼300 meV difference in energy between emission and absorption for all sizes suggests that PL emission involves a defect related process. This shows that, while PL may allow size-induced shifts in the bandgap of SiNPs to be monitored, it cannot be relied on to give an accurate value for the bandgap as a function of size.
Evolution of chemical diversity by coordinated gene swaps in type II polyketide gene clusters
Authors: Hillenmeyer Maureen E. , Vandova Gergana A. , Berlew Erin E. , Charkoudian Louise K.
Published: October 2015

Significance

Type II polyketide natural products are powerful antimicrobial agents that are biosynthesized within bacteria by enzyme-encoding clusters of genes. We present a method to elucidate the evolution of these gene clusters as a whole, illuminating how natural selection has led to the chemical diversity of type II polyketides. Our approach can be applied to understand how other natural product gene clusters evolve. This understanding may aid efforts to access novel natural products and to design rational enzyme assemblies that produce chemicals of desired structures and activities.
Quality control of mitochondrial protein synthesis is required for membrane integrity and cell fitness
Authors: Richter Uwe , Lahtinen Taina , Marttinen Paula , Suomi Fumi , Battersby Brendan J.
Published: October 2015

Mitochondrial ribosomes synthesize a subset of hydrophobic proteins required for assembly of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes. This process requires temporal and spatial coordination and regulation, so quality control of mitochondrial protein synthesis is paramount to maintain proteostasis. We show how impaired turnover of de novo mitochondrial proteins leads to aberrant protein accumulation in the mitochondrial inner membrane. This creates a stress in the inner membrane that progressively dissipates the mitochondrial membrane potential, which in turn stalls mitochondrial protein synthesis and fragments the mitochondrial network. The mitochondrial m-AAA protease subunit AFG3L2 is critical to this surveillance mechanism that we propose acts as a sensor to couple the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins with organelle fitness, thus ensuring coordinated assembly of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes from two sets of ribosomes.
Stable intronic sequence RNAs have possible regulatory roles in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Pek Jun Wei , Osman Ismail , Tay Mandy Li-Ian , Zheng Ruther Teo
Published: October 2015

Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs) have been found in Xenopus tropicalis, human cell lines, and Epstein-Barr virus; however, the biological significance of sisRNAs remains poorly understood. We identify sisRNAs in Drosophila melanogaster by deep sequencing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blotting. We characterize a sisRNA (sisR-1) from the regena (rga) locus and show that it can be processed from the precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA). We also document a cis-natural antisense transcript (ASTR) from the rga locus, which is highly expressed in early embryos. During embryogenesis, ASTR promotes robust rga pre-mRNA expression. Interestingly, sisR-1 represses ASTR, with consequential effects on rga pre-mRNA expression. Our results suggest a model in which sisR-1 modulates its host gene expression by repressing ASTR during embryogenesis. We propose that sisR-1 belongs to a class of sisRNAs with probable regulatory activities in Drosophila.
Repeated Time-to-event Analysis of Consecutive Analgesic Events in Postoperative Pain
Authors: Juul Rasmus Vestergaard , Rasmussen Sten , Kreilgaard Mads , Christrup Lona Louring , Simonsson Ulrika S. H. , Lund Trine Meldgaard
Published: October 2015

AbstractAbstract

Opioid doses in 63 patients after hip fracture surgery were analyzed by repeated time-to-event approach, more richly demonstrating the lengthening time course of dosing over time and the effect of other variables, including time of day.

Background

Reduction in consumption of opioid rescue medication is often used as an endpoint when investigating analgesic efficacy of drugs by adjunct treatment, but appropriate methods are needed to analyze analgesic consumption in time. Repeated time-to-event (RTTE) modeling is proposed as a way to describe analgesic consumption by analyzing the timing of consecutive analgesic events.

Methods

Retrospective data were obtained from 63 patients receiving standard analgesic treatment including morphine on request after surgery following hip fracture. Times of analgesic events up to 96 h after surgery were extracted from hospital medical records. Parametric RTTE analysis was performed with exponential, Weibull, or Gompertz distribution of analgesic events using NONMEM®, version 7.2 (ICON Development Solutions, USA). The potential influences of night versus day, sex, and age were investigated on the probability.

Results

A Gompertz distribution RTTE model described the data well. The probability of having one or more analgesic events within 24 h was 80% for the first event, 55% for the second event, 31% for the third event, and 18% for fourth or more events for a typical woman of age 80 yr. The probability of analgesic events decreased in time, was reduced to 50% after 3.3 days after surgery, and was significantly lower (32%) during night compared with day.

Conclusions

RTTE modeling described analgesic consumption data well and could account for time-dependent changes in probability of analgesic events. Thus, RTTE modeling of analgesic events is proposed as a valuable tool when investigating new approaches to pain management such as opioid-sparing analgesia.
I'm sexy and I glow it: female ornamentation in a nocturnal capital breeder
Authors: Hopkins Juhani , Baudry Gautier , Candolin Ulrika , Kaitala Arja
Published: October 2015

In many species, males rely on sexual ornaments to attract females. Females, by contrast, rarely produce ornaments. The glow-worm (
Lampyris noctiluca
) is an exception where wingless females glow to attract males that fly in search of females. However, little is known about the factors that promote the evolution of female ornaments in a sexual selection context. Here, we investigated if the female ornament of the glow-worm is a signal of fecundity used in male mate choice. In support of this, we found brightness to correlate with female fecundity, and males to prefer brighter dummy females. Thus, the glow emitted by females is a reliable sexual signal of female fecundity. It is likely that male preference for the fecundity-indicating ornament has evolved because of large variation among females in fecundity, and because nocturnal males cannot directly assess female size and fecundity. These results indicate that female ornamentation may evolve in capital breeders (i.e. those in which stored resources are invested in reproduction) when females vary significantly in fecundity and this variation cannot be assessed directly by males.
The butterfly
Papilio xuthus
detects visual motion using chromatic contrast
Authors: Stewart Finlay J. , Kinoshita Michiyo , Arikawa Kentaro
Published: October 2015

Many insects’ motion vision is achromatic and thus dependent on brightness rather than on colour contrast. We investigate whether this is true of the butterfly
Papilio xuthus
, an animal noted for its complex retinal organization, by measuring head movements of restrained animals in response to moving two-colour patterns. Responses were never eliminated across a range of relative colour intensities, indicating that motion can be detected through chromatic contrast in the absence of luminance contrast. Furthermore, we identify an interaction between colour and contrast polarity in sensitivity to achromatic patterns, suggesting that ON and OFF contrasts are processed by two channels with different spectral sensitivities. We propose a model of the motion detection process in the retina/lamina based on these observations.
A new paradigm for animal symmetry
Authors: Holló Gábor
Published: October 2015

My aim in this article is to soften certain rigid concepts concerning the radial and bilateral symmetry of the animal body plan, and to offer a more flexible framework of thinking for them, based on recent understandings of how morphogenesis is regulated by the mosaically acting gene regulatory networks. Based on general principles of the genetic regulation of morphogenesis, it can be seen that the difference between the symmetry of the whole body and that of minor anatomical structures is only a question of a diverse timing during development. I propose that the animal genome, as such, is capable of expressing both radial and bilateral symmetries, and deploys them according to the functional requirements which must be satisfied by both the anatomical structure and body as a whole. Although it may seem paradoxical, this flexible view of symmetry, together with the idea that symmetry is strongly determined by function, bolsters the concept that the presence of the two main symmetries in the animal world is not due to chance: they are necessary biological patterns emerging in evolution.
Conflict between biotic and climatic selective pressures acting on an extended phenotype in a subarctic, but not temperate, environment
Authors: Rohwer V. G. , Bonier F. , Martin P. R.
Published: October 2015

Climatic selective pressures are thought to dominate biotic selective pressures at higher latitudes. However, few studies have experimentally tested how these selective pressures differentially act on traits across latitudes because traits can rarely be manipulated independently of the organism in nature. We overcame this challenge by using an extended phenotype—active bird nests—and conducted reciprocal transplant experiments between a subarctic and temperate site, separated by 14° of latitude. At the subarctic site, biotic selective pressures (nest predation) favoured smaller, non-local temperate nests, whereas climatic selective pressures (temperature) favoured larger local nests, particularly at colder temperatures. By contrast, at the temperate site, climatic and biotic selective pressures acted similarly on temperate and subarctic nests. Our results illustrate a functional trade-off in the subarctic between nest morphologies favoured by biotic versus climatic selective pressures, with climate favouring local nest morphologies. At our temperate site, however, allocative trade-offs in the time and effort devoted to nest construction favour smaller, local nests. Our findings illustrate a conflict between biotic and climatic selective pressures at the northern extremes of a species geographical range, and suggest that trade-offs between trait function and trait elaboration act differentially across latitude to create broad geographic variation in traits.
QPot: An R Package for Stochastic Differential Equation Quasi-Potential Analysis
Authors: Moore Christopher M. , Stieha Christopher R. , Nolting Ben C. , Cameron Maria K. , Abbott Karen C.
Published: October 2015

QPot(pronounced) is an R package for analyzing two-dimensional systems of stochastic differential equations. It provides users with a wide range of tools to simulate, analyze, and visualize the dynamics of these systems. One ofQPot’s key features is the computation of the quasi-potential, an important tool for studying stochastic systems. Quasi-potentials are particularly useful for comparing the relative stabilities of equilibria in systems with alternative stable states. This paper describesQPot’s primary functions, and explains how quasi-potentials can yield insights about the dynamics of stochastic systems. Three worked examples guide users through the application ofQPot’s functions.
Board diversity and intellectual capital performance
Authors: Al-Musali Mahfoudh Abdul Karem Mahfoudh , Ku Ismail Ku Nor Izah
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the effectiveness of board meetings moderates the relationship between board diversity (in terms of educational level and nationality) and intellectual capital (IC) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical data are drawn from banks’ annual reports over the three-year period of 2008 to 2010. Public’s value-added intellectual coefficient method is applied to measure IC performance. The frequency of board meetings is used a proxy for board meeting effectiveness.

Findings

– Based on the hierarchical regression analysis, our results do not support the hypothesis that the effect of board diversity on IC performance is positive as the effectiveness of board meetings increases.

Practical implications

– Findings of this study indicate that there is a need for more effective meetings through providing appropriate and sufficient information to directors, particularly in strategic issues such as those related to IC that could make board members better prepared and more involved in meetings.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the literature, as it is the first study that explores the variables that could affect the relationship between board diversity and IC performance in the context of banks.
Mongolian mining mayhem
Authors: French Joseph J. , Martin Michael , Allen Garth
Published: October 2015

Subject area

International Business, Ethics, International Legal Issues/Law, Environmental Management.

Study level/applicability

Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. The case is appropriate for courses in International Law, Ethics, International Business and Strategy.

Case overview

This case is inspired by current ethical, legal, social and environmental issues that have plagued the multinational mining industry in frontier markets. The case focuses on a multitude of legal, ethical and strategic issues involving the multinational mining industry. This case describes a hypothetical assignment facing an operations manager at the fictional Minera, Inc. The assignment revolves around several dilemmas a manager must confront as he attempts to secure valuable mining licenses from the Mongolian Government while simultaneously attempting to harmonize seemingly detrimental operating practices with the organizations' stated beliefs. The case provides detailed background information on the social, economic and political climate in Mongolia, as well as the applicable laws, ethical frameworks and competitive market considerations facing multinational mining organizations.

Expected learning outcomes

This case will help students understand the complexity of international business in frontier markets; identify key international legal issues such as the foreign corrupt practices act; and recognize ethical issues and formulate economically, strategically, ethically and legally sound courses of action in complex environments.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Slow tech: bridging computer ethics and business ethics
Authors: Patrignani Norberto , Whitehouse Diane
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This discussion paper focuses on a notion of information and communication technology (ICT) that is good, clean and fair that the authors call Slow Tech. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Slow Tech approach in order to explain how to create a suitable bridge between business ethics and computer ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper’s approach is discursive. It provides a viewpoint. Its arguments are based in an examination of literature relevant to both business ethics and computer ethics. Justification is produced for the use of Slow Tech approach. A number of potential future research and application issues still to be investigated are also provided.

Findings

– Slow Tech can be proposed, and used, as a bridging mechanism between companies’ strategies regarding computer ethics and business ethics. Three case studies illustrate the kind of challenges that companies have to tackle when trying to implement Slow Tech in concrete business context. Further study need to be undertaken to make progress on Slow Tech in applied, corporate settings.

Practical implications

– ICT companies need to look for innovative, new approaches to producing, selling and recycling their services and products. A Slow Tech approach can provide such insights.

Social implications

– Today’s challenges to the production and use of good, clean, and fair ICT, both conceptual and concrete, can act as incentives for action: they can further applied research or encourage social activism. Encouraging the study, and the application, of Slow Tech provides a first step in the potential improvement of a society in which information technology is totally embedded.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper in not only for academics and researchers, but also for practitioners: especially for personnel working in ICT companies and for those involved with designing, developing and applying codes of conduct at both European and globally.
Work-family enrichment through I-Deals: evidence from Chinese employees
Authors: Tang Yipeng , Hornung Severin
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model of idiosyncratic deals (i-deals), embedded in the processes of work-family enrichment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hierarchical linear regressions and indirect-effect analyses were used to analyze the data from 179 working parents surveyed in a Chinese city.

Findings

– Successful i-deal negotiation was contingent on both personal initiative of the employee and a positive influx of support from the family to the work domain. Additionally, the results suggested that: development i-deals enriched the intra-work role experience by customizing intrinsic work features and thus enhancing intrinsic motivation. Flexibility i-deals enriched the work-to-family boundary experience through increased instrumentality of the work role, connected to the economic basis of employment.

Research limitations/implications

– Providing new insights into the antecedents and consequences of i-deals, the study suggested a model through which employees can create balance and use synergies in their work-life quality. Based on single-source cross-sectional data, the results are preliminary.

Practical implications

– Human resource management needs to consider the family lives of employees, especially in the Chinese culture. The authors further discussed applications of and limitations to the use of i-deals.

Social implications

– The study provides a new approach to addressing the issue of balance between different social roles.

Originality/value

– The study is the first to investigate i-deals in the context of work-family enrichment, explore the role experiences of i-deal recipients, and link i-deals to distinct motivational processes.
Learning climate and customer-oriented behaviors: the mediation of customer knowledge
Authors: Wang Mei-Ling
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of learning climate on customer-oriented behaviors by incorporating salespeople’s customer knowledge in the banks. It also explores the mediating role of customer knowledge between learning climate and customer-oriented behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual two-level model that links learning climate to customer-oriented behaviors was developed and tested using data collected from salespeople and customers in banks in Taiwan. Data from 444 customers involving 92 salespeople was collected via a questionnaire and analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

– The results show that learning climate encourages salespeople to develop customer knowledge and customer-oriented behaviors, and that salespeople’s customer knowledge positively influences customer-oriented behaviors. This study also provides empirical support for the hypotheses that learning climate helps salespeople increase customer-oriented behaviors through improving salespeople’s customer knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings highlight the importance of enhancing learning climate and customer knowledge to enable banks to improve salespeople’s customer-oriented behaviors. This research also points to customer knowledge as mediating mechanisms that can explain the association between learning climate and customer-oriented behaviors in the sales context.

Originality/value

– By integrating knowledge management with organizational learning research, this study evaluates the effect of learning climate on salespeople’s customer-oriented behaviors by incorporating their customer knowledge. In addition, the present study points to salespeople’s customer knowledge as one of several mediating mechanisms that explains the association between learning climate and customer-oriented behaviors.
Social norm perceptions predict citizenship behaviors
Authors: Jacobson Ryan P. , Jacobson Kathryn J. L. , Hood Jacqueline N.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which perceptions of injunctive and descriptive norms for workplace organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) affect an individual’s frequency of performing such behaviors. The study also explores whether the effects of norm perceptions are moderated by the individual’s need to belong (NTB) to social groups.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze data from 77 employed MBA students. Perceptions of OCB norms and NTB were assessed with an initial survey. Eight weeks later, a second survey assessed the individual frequency of OCBs.

Findings

– Descriptive norms, injunctive norms, and NTB independently predicted OCB frequency. Additionally, NTB moderated the effects of injunctive norm perceptions. The injunctive norm was particularly influential for employees high in NTB.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations of this study include its cross-sectional nature and the possibility of common method bias.

Practical implications

– Study results indicate that managers can encourage OCBs by drawing attention to the prevalence of OCBs in the workplace (descriptive norm) and by showing approval of OCBs (injunctive norm). Hiring those with high NTB will also increase OCBs and enhance the effects of any effort on management’s part to signify approval of OCBs. OCBs can also be encouraged through new employee orientation and training that emphasizes the descriptive and injunctive norms for OCBs.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to demonstrate social norms and NTB as predictors of workplace OCBs. This study also provides the first evidence that the effects of injunctive norms are moderated by NTB.
Contrasting effects of nutrient enrichment on below‐ground biomass in coastal wetlands
Authors: Graham Sean A. , Mendelssohn Irving A.
Published: October 2015

Anthropogenically enhanced nutrient availability is often cited among the most important drivers of altered ecosystem function and loss of services world‐wide. Although the above‐ground consequences of nutrient enrichment on plant growth patterns are numerous and well documented, below‐ground impacts are less clear but nonetheless critical from a global change perspective. In coastal wetlands, for example, plant–soil–nutrient dynamics directly affect the capacity to sequester carbon as soil organic matter, keep pace with sea level rise and resist storm‐induced erosion.

Here, we investigate the effects of excess nutrient loading on below‐ground plant growth in an oligohaline marsh fertilized for 7 years with a factorial combination of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). We used two common assessment procedures, the ingrowth and standing crop methods, to simultaneously quantify distinct aspects of below‐ground plant growth, which are (i) below‐ground biomass accumulation into unexploited open resource space and (ii) in situ, or maintenance, below‐ground biomass of plants in equilibrium with their environment, respectively. Our objective was to determine if plant growth responses to nutrient enrichment differed depending on process and/or biomass component measured.

We show that excess N concurrently increased live root biomass accumulation in ingrowth cores and reduced in situ live root standing crop. Similar, albeit non‐significant, response trajectories were apparent for other below‐ground biomass pools using both methods, excepting dead biomass and total standing crop. A review of previously published research supports our results and suggests that nutrient enrichment consistently has contrasting effects on below‐ground plant growth depending on whether biomass accumulation or standing crop is measured, and that living biomass components are most responsive to enhanced nutrient availability.

Synthesis. We conclude that eutrophic conditions can be both beneficial and detrimental to ecosystem function by either stimulating below‐ground biomass accumulation in unexploited soil or reducing the below‐ground standing crop required to sustain the nutritional needs of established plants in mature communities. Thus, nutrient enrichment may, in the short‐term, contribute to soil organic matter (i.e. carbon) accumulation by increasing below‐ground growth as plants exploit new resource space. Over the long‐term, however, nutrient enrichment has the potential to negatively impact soil organic matter content as plants equilibrate to excess nutrient availability by down‐regulating below‐ground standing crop.
Chromohalobacter is a Causing Agent for the Production of Organic Acids and Putrescine during Fermentation of Ganjang, a Korean Traditional Soy Sauce
Authors: Jung Ji Young , Chun Byung Hee , Jeon Che Ok
Published: October 2015

Ganjang, a Korean traditional fermented soy sauce, is prepared by soaking doenjang‐meju (fermented soybeans) in approximately 20% (w/v) solar salt solution. The metabolites and bacterial communities during ganjang fermentation were simultaneously investigated to gain a better understanding of the roles of the microbial population. The bacterial community analysis based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that initially, the genus Cobetia was predominant (0 to 10 d), followed by Bacillus (5 to 74 d), and eventually, Chromohalobacter became predominant until the end of the fermentation process (74 to 374 d). Metabolite analysis using 1H‐NMR showed that carbon compounds, such as fructose, galactose, glucose, and glycerol, probably released from doenjang‐meju, increased rapidly during the early fermentation period (0 to 42 d). After removal of doenjang‐meju from the ganjang solution (42 d), the initial carbon compounds remained nearly constant without the increase of fermentation products. At this point, Bacillus species, which probably originated from doenjang‐meju, were predominant, suggesting that Bacillus is not mainly responsible for ganjang fermentation. Fermentation products including acetate, lactate, α‐aminobutyrate, γ‐aminobutyrate, and putrescine increased quickly with the rapid decrease of the initial carbon compounds, while Chromohalobacter, probably derived from the solar salts, was predominant. Multivariate redundancy analysis indicated that the Chromohalobacter population was closely correlated with the production of the organic acids and putrescine during the ganjang fermentation. These results may suggest that Chromohalobacter is a causing agent responsible for the production of organic acids and putrescine during ganjang fermentation and that the solar salts, not doenjang‐meju, is an important microbial source for ganjang fermentation.