bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unpacking the Concept of Virtuality: The Effects of Geographic Dispersion, Electronic Dependence, Dynamic Structure, and National Diversity on Team Innovation
Authors: Gibson Cristina B. , Gibbs Jennifer L.
Published: February 2017

To understand why the virtual design strategies that organizations create to foster innovation may in fact hinder it, we unpack four characteristics often associated with the term ‘virtuality’ (geographic dispersion, electronic dependence, structural dynamism, and national diversity) and argue that each hinders innovation through unique mechanisms, many of which can be overcome by creating a psychologically safe communication climate. We first tested the plausibility of our arguments using in-depth qualitative analysis of interviews with 177 members of 14 teams in a variety of industries. A second study constituted a more formal test of hypotheses using survey data collected from 266 members of 56 aerospace design teams. Results show that the four characteristics are not highly intercorrelated, that they have independent and differential effects on innovation, and that a psychologically safe communication climate helps mitigate the challenges they pose. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and research.
Taking Stock of the Criteria We Use to Evaluate One Another's Work: ASQ 50 Years Out
Authors: Palmer Donald
Published: February 2017

This essay initiates a stock taking conversation with the Administrative Science Quarterly's broad community of scholars—its editors, editorial board members, reviewers, authors, submitters, and readers—about the criteria that organization studies scholars use in evaluating one another's work. I review ASQ's founding editors' vision for the field of organization studies, as articulated in essays by Edward Litchfield and James Thompson that appeared in the first issue of the journal in 1956. Then I outline seven concerns that have been voiced about the state of the field or ASQ in the subsequent 50 years, indicating how ASQ's content in recent years stacks up vis à vis these concerns. Then I offer my own thoughts on these concerns. I argue that we should remain open to diverse modes of inquiry, but I also acknowledge significant challenges to doing so. I close with a list of questions to which readers might respond, in the hope of generating a dialog that can make ASQ's role in the social construction of the field of organizational studies more self-conscious and fruitful.
Social Structure and Exchange: Self-confirming Dynamics in Hollywood
Authors: Sorenson Olav , Waguespack David M.
Published: February 2017

This study uses data on the U.S. film industry from 1982 to 2001 to analyze the effects on box office performance of prior relationships between film producers and distributors. In contrast to prior studies, which have appeared to find performance benefits to both buyers and sellers when exchange occurs embedded within existing social relations, we propose that the apparent mutual advantages of embedded exchange can also emerge from endogenous behavior that benefits one party at the expense of the other: actors offer better terms of trade and allocate more resources to transactions embedded within existing social relations, thereby contributing to the ostensible advantages of such exchange patterns. Findings show that not only do distributors exhibit a preference for carrying films involving key personnel with whom they had prior exchange relations, but also they tend to favor these films when allocating scarce resources (opening dates and promotion effort). After controlling for the effects of these decisions, films with deeper prior relations to the distributor perform worse at the box office. The results suggest that, rather than benefiting from repeated exchange, distributors overallocate scarce resources to these prior exchange partners, enacting a self-confirming dynamic.
Socioemotional Wealth and Business Risks in Family-controlled Firms: Evidence from Spanish Olive Oil Mills
Authors: Gómez-Mejía Luis R. , Haynes Katalin Takács , Núñez-Nickel Manuel , Jacobson Kathyrn J. L. , Moyano-Fuentes José
Published: February 2017

This paper challenges the prevalent notion that family-owned firms are more risk averse than publicly owned firms. Using behavioral theory, we argue that for family firms, the primary reference point is the loss of their socioemotional wealth, and to avoid those losses, family firms are willing to accept a significant risk to their performance; yet at the same time, they avoid risky business decisions that might aggravate that risk. Thus, we propose that the predictions of behavioral theory differ depending on family ownership. We confirm our hypotheses using a population of 1,237 family-owned olive oil mills in Southern Spain who faced the choice during a 54-year period of becoming a member of a cooperative, a decision associated with loss of family control but lower business risk, or remaining independent, which preserves the family's socioemotional wealth but greatly increases its performance hazard. As shown in this study, family firms may be risk willing and risk averse at the same time.
Effects of Structural Position on Allocation and Evaluation Decisions for Scientists and Engineers in Industrial R&D
Authors: DiTomaso Nancy , Post Corinne , Smith D. Randall , Farris George F. , Cordero Rene
Published: February 2017

This paper examines the influence of the structural positions of different demographic groups in the science and engineering labor force on their access to the allocation of favorable work experiences and their effect on decisions about the evaluation of their performance. Our hypotheses challenge assumptions in the management literature that each group will necessarily express ingroup bias and outgroup derogation. Instead, we call attention to the status hierarchy that develops from status construction processes, the prototypicality that emerges from social categorization processes, and a framework of stereotype content that is based on an analysis of structural positions among groups in the society. Using hierarchical linear modeling with survey data from scientists and engineers in research and development in 24 major corporations, we find that U.S.-born white males, who constitute the normative ingroup, receive advantages in both allocation and evaluation decisions from all evaluators, not just from other white men. We also find that normative outgroups (non-male, non-whites, and/or non-U.S. born) receive ambivalent or indifferent more than discriminatory or biased treatment, depending on their structural position in relation to U.S.-born white men, and that these effects are independent of who is doing the rating.
Inside the Iron Cage: Organizational Political Dynamics and Institutional Changes in Presidential Selection Systems in Korean Universities, 1985-2002
Authors: Kim Tai-Young , Shin Dongyoub , Oh Hongseok , Jeong Young-Chul
Published: February 2017

This paper explores why and how organizations respond to external pressures for institutional change in terms of organizational political dynamics. The focus on organizational political dynamics is important in understanding a period of institutional change when multiple groups of actors are involved in the dynamic political processes of promoting each group's goals, interests, ideologies, and institutional logic. We propose a social movement framework of organizational political dynamics that focuses on political interactions between two sets of actors—incumbents and challengers—in an organization to explain the micro-foundation underlying the decline and emergence of organizational practices in an organizational field. A longitudinal study of changes in the presidential selection systems of Korean universities illustrates how organizational political dynamics between incumbents (a board of trustees at a private university or government agents at a public university) and challengers (faculty councils) shaped the process of replacing the conventional appointment system with a new system of direct voting during the period 1985 to 2002. The general implications for organizational political dynamics, institutional change, differences in organizational responses to external pressures, and micro foundations of macro institutional phenomena are discussed.
It's All about Me: Narcissistic Chief Executive Officers and Their Effects on Company Strategy and Performance
Authors: Chatterjee Arijit , Hambrick Donald C.
Published: February 2017

This study uses unobtrusive measures of the narcissism of chief executive officers (CEOs)—the prominence of the CEO's photograph in annual reports, the CEO's prominence in press releases, the CEO's use of first-person singular pronouns in interviews, and compensation relative to the second-highest-paid firm executive—to examine the effect of CEO narcissism on a firm's strategy and performance. Results of an empirical study of 111 CEOs in the computer hardware and software industries in 1992–2004 show that narcissism in CEOs is positively related to strategic dynamism and grandiosity, as well as the number and size of acquisitions, and it engenders extreme and fluctuating organizational performance. The results suggest that narcissistic CEOs favor bold actions that attract attention, resulting in big wins or big losses, but that, in these industries, their firms' performance is generally no better or worse than firms with non-narcissistic CEOs.
Poderes E Limites Das Comissões Parlamentares De Inquérito No Brasil
Authors: Lima Eduardo Martins de , Pieve Flávia Cristina Mendonça Faria Da
Published: February 2017

O presente trabalho dedica-se ao estudo dos poderes e limites outorgados às comissões parlamentares de inquérito pela Constituição da República de 1988 e leis infraconstitucionais. O poder investigativo das comissões parlamentares de inquérito é considerado um importante instrumento de controle da Administração Pública. Para o desempenho da função investigativa, o art. 58, § 3º, da Constituição da República, conferiu às comissões parlamentares de inquérito “poderes de investigação próprios das autoridades judiciais”. Contudo, tais poderes não são ilimitados, motivos pelos quais se impõe a investigação de seus limites.
ANÀLISIS DEL CURRÌCULO Y OTROS ACTORES DEL PROCESO EDUCATIVO PARA IDENTIFICAR EL EJE AMBIENTAL: INFORME PROYECTO
Authors: Solano Ramón Bedolla , Esteban Adriana Miranda , Solano Juan José Bedolla , Elias Benjamin Castillo , Adame Oscar Sánchez , Jiménez Herlinda Gervacio
Published: February 2017

Referente a la primer etapa de un proyecto de investigación que se tiene registrado en la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero (UAGro) durante el periodo 2015-2016 y que entre sus objetivos se plantea un proceso para integrar el eje medio ambiente en planes de estudio de licenciatura en la UAGro, se presenta un análisis que se derivó de un diagnóstico realizado de esta etapa. El diagnóstico, comprendió en indagar a través de instrumentos, como rubricas, entrevistas, encuestas a actores del proceso educativo y al currículo en tres programas educativos para identificar la presencia del eje medio ambiente. Es una investigación mixta y la información obtenida a través de los instrumentos fue procesada y analizada cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Los resultados de este análisis arrojaron que el elemento medio ambiente escasamente está contemplado en el currículo de las instituciones investigadas.
POLÍTICAS DE DEMOCRATIZAÇÃO DA GESTÃO EDUCACIONAL NO BRASIL : EXPERIÊNCIA E EXPECTATIVA COM O NOVO PLANO NACIONAL DE EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Souza Ângelo Ricardo
Published: February 2017

Este artigo analisa a experiência brasileira de pouco debate entre Estado e sociedade na construção do planejamento educacional e, a partir dessa leitura, objetiva compreender em que proporção a Conferência Nacional de Educação (Conae) se apresenta como uma ferramenta de democratização e de construção de expectativas na elaboração e no acompanhamento do Plano Nacional de Educação (PNE), em especial no enfrentamento a históricos insucessos provocados por excessiva tecnocracia e ausência de diálogo com a sociedade e com os educadores.
O LETRAMENTO VISUAL COMO CHAVE DE LEITURA DAS PRÁTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS E DA PRODUÇÃO DE ARTEFATOS NO CAMPO DA SURDEZ
Authors: Taveira Cristiane Correia
Published: February 2017

A insuficiência de base teórica em matrizes de linguagem (sonora, visual e verbal), principalmente no que se refere à visualidade e às mesclas entre as matrizes, evidencia aspectos que incidem no distanciamento da forma de abordar a característica principal da coleção de artefatos produzidos pelos professores surdos durante a prática pedagógica: o apelo imagético que acrescenta outros olhares ao letramento, à leitura, à escrita e à produção literária. Essas práticas pedagógicas visuais circulam e permeiam outras práticas. Foi prioritário estudá-las dada a especificidade e a pertinência que demonstram os professores instrutores surdos ao aplicá-las, o que pode impulsionar mais adequadamente a escolarização de alunos surdos.
The Effects of Auditor Affinity for Client and Perceived Client Pressure on Auditor Proposed Adjustments
Authors: Koch Christopher , Salterio Steven E.
Published: February 2017

This paper examines how auditors' judgments about accounting policies may differ when experiencing different levels of affinity for client management and facing different levels of pressure from client management. The theory of motivated reasoning is employed to analyze the effects of these two factors that should lead individual auditors to adopt as a directional goal the acceptance of client management's aggressive accounting. Accordingly, we predict and find that auditors experiencing greater client affinity and facing explicit client pressure suggest lower adjustments to clients' aggressive accounting, consistent with motivated reasoning's goal-related predictions. But our study goes further and investigates also how auditors react when motivated reasoning theory's “reasonableness constraint” is potentially violated by auditors who perceive excessive client pressure. We predict and find, consistent with the individual auditor's “reasonable constraint” being triggered in at least some auditors, that perception of client pressure intensity leads those auditors to propose larger adjustments to client accounting. To support our findings, we re-analyze the data from a prior motivated reasoning audit experiment, replicate that study's reported directional goal results employing methods used in this study and, in addition, find similar results to those found in this study for increased client pressure intensity on auditor judgment.
Divide and Inform: Rationing Information to Facilitate Persuasion
Authors: Michaeli Beatrice
Published: February 2017

This paper develops a Bayesian persuasion model that examines a manager's incentives to gather information when the manager can disseminate this information selectively to interested parties (“users”) and when the objectives of the manager and the users are not perfectly aligned. The model predicts that if the manager can choose the subset of users to receive the information, then the manager may gather more precise information. The paper identifies conditions under which a regime that allows managers to grant access to information selectively maximizes aggregate information. Strikingly, this happens when the objectives of managers and users are sufficiently misaligned. This finding is robust to variations of the model, such as information acquisition cost, unobservable precision, sequential noisy actions taken by the users, and delayed choice of the subset of users in “the know.” These results call into doubt the common belief that forcing managers to provide unrestricted access to information to all potential users is always beneficial.
The Trend in Firm Profitability and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns
Authors: Akbas Ferhat , Jiang Chao , Koch Paul D.
Published: February 2017

This study shows that the recent trajectory of a firm's profits predicts future profitability and stock returns. The predictive information contained in the trend of profitability is not subsumed by the level of profitability, earnings momentum, or other well-known determinants of stock returns. The profit trend also predicts the earnings surprise one quarter later, and analyst forecast errors over the following 12 months, suggesting that sophisticated investors underreact to the information in the profit trend. On the other hand, we find no evidence of investor overreaction, and our results cannot be explained by well-known risk factors.

JEL Classifications: G12; G14.
Using Socrative to Enhance Instruction in an Accounting Classroom
Authors: Kokina Julia , Juras Paul E.
Published: February 2017

Are you interested in increasing the level of student engagement in your accounting course? You are not alone. In today's classroom, increased student engagement and active learning are desired by faculty and students alike. In this paper, we outline how to use Socrative Student Response by Mastery Connect (Socrative 2016), a variation of a real-time response tool called a “clicker.” We used this tool in both undergraduate and graduate-level managerial accounting courses. We provide a user's guide to Socrative, as well as helpful tips to ensure its successful implementation in the classroom.
Lifestyle Changes After a Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chong Shanley , Ding Ding , Byun Roy , Comino Elizabeth , Bauman Adrian , Jalaludin Bin
Published: February 2017

Objective.

Whether patients with type 2 diabetes change their lifestyle in response to their diagnosis and maintain behavior changes is unclear. This study aimed to 1) compare changes in lifestyle behaviors among participants who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and those never diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 2) investigate changes in lifestyle behaviors in relation to the duration of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Methods.

We used self-reported information from the New South Wales 45 and Up Study and a follow-up study. Changes in body weight; amount of walking, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sitting; fruit and vegetable consumption; and smoking status and number of cigarettes smoked were used as measures of health behavior change. These variables were compared between participants in a “new type 2 diabetes” group and a “no type 2 diabetes” group.

Results.

The new type 2 diabetes group had a smaller decrease in vegetable consumption, lost more weight, and were more likely to quit smoking than the no type 2 diabetes group. MVPA, fruit consumption, and number of cigarettes smoked did not change significantly for either group. Although no significant changes were found in any of the health behaviors based on time since diagnosis, the magnitude of changes in weight and walking increased as duration of diagnosis increased, whereas changes in MVPA, number of cigarettes smoked, and proportion of participants who quit smoking decreased.

Conclusion.

In this population-based study, participants with incident type 2 diabetes reported only minimal changes in their lifestyle factors after receiving their diagnosis.
Commentary: The Effect of Words on Health and Diabetes
Authors: Dickinson Jane K.
Published: February 2017

This article discusses the effect of words on diabetes. People with diabetes are exposed to the language health care professionals (HCPs) use, in both speaking and writing, and those words may contribute to an already stressful illness experience. Language is a significant part of every person’s context, and context shapes experience. There is evidence that words can affect responses to health-related situations and may even lead to a stress response. HCPs often discuss delivering diabetes care in an empowerment model, and so far that has not included using language that is consistent with the approach. Awareness is the first step toward identifying and changing the words HCPs use with people who have diabetes.
From Froot Loops to Fitness: My Journey as an Educator and Person With Diabetes
Authors: Colberg-Ochs Sheri R.
Published: February 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is adapted from the address Dr. Colberg delivered as the recipient of the American Diabetes Association’s Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award for 2016. She delivered the address in June 2016 at the association’s 76th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, La. A webcast of this speech is available for viewing at the ADA website (http://professional.diabetes.org/search/site?f%5B0%5D=im_field_dbp_ct%3A7&f%5B1%5D=sm_field_wcast_mname%3Anode%3A120&retain-filters=1).
PERANAN INFORMASI AKUNTANSI MANAJEMEN DALAM PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN DAN PERUMUSAN KEBIJAKAN
Authors: Riduwan Akhmad
Published: February 2017

Informasi akuntansi manajemen dapat berperan dalam pengambilan keputusan dan perumusan kebijakan perusahaan, tetapi peran ini tidak dengan sendirinya memicu timbulnya kebutuhan dalam diri pengambil keputusan maupun perumus kebijakan perusahaan. Kebutuhan akan informasi akuntansi manajemen di pihak pengambil keputusan dan perumus kebijakan perusahaan lebih banyak ditentukan oleh perilaku pengambil keputusan dan perumus kebijakan itu sendiri. Kata-kata kunci : Informasi akuntansi manajemen, pengambilan keputusan, perumusan kebijakan.*) Drs. Akhmad Riduwan, Ak., adalah dosen Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Indonesia (STIESIA) Surabaya.
PERANAN AKUNTANSI DALAM PERPAJAKAN DI INDONESIA
Authors: Ngumar Sutjipto
Published: February 2017

This article is presented to tee/ how the important tax as a main factor for planning the 2001 th year government's budget (APBN). Reminding that the Indonesian tax ratio and tax capacity so less, but there are expectant to rise tax income, by grading human re­ sources (SDM) are necessary. For these goals, the role of taxes General Director (Dil­ jen Pajak) and Public Accountant are being hape. The base of income tax calculation is Financial Statement, that is why the Financial Statement which made by tax payers, had to tell the faith and praper business activity. To prepair the best accounting, systemman and the best auditor, the accountant's role is most very important decided.
CAPACITY BUILDING BIDANG PENGAMATAN PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN DALAM RANGKA OTONOMI DAERAH
Authors: Triyonowati Triyonowati
Published: February 2017

Memasuki era global pada milinium ketiga ini, dimana batas-batas antar negara semakin tipis, kota-kota di Indonesia dihadapkan pada kota-kota dunia. Kondisi ini membuka berbagai peluang pengembangan investasi yang akan semakin memacu pertumbuhan kota. Disisi lain, untuk mampu bersaing di forum global dituntut ketersedianya prasarana dan sarana, fasilitas pelayanan, sumber daya manusia yang kuat sesuai dengan standar internasional/global, serta didukung pemerintah yang handal.Kota-kota sebagai pusat berlangsungnya proses produksi memiliki peran strategis sebagai pusat pemerintahan dan kegiatan-kegiatan ekonomi, khususnya leading industries seperti perdagangan, perbankan, jasa, dan berbagai inovasi produksi lainnya. Dengan skala global, kota-kota menjadi bagian dari jaringan kegiatan produksi.Dalam upaya menjawab tantangan tersebut, perkembangan perkotaan di Indonesia disisi lain mengalami berbagai permasalahan internal kota seperti pendanaan, pola spasial dengan berkembangnya kawasan-kawasan budidaya perkotaan yang mengkonversi lahan pertanian, migrasi penduduk desa-kota, serta ketidak siapan infrastruktur pendudkung yang mengakibatkan menurunnya kwalitas lingkungan. Untuk mengatasi perbagai persoalan intern dan mensiasati memenangkan persaingan global tersebut antara lain diperlukan Capacity Building.
ANALJSJS PERBEDAAN PRAKTJK PERATAAN LABA MELALUJ UKURAN PERUSAHAAN
Authors: Makaryanawati Makaryanawati
Published: February 2017

Penelitian ini didesain untuk menguji apakah terdapat perhedaan praktik perataan laba antara perusahaan hesar dan perusahaan kecil yang terdafiar di Bursa Ejek Jakarta. Perataan laba merupakan suatu usaha yang dilakukan manajemen untuk mengurangi mriahilitas laba ya ng dilaporkan dalam batman General Accepted Accounting Principles.Sampel dipilih herdasarkan metod e purposive sampling dan dipernleh 274 perusahaan. Sampel ini kemudian diklasifikasikan ke dalam perusahaan perata laba dan perusahaan hukan perata laha dengan menggunakan lndeh Eckel. lndeh Eckel memhandingkan koefisien variasi penjualan dengan koefisien variasi earnings. Farnings yang digunakan adalah EPS. Sehagai prok5i dari ukuran perusahaan digunakan rata-rata total aktiva.Pengujian statistik ya ng digunakan adalah staristik deskriptif: uji normalitas data dengan One Sample Kolmogorov Smirnov Test dan uji beda rata-rata dengan Mann Whitney U Test. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa data tidak terdistribusi normal sehingga digunakan uji non parametrik.Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bukti empiri.1· bahwa terdapat perbedaan perilaku praktik   perataan   laba  antara  perusahaan  besar  dan  perusahaan   kecil  yang signifikan pada  tingkat signifikansi 0,05:
Spatial patterns of co‐occurrence of the European wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris and domestic cats Felis silvestris catus in the Bavarian Forest National Park
Authors: Beutel Tanja , Reineking Björn , Tiesmeyer Annika , Nowak Carsten , Heurich Marco
Published: February 2017

After persecution and a long period of extinction in parts of central Europe, the European wildcat is currently increasing its range, also to areas deemed unsuitable for this species. This range expansion facilitates close contact with domestic cats, which can reach high population densities even in protected areas. We provide unambiguous evidence that the European wildcat is present in the Bavarian Forest National Park. We assessed the frequency of domestic cat occurrence, and analyzed the distributions of the two felid subspecies with regard to residential areas, forested habitat, elevation and protected areas, and analyzed their spatial overlap. Camera traps installed in the national park detected six putative wildcats in 2008–2015 at elevations between 800 and 1100 m a.s.l. Genetic analysis of material obtained from hair traps with valerian‐treated lure sticks confirmed the presence of three wildcat individuals in early 2015. The number of wildcat events detected increased slightly in recent years and wildcats were detected closer to shrub cover and the forest edge. Of the domestic cat events, 90% were within 1.1 km of residential areas, but some moved up to nearly 3 km into the national park. Ranges of wildcats and domestic cats broadly overlapped. All but one camera trap that recorded wildcats also recorded domestic cats, and some camera traps recorded domestic cats but no wildcats. Domestic cats were the fifth most often detected mammal species in the protected area. To avoid a negative impact of domestic cats on wildcats through hybridization, which might already occur, and considering the ecological impact of predation by domestic cats, we recommend a buffer zone of 1 km surrounding the national park, where domestic cats should not be allowed outdoors.
On Multirate GARK Schemes with Adaptive Micro Step Sizes for Fluid–Structure Interaction: Order Conditions and Preservation of the Geometric Conservation Law
Authors: Bremicker-Trübelhorn Sascha , Ortleb Sigrun
Published: February 2017

The application of partitioned schemes to ﬂuid–structure interaction (FSI) allows the use of already developed solvers specifically designed for the efficient solution of the corresponding subproblems. In this work, we propose and describe a loosely coupled partitioned scheme based on the recently introduced generalized-structure additively partitioned Runge-Kutta (GARK) framework. The resulting scheme combines implicit-explicit (IMEX) and multirate approaches while coupling of the subproblems is realized both on the level of the discrete time steps and at the level of interior Runge-Kutta stages. Specifically, we allow for varying micro step sizes for the fluid subproblem and therefore extend the multirate GARK framework based on constant micro steps. Furthermore, we derive the order conditions for this extension allowing for coupled time integration schemes of up to third order and discuss specific choices of the Runge-Kutta coefficients complying with the geometric conservation law. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out for uniform flow on a moving grid as well as the classical FSI test case of a moving piston.
A Single-Stage High-Power-Factor Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Driver with Coupled Inductors for Streetlight Applications
Authors: Cheng Chun-An , Chang Chien-Hsuan , Cheng Hung-Liang , Tseng Ching-Hsien , Chung Tsung-Yuan
Published: February 2017

This paper presents and implements a single-stage high-power-factor light-emitting diode (LED) driver with coupled inductors, suitable for streetlight applications. The presented LED driver integrates an interleaved buck-boost power factor correction (PFC) converter with coupled inductors and a half-bridge-type series-resonant converter cascaded with a full-bridge rectifier into a single-stage power conversion circuit. Coupled inductors inside the interleaved buck-boost PFC converter sub-circuit are designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) for achieving input-current shaping, and the half-bridge-type series resonant converter cascaded with a full-bridge rectifier is designed for obtaining zero-voltage switching (ZVS) on two power switches to reduce their switching losses. Analysis of operational modes and design equations for the presented LED driver are described and included. In addition, the presented driver features a high power factor, low total harmonic distortion (THD) of input current, and soft switching. Finally, a prototype driver is developed and implemented to supply a 165-W-rated LED streetlight module with utility-line input voltages ranging from 210 to 230 V. Experimental results demonstrate that high power factor (>0.99), low utility-line current THD (<7%), low-output voltage ripples (<1%), low-output current ripples (<10%), and high circuit efficiency (>90%) are obtained in the presented single-stage driver for LED streetlight applications.
Comparative Study between Acoustic Emission Analysis and Immersion Bubble-Metric Technique, TGA and TD-GC/MS in View of the Characterization of Granular Activated Carbons Used in Rum Production
Authors: Crespo Sariol Harold , Mariño Peacok Thayset , Yperman Jan , Sánchez Roca Ángel , Carvajal Fals Hipólito , Brito Sauvanell Ángel , Carleer Robert , Czech Jan , Ledea Vargas José , Navarro Campa José
Published: February 2017

Microscopic and acoustic emission analysis and sound patterns recognition techniques were applied for the characterization of granular activated carbon (GAC). A new and improved methodology has been developed to characterize the exhaustion degree of GAC used in rum production: (1) based on the acoustic emission analysis of the sound produced by water flooded on GAC; and (2) based on the microscopic analysis of bubbles formed by immersion into glycerol. Acoustic measurements are made in a specific set-up, bubble detection and analysis is performed using dedicated software developed in MATLAB® for circular shape pattern detection based on the Hough transform. Both have been correlated with data of GAC characteristics based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). Eight samples of GAC used in the rum production, obtained at different depths within the fixed-bed filter, have been evaluated. Good correlations are found between the immersion “bubble-metric” technique and the acoustic measurement data from the original signal processed by Band-Pass (BP) filtering at 1.3 kHz and weight loss amounts of adsorbed compounds on the GAC. The found relationship gives the possibility to determine the exhaustion degree of GAC applying these methods and to evaluate high-porosity materials.
Mini-Review: The Role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the Production of Gin and Vodka
Authors: Pauley Matthew , Maskell Dawn
Published: February 2017

The spirit beverages of vodka and gin are often produced from a neutral spirits base. These neutral spirits are derived from the distillation of fermented carbohydrates of agricultural origin. The fermentations in the production of these beverages are not often reported in great detail and to some extent are shrouded in mystery. The roles of fermentation and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are essential to the complete process, and without fermentation there would not be alcohol to distil. Nevertheless, it is not the yeast that is perceived to contribute to the distinctive consumer experiences, which are associated with these beverages. However, there are opportunities for the development of new strains of S. cerevisiae for the production of neutral spirits, which have a high ethanol yield, are tolerant of ethanol stress, and produce low levels of congeners.
Engineering the RNA-Nanobio Interface
Authors: Murthy Vaibhav , Delong Robert
Published: February 2017

RNA nanotechnology is attracting a great deal of attention recently. As the multiple roles that RNA plays in molecular biology and physiological regulation become clearer, there are many opportunities for engineering RNA-Nanoparticle Complexes (RNA-NPCs). The high “engineerability” of RNA-NPCs comes from the ability to modify the RNA and NP chemistry. For example, the NP can be derived from materials with anticancer activity and the RNA delivered by it, designed to target cell signaling pathways that contribute to the molecular basis of these diseases. Despite this rapid advancement and the availability of new quantification and characterization techniques, a key challenge is to develop a better understanding of the RNA-nanobio interface; that is, the interactions of RNA with NP (RNA-nanobio interface) and how that impacts the structure, function, delivery, and activity of the RNA. Here, we attempt to summarize the state-of-the-art in this new and exciting field, and to lay out potential directions for bioengineering research on RNA-NPCs.
Cross-Talk between Dnmt2-Dependent tRNA Methylation and Queuosine Modification
Authors: Ehrenhofer-Murray Ann
Published: February 2017

Enzymes of the Dnmt2 family of methyltransferases have yielded a number of unexpected discoveries. The first surprise came more than ten years ago when it was realized that, rather than being DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt2 enzymes actually are transfer RNA (tRNA) methyltransferases for cytosine-5 methylation, foremost C38 (m5C38) of tRNAAsp. The second unanticipated finding was our recent discovery of a nutritional regulation of Dnmt2 in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Significantly, the presence of the nucleotide queuosine in tRNAAsp strongly stimulates Dnmt2 activity both in vivo and in vitro in S. pombe. Queuine, the respective base, is a hypermodified guanine analog that is synthesized from guanosine-5’-triphosphate (GTP) by bacteria. Interestingly, most eukaryotes have queuosine in their tRNA. However, they cannot synthesize it themselves, but rather salvage it from food or from gut microbes. The queuine obtained from these sources comes from the breakdown of tRNAs, where the queuine ultimately was synthesized by bacteria. Queuine thus has been termed a micronutrient. This review summarizes the current knowledge of Dnmt2 methylation and queuosine modification with respect to translation as well as the organismal consequences of the absence of these modifications. Models for the functional cooperation between these modifications and its wider implications are discussed.
Enantioselective Transamination in Continuous Flow Mode with Transaminase Immobilized in a Macrocellular Silica Monolith
Authors: Van den Biggelaar Ludivine , Soumillion Patrice , Debecker Damien P.
Published: February 2017

ω-Transaminases have been immobilized on macrocellular silica monoliths and used as heterogeneous biocatalysts in a continuous flow mode enantioselective transamination reaction. The support was prepared by a sol-gel method based on emulsion templating. The enzyme was immobilized on the structured silica monoliths both by adsorption, and by covalent grafting using amino-functionalized silica monoliths and glutaraldehyde as a coupling agent. A simple reactor set-up based on the use of a heat-shrinkable Teflon tube is presented and successfully used for the continuous flow kinetic resolution of a chiral amine, 4-bromo-α-methylbenzylamine. The porous structure of the supports ensures effective mass transfer and the reactor works in the plug flow regime without preferential flow paths. When immobilized in the monolith and used in the flow reactor, transaminases retain their activity and their enantioselectivity. The solid biocatalyst is also shown to be stable both on stream and during storage. These essential features pave the way to the successful development of an environmentally friendly process for chiral amines production.
Production of Renewable Hydrogen from Glycerol Steam Reforming over Bimetallic Ni-(Cu,Co,Cr) Catalysts Supported on SBA-15 Silica
Authors: Carrero Alicia , Calles José , García-Moreno Lourdes , Vizcaíno Arturo
Published: February 2017

Glycerol steam reforming (GSR) is a promising alternative to obtain renewable hydrogen and help the economics of the biodiesel industry. Nickel-based catalysts are typically used in reforming reactions. However, the choice of the catalyst greatly influences the process, so the development of bimetallic catalysts is a research topic of relevant interest. In this work, the effect of adding Cu, Co, and Cr to the formulation of Ni/SBA-15 catalysts for hydrogen production by GSR has been studied, looking for an enhancement of its catalytic performance. Bimetallic Ni-M/SBA-15 (M: Co, Cu, Cr) samples were prepared by incipient wetness co-impregnation to reach 15 wt % of Ni and 4 wt % of the second metal. Catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), N2-physisorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and tested in GSR at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure. The addition of Cu, Co, and Cr to the Ni/SBA-15 catalyst helped to form smaller crystallites of the Ni phase, this effect being more pronounced in the case of the Ni-Cr/SBA-15 sample. This catalyst also showed a reduction profile shifted towards higher temperatures, indicating stronger metal-support interaction. As a consequence, the Ni-Cr/SBA-15 catalyst exhibited the best performance in GSR in terms of glycerol conversion and hydrogen production. Additionally, Ni-Cr/SBA-15 achieved a drastic reduction in coke formation compared to the Ni/SBA-15 material.
Gravimetric Viral Diagnostics: QCM Based Biosensors for Early Detection of Viruses
Authors: Afzal Adeel , Mujahid Adnan , Schirhagl Romana , Bajwa Sadia , Latif Usman , Feroz Saima
Published: February 2017

Viruses are pathogenic microorganisms that can inhabit and replicate in human bodies causing a number of widespread infectious diseases such as influenza, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, meningitis, pneumonia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) etc. A majority of these viral diseases are contagious and can spread from infected to healthy human beings. The most important step in the treatment of these contagious diseases and to prevent their unwanted spread is to timely detect the disease-causing viruses. Gravimetric viral diagnostics based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) transducers and natural or synthetic receptors are miniaturized sensing platforms that can selectively recognize and quantify harmful virus species. Herein, a review of the label-free QCM virus sensors for clinical diagnostics and point of care (POC) applications is presented with major emphasis on the nature and performance of different receptors ranging from the natural or synthetic antibodies to selective macromolecular materials such as DNA and aptamers. A performance comparison of different receptors is provided and their limitations are discussed.
Corrosion Protection Systems and Fatigue Corrosion in Offshore Wind Structures: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Price Seth , Figueira Rita
Published: February 2017

Concerns over reducing CO2 emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels in combination with an increase in worldwide energy demands is leading to increased development of renewable energies such as wind. The installation of offshore wind power structures (OWS) is one of the most promising approaches for the production of renewable energy. However, corrosion and fatigue damage in marine and offshore environments are major causes of primary steel strength degradation in OWS. Corrosion can reduce the thickness of structural components which may lead towards fatigue crack initiation and buckling. These failure mechanisms affect tower service life and may result in catastrophic structural failure. Additionally, environmental pollution stemming from corrosion’s by-products is possible. As a result, large financial investments are made yearly for both the prevention and recovery of these drawbacks. The corrosion rate of an OWS is dependent on different characteristics of attack which are influenced by access to oxygen and humidity. Structural degradation can occur due to chemical attack, abrasive action of waves, and microorganism attacks. Inspired by technological and scientific advances in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the current protective coating system technologies used to protect OWS as well as future perspectives.
SRG Inscription in Supramolecular Liquid Crystalline Polymer Film: Replacement of Mesogens
Authors: Mitsui Shun , Nagano Shusaku , Hara Mitsuo , Seki Takahiro
Published: February 2017

The photoinduced surface relief formation via mass transfer upon irradiation with patterned light has long been a subject of extensive investigation. In azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline materials, UV light irradiation that generates the cis isomer leads to the liquid crystal to isotropic photochemical transition. Due to this phase change, efficiency of the mass transfer to generate a surface relief grating (SRG) becomes markedly greater. We have previously indicated that azobenzene-colored SRG-inscribed film can be bleached by removing a hydrogen-bonded azobenzene mesogen. However, this process largely reduces the height feature of the SRG corrugation. Herein, we propose an extended procedure where a colorless mesogen is filled successively after the removal of the azobenzene side chain. The process involves four stages: (i) SRG inscription in a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular azobenzene material; (ii) crosslinking (insolubilization) of the SRG film; (iii) removal of azobenzene mesogen by rinsing with a solvent, and (iv) stuffing the hollow film with a different mesogen. Although the final stuffing stage was insufficient at the present stage, this work demonstrates the possibility and validity of the strategy of mesogen replacement.
Environmental Tipping Points for Sperm Motility, Fertilization, and Embryonic Development in the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Authors: Caballes Ciemon , Pratchett Morgan , Raymundo Maia , Rivera-Posada Jairo
Published: February 2017

For broadcast spawning invertebrates such as the crown-of-thorns starfish, early life history stages (from spawning to settlement) may be exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions, and could have a major bearing on reproductive success and population replenishment. Arrested development in response to multiple environmental stressors at the earliest stages can be used to define lower and upper limits for normal development. Here, we compared sperm swimming speeds and proportion of motile sperm and rates of fertilization and early development under a range of environmental variables (temperature: 20–36 °C, salinity: 20–34 psu, and pH: 7.4–8.2) to identify environmental tipping points and thresholds for reproductive success. We also tested the effects of water-soluble compounds, derived from eggs, on sperm activity. Our results demonstrate that gametes, fertilization, and embryonic development are robust to a wide range of temperature, salinity, and pH levels that are outside the range found at the geographical limits of adult distribution and can tolerate environmental conditions that exceed expected anomalies as a result of climate change. Water-soluble compounds derived from eggs also enhanced sperm activity, particularly in environmental conditions where sperm motility was initially limited. These findings suggest that fertilization and embryonic development of crown-of-thorns starfish are tolerant to a wide range of environmental conditions, though environmental constraints on recruitment success may occur at later ontogenic stages.
Defining Clinical Response Criteria and Early Response Criteria for Precision Oncology: Current State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Chuang Hubert , Gambhire Dhiraj , Kairemo Kalevi
Published: February 2017

In this era of precision oncology, there has been an exponential growth in the armamentarium of genomically targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Evaluating early responses to precision therapy is essential for “go” versus “no go” decisions for these molecularly targeted drugs and agents that arm the immune system. Many different response assessment criteria exist for use in solid tumors and lymphomas. We reviewed the literature using the Medline/PubMed database for keywords “response assessment” and various known response assessment criteria published up to 2016. In this article we review the commonly used response assessment criteria. We present a decision tree to facilitate selection of appropriate criteria. We also suggest methods for standardization of various response assessment criteria. The relevant response assessment criteria were further studied for rational of development, key features, proposed use and acceptance by various entities. We also discuss early response evaluation and provide specific case studies of early response to targeted therapy. With high-throughput, advanced computing programs and digital data-mining it is now possible to acquire vast amount of high quality imaging data opening up a new field of “omics in radiology”—radiomics that complements genomics for personalized medicine. Radiomics is rapidly evolving and is still in the research arena. This cutting-edge technology is poised to move soon to the mainstream clinical arena. Novel agents with new mechanisms of action require advanced molecular imaging as imaging biomarkers. There is an urgent need for development of standardized early response assessment criteria for evaluation of response to precision therapy.
Investigation into Multi-Temporal Scale Complexity of Streamflows and Water Levels in the Poyang Lake Basin, China
Authors: Huang Feng , Chunyu Xunzhou , Wang Yuankun , Wu Yao , Qian Bao , Guo Lidan , Zhao Dayong , Xia Ziqiang
Published: February 2017

The streamflow and water level complexity of the Poyang Lake basin has been investigated over multiple time-scales using daily observations of the water level and streamflow spanning from 1954 through 2013. The composite multiscale sample entropy was applied to measure the complexity and the Mann-Kendall algorithm was applied to detect the temporal changes in the complexity. The results show that the streamflow and water level complexity increases as the time-scale increases. The sample entropy of the streamflow increases when the timescale increases from a daily to a seasonal scale, also the sample entropy of the water level increases when the time-scale increases from a daily to a monthly scale. The water outflows of Poyang Lake, which is impacted mainly by the inflow processes, lake regulation, and the streamflow processes of the Yangtze River, is more complex than the water inflows. The streamflow and water level complexity over most of the time-scales, between the daily and monthly scales, is dominated by the increasing trend. This indicates the enhanced randomness, disorderliness, and irregularity of the streamflows and water levels. This investigation can help provide a better understanding to the hydrological features of large freshwater lakes. Ongoing research will be made to analyze and understand the mechanisms of the streamflow and water level complexity changes within the context of climate change and anthropogenic activities.