bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The DFT+Umol method and its application to the adsorption of CO on platinum model clusters
Authors: Soini Thomas M. , Krüger Sven , Rösch Notker
Published: May 2014

Semi-local DFT approximations are well-known for their difficulty with describing the correct site preference for the adsorption of CO molecules on (111) surfaces of several late transition metals. To address this problem originating from a residual self-interaction in the CO LUMO, we present the DFT+Umol approach which generalizes the empirical DFT+U correction to fragment molecular orbitals. This correction is applied to examine CO adsorption energies at various sites on the (111) facets of cuboctahedral clusters Ptm(CO)8 (m = 79, 140, 225). The DFT+Umol correction leaves the electronic ground state of metal clusters, in particular their d-band structure, essentially unchanged, affecting almost exclusively the energy of the CO LUMO. As a result, that correction is significantly stronger for complexes at hollow sites, hence increases the propensity for adsorption at top sites. We also analyze competing edge effects on the (111) facets of the cluster models.
Four-point probe electrical resistivity scanning system for large area conductivity and activation energy mapping
Authors: Shimanovich Klimentiy , Bouhadana Yaniv , Keller David A. , Rühle Sven , Anderson Assaf Y. , Zaban Arie
Published: May 2014

The electrical properties of metal oxides play a crucial role in the development of new photovoltaic (PV) systems. Here we demonstrate a general approach for the determination and analysis of these properties in thin films of new metal oxide based PV materials. A high throughput electrical scanning system, which facilitates temperature dependent measurements at different atmospheres for highly resistive samples, was designed and constructed. The instrument is capable of determining conductivity and activation energy values for relatively large sample areas, of about 72 × 72 mm2, with the implementation of geometrical correction factors. The efficiency of our scanning system was tested using two different samples of CuO and commercially available Fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrates. Our high throughput tool was able to identify the electrical properties of both resistive metal oxide thin film samples with high precision and accuracy. The scanning system enabled us to gain insight into transport mechanisms with novel compositions and to use those insights to make smart choices when choosing materials for our multilayer thin film all oxide photovoltaic cells.
Comment on “Fermi resonance in solid CO2 under pressure” [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 074501 (2013)]
Authors: Cardini G. , Schettino V.
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this comment is to point out that for a really rigorous treatment of the Fermi resonance in crystalline CO2 it is necessary to go beyond a single molecule approach and to fully consider solid state effects.
Lattice location and local magnetism of recoil implanted Fe impurities in wide and narrow band semiconductors CdTe, CdSe, and InSb: Experiment and theory
Authors: Mohanta S. K. , Mishra S. N.
Published: May 2014

Employing the time differential perturbed angular distribution method, we have measured local susceptibility and spin relaxation rate of 54Fe nuclei implanted in III-V and II-VI semiconductors, CdTe, CdSe, and InSb. The magnetic response of Fe, identified to occupy the metal as well as the semi-metal atom sites, exhibit Curie-Weiss type susceptibility and Korringa like spin relaxation rate, revealing the existence of localized moments with small spin fluctuation temperature. The experimental results are supported by first principle electronic structure calculations performed within the frame work of density functional theory.
Morphology of oxygen precipitates in silicon wafers pre-treated by rapid thermal annealing
Authors: Kot D. , Kissinger G. , Schubert M. A. , Sattler A.
Published: May 2014

The morphology of oxygen precipitates in Czochralski silicon wafers pre-treated by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and subjected to a heat treatment in the temperature range between 800 °C and 1000 °C was investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The samples were pre-treated by RTA in order to establish a defined supersaturation of vacancies. It was found that in such vacancy-rich samples subjected to an annealing at 800 °C three dimensional dendrites are formed. Until now, it was known that during annealing at 800 °C plate-like oxygen precipitates are formed.
Large-amplitude circularly polarized electromagnetic waves in magnetized plasma
Authors: Vasko I. Y. , Artemyev A. V. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: May 2014

We consider large-amplitude circularly polarized (LACP) waves propagating in a magnetized plasma. It is well-known that the dispersion relation for such waves coincides with the dispersion relation given by the linear theory. We develop the model of LACP wave containing a finite population of Cerenkov resonant particles. We find that the current of resonant particles modifies the linear dispersion relation. Dispersion curves of low-frequency (i.e., whistler and magnetosonic) waves are shifted toward larger values of the wave vector, i.e., waves with arbitrarily large wavelengths do not exist in this case. Dispersion curves of high-frequency waves are modified so that the wave phase velocity becomes smaller than the speed of light.
Coupling of ion temperature gradient and trapped electron modes in the presence of impurities in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Du Huarong , Wang Zheng-Xiong , Dong J. Q. , Liu S. F.
Published: May 2014

The coupling of ion temperature gradient (ITG or ηi) mode and trapped electron mode (TEM) in the presence of impurity ions is numerically investigated in toroidal collisionless plasmas, using the gyrokinetic integral eigenmode equation. A framework for excitations of the ITG modes and TEMs with respect to their driving sources is formulated first, and then the roles of impurity ions played in are analyzed comprehensively. In particular, the characteristics of the ITG and TEM instabilities in the presence of impurity ions are emphasized for both strong and weak coupling (hybrid and coexistent) cases. It is found that the impurity ions with inwardly (outwardly) peaked density profiles have stabilizing (destabilizing) effects on the hybrid (namely the TE-ITG) modes in consistence with previous works. A new finding of this work is that the impurity ions have stabilizing effects on TEMs in small ηi (ηi≤1) regime regardless of peaking directions of their density profiles whereas the impurity ions with density gradient Lez=Lne/Lnz>1 (Lez<1) destabilize (stabilize) the TEMs in large ηi (ηi≥1) regime. In addition, the dependences of the growth rate, real frequency, eigenmode structure, and wave spectrum on charge concentration, charge number, and mass of impurity ions are analyzed in detail. The necessity for taking impurity ion effects on the features of turbulence into account in future transport experimental data analyses is also discussed.
Interfacial electronic transport phenomena in single crystalline Fe-MgO-Fe thin barrier junctions
Authors: Gangineni R. B. , Bellouard C. , Duluard A. , Negulescu B. , Baraduc C. , Gaudin G. , Tiusan C.
Published: May 2014

Spin filtering effects in nano-pillars of Fe-MgO-Fe single crystalline magnetic tunnel junctions are explored with two different sample architectures and thin MgO barriers (thickness: 3–8 monolayers). The two architectures, with different growth and annealing conditions of the bottom electrode, allow tuning the quality of the bottom Fe/MgO interface. As a result, an interfacial resonance states (IRS) is observed or not depending on this interface quality. The IRS contribution, observed by spin polarized tunnel spectroscopy, is analyzed as a function of the MgO barrier thickness. Our experimental findings agree with theoretical predictions concerning the symmetry of the low energy (0.2 eV) interfacial resonance states: a mixture of Δ1-like and Δ5-like symmetries.
Seed storage albumins: biosynthesis, trafficking and structures
Authors: Mylne Joshua S. , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko , Rosengren K. Johan
Published: May 2014

Seed storage albumins are water-soluble and highly abundant proteins that are broken-down during seed germination to provide nitrogen and sulfur for the developing seedling. During seed maturation these proteins are subject to post-translational modifications and trafficking before they are deposited in great quantity and with great stability in dedicated vacuoles. This review will cover the subcellular movement, biochemical processing and mature structures of seed storage napins.
Phyllotreta striolataflea beetles use host plant defense compounds to create their own glucosinolate-myrosinase system
Authors: Beran Franziska , Pauchet Yannick , Kunert Grit , Reichelt Michael , Wielsch Natalie , Vogel Heiko , Reinecke Andreas , Svatoš Aleš , Mewis Inga , Schmid Daniela , Ramasamy Srinivasan , Ulrichs Christian , Hansson Bill S. , Gershenzon Jonathan , Heckel David G.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Associations of plants and herbivores are regarded as the result of coevolution, which has produced an astonishing diversity of plant defenses and corresponding insect counteradaptations. We focus on the leaf beetlePhyllotreta striolata, which is adapted to the glucosinolate-myrosinase system present in its cruciferous host plants. We show thatP. striolataadults not only selectively sequester intact glucosinolates from their host plants but also express their own myrosinase, a member of the β-glucosidase family capable of hydrolyzing glucosinolates to form toxic degradation products. Our results reveal the convergent evolution of a glucosinolate-myrosinase system inP. striolatathat enables this herbivore to use glucosinolate hydrolysis products for its own purposes.
Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans
Authors: Kox Matthijs , van Eijk Lucas T. , Zwaag Jelle , van den Wildenberg Joanne , Sweep Fred C. G. J. , van der Hoeven Johannes G. , Pickkers Peter
Published: May 2014

Significance

Hitherto, both the autonomic nervous system and innate immune system were regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. The present study demonstrates that, through practicing techniques learned in a short-term training program, the sympathetic nervous system and immune system can indeed be voluntarily influenced. Healthy volunteers practicing the learned techniques exhibited profound increases in the release of epinephrine, which in turn led to increased production of anti-inflammatory mediators and subsequent dampening of the proinflammatory cytokine response elicited by intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin. This study could have important implications for the treatment of a variety of conditions associated with excessive or persistent inflammation, especially autoimmune diseases in which therapies that antagonize proinflammatory cytokines have shown great benefit.
Two glycosylase families diffusively scan DNA using a wedge residue to probe for and identify oxidatively damaged bases
Authors: Nelson Shane R. , Dunn Andrew R. , Kathe Scott D. , Warshaw David M. , Wallace Susan S.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Base excision repair, an evolutionarily conserved process responsible for the repair of most endogenous damage, is initiated by DNA glycosylases. Observation of the motion of single molecules of three bacterial glycosylases in two structural families, Fpg, Nei, and Nth, together with mutational analysis, has demonstrated that both families use a wedge residue to scan DNA for damage. Glycosylases pause during diffusion to interrogate bases and upon encountering a damage stop to evert and excise it. Moreover, we have derived a simple chemomechanical simulation that fits our data and is in agreement with ensemble studies.
Jung, art and psychotherapy re-conceptualized by the symbol that joins us to the wildness of the universe
Authors: Rowland Susan
Published: May 2014

Despite the impact of the publication of Jung's own (literally) monumental work of rendering images in The Red Book (2009), the relation of art, artists, art psychotherapy and Jungian studies is puzzling and complex. As Tjeu van den Berk's excellent Jung on Art (2012) demonstrates, Jung by no means posited a comfortable continuum between his psychology and aesthetics. Even artists impressed by his notions of the inherently creative unconscious imagination do not share the priorities of Jungian-oriented art psychotherapists. In exploring this problem of Jungian psychology and the aesthetic domain, I take issue with some of van den Berk's conclusions, proposing instead that in his core concept of the ‘symbol’ Jung constructs a theory of the imagination that overcomes disciplinary, mythic and individual boundaries: rather, it is an idea of radical re-visioning of psyche as expressed in time and space. By dismantling the notion of psyche as bound to an individual person, I suggest the symbol transforms the dialogue of Jung, Jungians and art.
Ogni pensiero vola: the embodied psyche in Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life
Authors: Izod John , Dovalis Joanna
Published: May 2014

The Tree of Lifetouches on embodiment of the soul in an early sequence covering courtship, marriage and the first pregnancy of a young couple. In a delicate formal scene, Mrs O'Brien, nearing full term, treads gently along a river's edge summoning infant souls luminous in white linen. She opens a minute book of life to one of them, preparing his entry through the iron gates that open on embodied life. Presently, the infant soul rises up from his underwater home beyond the reach of conscious awareness: Mrs O'Brien gives birth to her first son, Jack. This is the boy who will eventually become a middle-aged man in crisis. Ravaged then by grief for his long-dead younger brother and his own inability to live at peace with his family or himself, his memories, visions and reflections accumulate in a way that makes him a suffering Hermes for the early twenty-first century. The initiating episode of the infant's birth complements the embodied and affective experiences of those in the audience who accept the film's sensual invitation to steep themselves in the immense scale of its gorgeous sounds and images. They then discover on the pulse that, more than the history of one Texan family, it attempts nothing less than the necessary re-creation of the godhead for the early twenty-first century. Contrary to the rigid medieval dogmas of so many orthodox religions,The Tree of Lifeassures us not of a changeless eternity but rather the sacred and ceaseless metamorphosis of numinous energy.
Coupling of Hedgehog and Hippo pathways promotes stem cell maintenance by stimulating proliferation
Authors: Huang Jianhua , Kalderon Daniel
Published: May 2014

It is essential to define the mechanisms by which external signals regulate adult stem cell numbers, stem cell maintenance, and stem cell proliferation to guide regenerative stem cell therapies and to understand better how cancers originate in stem cells. In this paper, we show that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in Drosophila melanogaster ovarian follicle stem cells (FSCs) induces the activity of Yorkie (Yki), the transcriptional coactivator of the Hippo pathway, by inducing yki transcription. Moreover, both Hh signaling and Yki positively regulate the rate of FSC proliferation, both are essential for FSC maintenance, and both promote increased FSC longevity and FSC duplication when in excess. We also found that responses to activated Yki depend on Cyclin E induction while responses to excess Hh signaling depend on Yki induction, and excess Yki can compensate for defective Hh signaling. These causal connections provide the most rigorous evidence to date that a niche signal can promote stem cell maintenance principally by stimulating stem cell proliferation.
Clathrin’s muscle-building regimen
Authors: Short Ben
Published: May 2014

The clathrin heavy chain forms a membrane scaffold that organizes skeletal muscle sarcomeres.
Fanca deficiency reduces A/T transitions in somatic hypermutation and alters class switch recombination junctions in mouse B cells
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Vy , Riou Lydia , Aoufouchi Saïd , Rosselli Filippo
Published: May 2014

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to bone marrow failure, congenital abnormalities, and increased risk for leukemia and cancer. Cells with loss-of-function mutations in the FANC pathway are characterized by chromosome fragility, altered mutability, and abnormal regulation of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. Somatic hypermutation (SHM) and immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch recombination (CSR) enable B cells to produce high-affinity antibodies of various isotypes. Both processes are initiated after the generation of dG:dU mismatches by activation-induced cytidine deaminase. Whereas SHM involves an error-prone repair process that introduces novel point mutations into the Ig gene, the mismatches generated during CSR are processed to create double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in DNA, which are then repaired by the NHEJ pathway. As several lines of evidence suggest a possible role for the FANC pathway in SHM and CSR, we analyzed both processes in B cells derived from Fanca−/− mice. Here we show that Fanca is required for the induction of transition mutations at A/T residues during SHM and that despite globally normal CSR function in splenic B cells, Fanca is required during CSR to stabilize duplexes between pairs of short microhomology regions, thereby impeding short-range recombination downstream of DSB formation.
Immunity induced by a broad class of inorganic crystalline materials is directly controlled by their chemistry
Authors: Williams Gareth R. , Fierens Kaat , Preston Stephen G. , Lunn Daniel , Rysnik Oliwia , De Prijck Sofie , Kool Mirjam , Buckley Hannah C. , Lambrecht Bart N. , O’Hare Dermot , Austyn Jonathan M.
Published: May 2014

There is currently no paradigm in immunology that enables an accurate prediction of how the immune system will respond to any given agent. Here we show that the immunological responses induced by members of a broad class of inorganic crystalline materials are controlled purely by their physicochemical properties in a highly predictable manner. We show that structurally and chemically homogeneous layered double hydroxides (LDHs) can elicit diverse human dendritic cell responses in vitro. Using a systems vaccinology approach, we find that every measured response can be modeled using a subset of just three physical and chemical properties for all compounds tested. This correlation can be reduced to a simple linear equation that enables the immunological responses stimulated by newly synthesized LDHs to be predicted in advance from these three parameters alone. We also show that mouse antigen–specific antibody responses in vivo and human macrophage responses in vitro are controlled by the same properties, suggesting they may control diverse responses at both individual component and global levels of immunity. This study demonstrates that immunity can be determined purely by chemistry and opens the possibility of rational manipulation of immunity for therapeutic purposes.
Bubble tree for approximate harmonic maps
Authors: Zhu Xiangrong
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we set up the complete bubble tree theory for approximate harmonic maps from a Riemann surface with tension fields bounded in Zygmund class

L

ln
+

⁡
L

L\ln ^+ L

. Some special cases of this theory have previously been used in a number of papers.

On the other hand, one can see that this bubble tree theory is not true for the general target manifold if we only assume that the tension fields are bounded in

L
1

L^1

uniformly.
A fast algorithm for reversion of power series
Authors: Johansson Fredrik
Published: May 2014

We give an algorithm for reversion of formal power series, based on an efficient way to implement the Lagrange inversion formula. Our algorithm requires
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O
(

n

1

/

2

(
M
(
n
)
+
M

M
(

n

1

/

2

)
)
)

O(n^{1/2}(M(n) + M\!M(n^{1/2})))

operations where

M
(
n
)

M(n)

and

M

M
(
n
)

M\!M(n)

are the costs of polynomial and matrix multiplication, respectively. This matches the asymptotic complexity of an algorithm of Brent and Kung, but we achieve a constant factor speedup whose magnitude depends on the polynomial and matrix multiplication algorithms used. Benchmarks confirm that the algorithm performs well in practice.
Statins Prevent Dextrose-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress in Endothelial and HepG2 Cells
Authors: Kojanian Hagop , Szafran-Swietlik Anna , Onstead-Haas Luisa M. , Haas Michael J. , Mooradian Arshag D.
Published: May 2014

Statins have favorable effects on endothelial function partly because of their capacity to reduce oxidative stress. However, antioxidant vitamins, unlike statins, are not as cardioprotective, and this paradox has been explained by failure of vitamin antioxidants to ameliorate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To determine whether statins prevent dextrose-induced ER stress in addition to their antioxidative effects, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HepG2 hepatocytes were treated with 27.5 mM dextrose in the presence of simvastatin (lipophilic statin that is a prodrug) and pravastatin (water-soluble active drug), and oxidative stress, ER stress, and cell death were measured. Superoxide generation was measured using 2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-A]pyrazin-3-one hydrochloride. ER stress was measured using the placental alkaline phosphatase assay and Western blot of glucose-regulated protein 75, c-jun-N-terminal kinase, phospho-JNK, eukaryotic initiating factor 2α and phospho-eIF2α, and X-box binding protein 1 mRNA splicing. Cell viability was measured by propidium iodide staining. Superoxide anion production, ER stress, and cell death induced by 27.5 mM dextrose were inhibited by therapeutic concentrations of simvastatin and pravastatin. The salutary effects of statins on endothelial cells in reducing both ER stress and oxidative stress observed with pravastatin and the prodrug simvastatin suggest that the effects may be independent of cholesterol-lowering activity.
Quality tracing in meat supply chains
Authors: Mack Miriam , Dittmer Patrick , Veigt Marius , Kus Mehmet , Nehmiz Ulfert , Kreyenschmidt Judith
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was the development of a quality tracing model for vacuum-packed lamb that is applicable in different meat supply chains. Based on the development of relevant sensory parameters, the predictive model was developed by combining a linear primary model and the Arrhenius model as the secondary model. Then a process analysis was conducted to define general requirements for the implementation of the temperature-based model into a meat supply chain. The required hardware and software for continuous temperature monitoring were developed in order to use the model under practical conditions. Further on a decision support tool was elaborated in order to use the model as an effective tool in combination with the temperature monitoring equipment for the improvement of quality and storage management within the meat logistics network. Over the long term, this overall procedure will support the reduction of food waste and will improve the resources efficiency of food production.
(8RS)-4-Amino-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-(2,4-dichlorothiazol-5-yl)-8,9-dihydro-7H-pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]diazepineN,N-dimethylformamide monosolvate: sheets built from N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds
Authors: Ramírez Juan , Insuasty Braulio , Cobo Justo , Glidewell Christopher
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, C16H11Cl3N6S·C3H7NO, the seven-membered ring adopts a conformation which is close to the twist-boat form. The molecular components are linked into sheets by a combination of two N—H...N hydrogen bonds and two C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Comparisons are made with other aminopyrimidine derivatives.
Flexible strategic framework for managing innovation from perspective of continuity and change
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Gupta Bindu
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This research study identifies the factors influencing innovation and technology management in Indian manufacturing small- and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on the auto-ancillary sector. The study further investigates the impact of types of innovation on business performance. The purpose of this paper is to come up with a flexible strategic framework for managing innovation and technology in SMEs from a perspective of continuity and change.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data on which this study is based were generated through secondary research using published sources and primary research. The study was done through group discussions with industry experts and personally focused interviews with 88 entrepreneurs from SMEs selected using a structured questionnaire.

Findings

– The study shows SMEs pursuing more types of innovations display higher performance levels when compared to those pursuing fewer types of innovations. SMEs pursuing more types of innovations are significantly different from less innovating firms from the perspective of underlying change forces.

Originality/value

– This research paper represents one of the few efforts to study innovation and technology management in SMEs and come up with a flexible strategic framework for managing forces of continuity and change for guiding this sector for long-term survival and growth. The flexible framework suggested, and the continuity and change matrix (C-C matrix), can be of interest to researchers and practising managers to validate the applicability for other sectors. The framework suggested can be adapted for application in a global context.
A long life after exploitation and exploration
Authors: Piao Ming
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the longevity implications of exploitation and exploration. It examines the main effect of exploitation, the main effect of exploration, and the interaction effect of exploitation and exploration on organizational longevity.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs Cox Proportional Hazard Model in analyzing 20-year data from the hard disk drive industry.

Findings

– Exploitation, independent of exploration, has a positive impact on organizational longevity. Exploration, independent of exploitation, has a curvilinear impact on organizational longevity. Jointly, exploitation weakens the curvilinear relationship between exploration and organizational longevity.

Research limitations/implications

– This study challenges the dualistic view that exploitation is for “current viability” and exploration is for “future viability.” It suggests that firms need to actively engage in (instead of compromise) both exploitation and exploration in order to prolong their lifespan despite the counter force triggered by the negative dynamics between exploitation and exploration.

Practical implications

– In order to prolong organizational longevity, firms need to fully engage in (but not compromise) their existing product-market domains, actively explore (but not over-explore) their new product-market domain, and to embrace (but not avoid) the tension between exploitation and exploration.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the few that systematically and empirically examined the longevity implications of exploitation and exploration. It adds specificity and precision to the understanding of how exploitation and exploration, independently and jointly, affect organizational longevity.
HHT-based classification of composite power quality events
Authors: Saxena D. , Singh S.N. , Verma K.S. , K. Singh Shiv
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– An electrical power system is expected to deliver undistorted sinusoidal, rated voltage and current continuously to the end-users. The problem of power quality (PQ) occurs when there is (are) deviation(s) in voltage and/or current which cause(s) failure or mal-operation of the customer's equipments. Various methods are suggested to detect and classify single PQ event in a power system, the performance of such methods to classify composite PQ events is limited. The purpose of this paper is the classification of composite PQ events in emerging power systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper proposes an effective method to classify composite PQ events using Hilbert Huang transform (HHT). The performance of probabilistic neural network (PNN) classifier and support vector machine (SVM) classifier to efficiently classify composite PQ events is compared.

Findings

– The features extracted from HHT are simple yet effective. SVMs and PNN classifiers are used for PQ classification. It is found that PNN classifier outperforms SVM with the classification accuracy of 100 percent.

Originality/value

– Different PQ signals used for analysis are generated by simulating a practical distribution system of an Indian academic institution.
Human behaviour in household energy use and the implications of energy efficiency delivery
Authors: Udale Hussaini Ibrahim , Hanita Abdul Majid Noor
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Although the term “energy efficiency” is technologically focused, it has a behavioural content due to the associated energy conservation practice involved. The technology aspect applies essentially to the application of new or better technology in order to derive same output or level of service for less input energy, while the conservation aspect is attributed to behaviour. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In an attempt to expound on this understanding, a social survey of some households in Bauchi town, Nigeria was undertaken so as to seek ways of improving the energy use situation of the country. The principal objective is to determine the influence of human behaviour in energy efficiency delivery in the households.

Findings

– The result reveals a much low level of energy efficiency practice by the occupants due largely to lack of awareness and requisite knowledge on the phenomenon of energy efficiency.

Originality/value

– Finally, the study highlights on the implications of good energy efficiency practice in household energy use as derived from the present as well as past studies in a bid to attain energy sufficiency.
Human capital or signalling, unpacking the graduate premium
Authors: Pericles Rospigliosi Asher , Greener Sue , Bourner Tom , Sheehan Maura
Published: May 2014

Purpose

–The purpose of this paper is to revisit the debate on the contribution of higher education (HE) to the economy which has been dominated by human capital theory and signalling theory. Human capital theory contends that HE contributes by adding to the potential productivity of graduate employees. Signalling theory, asserts that HE contributes by enabling employers to differentiate potentially productive graduate employees.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses recent advances in our understanding of the graduate employability to reassess the two theories. Most graduate job vacancies are open to graduates of any subject and the key to employment in such jobs appears to be the graduate propensity to learn in employment.

Findings

– HE both increases students’ propensity to learn in employment and signals to employers that graduates are people with a high propensity to learn in employment.

Practical implications

– The conclusion is that for the four key stakeholder groups, the economic value of a university education can best be explained with the concept of “graduate propensity to learn”.

Social implications

– Employers, government, existing students and potential students and universities benefit from the propensity to learn, which is the most important economic outcome of a university education.

Originality/value

– The paper resolves the choice between human capital and signalling theories as a false dichotomy as HE both develops students’ powers.
Labor market performance of dropouts: the role of personality
Authors: Viinikainen Jutta , Kokko Katja , Pulkkinen Lea , Pehkonen Jaakko
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence on labor market careers of dropouts with various levels of education.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper compares the labor market careers of dropouts and non-dropouts between ages 15 and 50 by using longitudinal data. The paper analyses how the results change when the authors control for differences in personality characteristics.

Findings

– The paper finds that dropping out diminishes one's success in the labor market but this connection is reduced when the model is augmented with personality. Dropouts seem to have or lack certain personality characteristics that are associated with labor market success. These findings suggest that dropping out is either an adverse signal of non-cognitive skills and, thus, work performance and productivity, or personality characteristics are related to preferences toward career and work orientation, or both.

Originality/value

– The paper analyses how the impact of dropping out on labor market outcomes changes when differences in personality characteristics are taken into account. The broad definition enables us to investigate how dropping out in general is related to labor market success.
Global leadership development, strategic alignment and CEOs commitment
Authors: Canals Jordi
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Global corporate strategy has moved faster than global leadership development in many companies. This outcome has created some leadership problems: global companies may not have enough leaders in their growth markets or leaders with the required global competencies in their headquarters. The purpose of this paper is to offer some concepts that may help companies tackle those problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper has a conceptual basis. It draws on previous theoretical knowledge on global leadership development and the experience of some leadership programs in global companies.

Findings

– The first is that global leadership competencies should be based on the functions that global leaders need to perform and their specific context, not on some theoretical notions isolated from the business context. The second is the need for alignment of global leadership development with the firm's purpose and strategy. The third is that CEOs’ commitment is a key factor in making global leadership initiatives successful.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a conceptual paper based on business experience. It needs to be complemented with additional empirical work.

Practical implications

– Global leadership development should be based on real global business functions. Global leadership development should be aligned with the firm's purpose and strategy and its success depends on CEOs’ commitment.

Originality/value

– The study of global capabilities needs to observe what happens in companies that have global leadership programs. Global leadership development takes place in specific organizations. This paper gets theory closer to the practice of global leadership development.
The tax man cometh
Authors: Kay Guess Aundrea , Conn Carolyn
Published: May 2014

Synopsis

For four years, Valerie Thorpe was Director of Accounting for Taurus Construction. She was fired by the company's owner, Vic Bullard, when she refused to falsify accounting entries. Bullard's directive would have lowered profits, thereby deceiving his business partner and committing tax evasion. Until her firing late in the spring of 2011, Valerie had a few concerns about Bullard's lack of ethics in his business dealings. However, she has not questioned him previously because of her own emotional condition after the unexpected death of her husband. During the spring 2011 semester in graduate school, Valerie was inspired when her classmates recounted their own experiences of resigning from jobs because of unethical managers and owners. Valerie had thought of resigning from Taurus; but, Bullard fired her first. Six months after her firing, Valerie is seriously contemplating whether she should report Bullard's tax evasion to the Internal Revenue Service.

Research methodology

Field Based Research. Interviews with the case protagonist.

Relevant courses and levels

The case is suitable for graduate and undergraduate courses in business ethics, accounting ethics, entrepreneurship, income tax accounting and an undergraduate auditing class.

Theoretical basis

This is a real-life case applying ethical frameworks coverage of which can be challenging as students perceive those theories and frameworks as “dry.”
Output Composition of the Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism: Is Australia Different?
Authors: Phan Tuan
Published: May 2014

This article compares the output composition of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Australia to that for the Euro area and the USA. Four vector autoregressive (VAR) models are used to estimate the contributions of private consumption and investment to output reactions resulting from nominal interest rate shocks for the period 1982Q3–2007Q4. The results suggest that the investment channel plays a more important role than the consumption channel in Australia, while the contributions of the two channels are indistinguishable in the Euro area and the USA. The difference between Australia and the Euro area comes from differences in housing investment responses, whereas Australia is different to the USA mainly because it has a lower share of household consumption in total demand.
Bacterial diversity and composition during rain events with and without Saharan dust influence reaching a high mountain lake in the Alps
Authors: Peter Hannes , Hörtnagl Paul , Reche Isabel , Sommaruga Ruben
Published: May 2014

The diversity of airborne microorganisms that potentially reach aquatic ecosystems during rain events is poorly explored. Here, we used a culture‐independent approach to characterize bacterial assemblages during rain events with and without Saharan dust influence arriving to a high mountain lake in the Austrian Alps. Bacterial assemblage composition differed significantly between samples with and without Saharan dust influence. Although alpha diversity indices were within the same range in both sample categories, rain events with Atlantic or continental origins were dominated by Betaproteobacteria, whereas those with Saharan dust intrusions were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. The high diversity and evenness observed in all samples suggests that different sources of bacteria contributed to the airborne assemblage collected at the lake shore. During experiments with bacterial assemblages collected during rain events with Saharan dust influence, cell numbers rapidly increased in sterile lake water from initially ∼3 × 103 cell ml−1 to 3.6–11.1 × 105 cells ml−1 within 4–5 days, and initially, rare taxa dominated at the end of the experiment. Our study documents the dispersal of viable bacteria associated to Saharan dust intrusions travelling northwards as far as 47° latitude.
Systemic treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer: Clinical conundrums and future perspectives
Authors: De Boer Richard , Beith Jane , Chirgwin Jacquie , Chua Sue , Colosimo Maree , Francis Prudence , Green Michael , Pittman Ken , White Michelle , Wilcken Nicholas , Zdenkowski Nicholas , Bell Richard
Published: May 2014

Improvements in the treatment of metastatic HER2‐positive breast cancer constitute one of the great advances in breast cancer medicine of the last generation. From being a highly aggressive fatal condition, the use of anti‐HER2‐targeted therapies, in particular trastuzumab, has led to significant improvements in disease outcomes. There are reports of increasing numbers of patients alive and well more than 5 years from diagnosis of metastatic disease.

Nevertheless, there remain many complex and clinically difficult scenarios where there is little in the way of randomized evidence or published guidelines to guide decision making.

As a companion piece to our review of HER2‐targeted therapies in the metastatic setting, we decided to focus on a series of clinical scenarios that fell outside of the standard trial‐based settings and where opinions and guidance from experienced clinicians and experts in the field would be considered useful to help develop safe and effective treatment strategies. The following eight cases were put forward by our panel of experts, voted on by their peers to select the most relevant and interesting cases, and the discussions worked on by teams of two followed by review and commentary by another team of two.
Policy‐Induced Risk and Responsive Participation: The Effect of a Son's Conscription Risk on the Voting Behavior of His Parents
Authors: Davenport Tiffany C.
Published: May 2014

When do government policies induce responsive political participation? This study tests two hypotheses in the context of military draft policies. First, policy‐induced risk motivates political participation. Second, contextual‐level moderators, such as local events that make risk particularly salient, may intensify the effect of risk on participation. I use the random assignment of induction priority in the Vietnam draft lotteries to measure the effect of a son's draft risk on the voter turnout of his parents in the 1972 presidential election. I find higher rates of turnout among parents of men with “losing” draft lottery numbers. Among parents from towns with at least one prior war casualty, I find a 7 to 9 percentage point effect of a son's draft risk on his parents’ turnout. The local casualty contextual‐level moderator is theorized to operate through the mechanism of an availability heuristic, whereby parents from towns with casualties could more readily imagine the adverse consequences of draft risk.
A stable isotopic constraint on the origin of sulphur ore excavated from the exotic four‐lobe jars that prevailed during late medieval to early modern times in Sakai (Osaka), south‐western Japan
Authors: Mizota C. , Yamanaka T.
Published: May 2014

Stable sulphur isotope ratios were determined for native sulphur ore that was excavated from exotic four‐lobe jars in Sakai, south‐western Japan. The jars were buried after a fire event that occurred on 28 April 1615. The sulphur isotopic results (average δ34S = +0.5‰) were evaluated in terms of comparing ancient documents with a database from new sulphur collections. The origin of the sulphur ore is estimated to be transportation from native sulphur deposits formed around the solfataric fumaroles from Mts Garan and Kuju–Iwozan, in central‐eastern Kyushu. These analytical results support the validity of history based on the analysis of ancient documents.
Living in transition – experiences of health and well‐being and the needs of adolescents with cerebral palsy
Authors: Björquist E. , Nordmark E. , Hallström I.
Published: May 2014

Background

Transition to adulthood for adolescents in general is a multifaceted process, and for adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) it also involves transition from child‐ to adult‐oriented support. CP entails a variety and combination of disabilities, which in association with external factors may make the transition to adult health services difficult. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how adolescents with CP experience their own health, well‐being and need of support during their transition to adulthood.

Methods

An inductive qualitative approach was used based on interviews with 12 adolescents with CP aged 17–18 years and living in Sweden. Manifest and latent content analysis was used for the analysis of data.

Results

The results are described in the main theme ‘Living in transition and looking forward to being an adult, but not feeling ready yet and being in need of further support’. Five subthemes highlight the adolescents' experiences of belonging to a family, of the importance of friends and love, of managing daily activities, being surrounded by support and having hopes for the future.

Conclusions

Interviews with adolescents with CP provide valuable information for the planning of transition programmes and for the support of adolescents with disabilities who are in the transition to adult living. According to the adolescents in this study, the support should be flexible and not be fixed to biological age. Personal, individualized information and support was desired by the adolescents in order to be able to manage their own transition. One option to facilitate transition is the stepping‐stone of being close to parents or staff members during the first phase, after leaving the parental home.
Emerging role of leptin in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tian G , Liang J-N , Wang Z-Y , Zhou D
Published: May 2014

Numerous studies have suggested the importance of leptin against autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS) and psoriasis. To summarize our current understanding of the role of leptin in inflammatory responses and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systematic review was conducted to assess the discrepancy of leptin in RA and its effect on immunity according to different studies. Recently, emerging data have indicated that leptin is involved in the pathological function of RA, which is common in autoimmune disorders. This review discusses the possible consequences of leptin levels in RA. Blocking the key signal pathways of leptin and inhibiting the leptin activity-like leptin antagonist may be a promising way for potential therapeutic treatment of RA at risk of detrimental effects. However, leptin was increased in patients with RA and may also regulate joint damage. Thus, more understanding of the mechanism of leptin in RA would be advantageous in the future.
Block & replace regime versus titration regime of antithyroid drugs for the treatment of Graves’ disease: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Vaidya Bijay , Wright Ailsa , Shuttleworth Joanna , Donohoe Mollie , Warren Roderick , Brooke Antonia , Gericke Christian A. , Ukoumunne Obioha C
Published: May 2014

Context

Two widely used antithyroid drug (ATD) regimes for Graves’ disease (GD) include the ‘block & replace’ (B&R) regime (a fixed high‐dose of ATD combined with levothyroxine) and the ‘titration’ regime (a titrating dose of ATD). Anecdotally, it is believed that B&R is less prone to fluctuating thyroid function.

Objective

To study whether, in routine clinical practice, the B&R regime, compared with the titration regime, is associated with more stable thyroid function.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed case‐records for 450 patients treated with ATDs for GD at a secondary care hospital. Exclusion criteria included treatment with ATDs for <6 months, thyrotoxicosis due to other causes, treatment with radioiodine or thyroidectomy and pregnancy.

Results

Two hundred and twenty three patients were treated with the B&R regime (‘B&R group’), 149 with the titration regime (‘titration group’) and 78 with both regimes. The number of thyroid function tests (TFTs) performed per year (mean(SD): 3·2(1·2) vs 3·4(1·5); adjusted mean difference = −0·4; 95% CI: −0·7 to −0·1; and P = 0·008) and the number of hospital clinic visits per year (mean (SD): 2·9 (1·0) vs 3·2 (1·3); adjusted mean difference = −0·4; 95% CI: −0·7 to −0·2; and P = 0·002) were lower in the B&R group than the titration group. The number of abnormal TFT results per year was similar in the two groups (mean(SD): 1·8(1·3) vs 1·8(1·4); adjusted mean difference = 0·05; 95%CI: −0·3 to 0·4; and P = 0·74).

Conclusions

In this retrospective study, there was little evidence that patients under B&R have more stable thyroid function. Further data from prospective studies, however, are needed to confirm this finding.