bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear trapping stiffness of mid-air single-axis acoustic levitators
Authors: Fushimi T. , Hill T. L. , Marzo A. , Drinkwater B. W.
Published: July 2018

We describe and experimentally explore a nonlinear stiffness model of the trapping of a solid particle in a single-axis acoustic levitator. In contrast to the commonly employed linear stiffness assumption, our nonlinear model accurately predicts the response of the system. Our nonlinear model approximates the acoustic field in the vicinity of the trap as a one-dimensional sinusoid and solves the resulting dynamics using numerical continuation. In particular, we predict a softening of stiffness with amplitude as well as period-doubling bifurcations, even for small excitation amplitudes of ≈2% of the wavelength. These nonlinear dynamic features are observed experimentally in a single-axis levitator operating at 40 kHz and trapping millimetre-scale expanded polystyrene spheres. Excellent agreement between the observed and predicted behaviour is obtained suggesting that this relatively simple model captures the relevant physical phenomena. This new model enables the dynamic instabilities of trapped particles to be accurately predicted, thereby benefiting contactless transportation and manipulation applications.
Modeling the photo-induced inverse spin-Hall effect in Pt/semiconductor junctions
Authors: Bottegoni F. , Zucchetti C. , Isella G. , Pinotti E. , Finazzi M. , Ciccacci F.
Published: July 2018

We show that the photon energy dependence of the photo-induced inverse spin-Hall effect (ISHE) signal at Pt/semiconductor junctions can be reproduced by a model that explicitly accounts for the electron spin diffusion length Ls in the semiconductor. In particular, we consider the Pt/GaAs, Pt/Ge, and Pt/Si systems: although optical spin injection and transport of spin-polarized electrons in the conduction band of these semiconductors are ruled by different mechanisms, a simple one dimensional analytical diffusion model, where Ls is the free parameter, can reproduce the ISHE data in all cases. This highlights the potentialities of the photo-induced ISHE spectra as a tool to directly address fundamental spin transport properties in semiconductors.
Deterministic integration and optical characterization of telecom O-band quantum dots embedded into wet-chemically etched Gaussian-shaped microlenses
Authors: Sartison Marc , Engel Lena , Kolatschek Sascha , Olbrich Fabian , Nawrath Cornelius , Hepp Stefan , Jetter Michael , Michler Peter , Portalupi Simone Luca
Published: July 2018

In the present study, we report on the deterministic integration of quantum dots, emitting in the telecom O-band, into wet-chemically fabricated Gaussian-shaped microlenses which exhibit a surface quality comparable to epi-ready wafers. The slow wet-chemical etching rate enables us to gain control of the lens aspect-ratio and the vertical position with respect to the quantum dot, allowing us to engineer the far field shape to better match the acceptance profile of single-mode fibers. Maximum light enhancement values of around 10 to 16 could be achieved for collection numerical apertures from 0.6 to 0.2, respectively. The current results constitute an important step forward in transferring state-of-the-art performances achieved in the near-infrared regime to the key wavelengths for long distance fiber communication.
From C60 “trilliumons” to “trilliumenes:” Self-assembly of 2D fullerene nanostructures on metal-covered silicon and germanium
Authors: Zotov A. V. , Olyanich D. A. , Mararov V. V. , Utas T. V. , Bondarenko L. V. , Tupchaya A. Y. , Gruznev D. V. , Mihalyuk A. N. , Wei C. M. , Wang Y. L. , Saranin A. A.
Published: July 2018

We discovered a set of C60 nanostructures that appear to be constructed using a universal building block made of four C60 molecules on Si(111) or Ge(111) surfaces covered by an atomic layer of Tl, Pb, or their compound. The building block is a four-C60 cluster having a shape reminiscent of the three-petal flower “white trillium.” Therefore, we call it “trilliumon” and the various 2D ordered nanostructures derived from it “trilliumenes.” Self-assembly of the trilliumenes is a result of an intricate interplay among the adsorbed C60 molecules, metal atoms, and semiconductor substrates. Remarkably, all metal layers triggering formation of trilliumenes on the Si(111) surface have recently been reported to be the thinnest 2D superconductors. In this respect, the trilliumenes show promise to be 2D nanostructured superconductors whose properties are awaiting their exploration.
Communication: Fingerprints of reaction mechanisms in product distributions: Eley-Rideal-type reactions between D and CD3/Cu(111)
Authors: Zhou Linsen , Jiang Bin , Alducin Maite , Guo Hua
Published: July 2018

Through extensive direct dynamics studies of a prototypical Eley-Rideal type process, we demonstrate that fingerprints of microscopic reaction mechanisms can be identified in product distributions. Specifically, the umbrella vibration of CD4 formed by reacting gaseous D atoms with CD3 adsorbed on Cu(111) is highly excited if the reaction is initiated by a direct collision between the reactants due to the necessary inversion of the CD3 moiety. On the other hand, an indirect collision via a hot atom mechanism leads to much lower excitation in this product vibrational mode, and as such, an inversion is unnecessary. This fingerprint suggests an experimentally verifiable means to disentangle different mechanistic pathways.
Perspective: Interfacial materials at the interface of energy and water
Authors: Darling Seth B.
Published: July 2018

Energy and water are deeply interconnected, and each sector is both central to society and under increasing stress. Innovations in materials will be a powerful tool in efforts to overcome these challenges by providing sustainable solutions to treating water and rendering it fit-for-purpose with minimal expenditure of energy and other resources. Interfaces between components of water systems and the water-based fluids themselves govern the performance of the vast majority of water treatment and conveyance processes. This perspective examines many of these interfaces, ranging from those in sorbents and sensors to membranes and catalysts, and surveys opportunities for scientists and engineers to reveal new insights into their function and, thereby, to design novel technologies for next-generation solutions to our collective energy-water challenges.
Autonomous self-powered water meter
Authors: Alrowaijeh Jamal S. , Hajj Muhammad R.
Published: July 2018

Advanced water metering infrastructure, which includes remote sensing technologies, networks, and data management, will require the development of smart water flow sensors at many locations in a network. Powering these sensors and associated transmitters or receivers remains a challenge. Local energy harvesting presents the opportunity as an enabling technology that can negate or reduce the impact of this challenge. We develop a multi-functional harvester/sensor device that can be used to sense and transmit data about flow rates in a pipe during specified periods by using the power it harvested during other periods. The harvested power could also be used to power other sensors to measure additional properties such as the temperature, pressure or chemical properties of water. Details of the proposed system are presented and data about voltage levels, harvested power, and current are discussed.
A surface potential based compact model for two-dimensional field effect transistors with disorders induced transition behaviors
Authors: Wang Lingfei , Li Yang , Feng Xuewei , Ang Kah-Wee , Gong Xiao , Thean Aaron Voon-Yew , Liang Gengchiau
Published: July 2018

A surface potential based compact model for two-dimensional field effect transistors (2D-FETs) is proposed to incorporate the structural disorders induced transition behaviors among variable range hopping (VRH), nearest neighbor hopping (NNH), and band-like transport in most 2D materials. These functions coupled with effective transport energy and multiple trapping and releasing theory enable our developed model to predict the temperature and carrier density dependent current characteristics. Its validity is confirmed by the experimental results such as the metal insulator transition (MIT) in transition metal dichalcogenides and VRH-NNH transition in black phosphorus nanoribbon. Based on this model, the band-tail effects on the crossover gate voltage of MIT behavior are quantitatively investigated. It is found that the transition behavior is closely related to the distribution of the band-tail states. Furthermore, this model is implemented in Verilog-A for circuit-level prediction and evaluation of 2D-FETs to provide deeper insight into the relationship between material properties, device physics, and circuit performances.
A cavity ring-down spectrometer for study of biomedical radiocarbon-labeled samples
Authors: Sonnenschein Volker , Terabayashi Ryohei , Tomita Hideki , Kato Shusuke , Hayashi Noriyoshi , Takeda Shin , Jin Lei , Yamanaka Masahito , Nishizawa Norihiko , Sato Atsushi , Yoshida Kenji , Iguchi Tetsuo
Published: July 2018

A compact cavity ring-down spectrometer aimed at the detection of trace amounts of radiocarbon (14C) in biomedical samples is demonstrated. Rapid sampling, as required for large scale studies, is made possible by modifications to a CHNS elemental analyzer. After conversion of the carbon content of a sample into CO2, spectral analysis using a high-finesse cavity in conjunction with a quantum cascade laser system reveals the ratio of 14CO2 in relation to the stable isotopologues of 12C and 13C. Cooling and temperature stabilization of the cavity is achieved by a combination of liquid cooling and thermo-electric elements. The system is studied in terms of reproducibility, linearity, and sensitivity as well as contamination and memory effects of the sampling process. While the performance of the system is still limited mainly due to etaloning and other systematic effects, first spectra of biomedical samples, such as urine and feces, have been analyzed at 14C concentration levels above ten times natural abundance. Results are compared with those from a traditional liquid scintillation counter system. Possibilities for improvement of the sensitivity are discussed.
Thrust imparted by a stepped-diameter magnetic nozzle rf plasma thruster
Authors: Takahashi Kazunori , Takao Yoshinori , Ando Akira
Published: July 2018

A stepped-diameter source tube is employed on a magnetic nozzle radiofrequency plasma thruster, where the magnetic field lines intersecting the wall near the antenna is separated from the radial wall near the thruster exit. The thruster is operated at a rf power up to 5 kW. Comparison with the results for the cylindrical source tube shows the increase in the thrust by about 15%–20% for the stepped-diameter case in spite of the lower plasma density near the nozzle entrance, resulting in the lower electron-diamagnetic-induced thrust component. These indirectly show that the axial momentum lost to the radial wall is inhibited by separating the plasma flow from the radial source wall.
The Dirichlet elliptic problem involving regional fractional Laplacian
Authors: Chen Huyuan
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we study the solutions of elliptic equations involving regional fractional Laplacian (E) (−Δ)Ωαu=f in a bounded regular domain Ω in RN(N≥2) with C2 boundary ∂Ω, subject to Dirichlet boundary g on ∂Ω, where α∈(12,1) and the operator (−Δ)Ωα denotes the regional fractional Laplacian. We prove that when g ≡ 0, problem (E) admits a unique weak solution under the hypotheses that f ∈ L2(Ω), f ∈ L1(Ω, ρβdx), and f∈M(Ω,ρβ), where ρ(x) = dist(x, ∂Ω), β = 2α – 1, and M(Ω,ρβ) is a space of all Radon measures ν satisfying ∫Ωρβd|ν| < + ∞. Finally, we provide an integration by parts formula for the classical solution of (E) with boundary data g.
Electronic structure and optical properties of K2Ti6O13 doped with transition metal Fe or Ag
Authors: Chen Heng-li , Lu Hong-yan , Qi Yu-min , Jin Peng
Published: July 2018

Based on the experimental study of the optical properties of K2Ti6O13 doped with Fe or Ag, their electronic structures and optical properties are studied by the first-principles method based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated optical properties are consistent with the experiment results. K2Ti6O13 doped with substitutional Fe or Ag has isolated impurity bands mainly stemming from the hybridization by the Fe 3d states or Ag 4d states with Ti 3d states and O 2p states and the band gap becomes narrower, the absorption edge of K2Ti6O13 thus has a clear red shift and the absorption of visible light can be realized after doping. For Fe-doped K2Ti6O13, the impurity bands are in the middle of the band gap, suggesting that they can be used as a bridge for valence band electrons transition to the conduction band. For Ag-doped K2Ti6O13, the impurity bands form a shallow acceptor above the valence band and can reduce the recombination rate of photoexcited carriers. The experimental and calculated results are significant for the development of K2Ti6O13 materials that have absorption under visible light.
Evaluating dispersive potential to identify the threshold electrolyte concentration in non-dispersive soils
Authors: Dang A. , Bennett J. , Marchuk A. , Biggs A. , Raine S.
Published: July 2018

Use of non-traditional and marginal quality saline sodic water will increase in water limited environments and methods to assess use suitability are required. The threshold electrolyte concentration (CTH) defines the soil solution concentration, for a given soil solution sodicity, at which an acceptable reduction in the soil hydraulic conductivity (10–25%) is maintained without further soil structural degradation. The traditional method of determining CTH is via leaching columns, which are laborious and often expensive. Dispersive potential (PDIS) is potentially a more rapid method with which to determine the CTH in a practical sense and make management recommendations for water quality use on a given soil. This work evaluated the PDIS method against known CTH data to determine the efficacy of use for non-dispersive soils irrigated with marginal quality saline sodic water. Results suggest that the PDIS approach to CTH did not reliably, or efficiently, determine the CTH in non-dispersive soils equilibrated with an irrigation solution. Using it to determine the aggregation and dispersion boundary for initially non-dispersive soil appeared to have merit, but only where the aggregates equilibrated with the irrigation solution were subject to rapid dilution with deionised water.
Effects of movement velocity and training frequency of resistance exercise on functional performance in older adults: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Richardson Darren L. , Duncan Michael J. , Jimenez Alfonso , Juris Paul M. , Clarke Neil D.
Published: July 2018

Objectives: To investigate the effects that high‐velocity, low‐load (HVLL) and low‐velocity, high‐load (LVHL) resistance exercise, performed once or twice‐weekly, have on indices of functional performance (primary outcome), maximal strength, and body composition (secondary outcomes) in older adults.

Methods: In a randomised, controlled, multi‐armed, parallel design, 54 moderately‐highly active, but resistance exercise naïve older adults (aged 60–79 years), attended baseline and post‐10‐week intervention assessment sessions. Physical and functional assessments were completed, and predicted one‐repetition maximums (1‐RM) were obtained for eight exercises. Participants were then randomised into one of five conditions: HVLL once‐weekly (HVLL1: n = 11) or twice‐weekly (HVLL2: n = 11), LVHL once‐weekly (LVHL1: n = 10) or twice‐weekly (LVHL2: n = 11), no‐exercise control condition (CON: n = 11). The HVLL conditions completed 3 sets of 14 repetitions at 40% 1‐RM and the LVHL conditions, 3 sets of 7 repetitions at 80% 1‐RM. In total, 50 participants completed all testing and were included in analyses.

Results: Only LVHL2 improved 30‐sec chair stand performance (p = .035; g = 0.89), arm curls (p = .011; g = 1.65) and grip‐strength (p = .015; g = 0.34) compared to CON. LVHL2 improved maximal strength compared to CON for 7/8 exercises (p < .05). Whereas, LVHL1 and HVLL2 only improved seated row and chest press compared to CON (p < .05).

Conclusion: Possibly due to the lower intensity nature of the HVLL conditions, LVHL, twice‐weekly was most beneficial for improving functional performance and strength in moderately‐highly active older adults. Therefore, we recommend that exercise professionals ensure resistance exercise sessions have sufficient intensity of effort and volume, in order to maximise functional performance and strength gains in older adults.
CRL4DCAF2 negatively regulates IL-23 production in dendritic cells and limits the development of psoriasis
Authors: Huang Tao , Gao Zhengjun , Zhang Yu , Fan Keqi , Wang Fei , Li Yiyuan , Zhong Jiangyan , Fan Heng Y. , Cao Qian , Zhou Jiyong , Xiao Yichuan , Hu Hongbo , Jin Jin
Published: July 2018

The E3 ligase CRL4DCAF2 is believed to be a pivotal regulator of the cell cycle and is required for mitotic and S phase progression. The NEDD8-targeting drug MLN4924, which inactivates cullin ring-finger ubiquitin ligases (CRLs), has been examined in clinical trials for various types of lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. However, the essential role of CRL4DCAF2 in primary myeloid cells remains poorly understood. MLN4924 treatment, which mimics DCAF2 depletion, also promotes the severity of mouse psoriasis models, consistent with the effects of reduced DCAF2 expression in various autoimmune diseases. Using transcriptomic and immunological approaches, we showed that CRL4DCAF2 in dendritic cells (DCs) regulates the proteolytic fate of NIK and negatively regulates IL-23 production. CRL4DCAF2 promoted the polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation of NIK independent of TRAF3 degradation. DCAF2 deficiency facilitated NIK accumulation and RelB nuclear translocation. DCAF2 DC-conditional knockout mice displayed increased sensitivity to autoimmune diseases. This study shows that CRL4DCAF2 is crucial for controlling NIK stability and highlights a unique mechanism that controls inflammatory diseases.
Impact of immunopathology on the antituberculous activity of pyrazinamide
Authors: Blanc Landry , Sarathy Jansy Passiflora , Alvarez Cabrera Nadine , O’Brien Paul , Dias-Freedman Isabela , Mina Marizel , Sacchettini James , Savic Radojka M. , Gengenbacher Martin , Podell Brendan K. , Prideaux Brendan , Ioerger Thomas , Dick Thomas , Dartois Véronique
Published: July 2018

In the 1970s, inclusion of pyrazinamide (PZA) in the drug regimen of tuberculosis (TB) patients for the first 2 mo achieved a drastic reduction of therapy duration. Until now, however, the mechanisms underlying PZA’s unique contribution to efficacy have remained controversial, and animal efficacy data vary across species. To understand how PZA kills bacterial populations present in critical lung lesion compartments, we first characterized a rabbit model of active TB, showing striking similarities in lesion types and fates to nonhuman primate models deemed the most appropriate surrogates of human TB. We next employed this model with lesion-centric molecular and bacteriology readouts to demonstrate that PZA exhibits potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis residing in difficult-to-sterilize necrotic lesions. Our data also indicate that PZA is slow acting, suggesting that PZA administration beyond the first 2 mo may accelerate the cure. In conclusion, we provide a pharmacodynamic explanation for PZA’s treatment-shortening effect and deliver new tools to dissect the contribution of immune response versus drug at the lesion level.
Propofol inhibits the voltage-gated sodium channel NaChBac at multiple sites
Authors: Wang Yali , Yang Elaine , Wells Marta M. , Bondarenko Vasyl , Woll Kellie , Carnevale Vincenzo , Granata Daniele , Klein Michael L. , Eckenhoff Roderic G. , Dailey William P. , Covarrubias Manuel , Tang Pei , Xu Yan
Published: July 2018

Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are important targets of general anesthetics, including the intravenous anesthetic propofol. Electrophysiology studies on the prokaryotic NaV channel NaChBac have demonstrated that propofol promotes channel activation and accelerates activation-coupled inactivation, but the molecular mechanisms of these effects are unclear. Here, guided by computational docking and molecular dynamics simulations, we predict several propofol-binding sites in NaChBac. We then strategically place small fluorinated probes at these putative binding sites and experimentally quantify the interaction strengths with a fluorinated propofol analogue, 4-fluoropropofol. In vitro and in vivo measurements show that 4-fluoropropofol and propofol have similar effects on NaChBac function and nearly identical anesthetizing effects on tadpole mobility. Using quantitative analysis by 19F-NMR saturation transfer difference spectroscopy, we reveal strong intermolecular cross-relaxation rate constants between 4-fluoropropofol and four different regions of NaChBac, including the activation gate and selectivity filter in the pore, the voltage sensing domain, and the S4–S5 linker. Unlike volatile anesthetics, 4-fluoropropofol does not bind to the extracellular interface of the pore domain. Collectively, our results show that propofol inhibits NaChBac at multiple sites, likely with distinct modes of action. This study provides a molecular basis for understanding the net inhibitory action of propofol on NaV channels.
Explanatory Relevance and Contrastive Explanation
Authors: Pincock Christopher
Published: July 2018

A pluralist about explanation posits many explanatory relevance relations, while an invariantist denies any substantial role for context in fixing genuine explanation. This article summarizes one approach to combining pluralism and invariantism that emphasizes the contrastive nature of explanation. If explanations always take contrasts as their objects and contrasts come in types, then the role for the context in which an explanation is given can be minimized. This approach is illustrated using a classic debate between natural theology and natural selection about the structure of bees’ honeycombs.
Medication-related quality of care in residential aged care: an Australian experience
Authors: Hillen Jodie B , Vitry Agnes , Caughey Gillian E
Published: July 2018

Objective

To describe medication-related quality of care (MRQOC) for Australian aged care residents.

Design

Retrospective cohort using an administrative healthcare claims database.

Setting

Australian residential aged care.

Participants

A total of 17 672 aged care residents who were alive at 1 January 2013 and had been a permanent resident for at least 3 months.

Main outcome measures

Overall, 23 evidence-based MRQOC indicators which assessed the use of appropriate medications in chronic disease, exposure to high-risk medications and access to collaborative health services.

Results

Key findings included underuse of recommended cardiovascular medications, such as the use of statins in cardiovascular disease (56.1%). Overuse of high-risk medications was detected for medications associated with falls (73.5%), medications with moderate to strong anticholinergic properties (46.1%), benzodiazepines (41.4%) and antipsychotics (33.2%). Collaborative health services such as medication reviews were underutilised (42.6%).

Conclusion

MRQOC activities in this population should be targeted at monitoring and reducing exposure to antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, improving the use of preventative medications for cardiovascular disease and improving access to collaborative health services. Similarity of suboptimal MRQOC between Australia and other countries (UK, USA, Canada and Belgium) presents an opportunity for an internationally collaborative approach to improving care for aged care residents.
BodyMap transcriptomes reveal unique circular RNA features across tissue types and developmental stages
Authors: Zhou Tong , Xie Xueying , Li Musheng , Shi Junchao , Zhou Jin J. , Knox Kenneth S. , Wang Ting , Chen Qi , Gu Wanjun
Published: July 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of regulatory RNAs. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of circRNA expression profiles across 11 tissues and 4 developmental stages in rats, along with cross-species analyses in humans and mice. Although positively correlated, circRNAs exhibit higher tissue specificity than cognate mRNAs. Also, genes with higher expression levels exhibit a larger fraction of spliced circular transcripts than their linear counterparts. Intriguingly, while we observed a monotonic increase of circRNA abundance with age in the rat brain, we further discovered a dynamic, age-dependent pattern of circRNA expression in the testes that is characterized by a dramatic increase with advancing stages of sexual maturity and a decrease with aging. The age-sensitive testicular circRNAs are highly associated with spermatogenesis, independent of cognate mRNA expression. The tissue/age implications of circRNAs suggest that they present unique physiological functions rather than simply occurring as occasional by-products of gene transcription.
Sleep selectively stabilizes contextual aspects of negative memories
Authors: Cox Roy , van Bronkhorst Marthe LV , Bayda Mollie , Gomillion Herron , Cho Eileen , Parr Elaine , Manickas-Hill Olivia P , Schapiro Anna C , Stickgold Robert
Published: July 2018

Sleep and emotion are both powerful modulators of the long-term stability of episodic memories, but precisely how these factors interact remains unresolved. We assessed changes in item recognition, contextual memory, and affective tone for negative and neutral memories across a 12 h interval containing sleep or wakefulness in 71 human volunteers. Our data indicate a sleep-dependent stabilization of negative contextual memories, in a way not seen for neutral memories, item recognition, or across wakefulness. Furthermore, retention of contextual memories was positively associated with time spent in non-rapid eye movement sleep. Finally, our results offer partial support for the hypothesis that sleep attenuates emotional responses to previously memorized material.
A Comprehensive Approach Characterizing Fusion Proteins and Their Interactions Using Biomedical Literature
Authors: Tagore Somnath , Gorohovski Alessandro , Jensen Lars Juhl , Frenkel-Morgenstern Milana
Published: July 2018

Today’s increase in scientific literature requires the efficient methods of data mining for improving the extraction of the useful information from texts. In this manuscript, we used a data and text mining method to identify fusions and their protein-protein interactions from published biomedical text. The extracted fusion proteins and their protein-protein interactions are used as a training set for a Naïve Bayes classifier that is further used for final identification of testing dataset, consisting of 1817 fusions. Our method has a literature corpus, text and annotation mappers; keywords, rule bases, negative tokens, and pattern extractor; synonym tagger, normalization, regular expression mapper; and Naïve Bayes classifier. We classified 1817 unique fusion proteins and their corresponding 2908 protein-protein interactions for 18 cancer types. Therefore, it can be used for screening literature for identifying mentions unique cases of fusions that can be further used for downstream analysis. It is available athttp://protfus.md.biu.ac.il/.
The palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC5 mediates beta-adrenergic signaling in the heart by targeting Gα proteins and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2
Authors: Chen Jessica J. , Marsden Autumn N. , Akimzhanov Askar M. , Boehning Darren
Published: July 2018

S-palmitoylation is a reversible posttranslational modification that plays an important role in regulating protein localization, trafficking, and stability. Recent studies have shown that some proteins undergo extremely rapid palmitoylation/depalmitoylation cycles after cellular stimulation supporting a direct signaling role for this posttranslational modification. Here we investigated whether β-adrenergic stimulation of cardiomyocytes led to stimulus-dependent palmitoylation of downstream signaling proteins. We found that β-adrenergic stimulation led to increased Gαs and Gαi palmitoylation. The kinetics of palmitoylation was temporally consistent with the downstream production of cAMP and positive inotropic responses. Additionally, we identified for the first time that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a palmitoylated protein in cardiomyocytes. The kinetics of GRK2 palmitoylation were distinct from those observed with Gαs and Gαi after β-adrenergic stimulation. Knockdown of the plasma membrane-localized palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC5 revealed that this enzyme is necessary for palmitoylation of Gαs, Gαi, and GRK2 and functional responses downstream of β-adrenergic stimulation. Our results reveal that DHHC5 activity is required for signaling downstream of β-adrenergic receptors.
Corporate food donations: altruism, strategy or cost saving?
Authors: Sert Sedef , Garrone Paola , Melacini Marco , Perego Alessandro
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of motives behind corporate giving and at finding out whether and when operational efficiency plays a major role in the case of surplus food donations by food supply chain companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study methodology has been applied considering a sample of 16 food sector companies operating in Italy. Three cases have been analyzed in-depth to highlight the contextual factors that make cost savings possible and donations sizeable and regular.

Findings

The results show that the willingness of companies to reduce operational costs plays a relevant role in managerial decisions concerning the recovery and donation of unsold food, although to different degrees across the supply chain stages.

Originality/value

The paper shows that not only strategic and moral motives, but also economic efficiency concern plays an important role in the managerial decision-making process pertaining to surplus food donations.
Making sense of team integration practice through the “lived experience” of alliance project teams
Authors: Che Ibrahim Che Khairil Izam , Costello Seosamh B. , Wilkinson S.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Team integration is a concept that has been widely fostered in alliances as a way of improving collaborative relationships between diverse organisations. However, deeper insights into the practice of high levels of team integration remain elusive. The purpose of this paper is to develop a deeper understanding of team integration through the “lived experience” of practitioners in an alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a qualitative research methodology. Using a phenomenological examination, via the lived experiences of 24 alliance practitioners, the practice of alliance team integration has been investigated based on the key indicators that foster alliance team integration: team leadership, trust and respect, single team focus on project objectives and key results areas, collective understanding, commitment from project alliance board, single and co-located alliance team, and free flow communication.

Findings

The findings highlight that alliancing gives the project teams’ flexibility to change and adapt, to advance the collaborative environment and that successful integration of multi-disciplinary project teams requires commitment to the identified indicators. These findings have led to the development of a framework of leadership for successful alliance integrated practices. It is proposed that to influence the leadership for the purpose of achieving successful integration practice, a team-centric approach is required which includes four elements: task and relationship-oriented behaviours; collaborative learning environments; cultivating cross-boundary networks; and collaborative governance.

Practical implications

As team integration is the central tenet of alliance projects, greater understanding regarding the leadership of integration practice is of value in leveraging the benefits of outstanding performance. Also, the results of the study are expected to be informative and provide insight for alliance teams to help them proactively recognise how the context of integrated teams is influenced by specific indicators, impacting on the extent of integration practice.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current body of knowledge concerning the insights from the “lived experience” of alliance teams towards achieving a greater understanding of what contributes to the leadership of successful integration practices.
Exploring the role of intellectual capital in supply chain intelligence integration
Authors: Shou Yongyi , Hu Wenjin , Xu Yongmei
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of intellectual capital (IC) in supply chain intelligence integration (SCII) and the interrelationships of the three components of IC (i.e. human capital (HC), structural capital (SC) and relational capital (RC)) in the supply chain context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted an empirical study by using primary data from 389 sample firms. The authors applied structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that both HC and RC have direct impact on SCII, whereas SC only influences SCII through RC.

Originality/value

This study evidences that IC is an enabler of SCII. Furthermore, this study reveals the interrelationships of human, structural and RC.
Signaling theory and the determinants of online financial disclosure
Authors: Musleh Al-Sartawi Abdalmuttaleb , Reyad Sameh
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on the extent and firm characteristics that determine the practices of online financial disclosure (OFD) by the Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using the websites of 48 Islamic banks listed on the stock markets in the GCC countries. Moreover, the study used the websites of the stock markets to get more financial information which was not found on the websites of the banks. The study covered a period of three years from 2015 to 2017. A checklist was used to compute the total level of OFD.

Findings

This study found that the overall level of OFD in the GCC by Islamic banks is 72.4 percent. The results also report a significant and positive relationship with firm size. On the other hand, the results show an insignificant relationship with profitability (ROE and ROA), leverage and age.

Practical implications

The paper provides awareness regarding OFD that might prove beneficial to the various stakeholders of the banks including investors, regulators and preparers of financial statements.

Originality/value

This paper is an important contribution to filling the gap in the literature, as there are a negligible number of studies dealing with OFD from an Islamic perspective.
The effects of an educational program on knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding condom and emergency contraceptive pill use among Thai female university students
Authors: Thongnopakun Saowanee , Pumpaibool Tepanata , Somrongthong Ratana
Published: July 2018

Purpose

University students who have low knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding the prevention of unintended pregnancies may experience higher rates of unintended pregnancies. An educational program was developed based on the self-efficacy theory and peer-led education to improve unintended pregnancy problems among university students. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of an educational program on knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding the use of condoms and emergency contraceptive pills among Thai university students.

Design/methodology/approach

The effectiveness of the educational program was tested by a quasi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test design. The study was conducted between September and October 2017. Multistage sampling was used to recruit 73 Thai female university students, including 36 students in the intervention group and 37 students in the comparison group. The intervention group received an eight-week educational program, while the comparison group did not. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the improvement of knowledge, attitudes and intention regarding condom and emergency contraceptive pill use. Descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test, Wilcoxon test and Mann–Whitney tests were used for data analysis.

Findings

Most participants in both groups had sexual intercourse. After the end of the program, the before-after mean score of the intervention group’s knowledge (8.0, 11.0), attitudes (29.4, 32.4) and intention (17.4, 20.4) were significantly increased (p-value<0.001). Post-intervention, there were statistically significant differences in knowledge scores (p-value<0.001) and intention scores (p-value=0.04) between the intervention group and the comparison group.

Originality/value

This educational program increases knowledge and intention but does not influence attitudes toward using condoms and emergency contraceptive pills.
Climate change, regulatory policies and regional cooperation in South Asia
Authors: Zafarullah Habib , Huque Ahmed Shafiqul
Published: July 2018

Purpose

With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region.

Findings

Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation.

Originality/value

The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.
Geology, Pb Isotope Geochemistry and Ore Genesis of the Liziyuan Gold Deposit, West Qinling Orogen, Central China
Authors: DING Lele , ZHU Laimin , YUAN Honglin , LU Rukui , XIONG Xiao , YANG Tao
Published: July 2018

The Liziyuan gold deposit, situated on the south side of the Shangdan suture zone, West Qinling Orogen, occurs in metamorphic volcanic rocks (greenschist facies) of the early Paleozoic Liziyuan Group and in Indosinian Tianzishan monzogranite. Orebodies in the Liziyuan gold field are controlled by the ductile‐brittle shear zone, and by thrusting nappe faults related to the Indosinian orogeny. In detail, this paper analyzed the geological characteristics of the Liziyuan gold field, and the Pb isotopes of the Lziyuan host rocks, granitoids (Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry), sulfides, and auriferous quartz veins by multiple‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC–ICP–MS). In addition, previous data on the sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopes were employed to discuss the possible sources of the ore‐forming fluids and materials, and to further understand the tectonic setting of the Liziyuan gold deposit. The sulfides and their host rocks (Lziyuan Group), Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry, and auriferous quartz veins have similar Pb isotopic compositions. Zartman's plumbotectonic model diagram shows that most of the data for the deposit fall near the orogenic Pb evolutionary curve or within the area between the orogenic and mantle Pb evolutionary curves. In the Δβ‐Δγ diagram, which genetically classifies the lead isotopes, most of the data fall within the range of the subduction‐zone lead mixed with upper crust and mantle. This indicates that a complex source of the ore lead formed in the orogenic environment. The δ34S values of the sulfides range from 3.90 to 8.50‰ (average 6.80‰), with a pronounced mode at 5.00‰–8.00‰. These values are consistent with that of orogenic gold deposits worldwide, indicating that the sulfur sourced mainly from reduced metamorphic fluids. The isotopic hydrogen and oxygen compositions support a predominantly metamorphic origin of the ore‐forming fluids, with possible mixing of minor magmatic fluids, but the late stage was dominated by meteoric water. The characteristics of the Liziyuan gold deposit formed in the Indosinian orogenic environment of the Qinling Orogen are consistent with those of orogenic gold deposits found worldwide.
Sabaean inscriptions from Ḥāz, Yemen
Authors: Rijziger Sarah
Published: July 2018

A phenomenon found in all old villages in Yemen is that the inhabitants move out of their old houses and build new ones. Because of this, the inscriptions and decorative stones, taken from pre‐Islamic ruins long ago, and which were reused in many of those buildings, slowly disappear; they are either taken away by the owners of the deserted houses, who store them or sell them, or they disappear under the debris when houses collapse, or they are stolen, as villagers often relate. For epigraphic study, it is of the utmost importance that as many of these inscriptions as possible are found and photographed before it is too late. Although many of the important pre‐Islamic sites have in the past been visited by scholars and explorers, they were not always able to take photographs, and many texts were copied by hand in more or less accurate ways. Existing photographs are, in some cases, of limited quality, which makes deciphering some texts difficult. It was seldom possible to find all the stones that exist in a particular village because of the irregular layout of the streets, the hostility of the local population, and/or the lack of time. My aim is to try to fill in some of these gaps by going back to places that Joseph Halévy, Eduard Glaser, or Carl Rathjens and Hermann von Wissmann visited, to take photographs of all the remaining inscriptions reused in the houses and thus give a current overview of the epigraphical remains. This paper contains the fifty‐eight inscriptions still to be found in Ḥāz as of September 2016, including a number of new inscriptions and some enhanced readings of previously discovered texts.
Immunohistochemical study of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor, and estrogen receptor beta in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated with different times of GnRH vaccination
Authors: Srisuwatanasagul Kongkiat , Prapaiwan Nawarus , Srisuwatanasagul Sayamon , Kunavongkrit Annop , Roongsitthichai Atthaporn
Published: July 2018

This study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac™, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H‐score of AR (r = −0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki‐67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki‐67 index and mean H‐scores of AR and ERβ of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki‐67 index and mean AR H‐scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki‐67, AR, and ERβ in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki‐67 protein, AR, and ERβ immunoexpressions.
Neurofibromatosis type I: mutation spectrum of NF1 in spanish patients
Authors: Palma Milla Carmen , Lezana Rosales José Miguel , López Montiel Javier , Andrés Garrido Lucas David , Sánchez Linares Carlos , Carmona Tamajón Sandra , Torres Fernández Carmen , Sánchez González Pablo , Franco Freire Sara , Benito López Carmen , López Siles Juan
Published: July 2018

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is one of the most common genetic disorders in humans. NF1, a tumor predisposition syndrome, is caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene. Molecular genetic testing of NF1 is complex, especially because of the presence of a high number of partial pseudogenes, some of them with a high percentage of sequence identity.

In this study, we have analyzed the largest cohort of NF1 Spanish patients (150 unrelated individuals suspected of having NF1 and 53 relatives, making a total of 203 individuals). Mutation analysis of the entire coding region was performed in all unrelated index patients. Additionally, the Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) test of the NF1 gene and SPRED1 gene analysis (sequencing and MLPA test) was performed in some of the negative patients for NF1 point mutations.

When fulfilling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criterion for the clinical diagnosis of NF1, the detection rate was 79%. Among the 80 genetically confirmed NF1 probands, we detected 69 different pathogenic variants. Two mutations (3%) were gross deletions of the whole gene, the remaining 78 mutations (97%) were small changes spread among all NF1 exons. Among these 69 different mutations detected, 42 mutations were described elsewhere, and 27 mutations were novel mutations. When segregation was studied, 67% of mutations resulted de novo variants. No genetic mosaicism was detected on patients’ parents.