bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery: A Single Institutional Experience with the Technique of Minimally Invasive Surgery via Right Minithoracotomy
Authors: Minol Jan , Weinreich Tobias , Heimann Meret , Gramsch-Zabel Hildegard , Akhyari Payam , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Lichtenberg Artur , Boeken Udo
Published: March 2015

Background Minimally invasive cardiac surgery via right lateral minithoracotomy is a well-described approach. However, reports on isolated tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) in this technique are rare. Therefore, we like to give a contribution by reporting our experience.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 25 tricuspid valve operations via right lateral minithoracotomy with femoral cannulation between August 2009 and September 2013 (18 repairs, 7 replacements, and 72% repair rate). Three patients (12%) presented for a re-do operation, and nine patients (36%) suffered from active endocarditis at admission. All patients underwent TVS as single valve procedure. Ten patients received additional procedures such as removal of infected leads, resection of atrial tumors, or closure of atrial septal defects. An annuloplasty ring was inserted in 12 cases. We investigated the short-term morbidity and mortality with regard to the surgical procedure.

Results Repair rate was 72%. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality were 4 and 20%, respectively. The only patient with early mortality received the surgical procedure on the tricuspid valve as fourth cardiac-related surgery and postoperative mortality was due to intracranial air embolism. Perioperative morbidity included reoperation for bleeding (8%) and stroke (4%). No disturbance of wound healing occurred. Durations of intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 2.3 ± 2.4 and 17.4 ± 13.1 days, respectively. Endocarditis-caused surgery did not reveal any significant difference in the intra- or perioperative course compared with other indications.

Conclusion Minimally invasive TVS via right lateral minithoracotomy is feasible with good results. Even in a cohort of patients suffering from elevated rate of active endocarditis, a high repair rate can be achieved.
Dynamic density functional theory with hydrodynamic interactions: Theoretical development and application in the study of phase separation in gas-liquid systems
Authors: Kikkinides E. S. , Monson P. A.
Published: March 2015

Building on recent developments in dynamic density functional theory, we have developed a version of the theory that includes hydrodynamic interactions. This is achieved by combining the continuity and momentum equations eliminating velocity fields, so the resulting model equation contains only terms related to the fluid density and its time and spatial derivatives. The new model satisfies simultaneously continuity and momentum equations under the assumptions of constant dynamic or kinematic viscosity and small velocities and/or density gradients. We present applications of the theory to spinodal decomposition of subcritical temperatures for one-dimensional and three-dimensional density perturbations for both a van der Waals fluid and for a lattice gas model in mean field theory. In the latter case, the theory provides a hydrodynamic extension to the recently studied dynamic mean field theory. We find that the theory correctly describes the transition from diffusive phase separation at short times to hydrodynamic behaviour at long times.
Theoretical study of molecular vibrations in electron momentum spectroscopy experiments on furan: An analytical versus a molecular dynamical approach
Authors: Morini Filippo , Deleuze Michael S. , Watanabe Noboru , Takahashi Masahiko
Published: March 2015

The influence of thermally induced nuclear dynamics (molecular vibrations) in the initial electronic ground state on the valence orbital momentum profiles of furan has been theoretically investigated using two different approaches. The first of these approaches employs the principles of Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, whereas the so-called harmonic analytical quantum mechanical approach resorts to an analytical decomposition of contributions arising from quantized harmonic vibrational eigenstates. In spite of their intrinsic differences, the two approaches enable consistent insights into the electron momentum distributions inferred from new measurements employing electron momentum spectroscopy and an electron impact energy of 1.2 keV. Both approaches point out in particular an appreciable influence of a few specific molecular vibrations of A1 symmetry on the 9a1 momentum profile, which can be unravelled from considerations on the symmetry characteristics of orbitals and their energy spacing.
On the stability of surface-confined nanoporous molecular networks
Authors: Ghijsens Elke , Adisoejoso Jinne , Van Gorp Hans , Destoop Iris , Noguchi Aya , Ivasenko Oleksandr , Tahara Kazukuni , Van der Auweraer Mark , Tobe Yoshito , De Feyter Steven
Published: March 2015

Self-assembly of molecular building blocks into two-dimensional nanoporous networks has been a topic of broad interest for many years. However, various factors govern the specific outcome of the self-assembly process, and understanding and controlling these are key to successful creation. In this work, the self-assembly of two alkylated dehydrobenzo[12]annulene building blocks was compared at the liquid-solid interface. It turned out that only a small chemical modification within the building blocks resulted in enhanced domain sizes and stability of the porous packing relative to the dense linear packing. Applying a thermodynamic model for phase transition revealed some key aspects for network formation.
On the stability of the disordered molecular alloy phase of ammonia hemihydrate
Authors: Wilson C. W. , Bull C. L. , Stinton G. W. , Amos D. M. , Donnelly M.-E. , Loveday J. S.
Published: March 2015

The disordered-molecular-alloy phase (DMA) of ammonia hydrates [J. S. Loveday and R. J. Nelmes, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 4329 (1999)] is unique in that it has substitutional disorder of ammonia and water over the molecular sites of a body centred cubic lattice. Whilst this structure has been observed in ammonia di- and mono-hydrate compositions, it has not been conclusively observed in the ammonia hemihydrate system. This work presents investigations of the structural behaviour of ammonia hemihydrate as a function of P and T. The indications of earlier studies [Ma et al. RSC Adv. 2, 4290 (2012)] that the DMA structure could be produced by compression of ammonia hemihydrate above 20 GPa at ambient temperature are confirmed. In addition, the DMA structure was found to form reversibly both from the melt, and on warming of ammonia hemihydrate phase-II, in the pressure range between 4 and 8 GPa. The route used to make the DMA structure from ammonia mono- and di-hydrates—compression at 170 K to 6 GPa followed by warming to ambient temperature—was found not to produce the DMA structure for ammonia hemihydrate. These results provide the first strong evidence that DMA is a thermodynamically stable form. A high-pressure phase diagram for ammonia hemihydrate is proposed which has importance for planetary modelling.
Inkjet printed silver nanowire network as top electrode for semi-transparent organic photovoltaic devices
Authors: Lu Hui , Lin Jian , Wu Na , Nie Shuhong , Luo Qun , Ma Chang-Qi , Cui Zheng
Published: March 2015

A method for direct inkjet printing of silver nanowire (Ag NW) to form transparent conductive network as the top electrode for inverted semi-transparent organic photovoltaic devices (OPV) was developed. The highest power conversion efficiency of the poly(3-hexylthiophene):phenyl-C61–butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PC61BM) based OPV was achieved to be 2.71% when the top electrode was formed by 7 times of printing. In general, devices with printed Ag NW top electrode had similar open-circuit voltage (VOC, around 0.60 V) but lower fill factor (FF, 0.33–0.54) than that of device with thermally deposited Ag opaque electrode (reference device). Both FF and short-circuit current density (JSC), however, were found to be increasing with the increase of printing times (3, 5, and 7), which could be partially attributed to the improved conductivity of Ag NW network electrodes. The solvent effect on device performances was studied carefully by comparing the current density-voltage (J-V) curves of different devices. The results revealed that solvent treatment on the anode buffer layer during printing led to a decrease of charge injection selectivity and an increase of charge recombination at the anode interface, which was considered to be the reason for the degrading of device performance.
Nanoplasmonics simulations at the basis set limit through completeness-optimized, local numerical basis sets
Authors: Rossi Tuomas P. , Lehtola Susi , Sakko Arto , Puska Martti J. , Nieminen Risto M.
Published: March 2015

We present an approach for generating local numerical basis sets of improving accuracy for first-principles nanoplasmonics simulations within time-dependent density functional theory. The method is demonstrated for copper, silver, and gold nanoparticles that are of experimental interest but computationally demanding due to the semi-core d-electrons that affect their plasmonic response. The basis sets are constructed by augmenting numerical atomic orbital basis sets by truncated Gaussian-type orbitals generated by the completeness-optimization scheme, which is applied to the photoabsorption spectra of homoatomic metal atom dimers. We obtain basis sets of improving accuracy up to the complete basis set limit and demonstrate that the performance of the basis sets transfers to simulations of larger nanoparticles and nanoalloys as well as to calculations with various exchange-correlation functionals. This work promotes the use of the local basis set approach of controllable accuracy in first-principles nanoplasmonics simulations and beyond.
Ground and excited states of zinc phthalocyanine, zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin, and azaporphyrin analogs using DFT and TDDFT with Franck-Condon analysis
Authors: Theisen Rebekah F. , Huang Liang , Fleetham Tyler , Adams James B. , Li Jian
Published: March 2015

The electronic structure of eight zinc-centered porphyrin macrocyclic molecules are investigated using density functional theory for ground-state properties, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for excited states, and Franck-Condon (FC) analysis for further characterization of the UV-vis spectrum. Symmetry breaking was utilized to find the lowest energy of the excited states for many states in the spectra. To confirm the theoretical modeling, the spectroscopic result from zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is used to compare to the TDDFT and FC result. After confirmation of the modeling, five more planar molecules are investigated: zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin (ZnTBP), zinc tetrabenzomonoazaporphyrin (ZnTBMAP), zinc tetrabenzocisdiazaporphyrin (ZnTBcisDAP), zinc tetrabenzotransdiazaporphyrin (ZnTBtransDAP), and zinc tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (ZnTBTrAP). The two latter molecules are then compared to their phenylated sister molecules: zinc monophenyltetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (ZnMPTBTrAP) and zinc diphenyltetrabenzotransdiazaporphyrin (ZnDPTBtransDAP). The spectroscopic results from the synthesis of ZnMPTBTrAP and ZnDPTBtransDAP are then compared to their theoretical models and non-phenylated pairs. While the Franck-Condon results were not as illuminating for every B-band, the Q-band results were successful in all eight molecules, with a considerable amount of spectral analysis in the range of interest between 300 and 750 nm. The π-π∗ transitions are evident in the results for all of the Q bands, while satellite vibrations are also visible in the spectra. In particular, this investigation finds that, while ZnPc has a D4h symmetry at ground state, a C4v symmetry is predicted in the excited-state Q band region. The theoretical results for ZnPc found an excitation energy at the Q-band 0-0 transition of 1.88 eV in vacuum, which is in remarkable agreement with published gas-phase spectroscopy, as well as our own results of ZnPc in solution with Tetrahydrofuran that are provided in this paper.
Y3Fe5O12 spin pumping for quantitative understanding of pure spin transport and spin Hall effect in a broad range of materials (invited)
Authors: Du Chunhui , Wang Hailong , Hammel P. Chris , Yang Fengyuan
Published: March 2015

Using Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) thin films grown by our sputtering technique, we study dynamic spin transport in nonmagnetic, ferromagnetic, and antiferromagnetic (AF) materials by ferromagnetic resonance spin pumping. From both inverse spin Hall effect and damping enhancement, we determine the spin mixing conductance and spin Hall angle in many metals. Surprisingly, we observe robust spin conduction in AF insulators excited by an adjacent YIG at resonance. This demonstrates that YIG spin pumping is a powerful and versatile tool for understanding spin Hall physics, spin-orbit coupling, and magnetization dynamics in a broad range of materials.
Optical and electrical investigation of a cylindrical diffuse-discharge chamber
Authors: Teng Yun , Li Lee , Cheng Yong , Ma Ning , Peng Ming-yang , Liu Ming-hai
Published: March 2015

More and more attention has been attached to atmospheric-pressure air diffuse plasma due to its enormous potential applications. In this paper, we designed a large-scale, cylindrical diffuse-plasma chamber using wire electrodes and a repetitive nanosecond pulse generator. The plasma chamber can be completely exposed in the open air without any barrier dielectric, and the length of cylindrical plasma chamber was extensible. Using optical and electrical measurements, we investigated the effects of electrode distance, electrode length, pulse repetition frequency, and electrode angle on the uniformity of discharge space. Four discharge regions were distinguished based on different spectral characteristics. Additionally, it was found that the discharge uniformity was improved as the electrode distance decreases, but remained almost constant with the variations of electrode length and pulse repetition frequency. Both of the plasma uniformity and the power density increased significantly as the electrode angle reduced.
Gamma-ray emission in near critical density plasmas at laser intensities of 1021 W/cm2
Authors: Wang H. Y. , Liu B. , Yan X. Q. , Zepf M.
Published: March 2015

We study synchrotron radiation emission from laser interaction with near critical density (NCD) plasmas at intensities of 1021 W∕cm2 using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is found that the electron dynamics depend on the laser shaping process in NCD plasmas, and thus the angular distribution of the emitted photons changes as the laser pulse evolves in space and time. The final properties of the resulting synchrotron radiation, such as its overall energy, the critical photon energy, and the radiation angular distribution, are strongly affected by the laser polarization and plasma density. By using a 420 TW∕50 fs laser pulse at the optimal plasma density (∼1nc), about 108 photons/0.1% bandwidth are produced at multi-MeV photon energies, providing a route to ultraintense, femtosecond gamma ray pulses.
Microscopic studies of nonlocal spin dynamics and spin transport (invited)
Authors: Adur Rohan , Du Chunhui , Cardellino Jeremy , Scozzaro Nicolas , Wolfe Christopher S. , Wang Hailong , Herman Michael , Bhallamudi Vidya P. , Pelekhov Denis V. , Yang Fengyuan , Hammel P. Chris
Published: March 2015

Understanding the behavior of spins coupling across interfaces in the study of spin current generation and transport is a fundamental challenge that is important for spintronics applications. The transfer of spin angular momentum from a ferromagnet into an adjacent normal material as a consequence of the precession of the magnetization of the ferromagnet is a process known as spin pumping. We find that, in certain circumstances, the insertion of an intervening normal metal can enhance spin pumping between an excited ferromagnetic magnetization and a normal metal layer as a consequence of improved spin conductance matching. We have studied this using inverse spin Hall effect and enhanced damping measurements. Scanned probe magnetic resonance techniques are a complementary tool in this context offering high resolution magnetic resonance imaging, localized spin excitation, and direct measurement of spin lifetimes or damping. Localized magnetic resonance studies of size-dependent spin dynamics in the absence of lithographic confinement in both ferromagnets and paramagnets reveal the close relationship between spin transport and spin lifetime at microscopic length scales. Finally, detection of ferromagnetic resonance of a ferromagnetic film using the photoluminescence of nitrogen vacancy spins in neighboring nanodiamonds demonstrates long-range spin transport between insulating materials, indicating the complexity and generality of spin transport in diverse, spatially separated, material systems.
Arbitrary frequency tunable radio frequency bandpass filter based on nano-patterned Permalloy coplanar waveguide (invited)
Authors: Wang Tengxing , Rahman B. M. Farid , Peng Yujia , Xia Tian , Wang Guoan
Published: March 2015

A well designed coplanar waveguide (CPW) based center frequency tunable bandpass filter (BPF) at 4 GHz enabled with patterned Permalloy (Py) thin film has been implemented. The operating frequency of BPF is tunable with only DC current without the use of any external magnetic field. Electromagnetic bandgap resonators structure is adopted in the BPF and thus external DC current can be applied between the input and output of the filter for tuning of Py permeability. Special configurations of resonators with multiple narrow parallel sections have been considered for larger inductance tenability; the tunability of CPW transmission lines of different widths with patterned Py thin film on the top of the signal lines is compared and measured. Py thin film patterned as bars is deposited on the top of the multiple narrow parallel sections of the designed filter. No extra area is required for the designed filter configuration. Filter is measured and results show that its center frequency could be tuned from 4 GHz to 4.02 GHz when the DC current is applied from 0 mA to 400 mA.
Strong induced polarity between Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) and α-SiC and its influence on dielectric permittivity and loss of their composites
Authors: Feng Yefeng , Gong Honghong , Xie Yunchuan , Wei Xiaoyong , Yang Lanjun , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: March 2015

Interface polarization and interface zone have been widely utilized to account for the abnormally improved dielectric properties of composites although their formation is rather vague and their influence has never been directly measured. In this work, micro α-SiC was designed as the filler particles incorporated into poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) with internal double bonds (P(VDF-CTFE-DB)) to construct polymer micro composites through solution casting method. The dielectric constant of the composites is found to be increasing linearly as SiC content increases at lower content and the highest value is obtained as 83 at 100 Hz, which is unusually higher than both pristine polymer (13@100 Hz) and SiC filler (17@100 Hz). By studying the dielectric properties of a bilayer model composite, the real dielectric permittivity of SiC sheet and P(VDF-CTFE-DB) layer has been directly measured to be significantly enhanced than their original value. The induced polarity between high polar PVDF units in polymer matrix and the electron-hole dipoles in α-SiC is responsible for the elevated dielectric properties of both components, which could address the failure of binary series and parallel models in predicting the dielectric permittivity of 0-3 composites as well. The strong dependence of induced polarity on the volume content, thickness, and polar nature of both components strongly suggests establishing promising high induced polarity between polymer matrix and fillers may provide an alternative strategy for fabricating high-k composites.
Orientation and Spatial Frequency Selectivity following Adaptation: A Reaction Time Study
Authors: Plainis Sotiris , Parry Neil R A , Sapountzis Panagiotis , Murray Ian J
Published: March 2015

The aim of the study was to determine orientation and spatial frequency sensitivity using reaction times (RTs) in an adaptation paradigm. Simple RTs were measured to the onset of a Gabor patch (SD = 1.2 deg, spatial frequency = 4 cycles deg−1). Observers adapted for 10 s to a 4 cycles deg−1 grating presented at a series of orientations (0, 2, 5, 10, 22.5, 45, 90°) or spatial frequencies (±0.5, 1, and 2 octaves). The contrast of the test grating was 4x each participant's unadapted threshold. The effect of adaptation was evaluated by transforming RTs to effective contrast reduction using RT-based contrast response functions. RTs increased by between ∼ 100 ms to 150 ms when the test and adapting gratings were of the same orientation or spatial frequency. The effect became less pronounced as the difference in orientation or spatial frequency increased. The average bandwidths for orientation and spatial frequency were 17.4° and 1.24 octaves, respectively. The method has some advantages over traditional approaches. It reveals a rapid time course of adaptation recovery with a half-life of about 13 s to 23 s. RTs form a rapid and easily implemented technique for assessing the underlying physiological mechanisms that control adaptation at suprathreshold levels of contrast.
Catching Objects Thrown to Oneself: Testing Control Strategies for Object Interception in a Novel Domain
Authors: Shaffer Dennis M , Marken Richard S , Dolgov Igor , Maynor Andrew B
Published: March 2015

A considerable amount of research has been performed to determine the strategies people use to intercept moving objects. Much of this research has been done using target objects such as baseballs and Frisbees that are launched to people from distances ranging from 10 m to 50 m. This research has qualified the range of domains in which each strategy is effective, but there is still controversy regarding which strategy has the most general application. The present research sought to further reduce the range of possible domains in which these strategies work by testing object interception in a situation that had never been tested before, where people launch the target objects to themselves. A strategy based on controlling optical velocity—acting to keep the optical velocity of the object at zero—provided the best match to catcher ground movements and optical trajectories. These results suggest that control of optical velocity is currently the best explanation of effective interception of both other- and self-launched objects.
The impact of storage temperature and sperm number on the fertility of liquid-stored bull semen
Authors: Murphy Craig , Holden Shauna A. , Murphy Edel M. , Cromie Andrew R. , Lonergan Patrick , Fair Sean
Published: March 2015

In Ireland, liquid bull semen is stored at unregulated ambient temperatures, typically at 5 × 106 spermatozoa per dose, and inseminated within 2.5 days of collection. In Experiment 1, the effect of storage temperature (5, 15, 22, 32°C and fluctuations (Flux) between these temperatures) on progressive motility, viability, acrosomal status, DNA fragmentation and osmotic resistance was assessed. In Experiment 2, the field fertility of liquid semen at 5, 4 and 3 × 106 spermatozoa per dose, up to Day 2 after collection, was assessed in comparison to frozen–thawed semen at 20 × 106 spermatozoa per dose (n = 35 328 inseminations). In Experiment 1, storage at 15°C resulted in the highest progressive motility (P < 0.01). The osmotic resistance of spermatozoa declined with duration of storage; however, after Day 3 this decline was reduced in the 5°C and Flux 15°C treatments (P < 0.01). In Experiment 2, the non-return rate of liquid semen stored at 4 and 3 × 106 spermatozoa per dose on Day 2 of storage was reduced in comparison to frozen–thawed semen (P < 0.01). In conclusion, liquid semen is versatile between storage temperatures of 5 and 22°C, but demonstrates reduced fertility on Day 2 of storage at lower sperm numbers in comparison to frozen–thawed semen.
Reading the unique DNA methylation landscape of the brain: Non-CpG methylation, hydroxymethylation, and MeCP2
Authors: Kinde Benyam , Gabel Harrison W. , Gilbert Caitlin S. , Griffith Eric C. , Greenberg Michael E.
Published: March 2015

DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides is an important epigenetic regulator common to virtually all mammalian cell types, but recent evidence indicates that during early postnatal development neuronal genomes also accumulate uniquely high levels of two alternative forms of methylation, non-CpG methylation and hydroxymethylation. Here we discuss the distinct landscape of DNA methylation in neurons, how it is established, and how it might affect the binding and function of protein readers of DNA methylation. We review studies of one critical reader of DNA methylation in the brain, the Rett syndrome protein methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), and discuss how differential binding affinity of MeCP2 for non-CpG and hydroxymethylation may affect the function of this methyl-binding protein in the nervous system.
NFκB activation by modified vaccinia virus as a novel strategy to enhance neutrophil migration and HIV-specific T-cell responses
Authors: Di Pilato Mauro , Mejías-Pérez Ernesto , Zonca Manuela , Perdiguero Beatriz , Gómez Carmen Elena , Trakala Marianna , Nieto Jacobo , Nájera José Luis , S. Sorzano Carlos Oscar , Combadière Christophe , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Planelles Lourdes , Esteban Mariano
Published: March 2015

Significance

Although poxvirus vectors are widely used in preclinical and clinical trials as candidate vaccines for multiple pathogens, how these vectors affect the host immune response is not clear. In this study, we developed a poxvirus vector based on the attenuated New York vaccinia virus (NYVAC), which is able to target a central host-cell signaling pathway, NFκB. In mice, the modified NYVAC acts on the immune system by increasing specific neutrophil migration via NFκB activation and in turn enhances CD8 T-cell responses to HIV antigens delivered by the viral vector. We show that these inherent properties define a mechanism for poxvirus-induced immune responses and offer novel approaches to vaccine vector design.
Religion in theShahnameh
Authors: Davis Dick
Published: March 2015

This article discusses the reasons why Ferdowsi does not begin theShahnamehwith the episode of Zoroaster, which he quotes from the version of Daqiqi, but rather with an account of the creation of the world that, in contrast to Islamic historians writing before Ferdowsi, does not attempt to accommodate a Qur'anic view of creation and human history, but neither does he give a cosmology dominated or well informed by Zoroastrian theology. Similarly, Ferdowsi tends to present pre-Islamic Iran as having a consistent religious history, and perhaps avoids beginning with Goshtāsp's conversion to the religion of Zoroaster, as he makes Daqiqi appear to do, in order to minimize the role of religious conflict in Iranian history, again diverging from historians of the Islamic period writing before him. The article also explores the role of God in theShahnamehand the absence of theodicy.
Peasant Uprisings in Astarabad: theSiyāh Pūshān(wearers of black), the Sayyids, and the Safavid State
Authors: Jurdi Abisaab Rula
Published: March 2015

Rebellions bringing together peasant-pastoralists, local dignitaries, and a few Sayyids prevented the Safavid monarchs from effectively controlling the political and economic activities in the province of Astarabad until the late sixteenth century. This paper investigates the nature of these rebellions led by the siyāh pūshān (wearers of black), and the socio-economic background and religious leanings of these rebels and their diverse allies. It also pays special attention to Astarabad’s Sayyids, their intellectual formation, and their distinct approaches to the Safavid state from the early sixteenth century until the late 1570s when the uprisings lost much of their vigor. While heterodoxy may have been part of Astarabad’s religious landscape, there is no evidence that it had a significant manifestation in the Siyah Push movement. More importantly, urban Shiʿi doctrinal and legal traditions had profound roots in Astarabad, nurtured by the Sayyids and promoted by the Betekchi dignitaries prior to the rise of the Safavids. This is significant given the fact that a group of Sayyids from Astarabad (especially the town of Fenderesk) were directly involved in the insurgency against the early Safavids.
A novel function for theCaenorhabditis eleganstorsin OOC-5 in nucleoporin localization and nuclear import
Authors: VanGompel Michael J. W. , Nguyen Ken C. Q. , Hall David H. , Dauer William T. , Rose Lesilee S.
Published: March 2015

Torsin proteins are AAA+ ATPases that localize to the endoplasmic reticular/nuclear envelope (ER/NE) lumen. A mutation that markedly impairs torsinA function causes the CNS disorder DYT1 dystonia. Abnormalities of NE membranes have been linked to torsinA loss of function and the pathogenesis of DYT1 dystonia, leading us to investigate the role of the Caenorhabditis elegans torsinA homologue OOC-5 at the NE. We report a novel role for torsin in nuclear pore biology. In ooc-5–mutant germ cell nuclei, nucleoporins (Nups) were mislocalized in large plaques beginning at meiotic entry and persisted throughout meiosis. Moreover, the KASH protein ZYG-12 was mislocalized in ooc-5 gonads. Nups were mislocalized in adult intestinal nuclei and in embryos from mutant mothers. EM analysis revealed vesicle-like structures in the perinuclear space of intestinal and germ cell nuclei, similar to defects reported in torsin-mutant flies and mice. Consistent with a functional disruption of Nups, ooc-5–mutant embryos displayed impaired nuclear import kinetics, although the nuclear pore-size exclusion barrier was maintained. Our data are the first to demonstrate a requirement for a torsin for normal Nup localization and function and suggest that these functions are likely conserved.
Ceftaroline Desensitization Procedure in a Pregnant Patient With Multiple Drug Allergies
Authors: Kuhlen James L. , Blumenthal Kimberly G. , Sokol Caroline L. , Balekian Diana S. , Weil Ana A. , Varughese Christy A. , Shenoy Erica S. , Banerji Aleena
Published: March 2015

Validated skin testing is lacking for many drugs, including ceftaroline. The cross-reactivity between ceftaroline and other β-lactam antibiotics is unknown. We report a case of a pregnant patient with cystic fibrosis and multiple drug allergies who required ceftaroline for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia and underwent an uncomplicated empiric desensitization procedure.
Crypsis via leg clustering: twig masquerading in a spider
Authors: Zhang Shichang , Mao Kuei-Kai , Lin Po-Ting , Ho Chiu-Ju , Hung Wei , Piorkowski Dakota , Liao Chen-Pan , Tso I-Min
Published: March 2015

The role of background matching in camouflage has been extensively studied. However, contour modification has received far less attention, especially in twig-mimicking species. Here, we studied this deceptive strategy by revealing a special masquerade tactic, in which the animals protract and cluster their legs linearly in the same axis with their bodies when resting, using the spider
Ariamnes cylindrogaster
as a model. We used cardboard papers to construct dummies resembling spiders in appearance and colour. To differentiate the most important factors in the concealment effect, we manipulated body size (long or short abdomen) and resting postures (leg clustered or spread) of the dummies and recorded the responses of predators to different dummy types in the field. The results showed that dummies with clustered legs received significantly less attention from predators, regardless of the body length. Thus, we conclude that
A. cylindrogaster
relies on the resting posture rather than body size for predator avoidance. This study provides, to the best of our knowledge, empirical evidence for the first time that twig-mimicking species can achieve effective camouflage by contour modification.
Candida funiuensi sp. nov., a cellobiose-fermenting yeast species isolated from rotten wood
Authors: Wang Yun , Ren Yong-Cheng , Zhang Zheng-Tian , Wu Fu-Hua , Ke Tao , Hui Feng-Li
Published: March 2015

Two strains of an asexual cellobiose-fermenting yeast species were isolated from rotten wood samples collected in Funiu Mountain Nature Reserve in Henan Province, central China. Molecular phylogenetic analysis that included the nearly complete small subunit (SSU), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA showed that these strains belonged to the Candida kruisii clade, with Candida kruisii and Candida cretensis as their closest phylogenetic neighbours. The nucleotide differences between the novel strains and the type strains of C. kruisii and C. cretensis were 30 and 36 substitutions, respectively, in the D1/D2 LSU rDNA, 40 and 44 substitutions, respectively, in the ITS region and 19 and 23 substitutions, respectively, in the SSU rDNA. The novel strains can also be distinguished from their closest described species, C. kruisii and C. cretensis, by a number of physiological characteristics, and represent a novel species of the genus Candida, for which the name Candida funiuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYNU 14625T ( = CICC 33050T = CBS 13911T). The Mycobank number is MB 811503.
Physico-chemical requirements and kinetics of membrane fusion of flavivirus-like particles
Authors: Espósito Danillo L. A. , Nguyen Jennifer B. , DeWitt David C. , Rhoades Elizabeth , Modis Yorgo
Published: March 2015

Flaviviruses deliver their RNA genome into the host-cell cytoplasm by fusing their lipid envelope with a cellular membrane. Expression of the flavivirus pre-membrane and envelope glycoprotein genes in the absence of other viral genes results in the spontaneous assembly and secretion of virus-like particles (VLPs) with membrane fusion activity. Here, we examined the physico-chemical requirements for membrane fusion of VLPs from West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses. In a bulk fusion assay, optimal hemifusion (or lipid mixing) efficiencies were observed at 37 °C. Fusion efficiency increased with decreasing pH; half-maximal hemifusion was attained at pH 5.6. The anionic lipids bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate and phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate, when present in the target membrane, significantly enhanced fusion efficiency, consistent with the emerging model that flaviviruses fuse with intermediate-to-late endosomal compartments, where these lipids are most abundant. In a single-particle fusion assay, VLPs catalysed membrane hemifusion, tracked as lipid mixing with the cellular membrane, on a timescale of 7–20 s after acidification. Lipid mixing kinetics suggest that hemifusion is a kinetically complex, multistep process.
A framework for understanding the website preferences of Egyptian online travel consumers
Authors: Hagag Wegdan , Clark Lillian , Wheeler Colin
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for understanding issues affecting Egyptian online travel website preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

– Grounded theory was selected due to its suitability in generating frameworks from data gathered plus existing theory.

Findings

– The research describes the development of the electronic cultural adaptation framework (E-CAF), which consists of six theoretical dimensions that allow both researchers and practitioners to comprehend how Egyptian cultural values can affect their online travel shopping behaviour, in particular website design preferences.

Research limitations/implications

– The construction of the E-CAF is based on research into Egyptian online travel consumers. Development of the E-CAF could be expanded using participants from different cultural groups and other shopping domains.

Practical implications

– This research will help practitioners to understand how Egyptian cultural values can affect online behaviour and assist in developing strategies for local adaptations of online travel offerings. The framework will also provide web designers with guidelines for gathering and developing requirements from clients to implement culturally adaptive web interfaces for Egyptian consumers.

Originality/value

– While there are a number of existing cultural frameworks in existence, such as those of Hofstede, Hall, or Schwartz, these frameworks are not based on consumer behaviour, either online or offline, and are, therefore, not optimally suited for use in online marketing strategies or web design for Egyptian consumers. This research overcomes these limitations by providing a framework that recognises how cultural values can impact Egyptian consumer behaviour and provides a platform for further research, as well as online marketing strategies and tactics.
Resistance to cast iron seizure determined by the technological condition of the surface layer
Authors: Laber Stanislaw
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to evaluate a surface layer of the condition resistance to seizure. The surface layer was shaped in the processing grinding and burnishing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The resistance to seizure tests were carried out on a test station specially designed by the author. It is possible to simultaneously test the same two pairs of pivot–pan kinematic pairs on this station. Moreover, the time, route and the temperature of the friction area were registered. The time of sliding group operation from the moment when a lubricant is no longer added to the friction pair to the moment the sliding group reaches the critical temperature T = 418 K (145°C) is taken as a seizure indicator.

Findings

– The structure and state of the surface layer have an influence on the seizure of the surface of cooperating elements. Greater resistance to the seizure of the burnished surface in comparison to the ground surface is associated with differences in the state of the surface layer. The burnished surface has a smaller surface roughness and a higher value of the bearing surface curve, and the compressive stress occurs more often in the surface layer.

Originality/value

– There have been no studies on the effects of burnishing machining and grinding of cast iron in resistance to seizure.
The impact of brand communication on brand equity through Facebook
Authors: Schivinski Bruno , Dabrowski Dariusz
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to fill the gap in the discussion of the ways in which firm-created and user-generated social media brand communication impacts consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) metrics through Facebook.

Design/methodology/approach

– We evaluated 302 data sets that were generated through a standardized online survey to investigate the impact of firm-created and user-generated social media brand communication on brand awareness/associations, perceived quality and brand loyalty across 60 brands within three different industries: non-alcoholic beverages, clothing and mobile network providers. We applied a structural equation modeling technique to investigate the effects of social media communication on consumers’ perception of brand equity metrics, as well as in an examination of industry-specific differences.

Findings

– The results of our empirical studies showed that both firm-created and user-generated social media brand communication influence brand awareness/associations; whereas user-generated social media brand communication had a positive impact on brand loyalty and perceived brand quality. Additionally, there are significant differences between the industries being investigated.

Originality/value

– This article is pioneering in that it exposes the effects of two different types of social media communication (i.e. firm-created and user-generated social media brand communication) on CBBE metrics, a topic of relevance for both marketers and scholars in the era of social media. Additionally, it differentiates the effects of social media brand communication across industries, which indicate that practitioners should implement social media strategies according to industry specifics to lever CBBE metrics.
False recall of brands in advergames: a cross-country comparison
Authors: Hernandez Monica D , Minor Michael S
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to attempt to answer whether there is a difference between retrieving memory by using recall or false recall of brands in an interactive and imagery-rich environment such as advergaming, and there are differences in memory in the same context if the languages of proficiency are based on the same script (e.g. alphabetic/alphabetic such as Spanish/English) versus cross-script (e.g. logographic/alphabetic, such as Chinese/English).

Design/methodology/approach

– A series of international experiments addressed memory of brand placements in advergames – via correct and false recall – across groups of bilinguals from China, Mexico and South Korea.

Findings

– The most salient finding of this study revealed advergame interactivity increased false memory more pronouncedly in the proficient groups (“experts”), supporting the notion of increased false recall as a result of feelings of accountability that experts naturally experience.

Research limitations/implications

– The procedures of the international experiments were susceptible to some limitations concerning sampling design and experimental stimuli. Despite its limitations, this study helps to uncover the effect of these elements in short-term brand memory, to guide marketers for an effective use of brand and product placements in advergames.

Originality/value

– Analysis of both correct and false recall of bilinguals in imagery-rich environments is of utmost importance. In these environments, memory may originate from experience or from imagination. The study addressed brand memory among diverse Internet audiences by taking into account both correct memory scores as well as false memory scores within the advergaming context.
Corporate social responsibility disclosures and earnings quality
Authors: Muttakin Mohammad Badrul , Khan Arifur , Azim Mohammad I
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures and earnings quality proxied by earnings accruals. Specifically, we examine whether CSR disclosures are context-specific, that is, whether companies dominated by powerful stakeholders are obliged to behave in a responsible manner to constrain earnings management, thereby reporting higher-quality earnings to investors.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper explores the relationship between CSR disclosures and earnings quality proxied by earnings accruals. Specifically, we examine whether CSR disclosures are context-specific, that is, whether companies dominated by powerful stakeholders are obliged to behave in a responsible manner to constrain earnings management, thereby reporting higher-quality earnings to investors.

Findings

– Results show that managers in an emerging economy manage earnings when they provide more CSR disclosures. Such earnings management is achieved through income increasing discretionary accruals. Furthermore, companies from export-oriented industries dominated by powerful stakeholders (international buyers) disclosing more CSR activities, provide transparent financial reports through constraining earnings management.

Originality/value

– The findings of this study are significant for both investors and policymakers. Investors should not take for granted that firms engage in CSR activities, behave ethically and provide transparent financial reports. As we document that firms might manipulate earnings through discretionary accruals and provide less transparent financial reports to shareholders, the credibility of firms’ CSR policies should be assessed with caution. Policies directing at promoting socially responsible practices instead of motivating the desired behaviour, may provide managers with additional incentives to utilise CSR for opportunistic behaviour. Thus, policymakers need to be cautious about this opportunistic behaviour and enhance monitoring to enforce social compliance. Possibly, some guidelines can be introduced to confirm that CSR disclosures are based on actual practice and not just a “green wash” statement to deceive stakeholders.
Minority perceptions of the police: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Peck Jennifer H
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review of empirical studies that have examined perceptions and attitudes of the police across various racial and ethnic groups. The specific focus aimed to highlight if minorities perceive the police differently compared to their white counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature search of various academic databases (Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Host, Web of Science, etc.) was conducted. Searches on Google Scholar were also conducted to locate empirical articles that are presently forthcoming in academic journals.

Findings

– The meta-review identified 92 studies that matched the selection criteria. The majority of the studies focussed on black/white, non-white/white, and black/Hispanic/white comparisons. Overall, individuals who identified themselves as black, non-white, or minority were more likely to hold negative perceptions and attitudes toward the police compared to whites. This finding held regardless of the measures used to operationalize attitudes and various dependent variables surrounding the police. Hispanics tended to have more positive views of the police compared to blacks, yet more negative views than whites.

Originality/value

– The present study provided a systematic literature search of studies that were included in two prior reviews (i.e. Decker, 1985; Brown and Benedict, 2002), but also updated the literature based on research that was conducted after 2002. Different exclusion restrictions were also used in the current study compared to earlier research. These restrictions add to the originality/value of the present meta-review in light of current events in the media which have focussed on minority perceptions of the police.
The development of moral reasoning skills in police recruits
Authors: De Schrijver Annelies , Maesschalck Jeroen
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– Police officers are frequently confronted with moral dilemmas in the course of their job. The authors assume new police officers need guidance, and need to be taught at the police academy how to deal with these situations. The purpose of this paper is to obtain insight into the impact of socialization on police recruits’ knowledge of the code of ethics and their moral reasoning skills.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study applied a longitudinal mixed methods design, using two methods. The first method was a qualitative observation of integrity training sessions at five police academies in Belgium. The second method was a quantitative survey-measurement of recruits’ knowledge of the code of ethics and their moral reasoning skills at three points in time: the beginning of their theoretical training, before their field training and afterwards.

Findings

– The analyses show differences between the police academies in their integrity training sessions. Some of these differences are reflected in different levels of knowledge of the code of ethics. As for the development pattern of recruits’ moral reasoning skills, the study found almost no differences between the academies. Perhaps this is because recruits already have relatively high scores when they start, leaving little room for improvement during the one year training program. This suggests an important role of the police selection procedure.

Originality/value

– Previous research on socialization and police culture has focussed on recruits being socialized in a negative police culture where misconduct is learned. This is a negative interpretation of police integrity. A positive one refers to ethical decision making generally, and moral reasoning specifically. The impact of the socialization process on recruits’ moral reasoning is empirically understudied.