bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stock market development, foreign capital inflows and economic growth in Zimbabwe: A multivariate causality test
Authors: Tsaurai Kunofiwa , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: February 2017

In this study we examine the dynamic nexus between stock market development and economic growth – using time-series data from Zimbabwe. The causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth has been a subject of extensive debate in recent years. In an attempt to address the omission-of-variable bias, which has not been addressed by many previous studies, we have incorporated savings as a third variable in the bivariate setting between stock market development and economic growth – thereby creating a multivariate simulation. The study uses the Johansen–Juselius (Johansen and Juselius, 1990) (maximum likelihood) and a dynamic specification model to examine this linkage. The empirical results reveal that there is a distinct causal flow from stock market development to economic growth – without any feedback in Zimbabwe. The results also show that there is a unidirectional causal flow from savings to economic growth, and from stock market development to savings.
An analysis of the statistical relationship between precious metals prices and other monetary policy variables and inflation in South Africa
Authors: Mpofu Raphael Tabani
Published: February 2017

This study looked at the statistical relationship between precious metals prices, oil prices, money supply, interest rates and exchange ratesandinflation. It particularly looked at how inflation was influenced by these variables over time. The findings in this study were consistent with the hypothesis that the values of these variables influence inflation in the short-term and long-term. One of the findingsthat could be of interest especially for South Africa indicates that precious metalsprice changes, especially gold,could act as signals of pending changes to inflation and are also statistically related to interest rate movements. However, it was also found that the relationship between exchange rates movements during the financial crisis era between 2008 and 2010 did affect the other variables like prime, precious metals prices and oil prices which led to significant spikes in inflation. It should be emphasized that these finding of a statistical relationship is only consistent with observed data pertaining to South Africa and not proof of such behaviour prevailing in other markets. Even then, such a conclusion would require the isolation of a number of country specific behaviours and factors that may be correlated with precious metals prices, oil prices, exchange rates and interest rates and that may simultaneously affect inflation, which this study did not factor in. However, knowledge of statistical relationships can help in informing monetary policy responses and designing appropriate portfolio strategies although these findings do not provide unambiguous proof of any underlying behavioural hypothesis.
A review of the empirical determinants of audit delay
Authors: Eghlaiow Salem , Wickremasinghe Guneratne , Sofocleous Stella
Published: February 2017

Timeliness in financial reporting is considered to be a significant characteristic of accounting information. Since audit delay has been found to be the single most important factor in determining the timing of financial reports releases, this concept paper discuss the determinants of “audit delay”, the number of calendar days from fiscal year-end to the audit report date. The first section sheds some light on the significance of studying the determinants of audit delay. Next, it reviews the literature on audit report delay (ARL) and its determinants.
Effect of irrigation regime on yield and yield components of soya bean
Authors: Kresovic Branka , Gajic Bosko , Tapanarova Angelina , Pejic Borivoj , Dragovic Snezana , Dragovic Ranko
Published: February 2017

This study examines the effects of different irrigation regimes on seed yield
and yield components of sprinkler-irrigated soya bean [(Glycine max (L.)
Merr.] under field conditions in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in Zemun Polje (Srem,
Srbija). Four irrigation regimes: 80-85% (T1), 70-75% (T2), 60-65% (T3) of
field capacity, and non-irrigated regime (T0) were evaluated each
experimental year. The experimental design was a randomised complete block
with four replications on a Calcaric Chernozem. Water stress (drought) during
growing season in the non-irrigated treatment (T0) decreased plant
physiological activity, vegetative growth, and productivity of soya bean.
Irrigation treatments significantly (P < 0.01) influenced soya bean seed
yield and yield components. The treatment T2 produced higher seed yield than
T1 and T3. Irrigation regimes had statistically significant different effects
on yield components such as the plant height at harvest, number of pods per
plant, number of seeds per plant, mass of pod with seeds per plant, 1,000
seed mass and hectoliter mass of soya bean seeds. Yield reduction was mainly
due to a lower number of pods and seeds per plant and lower seed mass. The T1
treatment had the highest plant height of soya bean in all three growing
years. The results have shown that under water scarcity, the treatment T3 is
an acceptable irrigation strategy to stabilize and increase soya bean yield
in Srem and neighboring countries in the region, provided that this practice
is not prevented by economic constraints.
Citation-Based Benchmarks and Individual Accounting Faculty Research Rankings by Topical Area and Methodology
Authors: Nuttall Garrison , Snow Neal M. , Summers Scott L. , Wood David A.
Published: February 2017

This paper provides citation rankings and benchmarking data for individual accounting researchers disaggregated by topic and methodological area and studies what factors increase citation totals. Based on Google Scholar data from 7,113 articles published in respected accounting journals, we find that citation totals differ significantly based on accounting topic area (accounting information systems, audit, financial, managerial, tax, other) and methodology (analytical, archival, experimental, other), suggesting the need to separately benchmark authors who publish in these groups. We also find that authors who have a broad collaboration network, graduated from a school that started a journal, are topic specialists, or publish with topic specialists have higher numbers of citations.

Data Availability: Most of the data are available on the website discussed in Appendix A. For easier-to-use extracts of the data, contact the authors.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOMETRICAL STUDY ON DIFFERENT BREEDS OF PIGEON IN NORTHERN BANGLADESH
Authors: Parvez M. N. H. , Akter M. T. D. , Sarder M. J. U.
Published: February 2017

The experiment was conducted to characterize different breeds of pigeon phenotypically and to study their body biometry, which are available in the northernBangladesh. During this study 30 farms were selected which have >20 pair of pigeons in the three study area namely Rajshahi, Natore and Pabna districts ofBangladesh. There about 15 breeds have been selected for the observation of  phenotypic characteristics such as color of bill, eye, eyelid, skin, shank, toe, egg, head feather, neck feather, body feather, down feather, wing feather, tail feather and shape of bill, body and egg. The biometrical data were collected from the measurement of length of bill, head, body, shank, middle toe, wingspan and mature body weight. In this study the highest mean bill length was found 2.83±0.05cm in Strasser and lowest mean head length 5.00±0.00cm in Kormona, Nun and Jacobin. The highest mean body length was found 41.60±0.38cm in Strasser and lowest mean body length 30.00±0.43cm in Owl.  The highest mean wingspan was found 81.00±0.51cm in Jacobin and lowest mean wingspan 60.45±0.76cm in kormona. The heighest mean shank length was found 3.40±0.13cm in Homer and lowest mean shank length 2.50±0.00cm in Giribug, Kormona, Nun, Satinette and Suachandan. The heighest mean middle toe length was found 4.40±0.05cm in pouter and lowest mean middle toe length 3.00±0.00cm in kormona. The heighest mean mature body weight was found 748.20±8.96gm in Strasser and lowest mean mature body weight 265.10±7.03gm in Giribug. Phenotypic correlation among bill length, head length, body length, wing span, shank length, middle toe length and mature body weight of these breeds of pigeon ranged from 0.233 to 0.789. The experiments result may contribute to breed up gradation, helps to formulate the conservation and improvement strategies for the breed as genetic resource.
Pit Latrine Fecal Sludge Resistance Using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Low Income Areas in Mzuzu City, Malawi
Authors: Chirwa Charles , Hall Ralph , Krometis Leigh-Anne , Vance Eric , Edwards Adam , Guan Ting , Holm Rochelle
Published: February 2017

Pit latrines can provide improved household sanitation, but without effective and inexpensive emptying options, they are often abandoned once full and may pose a public health threat. Emptying techniques can be difficult, as the sludge contents of each pit latrine are different. The design of effective emptying techniques (e.g., pumps) is limited by a lack of data characterizing typical in situ latrine sludge resistance. This investigation aimed to better understand the community education and technical engineering needs necessary to improve pit latrine management. In low income areas within Mzuzu city, Malawi, 300 pit latrines from three distinct areas were assessed using a dynamic cone penetrometer to quantify fecal sludge strength, and household members were surveyed to determine their knowledge of desludging procedures and practices likely to impact fecal sludge characteristics. The results demonstrate that there is a significant difference in sludge strength between lined and unlined pits within a defined area, though sludge hardened with depth, regardless of the pit type or region. There was only limited association between cone penetration depth and household survey data. To promote the adoption of pit emptying, it is recommended that households be provided with information that supports pit emptying, such as latrine construction designs, local pit emptying options, and cost. This study indicates that the use of a penetrometer test in the field prior to pit latrine emptying may facilitate the selection of appropriate pit emptying technology.
A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review
Authors: Lyons Kate , Radburn Cameron , Orr Robin , Pope Rodney
Published: February 2017

Due to the unpredictable, varied and often physical nature of law enforcement duties, police officers are at a high risk of work-related physical injury. The aim of this critical narrative review was to identify and synthesize key findings of studies that have investigated musculoskeletal injuries sustained by law enforcement officers during occupational tasks. A systematic search of four databases using key search terms was conducted to identify potentially relevant studies, which were assessed against key inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine studies to be included in the review. Included studies were critically appraised and the level of evidence determined. Relevant data were extracted, tabulated and synthesized. The 16 identified studies ranged in percentage quality scores from 25.00% to 65.00%, with a mean score of 41.25% and high interrater agreement in scores reflected in a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, κ = 0.977. The most common body site of injury was the upper extremity, the most common injury types were soft-tissue sprains and strains and the most common cause of injury was a non-compliant offender, often involving assault. However, there was limited peer reviewed research in this area and the published research had a narrow focus and was of low to fair methodological quality.
Employment Condition, Economic Deprivation and Self-Evaluated Health in Europe: Evidence from EU-SILC 2009–2012
Authors: Bacci Silvia , Pigini Claudia , Seracini Marco , Minelli Liliana
Published: February 2017

Background: The mixed empirical evidence about employment conditions (i.e., permanent vs. temporary job, full-time vs. part-time job) as well as unemployment has motivated the development of conceptual models with the aim of assessing the pathways leading to effects of employment status on health. Alongside physically and psychologically riskier working conditions, one channel stems in the possibly severe economic deprivation faced by temporary workers. We investigate whether economic deprivation is able to partly capture the effect of employment status on Self-evaluated Health Status (SHS). Methods: Our analysis is based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey, for a balanced sample from 26 countries from 2009 to 2012. We estimate a correlated random-effects logit model for the SHS that accounts for the ordered nature of the dependent variable and the longitudinal structure of the data. Results and Discussion: Material deprivation and economic strain are able to partly account for the negative effects on SHS from precarious and part-time employment as well as from unemployment that, however, exhibits a significant independent negative association with SHS. Conclusions: Some of the indicators used to proxy economic deprivation are significant predictors of SHS and their correlation with the employment condition is such that it should not be neglected in empirical analysis, when available and further to the monetary income.
Lattara entre terres et eaux : paléogéographie et paléoboisements autour du port protohistorique
Authors: Jorda Christophe , Chabal Lucie , Blanchemanche Philippe
Published: February 2017

GER:Seit zehn Jahren werden an der Küste des Languedoc Untersuchungen über das Holozän angestellt. Im Rahmen dieser Forschungen wird auch die Entwicklung der Umgebung von Lattara unter dem paläogeographischen und umweltlichen Gesichtspunkt studiert. Ab dem Neolithikum lagert der Lez nach und nach seine Alluvionen in der ausgedehnten Lagunenlandschaft ab. Durch die Herausbildung des Deltas zieht sich die Lagune sowohl in der Fläche als auch in der Tiefe immer mehr zurück und der Fluss verlagert sich von Osten nach Westen. In diesem geografischen Kontext wird Lattara gegründet, das sich den jeweiligen Veränderungen der Küstenlinie der Lagune und des Deltas des Lez anpasst. Die Nutzung des an Eschen und Ulmen reichen Waldes der Küstenebene weicht im Laufe der Eisenzeit dem Ackerbau. Die Bevölkerung Lattaras bewirtschaftet den Mittelmeereichenwald, indem sie die bestehende Artenvielfalt bestmöglich nutzt.
Confirmation de la présence en France de Viola arvensis J. A. Murray subsp. megalantha Nauenb
Authors: Espeut Marc
Published: February 2017

La découverte dans l'Auxois (Bourgogne, département de la Côte-d'Or) d'une population de Viola arvensis J. A. Murray à grandes fleurs, nous a fait suspecter l'existence d'une sous-espèce assez récemment décrite de ce taxon : Viola arvensis subsp. megalantha Nauenb., Unters, Variab. ûkol. Syst. Viola tricolor-Gruppe : 81 (1986).

L'analyse de sa diagnose et une étude morphologique fine de spécimens frais nous ont permis de confirmer la présence de ce taxon sur le territoire français.

Ce Viola est très proche du Viola arvensis subsp. arvensis par la couleur de ses fleurs de teinte générale blanc-jaunâtre et par son écologie : espèce annuelle rudérale. Elle s'en distingue principalement par la grandeur de ses corolles qui l'oriente, à l'inverse du type, vers une reproduction de type allogame.

Les botanistes français du XIXe siècle (Jordan et Boreau principalement) avaient déjà décrit des taxons qui pourraient s'apparenter à Viola arvensis subsp. megalantha. Une étude plus précise des spécimens d'herbier et des populations de ces anciens taxons permettrait de précier leurs affinités taxonomiques.
Pig-to-Primate Islet Xenotransplantation: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Liu Zhengzhao , Hu Wenbao , He Tian , Dai Yifan , Hara Hidetaka , Bottino Rita , Cooper David K. C. , Cai Zhiming , Mou Lisha
Published: February 2017

Islet allotransplantation results in increasing success in treating type 1 diabetes, but the shortage of deceased human donor pancreata limits progress. Islet xenotransplantation, using pigs as a source of islets, is a promising approach to overcome this limitation. The greatest obstacle is the primate immune/inflammatory response to the porcine (pig) islets, which may take the form of rapid early graft rejection (the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction) or T-cell-mediated rejection. These problems are being resolved by the genetic engineering of the source pigs combined with improved immunosuppressive therapy. The results of pig-to-diabetic nonhuman primate islet xenotransplantation are steadily improving, with insulin independence being achieved for periods >1 year. An alternative approach is to isolate islets within a micro- or macroencapsulation device aimed at protecting them from the human recipient's immune response. Clinical trials using this approach are currently underway. This review focuses on the major aspects of pig-to-primate islet xenotransplantation and its potential for treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Notes de terrain sur quelques métiers et leur argot
Authors: Nahon Peter
Published: February 2017

À partir d’enquêtes linguistiques récentes ayant mené à la découverte fortuite d’un argot de diamantaires parlé à Paris au XX e siècle et dont le lexique consiste essentiellement en emprunts au yidich, au néerlandais et au judéo-espagnol, cet article propose, après une description et une mise en perspective de cette variété, quelques réflexions sur les argots de métier : quels métiers donnent lieu à des argots de métiers ? Pourquoi n’en est-il pas dans tous les milieux socioprofessionnels ? À ces questions, nous répondrons par quelques cas d’espèce et, enfin, par un formulaire d’enquête proposé au (socio-)linguiste désireux d’entreprendre une collecte dans ce champ négligé.
Morfološka tipologija stanovanjskih območij v Ljubljani // Morphological typology of residential areas in Ljubljana
Authors: Tiran Jernej , Bole David , Kumer Peter
Published: February 2017

V prispevku je predstavljena morfološka tipologija stanovanjskih območij v Ljubljani. Izdelali smo jo na podlagi treh prvin morfološke zgradbe mesta: časa, oblike in ravni natančnosti. S kartiranjem v geografskih informacijskih sistemih, podprtim s terenskim delom, različnimi podatkovnimi in zgodovinskimi viri, smo opredelili 16 značilnih morfoloških območij stanovanjskih objektov, jih prostorsko zamejili in opisali. Metodologija za določanje morfološke zgradbe je potencialno uporabna tudi za druga slovenska mesta, rezultati tipizacije pa so lahko izhodišče za urbanistično načrtovanje, ovrednotenje preteklega in današnjega prostorskega razvoja mesta ter analize v urbanizmu in urbani geografiji.The article presents a new morphological typology of residential areas in Ljubljana. It was created using three fundamental principles of urban morphology: time, form, and resolution. By mapping in the geographical information systems supported by the fieldwork, various data sources and historical sources, we defined 16 residential morphological areas with accurate delimitation and descriptions. The methodology for mapping urban morphology is also potentially useful for other Slovenian cities, while the typification results can be a useful basis for urban planning, the evaluation of previous and contemporary spatial development in Ljubljana, and future analysis in urbanism and urban geography.
Ledinska imena na kulturnih terasah // Field names in agricultural terraces
Authors: Geršič Matjaž
Published: February 2017

V članku predstavljamo analizo ledinskih imen na terasiranih območjih izbranih katastrskih občin v jugozahodni Sloveniji. Ledinska imena smo na vnaprej zamejenih terasiranih območjih identificirali v različnih virih in jih s pomočjo postopka georeferenciranja v geografskih informacijskih sistemih umestili v enoten koordinatni sistem. Z etimološkimi slovarji smo pri izbranih imenih skušali najti povezavo z rabo tal in drugimi lastnostmi poimenovane ledine. The article analyses field names in agricultural terraces of selected cadastral municipalities in south-west Slovenia. Field names for previously delimited agricultural terraces were identified in different sources and placed into a uniform coordinate system by means of georeferencing. Etymological dictionaries were then used to help determine a connection with land use and other features of the land unit in question.
Modeling 3-D permeability distribution in alluvial fans using facies architecture and geophysical acquisitions
Authors: Zhu Lin , Gong Huili , Dai Zhenxue , Guo Gaoxuan , Teatini Pietro
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Alluvial fans are highly heterogeneous in hydraulic properties due to complex depositional processes, which make it difficult to characterize the spatial distribution of the hydraulic conductivity (K). An original methodology is developed to identify the spatial statistical parameters (mean, variance, correlation range) of the hydraulic conductivity in a three-dimensional (3-D) setting by using geological and geophysical data. More specifically, a large number of inexpensive vertical electric soundings are integrated with a facies model developed from borehole lithologic data to simulate the log10(K) continuous distributions in multiple-zone heterogeneous alluvial megafans. The Chaobai River alluvial fan in the Beijing Plain, China, is used as an example to test the proposed approach. Due to the non-stationary property of the K distribution in the alluvial fan, a multiple-zone parameterization approach is applied to analyze the conductivity statistical properties of different hydrofacies in the various zones. The composite variance in each zone is computed to describe the evolution of the conductivity along the flow direction. Consistently with the scales of the sedimentary transport energy, the results show that conductivity variances of fine sand, medium-coarse sand, and gravel decrease from the upper (zone 1) to the lower (zone 3) portion along the flow direction. In zone 1, sediments were moved by higher-energy flooding, which induces poor sorting and larger conductivity variances. The composite variance confirms this feature with statistically different facies from zone 1 to zone 3. The results of this study provide insights to improve our understanding on conductivity heterogeneity and a method for characterizing the spatial distribution of K in alluvial fans.
Adaptación transcultural y validación del contenido del Delaware School Climate Survey-Student (DSCS-S) en Brasil
Authors: Holst Bruna , Weber João , Bear George G. , Lisboa Carolina
Published: February 2017

El clima escolar evalúa las dimensiones: social, emocional, ética, académica y ambiental de la vida escolar, tales como normas, metas, valores, relaciones interpersonales, prácticas de enseñanza y aprendizaje y estructuras institucionales. El presente artículo pretende presentar el proceso de traducción, adaptación cultural y de investigación de la validación del contenido del instrumento de clima escolar del Delaware School Climate Survey-Student (DSCS-S) en Brasil, especialmente la investigación de la validad del contenido del instrumento a través del coeficiente de validad de contenido (CVC). El proceso consistió en etapas de traducción y retraducción, estudio piloto con público albo, evaluaciones con especialistas y minuciosos ajustes en el instrumento. El análisis apunta a la importancia de seguir un riguroso método de adaptación transcultural de instrumentos para garantizar la validez del contenido, así como la existencia de evidencias de validez de contenido (CVC > 0,8 para todas las escalas del instrumento) del DSCS-S para la lengua portuguesa de Brasil. Este instrumento puede ayudar a las escuelas brasileñas a evaluar el clima escolar y desarrollar estrategias, programas y políticas escolares más eficaces
A two‐step model for dynamical dike propagation in two dimensions: Application to the July 2001 Etna eruption
Authors: Pinel V. , Carrara A. , Maccaferri F. , Rivalta E. , Corbi F.
Published: February 2017

We developed a hybrid numerical model of dike propagation in two dimensions solving both for the magma trajectory and velocity as a function of the source overpressure, the magma physical properties (density and viscosity), and the crustal density and stress field. This model is used to characterize the influence of surface load changes on magma migration toward the surface. We confirm that surface loading induced by volcanic edifice construction tends both to attract the magma and to reduce its velocity. In contrast, surface unloading, for instance, due to caldera formation, tends to divert the magma to the periphery‐retarding eruption. In both cases the deflected magma may remain trapped at depth. Amplitudes of dike deflection and magma velocity variation depend on the ratio between the magma driving pressure (source overpressure as well as buoyancy) and the stress field perturbation. Our model is then applied to the July 2001 eruption of Etna, where the final dike deflection had been previously interpreted as due to the topographic load. We show that the velocity decrease observed during the last stage of the propagation can also be attributed to the local stress field. We use the dike propagation duration to estimate the magma overpressure at the dike bottom to be less than 4 MPa. This approach can be potentially used to forecast if, where, and when propagating magma might reach the surface when having knowledge on the local stress field, magma physical properties, and reservoir overpressure.
Low‐velocity zones in the crust beneath Aso caldera, Kyushu, Japan, derived from receiver function analyses
Authors: Abe Yuki , Ohkura Takahiro , Shibutani Takuo , Hirahara Kazuro , Yoshikawa Shin , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: February 2017

Aso volcano, in central Kyushu Island in southwest Japan, has a large caldera (18 × 25 km) that formed by the ejection of more than 600 km3 of deposits 89 thousand years ago. We calculated receiver functions from teleseismic waveform data obtained from densely distributed stations in and around the caldera. We estimated the crustal S wave velocity structure from the receiver functions by using genetic algorithm inversion. We detected a low‐velocity zone (Vs > 2.2 km/s) at a depth of 8–15 km beneath the eastern flank of the central cones. A sill‐like deformation source has been detected at a depth of 15.5 km by analyses of GPS data, and a swarm of low‐frequency earthquakes exists at depths of 15–25 km just beneath this low‐velocity zone. Magma may be newly generated and accumulated in this low‐velocity zone as a result of hot intrusions coming from beneath it. Except for the region beneath the eastern flank of the central cones, a second low‐velocity zone (Vs > 1.9 km/s) extends in and around the caldera at a depth of 15–23 km, although phenomena representing intrusions have not been detected below it. From the estimated velocity structure, these low‐velocity zones are interpreted to contain a maximum of 15% melt or 30% water.
Small perturbation evolution in compressible Poiseuille flow: pressure–velocity interactions and obliqueness effects
Authors: Xie Zhimin , Karimi Mona , Girimaji Sharath S.
Published: February 2017

Small perturbation evolution in compressible Poiseuille flow is contrasted against the incompressible case using direct simulations and non-modal linear analysis. The onset of compressibility effects leads to a profound change in the behaviour of pressure and its interaction with the velocity field. Linear analysis shows that the most significant compressibility outcome is the harmonic coupling between pressure and wall-normal velocity perturbations. Oscillations in normal perturbations can lead to periods of negative production causing suppression of perturbation growth. The extent of the influence of compressibility can be characterized in terms of an effective gradient Mach number ($M_{g}^{e}$). Analysis shows that $M_{g}^{e}$ diminishes as the angle of the perturbation increases with respect to the shear plane. Direct numerical simulations show that streamwise perturbations, which would lead to Tollmien–Schlichting instability in the incompressible case, are completely suppressed in the compressible case and experience the highest $M_{g}^{e}$. At the other extreme, computations reveal that spanwise perturbations, which experience negligible $M_{g}^{e}$, are entirely unaltered from the incompressible case. Perturbation behaviour at intermediate obliqueness angles is established. Moreover, the underlying pressure–velocity interactions are explicated.
Double generating spirographic curves
Authors: Berendonk Stephan
Published: February 2017

We can use a spirograph in different ways to draw curves. Do these different modes of drawing necessarily yield different curves, or is it also possible to get the same curve by using two different modes of drawing? We address this question geometrically, not using the parametric equations of the curves.
Radiocarbon Dating of Pottery from Bronze Age Sites in eastern European steppes (Russia)
Authors: Kuznetsov P , Mochalov О
Published: February 2017

In recent decades, the radiocarbon method has frequently been used for dating organic admixtures in pottery. This method is useful for dating the Late Stone Age cultures in eastern Europe due to the poor availability of other organic materials. On the contrary, Bronze Age sites offer a great variety of organic sources, including remains of wooden structures, charcoal, and human and animal bones. This paper analyzes the 14C dates obtained on bones and pottery from six Bronze Age sites in order to determine the feasibility of 14C pottery dating for this particular period. Bronze Age pottery is made of silty clay containing organic matter, which can comprise older material. Therefore, 14С dates obtained on bones, wood, or charcoal are more representative. This paper analyzes the 14C dates obtained on bones and pottery from six Bronze Age sites. Based on this limited study, the authors conclude that dating of pottery from the Bronze Age is controversial and can result in much older dates. We argue this method is acceptable only if no other organic materials are available.
Three-dimensional simulations of sheared current sheets: transition to turbulence?
Authors: Gingell Imogen , Sorriso-Valvo Luca , Burgess David , de Vita Gaetano , Matteini Lorenzo
Published: February 2017

Systems of multiple current sheets arise in various situations in natural plasmas, such as at the heliospheric current sheet in the solar wind and in the outer heliosphere in the heliosheath. Previous three-dimensional simulations have shown that such systems can develop turbulent-like fluctuations resulting from a forward and inverse cascade in wave vector space. We present a study of the transition to turbulence of such multiple current sheet systems, including the effects of adding a magnetic guide field and velocity shears across the current sheets. Three-dimensional hybrid simulations are performed of systems with eight narrow current sheets in a triply periodic geometry. We carry out a number of different analyses of the evolution of the fluctuations as the initially highly ordered state relaxes to one which resembles turbulence. Despite the evidence of a forward and inverse cascade in the fluctuation power spectra, we find that none of the simulated cases have evidence of intermittency after the initial period of fast reconnection associated with the ion tearing instability at the current sheets. Cancellation analysis confirms that the simulations have not evolved to a state which can be identified as fully developed turbulence. The addition of velocity shears across the current sheets slows the evolution in the properties of the fluctuations, but by the end of the simulation they are broadly similar. However, if the simulation is constrained to be two-dimensional, differences are found, indicating that fully three-dimensional simulations are important when studying the evolution of an ordered equilibrium towards a turbulent-like state.
Septuagint Figura: Assessing the Contribution of Richard B. Hays
Authors: Millay Thomas J.
Published: February 2017

This article offers a brief engagement with Richard B. Hays's 2014 book Reading Backwards, with occasional reference to its 2016 successor, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels. Beginning with a genealogy of Hays's notion of figural exegesis, the article calls attention to the bold theological claims that cash out his understanding of figural exegesis. It then proceeds to a critical dialogue that questions Hays' identification of his understanding of figural exegesis with that of the church fathers. Irenaeus and John David Dawson are drawn upon to argue for a significant difference between ancient practice and the post-critical hermeneutics evinced throughout Reading Backwards. The two approaches are by no means as easily drawn together as Hays seems to suggest, and the difference has significant implications for understanding the role God might play in how we relate the Old Testament to the New.
The Volkswagen Scandal from the Viewpoint of Corporate Governance
Authors: Crête Raymonde
Published: February 2017

Like some other crises and scandals that periodically occur in the business community, the Volkswagen (“VW”) scandal once again highlights the devastating consequences of corporate misconduct, once publicly disclosed, and the media storm that generally follows the discovery of such significant misbehaviour by a major corporation. Since the crisis broke in September 2015, the media have relayed endless details about the substantial negative impacts on VW, on various stakeholder groups such as employees, directors, investors, suppliers and consumers, and on the automobile industry as a whole.1 The multiple and negative repercussions at the economic, organizational and legal levels have quickly become apparent, in particular in the form of resignations, changes in VW's senior management, layoffs, a hiring freeze, the end to the marketing of diesel-engined vehicles, vehicle recalls, a decline in car sales, a drop in market capitalization, and the launching of internal investigations by VW and external investigations by the public authorities.
Surface mediated cooperative interactions of drugs enhance mechanical forces for antibiotic action
Authors: Ndieyira Joseph W. , Bailey Joe , Patil Samadhan B. , Vögtli Manuel , Cooper Matthew A. , Abell Chris , McKendry Rachel A. , Aeppli Gabriel
Published: February 2017

The alarming increase of pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics is now recognized as a major health issue fuelling demand for new drugs. Bacterial resistance is often caused by molecular changes at the bacterial surface, which alter the nature of specific drug-target interactions. Here, we identify a novel mechanism by which drug-target interactions in resistant bacteria can be enhanced. We examined the surface forces generated by four antibiotics; vancomycin, ristomycin, chloroeremomycin and oritavancin against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant targets on a cantilever and demonstrated significant differences in mechanical response when drug-resistant targets are challenged with different antibiotics although no significant differences were observed when using susceptible targets. Remarkably, the binding affinity for oritavancin against drug-resistant targets (70 nM) was found to be 11,000 times stronger than for vancomycin (800 μM), a powerful antibiotic used as the last resort treatment for streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using an exactly solvable model, which takes into account the solvent and membrane effects, we demonstrate that drug-target interactions are strengthened by pronounced polyvalent interactions catalyzed by the surface itself. These findings further enhance our understanding of antibiotic mode of action and will enable development of more effective therapies.
Evolutionary clade affects resistance of Clostridium difficile spores to Cold Atmospheric Plasma
Authors: Connor Mairéad , Flynn Padrig B. , Fairley Derek J. , Marks Nikki , Manesiotis Panagiotis , Graham William G. , Gilmore Brendan F. , McGrath John W.
Published: February 2017

Clostridium difficile is a spore forming bacterium and the leading cause of colitis and antibiotic associated diarrhoea in the developed world. Spores produced by C. difficile are robust and can remain viable for months, leading to prolonged healthcare-associated outbreaks with high mortality. Exposure of C. difficile spores to a novel, non-thermal atmospheric pressure gas plasma was assessed. Factors affecting sporicidal efficacy, including percentage of oxygen in the helium carrier gas admixture, and the effect on spores from different strains representing the five evolutionary C. difficile clades was investigated. Strains from different clades displayed varying resistance to cold plasma. Strain R20291, representing the globally epidemic ribotype 027 type, was the most resistant. However all tested strains displayed a ~3 log reduction in viable spore counts after plasma treatment for 5 minutes. Inactivation of a ribotype 078 strain, the most prevalent clinical type seen in Northern Ireland, was further assessed with respect to surface decontamination, pH, and hydrogen peroxide concentration. Environmental factors affected plasma activity, with dry spores without the presence of organic matter being most susceptible. This study demonstrates that cold atmospheric plasma can effectively inactivate C. difficile spores, and highlights factors that can affect sporicidal activity.
Mechanisms underlying the cardiac antifibrotic effects of losartan metabolites
Authors: Miguel-Carrasco José Luis , Beaumont Javier , San José Gorka , Moreno María U. , López Begoña , González Arantxa , Zalba Guillermo , Díez Javier , Fortuño Ana , Ravassa Susana
Published: February 2017

Excessive myocardial collagen deposition and cross-linking (CCL), a process regulated by lysyl oxidase (LOX), determines left ventricular (LV) stiffness and dysfunction. The angiotensin II antagonist losartan, metabolized to the EXP3179 and EXP3174 metabolites, reduces myocardial fibrosis and LV stiffness in hypertensive patients. Our aim was to investigate the differential influence of losartan metabolites on myocardial LOX and CCL in an experimental model of hypertension with myocardial fibrosis, and whether EXP3179 and EXP3174 modify LOX expression and activity in fibroblasts. In rats treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), administration of EXP3179 fully prevented LOX, CCL and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) increase, as well as fibrosis, without normalization of blood pressure (BP). In contrast, administration of EXP3174 normalized BP and attenuated fibrosis but did not modify LOX, CCL and CTGF. In TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblasts, EXP3179 inhibited CTGF and LOX expression and activity with lower IC50 values than EXP3174. Our results indicate that, despite a lower antihypertensive effect, EXP3179 shows higher anti-fibrotic efficacy than EXP3174, likely through its ability to prevent the excess of LOX and CCL. It is suggested that the anti-fibrotic effect of EXP3179 may be partially mediated by the blockade of CTGF-induced LOX in fibroblasts.
The Neuroeconomics of Tobacco Demand: An Initial Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Cigarette Cost-Benefit Decision Making in Male Smokers
Authors: Gray Joshua C. , Amlung Michael T. , Owens Max , Acker John , Brown Courtney L. , Brody Gene H. , Sweet Lawrence H. , MacKillop James
Published: February 2017

How the brain processes cigarette cost-benefit decision making remains largely unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study investigated the neural correlates of decisions for cigarettes (0–10 cigarettes) at varying levels of price during a Cigarette Purchase Task (CPT) in male regular smokers (N = 35). Differential neural activity was examined between choices classified as inelastic, elastic, and suppressed demand, operationalized as consumption unaffected by cost, partially suppressed by cost, and entirely suppressed by cost, respectively. Decisions reflecting elastic demand, putatively the most effortful decisions, elicited greater activation in regions associated with inhibition and planning (e.g., middle frontal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus), craving and interoceptive processing (anterior insula), and conflict monitoring (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex). Exploratory examination in a harmonized dataset of both cigarette and alcohol demand (N = 59) suggested common neural activation patterns across commodities, particularly in the anterior insula, caudate, anterior cingulate, medial frontal gyrus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Collectively, these findings provide initial validation of a CPT fMRI paradigm; reveal the interplay of brain regions associated with executive functioning, incentive salience, and interoceptive processing in cigarette decision making; and add to the literature implicating the insula as a key brain region in addiction.
Preparation and characterization of mesostructured cellular foam silica supported Cu–Ce mixed oxide catalysts for CO oxidation
Authors: Luo Zhimin , Mao Dongsen , Shen Weiwei , Zheng Yuling , Yu Jun
Published: February 2017

A series of mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) silica supported CuO–CeO2 catalysts with various total metal loadings (10–40 wt%) and various Cu/Ce ratios (Cu/Ce = 1/9, 2/8, and 3/7 wt/wt) were prepared and tested for CO oxidation.
Nano-montmorillonite modified foamed paste with a high volume fly ash binder
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Gong Jing , Du Sen , Wu Jianlin , Li Jianfen , Hoffman Daniel , Shi Xianming
Published: February 2017

This study demonstrated a nanoclay-modified HVFA foamed paste as a thermal insulation material and obtained an in-depth understanding of its hydration mechanism.
Hydrophilic–hydrophobic phase transition of photoresponsive linear and macrocyclic poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s
Authors: Jung Yongseok , Nam Jaehyuk , Kim Joo-Ho , Jang Woo-Dong
Published: February 2017

Photoisomerization induced a great change of thermal transition temperature.
All-dimensional H2–CO potential: Validation with fully quantum second virial coefficients
Authors: Garberoglio Giovanni , Jankowski Piotr , Szalewicz Krzysztof , Harvey Allan H.
Published: February 2017

We use a new high-accuracy all-dimensional potential to compute the cross second virial coefficient B12(T) between molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The path-integral method is used to fully account for quantum effects. Values are calculated from 10 K to 2000 K and the uncertainty of the potential is propagated into uncertainties of B12. Our calculated B12(T) are in excellent agreement with most of the limited experimental data available, but cover a much wider range of temperatures and have lower uncertainties. Similar to recently reported findings from scattering calculations, we find that the reduced-dimensionality potential obtained by averaging over the rovibrational motion of the monomers gives results that are a good approximation to those obtained when flexibility is fully taken into account. Also, the four-dimensional approximation with monomers taken at their vibrationally averaged bond lengths works well. This finding is important, since full-dimensional potentials are difficult to develop even for triatomic monomers and are not currently possible to obtain for larger molecules. Likewise, most types of accurate quantum mechanical calculations, e.g., spectral or scattering, are severely limited in the number of dimensions that can be handled.
Extremely asymmetric phase diagram of homopolymer-monotethered nanoparticles: Competition between chain conformational entropy and particle steric interaction
Authors: Zhang Tiancai , Fu Chao , Yang Yingzi , Qiu Feng
Published: February 2017

The phase behaviors of homopolymer-monotethered nanoparticles (HMNs) in melt are investigated via a theoretical method combining self-consistent field theory for polymers and density functional theory for hard spheres. An extremely asymmetric phase diagram is observed: (i) microphases are only possible for the volume fraction of the tethered polymer fA > 0.35; (ii) in addition to lamellar phase, the system can only self-assemble into various morphologies with a polymer-rich matrix, including gyroid phase, cylindrical phase, and spherical phase. In the frame of this theory, the critical point for HMNs’ microphase separation is significantly lower than that of linear diblock copolymers. Furthermore, the characteristic length of microphase-separated structures of HMNs is much smaller than that of linear diblock copolymers with the same molecular weight. Our calculation results on morphologies and characteristic length agree well with recent simulations and experimental observations.
Classification of processes for the atomic layer deposition of metals based on mechanistic information from density functional theory calculations
Authors: Elliott S. D. , Dey G. , Maimaiti Y.
Published: February 2017

Reaction cycles for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of metals are presented, based on the incomplete data that exist about their chemical mechanisms, particularly from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. ALD requires self-limiting adsorption of each precursor, which results from exhaustion of adsorbates from previous ALD pulses and possibly from inactivation of the substrate through adsorption itself. Where the latter reaction does not take place, an “abbreviated cycle” still gives self-limiting ALD, but at a much reduced rate of deposition. Here, for example, ALD growth rates are estimated for abbreviated cycles in H2-based ALD of metals. A wide variety of other processes for the ALD of metals are also outlined and then classified according to which a reagent supplies electrons for reduction of the metal. Detailed results on computing the mechanism of copper ALD by transmetallation are summarized and shown to be consistent with experimental growth rates. Potential routes to the ALD of other transition metals by using complexes of non-innocent diazadienyl ligands as metal sources are also evaluated using DFT.
Highly driven polymer translocation from a cylindrical cavity with a finite length
Authors: Sean David , Slater Gary W.
Published: February 2017

We present a computer simulation study of polymer translocation in a situation where the chain is initially confined to a closed cylindrical cavity in order to reduce the impact of conformational diversity on the translocation times. In particular, we investigate how the coefficient of variation of the distribution of translocation times can be minimized by optimizing both the volume and the aspect ratio of the cavity. Interestingly, this type of confinement sometimes increases the number and impact of hairpin conformations such that the fluctuations in the translocation process do not follow a power law in time (for instance, these fluctuations can even vary non-monotonically with time). We develop a tension-propagation model for a polymer compressed into such a confining volume and find that its predictions are in good agreement with our simulation results in the experimentally relevant strongly driven limit. Both the theoretical calculations and the simulation data yield a minimum in the coefficient of variation of the distribution of translocation times for a cylindrical cavity with an aspect ratio that makes it similar to a hemisphere. This provides guidance for the design of new devices based on the preconfinement of the target polymer into cavities.