bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tetrazole substituted polymers for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Authors: Henkensmeier Dirk , Duong Ngoc My Hanh , Brela Mateusz , Dyduch Karol , Michalak Artur , Jankova Katja , Cho Hyeongrae , Jang Jong Hyun , Kim Hyoung-Juhn , Cleemann Lars N. , Li Qingfeng , Jensen Jens Oluf
Published: June 2015

Tetrazole (TZ) has lower basicity than imidazole and may not be fully protonated by phosphoric acid. DFT calculations suggest that the basicity of TZ groups can be increased by introducing a 2,6-dioxy-phenyl-group in position 5.
Three-dimensional Co3O4@C@Ni3S2 sandwich-structured nanoneedle arrays: towards high-performance flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Kong Dezhi , Cheng Chuanwei , Wang Ye , Wong Jen It , Yang Yaping , Yang Hui Ying
Published: June 2015

A novel asymmetric supercapacitor composed of Co3O4@C@Ni3S2 NNAs as the positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as the negative electrode can deliver a high energy density and excellent long cycle stability.
Tailoring a two-dimensional graphene oxide surface: dual T1 and T2 MRI contrast agent materials
Authors: Peng Erwin , Wang Fenghe , Tan Suhui , Zheng Bingwen , Li Sam Fong Yau , Xue Jun Min
Published: June 2015

A water-soluble hybrid two-dimensional nanostructured dual T1–T2 MRI contrast agent with fair T1 and T2 nanoparticle separation distance and negligible T1/T2 signal quenching was developed.
Ruthenium oxide as a thermoelectric material: unconventional thermoelectric properties of Li2RuO3
Authors: Terasaki Ichiro , Abe Shuhei , Yasui Yukio , Okazaki Ryuji , Taniguchi Hiroki
Published: June 2015

Ruthenium oxides are typical strongly correlated electron systems, where various ordering phenomena occur through delicate interplay among the charge, spin and orbital degrees of freedom.
Compact wide‐stopband diplexer using dual mode resonators
Authors: Duan Qi , Song Kaijun , Chen Fulong , Fan Yong
Published: June 2015

A compact microstrip diplexer for UMTS and WCDMA systems is presented. The size of the diplexer can be reduced by using capacitance loaded square meander loop resonators. Owing to the capacitance loaded arms, the resonator has the advantages of compact size and harmonic suppression. The two degenerate‐mode resonances are used to form the lower and upper channel of the diplexer, respectively, which generate two transmission zeroes so as to obtain high frequency selectivity. Simulated and measured results are presented and show good agreement.
Driving‐scenario oriented design of an axial‐flux permanent‐magnet synchronous motor for a pedal electric cycle
Authors: Yang Yee‐Pien , Ding Fu‐Xuan
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a driving‐scenario oriented design of an axial‐flux permanent‐magnet synchronous motor for a pedal electric cycle (Pedelec). Traditional motors are usually designed according to a torque and speed (TN) curve with two operation zones – constant torque and constant power, without being closely related to a driving scenario. The proposed design method defines the TN curve with three operation zones – constant torque, maximum DC current and maximum voltage, which are specified by a driving scenario, the modulation method of motor drive and basic torque and voltage equations of motors. This target TN curve provides admissible ranges for the back electromotive force constant and phase resistance of the motor to be designed. A systematic design procedure is introduced by a quasi‐three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic circuit model, a multi‐objective optimisation process for sizing the motor and a finite element analysis for verifying and refining the design. The resulting TN curve of the proposed Pedelec motor is proved to be very close to the target TN curve that is prescribed by the driving scenario, and motor and drive parameters.
Nuclear Magnetic Dipole and Electric Quadrupole Moments: Their Measurement and Tabulation as Accessible Data
Authors: Stone N. J.
Published: June 2015

The most recent tabulations of nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments have been prepared and published by the Nuclear Data Section of the IAEA, Vienna [N. J. Stone, Report No. INDC(NDS)-0650 (2013); Report No. INDC(NDS)-0658 (2014)]. The first of these is a table of recommended quadrupole moments for all isotopes in which all experimental results are made consistent with a limited number of adopted standards for each element; the second is a combined listing of all measurements of both moments. Both tables cover all isotopes and energy levels. In this paper, the considerations relevant to the preparation of both tables are described, together with observations as to the importance and (where appropriate) application of necessary corrections to achieve the “best” values. Some discussion of experimental methods is included with emphasis on their precision. The aim of the published quadrupole moment table is to provide a standard reference in which the value given for each moment is the best available and for which full provenance is given. A table of recommended magnetic dipole moments is in preparation, with the same objective in view.
Weak asymptotic methods for 3-D self-gravitating pressureless fluids. Application to the creation and evolution of solar systems from the fully nonlinear Euler-Poisson equations
Authors: Colombeau M.
Published: June 2015

We construct a family of classical continuous functions S(x, y, z, t, ϵ) which tend to satisfy asymptotically the system of selfgravitating pressureless fluids when ϵ → 0. This produces a weak asymptotic method in the sense of Danilov, Omel’yanov, and Shelkovich. The construction is based on a family of two ordinary differential equations (ODEs) (one for the continuity equation and one for the Euler equation) in classical Banach spaces of continuous functions. This construction applies to 3-D self-gravitating pressureless fluids even in presence of point and string concentrations of matter. The method is constructive which permits to check numerically from standard methods for ODEs that these functions tend to the known or admitted solutions when the latter exist. As a direct application, we present a simulation of formation and evolution of a planetary system from a rotating disk of dust: a theorem in this paper asserts that the observed results are a depiction of functions that satisfy the system with arbitrary precision.
Novel comparison of microscopy and diffraction techniques on the structure of iron oxide nanoparticle monolayers transferred by Langmuir-Schaefer method
Authors: Stanley Jacob , Dai Yeling , Boucheron Leandra , Lin Binhua , Meron Mati , Shpyrko Oleg
Published: June 2015

Iron oxide nanoparticles undergo self-assembly into well-ordered monolayer films of macroscopic size at the air-water interface. This self-assembly process is the result of the van der Waals forces between the constituent particles. For roughly spherical particles, this monolayer is a 2D hexagonal close packed lattice. With Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GID), one can obtain global statistical information about the film’s spacing and correlation length. Herein, we demonstrate that comparable structural information can be obtained by a novel Fourier transform analysis method applied to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images taken of the film after it has been transferred to a silicon substrate. This consists of using numerical methods to isolate the lattice structure of the monolayer in the SEM image to which a 2D discrete Fourier Transform is applied and the result integrated. This results in Bragg peak information akin to that obtained from GID, whose structure shows the same hexagonal close packed lattice with similar spacing and of greater peak contrast. This analysis technique may prove to be a suitable alternative or compliment to GID for many applications.
Plasmonic nanospheres with a handle—Local electrochemical deposition of Au or Ag at the apex of optically inactive W- or C-tips
Authors: Ma X. , Grüßer M. , Schuster R.
Published: June 2015

We developed an electrochemical method for the local deposition of spherical particles of plasmonic metals like Au or Ag at the apex of conductive tips. The electrochemical metal deposition was confined to the tip apex by the application of short potential pulses between the tip and a sacrificial electrode in close proximity. The diameter of the deposits could be varied between several 10 nm to about 1 μm. Cathodoluminescence maps of the decorated tips showed enhanced luminescence at the Au or Ag nanospheres. Local cathodoluminescence spectra proved excitation of surface plasmons characteristic for metallic Ag or Au.
Solution-processed PCDTBT capped low-voltage InGaZnOx thin film phototransistors for visible-light detection
Authors: Wang Han , Xiao Yubin , Chen Zefeng , Xu Wangying , Long Mingzhu , Xu Jian-Bin
Published: June 2015

The effects of visible-light detection based on solution processed poly[N-9′′-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) capped InGaZnOx (IGZO) phototransistors with Al2Ox serving as gate dielectric are investigated in this paper. The high-k dielectric is used to lower the device operating voltage down to 2 V. Photons emitted from laser sources with the wavelengths (λ) of 532 nm and 635 nm are absorbed through the layer of PCDTBT to generate electron-hole-pairs (EHPs). After the separation of EHPs, electrons are injected into IGZO layer through the p-n junction formed between the IGZO (n-type semiconductor) and the PCDTBT (p-type semiconductor). The photo-generated carriers boost the drain current of the transistors as well as bring about the negative threshold voltage shift. Significant enhanced detection performance is achieved under the laser wavelength of 532 nm. The highest photoresponsivity reaches up to 20 A/W, while the photoresponse rise time comes to 10 ms and the fall time comes to approximate 76 ms, which is much faster than trap assisted IGZO visible light detection. The fabricated phototransistors favor the application of visible-light detectors and/or optical switches.
Micro-wrinkling and delamination-induced buckling of stretchable electronic structures
Authors: Oyewole O. K. , Yu D. , Du J. , Asare J. , Oyewole D. O. , Anye V. C. , Fashina A. , Zebaze Kana M. G. , Soboyejo W. O.
Published: June 2015

This paper presents the results of experimental and theoretical/computational micro-wrinkles and buckling on the surfaces of stretchable poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated with nano-scale Gold (Au) layers. The wrinkles and buckles are formed by the unloading of pre-stretched PDMS/Au structure after the evaporation of nano-scale Au layers. They are then characterized using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The critical stresses required for wrinkling and buckling are analyzed using analytical models. The possible interfacial cracking that can occur along with film buckling is also studied using finite element simulations of the interfacial crack growth. The implications of the results are discussed for potential applications of micro-wrinkles and micro-buckles in stretchable electronic structures and biomedical devices.
Vegetation of Beni Bousera (northern Morocco) ultramafic soils and adjacent non-ultramafic soils in relation to edaphic factors
Authors: El Ghalabzouri A. , Ajbilou R. , Mariotti M. G. , Targuisti K. , Ater M.
Published: June 2015

Vegetation and soil sampling were undertaken in 47 relevés in two different sites in Beni Bousera (northern Morocco), 32 relevés were on ultramafic sites (peridotite) and 15 were on adjacent non-ultramafic soils (mica-schist). Soil composition of exchangeable elements (nickel, calcium, magnesium, calcium : magnesium ratio, iron, copper) and physicochemical characteristics (e.g. pH, cation exchange capacity, conductivity, carbonate) were investigated and the species composition and cover were recorded. Although there was a significant difference between the two types of soil shown by Student’s t-test and principal component analysis, the ‘serpentine factor’ can be considered moderate on the basis of the observed heavy metal concentrations and of the related calcium : magnesium ratio. Correspondence and canonical analysis were used to detect the principal factors associated with gradients in species composition. This analysis showed a clear differentiation of vegetation among the plant communities. Preferential or strict serpentinophyte species were recognised, whereas no hyperaccumulator species have yet been found.
Ras-GTP dimers activate the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway
Authors: Nan Xiaolin , Tamgüney Tanja M. , Collisson Eric A. , Lin Li-Jung , Pitt Cameron , Galeas Jacqueline , Lewis Sophia , Gray Joe W. , McCormick Frank , Chu Steven
Published: June 2015

Significance

Rat sarcoma (Ras) proteins play central roles in both normal and oncogenic signaling. Mechanisms of how Ras interacts with its effectors on the cell membrane, however, are still poorly understood, significantly hampering efforts to target this molecule in human cancer. Here we have used quantitative superresolution fluorescence microscopy in combination with carefully engineered biological systems to show that Ras dimers drive oncogenic signaling through the Raf-MAPK pathway. Our study suggests a new, dimer model of Ras-Raf signaling and the potential value of Ras dimers as a therapeutic target.
Diet Partitioning in a Diverse Centrarchid Assemblage in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana
Authors: Miller Brett A. , Kelso William E. , Kaller Michael D.
Published: June 2015

We examined trophic and habitat resource partitioning among seven centrarchid species inhabiting four macrohabitat types in the Atchafalaya River basin (ARB), a 900‐km2 bottomland hardwood swamp in south‐central Louisiana. Fish (n = 2,036) were collected at 24 sites by boat electrofishing, and trophic position was determined from stomach contents and tissue analysis of 15N and 13C stable isotope signatures (n = 140). Stomach content analysis (index of relative importance), Morisita's index of dietary overlap, and canonical correspondence analysis revealed little effect of ARB macrohabitat type on centrarchid trophic relationships despite significant habitat alterations in dredged canals. Analyses revealed substantial diet overlap among three predominately insectivorous species (Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, Redspotted Sunfish L. miniatus, and Longear Sunfish L. megalotis), whereas much more distinctive trophic positions were occupied by Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides (dominant prey = fish), Black Crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus (palaemonid shrimp), Redear Sunfish L. microlophus (mollusks), and Warmouths L. gulosus (crayfish). Stable isotope signatures reflected dietary differences among species and complemented stomach content analyses in assessing the feeding ecology of these centrarchids, although isotopic similarities were sometimes higher than actual similarities in diet composition. Results suggest that centrarchid functional morphology and prey selection, combined with the diversity and productivity of ARB littoral habitats, effectively reduce the potential for competition among the seven cohabiting centrarchids.
A commitment to politics: the trajectory of the Muslim Brotherhood during Egypt’s 2011–13 political opening
Authors: Wilmot Jennifer
Published: June 2015

Prior to the 2011 Arab uprisings, Islamist parties in most Arab states had been systematically prevented from exercising any meaningful authority in government. Following President Hosni Mubarak’s ousting from power in 2011, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) established a political party – the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) – and formally entered mainstream politics, providing a rare opportunity to examine the role of an Islamist party in the context of democratic transition. Contrary to concerns that the MB might use Egypt’s political opening to install an undemocratic regime, the movement instead committed itself to electoral politics and consistently adhered to the framework for political transition. An analysis of the MB’s political trajectory during the 2011–13 timeframe reveals that the movement endeavoured to protect Egypt’s democratic transition against the encroachment of the military and the judiciary. Despite the FJP’s efforts, sustained interference by non-elected institutions brought Egypt’s democratic experiment to a premature end. This course of events confirms that an Islamist movement is capable of fully committing to politics, but also indicates that political commitment alone is insufficient to ensure a successful transition to democratic governance.
Using Cumulative Prospect Theory to Explain Anomalous Crop Insurance Coverage Choice
Authors: Babcock Bruce A.
Published: June 2015

Farmers’ decisions about how much crop insurance to buy are not generally consistent with expected utility maximization. Taking into account both marginal risk benefits and marginal subsidy effects suggests that most farmers have chosen lower coverage levels than would be predicted by standard models. By modeling financial outcomes as gains and losses, cumulative prospect theory offers an alternative framework to perhaps better understand farmers’ purchase decisions. The role of the reference point that defines outcomes as either a gain or a loss, the degree of loss aversion, curvature of the value function, and the probability weighting function in determining optimal crop insurance coverage levels are explored for three representative farms calibrated to 2009 conditions. Loss aversion and how crop insurance is framed through choice of the reference point are shown to be the key factors that determine whether predictions from prospect theory are consistent with observed crop insurance coverage choices. When crop insurance is framed as a tool to manage farm risk then optimal choices under prospect theory are not consistent with observed choices. If crop insurance is framed as a stand‐alone investment where a loss is felt if the indemnity received is less than the premium paid, then prospect theory can generate optimal coverage level choices that are largely consistent with observed decisions. This result is shown to be robust to changes in parameterizations as long as loss aversion is maintained and if curvature of the value function is accompanied by decision weights that overweight low probability outcomes.
Long‐run and Global R&D Funding Trajectories: The U.S. Farm Bill in a Changing Context
Authors: Pardey Philip G. , Chan-Kang Connie , Beddow Jason M. , Dehmer Steven P.
Published: June 2015

Domestically funded (and performed) research and development (R&D) has historically been a major source of productivity gains in U.S. agriculture, and a principal source of R&D spillovers to the rest of the world. In the waning decades of the 20th century, U.S. policymakers opted to ratchet down the rate of growth in public support for food and agricultural R&D. As the 21st century unfolds, slowing growth has given way to real cutbacks, reversing the accumulation of U.S.‐sourced public R&D capital over most of the previous century and more. The 2014 Farm Bill did little to reverse these long‐run research funding trajectories—politicians failed to heed the economic evidence about the still substantial social payoffs of that research and the consequent slowdown in U.S. agricultural productivity growth associated with the spending slowdown. Meanwhile, R&D spending by other countries has been moving in different directions. We present new evidence that today's middle‐income countries—notably China, Brazil, and India— are not only growing in relative importance as producers of agricultural innovations through investments in public R&D, they are also gaining considerable ground in terms of their share of privately performed research of relevance for agriculture. The already substantive changes in global public and private R&D investment trajectories are accelerating. If history is any guide to the future, these changing R&D trajectories could have profound consequences for the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in the decades ahead.
JSBML 1.0: providing a smorgasbord of options to encode systems biology models
Authors: Rodriguez Nicolas , Thomas Alex , Watanabe Leandro , Vazirabad Ibrahim Y. , Kofia Victor , Gómez Harold F. , Mittag Florian , Matthes Jakob , Rudolph Jan , Wrzodek Finja , Netz Eugen , Diamantikos Alexander , Eichner Johannes , Keller Roland , Wrzodek Clemens , Fröhlich Sebastian , Lewis Nathan E. , Myers Chris J. , Le Novère Nicolas , Palsson Bernhard Ø. , Hucka Michael , Dräger Andreas
Published: June 2015

Summary: JSBML, the official pure Java programming library for the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) format, has evolved with the advent of different modeling formalisms in systems biology and their ability to be exchanged and represented via extensions of SBML. JSBML has matured into a major, active open-source project with contributions from a growing, international team of developers who not only maintain compatibility with SBML, but also drive steady improvements to the Java interface and promote ease-of-use with end users.

Availability and implementation: Source code, binaries and documentation for JSBML can be freely obtained under the terms of the LGPL 2.1 from the website http://sbml.org/Software/JSBML. More information about JSBML can be found in the user guide at http://sbml.org/Software/JSBML/docs/.

Contact:  jsbml-development@googlegroups.com or andraeger@eng.ucsd.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Association between Intraoperative Hypotension and Hypertension and 30-day Postoperative Mortality in Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Monk Terri G. , Bronsert Michael R. , Henderson William G. , Mangione Michael P. , Sum-Ping S. T. John , Bentt Deyne R. , Nguyen Jennifer D. , Richman Joshua S. , Meguid Robert A. , Hammermeister Karl E.
Published: June 2015

Background

Although deviations in intraoperative blood pressure are assumed to be associated with postoperative mortality, critical blood pressure thresholds remain undefined. Therefore, the authors estimated the intraoperative thresholds of systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MAP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) associated with increased risk-adjusted 30-day mortality.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study combined intraoperative blood pressure data from six Veterans Affairs medical centers with 30-day outcomes to determine the risk-adjusted associations between intraoperative blood pressure and 30-day mortality. Deviations in blood pressure were assessed using three methods: (1) population thresholds (individual patient sum of area under threshold [AUT] or area over threshold 2 SDs from the mean of the population intraoperative blood pressure values), (2). absolute thresholds, and (3) percent change from baseline blood pressure.

Results

Thirty-day mortality was associated with (1) population threshold: systolic AUT (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.2 to 4.8), mean AUT (2.8; 1.9 to 4.3), and diastolic AUT (2.4; 1.6 to 3.8). Approximate conversions of AUT into its separate components of pressure and time were SBP < 67 mmHg for more than 8.2 min, MAP < 49 mmHg for more than 3.9 min, DBP < 33 mmHg for more than 4.4 min. (2) Absolute threshold: SBP < 70 mmHg for more than or equal to 5 min (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7 to 4.9), MAP < 49 mmHg for more than or equal to 5 min (2.4; 1.3 to 4.6), and DBP < 30 mmHg for more than or equal to 5 min (3.2; 1.8 to 5.5). (3) Percent change: MAP decreases to more than 50% from baseline for more than or equal to 5 min (2.7; 1.5 to 5.0). Intraoperative hypertension was not associated with 30-day mortality with any of these techniques.

Conclusion

Intraoperative hypotension, but not hypertension, is associated with increased 30-day operative mortality.
Convex Hemiepiphysiodesis: Posterior/anterior in-situ Versus Posterior-only With Pedicle Screw Instrumentation: An Experimental Simulation in Immature Pigs
Authors: Bekmez Senol , Demirkiran Halil G. , Yilmaz Guney , Akel Ibrahim , Atilla Pergin , Muftuoglu Sevda Fatma , Yazici Muharrem , Alanay Ahmet
Published: June 2015

Study Design:

Experimental study.

Background:

Convex growth arrest (CGA) has been commonly used in the treatment of long-sweeping congenital deformities of the immature spine. As there are major drawbacks about the anterior procedure in the conventional CGA method, a new modification has been documented that using only posterior spinal approach with pedicle screw instrumentation. The aim of the study was to compare posterior-only CGA using pedicle screws with combined anterior/posterior in-situ CGA for the findings in histologic, radiologic, and manual palpation examinations in an immature pig model.

Methods:

Twelve 10-weeks old pigs were grouped into 2. In group 1, posterior-only, pedicle screw instrumented CGA was performed on the left side of L1-L4 vertebrae. In group 2, conventional combined posterior and anterior CGA was performed to the left side of L1-L4 vertebrae without instrumentation. All animals were killed twelve weeks after surgery. T11-L5 segments were en-bloc resected and radiologic, histologic, and manual palpation examinations were done.

Results:

Marked scoliotic (12.2±2.5 and 9.2±1.3 in group 1 and 2, respectively) and kyphotic (11.2±1.0 degrees for the group 1 and 12±5.2 degrees for the group 2, respectively) deformities were noted in both groups, which were caused by hemiepiphysiodesis effect. Anterior and posterior parts of group 2 and posterior part of group 1 demonstrated fusion in histologic and radiologic analyzes. In anterior part of the group 1, marked narrowing on the disk spaces and thinning of growth plates were noted in radiologicg examination, chondrocyte degeneration, and newly-formed bone trabeculae in disk-space were noted in histological examination. In manual palpation, no motion was detected in group 1 and motion was detected in only one segment of one animal in group 2.

Conclusions:

Anterior growth of the vertebrae can be controlled by application of posterior transpedicular screws and rod. Such an effect can eliminate the need for anterior surgical intervention in convex hemiepiphysiodesis procedures.

Clinical Relevance:

The instrumented CGA technique provides a satisfactory epiphysiodesis effect both anteriorly and posteriorly, as previously demonstrated by clinical studies.
Simultaneous failure of two sex-allocation invariants: implications for sex-ratio variation within and between populations
Authors: Rodrigues António M. M. , Gardner Andy
Published: June 2015

Local mate competition (LMC) occurs when male relatives compete for mating opportunities, and this may favour the evolution of female-biased sex allocation. LMC theory is among the most well developed and empirically supported topics in behavioural ecology, clarifies links between kin selection, group selection and game theory, and provides among the best quantitative evidence for Darwinian adaptation in the natural world. Two striking invariants arise from this body of work: the number of sons produced by each female is independent of both female fecundity and also the rate of female dispersal. Both of these invariants have stimulated a great deal of theoretical and empirical research. Here, we show that both of these invariants break down when variation in female fecundity and limited female dispersal are considered in conjunction. Specifically, limited dispersal of females following mating leads to local resource competition (LRC) between female relatives for breeding opportunities, and the daughters of high-fecundity mothers experience such LRC more strongly than do those of low-fecundity mothers. Accordingly, high-fecundity mothers are favoured to invest relatively more in sons, while low-fecundity mothers are favoured to invest relatively more in daughters, and the overall sex ratio of the population sex ratio becomes more female biased as a result.
Deep and wide valleys drive nested phylogeographic patterns across a montane bird community
Authors: Robin V. V. , Vishnudas C. K. , Gupta Pooja , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: June 2015

Montane species distributions interrupted by valleys can lead to range fragmentation, differentiation and ultimately speciation. Paleoclimatic fluctuations may accentuate or reduce such diversification by temporally altering the extent of montane habitat and may affect species differentially. We examined how an entire montane bird community of the Western Ghats—a linear, coastal tropical mountain range—responds to topographic valleys that host different habitats. Using genetic data from 23 species (356 individuals) collected across nine locations, we examined if different species in the community reveal spatial concordance in population differentiation, and whether the timing of these divergences correlate with climatic events. Our results reveal a nested effect of valleys, with several species (10 of 23) demonstrating the oldest divergences associated with the widest and deepest valley in the mountain range, the Palghat Gap. Further, a subset of these 10 species revealed younger divergences across shallower, narrower valleys. We recovered discordant divergence times for all valley-affected montane birds, mostly in the Pleistocene, supporting the Pliestocene-pump hypotheses and highlighting the role of climatic fluctuations during this period in driving species evolution. A majority of species remain unaffected by valleys, perhaps owing to geneflow or extinction–recolonization dynamics. Studying almost the entire community allowed us to uncover a range of species’ responses, including some generalizable and other unpredicted patterns.
CTFFIND4: Fast and accurate defocus estimation from electron micrographs
Authors: Rohou Alexis , Grigorieff Nikolaus
Published: June 2015

CTFFIND is a widely-used program for the estimation of objective lens defocus parameters from transmission electron micrographs. Defocus parameters are estimated by fitting a model of the microscope’s contrast transfer function (CTF) to an image’s amplitude spectrum. Here we describe modifications to the algorithm which make it significantly faster and more suitable for use with images collected using modern technologies such as dose fractionation and phase plates. We show that this new version preserves the accuracy of the original algorithm while allowing for higher throughput. We also describe a measure of the quality of the fit as a function of spatial frequency and suggest this can be used to define the highest resolution at which CTF oscillations were successfully modeled.
PaxtoolsR: Pathway Analysis in R Using Pathway Commons
Authors: Luna Augustin , Babur Özgün , Aksoy Bülent Arman , Demir Emek , Sander Chris
Published: June 2015

Purpose

PaxtoolsR package enables access to pathway data represented in the BioPAX format and made available through the Pathway Commons webservice for users of the R language. Features include the extraction, merging, and validation of pathway data represented in the BioPAX format. This package also provides novel pathway datasets and advanced querying features for R users through the Pathway Commons webservice allowing users to query, extract, and retrieve data and integrate this data with local BioPAX datasets.

Availability

The PaxtoolsR package is compatible with R 3.1.1 on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux using Bioconductor 3.0 and is available through the Bioconductor R package repository along with source code and a tutorial vignette describing common tasks, such as data visualization and gene set enrichment analysis. Source code and documentation are athttp://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/paxtoolsr.html. This plugin is free, open-source and licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) v3.0.

Contact

paxtools@cbio.mskcc.org
Mutant p53 cooperates with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex to regulate VEGFR2 in breast cancer cells
Authors: Pfister Neil T. , Fomin Vitalay , Regunath Kausik , Zhou Jeffrey Y. , Zhou Wen , Silwal-Pandit Laxmi , Freed-Pastor William A. , Laptenko Oleg , Neo Suat Peng , Bargonetti Jill , Hoque Mainul , Tian Bin , Gunaratne Jayantha , Engebraaten Olav , Manley James L. , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Neilsen Paul M. , Prives Carol
Published: June 2015

Mutant p53 impacts the expression of numerous genes at the level of transcription to mediate oncogenesis. We identified vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), the primary functional VEGF receptor that mediates endothelial cell vascularization, as a mutant p53 transcriptional target in multiple breast cancer cell lines. Up-regulation of VEGFR2 mediates the role of mutant p53 in increasing cellular growth in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. Mutant p53 binds near the VEGFR2 promoter transcriptional start site and plays a role in maintaining an open conformation at that location. Relatedly, mutant p53 interacts with the SWI/SNF complex, which is required for remodeling the VEGFR2 promoter. By both querying individual genes regulated by mutant p53 and performing RNA sequencing, the results indicate that >40% of all mutant p53-regulated gene expression is mediated by SWI/SNF. We surmise that mutant p53 impacts transcription of VEGFR2 as well as myriad other genes by promoter remodeling through interaction with and likely regulation of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Therefore, not only might mutant p53-expressing tumors be susceptible to anti VEGF therapies, impacting SWI/SNF tumor suppressor function in mutant p53 tumors may also have therapeutic potential.
Integrative Comparison of the Role of the PHOSPHATE RESPONSE1 Subfamily in Phosphate Signaling and Homeostasis in Rice
Authors: Guo Meina , Ruan Wenyuan , Li Changying , Huang Fangliang , Zeng Ming , Liu Yingyao , Yu Yanan , Ding Xiaomeng , Wu Yunrong , Wu Zhongchang , Mao Chuanzao , Yi Keke , Wu Ping , Mo Xiaorong
Published: June 2015

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient for all living cells, is indispensable for agricultural production. Although Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PHOSPHATE RESPONSE1 (PHR1) and its orthologs in other species have been shown to function in transcriptional regulation of phosphate (Pi) signaling and Pi homeostasis, an integrative comparison of PHR1-related proteins in rice (Oryza sativa) has not previously been reported. Here, we identified functional redundancy among three PHR1 orthologs in rice (OsPHR1, OsPHR2, and OsPHR3) using phylogenetic and mutation analysis. OsPHR3 in conjunction with OsPHR1 and OsPHR2 function in transcriptional activation of most Pi starvation-induced genes. Loss-of-function mutations in any one of these transcription factors (TFs) impaired root hair growth (primarily root hair elongation). However, these three TFs showed differences in DNA binding affinities and messenger RNA expression patterns in different tissues and growth stages, and transcriptomic analysis revealed differential effects on Pi starvation-induced gene expression of single mutants of the three TFs, indicating some degree of functional diversification. Overexpression of genes encoding any of these TFs resulted in partial constitutive activation of Pi starvation response and led to Pi accumulation in the shoot. Furthermore, unlike OsPHR2-overexpressing lines, which exhibited growth retardation under normal or Pi-deficient conditions, OsPHR3-overexpressing plants exhibited significant tolerance to low-Pi stress but normal growth rates under normal Pi conditions, suggesting that OsPHR3 would be useful for molecular breeding to improve Pi uptake/use efficiency under Pi-deficient conditions. We propose that OsPHR1, OsPHR2, and OsPHR3 form a network and play diverse roles in regulating Pi signaling and homeostasis in rice.
Cultural and paradoxical values in advertising in Eastern Europe
Authors: Saleem Salman , Larimo Jorma Antero , Ummik Kadi , Kuusik Andres
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Hofstede’s (2001) cultural framework and the value paradox explain the use of appeals in advertising in Estonia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypotheses are drawn in relation to Hofstede’s original four cultural dimensions – power distance, masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism and uncertainty avoidance. A sample of 110 print advertisements from four magazines were analyzed using Pollay’s (1983) classification of advertising appeals.

Findings

– The results show that Estonian advertising reflects paradoxical values related to low power distance and femininity dimensions, and culturally congruent values related to high-uncertainty avoidance and individualism.

Practical implications

– Findings suggest that cultural values (desired) alone are insufficient to predict the reflection of culture in advertising. Rather, consideration of the discrepancies between the cultural values (desired) and practices (desirable) enables a better explanation of the relationship between society and its advertising.

Originality/value

– Scholars have shown increasing interest in the consequences of culture on advertising, but the opposing aspect of cultural values and practices has received limited research attention. The paper offers interesting insights regarding the effect of culture and the value paradox on the use of appeals in advertising. Additionally, analyzing the advertising of Eastern Europe is highly important because of the limited research attention that exists with respect to advertising in the region.
Mitigation of blast and impact loading via the use of a zeolite-absorbent/nano-fluidics protection system
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Yavari Ramin , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– In the present work, a new blast-/ballistic-impact mitigation concept is introduced and its efficacy analyzed using advanced computational methods and tools. The concept involves the use of a zeolite protective layer separated by air from the structure being protected and in contact with a water layer in front. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– To properly capture the attendant nano-fluidics phenomena, all the calculations carried out in the present work involved the use of all-atom molecular-level equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics simulations.

Findings

– Under high-rate loading, water molecules (treated as a nano-fluidic material) are forced to infiltrate zeolite nanopores wherein, due to complex interactions between the hydrophobic nanopore walls and the hydrogen bonds of the water molecules, water undergoes an ordering-type phase transition and acquires high density, while a significant portion of the kinetic energy of the water molecules is converted to potential energy. Concomitantly, a considerable portion of this kinetic energy is dissipated in the form of heat. As a result of these energy conversion/dissipation processes, the (conserved) linear momentum is transferred to the target structure over a longer time period, while the peak loading experienced by the structure is substantially reduced.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work constitutes the first reported attempt to utilize pure SiO2 hydrophobic zeolites in blast-/ballistic-impact protection applications.
An exploration of the integration of health and social care within Scotland
Authors: Hutchison Kevin
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The ongoing integration of health and social care in Scotland presents both challenges and opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to consider emerging enablers and barriers to integration by focusing on the views of senior stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presented an opportunity to gain an insight into the integration movement by considering the views of key stakeholders within Scottish Local Authorities, NHS Boards and other relevant stakeholders. These insights, were collected through a combination of interviews and questionnaires.

Findings

– This paper highlights a number of factors key to the success of the integration agenda. These include: governing terms and conditions of existing staff; engagement of clinical and professional leads; and synthesising joint outcomes in locality planning. Acts of transformational change such as integration place particular demands upon those in leadership positions. This paper identifies key leadership strengths pivotal to driving forward change, such as effective performance management and influencing skills.

Originality/value

– This is one of a small number of papers addressing the scale and scope of efforts to integrate health and social care within Scotland. Integration between health services and social care continues to be a priority of the Scottish Government.
A mapping analytic approach to trace development of multidisciplinary research field
Authors: Zhang Xi , Yan Xiangda , Ordóñez de Pablos Patricia , She jinghuai , Gao Yang , Chen Hui
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide clear domain knowledge and recent progresses on electronic healthcare (e-healthcare).

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the authors use citation analysis to describe the trends of study on e-health with the help of CiteSpace II, a software for visualizing citation-based analysis. By analyzing the 2,752 publications and their citation data in ISI database, the authors proposed renewable figures and tables on ranking critical people, institutes, keywords and journals. Through the most influential articles given by CiteSpace, the authors can grasp the main direction in e-health researches. Furthermore, the authors analyzed the literature at e-health literacy as a case, to better understand the development of research viewpoints.

Findings

– Through the analysis, the authors found that e-health is a multi-disciplinary research field and the major research about it has changed. During the early stage, health information quality on the Internet dominates. Gradually, the role of information technology (IT) becomes more important. The authors also found that some researchers, recently, have proposed the effects of IT on e-health literacy which can then improve the ability to use health information on the Internet.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has some research limitations, such as using an ISI database with most English publications. The future research may be conducted for collecting local publications data in China. It also has some implications. Based on the results, the authors claimed that IT may significantly improve people’s healthcare variance, e.g. e-health literacy. It is necessary to build new IT-based healthcare theories.

Practical implications

– This paper also has some practical implications. Practitioners and institute may easily come to know which are the hot topics, top institutes and tendencies in the e-healthcare field.

Social implications

– This paper may help practitioners to find common interests with other institutions and societies.

Originality/value

– This paper reported the status and trend of research in this field visually, and the result will help researchers to do more in-depth research in the future.
Approaches and strategies of Pune auto component SMEs for excellence
Authors: Baporikar Neeta , Deshpande MV
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to identify the approaches and strategies adopted by Pune auto-component small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to achieve excellence with an in-depth literature review and deep observation. SMEs’ contribution is acknowledged worldwide. Auto-component SMEs, a major sub-sector and largest feeder of automobile manufacturing, have placed India on the global map for excellence and innovation. Like the corporate, SMEs have also started adopting integrated approaches and strategies to face the competitive world, yet incidences of unproductive SMEs are rising. Business breakdown is attributed to capital deficiency and incompetent usage. Amidst this, Pune auto-component SMEs are thriving well.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents an in-depth literature review and deep observation.

Findings

– Findings include identifying the approaches and strategies adopted by Pune auto-component SMEs to achieve excellence.

Originality/value

– This paper identified the approaches and strategies for achieving excellence and the basis of innovation in SMEs.
Sense of community and job satisfaction among social and health care managers
Authors: Lampinen Mai-Stiina , Viitanen Elina Annikki , Konu Anne Irmeli
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify how the factors associated with sense of community at work are connected with job satisfaction among the front-line managers and middle managers in social and health-care services in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire prepared for this study was sent to 241 social and health-care managers (front line and middle managers) in Finland. A total of 136 of managers responded to the survey (response rate was 56 per cent). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

– Alongside job meaningfulness, open communication and good flow of information within the organization, sense of security provided by close relationships at work and managers’ own superiors’ appreciation of their leadership skills all are related to managers’ job satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The study adds to our understanding of factors which are connected to the job satisfaction among social and health-care managers’. The findings of this study can be used in the development of leadership to support managers in coping at work.
Knowing is half the battle
Authors: Thomas Christopher H. , Hirschfeld Robert R
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea that action makes knowledge more consequential for being deemed an emergent leader among peers. The authors hypothesized that mastery of teamwork knowledge has a stronger relationship with advancement potential when combined with a strong propensity to work toward collective success (i.e. greater action).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors tested the hypothesized interaction with moderated path analysis of data from two field studies on team-based trainees in a military leadership-development program.

Findings

– The findings suggest that to be deemed an exceptional leader among one’s peers, an individual must have both relevant expertise and a propensity to use that expertise to the benefit of others. Either of these attributes matters more when combined with a great deal of the other, such that they are interdependent rather than independent.

Practical implications

– Informed by the findings, the authors discuss several ways for organizations to build a sufficient internal supply of future leaders. Such interventions include personal coaching and mentoring as means of developing possible candidates, for higher level leadership roles, who are deficient in one or both of the focal attributes (i.e. knowledge and action).

Originality/value

– The authors propose the role of action in relation to knowledge as one of augmentation rather than compensation. This represents a unique theoretical specification, in that few models have specified interactions among individual-level factors in explaining leader emergence. The finding that action is pivotal in shaping the extent to which knowledge is conducive to establishing oneself as a candidate for higher level roles of organizational leadership represents a unique empirical contribution to the leadership development literature.