bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile fabrication of a superhydrophobic titanium surface with mechanical durability by chemical etching
Authors: Gao Xiaojia , Tong Wenjian , Ouyang Xiaoping , Wang Xiufeng
Published: September 2015

Developing facile superhydrophobic metal surfaces with good mechanical durability.
Optical temperature sensing of rare-earth ion doped phosphors
Authors: Wang Xiangfu , Liu Qing , Bu Yanyan , Liu Chun-Sheng , Liu Tao , Yan Xiaohong
Published: September 2015

Optical temperature sensing is a promising method to achieve the contactless temperature measurement and large-scale imaging. The current status of optical thermometry of rare-earth ions doped phosphors is reviewed in detail.
Confined germanium nanoparticles in an N-doped carbon matrix for high-rate and ultralong-life lithium ion batteries
Authors: Fang Shan , Shen Laifa , Zheng Hao , Tong Zhenkun , Pang Gang , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: September 2015

In this study, germanium NPs confined in the pore channels of N-doped carbon matrix. This composite show a superior electrochemical performances, in terms of their high reversible capacity, good rate capability, and stable cyclability.
Preparation of monodispersed CuS nanocrystals in an oleic acid/paraffin system
Authors: Li Xiaojiang , Li Yanan , Xie Fei , Li Wei , Li Wenjiang , Chen Minfang , Zhao Yue
Published: September 2015

Well-dispersed CuS nanocrystals were synthesized through a simple hot injection approach using cupric oxide and elemental sulfur as the precursors in an oleic acid/liquid paraffin system.
Mechanism of sodium tripolyphosphate inhibiting the syneresis of HPAM hydrogel
Authors: Chen Lifeng , Zhang Guicai , Ge Jijiang , Jiang Ping , Zhu Xiaoming , Ran Yunling , Liu Dexin
Published: September 2015

Experimental investigations have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) inhibiting hydrogel syneresis with respect to the reaction between STPP and partly hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM).
Efficient conversion of primary azides to aldehydes catalyzed by active site variants of myoglobin
Authors: Giovani Simone , Singh Ritesh , Fasan Rudi
Published: September 2015

Engineered variants of myoglobin can efficiently catalyze the conversion of primary azides to aldehydes in water and at room temperature
Collective dynamics of processive cytoskeletal motors
Authors: McLaughlin R. Tyler , Diehl Michael R. , Kolomeisky Anatoly B.
Published: September 2015

Major cellular processes are supported by various biomolecular motors that usually operate together as teams.
Measurement of molecular mixing at a conjugated polymer interface by specular and off-specular neutron scattering
Authors: James David , Higgins Anthony M. , Rees Paul , Geoghegan Mark , Brown M. Rowan , Chang Shion-Seng , Môn Dyfrig , Cubitt Robert , Dalgliesh Robert , Gutfreund Philipp
Published: September 2015

Molecular mixing at a conjugated polymer interface is quantified using reflectivity. Comparison with SCFT predictions yields information on interfacial conformation.
Revealing and tuning the core, structure, properties and function of polymer micelles with lanthanide-coordination complexes
Authors: Wang Junyou , Groeneveld Andrea , Oikonomou Maria , Prusova Alena , Van As Henk , van Lent Jan W. M. , Velders Aldrik H.
Published: September 2015

Lanthanide [Eu(iii) and Gd(iii)] incorporated micelles with tunable coordination structures and corresponding functions have been prepared and investigated.
Formation of thermally reversible optically transparent emulsion-based delivery systems using spontaneous emulsification
Authors: Saberi Amir Hossein , Fang Yuan , McClements David Julian
Published: September 2015

Oil phase composition and surfactant-to-oil ratio have appreciable impacts on the transparency and thermal behavior of surfactant–oil–water systems containing limonene, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), and Tween 60.
Photocatalytic splitting of water on s-triazine based graphitic carbon nitride: an ab initio investigation
Authors: Srinivasu K. , Ghosh Swapan K.
Published: September 2015

Ab initio investigations have been carried out to understand the mechanism of photocatalytic water splitting on a g-CN based semiconductor photocatalyst.
Effects of site engineering and doped element types on piezoelectric and dielectric properties of bismuth ferrite lead-free ceramics
Authors: Zheng Ting , Wu Jiagang
Published: September 2015

The influences of site engineering (e.g., Bi site or Fe site) as well as the doped element types on their piezoelectricity have been comparatively analyzed.
Synthesis and characterization of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated molecules flanked by indenothiophene and benzoindenothiophene derivatives
Authors: Song Hao , Gao Yao , Li Weili , Tian Hongkun , Yan Donghang , Geng Yanhou , Wang Fosong
Published: September 2015

DPP-based conjugated molecules flanked with polycyclic aryls were synthesized via intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation, and their properties were studied.
Separation of experimental 2D IR frequency-frequency correlation functions into structural and reorientation-induced contributions
Authors: Kramer Patrick L. , Nishida Jun , Fayer Michael D.
Published: September 2015

A vibrational transition frequency can couple to its environment through a directional vector interaction. In such cases, reorientation of the vibrational transition dipole (molecular orientational relaxation) and its frequency fluctuations can be strongly coupled. It was recently shown [Kramer et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 184505 (2015)] that differing frequency-frequency correlation function (FFCF) decays, due to reorientation-induced spectral diffusion (RISD), are observed with different two-dimensional infrared polarization configurations when such strong coupling is present. The FFC functional forms were derived for the situation in which all spectral diffusion is due to reorientational motion. We extend the previous theory to include vibrational frequency evolution (spectral diffusion) caused by structural fluctuations of the medium. Model systems with diffusive reorientation and several regimes of structural spectral diffusion rates are analyzed for first order Stark effect interactions. Additionally, the transition dipole reorientational motion in complex environments is frequently not completely diffusive. Several periods of restricted angular motion (wobbling-in-a-cone) may precede the final diffusive orientational randomization. The polarization-weighted FFCF decays are presented in this case of restricted transition dipole wobbling. With these extensions to the polarization-dependent FFCF expressions, the structural spectral diffusion dynamics of methanol in the room temperature ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate can be separated quantitatively from RISD using the experimental center line slope data. In addition, prior results on the spectral diffusion of water, methanol, and ethanol in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide are re-examined to elucidate the influence of reorientation on the data, which were interpreted in terms of structural fluctuations.
Accurate determination of complex χ(2) spectrum of the air/water interface
Authors: Nihonyanagi Satoshi , Kusaka Ryoji , Inoue Ken-ichi , Adhikari Aniruddha , Yamaguchi Shoichi , Tahara Tahei
Published: September 2015

Discussion on the structure of the water surface relies on accurate determination of the χ(2) spectrum. For obtaining accurate χ(2) spectrum of the air/water interface in the OH stretch region, we performed heterodyne-detected vibrational sum-frequency generation measurements with a high phase accuracy, and also examined the validity of the phase and amplitude calibration using different non-resonant materials. In contrast to the previous reports, it was concluded that the imaginary part of the χ(2) spectrum of the air/water interface does not exhibit noticeable positive resonance in the low frequency region within the experimental error. This result urges us to reconsider the structure of the air/water interface based on the accurate χ(2) spectrum.
Optimization of a hot-cavity type resonant ionization laser ion source
Authors: Henares J. L. , Lecesne N. , Hijazi L. , Bastin B. , Kron T. , Lassen J. , Le Blanc F. , Leroy R. , Naubereit P. , Osmond B. , Vignet J. L. , Wendt K.
Published: September 2015

Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) is nowadays an important technique in many Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facilities for its reliability and ability to ionize efficiently and element selectively. Grand Accélérateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL) Ion Source using Electron Laser Excitation (GISELE) is an off-line test bench for RILIS developed to study a fully operational resonant laser ion source at GANIL facility. The ion source body has been designed as a modular system to investigate different experimental approaches by varying the design parameters, to develop the future on-line laser ion source. The aim of this project is to determine the best technical solution which combines high selectivity and ionization efficiency with small ion beam emittance and stable long term operation. Latest results concerning emittance and time profile development as a function of the temperature for different ion source versions will be presented.
Construction of the least informative observable conserved by a given quantum instrument
Authors: Kuramochi Yui
Published: September 2015

For a quantum measurement process described by a quantum instrument I and a system observable corresponding to a positive-operator valued measure (POVM) E, I is said to conserve the information of E if the joint successive measurement of I followed by E is equivalent to a single measurement of E. We show that for any quantum instrument I we can construct a POVM conserved by I. Intuitively, the construction gives the infinite joint successive measurement of I. We also show that the constructed POVM is the least informative observable among POVMs conserved by I, i.e., the constructed POVM can be realized by a classical post-processing of any POVM conserved by I. As typical examples of quantum instruments, we explicitly evaluate POVMs of infinite successive measurements for photon counting and quantum counter instruments.
A method for the direct measurement of electronic site populations in a molecular aggregate using two-dimensional electronic-vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Lewis Nicholas H. C. , Dong Hui , Oliver Thomas A. A. , Fleming Graham R.
Published: September 2015

Two dimensional electronic spectroscopy has proved to be a valuable experimental technique to reveal electronic excitation dynamics in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes, nanoscale semiconductors, organic photovoltaic materials, and many other types of systems. It does not, however, provide direct information concerning the spatial structure and dynamics of excitons. 2D infrared spectroscopy has become a widely used tool for studying structural dynamics but is incapable of directly providing information concerning electronic excited states. 2D electronic-vibrational (2DEV) spectroscopy provides a link between these domains, directly connecting the electronic excitation with the vibrational structure of the system under study. In this work, we derive response functions for the 2DEV spectrum of a molecular dimer and propose a method by which 2DEV spectra could be used to directly measure the electronic site populations as a function of time following the initial electronic excitation. We present results from the response function simulations which show that our proposed approach is substantially valid. This method provides, to our knowledge, the first direct experimental method for measuring the electronic excited state dynamics in the spatial domain, on the molecular scale.
Adapting algebraic diagrammatic construction schemes for the polarization propagator to problems with multi-reference electronic ground states exploiting the spin-flip ansatz
Authors: Lefrancois Daniel , Wormit Michael , Dreuw Andreas
Published: September 2015

For the investigation of molecular systems with electronic ground states exhibiting multi-reference character, a spin-flip (SF) version of the algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme for the polarization propagator up to third order perturbation theory (SF-ADC(3)) is derived via the intermediate state representation and implemented into our existing ADC computer program adcman. The accuracy of these new SF-ADC(n) approaches is tested on typical situations, in which the ground state acquires multi-reference character, like bond breaking of H2 and HF, the torsional motion of ethylene, and the excited states of rectangular and square-planar cyclobutadiene. Overall, the results of SF-ADC(n) reveal an accurate description of these systems in comparison with standard multi-reference methods. Thus, the spin-flip versions of ADC are easy-to-use methods for the calculation of “few-reference” systems, which possess a stable single-reference triplet ground state.
Ab initio studies on the adsorption and implantation of Al and Fe to nitride materials
Authors: Riedl H. , Zálešák J. , Arndt M. , Polcik P. , Holec D. , Mayrhofer P. H.
Published: September 2015

The formation of transfer material products on coated cutting and forming tools is a major failure mechanism leading to various sorts of wear. To describe the atomistic processes behind the formation of transfer materials, we use ab initio to study the adsorption energy as well as the implantation barrier of Al and Fe atoms for (001)-oriented surfaces of TiN, Ti0.50Al0.50N, Ti0.90Si0.10N, CrN, and Cr0.90Si0.10N. The interactions between additional atoms and nitride-surfaces are described for pure adhesion, considering no additional stresses, and for the implantation barrier. The latter, we simplified to the stress required to implant Al and Fe into sub-surface regions of the nitride material. The adsorption energies exhibit pronounced extrema at high-symmetry positions and are generally highest at nitrogen sites. Here, the binary nitrides are comparable to their ternary counterparts and the average adhesive energy is higher (more negative) on CrN than TiN based systems. Contrary, the implantation barrier for Al and Fe atoms is higher for the ternary systems Ti0.50Al0.50N, Ti0.90Si0.10N, and Cr0.90Si0.10N than for their binary counterparts TiN and CrN. Based on our results, we can conclude that TiN based systems outperform CrN based systems with respect to pure adhesion, while the Si-containing ternaries exhibit higher implantation barriers for Al and Fe atoms. The data obtained are important to understand the atomistic interaction of metal atoms with nitride-based materials, which is valid not just for machining operations but also for any combination such as interfaces between coatings and substrates or multilayer and phase arrangements themselves.
Mechanisms of the micro-crack generation in an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice structure grown on Si(110) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Shen X. Q. , Takahashi T. , Ide T. , Shimizu M.
Published: September 2015

We investigate the generation mechanisms of micro-cracks (MCs) in an ultra-thin AlN/GaN superlattice (SL) structure grown on Si(110) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The SL is intended to be used as an interlayer (IL) for relaxing tensile stress and obtaining high-quality crack-free GaN grown on Si substrates. It is found that the MCs can be generated by two different mechanisms, where large mismatches of the lattice constant (LC) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) play key roles in the issue. Different MC configurations (low-density and high-density MCs) are observed, which are considered to be formed during the different growth stages (SL growth and cooling down processes) due to the LC and the CTE effects. In-situ and ex-situ experimental results support the mechanism interpretations of the MCs generation. The mechanism understanding makes it possible to optimize the SL IL structure for growing high-quality crack-free GaN films on Si substrates for optical and electronic device applications.
Laser induced focusing for over-dense plasma beams
Authors: Schmidt Peter , Boine-Frankenheim Oliver , Mulser Peter
Published: September 2015

The capability of ion acceleration with high power, pulsed lasers has become an active field of research in the past years. In this context, the radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) mechanism has been the topic of numerous theoretical and experimental publications. Within that mechanism, a high power, pulsed laser beam hits a thin film target. In contrast to the target normal sheath acceleration, the entire film target is accelerated as a bulk by the radiation pressure of the laser. Simulations predict heavy ion beams with kinetic energy up to GeV, as well as solid body densities. However, there are several effects which limit the efficiency of the RPA: On the one hand, the Rayleigh-Taylor-instability limits the predicted density. On the other hand, conventional accelerator elements, such as magnetic focusing devices are too bulky to be installed right after the target. Therefore, we present a new beam transport method, suitable for RPA-like/over-dense plasma beams: laser induced focusing.
Study of discrete-particle effects in a one-dimensional plasma simulation with the Krook type collision model
Authors: Lai Po-Yen , Chen Liu , Lin-Liu Y. R. , Chen Shih-Hung
Published: September 2015

The thermal relaxation time of a one-dimensional plasma has been demonstrated to scale with ND2 due to discrete particle effects by collisionless particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, where ND is the particle number in a Debye length. The ND2 scaling is consistent with the theoretical analysis based on the Balescu-Lenard-Landau kinetic equation. However, it was found that the thermal relaxation time is anomalously shortened to scale with ND while externally introducing the Krook type collision model in the one-dimensional electrostatic PIC simulation. In order to understand the discrete particle effects enhanced by the Krook type collision model, the superposition principle of dressed test particles was applied to derive the modified Balescu-Lenard-Landau kinetic equation. The theoretical results are shown to be in good agreement with the simulation results when the collisional effects dominate the plasma system.
Suppression of surface segregation of the phosphorous δ-doping layer by insertion of an ultra-thin silicon layer for ultra-shallow Ohmic contacts on n-type germanium
Authors: Yamada Michihiro , Sawano Kentarou , Uematsu Masashi , Itoh Kohei M.
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate the formation of abrupt phosphorus (P) δ-doping profiles in germanium (Ge) by the insertion of ultra-thin silicon (Si) layers. The Si layers at the δ-doping region significantly suppress the surface segregation of P during the molecular beam epitaxial growth of Ge and high-concentration active P donors are confined within a few nm of the initial doping position. The current-voltage characteristics of the P δ-doped layers with Si insertion show excellent Ohmic behaviors with low enough resistivity for ultra-shallow Ohmic contacts on n-type Ge.
Thermal limit to the intrinsic emittance from metal photocathodes
Authors: Feng Jun , Nasiatka J. , Wan Weishi , Karkare Siddharth , Smedley John , Padmore Howard A.
Published: September 2015

Measurements of the intrinsic emittance and transverse momentum distributions obtained from a metal (antimony thin film) photocathode near and below the photoemission threshold are presented. Measurements show that the intrinsic emittance is limited by the lattice temperature of the cathode as the incident photon energy approaches the photoemission threshold. A theoretical model to calculate the transverse momentum distributions near this photoemission threshold is presented. An excellent match between the experimental measurements and the theoretical calculations is demonstrated. These measurements are relevant to low emittance electron sources for Free Electron Lasers and Ultrafast Electron Diffraction experiments.
Enhanced filament ablation of metals based on plasma grating in air
Authors: Wang Di , Yuan Shuai , Liu Fengjiang , Ding Liangen , Zeng Heping
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate efficient ablation of metals with filamentary plasma grating generated by two intense blue femtosecond filaments and a third focused infrared pulse. This scheme leads to significant promotion of ablation efficiency on metal targets in air in comparison with single infrared or blue filament with equal pulse energy. The reason is that the blue plasma grating firstly provides stronger intensity and a higher density of background electrons, then the delayed infrared pulse accelerates local electrons inside the plasma grating. These two processes finally results in robustly increased electron density and highly ionized metallic atoms.
Anchoring energy enhancement and pretilt angle control of liquid crystal alignment on polymerized surfaces
Authors: Weng Libo , Liao Pei-Chun , Lin Chen-Chun , Ting Tien-Lun , Hsu Wen-Hao , Su Jenn-Jia , Chien Liang-Chy
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate enhanced surface anchoring energy and control of pretilt angle in a nematic liquid crystal cell with vertical alignment and polymerized surfaces (PS-VA). The polymerized surfaces are formed by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced phase separation of a minute amount of a reactive monomer in the vertical-aligned nematic liquid crystal. By introducing a bias voltage during UV curing, surface-localized polymer protrusions with a dimension of 100nm and a field-induced pretilt angle are observed. Experimental evidences and theoretical analyses validate that PS-VA has increased surface anchoring strength by two folds and pretilt angle has been changed from 89° to 86° compared to those of a VA cell. The enabling PS-VA cell technique with excel electro-optical properties such as very good dark state, high optical contrast, and fast rise and decay times may lead to development of a wide range of applications.
Electrical properties of n-type GaSb substrates and p-type GaSb buffer layers for InAs/InGaSb superlattice infrared detectors
Authors: Mitchel W. C. , Elhamri S. , Haugan H. J. , Berney R. , Mou Shin , Brown G. J.
Published: September 2015

Lightly doped n-type GaSb substrates with p-type GaSb buffer layers are the preferred templates for growth of InAs/InGaSb superlattices used in infrared detector applications because of relatively high infrared transmission and a close lattice match to the superlattices. We report here temperature dependent resistivity and Hall effect measurements of bare substrates and substrate-p-type buffer layer structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Multicarrier analysis of the resistivity and Hall coefficient data demonstrate that high temperature transport in the substrates is due to conduction in both the high mobility zone center Γ band and the low mobility off-center L band. High overall mobility values indicate the absence of close compensation and that improved infrared and transport properties were achieved by a reduction in intrinsic acceptor concentration. Standard transport measurements of the undoped buffer layers show p-type conduction up to 300 K indicating electrical isolation of the buffer layer from the lightly n-type GaSb substrate. However, the highest temperature data indicate the early stages of the expected p to n type conversion which leads to apparent anomalously high carrier concentrations and lower than expected mobilities. Data at 77 K indicate very high quality buffer layers.
Feeding ecology of two sympatric species of Acetes (Decapoda: Sergestidae) in Panguil Bay, the Philippines
Authors: Metillo Ephrime B. , Cadelinia Emily E. , Hayashizaki Ken-ichi , Tsunoda Takashi , Nishida Shuhei
Published: September 2015

Sergestid shrimps of the genus Acetes are important in global shrimp fisheries and nearshore food-webs. The feeding habits of the sympatric species Acetes erythraeus and A. intermedius from Panguil Bay, Philippines were studied using gut contents and stable isotopes analyses. Both species are omnivorous suspension feeders of plankton, macrophyte detritus, and amorphous particulate organic materials. However, the diet of adults and juveniles differed by prey type. Gut fullness differed over 24h with a night-time peak in A. erythraeus and morning and midnight peaks in A. intermedius. Over 1 year gut fullness peaked during July to September for both species, with a minor peak during January for A. intermedius. Stable isotope analysis revealed similar δ15N values, but both species showed ontogenetic and interspecific separation of δ13C. A. erythraeus seemed to assimilate highly depleted carbon food sources by mangrove-based detrital and plankton trophic pathways, whereas A. intermedius relied on plankton and macroalgal and seagrass detrital pathways. These trophic differences may be mechanisms of partitioning the feeding niche, but allotopy in the two species with A. erythraeus confined to more brackish waters and A. intermedius dwelling in more saline marine waters may indicate that habitat niche segregation underlies these contrasting carbon trophic pathways.
Microphytoplankton and ciliate communities’ structure and distribution in a stressed area of the south coast of Sfax, Tunisia (eastern Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Rekik Amira , Elloumi Jannet , Chaari Dorra , Ayadi Habib
Published: September 2015

The environmental parameters, microphytoplankton and ciliate communities in the area were studied in spring and autumn at 20 stations along the coast south of Sfax over two seasons during 2011. The results showed that the environmental parameters indicated high nutrient levels and their concentrations ranges reported as criteria of eutrophication in coastal waters. A total of 78 microphytoplankton species were identified, belonging to Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, Cyanobacteriae, Euglenophyceae, Dictyochophyceae and Chlorophyceae. The numerical density of phytoplankton was high over the whole area, with season averages between 44.10×102 ±41.93×102 and 103.55×102 ± 107.33×102 cells L–1. A total of 58 ciliate species were identified at all of the stations. Tintinnids abundance was generally higher than naked ciliate abundance reported for autumn and spring seasons, both at the surface layer and water–sediment interface. One striking point was that ciliate abundance was unchanged in autumn (4×102 cells L–1) but was still higher in spring (6×102 cells L–1). Some species reported in this study are commonly found in the stressed coastal waters.
Media rhetoric plays the market
Authors: De Landtsheer Christ’l
Published: September 2015

This article examines the logic and power of financial news metaphors in the current economic climate. The sequence of global financial crises starting in late 2007 led to a particular discursive phenomenon in financial news. Newspapers constructed, with vivid imagery (e.g.,toxic loans,nervous markets to be calmed down), a globalized register for talking and writing about the crises. The empirical study of 3,730 Dutch and Flemish-Belgian financial news articles (2,042,596 words) investigates how during 2006–2013 metaphor power (De Landtsheer, 2009) interacts with financial-economic indicators. It is suggested, on the basis of the case study, that financial news articles generally may be more metaphorical during crises; metaphor power significantly correlates with Eurostat financial-economic indicators in either a positive direction (unemployment rates, public debt) or a negative one (gross national product, consumer confidence).
Identity construction patterns via swearing:
Authors: Karachaliou Rania , Archakis Argiris
Published: September 2015

In this paper we analyze the use of swearwords in Greek teenage storytelling. Our research is based on the analysis of conversational narratives that occurred in two conversations between male adolescents who belong to different social groups. Our analysis shows that the use of swearing in the story performances enables the narrators (1) to construct for themselves the identity of the powerful members of a group who share strong friendship bonds and challenge authorities in the first conversation, and (2) to project the identity of individuals who conform to mainstream values in the second conversation. Therefore, we suggest that swearing can be an effective linguistic tool for the construction and negotiation of diverse youth identities, i.e. the acceptance of or the departure from social norms, in the unfolding of narrative speech.
RUN and FYVE domain–containing protein 4 enhances autophagy and lysosome tethering in response to Interleukin-4
Authors: Terawaki Seigo , Camosseto Voahirana , Prete Francesca , Wenger Till , Papadopoulos Alexia , Rondeau Christiane , Combes Alexis , Rodriguez Rodrigues Christian , Vu Manh Thien-Phong , Fallet Mathieu , English Luc , Santamaria Rodrigo , Soares Ana R. , Weil Tobias , Hammad Hamida , Desjardins Michel , Gorvel Jean-Pierre , Santos Manuel A.S. , Gatti Evelina , Pierre Philippe
Published: September 2015

Autophagy is a key degradative pathway coordinated by external cues, including starvation, oxidative stress, or pathogen detection. Rare are the molecules known to contribute mechanistically to the regulation of autophagy and expressed specifically in particular environmental contexts or in distinct cell types. Here, we unravel the role of RUN and FYVE domain–containing protein 4 (RUFY4) as a positive molecular regulator of macroautophagy in primary dendritic cells (DCs). We show that exposure to interleukin-4 (IL-4) during DC differentiation enhances autophagy flux through mTORC1 regulation and RUFY4 induction, which in turn actively promote LC3 degradation, Syntaxin 17–positive autophagosome formation, and lysosome tethering. Enhanced autophagy boosts endogenous antigen presentation by MHC II and allows host control of Brucella abortus replication in IL-4–treated DCs and in RUFY4-expressing cells. RUFY4 is therefore the first molecule characterized to date that promotes autophagy and influences endosome dynamics in a subset of immune cells.
A Src inhibitor regulates the cell cycle of human pluripotent stem cells and improves directed differentiation
Authors: Chetty Sundari , Engquist Elise N. , Mehanna Elie , Lui Kathy O. , Tsankov Alexander M. , Melton Douglas A.
Published: September 2015

Driving human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into specific lineages is an inefficient and challenging process. We show that a potent Src inhibitor, PP1, regulates expression of genes involved in the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle, activates proteins in the retinoblastoma family, and subsequently increases the differentiation propensities of hPSCs into all three germ layers. We further demonstrate that genetic suppression of Src regulates the activity of the retinoblastoma protein and enhances the differentiation potential of hPSCs across all germ layers. These positive effects extend beyond the initial germ layer specification and enable efficient differentiation at subsequent stages of differentiation.
Design Space Exploration of the Violacein Pathway inEscherichia coliBased Cell-Free System
Authors: Nguyen Phuc H.B. , Wu Yong Y. , Guo Shaobin , Murray Richard M.
Published: September 2015

In this study, anEscherichia coli(E. coli) based transcription translation cell-free system (TX-TL) was employed to sample various enzyme expression levels of the violacein pathway. The pathway was successfully reconstructed in TX-TL. Its variation produced different metabolites as evident from the extracts’ assorted colors. Analysis of the violacein product via UV-Vis absorption and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) detected 68 ng of violacein per μl reaction volume. Significant buildup of prodeoxyviolacein intermediate was also detected in the equimolar TX-TL reaction. Finally, design space exploration experiments suggested an improvement in violacein production at high VioC and VioD DNA concentrations.
Behavioral flexibility and problem solving in an invasive bird
Authors: Logan Corina J.
Published: September 2015

Behavioral flexibility is considered an important trait for adapting to environmental change, but it is unclear what it is, how it works, and whether it is a problem solving ability. I investigated behavioral flexibility and problem solving abilities experimentally in great-tailed grackles, an invasive species and thus a likely candidate for possessing behavioral flexibility. I found that grackles are behaviorally flexible and good problem solvers, they vary in behavioral flexibility across contexts, flexibility did not correlate with problem solving ability, and those that are more flexible did not necessarily use more learning strategies. It appears that behavioral flexibility can be an independent trait that varies across contexts. Maintaining such a high level of variation could be a mechanism underlying successful species invasions. These results highlight the need to investigate how individuals use behavior to react to changing environments.
Why interest-rate cannot benchmark for Islamic financial product pricing?
Authors: Ghauri Shahid Mohammad Khan
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that interest-rate benchmark cannot be used for pricing of Islamic financial products. This paper will help in pricing basis for Islamic financial products, which are currently based on interest-rate benchmarks. Shariyah perspective and ground realities are considered as evident to the viewpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

– Viewpoint has been evident through comparison of conventional and Islamic financial product pricing, and through comparison of interest rate with macroeconomic indicators to analyze whether interest really represent economy, since Islamic finance based on real economic activities.

Findings

– It has been analyzed that interest based benchmarks do not represent real economic activities.

Originality/value

– This paper brings new light to the product development in Islamic financial instruments and institutions. Islamic finance should have its own footings in terms of product development.
Does Saudi Arabia’s economy benefit from foreign investments?
Authors: Albassam Bassam A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The current study contributes to filling the gap in studies that discuss the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth and employment in Saudi Arabia. Although the study found that FDI inflows contribute to the government effort to reduce or at least control the high unemployment rate, the study found no relationship between FDI inflows and economic growth in Saudi Arabia. However, we must be careful in interpreting the result of the positive influence of FDIs on employment since almost half of the Saudi workforce is employed by the public sector. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data regarding FDI inflow to Saudi Arabia were collected from the World Bank database and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), while GDP per capita (economic growth) used data from the World Bank database only. Unemployment rate data were collected from the SAMA annual book. This study covered the period from 1999 through 2012. The study used the time series analysis methodology to study the impact of FDI inflow on economic growth and employment in Saudi Arabia.

Findings

– Although the current study found that FDI inflows contribute to the government’s effort by reducing or at least controlling the country’s high unemployment rate, it also found no relationship between FDI inflows and economic growth in Saudi Arabia. However, we must be careful in interpreting the result of the positive influence of FDI on employment since almost half of the Saudi workforce is employed by the public sector.

Originality/value

– In recent years, the government of Saudi Arabia has issued a number of initiatives to achieve diversification of income sources, create jobs for Saudi workers, and transfer advanced administrative techniques and technology to the Saudi economy; one of these initiatives involves attracting foreign investors to the Saudi market. This study contributes to fill the gap in studies that discuss the impact of FDI inflows on economic growth and employment in Saudi Arabia.
Conceptualisation of the service experience by means of a literature review
Authors: Vasconcelos Alexandre Meira de , Barichello Rodrigo , Lezana Álvaro , Forcellini Fernando A. , Ferreira Marcelo Gitirana Gomes , Cauchick Miguel Paulo Augusto
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Service operations are currently growing in importance, with a consequent increase in academic interest in the matter. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to systematise the concept associated with the service experience by drawing from the definitions which have been established in the relevant scientific literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic search in the literature was conducted, aiming to identify the main articles, journals, references, and keywords on the subject of customer experience. Using bibliometric content and analysis a number of articles are analysed towards a concept of service experience.

Findings

– The study verifies that service experience and service quality are distinct concepts that have to be analysed separately. The construction of this proposed concept has been oriented by content analysis of the reviewed articles. Dimensions and components that categorise this concept in a singular manner have been identified. The service experience, which can be thought of as a process, is composed of the interdependent and complementary dimensions of “predispositions”, “interactions”, and “reactions”, which condition the perception of quality and affect current as well as future purchasing decisions. As a result of their strategic importance for service organisations, customer experiences therefore warrant careful analysis.

Research limitations/implications

– This work is theoretical so empirical studies are necessary in order to validate or reject the proposed concept.

Originality/value

– Very few systematic literature reviews of the characterisation and conceptualisation on service experience concept are available.
Corporate governance and performance of UK listed small and medium enterprises
Authors: Afrifa Godfred Adjappong , Tauringana Venancio
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to report the results of an investigation into the effect of corporate governance factors on the performance of listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and examines whether this effect differs between the two sizes of business.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses unbalanced panel data regression analysis on a sample of 234 SMEs listed on the Alternative Investment Market, for a 10-year period (2004-2013).

Findings

– The panel data analysis results show that for all SMEs, corporate governance factors – board size, chief executive officer (CEO) age and tenure and directors’ remuneration – are significantly associated with performance of SMEs. The results also suggest that while board size is associated with the performance of both small and medium enterprises, CEO age is significant only for medium firms and directors’ remuneration only for small ones, while CEO tenure and proportion of non-executive directors are not significant for either.

Practical implications

– Overall, the results imply that corporate governance factors affect the performance of listed SMEs. However, this effect differs significantly between small and medium enterprises. The findings have important implications for policymakers who prescribe corporate governance mechanisms for SMEs.

Originality/value

– The paper adds to existing literature on corporate governance of SMEs by establishing a relationship between firm performance and board size, CEO age, CEO tenure, directors’ remuneration and proportion of non-executive directors.
Boardroom’s independence and corporate performance: the ever-elusive conundrum
Authors: Rebeiz Karim S.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to unravel the root causes as to why the boardroom independence–corporate performance linkage remains an elusive conundrum in the academic literature, and to propose practical recommendations for future research endeavors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The probing of the underlying issues is made via an extensive review of the existing literature. A thoughtful analysis is conducted from a multi-disciplinary perspective by soliciting feedback from academics with corporate governance expertise in finance, accounting, economy, strategy, management and organizational behavior.

Findings

– The lack of consensus on the economic value of an independent boardroom is attributed to three reasons. The first reason is ontological complexities inherent to the very nature of the corporation. The second reason is methodological complexities intrinsic to normative research with large archival data. The third reason is self-serving behavioral motive that cannot be factored in archival data.

Research limitations/implications

– The infusion of complementary methodologies to the existing empirical dogmatism would provide the framework for a better understanding of corporate governance challenges and opportunities, particularly as it relates to making causal inferences on boardroom independence and corporate performance.

Practical implications

– New insights on boardroom independence would directly influence corporate practices.

Social implications

– The determination as to what constitutes optimum boardroom configuration has emerged as an issue of considerable importance to shareholders, policymakers and other stakeholders.

Originality/value

– Virtually no studies have been conducted in a comprehensive and systematic manner addressing the fundamental question as to why research pertaining to boardroom independence–corporate performance has not yielded unequivocal results in the relevant academic literature, thus the originality and value of this research.
Mission statements and performance in non-profit organisations
Authors: Patel Bhavesh S. , Booker Lorne D. , Ramos Hazel Melanie , Bart Chris
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the relationship between mission statements and organisational performance in non-profit organisations. It also examines the role of organisational commitment in moderating that relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Invitations were sent to a network of non-profit organisations inviting them to complete an online survey. Usable responses were obtained from 117 respondents from 30 countries. Hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The findings suggest that mission statements have a significant positive relationship with organisational performance. Also, organisational commitment, particularly affective commitment, moderates the relationship between mission statements and organisational performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The results confirm that the relationship between mission statements and organisational performance is complex. The study of intervening variables is a worthwhile program of research.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that non-profit organisations can improve performance by communicating their mission and building emotional commitment to their cause.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies to examine the role of organisational commitment in influencing the relationship between mission statements and performance. This study contributes to our understanding of the impact of mission statements on performance in non-profit organisations.
The effects of corporate governance on financial performance and financial distress: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Shahwan Tamer Mohamed
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to empirically examine the quality of corporate governance (CG) practices in Egyptian-listed companies and their impact on firm performance and financial distress in the context of an emerging market such as that of Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

– To assess the level of CG practices at a given firm, the current study constructs a corporate governance index (CGI) which consists of four dimensions: disclosure and transparency, composition of the board of directors, shareholders’ rights and investor relations and ownership and control structure. Based on a sample of 86 non-financial firms listed on the Egyptian Exchange, the effects of CG on performance and financial distress are assessed. Tobin’s Q is used to assess corporate performance. At the same time, the AltmanZ-score is used as a financial distress indicator, as it measures financial distress inversely. The bigger theZ-score, the smaller the risk of financial distress.

Findings

– The overall score of the CGI, on average, suggests that the quality of CG practices within Egyptian-listed firms is relatively low. The results do not support the positive association between CG practices and financial performance. In addition, there is an insignificant negative relationship between CG practices and the likelihood of financial distress. The current study also provides evidence that firm-specific characteristics could be useful as a first-pass screen in determining firm performance and the likelihood of financial distress.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample size and time frame of our analysis are relatively small; some caution would be needed before generalizing the results to the entire population.

Practical implications

– The findings may be of interest to those academic researchers, practitioners and regulators who are interested in discovering the quality of CG practices in a developing market such as that of Egypt and its impact on financial performance and financial distress.

Originality/value

– This paper extends the existing literature, in the Egyptian context in particular, by examining firm performance and the risk of financial distress in relation to the level of CG mechanisms adopted.
An inner-point modification of PSO for constrained optimization
Authors: Peri Daniele
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a modification of the original PSO algorithm in order to avoid the evaluation of the objective function outside the feasible set, improving the parallel performances of the algorithm in the view of its application on parallel architectures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Classical PSO iteration is repeated for each particle until a feasible point is found: the global search is performed by a set of independent sub-iteration, at the particle level, and the evaluation of the objective function is performed only once the full swarm is feasible. After that, the main attractors are updated and a new sub-iteration is initiated.

Findings

– While the main qualities of PSO are preserved, a great advantage in terms of identification of the feasible region and detection of the best feasible solution is obtained. Furthermore, the parallel structure of the algorithm is preserved, and the load balance improved. The results of the application to real-life optimization problems, where constraint satisfaction sometime represents a problem itself, gives the measure of this advantage: an improvement of about 10 percent of the optimal solution is obtained by using the modified version of the algorithm, with a more precise identification of the optimal design variables.

Originality/value

– Differently from the standard approach, utilizing a penalty function in order to discharge unfeasible points, here only feasible points are produced, improving the exploration of the feasible region and preserving the parallel structure of the algorithm.