bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of lithium clearance in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Alqahtani Saeed , Aljuma’ah Noha , Aydan Norah Bin , Alsultan Abdullah , Alsarhani Emad , Asiri Yousif
Published: December 2019

Lithium is an effective agent approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It has narrow therapeutic window and significant variability in its pharmacokinetic. The aim of this study is to determine the population pharmacokinetics of lithium in patients with bipolar disorder in Saudi Arabia and to identify the factors that explain variability. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with bipolar disorder who received oral lithium. The population pharmacokinetic models were developed using Monolix 4.4. After the appropriate base model was established, five covariates were tested, namely age, sex, weight, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance. The analysis included a total of 170 lithium plasma concentrations from 31 patients. The data were adequately described by a two-compartment open model with linear absorption and elimination. The average parameter estimates for lithium CL/F, V1/F, V2/F, and Q/F were estimated. The inter-individual variability (coefficients of variation) in CL was 42%. The most significant covariate on lithium CL was found to be creatinine clearance. The population pharmacokinetic model of lithium in patients with bipolar disorder in Saudi Arabia was established. Our findings showed that creatinine clearance is the most significant covariate on lithium clearance. Further studies are required to understand the factors that may influence the pharmacokinetics of lithium and assist in drug dosage decisions.
Norman Neill Greenwood. 19 January 1925—14 November 2012
Authors: Johnson Brian F. G. , Welch Alan J. , Derek Woollins J. , Johnson Charles , Housecroft Catherine E.
Published: December 2019

Norman Neill Greenwood was a member of the group of distinguished post-Second World War inorganic chemists who created modern inorganic chemistry. He was particularly recognized for his contributions to the chemistry of the main group elements boron (especially the metallaboranes), aluminium and gallium and for his contribution to the application of Mössbauer spectroscopy to inorganic systems. He was also committed to the teaching of his subject and wrote several highly regarded books; most notably, he was co-author of a textbook on inorganic chemistry,
Chemistry of the elements
, widely regarded as among the very best of its kind. Norman spent most of his career at the Universities of Nottingham, Newcastle and Leeds. He was a highly active member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and served on a number of committees, chairing several. He was particularly concerned with the establishment of ‘correct atomic weights’ and was involved with many of the issues associated with the discovery of the array of new elements and with the ensuing problems of isotopes.
DrosophilaZic family member odd-paired is needed for adult post-ecdysis maturation
Authors: Simon Eléanor , de la Puebla Sergio Fernández , Guerrero Isabel
Published: December 2019

Specific neuropeptides regulate in arthropods the shedding of the old cuticle (ecdysis) followed by maturation of the new cuticle. InDrosophila melanogaster, the last ecdysis occurs at eclosion from the pupal case, with a post-eclosion behavioural sequence that leads to wing extension, cuticle stretching and tanning. These events are highly stereotyped and are controlled by a subset of crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) neurons through the expression of the neuropeptide Bursicon (Burs). We have studied the role of the transcription factor Odd-paired (Opa) during the post-eclosion period. We report thatopais expressed in the CCAP neurons of the central nervous system during various steps of the ecdysis process and in peripheral CCAP neurons innerving the larval muscles involved in adult ecdysis. We show that its downregulation alters Burs expression in the CCAP neurons. Ectopic expression of Opa, or the vertebrate homologue Zic2,in the CCAP neurons also affects Burs expression, indicating an evolutionary functional conservation. Finally, our results show that, independently of its role in Burs regulation, Opa prevents death of CCAP neurons during larval development.
Nitrogen losses from two contrasting agricultural catchments in Norway
Authors: Chen Xueli , Bechmann Marianne
Published: December 2019

Nitrogen (N) losses from agricultural areas, especially into drinking water and marine environments, attract substantial attention from governments and scientists. This study analysed nitrogen loss from runoff water using long-term monitoring data (1994–2016) from the Skuterud catchment in southeastern Norway and the Naurstad catchment in northern Norway. Precipitation and runoff were lower in the Skuterud catchment than in the Naurstad catchment. However, in the Skuterud catchment, the annual total N (TN) losses ranged from 27 to 68 kg hm
−2
. High precipitation (1247 mm) in the Naurstad catchment resulted in substantial runoff water (1108 mm) but relatively low total TN losses ranged from 17 to 35 kg hm
−2
. The proportion of nitrate losses to TN loss was 51–86% and 28–50% in the Skuterud and Naurstad catchments, respectively. Furthermore, the monthly average TN concentrations and nitrate losses had two peaks, in April–May and October, in the Skuterud catchment; however, no significant fluctuations were found in the Naurstad catchment. The contributions of N and runoff water to TN and nitrate losses were calculated using multiple linear regression, and runoff water was the major contributor to TN loss in both catchments. Runoff water was the main factor in the Skuterud catchment, and the nitrate-N concentration was the main factor in the Naurstad catchment.
Enhancement of flaky graphite cleaning by ultrasonic treatment
Authors: Kang Wenze , Li Huijian
Published: December 2019

In this study, the aim is to simplify the graphite cleaning process. In order to achieve flotation for graphite effectively, ultrasonic treatment was used as a pre-treatment technique. Flotation tests were conducted using different ultrasound power and ultrasonic treatment time. The influences of ultrasonic treatment on particle sizes, morphologies, wettability, the content of surface elements and on the flotation effect of flaky graphite were investigated. The results of ultrasonic treatment for graphite flotation were compared with the results of conventional flotation. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment not only changed the size of flaky graphite, but also eliminated impurities on the graphite surface. Additionally, the ultrasonic treatment improved the hydrophobicity of graphite. It was observed that ultrasound can remove not only silicate impurities but also most other metal impurities. The yield, carbon content and recovery of flotation concentrate were 91.46%, 95.17% and 96.12% after ultrasonic treatment for 4 min with ultrasound power 1600 W, which were 5.83%, 2.86% and 8.84% higher than that of conventional flotation, respectively. The graphite after ultrasonic treatment was conducted only one times flotation, the carbon content in concentrate products had reached 95%. This study indicates that intensifying graphite flotation by ultrasonic treatment can shorten the graphite cleaning process.
Network analysis reveals underlying syntactic features in a vocally learnt mammalian display, humpback whale song
Authors: Allen Jenny A. , Garland Ellen C. , Dunlop Rebecca A. , Noad Michael J.
Published: December 2019

Vocal communication systems have a set of rules that govern the arrangement of acoustic signals, broadly defined as ‘syntax’. However, there is a limited understanding of potentially shared or analogous rules across vocal displays in different taxa. Recent work on songbirds has investigated syntax using network-based modelling. This technique quantifies features such as connectivity (adjacent signals in a sequence) and recurring patterns. Here, we apply network-based modelling to the complex, hierarchically structured songs of humpback whales (
Megaptera novaeangliae
) from east Australia. Given the song's annual evolving pattern and the cultural conformity of males within a population, network modelling captured the patterns of multiple song types over 13 consecutive years. Song arrangements in each year displayed clear ‘small-world’ network structure, characterized by clusters of highly connected sounds. Transitions between these connected sounds further suggested a combination of both structural stability and variability. Small-world network structure within humpback songs may facilitate the characteristic and persistent vocal learning observed. Similar small-world structures and transition patterns are found in several birdsong displays, indicating common syntactic patterns among vocal learning in multiple taxa. Understanding the syntactic rules governing vocal displays in multiple, independently evolving lineages may indicate what rules or structural features are important to the evolution of complex communication, including human language.
Mesozoic sooty mould beetles as living relicts in New Zealand
Authors: Gimmel Matthew L. , Szawaryn Karol , Cai Chenyang , Leschen Richard A. B.
Published: December 2019

New Zealand is an island continent that completed its split from the Gondwanan continent at 52 Ma, harbouring an iconic biota of tuatara, kiwi and weta. The sooty mould community is a distinctive trophic element of New Zealand forest ecosystems that is driven by plant-feeding sternorrhynchan Hemiptera. These produce honeydew, which supports fungal growth, which in turn supports numerous endemic invertebrates, including endemic New Zealand beetle families. Ancient New Zealand insect fossils are rare but a single fossil of a sooty mould cyclaxyrid was recently described from Cretaceous Burmese amber, a family that was previously known from two extant New Zealand species. Well-preserved fossils like this one are recasting Earth history, and, based on a wealth of additional specimens, we re-evaluate the taxonomy of Cretaceous cyclaxyrids and one Eocene species here transferred to Cyclaxyridae. Cyclaxyridae are highly tied to the sooty mould community and have now been discovered to occur in disparate biogeographic realms in deep time. Our discovery indicates that the family, and perhaps the sooty mould community in general, was widespread in Pangaea from at least the Cretaceous and survived as a relict in New Zealand. Persistence of a sooty mould ecosystem in New Zealand and fungal specialization may not necessarily be an evolutionary ‘dead-end’ for cyclaxyrids and other insects.
The deteriorating soma and the indispensable germline: gamete senescence and offspring fitness
Authors: Monaghan Pat , Metcalfe Neil B.
Published: December 2019

The idea that there is an impenetrable barrier that separates the germline and soma has shaped much thinking in evolutionary biology and in many other disciplines. However, recent research has revealed that the so-called ‘Weismann Barrier’ is leaky, and that information is transferred from soma to germline. Moreover, the germline itself is now known to age, and to be influenced by an age-related deterioration of the soma that houses and protects it. This could reduce the likelihood of successful reproduction by old individuals, but also lead to long-term deleterious consequences for any offspring that they do produce (including a shortened lifespan). Here, we review the evidence from a diverse and multidisciplinary literature for senescence in the germline and its consequences; we also examine the underlying mechanisms responsible, emphasizing changes in mutation rate, telomere loss, and impaired mitochondrial function in gametes. We consider the effect on life-history evolution, particularly reproductive scheduling and mate choice. Throughout, we draw attention to unresolved issues, new questions to consider, and areas where more research is needed. We also highlight the need for a more comparative approach that would reveal the diversity of processes that organisms have evolved to slow or halt age-related germline deterioration.
Body mass and territorial defence strategy affect the territory size of odonate species
Authors: Aromaa Suvi , Ilvonen Jaakko J. , Suhonen Jukka
Published: December 2019

The territory is a distinct mating place that a male defends against intruding conspecific males. The size of a territory varies between species and most of the variation between species has been found to scale allometrically with body mass. The variation that could not be explained by body mass has been explained with several variables such as habitat productivity, trophic level, locomotion strategy and thermoregulation. All previous interspecific comparative studies have been done on vertebrate species such as birds, mammals, reptiles and fishes, meaning that studies using invertebrate species are missing. Here, we studied the relationship of a species's territory size with its fresh body mass (FBM) in addition to other ecologically relevant traits using 86 damselfly and dragonfly (Odonata) species. We found that territory size is strongly affected by species FBM, following an allometric relationship similar to vertebrates. We also found that the territory size of a species was affected by its territorial defence strategy, constantly flying species having larger territories than species that mostly perch. Breeding habitat or the presence of sexual characters did not affect territory sizes, but lotic species and species without wing spots had steeper allometric slopes. It seems that an increase in a species’s body mass increases its territory size and may force the species to shift its territory defence strategy from a percher to a flier.
Prediction of Multi peptides Vaccination from VP10,VP21, VP51 against Reverse Transcriptase Human immunodeficiency Viruses Using Immuno-informatics Approach
Authors: Almostafa Safa Ahmad , mohmed Ienas Ibrahim , Siddig Habab Abd elmoneim , Abd albagi Sahar obi , Khalil Abuzeid Nadir Musa
Published: December 2019

The human immunodeficiency virus-(HIV) is group of the genus Lentivirus within the family of Retroviridae, subfamily Ortho retrovirinae. Based on genetic characteristics and differences in the viral antigens, HIV is classified into the types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2). HIV is identical single – stranded RNA molecule that are enclosed within the core of the virus particle proteins, the genome of the HIV Provirus, also known as DNA, is generated by the Protease against reverse transcriptase RNA genome into DNA, degradation of the RNA and integration of the double – stranded HIV DNA into the human genome. The aim of this study is to determine antigenic peptides from p10, p21, and p51 proteins that can be used for multiple peptide vaccine design using In-Silico study. A total of 73 sequences of three proteins were obtained from NCBI and subjected to multiple sequence alignments using CLUSTALW tool to determine conserved regions.

Immune Epitope Data Base tools were used to determine B cell epitopes, these tools are Bepipred Linear B cell epitopes prediction, surface accessibility and antigenicity prediction. Epitope binding to MHC class I and class II and their population coverage were also determined using IEDB software. The analysis results are as follow, for B cell binding from p10 (708QGYSP712), from p21 (704QGYSP708,73CVPTDPNPQ81) and (346“FKNL349) from p51. All these peptides have high score in Linear B cell epitopes prediction, surface accessibility and antigenicity prediction. On another hand peptides that reacted to MHC class I were (47EANTTLFCA55,53FCASDAKAY61,55,ASDAKAYET63) form p10,(38YYGVPVWKE46,10PQEVFLVNV18and29AAGSTMGAA37) from p21 and (63“EWEFVNTPP71,70PPLVKLWYQ78and79EKEPIVGA87) from p51 protein respectively. It worth noting that the peptides (119IISLWDQSL127,108CVKLTPLCV116) from p10, (38YYGVPVWKE46,20LLQYWSQEL34,16FNMWKNNMV30) from p21 and (7WKGSPAIFQ21,11WEFVNTPPL25and58FLWMGYELH72) protein is also binds to MHC class II with high affinity. All T cell peptides had highest population coverage, and the combined coverage for all peptides in this study was found to be 100%. Using In-Silico studies will ensure less risk of virulence and side effects. Evaluation of antibodies response in animal models is needed to confirm efficacy of these epitopes in inducing protective immune response.
Contrast-Enhanced, Molecular Imaging of Vascular Inflammation in the Mouse Model by Simultaneous PET/MRI
Authors: Du Siyi , Ng Thomas S.C. , House Adrian , Tang Tang , Zheng Lin , Tu Chuqiao , Peake Janice , Espiritu Imelda E. , Ma Kwan-Liu , Pinkerton Kent , Jacobs Russell E. , Louie Angelique Y.
Published: December 2019

Despite advances in diagnosis and management, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in the US. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of CVD and the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques to rupture is a primary determinant for risk of catastrophic ischemic events. Current imaging of atherosclerotic disease focuses on assessing plaque size and the degree of luminal stenosis, which are not good predictors of plaque stability. Functional methods to identify biomarkers of inflammation in plaques could facilitate assessment of plaque instability to allow early intervention. In this study, we validate the use of a purpose-built, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible positron emission tomography (PET) insert for multimodal, molecular imaging of vulnerable plaques in mice. We illustrate the application of PET to screen for inflamed regions to guide the application of MRI. Molecular MRI visualizes regions of vascular inflammation and is coupled with anatomical MRI to generate detailed maps of the inflammatory marker within the context of an individual vessel. As a testbed for this imaging methodology, we developed a multimodal, iron oxide nanoparticle (NP) targeting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) for simultaneous PET/MRI of vascular inflammation performed on a mouse carotid ligation model.In vitrocell studies confirmed that the NPs are not cytotoxic to liver cells.In vivosimultaneous PET/MRI imaging identified regions of inflammation. Three-dimensional rendering of the MRI data facilitated high-resolution visualization of patterns of inflammation along the injured vessel. Histology validated the co-localization of the NPs with VCAM-1 expression at sites of induced inflammation. The results of this work validate the utility of the simultaneous PET/MR insert as a research tool for small animals and lays groundwork to further advance the potential clinical utility of integrated imaging systems.
Comparison ofYersinia enterocoliticaDNA methylation at ambient and host temperatures
Authors: Van Hofwegen Dustin J. , Hovde Carolyn J. , Minnich Scott A.
Published: December 2019

Pathogenic bacteria recognize environmental cues to vary gene expression for host adaptation. Moving from ambient to host temperature,Yersinia enterocoliticaresponds by immediately repressing flagella synthesis and inducing the virulence plasmid (pYV)-encoded type III secretion system. In contrast, shifting from host to ambient temperature requires 2.5 generations to restore motility suggesting a link to the cell cycle. We hypothesized that differential DNA methylation contributes to temperature-regulated gene expression. We tested this hypothesis by comparing single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing ofY. enterocoliticaDNA from cells growing exponentially at 22°C and 37°C. The inter-pulse duration ratio rather than the traditional QV scoring was the kinetic metric to compare DNA from cells grown at each temperature. All 565 YenI restriction sites were fully methylated at both temperatures. Among the 27,118 DNA adenine methylase (Dam) sites, 42 had differential methylation patterns while 17 remained unmethylated regardless of temperature. A subset of the differentially methylated Dam sites localized to promoter regions of predicted regulatory genes including LysR-type and PadR-like transcriptional regulators, and a cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase. The unmethylated Dam sites localized with a bias to the replication terminus, suggesting they were protected from Dam methylase. No cytosine methylation was detected at Dcm sites.

DATA SUMMARY

All methylation/base modification data are available at figshare athttps://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3493247andhttps://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.3493310.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Organisms sense and respond to their environment, in part, by epigenetic variation mediated by DNA methylation. Pathogenic bacteria vary gene expression to allow survival and activate virulence systems in response to host temperature.Yersinia enterocolitica,a facultative intracellular pathogen, respond by immediately repressing flagella synthesis and inducing the virulence plasmid-encoded type III secretion system. In this work, we examined the locations of DNA methylation throughout theY. enterocoliticagenome. While most methylation target sites were fully methylated, we identified sites with disparate temperature-dependent methylation. Several of these sites were within promoter regions of predicted regulatory genes. Differences in DNA methylation in promoter sequences are often responsible for variations in transcription. Identification of these differences in methylation provide likely candidates for regulators responsible for temperature-dependent phenotypes.
Intracellular photoswitchable neuropharmacology driven by luminescence from upconverting nanoparticles
Authors: Zhao Jun , Ellis-Davies Graham C. R.
Published: December 2019

Photoswitchable drugs are small-molecule optical probes that enable chromatically selective control of drug efficacy. Such light-driven neuropharmacology normally uses UV-visible light. Here we report that luminescence from a NaYF4:TmYb nanoparticle can be used for “remote control” of the configuration of an azobenzene-based quaternary ammonium photochrome called “AAQ”. Normally the thermodynamically favoredtransconfiguration of AAQ blocks voltage-gated potassium channels. Such activity is reduced by UV irradiation, due to the photochemicaltranstocisisomerization generated by UV light. Sincecis-AAQ absorbs more blue-green light, this wavelength range can be used to reverse the effects of UV light. We found that in place of such direct photostimulation, the blue luminescence from NaYF4:TmYb upconverting nanoparticles could drive AAQ activation inside living cells so as to enable bi-directional control of voltage-gated ion channels using UV and near-infrared light.
Mass measurements of polyploid lymphocytes reveal that growth is not size limited but depends strongly on cell cycle
Authors: Mu Luye , Kang Joon Ho , Olcum Selim , Payer Kristofor R. , Calistri Nicholas L. , Kimmerling Robert J. , Manalis Scott R. , Miettinen Teemu P.
Published: December 2019

Cell size is believed to influence cell growth and metabolism. Consistently, several studies have revealed that large cells have lower mass accumulation rates per unit mass (i.e. growth efficiency) than intermediate sized cells in the same population. Size-dependent growth is commonly attributed to transport limitations, such as increased diffusion timescales and decreased surface-to-volume ratio. However, separating cell size and cell cycle dependent growth is challenging. To decouple and quantify cell size and cell cycle dependent growth effects we monitor growth efficiency of freely proliferating and cycling polyploid mouse lymphocytes with high resolution. To achieve this, we develop large-channel suspended microchannel resonators that allow us to monitor mass of single cells ranging from 40 pg (small diploid lymphocyte) to over 4000 pg, with a resolution ranging from ~1% to ~0.05%. We find that mass increases exponentially with respect to time in early cell cycle but transitions to linear dependence during late S and G2 stages. This growth behavior repeats with every endomitotic cycle as cells grow in to polyploidy. Overall, growth efficiency changes 29% due to cell cycle. In contrast, growth efficiency did not change due to cell size over a 100-fold increase in cell mass during polyploidization. Consistently, growth efficiency remained constant when cell cycle was arrested in G2. Thus, cell cycle is a primary determinant of growth efficiency and increasing cell size does not impose transport limitations that decrease growth efficiency in cultured mammalian cells.

Significance statement

Cell size is believed to influence cell behavior through limited transport efficiency in larger cells, which could decrease the growth rate of large cells. However, this has not been experimentally investigated due to a lack of non-invasive, high-precision growth quantification methods suitable for measuring large cells. Here, we have engineered large versions of microfluidic mass sensors called suspended microchannel resonators in order to study the growth of single mammalian cells that range 100-fold in mass. This revealed that the absolute size of a cell does not impose strict transport or other limitations that would inhibit growth. In contrast to cell size, however, cell cycle has a relatively large influence on growth and our measurements allow us to decouple and quantify the growth effects caused by cell cycle and cell size.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 is an expanded gene family with adaptive roles in chickpea
Authors: Carmona-Molero Rocío , Jimenez-Lopez Jose C. , Gil Juan , Millán Teresa , Die Jose V.
Published: December 2019

Legumes play an important role in ensuring food security, improving nutrition and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Chickpea is globally an important grain legume adapted to semi-arid regions under rain-fed conditions. A growing body of research shows that aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) is a gene class with promising potential for plant adaptation improvement. Aldehyde dehydrogenases constitute a superfamily of proteins with important functions as ‘aldehyde scavengers’ by detoxifying aldehydes molecules and thus playing important roles in stress responses. We performed a comprehensive study of the ALDH superfamily in the chickpea genome and identified 27 unique ALDH loci. Most chickpea ALDHs originated from duplication events and ALDH3 gene family was noticeably expanded. Based on the physical locations of genes and sequence similarities, our results suggest that segmental duplication has been a major driving force in the expansion of the ALDH family. Supported by expression data, the findings of this study offer new potential target genes for improving stress tolerance in chickpea that will be useful for the breeding program.
Positional isomers of a non-nucleoside substrate differentially affect myosin function
Authors: Woodward M. , Ostrander E. , Jeong S.P. , Liu X. , Scott B. , Unger M. , Chen J. , Venkataraman D. , Debold E.P.
Published: December 2019

Molecular motors have evolved to transduce chemical energy from adenosine triphosphate into mechanical work to drive essential cellular processes, from muscle contraction to vesicular transport. Dysfunction of these motors is a root cause of many pathologies necessitating the need for intrinsic control over molecular motor function. Herein, we demonstrate that positional isomerism can be used as a simple and powerful tool to control the molecular motor of muscle, myosin. Using three isomers of a synthetic non-nucleoside triphosphate we demonstrate that myosin’s force and motion generating capacity can be dramatically altered at both the ensemble and single molecule levels. By correlating our experimental results with computation, we show that each isomer exerts intrinsic control by affecting distinct steps in myosin’s mechano-chemical cycle. Our studies demonstrate that subtle variations in the structure of an abiotic energy source can be used to control the force and motility of myosin without altering myosin’s structure.

Statement of Significance

Molecular motors transduce chemical energy from ATP into the mechanical work inside a cell, powering everything from muscle contraction to vesicular transport. While ATP is the preferred source of energy, there is growing interest in developing alternative sources of energy to gain control over molecular motors. We synthesized a series of synthetic compounds to serve as alternative energy sources for muscle myosin. Myosin was able to use this energy source to generate force and velocity. And by using different isomers of this compound we were able to modulate, and even inhibit, the activity of myosin. This suggests that changing the isomer of the substrate could provide a simple, yet powerful, approach to gain control over molecular motor function.
Real- and Q-space travelling: multi-dimensional distribution maps of crystal-lattice strain (ɛ044) and tilt of suspended monolithic silicon nanowire structures
Authors: Dolabella Simone , Frison Ruggero , Chahine Gilbert A. , Richter Carsten , Schulli Tobias U. , Tasdemir Zuhal , Alaca B. Erdem , Leblebici Yusuf , Dommann Alex , Neels Antonia
Published: December 2019

Silicon nanowire-based sensors find many applications in micro- and nano-electromechanical systems, thanks to their unique characteristics of flexibility and strength that emerge at the nanoscale. This work is the first study of this class of micro- and nano-fabricated silicon-based structures adopting the scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy technique for mapping the in-plane crystalline strain (ɛ044) and tilt of a device which includes pillars with suspended nanowires on a substrate. It is shown how the micro- and nanostructures of this new type of nanowire system are influenced by critical steps of the fabrication process, such as electron-beam lithography and deep reactive ion etching. X-ray analysis performed on the 044 reflection shows a very low level of lattice strain (<0.00025 Δd/d) but a significant degree of lattice tilt (up to 0.214°). This work imparts new insights into the crystal structure of micro- and nanomaterial-based sensors, and their relationship with critical steps of the fabrication process.
A routine for the determination of the microstructure of stacking-faulted nickel cobalt aluminium hydroxide precursors for lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide battery materials
Authors: Bette Sebastian , Hinrichsen Bernd , Pfister Daniela , Dinnebier Robert, E.
Published: December 2019

The microstructures of six stacking-faulted industrially produced cobalt- and aluminium-bearing nickel layered double hydroxide (LDH) samples that are used as precursors for Li(Ni1−x−yCoxAly)O2battery materials were investigated. Shifts from the brucite-type (AγB)□(AγB)□ stacking pattern to the CdCl2-type (AγB)□(CβA)□(BαC)□ and the CrOOH-type (BγA)□(AβC)□(CαB)□ stacking order, as well as random intercalation of water molecules and carbonate ions, were found to be the main features of the microstructures. A recursive routine for generating and averaging supercells of stacking-faulted layered substances implemented in theTOPASsoftware was used to calculate diffraction patterns of the LDH phases as a function of the degree of faulting and to refine them against the measured diffraction data. The microstructures of the precursor materials were described by a model containing three parameters: transition probabilities for generating CdCl2-type and CrOOH-type faults and a transition probability for the random intercalation of water/carbonate layers. Automated series of simulations and refinements were performed, in which the transition probabilities were modified incrementally and thus the microstructures optimized by a grid search. All samples were found to exhibit the same fraction of CdCl2-type and CrOOH-type stacking faults, which indicates that they have identical Ni, Co and Al contents. Different degrees of interstratification faulting were determined, which could be correlated to different heights of intercalation-water-related mass-loss steps in the thermal analyses.
The crystal structure of the first synthetic copper(II) tellurite arsenate, CuII
5(TeIVO3)2(AsVO4)2
Authors: Missen Owen P. , Weil Matthias , Mills Stuart J. , Libowitzky Eugen
Published: December 2019

Crystals of the first synthetic copper tellurite arsenate, CuII
5(TeIVO3)2(AsVO4)2 [systematic name pentacopper(II) bis-oxotellurate(IV) bis-oxoarsenate(V)], were grown by the chemical vapour transport method and structurally determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. CuII
5(TeIVO3)2(AsVO4)2 possesses a novel structure type including a new topological arrangement of CuII and O atoms. CuII
5(TeIVO3)2(AsVO4)2 is formed from a framework of two types of Jahn–Teller distorted [CuIIO6] octahedra (one of which is considerably elongated) and [CuIIO5] square pyramids, which are linked by edge-sharing to form chains and dimers and by corner-sharing to complete a three-dimensional framework. [AsVO4] tetrahedra and [TeIVO5] polyhedra bridge the edges of channels along the a-axis direction, with void space remaining for the TeIV stereoactive 5s
2 lone pairs. A comparison is made between the crystal structure of CuII
5(TeIVO3)2(AsVO4)2 and those of known compounds and minerals, in particular fumarolitic Cu minerals.
The effects of ownership concentration and corporate governance on corporate risk-taking
Authors: Jumreornvong Seksak , Treepongkaruna Sirimon , Prommin Panu , Jiraporn Pornsit
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of ownership concentration and corporate governance on the extent of risk-taking in an important emerging economy – Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are corroborated by additional analysis, including an instrumental-variable analysis and propensity score matching.

Findings

Large owners are under-diversified and are thus more vulnerable to the firm’s idiosyncratic risk. Therefore, they tend to advocate less risky corporate policies and strategies. Consistent with this notion, the authors find that more concentrated ownership induces firms to take significantly less risk.

Originality/value

Ownership in Thai firms is substantially more concentrated than that in developed economies, providing a unique opportunity to study the effect of highly concentrated ownership on risk-taking.
Complexity in accounting for derivatives
Authors: Malaquias Rodrigo Fernandes , Zambra Pablo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the perception of accountants in relation to the complexity of accounting for financial instruments and in relation to the disclosure of financial instruments in annual reports. Both aspects are relevant for the external users, and for the firms’ internal management.

Design/methodology/approach

The database comprises questionnaires answered by accountants from Brazil and Chile. Data were analyzed based on reliability statistics and multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The main results indicate that accountants perceive the accounting for derivatives, hedge accounting, fair value measurement of financial instruments and the respective disclosure of these operations as a complex issue. These findings are interesting considering that there are detailed accounting standards relating to financial instruments.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that education and gender affect the perception of complexity about accounting of derivatives.

Practical implications

Findings from this research show that accountants do perceive derivatives as complex items for accounting, particularly accounting for hedges.

Social implications

The results can motivate some initiatives for training activities and for teaching academic content about financial instruments in undergraduate courses.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that tests some personal characteristics of accountants (namely, professional experience, education and gender), in contrast to their perceptions about complexity of accounting for derivatives.
Beyond “mainstream” and “alternative” in organic food supply chains
Authors: Orsini Stefano , Padel Susanne , Gambelli Danilo , Lernoud Julia , Sanders Jürn , Solfanelli Francesco , Stolze Matthias , Willer Helga , Zanoli Raffaele
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the supply chains for organic milk, apples and pasta in eight European countries and how added value is distributed among market players.

Design/methodology/approach

Using secondary data and expert interviews, a market overview for the three products is provided as the basis of a more detailed analysis of the added value in 12 organic supply chain examples. For this, interviews with market players and an “added value calculator” tool are employed.

Findings

The farm gate and retail price of organic products is higher than conventional. Supermarkets are the main outlet for organic milk and apples in the countries studied, whereas the situation for organic pasta is varied, suggesting that the use of different sale channels is influenced by the food product. The farmers’ share of added value ranges between 3 and 65 per cent of the added value created in the organic supply chains analysed. Organic offers opportunities to increase the farmers’ share of added value both in supermarkets and alternative sale channels, by developing collaboration, physical infrastructures for organic and integrating operations upstream of the chain.

Research limitations/implications

While more research is needed into a larger number of chains, this paper indicates that there are dynamics and features at supply chain level, such as the distribution of added value and the target markets used, that cannot be interpreted according to the binary division between “mainstream” and “alternative” organic suggested by the conventionalisation hypothesis.

Originality/value

The distribution of added value for existing supply chains in eight European countries is calculated by using an effective added value calculator tool.
A numerical simulation of a line-type paint drying furnace
Authors: Choi Jongrak , Yang Giyeob , Hur Nahmkeon
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Paint drying is a very important process in an industry where shorter drying time for productivity and lower energy consumption for production cost are required while maintaining the product’s painting quality. In the present study, a drying process in a line-type paint drying furnace equipped with nozzles for hot air supply and moving conveyer belt to dry painted automotive parts is numerically simulated for the flow and heat transfer inside the furnace to evaluate the quality of the drying or baking at the end of the drying process in a production line.

Design/methodology/approach

A baking window for a specific paint is used for judging the local degree of baking (DOB) of the painted parts, which can be useful to identify under-baked or over-baked locations of the painted parts, and hence the quality of the baking process.

Findings

Numerical results of a time history of temperatures at two monitoring points on the painted parts were obtained and compared to the measured data in an actual furnace and showed good agreement. Three types of paints were considered in the present study and numerical results showed different drying characteristics. In addition to the original furnace nozzle configuration, two more furnace nozzle configurations with different numbers, direction and speed of hot air supply were simulated to improve the furnace’s drying performance. As a result, a newly suggested nozzle configuration with quick drying paint can give us a remarkable improvement in surface averaged DOB compared to the original nozzle configuration with original paint.

Originality/value

The present simulation technique and DOB methodology can be used for the optimal design of a drying furnace.
Impact of globalization on income inequality in Asian emerging economies
Authors: Munir Kashif , Bukhari Mahnoor
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of three modes of globalization, i.e. trade globalization, financial globalization and technological globalization, separately on income inequality on the Asian emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Hecksher–Ohlin and the Stolper–Samuelson theorem as a theoretical model for the relationship between globalization and income inequality. The study uses pooled least square (POLS) and instrumental variable least square (IVLS) estimation technique but prefers the IVLS over POLS due to the problems of omitted variable biased and endogeneity. Due to unavailability of data for all the Asian emerging economies, the study uses the following 11 countries, i.e. Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, from 1980 to 2014 for the trade and technological globalization model and from 1990 to 2014 for the financial globalization model.

Findings

Trade globalization significantly contributes to reduce income inequality in the Asian emerging economies. The impact of financial globalization on income inequality suggests that financial integration causes an increase in income inequality. Therefore, the benefits of financial globalization are not evenly distributed among the rich and the poor. The impact of technological globalization significantly contributes in the reduction of income inequality.

Practical implications

Government has to invest in research and development activities, establish efficient financial system, reduce trade restrictions and provide subsidies that help to increase the volume of trade.

Originality/value

This study contributes in the existing literature by analyzing the impact of trade globalization, financial globalization and technological globalization on income inequality in Asian emerging economies. The study provides useful guidelines to policy makers and governments to make effective policies in relation to globalization and income inequality that lead toward economic growth and reducing income inequality.
Dimensions of social media marketing capabilities and their contribution to business performance of firms in Thailand
Authors: Tarsakoo Penpattra , Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the contribution of social media marketing capability on business performance of firms in Thailand. The conceptualization of social media marketing capability was developed using five aspects of the spanning capabilities of Day’s strategic framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire data were collected from business entrepreneurs in Thailand who attended seminar and training courses (N =364). Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze data.

Findings

Among five aspects of social media marketing capability, social media product development capabilities and social media marketing implementation capability were positively and significantly related to customer relationship performance and financial performance; social media marketing communication capability had a significantly positive relationship only with customer relationship performance, whereas social media planning capability was found to have a significantly positive relationship only with financial performance. However, the analysis did not find the significant relationship between social media pricing capability and the two aspects of firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

First, the results were obtained using cross-sectional data collection. Second, the data were collected using convenience sampling. Third, the performance variables used in the analysis are perceptual measures. Finally, the study was only conducted in Thailand context and did not lend itself to any general applicability.

Practical implications

This research suggests that it is important for Thai companies that rely on social media to develop marketing capabilities and learn how to incorporate social media into their marketing activities.

Originality/value

This study built a conceptual foundation of social media marketing capabilities based on Days strategic framework which provided a complete and comprehensive view about social media applications that can be integrated into different areas of marketing activities.
Adolescent inpatient completers of dialectical behaviour therapy
Authors: Hancock-Johnson Ella , Staniforth Charlotte , Pomroy Lucy , Breen Kieran
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) aims to reduce emotional dysregulation and engagement in less adaptive behaviours for adults with mixed disorders of conduct and emotions (MDCE). However, there is limited evidence available for the effectiveness of DBT skills training for adolescents with MDCE who are resident within a secure impatient setting. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective study investigated changes in aggressive and self-injurious behaviours in 22 adolescents within a secure inpatient mental health setting with MDCE who had completed one cycle of DBT skills training. Changes in symptomatic problems, behavioural and social impairment were also investigated in 17 of the 22 participants who completed the DBT skills training cycle.

Findings

There were statistically significant decreases in the frequencies of engagement in total aggressive and deliberate self-harm behaviours after the DBT skills training cycle. There was a significant improvement in symptomatic and behavioural impairment, but not in social impairment.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that DBT skills training may be beneficial for behavioural and symptomatic outcomes in adolescent inpatients with MDCE.

Originality/value

This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of DBT skills training for adolescents with MDCE within a secure inpatient setting. Additional studies are required to investigate the clinical benefits of specific aspects of DBT for individual patients.
Ownership dilution and earnings management: evidence from Indian IPOs
Authors: Purayil Priyesh Valiya , Lukose P.J. Jijo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Prior research on earnings management largely assumes that newly public firms manage earnings opportunistically around IPOs. However, only a few studies have empirically examined the real motives behind newly public firms’ earnings management. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of ownership dilution on earnings management among IPO firms. The authors chose the setting of security offerings in an emerging market, which is characterised by unique ownership structure, to examine the possible incentive of owners or pre-IPO shareholders to engage in earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs accrual and real transactions measures to check the presence of earnings management among 409 IPO firms from India during the period 2000‒2018. Subsequently, using ordinary least squares regression models with heteroscedasticity-robust standard errors, this paper examines the relationship between earnings management and selling or dilution incentives of pre-IPO shareholders.

Findings

The study finds that the degree of earnings manipulation by issuer firms is positively associated with the ownership dilution at the time of IPO as well as around lockup expiration.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will help the investors and regulators to understand the practice of earnings management among IPO firms and how it is linked to the ownership dilution of pre-IPO shareholders.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the limited stream of research that investigates the motives of earnings management among IPO firms. It empirically establishes an association between the selling incentive of pre-IPO shareholders and earnings management.