bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of linear and nonlinear conductivity of plasma-like systems on the basis of the Fokker-Planck equation
Authors: Trigger S. A. , Ebeling W. , van Heijst G. J. F. , Litinski D.
Published: April 2015

The problems of high linear conductivity in an electric field, as well as nonlinear conductivity, are considered for plasma-like systems. First, we recall several observations of nonlinear fast charge transport in dusty plasma, molecular chains, lattices, conducting polymers, and semiconductor layers. Exploring the role of noise we introduce the generalized Fokker-Planck equation. Second, one-dimensional models are considered on the basis of the Fokker-Planck equation with active and passive velocity-dependent friction including an external electrical field. On this basis, it is possible to find the linear and nonlinear conductivities for electrons and other charged particles in a homogeneous external field. It is shown that the velocity dependence of the friction coefficient can lead to an essential increase of the electron average velocity and the corresponding conductivity in comparison with the usual model of constant friction, which is described by the Drude-type conductivity. Applications including novel forms of controlled charge transfer and non-Ohmic conductance are discussed.
Electrical conduction of LiF interlayers in organic diodes
Authors: Bory Benjamin F. , Gomes Henrique L. , Janssen René A. J. , de Leeuw Dago M. , Meskers Stefan C. J.
Published: April 2015

An interlayer of LiF in between a metal and an organic semiconductor is commonly used to improve the electron injection. Here, we investigate the effect of moderate bias voltages on the electrical properties of Al/LiF/poly(spirofluorene)/Ba/Al diodes by systematically varying the thickness of the LiF layer (2-50 nm). Application of forward bias V below the bandgap of LiF (V < Eg ∼ 14 V) results in reversible formation of an electrical double layer at the LiF/poly(spirofluorene) hetero-junction. Electrons are trapped on the poly(spirofluorene) side of the junction, while positively charged defects accumulate in the LiF with number densities as high as 1025/m3. Optoelectronic measurements confirm the built-up of aggregated, ionized F centres in the LiF as the positive trapped charges. The charged defects result in efficient transport of electrons from the polymer across the LiF, with current densities that are practically independent of the thickness of the LiF layer.
Centrality measures highlight proton traps and access points to proton highways in kinetic Monte Carlo trajectories
Authors: Krueger Rachel A. , Haibach Frederick G. , Fry Dana L. , Gomez Maria A.
Published: April 2015

A centrality measure based on the time of first returns rather than the number of steps is developed and applied to finding proton traps and access points to proton highways in the doped perovskite oxides: AZr0.875D0.125O3, where A is Ba or Sr and the dopant D is Y or Al. The high centrality region near the dopant is wider in the SrZrO3 systems than the BaZrO3 systems. In the aluminum-doped systems, a region of intermediate centrality (secondary region) is found in a plane away from the dopant. Kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) trajectories show that this secondary region is an entry to fast conduction planes in the aluminum-doped systems in contrast to the highest centrality area near the dopant trap. The yttrium-doped systems do not show this secondary region because the fast conduction routes are in the same plane as the dopant and hence already in the high centrality trapped area. This centrality measure complements kMC by highlighting key areas in trajectories. The limiting activation barriers found via kMC are in very good agreement with experiments and related to the barriers to escape dopant traps.
Molecular density functional theory for water with liquid-gas coexistence and correct pressure
Authors: Jeanmairet Guillaume , Levesque Maximilien , Sergiievskyi Volodymyr , Borgis Daniel
Published: April 2015

The solvation of hydrophobic solutes in water is special because liquid and gas are almost at coexistence. In the common hypernetted chain approximation to integral equations, or equivalently in the homogenous reference fluid of molecular density functional theory, coexistence is not taken into account. Hydration structures and energies of nanometer-scale hydrophobic solutes are thus incorrect. In this article, we propose a bridge functional that corrects this thermodynamic inconsistency by introducing a metastable gas phase for the homogeneous solvent. We show how this can be done by a third order expansion of the functional around the bulk liquid density that imposes the right pressure and the correct second order derivatives. Although this theory is not limited to water, we apply it to study hydrophobic solvation in water at room temperature and pressure and compare the results to all-atom simulations. The solvation free energy of small molecular solutes like n-alkanes and hard sphere solutes whose radii range from angstroms to nanometers is now in quantitative agreement with reference all atom simulations. The macroscopic liquid-gas surface tension predicted by the theory is comparable to experiments. This theory gives an alternative to the empirical hard sphere bridge correction used so far by several authors.
Diffusion of hydrogen interstitials in the near-surface region of Pd(111) under the influence of surface coverage and external static electric fields
Authors: Blanco-Rey M. , Tremblay J. C.
Published: April 2015

Past scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments of H manipulation on Pd(111), at low temperature, have shown that it is possible to induce diffusion of surface species as well as of those deeply buried under the surface. Several questions remain open regarding the role of subsurface site occupancies. In the present work, the interaction potential of H atoms with Pd(111) under various H coverage conditions is determined by means of density functional theory calculations in order to provide an answer to two of these questions: (i) whether subsurface sites are the final locations for the H impurities that attempt to emerge from bulk regions, and (ii) whether penetration of the surface is a competing route of on-surface diffusion during depletion of surface H on densely covered Pd(111). We find that a high H coverage has the effect of blocking resurfacing of H atoms travelling from below, which would otherwise reach the surface fcc sites, but it hardly alters deeper diffusion energy barriers. Penetration is unlikely and restricted to high occupancies of hcp hollows. In agreement with experiments, the Pd lattice expands vertically as a consequence of H atoms being blocked at subsurface sites, and surface H enhances this expansion. STM tip effects are included in the calculations self-consistently as an external static electric field. The main contribution to the induced surface electric dipoles originates from the Pd substrate polarisability. We find that the electric field has a non-negligible effect on the H-Pd potential in the vicinity of the topmost Pd atomic layer, yet typical STM intensities of 1-2 VÅ−1 are insufficient to invert the stabilities of the surface and subsurface equilibrium sites.
Nanomotor dynamics in a chemically oscillating medium
Authors: Robertson Bryan , Kapral Raymond
Published: April 2015

Synthetic nanomotors powered by chemical reactions have potential uses as cargo transport vehicles in both in vivo and in vitro applications. In many situations, motors will have to operate in out-of-equilibrium complex chemically reacting media, which supply fuel to the motors and remove the products they produce. Using molecular simulation and mean-field theory, this paper describes some of the new features that arise when a chemically powered nanomotor, operating through a diffusiophoretic mechanism, moves in an environment that supports an oscillatory chemical reaction network. It is shown how oscillations in the concentrations in chemical species in the environment give rise to oscillatory motor dynamics. More importantly, since the catalytic reactions on the motor that are responsible for its propulsion couple to the bulk phase reaction network, the motor can change its local environment. This process can give rise to distinctive spatiotemporal structures in reaction-diffusion media that occur as a result of active motor motion. Such locally induced nonequilibrium structure will play an important role in applications that involve motor dynamics in complex chemical media.
Orbital relaxation effects on Kohn–Sham frontier orbital energies in density functional theory
Authors: Zhang DaDi , Zheng Xiao , Li Chen , Yang Weitao
Published: April 2015

We explore effects of orbital relaxation on Kohn–Sham frontier orbital energies in density functional theory by using a nonempirical scaling correction approach developed in Zheng et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 174105 (2013)]. Relaxation of Kohn–Sham orbitals upon addition/removal of a fractional number of electrons to/from a finite system is determined by a systematic perturbative treatment. The information of orbital relaxation is then used to improve the accuracy of predicted Kohn–Sham frontier orbital energies by Hartree–Fock, local density approximation, and generalized gradient approximation methods. The results clearly highlight the significance of capturing the orbital relaxation effects. Moreover, the proposed scaling correction approach provides a useful way of computing derivative gaps and Fukui quantities of N-electron finite systems (N is an integer), without the need to perform self-consistent-field calculations for (N ± 1)-electron systems.
Existence of static dyonic black holes in 4d N = 1 supergravity with finite energy
Authors: Akbar Fiki T. , Gunara Bobby E.
Published: April 2015

We prove the existence and the uniqueness of the static dyonic black holes in four dimensional N = 1 supergravity theory coupled vector and scalar multiplets. We set the near-horizon geometry to be a product of two Einstein surfaces, whereas the asymptotic geometry has to be a space of constant scalar curvature. Using these data, we show that there exists a unique solution for scalar fields which interpolates these regions.
Effects of GaN interlayer on the transport properties of lattice-matched AlInN/AlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Wu F. , Gao K. H. , Li Z. Q. , Lin T. , Zhou W. Z.
Published: April 2015

We study the effects of GaN interlayer on the transport properties of two-dimensional electron gases confined in lattice-matched AlInN/AlN/GaN heterostructures. It is found that the Hall mobility is evidently enhanced when an additional ultrathin GaN interlayer is introduced between AlInN and AlN layers. The enhancement of the Hall mobility is especially remarkable at low temperature. The high Hall mobility results in a low sheet resistance of 23 Ω/◻ at 2 K. Meanwhile, Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations (SdH) are also remarkably enhanced due to the existence of GaN interlayer. The enhancement of the SdH oscillations is related to the larger quantum mobility μq owing to the suppression of the interface roughness, alloy disorder, and ionized impurity scatterings by the GaN interlayer.
Long phase coherence length and anisotropic magnetoresistance in MgZnO thin film
Authors: Lv Meng , Wang Hao , Xu Yonggang , Yu Guolin , Zhang Huahan , Lin Tie , Hu Gujin , Dai Ning , Chu Junhao
Published: April 2015

We comprehensively investigate magnetotransport properties of MgZnO thin film grown on ZnO substrate by molecular-beam epitaxy. We measure the weak localization effect and extract the electron phase coherence length by fitting to a three-dimensional weak localization theory and by analyzing the different changing rate of the magnetoresistance, results of which are in good agreement with each other. The phase coherence length ranges from 38.4±1    nm at 50 K to 99.8±3.6 nm at 1.4  K, almost the same as that of ZnO nanoplates and In-doped ZnO nanowires, and its temperature dependence is found to scale as T−3/4. Meanwhile, we study the anisotropic magnetoresistance resulting from the geometric effect as well as the Lorentz force induced path-length effect, which will be enhanced in higher magnetic fields.
Five-body Moshinsky brackets
Authors: Xiao Shuyuan , Mu Xueli , Deng Zhixuan , Chen Hong
Published: April 2015

In variational calculations with harmonic oscillator wavefunctions as trial bases, the transformation coefficients that relate harmonic oscillator wavefunctions in two different sets of internal coordinates are convenient to the evaluation of some matrix elements. Here, we present the explicit expression of these transformation coefficients for five-body systems. These transformation coefficients can be collected in a matrix according to the quantum number N of harmonic oscillator shell and can be programmed for arbitrary N.
Micromagnetics on high-performance workstation and mobile computational platforms
Authors: Fu S. , Chang R. , Couture S. , Menarini M. , Escobar M. A. , Kuteifan M. , Lubarda M. , Gabay D. , Lomakin V.
Published: April 2015

The feasibility of using high-performance desktop and embedded mobile computational platforms is presented, including multi-core Intel central processing unit, Nvidia desktop graphics processing units, and Nvidia Jetson TK1 Platform. FastMag finite element method-based micromagnetic simulator is used as a testbed, showing high efficiency on all the platforms. Optimization aspects of improving the performance of the mobile systems are discussed. The high performance, low cost, low power consumption, and rapid performance increase of the embedded mobile systems make them a promising candidate for micromagnetic simulations. Such architectures can be used as standalone systems or can be built as low-power computing clusters.
Demonstration of polarization modulated signals in a multi-mode GdFe-silica hybrid fiber
Authors: Nishibayashi K. , Yoneda H. , Kuga K. , Matsuda T. , Munekata H.
Published: April 2015

We fabricate a hybrid fiber composed of a multi-mode, silica-based fiber and a GdFe thin film adjacent to each other. Magneto-optical (MO) signals modulated by AC magnetic fields on the GdFe layer are detected at the output pupil of the fiber, showing that the polarization state of the propagated light in the mixed-mode condition can be well defined. We find that local modulation of magnetization at different positions of the GdFe layer results in MO signals at the different position of the output, showing the spatial de-multiplexing of polarization modulated signals.
Magnetoelectric and electromagnetic composite vibration energy harvester for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Qiu Jing , Chen Hengjia , Wen Yumei , Li Ping
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a magnetoelectric (ME) and electromagnetic (EM) composite vibration energy harvester (VEH) employing a coil and a five-phase laminate ME transducer to convert low-frequency vibration energy into electrical energy are presented. The electric output performance of the proposed VEH has been investigated. Compared to a traditional single ME VEH or single EM VEH, the proposed ME/EM composite VEH can simultaneously obtain high voltage, large current, high power, and wide bandwidth. When the length of cantilever is 5 cm, the five-phase laminate composite ME transducer provides high voltage of 52 V and the coil provides large current of 97.8 mA. The optimum output power of the VEH achieves 16.47 mW for an acceleration of 0.5 g at a frequency of 27.5 Hz. Remarkably, the proposed ME/EM composite VEHs have great potential for its application in wireless sensor network.
Low stiffness tactile transducers based on AlN thin film and polyimide
Authors: Mastronardi V. M. , Ceseracciu L. , Guido F. , Rizzi F. , Athanassiou A. , De Vittorio M. , Petroni S.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we propose a flexible piezoelectric MEMS transducer based on aluminum nitride thin film grown on polyimide soft substrate and developed for tactile sensing purposes. The proposed device consists of circular micro-cells, with a radius of 350 μm, made of polycrystalline c-axis textured AlN. The release of compressive stress by crystalline layers over polymer substrate allows an enhanced transduction response when the cell is patterned in circular dome-shaped geometries. The fabricated cells show an electromechanical response within the full scale range of 80 mN (≃200 kPa) both for dynamic and static load. The device is able to detect dynamic forces by exploiting both piezoelectric and flexoelectric capabilities of the aluminum nitride cells in a combined and synergistic sensing that occurs as voltage generation. No additional power supply is required to provide the electrical readout signals, making this technology suitable candidate when low power consumption is demanding. Moreover a capacitance variation under constant stress is observed, allowing the detection of static forces. The sensing ability of the AlN-based cells has been tested using an ad hoc setup, measuring both the applied load and the generated voltage and capacitance variation.
Magneto-optical properties of nano-crystalline cubic and tetragonal copper ferrite thin films
Authors: Kucera M. , Brom P.
Published: April 2015

Copper ferrite, CuFe2O4, films can be stabilized in cubic or tetragonal phases depending on the deposition conditions and post-deposition heat treatment. The difference is explained by redistribution of cations over particular crystal sites and Jahn-Teller distortion of the spinel lattice. Comparative magneto-optical study of the copper ferrite thin films with cubic and tetragonal symmetry is presented. It is shown that the Faraday rotation and magnetic circular dichroism spectra represent a sensitive tool for examination of cation distribution of magnetic Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions in tetrahedral and octahedral crystal sites of the spinel lattice.
Effects of environmental variation on the composition and dynamics of an arid-adapted Australian bird community
Authors: Smith Judy E.
Published: April 2015

Environmental variables influence the dynamics of bird communities. Australian arid-adapted bird communities must cope with particularly high levels of spatial and temporal variability, including inevitable but unpredictable periods of drought. Over four years, which included a severe drought and a period of above-average rainfall, I quantified the responses of a bird community in arid north-western New South Wales to regular seasonal and irregular climatic variation, especially rainfall, as well as spatial variation. I found pronounced changes in the abundance and composition of the avifauna that related to drought and, to a lesser extent, seasonal variability. Overall bird abundance and species richness declined during the drought but the magnitude and direction of population fluctuations of resident, nomadic and migratory species, different feeding groups, and individual species were not consistent. Avian densities and species richness in the study area were higher in mesic habitats associated with drainage lines than in run-off areas. The study demonstrated the importance of local habitat heterogeneity. The asynchronous species responses to a fluctuating environment indicated that drought is likely to have a differential effect on resources and that individual species respond differently to environmental variability. Effective land management and conservation of Australian arid-adapted bird communities requires an understanding of their spatial and temporal variability and dynamics at both local and regional level. A proper understanding of the variability and dynamics of the avifauna is especially important as climate change is predicted to exacerbate the climatic variability and unpredictability of the arid zone in future years.
Holding the brains back in: An assessment of measures against brain drain in the Malawian health sector
Authors: Tambulasi Richard I.C. , Chasukwa Michael
Published: April 2015

Migration studies especially in developing countries have fallen short of analysing the impacts of the mitigating variables. This paper therefore fills the lacuna by analysing measures against brain drain in the Malawian health sector. Migration of health workers has been affecting health service delivery in the country. However, although some measures to curb brain drain or minimize its impacts have been implemented, little is known about their effectiveness. The problem with this knowledge gap is that it makes various stakeholders and experts fail to make interventions in an informed, well-focused and coordinated manner. This is a qualitative study based on data collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with various key stakeholders and health service deliverers. The paper finds that various measures to control brain drain or minimize its impacts in Malawi have been applied. Some of these include salary top-ups, provision of various forms of training, bonding contracts, housing schemes and other external arrangements. However, the study finds that although these measures have the potential to control brain drain or minimize its effects, they face several implementation, institutional and organizational challenges that affect their effective execution and hence make gains obtained to be fragile and unsustainable. The paper contributes to the understanding of organizational, institutional and policy challenges that affect the effectiveness of measures to curb brain drain in a developing context environment. To this end, the study informs policy-makers and public sector managers the need to address these if interventions are to obtain effective results.
Vanishing theorems for constructible sheaves on abelian varieties
Authors: Krämer Thomas , Weissauer Rainer
Published: April 2015

We show that the hypercohomology of most character twists of perverse sheaves on a complex abelian variety vanishes in all non-zero degrees. As a consequence we obtain a vanishing theorem for constructible sheaves and a relative vanishing theorem for a homomorphism between abelian varieties. Our proof relies on a Tannakian description for convolution products of perverse sheaves, and with future applications in mind we discuss the basic properties of the arising Tannaka groups.
A note on sharp one-sided bounds for the Hilbert transform
Authors: Strzelecki Michał
Published: April 2015

Let

H

T

\mathcal {H}^{\mathbb {T}}

denote the Hilbert transform on the circle. The paper contains the proofs of the sharp estimates
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\begin{equation*} \frac {1}{2\pi }|\{ \xi \in \mathbb {T} : \mathcal {H}^{\mathbb {T}}f(\xi ) \geq 1 \}| \leq \frac {4}{\pi }\arctan \left (\exp \left (\frac {\pi }{2}\|f\|_1\right )\right ) -1, \quad f\in L^{1}(\mathbb {T}), \end{equation*}

and
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Related estimates for orthogonal martingales satisfying a subordination condition are also established.
Optimal embedding of Meyer sets into model sets
Authors: Aujogue Jean-Baptiste
Published: April 2015

We give a constructive proof that a repetitive Meyer multiple set of

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

admits a smallest model multiple set containing it colorwise.
Chains of theories and companionability
Authors: Kasal Özcan , Pierce David
Published: April 2015

The theory of fields that are equipped with a countably infinite family of commuting derivations is not companionable, but if the axiom is added whereby the characteristic of the fields is zero, then the resulting theory is companionable. Each of these two theories is the union of a chain of companionable theories. In the case of characteristic

0
0

, the model-companions of the theories in the chain form another chain, whose union is therefore the model-companion of the union of the original chain. However, in a signature with predicates, in all finite numbers of arguments, for linear dependence of vectors, the two-sorted theory of vector-spaces with their scalar-fields is companionable, and it is the union of a chain of companionable theories, but the model-companions of the theories in the chain are mutually inconsistent. Finally, the union of a chain of non-companionable theories may be companionable.
Reflected spectrally negative stable processes and their governing equations
Authors: Baeumer Boris , Kovács Mihály , Meerschaert Mark , Schilling René , Straka Peter
Published: April 2015

This paper explicitly computes the transition densities of a spectrally negative stable process with index greater than one, reflected at its infimum. First we derive the forward equation using the theory of sun-dual semigroups. The resulting forward equation is a boundary value problem on the positive half-line that involves a negative Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative in space, and a fractional reflecting boundary condition at the origin. Then we apply numerical methods to explicitly compute the transition density of this space-inhomogeneous Markov process, for any starting point, to any desired degree of accuracy. Finally, we discuss an application to fractional Cauchy problems, which involve a positive Caputo fractional derivative in time.
Dynamics near explicit stationary solutions in similarity variables for solutions of a semilinear wave equation in higher dimensions
Authors: Merle Frank , Zaag Hatem
Published: April 2015

This is the first of two papers devoted to the study of the properties of the blow-up surface for the

N
N

dimensional semilinear wave equation with subconformal power nonlinearity. In a series of papers, we have clarified the situation in one space dimension. Our goal here is to extend some of the properties to higher dimension. In dimension one, an essential tool was to study the dynamics of the solution in similarity variables, near the set of non-zero equilibria, which are obtained by a Lorentz transform of the space-independent solution. As a matter of fact, the main part of this paper is to study similar objects in higher dimensions. More precisely, near that set of equilibria, we show that solutions are either non-global or go to zero or converge to some explicit equilibrium. We also show that the first case cannot occur in the characteristic case and that only the third possibility occurs in the non-characteristic case, thanks to the non-degeneracy of the blow-up limit, another new result in our paper. As a by-product of our techniques, we obtain the stability of the zero solution.
A Rolling Loan Gathers No Loss
Authors: Engel Kathleen C. , McCoy Patricia A.
Published: April 2015

This chapter introduces the process of securitization and the actors who helped convert mortgage loans into complex financial instruments. It then explains how that process went haywire despite warnings to the market and the government years in advance.
OTS and OCC Power Grab
Authors: Engel Kathleen C. , McCoy Patricia A.
Published: April 2015

As predatory lenders swept the country, states and cities responded to Washington's inaction by passing their own anti-predatory lending laws. Lenders, worried about potential liability, quickly organized a full-scale attack on the state and local initiatives. Their most potent strategy lay in challenging the state and local laws under an obscure doctrine known as federal preemption. When a federal law “preempts” a state or local law, it overrides the application of that law, either in part or whole. This chapter discusses federal preemption by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Put to the Test
Authors: Engel Kathleen C. , McCoy Patricia A.
Published: April 2015

This chapter discusses oversight by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In addition to instituting federal preemption and refusing to adopt binding rules that would have mandated safe underwriting practices, the OCC and OTS also failed to take formal enforcement actions against troubled banks and thrifts. The FDIC, however, did not preempt state anti-predatory lending laws for the community banks it regulated. While a few FDIC-regulated banks got into trouble with subprime loans, for the most part FDIC institutions steered clear of those products. Thus, FDIC-regulated banks only had a small role in the unfolding subprime crisis.
Wall Street Skirts Regulation
Authors: Engel Kathleen C. , McCoy Patricia A.
Published: April 2015

This chapter discusses how federal regulators contributed to the subprime crisis. Congress laid the groundwork back in 1999 and 2000, when it deregulated over-the-counter credit default swaps, which ultimately became pathways of contagion. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its part looked the other way while banks issued droves of subprime bonds and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) marred by shoddy due diligence, skimpy disclosures, and inflated credit ratings. Then federal banking regulators sealed the financial system's fate by allowing commercial banks to load up on toxic mortgage-backed securities.
Contours of the Battlefield
Authors: Kivivuori Janne
Published: April 2015

This chapter examines the intellectual context in which the quantitative hidden crime survey was discovered. It begins with an overview of the penal-welfare complex before turning to the abnormality paradigm of criminology, with particular emphasis on Cesare Lombroso's theory of the ‘born criminal’, the degeneration theory of crime, and the psychologisation of abnormality. It then considers the normality paradigm, first by describing some of the intellectual currents that preceded Emile Durkheim and then some of his thoughts related to normality. It also discusses Robert K. Merton's critique of the abnormality paradigm, along with his views on social deviance and crime as innovation.
Part 2 Interrelations between Constitutionalism and Sharī’ah: Antagonism or Complementarity?, 2.6 The Kingdom of Jurists: Constitutionalism and the Legal Order in Iran
Authors: Saïd Amir Arjomand
Published: April 2015

This chapter discusses the substantial contributions of the Shīʻite jurists to constitutional and legal developments in twentieth-century Iran in three crucial phases. In the first phase, they had a significant impact on the making of Iran's first constitution in 1906–1907 as objectors rather than drafters of the 1907 Supplement to the Fundamental Law. In the second phase, they contributed to the judiciary reforms from 1927 to 1939 and crafted Iran's Civil Code, which remains in force until today. In the third phase, beginning with the Islamic revolution of 1979, the Shīʻite jurists are exclusively the architects of the constitutional order of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Part 3 Institutional Control of Constitutionalism, 3.1 Models of Institutional Control: The Experience of Islamic Countries
Authors: Rainer Grote
Published: April 2015

This chapter discusses constitutional review in Islamic countries. It covers the basic models of constitutional review; composition of constitutional courts; powers of constitutional courts; and effects of constitutional court decisions. It shows that introduction of constitutional review in the Islamic world has largely been pattered after foreign models, particularly of France (namely in the Maghreb countries and Lebanon), the United States (in Egypt and the Arab peninsula), the United Kingdom (Pakistan, Nigeria, Malaysia), and Germany (Turkey, Indonesia), with modifications to the particular political and cultural contexts of the respective countries. While almost all constitutional review bodies practice some form of constitutional review of legislation or another, most constitutions in the Islamic world still do not provide for access of individuals to constitutional adjudication.
Part 3 Institutional Control of Constitutionalism, 3.6 Malaysia: The Politics of the Judiciary
Authors: HP Lee
Published: April 2015

This chapter first describes the key institutions of the Malaysian constitutional system: the executive, Parliament, the King, the Conference of Rulers, the judiciary, and the supremacy of the Constitution. It then discusses the 1988 judicial crisis which was triggered by a letter sent by Tun Salleh Abas to the King following a meeting of the judges in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The convening of this meeting was the culmination of exasperation and anger of judicial officers over ongoing attacks on the judiciary by Prime Minister Mahathir. The chapter concludes with lessons from the Malaysian experience.
Part 4 Constitutionalism and Separation of Powers, 4.6 The Rise of Presidentialism in Post-Soviet Central Asia: The Example of Kazakhstan
Authors: Zhenis Kembayev
Published: April 2015

This chapter focuses on constitutional development in Kazakhstan. It examines the origins and provisions of its 1993 and 1995 Constitution. It also discusses how the constitutional development of Kazakhstan reflects the numerous acute challenges and problems of the country.
Part 5 Emerging Constitutions in Islamic Countries, 5.5 Constitution-Making and State-Building: Redefining the Palestinian Nation
Authors: Asem Khalil
Published: April 2015

This chapter examines constitution-building in Palestine. It discusses how constitutional and institutional anomalies contributed to the cracks among Palestinian factions, territories, and narratives in 2007, following Hamas control by force of occupied territory on the Gaza Strip. Since then, reference to the same Basic Law, often interpreted differently, was made to justify respective actions and decisions. Law was used—as often was the case in Palestinian modern history—to accommodate political objectives, causing damage to the process of state-building. However, the clash between Palestinian factions is not only about political objectives but also, this chapter argues, related to their national aspirations, objectives, and visions.
Part 5 Emerging Constitutions in Islamic Countries, 5.7 Islam and the State in Iraq: The Post-2003 Constitutions
Authors: Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi
Published: April 2015

The post-2003 period in Iraq saw the drafting of two constitutions in rapid succession. An interim constitution was drafted in 2003–2004 and a permanent constitution in 2005. Liberal-secularists were largely ascendant during the drafting of the interim constitution, while the Shīʻī religious parties, in alliance with the Kurdish coalition, dominated the drafting of the permanent constitution. This chapter analyzes the very different philosophical approaches of the two documents by focusing on their differing treatments of the role of Islam and, ultimately, Islamic law, the Sharīʻah. The chapter is organized as follows. Section II presents a digest of the formal constitutional relationship between the State and Islam. Section III analyzes the different approaches of the two post-2003 constitutions to the judiciary, noting especially their different approaches to personal-status laws. Section IV focuses on the 2004 and 2006 constitutions and their respective treatments of civil rights.
Challenges to the implementation of a nationwide electronic prescribing network in primary care: a qualitative study of users’ perceptions
Authors: Motulsky Aude , Sicotte Claude , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Payne-Gagnon Julie , Langué-Dubé Julie-Alexandra , Rochefort Christian M , Tamblyn Robyn
Published: April 2015

Background and objective The objective of this study was to identify physicians’ and pharmacists’ perceptions of the challenges and benefits to implementing a nationwide electronic prescribing network linking medical clinics and community pharmacies in Quebec, Canada.

Methods Forty-nine people (12 general practitioners, 2 managers, 33 community pharmacists, and 2 pharmacy staff members) from 40 points of care (10 primary care clinics (42% of all the connected sites) and 30 community pharmacies (44%)) were interviewed in 2013. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results A low level of network use was observed. Most pharmacists processed e-prescriptions by manual entry instead of importing electronically. They reported concerns about potential errors generated by importing e-prescriptions, mainly due to the instruction field. Paper prescriptions were still perceived as the best means for safe and effective processing of prescriptions in pharmacies. Speed issues when validating e-prescription messages were seen as an irritant by physicians, and resulted in several of them abandoning transmission. Displaying the medications based on the dispensing data was identified as the main obstacle to meaningful use of medication histories.

Conclusions Numerous challenges impeded realization of the benefits of this network. Standards for e-prescription messages, as well as rules for message validation, need to be improved to increase the potential benefits of e-prescriptions. Standard drug terminology including the concept of clinical medication should be developed, and the implementation of rules in local applications to allow for the classification and reconciliation of medication lists from dispensing data should be made a priority.
Telomere-associated proteins add deoxynucleotides to terminal proteins during replication of the telomeres of linear chromosomes and plasmids in Streptomyces
Authors: Yang Chien-Chin , Tseng Shu-Min , Chen Carton W.
Published: April 2015

Typical telomeres of linear chromosomes and plasmids of soil bacteria Streptomyces consist of tightly packed palindromic sequences with a terminal protein (‘TP’) covalently attached to the 5′ end of the DNA. Replication of these linear replicons is initiated internally and proceeds bidirectionally toward the telomeres, which leaves single-strand overhangs at the 3′ ends. These overhangs are filled by DNA synthesis using the TPs as the primers (‘end patching’). The gene encoding for typical TP, tpg, forms an operon with tap, encoding an essential telomere-associated protein, which binds TP and the secondary structures formed by the 3′ overhangs. Previously one of the two translesion synthesis DNA polymerases, DinB1 or DinB2, was proposed to catalyze the protein-primed synthesis. However, using an in vitro end-patching system, we discovered that Tpg and Tap alone could carry out the protein-primed synthesis to a length of 13 nt. Similarly, an ‘atypical’ terminal protein, Tpc, and its cognate telomere-associated protein, Tac, of SCP1 plasmid, were sufficient to achieve protein-primed synthesis in the absence of additional polymerase. These results indicate that these two telomere-associated proteins possess polymerase activities alone or in complex with the cognate TPs.
Characteristics of Perennial Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) and Refined Wheat Flour Blends: Impact on Rheological Properties
Authors: Marti Alessandra , Qiu Xiaoxue , Schoenfuss Tonya C. , Seetharaman Koushik
Published: April 2015

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a perennial grass with desirable agronomic traits and positive effects on the environment. It has high fiber and protein contents, which increase the interest in using IWG for human consumption. In this study, IWG flour was blended with refined wheat at four IWG‐to‐wheat ratios (0:100, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0). Samples were analyzed for proximate composition, microstructure features, pasting properties (Micro Visco‐Amylo‐Graph device), protein solubility, and total and accessible thiols. Gluten aggregation properties (GlutoPeak tester) and mixing profile (Farinograph‐AT device) were also evaluated. IWG flour enrichment increased the pasting temperature and decreased the peak viscosity of blended flours. IWG proteins exhibited higher solubility than wheat, with a high amount of accessible and total thiols. The GlutoPeak tester highlighted the ability of IWG proteins to aggregate and generate torque. Higher IWG flour enrichment resulted in faster gluten aggregation with lower peak torque, suggesting weakening of wheat gluten strength. Finally, the addition of IWG to refined wheat flour resulted in a decrease in dough development time and an increase in consistency, likely because of the higher levels of fiber in IWG. The 50% IWG flour enrichment represents a good compromise between nutritional improvement and maintenance of the pasting properties, protein characteristics, and gluten aggregation kinetics.
Invention as a combinatorial process: evidence from US patents
Authors: Youn Hyejin , Strumsky Deborah , Bettencourt Luis M. A. , Lobo José
Published: April 2015

Invention has been commonly conceptualized as a search over a space of combinatorial possibilities. Despite the existence of a rich literature, spanning a variety of disciplines, elaborating on the recombinant nature of invention, we lack a formal and quantitative characterization of the combinatorial process underpinning inventive activity. Here, we use US patent records dating from 1790 to 2010 to formally characterize invention as a combinatorial process. To do this, we treat patented inventions as carriers of technologies and avail ourselves of the elaborate system of technology codes used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to classify the technologies responsible for an invention's novelty. We find that the combinatorial inventive process exhibits an invariant rate of ‘exploitation’ (refinements of existing combinations of technologies) and ‘exploration’ (the development of new technological combinations). This combinatorial dynamic contrasts sharply with the creation of new technological capabilities—the building blocks to be combined—that has significantly slowed down. We also find that, notwithstanding the very reduced rate at which new technologies are introduced, the generation of novel technological combinations engenders a practically infinite space of technological configurations.
Widespread exon skipping triggers degradation by nuclear RNA surveillance in fission yeast
Authors: Bitton Danny A. , Atkinson Sophie R. , Rallis Charalampos , Smith Graeme C. , Ellis David A. , Chen Yuan Y.C. , Malecki Michal , Codlin Sandra , Lemay Jean-François , Cotobal Cristina , Bachand François , Marguerat Samuel , Mata Juan , Bähler Jürg
Published: April 2015

Exon skipping is considered a principal mechanism by which eukaryotic cells expand their transcriptome and proteome repertoires, creating different splice variants with distinct cellular functions. Here we analyze RNA-seq data from 116 transcriptomes in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), covering multiple physiological conditions as well as transcriptional and RNA processing mutants. We applied brute-force algorithms to detect all possible exon-skipping events, which were widespread but rare compared to normal splicing events. Exon-skipping events increased in cells deficient for the nuclear exosome or the 5′-3′ exonuclease Dhp1, and also at late stages of meiotic differentiation when nuclear-exosome transcripts decreased. The pervasive exon-skipping transcripts were stochastic, did not increase in specific physiological conditions, and were mostly present at less than one copy per cell, even in the absence of nuclear RNA surveillance and during late meiosis. These exon-skipping transcripts are therefore unlikely to be functional and may reflect splicing errors that are actively removed by nuclear RNA surveillance. The average splicing rate by exon skipping was ∼0.24% in wild type and ∼1.75% in nuclear exonuclease mutants. We also detected approximately 250 circular RNAs derived from single or multiple exons. These circular RNAs were rare and stochastic, although a few became stabilized during quiescence and in splicing mutants. Using an exhaustive search algorithm, we also uncovered thousands of previously unknown splice sites, indicating pervasive splicing; yet most of these splicing variants were cryptic and increased in nuclear degradation mutants. This study highlights widespread but low frequency alternative or aberrant splicing events that are targeted by nuclear RNA surveillance.
Structure of uridine diphosphateN-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase fromEntamoeba histolytica
Authors: Edwards Thomas E. , Gardberg Anna S. , Phan Isabelle Q. H. , Zhang Yang , Staker Bart L. , Myler Peter J. , Lorimer Donald D.
Published: April 2015

Uridine diphosphateN-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of UDP-GlcNAc, which is involved in cell-wall biogenesis in plants and fungi and in protein glycosylation. Small-molecule inhibitors have been developed against UAP fromTrypanosoma bruceithat target an allosteric pocket to provide selectivity over the human enzyme. A 1.8 Å resolution crystal structure was determined of UAP fromEntamoeba histolytica, an anaerobic parasitic protozoan that causes amoebic dysentery. AlthoughE. histolyticaUAP exhibits the same three-domain global architecture as other UAPs, it appears to lack three α-helices at the N-terminus and contains two amino acids in the allosteric pocket that make it appear more like the enzyme from the human host than that from the other parasiteT. brucei. Thus, allosteric inhibitors ofT. bruceiUAP are unlikely to targetEntamoebaUAPs.
Structures of prostaglandin F synthase from the protozoaLeishmania majorandTrypanosoma cruziwith NADP
Authors: Moen Spencer O. , Fairman James W. , Barnes Steve R. , Sullivan Amy , Nakazawa-Hewitt Stephen , Van Voorhis Wesley C. , Staker Bart L. , Lorimer Donald D. , Myler Peter J. , Edwards Thomas E.
Published: April 2015

The crystal structures of prostaglandin F synthase (PGF) from bothLeishmania majorandTrypanosoma cruziwith and without their cofactor NADP have been determined to resolutions of 2.6 Å forT. cruziPGF, 1.25 Å forT. cruziPGF with NADP, 1.6 Å forL. majorPGF and 1.8 Å forL. majorPGF with NADP. These structures were determined by molecular replacement to a finalRfactor of less than 18.6% (Rfreeof less than 22.9%). PGF in the infectious protozoaL. majorandT. cruziis a potential therapeutic target.