bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of grain boundary conduction with increasing temperature in pure and Ti doped Co ferrite materials
Authors: Vaithyanathan V. , Patro L. N. , Kodam Ugendar , Tan H. , Inbanathan S. S. R. , Kamala Bharathi K.
Published: September 2015

We report on the structural, temperature, and frequency dependent impedance studies of Ti doped cobalt ferrite material (CoFe1.95Ti0.05O4) in comparison with the pure CoFe2O4. XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies confirm the inverse spinel crystallization of the materials with space group of Fd-3 m. Scanning electron microscope images shows the microcrystalline nature of the particles. Homogeneity, stoichiometry, and ionic states of the ions in the composition were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies. Temperature and frequency dependent real (Z′) and imaginary (Z″) part of the impedance shows the existence of relaxation processes and their distribution in CoFe2O4 and CoFe1.95Ti0.05O4 materials. Complex impedance spectroscopy studies at low temperatures shows that the conductivity in these materials is predominantly due to the intrinsic bulk grains. With increasing the temperature, evolution of grain boundary conduction is clearly seen through the appearance of a second semi-circle in the complex impedance plots. Room temperature total dc conductivity of both CoFe2O4 and CoFe1.95Ti0.05O4 materials is found to be 5.78 × 10−8 and 1.61 × 10−7 S/cm, respectively. Temperature variation of dc electrical conductivity follows the Arrhenius relationship and the activation energies for CoFe2O4 corresponding to grain (0.55 eV for CoFe2O4), grain boundary (0.52 eV), and total conduction (0.54 eV) are discussed. Observation of well distinguishable grain and grain boundary conductions and the low conductivity values in CoFe2O4 and CoFe1.95Ti0.05O4 materials indicates that these materials are promising candidates for the high frequency applications.
Exciton spin dynamics in GaSe
Authors: Tang Yanhao , Xie Wei , Mandal Krishna C. , McGuire John A. , Lai Chih Wei
Published: September 2015

We analyze exciton spin dynamics in GaSe under nonresonant circularly polarized optical pumping with an exciton spin-flip rate-equation model. The model reproduces polarized time-dependent photoluminescence measurements in which the initial circular polarization approaches unity even when pumping with 0.15 eV excess energy. At T = 10 K, the exciton spin relaxation exhibits a biexponential decay with sub-20 ps and >500 ps time constants, which are also reproduced by the rate-equation model assuming distinct spin-relaxation rates for hot (nonequilibrium) and cold band-edge excitons.
Detection of alpha particles using DNA/Al Schottky junctions
Authors: Al-Ta'ii Hassan Maktuff Jaber , Periasamy Vengadesh , Amin Yusoff Mohd
Published: September 2015

Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA can be utilized in an organic-metallic rectifying structure to detect radiation, especially alpha particles. This has become much more important in recent years due to crucial environmental detection needs in both peace and war. In this work, we fabricated an aluminum (Al)/DNA/Al structure and generated current–voltage characteristics upon exposure to alpha radiation. Two models were utilized to investigate these current profiles; the standard conventional thermionic emission model and Cheung and Cheung's method. Using these models, the barrier height, Richardson constant, ideality factor and series resistance of the metal-DNA-metal structure were analyzed in real time. The barrier height, Φ value calculated using the conventional method for non-radiated structure was 0.7149 eV, increasing to 0.7367 eV after 4 min of radiation. Barrier height values were observed to increase after 20, 30 and 40 min of radiation, except for 6, 8, and 10 min, which registered a decrease of about 0.67 eV. This was in comparison using Cheung and Cheung's method, which registered 0.6983 eV and 0.7528 eV for the non-radiated and 2 min of radiation, respectively. The barrier height values, meanwhile, were observed to decrease after 4 (0.61 eV) to 40 min (0.6945 eV). The study shows that conventional thermionic emission model could be practically utilized for estimating the diode parameters including the effect of series resistance. These changes in the electronic properties of the Al/DNA/Al junctions could therefore be utilized in the manufacture of sensitive alpha particle sensors.
Hollow core waveguide as mid-infrared laser modal beam filter
Authors: Patimisco P. , Sampaolo A. , Giglio M. , Kriesel J. M. , Tittel F. K. , Spagnolo V.
Published: September 2015

A novel method for mid-IR laser beam mode cleaning employing hollow core waveguide as a modal filter element is reported. The influence of the input laser beam quality on fiber optical losses and output beam profile using a hollow core waveguide with 200 μm-bore size was investigated. Our results demonstrate that even when using a laser with a poor spatial profile, there will exist a minimum fiber length that allows transmission of only the Gaussian-like fundamental waveguide mode from the fiber, filtering out all the higher order modes. This essentially single mode output is preserved also when the waveguide is bent to a radius of curvature of 7.5 cm, which demonstrates that laser mode filtering can be realized even if a curved light path is required.
Electronically nonadiabatic wave packet propagation using frozen Gaussian scattering
Authors: Kondorskiy Alexey D. , Nanbu Shinkoh
Published: September 2015

We present an approach, which allows to employ the adiabatic wave packet propagation technique and semiclassical theory to treat the nonadiabatic processes by using trajectory hopping. The approach developed generates a bunch of hopping trajectories and gives all additional information to incorporate the effect of nonadiabatic coupling into the wave packet dynamics. This provides an interface between a general adiabatic frozen Gaussian wave packet propagation method and the trajectory surface hopping technique. The basic idea suggested in [A. D. Kondorskiy and H. Nakamura, J. Chem. Phys. 120, 8937 (2004)] is revisited and complemented in the present work by the elaboration of efficient numerical algorithms. We combine our approach with the adiabatic Herman-Kluk frozen Gaussian approximation. The efficiency and accuracy of the resulting method is demonstrated by applying it to popular benchmark model systems including three Tully’s models and 24D model of pyrazine. It is shown that photoabsorption spectrum is successfully reproduced by using a few hundreds of trajectories. We employ the compact finite difference Hessian update scheme to consider feasibility of the ab initio “on-the-fly” simulations. It is found that this technique allows us to obtain the reliable final results using several Hessian matrix calculations per trajectory.
An off-the-shelf integrated microfluidic device comprising self-assembled monolayers for protein array experiments
Authors: Hen Mirit , Ronen Maria , Deitch Alex , Barbiro-Michaely Efrat , Oren Ziv , Sukenik Chaim N. , Gerber Doron
Published: September 2015

Microfluidic-based protein arrays are promising tools for life sciences, with increased sensitivity and specificity. One of the drawbacks of this technology is the need to create fresh surface chemistry for protein immobilization at the beginning of each experiment. In this work, we attempted to include the process of surface functionalization as part of the fabrication of the device, which would substitute the time consuming step of surface functionalization at the beginning of each protein array experiment. To this end, we employed a novel surface modification using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to immobilize biomolecules within the channels of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) integrated microfluidic device. As a model, we present a general method for depositing siloxane-anchored SAMs, with 1-undecyl-thioacetate-trichlorosilane (C11TA) on the silica surfaces. The process involved developing PDMS-compatible conditions for both SAM deposition and functional group activation. We successfully demonstrated the ability to produce, within an integrated microfluidic channel, a C11TA monolayer with a covalently conjugated antibody. The antibody could then bind its antigen with a high signal to background ratio. We further demonstrated that the antibody was still active after storage of the device for a week. Integration of the surface chemistry into the device as part of its fabrication process has potential to significantly simplify and shorten many experimental procedures involving microfluidic–based protein arrays. In turn, this will allow for broader dissemination of this important technology.
Microfluidic sampling system for tissue analytics
Authors: Hokkanen A. , Stuns I. , Schmid P. , Kokkonen A. , Gao F. , Steinecker A. , Budczies J. , Heimala P. , Hakalahti L.
Published: September 2015

We have developed a microfluidics based sampling system for tissue analytics. The proof-of-concept of the sampling system was demonstrated by extracting lipid samples from tissue biopsies. The sample collection system consists of a disposable silicon based multiport microneedle integrated with polymer microfluidics. The polymethyl methacrylate polymer microfluidic chip has a 10 μl sample reservoir and actuation membranes for liquid pumping. A special automated robotic system was developed to control the positioning of the needle and the sampling procedure on preselected spots on the tissue. Real breast cancer tissue samples were used to test the feasibility of the sampling system. We successfully measured indicative cancer biomarkers from the tissue surface. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphoethanolamine were extracted from the tissue membrane with methyl tert-butyl ether solvent and detected by mass spectrometry. In the future, this tool could be used in characterization of preoperative biopsies and tumour tissues removed during surgery.
A collimated focused ultrasound beam of high acoustic transmission and minimum diffraction achieved by using a lens with subwavelength structures
Authors: Lin Zhou , Guo Xiasheng , Tu Juan , Cheng Jianchun , Wu Junru , Huang Pingtong , Zhang Dong
Published: September 2015

An acoustic focusing lens incorporated with periodically aligned subwavelength grooves corrugated on its spherical surface has been developed. It is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that acoustic focusing achieved by using the lens can suppress the relative side-lobe amplitudes, enhance the focal gain, and minimize the shifting of the focus. Use of the lens coupled with a planar ultrasound transducer can generate an ultrasound beam with enhanced acoustic transmission and collimation effect, which offers the capability of improving the safety, efficiency, and accuracy of targeted surgery implemented by high intensity focused ultrasound.
Communication: On the difficulty of reproducibly measuring PbCl2 X-ray absorption spectra
Authors: Schwartz Craig P. , Prendergast David
Published: September 2015

Previous measurements of the X-ray absorption spectra of PbCl2 at the chlorine K-edge have shown significant variation between different studies. Herein, using first principles simulations of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we show that the observed spectral variations are due to the generation of Cl2 gas and depletion of chlorine from PbCl2, consistent with what is observed during ultraviolet absorption for the same compound. We note that Cl2 gas generation can also be initiated using higher resonant X-ray energies, including Pb X-ray absorption edges. While this casts doubt on previous interpretations of certain measurements, it does indicate a means of generating chlorine gas during in situ experiments by passing high energy x-rays through a hard x-ray transparent medium and onto PbCl2.
Hepatic lipidosis in high-yielding dairy cows during the transition period: haematochemical and histopathological findings
Authors: Fiore Enrico , Piccione Giuseppe , Perillo Laura , Barberio Antonio , Manuali Elisabetta , Morgante Massimo , Gianesella Matteo
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the severity and distribution of hepatic lipidosis in high-yielding dairy cows during the transition period by the evaluation of body condition score (BCS), serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and histological liver lipid content (GdL). Twenty-seven dairy cows, with a milk production of ~10 000 kg per year were enrolled in an experiment. Clinical examination was performed to evaluate the health status or the presence of periparturient diseases after calving. Animals were divided into two groups: healthy (HG; n = 11) and sick (SG; n = 16). The evaluation of BCS, NEFA, BHB and liver biopsies were performed at 15 ± 5 days prepartum (T0), 10 ± 2 days postpartum (T1), 30 ± 2 days postpartum (T2) and 50 ± 2 days postpartum (T3). Two-way repeated-measure ANOVA was applied to assess statistical significance of sampling time and between groups for all variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between all variables. Results showed BCS loss from T0 to T3 in SG and a significant increase of NEFA and BHB at T1. The GdL began to be mild at T0 increasing and becoming moderate to severe at T1, fairly regressing, but not disappearing, at T2 and T3, in both groups. This study showed that high lipomobilisation with a mild to moderate fat infiltration does not imply that ketosis or other periparturient diseases might be present. Our results suggest that hepatic lipidosis is associated with long-term histological and metabolic changes in dairy cows.
Aryl-Substituted Boron Subphthalocyanines and their Application in Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Bonnier Catherine , Josey David S. , Bender Timothy P.
Published: September 2015

A family of five axial aryl-substituted boron subphthalocyanine (BsubPc) derivatives bearing a hydrido, methyl, methoxy, phenyl, or fluoro substituent at the para position of the aryl were synthesised from Br-BsubPc and the corresponding aryl Grignard reagent in moderate yields. The physicochemical characterisation of these derivatives gave similar absorption, photoluminescence, and cyclic voltammetry profiles and photoluminescence quantum yields, indicating that the nature of the substituent at the para position does not influence the basic photophysical properties of this generic class of BsubPcs. Conversely, the solid-state structural arrangement obtained from single crystals is highly dependent on the para substituent; for the non-polar hydrido, methyl, and phenyl substituents, only concave isoindole π interactions are present. Substitution for the polar methoxy or fluoro ligand affords one-dimensional ribbons formed by convex π interactions, where these ribbons further interact through concave isoindole π interactions with the adjacent ribbon, creating an extended two-dimensional π network. On incorporation of the hydrido, methyl, and fluoro derivatives into organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, similar results and device metrics were obtained with the methyl and fluoro derivatives. Both, however, were significantly outperformed by the hydrido derivative. The uniqueness of the hydrido derivative is only realised once incorporated into OPVs as it shares the same basic physical properties as the other derivatives. Given these findings, we identify the hydrido derivative as the aryl-BsubPc with the most promise for future work in OPVs.
A new tool in the toolbox for large-scale, high-throughput fisheries mark-recapture studies using genetic identification
Authors: Bradford Russell W. , Hill Peta , Davies Campbell , Grewe Peter
Published: September 2015

The lack of independently verifiable estimates of catches and fisheries independent estimates of abundance and fishing mortality are major sources of uncertainty in the management of many fisheries. DNA profiling provides the potential to substantially improve the quality of data for assessments and act as an additional deterrent to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Barriers to the implementation of this technology include cost of sample collection and processing, forensic grade quality control, and the ability to apply undetectable tags. We present the results of a comparison of two current and one new (gene tag tool, GTT) sampling techniques, using the highly valued southern bluefin tuna as an example. We demonstrate that fish sampled with two techniques are highly unlikely to be recognised as ‘tagged’, whereas one technique was easily recognisable after 73 days. The GTT reduced handling before DNA extraction, whereas both other techniques require additional labour, adding to cost and potential contamination of the evidentiary chain. Evidence of cross-contamination in the Whatman FTA Elute samples suggests they may not be as suitable for at-sea field applications. Two of the three sampling techniques are capable of obtaining high quality tissue samples for stock assessment and chain of custody purposes in a cost-effective and unidentifiable manner.
High-resolution movements of critically endangered hawksbill turtles help elucidate conservation requirements in northern Australia
Authors: Hoenner Xavier , Whiting Scott D. , Hamann Mark , Limpus Colin J. , Hindell Mark A. , McMahon Clive R.
Published: September 2015

Despite being critically endangered, the at-sea behaviour of hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) remains insufficiently understood to support a global conservation strategy. Habitat location and spatial use are poorly documented, which is particularly true for the globally important Australian hawksbill population. We equipped 10 adult female hawksbill turtles nesting on Groote Eylandt, northern Australia, with Fastloc GPS and Argos satellite transmitters. We quantified fine-scale habitat use and area-restricted search behaviour, and located potential feeding and developmental habitats by simulating hatchling turtle dispersal patterns by using a particle-tracking hydrological model. During the breeding season, females mostly remained near their nesting site. Post-breeding, all turtles migrated to foraging sites on the Australian continental shelf, primarily in the Gulf of Carpentaria in coastal seagrass pastures, but also offshore near coral-reef platforms. The distribution of adult foraging grounds was similar to simulated dispersal patterns of hatchling turtles from distant rookeries, thus highlighting the ecological significance of the Gulf of Carpentaria for hawksbill turtles. Although this hawksbill turtle population is likely to be endemic to Australian waters, national and international conservation initiatives are required to mitigate sources of anthropogenic mortality (e.g. illegal tortoise-shell trade, incidental captures in fishing gear, marine debris, seabed mining exploitation).
Crystal structure reveals specific recognition of a G-quadruplex RNA by a β-turn in the RGG motif of FMRP
Authors: Vasilyev Nikita , Polonskaia Anna , Darnell Jennifer C. , Darnell Robert B. , Patel Dinshaw J. , Serganov Alexander
Published: September 2015

Significance

The arginine-glycine-rich (RGG) box is an abundant RNA-binding motif present in many proteins. The RGG motif of the Fragile Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) specifically binds guanine-quadruplex-containing RNA. Using X-ray crystallography, we uncovered molecular principles that account for specificity and affinity of the interactions between the RGG motif and guanine-quadruplex-containing RNA. The structure-based biochemical assays revealed that specific recognition of the RNA extends to the duplex region, thus identifying a broad network of important RNA–protein interactions and suggesting a common RNA binding principle for other RGG motif-containing proteins.
Partial integration of Syrian ‘escapees’ under the rule of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (JDP)
Authors: Gümüs Burak , Eroğlu Deniz
Published: September 2015

This article deals with the policy of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) in Turkey with regard to Syrian ‘refugees’. Initially referred to as ‘guests’, they were subsequently granted the official status of ‘temporary protection’. The article also covers efforts to incorporate the Syrians into some areas of Turkish society (the job market, healthcare, citizenship, the housing market, social prominence and marriage relationships). It is argued that the JDP’s policy towards the Syrians is based on ideological–sectarian reasons. It also contends that Turkey has struggled to deal with the mass influx from Syria into Turkey, since it did not have the proper legal infrastructure to deal with mass refugee influxes. This has rendered the management of the refugees’ stay in Turkey problematic and confused. This study provides a novel contribution to the study of the Syrian refugee issue by scrutinizing the JDP’s nation-building project and the partial integration of Syrian refugees into Turkish society as an unexpected result of this policy.
Variational estimates for averages and truncated singular integrals along the prime numbers
Authors: Mirek Mariusz , Trojan Bartosz , Zorin-Kranich Pavel
Published: September 2015

We prove, in a unified way,

r
r

-variational estimates,

r
>
2

r>2

, on

ℓ

s

(

Z

)

\ell ^{s}(\mathbb {Z})

spaces,

s
∈
(
1
,
∞
)

s \in (1, \infty )

, for averages and truncated singular integrals along the set of prime numbers. Moreover, we obtain an improved growth rate of the bounds as

r
→
2

r\to 2

.
Fine compactified Jacobians of reduced curves
Authors: Melo Margarida , Rapagnetta Antonio , Viviani Filippo
Published: September 2015

To every singular reduced projective curve

X
X

one can associate many fine compactified Jacobians, depending on the choice of a polarization on

X
X

, each of which yields a modular compactification of a disjoint union of a finite number of copies of the generalized Jacobian of

X
X

. We investigate the geometric properties of fine compactified Jacobians focusing on curves having locally planar singularities. We give examples of nodal curves admitting nonisomorphic (and even nonhomeomorphic over the field of complex numbers) fine compactified Jacobians. We study universal fine compactified Jacobians, which are relative fine compactified Jacobians over the semiuniversal deformation space of the curve

X
X

. Finally, we investigate the existence of twisted Abel maps with values in suitable fine compactified Jacobians.
Using habitat association models to predict Alewife and Blueback Herring marine distributions and overlap with Atlantic Herring and Atlantic Mackerel: can incidental catches be reduced?
Authors: Turner Sara M. , Manderson John P. , Richardson David E. , Hoey John J. , Hare Jonathan A.
Published: September 2015

Concern over the impacts of incidental catches of Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring, A. aestivalis (collectively managed as ‘river herring’) in the commercial Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) and Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fisheries has resulted in the recent implementation of river herring incidental catch limits. These incidental catches are highly variable in frequency and magnitude, and the environmental conditions associated with these catches are poorly understood. We used generalized additive models (GAMs) to describe habitat associations of Alewife, Blueback Herring, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Mackerel. Bottom temperature, bottom depth, bottom salinity, solar azimuth and elevation, and region of the Northeast U.S. continental shelf were all significant in the habitat models; GAMs explained 25.2, 16.9, 18.9, and 20.6% of the deviance observed for the presence/absence of Alewife, Blueback Herring, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Mackerel. A subset of the data was omitted from the model and the probability of presence was compared with observations; 66–77% of observations were correctly predicted. The individual probabilities of presence were used to quantify and evaluate the accuracy of modelled overlap of Alewife and Blueback Herring with Atlantic Herring (68–72% correct predictions) and Alewife and Blueback Herring with Atlantic Mackerel (57–69% correct predictions). Our findings indicate that environmental gradients influence the distributions and overlap of Alewife, Blueback Herring, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Mackerel, and with further testing and refinement these models could be developed into a tool to aid industry in reducing incidental catches of river herring.
Real-time prediction of mortality, readmission, and length of stay using electronic health record data
Authors: Cai Xiongcai , Perez-Concha Oscar , Coiera Enrico , Martin-Sanchez Fernando , Day Richard , Roffe David , Gallego Blanca
Published: September 2015

Objective To develop a predictive model for real-time predictions of length of stay, mortality, and readmission for hospitalized patients using electronic health records (EHRs).

Materials and Methods A Bayesian Network model was built to estimate the probability of a hospitalized patient being “at home,” in the hospital, or dead for each of the next 7 days. The network utilizes patient-specific administrative and laboratory data and is updated each time a new pathology test result becomes available. Electronic health records from 32 634 patients admitted to a Sydney metropolitan hospital via the emergency department from July 2008 through December 2011 were used. The model was tested on 2011 data and trained on the data of earlier years.

Results The model achieved an average daily accuracy of 80% and area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.82. The model’s predictive ability was highest within 24 hours from prediction (AUROC = 0.83) and decreased slightly with time. Death was the most predictable outcome with a daily average accuracy of 93% and AUROC of 0.84.

Discussion We developed the first non–disease-specific model that simultaneously predicts remaining days of hospitalization, death, and readmission as part of the same outcome. By providing a future daily probability for each outcome class, we enable the visualization of future patient trajectories. Among these, it is possible to identify trajectories indicating expected discharge, expected continuing hospitalization, expected death, and possible readmission.

Conclusions Bayesian Networks can model EHRs to provide real-time forecasts for patient outcomes, which provide richer information than traditional independent point predictions of length of stay, death, or readmission, and can thus better support decision making.
Copeptin improves the sensitivity of cardiac troponin in patients 70 years or older, but not enough to rule out myocardial infarction at emergency department presentation
Authors: Chenevier-Gobeaux Camille , Charpentier Sandrine , Meune Christophe , Claessens Yann-Erick , Lavieuville Megan , Ray Patrick
Published: September 2015

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the combination of cardiac troponin (cTn) and copeptin in a population older than 70 years of age to rule out non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) at emergency department (ED) presentation.

Methods

Among 885 analyzed patients with acute chest pain presenting to the ED, 218 (25%) were aged at least 70 years.

Results

Patients with elevated copeptin values at presentation were more often aged at least 70 years and had higher blood pressure. Patients at least 70 years without NSTEMI more frequently had elevated copeptin values than younger counterparts (42 vs. 25%, P<0.0001). Bootstrap analysis for the diagnosis of NSTEMI indicated an optimal copeptin threshold value at 8.1 pmol/l in patients less than 70 years and at 10.7 pmol/l in patients at least 70 years. In patients at least 70 years, the combination of copeptin with cTnI significantly improved the sensitivity for the diagnosis of NSTEMI, at all copeptin thresholds tested, but the negative predictive value remained below 95%.

Conclusion

The combination of copeptin with conventional cTnI significantly improved sensitivity for the diagnosis of NSTEMI in patients at least 70 years. However, this improvement was not enough to rule out NSTEMI with a single draw strategy at ED presentation.
Experience-dependent emergence of a grouping bias
Authors: Toro Juan M. , Nespor Marina
Published: September 2015

Humans share with non-human animals perceptual biases that might form the basis of complex cognitive abilities. One example comes from the principles described by the iambic–trochaic law (ITL). According to the ITL, sequences of sounds varying in duration are grouped as iambs, whereas sequences varying in intensity are grouped as trochees. These grouping biases have gained much attention because they might help pre-lexical infants bootstrap syntactic parameters (such as word order) in their language. Here, we explore how experience triggers the emergence of perceptual grouping biases in a non-human species. We familiarized rats with either long–short or short–long tone pairs. We then trained the animals to discriminate between sequences of alternating and randomly ordered tones. Results showed animals developed a grouping bias coherent with the exposure they had. Together with results observed in human adults and infants, these results suggest that experience modulates perceptual organizing principles that are present across species.
Lipopolysaccharide transport to the cell surface: biosynthesis and extraction from the inner membrane
Authors: Simpson Brent W. , May Janine M. , Sherman David J. , Kahne Daniel , Ruiz Natividad
Published: September 2015

The cell surface of most Gram-negative bacteria is covered with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The network of charges and sugars provided by the dense packing of LPS molecules in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane interferes with the entry of hydrophobic compounds into the cell, including many antibiotics. In addition, LPS can be recognized by the immune system and plays a crucial role in many interactions between bacteria and their animal hosts. LPS is synthesized in the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, so it must be transported across their cell envelope to assemble at the cell surface. Over the past two decades, much of the research on LPS biogenesis has focused on the discovery and understanding of Lpt, a multi-protein complex that spans the cell envelope and functions to transport LPS from the inner membrane to the outer membrane. This paper focuses on the early steps of the transport of LPS by the Lpt machinery: the extraction of LPS from the inner membrane. The accompanying paper (May JM, Sherman DJ, Simpson BW, Ruiz N, Kahne D. 2015
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B
370
, 20150027. (
doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0027
)) describes the subsequent steps as LPS travels through the periplasm and the outer membrane to its final destination at the cell surface.
The neurotranscriptome of theAedes aegyptimosquito
Authors: Matthews Benjamin J. , McBride Carolyn S. , DeGennaro Matthew , Despo Orion , Vosshall Leslie B.
Published: September 2015

Background

A complete genome sequence and the advent of genome editing open up non-traditional model organisms to mechanistic genetic studies. The mosquitoAedes aegyptiis an important vector of infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever, and has a large and complex genome, which has slowed annotation efforts. We used comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of adult gene expression to improve the genome annotation and to provide a detailed tissue-specific catalogue of neural gene expression at different adult behavioral states.

Results

We carried out deep RNA sequencing across all major peripheral male and female sensory tissues, the brain, and (female) ovary. Furthermore, we examined gene expression across three important phases of the female reproductive cycle, a remarkable example of behavioral switching in which a female mosquito alternates between obtaining blood-meals from humans and laying eggs. Using genome-guided alignments andde novotranscriptome assembly, our re-annotation includes 572 new putative protein-coding genes and updates to 13.5% and 50.3% of existing transcripts within coding sequences and untranslated regions, respectively. Using this updated annotation, we detail gene expression in each tissue, identifying large numbers of transcripts regulated by blood-feeding and sexually dimorphic transcripts that may provide clues to the biology of male- and female-specific behaviors, such as mating and blood-feeding, which are areas of intensive study for those interested in vector control.

Conclusions

This neurotranscriptome forms a strong foundation for the study of genes in the mosquito nervous system and investigation of sensory-driven behaviors and their regulation. Furthermore, understanding the molecular genetic basis of mosquito chemosensory behavior has important implications for vector control.
Infralimbic prefrontal cortex interacts with nucleus accumbens shell to unmask expression of outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer
Authors: Keistler Colby , Barker Jacqueline M. , Taylor Jane R.
Published: September 2015

Although several studies have examined the subcortical circuitry underlying Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT), the role of medial prefrontal cortex in this behavior is largely unknown. Elucidating the cortical contributions to PIT will be key for understanding how reward-paired cues control behavior in both adaptive and maladaptive context (i.e., addiction). Here we use bilateral lesions in a rat model to show that infralimbic prefrontal cortex (ilPFC) is necessary for appropriate expression of PIT. Further, we show that ilPFC mediates this effect via functional connectivity with nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS). Together, these data provide the first demonstration that a specific cortico-striatal circuit is necessary for cue-invigorated reward seeking during specific PIT.
Sleep enhances a spatially mediated generalization of learned values
Authors: Javadi Amir-Homayoun , Tolat Anisha , Spiers Hugo J.
Published: September 2015

Sleep is thought to play an important role in memory consolidation. Here we tested whether sleep alters the subjective value associated with objects located in spatial clusters that were navigated to in a large-scale virtual town. We found that sleep enhances a generalization of the value of high-value objects to the value of locally clustered objects, resulting in an impaired memory for the value of high-valued objects. Our results are consistent with (a) spatial context helping to bind items together in long-term memory and serve as a basis for generalizing across memories and (b) sleep mediating memory effects on salient/reward-related items.
Red Light-Mediated Degradation of CONSTANS by the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase HOS1 Regulates Photoperiodic Flowering in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lazaro Ana , Mouriz Alfonso , Piñeiro Manuel , Jarillo José A.
Published: September 2015

The regulation of CONSTANS (CO) gene expression is crucial to accurately measure changes in daylength, which influences flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana. CO expression is under both transcriptional and posttranslational control mechanisms. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENES1 (HOS1) physically interacts with CO in Arabidopsis. This interaction is required to precisely modulate the timing of CO accumulation and, consequently, to maintain low levels of FLOWERING LOCUS T expression during the first part of the day. The data presented here demonstrate that HOS1 is involved in the red light-mediated degradation of CO that takes place in the early stages of the daylight period. Our results show that phytochrome B (phyB) is able to regulate flowering time, acting in the phloem companion cells, as previously described for CO and HOS1. Moreover, we reveal that phyB physically interacts with HOS1 and CO, indicating that the three proteins may be present in a complex in planta that is required to coordinate a correct photoperiodic response in Arabidopsis.
Knowledge-sharing determinants, behaviors, and innovative work behaviors
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Hosseini S. Mahdi , Abbasi Morteza , Manteghi Manuchehr
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of socio-psychological factors from different theoretical perspectives, as well as the roles of technological and cultural facilitators on knowledge sharing (KS) behaviors and whether it leads to superior employees’ innovative work behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Partial least squares analysis was used to investigate the research model based on a survey of 257 employees from 22 high-tech companies (including companies in pharmaceutical, nano technological, biotechnological, aviation, and aerospace industries) in Iran.

Findings

– The results supported the effects of three motivational factors, i.e. perceived loss of knowledge power, perceived reputation enhancement, and perceived enjoyment in helping others, and two social capital factors, i.e. social interaction ties and trust, on employees’ attitude toward KS. Findings also indicated that employees’ KS behaviors enhance their innovative work behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the survey used cross-sectional data and samples here were limited to some Iranian companies, the results of this study may prove not to be generalizable and should be confirmed using larger samples and/or longitudinal studies.

Practical implications

– The findings provide useful insights into how managers should encourage employees’ KS attitudes, intentions, and behaviors to foster innovative work behaviors of employees.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first attempts to fill the void in integrative research for examining relationships among KS determinants, behaviors, and outcomes.
Computer science in Eastern Europe 1989-2014: a bibliometric study
Authors: Fiala Dalibor , Willett Peter
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the development of research in computer science in 15 Eastern European countries following the breaching of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis of 82,121 computer science publications indexed in the Web of Science database and investigated publication, citation, and collaboration patterns of the individual countries.

Findings

– Poland has been the most productive country, followed by Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, and Slovenia. Publication rates have increased substantially over the period, but this has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the quality of the publications. Hungary and Slovenia are the most influential countries in terms of citations per paper. Artificial Intelligence is the most frequently occurring computer science subject category, with Interdisciplinary Applications the category with the greatest impact. USA, Germany, UK, France, and Canada are the most frequently collaborating western nations, and papers published in collaboration with US authors accrue the most citations.

Originality/value

– This is the first ever bibliometric study of the whole post-communist Eastern European computer science research as indexed in the Web of Science.
Exploring barriers of enterprise search implementation: a qualitative user study
Authors: Stocker Alexander , Richter Alexander , Kaiser Christian , Softic Selver
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Despite a growing demand for enterprise search from practice, little is known about its implementation from an academic perspective. As the few available practice-oriented investigations show, enterprise search user satisfaction is rather low. The purpose of this paper is therefore to explore user-centric barriers of enterprise search implementation in order to increase user satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Results are built on a qualitative user study in an R & D organization. Findings are gained from think-aloud observations introduced by semi-structured interviews in which ten knowledge workers explore a newly implemented enterprise search tool.

Findings

– Findings illustrate barriers that knowledge workers have to overcome when adopting enterprise search to find project-relevant documents. Implementation barriers relate to selection for keywords, search query formulation, availability and adequacy of metadata, relevance judging of search results, current search strategies, and overall perception of enterprise search usefulness.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations address the piloted enterprise search software, along with its specific configuration and scope, the chosen research approach of generating qualitative findings from a single case, and the size of the involved sample of engineers. Implications address measures to increase enterprise search adoption.

Practical implications

– This study provides project managers with knowledge to take appropriate actions in the early phases of enterprise search implementation, and even prior to that, to raise the success of enterprise search projects. It contributes to a better understanding of enterprise search engine user needs and assists in concretizing user requirements.

Originality/value

– While existing studies primarily focus on advancing the technical perspective of search in organizations, the author elaborate on the under-investigated social and organizational aspects. The author furthermore stress the importance of user-centered approaches for enterprise search adoption.
Why do people play human computation games? Effects of perceived enjoyment and perceived output quality
Authors: Pe-Than Ei Pa Pa , Goh Dion Hoe-Lian , Lee Chei Sian
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of individuals’ perceived enjoyment and output quality on their intention to play human computation games (HCGs) for location-based content sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employed a cross-sectional survey method, and recruited 205 undergraduate and graduate students from a local university. Participants played the developed mobile HCG for content sharing named Seek, PLAy, SHare (SPLASH), and thereafter completed a questionnaire that measured their perceptions of enjoyment, output quality, and intention to play.

Findings

– Results indicated that individuals derived enjoyment from the affective and cognitive dimensions, which further influenced their intention to play HCGs. Moreover, perceived output relevancy was significant in predicting individuals’ intention to play HCGs such as SPLASH.

Practical implications

– The design of HCG is complicated due to their entertainment-output generation duality. Understanding what factors contribute to HCG usage is therefore, an essential area of study. Based on the study’s findings, designers should pay attention to HCG features that engender affective and cognitive experiences, and appropriately signify the relevancy aspect of HCG outputs.

Originality/value

– Although similar in many ways, HCGs differ from entertainment-oriented games by generating output as byproducts of gameplay. Hence, results obtained from prior research in games may not be readily applicable to the HCG context, and further investigations are necessary. Moreover, the multidimensional aspect of HCG enjoyment and output quality, and how these dimensions influence usage intention has yet to be examined. The outcomes of this study can be exploited to drive further research in the field of HCGs, and similar games that are not just for pure entertainment.
Exploring social interactions and sense of community in multi-owned properties
Authors: Reid Sacha
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This exploratory research paper aims to examine the social interactions within multi-owned properties (MOPs) in suburban Brisbane, Australia, and the influences these have on “sense of community” (SOC).

Design/methodology/approach

– A constructivist grounded theory research approach is adopted, utilising qualitative research methods of 17 in-depth interviews across four suburbs.

Findings

– Respondents of this research do know others within their MOP, although these are surface-level social interactions rather than deep social ties. Social interactions are influenced by concerns for privacy, resident homogeneity, tenure type and the safety and security of the built environment. A disconnect exists between marketing and reality when respondents discuss an SOC. Development of an SOC is also constrained by the strata and community title legislation that enables MOPs
'
existence. Self-governance measures exclude the majority of MOP residents from engaging in community participation, through bodies
'
corporate and decision-making practices.

Research limitations/implications

– The research design limited external validity to other groups and settings. It was also challenging accessing residents and MOP owners for inclusion in this research.

Originality/value

– The research is significant in addressing the knowledge gap of social relations within MOPs. MOPs will be a key driver for the development industry in coming decades, so it is important to understand the lived experience of residents to ensure a liveable and sustainable residential product for the future.
Towards better recognising ‘community’ in multi-owned property law and living
Authors: Leshinsky Rebecca , Mouat Clare M
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to advance best practice by gaining insights into key multi-owned property (MOP) issues challenging policymakers and communities. Ontario (Canada) and Victoria (Australia) are internationally recognised for best practice in MOP living and law. Yet, both jurisdictions struggle with the emerging urbanism related to condominium MOP.

Design/methodology/approach

– Different ways of recognising community in MOP urbanism will be examined against public policy and political theory perspectives promoting social sustainability. A rich mixed-data and content analysis method is relied upon which synthesises three pillars of MOP community governance: harmonious high-rise living; residential-neighbourhood interface; and metropolitan community engagement. The article cross-examines Canadian policy and law reform documents and Australian dispute case law from the state of Victoria to explore and showcase critical MOP management, residential and policy issues.

Findings

– A theory-building typology formally recognises “community” as an affective performance across MOP governance contexts: cosmopolitan, civic-citizen and neighbourly. These ideal types differentiate community affects in and beyond (case) law and land-use planning: from determining alternative dispute resolution remedies; addressing neighbourhood and metropolitan NIMBY-ism in urban consolidation to bridging the critical policy and civic gap between the limits and aims of socially sustainable MOP vertical-tenured community affects.

Research limitations/implications

– Strong cross-jurisdictional MOP community lessons exist, as other cities follow best practice in legal and governance structures to effect change at the frontiers of twenty-first century urbanism.

Originality/value

– Past studies emphasise classifying dispute issues, single-issue concerns or historical and life cycle evaluations. This theory-building article advances why and how community must be better understood holistically across community contexts to inform cutting-edge governance practices.