bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of the Factors Affecting User Satisfaction in Electronic Government Services
Authors: Weerakkody Vishanth , Irani Zahir , Lee Habin , Hindi Nitham , Osman Ibrahim H.
Published: October 2015

Even after more than a decade of intensive research work in the area of electronic government (e-government) adoption and diffusion, no study has yet undertaken a theoretical evaluation of research related to ‘e-government satisfaction'. The purpose of this study is to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature related to e-government satisfaction and adoption with a particular focus on the most critical factors and their manifested variables that influence user satisfaction in e-government. Usable data relating to e-government research were collected from 147 papers identified from the Scopus database and by manually identifying relevant articles from journals dedicated to e-government research such as Electronic Government, an International Journal (EGIJ), International Journal of Electronic Government Research (IJEGR) and Transforming Government: People, Process, and Policy (TGPPP). A meta-analysis of existing e-government studies found that the majority of the construct relationships demonstrated a significant range of average summative correlation, and effect size, but the influence of perceived ease of use, effort expectancy on behavioural intention, behavioural intention on use behaviour, and perceived trust on risk were still found to be non-significant. A broader analysis of e-government satisfaction and adoption research seems to reflect that although a large number of theories and theoretical constructs were borrowed from reference disciplines such as Information Systems, e-commerce and public administration, their utilisation by e-government researchers appears to be largely random in approach.
E-Procurement System as an E-Government Platform
Authors: Jin Shin Young
Published: October 2015

This chapter introduces and analyzes the best practices and development methods for Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in South Korea in the realm of e-Government. To the present, national informatization in South Korea has focused on e-Government. This is because e-Government can lead to transformation in national information infrastructure and the public services sector, leading to increased efficiencies. Thus, firstly, this chapter focuses on defining the key concepts of e-Government. Secondly, it analyzes public document systems for the best practices of e-Government in South Korea in the following categories: Government for Citizens (G4C), Government e-Procurement Systems (GePS), the governance system, the On-Nara Business Process System, and the Home Tax Service (HTS). E-Government has reduced the number of documents and therefore reduced costs. In particular, the e-Procurement system has proven effective. This chapter explains the theoretical concepts of e-Government in South Korea via a literature review. Finally, this chapter analyzes instances of success and suggests avenues for future e-Government growth.
Human Enhancement Technologies and Democratic Citizenship
Authors: Gagnon Jean-Paul
Published: October 2015

This chapter articulates that scholars write about Human Enhancement Technologies (HET) in two ways. This is not a reflection of a reality in the literature but rather a heuristic designed to contextualize democratic citizenship within contemporary HET discussions. The first way is to write about HET as possible realities far off into the future. The second way is to write about HET that can be realised seemingly as soon as tomorrow. For democratic citizenship, writing in the first case is either utopian or dystopian. It is either the projection of democracy's total triumph or its utter collapse caused by the type of rots that lead to democide. But writing in the second case is stimulating and vibrant. There are, for example, numerous calls for HET-led reforms in the literature. These reforms are needed to help answer the crisis of the citizen's august discontent (the growing and increasingly legitimized political apathy and political abstention observed in, and performed by, the citizenry). The purpose of this chapter is to focus on this second case—this more developed body of literature—and to theorise the interface between democratic citizenship and HET.
Internet Use and Destination Preferences
Authors: Pappas Nikolaos
Published: October 2015

The aim of this chapter is to examine the destination marketing patterns via the use of e-tourism model to inbound tourists that had chosen their vacation destination via the Internet. The regions examined are the islands of Crete, in Greece, and Cyprus. Quantitative research showed that Internet provides significant tourism advantages dealing with prices and provision of information. Findings indicate that the use of Internet significantly influences the selection of transport and destination. On the other hand, the traditional marketing distributors still plays a crucial role in the promotion of the tourist product. Finally, the chapter formulates an e-tourism model that can be used for more successful marketing in island regions and suggests more efficient ways of using e-tourism in destination marketing activities.
Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media
Authors: Ben Yahia Imene , El Ferci Lilia
Published: October 2015

In spite of the keen interest in empowerment, few authors have applied the concept to the characteristics of the Internet. This paper approaches it within consumption communities based in social media and explores its effects on consumers' behaviors towards firms. A participant observation was carried out and has lasted one year and a half in two consumption communities based in Facebook. Additionally, distant in-depth interviews have been conducted. Results give evidence for the existence of consumer empowerment online and highlight its complex multidimensional structure. Four dimensions are identified: informational, technological, social, and psychological. Results also underline that empowered consumers assess firms and call to reward some and to boycott others (1); negotiate to get better offerings (2) and demand cooperation (3).
Legal Empowerment as Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ruffin Fayth , Martins Winnie Kubayi
Published: October 2015

In this chapter, theoretical foundations of social entrepreneurship and legal empowerment are explored and intersection of these social actions by community based-paralegal practice in rural KwaZulu-Natal examined. Conceptually, integration of social entrepreneurship and legal empowerment innovatively contributes to the broader discourse on self-determined community development and democratic governance. Empirical evidence shows that community-based paralegals generate legal empowerment as social entrepreneurship and such service delivery advances rural women empowerment. Arguably there is a global/local nexus of each social action; a positive theory of social entrepreneurship is more useful than normative theories; rule of law orthodoxy is less meaningful for and somewhat contradictory to self-empowerment of indigenous populations that experience plural legal systems. This qualitative study found that while contemporary business models are incorporated in the intersection of social entrepreneurship and legal empowerment, so are African indigenous justice principles and remedies.
Citizen In/Action
Authors: Thomas Tieja , Fournier-Sylvester Nicole , Venkatesh Vivek
Published: October 2015

This chapter describes a study that explored how citizens enact their citizenship within one niche online community dedicated to teaching about and supporting issues related to global citizenship. The research highlights the limitations of existing conceptualizations of citizenship paradigms and associated educational programming. In the discussion, the authors suggest that the integration and use of the Internet—specifically the use of forum-based social media platforms—as a curriculum supplement may effectively address the challenges and limitations that exist within traditional citizenship education classrooms.
Citizens and E-Government
Authors: Olasina Gbolahan
Published: October 2015

Governments and public-sector managers worldwide have within the last decade come to the realization that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a viable tool that can help them achieve their aims. The chapter reviews literature on e-Government services and applications and the perceptions of citizens of adoption in the context of Nigeria. The methodology is a review of related literature that draws conclusions specifically to propose a plan for the adoption and the use e-Government services in Nigeria. The chapter highlights the contemporary issues of e-Government adoption in Nigeria. This chapter suggests a link between the citizens' negative perceptions and distrust of government in general and their hesitance and reluctance to embrace e-Government in particular.
Trolls Just Want To Have Fun
Authors: Virkar Shefali
Published: October 2015

Over the last two decades, public confidence and trust in Government has declined visibly in several Western liberal democracies owing to a distinct lack of opportunities for citizen participation in political processes; and has instead given way instead to disillusionment with current political institutions, actors, and practices. The rise of the Internet as a global communications medium and the advent of digital platforms has opened up huge opportunities and raised new challenges for public institutions and agencies, with digital technology creating new forms of community; empowering citizens and reforming existing power structures in a way that has rendered obsolete or inappropriate many of the tools and processes of traditional democratic politics. Through an analysis of the No. 10 Downing Street ePetitions Initiative based in the United Kingdom, this article seeks to engage with issues related to the innovative use of network technology by Government to involve citizens in policy processes within existing democratic frameworks in order to improve administration, to reform democratic processes, and to renew citizen trust in institutions of governance. In particular, the work seeks to examine whether the application of the new Information and Communication Technologies to participatory democracy in the Government 2.0 era would eventually lead to radical transformations in government functioning, policymaking, and the body politic, or merely to modest, unspectacular political reform and to the emergence of technology-based, obsessive-compulsive pathologies and Internet-based trolling behaviours amongst individuals in society.
Communicative Planning Theory Following Deliberative Democracy Theory
Authors: Mäntysalo Raine , Jarenko Karoliina
Published: October 2015

The article reviews the development of communicative planning theory in relation to deliberative democracy theory. The latter has evolved since its “first generation” of Habermas and Rawls, to incorporate more pragmatic and contextual considerations to the theory, in response to criticisms that parallel those on communicative planning theory. The contemporary “third generation” of deliberative democracy theory has relaxed on the consensus goal, considering deliberation as legitimate even when the parties advocate their own interests in intense negotiations. The article discusses how this development has been reflected in communicative planning theory, concentrating especially on John Forester's critical pragmatism. It further examines the concept of trading zone and its linkages to this theoretical development.
What is Needed to Advance Transformational E-Government and Why
Authors: Furlong Shauneen
Published: October 2015

Throughout the millennia, project management methodologies were developed, and as projects were completed, both theoreticians and practitioners contributed to the development of project management science and codification. Throughout this time, project management science grappled with the problem of delineating project activities from on-going operational activities. Projects require project management while operations require business process management or operations management (PMI, 2008). In the project methodology world, a project is defined as unique, temporary, a definite start and finish (PMI, 2008). Without this definition, the science of project management cannot be applied. It is this definition that provides the credence for the creation and application of project management processes, tools, and techniques. However, the science of project management exists irrespective of a project. In fact, it is the application of project management to any endeavor that creates a project. Effective project management that will drive the design and implementation of transformational e-Government must be enhanced. This chapter proposes project management enhancements to the design, direction, management, and implementation of e-Government projects that focus on project problems rather than methodological processes. The enhanced project management solution provides the tools and educates the user to take into account the impact of the holistic, synergistic challenges and barriers that surround and influence e-Government projects – heretofore, in an unmanageable way that has inhibited change instead of promoting it. The enhanced project management solution is “exogenous” of the e-Government solution; it is its external driver.
Professional Development Needs and Resources for Government Document Librarians
Authors: Caro Susanne
Published: October 2015

Few accredited library science programs offer more than one class on government resources or librarianship. As a result, government documents librarians often receive limited formal education focused on federal, state, or local government resources. The majority of professionals working with these materials drew from a number of additional resources, including networking, listserves, conferences, and webinars, to supplement their knowledge, stay abreast of changes in the field, and contribute to the professional community. As with other areas of librarianship, access to these options is limited by economic factors. Individuals working with government materials face reduced budgets for travel, registration, and lodging. Limited staffing makes taking time off for conferences difficult, and additional duties make it challenging for many librarians to find time to engage in classes or webinars. This chapter looks at previous surveys and the results of a new survey to determine the current obstacles, needs, and opportunities for government documents librarians.
Politicking the Information Technology Strategy in Organisations
Authors: Iyamu Tiko
Published: October 2015

Through IT strategy, many organisations intend to set out key directions and objectives for the use and management of information, communication and technologies. It would therefore seem that IT strategy, for the foreseeable future will remain a key aspect of development within organisations. As a result, there has been more focus on how IT strategy is articulated and formulated. What is missing is that there has been less attention on the implementation of the strategy. Also, in most organisations, technical issues are minor compared to the relationship issues. There are many factors which influence the implementation of the IT strategy. These influencing factors which include organisational politics, determine the success or failure of the IT strategy. This paper focuses on how organisational politics as examined by two underpinning theories, Structuration Theory and Actor-Network Theory, impact the implementation of IT strategy.
Wired for Change?
Authors: Virkar Shefali
Published: October 2015

The recent global diffusion of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) has raised expectations for technological change to support socio-economic progress and political reform in the developing as well as the developed world. Much as been written about e-government within a growing stream of literature on ICT for development, generating countervailing perspectives where optimistic, technocratic approaches are countered by far more skeptical standpoints on technological innovation. In seeking to bridge existing gaps in the literature, this article critically examines the role of Information and Communication Technologies in governmental reform processes for development through the presentation of a case study based in the Indian State of Karnataka. The study focuses on a collaboration between the state government of Karnataka and the eGovernments Foundation (a non-profit private sector organisation) between 2002 and 2011, designed to reform existing methods of property tax collection through the establishment of a networked online tax collection system across the municipalities of 56 towns and cities within the state. Through a combination of both qualitative and quantitative data, this paper analyses the interactions between new technologies and changing information flows within the complexities of public administration reform of the given context and, in doing so, examines the interplay of local and external factors and relationships and their role in shaping the implementation of the project at hand.
Using Self Organizing Maps for Banking Oversight
Authors: Lopez-Iturriaga Felix , Pastor-Sanz Iván
Published: October 2015

This chapter combines two methods based on neural networks (trait recognition and self-organizing maps) to develop a model of bankruptcy prediction. The authors apply the method to the Spanish savings banks, most of them rescued by the Government between 2008 and 2013 in a costly massive process. First, the authors detect the combinations of variables (performance, asset structure, and capitalization) that best describe the profile of the rescued savings banks. Then, the authors use these combinations on a yearly basis to generate bi-dimensional maps in which banks are placed according to their risk and similarities. This method provides a visual tool that can improve the oversight of policy makers on the whole financial system and enable time pertinent answers to some threatens to the country financial stability. The maps are useful means to detect and understand how the financial threats emerge over time too.
Dating Banking and Currency Crises in Turkey, 1990-2014
Authors: Ari Ali , Cergibozan Raif , Demir Sedat
Published: October 2015

The last two decades characterized by financial crisis episodes have seen a proliferation of empirical studies. These early warning system models allowed researchers to distinguish certain key determinants of financial crises, and helped predicting and preventing the occurrence of some crises. However, crises continue to arise as recently illustrated by the onset of the global financial crisis. This clarifies that there are still a lot to learn about financial crises. In this sense, this paper aimed to compare the performance of several currency and banking crisis indicators within the Turkish economy which underwent severe financial crises in the last twenty years. Different currency crisis indicators performed well by detecting the 1994, 2001 and 2008 currency crises, while banking crisis indicators had significant inconsistencies. However, two banking crisis indicators we developed stand for valuable efforts in dating banking crises by constructing aggregate indexes, and contribute significantly to the empirical crisis literature.
Towards Predicting Financial Failure in Non-Profit Organisations
Authors: Cheuk Sharon
Published: October 2015

Non-profit organisation financial failure has been a prevalent problem in developed and developing economies. Such incidences bring adverse effects to the reputation of the non-profit organisation in question and the third sector as a whole, especially if the organisation in question is significantly large in size, leading to possible knock-on effects such as disruption to society, litigation, loss of investor confidence in the economic environment, and a worsening of a country's ranking under the Corruption Perceptions Index. This chapter examines past financial failures amongst non-profits and reviews past literature on attempts to predict non-profit failures before they occur. Finally, it proposes an additional governance-related factor to be taken into consideration when considering potential financial distress amongst non-profit organisations. Suggestions for further research are made accordingly.
Financial Contagion in a Glance
Authors: Bolos Bradut-Vasile VG
Published: October 2015

The purposes of this chapter are: to provide an overview over usage of financial contagion in detecting crisis; to provide a conceptual framework for investigating financial abnormalities and their potential spread; to provide a taxonomy for financial abnormalities; to provide a taxonomy of transmission channels for economic and financial abnormalities. The approach of this research is largely based on adaptation of medical sciences research to economic research, mainly the adaptation of Epidemiology to economic sciences. The chapter provides means for investigating in a systematic way cases of abnormalities like cascade business failures, cascade regional or national level economy recession based.
Imbalanced PTEN and PI3K Signaling Impairs Class Switch Recombination
Authors: Chen Zhangguo , Getahun Andrew , Chen Xiaomi , Dollin Yonatan , Cambier John C. , Wang Jing H.
Published: October 2015

Class switch recombination (CSR) generates isotype-switched Abs with distinct effector functions. B cells express phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and multiple isoforms of class IA PI3K catalytic subunits, including p110α and p110δ, whose roles in CSR remain unknown or controversial. In this article, we demonstrate a direct effect of PTEN on CSR signaling by acute deletion of Pten specifically in mature B cells, thereby excluding the developmental impact of Pten deletion. We show that mature B cell–specific PTEN overexpression enhances CSR. More importantly, we establish a critical role for p110α in CSR. Furthermore, we identify a cooperative role for p110α and p110δ in suppressing CSR. Mechanistically, dysregulation of p110α or PTEN inversely affects activation-induced deaminase expression via modulating AKT activity. Thus, our study reveals that a signaling balance between PTEN and PI3K isoforms is essential to maintain normal CSR.
Propuesta metodológica para el estudio volumétrico de cerámica arqueológica a través de programas free-software de edición 3D: el caso de las necrópolis celtibéricas del área meseteña
Authors: Sánchez Climent Álvaro , Cerdeño Serrano María Luisa
Published: October 2015

Nowadays the free-software programs have been converted into the ideal tools for the archaeological researches, reaching the same level as other commercial programs. For that reason, the 3D modeling tool Blender has reached in the last years a great popularity offering similar characteristics like other commercial 3D editing programs such as 3D Studio Max or AutoCAD. Recently, it has been developed the necessary script for the volumetric calculations of three-dimnesional objects, offering great possibilities to calculate the volume of the archaeological ceramics. In this paper, we present a methodological approach for the volumetric studies with Blender and a study case of funerary urns from several celtiberians cemeteries of the Spanish Meseta. The goal is to demonstrate the great possibilities that the 3D editing free-software tools have in the volumetric studies at the present time.
The Reasons for the Failure of the Primary Arteriovenous Fistula Surgery in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Cheng Qian , Zhao Yang Jiu
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To analyze the reasons for the failure of the primary arteriovenous fistula surgery and explore preventive measures.

Methods

A total of 819 patients with end-stage renal disease were enrolled in the study. Autologous arteriovenous fistula surgery was performed on all patients. Their clinical data of hemoglobin (HB), albumin (ALB), cholesterol (CHOL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), blood glucose and blood pressure were collected before surgery, while the diameters of the radial artery and cephalic vein were measured by ultrasound.

Results

The operations in 742 patients were successful, but failed in 77 cases (accounting for 7.07%). The failure group was significantly older (61.3 ± 13.4 years) than the successful group (45.6 ± 11.2 years). The ratio of diabetes 36 (46.8%) and hypertension 20 (26.0%) was significantly higher in the failure group than in the successful group, respectively 235 (31.7%) and 145 (19.5%). The patients with blood pressure below 120/70 mm Hg had a higher risk of failed surgery (36.4%) than those with blood pressure above 120/70 mm Hg (9.16%). The cephalic vein and radial artery diameters were significantly smaller in the failure group (1.35 ± 0.64 mm, 2.13 ± 0.81 mm) than in the successful group (1.98 ± 0.47 mm, 2.47 ± 0.74 mm); the PTH levels in the failure group were significantly higher (782.39 ± 423.85) than in the successful group (378.83 ± 352.21).

Conclusions

The autogenous arteriovenous fistula surgery failure highly correlated with the patient's age, blood pressure, the primary disease and the vessel diameter. In addition, the PTH levels had a certain correlation with the failure of the fistula surgery.
NMDA Receptor Encephalitis with Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin
Authors: Çoban Arzu , Gündoğdu Gökçen , Poyraz Mürüvvet , Yegen Gülçin , Demirtaş-Tatlıdede Aslı , Bilgiç Başar , Hanagasi Hasmet A. , Tüzün Erdem , Gürvit Hakan
Published: October 2015

Purpose

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis may present as a paraneoplastic syndrome in young women and is often associated with ovarian teratoma.

Methods

We report 2 male cases of NMDAR encephalitis presenting with metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin.

Results

Both patients showed cognitive dysfunction as well as other neurological symptoms, slow waves on EEG, and NMDAR antibodies in sera and CSF. Symptoms were effectively treated by pulse steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. The patients developed metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the parotid gland and inguinal metastatic squamous cell cancer shortly after their neurological episodes. Follow-up PET studies showed small cell lung cancer in the first patient while no primary origin could be found in the second patient.

Conlusions

Our cases imply that NMDAR encephalitis may present with metastatic cancers that display slow progression rates and occur after encephalitis attacks.
Over mens- en wereldbeelden en hun bijbehorende misdaadrecht
Authors: Claessen J.A.A.C.
Published: October 2015

On views of the world and man and their corresponding criminal law

Criminal law is embedded in a specific view of man and the world. This thesis implies that a change of the view of man and the world leads necessarily to a change of criminal law. Since our view of man and the world is constantly changing, the same applies for our law governing wrongful conduct. In this article is described how our view of man and the world has changed through the ages (during pre-modernity and modernity) and what changes have occurred under the influence thereof. Given the limited size of this article, a macro-perspective is utilized. At the end of the article, the author advocates a new (trans-modern) view of man and the world and a new corresponding law governing wrongful conduct.
Durven we de vrijheid nog wel aan?
Authors: de Wit T.W.A.
Published: October 2015

Can we still deal with freedom? The contribution of a religious view of man to criminal law

The modern secular democratic state rests on a new portrayal of man and a new status of religions and other comprehensive doctrines compared to the period before the sixteenth and seventeenth century. In this new view of man, as incarnated in the modern rule of law, other persons and communities are no longer seen as a condition for personal aspirations and development, but rather as a limit. This is expressed in the ‘harm principle’ of the French Revolution and John Stuart Mill. Freedom is at the center of this new constellation, so the homogeneity of the state must be generated from below, by a free civil society and also by religious organizations and traditions. Three problematic developments since the nineteenth century make the Christian view of man as free, responsible and undefinable ‘image of God’ relevant: the zoological, ‘scientific’ description of man that reduces man to a risk factor and an object of security management; the disappearance of ‘innocent’ disasters and calamities that increases human responsibility and the temptation to blame ‘others’ for our faults; and the growing gap between a legal and a moral public response to criminal acts that opens the need for forgiveness.
Is de mens voor een biocriminoloog per definitie onvrij?
Authors: Cornet L.J.M. , de Kogel C.H.
Published: October 2015

Does biocriminology per definition corrode the image of human beings as free?

Does biocriminology by definition corrode the image of human beings as ‘free’ in the sense of being autonomous and responsible? This article focuses on modern biocriminological research and discusses important aspects in which current biocriminological insights differ from historical perspectives on biology and criminal behaviour. Three aspects are discussed: plasticity, integration and conscious/unconscious processes. Illustrating their case with empirical research examples the authors argue that modern biocriminological research does not consider human beings as ‘unfree’. Instead, research shows that biological characteristics are subject to change and that biological insights are complementary to more traditional psychological and sociological perspectives. Finally, the authors argue that recognizing the biological influences on human behaviour should not be viewed as a threat to autonomy, but instead should be considered as an enrichment of our understanding of human behaviour, and may therefore even increase autonomy.
Voorbij goed en kwaad
Authors: Goedegebuure J.L.
Published: October 2015

Beyond good and evil. The image of man behind ‘meaningless violence’ in literature and philosophy

This essay focuses on the parallels between the recently coined phrase ‘meaningless violence’ and the literary theme of the ‘acte gratuit’, developed by the French modernist author André Gide, but also represented in the novels of Dostojewski, Camus and Arnon Grunberg. From a philosophical perspective the acte gratuit can be connected with Nietzsche’s ‘Wille zur Macht’, but also with Bataille’s interpretation of violence as an expression of the will to break taboos and exceed the borders between the profane and the sacred.
Het veranderende mensbeeld in het strafrecht
Authors: Corstens G.J.M.
Published: October 2015

Changing views of man in criminal law. A reflection based on experiences in the judiciary

In this article the author explains his optimistic view of humanity. He argues that a judge, like he was before, should always keep in mind that defendants and convicted people deserve a positive approach, even if this seems to be contrary to the general experience of recidivism. Criminal judges should never adopt an attitude of cynicism and being merciless. However, criminal justice has to take into account the interests of society in general, of victims and of accused and convicted people. Sometimes severe punishment is required in order to underline the rules we have to obey. But even then the judge has to consider whether there is hope. Pondering all the interests concerned is necessary. Sometimes pardoning is appropriate.
Nonlinear circuits for naturalistic visual motion estimation
Authors: Fitzgerald James E , Clark Damon A
Published: October 2015

Many animals use visual signals to estimate motion. Canonical models suppose that animals estimate motion by cross-correlating pairs of spatiotemporally separated visual signals, but recent experiments indicate that humans and flies perceive motion from higher-order correlations that signify motion in natural environments. Here we show how biologically plausible processing motifs in neural circuits could be tuned to extract this information. We emphasize how known aspects of Drosophila's visual circuitry could embody this tuning and predict fly behavior. We find that segregating motion signals into ON/OFF channels can enhance estimation accuracy by accounting for natural light/dark asymmetries. Furthermore, a diversity of inputs to motion detecting neurons can provide access to more complex higher-order correlations. Collectively, these results illustrate how non-canonical computations improve motion estimation with naturalistic inputs. This argues that the complexity of the fly's motion computations, implemented in its elaborate circuits, represents a valuable feature of its visual motion estimator.
cryo-EM structures of the E. coli replicative DNA polymerase reveal its dynamic interactions with the DNA sliding clamp, exonuclease and τ
Authors: Fernandez-Leiro Rafael , Conrad Julian , Scheres Sjors HW , Lamers Meindert H
Published: October 2015

The replicative DNA polymerase PolIIIα from Escherichia coli is a uniquely fast and processive enzyme. For its activity it relies on the DNA sliding clamp β, the proofreading exonuclease ε and the C-terminal domain of the clamp loader subunit τ. Due to the dynamic nature of the four-protein complex it has long been refractory to structural characterization. Here we present the 8 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of DNA-bound and DNA-free states of the PolIII-clamp-exonuclease-τc complex. The structures show how the polymerase is tethered to the DNA through multiple contacts with the clamp and exonuclease. A novel contact between the polymerase and clamp is made in the DNA bound state, facilitated by a large movement of the polymerase tail domain and τc. These structures provide crucial insights into the organization of the catalytic core of the replisome and form an important step towards determining the structure of the complete holoenzyme.
Circularization restores signal recognition particle RNA functionality in Thermoproteus
Authors: Plagens André , Daume Michael , Wiegel Julia , Randau Lennart
Published: October 2015

Signal recognition particles (SRPs) are universal ribonucleoprotein complexes found in all three domains of life that direct the cellular traffic and secretion of proteins. These complexes consist of SRP proteins and a single, highly structured SRP RNA. Canonical SRP RNA genes have not been identified for some Thermoproteus species even though they contain SRP19 and SRP54 proteins. Here, we show that genome rearrangement events in Thermoproteus tenax created a permuted SRP RNA gene. The 5'- and 3'-termini of this SRP RNA are located close to a functionally important loop present in all known SRP RNAs. RNA-Seq analyses revealed that these termini are ligated together to generate circular SRP RNA molecules that can bind to SRP19 and SRP54. The circularization site is processed by the tRNA splicing endonuclease. This moonlighting activity of the tRNA splicing machinery permits the permutation of the SRP RNA and creates highly stable and functional circular RNA molecules.
Die Nachfolgehaftung für Kartellbußgelder nach deutschem Recht
Authors: Mäger Thorsten , Schreitter Florian von
Published: October 2015

Anm. d. Red.: „Dieser Beitrag ergänzt den vorhergehenden Beitrag. Während Becker/Vollmer die europarechtlichen Konsequenzen der deutschen Rechtslage erörtern, beschäftigen sich Mäger/von Schreitter im Folgenden mit der Auslegung der relevanten Vorschriften durch die deutschen Gerichte.“ Kartellbußgelder gegen Unternehmen stehen, schon aufgrund der insoweit regelmäßig verhängten Millionen- Beträge, seit jeher im Fokus der Öffentlichkeit. Aufgrund jüngerer Entwicklungen gilt das Augenmerk dabei zunehmend auch den Möglichkeiten der Nachfolgehaftung. Kann das Bußgeld gegen die ursprüngliche Tätergesellschaft nicht beigetrieben werden, so liegt aus Sicht der Kartellverfolger der Versuch nahe, stattdessen eine Nachfolgegesellschaft mit dem Bußgeld zu belegen. Der Beitrag zeichnet die hierfür de lege lata bestehenden Grenzen im deutschen Ordnungswidrigkeitenrecht nach und tritt für einen restriktiven und klar umrissenen Umgang mit der Nachfolgehaftung für Kartellbußgelder ein.
Die Rückerstattungsanordnung nach § 32 Abs. 2a Satz 1 GWB – Eine missglückte public private partnership
Authors: Mäsch Gerald , Gausing Bettina
Published: October 2015

Die mit der 8. GWB-Novelle ins Gesetz aufgenommene Option für die Kartellbehörden, die Abstellungsverfügung nach § 32 Abs. 1 GWB mit einer Anordnung an den Kartellsünder zu verbinden, die erlangten Vorteile an das Kartellopfer zu erstatten, wirft angesichts ihrer kryptischen Kürze viele Anwendungsfragen auf. Noch schwerer wiegt, dass sie ohne hinreichenden Grund das bisher unangefochten erscheinende Subsidiaritätsprinzip zur Aufgabenverteilung zwischen Judikative und Exekutive beim Schutz privater Rechte missachtet.
Total Synthesis of Crotophorbolone
Authors: Asaba Taro , Katoh Yuki , Urabe Daisuke , Inoue Masayuki
Published: October 2015

The complex ABC‐tricyclic structure of crotophorbolone, a derivative of the tigliane diterpenoids, was assembled by coupling of simple fragments. The six‐membered C‐ring fragment, having five contiguous stereocenters, was stereoselectively constructed from (R)‐carvone. After attachment of the five‐membered A‐ring through the π‐allyl Stille coupling reaction, the α‐alkoxy bridgehead radical reaction effected the endo‐cyclization of the seven‐membered B‐ring by forming the sterically congested bond at C9 and C10 stereospecifically and stereoselectively, respectively. Finally, the functional groups on the 5/7/6‐membered ring system were manipulated by rhodium‐catalyzed C2 olefin isomerization, C13 decarboxylative oxidation, and C4 hydroxylation, thus completing the first total synthesis of crotophorbolone.
Assessing the influence of biofilm surface roughness on mass transfer by combining optical coherence tomography and two‐dimensional modeling
Authors: Li Chunyan , Wagner Michael , Lackner Susanne , Horn Harald
Published: October 2015

Imaging and modeling are two major approaches in biofilm research to understand the physical and biochemical processes involved in biofilm development. However, they are often used separately. In this study we combined these two approaches to investigate substrate mass transfer and mass flux. Cross‐sectional biofilm images were acquired by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for biofilms grown on carriers. A 2D biofilm model was developed incorporating OCT images as well as a simplified biofilm geometry serving as structural templates. The model incorporated fluid flow, substrate transfer and biochemical conversion of substrates and simulated the hydrodynamics surrounding the biofilm structure as well as the substrate distribution. The method allowed detailed analysis of the hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics at the micro‐scale. Biofilm activity with respect to substrate fluxes was compared among different combinations of flow, substrate availability and biomass density. The combined approach revealed that higher substrate fluxes at heterogeneous biofilm surface under two conditions: pure diffusion and when high flow velocity along the biofilms surface renders the whole liquid‐biofilm interface to be highly active. In‐between the two conditions the substrate fluxes across the surface of smooth biofilm geometry were higher than that of the heterogeneous biofilms. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 989–1000. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Highly Viscous Media: A Comparison between the Dispersive Agents [BMIM][BF4], L121, and Triton X‐100
Authors: Gasbarri Carla , Croce Fausto , Meschini Ida , Bowen Christopher H. , Marinelli Lisa , Di Stefano Antonio , Angelini Guido
Published: October 2015

Dispersions of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by using the room‐temperature ionic liquid [BMIM][BF4] (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), the triblock copolymer Pluronic L121 [poly(ethylene oxide)5‐poly(propylene oxide)68‐poly(ethylene oxide)5] and the non‐ionic surfactant Triton X‐100 (TX100) in the pure state. The size of the SWNTs aggregates and the dispersion degree in the three viscous systems depend on the sonication time, as highlighted by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy analysis. A nonlinear increase in conductivity can be observed as a function of the SWNTs loading, as suggested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The generation of a three‐dimensional network of SWNTs showing a viscoelastic gel‐like behavior above a critical percolation concentration has been found at 25 °C in all the investigated systems by oscillatory rheology measurements.
Oxidation and β‐Alkylation of Alcohols Catalysed by Iridium(I) Complexes with Functionalised N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands
Authors: Jiménez M. Victoria , Fernández‐Tornos Javier , Modrego F. Javier , Pérez‐Torrente Jesús J. , Oro Luis A.
Published: October 2015

The borrowing hydrogen methodology allows for the use of alcohols as alkylating agents for CC bond forming processes offering significant environmental benefits over traditional approaches. Iridium(I)‐cyclooctadiene complexes having a NHC ligand with a O‐ or N‐functionalised wingtip efficiently catalysed the oxidation and β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols in the presence of a base. The cationic complex [Ir(NCCH3)(cod)(MeIm(2‐ methoxybenzyl))][BF4] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, MeIm=1‐methylimidazolyl) having a rigid O‐functionalised wingtip, shows the best catalyst performance in the dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol in acetone, with an initial turnover frequency (TOF0) of 1283 h−1, and also in the β‐alkylation of 2‐propanol with butan‐1‐ol, which gives a conversion of 94 % in 10 h with a selectivity of 99 % for heptan‐2‐ol. We have investigated the full reaction mechanism including the dehydrogenation, the cross‐aldol condensation and the hydrogenation step by DFT calculations. Interestingly, these studies revealed the participation of the iridium catalyst in the key step leading to the formation of the new CC bond that involves the reaction of an O‐bound enolate generated in the basic medium with the electrophilic aldehyde.
Experimental thermal time estimation for Mach‐Zehnder interferometer to study coupled heat and mass transfer
Authors: Ahadi Amirhossein , Khoshnevis Ahmad , Saghir M. Ziad
Published: October 2015

In the present investigation, a theoretical approach and experimental models are discussed for estimating the experimental thermal time of an optical digital interferometry experiment. The investigation deals with coupling between heat and mass transfer phenomena. Mach‐Zehnder Interferometry has been found to be an accurate and precise experimental tool for visualizing the thermodiffusion phenomenon inside a parallelepiped cavity, when a thermal gradient is applied to its two opposite sides. Processing the results of this experiment requires distinguishing the two experimental phases: 1) refractive index changes due to change of temperature and 2) refractive index changes due to the separation of the components. We can separate these two phases according to the thermal time of the liquid mixture. In previous studies L2/χ (L = distance between hot and cold sides, χ = thermal diffusivity of the mixture) was used as the thermal time of the liquid. However, due to a high separation rate at the beginning of the thermodiffusion process, an accurate estimation of the thermal time can significantly affect the final result of the interferometry measurements. Here, a theoretical approach and an experimental method were developed to estimate the proper thermal time for this experiment. We also discuss the importance of precisely estimating the thermal time on the experimental results. This study shows that assuming thermal time equals L2/χ may cause noticeable underestimation when measuring the Soret coefficients and maximum separation values.
Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi Triosephosphate Isomerase with Concomitant Inhibition of Cruzipain: Inhibition of Parasite Growth through Multitarget Activity
Authors: Aguilera Elena , Varela Javier , Birriel Estefanía , Serna Elva , Torres Susana , Yaluff Gloria , de Bilbao Ninfa Vera , Aguirre‐López Beatriz , Cabrera Nallely , Díaz Mazariegos Selma , de Gómez‐Puyou Marieta Tuena , Gómez‐Puyou Armando , Pérez‐Montfort Ruy , Minini Lucia , Merlino Alicia , Cerecetto Hugo , González Mercedes , Alvarez Guzmán
Published: October 2015

Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is an essential Trypanosoma cruzi enzyme and one of the few validated drug targets for Chagas disease. The known inhibitors of this enzyme behave poorly or have low activity in the parasite. In this work, we used symmetrical diarylideneketones derived from structures with trypanosomicidal activity. We obtained an enzymatic inhibitor with an IC50 value of 86 nm without inhibition effects on the mammalian enzyme. These molecules also affected cruzipain, another essential proteolytic enzyme of the parasite. This dual activity is important to avoid resistance problems. The compounds were studied in vitro against the epimastigote form of the parasite, and nonspecific toxicity to mammalian cells was also evaluated. As a proof of concept, three of the best derivatives were also assayed in vivo. Some of these derivatives showed higher in vitro trypanosomicidal activity than the reference drugs and were effective in protecting infected mice. In addition, these molecules could be obtained by a simple and economic green synthetic route, which is an important feature in the research and development of future drugs for neglected diseases.
Stainless‐Steel Ball‐Milling Method for Hydro‐/Deutero‐genation using H2O/D2O as a Hydrogen/Deuterium Source
Authors: Sawama Yoshinari , Kawajiri Takahiro , Niikawa Miki , Goto Ryota , Yabe Yuki , Takahashi Tohru , Marumoto Takahisa , Itoh Miki , Kimura Yuuichi , Monguchi Yasunari , Kondo Shin‐ichi , Sajiki Hironao
Published: October 2015

A one‐pot continuous‐flow method for hydrogen (deuterium) generation and subsequent hydrogenation (deuterogenation) was developed using a stainless‐steel (SUS304)‐mediated ball‐milling approach. SUS304, especially zero‐valent Cr and Ni as constituents of the SUS304, and mechanochemical processing played crucial roles in the development of the reactions.
Acid‐ or Base‐Induced Rearrangements of Ferrocenyl‐Decorated Organotin Sulfide Cages
Authors: You Zhiliang , Harms Klaus , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: October 2015

Treatment of keto‐functionalized organotin sulfide [(R1Sn)4S6] {A; R1 = C(Me)2CH2C(Me)O} or its derivative [(RfC1Sn)4S6] {B, RfC1 = fC[C(O)NH–N=(Me)CCH2(Me)2C]2} with acids or bases leads to a variety of novel organo‐functionalized tin sulfide/oxide cages. In addition to rearrangements of the inorganic core, the compounds comprise different organic decorations with ligands R2 = C(Me)2CH2C(Me)=N–NH2, RfC2 = [C(Me)2CH2C(Me)=N–NHC(O)]fC[C(–O)=N–N=C(Me)CH2(Me)2C], RfC3 = fC[C(–O)=N–N=C(Me)CH2(Me)2C]2, RfC4 = [C(Me)2CH2C(Me)=N–NHC(O)]fC[C(O)NH–NH2], and RfCO = [fC(COO)2]2–. We show how the reaction conditions influence the course of the reactions and hence the nature of the products, among them a series of mixed‐valent complexes based on [SnII(SnIV)2S4] defect‐heterocubane units.