bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractal mechanism for characterizing singularity of mode shape for damage detection
Authors: Cao M. S. , Ostachowicz W. , Bai R. B. , Radzieński M.
Published: November 2013

Damage is an ordinary physical phenomenon jeopardizing structural safety; damage detection is an ongoing interdisciplinary issue. Waveform fractal theory has provided a promising resource for detecting damage in plates while presenting a concomitant problem: susceptibility to false features of damage. This study proposes a fractal dimension method based on affine transformation to address this problem. Physical experiments using laser measurement demonstrate that this method can substantially eliminate false features of damage and accurately identify complex cracks in plates, providing a fundamental mechanism that brings the merits of waveform fractal theory into full play in structural damage detection applications.
The role of polarization fields in Auger-induced efficiency droop in nitride-based light-emitting diodes
Authors: Vaxenburg Roman , Rodina Anna , Lifshitz Efrat , Efros Alexander L.
Published: November 2013

The rates of non-radiative Auger recombination (AR) and radiative recombination (RR) in polar GaN/AlN quantum wells (QWs) are calculated. It is shown that in these QWs the polarization field not only suppresses the RR but also strongly enhances the rate of AR. As a result, the polarization field triggers the Auger-induced efficiency droop, which, according to the calculations, does not exist in non-polar GaN/AlN QWs. We demonstrate that in polar QWs the droop can be overcome by suppression of AR using a gradual variation of the QW layer composition, which compensates the effect of the electric field acting on holes.
Strong carrier localization and diminished quantum-confined Stark effect in ultra-thin high-indium-content InGaN quantum wells with violet light emission
Authors: Ko Suk-Min , Kwack Ho-Sang , Park Chunghyun , Yoo Yang-Seok , Kwon Soon-Yong , Jin Kim Hee , Yoon Euijoon , Si Dang Le , Cho Yong-Hoon
Published: November 2013

Here, we report on the optical and structural characteristics of violet-light-emitting, ultra-thin, high-Indium-content (UTHI) InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs), and of conventional low-In-content MQWs, which both emit at similar emission energies though having different well thicknesses and In compositions. The spatial inhomogeneity of In content, and the potential fluctuation in high-efficiency UTHI MQWs were compared to those in the conventional low-In-content MQWs. We conclude that the UTHI InGaN MQWs are a promising structure for achieving better quantum efficiency in the visible and near-ultraviolet spectral range, owing to their strong carrier localization and reduced quantum-confined Stark effect.
Inverse magnetocaloric effect of epitaxial Ni-Mn-Sn thin films
Authors: Yüzüak E. , Dincer I. , Elerman Y. , Auge A. , Teichert N. , Hütten A.
Published: November 2013

Epitaxial Ni-Mn-Sn thin films of 200 nm thickness were prepared by magnetron sputtering and deposited onto MgO(100) substrate. They reveal an inverse magnetocaloric effect with a martensitic phase transition around 260 K. The resulting magnetocaloric properties of these films have been determined performing magnetization measurements in the temperature range between 10 and 330 K applying different magnetic fields. The maximum values of entropy change and relative cooling power are 1.6 J kg−1 K−1 and 36.5 J kg−1 for cooling and 1.5 J kg−1 K−1 and 33.9 J kg−1 for heating in μ0ΔH=1 T, respectively. These data are comparable with bulk values of Ni-Mn-Sn Heusler alloys.
High mobility amorphous InGaZnO thin film transistor with single wall carbon nanotubes enhanced-current path
Authors: Liu Xingqiang , Wang Chunlan , Xiao Xiangheng , Wang Jingli , Guo Shishang , Jiang Changzhong , jong Yu Woo , Hu Weida , Li Jinchai , Liao Lei
Published: November 2013

Amorphous InGaZnO/single-walled carbon nanotubes (a-IGZO/SWNTs) composite thin-film transistors were fabricated with sol-gel method. The SWNTs supply the enhanced-current path for carrier transportation, and the contact resistance was optimized by incorporating SWNTs as well. The threshold voltage (Vth) was modulated by adjusting the Ga content. High electrical performance was demonstrated, including a field-effect mobility of 132 cm2/V·s and a Vth of 0.8 V. We have fabricated large-scale working devices with channel lengths from 20 μm down to 0.7 μm. Moreover, the devices were stable over time. These results indicate that a-IGZO/SWNTs composite Thin-film transistors strongly sustain further investigation of their applicability
Imaging flux distributions around superconductors: Geometrical susceptibility in the Meissner state
Authors: Grisolia Mathieu N. , Badía-Majós Antonio , van der Beek Cornelis Jacominus
Published: November 2013

Experiment and analytical calculations show that the demagnetizing field of a superconductor is a sensitive probe of quantities otherwise difficult to measure, such as the sample-probe distance in flux-density imaging experiments and the field of first flux penetration Hp. In particular, the ratio of the maximum field measured above the superconductor edge and the applied field can be determined unambiguously so as to define a linear “geometric” susceptibility. The evolution of this susceptibility with field depends on the regime of flux penetration and can be used as a means to determine Hp and the effect of a parallel field component in magneto-optical imaging experiments.
Colossal magnetoresistive (La,Pr,Ca)MnO3 nanobox array structures constructed by the three-dimensional nanotemplate pulsed laser deposition technique
Authors: Nguyen T. V. A. , Hattori A. N. , Fujiwara Y. , Ueda S. , Tanaka H.
Published: November 2013

Precisely size-controlled and crystalline (La0.275Pr0.35Ca0.375)MnO3 (LPCMO) nanobox array structures were fabricated down to 30 nm in wall-width by the three-dimensional nanotemplate pulsed laser deposition technique. The hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy in LPCMO nanobox array structures showed the existence of the satellite on the Mn 2p3/2 peak at 203 K with a higher intensity than that in the LPCMO film even at 153 K. This result indicated that the insulator-metal transition (IMT) in the nanobox array structures occurred at the higher IMT temperature.
Förster energy transfer induced random lasing at unconventional excitation wavelengths
Authors: Shadak Alee K. , Barik Sabyasachi , Mujumdar Sushil
Published: November 2013

We experimentally demonstrate efficient lasing from a Rhodamine-nanoscatterer random laser when pumped with unconventional wavelengths, at which the absorption of Rhodamine is negligible. Förster-type energy transfer was realized by using Coumarin molecules as donors. Explicit time-resolved spectroscopy provided direct evidence for the nonradiative transfer with ∼48% efficiency. We obtained lasing at reduced thresholds by a factor of over 3 and increased amplification rates by a factor of ∼4 in the Förster regime, even in samples with sub-diffusive disorder strength. We characterize the efficacy of the Förster transfer induced lasing over a range of unconventional wavelengths for the Rh-based system.
Effect of non-uniform slow wave structure in a relativistic backward wave oscillator with a resonant reflector
Authors: Chen Changhua , Xiao Renzhen , Sun Jun , Song Zhimin , Huo Shaofei , Bai Xianchen , Shi Yanchao , Liu Guozhi
Published: November 2013

This paper provides a fresh insight into the effect of non-uniform slow wave structure (SWS) used in a relativistic backward wave oscillator (RBWO) with a resonant reflector. Compared with the uniform SWS, the reflection coefficient of the non-uniform SWS is higher, leading to a lower modulating electric field in the resonant reflector and a larger distance to maximize the modulation current. Moreover, for both types of RBWOs, stronger standing-wave field takes place at the rear part of the SWS. In addition, besides Cerenkov effects, the energy conversion process in the RBWO strongly depends on transit time effects. Thus, the matching condition between the distributions of harmonic current and standing wave field provides a profound influence on the beam-wave interaction. In the non-uniform RBWO, the region with a stronger standing wave field corresponds to a higher fundamental harmonic current distribution. Particle-in-cell simulations show that with a diode voltage of 1.02 MV and beam current of 13.2 kA, a microwave power of 4 GW has been obtained, compared to that of 3 GW in the uniform RBWO.
Effects of squeezed-film damping on the optomechanical nonlinearity in dual-nanoweb fiber
Authors: Koehler J. R. , Butsch A. , Euser T. G. , Noskov R. E. , St.J. Russell P.
Published: November 2013

The freely-suspended glass membranes in a dual-nanoweb fiber, driven at resonance by intensity-modulated light, exhibit a giant optomechanical nonlinearity. We experimentally investigate the effect of squeezed-film damping by exploring the pressure dependence of resonant frequency and mechanical quality factor. As a consequence of the unusually narrow slot between the nanowebs (22 μm by 550 nm), the gas-spring effect causes a pressure-dependent frequency shift that is ∼15 times greater than typically measured in micro-electro-mechanical devices. When evacuated, the dual-nanoweb fiber yields a quality factor of ∼3 600 and a resonant optomechanical nonlinear coefficient that is ∼60 000 times larger than the Kerr effect.
Vibrational Properties of the Isotopomers of the Water Dimer Derived from Experiment and Computations
Authors: Kalescky Robert , Zou Wenli , Kraka Elfi , Cremer Dieter
Published: November 2013

The water dimer and its 11 deuterated isotopomers are investigated utilizing coupled cluster theory and experimental data as input for a perturbational determination of the isotopomer frequencies. Deuterium substitution reduces the H-bond stretching frequency by maximally 12 cm–1 from 143 to 131 cm–1, which makes a spectroscopic differentiation of H- and D-bonds difficult. However, utilizing the 132 frequencies obtained in this work, the identification of all isotopomers is straightforward. The CCSD(T)/CBS value of the binding energy De is 5.00 kcal mol–1. The binding energy D0 of the water dimer increases upon deuterium substitution from 3.28 to maximally 3.71 kcal mol–1 reflecting a decrease in the zero point energy contribution. The entropy values of the D-isotopomers increase from 73 to 77 entropy units in line with the general observation that a mass increase leads to larger entropies. All 12 isotopomers possess positive free binding energies at 80 K and a reduced pressure of 110 Pa, which means that they can be spectroscopically observed under these conditions.
Social preferences for fuel break management programs in Spain: a choice modelling application to prevention of forest fires
Authors: Varela Elsa , Giergiczny Marek , Riera Pere , Mahieu Pierre-Alexandre , Soliño Mario
Published: November 2013

This article reports on an economic valuation study of alternative fire prevention programs in the province of Málaga, southern Spain. The main aim of this study was to explore the social preferences for several forest fire prevention management issues. Fuel break programs were presented that differed in terms of cleaning technique (controlled grazing, prescribed burning and mechanical treatments), design (from traditional linear unshaded fire breaks to more landscape and environmentally friendly structures, such as shaded fuel breaks) and density (linked to annual burnt area). Results show that the population was clearly interested in the potential of the proposed programs to reduce fire. Lessons learnt from this study could be relevant for the development of fire prevention policies and specific prevention campaigns in Mediterranean forests.
Spectrally coded optical nanosectioning (SpecON) with biocompatible metal–dielectric-coated substrates
Authors: Elsayad Kareem , Urich Alexander , Tan Piau Siong , Nemethova Maria , Small J. Victor , Unterrainer Karl , Heinze Katrin G.
Published: November 2013

Significance

In this paper we describe a high-resolution light microscopy technique that translates spatial (position) information of fluorescent markers into spectral (color) information for improved biological imaging. By designing a thin biocompatible nanostructure on a microscope slide, we show how the distance-dependent spectral “fingerprint” of fluorophores can be used to monitor their relative distance from the nanostructure with an accuracy far beyond the resolution power of a conventional light microscope. We demonstrate the technique by studying the positions and dynamics of key proteins that play a role in cell motility.
Acellular pertussis vaccines protect against disease but fail to prevent infection and transmission in a nonhuman primate model
Authors: Warfel Jason M. , Zimmerman Lindsey I. , Merkel Tod J.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Pertussis has reemerged as an important public health concern since current acellular pertussis vaccines (aP) replaced older whole-cell vaccines (wP). In this study, we show nonhuman primates vaccinated with aP were protected from severe symptoms but not infection and readily transmitted
Bordetella pertussis
to contacts. Vaccination with wP and previous infection induced a more rapid clearance compared with naïve and aP-vaccinated animals. While all groups possessed robust antibody responses, key differences in T-cell memory suggest that aP vaccination induces a suboptimal immune response that is unable to prevent infection. These data provide a plausible explanation for pertussis resurgence and suggest that attaining herd immunity will require the development of improved vaccination strategies that prevent
B. pertussis
colonization and transmission.
Anomalous perovskite PbRuO
3
stabilized under high pressure
Authors: Cheng J.-G. , Kweon K. E. , Zhou J.-S. , Alonso J. A. , Kong P.-P. , Liu Y. , Jin Changqing , Wu Junjie , Lin Jung-Fu , Larregola S. A. , Yang Wenge , Shen Guoyin , MacDonald A. H. , Manthiram Arumugam , Hwang G. S. , Goodenough John B.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Perovskites had the highest density in oxides and fluorides with the formula ABX
3
before the postperovskite structure was found in MgSiO
3
under high temperature and high pressure. The densification of a perovskite under pressure can be realized by shortening A—X and B—X bond lengths and cooperative rotations of octahedra. In most cases, the densification is within the same space group. The behavior of PbRuO
3
under high pressure offers a case where the perovskite structure can be densified by significantly shortening the A–B distance and distorting the octahedra. Forming such a highly unusual structure by Pb—Ru bonding shows the flexibility of the perovskite structure to avoid collapsing into the postperovskite structure.
Cross-neutralizing human anti-poliovirus antibodies bind the recognition site for cellular receptor
Authors: Chen Zhaochun , Fischer Elizabeth R. , Kouiavskaia Diana , Hansen Bryan T. , Ludtke Steven J. , Bidzhieva Bella , Makiya Michelle , Agulto Liane , Purcell Robert H. , Chumakov Konstantin
Published: November 2013

Significance

This study demonstrated that cross-neutralizing anti-poliovirus antibodies bind the site on poliovirus capsid surface that significantly overlaps the binding site of the cellular receptor. A second antibody with similar specificity was isolated by sequential phage display panning, suggesting that cross-reactive anti-poliovirus antibodies may be more prevalent in primates than previously recognized. Binding to the receptor recognition site explains unusually broad specificity of the antibodies. The antibodies bind type 1 and type 2 polioviruses at a slightly different angle, indicating that molecular details of virus–antibody interaction are different and suggesting that further screening or engineering may produce an antibody neutralizing all three serotypes of poliovirus. These results may be used for developing new antiviral strategies for the polio eradication campaign.
Fathers' time-bind and the outsourcing of “male” domestic work in Europe: the cases of the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Kilkey Majella , Palenga-Möllenbeck Ewa
Published: November 2013

In this article we examine the processes driving the outsourcing of masculinized forms of domestic work, involving household and garden maintenance and repair, and its displacement to migrant men; a trend which we conceive as part of the broader transnationalization of care that has been highlighted in feminist scholarship. The article draws on two studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Germany, and focuses on the demand on the part of households buying in “male” domestic services. We find that households use handymen in order to alleviate a father time-bind, which is rooted in three processes. Firstly, a “Europeanization” in norms around childhood, parenting and fathering; secondly, a liberalization and flexibilization of working time regimes in both countries; and thirdly, path dependency in welfare regimes based historically on a male breadwinner model. On the basis of our findings in the United Kingdom and Germany, we conclude the paper by reflecting on whether and why we might expect the commoditization of male domestic services to be manifest in other European countries.
Exploring the ‘new worlds’ of (late?) retirement in Europe
Authors: Hofäcker Dirk , Unt Marge
Published: November 2013

After a long period of promoting early retirement, European societies have recently started to implement various reforms aimed at fostering a longer working life. Yet cross-national variations in older workers' employment remain, as institutional path dependency, socio-economic climate and persistent retirement culture have not allowed all countries to implement reforms to the same degree. In our paper, we provide an up-to-date international overview of country-specific contexts that support or hinder the employment of older workers in European countries. To this end, we use information on labour market, pension, and welfare policies that affect older workers' employment opportunities and retirement decisions. Adding to previous research, we contrast these “structural” indicators with selected “cultural” evidence from the European Survey data (Eurobarometer, European Social Survey) reflecting recent trends in retirement-related attitudes, perceptions and preferences. The available data allow for an unusually broad geographical scope, encompassing both Western European and Eastern European societies. Using these data, we perform a hierarchical cluster analysis to identify the specific types of “retirement regimes”. Finally, we relate these “new worlds of retirement” to the differentiation of “early” versus “late” exit regimes suggested by earlier literature to identify the forerunners and laggards in the gradual transition towards later retirement in Europe.
Nfil3-independent lineage maintenance and antiviral response of natural killer cells
Authors: Firth Matthew A. , Madera Sharline , Beaulieu Aimee M. , Gasteiger Georg , Castillo Eliseo F. , Schluns Kimberly S. , Kubo Masato , Rothman Paul B. , Vivier Eric , Sun Joseph C.
Published: November 2013

Development of the natural killer (NK) cell lineage is dependent on the transcription factor Nfil3 (or E4BP4), which is thought to act downstream of IL-15 signaling. Nfil3-deficient mice lack NK cells, whereas other lymphocyte lineages (B, T, and NKT cells) remain largely intact. We report the appearance of Ly49H-expressing NK cells in Nfil3−/− mice infected with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) or recombinant viruses expressing the viral m157 glycoprotein. Nfil3−/− NK cells at the peak of antigen-driven expansion were functionally similar to NK cells from infected wild-type mice with respect to IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity, and could comparably produce long-lived memory NK cells that persisted in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues for >60 d. We demonstrate that generation and maintenance of NK cell memory is an Nfil3-independent but IL-15–dependent process. Furthermore, specific ablation of Nfil3 in either immature NK cells in the bone marrow or mature peripheral NK cells had no observable effect on NK cell lineage maintenance or homeostasis. Thus, expression of Nfil3 is crucial only early in the development of NK cells, and signals through activating receptors and proinflammatory cytokines during viral infection can bypass the requirement for Nfil3, promoting the proliferation and long-term survival of virus-specific NK cells.
Intratumoral IL-12 combined with CTLA-4 blockade elicits T cell–mediated glioma rejection
Authors: vom Berg Johannes , Vrohlings Melissa , Haller Sergio , Haimovici Aladin , Kulig Paulina , Sledzinska Anna , Weller Michael , Becher Burkhard
Published: November 2013

Glioblastomas (GBs) are the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer and virtually incurable. Accumulation of regulatory T (T reg) cells in GBs is thought to contribute to the dampening of antitumor immunity. Using a syngeneic mouse model for GB, we tested whether local delivery of cytokines could render the immunosuppressive GB microenvironment conducive to an antitumor immune response. IL-12 but not IL-23 reversed GB-induced immunosuppression and led to tumor clearance. In contrast to models of skin or lung cancer, IL-12–mediated glioma rejection was T cell dependent and elicited potent immunological memory. To translate these findings into a clinically relevant setting, we allowed for GB progression before initiating therapy. Combined intratumoral IL-12 application with systemic blockade of the co-inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 on T cells led to tumor eradication even at advanced disease stages where monotherapy with either IL-12 or CTLA-4 blockade failed. The combination of IL-12 and CTLA-4 blockade acts predominantly on CD4+ cells, causing a drastic decrease in FoxP3+ T reg cells and an increase in effector T (T eff) cells. Our data provide compelling preclinical findings warranting swift translation into clinical trials in GB and represent a promising approach to increase response rates of CTLA-4 blockade in solid tumors.
RNA recognition by human TLR8 can lead to autoimmune inflammation
Authors: Guiducci Cristiana , Gong Mei , Cepika Alma-Martina , Xu Zhaohui , Tripodo Claudio , Bennett Lynda , Crain Chad , Quartier Pierre , Cush John J. , Pascual Virginia , Coffman Robert L. , Barrat Franck J.
Published: November 2013

Studies on the role of the RNA receptor TLR8 in inflammation have been limited by its different function in human versus rodents. We have generated multiple lines of transgenic mice expressing different levels of human TLR8. The high copy number chimeras were unable to pass germline; developed severe inflammation targeting the pancreas, salivary glands, and joints; and the severity of the specific phenotypes closely correlated with the huTLR8 expression levels. Mice with relatively low expression levels survived and bred successfully but had increased susceptibility to collagen-induced arthritis, and the levels of huTLR8 correlated with proinflammatory cytokines in the joints of the animals. At the cellular level, huTLR8 signaling exerted a DC-intrinsic effect leading to up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and subsequent T cell activation. A pathogenic role for TLR8 in human diseases was suggested by its increased expression in patients with systemic arthritis and the correlation of TLR8 expression with the elevation of IL-1β levels and disease status. We found that the consequence of self-recognition via TLR8 results in a constellation of diseases, strikingly distinct from those related to TLR7 signaling, and points to specific inflammatory diseases that may benefit from inhibition of TLR8 in humans.
Quantifying Sources of Bias in National Healthcare Safety Network Laboratory-Identified Clostridium difficile Infection Rates
Authors: Haley Valerie B. , DiRienzo A. Gregory , Lutterloh Emily C. , Stricof Rachel L.
Published: November 2013

Objective.

To assess the effect of multiple sources of bias on state- and hospital-specific National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) laboratory-identified Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates.

Design.

Sensitivity analysis.

Setting.

A total of 124 New York hospitals in 2010.

Methods.

New York NHSN CDI events from audited hospitals were matched to New York hospital discharge billing records to obtain additional information on patient age, length of stay, and previous hospital discharges. “Corrected” hospital-onset (HO) CDI rates were calculated after (1) correcting inaccurate case reporting found during audits, (2) incorporating knowledge of laboratory results from outside hospitals, (3) excluding days when patients were not at risk from the denominator of the rates, and (4) adjusting for patient age. Data sets were simulated with each of these sources of bias reintroduced individually and combined. The simulated rates were compared with the corrected rates. Performance (ie, better, worse, or average compared with the state average) was categorized, and misclassification compared with the corrected data set was measured.

Results.

Counting days patients were not at risk in the denominator reduced the state HO rate by 45% and resulted in 8% misclassification. Age adjustment and reporting errors also shifted rates (7% and 6% misclassification, respectively).

Conclusions.

Changing the NHSN protocol to require reporting of age-stratified patient-days and adjusting for patient-days at risk would improve comparability of rates across hospitals. Further research is needed to validate the risk-adjustment model before these data should be used as hospital performance measures.
The Green rings of Taft algebras
Authors: Chen Huixiang , Van Oystaeyen Fred , Zhang Yinhuo
Published: November 2013

We compute the Green ring of the Taft algebra

H
n

(
q
)

H_n(q)

, where

n
n

is a positive integer greater than 1 and

q
q

is an

n
n

-th root of unity. It turns out that the Green ring

r
(

H
n

(
q
)
)

r(H_n(q))

of the Taft algebra

H
n

(
q
)

H_n(q)

is a commutative ring generated by two elements subject to certain relations defined recursively. Concrete examples for

n
=
2
,
3
,
.
.
.
,
8

n=2,3, ... , 8

are given.
Benzene-1,3,5-triyl tribenzoate
Authors: Corfield Peter W. R. , Balija Amy M.
Published: November 2013

The title compound, C27H18O6, commonly known as phloroglucinol tribenzoate, is a standard unit for the family of benzyl ether dendrimers. The central phloroglucinol residue is close to planar, with out-of-plane distances for the three oxygen atoms of up to 0.095 (3) Å, while the three attached benzoate groups are approximately planar. One benzoate group is twisted [C—C—O—C torsion angle = 98.2 (3)°] from the central plane, with its carbonyl O atom 2.226 (4) Å above that plane, while the other two benzoate groups are twisted in the opposite direction [C—C—O—C torsion angles = 24.7 (2) and 54.8 (2)°], so that their carbonyl O atoms are on the other side of, and closer to the central plane, with distances from the plane of 1.743 (4) and 1.206 (4) Å. One benzoate group is disordered between two conformers, with occupancies of 86.9 (3) and 13.1 (3)%, related by a 143 (1)° rotation about the bond to the central benzene ring. The phenyl groups of the two conformers occupy the same space. The molecule packs in the crystal with two of the three benzoate phenyl rings stacked parallel to symmetry-related counterparts, with perpendicular distances of 3.715 (5) and 3.791 (5) Å. The parallel rings are slipped away from each other, however, with centroid–centroid distances of 4.122 (2) and 4.363 (2) Å, respectively.
Isovaline monohydrate
Authors: Butcher Ray J. , Brewer Greg , Burton Aaron S. , Dworkin Jason P.
Published: November 2013

The title compound, C5H11NO2·H2O, is an isomer of the α-amino acid valine that crystallizes from water in its zwitterion form as a monohydrate. It is not one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids that are used in living systems and differs from the natural amino acids in that it has no α-H atom. The compound exhibits hydrogen bonding between the water molecule and the carboxylate O atoms and an amine H atom. In addition, there are intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between the carboxylate O atoms and amine H atoms. In the crystal, these extensive N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of a three-dimensional network.
A planar parabolic refractive nickel lens for high-energy X-rays
Authors: Andrejczuk Andrzej , Nagamine Masaru , Sakurai Yoshiharu , Itou Masayoshi
Published: November 2013

A compound refractive lens made of nickel and designed for focusing high-energy synchrotron X-rays is presented. The lens consists of 600 parabolic grooves and focuses X-rays in one plane only (planar lens). The lenses made and investigated by us earlier exhibited low transmission and irregularities in the focused beam profile. Since then, improvements in lens manufacturing technology have been made. The present lens gives an almost Gaussian profile and produces four times higher intensity at its maximum compared with the intensity of primary X-ray beams of 174 keV.
Domestic solid waste discharge and its determinants in rural China
Authors: Huang Kaixing , Wang Jinxia , Bai Junfei , Qiu Huanguang
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the discharge volume of domestic solid waste in rural China and to explore the potential impact of various factors that contribute to it.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data used in this study come from a large-scale field survey conducted in six Chinese provinces. Based on the collected survey data, econometric model on the determinants of domestic solid waste discharge was constructed and used for analysis.

Findings

– Results from the study show that the per capita daily discharge of rural domestic solid waste was close to 1 kg in 2010, slightly less than the urban level of 1.2 kg. Results from descriptive statistical analysis and econometric estimation indicate that by implementing selected policy measures, the discharge of solid waste can be significantly reduced. In addition, the discharge of domestic solid waste is also closely related with local socio-economic development. In particular, the results show an obvious inverted U-shaped curve between discharge volume and income. The increase of off-farm labor opportunities would also reduce solid waste discharge in rural China.

Originality/value

– This paper focuses on domestic solid waste discharge and its determinants in rural China, a research area very important but seldom reported.
Re-examining the inverse relationship between farm size and efficiency
Authors: Li Gucheng , Feng Zhongchao , You Liangzhi , Fan Lixia
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Whether there exists an inverse relationship (IR) between farm size and its efficiency remains a hotly debated question among agricultural economists. In most studies to date, farm efficiency is measured by land productivity. Thus, the IR actually measures the relationship between farm size and land productivity. The purpose of this paper is to examine and understand the IR from a novel angle by using multiple definitions of farm efficiency indicators like labor productivity, profit ratio, total factor productivity (TFP) and technical efficiency (TE).

Design/methodology/approach

– By using the farm-level panel data from Hubei province in China from 1999 to 2003, this paper employs the two-way fixed effect model of panel data and the stochastic frontier analysis of Battese and Coelli model to investigate the relationship between farm size and its production efficiency derived from the multiple definitions of production efficiency indicators including land productivity, labor productivity, profit ratio, TFP and TE.

Findings

– The study confirmed the IR between land productivity and farm size, as in many formal studies. However, the relationship between farm size and other agricultural efficiency indicators may be positive, negative or uncorrelated at, depending on how the farm efficiency is defined. Therefore, the paper concluded that the relationship between farm size and its production efficiency is mixed. This paper provides economic explanations for the IR through the comprehensive study using the expansion of agricultural efficiency indicators.

Practical implications

– Because different agricultural efficiency indicators have different policy implications for China's future agricultural and land policy, the findings have tremendous policy implications, particularly in terms of the current debate on large or small farm development strategy, the also so-called “go big or small” agricultural strategy. In this sense, the Chinese household responsibility system has played a critical role in its agriculture and will continue to play a critical role in terms of social security and social equality. Any reform to this system should proceed with caution.

Originality/value

– While most existing studies only try to explain the IR from the perspective of land productivity, this paper attempts to propose a novel angle to examine the IR by using multiple definitions of agricultural efficiency and hopes to find some new conclusions.
Professional development, target-specific satisfaction, and older nurse retention
Authors: Armstrong-Stassen Marjorie , Stassen Karen
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Drawing from attitude-behavioral intentions correspondence and target similarity, the aim of this paper is to examine the role of target-specific satisfaction facets in the relationship between factors related to professional development and older nurses' intention to remain with their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this longitudinal panel study, 422 hospital-employed registered nurses aged 45 to 64 completed a questionnaire (T1) and a second questionnaire (T2) a year later. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

– Availability of training and development practices targeted to older nurses at T1 was linked to intention to remain with the organization at T2 through T1 satisfaction with professional development opportunities and T2 satisfaction with the organization as a whole. Job challenge at T1 was related to intention to remain through T1 satisfaction with the job itself and T2 satisfaction with the organization.

Research limitations/implications

– The occupation-specific sample may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

– Organizations need to ensure that older nurses have the opportunity to upgrade their current job skills, to acquire new skills, to be adequately trained on the use of new technology, and to support professional development through release time, tuition reimbursement, and education leaves. Attention also needs to be directed towards job design and ensuring older nurses' jobs fully utilize their skills and expertise.

Originality/value

– The findings demonstrate that target-specific facets of satisfaction are an important underlying mechanism linking professional development factors and older nurses' intention to remain. Organizational satisfaction, an under-researched construct, played an especially prominent role in this process.
Does financial disclosure influence the value relevance of accounting information?
Authors: Shamki Dhiaa , Abdul Rahman Azhar
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to examine the influence of financial disclosure (FD) level and time on the value relevance of earnings, book value, and cash flows relative to three share price proxies, namely average annual share price, annual closing share price, and share price after a three-month period following the financial year-end for Jordanian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employs price model to examine the influence of FD level and time on the value relevance of three accounting variables relative to three share price proxies for 91 Jordanian companies (consisting of 5,460 observations) within 2004-2009.

Findings

– Relative to three share price proxies, the findings proved that FD level and time have a significant influence on the value relevance of book value, but not for cash flows. Also, FD level and time have a significant influence on the value relevance of earnings relative to annual closing share price, while they are not relative to share price after a three-month period following the financial year-end. FD time has a significant influence on the value relevance of earnings relative to the average annual share price. Annual closing share price is the most reliable in indicating value relevance of accounting information.

Originality/value

– The paper confirms that there is a shift away from earnings towards book value as the basis for firm valuation. Market participants might be able to conclude the firm value through the value relevance of accounting information influenced by company's FD.
Inequalities in utilization of maternal health care services in Nepal
Authors: Nawal Dipty , Goli Srinivas
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to quantify inequalities in utilization of maternal health care services and measure the relative contribution of different factors affecting it in the context of Nepal.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses data from the latest round of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Two stages of stratified cluster samplings were used. A total of 13,200 women aged 15-49 were interviewed.

Findings

– Results of concentration index estimates in three selected indicators suggest considerable inequalities in maternal health care utilization. The decomposition analyses indicate that the critical factors contributing to inequalities in <3 antenatal care visits are poor economic status of households (32 percent) and women (23 percent) and their partners’ illiteracy (23 percent). However, in case of no institutional delivery, apart from the poor economic status of household (51 percent) and women's illiteracy (16 percent), the rural place of residence (21 percent) has emerged as critical factors contributing to inequalities. In case of no postnatal care within a day, birth order (21 percent) becomes a significant factor, next to the poor economic status of the household (41 percent) in terms of the relative contribution to total inequalities.

Practical implications

– Policies and program targeting maternal health interventions need to consider equity with efficiency in utilization of maternal health care services, and further to achieve the targets of millennium development goal 5 in Nepal.

Originality/value

– This study is an innovative effort to estimate inequalities in maternal health care services in the context of Nepal by using inequality decomposition model. For the first time, this study estimates the relative contribution of different socioeconomic factors contributing to inequalities in maternal health care services in Nepal.
Handyperson schemes and the Equality Act 2010
Authors: Moriarty Jo , Manthorpe Jill
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore whether handyperson services are able to meet the needs of diverse groups of older people, specifically in the UK policy context, to meet the requirements of the Equality Act (2010).

Design/methodology/approach

– The scoping review of the literature was conducted in 2012 using a wide range of literature from the UK.

Findings

– In an under-researched field it is difficult for policy makers to determine whether handyperson schemes and their associated services are accessible to and being used by all sections of the older population. Schemes do not generally collect and report data about their users.

Research limitations/implications

– The scoping review concentrates on UK literature. There are a variety of handyperson schemes and they operate in different ways with different criteria and priorities. Some of the accounts of handyperson schemes provide little data about user characteristics.

Practical implications

– The paper suggests how handyperson schemes may be able to meet the requirements of the Equality Act (2010) by outlining what data are needed and approaches to gathering it sensitively and proportionally.

Originality/value

– The paper is the first to consider the implications of the Equality Act for handyperson schemes, which may be relevant to other housing and care services.
From Canada to Kircubbin: learning from America on housing an ageing population – part 2
Authors: Thompson Eileen
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to learn lessons from North America on housing an ageing population, both in terms of supporting people to “age in place”, and available options for those who need/wish to move. The project, funded by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, comprised a six-week travel fellowship to USA and Canada to meet with housing professionals from the public and private sectors and find out about best practice initiatives and efficient models for housing older people.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is in two parts, of which this is the second. Part 2 focuses on the links between housing and health and, recognising significant differences between the countries, draws out lessons which may be applied as similar challenges of austerity, an ageing population and the increasing interest in personal budgets are faced.

Findings

– There is no one size fits all approach to addressing the housing needs of the older population; a continuum of options across tenures is required. There are opportunities for growth in the private and non-profit sectors in terms of the provision of services for the ageing population. Large scale social change comes from better cross-departmental coordination and cannot be achieved by the isolated intervention of a single organisation.

Originality/value

– This was a unique opportunity to learn lessons from North America on how to effectively meet the needs of the older population, now and in the future. The findings are based on the personal observations and conclusions of a housing practitioner.
Housing support and personalisation: observations from the Scottish Self-Directed Support Test Sites
Authors: Laura Rosengard Ann , Ridley Julie , Manthorpe Jill
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of housing and housing support services in working with systems of self-directed support (SDS). The paper draws upon findings from an evaluation and follow up study of three SDS Test Sites in Scotland and wider research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The evaluation of the SDS Test Sites took place in 2009-2011 with a follow up study in 2011-2012. Methods included a literature review; an analysis of secondary data on the use of SDS in Scotland; interviews with key stakeholders; learning sets in the three areas; 30 depth individual case studies and a large-scale stakeholder event prior to finalising the report. These data are drawn upon to reflect on the implications for housing providers and practitioners.

Findings

– The interviews revealed that some SDS users had housing and related support needs, such as to prevent or resolve homelessness, to facilitate resettlement, to prevent hospital admissions, to access supported accommodation or to move from shared to independent housing. For some people flexible housing support seemed to enhance community living, also well-informed independent advocacy could make a difference to outcomes. While there was policy support for the Test Sites, it was notable that linkages between agencies at strategic level were limited, with neither housing nor health services greatly involved in strategic planning. Training, alongside liaison and partnerships, may help to broaden SDS.

Research limitations/implications

– While housing and related support needs and services were not specifically investigated in this evaluation, data suggest that the contribution of housing services may be both under-developed and under-researched in the context of SDS. There are indications that SDS may act as a catalyst for improving housing opportunities provided that collaboration between housing and care services is maximised.

Practical implications

– This paper suggests approaches that may improve and consolidate the role of housing in achieving SDS objectives of maximising user control and choice, improving outcomes and sustaining ordinary living.

Originality/value

– This paper considers the less charted territory of the implications of SDS for the role of housing services. While drawing primarily on recent research in Scotland the themes raised will have wider relevance to housing and care services generally.
Managing the challenge to social housing of an ageing English population
Authors: Jones Colin
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the management of the (accessible) social housing stock as a means to achieve a cost effective solution to meeting the needs of an ageing population. The paper examines the costs and effectiveness of an accessible housing register (AHR) as the primary means social landlords have to utilise accessible housing stock efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper examines the cost effectiveness of the most advanced AHR in the UK. The data for the study was collected in 2009 (costs/expenditure quoted relate to that year) and is derived from a combination of interrogating computerised allocation records and the collection of information on costs through interviews with local authority staff.

Findings

– The concept of an AHR can involve substantial set up costs. The financial analysis to assess their cost effectiveness proves complex but suggests that an efficient full register could be more than justified in these terms if it led to a reduction in costs, through the removal of the need for a relatively small number of adaptations in the first years of a tenancy.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that assesses the financial case for AHRs.
Mixed convective boundary layer flow over a vertical cylinder embedded in a porous medium saturated with a nanofluid
Authors: Gorla R.S.R. , Hossain Anwar
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this work is to study the mixed convection boundary layer flow past a vertical cylinder in a porous medium saturated with a nanofluid. Numerical results for friction factor, surface heat transfer rate and mass transfer rate have been presented for parametric variations of the buoyancy ratio parameter Nr, Brownian motion parameter Nb, thermophoresis parameter Nt and Lewis number Le. The dependency of the surface heat transfer rate (Nusselt number) and mass transfer rate on these parameters has been discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Solutions of the set of non-similarity equations are obtained by employing the implicit finite difference method together with Keller box elimination method.

Findings

– It was found that the heat transfer rate decreases and mass transfer rates increase as Lewis number increases. The heat and mass transfer rates increase as the buoyancy ration parameter increases. As the thermophoresis parameter Nt increases, the heat transfer rate decreases where as the mass transfer rate increases. As the Brownian parameter Nb increases, the heat transfer rate decreases. Brownian motion decelerates the flow in the nanofluid boundary layer. Brownian diffusion promotes heat conduction. The heat and mass transfer rates increase as the buoyancy ratio number Nr increases. The Brownian motion and thermophoresis of nanoparticles increases the effective thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. Both Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis give rise to cross diffusion terms that are similar to the familiar Soret and Dufour cross-diffusion terms that arise with a binary fluid.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis is valid for steady, mixed convection two-dimensional boundary layer flow in a nanofluid-saturated Darcy porous medium. An extension to non-Darcy porous medium is left as a part of future study.

Practical implications

– The research is applicable for enhancing heat exchanger effectiveness by employing nanofluids.

Originality/value

– The study is useful to engineers interested in designing heat exchangers, water and atmospheric pollution.