bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf cellulose density as the key determinant of inter- and intra-specific variation in leaf fracture toughness in a species-rich tropical forest
Authors: Kitajima Kaoru , Wright S. Joseph , Westbrook Jared W.
Published: April 2016

Leaves as the main photosynthetic organ of plants must be well protected against various hazards to achieve their optimal lifespans. Yet, within-species variation and the material basis of leaf strength have been explored for very few species. Here, we present a large dataset of leaf fracture toughness from a species-rich humid tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, reporting both among- and within-species variation in relation to light environment (sun-lit canopy versus shaded understorey) and ontogeny (seedlings versus adults). In this dataset encompassing 281 free-standing woody species and 428 species-light combinations, lamina fracture toughness varied
ca
10 times. A central objective of our study was to identify generalizable patterns in the structural and material basis for interspecific variation in leaf lamina fracture toughness. The leaf lamina is a heterogeneous structure in which strong materials in cell walls, such as cellulose and lignin, contribute disproportionately to fracture toughness. We found significant increases in leaf fracture toughness from shade to sun and from seedling leaves to adult leaves. Both within and across species, leaf fracture toughness increased with total bulk density (dry biomass per unit volume) and cellulose mass concentration, but decreased with mass concentrations of lignin and hemicelluose. These bivariate relationships shift between light environments, but leaf cellulose density (cellulose mass per unit leaf volume) exhibits a common relationship with lamina fracture toughness between light environments and through ontogeny. Hence, leaf cellulose density is probably a universal predictor of leaf fracture toughness.
Cutting food in terrestrial carnivores and herbivores
Authors: Sanson Gordon
Published: April 2016

Insects and mammals cut their food up into small pieces to facilitate ingestion and chemical digestion. Teeth and jaws act as cutting tools, but, unlike engineering tools designed for a specific purpose, must generally cope with substantial variation in food properties and work at many scales. Knowing how teeth and jaws work effectively requires an understanding of the cutting on the edges and the mechanisms that remove cut material. Variability and heterogeneity of diet properties are not well known, and, for example, may be higher and overlap more in the browsing and grazing categories of plant diets. A reinterpretation of tooth function in large mammal browsers and grazers is proposed.
Numerical modelling of orthogonal cutting: application to woodworking with a bench plane
Authors: Nairn John A.
Published: April 2016

A numerical model for orthogonal cutting using the material point method was applied to woodcutting using a bench plane. The cutting process was modelled by accounting for surface energy associated with wood fracture toughness for crack growth parallel to the grain. By using damping to deal with dynamic crack propagation and modelling all contact between wood and the plane, simulations could initiate chip formation and proceed into steady-state chip propagation including chip curling. Once steady-state conditions were achieved, the cutting forces became constant and could be determined as a function of various simulation variables. The modelling details included a cutting tool, the tool's rake and grinding angles, a chip breaker, a base plate and a mouth opening between the base plate and the tool. The wood was modelled as an anisotropic elastic–plastic material. The simulations were verified by comparison to an analytical model and then used to conduct virtual experiments on wood planing. The virtual experiments showed interactions between depth of cut, chip breaker location and mouth opening. Additional simulations investigated the role of tool grinding angle, tool sharpness and friction.
Fracture investigation in starch-based foods
Authors: Skamniotis C. G. , Patel Y. , Charalambides M. N. , Elliott M.
Published: April 2016

The study of oral processing and specifically cutting of the food piece during mastication can lead towards optimization of products for humans or animals. Food materials are complex biocomposites with a highly nonlinear constitutive response. Their fracture properties have not been largely investigated, while the need for models capable of predicting food breakdown increases. In this study, the blade cutting and the essential work of fracture (EWF) methodologies assessed the fracture behaviour of starch-based pet food. Tensile tests revealed rate-dependent stiffness and stress softening effects, attributed to viscoplasticity and micro-cracking, respectively. Cutting data were collected for 5, 10 and 30 mm s−1sample feed rates, whereas the EWF tests were conducted at 1.7, 3.3 and 8.3 mm s−1crosshead speeds corresponding to average crack speeds of 4, 7 and 15 mm s−1, respectively. A reasonable agreement was achieved between cutting and EWF, reporting 1.26, 1.78, 1.76 kJ m−2and 1.52, 1.37, 1.45 kJ m−2values, respectively, for the corresponding crack speeds. These toughness data were used in a novel numerical model simulating the ‘first’ bite mastication process. A viscoplastic material model is adopted for the food piece, combined with a damage law that enabled predicting fracture patterns in the product.
Cut marks on bone surfaces: influences on variation in the form of traces of ancient behaviour
Authors: Braun David R. , Pante Michael , Archer William
Published: April 2016

Although we know that our lineage has been producing sharp-edged tools for over 2.6 Myr, our knowledge of what they were doing with these tools is far less complete. Studies of these sharp-edged stone tools show that they were most probably used as cutting implements. However, the only substantial evidence of this is the presence of cut marks on the bones of animals found in association with stone tools in ancient deposits. Numerous studies have aimed to quantify the frequency and placement of these marks. At present there is little consensus on the meaning of these marks and how the frequency relates to specific behaviours in the past. Here we investigate the possibility that mechanical properties associated with edges of stone tools as well as the properties of bones themselves may contribute to the overall morphology of these marks and ultimately their placement in the archaeological record. Standardized tests of rock mechanics (Young's modulus and Vickers hardness) indicate that the hardness of tool edges significantly affects cut-mark morphology. In addition, we show that indentation hardness of bones also impacts the overall morphology of cut marks. Our results show that rock type and bone portions influence the shape and prevalence of cut marks on animal bones.
ESCRT-II controls retinal axon growth by regulating DCC receptor levels and local protein synthesis
Authors: Konopacki Filip A. , Wong Hovy Ho-Wai , Dwivedy Asha , Bellon Anaïs , Blower Michael D. , Holt Christine E.
Published: April 2016

Endocytosis and local protein synthesis (LPS) act coordinately to mediate the chemotropic responses of axons, but the link between these two processes is poorly understood. The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is a key regulator of cargo sorting in the endocytic pathway, and here we have investigated the role of ESCRT-II, a critical ESCRT component, inXenopusretinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. We show that ESCRT-II is present in RGC axonal growth cones (GCs) where it co-localizes with endocytic vesicle GTPases and, unexpectedly, with the Netrin-1 receptor, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC). ESCRT-II knockdown (KD) decreases endocytosis and, strikingly, reduces DCC in GCs and leads to axon growth and guidance defects. ESCRT-II-depleted axons fail to turn in response to a Netrin-1 gradientin vitroand many axons fail to exit the eyein vivo. These defects, similar to Netrin-1/DCC loss-of-function phenotypes, can be rescued in whole (in vitro) or in part (in vivo) by expressing DCC. In addition, ESCRT-II KD impairs LPS in GCs and live imaging reveals that ESCRT-II transports mRNAs in axons. Collectively, our results show that the ESCRT-II-mediated endocytic pathway regulates both DCC and LPS in the axonal compartment and suggest that ESCRT-II aids gradient sensing in GCs by coupling endocytosis to LPS.
Constitutive translation of human α-synuclein is mediated by the 5′-untranslated region
Authors: Koukouraki Pelagia , Doxakis Epaminondas
Published: April 2016

Genetic and biochemical studies have established a central role for α-synuclein (SNCA) accumulation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Uncovering and subsequently interfering with physiological mechanisms that control SNCA expression is one approach to limit disease progression. To this end, the long and GC-rich 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of SNCA, which is predicted to fold into stable hairpin and G-quadruplex RNA motifs, was investigated for its role in mRNA translation. Inclusion of SNCA 5′-UTR significantly induced expression of both SNCA and luciferase ORF constructs. This effect was not associated with a change in mRNA levels or differential nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Further, the presence of the 5′-UTR enhanced SNCA synthesis when cap-dependent translation was attenuated with rapamycin treatment. Analysis using multiple methodologies revealed that the 5′-UTR harbours an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that spans most of its nucleotide sequence. Signals such as plasma-membrane depolarization, serum starvation and oxidative stress stimulated SNCA protein translation via its 5′-UTR as well as enhanced its IRES activity. Taken together, these data support the idea that the 5′-UTR is an important positive regulator of SNCA synthesis under diverse physiological and pathological conditions, explaining in part the abundance of SNCA in healthy neurons and its accumulation in degenerative cells.
Recurrent sepsis and neuroinvasive disease in a neonate culture-positive for a Group B Streptococcus CPS III serotype, hvgA+ strain
Authors: Suresh Sneha , Tyrrell Gregory , Alhhazmi Areej , Escoredo Sandra , Hawkes Michael
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Late-onset disease with Group B Streptococcus (GBS LOD) remains a significant problem in neonates. Unlike early-onset disease, rates of GBS LOD have not changed with prenatal testing. Effects of GBS LOD can be severe and thus identifying risk factors for severe GBS LOD, such as hypervirulence genes, may help in managing these infants.

Case presentation:

We present a case of a neonate with capsular serotype III GBS sepsis without meningitis that recurred 6 days after a 10-day-treatment period with IV ampicillin. The second episode was characterized by sepsis, neuroinvasion, meningitis and subsequent profound encephalomalacia. The short duration between the two episodes suggested recrudescence rather than reinfection. The GBS isolate was ultimately found to be positive for hypervirulence gene hvgA+, which encodes for a protein known to mediate meningeal tropism and neuroinvasion.

Conclusion:

hvgA positivity may thus potentially serve as an important biomarker for severe and neuroinvasive GBS LOD that can influence treatment decisions.
Inferring node dates from tip dates in fossil Canidae: the importance of tree priors
Authors: Matzke Nicholas J. , Wright April
Published: April 2016

Tip-dating methods are becoming popular alternatives to traditional node calibration approaches for building time-scaled phylogenetic trees, but questions remain about their application to empirical datasets. We compared the performance of the most popular methods against a dated tree of fossil Canidae derived from previously published monographs. Using a canid morphology dataset, we performed tip-dating using Beast 2.1.3 and MrBayes 3.2.5. We find that for key nodes (Canis, ~3.2 Ma, Caninae ~11.7 Ma) a non-mechanistic model using a uniform tree prior produces estimates that are unrealistically old (27.5, 38.9 Ma). Mechanistic models (incorporating lineage birth, death, and sampling rates) estimate ages that are closely in line with prior research. We provide a discussion of these two families of models (mechanistic vs. non-mechanistic) and their applicability to fossil datasets.
Transplantation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Solely Leads to Development of Functional Neo-vesselsin vivo
Authors: Rohban Rokhsareh , Etchart Nathalie , Pieber Thomas R.
Published: April 2016

It has been believed that de novo vessel formation (neo-vasculogenesis) can be induced by co-transplantation of pericytes or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPC) with endothelial cells or endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC). The requirement for co-transplantation of two adult progenitor cells is one factor that can potentially complicate the process of therapeutic vasculogenesis which hampers the development of strategies for therapeutic intervention referred to as ‘regenerative medicine’. Here we employed a novel strategy for therapeutic vessel development by transplanting endothelial colony forming progenitor cells solely to immune compromised mice and detect vessel formation capacity of single ECFC transplants compared to ECFC/MSPC co-transplants. We applied umbilical cord derived and bone marrow derived-MSPC and umbilical cord derived ECFC with different total cell number for subcutaneous transplantation in matrix composites either alone or mixed at a ratio of 1:5 subcutaneously into immune deficient NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ; NSG mice. Implants were harvested one day, one, two, eight and 24 weeks after transplantation for detecting the state of vessel formation and stability of the transplants by histological assessments. Additionally, endothelial progenitor cells derived from various human tissues such as umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and white adipose tissue were used to assess their potential for vessel formationin vivo.

Results confirmed that single transplantation of ECFCs with a higher cell number and later in the time course after transplantation is as efficient as co-transplantation of ECFC with MSPC at forming stable-perfused human vessels. Amongst ECFCs isolated from different human sources, white adipose tissue derived ECFC are most potent in forming neo-vessels (micro-vessels) in vivo, thus WAT-ECFC could be an optimal cell for vasculogenesis regenerative application.

Co-transplantation of ECFC and MSPC with the defined 5:1 ratio or sole ECFC with a higher cell dosage was essential for vessel generationin vivo.
Whole-exome sequencing of a patient with severe and complex hemostatic abnormalities reveals a possible contributing frameshift mutation in C3AR1
Authors: Leinøe Eva , Nielsen Ove Juul , Jønson Lars , Rossing Maria
Published: April 2016

The increasing availability of genome-wide analysis has made it possible to rapidly sequence the exome of patients with undiagnosed or unresolved medical conditions. Here, we present the case of a 64-yr-old male patient with schistocytes in the peripheral blood smear and a complex and life-threatening coagulation disorder causing recurrent venous thromboembolic events, severe thrombocytopenia, and subdural hematomas. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a frameshift mutation (C3AR1 c.355-356dup, p.Asp119Alafs*19) resulting in a premature stop codon in C3AR1 (Complement Component 3a Receptor 1). Based on this finding, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome was suspected because of a genetic predisposition, and a targeted treatment regime with eculizumab was initiated. Life-threatening hemostatic abnormalities would most likely have persisted had it not been for the implementation of whole-exome sequencing in this particular clinical setting.
A novel FGD1 mutation in a family with Aarskog–Scott syndrome and predominant features of congenital joint contractures
Authors: Griffin Laurie Beth , Farley Frances A. , Antonellis Anthony , Keegan Catherine E.
Published: April 2016

Mutations in FGD1 cause Aarskog–Scott syndrome (AAS), an X-linked condition characterized by abnormal facial, skeletal, and genital development due to abnormal embryonic morphogenesis and skeletal formation. Here we report a novel FGD1 mutation in a family with atypical features of AAS, specifically bilateral upper and lower limb congenital joint contractures and cardiac abnormalities. The male proband and his affected maternal uncle are hemizygous for the novel FGD1 mutation p.Arg921X. This variant is the most carboxy-terminal FGD1 mutation identified in a family with AAS and is predicted to truncate the FGD1 protein at the second to last amino acid of the carboxy-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Our study emphasizes the importance of the 3′ peptide sequence in the structure and/or function of the FGD1 protein and further demonstrates the need to screen patients with X-linked congenital joint contractures for FGD1 mutations.
XMDYNandXATOM: versatile simulation tools for quantitative modeling of X-ray free-electron laser induced dynamics of matter
Authors: Jurek Zoltan , Son Sang-Kil , Ziaja Beata , Santra Robin
Published: April 2016

Rapid development of X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) science has taken place in recent years owing to the consecutive launch of large-scale XFEL instruments around the world. Research areas such as warm dense matter physics and coherent X-ray imaging take advantage of the unprecedentedly high intensities of XFELs. A single XFEL pulse can induce very complex dynamics within matter initiated by core-hole photoionization. Owing to this complexity, theoretical modeling revealing details of the excitation and relaxation of irradiated matter is important for the correct interpretation of the measurements and for proposing new experiments.XMDYNis a computer simulation tool developed for modeling dynamics of matter induced by high-intensity X-rays. It utilizes atomic data calculated by theab initio XATOMtoolkit. Here these tools are discussed in detail.
Structures of endothiapepsin–fragment complexes from crystallographic fragment screening using a novel, diverse and affordable 96-compound fragment library
Authors: Huschmann Franziska U. , Linnik Janina , Sparta Karine , Ühlein Monika , Wang Xiaojie , Metz Alexander , Schiebel Johannes , Heine Andreas , Klebe Gerhard , Weiss Manfred S. , Mueller Uwe
Published: April 2016

Crystallographic screening of the binding of small organic compounds (termed fragments) to proteins is increasingly important for medicinal chemistry-oriented drug discovery. To enable such experiments in a widespread manner, an affordable 96-compound library has been assembled for fragment screening in both academia and industry. The library is selected from already existing protein–ligand structures and is characterized by a broad ligand diversity, including buffer ingredients, carbohydrates, nucleotides, amino acids, peptide-like fragments and various drug-like organic compounds. When applied to the model protease endothiapepsin in a crystallographic screening experiment, a hit rate of nearly 10% was obtained. In comparison to other fragment libraries and considering that no pre-screening was performed, this hit rate is remarkably high. This demonstrates the general suitability of the selected compounds for an initial fragment-screening campaign. The library composition, experimental considerations and time requirements for a complete crystallographic fragment-screening campaign are discussed as well as the nine fully refined obtained endothiapepsin–fragment structures. While most of the fragments bind close to the catalytic centre of endothiapepsin in poses that have been observed previously, two fragments address new sites on the protein surface. ITC measurements show that the fragments bind to endothiapepsin with millimolar affinity.
Structural analysis of a phosphonate hydroxylase with an access tunnel at the back of the active site
Authors: Li Changqing , Junaid Muhammad , Almuqri Eman Abdullah , Hao Shiguang , Zhang Houjin
Published: April 2016

FrbJ is a member of the Fe2+/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family which hydroxylates the natural product FR-900098 ofStreptomyces rubellomurinus, yielding the phosphonate antibiotic FR-33289. Here, the crystal structure of FrbJ, which shows structural homology to taurine dioxygenase (TauD), a key member of the same family, is reported. Unlike other members of the family, FrbJ has an unusual lid structure which consists of two β-strands with a long loop between them. To investigate the role of this lid motif, a molecular-dynamics simulation was performed with the FrbJ structure. The molecular-dynamics simulation analysis implies that the lid-loop region is highly flexible, which is consistent with the fact that FrbJ has a relatively broad spectrum of substrates with different lengths. Interestingly, an access tunnel is found at the back of the active site which connects the putative binding site of α-ketoglutarate to the solvent outside.
Crystal structure of bile salt hydrolase fromLactobacillus salivarius
Authors: Xu Fuzhou , Guo Fangfang , Hu Xiao-Jian , Lin Jun
Published: April 2016

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) is a gut-bacterial enzyme that negatively influences host fat digestion and energy harvesting. The BSH enzyme activity functions as a gateway reaction in the small intestine by the deconjugation of glycine-conjugated or taurine-conjugated bile acids. Extensive gut-microbiota studies have suggested that BSH is a key mechanistic microbiome target for the development of novel non-antibiotic food additives to improve animal feed production and for the design of new measures to control obesity in humans. However, research on BSH is still in its infancy, particularly in terms of the structural basis of BSH function, which has hampered the development of BSH-based strategies for improving human and animal health. As an initial step towards the structure–function analysis of BSH, C-terminally His-tagged BSH fromLactobacillus salivariusNRRL B-30514 was crystallized in this study. The 1.90 Å resolution crystal structure ofL. salivariusBSH was determined by molecular replacement using the structure ofClostridium perfringensBSH as a starting model. It revealed this BSH to be a member of the N-terminal nucleophile hydrolase superfamily. Crystals of apo BSH belonged to space groupP21212, with unit-cell parametersa= 90.79,b= 87.35,c= 86.76 Å (PDB entry 5hke). Two BSH molecules packed perfectly as a dimer in one asymmetric unit. Comparative structural analysis ofL. salivariusBSH also identified potential residues that contribute to catalysis and substrate specificity.
Structural analysis of the spliceosomal RNA helicase Prp28 from the thermophilic eukaryoteChaetomium thermophilum
Authors: Tauchert Marcel J. , Ficner Ralf
Published: April 2016

Prp28 (pre-mRNA-splicing ATP-dependent RNA helicase 28) is a spliceosomal DEAD-box helicase which is involved in two steps of spliceosome assembly. It is required for the formation of commitment complex 2 in an ATP-independent manner as well as for the formation of the pre-catalytic spliceosome, which in contrast is ATP-dependent. During the latter step, Prp28 is crucial for the integration of the U4/U6·U5 tri-snRNP since it displaces the U1 snRNP and allows the U6 snRNP to base-pair with the 5′-splice site. Here, the crystal structure of Prp28 from the thermophilic fungusChaetomium thermophilumis reported at 3.2 Å resolution and is compared with the available structures of homologues.
RRM domain of human RBM7: purification, crystallization and structure determination
Authors: Sofos Nicholas , Winkler Mikael B. L. , Brodersen Ditlev E.
Published: April 2016

RNA decay is an important process that is essential for controlling the abundance, quality and maturation of transcripts. In eukaryotes, RNA decay in the 3′–5′ direction is carried out by the exosome, an RNA-degradation machine that is conserved from yeast to humans. A range of cofactors stimulate the enzymatic activity of the exosome and serve as adapters for the many RNA substrates. In human cells, the exosome associates with the heterotrimeric nuclear exosome targeting (NEXT) complex consisting of the DExH-box helicase hMTR4, the zinc-finger protein hZCCHC8 and the RRM-type protein hRBM7. Here, the 2.5 Å resolution crystal structure of the RRM domain of human RBM7 is reported. Molecular replacement using a previously determined solution structure of RBM7 was unsuccessful. Instead, RBM8 and CBP20 RRM-domain crystal structures were used to successfully determine the RBM7 structure by molecular replacement. The structure reveals a ring-shaped pentameric assembly, which is most likely a consequence of crystal packing.
1.2 Å resolution crystal structure of the periplasmic aminotransferase PvdN fromPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Drake Eric J. , Gulick Andrew M.
Published: April 2016

The Gram-negative pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosauses a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) biosynthetic cluster for the production of a peptide siderophore. In addition to four multimodular NRPS proteins, the biosynthetic pathway also requires several additional enzymes involved in the production of nonproteinogenic amino acids and maturation of the peptide product. Among the proteins that are required for the final steps in pyoverdine synthesis is PvdN, a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes an uncharacterized step in pyoverdine production. This study reports the high-resolution structure of PvdN bound to a PLP cofactor solved by multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD). The PvdN model shows high structural homology to type I aspartate aminotransferases and also contains positive density that suggests an uncharacterized external aldimine.
3-tert-Butyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-e][1,4]thiazepin-7(4H,6H,8H)-one
Authors: Moreno-Fuquen Rodolfo , Castillo Juan C. , Abonia Rodrigo , Tenorio Juan C. , Ellena Javier
Published: April 2016

In the title molecule, C22H22ClN3OS, the fused 1,4-thiazepinone ring adopts a near twist-boat conformation and the chlorobenzene ring is inclined to the phenyl ring by 88.38 (12)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(8) ring motif. The dimers are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds forming ribbons, enclosingR42(20) loops, propagating along [001].
(E)-4-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one
Authors: Kamalini G. Joseline Sheeba , Sugaraj Samuel R. , Reuben Jonathan D. , Revathi B. K. , Usha G.
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C12H14O2, the benzene ring makes dihedral angles of 5.03 (8) and 5.37 (15)° with the mean planes of the but-3-en-2-one group and the ethoxy group, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by two pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming inversion dimers, which enclose anR22(8) ring motif flanked by twoR21(7) loops.
1-[(2E)-3-Phenylprop-2-en-1-yl]-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Qachchachi Fatima Zahrae , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Haoudi Amal , Essassi El Mokhtar , Capet Frédéric , Zouihri Hafid
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C17H13NO2, the indole ring is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.027 Å) and is oriented at an angle of 69.33 (7)° with respect to the phenyl ring. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming zigzag chains propagating along thea-axis direction. Within the chains there are π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.7163 (8) and 3.7162 (8) Å] involving isatin groups of neighbouring molecules.
Di-μ-dimethylformamide-κ4O:O-μ-tetrahydrofuran-κ2O:O-bis[(tetrahydrofuran-κO)sodium(I)] bis(μ-3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolato-κ3S,S′:S)bis[(3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolato-κ2S,S′)iron(III)]
Authors: Barrio Jesús , Delgado Esther , Hernández Diego , Hernández Elisa , Perles Josefina , Zamora Félix
Published: April 2016

The title compound, [Na2(C3H7NO)2(C4H8O)5][Fe2(C6H2Cl2S2)4], was synthesized and its crystal structure was solved. The ionic crystal contains a [Fe2(S2C6H2Cl2)4]2−dimeric anion and a [Na2(THF)4(μ-THF)(μ-DMF)2]2+cation, where THF is tetrahydrofuran and DMF is dimethylformamide, comprising two sodium atoms joined by one THF and two DMF molecules bridging through their O atoms. The five-coordinate environment of each Na site is completed by two terminal THF molecules. The asymmetric unit contains half a cationic unit (as the cation is placed on a twofold axis) and half an anion, as there is an inversion centre at the midpoint of the Fe—Fe vectors. The cationic and anionic moieties are linked by C—H...Cl and C—H...S interactions.
Piperidinium 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-5-ethoxycarbonyl-6-methylpyridine-2-thiolate
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Bakhite Etify A. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: April 2016

In the crystal of the title salt, C5H12N+·C16H12ClN2O2S−, the cation adopts a chair conformation, and N—H...N and N—H...S hydrogen bonds form chains of alternating cations and anions running parallel to thecaxis. The crystal structure contains a solvent-accessible void of 50 Å3, but no solvent molecule is located there.
Institutional adaptive capacities to promote Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to flooding in England
Authors: Huq Nazmul
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the inherent adaptive capacities of multilevel flood management institutions in England that are necessary to espouse the concept of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on an extensive assessment of flood management literature including European and English flood management policies, strategies, regulations and reports. First, an assessment protocol was developed from systematic literature search and, second, multilevel flood management policies and organizations were evaluated. A qualitative scoring method was applied at the assessment stage.

Findings

– The protocol included 18 major assessment criteria under seven EbA principles. Application of the protocol showed that English national flood policies showed comparatively greater adaptive capacities than European- and local-level policies and local organizations. Specialized flood management policies such as Catchment Flood Management Policies at the local level and European Policies such as flood directives are among the lowest-scoring policy institutions. It was also identified that there is an emerging trend of stakeholder participation, catchment-based approach and knowledge-based adaptation planning at the national level which potentially can be the entry points of wider-scale EbA implementation. This paper recommends proactive roles of local executive organizations through improving institutional communication, consideration of catchment-scale planning with clear adaptation goals and valuing local knowledge base.

Originality/value

– The research is important to identify the institutional aspects of adaptive capacity that require attention for promoting alternative adaptation measures such as EbA.
Beyond transmission
Authors: Akama Yoko , Cooper Vanessa , Mees Bernard
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and critique frameworks of communication in Australian bushfire management. Achieving bushfire preparedness is a complex process that centres on meaningful communication and relationships between fire emergency agencies and the residents at risk. However, the practice of bushfire communication in Australia might better be described as bricoleur-like, applying and adapting whatever is at hand from the broader media panoply, rather than involving a more deliberative and comprehensively planned approach to preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on different frameworks of communication, beyond the traditional transmission and power models, to establish alternative ways in which communication may take place in bushfire preparedness. It is built from coupling theoretical and social science approaches to communication and through interviews and fieldwork in four states across Australia. The aggregation of these data became the basis to examine how communication was taking place among these constituents.

Findings

Communication as transmission still remains dominant from the perspective where expertise is marshaled among fire agency specialists and disseminated to the public. Communication as power highlights that the persistence of the transmission process can reinforce power dynamics, diminishing empowerment, participation and capacity-building for change by the community. Recognising the importance for understanding audiences, communication as marketing pays closer attention to attitudes to influence behaviour. Finally, communication as community elaborates the conversational aspects of knowledge flow, through social networks, bringing a particular focus to bear on the greater need for community agency.

Originality/value

The authors put forward these frameworks as ways to analyse, critique and propose different ways that communication can, and does, occur, resulting in different kinds of interaction and impact. The authors argue that an awareness of such frameworks is significant in assisting the communities and fire authorities in bushfire preparedness.
Putting the Mr. Big technique back on trial: a re-examination of probative value and abuse of process through a scientific lens
Authors: Luther Kirk , Snook Brent
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– A recent Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruling resulted in stricter rules being placed on how police organizations can obtain confessions through a controversial undercover operation, known as the Mr. Big technique. The SCC placed the onus on prosecutors to demonstrate that the probative value of any Mr. Big derived confession outweighs its prejudicial effect, and that the police must refrain from an abuse of process (i.e. avoid overcoming the will of the accused to obtain a confession). The purpose of this paper is to determine whether a consideration of the social influence tactics present in the Mr. Big technique would deem Mr. Big confessions inadmissible.

Design/methodology/approach

– The social psychological literature related to the compliance and the six main principles of social influence (i.e. reciprocity, consistency, liking, social proof, authority, scarcity) was reviewed. The extent to which these social influence principles are arguably present in Mr. Big operations are discussed.

Findings

– Mr. Big operations, by their very nature, create unfavourable circumstances for the accused that are rife with psychological pressure to comply and ultimately confess. A consideration by the SCC of the social influence tactics used to elicit confessions – because such tactics sully the circumstances preceding confessions and verge on abuse of process – should lead to all Mr. Big operations being prohibited.

Practical implications

– Concerns regarding the level of compliance in the Mr. Big technique call into question how Mr. Big operations violate the guidelines set out by the SCC ruling. The findings from the current paper could have a potential impact of the admissibility of Mr. Big confessions, along with continued use of this controversial technique.

Originality/value

– The current paper represents the first in-depth analysis of the Mr. Big technique through a social psychological lens.
Question type and its effect on children
'
s maintenance and accuracy during courtroom testimony
Authors: Saykaly Christine , Crossman Angela , Morris Mary , Talwar Victoria
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of question type (open-ended, prompted, reverse order and chronological order recall) on children’s ability to maintain a truth or a lie in a two-part mock-courtroom study.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 96 children (M
age=131.00 months) between 9 and 12 years of age were asked to testify about an interaction with a research assistant the week prior. They were assigned to one of four conditions (true/false×assertion/denial).

Findings

– Results indicate that question type has an influence on children’s ability to maintain their condition. Results also indicate that regardless of question type, children have difficulty recalling information sequentially.

Practical implications

– Implications of the current research support the use of various question types, including increasing the cognitive load demands, when interviewing children.

Originality/value

– To date, this is the first study to investigate the use of reverse order questioning in a courtroom study with children.
Developing a professional identity in a new work environment: the views of defendant intermediaries working in the criminal courts
Authors: O'Mahony Brendan M. , Creaton Jane , Smith Kevin , Milne Rebecca
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to find out how intermediaries interpret their role working with vulnerable defendants at court.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study six intermediaries who have worked with defendants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview and the interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

– Intermediaries appeared to be trying to make sense of their developing identities as professionals in the courtroom and this theme is conceptualised through social identity complexity theory.

Practical implications

– Health and care professionals undertaking a new function in the criminal justice sector should receive training about the psychological processes underlying developing professional identities. Such training should reduce the cognitive load when they work in the new environment and failure to undertake this training may lead to less efficient practice. Gaining an understanding of their professional positioning within the court environment may assist with retention of intermediaries in this new role.

Originality/value

– This is the first published study where intermediaries have been interviewed about their experiences with defendants. Recommendations are made including the requirement for additional training for intermediaries to understand the underlying psychological processes and conflicts they may experience when working with defendant cases.
Deceiving suspects about the content of their alibis: consequences for truthful and untruthful suspects
Authors: Sauerland Melanie , Mehlkopf Svenja , Krix Alana C , Sagana Anna
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test how modifying one’s alibi statement interacts with exposure to deceptive interrogation techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 90 participants walked about a university building for 15 minutes and either stole an envelope from a staff pigeonhole (guilty condition) or put the envelope there along the way (innocent condition). Subsequently, participants were asked to provide an alibi for the past 15 minutes. Guilty and half of the innocent participants were instructed to omit that they had been in the vicinity of the pigeonholes. The rest of the innocent participants were asked to tell the truth. Several days later, participants were questioned about six statements taken from their alibis, three of which contained altered information.

Findings

– As expected, participants were largely blind to our alterations, with detection rates ranging from 1 to 36 percent. Contrary to cognitive load predictions, detection rates did not vary as a function of truthfulness. Rather, guilty participants were less likely to detect alterations than innocents.

Research limitations/implications

– Memory distrust and guilty suspects’ aim to keep a low profile might be possible explanations for these findings.

Practical implications

– It is recommended that law enforcement officers and other legal practitioners refrain from using deceptive interrogation techniques and such techniques that can cause inconsistencies in suspects’ reports. Researcher should make it their task to educate these professional groups about the natural occurrence of memory related, non-deceptive inconsistencies in successive statements.

Originality/value

– This research uses a new methodology to study the effect of deceptive interrogation techniques on both innocent and guilty suspects. The findings are relevant for legal practitioners and researchers.
Assessing remaining useful life of lubricant using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Kumar Manoj
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to check the actual life of lubricating oil.

Design/methodology/approach

– Present work aims to find the remaining useful life of the lubricant based on study of periodic deterioration of oil. Chronological samples of oil were selected from the dumper of a local open cast mine. The deterioration in oil was studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Findings

– The data obtained from FTIR spectroscopy was used in vector projection approach and analytical hierarchy process to evaluate the remaining useful life of the lubricating oil.

Originality/value

– FTIR spectra were used to study the periodic deterioration of oil. IR radiation with all frequencies in the range was passed through the sample. Radiations at certain frequency, depending upon the molecular structure of compounds in the sample were absorbed and rest was transmitted by the sample. A spectrum representing molecular absorption or transmission was obtained. Transmission spectra have been used in the study. Comparing the percent value of transmission peak of different chronological sample with that of fresh oil was used to represent the periodic degradation in oil.
Cleaning historical maintenance work order data for reliability analysis
Authors: Hodkiewicz Melinda , Ho Mark Tien-Wei
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify quality issues with using historical work order (WO) data from computerised maintenance management systems for reliability analysis; and develop an efficient and transparent process to correct these data quality issues to ensure data is fit for purpose in a timely manner.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper develops a rule-based approach to data cleansing and demonstrates the process on data for heavy mobile equipment from a number of organisations.

Findings

– Although historical WO records frequently contain missing or incorrect functional location, failure mode, maintenance action and WO status fields the authors demonstrate it is possible to make these records fit for purpose by using data in the freeform text fields; an understanding of the maintenance tactics and practices at the operation; and knowledge of where the asset is in its life cycle. The authors demonstrate that it is possible to have a repeatable and transparent process to deal with the data cleaning activities.

Originality/value

– How engineers deal with raw maintenance data and the decisions they make in order to produce a data set for reliability analysis is seldom discussed in detail. Assumptions and actions are often left undocumented. This paper describes typical data cleaning decisions we all have to make as a routine part of the analysis and presents a process to support the data cleaning decisions in a repeatable and transparent fashion.
Feature based building orientation optimization for additive manufacturing
Authors: Zhang Yicha , Bernard Alain , Gupta Ravi Kumar , Harik Ramy
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research work based on the authors’ conceptual framework reported in the VRAP Conference 2013. It is related with an efficient method to obtain an optimal part build orientation for additive manufacturing (AM) by using AM features with associated AM production knowledge and multi-attribute decision-making (MADM). The paper also emphasizes the importance of AM feature and the implied AM knowledge in AM process planning.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve the orientation problem in AM, two sub-tasks, the generation of a set of alternative orientations and the identification of an optimal one within the generated list, should be accomplished. In this paper, AM feature is defined and associated with AM production knowledge to be used for generating a set of alternative orientations. Key attributes for the decision-making of the orientation problem are then identified and used to represent those generated orientations. Finally, an integrated MADM model is adopted to find out the optimal orientation among the generated alternative orientations.

Findings

The proposed method to find out an optimal part build orientation for those parts with simple or medium complex geometric shapes is reasonable and efficient. It also has the potential to deal with more complex parts with cellular or porous structures in a short time by using high-performance computers.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method is a proof-of-concept. There is a need to investigate AM feature types and the association with related AM production knowledge further so as to suite the context of orientating parts with more complex geometric features. There are also research opportunities for developing more advanced algorithms to recognize AM features and generate alternative orientations and refine alternative orientations.

Originality/value

AM feature is defined and introduced to the orientation problem in AM for generating the alternative orientations. It is also used as one of the key attributes for decision-making so as to help express production requirements on specific geometric features of a desired part.
Rapid prototyping process selection using multi criteria decision making considering environmental criteria and its decision support system
Authors: KEK Vimal , S. Vinodh , P. Brajesh , R. Muralidharan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Rapid prototyping (RP) has been given focus during dynamic market conditions, as it largely helps to compress product development time. RP contains the potential to achieve environmentally friendlier operations. However, RP processes are not environmentally friendlier, as the possibilities of toxicological health and environmental risks while handling and disposing of raw material remain unresolved. This study aims to select environmentally friendlier processes without compromising required mechanical properties. Some of the RP processes considered in this study are selective laser sintering (SLS), stereo lithography apparatus (SLA), three-dimensional printing (3DP) and laser engineered net shaping (LENS).

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model comprising 25 criteria (both traditional and environmental) has been developed. An expert team was formed to evaluate the environmental performance of RP processes using the developed conceptual model. Analytic network process–technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution-based hybrid methodology has been adopted for this purpose. Further, to overcome ambiguity and subjectivity nature of judgment, fuzzy set concepts have been adopted. Finally, a decision support system has been developed using MATLAB software to mitigate the associated computational difficulty.

Findings

The detailed analysis of criterion weights revealed that the expert team has assigned higher importance to environmental criteria over traditional criteria. Based on environmental considerations, ranking has been generated as SLA-SLS-3DP-LENS.

Research limitations/implications

Only point-to-point and discrete fusion-based RP process have been considered in this study to demonstrate the developed conceptual model. Also, expert knowledge has been taken to rate some of the environmental criteria. In the near future, by conducting environmental studies, these criteria can be substituted with real data to improve accuracy of RP process selection.

Originality/value

Reported studies in RP process selection in literature were conducted considering mainly the various traditional criteria. In this study, the environmental criteria have also been considered along with traditional criteria. This study takes the initiative toward sustainability studies in RP processes. Also, detailed inferences have been derived and the results have been compared with the existing studies and this is the novel contribution of this study.