bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arbitrary amplitude dust-acoustic waves in four-component dusty plasma using non-extensive electrons and ions distributions-soliton solution
Authors: Abulwafa Essam M. , Elhanbaly Atalla M. , Mahmoud Abeer A. , Al-Araby Abd-alrahman F.
Published: January 2017

The four-component dusty plasma consisting of positive and negative dust species, electrons, and ions is considered for study. The fluid dynamics equations are applied to describe the motion of the two dust species. Both the electrons and ions are described by employing non-extensive distributions. The one-dimensional arbitrary amplitude of an electrostatic solitary structure has been studied using the Sagdeev pseudo-potential and phase-portrait approaches. In addition to the existence of either the compressive or rarefactive solitary wave, the analysis shows that these two types of waves coexist and propagate in the studied plasma model. Due to the complexity involved in the structure of Sagdeev pseudo-potential, a small amplitude approximation is considered. The corresponding potential diagrams and phase portrait are investigated and the analysis supports the existence of both compressive and rarefactive solitary waves in the considered plasma.
Electric field modulation of the non-linear areal magnetic anisotropy energy
Authors: Lau Yong-Chang , Sheng Peng , Mitani Seiji , Chiba Daichi , Hayashi Masamitsu
Published: January 2017

We study the ferromagnetic layer thickness dependence of the voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) in gated CoFeB/MgO heterostructures with heavy metal underlayers. When the effective CoFeB thickness is below ∼1 nm, the VCMA efficiency of Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures considerably decreases with decreasing CoFeB thickness. We find that a high order phenomenological term used to describe the thickness dependence of the areal magnetic anisotropy energy can also account for the change in the areal VCMA efficiency. In this structure, the higher order term competes against the common interfacial VCMA, thereby reducing the efficiency at lower CoFeB thickness. The areal VCMA efficiency does not saturate even when the effective CoFeB thickness exceeds ∼1 nm. We consider the higher order term is related to the strain that develops at the CoFeB/MgO interface: as the average strain of the CoFeB layer changes with its thickness, the electronic structure of the CoFeB/MgO interface varies, leading to changes in areal magnetic anisotropy energy and VCMA efficiency.
A finite element analysis of the effects of geometrical shape on the elastic properties of chemical vapor deposited diamond nanowire
Authors: Denu Garuma Abdisa , Liu Zongchen , Fu Jiao , Wang Hongxing
Published: January 2017

We report the effect of geometrical shape of diamond nanowire on its mechanical properties. Finite element modeling using COMSOL Multiphysics software is used to simulate various diamond nanowire with circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal and triangular cross-sections. A bending test under concentrated load applied at one of the free ends is simulated using FEM. The force response of the nanowire under different loading is studied for the various cross-sections. The dimensions of each cross-section is chosen so that material properties such as Young’s modulus can be kept constant for comparison in all the cross-sections. It is found out that the bending capability of a triangular nanowire is higher compared to other cross-sections due to its lowest second moment. Circular and hexagonal cross-section show highest stiffness. The study of mechanical property of diamond nanowires is useful for optimal nanomechanical designs where the effect of cross-section has to be taken into account.
Phase transition and piezoelectric properties of Nd3+ doped nonstoichiometric (K,Na)NbO3-based lead free ceramics
Authors: Xing Jie , Tan Zhi , Jiang Laiming , Wu Yangjie , Yue Yang , Chen Qiang , Wu Jiagang , Zhang Wen , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: January 2017

0.968[(K0.48Na0.52)]1-3xNdxNb0.95+ySb0.05O3-0.032(Bi0.5Na0.5)ZrO3[KNNdxNb0.95+yS-BNZ] lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared via conventional solid state technique for improving the piezoelectric properties. The influences of Nd3+ with excess Nb5+ on the phase structure, electrical properties, and temperature stability were investigated systematically. The rhombohedral-tetragonal phase boundary was observed in the ceramics with 0.001 ≤ x ≤ 0.004, y ≥ 0.01 at room temperature. Rietveld refinement is performed to explore the phase evolution in ceramics. There is a piezoelectric property enhancement in the ceramic with x = 0.001 y = 0.01: d33 = 414 pC/N, kp ∼ 48%, and TC ∼ 227 °C. All results suggest that KNNdxNb0.95+yS-BNZ ceramics developed in this study are expected to be suitable substitutes for lead-based ceramics.
Determination of accurate, mean bond lengths from radial distribution functions
Authors: Sukhomlinov Sergey V. , Müser Martin H.
Published: January 2017

The mean bond length d between a central atom and its nearest neighbors can be estimated from the position of the first peak in the radial distribution function g(r). However, as we demonstrate here, this estimate does not allow one to deduce temperature-induced changes in d. Instead, skewness has to be included into the analysis, which can be achieved, for example, via the skew normal distribution (SND). Fits to the first peak using the SND give bond length in good agreement with direct measurements of nearest-neighbor distribution functions in crystals as well as with a Voronoi-tessellation based detection of nearest-neighbors in liquids. While the location of the first peak in g(r) may shift to smaller values with increasing temperature for three studied liquids—argon, copper, and the bulk-metallic-glass (BMG) forming alloy Zr60Cu30Al10—we find our improved estimates of d to systematically increase with temperature in all cases. Recent conclusions on temperature-induced bond contractions in simple metallic or BMG-forming liquids may therefore have arisen from the neglect of skewness effects.
On radiating solitary waves in bi-layers with delamination and coupled Ostrovsky equations
Authors: Khusnutdinova K. R. , Tranter M. R.
Published: January 2017

We study the scattering of a long longitudinal radiating bulk strain solitary wave in the delaminated area of a two-layered elastic structure with soft (“imperfect”) bonding between the layers within the scope of the coupled Boussinesq equations. The direct numerical modelling of this and similar problems is challenging and has natural limitations. We develop a semi-analytical approach, based on the use of several matched asymptotic multiple-scale expansions and averaging with respect to the fast space variable, leading to the coupled Ostrovsky equations in bonded regions and uncoupled Korteweg-de Vries equations in the delaminated region. We show that the semi-analytical approach agrees well with direct numerical simulations and use it to study the nonlinear dynamics and scattering of the radiating solitary wave in a wide range of bi-layers with delamination. The results indicate that radiating solitary waves could help us to control the integrity of layered structures with imperfect interfaces.
Characterization of chicken interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-10
Authors: Okuzaki Yuya , Kidani Shunsuke , Kaneoka Hidenori , Iijima Shinji , Nishijima Ken-ichi
Published: January 2017

Interferon-inducible transmembrane protein (IFITM) family proteins are antivirus factors. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern of chicken IFITM10 using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In adult chickens, IFITM10 levels were markedly lower than those of IFITM3, which exhibits antivirus activity. On the other hand, IFITM10 was expressed in levels similar to those of IFITM3 in embryonic organs. Primordial germ cells in 2.5-d embryos expressed high levels of IFITM10, which gradually decreased with time. The interferon-α stimulation of embryonic fibroblast cells did not enhance the expression of IFITM10. The forced expression of IFITM10 slightly inhibited the infectivity of the VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vector. Furthermore, cell fusion was inhibited by IFITM10 when HeLa cells transfected with the VSV-G expression vector were treated with low pH buffer. Although it remains unclear whether IFITM10 inhibits viral infections under physiological conditions, these results suggest that chicken IFITM10 exhibits antivirus activity.
Tyramine and β-phenylethylamine, from fermented food products, as agonists for the human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (hTAAR1) in the stomach
Authors: Ohta Hiroto , Takebe Youhei , Murakami Yuka , Takahama Yusei , Morimura Shigeru
Published: January 2017

The aromatic amines tyramine and β-phenylethylamine are abundant in fermented foods. Recently, a family of human trace amine-associated receptors (hTAARs) was discovered that responds to these compounds. This study examined the expression of hTAAR genes in five human organs. Among them, the stomach expressed hTAAR1 and hTAAR9. Interestingly, more hTAAR1 was expressed in the pylorus than in the other stomach regions. The CRE-SEAP reporter assay revealed that only hTAAR1 functioned as a Gs-coupled receptor in response to tyramine and β-phenylethylamine stimulation. The β-phenylethylamine-mediated hTAAR1 activity could be potentiated using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. These data suggest that tyramine and β-phenylethylamine in fermented foods act at hTAAR1 as agonists in the pylorus of stomach.
Design of a fast echo matching algorithm to reduce crosstalk with Doppler shifts in ultrasonic ranging
Authors: Liu Lei , Guo Rui , Wu Jun-an
Published: January 2017

Crosstalk is a main factor for wrong distance measurement by ultrasonic sensors, and this problem becomes more difficult to deal with under Doppler effects. In this paper, crosstalk reduction with Doppler shifts on small platforms is focused on, and a fast echo matching algorithm (FEMA) is proposed on the basis of chaotic sequences and pulse coding technology, then verified through applying it to match practical echoes. Finally, we introduce how to select both better mapping methods for chaotic sequences, and algorithm parameters for higher achievable maximum of cross-correlation peaks. The results indicate the following: logistic mapping is preferred to generate good chaotic sequences, with high autocorrelation even when the length is very limited; FEMA can not only match echoes and calculate distance accurately with an error degree mostly below 5%, but also generates nearly the same calculation cost level for static or kinematic ranging, much lower than that by direct Doppler compensation (DDC) with the same frequency compensation step; The sensitivity to threshold value selection and performance of FEMA depend significantly on the achievable maximum of cross-correlation peaks, and a higher peak is preferred, which can be considered as a criterion for algorithm parameter optimization under practical conditions.
Ideal Site for Skin Temperature Probe Placement on Infants in the NICU
Authors: Joseph Rachel A. , Derstine Sarah , Killian Michaela
Published: January 2017

Background:

Maintaining normothermia and prevention of hypothermia are critical determinants of morbidity and mortality in infants. Noninvasive monitoring of skin temperature using skin temperature probes (STPs) has been a practice in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for decades. Incubators and radiant warmers use feedback mechanisms from the STP readings to determine the heat output to maintain normothermia. Placing the STP on an ideal site on the infant's body is essential for optimum servo control of the temperature. More importantly, where is the ideal site for the STP placement? Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) vary on information regarding the site and proper placement of the STPs. The literature is analyzed to identify evidence for the ideal STP placement on infants in NICUs.

Purpose:

To review the literature for evidence for ideal placement for skin temperature probe placement on an infant.

Search Strategy:

OVID/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane databases, and CPGs were searched to identify research, literature reviews, and guidelines for ideal sites for STP placement. Twenty documents were reviewed.

Results:

Guidelines vary in suggested sites for STP placement. The majority of the studies compared temperature measurement between abdomen and axilla. Although a Cochrane review found abdominal skin as an ideal site, other studies did not find any difference between axially and abdominal skin temperature measurements.

Implications for Practice and Research:

Placing the STP on an ideal site is essential for accurate and safe monitoring of skin temperature in infants. NICU nurses are uniquely positioned to undertake research to identify the ideal site for STP placement to guide safe practice and impact optimal neonatal outcome.
Negative Stress Examination Under Anesthesia Reliably Predicts Pelvic Ring Union Without Displacement
Authors: Whiting Paul S. , Auston Darryl , Avilucea Frank R. , Ross Daniel , Archdeacon Michael , Sciadini Marcus , Collinge Cory A. , Sagi Henry C. , Mir Hassan R.
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

To identify the negative predictive value of examination under anesthesia (EUA) for determining pelvic ring stability and union without further displacement.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Two academic Level 1 trauma centers.

Patients/Participants:

Thirty-four adult patients with closed pelvic ring injuries treated over a 5-year period.

Interventions:

Pelvic stress EUA.

Main Outcome Measures:

Pelvic ring union and pelvic ring displacement at final follow-up.

Results:

Thirty-four patients with closed pelvic ring injuries who underwent pelvic EUA during the study period and had a negative examination (indicating a stable pelvis) were identified. Mean age was 38 years (range 16–76), and 19 patients (55.9%) were male. Twenty-two patients (64.7%) had Young–Burgess lateral compression (LC)-1 injuries with complete sacral fractures, 4 patients (11.8%) had LC-2 injuries, and 8 patients (23.5%) had anteroposterior compression (APC)-1 injuries. Eight patients (23.5%) had associated injuries requiring restricted weight-bearing on one or both lower extremities and were excluded from the analysis. Immediate weight-bearing as tolerated was permitted bilaterally in the remaining 26 patients. Mean pelvic ring displacement at the time of injury was 3.8 mm (range 1–15 mm) for LC injuries and 9.1 mm (range 2–20 mm) for APC injuries. Patients were followed for a mean of 8 months (range 3–34 months). At final follow-up, mean displacement was 3.7 mm (range 0–17 mm) for LC injuries and 7.1 mm (range 2–19 mm) for APC injuries. Mean change in displacement from injury to union was −0.1 mm for LC injuries and −2.0 mm for APC injuries, indicating decreased pelvic ring displacement at union. All patients were able to tolerate full weight-bearing bilaterally with no pain, and there were no instances of delayed operative fixation after negative EUA.

Conclusions:

Negative pelvic EUA after closed pelvic ring injury accurately predicts pelvic stability and union without displacement after nonoperative treatment with full weight-bearing bilaterally. Unless otherwise dictated by associated injuries, immediate weight-bearing as tolerated seems safe in patients with pelvic ring injuries who have had a negative EUA.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Qualitative Analysis of Parental Observations on Quality of Life in Australian Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Murphy Nada , Epstein Amy , Leonard Helen , Davis Elise , Reddihough Dinah , Whitehouse Andrew , Jacoby Peter , Bourke Jenny , Williams Katrina , Downs Jenny
Published: January 2017

Objective:

There are many challenges to health, functioning, and participation for children with Down syndrome; yet, the quality-of-life (QOL) domains important for this group have never been clearly articulated. This study investigated parental observations to identify QOL domains in children with Down syndrome and determined whether domains differed between children and adolescents.

Methods:

The sample comprised 17 families whose child with Down syndrome was aged 6 to 18 years. Primary caregivers took part in semistructured telephone interviews to explore aspects of their child's life that were satisfying or challenging. Qualitative thematic analysis was implemented using a grounded theory framework to identify domains. The coded data set was divided into 2 groups (childhood and adolescence) at 3 age cut points to observe whether differences existed between the coded domains and domain elements: (1) 6 to 11 years with 12 to 18 years; (2) 6 to 13 years with 14 to 18 years; and (3) 6 to 15 years with 16 to 18 years.

Results:

Eleven domains were identified: physical health, behavior and emotion, personal value, communication, movement and physical activity, routines and predictability, independence and autonomy, social connectedness and relationships, variety of activities, nature and outdoors, and access to services. No differences in domains and domain elements were identified across childhood and adolescence.

Conclusion:

Our data form a preliminary framework from which to design investigations of the child's perspectives on life quality and suggest a range of necessary supports and services.
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum Central Nervous System Abscess and Bacteremia Following Head Trauma
Authors: Cortés-Penfield Nicolás , Kohli Anjali , Weatherhead Jill , El Sahly Hana
Published: January 2017

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum is an uncommon cause of pharyngitis with rash that occurs predominantly among adolescents and that has been only rarely implicated in severe or systemic infections. We report a case of subdural empyema and bacteremia due to A. haemolyticum in a female adolescent following physical assault with trauma to the head, which required neurosurgical intervention combined with prolonged antibiotic therapy. In addition, we describe the previous occurrences of A. haemolyticum culture positivity recorded over a 15-year period by the microbiology laboratories of the 2 large academic medical centers at which this patient received care and review the epidemiology, laboratory identification, and treatment of this unusual pathogen.
Challenges and opportunities to enhance global drug development in neonates
Authors: Smith Alexandra M. , Davis Jonathan M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

This study reviews the history of neonatal drug development, recent legislative efforts designed to facilitate the study of therapeutic agents in neonates, and future steps necessary to advance drug development.

Recent findings

Although many federal regulations have been introduced over the past 15 years to encourage pediatric and neonatal drug development, the majority of medications that are used in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in neonates. There are many challenges that investigators encounter in conducting neonatal clinical trials. The Critical Path Institute working in conjunction with the FDA has developed several consortia, including the International Neonatal Consortium and Pediatric Trials Consortium, to address these concerns and facilitate interactions of researchers, regulators, funding agencies, industry, and others across the globe to produce regulatory ready and high quality data for neonatal therapeutics.

Neonatal drug development is an area which deserves significant attention if we hope to continue to improve outcomes. With the help of international collaborations, it is possible to accelerate efficient and high quality neonatal research through multidisciplinary teams that share data, knowledge, and expertise to advance medical innovation and regulatory science.
Basal Ganglion Hemorrhage as Delayed Complication of Diethylene Glycol Ingestion
Authors: Gupta Avneesh , Diaz Francisco J. , Lal Anita , Sung Lokman , Aaron Cynthia K.
Published: January 2017

Diethylene glycol (DEG), an organic compound (HOCH2CH2)2O is a commonly used solvent. Mass poisoning outbreaks have been reported because of frequent contaminations. A PubMed search for diethylene resulted in 795 publications with 151 specifically discussing the toxicity. Of the 151 reported toxicity reviews/case reports, only 6 publications discussed the long-term neurological effects of diethylene toxicity. We report a fatal case of oral ingestion of DEG with complications from delayed toxicity. She died 7 days after the second admission. Autopsy disclosed a right basal ganglia hemorrhage within the brain and microscopic deposits of polarizable crystals into small cerebral blood vessels. Both kidneys illustrate tubular necrosis with scattered tubular deposition of polarizable calcium oxalate crystals. PubMed search leads to only 2 reported cases of basal ganglia hemorrhage (based on radiological findings) after ethylene glycol intoxication. Our case is the first reportable case of basal ganglia hemorrhage after DEG ingestion.
Prediction of Anastomotic Leakage After Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection in Male Rectal Cancer by Pelvic Measurement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Tsuruta Atsushi , Tashiro Jo , Ishii Toshimasa , Oka Yasuo , Suzuki Asami , Kondo Hiroka , Yamaguchi Shigeki
Published: January 2017

Objective:

Anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic low anterior resection in male rectal cancer patients with a narrow pelvis cannot be easily resolved. The objective of this study is to assess numerical information of narrow pelvis and to determine whether prediction of morbidity can be possible.

Methods:

Retrospective medical record review was performed. From July 2007 to January 2013, 43 consecutive male patients with low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection were divided into the anastomotic leakage–negative group and anastomotic leakage–positive group. Eleven anatomic parameters were measured from preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of pelvis and a new index called “pelvic index” was calculated.

Results:

The pelvic index (difference between the interspinous distance and the diameter of the mesorectum divided by the depth of the cavity of the lesser pelvis) in the leakage-positive group was significantly smaller than that in the negative group (P=0.038). Comparison between those 2 groups at the border of the cut-off value of the pelvic index (13.0) showed a significant difference.

Conclusions:

Preoperative assessment by the pelvic index can predict the narrow pelvis and risk of anastomotic leakage.
Ancient antagonism between CELF and RBFOX families tunes mRNA splicing outcomes
Authors: Gazzara Matthew R , Mallory Michael J. , Roytenberg Renat , Lindberg John , Jha Anupama , Lynch Kristen W. , Barash Yoseph
Published: January 2017

Over 95% of human multi-exon genes undergo alternative splicing, a process important in normal development and often dysregulated in disease. We sought to analyze the global splicing regulatory network of CELF2 in human T cells, a well-studied splicing regulator critical to T cell development and function. By integrating high-throughput sequencing data for binding and splicing quantification with sequence features and probabilistic splicing code models, we find evidence of splicing antagonism between CELF2 and the RBFOX family of splicing factors. We validate this functional antagonism through knockdown and overexpression experiments in human cells and find CELF2 represses RBFOX2 mRNA and protein levels. Because both families of proteins have been implicated in the development and maintenance of neuronal, muscle, and heart tissues, we analyzed publicly available data in these systems. Our analysis suggests global, antagonistic co-regulation of splicing by the CELF and RBFOX proteins in mouse muscle and heart in several physiologically relevant targets including proteins involved in calcium signaling and members of the MEF2 family of transcription factors. Importantly, a number of these co-regulated events are aberrantly spliced in mouse models and human patients with diseases that affect these tissues including heart failure, diabetes, or myotonic dystrophy. Finally, analysis of exons regulated by ancient CELF family homologs in chicken, andDrosophilasuggests this antagonism is conserved through evolution.
SF3B1/Hsh155 HEAT motif mutations affect interaction with the spliceosomal ATPase Prp5, resulting in altered branch site selectivity in pre-mRNA splicing
Authors: Tang Qing , Rodriguez-Santiago Susana , Wang Jing , Pu Jia , Yuste Andrea , Gupta Varun , Moldón Alberto , Xu Yong-Zhen , Query Charles C.
Published: January 2017

Mutations in the U2 snRNP component SF3B1 are prominent in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and other cancers and have been shown recently to alter branch site (BS) or 3′ splice site selection in splicing. However, the molecular mechanism of altered splicing is not known. We show here that hsh155 mutant alleles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, counterparts of SF3B1 mutations frequently found in cancers, specifically change splicing of suboptimal BS pre-mRNA substrates. We found that Hsh155p interacts directly with Prp5p, the first ATPase that acts during spliceosome assembly, and localized the interacting regions to HEAT (Huntingtin, EF3, PP2A, and TOR1) motifs in SF3B1 associated with disease mutations. Furthermore, we show that mutations in these motifs from both human disease and yeast genetic screens alter the physical interaction with Prp5p, alter branch region specification, and phenocopy mutations in Prp5p. These and other data demonstrate that mutations in Hsh155p and Prp5p alter splicing because they change the direct physical interaction between Hsh155p and Prp5p. This altered physical interaction results in altered loading (i.e., “fidelity”) of the BS–U2 duplex into the SF3B complex during prespliceosome formation. These results provide a mechanistic framework to explain the consequences of intron recognition and splicing of SF3B1 mutations found in disease.
Planarversusnon-planar: The important role of weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure of 5-methylsalicylaldehyde
Authors: Baisch Ulrich , Scicluna Marie Christine , Näther Christian , Vella-Zarb Liana
Published: January 2017

The crystal structure of 5-methylsalicylaldehyde (5-MSA; systematic name 2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde), C8H8O2, was discovered to be a textbook example of the drastic structural changes caused by just a few weak C—H...O interactions due to the additional methylation of the aromatic ring compared to salicylaldehydeSA. This weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding is observed between aromatic or methyl carbon donor atoms and hydroxyl or aldehyde acceptor oxygen atoms withd(D...A) = 3.4801 (18) and 3.499 (11) Å. The molecule shows a distorted geometry of the aromatic ring with elongated bonds in the vicinity of substituted aldehyde and hydroxyl carbon atoms. The methyl hydrogen atoms are disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies of 0.69 (2) and 0.31 (2).
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of ethyl 2-{[4-ethyl-5-(quinolin-8-yloxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]sulfanyl}acetate
Authors: Bahoussi Rawia Imane , Djafri Ahmed , Chouaih Abdelkader , Djafri Ayada , Hamzaoui Fodil
Published: January 2017

In the title compound, C18H20N4O3S, the 1,2,4-triazole ring is twisted with respect to the mean plane of quinoline moiety at 65.24 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming the three-dimensional supramolecular packing. π–π stacking between the quinoline ring systems of neighbouring molecules is also observed, the centroid-to-centroid distance being 3.6169 (6) Å. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analyses were performed.
1-Allyl-3′-phenyl-6′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-isoxazolo[4′,5′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine]-2,5′,7′(8′H,9′H)-trione dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate
Authors: Seethalakshmi P. , Palanivel C.
Published: January 2017

In the title solvated compound, C24H17N5O4·C2H6OS, the solvent molecule, dimethyl sulfoxide, is linked to the title molecule by an N—H...O hydrogen bond. The pyridine ring adopts a twist-boat conformation. The isoxazole ring is inclined to the indoline ring system, the pyrimidine ring, and the phenyl ring by 82.31 (7), 10.41 (8) and 53.77 (10)°, respectively. There is an intramolecular C—H...π interaction present involving the phenyl ring and the indoline ring system. In the crystal, molecules are connected by two pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b-axis direction, and enclosing R
2
2(8) and R
2
2(14) ring motifs. The chains are linked by C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds and offset π–π interactions, between the pyrimidine and isoxazole rings of inversion-related molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7140 (9) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure.
3-Phenylisoxazolin-5-one: a redetermination
Authors: Essaghouani Abdelhanine , Boulhaoua Mohammed , El Ouasif Latifa , Sebbar Nada Kheira , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: January 2017

The structure of the title molecule, C9H7NO2, has been redetermined to improved precision and the H atoms located [Cannas et al. (1969). Acta Cryst. B25, 1050]. The five-membered ring is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.006 Å) and subtends a dihedral angle of 2.45 (6)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules form ribbons running parallel to the a-axis direction through a combination of C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds. `Stair-step' offset π–π stacking interactions are also observed.
1-Benzyl-2-benzylsulfanyl-4,4-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one
Authors: Akrad Rachida , Mague Joel T , Guerrab Walid , Taoufik Jamal , Ansar Mhamed , Ramli Youssef
Published: January 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C29H24N2OS, consists of two independent molecules having markedly different orientations of the substituents on the central imidazole ring. Apart from a weak C—H...S hydrogen bond, the intermolecular interactions in the crystal are all of the C—H...π(ring) type and form a three-dimensional network. One of the phenyl rings is disordered over two sets of sites in 0.713 (9): 0.287 (9) ratio.
trans-Acetyldicarbonyl(η5-cyclopentadienyl)[tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphane-κP]molybdenum(II)
Authors: Whited Matthew T. , Ruffer Eli J. , Zhang Jia , Rabaey Dominique J. , Janzen Daron E.
Published: January 2017

The title compound, [Mo(C5H5)(C2H3O)(C24H27P)(CO)2], was prepared by reaction of [Mo(C5H5)(CO)3(CH3)] with tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphane. The complex exhibits a four-legged piano-stool geometry with trans-disposed acetyl and phosphane ligands. The molecular geometry is nearly identical to that of the triphenylphosphane derivative, but introduction of methyl groups on the aromatic phosphane substituents significantly impacts supramolecular organization. In the crystal, non-classical C—H...O interactions involving the acetyl carbonyl group lead to a chain motif along [010], and another set of C—H...O close contacts join inversion-related molecules.
Lift offset: an analytical insight
Authors: Rand Omri , Khromov Vladimir
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present an analytical insight into the effect known as lift offset. This effect may be of advantage in terms of power consumption when configurations that consists of two main rotors (coaxial, tandem, etc.) are operated at high speed forward flight. Fundamentally, each of the main rotors is producing a roll moment in opposite direction that is overall canceled to allow trim. The first-order phenomena of lift offset are therefore related to the load distribution over each rotor and may be analyzed independently of the interaction between the rotors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using simple analytical model, this paper analytically and explicitly evaluates the lift offset effect. It also demonstrates in a closed analytical form the various phenomena involved, including the optimal values obtained.

Findings

The paper shows that the main effect of lift offset is its influence on the lift coefficient distribution over the disk. It is also demonstrated that lift offset substantially reduces both the average and the azimuthal variation of the lift coefficient.

Originality/value

Comparison with numerical predictions shows adequate correlation. Overall, the insight provided may be use as a guideline for advance design of rotorcraft configurations of coaxial/tandem rotor systems.
Superior economic performance in developed and developing countries
Authors: Ruiz Sandra , Arvate Paulo , Xavier Wlamir
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The extant literature on emerging economies states that the development of the institutional context contributes to the creation of hypercompetitive conditions. The purpose of this paper is to test this assertion by using data from both developing and developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a probit model, Kolmogorov Smirnov tests and propensity score matching to determine the difference in persistent superior economic performance. Panel data from 600 firms in 26 different countries were used for the period from 1995 to 2011.

Findings

The empirical results support the proposition that there is a significant difference in superior economic performance and persistent superior economic performance sustainability between firms in developed and developing countries.

Originality/value

This study contributes by fostering other theories related to competitive advantages and giving special emphasis to the comparison between developed and developing countries.
The influence of culture on real earnings management
Authors: Pacheco Paredes Angel Arturo , Wheatley Clark
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend prior literature regarding the interrelationships between national culture and accounting practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Hofstede’s (1980) cultural indices, the authors employ hierarchical linear modeling to examine the impact of economic growth (emerging markets), country, and culture on real earnings management (REM) for a sample of firms from 31 countries.

Findings

The results reveal a negative association between REM and Hofstede’s (1980) measures of individualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance, but a positive association with power distance. These results hold even after controlling for discretionary accruals. The results further reveal that measures of investor protection are subsumed by culture.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited by the use of Hofstede’s (1980) data. There is, however, a significant body of research that continues to rely on and support the use of Hofstede’s model.

Practical implications

The results should be of significant importance to investors who should consider cultural characteristics when assessing firm reported performance, and should prompt auditors and regulators to apply greater scrutiny to the financial reports in cultures characterized by high levels of power distance, especially given the apparent tradeoffs between accruals and REM.

Social implications

The results reveal that status as an emerging market does not influence managers’ use of REM, and that the strength of a country’s investor protection mechanisms are subsumed by culture. Similarly, accounting systems (e.g. International Financial Reporting Standards), by themselves, do not bring about a convergence of managerial behavior. Rather, investors should consider culture when making decisions regarding capital allocation.

Originality/value

The increasing trend toward economic globalization and accounting harmonization makes the understanding of differences in accounting practices, and the possible impact of national culture on manager’s decisions, more important than ever. This research links REM to cultural values and tests for evidence that national culture, values, and structures of investor protection affect REM in the ways they affect managers’ attitudes toward the management of earnings through accruals.
The data-driven analytics for investigating cargo loss in logistics systems
Authors: Wu Pei-Ju , Chen Mu-Chen , Tsau Chih-Kai
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Cargo loss has been a major issue in logistics management. However, few studies have tackled the issue of cargo loss severity via business analytics. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide guidance about how to retrieve valuable information from logistics data and to develop cargo loss mitigation strategies for logistics risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a research design of business analytics to scrutinize the causes of cargo loss severity.

Findings

The empirical results of the decision tree analytics reveal that transit types, product categories, and shipping destinations are key factors behind cargo loss severity. Furthermore, strategies for cargo loss prevention were developed.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework of cargo loss analytics provides a research foundation for logistics risk management.

Practical implications

Companies with logistics data can utilize the proposed business analytics to identify cargo loss factors, while companies without logistics data can employ the proposed cargo loss mitigation strategies in their logistics systems.

Originality/value

This pioneer empirical study scrutinizes the critical cargo loss issues of cargo damage, cargo theft, and cargo liability insurance through exploiting real cargo loss data.
Supply chain 2.0 revisited: a framework for managing volatility-induced risk in the supply chain
Authors: Christopher Martin , Holweg Matthias
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to the Supply Chain Volatility Index (SCVI), and expand on prior work by presenting a conceptual framework illustrating how firms can deal with persistent volatility, the ensuing risk and mitigate the cost implications for their supply chain operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use long-term time series of secondary data to assemble a “basket” of key indicators that are relevant to the business context within which global supply chains operate. The authors also report on five years of feedback gained from presentations of the SCVI to scholars and practitioners.

Findings

Volatility has reduced from record levels experienced during the global financial crises, yet remains at levels considerably higher than prior to the crisis, with no sign of a return to the more stable conditions that prevailed when many current supply chain networks were designed.

Research limitations/implications

The authors reaffirm that new mental models are needed which embrace volatility as a factor in supply chain design, rather than seek to eradicate it in supply chain operations. Traditional static “network optimisation” based on a simple definition of low unit cost seems no longer appropriate under conditions of persistent volatility.

Practical implications

The authors provide a conceptual link of volatility, risk and cost in the supply chain, and outline how firms can develop a supply chain strategy by managing their exposure to volatility.

Originality/value

The authors challenge the common assumption that volatility invariably leads to risk and higher cost in the supply chain. Instead the authors argue that the supply chain structure can mitigate the exposure to supply chain risk. The authors introduce the concepts of recovery and resilience cost within a framework designed to help firms manage volatility-induced risk by minimising the adverse cost implications of volatility in their supply chains.
Do high workload and job insecurity predict workplace bullying after organizational change?
Authors: Spagnoli Paola , Balducci Cristian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Organizational change eliciting negative outcomes might play a role in the development of workplace bullying. The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and the interaction effect of two particular negative outcomes of organizational change, such as high workload and job insecurity, on workplace bullying.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants in the study were 134 Italian workers who had just experienced an organizational change. A multiple regression analysis, using the stepwise method, was conducted to test for whether workload, job insecurity, and their interactions predicted workplace bullying.

Findings

Results show that high level of workload is related to workplace bullying; job insecurity is not directly related to workplace bullying; the interaction between high workload and job insecurity enhanced the risk for workplace bullying. In particular, when the level of job insecurity is high there is a stronger relationship between workload and bullying, compared to when the level of job insecurity is low.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design applied does not allow inference on the causal relationships between the predictors and outcomes.

Practical implications

In order to decrease the occurrence of bullying, managers should avoid that employees experience high workload after organizational change by carefully designing the reengineering process. Additionally, they should try to reduce, as far as possible, employee perceptions of job insecurity.

Originality/value

The focus of the study is on the “survivors” after organizational change and on particular interaction of workplace bullying’s causes that could extremely enhance the risk of the phenomena.
Factors influencing compliance level with AAOIFI financial accounting standards by Islamic banks
Authors: Mnif Sellami Yosra , Tahari Marwa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the compliance level of Islamic banks with disclosure accounting standards in some Middle East and North African countries, and most importantly to analyse the factors associated with compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a self-constructed checklist of 203 items to measure the compliance of 38 Islamic banks with disclosure accounting standards during the 2011-2013 period. A multivariate regression analysis is used to determine significant factors influencing the extent of this compliance.

Findings

The results show a wide variation in compliance levels among the disclosure accounting standards and reveal that compliance is positively related to the listing status, the existence of an audit committee, the bank’s age and the country of domicile.

Research limitations/implications

This study analyses the compliance level with only disclosure accounting standards. It remains to future research to examine compliance with all Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions’ Financial Accounting Standards (AAOIFI FAS). Moreover, the explanatory power of the model remains modest. This connotes the existence of omitted variables that could be explored in future research.

Practical implications

The research contributes to the international financial accounting literature about the banking industry. The results are relevant for researchers, accounting professionals, stakeholders, standard-setters and regulatory bodies that are concerned with Islamic banks’ disclosures.

Originality/value

Although AAOIFI was established since 1991, very few empirical studies about compliance with the FAS have been undertaken. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies that investigated the determinants of compliance level with AAOIFI FAS. Then, this study concentrates on disclosure accounting standards (FAS 1 and FAS 5) with a high risk of non-compliance.
Audit committees and financial reporting quality
Authors: Al-Shaer Habiba , Salama Aly , Toms Steven
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of the volume of environmental disclosures and their quality, with particular focus on the role of audit committees (ACs) and the effects of the Smith report recommendations for the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative large sample analysis of UK FTSE350 companies for the period 2007-2011.

Findings

Firms with higher quality ACs make higher quality disclosures. Larger firms with block shareholders have greater volume of disclosures, whilst AC quality does not increase disclosure volume.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on evidence from single country and imply further international comparative research.

Practical implications

ACs mitigate the requirement for prescriptive legislation on narrative accounting disclosures relating to environmental issues.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to research that has examined the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms, specifically ACs, and the quality of financial reporting by considering voluntary narrative disclosures on environmental matters.
Creating business value through corporate communication
Authors: Zerfass Ansgar , Viertmann Christine
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a multi-step research project which explores concepts that explain communication value across different disciplines and builds a framework that identifies and systematizes communication goals linked to generic corporate goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review of work on value creation through communication, drawn from 815 publications in 36 international journals across several disciplines (public relations, marketing, management, etc.) and published from the year 2000 onward, the authors have developed a framework, named “Communication Value Circle.” The application of the framework was discussed with chief communication officers from global companies and was used during a communication alignment process in a global healthcare company.

Findings

Empirical surveys across several continents show that communication professionals use a multitude of rationales to explain the value of their work to top executives. These range from building reputation, brands and identity, to gaining thought leadership, boosting sales, motivating employees, preventing crises and listening to stakeholders. The researchers have identified four major value dimensions of communication (enabling operations, building intangibles, adjusting strategy, and ensuring flexibility). The framework encompasses 12 specific goals for communication that can be derived from corporate strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The framework stimulates the debate on the diverse concepts of communication value, performance and measurement, and the need to integrate those approaches into theory and practice. Additional qualitative studies to verify the framework are proposed.

Practical implications

The communication value circle can be used as a management tool for planning, evaluating, and revising strategic directions for communication in any corporation.

Originality/value

Explaining the value of communication continues to be one of the most important challenges for professionals and scholars alike. This paper proposes a consistent explanation for the theory and practice of what constitutes corporate communication.