bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative trend analysis of annual and seasonal rainfall and extreme values in Shaanxi, China, since the 1950s
Authors: Wu Hao , Qian Hui
Published: August 2016

Rainfall is a primary component of the water cycle, and its variability is associated with drought and flood events. This study investigates the trends in annual and seasonal rainfall at 14 rainfall stations in Shaanxi Province, China, using an innovative trend analysis (ITA), Mann–Kendall test and linear regression analysis. Moreover, using ITA, annual rainfall is analysed for different rainfall intensities, and seasonal rainfall is analysed for extreme values. The results show non‐uniform trends in rainfall intensities on a regional and seasonal scale. Annual rainfall shows a significant decreasing trend in the Wei River Basin and north of the Loess Plateau. Overall, the trend is reinforced with the increase of rainfall intensity. A few stations show significant trends in seasonal rainfall. Spring rainfall is the major contributor to the decline in annual rainfall. Heavy rainfall (more than 90th percentile) in summer exhibits a marked downward trend mainly in the basin, which makes it possible for flooding to abate along the Wei River. Light rainfall (less than 10th percentile) shows a prevailing increasing trend in summer, but a decreasing trend in other seasons. From north to south, the seasonal trends become clearer and stronger. In terms of management, more attention should be paid to autumn droughts in the Wei River Basin. A quantitative measurement of a trend for ITA is proposed. Comparison of the three methods endorses the ITA method. Moreover, the ITA shows many advantages, such as graphical results and for observing sub‐trends. It is hoped that this study can provide support for water resources planning, for coping with droughts and floods and for future development of the ITA method.
Validation of topsoil texture derived from agricultural soil maps by current dense soil sampling
Authors: Stępień Michał , Gozdowski Dariusz , Samborski Stanisław , Dobers Eike Stefan , Szatyłowicz Jan , Chormański Jarosław
Published: August 2016

Agricultural soil maps were created to facilitate the management of fields. Such maps, at very large scale (1:5000), cover almost the entire agricultural land in Poland. These maps can be very useful for precision field management. However, they were prepared about 40–50 years ago using old mapping techniques with mainly field (organoleptic) examination of soil. For this reason it is necessary to verify agreement between such maps with the current soil status. In the case of detection of disagreements it is important to identify the causes and propose methods for improving soil maps. Only few studies were made in this aspect. The soil texture (ST) of the upper layer, as presented on the agricultural soil maps from the 1960s and 1970s, was compared with the actual ST of the same four fields in northern and central Poland. For laboratory ST determination, soil samples were collected in a dense sampling network. On average, the agreement of the ST presented on the agricultural soil maps and determined in this study was classified as medium for three fields and good for one field. However, the presence of field areas with poor agreement between the ST determined in this study and that shown on the agricultural maps was detected in all investigated fields. Identified causes for this comprised imprecision of ST determination using the organoleptic method, the generalization of the soil quality maps, and erosion processes during the years between soil mapping and this investigation. The improvement of ST presentation on the large scale soil maps might be achieved by quite denser soil sampling for ST analysis supported by ECa, yield and NDVI maps.
Neural Correlates of Trait Rumination During an Emotion Interference Task in Women With PTSD
Authors: Buchholz Katherine R. , Bruce Steven E. , Koucky Ellen M. , Artime Tiffany M. , Wojtalik Jessica A. , Brown Wilson J. , Sheline Yvette I.
Published: August 2016

Rumination, defined as repetitive, negative, self‐focused thinking, is hypothesized to be a transdiagnostic factor that is associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Theory has suggested that in individuals with PTSD, rumination serves as a cognitive avoidance factor that contributes to the maintenance of symptoms by inhibiting the cognitive and emotional processing of the traumatic event, subsequently interfering with treatment engagement and outcome. Little is known about the neural correlates of rumination in women with PTSD. The current study utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine neural correlates during an emotion interference task of self‐reported rumination in women with PTSD. Women with PTSD (39 participants) were recruited at a university‐based trauma clinic and completed a clinical evaluation that included measures of PTSD symptoms, rumination, and depressive symptoms, as well as a neuroimaging session in which the participants were administered an emotion interference task. There was a significant relationship between self‐reported rumination and activity in the right orbital frontal cortex, BA 11; t(37) = 5.62, p = .004, k = 46 during the task. This finding suggested that women with PTSD, who had higher levels of rumination, may experience greater difficulty inhibiting negative emotional stimuli compared to women with lower levels of rumination.
Predictive Models for the Free Energy of Hydrogen Bonded Complexes with Single and Cooperative Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Glavatskikh Marta , Madzhidov Timur , Solov'ev Vitaly , Marcou Gilles , Horvath Dragos , Varnek Alexandre
Published: August 2016

In this work, we report QSPR modeling of the free energy ΔG of 1 : 1 hydrogen bond complexes of different H‐bond acceptors and donors. The modeling was performed on a large and structurally diverse set of 3373 complexes featuring a single hydrogen bond, for which ΔG was measured at 298 K in CCl4. The models were prepared using Support Vector Machine and Multiple Linear Regression, with ISIDA fragment descriptors. The marked atoms strategy was applied at fragmentation stage, in order to capture the location of H‐bond donor and acceptor centers. Different strategies of model validation have been suggested, including the targeted omission of individual H‐bond acceptors and donors from the training set, in order to check whether the predictive ability of the model is not limited to the interpolation of H‐bond strength between two already encountered partners. Successfully cross‐validating individual models were combined into a consensus model, and challenged to predict external test sets of 629 and 12 complexes, in which donor and acceptor formed single and cooperative H‐bonds, respectively. In all cases, SVM models outperform MLR. The SVM consensus model performs well both in 3‐fold cross‐validation (RMSE=1.50 kJ/mol), and on the external test sets containing complexes with single (RMSE=3.20 kJ/mol) and cooperative H‐bonds (RMSE=1.63 kJ/mol).
Gradient‐based solvent suppression methods on a benchtop spectrometer
Authors: Gouilleux Boris , Charrier Benoît , Akoka Serge , Giraudeau Patrick
Published: August 2016

Benchtop NMR emerges as an appealing alternative to widely extend the scope of NMR spectroscopy in harsh environments and for on‐line monitoring. Obviously, the use of low‐field magnets induces a dramatic reduction of the spectral resolution leading to frequent peak overlaps. This issue is even more serious because applications such as chemical process monitoring involve the use of non‐deuterated solvents, leading to intense and broad peaks overlapping with the signals of interest. In this article, we highlight the need for efficient suppression methods compatible with flowing samples, which is not the case of the common pre‐saturation approaches. Thanks to a gradient coil included in our benchtop spectrometer, we were able to implement modern and efficient solvent suppression blocks such as WET or excitation sculpting to deliver quantitative spectra in the conditions of the on‐line monitoring. While these methods are commonly used at high field, this is the first time that they are investigated on a benchtop setting. Their analytical performance is evaluated and compared under static and on‐flow conditions. The results demonstrate the superiority of gradient‐based methods, thus highlighting the relevance of implementing this device on benchtop spectrometers. The comparison of major solvent suppression methods reveals an optimum performance for the WET‐180‐NOESY experiment, both under static and on‐flow conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective head motion correction using FID‐guided on‐demand image navigators
Authors: Waszak Maryna , Falkovskiy Pavel , Hilbert Tom , Bonnier Guillaume , Maréchal Bénédicte , Meuli Reto , Gruetter Rolf , Kober Tobias , Krueger Gunnar
Published: August 2016

Purpose

We suggest a motion correction concept that employs free‐induction‐decay (FID) navigator signals to continuously monitor motion and to guide the acquisition of image navigators for prospective motion correction following motion detection.

Methods

Motion causes out‐of‐range signal changes in FID time series that, and in this approach, initiate the acquisition of an image navigator. Co‐registration of the image navigator to a reference provides rigid‐body‐motion parameters to facilitate prospective motion correction. Both FID and image navigator are integrated into a prototype magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient‐echo (MPRAGE) sequence. The performance of the method is investigated using image quality metrics and the consistency of brain volume measurements.

Results

Ten healthy subjects were scanned (a) while performing head movements (nodding, shaking, and moving in z‐direction) and (b) to assess the co‐registration performance. Mean absolute errors of 0.27 ± 0.38 mm and 0.19 ± 0.24° for translation and rotation parameters were measured. Image quality was qualitatively improved after correction. Significant improvements were observed in automated image quality measures and for most quantitative brain volume computations after correction.

Conclusion

The presented method provides high sensitivity to detect head motion while minimizing the time invested in acquiring navigator images. Limits of this implementation arise from temporal resolution to detect motion, false‐positive alarms, and registration accuracy. Magn Reson Med 78:193–203, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Suitable reference tissues for quantitative susceptibility mapping of the brain
Authors: Straub Sina , Schneider Till M. , Emmerich Julian , Freitag Martin T. , Ziener Christian H. , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Laun Frederik B.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Since quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) quantifies magnetic susceptibility relative to a reference value, a suitable reference tissue has to be available to compare different subjects and stages of disease.

Methods

To find such a suitable reference tissue for QSM of the brain, melanoma patients with and without brain metastases were measured. Twelve reference regions were chosen and assessed for stability of susceptibility values with respect to multiple intra‐individual and inter‐individual measurements, age, and stage of disease.

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the internal capsule and one region in the splenium of the corpus callosum are the regions with the smallest standard deviations of the mean susceptibility value. The mean susceptibility is 0.010 ± 0.014 ppm for CSF in the atrium of the lateral ventricles (csfpost), −0.060 ± 0.019 ppm for the posterior limb of the internal capsule (ci2), and −0.008 ± 0.019 ppm for the splenium of the corpus callosum. csfpost and ci2 show nearly no dependence on age or stage of disease, whereas some other regions, e.g., the red nucleus, show moderate dependence on age or disease.

Conclusion

The internal capsule and CSF appear to be the most suitable reference regions for QSM of the brain in the melanoma patients studied. Both showed virtually no dependence on age or disease and small variations among patients. Magn Reson Med 78:204–214, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Delivery of Small Genetic Molecules through Hollow Porous Nanoparticles Silences Target Gene and in Turn Stimulates Osteoblastic Differentiation
Authors: Kim Jung‐Ju , Singh Rajendra K. , Patel Kapil D. , Kim Hae‐Won
Published: August 2016

Nanocarriers are one of the key elements to improve the therapeutic potential of signaling molecules, including genes for the disease treatment and tissue repair. Here, a nanocarrier system is reported that delivers genetic molecule small interference RNA (siRNA) for osteoblastic stimulation. For this, a hollow form of mesoporous silica nanoshell (MSns) is designed to load and release siRNA to silence Plekho‐1 gene. In particular, a pressure‐induced loading method is effective in enhancing the incorporation of siRNA within a hollow space; a loading level attained ≈30% is almost three times higher than that of a non‐hollow form. Furthermore, the release of siRNA from the nanocarriers is highly sustainable; continued over 18 d in a diffusion‐controlled manner, in striking contrast to the rapid release (3 d) from a non‐hollow form. The nanocarriers exhibit excellent cell viability, and the siRNA‐nanocarrier complexes are efficiently internalized to osteoblastic cells (uptake level over 90%). The intracellular delivery suppresses the target gene Plekho‐1 expression down to 20%, which in turn up‐regulates the expression of osteoblast transcriptional factors (Runx2 and Smad2), demonstrating an effective gene delivery system for bone repair.
Tumor Volume and Clinical Failure in High‐Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Castiglione Fabio , Dell'Oglio Paolo , Tosco Lorenzo , Everaerts Wouter , Albersen Maarten , Hakim Lukman , Van den Broeck Thomas , Moris Lisa , Claessens Frank , Briganti Alberto , Montorsi Francesco , Van Poppel Hein , Joniau Steven ,   European Multicenter Prostate Cancer Clinical and Translational Research Group (EMPaCT)
Published: August 2016

INTRODUCTION

To identify the most significant cut‐off of tumor volume (TV) for prediction of clinical failure (CF) among high‐risk prostate cancer (hPCa) patients.

METHODS

Within a multi‐institutional cohort, 262 patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) for hPCa were identified. CF was defined as local recurrence or distant metastases. A time dependent ROC curve was used to evaluate the area under the curve (AUC) using TV as single marker to predict clinical failure at 10 years. We searched for the TV cut off value with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity predicting CF. Three multivariable Cox regression analyses (MVA) tested the predictors of CF after RP. Predictors of the model 1 were pre‐operative PSA, pathologic stage (PT), pathologic Gleason sum (GS), surgical margin status, and lymph node invasion. Predictors of the models 2 and 3 were the same of model 1 plus TV as a continuous or dichotomous variable using the defined cutoff, respectively. Validation (leave‐one‐out‐cross‐validation‐LOOCV) of each model was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 46 (17.6%) patients experienced CF. The TV value was 6.29 ml. In MVA of models 2 and 3, PT and GS remained independent predictors of CF. Moreover, in model 2 TV (HR:1.07,) and in model 3 TV >6.29 ml (HR:2.99,) were independently associated with CF. In LOOCV, the C‐index of models 1–3 were 65.53%, 71.75%, and 70.26%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

TV is an independent predictor of CF in hPCa patients. Patients with a TV exceeding the cut‐off of 6.29 ml are more likely to develop CF. Prostate 77:3–9, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparing Sequencing of Abiraterone and Enzalutamide in Men With Metastatic Castration‐Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Maughan Benjamin L. , Luber Brandon , Nadal Rosa , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

There are no validated clinical decision tools to aid optimal treatment selection in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Frequently, abiraterone and enzalutamide are used prior to chemotherapy in mCRPC, given the more favorable safety profiles. However, there is no published data on clinical outcomes regarding best sequencing of these two agents.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of consecutive mCRPC patients treated with enzalutamide and abiraterone at Johns Hopkins was conducted. Patients were treated with sequential enzalutamide and abiraterone, in either order. The combined progression‐free survival (PFS: PFS1 + PFS2) of abiraterone‐to‐enzalutamide was compared to the reverse sequence, where PFS1 and PFS2 represented clinical/radiographic progression‐free survival on the first and second agents, respectively. Overall survival (OS) from the start of the first therapy to death and PSA response rates (defined as ≥50% PSA declines at any time) were also compared between groups. Outcomes were adjusted using propensity score‐weighted multivariable Cox analyses.

RESULTS

Eighty‐one patients who satisfied our entry criteria were identified: 65 in the abiraterone‐to‐enzalutamide group and 16 in the enzalutamide‐to‐abiraterone group. There were no significant baseline differences between groups. Multivariable analysis suggested a difference between groups favoring the abiraterone‐to‐enzalutamide sequence with respect to combined PFS (HR 0.37, 95%CI 0.22–0.64, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in OS between the groups after multivariable adjustment (HR 0.57, 95%CI 0.29–1.11, P = 0.098), although OS was numerically superior in the abiraterone‐to‐enzalutamide group.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed differences suggesting improved outcomes favoring the abiraterone‐to‐enzalutamide sequence in men with mCRPC, with statistical confirmation in terms of PFS but not OS. Prospective studies are required to verify these hypothesis‐generating findings. Further evaluation of biomarkers to inform optimal treatment sequencing in men with mCRPC is urgently needed. Prostate 77:33–40, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural and thermoelectric properties of TTF‐I0.71 organic compound
Authors: Hayashi Kei , Kuba Kento , Miyazaki Yuzuru
Published: August 2016

Crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of an organic compound of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and iodine (I), TTF‐I0.71, were investigated. From X‐ray diffraction of TTF‐I0.71 powder prepared by a solid state reaction, the superspace group of TTF‐I0.71 was determined as C2/m(p0r)0s. The TTF‐Ix thin films were also fabricated on a glass substrate. It was found that the actual composition x increased with film thickness, and reached to approximately 0.72 above 300 nm. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of the films showed time‐dependent change, due to the homogenization of iodine concentration in the film.
Electronic structure of formamidinium ions in lead triiodide perovskites
Authors: Shen Pengfei , Nie Kaiqi , Sun Xuhui , Liu Lijia , McLeod John A.
Published: August 2016

Perovskite formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) is a very promising photovoltaic material. Unfortunately, perovskite FAPbI3 converts to a hexagonal phase at ambient conditions. Herein we study the electronic structure of both perovskite and hexagonal FAPbI3 films using soft X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and density functional theory. We find that the C and N 2p states of FA hybridize with the Pb, I states at the conduction band minimum in hexagonal, but not perovskite, FAPbI3. We also demonstrate that C K‐edge XANES can be used to investigate shifts in the valence band in other organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskites.

Graphical summary of the electronic structure and C K‐edge XANES in both perovskite and hexagonal FAPbI3 highlighting our findings.

magnified image

Graphical summary of the electronic structure and C K‐edge XANES in both perovskite and hexagonal FAPbI3 highlighting our findings.
Influence of Packaging Interaction Experience on Willingness to Pay
Authors: Joutsela Markus , Latvala Terhi , Roto Virpi
Published: August 2016

Previous research shows that consumers' experience of product packaging affects their value perception and that willingness to pay (WTP) is linked with package experience attributes. However, studies addressing the link between packaging interaction experience and WTP are rare. Yet, interaction experience may affect repeat purchase behaviour. The present study examines how consumers' WTP changes when measured before and after opening and interacting with a new package. A between‐subjects experiment of three different package prototypes for different products was administered to 77 consumers. The first WTP was based on the first impression and appearance of the package. The second WTP measurement was performed after the subjects had opened the package and had been exposed to its functional dimensions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to understand the relations between interaction experience and WTP. Spontaneous experience descriptions were collected through a questionnaire before and after opening of the package. The sensomotoric interaction experience was studied with a short version of the Interaction Vocabulary scale. Our main finding is that interaction experience can change WTP. There was an increase in WTP for 57% of the respondents, no change for 29% and decreased WTP for 14% of the respondents. Differences in the increase of WTP were found between respondent groups and between packages. Stimulating user experiences were found to have a significant impact on the increase in WTP, while pragmatic flaws decreased it. By combining the experiential data to WTP, the study sheds light on how packaging interaction experience influences consumers' WTP.
Authentication process enhancements in WiMAX networks
Authors: Alezabi Kamal Ali , Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Hashim Shaiful Jahari , Ali Borhanuddin M. , Jamalipour Abbas
Published: August 2016

Authentication is one of the most important security processes in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks. This process allows the receiver (whether base station or subscriber station) of a packet to be confident of the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message. Most attacks will attempt to violate the authentication process. If such attacks become successful, an attacker will gain an illegitimate access to network resources, thus increasing the probability of future malicious attacks. A number of algorithms and methods have been proposed to improve the security level of authentication in WiMAX networks. However, the evaluations of these algorithms and methods have always been based on a particular aspect, such as reducing overhead, protecting unauthenticated management messages, preventing WiMAX from external attacks, and protection during the handover process. Motivated by these variations, we review the state of art of WiMAX authentication mechanisms, namely, PKMv1, PKMv2, and the recent authentication protocols. We discuss their mechanisms, strengths, weaknesses, and potential countermeasures against each other. Our discussion is based on four categories, namely, enhancements, differences, advantages, and limitations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes by ZnO‐Nanoflowers
Authors: Mohammad Akbar , Kapoor Kshipra , Mobin Shaikh M.
Published: August 2016

Recently, we reported one pot synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers (ZnO‐NFs) by using asymmetric Zn(II) dimeric complex, [Zn(hmp‐H)2(H2O)(μ‐Cl)Zn(μ‐Cl)(Cl)3],(A), [hmp‐H=2‐(2‐hydroxymethyl)pyridine)] as a single molecular precursor at room temperature (RT). The prepared ZnO‐NFs catalyst was systematically probed for its structural, morphological and functional properties. Our primary aim was to utilize ZnO‐NFs to find a superior photocatalyst for the degradation of different dyes such as Methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), Chicago sky blue (CSB) and Eosin B (EO) which are commonly found in industrial waste and are major contributor to the river pollutant. In order to overcome this problem, we explored the photocatalytic performance of ZnO‐NFs, which results in improved photocatalytic activity towards MO dye (15 mg/L, 99.46 %) compared to other dyes CR, CSB and EO. Based on the photocatalytic evaluations, ZnO‐NFs could possess versatile photocatalytic properties for remediation of contaminated water.
Asymmetric Supercapacitor Based on Nanostructured Ce‐doped NiO (Ce:NiO) as Positive and Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) as Negative Electrode
Authors: Gawali Swati R. , Dubal Deepak P. , Deonikar Virendrakumar G. , Patil Santosh S. , Patil Seema D. , Gomez‐Romero Pedro , Patil Deepak R. , Pant Jayashree
Published: August 2016

Asymmetric supercapacitor was fabricated successfully using cerium (Ce) doped NiO as positive electrode and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as negative electrode in aqueous KOH electrolyte. Initially, Ce doped nickel oxide nanostructures were synthesized by simple Sol‐Gel method. To investigate the effect of Ce doping in nickel oxide, different molar percentages of cerium with respect to nickel were incorporated. Among the different compositions, 1%Ce:NiO exhibits high specific capacitance and excellent electrochemical activities. Further, asymmetric supercapacitor based on 1%Ce:NiO and rGO was fabricated which could be cycled reversibly in the high‐voltage range of 0 to 1.4 V and displays intriguing performances with a specific capacitance of 110 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s with a maximum energy density of 26.27 Wh/kg (based on the total mass of active materials, 0.78 mg). Importantly, this asymmetric device exhibits an excellent electrochemical stability of 91.6 % over 1000 cycles.
Mechanochemical Oleation of Lignin Through Ball Milling and Properties of its Blends with PLA
Authors: Guo Xiaojie , Junna Xin , Wolcott Michael P. , Zhang Jinwen
Published: August 2016

In this work, mechanochemical modification of lignin and PLA blends with the modified lignin were studied. Oleated organosolv lignin (OL) was prepared by transesterification between OL and methyl oleate and the oleation reaction was conducted in ball milling process. PLA/lignin blends were successfully prepared through melt extrusion. The tensile, dynamic mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of the blends were investigated. Compared with the PLA/milled OL blends, the PLA/oleated OL blends exhibited finer dispersion of lignin in the blends, increased glass transition temperature and higher tensile properties.
Facile and Scalable Ultra–fine Cobalt Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for High Energy Asymmetric Supercapacitors†
Authors: Subramani K. , Kowsik S. , Sathish M.
Published: August 2016

Metal oxide decorated graphene nanosheets have gathered much attention due to their potential applications in electrochemical energy storage devices particularly in supercapacitors. Attempts are in progress to develop highly efficient graphene nanocomposites via facile and scalable method for practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a facile and scalable chemical route to synthesis ultrafine (∼10 nm) crystalline cobalt oxide (Co3O4)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites through chemical decomposition of cobalt hexacyanoferrate complex directly on RGO surface. X‐ray diffraction pattern reveals the formation of highly crystalline Co3O4 nanoparticles on RGO surface without any heat treatment. The ultrafine Co3O4/RGO nanocomposites showed a high specific capacitance of 784 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in alkaline medium in three electrode configuration. The asymmetric supercapacitor device was fabricated using RGO as anode and Co3O4/RGO as cathode. The fabricated asymmetric device exhibits a remarkable specific capacitance of 245 F g−1 with high energy and power density of 16.6 Wh kg−1 and 3473 W kg−1, respectively. Also, the fabricated pouch cell exhibits an excellent electrochemical stability of > 94 % after 20,000 cycles of charge‐discharge.
Phosphonic Acid Stabilized Colloidal CsPbX3 (X=Br, I) Perovskite Nanocrystals and Their Surface Chemistry
Authors: Koh Weon‐kyu , Park Sungjun , Ham Yongnam
Published: August 2016

We demonstrate the improved stability of colloidal CsPbX3 (X=Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) using the phosphonic acid ligand. Photoluminescence spectra indicated that the phosphonic acid‐based CsPbX3 perovskite NCs had stable optical properties in solution, and inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry provided a deeper insight of their decomposition mechanism and the surface chemistry of CsPbX3 NCs. With the aid of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, we show more detail in the ligand binding of NC solutions, suggesting that strong binding of phosphonic acid ligands is the key to stabilize the NC structures, probably with both metal and halide ions on the NC surface.
Replicating the multinationality‐performance relationship: Is there an S‐curve?
Authors: Berry Heather , Kaul Aseem
Published: August 2016

Research summary: We revisit the empirical relationship between multinationality and performance by attempting to replicate the widely cited S‐shape relationship reported in Lu and Beamish (2004). Using a longitudinal and comprehensive database on the population of U.S. MNCs from 1989 to 2007, we find no evidence of an S‐shaped relationship; nor do we see a moderating effect of intangible assets. Although our results do show a marginally significant U‐shaped association between multinationality and performance for a subsample of manufacturing firms, this relationship disappears once we account for the endogeneity of multinationality. Our study contributes to empirical research on the multinationality‐performance relationship, highlighting the need for caution in generalizing results across countries and the importance of controlling for the endogeneity of multinationality when assessing its effect on performance.

Managerial summary: Our study examines the relationship between a firm's multinationality and its performance. In a much‐cited study, Lu and Beamish (2004) found evidence of an S‐shaped relationship—with firm performance first decreasing, then increasing, then decreasing again as firms internationalized—in a sample of Japanese firms from 1986 to 1997. We test for the same relationship across all U.S. MNCs from 1989 to 2007, and find no evidence of an S‐shaped pattern, or indeed, of any effect of multinationality at an aggregate level. Our study thus suggests that the effect of multinationality may vary with firm capabilities and home country environments, and that managers and academics alike should focus on understanding these specifics, rather than searching for a universal effect of multinationality on performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The dynamics of diversification: Market entry and exit by public and private firms
Authors: Miller Douglas J. , Yang Hsiao‐Shan
Published: August 2016

Research summary: We replicate one of the first studies on the dynamics of diversification, Chang (1996). Our sample of public and private firms from 1992 to 2001 yields findings similar to the earlier research. Firms tend to enter new markets that have human resource profiles that are similar to the firms' existing businesses, and exit markets that have dissimilar human resource profiles. This general finding is robust to alternative specifications and controls, including the timing of market entry and technological diversification. However, we also find that entry and exit by private firms is much more prevalent than that by public firms. Differences in how public and private firms diversify based on knowledge similarity invite further research in evolutionary economics.

Managerial summary: Chang (1996) revealed that large, public manufacturing firms in the 1980s tended to enter new businesses that leveraged the firm's knowledge, some of which is embedded in routines among employees sharing similar occupations. The new businesses provide the basis for further expansion, while a firm divests businesses that do not stay profitable, or which no longer match the firm's new portfolio of businesses. Our data show that these patterns continued in the 1990s. Our sample also includes private firms, which conduct the majority of market entry and exit. Private firms enter new businesses with different proportions of scientific and marketing personnel than their existing operations. Thus, diversification still reflects knowledge resources for smaller, private firms, but differently than for the largest firms in the economy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signaling revisited: The use of signals in the market for IPOs
Authors: Park U. David , Borah Abhishek , Kotha Suresh
Published: August 2016

Research summary: Scholars have actively researched the initial public offering (IPO) underpricing phenomenon as it relates to the issuing firm's resource acquisition and entrepreneur's wealth retention. In this study, we attempt to replicate three studies that examine how top management and board‐level characteristics impact IPO underpricing using signaling theory. Focusing on a different time period and using a new sample of 234 U.S. IPO firms, we do not find evidence for the signaling effects of top management, governance structure, and social ties on resource acquisition and wealth retention during the IPO process. We propose possible theoretical and empirical reasons for our results and discuss two major external changes that researchers should account in future research.

Managerial summary: Past studies on initial public offering (IPO) underpricing have systematically documented the effectiveness of signals (i.e., having seasoned CEO and top management team, director independence, and director network) that influence the amount of money entrepreneurs “leave on the table” during the IPO process. Since these studies were conducted before the ongoing information revolution, we re‐examined the effectiveness of these signals in the current IPO market. Despite using similar methodological approaches that past studies used, we do not find evidence supporting the prior findings. To explain our findings, we discuss two notable recent changes—unprecedented access to information and a regulatory change—that future researchers should examine in the context of IPO underpricing research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Swimming with sharks in Europe: When are they dangerous and what can new ventures do to defend themselves?
Authors: Colombo Massimo G. , Shafi Kourosh
Published: August 2016

Research summary:This study replicates Dushnitsky and Shaver (2009) in an institutional setting different from the United States, that is, the European venture capital market. We highlight the role played by this switch of boundary condition in influencing how legal defenses protect new ventures' knowledge from misappropriation and encourage the formation of ties between these ventures and same‐industry corporate venture capitalists. Furthermore, we consider timing and social defenses and their interactions with legal defenses in Europe. Our results indicate that the use of legal and other defenses by new ventures does vary, depending on the characteristics of the institutional context.

Managerial summary:In this study, we focus attention on the formation of corporate venture capital (CVC) ties in Europe. We highlight that the institutional context of the European venture capital market differs from the one in the United States, and this difference influences how legal defenses protect new ventures' knowledge from misappropriation and encourage the formation of ties between these ventures and same‐industry CVCs. We also consider the protection offered to new ventures by postponing CVC ties to later stages and by affiliation with prominent independent VCs. We show that, in Europe, these protections are less effective than in the United States. However, the protection provided by legal defenses is reinforced when new ventures are affiliated with prominent independent VCs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytics‐as‐a‐service in a multi‐cloud environment through semantically‐enabled hierarchical data processing
Authors: Jayaraman Prem Prakash , Perera Charith , Georgakopoulos Dimitrios , Dustdar Schahram , Thakker Dhavalkumar , Ranjan Rajiv
Published: August 2016

A large number of cloud middleware platforms and tools are deployed to support a variety of internet‐of‐things (IoT) data analytics tasks. It is a common practice that such cloud platforms are only used by its owners to achieve their primary and predefined objectives, where raw and processed data are only consumed by them. However, allowing third parties to access processed data to achieve their own objectives significantly increases integration and cooperation and can also lead to innovative use of the data. Multi‐cloud, privacy‐aware environments facilitate such data access, allowing different parties to share processed data to reduce computation resource consumption collectively. However, there are interoperability issues in such environments that involve heterogeneous data and analytics‐as‐a‐service providers. There is a lack of both architectural blueprints that can support such diverse, multi‐cloud environments and corresponding empirical studies that show feasibility of such architectures. In this paper, we have outlined an innovative hierarchical data‐processing architecture that utilises semantics at all the levels of IoT stack in multi‐cloud environments. We demonstrate the feasibility of such architecture by building a system based on this architecture using OpenIoT as a middleware, and Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure as cloud environments. The evaluation shows that the system is scalable and has no significant limitations or overheads. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and verification of Web services composition based on model transformation
Authors: Zhu Yi , Huang Zhiqiu , Zhou Hang
Published: August 2016

With the rapid development of Cloud computing, social computing, and Web of Things, an increasing number of requirements of complexity and reliability for modeling Web services composition have emerged too. As more reliable methods are needed to model and verify current complex Web services composition, this paper proposes a method to model and verify Web services composition based on model transformation. First, a modeling and verifying framework based on model transformation is established. Then, Communicating Sequential Process (CSP) is defined according to the features of Web services composition and the corresponding model checking tool Failure Divergence Refinement (FDR) is introduced. The transformation approaches between Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) and CSP are later defined in detail. Lastly, the effect of this method is evaluated by modeling and verifying the Web services composition of a Online Shopping System. The results of the experiments show that this method can greatly increase the reliability of Web services composition. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quaternary Germanides RE3TRh4Ge4 (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd; T = Nb, Ta) – A New Coloring Variant of the Aristotype AlB2
Authors: Hoffmann Rolf‐Dieter , Voßwinkel Daniel , Matar Samir F. , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: August 2016

The quaternary germanides RE3TRh4Ge4 (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd; T = Nb, Ta) were synthesized from the elements by arc‐melting and subsequent annealing in a muffle furnace. The structure of Ce3TaRh4Ge4 was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: new type, Pbam, a = 719.9(2), b = 1495.0(3), c = 431.61(8), wR2 = 0.0678, 1004 F2 values, and 40 variables. Isotypy of the remaining phases was evident from X‐ray powder patterns. Ce3TaRh4Ge4 is a new superstructure variant of the aristotype AlB2 with an ordering of cerium and tantalum on the aluminum site, whereas the honey‐comb network is built up by a 1:1 ordering of rhodium and germanium. This crystal‐chemical relationship is discussed based on a group‐subgroup scheme. The distinctly different size of tantalum and cerium leads to a pronounced puckering of the [Rh4Ge4] network, which shows the shortest interatomic distances (253–271 pm Rh–Ge) within the Ce3TaRh4Ge4 structure. Another remarkable structural feature concerns the tantalum coordination with six shorter Ta–Rh bonds (265–266 pm) and six longer Ta–Ge bonds (294–295 pm). The [Rh4Ge4] network fully separates the tantalum and cerium atoms (Ce–Ce > 387 pm, Ta–Ta > 431 pm, and Ce–Ta > 359 pm). The electronic density of states DOS from DFT calculations show metallic behavior with large contributions of localized Ce 4f as well as itinerant ones from all constituents at the Fermi level but no significant magnetic polarization on Ce could be identified. The bonding characteristics described based on overlap populations illustrate further the crystal chemistry observations of the different coordination of Ce1 and Ce2 in Ce3TaRh4Ge4. The Rh–Ge interactions within the network are highlighted as dominant. The bonding magnitudes follow the interatomic distances and identify differences of Ta bonding vs. Ce1/Ce2 bonding with the Rh and Ge substructures.
From bilingualism to multilingualism in the workplace: the case of the Basque Autonomous Community
Authors: van der Worp Karin , Cenoz Jasone , Gorter Durk
Published: August 2016

In this article we discuss the outcomes of a study into the languages of the workplace of internationally operating companies. Our aim is to contribute to studies of multilingualism in the workplace by adopting a holistic approach that focuses on several languages and relates the competences and attitudes of multilingual professionals to the repertoires used and learned in the workplace and the wider social context. The study is situated in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain, where the regional government has already developed a strong bilingual language policy to promote the minority language Basque and recently also supports a policy of internationalization of companies, implying the use of other languages. The tensions arising from the confrontation between these two policies are discussed. Based on interviews with 25 informants in managerial positions, we found that the default language of workplace communication is Spanish, there is limited use of Basque and for foreign trade English is dominant, although Spanish is used with Latin America. The language and cultural competence of professionals is lagging behind and should be further developed, although the younger generation has a better command of English. The wider social context has an important influence on the language practices inside the company. Multilingualism plays an important role in Basque companies that operate internationally, but the companies still have to overcome important language barriers. Our study confirms that language practices and language learning experiences are complex and highlights the need for a holistic approach that includes the repertoire of languages used in the workplace.
Effects of root diameter, branch order, root depth, season and warming on root longevity in an alpine meadow
Authors: Wang Zhikai , Ding Lubin , Wang Jingsheng , Zuo Xiaolong , Yao Shuaichen , Feng Jiguang
Published: August 2016

Fine root is of importance in biogeochemical cycles especially in terrestrial ecosystems. The lack of understanding of the factors controlling root lifespan has made accurate prediction of carbon flow and nutrient cycling difficult. A controlled warming experiment was performed in an alpine meadow on the northern Tibetan Plateau (near Nagchu Town). We used a minirhizotron technique to measure root dynamics in situ during the growing season of 2013 and 2014 and survival analyses to assess root lifespan and the effects of root diameter, branch order, birth season, root depth and warming on root lifespan. Root diameter, branch order and root depth were all positively correlated with root lifespan. With an increase in diameter of 0.1 mm, mortality hazard ratio of roots declined by 19.3 %. An increase in one level in branch order was associated with a decrease of 43.8 % in root death ratio. Compared with roots born in May–mid‐July, the mortality hazard ratio of roots born in late July–August and September–October reduced by 26.8 and 56.5 %, respectively. In warming treatments, roots tended to be thinner, less branched and deeper, and there was a higher proportion of roots born in spring compared to ambient conditions. Warming shortened the median root lifespan 44 days. However, in single warming condition, root diameter had no significant influence on root lifespan. Root diameter, branch order, root depth and season of birth were all factors affecting root lifespan in the alpine meadow; however, root branch order was dominant.
Colony‐dependent sex differences in protozoan communities of the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Inagaki Tatsuya , Matsuura Kenji
Published: August 2016

In many animals, sex differences in hormones, behavior, and immunity lead to differences in their gut microbial communities. One of the best‐known examples of mutualistic symbiosis is that between lower termites and their intestinal protozoa. Although differences in the protozoan communities of different castes have been studied in lower termites, nothing is known about the sex differences in protozoan communities in neuter castes. Here, we show that termite workers have different protozoan communities according to sex depending on the colony. We investigated the communities of symbiotic protozoa living in lower termites, Reticulitermes speratus, and how they are affected by sex and caste. Workers had the largest numbers of protozoa, followed by soldiers, whereas reproductives (primary kings and secondary queens) had no protozoa. Workers showed colony‐dependent sex differences in the total abundance of protozoa, whereas soldiers showed no such sex differences. There were significant sex effect and/or interaction effect between colony and sex in abundances of five species of protozoa in workers. Workers also showed significant sex differences and/or colony‐dependent sex differences in proportion of six species of protozoa. These may result in sex differences in the host–symbiont interaction due to physiological or behavioral sex differences in workers that have not been recognized previously. This study has an important implication: although workers are not engaged in reproduction, their potential sex difference may affect various aspects of social interactions.