bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Integrative Modeling of Molecules and Morphology across Evolutionary Timescales
Authors: Ogilvie Huw A. , Mendes Fábio K. , Vaughan Timothy G. , Matzke Nicholas J. , Stadler Tanja , Welch David , Drummond Alexei J.
Published: January 2018

Evolutionary models account for either population- or species-level processes, but usually not both. We introduce a new model, the FBD-MSC, which makes it possible for the first time to integrate both the genealogical and fossilization phenomena, by means of the multispecies coalescent (MSC) and the fossilized birth-death (FBD) processes. Using this model, we reconstruct the phylogeny representing all extant and many fossil Caninae, recovering both the relative and absolute time of speciation events. We quantify known inaccuracy issues with divergence time estimates using the popular strategy of concatenating molecular alignments, and show that the FBD-MSC solves them. Our new integrative method and empirical results advance the paradigm and practice of probabilistic total evidence analyses in evolutionary biology.
Rapid Identification and Validation of Novel Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Treatments using an Integrative Bioinformatics Platform
Authors: Daugherty Aaron C. , Farrington Carl , Hakim Isaac , Mujahid Sana , Noblin Elizabeth S. , Radin Andrew M. , Chua Mei-Sze , Rabe Mark , Fernald Guy , Ford Daniel , Sirota Marina , Schaevitz Laura , Radin Andrew A.
Published: January 2018

The majority of drugs currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) act on a small number of immunomodulatory targets. We applied an integrative biomedical-informatics-based approach andin vivotesting to identify new drug candidates and potential therapeutic targets that could form the basis for future drug development in RA. A computational model of RA was constructed by integrating patient gene expression data, molecular interactions, and clinical drug-disease associations. Drug candidates were scored based on their predicted efficacy across these data types. Ten high-scoring candidates were subsequently screened in a collagen-induced arthritis model of RA. Treatment with exenatide, olopatadine, and TXR-112 significantly improved multiple preclinical endpoints, including animal mobility which was measured using a novel digital platform. These three drug candidates do not act on common RA therapeutic targets; however, links between known candidate pharmacology and pathological processes involved in RA suggest hypothetical mechanisms contributing to the observed efficacy.
Real time genetic compensation operationally defines the dynamic demands of feedback control
Authors: Harrigan Patrick , Madhani Hiten D. , El-Samad Hana
Published: January 2018

Biological signaling networks use feedback control to dynamically adjust their operation in real time. Traditional static genetic methods such as gene knockouts or rescue experiments often can identify the existence of feedback interactions, yet are unable to determine what feedback dynamics are required. Here, we implement a new strategy, closed loop optogenetic compensation (CLOC), to address this problem. Using a custom-built hardware and software infrastructure, CLOC monitors in real time the output of a pathway deleted for a feedback regulator. A minimal model uses these measurements to calculate and deliver—on the fly—an optogenetically-enabled transcriptional input designed to compensate for the effects of the feedback deletion. Application of CLOC to the yeast pheromone response pathway revealed surprisingly distinct dynamic requirements for three well-studied feedback regulators. CLOC, a marriage of control theory and traditional genetics, presents a broadly applicable methodology for defining the dynamic function of biological feedback regulators.
“Hemicellulose Degradation and Utilization by a SyntheticSaccharomyces cerevisiaeConsortium”
Authors: Tabañag Ian Dominic F. , Tsai Shen-Long
Published: January 2018

SinceSaccharomyces cerevisiaedoes not inherently possess the capability to utilize pentose sugars released from hemicellulose degradation, the degradation and utilization of hemicellulose poses a conundrum to bioethanol production by consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) usingS. cerevisiae. In this study,S. cerevisiaewas exploited for its ability to degrade xylan, one of the major polysaccharide chains present in hemicellulose. Different hemicellulases fromTrichoderma reesei, namely: endoxylanase (Xyn2),β-xylosidase (Bxl1), acetylxylan esterase (Axe1),α-D-glucuronidase (Glr1) andα-L-arabinofuranosidase (Abf1), were heterologously secreted byS. cerevisiae. A mixture experimental design was adapted to statistically describe the synergistic interactions between the hemicellulases and to determine the optimum formulations for the hydrolysis of xylan substrates. The hydrolytic activities of the hemicellulase mixtures were then improved by displaying the hemicellulases on the yeast surface to serve as whole-cell biocatalysts. The engineered yeast strains displaying hemicellulases were further engineered with xylose-utilization genes to enable abilities of utilizing xylose as a sole carbon source. The resulting consortia were then able to grow and produce ethanol from different xylan substrates.
Learning optimal decisions with confidence
Authors: Drugowitsch Jan , Mendonça André G. , Mainen Zachary F. , Pouget Alexandre
Published: January 2018

Diffusion decision models (DDMs) are immensely successful models for decision-making under uncertainty and time pressure. In the context of perceptual decision making, these models typically start with two input units, organized in a neuron-antineuron pair. In contrast, in the brain, sensory inputs are encoded through the activity of large neuronal populations. Moreover, while DDMs are wired by hand, the nervous system must learn the weights of the network through trial and error. There is currently no normative theory of learning in DDMs and therefore no theory of how decision makers could learn to make optimal decisions in this context. Here, we derive the first such rule for learning a near-optimal linear combination of DDM inputs based on trial-by-trial feedback. The rule is Bayesian in the sense that it learns not only the mean of the weights but also the uncertainty around this mean in the form of a covariance matrix. In this rule, the rate of learning is proportional (resp. inversely proportional) to confidence for incorrect (resp. correct) decisions. Furthermore, we show that, in volatile environments, the rule predicts a bias towards repeating the same choice after correct decisions, with a bias strength that is modulated by the previous choice’s difficulty. Finally, we extend our learning rule to cases for which one of the choices is more likely a priori, which provides new insights into how such biases modulate the mechanisms leading to optimal decisions in diffusion models.

Significance Statement

Popular models for the tradeoff between speed and accuracy of everyday decisions usually assume fixed, low-dimensional sensory inputs. In contrast, in the brain, these inputs are distributed across larger populations of neurons, and their interpretation needs to be learned from feedback. We ask how such learning could occur and demonstrate that efficient learning is significantly modulated by decision confidence. This modulation predicts a particular dependency pattern between consecutive choices, and provides new insight into how a priori biases for particular choices modulate the mechanisms leading to efficient decisions in these models.
Emergence of Direction Selectivity at the Convergence of Thalamo-Cortical Synapses in Visual Cortex
Authors: Lien Anthony D , Scanziani Massimo
Published: January 2018

Detecting the direction of an object’s motion is essential for our representation of the visual environment. Visual cortex is one of the main stages in the mammalian nervous system where motion direction may be computed de novo. Experiments and theories indicate that cortical neurons respond selectively to motion direction by combining inputs that provide information about distinct spatial locations with distinct time-delays. Despite the importance of this spatiotemporal offset for direction selectivity its origin and cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. We show that ~80+/−10 thalamic neurons responding with distinct time-courses to stimuli in distinct locations contribute to the excitation of mouse visual cortical neurons during visual stimulation. Integration of thalamic inputs with the appropriate spatiotemporal offset provides cortical neurons with the primordial bias for direction selectivity. These data show how cortical neurons selectively combine the spatiotemporal response diversity of thalamic neurons to extract fundamental features of the visual world.
Control and the Analysis of Cancer Growth Models
Authors: Tannenbaum Allen , Georgiou Tryphon , Deasy Joseph , Norton Larry
Published: January 2018

In this note, we analyze two cancer dynamical models from a system-theoretic point of view. The first model is based upon stochastic controlled versions of the classical Lotka-Volterra equations. Here we consider from a controls point of view the utility of employing ultrahigh dose flashes in radiotherapy. The second is based on work of Norton-Simon-Massagué growth model that takes into account the heterogeneity of a tumor cell population. We indicate an optimal strategy based on linear quadratic control applied to a linear transformed model.
Research and design of a multi-fingered hand made of hyperelastic material
Authors: Zhang Junhui , Zhang Xiufeng , Li Yang
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a novel multi-fingered hand made of hyperelastic material. This kind of hand has the advantage of less mechanical parts, simpler control system. It can greatly cut down the complexity and cost of the hands under conditions of ensuring enough flexibility of grasping.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle of virtual work, the equations of pulling force and grasping force are derived. To get the max grasping force, the optimal structural dimensions of the hand are obtained by finite element simulations. Hand’s grasping experiment is conducted.

Findings

The factors influencing grasping force and grasping stability are identified, and they are the length between short poles around the knuckles and the height of short poles. Experimental results show that the max strain of knuckles is less than the elastic limit of hyperelastic material, and the presented hand is practicable. The adaptive ability and grasping stability of the presented hand are demonstrated.

Originality/value

A novel multi-fingered hand made of hyperelastic material is presented in this paper. By designing the thickness of every section of a hyperelastic plate, the knuckle sections will bend and other sections of the plate will remain straight, and thus, the multi-fingered hand will grasp.
A multi-vision-based system for tube inspection
Authors: Jin Peng , Liu Jian Hua , Liu Shaoli , Wang Xiao
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Geometric errors are common in metallic bent tubular parts. Thus, tubes should be inspected and fixed before welding with the joints first. After welding, the relative position of the joints is also necessary to be inspected to judge whether the tube can be assembled reliably. Therefore, the inspection plays an important role in the tube’s assembly. The purpose of this paper is to propose a multi-vision-based system designed to inspect the tube and the relative position of the joints.

Design/methodology/approach

For the tube inspection, the small cylinders are taken as the primitives to reconstruct the tube using the multi- vision-based system. Then, any geometric error in the tube can be inspected by comparing the reconstructed models and designed ones. For joints’ inspection, authors designed an adapter with marked points, by which the system can calculate the relative position of the joints.

Findings

The reconstruction idea can recognise the line and arc segments of a tube automatically and resolve the textureless deficiency of the tube’s surface. The joints’ inspection method is simple in operation, and any kinds of joints can be inspected by designing the structure of the adapters accordingly.

Originality/value

By experimental verification, the inspection precision of the proposed system was 0.17 mm; the inspection time was within 2 min. Thus, the system developed can inspect a tube effectively and automatically. Moreover, authors can determine how the springback of the arcs behaves, allowing in-process springback prediction and compensation, which can reduce geometric errors in the tubes given the present bending machine accuracy.
Object-oriented design of product assembly feature data requirements in advanced assembly planning
Authors: Khabbazi Mahmood Reza , Wikander Jan , Onori Mauro , Maffei Antonio
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper introduces a schema for the product assembly feature data in an object-oriented and module-based format using Unified Modeling Language (UML). To link production with product design, it is essential to determine at an early stage which entities of product design and development are involved and used at the automated assembly planning and operations. To this end, it is absolutely reasonable to assign meaningful attributes to the parts’ design entities (assembly features) in a systematic and structured way. As such, this approach empowers processes such as motion planning and sequence planning in assembly design.

Design/methodology/approach

The assembly feature data requirements are studied and definitions are analyzed and redefined. Using object-oriented techniques, the assembly feature data structure and relationships are modeled based on the identified requirements as five UML packages (Part, three-dimensional (3D) models, Mating, Joint and Handling). All geometric and non-geometric design data entities endorsed with assembly design perspective are extracted or assigned from 3D models and realized through the featured entity interface class. The featured entities are then associated (used) with the mating, handling and joints features. The AssemblyFeature interface is realized through mating, handling and joint packages related to the assembly and part classes. Each package contains all relevant classes which further classify the important attributes of the main class.

Findings

This paper sets out to provide an explanatory approach using object-oriented techniques to model the schema of assembly features association and artifacts at the product design level, all of which are essential in several subsequent and parallel steps of the assembly planning process, as well as assembly feature entity assignments in design improvement cycle.

Practical implications

The practical implication based on the identified advantages can be classified in three main features: module-based design, comprehensive classification, integration. These features help the automation and solution development processes based on the proposed models much easier and systematic.

Originality/value

The proposed schema’s comprehensiveness and reliability are verified through comparisons with other works and the advantages are discussed in detail.
Solder joint quality evaluation based on heating factor
Authors: Veselý Petr , Horynová Eva , Starý Jiří , Bušek David , Dušek Karel , Zahradník Vít , Plaček Martin , Mach Pavel , Kučírek Martin , Ježek Vladimír , Dosedla Milan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase the reliability of manufactured electronics and to reveal reliability significant factors. The experiments were focused especially on the influence of the reflow oven parameters presented by a heating factor.

Design/methodology/approach

The shear strength of the surface mount device (SMD) resistors and their joint resistance were analyzed. The resistors were assembled with two Sn/Ag/Cu-based and one Bi-based solder pastes, and the analysis was done for several values of the heating factor and before and after isothermal aging. The measurement of thickness of intermetallic compounds was conducted on the micro-sections of the solder joints.

Findings

The shear strength of solder joints based on the Sn/Ag/Cu-based solder alloy started to decline after the heating factor reached the value of 500 s · K, whereas the shear strength of the solder alloy based on the Bi alloy (in the measured range) always increased with an increase in the heating factor. Also, the Bi-based solder joints showed shear strength increase after isothermal aging in contrast to Sn/Ag/Cu-based solder joints, which showed shear strength decrease.

Originality/value

The interpretation of the results of such a comprehensive measurement leads to a better understanding of the mutual relation between reliability and other technological parameters such as solder alloy type, surface finish and parameters of the soldering process.
Identify the equilibrium of residential construction output
Authors: Ma Le , Reed Richard , Jin Xiaohua
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Due to the complicated nature of houses, the driving factors of the residential construction output can be investigated from different perspectives of interests. However, little research has provided an insight of the trend of the residential construction output from a cross-disciplinary perspective. The purpose of this paper is to identify the long-run equilibrium types of residential construction output, including external equilibrium, solo-market equilibrium and dual-market equilibrium.

Design/methodology/approach

A vector error correction model is applied into longitudinal data in the eight Australian states and territories to overview the regional variations of the residential construction output.

Findings

The empirical results show that the equilibrium of regional residential construction outputs in New South Wales and Victoria are determined by the external factors; the equilibrium in Western Australia is dominated by the construction market; and the equilibriums in the other five states and territories are influenced by both construction and house markets.

Research limitations/implications

The simplified approach may overlook the detailed explanation of the external factors, such as regional population, economy, policy and so forth. Given this limitation, future studies can introduce the correspondingly variables as per research interests.

Originality/value

Implementing the existing research into residential construction output and house supply, this research provides a simplified approach that demonstrates the linkage between construction and real estate sectors to identify the long-run equilibriums across regions. The underlying research sheds light in delivering inter-disciplinary research into the residential construction output.
Factors affecting the accuracy of cost estimate: case of Jordan
Authors: Hatamleh Muhammad T. , Hiyassat Mohammed , Sweis Ghaleb Jalil , Sweis Rateb Jalil
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Cost estimating process is an important element within the project life cycle. Comprehensive information, expanded knowledge, considerable expertise, and continuous improvement are needed to obtain accurate cost estimation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical factors that affect accuracy of cost estimation and evaluate the degree to which these factors are important from contractors’ and consultants’ viewpoints.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted in collecting and analyzing the data, and testing the hypotheses. Based on the literature review, a questionnaire was prepared and then was modified according to the results of face-to-face open-ended interviews conducted with 11 project managers. The final version of the questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 265 respondents. For analyzing the collected data Kendall’s and Mann-Whitney tests were conducted.

Findings

The analysis revealed that there is a strong agreement between contractors and consultants in the ranking of the factors related to consultant, contractor, design parameters, and information. A slightly weak agreement between contractors and consultants was noted regarding the factors related to market conditions (external factors) and factors related to project characteristics. Furthermore, the results show that the top ten factors affecting the accuracy of cost estimate are clear and detail drawings and specification, pricing experience of construction projects, perception of estimation importance, equipment (cost/availability/performance), project complexity, clear scope definition, accuracy and reliability of cost information, site constraints (access, storage, services), material availability, financial capabilities of the client, and availability of database of bids on similar project (historical data).

Originality/value

Offers an original view of the concept of accuracy of cost estimates as it relates to the efficiency of the project relying on both literature review and empirical evidence.
Determinants of hotel social media continued usage
Authors: Jung Timothy Hyungsoo , Tom Dieck M. Claudia , Chung Namho
Published: January 2018

Purpose

With the emergence of mobile devices, factors such as interaction and ubiquity have become increasingly important in the use of social media networks. However, regarding hotel guests’ use of social media, knowledge about how those factors contribute to guests’ continued social media use remains limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of interaction and ubiquity mediated by trust, benefits and enjoyment on hotel guests’ continued use of social media networks.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the hypotheses, a self-administered questionnaire was posted by ten UK hotels on their social media pages. A total of 258 usable data were collected and analyzed using partial least squares analysis.

Findings

Two social media characteristics – interaction and ubiquity – influenced hotel guests’ continued use of social media via the mediating variables of trust, benefits and enjoyment.

Originality/value

This study bridges the gap in research regarding intended continued use of social media networks by offering new empirical evidence concerning the determinants of hotel guests’ continued use of social media.
Uncertainty avoidance as a moderator for influences on foreign resident dining out behaviors
Authors: Seo Sunhee , Kim Kawon , Jang Junghee
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating effect of uncertainty avoidance (UA) on the relationships among subjective knowledge, attitude toward Korean foods and dining out behavioral intentions (BI) of foreign residents in Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 247 foreign residents in Korea were participated through a street intercept survey at several locations in metropolitan areas of South Korea. Subsequently, the samples were divided into two groups (a low UA group and a high UA group) for multiple group analysis to examine the moderating role of UA.

Findings

The results of structural equation modeling showed that subjective knowledge and attitude toward Korean foods significantly influenced intention to visit Korean restaurants. Furthermore, multiple group analysis results showed that UA had a significant moderating effect as a cultural dimension on the relationships between subjective knowledge and BI, as well as between attitude and BI.

Research limitations/implications

This research has made the first attempt to account for UA in examining the relationships among subjective knowledge, attitude and BIs, especially for ambiguous situations where foreign residents who are new to the mainstream Korean food culture face challenges in visiting Korean restaurants.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that enhancing subjective knowledge about Korean foods should increase the probability of foreign residents visiting Korean restaurants, so restaurant marketers should consider subjective knowledge as they work to encourage foreign residents to try Korean foods. Furthermore, planning strategies for marketing to foreign residents should consider level of UA among foreigners.

Originality/value

This study first illustrates the value of considering the cultural trait of UA in examining dining out behavior at ethnic restaurants. The UA trait sheds light on how subjective knowledge helps predict attitude and dining out BI at ethnic restaurants.
Star power: the effect of star rating on service recovery in the hotel industry
Authors: Tsao Wen-Chin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study investigated distributive justice (DJ), procedural justice (PJ) and interactional justice (IJ) in the recovery of service in the hotel industry as well as their effects on post-recovery satisfaction and the subsequent behavior of customers. This study also sought to elucidate the moderating effects of star ratings on these influences.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment design with 424 consumers using structural equation modeling was adopted to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

DJ, PJ and IJ were all shown to have a significantly positive effect on post-recovery satisfaction, which in turn has a significantly positive effect on customer loyalty and significantly negative effect on customer defection. Analysis on the moderating effects of star ratings also revealed that the relationship between DJ and post-recovery satisfaction during recovery efforts is stronger for hotels with higher star ratings than for hotels with lower star ratings. During recovery, post-recovery satisfaction was shown to be more effective in reducing customer defection from hotels with lower star ratings than from hotels with higher star ratings.

Practical implications

This study provides a reference by which hotels can match their service recovery mechanism to their star rating to retain customers and increase customer loyalty in the event of service failure.

Originality/value

This study confirms the importance of IJ in the service recovery processes in the hotel industry and provides verification that the star rating of a hotel plays a crucial role as a moderator between recovery effort and recovery effectiveness.
Motivate to innovate
Authors: Schuckert Markus , Kim Taegoo Terry , Paek Soyon , Lee Gyehee
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to empirically test a research model investigating the effects of authentic leadership (AL) and transformational leadership (TL) on follower service innovation behavior (SIB) with follower psychological capital (PsyCap) as a partial mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a sample of 336 full-time frontline employees across 15 five-star hotels in Seoul, South Korea, over a time lag of one month, hypothesized relationships were analyzed with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results suggest that AL has a greater effect on follower PsyCap and SIB than TL. In examining the role of PsyCap as a partial mediator, the results support the hypotheses that AL and TL trigger follower SIB directly but at the same time boost follower PsyCap, thus enhancing follower SIB.

Practical implications

The greater impact of AL on follower PsyCap and SIB suggests that the practice of corporate human resource management should place an emphasis on AL traits in leadership development. This study offers a useful perspective on the development of follower PsyCap and SIB by linking leadership traits.

Originality/value

By discussing AL and TL together within a single research framework, the study extends organizational psychology research by linking TL and AL to two important organizational psychological and performance variables, and exploring their comparative effects.
Drivers of perceived market and eco-performance in the foodservice industry
Authors: Kim Min-Seong , Thapa Brijesh , Holland Stephen
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To foster environmental and sustainable practices, foodservice enterprises should exhibit a high degree of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ecological consciousness and innovation in green initiatives. This study examines the influences of CSR practices (i.e. economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic), environmental marketing activities (i.e. strategic and tactical) and innovation (i.e.technological and organizational) as drivers of market and eco-performance in the foodservice industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an established framework of CSR, environmental marketing and innovation, an exploratory conceptual model was formulated and empirically assessed. Survey data were collected from representatives of the Korean foodservice franchise industry. Data analysis consisted of frequency analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis and path analysis.

Findings

Market performance was influenced by tactical environmental marketing, as well as technological and organizational innovation. Eco-performance was affected by tactical environmental marketing and technological innovation. However, technological innovation and organizational innovation were influenced by tactical environmental marketing, but were not significantly affected by strategic environmental marketing. Additionally, strategic environmental marketing was influenced by economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic CSR. Last, tactical environmental marketing was affected by economic, ethical and philanthropic CSR.

Practical implications

CSR, environmental marketing activities and innovation provide numerous benefits to businesses. Such benefits include enhanced market and eco-performance, both of which create competitive advantages.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of research on the effects of environmental marketing and innovation on corporate performance in the foodservice industry. The findings provide greater insights into the impacts of CSR, environmental marketing and innovation on corporations’ desired outcomes.
Official sports sponsorship fortress vs ambush marketing attack
Authors: Schmidt Steffen , Limbach Matthias , Langner Sascha , Wiedmann Klaus-Peter , Albertsen Levke , Reiter Philipp
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of event-related sports sponsorship and ambushing activity using social media video advertising that aim to affect spectators’ implicit and explicit brand information processing.

Design/methodology/approach

A dual model of brand knowledge is used that considers the implicit and explicit information processing of marketing-induced brand messages. A web study was conducted prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Each participant implicitly and explicitly evaluated either one sponsor brand or one ambush brand before and after watching the video advertisement (within-subject design). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to evaluate each change of the pre-post testing scores.

Findings

Implicit and explicit brand associations as well as brand behavior were partially affected by the short contact with the advertisements of sponsor brands and ambush brands. In this regard, the implicit association measurements were more sensitive to reveal changes in the brand knowledge structure than their explicit counterparts. Furthermore, sponsorship advertising was slightly more effective than ambush advertising.

Originality/value

The current exploratory study evaluated for the first time the performance of event-related video advertisements that were originally released on social media of sponsor brands and ambush brands. The findings emphasize the necessary requirement of evaluating the implicit processing in addition to the explicit processing of sponsorship information to ensure a holistic evaluation of consumers’ memory with regard to the effectiveness of a sponsorship activity.
Supporting the employability agenda in university libraries
Authors: Mawson Maria , Haworth Amy C.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to outline work to support the employability agenda in the Library at the University of Sheffield, set in the context of debates about the nature of employability, employability skills and information literacy in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a brief review of literature on employability and student skills in the UK higher education sector, the place of information literacy as an employability attribute and information literacy in the workplace. It goes on to outline work done in the Library at the University of Sheffield to support the employability agenda. This includes the development of a commercial awareness workshop in collaboration with other services and the incorporation of student and alumni voices in an employability guide.

Findings

The literature reviewed highlights the differences between information literacy in the workplace and academia. This could present challenges and opportunities in promoting information literacy as an employability attribute. The case study highlights the benefits of working in collaboration with students and services beyond the library in the employability arena.

Originality/value

The approaches taken in Sheffield may be of interest to other institutions looking to develop support for the employability agenda.
Improvement of Doppler measurement using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) concept in radar-based automotive sensor detecting pedestrians
Authors: Mohd Basir Shafinaz , Pasya Idnin , Yaakob Tajmalludin , Abd Rashid Nur Emileen , Kobayashi Takehiko
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present an approach of utilizing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar concept to enhance pedestrian classification in automotive sensors. In a practical environment, radar signals reflected from pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles are similar in terms of reflecting angle and Doppler returns, inducing difficulty for target discrimination. An efficient discrimination between the two targets depends on the ability of the sensor to extract unique characteristics from each target, for example, by exploiting Doppler signatures. This study describes the utilization of MIMO radar for Doppler measurement and demonstrates its application to improve pedestrian classification through actual laboratory measurements.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple non-modulated sinusoidal signals are transmitted orthogonally over a MIMO array using time division scheme, illuminating human and non-human targets. The reflected signal entering each of the receiving antenna are combined at the radar receiver prior to Doppler processing. Doppler histogram was formulated based on a series of measurements, and the Doppler spread of the targets was determined from the histograms. Results were compared between MIMO and conventional single antenna systems.

Findings

Measurement results indicated that the MIMO configuration provides able to capture more Doppler information compared to conventional single antenna systems, enabling a more precise discrimination between pedestrian and other slow-moving objects on the road.

Originality/value

The study demonstrated the effectiveness of using MIMO configuration in radar-based automotive sensor to enhance the accuracy of Doppler estimation, which is seldom highlighted in literature of MIMO radars. The result also indicated its usefulness in improving target discrimination capability of the radar, through actual measurement.
A new transmuted cumulative distribution function based on the Verhulst logistic function with application in population dynamics
Authors: Kyurkchiev Nikolay
Published: January 2018

In this note we find application of a new class cumulative distribution function transformations to construct a family of sigmoidal functions based on the Verhulst logistic function. We prove estimates for the Hausdorff approximation of the shifted Heaviside step function by means of this family. Numerical examples, illustrating our results are given.
Medical Statistics from Hospitals Establishments of Subdivisions of Military Troops from Composition of the Eastern Rumelian Militias, 1879. General Notes.
Authors: Kyurkchiev Nikolay V.
Published: January 2018

We note that the first official census in Eastern Rumelia, dates from 1884 and official statistics (including medical statistics) was born much later.In this sense, we hope that our research related to the study of basic classes of diseases medications for treating them and most importantly - the application of modern methods of analysis and statistics regarding frequency of disease, relative share of diseases hospital mortality and others forВ  hospitals, subject to the Eastern Rumelian Militias (May -July 1879) may be useful for researchers working on these still not sufficiently researched topics "Health in Eastern Rumelia. Medical statistics".
10 MeV proton damage in β-Ga2O3 Schottky rectifiers
Authors: Yang Jiancheng , Chen Zhiting , Ren Fan , Pearton S. J. , Yang Gwangseok , Kim Jihyun , Lee Jonathan , Flitsiyan Elena , Chernyak Leonid , Kuramata Akito
Published: January 2018

The electrical performance of vertical geometry Ga2O3 rectifiers was measured before and after 10 MeV proton irradiation at a fixed fluence of 1014 cm−2, as well as subsequent annealing up to 450 °C. Point defects introduced by the proton damage create trap states that reduce the carrier concentration in the Ga2O3, with a carrier removal rate of 235.7 cm−1 for protons of this energy. The carrier removal rates under these conditions are comparable to GaN-based films and heterostructures. Even annealing at 300 °C produces a recovery of approximately half of the carriers in the Ga2O3, while annealing at 450 °C almost restores the reverse breakdown voltage. The on/off ratio of the rectifiers was severely degraded by proton damage and this was only partially recovered by 450 °C annealing. The minority carrier diffusion length decreased from ∼340 nm in the starting material to ∼315 nm after the proton irradiation. The reverse recovery characteristics showed little change with values in the range 20–30 ns before and after proton irradiation.
Effects of background noises on nonlinear dynamics of a modelled thermoacoustic combustor
Authors: Li Xinyan , Zhao Dan , Li Xuan
Published: January 2018

In this work, the effects of background noises on nonlinear dynamics of a modelled standing-wave thermoacoustic system with subcritical Hopf bifurcation behaviors are studied. These noises include (1) pressure-coupled (acoustic), (2) velocity-coupled (flow), and (3) external combustion noise. It is found that these three types of background noises play important, but different roles in changing the hysteresis width and stability boundary. In addition, the stochastic transition from stability to instability is investigated, as the noise intensity is varied. Two different stochastic P-bifurcations are identified. One is related to a craterlike probability density distribution. The other is associated with a probability density distribution characterized with two peaks and one trough. With each type of noise affecting the system's stochastic behaviors being evaluated, the effect of two different types of noises is then studied. It is shown that the combined noises (types 1 and 2) cannot only destabilize global stable thermoacoustic system, but also stabilize linearly unstable system. This depends strongly on the superimposition form of the two types of noises. In addition, when the thermoacoustic system is disturbed by the combined noise (types 3 and 1 or types 3 and 2), the transition process is dominated by the combustion noise.
Measuring Economic Impact at a Professional Golf Tournament
Authors: Graham Jeffrey A. , Hardin Robin L. , Bemiller James
Published: January 2018

The News-Sentinel Open presented by Pilot is an event on the Web.com Tour. The Web.com Tour began in 1990 with the name of the Ben Hogan Tour and has transitioned through several title sponsors, taking its current name in June 2012. The tour is the developmental tour for the PGA Tour and the primary means for professional golfers to earn playing privileges on the PGA Tour. Tournaments are 72-hole stroke play events featuring between 144 and 156 golfers. This specific tournament is staged in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is one of only three original tour stops from the inaugural season in 1990. In an effort to measure economic impact in the greater Knoxville area resulting from the tournament weekend, the News-Sentinel Open has commissioned an economic impact study. This case study challenges students to analyze data collected from the economic impact study commissioned by the tour organizers. By engaging with this case study, and its accompanying data and results, students will gain insight into best practices of planning, conducting, and analyzing an ethical economic impact study.
Using the Time Value of Money Decision Tree to Calculate an Athlete’s Contract Offers
Authors: Tyler B. David
Published: January 2018

Time Value of Money (TVM) is an essential concept within finance, yet its fundamentals confuse many students. This case offers the TVM Decision Tree to guide students to logical solutions through a step-by-step approach that requires critical thinking about cash flows. Students follow a sport agent as she reviews contract offers for her client. She received four offers with payments structured in wildly different ways, including single payments, growing annuities, and delayed annuities. She must use her knowledge of TVM and the TVM Decision Tree to determine which contract will provide her client with the largest contact in terms of PV. She will find that the contracts with the largest nominal values are not necessarily worth the most in terms of PV. She will also see the impact that different discount rates can have in making her decisions, as well as learn about deferred compensation within professional sports.
High-Content Screening of the Medicines for Malaria Venture Pathogen Box for Plasmodium falciparum Digestive Vacuole-Disrupting Molecules Reveals Valuable Starting Points for Drug Discovery
Authors: Tong Jie Xin , Chandramohanadas Rajesh , Tan Kevin Shyong-Wei
Published: January 2018

Plasmodium falciparum
infections leading to malaria have severe clinical manifestations and high mortality rates. Chloroquine (CQ), a former mainstay of malaria chemotherapy, has been rendered ineffective due to the emergence of widespread resistance. Recent studies, however, have unveiled a novel mode of action in which low-micromolar levels of CQ permeabilized the parasite's digestive vacuole (DV) membrane, leading to calcium efflux, mitochondrial depolarization, and DNA degradation. These phenotypes implicate the DV as an alternative target of CQ and suggest that DV disruption is an attractive target for exploitation by DV-disruptive antimalarials. In the current study, high-content screening of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box (2015) was performed to select compounds which disrupt the DV membrane, as measured by the leakage of intravacuolar Ca
2+
using the calcium probe Fluo-4 AM. The hits were further characterized by hemozoin biocrystallization inhibition assays and dose-response half-maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) assays across resistant and sensitive strains. Three hits, MMV676380, MMV085071, and MMV687812, were shown to demonstrate a lack of CQ cross-resistance in parasite strains and field isolates. Through systematic analyses, MMV085071 emerged as the top hit due to its rapid parasiticidal effect, low-nanomolar IC
50
, and good efficacy in triggering DV disruption, mitochondrial degradation, and DNA fragmentation in
P. falciparum
. These programmed cell death (PCD)-like phenotypes following permeabilization of the DV suggests that these compounds kill the parasite by a PCD-like mechanism. From the drug development perspective, MMV085071, which was identified to be a potent DV disruptor, offers a promising starting point for subsequent hit-to-lead generation and optimization through structure-activity relationships.
Lipidomics of Thalassiosira pseudonana under Phosphorus Stress Reveal Underlying Phospholipid Substitution Dynamics and Novel Diglycosylceramide Substitutes
Authors: Hunter Jonathan E. , Brandsma Joost , Dymond Marcus K. , Koster Grielof , Moore C. Mark , Postle Anthony D. , Mills Rachel A. , Attard George S.
Published: January 2018

Phytoplankton replace phosphorus-containing lipids (P-lipids) with non-P analogues, boosting growth in P-limited oceans. In the model diatom
Thalassiosira pseudonana
, the substitution dynamics of lipid headgroups are well described, but those of the individual lipids, differing in fatty acid composition, are unknown. Moreover, the behavior of lipids outside the common headgroup classes and the relationship between lipid substitution and cellular particulate organic P (POP) have yet to be reported. We investigated these through the mass spectrometric lipidomics of P-replete (P
+
) and P-depleted (P
−
)
T. pseudonana
cultures. Nonlipidic POP was depleted rapidly by the initiation of P stress, followed by the cessation of P-lipid biosynthesis and per-cell reductions in the P-lipid levels of successive generations. Minor P-lipid degradative breakdown was observed, releasing P for other processes, but most P-lipids remained intact. This may confer an advantage on efficient heterotrophic lipid consumers in P-limited oceans. Glycerophosphatidylcholine (PC), the predominant P-lipid, was similar in composition to its betaine substitute lipid. During substitution, PC was less abundant per cell and was more highly unsaturated in composition. This may reflect underlying biosynthetic processes or the regulation of membrane biophysical properties subject to lipid substitution. Finally, levels of several diglycosylceramide lipids increased as much as 10-fold under P stress. These represent novel substitute lipids and potential biomarkers for the study of P limitation
in situ
, contributing to growing evidence highlighting the importance of sphingolipids in phycology. These findings contribute much to our understanding of P-lipid substitution, a powerful and widespread adaptation to P limitation in the oligotrophic ocean.

IMPORTANCE
Unicellular organisms replace phosphorus (P)-containing membrane lipids with non-P substitutes when P is scarce, allowing greater growth of populations. Previous research with the model diatom species
Thalassiosira pseudonana
grouped lipids by polar headgroups in their chemical structures. The significance of the research reported here is threefold. (i) We described the individual lipids within the headgroups during P-lipid substitution, revealing the relationships between lipid headgroups and hinting at the underlying biochemical processes. (ii) We measured total cellular P, placing P-lipid substitution in the context of the broader response to P stress and yielding insight into the implications of substitution in the marine environment. (iii) We identified lipids previously unknown in this system, revealing a new type of non-P substitute lipid, which is potentially useful as a biomarker for the investigation of P limitation in the ocean.