bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Agrobacterium tumefaciens S33 reveal the molecular mechanism of a novel hybrid nicotine-degrading pathway
Authors: Huang Haiyan , Yu Wenjun , Wang Rongshui , Li Huili , Xie Huijun , Wang Shuning
Published: June 2017

Agrobacterium tumefaciens S33 is able to degrade nicotine via a novel hybrid of the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways. It can be utilized to remove nicotine from tobacco wastes and transform nicotine into important functionalized pyridine precursors for some valuable drugs and insecticides. However, the molecular mechanism of the hybrid pathway is still not completely clear. Here we report the genome analysis of strain S33 and its transcriptomes grown in glucose-ammonium medium and nicotine medium. The complete gene cluster involved in nicotine catabolism was found to be located on a genomic island composed of genes functionally similar but not in sequences to those of the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways, as well as genes encoding plasmid partitioning and replication initiation proteins, conjugal transfer proteins and transposases. This suggests that the evolution of this hybrid pathway is not a simple fusion of the genes involved in the two pathways, but the result of a complicated lateral gene transfer. In addition, other genes potentially involved in the hybrid pathway could include those responsible for substrate sensing and transport, transcription regulation and electron transfer during nicotine degradation. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of the novel hybrid pathway for nicotine degradation.
Highly efficient chemoenzymatic synthesis and facile purification of α-Gal pentasaccharyl ceramide Galα3nLc4βCer
Authors: Santra Abhishek , Li Yanhong , Yu Hai , Slack Teri J. , Wang Peng George , Chen Xi
Published: June 2017

α-Gal pentasaccharyl ceramide was synthesized using sequential one-pot multienzyme (OPME) systems with facile purification using a C18 cartridge followed by acylation.
An unprecedented trinuclear FeII triazole-based complex exhibiting a concerted and complete sharp spin transition above room temperature
Authors: Pittala Narsimhulu , Thétiot Franck , Charles Catherine , Triki Smail , Boukheddaden Kamel , Chastanet Guillaume , Marchivie Mathieu
Published: June 2017

We report a triazole-based trinuclear FeII complex as the first example that displays a sharp and complete spin transition. The strong ferro-elastic coupling between the three metal centers was identified as the source of the concerted spin transition.
Nickel-catalysed direct alkylation of thiophenes via double C(sp3)–H/C(sp2)–H bond cleavage: the importance of KH2PO4
Authors: Wang Xie , Xie Peipei , Qiu Renhua , Zhu Longzhi , Liu Ting , Li You , Iwasaki Takanori , Au Chak-Tong , Xu Xinhua , Xia Yuanzhi , Yin Shuang-Feng , Kambe Nobuaki
Published: June 2017

A Ni-catalyzed C–H/C–H cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction was developed for constructing various highly functionalized alkyl (aryl)-substituted thiophenes.
On the efficiency limit of ZnO/CH3NH3PbI3/CuI perovskite solar cells
Authors: Martynov Yaroslav B. , Nazmitdinov Rashid G. , Moià-Pol Andreu , Gladyshev Pavel P. , Tameev Alexey R. , Vannikov Anatoly V. , Pudlak Mihal
Published: June 2017

Organometal triiodide perovskites are promising, high-performance absorbers in solar cells.
The antiproliferative activity of di-2-pyridylketone dithiocarbamate is partly attributed to catalase inhibition: detailing the interaction by spectroscopic methods
Authors: Li Cuiping , Liu Youxun , Fu Yun , Huang Tengfei , Kang Lixia , Li Changzheng
Published: June 2017

The bioactivity of drugs is attributed to their interaction with biological molecules, embodied in either their direct or indirect influence on enzyme activity and conformation.
Understanding the role of tyrosine in glycogenin
Authors: Camiruaga Ander , Usabiaga Imanol , Insausti Aran , Cocinero Emilio J. , León Iker , Fernández José A.
Published: June 2017

α-/β-Glucose shows a particular affinity for the O3H and O4H moieties of β-PhGlc in the synthesis of glucogen.
Light absorption modulation of novel Fe2TiO5 inverse opals for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: An Xiaoqiang , Lan Huachun , Liu Ruiping , Liu Huijuan , Qu Jiuhui
Published: June 2017

Fe2TiO5 inverse opals with modulated light absorption were prepared. Enhanced light absorption and superior charge separation resulted in high photocurrent.
Ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid biosorption on the leaves of the knotweed Fallopia x bohemica
Authors: Mucha Marek , Mucha Martin
Published: June 2017

Knotweed is proposed as a cheap, renewable and efficient sorbent for ibuprofen (IBU) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) removal from water.
Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced photocatalytic properties of NiWO4 nanobricks
Authors: AlShehri Saad M. , Ahmed Jahangeer , Alzahrani Abdulaziz M. , Ahamad Tansir
Published: June 2017

NiWO4 nanobricks were used as photocatalysts in the degradation of organic pollutants in neutral and basic media.
Synthesis of pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives via asymmetric Michael addition reactions of carboxylate-substituted enones
Authors: Yin Feng , Garifullina Ainash , Tanaka Fujie
Published: June 2017

An enantioselective Michael addition reaction system was developed. Using the reaction system, 5-methylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid was synthesized in two steps.
VQ‐based compressive sensing with high compression quality
Authors: Fan Haiju , Li Ming , Mao Wentao
Published: June 2017

Natural image reconstruction based on compressive sensing (CS) has shown a promising performance in recent years. However, sometimes the restoration precision is not high enough. A novel CS algorithm using vector quantisation (VQ) error is proposed. First, the original image is compressed by VQ due to its extremely high compression ratio and strong ability to preserve details. Then compute the VQ error matrix and ignore the three least significant bits, which makes the error matrix much sparser. Next, to ensure a uniform distribution of sparsity of blocks, the error matrix is scrambled. Since the huge diversity among blocks has been largely reduced, they can be sensed with the same sensing matrix in space domain. At last, the reconstruction effect of the error matrix decides the total restoration performance. Experimental results have demonstrated the proposed method, at low measurement ratio, performs better in the aspects of perception and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Compact differential‐fed dipole antenna with wide bandwidth, stable gain and low cross‐polarisation
Authors: Ding Chen , Luk Kwai‐man
Published: June 2017

A novel differential‐fed dipole antenna with compact size is proposed and investigated. The size of the antenna is only 0.8λ0 × 0.8λ0 × 0.13λ0 (where λ0 is the free‐space wavelength at the centre frequency). By utilising a pair of complementary sources, the antenna achieves good unidirectional radiation performances. The antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 38.5% for from 1.63 to 2.4 GHz. The boresight gain ranges from 7.8 to 9.6 dBi. The cross‐polarisation level is lower than −25 dB while the front‐to‐back ratio is above 12 dB across the operating frequency band. Moreover, the antenna is simple structured and easy to be fabricated.
Deep convolutional neural networks for automatic segmentation of left ventricle cavity from cardiac magnetic resonance images
Authors: Yang Xulei , Zeng Zeng , Yi Su
Published: June 2017

This work conducts a feasibility study of deep learning approaches for automatic segmentation of left ventricle (LV) cavity from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. Automatic LV cavity segmentation is a challenging task, partially due to the small size of the object as compared to the large CMR image background, especially at the apex. To cater for small object segmentation, the authors present a localisation‐segmentation framework, to first locate the object in the large full image, then segment the object within the small cropped region of interest. The localisation is performed by a deep regression model based on convolutional neural networks, while the segmentation is done by the deep neural networks based on U‐Net architecture. They also employ the Dice loss function for the training process of the segmentation models, to investigate its effects on the segmentation performance. The deep learning models are trained and evaluated by using public endocardium‐annotated CMR datasets from York University and MICCAI 2009 LV Challenge websites. The average dice metric values of the authors’ proposed framework are 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, on these two databases. These results are promising as compared to the best results achieved by the current state‐of‐art, which shows the potentials of deep learning approaches for this particular application.
Robust saliency detection via corner information and an energy function
Authors: Zhang Hanling , Xia Chenxing , Gao Xiuju
Published: June 2017

In this study, the authors propose a distinctive bottom‐up visual saliency detection algorithm based on a new background prior and a new reinforcement. Inspired by genetic algorithm, the final map is obtained with three steps. First of all, the authors construct a background‐based saliency map by manifold ranking via superior image corners selected by convex‐hull as background prior, which is different from most of the existing background prior‐based methods treated all image boundaries as background. Then, a better result is obtained by ranking the relevance of the image elements with foreground seeds extracted from the preliminary saliency map. Furthermore, a novel optimisation framework is introduced with the intention of refining the map, which integrates an energy function with a guided filter. Experimental results on three public datasets indicate that the proposed method performs favourably against the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Efficient joint probabilistic data association filter based on Kullback–Leibler divergence for multi‐target tracking
Authors: Zhu Yun , Wang Jun , Liang Shuang
Published: June 2017

To deal with the track coalescence problem of the joint probabilistic data association (JPDA) filter, a novel approach based on the Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) is developed in this study. In JPDA, the posterior probability density function (PDF) is approximated by a single Gaussian PDF at each time step. The authors propose a novel method of optimising the posterior PDF to obtain a single Gaussian PDF that minimises the KLD from the posterior PDF. However, the KLD is intractable because the posterior PDF is a Gaussian mixture model. Hence, an approximation of the KLD is introduced as the cost function to simplify the problem. The cost function is a linear combination of multiple objective functions which are not conflicting. Therefore, the minimisation of the cost function is easier to operate, because all objective functions can be optimised simultaneously. In addition, an iterative method is adopted for minimising the cost function. In the iteration process, the tracking accuracy is improved with the monotonic decrease of the cost function. Theoretical analysis and example show the feasibility of the proposed approach. Simulation results demonstrate the advantages of the new approach over others when tracking closely spaced targets with contaminated sensor measurements.
Interpulse‐frequency‐agile and intrapulse‐phase‐coded waveform optimisation for extend‐range correlation sidelobe suppression
Authors: Mao Zhineng , Wei Yinsheng
Published: June 2017

Conventional stepped‐frequency (SF) waveform utilises the frequency step between pulses to span a wide bandwidth. However, the frequency step size is limited by the width of the pulse to prevent the grating lobes, and the first lobe is about −13 dB due to the uniformly sampling in frequency. Modulating the pulses [e.g. phase‐coded (PC) modulation or linear frequency modulation] can increase the frequency step size and improve the performance of the sidelobes, but the sidelobes of the modulated SF waveform are still not the best. In this study, a PC frequency‐hopping (PCFH) waveform to achieve optimal extend‐range correlation sidelobes is presented. The presented waveform applies non‐linear frequency evolution, optimal frequency order and different polyphase code to each pulse. In comparison to the SF waveform, the PCFH waveform has much higher degrees of freedom for suppressing extend‐range correlation sidelobes. The authors propose a design scheme, which sequentially optimises the interpulse frequency, the FH order and the intrapulse‐polyphase code to achieve the optimal extended‐range correlation sidelobes. Simulation results validate the performance of the optimised waveform and the feasibility of the involved design method.
Pneumatization Patterns of the Petrous Apex and Lateral Sphenoid Recess
Authors: Bruni Margherita , Wong Robert , Tabor Mark , Boyev K. , Malone Alexander
Published: June 2017

Introduction The petrous apex poses a challenge for surgical intervention due to poor access. As intraoperative image guidance and surgical instrumentation improve, newer endoscopic approaches are increasingly favored. This study aims to provide normative data on the anatomy of the lateral sphenoid sinus recess and petrous apex. These normative data could assist in determining the efficacy of a transnasal transsphenoidal approach to lesions of the anteroinferior petrous apex.

Methods This is a retrospective study investigating normative data on all maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) scans performed at a level I trauma center over a 6-month period. All appropriate images had the pneumatization pattern of the petrous apex and lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus reviewed by a single otologist and graded bilaterally. These were then analyzed in SPSS; Pearson correlation analyses and χ2 test were used.

Results A total of 481 patients were identified, yielding a total of 962 temporal bones and sphenoid sinuses for analysis. Eighty-eight percent of sides analyzed had a nonpneumatized lateral recess. The petrous apex was nonpneumatized in 54% of sides analyzed. There was a correlation noted between the degree of pneumatization of the petrous apex and pneumatization of the lateral recess of the sphenoid.

Conclusion This study is the first to provide normative data comparing pneumatization of the petrous apex and sphenoid sinus. These data may support future work evaluating the utility of an endonasal approach to the petrous apex.
Small-Fiber-Neuropathien
Authors: Sommer Claudia , Üçeyler Nurcan
Published: June 2017

Das klinische Bild der Small-Fiber-Neuropathie, einer Erkrankung der dünn bemarkten A-delta- und unbemarkten C-Fasern, ist geprägt durch brennende akrale Schmerzen. Wichtig ist die Suche nach der Krankheitsursache, die vielfältig sein kann, am häufigsten jedoch Diabetes mellitus. Die klinische Verdachtsdiagnose wird untermauert durch spezielle Untersuchungen, die in diesem Beitrag ebenso wie die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten vorgestellt werden.
Vitamin D – Funktionen und Versorgung
Authors: Grune Tilman
Published: June 2017

Die Bezeichnung Vitamin D ist ein Sammelbegriff für verschiedene Substanzen, die aus Cholesterol
(Vitamin-D3-Derivate) und Ergosterol (Vitamin-D2-Derivate) synthetisiert werden.
Der Stoffwechsel des Vitamin D und die Bildung seiner Wirk- und Transportformen ist ausführlich
beschrieben [1, 2] und soll deshalb hier
nicht erwähnt werden – nur an die Notwendigkeit von UV-Strahlung für einen zentralen Syntheseschritt in
der Haut sei erinnert. Da diese UV-Strahlung offensichtlich nicht unter allen Umständen ausreicht, ist
Vitamin D ein essenzieller Nahrungsbestandteil.
Femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles using XFEL
Authors: Obara Yuki , Ito Hironori , Ito Terumasa , Kurahashi Naoya , Thürmer Stephan , Tanaka Hiroki , Katayama Tetsuo , Togashi Tadashi , Owada Shigeki , Yamamoto Yo-ichi , Karashima Shutaro , Nishitani Junichi , Yabashi Makina , Suzuki Toshinori , Misawa Kazuhiko
Published: June 2017

The charge-carrier dynamics of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in an aqueous solution were studied by femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy using an X-ray free electron laser in combination with a synchronized ultraviolet femtosecond laser (268 nm). Using an arrival time monitor for the X-ray pulses, we obtained a temporal resolution of 170 fs. The transient X-ray absorption spectra revealed an ultrafast Ti K-edge shift and a subsequent growth of a pre-edge structure. The edge shift occurred in ca. 100 fs and is ascribed to reduction of Ti by localization of generated conduction band electrons into shallow traps of self-trapped polarons or deep traps at penta-coordinate Ti sites. Growth of the pre-edge feature and reduction of the above-edge peak intensity occur with similar time constants of 300–400 fs, which we assign to the structural distortion dynamics near the surface.
Magnetic domain walls in nanostrips of single-crystalline Fe4N(001) thin films with fourfold in-plane magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Ito Keita , Rougemaille Nicolas , Pizzini Stefania , Honda Syuta , Ota Norio , Suemasu Takashi , Fruchart Olivier
Published: June 2017

We investigated head-to-head domain walls in nanostrips of epitaxial Fe4N(001) thin films, displaying a fourfold magnetic anisotropy. Magnetic force microscopy and micromagnetic simulations show that the domain walls have specific properties, compared to soft magnetic materials. In particular, strips aligned along a hard axis of magnetization are wrapped by partial flux-closure concertina domains below a critical width, while progressively transforming to zigzag walls for wider strips. Transverse walls are favored upon the initial application of a magnetic field transverse to the strip, while transformation to vortex walls is favored upon motion under a longitudinal magnetic field. In all cases, the magnetization texture of such fourfold anisotropy domain walls exhibits narrow micro-domain walls, which may give rise to peculiar spin-transfer features.
Observation of promoted C–O bond weakening on the heterometallic nickel–silver: Photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of AgNi(CO)n−
Authors: Liu Zhiling , Xie Hua , Zou Jinghan , Fan Hongjun , Tang Zichao
Published: June 2017

We report a joint experimental and theoretical study on heterodinuclear silver–nickel carbonyl clusters: AgNi(CO)n− and AgNi(CO)n (n = 2, 3). The photoelectron spectra and photoelectron angular distribution provide information on the electronic structures and geometries of these complexes. Electron affinities of AgNi(CO)2 and AgNi(CO)3 are measured from the photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectra to be 2.29 ± 0.03 and 2.32 ± 0.03 eV, respectively. The complementary theoretical calculations at the B3LYP level and Franck-Condon simulations are performed to establish their geometrical structures. The C–O stretching modes are activated upon photodetachment and determined to be 2024 and 2028 cm−1 for AgNi(CO)2 and AgNi(CO)3, respectively, which are notably red-shifted with respect to those of corresponding unsaturated binary nickel carbonyls. These findings will shed light on the promoted C–O bond weakening by the introduction of a foreign atom to binary unsaturated TM carbonyl complexes.
Resonant energy transfer under the influence of the evanescent field from the metal
Authors: Poudel Amrit , Chen Xin , Ratner Mark A.
Published: June 2017

We present a quantum framework based on a density matrix of a dimer system to investigate the quantum dynamics of excitation energy transfer (EET) in the presence of the evanescent field from the metal and the phonon bath. Due to the spatial correlation of the electric field in the vicinity of the metal, the spectral density of the evanescent field is similar to that of a shared phonon bath. However, the EET dynamics under the influence of the evanescent field is an open and a new problem. Here we use a thin metallic film to investigate the effect of the evanescent field on the excitation energy transfer in a dimer system based on a density matrix approach. Our results indicate that a thin metallic film enhances the energy transfer rate at the expense of absorbing energy during the process. Since the spectral density of the evanescent field is affected by the geometry of the medium and the distance of a dimer system from the medium, our results demonstrate the possibility to tune EET based on material geometry and distances. Our model also serves as an expansion to quantum heat engine models and provides a framework to investigate the EET in light harvesting molecular networks under the influence of the evanescent field.
Break voltage of Au single-atom contacts formed by junction closure
Authors: Wakasugi Shinsaku , Kurokawa Shu , Kim Howon , Hasegawa Yukio , Sakai Akira
Published: June 2017

We produced Au single-atom contacts (SACs) by contact closing and found that they show higher break voltages than SACs formed by the conventional break junction method. Our finding clearly indicates that the tensile forces inside SACs are important to obtain their high-bias stability and the SAC break voltage can be increased by reducing the tensile force. The break voltages of Pb SACs formed by scanning tunneling microscopy tip-sample touching and the break junction method have also been compared.
Electrical switching of the magnetic vortex circulation in artificial multiferroic structure of Co/Cu/PMN-PT(011)
Authors: Li Q. , Tan A. , Scholl A. , Young A. T. , Yang M. , Hwang C. , N'Diaye A. T. , Arenholz E. , Li J. , Qiu Z. Q.
Published: June 2017

Co films and micron sized disks were grown on top of piezoelectric PMN-PT(011) and Cu/PMN-PT(001) substrates and investigated by the Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect and Photoemission Electron Microscopy. By applying an electric field in the surface normal direction, we find that the strain of the ferroelectric PMN-PT(011) substrate induces an in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the Co overlayer. Under specific conditions, the Co magnetic vortex could be switched between clockwise and counter-clockwise circulations. The variations of the Co vortex switching were attributed to the variations of the ferroelectric domains under the Co disks. We speculate that the switching of the magnetic vortex circulation is a dynamical process which may involve pulses of appropriate magnitude and duration of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy delivered to the magnetic vortex.
Vortex circulation patterns in planar microdisk arrays
Authors: Velten Sven , Streubel Robert , Farhan Alan , Kent Noah , Im Mi-Young , Scholl Andreas , Dhuey Scott , Behncke Carolin , Meier Guido , Fischer Peter
Published: June 2017

We report a magnetic X-ray microscopy study of the pattern formation of circulation in arrays of magnetic vortices ordered in a hexagonal and a honeycomb lattice. In the honeycomb lattice, we observe at remanence an ordered phase of alternating circulations, whereas in the hexagonal lattice, small regions of alternating lines form. A variation in the edge-to-edge distance shows that the size of those regions scales with the magnetostatic interaction. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that the patterns result from the formation of flux closure states during the nucleation process.
Origin of p-type characteristics in a SnSe single crystal
Authors: Duvjir Ganbat , Min Taewon , Thi Ly Trinh , Kim Taehoon , Duong Anh-Tuan , Cho Sunglae , Rhim S. H. , Lee Jaekwang , Kim Jungdae
Published: June 2017

SnSe single crystals have recently been found to exhibit excellent thermoelectric performance with an extremely high figure of merit (ZT) value of 2.6. Although this high ZT value has attracted considerable attention, the microscopic origin of the p-type characteristics of SnSe is not yet clearly understood. Here, we directly observed and identified intrinsic point defects existing on SnSe via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and investigated the effect of defects on the electronic properties using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results demonstrate that the most dominant Sn vacancies move the Fermi energy inside the dispersive valence band and produce extra holes throughout the system. On the other hand, Se vacancies create a nondispersive donor level and generate immobile electrons localized near the vacancy site. Our combined STM/DFT studies show that the p-type characteristics of SnSe originate from extra holes in the dispersive Bloch-like band created by Sn vacancies. We expect that our results provide important information for the development of highly efficient SnSe-based thermoelectric devices.
Gesture–speech combinations and early verbal abilities
Authors: Capobianco Micaela , Pizzuto Elena Antinoro , Devescovi Antonella
Published: June 2017

This study provides new longitudinal evidence on two major types of gesture–speech combination that play different roles in children’s early language. We analysed the spontaneous production of 10 Italian children observed monthly from 10–12 to 23–25 months of age. We evaluated the extent to which the developmental trends observed in children’s early gesture–word and word–word productions can predict subsequent verbal abilities. The results indicate that “complementary” and “supplementary” gesture–speech combinations predict subsequent language development in a different manner: While the onset of “supplementary” combinations predicts the onset of two-word combinations, the use of “complementary” combinations at 12 and 18 months predicts the vocabulary and the ability to produce more words utterances at 2 years of age. Moreover, the results suggest that both “complementary” and “supplementary” crossmodal combinations are good predictive indexes of early verbal skills during the second year of age.
Europeanisation, stateness, and professions: What role do economic expertise and economic experts play in European political integration?
Authors: Schmidt-Wellenburg Christian
Published: June 2017

The article explores Europeanisation as an effect of European political integration, a process driven by struggles over the legitimate political and social order that is to prevail in Europe. Firstly, an analytic framework is constructed, drawing on insights from Pierre Bourdieu’s work on similar struggles over nation-stateness. Secondly, the mechanisms identified are used to assess the role played by economic experts and expertise in the process of European political integration. It is argued that concepts arising from economic disciplines, agents educated in economics, and practising economic professionals influence European political integration and have benefited from Europeanisation initiated by this process. Special emphasis is placed on strategies of integrating Europe by law or by market, on governing Europe using economic expertise, on the role played by economic academia in researching and objectifying Europe, and on staffing European institutions with economists.
Effectiveness of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Roles of Behavioral Factors, Credit Constraint, and Program Design
Authors: Miao Ruiqing , Khanna Madhu
Published: June 2017

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) aims to incentivize the production of biomass for bioenergy and bioproducts. This paper investigates the potential effectiveness of BCAP in stimulating biomass production. We find that the effectiveness of BCAP is significantly affected by program design, farmers’ risk and time preferences, credit availability, and biomass prices. The impact of a budget‐constrained BCAP on incentivizing biomass production is much larger under a program design that enrolls land with the largest incremental biomass production per BCAP payment dollar (IBP‐Max design) than under a design that enrolls land with the lowest cost of production (COP‐Min design). The effectiveness of BCAP in inducing biomass production is highest when farmers are credit constrained, have a high degree of risk aversion, and a high rate of time preference under the IBP‐Max design. The mix of feedstocks induced by the BCAP also varies as the biomass price increases; at low prices much of the biomass induced is from crop residues, while at high prices it is from perennial energy crops. The additional biomass production induced by the BCAP ranges from 0.1% to 62% of total biomass production without BCAP under the IBP‐Max design, and from 0.1% to 3% under the COP‐Min design. However, the volume of biomass production induced by BCAP is small even in the credit constrained, high‐risk aversion, and high discount rate scenario (2.7 million metric tons annually) due to the limited program budget of $125 million BCAP budget under the 2014 Farm Bill.
Spectral Patterns Reveal Early Resistance Reactions of Barley AgainstBlumeria graminisf. sp.hordei
Authors: Kuska Matheus Thomas , Brugger Anna , Thomas Stefan , Wahabzada Mirwaes , Kersting Kristian , Oerke Erich-Christian , Steiner Ulrike , Mahlein Anne-Katrin
Published: June 2017

Differences in early plant–pathogen interactions are mainly characterized by using destructive methods. Optical sensors are advanced techniques for phenotyping host–pathogen interactions on different scales and for detecting subtle plant resistance responses against pathogens. A microscope with a hyperspectral camera was used to study interactions between Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei and barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes with high susceptibility or resistance due to hypersensitive response (HR) and papilla formation. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of pathogen development was used to explain changes in hyperspectral signatures. Within 48 h after inoculation, genotype-specific changes in the green and red range (500 to 690 nm) and a blue shift of the red-edge inflection point were observed. Manual analysis indicated resistance-specific reflectance patterns from 1 to 3 days after inoculation. These changes could be linked to host plant modifications depending on individual host–pathogen interactions. Retrospective analysis of hyperspectral images revealed spectral characteristics of HR against B. graminis f. sp. hordei. For early HR detection, an advanced data mining approach localized HR spots before they became visible on the RGB images derived from hyperspectral imaging. The link among processes during pathogenesis and host resistance to changes in hyperspectral signatures provide evidence that sensor-based phenotyping is suitable to advance time-consuming and cost-expensive visual rating of plant disease resistances.
High Altitude-associated Changes in Intraocular Pressure Abrogated by Trabeculectomy
Authors: Foulsham William , Tatham Andrew J.
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

To highlight the effect of ascent to high altitude on intraocular pressure (IOP) in a patient with primary open-angle glaucoma, who had previously undergone trabeculectomy in 1 eye.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 66-year-old mountaineer with primary open-angle glaucoma and previous right trabeculectomy performed self-tonometry using a rebound tonometer (Icare HOME) before and during an expedition in the Himalaya. In the nonoperated eye, there was a statistically significant increase in IOP as the patient ascended to 5000 m over 8 days (R
2=0.790, P=0.001), consistent with recent literature. IOP increased by 1.73 mm Hg with each 1000 m increase in altitude. In the trabeculectomized eye there was no significant increase in IOP (R
2=0.219, P=0.172).

Conclusions:

Filtration surgery may be protective against IOP fluctuations associated with ascent to high altitude. Self-tonometry complements standard glaucoma care by providing opportunities for IOP monitoring outside office hours and in remote locations.
Long-term Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Late Intraocular Lens Dislocation Associated With High Intraocular Pressure: A Case Series
Authors: Torres Lucas A. , Vianna Jayme R. , Nicolela Marcelo T.
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

To demonstrate the long-term safety and efficacy of transscleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation combined with an Ahmed glaucoma drainage device implantation for patients with late IOL dislocation and high intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods:

This is a retrospective report of a series of patients who underwent this combined surgery. The main outcome variables studied were change in visual acuity (VA), IOP, and number of medications compared with preoperative levels. Surgical failure was defined as a decrease in VA of at least 3 Snellen lines, IOP above 20 mm Hg or IOP reduction <25% from preoperative levels at ≥2 consecutive visits, at least 2 months apart.

Results:

Eleven patients with median age of 83 years (range, 77 to 92 y) were included in the study. All patients had a previous diagnosis of pseudoexfoliation. After a median follow-up time of 1.75 years (range, 0.83 to 2.5 y), the median IOP decreased from 33 mm Hg (range, 24 to 47 mm Hg) to 13 mm Hg (range, 5 to 16 mm Hg; P<0.01). The number of glaucoma medications also decreased from 3 (range, 1 to 4) to 2 (range, 0 to 4; P=0.03). The median log MAR VA improved from 0.77 (range, 0.3 to 2) preoperatively to 0.44 (range, 0 to 3) postoperatively (P=0.27).

Four patients had postoperatory surgical complications: choroidal effusion (2), vitreous hemorrhage and hyphema (1), vertical diplopia (1). The survival probability over 2.5 years was 90.9% (confidence interval, 75.4%-100%).

Conclusion:

Transscleral IOL fixation associated with Ahmed glaucoma drainage device implantation is a safe and effective surgical option for patients with late IOL dislocation and elevated IOP.
Characteristics of Patients With Congestive Heart Failure or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Readmissions Within 30 Days Following an Acute Exacerbation
Authors: Castillo Austin , Edriss Hawa , Selvan Kavitha , Nugent Kenneth
Published: June 2017

Background:

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program targets Medicare patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and penalizes hospitals that have increased 30-day readmission rates for these patients. The main goals of this study were to determine the clinical explanations for readmissions within 30 days, to identify possible deficiencies in patient care, and to identify typical characteristics of patients who were readmitted to the hospital.

Methods:

The medical records department at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, generated a list of patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of either acute exacerbation of CHF or an acute exacerbation of COPD who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Data collected from the electronic medical records included demographic information, clinical information, laboratory data, electrocardiographic information, echocardiographic results, and radiographic information for the index admission and readmission hospitalization. The indication for readmission was determined after review of all clinical data.

Results:

The final study cohorts included 58 admission-readmission events for acute exacerbations of CHF (47 patients) and 27 admission-readmission events for acute exacerbations of COPD (16 patients). Patients in both cohorts had significant comorbidity and frequent admissions during the 12 months prior to their index admissions. Patients with COPD had predominantly an emphysematous phenotype. Chest radiographs in patients with CHF showed cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusions. Patients with CHF were discharged with suboptimal medication regimens. Referral to outpatient rehabilitation programs was low in both groups.

Conclusions:

Patients with acute exacerbations of COPD or CHF who require readmission within 30 days have complex comorbidity. They appear to have typical clinical profiles (emphysematous-type COPD patients and CHF patients with fluid overload), are frequently discharged with suboptimal medication regimens, and are not referred to outpatient rehabilitation. These patients had frequent hospitalizations prior to index hospitalizations. This information provides the basis for a focused review of patients admitted to the hospital to identify factors that might contribute to readmission.
Birds have swing: Multifractal analysis reveals expressive rhythm in birdsong
Authors: Roeske Tina , Kelty-Stephen Damian , Wallot Sebastian
Published: June 2017

Music is thought to engage its listeners by driving feelings of surprise, tension, and relief through a dynamic mixture of predictable and unpredictable patterns, a property summarized here as “expressiveness”. Birdsong shares with music the goal to attract and hold its listeners’ attention and might make use of similar strategies to achieve this goal. We here tested a songbird’srhythm, as represented by the amplitude envelope (containing information on note timing, duration, and intensity), for expressiveness. We used multifractal analysis which is designed to detect in a signal dynamic fluctuations between predictable and unpredictable states on multiple timescales (e.g. notes, subphrases, songs). Results show that the songs' amplitude envelope is strongly multifractal, indicating rhythm is patterned by fluctuations between predictable and unpredictable patterns. Moreover, comparing original songs with re-synthesized songs that lack all subtle deviations from the “standard” note envelopes, we find that deviations in note intensity and duration significantly contribute to the rhythm’s multifractality. This suggests that birds render their songs more expressive by subtly modifying note timing patterns, similar to musical operations likeaccelerandoorritardando. Our findings bear consequences for neuronal models of vocal sequence generation in birds, as they require non-local rules to generate rhythm.
Genetic risk for schizophrenia influences substance use in emerging adulthood: An event-level polygenic prediction model
Authors: Mallard Travis T. , Harden K. Paige , Fromme Kim
Published: June 2017

Background

Emerging adulthood is a peak period of risk for alcohol and illicit drug use. Recent advances in psychiatric genetics suggest that the co-occurrence of substance use and psychopathology arises, in part, from a shared genetic etiology. We sought to extend this research by investigating the influence of genetic risk for schizophrenia on trajectories of four substance use behaviors as they occurred across emerging adulthood.

Method

Young adult participants of non-Hispanic European descent provided DNA samples and completed daily reports of substance use for one month per year across four years (N=30,085 observations of N=342 participants). Polygenic scores for schizophrenia were included in two-level hierarchical linear models designed to test associations between genetic risk for schizophrenia, participant age, and four substance use phenotypes.

Results

Here, we interpret results at p<.05 as suggestive and results at p<.005 as significant. Accordingly, our results suggest that polygenic scores for schizophrenia were positively associated with participants’ overall likelihood to engage in illicit drug use, but not alcohol-related substance use. Moreover, our results indicate that participants with a greater polygenic loading for schizophrenia experienced greater age-related increases in the likelihood of using substances across emerging adulthood.

Conclusions

The present study used a novel combination of polygenic prediction and intensive longitudinal methods to characterize the influence of genetic risk for schizophrenia on patterns of age-related change in substance use across emerging adulthood. Results suggest that genetic risk for schizophrenia exerts both broad and developmentally-specific influences on substance use behaviors in a non-clinical population of young adults.
The putative polyketide cyclase MSMEG_0129 fromMycobacterium smegmatis: purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis
Authors: Zheng Shuping , Zhou Ying , Fleming Joy , Zhou Yafeng , Liu Wei , Bi Lijun
Published: June 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosisRv0164 has previously been identified as a human T-cell antigen that induces significant production of IFN-γ in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.M. smegmatisMSMEG_0129 shares 59% sequence identity with Rv0164. Based on sequence alignment, both proteins are predicted to be members of the cyclase/dehydrase family, which is part of a large group of enzymes referred to as type II polyketide synthases (PKSs). In biosynthetic pathways mediated by type II PKSs, cyclases catalyze the conversion of linear poly-β-ketones to cyclized intermediates. To date, no mycobacterial type II PKSs have been reported. Here, the goal is to determine whether these proteins adopt similar folds to reported cyclase structures, and to this end MSMEG_0129 was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized. An X-ray diffraction data set was collected to 1.95 Å resolution from a crystal belonging to space groupP62, with unit-cell parametersa= 109.76,b= 109.76,c= 56.5 Å, α = 90, β = 90, γ = 120°. Further crystallographic analysis should establish a basis for investigating the structure and function of this putative mycobacterial type II PKS enzyme.
Design of a bandwidth enhanced hybrid slot loop antenna for GSM/UWB standards
Authors: B. Partibane , M. Gulam Nabi Alsath , Rajakani Kalidoss
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to presents the bandwidth enhancement of a hybrid slot–loop antenna using a modified feed structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional monopole feed of the hybrid slot–loop radiator is loaded with a flat microstrip patch to excite higher-order modes. The proposed antenna combines the resonant modes of the slot antenna, the loop antenna and the patch loading.

Findings

The antenna exhibits a dual-band response suitable for GSM 1800/1900 and ultrawideband (UWB) standards. The impedance bandwidth extends from 1.65 to 1.95 GHz (11.42 per cent) and 3 to 11.1 GHz (114.9 per cent). The proposed antenna has the smallest footprint with a peak gain of 5.07 dBi at 1.8 GHz and 4.97 dBi at 6 GHz. The prototype antenna is fabricated and the simulation results are validated using experimental measurements. The performance of the bandwidth-enhanced hybrid slot–loop antenna is compared with that of other slot antennas.

Originality/value

Thus, a hybrid slot–loop antenna with an enhanced bandwidth has been reported in this study. The conventional monopole feed of the antenna is replaced with a monopole ending with a microstrip patch load. The antenna covers the operating bands of GSM 1800/1900 and UWB. The proposed antenna has a smaller footprint compared with other wide-slot antennas reported in the literature.
Management and supervisory support as a moderator of work–family demands and women’s well-being
Authors: Achour Meguellati , Binti Abdul Khalil Shahidra , Binti Ahmad Bahiyah , Mohd Nor Mohd Roslan , Zulkifli Bin Mohd Yusoff Mohd Yakub
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship of work–family demands with employees’ well-being, and the role of management/supervisory support in this relationship. The following hypotheses were proposed: work–family demands would be negatively related to employees’ well-being; management/supervisory support would moderate the relationship of work–family demands with employees’ well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers used 250 working female academicians as respondents, working in the research universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their ages ranged from 30 to 60 years.

Findings

The findings of the present study proved that the work–family demands were negatively associated with employees’ well-being. Results also revealed that management and supervisory support strengthens the relationship between work–family demands and employees’ well-being. Thus, management and supervisory support plays an important role in balancing work demands and family roles and also in increasing working female academicians’ well-being.

Originality/value

In this study, management and supervisory support was found to be directly related to well-being, including life satisfaction, job satisfaction and family satisfaction. However, the direct relationship between management/supervisory support and well-being was positive and significant. This study also found that management/supervisor support reduced work–family conflict and work–family demands. Also, supervisory and management support was found to have a significant and positive relationship with well-being. Given these findings, supervisory and management support plays a very important role as a moderator of work–family demands and in developing and improving well-being in working women.
Customers’ Islamic ethical behavior: the case of Malaysian Islamic banks
Authors: Zakiah Farah , Al-Aidaros Al-Hasan
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the framework of customers’ Islamic ethical behavior in Islamic banks in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a quantitative approach based on Maqasid Shariah (objectives of Islamic law) and by running exploratory factor analysis. A survey questionnaire was created. The data of 530 respondents were collected from the customers of Islamic banks located in Malaysia.

Findings

The findings revealed that the theoretical framework consists of four main constructs: Islamic ethical behavior, religious obligation, reputation and profit and investment, in which all constructs are complying with Maqasid Shariah and three (i.e. Islamic ethical behavior, religious obligation and reputation) consist of two components for each construct.

Research limitations/implications

There are two limitations that require further acknowledgements. First, the study population only focused on Islamic banks’ customers. Second, this research highlighted only Malaysia and Malaysian citizens.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on Islamic ethical behavior in Southeast Asian economy. Unlike other Islamic ethical studies where the writing is mainly theoretical in nature, this study used an empirical method to reveal what should constitute for the framework of customers’ Islamic ethical behavior which is based on Maqasid Shariah.
Under- vs over-investment: hotel firms’ value around acquisitions
Authors: Dogru Tarik
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the extent to which under- and over-investment problems affect hotel firms’ value around the time when acquisitions are announced.

Design/methodology/approach

Hotel firms are classified based on their financial constraints (under-investment), corporate governance mechanisms (over-investment) and organizational structures. Multivariate analyses are conducted utilizing the panel ordinary least squares regression to examine the effects of financial constraints, corporate governance mechanisms and organizational structures on acquisition returns.

Findings

The results show that financial constraints have a larger effect on the firm value compared to the effect of corporate governance. Also, acquisitions are viewed as over-investments in poorly governed, franchising and hotel-real estate investment trust (REIT) firms.

Research limitations/implications

The analyses are limited to gains from acquisitions in the hotel industry. Therefore, future studies may examine the effects of capital expenditures and cash holdings on hotel firm value.

Practical implications

Acquisitions could help financially constrained firms reduce informational asymmetries. Firms could expand through franchising when they are financially constrained. However, franchising firms should take restrictive actions to control managers from making acquisitions. The hotel-REIT organizational form does not seem to cause under-investment problems, and it functions as an additional corporate governance mechanism.

Originality/value

In addition to the C-corporation organizational structure, hotel firms extensively adopt REIT and expand through franchising, which might affect under- and over-investment problems. Nonetheless, little is known about whether capital investments create or reduce value for hotel firms. This study helps to explain how financial constraints, corporate governance mechanisms and organizational structures affect hotel firms’ value.