bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High temperature annealing effects on deep-level defects in a high purity semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrate
Authors: Iwamoto Naoya , Azarov Alexander , Ohshima Takeshi , Moe Anne Marie M. , Svensson Bengt G.
Published: July 2015

Effects of high-temperature annealing on deep-level defects in a high-purity semi-insulating 4H silicon carbide substrate have been studied by employing current-voltage, capacitance-voltage, junction spectroscopy, and chemical impurity analysis measurements. Secondary ion mass spectrometry data reveal that the substrate contains boron with concentration in the mid 1015 cm−3 range, while other impurities including nitrogen, aluminum, titanium, vanadium and chromium are below their detection limits (typically ∼1014 cm−3). Schottky barrier diodes fabricated on substrates annealed at 1400–1700 °C exhibit metal/p-type semiconductor behavior with a current rectification of up to 8 orders of magnitude at bias voltages of ±3 V. With increasing annealing temperature, the series resistance of the Schottky barrier diodes decreases, and the net acceptor concentration in the substrates increases approaching the chemical boron content. Admittance spectroscopy results unveil the presence of shallow boron acceptors and deep-level defects with levels in lower half of the bandgap. After the 1400 °C annealing, the boron acceptor still remains strongly compensated at room temperature by deep donor-like levels located close to mid-gap. However, the latter decrease in concentration with increasing annealing temperature and after 1700 °C, the boron acceptor is essentially uncompensated. Hence, the deep donors are decisive for the semi-insulating properties of the substrates, and their thermal evolution limits the thermal budget for device processing. The origin of the deep donors is not well-established, but substantial evidence supporting an assignment to carbon vacancies is presented.
Monte Carlo simulation of dense polymer melts using event chain algorithms
Authors: Kampmann Tobias A. , Boltz Horst-Holger , Kierfeld Jan
Published: July 2015

We propose an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm for the off-lattice simulation of dense hard sphere polymer melts using cluster moves, called event chains, which allow for a rejection-free treatment of the excluded volume. Event chains also allow for an efficient preparation of initial configurations in polymer melts. We parallelize the event chain Monte Carlo algorithm to further increase simulation speeds and suggest additional local topology-changing moves (“swap” moves) to accelerate equilibration. By comparison with other Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, we verify that the event chain algorithm reproduces the correct equilibrium behavior of polymer chains in the melt. By comparing intrapolymer diffusion time scales, we show that event chain Monte Carlo algorithms can achieve simulation speeds comparable to optimized molecular dynamics simulations. The event chain Monte Carlo algorithm exhibits Rouse dynamics on short time scales. In the absence of swap moves, we find reptation dynamics on intermediate time scales for long chains.
Real-time sensing of epithelial cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions by impedance spectroscopy on porous substrates
Authors: Mondal D. , Pal D. , RoyChaudhuri C.
Published: July 2015

Oxidized porous silicon (PS) is a common topographical biocompatible substrate that potentially provides a distinct in vitro environment for better understanding of in vivo behavior. But in the reported studies on oxidized PS, cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions have been detected only by fluorescent labeling. This paper is the first attempt to investigate real-time sensing of these interactions on HaCaT cells by label-free impedance spectroscopy on oxidized PS of two pore diameters (50 and 500 nm). One of the major requirements for successful impedance spectroscopy measurement is to restrict the channeling of electric field lines through the pores. To satisfy this criterion, we have designed the pore depths after analyzing the penetration of the medium by using computational fluid dynamics simulation. A distributed electrical model was also developed for estimating the various cellular attributes by considering a pseudorandom distribution of pores. It is observed from the impedance measurements and from the model that the proliferation rate increases for 50 nm pores but decreases for 500 nm pores compared to that for planar substrates. The rate of decrease in cell substrate separation (h) in the initial stage is more than the rate of increase in cell-cell junction resistance (Rb) corresponding to the initial adhesion phase of cells. It is observed that Rb and h are higher for 50 nm pores than those for planar substrates, corresponding to the fact that substrates more conducive toward cell adhesion encourage cell-cell interactions than direct cell-substrate interactions. Thus, the impedance spectroscopy coupled with the proposed theoretical framework for PS substrates can sense and quantify the cellular interactions.
Noise signatures of metastable resistivity states in ferromagnetic insulating manganite
Authors: Przybytek J. , Fink-Finowicki J. , Puźniak R. , Markovich V. , Jung G.
Published: July 2015

Pronounced noise signatures enabling one to discriminate metastable resistivity states in La0.86Ca0.14MnO3 single crystals have been observed. The normalized noise spectra for metastable resisitivity differ both in shape and magnitude, indicating that the metastable state is associated with transition of the electronic system into another local minimum of the potential landscape. Such scenario is consistent with freezing of the electronic system into a Coulomb glass state.
Optical signatures of bulk and solutions of KC8 and KC24
Authors: Tristant Damien , Wang Yu , Gerber Iann , Monthioux Marc , Pénicaud Alain , Puech Pascal
Published: July 2015

We first performed an analysis of the shape of the Raman features of potassium-intercalated graphite at stage 1 (KC8 GIC) and 2 (KC24 GIC), respectively. By varying the excitation energy from ultraviolet to infrared, we observed a sign change of the Fano coupling factor below and above the optical transition related to the shift of the Fermi level which was determined from first principle calculations. This behavior is explained by a sign change in the Raman scattering amplitude of the electronic continuum. The GICs were then dissolved in two different solvents (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone and tetrahydrofuran), and the absorbance of the graphenide solutions obtained was measured in the UV range. Two peaks were observed which correspond to the maximum of the computed imaginary part of the optical index.
Polarization-dependent thin-film wire-grid reflectarray for terahertz waves
Authors: Niu Tiaoming , Upadhyay Aditi , Withayachumnankul Withawat , Headland Daniel , Abbott Derek , Bhaskaran Madhu , Sriram Sharath , Fumeaux Christophe
Published: July 2015

A thin-film polarization-dependent reflectarray based on patterned metallic wire grids is realized at 1 THz. Unlike conventional reflectarrays with resonant elements and a solid metal ground, parallel narrow metal strips with uniform spacing are employed in this design to construct both the radiation elements and the ground plane. For each radiation element, a certain number of thin strips with an identical length are grouped to effectively form a patch resonator with equivalent performance. The ground plane is made of continuous metallic strips, similar to conventional wire-grid polarizers. The structure can deflect incident waves with the polarization parallel to the strips into a designed direction and transmit the orthogonal polarization component. Measured radiation patterns show reasonable deflection efficiency and high polarization discrimination. Utilizing this flexible device approach, similar reflectarray designs can be realized for conformal mounting onto surfaces of cylindrical or spherical devices for terahertz imaging and communications.
Enhanced optical nonlinearities of hybrid graphene oxide films functionalized with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Fraser Scott , Zheng Xiaorui , Qiu Ling , Li Dan , Jia Baohua
Published: July 2015

We report a flexible method to functionalize highly transparent graphene oxide (GO) film with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Nonlinear absorption and refraction of the hybrid films are measured, which are strongly enhanced and tunable by different AuNP concentrations compared to both GO and AuNP-only samples. The enhanced nonlinearity is due to the effective functionalization of the hybrid films, which is verified by the ultraviolet-visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Our low-loss hybrid GO-AuNP films provide a solid-state material platform for diverse nonlinear applications. The functionalizing method can serve as a universal strategy to manipulate the physical properties of hybrid GO.
Dynamic behaviors of liquid droplets on a gas diffusion layer surface: Hybrid lattice Boltzmann investigation
Authors: Wu Jie , Huang Jun-Jie
Published: July 2015

Water management is one of the key issues in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Fundamentally, it is related to dynamic behaviors of droplets on a gas diffusion layer (GDL) surface, and consequently they are investigated in this work. A two-dimensional hybrid method is employed to implement numerical simulations, in which the flow field is solved by using the lattice Boltzmann method and the interface between droplet and gas is captured by solving the Cahn-Hilliard equation directly. One or two liquid droplets are initially placed on the GDL surface of a gas channel, which is driven by the fully developed Poiseuille flow. At a fixed channel size, the effects of viscosity ratio of droplet to gas (μ∗), Capillary number (Ca, ratio of gas viscosity to surface tension), and droplet interaction on the dynamic behaviors of droplets are systematically studied. By decreasing viscosity ratio or increasing Capillary number, the single droplet can detach from the GDL surface easily. On the other hand, when two identical droplets stay close to each other or a larger droplet is placed in front of a smaller droplet, the removal of two droplets is promoted.
Electronic properties and carrier mobilities of 6,6,12-graphyne nanoribbons
Authors: Ding Heyu , Bai Hongcun , Huang Yuanhe
Published: July 2015

Structures, stabilities, electronic properties and carrier mobilities of 6,6,12-graphyne nanoribbons (GyNRs) with armchair and zigzag edges are investigated using the self-consistent field crystal orbital method based on density functional theory. It is found that the 1D GyNRs are more stable than the 2D 6,6,12-graphyne sheet in the view of the Gibbs free energy. The stabilities of these GyNRs decrease as their widths increase. The calculated band structures show that all these GyNRs are semiconductors and that dependence of band gaps on the ribbon width is different from different types of the GyNRs. The carrier mobility was calculated based on the deformation theory and effective mass approach. It is found that the carrier mobilities of these GyNRs can reach the order of 105 cm2 V –1s–1 at room temperature and are comparable to those of graphene NRs. Moreover, change of the mobilities with change of the ribbon width is quite different from different types of the GyNRs.
Ab-initio calculation study on the formation mechanism of boron-oxygen complexes in c-Si
Authors: Yu Xuegong , Chen Peng , Chen Xianzi , Liu Yong , Yang Deren
Published: July 2015

Boron-oxygen (B-O) complex in crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells is responsible for the light-induced efficiency degradation of solar cell. However, the formation mechanism of B-O complex is not clear yet. By Ab-initio calculation, it is found that the stagger-type oxygen dimer (O2ist) should be the component of B-O complex, whose movement occurs through its structure reconfiguration at low temperature, instead of its long-distance diffusion. The O2ist can form two stable “latent centers” with the Bs, which are recombination-inactive. The latent centers can be evolved into the metastable recombination centers via their structure transformation in the presence of excess carriers. These results can well explain the formation behaviors of B-O complexes in c-Si.
Optical properties of armchair (7, 7) single walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Gharbavi K. , Badehian H.
Published: July 2015

Full potential linearized augmented plane waves method with the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation potential was applied to calculate the optical properties of (7, 7) single walled carbon nanotubes. The both x and z directions of the incident photons were applied to estimate optical gaps, dielectric function, electron energy loss spectroscopies, optical conductivity, optical extinction, optical refractive index and optical absorption coefficient. The results predict that dielectric function, ε (ω), is anisotropic since it has higher peaks along z-direction than x-direction. The static optical refractive constant were calculated about 1.4 (z-direction) and 1.1 (x- direction). Moreover, the electron energy loss spectroscopy showed a sharp π electron plasmon peaks at about 6 eV and 5 eV for z and x-directions respectively. The calculated reflection spectra show that directions perpendicular to the tube axis have further optical reflection. Moreover, z-direction indicates higher peaks at absorption spectra in low range energies. Totally, increasing the diameter of armchair carbon nanotubes cause the optical band gap, static optical refractive constant and optical reflectivity to decrease. On the other hand, increasing the diameter cause the optical absorption and the optical conductivity to increase. Moreover, the sharp peaks being illustrated at optical spectrum are related to the 1D structure of CNTs which confirm the accuracy of the calculations.
MHD flow of a micropolar fluid over a stretchable disk in a porous medium with heat and mass transfer
Authors: Rauf A. , Ashraf M. , Batool K. , Hussain M. , Meraj M. A.
Published: July 2015

This article studies the simultaneous impacts of heat and mass transfer of an incompressible electrically conducting micropolar fluid generated by the stretchable disk in presence of porous medium. The thermal radiation effect is accounted via Rosseland’s approximation. The governing boundary layer equations are reduced into dimensionless form by employing the suitable similarity transformations. A finite difference base algorithm is utilized to obtain the solution expressions. The impacts of physical parameters on dimensionless axial velocity, radial velocity, micro-rotation, temperature and concentrations profiles are presented and examined carefully. Numerical computation is performed to compute shear stress, couple stress, heat and mass rate at the disk.
The EHD protein Past1 controls postsynaptic membrane elaboration and synaptic function
Authors: Koles Kate , Messelaar Emily M. , Feiger Zachary , Yu Crystal J. , Frank C. Andrew , Rodal Avital A.
Published: July 2015

Membranes form elaborate structures that are highly tailored to their specialized cellular functions, yet the mechanisms by which these structures are shaped remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the conserved membrane-remodeling C-terminal Eps15 Homology Domain (EHD) protein Past1 is required for the normal assembly of the subsynaptic muscle membrane reticulum (SSR) at the Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). past1 mutants exhibit altered NMJ morphology, decreased synaptic transmission, reduced glutamate receptor levels, and a deficit in synaptic homeostasis. The membrane-remodeling proteins Amphiphysin and Syndapin colocalize with Past1 in distinct SSR subdomains and collapse into Amphiphysin-dependent membrane nodules in the SSR of past1 mutants. Our results suggest a mechanism by which the coordinated actions of multiple lipid-binding proteins lead to the elaboration of increasing layers of the SSR and uncover new roles for an EHD protein at synapses.
Structural basis for recognition of the Sec4 Rab GTPase by its effector, the Lgl/tomosyn homologue, Sro7
Authors: Watson Kelly , Rossi Guendalina , Temple Brenda , Brennwald Patrick
Published: July 2015

Members of the tomosyn/Lgl/Sro7 family play important roles in vesicle trafficking and cell polarity in eukaryotic cells. The yeast homologue, Sro7, is believed to act as a downstream effector of the Sec4 Rab GTPase to promote soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor adaptor protein receptor (SNARE) assembly during Golgi-to–cell surface vesicle transport. Here we describe the identification of a Sec4 binding site on the surface of Sro7 that is contained within a cleft created by the junction of two adjacent β-propellers that form the core structure of Sro7. Computational docking experiments suggested four models for interaction of GTP-Sec4 with the Sro7 binding cleft. Further mutational and biochemical analyses confirmed that only one of the four docking arrangements is perfectly consistent with our genetic and biochemical interaction data. Close examination of this docking model suggests a structural basis for the high substrate and nucleotide selectivity in effector binding by Sro7. Finally, analysis of the surface variation within the homologous interaction site on tomosyn-1 and Lgl-1 structural models suggests a possible conserved Rab GTPase effector function in tomosyn vertebrate homologues.
A Randomized Comparison of Anthropomorphic Changes With Preferred and Alternative Efavirenz-Based Antiretroviral Regimens in Diverse Multinational Settings
Authors: Erlandson Kristine M. , Taejaroenkul Sineenart , Smeaton Laura , Gupta Amita , Singini Isaac L. , Lama Javier R. , Mngqibisa Rosie , Firnhaber Cynthia , Cardoso Sandra Wagner , Kanyama Cecilia , Machado da Silva Andre L. , Hakim James G. , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Campbell Thomas B. , Hughes Michael D.
Published: July 2015

Background.  Existing data on anthropomorphic changes in resource-limited settings primarily come from observational or cross-sectional studies. Data from randomized clinical trials are needed to inform treatment decisions in these areas of the world.

Methods.  The AIDS Clinical Trials Group Prospective Evaluation of Antiretrovirals in Resource-Limited Settings (PEARLS) study was a prospective, randomized evaluation of the efficacy of emtricitabine/tenofovir + efavirenz (FTC/TDF + EFV) vs lamivudine/zidovudine + efavirenz (3TC/ZDV + EFV) for the initial treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected individuals from resource-diverse settings. Changes in anthropomorphic measures were analyzed using mixed-effect models for repeated measurements, using all available measurements at weeks 48, 96, and 144. Intent-to-treat results are presented; as-treated results were similar.

Results.  Five hundred twenty-six participants were randomized to FTC/TDF + EFV, and 519 participants were randomized to 3TC/ZDV + EFV. Significantly greater increases from baseline to week 144 were seen among those randomized to FTC/TDF + EFV vs 3TC/ZDV + EFV in all measures except waist-to-hip ratio, with the following mean changes: weight, 4.8 vs 3.0 kg; body mass index, 1.8 vs 1.1 kg/m2; mid-arm, 1.7 vs 0.7 cm; waist, 5.2 vs 4.3 cm; hip, 3.8 vs 1.4 cm; and mid-thigh circumference, 3.1 vs 0.9 cm. There were 7 clinical diagnoses of lipoatrophy in the 3TC/ZDV + EFV arm compared with none in the FTC/TDF + EFV arm. The proportion of overweight or obese participants increased from 25% (week 0) to 42% (week 144) for FTC/TDF + EFV and from 26% to 38% for 3TC/ZDV + EFV.

Conclusions.  Our findings support first-line use of FTC/TDF + EFV in resource-limited settings and emphasize the need for interventions to limit weight gain among overweight or obese HIV-infected participants in all settings.
Conquest of the deep, old and cold: an exceptional limpet radiation in Lake Baikal
Authors: Stelbrink Björn , Shirokaya Alena A. , Clewing Catharina , Sitnikova Tatiana Y. , Prozorova Larisa A. , Albrecht Christian
Published: July 2015

Lake Baikal is the deepest, oldest and most speciose ancient lake in the world. The lake is characterized by high levels of molluscan species richness and endemicity, including the limpet family Acroloxidae with 25 endemic species. Members of this group generally inhabit the littoral zone, but have been recently found in the abyssal zone at hydrothermal vents and oil-seeps. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear data to provide a first molecular phylogeny of the Lake Baikal limpet radiation, and to date the beginning of intra-lacustrine diversification. Divergence time estimates suggest a considerably younger age for the species flock compared with lake age estimates, and the beginning of extensive diversification is possibly related to rapid deepening and cooling during rifting. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimates do not clearly indicate when exactly the abyssal was colonized but suggest a timeframe coincident with the formation of the abyssal in the northern basin (Middle to Late Pleistocene).
In silico
analysis suggests differential response to bevacizumab and radiation combination therapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Hawkins-Daarud Andrea , Rockne Russell , Corwin David , Anderson Alexander R. A. , Kinahan Paul , Swanson Kristin R.
Published: July 2015

Recently, two phase III studies of bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic, for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients were released. While they were unable to statistically significantly demonstrate that bevacizumab in combination with other therapies increases the overall survival of GBM patients, there remains a question of potential benefits for subpopulations of patients. We use a mathematical model of GBM growth to investigate differential benefits of combining surgical resection, radiation and bevacizumab across observed tumour growth kinetics. The differential hypoxic burden after gross total resection (GTR) was assessed along with the change in radiation cell kill from bevacizumab-induced tissue re-normalization when starting therapy for tumours at different diagnostic sizes. Depending on the tumour size at the time of treatment, our model predicted that GTR would remove a variable portion of the hypoxic burden ranging from 11% to 99.99%. Further, our model predicted that the combination of bevacizumab with radiation resulted in an additional cell kill ranging from 2.6×10
7
to 1.1×10
10
cells. By considering the outcomes given individual tumour kinetics, our results indicate that the subpopulation of patients who would receive the greatest benefit from bevacizumab and radiation combination therapy are those with large, aggressive tumours and who are not eligible for GTR.
Global relationships in fluctuation and response in adaptive evolution
Authors: Furusawa Chikara , Kaneko Kunihiko
Published: July 2015

Cells change their internal state to adapt to environmental changes, and evolve in response to the new conditions. The phenotype changes first via adaptation in response to environmental changes, and then through mutational changes in the genomic sequence, followed by selection in evolution. Here, we analysed simulated adaptive evolution using a simple cell model consisting of thousands of intracellular components, and found that the changes in their concentrations by adaptation are proportional to those by evolution across all the components, where the proportion coefficient between the two agreed well with the change in the growth rate of a cell. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phenotypic variance in concentrations of cellular components due to (non-genetic) noise and to genomic alternations is proportional across all components. This implies that the specific phenotypes that are highly evolvable were already given by non-genetic fluctuations. These global relationships in cellular states were also supported by phenomenological theory based on steady reproduction and transcriptome analysis of laboratory evolution in
Escherichia coli
. These findings demonstrate that a possible evolutionary change in phenotypic state is highly restricted. Our results provide a basis for the development of a quantitative theory of plasticity and robustness in phenotypic evolution.
Selective monostability in multi-stable systems
Authors: Sevilla-Escoboza R. , Pisarchik A. N. , Jaimes-Reátegui R. , Huerta-Cuellar G.
Published: July 2015

We propose a robust method that allows a periodic or a chaotic multi-stable system to be transformed to a monostable system at an orbit with dominant frequency of any of the coexisting attractors. Our approach implies the selection of a particular attractor by periodic external modulation with frequency close to the dominant frequency in the power spectrum of a desired orbit and simultaneous annihilation of all other coexisting states by positive feedback, both applied to one of the system parameters. The method does not require any preliminary knowledge of the system dynamics and the phase space structure. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated in both a non-autonomous multi-stable laser with coexisting periodic orbits and an autonomous Rössler-like oscillator with coexisting chaotic attractors. The experiments with an erbium-doped fibre laser provide evidence for the robustness of the proposed method in making the system monostable at an orbit with dominant frequency of any preselected attractor.
Species richness and interacting factors control invasibility of a marine community
Authors: Marraffini M. L. , Geller J. B.
Published: July 2015

Anthropogenic vectors have moved marine species around the world leading to increased invasions and expanded species' ranges. The biotic resistance hypothesis of Elton (in
The ecology of invasions by animals and plants
, 1958) predicts that more diverse communities should have greater resistance to invasions, but experiments have been equivocal. We hypothesized that species richness interacts with other factors to determine experimental outcomes. We manipulated species richness, species composition (native and introduced) and availability of bare space in invertebrate assemblages in a marina in Monterey, CA. Increased species richness significantly interacted with both initial cover of native species and of all organisms to collectively decrease recruitment. Although native species decreased recruitment, introduced species had a similar effect, and we concluded that biotic resistance is conferred by total species richness. We suggest that contradictory conclusions in previous studies about the role of diversity in regulating invasions reflect uncontrolled variables in those experiments that modified the effect of species richness. Our results suggest that patches of low diversity and abundance may facilitate invasions, and that such patches, once colonized by non-indigenous species, can resist both native and non-indigenous species recruitment.
Economic development, climate and values: making policy
Authors: Stern Nicholas
Published: July 2015

The two defining challenges of this century are overcoming poverty and managing the risks of climate change. Over the past 10 years, we have learned much about how to tackle them together from ideas on economic development and public policy. My own work in these areas over four decades as an academic and as a policy adviser in universities and international financial institutions has focused on how the investment environment and the empowerment of people can change lives and livelihoods. The application of insights from economic development and public policy to climate change requires rigorous analysis of issues such as discounting, modelling the risks of unmanaged climate change, climate policy targets and estimates of the costs of mitigation. The latest research and results show that the case for avoiding the risks of dangerous climate change through the transition to low-carbon economic development and growth is still stronger than when the Stern Review was published. This is partly because of evidence that some of the impacts of climate change are happening more quickly than originally expected, and because of remarkable advances in technologies, such as solar power. Nevertheless, significant hurdles remain in securing the international cooperation required to avoid dangerous climate change, not least because of disagreements and misunderstandings about key issues, such as ethics and equity.
Adaptive developmental plasticity: what is it, how can we recognize it and when can it evolve?
Authors: Nettle Daniel , Bateson Melissa
Published: July 2015

Developmental plasticity describes situations where a specific input during an individual's development produces a lasting alteration in phenotype. Some instances of developmental plasticity may be adaptive, meaning that the tendency to produce the phenotype conditional on having experienced the developmental input has been under positive selection. We discuss the necessary assumptions and predictions of hypotheses concerning adaptive developmental plasticity (ADP) and develop guidelines for how to test empirically whether a particular example is adaptive. Central to our analysis is the distinction between two kinds of ADP: informational, where the developmental input provides information about the future environment, and somatic state-based, where the developmental input enduringly alters some aspect of the individual's somatic state. Both types are likely to exist in nature, but evolve under different conditions. In all cases of ADP, the expected fitness of individuals who experience the input and develop the phenotype should be higher than that of those who experience the input and do not develop the phenotype, while the expected fitness of those who do not experience the input and do not develop the phenotype should be higher than those who do not experience the input and do develop the phenotype. We describe ancillary predictions that are specific to just one of the two types of ADP and thus distinguish between them.
Large-scale analysis of genome and transcriptome alterations in multiple tumors unveils novel cancer-relevant splicing networks
Authors: Sebestyén Endre , Singh Babita , Miñana Belén , Pagès Amadís , Mateo Francesca , Pujana Miguel Angel , Valcárcel Juan , Eyras Eduardo
Published: July 2015

Alternative splicing is regulated by multiple RNA-binding proteins and influences the expression of most eukaryotic genes. However, the role of this process in human disease, and particularly in cancer, is only starting to be unveiled. We systematically analyzed mutation, copy number and gene expression patterns of 1348 RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes in 11 solid tumor types, together with alternative splicing changes in these tumors and the enrichment of binding motifs in the alternatively spliced sequences. Our comprehensive study reveals widespread alterations in the expression of RBP genes, as well as novel mutations and copy number variations in association with multiple alternative splicing changes in cancer drivers and oncogenic pathways. Remarkably, the altered splicing patterns in several tumor types recapitulate those of undifferentiated cells. These patterns are predicted to be mainly controlled byMBNL1and involve multiple cancer drivers, including the mitotic geneNUMA1. We show thatNUMA1alternative splicing induces enhanced cell proliferation and centrosome amplification in non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells. Our study uncovers novel splicing networks that potentially contribute to cancer development and progression.
An alternative empirical model for the relationship between the bond valence and the thermal expansion rate of chemical bonds
Authors: Sidey Vasyl
Published: July 2015

The relationship between the bond valencesand the thermal expansion rate of chemical bonds (dr/dT) has been closely approximated by using the alternative three-parameter empirical model (dr/dT) = (u+vs)–1/w, whereu,vandware the refinable parameters. Unlike thes–(dr/dT) model developed by Brownet al.[(1997),Acta Cryst.B53, 750–761], this alternative model can be optimized for particulars–(dr/dT) datasets in the least-squares refinement procedure. For routine calculations of the thermal expansion rates of chemical bonds, the alternative model with the parametersu= −63.9,v= 2581.0 andw= 0.647 can be recommended.
Charge density and optical properties of multicomponent crystals containing active pharmaceutical ingredients or their analogues
Authors: Gryl Marlena
Published: July 2015

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), through their favourable donor/acceptor spatial distribution and synthon formation flexibility, are attractive building blocks in modern materials crystallography. The optical properties of a crystal strongly depend on two factors,i.e.the spatial distribution of molecules in the crystal structure and the electronic properties of molecular building blocks (dipole moments, polarizabilities, hyperpolarizabilities). Although the latter are easy to predict throughab initiocalculations, the former are not. Only a combination of experimental and theoretical charge density studies together with prediction and measurement of optical properties enable full analysis of the obtained functional material in terms of its usefulness in practical applications. This article presents design strategies of optical materials based on selected pharmaceutical molecules. Factors that contribute to molecular recognition in the four selected polar/chiral crystal phases (derived through charge density and Hirshfeld surfaces analysis) have been determined. Theoretically predicted optical properties of the molecular/ionic building blocks as well as bulk effects have been confirmed experimentally. This research is a first step in the design of novel optical materials based on push–pull molecules and APIs.
Crystal structure of 5-bromo-2,4,6-trimethyl-3-[(2-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Lee Uk
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C18H17BrO2S, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzofuran [r.m.s. deviation = 0.025 (2) Å] and the 2-methylbenzene rings is 87.87 (5)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked into supramolecular layers parallel to (0-11) by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and Br...Br [3.4521 (5) Å] contacts. These are connected into a three-dimensional architectureviaC—H...π interactions, which link inversion-related molecules into dimers, and π–π interactions between the benzene and furan rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.573 (2) Å].
Structure of poly[diaqua[μ-1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethane-κ2N:N′]bis(μ3-cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato-κ3O,O′:O′′:O′′′)dimanganese(II)]
Authors: Lee Do Nam , Kim Youngmee
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, [Mn(C6H6O4)(C12H12N2)(H2O)]n, the cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate (cbdc) ligands bridge three MnIIions, forming layers parallel to theacplane. These layers are additionally connected by 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethane ligands to form a three-dimensional polymeric framework. An inversion centre is located at the mid-point of the central C—C bond of the 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethane ligand. The coordination geometry of the MnIIion is distorted octahedral and is built up by four carboxylate O atoms, one water O atom and a pyridyl N atom. The pyridine ligand and the coordinating water molecule are in atransconfiguration. One carboxylate group of the cbdc ligand acts as a chelating ligand towards one MnIIatom, whereas the second carboxylate group coordinates two different MnIIatoms.
How organisation theory supports corporate governance scholarship
Authors: Andersen Jon Aarum
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to show how organisation theory can be used to understand the controversy between the shareholder and the stakeholder perspectives. Rationalistic and open system theories may enhance research on corporate governance by offering well-defined concepts and by specifying core relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper applies descriptions of the two perspectives in organisation theory as a “method” for illustrating how they are linked to and support the shareholder versus the stakeholder perspectives.

Findings

– The controversy stems from the fact that the shareholder and the stakeholder perspectives address different relationships. The shareholder perspective captures two relationships that accord with rationalistic organisation theory: shareholders are managing the managers and the organisation, and managers are managing the corporation on behalf of the owners. The stakeholder perspective focuses on three relationships that are not concordant with system theory: managers are managing the shareholders (i.e. the symbolic management of stockholders), managers are managing the corporation (i.e. general management theory) and managers are managing the stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

– Organisation theory provides suggestions for more fruitful definitions of the often-used concepts of direction, control, administration and influence. These terms may be substituted with the well-defined concepts of management, power and control.

Practical implications

– Proponents of organisation theory find it theoretically difficult to deal with the topic of corporate governance, if they do at all. When they do, they do it only perfunctorily.

Originality/value

– Organisation theory may strengthen research on corporate governance if we insist on both theoretical clarifications of major relationships and on the use of more strictly defined concepts.
The linkages among intellectual capital, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Altuner Dogan , Çelik Saban , Güleç Tuna Can
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of present study is to explore the linkages among Intellectual Capital (IC), Corporate Governance (CG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through direct and indirect empirical inquiry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The main setting is designed for exploring the relationship among IC, CG and CSR. Therefore, these three constructs are examined directly in which their statistical relation is evaluated among themselves and indirectly in which their possible effects are examined onto firms’ unsystematic factors such as cash flow, short-term solvency, long-term solvency, profitability and asset utilization.

Findings

– Empirical investigation is conducted on manufacturing firms listed in Istanbul Stock Exchange from 2007 to 2011. Empirical results do support a positive relationship among these important constructs.

Research limitations/implications

– The empirical research is carried out in manufacturing firms only.

Originality/value

– IC, CG and CSR are three demanding research areas to study. This is the first attempt here to examine their possible linkages based on so-called direct and indirect empirical inquiries. The primary reason behind this attempt is that these concepts are assumed to be important for all stakeholders.
An analysis of withdrawn shareholder proposals
Authors: Foley Maggie , Cebula Richard , Jun Chulhee , Boylan Robert
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to analyze withdrawn shareholder proposals to gain insight into the role of shareholder proposals in the governance of public corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cursory look at the data suggests that unions are the most likely group to withdraw proposals. The authors focus on the behavior of unions and find that unions often resubmit a shareholder proposal which had garnered significant support in the previous year, only to withdraw the proposal in the second year.

Findings

– The contention is that the proposals were withdrawn in Year 2 because the issue was settled in a manner agreeable to the union. Furthermore, this research suggests that unions are more likely to withdraw proposals when the prior years’ appeal is higher, when firms have a record of poor performance, lower insider ownership or relatively independent boards. This phenomenon suggests that unions submit and withdraw shareholder proposals strategically. The authors contend that unions use shareholder proposals and the withdrawal of proposals to improve conditions for union workers at the expense of shareholder value.

Practical implications

– This study suggests that unions submit and withdraw shareholder proposals strategically. The authors contend that unions use shareholder proposals and the withdrawal of proposals to improve conditions for union workers at the expense of shareholder value.
Prioritization technique for learning cloud services
Authors: Singjai Apitchaka , Sureephong Pradorn
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a combined technique of cumulative voting and numerical assignment to prioritize the services of the learning cloud service.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach starts with requirement elicitation, then analyses of the requirements in terms of prioritization and finally classifies the priority of services into groups.

Findings

– As a result of the case study the requirements of the College of Art Media and Technology students has been classified into three service groups.

Originality/value

– This combined prioritized techniques can involve learners in the decision making process about learning cloud services utilization in the organizations.
Perceived efficacy of sustainability strategies in the US, Italian, and Spanish wine industries
Authors: Gilinsky, Jr Armand , Newton Sandra K. , Atkin Thomas S. , Santini Cristina , Cavicchi Alessio , Casas Augusti Romeo , Huertas Ruben
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This purpose of this investigation is to compare the perceptions of competitive advantage through cost leadership and differentiation with sustainable practices of wineries from the USA, Italy and Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data are collected via self-report web-based surveys in California, Tuscany and Catalonia in 2010-2011 during a severe economic downturn in the wine industry.

Findings

– Of the 260 respondents among the three country samples, over 75 per cent are family-owned and family-managed. Respondents indicate who has implemented a clear business case for an Environmental Management System (EMS) and who has not. Benefits and challenges of implementing sustainability practices are also addressed.

Practical implications

– A comparable percentage of respondents across the three countries indicated a “clear business case for EMS”. Wineries in all three countries perceive that they have competitive advantage through implementation of EMS and commitment to sustainable practices. Top perceived benefits for respondents from the USA and Italy are focused on cost reduction strategies, while top perceived benefits for Spanish respondents are focused on differentiation strategies.

Originality/value

– Activities that create competitive advantages for wine businesses in different countries are understudied; this research bridges that gap.
View of autism spectrum conditions held by staff working within a high secure psychiatric hospital
Authors: Murphy David , McMorrow Karen
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Individuals with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) represent a small proportion of patients detained in high-secure psychiatric care (HSPC) with specific difficulties and needs. To date there has been little exploration of how these needs are viewed by staff or if staff have unmet needs with regard to working with ASCs. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire examining specific views (on vulnerability, benefits from therapy and making adjustments to practise), knowledge and training needs linked to ASC was distributed to staff who directly worked with patients.

Findings

– In total, 206 questionnaires were returned (approximately 60 per cent distributed). Most staff reported making adjustments in their practise and believed patients with an ASC were more vulnerable than other patient groups. Half of staff expressed the view, that whilst patients with an ASC benefited from therapies, they were unaware if an individual’s difficulties were considered in their care. Half of staff believed individuals with an ASC should be managed in a different way. Most staff reported not having adequate skills to work with ASC, a wish for more training and that such training should be mandatory. Other than psychiatrists most staff were unaware of the Autism Act (2009). The need for a specialist ASC ward within HSPC was also highlighted by several staff.

Practical implications

– The survey highlights differences in staff experiences of patients with an ASC and view that autism training should be mandatory.

Originality/value

– Whilst progress has been made with implementing the government’s Autism Strategy (2010) within HSPC, more awareness training is required in promoting staff confidence to work with this group of patients.
Working with transgendered sex offenders: prison staff experiences
Authors: Marlow Katie , Winder Belinda , Elliott Helen Jane
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the experiences of staff working with transgendered sex offenders in a prison setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study utilised a qualitative approach, with semi-structured interviews used to explore the experiences of staff working with transgendered sexual offenders (n=6). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– Three themes were identified in the data. The first relates to how staff become educated on transgender issues and the content of this information. The second describes situations in which boundaries are overstepped by both transgender offenders and others in the prison. The third relates to the ways in which staff manage change, such as tailoring treatment to specific needs and being mindful of what adaptations may be required.

Research limitations/implications

– The main drawback of this research was the limited sample; female prison staff. Future research should expand this sample to encompass male staff and staff working in alternate category prisons.

Practical implications

– The research illustrates the utility of staff collaboration with transgendered sex offenders on transgender issues but also suggests some additional guidance is required when it comes to determining the boundaries. Staff may also benefit from more education on the possible ways in which a transgendered identity can impact on criminogenic needs.

Originality/value

– The present research offers insight into the current state of care and management of transgendered offenders in custody and the nature of interactions between staff and this minority group. At present, there is limited research in this area.
Identity, self-story and desistance from crime
Authors: O'Sullivan Kevin , Kemp Richard , Bright David
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to lay the groundwork for a narrative study of desistance that is both qualitative and quantitative.

Design/methodology/approach

– The review traces the strands of research that have made self-story an important theme in the study of desistance with particular reference to work since 2001.

Findings

– The importance of an agentic self-story in the process of desistance from crime came to prominence in the work of Shadd Maruna (1997, 2001). Since then authors have attempted to formulate: first, an integrated theoretical view of desistance incorporating agency; and second, a clinically useful understanding of how self-story is important. The clinical studies have almost always been qualitative, relying on extensive life history interviews which yield great richness of detail but few, if any, testable hypotheses. To date, such studies have not provided the empirical foundation on which to develop policy in correctional environments.

Practical implications

– If it is found that a measure of self-belief correlates with desistance from crime, it may be possible to devise psychological interventions to enhance and change self-belief.

Originality/value

– The paper proposes adding a quantitative approach to the measurement of self-concept in order to estimate the likelihood of desistance.