bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corruption Leading To Poorly Maintained Equipment and Infrastructure
Authors: Campbell Neil 
Published: January 2016

<p class="ber"><span lang="EN-GB">This paper presents a simple model which explores the idea that corruption can result in inefficiently low levels of expenditure on maintaining infrastructure and equipment. In this model an official bargains with the supplier of a fleet of motor vehicles as to the size of the bribe (or kickback) that the supplier pays. The bribe is in return for the official using public funds to purchase the vehicles at an over inflated price. When the cost for the official of being caught is very low, the amount the official spends on vehicle maintenance is close to the non-corrupt level. When the cost of getting caught increases (for a given corrupt mark-up of the vehicle price) the level of expenditure on maintenance falls as the official mitigates the cost of being caught. If the cost of being caught is sufficiently high, the official will choose not to act corruptly. </span></p>
1MDB: The Financial Accounting’s Question of Going Concern
Authors: Md. Ali Azham 
Published: January 2016

It was only in the second quarter of 2015 that the authorities had admitted that the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was a company experiencing financial distress. But it appeared that the company had began to suffer from insolvency as early as the last quarter of 2014 when it began to fail to make timely payments on both assets purchased and debts overdue. It also seemed that the company had succeeded in hiding its going concern question with the repeated acts of revaluation of some of its assets over the years. Without such revaluations, the company would have shown significant losses in its income statements for many years leading to the picture that it was in fact a company in financial distress.
Nighttime ionospheric saturation effect estimation in the African equatorial anomaly trough: A comparison of two approaches
Authors: Ikubanni Stephen O. , Adeniyi Jacob O. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUsing the two‐segmented and the quadratic regression analyses methods, the existence of saturation effect in the ionospheric electron content has been established in published literatures. With data set that spans an 11 year period (one solar cycle) from an African low‐latitude station—Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Geographical coordinates 12oN, 1.8oW, dip ~3oN)—and adopting the quadratic and the two‐segmented regression methods, we have studied nighttime saturation effect on the critical frequency of ionospheric F2 layer (foF2) around the magnetic dip. Both methods revealed that saturation effect in foF2 cuts across all seasons during nighttime. This phenomenon was least at the peak of the prereversal enhancement (PRE) period and increases significantly beyond midnight. Either of the two approaches can be adopted for saturation effect studies. The advantage of the two‐segmented over the quadratic is that the change point (breakpoint), which is the solar flux level where saturation effects first become observable, can be determined. The effect seen around the PRE period may be attributed to the E × B drift while the effect beyond the PRE period is masked by other mechanisms.
Identification of columnar aerosol types under high aerosol optical depth conditions for a single AERONET site in Korea
Authors: Choi Yongjoo , Ghim Young Sung , Holben B. N. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDominant aerosol types were classified using level 2 inversion products for the Anmyon Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) site in Korea for the period 1999–2007. The aerosol types were mineral dust (MD), MD mixed with carbon, and black carbon mixed coarse particles (BCCP) for coarse mode aerosols, black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), and secondary inorganic ions (SII) for fine mode aerosols, and mixed particles between. The classification was carried out using a clustering method based on parameters, including single scattering albedo (SSA), absorption Angstrom exponent (AAE), and fine mode volume fraction (FMVF). Among the seven aerosol types, MD was distinct, with the highest AAE and a very low FMVF and SII with the highest SSA and FMVF. BCCP was introduced to designate coarse particles mixed with BC, of which the AAE was lower than 1, despite a low FMVF. In addition to a large difference in AAE between BC and OC, the SSA of OC was larger than that of BC, indicating the effects of the white smoke produced from the smoldering phase of biomass burning. Monthly variations of the aerosol types were well interpreted by meteorology and emissions and coincided with those in the previous studies. Applying our results to well‐characterized global AERONET sites, we confirmed that the aerosol types at Anmyon were valid at other sites. However, the results also showed that the mean properties for aerosol types were influenced by the specific aerosols prevalent at the study sites.
Sequential approach to joint flow‐seismic inversion for improved characterization of fractured media
Authors: Kang Peter K. , Zheng Yingcai , Fang Xinding , Wojcik Rafal , McLaughlin Dennis , Brown Stephen , Fehler Michael C. , Burns Daniel R. , Juanes Ruben 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSeismic interpretation of subsurface structures is traditionally performed without any account of flow behavior. Here we present a methodology for characterizing fractured geologic reservoirs by integrating flow and seismic data. The key element of the proposed approach is the identification—within the inversion—of the intimate relation between fracture compliance and fracture transmissivity, which determine the acoustic and flow responses of a fractured reservoir, respectively. Owing to the strong (but highly uncertain) dependence of fracture transmissivity on fracture compliance, the modeled flow response in a fractured reservoir is highly sensitive to the geophysical interpretation. By means of synthetic models, we show that by incorporating flow data (well pressures and tracer breakthrough curves) into the inversion workflow, we can simultaneously reduce the error in the seismic interpretation and improve predictions of the reservoir flow dynamics. While the inversion results are robust with respect to noise in the data for this synthetic example, the applicability of the methodology remains to be tested for more complex synthetic models and field cases.
The fan of influence of streams and channel feedbacks to simulated land surface water and carbon dynamics
Authors: Shen Chaopeng , Riley William J. , Smithgall Kurt R. , Melack John M. , Fang Kuai 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLarge‐scale land models assume unidirectional land‐to‐river hydrological interactions, without considering feedbacks between channels and land. Using a tested, physically based model with explicit multiway interactions between overland, channel, wetland, and groundwater flows, we assessed how the representation and properties of channels influence simulated land surface hydrologic, biogeochemical, and ecosystem dynamics. A zone near the channels where various fluxes and states are significantly influenced by the channels, referred to as the fan of influence (FoI) of channels, has been identified. We elucidated two mechanisms inducing the model‐derived FoI: the base flow mechanism, in which incised, gaining streams lower the water table and induce more base flow, and the relatively more efficient conveyance of the channel network compared to overland flow. We systematically varied drainage density and grid resolution to quantify the size of the FoI, which is found to span a large fraction of the watershed (25–50%) for hydrologic variables including depth to water table and recharge, etc. The FoI is more pronounced with low‐resolution simulations but remains noticeable in hyperresolution (25 m) subbasin simulations. The FoI and the channel influence on basin‐average fluxes are also similar in simulations with alternative parameter sets. We found that high‐order, entrenched streams cause larger FoI. In addition, removing the simulated channels has disproportionally large influence on modeled wetland areas and inundation duration, which has implications for coupled biogeochemical or ecological modeling. Our results suggest that explicit channel representation provides important feedbacks to land surface dynamics which should be considered in meso or large‐scale simulations. Since grid refinement incurs prohibitive computational cost, subgrid channel parameterization has advantages in efficiency over grid‐based representations that do not distinguish between overland flow and channel flow.
Altered paired associative stimulation‐induced plasticity in NMDAR encephalitis
Authors: Volz Magdalena Sarah , Finke Carsten , Harms Lutz , Jurek Betty , Paul Friedemann , Flöel Agnes , Prüss Harald 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether neurophysiological mechanisms indicating cortical excitability, long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity, GABAergic and glutamatergic function are altered in patients with anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis and whether they can be helpful as markers of diagnostic assessment, disease progression, and potentially therapy response.MethodsNeurophysiological characterizations of patients with NMDAR encephalitis (n = 34, mean age: 28 ± 11 years; 30 females) and age/gender‐matched healthy controls (n = 27, 28.5 ± 10 years; 25 females) were performed using transcranial magnetic stimulation‐derived protocols including resting motor threshold, recruitment curve, intracortical facilitation, short intracortical inhibition, and cortical silent period. Paired associative stimulation (PAS) was applied to assess LTP‐like mechanisms which are mediated through NMDAR. Moreover, resting state functional connectivity was determined using functional magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsPAS‐induced plasticity differed significantly between groups (P = 0.0056). Cortical excitability, as assessed via motor‐evoked potentials after PAS, decreased in patients, whereas it increased in controls indicating malfunctioning of NMDAR in encephalitis patients. Lower PAS‐induced plasticity significantly correlated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (r = −0.41; P = 0.0031) and was correlated with lower functional connectivity within the motor network in NMDAR encephalitis patients (P < 0.001, uncorrected). Other neurophysiological parameters were not significantly different between groups. Follow‐up assessments were available in six patients and demonstrated parallel improvement of PAS‐induced plasticity and mRS.InterpretationAssessment of PAS‐induced plasticity may help to determine NMDAR dysfunction and disease severity in NMDAR encephalitis, and might even aid as a sensitive, noninvasive, and well‐tolerated “electrophysiological biomarker” to monitor therapy response in the future.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: Identifier: NCT01865578
Multi‐input adaptive notch filter and observer for circadian phase estimation
Authors: Julius Agung , Zhang Jiaxiang , Qiao Wei , Wen John T. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryAccurate estimation of circadian phase is critical to the assessment and treatment of circadian disruption. Direct measurements of circadian rhythm markers such as dim light melatonin onset and core body temperature are inconvenient and acquired at best at low rate. On the other hand, measurements of other circadian rhythm‐modulated signals such as actigraphy, heart rate, and body temperature are convenient but are typically masked by many other factors.In this paper, we present a new multi‐input adaptive notch filter algorithm that can be used to extract the periodic components from multiple circadian signals simultaneously. We also prove some stability properties of the proposed filter. Once the periodic components are extracted, the next step is to relate their phases with the circadian phase. For this, we propose a nonlinear observer, which is based on a model of the circadian phase dynamics. The model takes the form of a first‐order ODE, incorporating the concept of phase response curve, which is widely used in the study of biological oscillators. We also prove the stability of the observer. We evaluate our algorithms using simulation data generated from a circadian rhythm model for fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organohalogenite‐Catalyzed Spiroketalization: Enantioselective Synthesis of Bisbenzannulated Spiroketal Cores
Authors: Xue Jijun , Zhang Hongrui , Tian Tian , Yin Keshu , Liu Dongxue , Jiang Xianxing , Li Ying , Jin Xiaojie , Yao Xiaojun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA new core structure‐motivated strategy for the intramolecular aromatic spiroketalization process was found and used for the enantioselective synthesis of bisbenzannulated spiroketals, the bioactive core of rubromycins, with high levels of enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) via an organohalogenite‐mediated asymmetric intramolecular aromatic spiroketalization. This is the first organocatalytic method for the construction of optically pure bisbenzannulated spiroketals.magnified image
Visual Attention's Influence on Consumers’ Willingness‐to‐Pay for Processed Food Products
Authors: Rihn Alicia L. , Yue Chengyan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of our study was to investigate the impact of extrinsic cues (specifically production method, origin, and nutrient content claim labels) on consumers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for processed foods (apple juice and salad mix). Data were collected using an experimental auction in combination with eye‐tracking analysis. Tobit models were used to analyze the data. We found that participants were willing to pay a premium for local or domestically produced apple juice. Organic production methods positively impacted participants’ WTP for both products. Additionally, results suggest that consumer visual attention increases for important product attributes that positively or negatively impact their WTP bids. Supply chain members (producers, processors, and retailers) can promote important product attributes using labels and in‐store promotions to give consumers additional information and influence their food selection preferences. In turn, these promotions may help supply chain members acquire additional customers and encourage healthy consumption patterns. [EconLit citations: D120, M310]
Molecular‐Curvature‐Induced Spontaneous Formation of Curved and Concentric Lamellae through Nucleation
Authors: Dong Xue‐Hui , Ni Bo , Huang Mingjun , Hsu Chih‐Hao , Bai Ruobing , Zhang Wen‐Bin , Shi An‐Chang , Cheng Stephen Z. D. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSpontaneous formation of concentric lamellae was observed in self‐assembling giant surfactants consisting of a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (FPOSS) head and flexible polymer tail(s). Owing to the asymmetrical sizes of the head and tail blocks and the rectangular molecular interface, the giant surfactants assumed a truncated‐wedge‐like molecular shape, which induced morphological curvature during self‐assembly, thus resulting in the formation of curved and concentric lamellae. These curved/concentric lamellae were observed in FPOSS‐based giant surfactants with different architectures and compositions. The spontaneous curvature formation not only promotes our fundamental understanding of assembly principles, but also provides a promising and efficient approach to the fabrication of a wide range of high‐performance devices.
Tyrosinase versus Catechol Oxidase: One Asparagine Makes the Difference
Authors: Solem Even , Tuczek Felix , Decker Heinz 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTyrosinases mediate the ortho‐hydroxylation and two‐electron oxidation of monophenols to ortho‐quinones. Catechol oxidases only catalyze the oxidation of diphenols. Although it is of significant interest, the origin of the functional discrimination between tyrosinases and catechol oxidases has been unclear. Recently, it has been postulated that a glutamate and an asparagine bind and activate a conserved water molecule towards deprotonation of monophenols. Here we demonstrate for the first time that a polyphenoloxidase, which exhibits only diphenolase activity, can be transformed to a tyrosinase by mutation to introduce an asparagine. The asparagine and a conserved glutamate are necessary to properly orient the conserved water in order to abstract a proton from the monophenol. These results provide direct evidence for the crucial importance of a proton shuttle for tyrosinase activity of type 3 copper proteins, allowing a consistent understanding of their different chemical reactivities.
Plasma treatment of wood–polymer composites: A comparison of three different discharge types and their effect on surface properties
Authors: Hünnekens Benedikt , Peters Frauke , Avramidis Georg , Krause Andreas , Militz Holger , Viöl Wolfgang 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThree different discharge types, based on the principle of a dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, were investigated with regard to their influence on the adhesion properties of a series of wood–polymer composites. Wood flour (Picea abies L.) filled polypropylene and various proportions of polyethylene were manufactured either through extrusion or injection molding. The composites’ surfaces were activated by coplanar surface barrier discharge, remote plasma, and direct dielectric barrier discharge. The changes in wettability due to the pretreatment were investigated by contact angle measurement using the sessile drop method and calculation of surface free energy (SFE). It could be shown that wettability was improved by all three types of discharge, the contact angle decreased and the SFE correspondingly increased. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed an increase in the O/C ratio at the material's surface. An improvement in coating adhesion was demonstrated by crosscut and pulloff tests. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43376.
Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of star‐shaped polyester‐based elastomers as controlled release systems for proteins
Authors: Guo Fangyuan , Zhang Wei , Pei Xiaohong , Shen Xia , Yan Qinying , Hong Weiyong , Yang Gensheng 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTWith the growing number of therapeutic proteins on the market, effective delivery systems are receiving particular attention. In this study, biodegradable elastomers, intended for protein drug delivery and based on methacrylic tripoly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐d,l‐lactide) cyclic ester with different ratios of ɛ‐caprolactone tod,l‐lactide and methacrylic bipoly[ɛ‐caprolactone‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐ɛ‐caprolactone], were synthesized and characterized. The degradation behavior, bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐releasing kinetics, and cytotoxicity of the elastomersin vitrowere investigated. The elastomers were degraded by the hydrolysis of the ester bond; this resulted in pH changes, which further affected the degradation rate. The BSA‐releasing behavior was strongly dependent on the diffusion mechanism. In the diffusion‐controlled period, nearly sustained and stable BSA release was achieved. Furthermore, the elastomers displayed good biocompatibility, as demonstrated by a 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl thiazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and inflammation–induction experiments, and are considered promising candidates for the controllable delivery of protein drugs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 43393.
Anticipating the Struggle against Everyday Impunity in Myanmar through Accounts from Bangladesh and Thailand
Authors: Cheesman Nick , D'Costa Bina , Haberkorn Tyrell 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWork done internationally to address impunity concentrates on removing blanket amnesties and establishing commissions of inquiry into past atrocities. Everyday impunity—the impossibility of bringing state officers to account for routinized violent crimes against other individuals—gets less attention, even though its effects on public life are insidious. Studying the 2014 killing of a journalist, we identify modes for the production of everyday impunity in Myanmar that emerge from earlier periods of unmediated military rule but that today are coming to resemble practices in neighbouring countries. Accounts from Bangladesh and Thailand reveal how impunity can persist in new political conditions, producing insecurity and hampering efforts for more inclusive forms of government. We close by urging scholars to remain attentive to their responsibilities in the face of impunity, calling on them not to participate in projects that have the effect of concealing violent crime by state officers, and denying victims justice.
Inside Myanmar's Turbulent Transformation
Authors: Farrelly Nicholas , Win Chit 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSince constitutional government began in 2011, Myanmar's shift from an entrenched military regime has drawn wide interest from policy analysts. This article explores the context of Myanmar's fragile democratisation from the ground up. It explains two interlocking characteristics: the fundamentally novel character of reform and the endurance of age‐old conundrums. For longer term success, ensuring that Myanmar has adequate capacity—at institutional and human levels—to manage its turbulent transformation will not be easy or cheap. This will also require a move away from stale rhetoric about non‐disintegration, national solidarity and the perpetuation of sovereignty. The next step is to develop a culture of adherence to free and fair elections, followed by a wide‐ranging democratisation of how post‐dictatorship politics is conceived.
Introducing Dunaliella LIP promoter containing light‐inducible motifs improves transgenic expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Baek Kwangryul , Lee Yew , Nam Onyou , Park Seunghye , Sim Sang Jun , Jin EonSeon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPromoter of the light‐inducible protein gene (LIP) of Dunaliella was recently isolated in our laboratory. The aim of this work is to find the light‐inducible motif in the Dunaliella LIP promoter and verify its regulatory motif with a Gaussia luciferase reporter gene transformed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. 400 bp upstream to the translational start site of the Dunaliella LIP gene was gradually truncated and analyzed for the luciferase expression. Furthermore, this promoter comprising duplicated or triplicated light‐responsive motifs was tested for its augmentation of light response. Two putative light‐responsive motifs, GT‐1 binding motif and sequences over‐represented in light‐repressed promoters (SORLIP) located in the 200 bp LIP promoter fragment were analyzed for their light responsibility. It is turned out that SORLIP was responsible for the light‐inducible activity. With the copy number of SORLIP up to three showed stronger high light response compared with the native LIP promoter fragment. Therefore, we found a light‐responsive DNA motif operating in Chlamydomonas and confirm a synthetic promoter including this motif displayed light inducibility in heterologously transformed green algae for the first time. This light‐inducible expression system will be applied to various area of algal research including algal biotechnology.