Effect Of Local Environment Research Articles

When the purchasing officer looks the other way: on the waste effects of debauched local environment in public works execution

There is extensive evidence on waste effects of environmental corruption in public works procurement. However, corruption is not the only source of waste. In this paper, we adopt a wider perspective and look at the environmental institutional quality, identifying the channels through which it can lead to different types of waste in public works execution. We firstly provide some empirical evidence on public works contracts managed by a large sample of Italian municipalities, showing that performance measures of public works execution are associated with the quality of local institutional environment in which they are executed. Motivated by this evidence, we develop a model where weak institutions entail low accountability of purchasing officers, thus they have low incentives to pursue the mandated task of monitoring the execution of contracts, even if no bribery occurs. Then, we assume that endemic environmental corruption increases the return of managerial effort devoted to rent-seeking activities for getting cost overruns, leading the contractor to divert effort from the productive activity. Overall, our model predictions conform well with the empirical evidence on Italian public works execution.

Unraveling Finite Size Effects on Magnetic Properties of Cobalt Nanoparticles

Using first principle calculations, the problem of scaling magnetic properties in nanoparticles is addressed. To this aim, the local electronic structure is characterized in cobalt quasi-spherical magnetic nanoparticles, in a large size range, from 0.5 to 2 nm diameter. First, specific patterns of the magnitude of local spin magnetic moments are evidenced depending on the shape and the size of the nanoparticles. Then effects of local structural environment (atomic coordination, structural deformations, finite size effects, shape changes) are unraveled. In small icosahedral nanoparticles, the local spin magnetic moment is found to decrease from the surface to the center. General rules driving charge transfers are observed whereby donor atomic sites are exclusively subsurface atoms and more unexpected vertex surface atomic sites. The variation of the magnetic moment is driven by the coupling between cluster microstructure and complex hybridization effects. In larger truncated octahedral clusters, whereas so...

Direct production of aromatics from syngas over a hybrid FeMn Fischer–Tropsch catalyst and HZSM-5 zeolite: local environment effect and mechanism-directed tuning of the aromatic selectivity

The aromatics formation mechanism and tuning of the aromatic selectivity over FeMn–HZSM-5 catalyst system are presented.

The Enigma of Amyloid Forming Proteins: Insights From Molecular Simulations

Molecular level insight into the interplay between protein sequence, structure, and conformational dynamics is crucial for the comprehensive understanding of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation phenomena that are pertinent to the formation of amyloid fibrils implicated in several degenerative diseases. Computational modelling provides insight into protein behaviour at spatial and temporal resolution still largely outside the reach of experiments. Herein we present an account of our theoretical modelling research conducted in collaboration with several experimental groups where we explored the effects of local environment on the structure and aggregation propensity of several types of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins, including apolipoprotein C-II, insulin, amylin, and amyloid-β using a variety of computational approaches.

Local Environment Effects Children’s Affects Nursery Schoolchildren’s Development Among out-of-Nursery School

Local Environment Effects Children’s Affects Nursery Schoolchildren’s Development Among out-of-Nursery School

Protection of entanglement between two qubits trapped in coupled cavities via cavity architecture

Harnessing and protecting quantum entanglement from the detrimental effects of local environments is essential for quantum information and computation. With this aim, we present a simple scheme to preserve and control the quantum entanglement. The scheme consists of two coupled single-mode lossy cavities, each containing a qubit, which are in turn connected simultaneously with another two lossy cavities. We examine the protection of entanglement for initially maximal entangled state in both weak and strong coupling regimes. It is found that one can enhance the survival time of the entanglement expeditiously by adjusting the coupling strengths between the relevant cavities and increasing the number of auxiliary cavities. In addition, if the cavities without qubits do not lose photons then after certain damping oscillations the entanglement between two qubits becomes stable. Interestingly, the magnitude of the stable quantum entanglement depends not only on the hopping strengths but also on the number of contributing auxiliary cavities.

Interchangeability between real and three-dimensional simulated lung tumors in computed tomography: an interalgorithm volumetry study.

Using hybrid datasets consisting of patient-derived computed tomography (CT) images with digitally inserted computational tumors, we establish volumetric interchangeability between real and computational lung tumors in CT. Pathologically-confirmed malignancies from 30 thoracic patient cases from the RIDER database were modeled. Tumors were either isolated or attached to lung structures. Patient images were acquired on one of two CT scanner models (Lightspeed 16 or VCT; GE Healthcare) using standard chest protocol. Real tumors were segmented and used to inform the size and shape of simulated tumors. Simulated tumors developed in Duke Lesion Tool (Duke University) were inserted using a validated image-domain insertion program. Four readers performed volume measurements using three commercial segmentation tools. We compared the volume estimation performance of segmentation tools between real tumors in actual patient CT images and corresponding simulated tumors virtually inserted into the same patient images (i.e., hybrid datasets). Comparisons involved (1)direct assessment of measured volumes and the standard deviation between simulated and real tumors across readers and tools, respectively, (2)multivariate analysis, involving segmentation tools, readers, tumor shape, and attachment, and (3)effect of local tumor environment on volume measurement. Volume comparison showed consistent trends (9% volumetric difference) between real and simulated tumors across all segmentation tools, readers, shapes, and attachments. Across all cases, readers, and segmentation tools, an intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99 indicates that simulated tumors correlated strongly with real tumors ( ). In addition, the impact of the local tumor environment on tumor volume measurement was found to have a segmentation tool-related influence. Strong agreement between simulated tumors modeled in this study compared to their real counterparts suggests a high degree of similarity. This indicates that, volumetrically, simulated tumors embedded into patient CT data can serve as reasonable surrogates to real patient data.

Effects of Local Dielectric Environment on Single-Molecule Spectroscopy of a CdSe/CdS Core/Shell Quantum Dot

This work studies effects of local dielectric environment on both a single exciton and high-order excitons in a single CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dot (QD) with nearly ideal photoluminescence (PL) ...

Passive ocean sensing and soundscape analysis of the Juan de Fuca plate using the Ocean Networks Canada NEPTUNE Array

The Ocean Networks Canada (OCN) deployment of a small set of acoustic recorders (4) in and around the Juan de Fuca plate provides the opportunity to observe the seasonal and long-term trends in the northeast Pacific ocean soundscape. With one receiver near the opening of the Straits of Juan De Fuca, two on the continental slope and one in deep water, we have the opportunity to evaluate the effects of local environment on the ambient sound. Wind waves and surface ships drive the low frequency ambient sound fields in most regions. These long-term recordings provide the opportunity to perform passive acoustic tomography, where the cross-correlation of the acoustic field over long time periods can provide estimates of the channel impulse response between the two hydrophones. This technique has been demonstrated experimentally at shorter ranges. The expected oceanographic observed signal from a “tomography experiment” is estimated using the ECCO4 model and the parabolic equation.

Investigation of nuclear quantum effect on the hydrogen bonds of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate using single-crystal neutron diffraction and theoretical modelling

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) family of hydrogen-bonded crystal constitutes an important family of crystals not only because of their immense importance in the field of nonlinear optics (NLOs) but also due to the fact that hydrogen bonds of these crystals provide us with a rare opportunity to understand the fundamental nature of hydrogen bonds, such as the effect of local chemical environment on the strength of hydrogen bonds and nuclear quantum effect on strong, moderate and weak hydrogen bonds. Keeping this aim in mind, we have undertaken detailed single-crystal neutron diffraction (SCND) investigations on ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) and KDP along with their deuterated analogue crystals under ambient conditions. Fine differences in the hydrogen bonds of the above-mentioned crystals are analysed in the light of a simple diabatic two-state theoretical model for hydrogen bonds. It is proposed that the presence of a partially covalent N–H $$_\mathrm{N}$$ –O bond in ADP has a very significant effect on its O–H bond making it highly anharmonic. It is this higher bond anharmonicity in ADP that is most likely responsible for its larger NLO coefficient compared to KDP.

Structural and vibrational properties of SnxGe1-x: Modeling and experiments

The effects of the composition and macroscopic strain on the structural properties and lattice vibrations of SnxGe1-x solid solutions (SSs) are investigated numerically, employing Tersoff empirical inter-atomic potentials, and experimentally. The calculations provide statistical distributions of bond lengths, pair correlation function, and vibrational Raman spectra of the SSs. Using this approach, we are able to evaluate the tin-content-dependent shifts due to the local environment (i.e., changes in the atomic mass and bond stiffness) and strain effects in the calculated Raman spectra and compare them to experimental data. The relative importance of the composition dependent effects of the local environment and strain for epitaxial layers of GeSn solid solutions is analysed.

Reuse of public, genome-wide, murine eosinophil expression data for hypotheses development.

The eosinophil (Eos) surface phenotype and activation state is altered after recruitment into tissues and after exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, distinct Eos functional subsets have been described, suggesting that tissue-specific responses for Eos contribute to organ homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms by which Eos subsets achieve their tissue-specific identity is currently an unmet goal for the eosinophil research community. Publicly archived expression data can be used to answer original questions, test and generate new hypotheses, and serve as a launching point for experimental design. With these goals in mind, we investigated the effect of genetic background, culture methods, and tissue residency on murine Eos gene expression using publicly available, genome-wide expression data. Eos differentiated from cultures have a gene expression profile that is distinct from that of native homeostatic Eos; thus, researchers can repurpose published expression data to aid in selecting the appropriate culture method to study their gene of interest. In addition, we identified Eos lung- and gastrointestinal-specific transcriptomes, highlighting the profound effect of local tissue environment on gene expression in a terminally differentiated granulocyte even at homeostasis. Expanding the "toolbox" of Eos researchers to include public-data reuse can reduce redundancy, increase research efficiency, and lead to new biological insights.

Magnetic plasmons in a simple metallic nanogroove array for refractive index sensing.

Magnetic plasmons (MPs) refer to the coupling of external electromagnetic waves with a strong magnetic response induced inside the nanostructures. MPs have been widely employed as artificial magnetic atoms to fabricate negative-permeability or negative-refractive-index metamaterials with peculiar electromagnetic properties. Here, we propose a refractive index sensing by utilizing the MP resonances excited in a simple one-dimensional (1D) metallic nanogroove array. We demonstrate a sensitivity up to 1200 nm/RIU with a figure of merit (FOM*) of 15 thanks to the MP resonances that are extremely sensitive to the surrounding media. Importantly, the influence of the local environment effects on the sensing ability is studied. An equivalent inductor-capacitor (LC) model is used to give a precise quantitative description of the sensing performance and reveal the underlying mechanism. Such a MP-based sensor with the ease of fabrication may provide great potentials in designing broadband sensing devices with high performance and compactness.

Geographical variation and local environment effects in the reproductive output and fecundity of the shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (Decapoda: Caridea) in southeastern Brazil

We studied the shrimp Exhippolysmata oplophoroides in southeastern Brazil (Macaé, 22º37″S; Ubatuba, 23º55″S; and Cananéia, 25º53″S) to test the hypotheses that (1) females should have the same reproductive output and fecundity at the regional scale, and (2) these reproductive parameters can vary among regions. Maximum carapace length (Macaé = 13.1 mm, Ubatuba = 12.8, Cananéia = 16), fecundity, and reproductive output differed among regions (Ancova, p < 0.05). Females in Cananéia exhibited the highest reproductive output/fecundity (18.6%/5230 embryos), followed by those in Macaé (16.0%/4365 embryos) and Ubatuba (12.6%/1206 embryos). We found that fecundity/reproductive output varies inversely with the length of the reproductive season, i.e. a considerable amount of energy is allocated during seasonal spawning periods in subtropical regions such as Cananéia. Previous studies have proved that E. oplophoroides is able to reproduce continuously in Ubatuba, with probably minor but continuous energy investment in reproduction occurring in this tropical region. In contrast, although Macaé is located at tropical latitude, it is under the influence of Cabo Frio upwelling that alters the water’s physical properties via cold water intrusion. This process may be a determining factor in the spawning seasonality of Macaé’s shrimp population, justifying the higher reproductive output recorded here than in Ubatuba.

The effect of local environment on innovation: a comparison of local and foreign firms in China

The effect of local environment on innovation: a comparison of local and foreign firms in China

The effect of local environment on innovation: a comparison of local and foreign firms in China

Innovative activities have become increasingly important to firms in emerging markets, particularly in China in recent years. Facing weak institutional and competitive environments in China, firms building local connections to react and to innovate can hold a better competitive position. Our study investigates how building local connections and local competition may influence a firm's innovation and compares the moderating effect of ownership (local vs. foreign firms) on firm innovation in the early 2000s. Our empirical findings suggest that, in China, local connections are conducive to firm innovations. Compared with local firms, foreign firms tend to have more innovations. However, when facing severe local competition, local firms are engaged in more innovative activities than foreign firms. We suggest the advantages of local connection owned by local companies may outperform the foreign companies. The foreign companies need to adapt their strategies to succeed in the fast changing emerging market.

Leprosy-associated chronic wound management using biomaterials

Background:Deformities and neuropathic chronic ulcers are the common features associated with leprosy-cured individuals that impact their quality of life and impair rehabilitation efforts. The challenging aspects for treatment of chronic wounds are the factors that inhibit healing. We reasoned that limited success of various therapeutic interventions could be due to the fact that leprosy-cured individual's physiology gets acclimatized to having a chronic wound that any therapeutic intervention is counterbalanced to maintain status quo at the wound site. Therefore, an alternative strategy would be to use biomaterials that gradually alter the wound site allowing the individual's physiology to participate in the healing process.Aims:Developing the human amnion (Amn)-derived biomaterial scaffolds and evaluating its use to heal chronic wounds in leprosy-cured but deformed persons (LCDPs).Materials and Methods:Using an enzymatic protocol, we have developed a rapid method to generate biomaterial scaffolds from discarded human Amn. A clinical trial on 26 LCDPs was performed with the biomaterial, and its wound-healing potential was then compared with LCDPs undergoing standard treatment procedure.Results:Biomaterial-based treatment of chronic wounds on LCDP displayed a higher efficiency in healing when compared to standard treatment.Conclusions:This study exemplifies that biomaterial-based treatment of leprosy-wounds offers an excellent affordable alternative for wound management. This study underlines the importance of involving both local wound environment and systemic effects for healing. In addition, we highlight wound healing as a necessity for successful rehabilitation and reintegration of leprosy-cured person into the society.

The effect of local dielectric environment on the resonance light scattering of Au–Ag bimetallic nanotube

In this study, electrodynamic calculations were used to investigate the resonance light-scattering (RLS) properties of dielectric–Au–Ag double nanotube. It has been found that the scattering spectrum exhibits at most three pronounced RLS peaks in the visible region, and the RLS band number could be fine tuned by changing the dielectric constant of the inner dielectric wire. The outer dielectric surrounding also greatly affects the intensity and wavelength position of the RLS. The RLS with the longest wavelength (denoted as peak3) is always enhanced with the increase of the outer surrounding dielectric constant, i.e., e4. Whereas the e4-dependent scattering intensity change of RLS at middle wavelength becomes non-monotonous when the Ag-coating thickness is much smaller than that of Au wall. On the contrary, the e4-dependent scattering intensity change of RLS at shorter wavelength becomes non-monotonous when the Ag-coating thickness is much larger than that of Au wall. Although peak3 has a longer wavelength when the inner wire dielectric constant e1 has a large value, the e4-dependent wavelength shift has been decreased; as the wavelength shift has been decreased, e1 is increased. Similarly, although peak3 has a longer wavelength when the Ag coating has a small thickness, the e4-dependent wavelength shift has been decreased as the Ag-coating thickness is decreased. These calculating results about local dielectric environment-dependent RLS present a potential for design and fabrication of optical refractive index nanosensors based on light scattering.

Early Cretaceous (Albian) spores and pollen from the Glen Rose Formation of Texas and their significance for correlation of the Potomac Group

ABSTRACTBecause the Gulf Coast Lower Cretaceous is dated by ammonites, it has great potential as a reference section for correlating continental sequences such as the Potomac Group and dating events in the rise of angiosperms. Middle Albian terrestrial palynofloras from Oklahoma have been described in detail, but the early Albian interval, represented in the Glen Rose Formation of Texas, is less well known. Samples from two localities on the Paluxy River, which correlate with horizons containing late early Albian ammonites, are dominated by Classopollis and Exesipollenites, but angiosperm pollen is the next most common terrestrial element, and there are several index spore species for Zone II in the Potomac Group. Among the angiosperms, reticulate monosulcates are most common and diverse, but there are also several tricolpate species. Stratigraphically important angiosperms include the Clavatipollenites rotundus group and reticulate tricolpates, which appear in the upper part of Potomac Zone I and the dated earliest Albian of England and Portugal. However, there are also tricolpates with striate-reticulate sculpture, a pollen type that is not known from upper Zone I but appears in the late early Albian of Portugal. This assemblage contrasts with floras from Potomac Zone II and the middle Albian (lower Fredericksburg Group) of Oklahoma, where tricolpates overtook monosulcate angiosperms in species diversity. These results confirm arguments based on the Portuguese section that there is a significant hiatus between Potomac Zones I and II, and that this gap is at least partly late early Albian. The dominance of Classopollis and Exesipollenites and the occurrence of isolated Northern Gondwanan elements (Sergipea, Tucanopollis) suggest that Texas lay in a transition zone between Southern Laurasia and the hotter and drier Northern Gondwana province, but regional studies are needed to disentangle geographic and climatic factors from effects of the lagoonal local environment.

Effect of Local Environment and Stellar Mass on Galaxy Quenching and Morphology at 0.5 &lt; z &lt; 2.0*

Abstract We study galactic star formation activity as a function of environment and stellar mass over 0.5 &lt; z &lt; 2.0 using the FourStar Galaxy Evolution (ZFOURGE) survey. We estimate the galaxy environment using a Bayesian-motivated measure of the distance to the third nearest neighbor for galaxies to the stellar mass completeness of our survey, at z = 1.3 (2.0). This method, when applied to a mock catalog with the photometric-redshift precision ( ) of ZFOURGE, accurately recovers galaxies in low- and high-density environments. We quantify the environmental quenching efficiency and show that at , it depends on galaxy stellar mass, demonstrating that the effects of quenching related to (stellar) mass and environment are not separable. In high-density environments, the mass and environmental quenching efficiencies are comparable for massive galaxies ( ) at all redshifts. For lower-mass galaxies ( ), the environmental quenching efficiency is very low at , but increases rapidly with decreasing redshift. Environmental quenching can account for nearly all quiescent lower-mass galaxies ( ), which appear primarily at . The morphologies of lower-mass quiescent galaxies are inconsistent with those expected of recently quenched star-forming galaxies. Some environmental process must transform the morphologies on similar timescales as the environmental quenching itself. The evolution of the environmental quenching favors models that combine gas starvation (as galaxies become satellites) with gas exhaustion through star formation and outflows (“overconsumption”), and additional processes such as galaxy interactions, tidal stripping, and disk fading to account for the morphological differences between the quiescent and star-forming galaxy populations.