Twenty‐five years of the Information Systems Journal: A bibliometric and ontological overview

The Information Systems Journal (ISJ) published its first issue in 1991, and in 2015, the journal celebrated its 25th anniversary. This study presents an overview of the leading research trends in the papers that the journal has published during its first quarter of a century via a bibliometric and ontological analysis. From a bibliometric perspective, the analysis considers the publication and citation structure of the journal. The study then develops a graphical analysis of the bibliographic material by using visualization of similarities software that employs bibliographic coupling and cocitation analysis. The work produces an ontological framework of impact and analyses the journal papers to assess qualitatively ISJ's impact. The results indicate that the journal has grown significantly over time and is now recognized as one of the leading journals in information systems. Yet challenges remain if the journal is to meet its aims in impacting and setting the agenda for the development of the Information Systems field.     

A global optimization strategy for predicting alpha-helical protein tertiary structure

We present a global optimization strategy that incorporates predicted restraints in both a local optimization context and as directives for global optimization approaches, to predict protein tertiary structure for alpha-helical proteins. Specifically, neural networks are used to predict the secondary structure of a protein, restraints are defined as manifestations of the network with a predicted secondary structure and the secondary structure is formed using local minimizations on a protein energy surface, in the presence of the restraints. Those residues predicted to be coil, by the network, define a conformational sub-space that is subject to optimization using a global approach known as stochastic perturbation that has been found to be effective for Lennard-Jones clusters and homo-polypeptides. Our energy surface is an all-atom 'gas phase' molecular mechanics force field, that is combined with a new solvation energy function that penalizes hydrophobic group exposure. This energy function gives the crystal structure of four different alpha-helical proteins as the lowest energy structure relative to other conformations, with correct secondary structure but incorrect tertiary structure. We demonstrate this global optimization strategy by determining the tertiary structure of the A-chain of the alpha-helical protein, uteroglobin and of a four-helix bundle, DNA binding protein.     

有关建筑教育和理论的当代思索——菲利普·乌尔施布隆访谈

访谈中菲利普·乌尔施布隆首先讨论了当前历史性面临的危机,并得出"建筑理论已失去它的自主性"的观点.他认为当代理论已不存在中心化的大师理论,而是呈现出多元化的概念,恰如米克·巴尔的"微型理论"般运作.基于巴尔关于"概念旅行"的理论,他探讨了全球化语境下建筑教育的新机遇,最后由此出发分析中国与西方国家当代建筑教育之间的相互...     

Functions and Mechanisms of Pro-Lysyl Oxidase Processing in Cancers and Eye Pathologies with a Focus on Diabetic Retinopathy

Lysyl oxidases are multifunctional proteins derived from five lysyl oxidase paralogues (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like 1 through lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL1–LOXL4). All participate in the biosynthesis of and maturation of connective tissues by catalyzing the oxidative deamination of lysine residues in collagens and elastin, which ultimately results in the development of cross-links required to function. In addition, the five LOX genes have been linked to fibrosis and cancer when overexpressed, while tumor suppression by the propeptide derived from pro-LOX has been documented. Similarly, in diabetic retinopathy, LOX overexpression, activity, and elevated LOX propeptide have been documented. The proteolytic processing of pro-forms of the respective proteins is beginning to draw attention as the resultant peptides appear to exhibit their own biological activities. In this review we focus on the LOX paralogue, and what is known regarding its extracellular biosynthetic processing and the still incomplete knowledge regarding the activities and mechanisms of the released lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP). In addition, a summary of the roles of both LOX and LOX-PP in diabetic retinopathy, and brief mentions of the roles for LOX and closely related LOXL1 in glaucoma, and keratoconus, respectively, are included.     

Experimental investigation of a cook-off temperature in a hot barrel

The experimental investigations of the effect of contact time/temperature on initiating the cook-off using 7.62 mm calibre cartridge cases （CC） were conducted previously. These cartridges were filled with commercial off-the-shelf （COTS） double based （DB） propellant （Bulls Eye） and were loaded in a hot chamber. The thermal explosion temperature is of great significance to both weapon designers and safety inspectors as it provides the operational limit and safe operating temperature. For CC under test, it was found that the cook-off temperatures of this propellant were encountered with the heat transfer profile of the simulated gun barrel between 151.4 ℃ and 153.4 ℃, with a reaction occurring in less than 300 s after the round was chambered. Usefully, each experiment was found to be consistent and repeatable.     

Counting Fluorescent Dye Molecules on DNA Origami by Means of Photon Statistics

Obtaining quantitative information about molecular assemblies with high spatial and temporal resolution is a challenging task in fluorescence microscopy. Single‐molecule techniques build on the ability to count molecules one by one. Here, a method is presented that extends recent approaches to analyze the statistics of coincidently emitted photons to enable reliable counting of molecules in the range of 1–20. This method does not require photochemistry such as blinking or bleaching. DNA origami structures are labeled with up to 36 dye molecules as a new evaluation tool to characterize this counting by a photon statistics approach. Labeled DNA origami has a well‐defined labeling stoichiometry and ensures equal brightness for all dyes incorporated. Bias and precision of the estimating algorithm are determined, along with the minimal acquisition time required for robust estimation. Complexes containing up to 18 molecules can be investigated non‐invasively within 150 ms. The method might become a quantifying add‐on for confocal microscopes and could be especially powerful in combination with STED/RESOLFT‐type microscopy.     

Survey of Reengineering Challenges

Computers are transforming the workplace as users discover Innovative ways to put their power to work. To effectively manage their employees, managers must understand —and exploit — all facets of the user Interface.     

The sex and ethnicity or national origins of researchers in astronomy and oncology in four countries, 2006–2007 and 2011–2012

This paper uses two large databases, one of given names and one of family names, to categorise the names of researchers from Italy, Sweden, the UK and the USA whose papers in astronomy and oncology were published in 2006–2007 and in 2011–2012 by sex (gender) and ethnicity or national origin. For all the countries, there were relatively many more females publishing papers in oncology than in astronomy, but their share of contributions was lower than the percentage of researchers. Sweden and the UK had much higher percentages of both other European and Rest of the World researchers than Italy did. US researchers with non-European names were categorised in six main country groups. The ones with the greatest presence were Chinese (mainly Mandarin) and South Asians (mainly Indians). The method could be adapted to investigate the progress of women in research in many other countries, and the role played by non-national researchers in their scientific output.