bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior and organizational justice in the Islamic Saudi Arabian context
Authors: Elamin Abdallah M , Tlaiss Hayfaa A.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Cross-cultural studies suggest that while organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and organizational justice have received considerable attention in Anglo-Saxon contexts, the same cannot be claimed in non-Western, Arab Middle Eastern contexts. The purpose of this paper is to attend to this knowledge gap by exploring OCB in the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its relationship with organizational justice.

Design/methodology/approach

– In cognizance of the extant literature, the study explores the perceptions of Saudi Arabian managers of the five conceptually different dimensions of citizenship behaviour – conscientiousness, sportsmanship, civic virtue, courtesy, and altruism. It also explores their perceptions of distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice. In addition, the current study investigates the relationship between organizational justice and OCB. Using the survey questionnaire method, data was collected from more than 250 Saudi managers at different levels of the managerial hierarchy and working in a wide range of organizations and industries.

Findings

– The results indicate that Saudi Arabian managers reported exhibiting OCB at work. They also suggest the salience of various forms of organizational justice in Saudi Arabian organizations as motivated by Arab cultural values and Islamic teachings. In regards to the relationship between the two constructs, our results indicate that interactional justice is most frequently associated with various dimensions of OCB for various reasons, including the emphasis that Islam and Islamic teachings give to demonstrating respect and courtesy in dealings with others.

Originality/value

– The literature on OCB and organizational justice is thin in the Arab world. With that in mind, the current study is the first to explore OCB in Saudi Arabia. It is also the first to investigate the relationship between citizenship behavior and justice in Saudi organizations. The findings of this study highlight the need for academics and human resource experts to account for the role of socio-cultural factors and Islam when examining these constructs in the Arab world. The implications of the findings for academics and practitioners are discussed.
Rethinking the marginalisation thesis
Authors: Williams Colin C , Horodnic Ioana Alexandra
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the “marginalisation” thesis, which holds that marginalised populations disproportionately participate in undeclared work. Until now, the evidence that participation in undeclared work is higher in marginalised areas (e.g. peripheral rural localities) and marginalised socio-economic groups (e.g. the unemployed, immigrant populations and women) has come from mostly small-scale surveys of particular localities and population groups. There have been no extensive quantitative surveys. Here, the intention is to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

– To do this, we report a 2007 survey of participation in undeclared work involving 26,659 face-to-face interviews conducted in 27 European Union (EU) member states.

Findings

– The finding is that the marginalisation thesis is valid when discussing younger people and those living in peripheral rural areas; they are more likely to participate in undeclared work. However, there is no significant association between immigrant populations and participation in undeclared work. Moreover, a reinforcement thesis, which holds that the undeclared economy reinforces the spatial and socio-economic disparities produced by the declared economy, applies when considering those with fewer years in education, women, the unemployed and less affluent European regions; they have lower participation rates than higher educated people, men, the employed and affluent European regions.

Research limitations/implications

– The outcome is a call for a more nuanced understanding of the marginalisation thesis as valid for some marginalised populations but not others. Whether similar findings prevail at other spatial scales and in other global regions now needs investigating.

Practical implications

– This survey displays that although it is appropriate to target some marginalised populations when tackling undeclared work, this is not valid for others (e.g. immigrant populations, the unemployed, those living in less affluent EU regions).

Originality/value

– The first extensive evaluation of whether marginalised populations are more likely to participate in undeclared work.
Retaining professional workers: what makes them stay?
Authors: George Christeen
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate why professional workers actually remain in their organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The design of the study was cross-sectional. A number of factors important for the retention of professional workers were identified from the literature. A 19 item “retention scale” was developed based on the identified retention factors and their characteristics. It was proposed that the retention factors could be divided into two levels: organisational and job. The retention scale was completed by 138 workers form the UK site of a multinational Marketing company. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach’sαand was found to be 0.80.

Findings

– Factor analysis supported the division of the retention factors into organisational and job levels with a two factor structure in which organisational levels loaded strongly on component 1 and job level items loaded strongly on component 2. Scores on these two subscales predicted individual workers’ intention to remain within their organisation using both MANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a preliminary look at factors important for the retention of professional workers and as such has several limitations. A more comprehensive review of the literature on retention is required and further testing of the model is required with a larger sample size. Links with the literature on the psychological contract also need to be more fully explored.

Practical implications

– This research has practical implications for practitioners due to the importance of retaining top talent for increased competitive advantage. The factors that have been found here to be important for retaining professional workers have also been observed in high performing companies.

Social implications

– The retirement of the baby boomer generation means that there has to be a greater emphasis on retaining key employees in organisations to mitigate the loss of key skills and competences.

Originality/value

– Most previous studies and many HR managers concerned with the retention of professional and other workers tend to concentrate on those aspects of the job or of the organisation that make them leave. This study is concerned with why people stay with their employers.
Outsourcing and financial crisis: evidence from Icelandic service SMEs
Authors: Edvardsson Ingi Rúnar , Teitsdóttir Unnur Dilja
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the application of outsourcing within Icelandic service companies in the wake of the banking collapse.

Design/methodology/approach

– Findings are based on comparing surveys conducted in early 2009 (381 answers) and in the summer of 2013 (212 answers).

Findings

– In general outsourcing did not increase, but most SMEs had extended their outsourcing in almost every area of operation, such as human resource management (HRM), IT and peripheral tasks. Also, more SMEs gave cost-reduction as a reason for outsourcing in 2013, and more respondents in 2013 expressed a positive experience of outsourcing. It is uncommon for companies to outsource human resources or lay off staff. Instead, outsourcing mainly focuses on aspects of information technology as well as administrative and peripheral functions.

Research limitations/implications

– The research highlights service firms in one country by survey methods. Further research is needed in other sectors and countries, and more varied research methods are recommended.

Originality/value

– Research on outsourcing in SMEs in the wake of the financial crisis is rare, and very few studies have focused on the HRM implications of outsourcing in SMEs. This study can inform researchers and practitioners on critical aspects of outsourcing.
Effect of wire diameter and hook location on second bond failure modes
Authors: Harun Fuaida , Ismail Roslina , Jalar Azman , Abdullah Shahrum
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the effect of Au wire size and location of hook during wire pulling test to identify the variation of results obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two hook locations, namely, location A and location B were used to analyze the effect of hook location. Location A was the same as the hook location required by MIL-STD-883E standard, whereas location B was located near to the second bond. The correlation between new purposed failure modes and MIL-STD-883E standard was developed to reflect on the pull strength with the physical failure.

Findings

– It was observed that fine pitch Au wire has higher variation and lower process capability of pull strength. Au wire pulled by the hook at location B provides a more representative result compared to that at location A. Fifty per cent or more of Au remnant is required to be considered as a good and reliable Au wedge bond based on the new purposed failure modes.

Originality/value

– The evaluation of gold (Au) wedge bond requires a new proper wire pulling test method. This is due to the large variation obtained from the application of current practice of wire pulling test.
Integrated hygro-swelling and thermo-mechanical behavior of mold compound for MEMS package during reflow after moisture preconditioning
Authors: Kwak Jae B. , Park Seungbae
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to study the combined effect of hygro and thermo-mechanical behavior on a plastic encapsulated micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) package during the reflow process after exposed to a humid environment for a prolonged time. Plastic encapsulated electronic packages absorb moisture when they are subjected to humid ambient conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Thus, a comprehensive stress model is established for a three-axis accelerometer MEMS package, with detailed considerations of fundamentals of mechanics such as heat transfer, moisture diffusion and hygro-thermo-mechanical stress. In this study, the mold compound is considered to be the most critical plastic material in MEMS package. Other plastic components of thin film materials can be disregarded due to their small sizes such as die attach and Bismaleimide Triazine (BT) core, even though they are also susceptible to moisture. Thus, only the moisture-induced properties of mold compound were obtained from the proposed experiments. From the desorption measurement after preconditioning at 85°C/85 per cent relative humidity (RH), the saturated moisture content and diffusivity were obtained by curve fitting the data to Fick’s equation. In addition, a new experimental setup was devised using the digital image correlation system together with a precision weight scale to obtain the coefficient of hygroscopic swelling (CHS) at different temperatures.

Findings

– The experimental results show that the diffusion coefficient of mold compound material follows Arrhenius equation well. Also, it is shown that the CHS of mold compound increases as temperature increases. Experimentally obtained moisture properties were then used to analyze the combined behavior (thermo-hygro-mechanical) of fully saturated MEMS package during the reflow process using a finite element analysis (FEA) with the classical analogy method. Finally, the warpage and stresses inside the MEMS package were analyzed to compare the effects of hygroscopic, thermal and hygro-thermo-mechancal behaviors.

Originality/value

– In this study, unlike the other researches, the moisture effects are investigated specifically for MEMS package which is relatively smaller in scale than conventional electronic packages. Also, as a conjugated situation, MEMS package experiences both humid and temperature during the moisture resistance test. Thus, major objective of this study is to verify stress state inside MEMS package during the reflow process which follows the preconditioning at 85°C/85 per cent RH. To quantify the stresses in the package, accurate information of material properties is experimentally obtained and used to improve modeling accuracy.
Microfabrication of Si3N4-polyimide membrane for thermo-pneumatic actuator
Authors: Abdul Hamid Norihan , Yunas J. , Yeop Majlis B. , Hamzah A.A. , Bais B.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the fabrication technology and test of thermo-pneumatic actuator utilizing Si3N4-polyimide thin film membrane. Thin film polyimide membrane capped with Si3N4 thin layer is used as actuator membrane which is able to deform through thermal forces inside an isolated chamber. The fabricated membrane will be suitable for thermo-pneumatic-based membrane actuation for lab-on-chip application.

Design/methodology/approach

– The actuator device consisting of a micro-heater, a Si-based micro-chamber and a heat-sensitive square-shaped membrane is fabricated using surface and bulk-micromachining process, with an additional adhesive bonding process. The polyimide membrane is capped with a thin silicon nitride layer that is fabricated by using etch stop technique and spin coating.

Findings

– The deformation property of the membrane depend on the volumetric expansion of air particles in the heat chamber as a result of temperature increase generated from the micro-heater inside the chamber. Preliminary testing showed that the fabricated micro-heater has the capability to generate heat in the chamber with a temperature increase of 18.8 °C/min. Analysis on membrane deflection against temperature increase showed that heat-sensitive thin polyimide membrane can perform the deflection up to 65 μm for a temperature increase of 57°C.

Originality/value

– The dual layer polyimide capped with Si3N4 was used as the membrane material. The nitride layer allowed the polyimide membrane for working at extreme heat condition. The process technique is simple implementing standard micro-electro-mechanical systems process.
Selective metallization of solar cells
Authors: Wrobel Edyta , Kowalik Piotr , Mazurkiewicz Janusz
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present the possibility of the technology of chemical metallization for the production of contact of photovoltaic cells. The developed technology allows you to perform low-cost contacts in any form.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used a multi- and monocrystalline silicon plates. On the surface of the plates, the contact by the electroless metallization was made. After metallization stage, annealing process in a temperature range of 100-700°C was conducted to obtain ohmic contact in a semiconductor material. Subsequently, the electrical parameters of obtained structures were measured. Therefore, trial soldering was made, which demonstrated that the layer is fully soldered.

Findings

– Optimal parameters of the metallization bath was specified. The equations RS = f (metallization time), RS = f (temperature of annealing) and C-V characteristics were determined. As a result of conducted research, it has been stated that the most appropriate way leading to the production of soldered metal layers with good adhesion to the portion of selectively activated silicon plate is technology presented below in the following steps: masking, selective activation and nickel-plating of activated plate. Such obtained metal layers have great variety in application and, in particular, can be used for the preparation of electric terminals in silicon solar cell.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a new, unpublished method of manufacturing contacts in the structure of the photovoltaic cell.
Thermal and mechanical properties of sintered Ag layers for power module assembly
Authors: Myśliwiec Marcin , Kisiel Ryszard
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of our paper is to investigate thermal and mechanical properties of Ag sintered layers used for assembly of SiC diode to Direct Bonding Copper (DBC) interposer. How SiC devices are assembled to ceramic package defines efficiency of heat transfer and mechanical support.

Design/methodology/approach

– Ag microparticles, sized 2-4 μm and flake shaped, were used as joining material. The parameters of sintering process were as follows: temperature 400°C, pressure 10 MPa and time 40 min. It was found that after sintering and long-term aging in air at 350°C the adhesion is in the range of 10 MPa, which is enough from a practical point of view. The thermal properties of the SiC die assembled into a ceramic package were also investigated. In the first step, the calibration of the temperature-sensitive parameter VF (IF = 2 mA) was done and the relation between VF and temperature was found. In the next step, the thermal resistance between junction and case was determined knowing junction and case temperature.

Findings

– For SiC diode with Au bottom metallization joined to the DBC interposer by Ni/Au metallization by Ag microparticle layer, Rth j-c is in the range of 2-3.5°C/W, and for SiC diode with Ag bottom metallization joined to DBC interposer with Ag metallization by Ag microparticle layer, Rth j-c is in the range of 4.5-5.5°C/W.

Research limitations/implications

– In the future, research on thermal resistance of SiC diodes assembled onto the DBC interposer with Au and Ag metallization in the temperature range up to 350°C needs to be carried out. To do this, it necessary to find a solution for the attaches that leads to ceramic package able to work at such high temperature.

Originality/value

– Obtained results are comparable with results mentioned by other studies for eutectic Au/Sn or SAC solder joints; however, the solution proposed by us can properly work at significantly higher temperatures.
Electric, magnetic and high frequency properties of screen printed ferrite-ferroelectric composite thick films on alumina substrate
Authors: Patil N. , Velhal N.B. , Pawar R. , Puri Vijaya
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to study the effect of ferrite content on electric, magnetic and microwave properties of screen-printed y(Ni0.4Co0.2Cd0.4Fe2O4) + (1 − y)Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (y = 0.0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 1.0) thick films on alumina.

Design/methodology/approach

– Thick films of ferrite–ferroelectric composite on alumina substrate have been delineated using screen printing technique. The structural analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction method and scanning electron microscopy. The DC electrical resistivity was measured using the two-probe method. The magnetic measurement was carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Microwave absorption was studied in the 8-18 GHz frequency range by using the vector network analyzer (N5230A). The permittivity in the 8-18 GHz frequency range was measured by using voltage standing wave ratio slotted section method.

Findings

– The formation of two individual ferrite–ferroelectric phases in composite thick films was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction patterns. The scanning electron microscope morphologies show the growth of cobalt-substituted nickel cadmium ferrite grains which are well dispersed in lead zirconium titanate matrix. The DC electrical resistivity increases with increase in ferrite content and decreases with increase in temperature. The present ferrite shows ferromagnetic nature and it increases saturation magnetization and coercivity of the composite thick films. Tuning properties are observed in the Ku-band and broadband X-band microwave absorption is observed in the composite thick films. The imaginary part of permittivity increases with an increase in ferrite content, which increases microwave absorption. The real part of microwave permittivity varied from 17 to around 22 with an increase in ferrite content and it decreases with frequency. The microwave conductivity, which increases with an increase in ferrite content, reveals the loss of polaron conduction, which supports the dielectric loss in the microwave region.

Originality/value

– Electric, magnetic and microwave properties of screen-printed y(Ni0.4Co0.2Cd0.4Fe2O4) + (1 − y)Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (y = 0.0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 1.0) composite thick films on alumina substrate is reported for the first time.
First insights into the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) blood transcriptome: a resource for novel gene loci and immunogenetics
Authors: Du Lianming , Li Wujiao , Fan Zhenxin , Shen Fujun , Yang Mingyu , Wang Zili , Jian Zuoyi , Hou Rong , Yue Bisong , Zhang Xiuyue
Published: January 2015

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the most famous flagship species for conservation, and its draft genome has recently been assembled. However, the transcriptome is not yet available. In this study, the blood transcriptomes of three pandas were characterized and about 160 million sequencing reads were generated using Illumina HiSeq 2000 paired‐end sequencing technology. The assembly yielded 92 598 transcripts with an average length of 1626 bp and N50 length of 2842 bp. Based on a sequence similarity search against nonredundant (nr) protein database, a total of 38 522 (41.6%) transcripts were annotated. Of these annotated transcripts, 25 142 and 8272 transcripts were assigned to gene ontology terms and clusters of orthologous group, respectively. A search against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database (KEGG) indicated that 9098 (9.83%) transcripts mapped to 324 KEGG pathways, and the best represented functional categories of pathways were signal transduction and immune system. We have also identified 23 460 microsatellites, 43 560 SNPs as well as 21 456 alternative splicing events in the assembly. Additionally, a total of 24 341 complete open reading frames (ORFs) were detected from the assembly where 1492 ORFs were found to be novel gene loci as these have not been annotated so far in any public database.
Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and its implications for sympathetic activation in chronic heart failure and hypertension
Authors: Chen W.‐W. , Xiong X.‐Q. , Chen Q. , Li Y.‐H. , Kang Y.‐M. , Zhu G.‐Q.
Published: January 2015

Persistent excessive sympathetic activation greatly contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF) and hypertension. Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is a sympathoexcitatory reflex with positive feedback characteristics. Humoral factors such as bradykinin, adenosine and reactive oxygen species produced in myocardium due to myocardial ischaemia stimulate cardiac sympathetic afferents and thereby reflexly increase sympathetic activity and blood pressure. The CSAR is enhanced in myocardial ischaemia, CHF and hypertension. The enhanced CSAR at least partially contributes to the sympathetic activation and pathogenesis of these diseases. Nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla are the most important central sites involved in the modulation and integration of the CSAR. Angiotensin II, AT1 receptors and NAD(P)H oxidase‐derived superoxide anions pathway in the PVN are mainly responsible for the enhanced CSAR in CHF and hypertension. Central angiotensin‐(1‐7), nitric oxide, endothelin, intermedin, hydrogen peroxide and several other signal molecules are involved in regulating CSAR. Blockade of the CSAR shows beneficial effects in CHF and hypertension. This review focuses on the anatomical and physiological basis of the CSAR, the interaction of CSAR with baroreflex and chemoreflex, and the role of enhanced CSAR in the pathogenesis of CHF and hypertension.
Inhibition of DMBA‐induced Oral Squamous Cells Carcinoma Growth by Brazilian Red Propolis in Rodent Model
Authors: Ribeiro Danielle R. , Alves Ângela Valéria F. , dos Santos Esaú P. , Padilha Francine F. , Gomes Margarete Z. , Rabelo Alessandra S. , Cardoso Juliana C. , Massarioli Adna Prado , de Alencar Severino Matias , de Albuquerque‐Júnior Ricardo Luiz C.
Published: January 2015

We investigated the effect of oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) on DMBA‐induced oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) in rodents. The chemical components of the HERP were assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Carcinogenesis was topically induced in the lower lip of 25 rats using 9,10‐dimethyl‐1,2‐benzanthracene (DMBA); the tumour was treated with saline (TUM1) and Tween 80 (TUM2) as well as HERP at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg (HERP10, HERP50 and HERP100, respectively) for 20 weeks. Topical application of saline and oral administration of 100 mg/kg HERP was used in five rats as a control group (CTR). After 26 weeks, the histological malignancy grading and immunohistochemical expression of Ki‐67 and p16INK4A were assessed in the tumours/tissue samples. The compounds identified were propyl gallate, daidzein, catechin, epicatechin, formononetin and biochanin A. Formononetin, daidzein and biochanin A showed concentration of 23.29, 0.38 and 0.67 mg/g of HERP, respectively. HERP at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg inhibited 40% of OSCC growth and promoted a 3‐week delay in development of clinically detectable tumours. Epithelial dysplasia was observed in all samples with no clinical tumour, except in CTR. No significant difference in the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 and p16INK4A was observed between HERP‐treated and saline/Tween 80‐treated groups (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that HERP exerts chemopreventive activity on the progression of DMBA‐induced epithelial dysplasia to OSCC in an experimental model of labial carcinogenesis; however, this effect is not associated with Ki‐67 and p16INK4A immunoexpression.
Statin‐induced Myopathy and Ubiquinone Levels in Serum – Results from a Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Skilving Ilona , Acimovic Jure , Rane Anders , Ovesjö Marie‐Louise , Björkhem‐Bergman Linda
Published: January 2015

It has been suggested that an impaired ubiquinone (Q10) synthesis may be responsible for muscular side effects caused by statins. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether low Q10 levels in serum could be used as a marker to predict the risk of developing statin‐induced myopathy. The secondary aim was to compare the change in Q10 levels during statin treatment and differences between men and women. Serum samples from a prospective, observational study in statin‐treated patients who were thoroughly followed regarding muscular symptoms were used. In this cohort, 16 developed myopathy and 126 had no muscular symptoms related to statin treatment. Q10 levels were measured with a novel LC‐MS method at baseline and after 2 months of statin treatment. Q10 levels showed no correlation with the risk of developing statin‐induced myopathy. Individuals with low levels, Q10 < 200 ng/ml, at baseline had no increased risk of developing myopathy. In consistence with earlier reports, we showed that Q10 levels were reduced by 30% during statin treatment. There was no significant difference in the reduction between patients with or without myopathy. Women had approximately 30% lower Q10 levels compared to men both before and after treatment. In this study, there was no association between Q10 levels at baseline and statin‐induced muscular side effects during a 2‐month follow‐up period, and our results indicate that Q10 levels in serum is not a useful marker to predict statin‐induced myopathy.
Peer support for parents of disabled children part 2: how organizational and process factors influenced shared experience in a one‐to‐one service, a qualitative study
Authors: Shilling V. , Bailey S. , Logan S. , Morris C.
Published: January 2015

Background

Parents of disabled children often seek support from their peers. The shared experience between parents appears to be a crucial mediating factor. Understanding how a sense of shared experience is fostered can help to design and evaluate services that seek to provide peer support.

Methods

We carried out a qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews and focus groups. Participants were 12 parents and 23 befrienders who had contact with the Face2Face one‐to‐one befriending service in Devon and Cornwall during a 12‐month period, and 10 professionals from health, social care and education.

Findings

Formal structures and processes in place such as training and ongoing supervision and support were highly valued as was the highly personalized, confidential, flexible, one‐to‐one at‐home nature of the service. Crucial to establishing rapport was putting the right people together and ensuring a good match between befrienders and parents. Clearly, the befriending parent has to be emotionally prepared to provide help. However, if the parent being offered support was not ready to accept help at the time it was offered or the type of support was not right for them, they are less likely to engage with the service.

Conclusion

Organizational and process factors as well as characteristics of the parents offering and receiving support contribute to the sense of shared experience in one‐to‐one peer support. These factors interact to influence whether peer support is effective and should be explicitly considered when designing and evaluating services.
Metastatic phaeochromocytoma in a 23‐year‐old woman with an unclassified variant in the von Hippel Lindau disease gene: how can the pathogenicity of this variant be determined?
Authors: Russell Nicholas , Delatycki Martin , Grossmann Mathis
Published: January 2015

A 23‐year‐old woman with metastatic phaeochromocytoma was found to have a previously unclassified variant in the von Hippel Lindau disease gene (c.361G>C). We use this case to highlight the issue of unclassified single nucleotide variants and the approaches to help predict whether they are disease causing or neutral. With increasing use of genetic testing, and widespread clinical use of next‐generation sequencing around the corner, this issue is likely to become more prominent.
Fasting but not changes of plasma metabolome during oral glucose tolerance tests improves the diagnosis of severe coronary arterial stenosis
Authors: Hung Chi‐Sheng , Li Hung‐Yuan , Kuo Ching‐Hua , Lin Mao‐Shin , Kuo Tien‐Chueh , Tsai Sung‐Jeng , Liu Pi‐Hua , Lin Cheng‐Hsin , Yang Chun‐Yi , Chuang Lee‐Ming , Chen Ming‐Fong , Tseng Yufeng J. , Kao Hsien‐Li
Published: January 2015

Background

Noninvasive stress tests for the diagnosis of significant coronary arterial stenosis requiring intervention are not perfect. We investigated whether plasma metabolome during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) can improve the diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 117 subjects with positive stress test results who received coronary angiography were recruited. After excluding subjects with a history of myocardial infarction and subjects who did not receive OGTT, the 18 subjects without significant stenosis were selected as controls. Another 18 age‐ and sex‐matched subjects with significant stenosis were selected as cases. Plasma metabolome from samples obtained in fasting, 30 and 120 min after OGTT was measured using liquid chromatography combined with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry.

Results

We found five metabolites which can identify patients with significant stenosis independent to clinical risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and history of percutaneous coronary intervention (all P < 0·05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of these metabolites was 0·799–0·818 at fasting and 30 min after OGTT. The addition of metabolites to clinical factors increases the AUROC (0·616, 95%CI 0·429–0·803 for model with clinical factors only; 0·824, 95%CI 0·689–0·959 for model with four metabolites and clinical factors). The changes of plasma metabolite levels during OGTT did not significantly improve the diagnostic performance.

Conclusions

Fasting plasma metabolome, but not change of plasma metabolome during OGTT, can improve the diagnosis of significant stenosis in patients with positive noninvasive stress test results.
Cell‐to‐cell communication – periodontal regeneration
Authors: Bosshardt Dieter D. , Stadlinger Bernd , Terheyden Hendrik
Published: January 2015

Background

Although regenerative treatment options are available, periodontal regeneration is still regarded as insufficient and unpredictable.

Aim

This review article provides scientific background information on the animated 3D film Cell‐to‐Cell Communication – Periodontal Regeneration.

Results

Periodontal regeneration is understood as a recapitulation of embryonic mechanisms. Therefore, a thorough understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating normal tooth root development is imperative to improve existing and develop new periodontal regenerative therapies. However, compared to tooth crown and earlier stages of tooth development, much less is known about the development of the tooth root. The formation of root cementum is considered the critical element in periodontal regeneration. Therefore, much research in recent years has focused on the origin and differentiation of cementoblasts. Evidence is accumulating that the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) has a pivotal role in root formation and cementogenesis. Traditionally, ectomesenchymal cells in the dental follicle were thought to differentiate into cementoblasts. According to an alternative theory, however, cementoblasts originate from the HERS. What happens when the periodontal attachment system is traumatically compromised? Minor mechanical insults to the periodontium may spontaneously heal, and the tissues can structurally and functionally be restored. But what happens to the periodontium in case of periodontitis, an infectious disease, after periodontal treatment? A non‐regenerative treatment of periodontitis normally results in periodontal repair (i.e., the formation of a long junctional epithelium) rather than regeneration. Thus, a regenerative treatment is indicated to restore the original architecture and function of the periodontium. Guided tissue regeneration or enamel matrix proteins are such regenerative therapies, but further improvement is required. As remnants of HERS persist as epithelial cell rests of Malassez in the periodontal ligament, these epithelial cells are regarded as a stem cell niche that can give rise to new cementoblasts. Enamel matrix proteins and members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐ß) superfamily have been implicated in cementoblast differentiation.

Conclusion

A better knowledge of cell‐to‐cell communication leading to cementoblast differentiation may be used to develop improved regenerative therapies to reconstitute periodontal tissues that were lost due to periodontitis.
Diffuse and strong cyclin D1 immunoreactivity in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney
Authors: Mirkovic Jelena , Calicchio Monica , Fletcher Christopher D , Perez‐Atayde Antonio R
Published: January 2015

Aims

Distinguishing clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) from other paediatric malignancies, particularly blastema‐rich Wilms tumour (WT) and congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), is challenging. Specific immunohistochemistry for CCSK does not exist, and diagnosis rests upon histopa thology. Recently, the YWHAE–FAM22 rearrange ment, identical to that in endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), has been identified in CCSKs. As this fusion results in overexpression of cyclin D1 in ESS, we postulated that overexpression would also occur in CCSK; cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry could then be used to differentiate CCSK from other tumours. The goal of this study was therefore to evaluate the utility of cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry in identifying CCSK and helping to differentiate it from its mimics.

Methods and results

Cyclin D1 expression was evaluated in 59 renal tumours—CCSK (14), WT (25), rhabdoid tumour (four), Ewing sarcoma (five), and CMN (11)—and four neuroblastomas. All 14 CCSKs showed diffuse and strong reactivity. In contrast, the blastematous component of most WTs showed only rare positive nuclei, that of rhabdoid tumours showed rare to focal immunoreactivity, and that of more than half of CMNs showed weak or focal immunoreactivity. Most Ewing sarcomas and all neuroblastomas showed diffuse moderate to strong staining.

Conclusions

Cyclin D1 is most helpful in distinguishing CCSK from WT, rhabdoid tumour, and some CMNs, but not from neuroblastoma or Ewing sarcomas.
High‐Energy Storage Performance of (Pb0.87Ba0.1La0.02)(Zr0.68Sn0.24Ti0.08)O3 Antiferroelectric Ceramics Fabricated by the Hot‐Press Sintering Method
Authors: Zhang Guangzu , Zhu Dingyang , Zhang Xiaoshan , Zhang Ling , Yi Jinqiao , Xie Bing , Zeng Yike , Li Qi , Wang Qing , Jiang Shenglin
Published: January 2015

(Pb0.87Ba0.1La0.02)(Zr0.68Sn0.24Ti0.08)O3 (PBLZST) antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics have been prepared by hot‐press sintering method and conventional solid‐state reaction process, and the dependence of microstructure and energy storage properties of the ceramics on sintering approaches has been studied. The results reveal that not only the microstructure, but also the electrical properties of the PBLZST AFE ceramics are significantly improved by using the hot‐press sintering method. Samples resulting from the hot‐press sintering process have high breakdown strength of 180 kV/cm which results from the increase of density. Coupled with large polarization, the hot‐pressed AFE ceramics are shown to have a high recoverable energy density of 3.2 J/cm3. The recoverable energy density of the hot‐pressed PBLZST AFE ceramics is 100% greater than the conventional sintered specimens with recoverable energy density of 1.6 J/cm3.
Macroprudential and Monetary Policy Rules: a Welfare Analysis
Authors: Rubio Margarita , Carrasco‐Gallego José A.
Published: January 2015

This paper studies the interaction between macroprudential and monetary policies, using a DSGE model with a housing market and collateral constraints. Monetary policy follows a standard Taylor rule for the interest rate. The macroprudential authority implements a Taylor‐type rule for the loan‐to‐value, ratio reacting to output and house prices. Results show that introducing the macroprudential rule or extending the interest‐rate rule to respond to house prices increases welfare, since it enhances financial stability. However, for the optimal policy mix, when both policies act together, monetary policy should ensure price stability while the macroprudential authority should safeguard financial stability.
Financial Constraints, Innovation Performance and Sectoral Disaggregation
Authors: Efthyvoulou Georgios , Vahter Priit
Published: January 2015

How do the effects of financial constraints on innovation performance vary by sector and firm characteristics? This paper uses innovation survey data from 11 European countries to examine the heterogeneity of these effects. Our results suggest that the impact of direct measures of financial barriers differs in production and service sectors, and also by the firm's export orientation. In particular, financial constraints appear to have more pronounced negative effects in the production sector than in the service sector. Among different types of firms, the response to financial constraints seems to be stronger for non‐exporters.
Does behaviour play a role in house fly resistance to imidacloprid‐containing baits?
Authors: SERAYDAR K. R. , KAUFMAN P. E.
Published: January 2015

The objective of this research was to examine the role and type of behavioural mechanisms that function in house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), resistance to an imidacloprid‐containing commercial fly bait, QuickBayt®, using an insecticide‐susceptible and an imidacloprid‐resistant strain. Mortality and feeding behaviour were observed through choice bioassays of three post‐imidacloprid selected house fly generations to determine whether flies would consume the bait in the presence of an alternative food source. Mortality rates in choice containers progressively decreased in post‐selection flies as QuickBayt® no‐choice selections proceeded. There were no differences between the proportions of flies observed contacting QuickBayt® and sugar, respectively, a finding that eliminates repellency as a mechanism of stimulus‐dependent behavioural resistance. However, differences in QuickBayt® consumption and subsequent mortality between choice and no‐choice containers provided strong support for the evolution of consumption irritancy‐ or taste aversion‐related behavioural resistance. The results of this study support the responsible rotation of insecticide bait formulations for house fly control.
Behavioural responses of stable flies to cattle manure slurry associated odourants
Authors: TANGTRAKULWANICH K. , ALBUQUERQUE T. A. , BREWER G. J. , BAXENDALE F. P. , ZUREK L. , MILLER D. N. , TAYLOR D. B. , FRIESEN K. A. , ZHU J. J.
Published: January 2015

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans [Diptera: Muscidae] L.) are blood‐feeding synanthropic pests, which cause significant economic losses in livestock. Stable fly antennae contain olfactory sensilla responsive to host and host environment‐associated odours. Field observation indicated that the abundance of stable flies increased significantly in grasslands or crop fields when cattle manure slurry was applied. Major volatile compounds emanating from manure slurry were collected and identified. Behavioural responses of stable flies to those compounds were investigated in laboratory bioassays and field‐trapping studies. Results from olfactometer assays revealed that phenol, p‐cresol and m‐cresol were attractive to adult stable flies. When tested individually, attraction was higher with lower dosages. Stable flies were most attracted to blends of phenol and m‐cresol or p‐cresol. Traps with binary blend lures caught more stable flies in field trials as well.
Prophylactic methylprednisolone to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes from one lung ventilation in children: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Theroux Mary C. , Fisher Alicia Olivant , Rodriguez Maria E. , Brislin Robert P. , Reichard Kirk W. , Shah Suken A. , McCoy Matt , Brown Melinda , Dabney Kirk W. , Mackenzie William G. , Katz Douglas A. , Shaffer Thomas H.
Published: January 2015

Background

One lung ventilation (OLV) results in inflammatory and mechanical injury, leading to intraoperative and postoperative complications in children. No interventions have been studied in children to minimize such injury.

Objective

We hypothesized that a single 2‐mg·kg−1 dose of methylprednisolone given 45–60 min prior to lung collapse would minimize injury from OLV and improve physiological stability.

Methods

Twenty‐eight children scheduled to undergo OLV were randomly assigned to receive 2 mg·kg−1 methylprednisolone (MP) or normal saline (placebo group) prior to OLV. Anesthetic management was standardized, and data were collected for physiological stability (bronchospasm, respiratory resistance, and compliance). Plasma was assayed for inflammatory markers related to lung injury at timed intervals related to administration of methylprednisolone.

Results

Three children in the placebo group experienced clinically significant intraoperative and postoperative respiratory complications. Respiratory resistance was lower (P = 0.04) in the methylprednisolone group. Pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 was lower (P = 0.01), and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 was higher (P = 0.001) in the methylprednisolone group. Tryptase, measured before and after OLV, was lower (P = 0.03) in the methylprednisolone group while increased levels of tryptase were seen in placebo group after OLV (did not achieve significance). There were no side effects observed that could be attributed to methylprednisolone in this study.

Conclusions

Methylprednisolone at 2 mg·kg−1 given as a single dose prior to OLV provides physiological stability to children undergoing OLV. In addition, methylprednisolone results in lower pro‐inflammatory markers and higher anti‐inflammatory markers in the children's plasma.
Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae
Authors: Barbehenn Raymond V. , Knister Jennifer , Marsik Frank , Jahant‐Miller Chelsea , Nham William
Published: January 2015

The efficient aquisition of nutrients from leaves by insect herbivores increases their nutrient assimilation rates and overall fitness. Caterpillars of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) have high protein assimilation efficiencies (PAE) from the immature leaves of trees such as red oak (Quercus rubra) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) (71–81%) but significantly lower PAE from their mature leaves (45–52%). By contrast to this pattern, both PAE and carbohydrate assimilation efficiencies (CAE) remain high for L. dispar larvae on the mature leaves of poplar (Populus alba × Populus tremula) grown in greenhouse conditions. The present study tests two alternative hypotheses: (i) outdoor environmental stresses cause decreased nutrient assimilation efficiencies from mature poplar leaves and (ii) nutrients in the mature leaves of trees in the poplar family (Salicaceae) remain readily available for L. dispar larvae. When poplar trees are grown in ambient outdoor conditions, PAE and CAE remain high (approximately 75% and 78%, respectively) in L. dispar larvae, in contrast to the first hypothesis. When larvae feed on the mature leaves of species in the Salicaceae [aspen (Populus tremuloides), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willow (Salix nigra) and poplar], PAE and CAE also remain high (68–76% and 72–92%, respectively), consistent with the second hypothesis. Larval growth rates are strongly associated with protein assimilation rates, and more strongly associated with protein assimilation rates than with carbohydrate assimilation rates. It is concluded that tree species in the Salicaceae are relatively high‐quality host plants for L. dispar larvae, in part, because nutrients in their mature leaves remain readily available.
Measurement of Photosynthesis Using PAM Technology in a Purple Sulfur Bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum (Chromatiaceae)
Authors: Ritchie Raymond J. , Mekjinda Nutsara
Published: January 2015

We demonstrate that Blue‐diode‐based pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technology can be used to measure the photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR) of purple sulfur bacteria (Thermochromatium tepidum, Chromatiaceae). Previous studies showed that PAM technology could be used to estimate photosynthesis in purple nonsulfur bacteria and so PAM technology can be used to estimate photosynthesis of both kinds of purple photosynthetic bacteria. The absorptance of Thermochromatium films on glass fiber disks was measured and used to calculate actual ETR. ETR vs Irradiance (P vs E) curves fitted the waiting‐in‐line model (ETR = (ETRmax × E/Eopt) × exp (1−E/Eopt)). Yield (Y) was only ≈ 0.3–0.4. Thermochromatium saturates at 325 ± 13.8 μmol photons m−2 s−1 or ≈15% sunlight and shows photoinhibition at high irradiances. A pond of Thermochromatium would exhibit classic surface inhibition. Photosynthesis is extremely low in the absence of an electron source: ETR increases in the presence of acetate (5 mol m−3) provided as an organic carbon source and also increases in the presence of sulfite (3 mol m−3) but not sulfide and is only marginally increased by the presence of Fe2+. Nonphotochemical quenching does occur in Thermochromatium but at very low levels compared to oxygenic photo‐organisms or Rhodopseudomonads.