bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of PAH in the Black Sea Water by GC/MS Following Preconcentration with Solid-Phase Extraction
Authors: Kraleva Elka , Karamfilov Vencislav , Hibaum Georgi
Published: July 2012

Determination of PAH in the Black Sea Water by GC/MS Following Preconcentration with Solid-Phase Extraction

Determination of PAHs in marine coastal waters has to be carried out with great care to avoid serious losses occurring during the sampling and storage stage. This is due to the hydrophobic properties of PAHs, and their tendency to be adsorbed to surfaces they are in contact with, including suspended particulate matter. The best technique to separate PAHs is gas chromatography with mass spectrometer. Because of low concentration levels to be quantified in water samples, an enrichment step is needed before chromatographic analysis. For PAHs, several preconcentration techniques have been used, but the most concentration technique is solid-phase extraction (SPE). The main objective of this work is to adapt and implement a relatively simple and rapid method for gas chromatographic determination of individual PAHs in samples of coastal and running waters. The present work analyses the yield and precision of extraction of PAHs by solid phase extraction with using different sorbents for SPE (Bond Elut: C18 and Plexa SPE discs), the two most common methods used for aqueous samples.
Morphometric analysis using multiplanar reconstructed CT of the lumbar pedicle in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis characterized by a Cobb angle of 30° or greater
Authors: Makino Takahiro , Kaito Takashi , Fujiwara Hiroyasu , Yonenobu Kazuo
Published: July 2012

Object

Although the anatomy of the thoracic pedicle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is well known, that of the lumbar pedicle in degenerative lumbar scoliosis is not. The morphometric differences between the pedicles on the concave and convex sides can result in an increased risk of malpositioned pedicle screws. The purpose of this study was to analyze the lumbar pedicle morphology in degenerative lumbar scoliosis using multiplanar reconstructed CT.

Methods

The study group comprised 16 consecutive patients (1 man and 15 women, mean age 70.9 ± 4.5 years) with degenerative lumbar scoliosis characterized by a Cobb angle of at least 30° who underwent preoperative helical CT scans. The CT data in DICOM format were reconstructed, and the following parameters were measured for each pedicle inside the curves: the inner cortical transverse pedicle width (TPWi) and outer cortical transverse pedicle width (TPWo) and axial angle, all on an axial plane, and the inner cortical minimum pedicle diameter (MPDi) and outer cortical minimum pedicle diameter (MPDo) and cephalocaudal inclination of the pedicle, all on the plane perpendicular to the pedicle axis. The cortical thickness and cortical ratio of the pedicles on the axial plane and the plane perpendicular to the pedicle axis were calculated. Data were obtained for a total of 124 pedicles; L-1, 26 pedicles in 13 patients; L-2, 32 pedicles in 16 patients; L-3, 32 pedicles in 16 patients; L-4, 28 pedicles in 14 patients; and L-5, 6 pedicles in 3 patients.

Results

Among the target vertebrae, the TPWi, MPDi, and MPDo were significantly smaller and the axial angle was significantly larger on the concave side than on the convex side (TPWi, 6.37 vs 6.70 mm, p < 0.01; MPDi, 5.15 vs 5.67 mm, p < 0.01; MPDo, 7.91 vs 8.37 mm, p < 0.05; axial angle, 11.79° vs 10.56°, p < 0.01). The cortical ratio of the pedicles was larger on the concave side than on the convex side (on the axial plane, 0.29 vs 0.26, p < 0.05; on the plane perpendicular to the pedicle axis, 0.36 vs 0.32, p < 0.01). These differences were most evident at L-4.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated lumbar pedicle asymmetry in degenerative lumbar scoliosis. The authors speculate that these asymmetrical changes were attributed to the remodeling caused by axial load imbalance and the limited space available for pedicles on the concave side. On the concave side, because of the narrower pedicle diameter and larger axial angle, surgeons should carefully determine screw size and direction when inserting pedicle screws to prevent possible pedicle wall breakage and neural damage.
A Comparative Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of Mid-Rise Office Building Construction Alternatives: Laminated Timber or Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Robertson Adam B. , Lam Frank C. F. , Cole Raymond J.
Published: July 2012

The objective of this project was to quantify and compare the environmental impacts associated with alternative designs for a typical North American mid-rise office building. Two scenarios were considered; a traditional cast-in-place, reinforced concrete frame and a laminated timber hybrid design, which utilized engineered wood products (cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam). The boundary of the quantitative analysis was cradle-to-construction site gate and encompassed the structural support system and the building enclosure. Floor plans, elevations, material quantities, and structural loads associated with a five-storey concrete-framed building design were obtained from issued-for-construction drawings. A functionally equivalent, laminated timber hybrid design was conceived, based on Canadian Building Code requirements. Design values for locally produced CLT panels were established from in-house material testing. Primary data collected from a pilot-scale manufacturing facility was used to develop the life cycle inventory for CLT, whereas secondary sources were referenced for other construction materials. The TRACI characterization methodology was employed to translate inventory flows into impact indicators. The results indicated that the laminated timber building design offered a lower environmental impact in 10 of 11 assessment categories. The cradle-to-gate process energy was found to be nearly identical in both design scenarios (3.5 GJ/m2), whereas the cumulative embodied energy (feedstock plus process) of construction materials was estimated to be 8.2 and 4.6 GJ/m2 for the timber and concrete designs, respectively; which indicated an increased availability of readily accessible potential energy stored within the building materials of the timber alternative.
Fault Detection of Wind Turbines with Uncertain Parameters: A Set-Membership Approach
Authors: Tabatabaeipour Seyed Mojtaba , Odgaard Peter F. , Bak Thomas , Stoustrup Jakob
Published: July 2012

In this paper a set-membership approach for fault detection of a benchmark wind turbine is proposed. The benchmark represents relevant fault scenarios in the control system, including sensor, actuator and system faults. In addition we also consider parameter uncertainties and uncertainties on the torque coefficient. High noise on the wind speed measurement, nonlinearities in the aerodynamic torque and uncertainties on the parameters make fault detection a challenging problem. We use an effective wind speed estimator to reduce the noise on the wind speed measurements. A set-membership approach is used generate a set that contains all states consistent with the past measurements and the given model of the wind turbine including uncertainties and noise. This set represents all possible states the system can be in if not faulty. If the current measurement is not consistent with this set, a fault is detected. For representation of these sets we use zonotopes and for modeling of uncertainties we use matrix zonotopes, which yields a computationally efficient algorithm. The method is applied to the wind turbine benchmark problem without and with uncertainties. The result demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to other proposed methods applied to the same problem. An advantage of the proposed method is that there is no need for threshold design, and it does not produce positive false alarms. In the case where uncertainty on the torque lookup table is introduced, some faults are not detectable. Previous research has not addressed this uncertainty. The method proposed here requires equal or less detection time than previous results.
Dynamic Modeling of Anode Function in Enzyme-Based Biofuel Cells Using High Mediator Concentration
Authors: Chan Der-Sheng , Dai Der-Jong , Wu Ho-Shing
Published: July 2012

The working principle of enzyme-based biofuel cells (EBFCs) is the same as that of conventional fuel cells. In an EBFC system, the electricity-production process is very intricate. Analysis requires a mathematical model that can adequately describe the EBFC and predict its performance. This paper develops a dynamic model simulating the discharge performance of the anode for which supported glucose oxidase and mediator immobilize in the EBFC. The dynamic transport behavior of substrate, redox state (ROS) of enzyme, enzyme-substrate complex, and the mediator creates different potential changes inside the anode. The potential-step method illustrates the dynamic phenomena of substrate diffusion, ROS of enzyme, production of enzyme-substrate complex, and reduction of the mediator with different potential changes.
A Freshwater Streptomyces, Isolated from Tyume River, Produces a Predominantly Extracellular Glycoprotein Bioflocculant
Authors: Nwodo Uchechukwu U. , Agunbiade Mayowa O. , Green Ezekiel , Mabinya Leonard V. , Okoh Anthony I.
Published: July 2012

We evaluated bioflocculant production by a freshwater actinobacteria whose 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence was deposited in GenBank as Streptomyces sp. Gansen (accession number HQ537129). Optimum culture conditions for bioflocculant production were an initial medium pH of 6.8, incubation temperature of 30 °C, agitation speed of 160 rpm and an inoculum size of 2% (v/v) of cell density 1.5 × 108 cfu/mL. The carbon, nitrogen and cation sources for optimum bioflocculant production were glucose (89% flocculating activity), ammonium sulfate (76% flocculating activity) and MgCl2. Bioflocculant pyrolysis showed three step decomposition indicative of three components while chemical analyses showed 78% carbohydrate and 22% protein (wt/wt). The mass ratio of neutral sugar, amino sugar and uronic acids was 4.6:2.4:3. FTIR spectrometry indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups, typical for heteropolysaccharide. The bioflocculant showed a lattice structure as seen by SEM imaging. Its high flocculation activity suggests its suitability for industrial applicability.
Further Insights on the Carotenoid Profile of the Echinoderm Marthasterias glacialis L.
Authors: Mariutti Lilian R. B. , Pereira David M. , Mercadante Adriana Zerlotti , Valentão Patrícia , Teixeira Natércia , Andrade Paula B.
Published: July 2012

In this study, the carotenoid profile of the echinoderm Marthasterias glacialis L. was established using HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS equipped with a C30 column. This approach rendered the identification of 20 compounds, eight of them reported for the first time in this marine organism. Differentiation of carotenoid isomers was also achieved.
Utility of Remotely Sensed Imagery for Assessing the Impact of Salvage Logging after Forest Fires
Authors: Lewis Sarah A. , Robichaud Peter R. , Hudak Andrew T. , Austin Brian , Liebermann Robert J.
Published: July 2012

Remotely sensed imagery provides a useful tool for land managers to assess the extent and severity of post-wildfire salvage logging disturbance. This investigation uses high resolution QuickBird and National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery to map soil exposure after ground-based salvage operations. Three wildfires with varying post-fire salvage activities and variable ground truth data were used to evaluate the utility of remotely sensed imagery for disturbance classification. The Red Eagle Fire in northwestern Montana had intensive ground truthing with GPS-equipment logging equipment to map their travel paths, the Tripod Fire in north central Washington had ground truthed disturbance transects, and the School Fire in southeastern Washington had no salvage-specific ground truthing but pre-and post-salvage images were available. Spectral mixture analysis (SMA) and principle component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the imagery. Our results showed that soil exposure (disturbance) was measureable when pre-and post-salvage QuickBird images were compared at one site. At two of the sites, only post-salvage imagery was available, and the soil exposure correlated well to salvage logging equipment disturbance at one site. When ground disturbance transects were compared to NAIP imagery two years after the salvage operation, it was difficult to identify disturbance due to vegetation regrowth. These results indicate that soil exposure (ground disturbance) by salvage operation can be detected with remotely sensed imagery especially if the images are taken less than two years after the salvage operation.
In Transition towards Sustainability: Bridging the Business and Education Sectors of Regional Centre of Expertise Greater Sendai Using Education for Sustainable Development-Based Social Learning
Authors: Ofei-Manu Paul , Shimano Satoshi
Published: July 2012

This article discusses a business-school collaborative learning partnership in the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Greater Sendai. This partnership is further linked to a broader context of multi-stakeholder public participation in the RCE that was set up to advance the ESD agenda in the region. The authors propose a conceptual framework for multi-stakeholder, ESD-based social learning within the RCE with the aim of enabling the creation of a sustainability-literate society. This proposal is based on the results of students’ prior experience in ESD activities, optimal age for ESD learning and future job choices presented in this paper, together with a reported article that the levels of sustainability of the two sectoral organizations were mixed and hence need improvement. The paper argues that it will be good to focus on bridging the business and education sectors by building ESD capacity of the children and youth in the formal education sector. It contends this could be done through collaborative learning using the government-mandated “Period of Integrated Studies” (PIS) in the Japanese primary and secondary school curriculum. Additionally, it will be appropriate for the RCE Greater Sendai Steering Committee to facilitate and coordinate the learning processes and also promote networking and cooperative interactions among the actors and stakeholders in the region. Recommendations for improvement of the learning partnerships in RCE Greater Sendai are made for consideration at the local and national policy levels.
Les concours à l'épreuve
Authors: Eymeri-Douzans Jean-Michel
Published: July 2012

Résumé Les concours administratifs, qui occupent une place particulière dans notre pays, au cœur même du « contrat social » et politique français, sont entrés dans une période de mise en examen d’abord à bas bruit, puis de procès ouvert, appelant et justifiant les réformes récentes des concours, encore inachevées. Mais grandes sont la résilience comme la plasticité de la « forme institutionnelle » concours, dont la pérennité est avérée, même si des menaces existent sur l’avenir du concours.
Pasteurella canis
and
Granulicatella adiacens
Conjunctivitis Outbreak Resistant to Empirical Treatment in a Child Welfare Agency
Authors: Balikoglu-Yilmaz Melike , Yilmaz Tolga , Esen Ayse Banu , Engin Kaya N. , Taskapili Muhittin
Published: July 2012

Purpose:

To investigate pathogens associated with bacterial conjunctivitis resistant to the empirical treatment and their antibiotic resistance in a child welfare agency.

Methods:

Twenty-eight eyes in 14 children with a median age of 3 months with conjunctivitis resistant to the empirical treatment were included in this study. Samples were taken three times from the inferior fornix in both eyes using cotton swabs, cultured onto chocolate and blood agar, and prepared for Gram staining. Antibiograms were evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute criteria by disc diffusion method.

Results:

The conjunctival culture positivity rate was 35.7% in eyes with conjunctivitis resistant to the empirical treatment. The most common isolated bacteria were
Pasteurella canis
(25%), penicillin-nonsusceptible
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(7.1%), and
Granulicatella adiacens
(3.6%). According to culture results, ophthalmic solutions of vancomycin (50 mg/mL) or gentamicin (30 mg/mL) were applied in eyes with positive conjunctival culture. Previously applied multiple treatments were stopped in eyes with negative conjunctival culture. All eyes improved clinically during follow-up.

Conclusion:

Because unusual pathogens may cause a conjunctivitis outbreak, physicians should not insist on empirical treatment. Taking conjunctival culture and antibiotic switching according to antibiogram may be helpful.
Epi-LASIK: A Confocal Microscopy Analysis of the Corneal Epithelium and Anterior Stroma
Authors: Ramírez Manuel , Hernández-Quintela Everardo , Naranjo-Tackman Ramón
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the confocal microscopy findings at the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma after epi-LASIK.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Twelve eyes of 12 patients underwent epi-LASIK. A central scan of the total corneal thickness was taken with the confocal microscope before and at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery. Corneal epithelial thickness was measured and the anterior stroma morphology was also analyzed.

RESULTS:

Mean epithelial thickness was 46.5 ± 5.5 μm before surgery. It had decreased by 23.4% (35.6 ± 5.6 μm) at 2 weeks and by 22.1% (36.2 ± 5 μm) at 1 month postoperatively, compared with the preoperative measurement. The change in thickness was statistically significant. The anterior stroma showed keratocyte activation at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery.

CONCLUSION:

Corneal epithelial thickness was decreased up to 1 month after surgery. The stromal ablation zone showed keratocyte activation in both postoperative measurements.
Errors in Thickness Comparison Maps From 3D Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Park Jin-Hwan , Oh Jaeryung , Yang Kyung-Sook , Kim Seong-Woo , Huh Kuhl
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To study characteristics of errors in thickness comparison maps (TCMs) from three-dimensional optical coherence tomography.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients who underwent three-dimensional optical coherence tomography examinations were included. Errors in TCM were categorized into several types according to common features, and the origins and distributions of errors were investigated.

RESULTS:

Errors were observed in 25 (22.9%) of 109 TCMs with a normal macula and in 88 (63.3%) of 139 TCMs with an abnormal macula (
P
< .001). The errors were categorized into three types: horizontal line-shaped errors that originated from fixation loss by the examinee, jumping errors caused by segmentation error, and two-peaked errors due to mismatching. There were significant differences in the distributions of the error types among different diagnoses.

CONCLUSION:

Errors in TCM were categorized into several types according to common features. Distributions of these types differed among eyes according to diagnosis.
The macrofungal diversity and community of Atlantic oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) forests in Ireland
Authors: O’Hanlon Richard , Harrington Thomas J.
Published: July 2012

The oak species Quercus petraea and Q. Robur are dominant canopy tree species of native deciduous forests in Ireland and coastal regions of Western Europe. These forests are typically plant species-rich, and can also have a rich fungal flora. This survey examined macrofungi found in five native oak sites across Ireland over three years. Overall, 94 macrofungal species belonging to 39 genera were discovered with Mycena, Lactarius, Russula and Cortinarius the most species-rich genera. The species accumulation curve did not show signs of levelling off, indicating that more sampling would reveal more new species. Species richness estimation using the Chao2 estimator indicated that up to 135 species may be present across all of our plots, with individual plots receiving estimates from 19 to 61 species per plot. Sampled-based rarefaction analysis showed no significant differences in macrofungal species richness between our plots. The five most common species were Laccaria amethystina, L. laccata, Stereum hirsutum, Armillaria mellea and Cortinarius flexipes. Comparisons of the results with results from oak forests in similar regions found that the communities in Great Britain were most similar to those found in Ireland. There were some key oak forest distinguishing fungal species from the family Boletaceae lacking from Irish oak forests. It is hypothesised that the historic deforestation of Ireland, caused a reduction of suitable habitats for Irish oak associated macrofungi, leading to the unspecific mycota found in the oak forests of this study. The threats to Atlantic oak forests in Ireland are briefly discussed.
Botanical novelties from Sierra de Maigualida, southern Venezuela. II
Authors: Grande José R. , Kallunki Jacquelyn , Arbo María M. , Berry Paul E. , Huber Otto , Riina Ricarda
Published: July 2012

Four new species, Siphocampylus acanthidiotrichus J.R. Grande (Campanulaceae), Phyllanthus huberi Riina & P.E. Berry (Phyllanthaceae), Sohnreyia maigualidensis J.R. Grande & Kallunki (Rutaceae), and Turnera maigualidensis J.R. Grande & Arbo (Turneraceae) are described and illustrated from the summit areas of Sierra de Maigualida in the Gua - yana Highlands of southern Venezuela. To date, one genus, 32 spe cies, one subspecies, and one variety of angiosperms are known only from the Maigualida meadows and shrublands, between 1800 m and the highest elevation areas at 2400 m. Here we describe the first iteroparous species for the genus Sohnreyia K. Krause, a Turnera L. species with apically villose, apiculate petals, and a Siphocampylus Pohl species with aculeiform hairs and pinnatisect leaves. The new species, Siphocampylus acanthidiotrichus, together with S. Tillettii Steyerm., represents a morphologically distinct subgroup within the genus.
Two new Colombian species of the section Brevispicae of the genus Sloanea (Elaeocarpaceae)
Authors: Palacios-Duque Leonardo , Fernández-Alonso José Luis
Published: July 2012

Two new species from Colombia assigned to Sloanea section Brevispicae, Sloanea helianthoides and S. Huilaeana, are described and illustrated. Sloanea helianthoides is characterized by its flowers with large sepals (7-9 mm long) and large fruit (c. 6 cm long) with grouped spines and many seeds (more than 20) and Sloanea huilaeana is distinguished by its craspedodrome venation, coppery indumentum on the leaves, and the fruit spines slightly curved and getting thinner towards the capsule apex. A key to the Colombian species of section Brevispicae is included.
Automated Enrollment in Higher Education in the UAE Universities
Authors: Al Husari Zeinab
Published: July 2012

This chapter highlights the importance of admission and registration functions in higher education and discusses the main objectives and sought benefits from utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications to support the automation of admission and registration processes and functions in UAE higher education’s institutes. The chapter also suggests an effective approach to design and adopt such applications to ensure the realization of benefits to both students and universities. Of particular interest to this investigation is how can universities successfully and effectively apply the e-admission and e-registration system. The chapter concludes with a positive outlook of future Internet and e-applications to improve admission and registration in terms process streamlining, ease of use, easy access, and connectivity. It also points out some challenges that normally occur when some ICT solution is applied at a number of higher educational institutes.
Adaptive E-Learning System Based on Semantic Search and Recommendation in the Arab World
Authors: Fouad Khaled M. , Nagdy Nagdy M. , Harb Hany M.
Published: July 2012

The success of any e-learning system depends on the retrieval of relevant learning contents according to the requirement of the learner (user). This leads to the development of the adaptive e-learning system to provide learning materials considering the requirements and understanding capability of the learner. This chapter aims to propose the system of personalized semantic search and recommendation of learning contents on the e-learning Web-based systems. Semantic and personalized search of learning contents is based on expansion the query keywords by using of the semantic relations and reasoning mechanism in the ontology. Personalized recommendation of learning objects is based on the learner profile ontology to guide what learning contents a learner should study. For the Arab world, to achieve the learning for all goals and meet the learner’s requirements, it must build more inclusive, including the personalization services, and has semantic learning content in the learning systems. The authors’ proposed system is efficient, more effective, and more learner-friendly in the Arab sector because it responds to every learner and his needs individually with a timely and precise adaptation of learning materials.
Integrated Operations from a Change Management Perspective
Authors: Rosendahl Tom , Egir Asbjørn , Due-Sørensen Lars Kristian , Ulsund Hans Jørgen
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that have been prominent in driving or restraining the implementation of Integrated Operations (IO) within the Norwegian oil industry - from a change management perspective. The authors focus on trends in implementing Integrated Operations across companies on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The research is a cross-sectional case study, based on interviews with 15 respondents and the use of relevant documents. Findings are presented in a modified version of Lewin’s Force Field Analysis. The authors have found multiple forces that have affected the implementation of Integrated Operations to various extents. This chapter focuses on three of them: Understanding the rationale of IO; Establishing support for change; and Technological solutions. Findings based on data gathered across multiple organizations in the Norwegian oil industry should yield a great potential for improving the future development and implementation of Integrated Operations.
Measuring and Charging for Banks’ Systemic Interconnectedness
Authors: Espinosa-Vega Marco A. , Solé Juan
Published: July 2012

Generalized calls for more and higher quality capital for systemic institutions were the first natural reaction to the recent global financial crisis. Although the introduction of systemic risk-based capital surcharges is a proposal that has gained acceptance, its design still faces important challenges—including how to measure systemic risk, avoid the surcharges’ procyclicality, and cross-border coordination. This chapter contributes to the debate on the merits and operationalization of systemic risk-based capital surcharges by presenting two methodologies for computing surcharges based on an institution’s contribution to systemic risk. The chapter also illustrates ways to lessen their procyclicality. The authors conclude discussing practical cross-border, data, and communication issues for an effective implementation of systemic capital surcharges.
Modeling the FX Market Traders’ Behavior
Authors: Aloud Monira , Tsang Edward , Olsen Richard
Published: July 2012

In this chapter, the authors use an Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) approach to model trading behavior in the Foreign Exchange (FX) market. They establish statistical properties (stylized facts) of the traders’ trading behavior in the FX market using a high-frequency dataset of anonymised OANDA individual traders’ historical transactions on an account level spanning 2.25 years. Using the identified stylized facts of real FX market traders’ behavior, the authors evaluate the collective behavior of the trading agents in resembling the collective behavior of the FX market traders. The study identifies the conditions under which the stylized facts of trading agents’ collective behaviors resemble those for the real FX market traders’ collective behavior. The authors perform an exploration of the market’s features in order to identify the conditions under which the stylized facts emerge.
Predicting Volatile Consumer Markets using Multi-Agent Methods
Authors: Sengupta Abhijit , Glavin Stephen E.
Published: July 2012

A behavioral model incorporating utility-based rational choice enhanced with psychological drivers is presented to study a consumer goods market, characterized by repeat purchase incidences by households. The psychological drivers incorporate purchase strategies of loyalty and change-of-pace, which affect the choice set of consumer agents in an agent-based simulation environment. Agent specific memories of past purchases drive these strategies, while attribute specific preferences and prices drive the utility-based choice function. Transactions data from a category in a supermarket is used to initialize, calibrate, and test the accuracy of predictions of the model. Results indicate that prediction accuracy at both macro and micro levels can be significantly improved with the incorporation of purchase strategies. Moreover, increasing the memory length beyond a certain limit does not improve predictions in the model, indicating that consumer memory of past shopping instances is finite and low and recent purchase history is more relevant to current decision making than the distant past.
HIV-1 Nef Limits Communication between Linker of Activated T Cells and SLP-76 To Reduce Formation of SLP-76–Signaling Microclusters following TCR Stimulation
Authors: Abraham Libin , Bankhead Peter , Pan Xiaoyu , Engel Ulrike , Fackler Oliver T.
Published: July 2012

Signal initiation by engagement of the TCR triggers actin rearrangements, receptor clustering, and dynamic organization of signaling complexes to elicit and sustain downstream signaling. Nef, a pathogenicity factor of HIV, disrupts early TCR signaling in target T cells. To define the mechanism underlying this Nef-mediated signal disruption, we employed quantitative single-cell microscopy following surface-mediated TCR stimulation that allows for dynamic visualization of distinct signaling complexes as microclusters (MCs). Despite marked inhibition of actin remodeling and cell spreading, the induction of MCs containing TCR-CD3 or ZAP70 was not affected significantly by Nef. However, Nef potently inhibited the subsequent formation of MCs positive for the signaling adaptor Src homology-2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) to reduce MC density in Nef-expressing and HIV-1–infected T cells. Further analyses suggested that Nef prevents formation of SLP-76 MCs at the level of the upstream adaptor protein, linker of activated T cells (LAT), that couples ZAP70 to SLP-76. Nef did not disrupt pre-existing MCs positive for LAT. However, the presence of the viral protein prevented de novo recruitment of active LAT into MCs due to retargeting of LAT to an intracellular compartment. These modulations in MC formation and composition depended on Nef’s ability to simultaneously disrupt both actin remodeling and subcellular localization of TCR-proximal machinery. Nef thus employs a dual mechanism to disturb early TCR signaling by limiting the communication between LAT and SLP-76 and preventing the dynamic formation of SLP-76–signaling MCs.
The HGF Receptor/Met Tyrosine Kinase Is a Key Regulator of Dendritic Cell Migration in Skin Immunity
Authors: Baek Jea-Hyun , Birchmeier Carmen , Zenke Martin , Hieronymus Thomas
Published: July 2012

The Met tyrosine kinase has a pivotal role in embryonic development and tissue regeneration, and deregulated Met signaling contributes to tumorigenesis. After binding of its cognate ligand hepatocyte growth factor, Met signaling confers mitogenic, morphogenic, and motogenic activity to various cells. Met expression in the hematopoietic compartment is limited to progenitor cells and their Ag-presenting progeny, including dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we demonstrate that Met signaling in skin-resident DCs is essential for their emigration toward draining lymph nodes upon inflammation-induced activation. By using a conditional Met-deficient mouse model (Metflox/flox), we show that Met acts on the initial step of DC release from skin tissue. Met-deficient DCs fail to reach skin-draining lymph nodes upon activation while exhibiting an activated phenotype. Contact hypersensitivity reactions in response to various contact allergens is strongly impaired in Met-deficient mice. Inhibition of Met signaling by single-dose epicutaneous administration of the Met kinase-specific inhibitor SU11274 also suppressed contact hypersensitivity in wild-type mice. Additionally, we found that Met signaling regulates matrix metalloproteinase MMP2 and MMP9 activity, which is important for DC migration through extracellular matrix. These data unveil Met signaling in DCs as a critical determinant for the maintenance of normal immune function and suggest Met as a potential target for treatment of autoimmune skin diseases.
T Cell Apoptosis and Induction of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Underlie the Therapeutic Efficacy of CD4 Blockade in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Duarte Joana , Carrié Nadège , Oliveira Vanessa G. , Almeida Catarina , Agua-Doce Ana , Rodrigues Lénia , Simas J. Pedro , Mars Lennart T. , Graca Luis
Published: July 2012

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis requires the participation of effector neuroantigen-specific T cells. Thus, T cell targeting has been proposed as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the mechanism underlying effective disease prevention following T cell targeting remains incompletely known. We found, using several TCR-transgenic strains, that CD4 blockade is effective in preventing experimental autoimmune encephalopathy and in treating mice after the disease onset. The mechanism does not rely on direct T cell depletion, but the anti-CD4 mAb prevents the proliferation of naive neuroantigen-specific T cells, as well as acquisition of effector Th1 and Th17 phenotypes. Simultaneously, the mAb favors peripheral conversion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Pre-existing effector cells, or neuroantigen-specific cells that undergo cell division despite the presence of anti-CD4, are committed to apoptosis. Therefore, protection from experimental autoimmune encephalopathy relies on a combination of dominant mechanisms grounded on regulatory T cell induction and recessive mechanisms based on apoptosis of neuropathogenic cells. We anticipate that the same mechanisms may be implicated in other T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases that can be treated or prevented with Abs targeting T cell molecules, such as CD4 or CD3.
Evaluating human resource interventions
Authors: Louw-Potgieter Joha
Published: July 2012

Orientation: Programme evaluation is a transdiscipline, which examines whether a programme has merit or not. A programme is a coherent set of activities aimed at bringing about a change in people or their circumstances.Research purpose: The purpose of this special edition is to introduce readers to the evaluation of human resource (HR) programmes.Motivation for the study: There are few comprehensive evaluations of HR programmes despite many publications on functional efficiency measures of HR (i.e. measures of cost, time, quantity, error and quality).Research design, approach and method: This article provides a value chain for HR activities and introduces the reader to programme theory-driven evaluation.Main findings: In summarising all of the contributions in this edition, one of the main findings was the lack of programme evaluation experience within HR functions and the difficulty this posed for the evaluators.Practical/managerial implications: This introductory article presents answers to two simple questions: What does HR do? and, What is programme evaluation? These answers will enable practitioners to understand what programme evaluators mean when we say that programme evaluation seeks to determine the merit of a programme.Contribution/value-add: The main contribution of this introductory article is to set the scene for the HR evaluations that follow. It alerts the reader to the rich theory contribution in HR literature and how to apply this in a theory-driven evaluation.
Evaluating a training programme for executive coaches
Authors: Beets Karolyne , Goodman Suki
Published: July 2012

Orientation: The evaluation of training programmes provides methodological and logistical challenges to evaluators and human resource (HR) managers. The training of executive coaches is no exception in this regard. Research purpose: The study aimed to investigate one particular aspect of the results of an executive coach training programme, and the extent to which knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired during the programme were applied in practical settings.Motivation for the study: Too little is known in South Africa about the effectiveness of training programmes, including executive coach training programmes. There is a need to demonstrate methodological approaches that would provide valid and reliable data.Research design, approach and method: The success case method (SCM) was used to guide the study, consisting first of a survey of 80 participants in the training programme, followed by eight interviews to compare successful with less successful cases of skills transfer.Main findings: All six successful coaches were applying the proximal outcomes from the training with good results, with several valuable consequences resulting from the training. Barriers to successful implementation included personal circumstances and unfulfilled expectations of the programme content.Practical/managerial implications: Aspects of the training programme that could be improved included: the buddy selection system, more individualised feedback about self-development, closer supervision, and more support from programme managers.Contribution/value-add: This evaluation contributes to the evaluation literature by providing a documented exploration of a systematic application of the SCM. It also contributes to the coach training literature by providing a systematic evaluation of a coach training intervention in South Africa.
Left Atrial Myxoma Mimicking Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Ojji Dike B , Mamven Manmak H , Omonua Odiase , Habib Zaiyad , Osaze Hamamatu , Sliwa Karen
Published: July 2012

Cardiac myxoma is a benign (non-malignant) neoplasm that represents the most common primary tumour of the heart. We present the case of a 36 year old woman with background hypertension who presented with features of left ventricular failure and seizures, and was found during transthoracic echocardiography to have left atrial myxoma protruding through the mitral valve orifice. She subsequently had excision of the atrial myxoma. The usefulness of early transthoracic echocardiography in any patient presenting with features of heart failure even when the aetiology seems obvious cannot be over-emphasised.
Changing Identities. From DiverseyLever to JohnsonDiversey: a Case of Cultural Integration
Authors: Angellotti Liberato , Cerrone Luciano , Piccardo Claudia , Varchetta Giuseppe
Published: July 2012

The Diversey acquisition from the Unilever group was official the 1st April 1996. The final aim of this operation consisted in a merger between the new acquired company and Industrial Lever to create a new world leader reality in the industrial cleaning field. An acquisition process is in every case a complex event that generates a wide relational phenomenology. Two companies that work as competitors in a national market, through a ‘far’ decision of acquisition, a result of global strategies, have to start a strategic-organisational process of merger. All the acquisition and merger processes find the existence of a cultural problematic, that is linked to the identity processes of the implicated collective subjects.
Do Global Brands Benefit from a Unique Worldwide Image?
Authors: Schuiling Isabelle , Lambin Jean-Jacques
Published: July 2012

The trend towards increased globalisation had a major impact on the branding strategies of international companies. Next to important economies of scale that a global brand can bring to the company, the advantage of benefiting from a unique worldwide image across markets is considered by managers as an important advantage to manage brands on a global basis. Companies have traditionally followed two types of strategies to create their global brands. One strategy has consisted of expanding successful local brands on international markets. The second strategy has consisted of creating global brands from the start. These brands are launched on a worldwide basis quasi at the same time.
Demand Bubbles, Virtual Communities and Market Potential
Authors: Gnecchi Flavio , Corniani Margherita
Published: July 2012

A virtual community is a precious information collation source allowing a company to identify conditions on which to base bubble information and indications regarding the time and manner on which the bubble should be triggered. Observations of virtual community dynamics, people entering and exiting, the length of their stay and so on, are fertile indicators for bubble potential in terms of dimension and timeframe.
The Complexity of Sport Management: from Mono-Business to Multi-Business
Authors: Cherubini Sergio
Published: July 2012

Sports transformed into an extremely complex phenomenon requiring the ability to manage business areas with different characteristics combining a wide range of aspects: emotional and logical, international and local, professional and amateur, high-tech and high-touch, traditional and new, competition and cooperation, shortterm and long-term goals, randomness and planning, confidentiality and visibility. For many years, sport organisation management concentrated on technicalcompetitive aspects, but in global markets technical ability it is not enough to ensure an organisation’s long-term success. Sport organisations have to manage business areas ranging from the box office, season tickets and player trading, to sponsorships, advertising, media content, merchandising, publishing, player image, real estate, finance, tourism and others.
Management Consulting, Global Markets and Corporate Networking
Authors: Brondoni Silvio M.
Published: July 2012

Within economic globalization, management consulting has become an important source for innovation in management, forming a bridge between academia, firms, and thought leaders in other fields. In the 1980s and 1990s, management consulting has grown quickly in US and in Europe. The current trend in the market is a clear differentiation of management consulting firms. Currently, there are four main types of consulting firms. First, the large management and strategic consulting specialists that offer only strategy consulting and are specialized in some specific industry. Second, the boutique firms, often quite small, focusing on areas of consulting expertise in specific industries or technologies. Third, the medium-sized information technology consultancy networks, that mix boutique style with some of the typical services and technologies global players offer their clients. Finally, the large networks. Diversified organizations that offer a wide range of services.
Ethics in Management Consulting
Authors: Vallini Carlo
Published: July 2012

Ethics is a relevant value in business and management consulting. The presence of recognized ethics tends to reduce the need for informative or legal-contractual precautions in the formalization of relationships, for both of the parts involved in a negotiation. Management Consulting on ethics will develop more and more. Law will consider more and more ethics in business and management consulting. The ethics of corporations influences their workers and behaviour with the customers. It is an evident case of maximum integration between business and individual ethics.
Corporate Values in Global Supply Chains
Authors: Pepe Cosetta
Published: July 2012

The problem of finding a balance between the economic, social, and environmental values of human development is now at the heart of the debate that involves men of culture, men of faith, economists and politicians, who are working  together to tackle the problems of globalisation. Chains are part of a gradual globalisation, with growing interdependence between the various manufacturing organisations and a convergence of different elements that creates development, but also negative effects such as environmental degradation and serious social imbalance. In the corporate culture, with the evolution of marketing, the act of purchasing is a sum of ethical and aesthetic values. In this sense, global companies’ supply must contain a ‘synthesis’ of consumers’ expectations.
Aerosol indirect effects from shipping emissions: sensitivity studies with the global aerosol-climate model ECHAM-HAM
Authors: Peters K. , Stier P. , Quaas J. , Graßl H.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. In this study, we employ the global aerosol-climate model ECHAM-HAM to globally assess aerosol indirect effects (AIEs) resulting from shipping emissions of aerosols and aerosol precursor gases. We implement shipping emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), black carbon (BC) and particulate organic matter (POM) for the year 2000 into the model and quantify the model's sensitivity towards uncertainties associated with the emission parameterisation as well as with the shipping emissions themselves. Sensitivity experiments are designed to investigate (i) the uncertainty in the size distribution of emitted particles, (ii) the uncertainty associated with the total amount of emissions, and (iii) the impact of reducing carbonaceous emissions from ships. We use the results from one sensitivity experiment for a detailed discussion of shipping-induced changes in the global aerosol system as well as the resulting impact on cloud properties. From all sensitivity experiments, we find AIEs from shipping emissions to range from −0.32 ± 0.01 W m−2 to −0.07 ± 0.01 W m−2 (global mean value and inter-annual variability as a standard deviation). The magnitude of the AIEs depends much more on the assumed emission size distribution and subsequent aerosol microphysical interactions than on the magnitude of the emissions themselves. It is important to note that although the strongest estimate of AIEs from shipping emissions in this study is relatively large, still much larger estimates have been reported in the literature before on the basis of modelling studies. We find that omitting just carbonaceous particle emissions from ships favours new particle formation in the boundary layer. These newly formed particles contribute just about as much to the CCN budget as the carbonaceous particles would, leaving the globally averaged AIEs nearly unaltered compared to a simulation including carbonaceous particle emissions from ships.