bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Human Corneal Stroma-Derived Mesenchymal-Like Stem Cells in Corneal Immunity and Wound Healing
Authors: Veréb Zoltán , Póliska Szilárd , Albert Réka , Olstad Ole Kristoffer , Boratkó Anita , Csortos Csilla , Moe Morten C. , Facskó Andrea , Petrovski Goran
Published: May 2016

Corneal tissue regeneration is of crucial importance for maintaining normal vision. We aimed to isolate and cultivate human corneal stroma-derived mesenchymal stem-like cells (CSMSCs) from the central part of cadaver corneas and study their phenotype, multipotency, role in immunity and wound healing. The isolated cells grew as monolayersin vitro, expressed mesenchymal- and stemness-related surface markers (CD73, CD90, CD105, CD140b) and were negative for hematopoietic markers as determined by flow cytometry. CSMSCs were able to differentiatein vitrointo fat, bone and cartilage. Their gene expression profile was closer to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) than to limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) as determined by high-throughput screening. The immunosuppressive properties of CSMSCs were confirmed by a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), while they could inhibit proliferation of activated immune cells. Treatment of CSMSCs by pro-inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptor ligands significantly increased the secreted interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL-10) levels, as well as the cell surface adhesion molecules. CSMSCs were capable of closing a woundin vitrounder different stimuli. These cells thus contribute to corneal tissue homeostasis and play an immunomodulatory and regenerative role with possible implications in future cell therapies for treating sight-threatening corneal diseases.
Limits of agricultural greenhouse gas calculators to predict soil N2O and CH4 fluxes in tropical agriculture
Authors: Richards Meryl , Metzel Ruth , Chirinda Ngonidzashe , Ly Proyuth , Nyamadzawo George , Duong Vu Quynh , de Neergaard Andreas , Oelofse Myles , Wollenberg Eva , Keller Emma , Malin Daniella , Olesen Jørgen E. , Hillier Jonathan , Rosenstock Todd S.
Published: May 2016

Demand for tools to rapidly assess greenhouse gas impacts from policy and technological change in the agricultural sector has catalyzed the development of ‘GHG calculators’— simple accounting approaches that use a mix of emission factors and empirical models to calculate GHG emissions with minimal input data. GHG calculators, however, rely on models calibrated from measurements conducted overwhelmingly under temperate, developed country conditions. Here we show that GHG calculators may poorly estimate emissions in tropical developing countries by comparing calculator predictions against measurements from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Estimates based on GHG calculators were greater than measurements in 70% of the cases, exceeding twice the measured flux nearly half the time. For 41% of the comparisons, calculators incorrectly predicted whether emissions would increase or decrease with a change in management. These results raise concerns about applying GHG calculators to tropical farming systems and emphasize the need to broaden the scope of the underlying data.
Electrical stimulation influences chronic intermittent hypoxia-hypercapnia induction of muscle fibre transformation by regulating the microRNA/Sox6 pathway
Authors: Huang Shiyuan , Jin Lu , Shen Jie , Shang Ping , Jiang Xianxun , Wang Xiaotong
Published: May 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause muscle fibre transformation due to chronic intermittent hypoxia-hypercapnia (CIHH). Studies have shown that high expression of Sox6 in muscle could suppress type-I fibres through downregulating the PPARβ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β)/ERRγ (oestrogen-related receptor γ)/microRNA pathway. However, whether this pathway is involved in CIHH-induced muscle fibre transformation is unknown. Electrical stimulation (ES) is an effective approach to ameliorate muscle dysfunction. Here, we explored the effects of ES on CIHH-induced muscle fibre transformation and the microRNA/Sox6 pathway. After CIHH exposure, both the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GC) muscles showed decreased type-I fibres. The PPARβ/ERRγ/mir-499&208b (PEM, for GC) and PPARβ/mir-499&208b (PM, for SOL) signalling cascades were suppressed, followed by elevated Sox6 expression. Low frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) activated the PEM/PM pathway and enhanced type-I fibre numbers through suppressing Sox6 in SOL and GC. High frequency electrical stimulation (HFES) promoted type-I fibre expression through activating the PEM pathway in GC. Although PPARβ expression and type-I fibres were suppressed in SOL after HFES, no significant change was found in mir-499&208b/Sox6 expression. These results suggest that the microRNA/Sox6 pathway is disturbed after CIHH. Both low and high frequency electrical stimulations induce muscle fibre transformation partly through regulating the microRNA/Sox6 pathway.
Bridging the gap: heparan sulfate and Scube2 assemble Sonic hedgehog release complexes at the surface of producing cells
Authors: Jakobs P. , Schulz P. , Ortmann C. , Schürmann S. , Exner S. , Rebollido-Rios R. , Dreier R. , Seidler D. G. , Grobe K.
Published: May 2016

Decision making in cellular ensembles requires the dynamic release of signaling molecules from the producing cells into the extracellular compartment. One important example of molecules that require regulated release in order to signal over several cell diameters is the Hedgehog (Hh) family, because all Hhs are synthesized as dual-lipidated proteins that firmly tether to the outer membrane leaflet of the cell that produces them. Factors for the release of the vertebrate Hh family member Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) include cell-surface sheddases that remove the lipidated terminal peptides, as well as the soluble glycoprotein Scube2 that cell-nonautonomously enhances this process. This raises the question of how soluble Scube2 is recruited to cell-bound Shh substrates to regulate their turnover. We hypothesized that heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (HSPGs) on the producing cell surface may play this role. In this work, we confirm that HSPGs enrich Scube2 at the surface of Shh-producing cells and that Scube2-regulated proteolytic Shh processing and release depends on specific HS. This finding indicates that HSPGs act as cell-surface assembly and storage platforms for Shh substrates and for protein factors required for their release, making HSPGs critical decision makers for Scube2-dependent Shh signaling from the surface of producing cells.
Reducing-Agent-Free Instant Synthesis of Carbon-Supported Pd Catalysts in a Green Leidenfrost Droplet Reactor and Catalytic Activity in Formic Acid Dehydrogenation
Authors: Lee Dong-Wook , Jin Min-Ho , Lee Young-Joo , Park Ju-Hyoung , Lee Chun-Boo , Park Jong-Soo
Published: May 2016

The development of green synthesis methods for supported noble metal catalysts remains important challenges to improve their sustainability. Here we first synthesized carbon-supported Pd catalysts in a green Leidenfrost droplet reactor without reducing agents, high-temperature calcination and reduction procedures. When the aqueous solution containing Pd nitrate precursor, carbon support, and water is dripped on a hot plate, vapor layer is formed between a solution droplet and hot surface, which allow the solution droplet to be levitated on the hot surface (Leidenfrost phenomena). Subsequently, Pd nanoparticles can be prepared without reducing agents in a weakly basic droplet reactor created by the Leidenfrost phenomena, and then the as-prepared Pd nanoparticles are loaded on carbon supports during boiling down the droplet on hot surface. Compared to conventional incipient wetness and chemical synthetic methods, the Leidenfrost droplet reactor does not need energy-consuming, time-consuming, and environmentally unfriendly procedures, which leads to much shorter synthesis time, lower carbon dioxide emission, and more ecofriendly process in comparison with conventional synthesis methods. Moreover, the catalysts synthesized in the Leidenfrost droplet reactor provided much better catalytic activity for room-temperature formic acid decomposition than those prepared by the incipient wetness method.
Promoting the bio-cathode formation of a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell by using powder activated carbon modified alum sludge in anode chamber
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhao Yaqian , Doherty Liam , Hu Yuansheng , Hao Xiaodi
Published: May 2016

MFC centered hybrid technologies have attracted attention during the last few years due to their compatibility and dual advantages of energy recovery and wastewater treatment. In this study, a MFC was integrated into a dewatered alum sludge (DAS)- based vertical upflow constructed wetland (CW). Powder activate carbon (PAC) was used in the anode area in varied percentage with DAS to explore its influences on the performance of the CW-MFC system. The trial has demonstrated that the inclusion of PAC improved the removal efficiencies of COD, TN and RP. More significantly, increasing the proportion of PAC from 2% to 10% can significantly enhance the maximum power densities from 36.58 mW/m2 to 87.79 mW/m2. The induced favorable environment for bio-cathode formation might be the main reason for this improvement since the content of total extracellular polymeric substances (TEPS) of the substrate in the cathode area almost doubled (from 44.59 μg/g wet sludge to 87.70 μg/g wet sludge) as the percentage of PAC increased to 10%. This work provides another potential usage of PAC in CW-MFCs with a higher wastewater treatment efficiency and energy recovery.
Fungal communities in sediments of subtropical Chinese seas as estimated by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Meng Meng , Wang Xi Guang , Cheng Xiao Li , Guo Jia Jia , Bian Xiao Meng , Cai Lei
Published: May 2016

Ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1) metabarcoding was used to investigate the distribution patterns of fungal communities and the factors influencing these patterns in subtropical Chinese seas, including the southern and northern Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. These seas were found to harbor high levels of fungal diversity, with 816 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that span 130 known genera, 36 orders, 14 classes and 5 phyla. Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum, containing 72.18% and 79.61% of all OTUs and sequences, respectively, followed by Basidiomycota (19.98%, 18.64%), Zygomycota (1.10%, 0.11%), Chytridiomycota (0.25%, 0.04%) and Rozellomycota (0.12%, 0.006%). The compositions of fungal communities across these three sea regions were found to be vary, which may be attributed to sediment source, geographical distance, latitude and some environmental factors such as the temperature and salinity of bottom water, water depth, total nitrogen, and the ratio of total organic carbon to nitrogen. Among these environmental factors, the temperature of bottom water is the most important driver that governs the distribution patterns of fungal communities across the sampled seas. Our data also suggest that the cold-water mass of the Yellow Sea likely balances competitive relationships between fungal taxa rather than increasing species richness levels.
Clogging-free microfluidics for continuous size-based separation of microparticles
Authors: Yoon Yousang , Kim Seonil , Lee Jusin , Choi Jaewoong , Kim Rae-Kwon , Lee Su-Jae , Sul Onejae , Lee Seung-Beck
Published: May 2016

In microfluidic filtration systems, one of the leading obstacles to efficient, continuous operation is clogging of the filters. Here, we introduce a lateral flow microfluidic sieving (μ-sieving) technique to overcome clogging and to allow continuous operation of filter based microfluidic separation. A low frequency mechanical oscillation was added to the fluid flow, which made possible the release of aggregated unwanted polystyrene (PS) particles trapped between the larger target PS particles in the filter demonstrating continuous μ-sieving operation. We achieved collection of the target PS particles with 100% separation efficiency. Also, on average, more than 98% of the filtered target particles were retrieved after the filtration showing high retrieval rates. Since the oscillation was applied to the fluid but not to the microfluidic filter system, mechanical stresses to the system was minimized and no additional fabrication procedures were necessary. We also applied the μ-sieving technique to the separation of cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) from whole blood and showed that the fluidic oscillations prevented the filters from being blocked by the filtered cancer cells allowing continuous microfluidic separation with high efficiency.
Pulsed laser deposited GeTe-rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 thin films
Authors: Bouška M. , Pechev S. , Simon Q. , Boidin R. , Nazabal V. , Gutwirth J. , Baudet E. , Němec P.
Published: May 2016

Pulsed laser deposition technique was used for the fabrication of Ge-Te rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 (Ge6Sb2Te9, Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13 and Ge12Sb2Te15) amorphous thin films. To evaluate the influence of GeTe content in the deposited films on physico-chemical properties of the GST materials, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, optical reflectivity and sheet resistance temperature dependences as well as variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were used to characterize as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) layers. Upon crystallization, optical functions and electrical resistance of the films change drastically, leading to large optical and electrical contrast between amorphous and crystalline phases. Large changes of optical/electrical properties are accompanied by the variations of thickness, density and roughness of the films due to crystallization. Reflectivity contrast as high as ~0.21 at 405 nm was calculated for Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13 and Ge12Sb2Te15 layers.
A key role for the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in modulating nicotine taking in a model of nicotine and alcohol co-administration
Authors: Cippitelli Andrea , Schoch Jennifer , Debevec Ginamarie , Brunori Gloria , Zaveri Nurulain T. , Toll Lawrence
Published: May 2016

Alcohol and nicotine are often co-abused. Although the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system is considered a potential target for development of drug abuse pharmacotherapies, especially for alcoholism, little is known about the role of this system in nicotine dependence. Furthermore, the effect of prior history of nicotine dependence on subsequent nicotine and alcohol taking is understudied. Using an operant co-administration paradigm, in which rats concurrently self-administer nicotine and alcohol, we found that nicotine dependent rats increased nicotine self-administration over time as compared to non-dependent animals, while patterns of alcohol lever pressing did not change between groups. Pretreatment with the potent NOP receptor agonist AT-202 (0.3–3 mg/kg) increased nicotine lever pressing of both dependent and non-dependent groups, whereas the selective antagonist SB612111 (1–10 mg/kg) elicited a clear reduction of nicotine responses, in both dependent and non-dependent rats. In parallel, AT-202 only produced minor changes on alcohol responses and SB612111 reduced alcohol taking at a dose that also reduced locomotor behavior. Results indicate that a history of nicotine dependence affects subsequent nicotine- but not alcohol-maintained responding and that NOP receptor antagonism, rather than agonism, blocks nicotine self-administration, which strongly suggests a critical role for the endogenous N/OFQ in the modulation of nicotine reinforcement processes.
To what degree does handling concrete molecular models promote the ability to translate and coordinate between 2D and 3D molecular structure representations? A case study with Algerian students
Authors: Mohamed-Salah Boukhechem , Alain Dumon
Published: May 2016

This study aims to assess whether the handling of concrete ball-and-stick molecular models promotes translation between diagrammatic representations and a concrete model (orvice versa) and the coordination of the different types of structural representations of a given molecular structure. Forty-one Algerian undergraduate students were requested to answer a pencil and paper questionnaire at the end of their training for a bachelor's degree in physical sciences to test their abilities to translate from Dash-Wedge or Newman representations to 3D ball-and-stick models (andvice versa) of two molecular structures and from one concrete 3D model to the Fischer projection of the molecule. Our results show that concrete molecular models have the potential to be an effective spatial tool to promote visualization, orientation and rotation abilities. However, the handling of the concrete model did not have the same impact on all students and this effectiveness in promoting the spatial abilities required to translate and coordinate between representations was dependent on the representations: it was greater for Dash-Wedge diagrams than for Newman, and was non-existent for the Fischer projection. An implication of our research is that it may be necessary to work with a model over an extensive period of time to improve the mechanisms by which one translates between various representations when the conventions of these representations are varied in nature.
Identification of biodiesel feedstock in biodiesel/diesel blends using digital images and chemometric methods
Authors: Costa G. B. , Fernandes D. D. S. , Almeida V. E. , Maia M. S. , Araújo M. C. U. , Véras G. , Diniz P. H. G. D.
Published: May 2016

This study aims to identify the biodiesel feedstock (cottonseed, sunflower, corn or soybean oil) in biodiesel/diesel blends using digital images and chemometric methods.
Sequential bottom-up and top-down processing for the synthesis of transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets: the case of rhenium disulfide (ReS2)
Authors: Al-Dulaimi Naktal , Lewis Edward A. , Lewis David J. , Howell Simon K. , Haigh Sarah J. , O'Brien Paul
Published: May 2016

Bottom-up (aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition, AACVD) and top-down (liquid phase exfoliation, LPE) processing methodologies are used in tandem to produce colloids of few-layer thick rhenium disulfide (ReS2) in N-methyl pyrrolidone.
Methane adsorption and dissociation on iron oxide oxygen carriers: the role of oxygen vacancies
Authors: Cheng Zhuo , Qin Lang , Guo Mengqing , Fan Jonathan A. , Xu Dikai , Fan Liang-Shih
Published: May 2016

We investigated the interaction between methane and iron oxide oxygen carrier for chemical looping reaction systems and found the oxygen vacancies can facilitate methane conversion.
Tuning Dirac points by strain in MoX2nanoribbons (X = S, Se, Te) with a 1T′ structure
Authors: Sung Ha-Jun , Choe Duk-Hyun , Chang K. J.
Published: May 2016

We report the tunability of the topological edge state by strain engineering in quasi-one-dimensional nanoribbons of 1T′-MoX2with X = (S, Se, Te) through first-principles calculations.
Ruthenium-tris(bipyridine) complexes with multiple redox-active amine substituents: tuning of spin density distribution and deep-red to NIR electrochromism and electrofluorochromism
Authors: Nie Hai-Jing , Yang Wen-Wen , Shao Jiang-Yang , Zhong Yu-Wu
Published: May 2016

Deep-red to NIR electrochromism and electrofluorochromism are demonstrated with ruthenium-tris(bipyridine) complexes with multiple amine substituents.
Photonic nanostructures for solar energy conversion
Authors: Zheng Xiuzhen , Zhang Liwu
Published: May 2016

This review article provides a comprehensive review of recent progress in photonic nanostructures for efficient solar energy conversion.
Ultra-high-precision Nd-isotope measurements of geological materials by MC-ICPMS
Authors: Saji Nikitha Susan , Wielandt Daniel , Paton Chad , Bizzarro Martin
Published: May 2016

We report novel techniques allowing the measurement of Nd-isotope ratios with unprecedented accuracy and precision by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
High accuracy particle analysis using sheathless microfluidic impedance cytometry
Authors: Spencer Daniel , Caselli Federica , Bisegna Paolo , Morgan Hywel
Published: May 2016

A new microfluidic impedance cytometer chip is demonstrated, giving high quality impedance signals without the need for any particle focusing.
The discovery of allyltyrosine based tripeptides as selective inhibitors of the HIV-1 integrase strand-transfer reaction
Authors: Dalton Neal , Gordon Christopher P. , Boyle Timothy P. , Vandegraaf Nicholas , Deadman John , Rhodes David I. , Coates Jonathan A. , Pyne Stephen G. , Keller Paul A. , Bremner John B.
Published: May 2016

From library screening of synthetic antimicrobial peptides, an O-allyltyrosine-based tripeptide HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitor was identified. Subsequent optimisation afforded an analogue exhibiting an IC50 value of 2.5 μM.
Cs2CO3as a source of carbonyl and ethereal oxygen in a Cu-catalysed cascade synthesis of benzofuran [3,2-c] quinolin-6[5-H]ones
Authors: Ali Wajid , Modi Anju , Behera Ahalya , Mohanta Prakash Ranjan , Patel Bhisma K.
Published: May 2016

Simultaneous construction of C–C, C–O, and C–N bonds utilizing Cs2CO3as a source of carbonyl (CO) and ethereal oxygen and a cascade synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-c]quinolin-6(5H)-one are achieved using a combination of Cu(OAc)2and Ag2CO3.
Corrosion of silver alloys in sulphide environments: a multianalytical approach for surface characterisation
Authors: Tissot I. , Monteiro O. C. , Barreiros M. A. , Corregidor V. , Correia J. , Guerra M. F.
Published: May 2016

The colour of the layer-by-layer film developed on Ag–Cu alloys in sulphide environments varies with its thickness and composition.
Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) induced formation of positively charged silver nanoparticles for rapid in situ identification of inorganic explosives by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Juan , Shi Yu-e , Zhang Min , Zhan Jinhua
Published: May 2016

Diethyldithiocarbamate could induce the generation of positively charged silver nanoparticles for rapidin situdetection of the explosives with a portable Raman spectrometer.
A near-infrared BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide in fetal bovine serum and living cells
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhou Junliang , Dong Xiaochun , Zheng Xing , Zhao Weili
Published: May 2016

A near-infrared (NIR) “off–on” fluorescent probe was developed for the detection of H2S. The new probe possesses a highly selective and sensitive response to H2S. The probe has low toxicity and was successfully used to detect H2S in biological serum samples and living cells.
High efficiency CdTe solar cells with a through-thickness polycrystalline CdTe thin film
Authors: Shen Kai , Bai Zhizhong , Deng Yi , Yang Ruilong , Wang Dezhao , Li Qiang , Wang Deliang
Published: May 2016

CdTe preferential growth with through-thickness grains has been achieved. A crystalline growth mechanism assisted by an oxide liquid phase is proposed.
Guanidinium rich dendron-appended hydnocarpin exhibits superior anti-neoplastic effects through caspase mediated apoptosis
Authors: Mathai Bincy Mariyam , Joseph Manu M. , Maniganda Santhi , Nair Jyothi B. , Arya J. S. , Karunakaran Varsha , Radhakrishnan K. V. , Maiti Kaustabh Kumar
Published: May 2016

Medicinal plants have truly demonstrated their potential as a repository of active biomolecules with promising therapeutic potential and represent an important source for the identification of novel drug leads.
Face and edge directed self-assembly of Pd12 tetrahedral nano-cages and their self-sorting
Authors: Howlader Prodip , Mukherjee Partha Sarathi
Published: May 2016

A di-tetrazole ligand was used to occupy the edges of a tetrahedron to generate an edge-directed self-assembled Pd12 water soluble cage which was used as a vessel to encapsulate aromatic nitro-olefins. A face directed Pd12 tetrahedral cage was also constructed occupying the triangular faces of the tetrahedron by a tri-tetrazole ligand.
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)–molybdenum oxide composite films as hole conductors for efficient planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Jiang Yurong , Li Chen , Liu Hairui , Qin Ruiping , Ma Heng
Published: May 2016

PEDOT:PSS–molybdenum oxide (MoOx) composite films are used as hole transport layers in planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by simply incorporating solution-processed MoOx powders into a PEDOT:PSS solution.
The Future of Conservation in Polynesia
Authors: R. Ehrlich P. , F. Recher H.
Published: May 2016

Polynesia is a part of the world where tourism, especially focused on rich coral reefs, is an important part of the economy. But from the viewpoint of both tourism and conservation biology, it is one of the most threatened areas of the world. Here the ethical issues are somewhat different. How long can this dependence continue and at what cost? What is the ethical planning course for the Region?s national governments, not just in Polynesia, but throughout the Pacific? Like the general activities on the islands, tourism is heavily dependent on petroleum, both for bringing tourists and supplies and for maintaining them. Thus, the very industry that contributes so importantly to Polynesia?s economic viability also contributes significantly to human-induced global warming. As a region, Polynesia is particularly threatened by the accelerating impacts of global warming. Virtually all the islands are threatened by sea level rise, the atolls by inundation, and the high islands by flooding of infrastructure that is concentrated in low coastal areas. There are also the risks of increased and more intense tropical storms, as well as the risks to ocean ecosystems from rising temperatures and the increased acidification of ocean waters.
An Adaptive Strategy for Reducing Feral Cat Predation on Endangered Hawaiian Birds
Authors: C. Hess Steven , C. Banko Paul , Hansen Heidi
Published: May 2016

Despite the long history of Feral Cats Felis catus in Hawai?i, there has been little research to provide strategies to improve control programmes and reduce depredation on endangered species. Our objective was to develop a predictive model to determine how landscape features on Mauna Kea, such as habitat, elevation, and proximity to roads, may affect the number of Feral Cats captured at each trap. We used log-link generalized linear models and QAICc model ranking criteria to determine the effect of these factors. We found that the number of cats captured per trap was related to effort, habitat type, and whether traps were located on the West or North Slope of Mauna Kea. We recommend an adaptive management strategy to minimize trapping interference by non-target Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus with toxicants, to focus trapping efforts in Mamane Sophora chrysophylla habitat on the West slope of Mauna Kea, and to cluster traps near others that have previously captured multiple cats.
The influence of climate on Glossy Black-cockatoo reproduction
Authors: Cameron M.
Published: May 2016

Glossy Black-cockatoos Calyptorhynchus lathami are dietary specialists, feeding almost exclusively on the seeds of Allocasuarina and Casuarina species. Their specialized diet makes them vulnerable to alterations in their food supply, and populations inhabiting variable environments are good candidates for identifying reproductive strategies that match output to the available food supply. I studied reproduction in a population of Glossy Black-cockatoos in central New South Wales, a region where rainfall varies substantially between years and which is subject to periodic drought. Seed production in the principal Glossy Black-cockatoo feed species in the region tracks rainfall, and as a consequence, the Glossy Black-cockatoo food resource fluctuates between years. I monitored nest success and population structure between 1997 and 2004, a period that included wet and dry years. There was a strong relationship between cockatoo productivity and rainfall in the preceding year. The principal determinant of annual productivity was the number of pairs attempting to breed. Increased aridity as a result of climate change will have negative consequences for inland populations of Glossy Black-cockatoos. Careful management of their habitat will be required if Glossy Black-cockatoo populations are to persist in the long term.
Animals of Arid Australia: out on their own?
Authors: Nicholas Hannah
Published: May 2016

Comprising the proceedings and plenary session of the forum ?Animals of arid Australia: out on their own?? held in Mosman, New South Wales in 2004, this publication consists of 17 papers that bring together a range of themes on the fauna and land use of Australia?s arid zone. The authors encompass various disciplines and backgrounds, and a wide range of skills.
Predator odours attract other predators, creating an olfactory web of information
Authors: Banks Peter B. , Daly Andrew , Bytheway Jenna P.
Published: May 2016

Many studies have reported the aversive reactions of prey towards a predator's odour signals (e.g. urine marks), a behaviour widely thought to reduce the risk of predation by the predator. However, because odour signals persist in the environment, they are vulnerable to exploitation and eavesdropping by predators, prey and conspecifics. As such, scent patches created by one species might attract other species interested in information about their enemies. We studied this phenomenon by examining red fox investigation of odours from conspecifics and competing species in order to understand what prey are responding to when avoiding the odours of a predator. Surprisingly, foxes showed limited interest in conspecific odours but were highly interested in the odours of their competitors (wild dogs and feral cats), suggesting that odours are likely to play an important role in mediating competitive interactions. Importantly, our results identify that simple, dyadic interpretations of prey responses to a predator odour (i.e. cat odour = risk of cat encounter = fear of cats) can no longer be assumed in ecological or psychology research. Instead, interactions mediated by olfactory cues are more complex than previously thought and are likely to form a complicated olfactory web of interactions.
The shield effect: nuptial gifts protect males against pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism
Authors: Toft Søren , Albo Maria J.
Published: May 2016

Several not mutually exclusive functions have been ascribed to nuptial gifts across different taxa. Although the idea that a nuptial prey gift may protect the male from pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism is attractive, it has previously been considered of no importance based on indirect evidence and rejected by experimental tests. We reinvestigated whether nuptial gifts may function as a shield against female attacks during mating encounters in the spiderPisaura mirabilisand whether female hunger influences the likelihood of cannibalistic attacks. The results showed that pre-copulatory sexual cannibalism was enhanced when males courted without a gift and this was independent of female hunger. We propose that the nuptial gift trait has evolved partly as a counteradaptation to female aggression in this spider species.
Parasitic infection: a buffer against ocean acidification?
Authors: MacLeod Colin D. , Poulin Robert
Published: May 2016

Recently, there has been a concerted research effort by marine scientists to quantify the sensitivity of marine organisms to ocean acidification (OA). Empirical data generated by this research have been used to predict changes to marine ecosystem health, biodiversity and productivity that will be caused by continued acidification. These studies have also found that the effects of OA on marine organisms can be significantly modified by additional abiotic stressors (e.g. temperature or oxygen) and biotic interactions (e.g. competition or predation). To date, however, the effects of parasitic infection on the sensitivity of marine organisms to OA have been largely ignored. We show that parasitic infection significantly altered the response of a marine gastropod to simulated OA conditions by reducing the mortality of infected individuals relative to uninfected conspecifics. Without the inclusion of infection data, our analysis would not have detected the significant effect of pH on host mortality. These results strongly suggest that parasitic infection may be an important confounding factor in OA research and must be taken into consideration when assessing the response of marine species to OA.
Temporal pairwise-correlation analysis provides empirical support for attention hierarchies in mice
Authors: Curley James P.
Published: May 2016

In many social hierarchies, more subordinate individuals adjust their behaviour according to the presence or behaviour of more dominant individuals. In this study, it is shown that male mice form linear dominance hierarchies characterized by individuals attacking in bursts. Temporal pairwise-correlation analysis reveals that non-dominant individuals avoid behaving aggressively concurrently with an aggressively behaving alpha male. This anti-correlation is only found with alpha males and is greater for more despotic alpha males. It is concluded that less dominant individuals modulate their aggressive behaviour in response to their social context, resulting in an attentional group structure.
An exploration on e-retailers’ home delivery – strategic elements and their prioritisation
Authors: Wang Chengbo , Mao Zhaofang , O'Kane James , Wang Jun
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a research exploring the important strategic elements and their prioritisation for e-retailers’ home delivery logistics process efficacy improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was completed through focus group, survey and importance-performance analysis.

Findings

– The research identified, confirmed and prioritised a set of explicitly important strategic elements currently deemed important by e-retailers for ensuring the efficacy of their home delivery logistics process in Chinese marketplace, and also referential to the other similar emerging marketplaces.

Research limitations/implications

– The research contributes positively to the enrichment of the theoretical knowledge pool of e-retailers’ logistics performance improvement.

Practical implications

– The research findings guide/inform the strategy development and implementation for e-retailers entering and/or operating in Chinese marketplace. And the findings can also be referential to the e-retail strategy development for entering and operating in other emerging markets similar to China’s. This point is particularly meaningful for those e-retailers that want to expand the outreaching and increase the popularity of their businesses in the global marketplace.

Originality/value

– Corresponding to the much needed further research on e-retailing home delivery performance improvement, the research provides findings that add substantial new insights into the field, with a particular focus on China, as one of the emerging developing marketplaces.
Proposed re-conceptualization of IT business value benefits
Authors: Daulatkar Sonal , Sangle Purnima S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Financial measures, available aplenty, of returns on investments in information technology (IT) are deemed insufficient in terms of inclusion of intangible benefits. The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualize the IT business value (ITBV) benefits by Gregoret al.(2006) after a contemporary evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

– IT experts have been administered the instrument to provide insight into the contemporary cogitation of ITBV benefits and factor analyses are employed to re-conceptualize the ITBV benefits.

Findings

– Of the four ITBV benefits, the statistical analysis suggests that Informational and Transactional benefits need to be re-conceptualized. It is affected through a systematic linking of parameters – business strategy, objectives, information systems (IS) strategy, IS role and IS-business alignment profiles in that order.

Research limitations/implications

– Operational definitions of re-conceptualized ITBV benefits have been presented which may be operationalized into components.

Practical implications

– The re-conceptualization provides managers with an enhanced understanding of ITBV in line with the alignment of IS with business objectives and strategy and guides managers to develop customized ITBV measures.

Originality/value

– The study employs factor analyses to analyse the ITBV benefits. It proves that the changing face of IT, wherein it is looked at as a value creator, needs an all-encompassing and contemporary envisioning of ITBV benefits. It also suggests an advanced typology based on further insightful IS literature.
Layer by layer assembly of antibacterial inclusion complexes
Authors: Ugur Sule , Sarıışık Merih , Türkoğlu Gizem , Erkan Gökhan , Erden Emre
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to create a textile material which shows antibacterial activity with resistance to environmental conditions by using volatile active agent inclusion complex and self-assembly method.

Design/methodology/approach

– An inclusion complex of carvacrol and β-CD is generated by kneading method and deposited on the cotton fabrics by using a nanofabrication method named as layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition method. Three different concentration of CD and CD:Car aqueous solutions were deposited on cotton fabrics. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), antimicrobial efficacy test of fabrics against washing and some physical tests (water vapor permeability, air permeability) were performed on the fabrics before and after the treatment with CD to evaluate the effect of the LbL process on cotton fabric properties.

Findings

– The results showed that the coated fabrics with CD/CD:Car multilayer films enhanced the antimicrobial efficacy of cotton fabrics against to Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococus aureus bacteria. Air and water vapor permeability properties of the cotton fabric effected after the LbL deposition process sure enough. With SEM and FTIR-ATR analysis the CD:Car complex presence were verified. The durability of antibacterial properties were analyzed after one and ten washing (40°C and 30 min) cycles.

Originality/value

– This work provides a novel and simple method for CD and inclusion complex of carvacrol film deposition by self-assembly method on cotton fabrics and their application onto cotton fabrics to gain antibacterial property.
Emotional experiences in simulated classroom training environments
Authors: Stavroulia Kalliopi Evangelia , Makri-Botsari Evanthia , Psycharis Sarantos , Kekkeris Gerassimos
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Over the years, game-based learning approaches have been adapted in teaching and learning both to engage and motivate students during learning activities. Game technology, such as serious and simulation games, have been used as a new generation of training educational tools enhancing students’ learning and academic performance. An important aspect in the evaluation of those methods is that it focusses particularly on cognitive learning outcomes, ignoring the significance of other processes including emotional aspects in game environments that also contribute significantly to learning, performance and motivation. The purpose of this paper is to present the empirical evidence of a research related to the emotional experiences of pre-service teachers, after the implementation of a simulated classroom environment during the semester.

Design/methodology/approach

– SimSchool classroom simulation was used for the training of pre-service teachers in classroom and for behavior management issues. The research took place at the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) and the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), in Greece. This study aimed to gain insights related to the emotions that pre-service teachers experienced during the simulated activities.

Findings

– The results indicated that participants from DUTH experienced more negative and less positive emotions during the game including anxiety, nervousness, disappointment, insecurity, inability to deal with simSchool activities, defeat, dissatisfaction, fatigue, fear and stress. Moreover, the results revealed that ASPETE’s participants experienced more positive and less negative emotions during playing with the simulation, including excitement, motivation and satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The related research on the use of games in teacher training is still at its infancy, the current research aimed to address teacher training through a simulated classroom environment and investigate the emotional experiences of pre-service teachers during simulated activities.
A microsimulation model to measure the impact of the economic crisis on household income
Authors: Addabbo Tindara , García-Fernández Rosa María , Llorca-Rodríguez Carmen María , Maccagnan Anna
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The current economic crisis has significantly increased unemployment, showing higher persistence than expected. However, since microdata from household surveys are issued with delay, they do not allow a prompt analysis of the impact of the economic cycle on households’ living conditions. The purpose of this paper is to propose a microsimulation methodology to achieve an evaluation of the impact of economic shocks in terms of household’s living conditions to guide policy makers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The microsimulation technique developed in this paper is based on a nowcasting approach by using different sources of data and by taking into account a whole set of potential transitions across the different statuses of the labour market and the related changes in income. To validate this microsimulation method, the authors apply it to Italy, a country that has been deeply affected by the crisis.

Findings

– Data have been drawn from the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey for Italy (IT SILC) and from the Labour Force Survey for Italy. The latter data allow us to take into account the changes in the labour market status of individuals due to economic shocks. The validation results support the capability of the model to simulate the effect of the cycle before actual data on income are available.

Social implications

– The results obtained would encourage the use of the suggested methodology to anticipate the effect of the economic cycle on household’s income therefore enabling the design of effective policies to sustain household income with positive practical and social implications.

Originality/value

– Distinct from other microsimulation techniques the methodology proposed in this paper allows us to take into account behavioural effects and the change in the composition of employment and unemployment. Moreover, the authors contribute to the existing literature by considering a whole set of transitions across different labour market statuses and the related changes in income.
(Endogenous) occupational choices and job satisfaction among recent Spanish PhD recipients
Authors: Di Paolo Antonio
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse differences in overall job satisfaction and specific job domain satisfaction among PhDs employed in different sectors four years after completing their doctorate degrees. The author take job satisfaction as a comprehensive proxy of perceived job quality. The author draw on data from two successive cohorts of PhD graduates from public universities of Catalonia (Spain).

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the author estimate covariate-adjusted job satisfaction differentials for PhD holders employed in different employment sectors, namely: university, research institutes, public sector (government and public administration) and private sector. A stepwise inclusion of job-related covariates enables appreciating the underlying mechanisms that that generate the observed job satisfaction differentials across sectors. Second, the author take into account the endogenous sorting of PhDs into different sectors by jointly modelling sector choice and job satisfaction, where the former is assumed to follow a mixed multinomial logit model.

Findings

– The results indicate that PhD holders employed outside academic and research jobs are more satisfied with the pecuniary facets of their work, but significantly less satisfied with non-monetary aspects of job quality. The selectivity-corrected job satisfaction differentials highlight the importance of self-selection and confirm that PhD holders suffer a penalisation for working in non-academic occupations, thus revealing the existence of “academic rents”.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper that presents a systematic and consistent analysis of job satisfaction differentials among PhD holders that work in different types of occupations, taking into account that sector choice is an endogenous variable, potentially related to unobserved traits that affect job satisfaction. The results are rich of policy implications, which are especially relevant in the light of the existing debate regarding the excess of PhD in the labour market of several European Countries and their subsequent risk of underemployment.
Antecedents of attitudinal loyalty in a telecom service sector: the Nigerian case
Authors: Izogo Ernest Emeka
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Although the benefits of customer loyalty are well researched and understood, a clear explication of how customer attitudinal loyalty evolves is lacking. Cultural discrepancies across contexts are also argued as restraining the search for universal and dominant antecedents of loyalty. As a result of the high collectivistic ranking of the Nigerian culture, the purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of attitudinal loyalty within the Nigerian telecom market.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on survey data obtained from 138 informants who are experienced users of telecommunication services in Nigeria. The cross-sectional data were examined for internal consistency using Cronbachαinternal consistency measure whereas the proposed hypotheses were tested using a multiple regression technique after conducting series of validation tests to ensure that none of the assumptions of regression was violated.

Findings

– The results indicate that service reliability and customer commitment explains 65 per cent of the total variance in attitudinal loyalty. Additionally, customer commitment was established as a stronger predictor of attitudinal loyalty than service reliability.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited to the extent that it used a convenience sampling approach which may not have allowed for a fully matched profile of the respondents. But the satisfactory fit of the regression model allows for the research to be a basis of a reliable comparison for future studies. Additionally, due to the limited evidence on how attitudinal loyalty evolves in the telecommunication sector, the results that emerged from this research should only be compared cautiously to the findings of previous studies.

Practical implications

– For users of telecommunication services to become attitudinally loyal, telecom firms must get customers to become committed to their brands and also deliver reliable services. Consequently, capacity building investments that enable reliable services to be delivered and creative pricing structure and information sharing as well as promise fulfilment which attract customers’ commitment are therefore at the core of developing attitudinally loyal customers’ pool.

Originality/value

– Although studies on customer loyalty are not new, the fact that this paper examined how attitudinal loyalty evolves in a saturated telecommunication context with a high collectivistic cultural ranking makes it a significant contribution to customer loyalty research because of the concentration of most studies in the western markets, the likelihood of disparities across markets influencing the antecedents of the construct and the absence of such research in the Nigerian telecom setting.