bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and organoleptic fruit properties of various persimmon species (Diospyros spp.)
Authors: Grygorieva Oľga , Brindza Ján , Vietoris Vladimir , Kucelová Lucia , Tóth Dezider , Abraham Vlasta , Hricová Miroslava
Published: July 2011

The goal of the study was to assess the morphological and organoleptic fruit characteristics  of various persimmon species and their derived food products. For experimental evaluation we used persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.f.), (D. lotus L.), and (D. virginiana L.) and interspecific hybrids derived from crosses (D. virginiana L. x D. kaki L.f.). Fruits of the assessed species were obtained from Slovakia and Ukraine We determined in comparison of persimmon fruits statistically significant difference ​​of average weight (100.85 grams), height (47.88 mm), width (54.50 mm) and a ratio of flesh fruit weight (94%). Statistically significantly lower levels in comparison with other species were determined for D. lotus fruits (4.37 grams, 17.58 mm, 17.58 mm and 70%). For fruits of D. virginia we obtained (21.07 grams, 28.06 mm, 33.14 mm and 85%) and interspecific hybrids are not determined significant differences in the studied traits (60.91 grams, 40.68 mm, 47.48 mm and 95%). Generally is the smallest number of seeds in fruits in interspecific hybrids (1.7 pieces) and at most D. lotus (4.5 pieces). The weight of seeds / calyx in the fruit were determined by 1.5% (inter-species hybrid) to 6.5% (species D. lotus and D. virginia). Sensory analysis was conducted on fresh fruits and mixture with yogurt, cottage cheese and cream carriers. We constructed a custom classifier (List of descriptors and its scales) for evaluation of persimmon fruits. In the organoleptic characteristics, we identified significant differences between the mainly species. Fruits of D.lotus were distinguished for their acidity and bitterness. Organoleptic attributes of all assesed samples is very similar. We determined persimmon fruits as the most preferable by taste properties. Cream was determined as best carrier for persimmon fruit as a component part of milk products.
The yield of dna in thermal terated deer meat
Authors: Belej Ľubomir , Barnová Miroslava , Maršálková Lenka , Golian Jozef
Published: July 2011

Residuals of DNA are one of the most important factors for detection, traceability and reverse authentication of deer meat. In this project we isolated DNA from deer processed meat and analysed by electrophoresis. Goal of the study was compute ratio between raw meat and several heat processed deer meat. Samples were prepared by five heat treatment techniques (pan roasted with temperature 180-240°C, fried with 156°C, braised with temperature 100-150°C, boiled in 100.2°C water and autoclaved in different time intervals). The highest amount of residual DNA 1927ng was obtained with two hours boiled sample. The lowest value 89.89ng was obtained with one hour braised sample. In technological adjustments highest amount of DNA and 1927ng, so the total yield of 192.7ng.-l was observed in the sample we cooked for two hours at boiling temperature.
Optimalisation of species identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using SYBR® green I real-time PCRmethod
Authors: Bajzí­k Pavol , Židek Radoslav , Golian Jozef , Belej Ľubomí­r , Čapla Jozef , Maršálková Lenka , Revák Ondrej
Published: July 2011

European Union Member States, together with a number of countries around the world, places great emphasis on ensuring the protection of consumers as a potential food allergic from food allergies. to inform consumers that their product may contain any of the risk of allergenic ingredients. For species identification of fish and fish products as a potential food allergens are used by many analytical methods as well as their authentication. We are in our work applied the method of SYBR® Green I. Real-Time PCR. We focused on pre-designed molecular - genetic marker of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), which comes from the mtDNA control D - loop area. We analyzed its presence in DNA isolates from the 5 kinds of freshwater fish, diluted to 10 % concentration. Results of using the optimized SYBR ® Green I Real-Time PCR method for species identification common carp (Cyprinus carpio) indicate to its suitability.
Organic products, consumer behavior on market and european organic product market situation
Authors: Kozelová Dagmar , Mura Ladislav , Matejková Eva , Lopašovský Ľubomí­r , Vietoris Vladimí­r , Mendelová Andrea , Bezáková Magdaléna , Chreneková Marcela
Published: July 2011

The market of organic products around the world increased its volume in Central and Eastern Europe with organic food market has a number of shared features, which include the relatively low demand for organic food, low share of regular customers, the problems of producers marketing, the lack of enterprises which process organic products. Consumer behavior purchasing organic foods is influenced by several factors, among which is dominated consumer personality, income, finances and lifestyle, as well as psychological factors such as perception, motivation, learning, cognition and attitudes. Cultural and social factors in consumer behavior exhibit a lesser degree. Organic fruit and organic vegetables quality is generally higher for content of biologically active substances such as vitamins, polyphenols and flavonoids. The content of pesticide residues in organic food is significantly lower than conventional production. Regular monitoring of chemical and microbiological safety of organic products already in the primary production occurring in the raw state and after working in various sectors of food, an intensification of awareness raising and targeted increased support for organic agriculture. Multifunctional sector and increased support for family farms oriented for sectors with higher added value than the home sale, production processing on the farm and so on. By support of the sale of high quality domestic production by the state will be possible to persuade more people to personal health status and greater consumption of organic food  affects the health and prevent the occurrence of various diseases.
Contribution to the debate on the microbiological quality of raw milk from vending machines
Authors: Valí­k Ľubomí­r , Medveďová Alžbeta , Bí­rošová Lucia , Liptáková Denisa , Ondruš Ladislav , Šnelcer Ján
Published: July 2011

Microbiological quality or raw milk from vending maschine was analyzed in this work. Despite the pathogenic bacteria may be present in raw milk, the analyses and evaluations were focused to bacterial indicators only. Refer to total bacterial counts, the criterion ≤ 100,000 cfu/ml met 12 from 15 samples (80%) and all samples complied with the supplementary criterion of 5×104cfu/ml for psychrotrophs. Numbers of coagulase-positive staphylococci ranged closely around the average value 2.9×102cfu/ml. Average numbers of coliforms and E. coli in raw milk were found 4.34 ± 0.42 and 3.25 ± 0.83 log CFU/ml, respectively. These values significantly exceeded even the limits applicable in the past. On the basis of unchanged numbers of these bacteria in milk after 24 h at 6 °C, we assume that the high numbers of coliforms and E. coli present in milk are the result of fecal contamination and not growth. As E. coli is an indicator of faecal contamination of raw milk comprising the possible presence of Salmonella sp. Campylobacter sp. and other pathogens, microbiological survey suggested appropriate preventive measures that should be applied in terms of risk management.
Incidence of Obstetric and Foetal Complications during Labor and Delivery at a Community Health Centre, Midwives Obstetric Unit of Durban, South Africa
Authors: Hoque Monjurul
Published: July 2011

The objectives of this retrospective cohort study were to estimate the incidence of obstetric complications during labor and delivery and their demographic predictors. A total of 2706 pregnant women were consecutively admitted to a midwife obstetric unit with labor pain between January and December 2007 constituted the sample. Among them 16% were diagnosed with obstetrical and foetal complications. The most frequently observed foetal and obstetric complications were foetal distress (35.5/1000) and poor progress of labor (28.3/1000), respectively. Primigravid and grandmultiparity women were 12 (OR = 11.89) and 5 (OR = 4.575) times, respectively, more likely to have complications during labor and delivery. Women without antenatal care had doubled (OR = 1.815, 95% CI, 1.310; 2.515) the chance of having complications. Mothers age <20 years was protective (OR = 0.579, 95% CI, 0.348; 0.963) of complications during delivery compared to women who were ≥35 years. National and local policies and intervention programmes must address the need of the risk groups of pregnant women during labor and delivery.
Molecular Diagnosis of Sexually TransmittedChlamydia trachomatisin the United States
Authors: Harkins April L. , Munson Erik
Published: July 2011

Chlamydia, with itsChlamydia trachomatisetiology, is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States and is often transmitted via asymptomatic individuals. This review summarizes traditional and molecular-based diagnostic modalities specific toC. trachomatis. Several commercially available, FDA-approved molecular methods to diagnose urogenitalC. trachomatisinfection include nucleic acid hybridization, signal amplification, polymerase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, and transcription-mediated amplification. Molecular-based methods are rapid and reliable genital specimen screening measures, especially when applied to areas of high disease prevalence. However, clinical and analytical sensitivity for some commercial systems decreases dramatically when testing urine samples.In vitroexperiments and clinical data suggest that transcription-mediated amplification has greater analytical sensitivity than the other molecular-based methods currently available. This difference may be further exhibited in testing of extragenital specimens from at-risk patient demographics. The development of future molecular testing could address conundrums associated with confirmatory testing, medicolegal testing, and test of cure.
Our Early Experience in Surgical and Clinical Outcome on Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release: A Preliminary Result
Authors: Barlaan Philip Ian , Ip Josephine Wing-Yuk
Published: July 2011

Cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the common upper extremity problem encountered. A mild syndrome can be often treated without surgery, but a failure of conservative treatment with constant symptoms or muscle atrophy and weakness requires surgical intervention. Despite the fact that is the second most common nerve entrapment in the upper limb, there is no accepted gold standard in the surgical management. But with the new technique in minimally invasive surgery and available endoscope, it addresses all potential compression sites with good visualisation but with small surgical exposure. The procedure is safe and reliable way to address this problem.
Analytical Approximate Solution of Nonlinear Differential Equation Governing Jeffery-Hamel Flow with High Magnetic Field by Adomian Decomposition Method
Authors: Ganji D. D. , Sheikholeslami M. , Ashorynejad H. R.
Published: July 2011

The magnetohydrodynamic Jeffery-Hamel flow is studied analytically. The traditional Navier-Stokes equation of fluid mechanics and Maxwell's electromagnetism governing equations reduce to nonlinear ordinary differential equations to model this problem. The analytical tool of Adomian decomposition method is used to solve this nonlinear problem. The velocity profile of the conductive fluid inside the divergent channel is studied for various values of Hartmann number. Results agree well with the numerical (Runge-Kutta method) results, tabulated in a table. The plots confirm that the method used is of high accuracy for different α, Ha, and Re numbers.
Fatty Acids of Chthonomonas calidirosea, of a Novel Class Chthonomonadetes from a Recently Described Phylum Armatimonadetes
Authors: Vyssotski M. , Lee K. C.‐Y. , Lagutin K. , Ryan J. , Morgan X. C. , Stott M. B.
Published: July 2011

A Gram‐negative, aerobic, pink‐pigmented, rod‐shaped bacterium Chthonomonas calidirosea (strain T49T) with an optimal temperature for growth of 68 °C, isolated from soil samples from Hell's Gate in the Tikitere geothermal system (New Zealand), was the first cultivated bacterium of the novel phylum Armatimonadetes (formerly candidate division OP10). The lipid composition of C. calidirosea presents a number of unusual features both in the fatty acids and polar lipids. This contribution reports on the fatty acid profile of C. calidirosea. Transmethylation of bacterial biomass yielded fatty acid methyl esters and hydrocarbons, including squalene, partially hydrogenated squalenes, and diploptene. The only type of unsaturation found in C. calidirosea fatty acids was cis‐Δ5, as revealed by GCMS of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) adducts, and the lack of trans‐unsaturation absorbance at 960–980 cm−1 in the IR spectrum of fatty acids methyl esters. An unidentified component X with ECL 16.86 (BP1) and ECL 17.27 (BP20) was also observed, with molecular ion at m/z 282 (“17:1”). X did not form DMDS adducts, nor was affected by mild hydrogenation conditions, indicating the likely presence of a ring rather than unsaturation. The presence of a cyclopropane ring with cis‐stereochemistry was confirmed by the 1H‐NMR spectrum. Hydrogenation of X in acetic acid resulted in formation of straight chain 17:0, 5‐methyl‐ and 6‐methyl‐16:0 fatty acid methyl esters, thus confirming the structure of a novel 5,6‐methylene hexadecanoic acid. The major fatty acids of a solid media‐grown C. calidirosea were as follows (in weight % of total fatty acids): 16:0 (25.8), i17:0 (19.3), ai17:0 (13.5), 16:1∆5 (8.8), i17:1∆5 (6.8), 5,6‐methylene 16:0 (5.2), i16:0 (4.4), 18:0 (3.6), 18:1∆5 (3.2).
Molecular distinction in genetic regulation of nonphotochemical quenching in rice
Authors: Kasajima Ichiro , Ebana Kaworu , Yamamoto Toshio , Takahara Kentaro , Yano Masahiro , Kawai-Yamada Maki , Uchimiya Hirofumi
Published: July 2011

Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) regulates energy conversion in photosystem II and protects plants from photoinhibition. Here we analyze NPQ capacity in a number of rice cultivars. NPQ was strongly induced under medium and high light intensities in rice leaves. Japonica cultivars generally showed higher NPQ capacities than Indica cultivars when we measured a rice core collection. We mapped NPQ regulator and identified a locus (
qNPQ1-2
) that seems to be responsible for the difference in NPQ capacity between Indica and Japonica. One of the two rice
PsbS
homologues (
OsPsbS1
) was found within the
qNPQ1-2
region. PsbS protein was not accumulated in the leaf blade of the mutant harboring transferred DNA insertion in
OsPsbS1
. NPQ capacity increased as
OsPsbS1
expression increased in a series of transgenic lines ectopically expressing
OsPsbS1
in an Indica cultivar. Indica cultivars lack a 2.7-kb region at the point 0.4 kb upstream of the
OsPsbS1
gene, suggesting evolutionary discrimination of this gene.
JMassBalance: mass-balanced randomization and analysis of metabolic networks
Authors: Basler Georg , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: July 2011

Summary: Analysis of biological networks requires assessing the statistical significance of network-based predictions by using a realistic null model. However, the existing network null model, switch randomization, is unsuitable for metabolic networks, as it does not include physical constraints and generates unrealistic reactions. We present JMassBalance, a tool for mass-balanced randomization and analysis of metabolic networks. The tool allows efficient generation of large sets of randomized networks under the physical constraint of mass balance. In addition, various structural properties of the original and randomized networks can be calculated, facilitating the identification of the salient properties of metabolic networks with a biologically meaningful null model.

Availability and Implementation:  JMassBalance is implemented in Java and freely available on the web at http://mathbiol.mpimp-golm.mpg.de/massbalance/.

Contact:  basler@mpimp-golm.mpg.de
Halovenus aranensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from Aran-Bidgol salt lake
Authors: Makhdoumi-Kakhki A. , Amoozegar M. A. , Ventosa A.
Published: July 2011

A novel red-pigmented halophilic archaeon, strain EB27T, was isolated from Aran-Bidgol salt lake, a hypersaline playa in Iran. Cells of strain EB27T were non-motile and pleomorphic (rods to triangular or disc-shaped). Strain EB27T required at least 2.5 M NaCl and 0.1 M MgCl2 for growth. Optimal growth was achieved at 4 M NaCl and 0.5 M MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.5 and 40 °C; it was able to grow at pH 6.0–8.0 and 25–50 °C. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain EB27T is a member of the family

Halobacteriaceae

; however, levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were as low as 90.0, 89.3 and 89.1 % to the most closely related haloarchaeal taxa, namely

Halalkalicoccus tibetensis

DS12T,

Halosimplex carlsbadense

2-9-1T and

Halorhabdus utahensis

AX-2T, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain EB27T was 61 mol%. Strain EB27T contained phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, common phospholipids found in haloarchaea, together with two minor phospholipids. The only quinone present was MK-8(II-H2). Physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic differences between strain EB27T and recognized genera of extremely halophilic archaea suggest that this strain represents a novel species in a new genus within the family

Halobacteriaceae

, for which the name Halovenus aranensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Halovenus aranensis, the type species of the new genus, is strain EB27T ( = IBRC-M 10015T = CGMCC 1.11001T).
Sphingomicrobium lutaoense gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a coastal hot spring
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Arun A. B. , Young Chiu-Chung , Busse Hans-Jürgen , Kassmannhuber Johannes , Rosselló-Móra Ramon , Geueke Birgit , Rekha P. D. , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: July 2011

A yellowish pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain CC-TBT-3T), was isolated on marine agar 2216 from a coastal hot spring of Green Island (Lutao), located off Taituang, Taiwan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-TBT-3T showed a relatively low similarity (<95.5 %) to representatives of the genera

Novosphingobium

,

Sphingosinicella

and

Sphingomonas

of the

Sphingomonadaceae

, with the most related strain being the type strain of

Novosphingobium soli

. In addition to the relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of established species, the isolate also showed some unique chemotaxonomic features, including the presence of some glycolipids with unusual chromatographic behaviour. The major components of the polar lipid profile were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid and three unidentified glycolipids. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The polyamine pattern was characterized by the triamine sym-homospermidine as a major component. Although the predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), the isolate did not show the typical hydroxyl fatty acids, such as C14 : 0 2-OH, C15 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0 2-OH, found in members of the genera

Novosphingobium

,

Sphingomonas

and

Sphingosinicella

, but showed instead high amounts of C18 : 1 2-OH (12.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain CC-TBT-3T was 63.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence, chemotaxonomic and physiological analyses revealed that strain CC-TBT-3T represents a novel species in a new genus in the family

Sphingomonadaceae

for which the name Sphingomicrobium lutaoense gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is of the type species S. lutoaense, CC-TBT-3T ( = DSM 24194T = CCM 7794T).
Histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 36 is associated with constitutive and facultative heterochromatin
Authors: Chantalat Sophie , Depaux Arnaud , Héry Patrick , Barral Sophie , Thuret Jean-Yves , Dimitrov Stefan , Gérard Matthieu
Published: July 2011

The mammalian genome contains numerous regions known as facultative heterochromatin, which contribute to transcriptional silencing during development and cell differentiation. We have analyzed the pattern of histone modifications associated with facultative heterochromatin within the mouse imprintedSnurf–Snrpncluster, which is homologous to the human Prader-Willi syndrome genomic region. We show here that the maternally inheritedSnurf–Snrpn3-Mb region, which is silenced by a potent transcription repressive mechanism, is uniformly enriched in histone methylation marks usually found in constitutive heterochromatin, such as H4K20me3, H3K9me3, and H3K79me3. Strikingly, we found that trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me3), which was previously identified as a hallmark of actively transcribed regions, is deposited onto the silenced, maternally contributed 3-Mb imprinted region. We show that H3K36me3 deposition within this large heterochromatin domain does not correlate with transcription events, suggesting the existence of an alternative pathway for the deposition of this histone modification. In addition, we demonstrate that H3K36me3 is markedly enriched at the level of pericentromeric heterochromatin in mouse embryonic stem cells and fibroblasts. This result indicates that H3K36me3 is associated with both facultative and constitutive heterochromatin. Our data suggest that H3K36me3 function is not restricted to actively transcribed regions only and may contribute to the composition of heterochromatin, in combination with other histone modifications.
Adenosine Kinase Contributes to Cytokinin Interconversion in Arabidopsis
Authors: Schoor Sarah , Farrow Scott , Blaschke Hanna , Lee Sanghyun , Perry Gregory , von Schwartzenberg Klaus , Emery Neil , Moffatt Barbara
Published: July 2011

Purine salvage enzymes have been implicated, but not proven, to be involved in the interconversion of cytokinin (CK) bases, ribosides, and nucleotides. Here, we use Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) lines silenced in adenosine kinase (ADK) expression to understand the contributions of this enzyme activity to in vivo CK metabolism. Both small interfering RNA- and artificial microRNA-mediated silencing of ADK led to impaired root growth, small, crinkled rosette leaves, and reduced apical dominance. Further examination of ADK-deficient roots and leaves revealed their irregular cell division. Root tips had uneven arrangements of root cap cells, reduced meristem sizes, and enlarged cells in the elongation zone; rosette leaves exhibited decreased cell size but increased cell abundance. Expression patterns of the cyclinB1;1::β-glucuronidase and Arabidopsis Response Regulator5::β-glucuronidase reporters in the ADK-deficient background were consistent with altered cell division and an increase in CK activity, respectively. In vivo feeding of ADK-deficient leaves with radiolabeled CK ribosides of isopentenyladenosine and zeatin showed a decreased flux into the corresponding CK nucleotides. Comprehensive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis detected significantly higher levels of active CK ribosides in both sense ADK and artificial microADK. Taken together, these metabolic and phenotypic analyses of ADK-deficient lines indicate that ADK contributes to CK homeostasis in vivo.
Convergence patterns in the world economy: exploring the nonlinearity hypothesis
Authors: Artelaris Panagiotis , Arvanitidis Paschalis A. , Petrakos George
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate convergence or divergence trends at global scale.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper questions the methodology and findings of the conventional convergence literature using linear OLS models. It introduces polynomial (quadratic) weighted least square (WLS) regression analysis to explore whether a number of economic performance indicators follow a non‐linear pattern of change.

Findings

The results indicate the formation of two groups in the world: a convergence one, including countries with low to medium‐high development levels, and a divergence one including countries with medium‐high to very high development levels.

Research limitations/implications

Data availability after 1990 (for the composite indicators).

Practical implications

The findings shed light on important issues, such as the decrease of economic disparities between countries, the prospects for global economic convergence, and the development of a more equal world. Apart from obvious policy implication such findings are also of theoretical significance, providing a basis to check (indirectly) the validity of alternative growth theories.

Originality/value

This is the first paper (to the authors' knowledge) that explores world convergence/divergence employing quadratic WLS regression analysis with a number of economic indicators. WLS regressions enable the removal of the impact of country size on results, whereas non‐linear modelling allows the possibility of multiple equilibria and different development trajectories to be taken into account. Finally, the employment of various economic‐performance indicators (simple and composite) works as a cross‐check of validity for the results provided.
Evidence on the impact of exchange rate regimes on bilateral FDI flows
Authors: Abbott Andrew J. , De Vita Glauco
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of a menu of country‐pair exchange rate regime combinations upon bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel data from 27 OECD and non‐OECD high income countries for the period 1980 to 2003. Instrumental variable estimation of a dynamic panel model within a system generalised methods of moments framework allows us to control for both potential correlation issues and endogeneity bias.

Findings

This paper finds that a currency union is the policy framework most conducive to cross‐border investment. Being a member of EMU also appears to spur greater FDI flows with countries floating their currency vis‐à‐vis the default regime of a double‐float. Country‐pair regime combinations involving one country fixing its currency and the other floating or being a member of EMU, are found not to be more pro‐FDI than the default regime combination. For country‐pairs fixing or pegging their currency to each other, the effect on bilateral FDI flows is the least consistent across alternative specifications and, hence, the most ambiguous.

Originality/value

The contribution is also distinguished by the comparative use of recently developed “natural” or de facto exchange rate regime classification schemes, in addition to the de jure classification published by the IMF.
Maoism versus Confucianism: ideological influences on Chinese business leaders
Authors: McDonald Paul
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose that practical wisdom originating within the Chinese classical traditions has been instrumental in China's ascendance to the world stage. Its purpose is to analyze biographical data across 200 Chinese business leaders in order to gauge the relative influence of two competing ideologies – Maoism and Confucianism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a two‐step design process. First, modern day leadership archetypes characterizing Maoist and Confucian ideology were developed from the literature. Second, these archetypes were applied in the content analysis of biographical data on Chinese business leaders.

Findings

There was evidence of both Maoism and Confucianism in the practices of Chinese business leaders. An unintended, third cohort of leaders emerged, representative of the younger end of the biographical distribution, who appear to embrace paradox in their ideological orientation.

Practical implications

There were three practical implications for management and leadership development: the importance of integrating the concept of paradox into management and leadership development curricula; the provision of illustrative alternatives to western world leadership exemplars; and increased emphasis on global leadership as an emergent phenomenon with particular attention to the burgeoning internationalization of Chinese enterprise and its associated ideologies.

Originality/value

The current leadership literature is dominated by western world exemplars. This paper offers an alternative view; one rich with the wisdom and classical traditions of the Chinese culture.
Reciprocal transfer effects for brand extensions of global or local origin: evidence from Norway
Authors: Iversen Nina M. , Hem Leif E.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Consumers' evaluations of brand extensions have gained considerable attention in the marketing literature. The purpose of this study is to investigate how a brand's perceived global or local origin impacts evaluations of brand extensions and creates transfer effects of brand meaning. The paper conceptually characterizes the transference process and empirically tests the nature and extent of spillover effects of origin associations across multiple parent brands and extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

For the empirical testing of the conceptual model of transfer effects of origin associations we undertook a cross‐sectional consumer survey amongst a sample of 267 Norwegian respondents. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the causal relationships between the latent exogenous and endogenous variables in the conceptual model.

Findings

The present study indicates that the global and local origin framework, first introduced by Steenkamp et al. in 2003, can explain the occurrence of reciprocal transfer of brand meaning across parent brands and extensions. The paper shows that global and local origin associations operate in a manner very similar to brand associations in the transference of perceptions. It finds that distinct origin associations influence the pre‐brand image and drive the forward effect on the attitude towards the extension as well as the subsequent backward effect upon the post‐brand image of the parent brand.

Originality/value

This paper reveals for the first time that distinct origin associations can initiate spillover effects across parent brands and extensions. This study is therefore an important step towards the generalizability of main brand extension studies to other contexts such as extensions of global brands.
The effect of culture on the context of ad pictures and ad persuasion
Authors: Liang Beichen , Runyan Rodney C. , Fu Wei
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the context of ad pictures differs between Chinese ads and US ads and whether it can influence consumers' ad attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

An ad content analysis and a laboratory experiment were conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Findings suggest that contextualized ads appear more frequently in Chinese magazines because East Asians have a context‐dependent mode of thinking while westerners have a context‐independent mode of thinking. However, the effect of culture on advertising is moderated by product class (goods vs service), product category, and magazine category. Moreover, East Asians prefer contextualized ads to non‐contextualized ones, while westerners prefer non‐contextualized ads to contextualized ads. However, the effect of culture on ad attitudes may be moderated by ad involvement.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study stem from its being based on ad samples from China and its use of students to test ad attitudes.

Practical implications

The findings allow managers to better determine whether and under what conditions to use contextualized or non‐contextualized advertisements.

Originality/value

The study's examination of the effect of culture on the context of ad format and effect of context on persuasion in this context constitutes a unique and valuable contribution to the literature. The paper also contributes much to the literature by checking cultural differences across 17 magazine categories, compared to the vast majority of studies analyzing ad content between eastern and western cultures, which have been based on ads from only a few sources.
Hedging with options and cardinality constraints in multi‐period portfolio management systems
Authors: Östermark Ralf
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of hedging with options and cardinality constraints in multi‐period portfolio management systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on a recursive multi‐period portfolio management formulation (SHAREX) subject to hedging with cardinality constraints and options. The problem formulation is tested with observed and simulated data.

Findings

The yield of the multi‐period cardinality constrained option hedging framework under integer‐valued transactions and fixed and variable transactions costs exceeds the riskless return predicted by the Black‐Scholes model in equilibrium.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the multiple representations framework constructed to generate optimal predictions provides accurate forecasts with obvious value for portfolio management.
A note on the fractional Schrödinger differential equations
Authors: Ashyralyev Allaberen , Hicdurmaz Betul
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce stability analysis for the initial value problem for the fractional Schrödinger differential equation: Equation 1 in a Hilbert space H with a self‐adjoint positive definite operator A under the condition |α(s)|<M1/s1/2 and the first order of accuracy difference scheme for the approximate solution of this initial value problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the stability estimates for the solution of this problem and the stability estimate for the approximate solution of first order of accuracy difference scheme of this problem.

Findings

The paper finds the stability for the fractional Schrödinger differential equation and the first order of accuracy difference scheme of that equation by applications to one‐dimensional fractional Schrödinger differential equation with nonlocal boundary conditions and multidimensional fractional Schrödinger differential equation with Dirichlet conditions.

Originality/value

The paper is a significant work on stability of fractional Schrödinger differential equation and its difference scheme presenting some numerical experiments which resulted from applying obtained theorems on several mixed fractional Schrödinger differential equations.
Mathematics model and numerical calculation for stability of synchronous generator rectification systems
Authors: Li Huaishu , Lai Yanhui , Qiang Wu , Dong Xiang
Published: July 2011

Purpose

In order to research the law of the low‐frequency power oscillation which often exists in the synchronous generator rectification system, the purpose of this paper is to study theoretical analysis and numerical calculation on the static stability of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

Different from the common three‐phase synchronous generator operating in large power networks, the stability of synchronous generator rectification systems is much more difficult to analyze because of its nonlinear loads. Some papers have analyzed the stability of the synchronous generator rectification system and presented different parameter conditions of system stability, but since factors that influence the system stability are complex, the essence of this kind of oscillation is not completely known yet. By considering rectification systems as an equivalent to DC circuits, the correct circuit model which is necessary to analyze the rectification systemic stability is set up, the changing law and relationship of various parameters under mini‐disturbances is analyzed, a linear differential equation about the DC‐side average current is derived, the stability of the synchronous generator rectification system is analyzed and deduced by using Hull criterion, all parameters influencing system stability are calculated and analyzed, and their ranges for a stable rectification system are given. Also, the reason why and how the parameters affect system stability is explained.

Findings

The operational stability of synchronous generator rectification systems is completely and correctly recognized.

Practical implications

The paper has a reference value for the design and safe operation of synchronous generator rectification systems.

Originality/value

The paper puts forward system stability criterion and gives a rational physical explanation about system stability.
Approaching climate adjusted environmental due diligence for multilateral financial institutions
Authors: Boakye‐Agyei Kwame
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to review literature on environmental safeguards for five selected multilateral financial institutions (MFIs) with the objective of verifying whether their environmental safeguards have been updated with climate change elements, and whether they have adopted specific climate change strategies for their investment portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology set for this review was based on a set of descriptive criteria. These included content reviews on MFIs existing safeguards or formal environmental guidelines, the extent of incorporation of climate change to guidelines text, and overarching strategies adopted to address climate change.

Findings

Generally, the environmental safeguards reviewed have minimally discussed formal considerations of climate change issues. Although environmental safeguards continue to play vital roles in bank operations, it generally remains traditional with minimal adjustments to formally include climate change. Nevertheless, all the banks have developed overarching climate change strategies at the strategic level.

Research limitations/implications

The information presented herein is compiled from articles, reports, papers and books identified from computer‐based searches. The research is limited to information available on the internet, books and papers. It is therefore possible that MFIs are involved in some climate change activities not yet in the public domain, and as such are not covered by this paper.

Practical implications

Quite clearly, the adjustment of environmental assessments such as environmental impacts assessment/strategic environmental assessment to include climate change is in the offing. This means that practitioners may need to considerably understand the character of climate change and thereby construct concrete approaches to tackle both ideological and methodological gaps.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need in the climate change discourse, bringing forward climate change as an issue deserving more legal, formal and obligatory attention.
Strategic marketing's contribution to Australasian golf club performance
Authors: Garland Ron , Brooksbank Roger , Werder Wayne
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which strategic marketing planning is carried out by Australasian golf clubs and the impact such planning has upon their business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A research methodology borrowed from the “for profit” sector is applied. In total, ten basic strategic marketing practices, each with its own hypothesis, are investigated through a web‐based survey of secretaries/managers of 180 Australian and New Zealand golf clubs.

Findings

Analysis shows that while strategic marketing is being adopted by most clubs, compared with their lower‐performing counterparts (on measures of competitive business performance), the higher‐performing clubs place a far greater emphasis upon each of the ten basic strategic marketing practices.

Research limitations/implications

While the survey had a 24 per cent response rate, a small follow‐up survey of non‐respondents showed no significant difference in answers to four crucial questions. Self‐reported, relative performance measures, widely used in the “for profit” sector, have been utilised. The ten basic strategic marketing practices are assumed to be antecedents of success rather than a consequence of such success.

Originality/value

In addition to providing initial understanding of the extent of strategic marketing planning practice in a sport management context in Australasia, this paper identifies those practices which differentiate higher competitive business performance from lower performance.
Oral clefts and behavioral health of young children
Authors: Wehby GL , Tyler MC , Lindgren S , Romitti P , Robbins J , Damiano P
Published: July 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 18, 74–84

Objectives:  This study examined the behavioral health of young children with oral clefts, and effects of satisfaction with facial appearance, cleft team care, number of cleft‐related surgeries, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Subjects and Methods:  The study included a population‐based sample of 104 children aged 2–12 years with isolated oral clefts from the state of Iowa. Behavior was evaluated with the Child Behavior Checklist or the Pediatric Behavior Scale 30, depending on age, compared with normative samples.

Results:  Risks of behavioral problems were not significantly different from normative samples except for higher inattention/hyperactivity risks at age 6–12 years. Low satisfaction with facial appearance was associated with behavioral problems in all domains, except aggression. Team‐care effects were not associated with behavioral problems. Number of cleft‐related surgeries was associated with increased anxiety/depression and somatic symptom risks. Higher SES was associated with reduced inattention/hyperactivity, aggressive/oppositional behavior, and somatic symptoms.

Conclusions:  Most children with oral clefts may have similar behavioral health outcomes to unaffected children, except for increased inattention/hyperactivity risks at older ages. However, low satisfaction with facial appearance, increased exposure to surgeries, and lower SES may significantly increase behavioral problems. Also, the findings emphasize the need to study the representation of behavioral health professionals on cleft teams and access to behavioral health care.
Specificity of PCR and Serological Assays in the Detection of Escherichia coli Shiga Toxin Subtypes
Authors: Feng Peter C. H. , Jinneman Karen , Scheutz Flemming , Monday Steven R.
Published: July 2011

Specificity analysis for
stx
or Stx subtypes in
Escherichia coli
showed that the PCR assays we tested did not detect
stx
1d
and
stx
2f
, and some also missed
stx
2b
and
stx
2g
. Most of the serological assays examined did not detect Stx2c, Stx2e, Stx2f, and Stx2g, and some strain-to-strain variation in reactivity was observed for Stx2b.
Green Fluorescent Protein-Based Biosensor To Detect and Quantify Stress Responses Induced by DNA-Degrading Colicins
Authors: Abraham Sam , Chin James , Brouwers Huub J. M. , Turner Bernadette , Zhang Ren , Chapman Toni A.
Published: July 2011

Here we report the development of a whole-cell biosensor to detect and quantify the induction of the SOS response activated by DNA-degrading colicins. This biosensor utilizes the SOS-responsive
cda
promoter to regulate the expression of green fluorescent protein. The biosensor assay revealed induction of stress for all DNA-degrading reference colicins (E2, E7, and E8).
Highly Sensitive Direct Detection and Quantification of Burkholderia pseudomallei Bacteria in Environmental Soil Samples by Using Real-Time PCR
Authors: Trung Trinh Thanh , Hetzer Adrian , Göhler André , Topfstedt Eylin , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Peacock Sharon J. , Steinmetz Ivo
Published: July 2011

The soil bacterium and potential biothreat agent
Burkholderia pseudomallei
causes the infectious disease melioidosis, which is naturally acquired through environmental contact with the bacterium. Environmental detection of
B. pseudomallei
represents the basis for the development of a geographical risk map for humans and livestock. The aim of the present study was to develop a highly sensitive, culture-independent, DNA-based method that allows direct quantification of
B. pseudomallei
from soil. We established a protocol for
B. pseudomallei
soil DNA isolation, purification, and quantification by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting a type three secretion system 1 single-copy gene. This assay was validated using 40 soil samples from Northeast Thailand that underwent parallel bacteriological culture. All 26 samples that were
B. pseudomallei
positive by direct culture were
B. pseudomallei
qPCR positive, with a median of 1.84 × 10
4
genome equivalents (range, 3.65 × 10
2
to 7.85 × 10
5
) per gram of soil, assuming complete recovery of DNA. This was 10.6-fold (geometric mean; range, 1.1- to 151.3-fold) higher than the bacterial count defined by direct culture. Moreover, the qPCR detected
B. pseudomallei
in seven samples (median, 36.9 genome equivalents per g of soil; range, 9.4 to 47.3) which were negative by direct culture. These seven positive results were reproduced using a nested PCR targeting a second, independent
B. pseudomallei
-specific sequence. Two samples were direct culture and qPCR negative but nested PCR positive. Five samples were negative by both PCR methods and culture. In conclusion, our PCR-based system provides a highly specific and sensitive tool for the quantitative environmental surveillance of
B. pseudomallei
.
Metabolome Profiling Reveals Metabolic Cooperation between Bacillus megaterium and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare during Induced Swarm Motility
Authors: Zhou Jian , Ma Qian , Yi Hong , Wang Lili , Song Hao , Yuan Ying-Jin
Published: July 2011

The metabolic cooperation in the ecosystem of
Bacillus megaterium
and
Ketogulonicigenium vulgare
was investigated by cultivating them spatially on a soft agar plate. We found that
B. megaterium
swarmed in a direction along the trace of
K. vulgare
on the agar plate. Metabolomics based on gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) was employed to analyze the interaction mechanism between the two microorganisms. We found that the microorganisms interact by exchanging a number of metabolites. Both intracellular metabolism and cell-cell communication via metabolic cooperation were essential in determining the population dynamics of the ecosystem. The contents of amino acids and other nutritional compounds in
K. vulgare
were rather low in comparison to those in
B. megaterium
, but the levels of these compounds in the medium surrounding
K. vulgare
were fairly high, even higher than in fresh medium. Erythrose, erythritol, guanine, and inositol accumulated around
B. megaterium
were consumed by
K. vulgare
upon its migration. The oxidization products of
K. vulgare
, including 2-keto-gulonic acids (2KGA), were sharply increased. Upon coculturing of
B. megaterium
and
K. vulgare
, 2,6-dipicolinic acid (the biomarker of sporulation of
B. megaterium
), was remarkably increased compared with those in the monocultures. Therefore, the interactions between
B. megaterium
and
K. vulgare
were a synergistic combination of mutualism and antagonism. This paper is the first to systematically identify a symbiotic interaction mechanism via metabolites in the ecosystem established by two isolated colonies of
B. megaterium
and
K. vulgare
.