bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life-history specialization was not an evolutionary dead-end in Pyrenean cave beetles
Authors: Cieslak Alexandra , Fresneda Javier , Ribera Ignacio
Published: February 2014

Research on subterranean organisms has focused on the colonization process and some of the associated phenotypic changes, but little is known on the long-term evolutionary dynamics of subterranean lineages and the origin of some highly specialized complex characters. One of the most extreme modifications is the reduction of the number of larval instars in some Leptodirini beetles from the ancestral 3 to 2 and ultimately a single instar. This reduction is usually assumed to have occurred independently multiple times within the same lineage and geographical area, but its evolution has never been studied in a phylogenetic framework. Using a comprehensive molecular phylogeny, we found a low number of independent origins of the reduction in the number of instars, with a single transition, dated to the Oligocene–Miocene, from 3 to 2 and then 1 instar in the Pyrenees, the best-studied area. In the Pyrenees, the 1-instar lineage had a diversification rate (0.22 diversification events per lineage per million years) significantly higher than that of 3- or 2-instar lineages (0.10), and similar to that seen in other Coleopteran radiations. Far from being evolutionary dead-ends, ancient lineages fully adapted to subterranean life seem able to persist and diversify over long evolutionary periods.
Social complementation and growth advantages promote socially defective bacterial isolates
Authors: Kraemer Susanne A. , Velicer Gregory J.
Published: February 2014

Social interactions among diverse individuals that encounter one another in nature have often been studied among animals but rarely among microbes. For example, the evolutionary forces that determine natural frequencies of bacteria that express cooperative behaviours at low levels remain poorly understood. Natural isolates of the soil bacterium
Myxococcus xanthus
sampled from the same fruiting body often vary in social phenotypes, such as group swarming and multicellular development. Here, we tested whether genotypes highly proficient at swarming or development might promote the persistence of less socially proficient genotypes from the same fruiting body. Fast-swarming strains complemented slower isolates, allowing the latter to keep pace with faster strains in mixed groups. During development, one low-sporulating strain was antagonized by high sporulators, whereas others with severe developmental defects had those defects partially complemented by high-sporulating strains. Despite declining in frequency overall during competition experiments spanning multiple cycles of development, developmentally defective strains exhibited advantages during the growth phases of competitions. These results suggest that microbes with low-sociality phenotypes often benefit from interacting with more socially proficient strains. Such complementation may combine with advantages at other traits to increase equilibrium frequencies of low-sociality genotypes in natural populations.
The total burden of rare, non-synonymous exome genetic variants is not associated with childhood or late-life cognitive ability
Authors: Marioni Riccardo E. , Penke Lars , Davies Gail , Huffman Jennifer E. , Hayward Caroline , Deary Ian J.
Published: February 2014

Human cognitive ability shows consistent, positive associations with fitness components across the life-course. Underlying genetic variation should therefore be depleted by selection, which is not observed. Genetic variation in general cognitive ability (intelligence) could be maintained by a mutation–selection balance, with rare variants contributing to its genetic architecture. This study examines the association between the total number of rare stop-gain/loss, splice and missense exonic variants and cognitive ability in childhood and old age in the same individuals. Exome array data were obtained in the Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936 (combined
N
= 1596). General cognitive ability was assessed at age 11 years and in late life (79 and 70 years, respectively) and was modelled against the total number of stop-gain/loss, splice, and missense exonic variants, with minor allele frequency less than or equal to 0.01, using linear regression adjusted for age and sex. In both cohorts and in both the childhood and late-life models, there were no significant associations between rare variant burden in the exome and cognitive ability that survived correction for multiple testing. Contrary to our
a priori
hypothesis, we observed no evidence for an association between the total number of rare exonic variants and either childhood cognitive ability or late-life cognitive ability.
Development of a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay for detection and subtyping of cholix toxin variant genes of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Awasthi Sharda Prasad , Asakura Masahiro , Neogi Sucharit Basu , Hinenoya Atsushi , Ramamurthy T. , Yamasaki Shinji
Published: February 2014

Cholix toxin (ChxA) is an exotoxin reported in Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139. Apart from its prototype (ChxA I) we have recently identified two novel variants of this toxin, ChxA II and ChxA III. Our previous investigations indicated that the first two variants may instigate extra-intestinal infections and ChxA II can be more lethal than ChxA I in mice. However, all three cholix toxins (ChxA I to III) failed to show any enterotoxicity in rabbit ileal loops. In this study we developed a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay to differentiate all three chxA variants to further understand the importance of each subtype. By using 53 V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains harbouring chxA genes, which were previously categorized by sequencing, and various other strains as negative controls, the PCR-RFLP assay showed 100 % typability and specificity. Furthermore, when applied to differentiate additional V. cholerae strains, which were also screened for the chxA gene by colony hybridization, this assay identified chxA I and chxA II genes among 18.5 % and 4.5 % of non-O1/non-O139 strains (n = 178), respectively. One non-O1/non-O139 strain was untypable due to the insertion of an IS911-like element. Interestingly, the chxA I gene was detected in 10 out of 137 cholera toxin gene-negative V. cholerae O1 strains. These results suggest that the PCR-RFLP assay developed in this study can be a rapid and simple method to differentiate the chxA subtypes.
A PCR-RFLP assay for the detection and differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus, C. hyointestinalis, C. lari, C. helveticus and C. upsaliensis
Authors: Kamei Kazumasa , Asakura Masahiro , Somroop Srinuan , Hatanaka Noritoshi , Hinenoya Atsushi , Nagita Akira , Misawa Naoaki , Matsuda Motoo , Nakagawa Shinsaku , Yamasaki Shinji
Published: February 2014

AlthoughCampylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter coliare the most common bacterial causes of human gastrointestinal diseases, otherCampylobacterspecies are also involved in human and animal infections. In this study, we developed a cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) gene-based PCR-RFLP assay for the detection and differentiation ofC. jejuni,C. coli,C. fetus,C. hyointestinalis,C. lari,C. helveticusandC. upsaliensis. Previously designed common primers, which can amplify thecdtBgene ofC. jejuni,C. coliandC. fetus, were used for detecting sevenCampylobacterspecies and differentiating between them by restriction digestion. The PCR-RFLP assay was validated with 277 strains, including 35C. jejuni, 19C. coli, 20C. fetus, 24C. hyointestinalis, 13C. lari, 2C. helveticus, 22C. upsaliensis, 3 otherCampylobacterspp. and 17 other species associated with human diseases. Sensitivity and specificity of the PCR-RFLP assay were 100 % except forC. hyointestinalis(88 % sensitivity). Furthermore, the PCR-RFLP assay successfully detected and differentiatedC. jejuni,C. coliandC. fetusin clinical and animal samples. The results indicate that the PCR-RFLP assay is useful for the detection and differentiation of sevenCampylobacterspecies important for human and animal diseases.
Functional Analysis of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Encoding Genes in Triterpene Saponin-Producing Ginseng
Authors: Kim Yu-Jin , Lee Ok Ran , Oh Ji Yeon , Jang Moon-Gi , Yang Deok-Chun
Published: February 2014

Ginsenosides are glycosylated triterpenes that are considered to be important pharmaceutically active components of the ginseng (Panax ginseng ‘Meyer’) plant, which is known as an adaptogenic herb. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of triterpene saponin through the mevalonate pathway in ginseng remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) concerning ginsenoside biosynthesis. Through analysis of full-length complementary DNA, two forms of ginseng HMGR (PgHMGR1 and PgHMGR2) were identified as showing high sequence identity. The steady-state mRNA expression patterns of PgHMGR1 and PgHMGR2 are relatively low in seed, leaf, stem, and flower, but stronger in the petiole of seedling and root. The transcripts of PgHMGR1 were relatively constant in 3- and 6-year-old ginseng roots. However, PgHMGR2 was increased five times in the 6-year-old ginseng roots compared with the 3-year-old ginseng roots, which indicates that HMGRs have constant and specific roles in the accumulation of ginsenosides in roots. Competitive inhibition of HMGR by mevinolin caused a significant reduction of total ginsenoside in ginseng adventitious roots. Moreover, continuous dark exposure for 2 to 3 d increased the total ginsenosides content in 3-year-old ginseng after the dark-induced activity of PgHMGR1. These results suggest that PgHMGR1 is associated with the dark-dependent promotion of ginsenoside biosynthesis. We also observed that the PgHMGR1 can complement Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hmgr1-1 and that the overexpression of PgHMGR1 enhanced the production of sterols and triterpenes in Arabidopsis and ginseng. Overall, this finding suggests that ginseng HMGRs play a regulatory role in triterpene ginsenoside biosynthesis.
Genetic and Physiological Controls of Growth under Water Deficit
Authors: Tardieu François , Parent Boris , Caldeira Cecilio F. , Welcker Claude
Published: February 2014

The sensitivity of expansive growth to water deficit has a large genetic variability, which is higher than that of photosynthesis. It is observed in several species, with some genotypes stopping growth in a relatively wet soil, whereas others continue growing until the lower limit of soil-available water. The responses of growth to soil water deficit and evaporative demand share an appreciable part of their genetic control through the colocation of quantitative trait loci as do the responses of the growth of different organs to water deficit. This result may be caused by common mechanisms of action discussed in this paper (particularly, plant hydraulic properties). We propose that expansive growth, putatively linked to hydraulic processes, determines the sink strength under water deficit, whereas photosynthesis determines source strength. These findings have large consequences for plant modeling under water deficit and for the design of breeding programs.
A Pollen Coat–Inducible Autoinhibited Ca2+-ATPase Expressed in Stigmatic Papilla Cells Is Required for Compatible Pollination in the Brassicaceae
Authors: Iwano Megumi , Igarashi Motoko , Tarutani Yoshiaki , Kaothien-Nakayama Pulla , Nakayama Hideki , Moriyama Hideki , Yakabe Ryo , Entani Tetsuyuki , Shimosato-Asano Hiroko , Ueki Masao , Tamiya Gen , Takayama Seiji
Published: February 2014

In the Brassicaceae, intraspecific non-self pollen (compatible pollen) can germinate and grow into stigmatic papilla cells, while self-pollen or interspecific pollen is rejected at this stage. However, the mechanisms underlying this selective acceptance of compatible pollen remain unclear. Here, using a cell-impermeant calcium indicator, we showed that the compatible pollen coat contains signaling molecules that stimulate Ca2+ export from the papilla cells. Transcriptome analyses of stigmas suggested that autoinhibited Ca2+-ATPase13 (ACA13) was induced after both compatible pollination and compatible pollen coat treatment. A complementation test using a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking major Ca2+ transport systems suggested that ACA13 indeed functions as an autoinhibited Ca2+ transporter. ACA13 transcription increased in papilla cells and in transmitting tracts after pollination. ACA13 protein localized to the plasma membrane and to vesicles near the Golgi body and accumulated at the pollen tube penetration site after pollination. The stigma of a T-DNA insertion line of ACA13 exhibited reduced Ca2+ export, as well as defects in compatible pollen germination and seed production. These findings suggest that stigmatic ACA13 functions in the export of Ca2+ to the compatible pollen tube, which promotes successful fertilization.
Identification of a novel polyfluorinated compound as a lead to inhibit the human enzymes aldose reductase and AKR1B10: structure determination of both ternary complexes and implications for drug design
Authors: Cousido-Siah Alexandra , Ruiz Francesc X. , Mitschler André , Porté Sergio , de Lera Ángel R. , Martín María J. , Manzanaro Sonia , de la Fuente Jesús A. , Terwesten Felix , Betz Michael , Klebe Gerhard , Farrés Jaume , Parés Xavier , Podjarny Alberto
Published: February 2014

Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are mostly monomeric enzymes which fold into a highly conserved (α/β)8 barrel, while their substrate specificity and inhibitor selectivity are determined by interaction with residues located in three highly variable external loops. The closely related human enzymes aldose reductase (AR or AKR1B1) and AKR1B10 are of biomedical interest because of their involvement in secondary diabetic complications (AR) and in cancer, e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma and smoking-related lung cancer (AKR1B10). After characterization of the IC50 values of both AKRs with a series of polyhalogenated compounds, 2,2′,3,3′,5,5′,6,6′-octafluoro-4,4′-biphenyldiol (JF0064) was identified as a lead inhibitor of both enzymes with a new scaffold (a 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol). An ultrahigh-resolution X-ray structure of the AR–NADP+–JF0064 complex has been determined at 0.85 Å resolution, allowing it to be observed that JF0064 interacts with the catalytic residue Tyr48 through a negatively charged hydroxyl group (i.e. the acidic phenol). The non-competitive inhibition pattern observed for JF0064 with both enzymes suggests that this acidic hydroxyl group is also present in the case of AKR1B10. Moreover, the combination of surface lysine methylation and the introduction of K125R and V301L mutations enabled the determination of the X-ray crystallographic structure of the corresponding AKR1B10–NADP+–JF0064 complex. Comparison of the two structures has unveiled some important hints for subsequent structure-based drug-design efforts.
Higher-order linked interpolation in triangular thick plate finite elements
Authors: Ribarić Dragan , Jelenić Gordan
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– In this work, the authors aim to employ the so-called linked-interpolation concept already tested on beam and quadrilateral plate finite elements in the design of displacement-based higher-order triangular plate finite elements and test their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Starting from the analogy between the Timoshenko beam theory and the Mindlin plate theory, a family of triangular linked-interpolation plate finite elements of arbitrary order are designed. The elements are tested on the standard set of examples.

Findings

– The derived elements pass the standard patch tests and also the higher-order patch tests of an order directly related to the order of the element. The lowest-order member of the family of developed elements still suffers from shear locking for very coarse meshes, but the higher-order elements turn out to be successful when compared to the elements from literature for the problems with the same total number of the degrees of freedom.

Research limitations/implications

– The elements designed perform well for a number of standard benchmark tests, but the well-known Morley's skewed plate example turns out to be rather demanding, i.e. the proposed design principle cannot compete with the mixed-type approach for this test. Work is under way to improve the proposed displacement-based elements by adding a number of internal bubble functions in the displacement and rotation fields, specifically chosen to satisfy the basic patch test and enable a softer response in the bench-mark test examples.

Originality/value

– A new family of displacement-based higher-order triangular Mindlin plate finite elements has been derived. The higher-order elements perform very well, whereas the lowest-order element requires improvement.
The making of inclusion as structuration: empirical evidence of a multinational company
Authors: Ortlieb Renate , Sieben Barbara
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically analyse the question how organizations become inclusive – with special regard to migrants – and the potential limits to inclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper develops a theoretical framework based on Giddens’ structuration theory. By a firm-level case study, the paper empirically examines the theoretical propositions.

Findings

– The paper proposes that inclusion bears specific kinds of the structural dimensions signification, domination and legitimation on which organizational actors draw to reproduce the inclusive organization. The empirical case reveals three areas of organizational practices – personnel recruitment and selection; training and development; meals and parties – in the making of inclusion. But the interplay of specific rules and resources also contains social practices of differentiation and hierarchization that limit inclusion.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies would benefit from considering additional socio-demographic characteristics and intersectionalities. An ethnographic approach on the basis of participant observation is also recommendable. A longitudinal empirical design focusing on causal relationships would expand the papers descriptive approach.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that organizational actors can shape the structural dimensions corresponding to an inclusive organization by acting themselves accordingly and inciting others to do so. They should be aware of processes of differentiation and hierarchization that go along with practices of inclusion.

Originality/value

– Applying key arguments of structuration theory, the paper develops a comprehensive framework that considers corresponding rules and resources in detail. The empirical case study demonstrates the fruitfulness of the theoretical framework and reveals the ambivalence of organizational practices that promote inclusion.
“Making up” workers in an inclusive organisation
Authors: Boesby Dahl Dorte
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the unintended consequences of managing inclusion and diversity and how these unintended consequences relate to organisation members’ mediation between work tasks and practices of inclusion and diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses critical diversity and inclusion studies as the theoretical context and a Danish municipal centre responsible for parking patrol as the empirical context. The researcher has conducted interviews and participant observation in this organisation and particularly analyses the “making up” of abstract categories of employees and the mundane “making of” employees in the light of diversity and inclusion practices.

Findings

– The analysis shows that parking attendants are “made up” as an increasingly professionalised brand and that the inclusive policy of diversity becomes part of this brand. However, the study also shows that in spite of this external brand, local and internal practices of inclusion and diversity create categories of people that employees may avoid or resist and some that carry unfulfilled promises of inclusion. Moreover, an internal image of the parking attendant as a person on the edge of the labour market persists internally in spite of the effort to brand this person otherwise externally.

Originality/value

– The paper applies the notion of “making up” people, to accommodate critique of the social constructionist approach, that is common to much critical research on diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the paper agitates for “bringing work back in” to the study of diversity and inclusion and does this by focusing on the work of parking attendants. Given that this work is formally unskilled, the organisation represents an example of a workplace that represents a gateway to the Danish labour market, which makes the management and organisation of inclusion very pertinent. The paper provides new perspectives, particularly in terms of the unintended consequences of inclusion in organisations.
Predicting handbill avoidance in Hong Kong and the UK
Authors: P. Prendergast Gerard , S.L. Tsang Alex , Cheng Ranis
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Handbills are an interesting advertising medium since they are distributed by people in a social context. Little, however, is known about why handbills are often avoided. This study was designed with the purpose of extending previous research on advertising avoidance by using social psychological variables to explain consumers' avoidance of handbills in Hong Kong and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 337 individuals was conducted (166 in Hong Kong and 171 in the UK). A series of hypotheses relating to perceived handbill clutter, perceived goal impediment, and the perceived manner of the distributer were tested.

Findings

– Perceived handbill clutter was found to be the strongest predictor of handbill avoidance in both Hong Kong and the UK. The second strongest predictor was perceived goal impediment. The perceived manner of the distributor did not predict handbill avoidance in Hong Kong, but it did predict handbill avoidance in the UK.

Research limitations/implications

– The study's methodology has a number of limitations. First, the measure of the distributor's perceived manner may not have directly tapped the distributor dimensions of importance to handbill avoidance. Second, no account was taken of non-response bias. The model also did not recognize that there may be other variables capable of explaining handbill avoidance.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that effort is needed to raise the perceived value of handbills so that their perceived value neutralizes any perceptions of goal impediment. In addition, handbill designers need to find creative ways to stand out from the clutter. In the UK, deportment should be considered when distributors are recruited and trained.

Originality/value

– Handbills are frequently used as a promotional tool. In two contrasting countries, this study found that perceived handbill clutter, perceived goal impediment, and perceived manner of the distributer influence handbill avoidance. The research has extended theoretical knowledge related to advertising avoidance and generated insights that are likely to be of practical value to marketers.
Deconstructing the value proposition of an innovation exemplar
Authors: Payne Adrian , Frow Pennie
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Research into the identification and development of value propositions has recently been identified as a key research priority by the Marketing Science Institute. The purpose of this article is to identify and develop a process for value proposition deconstruction that can help organizations transform their value propositions in order to gain an improvement in their competitive position.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study of an exemplar organization in the health care sector is used to develop an approach for value proposition deconstruction. Using the business system concept as a theoretical framework, the key value-adding elements that comprise this organization's value proposition are identified. A leading financial services firm is used to demonstrate how this learning approach can be successfully applied in developing a new and innovative value proposition.

Findings

– Using the business system framework, a structured process for deconstructing value propositions is developed. This framework is extended to explicitly acknowledge the value-in-use that results from different encounters, to incorporate learning processes and to recognize its interactive and recursive nature.

Practical implications

– The authors provide practitioners with insight into how to formulate new or improved value propositions.

Originality/value

– This work addresses two important and previously unaddressed research questions: how can the process of deconstruction of an exemplar organization's value proposition provide a more comprehensive understanding of the elements that comprise a superior value offering; and how can this process be applied to other organizations seeking to improve their value proposition?
To what extent do articles published in other than “top journals” have impact on marketing?
Authors: Haddad Kamal , Singh Gangaram , Sciglimpaglia Don , Chan Hung
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the relevance and limitations of using a top journal approach as a proxy for an article's value or contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors determined the citations for all articles published in 2001 and 2003 in 26 key marketing journals included in the Social Science Citation Index and 50 journals included in Google Scholar to rate the impact of a specific article. They also assessed these articles to examine the source of citations, as a way of measuring impact.

Findings

– This study indicates that articles published in the journals most often considered the top three or four in marketing are cited by others significantly more often than the ones published in the other journals. However, the authors found substantial misclassification errors from using publications in these “top” journals to infer a top article status across three different criteria for defining a top article.

Originality/value

– These findings strongly support the need to evaluate each article on its own merits, rather than abdicating this responsibility by using journal ranking as a proxy for an article's value or contribution.
The supply chain management of shopper marketing as viewed through a service ecosystem lens
Authors: Flint Daniel John , Lusch Robert F. , Vargo Stephen  L.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine shopper marketing through service-dominant logic and service ecosystem lenses. In doing so, the authors reveal challenges and opportunities for supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The work is conceptual, drawing on contemporary service-dominant logic thinking.

Findings

– Examination of shopper marketing reveals that it is currently stuck in goods-dominant logic and micro-level ways of thinking. By taking a macro service ecosystem view, all actors, including shoppers, are seen as resource integrators seeking resource density. The macro view highlights a significant amount of goods and information flow and variance now being added throughout shopper marketing systems.

Research limitations/implications

– A guiding framework with appropriate terms defined offers new research directions and new ways practitioners can approach challenges in the industry. Research programs are suggested in the areas of facilitating resource density, examining the extent of ecosystems, measurement, mapping of resources, and creating shopper marketing innovations.

Practical implications

– This study provides an alternative way of looking at problems that arise in supply chain management planning and execution of shopper marketing initiatives.

Originality/value

– Few scholastic articles address shopper marketing even within marketing and essentially none do so in supply chain management despite it having significantly disrupted supply chains since 2004. This article offers an overview of shopper marketing and helps supply chain managers identify quickly how they can add value and supply chain management researchers begin to address the challenges.
From research, through policy and politics to practice: learning from experience
Authors: Davies Emma , Rowe Elizabeth
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is on what the authors learnt from negotiating the difficult terrain linking, or separating, research from policy advice and the political process.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper outlines two case studies from New Zealand to examine what confounds and what bridges gaps between research, policy, politics and practice. The case studies were predicated on the belief that interagency and cross-sectoral actions were necessary to align actions and achieve good outcomes in social policy.

Findings

– Interagency processes are not the Holy Grail. More attention needs to be paid to the impact of the context in which researchers, public servants and politicians operate and of the research and policy-making processes within their organisations. Politics within and between organisations and politics on the national stage must also be understood if the gap between research, policy and practice is to be narrowed and successfully navigated.

Originality/value

– These are original case studies. Researchers often bemoan the failure of their findings to influence policy and practice; policy makers complain that researchers are unaware of “real world” timeframes and policy concerns, and politicians grow impatient with advice that takes little heed of political imperatives. Therefore, these case studies will be of particular interest to students and practitioners of social policy and researchers who wish to see their findings influence policy.
Learning computer ethics and social responsibility with tabletop role-playing games
Authors: Zdravkova Katerina
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Tabletop online role-playing games enable active learning appropriate for different ages and learner capabilities. They have also been implemented in computer and engineering ethics courses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents the experience of implementing role-playing in several courses embedded in Web 2.0 environment, with an intention to confront complex and sometimes mutually conflicting concepts, and integrate them into a whole.

Findings

– Typical examples introducing two basic scenarios representing individual and collaborative learning scripts are presented together with the detailed analysis how the games were performed, the effort to participate in, and to maintain them. Particular attention is paid to student feedback.

Originality/value

– The paper concludes with the basic findings of the effects of role-playing in current learning computer ethics and social responsibilities courses, and recommendations for future implementation of similar asynchronous learning online activities in order to increase their academic value and prepare students for their forthcoming professional integration.
What and whose values in design?
Authors: Gerdes Anne
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to represent a response to the invited paper by Ellen Christiansen: “From ethics of the eye to ethics of the hand in participatory design and development of digital technologies”.

Design/methodology/approach

– The response takes departure in Christiansen's view points regarding dialogue-oriented collaborative prototyping as a mean to address values in design.

Findings

– The response points to the limitations of Christiansen's approach in claiming that dialogue cannot by itself ensure integration of ethics into the practice of design.

Originality/value

– The response addresses methodological issues related to ethical design and stresses the importance of a pro-active design approach in order to implement values in design.
Reliability analysis of underground mining equipment using genetic algorithms
Authors: Vayenas Nick , Peng Sihong
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– While increased mechanization and automation make considerable contributions to mine productivity, unexpected equipment failures and imperfect planned or routine maintenance prohibit the maximum possible utilization of sophisticated mining equipment and require significant amount of extra capital investment. Traditional preventive/planned maintenance is usually scheduled at a fixed interval based on maintenance personnel's experience and it can result in decreasing reliability. This paper deals with reliability analysis and prediction for mining machinery. A software tool called GenRel is discussed with its theoretical background, applied algorithms and its current improvements. In GenRel, it is assumed that failures of mining equipment caused by an array of factors (e.g. age of equipment, operating environment) follow the biological evolution theory. GenRel then simulates the failure occurrences during a time period of interest based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs) combined with a number of statistical procedures. The paper also discusses a case study of two mine hoists. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether or not GenRel can be applied for reliability analysis of mine hoists in real life.

Design/methodology/approach

– Statistical testing methods are applied to examine the similarity between the predicted data set with the real-life data set in the same time period. The data employed in this case study is compiled from two mine hoists from the Sudbury area in Ontario, Canada. Potential applications of the reliability assessment results yielded from GenRel include reliability-centered maintenance planning and production simulation.

Findings

– The case studies shown in this paper demonstrate successful applications of a GAs-based software, GenRel, to analyze and predict dynamic reliability characteristics of two hoist systems. Two separate case studies in Mine A and Mine B at a time interval of three months both present acceptable prediction results at a given level of confidence, 5 percent.

Practical implications

– Potential applications of the reliability assessment results yielded from GenRel include reliability-centered maintenance planning and production simulation.

Originality/value

– Compared to conventional mathematical models, GAs offer several key advantages. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has not been a wide application of GAs in hoist reliability assessment and prediction. In addition, the authors bring discrete distribution functions to the software tool (GenRel) for the first time and significantly improve computing efficiency. The results of the case studies demonstrate successful application of GenRel in assessing and predicting hoist reliability, and this may lead to better preventative maintenance management in the industry.
Exploring the intention to use mobile learning: the moderating role of personal innovativeness
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ming
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The main purpose of this study was to combine the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to examine how learners' beliefs affected their usage intention of mobile learning (m-learning) and explore whether the relationships between learners' beliefs and their usage intention of m-learning changed under different levels of personal innovativeness regarding the new information technology (IT).

Design/methodology/approach

– Sample data for this study were collected from Taiwanese mobile phone users, a total of 750 questionnaires were distributed, and 486 usable questionnaires were analyzed in this study, with a usable response rate of 64.80 per cent. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, multiple group analysis, and hierarchical moderated regression analysis.

Findings

– Perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived enjoyment (PE), and compatibility can play essential roles in affecting learners' intention to use m-learning. Personal innovativeness can moderate the effects of PU, PEOU, and compatibility on intention to use m-learning except the effect of PE on intention to use m-learning.

Originality/value

– Based on the views of the extended TAM with the IDT, this study incorporates intrinsic motivator (i.e. PE) along with conventional extrinsic motivators (i.e. PU and PEOU) into its analysis of m-learning acceptance for a more robust analysis and exhibits explicit results indicating that the effects of learners' beliefs on their usage intention of m-learning depend largely on their innovative predisposition regarding the new IT.
Ambient noise from off-grid diesel engines electric power generators in an urban environment
Authors: Ademola Sonibare Jacob , Adetayo Adeniran Jamiu , Sunday Fakinle Bamidele , O. Latinwo Ismaila , Adekilekun Jimoda Lukuman , Abel Olu-Arotiowa Olusesan
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the noise from the diesel engine power generators used for production activities in an urban environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study has used the Enterprise Edition of NoiseMap 2000 Version 2.7.1 to investigate the impacts of the noise from the diesel engines electric power generators used in a factory in Ikorodu, an urban environment in Lagos, Nigeria. Five sections of the factory with diesel engines electric power generators were considered. The immediate and distant environments covering about 10 km of the factory host environment were considered as receptors to the noise for this study.

Findings

– It was found out that when all the generators operate simultaneously in the factory, the ambient noise was 30.0-152.5 dB(A) with the minimum contribution within the factory being 70.0-84.4 dB(A) and the maximum contribution of 57.2-70.8 dB(A) outside the factory fence line. Though the maximum noise is 152.5 dB(A), the maximum noise of 70.8 dB(A) beyond the fence line shows a compliance with 70 dB(A) industrial and commercial area limit but breaches the 45 dB(A) and 55 dB(A) residential area limit of the World Bank.

Research limitations/implications

– As much as it would be desirable ambient noise level could not be measured in all the receptors’ locations covered by the modeling. However, the capability of the modeling software adopted makes this to have no negative impact on the quality of the findings of this study.

Practical implications

– The study will assist the public to determine the noise level safe region around diesel engine electric power generators.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights the challenges in which ambient noise from the use of off-grid generators used for industrial purposes could pose to the neighboring receptor environments.
Effect of ashing method on some micronutrients in black sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)
Authors: Qadeer Aneela , Anwer Humera , Mahmood Talat , Abbas Bhutto Muhammad
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– Nutritional and medicinal properties of black sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) make it very valuable in traditional system of food. Minerals in Sesamum indicum play an important role to enhance its nutritional value. The present research comprises on proximate and chemical analysis of Sesamum indicum. This study is also based on the development of ashing methods for extraction of metals in black sesame seeds. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Black sesame seeds were taken from local market at Karachi-Pakistan. Proximate analysis of seeds comprises of moisture content, ash content and total metal content by EDTA titration. Digestion of this herb was done in different medium, i.e. HNO3, HCl, H2SO4 and simple ash (ash was prepared without using any acid). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for the analysis of metals, i.e. Fe, Zn, Cu and Mg in all these ashes.

Findings

– From the results it is concluded that best medium for ashing is H2SO4, by which maximum ash (5.39±0.0021 per cent) produced. Qualitative analysis (based on Ksp values) also confirmed the presence of maximum number of metals in H2SO4 medium. Complexometric titration also revealed that maximum metal content was found to be in HCl and H2SO4 ash. Results from atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed that H2SO4 is the best method for copper (0.399±0.0001 mg/g) and iron (0.3993±0.0015 mg/g), while simple ash can extract zinc and magnesium at their maximum level.

Originality/value

– This research demonstrates the best ashing method for the extraction of micronutrients, present in Sesamum indicum. These micronutrients are very beneficial for human health.
Nutritional quality evaluation of Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) protein isolate
Authors: Renzo Cortez-Vega William , Rodrigues Freitas Irene , Pizato Sandriane , Prentice Carlos
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proximate composition, essential amino acid composition,in vitrodigestibility, apparent bioavailability, chemical score of amino acids and SDS-PAGE were determined for the isolated croaker proteins.

Findings

– The isolated protein showed a high level of protein 92.21 percent and low amount of lipids 0.57 percent. The protein is rich in lysine and leucine, 108.73 and 96.75 mg/g protein, respectively. The protein isolate had high digestibility, 94.32 percent, which indicates proper utilization of this protein source, while the tryptophan had lower bioavailability (12.58 mg amino acid/mg protein). The high chemical scores were found for the amino acids lysine, methionine+cysteine (6.79 and 5.14). SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted showed appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa), actin (50 kDa) and other fractions, with molecular weight between 20 and 50 kDa, such as troponin I, C and T.

Originality/value

– The products obtained from croaker muscle can be incorporated as a high value supplements in human diets. The isolated protein exhibited a high content of essential amino acids and digestibility, indicating that the protein has a high nutritional quality.
Early intervention and dementia care: innovation and impact
Authors: Seabrooke Viniti , Milne Alisoun
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact and effectiveness of two early intervention services in NW Kent.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered via evaluation questionnaires for both projects; these included quantitative post-intervention data and qualitative comments. Data on referrals to secondary care and a specialist third sector organisation were also collected for the primary care project.

Findings

– Findings from the primary care project indicate that targeting a specific age cohort of patients can be effective in terms of: early identification of dementia-related concerns, the provision of support, appropriate referrals to secondary care, and increased referrals to a third sector dementia service. At the end of the project most practitioners felt they were better informed about dementia, more committed to facilitating early diagnosis, and had gained confidence in using a screening tool (the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition Test). Evidence from evaluating the Carers Group suggests that attendance helped members manage emotional difficulties, increased understanding of dementia, and enhanced coping skills. They also felt less isolated and knew how to access support services.

Practical implications

– The projects offer two models of intervention: how a proactive third sector agency can work with primary care professionals to enhance commitment to dementia case finding and the provision of group support to relatives of those in receipt of a recent dementia diagnosis.

Originality/value

– The study provides insights into early intervention in dementia care how to evaluate impact of effectiveness.
The Pseudomonas viridiflava phylogroups in the P. syringae species complex are characterized by genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of pathogenicity‐related traits
Authors: Bartoli Claudia , Berge Odile , Monteil Caroline L. , Guilbaud Caroline , Balestra Giorgio M. , Varvaro Leonardo , Jones Corbin , Dangl Jeffery L. , Baltrus David A. , Sands David C. , Morris Cindy E.
Published: February 2014

As a species complex, Pseudomonas syringae exists in both agriculture and natural aquatic habitats. P. viridiflava, a member of this complex, has been reported to be phenotypically largely homogenous. We characterized strains from different habitats, selected based on their genetic similarity to previously described P. viridiflava strains. We revealed two distinct phylogroups and two different kinds of variability in phenotypic traits and genomic content. The strains exhibited phase variation in phenotypes including pathogenicity and soft rot on potato. We showed that the presence of two configurations of the Type III Secretion System [single (S‐PAI) and tripartite (T‐PAI) pathogenicity islands] are not correlated with pathogenicity or with the capacity to induce soft rot in contrast to previous reports. The presence/absence of the avrE effector gene was the only trait we found to be correlated with pathogenicity of P. viridiflava. Other Type III secretion effector genes were not correlated with pathogenicity. A genomic region resembling an exchangeable effector locus (EEL) was found in S‐PAI strains, and a probable recombination between the two PAIs is described. The ensemble of the variability observed in these phylogroups of P. syringae likely contributes to their adaptability to alternating opportunities for pathogenicity or saprophytic survival.
Mechanical Strategies to Increase Nutritional and Sensory Quality of Virgin Olive Oil by Modulating the Endogenous Enzyme Activities
Authors: Clodoveo Maria Lisa , Hbaieb Rim Hachicha , Kotti Faten , Mugnozza Giacomo Scarascia , Gargouri Mohamed
Published: February 2014

This monograph is a critical review of the biological activities that occur during virgin olive oil (VOO) extraction process. Strategic choices of plant engineering systems and of processing technologies should be made to condition the enzymatic activities, in order to modulate the nutritional and the sensory quality of the product toward the consumer expectations. “Modulation” of the product quality properties has the main aim to predetermine the quantity and the quality of 2 classes of substances: polyphenols and volatile compounds responsible of VOO nutritional and sensory characteristics. In the 1st section, a systematic analysis of the literature has been carried out to investigate the main olive enzymatic activities involved in the complex biotransformation that occurs during the mechanical extraction process. In the 2nd section, a critical and interpretative discussion of the influence of each step of the extraction process on the polyphenols and the volatile compounds has been performed. The effect of the different mechanical devices that are part of the extraction process is analyzed and recommendations, strategies, and possible avenues for future researches are suggested.