bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite element model predictions of intracranial hemorrhage from non‐impact, rapid head rotations in the piglet
Authors: Coats Brittany , Eucker Stephanie A. , Sullivan Sarah , Margulies Susan S.
Published: January 2012

Clinicians are charged with the significant task of distinguishing between accidental and inflicted head trauma. Oftentimes this distinction is straightforward, but many times probabilities of injuries from accidental scenarios are unknown making the differential diagnosis difficult. For example, it is unknown whether intracranial hemorrhage (IH) can occur at a location other than a focal contact site following a low height fall. To create a foundation for predicting regional IH in infants, we sought to identify the biomechanical response and injury threshold best able to predict IH in 3–5 day old piglets. First, finite element (FE) model simulations of in situ animal studies were performed to ascertain the optimal representation of the pia‐arachnoid complex, cerebrospinal fluid and cortical vasculature (PCC) for predicting brain strain and brain/skull displacement. Second, rapid head rotations resulting in various degrees of IH were simulated (n = 24) to determine the biomechanical predictor and injury threshold most closely correlated with IH. FE models representing the PCC with either spring connectors or solid elements between the brain and skull resulted in peak brain strain and brain/skull displacement similar to measured values in situ. However, when predicting IH, the spring connector representation of the PCC had the best predictive capability for IH with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 85% when ≥1% of all spring connectors had at least a peak strain of 0.31 mm/mm. These findings and reported methodology will be used in the development of a human infant FE model to simulate real‐world falls and identify injury thresholds for predicting IH in infants.
Behavioural adaptation to different salinities in the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Crustacea: Amphipoda): Mediterranean vs Baltic populations
Authors: Fanini Lucia , Marchetti Giovanni M. , Baczewska Anna , Sztybor Kamila , Scapini Felicita
Published: January 2012

The sandhopper Talitrus saltator is common on sandy beaches at different latitudes. Therefore, behavioural variations allowing them to cope with a wide range of environmental variation are expected. To test the hypothesis that behavioural adaptations to natural environments are characterised by different salinities, we compared two behaviours (substrate choice and escape from immersion) of two T. saltator populations from a Mediterranean (high salinity) and a Baltic Sea (low salinity) sandy beach. T. saltator preferred to burrow in the high salinity substrate, irrespective of its beach of origin. Regarding orientation to escape from immersion, Baltic sandhoppers always oriented landwards, whereas Mediterranean sandhoppers showed a significant orientation landwards only when immersed in high salinity sea water. These behavioural traits matched the different environments, and this adaptation capability can be used as a model to analyse the response of a keystone species to environmental changes.
Formation of buckminsterfullerene (C
60
) in interstellar space
Authors: Berné Olivier , Tielens A. G. G. M.
Published: December 2011

Buckminsterfullerene (C
60
) was recently confirmed as the largest molecule identified in space. However, it remains unclear how and where this molecule is formed. It is generally believed that C
60
is formed from the buildup of small carbonaceous compounds in the hot and dense envelopes of evolved stars. Analyzing infrared observations, obtained by Spitzer and Herschel, we found that C
60
is efficiently formed in the tenuous and cold environment of an interstellar cloud illuminated by strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation fields. This implies that another formation pathway, efficient at low densities, must exist. Based on recent laboratory and theoretical studies, we argue that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are converted into graphene, and subsequently C
60
, under UV irradiation from massive stars. This shows that alternative—top-down—routes are key to understanding the organic inventory in space.
Reexamination of magnetic isotope and field effects on adenosine triphosphate production by creatine kinase
Authors: Crotty Darragh , Silkstone Gary , Poddar Soumya , Ranson Richard , Prina-Mello Adriele , Wilson Michael T. , Coey J. M. D.
Published: December 2011

The influence of isotopically enriched magnesium on the creatine kinase catalyzed phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate is examined in two independent series of experiments where adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations were determined by a luciferase-linked luminescence end-point assay or a real-time spectrophotometric assay. No increase was observed between the rates of ATP production with natural Mg,
24
Mg, and
25
Mg, nor was any significant magnetic field effect observed in magnetic fields from 3 to 1,000 mT. Our results are in conflict with those reported by Buchachenko et al. [J Am Chem Soc 130:12868–12869 (2008)], and they challenge these authors’ general claims that a large (two- to threefold) magnetic isotope effect is “universally observable” for ATP-producing enzymes [Her Russ Acad Sci 80:22–28 (2010)] and that “enzymatic phosphorylation is an ion-radical, electron-spin-selective process” [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:10793–10796 (2005)].
Optimal structural inference of signaling pathways from unordered and overlapping gene sets
Authors: Acharya Lipi R. , Judeh Thair , Wang Guangdi , Zhu Dongxiao
Published: December 2011

Motivation: A plethora of bioinformatics analysis has led to the discovery of numerous gene sets, which can be interpreted as discrete measurements emitted from latent signaling pathways. Their potential to infer signaling pathway structures, however, has not been sufficiently exploited. Existing methods accommodating discrete data do not explicitly consider signal cascading mechanisms that characterize a signaling pathway. Novel computational methods are thus needed to fully utilize gene sets and broaden the scope from focusing only on pairwise interactions to the more general cascading events in the inference of signaling pathway structures.

Results: We propose a gene set based simulated annealing (SA) algorithm for the reconstruction of signaling pathway structures. A signaling pathway structure is a directed graph containing up to a few hundred nodes and many overlapping signal cascades, where each cascade represents a chain of molecular interactions from the cell surface to the nucleus. Gene sets in our context refer to discrete sets of genes participating in signal cascades, the basic building blocks of a signaling pathway, with no prior information about gene orderings in the cascades. From a compendium of gene sets related to a pathway, SA aims to search for signal cascades that characterize the optimal signaling pathway structure. In the search process, the extent of overlap among signal cascades is used to measure the optimality of a structure. Throughout, we treat gene sets as random samples from a first-order Markov chain model. We evaluated the performance of SA in three case studies. In the first study conducted on 83 KEGG pathways, SA demonstrated a significantly better performance than Bayesian network methods. Since both SA and Bayesian network methods accommodate discrete data, use a ‘search and score’ network learning strategy and output a directed network, they can be compared in terms of performance and computational time. In the second study, we compared SA and Bayesian network methods using four benchmark datasets from DREAM. In our final study, we showcased two context-specific signaling pathways activated in breast cancer.

Availibility: Source codes are available from http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16000775/sa_sc.zip

Contact:  dzhu@wayne.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Artemis: an integrated platform for visualization and analysis of high-throughput sequence-based experimental data
Authors: Carver Tim , Harris Simon R. , Berriman Matthew , Parkhill Julian , McQuillan Jacqueline A.
Published: December 2011

Motivation: High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have made low-cost sequencing of large numbers of samples commonplace. An explosion in the type, not just number, of sequencing experiments has also taken place including genome re-sequencing, population-scale variation detection, whole transcriptome sequencing and genome-wide analysis of protein-bound nucleic acids.

Results: We present Artemis as a tool for integrated visualization and computational analysis of different types of HTS datasets in the context of a reference genome and its corresponding annotation.

Availability: Artemis is freely available (under a GPL licence) for download (for MacOSX, UNIX and Windows) at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute websites: http://www.sanger.ac.uk/resources/software/artemis/.

Contact:  artemis@sanger.ac.uk; tjc@sanger.ac.uk
Terrimonas rubra sp. nov., isolated from a polluted farmland soil and emended description of the genus

Terrimonas
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gu Tao , Zhou Yu , He Jie , Zheng Liu-Qiang , Li Wen-Jun , Huang Xing , Li Shun-Peng
Published: December 2011

A salmon-red-pigmented bacterial strain, designated M-8T, was isolated from a polluted farmland soil sample in China and was characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain M-8T was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at 20–37 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0 and with 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M-8T belonged to the genus

Terrimonas

.16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain M-8T and the type strains of the three recognized species of the genus

Terrimonas

,

Terrimonas ferruginea

KACC 11310T,

Terrimonas aquatica

LMG 24825T and

Terrimonas lutea

KACC 13047T, were 97.1, 96.3 and 95.3 %, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain M-8T was 47.0 mol%. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic data, strain M-8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Terrimonas

, for which the name Terrimonas rubra sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-8T ( = CCTCC AB 2010401T = KCTC 23299T). An emended description of the genus

Terrimonas

is also presented.
Neptunomonas concharum sp. nov., isolated from a dead ark clam, and emended description of the genus

Neptunomonas
Authors: Lee Hae-Won , Shin Na-Ri , Lee Jina , Roh Seong Woon , Whon Tae Woong , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: December 2011

A novel Gram-staining-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain LHW37T, was isolated from a dead ark clam collected on the south coast of Korea. The novel strain grew optimally at 37 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel strain was most closely related to

Neptunomonas japonica

JAMM 0745T (97.1 % sequence similarity). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LHW37T was 48.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values recorded in hybridization experiments between the novel strain and its closest known relative were ≤18 %. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain LHW37T represents a novel species belonging to the genus

Neptunomonas

for which the name Neptunomonas concharum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LHW37T ( = KACC 15543T  = JCM 17730T). An emended description of the genus

Neptunomonas

is also provided.
Parabacteroides chartae sp. nov., an obligately anaerobic species from wastewater of a paper mill
Authors: Tan Hai-Qin , Li Tian-Tian , Zhu Chu , Zhang Xin-Qi , Wu Min , Zhu Xu-Fen
Published: December 2011

A bacterial strain, designated NS31-3T, was isolated from the wastewater of a paper mill. Cells of the isolate were obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-motile, Gram-negative, short rods (0.7–1.0×1.4–2.5 µm). The isolate was able to grow on media containing 20 % bile salts. API 20A tests showed that acid was produced from glucose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, d-xylose, l-arabinose, cellobiose, d-mannose, d-melezitose, d-raffinose, d-trehalose, d-mannitol, salicin and d-sorbitol. The main fermentation products from PYG broth were lactic acid, propionic acid, formic acid and acetic acid. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and the predominant respiratory quinones were MK-9 and MK-10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS31-3T was related to members of genus

Parabacteroides

(91.2–93.2 % sequence similarity); the isolate had the closest affinity with

Parabacteroides merdae

JCM 9497T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.2 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain NS31-3T represents a novel species of the genus

Parabacteroides

, for which the name Parabacteroides chartae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS31-3T ( = JCM 17797T  = DSM 24967T).
Jannaschia aquimarina sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Park Sooyeon , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: December 2011

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile rod, designated GSW-M26T, was isolated from seawater from the southern coast of Korea. Strain GSW-M26T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GSW-M26T fell within the cluster comprising the genus

Jannaschia

and clustered with

Jannaschia seosinensis

CL-SP26T. The isolate exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.9 %) with

J. seosinensis

CL-SP26T and 93.7–95.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the other members of the genus

Jannaschia

. Strain GSW-M26T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was 66.4 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain GSW-M26T could be differentiated from recognized members of the genus

Jannaschia

. On the basis of the data presented, strain GSW-M26T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Jannaschia

, for which the name Jannaschia aquimarina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GSW-M26T ( = KCTC 23555T  = CCUG 60899T).
Influence of Cl‐ions on the pitting corrosion of boiler water‐wall tube and its principle
Authors: Xiong Shuhua , Zhu Zhiping , Jing Lingling
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of Cl‐ions on the pitting corrosion of water‐wall tube of a boiler and the principle behind it.

Design/methodology/approach

The specimens were immersed for seven hours at 300°C in deaerated water subjected to simulation‐modified equilibrium phosphate treatment, containing Cl‐ions at various concentrations. The effects of Cl‐ions on pitting corrosion were assessed by the rate mass loss, transmission reflection metallurgical microscopy, SEM, EDS, and XRD.

Findings

The results indicated that Cl‐ions cause the breakdown of passive films. The corrosion mechanism of Cl‐is proposed to involve an intermediate dissolution stage. The Cl‐ions act as a catalyst of corrosion, by inducing the hydrolysis of Fe2+. The critical susceptive Cl‐concentrations are 0.2 and 0.6 mg·L‐1 for the passivated specimens and for the unpassivated specimens, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper provides information regarding the relationship between Cl‐concentrations and pitting corrosion, useful for understanding the mechanism of Cl‐induced pitting corrosion, and the research results can provide theoretical guidelines for preventing water‐wall of power plants from corroding.
Lean Six Sigma in a service context
Authors: Psychogios Alexandros G. , Atanasovski Jane , Tsironis Loukas K.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate issues related to the application of Lean Six Sigma (L6σ) in a service industry. By adopting a case‐study approach this paper analytically explores the critical success factors that affect L6σ implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach attempting to explore the nature of L6σ application in a service context. In particular, two case studies from the telecommunications industry have been selected. Secondary data were collected through an analysis of companies' documents, written procedures and quality assurance policies. Moreover, primary data were collected through a number of interviews with managers and quality experts.

Findings

There are particular factors that influence the implementation of L6σ in organizations, that can be distinguished in facilitators like Top Management Involvement & Support, Quality‐driven Organizational Culture, Quality‐driven Training, Top Down & Bottom Up Project Selection, Customer Satisfaction, Prior implementation of other quality improvement programs and Supportive Performance Management & IT Systems, and inhibitors such as Lack of Awareness for L6σ, Lack of Awareness for the Need of Continuous Quality Improvement Programs & L6σ, Lack of Strategic Orientation, Working Mentality & Habits.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the study is the fact that in both cases only managers and top administrators were approached. Frontline employees who are directly involved in L6σ approach may offer a clearer view on issues related to the impact of critical factors on L6σ application.

Originality/value

This study has four major advantages. First, it expands our understanding regarding the implementation of L6σ in a service industry, in which the application of management models is more complex and problematic. Second, it focuses on the responses of managers, who always play the most significant role in the adoption of such techniques. Third, it explores the quality management initiatives in the telecommunications industry. Finally, it provides future studies with a L6σ multi‐factor application approach that can be further tested and developed.
A censored quantile regression analysis of employee stock options substitution for debt and the impact of SFAS 123R
Authors: Di Hui , Hanke Steven A. , Chiang Wei‐Chih
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether the substitution of employee stock options (ESOs) for debt occurs for firms with different tax status classifications throughout the conditional distribution of interest expense before and after the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123R (SFAS 123R).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Censored Quantile Regression (CQR) to assess whether the substitution effect is dependent on firms' position in the conditional distribution of interest expense. Our sample firms are categorized into two groups: one group (tax‐sensitive) that is sensitive to additional deductions due to a moderate income level and the other group (tax‐insatiable) that is not sensitive because of very high income level.

Findings

The substitution effect is not present for firms with below medium level of interest expense. Only tax‐sensitive firms substitute at medium levels of interest expense while both tax‐sensitive and tax‐insatiable firms substitute at high levels of interest expense. Tax‐insatiable firms with very high levels of interest expense also substitute; however, tax‐sensitive firms with very high levels of interest expense only substitute after SFAS 123R required firms to report ESO expense in financial statements. We attribute the substitution patterns revealed by the CQR analysis to a positive relationship between interest expense and cost of debt.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to analyze firms' tax status classification impact on the substitution of ESO expense for interest expense across different levels of interest expense. Our application of CQR should benefit researchers who are interested in examining explanatory variables' impact at various points in the conditional distribution of the dependent variable. This study also refines the conjecture that ESOs are substitutes for debt by demonstrating that such relationship is dependent on the level of interest expense and tax status. Furthermore, the finding of firms substituting ESOs for debt provides accounting standard setters a reason to begin requiring firms to re‐measure the value of ESOs after the grant date until the exercise date.
Lessons learned: can a resource in common work?
Authors: vanDuinkerken Wyoma
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to report on the challenges and lessons learnt by the Texas A&M University Libraries' processing team when trying to implement a “resource in common” high‐density storage unit model between Texas A&M University Library and The University of Texas‐Austin Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study draws on the experience of the Texas A&M University Libraries' processing team when the university funded the creation of a jointly owned remote storage unit, which foundation would rest on a “resource in common” model. The creation of a new library building allowed Texas A&M University Libraries to free up stack space in order to create new learning spaces to meet the needs of the library users. However, as the processing began, initial theories of what a “resource in common” was, how to implement a “resource in common” and resources needed to implement the “resource in common” model began to be questioned. This study examines the lessons learnt when trying to implement a “resource in common” model.

Findings

Based on the experiences of the Texas A&M University Libraries' processing team, increased communication and early participation in the decision‐making stages is key when trying to implement a “resource in common” model. This processing team was responsible for updating the MARC records for all the items that were identified to go to the joint storage unit. They recognized that any collaborative venture of this magnitude required an excellent workflow and workload understanding by all parties, including those members of the TAMU Library initial project planning team who were active members on the initial library storage facility oversight committees. This understanding would allow everyone at TAMU involved in the massive project to have a clearer knowledge of the strains caused by the increased workload and could communicate to the full team the obstacles the library would be facing.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the idea of “resource in common” and will be of interest to all libraries facing both space and funding shortages who might be considering building a storage unit. These libraries might consider implementing a “resource in common” model as a way to solve these problems.
Where's the bio? Databases, Wikipedia, and the web
Authors: Soules Aline
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to compare biographical content for literary authors writing in English among Biography Reference Bank, Contemporary Authors Online, Wikipedia, and the web.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 500 names was gathered from curricula and textbooks used in English courses and searched in the Contemporary Authors Online portion of Literature Resource Center, Biography Reference Bank, Wikipedia, and the web; the results and content were compared.

Findings

Each source has core content plus its own unique offerings and specific challenges, as evidenced in searching, evaluative techniques such as authority and currency, and content.

Research limitations/implications

This study can only offer a small part of the picture of what information resides where and a single snapshot in time.

Practical implications

This study will help librarians decide whether to subscribe to a biographical database. It also reinforces the need for evidence‐based practice in librarianship.

Originality/value

While the study is only a small part of the picture, it still makes use of a significant sample size to validate/refute assumptions about the availability of biographical information and the sources studied.
Effect of sinusoidal variations of boundary conditions on unsteady double diffusive convection in a square enclosure filled with a porous medium
Authors: Mansour Mohamed A. , Abd‐Elaziz Mohamed M. , Abdalla Ramadan , Elsayed Sameh
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with unsteady double diffusive natural convection in a square enclosure filled with a porous medium with various boundary condition effects in the presence of heat source or sink.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite difference method was employed to solve the dimensionless governing equations of the problem. The effects of governing parameters, namely, amplitude wave length ratio, dimensionless time parameter, Darcy number, buoyancy parameter and heat generation/absorption parameter on the streamlines, temperature and concentration contours, as well as Nusselt number and Sherwood number, were considered.

Findings

The sinusoidal variations of the temperature and concentration remove the singularities which appear in the case of fixed temperature and concentration.

Originality/value

The paper's results are validated by favorable comparisons with previously published results. The results of the problem are presented in graphical and tabular forms and discussed.
Exploring links between publishing performance in different levels of marketing journals
Authors: Polonsky Michael , Carlson Les
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine relationships in publishing performance by utilizing data from three sets of journals – A*, A, and B ranked – as defined by the Australian Government's Excellence in Research rankings in Australia. Comparisons in publishing performance across these three types of journals are examined for academics around the globe, as well as for those in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves a content analysis of the authors' details from those who published in eight journals between 1998 and 2007. Correlation analysis is then used to identify pair‐wise relationships in publishing across the three sets of journals, which is also supported by regression analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that there is a positive publishing performance relationship for A and B journals when compared on a global basis as well as within Asia‐Pacific. There is also a positive relationship between publishing in the A* and A journals, but only for the global sample and not for academics within Asia‐Pacific. Globally, a regression analysis identified that A* are positively impacted by A publications, but negatively affected by B journals, with a positive interaction for A and B publications. The interaction suggests that for universities with low levels of A's, there is a significant difference in regard to B publications' impact on A*. The regression focusing on universities within the Asia‐Pacific was insignificant in terms of how A and B publications impact on A* output.

Originality/value

The research is valuable in understanding that there are some synergies in publishing between research areas, although they are less extensive within the Asia‐Pacific. It is also valuable in light of the upcoming Excellence in Research for Australia exercise in Australia, which focuses on comparing research performance between institutions.
Nell Nelson andThe Chicago Times“City slave girls” series
Authors: Liguori Eric W.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to illustrate the instrumental role of reporter Nell Nelson in beginning a national labor reform movement resulting in improved working conditions for women and children in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on archival newspaper clippings, original scrapbooks kept by prominent Chicago figures of the time, US census records, and other labor history resources, the paper synthesizes heretofore‐disparate sources to provide a more complete picture of the cause‐and‐effect nature of Nelson'sChicago Times“City slave girls” series.

Findings

The research concludes that Nelson was an instrumental force in the formation of over ten advocacy organizations that worked to transform the way women and children in the USA were treated in the workplace and was instrumental in securing legislative reforms.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to explore the role played by Nell Nelson in securing labor reforms, thus, contributing to a more complete understanding of management history.
The Hawthorne legacy
Authors: Muldoon Jeffrey
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyze the contribution that the Hawthorne studies made to the discipline of management. The recent scholarly trend has been to attack the Hawthorne studies on the grounds of methodology and originality. However, the only way to accurately view the Hawthorne studies is to recreate the intellectual environment in which the studies were conducted. Why did this version of human relations rather than Dennison's or Williams's emerge as the scholarly contribution?

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary sources were utilized in the research. The focus was from the time period of 1930 to 1958. More contemporary work was considered as well.

Findings

Contemporary scholars viewed Hawthorne as being more thorough and complete than previous work. They also viewed the study as a contribution in light of some methodological issues and political biases.

Practical implications

Performing temporal analysis allows the perceived strengths and weaknesses of scholarly works to become more apparent.

Originality/value

Previous accounts of the Hawthorne studies have mostly studied their impact on practitioners. This study examines the impact on scholars.
A case study
Authors: Kaushik Prabhakar , Khanduja Dinesh , Mittal Kapil , Jaglan Pawan
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Six Sigma within small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is rapidly emerging as the new wave of change in Six Sigma. The purpose of this paper is to review the implications of applying Six Sigma methodology over the SMEs, taking a specific case of a bicycle chain manufacturing unit. The study could be a paradigm initiative towards high quality products and services at low cost for every SME.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature, this paper proposes a process flow chart to present a one‐shot picture of the Six Sigma application in a bicycle chain manufacturing unit which falls in an SME environment. The methodology adopted is DMAIC methodology of Six Sigma, which had been mostly successful so far in large‐scale industries. The methodology has been applied to reduce the bush rejection rate (bush is an important component of a cycle chain) by reducing defects inherent in the processes. The statistical techniques such as two sample t‐test and process capability analysis have been used to establish the process capability before and after the Six Sigma application.

Findings

This paper is an attempt to justify the highly useful role of quality management techniques like Six Sigma for SMEs which are normally presumed to be in the domain of large industries. In this paper, Six Sigma methodology has been applied to a small unit manufacturing bicycles chains with dwindling productivity levels. After applying Six Sigma it was found that the chain manufacturing firm can increase its profit by controlling high rejection rate of cycle chain bush. Application of Six Sigma project recommendation brought up the process sigma level to 5.46 from 1.40 by reduction in bush diameter variation in the process of bicycle chain bush manufacturing. This increase in sigma level is equivalent to monetary saving of Rs 0.288 million per annum, which is a noteworthy figure for an industry of such level. The success of this study paves the way to further extend the Six Sigma application to more such industries working in the SME environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides documented evidence of Six Sigma implementation in a bicycle chain manufacturing unit which has been taken as representative of a small and medium‐size industry. The study will yield a great value to academics, consultants, researchers and practitioners of Six Sigma.
Reassessment of spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias age and growth using vertebrae and dorsal‐fin spines
Authors: Bubley W. J. , Kneebone J. , Sulikowski J. A. , Tsang P. C. W.
Published: December 2011

Male and female spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias were collected in the western North Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine between July 2006 and June 2009. Squalus acanthias ranged from 25 to 102 cm stretch total length and were caught during all months of the year except January. Age estimates derived from banding patterns visible in both the vertebrae and second dorsal‐fin spines were compared. Vertebral growth increments were visualized using a modified histological staining technique, which was verified as appropriate for obtaining age estimates. Marginal increment analysis of vertebrae verified the increment periodicity, suggesting annual band deposition. Based on increased precision and accuracy of age estimates, as well as more biologically realistic parameters generated in growth models, the current study found that vertebrae provided a more reliable and accurate means of estimating age in S. acanthias than the second dorsal‐fin spine. Age estimates obtained from vertebrae ranged from <1 year‐old to 17 years for male and 24 years for female S. acanthias. The two‐parameter von Bertalanffy growth model fit to vertebrae‐derived age estimates produced parameters of L∞ = 94·23 cm and k = 0·11 for males and L∞ = 100·76 cm and k = 0·12 for females. While these growth parameters differed from those previously reported for S. acanthias in the western North Atlantic Ocean, the causes of such differences were beyond the scope of the current study and remain to be determined.
Characterizing production‐induced anisotropy of fractured reservoirs having multiple fracture sets
Authors: Sayers Colin M. , den Boer Lennert D.
Published: December 2011

Since natural fractures in petroleum reservoirs play an important role in determining fluid flow during production, knowledge of the orientation and density of fractures is required to optimize production. This paper outlines the underlying theory and implementation of a fast and efficient algorithm for upscaling a Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) to predict the fluid flow, elastic and seismic properties of fractured rocks. Potential applications for this approach are numerous and include the prediction of fluid flow, elastic and seismic properties for fractured reservoirs, model‐based inversion of seismic Amplitude Versus Offset and Azimuth (AVOA) data and the optimal placement and orientation of infill wells to maximize production. Given that a single fracture network may comprise hundreds of thousands of individual fractures, the sheer size of typical DFNs has tended to limit their practical applications. This paper demonstrates that with efficient algorithms, the utility of Discrete Fracture Networks can be extended far beyond mere visualization.
Retracted: The spectrum of morphology in non‐neoplastic prostate including cancer mimics
Authors: Montironi Rodolfo , Scarpelli Marina , Mazzucchelli Roberta , Cheng Liang , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio
Published: December 2011

Montironi R, Scarpelli M, Mazzucchelli R, Cheng L & Lopez‐Beltran A  (2012) Histopathology 60, 41–58  The spectrum of morphology in non‐neoplastic prostate including cancer mimics

The spectrum of morphology in non‐neoplastic prostate includes lesions of prostatic epithelial origin, the most common being atrophy, including partial atrophy, adenosis (atypical adenomatous hyperplasia), basal cell hyperplasia and crowded benign glands, as well as those of non‐prostatic origin, such as seminal vesicle epithelium. These lesions often mimic lower‐grade prostatic adenocarcinoma whereas others, such as granulomatous prostatitis, for example, are in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, Gleason grades 4 or 5. Diagnostic awareness of the salient histomorphological and relevant immunohistochemical features of these prostatic pseudoneoplasms is critical to avoid rendering false positive diagnoses of malignancy.
Therapy‐associated effects in the prostate gland
Authors: Srigley John R , Delahunt Brett , Evans Andrew J
Published: December 2011

Srigley J R, Delahunt B & Evans A J  (2012)Histopathology 60,153–165

Therapy‐associated effects in the prostate gland

Diverse therapies are used to treat both benign prostatic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. Transurethral resection, a common surgical procedure, may give rise to characteristic necrobiotic granulomas that manifest in subsequent pathology samples. Radiation and hormone therapy have traditionally been used in prostatic adenocarcinoma. Morphological effects are often identified in needle biopsy specimens, transurethral resectates, and radical prostatectomy specimens. A range of histological changes are noted in the non‐neoplastic prostate tissue, as well as in the pre‐neoplastic and carcinomatous areas. Other ablative therapies, such as cryotherapy, and emerging focal therapies, including high‐intensity focused ultrasound, photodynamic therapy, and interstitial laser thermotherapy, may have morphological effects on prostate tissue. It is important for the pathologist to be aware of the spectrum of histological changes affecting the prostate gland post‐therapy. The treatment effects may obscure residual carcinoma, and make measurements of tumour extent and stage difficult. Furthermore, some therapies can profoundly alter the neoplastic glands to such an extent that Gleason scoring is no longer valid. As new therapies are developed for prostate cancer, it is important to document their effects on benign and malignant prostate tissue and to understand possible implications for traditional prognostic factors, especially Gleason grade.
Prostate cancer: towards the standardization and synthesis of morphology, genetics, and prognosis
Authors: Berney Dan , Cheng Liang
Published: December 2011

Berney D & Cheng L  (2012) Histopathology 60, 1–3 Prostate cancer: towards the standardization and synthesis of morphology, genetics, and prognosis

Prostate cancer research and diagnosis is undergoing a revolution in our understanding of the disease process and standardization of diagnostic criteria. Although great progress has been made, there remain many areas of uncertainty and debate. The revolution towards a synthesis of pathology with genetic changes and prognostic models is only just beginning. This supplement presents the opinions and findings of leading international experts in histopathology and prostate research dealing with subjects ranging from aetiology, basic anatomy and morphology to prognostic models, genetic changes and new drug treatments. We hope that this exciting and rapidly changing field will capture the imagination of both experienced and trainee pathologists to advance the field in both research and diagnosis.
Osteopontin predicts the behaviour of atypical meningioma
Authors: Lin Chih‐Kung , Tsai Wen‐Chiuan , Lin Yu‐Chun , Hueng Dueng‐Yuan
Published: December 2011

Lin C‐K, Tsai W‐C, Lin Y‐C & Hueng D‐Y  (2012) Histopathology 60, 320–325  Osteopontin predicts the behaviour of atypical meningioma

Aim:  Although the World Health Organization (WHO) histological criteria distinguishing benign from atypical and malignant meningioma are clear, discerning benign from atypical meningioma is still somewhat difficult, leading to interobserver diagnostic variability. Osteopontin (OPN) and cortactin play important roles in tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis of several human cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of OPN and cortactin immunohistochemistry for distinguishing between benign, atypical and malignant meningioma and predicting their recurrence.

Methods and results:  Seventy‐five specimens (48 benign, 17 atypical and 10 malignant meningiomas) were investigated immunohistochemically. The mean immunohistochemical scoreimmunohistochemical score ± SE of the mean of both OPN and cortactin were significantly higher in grade II or grade III meningiomas than in grade I meningioma. Discriminant analysis of immunohistochemical OPN expression showed correct classification of 97.7% of WHO grade I meningiomas and 88.2% of WHO grade II meningiomas (95.4% accuracy). However, the same analysis of cortactin expression showed correct classification of 95.8% of WHO grade I meningiomas and only 23.5% of WHO grade II meningiomas (76.9% accuracy). A cut‐off for predicting grades I and II meningioma recurrence was determined for OPN (3.0) but not for cortactin. Finally, logistic regression identified both this cut‐off (P < 0.05) and WHO grade (P < 0.05) as independent risk factors for recurrence.

Conclusions:  OPN expression is a valuable marker for diagnosis of atypical meningioma and prediction of grades I and II meningioma recurrence.
Tumour‐associated macrophages in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: a study of the Osaka Lymphoma Study Group
Authors: Wada Naoki , Zaki Mona A A , Hori Yumiko , Hashimoto Koji , Tsukaguchi Machiko , Tatsumi Yoichi , Ishikawa Jun , Tominaga Nobuhiko , Sakoda Hiroto , Take Hironori , Tsudo Mitsuru , Kuwayama Maki , Morii Eiichi , Aozasa Katsuyuki
Published: December 2011

Wada N, Zaki M A A, Hori Y, Hashimoto K, Tsukaguchi M, Tatsumi Y, Ishikawa J, Tominaga N, Sakoda H, Take H, Tsudo M, Kuwayama M, Morii E & Aozasa K  (2012) Histopathology 60, 313–319  Tumour‐associated macrophages in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: a study of the Osaka Lymphoma Study Group

Aims:  To evaluate the role of tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) of the M1 and M2 types in the behaviour of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods and results:  Double immunohistochemical staining of HLA‐DR/CD68 (M1) or CD163/CD68 (M2) was performed in 101 cases of DLBCL. CD68+ cells represent the total number of TAMs. The average number of double‐positive cells was counted, and the cut‐off value was set at the mean number of counts, i.e. 30.7 and 27.0 for M1 TAMs and M2 TAMs, respectively. That for total TAMs was set at the 90th percentile number of total counts, i.e. 132.3. Cases were categorized into three pairs: high (34 cases) and low (67 cases) M1 TAM groups, high (39 cases) and low (62 cases) M2 TAM groups, and high (10 cases) and low (91 cases) total TAM groups. The difference in overall survival rates was statistically significant between the high and low M2 TAM groups (P < 0.01) and between the high and low total TAM groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of a bulky mass and a higher number of M2 TAMs were significant factors for poor prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Estimation of specific type of macrophages, of the M1 and M2 types, is superior to the estimation of TAMs as a whole (CD68+ cells) for prediction of the prognosis of DLBCL patients.
Age‐related decline of stand biomass accumulation is primarily due to mortality and not to reduction in NPP associated with individual tree physiology, tree growth or stand structure in a Quercus‐dominated forest
Authors: Xu Cheng‐Yuan , Turnbull Matthew H. , Tissue David T. , Lewis James D. , Carson Rob , Schuster William S. F. , Whitehead David , Walcroft Adrian S. , Li Jinbao , Griffin Kevin L.
Published: January 2012

1. Age‐related reductions in stand biomass accumulation are frequently observed in old‐growth forests. The phenomenon may be caused by reduced production, increased mortality or both. The relative importance of production and mortality is not well studied, so the mechanisms controlling age‐related decline of stand biomass accumulation remain unclear.

2. In this study, conducted in a Quercus‐dominated deciduous forest in the Northeastern USA, we examined whether age‐related decline in stand above‐ground biomass (AGB) accumulation could be explained by reduction of above‐ground net primary production (NPP) (growth of surviving trees) that may be associated with (i) physiological constraints within individual trees or (ii) changes in stand structure, or by (iii) age‐related, increasing tree mortality in stands up to 135 years old. Few previous studies have tested these hypotheses simultaneously within the same forest.

3. We did not find evidence for a reduction in individual tree growth associated with age‐related physiological constraints, in terms of foliar carbon assimilation capacity, photosynthesis/respiration balance, nitrogen availability or hydraulic constraints on carbon gain. Over the period of 1937–2006, we did not observe alterations in stand structure, and the above‐ground NPP of the Quercus forest was generally stable.

4. However, we did find that the primary mechanism driving age‐related decline of stand AGB accumulation was biomass loss due to the death of large, dominant trees. Our results indicate that shifts in mortality from the loss of small trees to the loss of large trees, rather than changes in above‐ground NPP, drives age‐related decline in stand AGB accumulation in this forest.

5.
Synthesis. We found that within the range of stand development stages analysed, the age‐related decline of stand AGB accumulation in a Quercus‐dominated forest was primarily due to mortality of large, dominant trees and not due to changes in above‐ground NPP associated with tree physiology, individual tree growth or stand structure. This result indicates that tree demography and the influence of climate change on disturbances may need to be integrated into models to predict the change of above‐ground carbon stock of some old‐growth forests.
Stabilizing selection for within‐season flowering phenology confirms pollen limitation in a wind‐pollinated tree
Authors: Koenig Walter D. , Funk Kyle A. , Kraft Thomas S. , Carmen William J. , Barringer Brian C. , Knops Johannes M. H.
Published: January 2012

1. We examined the fitness consequences of pollen limitation in the valley oak (Quercus lobata Née, Fagaceae), a wind‐pollinated, predominantly outcrossing tree endemic to California, by examining the relationship between within‐year phenology and acorn production over an 8 year period.

2. We predicted that pollen limitation should result in trees flowering relatively early and late in the season, when fewer trees are in flower, to experience reduced reproductive success compared to trees flowering during the middle of the season.

3. Despite considerable variation in acorn production from year to year, analyses confirmed this prediction and indicated that there was significant overall stabilizing selection on budburst date consistent with the pollen limitation hypothesis.

4. Analyses including herbivory and pre‐budburst temperatures at individual trees revealed significant correlations with acorn production, but we still found significant stabilizing selection on budburst date even when considering these variables.

5.
Synthesis.  Pollen limitation, as indicated by stabilizing selection on within‐year flowering phenology, significantly affects acorn production by individual trees in Q. lobata and has the potential to influence other key life‐history features including masting behaviour and spatial synchrony.