bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MR elastography in a murine stroke model reveals correlation of macroscopic viscoelastic properties of the brain with neuronal density
Authors: Freimann Florian Baptist , Müller Susanne , Streitberger Kaspar‐Josche , Guo Jing , Rot Sergej , Ghori Adnan , Vajkoczy Peter , Reiter Rolf , Sack Ingolf , Braun Jürgen
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neuronal density on viscoelastic parameters of living brain tissue after ischemic infarction in the mouse using MR elastography (MRE). Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the left hemisphere was induced in 20 mice. In vivo 7‐T MRE at a vibration frequency of 900 Hz was performed on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 (n = 5 per group) after MCAO, followed by the analysis of histological markers, such as neuron counts (NeuN). MCAO led to a significant reduction in the storage modulus in the left hemisphere relative to contralateral values (p = 0.03) without changes over time. A correlation between storage modulus and NeuN in both hemispheres was observed, with correlation coefficients of R = 0.648 (p = 0.002, left) and R = 0.622 (p = 0.003, right). The loss modulus was less sensitive to MCAO, but correlated with NeuN in the left hemisphere (R = 0.764, p = 0.0001). In agreement with the literature, these results suggest that the shear modulus in the brain is reduced after transient ischemic insult. Furthermore, our study provides evidence that the in vivo shear modulus of brain tissue correlates with neuronal density. In diagnostic applications, MRE may thus have diagnostic potential as a tool for image‐based quantification of neurodegenerative processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of fullerene photodimerization on the PCBM crystallization in polymer: Fullerene bulk heterojunctions under thermal stress
Authors: Piersimoni Fortunato , Degutis Giedrius , Bertho Sabine , Vandewal Koen , Spoltore Donato , Vangerven Tim , Drijkoningen Jeroen , Van Bael Marlies K. , Hardy An , D'Haen Jan , Maes Wouter , Vanderzande Dirk , Nesladek Milos , Manca Jean
Published: June 2013

For an increased lifetime of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells, an understanding of the chemical and morphological degradation phenomena taking place under operational conditions is crucial. Phase separation between polymer and fullerene induced by thermal stress has been pointed out as a major issue to overcome. While often the effect of thermal stress on the morphology of polymer:fullerene BHJ is investigated in the darkness, here we observe that light exposure slows down fullerene crystallization and phase separation induced at elevated temperatures. The observed photo‐stabilizing effect on active layer morphology is quite independent on the polymer and is attributed to light‐induced dimerization of the fullerene. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1209–1214
Pulmonary hypertension in bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Clinical findings, cardiovascular anomalies and outcomes
Authors: del Cerro Maria Jesús , Sabaté Rotés Anna , Cartón Antonio , Deiros Lucia , Bret Montserrat , Cordeiro Malaika , Verdú Cristina , Barrios Maria Isabel , Albajara Luis , Gutierrez‐Larraya Federico
Published: June 2013

Objective

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) worsens the prognosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The following items have not been fully established for PH in BPD: clinical characterization, incidence of cardiovascular anomalies (CVAs), response to PH treatment, and outcome.

Study Design

A review of clinical records, computed tomography (CT) images and catheterization data of 36 patients with PH‐BPD referred to our PH Unit (March 2006 to December 2011) was performed. Twenty‐nine patients without major congenital heart defects and with complete follow‐up data were included.

Results

The diagnosis of PH was made at a median age of 4.5 months (IQR 2.4–7.8), with an echocardiography estimated median right ventricular pressure/systemic pressure ratio of 70% (IQR 60–80%). CT scanning was performed in 21 patients and catheterization in 14 patients. CVAs were found in 19 patients (65.5%): aortopulmonary collaterals (n = 9), pulmonary vein stenosis (n = 7), ASD (n = 4), and PDA (n = 9). Hemodynamic data: PVRI 4.3 UW m2 (2.7–7); PVRI/SVRI 0.44 (0.32–0.8); and transpulmonary gradient 28 mmHg (19–40). At a median follow‐up of 35 months (IQR 21–91), 6 patients had undergone shunts closure, 22 received specific PH drugs, 3 spontaneously improved of their PH, and 8 (26%) had died.

Conclusion

PH in BPD is not always a transient condition; it can be diagnosed at later stages and can have a protracted course. The incidence of associated CVAs is high. Prompt diagnosis, detection, and treatment of CVAs, and specific drug therapy can improve the outcome in these patients, although the mortality rate remains high. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:49–59. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climate sensitivity in the Anthropocene
Authors: Previdi M. , Liepert B. G. , Peteet D. , Hansen J. , Beerling D. J. , Broccoli A. J. , Frolking S. , Galloway J. N. , Heimann M. , Le Quéré C. , Levitus S. , Ramaswamy V.
Published: June 2013

Climate sensitivity in its most basic form is defined as the equilibrium change in global surface temperature that occurs in response to a climate forcing, or externally imposed perturbation of the planetary energy balance. Within this general definition, several specific forms of climate sensitivity exist that differ in terms of the types of climate feedbacks they include. Based on evidence from Earth's history, we suggest here that the relevant form of climate sensitivity in the Anthropocene (e.g. from which to base future greenhouse gas (GHG) stabilization targets) is the Earth system sensitivity including fast feedbacks from changes in water vapour, natural aerosols, clouds and sea ice, slower surface albedo feedbacks from changes in continental ice sheets and vegetation, and climate–GHG feedbacks from changes in natural (land and ocean) carbon sinks. Traditionally, only fast feedbacks have been considered (with the other feedbacks either ignored or treated as forcing), which has led to estimates of the climate sensitivity for doubled CO2 concentrations of about 3°C. The 2×CO2 Earth system sensitivity is higher than this, being ∼4–6°C if the ice sheet/vegetation albedo feedback is included in addition to the fast feedbacks, and higher still if climate–GHG feedbacks are also included. The inclusion of climate–GHG feedbacks due to changes in the natural carbon sinks has the advantage of more directly linking anthropogenic GHG emissions with the ensuing global temperature increase, thus providing a truer indication of the climate sensitivity to human perturbations. The Earth system climate sensitivity is difficult to quantify due to the lack of palaeo‐analogues for the present‐day anthropogenic forcing, and the fact that ice sheet and climate–GHG feedbacks have yet to become globally significant in the Anthropocene. Furthermore, current models are unable to adequately simulate the physics of ice sheet decay and certain aspects of the natural carbon and nitrogen cycles. Obtaining quantitative estimates of the Earth system sensitivity is therefore a high priority for future work.
Over-the-Counter Sale of Emergency Contraception: A Survey of Pharmacists in Delhi
Authors: Mishra Archana , Saxena Pikee
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Pharmacists play a key role while dispensing over-the-counter emergency contraception (EC) to the client.

Aims

The study aims to evaluate the knowledge and over-the-counter services provided by the pharmacists in Delhi.

Methods

A prestructured questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Delhi, the capital city of India.

Results

Only 60 out of 85 pharmacies approached agreed to participate in the study. Number of packs sold in a month per pharmacy varied from 2 to 500 packs/month. Sixty-two percent of the pharmacists claimed that majority of the clients repeated use during the same month. Only 18% of the clients were referred by doctors while 82% directly approached the pharmacists. Nearly one third of the clients were adolescents. Sixty-seven percent of the pharmacists had adequate knowledge about EC. Only 3.3% asked about the last menstrual period or the time elapsed since the last unprotected intercourse. No pharmacist inquired whether there were one or multiple unprotected acts of intercourse, if any regular contraceptive method was being used, or explored the reason for EC intake. There were 91.7% who explained the dosage schedule to clients. Only half of them explained that the client may experience side effects. None of the pharmacists advised their clients for a sexually transmitted disease screening, and 35% counseled the clients regarding regular contraception.

Conclusion

Improving the quality of services provided by the pharmacists can clear misconceptions of the clients and promote subsequent regular contraception along with precautions to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Prior Structure Modification on Grain Refinement and Deformation Behavior of Medium Carbon Steel Processed by ECAP
Authors: Zrnik Jozef , Dobatkin Sergey V. , Kraus Libor , Raab George
Published: June 2013

The present work, deals with grain refinement of medium carbon steel AISI 1045 (0.45% C), having different initial ferrite–pearlite microstructure resulted from thermal and thermomechanical treatment (TM). The purpose of TM steel processing was to refine ferrite and modify pearlite lamellae structure. The final grain refinement of steel structure was then accomplished during warm Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) at 400°C. Employment of this processing route, in dependence of the applied effective strain ϵef, resulted in extensive deformation of ferrite grains and cementite lamellae fragmentation. When applying higher shear stress (ϵef = 4) the mixed structure of subgrains and ultrafine grains was formed within ferrite phase, regardless the initial steel structure morphology. In pearlite grains, modification of cementite lamellae due to shearing, bending, twisting, and breaking was found efficient as straining increased. Processes of dynamic polygonization and recrystallization in deformed structure also contributed to submicrocrystalline grains formation in deformed structure. Comparing results the course of lamellae cementite spheroidization was then more efficient in prior TM treated steel. The tensile deformation results confirmed the strength increase, however deformation behavior and strain hardening generally for different initial structural conditions of steel, showed diversity.
Critical Hopefulness: A Person‐Centered Analysis of the Intersection of Cognitive and Emotional Empowerment
Authors: Christens Brian D. , Collura Jessica J. , Tahir Faizan
Published: June 2013

Leaders in struggles for social justice agree on the importance and the difficulty of maintaining hopefulness while developing critical awareness of social issues. Research has indicated that the analogous components of psychological empowerment (emotional and cognitive) often do not co‐vary across populations. This study used a person‐centered analytic approach, latent class analysis, to identify subpopulations of participants (n = 1,322) according to the cognitive and emotional components of psychological empowerment. Four distinct sub‐groups emerged: those who were relatively (1) critical but alienated, (2) uncritical but hopeful, (3) uncritical and alienated, or (4) critical and hopeful. These clusters were then examined for demographic differences and relationships with a set of conceptually relevant variables including social capital, psychological sense of community, openness, organizational participation and mental wellbeing. Results shed light on the complexity of empowerment processes and yield implications for ongoing community research and action.
Erziehungskompetenz von Eltern mit Kindern in Jugendhilfe-Maßnahmen
Authors: Rücker Stefan , Büttner Peter , Petermann Ulrike , Petermann Franz
Published: June 2013

Fragestellung: In der vorliegenden Studie wird der Einfluss ausgewählter Risiken auf das Erziehungsverhalten von Eltern am Beginn einer Jugendhilfe-Maßnahme analysiert. Methodik: Familiäre Belastungen sowie Erziehungsdimensionen wurden anhand standardisierter Erhebungsverfahren bei N = 74 Eltern erfasst. Ergebnisse: In Abhängigkeit des Belastungsausmaßes konnten drei Gruppen gebildet werden. Die Befragungsergebnisse wurden im Querschnitt varianzanalytisch ausgewertet. Familien mit spezifischen Risiken, wie materielle Belastungen, psychisch erkrankte Elternteile oder einen Alleinerziehendenstatus weisen signifikant ungünstigere Werte bei Erziehungsmerkmalen auf. In negativen Erziehungsmerkmalen kann der Einfluss spezifischer Risiken statistisch nicht abgesichert werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Spezifisch belastete Eltern in Jugendhilfe-Maßnahmen benötigen eventuell ein spezielles Training zur Steigerung ihrer Erziehungskompetenz. Dies gilt vor allem dann, wenn Prä-Post-Vergleiche am Ende der Maßnahme ein geringeres Erziehungs-Outcome in der spezifisch belasteten Gruppe offenbaren.
Inositol pyrophosphates: between signalling and metabolism
Authors: Wilson Miranda S. C. , Livermore Thomas M. , Saiardi Adolfo
Published: June 2013

The present review will explore the insights gained into inositol pyrophosphates in the 20 years since their discovery in 1993. These molecules are defined by the presence of the characteristic ‘high energy’ pyrophosphate moiety and can be found ubiquitously in eukaryotic cells. The enzymes that synthesize them are similarly well distributed and can be found encoded in any eukaryote genome. Rapid progress has been made in characterizing inositol pyrophosphate metabolism and they have been linked to a surprisingly diverse range of cellular functions. Two decades of work is now beginning to present a view of inositol pyrophosphates as fundamental, conserved and highly important agents in the regulation of cellular homoeostasis. In particular it is emerging that energy metabolism, and thus ATP production, is closely regulated by these molecules. Much of the early work on these molecules was performed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, but the development of mouse knockouts for IP6K1 and IP6K2 [IP6K is IP6 (inositol hexakisphosphate) kinase] in the last 5 years has provided very welcome tools to better understand the physiological roles of inositol pyrophosphates. Another recent innovation has been the use of gel electrophoresis to detect and purify inositol pyrophosphates. Despite the advances that have been made, many aspects of inositol pyrophosphate biology remain far from clear. By evaluating the literature, the present review hopes to promote further research in this absorbing area of biology.
Predicting Language Outcomes for Children Learning Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Child and Environmental Factors
Authors: Brady Nancy C. , Thiemann-Bourque Kathy , Fleming Kandace , Matthews Kris
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To investigate a model of language development for nonverbal preschool-age children learning to communicate with augmentative or alternative communication.

Method

Ninety-three preschool children with intellectual disabilities were assessed at Time 1, and 82 of these children were assessed 1 year later, at Time 2. The outcome variable was the number of different words the children produced (with speech, sign, or speech-generating devices). Children's intrinsic predictor for language was modeled as a latent variable consisting of cognitive development, comprehension, play, and nonverbal communication complexity. Adult input at school and home, and amount of augmentative or alternative communication instruction, were proposed mediators of vocabulary acquisition.

Results

A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that measures converged as a coherent construct, and a structural equation model indicated that the intrinsic child predictor construct predicted different words children produced. The amount of input received at home, but not at school, was a significant mediator.

Conclusions

The hypothesized model accurately reflects a latent construct of Intrinsic Symbolic Factor (ISF). Children who evidenced higher initial levels of ISF and more adult input at home produced more words 1 year later. The findings support the need to assess multiple child variables and suggest interventions directed to the indicators of ISF and input.
A gauge invariant multiscale approach to magnetic spectroscopies in condensed phase: General three-layer model, computational implementation and pilot applications
Authors: Lipparini Filippo , Cappelli Chiara , Barone Vincenzo
Published: June 2013

Analytical equations to calculate second order electric and magnetic properties of a molecular system embedded into a polarizable environment are presented. The treatment is limited to molecules described at the self consistent field level of theory, including Hartree–Fock theory as well as Kohn-Sham density functional theory and is extended to the Gauge-Including Atomic Orbital method. The polarizable embedding is described by means of our already implemented polarizable quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (MM) methodology, where the polarization in the MM layer is handled by means of the fluctuating charge (FQ) model. A further layer of description, i.e, the polarizable continuum model, can also be included. The FQ(/polarizable continuum model) contributions to the properties are derived, with reference to the calculation of the magnetic susceptibility, the nuclear magnetic resonance shielding tensor, electron spin resonance g-tensors, and hyperfine couplings.
Bulk and interface trapping in the gate dielectric of GaN based metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors
Authors: Ťapajna M. , Jurkovič M. , Válik L. , Haščík Š. , Gregušová D. , Brunner F. , Cho E.-M. , Kuzmík J.
Published: June 2013

The trapping phenomena in GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron mobility transistor structures with 10 and 20-nm thick Al2O3 gate dielectric grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition were deeply investigated using comprehensive capacitance-voltage measurements. By controlling the interface traps population, substantial electron trapping in the dielectric bulk was identified. Separation between the trapping process and the interface traps emission allowed us to determine distribution of interface trap density in a wide energy range. Temperature dependence of the trapping process indicates thermionic field emission of electrons from the gate into traps with a sheet density of ∼1013 cm−2, located a few nm below the gate.
Ultrasensitive mid-infrared up-conversion imaging at few-photon level
Authors: Zhou Qian , Huang Kun , Pan Haifeng , Wu E , Zeng Heping
Published: June 2013

We demonstrated few-photon-level mid-infrared imaging at 3.39 μm by efficient frequency up-conversion. The quantum frequency up-conversion efficiency of mid-infrared photons was high to 32.9%, while mid-infrared images were up-converted with the quantum efficiency of 12.5%. The mid-infrared imaging sensitivity was improved by counting the frequency up-conversion photons temporally confined within the time-window of the pump pulse. The frequency up-conversion system induced a background noise of 1.1 × 103 counts per second.
Back-gate tuning of Schottky barrier height in graphene/zinc-oxide photodiodes
Authors: Lee Sejoon , Lee Youngmin , Young Kim Deuk , Song Emil B. , Min Kim Sung
Published: June 2013

We demonstrate back-gate-tuning of the Schottky barrier height in graphene/zinc oxide photodiodes that are devised by a selective sputter-growth of ZnO on pre-patterned single-layer graphene sheets. The devices show a clear rectifying behavior (e.g., Schottky barrier height ∼0.65 eV and ideality factor ∼1.15) and an improvement in the photo-response via application of a back-gate voltage. The back-gate bias tunes the effective Schottky barrier-height and also promotes the activation of photo-excited carriers, which leads to an enhancement in the thermionic emission process.
Lightning rod effect in surface work function of semiconductor nanomaterials
Authors: Xue Mingshan , Wang Wenfeng , Ou Junfei , Wang Fajun , Li Wen
Published: June 2013

The inherent correlation between the work function and surface microstructures of semiconductor nanomaterials (SNMs) was investigated. It was found that the work function of SNMs decreased with the increase of the degree of order of SNMs. The well-aligned SNMs corresponded to the lowest work function, which was just as the lightning rod effect being of advantage to the electron transport in SNMs. Such a simple and intuitive analogy to the change trend of work function is of help to enhance the understanding of electron transport of SNMs.
Root turnover in pasture species: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
Authors: Reid Jeff B. , Crush Jim R.
Published: June 2013

Root turnover may have substantial implications for nutrient and carbon cycling and for plant breeding. Turnover was calculated for a previously published dataset for five types of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown in the Waikato, New Zealand. Net root populations were measured with mini-rhizotrons at 2-week intervals for 2 years under well-watered conditions. Measurements were also made for 1 year on well-watered plots (W) or plots not watered (NW) during the summer. We expect the measured root counts to relate more closely to root length than to biomass. When ample water was supplied, annual gross root production was ~8 times the average net population, with few differences between the ryegrass types. The general response to withholding water was increased root growth, followed by increased death, and after 3 months there was no substantial net difference between the W and NW treatments. After watering was resumed there was more root growth and death in the NW treatments in the late autumn and winter. The results highlight the importance of making long time-series measurements—differences between watering treatments and depths were sometimes quite different early and late in the experiments. Two ryegrass types had a conspicuous response to water stress, by increasing new root growth at depth, although death rates increased soon after. More research is needed to check for such differences between breeding lines, which might be exploited to improve pasture production in areas prone to drought.
ARF1 and ARF4 regulate recycling endosomal morphology and retrograde transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus
Authors: Nakai Waka , Kondo Yumika , Saitoh Akina , Naito Tomoki , Nakayama Kazuhisa , Shin Hye-Won
Published: June 2013

Small GTPases of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family, except for ARF6, mainly localize to the Golgi apparatus, where they trigger formation of coated carrier vesicles. We recently showed that class I ARFs (ARF1 and ARF3) localize to recycling endosomes, as well as to the Golgi, and are redundantly required for recycling of endocytosed transferrin. On the other hand, the roles of class II ARFs (ARF4 and ARF5) are not yet fully understood, and the complementary or overlapping functions of class I and class II ARFs have been poorly characterized. In this study, we find that simultaneous depletion of ARF1 and ARF4 induces extensive tubulation of recycling endosomes. Moreover, the depletion of ARF1 and ARF4 inhibits retrograde transport of TGN38 and mannose-6-phosphate receptor from early/recycling endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) but does not affect the endocytic/recycling pathway of transferrin receptor or inhibit retrograde transport of CD4-furin from late endosomes to the TGN. These observations indicate that the ARF1+ARF4 and ARF1+ARF3 pairs are both required for integrity of recycling endosomes but are involved in distinct transport pathways: the former pair regulates retrograde transport from endosomes to the TGN, whereas the latter is required for the transferrin recycling pathway from endosomes to the plasma membrane.
GPViz: dynamic visualization of genomic regions and variants affecting protein domains
Authors: Snajder Rene , Trajanoski Zlatko , Hackl Hubert
Published: June 2013

Summary: GPViz is a versatile Java-based software for dynamic gene-centered visualization of genomic regions and/or variants. User-defined data can be loaded in common formats as resulting from analysis workflows used in sequencing applications and studied in the context of the gene, the corresponding transcript isoforms, proteins and their domains or other protein features. Both the genomic regions and variants can be also defined interactively. Various gene filter options are provided to enable an intersection of variants, genomic regions and affected protein features. Finally, by using GPViz, we identified differentially expressed exons, which could indicate alternative splicing events, and found somatic variants in different cancer types affecting metabolic proteins. GPViz is freely available at http://icbi.at/gpviz (released under GNU general public license), is based on Java 7 and can be used as a stand-alone or Web Start application.

Availability:  http://icbi.at/gpviz

Contact:  hubert.hackl@i-med.ac.at

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
11. Defences and other factors limiting damages
Authors: Hedley Steve , Padfield Nicola
Published: June 2013

Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter discusses defences to tort actions. These are consent and exclusion of liability; contributory negligence; illegality; limitation; and necessity. They provide a number of safety valves for courts concerned to limit the scope of liability.
Recent host-shifts in ranaviruses: signatures of positive selection in the viral genome
Authors: Abrams A. Jeanine , Cannatella David C. , Hillis David M. , Sawyer Sara L.
Published: June 2013

Ranaviruses have been implicated in recent declines in global amphibian populations. Compared with the familyIridoviridae, to which the genusRanavirusbelongs, ranaviruses have a wide host range in that species/strains are known to infect fish, amphibians and reptiles, presumably due to recent host-switching events. We used eight sequenced ranavirus genomes and two selection-detection methods (site based and branch based) to identify genes that exhibited signatures of positive selection, potentially due to the selective pressures at play during host switching. We found evidence of positive selection acting on four genes via the site-based method, three of which were newly acquired genes unique to ranavirus genomes. Using the branch-based method, we identified eight additional candidate genes that exhibited signatures ofdN/dS(non-synonymous/synonymous substitution rate) >1 in the clade where intense host switching had occurred. We found that these branch-specific patterns of elevateddN/dSwere enriched in a small group of viral genes that have been acquired most recently in the ranavirus genome, compared with core genes that are shared among all members of the familyIridoviridae. Our results suggest that the group of newly acquired genes in the ranavirus genome may have undergone recent adaptive changes that have facilitated interspecies and interclass host switching.
Prevalence of red sea bream iridovirus among organs of Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) exposed to cultured red sea bream iridovirus
Authors: Ito Takafumi , Yoshiura Yasutoshi , Kamaishi Takashi , Yoshida Kazunori , Nakajima Kazuhiro
Published: June 2013

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) is a representative of the genus Megalocytivirus which causes severe disease to aquaculture fish, mainly in Japan and South-east Asia. However, information to assess the viral kinetics of RSIV in fish is limited since reports on experimental infection by the immersion route, which is the natural infection route, are scarce. In this study, a method to evaluate the titre of RSIV was first developed. Experimental infections were continuously performed using RSIV cell culture as the inoculum to juvenile Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) (initial body weight 12.2 g) by immersion at three different concentrations. In addition, to investigate the prevalence of the virus among the organs of experimentally infected fish, viral DNA was measured at selected times by the real-time PCR method following viral inoculation by immersion. The developed titration method showed a 102 increase in sensitivity compared with the conventional method. We demonstrated that grunt fin cells can be used for continuous passage of RSIV. In the experimental infection, fish which were intraperitoneally injected with the RSIV cell culture or immersed with RSIV cell culture at 10−2 and 10−3 dilutions showed cumulative mortalities of 100 %. The results of measurements of the viral DNA of several organs from infected fish strongly suggest that the spleen is the target organ of RSIV in Japanese amberjack. Since the viral genome was detected from all the tested organs of two of five surviving fish which appeared to completely recover from the disease, it is suggested that these fish may become carriers.
Pepper Arginine Decarboxylase Is Required for Polyamine and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Signaling in Cell Death and Defense Response
Authors: Kim Nak Hyun , Kim Beom Seok , Hwang Byung Kook
Published: June 2013

The Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (Xcv) effector AvrBsT induces a hypersensitive cell death in pepper (Capsicum annuum). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying AvrBsT-triggered cell death are not fully understood. Here, we identified pepper arginine decarboxylase (CaADC1) as an AvrBsT-interacting protein, which is early and strongly induced in incompatible pepper-Xcv interactions. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that the CaADC1-AvrBsT complex was localized to the cytoplasm. Transient coexpression of CaADC1 with avrBsT in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves specifically enhanced AvrBsT-triggered cell death, accompanied by an accumulation of polyamines, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bursts. Among the polyamines, spermine application strongly induced NO and H2O2 bursts, ultimately leading to cell death. CaADC1 silencing in pepper leaves significantly compromised NO and H2O2 accumulation and cell death induction, leading to the enhanced avirulent Xcv growth during infection. The levels of salicylic acid, polyamines, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the expression of defense response genes during avirulent Xcv infection, were distinctly lower in CaADC1-silenced plants than those in the empty vector control plants. GABA application significantly inhibited avirulent Xcv growth in CaADC1-silenced leaves and the empty vector control plants. Together, these results suggest that CaADC1 may act as a key defense and cell death regulator via mediation of polyamine and GABA metabolism.
Interdisciplinary business education: curriculum through collaboration
Authors: Bajada Christopher , Trayler Rowan
Published: June 2013

Purpose

A modern business graduate is expected to have strong disciplinary skills as well as the soft skills of communication and team work. However today's business graduate needs to be more than the traditional “I‐shaped” graduate of the past and more of the “T‐shaped” graduate employers are looking for. Many undergraduate business degrees profess to offer integration of the curriculum but on investigation this occurs mainly through a capstone subject at the end of the degree. Today's business graduates need a more integrated approach to their learning. This paper aims to outline the transformation of a traditional business curriculum to one that is inter‐disciplinary, outlining the necessary steps and conditions including the most challenging – faculty buy in.

Design/methodology/approach

The review of the Bachelor of Business degree at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) provided an opportunity to explore the option to embrace an integrated curriculum. The authors outline how the review was shaped, the need for change and the approaches to interdisciplinary business education, and an approach to designing an interdisciplinary curriculum. They also provide two case studies.

Findings

Approaches to developing an integrative curriculum can take many forms, but the most effective is one that is embedded throughout an entire degree program. This must start with a cornerstone subject to set the road map for the student's study. This subject needs to demonstrate how each discipline interrelates and how at the end of the degree through a capstone subject, this knowledge is again brought together to deal with more complex issues using the more sophisticated tools studied throughout the degree. There also needs to be a strategy that integrates the various first‐year disciplinary subjects traditionally included in an undergraduate business degree.

Originality/value

This paper aims to outline the transformation of a traditional business curriculum to one that is inter‐disciplinary and integrated. The outcome of such an approach produces graduates with the inter‐disciplinary skills that employers are looking for.
The reincarnation of the effective schools research: rethinking the literature on district effectiveness
Authors: Trujillo Tina
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the district effectiveness literature. It begins by summarizing the school effectiveness research, the correlates of effective schools, and the conceptual and methodological characteristics of this field. It then describes the findings from a review of 50 studies of district effectiveness, the most frequently identified correlates of effective districts, and the conceptual and methodological features of this research. From there, it compares and contrasts the two fields, paying attention to the ways in which they frame notions of success, purposes of education, the contextualized nature of school performance, and theoretical explanations for student success.

Design/methodology/approach

Data sources for this literature review included 50 primary documents on district effectiveness. The studies were bound to those that presented the original results from investigations of the relationship between district‐level policies, routines, behaviors, or other characteristics and classroom‐level outcomes.

Findings

Several themes run through the literature on district effectiveness. These include findings that standards‐aligned curricula, coherent organizational structures, strong instructional leadership, frequent monitoring and evaluation, and focused professional learning lead to higher test scores. Most of these investigations are framed from technical perspectives that explore the relationship between organizational regulations and improved test performance. Less common are inquiries about the socio‐political and normative forces that shape districts’ improvement experiences. One consequence of this technical focus is that the field of district effectiveness has come to share several of the conceptual and methodological properties that characterized the former school‐level research.

Research limitations/implications

The article concludes by discussing the implications for the growing volume of district‐level research on educational leadership, district improvement, and educational equity.

Originality/value

This article details the ways in which a sharp focus on questions of what works in the district effectiveness literature has deepened researchers’ and practitioners’ knowledge of the specific mechanisms that may produce more desirable results in test performance, yet these questions alone, decoupled from corresponding inquiries about the complex, highly contextualized character of higher or lower scoring districts, leave researchers and practitioners vulnerable to the same scholarly and practical pitfalls of their predecessors.
A framework for stakeholder management and corporate culture
Authors: von Meding Jason , McAllister Keith , Oyedele Lukumon , Kelly Kevin
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the link between two knowledge areas that have not been previously linked conceptually: stakeholder management and corporate culture. Focussing on the UK construction industry, the research study demonstrates mutual dependency of each of these areas on the other and establishes a theoretical framework with real potential to impact positively upon industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises both qualitative and quantitative data collection and then analysis to produce results contributing to the final framework. Semi‐structured interviews were used and analysed through a cognitive mapping procedure. The result of this stage, set in the context of previous research, facilitated a questionnaire to be developed which helped gather quantitative values from a larger sample to enhance the final framework.

Findings

The data suggests that stakeholder management and corporate culture are key areas of an organisation's success, and that this importance will only grow in future. A clearly identifiable relationship was established between the two theoretical areas and a framework developed and quantified.

Originality/value

It is evident that change is needed within the UK construction industry. Companies must employ ethical and social stakeholder management and manage their corporate culture like any other aspect of their business. Successfully doing this will lead to more successful projects, better reputation and survival. The findings of this project begin to show how change may occur and how companies might intentionally deploy advantageous configurations of corporate culture and stakeholder management.
Quality systems and competitive performance of food companies
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Gotzamani Katerina , Psomas Evangelos
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the effective implementation of both ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 systems on the competitive performance of certified food manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used for quantitative data collection. All items were measured on a seven‐point modified Likert scale. The data were analysed statistically by means of Statistical Package for Social Scientists. Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to test the research hypotheses. Both validity and reliability of the measures were checked in order to reduce the measurement error.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant relationship between the combined effective implementation of ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 standards and competitive performance of certified food companies, explaining a significant proportion of variance in their performance.

Practical implications

The results of this study help managers of food companies realize that both the effective implementation of the quality management and quality safety systems ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 lead to increased competitive performance for certified companies. Thus, the paper may motivate the non‐certified food companies to effectively adopt the principles and conform to the requirements of these standards, leading to enhanced manufacturing capabilities and competitive performance.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the influence of quality and food safety management systems on the competitive performance of the certified food manufacturing companies. It reveals the value of the combined effective implementation of ISO 22000 and ISO 9001:2000 systems, proving that, when effectively implemented, they have a favourable effect on companies' performance.
In the shadow of offshoring: exploring providers’ expectations
Authors: Pinho de Almeida Mariana , Filipa do Amaral Chambre de Meneses Soares Bastos Moutinho Raquel
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Although the literature on offshoring is vast, very scarce research has been undertaken to understand the providers’ perspective of offshoring. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap, aiming to assess the expectations of providers when they started working with foreign firms and compare those expectations with their perceptions of reality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted exploratory research based on grounded theory. A purposive theoretical sampling technique was used to select seven Portuguese offshoring providers. Data collected were then coded and analysed.

Findings

In total, three broad categories of expectations and perceptions emerged: business‐, firm‐ and client‐related. “Creation of business” and “Acquisition of skills” were the most referred categories, both as expectations and as perceptions of reality, stated by all the interviewees. However, several expectations do not match the providers’ perceptions, and some perceptions were not part of the providers’ initial expectations.

Research limitations/implications

This study is exploratory and conditioned by a small national sample. Also, it does not explain the relationships between expectations and perceptions of reality, an issue that should be addressed in future research.

Practical implications

The practical and social implications of the paper's findings are wide: offshoring providers bring business and promote the acquisition of skills in the economy, so managers and governments should stimulate this business model.

Originality/value

The paper's findings contribute to the offshoring literature, focusing on the still unnoticed dimension of the providers. Through the addition of categories of expectations to the few already found in the literature, and their comparison to the providers’ perceptions of reality, the authors have conferred extra originality and value to the research.
Evolutions in the ecologically conscious consumer behaviour in Greece
Authors: Tilikidou Irene
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine simultaneously all types of ecologically conscious consumer behaviour (ECCB) during the current economic crisis in Greece and investigate some of the factors able to affect it; to reveal the distances between the results of this study and those of previous studies in the same geographical area; and to present a detailed profile of the ecologically conscious consumers’ (ECCs) market segment.

Design/methodology/approach

An effort was made to examine simultaneously all types of ECCB, namely pro‐environmental purchasing behaviour, recycling behaviour, pro‐environmental post‐purchasing behaviour and pro‐environmental (non‐purchasing) activities. A set of demographic, attitudinal and personality variables was added in the investigation. The relevant research objectives were set and they were accomplished by a quantitative survey of a large enough ‐‐ for the urban area of Thessaloniki ‐‐ probability sample.

Findings

All ECCB types were found to be positively related to consumers’ education, attitudes towards recycling and locus of control over politics; and to be related negatively to environmental unconcern. Strong inter‐relationships among all the ECCB types were revealed. Cluster analysis indicated that the ECCs segment counts for 16 per cent, a size considerably smaller than a decade ago.

Research limitations/implications

A remaining social desirability effect despite the effort to eliminate it. Limited understanding of the economic crisis's consequences. Incomplete profile of ECCs.

Practical implications

Managers of ecological products, managers in charge of recycling programmes and executives working with the ecological organizations should all be aware that they share the same target group, that of ECCs. They should study carefully the characteristics of ECCs and choose the most appropriate communication strategies.

Social implications

Environmental protection undoubtedly affects quality of life. Understanding better ecologically related consumer behaviour provides the necessary basis for corporate socially responsible strategies. Public policy makers in charge of environmental protection programmes need to increase people's locus of control and recycling attitudes while eliminating their unconcern towards environmental issues.

Originality/value

The paper is an effort to overcome the usual fragmentary examination of ecological behaviours. All types of ECCB were examined under an integrated theoretical framework and they were found to be inter‐related. This is the first study to examine the impact of the economic crisis in Greece on pro‐environmental behaviours.
Fairness and financial services in Australia and the United Kingdom
Authors: Worthington Steve , Devlin James
Published: June 2013

Purpose

There has been limited research into financial services customers’ perceptions of how fairly they are treated by financial services providers. Fairness as a concept has its theoretical roots in the theory of justice and equity and has been conceptualised as being made up of two distinct elements, procedural fairness and distributive fairness. Some scholars have further distinguished between procedural fairness and interactional fairness, and hence this research aims to measure all three of these fairness constructs and employ them in the analysis of the results.

Design/methodology/approach

The Financial Services Research Forum (FSRF) in the United Kingdom (UK) has used constructs derived from theory to devise a benchmark measure: the Fairness Index. The index can be used to analyse trends through time and differences between sectors in the financial services industry. The FSRF has now collected seven waves of data investigating trends in consumers’ perceptions of fairness in financial services. The Fairness Index approach was replicated in Australia in early 2012 and responses were sought from 750 Australian consumers, with 250 respondents per sector, answering questions about their main bank, their credit card provider and their financial advisor.

Findings

Australian financial advisors were found to have higher Fairness Index scores than banks and credit card providers across all the dimensions of fairness. Surprisingly, for banks, there was a pronounced negative relationship between customers’ fairness perceptions and length of relationship with the bank. In terms of what drives customers’ overall perceptions of fairness, it appears that distributive fairness is by far the dominant influence for all three types of providers investigated. Finally, comparisons are offered between the Fairness Index scores for both Australia and the UK, in the same time period.

Originality/value

There has been limited research into financial services customers’ perceptions of how fairly they are treated by financial services providers. This study measures three fairness constructs – procedural fairness, distributive fairness and interactional fairness – and employs them in the analysis of the results. A benchmark measure, the Fairness Index, has been devised and used to investigate trends in consumers’ perceptions of fairness in financial services in the United Kingdom and Australia.