bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Task Importance Affects Event-Based Prospective Memory Performance in Adults with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders and HIV-Infected Young Adults with Problematic Substance Use
Authors: Woods Steven Paul , Doyle Katie L. , Morgan Erin E. , Naar-King Sylvie , Outlaw Angulique Y. , Nichols Sharon L. , Loft Shayne
Published: May 2014

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of task importance on event-based prospective memory (PM) in separate samples of adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and HIV-infected young adults with substance use disorders (SUD). All participants completed three conditions of an ongoing lexical decision task: (1) without PM task requirements; (2) with PM task requirements that emphasized the importance of the ongoing task; and (3) with PM task requirements that emphasized the importance of the PM task. In both experiments, all HIV+ groups showed the expected increase in response costs to the ongoing task when the PM task’s importance was emphasized. In Experiment 1, individuals with HAND showed significantly lower PM accuracy as compared to HIV+ subjects without HAND when the importance of the ongoing task was emphasized, but improved significantly and no longer differed from HIV+ subjects without HAND when the PM task was emphasized. A similar pattern of findings emerged in Experiment 2, whereby HIV+ young adults with SUD (especially cannabis) showed significant improvements in PM accuracy when the PM task was emphasized. Findings suggest that both HAND and SUD may increase the amount of cognitive attentional resources that need to be allocated to support PM performance in persons living with HIV infection. (JINS, 2014, 21, 1–11)
Duties and Virtues
Authors: O'Neill Onora
Published: May 2014

Duty and virtue are no longer the common coin of daily conversation. Both terms strike many of us as old-fashioned and heavy handed. Yet we incessantly talk about what ought and ought not to be done, and about the sorts of persons we admire or despise. As soon as we talk in these ways we discuss topics traditionally dealt with under the headings of duty and of virtue. If we no longer use these terms, it may be because we associate them with heavily moralistic approaches to life, with obsolete codes and ideals, with ‘Victorian’ values and attitudes, rather than because the concerns our predecessors discussed in these terms have vanished from our lives.
Understanding objects in motion. Anarchaeologicaldialogue on Romanization
Authors: Versluys Miguel John
Published: May 2014

This essay argues that Romanization revolves around understanding objects in motion and that Roman archaeologists should therefore focus on (1) globalization theory and (2) material-culture studies as important theoretical directions for the (near) future. The present state and scope of the Romanization debate, however, seem to prevent a fruitful development in that direction. The first part of this paper therefore briefly analyses the Romanization debate and argues that large parts of ‘Anglo-Saxon Roman archaeology’ have never been really post-colonial, but in fact from the mid-1990s onwards developed a theoretical position that should be characterized as anti-colonial. This ideologically motivated development has resulted in several unhealthy divides within the field, as well as in an uncomfortable ending of the Romanization debate. The present consensus within English-speaking Roman archaeology ‘to do away with Romanization’ does not seem to get us at all ‘beyond Romans and Natives’, and, moreover, has effectively halted most of the discussion about how to understand and conceptualize ‘Rome’. The second part of the article presents two propositions outlining how to move forward: globalization theory and material-culture studies. Through this focus we will be able to better understand ‘Rome’ as (indicating) objects in motion and the human–thing entanglements resulting from a remarkable punctuation of connectivity. This focus is important as an alternative perspective to all existing narratives about Romanization because these remain fundamentally historical, in the sense that they reduce objects to expressions (of identity) alone. It is time for our discussions about ‘Rome’ to move ‘beyond representation’ and to become genuinely archaeological at last, by making material culture, with its agency and materiality, central to the analyses.
A New Approach for Optimal Morphological Identification and Immunolabeling of Spermatogonial Cells
Authors: Albuquerque Amanda V. , Drumond Ana Luiza , Shao Shan , Melo Rossana C.N. , Almeida Fernanda R.C.L. , Meistrich Marvin L. , Chiarini-Garcia Hélio
Published: May 2014

High quality fixation often inactivates epitopes and gentler fixation can fail to preserve biological structure at the required resolution. For studies of male reproduction, immunofluorescence techniques using paraformaldehyde fixation associated with paraffin as an embedding medium gives good epitope preservation, although the cell becomes morphologically compromised. On the other hand, glutaraldehyde associated with a plastic resin has been used with success to recognize and distinguish each spermatogonial cell subtype, but the antigenic sites become inaccessible to antibodies. Here we describe a new method that provides excellent morphological details of testicular cells while preserving the binding capacity of epitopes. Using a combination of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde as a fixative and LR White resin for embedding, we show that it is possible to clearly recognize spermatogonial subtypes (Aund, A–A4, In and B spermatogonia) on 1-μm thick-sections and to label epitopes such as bromodeoxyuridine, a marker used for cellular cycle studies in the testis. The information gained from this procedure can be critical for understanding spermatogonial process of self-renewal and differentiation.
Weed management by upstate New York organic farmers: Strategies, techniques and research priorities
Authors: Baker Brian P. , Mohler Charles L.
Published: May 2014

Weed management is a major concern for organic farmers. Strategies and techniques used by organic farmers vary according to crops, soils, climate and other factors. Organic farmers in upstate New York experienced in weed management were interviewed about what weed–crop complexes they face, how they manage weeds, and what priorities they have for research. The interviews were complemented with an all-day focus group conducted with the farmers who were interviewed. All of the farmers interviewed relied heavily on cultural practices, such as crop rotation, fertility management, high-density planting, transplants and the use of cover crops. Mechanical practices were also important for the farmers interviewed. They emphasized selection of the appropriate tools for the situation and techniques for using tools effectively. Most of the farmers interviewed relied on intensive tillage to control perennial weeds. Differences in practices were notable among the farmers interviewed. Several farmers shared innovations both in practices and equipment modification. Farmers identified soil and nutrient management; tillage and cultivation tools and practices; natural herbicides; flame weeding and no-till systems without herbicides as research priorities. Some of the topics suggested for research have already received substantial research attention; identification of these topics by the farmers indicated a need to disseminate research findings through extension materials and demonstration of viable practices.
U-band finline bandstop filter with dual-mode resonator
Authors: Yang Y. , Zhang Y.H. , Fan Y. , Li Y.X.
Published: May 2014

In this work, multi-mode resonator technology is applied to finline bandstop filter (BSF) to improve its performance. A finline BSF with two transmission zeros in the stopband is realized by using a new kind of dual-mode finline resonator proposed in this paper. The bandwidth of the designed filter is clearly broadened to three times that of the traditional finline BSF without enlarging its size. Its measured bandwidth under 20 dB rejection is about 600 MHz and the insertion loss in the passband is below 0.4 dB including the insertion loss of two finline-to-waveguide transitions. There is a good agreement between the simulated and measured results.
Clinical application of genetically modified T cells in cancer therapy
Authors: Kershaw Michael H , Westwood Jennifer A , Slaney Clare Y , Darcy Phillip K
Published: May 2014

Immunotherapies are emerging as highly promising approaches for the treatment of cancer. In these approaches, a variety of materials are used to boost immunity against malignant cells. A key component of many of these approaches is functional tumor‐specific T cells, but the existence and activity of sufficient T cells in the immune repertoire is not always the case. Recent methods of generating tumor‐specific T cells include the genetic modification of patient lymphocytes with receptors to endow them with tumor specificity. These T cells are then expanded in vitro followed by infusion of the patient in adoptive cell transfer protocols. Genes used to modify T cells include those encoding T‐cell receptors and chimeric antigen receptors. In this review, we provide an introduction to the field of genetic engineering of T cells followed by details of their use against cancer in the clinic.
Determination of spatial and temporal variability of pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations in a seasonally hypoxic semi-enclosed marine basin using continuous monitoring
Authors: Sullivan Timothy , Byrne Ciara , Harman Luke , Davenport John , McAllen Rob , Regan Fiona
Published: May 2014

Profiles of the Western Trough, Lough Hyne, show abrupt changes in measured pH values associated with stratification during seasonal hypoxia and anoxia.
Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR). Solving the mixture analysis problem
Authors: de Juan Anna , Jaumot Joaquim , Tauler Romà
Published: May 2014

This article is a tutorial that focuses on the main aspects to be considered when applying Multivariate Curve Resolution to analyze multicomponent systems, particularly when the Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) algorithm is used.
Cation exchange at the secondary building units of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Brozek C. K. , Dincă M.
Published: May 2014

This review examines the governing factors of cation exchange at the secondary building units of MOFs and reviews its applications.
Effect of yttria in Pt/TiO2 on sulfur resistance diesel oxidation catalysts: enhancement of low-temperature activity and stability
Authors: Yang Zhengzheng , Zhang Na , Cao Yi , Gong Maochu , Zhao Ming , Chen Yaoqiang
Published: May 2014

Yttria in Pt/TiO2 catalyst improved the Pt dispersion and stabilized the structure, and hence enhanced the low-temperature activity and stability.
Voltage output of efficient perovskite solar cells with high open-circuit voltage and fill factor
Authors: Ryu Seungchan , Noh Jun Hong , Jeon Nam Joong , Chan Kim Young , Yang Woon Seok , Seo Jangwon , Seok Sang Il
Published: May 2014

The voltage output of perovskite solar cells is found to be dependent on both the energy level of perovskite itself as a solar absorber and hole transporting materials.
Polythiophene synthesis via halogen dance
Authors: Shono Keisuke , Sumino Yugo , Tanaka Shota , Tamba Shunsuke , Mori Atsunori
Published: May 2014

Polymerization of thiophene with a Ni(ii) catalyst through halogen dance leads to a new class of polythiophenes.
Novel synthesis of C, N doped rice grain shaped ZnS nanomaterials – towards enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity for aqueous pollutant removal and H2 production
Authors: Mani A. Daya , Ghosal P. , Subrahmanyam Ch.
Published: May 2014

Novel synthesis of C, N doped rice grain shaped visible active ZnS nano photocatalysts. Enhanced activity for the pollutant removal and H2 production from water.
Naphtalenediimide-based donor–acceptor copolymer prepared by chain-growth catalyst-transfer polycondensation: evaluation of electron-transporting properties and application in printed polymer transistors
Authors: Schmidt G. C. , Höft D. , Haase K. , Hübler A. C. , Karpov E. , Tkachov R. , Stamm M. , Kiriy A. , Haidu F. , Zahn D. R. T. , Yan H. , Facchetti A.
Published: May 2014

Comparison of naphtalenediimide-based copolymers used in TFTs and printed polymeric OFETs with mobility of ∼0.2 cm2V−1s−1.
TMPRSS13 deficiency impairs stratum corneum formation and epidermal barrier acquisition
Authors: Madsen Daniel H. , Szabo Roman , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Bugge Thomas H.
Published: May 2014

Membrane-anchored serine proteases serve as important regulators of multiple developmental and homoeostatic processes in mammals. TMPRSS13 (transmembrane protease, serine 13; also known as mosaic serine protease large-form, MSPL) is a membrane-anchored serine protease with unknown biological functions. In the present study, we used mice with the Tmprss13 gene disrupted by a β-galactosidase-neomycin fusion gene insertion to study the expression and function of the membrane-anchored serine protease. High levels of Tmprss13 expression were found in the epithelia of the oral cavity, upper digestive tract and skin. Compatible with this expression pattern, Tmprss13-deficient mice displayed abnormal skin development, leading to a compromised barrier function, as measured by the transepidermal fluid loss rate of newborn mice. The present study provides the first biological function for the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS13.
Exact evaluation of the depletion force between nanospheres in a polydisperse polymer fluid under Θ conditions
Authors: Wang Haiqiang , Woodward Clifford E. , Forsman Jan
Published: May 2014

We analyze a system consisting of two spherical particles immersed in a polydispersed polymer solution under theta conditions. An exact theory is developed to describe the potential of mean force between the spheres for the case where the polymer molecular weight dispersity is described by the Schulz-Flory distribution. Exact results can be derived for the protein regime, where the sphere radius (Rs) is small compared to the average radius of gyration of the polymer (Rg). Numerical results are relatively easily obtained in the cases where the sphere radius is increased. We find that even when q = Rg/Rs⪆ 10, then the use of a monopole expansion for the polymer end-point distribution about the spheres is sufficient. For even larger spheres q ≈ 1, accuracy is maintained by including a dipolar correction. The implications of these findings on generating a full many-body effective interaction for a collection of N spheres imbedded in the polymer solution are discussed.
Measurement of the index of refraction of μm crystals by a confocal laser microscope – Potential application for the refractive index mapping of μm scale
Authors: Kimura Keisaku , Sato Seiichi
Published: May 2014

A conventional laser microscope can be used to derive the index of refractivity by the ratio of geometrical height of the transparent platelet to the apparent height of the normal incident light for very small crystals in the wide size range. We demonstrate that the simple method is effective for the samples from 100 μm to 16 μm in size using alkali halide crystals as a model system. The method is also applied for the surface fractured micro-crystals and an inclined crystal with microscopic size regime. Furthermore, we present two-dimensional refractive index mapping as well as two-dimensional height profile for the mixture of three alkali halides, KCl, KI, and NaCl, all are μm in size.
Phase portraits analysis of a barothropic system: The initial value problem
Authors: Kuetche Victor Kamgang , Youssoufa Saliou , Kofane Timoleon Crepin
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we investigate the phase portraits features of a barothropic relaxing medium under pressure perturbations. In the starting point, we show within a third-order of accuracy that the previous system is modeled by a “dissipative” cubic nonlinear evolution equation. Paying particular attention to high-frequency perturbations of the system, we solve the initial value problem of the system both analytically and numerically while unveiling the existence of localized multivalued waveguide channels. Accordingly, we find that the “dissipative” term with a “dissipative” parameter less than some limit value does not destroy the ambiguous solutions. We address some physical implications of the results obtained previously.
Defect correlated fluorescent quenching and electron phonon coupling in the spectral transition of Eu3+ in CaTiO3 for red emission in display application
Authors: Som S. , Kunti A. K. , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Vijay , Dutta S. , Chowdhury M. , Sharma S. K. , Terblans J. J. , Swart H. C.
Published: May 2014

This paper reports on the defect correlated self-quenching and spectroscopic investigation of calcium titanate (CaTiO3) phosphors. A series of CaTiO3 phosphors doped with trivalent europium (Eu3+) and codoped with potassium (K+) ions were prepared by the solid state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the obtained powder phosphors consisted out of a single-phase orthorhombic structure and it also indicated that the incorporation of the dopants/co-dopants did not affect the crystal structure. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed the irregular morphology of the prepared phosphors consisting out of μm sized diameter particles. The Eu3+ doped phosphors illuminated with ultraviolet light showed the characteristic red luminescence corresponding to the 5D0→7FJ transitions of Eu3+. As a charge compensator, K+ ions were incorporated into the CaTiO3:Eu3+ phosphors, which enhanced the photoluminescence (PL) intensities depending on the doping concentration of K+. The concentration quenching of Eu3+ in this host is discussed in the light of ion-ion interaction, electron phonon coupling, and defect to ion energy transfer. The spectral characteristics and the Eu-O ligand behaviour were determined using the Judd-Ofelt theory from the PL spectra instead of the absorption spectra. The CIE (International Commission on Illumination) parameters were calculated using spectral energy distribution functions and McCamy's empirical formula. Photometric characterization indicated the suitability of K+ compensated the CaTiO3:Eu3+ phosphor for pure red emission in light-emitting diode applications.
Complex ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic phase transition and glass-like arrest of kinetics in Sm1−xBaxCrO3 (x = 0 and 0.1)
Authors: Qian X. L. , Deng D. M. , Jin Y. , Lu B. , Cao S. X. , Zhang J. C.
Published: May 2014

The dc magnetization studies of polycrystalline sample Sm1−xBaxCrO3 (x = 0 and 0.1) show the existence of a magnetic glass-like arrest of kinetics. There exist constant frozen fractions of antiferromagnetic state in this complex phase transition process, the frozen fractions are about 33% and 17%, respectively, in SmCrO3 and Sm0.9Ba0.1CrO3 at the cooling and warming rates of 1.5 K/min. The degree of ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic (FM-AFM) phase transitions is closely corresponding to the kinetic behaviors and thermomagnetic irreversibility. The FM-AFM phase transition and the frozen AFM fractions jointly affect the kinetics of glassy behaviors. The magnetic phase transition and glassy state was gradually repressed with the increase of the applied magnetic field, this complex behavior could be tuned in a number of ways in a two parameter (T and H) phase space.
Topological crystalline insulator PbxSn1-xTe thin films on SrTiO3 (001) with tunable Fermi levels
Authors: Guo Hua , Yan Chen-Hui , Liu Jun-Wei , Wang Zhen-Yu , Wu Rui , Zhang Zhi-Dong , Wang Li-Li , He Ke , Ma Xu-Cun , Ji Shuai-Hua , Duan Wen-Hui , Chen Xi , Xue Qi-Kun
Published: May 2014

In this letter, we report a systematic study of topological crystalline insulator PbxSn1-xTe (0 < x < 1) thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on SrTiO3(001). Two domains of PbxSn1-xTe thin films with intersecting angle of α ≈ 45° were confirmed by reflection high energy diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). ARPES study of PbxSn1-xTe thin films demonstrated that the Fermi level of PbTe could be tuned by altering the temperature of substrate whereas SnTe cannot. An M-shaped valance band structure was observed only in SnTe but PbTe is in a topological trivial state with a large gap. In addition, co-evaporation of SnTe and PbTe results in an equivalent variation of Pb concentration as well as the Fermi level of PbxSn1-xTe thin films.
Intensity inversion of vortex gyrotropic modes in thick ferromagnetic nanodots
Authors: Ding J. , Kakazei G. N. , Liu X. M. , Guslienko K. Y. , Adeyeye A. O.
Published: May 2014

Vortex gyrotropic modes in ferromagnetic nanostructures can be described as flexure oscillations of the vortex core line with different number of nodes n along the dot thickness. By conducting broadband ferromagnetic resonance measurements in the absence of external magnetic field on Ni80Fe20 circular nanodots with radius R = 150 nm and thickness 50 ≤ L ≤ 100 nm, we established that above L = 70 nm the intensity of more complicated n = 1 vortex mode is unexpectedly higher than the one of n = 0 mode. The observed behavior is explained on the basis of the inhomogeneous vortex mode phase profiles extracted from micromagnetic simulations. The phase difference of vortex core gyrations at the top and bottom dot faces is essentially different from 0 and π. The difference is increasing with increase in the dot aspect ratio L/R for the 0th order mode, whereas an inverse relationship is observed for the 1st order mode. The analytical theory indicates that this phase difference has magnetostatic origin.
Capture and Fixation of CO2 Promoted by Guanidine Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Shuai , He Liang-Nian
Published: May 2014

Guanidine compounds and their derivatives can be developed as catalysts, additives, or promoters in organic synthesis due to their unique chemical properties, which have attracted much attention in the chemistry and catalysis communities. Particularly, the strong basicity and ease of structural modification allow them to offer wide applications in the field of CO2 capture and conversion. Guanidine compounds modified as ionic liquids or heterogeneous catalysts have also been developed for CO2 capture and conversion. In this context, the latest progress on CO2 capture using guanidine and their derivatives as absorbents with high capacity will be summarized. Furthermore, guanidine-catalyzed transformation of CO2 to a series of value-added chemicals with mechanistic consideration on a molecular level will be particularly elaborated in this article.
Long-term potentiation of glycinergic synapses triggered by interleukin 1β
Authors: Chirila Anda M. , Brown Travis E. , Bishop Rachel A. , Bellono Nicholas W. , Pucci Francesco G. , Kauer Julie A.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Whereas glycine is one of the three major neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, glycinergic synapses are relatively understudied in intact tissue. Here we provide the first evidence of long-term potentiation (LTP) at mammalian glycinergic synapses. In the spinal cord dorsal horn, glycinergic synapses on inhibitory GABAergic neurons exhibit LTP, occurring rapidly after exposure to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta. This form of LTP is mediated by postsynaptic alterations in glycine receptor function. We further show that peripheral inflammation in vivo triggers glycine receptor LTP. Blocking glycine receptor LTP may represent a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of inflammatory pain.
Analysis of a DNA region from low-copy-number plasmid pYAN-1 ofSphingobium yanoikuyaeresponsible for plasmid stability
Authors: Hayashi Hiroe , Kurusu Yasuroh
Published: May 2014

We identified and analyzed a DNA region that is required for the stable maintenance of plasmids in the genus Sphingomonas. This DNA fragment, a 244 bp, is localized in the upstream region of the repA gene of low-copy-number small plasmid pYAN-1 (4896 bp) of Sphingobium yanoikuyae. It has four inverted repeats and one direct repeat for possible secondary structures. We were able to stabilize not only another unstable plasmid, pYAN-2, in the genus Sphingomonas, but also the unstable plasmid pSC101 without par locus in Escherichia coli. The copy-number levels between the unstable plasmid and the parental plasmid were similar, and these results suggest that the stabilization of unstable plasmids by this DNA region of pYAN-1 was not due to an increase in plasmid copy number. We concluded that the stabilization of the plasmid was due to a plasmid partition mechanism encoded by a DNA fragment of pYAN-1.
Localized concerns, scientific argumentation, framing, and federalism: the case of Devils Lake water diversion
Authors: Gruszczynski Mike , Michaels Sarah
Published: May 2014

A federal government system creates opportunities for proponents and opponents of environmental policy change to shift the institutional home where a policy decision is made and then invoke reasoning tailored for the new venue and to retry or reframe arguments. Content analysis of North Dakota state legislative and US Congressional committee hearings preceding authorization of an outlet connecting Devils Lake, North Dakota to the binational Hudson Bay drainage basin revealed: (1) State and federal legislators were equally likely to invoke constituents' localized concerns in framing arguments, and (2) Scientific evidence did not hold sway in either state or federal hearings.
The Monge–Ampère equation and its link to optimal transportation
Authors: De Philippis Guido , Figalli Alessio
Published: May 2014

We survey old and new regularity theory for the Monge–Ampère equation, show its connection to optimal transportation, and describe the regularity properties of a general class of Monge–Ampère type equations arising in that context.
Gadoid dynamics: differing perceptions when contrasting stock vs. population trends and its implications to management
Authors: Holmes Steven J. , Millar Colin P. , Fryer Robert J. , Wright Peter J.
Published: May 2014

Recent research suggests that ICES stock definitions for cod, haddock, and whiting of “west of Scotland” and “North Sea”, do not reflect underlying population structures. As population responses to different vital rates and local pressures would be expected to lead to asynchrony in dynamics, we examined trends in local spawning-stock biomass (SSB) among putative subpopulations of the three species. Delineation of subpopulation boundaries around spawning time was made based on genetic, tagging, and otolith microchemistry studies together with density distributions of species based on research vessel survey data. Subpopulation specific indices of SSB were derived using numbers-at-age and maturity observations from the same research vessel data and asynchrony was assessed by fitting a smoother to log SSB for each subpopulation and testing whether the smooths were parallel. Results for cod support the hypothesis of distinct inshore and larger offshore subpopulations and for whiting for northern and southern North Sea subpopulations with a boundary associated with the 50 m depth contour. In haddock, no difference in SSB trends between the North Sea and west of Scotland was found. For cod and whiting, subpopulation SSB trends differed substantially within current stock assessment units, implying reported stock-based SSB time-series have masked underlying subpopulation trends.
Pseudomonas syringae CC1557: A Highly Virulent Strain With an Unusually Small Type III Effector Repertoire That Includes a Novel Effector
Authors: Hockett Kevin L. , Nishimura Marc T. , Karlsrud Erick , Dougherty Kevin , Baltrus David A.
Published: May 2014

Both type III effector proteins and nonribosomal peptide toxins play important roles for Pseudomonas syringae pathogenicity in host plants, but whether and how these pathways interact to promote infection remains unclear. Genomic evidence from one clade of P. syringae suggests a tradeoff between the total number of type III effector proteins and presence of syringomycin, syringopeptin, and syringolin A toxins. Here, we report the complete genome sequence from P. syringae CC1557, which contains the lowest number of known type III effectors to date and has also acquired genes similar to sequences encoding syringomycin pathways from other strains. We demonstrate that this strain is pathogenic on Nicotiana benthamiana and that both the type III secretion system and a new type III effector, hopBJ1, contribute to pathogenicity. We further demonstrate that activity of HopBJ1 is dependent on residues structurally similar to the catalytic site of Escherichia coli CNF1 toxin. Taken together, our results provide additional support for a negative correlation between type III effector repertoires and the potential to produce syringomycin-like toxins while also highlighting how genomic synteny and bioinformatics can be used to identify and characterize novel virulence proteins.
Tillage, Fungicide, and Cultivar Effects on Frogeye Leaf Spot Severity and Yield in Soybean
Authors: Mengistu Alemu , Kelly Heather M. , Bellaloui Nacer , Arelli Prakash R. , Reddy Krishna N. , Wrather Allen J.
Published: May 2014

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) of soybean, caused by Cercospora sojina, has been a problem in the southern United States for many years but has become an increasing problem in the northern United States more recently, causing significant yield losses. This increase in disease severity in the northern United States has been attributed to increased utilization of no-till planting and changes in climate. A field study was conducted at the University of Tennessee, Research and Education Center in Milan, TN from 2007 to 2010 to determine severity in tilled and no-till plots treated with or without fungicide at R3 and R5 growth stages. Three FLS-susceptible cultivars, one each in Maturity Groups III, IV, and V, were treated with pyraclostrobin (Headline) fungicide. Analysis of variance using the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) indicated no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in disease severity between tilled and no-till plots without fungicide. Fungicide did not significantly reduce disease under no-till, but did under tilled plots. This is the first study showing that no-till plots did not reduce or enhance the severity of FLS when no fungicide was applied. Fungicide application significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) disease severity and AUDPC and increased yield in tilled plots. The yield gains in tilled, fungicide-treated plots ranged from 1 to 17%. When fungicide was applied, disease severity was not reduced as significantly in no-till as in treated tilled plots, suggesting that fungicide programs under a no-till system may require further study to minimize the risk of FLS severity.
Molecular correlates of cortical network modulation by long-term sensory experience in the adult rat barrel cortex
Authors: Vallès Astrid , Granic Ivica , De Weerd Peter , Martens Gerard J.M.
Published: May 2014

Modulation of cortical network connectivity is crucial for an adaptive response to experience. In the rat barrel cortex, long-term sensory stimulation induces cortical network modifications and neuronal response changes of which the molecular basis is unknown. Here, we show that long-term somatosensory stimulation by enriched environment up-regulates cortical expression of neuropeptide mRNAs and down-regulates immediate-early gene (IEG) mRNAs specifically in the barrel cortex, and not in other brain regions. The present data suggest a central role of neuropeptides in the fine-tuning of sensory cortical circuits by long-term experience.
Corporate social responsibility initiatives
Authors: Tobey David H. , Yasanthi Perera B.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to posit a framework that predicts and explains the success and sustainability of MNC‐driven corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in West Africa, based on the degree of overlap or differentiation among existing value systems of various stakeholders (economic orientation and temporal orientation).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes previous works on competing values, stakeholder perspective of CSR, and cultural values to posit the value alignment framework.

Findings

It is found that synthesis yields a value alignment framework and four propositions for empirical testing.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical research on the framework is needed. The synthesis of the propositions leads to two future research questions, “What is the impact of the degree of agreement on CSR values on corporate social performance?” and “What is the effect of culture on the effect of CSR values on performance?”

Practical implications

The framework presents those responsible for implementing CSR programs with a basis for reflecting upon broad factors that may mean the difference between CSR program success or failure.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theoretical model and assessment guidelines for considering local context when designing and delivering CSR initiatives and why CSR efforts may succeed or fail. Thus, it may assist in deriving sustainable social benefits from expatriate multinational investments in CSR.
The unexpected side of relational e-HRM
Authors: Bissola Rita , Imperatori Barbara
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the organizational redesign opportunities currently offered by web-based technological innovations contribute to rebuilding and strengthening the employee-HR department relationship, rendering personnel management policy criteria more transparent, increasing perceived fairness and thus helping to instil trust in the HR department, albeit in a diverse virtual context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors designed a survey involving 526 Gen Y employees and tested the hypotheses using structural equation modelling analyses.

Findings

– The results confirm a positive relationship between relational e-HRM system adoption, procedural justice and trust in the HR department.

Research limitations/implications

– The results provide evidence that technology can support the development of institutional trust in virtual environments and thus contribute to the growing e-HRM literature, to the more consolidated strategic HRM research domain and to the debate on trust in technology-mediated relationships.

Practical implications

– The paper provides valuable and at times unexpected results on the new potential role of the HR department in the current fluid and insecure labour market, thereby forming the basis for defining some useful guidelines to design and implement the e-HRM architecture.

Originality/value

– The paper focuses on understanding how relational e-HRM could impact on the direct employee-HR department relationship, from the Gen Y employees perspective, that is almost neglected in the growing literature. Moreover it suggests some unexpected insights on the role of technology innovativeness in moderating the impact of e-HRM on trust in the HR department.
Institutional determinants of e-HRM diffusion success
Authors: Burbach Ralf , Royle Tony
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Drawing on institutional theory and existing international business practice transfer and e-HRM models this paper develops an e-HRM diffusion model to ascertain the institutional factors that determine the successful diffusion of e-HRM practices in multinational corporations (MNC). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on the analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews with 15 key stakeholders in the German and Irish subsidiaries of a single US-based MNC as well as two interviews with a senior manager in one of its main competitors.

Findings

– The findings suggest that the successful transfer of e-HRM is mediated by an interchange of various institutional-level factors (external, relational, organizational and individual) within the corporation and its subsidiaries. Successful implementation of e-HRM is synonymous with the successful integration and institutionalization of e-HRM practices in the subsidiaries.

Research limitations/implications

– As this analysis is founded upon a single case study, it is difficult to make assumptions concerning the broad population of all MNC and their subsidiaries. Further research may be required to test the model and the findings presented in this paper.

Practical implications

– The findings and the model presented in this paper demonstrate the impact of the institutional context and of key success factors of technology implementation on e-HRM diffusion success. These findings may be of particular relevance to organizations and practitioners who are embarking on an e-HRM installation in an international context.

Originality/value

– This paper enriches the e-HRM and international management debate by identifying the key institutional factors impacting the diffusion of e-HRM practices in the subsidiaries of an MNC. In addition, the model put forward in the paper shows how these factors interact and how successful e-HRM diffusion can be characterized.
Configurations of e-HRM – an empirical exploration
Authors: Strohmeier Stefan , Kabst Ruediger
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate types, contexts and consequences of electronic HRM (e-HRM) configurations to get a deeper understanding of the reasons, kinds and success of different e-HRM types.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a cross-sectional survey of senior HR persons and analyses data with exploratory methods, i.e. cluster analysis, classification tree analysis and analysis of variance.

Findings

– The results show that actually three configurations of e-HRM – “non users”, “operational users” and “power users” – exist. These can be explained by a sparse, yet meaningful set of contextual variables. All three configurations markedly contribute to organisational success, whereas the “power user”-configuration exceeds the other configurations.

Research limitations/implications

– The employed e-HRM typology shows a precursory status and the empirical study is exploratory in nature. Thus, searching for a clearer theoretical foundation, improving the hypothesising of variables and undertaking further empirical studies to replicate the findings are necessary future steps.

Practical implications

– Not always a maximum of electronic support seems to be indicated. Depending on the respective organisational context, even no electronic support, or else, a merely operational electronic support appears to be admissible; while, however, in larger and strategic-oriented organisations full electronic support outperforms other configurations.

Originality/value:

–The paper focuses on different e-HRM types and gives some first insights into reasons, kinds and success of different configurations. This should lead to a refined understanding of e-HRM and evoke further research on the subject.
Effect of magnetic field and a mode-I crack problem in micropolar thermoelastic medium possessing under three theories
Authors: Lotfy Khaled , Yahia N. , Hassan W.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– A model of the equations of two-dimensional problems in a half space, whose surface in free of micropolar thermoelastic medium possesses cubic symmetry as a result of a mode-I crack is studied. There acts an initial magnetic field parallel to the plane boundary of the half-space. The crack is subjected to prescribed temperature and stress distribution. The formulation in the context of the Lord-Shulman theory includes one relaxation time and Green-Lindsay theory with two relaxation times, as well as the classical dynamical coupled theory. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The normal mode analysis is used to obtain the exact expressions for the displacement, microrotation, stresses and temperature distribution.

Findings

– The variations of the considered variables with the horizontal distance are illustrated graphically. Comparisons are made with the results in the presence of magnetic field.

Originality/value

– A comparison is also made between the three theories for different depths in 3D plots.
Application of infrared thermography in the characterization of voids and honeycomb in concrete structure
Authors: Laaidi Naouar , Belattar Sougrati
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is mainly the quantitative and the qualitative analysis of a reinforced concrete slab containing two types of delaminations: voids and honeycomb, with different sizes and depths.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the paper adopts the infra-red thermography as a sounding method. It is used as a tool to estimate the change in temperature or thermal contrast induced by the presence of a defect in specimen besides using numerical simulation based on FEM to develop the prediction of temperature development in concrete structure.

Findings

– This study shows that the numerical methods can be used to evaluate and validate the experimental results. The coupling of the simulation and the experimentation can be of a great utility because it allows predicting the results before beginning the experimentation.

Originality/value

– The paper finds that the use of FEM in the prediction of temperature evolution in concrete, and the validation of the numerical simulation with the results obtained by the experimental measurements have a key importance in the study of civil engineering structure.
A study on the effect of sequential post-earthquake fire on the performance of reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Behnam Behrouz , Reza Ronagh Hamid
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Post-earthquake fire (PEF) can lead to a rapid collapse of structures partially damaged by earthquake. As there is almost no established PEF provisions by codes and standards, PEF investigations are therefore needed for those buildings. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A non-linear PEF analysis comprises three steps, which are the application of gravity loads, earthquake loads and then fire loads. As a fire generally initiates on one floor and then spreads to other floors, applying a sequential fire is more realistic than applying a concurrent fire on several floors. Hence, in this study, the fire is applied sequentially to the floors with a time delay.

Findings

– The results indicate a substantial reduction in the resistance of the damaged frame when subjected to PEF. In addition, the results of applying the PEF sequentially is more realistic than the concurrent fire.

Research limitations/implications

– It was better to perform an experimental test to have a better understanding of the issue.

Originality/value

– PEF can potentially result in a catastrophe in areas located in seismic regions. Thus, investigating the effect of PEF on previously damaged structures is of importance.
Would credit scoring work for Islamic finance? A neural network approach
Authors: A. Abdou Hussein , T. Alam Shaair , Mulkeen James
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to distinguish whether the decision-making process of the Islamic financial houses in the UK can be improved through the use of credit scoring modeling techniques as opposed to the currently used judgmental approaches. Subsidiary aims are to identify how scoring models can reclassify accepted applicants who later are considered as having bad credit and how many of the rejected applicants are later considered as having good credit, and highlight significant variables that are crucial in terms of accepting and rejecting applicants, which can further aid the decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A real data set of 487 applicants is used consisting of 336 accepted credit applications and 151 rejected credit applications made to an Islamic finance house in the UK. To build the proposed scoring models, the data set is divided into training and hold-out subsets. The training subset is used to build the scoring models, and the hold-out subset is used to test the predictive capabilities of the scoring models. Seventy per cent of the overall applicants will be used for the training subset, and 30 per cent will be used for the testing subset. Three statistical modeling techniques, namely, discriminant analysis, logistic regression (LR) and multilayer perceptron (MP) neural network, are used to build the proposed scoring models.

Findings

– The findings reveal that the LR model has the highest correct classification (CC) rate in the training subset, whereas MP outperforms other techniques and has the highest CC rate in the hold-out subset. MP also outperforms other techniques in terms of predicting the rejected credit applications and has the lowest misclassification cost above other techniques. In addition, results from MP models show that monthly expenses, age and marital status are identified as the key factors affecting the decision-making process.

Originality/value

– This contribution is the first to apply credit scoring modeling techniques in Islamic finance. Also in building a scoring model, the authors' application applies a different approach by using accepted and rejected credit applications instead of good and bad credit histories. This identifies opportunity costs of misclassifying credit applications as rejected.
The dynamics of capital structure in the presence of zakat and corporate tax
Authors: Azura B.T. Sanusi Nur
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of wealth tax (zakat) and corporate tax (CT) on the firm's capital structure. The pioneering works of capital structure were introduced by Modgliani and Miller (1958). Subsequently, these studies were extended by other authors such as Elton and Gruber (1970), Miller (1977), DeAngelo and Masulis (1980), Mackie-Mason (1990), Harris and Raviv (1991), Rajan and Zingales (1995) and Booth et al. (2001). The diversity of the study covers from the advantage of CT to the cost of debt financing. The empirical evidence has also been applied to different countries with a good data access and different legal and accounting environments. However, this study is still relevant especially on the advantages of wealth tax, and the utilization of Islamic debt and equity financing to the firm's capital structure.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses the sample of Malaysian firms that are listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. The cross-sectional and time-series data covering 422 companies from 1996 to 2000 are compiled from the database published by the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. All the sample firms are listed as a syariah company that normally pays the wealth tax. These data, then, are used to examine the effects of several explanatory variables, i.e. wealth tax and CT, and several controlled variables on firm capital structure decisions.

Findings

– The results showed that, first, the significance of wealth tax is consistent with the argument that firms that pay high wealth tax should be financed with relatively more debt. Second, as the CT rate is raised, firms are subjected to lower CT rates which would lead them to utilize more debt in their capital structures. Third, a significant relationship exists between age, size, return on assets, volatility, industry classification, tangible assets and bankruptcy with the capital structure.

Originality/value

– This paper viewed the tax benefits and the zakat payments in isolation. However, the tax deductions and the zakat payments are both expected to influence the capital structure decisions. The paper will study this decision and reveal the determinants that influence the capital structure decisions in general and the specific choice of payments, i.e. tax and zakat payments.