bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Position dependent spin wave spectrum in nanostrip magnonic waveguides
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Huaiwu , Ma Guokun , Liao Yulong , Zheng Yun , Zhong Zhiyong
Published: April 2014

The dispersion curves of propagating spin wave along different positions in nanostrip magnonic waveguides were studied by micromagnetic simulation. The results show that the modes of spin wave in the nanostrip magnonic waveguide are dependent on the position and the weak even modes of spin wave are excited even by symmetric excitation fields in a nanostrip magnonic waveguide. The reasons of the position dependent dispersion curve are explained by associating with geometrical confinement in the nanostrip magnonic waveguide.
A thermalization energy analysis of the threshold voltage shift in amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin film transistors under simultaneous negative gate bias and illumination
Authors: Flewitt A. J. , Powell M. J.
Published: April 2014

It has been previously observed that thin film transistors (TFTs) utilizing an amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) semiconducting channel suffer from a threshold voltage shift when subjected to a negative gate bias and light illumination simultaneously. In this work, a thermalization energy analysis has been applied to previously published data on negative bias under illumination stress (NBIS) in a-IGZO TFTs. A barrier to defect conversion of 0.65–0.75 eV is extracted, which is consistent with reported energies of oxygen vacancy migration. The attempt-to-escape frequency is extracted to be 106−107 s−1, which suggests a weak localization of carriers in band tail states over a 20–40 nm distance. Models for the NBIS mechanism based on charge trapping are reviewed and a defect pool model is proposed in which two distinct distributions of defect states exist in the a-IGZO band gap: these are associated with states that are formed as neutrally charged and 2+ charged oxygen vacancies at the time of film formation. In this model, threshold voltage shift is not due to a defect creation process, but to a change in the energy distribution of states in the band gap upon defect migration as this allows a state formed as a neutrally charged vacancy to be converted into one formed as a 2+ charged vacancy and vice versa. Carrier localization close to the defect migration site is necessary for the conversion process to take place, and such defect migration sites are associated with conduction and valence band tail states. Under negative gate bias stressing, the conduction band tail is depleted of carriers, but the bias is insufficient to accumulate holes in the valence band tail states, and so no threshold voltage shift results. It is only under illumination that the quasi Fermi level for holes is sufficiently lowered to allow occupation of valence band tail states. The resulting charge localization then allows a negative threshold voltage shift, but only under conditions of simultaneous negative gate bias and illumination, as observed experimentally as the NBIS effect.
Variation of the lattice and spin dynamics in Bi1−xDyxFeO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Liu H. L. , Su Y. C. , Tang Y. H. , Lin J. G.
Published: April 2014

Infrared and Raman-scattering spectroscopies were employed to explore the lattice and spin dynamics of Bi1–xDyxFeO3 nanoparticles. With increasing substitution of Bi by Dy in the range of 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.40, we observe (1) evidence for an increase of local lattice distortion of the FeO6 octahedra, and significant changes of phonon parameters in the x = 0.15 sample, corresponding to the structural transformation from rhombohedral to orthorhombic, (2) the chemically substituted enhanced dielectric constant of 43.4 in the x = 0.20 sample, (3) the development of two-magnon excitations in Dy substituted samples, which sensitively gauges the modification of magnetic structures from a cycloidal spin to a homogeneous magnetized state, and (4) Dy substitution disrupts the lattice-spin interactions at high temperatures. These findings extend our understanding of tailoring the structural and magnetic properties of chemically substituted multiferroic nanoparticles and advance the technologically important development of these materials.
Optical study of HgCdTe infrared photodetectors using internal photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Lao Yan-Feng , Unil Perera A. G. , Wijewarnasuriya Priyalal S.
Published: April 2014

We report a study of internal photoemission spectroscopy (IPE) applied to a n-type Hg1−xCdxTe/Hg1−yCdyTe heterojunction. An exponential line-shape of the absorption tail in HgCdTe is identified by IPE fittings of the near-threshold quantum yield spectra. The reduction of quantum yield (at higher photon energy) below the fitting value is explained as a result of carrier-phonon scatterings. In addition, the obtained bias independence of the IPE threshold indicates a negligible electron barrier at the heterojunction interface.
Charge control of antiferromagnetism at PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 interface
Authors: Ma X. , Kumar A. , Dussan S. , Zhai H. , Fang F. , Zhao H. B. , Scott J. F. , Katiyar R. S. , Lüpke G.
Published: April 2014

The interfacial spin state of the multiferroic heterostructure PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and its dependence on ferroelectric polarization is investigated with magnetic second-harmonic generation at 78 K. The spin alignment of Mn ions in the first unit cell layer at the heterointerface can be tuned from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic exchange coupled, while the bulk magnetization remains unchanged. Multiple domains of both phases coexist as the ferroelectric polarization is switched. The results will help promote the development of new interface-based functionalities and device concepts.
Distributed Bragg reflector assisted low-threshold ZnO nanowire random laser diode
Authors: Huang Jian , Monzur Morshed Muhammad , Zuo Zheng , Liu Jianlin
Published: April 2014

An electrically pumped nitrogen doped p-type ZnO nanowires/undoped n-type ZnO thin film homojunction random laser with a 10-period SiO2/SiNx distributed Bragg reflector is demonstrated. The formation of p-n homojunction is confirmed by the current-voltage and photocurrent characteristics. The random lasing behaviors with a low threshold of around 3 mA are observed. The output power is measured to be 220 nW at a drive current of 16 mA.
Tuning magnetism of monolayer MoS2 by doping vacancy and applying strain
Authors: Zheng Huiling , Yang Baishun , Wang Dingdi , Han Ruilin , Du Xiaobo , Yan Yu
Published: April 2014

In view of important role of inducing and manipulating the magnetism in two-dimensional materials for the development of low-dimensional spintronic devices, the influences of strain on electronic structure and magnetic properties of commonly observed vacancies doped monolayer MoS2 are investigated using first-principles calculations. It is shown that unstrained VS, VS2, and VMoS3 doped monolayer MoS2 systems are nonmagnetic, while the ground state of unstrained VMoS6 doped system is magnetic and the magnetic moment is contributed mainly by six Mo atoms around VMoS6. In particular, tensile strain can induce magnetic moments in VS, VS2, and VMoS3 doped monolayer MoS2 due to the breaking of Mo–Mo metallic bonds around the vacancies, while the magnetization induced by VMoS6 can be effectively manipulated by equibiaxial strain due to the change of Mo–Mo metallic bonds around VMoS6 under strains.
High perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in D22-Mn3+xGe tetragonal Heusler alloy films
Authors: Sugihara A. , Mizukami S. , Yamada Y. , Koike K. , Miyazaki T.
Published: April 2014

We prepared D022-Mn3+xGe (−0.67 ≤ x ≤ 0.35) epitaxial thin films on MgO(001) substrates with Cr(001) buffer layers and systematically investigated the dependence of their perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant, saturation magnetization, coercivity, and tetragonal axial ratio (c/a) on their composition and substrate temperature. Single-phase D022 crystal structures were formed in films with compositions of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.35, prepared at 400 °C. The D022-Mn3Ge films exhibited perpendicular magnetization with a magnetic squareness close to unity. Performing magnetic torque measurements at an applied field of 140 kOe, we estimated a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant of 11.8 ± 0.5 Merg/cm3, the highest and the most reliable value yet reported.
Differential expression of Notch component and effector genes during ovarian follicle and corpus luteum development during the oestrous cycle
Authors: Murta D. , Batista M. , Silva E. , Trindade A. , Mateus L. , Duarte A. , Lopes-da-Costa L.
Published: April 2014

Ovarian dynamics throughout the female oestrous cycle (EC) are characterised by cyclical follicle and corpus luteum (CL) development. These events are tightly regulated, involving extensive cell-to-cell communication. Notch is an evolutionarily well conserved cell-signalling pathway implicated in cell-fate decisions in several tissues. Here, we evaluated the extra-vascular expression patterns of Notch component and effector genes during follicle and CL development throughout the EC. Five mature CD1 female mice were killed at each EC stage. Blood samples were collected for progesterone measurement, ovaries were processed for immunohistochemistry and expression patterns of Notch components (Notch1, 2 and 3, Jagged1 and Delta-like1 and 4) and effectors (Hes1, Hes2 and Hes5) were characterised. Nuclear detection of Notch effectors indicates that Notch signalling is active in the ovary. Notch components and effectors are differentially expressed during follicle and CL development throughout the EC. The spatial and temporal specific expression patterns are associated with follicle growth, selection and ovulation or atresia and CL development and regression.
Decrease in phosphorus concentrations when P fertiliser application is reduced or omitted from grazed pasture soils
Authors: Coad Jessica , Burkitt Lucy , Dougherty Warwick , Sparrow Leigh
Published: April 2014

Many intensively managed soils contain phosphorus (P) concentrations greater than required for optimum production. Soils with P concentrations in excess of the agronomic optimum can have unnecessary losses of P that can adversely affect water bodies. Reducing excessive soil-P concentrations is important for the economic and environmental sustainability of intensive agriculture, such as the Australian dairy industry. However, little is known of decreases in extractable soil-P concentrations when P fertiliser applications are reduced or omitted from soils with P concentrations and properties representative of intensive pasture grazing systems. Decreases in extractable P (calcium chloride (CaCl2), Olsen and Colwell) were monitored for up to 4.5 years for six Australian grazed pasture soils (Red Ferrosol, Brown Kurosol, Grey Dermosol, Brown Dermosol, Podosol and Hydrosol) with contrasting textures and P-buffering indices (PBI). Sixteen treatments consisting of four initial extractable-P concentrations (Pinit) paired with four ongoing P fertiliser rates (Pfert) were established for each of the six soils, except on an extremely low-PBI Podosol, where a range of Pinit concentrations could not be established. The resultant decreases in P were larger with higher Pinit concentration and lower rate of ongoing Pfert, except in the extremely low PBI Podosol where decreases in initially high CaCl2-P concentrations were large irrespective of ongoing Pfert. There was a greater proportional decrease in the environmentally extractable P compared with agronomically extractable P, with mean decreases in CaCl2-P of 57%, Olsen-P of 25%, and Colwell-P of 12%. The Pinit concentrations, which were well above agronomic optimum, remained above this target. This study advances scientific knowledge of extractable soil-P concentrations when P fertiliser inputs are withheld or reduced from grazed pasture soils, and aids land and catchment managers in estimating likely changes over time.
The docking protein FRS2α is a critical regulator of VEGF receptors signaling
Authors: Chen Pei-Yu , Qin Lingfeng , Zhuang Zhen W. , Tellides George , Lax Irit , Schlessinger Joseph , Simons Michael
Published: April 2014

Significance

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays a central role in a range of biological processes from embryonic and perinatal vascular development to maintenance of the mature adult vasculature to regulation of various organs function. We report that the intracellular docking protein FRS2α, not hitherto known to be involved in VEGF signaling, plays a critical role in regulation of this process.
Recognition of apoptotic cells by viable cells is specific, ubiquitous, and species independent: analysis using photonic crystal biosensors
Authors: Pattabiraman Goutham , Lidstone Erich A. , Palasiewicz Karol , Cunningham Brian T. , Ucker David S.
Published: April 2014

Apoptotic recognition is innate and linked to a profound immune regulation (innate apoptotic immunity [IAI]) involving anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses. Many of the molecular and mechanistic details of this response remain elusive. Although immune outcomes can be quantified readily, the initial specific recognition events have been difficult to assess. We developed a sensitive, real-time method to detect the recognition of apoptotic cells by viable adherent responder cells, using a photonic crystal biosensor approach. The method relies on characteristic spectral shifts resulting from the specific recognition and dose-dependent interaction of adherent responder cells with nonadherent apoptotic targets. Of note, the biosensor provides a readout of early recognition-specific events in responder cells that occur distal to the biosensor surface. We find that innate apoptotic cell recognition occurs in a strikingly species-independent manner, consistent with our previous work and inferences drawn from indirect assays. Our studies indicate obligate cytoskeletal involvement, although apoptotic cell phagocytosis is not involved. Because it is a direct, objective, and quantitative readout of recognition exclusively, this biosensor approach affords a methodology with which to dissect the early recognition events associated with IAI and immunosuppression.
Rab14 regulation of claudin-2 trafficking modulates epithelial permeability and lumen morphogenesis
Authors: Lu Ruifeng , Johnson Debra L. , Stewart Lorraine , Waite Kelsey , Elliott David , Wilson Jean M.
Published: April 2014

Regulation of epithelial barrier function requires targeted insertion of tight junction proteins that have distinct selectively permeable characteristics. The insertion of newly synthesized proteins and recycling of internalized tight junction components control both polarity and junction function. Here we show that the small GTPase Rab14 regulates tight junction structure. In Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cells, Rab14 colocalizes with junctional proteins, and knockdown of Rab14 results in increased transepithelial resistance. In cells without Rab14, there are small changes in the trafficking of claudin-1 and occludin. In addition, there is substantial depletion of the leaky claudin, claudin-2, but not other tight junction components. The loss of claudin-2 is complemented by inhibition of lysosomal function, suggesting that Rab14 sorts claudin-2 out of the lysosome-directed pathway. MDCK I cells lack claudin-2 endogenously, and knockdown of Rab14 in these cells does not result in a change in transepithelial resistance, suggesting that the effect is specific to claudin-2 trafficking. Furthermore, leaky claudins have been shown to be required for epithelial morphogenesis, and knockdown of Rab14 results in failure to form normal single-lumen cysts in three-dimensional culture. These results implicate Rab14 in specialized trafficking of claudin-2 from the recycling endosome.
Primary cilia in stem cells and neural progenitors are regulated by neutral sphingomyelinase 2 and ceramide
Authors: He Qian , Wang Guanghu , Wakade Sushama , Dasgupta Somsankar , Dinkins Michael , Kong Ji Na , Spassieva Stefka D. , Bieberich Erhard
Published: April 2014

We show here that human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neuroprogenitors (NPs) develop primary cilia. Ciliogenesis depends on the sphingolipid ceramide and its interaction with atypical PKC (aPKC), both of which distribute to the primary cilium and the apicolateral cell membrane in NP rosettes. Neural differentiation of human ES cells to NPs is concurrent with a threefold elevation of ceramide—in particular, saturated, long-chain C16:0ceramide (N-palmitoyl sphingosine) and nonsaturated, very long chain C24:1ceramide (N-nervonoyl sphingosine). Decreasing ceramide levels by inhibiting ceramide synthase or neutral sphingomyelinase 2 leads to translocation of membrane-bound aPKC to the cytosol, concurrent with its activation and the phosphorylation of its substrate Aurora kinase A (AurA). Inhibition of aPKC, AurA, or a downstream target of AurA, HDAC6, restores ciliogenesis in ceramide-depleted cells. Of importance, addition of exogenous C24:1ceramide reestablishes membrane association of aPKC, restores primary cilia, and accelerates neural process formation. Taken together, these results suggest that ceramide prevents activation of HDAC6 by cytosolic aPKC and AurA, which promotes acetylation of tubulin in primary cilia and, potentially, neural processes. This is the first report on the critical role of ceramide generated by nSMase2 in stem cell ciliogenesis and differentiation.
Protein tyrosine phosphatases ε and α perform nonredundant roles in osteoclasts
Authors: Finkelshtein Eynat , Lotinun Sutada , Levy-Apter Einat , Arman Esther , den Hertog Jeroen , Baron Roland , Elson Ari
Published: April 2014

Female mice lacking protein tyrosine phosphatase ε (PTP ε) are mildly osteopetrotic. Osteoclasts from these mice resorb bone matrix poorly, and the structure, stability, and cellular organization of their podosomal adhesion structures are abnormal. Here we compare the role of PTP ε with that of the closely related PTP α in osteoclasts. We show that bone mass and bone production and resorption, as well as production, structure, function, and podosome organization of osteoclasts, are unchanged in mice lacking PTP α. The varying effects of either PTP on podosome organization in osteoclasts are caused by their distinct N-termini. Osteoclasts express the receptor-type PTP α (RPTPa), which is absent from podosomes, and the nonreceptor form of PTP ε (cyt-PTPe), which is present in these structures. The presence of the unique 12 N-terminal residues of cyt-PTPe is essential for podosome regulation; attaching this sequence to the catalytic domains of PTP α enables them to function in osteoclasts. Serine 2 within this sequence regulates cyt-PTPe activity and its effects on podosomes. We conclude that PTPs α and ε play distinct roles in osteoclasts and that the N-terminus of cyt-PTPe, in particular serine 2, is critical for its function in these cells.
SECA: SNP effect concordance analysis using genome-wide association summary results
Authors: Nyholt Dale R.
Published: April 2014

Summary: The genomics era provides opportunities to assess the genetic overlap across phenotypes at the measured genotype level; however, current approaches require individual-level genome-wide association (GWA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data in one or both of a pair of GWA samples. To facilitate the discovery of pleiotropic effects and examine genetic overlap across two phenotypes, I have developed a user-friendly web-based application called SECA to perform S NP e ffect c oncordance a nalysis using GWA summary results. The method is validated using publicly available summary data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium.

Availability and implementation:  http://neurogenetics.qimrberghofer.edu.au/SECA .

Contact:  dale.nyholt@qimrberghofer.edu.au

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Salmonella enterica subspecies II infections in England and Wales – the use of multilocus sequence typing to assist serovar identification
Authors: Nair Satheesh , Wain John , Connell Steve , de Pinna Elizabeth , Peters Tansy
Published: April 2014

Identifying rare Salmonella serotypes by conventional serotyping can be a problem for diagnostic or reference microbiology laboratories. We report two cases of the seldom encountered serovar Salmonella Dubrovnik, which is known as Salmonella subspecies II 41 : z : 1,5, in an elderly man and a young child. Multilocus sequence typing, a technique that is being used more frequently in our laboratory, was used to assist serovar identification as serotyping proved to be inconclusive. To our knowledge, these cases were not linked geographically and there were no known associations between them although they occurred within a very short time of each other.
Multilocus Species Trees Show the Recent Adaptive Radiation of the Mimetic Heliconius Butterflies
Authors: Kozak Krzysztof M , Wahlberg Niklas , Neild Andrew , Dasmahapatra Kanchon K , Mallet James , Jiggins Chris D
Published: April 2014

Müllerian mimicry among Neotropical Heliconiini butterflies is an excellent example of natural selection, and is associated with the diversification of a large continental-scale radiation. Some of the processes driving the evolution of mimicry rings are likely to generate incongruent phylogenetic signals across the assemblage, and thus pose a challenge for systematics. We use a dataset of 22 mitochondrial and nuclear markers from 92% of species in the tribe to re-examine the phylogeny of Heliconiini with both supermatrix and multi-species coalescent approaches, characterise the patterns of conflicting signal and compare the performance of various methodological approaches to reflect the heterogeneity across the data. Despite the large extent of reticulate signal and strong conflict between markers, nearly identical topologies are consistently recovered by most of the analyses, although the supermatrix approach fails to reflect the underlying variation in the history of individual loci. The first comprehensive, time-calibrated phylogeny of this group is used to test the hypotheses of a diversification rate increase driven by the dramatic environmental changes in the Amazonia over the past 23 million years, or changes caused by diversity-dependent effects on the rate of diversification. We find that the tribe Heliconiini had doubled its rate of speciation around 11 Ma and that the presently most speciose genus Heliconius started diversifying rapidly at 10 Ma, likely in response to the recent drastic changes in topography of the region. Our study provides comprehensive evidence for a rapid adaptive radiation among an important insect radiation in the most biodiverse region of the planet.
Comparison of the theoretical and real-world evolutionary potential of a genetic circuit.
Authors: Razo-Mejia Manuel , Boedicker James , Jones Daniel , de Luna Alexander , Kinney Justin Block , Phillips Rob
Published: April 2014

With the development of next-generation sequencing technologies, many large scale experimental efforts aim to map genotypic variability among individuals. This natural variability in populations fuels many fundamental biological processes, ranging from evolutionary adaptation and speciation to the spread of genetic diseases and drug resistance. An interesting and important component of this variability is present within the regulatory regions of genes. As these regions evolve, accumulated mutations lead to modulation of gene expression, which may have consequences for the phenotype. A simple model system where the link between genetic variability, gene regulation and function can be studied in detail is missing. In this article we develop a model to explore how the sequence of the wild-type lac promoter dictates the fold change in gene expression. The model combines single-base pair resolution maps of transcription factor and RNA polymerase binding energies with a comprehensive thermodynamic model of gene regulation. The model was validated by predicting and then measuring the variability of lac operon regulation in a collection of natural isolates. We then implement the model to analyze the sensitivity of the promoter sequence to the regulatory output, and predict the potential for regulation to evolve due to point mutations in the promoter region.
The dark side of trust and the light side of working alliances in financial services
Authors: Söderberg Inga-Lill , E Sallis James , Eriksson Kent
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use psychological theory to improve our understanding of financial advice-taking. The paper studies how a working alliance between financial service customers and advisors affects the advisor's assessment of the financial service buyer's perceived risk preferences, and what role trust plays as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper obtained data by means of a questionnaire that was answered by 375 matched pairs of bank advisors and customers.

Findings

– This paper explains how the working alliance method – a concept from psychotherapeutic theory – between financial service customers and advisors affects the advisor's understanding of the financial service buyer's perceived risk preferences. The paper also finds that the role of trust is perceived differently by the advisor and the customer. Advisors see that as their clients learn to trust them they lose touch with the customer's perceived risk preferences, whereas customers do not perceive that their trust in the advisor has any relationship to their risk preferences.

Practical implications

– This results suggest that advisors lose touch with the risk preferences of trusting customers, and that psychological methods are needed if the advisor should actually understand customer perceived risk preferences.

Originality/value

– The paper advances psychological methods in marketing, and provides a partial answer to the difficulties of financial advice giving.
A game-theoretical model of bank foreign direct investment strategy in emerging market economies
Authors: O’Connor Aidan , J. Santos-Arteaga Francisco , Tavana Madjid
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a game-theoretical model for commercial bank foreign direct investment strategy, government policy and domestic banking industry interactions in emerging market economies and demonstrate the application of this strategy to the banking system. Government policy and domestic banking industry interactions in emerging market economies and demonstrate the application of this strategy to the banking system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper develops a game-theoretical model to analyze the optimality of the limiting entry strategy followed by a given domestic institutional sector when considering the entry applications of foreign banks in the domestic financial system. The model analyzes the strategic options available to an emerging market country with a relatively underdeveloped banking system when deciding whether or not and to what extent allow for the entrance of better reputed and more technologically advanced foreign banks in its domestic financial system.

Findings

– The paper shows that the progressive liberalization of entry restrictions would define the perfect Bayesian equilibria of the subsequent set of continuation games and the respective payoffs derived from this liberalization as the domestic economy integrates and competes within the global financial system.

Originality/value

– Banks operating in the international financial market have incentives to invest directly in emerging market economies and governments have incentives in allowing foreign banks entry to their market. As banking systems in these economies are generally underdeveloped, opening the financial system to foreign competitors could lead to a decrease in the market share of local banks. Eventually foreign banks could control the banking system and could de facto control the money supply.
Customer CSR expectations in the banking industry
Authors: Pérez Andrea , Rodríguez del Bosque Ignacio
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine customer corporate social responsibility (CSR) expectations in the crisis context of the Spanish banking industry. The paper also takes into consideration the role that corporate governance structure plays in customer CSR expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analysing 648 customers of savings banks and 476 customers of commercial banks, several univariate statistics and two cluster analyses are implemented.

Findings

– The authors identify significantly consistent patterns in the CSR expectations of savings banks and commercial banks customers. The customers of both types of banking companies have similar high expectations concerning the CSR oriented to customers, shareholders and supervising boards, employees, the community and legal and ethical CSR. Also customers of both types of banking companies can be consistently classified as customer oriented, legally (customer)-oriented and CSR-oriented customers depending on their CSR expectations.

Practical implications

– These results have interesting implications for managers because it allows them to develop optimal CSR based on their customers’ expectations. In this regard, it is observed that the CSR expectations of savings banks and commercial banks customers are quite homogeneous in such a way that the traditional differentiation in the CSR implemented by savings banks and commercial banks may be no longer justified.

Originality/value

– Previous scholars who have analysed customer CSR expectations have not studied them in a crisis context. This paper contributes to literature by proposing new managerial strategies for companies facing a product or corporate crisis. Scholars studying customer CSR expectations in the banking industry have not considered the role of corporate governance structure either. This paper provides detailed information about the CSR expectations of savings banks customers and commercial banks customers.
Impact of education and training on performance of women entrepreneurs
Authors: Rauth Bhardwaj Broto
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to find the relationship between education and training and performance of women entrepreneurs (WEs). The present study found that entrepreneurial education stimulates women to take up entrepreneurship as a career option.

Design/methodology/approach

– Also the findings of the study show that WEs lack the time for upgrading their skills and also need training for developing their skills. The methodology includes empirical study, collection of data and analysis with the help of SPSS, correlation method to find the relationship between education and training of WEs.

Findings

– Getting appropriate education helps them with finding sources of innovative ideas and converting these ideas into enterprises. The study also revealed that due to constraints in the time availability and resources, WEs find it hard to train themselves and equip themselves with the recent developments in technology and the market.

Research limitations/implications

– Moreover, the study findings suggest that providing them with professional training and skill development programme would help the women students to launch their businesses. The data colleted is only from India.

Practical implications

– The paper also discusses the managerial implications and research implications of such a study. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between providing entrepreneurial platform and education to the women to start up their ventures.

Social implications

– The study findings suggest that there is a lack of societal support for women entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is still expected to be a male-dominated field, and it may be difficult to gain the society's support for WEs. The women entrepreneurship can also provide a tool for social upliftment for below poverty line people.

Originality/value

– Moreover, the study findings suggest that providing them with professional training and skill development programme would help the women students to launch their businesses. The paper also discusses the managerial implications and research implications of such a study.
Understanding the entrepreneurial intention of Chinese students
Authors: Barbara Bernhofer Lena , Li Jun
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This exploratory research aims to utilize a unique dataset obtained from the China Project of “Global University Entrepreneurial Spirits Students Survey” (GUESSS) to assess Chinese students' career choice intentions in general and entrepreneurial intention in particular, the dynamics of changes in career choice intentions, and impacts of career motives, university environment and perceived barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research followed the survey instrument and protocol designed by the organizer of the international GUESSS project. The sample in the dataset contains data of about 850 students who participated in China and 450 overseas Chinese students who participated in other countries in the international GUESSS project.

Findings

– The most preferred career choice option for Chinese students right after leaving university is to work in a large company and their intention to start an own company is low. However, in five years after graduation, founding an own company is identified as the most preferred option. The change appears to be primarily associated with students' perception of own maturity, confidence and improved financial position.

Practical implications

– The results indicate that the support of graduate entrepreneurship at universities shows first positive impacts, the entrepreneurship programs however still need to be extended to bridge the gap to realization. The insights into Chinese students' entrepreneurial intention are therefore of great value for educators, policy makers, and future student generations.

Originality/value

– GUESSS is the first study to explore the entrepreneurial spirit of Chinese students in great depth and to enable an international comparison of the findings.
Educating global citizens in business schools
Authors: Lilley Kathleen , Barker Michelle , Harris Neil
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Global citizenship, social responsibility and sustainability are constructs increasingly used in business schools. Yet, there is no widely accepted definition or conceptualization of the global citizen, nor is there strong evidence of how the global citizen is effectively translated into university ethos, culture and practice. This paper aims to conceptualize the global citizen in higher education broadly and more specifically in regard to business schools.

Design/methodology/approach

– International higher education, social science and business literature has been reviewed to present an integrated understanding of the global citizen; contextualized to higher education generally and business schools specifically.

Findings

– It is argued that the global citizen, viewed through a moral and transformative cosmopolitan lens, provides an alternative to the rhetoric frequently paid to the construct. This paper describes “global citizen learning” underpinned by the social imaginary, relationality and reflexivity. These virtues equip the students' global business mindset for complexity and ambiguity.

Research limitations/implications

– The interdisciplinary literature reviewed in this paper brings a focus to moral reasoning, sensitivity and values-based teaching. These aspects create new ways for the global citizen to be more explicitly integrated into business ethos and curricula.

Practical implications

– Global citizen learning provides the “conceptual glue”, needed to link social responsibility, sustainability and ethical principles to business curricula. Also, the paper outlines how “global citizen learning” can be utilized in existing curricula from a practical perspective.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses values and moral reasoning in business education. It is proposed that the global citizen conceptualized through moral and transformative cosmopolitanism provides a humanistic buffer to the neoliberal growth paradigm.
Using peer instruction with hints in introductory business statistics
Authors: Ding Ning , Xu Xiaoyan
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Peer instruction has been widely adopted as an instructional method in higher education. However, due to students' different preconceptions, the authors argued that peer instruction is not a panacea in international business education when students' prior knowledge extensively varies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this experimental study, the authors focused on three conditions of an introductory statistics course: individual problem solving, peer instruction, and peer instruction with hints.

Findings

– The authors have found students in peer instruction with hints class did not only outperform in the final exam, but also achieved the highest frequency of successful conceptual changes in comparison with their counterparts in the other two classes.

Practical implications

– Providing instructional hints to improve the effectiveness of peer instruction may shed light on classroom instruction in higher education.

Originality/value

– As for international business education, this was a unique exploration to capture students' conceptual changes using clickers. The authors believed this research paper will help the education practitioners to know their business students better.
Transgenerational plasticity in marine sticklebacks: maternal effects mediate impacts of a warming ocean
Authors: Shama Lisa N. S. , Strobel Anneli , Mark Felix C. , Wegner K. Mathias
Published: April 2014

Our study addresses the role of non‐genetic and genetic inheritance in shaping the adaptive potential of populations under a warming ocean scenario. We used a combined experimental approach [transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and quantitative genetics] to partition the relative contribution of maternal vs. paternal (additive genetic) effects to offspring body size (a key component of fitness), and investigated a potential physiological mechanism (mitochondrial respiration capacities) underlying whole‐organism growth/size responses.

In very early stages of growth (up to 30 days), offspring body size of marine sticklebacks benefited from maternal TGP: offspring of mothers acclimated to 17 °C were larger when reared at 17 °C, and offspring of mothers acclimated to 21 °C were larger when reared at 21 °C. The benefits of maternal TGP on body size were stronger and persisted longer (up to 60 days) for offspring reared in the warmer (21 °C) environment, suggesting that maternal effects will be highly relevant for climate change scenarios in this system.

Mitochondrial respiration capacities measured on mature offspring (F1 adults) matched the pattern of TGP for juvenile body size, providing an intuitive mechanistic basis for the maternal acclimation persisting into adulthood. Size differences between temperatures seen at early growth stages remained in the F1 adults, linking offspring body size to maternal inheritance of mitochondria.

Lower maternal variance components in the warmer environment were mostly driven by mothers acclimated to ambient (colder) conditions, further supporting our tenet that maternal effects were stronger at elevated temperature. Importantly, all parent–offspring temperature combination groups showed genotype × environment (G × E) interactions, suggesting that reaction norms have the potential to evolve.

To summarize, TGP and G × E interactions work in concert to mediate impacts of ocean warming on metabolic capacity and early growth of marine sticklebacks. TGP can buffer short‐term detrimental effects of climate warming and may buy time for genetic adaptation to catch up, therefore markedly contributing to the evolutionary potential and persistence of populations under climate change.
The effect of fire on habitat selection of mammalian herbivores: the role of body size and vegetation characteristics
Authors: Eby Stephanie L. , Anderson T. Michael , Mayemba Emilian P. , Ritchie Mark E.
Published: April 2014

Given the role of fire in shaping ecosystems, especially grasslands and savannas, it is important to understand its broader impact on these systems. Post‐fire stimulation of plant nutrients is thought to benefit grazing mammals and explain their preference for burned areas. However, fire also reduces vegetation height and increases visibility, thereby potentially reducing predation risk. Consequently, fire may be more beneficial to smaller herbivores, with higher nutritional needs and greater risks of predation.

We tested the impacts of burning on different sized herbivores' habitat preference in Serengeti National Park, as mediated by burning's effects on vegetation height, live : dead biomass ratio and leaf nutrients.

Burning caused a less than 4 month increase in leaf nitrogen (N), and leaf non‐N nutrients [copper (Cu), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg)] and a decrease in vegetation height and live : dead biomass. During this period, total herbivore counts were higher on burned areas. Generally, smaller herbivores preferred burned areas more strongly than larger herbivores.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine the vegetation characteristics that explained burned area preference for each of the herbivore species observed. However, total herbivore abundance and impala (Aepyceros melampus) preference for burned areas was due to the increases in non‐N nutrients caused by burning.

These findings suggest that burned area attractiveness to herbivores is mainly driven by changes to forage quality and not potential decreases in predation risk caused by reductions in vegetation height.
Waist‐to‐height ratio is an appropriate index for identifying cardiometabolic risk in Chinese individuals with normal body mass index and waist circumference 腰臀比是鉴别体重指数和腰围正常的中国人群的心血管代谢风险的适宜指标
Authors: Zhu Qihan , Shen Feixia , Ye Tingting , Zhou Qi , Deng Huihui , Gu Xuejiang
Published: April 2014

Background

The waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR), a novel index that has been reported to correlate more strongly than body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with cardiometabolic risk factors, has not been studied in Chinese individuals with normal body mass index and waist circumference. The present study compared the predictive power of WHtR with those of BMI and WC for such factors in non‐obese Chinese, and to define optimal cutoffs of WHtR in this population.

Methods

A total of 2137 subjects aged 40–75 years were recruited. Three anthropometric indices (WHtR, BMI, and WC) were compared and the optimal cutoffs of WHtR were identified by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. WHtR was divided into four quartiles (WHtR‐Q), and multiple linear regression analyses were used to calculate the relationship between WHtR‐Q and clinical biochemical index.

Results

Waist‐to‐height ratio was more efficient than WC to identify cardiometabolic risk factors in both genders, but was only superior to BMI in females. WHtR‐Q was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose, 2‐h postprandial blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure, and negatively connected with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in both genders after controlling for age, current smoking and drinking, moderate‐intensity physical activity, daily sedentary time, daily screen time and menopause (only for females). The optimal cutoffs of WHtR for detecting cardiometabolic risk factors were 0.47 in males and 0.51 in females.

Conclusion

Waist‐to‐height ratio might be an effective index to identify cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese with normal BMI and WC, particularly in females.
Organophosphorus insecticide, monocrotophos, possesses the propensity to induce insulin resistance in rats on chronic exposure 大鼠长期暴露于有机磷杀虫剂—久效磷后可能诱发胰岛素抵抗
Authors: Nagaraju Raju , Joshi Apurva Kumar Ramesh , Rajini Padmanabhan Sharda
Published: April 2014

Background

Our earlier studies had shown that monocrotophos (MCP), an organophosphorus insecticide (OPI), has the propensity to augment the secondary complications associated with type‐1 diabetes. The present study investigates whether rats exposed for prolonged periods to monocrotophos would develop insulin resistance mediated by alteration in glucose homeostasis.

Methods

Male rats were administered sublethal doses of monocrotophos daily for 180 days. Interim blood samples were collected to measure alteration in blood glucose and lipid profile. Rats were also subjected to glucose and insulin tolerance test and fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured to calculate insulin resistance by HOMA‐IR method. After 180 days, the rats were also evaluated for pancreatic histology and activities of hepatic gluconeogenetic enzymes.

Results

Monocrotophos elicited a gradual and sustained increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance in rats with concomitant glucose intolerance and reduced insulin sensitivity. MCP exposure was also associated with increase in weights of key white adipose pads, activities of gluconeogenesis enzymes and increase in pancreatic islet diameter, all of which led to hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidaemia.

Conclusion

Long‐term exposure of rats to MCP resulted in glucose intolerance with hyperinsulinemia, a hallmark of insulin resistance. Our data suggest that chronic exposure to low doses of monocrotophos, might lead to development of insulin resistance by altering lipid profile and glucose homeostasis.
Vitamin D deficiency in anesthesia department caregivers at the end of winter
Authors: SKARPHEDINSDOTTIR S. J. , SIGURDSSON M. I. , COURSIN D. B. , HEAD D. E. , SPRINGMAN S. R. , WANG S. , CHEN G. , LI Q. , KRUEGER D. C. , BINKLEY N. , SIGURDSSON G. H. , HOGAN K. J.
Published: April 2014

Background

To test whether the vitamin D status of anesthesia department caregivers practicing at high Northern latitudes is compatible with current recommendations, the 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels of caregivers at hospitals in Iceland (64°08′ N) and in Wisconsin (43°07′ N) were compared at the end of winter.

Methods

Anesthesia department faculty and resident physicians, non‐physician anesthetists, and critical care nurses completed a questionnaire, and provided blood samples for analysis of 25(OH)D by reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Results

One hundred and six participants in Iceland and 124 participants in Wisconsin were enrolled. No difference in mean serum 25(OH)D levels between Iceland [70.53 nmol/l, standard deviation (SD) 30.87 nmol/l] and Wisconsin (70.0 nmol/l, SD 30.0 nmol/l) was observed. In Iceland and Wisconsin, 25(OH)D levels below 25 nmol/l were observed in 4.7% and 4.0%, below 50 nmol/l in 34.9% and 25.0%, and below 75 nmol/l in 56.6% and 61.3% of caregivers, respectively.

Conclusions

25(OH)D levels below the 50 nmol/l (20 ng/ml) threshold recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, and below the 75 nmol/l (30 ng/ml) threshold recommended by The Endocrine Society, are highly prevalent among anesthesia caregivers working at two Northern hospitals at the end of winter who may otherwise not meet criteria to be tested. Anesthesia and critical care providers may wish to determine their 25(OH)D levels and use effective, safe, and low cost supplementation to target a 25(OH)D level compatible with optimal health.