bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential of surplus grass production as co-substrate for anaerobic digestion: A case study in the Region of Southern Denmark
Authors: Meyer Ane Katharina Paarup , Schleier Caroline , Piorr Hans-Peter , Holm-Nielsen Jens Bo
Published: July 2015

This paper presents an assessment of the surplus grass production in the Region of Southern Denmark, and the perspectives of utilizing it in local biogas production. Grass production represents a significant role in the Danish agricultural sector. However, statistical data show an excess production of averagely 12% in the period 2006–2012. Based on spatial analyses and statistical data, the geographical distribution of grass production and consumption was estimated and mapped for the Region of Southern Denmark. An excess production of grass was estimated for several of the municipalities in the Region of Southern Denmark, but the excess production was found to be quite sensitive to the management practice of the grass fields and the productivity of the grass. The yields of excess grass estimated in the sensitive and conservative scenario were found to be sufficient to serve a sole co-substrate in 2–8 biogas plants using animal manure as primary feedstock. The yields in the intensive scenario were assessed to be sufficient to serve a sole co-substrate in 8–16 biogas plants. Alternatively, at least 31% of the regionally produced maize which is exported to the biogas sector could annually be substituted by methane produced from the production of excess grass. The intensive scenario was estimated to have significantly higher grass yields than the sensitive and conservative scenario. The environmental impacts of intensified agricultural management should, however, be assessed carefully in order to ensure that the ecosystems are not increasingly being burdened. The potential of utilizing residual grass for energy production in the region or as an alternative to the maize exported to Northern Germany, was concluded to seem as a promising possibility for a sustainable development of the regional biogas sector. Furthermore, it could provide incentives for establishing new biogas plants in the region and thereby increase the share of manure being digested anaerobically, which could help extrapolate the environmental and climate related benefits documented for the use of digested animal manure as fertilizer on agricultural land.
Emotional Dimensions of Music and Painting and their Interaction
Authors: Campos-Bueno J. J. , DeJuan-Ayala O. , Montoya Pedro , Birbaumer N.
Published: July 2015

Usually it is accepted that human manifestations such as music or painting share a common artistic trait. However, very little is known about the genetic, behavioral, developmental and neurobiological basis of such a musical-pictorial “universal”. In an attempt to approach commonalities and differences between the psychology of music and pictorial art in Experiment 1 we investigated the emotional dimensions valence and arousal in a large sample (N =156, Mage = 21,44 years, SD = 3,89 years, range = 16–35 years) using a representative selection of musical and pictorial artistic stimuli. We found a stronger variability of valence and arousal with paintings and stronger effects of music on valence. In Experiment 2 (N =202, Mage = 21,35 years, SD = 3,57 years, range = 16–35 years) we present first quantitative data on the interaction between the two artistic categories of stimuli on a behavioral level, again observing effects of pictorial art and music on valence and arousal. Furthermore in Experiment 2 we replicated a more pronounced effect of music on the valence of pictures, particularly on positive valence the results of the ANOVA showed an increase in group A2: F(1, 120) = 6.23, p < .05, in group C2: F(1, 120) = 89.03, p < .001, and a surprisingly emotionally negative influence of pleasant paintings on the positive valence of music, group A1: F(1, 127) = 19.69, p < .001. Despite the unresolved problem of non-representativeness of the stimuli and the sample selected these results may suggest superior emotional “power” of music over painting.
Mapping the Relationship of Contributing Factors for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Shi Lin , Zhao Lei , Wong Adrian , Wang Defeng , Mok Vincent
Published: July 2015

While detecting and validating correlations among the contributing factors to the preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease (pAD) has been a focus, a potent meta-analysis method to integrate current findings is essential. The entity-relationship diagram with nodes as entities and edges as relationships is a graphical representation that summarizes the relationships among multiple factors in an intuitive manner. Based on this concept, a new meta-analysis approach with this type of diagram is proposed to summarize research about contributing factors of pAD and their interactions. To utilize the information for enriched visualization, width and color of the edges are encoded with reporting times, number of pAD subjects, correlation coefficient and study design (cross-sectional or longitudinal). The proposed Probabilistic Entity-Relationship Diagram (PERD) demonstrated its effectiveness in this research for studying pAD. Another kind of diagram with occurrence order for some factors was also proposed to provide sequential information of the factors. In addition, PERD could potentially develop into an online application named PERD-online, which would help researchers to pool findings on the same relationships and guide further tests to validate uncertain relationships in PERD. PERD as a generic graphical meta-analysis tool can also be applied in studying other multifactorial diseases.
Sulfonoquinovosyl diacylglyceride selectively targets acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and exerts potent anti-leukemic effects in vivo
Authors: Jain Chetan Kumar , Pradhan Bhola Shankar , Banerjee Sukdeb , Mondal Nirup Bikash , Majumder Subeer S. , Bhattacharyya Madhumita , Chakrabarti Saikat , Roychoudhury Susanta , Majumder Hemanta Kumar
Published: July 2015

DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors e.g. doxorubicin and etoposide are currently used in the chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These inhibitors have serious side effects during the chemotherapy e.g. cardiotoxicity and secondary malignancies. In this study we show that sulfonoquinovosyl diacylglyceride (SQDG) isolated from Azadirachta indica exerts potent anti-ALL activity both in vitro and in vivo in nude mice and it synergizes with doxorubicin and etoposide. SQDG selectively targets ALL MOLT-4 cells by inhibiting catalytic activity of topoisomerase I enzyme and inducing p53 dependent apoptotic pathway. SQDG treatment induces recruitment of ATR at chromatin and arrests the cells in S-phase. Down-regulation of topoisomerase I or p53 renders the cells less sensitive for SQDG, while ectopic expression of wild type p53 protein in p53 deficient K562 cells results in chemosensitization of the cells for SQDG. We also show that constant ratio combinations of SQDG and etoposide or SDQG and doxorubicin exert synergistic effects on MOLT-4 cell killing. This study suggests that doses of etoposide/doxorubicin can be substantially reduced by combining SQDG with these agents during ALL chemotherapy and side effects caused can be minimized. Thus dual targeting of topoisomerase I and II enzymes is a promising strategy for improving ALL chemotherapy.
Predicting the extinction of Ebola spreading in Liberia due to mitigation strategies
Authors: Valdez L. D. , Aragão Rêgo H. H. , Stanley H. E. , Braunstein L. A.
Published: July 2015

The Ebola virus is spreading throughout West Africa and is causing thousands of deaths. In order to quantify the effectiveness of different strategies for controlling the spread, we develop a mathematical model in which the propagation of the Ebola virus through Liberia is caused by travel between counties. For the initial months in which the Ebola virus spreads, we find that the arrival times of the disease into the counties predicted by our model are compatible with World Health Organization data, but we also find that reducing mobility is insufficient to contain the epidemic because it delays the arrival of Ebola virus in each county by only a few weeks. We study the effect of a strategy in which safe burials are increased and effective hospitalisation instituted under two scenarios: (i) one implemented in mid-July 2014 and (ii) one in mid-August—which was the actual time that strong interventions began in Liberia. We find that if scenario (i) had been pursued the lifetime of the epidemic would have been three months shorter and the total number of infected individuals 80% less than in scenario (ii). Our projection under scenario (ii) is that the spreading will stop by mid-spring 2015.
Water–use efficiency of dryland wheat in response to mulching and tillage practices on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Li-fang , Shangguan Zhou-ping
Published: July 2015

Mulching and tillage are widely considered to be major practices for improving soil and water conservation where water is scarce. This paper studied the effects of FM (flat mulching), RFM (ridge-furrow mulching), SM (straw mulching), MTMC (mulching with two materials combined), MOM (mulching with other materials), NT (no-tillage) ST (subsoiling tillage) and RT (rotational tillage) on wheat yield based on a synthesis of 85 recent publications (including 2795 observations at 24 sites) in the Loess Plateau, China. This synthesis suggests that wheat yield was in the range of 259–7898 kg ha−1 for FM and RFM. The sequence of water use efficiency (WUE) effect sizes was similar to that of wheat yield for the practices. Wheat yields were more sensitive to soil water at planting covered by plastic film, wheat straw, liquid film, water-permeable plastic film and sand compared to NT, ST and RT. RFM and RT increased the yields of wheat by 18 and 15%, respectively and corresponding for WUE by 20.11 and 12.50%. This synthesis demonstrates that RFM was better for avoiding the risk of reduced production due to lack of precipitation; however, under conditions of better soil moisture, RT and MTMC were also economic.
Effects of Nt-truncation and coexpression of isolated Nt domains on the membrane trafficking of electroneutral Na+/HCO3– cotransporters
Authors: Wang Deng-Ke , Liu Ying , Myers Evan J. , Guo Yi-Min , Xie Zhang-Dong , Jiang De-Zhi , Li Jia-Min , Yang Jichun , Liu Mugen , Parker Mark D. , Chen Li-Ming
Published: July 2015

The SLC4 genes are all capable of producing multiple variants by alternative splicing or using alternative promoters. The physiological consequences of such diversity are of great interest to investigators. Here, we identified two novel variants of the electroneutral Na+/"Equation missing" cotransporter NBCn1, one full-length starting with “MIPL” and the other Nt-truncated starting with “MDEL”. Moreover, we identified a new promoter of Slc4a10 encoding NBCn2 and a novel type of Nt-truncated NBCn2 starting with “MHAN”. When heterologously expressed, the new NBCn1 variants were well localized to the plasma membrane and exhibited characteristic NBCn1 activity. However, MHAN-NBCn2 was poorly localized on the plasma membrane. By deletion mutations, we identified the Nt regions important for the surface localization of NBCn2. Interestingly, coexpressing the full-length NBCn2 greatly enhances the surface abundance of the Nt-truncated NBCn2. Co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation studies showed that the full-length and Nt-truncated NBCn2 interact with each other to form heterodimers in neuro-2A cells. Finally, we showed that the isolated Nt domain interacts with and enhances the surface abundance of the Nt-truncated NBCn2. The present study expands our knowledge of the NBCn1 and NBCn2 transcriptome and provides insights into how the Nt domain could affect transporter function by regulating its membrane trafficking.
Electronic, Dielectric and Plasmonic Properties of Two-Dimensional Electride Materials X2N (X=Ca, Sr): A First-Principles Study
Authors: Guan Shan , Yang Shengyuan A. , Zhu Liyan , Hu Junping , Yao Yugui
Published: July 2015

Based on first-principles calculations, we systematically study the electronic, dielectric and plasmonic properties of two-dimensional (2D) electride materials X2N (X = Ca, Sr). We show that both Ca2N and Sr2N are stable down to monolayer thickness. For thicknesses larger than 1-monolayer (1-ML), there are 2D anionic electron layers confined in the regions between the [X2N]+ layers. These electron layers are strongly trapped and have weak coupling between each other. As a result, for the thickness dependence of many properties such as the surface energy, work function and dielectric function, the most dramatic change occurs when going from 1-ML to 2-ML. For both bulk and few-layer Ca2N and Sr2N, the in-plane and out-of-plane real components of their dielectric functions have different signs in an extended frequency range covering the near infrared, indicating their potential applications as indefinite media. We find that bulk Ca2N and Sr2N could support surface plasmon modes in the near infrared range. Moreover, tightly-bounded plasmon modes could exist in their few-layer structures. These modes have significantly shorter wavelengths (few tens of nanometers) compared with that of conventional noble metal materials, suggesting their great potential for plasmonic devices with much smaller dimensions.
Defects and charge transport in Mn-doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad Asif , Tkach Alexander , Costa Maria Elisabete , Vilarinho Paula Maria
Published: July 2015

KNN room-temperature conduction is associated with hole transport and can be suppressed by Mn-doping; a less leaky hysteresis loop is obtained. At high temperatures conduction is dominated by ionized oxygen vacancies motion. From grains and grain-boundaries resistance oxygen vacancies in KNN and Mn-doped KNN ceramics are mainly located at grain-boundaries.
Field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization in a pentacoordinate Co(ii) compound [Co(phen)(DMSO)Cl2]
Authors: Nemec Ivan , Marx Raphael , Herchel Radovan , Neugebauer Petr , van Slageren Joris , Trávníček Zdeněk
Published: July 2015

Magnetic properties of a pentacoordinate Co(ii) complex were studied experimentally and theoretically. The compound behaves as a field-induced single-molecule magnet.
Single-molecule magnet behaviour in polynuclear assembly of trivalent cerium ions with polyoxomolybdates
Authors: Khélifa A. Ben , Belkhiria M. Salah , Huang G. , Freslon S. , Guillou O. , Bernot K.
Published: July 2015

An isopolyoxomolybdate-based POM is coordinated to trivalent cerium ions to afford a hybrid complex namely, [Ce(dmso)8][Ce(η2-NO3)2(dmso)4(α-Mo8O26)0.5][Mo6O19].
Cinnamon extract improves the body composition and attenuates lipogenic processes in the liver and adipose tissue of rats
Authors: Lopes Bruna P. , Gaique Thaiane G. , Souza Luana L. , Paula Gabriela S. M. , Kluck George E. G. , Atella Georgia C. , Gomes Anne Caroline C. , Simas Naomi K. , Kuster Ricardo M. , Ortiga-Carvalho Tania M. , Pazos-Moura Carmen C. , Oliveira Karen J.
Published: July 2015

Cinnamon attenuates lipogenic processes, regulating the expression of key enzymes, transcriptional factors and their target genes in the liver and adipose tissue.
Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents as water-immiscible extractants
Authors: van Osch Dannie J.G.P. , Zubeir Lawien F. , van den Bruinhorst Adriaan , Rocha Marisa A.A. , Kroon Maaike C.
Published: July 2015

Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents consisting of decanoic acid and various quaternary ammonium salts are presented and evaluated as extractants.
Fragments in bromodomain drug discovery
Authors: Bamborough Paul , Chung Chun-wa
Published: July 2015

A review of fragment-based approaches to finding and optimising bromodomain inhibitors. Early successes against the BET subfamily are now being extended to other members of the target class.
Synthesis and conformational studies of chiral macrocyclic [1.1.1]metacyclophanes containing benzofuran rings
Authors: Islam Md. Monarul , Tomiyasu Hirotsugu , Matsumoto Taisuke , Tanaka Junji , Rahman Shofiur , Georghiou Paris E. , Redshaw Carl , Yamato Takehiko
Published: July 2015

A novel hemisphere-shaped inherently chiral calixarene analogoue [1.1.1]metacyclophane containing both benzene and benzofuran rings was synthesized by fragment coupling approach.
The ‘Ireland’ one-pot alcohol oxidation coupling reactions: celebrating 30 years of diverse synthesis
Authors: Jeena Vineet , Robinson Ross S.
Published: July 2015

The Ireland one-pot oxidative coupling reaction is reviewed on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
A cross-linkable triphenylamine derivative as a hole injection/transporting material in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Shih Hsi-Kang , Chu Yu-Lin , Chang Feng-Chih , Zhu Chao-Yuan , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: July 2015

A new thermally cross-linkable triphenylamine derivative containing a benzoxazine functional group for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs.)
Incorporation of nano-Al2O3 within the blend of sulfonated-PVdF-co-HFP and Nafion for high temperature application in DMFCs
Authors: Kumar Piyush , Singh A. D. , Kumar Vikash , Kundu Patit Paban
Published: July 2015

Nano-Al2O3 was incorporated into the blend of sulfonated-PVdF-co-HFP/Nafion using NMP (1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) as a common solvent with the aim to develop an alternate membrane to be used in a single cell direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
Unusual thermogelling behaviour of poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA)-based polymers polymerized in bulk
Authors: Zheng Jason Yujie , Tan Mein Jin , Thoniyot Praveen , Loh Xian Jun
Published: July 2015

The bulk synthesis of (PDMAEMA)-based polymers and their unusual thermoreversible gelation in aqueous solutions are described.
Exploring the relationships between perceptions of tutoring and tutoring behaviours: a focus on graduate students serving as peer tutors to college-level chemistry students
Authors: Velasco Jonathan B. , Stains Marilyne
Published: July 2015

It has been established that both tutors and tutees gain from tutoring sessions. However, tutors' benefits may be enhanced or limited depending on the type of behaviours they perform during the tutoring sessions. Although behaviours enhancing both tutor and tutee learning can be promoted by training, generalized tutor training models that are often used do not take into account tutors' preexisting perceptions of tutoring, which may guide their instructional behaviours. The goals of this multiple-case study of three chemistry tutors are to characterise their perceptions of tutoring, their behaviors during tutoring sessions, and the connections between their perceptions and behaviors. Data was collected through interviews in which tutors' perceptions of tutors and tutoring were probed and through video recordings of three to four sessions for each tutor. Interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Video recordings of sessions were analyzed using a list of codes corresponding to different types of behaviours that had been reported in prior tutoring studies. Analysis of the interviews indicated that tutors' perceptions of tutoring did not overlap fully across all the three tutors. Cross-case analysis indicates that tutors' perceptions of tutees and of the role of tutor were reflected in the instructional behaviours the tutors enacted during the sessions. The results of this study may be used to improve tutor training programmes, particularly through examining individual tutor's perceptions of tutoring as this may help anticipate natural instructional preferences of tutors.
Review on model reference adaptive system for sensorless vector control of induction motor drives
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Das Sukanta , Syam Prasid , Chattopadhyay Ajit Kumar
Published: July 2015

The most frequently used electrical machine in various modern high‐performance drive applications is the induction motor (IM), especially its squirrel cage type rotor counterpart. The high‐precision, efficient control of sensorless IM drives throughout its operating range demands an exact knowledge of a few of the IM parameters. The stator resistance, rotor resistances are such important IM parameters whose variations may lead to improper estimation of speed over the whole operating range in sensorless drives. Numerous methods for the estimation of speed of high‐performance sensorless IM drives taking into account the effect of parameter variations have been developed. This paper aims at providing a review of the major model reference adaptive system (MRAS) based techniques applied for the estimation of speed of such sensorless drives. This paper is illustrated throughout with relevant mathematical equations, experimental and simulation results, associated to different MRAS‐based sensorless vector control of the IM drive.
Elevated Patient Body Mass Index Does Not Negatively Affect Self-Reported Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Surgery: Results of a Comparative Observational Study with Minimum 1-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Manson Neil A. , Green Alana J. , Abraham Edward P.
Published: July 2015

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objective

Quantify the effect of obesity on elective thoracolumbar spine surgery patients.

Methods

Five hundred consecutive adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery to treat degenerative pathologies with minimum follow-up of at least 1 year were included. Primary outcome measures included Numerical Rating Scales for back and leg pain, the Short Form 36 Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, and patient satisfaction scores collected preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included perioperative and postoperative adverse events, postoperative emergency department presentation, hospital readmission, and revision surgeries. Patients were grouped according to World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) guidelines to isolate the effect of obesity on primary and secondary outcome measures.

Results

Mean BMI was 30 kg/m2, reflecting a significantly overweight population. Each BMI group reported statistically significant improvement on all self-reported outcome measures. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, there was no association between BMI group and primary outcome measures. Patients with BMI of 35 to 39.99 visited the emergency department with complaints of pain significantly more often than the other groups. Otherwise, we did not detect any differences in the secondary outcome measures between BMI groups.

Conclusions

Patients of all levels of obesity experienced significant improvement following elective thoracolumbar spine surgery. These outcomes were achieved without increased risk of postoperative complications such as infection and reoperation. A risk–benefit algorithm to assist with surgical decision making for obese patients would be valuable to surgeons and patients alike.
Analysis of the interplay of protein biogenesis factors at the ribosome exit site reveals new role for NAC
Authors: Nyathi Yvonne , Pool Martin R.
Published: July 2015

The ribosome exit site is a focal point for the interaction of protein-biogenesis factors that guide the fate of nascent polypeptides. These factors include chaperones such as NAC, N-terminal-modifying enzymes like Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP), and the signal recognition particle (SRP), which targets secretory and membrane proteins to the ER. These factors potentially compete with one another in the short time-window when the nascent chain first emerges at the exit site, suggesting a need for regulation. Here, we show that MetAP contacts the ribosome at the universal adaptor site where it is adjacent to the α subunit of NAC. SRP is also known to contact the ribosome at this site. In the absence of NAC, MetAP and SRP antagonize each other, indicating a novel role for NAC in regulating the access of MetAP and SRP to the ribosome. NAC also functions in SRP-dependent targeting and helps to protect substrates from aggregation before translocation.
Feng Shao: Getting a sense for the defense
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: July 2015

Shao studies pathogenic bacteria and their hosts’ innate immune mechanisms.
Exploring experimental parameter choice for rapid speckle-tracking phase-contrast X-ray imaging with a paper analyzer
Authors: Aloisio Isobel A. , Paganin David M. , Wright Christopher A. , Morgan Kaye S.
Published: July 2015

Phase-contrast X-ray imaging using a paper analyzer enables the visualization of X-ray transparent biological structures using the refractive properties of the sample. The technique measures the sample-induced distortions of a spatially random reference pattern to retrieve quantitative sample information. This phase-contrast method is promising for biomedical application due to both a simple experimental set-up and a capability for real-time imaging. The authors explore the experimental configuration required to achieve robustness and accuracy in terms of (i) the paper analyzer feature size, (ii) the sample-to-detector distance, and (iii) the exposure time. Results using a synchrotron source confirm that the technique achieves accurate phase retrieval with a range of paper analyzers and at exposures as short as 0.5 ms. These exposure times are sufficiently short relative to characteristic physiological timescales to enable real-time dynamic imaging of living samples. A theoretical guide to the choice of sample-to-detector distance is also derived. While the measurements are specific to the set-up, these guidelines, the example speckle images, the strategies for analysis in the presence of noise and the experimental considerations and discussion will be of value to those who wish to use the speckle-tracking paper analyzer technique.
The influence of green advertising during a corporate disaster
Authors: Bodkin Charles D. , Amato Louis H. , Amato Christie H.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore influences of green advertising and social activism during one of the worst adverse public relations episodes in history: the British Petroleum (BP) Deep Water Horizon oil spill.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses self-congruency theory and perception of fit to explore the influence of green advertising and social activism on attitudes toward BP’s advertising, commitment to the environment, brand, and company. The survey data cover periods before, during, and after the spill.

Findings

– Mean ratings for the BP brand were lower during the oil spill for respondents who viewed an environmental ad as compared to those viewing an ad lacking environmental content. Comparison of attitudes toward BP’s environmental commitment, advertising, company, and brand reveal differences between activist and non-activist respondents across all four attitudinal scales during the oil spill.

Practical implications

– The study finds that lack of fit between corporate social responsibility communications and social responsibility performance raises the potential for a significant backlash against BP.

Originality/value

– The paper utilizes unique data that include survey responses before during and after the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Empirical analyses of attitudes toward advertising, company, and brand over the life cycle of an adverse public relations event are among the first of their kind. Similarly, analyses of differences in activist and non-activist attitudes toward a company operating in a high-environmental risk industry are also among the first ever.
Company slogans, morphological issues, and corporate communications
Authors: Anwar Syed Tariq
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyze company slogans which play an important role in corporate identity and corporate communications.

Design/methodology/approach

– By discussing relevant literature, morphological issues (word formation in sentences), and content analysis, the study investigates 329 companies and their slogans that operate in global and domestic markets.

Findings

– The study finds that within the areas of corporate identity and corporate communications, company slogans tend to be diverse with distinct forms and morphological features. The work reveals that slogans go through evolutionary changes because of diverse markets and firms’ corporate communications and corporate identities. The study also compares and contrasts slogans from 2007 to 2013 which were used by the firms on their web sites.

Practical implications

– Interestingly, over half of the companies did not keep their slogans in 2012/2013. Many firms have stopped using slogans on their corporate web sites and systematically capitalize on brands and corporate identities when dealing with the areas of corporate communications. This supports the notion that slogans help corporate identity and corporate communications.

Originality/value

– The paper’s original value added is in the areas of corporate communications, slogans, and corporate identity.
How can employees engage customers?
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Han Heesup , Kim Seongseop
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to understand how to engage customers socially in the full-service restaurant industry. More specifically, based on the existing theoretical background, it was hypothesized that server disclosure induces customer disclosure. By a literature review, it was further hypothesized that server disclosure and customer disclosure influence trust, which in turn positively affects commitment and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed hypotheses were empirically tested using data collected from 287 full-service restaurant patrons. Structural equation modeling was conducted to empirically test the proposed theoretical hypotheses and evaluate the proposed conceptual model.

Findings

– Based on the data analysis results, server disclosure was found to be a key predictor of customer disclosure. In addition, server disclosure and customer disclosure aid in the creation of trust, and can thus help to enhance commitment and loyalty. The theory building process revealed that gender is a significant moderator.

Practical implications

– First, restaurant managers need to develop a systematic training program which would help restaurant servers attain adequate knowledge of their job. Furthermore, the restaurant servers must know the importance of frankness when providing services; a frank confession is the key to understanding the minds of people. Finally, restaurant managers are required to hire employees with an outgoing and likeable personality because they are more likely to induce customer disclosure. To achieve this, restaurant managers should conduct in-depth interviews or personality tests in the recruiting process, which help clarify an applicant’s personal traits.

Originality/value

– Social penetration theory was applied to identify the relationship between server disclosure and customer disclosure, as it is first attempted in the hospitality industry. In addition, this study separated mutual disclosure into two subdimensions (e.g. server disclosure and customer disclosure) and investigated the impact of these two subdimensions.
The housing experiences of Fijian migrants in Auckland
Authors: Sharma Ratenesh Anand , Murphy Laurence
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the housing experiences of Fijian migrants in Auckland, New Zealand, in response to recent calls for greater attention to be given to the housing experiences of a wider range of migrant groups. The paper seeks to extend the understanding of the housing experiences of a migrant group that have the economic and social resources that are likely to see them achieve housing outcomes beyond the usual “niche” and limited segments of the housing market usually available to migrants.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used a questionnaire survey designed to uncover the housing experiences and levels of satisfaction of Fijian migrants living in Auckland. Developing on the works of literature that have addressed ethnic residential segregation and migrant housing outcomes, this paper addresses the housing experiences of a well-established migrant community that possesses significant human capital (skills, education, English language proficiency) but occupies a hybrid cultural identity.

Findings

– The majority of the 84 respondents had attained homeownership. Homeownership was prized for conveying a sense of “independence” and was aligned with notions of Fijian Indian culture. Both homeowners and renters expressed high levels of satisfaction with the locational attributes of their homes. While the majority of renters aspired to homeownership, a lack of affordable housing was noted. Homeowners recognised that they had benefitted from accessing homeownership when house prices were more affordable and believed that current and future migrants would struggle to buy a house in the Auckland housing market.

Research limitations/implications

– In the absence of a sampling frame, this research employed a purposive sampling technique that distributed questionnaires among Fijian migrant community groups and ethnic businesses. As the first study of its kind into the housing experiences of Fijian migrants in Auckland, the sample size (84 respondents) and geographical distribution of respondents was deemed sufficient to offer insights into the community’s housing experiences. The findings of this research could be used to develop a larger-scale analysis of the housing experiences of Fijian migrants in Auckland.

Originality/value

– While considerable attention has been given to documenting the locational distribution of migrants in Auckland, this is the first study to examine the housing experiences of Fijian migrants. The paper adds to the understandings of the variety of migrant housing outcomes by focussing on the experiences of a well-established migrant group that possesses significant human capital and occupies a distinct ethnic position within Pacific migration flows.
Stock exchange industry in UAE
Authors: Paltrinieri Andrea
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of UAE Stock Exchange industry. In particular this paper aims to assess a potential merger between Dubai Financial Markets-Nasdaq-Dubai and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, evaluating risks, rewards, policy and business implications.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents a theoretical framework and a literature review of M & As in financial sector. It then carries out a case study on a potential merger between the UAE Stock Exchanges and a discussion on the implications for the actors involved.

Findings

– The contraction both in market capitalization and in trading value in the three UAE Stock Exchanges caused by subprime financial crisis and market fragmentation could be a key factors in implementing a merger between them. Because of high-fixed costs and trading platform, a single consolidated stock exchange may benefit from significant economies of scale, particularly network effects, and economies of scope.

Practical implications

– This paper could be useful to Security and Commodity Authority, in order to support a merger between Dubai and Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange. Given that UAE capital market regulator has tried to improve efficiency in UAE stock market over the last years, a merger between UAE Stock Exchanges could have positive effects on overall efficiency.

Originality/value

– It is the first paper that analyze UAE Stock Exchange industry. It is the first study that focusses on a potential merger between emerging markets’ stock exchanges. It is one of the first contributions that relates stock exchanges belonging to emerging and developed countries.
Interaction avoidance in networks
Authors: Hoholm Thomas
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop the case for studying non-interaction in networks, particularly instances of intentional avoidance of interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on the analysis of instances of interaction avoidance across four case studies in medical technology development, food product development, food distribution network change, and regional innovation in construction.

Findings

– Some answers are provided to the questions of why and how actors may seek to avoid interaction. Five modes of interaction avoidance are identified and outlined. Within these modes, interaction avoidance took place in order to protect knowledge, enforce progress, economise in business networks, avoid wasting resources, and maintain opportunities respectively. This list is not seen to be exhaustive of the theme, and further studies are encouraged.

Originality/value

– Few inter-organisational network studies have dealt explicitly with interaction avoidance or non-interaction.
Shimamura’s strategy to avoid competition: developing a low-cost operating system and evolutionary manuals
Authors: Isomura Kazuhito , Huang Pei-Yuh
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to clarify how a follower company sets its survival strategy and creates its own business model to implement the strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper examines the case of Shimamura from the viewpoint of its strategy, business model, business processes, managerial resources and value proposition.

Findings

– Shimamura’s strategy is to avoid competition by creating a high entry barrier in its main market of local city areas. Shimamura dominates the market by opening its stores intensively in one area and eliminates its competitors to sell its products at a lower price. Shimamura continuously improves its low-cost operating system and develops comprehensive and evolutionary manuals to implement the strategy. Moreover, Shimamura adopts a flexible approach to changing its value proposition by combining its original value with new values.

Originality/value

– The case study of Shimamura suggests that the survival of a follower company depends on building a strong business model that implements a clear and simple strategy.
The evolution of characters business models in Japan: Duffy, Hello Kitty, and Kumamon
Authors: Isomura Kazuhito , Suzuki Kazunori , Tochimoto Katsuyuki
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to clarify how to develop characters business models by utilizing new business concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper examines three cases in Japan to innovate characters business models: Duffy, Hello Kitty and Kumamon.

Findings

– The paper suggests that utilizing experience-based promotions, open innovation and a royalty-free strategy enhances customer loyalty to characters, expands customer targets and encourages autonomous collaboration of stakeholders.

Originality/value

– These case studies clarify how new business models aim to increase customer loyalty to characters and widen customer targets beyond generation, industry and country.
Lung stress and strain calculations in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit
Authors: Blankman P. , Hasan D. , Bikker I. G. , Gommers D.
Published: July 2015

Background

Stress and strain are parameters to describe respiratory mechanics during mechanical ventilation. Calculations of stress require invasive and difficult to perform esophageal pressure measurements. The hypothesis of the present study was: Can lung stress be reliably calculated based on non‐invasive lung volume measurements, during a decremental Positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) trial in mechanically ventilated patients with different diseases?

Methods

Data of 26 pressure‐controlled ventilated patients admitted to the ICU with different lung conditions were retrospectively analyzed: 11 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), 9 neurology, and 6 lung disorders. During a decremental PEEP trial (from 15 to 0 cmH2O in three steps) end‐expiratory lung volume (EELV) measurements were performed at each PEEP step, without interruption of mechanical ventilation. Strain, specific elastance, and stress were calculated for each PEEP level. Elastance was calculated as delta PEEP divided by delta PEEP volume, whereas specific elastance is elastance times the FRC. Stress was calculated as specific elastance times the strain. Global strain was divided into dynamic (tidal volume) and static (PEEP) strain.

Results

Strain calculations based on FRC showed mainly changes in static component, whereas calculations based on EELV showed changes in both the static and dynamic component of strain. Stress calculated from EELV measurements was 24.0 ± 2.7 and 13.1 ± 3.8 cmH2O in the lung disorder group at 15 and 5 cmH2O PEEP. For the normal lungs, the stress values were 19.2 ± 3.2 and 10.9 ± 3.3 cmH2O, respectively. These values are comparable to earlier publications. Specific elastance calculations were comparable in patients with neurologic and lung disorders, and lower in the CABG group due to recruitment in this latter group.

Conclusion

Stress and strain can reliably be calculated at the bedside based on non‐invasive EELV measurements during a decremental PEEP trial in patients with different diseases.
Half of the children who received oral immunotherapy for a cows' milk allergy consumed milk freely after 2.5 years
Authors: Kivistö Juho E. , Korppi Matti , Helminen Mika , Mäki Tiina , Paassilta Marita
Published: July 2015

Aim

Strict milk protein avoidance has been the standard therapy of cows' milk allergy (CMA) in children, but oral immunotherapy (OIT) seems to provide an alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of OIT on milk consumption during the first 2.5 years after a start of OIT.

Methods

This open‐label, noncontrolled, real‐life OIT study was conducted in 74 children with CMA, who were aged 5–15. It included a 6‐month induction phase and a 2‐year maintenance phase. Data on the complete 2.5‐year trial were available for 57 children.

Results

Most of the children (82%) completed the 6‐month induction phase and were able to consume at least 200 mL of milk or 6400 mg of milk protein a day. After the 2‐year maintenance phase, half were consuming milk daily. Risk factors for OIT failure during the induction phase were asthma and high milk‐specific immunoglobulin E, but a history of anaphylaxis before OIT was not. Allergies to eggs or wheat decreased the risk of immediate OIT failure.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the efficacy of milk OIT in real life, including the whole spectrum of persistent CMA at school age, and revealed certain risk factors associated with OIT failure.
Pancreatic cancer‐secreted miR‐155 implicates in the conversion from normal fibroblasts to cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Pang Wenjing , Su Jiaojiao , Wang Yalei , Feng Hui , Dai Xin , Yuan Yaozong , Chen Xi , Yao Weiyan
Published: July 2015

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a major constituent of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment and that the meaning is as intended. Pancreatic cancer cells can induce normal fibroblasts to convert into CAF and, reciprocally, CAF promote tumor invasions and proliferations. The mechanism of the conversion from normal fibroblasts (NF) to CAF remains unclear. MicroRNA are short non‐coding RNA involved in the post‐transcription gene regulation, which have been defined as an imperative controller in tumor invasions, proliferations and colony formations. Microvesicles (MV) have been proved to be an important mediator of intercellular communication and can selectively transport secreted microRNA from a donor cell into a recipient cell. In this study, we isolated primary pancreatic fibroblasts from wild type C57 mice and co‐cultured them with pancreatic cancer cell lines, BxPC‐3 and SW1990, and observed the conversion from NF to CAF, or at least CAF‐like cells. This phenomenon could also be replicated in primary fibroblasts treated with MV separated from a cancer cell media. We identified that miR‐155 was upregulated in PaC‐derived MV and we confirmed that normal fibroblasts could convert into CAF after MV containing miR‐155 had been taken up. TP53INP1 is a target of miR‐155 in fibroblasts and a downregulation of TP53INP1 protein levels could contribute to the fibroblasts' activation. These results indicated that pancreatic cancer cells might reprogram normal adjacent fibroblasts into CAF by means of secreted MV containing miR‐155. Targeting the circulating microRNA might be a potential therapy for malignant tumors.
MoleCollar and Tunnel Heat Map Visualizations for Conveying Spatio‐Temporo‐Chemical Properties Across and Along Protein Voids
Authors: Byška J. , Jurčík A. , Gröller M. E. , Viola I. , Kozlíková B.
Published: July 2015

Studying the characteristics of proteins and their inner void space, including their geometry, physico‐chemical properties and dynamics are instrumental for evaluating the reactivity of the protein with other small molecules. The analysis of long simulations of molecular dynamics produces a large number of voids which have to be further explored and evaluated. In this paper we propose three new methods: two of them convey important properties along the long axis of a selected void during molecular dynamics and one provides a comprehensive picture across the void. The first two proposed methods use a specific heat map to present two types of information: an overview of all detected tunnels in the dynamics and their bottleneck width and stability over time, and an overview of a specific tunnel in the dynamics showing the bottleneck position and changes of the tunnel length over time. These methods help to select a small subset of tunnels, which are explored individually and in detail. For this stage we propose the third method, which shows in one static image the temporal evolvement of the shape of the most critical tunnel part, i.e., its bottleneck. This view is enriched with abstract depictions of different physicochemical properties of the amino acids surrounding the bottleneck. The usefulness of our newly proposed methods is demonstrated on a case study and the feedback from the domain experts is included. The biochemists confirmed that our novel methods help to convey the information about the appearance and properties of tunnels in a very intuitive and comprehensible manner.
Visual Analysis of Proximal Temporal Relationships of Social and Communicative Behaviors
Authors: Han Y. , Rozga A. , Dimitrova N. , Abowd G. D. , Stasko J.
Published: July 2015

Developmental psychology researchers examine the temporal relationships of social and communicative behaviors, such as how a child responds to a name call, to understand early typical and atypical development and to discover early signs of autism and developmental delay. These related behaviors occur together or within close temporal proximity, forming unique patterns and relationships of interest. However, the task of finding these early signs, which are in the form of atypical behavioral patterns, becomes more challenging when behaviors of multiple children at different ages need to be compared with each other in search of generalizable patterns. The ability to visually explore the temporal relationships of behaviors, including flexible redefinition of closeness, over multiple social interaction sessions with children of different ages, can make such knowledge extraction easier. We have designed a visualization tool called TipoVis that helps psychology researchers visually explore the temporal patterns of social and communicative behaviors. We present two case studies to show how TipoVis helped two researchers derive new understandings of their data.