bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Third law of thermodynamics for the dissipative cyclotron motion
Authors: Kumar Jishad
Published: November 2013

We derive the heat capacity and the entropy of an exactly solvable model of a charged particle in the combined presence of a uniform homogeneous magnetic field and a finite dissipative quantum heat bath consisting of non interacting harmonic oscillators. The quantities are calculated from the reduced partition function of the damped system which is calculated using the imaginary time functional integral method within the framework of the well known microscopic system-plus-bath model. Unlike the typical choice of an ohmic spectral density of the bath oscillators, we consider the quantum heat bath is having a spectral density corresponding to a thermal harmonic noise. Subsequently we analyse the specific heat and entropy at low and high temperatures. The specific heat and the entropy obtained satisfy the third law of thermodynamics. The heat capacity vanishes as the temperature approaches its absolute zero value, as predicted by the third law of thermodynamics, and satisfies the classical equipartition theorem at high temperatures.
Effect of processing method on in sacco ruminal degradability of organic matter and nitrogen from canola seeds and in vitro intestinal nitrogen digestion of the in sacco residue
Authors: Gunter S. A. , Springer T. L. , Loest C. A. , Goldman J. J.
Published: November 2013

A novel crop on the Southern Plains of the United States is canola (Brassica napus L.), of which annual production has nearly doubled in the last 5 years. Although production has not exceeded the demand for oil, the question has arisen as to its supplemental value for cattle grazing the rangeland adjacent to production areas. In an experiment, six seed processing methods were evaluated by in sacco digestion of organic matter and nitrogen and in vitro intestinal in sacco residue: (1) whole seeds with no processing; (2) seed coats scarified in a pneumatic seed scarifier; (3) ground in a four-knife mill; (4) unprocessed seed rolled to 0.5 mm thick; (5) seeds roasted then rolled to 0.5 mm thick; and (6) steamed then rolled to 0.5 mm thick. Processing methods were compared with a solvent-extract canola seed meal. All processing methods increased in sacco organic matter and nitrogen digestion in the rumen with ground method being the greatest (P < 0.05). These results showed that the ground method produced the most (P < 0.05) ruminally degraded nitrogen/kilogram of organic matter digested in the rumen (67 g) of all methods evaluated. Further, extent of in vitro nitrogen digestion (intestinal) from in sacco residue was reduced by increases in ruminal digestion. Processing methods that broke the seeds increased (P < 0.05) the total extent of nitrogen digestion over whole and scarified treatments. The most limiting nutrient to augment energy intake and digestion in cattle grazing native pastures is ruminally degraded nitrogen and it seems that the most appropriate processing method is grinding to use whole canola seeds as a supplement. Other processing methods evaluated either increased processing cost or increased the ruminally undegraded nitrogen value.
Characteristics of modern triticale quality: commercially significant flour traits and cookie quality
Authors: Pattison A. L. , Trethowan R. M.
Published: November 2013

Triticale (Triticosecale × Wittmack) is a high yielding cereal crop with the potential to increase grain production for human food in the coming decades. The quality of triticale flour is usually intermediate between its progenitor species; however, there are considerable differences in quality and response to agronomic conditions among cultivars. The aim of this research was to quantify existing genetic variation to provide preliminary data for classification of triticale cultivars for a milling market. Eleven triticale cultivars from three growing environments were compared with five wheat cultivars bred for various end users. Average protein content, milling yield, thousand-kernel weight, test weight, hardness, colour and ash content supported previous reports. One cultivar was identified with grain hardness and milling yield equivalent to durum wheat, suggesting a null allele at the rye softness protein locus. Ash content was higher than wheat, particularly in the flour despite lower extraction rates, suggesting triticale naturally stores more minerals in its endosperm and the benchmark for milling-grade triticale should be higher than the standard for wheat. Cookie dough weight of triticale was significantly lower per unit volume, indicating current baking processes must be altered to deal with the generally poor water retention of triticale. Significant differences were observed among cultivars for cookie quality and some produced cookies equivalent to soft wheat. There is a clear need to classify cultivars into suitability for various end users to facilitate production and marketing of quality triticale.
Long-period rhythmic synchronous firing in a scale-free network
Authors: Mi Yuanyuan , Liao Xuhong , Huang Xuhui , Zhang Lisheng , Gu Weifeng , Hu Gang , Wu Si
Published: November 2013

Significance

Understanding the mechanisms of how neural systems process temporal information is at the core to elucidate brain functions, such as for speech recognition and music appreciation. The present study investigates a simple yet effective mechanism for a neural system to extract the rhythmic information of external inputs in the order of seconds. We propose that a large-size neural network with scale-free topology is like a repertoire, which consists of a large number of loops and chains with various sizes, and these loops and chains serve as substrates to learn the rhythms of external inputs.
Unintended imitation affects success in a competitive game
Authors: Naber Marnix , Vaziri Pashkam Maryam , Nakayama Ken
Published: November 2013

Significance

People have a strong tendency to imitate each other in social interaction. Here, we show that imitation is also persistent in a competitive context. In our experiments, participants performed a two-player arcade game in which they could win money when they quickly hit targets on a touchscreen before their opponent. We demonstrate that reaction times and movements of players were highly synchronized and the financial rewards could not withhold players from imitating slow opponents. Imitation persisted, even when there was no need to follow the opponent’s actions.
Synthesis and delivery of short, noncoding RNA by B lymphocytes
Authors: Almanza Gonzalo , Anufreichik Veronika , Rodvold Jeffrey J. , Chiu Kevin T. , DeLaney Alexandra , Akers Johnny C. , Chen Clark C. , Zanetti Maurizio
Published: November 2013

Significance

Short, noncoding RNAs are a powerful way to regulate gene expression. As such, they are potential candidates for new forms of therapy. However, clinical translation is still hampered by lack of suitable and cost-effective delivery methods. Here we demonstrate that primary B lymphocytes can be programmed with plasmid DNA, effectively and easily, for the synthesis and delivery of antisense sequences (anti-microRNA) in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that anti-microRNAs secreted by primary B lymphocytes in vivo are taken up by T lymphocytes during antigen activation. These initial observations predict that microRNA-based intervention to modulate immune responses or to target cancer cell growth may be possible through the type of cell-based therapy disclosed here.
Uncoating of common cold virus is preceded by RNA switching as determined by X-ray and cryo-EM analyses of the subviral A-particle
Authors: Pickl-Herk Angela , Luque Daniel , Vives-Adrián Laia , Querol-Audí Jordi , Garriga Damià , Trus Benes L. , Verdaguer Nuria , Blaas Dieter , Castón José R.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) cause the common cold and exacerbate chronic pulmonary diseases. Their single-stranded RNA genome is protected by an icosahedral capsid and must be released into the host cell cytosol for translation and replication. Using X-ray and cryo-EM analyses, we identified structural alterations that take place in the virus architecture during infection. In acidic endosomes
in vivo
and in our experimental conditions, the native virion is converted into the expanded, porous uncoating intermediate A-particle. This is accompanied by altered RNA–protein contacts at the inner capsid wall, leading to major changes in RNA conformation that result in a well-organized RNA layer. These rearrangements suggest that the RNA–protein interactions prepare RNA and facilitate its subsequent egress via a well-ordered mechanism.
Dynamic PIP
2
interactions with voltage sensor elements contribute to KCNQ2 channel gating
Authors: Zhang Qiansen , Zhou Pingzheng , Chen Zhuxi , Li Min , Jiang Hualiang , Gao Zhaobing , Yang Huaiyu
Published: November 2013

Significance

Many membrane protein functions require phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP
2
), a minor phospholipid in the inner leaflet of plasma membranes; however the underlying mechanisms have not been well elucidated. Here, we show that PIP
2
might differentially regulate the activities of highly homologous proteins. The voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels Shaker, Kv1.2 and KCNQ2 have similar structural arrangements and voltage sensing mechanisms. Previous studies showed that PIP
2
decreases the voltage sensitivity of the Shaker and Kv1.2 channels; we observed that PIP
2
up-regulates the voltage sensitivity of the KCNQ2 channel. The differential interactions of PIP
2
with these channels contribute to the diversity of PIP
2
regulations. Our data suggest that the effects of PIP
2
and its interactions with membrane proteins should be studied at a finer scale.
Spectral redemption in clustering sparse networks
Authors: Krzakala Florent , Moore Cristopher , Mossel Elchanan , Neeman Joe , Sly Allan , Zdeborová Lenka , Zhang Pan
Published: November 2013

Significance

Spectral algorithms are widely applied to data clustering problems, including finding communities or partitions in graphs and networks. We propose a way of encoding sparse data using a “nonbacktracking” matrix, and show that the corresponding spectral algorithm performs optimally for some popular generative models, including the stochastic block model. This is in contrast with classical spectral algorithms, based on the adjacency matrix, random walk matrix, and graph Laplacian, which perform poorly in the sparse case, failing significantly above a recently discovered phase transition for the detectability of communities. Further support for the method is provided by experiments on real networks as well as by theoretical arguments and analogies from probability theory, statistical physics, and the theory of random matrices.
Genome of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus provides insight into the oldest plant symbiosis
Authors: Tisserant Emilie , Malbreil Mathilde , Kuo Alan , Kohler Annegret , Symeonidi Aikaterini , Balestrini Raffaella , Charron Philippe , Duensing Nina , Frei dit Frey Nicolas , Gianinazzi-Pearson Vivienne , Gilbert Luz B. , Handa Yoshihiro , Herr Joshua R. , Hijri Mohamed , Koul Raman , Kawaguchi Masayoshi , Krajinski Franziska , Lammers Peter J. , Masclaux Frederic G. , Murat Claude , Morin Emmanuelle , Ndikumana Steve , Pagni Marco , Petitpierre Denis , Requena Natalia , Rosikiewicz Pawel , Riley Rohan , Saito Katsuharu , San Clemente Hélène , Shapiro Harris , van Tuinen Diederik , Bécard Guillaume , Bonfante Paola , Paszkowski Uta , Shachar-Hill Yair Y. , Tuskan Gerald A. , Young J. Peter W. , Sanders Ian R. , Henrissat Bernard , Rensing Stefan A. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Corradi Nicolas , Roux Christophe , Martin Francis
Published: November 2013

Significance

The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis between fungi of the Glomeromycota phylum and plants involves more than two-thirds of all known plant species, including important crop species. This mutualistic symbiosis, involving one of the oldest fungal lineages, is arguably the most ecologically and agriculturally important symbiosis in terrestrial ecosystems. The Glomeromycota are unique in that their spores and coenocytic hyphae contain hundreds of nuclei in a common cytoplasm, which raises important questions about the natural selection, population genetics, and gene expression of these highly unusual organisms. Study of the genome of
Rhizophagus irregularis
provides insight into genes involved in obligate biotrophy and mycorrhizal symbioses and the evolution of an ancient asexual organism, and thus is of fundamental importance to the field of genome evolution.
Glutaredoxin regulates vascular development by reversible glutathionylation of sirtuin 1
Authors: Bräutigam Lars , Jensen Lasse Dahl Ejby , Poschmann Gereon , Nyström Staffan , Bannenberg Sarah , Dreij Kristian , Lepka Klaudia , Prozorovski Timour , Montano Sergio J. , Aktas Orhan , Uhlén Per , Stühler Kai , Cao Yihai , Holmgren Arne , Berndt Carsten
Published: November 2013

Significance

Embryonic development is one of the most amazing miracles in nature. The proteins and signaling events driving this highly complex process are far from being elucidated completely. For a long time, an important role of protein reduction and oxidation during development has been assumed. Here, we demonstrate the essential role of such a regulation during cardiovascular development: The modification of a single cysteine in the protein sirtuin 1 by the vertebrate-specific oxidoreductase glutaredoxin 2 is required for vessel formation and guidance. Our data indicate that this redox-signaling pathway based on glutaredoxin-dependent reversible
S
-glutathionylation may be also important for diseases of the cardiovascular system and pathological situations connected to angiogenesis, e.g., malignancies.
Anthropogenic emissions of methane in the United States
Authors: Miller Scot M. , Wofsy Steven C. , Michalak Anna M. , Kort Eric A. , Andrews Arlyn E. , Biraud Sebastien C. , Dlugokencky Edward J. , Eluszkiewicz Janusz , Fischer Marc L. , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Miller Ben R. , Miller John B. , Montzka Stephen A. , Nehrkorn Thomas , Sweeney Colm
Published: November 2013

Significance

Successful regulation of greenhouse gas emissions requires knowledge of current methane emission sources. Existing state regulations in California and Massachusetts require ∼15% greenhouse gas emissions reductions from current levels by 2020. However, government estimates for total US methane emissions may be biased by 50%, and estimates of individual source sectors are even more uncertain. This study uses atmospheric methane observations to reduce this level of uncertainty. We find greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and fossil fuel extraction and processing (i.e., oil and/or natural gas) are likely a factor of two or greater than cited in existing studies. Effective national and state greenhouse gas reduction strategies may be difficult to develop without appropriate estimates of methane emissions from these source sectors.
Limitations of inclusive fitness
Authors: Allen Benjamin , Nowak Martin A. , Wilson Edward O.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Inclusive fitness theory is the idea that the evolutionary success of a trait can be calculated as a sum of fitness effects multiplied by relatedness coefficients. Despite recent mathematical analyses demonstrating the limitations of this approach, its adherents claim that it is as general as the theory of natural selection itself. This claim is based on using linear regression to split an individual's fitness into components due to self and others. We show that this regression method is useless for the prediction or interpretation of evolutionary processes. In particular, it fails to distinguish between correlation and causation, leading to misinterpretations of simple scenarios. The weaknesses of the regression method underscore the limitations of inclusive fitness theory in general.
Autosis is a Na
+
,K
+
-ATPase–regulated form of cell death triggered by autophagy-inducing peptides, starvation, and hypoxia–ischemia
Authors: Liu Yang , Shoji-Kawata Sanae , Sumpter Rhea M. , Wei Yongjie , Ginet Vanessa , Zhang Liying , Posner Bruce , Tran Khoa A. , Green Douglas R. , Xavier Ramnik J. , Shaw Stanley Y. , Clarke Peter G. H. , Puyal Julien , Levine Beth
Published: November 2013

Significance

We show that the selective overactivation of autophagy can cause cell death with unique morphological features distinct from apoptosis or necrosis. This unique type of autophagic cell death, termed “autosis,” occurs not only in vitro but also in vivo in cerebral hypoxia–ischemia. Moreover, autosis is inhibited both in vitro and in vivo by cardiac glycosides, which are Na
+
,K
+
-ATPase antagonists used in clinical medicine. Our findings contribute to the basic understanding of cell-death mechanisms and suggest strategies for protecting cells against stresses such as hypoxia–ischemia.
Western welfare states watched from the East during the Cold War: condemnation, competition, and creative learning
Authors: Inglot Tomasz
Published: November 2013

This paper examines international influences of the Western welfare state on social policy ideas, institutions and reforms in the Soviet bloc during the Cold War. It identifies three types of Eastern reactions to or interactions with the West: “condemnation” of various “bourgeois” conceptions of social welfare; “competition” or increased attention to redistribution and social needs of the population stemming from the demonstrable successes of Western welfare states; and “creative learning” or implicit acknowledgment that every industrial society, including the Soviet style centrally planned economies, had to adopt at least some elements of modernized social welfare models or policy originally developed in the West. Paradoxically, first the explicit and later more implicit rejection of the Western welfare state, including the social-democratic and various “third way” models, eventually led to the rise of neoliberal and anti-welfare attitudes among many Eastern social policy reformers during the last decade of communist rule and beyond, after 1989.
Eliminating Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections: A National Patient Safety Imperative
Authors: Berenholtz Sean M. , Lubomski Lisa H. , Weeks Kristina , Goeschel Christine A. , Marsteller Jill A. , Pham Julius C. , Sawyer Melinda D. , Thompson David A. , Winters Bradford D. , Cosgrove Sara E. , Yang Ting , Louis Thomas A. , Lucas Barbara Meyer , George Christine T. , Watson Sam R. , Albert-Lesher Mariana I. , Andre Justin R. St. , Combes John R. , Bohr Deborah , Hines Stephen C. , Battles James B. , Pronovost Peter J. ,   on behalf of the On the CUSP: Stop BSI program
Published: November 2013

Background.

Several studies demonstrating that central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are preventable prompted a national initiative to reduce the incidence of these infections.

Methods.

We conducted a collaborative cohort study to evaluate the impact of the national “On the CUSP: Stop BSI” program on CLABSI rates among participating adult intensive care units (ICUs). The program goal was to achieve a unit-level mean CLABSI rate of less than 1 case per 1,000 catheter-days using standardized definitions from the National Healthcare Safety Network. Multilevel Poisson regression modeling compared infection rates before, during, and up to 18 months after the intervention was implemented.

Results.

A total of 1,071 ICUs from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, reporting 27,153 ICU-months and 4,454,324 catheter-days of data, were included in the analysis. The overall mean CLABSI rate significantly decreased from 1.96 cases per 1,000 catheter-days at baseline to 1.15 at 16–18 months after implementation. CLABSI rates decreased during all observation periods compared with baseline, with adjusted incidence rate ratios steadily decreasing to 0.57 (95% confidence intervals, 0.50–0.65) at 16–18 months after implementation.

Conclusion.

Coincident with the implementation of the national “On the CUSP: Stop BSI” program was a significant and sustained decrease in CLABSIs among a large and diverse cohort of ICUs, demonstrating an overall 43% decrease and suggesting the majority of ICUs in the United States can achieve additional reductions in CLABSI rates.
Managing fisheries from space: Google Earth improves estimates of distant fish catches
Authors: Al-Abdulrazzak Dalal , Pauly Daniel
Published: November 2013

Global fisheries are overexploited worldwide, yet crucial catch statistics reported to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by member countries remain unreliable. Recent advances in remote-sensing technology allow us to view fishing practices from space and mitigate gaps in catch reporting. Here, we use Google Earth to count intertidal fishing weirs off the coast of six countries in the Persian Gulf, otherwise known as the Arabian Gulf. Although the name of this body of water remains contentious, we use the name used in Google Earth. Combining, in a Monte Carlo procedure, the number of weirs (after correcting for poor resolution and imagery availability) with assumptions about daily catch and fishing season lengths, we estimate that 1900 (±79) weirs contribute to a regional catch up to six times higher than the officially reported catches of 5260 t. These results, which speak to the unreliability of officially reported fisheries statistics, provide the first example of fisheries catch estimates from space, and point to the potential for remote-sensing approaches to validate catch statistics and fisheries operations in general.
The Ddx5 and Ddx17 RNA helicases are cornerstones in the complex regulatory array of steroid hormone-signaling pathways
Authors: Samaan Samaan , Tranchevent Léon-Charles , Dardenne Etienne , Polay Espinoza Micaela , Zonta Eleonora , Germann Sophie , Gratadou Lise , Dutertre Martin , Auboeuf Didier
Published: November 2013

Estrogen and androgen receptors (ER and AR) play key roles in breast and prostate cancers, respectively, where they regulate the transcription of large arrays of genes. The activities of ER and AR are controlled by large networks of protein kinases and transcriptional coregulators, including Ddx5 and its highly related paralog Ddx17. The Ddx5 and Ddx17 RNA helicases are also splicing regulators. Here, we report that Ddx5 and Ddx17 are master regulators of the estrogen- and androgen-signaling pathways by controlling transcription and splicing both upstream and downstream of the receptors. First, Ddx5 and Ddx17 are required downstream of ER and AR for the transcriptional and splicing regulation of a large number of steroid hormone target genes. Second, Ddx5 and Ddx17 act upstream of ER and AR by controlling the expression, at the splicing level, of several key regulators of ER and AR activities. Of particular interest, we demonstrate that Ddx5 and Ddx17 control alternative splicing of the GSK3β kinase, which impacts on both ER and AR protein stability. We also provide a freely available online resource which gives information regarding splicing variants of genes involved in the estrogen- and androgen-signaling pathways.
Phreatobacter oligotrophus gen. nov., sp. nov., an alphaproteobacterium isolated from ultrapure water of the water purification system of a power plant
Authors: Tóth E. M. , Vengring A. , Homonnay Z. G. , Kéki Zs. , Spröer C. , Borsodi A. K. , Márialigeti K. , Schumann P.
Published: November 2013

Strains of a novel alphaproteobacterium were isolated from ultrapure water of a Hungarian power plant on a newly developed medium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the novel strains showed that these bacteria belong to a distinct lineage far from any known taxa. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains PI_31, PI_25 and PI_21T exhibited the highest sequence similarity to

Bosea minatitlanensis

AMX51T (93.43 %) and

Bosea thiooxidans

DSM 9653T (93.36 %); similarity to all other taxa was less than 93.23 %. Fatty acid profiles, matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra of cell extracts as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that our strains represent a novel genus and species within the class

Alphaproteobacteria

. The major isoprenoid quinone of the strains was Q-10, the major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and the polar lipid profiles of the strains contained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and several unknown phospholipids and other lipids. The characteristic diamino acid in their cell wall was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of DNA of the proposed type strain PI_21T was 68.9 mol%. A new genus and species, Phreatobacter oligotrophus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate the strains. Strain PI_21T ( = DSM 25521T = NCAIM B 02510T) is the type strain of Phreatobacter oligotrophus.
Bacillus panacisoli sp. nov., isolated from ginseng soil
Authors: Choi Jung-Hye , Cha Chang-Jun
Published: November 2013

A Gram-staining-positive, motile, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CJ32T, was isolated from ginseng soil at Geumsan in Korea. The isolate grew optimally at 30 °C, 2 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0. Colonies of strain CJ32T were beige and circular with an entire margin on LB agar plates. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CJ32T was associated with the genus

Bacillus

and was most closely related to

Bacillus graminis

YC6957T (97.3 % similarity) and

Bacillus lentus

IAM 12466T (97.1 %). DNA–DNA hybridization with closely related strains was below 31.3 %. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile of strain CJ32T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and several unidentified lipids, including phospholipids, aminolipids and aminophospholipids. The predominant fatty acids of strain CJ32T were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.1 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain CJ32T should be classified within a novel species of the genus

Bacillus

, for which the name Bacillus panacisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain CJ32T ( = KACC 17503T = JCM 19226T).
The Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor ABSCISIC ACID RESPONSE ELEMENT-BINDING FACTOR2 Is an Important Transcriptional Regulator of Abscisic Acid-Dependent Grape Berry Ripening Processes
Authors: Nicolas Philippe , Lecourieux David , Kappel Christian , Cluzet Stéphanie , Cramer Grant , Delrot Serge , Lecourieux Fatma
Published: November 2013

In grape (Vitis vinifera), abscisic acid (ABA) accumulates during fruit ripening and is thought to play a pivotal role in this process, but the molecular basis of this control is poorly understood. This work characterizes ABSCISIC ACID RESPONSE ELEMENT-BINDING FACTOR2 (VvABF2), a grape basic leucine zipper transcription factor belonging to a phylogenetic subgroup previously shown to be involved in ABA and abiotic stress signaling in other plant species. VvABF2 transcripts mainly accumulated in the berry, from the onset of ripening to the harvesting stage, and were up-regulated by ABA. Microarray analysis of transgenic grape cells overexpressing VvABF2 showed that this transcription factor up-regulates and/or modifies existing networks related to ABA responses. In addition, grape cells overexpressing VvABF2 exhibited enhanced responses to ABA treatment compared with control cells. Among the VvABF2-mediated responses highlighted in this study, the synthesis of phenolic compounds and cell wall softening were the most strongly affected. VvABF2 overexpression strongly increased the accumulation of stilbenes that play a role in plant defense and human health (resveratrol and piceid). In addition, the firmness of fruits from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants overexpressing VvABF2 was strongly reduced. These data indicate that VvABF2 is an important transcriptional regulator of ABA-dependent grape berry ripening.
Bis[μ-N-(pyridin-2-yl)methanesulfonamido-κ2N:N′]silver(I)
Authors: Hu Hui-Ling , Yeh Chun-Wei
Published: November 2013

In the title compound, [Ag2(C6H7N2O2S)2], the AgIatom is coordinated by two N atoms from twoN-(pyridin-2-yl)methanesulfonamidate anions in a slightly bent linear geometry [N—Ag—N = 166.03 (7)°]. The AgIatoms are bridged by theN-(pyridin-2-yl)methanesulfonamidate anions, forming a centrosymmetric dinuclear molecule, in which the Ag...Ag distance is 2.7072 (4) Å.
Culture matters
Authors: Hwang Jiyoung , Chung Jae-Eun , Jin Byungho
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to examine unique cultural influences in the context of buyer-supplier relationships in a Confucian culture. The paper identifies whether and how long-term orientation (LO), an inherent value of Confucianism, is an antecedent of important factors of channel relationships, rather than a relationship outcome and whether and how market orientation mediates relations among LO and other relational factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from retail buyers at department stores in South Korea, a country that is representative of Confucian culture. One hundred and fourteen valid cases were analysed using path analysis to assess the proposed model.

Findings

– LO plays significant anteceding roles in market orientation, trust, and economic dependence, both directly and indirectly. In addition, market orientation mediates the impact of LO on trust and economic dependence.

Research limitations/implications

– Testing the proposed model with both retailers' and suppliers' data will add robustness to the research findings. This research advances the understanding of cultural influence on channel relationship regarding the role of LO and market orientation. Strategic practical implications include that marketers who deal with business partners in Confucian culture need to understand the embeddedness of LO and its impact on business relationship management.

Originality/value

– The current study scrutinizes unique aspects of cultural influence on the anteceding roles of LO and the direct relationship between LO and market orientation in Confucian culture. The findings on the cultural embeddedness of LO provide novel insights; they also provide managerial implications for Western marketers in how to better deal with Confucian business partners.
Bioenergy prospects in Taiwan using set-aside land – an economic evaluation
Authors: Kung Chih-Chun , McCarl Bruce , Cao Xiaoyong , Xie Hualin
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to explore Taiwan's potential for bioenergy production using feedstocks grown on set-aside land and discusses the consequent effects on Taiwan's energy security plus benefits and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Modified Taiwan Agricultural Sector Model (Modified TASM), based on price endogenous mathematical programming, was used to simulate different agricultural policies related to bioenergy production. To do this simulation, the TASM model was extended to include additional bioenergy production possibilities and GHG accounting.

Findings

– Taiwan's bioenergy production portfolio depends on prices of ethanol, electricity and GHG. When GHG prices go up, ethanol production decreases and electricity production increases because of the relatively stronger GHG offset power of biopower.

Originality/value

– Taiwan is interested in producing bioenergy but only limited information is available. This study provides the information on potential bioethanol and bioelectricity production from various energy crops, GHG emission offset from bioenergy, and regional energy security.
Production pattern, transaction style and raw milk quality
Authors: Zhong Zhen , Chen Shufen , Kong Xiangzhi
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an econometric model to empirically analyze the influence of production patterns and transaction style on raw milk quality. More specifically, the paper examines the effects of these institutions on both nutrition and safety aspects of raw milk quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from 396 households in Inner Mongolia, this paper adopts a multiple linear regression model (OLS/FGLS) and a zero-inflated Poisson regression model to test two hypotheses proposed according to theory and descriptive analysis.

Findings

– The empirical results indicate that both production pattern and transaction style significantly affect raw milk quality. Production pattern has a more significant effect on raw milk nutrition, while transaction style has a more significant effect on raw milk safety.

Research limitations/implications

– Current government policies focus on reducing household production and regulating private milk collection stations. From a comprehensive quality perspective, these policies are not effective in that they cannot guarantee raw milk safety and have little effect on improving raw milk nutrition. Alternatively, promoting dairy farmers' specialized cooperatives may be a more effective policy measure.

Originality/value

– In contrast to other studies, this paper adopts a comprehensive quality perspective that examines both nutritional and safety characteristics rather than focusing on any single quality indicator, separately analyzing the factors influencing raw milk nutrition and raw milk safety. Therefore, the conclusion of this paper provides a new perspective in addressing the current raw milk quality problems facing China's dairy industry.
Examining how preferences for employer branding attributes differ from entry to exit and how they relate to commitment, satisfaction, and retention
Authors: K. Ito Jack , M. Brotheridge Céleste , McFarland Kathie
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to address three broad questions: Are preferences for branding attributes similar for entry and for retention? Are there generational and career stage differences in one's entry and exit priorities? How is current satisfaction with brand image attributes related to overall commitment, satisfaction and retention?

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reports on the results of a survey of 144 workers employed at 37 day care centers in a medium sized Canadian city.

Findings

– Although the level of respondents' priorities for entry and exit differed, most priorities remained in the same order. However, their perspectives were more disaggregated for entry than for exit, where branding attributes were more strongly correlated. Consistent with the exploration stage of career development, younger people planned to stay a shorter length of time with a particular center.

Research limitations/implications

– This study includes only child care workers in a small geographic region. Future research should be undertaken in larger scale firms that also offer greater heterogeneity in professions as well as career options. Also, a longitudinal study that follows new entrants for several years, using both instrumental and symbolic measures, would provide information on what attracted individuals and what influenced their intention to leave.

Practical implications

– Although there were few differences by age or career stage, the variation within each factor suggests that a brand image may need to be relatively broad to accommodate diversity. HR practitioners can use the practice symbolic pattern to build and maintain a culture that is attractive to present and prospective employees. The opposite symbolic practice pattern may help current employees understand reasons for new practices.

Originality/value

– Organizations face significant challenges in designing programs for recruitment and retention. This study considers how employees' to two questions – “why do people enter the organization” and “why do people remain?” – may differ.
Hedging in nursing and education academic articles
Authors: Rabab'ah Ghaleb
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The study aims to investigate how and why hedges are used in nursing and education academic research articles and find out whether there are differences between the two disciplines in using hedges and their subcategories.

Design/methodology/approach

– The realization of hedges in 50 academic articles representing both disciplines, namely education and nursing, was scrutinized and analyzed.

Findings

– The study reveals that there are significant differences between the nursing and education writers' use of hedging in the total use of hedging devices and their subcategories, in favor of the education discipline. This indicates that writers of education articles use hedges more frequently than the writers of nursing articles. In support of previous literature, it concludes that hedging devices are used as communicative strategies to qualify writers' commitment, reduce the force of the researchers' statements, express probability, save the writers' face, persuade readers, and avoid any possible rejection of their statements.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was limited to 50 research articles representing both disciplines: education (non-scientific genre) and nursing (scientific genre), and certain hedging devices and their subcategories.

Practical implications

– The study recommends that a clear awareness of the pragmatic effect of hedges and the ability to recognize them in texts is crucial to the acquisition of rhetorical competence in any discipline.

Originality/value

– Despite the significance of hedging and the extensive research conducted on hedging, no studies have been conducted on nursing and education academic research articles to see how and why hedges are used in these two disciplines. The results can add to the existing literature that this rhetorical strategy is used differently in different disciplines and make an important contribution to the understanding of the practical reasoning and persuasion in nursing and education.
Innovation and business performance of SMEs: the case of Dubai
Authors: Al-Ansari Yahya , Pervan Simon , Xu Jun
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The study aims to explore the innovative characteristics of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the link between their innovation and business performance in the emerging Dubai market in the United Arab Emirates.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data from 200 SMEs, the study utilizes a structured survey that was developed from a methodical literature review. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the findings.

Findings

– The findings described the innovative characteristics of SMEs and suggested that there is a significant positive link between innovation and business performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The study offers SMEs with innovative behaviors a better perspective of their business and market environments. However, the study is limited to SMEs operating in the Dubai marketplace. Future research could also look at other markets and use qualitative research methods.

Originality/value

– The study provides important insights that could guide SMEs in their understanding of innovation and its benefit in emerging markets. The findings reinforce the growing empirical evidence of the positive impact of innovation on business performance. The findings also challenge the assumption that innovation drains resources in emerging markets.
A numerical study of vortex shedding from a circular cylinder vibrating in the in-line direction
Authors: Prakash Singh Satya , Biswas Gautam , Nithiarasu Perumal
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of forced, in-line oscillation of a circular cylinder on an incoming incompressible flow field at different Reynolds numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A space-time finite element approach is employed to model the flow around an oscillating cylinder.

Findings

– The results show that two (2S), four (2P, two pair) and three vortices (P+S, one pair and one single) are shed in each cycle. In addition, a 2P

o
mode is also observed, which is similar to the 2P mode but the vortices of the 2P

o
mode differ in strength. The 2P mode of vortex shedding is observed along the entire wake of the flow field and 2P

o
mode in the far wake. In some cases, the vortex street is transformed as it travels towards the exit to produce new patterns. One such pattern is observed for the first time in the present work, which is referred to as 2P

o
* mode. The drag and lift coefficients observed are perfectly periodic at a Reynolds number of 200 and they reach a chaotic pattern as the Reynolds number is increased to a value of 350.

Originality/value

– Originality of the paper lies in the observation of 2P vortex shedding mode or its variants in the downstream of the cylinder.
Effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow of nanofluids over a flat plate
Authors: Daniel Makinde Oluwole
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow over a flat plate for three types of water-based nanofluids containing metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles such as copper (Cu), alumina (Al2O3), and titania (TiO2) for a range of nanoparticle volume fractions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using a similarity transformation, before being solved numerically by a Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method with shooting technique.

Findings

– It is found that the heat transfer rate at the plate surface increases with increasing nanoparticle volume fraction and Biot number, while it decreases with the Brinkmann number. Moreover, the heat transfer rate at the plate surface with Cu-water nanofluid is higher than that of Al2O3-water and TiO2-water nanofluids.

Practical implications

– The heat transfer enhancement performances presented by nanofluids have led to innovative way of improving the thermal conductivities of working media in engineering and industries. This work provides a very useful source of information for researchers on this subject.

Originality/value

– This paper illustrates the combined effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow of nanofluids past a flat plate.
Surface-radiation effect on natural convection flow in a fluid-saturated non-Darcy porous medium enclosed by non-isothermal walls
Authors: Hossain M.A. , Saleem M. , Gorla R.S.R.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this work is to study the effect of surface-radiation on the phenomenon of natural convection flow of a Newtonian fluid in a non-Darcian porous media cavity. The study is mainly focused on the interaction between the inertial resistance of the fluid layers and the surface radiation.

Design/methodology/approach

– For numerical simulation of transient vorticity transport and energy equations, the paper uses the alternate direct implicit method. Forward Time Central Space descretization is used for the transient and diffusion terms in the alternate direct implicit method, whereas for the convective terms, the method is modified using second upwind differencing technique. ADI method is adopted here, since this technique is unconditionally stable as a complete sweep and is second-order accurate in time for low velocity changes. The stream function equation is solved using the successive over relaxation technique with residual tolerance of order 10-5.

Findings

– It was found that despite the reduction of flow, the heat transfer increases as the Forschheimer resistance is increased. Further, with the increase in the Planck number, the heat transfer from the bottom radiating wall increases. Darcy drag parameter did not have a significant impact on flow properties except a slight reduction in the flow. Nevertheless, the increase in temperature ratio has a significant impact on flow properties.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis is valid for unsteady, two-dimensional natural convection flow in a fluid-saturated non-Darcy porous medium enclosed by non-isothermal walls. As a first case, the study is conducted for square cavity. An extension to three-dimensional flow case and the study of Darcy-Forschheimer medium with effect of viscous dissipation is left as a part of future work.

Practical implications

– The approach is applicable to the modeling of geothermal systems where the inertial resistance to flow also comes into act with the non-uniform temperature distribution. The method is very useful to analyze solar receiver systems, fire research, electronic cooling, brake housing of an aircraft and many environmental geothermal processes.

Originality/value

– The study may be of some interest to engineers interested in heat transfer in ventilated rooms or enclosures, the industrial waste, water and atmospheric pollution.
Economic self-reliance and China's development: changing perspectives
Authors: Tisdell Clem
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The achievement of self-reliance (zi li geng sheng: “regeneration through one's own efforts”) is an important Chinese goal. Mao Zedong's approach to achieving this goal after 1960 was to advocate and practice economic self-sufficiency both within China and nationally. One purpose of this article is to outline and discuss Mao's approach and its consequences. Following China's market reforms commencing in 1978, Mao's economic self-reliance policies were systematically abandoned. The second aim of this article is to consider how China's market reforms and its development have impacted on subnational economic self-reliance within China and to assess the extent to which its open-door policy has reduced its national self-reliance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Secondary sources and data are used to develop this article.

Findings

– As a result of its market reform and economic development, all parts of China's economy have become more interdependent and continue to do so. In addition, China has become more dependent for its economic welfare on international trade, but its dependence is much less than that of many other countries, for example, Germany. Nevertheless, the Chinese still endeavour to be masters of their own destiny. From this perspective, Mao's principle of self-reliance has not been abandoned.

Originality/value

– Despite its growing economic interdependence, China continues to value its capacity for autonomous goal setting and decision-making. This is illustrated by the strategies it has adopted to address its dependency on oil imports. Nevertheless, China's increased economic interdependence adds to China's challenges and difficulties in controlling its economic affairs.