bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Looking for evidence of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance in an emerging market
Authors: Saleh Mustaruddin , Zulkifli Norhayah , Muhamad Rusnah
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs) as an emerging market setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal data analysis with a large‐sample testing was carried out from 200 Malaysian PLCs by using panel data analysis during a seven‐years period. The statistical power with fixed effect and random effect model was utilized.

Findings

Results of earlier estimations indicate that there are positive and significant related of the CSR on CFP. Two of the CSR dimensions, namely employee relations and community involvement, were found to be positively related to financial performance. This proves that CSR practices can be considered as effort to enhance the financial performance of PLCs in Malaysia. The results also reveal that there is limited evidence of the relationship between CSR and CFP in the longterm.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that Malaysian PLCs should be involved consistently in their CSR practices because CSR has a significant impact on improving financial performance in Malaysian PLCs.

Originality/value

The majority of studies on CSR in Malaysia pertain to the analysis of such reporting and motivations of managers toward CSR practices. This study conducts a comprehensive empirical research on the relationship between CSR and CFP in Malaysian PLCs.
Accountability in the sacred context
Authors: Suhaimi Nahar Hairul , Yaacob Hisham
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The concept of accountability has long been argued in the academic and public policy debate to have been contextually ingrained in the technical processes of accounting and reporting. Both processes provide lenses through which the extent of managerial accountability in the corporate context could be objectively examined. The sacred religion of Islam as a social order with a complete code of life classifies accountability as being dual; in line with the duality concept in life – in this temporal world and eternal hereafter, necessitating for accountability concept in accounting and reporting from the Islamic worldview to transcend beyond the point of worldly objectives. Parallel to this line of reasoning, the purpose of this paper is to undertake a preliminary empirical investigation with respect to accounting, reporting and accountability practices of a Malaysian cash awqaf (Islamic endowment) management institution over a six‐year period, from 2000 to 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses triangulation research approach, consisting of case study method and archival documentation review and analysis.

Findings

The preliminary findings indicate that, while the root of accountability in the management, accounting and reporting practices seems to exist in the awqaf entity studied, significant improvements remain necessary to ensure accountability could be continuously enhanced and uphold.

Originality/value

Debating accountability concept in the context of management, accounting and reporting as practiced by faith‐based institution of awqaf from the Islamic perspective inevitably directs this study to highlight the notion of Islamic accounting and reporting commonly and extensively discussed in the realm of Islamic finance and banking. The study's conjecture is that, by debunking the myth of Islamic accounting and reporting as only serving the acute domain of transactions reflecting the Islamic financial products in banking environment, it helps to reshape, broaden and emphasize the all encompassing relevance of Islamic accounting and reporting to that of not‐for‐profits, religiously grounded entities such as awqaf institutions. The study further contributes to the accountability and financial reporting literature in Islamic not‐for‐profit organizations by studying the importance of sound accounting practices and reporting transparency in ensuring accountability.
The nature of smoothing returns practices: the case of Islamic banks
Authors: Boulila Taktak Neila
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the nature of smoothing returns practices in a sample of 79 Islamic banks across 19 countries during the period 2001‐2006.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous researchers' methods, based on the variation and determination coefficients, are used in this study to detect the smoothing practices.

Findings

Results indicate that the revenues from the “Shariah‐based products” derived from the profit and loss sharing principle show higher variability than the “Shariah compliant revenues” and that income from this source is relatively lower. They also show that a large number of Islamic banks engage in natural income smoothing. Based on the determination coefficient results, 70 per cent of banks were found to have less smoothed total revenue than their net income. Results based on variation coefficient further confirm this finding, with 67 banks having a coefficient of total revenue higher than that of the net income.

Practical implications

The results suggest that Islamic banks should strengthen the use of smoothing techniques, such as the profit equalization reserves (PER) and the investment risk reserves (IRR), as they allow them to further stabilize the revenues payout for the investment account holders (IAH) and therefore mitigate withdrawal risk. Standardizing the smoothing techniques could be a solution to overcome the variability of this category of revenue.

Originality/value

This work is the first of its kind for Islamic banks. It extends previous research by examining whether or not managers may smooth their results naturally or intentionally. It also helped to bridge the gap in the literature by providing the empirical evidence on the smoothing returns in Islamic finance.
The effect of national culture on service provision within Takaful industry
Authors: Alajmi Salman , Dennis Charles , Altayab Yasser
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of national culture in terms of power distance and uncertainty avoidance on service provision in terms of information flow and communication policy within the Takaful industry (Islamic insurance) in Kuwait and Egypt. Second, to validate Hofstede's claim regarding the homogeneity of Arab culture which he believes is dominated by the Islamic religion.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was undertaken among 462 employees from three Takaful organizations in Kuwait and Egypt. The sample was randomly selected from all levels within Takful companies operating in both countries. The data were analyzed using two different statistical packages. The first tool was SPSS version 17 with which the first hypothesis of the differences between Kuwait and Egypt was tested. Second, the analysis of moments structure was utilized to find the effect of national culture based on two cultural dimensions of power distance and uncertainty avoidance on two service mechanisms of information flow and communication policy within the Takaful industry.

Findings

Results demonstrate that: more differences than similarities exist between Kuwait and Egypt in terms of power distance and uncertainty avoidance, which implies that the differences in national culture between the two countries are in contrary to Hofstede's claim of homogeneity of Arab culture, and national culture in terms of power distance and uncertainty avoidance affects service provision in terms of information flow and communication policy, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in service marketing literature at the theoretical and practitioner level. First, it provides empirical investigation to an existing theory that links national culture to service provision through service quality gaps. Second, it provides evidence that disputes Hofestede's claim of homogeneity in Arab culture, as it evidently proves the cultural differences between Kuwait and Egypt. On other hand, practitioners of Takaful may comprehend how power distance and uncertainty avoidance might affect information flow and communication policy for which managers can eliminate their information gap, which in turn will strengthen the Takaful operator service quality in information gathering, sharing and disseminating. Takaful Policy makers and institutions might benefit from this research by understanding the effect of national culture on service provision and taking this as an important factor when designing regulations.
The phenomenon of immigrants' consumer behavior
Authors: Kizgin Hatice
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate knowledge to understand individuals migrating from a non‐Western to a Western country and fill the gap of their attitude and behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The data from the European Social Survey measure basic human values with a new 21‐item instrument and are utilized for analysis. The quantitative research approach analysis measures immigrants' individual values in two directions: immigrants' value differences with the home country (Turkey) and immigrants' value similarities with the host country (Germany and The Netherlands). Second, effects of value priorities on media usage are measured.

Findings

The author found that there was a change of immigrants' values priorities, whereas two value dimensions remain equal to the home and two value priorities change towards the host, such as conservation and self‐transcendence and openness‐to‐change and self‐enhancement, respectively. The effects of value priorities on media usage showed that value orientation plays a role and effects innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to only one group of immigrants, namely the Turkish immigrants representing the largest group in Germany and The Netherlands.

Originality/value

Immigrants are a growing group in Western European society and a large new group of consumers. If manufacturers want to target this group, a better understanding of their values is a first requirement. So far, no substantial empirical research has taken a broader focus and merges the perspectives of immigrants' individual values. There is a lack of research regarding how non‐Western immigrant values change and consequently affect the behavior in Western Europe. Furthermore, no existing study compares the influence of the outcomes on attitude and behavior.
The impact of culture on luxury consumption behaviour among Iranian consumers
Authors: Teimourpour Bahar , Heidarzadeh Hanzaee Kambiz
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Consumer behavior will become more heterogeneous because of cultural differences. This phenomenon makes it increasingly important to understand values of national cultures and their impact on consumer behavior. The purpose of this paper is to review cultural factors with a focus on religious factors that influence the Iranian consumers' behavior during evaluation of luxury value dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

Hofstede's model of national culture and research papers pertaining to religious influence on consumer behavior are applied to understand consumers' behavior toward luxury consumption in Iran as an Islamic country.

Findings

Findings support the notion that there are cultural differences between consumers in evaluating luxury value dimensions. As the study is about Iranian Muslim consumers, the role of religion in consumer behavior has also been debated. These findings are useful for domestic and international marketers toward a better understanding of Iranian consumers' luxury value perception based on cultural aspects.

Practical implications

The research outcomes should assist industry and business practitioners to understand the behavior of Iranian consumers and by using the findings formulate strategies that enhance their competitiveness in the market. Similarly, the research should enrich marketing literature by providing empirical evidence on Iranian consumption behavior from the perspective of the Muslim population. Research provides a better understanding of cultural factors that affect Iranian consumer behavior toward luxury value perception.

Originality/value

This is the first academic study analyzing the dimensions of luxury values, including the consideration of cultural and religious factors that influence Iranian's consumer behavior. The results can be seen as the first step for domestic and international marketers toward a better understanding of Iranian consumers' luxury value evaluation.
No visible means of support
Authors: Stepek Martin
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline issues regarding business support for family businesses in the UK. The paper is a commentary on the state of business support in the UK, and also poses questions regarding the provision of education and training for owners, managers and advisors of family businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is a commentary piece from a practitioner view about the business support provision for family businesses in the UK.

Practical implications

This commentary paper suggests that there are a number of gaps in business support provision for family businesses in the UK. It discusses the state of support for family businesses in other countries and highlights the influence that the media has on developments in this area. It also offers a number of recommendations regarding government support for family businesses and the professional development for family business advisors.

Originality/value

The paper provides an informed practitioner view of the state of family business support in the UK and as such is rare. It will be useful for academics, researchers and family business practitioners, policy makers and professional business advisors.
Emerging entrepreneurship in Cuba
Authors: Helms Marilyn M.
Published: October 2011

Subject area

Entrepreneurship; tourism and hospitality.

Study level/applicability

Junior or senior-level business students as well as graduate-level (MBA and/or EMBA) classes in entrepreneurship, small business management, strategic management, international business or international economics.

Case overview

Cuban tour guides working for the communist Castro Government dream of working for themselves or leaving for the USA. Their story is contrasted by a visit to Cuba as told by a US business professor.

Expected learning outcomes

To compare entrepreneurship under capitalism that is slowly relaxing their communistic rules, to learn more about the island of Cuba and its potential for tourism and new venture creation, to understand the legal, social, political, historical and cultural barriers to entrepreneurship, to hypothesize or brainstorm potential new ventures for Cuba.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes; photos also available upon request from the author.
Affordable solar solutions to replace diesel gensets
Authors: Singh Harjit
Published: October 2011

Subject area

Strategic management, sustainable development, business economics, construction management, energy management.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate and Master's level business and management programmes with a focus on environmental or strategic management.

Case overview

Fewer than two percent of Guinea Bissau's rural households had access to electricity from the grid. Efforts by the state monopoly to improve that figure by expanding the grid have had little effect, in part because the rural population was sparse. Central Electronics Limited, a public sector based company in India, was assigned to develop economic solar systems as a safe and eco-friendly substitute for the diesel gensets under IBSA (a trilateral, developmental initiative among India, Brazil, and South Africa) with the help of United Nations Development Program. The case provides an opportunity to examine the strategy of a small and poor nation to meet the needs of modern energy sources needed for improvement in health, education, transportation, and commercial development. The case focuses on Guinea Bissau's use of a trilateral partnership to achieve its rural electrification objectives despite several push backs.

Expected learning outcomes

Students will demonstrate ability to analyse, comprehend, and evaluate the essence of solar energy as an alternate for costly grid energy in the initial stage of development. It will also provide students to converse with the specific advantages of solar systems over conventional power generating systems and construct a novel solution that serves the needs of various stakeholders at the bottom of the income pyramid.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Association of genetic, psychological and behavioral factors with sleep bruxism in a Japanese population
Authors: ABE YUKA , SUGANUMA TAKESHI , ISHII MASAKAZU , YAMAMOTO GOU , GUNJI TOMOHIKO , CLARK GLENN T. , TACHIKAWA TETSUHIKO , KIUCHI YUJI , IGARASHI YOSHIMASA , BABA KAZUYOSHI
Published: October 2011

Sleep bruxism is a sleep‐related movement disorder that can be responsible for various pains and dysfunctions in the orofacial region. The aim of the current case–control association study was to investigate the association of genetic, psychological and behavioral factors with sleep bruxism in a Japanese population. Non‐related participants were recruited and divided into either a sleep bruxism group (n = 66) or control group (n = 48) by clinical diagnoses and 3‐night masseter electromyographic recordings by means of a portable miniature device. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory, NEO‐Five Factor Inventory and custom‐made questionnaires that asked about familial aggregation, alcohol intake, caffeine intake, cigarette smoking, past stressful life events, daytime tooth‐contacting habit, temporomandibular disorder, daily headache, snoring, apnea/hypopnea symptoms, leg‐restlessness symptoms and nocturnal‐myoclonus symptoms were administered. In addition, 13 polymorphisms in four genes related to serotonergic neurotransmission (SLC6A4, HTR1A, HTR2A and HTR2C) were genotyped. These factors were compared between case (sleep bruxism) and control groups in order to select potential predictors of sleep‐bruxism status. The statistical procedure selected five predictors: Epworth Sleepiness Scale, leg‐restlessness symptoms, rs6313 genotypes, rs2770304 genotypes and rs4941573 genotypes. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis between the selected predictors and sleep‐bruxism status was then conducted. This analysis revealed that only the C allele carrier of HTR2A single nucleotide polymorphism rs6313 (102C>T) was associated significantly with an increased risk of sleep bruxism (odds ratio = 4.250, 95% confidence interval: 1.599–11.297, P = 0.004).This finding suggests a possible genetic contribution to the etiology of sleep bruxism.
Changes in the root‐associated fungal communities along a primary succession gradient analysed by 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: BLAALID RAKEL , CARLSEN TOR , KUMAR SURENDRA , HALVORSEN RUNE , UGLAND KARL INNE , FONTANA GIOVANNI , KAUSERUD HÅVARD
Published: October 2011

We investigated changes in the root‐associated fungal communities associated with the ectomycorrhizal herb Bistorta vivipara along a primary succession gradient using 454 amplicon sequencing. Our main objective was to assess the degree of variation in fungal richness and community composition as vegetation cover increases along the chronosequence. Sixty root systems of B. vivipara were sampled in vegetation zones delimited by dated moraines in front of a retreating glacier in Norway. We extracted DNA from rinsed root systems, amplified the ITS1 region using fungal‐specific primers and analysed the amplicons using 454 sequencing. Between 437 and 5063 sequences were obtained from each root system. Clustering analyses using a 98.5% sequence similarity cut‐off yielded a total of 470 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), excluding singletons. Between eight and 41 fungal OTUs were detected within each root system. Already in the first stage of succession, a high fungal diversity was present in the B. vivipara root systems. Total number of OTUs increased significantly along the gradient towards climax vegetation, but the average number of OTUs per root system stayed unchanged. There was a high patchiness in distribution of fungal OTUs across root systems, indicating that stochastic processes to a large extent structure the fungal communities. However, time since deglaciation had impact on the fungal community structure, as a systematic shift in the community composition was observed along the chronosequence. Ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes were the dominant fungi in the roots of B. vivipara, when it comes to both number of OTUs and number of sequences.
Effects of Cryopreservation on the Meiotic Spindle, Cortical Granule Distribution and Development of Rabbit Oocytes
Authors: Jiménez‐Trigos E , Naturil‐Alfonso C , Vicente JS , Marco‐Jiménez F
Published: October 2011

Contents

Although much progress has been made in oocyte cryopreservation since 1971, live offspring have only been obtained in a few species and in rabbits. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of vitrification and slow freezing on the meiotic spindle, cortical granule (CG) distribution and their developmental competence. Oocytes were vitrified in 16.84% ethylene glycol, 12.86% formamide, 22.3% dimethyl sulphoxide, 7% PVP and 1% of synthetic ice blockers using Cryotop as device or slow freezing in 1.5 m PROH and 0.2 m sucrose in 0.25 ml sterile French mini straws. Meiotic spindle and CG distribution were assessed using a confocal laser‐scanning microscope. To determine oocyte competence, in vitro development of oocytes from each cryopreservation procedure was assessed using parthenogenesis activation. Our data showed that oocytes were significantly affected by both cryopreservation procedures. In particular, meiotic spindle organization was dramatically altered after cryopreservation. Oocytes with peripheral CG distribution have a better chance of survival in cryopreservation after slow‐freezing procedures compared to vitrification. In addition, slow freezing of oocytes led to higher cleavage and blastocyst rates compared to vitrification. Our data showed that, in rabbits, structural alterations are more evident in vitrified oocytes than in slow‐frozen oocytes, probably as a consequence of sensitivity to high levels of cryoprotectants. Slow‐freezing method is currently the recommended option for rabbit oocyte cryopreservation.
Making Predictions from Complex Longitudinal Data, with Application to Planning Monitoring Intervals in a National Screening Programme
Authors: Sweeting M. J. , Thompson S. G.
Published: October 2011

When biological or physiological variables change over time, we are often interested in making predictions either of future measurements or of the time taken to reach some threshold value. On the basis of longitudinal data for multiple individuals, we develop Bayesian hierarchical models for making these predictions together with their associated uncertainty. Particular aspects addressed, which include some novel components, are handling curvature in individuals’ trends over time, making predictions for both underlying and measured levels, making predictions from a single baseline measurement, making predictions from a series of measurements, allowing flexibility in the error and random-effects distributions, and including covariates. In the context of data on the expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysms over time, where reaching a certain threshold leads to referral for surgery, we discuss the practical application of these models to the planning of monitoring intervals in a national screening programme. Prediction of the time to reach a threshold was too imprecise to be practically useful, and we focus instead on limiting the probability of exceeding the threshold after given time intervals. Although more complex models can be shown to fit the data better, we find that relatively simple models seem to be adequate for planning monitoring intervals.
Hair and nail water‐holding capability measurements by using condenser‐TEWL method
Authors: Xiao P. , Cui Y. , Ciortea L. I. , Berg E. P. , Imhof R. E.
Published: October 2011

Synopsis

We have developed a new method for studying human hair and nail water‐holding capabilities by using the condenser‐chamber trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) method. Healthy hair and nail always contain certain amount of water, and they will lose this water to the environment naturally through evaporations. We monitored this desorption process by continuously measuring the water vapour flux density from hair and nail using the condenser‐TEWL method, which is a condenser‐based closed‐chamber TEWL technology that is particularly suitable for this kind of measurements. We have also develop mathematical models for modelling the hair and nail desorption process. By fitting the normalized hair and nail desorption data with the mathematical models, we can get the water diffusion coefficient information, which can then be related to the water‐holding capabilities of the hair and nail samples.
Ontogenetic modifications of neuronal excitability during brain maturation: Developmental changes of neurotransmitter receptors
Authors: Aronica Eleonora , Iyer Anand , Zurolo Emanuele , Gorter Jan A.
Published: October 2011

The development of the human brain depends on a precisely orchestrated cascade of events, including proliferation, migration and maturation of neural progenitor cells. Different mechanisms coordinate these stages to reach a normal structural organization, producing appropriate excitatory and inhibitory networks. Here, we will briefly review the developmental changes of glutamate (Glu) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, with particular attention to the development of the human brain. We will also briefly discuss recent evidence on the involvement of the endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of neuronal excitability during early brain development..
Surveying Upstate NY Well Water for Pesticide Contamination: Cayuga and Orange Counties
Authors: Richards Brian K. , Pacenka Steven , Salvucci Anthony E. , Saia Sheila M. , Whitbeck Luanne F. , Furdyna Peter M. , Steenhuis Tammo S.
Published: October 2011

Private wells in Cayuga and Orange counties in New York were sampled to determine the occurrence of pesticide contamination of groundwater in areas where significant pesticide use coincides with shallow or otherwise vulnerable groundwater. Well selection was based on local groundwater knowledge, risk modeling, aerial photo assessments, and pesticide application database mapping. Single timepoint samples from 40 wells in each county were subjected to 93‐compound chromatographic scans. All samples were nondetects (reporting limits ≤1 μg/L), thus no wells from either county exceeded any of 15 state groundwater standards or guidance values. More sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) found two wells with quantifiable atrazine in each county (0.1–0.3 μg/L), one well with quantifiable diazinon (0.1 μg/L) in Orange County, and one well with quantifiable alachlor (0.2 μg/L) in Cayuga County. Trace detections (<0.1 μg/L) in Cayuga County included atrazine (five wells), metolachlor (six wells), and alachlor (one well), including three wells with multiple detections. All 12 Cayuga County wells with ELISA detections had either corn/grain or corn/forage rotations as primary surrounding land uses (although 20 other wells with the same land uses had no detections) and all quantified detections and most trace detections occurred in wells up to 9‐m deep. Orange County trace (<0.1 μg/L) ELISA detections (atrazine three wells, diazinon one well, and metolachlor five wells) and quantified detections were only generally associated with agricultural land uses. Finding acceptable drinking water quality in areas of vulnerable groundwater suggests that water quality in less vulnerable areas will also be good.
The effect of boric acid on bacterial culture of canine and feline urine
Authors: Rowlands M. , Blackwood L. , Mas A. , Cripps P. , Crompton C. , Burrow R.
Published: October 2011

Objective: To identify the optimal method of submission of canine and feline urine for bacterial culture.

Methods: Cystocentesis samples from 250 animals (200 dogs, 50 cats) suspected of having urinary tract infections were collected. The reference aliquot, without preservative, was processed on site within 2 hours. Two further aliquots (one without preservative, one with boric acid) were stored at room temperature for up to 7 hours and then posted by guaranteed next day delivery to a commercial laboratory for analysis.

Results: Forty‐seven of the samples were positive on culture in the reference test. There was no significant difference between reference test results and those of samples posted without preservative (P=0·39), but samples posted in boric acid were significantly less likely to give a positive result (P=0·01). Samples posted without preservative had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 98%; for boric acid, sensitivity was 73% and specificity 99%.

Clinical Significance: Postal urine samples should be submitted to the laboratory in a plain sterile tube.
Reproductive ambition predicts partnered, but not unpartnered, women's preferences for masculine men
Authors: Watkins Christopher D.
Published: October 2011

Changing circumstances alter the costs and benefits of choosing different mates and are thought to be reflected in women's mate preferences. Indeed, several lines of reasoning, and some prior studies, suggest that individual differences in women's preferences for cues of men's underlying health will be more apparent among partnered women than among unpartnered women. The current study shows that preferences for male faces with masculine shape cues, characteristics that are thought to signal men's underlying health, are positively correlated with partnered, but not unpartnered, women's reported reproductive ambition (i.e., their desire to become pregnant). These findings (1) present new evidence for systematic variation in women's mating strategies, (2) suggest that partnership status may be important for potentially adaptive variation in women's mate preferences, and (3) suggest that reproductive ambition may influence women's mate preferences. Alternative explanations for these findings, focusing on the possible effects of a range of variables that may be correlated with reproductive ambition in partnered women and influence their masculinity preferences, are also discussed.
Buckling and Vibration of Orthotropic Nonhomogeneous Rectangular Plates With Bilinear Thickness Variation
Authors: Kumar Yajuvindra , Lal R.
Published: October 2011

An analysis and numerical results are presented for buckling and transverse vibration of orthotropic nonhomogeneous rectangular plates of variable thickness using two dimensional boundary characteristic orthogonal polynomials in the Rayleigh–Ritz method on the basis of classical plate theory when uniformly distributed in-plane loading is acting at two opposite edges clamped/simply supported. The Gram–Schmidt process has been used to generate orthogonal polynomials. The nonhomogeneity of the plate is assumed to arise due to linear variations in elastic properties and density of the plate material with the in-plane coordinates. The two dimensional thickness variation is taken as the Cartesian product of linear variations along the two concurrent edges of the plate. Effect of various plate parameters such as nonhomogeneity parameters, aspect ratio together with thickness variation, and in-plane load on the natural frequencies has been illustrated for the first three modes of vibration for four different combinations of clamped, simply supported, and free edges correct to four decimal places. Three dimensional mode shapes for a specified plate for all the four boundary conditions have been plotted. By allowing the frequency to approach zero, the critical buckling loads in compression for various values of plate parameters have been computed correct to six significant digits. A comparison of results with those available in the literature has been presented.
Gap Surface Waves in a System of Two Elastic Superconducting Semispaces Separated by a Narrow Gap
Authors: Ghazaryan K. , Ghazaryan R. , Hachkevych O. , Marzocca P.
Published: October 2011

This paper deals with the magnetoelastic interactions for a structure consisting of two elastic current carrying superconducting substrates, separated by a gap (vacuum). The two elastic substrates, which have no acoustic contacts, are coupled by a magnetic field generated by the deformations of the substrates. The surface magnetoelastic waves of Rayleigh type, decaying exponentially with distance from substrates surfaces, are studied. For a plane harmonic wave the dispersion equation is derived and solved to obtain the coupled wave frequencies. The magnetomechanical coupling effects are investigated in detail and simulations show that the magnetoelastic coupling effect is quite significant when the gap relative thickness is rather small. The existence of two surface gap waves with two different velocities is shown. In superconducting media the constitutive relations of magnetic field and electrical current of primary nondeformed state are given by means of London’s equations.
Light Activated Shape Memory Polymer Characterization—Part II
Authors: Beblo Richard V. , Weiland Lisa Mauck
Published: October 2011

Presented are the experimental results of two light activated shape memory polymer (LASMP) formulations. The optical stimulus used to activate the materials is detailed including a mapping of the spatial optical intensity at the surface of the sample. From this, results of energy calculations are presented including the amount of energy available for transitioning from the glassy state to the rubbery state and from the rubbery state to the glassy state, highlighting one of the major advantages of LASMP as requiring less energy to transition than thermally activated shape memory polymers. The mechano-optical experimental setup and procedure is detailed and provides a consistent method for evaluating this relatively new class of shape memory polymer. A chemical kinetic model is used to predict both the theoretical glassy state modulus, as only the sample averaged modulus is experimentally attainable, as well as the through thickness distribution of Young’s modulus. The experimental and model results for these second generation LASMP formulations are then compared with earlier LASMP generations (detailed previously in Beblo and Mauck Weiland, 2009, “Light Activated Shape Memory Polymer Characterization,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 76, pp. 8) and typical thermally activated shape memory polymer.
Principal component analysis for emergent acoustic signal detection with supporting simulation results
Authors: Hoppe Elizabeth , Roan Michael
Published: October 2011

A method is introduced that uses principal component analysis (PCA) to detect emergent acoustic signals. Emergent signal detection is frequently used in radar applications to detect signals of interest in background clutter and in cognitive radio to detect the primary user in a frequency band. The method presented differs from other standard techniques in that the detection of the signal of interest is accomplished by detecting a change in the covariance between two channels of data instead of detecting the change in statistics of a single channel of data. For this paper, PCA is able to detect emergent acoustic signals by detecting when there is a change in the eigenvalue subspace of the covariance matrix caused by the addition of the signal of interest. The algorithm’s performance is compared to an energy detector and the Neyman-Pearson theorem. Acoustic simulations were used to verify the performance of the algorithm. Simulations were also used to examine the effectiveness of the algorithm under various signal-to-interferer and signal-to-noise ratios, and using various test signals.
High Ethanol Titers from Cellulose by Using Metabolically Engineered Thermophilic, Anaerobic Microbes
Authors: Argyros D. Aaron , Tripathi Shital A. , Barrett Trisha F. , Rogers Stephen R. , Feinberg Lawrence F. , Olson Daniel G. , Foden Justine M. , Miller Bethany B. , Lynd Lee R. , Hogsett David A. , Caiazza Nicky C.
Published: October 2011

This work describes novel genetic tools for use in
Clostridium thermocellum
that allow creation of unmarked mutations while using a replicating plasmid. The strategy employed counter-selections developed from the native
C. thermocellum hpt
gene and the
Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum tdk
gene and was used to delete the genes for both lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) and phosphotransacetylase (Pta). The Δ
ldh
Δ
pta
mutant was evolved for 2,000 h, resulting in a stable strain with 40:1 ethanol selectivity and a 4.2-fold increase in ethanol yield over the wild-type strain. Ethanol production from cellulose was investigated with an engineered coculture of organic acid-deficient engineered strains of both
C. thermocellum
and
T. saccharolyticum
. Fermentation of 92 g/liter Avicel by this coculture resulted in 38 g/liter ethanol, with acetic and lactic acids below detection limits, in 146 h. These results demonstrate that ethanol production by thermophilic, cellulolytic microbes is amenable to substantial improvement by metabolic engineering.
Characterization and Quantitation of a Novel β-Lactamase Gene Found in a Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Surrounding Coastal Ecosystem
Authors: Uyaguari Miguel I. , Fichot Erin B. , Scott Geoffrey I. , Norman R. Sean
Published: October 2011

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are engineered structures that collect, concentrate, and treat human waste, ultimately releasing treated wastewater into local environments. While WWTPs efficiently remove most biosolids, it has been shown that many antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria can survive the treatment process. To determine how WWTPs influence the concentration and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant genes into the environment, a functional metagenomic approach was used to identify a novel antibiotic resistance gene within a WWTP, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to determine gene copy numbers within the facility and the local coastal ecosystem. From the WWTP metagenomic library, the fosmid insert contained in one highly resistant clone (MIC, ∼416 μg ml
−1
ampicillin) was sequenced and annotated, revealing 33 putative genes, including a 927-bp gene that is 42% identical to a functionally characterized β-lactamase from
Staphylococcus aureus
PC1. Isolation and subcloning of this gene, referred to as
bla
M-1
, conferred ampicillin resistance to its
Escherichia coli
host. When normalized to volume, qPCR showed increased concentrations of
bla
M-1
during initial treatment stages but 2-fold-decreased concentrations during the final treatment stage. The concentration ng
−1
DNA increased throughout the WWTP process from influent to effluent, suggesting that
bla
M-1
makes up a significant proportion of the overall genetic material being released into the coastal ecosystem. Average discharge was estimated to be 3.9 ï¿½ 10
14
copies of the
bla
M-1
gene released daily into this coastal ecosystem. Furthermore, the gene was observed in all sampled coastal water and sediment samples surrounding the facility. Our results suggest that WWTPs may be a pathway for the dissemination of novel antibiotic resistance genes into the environment.
Genome and Proteome of Campylobacter jejuni Bacteriophage NCTC 12673
Authors: Kropinski Andrew M. , Arutyunov Denis , Foss Mary , Cunningham Anna , Ding Wen , Singh Amit , Pavlov Andrey R. , Henry Matthew , Evoy Stephane , Kelly John , Szymanski Christine M.
Published: October 2011

Campylobacter jejuni
continues to be the leading cause of bacterial food-borne illness worldwide, so improvements to current methods used for bacterial detection and disease prevention are needed. We describe here the genome and proteome of
C. jejuni
bacteriophage NCTC 12673 and the exploitation of its receptor-binding protein for specific bacterial detection. Remarkably, the 135-kb
Myoviridae
genome of NCTC 12673 differs greatly from any other proteobacterial phage genome described (including
C. jejuni
phages CP220 and CPt10) and instead shows closest homology to the cyanobacterial T4-related myophages. The phage genome contains 172 putative open reading frames, including 12 homing endonucleases, no visible means of packaging, and a putative
trans
-splicing intein. The phage DNA appears to be strongly associated with a protein that interfered with PCR amplification and estimation of the phage genome mass by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Identification and analyses of the receptor-binding protein (Gp48) revealed features common to the
Salmonella enterica
P22 phage tailspike protein, including the ability to specifically recognize a host organism. Bacteriophage receptor-binding proteins may offer promising alternatives for use in pathogen detection platforms.
Identification of Fecal Input Sites in Spring Water by Selection and Genotyping of Multiresistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Wicki Melanie , Karabulut Fatma , Auckenthaler Adrian , Felleisen Richard , Tanner Marcel , Baumgartner Andreas
Published: October 2011

The localization of fecal input sites is important for water quality management. For this purpose, we have developed a new approach based on a three-step procedure, including a preparatory phase, the screening of multiresistant bacteria using selective agar plates, and a typing phase where selected
Escherichia coli
isolates are characterized by antibiotic resistance profiles and molecular fingerprinting techniques (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]). These two well-known source tracking methods were combined in order to reduce cost and effort. This approach was successfully applied under field conditions in a study area located in the north-western part of Switzerland.
E. coli
isolates from spring water and surface water samples collected in this area were screened with selective agar plates. In this way, 21 different groups, each consisting of strains with the same pattern of antibiotic resistance, were found. Of these, four groups were further analyzed using PFGE. Strains with identical PFGE profiles were detected repeatedly, demonstrating the suitability of this method for the localization of fecal input sites over an extended period of time. Identical PFGE patterns of strains detected in water from two different springs were also found in the stream flowing through the study area. These results demonstrated the applicability of the new approach for the examination of incidents of fecal contamination in drinking water. The advantages of the described approach over genotyping methods currently being used to identify sources of fecal contaminants are a reduction in time, costs, and the effort required. Identical isolates could be identified without the construction of large libraries.
Cotransmission of Divergent Relapsing Fever Spirochetes by Artificially Infected Ornithodoros hermsi
Authors: Policastro Paul F. , Raffel Sandra J. , Schwan Tom G.
Published: October 2011

The soft tick
Ornithodoros hermsi
, which ranges in specific arboreal zones of western North America, acts as a vector for the relapsing fever spirochete
Borrelia hermsii
. Two genomic groups (genomic group I [GGI] and GGII) of
B. hermsii
are differentiated by multilocus sequence typing yet are codistributed in much of the vector's range. To test whether the tick vector can be infected via immersion, noninfected, colony-derived
O. hermsi
larvae were exposed to reduced-humidity conditions before immersion in culture suspensions of several GGI and GGII isolates. We tested for spirochetes in ticks by immunofluorescence microscopy and in mouse blood by quantitative PCR of the
vtp
locus to differentiate spirochete genotypes. The immersed larval ticks were capable of spirochete transmission to mice at the first nymphal feeding. Tick infection with mixed cultures of isolates DAH (
vtp-6
) (GGI) and MTW-2 (
vtp-5
) (GGII) resulted in ticks that caused spirochetemias in mice consisting of MTW-2 or both DAH and MTW-2. These findings show that this soft tick species can acquire
B. hermsii
by immersion in spirochete suspensions, that GGI and GGII isolates can coinfect the tick vector by this method, and that these spirochetes can be cotransmitted to a rodent host.
Bacterial Communities of Two Parthenogenetic Aphid Species Cocolonizing Two Host Plants across the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Jones Ryan T. , Bressan Alberto , Greenwell April M. , Fierer Noah
Published: October 2011

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) have been the focus of several studies with respect to their interactions with inherited symbionts, but bacterial communities of most aphid species are still poorly characterized. In this research, we used bar-coded pyrosequencing to characterize bacterial communities in aphids. Specifically, we examined the diversity of bacteria in two obligately parthenogenetic aphid species (the melon aphid,
Aphis gossypii
, and the cardamom aphid,
Pentalonia caladii
) cocolonizing two plant species (taro,
Colocasia esculenta
, and ginger,
Alpinia purpurata
) across four Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu). Results from this study revealed that heritable symbionts dominated the bacterial communities for both aphid species. The bacterial communities differed significantly between the two species, and
A. gossypii
harbored a more diverse bacterial community than
P. caladii
. The bacterial communities also differed across aphid populations sampled from the different islands; however, communities did not differ between aphids collected from the two host plants.
Combined Effect of Improved Cell Yield and Increased Specific Productivity Enhances Recombinant Enzyme Production in Genome-Reduced Bacillus subtilis Strain MGB874
Authors: Manabe Kenji , Kageyama Yasushi , Morimoto Takuya , Ozawa Tadahiro , Sawada Kazuhisa , Endo Keiji , Tohata Masatoshi , Ara Katsutoshi , Ozaki Katsuya , Ogasawara Naotake
Published: October 2011

Genome reduction strategies to create genetically improved cellular biosynthesis machineries for proteins and other products have been pursued by use of a wide range of bacteria. We reported previously that the novelBacillus subtilisstrain MGB874, which was derived from strain 168 and has a total genomic deletion of 874 kb (20.7%), exhibits enhanced production of recombinant enzymes. However, it was not clear how the genomic reduction resulted in elevated enzyme production. Here we report that deletion of therocDEF-rocRregion, which is involved in arginine degradation, contributes to enhanced enzyme production in strain MGB874. Deletion of therocDEF-rocRregion caused drastic changes in glutamate metabolism, leading to improved cell yields with maintenance of enzyme productivity. Notably, the specific enzyme productivity was higher in the reduced-genome strain, with or without therocDEF-rocRregion, than in wild-type strain 168. The high specific productivity in strain MGB874 is likely attributable to the higher expression levels of the target gene resulting from an increased promoter activity and plasmid copy number. Thus, the combined effects of the improved cell yield by deletion of therocDEF-rocRregion and the increased specific productivity by deletion of another gene(s) or the genomic reduction itself enhanced the production of recombinant enzymes in MGB874. Our findings represent a good starting point for the further improvement ofB. subtilisreduced-genome strains as cell factories for the production of heterologous enzymes.