bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen doping of chemical vapor deposition grown graphene on 4H-SiC (0001)
Authors: Urban J. M. , Dąbrowski P. , Binder J. , Kopciuszyński M. , Wysmołek A. , Klusek Z. , Jałochowski M. , Strupiński W. , Baranowski J. M.
Published: June 2014

We present optical, electrical, and structural properties of nitrogen-doped graphene grown on the Si face of 4H-SiC (0001) by chemical vapor deposition method using propane as the carbon precursor and N2 as the nitrogen source. The incorporation of nitrogen in the carbon lattice was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy shows carrier behavior characteristic for massless Dirac fermions and confirms the presence of a graphene monolayer in the investigated nitrogen-doped samples. The structural and electronic properties of the material were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. A systematical analysis of the graphene Raman spectra, including D, G, and 2D bands, was performed. In the case of nitrogen-doped samples, an electron concentration on the order of 5–10 × 1012 cm−2 was estimated based upon Raman and Hall effect measurements and no clear dependence of the carrier concentration on nitrogen concentration used during growth was observed. This high electron concentration can be interpreted as both due to the presence of nitrogen in graphitic-like positions of the graphene lattice as well as to the interaction with the substrate. A greater intensity of the Raman D band and increased inhomogeneity, as well as decreased electron mobility, observed for nitrogen-doped samples, indicate the formation of defects and a modification of the growth process induced by nitrogen doping.
Interpretation of nanoparticle X-ray photoelectron intensities
Authors: Werner Wolfgang S. M. , Chudzicki Maksymillian , Smekal Werner , Powell Cedric J.
Published: June 2014

X-ray photoelectron (XPS) intensities have been simulated for spherical core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) in different geometrical arrangements in order to investigate the validity of commonly made assumptions for the interpretation of XPS NP intensities. The single-sphere approximation is valid for a powder sample when all spatial coordinates of the NP positions are uncorrelated. Correlations along either the depth coordinate or the lateral coordinates lead to features in the angular distribution that provide information on these correlations. The XPS intensity is proportional to the surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles but only for NP sizes exceeding the inelastic mean free path of the photoelectrons.
Femtosecond laser surface structuring of silicon using optical vortex beams generated by a q-plate
Authors: Anoop K. K. , Rubano A. , Fittipaldi R. , Wang X. , Paparo D. , Vecchione A. , Marrucci L. , Bruzzese R. , Amoruso S.
Published: June 2014

We report on laser surface structuring of silicon using Ti:Sa femtosecond laser ablation with optical vortex beams. A q-plate is used to generate an optical vortex beam with femtosecond pulse duration through spin-to-orbital conversion of the angular momentum of light. The variation of the produced surface structures is investigated as a function of the number of pulses, N, at laser fluence slightly above the ablation threshold value. At low N (≈10), only surface corrugation of the irradiated, ring-shaped area is observed. This is followed by a progressive formation of regular ripples at larger N (≈100–500), which eventually transform in smaller columnar structures for N ≈ 1000. Moreover, the central, non-ablated part is gradually decorated by nanoparticles produced during laser ablation, a process which eventually leads to the formation of a central turret of assembled nanoparticles. Our experimental findings suggest the importance of a feedback mechanism and a cumulative effect on the formation of ripples with interesting patterns not achievable by the more standard beams with a Gaussian intensity profile.
Second harmonic generation enhancement at the percolation threshold
Authors: De Zuani Stefano , Peterseim Tobias , Berrier Audrey , Gompf Bruno , Dressel Martin
Published: June 2014

We systematically investigate the second harmonic generated (SHG) signal created by metallic semi-continuous thin films as a function of the effective layer thickness for a large number of samples. The control of the film thickness allows us to precisely map the region around the percolation threshold. We obtain a sharp and intense SHG peak at the critical thickness where the near static permittivity diverges. This happens in the regime of almost touching particles while the thin film does not behave as a metal yet. This large SHG signal is obtained with samples fabricated using a thin film deposition technique that is easily wafer scalable.
Bi(Ni1/2Zr1/2)O3-PbTiO3 relaxor-ferroelectric films for piezoelectric energy harvesting and electrostatic storage
Authors: Xie Zhenkun , Yue Zhenxing , Ruehl Griffin , Peng Bin , Zhang Jie , Yu Qi , Zhang Xiaohua , Li Longtu
Published: June 2014

In this Letter, we demonstrated that both a high energy-storage density and a large piezoelectric response can be attained simultaneously in relaxor-ferroelectric 0.4Bi(Ni1/2Zr1/2)O3-0.6PbTiO3 films prepared by chemical solution deposition. The as-prepared films had a pure-phase perovskite structure with an excellent crystalline morphology, featuring a moderate relative permittivity (εr ∼ 800–1100), a low dissipation factor (tan δ < 5%) and strong relaxor-like behavior (γ = 1.81). An ultra-high energy-storage density of 39.8 J/cm3 at 2167 kV/cm was achieved at room temperature. Moreover, the 0.4Bi(Ni1/2Zr1/2)O3-0.6PbTiO3 films exhibited a considerably large effective piezoelectric coefficient of 83.1 pm/V under substrate clamping, which is comparable to the values obtained for lead zirconate titanate films. Good thermal stabilities in both the energy-storage performance and the piezoelectric properties were obtained over a wide range of temperatures, which makes 0.4Bi(Ni1/2Zr1/2)O3-0.6PbTiO3 films a promising candidate for high energy-storage embedded capacitors, piezoelectric micro-devices, and specifically for potential applications in next-generation integrated multifunctional piezoelectric energy harvesting and electrostatic storage systems.
The Symbolic Politics of Gentrification: The Restructuring of Stigmatized Neighborhoods in Amsterdam and Istanbul
Authors: Sakizlioglu Nur Bahar , Uitermark Justus
Published: June 2014

Since gentrification entails significant negative social consequences, one important question is why residents of neighborhoods on the verge of gentrification often do not effectively oppose the process. Why do residents not resist? And, if they resist, why are they not effective? To answer these questions, we attend to the symbolic politics of the gentrification: that is, the ways in which process is framed and experienced. We examine the dynamics of symbolic power as affixed to stigmatized neighborhoods in two radically different contexts: Istanbul and Amsterdam. In spite of stark differences between the cases (with gentrification in Istanbul being more ruthless and contentious), there are also striking similarities in how symbolic politics played out. In both cases the promoters of gentrification adopted a strategy of ‘divide and rule’ as they differentiated the residents into various groups and fed into territorial, ethnic and class stigmatization. The promoters of gentrification in both cases also strategically used time: they first exhausted residents by having them wait anxiously for a prolonged period of time, and then put intense pressure on them to make them accept they had to leave. Both strategies—‘divide and rule’ as well as the timing of interventions—undermined or preempted effective resistance against gentrification.
Copenhagen's West End a ‘Paradise Lost’: The Political Production of Territorial Stigmatization in Denmark
Authors: Larsen Troels Schultz
Published: June 2014

Why have many of the prestige developments in Copenhagen's West End built during the golden days of the welfare state morphed into neglected and stigmatized territories? This paper seeks to answer this question by deploying a field-analytical approach inspired by Bourdieu and Wacquant. The emergence of advanced marginality and the diffusion of spatial defamation in Copenhagen are products of the historical struggles over space occurring in the field of housing and the bureaucratic field. To grasp social transformations at ground level in neglected urban areas, we need to exit those areas and scrutinize the role of the state in the (re)production of territorial stigma. This paper shows how the processes of spatial concentration of dispossessed households and the defamation of their neighbourhoods are closely linked to the institutionalization of a dualized and asymmetrical housing market and a dualizing urban policy which have converged to privilege private ownership at the cost of nonprofit housing for the past fifty years.
The Geographies of Knowledge Transfers over Distance: Toward a Typology
Authors: Bathelt Harald , Henn Sebastian
Published: June 2014

In the globalizing knowledge economy firms have become less reliant on local production and market networks and increasingly expand their reach to an international or global scale. The argument of this paper suggests that this has given rise to distinct geographies of knowledge transfers over distance, which rely on periodic or regular temporary face-to-face contacts. While some of these settings of temporary knowledge transfers have existed for a long time, they are now being intensively applied throughout the economy. In this paper we develop a typology of these geographies based on three dimensions that characterize the conditions for knowledge exchange: (i) framing, (ii) cognitive focus and goals, and (iii) trust and risks involved. Based on these variables, we identify three configurations and eight subcategories of knowledge transfers that build upon temporary face-to-face interaction, classified as (1) international community gatherings, (2) international business travel, and (3) transnational network relations. Systematic comparison reveals that with growing uncertainty in economic interaction and with increasing commitment between the agents, trust-based linkages tend to become more important, and the number of interacting agents declines, while the frequency of temporary face-to-face meetings increases.
Agronomic advantages conferred by endophyte infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in Australia
Authors: Hume D. E. , Sewell J. C.
Published: June 2014

Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are key grasses of sown pastures in the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Ryegrass in naturalised pastures, and in sown seed, is widely infected with Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, with toxic endophyte strains occasionally causing toxicosis in livestock. Endophyte infection is also beneficial in sown grasslands, assisting ryegrass hosts to overcome biotic stresses, and tall fescue hosts to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. We review the literature for Australia and present new data, to examine the agronomic effects of endophyte. Frequency of endophyte infection in old, perennial ryegrass pastures and ecotype-based cultivars is high and, in all pastures, increases with time, providing evidence for endophyte-infected plants having an agronomic advantage over endophyte-free plants. Within a cultivar, agronomic field experiments have compared endophyte-infected with endophyte-free swards. Endophyte significantly improved ryegrass establishment in seven of 19 measurements taken from 12 trials. In mature ryegrass pastures, over half of the experiments found advantages to endophyte infection. Tall fescues infected with a selected endophyte (‘AR542’) had improved agronomic performance relative to endophyte-free in a majority of experiments, and on occasions, the endophyte was essential for tall fescue persistence. Cultivar × endophyte interactions occurred but were inconsistent. In high-stress environments, endophyte was more important for agronomic performance than difference between cultivars. The relative importance of cultivar and endophyte is discussed, with elite cultivars that are adapted to the region and are infected with elite endophytes being the best avenue to capture the benefits and minimise detrimental endophyte effects on livestock. The major drivers are likely to be insect pests and drought, but evidence is limited.
Ambiguity in Cooperative Signaling
Authors: Santana Carlos
Published: June 2014

In game-theoretic signaling models, evolution tends to favor perfectly precise signaling systems, but in the natural world communication is almost always imprecise. I argue that standard explanations for this discrepancy are only partially sufficient, and I show that communication is often ambiguous because signal senders take advantage of context sensitivity. As evidence, I make two additions to the signaling model: a cost for more complex signaling strategies and the ability to combine information in signals with independent information. Analysis and simulation of the altered model shows that it leads to the predicted outcome of evolution favoring ambiguous signaling.
The Use of Rapid Indicators for the Detection of Organic Residues on Clinically Used Gastrointestinal Endoscopes with and without Visually Apparent Debris
Authors: Visrodia Kavel H. , Ofstead Cori L. , Yellin Hannah L. , Wetzler Harry P. , Tosh Pritish K. , Baron Todd H.
Published: June 2014

Background

Outbreaks of multidrug-resistant organisms have been linked to endoscope reprocessing lapses. Meticulous manual cleaning before high-level disinfection (HLD) is essential in reducing residual contamination that can interfere with HLD. Current reprocessing guidelines state that visual inspection is sufficient to confirm adequate cleaning.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate contamination of clinically used endoscopes, using visual inspection and rapid indicator tests before and after manual cleaning. A second objective was to determine which rapid indicator instruments and methods could be used for quality improvement initiatives in endoscope reprocessing.

Design

Clinical use study of endoscope reprocessing effectiveness.

Setting

Tertiary care teaching hospital with an inpatient endoscopy center.

Methods

Researchers sampled endoscopes used for gastrointestinal procedures before and after manual cleaning. The external surfaces and 1 channel of each endoscope were visually inspected and tested with rapid indicators to measure protein, blood, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contamination levels.

Results

Multiple components were sampled during 37 encounters with 12 unique endoscopes. All bedside-cleaned endoscopes had high levels of ATP and detectable blood or protein, whether or not any residue was visible. Although there was no visible residue on any endoscopes after manual cleaning, 82% had at least 1 positive rapid indicator test.

Conclusions

Relying solely on visual inspection of endoscopes prior to HLD is insufficient to ensure reprocessing effectiveness. For quality assurance initiatives, tests of different endoscope components using more than 1 indicator may be necessary. Additional research is needed to validate specific monitoring protocols.
Much to Do about Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae: Why Supplementing Surveillance May Be the Key to Stopping Spread
Authors: Pfeiffer Christopher D. , Beldavs Zintars G.
Published: June 2014

(See the article by Thaden et al, on pages 978–983.)

It is critical to the future of public health to understand the burden of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) so that we can effectively target efforts to limit potential spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies CRE as 1 of 3 “urgent” antibiotic resistance threats to public health because of the high mortality associated with CRE infection and its rapid dissemination in the United States.

What is the current burden of CRE disease? We can glean a snapshot of the national epidemiology of CRE from the CDC’s national surveillance. Rapid geographic spread is evident in the CDC’s national map of CRE, which indicates that all but 3 states now have identified CRE. Incidence by facility type, procedure, device, and organism all have considerable variation, providing preliminary indications where future prevention efforts might best be focused. The 2013 CRE Vital Signs states that 3.9% of short-stay acute care hospitals and 17.8% of long-term acute care hospitals have identified cases of CRE infection among those with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) or central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). The CDC also reported that 10% of Klebsiella species in intensive care unit (ICU) CLABSIs, ICU CAUTIs, and surgical site infections after colon surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting in 2011 were carbapenem resistant. Although CRE have been reported in most states, it is increasingly clear that wide regional variation exists, from regions of hyperendemicity, such as parts of New York City, to regions apparently free of CRE, such as Maine.
Changes in Healthcare-Associated Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections after the Introduction of a National Hand Hygiene Initiative
Authors: Barnett Adrian G. , Page Katie , Campbell Megan , Brain David , Martin Elizabeth , Rashleigh-Rolls Rebecca , Halton Kate , Hall Lisa , Jimmieson Nerina , White Katherine , Paterson David , Graves Nicholas
Published: June 2014

Background

Interventions that prevent healthcare-associated infection should lead to fewer deaths and shorter hospital stays. Cleaning hands (with soap or alcohol) is an effective way to prevent the transmission of organisms, but rates of compliance with hand hygiene are sometimes disappointingly low. The National Hand Hygiene Initiative in Australia aimed to improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers, with the goal of reducing rates of healthcare-associated infection.

Methods

We examined whether the introduction of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative was associated with a change in infection rates. Monthly infection rates for healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections were examined in 38 Australian hospitals across 6 states. We used Poisson regression and examined 12 possible patterns of change, with the best fitting pattern chosen using the Akaike information criterion. Monthly bed-days were included to control for increased hospital use over time.

Results

The National Hand Hygiene Initiative was associated with a reduction in infection rates in 4 of the 6 states studied. Two states showed an immediate reduction in rates of 17% and 28%, 2 states showed a linear decrease in rates of 8% and 11% per year, and 2 showed no change in infection rates.

Conclusions

The intervention was associated with reduced infection rates in most states. The failure in 2 states may have been because those states already had effective initiatives before the national initiative’s introduction or because infection rates were already low and could not be further reduced.
PGS: a tool for association study of high-dimensional microRNA expression data with repeated measures
Authors: Zheng Yinan , Fei Zhe , Zhang Wei , Starren Justin B. , Liu Lei , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Li Yi , Hou Lifang
Published: June 2014

Motivation: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded non-coding molecules that usually function as negative regulators to silence or suppress gene expression. Owning to the dynamic nature of miRNA and reduced microarray and sequencing costs, a growing number of researchers are now measuring high-dimensional miRNA expression data using repeated or multiple measures in which each individual has more than one sample collected and measured over time. However, the commonly used univariate association testing or the site-by-site (SBS) testing may underutilize the longitudinal feature of the data, leading to underpowered results and less biologically meaningful results.

Results: We propose a penalized regression model incorporating grid search method (PGS), for analyzing associations of high-dimensional miRNA expression data with repeated measures. The development of this analytical framework was motivated by a real-world miRNA dataset. Comparisons between PGS and the SBS testing revealed that PGS provided smaller phenotype prediction errors and higher enrichment of phenotype-related biological pathways than the SBS testing. Our extensive simulations showed that PGS provided more accurate estimates and higher sensitivity than the SBS testing with comparable specificities.

Availability and implementation : R source code for PGS algorithm, implementation example and simulation study are available for download at https://github.com/feizhe/PGS .

Contact: y-zheng@northwestern.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Thomas Birch's ‘Weekly Letter’ (1741–66): correspondence and history in the mid-eighteenth-century Royal Society
Authors: Ellis Markman
Published: June 2014

Thomas Birch (1705–66), Secretary of the Royal Society from 1752 to 1765, and Philip Yorke, second Earl of Hardwicke (1720–90), wrote a ‘Weekly Letter’ from 1741 to 1766, an unpublished correspondence of 680 letters now housed in the British Library (Additional Mss 35396–400). The article examines the dimensions and purposes of this correspondence, an important conduit of information for the influential coterie of the ‘Hardwicke circle’ gathered around Yorke in the Royal Society. It explores the writers' self-conception of the correspondence, which was expressed in deliberately archaic categories of seventeenth-century news exchange, such as the newsletter, aviso and a-la-main. It shows how the letter writers negotiated their difference in status through the discourse of friendship, and concludes that the ‘Weekly Letter’ constituted for the correspondents a form of private knowledge, restricted in circulation to their discrete group, and as such unlike the open and networked model of Enlightenment science.
Evidence for lysine acetylation in the coat protein of a polerovirus
Authors: Cilia Michelle , Johnson Richard , Sweeney Michelle , DeBlasio Stacy L. , Bruce James E. , MacCoss Michael J. , Gray Stewart M.
Published: June 2014

Virions of the RPV strain of Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV were purified from infected oat tissue and analysed by MS. Two conserved residues, K147 and K181, in the virus coat protein, were confidently identified to contain epsilon-N-acetyl groups. While no functional data are available for K147, K181 lies within an interfacial region critical for virion assembly and stability. The signature immonium ion at m/z 126.0919 demonstrated the presence of N-acetyllysine, and the sequence fragment ions enabled an unambiguous assignment of the epsilon-N-acetyl modification on K181. We hypothesize that selection favours acetylation of K181 in a fraction of coat protein monomers to stabilize the capsid by promoting intermonomer salt bridge formation.
piRNA pathway targets active LINE1 elements to establish the repressive H3K9me3 mark in germ cells
Authors: Pezic Dubravka , Manakov Sergei A. , Sachidanandam Ravi , Aravin Alexei A.
Published: June 2014

Transposable elements (TEs) occupy a large fraction of metazoan genomes and pose a constant threat to genomic integrity. This threat is particularly critical in germ cells, as changes in the genome that are induced by TEs will be transmitted to the next generation. Small noncoding piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) recognize and silence a diverse set of TEs in germ cells. In mice, piRNA-guided transposon repression correlates with establishment of CpG DNA methylation on their sequences, yet the mechanism and the spectrum of genomic targets of piRNA silencing are unknown. Here we show that in addition to DNA methylation, the piRNA pathway is required to maintain a high level of the repressive H3K9me3 histone modification on long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) in germ cells. piRNA-dependent chromatin repression targets exclusively full-length elements of actively transposing LINE families, demonstrating the remarkable ability of the piRNA pathway to recognize active elements among the large number of genomic transposon fragments.
Determination of the Structure and Catalytic Mechanism of Sorghum bicolor Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase and the Structural Impact of Three brown midrib12 Mutations
Authors: Green Abigail R. , Lewis Kevin M. , Barr John T. , Jones Jeffrey P. , Lu Fachuang , Ralph John , Vermerris Wilfred , Sattler Scott E. , Kang ChulHee
Published: June 2014

Using S-adenosyl-methionine as the methyl donor, caffeic acid O-methyltransferase from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; SbCOMT) methylates the 5-hydroxyl group of its preferred substrate, 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. In order to determine the mechanism of SbCOMT and understand the observed reduction in the lignin syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio of three brown midrib12 mutants that carry COMT gene missense mutations, we determined the apo-form and S-adenosyl-methionine binary complex SbCOMT crystal structures and established the ternary complex structure with 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde by molecular modeling. These structures revealed many features shared with monocot ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and dicot alfalfa (Medicago sativa) COMTs. SbCOMT steady-state kinetic and calorimetric data suggest a random bi-bi mechanism. Based on our structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic results, we propose that the observed reactivity hierarchy among 4,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxycinnamyl (and 3,4-dihydroxycinnamyl) aldehyde, alcohol, and acid substrates arises from the ability of the aldehyde to stabilize the anionic intermediate that results from deprotonation of the 5-hydroxyl group by histidine-267. Additionally, despite the presence of other phenylpropanoid substrates in vivo, sinapaldehyde is the preferential product, as demonstrated by its low K  m for 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. Unlike its acid and alcohol substrates, the aldehydes exhibit product inhibition, and we propose that this is due to nonproductive binding of the S-cis-form of the aldehydes inhibiting productive binding of the S-trans-form. The S-cis-aldehydes most likely act only as inhibitors, because the high rotational energy barrier around the 2-propenyl bond prevents S-trans-conversion, unlike alcohol substrates, whose low 2-propenyl bond rotational energy barrier enables rapid S-cis/S-trans-interconversion.
Bis{N-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]glycinato-κ3O,N,O′}iron(II)
Authors: Jiang Ning , Hou Juan-Juan
Published: June 2014

In the title compound, [Fe(C6H12NO5)2], the FeIIion lies on an inversion center and is coordinated by two N atoms and four O atoms from two tridentateN-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]glycine ligands, forming a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the crystal, O—H...O, O—H...N and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link molecules, forming a three-dimensional network.
(E)-4-{[(Morpholin-4-yl)imino]methyl}benzonitrile
Authors: Atioğlu Zeliha , Akkurt Mehmet , Jarrahpour Aliasghar , Heiran Roghayeh , Özdemir Namık
Published: June 2014

In the title compound, C12H13N3O, the morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation and its mean plane is inclined to that of the benzene ring by 16.78 (12)°. The N—N=C—C bridge, which has anEconformation, has a torsion angle of 173.80 (19)°. In the crystal, molecules stack along theaaxis but there are no significant intermolecular interactions present.
European SMEs and the Brazilian market
Authors: Salvador Elisa , Pinot de Villechenon Florence , López Rizzo Humberto
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the importance of networking for Italian and French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil. Business opportunities in Brazil have attracted a significant amount of interest in recent years. The country is moving towards market orientation, and it has recently experienced higher growth rates. Furthermore, upcoming events, such as the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, are attracting a significant amount of attention given the emergence of potential business opportunities in several sectors. Nevertheless, European companies wishing to enter the Brazilian market should address several constraints, including high barriers to entry, an extensive bureaucracy and a culture quite different from those in Europe. In this context, networking seems to be vital for success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were gathered through a survey undertaken between June and August 2012. After the questionnaire was prepared, each company either received and responded to the questionnaire by e-mail or participated in a telephone interview. The questionnaire included multiple choice questions, most of which used a 5-point Likert scale. Some open-ended questions were included to collect insights from respondents. Representatives of 21 Italian and 24 French SMEs agreed to participate in the survey. Respondents were typically company presidents, chief executive officers or export department managers with experience in the Brazilian market.

Findings

– The results highlight the importance of social networks for the SMEs interviewed. The establishment of social networks is pivotal for successful business activities in Brazil, as they can help entrants decipher and understand how society and business work. In Brazil, social networks are built through a path-dependent process that requires time, patience and perseverance, as well as an ability to overcome liabilities of sameness. In this regard, a networking process that encompasses specific activities linked to the peculiarities of Brazil is essential, even if it seems to be a second-best solution, as in the case of the QWERTY keyboard. This process, which is the main characteristic of social networking in Brazil, necessitates not only the use of the Internet and information and communications technologies but also face-to-face contacts for building reputation, legitimacy and trust.

Originality/value

– This paper extends the extant literature by investigating the importance of networking for Italian and French SMEs in Brazil. Brazil serves as an interesting and useful case that can deepen our knowledge about this aspect of international business. As highlighted by Jack et al. (2008) and Ruzzier et al. (2006), the knowledge and understanding of the networking process still suffers from several limitations despite the increased attention paid to this phenomenon.
Satisfaction with teaching and learning and the role of psychological need fulfillment
Authors: White Christopher , Fry Tim
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a model to assess participant satisfaction of a teaching and learning experience. Additionally, the way innate psychological needs influence the satisfaction formation process will be examined.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was chosen and path analysis and t-tests were used to analyze the data.

Findings

– Satisfaction is formed by two related constructs, emotions and perception of quality, and together explained 53 percent of the variance in satisfaction. Higher levels of psychological need fulfillment were shown to positively influence emotions and quality perceptions and indirectly influence satisfaction judgements.

Practical implications

– These findings have relevance for education and training providers. First, they provide a comprehensive way for educationists to manage and measure satisfaction.

Originality/value

– Many teaching and learning evaluations are based on quality judgement and single measure of satisfaction. This study shows the important role positive and negative emotions play in determining satisfaction judgements. Additionally, and for the first time, the influence of different levels of psychological need fulfillment on satisfaction has been reported.
Where is the love?
Authors: Xiong Lina , King Ceridwyn , Hu Clark
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore polygamous program loyalty in hotel loyalty programs and the relationship between members’ behavioral loyalty and their perceptions of the program effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Descriptive statistics, discriminant analysis, ordinary least square regression and one-way ANOVA methods.

Findings

– This study suggests that the flexibility to purchase points in a loyalty program is significantly associated with the polygamous program loyalty. Members will stay in only one program if they perceive such flexibility. Although members tend to emphasize purchasing accommodation from the loyalty programs’ hotels, they do not necessarily advocate or pay price premiums for the brand. Compared with basic members, elite members exhibit higher levels of loyalty behaviors in general, but not in terms of paying price premiums.

Research limitations/implications

– The results suggest that how customers value a loyalty program can differentiate the number of membership(s) they have. Increasing the flexibility of point purchase in hotel loyalty programs encourages customers to stay in only one program. With a majority of the participants in the study being senior travelers, the results and implications should be generalized only in the senior market. A larger and more diverse sample is recommended for future research.

Practical implications

– If loyalty programs seek to keep members from joining other loyalty programs, they should increase members’ likelihood to achieve their expected benefits such as increased flexibility of point purchase. In addition, loyalty programs should encourage, recognize and incentivize members’ reciprocal behaviors based on the norm of reciprocity to build a reciprocal chain in loyalty programs. However, in seeking sustained loyal behavior, loyalty programs need to demonstrate value beyond transactional rewards.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the reason why customers join multiple loyalty programs (i.e. polygamous program loyalty) and identifies a broken reciprocity link in hotel loyalty programs. Many members primarily focus on the utilities of loyalty programs rather than contributing back to the program; therefore, the norm of reciprocity is suggested to improve loyalty program effectiveness.
Country-of-origin (COO) brand loyalty and related consumer behaviour in the Japanese wine market
Authors: Bruwer Johan , Buller Courtney , John Saliba Anthony , Li Elton
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to examine the loyalty of Japanese consumers to country-of-origin (COO) wine brands and how this affects purchasing behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi-dimensional COO brand loyalty scale was developed containing attitudinal (psychological) and behavioural loyalty dimensions. A total of 173 responses were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire in the Japanese language.

Findings

– Japanese wine consumers have moderate levels of COO brand loyalty, with high levels of satisfaction, moderate-high levels of inertia and price sensitivity and moderate levels of word-of-mouth, emotional attachment, commitment and purchase intent. Furthermore, 46 per cent of respondents exhibited true COO brand loyalty. The conceptual definition of COO wine brand loyalty proved to be sound with a high level of measurement scale reliability (a = 0.884).

Practical implications

– The findings provide insights into the Japanese wine market and the nature of Japanese wine consumer behaviour. Wine exporters should focus greater marketing efforts on Japanese women, including more wine-specific education.

Originality/value

– It is the first study to develop a multi-dimensional COO wine brand loyalty scale that includes psychological (cognitive, conative and affective attitudinal components) and behavioural loyalty dimensions for the Japanese wine market.
The currency union effect on intra-regional trade in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Authors: M. Adam Anokye , Sharif Chaudhry Imran
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the currency union (CU) effect on aggregate intra-trade in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and on bilateral trade among individual countries using the gravity model.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using panel dynamic ordinary least square, we examined the short- and long-run CU effect on aggregate intra-ECOWAS trade and bilateral trade among ECOWAS countries from 1995 to 2010. Chow poolability test was conducted for the appropriateness of pooling the cross-section parameters as against individual model. The augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test; the Phillips–Perron (PP) test; and the Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt and Shin (KPSS) test were conducted on the individual data series, and the Levin, Lin and Chu test; the Im, Pesaran and Shin test; the Breitung test; and the Hadri test were used for testing cross-sectional independent panel unit root tests. Kao panel cointegration test was conducted to identify long-run relationships.

Findings

– We found evidence of significant positive CU effect on aggregate intra-ECOWAS trade. The estimates also show that Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal and Togo trade more with countries they share common currency with than what they would have been in both short and long run. We again observed that CU is insignificant in explaining Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal intra-trade with ECOWAS countries, though their observed intra-trade with ECOWAS is relatively high which is found to be explained by export diversification.

Practical implications

– The findings reveal that CU is good for aggregate intra-regional trade though some individual members respond negative to CU. The finding of diversification as a necessary tool to increase intra-regional trade imply that as effort of introducing single currency is being pursued rigorously, effort to diversify export or trade complement should not be overlooked.

Originality/value

– There exist panel studies on CU on aggregate intra-regional trade in ECOWAS. However, there is a need to have country level study to identify CU effect on each country, as it is sensitive to country-specific factors which are unobservable in time series analysis of group of countries. Also, our group estimate differs in methodology in the sense that the dynamic generalised least takes care of endogeneity in trade gravity literature.
Construction of CALIS dissertation full text service system
Authors: Zeng Lijun , Sun Weilian
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review CALIS-ETD full text service in CALIS-ETD project, Phase 3 and put forward the prospect of this project.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper involves: the introduction and assessment of the CALIS-ETD full text service in CALIS-ETD Phase 3; analysis of the issues encountered; and recommendations for the coming new phase.

Findings

– The thesis full text service is a systematic engineering, involving resources, systems, copyright management, service policies and, etc. Among them, the copyright management is the key issue in the thesis full text service in China.

Practical implications

– The CALIS-ETD full text service supplies the users a more convenient and formal way to reach the thesis literatures.

Originality/value

– The CALIS-ETD full text service in the period of its Phase 3 is the first nationwide thesis service in China. It is the very important milestone of this service in China.
Changing trend in reading habits of teenagers in Delhi
Authors: Walia Paramjeet Kaur , Sinha Nitu
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to attempt to answer some plausible questions like what do teenagers prefer to read at leisure, how do they read and why do they read? With the rapid changes in information technology, there is tremendous change in means of communication. Today, much more information is available from electronic and digital media as compared to traditional books. A paradigm shift in information delivery from just information to infotainment has also affected the preferences of the information seekers. Teenagers are a demographic group under transition and they are not untouched by these rapid changes in technology and their impact on their reading preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this purpose, a survey among 223 school-going (public/convent and government-/aided) teenagers aged between 12 and 18 years was done using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Findings

– The findings revealed a decline in sports and outdoor recreational activities during leisure, and only 20.6 per cent teenagers preferred reading during leisure. However, self-perception as an avid reader was expressed by majority (53.8 per cent). Fictions were liked by
>
75 per cent teenagers; however, non-fictions were also liked by majority (61.8 per cent). The reading preferences of the children were found to be affected by their age, their gender and the type of schools they attended. A significant inverse relationship of television watching and movie-going was observed with reading time.

Research limitations/implications

– The biggest limitation was inability to directly interact with the students and inability to gather data from more schools.

Practical implications

– By knowing the current reading trends, leisure time habits and exposure to different means of information technology, the choice of medium for knowledge dispersal could be done. The study would help in providing a basis for a strategic change in the ratio of conventional books and other information media in the library.

Social implications

– By identifying the media exposure time and popularity, proper steps may be taken in order to enrich the particular media and to ensure that quality of information available on the media can be directed for social benefit in large.

Originality/value

– The impact of demographic and environmental variables on reading habits of teenagers has not been evaluated in this part of the world, especially in view of the paradigm shift in information technology and the growing influence of electronic media and social networking. An understanding of this mutual relationship would help in modifying the reading behaviour of the teenagers.
The nitrogen cycle in cryoconites: naturally occurring nitrification‐denitrification granules on a glacier
Authors: Segawa Takahiro , Ishii Satoshi , Ohte Nobuhito , Akiyoshi Ayumi , Yamada Akinori , Maruyama Fumito , Li Zhongqin , Hongoh Yuichi , Takeuchi Nozomu
Published: June 2014

Cryoconites are microbial aggregates commonly found on glacier surfaces where they tend to take spherical, granular forms. While it has been postulated that the microbes in cryoconite granules play an important role in glacier ecosystems, information on their community structure is still limited, and their functions remain unclear. Here, we present evidence for the occurrence of nitrogen cycling in cryoconite granules on a glacier in Central Asia. We detected marker genes for nitrogen fixation, nitrification and denitrification in cryoconite granules by digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while digital reverse transcription PCR analysis revealed that only marker genes for nitrification and denitrification were abundantly transcribed. Analysis of isotope ratios also indicated the occurrence of nitrification; nitrate in the meltwater on the glacier surface was of biological origin, while nitrate in the snow was of atmospheric origin. The predominant nitrifiers on this glacier belonged to the order Nitrosomonadales, as suggested by amoA sequences and 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing analysis. Our results suggest that the intense carbon and nitrogen cycles by nitrifiers, denitrifiers and cyanobacteria support abundant and active microbes on the Asian glacier.
A cell biological view of the siderophore pyochelin iron uptake pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cunrath Olivier , Gasser Véronique , Hoegy Françoise , Reimmann Cornelia , Guillon Laurent , Schalk Isabelle J.
Published: June 2014

Pyochelin (PCH) is a siderophore produced and secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa for iron capture. Using 55Fe uptake and binding assays, we showed that PCH‐Fe uptake in P. aeruginosa involves, in addition to the highly studied outer membrane transporter FptA, the inner membrane permease FptX, which recognizes PCH‐55Fe with an affinity of 0.6 ± 0.2 nM and transports the ferri‐siderophore complex from the periplasm into the cytoplasm: fptX deletion inhibited 55Fe accumulation in the bacterial cytoplasm. Chromosomal replacement was used to generate P. aeruginosa strains producing fluorescent fusions with FptX, PchR (an AraC regulator), PchA (the first enzyme involved in the PCH biosynthesis) and PchE (a non‐ribosomic peptide‐synthetase involved in a further step). Fluorescence imaging and cellular fractionation showed a uniform repartition of FptX in the inner membrane. PchA and PchE were found in the cytoplasm, associated to the inner membrane all over the bacteria and also concentrated at the bacterial poles. PchE clustering at the bacterial poles was dependent on PchA expression, but on the opposite PchA clustering and membrane association was PchE‐independent. PchA and PchE cellular organization suggests the existence of a siderosome for PCH biosynthesis as previously proposed for pyoverdine biosynthesis (another siderophore produced by P. aeruginosa).
Comparison of the physicochemical and sensory properties of Asiago cheeses with added nano‐powdered red ginseng and powdered red ginseng during ripening
Authors: Choi Kyung‐Hoon , Yoo Sang‐Hoon , Kwak Hae‐Soo
Published: June 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of nanopowdered red ginseng (NRG) (200 nm) and powdered red ginseng (PRG) (120 μm) on the physicochemical properties of Asiago cheeses (AC) during ripening at 14 °C for 4 months. The compositions were similar in both cheeses. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were not significantly different in NRGAC and PRGAC. However, L* value of 0.1% NRGAC was significantly lower than that of PRGAC. Hardness increased significantly in both cheeses. The overall acceptability of 0.1% NRGAC was similar to that of the control. In conclusion, 0.1% NRGAC was quite similar to control.
First trimester coffee and tea intake and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a study within a national birth cohort
Authors: Hinkle SN , Laughon SK , Catov JM , Olsen J , Bech BH
Published: June 2014

Objective

Coffee and tea consumption is associated with a decreased type 2 diabetes risk in non‐pregnant adults. We examined the relation between first trimester coffee and tea consumption and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Denmark 1996–2002.

Population

Non‐diabetic women with singleton pregnancies in the Danish National Birth Cohort (n = 71 239).

Methods

Estimated adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for the association between first trimester coffee and tea or estimated total caffeine and GDM.

Main outcome measures

GDM ascertained from the National Hospital Discharge Register or maternal interview.

Results

Coffee or tea intake was reported in 81.2% (n = 57 882) and 1.3% (n = 912) of pregnancies were complicated by GDM. Among non‐consumers, 1.5% of pregnancies were complicated by GDM. Among coffee drinkers, GDM was highest among women who drank ≥8 cups/day (1.8%) with no significant difference across intake levels (P = 0.10). Among tea drinkers, there was no difference in GDM across intake levels (1.2%; P = 0.98). After adjustment for age, socio‐occupational status, parity, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, smoking, and cola, there was suggestion of a protective, but non‐significant association with increasing coffee (RR ≥8 versus 0 cups/day = 0.89 [95%CI 0.64–1.25]) and tea (RR ≥8 versus 0 cups/day = 0.77 [95%CI 0.55–1.08]). Results were similar by smoking status, except a non‐significant 1.45‐fold increased risk with ≥8 coffee cups/day for non‐smokers. There was a non‐significant reduced GDM risk with increasing total caffeine.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that moderate first trimester coffee and tea intake were not associated with GDM increased risk and possibly may have a protective effect.