bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-resolved ICP-MS analysis of mineral element contents and distribution patterns in single cells
Authors: Wang Hailong , Wang Bing , Wang Meng , Zheng Lingna , Chen Hanqing , Chai Zhifang , Zhao Yuliang , Feng Weiyue
Published: October 2014

Novel single cell techniques are attracting growing interest for clinical applications, because they can elucidate the cellular diversity and heterogeneity instead of the average masked by bulk measurements.
A novel immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering for the sensitive and quantitative determination of clenbuterol
Authors: Xie Yun , Chang Huafang , Zhao Kang , Li Jianguo , Yang Hong , Mei Liyun , Xu Shouming , Deng Anping
Published: October 2014

In this study, we present a novel immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for the sensitive and quantitative determination of clenbuterol in urine samples.
Surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) for multiplexed evaluation of bacterial adhesion onto surface coatings
Authors: Abadian Pegah N. , Goluch Edgar D.
Published: October 2014

Surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) provides continuous, label-free, high-spatial-resolution monitoring of physical changes that occur on surfaces that are up to one square centimeter in area.
Colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide by morphological decomposition of silver nanoprisms coupled with chromaticity analysis
Authors: Nitinaivinij Kritchapon , Parnklang Tewarak , Thammacharoen Chuchaat , Ekgasit Sanong , Wongravee Kanet
Published: October 2014

Highly sensitive and accurate detection of hydrogen peroxide using starch-stabilized silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs) combined with image color analysis is proposed. The H2O2 concentration at 1.57 μM can be recognized by naked-eye observation.
Switching of the triplet excited state of rhodamine-C60 dyads
Authors: Wang Fen , Cui Xiaoneng , Lou Zhangrong , Zhao Jianzhang , Bao Ming , Li Xingwei
Published: October 2014

Rhodamine was used as an acid-responsive moiety for switching of the triplet state production and visible light absorption of rhodamine-C60 dyads.
The 9-homocubyl cation rearrangement revisited
Authors: Jalife Said , Wu Judy I-Chia , Martínez-Guajardo Gerardo , von Ragué Schleyer Paul , Fernández-Herrera María A. , Merino Gabriel
Published: October 2014

High ab initio computations indicate that parallel to the automerization process, the 9-homocubyl cation can also undergo other types of rearrangements involving cage-opening.
Formation of hierarchical structures of Fe2O3 by the liquid–liquid interface technique
Authors: Srivastava Vibha , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: October 2014

We report the formation of dendritic hierarchical structures of α-Fe2O3 and nanostructures of Fe2O3 by the simple liquid–liquid interface method.
Reticular three-dimensional 3d–4f frameworks constructed through substituted imidazole-dicarboxylate: syntheses, luminescence and magnetic properties study
Authors: Feng Xun , Feng Yu-Quan , Chen Jun Jing , Ng Seik-Weng , Wang Li-Ya , Guo Jin-Zhong
Published: October 2014

Series of heteronuclear metal organic frameworks (HMOF) combination of lanthanide and Zn/Co ions based on a rigid substituted imidazoledicarboxylic acid ligand have been successfully isolated and characterized systematically.
Chemical reduction of the elastic properties of zeolites: a comparison of the formation of carbonate species versus dealumination
Authors: Bryukhanov I. A. , Rybakov A. A. , Kovalev V. L. , Larin A. V. , Zhidomirov G. M.
Published: October 2014

The poorer shielding of CO32−species (in ellipses) by Na+cations (left) than by K+cations (right) results in the stronger NaX destabilization than that of NaKX zeolite at comparable cationic drifts.
In situ Sr isotope measurement of small glass samples using multiple-Faraday collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with 1012Ω resistor high gain Faraday amplifiers
Authors: Chang Qing , Kimura Jun-Ichi , Vaglarov Bogdan Stefanov
Published: October 2014

An analytical protocol using LA-MC-ICP-MS for precise Sr isotope ratio analysis from small glass samples is presented.
Inducing microscopic thermal lesions for the dissection of functional cell networks on a chip
Authors: Rinklin Philipp , Afanasenkau Dzmitry , Wiegand Simone , Offenhäusser Andreas , Wolfrum Bernhard
Published: October 2014

Electrical heating of microstructured conductors is used to induce highly resolved lesions in confluent layers of cardiomyocytes.
One-pot synthesis of super-bright fluorescent nanogel contrast agents containing a dithiomaleimide fluorophore
Authors: Robin Mathew P. , Raymond Jeffery E. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: October 2014

Fluorescent nanogels with radii ranging from 12–17 nm, high quantum yield, concentration-independent emission, and fluorescent lifetimes ofca.25 ns have been synthesised in a one-pot process.
Bile acid hydrazides: gelation, structural, physical and spectroscopic properties
Authors: Pore Vandana S. , Agalave Sandip G. , Pharande Shrikant G. , Patil Prashant A. , Kotmale Amol S.
Published: October 2014

Novel bile acid hydrazides are synthesized and temperature dependent NMR, IR and rheological experiments are done for understanding the role of intra-molecular hydrogen bonding leading to gelation.
Singlet oxygen luminescence kinetics in a heterogeneous environment — identification of the photosensitizer localization in small unilamellar vesicles
Authors: Hackbarth S. , Röder B.
Published: October 2014

In vivo measurement of singlet oxygen luminescence kinetics is affected by the heterogeneity of biological samples. Even though singlet oxygen luminescence detection is technically getting easier, the analysis of signals from biological samples is still far from quantitative real time surveillance as it is aspired by the community. In this paper small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) are used for modelling the general behaviour of heterogeneous samples. The geometry of the SUVs can be determined independently using dynamic light scattering. Therefore an accurate theoretical description of the generation, deactivation and diffusion of the singlet oxygen is possible. The theoretical model developed here perfectly fits the experimental results. Thus the location of the singlet oxygen generating a photosensitizer molecule can be exactly determined from the kinetics of the singlet oxygen luminescence. The application of the used theoretical approach thus allows for accurate quantitative measurements in SUVs.
Cylindrical nanocapsules from photo-cross-linkable core–shell bottlebrush copolymers
Authors: Onbulak Sebla , Rzayev Javid
Published: October 2014

Coumarin-based, photo-cross-linkable core–shell bottlebrush copolymers were synthesized by a grafting-from approach. Hollow cylindrical nanocapsules were generated by selective, metal-free shell photo-cross-linking followed by hydrolytic core removal.
Kinetics of the (salen)Cr(iii)- and (salen)Co(iii)-catalyzed copolymerization of epoxides with CO2, and of the accompanying degradation reactions
Authors: Darensbourg D. J. , Yeung A. D.
Published: October 2014

The catalytic cycle of the (salen)M(iii)-catalyzed copolymerization for a variety of epoxides with CO2is elucidated using computational chemistry, and factors that control the kinetics and product distribution of these reactions are described.
Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA interaction and in vitro anticancer activity of a Cu(ii) complex of purpurin: dual poison for human DNA topoisomerase I and II
Authors: Das Piyal , Jain Chetan Kumar , Dey Sanjoy K. , Saha Rajat , Chowdhury Abhishek Dutta , Roychoudhury Susanta , Kumar Sanjay , Majumder Hemanta Kumar , Das Saurabh
Published: October 2014

Although generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by anthracycline anticancer drugs is essential for anti-tumor activity, they make these drugs cardiotoxic.
Magneto-electric/dielectric and fluorescence effects in multiferroic xBaTiO3–(1 − x)ZnFe2O4 nanostructures
Authors: Chand Verma Kuldeep , Tripathi S. K. , Kotnala R. K.
Published: October 2014

Magneto-electric/dielectric and photoemission of BTZF composites depends upon shape, size, surface spin, distortion, epitaxial strain etc. of nanostructure
Highly photoactive heterojunction based on g-C3N4 nanosheets decorated with dendritic zinc(ii) phthalocyanine through axial coordination and its ultrasensitive enzyme-free sensing of choline
Authors: Dai Hong , Zhang Shupei , Xu Guifang , Peng Yiru , Gong Lingshan , Li Xiuhua , Li Yilin , Lin Yanyu , Chen Guonan
Published: October 2014

A highly photoactive heterojunction based on g-C3N4 and dendritic zinc(ii) phthalocyanine was proposed for the ultrasensitive detection of choline.
Prediabetes: grounds of pitfall signalling alteration for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Goyal Sameer N. , Haiderali Shaikh , Reddy M Navya , Arya Dharamvir Singh , Patil Chandragouda R.
Published: October 2014

Prediabetes manifested by impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose offers high risk of myocardial dysfunction by causing endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis and genetic alterations.
Polyamine-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of bimetallic Pd1Cu3 multipods and their high catalytic ability in 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Qiu Xiaoyu , Zhao Ruopeng , Li Yanan , Tang Yawen , Sun Dongmei , Wei Shaohua , Lu Tianhong
Published: October 2014

Bimetallic Pd1Cu3 nanomultipods exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the 4-nitrophenol reduction.
Synergetic photocatalysts derived from porous organo Ti–O clusters pillared graphene oxide frameworks (GOFs)
Authors: Liang Jianbo , Wang Zheng-Ming , Sun Ming-Chao , Yoshizawa Noriko , Kawashima Hiroyuki
Published: October 2014

Synergetic photocatalysts, coupling both high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity, are prepared from highly expanded graphene oxide frameworks that are pillared by Ti–O clusters.
A new approach for fused isoindolines via hexadehydro-Diels–Alder reaction (HDDA) by Fe(0) catalysis
Authors: Vandavasi Jaya Kishore , Hu Wan-Ping , Hsiao Cheng-Tien , Senadi Gopal Chandru , Wang Jeh-Jeng
Published: October 2014

A simple method has been developed for the synthesis of fused isoindolines via a cascade HDDA approach catalyzed by Fe2(CO)9.
A highly efficient tandem [3 + 2] “click” cycloaddition/6-exo-cyclization strategy for the construction of triazole fused pyrazines
Authors: Roy Biswajit , Mondal Debashis , Hatai Joydev , Bandyopadhyay Subhajit
Published: October 2014

The pharmaceutically important tetrahydro-[1,2,3]triazolopyrazine heterocyclic architecture has been synthesized via a concise tandem “click”/6-exo-dig cyclization strategy under mild conditions in mixed aqueous–organic media.
Fabrication of symmetric supercapacitors based on MOF-derived nanoporous carbons
Authors: Salunkhe Rahul R. , Kamachi Yuichiro , Torad Nagy L. , Hwang Soo Min , Sun Ziqi , Dou Shi Xue , Kim Jung Ho , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: October 2014

We design novel symmetric supercapacitors based on nanoporous carbons (NPCs) by direct carbonization of Zn-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).
Synthesis and characterization of lanthanum silicate oxyapatites co-doped with A (A = Ba, Sr, and Ca) and Fe for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Cao Xiao Guo , Jiang San Ping
Published: October 2014

The co-doped lanthanum silicate oxyapatites, La9.5A0.5Si5.5Fe0.5O26.5 (A = Ba, Sr, and Ca), are synthesized by the high-temperature solid state reaction process.
Metal-free hybrid seawater fuel cell with an ether-based electrolyte
Authors: Kim Hyojin , Park Jeong-Sun , Sahgong Sun Hye , Park Sangmin , Kim Jae-Kwang , Kim Youngsik
Published: October 2014

A new metal-free hybrid seawater fuel cell was proposed and designed, which used flowing seawater as the cathode and a hard carbon anode.
One-pot synthesis of porous Pt–Au nanodendrites supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets toward catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Lv Jing-Jing , Wang Ai-Jun , Ma Xiaohong , Xiang Ru-Yi , Chen Jian-Rong , Feng Jiu-Ju
Published: October 2014

A facile, green and effective one-pot wet-chemical co-reduction method was developed for preparation of Pt–Au pNDs/RGOs in the presence of cytosine. The nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic performance for 4-nitrophenol reduction.
Construction of PRP-containing nanofibrous scaffolds for controlled release and their application to cartilage regeneration
Authors: Liu Ji , Nie Huarong , Xu Zhengliang , Guo Fei , Guo Shangchun , Yin Junhui , Wang Yang , Zhang Changqing
Published: October 2014

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used for decades in the clinic, since an abundance of growth factors can be released when it is activated.
Magnetic chelating nanoprobes for enrichment and selective recovery of metalloproteases from human saliva
Authors: Oliveira-Silva Rui , Pinto da Costa João , Vitorino Rui , Daniel-da-Silva Ana L.
Published: October 2014

Magnetic nanoparticles effective in the selective recovery of metalloproteases from human saliva were fabricated by surface modification of Fe3O4@SiO2nanoparticles with EDTA-TMS.
Robust model predictive current control of grid‐connected converter without alternating current voltage sensors
Authors: Liu Tao , Xia Changliang , Shi Tingna
Published: October 2014

This study presents an improved hybrid parallel observer (HPO) based model predictive current control (MPCC) strategy to realise the source voltage sensorless control of grid‐connected converters under inductance and resistance uncertainties. Since there is a little research on the sensorless control of MPCC‐based converters, in this study, according to the linear extended‐state observer theory and the adaptive filtering theory, a HPO which combines two different types of observers is constructed. With the new observer, the multivariable observation of system disturbance and model parameters is achieved. On this basis, through the combination of the HPO and the MPCC, a new HPO‐MPCC control strategy is formed. The stability and parameter tuning of the HPO are analysed. To determine the initial value of the source voltage angle in the startup process of the converter, a new startup algorithm is proposed. A two‐level grid‐connected converter is built to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy. The results show that, compared with the traditional algorithms, the new HPO has higher accuracy and stability; the HPO‐MPCC achieves the source voltage sensorless control of the grid‐connected converters and ensures the high precision and fast dynamic response characteristics of the conventional MPCC; the new startup strategy avoids the over‐current problem of the conventional methods and improves the reliability of the whole system.
Analytical evaluation of harmonic distortion factor corresponding to generalised advanced bus‐clamping pulse width modulation
Authors: Das Soumitra , Binojkumar Arathil Chellappan , Narayanan Gopalaratnam
Published: October 2014

A few advanced bus‐clamping pulse width modulation (ABCPWM) methods have been proposed recently for a three‐phase inverter. With these methods, each phase is clamped, switched at nominal frequency, and switched at twice the nominal frequency in different regions of the fundamental cycle. This study proposes a generalised ABCPWM scheme, encompassing the few ABCPWM schemes that have been proposed and many more ABCPWM schemes that have not been reported yet. Furthermore, analytical closed‐form expression is derived for the harmonic distortion factor corresponding to the generalised ABCPWM. This factor is independent of load parameters. The analytical expression derived here brings out the dependence of root‐mean‐square (RMS) current ripple on modulation index, and can be used to evaluate the RMS current ripple corresponding to any ABCPWM scheme. The analytical closed‐form expression is validated experimentally in terms of measured weighted total harmonic distortion (THD) in line voltage (VWTHD) and measured THD in line current (ITHD) on a 6 kW induction motor drive.
Consistency of denominator data in electronic health records in Australian primary healthcare services: enhancing data quality
Authors: Bailie Ross , Bailie Jodie , Chakraborty Amal , Swift Kevin
Published: October 2014

The quality of data derived from primary healthcare electronic systems has been subjected to little critical systematic analysis, especially in relation to the purported benefits and substantial investment in electronic information systems in primary care. Many indicators of quality of care are based on numbers of certain types of patients as denominators. Consistency of denominator data is vital for comparison of indicators over time and between services. This paper examines the consistency of denominator data extracted from electronic health records (EHRs) for monitoring of access and quality of primary health care. Data collection and analysis were conducted as part of a prospective mixed-methods formative evaluation of the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Chronic Disease Package. Twenty-six general practices and 14 Aboriginal Health Services (AHSs) located in all Australian States and Territories and in urban, regional and remote locations were purposively selected within geographically defined locations. Percentage change in reported number of regular patients in general practices ranged between –50% and 453% (average 37%). The corresponding figure for AHSs was 1% to 217% (average 31%). In approximately half of general practices and AHSs, the change was ≥20%. There were similarly large changes in reported numbers of patients with a diagnosis of diabetes or coronary heart disease (CHD), and Indigenous patients. Inconsistencies in reported numbers were due primarily to limited capability of staff in many general practices and AHSs to accurately enter, manage, and extract data from EHRs. The inconsistencies in data required for the calculation of many key indicators of access and quality of care places serious constraints on the meaningful use of data extracted from EHRs. There is a need for greater attention to quality of denominator data in order to realise the potential benefits of EHRs for patient care, service planning, improvement, and policy. We propose a quality improvement approach for enhancing data quality.
Pragmatics of Tense and Time in News
Authors: Chovanec Jan
Published: October 2014

This book provides the first comprehensive account of temporal deixis in English printed and online news texts. Linking the characteristic usage of tenses with the projection of deictic centres, it notes how conventional tenses, particularly in headlines, are affected by heteroglossia arising from various accessed voices. The resulting tense shifts are interpreted pragmatically as a conventional reader-oriented strategy that creates the impression of temporal co-presence. It is argued that since different tense choices systematically correlate with the three main textual segments of news texts, the function of tense needs to be viewed in a close connection with its local context. Traditional news texts are also contrasted with online news, particularly as far as the effect of hypertextuality on the coding of time is concerned. A two-level structural framework for the analysis of online news is proposed in order to account for their increased textual complexity. The book will be of interest to a wide range of scholars and students working in the fields of media pragmatics, discourse analysis and stylistics.
Further evidence that a new type of Japanese pickles reduce the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Oda Kohei , Nagai Takeshi , Ueno Yoshie , Mori Yoshiharu
Published: October 2014

A new type of pickles (nukazuke) that contain GABA and angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitory peptides and that reduce blood pressure of rats was studied further. Seven kinds of nukazuke forcefully administrated orally for one day reduced temporarily the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, a fermented shougoin daikon administrated freely for 4 weeks did not increase the blood pressure of the rats, but suppressed it throughout the experiment. Taken together with previous data (Oda et al., Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 2014) it was concluded that the nukazuke could reduce the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Thus, the newly developed functional pickles appear to be beneficial for pickles business.
5-aminolevulinic acid enhances cell death under thermal stress in certain cancer cell lines
Authors: Chibazakura Taku , Toriyabe Yui , Fujii Hiroshi , Takahashi Kiwamu , Kawakami Mariko , Kuwamura Haruna , Haga Hazuki , Ogura Shun-ichiro , Abe Fuminori , Nakajima Motowo , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Tanaka Tohru
Published: October 2014

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is contained in all organisms and a starting substrate for heme biosynthesis. Since administration of 5-ALA specifically leads cancer cells to accumulate protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a potent photosensitizer, we tested if 5-ALA also serves as a thermosensitizer. 5-ALA enhanced heat-induced cell death of cancer cell lines such as HepG2, Caco-2, and Kato III, but not other cancer cell lines including U2-OS and normal cell lines including WI-38. Those 5-ALA-sensitive cancer cells, but neither U2-OS nor WI-38, accumulated intracellular PpIX and exhibited an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under thermal stress with 5-ALA treatment. In addition, blocking the PpIX-exporting transporter ABCG2 in U2-OS and WI-38 cells enhanced their cell death under thermal stress with 5-ALA. Finally, a ROS scavenger compromised the cell death enhancement by 5-ALA. These suggest that 5-ALA can sensitize certain cancer cells, but not normal cells, to thermal stress via accumulation of PpIX and increase of ROS generation.
What (more) can, and should, assessment do for learning? Observations from ‘successful learning context’ in Singapore
Authors: Leong Wei Shin , Tan Kelvin
Published: October 2014

Singapore has earned accolades as one of the leading education systems in the world, based on its record in international assessments, including TIMMS and PISA. This has contributed to the entrenchment of ‘assessment’ becoming an institutional authority of standards, teaching (performativity) and classroom learning. It is against, and amidst such contexts, that this article traces how the notion and discourse of formative assessment and Assessment for Learning (AfL) are widely introduced and used formally across all Singaporean schools, particularly after a recent introduction of new ‘Holistic and Balanced Assessment’ policies. We argue that the very institutional authority of successful high‐stake examination results, which served as critical standards of performativity of teaching and learning in the classroom, is being challenged. The changing assessment context of Singaporean schools, therefore serves as an interesting case study site for studying how formative assessment and AfL can be adapted and understood when ‘learning’ is already seen to be successful.
The Governor has a sweet tooth – Mouth sensing of nutrients to enhance sports performance
Authors: Burke Louise M. , Maughan Ronald J.
Published: October 2014

The oral–pharyngeal cavity and the gastrointestinal tract are richly endowed with receptors that respond to taste, temperature and to a wide range of specific nutrient and non‐nutritive food components. Ingestion of carbohydrate‐containing drinks has been shown to enhance endurance exercise performance, and these responses have been attributed to post‐absorptive effects. It is increasingly recognised, though, that the response to ingested carbohydrate begins in the mouth via specific carbohydrate receptors and continues in the gut via the release of a range of hormones that influence substrate metabolism. Cold drinks can also enhance performance, especially in conditions of thermal stress, and part of the mechanism underlying this effect may be the response to cold fluids in the mouth. There is also some, albeit not entirely consistent, evidence for effects of caffeine, quinine, menthol and acetic acid on performance or other relevant effects. This review summarises current knowledge of responses to mouth sensing of temperature, carbohydrate and other food components, with the goal of assisting athletes to implement practical strategies that make best use of its effects. It also examines the evidence that oral intake of other nutrients or characteristics associated with food/fluid intake during exercise can enhance performance via communication between the mouth/gut and the brain.
Sulfonylureas suppress the stimulatory action of Mg-nucleotides on Kir6.2/SUR1 but not Kir6.2/SUR2A KATP channels: A mechanistic study
Authors: Proks Peter , de Wet Heidi , Ashcroft Frances M.
Published: October 2014

Sulfonylureas, which stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, are widely used to treat both type 2 diabetes and neonatal diabetes. These drugs mediate their effects by binding to the sulfonylurea receptor subunit (SUR) of the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel and inducing channel closure. The mechanism of channel inhibition is unusually complex. First, sulfonylureas act as partial antagonists of channel activity, and second, their effect is modulated by MgADP. We analyzed the molecular basis of the interactions between the sulfonylurea gliclazide and Mg-nucleotides on β-cell and cardiac types of KATP channel (Kir6.2/SUR1 and Kir6.2/SUR2A, respectively) heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The SUR2A-Y1206S mutation was used to confer gliclazide sensitivity on SUR2A. We found that both MgATP and MgADP increased gliclazide inhibition of Kir6.2/SUR1 channels and reduced inhibition of Kir6.2/SUR2A-Y1206S. The latter effect can be attributed to stabilization of the cardiac channel open state by Mg-nucleotides. Using a Kir6.2 mutation that renders the KATP channel insensitive to nucleotide inhibition (Kir6.2-G334D), we showed that gliclazide abolishes the stimulatory effects of MgADP and MgATP on β-cell KATP channels. Detailed analysis suggests that the drug both reduces nucleotide binding to SUR1 and impairs the efficacy with which nucleotide binding is translated into pore opening. Mutation of one (or both) of the Walker A lysines in the catalytic site of the nucleotide-binding domains of SUR1 may have a similar effect to gliclazide on MgADP binding and transduction, but it does not appear to impair MgATP binding. Our results have implications for the therapeutic use of sulfonylureas.
The potential for crop insurance reform
Authors: D. Paulson Nicholas , Babcock Bruce , Coppess Jonathan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the growth and rising costs association with the Federal Crop Insurance program in the USA, justifications for public support, and recent reforms that have been implemented or proposed to reduce program costs. It also analyzes a specific policy to reduce premium assistance spending.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from the Risk Management Agency are used to illustrate historical trends in crop insurance program costs and to analyze the impacts of imposing a per acre cap on premium assistance.

Findings

– Imposing a per acre cap on premium assistance could achieve significant savings. A $20 per acre cap is estimated to reduce premium subsidy expenditures by more than 40 percent. However, the impact of such a policy would be most severe on crops currently receiving the largest subsidies per acre, which happen to be some of the largest program crops in the USA.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the literature analyzing potential reform in crop insurance industry. The subsidy cap considered has been proposed and considered by policy makers, and this paper provides estimates for its potential savings.
A rationale for alliancing within a public-private partnership
Authors: Walker Derek , Jacobsson Mattias
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This case study was chosen for its rare, if not unique, project procurement strategy. It is, to the authors’ knowledge, the only example of a project alliance (PA) being undertaken within a public-private partnership (PPP) project delivery approach. The purpose of this paper is to explore the case study from a strategic perspective to better understand if it is possible to combine a PA within a less collaborative procurement form, such as PPP or design and construct (D&C), and to determine if there were any specific prerequisite conditions needed for such an arrangement to be successfully adopted.

Design/methodology/approach

– A single exploratory case study was undertaken through interviewing seven of the most senior project participant executives for approximately an hour that each had a separate and unique perspective to offer relating to the organisational role they represented in the PA. These interviewees were identified as the most knowledgeable key executives participating in the PA from whom both strategic and operational insights could be gained.

Findings

– It is possible to design a PA approach within a PPP for large and complex infrastructure projects and this can provide a competitive advantage to do so, however, the reasons for doing so should be clear and compelling. Parties to such an arrangement should be prepared to fully engage through adopting full PA principles. In such a case as this, the PPP special purpose vehicle takes on the role of “project owner” that normally the public body part of the PPP would normally adopt.

Research limitations/implications

– This research reports upon a single case study within a specific project delivery culture that has extensive experience of PAs. Demonstrated positive project outcomes would not be likely to be more generally repeatable across the engineering infrastructure sector unless parties engaged within such a PA had not already experienced and understood outcomes resulting from such a close collaboration.

Practical implications

– This research has implications for project participants bidding for PPP projects as well as others using a D&C tending approach. It offers a potential competitive advantage because it demonstrates and explains how choices may be expanded beyond a simple single project procurement strategy approach.

Social implications

– Many PPP and PA infrastructure projects are delivered to provide community benefit. This paper provides a way to improve the project delivery process and thus improving value to the community.

Originality/value

– The paper makes three contributions. Primarily, it pioneers analysis of a PA within a PPP. Second, it provides important insights into the reasons and emergence of this phenomenon. Finally, it provides an understanding of this how this novel form of early contractor involvement with a PPP special purpose ownership vehicle that combines competition and collaboration may function operationally.
The role of social media in influencing career success
Authors: Nikitkov Alexei , Sainty Barbara
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to help us better understand if it is beneficial for individuals to use social networking sites (SNSs) to expand their networking opportunities, translating into greater career success. A significant key to career success is networking. SNSs are changing the way employees develop their networks with businesses and with other individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses archival data including academic records for 1,182 accounting alumni from a large Canadian public institution. This dataset was expanded by obtaining social network information (presence and use) for each individual’s record.

Findings

– After controlling for a number of indicators of career success, the study found that presence on SNSs such as LinkedIn and the amount of activity therein has a strong and consistent association with metrics of professional success not found with non-professional sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Originality/value

– This study provides empirical support for the value of social networking as a proxy for the development of social capital. Support is in establishing the link between a group of social network profile characteristics and metrics of one’s career success. Distinguishing LinkedIn as chiefly connecting to alumni successes may be reflected in the weights attached to the profile characteristics as opposed to information coming from other sources.
Mobile social networking application viability: a research framework
Authors: Wei Phang Chee , Sutanto Juliana , Tan Chuan-Hoo , Ondrus Jan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to outline a conceptual framework on mobile applications that support social interactions among users to warrant commercial viability of such applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– We build on the social network paradigm to propose an activity-based view on mobile application usage, and theoretically link the pertinent features of mobile social networking applications (MSNAs) to a set of measurement metrics concerning their commercial viability.

Findings

– The conceptual framework formulated highlights how MSNAs can be systematically designed and deployed to ensure their commercial viability.

Research limitations/implications

– A pertinent set of features that support social networking among the users, and their plausible mechanisms in facilitating the commercial viability of MSNAs, are explicated. This facilitates future research endeavours in systematically investigating the emerging form of mobile applications. The limitation lies in a lack of empirical data to validate the formulated propositions, which is beyond the scope of this paper and is directed for future research.

Practical implications

– A coherent set of measurement metrics are put forward for practitioners to measure the commercial viability of an MSNA. Also theoretically based insights are derived for how they can better derive commercial values from the emerging form of mobile applications.

Originality/value

– Most relevant previous research has focused either on the MSNAs’ technical design aspects or user behavioural issues. This research ties up the themes on technical design, user behaviour and business consideration in formulating a research framework for assessing the commercial viability of MSNAs.
Context and the leadership experiences and perceptions of professionals
Authors: Jefferson Therese , Klass Des , Lord Linley , Nowak Margaret , Thomas Gail
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Leadership studies which focus on categorising leadership styles have been critiqued for failure to consider the lived experience of leadership. The purpose of this paper is to use the framework of Jepson’s model of contextual dynamics to explore whether this framework assists understanding of the “how and why” of lived leadership experience within the nursing profession.

Design/methodology/approach

– Themes for a purposeful literature search and review, having regard to the Jepson model, are drawn from the contemporary and dynamic context of nursing. Government reports, coupled with preliminary interviews with a nurse leadership team, guided selection of contextual issues.

Findings

– The contextual interactions arising from managerialism, existing hierarchical models of leadership and increasing knowledge work provided insights into leadership experience in nursing, in the contexts of professional identity and changing educational and generational profiles of nurses. The authors conclude that employing a contextual frame provides insights in studying leadership experience. The author propose additions to the cultural and institutional dimensions of Jepson’s model.

Practical implications

– The findings have implications for structuring and communicating key roles and policies relevant to nursing leadership. These include the need to: address perceptions around the legitimacy of current nursing leaders to provide clinical leadership; modify hierarchical models of nursing leadership; address implications of the role of the knowledge workers.

Originality/value

– Observing nursing leadership through the lens of Jepson’s model of contextual dynamics confirms that this is an important way of exploring how leadership is enacted. The authors found, however, the model also provided a useful frame for considering the experience and understanding of leadership by those to be led.
Subjective experience or objective process
Authors: Lord Laura , Gale Nicola
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Patient-centred care and patient involvement are increasingly central concepts in health policy in the UK and elsewhere. However, there is little consensus regarding their definition or how to achieve “patient-centred” care in everyday practice or how to involve patients in service redesign initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore these issues from the perspective of key stakeholders within National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews, covering a range of topics related to service redesign, were conducted with 77 key stakeholders across three NHS Trusts in the West Midlands. In total, 20 of these stakeholders were re-interviewed 18 months later. Data were managed and analysed using the Framework Method.

Findings

– While patient-centred care and patient involvement were regularly cited as important to the stakeholders, a gap persisted between values and reported practice. This gap is explained through close examination of the ways in which the concepts were used by stakeholders, and identifying the way in which they were adapted to fit other organisational priorities. The value placed on positive subjective experience changed to concerns about objective measurement of the patients as they move through the system.

Research limitations/implications

– Increased awareness and reflection on the conceptual tensions between objective processes and subjective experiences could highlight reasons why patient-centred values fail to translate into improved practice.

Originality/value

– The paper describes and explains a previously unarticulated tension in health organisations between values and practice in patient centred care and patient involvement in service redesign.
Improving hospital care: are learning organizations the answer?
Authors: Soklaridis Sophie
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Hospital leaders are being challenged to become more consumer-oriented, more interprofessional in their approach to care and more focused on outcome measures and continuous quality improvement. The concept of the learning organization could provide the conceptual framework necessary for understanding and addressing these various challenges in a systematic way. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A scan of the literature reveals that this concept has been applied to hospitals and other health care institutions, but it is not known to what extent this concept has been linked to hospitals and with what outcomes. To bridge this gap, the question of whether learning organizations are the answer to improving hospital care needs to be considered. Hospitals are knowledge-intensive organizations in that there is a need for constant updating of the best available evidence and the latest medical techniques. It is widely acknowledged that learning may become the only sustainable competitive advantage for organizations, including hospitals.

Findings

– With the increased demand for accountability for quality care, fiscal responsibility and positive patient outcomes, exploring hospitals as learning organizations is timely and highly relevant to senior hospital administrators responsible for integrating best practices, interprofessional care and quality improvement as a primary means of achieving these outcomes.

Originality/value

– To date, there is a dearth of research on hospitals as learning organizations as it relates to improving hospital care.
Communication and psychological safety in veterans health administration work environments
Authors: J. Yanchus Nancy , Derickson Ryan , C. Moore Scott , Bologna Daniele , Osatuke Katerine
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore employee perceptions of communication in psychologically safe and unsafe clinical care environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– Clinical providers at the USA Veterans Health Administration were interviewed as part of planning organizational interventions. They discussed strengths, weaknesses, and desired changes in their workplaces. A subset of respondents also discussed workplace psychological safety (i.e. employee perceptions of being able to speak up or report errors without retaliation or ostracism – Edmondson, 1999). Two trained coders analysed the interview data using a grounded theory-based method. They excerpted passages that discussed job-related communication and summarized specific themes. Subsequent analyses compared frequencies of themes across workgroups defined as having psychologically safe vs unsafe climate based upon an independently administered employee survey.

Findings

– Perceptions of work-related communication differed across clinical provider groups with high vs low psychological safety. The differences in frequencies of communication-related themes across the compared groups matched the expected pattern of problem-laden communication characterizing psychologically unsafe workplaces.

Originality/value

– Previous research implied the existence of a connection between communication and psychological safety whereas this study offers substantive evidence of it. The paper summarized the differences in perceptions of communication in high vs low psychological safety environments drawing from qualitative data that reflected clinical providers’ direct experience on the job. The paper also illustrated the conclusions with multiple specific examples. The findings are informative to health care providers seeking to improve communication within care delivery teams.
E-learning and information literacy at the University of Jos
Authors: Lawal Vicki , Akintunde Stephen
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential role of information literacy (IL) within the changing context of the e-learning environment at the University of Jos in recent years. It focuses and emphasises the role of the University library in facilitating teaching and learning through the use of e-learning platforms in teaching information retrieval skills. The paper aims to identify gaps in students’ information skills that could be addressed through IL instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employed a case study research design while the methodology involved the administration of structured questionnaires to the two groups of respondents.

Findings

– Findings from the study provide useful insights to the skills challenges experienced by students and point to a need for effective collaboration between the library, faculty and management in order to promote a better approach to learning at the institution.

Originality/value

– By emphasising the role of the library, the paper contributes to previous studies on e-learning at the University and provides a basis for further research in this regard.
Analysis of Fe78Si9B13 (%at.) ribbons of noncommercial scrap materials produced by melt spinning equipment
Authors: R. Pagnola Marcelo , Malmoria Mariano , Barone Marcelo , Sirkin Hugo
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a ribbons production route of composition Fe78Si9B13 (%at.) using low cost noncommercial scrap materials to obtain usable magnetic cores by melt spinning technique and their characterization. This way, these may compete with the materials produced by conventional casting processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is to design a master alloy with scrap different starting compositions, to which Fe is added to get the desired atomic ratio of components. With this starting alloy, using the method of melt spinning, in its variant of chill block melt spinning, are achieved amorphous ribbons with desired soft magnetic behavior. Then these ribbons are thermally treated for achieve nanocrystalline structures to improve the performance in the magnetic cores.

Findings

– The result of this paper shows that it is possible to recycle scrap materials, and re-used efficiently as components essential in part of electrical components. This way, these may compete with the materials produced by conventional casting processes.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of this work to ensure that the scrap materials used is reasonably adequate to accomplish obtaining the master alloy, i.e. having reduced impurities.

Practical implications

– The implications are important, because it assures that the components are recyclable and also high-tech in reference to energy saving that involves the production of amorphous and nanocrystalline materials in the electric industry. These products may compete with those produced by conventional casting processes.

Social implications

– The social implications lead to awareness in recycling and energy saving as an option for social progress in technology.

Originality/value

– The originality of the study is that it takes as a starting point for the final product (ribbon) noncommercial scrap materials of known composition and the obtained results are comparable to those that also are manufactured from the pure elements. The control of impurities is necessary in the production route. This way, these may compete with the materials produced by conventional casting processes. This process achieved a production with lower cost, high efficient energy products and high added value.
Dynamic capabilities for CSR management: towards identifying common processes
Authors: Wu Qiang , He Qile , Duan Yanqing
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The objective of this paper is to address the question whether and how firms can follow a standard management process to cope with emerging corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges? Both researchers and practitioners have paid increasing attention to the question because of the rapidly evolving CSR expectations of stakeholders and the limited diffusion of CSR standardization. The question was addressed by developing a theoretical framework to explain how dynamic capabilities can contribute to effective CSR management.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on 64 world-leading companies’ contemporary CSR reports, we carried out a large-scale content analysis to identify and examine the common organizational processes involved in CSR management and the dynamic capabilities underpinning those management processes.

Findings

– Drawing on the dynamic capabilities perspective, we demonstrate how the deployment of three dynamic capabilities for CSR management, namely, scanning, sensing and reconfiguration capabilities can help firms to meet emerging CSR requirements by following a set of common management processes. The findings demonstrate that what is more important in CSR standardization is the identification and development of the underlying dynamic capabilities and the related organizational processes and routines, rather than the detailed operational activities.

Originality/value

– Our study is an early attempt to examine the fundamental organizational capabilities and processes involved in CSR management from the dynamic capabilities perspective. Our research findings contribute to CSR standardization literature by providing a new theoretical perspective to better understand the capabilities enabling common CSR management processes.