bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels are independently associated with heart failure
Authors: Liu Mingya , Zhou Mi , Bao Yuqian , Xu Zhiyong , Li Huating , Zhang Hao , Zhu Wei , Zhang Jialiang , Xu Aimin , Wei Meng , Jia Weiping
Published: September 2012

A-FABP (adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein), one of the most abundant proteins in adipocytes, plays a key role in obesity-related insulin resistance, inflammation and atherosclerosis in animals. In the present study, we sought to investigate the association of A-FABP with HF (heart failure) in Chinese subjects. Serum A-FABP levels were measured in 252 HF patients and 261 age-, gender- and BMI (body mass index)-matched non-HF subjects. Echocardiography was performed on each patient. The severity of HF was determined by the NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification system. After adjustments for age, gender and BMI, serum A-FABP concentrations in patients with HF were significantly higher than in non-HF patients [11.17 (6.63–19.93) ng/ml compared with 5.67 (3.20–8.87) ng/ml; P<0.001] and significantly progressed with the NYHA class (P<0.001). In addition, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) was independently and positively correlated with A-FABP (standardized β=0.340, P<0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. Each echocardiographic parameter, especially LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), was independently associated with A-FABP (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that A-FABP concentration was an independent risk factor for HF [odds ratio, 6.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.49–19.30); P<0.001]. Our results demonstrate that A-FABP is closely associated with HF, and raise the possibility that increased A-FABP may be causally related to the pathogenesis of heart dysfunction in humans.
Personal Narratives: Assessment and Intervention
Authors: Bliss Lynn S. , McCabe Allyssa
Published: September 2012

Personal narratives are a critical aspect of functional discourse. The purpose of this article is to describe the impairments of personal narrative discourse in children with language learning disorders. The authors also consider cultural aspects of narrative discourse, present assessment and intervention guidelines, and delineate cultural considerations.
Growth of heat trace coefficients for locally symmetric spaces
Authors: Gilkey P. , Miatello R. J.
Published: September 2012

We study the asymptotic behavior of the heat trace coefficients an as n → ∞ for the scalar Laplacian in the context of locally symmetric spaces. We show that if a locally symmetric space is modeled on a noncompact type symmetric space X = G/K such that G has one conjugacy class of Cartan subgroups then these coefficients are \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$O(\frac{C^n}{n!})$\end{document}O(Cnn!) for some C > 0. In contrast, we prove that for even dimensional locally rank 1-symmetric spaces, one has |an| ≈ C′n · n! for some C′ > 0. We conjecture this is the growth for general noncompact type symmetric spaces unless all Cartan subgroups in G are conjugate. These spaces also have the distinguishing property that the Huygens principle for the shifted wave equation holds (n odd). These examples show that growth estimates conjectured by Berry and Howls [“High orders of the Weyl expansion for quantum billiards: Resurgence of periodic orbits and the Stokes phenomenon,” Proc. R. Soc. London A 447, 527–555 (1994)10.1098/rspa.1994.0154] are sharp. We also construct examples of locally symmetric spaces which are not irreducible, which are not flat, and so that only a finite number of the an is non-zero.
Wigner surmises and the two-dimensional Poisson-Voronoi tessellation
Authors: Muche Lutz , Nieminen John M.
Published: September 2012

Consider the set of points defined by the intersection of a one-dimensional (random) line and a Voronoi tessellation generated by a two-dimensional homogeneous Poisson point process. We show that the nearest-neighbor and higher-order spacing statistics between this set of points and the Poisson points that were used to generate the Voronoi tessellation are given by the Wigner surmises of random matrix theory (with even-integer values of the level-repulsion parameter), when appropriate normalizations are implemented.
Piezoelectric nonlinearity and frequency dispersion of the direct piezoelectric response of BiFeO3 ceramics
Authors: Rojac Tadej , Bencan Andreja , Drazic Goran , Kosec Marija , Damjanovic Dragan
Published: September 2012

We report on the frequency and stress dependence of the direct piezoelectric d33 coefficient in BiFeO3 ceramics. The measurements reveal considerable piezoelectric nonlinearity, i.e., dependence of d33 on the amplitude of the dynamic stress. The nonlinear response suggests a large irreversible contribution of non-180° domain walls to the piezoelectric response of the ferrite, which, at present measurement conditions, reached a maximum of 38% of the total measured d33. In agreement with this interpretation, both types of non-180° domain walls, characteristic for the rhombohedral BiFeO3, i.e., 71° and 109°, were identified in the poled ceramics using transmission electron microscopy. In support to the link between nonlinearity and non-180° domain-wall contribution, we found a correlation between nonlinearity and processes leading to depinning of domain walls from defects, such as quenching from above the Curie temperature and high-temperature sintering. In addition, the nonlinear piezoelectric response of BiFeO3 showed a frequency dependence that is qualitatively different from that measured in other nonlinear ferroelectric ceramics, such as “soft” (donor-doped) Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), i.e., in the case of the BiFeO3 large nonlinearities were observed only at low field frequencies (<0.1 Hz); possible origins of this dispersion are discussed. Finally, we show that, once released from pinning centers, the domain walls can contribute extensively to the electromechanical response of BiFeO3; in fact, the extrinsic domain-wall contribution is relatively as large as in Pb-based ferroelectric ceramics with morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition, such as PZT. This finding might be important in the search of new lead-free MPB compositions based on BiFeO3 as it suggests that such compositions might also exhibit large extrinsic domain-wall contribution to the piezoelectric response.
Limiting efficiencies of tandem solar cells consisting of III-V nanowire arrays on silicon
Authors: Huang Ningfeng , Lin Chenxi , Povinelli Michelle L.
Published: September 2012

We carry out a systematic study of tandem solar cells consisting of III-V nanowire arrays on silicon using electromagnetic simulations and device simulations. For four III-V materials, we use optical simulations and detailed balance analysis to optimize the nanowires' structural parameters to maximize the detailed balance efficiency. The results show different trends for materials with band gaps smaller and larger than optimal, due to the different requirements for achieving current matching. A higher than 30% detailed-balance efficiency can be achieved by using 1 μm-tall nanowire arrays with optimal parameters. Sample device simulations are conducted to compare different junction geometries and surface conditions. We find that radial junctions are more robust to the presence of surface recombination.
Transport in quantum spin Hall phase of graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Qin G. , Chen H. , Mizuseki H. , Kawazoe Y.
Published: September 2012

The electron transport properties with the relativistic intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit (SO) couplings in a graphene nanoribbon are investigated by using the third-nearest-neighbor tight-binding model and the nonequilibrium Green function method. The numerical results display a perfect quantum spin Hall state (QSH) surrounded by a simple insulator state, presented in Rashba SO coupling vs sublattice potential plane. The QSH state is enhanced by the intrinsic SO coupling, indicating a quantum topological property of graphene nanoribbons.
Experimental evidences of the conservation of the S = 1 moment in La2RuO5 determined by perturbed angular correlations
Authors: Soares I. B. P. , Carvalho L. B. , Coaquira J. A. H. , Cabrera-Pasca G. A. , Carbonari A. W. , Malik S. K.
Published: September 2012

A study of the magnetic, electrical resistivity and hyperfine properties of polycrystalline La2RuO5 compounds is presented in this work. This compound forms in a monoclinic phase (space group P21/c). Magnetic susceptibility measurements yield an effective magnetic moment which is consistent with spin S = 1 of Ru ions, and a negative paramagnetic Curie temperature which indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Below T ∼ 165 K, the magnetization shows a sudden decrease, precisely where the electrical resistivity shows a change in the activation energy. Room-temperature perturbed angular correlation spectrum is well fitted considering two electric-quadrupole components. The temperature dependences of electric-quadrupole frequencies and asymmetry parameters corroborate the occurrence of a phase transition at T ∼ 170 K. Moreover, below 170 K, magnetic-dipole interactions, which coexist with electric-quadrupole interactions, are observed at Ru sites. This is considered as a strong evidence for the preservation of S = 1 moment of Ru ions in the triclinic phase. The temperature dependence of the magnetic hyperfine field shows an unusual behavior, not consistent with the Brillouin function, and suggests a first-order magnetic transition, associated with either a structural transition or an orbital ordering induced by the Ru-Ru pair formation.
A Raman spectroscopic investigation of graphite oxide derived graphene
Authors: Kaniyoor Adarsh , Ramaprabhu Sundara
Published: September 2012

Graphene sheets that are now routinely obtained by the exfoliation/reduction of graphite oxide exhibit Raman spectra unlike traditional graphene systems. The general attributes of the Raman spectra of these ‘wrinkled graphene’ are first reaffirmed by evaluating the spectra of samples prepared by seven different exfoliation-reduction methods. These graphene sheets exhibit highly broadened D and G Raman bands and in addition, have a modulated bump in place of the conventional 2D (G′) band. It is shown that the high wavenumber ‘bump’ can be resolved into the conventional 2D band and several defect activated peaks such as G*, D+D′ and 2D′. The broad G band could also be deconvoluted into the actual G band and the D′ band, thereby attributing the broadening in the G band to the presence of this defect activated band. Two additional modes, named as D* at 1190 cm-1 and D** at ∼1500 cm-1 could be identified. These peculiar features in the Raman spectrum of ‘graphene’ are attributed to the highly disordered and wrinkled (defective) morphology of the sheets. The affect of defects are further augmented due to the finite crystallite size of these graphene sheets. The dispersion in the band positions and peak intensities with respect to the laser energy are also demonstrated.
Structure - Property Relationships Based on Phenyl-1H-Pyrrole End-Capped Thiophene Semiconductors
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Ji , Liu Yunqi , Yu Gui , Ge Ziyi
Published: September 2012

Thiophene oligomers end-capped with phenyl-1H-pyrrole were used as active layers of organic field-effect transistors. Two types of cores that vary in size and shape of α-linked thiophenes and fused-ring thiophenes were chosen to study the structure–property relationship. The crystal structures, optical, electrochemical and electronic properties were investigated, and the heterocyclic compounds exhibited clear p-type semiconducting behavior.
Heterocyclic-Functionalized Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Tuning Solar Cell Performance by Structural Modification
Authors: Li Qianqian , Jiang Zhongxing , Qin Jingui , Li Zhen
Published: September 2012

Due to their high conversion efficiency and low cost of production, dye-sensitized solar cells based on organic dyes have attracted considerable attention. By utilizing various heterocycles as construction blocks for organic dyes, the performance of solar cells was optimized to exhibit good light-harvesting features and suppress interfacial recombinations. The aim of this review is to highlight recent progress in the molecular design of heterocyclic-functionalized organic dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells, and special attention has been paid to the relationship between chemical structure and the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on these dyes.
Effects of elevated O3 on soil respiration in a winter wheat - soybean rotation cropland
Authors: Chen Shutao , Zhang Yong , Chen Haishan , Hu Zhenghua
Published: September 2012

The increasing tropospheric ozone (O3) concentration has been reported to have negative effects on ecosystems. However, few investigations have focussed on the impacts of elevated O3 on soil respiration in cropland. This study aimed to examine the responses of soil respiration to elevated O3 with open-top chambers (OTCs) in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) rotation. The experiment was performed in the cropland near Nanjing city, south-east China. Seasonal changes in soil respiration rates, soil CO2 production rates, and nitrification and denitrification rates in ambient air (control) and elevated O3 (100 ppb) treatments were investigated in the 2009–10 winter wheat and 2010 soybean growing seasons. Seasonal mean soil respiration rates for the control and 100 ppb treatments were 3.16 and 2.66 μmol/m2.s, respectively, in the winter wheat growing season, and they were 3.59 and 2.51 μmol/m2.s, respectively, in the soybean growing season. Mean soil respiration rate in the control was ~29% higher than that in the 100 ppb treatment across the whole winter wheat–soybean rotation season. Elevated O3 significantly decreased soil respiration in both crops, with a larger effect observed in soybean. Mean soil CO2 production rates were reduced by ~42% in the 100 ppb O3 treatment compared with the control. No O3 effects were observed on soil nitrification and denitrification during the period monitored. A further analysis of covariance showed that soil respiration was significantly correlated with both soil temperature and moisture, and no interaction effects of O3 treatment and covariate (temperature or moisture) were observed.
Reproductive ecology of wild tammar wallabies in natural and developed habitats on Garden Island, Western Australia
Authors: Schwanz Lisa E. , Robert Kylie A.
Published: September 2012

Reproduction may be influenced by major environmental changes experienced by an entire population as well as variation within a population in maternal resource availability or quality. We examined relationships between body condition and reproductive traits in two wild populations of the seasonally breeding tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia, that differed in access to supplemental food resources. Body condition changed predictably over the year, with females losing condition over the dry summer and gaining condition over the winters, when lactation occurs and most annual precipitation falls. Body condition influenced reproduction, with females of greater body condition more likely to have a pouch young, and to have a larger pouch young, early in the reproductive season. This intrapopulation pattern was opposite to that seen across populations – females in a native bushland were in poorer condition yet were more likely to have pouch young, and had larger pouch young, in March than did females living in a water-supplemented habitat on a naval base. Body condition did not influence the probability of weaning a pouch young in a year, nor did reproductive success influence changes in body condition across seasons. Instead, annual variation in precipitation had a dramatic effect on population weaning success in the native bushland, but not on the naval base. In summary, individual variation in body condition as well as large climatic variation influenced the reproduction of tammar wallabies on Garden Island, but the nature of the effect depended on the different habitats experienced by the two study populations.
Nicastrin regulates breast cancer stem cell properties and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lombardo Ylenia , Filipović Aleksandra , Molyneux Gemma , Periyasamy Manikandan , Giamas Georgios , Hu Yunhui , Trivedi Pritesh S. , Wang Jayson , Yagüe Ernesto , Michel Loren , Coombes R. Charles
Published: September 2012

Nicastrin (NCT) is a crucial component of the γ-secretase (GS) enzyme, which prompted investigations into its biological role in cancer. We have previously shown that nicastrin is overexpressed in breast cancer (BC), conferring worse overall survival in invasive, ERα negative patients. Here, we used 2D and 3D Matrigel, anchorage-independent growth conditions and a breast cancer xenograft mouse model to assess the impact of nicastrin on breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) propagation and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Stable knockdown of nicastrin in HCC1806 breast cancer cells reduced cell invasion by 51.4 ± 1.7%, accompanied by a morphological change to a rounded cell phenotype and down-regulation of vimentin, Snail, Twist, MMP2, and MMP9. We observed a reduction of the pool of CD44
+
/CD24
−
and ALDH1 high breast cancer stem cells by threefold and twofold, respectively, and a reduction by 2.6-fold of the mammospheres formation. Nicastrin overexpression in nontransformed MCF10A cells caused an induction of epithelial to mesenchymal regulators, as well as a fivefold increased ALDH1 activity, a threefold enrichment for CD44
+
/CD24
−
stem cells, and a 3.2-fold enhanced mammosphere-forming capacity. Using the γ-sescretase inhibiton, Notch1/4 siRNA, and Akt inhibition, we show that nicastrin regulates breast cancer stem cells partly through Notch1 and the Akt pathway. Exploiting serial dilution transplantation of the HCC1806 cells expressing nicastrin and HCC1806 stably depleted of nicastrin, in vivo, we demonstrate that nicastrin inhibition may be relevant for the reduced tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells. These data could serve as a benchmark for development of nicastrin-targeted therapies in breast cancer.
Single nucleotide in the MTF-1 binding site can determine metal-specific transcription activation
Authors: Sims Hillel I. , Chirn Gung-Wei , Marr Michael T.
Published: September 2012

Cells respond to changes in environment by shifting their gene expression profile to deal with the new conditions. The cellular response to changes in metal homeostasis is an important example of this. Transition metals such as iron, zinc, and copper are essential micronutrients but other metals such as cadmium are simply toxic. The cell must maintain metal concentrations in a window that supports efficient metabolic function but must also protect against the damaging effects of high concentrations of these metals. One way a cell regulates metal homeostasis is to control genes involved in metal mobilization and storage. Much of this regulation occurs at the level of transcription and the protein most responsible for this is the conserved metal responsive transcription factor 1 (MTF-1). Interestingly, the nature of the changes in the gene expression profile depends on the type of exposure. The cell somehow senses the kind of the metal challenge and responds appropriately. We have been using the
Drosophila
system to try to understand the mechanism of this metal discrimination. Using genome-wide mapping of MTF-1 binding under different metal stresses we find that, surprisingly, MTF-1 chooses different DNA binding sites depending on the specific nature of the metal insult. We also find that the type of binding site chosen is an important component of the capability to induce the metal-specific transcription activation.
SAM-pointed domain ETS factor mediates epithelial cell–intrinsic innate immune signaling during airway mucous metaplasia
Authors: Korfhagen Thomas R. , Kitzmiller Joseph , Chen Gang , Sridharan Anusha , Haitchi Hans-Michael , Hegde Rashmi S. , Divanovic Senad , Karp Christopher L. , Whitsett Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2012

Airway mucus plays a critical role in clearing inhaled toxins, particles, and pathogens. Diverse toxic, inflammatory, and infectious insults induce airway mucus secretion and goblet cell metaplasia to preserve airway sterility and homeostasis. However, goblet cell metaplasia, mucus hypersecretion, and airway obstruction are integral features of inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and cystic fibrosis, which cause an immense burden of morbidity and mortality. These chronic lung diseases are united by susceptibility to microbial colonization and recurrent airway infections. Whether these twinned phenomena (mucous metaplasia, compromised host defenses) are causally related has been unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SAM pointed domain ETS factor (SPDEF) was induced by rhinoviral infection of primary human airway cells and that cytoplasmic activities of SPDEF, a transcriptional regulator of airway goblet cell metaplasia, inhibited Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation of epithelial cells. SPDEF bound to and inhibited activities of TLR signaling adapters, MyD88 and TRIF, inhibiting MyD88-induced cytokine production and TRIF-induced interferon β production. Conditional expression of SPDEF in airway epithelial cells in vivo inhibited LPS-induced neutrophilic infiltration and bacterial clearance. SPDEF-mediated inhibition of both TLR and type I interferon signaling likely protects the lung against inflammatory damage when inciting stimuli are not eradicated. Present findings provide, at least in part, a molecular explanation for increased susceptibility to infection in lung diseases associated with mucous metaplasia and a mechanism by which patients with florid mucous metaplasia may tolerate microbial burdens that are usually associated with fulminant inflammatory disease in normal hosts.
Conserved small protein associates with the multidrug efflux pump AcrB and differentially affects antibiotic resistance
Authors: Hobbs Errett C. , Yin Xuefeng , Paul Brian J. , Astarita Jillian L. , Storz Gisela
Published: September 2012

The AcrAB–TolC multidrug efflux pump confers resistance to a wide variety of antibiotics and other compounds inEscherichia coli. Here we show that AcrZ (formerly named YbhT), a 49-amino-acid inner membrane protein, associates with the AcrAB-TolC complex. Co-purification of AcrZ with AcrB, in the absence of both AcrA and TolC, two-hybrid assays and suppressor mutations indicate that this interaction occurs through the inner membrane protein AcrB. The highly conservedacrZgene is coregulated withacrABthrough induction by the MarA, Rob, and SoxS transcription regulators. In addition, mutants lacking AcrZ are sensitive to many, but not all, of the antibiotics transported by AcrAB–TolC. This differential antibiotic sensitivity suggests that AcrZ may enhance the ability of the AcrAB–TolC pump to export certain classes of substrates.
Localized cell death focuses mechanical forces during 3D patterning in a biofilm
Authors: Asally Munehiro , Kittisopikul Mark , Rué Pau , Du Yingjie , Hu Zhenxing , Çağatay Tolga , Robinson Andra B. , Lu Hongbing , Garcia-Ojalvo Jordi , Süel Gürol M.
Published: September 2012

From microbial biofilm communities to multicellular organisms, 3D macroscopic structures develop through poorly understood interplay between cellular processes and mechanical forces. Investigating wrinkled biofilms of
Bacillus subtilis
, we discovered a pattern of localized cell death that spatially focuses mechanical forces, and thereby initiates wrinkle formation. Deletion of genes implicated in biofilm development, together with mathematical modeling, revealed that ECM production underlies the localization of cell death. Simultaneously with cell death, we quantitatively measured mechanical stiffness and movement in WT and mutant biofilms. Results suggest that localized cell death provides an outlet for lateral compressive forces, thereby promoting vertical mechanical buckling, which subsequently leads to wrinkle formation. Guided by these findings, we were able to generate artificial wrinkle patterns within biofilms. Formation of 3D structures facilitated by cell death may underlie self-organization in other developmental systems, and could enable engineering of macroscopic structures from cell populations.
PML promotes MHC class II gene expression by stabilizing the class II transactivator
Authors: Ulbricht Tobias , Alzrigat Mohammad , Horch Almut , Reuter Nina , von Mikecz Anna , Steimle Viktor , Schmitt Eberhard , Krämer Oliver H. , Stamminger Thomas , Hemmerich Peter
Published: September 2012

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies selectively associate with transcriptionally active genomic regions, including the gene-rich major histocompatibility (MHC) locus. In this paper, we have explored potential links between PML and interferon (IFN)-γ–induced MHC class II expression. IFN-γ induced a substantial increase in the spatial proximity between PML bodies and the MHC class II gene cluster in different human cell types. Knockdown experiments show that PML is required for efficient IFN-γ–induced MHC II gene transcription through regulation of the class II transactivator (CIITA). PML mediates this function through protection of CIITA from proteasomal degradation. We also show that PML isoform II specifically forms a stable complex with CIITA at PML bodies. These observations establish PML as a coregulator of IFN-γ–induced MHC class II expression.
Induction of tumoricidal function in CD4+ T cells is associated with concomitant memory and terminally differentiated phenotype
Authors: Hirschhorn-Cymerman Daniel , Budhu Sadna , Kitano Shigehisa , Liu Cailian , Zhao Feng , Zhong Hong , Lesokhin Alexander M. , Avogadri-Connors Francesca , Yuan Jianda , Li Yanyun , Houghton Alan N. , Merghoub Taha , Wolchok Jedd D.
Published: September 2012

Harnessing the adaptive immune response to treat malignancy is now a clinical reality. Several strategies are used to treat melanoma; however, very few result in a complete response. CD4+ T cells are important and potent mediators of anti-tumor immunity and adoptive transfer of specific CD4+ T cells can promote tumor regression in mice and patients. OX40, a costimulatory molecule expressed primarily on activated CD4+ T cells, promotes and enhances anti-tumor immunity with limited success on large tumors in mice. We show that OX40 engagement, in the context of chemotherapy-induced lymphopenia, induces a novel CD4+ T cell population characterized by the expression of the master regulator eomesodermin that leads to both terminal differentiation and central memory phenotype, with concomitant secretion of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. This subpopulation of CD4+ T cells eradicates very advanced melanomas in mice, and an analogous population of human tumor-specific CD4+ T cells can kill melanoma in an in vitro system. The potency of the therapy extends to support a bystander killing effect of antigen loss variants. Our results show that these uniquely programmed effector CD4+ T cells have a distinctive phenotype with increased tumoricidal capability and support the use of immune modulation in reprogramming the phenotype of CD4+ T cells.
Lie coalgebras and rational homotopy theory II: Hopf invariants
Authors: Sinha Dev , Walter Ben
Published: September 2012

We develop a new framework which resolves the homotopy periods problem. We start with integer-valued homotopy periods defined explicitly from the classic bar construction. We then work rationally, where we use the Lie coalgebraic bar construction to get a sharp model for

H
o
m

(

π
∗

X
,

Q

)

\mathrm {Hom}(\pi _* X, {\mathbb Q})

for simply connected

X
X

. We establish geometric interpretations of these homotopy periods, to go along with the good formal properties coming from the Koszul-Moore duality framework. We give calculations, applications, and relationships with the numerous previous approaches.
Swarming and pattern formation due to selective attraction and repulsion
Authors: Romanczuk Pawel , Schimansky-Geier Lutz
Published: September 2012

We discuss the collective dynamics of self-propelled particles with selective attraction and repulsion interactions. Each particle, or individual, may respond differently to its neighbours depending on the sign of their relative velocity. Thus, it is able to distinguish approaching (coming closer) and retreating (moving away) individuals. This differentiation of the social response is motivated by the response to looming visual stimuli and may be seen as a generalization of the previously proposed escape and pursuit interactions motivated by empirical evidence for cannibalism as a driving force of collective migration in locusts and Mormon crickets. The model can account for different types of behaviour such as pure attraction, pure repulsion or escape and pursuit, depending on the values (signs) of the different response strengths. It provides, in the light of recent experimental results, an interesting alternative to previously proposed models of collective motion with an explicit velocity–alignment interaction. We discuss the derivation of a coarse-grained description of the system dynamics, which allows us to derive analytically the necessary condition for emergence of collective motion. Furthermore, we analyse systematically the onset of collective motion and clustering in numerical simulations of the model for varying interaction strengths. We show that collective motion arises only in a subregion of the parameter space, which is consistent with the analytical prediction and corresponds to an effective escape and/or pursuit response.
Interaction intimacy organizes networks of antagonistic interactions in different ways
Authors: Pires Mathias M. , Guimarães Paulo R.
Published: September 2012

Interaction intimacy, the degree of biological integration between interacting individuals, shapes the ecology and evolution of species interactions. A major question in ecology is whether interaction intimacy also shapes the way interactions are organized within communities. We combined analyses of network structure and food web models to test the role of interaction intimacy in determining patterns of antagonistic interactions, such as host–parasite, predator–prey and plant–herbivore interactions. Networks describing interactions with low intimacy were more connected, more nested and less modular than high-intimacy networks. Moreover, the performance of the models differed across networks with different levels of intimacy. All models reproduced well low-intimacy networks, whereas the more elaborate models were also capable of reproducing networks depicting interactions with higher levels of intimacy. Our results indicate the key role of interaction intimacy in organizing antagonisms, suggesting that greater interaction intimacy might be associated with greater complexity in the assembly rules shaping ecological networks.
Host Suitability of House Fly,Musca domestica(Diptera: Muscidae), Pupae Killed by High or Low Temperature Treatment for a Parastoid,Spalangia endius(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)
Authors: Ogawa Kohei , Ito Katsura , Fukuda Tatsuya , Tebayashi Shin-ichi , Arakawa Ryo
Published: September 2012

The objective of this study was to establish a high quality progeny production system for the house fly parasitoid,Spalangia endius(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), by stockpiling hosts. We performed two host killing methods before host storage: (i) heat-killed by 30 min exposure to 50°C or (ii) freeze-killed by 10 min exposure to −80°C. The average number of parasitoids that emerged from nonstored house fly pupae after heat- or freeze-killing was not significantly different from live pupae. When house fly pupae stored at −20°C after heat-killing were supplied toS. endius, progeny production was significantly less than live pupae. Moreover, productivity became very low when house fly pupae refrigerated at 3°C after heat- or freeze-killing were supplied toS. endius. On the other hand, when house fly pupae stored at −80°C for 1 year after heat-killing were supplied toS. endius, the average number of parasitoids that emerged was not significantly different from live pupae. The average number of parasitoids that emerged from freeze-killed hosts kept for more than 8 weeks at −80°C was significantly fewer than live pupae. Thus, this study clarified that a higher-quality host can be maintained not only by simply storing at –80°C but also by adding heat treatment before storage.
Phospholipid:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase Is a Multifunctional Enzyme Involved in Membrane Lipid Turnover and Degradation While Synthesizing Triacylglycerol in the Unicellular Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Yoon Kangsup , Han Danxiang , Li Yantao , Sommerfeld Milton , Hu Qiang
Published: September 2012

Many unicellular microalgae produce large amounts (∼20 to 50% of cell dry weight) of triacylglycerols (TAGs) under stress (e.g., nutrient starvation and high light), but the synthesis and physiological role of TAG are poorly understood. We present detailed genetic, biochemical, functional, and physiological analyses of phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which catalyzes TAG synthesis via two pathways: transacylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) with acyl groups from phospholipids and galactolipids and DAG:DAG transacylation. We demonstrate that PDAT also possesses acyl hydrolase activities using TAG, phospholipids, galactolipids, and cholesteryl esters as substrates. Artificial microRNA silencing of PDAT in C. reinhardtii alters the membrane lipid composition, reducing the maximum specific growth rate. The data suggest that PDAT-mediated membrane lipid turnover and TAG synthesis is essential for vigorous growth under favorable culture conditions and for membrane lipid degradation with concomitant production of TAG for survival under stress. The strong lipase activity of PDAT with broad substrate specificity suggests that this enzyme could be a potential biocatalyst for industrial lipid hydrolysis and conversion, particularly for biofuel production.
Building high‐performing teams rapidly
Authors: Eales‐White Rupert
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to share the recipe that enables a team‐builder to build in the workplace, out of any group of individuals, a high‐performing team in four hours.

Design/methodology/approach

After a period of research and testing, the recipe was formulated and successfully implemented over a 15‐year period with more than 1,000 groups.

Findings

The recipe confirmed the research findings by A.J. Romiszowski that the effective team improves the intellectual and creative thinking skills, as well as the sociability, of the individual.

Practical implications

The recipe enables radical improvement in individual, team and organisational performance.

Originality/value

The recipe is unique and is the only methodology to enable a high‐performing team to be built rapidly, delivering to any organisation a quantum leap in individual and team performance.
Talent management and building high performance organisations
Authors: Coulson‐Thomas Colin
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Many contemporary approaches to talent management are unaffordable. This paper seeks to summarise some key findings of a five‐year investigation into quicker and more affordable routes to creating high performance organisations. It aims to suggest a practical and much more cost‐effective way of quickly achieving multiple corporate objectives and measurable benefits for both people and organisations is often being overlooked.

Design/methodology/approach

A programme of critical success factor, “issue” and other surveys was complemented with a five‐year evaluation of more recent case studies to understand early adoptions of performance support and to assess their results and implications. The applications examined were discussed with the relevant technical architect and the results obtained corroborated with commissioner/user performance data and/or documented assessments/reactions.

Findings

Recruiting exceptional people – even if affordable – can create a host of problems if they are not properly managed, which is often the case. Paying for talented people may make little sense for organisations that cannot harness or capture and share what they do differently. Talent needs to be relevant to what an organisation is seeking to do and critical success factors for excelling in key roles, and what top performers do differently in these areas captured and shared.

Research limitations/implications

Evaluations of performance management need to consider all the objectives that are beneficially impacted.

Practical implications

One can avoid certain general, expensive, time consuming and disruptive corporate programmes in an area such as talent management and adopt quick, focused, cost effective alternatives that generate large returns on investment, and quickly deliver multiple benefits for people and organisations. Performance support can enable average performers wherever they may be to excel at difficult jobs.

Social implications

A wider range of people can be helped to do difficult jobs.

Originality/value

The paper summarises the main findings of an investigation that has identified deficiencies of contemporary approaches to talent management, identifies an approach which if strategically adopted can enable relevant talent in terms of how to excel at key roles to be developed as and when required, and sets out the benefits of Talent Management 2, of which performance support is a central element.
LILAC Conference 2012
Authors: Street Penelope , Hawksworth Lisa
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the content of the LILAC Conference held in Glasgow, UK, in April 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of the themes, content, keynote speakers and selected parallel sessions of the LILAC conference.

Findings

The conference held a series of parallel sessions covering six key themes: information literacy and the digital future; information literacy research; supporting the research community; transitions: from school through to higher education; information literacy and employability; active learning and creative pedagogical approaches.

Originality/value

The conference provided an insight into emerging trends for information literacy.
Demand management in downstream wholesale and retail distribution: a case study
Authors: Hung Lau Kwok
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This case study aims to examine the role of demand management in balancing distribution efficiency and responsiveness to customer needs in the downstream of a retail supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

A major machine part supplier in Australia is used as a case study to investigate the challenges faced by the industry in distributing goods to customers. The use of demand management techniques to help improve distribution efficiency without significantly impacting on responsiveness is also explored.

Findings

The findings of the case study reveal that appropriate demand management measures, such as customer segmentation and price discrimination, can help improve overall distribution efficiency of the supply chain while providing the required responsiveness to meet genuine customer needs. Other management attempts, such as vendor‐managed inventory and rationalisation of retail network, can facilitate demand aggregation and improve vehicle utilisation in distribution with minor impact on customer service. These changes require a full understanding of customer requirements and supply capabilities of the company as well as corresponding adjustments in business strategy, leadership style, and organisational culture.

Research limitations/implications

This study lends insight into the use of demand management techniques to improve efficiency in downstream wholesale and retail distribution, thereby enhancing sustainability and profitability of business. To serve mainly as a case study and an illustration of the approach, the scope of the study is limited to six stores in the distribution network of the case company.

Practical implications

Retailers can explore the use of demand management techniques to increase distribution efficiency and hence competitiveness of the company. The approach can also assist managers in adopting best practices among stores and facilitate more effective allocation of distribution resources to serve different market segments.

Social implications

Using demand management techniques to increase distribution efficiency can reduce delivery frequency and total travel distance. This will help lessen energy usage, carbon emission, traffic congestion, and other negative impacts on the environment.

Originality/value

Research in retail distribution efficiency to date focuses mainly on delivery optimisation through routing and scheduling. Attempts to link demand with supply and use demand management techniques to improve distribution efficiency are relatively limited. This paper fills the gap in the literature by investigating the value of demand management in distribution and explores empirically the significance of the approach to achieve higher wholesale and retail distribution efficiency.
Are there any first‐mover advantages for pioneering firms?
Authors: Cleff Thomas , Rennings Klaus
Published: September 2012

Purpose

In environmental policy first mover advantages for environmental technologies are often taken for granted. It is a popular view to see the state as a political entrepreneur who introduces a certain environmental policy instrument and thus becomes the world market leader or the lead market for the respective technology. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to find out if the idea of first mover and lead market advantages can be justified by theories and empirical evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide range of theoretical and empirical papers from the business management and industrial economics literature were reviewed to provide success factors for different timing‐to‐market and lead market strategies of environmental innovations.

Findings

A successful innovator is not necessarily the first but very often one of the early movers within the competition of different innovation designs. The paper shows that the success of a timing strategy depends on country‐specific lead market potentials, on market and technology characteristics and on the regime of the country‐specific regulation. On this basis the paper derives options for environmental innovation strategies for firms under different circumstances of markets, technologies and regulations.

Research limitations/implications

Patent applications, R&D expenditure, etc. are not unimportant input factors for the innovation, but all these supply‐side factors are beyond the focus of this article.

Practical implications

Research on the lead market and the timing to market takes centre stage when product innovations are in the development phase. Companies in countries that do not have sufficient above‐average lead market attributes must target product innovations to fit the preferences of users in the lead market.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to analyse if different timing to market advantages and lead market advantages for environmental innovation can be justified by theories and by empirical evidence.
CSR and sustainable development: are the concepts compatible?
Authors: Husser Jocelyn , André Jean‐Marc , Barbat Guillaume , Lespinet‐Najib Véronique
Published: September 2012

Purpose

In France, an application decree from February 2002 enumerates a series of operational indicators that companies must offer, including a number of accounting and financial items. The information expected notably includes working time organisation, gender equality, health and safety, disability policies, subcontractor arrangements, water, raw material and energy consumption and biodiversity efforts. The present study aims to account for the diversity of the social and environmental information that companies supply by focusing on three stakeholder categories: suppliers; customers; and employees. It also seeks to highlight possible variations among different sectors of activity; influence of three pillars of sustainability (economic, social and environmental); timeframe (short‐term, long‐term, analytical); and type of discourse (situational or action variables).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 40 French companies as a qualitative approach, the purpose of the present communication is to offer a discussion of the structuring modes applied to the information found in sustainability reports targeting stakeholders for all the companies belonging to the CAC 40 index.

Findings

Mobilizing a structural contents analysis, its findings identify differentiated communications practices among the 40 companies in question. The study also unveils the existence of shorter‐term approaches to sustainability action, contrasting to more long‐term and/or analytical orientations. Finally, the reports in question all emphasized sustainability's “economic” dimension, with its “social” dimension being considered secondary and its “environmental” dimension coming last. This inquiry demonstrates that, in the French context, there is a far cry from corporate social responsibility (CSR) dimension and sustainable development (SD) vision.

Originality/value

The paper provides an in‐depth method to analyze CSR and SD reports through its structural discourse.