bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrow-gap tungsten inert gas welding of 78-mm-thick Ti–6Al–4V alloy
Authors: Wan L. , Huang Y. , Lv S. , Huang T. , Li C. , Feng J.
Published: January 2016

Narrow-gap tungsten inert gas welding with in situ protective system is applied to 78-mm-thick Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The martensite basketweave microstructure is formed in fusion zone (FZ), and heat-affected zone (HAZ) near FZ consists of acicular martensite and a small portion of primary alpha phase. The HAZ near base metal (BM) consists of primary alpha and transformed beta phase. Microhardness values of FZ and HAZ are relatively higher, and peak values appear at HAZ near FZ. The mechanical heterogeneity is dependent on variation of beta phase and martensite, which in turn depend on specific thermal cycle(s). The average tensile strength reaches 783.3 MPa and is 91.2% of BM, which appears in the middle of the weld with orthogonal martensites.
Evaluation of performance for the EAST upgraded divertor targets during type I ELMy H-mode
Authors: Qian X.Y. , Peng X.B. , Wang L. , Song Y.T. , Ye M.Y. , Zhang J.W. , Li W.X. , Zhu C.C.
Published: January 2016

The long-pulse high-confinement (H-mode) plasma regime is considered to be a preferable scenario in future fusion devices, and in the period of normal operation during H-mode, edge-localised modes (ELMs) are one of the most serious threats to the performance and capability of divertor targets. The EAST recently achieved a variety of H-mode regimes with ELMs. For the purpose of studying the performance of the EAST upgraded divertor during type I ELMs, a series of simulations were performed by using three-dimensional (3D) finite element code. To make a visible outcome of the direct ELM impact on the divertor targets, a preliminary evaluation system with three indices to exhibit the influence has been developed. The indices that comprise temperature evolution, thermal penetration depth and crack initiation life, which could reveal the process of micro-crack formation, are calculated in both low and high-power scenarios for type I ELMs. The initial results indicate that the transient heat load has a significant influence in a very short thickness layer along the direction perpendicular to the plasma-facing surface throughout its duration. The conclusion could offer a pertinent guide to the next-step high-power long-pulse operation in EAST and would also be helpful for scientifically studying the damage and fatigue mechanism of the divertor in ITER and future fusion power reactors.
High levels of genetic diversity and population structure in an endemic and rare species: implications for conservation
Authors: Turchetto Caroline , Segatto Ana Lúcia A. , Mäder Geraldo , Rodrigues Daniele M. , Bonatto Sandro L. , Freitas Loreta B.
Published: January 2016

The analysis of genetic structure and variability of isolated species is of critical importance in evaluating whether stochastic or human-caused factors are affecting rare species. Low genetic diversity compromises the ability of populations to evolve and reduces their chances of survival under environmental changes. Petunia secreta , a rare and endemic species, is an annual and heliophilous herb that is bee-pollinated and easily recognizable by its purple and salverform corolla. It was described as a new species of the Petunia genus in 2005. Few individuals of P. secreta have been observed in nature and little is known about this species. All the natural populations of P. secreta that were found were studied using 15 microsatellite loci, two intergenic plastid sequences and morphological traits. Statistical analysis was performed to describe the genetic diversity of this rare species and the results compared with those of more widespread and frequent Petunia species from the same geographic area to understand whether factors associated with population size could affect rare species of this genus. The results showed that despite its rarity, P. secreta presented high genetic diversity that was equivalent to or even higher than that of widespread Petunia species. It was shown that this species is divided into two evolutionary lineages, and the genetic differentiation indices between them and other congeneric species presented different patterns. The major risk to P. secreta maintenance is its rarity, suggesting the necessity of a preservation programme and more biological and evolutionary studies that handle the two evolutionary lineages independently.
Nerve growth factor improves visual loss in childhood optic gliomas: a randomized, double-blind, phase II clinical trial
Authors: Falsini Benedetto , Chiaretti Antonio , Rizzo Daniela , Piccardi Marco , Ruggiero Antonio , Manni Luigi , Soligo Marzia , Dickmann Anna , Federici Matteo , Salerni Annabella , Timelli Laura , Guglielmi Gaspare , Lazzareschi Ilaria , Caldarelli Massimo , Galli-Resta Lucia , Colosimo Cesare , Riccardi Riccardo
Published: January 2016

Paediatric optic pathway gliomas are low-grade brain tumours characterized by slow progression and invalidating visual loss. Presently there is no strategy to prevent visual loss in this kind of tumour. This study evaluated the effects of nerve growth factor administration in protecting visual function in patients with optic pathway glioma-related visual impairment. A prospective randomized double-blind phase II clinical trial was conducted in 18 optic pathway glioma patients, aged from 2 to 23 years, with stable disease and severe visual loss. Ten patients were randomly assigned to receive a single 10-day course of 0.5 mg murine nerve growth factor as eye drops, while eight patients received placebo. All patients were evaluated before and after treatment, testing visual acuity, visual field, visual-evoked potentials, optic coherence tomography, electroretinographic photopic negative response, and magnetic resonance imaging. Post-treatment evaluations were repeated at 15, 30, 90, and 180 days Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and at 180 days. Treatment with nerve growth factor led to statistically significant improvements in objective electrophysiological parameters (electroretinographic photopic negative response amplitude at 180 days and visual-evoked potentials at 30 days), which were not observed in placebo-treated patients. Furthermore, in patients in whom visual fields could still be measured, visual field worsening was only observed in placebo-treated cases, while three of four nerve growth factor-treated subjects showed significant visual field enlargement. This corresponded to improved visually guided behaviour, as reported by the patients and/or the caregivers. There was no evidence of side effects related to nerve growth factor treatment. Nerve growth factor eye drop administration appears a safe, easy and effective strategy for the treatment of visual loss associated with optic pathway gliomas.
Building confidence in projections of the responses of living marine resources to climate change
Authors: Cheung William W. L. , Frölicher Thomas L. , Asch Rebecca G. , Jones Miranda C. , Pinsky Malin L. , Reygondeau Gabriel , Rodgers Keith B. , Rykaczewski Ryan R. , Sarmiento Jorge L. , Stock Charles , Watson James R.
Published: January 2016

The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that climate change and ocean acidification are challenging the sustainable management of living marine resources (LMRs). Formal and systematic treatment of uncertainty in existing LMR projections, however, is lacking. We synthesize knowledge of how to address different sources of uncertainty by drawing from climate model intercomparison efforts. We suggest an ensemble of available models and projections, informed by observations, as a starting point to quantify uncertainties. Such an ensemble must be paired with analysis of the dominant uncertainties over different spatial scales, time horizons, and metrics. We use two examples: (i) global and regional projections of Sea Surface Temperature and (ii) projection of changes in potential catch of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) in the 21st century, to illustrate this ensemble model approach to explore different types of uncertainties. Further effort should prioritize understanding dominant, undersampled dimensions of uncertainty, as well as the strategic collection of observations to quantify, and ultimately reduce, uncertainties. Our proposed framework will improve our understanding of future changes in LMR and the resulting risk of impacts to ecosystems and the societies under changing ocean conditions.
2-(Phenylsulfanyl)aniline
Authors: Mdluli Velabo , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: January 2016

In the title compound, C12H11NS, the aniline and phenyl rings have a skewed conformation with a dihedral angle of 81.31 (7)°. There is a short intramolecular N–H...S contact enclosing anS(5) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN–H...S hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [10-3]. The chains are linkedviaN—H...π and C—H...π interactions, forming layers parallel to plane (010). No π–π interactions are noted between the layers.
Tramadolium 2-chlorobenzoate
Authors: Sheshadri S. N. , Nagendra P. , Siddaraju B. P. , Byrappa K. , Lokanath N. K. , Madan Kumar S.
Published: January 2016

In the title molecular salt, C16H26NO2+·C7H4ClO2−, {systematic name: [2-hydroxy-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexylmethyl]dimethylammonium 2-chlorobenzoate}, the cyclohexane ring of the cation exhibits a chair conformation with the aromatic and amine substituents in equatorial orientations and the hydroxyl group in an axial orientation. In the anion, the dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the carboxylate group is 39.16 (13)°. In the crystal, the cations are linked to the anions by O—H...O, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating [010] chains. Further C—H...O and C—H...π interactions are also observed, which link the chains into a three-dimensional framework.
Tetrakis(μ2-diphenylphosphinato-κ2O,O′)tetra-μ3-oxido-tetraoxidohexamolybdenum(V)
Authors: Mota Merelo de Aguiar Sara Raquel , Stöger Berthold , Weil Matthias , Kirchner Karl
Published: January 2016

The molecule of the title compound, [Mo4(μ2-C12H10OP2)4(μ3-O)4O4], exhibits point group symmetry 2 with the twofold rotation axis passing through two opposite P atoms. Each MoVatom is bridged by three O atoms resulting in an Mo4O4heterocubane core. In the crystal, weak C—H...O interactions may help to consolidate packing of the molecules.
Dimethylammonium 2-amino-5-nitroterephthalate hemihydrate
Authors: Krueger Martin , Albat Martin , Pieper Florian , Stock Norbert
Published: January 2016

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C2H8N+·C8H5N2O6−·0.5H2O, comprises a monodeprotonated 2-amino-5-nitroterephthalate anion and a dimethylammonium counter-ion on general positions and a water molecule that lies on a twofold rotation axis. Extensive hydrogen bonding is observed between the carboxylate group and the dimethylammonium ion, the water molecule and the carboxylic acid group, as well as between the amino group, the water molecule and the carboxylic acid group (N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds are involved).
(Z)-3-Allyl-5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one
Authors: El Ajlaoui Rahhal , Rakib El Mostapha , Mojahidi Souad , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: January 2016

In the title compound, C14H13NO2S2, the rhodanine ring and the 3-methoxybenzylidene ring are nearly coplanar, as indicated by the dihedral angle of 1.77 (6)° between their planes. The allyl group is nearly perpendicular to the rhodanine ring, with a dihedral angle of 83.64 (19)°. An intramolecular C—H...S interaction forms anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers.
Liberalization and tariff dismantling
Authors: González Laxe Fernando , Martín Palmero Federico , Calvo Dopico Domingo
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact that the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Chile and its resulting dismantling of tariffs has had on the mussel cultivation industry, particularly in Galicia. Specifically, the authors examine how trade liberalisation has affected the mussel farming industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors aim to observe the general panorama of both the evolution of production, distinguishing between fresh and industrial usage, and the evolution of prices at source depending on destination (fresh or industrial in the period 2003-2012). In order to analyse the relationships between different agents of the value chain, Porter’s model has been used as a reference.

Findings

– There is a loss of competitiveness in the mussel farming-production sector following the liberalisation agreement of 2006 and huge bargaining power of the processing sector vs the production sector.

Practical implications

– There is an opportunity to implement traceability programmes and develop a more differentiated product. In addition, it is profitable to promote Galician mussels through generic advertising and promoting exports.

Originality/value

– There is a lack of empirical studies about the impact that the new free trade agreement between the EU and Chile has had on the Spanish mussel industry. Particularly, the study analyses economic repercussions, managerial implications and new challenges stemming from the new context of trade liberalisation.
Drivers of consumers’ willingness to pay for halal logistics
Authors: Fathi Elahe , Zailani Suhaiza , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Kanapathy Kanagi
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that motivate the consumers in Malaysia to pay for halal logistics and its consequences on their demand for halal logistics certification.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through a survey responded 313 randomly selected consumers. Partial least squares technique was employed in the analysis.

Findings

– Results showed that consumers’ perception on halal logistics, their concern about halal, and media coverage have positive and significant effects on consumers’ willingness to pay for halal logistics. Furthermore, positive relationship exists between willingness to pay and the extent of demand for the halal logistics certification.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study will be useful for the policy makers and managers of halal food companies because they can guide them in increasing the demand for the halal logistics.

Originality/value

– Although halal logistics play a key role in supporting the halal status of any given halal foods, the demand for this service is low. Thus, this study contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the drivers of consumers’ willingness to pay for halal logistics.
The banana postharvest value chain analysis in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mvumi Brighton , Matsikira Learnmore Tatenda , Mutambara Jackqeline
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the banana industry in Zimbabwe focusing on postharvest losses along the value chain (VC).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study evaluated the banana industry in Zimbabwe focusing on postharvest losses along the VC.

Findings

– Total postharvest losses for 2011-2012 were estimated to be 24-27 per cent of total production with a minimum economic loss of USD69,983/annum/firm, and a total loss of more than USD500,000/annum between the VCs analysed. The bulk of the losses occurred at farm level during handling and transportation. The major factors contributing to banana postharvest losses were: unreliable transport, poor communication and coordination between producers and processors; lack of or inefficient temperature management and poor sanitation.

Practical implications

– The study identified production capacity, quality and branding as opportunities and challenges in the banana industry. Currently, there is a 40 per cent unmet local demand for bananas and hence there are no exports. If modern banana handling systems are employed and more research and development is carried out along the VC, postharvest losses can be reduced significantly, resulting in increased income and potential expansion of the industry.

Originality/value

– This is the first known attempt to analyse the banana VC in southern Africa and quantify postharvest losses.
Mobile claim management adoption in emerging insurance markets
Authors: Gowanit Chupun , Thawesaengskulthai Natcha , Sophatsathit Peraphon , Chaiyawat Thitivadee
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption of a mobile insurance claim system (M-insurance) and develops a framework for the adoption of M-insurance by consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study assesses mobile technology for claim management through the lens of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and diffusion of innovation (DOI) models as a major guideline, using exploratory research through in-depth interviews with four executive experts who are first movers in mobile claim motor insurance in Thailand. Semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions were used to conduct group interviews of insurance consumers who mostly use smartphones. The data were collected in a qualitative research approach from Thai insurance consumers (n=177), and contents were classified and analysed to gain strong insights into respondent opinions, comments, attitudes, behaviour, and experiences.

Findings

– The results indicate that the external (social) factors influence attitude and behaviour of consumers which link to their intention to adopt M-insurance. These external factors include: preference for face-to-face service; confidence of insurers in accepting claim; and risk of claim knowledge that might cause legal issues among others. In application, the findings shall meaningfully enhance insurer firms’ improvement of adoption rate and development of future features and functions of M-insurance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is based on insurance consumers in each region of Thailand but focuses only on mobile claim management for motor insurance. Although the findings bring new insight and understanding of consumer preferences and behaviours, they were not tested statistically.

Practical implications

– The study has practical implications for motor insurance claimants who are concerned over the complicated policy conditions, the perspective risk of claim knowledge and fault admission, and the on-site investigation by surveyor for another party. These are the guidance impediments to overcome M-insurance adoption improvement.

Originality/value

– Previously, TAM and DOI approaches have been employed to study general adoption of M-banking by quantitative research which confirmed descriptive data and tested the hypothesis, but neglected crucial data. However, M-insurance is different from M-banking in term of features and functions, purpose and process of usage, and legal liability. Therefore, this study is one of a few empirical studies that attempt to identify insightful factors to consumer uptake of M-insurance which is in its early stage and lacks an underpinning TAM model. This study contributes by identifying insights of “pull” factors to successfully develop M-insurance in Thailand.
Patterns of new service development processes in banking
Authors: Martovoy Andrey , Mention Anne-Laure
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to map the existing patterns in the development of services innovations in financial institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data come from a dedicated survey of banks located in Luxembourg. Executives and innovation managers reported on banks’ innovation processes for the period of 2010-2012.

Findings

– The study unveils four patterns of new service development (NSD) processes. The problem-driven pattern starts with problem definition and represents a bank’s response to an issue. The proactivity-driven pattern commences with idea generation to explore a variety of alternatives. The market-driven pattern emphasises a profit rationale and starts with a business analysis. The strategy-driven pattern frames idea generation within the scope of business goals and starts with the development of a service concept. Most banks keep a balance between being open and closed to cooperation with external partners in the innovation process. Service concept development is the stage most open to the cooperation for innovation, while introduction to a market is the opposite.

Research limitations/implications

– The national context and small sample size are the limitations of this study. Promising research avenues include the extension of findings to other settings and understanding of the effects of NSD patterns.

Practical implications

– Banks adopt different approaches to the innovation process in order to pursue their innovation goals. Practitioners may use this knowledge in order to re-think the way they innovate.

Originality/value

– The unveiled mapping of NSD processes contributes to the understanding of the innovation in financial services. The findings will be valuable for innovation managers, scholars, and students.
B2B technology adoption in customer driven supply chains
Authors: Asare Anthony K. , Brashear-Alejandro Thomas G. , Kang Jun
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to develop and propose a comprehensive framework that identifies the factors that influence a company’s decision to adopt business to business (B2B) technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors review the literature regarding technology adoption from multiple disciplines including: Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Sociology, Information Systems, Marketing and Economics. A synthesis of the review provides the foundation for developing a comprehensive model of inter-firm technology adoption.

Findings

– The review and synthesis finds inconsistencies in the theoretical models and constructs used in previous studies of inter-firm technology adoption. The comprehensive framework presented identifies four major categories of antecedents to technology adoption: characteristics of a technology, organizational factors, external factors and relationships. The presented model focuses attention on the inclusion of relational factors that affect the adoption of B2B technology.

Research limitations/implications

– An important area that has been ignored in the inter-firm adoption literature is the impact of inter-firm relationships on technology adoption. This paper emphasizes the importance of inter-firm relationships and identifies power, trust and justice as important relationships that influence the adoption of inter-firm technologies.

Originality/value

– The expanded framework identifies the antecedents of B2B technology adoption, which can be used as a guiding framework by both academics and practitioners. The paper also offers directions for future work in the form of propositions.
Trust and commitment as mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction in manufacturer-supplier relationships
Authors: Ferro Carlos , Padin Carmen , Svensson Göran , Payan Janice
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test a research model in which trust and commitment are mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample for this study comprises a total of 600 small and medium-sized Spanish enterprises from various industrial sectors. A total of 259 usable questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 43.2 per cent. The research model is tested with structural equation modeling using AMOS-software.

Findings

– The empirical findings regarding the studied business relationships confirm the independence between economic and non-economic satisfaction, and the mediating role of trust and commitment. Furthermore, the findings confirm that there is no direct cause–effect relationship between economic and non-economic satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– Numerous inter-organizational studies have tested satisfaction as two separate constructs (economic and non-economic satisfaction). This study goes further by positioning economic satisfaction as a precursor to other more relationship-oriented constructs and outcomes (trust–commitment and, in turn, non-economic or relational satisfaction).

Practical implications

– Managers should consider economic and non-economic satisfaction as two separate aspects of relationship quality in business relationships. Furthermore, although these aspects appear to be connected, managers should take them into consideration with respect to the levels of trust and commitment involved in business relationships. Managers should be aware that the level of economic satisfaction is an influential precursor to the levels of trust and commitment that in turn impact on the level of non-economic satisfaction as an outcome.

Originality/value

– This study makes a threefold contribution to existing theory and research. First, it tests the constructs of economic and non-economic satisfaction, indicating satisfactory validity and reliability. Second, it provides empirical support that there is no direct relationship between economic and non-economic satisfaction. Third, the empirical findings also indicate satisfactory validity and reliability, indicating that the constructs of trust and commitment are moderators between economic and non-economic satisfaction.
Employer’s investments in hospital workers’ employability and employment opportunities
Authors: van Harten Jasmijn , Knies Eva , Leisink Peter
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employer’s investments (through job characteristics and managerial support) and employees’ employment opportunities, with employability, conceptualized as perceived up-to-date expertise and willingness to change, as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling on survey data collected from 1,626 employees of three Dutch hospitals.

Findings

– Consistent with the hypotheses, the results indicate that job characteristics and managerial support are indirectly related to employees’ beliefs on employment opportunities, with the relationship mediated by up-to-date expertise and willingness to change. Further, managerial support is directly related to employees’ employment opportunities.

Practical implications

– This paper shows that employers, by providing an attractive and challenging job in combination with adequate supervisory support, can enhance their employees’ employability and employment opportunities.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the literature by elaborating a consistent conceptualization and measurement of employability, by incorporating as antecedents both job characteristics and managerial support, and by examining to what extent employability mediates between these antecedents and employment opportunities. Previous studies refer to the same definition of employability but conceptualize this in different ways, and focus on either job characteristics or managerial support, and so fail to provide a systematic and comprehensive examination.
Quality concerns in Technical Education in India
Authors: Gambhir Victor , Wadhwa N C , Grover Sandeep
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The paper aims to discuss current Technical Education scenarios in India. It proposes modelling the factors affecting quality in a technical institute and then applying a suitable technique for assessment, comparison and ranking.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper chose graph theoretic approach for quantification of quality-enabled model. Further, the paper has validated the approach by taking examples of institutions and applying the methodology.

Findings

– The paper provides a systematic methodology to build a quality model for quantification of various factors in a technical institute. The qualitative effect represented in form of a single numerical index is a novel method for such representations. The illustrated methodology in the paper is equally useful for comparison and ranking of a set of institutes.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the chosen factors in the approach, the methodology may not be equally suitable based on type and size of institute and the geographical location.

Practical implications

– The paper includes demonstration on application of methodology for comparing the quality in a quantitative manner. The dynamic model allows changing factors and/or their effects as per requirement.

Social implications

– In future, the methodology can be taken up by government/regulatory bodies and can convey the comparisons of institutions to stakeholders including students and parents.

Originality/value

– This paper attempts to develop a novel method for comparing quality that can be used by accreditation bodies.
Do prior studies matter?
Authors: Nalukenge Betty , Wamala Robert , Ocaya Bruno
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Introduction of law school admission examinations has increased the debate regarding the relevance of prior studies for the enrollees in the program. The key issues of contention are whether prior studies reliably predict academic achievement of enrollees, and demonstrate proficiencies required for admission in the program. The purpose of this paper is to use administrative records of law students at Makerere University – over a four-year stipulated period of bachelor’s studies – to investigate the above-mentioned issues further.

Design/methodology/approach

– Panel data of 2,485 records enable us to explore time variant and invariant factors in the course of bachelor’s candidature.

Findings

– About 81 per cent of differentials in academic achievement was found to be due to variation across students. In addition to confirming prior academic attainment as a contributing factor to variations in academic achievement, our findings affirm that competence in literature, history and divinity predicts success on the program.

Research limitations/implications

– Competence in these subjects (literature, history and divinity) certainly demonstrates proficiencies required by a student of law. Thus, admission based on competence in these subjects provides insights into proficiencies required by enrollees to excel academically in the program.

Originality/value

– Unlike prior studies, this study explores time-variant factors in the course of bachelor’s candidature, and is based on subjects taken during prior studies (secondary education) rather than a pooled index or weighted score adopted on admission to the program.
Microbial stress priming: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Andrade‐Linares Diana R. , Lehmann Anika , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: January 2016

Microbes have to cope with complex and dynamic environments, making it likely that anticipatory responses provide fitness benefits. Mild, previous stressors can prepare microbes (stress priming) to further and potentially damaging stressors (triggering). We here quantitatively summarize the findings from over 250 trials of 34 studies including bacteria and fungi, demonstrating that priming to stress has a beneficial impact on microbial survival. In fact, survival of primed microbes was about 10‐fold higher compared with that in non‐primed microbes. Categorical moderators related to microbial taxonomy and the kind of stress applied as priming or as triggering revealed significant differences of priming effect size among 14 different microbial species, 6 stress categories and stressor combination. We found that priming by osmotic, physiological and temperature stress had the highest positive effect sizes on microbial response. Cross‐protection was evident for physiological, temperature and pH stresses. Microbes are better prepared against triggering by oxidative, temperature and osmotic stress. Our finding of an overall positive mean effect of priming regardless of the microbial system and particular stressor provides unprecedentedly strong evidence of the broad ecological significance of microbial stress priming. These results further suggest that stress priming may be an important factor in shaping microbial communities.
SingleTRAMdomainRNA‐binding proteins inArchaea: functional insight fromCtr3 from theAntarctic methanogenMethanococcoides burtonii
Authors: Taha  , Siddiqui K. S. , Campanaro S. , Najnin T. , Deshpande N. , Williams T. J. , Aldrich‐Wright J. , Wilkins M. , Curmi P. M. G. , Cavicchioli R.
Published: January 2016

TRAMdomain proteins present inArchaeaandBacteriahave a β‐barrel shape with anti‐parallel β‐sheets that form a nucleic acid binding surface; a structure also present in cold shock proteins (Csps). Aside from protein structures, experimental data defining the function ofTRAMdomains is lacking. Here, we explore the possible functional properties of a singleTRAMdomain protein,Ctr3 (cold‐responsiveTRAMdomain protein3) from the Antarctic archaeonMethanococcoides burtoniithat has increased abundance during low temperature growth. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) bound byCtr3in vitrowas determined usingRNA‐seq.Ctr3‐boundM. burtonii RNAwith a preference for transfer (t)RNAand 5S ribosomalRNA, and a potential binding motif was identified. In tRNA, the motif represented theCloop; a region that is conserved in tRNAfrom all domains of life and appears to be solvent exposed, potentially providing access forCtr3 to bind.Ctr3 andCsps are structurally similar and are both inferred to function in low temperature translation. The broad representation of singleTRAMdomain proteins withinArchaeacompared with their apparent absence inBacteria, and scarcity ofCsps inArchaeabut prevalence inBacteria, suggests they represent distinct evolutionary lineages of functionally equivalentRNA‐binding proteins.
Lifestyle intervention to limit gestational weight gain: the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sagedal LR , Øverby NC , Bere E , Torstveit MK , Lohne‐Seiler H , Småstuen M , Hillesund ER , Henriksen T , Vistad I
Published: January 2016

Objective

To examine whether a lifestyle intervention in pregnancy limits gestational weight gain (GWG) and provides measurable health benefits for mother and newborn.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Healthcare clinics of southern Norway.

Population

Healthy, non‐diabetic, nulliparous women, aged ≥18 years, with a body mass index of ≥19 kg/m2, and with a singleton pregnancy at ≤20 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Women were randomised to an intervention group (with dietary counselling twice by telephone and access to twice‐weekly exercise groups) or to a control group (with standard prenatal care). Participants were measured three times during pregnancy and at delivery, and newborns were measured at delivery. Hospital records were reviewed for outcomes of pregnancy and delivery. Assessors were blinded to group allocation. Analysis was performed by intention to treat, assessing GWG using the Student's t–test and linear mixed models, and comparing proportions using the chi‐square test.

Main outcome measures

GWG, rates of pregnancy complications and operative deliveries, and newborn birthweight.

Results

A total of 606 women were randomised. Of these, 591 were analysed, with 296 in the intervention group and 295 in the control group. At term, the mean GWG from pre‐pregnancy was 14.4 kg for the intervention group and 15.8 kg for the control group (mean difference 1.3 kg; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.3–2.3 kg; P = 0.009). There was no significant difference between groups in the frequency of pregnancy complications or operative deliveries. The intervention demonstrated no effect on the mean birthweight of term infants, or on the proportion of large newborns.

Conclusions

The Norwegian Fit for Delivery lifestyle intervention in pregnancy had no measurable effect on obstetrical or neonatal outcomes, despite a modest but significant decrease in GWG.

Tweetable abstract

Norwegian Fit for Delivery RCT: reduced gestational weight gain, unchanged birthweight and obstetric outcomes.
Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound for Appendicitis in Diagnostic and Nondiagnostic Studies
Authors: Kearl Y. Liza , Claudius Ilene , Behar Sol , Cooper John , Dollbaum Ryan , Hardasmalani Madhu , Hardiman Kevin , Rose Emily , Santillanes Genevieve , Berdahl Carl
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Suggestive radiographic studies with nonvisualization of the appendix can present a challenge to clinicians in the evaluation of pediatric abdominal pain. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of ultrasound (US) in the setting of nonvisualization of the appendix. Secondary objectives reported include sensitivity of MRI and US overall and correlation between MRI and US for diagnosis of appendicitis.

Methods

Records of pediatric emergency department patients aged 3 to 21 years undergoing MRI and/or US for the evaluation of appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographs were categorized as a normal appendix, neither demonstrating the appendix nor demonstrating abnormalities consistent with appendicitis; equivocal, not demonstrating the appendix but showing evidence of appendicitis; demonstrating an abnormal appendix consistent with appendicitis; or demonstrating an alternate pathology. The reading was compared with the final diagnosis for accuracy.

Results

Of the 589 patients included, 146 had appendicitis. Diagnostic accuracy for studies with a nonvisualized appendix without secondary signs of appendicitis was 100% for MRI and 91.4% (95% CI = 87.3% to 94.2%) for US. Diagnostic accuracy for studies with a nonvisualized appendix with secondary signs of appendicitis was 50% (95% CI = 2.5% to 97.5%) for MRI and 38.9% (95% CI = 18.2% to 64.5%) for US. Appendicitis was ultimately diagnosed in 8.6% of patients with an otherwise negative right lower quadrant (RLQ) US that failed to directly identify the appendix. There was a moderate correlation between US and MRI (ρ = 0.573, p = 0.0001) when all studies were considered.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging without secondary signs of appendicitis is effective in excluding appendicitis regardless of whether the appendix is directly visualized, while otherwise negative RLQ US that fail to identify the appendix are less useful. Secondary signs of appendicitis without visualization of the appendix were not helpful regardless of radiographic modality. Results of MRI and US correlated moderately well.
Tugendhat's Idea of Truth
Authors: Skirke Christian
Published: January 2016

This paper argues that Tugendhat's critique of Heidegger's existential conception of truth as disclosedness is usually misunderstood. The main claim of this paper is that Tugendhat insists against Heidegger on certain conventional features of truth such as conformity of the law of non‐contradiction, not because he adheres to an ideal of truth as correctness; rather, he proposes an alternative existential conception of truth in terms of an active, critical or self‐critical, engagement with untruth. Various recent objections to Tugendhat's critique of Heidegger are discussed against the background of his alternative and are rejected. The paper concludes by outlining several challenges to Tugendhat's alternative existential conception of truth.
Recovery and dynamics of decomposing plant residue in soil: an evaluation of three fractionation methods
Authors: Diochon A. , Gillespie A. W. , Ellert B. H. , Janzen H. H. , Gregorich E. G.
Published: January 2016

Our goals in this study were to track the incorporation of plant residue into soil organic matter (SOM) and test the effectiveness of different fractionation methods to evaluate this transformation. We incubated soil amended with 13C‐labelled barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) residue and used three fractionation methods based on size (> 250, 53–250, 5–53 and < 5 µm) and density (< 1.7 g cm−3, i.e. light fraction (LF)) and determined its quantity and the rate of C loss or gain or both in these fractions as decomposition progressed. One method was based on size only, another involved density separation followed by size fractionation and a third separated organic matter fractions by size first and then by density. There were significant quantitative differences between the methods for the amount of residue in the fractions, but there was no effect of fractionation method on the rate of change in the residue that comprised the fractions. The density method did not appear to identify all of the most recently added (i.e. least decomposed) residue in the LF or that there was a redistribution of SOM among the fractions. The amount of residue C and the C:N ratio of the residue in the two smallest fractions increased early during the incubation (0–2 months), but subsequently decreased towards the end. The initially small C:N ratio in the clay fraction probably reflects the accumulation of microbial by‐products from the rapid decomposition of water‐soluble compounds. The subsequent increase and decrease in both residue C and C:N ratio reflects the balance of the accumulation of sorbed water‐soluble compounds and dense plant residue fragments and their mineralization over time. We conclude that clay is a sink for residue C (i.e. microbial metabolites) early during decomposition, and that there is a transfer among fractions and mineralization of residue C as decomposition proceeds. These findings indicate that the clay fraction contains a dynamic pool of C that can cycle within short time‐scales.
Dissolved nutrient exports from natural and human‐impacted Neotropical catchments
Authors: Gücker Björn , Silva Ricky C. S. , Graeber Daniel , Monteiro José A. F. , Brookshire E. N. Jack , Chaves Ronaldo C. , Boëchat Iola G.
Published: January 2016

Aim

Neotropical biomes are highly threatened by land‐use changes, but the catchment‐wide biogeochemical effects are poorly understood. Here, we aim to compare exports of dissolved nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from natural and human‐impacted catchments in the Neotropics.

Location

Neotropics.

Methods

We measured streamwater nutrient concentrations and exports in 20 south‐eastern Brazilian catchments with different land uses (natural Cerrado/semi‐deciduous forest, pasture, intensive agriculture and urban areas) and conducted a meta‐analysis on nutrient exports from Neotropical catchments, both natural and human‐impacted.

Results

Organic forms dominated dissolved nutrient exports in central/south‐east Brazil in both natural and human‐dominated catchments. Our meta‐analysis suggests that there is wide geographic variability in the natural dominance of organic versus inorganic nutrient exports across the Neotropics, and for N a tendency for inorganic and organic forms to vary inversely across sites. We found strong land‐use effects, especially in urban areas. In areas naturally dominated by organic N exports, land use did not overturn that dominance, but rather increased the concentration of both inorganic and organic N. In catchments dominated by inorganic N exports or showing equivalent organic and inorganic exports, land use also caused organic exports to be dominant. Land‐use effects on P were unclear, probably owing to a paucity of available data, but our results from south‐east Brazil suggested that land use also increases dissolved P exports.

Main conclusions

We show that dominance of inorganic versus organic nutrient exports is highly variable across natural Neotropical catchments, a pattern contrasting with the general tendency for dominance of organic N in natural temperate catchments. Further, we found a general dominance of organic N in most human‐impacted catchments, which is in contrast to strong dominance of inorganic N in most human‐impacted temperate catchments. Finally, we find that urbanization exerts the strongest impacts on nutrient exports, thus underscoring wastewater treatment as a critical management priority under future land‐use change.
Delineating probabilistic species pools in ecology and biogeography
Authors: Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Cord Anna F. , Kessler Michael , Kreft Holger , Kühn Ingolf , Pompe Sven , Sandel Brody , Sarmento Cabral Juliano , Smith Adam B. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Tuomisto Hanna , Weigelt Patrick , Wesche Karsten
Published: January 2016

Aim

To provide a mechanistic and probabilistic framework for defining the species pool based on species‐specific probabilities of dispersal, environmental suitability and biotic interactions within a specific temporal extent, and to show how probabilistic species pools can help disentangle the geographical structure of different community assembly processes.

Innovation

Probabilistic species pools provide an improved species pool definition based on probabilities in conjunction with the associated species list, which explicitly recognize the indeterminate nature of species pool membership for a given focal unit of interest and better capture real‐world complexity. Probabilistic species pools provide a quantitative assessment of how dispersal, environmental or biotic factors influence estimates of species pool composition and size for a given temporal extent.

Conclusions

Based on one simulated and two empirical examples we demonstrate that probabilistic species pools allow us to disentangle the geographical variation in dispersal, environmental and biotic assembly processes for species assemblages in focal units. We also show that probabilistic species pools are fully compatible with traditional definitions of species pools and are applicable over a wide range of spatial and temporal extents. Additionally they are robust to missing data and provide a quantified and transparent approach to estimating the size and composition of species pools in a mechanistic way, providing a valuable tool for studies from community ecology to macroecology.
When a Door Closes, a Window Opens? Long-Term Labor Market Effects of Involuntary Separations
Authors: Balestra Simone , Backes-Gellner Uschi
Published: January 2016

This study estimates the earning losses of workers experiencing an involuntary job separation. We employ, for the first time in the earning losses literature, a Poisson pseudo-maximum-likelihood estimator with fixed effects that has several advantages with respect to conventional fixed effects models. The Poisson estimator allows considering the full set of involuntary separations, including those with zero labor market earnings because of unemployment. By including individuals with zero earnings and by using our new method, the loss in the year of separation becomes larger than in previous studies. The loss starts with roughly 30% and, although it quickly shrinks, it remains at around 15% in the following years. In addition, we find that compared to other reasons for separation, the earning loss pattern is unique for involuntary separations, because no other type of separation implies such permanent scarring. This latter finding makes us confident that the self-reported involuntariness of a separation is a reliable source of information.