bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music theatre: at the crest of music education's third wave
Authors: Legg Robert , Green Alex
Published: July 2015

In the United Kingdom, curricular music education has seen two main waves of development and is in the process of shaping a third. Ideas from the second wave have maintained theoretical dominance to the present day, despite the concerns expressed by some about their practical implementation. This paper suggests that problems with the implementation of second‐wave ideas have been caused by hermeneutic complexities inherent to the word ‘music’ as well as by an ongoing ideological debate about the proper purpose of music education. It is proposed here that by approaching musical learning in the emergent third wave through the sub‐discipline of ‘music theatre’ – and by conceiving that term in its broadest sense – this interpretive difficulty can be avoided whilst many practical advantages may be reaped. The notion of music theatre as a key component of music education's third wave is explored alongside its theoretical prerequisites, and a number of questions are identified for further consideration.
Reticular dysgenesis–associated AK2 protects hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development from oxidative stress
Authors: Rissone Alberto , Weinacht Katja Gabriele , la Marca Giancarlo , Bishop Kevin , Giocaliere Elisa , Jagadeesh Jayashree , Felgentreff Kerstin , Dobbs Kerry , Al-Herz Waleed , Jones Marypat , Chandrasekharappa Settara , Kirby Martha , Wincovitch Stephen , Simon Karen Lyn , Itan Yuval , DeVine Alex , Schlaeger Thorsten , Schambach Axel , Sood Raman , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Candotti Fabio
Published: July 2015

Adenylate kinases (AKs) are phosphotransferases that regulate the cellular adenine nucleotide composition and play a critical role in the energy homeostasis of all tissues. The AK2 isoenzyme is expressed in the mitochondrial intermembrane space and is mutated in reticular dysgenesis (RD), a rare form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in humans. RD is characterized by a maturation arrest in the myeloid and lymphoid lineages, leading to early onset, recurrent, and overwhelming infections. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of RD, we studied the effects of AK2 deficiency using the zebrafish model and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from fibroblasts of an RD patient. In zebrafish, Ak2 deficiency affected hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) development with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. AK2-deficient iPSCs recapitulated the characteristic myeloid maturation arrest at the promyelocyte stage and demonstrated an increased AMP/ADP ratio, indicative of an energy-depleted adenine nucleotide profile. Antioxidant treatment rescued the hematopoietic phenotypes in vivo in ak2 mutant zebrafish and restored differentiation of AK2-deficient iPSCs into mature granulocytes. Our results link hematopoietic cell fate in AK2 deficiency to cellular energy depletion and increased oxidative stress. This points to the potential use of antioxidants as a supportive therapeutic modality for patients with RD.
DINGO: differential network analysis in genomics
Authors: Ha Min Jin , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran , Do Kim-Anh
Published: July 2015

Motivation: Cancer progression and development are initiated by aberrations in various molecular networks through coordinated changes across multiple genes and pathways. It is important to understand how these networks change under different stress conditions and/or patient-specific groups to infer differential patterns of activation and inhibition. Existing methods are limited to correlation networks that are independently estimated from separate group-specific data and without due consideration of relationships that are conserved across multiple groups.

Method: We propose a pathway-based differential network analysis in genomics (DINGO) model for estimating group-specific networks and making inference on the differential networks. DINGO jointly estimates the group-specific conditional dependencies by decomposing them into global and group-specific components. The delineation of these components allows for a more refined picture of the major driver and passenger events in the elucidation of cancer progression and development.

Results: Simulation studies demonstrate that DINGO provides more accurate group-specific conditional dependencies than achieved by using separate estimation approaches. We apply DINGO to key signaling pathways in glioblastoma to build differential networks for long-term survivors and short-term survivors in The Cancer Genome Atlas. The hub genes found by mRNA expression, DNA copy number, methylation and microRNA expression reveal several important roles in glioblastoma progression.

Availability and implementation: R Package at: odin.mdacc.tmc.edu/∼vbaladan.

Contact:  veera@mdanderson.org

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Invasive Fusariosis in the Voriconazole Era: Single-Center 13-Year Experience
Authors: Stempel Jessica M. , Hammond Sarah P. , Sutton Deanna A. , Weiser Linda M. , Marty Francisco M.
Published: July 2015

Background.  Invasive fusariosis remains an aggressive, albeit infrequent infection in immunocompromised patients.

Methods.  We identified all cases of invasive fusariosis between January 2002 and December 2014. We recorded patient characteristics including clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis, as well as species identification and antifungal drug susceptibilities.

Results.  Fifteen patients were diagnosed with proven (12, 80%) or probable (3, 20%) fusariosis. Median age was 60 years (range, 26–78), and 10 patients were male. Underlying conditions included hematological malignancies (13, 87%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (1, 7%), and third-degree burns (1, 7%). Five patients underwent hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation before diagnosis. Six patients (40%) received systemic glucocorticoids, and 11 patients (73%) had prolonged neutropenia at the time of diagnosis. Clinical presentations included the following: skin/soft tissue infection (8, 53%), febrile neutropenia (4, 27%), respiratory tract infection (2, 13%), and septic arthritis (1, 7%). Twelve patients were treated with voriconazole: 6 (40%) with voriconazole alone, 4 (27%) with voriconazole and terbinafine, and 2 (13%) with voriconazole, terbinafine, and amphotericin. One patient (7%) was treated with terbinafine alone, and another with micafungin alone. Four patients underwent surgical debridement (4, 27%). Susceptibility testing was performed on 9 isolates; 8 demonstrated voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥4 µg/mL. The cumulative probability of survival was 66.7% and 53.3% at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis.

Conclusions.  Mortality associated with invasive fusariosis remains high. Cumulative mortality at our center was lower than previous reports despite elevated voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations. Combination therapy should be studied systematically for fusariosis.
Surveys of Viruliferous Alate Aphid of Plum pox virus in Prunus mume Orchards in Japan
Authors: Kimura Kota , Usugi Tomio , Hoshi Hideo , Kato Ayana , Ono Tsuyoshi , Koyano Shinji , Kagiwada Satoshi , Nishio Takeshi , Tsuda Shinya
Published: July 2015

Plum pox virus (PPV) is transmitted by infected buds and aphids. It is important to analyze the outbreak trends and viruliferous rate of aphids in areas where the occurrence of PPV is reported, so as to develop strategies for disease control. Between April 2011 and December 2012, yellow insect-trapping adhesive plates were placed for 2 days at a time each week in an area where PPV is occurring in Japan. Outbreak trends were analyzed based on the trapped alate aphid samples, and up to 50 of them were tested per week to identify species and determine the rate of viruliferous specimens. Although the number of aphids varied according to survey year, three peaks were noticeable in each year. Based on the sequence data for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I region, approximately 40 different species of aphid were trapped in both years. Of the five dominant species of aphids identified during the 2 years, Aphis spiraecola was trapped in large numbers. PPV-positive aphids were higher in fall onward, when the total number of trapped aphids decreased, than in spring and summer, when a larger number of aphids was caught. PPV transmission tests using the most abundant species revealed that A. spiraecola, A. craccivora, A. gossypii, and Rhopalosiphum maidis were transmitters, although A. spiraecola is likely of epidemiological significance.
Host-Specific Relationship Between Virus Titer and Whitefly Transmission of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus
Authors: Wintermantel William M. , Gilbertson Robert L. , McCreight James D. , Natwick Eric T.
Published: July 2015

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV; genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) was identified in the melon (Cucumis melo) production regions of the desert southwestern United States in fall 2006. It is now well established in the region, where it is transmitted efficiently by the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B (MEAM1). In order to evaluate the spread and establishment of the virus, nearly all spring and fall cucurbit fields planted in the Imperial Valley of California from 2007 to 2009 were surveyed and representative plants were tested for CYSDV infection. Incidence of CYSDV in spring melon fields was initially low and limited to a small number of fields in 2007 but increased to 63% of fields by spring 2009. Virus incidence in fall melon fields was 100% in each year. These results suggested that the virus had become established in native vegetation, weeds, and other crop species, and represented an increasing threat to melon production in the southwestern United States. Therefore, a select set of weed and crop species which grow or are cultivated in the Imperial Valley were evaluated as CYSDV reservoir hosts. For each species, we determined the capacity of CYSDV to accumulate, the relationship between virus titer in these source plants and transmission by whiteflies, as well as subsequent accumulation in inoculated cucurbit plants. Among these hosts, there was considerable variation in virus accumulation and transmission rates. Cucurbit hosts had the highest CYSDV titers, were efficient sources for virus acquisition, and showed a positive correlation between titer in source plants and transmission. Noncucurbit hosts had significantly lower CYSDV titers and varied in their capacity to serve as sources for transmission. CYSDV titers in some noncucurbit source plants, specifically common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), were not positively correlated with transmission, demonstrating that additional environmental, physical, or biochemical factors were involved. These results demonstrate that multiple factors influence the efficiency with which a host plant species will be a reservoir for vector transmission of virus to crops.
The within-host dynamics of African trypanosome infections
Authors: Matthews Keith R. , McCulloch Richard , Morrison Liam J.
Published: July 2015

African trypanosomes are single-celled protozoan parasites that are capable of long-term survival while living extracellularly in the bloodstream and tissues of mammalian hosts. Prolonged infections are possible because trypanosomes undergo antigenic variation—the expression of a large repertoire of antigenically distinct surface coats, which allows the parasite population to evade antibody-mediated elimination. The mechanisms by which antigen genes become activated influence their order of expression, most likely by influencing the frequency of productive antigen switching, which in turn is likely to contribute to infection chronicity. Superimposed upon antigen switching as a contributor to trypanosome infection dynamics is the density-dependent production of cell-cycle arrested parasite transmission stages, which limit the infection while ensuring parasite spread to new hosts via the bite of blood-feeding tsetse flies. Neither antigen switching nor developmental progression to transmission stages is driven by the host. However, the host can contribute to the infection dynamic through the selection of distinct antigen types, the influence of genetic susceptibility or trypanotolerance and the potential influence of host-dependent effects on parasite virulence, development of transmission stages and pathogenicity. In a zoonotic infection cycle where trypanosomes circulate within a range of host animal populations, and in some cases humans, there is considerable scope for a complex interplay between parasite immune evasion, transmission potential and host factors to govern the profile and outcome of infection.
Evaluating the within-host fitness effects of mutations fixed during virus adaptation to different ecotypes of a new host
Authors: Hillung Julia , Cuevas José M. , Elena Santiago F.
Published: July 2015

The existence of genetic variation for resistance in host populations is assumed to be essential to the spread of an emerging virus. Models predict that the rate of spread slows down with the increasing frequency and higher diversity of resistance alleles in the host population. We have been using the experimental pathosystemArabidopsis thaliana—tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV) to explore the interplay between genetic variation in host's susceptibility and virus diversity. We have recently shown that TEV populations evolving inA. thalianaecotypes that differ in susceptibility to infection gained within-host fitness, virulence and infectivity in a manner compatible with a gene-for-gene model of host–parasite interactions: hard-to-infect ecotypes were infected by generalist viruses, whereas easy-to-infect ecotypes were infected by every virus. We characterized the genomes of the evolved viruses and found cases of host-driven convergent mutations. To gain further insights in the mechanistic basis of this gene-for-gene model, we have generated all viral mutations individually as well as in specific combinations and tested their within-host fitness effects across ecotypes. Most of these mutations were deleterious or neutral in their local ecotype and only a very reduced number had a host-specific beneficial effect. We conclude that most of the mutations fixed during the evolution experiment were so by drift or by selective sweeps along with the selected driver mutation. In addition, we evaluated the ruggedness of the underlying adaptive fitness landscape and found that mutational effects were mostly multiplicative, with few cases of significant epistasis.
The role of the local microbial ecosystem in respiratory health and disease
Authors: de Steenhuijsen Piters Wouter A. A. , Sanders Elisabeth A. M. , Bogaert Debby
Published: July 2015

Respiratory tract infections are a major global health concern, accounting for high morbidity and mortality, especially in young children and elderly individuals. Traditionally, highly common bacterial respiratory tract infections, including otitis media and pneumonia, were thought to be caused by a limited number of pathogens includingStreptococcus pneumoniaeandHaemophilus influenzae. However, these pathogens are also frequently observed commensal residents of the upper respiratory tract (URT) and form—together with harmless commensal bacteria, viruses and fungi—intricate ecological networks, collectively known as the ‘microbiome’. Analogous to the gut microbiome, the respiratory microbiome at equilibrium is thought to be beneficial to the host by priming the immune system and providing colonization resistance, while an imbalanced ecosystem might predispose to bacterial overgrowth and development of respiratory infections. We postulate that specific ecological perturbations of the bacterial communities in the URT can occur in response to various lifestyle or environmental effectors, leading to diminished colonization resistance, loss of containment of newly acquired or resident pathogens, preluding bacterial overgrowth, ultimately resulting in local or systemic bacterial infections. Here, we review the current body of literature regarding niche-specific upper respiratory microbiota profiles within human hosts and the changes occurring within these profiles that are associated with respiratory infections.
The tortoise or the hare? Impacts of within-host dynamics on transmission success of arthropod-borne viruses
Authors: Althouse Benjamin M. , Hanley Kathryn A.
Published: July 2015

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are maintained in a cycle of alternating transmission between vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors. Arboviruses possess RNA genomes capable of rapid diversification and adaptation, and the
between-host
trade-offs inherent to host alternation impose well-documented constraints on arbovirus evolution. Here, we investigate the less well-studied
within-host
trade-offs that shape arbovirus replication dynamics and transmission. Arboviruses generally establish lifelong infection in vectors but transient infection of variable magnitude (i.e. peak virus concentration) and duration in vertebrate hosts. In the majority of experimental infections of vertebrate hosts, both the magnitude and duration of arbovirus replication depended upon the dose of virus administered, with increasing dose resulting in greater magnitude but shorter duration of viraemia. This pattern suggests that the vertebrate immune response imposes a trade-off between the height and breadth of the virus replication curve. To investigate the impact of this trade-off on transmission, we used a simple modelling approach to contrast the effect of ‘tortoise’ (low magnitude, long duration viraemia) and ‘hare’ (high magnitude, short duration viraemia) arbovirus replication strategies on transmission. This model revealed that, counter to previous theory, arboviruses that adopt a tortoise strategy have higher rates of persistence in both host and vector populations.
The Role of Recombination in Evolutionary Rescue
Authors: Uecker Hildegard , Hermisson Joachim
Published: July 2015

How likely is it that a population escapes extinction through adaptive evolution? The answer to this question is of great relevance in conservation biology, where we aim at species’ rescue and the maintenance of biodiversity, and in agriculture and epidemiology, where we seek to hamper the emergence of pesticide or drug resistance. By reshuffling the genome, recombination has two antagonistic effects on the probability of evolutionary rescue: it generates and it breaks up favorable gene combinations. Which of the two effects prevails, depends on the fitness effects of mutations and on the impact of stochasticity on the allele frequencies. In this paper, we analyze a mathematical model for rescue after a sudden environmental change when adaptation is contingent on mutations at two loci. The analysis reveals a complex nonlinear dependence of population survival on recombination. We moreover find that, counterintuitively, a fast eradication of the wildtype can promote rescue in the presence of recombination. The model also shows that two-step rescue is not unlikely to happen and can even be more likely than single-step rescue (where adaptation relies on a single mutation), depending on the circumstances.
A New Method to Detect Event-Related Potentials Based on Pearson’s Correlation
Authors: Giroldini William , Pederzoli Luciano , Bilucaglia Marco , Melloni Simone , Tressoldi Patrizio
Published: July 2015

Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are widely used in Brain-Computer Interface applications and in neuroscience.

Normal EEG activity is rich in background noise and therefore, in order to detect ERPs, it is usually necessary to take the average from multiple trials to reduce the effects of this noise.

The noise produced by EEG activity itself is not correlated with the ERP waveform and so, by calculating the average, the noise is decreased by a factor inversely proportional to the square root of N, where N is the number of averaged epochs.

This is the easiest strategy currently used to detect ERPs, which is based on calculating the average of each ERP’s waveform, these waveforms being time-and phase-locked.

In this paper a new method called GW6 is proposed, which calculates the ERP using a mathematical method based only on Pearson's Correlation.

This results in a graph with the same time resolution as the classical ERP and which contains only positive peaks representing the increase -in consonance to the stimuli - in EEG signal correlation over all channels.

This new method is also useful for selectively identifying and highlighting any hidden components of the ERP response that are not phase-locked, and that are usually hidden in the standard and simple method based on the averaging of all the epochs.

These hidden components seem to be caused by variations (between each successive stimulus) of the ERP's inherent phase latency period (jitter), although the same stimulus across all EEG channels produces a reasonably constant phase.

For this reason, this new method could be very helpful to investigate these hidden components of the ERP response and to develop applications for scientific and medical purposes.

Moreover, this new method is more resistant to EEG artifacts than the standard calculations of the average.

The method we are proposing can be directly used in the form of a process written in the well known Matlab programming language and can be easily and quickly written in any other software language.
Polycrystal orientation mapping using scanning three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy
Authors: Hayashi Yujiro , Hirose Yoshiharu , Seno Yoshiki
Published: July 2015

A modified three-dimensional X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) technique is proposed as a solution to the main problem with 3DXRD-type experiments, namely, polycrystalline diffraction spot overlap. The modified method, termed scanning 3DXRD, enables three-dimensional crystallographic orientation mapping in polycrystals using a narrow incident X-ray beam with a beam size sufficiently smaller than the average grain size. This method can potentially allow one to apply a 3DXRD-type technique to specimens with a larger number of grains. Moreover, because of the use of a far-field area detector, scanning 3DXRD provides spacious specimen surroundings for equipment such as stress rigs, which are not feasible in 3DXRD methods using a near-field detector. As a first demonstration, a three-dimensional orientation map was obtained by an experiment using a 20 × 20 µm beam and a well annealed iron specimen with an average grain size of 60 µm. Scanning 3DXRD compared reasonably well with orientation image microscopy by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), considering the influence of the beam size in the case of scanning 3DXRD. The spatial resolution was estimated to be about twice the incident beam size from a scanning 3DXRD reconstruction simulation using an orientation map modeled on the EBSD orientation image of the specimen.
The experience of the Voyage dans le cristal travelling museum exhibition
Authors: Hodeau Jean-Louis , Guinebretiere René
Published: July 2015

Crystallography is little known to the public, even though it underpins much of the research into matter in physics, chemistry, new materials and life sciences. On the one hand, crystallography is present in almost every field of scientific or technical activity and also in innovative applications. On the other hand, the origins of crystallography started with humanity's interrogation and interaction with crystals in prehistoric times, which has continued to the present day. These two `views' can be used to focus public interest on crystallography and show children and students the importance of the scientific approach. As an example, this article describes the travelling exhibition Journey into the crystal, which presents to the general public the science and the beauty of matter in the crystalline state. This exhibition takes visitors on a journey of discovery about matter, but also on a journey through time to the beginnings of crystallography.
Resonance effect in white X-ray magnetic diffraction of GdAl2
Authors: Adachi H. , Kawata H. , Ito M.
Published: July 2015

Using elliptically polarized white synchrotron radiation and an energy-sensitive detector, the 444 reflection from a single-crystal sample of the ferromagnetic compound GdAl2 magnetized along the scattering vector has been measured, and the asymmetry of the diffraction intensity upon the magnetization reversal has been studied in the X-ray energy range across the Gd L
II edge. The dependence of the magnetic asymmetry on the scattering angle or on the X-ray energy is understood as the superposition of the sharp near-edge structure and the much broader component arising from the interference between the electric scattering and the resonant and nonresonant magnetic scattering, respectively. To interpret the experimental results, an analytical treatment of the magnetic asymmetry is developed, and in the course of the analysis it is pointed out that in general the pseudo-extinction of the Bragg reflection due to the dispersion effects can be utilized as a technique to raise the magnetic sensitivity in the X-ray scattering from ferromagnetic materials. The potential of an unconventional approach to the resonant X-ray scattering using a white beam, as is clearly demonstrated by the present experiment, is also discussed.
Small-angle scattering: the Guinier technique underestimates the size of hard globular particles due to the structure-factor effect
Authors: Smirnov Alexander V. , Deryabin Ivan N. , Fedorov Boris A.
Published: July 2015

The straightforward calculation of small-angle scattering intensity by hard spheres at different concentrations is performed. For the same system of hard spheres, the scattering intensities were found both using the product of the form factor and the structure factor {based on the work of Kinning & Thomas [Macromolecules, (1984), 17, 1712–1718]} and using the correlation function {based on the work of Kruglov [J. Appl. Cryst. (2005), 38, 716–720] and Hansen [J. Appl. Cryst. (2011), 44, 265–271; J. Appl. Cryst. (2012), 45, 381–388]}. All three intensities are in agreement at every concentration. The values of the radii of gyration found from the Guinier plot are shown to be noticeably underestimated compared to the true radius of gyration of a single sphere. Presented are the calculated correction factors that should be applied to the experimentally found radius of gyration of spheres. Also, the concentration effects are shown to have an even greater impact on the radius of gyration of prolate particles that is found from the Guinier plot.
Computation of diffuse scattering arising from one-phonon excitations in a neutron time-of-flight single-crystal Laue diffraction experiment
Authors: Gutmann Matthias J. , Graziano Gabriella , Mukhopadhyay Sanghamitra , Refson Keith , von Zimmerman Martin
Published: July 2015

Direct phonon excitation in a neutron time-of-flight single-crystal Laue diffraction experiment has been observed in a single crystal of NaCl. At room temperature both phonon emission and excitation leave characteristic features in the diffuse scattering and these are well reproduced using ab
initio phonons from density functional theory (DFT). A measurement at 20 K illustrates the effect of thermal population of the phonons, leaving the features corresponding to phonon excitation and strongly suppressing the phonon annihilation. A recipe is given to compute these effects combining DFT results with the geometry of the neutron experiment.
Types and configurations of domain walls in ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 single crystals
Authors: Ye Wanneng , Lu Chaojing , Zhang Yongcheng , Zhou Yichun
Published: July 2015

In the ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12, the major component P
s(a) of spontaneous polarization P
s lies along the a axis; the component P
s(c) along the c axis is small. The two switchable components are expected to make up various types of domain walls (DWs). According to group-theory analysis, 11 permissible types of DWs are predicted to exist theoretically, and they include five types of ferroelectric DWs, one type of anti-phase boundary (APB) and five types of APB-combined ferroelectric DWs. The five types of ferroelectric DWs are P
s(a)-90° DWs, P
s(a)-180° DWs, P
s(c)-180° DWs, P
s(a)-90°/P
s(c)-180° DWs and P
s-180° DWs. In Bi4Ti3O12 single crystals, just the five types of ferroelectric DWs were observed using transmission electron microscopy, with no trace of APBs or APB-combined ferroelectric DWs seen. The P
s(a)-90° domains are lamellar and do not have even thickness. Both the P
s(a)-90° DWs and P
s(a)-90°/P
s(c)-180° DWs lie mainly on the (110) plane, but often fold to the (001) plane. The P
s(a)-180° domains are predominantly flaky. Both the P
s(a)-180° DWs and P
s-180° DWs lie mainly on the (001) plane. The P
s(c)-180° DWs observed are irregularly curved.
Anisole at 100 K: the first crystal structure determination
Authors: Seidel Rüdiger W. , Goddard Richard
Published: July 2015

The simplest alkyl aryl ether, anisole (methoxybenzene), C7H8O, is a feedstock chemical and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. The structure of anisole at 100 K, as determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, is reported. A crystal (m.p. 236 K) suitable for X-ray diffraction was obtained from the melt. The title compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space groupP21/cwith two molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). Both crystallographically distinct molecules adopt a virtually flat (Cs-symmetric) conformation. The arrangement of the molecules in the solid state appears to be governed by close packing. No face-to-face π–π stacking of the molecules is observed, but rather edge-to-face interactions result in a herringbone packing motif.
Crystal structure of the bis(cyclohexylammonium) succinate succinic acid salt adduct
Authors: Sarr Modou , Diasse-Sarr Aminata , Diop Libasse , Plasseraud Laurent , Cattey Hélène
Published: July 2015

The crystal structure of the title salt adduct, 2C6H14N+·C4H4O42−·C4H6O4, consists of two cyclohexylammonium cations, one succcinate dianion and one neutral succinic acid molecule. Succinate dianions and succinic acid molecules are self-assembled head-to-tail through O—H...O hydrogen bonds and adopt asyn–synconfiguration, leading to a strand-like arrangement along [101]. The cyclohexylammonium cations have a chair conformation and act as multidentate hydrogen-bond donors linking adjacent strands through intermolecular N—H...O interactions to both the succinate and the succinic acid components. This results in two-dimensional supramolecular layered structures lying parallel to (010).
Crystal structure of 3-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-one
Authors: Caracelli Ignez , Hino Camila Lury , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Biaggio Francisco Carlos , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C10H11NO2, two independent but virtually superimposable molecules,AandB, comprise the asymmetric unit. The heterocyclic ring in each molecule has a screw-boat conformation, and the methylhydroxyl group occupies a position to one side of this ring with N—C—C—O torsion angles of −55.30 (15) (moleculeA) and −55.94 (16)° (moleculeB). In the crystal, O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonding leads to 11-membered {...HNCO...HO...HNC2O} heterosynthons, involving three different molecules, which are edge-shared to generate a supramolecular chain along theaaxis. Interactions of the type C—H...O provide additional stability to the chains, and link these into a three-dimensional architecture.
Crystal structure of 7,8-dichloro-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshinobu
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C10H4Cl2O3, a dichlorinated 3-formylchromone derivative, the fused-ring system is slightly puckered [dihedral angle between the benzene and pyran rings = 3.66 (10)°]. The dihedral angle between the pyran ring and the formyl plane is 8.64 (7)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked through π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance between the benzene and pyran rings = 3.727 (2) Å], C—H...O hydrogen bonds and short C...O contacts [2.838 (4) Å]. Halogen bonds between the formyl O atoms and the Cl atoms at the 7-position [Cl...O = 2.984 (3) Å, C—Cl...O = 170.83 (12)° and Cl...O—C = 116.05 (19)°] are also formed along theaaxis, resulting in helical structures constructed by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and Cl...O halogen bonds along thebaxis. In addition, type II halogen–halogen contacts between the chlorine atoms at the 7- and 8-positions [Cl...Cl = 3.519 (2) Å, C–Cl...Cl = 171.24 (10)° and 88.74 (11)°] are observed.
Crystal structure of hexakis(dmpu)-di-μ2-hydroxido-dialuminium tetraiodide dmpu tetrasolvate [dmpu is 1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one]: a centrosymmetric dinuclear aluminium complex containing AlO5polyhedra
Authors: Lundberg Daniel , Lyczko Krzysztof
Published: July 2015

The structure of the title compound, [Al2(OH)2(C6H12N2O)6]I4·4C6H12N2O (systematic name: di-μ2-hydroxido-bis{tris[1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one-κO]aluminium} tetraiodide 1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one tetrasolvate), is composed of two Al(C6H12N2O)3moieties linked into a centrosymmetric dinuclear unit by a pair of bridging hydroxide ions. The aluminium cations show a distorted trigonal bipyramidal AlO5coordination environment formed only by monodentate ligands. The Al—O bond lengths are in the range 1.789 (2)–1.859 (2) Å (mean bond length = 1.818 Å). The non-coordinating iodide anions compensate the charge of the complex cation. The remaining solvent molecules and the iodide counter-anions interact with the complex cation by weak non-classical C—H...I and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Drivers of halal orientation strategy among halal food firms
Authors: Zailani Suhaiza , Kanapathy Kanagi , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Tieman Marco
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that motivate the halal food firms in Malaysia to practice halal orientation strategy (HOS).

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were obtained from a survey of 137 halal food firms in Malaysia, and analyzed using the partial least squares technique.

Findings

– Results showed that halal market demand, government support, expected business benefits, and integrity positively affect HOS.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study will help policy makers and managers of halal food firms to understand external and internal drivers of HOS, which may lead to successfully motivating the implementation of HOS in halal food firms.

Originality/value

– Although HOS plays a key role in protecting the halal status of any given product, this topic is rarely explored. This study thus contributes to the advancement of knowledge on factors that motivate the halal food firms to practice HOS.
The effect of packaging and brand on children’s and parents’ purchasing decisions and the moderating role of pester power
Authors: Taghavi Mahsa-Sadat , Seyedsalehi Alireza
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of chocolate packaging and brand on the purchasing decisions of a number of Iranian children and their parents. The paper also aims to investigate the role of pester power as a moderating variable in the relationship between children’s purchasing decision and that of their parents.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using a 26-item Likert-scaled questionnaire administered in February 2013 to the parents of 600 children at two daycare centers and four elementary schools in the city of Qazvin in Iran. The returned and complete questionnaires were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis within structural equation modeling using IBM® Amos and SPSS statistical packages.

Findings

– The results show that packaging and brand have a positive effect on parents. However, children were only influenced by packaging, and not brand. Further, it was found that children influenced their parents during store visits. The study also confirms the moderating role of children’s pester power in the relationship between children’s purchasing decision and that of their parents.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of the study is that the issue of the effect of packaging and brand on children was explored through the opinions of parents. Also, due to budget constraints, images of chocolate products rather than real packages were used. Future research might study the effect of other factors such as peers, socio-cultural issues, and economic status. Another possibility would be to include other variables such as mental involvement and time constraint.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study might be useful for all manufacturers and suppliers of goods. More specifically, managers and marketing agents in the chocolate industry are recommended to improve children’s brand awareness through advertising as a way of making them want to buy branded products.

Originality/value

– The most important difference between this work and previous studies is its use of children’s pester power as a moderating factor in the relationship between the purchasing decision of children and that of their parents. Another good thing about this paper is that it gives the reader an insight into the Iranian context. The results give the manufacturers a better understanding of the factors children take into account when deciding to purchase something.
Does the consumers’ buying behavior differ for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products?
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Kapoor Sanjeev
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare the factors which affect the consumers’ buying behavior of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products in an emerging middle-size market. The paper also compares the preferences of the consumers for various food products and their respective market attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 282 households of two middle-sized cities of India were personally surveyed with a structured questionnaire. Simple statistical analysis such as frequency distribution, factor analysis and analysis of variance, and logit regression were carried out to infer the required information.

Findings

– The results indicate that consumers consume more of vegetarian product than that of non-vegetarian products. Most of the consumers were interested in seeing and verifying the products of both of the categories before buying. Age and income of the consumers play important role in influencing their buying behavior for vegetarian food products, but not that of non-vegetarian food products. It was found that credence attributes of products, and market attributes play a dominant role in influencing the consumers’ behavior for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products. Packaged branded products were not popular in both the food categories.

Research limitations/implications

– The localized nature of this study limits the scope of wider generalization. Future research could use larger samples spread across all regions having different food culture.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study will be of help to food retailers who are interested to know whether the consumers’ buying process for these two categories of food products is more or less same or different in nature. This would help them to customize their product-specific marketing strategies as per the customers’ preferences and requirements.

Originality/value

– The paper gives a comparative insight on consumers’ behavior toward both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. It provides specific reasons for having different or similar marketing strategies for two categories of food.
Determinants of service quality and impact of service quality and consumer characteristics on channel selection
Authors: Khudri Md. Mohsan , Sultana Saida
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek the determinants of service quality and evaluate the impact of service quality and consumers’ characteristics on channel selection in the context of beverage industry in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using convenience sampling method. Initially exploratory factor analysis was performed to extract the key dimensions of service quality and then structural equation modeling was employed to verify the causal relationships between the dimensions of service quality and service quality itself. χ2 test was used to determine whether any association exists between service quality or demographic variables and choice of channel types. Cramer’s V was performed to measure the strength of association. One-way ANOVA was carried out to identify significant impact of demographic variables on perception of service quality.

Findings

– The research findings indicated that personal interaction, appearance, reliability, policy, and problem solving are the key determinants of service quality in terms of beverage industry in Bangladesh. It is observed that customers preferring factors like personal interaction and problem solving intend to purchase beverage items from super shop. Customers who are deemed socioeconomically high taking profession and monthly income into account prefer shopping at super shop. Customers who are female or married with no kid or service holders showed better satisfaction with service quality.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to money and time constraints the study could not cover up the whole country. Conclusions and predictions to be applied to consumers in general may not be appropriate entirely since specific age group was deemed, given that the subject was beverage products.

Practical implications

– The model proposed in this study will help managers and suppliers understand how consumers assess the quality of services. In order to strengthen brand and create brand loyalty, marketing planners, managers, and suppliers must be aware of the dimensions of service quality, and consumers’ characteristics. Selecting an optimal sales channel is imperative for suppliers in order to make their products reach to target consumers.

Originality/value

– Service quality plays crucial role in ameliorating customer satisfaction and creating competitive advantage whereas sales channels have impact on sustaining the long-term profitability of the company. This paper has contributed significantly to these issues and sought consumers’ characteristics and preference as well.
Understanding the contract structure for mango and empirical analysis of its determinants
Authors: Ali Jabir , Kumar Sushil
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the structure of contractual arrangements in mango orchards and factors affecting the mango contract design in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on personal structured questionnaire survey of 83 contractors in one of the major mango growing areas in India. A snowball sampling approach was adopted to select suitable respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics have been computed to understand the contractor’s response on contract attributes. Factor analysis was used to categorize the contractors’ responses on various attributes of the mango contract. Further, a logistic regression model has been developed to determine the factors affecting the contract decisions.

Findings

– The study identifies nine aspects of mango contracting covering orchard owner, orchard and contract management characteristics. Further, a logistic regression model has been developed to assess the factors affecting the contractor’s decision on the time of entering into mango contracting, i.e. pre-flowering or post-flowering stage. Regression analysis results clearly indicate that contractors who prefer pre-flowering contracts pay significantly higher attention to contract management attributes. On the other hand, those contractors who normally enter in contract once the mango trees have flowered are more likely to pay attention to orchard-related features.

Practical implications

– Specifically, the results have implications for contract terms, contract efficiency and effectiveness and overall performance. Finally, the study provides suggestions for a future research agenda to analyze mango production contracts.

Originality/value

– Though contracting in mango growing is a common phenomena, there is limited analysis on identifying the key contract attributes and factors affecting the contract structure.
Nutrition status of HIV+ children in Botswana
Authors: Nnyepi Maria , Bennink Maurice R. , Jackson-Malete Jose , Venkatesh Sumathi , Malete Leapetswe , Mokgatlhe Lucky , Lyoka Philemon , Anabwani Gabriel M. , Makhanda Jerry , Weatherspoon Lorraine J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Identifying and addressing poor nutritional status in school-aged children is often not prioritized relative to HIV/AIDS treatment. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the benefits of integrating nutrition (assessment and culturally acceptable food supplement intervention) in the treatment strategy for this target group.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a randomized, double blind pre-/post-intervention trial with 201 HIV-positive children (six to 15 years) in Botswana. Eligibility included CD4 cell counts
<
700/mm3 (a marker for the severity of HIV infection), documented treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, and no reported evidence of taking supplemental food products with one or more added nutrients in the six-month period prior to the study. The intervention (12 months) consisted of two food supplements for ethical reason, one with a higher protein content, bean (bean-sorghum based) group (n=97) and a cereal (sorghum) group (n=104) both of which contained added energy- and micro- nutrients. Anthropometric and biochemical nutritional status indicators (stunting, wasting, underweight, skinfolds for fat and muscle protein reserves, and hemoglobin levels) were compared within and between the bean and the cereal groups pre- and post-intervention separately for children six to nine years and ten to 15 years.

Findings

– Older children (ten to 15 years) fared worse overall compared to those who were younger (six to nine years) children in anthropometric and protein status indicators both at baseline and post-intervention. Among children six to nine years, the mid arm circumference and blood hemoglobin levels improved significantly in both the bean and cereal groups (p
<
0.01 and p
<
0.05, respectively). Although the BMI for age z-score and the triceps skinfold decreased significantly in the bean group, the post-intervention subscapular skinfold (fat stores) was significantly higher for the bean group compared to the cereal group (p
<
0.05). Among children ten to 15 years, both the bean and the cereal groups also showed improvement in mid arm circumference (p
<
0.001), but only those in the bean group showed improvement in hemoglobin (p
<
0.01) post-intervention.

Originality/value

– Similar significant nutritional status findings and trends were found for both food interventions and age within group pre- vs post-comparisons, except hemoglobin in the older children. Post-intervention hemoglobin levels for the type food supplement was higher for the “bean” vs the “cereal” food in the younger age group. The fact that all children, but especially those who were older were in poor nutritional status supports the need for nutrition intervention in conjunction with ARV treatment in children with HIV/AIDS, perhaps using a scaled up future approach to enhance desired outcomes.