bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Her blue eyes are red
Authors: Sandford Jodi L.
Published: November 2014

The lexical frame of color as a primary experience is often used to exemplify linguistic theories and yet there is still a lack of a cognitive color model. Cognitive linguistics establishes meaning in a central role through the ideas of embodied experience and cognitive models that are evinced through usage-based analysis. I present the fifth type of distinction in a conceptual mapping of color in English; four types have been presented earlier in Sandford (2010, 2011a and 2011b). The new part of this mapping is Conceptual Color Metonymy, based on one hundred random examples of each of six basic color terms extracted from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. An idealized cognitive model of conceptual color metonymy mapping reveals primary conceptual correlations in experience, and the predominant conceptualization mechanism pattern that emerged from this study is color attribute (is access) for conceptual space.
Bornstein’s paradox (redux)
Authors: Dedrick Don
Published: November 2014

The psychologist Marc Bornstein suggested it was surprising that (a) non-linguistic infants demonstrated categorical perception of colour and (b) such categorical perception did not facilitate the learning of colour names (Bornstein 1985). This is “Bornstein’s paradox” and it has been articulated by a number of researchers since 1985. The purpose of this paper is to argue that there is in fact no paradox. Susan Carey’s idea of “core cognition” is extended to colour categorization and it is argued that, if colour is a domain of core cognition, the development from initial infant colour experience need not be continuous with linguistic experience (Carey 2009). This argument makes reference to Carey’s work on object permanence, and number as analogous to colour naming.
Gender differences in colour naming
Authors: Mylonas Dimitris , Paramei Galina V. , MacDonald Lindsay W.
Published: November 2014

Gender differences in colour naming were explored using a web-based experiment in English. Each participant named twenty colours selected from 600 Munsell samples, presented one at a time against a neutral background. Colour names and typing onset response times were registered. For the eleven basic colour terms, elicitation frequency was comparable for both genders. Females demonstrated more elaborated colour vocabulary, with more descriptors in general and more non-basic monolexemic terms; they also named colours faster than males. The two genders differ in the repertoire of frequent colour terms: a Bayesian synthetic observer revealed that women segment colour space linguistically more densely in the “warm” area whereas men do so in the “cool” area. Current “nurture” and “nature” explanations of why females excel in colour naming behaviour are considered.
Colour terms in the names of coastal and inland features
Authors: Dunlop Leonie , Hough Carole
Published: November 2014

This chapter presents a study of colour terms in the names of four parishes within the historic county of Berwickshire in south-east Scotland. Out of 1,895 marked features on the first-edition six-inch Ordnance Survey map of 1856, sixty-nine (3.64%) have names containing colour terms. These fall into two groups: base names, where the feature was named directly from the colour, and derived names, where the base name has been used to name another feature. Comparison of inland and coastal names reveals different profiles, with derived names more commonly generated inland, but colour terms more salient in coastal names.
Unfolding colour in mind and language
Authors: Mioduszewska Marzenna
Published: November 2014

This chapter explores possible strategies for colour naming used during wine-tasting procedures conducted in Spanish. It is based on an ongoing project which studies perceptually-grounded spatial models emerging from the analysis of colour, taste, touch and odour. The results of behavioural experiments are compared with a corpus of expert wine notes. A new categorization system is presented and compared with other colour naming patterns. The reasons for its application are hypothesized. The second argument discussed in the chapter deals with the lack of common grounding between individual perception and its social coding in language.
Development of formulae for estimating amylose content, amylopectin chain length distribution, and resistant starch content based on the iodine absorption curve of rice starch
Authors: Nakamura Sumiko , Satoh Hikaru , Ohtsubo Ken’ichi
Published: November 2014

Not only amylose but also amylopectin greatly affects the gelatinization properties of rice starch and the quality of cooked rice grains. We here characterized the starches of 32 rice cultivars and evaluated the relationship between their iodine absorption curve, apparent amylose content (AAC), pasting property, resistant starch (RS) content, and chain length distribution of amylopectin. We found that the iodine absorption curve differed among the various sample rice cultivars. Using the wavelength at which absorbance becomes maximum on iodine staining of starch (λmax), we propose a novel index, “new λmax” (AAC/(λmax of sample rice starches–λmax of glutinous rice starch)). We developed the novel estimation formulae for AAC, RS contents, and amylopectin fractions with the use of λmax and “new λmax.” These formulae would lead to the improved method for estimating starch properties using an easy and rapid iodine colorimetric method.
Attribution of movement: Potential links between subjective reports of agency and output monitoring
Authors: Sugimori Eriko , Asai Tomohisa
Published: November 2014

According to agency memory theory, individuals decide whether “I did it” based on a memory trace of “I am doing it”. The purpose of this study was to validate the agency memory theory. To this end, several hand actions were individually presented as samples, and participants were asked to perform the sample action, observe the performance of that action by another person, or imagine performing the action. Online feedback received by the participants during the action was manipulated among the different conditions, and output monitoring, in which participants were asked whether they had performed each hand action, was conducted. The rate at which respondents thought that they themselves had performed the action was higher when visual feedback was unaltered than when it was altered (Experiment 1A), and this tendency was observed across all types of altered feedback (Experiment 1B). The observation of an action performed by the hand of another person did not increase the rate at which respondents thought that they themselves had performed the action unless the participants actually did perform the action (Experiments 2A and 2B). In Experiment 3, a relationship was observed between the subjective feeling that “I am the one who is causing an action” and the memory that “I did perform the action”. These experiments support the hypothesis that qualitative information and sense of “self” are tagged in a memory trace and that such tags can be used as cues for judgements when the memory is related to the “self”.
Enhanced HIV-1 immunotherapy by commonly arising antibodies that target virus escape variants
Authors: Klein Florian , Nogueira Lilian , Nishimura Yoshiaki , Phad Ganesh , West Anthony P. , Halper-Stromberg Ariel , Horwitz Joshua A. , Gazumyan Anna , Liu Cassie , Eisenreich Thomas R. , Lehmann Clara , Fätkenheuer Gerd , Williams Constance , Shingai Masashi , Martin Malcolm A. , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Seaman Michael S. , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: November 2014

Antibody-mediated immunotherapy is effective in humanized mice when combinations of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are used that target nonoverlapping sites on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope. In contrast, single bNAbs can control simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in immune-competent macaques, suggesting that the host immune response might also contribute to the control of viremia. Here, we investigate how the autologous antibody response in intact hosts can contribute to the success of immunotherapy. We find that frequently arising antibodies that normally fail to control HIV-1 infection can synergize with passively administered bNAbs by preventing the emergence of bNAb viral escape variants.
Capturing distinct KCNQ2 channel resting states by metal ion bridges in the voltage-sensor domain
Authors: Gourgy-Hacohen Orit , Kornilov Polina , Pittel Ilya , Peretz Asher , Attali Bernard , Paas Yoav
Published: November 2014

Although crystal structures of various voltage-gated K+ (Kv) and Na+ channels have provided substantial information on the activated conformation of the voltage-sensing domain (VSD), the topology of the VSD in its resting conformation remains highly debated. Numerous studies have investigated the VSD resting state in the Kv Shaker channel; however, few studies have explored this issue in other Kv channels. Here, we investigated the VSD resting state of KCNQ2, a K+ channel subunit belonging to the KCNQ (Kv7) subfamily of Kv channels. KCNQ2 can coassemble with the KCNQ3 subunit to mediate the IM current that regulates neuronal excitability. In humans, mutations in KCNQ2 are associated with benign neonatal forms of epilepsy or with severe epileptic encephalopathy. We introduced cysteine mutations into the S4 transmembrane segment of the KCNQ2 VSD and determined that external application of Cd2+ profoundly reduced the current amplitude of S4 cysteine mutants S195C, R198C, and R201C. Based on reactivity with the externally accessible endogenous cysteine C106 in S1, we infer that each of the above S4 cysteine mutants forms Cd2+ bridges to stabilize a channel closed state. Disulfide bonds and metal bridges constrain the S4 residues S195, R198, and R201 near C106 in S1 in the resting state, and experiments using concatenated tetrameric constructs indicate that this occurs within the same VSD. KCNQ2 structural models suggest that three distinct resting channel states have been captured by the formation of different S4–S1 Cd2+ bridges. Collectively, this work reveals that residue C106 in S1 can be very close to several N-terminal S4 residues for stabilizing different KCNQ2 resting conformations.
A Single Dose of Benzathine Penicillin G Is as Effective as Multiple Doses of
Benzathine Penicillin G for the Treatment of HIV-Infected Persons With Early
Syphilis
Authors: Ganesan Anuradha , Mesner Octavio , Okulicz Jason F. , O'Bryan Thomas , Deiss Robert G. , Lalani Tahaniyat , Whitman Timothy J. , Weintrob Amy C. , Macalino Grace , Agan Brian K.
Published: November 2014

We examined treatment responses in >400 cases of early syphilis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Serologic outcomes did not vary as a function of the treatment regimen. These results support the use of a single dose of benzathine penicillin as treatment.
Higher education and research innovation in China
Authors: Qiu Jane
Published: November 2014

China places a great emphasis on boosting its innovative capability, which it says is key to meeting the challenges in economic development and global competition. At the heart of the matter is how the country could produce its own agent of innovation—creative graduates and postgraduates.

In a forum chaired by National Science Review's executive associate editor Mu-ming Poo, five panelists from top universities discuss the problems and challenges of higher education in China and in what ways the system needs to be reformed.

Yuanfang Chen

Physician and Vice Chair of Peking Union Medical College's Expert Committee on Education in Beijing

Song Gao

Chemist and Vice President of Peking University in Beijing

Ke Gong

Electronic Engineer and President of Nankai University in Tianjin

Yigong Shi

Biologist and Dean of Tsinghua University's School of Life Sciences in Beijing

Chia-Wei Woo

Physicist and Founding President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong

Mu-ming Poo (Chair)

Neuroscientist and Director of Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai
On CAS Pioneer Initiative
Authors: Poo Mu-ming , Wang Ling
Published: November 2014

On August 18, 2014, following a year of intensive planning, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced an unprecedented program for institutional reform, within the framework of the ‘Pioneer Initiative’ (). It calls for a massive restructuring of all CAS research units into four distinct categories — innovative academies, centers of excellence, mega-science research centers, and feature institutes, each with clearly defined scientific mission and distinct management system. As the chief architect of this most drastic structural reform of CAS in its 65-year history, CAS President Chunli Bai recently talked to NSR on the history and driving forces behind this new reform, and on the prospect and challenges faced by CAS in coming decades as China's most prominent scientific research institution.
Phytophthora Suppressor of RNA Silencing 2 Is a Conserved RxLR Effector that Promotes Infection in Soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Xiong Qin , Ye Wenwu , Choi Duseok , Wong James , Qiao Yongli , Tao Kai , Wang Yuanchao , Ma Wenbo
Published: November 2014

The genus Phytophthora consists of notorious and emerging pathogens of economically important crops. Each Phytophthora genome encodes several hundreds of cytoplasmic effectors, which are believed to manipulate plant immune response inside the host cells. However, the majority of Phytophthora effectors remain functionally uncharacterized. We recently discovered two effectors from the soybean stem and root rot pathogen Phytophthora sojae with the activity to suppress RNA silencing in plants. These effectors are designated Phytophthora suppressor of RNA silencing (PSRs). Here, we report that the P. sojae PSR2 (PsPSR2) belongs to a conserved and widespread effector family in Phytophthora. A PsPSR2-like effector produced by P. infestans (PiPSR2) can also suppress RNA silencing in plants and promote Phytophthora infection, suggesting that the PSR2 family effectors have conserved functions in plant hosts. Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy roots induction, we demonstrated that the expression of PsPSR2 rendered hypersusceptibility of soybean to P. sojae. Enhanced susceptibility was also observed in PsPSR2-expressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants during Phytophthora but not bacterial infection. These experiments provide strong evidence that PSR2 is a conserved Phytophthora effector family that performs important virulence functions specifically during Phytophthora infection of various plant hosts.
Exploring how musical rhythm entrains brain activity with electroencephalogram frequency-tagging
Authors: Nozaradan Sylvie
Published: November 2014

The ability to perceive a regular beat in music and synchronize to this beat is a widespread human skill. Fundamental to musical behaviour, beat and meter refer to the perception of periodicities while listening to musical rhythms and often involve spontaneous entrainment to move on these periodicities. Here, we present a novel experimental approach inspired by the frequency-tagging approach to understand the perception and production of rhythmic inputs. This approach is illustrated here by recording the human electroencephalogram responses at beat and meter frequencies elicited in various contexts: mental imagery of meter, spontaneous induction of a beat from rhythmic patterns, multisensory integration and sensorimotor synchronization. Collectively, our observations support the view that entrainment and resonance phenomena subtend the processing of musical rhythms in the human brain. More generally, they highlight the potential of this approach to help us understand the link between the phenomenology of musical beat and meter and the bias towards periodicities arising under certain circumstances in the nervous system. Entrainment to music provides a highly valuable framework to explore general entrainment mechanisms as embodied in the human brain.
Auditory rhythmic cueing in movement rehabilitation: findings and possible mechanisms
Authors: Schaefer Rebecca S.
Published: November 2014

Moving to music is intuitive and spontaneous, and music is widely used to support movement, most commonly during exercise. Auditory cues are increasingly also used in the rehabilitation of disordered movement, by aligning actions to sounds such as a metronome or music. Here, the effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on movement is discussed and representative findings of cued movement rehabilitation are considered for several movement disorders, specifically post-stroke motor impairment, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. There are multiple explanations for the efficacy of cued movement practice. Potentially relevant, non-mutually exclusive mechanisms include the acceleration of learning; qualitatively different motor learning owing to an auditory context; effects of increased temporal skills through rhythmic practices and motivational aspects of musical rhythm. Further considerations of rehabilitation paradigm efficacy focus on specific movement disorders, intervention methods and complexity of the auditory cues. Although clinical interventions using rhythmic auditory cueing do not show consistently positive results, it is argued that internal mechanisms of temporal prediction and tracking are crucial, and further research may inform rehabilitation practice to increase intervention efficacy.
Rhizobium alvei sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater river
Authors: Sheu Shih-Yi , Huang Hsing-Wei , Young Chiu-Chung , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: November 2014

A bacterial strain designated TNR-22Twas isolated from a freshwater river in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain TNR-22Twere facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by a single polar flagellum and formed cream-coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 4–45 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), with 0–1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %) and at pH 7.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Strain TNR-22Tdid not form nodules onMacroptilium atropurpureum. ThenifHgene encoding denitrogenase reductase was not detected by PCR. The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain TNR-22Twere C18 : 1ω7cand C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 60.3 mol%. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized aminoglycolipid and an uncharacterized phospholipid. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TNR-22Tconstituted a distinct branch within the genusRhizobium, showing the highest level of sequence similarity withRhizobium rosettiformansW3T(96.3 %). Phenotypic characteristics of the novel strain also differed from those of the most closely related species of the genusRhizobium. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain TNR-22Trepresents a novel species in the genusRhizobium, for which the nameRhizobium alveisp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TNR-22T( = BCRC 80408T = LMG 26895T = KCTC 23919T).
Belliella kenyensis sp. nov., isolated from an alkaline lake
Authors: Akhwale Juliah Khayeli , Göker Markus , Rohde Manfred , Schumann Peter , Klenk Hans-Peter , Boga Hamadi Iddi
Published: November 2014

A red-pigmented, Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic bacterial strain, designated No.164T, was isolated from sediment sample from the alkaline Lake Elmenteita located in the Kenyan Rift Valley. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate represented a member of the genus

Belliella

, with the highest sequence similarity (97 %) to

Belliella pelovolcani

DSM 46698T. Optimal growth temperature was 30–35 °C, at pH 7.0–12.0 in the presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl. Flexirubins were absent. The respiratory menaquinone (MK-7), predominant cellular fatty acids (iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and a mixture of C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and DNA G+C content (38.1 mol%) of strain No.164T were consistent with those of other members of the genus

Belliella

. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, eight unspecified lipids and one unspecified phospholipid. Several phenotypic characteristics can be used to differentiate this isolate from those of other species of the genus

Belliella

. The results of polyphasic analyses presented in this study indicated that this isolate should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus

Belliella

. The name Belliella kenyensis sp. nov. is therefore proposed; the type strain is strain No.164T ( = DSM 46651T = CECT 8551T).
The combinations Lysobacter enzymogenes subsp. enzymogenes Christensen and Cook 1978, L. enzymogenes subsp. cookii Christensen 1978 and Streptococcus casseliflavus (Mundt and Graham 1968) Vaughan et al. 1979 were in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria at the time of publication in the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, but are not to be considered to be included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. Opinion 95
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: November 2014

The Judicial Commission affirms that, according to information presented to it, the combination

Lysobacter enzymogenes subsp. enzymogenes

Christensen and Cook 1978, the combination

Lysobacter enzymogenes subsp. cookii

Christensen 1978 and the combination

Streptococcus casseliflavus

(Mundt and Graham 1968) Vaughan et al. 1979 were in accordance with the wording of the 1975 and 1992 revisions of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria but they are not to be considered to be included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names.
Sphingobium subterraneum sp. nov., isolated from ground water
Authors: Lee Jae-Chan , Kim Song-Gun , Whang Kyung-Sook
Published: November 2014

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, yellow, rod-shaped bacterium, designated S-II-13T, was isolated from ground water at Daejeon in Korea. Strain S-II-13T grew between 15 and 30 °C (optimal growth at 28 °C), between pH 6.0 and 9.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.5) and at salinities of 0.3–1.5 % (w/v) NaCl, growing optimally with 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain S-II-13T was found to belong to the genus

Sphingobium

, showing closest phylogenetic similarity to

Rhizorhapis suberifaciens

CA1T (97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity),

Sphingobium sufflavum

HL-25T (96.9 %) and

Sphingobium vulgare

HU1-GD12T (96.6 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C14 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content of strain S-II-13T was 63.5 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain S-II-13T and

Rhizorhapis suberifaciens

LMG 17323T,

Sphingobium sufflavum

KCTC 23953T and

Sphingobium vulgare

KCTC 22289T was 24, 52 and 55 %, respectively. On the basis of evidence from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain S-II-13T represents a novel species of the genus

Sphingobium

for which the name Sphingobium subterraneum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-II-13T ( = KACC 17606T = NBRC 109814T).
Rhodococcus aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from subarctic rainwater
Authors: Hwang C. Y. , Lee I. , Cho Y. , Lee Y. M. , Baek K. , Jung Y.-J. , Yang Y. Y. , Lee T. , Rhee T. S. , Lee H. K.
Published: November 2014

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped and non-motile strain, designated PAMC 27367T, was isolated from rainwater collected on the Bering Sea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed an affiliation with the genusRhodococcus. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain PAMC 27367Tformed a robust clade with the type strains ofRhodococcus rhodnii,Rhodococcus aetherivoransandRhodococcus ruberwith 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.3 %, 95.8 % and 95.5 %, respectively. Cells of the strain grew optimally at 25 °C and at pH 6.5–7.0 in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) sea salts. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and three unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8cand 10-methyl C17 : 0. Cell wall analysis showed that strain PAMC 27367Tcontainedmeso-diaminopimelic acid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 77.1 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented here, we propose a novel species with the nameRhodococcusaerolatussp. nov., with PAMC 27367T( = KCTC 29240T = JCM 19485T) as the type strain.
Modes of interaction between individuals dominate the topologies of real world networks
Authors: Lee Insuk , Kim Eiru , Marcotte Edward M.
Published: November 2014

We find that the topologies of real world networks, such as those formed within human societies, by the Internet, or among cellular proteins, are dominated by the mode of the interactions considered among the individuals. Consequently, a major dichotomy in previously studied networks arises from modeling networks in terms of pairwise versus group tasks. The former often intrinsically give rise to scale-free, disassortative, hierarchical networks, whereas the latter often give rise to broad-scale, assortative, nonhierarchical networks. These dependencies explain contrasting observations among previous topological analyses of real world complex systems. We also observe this trend in systems with natural hierarchies, in which alternate representations of the same networks, but which capture different levels of the hierarchy, manifest these signature topological differences. For example, in both the Internet and cellular proteomes, networks of lower-level system components (routers within domains or proteins within biological processes) are assortative and nonhierarchical, whereas networks of upper-level system components (internet domains or biological processes) are disassortative and hierarchical. Our results demonstrate that network topologies of complex systems must be interpreted in light of their hierarchical natures and interaction types.
Pitting corrosion of super martensitic stainless steel 00Cr13Ni5Mo2
Authors: Li J.L. , Qu C.T. , Zhu S.D. , Liu L. , Gao Z.Q.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to investigate the pitting resistance and assess the critical pitting temperature (CPT) of a super martensitic stainless steel, 00Cr13Ni5Mo2, made in China, considering especially the difference in the pitting corrosion resistance between the domestic super martensitic stainless steel and an imported one.

Design/methodology/approach

– Potentiodynamic sweep tests were applied to investigate the effects of four NaCl concentrations (weight per cent) of 1, 3.5, 9 and 17, and four testing temperatures of 30, 50, 75 and 90°C on the pitting resistance of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel in the presence of CO2. Potentiostatic sweep tests were utilized to determine the CPT. Furthermore, chemical immersion exposures, implemented according to the appropriate standard were used to evaluate the difference in the pitting corrosion resistance between the domestic super martensitic stainless steel and an imported one. In addition, the morphology of pits was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope.

Finding

– The pitting potential of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel decreased with an increase in NaCl concentration and temperature in the presence of CO2. The CPT of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel measured by potentiostatic polarization was 41.16°C. Two types of typical corrosion pits, closed pits formed at 35°C and open pits formed at 50°C, were observed. Furthermore, compared to the super martensitic stainless steel made in Japan, the domestic one was better in terms of pitting potential, corrosion rate and the density of the pits, but worse in terms of the depth of the pits, which may result in a risk of corrosion perforation of tubing and casings.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights that chloride ions, temperature and the presence of CO2 play an important role on the pitting resistance of super martensitic stainless steel.
Corrosion protective performance of epoxy-amino branched polydimethylsiloxane hybrid coatings on carbon steel
Authors: Mohammad Suleiman Rami
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this work was to prepare a hybrid organic/inorganic coating with interesting barrier properties against the corrosion of plain carbon steel sheets in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution. The search for replacing chromates in protective coatings has led to the development of hybrid sol-gel anticorrosive coatings. Appropriate functionalization can dramatically enhance the chemical durability and mechanical strength of these coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

– To prepare the targeted coating, 1,2-epoxybutane (EB) was mixed with 2-4 per cent aminoethylaminopropyl-methylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymer and 1,6-diaminohexane. The above coating (EBAC) was further mixed with three different corrosion inhibitors “Moly-white® 101-ED, Hfucophos Zapp®” and Cerium Ammonium Nitrate, yielding the coatings (EBAC-M), (EBAC-Z) and (EABC-Ce), respectively. The corrosion characteristics of all coatings on carbon steel panels immersed in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution were obtained using different electrochemical methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopic and Tafel polarization measurements.

Findings

– The newly prepared coatings showed interesting properties for protecting the steel substrate against corrosion in chloride containing media.

Originality/value

– The results provide a good approach for the modification of polydimethylsiloxane coatings using a simple organic modifier.
Galvanic corrosion of electric resistance welded X52 steel in CO2-containing solution
Authors: Omar Rihan Rihan
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to report an experimental investigation of the galvanic corrosion that occurs between the base metal and the welds in X52 carbon steel petroleum pipelines when exposed in carbon dioxide (CO2)-containing saltwater at pH 4 at room temperature. The pipeline was fabricated by electric resistance welding (ERW).

Design/methodology/approach

– The experimental setup was a closed glass cell equipped with a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrode, two working electrodes (the weld metal and the parent steel specimens) and a gas bubbler. The corrosion potential and polarization resistance of the base metal and the weld were determined using electrochemical testing methods: potentiodynamic polarization scans and linear polarization resistance measurement. The galvanic currents of the base metal when coupled to the weld metal were measured using zero resistance ammetry.

Findings

– The weld metal was the anode of the couple for a very short time at the beginning of the experiment and then became the cathode until the end of the experiment. This indicates that electric resistance welded X52 steel pipe is a promising material to be operated in CO2-containing saltwater at pH 4 and 25°C because the weld area is cathodic to the parent metal, the value of the galvanic current is very low (in the order of nanoamps) and the area of the anode (i.e. the parent metal) is significantly larger than that of the cathode (weld metal).

Research limitations/implications

– Further experimental research could be performed to investigate the galvanic corrosion behavior between the parent metal and the weld area of X52 carbon steel petroleum pipelines in CO2-containing saltwater at different pH values, temperature and velocity.

Practical implications

– Electric resistance welded X52 steel pipe is a promising material for use with CO2-containing saltwater environments at pH 4 and 25°C.

Originality/value

– The new information presented in the paper is the galvanic corrosion behavior between the parent metal and the ERW weld metal of X52 carbon steel in CO2-containing solutions. The paper should be useful to researchers working in the field of oil industry corrosion.
Editorial
Authors: Ogliastri Enrique
Published: November 2014

Six research papers are published on this issue: three on finances, two regarding public administration and one on business economy. They come from six countries and ten universities. The first paper analyses the effect of a new platform for transactions in the Colombian stock exchange. The second studies the factors that influence the capital structure of the non‐financial companies that quote in the stock market of Lima. The third studies a sample of Brazilian coffee growers in order to determine the influence of attitudes and behaviours in their price risk management decisions. The fourth studies the relation between financial stress, decentralisation and outsourcing of public local services in Spain, by particularly taking into account the length of the financial stress, the effectiveness of the measures taken to attenuate it and the lapse between the crisis and an answer based on the portion of privatisation and decentralisation of the public services. The fifth explores the Chilean small and medium businesses determinants that from their beginnings are orientated towards the global international market. Lastly, the concepts of marketing services and higher education are used to analyse the evaluations of professors given by Mexican university students. The journal is shifting towards a new electronic platform. It will begin to be trimestral in the year 2015 and will continue to broaden its net of Associate Editors.

En este número publicamos seis artículos de investigación: tres en finanzas, dos en administración pública, y uno en economía de negocios, provenientes de seis países y diez universidades. El primer artículo analiza el efecto de una nueva plataforma para las transacciones en la bolsa de valores de Colombia. El segundo, estudia los factores que influyen en la estructura de capital de las empresas no financieras que cotizan en el mercado de valores de Lima. El tercero, estudia una muestra de cultivadores de café brasileños para determinar la influencia de las actitudes y comportamientos en sus decisiones de gestión del riesgo del precio. El cuarto, estudia la relación entre estrés financiero, descentralización y contratación externa de servicios públicos locales en España, particularmente al enfocarse en la consideración de la duración del estrés financiero, la efectividad de las medidas tomadas para atenuarlo, y el lapso entre la crisis y una respuesta basada en la opción de privatización y descentralización de servicios públicos. El quinto explora los determinantes de que las pequeñas y medianas empresas chilenas desde el principio estén orientadas al mercado global internacional. Finalmente, se utilizan conceptos del mercadeo de servicios y la educación superior para el análisis de las evaluaciones de los profesores por parte de los estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. La revista está migrando a una nueva plataforma electrónica, pasará a ser trimestral en el año 2015 y se continúa ampliando la red de Editores Asociados.
Teaching performance: determinants of the student assessment
Authors: Rodríguez Adriana Morales , Capelleras Joan‐Lluís , Gimenez Garcia Víctor M.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the nature and factors that influence student evaluation of the teaching performance of university teachers by integrating two areas of research: services marketing and higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of hypotheses were developed taking into consideration customer (student), employee (teacher) and service (course) characteristics. They were then tested using data from 952 courses for a three‐year period and employing different multivariate techniques.

Findings

Students basically evaluate the expertise, attitude and behavior of teachers. The results also indicate that this evaluation is a complex phenomenon that depends on factors related to teacher, student and course profiles.

Research limitations/implications

Given the nature of the data used here, future studies should extend the scope of research to other institutions, examine quality from an objective standpoint and include teachers’ perceptions and the outcomes of their research activity.

Practical implications

Based on the results of this paper, the authors recommend the following: to permit teachers to teach the same courses repeatedly, allowing them to consolidate their practice; to provide training in teaching techniques and ethics; to pay particular attention to those students who move to another degree program; and to maintain an appropriate class size.

Originality/value

This study integrates two areas of research and proposes a wide range of service quality determinants in the context of higher education, including several factors that had not been previously considered.
Corporate strategy and the environment: towards a four-dimensional compatibility model for fostering green management decisions
Authors: Martinez Fabien
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to draw on the contingency theory to develop a conceptual model of compatibility between corporate environmental responsibility and business strategy that reflects heterogeneity in this relationship. Four dimensions of compatibility are explored: trade-off, ambidexterity, synergy and symbiosis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The intended contribution is essentially conceptual. A company case study is included to contribute to the development of the four dimensions of compatibility and support the practical relevance of the model. Twelve in-depth interviews with six managers in different functions of the company were conducted. A grounded theory approach was used to identify and express the patterns of compatibility that emerge from the qualitative data and how these patterns are grounded in managers’ meaning-in-use.

Findings

– The contribution of the compatibility framework is essentially made to the literature on environmental strategy management, evolved from an implicit and, at most, two-dimensional (win–win and win–lose) conceptualisation of the relationship between green and business strategy into an explicit and multi-dimensionally grounded identification of processes and strategic challenges of corporate environmental and social responsibility. The resulting model contributes to a better understanding of corporate greening as a strategic and moral concern to individuals acting on behalf of business organisations and a greater understanding of the linkages between green and business strategies and operations.

Originality/value

– By clarifying the construct of corporate environmental sustainability and providing useful directions for theory and practice, this research claims to inform green management decision-making. While the compatibility model is not intended to explain all pathways by which firms may elicit contingencies of relevance to environmental and social responsibility, it is suggested that the model paints a more complete and contextualized picture of environmental management mechanisms in business.
Determinants of non-economic investment goals among Indian investors
Authors: Sreekumar Nair Abhilash , Ladha Rani
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify underlying characteristics of Indian investors that influence them to achieve their non-economic investment goals.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual model posits that investors’ choice of non-economic goal (NEG) is determined by their values and beliefs which are measured through survey data collected from 342 respondents with prior experience of investing in the stock market. A structural equation model is specified to estimate the measurement model. Further, the study analyses the mediating effect of social investment efficacy on the impact of investors’ values and beliefs and their pursuit of non-economic investment goals.

Findings

– Religiosity and the belief that one’s actions can bring about a change in the society are the two important determinants of Indian investors’ pursuit of non-economic investment goal.

Research limitations/implications

– The model ignores aspects of an investor’s financial stability that may influence the urge to pursue non-economic investment goals.

Practical implications

– Socially responsible (SR) funds with investment filters designed to propagate religious values of Indian investors can be designed. As a result, it should be possible to channelize a part of the more than $15 billion available in different religious institutions across the country into the capital market.

Social implications

– Availability of SRI funds would provide investors with yet another avenue invest in companies that conform to their protected values.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that attempts to study investor characteristics (values and beliefs) and its impact on investor’s NEG in the Indian context.
Indian MFI at crossroads: sustainability perspective
Authors: Dutta Pinky , Das Debabrata
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the financial sustainability of the Indian Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) post-Andhra Pradesh (AP) crisis

Design/methodology/approach

– Regression analysis is used to test the significance of the independent variables on the variable of interest, i.e. the operational self-sustainability. Three-stage regression analysis, i.e. PartialF-test, residual analysis and Box–Cox-type transformations is applied to see the impact of the variables on financial sustainability of the Indian MFIs. The study is based on the data of the Indian MFIs during three fiscal years from 2010-2011 to 2012-2012 reported in the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX).

Findings

– The authors’ results indicate that in 2010-2011, the linear regression model seems to be good fit to the data, whereas in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, the appropriateness of the linear regression models seems questionable (the error distribution seems to be skewed). It is observed that square root of the dependent variable exhibits adequate fit for 2011 and 2012. Therefore, a substantial change in the model for estimating sustainability of Indian MFIs is observed in the post-AP crisis era. It is observed that portfolio quality and capital management are important determinants for the financial sustainability of the MFIs.

Practical implications

– This study identifies the factors affecting the sustainability of the Indian MFIs, especially after the reforms following the AP crisis in India. The study suggests that from 2012-2013, the factors such as write-off ratio, capital-to-asset ratio, ratio of financial revenue to assets and provision for loan impairment-to-asset ratio are the main factors which have significant impact on the operational self-sufficiency (OSS) of Indian MFIs. This indicates that the quality of portfolio must be improved to reduce the vulnerability of the Indian MFIs.

Social implications

– After the AP crisis, the performance of Indian MFIs is stabilized to a greater extent. The various performance indicators are improving.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of the factors effecting financial sustainability of the Indian MFIs, before and after the regulatory reforms in 2011. A substantial change is observed after 2011-2012. Such a study on the Indian microfinance sector seems to be new (to the best of the authors’ knowledge).
Women in the informal sector in Mauritius: a survival mode
Authors: Kasseeah Harshana , Tandrayen-Ragoobur Verena
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the characteristics of women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector in Mauritius and to investigate the impact of women entrepreneurship on their own livelihoods and that of their families.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using survey data on 158 women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector, the authors analyse whether there has been an improvement in the standard of living of women entrepreneurs as a result of their informal entrepreneurial activities.

Findings

– Findings reveal that the informal sector has provided a self-employment outlet for unemployed and retrenched women in Mauritius. Even if for a majority, their earnings remain low, their informal activity has indeed helped to contribute to their livelihood and household earnings.

Research limitations/implications

– Research on informal sector businesses is fraught with limitations, given that these firms operate on the fringes of legality and data are thus a major issue. Hence interviewing owners of informal sector businesses to get relevant data is quite challenging.

Practical implications

– The results indicate that informal entrepreneurial activities contribute positively to women's livelihoods, hence policy should be aimed at encouraging women agency even if it is in the informal sector.

Social implications

– The study helps to shed light as to whether entrepreneurship even if it exists in the informal sector helps to improve the living of these women and their families.

Originality/value

– This study is innovative as it investigates the livelihood of a vulnerable section of the population, in this case, women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector. The authors find that the informal sector provides women with higher income when they are married and are more formally educated.
Comparing antecedents of voluntary job turnover among majority and minority employees
Authors: Hofhuis Joep , Van der Zee Karen I. , Otten Sabine
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Cultural minority employees often display higher rates of voluntary turnover than majority employees, which reduces organizations’ ability to benefit from diversity in the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to identify specific job domains which are responsible for this difference.

Design/methodology/approach

– Study 1 compares actual turnover motives of voluntarily resigned minority and majority employees, based on seven job domains. Study 2 compares satisfaction with the same domains, and the subsequent relationship with turnover intentions, of remaining employees within the same organization.

Findings

– The two studies provided consistent results, revealing that minority employees experience more negative social interactions in the workplace, and experience less opportunities for career advancement. Both factors are shown to be more predictive of turnover intentions as well as actual turnover decisions among minority employees.

Research limitations/implications

– This research makes use of a distinction between several broad job domains, two which are shown to predict turnover of minority employees. Future studies should focus on uncovering more specific factors involved in these two particular domains.

Practical implications

– Based on the results, the authors advise organizations to pay specific attention to reducing negative social interactions between cultural groups and fostering inclusion, for example, through interventions aimed at intercultural leadership and establishing a strong diversity climate. These activities may also support career advancement of minority employees, but more specific interventions aimed at equality in career perspectives could also help reduce minority turnover.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to directly compare turnover motives and predictors of turnover intentions between majority and minority groups in the same organization.