bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A-to-I editing in the miRNA seed region regulates target mRNA selection and silencing efficiency
Authors: Kume Hideaki , Hino Kimihiro , Galipon Josephine , Ui-Tei Kumiko
Published: July 2014

Hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) by adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) is a post-transcriptional modification which results in a discrepancy between genomic DNA and the transcribed RNA sequence, thus contributing to the diversity of the transcriptome. Inosine preferentially base pairs with cytidine, meaning that A-to-I modifications in the mRNA sequences may be observed as A-to-G substitutions by the protein-coding machinery. Genome-wide studies have revealed that the majority of editing events occur in non-coding RNA sequences, but little is known about their functional meaning. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of target mRNAs with complementarities to their seed region. Here, we confirm that A-to-I editing in the miRNA seed duplex globally reassigns their target mRNAs in vivo, and reveal that miRNA containing inosine in the seed region exhibits a different degree of silencing efficiency compared to the corresponding miRNA with guanosine at the same position. The difference in base-pairing stability, deduced by melting temperature measurements, between seed-target duplexes containing either C:G or I:C pairs may account for the observed silencing efficiency. These findings unequivocally show that C:G and I:C pairs are biologically different in terms of gene expression regulation by miRNAs.
Antiviral Effects of Cyclosporin A in Neonatal Mice With Rotavirus‐Induced Diarrhea
Authors: Shen Zigang , Tian Zhiqiang , He Haiyang , Zhang Ji , Li Jintao , Wu Yuzhang
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

Because rotavirus gastroenteritis is associated with high morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries, it is necessary to develop antirotavirus drugs for the treatment of rotavirus infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that cyclosporin A (CsA) has antiviral properties against rotavirus. Its effect has not yet been evaluated against rotavirus diarrheal disease. The aim of this study was to assess the anti‐rotavirus efficacy of CsA in neonatal mice after induction of rotavirus diarrhea.

Methods:

Suckling mice were inoculated with murine rotavirus. On the onset of diarrhea, mice were given different concentrations of CsA. To evaluate the effects of CsA on reduction of rotavirus diarrhea, diarrhea score, fecal virus shedding, and pathological lesion change in the small intestine, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in the small intestine and spleen of mice were measured for type I interferon (IFN‐α and IFN‐β), inflammation‐related cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐8, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α), and inflammatory signaling pathways (p38, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, activator protein‐1, and nuclear factor‐kappa B).

Results:

Among virus‐inoculated and CsA‐treated groups, a dose of 5 mg · kg−1 · day−1 of CsA inhibited diarrhea and improved fecal virus shedding and intestinal lesion changes. IFN‐β mRNA expression was significantly increased in rotavirus‐induced diarrhea mice treated with 5 mg · kg−1 · day−1 of CsA, whereas the mRNA expression levels of inflammation‐related cytokines (IL‐8, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α) and inflammatory signaling pathways (p38, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, activator protein‐1, and nuclear factor‐kappa B) were markedly decreased. Antiviral effects of CsA were dose dependent.

Conclusions:

CsA can inhibit rotavirus infection in neonatal mice through its antiviral properties. The mechanism for this may be through CsA suppression of inflammation by viral inhibition in animal models.
Live imaging of GLUT2 glucose-dependent trafficking and its inhibition in polarized epithelial cysts
Authors: Cohen Merav , Kitsberg Daniel , Tsytkin Sabina , Shulman Maria , Aroeti Benjamin , Nahmias Yaakov
Published: July 2014

GLUT2 is a facilitative glucose transporter, expressed in polarized epithelial cells of the liver, intestine, kidney and pancreas, where it plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis. Together with SGLT1/2, it mediates glucose absorption in metabolic epithelial tissues, where it can be translocated apically upon high glucose exposure. To track the subcellular localization and dynamics of GLUT2, we created an mCherry–hGLUT2 fusion protein and expressed it in multicellular kidney cysts, a major site of glucose reabsorption. Live imaging of GLUT2 enabled us to avoid the artefactual localization of GLUT2 in fixed cells and to confirm the apical GLUT2 model. Live cell imaging showed a rapid 15 ± 3 min PKC-dependent basal-to-apical translocation of GLUT2 in response to glucose stimulation and a fourfold slower basolateral translocation under starvation. These results mark the physiological importance of responding quickly to rising glucose levels. Importantly, we show that phloretin, an apple polyphenol, inhibits GLUT2 translocation in both directions, suggesting that it exerts its effect by PKC inhibition. Subcellular localization studies demonstrated that GLUT2 is endocytosed through a caveolae-dependent mechanism, and that it is at least partly recovered in Rab11A-positive recycling endosome. Our work illuminates GLUT2 dynamics, providing a platform for drug development for diabetes and hyperglycaemia.
Peptoniphilus stercorisuis sp. nov., isolated from a swine manure storage tank and description of Peptoniphilaceae fam. nov.
Authors: Johnson Crystal N. , Whitehead Terence R. , Cotta Michael A. , Rhoades Robert E. , Lawson Paul A.
Published: July 2014

A species of a previously unknown Gram-positive-staining, anaerobic, coccus-shaped bacterium recovered from a swine manure storage tank was characterized using phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies and biochemical characteristics demonstrated that this organism is genotypically and phenotypically distinct, and represents a previously unknown sub-line within the order

Clostridiales

, within the phylum

Firmicutes

. Pairwise sequence analysis demonstrated that the novel organism clustered within the genus

Peptoniphilus

, most closely related to

Peptoniphilus methioninivorax

sharing a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.5 %. The major long-chain fatty acids were found to be C14 : 0 (22.4 %), C16 : 0 (15.6 %), C16 : 1ω7c (11.3 %) and C16 : 0 ALDE (10.1 %) and the DNA G +C content was 31.8 mol%. Based upon the phenotypic and phylogenetic findings presented, a novel species Peptoniphilus stercorisuis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SF-S1T ( = DSM 27563T = NBRC 109839T). In addition, it is proposed to accommodate the genera

Peptoniphilus

,

Anaerococcus

,

Anaerosphaera

,

Finegoldia

,

Gallicola

,

Helcococcus

,

Murdochiella

and

Parvimonas

in a new family of the order

Clostridiales

, for which the name Peptoniphilaceae fam. nov. is proposed; the type genus of the family is

Peptoniphilus

.
The emergence of network structure, complementarity and convergence from basic ecological and genetic processes
Authors: Encinas-Viso Francisco , Melián Carlos J. , Etienne Rampal S.
Published: July 2014

Plant-animal mutualistic networks are highly diverse and structured. This has been explained by coevolution through niche based processes. However, this explanation is only warranted if neutral processes (e.g. limited dispersal, genetic and ecological drift) cannot explain these patterns. Here we present a spatially explicit model based on explicit genetics and quantitative traits to study the connection between genome evolution, speciation and plant-animal network demography. We consider simple processes for the speciation dynamics of plant-animal mutualisms: ecological (dispersal, demography) and genetic processes (mutation, recombination, drift) and morphological constraints (matching of quantitative trait) for species interactions, particularly mating. We find the evolution of trait convergence and complementarity and topological features observed in real plant-animal mutualistic webs (i.e. nestedness and centrality). Furthermore, the morphological constraint for plant reproduction generates higher centrality among plant individuals (and species) than in animals, consistent with observations. We argue that simple processes are able to reproduce some well known ecological and evolutionary patterns of plant-animal mutualistic webs.
Poretools: a toolkit for analyzing nanopore sequence data
Authors: Loman Nicholas J. , Quinlan Aaron R.
Published: July 2014

Motivation

Nanopore sequencing may be the next disruptive technology in genomics. Nanopore sequencing has many attractive properties including the ability to detect single DNA molecules without prior amplification, the lack of reliance on expensive optical components, and the ability to sequence very long fragments. The MinION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) is the first nanopore sequencer to be commercialised and is now available to early-access users. The MinION™ is a USB-connected, portable nanopore sequencer which permits real-time analysis of streaming event data. A cloud-based service is available to translate events into nucleotide base calls. However, software support to deal with such data is limited, and the community lacks a standardized toolkit for the analysis of nanopore datasets.

Results

We introduceporetools, a flexible toolkit for manipulating and exploring datasets generated by nanopore sequencing devices from MinION for the purposes of quality control and downstream analysis.Poretoolsoperates directly on the native FAST5 (a variant of the HDF5 standard) file format produced by ONT and provides a wealth of format conversion utilities and data exploration and visualization tools.

Availability and implementation

Poretools is open source software and is written in Python as both a suite of command line utilities and a Python application programming interface. Source code and user documentation are freely available in Github athttps://github.com/arq5x/poretools

Supplementary information

An IPython notebook demonstrating the use and functionality ofporetoolsin greater detail is available from the Github repository.
Butter: High-precision genomic alignment of small RNA-seq data
Authors: Axtell Michael J.
Published: July 2014

Eukaryotes produce large numbers of small non-coding RNAs that act as specificity determinants for various gene-regulatory complexes. These include microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and Piwi-associated RNAs (piRNAs). These RNAs can be discovered, annotated, and quantified using small RNA-seq, a variant RNA-seq method based on highly parallel sequencing. Alignment to a reference genome is a critical step in analysis of small RNA-seq data. Because of their small size (20-30 nts depending on the organism and sub-type) and tendency to originate from multi-gene families or repetitive regions, reads that align equally well to more than one genomic location are very common. Typical methods to deal with multi-mapped small RNA-seq reads sacrifice either precision or sensitivity. The tool ‘butter’ balances precision and sensitivity by placing multi-mapped reads using an iterative approach, where the decision between possible locations is dictated by the local densities of more confidently aligned reads. Butter displays superior performance relative to other small RNA-seq aligners. Treatment of multi-mapped small RNA-seq reads has substantial impacts on downstream analyses, including quantification ofMIRNAparalogs, and discovery of endogenous siRNA loci. Butter is freely available under a GNU general public license.
The Wal-Mart affair – where implausible deniability is the coin of the realm
Authors: Sethi Prakash
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– In the past more than three years, Wal-Mart has been embroiled in incidents of public scandals. In part, they pertain to Wal-Mart’s global strategy of growth and expansion, where the company’s senior managers have been implicated in using illegal bribery and corruption to secure business and to conceal this information from regulatory authorities. Another issue, albeit longer running, has been the incidents of fire and resulting deaths and injuries of hundreds of people, most notably in Bangladesh, but also in other countries where low-skill, low-wage manufacturing predominates, and where foreign multinationals have been accused of condoning and profiting from sweatshop-like exploitation of workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use Wal-Mart as a microcosm of corporate conduct which provides a prism through which to examine the exploitation of negative externalities, i.e. engaging in illegal and unethical behavior by using their bargaining power and market control these companies, pressure host countries to condone environmental degradation, violation of country laws in terms of wages, working conditions and operating in sweatshop-like conditions to maximize their profits at the expense of other factors of production, i.e. labor and resources.

Findings

– The authors contend that Wal-Mart’s unique business model, which focuses on everyday low price, absolute growth and market share expansion by any means possible and everyday low cost, has led to the company’s enormous success since its founding and has made it one of the world’s largest corporations by revenue. At the same time, this model seriously impedes the company’s ability to improve unit-based profit margins and thus forces it to take short cuts in achieving lateral growth and low-cost production.

Social implications

– The authors also examine in some detail the large gap that exists between Wal-Mart’s pronouncements of the company’s commitment to ethical and socially responsible conduct and its actual business practices. They demonstrate that the company’s communications and claims for ethical conduct are mostly aspirational and fail the test of accuracy, specificity, materiality and verifiability through independent, externally provided integrity assurance.

Originality/value

– Finally, the authors outline a number of measures that would need to be taken by Wal-Mart, industry groups that depend heavily on outsourcing from low-skill, low-wage countries for their products and host country governments and the governments of Western industrialized nations whose corporations and consumers are the primary beneficiaries of the exploitative sweatshops that fatten their companies’ bottom lines and enrich their denizens with ample amounts of inexpensive goods.
The critical role of research in diversity training: how research contributes to an evidence-based approach to diversity training
Authors: Nguyen Steve
Published: July 2014

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to outline a diversity training framework in which research literatures and findings in psychology and human resource management (HRM) are used to guide organizations in the delivery of diversity training. The author proposes improvements to the current state of diversity training practices and implementations within organizations through the use and integration of research literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is both a conceptual and a general review paper. It involves the discussion of research on diversity training, as well as diversity and training separately (conceptual), and includes a general analysis of diversity training (review).

Findings

The paper offers a general review about how psychological and HRM research findings can help organizations better implement diversity training. It suggests that successful diversity training involves a three-part approach: follow established psychological theory to guide selection of diversity training initiatives, use a framework for HR diversity management and adopt practical steps to better manage diversity initiatives (paying careful attention to a needs assessment, linking diversity strategy to business results and establishing metrics and evaluating effectiveness).

Practical implications

Diversity training has not been and continues to not be research- or evidence-based. This paper outlines some suggestions for integrating psychological and HRM research findings into the delivery of diversity training. The practical implication is that organizations and stakeholders will use a more evidence-based approach to diversity training.

Originality/value

This paper meets the needs of organizations seeking a more research- and evidence-based approach to diversity training.
Leaving first-line managers to sink or swim will hit your bottom line
Authors: Robertson David
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to look at how investing in the skills development of first-line leaders can improve overall business performance. First-line leaders are the largest and arguably the most important group of leaders in any organization; yet recent research shows that they are one of the most neglected in terms of training and development, which is impacting businesses’ bottom line.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study involves literature review and Forum Europe, Middle East and Africa’s own survey data.

Findings

– It is the companies that take the time to invest in developing the essential skills of their first-line leaders that will reap the rewards generated through their ability to create a highly motivated, engaged and results-driven team.

Originality/value

– Focusses on the skills required by first-line leaders, and the five “engagement needs” they must understand in order to motivate the workforce.
Big business for small businesses
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

– Learning is fundamental to success in any walk of life. Business is no different. Any organization lacking the motivation or capacity to acquire new knowledge will invariably get left behind. The merits of formal learning mechanisms have long been recognized. However, more informal approaches to learning are increasingly playing a major part in the workplace. The flexibility it offers is perhaps a major reason why it now allegedly accounts for up to 90 per cent of learning that takes place.

Practical implications

– The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

– The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to digest format.
Higher education for the modern world
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

– The United Kingdom is rightly proud of its higher education (HE) system. Highly qualified professionals deliver learning programs which aim to transform today’s students into tomorrow’s key personnel within different sectors and industries. Given the obvious talent at their disposal, you would be forgiven for assuming that HE institutions would embrace innovative ways of improving their performance. Not necessarily it would seem. Resistance to change is evident, and new ideas are often met with a lukewarm response. How some establishments react to technology is a perfect example.

Practical implications

– The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

– The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to digest format.
Crafting continuing learning and development: a positive design tool for leadership development
Authors: Tkaczyk Bart
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider leaders as continuing learning and development (L&D) crafters.

Design/methodology/approach

– To maximize leaders’ “self-awareness” and “learning agility”, this article addresses itself to positive, purposeful and planned self-development by means of continuing L&D crafting.

Findings

– Executing leader’s structured and personalized developmental portfolios produce both personal and organizational gains, as reported by participants in the global “Learning Entrepreneurs” research project.

Practical implications

– The article offers a “designy” tool that executives can use in the workplace and outside.

Social implications

– Apart from the fact that it seems highly practical to employ L&D crafting as a business leadership development method, one can extrapolate this idea, and recommend this technique to leaders outside of business. This may transform institutions at large into learning organizations.

Originality/value

– Rooted in design thinking and positive organizational studies, the article advances a “continuing developmental portfolio” made up of two components: a continuing executive development “Check-in” and “Design”. These together are a mechanism for natural and disciplined learning from opportunistic incidents.
“We are not phobic but selective”: the older generation’s attitude towards using technology in workplace communications
Authors: Singh Vibhav
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study and understand the older generation’s attitude toward use of technology for workplace communications.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth interviews were conducted with the older generation employees of an Indian Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings. Data gathered from the interviews were then analyzed to draw broad themes.

Findings

– Although the older generation is aware of the importance of technology and has adequate knowledge of its use, they are reluctant to use it. The reluctance is not on account of techno-phobia; it is more in the nature of approach-avoidance.

Research limitations/implications

– Organizations and human resource managers should focus on addressing the mental block of the older generation regarding the use of technology.

Practical implications

– Reverse mentoring and formation of cross-generational teams can be used to alter older generation’s selective mindset in relation to technology.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses the role of technology in intergenerational communication in the Indian context.
Evaluating training and development in UK universities: staff perceptions
Authors: Robson Fiona , Mavin Sharon
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyse individual experiences of learning evaluation in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and identify areas for improvement as part of an HEFCE LGM funded project.

Design/methodology/approach

– Eight focus groups were included in two universities with staff in similar roles. After transcription, the data were analysed using template analysis to identify and compare key themes from across both universities.

Findings

– The context of UK higher education is clearly important due to the diverse job roles and on-going sectoral changes. Three key themes emerged; first was a lack of clarity from the learners on learning evaluation. The second key theme centres on the format, method and timing of capturing evaluation data and the perception that a “one size fits all” approach is not appropriate. The third finding suggests that line managers do not currently fulfil their critical roles in the process.

Research limitations/implications

– Small number of research participants and a focus on two universities. In addition, participants were relying on their memories of past evaluation experiences.

Practical implications

– Ensuring learners understand reasons for evaluating their learning is important. HEIs should utilise a more diverse range of tools at the design stage to collect evaluation data. All stakeholder roles need to be clarified, and line managers require additional support.

Originality/value

– First, we address a gap in the existing sector-specific literature identified by Burgoyne et al. (2009) who contend that there is a lack of research in this area. Second, we contribute to the development of research in the journal by analysing evaluation from the perspective of the participants, and third, we offer recommendations for practice.
Spillover of diet changes on intentions to approach healthy food and avoid unhealthy food
Authors: Bech-Larsen Tino , Kazbare Laura
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe two exploratory studies of how experience (lacking, failed, or successful) of trying to implement healthy eating behaviours influences future intentions to maintain and expand such behaviours (so called “spillover”).

Design/methodology/approach

– The two survey-based (n=2,120) studies involved Danes aged 13-15 and 55-70 years, respectively.

Findings

– The studies showed that the self-reported experience of successfully increasing the intake of healthy (fruit and vegetables) and decreasing the intake of less healthy (soft drinks and animal fats) categories had spillover effects on the intention to pursue these behaviours in the future. For all the categories included, the intentions of the respondents who had tried and succeeded were significantly higher than those of the other respondents. The intentions of the group who had tried but failed were also significantly higher compared to those of the non-triers. Moreover, whether successful or not, both the experience of trying to increase the intake of healthy and to reduce the intake of less healthy food had a significant positive influence on the intention to try the opposite type of behaviour in the future. Healthy (fruit and vegetables) and decreasing the intake of less healthy (soft drinks and animal fats) categories had spillover effects on the intention to pursue these behaviours in the future. For all the categories included, the intentions of the respondents who had tried and succeeded were significantly higher than those of the other respondents. The intentions of the group who had tried but failed were also significantly higher compared to those of the non-triers. Moreover, whether successful or not, both the experience of trying to increase the intake of healthy and to reduce the intake of less healthy food had a significant positive influence on the intention to try the opposite type of behaviour in the future.

Originality/value

– As regards spillover between approach and avoidance behaviours related to healthy eating, only few studies have been published. The studies reported here contribute to the understanding of how experience with different types of healthy eating affect future intentions to change eating habits and provides insight for health promoters in their choice of which specific eating behaviours to address.
A systematic review investigating the use of Twitter and Facebook in university-based healthcare education
Authors: Smith Toby , Lambert Rodney
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use, attitudes and perceptions of both teachers and students towards social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) in healthcare higher education practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– Systematic literature review. A search of published and unpublished databases was conducted from January 2000 to January 2013. Data were synthesised through a narrative approach. All included studies were critically appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme appraisal tools.

Findings

– From a total of 876 papers, 16 publications met the eligibility criteria. The review papers were largely of moderate methodological quality. The results indicated that Facebook and Twitter are perceived as potentially useful adjuncts in healthcare higher education practice. Their use as part of a “blended” approach to classroom teaching has been employed to enhance communication and increase accessibility of students to real-world practices and expertise. Whilst students perceive this to be of value, some have reservations regarding the possibility of faculty members spying or infringing on their “virtual” social community. Faculty members expressed some reservations regarding the perceived boundary between student-staff relationships.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to systematically review the literature on the use of social media networking sites in health education. This identified both the potential strengths and weaknesses of using this new technology, and highlights areas to expand knowledge with further research and practice.
Parental participation in primary schools; the views of parents and children
Authors: O. John-Akinola Yetunde , Nic Gabhainn Saoirse
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Parental participation is important for strengthening and sustaining the concept of school health promotion but little is written on the processes involved. The purpose of this paper is to assess Irish parents’ and pupils’ views on how parents take part, or would like to take part, in school life.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample was recruited from nine primary schools, three Health Promoting Schools and six matched schools. Pupils aged nine to 13 years in the 4th, 5th and 6th class groups participated in the study. Parents of all participating pupils were also invited to take part in the study. Data were collected by self-completion questionnaire, comprising three closed and one open question.

Findings

– A total of 218 parents and 231 pupils participated. There was general agreement between parents and pupils on parental participation in school. Overall 40.6 per cent of parents and 43.2 per cent of pupils reported that parents frequently take part in school activities. A majority of both parents (79.5 per cent) and pupils (83.6 per cent), agreed that parents were encouraged to talk about things that concern their child in school, while 73.5 per cent of parents and 65.6 per cent of pupils reported that they were made to feel a part of child's school. Qualitative data from parents and pupils suggested similar ways in which parents can best take part in school. Some respondents suggested how schools could engage with parents but most responses provided examples of how parents could act directly to take part in school life. These direct actions included doing, helping with, and watching school activities such as sports, tours, music and cake sales.

Originality/value

– The findings illustrate the similarity of views of parents and pupils concerning parents’ participation in school life and suggest that children may have the potential to represent the voice of their parents in school when considering how to improve parental participation in schools.
Application of the homotopy perturbation method to an inverse heat problem
Authors: Zhou Guanglu , Wu Boying
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a general framework of Homotopy perturbation method (HPM) for analytic inverse heat source problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed numerical technique is based on HPM to determine a heat source in the parabolic heat equation using the usual conditions. Then this shows the pertinent features of the technique in inverse problems.

Findings

– Using this HPM, a rapid convergent sequence which tends to the exact solution of the problem can be obtained. And the HPM does not require the discretization of the inverse problems. So HPM is a powerful and efficient technique in finding exact and approximate solutions without dispersing the inverse problems.

Originality/value

– The essential idea of this method is to introduce a homotopy parameter p which takes values from 0 to 1. When p=0, the system of equations usually reduces to a sufficiently simplified form, which normally admits a rather simple solution. As p is gradually increased to 1, the system goes through a sequence of deformations, the solution for each of which is close to that at the previous stage of deformation.
Refined gray-encoded evolution algorithm for parameter optimization in convection-diffusion equations
Authors: Yang Xiaohua , Di Chongli , Mei Ying , Li Yu-Qi , Li Jian-Qiang
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reduce the computational burden and improve the precision of the parameter optimization in the convection-diffusion equation, a new algorithm, the refined gray-encoded evolution algorithm (RGEA), is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the new algorithm, the differential evolution algorithm (DEA) is introduced to refine the solutions and to improve the search efficiency in the evolution process; the rapid cycle operation is also introduced to accelerate the convergence rate. The authors apply this algorithm to parameter optimization in convection-diffusion equations.

Findings

– Two cases for parameter optimization in convection-diffusion equations are studied by using the new algorithm. The results indicate that the sum of absolute errors by the RGEA decreases from 74.14 to 99.29 percent and from 99.32 to 99.98 percent, respectively, compared to those by the gray-encoded genetic algorithm (GGA) and the DEA. And the RGEA has a faster convergent speed than does the GGA or DEA.

Research limitations/implications

– A more complete convergence analysis of the method is under investigation. The authors will also explore the possibility of adapting the method to identify the initial condition and boundary condition in high-dimension convection-diffusion equations.

Practical implications

– This paper will have an important impact on the applications of the parameter optimization in the field of environmental flow analysis.

Social implications

– This paper will have an important significance for a sustainable social development.

Originality/value

– The authors establish a new RGEA algorithm for parameter optimization in solving convection-diffusion equations. The application results make a valuable contribution to the parameter optimization in the field of environmental flow analysis.
Simulation of co-rotating vortices based on compressible vortex method
Authors: Huang Haiming , Huang Guo , Xu Xiaoliang , Li Weijie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Relevant analyses are presented on the base of the compressible vortex method for simulating the development of two or three co-rotating vortices with different characteristic Mach numbers. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– In addition to having vorticity and dilatation properties, the vortex particles also carry density, enthalpy, and entropy. Taking co-rotating vortices in two-dimensional unsteady compressible flow for an example, truncation of unbounded domains via a nonreflecting boundary condition was considered in order to make the method computationally efficient.

Findings

– For two identical vortices, the effect of the vortex Mach number on merging process is not evident; if two vortices have the same circulation rather than different radiuses, the vorticity and dilatation fields of the vortex under a vortex Mach number will be absorbed by the vortex under a higher vortex Mach number. For three vortices, if the original arrangement of the vortices is changed, the evolvement of the vorticity and dilatation fields is different.

Originality/value

– The paper reveals new mechanism of the three co-rotating vortices by a feasible compressible vortex method.
Finite element analysis on hot deformation behavior of TiC-particle-reinforced titanium matrix composite
Authors: Song Weidong , Tang H.P. , Mao X.N.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate tensile properties of TiC particle-reinforced titanium matrix composites (PRTMC) using the elasto-plastic finite element (FE) programs and the homogenization method and the fixed point iteration method.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two quasi-static and dynamic transient programs of elasto-plastic FE were coded by using FORTRAN. Based on the FE programs, the FE model of the TiC PRTMC with typical microstructures was established by using the fixed point iteration method and the homogenization theory. The hot deformation behavior of TiC PRTMC under different temperatures were analyzed by using the above model and programs.

Findings

– Calculation results are presented to investigate the influence of different temperatures on the hot deformation behavior of TiC PRTMC. Based on the experimental data, a good agreement was obtained between the numerical predictions and the experimental results, and the feasibility of this method was verified.

Originality/value

– The work is original and findings are new, which demonstrates this FE frame combined with the homogenization method and the fixed point iteration method can be used to investigate the tensile behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites.
Analytical solutions to a fractional generalized two phase Lame-Clapeyron-Stefan problem
Authors: Li Xicheng
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The mathematical model of a two-phase Lamé-Clapeyron-Stefan problem for a semi-infinite material with a density jump is considered. The purpose of this paper is to study the analytical solutions of the models and show the performance of several parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

– To describe the heat conduction, the Caputo type time fractional heat conduction equation is used and a convective term is included since the changes in density give rise to motion of the liquid phase. The similarity variables are used to simplify the models.

Findings

– The analytical solutions describing the changes of temperature in both liquid and solid phases are obtained. For the solid phase, the solution is given in the Wright function form. While for the liquid phase, since the appearance of the advection term, an approximate solution in series form is given. Based on the solutions, the performance of the parameters is discussed in detail.

Originality/value

– From the point of view of mathematics, the moving boundary problems are nonlinear, so barely any analytical solutions for these problems can be obtained. Furthermore, there are many applications in which a material undergoes phase change, such as in melting, freezing, casting and cryosurgery.
Particle properties for suspension plasma spray
Authors: Lijuan Qian , Chu Xianyu
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use comprehensive model to investigate the effects of particle physical properties on in-flight nano-particles behavior for the radio frequency suspension plasma spray.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, both the effects thermal properties of solvent and solid particle on the evolution of particle size, velocity and temperature are discussed. Besides, the numerical analysis is also conducted to investigate the influences of particle physical properties on the characteristic distributions of particles for poly-disperse cases.

Findings

– Results show the thermal properties of solvent have critical effects on the discharged point of the solid particles, but little influence on the final particle velocity and size, as well as their distributions. The final state of particle temperature is mainly determined by the solid particle thermal properties, especially depending on the boiling point.

Originality/value

– Most of the former studies took the experimental approaches and mainly focussed on the operating conditions effects. While beyond the operating conditions, the variety of particle physical and thermal properties also has strong effect on particle heating performance.
Numerical simulation of nanoparticles diffusion and coagulation in a twin-jet via a TEMOM method
Authors: Yin Zhaoqin , Liu Huijie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study nanoparticles diffusion and coagulation processes in a twin-jet.

Design/methodology/approach

– Large eddy simulation (LES) and Taylor-series expansion moment method (TEMOM) are employed to deal with a nanoparticle-laden twin-jet flow.

Findings

– The numerical results show that the interaction of the two jets and turbulence eddy structures rolling-up, paring and shedding in flow sharply affects particles number concentration. Particle diameter grows quickly at the interfaces of jets. Coagulation shows more obvious effect at initial stage than that in the subsequent period. Then diffusion makes the particle diameter distribution much more uniform.

Originality/value

– In recent years a great number of attentions have been focussed on the issue of particulate dynamics processes including diffusion, coagulation and deposition, etc. However, up to now few works have been focus on the nanoparticles coagulation and dispersion in turbulent flows. The investigation on the diffusion and coagulation process of nanoparticles using TEMOM in a twin-jet flow has not been found.
Study of gaseous velocity slip in nano-channel using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Bao Fubing , Mao Zhihong , Qiu Limin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the gas flow characteristics in near wall region and the velocity slip phenomenon on the wall in nano-channels based on the molecular dynamics simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

– An external gravity force was employed to drive the flow. The density and velocity profiles across the channel, and the velocity slip on the wall were studied, considering different gas temperatures and gas-solid interaction strengths.

Findings

– The simulation results demonstrate that a single layer of gas molecules is adsorbed on wall surface. The density of adsorption layer increases with the decrease of gas temperature and with increase of interaction strength. The near wall region extents several molecular diameters away from the wall. The density profile is flatter at higher temperature and the velocity profile has the traditional parabolic shape. The velocity slip on the wall increases with the increase of temperature and with decrease of interaction strength linearly. The average velocity decreases with the increase of gas-solid interaction strength.

Originality/value

– This research presents gas flow characteristics in near wall region and the velocity slip phenomenon on the wall in nano-channels. Some interesting results in nano-scale channels are obtained.
Highly aligned electrospun nanofibers/nanoporous fibers
Authors: Kong Haiyan , David Ho J.H.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a novel method to fabricate highly aligned electrospun nanofibers and nanoporous fibers by multiple isopotential electrodes with different forms as a receiver system, the orientation can be controlled by adjusting the electronic field or by changing the receptor shape.

Design/methodology/approach

– PLA/CHCl3/DMF solution is used to fabricate highly aligned nanofibers/nanoporous fibers by electrospinning. ANSYS14.0 is used to elucidate the electronic field distribution.

Findings

– Fibers’ orientation directs at the isopotential line of the electronic field. It is very easy to adjust the fibers’ orientation by changing shape of the receiver or by changing the applied voltage. And nanoporous fibers can be fabricated, the average elliptical hole is about 58 nm wide×217 nm tall.

Practical implications

– Continuous straight and aligned electrospun fibers/nanoporous fibers are especially desirable for products with anisotropic properties. Highly aligned electrospun nanofibers/nanoporous fibers can be easily controlled by adjusting the auxiliary electrode.

Originality/value

– Numerical analysis is a powerful method in nanotechnology, and the highly aligned nanofibers/nanoporous fibers have many potential applications.
Training plays a key role in struggle against bullying
Authors: Chelliah John
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to highlight the risks faced by employers as a result of the anti-workplace-bullying laws introduced in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Considers the types of approaches that are necessary to reduce claims of bullying by workers.

Findings

– Advises employers to ensure that they have policies, training and assurance systems in place to protect their organizations from workplace bullying.

Practical implications

– Guides managers in preventing claims of workplace bullying.

Social implications

– Draws attention to the risks associated with bullying at the workplace.

Originality/value

– Raises the issues of organizational awareness and preparedness to undertake the challenges posed by bullying.
In vivo assessment of antimicrobial-treated textiles on skin microflora
Authors: Walter Nancy , H. McQueen Rachel , Keelan Monika
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Antimicrobials may be incorporated into garments to protect the textiles, control malodour or to potentially reduce the spread of infection. Yet still not well understood is how antimicrobial-treated textiles may influence a person's resident microflora during wear, as limited in vivo testing has previously been carried out. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether normal skin microflora was altered as a result of contact with selected antimicrobial-treated fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three selected antimicrobial-treated fabrics (i.e. Fabric 1: triclosan; Fabric 2: zinc pyrithione derivative; and Fabric 3: silver chloride and titanium dioxide) were placed on the forearm of participants (n=19). Bacterial counts obtained under treated and untreated fabrics following 24 hours of occlusion were compared. The antimicrobial efficacy of fabrics displayed in vitro was also compared with the activity displayed in vivo.

Findings

– Two of the three fabrics (Fabrics 1 and 2) reduced bacterial populations on the skin following 24 hours occlusion compared to the matched control fabrics (Fabric 1: p<0.05; Fabric 2: p<0.001). Whereas, following occlusion with Fabric 3 bacterial populations were not significantly different than the matched control. The present study demonstrated that in vitro assessment of antimicrobial capacities of fabrics do not necessarily predict the effects of such fabrics during wear.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights that in vivo studies are a necessary and important tool for understanding the interactions of an antimicrobial-treated fabric with the wearer's skin. As well, the new method developed can be used by other researchers to examine the potential impact on skin microflora due to contact with antimicrobial-treated textiles.
The influence of manufacturing flexibility on strategic behaviours
Authors: Tamayo-Torres Javier , Barrales-Molina Vanesa , Nieves Perez-Arostegui Maria
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether the influence of manufacturing flexibility on firms’ exploration/exploitation differs between firms that possess Certified Quality Management Systems (CQMS) and firms that do not.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors analyze a sample of 231 Spanish manufacturing firms, 131 of which had received some form of Quality Certification. The data were collected through a structured telephone questionnaire addressed to company CEOs. The relationships are modelled using regression equations, including interaction terms, in order to test for the existence of a moderating effect.

Findings

– The results show that certified companies exploit their own abilities, whereas uncertified firms tend to explore new knowledge. The authors also justify the importance of manufacturing flexibility for both options, exploration and exploitation.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations of this research include the fact that the authors study a variety of forms of certification, not only ISO, and the fact that all companies belong to the same country.

Practical implications

– This study contributes to developing empirical knowledge of the benefits of CQMS in the firm.

Originality/value

– The paper develops a new model to improve manufacturing flexibility and Quality Management.