bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Lack of Effectiveness of Rosemary Oil on Fish Feed in Controlling Bacterial Cold-Water Disease in Rainbow Trout
Authors: Glenn Richard A , Gannam Ann L , LaPatra Scott E
Published: October 2014

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis oil has shown potential for use as a phytobiotic fish feed supplement with antioxidant properties that can inhibit the growth of Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the pathogen that causes bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD). To determine the in vivo effectiveness of rosemary oil in preventing or minimizing BCWD, Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were fed commercial feed top-coated with one of two concentrations of rosemary oil (1% or 3% of the feed) or a control diet for 14 d. Fish from each feed treatment were then challenged with one of two doses of F. psychrophilum via subcutaneous injection, and mortality was monitored for 28 d. In both F. psychrophilum challenges, fish treated with feed coated with rosemary oil at the 1% and 3% levels experienced significantly higher mortality than fish treated with only soybean oil–coated feed. While the use of rosemary oil as a top-coat on feed increased mortality among Rainbow Trout subjected to a disease challenge in the current study, the mechanism for this result has not been established.
Physiological Responses of Yellow Perch to Hypoxia, Air Exposure, and Bleeding
Authors: Cnaani Avner , Hallerman Eric M , McLean Ewen
Published: October 2014

The North American Yellow Perch Perca flavescens is a promising candidate species for aquaculture. To evaluate potential problems resulting from husbandry practices, we measured changes in the levels of blood glucose, pH, pO2, pCO2, hematocrit, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl− in response to hypoxia, blood withdrawal, and exposure to air at five time intervals over 24 h. Results were examined against resting or baseline values. Hypoxic conditions induced significant decreases in blood pH, pO2, and Na+ concentration and increases in K+, blood glucose, and hematocrit. Bleeding led to significant decreases in blood Na+, Cl−, and hematocrit and a nearly five-fold increase in blood glucose. Blood pH, pO2, and hematocrit decreased and pCO2, K+, and glucose decreased at 2 h after air exposure, were over-compensated for at 6 h, and returned slowly to levels near baseline through 24 h; Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations decreased and remained low through 24 h. Further research defining responses to culture practices and correlations with growth rate, disease resistance, and other critical traits in Yellow Perch is warranted. Our findings suggest that commercial production would benefit from adoption of practices that minimize disturbance to cultured Yellow Perch, as well as development of culture stocks more tolerant of culture conditions.
Is Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Right Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension of Benefit?
Authors: Rasmussen Jason T. , Thenappan Thenappan , Benditt David G. , Weir E. Kenneth , Pritzker Marc R.
Published: October 2014

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a manifestation of a group of disorders leading to pulmonary vascular remodeling and increased pulmonary pressures. The right ventricular (RV) response to chronic pressure overload consists of myocardial remodeling, which is in many ways similar to that seen in left ventricular (LV) failure. Maladaptive myocardial remodeling often leads to intraventricular and interventricular dyssychrony, an observation that has led to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for LV failure. CRT has proven to be an effective treatment strategy in subsets of patients with LV failure resulting in improvement in LV function, heart failure symptoms, and survival. Current therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension is based on decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance, and there is currently no effective therapy targeting the right ventricle or maladaptive ventricular remodeling in these patients. This review focuses on the RV response to chronic pressure overload, its effect on electromechanical coupling and synchrony, and how lessons learned from left ventricular cardiac resynchronization might be applied as therapy for RV dysfunction in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Poems Syndrome: Resolution following Radiotherapy
Authors: Brewis Melanie J. , Church Alistair C. , Peacock Andrew J. , Thomson Stephen , Tighe Jane , Johnson Martin K.
Published: October 2014

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined by the presence of a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg. It may be idiopathic or arise as a consequence of a number of diverse conditions. PH has been reported in association with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, and skin changes), with reversal following systemic treatment with corticosteroids. We report a case of pulmonary hypertension associated with POEMS syndrome treated with radical radiotherapy locally to bone lesions with resolution of systemic disease.
VWA domain of S5a restricts the ability to bind ubiquitin and Ubl to the 26S proteasome
Authors: Piterman Ravit , Braunstein Ilana , Isakov Elada , Ziv Tamar , Navon Ami , Cohen Shenhav , Stanhill Ariel
Published: October 2014

The 26S proteasome recognizes a vast number of ubiquitin-dependent degradation signals linked to various substrates. This recognition is mediated mainly by the stoichiometric proteasomal resident ubiquitin receptors S5a and Rpn13, which harbor ubiquitin-binding domains. Regulatory steps in substrate binding, processing, and subsequent downstream proteolytic events by these receptors are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that mammalian S5a is present in proteasome-bound and free states. S5a is required for efficient proteasomal degradation of polyubiquitinated substrates and the recruitment of ubiquitin-like (Ubl) harboring proteins; however, S5a-mediated ubiquitin and Ubl binding occurs only on the proteasome itself. We identify the VWA domain of S5a as a domain that limits ubiquitin and Ubl binding to occur only upon proteasomal association. Multiubiquitination events within the VWA domain can further regulate S5a association. Our results provide a molecular explanation to how ubiquitin and Ubl binding to S5a is restricted to the 26S proteasome.
Neural crest specification and migration independently require NSD3-related lysine methyltransferase activity
Authors: Jacques-Fricke Bridget T. , Gammill Laura S.
Published: October 2014

Neural crest precursors express genes that cause them to become migratory, multipotent cells, distinguishing them from adjacent stationary neural progenitors in the neurepithelium. Histone methylation spatiotemporally regulates neural crest gene expression; however, the protein methyltransferases active in neural crest precursors are unknown. Moreover, the regulation of methylation during the dynamic process of neural crest migration is unclear. Here we show that the lysine methyltransferase NSD3 is abundantly and specifically expressed in premigratory and migratory neural crest cells. NSD3 expression commences before up-regulation of neural crest genes, and NSD3 is necessary for expression of the neural plate border gene Msx1, as well as the key neural crest transcription factors Sox10, Snail2, Sox9, and FoxD3, but not gene expression generally. Nevertheless, only Sox10 histone H3 lysine 36 dimethylation requires NSD3, revealing unexpected complexity in NSD3-dependent neural crest gene regulation. In addition, by temporally limiting expression of a dominant negative to migratory stages, we identify a novel, direct requirement for NSD3-related methyltransferase activity in neural crest migration. These results identify NSD3 as the first protein methyltransferase essential for neural crest gene expression during specification and show that NSD3-related methyltransferase activity independently regulates migration.
Chromosomal attachments set length and microtubule number in theSaccharomyces cerevisiaemitotic spindle
Authors: Nannas Natalie J. , O’Toole Eileen T. , Winey Mark , Murray Andrew W.
Published: October 2014

The length of the mitotic spindle varies among different cell types. A simple model for spindle length regulation requires balancing two forces: pulling, due to micro­tubules that attach to the chromosomes at their kinetochores, and pushing, due to interactions between microtubules that emanate from opposite spindle poles. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that spindle length scales with kinetochore number, increasing when kinetochores are inactivated and shortening on addition of synthetic or natural kinetochores, showing that kinetochore–microtubule interactions generate an inward force to balance forces that elongate the spindle. Electron microscopy shows that manipulating kinetochore number alters the number of spindle microtubules: adding extra kinetochores increases the number of spindle microtubules, suggesting kinetochore-based regulation of microtubule number.
Genetic suppression of a phosphomimic myosin II identifies system-level factors that promote myosin II cleavage furrow accumulation
Authors: Ren Yixin , West-Foyle Hoku , Surcel Alexandra , Miller Christopher , Robinson Douglas N.
Published: October 2014

How myosin II localizes to the cleavage furrow in Dictyostelium and metazoan cells remains largely unknown despite significant advances in understanding its regulation. We designed a genetic selection using cDNA library suppression of 3xAsp myosin II to identify factors involved in myosin cleavage furrow accumulation. The 3xAsp mutant is deficient in bipolar thick filament assembly, fails to accumulate at the cleavage furrow, cannot rescue myoII-null cytokinesis, and has impaired mechanosensitive accumulation. Eleven genes suppressed this dominant cytokinesis deficiency when 3xAsp was expressed in wild-type cells. 3xAsp myosin II's localization to the cleavage furrow was rescued by constructs encoding rcdBB, mmsdh, RMD1, actin, one novel protein, and a 14-3-3 hairpin. Further characterization showed that RMD1 is required for myosin II cleavage furrow accumulation, acting in parallel with mechanical stress. Analysis of several mutant strains revealed that different thresholds of myosin II activity are required for daughter cell symmetry than for furrow ingression dynamics. Finally, an engineered myosin II with a longer lever arm (2xELC), producing a highly mechanosensitive motor, could also partially suppress the intragenic 3xAsp. Overall, myosin II accumulation is the result of multiple parallel and partially redundant pathways that comprise a cellular contractility control system.
Addition of Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate to Corn and Sorghum Starch Extrudates Enhances the Performance of Pregelatinized Beer Adjuncts
Authors: Cortés‐Ceballos Enrique , Pérez‐Carrillo Esther , Serna‐Saldívar Sergio O.
Published: October 2014

Double mashing for wort production is a time‐consuming process that can be reduced if pregelatinized adjuncts are used. Optimal extruding conditions were determined to obtain brewing adjuncts from corn and sorghum starch. For corn starch extrusion, a Box–Behnken design was devised in which moisture, screw speed, temperature of the barrel, and concentrations of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL) were varied, and sorghum starch was extruded according to a 23 model in which the modified variables were moisture, SSL concentration, and temperature. The aim was to maximize starch damage and minimize resistant starch and final viscosity as determined with a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The treatments that satisfied these requirements were mashed, and wort extract yield was determined. Glucose, maltose, and maltotriose concentrations in the resulting worts were determined by HPLC with a refractive index detector. Feedstock tempering and SSL content were the most important factors affecting the response; for corn starch, treatments with lower moisture (20%) and middle levels of SSL (0.5%) or with high levels of both moisture (40%) and SSL (1%) produced the most desirable samples for mashing, whereas for sorghum starch the best treatment was tempering to 20% moisture and containing middle levels of SSL (0.5%). No statistical differences were found between these experimental treatments and the control.
Improvement in Liver Histology Is Associated With Reduction in Dyslipidemia in Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Corey Kathleen E. , Vuppalanchi Raj , Vos Miriam , Kohli Rohit , Molleston Jean P. , Wilson Laura , Unalp‐Arida Aynur , Cummings Oscar W. , Lavine Joel E. , Chalasani Naga ,   Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network
Published: October 2014

Objectives:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common cause of liver disease among US children, may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The present study sought to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in children with NAFLD and assess dyslipidemia by liver histology and histologic changes.

Methods:

Individuals in the Treatment of NAFLD in Children (TONIC) trial were included (N = 173). In the TONIC trial, children with NAFLD were randomized to vitamin E, metformin, or placebo for 96 weeks. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) improved in 56 children. Change in lipid levels from baseline and 96 weeks was compared between patients with and without histologic improvement and with and without NASH.

Results:

Dyslipidemia was frequent, with low high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) (<40 mg/dL) in 61.8%, hypertriglyceridemia (≥130 mg/dL) in 50.3%, hypercholesterolemia (≥200 mg/dL) in 23.7%, elevated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (≥130 mg/dL) in 21.5%, elevated non‐HDL cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C) (≥145 mg/dL) in 35.2%, and triglycerides/HDL >3.0 in 57.2% of patients. Histologic improvement was associated with significant decreases in cholesterol (−11.4 mg/dL vs −1.9 mg/dL, P = 0.04), LDL (−11.2 mg/dL vs −2.1 mg/dL, P = 0.04), and non‐HDL‐C (−8.8 mg/dL vs 0.5 mg/dL, P = 0.03) compared with those without improvement. Children with NASH resolution had significant decreases in cholesterol (−10.0 mg/dL vs −0.9 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and non‐HDL‐C (−7.3 mg/dL vs 1.1 mg/dL, P = 0.01) compared with those without NASH resolution. There was no improvement in triglycerides, HDL level, or triglycerides/HDL ratio in either group.

Conclusions:

Dyslipidemia is frequent in children with NAFLD. NASH resolution and histologic improvement are associated with improvements in some forms of dyslipidemia.
Urinary Tract Infection in Infancy Is a Risk Factor for Chronic Abdominal Pain in Childhood
Authors: Rosen John M. , Kriegermeier Alyssa , Adams Papa N. , Klumpp David J. , Saps Miguel
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Adverse early life events are key factors for development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with chronic pelvic pain in adults, a finding that has been recapitulated in murine models, but the relation between UTI and chronic pelvic and abdominal pain has not been studied in children. We hypothesized that UTI in infancy increases the risk of FGIDs and chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in childhood.

Methods:

The present study included children, ages 4 to 18 years, with a single UTI in the first year of life and their siblings with no history of UTI. Parents completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms–Rome III Version (QPGS‐III) by telephone. Children meeting QPGS‐III criteria for FGIDs but with pain less than once weekly were considered to have CAP.

Results:

A total of 57 patients with UTI and 58 sibling controls were identified. Mean age at UTI was 4.8 months, and mean time since UTI was 9.3 years. At the time of survey, mean age of patients was 9.7 years (5–16 years, 40% boys) and that of controls was 9.6 years (range 4–17 years, 57% boys). FGIDs were diagnosed in 6 of 57 (11%) patients, and 1 of 58 (2%) controls (P = 0.06). CAP was identified in 10 of 57 (18%) patients and 2 of 58 (3%) controls (P = 0.02). Predominant sex (female), infecting organism (E coli), and treatment (third‐generation cephalosporin) were similar in patients with UTI with and without CAP.

Conclusions:

We show for the first time that UTI is associated with CAP in childhood. We speculate that pelvic organ sensory convergence explains our findings.
Bacterial Community Structure Associated With Elective Cesarean Section Versus Vaginal Delivery in Chinese Newborns
Authors: Liu Dong , Yu Jialin , Li Luquan , Ai Qing , Feng Jinxing , Song Chao , Li Hongdong
Published: October 2014

Objectives:

Increasing attention is being paid to the potential for cesarean birth to influence the taxa of the bacteria that compose the infant intestinal microbiota. The present study characterized the diversity of the intestinal microbiota in newborn infants delivered vaginally (VD) or by cesarean section (CD).

Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was performed using fecal specimens collected on days 2 and 4 of postnatal life from 25 VD infants and 16 CD infants. Profiles of the fecal microbiota were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in combination with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the clones corresponding to the degenerating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands.

Results:

On days 2 and 4 of postnatal life, VD and CD infants did not differ in the richness and evenness of the fecal bacterial community; however, the taxa of the fecal microbiota were significantly different between the 2 groups. In VD infants, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides sp, and Bifidobacterium longum were the dominant microbes. In CD infants, Staphylococcus sp, Clostridium sp, Enterobacter sp, and Streptococcus sp were more common.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that delivery method has a profound influence on the structure of the intestinal microbiota in Chinese newborn infants. This is in accordance with data reported in other regions.
Metabolic regulation of collagen gel contraction by porcine aortic valvular interstitial cells
Authors: Kamel Peter I. , Qu Xin , Geiszler Andrew M. , Nagrath Deepak , Harmancey Romain , Taegtmeyer Heinrich , Grande-Allen K. Jane
Published: October 2014

Despite a high incidence of calcific aortic valve disease in metabolic syndrome, there is little information about the fundamental metabolism of heart valves. Cell metabolism is a first responder to chemical and mechanical stimuli, but it is unknown how such signals employed in valve tissue engineering impact valvular interstitial cell (VIC) biology and valvular disease pathogenesis. In this study porcine aortic VICs were seeded into three-dimensional collagen gels and analysed for gel contraction, lactate production and glucose consumption in response to manipulation of metabolic substrates, including glucose, galactose, pyruvate and glutamine. Cell viability was also assessed in two-dimensional culture. We found that gel contraction was sensitive to metabolic manipulation, particularly in nutrient-depleted medium. Contraction was optimal at an intermediate glucose concentration (2 g l
−1
) with less contraction with excess (4.5 g l
−1
) or reduced glucose (1 g l
−1
). Substitution with galactose delayed contraction and decreased lactate production. In low sugar concentrations, pyruvate depletion reduced contraction. Glutamine depletion reduced cell metabolism and viability. Our results suggest that nutrient depletion and manipulation of metabolic substrates impacts the viability, metabolism and contractile behaviour of VICs. Particularly, hyperglycaemic conditions can reduce VIC interaction with and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. These results begin to link VIC metabolism and macroscopic behaviour such as cell–matrix interaction.
Increased natural mortality at low abundance can generate an Allee effect in a marine fish
Authors: Kuparinen Anna , Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2014

Negative density-dependent regulation of population dynamics promotes population growth at low abundance and is therefore vital for recovery following depletion. Inversely, any process that reduces the compensatory density-dependence of population growth can negatively affect recovery. Here, we show that increased adult mortality at low abundance can reverse compensatory population dynamics into its opposite—a demographic Allee effect. Northwest Atlantic cod (
Gadus morhua
) stocks collapsed dramatically in the early 1990s and have since shown little sign of recovery. Many experienced dramatic increases in natural mortality, ostensibly attributable in some populations to increased predation by seals. Our findings show that increased natural mortality of a magnitude observed for overfished cod stocks has been more than sufficient to fundamentally alter the dynamics of density-dependent population regulation. The demographic Allee effect generated by these changes can slow down or even impede the recovery of depleted populations even in the absence of fishing.
Revision of the Late Jurassic teleosaurid genusMachimosaurus(Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia)
Authors: Young Mark T. , Hua Stéphane , Steel Lorna , Foffa Davide , Brusatte Stephen L. , Thüring Silvan , Mateus Octávio , Ruiz-Omeñaca José Ignacio , Havlik Philipe , Lepage Yves , De Andrade Marco Brandalise
Published: October 2014

Machimosauruswas a large-bodied genus of teleosaurid crocodylomorph, considered to have been durophagous/chelonivorous, and which frequented coastal marine/estuarine ecosystems during the Late Jurassic. Here, we revise the genus based on previously described specimens and revise the species within this genus. We conclude that there were three EuropeanMachimosaurusspecies and another taxon in Ethiopia. This conclusion is based on numerous lines of evidence: craniomandibular, dental and postcranial morphologies; differences in estimated total body length; geological age; geographical distribution; and hypothetical lifestyle. We re-diagnose the type speciesMachimosaurus hugiiand limit referred specimens to only those from Upper Kimmeridgian–Lower Tithonian of Switzerland, Portugal and Spain. We also re-diagnoseMachimosaurus mosae, demonstrate that it is an available name and restrict the species to the uppermost Kimmeridgian–lowermost Tithonian of northeastern France. We re-diagnose and validate the speciesMachimosaurus nowackianusfrom Harrar, Ethiopia. Finally, we establish a new species,Machimosaurus buffetauti, for the Lower Kimmeridgian specimens of France and Germany (and possibly England and Poland). We hypothesize thatMachimosaurusmay have been analogous to the Pliocene–Holocene genusCrocodylusin having one large-bodied taxon suited to traversing marine barriers and additional, geographically limited taxa across its range.
Forward flight of birds revisited. Part 2: short-term dynamic stability and trim
Authors: Iosilevskii G.
Published: October 2014

Thrust generation by flapping is accompanied by alternating pitching moment. On the down-stroke, it pitches the bird down when the wings are above its centre of gravity and up when they are below; on the up-stroke, the directions reverse. Because the thrust depends not only on the flapping characteristics but also on the angle of attack of the bird's body, interaction between the flapping and body motions may incite a resonance that is similar to the one that causes the swinging of a swing. In fact, it is shown that the equation governing the motion of the bird's body in flapping flight resembles the equation governing the motion of a pendulum with periodically changing length. Large flapping amplitude, low flapping frequency, and excessive tilt of the flapping plane may incite the resonance; coordinated fore–aft motion, that uses the lift to cancel out the moment generated by the thrust, suppresses it. It is probably incited by the tumbler pigeon in its remarkable display of aerobatics. The fore–aft motion that cancels the pitching moment makes the wing tip draw a figure of eight relative to the bird's body when the wings are un-swept, and a ring when the wings are swept back and fold during the upstroke.
Dynamic shifts in occupancy by TAL1 are guided by GATA factors and drive large-scale reprogramming of gene expression during hematopoiesis
Authors: Wu Weisheng , Morrissey Christapher S. , Keller Cheryl A. , Mishra Tejaswini , Pimkin Maxim , Blobel Gerd A. , Weiss Mitchell J. , Hardison Ross C.
Published: October 2014

We used mouse ENCODE data along with complementary data from other laboratories to study the dynamics of occupancy and the role in gene regulation of the transcription factor TAL1, a critical regulator of hematopoiesis, at multiple stages of hematopoietic differentiation. We combined ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data in six mouse cell types representing a progression from multilineage precursors to differentiated erythroblasts and megakaryocytes. We found that sites of occupancy shift dramatically during commitment to the erythroid lineage, vary further during terminal maturation, and are strongly associated with changes in gene expression. In multilineage progenitors, the likely target genes are enriched for hematopoietic growth and functions associated with the mature cells of specific daughter lineages (such as megakaryocytes). In contrast, target genes in erythroblasts are specifically enriched for red cell functions. Furthermore, shifts in TAL1 occupancy during erythroid differentiation are associated with gene repression (dissociation) and induction (co-occupancy with GATA1). Based on both enrichment for transcription factor binding site motifs and co-occupancy determined by ChIP-seq, recruitment by GATA transcription factors appears to be a stronger determinant of TAL1 binding to chromatin than the canonical E-box binding site motif. Studies of additional proteins lead to the model that TAL1 regulates expression after being directed to a distinct subset of genomic binding sites in each cell type via its association with different complexes containing master regulators such as GATA2, ERG, and RUNX1 in multilineage cells and the lineage-specific master regulator GATA1 in erythroblasts.
input4MAUD: an efficient program for automatic two-dimensional diffraction image series input and/or batch refinement withMAUD
Authors: Raue Lars
Published: October 2014

In materials science or applied crystallography, X-ray diffraction represents a versatile and useful method with which one can obtain the orientation of single crystals or even the texture of a polycrystalline material. When the investigated sample consists of many phases, or phases of low symmetry, it becomes difficult to measure pole figures from single diffraction peaks. A combined Rietveld–texture analysis with the programMAUDis perfectly suitable to deal with conditions of overlapping diffraction peaks, including those arising from different phases. Even though nearly no alternative toMAUDexists, it is not always easy to use. The input of a file series of two-dimensional diffraction images, for example from a texture measurement, can be time consuming since each individual image must be loaded manually, and only the newest beta version ofMAUDallows semi-automated file input. The new programinput4MAUD, which is presented in this paper, offers a much more efficient way to automate both single and batch file series input intoMAUDas well as the preparation of basic batch refinements withMAUD. input4MAUDis written in Visual C++ and is currently available as a 32-bit statically compiled binary executable file for Windows.
Metrics of graininess: robust quantification of grain count from the non-uniformity of scattering rings
Authors: Yager Kevin G. , Majewski Pawel W.
Published: October 2014

The diffraction rings that arise in X-ray scattering experiments frequently exhibit non-uniformity or `spottiness' as a result of the finite number of grains within the probed volume. This article explores a variety of ways to assess this graininess and shows that scaling relationships can be used to quantitatively relate ring non-uniformity to the number of grains within the scattering volume. The applicability of the method is demonstrated for grain counts from 10 to 107, enabling measurement of the crystalline fraction or of the average grain size from 6 nm to 120 µm. This method enables quantification of grain size even in cases where the intrinsic peak width is much smaller than the instrumental broadening. The method is validated with experimental measurements on a variety of systems.
One- and two-dimensional CdIIcoordination polymers incorporating organophosphinate ligands
Authors: Rood Jeffrey A. , Boyer Steven , Oliver Allen G.
Published: October 2014

Reaction of cadmium nitrate with diphenylphosphinic acid in dimethylformamide solvent yielded the one-dimensional coordination polymercatena-poly[[bis(dimethylformamide-κO)cadmium(II)]-bis(μ-diphenylphosphinato-κ2O:O′)], [Cd(C12H10O2P)2(C3H7NO)2]n, (I). Addition of 4,4′-bipyridine to the synthesis afforded a two-dimensional extended structure, poly[[(μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2N:N′)bis(μ-diphenylphosphinato-κ2O:O′)cadmium(II)] dimethylformamide monosolvate], {[Cd(C12H10O2P)2(C10H8N2)]·C3H7NO}n, (II). In (II), the 4,4′-bipyridine molecules link the CdIIcenters in the crystallographicadirection, while the phosphinate ligands link the CdIIcenters in the crystallographicbdirection to complete a two-dimensional sheet structure. Consideration of additional π–π interactions of the phenyl rings in (II) produces a three-dimensional structure with channels that encapsulate dimethylformamide molecules as solvent of crystallization. Both compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and FT–IR analysis.
Applying evidence-based HRM: the case of bonuses in the home furnishing industry
Authors: de Waal André , Roobol Maarten
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– In the home furnishing industry outside contract installers produce higher quality work than in-house installers which is reflected in less revisits to customers to repair mistakes. Many home furnishing retailers are therefore contemplating introducing so that the quality of the work of in-house installers will be linked to financial incentives, thus resembling the situation of contract installers. However, a necessary condition for a successful introduction of bonuses is that in-house installers are motivated by it to deliver better quality work, i.e. cause less revisits. The purpose of this paper is to look into the question whether the introduction of bonuses could be used to increase the quality of work of in-house.

Design/methodology/approach

– For the research the four steps of the evidence-based HRM framework, as developed by Rousseau and Barends (2011), were used. In steps 1, literature review, the research question was formulated based on work motivation theories (in particular on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, bonuses, and the differences between contract workers and organizational employees). In step 2, systematic gathering of facts, two existing questionnaires were combined to measure the motivation of the two types of installers.

Findings

– In step 3, evaluation, the differences between the motivational factors and attitude towards bonuses was analysed for both groups of installers. The research results show that although in-house installers are potentially motivated by bonuses, they differ so much from contract installers in their general work motivation that introducing bonuses by no means will be a success. In step 4, ethical considerations, the consequences of the research findings were discussed.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitations are the use of a self-constructed questionnaire and the fact that the research was conducted at only one case company, thus rendering the generalization of findings problematic.

Practical implications

– The practical implication of the study is that management of the case company can now better prepare itself for the issues to be expected when introducing bonuses for the in-house installers.

Originality/value

– This research adds to the literature on the effects of bonuses on motivation. It also addresses a gap in the literature as there is currently hardly any academic literature on the conditions necessary to introduce bonuses for craftsmen successfully, and on whether this introduction is advantageous for organizations in the first place. In addition, the case company offered the opportunity to research the issue in a comparative way, by looking at the motivational factors influencing in-house installers and contract installers who work in the same conditions, something which to the knowledge of the authors has not been done before. Finally, the sue of an evidence-based HRM framework is quite unique for the human resource management field.
The impact of young people's participation in events
Authors: Hixson Eliza
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the social impact that two events, the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Clipsal 500, have on young residents (16-19 years old) of Adelaide. The purpose of this paper is to examine how young people participate in these events and how this affects their sense of involvement in the event and contributes to their identity development.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed methods approach was adopted in which focus groups and questionnaires were conducted with secondary school students. As an exploratory study, focus groups (n=24) were conducted in the first stage of the research. The results of the focus groups were used to develop a questionnaire that resulted in 226 useable responses. The final stage of the research explored one event in further depth in order to determine the influence of different participation levels.

Findings

– This study found that young people demonstrated more involvement in the Adelaide Fringe Festival and their identities were more influenced by this event. Further investigation of the Adelaide Fringe Festival also indicated that level of participation affects the social outcomes gained, with those participating to a greater degree achieving higher involvement and increased identity awareness. This is demonstrated through a model which aims to illustrate how an event impact an individual based on their role during the event.

Originality/value

– This paper applies two leisure concepts in order to analyse the impact of events. Activity involvement is a concept which examines the importance of the activity in the participant's life. Also of importance to young people is how activities contribute to their identities, especially because they are in a transitional period of their lives.
How lean are financial service companies really? Empirical evidence from a large scale study in Germany
Authors: Leyer Michael , Moormann Jürgen
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Lean thinking is important for a successful implementation of process-driven changes. Especially financial service providers are forced to improve their organisational efficiency due to intense competition and regulatory burdens. The purpose of this paper is to identify how lean financial service companies in Germany are.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative survey published online is used. In total, 3,624 employees from every hierarchical level participated in the study.

Findings

– The results not only reveal that there is only a moderate lean thinking in financial service companies. We rather observe a “lean fata morgana”. Employees in general believe they are leaner than their actual behaviour discloses. In addition, managers perceive their work environment leaner than subordinates do. At the same time, managers do not behave lean as they spend almost a third of their working time with operational work instead of guiding the employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Answers are based on the anonymous, subjective ratings of employees and thus statements regarding single organisations cannot be made.

Practical implications

– The results can be used by managers to address typical weak aspects when introducing lean management to improve the success chances. Furthermore, the questionnaire can be applied for assessments for a single organisation before an introduction of lean.

Originality/value

– For the first time, this paper presents results which cover the lean degree beyond a single company’s perspective. The results allow for an indication which aspects of lean are unincisive with regard to functional areas and hierarchical levels of financial service providers.
The evolving role of supply chain managers in global channels of distribution and logistics systems
Authors: Kiessling Timothy , Harvey Michael , Akdeniz Levent
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Supply chains have become a strategic strength to many firms due to the nature of the globalization of business. The past roles of supply chain managers have changed dramatically and now also include various new duties that will enhance firm competitiveness due to their boundary spanning nature and the new focus of learning organizations. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This was a theoretically developed paper exploring trust, learning organizations, and supply chains.

Findings

– Researchers are now focussing on the relationship among the supply chain network through the paradigm of relational marketing as the governance structures of contractual arrangements globally cannot be anticipated.

Originality/value

– The research through the lens of relational marketing explores how supply chain managers’ core duties are now compounded by global/cultural nuances in respect to implicit knowledge acquisition and relationship development through strong-form trust.
Global organizations and supply chain
Authors: González-Loureiro Miguel , Dabic Marina , Puig Francisco
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to aim at proposing a research agenda in the intersection of strategic supply chain management and logistics (SCML) of global organizations from the perspective of international human resource management (IHRM).

Design/methodology/approach

– To disclose the intellectual structure of research to date across both fields, the content of up to 280 articles dealing with IHRM and 174 papers addressing challenges in SCML in global organizations from a human resource management (HRM) viewpoint were analyzed. A stepwise hierarchical cluster and discriminant analysis were conducted to map a joint research agenda. Approaches from Upper Echelons theory and Co-Evolutionary theory of global organizations were adopted.

Findings

– Top management teams (TMT) are crucial to manage SCML successfully in today’s global organizations. Research on this intersection should draw attention to find antecedents, consequences and the process showing how those talented people grouped in dispersed teams can be a source of competitive advantage. Six different areas of research are proposed. It is proposed that future research should focus on the human capital (HC); meaning those key individuals of an organization that make things happen. In the near future, the global organization’s competitiveness will be shaped by how the organization manages its HC in SCML. Methodologies such as meta-analysis are suggested to summarize the extant literature on IHRM when applied to SCML in global organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– The search was conducted in SSCI-ISIWoK and Scopus databases. As a limitation, some articles and other scientific contributions not abstracted there were not included. Nevertheless, both searches enabled obtaining balanced results between scope and richness of content.

Originality/value

– Only a marginal portion of literature reviews have been conducted by using mixed methods in the fields of IHRM and SCML. The results will be useful for scholars of both fields in their attempts to enlarge the knowledge boundaries in these areas. From a practitioner’s viewpoint, this research may provide an integrative framework for global organizations to build a competitive advantage based on managing HC and its SCML strategically.
Suitability of cement combinations for carbonation resistance of structural concrete
Authors: Olufemi Folagbade Samuel , David Newlands Moray
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to assess the suitability of cement combination containing CEM I, fly ash, silica fume and metakaolin for durability design against carbonation-induced corrosion in concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cube compressive strengths at 28 days and accelerated carbonation depths at 28 days and at various exposure ages were determined at the water/cement ratios of 0.35, 0.50 and 0.65. To assess their suitability for carbonation-induced corrosion, the material costs and embodied carbon dioxide (eCO2) contents of the concretes at equivalent performance were compared.

Findings

– Cement combination concretes achieved equal carbonation resistance with CEM I at higher compressive strengths, lower water/cement ratios and higher cement contents. The comparison of the concretes, at equivalent performance, based on the carbonation-induced corrosion exposure classes XC3 and XC4 (Table A.4 of BS 8500-1), shows that ternary and more binary cement concretes have lower costs and eCO2 contents than those recommended in Table A.6 of BS 8500-1.

Research limitations/implications

– This analysis is limited to a working life of 50 years. Further research is needed to verify the suitability of the cement combinations for a working life of 100 years and for the other aspects of durability design covered in BS 8500.

Practical implications

– Cement combination concretes have lower eCO2 content. Hence, when they are cheaper than CEM I concrete at equivalent performance, they would make concrete construction more economic and environmentally compatible.

Originality/value

– This research suggests the inclusion of metakaolin and ternary cement combination concretes in BS 8500 for durability design against carbonation-induced corrosion.
Mega-event flagships in transformation: learning from Expo 2010 Shanghai China
Authors: Deng Ying , Wah Poon Sun
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to seek a greater understanding of the conceptualization of mega-event flagship (MEF) development as a point of departure to forge the much-needed organizational capacities in these regions. An MEF constitutes a temporarily themed venue for a mega-event and a transforming force on corresponding urban renewal. The unfailing demand for MEFs from emerging hosts after historical failures in the West draws attention to a glaring weakness of extant literature in wanting of evidence-based case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Due to the explorative nature of research and the context-dependent complexities, the case study method is used for studying the case of Theme Pavilion – one of the four key flagships led by Expo 2010 to catalyze an ambitious urban renewal in Shanghai, China. The focus is on its conceptualization process (2004-2007) where different copying strategies were tested and consolidated to facilitate the post-event transformation. Data were collected mainly through participant observation in that duration.

Findings

– For future Expo hosts, exhibition center developers and the event industry, the study concludes with eight constructive lessons, namely, clustering strategy, different integration, pre-post orientation, diversification for adaptation, development by stage, flexible mindset, the end crowns the work and building local capacity.

Research limitations/implications

– Given the qualitative nature of the study, some results may not be fully generalizable. While showing the possibility of sustaining MEF development given the right coping strategy, it also reveals implementation difficulties and emphasizes the importance of continued case studies.

Originality/value

– The study will contribute fresh insights into forging better strategies to cope with transformation difficulties of MEF development and building greater capacity to accomplish affiliated renewals and other significantly comparable urban projects in emerging economies.
Unilateralism and protectionism in the World Trade Organization: the interpretation of the chapeau within GATT Article XX
Authors: Joseph Wells Philip
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a holistic and cohesive overview of the development of GATT, Article XX; critically focussing, in particular, on whether the interpretation of the provision permits developed member states to embark on unilateral and protectionist actions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology for this paper was to assess and review the developing jurisprudence of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that relates to the use of Article XX. The paper adopts a chronological critique to analyse the development of the law; included in this is academic theory that underpins and proffers an explanation for the development.

Findings

– This paper suggests that while Article XX exists as a potential target to permit unilateral action by developed nations, it does not create a guise for unilateralism and protectionism due to the interpretation afforded to the “Chapeau”.

Practical implications

– The paper demonstrates an expansive collection of WTO jurisprudence and case authorities to illustrate the overarching interpretation of Article XX; in doing so, it allows those associated with the WTO to gain a practical overview of the holistic workings of Article XX.

Social implications

– Through demonstration of Article XX, and its interpretation, this paper outlines the social values and norms most likely to enjoy a privileged status to override WTO obligations. This paper also espouses what social values may develop in the future to be classified within Article XX.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an original insight by considering holistically, rather than narrowly, the interpretation of Article XX.
Psy-science and the colonial relationship in the mental health field
Authors: Penson W.J.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss how the psy-sciences have been, and continue to be, typified by some critics, as colonizers and are credited with Imperialistic motivations. However, rarely are these critiques developed beyond a pejorative characterisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews the criticisms of psychiatry as colonial and outlines the tensions in taking different frames of reference in the mental health field, before going on to suggest theoretical and research perspectives arising from postcolonial theory that might advance these critical positions more coherently and the implications of doing so.

Findings

– This study suggests an engagement with humanities-based methods and fields such as postcolonial scholarship.

Social implications

– This argument is timely, especially given recent controversies over the publication of DSM5, the scaling up agenda for mental health in the Global South and increased attention to the agenda of Big Pharma.

Originality/value

– Postcolonial intersections with psy-science remains a relatively undeveloped area in the critical literature.