bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric scattering and decay of inner radiation belt electrons
Authors: Selesnick R. S.
Published: July 2012

The dynamics of inner radiation belt electrons are governed by competing source, loss, and transport processes. However, during the recent extended solar minimum period the source was inactive and electron intensity was characterized by steady decay. This provided an opportunity to determine contributions to the decay rate of losses by precipitation into the atmosphere and of diffusive radial transport. To this end, a stochastic simulation of inner radiation belt electron transport is compared to data taken by the IDP instrument on the DEMETER satellite during 2009. For quasi‐trapped, 200 keV electrons atL= 1.3, observed in the drift loss cone (DLC), results are consistent with electron precipitation losses by atmospheric scattering alone, provided account is taken of non‐diffusive wide‐angle scattering. Such scattering is included in the stochastic simulation using a Markov jump process. Diffusive small‐angle atmospheric scattering, while causing most of the precipitation losses, is too slow relative to azimuthal drift to contribute significantly to DLC intensity. Similarly there is no contribution from scattering by VLF plasma waves. Energy loss, energy diffusion, and azimuthal drift are also included in the model. Even so, observed decay rates of stably‐trapped electrons withL < 1.5 are slower than predicted by scattering losses alone, requiring radial diffusion with coefficient DLL ∼ 3 × 10−10 s−1 to replenish electrons lost to the atmosphere at low L values.
In‐stream net uptake regulates inorganic nitrogen export from catchments under base flow conditions
Authors: Bernal Susana , von Schiller Daniel , Martí Eugènia , Sabater Francesc
Published: July 2012

We aimed to investigate the temporal variation of in‐stream net dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) areal uptake rates (UDIN, in μg N m−2 min−1) and its implications on regulating catchment N export, under base flow conditions. To do so, we estimated UDINfrom longitudinal profiles of ambient DIN concentration (nitrate + ammonium) in two streams on a monthly basis during two hydrological years (n = 45). We found that in‐stream DIN uptake and release did not offset each other (UDIN ≠ 0) in half of the dates, and that UDIN> 0 occurred mostly in autumn. Based on these reach‐scale uptake rates, we performed empirical calculations and model simulations to assess the potential of stream network DIN retention to regulate DIN export from catchments on an annual scale. The empirical approach consisted in up‐scalingUDIN by means of a dynamic stream network analysis that considered temporal and spatial variation of UDIN. The modeling approach consisted in applying different scenarios with the INCA model based on the natural range of empirical UDIN values. Our results showed that the contribution of stream network DIN retention to catchment DIN export increased when calculations accounted for the temporal variation of UDIN. Both approaches suggested that stream network DIN retention can significantly reduce DIN export from headwater catchments under base flow conditions (from 4% to 38%).
Increased Intracranial Pressure after Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Neuronal Somatic Membrane Poration but not Axonal Injury: Evidence for Primary Intracranial Pressure-Induced Neuronal Perturbation
Authors: Lafrenaye Audrey D , McGinn Melissa J , Povlishock John T
Published: July 2012

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to increased morbidity. Although our understanding of the pathobiology of TBI has expanded, questions remain regarding the specific neuronal somatic and axonal damaging consequences of elevated ICP, independent of its impact on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). To investigate this, Fischer rats were subjected to moderate TBI. Measurements of ICP revealed two distinct responses to injury. One population exhibited transient increases in ICP that returned to baseline levels acutely, while the other displayed persistent ICP elevation (>20 mm Hg). Utilizing these populations, the effect of elevated ICP on neuronal pathology associated with diffuse TBI was analyzed at 6 hours after TBI. No difference in axonal injury was observed, however, rats exhibiting persistently elevated ICP postinjury revealed a doubling of neurons with chronic membrane poration compared with rats exhibiting only transient increases in ICP. Elevated postinjury ICP was not associated with a concurrent increase in DNA damage; however, traditional histological assessments did reveal increased neuronal damage, potentially associated with redistribution of cathepsin-B from the lysosomal compartment into the cytosol. These findings indicate that persistently increased ICP, without deleterious alteration of CPP, exacerbates neuronal plasmalemmal perturbation that could precipitate persistent neuronal impairment and ultimate neuronal death.
Analysis by kinetic modeling of the temperature dependence of thermal electron attachment to CF3Br
Authors: Troe Jürgen , Miller Thomas M. , Shuman Nicholas S. , Viggiano Albert A.
Published: July 2012

Experimental data from the literature for cross sections and rate constants for dissociative electron attachment to CF3Br, with separately varied electron and gas temperatures, are analyzed by a kinetic modeling approach. The analysis suggests that electronic and nuclear contributions to the rate constants can be roughly separated, the former leading to a negative temperature coefficient, the latter to a positive temperature coefficient. The nuclear factor in the rate constant is found to be of Arrhenius form with an activation energy which is close to the energy of crossing of the CF3Br and CF3Br− potential curves along the CBr bond.
Single-shot nuclear magnetization recovery curves with force-gradient detection
Authors: Alexson Dimitri A. , Hickman Steven A. , Marohn John A. , Smith Doran D.
Published: July 2012

We measure the spin-lattice relaxation time as a function of sample temperature in GaAs in a real-time single-shot inversion recovery experiment using spin force gradients acting on a magnetic tipped cantilever. After inverting 69Ga spins localized near the magnet with a single 20 ms adiabatic rapid passage sweep, the spins’ magnetization recovery was passively tracked by recording the cantilever’s frequency change, which is proportional to the longitudinal component of the spins’ magnetization. The cantilever’s frequency was recorded for a time 3*T1 for sample temperatures ranging from 4.8 to 25 K. The temperature dependence was observed for the 69Ga quadrupolar relaxation interaction.
Electronic structures of AlMoOy− (y = 1–4) determined by photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Waller Sarah E. , Mann Jennifer E. , Hossain Ekram , Troyer Mary , Jarrold Caroline C.
Published: July 2012

Vibrationally-resolved photoelectron spectra of AlMoOy− (y = 1–4) are presented and analyzed in conjunction with density functional theory computational results. The structures determined for the AlMoOy anion and neutral clusters suggest ionic bonding between Al+ and a MoOy− or MoOy−2 moiety, and point to the relative stability of Mo=O versus Al=O bonds. The highest occupied and partially occupied orbitals in the anions and neutrals can be described as Mo atomic-like orbitals, so while the Mo is in a higher oxidation state than Al, the most energetically accessible electrons are localized on the molybdenum center.
Quasi-classical trajectory study of the H + CO2 → HO + CO reaction on a new ab initio based potential energy surface
Authors: Xie Changjian , Li Jun , Xie Daiqian , Guo Hua
Published: July 2012

A detailed quasi-classical trajectory study of the H + CO2 → HO + CO reaction is reported on an accurate potential energy surface based on ab initio data. The influence of the vibrational and rotational excitations of CO2 was investigated up to the collision energy of 2.35 eV. It was found that the total reaction integral cross section increases monotonically with the collision energy, consistent with experimental results. The excitation of the CO2 bending vibration enhances the reaction, while the excitation in its asymmetric stretching vibration inhibits the reaction. The calculated thermal rate constants are in excellent agreement with experiment. At the state-to-state level, the rotational state distributions of the HO product are in good agreement with experimental results, while those for the CO product are much hotter than measurements. The calculated differential cross sections are dominated by forward scattering, suggesting that the lifetime of the HOCO intermediate may not be sufficiently long to render the reaction completely statistical.
Improved performance of quantum cascade laser with porous waveguide structure
Authors: Zhao Lihua , Liu Fengqi , Zhang Jinchuan , Wang Lijun , Liu Junqi , Li Lu , Wang Zhanguo
Published: July 2012

Quantum cascade laser (QCL) with porous structure is reported in this work. The porous structure is fabricated onto the wafer top surface towards the sides of the QCL waveguide by electro-chemical etching. The pore size of the porous structure is in hundreds of nanometers. Experimental results show that QCL with porous structure exhibits better beam quality. The far field of the typical 60 μm-ridge-width QCL is modulated from double-lobed shape to single-lobed shape due to the utilizing of porous structure. The full width at half maximum is 5.26°, which agrees very well with that of fundamental transverse mode. An interesting spectra behavior is also observed. The QCL with porous structure represents a temperature tuning rate of 0.49 nm/K, which is comparable to distributed feedback QCL.
Microdome InGaN-based multiple quantum well solar cells
Authors: Ho Cheng-Han , Lai Kun-Yu , Lin Chin-An , Lin Guan-Jhong , Hsing Meng-Kai , He Jr-Hau
Published: July 2012

InGaN-based multiple quantum well (MQW) solar cells (SCs) employing the p-GaN microdome were demonstrated to significantly boost the conversion efficiency by 102%. The improvements in short-circuit current density (Jsc, from 0.43 to 0.54 mA/cm2) and fill factor (from 44% to 72%) using the p-GaN microdome are attributed to enhanced light absorption due to surface reflection suppression. The concept of microdome directly grown during SC epitaxial growth preserving mechanical robustness and wafer-scale uniformity proves a promising way in promoting the photovoltaic performances of SCs without any additional process.
Growth and photoluminescence of InxGa1−xAs quantum dots on the surface of GaAs nanowires by metal organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Yan Xin , Zhang Xia , Ren Xiaomin , Li Junshuai , Lv Xiaolong , Wang Qi , Huang Yongqing
Published: July 2012

InxGa1−xAs (x = 0.6-1) quantum dots are grown on the {112} side facets of GaAs nanowires by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The emission spectrum of quantum dots exhibits a multi-peak structure due to size and composition fluctuations. The emission wavelength of quantum dots ranges from 857 nm to 930 nm at 77 K, which is distinctly blueshifted relative to that on traditional GaAs (100) planar substrate. The emission linewidth of an ensemble of quantum dots increases from 29.5 meV to 40.5 meV with increasing the In content, indicating a broader composition distribution of quantum dots.
Structural characterization of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots using medium energy ion scattering
Authors: Sortica M. A. , Grande P. L. , Radtke C. , Almeida L. G. , Debastiani R. , Dias J. F. , Hentz A.
Published: July 2012

In the present work, we have analyzed CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots by medium energy ion scattering (MEIS), which is a powerful technique to explore the synthesis, formation, stability, and elemental distribution of such core-shell structures, along with other auxiliary analytical techniques. By comparing different quantum-dot structural models spectra with the experimental MEIS data, we were able to obtain some sample structural information. We found that, despite the well known non stoichiometric Cd:Se ratio, the core is stoichiometric, and there is an excess of cadmium distributed in the shell.
A magnifying fiber element with an array of sub-wavelength Ge/ZnSe pixel waveguides for infrared imaging
Authors: Krishnamurthi Mahesh , Barnes Eftihia , Sparks Justin R. , He Rongrui , Baril Neil F. , Sazio Pier J. A. , Badding John V. , Gopalan Venkatraman
Published: July 2012

We demonstrate an array of tapered Ge-core/ZnSe-cladding waveguides in a silica fiber matrix for infrared image transfer and a pixel magnification of 3.5× at 3.39 μm and 10.64 μm wavelengths. The structure was synthesized by a high-pressure chemical vapor deposition technique to deposit the semiconductor waveguides within the holes of a silica based microstructured optical fiber. The core/cladding structure reduces the optical propagation loss through the waveguides, and good isolation between the pixels is demonstrated. With further material improvements, these structures could be useful for applications such as infrared endoscopic imaging.
Lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors occasionally harbor
BRAF
gene mutations but lack mutations in
KRAS, NRAS,
or
MEK1
Authors: Ohashi Kadoaki , Sequist Lecia V. , Arcila Maria E. , Moran Teresa , Chmielecki Juliann , Lin Ya-Lun , Pan Yumei , Wang Lu , de Stanchina Elisa , Shien Kazuhiko , Aoe Keisuke , Toyooka Shinichi , Kiura Katsuyuki , Fernandez-Cuesta Lynnette , Fidias Panos , Yang James Chih-Hsin , Miller Vincent A. , Riely Gregory J. , Kris Mark G. , Engelman Jeffrey A. , Vnencak-Jones Cindy L. , Dias-Santagata Dora , Ladanyi Marc , Pao William
Published: July 2012

Acquired resistance to EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is inevitable in metastatic
EGFR
-mutant lung cancers. Here, we modeled disease progression using
EGFR
-mutant human tumor cell lines. Although five of six models displayed alterations already found in humans, one harbored an unexpected secondary
NRAS
Q61K mutation; resistant cells were sensitive to concurrent EGFR and MEK inhibition but to neither alone. Prompted by this finding and because
RAS
/
RAF
/
MEK
mutations are known mediators of acquired resistance in other solid tumors (colon cancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and melanomas) responsive to targeted therapies, we analyzed the frequency of secondary
KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/MEK1
gene mutations in the largest collection to date of lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs. No recurrent
NRAS
,
KRAS,
or
MEK1
mutations were found in 212, 195, or 146 patient samples, respectively, but 2 of 195 (1%) were found to have mutations in BRAF (G469A and V600E). Ectopic expression of mutant
NRAS
or
BRAF
in drug-sensitive
EGFR
-mutant cells conferred resistance to EGFR TKIs that was overcome by addition of a MEK inhibitor. Collectively, these positive and negative results provide deeper insight into mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs in lung cancer and inform ongoing clinical trials designed to overcome resistance. In the context of emerging knowledge about mechanisms of acquired resistance to targeted therapies in various cancers, our data highlight the notion that, even though solid tumors share common signaling cascades, mediators of acquired resistance must be elucidated for each disease separately in the context of treatment.
Efficient and sequence-independent replication of DNA containing a third base pair establishes a functional six-letter genetic alphabet
Authors: Malyshev Denis A. , Dhami Kirandeep , Quach Henry T. , Lavergne Thomas , Ordoukhanian Phillip , Torkamani Ali , Romesberg Floyd E.
Published: July 2012

The natural four-letter genetic alphabet, comprised of just two base pairs (dA-dT and dG-dC), is conserved throughout all life, and its expansion by the development of a third, unnatural base pair has emerged as a central goal of chemical and synthetic biology. We recently developed a class of candidate unnatural base pairs, exemplified by the pair formed between d5SICS and dNaM. Here, we examine the PCR amplification of DNA containing one or more d5SICS-dNaM pairs in a wide variety of sequence contexts. Under standard conditions, we show that this DNA may be amplified with high efficiency and greater than 99.9% fidelity. To more rigorously explore potential sequence effects, we used deep sequencing to characterize a library of templates containing the unnatural base pair as a function of amplification. We found that the unnatural base pair is efficiently replicated with high fidelity in virtually all sequence contexts. The results show that, for PCR and PCR-based applications, d5SICS-dNaM is functionally equivalent to a natural base pair, and when combined with dA-dT and dG-dC, it provides a fully functional six-letter genetic alphabet.
Poloidal asymmetry of parallel rotation measured in ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Pütterich T. , Viezzer E. , Dux R. , McDermott R.M.
Published: July 2012

The parallel flows in the H-mode edge of ASDEX Upgrade are investigated. Beam-based charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) provides the toroidal and poloidal impurity flow velocities at the outboard midplane, while a deuterium-puff based CXRS measurement provides the toroidal impurity flow velocities at the inboard midplane. In order to more easily compare these measurements to fundamental boundary conditions, a basic overview of flows on a flux surface is presented. The boundary conditions are given by the continuity equation and mean that the flow velocities on a flux surface must have a specific structure in order to provide zero divergence. At first, poloidal impurity density asymmetries and radial transport are neglected. Inside of the pedestal-top of the electron density profile the measurements agree with the postulated flow structure, while they do not agree at the pedestal itself. Here, an extension of the theoretical scheme, which allows for a poloidal impurity density asymmetry, suggests that the measured flow velocities could be explained by an excess impurity density at the inboard midplane. In detail, the inboard impurity density is postulated to be at the separatrix up to a factor of 6.5 higher than impurity density at the outboard midplane. Near the pedestal-top of the electron density, this asymmetry disappears. Radial transport is considered as an explanation for that asymmetry. A conclusive disentanglement of the driving mechanisms requires further investigation.
A sequence comparison and gene expression data integration add-on for the Pathway Tools software
Authors: Krempl Peter M. , Mairhofer Juergen , Striedner Gerald , Thallinger Gerhard G.
Published: July 2012

Summary: We present a plug-in for Pathway Tools, an integrated systems biology software to create, maintain and query Pathway/Genome Databases. Fully integrated into the graphical user interface and menu, this plug-in extends the application's functionality by the ability to create multiple sequence alignments, systematically annotate insertion sequence (IS) elements and analyse their activity by cross-species comparison tools. Microarray probes can be automatically mapped to target genes, and expression data obtained with these arrays can be transformed into input formats needed to visualize them in the various omics viewers of Pathway Tools. The plug-in API itself allows developers to integrate their own functions into the Pathway Tools menu.

Availability: Binaries are freely available for non-commercial users at http://genome.tugraz.at/PGDBToolbox/ and can be used on all platforms supported by Pathway Tools. A user guide is freely available at: http://genome.tugraz.at/PGDBToolbox/documentation.shtml.

Contact:  ptools@acib.at

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CySBML: a Cytoscape plugin for SBML
Authors: König Matthias , Dräger Andreas , Holzhütter Hermann-Georg
Published: July 2012

Summary: CySBML is a plugin designed to work with Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) in Cytoscape having the following features: SBML import, support of the SBML layout and qualitative model packages, navigation in network layouts based on SBML structure, access to MIRIAM and SBO-based annotations and SBML validation. CySBML includes an importer for BioModels to load SBML from standard repositories.

Availability and implementation: Freely available for non-commercial purposes through the Cytoscape plugin manager or for download at http://sourceforge.net/projects/cysbml/.

Contact:  cysbml-team@lists.sourceforge.net

Supplementary Information: Tutorial, usage guide, installation instructions and additional figures are available for download at http://www.charite.de/sysbio/people/koenig/software/cysbml/.
Vaccine allocation in a declining epidemic
Authors: Goldstein E. , Wallinga J. , Lipsitch M.
Published: July 2012

Sizeable quantities of 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (H1N1pdm) vaccine in the USA became available at the end of 2009 when the autumn wave of the epidemic was declining. At that point, risk factors for H1N1-related mortality for some of the high-risk groups, particularly adults with underlying health conditions, could be estimated. Although those high-risk groups are natural candidates for being in the top priority tier for vaccine allocation, another candidate group is school-aged children through their role as vectors for transmission affecting the whole community. In this paper, we investigate the question of prioritization for vaccine allocation in a declining epidemic between two groups—a group with a high risk of mortality versus a ‘core’ group with a relatively low risk of mortality but fuelling transmission in the community. We show that epidemic data can be used, under certain assumptions on future decline, seasonality and vaccine efficacy in different population groups, to give a criterion when initial prioritization of a population group with a sufficiently high risk of epidemic-associated mortality is advisable over the policy of prioritizing the core group.
Pedobacter ginsengiterrae sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field
Authors: Hoang Van-An , Kim Yeon-Ju , Nguyen Ngoc-Lan , Min Jin-Woo , Yang Deok-Chun
Published: July 2012

A Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial strain that was motile by gliding and produced a pink pigment, designated DCY49T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in a mountainous region of Chungbuk province, South Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY49T belonged to the genus

Pedobacter

(93.0–96.3 % similarity). Strain DCY49T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (containing C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0, and the main polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain DCY49T was 40.5 mol%. Strain DCY49T differed from related

Pedobacter

species by a number of phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of data from the present polyphasic study, strain DCY49T is described as representing a novel species of the genus

Pedobacter

, for which the name Pedobacter ginsengiterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY49T ( = KCTC 23317T = JCM 17338T).
Bacillus

persicus sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium from a hypersaline lake
Authors: Didari Maryam , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Bagheri Maryam , Mehrshad Maliheh , Schumann Peter , Spröer Cathrin , Sánchez-Porro Cristina , Ventosa Antonio
Published: July 2012

A novel Gram-positive, slightly halophilic bacterium, designated strain B48T, was isolated from soil around the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain B48T were non-motile rods and produced ellipsoidal endospores at a central or subterminal position in swollen sporangia. Strain B48T was a strictly aerobic bacterium, catalase- and oxidase-positive. The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–10.0 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 2.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 35 °C and pH 7.5–8.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain B48T was shown to belong to the genus

Bacillus

within the phylum

Firmicutes

and showed the closest phylogenetic similarity to the species

Bacillus foraminis

CV53T (97.4 %) and

Bacillus purgationiresistens

DS22T (96.9 %). The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 40.1 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain B48T were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an aminophospholipid and two unknown phospholipids. The only quinone present was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. All these features confirm the placement of isolate B48T within the genus

Bacillus

. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low level of relatedness between strain B48T and

Bacillus foraminis

IBRC-M 10625T (8.1 %). On the basis of polyphasic evidence from this study, a new species of the genus

Bacillus

,

Bacillus

persicus sp. nov., is proposed, with strain B48T ( = IBRC-M 10115T = DSM 25386T = CECT 8001T) as the type strain.
Amycolatopsis magusensis sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Camas Mustafa , Sahin Nevzat , Sazak Anil , Spröer Cathrin , Klenk Hans-Peter
Published: July 2012

A novel actinomycete, designated strain KT2025T, was isolated from arid soil collected from Magusa, northern Cyprus. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was established by using a polyphasic approach. The organism had chemical and morphological features consistent with its classification in the genus

Amycolatopsis

. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences supported the classification of the isolate in the genus

Amycolatopsis

and showed that the organism formed a cluster with

Amycolatopsis nigrescens

CSC17-Ta-90T,

Amycolatopsis minnesotensis

32U-2T,

Amycolatopsis sacchari

DSM 44468T and

Amycolatopsis dongchuanensis

YIM 75904T. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis indicated that strain KT2025T was most closely related to

Amycolatopsis lurida

DSM 43134T (97.5 %),

Amycolatopsis keratiniphila subsp. keratiniphila

DSM 44409T (97.4 %),

Amycolatopsis keratiniphila subsp. nogabecina

DSM 44586T (97.1 %),

Amycolatopsis nigrescens

DSM 44992T (97.1 %),

Amycolatopsis azurea

DSM 43854T (97.1 %) and

Amycolatopsis minnesotensis

DSM 44988T (96.9 %). The organism was found to have chemical features typical of members of the genus

Amycolatopsis

such as meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, and arabinose and galactose as diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.8 mol%. Phenotypic data clearly distinguished the isolate from its closest relatives. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data and low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness with its closest relatives indicated that strain KT2025T represents a novel species of the genus

Amycolatopsis

, for which the name Amycolatopsis magusensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KT2025T ( = DSM 45510T = KCTC 29056T).
Litorilinea aerophila gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic member of the class

Caldilineae

, phylum

Chloroflexi

, isolated from an intertidal hot spring
Authors: Kale Varsha , Björnsdóttir Snædís H. , Friðjónsson Ólafur H. , Pétursdóttir Sólveig K. , Ómarsdóttir Sesselja , Hreggviðsson Guðmundur Óli
Published: July 2012

A thermophilic, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, filamentous bacterium, strain PRI-4131T, was isolated from an intertidal hot spring in Isafjardardjup, NW Iceland. The strain grew chemo-organotrophically on various carbohydrates. The temperature range for growth was 40–65 °C (optimum 55 °C), the pH range was pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and the NaCl range was 0–3 % (w/v) (optimum 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain PRI-4131T represented a distinct lineage within the class

Caldilineae

of the phylum
Chloroflexi. The highest levels of sequence similarity, about 91 %, were with

Caldilinea aerophila

STL-6-O1T and

Caldilinea tarbellica

D1-25-10-4T. Fermentative growth was not observed for strain PRI-4131T, which, in addition to other characteristics, distinguished it from the two

Caldilinea

species. Owing to both phylogenetic and phenotypic differences from the described members of the class

Caldilineae

, we propose to accommodate strain PRI-4131T in a novel species in a new genus, Litorilinea aerophila gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Litorilinea aerophila is PRI-4131T ( = DSM 25763T  = ATCC BAA-2444T).
RNA-seq analysis of the C. briggsae transcriptome
Authors: Uyar Bora , Chu Jeffrey S.C. , Vergara Ismael A. , Chua Shu Yi , Jones Martin R. , Wong Tammy , Baillie David L. , Chen Nansheng
Published: July 2012

Curation of a high-quality gene set is the critical first step in genome research, enabling subsequent analyses such as ortholog assignment, cis-regulatory element finding, and synteny detection. In this project, we have reannotated the genome of Caenorhabditis briggsae, the best studied sister species of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. First, we applied a homology-based gene predictor genBlastG to annotate the C. briggsae genome. We then validated and further improved the C. briggsae gene annotation through RNA-seq analysis of the C. briggsae transcriptome, which resulted in the first validated C. briggsae gene set (23,159 genes), among which 7347 genes (33.9% of all genes with introns) have all of their introns confirmed. Most genes (14,812, or 68.3%) have at least one intron validated, compared with only 3.9% in the most recent WormBase release (WS228). Of all introns in the revised gene set (103,083), 61,503 (60.1%) have been confirmed. Additionally, we have identified numerous trans-splicing leaders (SL1 and SL2 variants) in C. briggsae, leading to the first genome-wide annotation of operons in C. briggsae (1105 operons). The majority of the annotated operons (564, or 51.0%) are perfectly conserved in C. elegans, with an additional 345 operons (or 31.2%) somewhat divergent. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis revealed over 10 thousand small-size assembly errors in the current C. briggsae reference genome that can be readily corrected. The revised C. briggsae genome annotation represents a solid platform for comparative genomics analysis and evolutionary studies of Caenorhabditis species.
Assessing leaders for the future
Authors: Povah Lucy
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current elements of leadership and to give the reader an idea of how to assess a leader's fit within an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a combination of a&dc's methodology and external research.

Findings

The main conclusion of this paper is that an “all‐weather” leader has a huge role to play in the future success of any organisation, particularly in the current economic climate. However, we must learn to appreciate that one leader can do very well in one culture, but not so well in another, so it is vital that organisations have an effective assessment and development strategy in place to deliver their business agenda.

Practical implications

A change in the way leaders are assessed and managed is needed to ensure organisations have the “all‐weather” leaders needed for future growth.

Originality/value

The “Five Core Elements of Leaders” is a unique a&dc concept.
Transforming individual performance: the discovery that delivers fulfilling, successful lives
Authors: Eales‐White Rupert
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detail the discovery of the Fourth Law of Iceberg Communication Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets out Iceberg Communication Theory and the three existing laws, and details the Fourth Law and the research base underpinning its creation, with a relevant case study.

Findings

The Fourth Law enables any individual to meet their goals and to lead a more fulfilling, successful life.

Originality/value

The discovery of the Fourth Law is original and the value is as outlined above.
Organizational performance management system: exploring the manufacturing sectors
Authors: Sahoo Chandan Kumar , Jena Sambedna
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the various performance management systems utilized by the manufacturing units.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the performance management literature to extract the factors that would help to explain the effect of performance management system on manufacturing units.

Findings

This research revealed important issues and practices of performance management in manufacturing sectors.

Originality/value

The paper improves understanding of the different approaches utilized to manage and measure performance management system in the manufacturing sector.
Contextual antecedents and performance of team vision in product development
Authors: Revilla Elena , Knoppen Desirée
Published: July 2012

Purpose

At the heart of realizing superior product development there seems to be the development of organizational mechanisms that fuel team vision. In light of this, the purpose of this paper is to build and empirically test a conceptual model (input‐process‐output) of team vision at the product development level to establish the relationship between the contextual antecedents such as trust and learning culture (inputs), team vision (process) and product development performance in terms of process outcomes (i.e. team effectiveness) and product outcomes (i.e. value to customer).

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence is drawn from a sample of 80 Spanish product developments. Data are analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis based on composite scores, supported by Lisrel.

Findings

Results show that team vision in combination with an organizational context, built upon a learning culture and trust, has a positive impact on product development performance. This influence is higher in terms of process outcomes than in terms of product outcomes. Also, the impact of learning culture on team vision and performance is higher than the impact of trust.

Research limitations/implications

The findings open up new research questions about the role of team vision within product development. Research studies taking into account the development of an organizational context that promotes trust‐based relationships and a learning culture would be helpful in order to draw further conclusions.

Practical implications

The paper provides managers with convincing evidence of the need to foster team vision in product development.

Originality/value

The paper reduces the relative lack of empirical work within existing models about team vision and extends the existing research on team vision to the product development level.
Creating and exploiting market knowledge assets
Authors: Slater Stanley F. , Olson Eric M. , Eibe Sørensen Hans
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the components of a knowledge management system that contribute to superior new product program performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive review of the academic and managerial literatures that deal with knowledge management's contribution to superior performance was first undertaken. After identifying gaps in the literature, a comprehensive model of a knowledge management system was developed. Where possible, existing measures of the constructs in this model were utilized. A questionnaire was developed, a commercial mailing list purchased, and a two wave mailing which produced a 15.8 percent response rate conducted.

Findings

The paper finds that customer intelligence generation, competitor intelligence generation, technological intelligence generation, and intelligence dissemination all contribute to the stock of knowledge assets (p<0.05). It was also found that, after controlling for influences on new product performance, a knowledge‐based strategy fully mediated the knowledge asset‐new product program performance relationship (p<0.05).

Research limitations/implications

This is a cross‐sectional study so causality should not be implied. The study was conducted among companies competing in high‐tech industries so there may be questions about generalizability.

Practical implications

Within the limitations of the research design, this study demonstrates the components of a knowledge management system. It provides numerous examples of the techniques utilized and companies that utilize them.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the components of a knowledge management system that contribute to superior new product program performance.
Industrial product pricing: a value‐based approach
Authors: Liozu Stephan M. , Hinterhuber Andreas
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the influence of pricing orientation on the price‐setting process in industrial firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed a qualitative inquiry based on the principles of grounded theory with 44 managers in 15 industrial firms located across ten US states. These managers included CEOs, pricing and marketing professionals, and financial professionals working in three industries (automotive, building products and chemicals).

Findings

The study's results reflect similarities and differences in the experiences of managers in industrial firms using all three pricing orientations. It reveals stark contrasts by pricing orientation with respect to how firms organize for pricing, manage the pricing process, make product pricing decisions, manage the transition to more advanced pricing orientations, and develop internal capabilities to face uncertain and ambiguous decisions. The findings also uncover contrasting price‐setting processes by pricing orientation and the balanced used of scientific versus intuitive decision‐making processes.

Practical implications

Pricing is often a neglected element of the industrial marketing mix. This study offers a variety of organizational practices by pricing orientation. The results highlight how best‐in‐class companies that adopted modern pricing practices to derive product prices are organized and how they reach pricing decisions.

Originality/value

This study studies the commonly accepted pricing orientations and links them to organizational structure and decision‐making theory. This study contributes to bridging pricing and organizational theories.
Sustainability leadership: from strategy to results
Authors: Galpin Timothy , Lee Whittington J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to show how a previously developed multi‐level model of employee engagement can be leveraged to implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy. By combining macro‐level (organization‐wide) with micro‐level (manager to employee) leadership practices, management teams can more effectively engage their entire workforce in sustainability endeavors.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative synthesis approach is used to integrate extant empirical and practitioner literature spanning various disciplines in order to apply a comprehensive model for leading sustainability efforts.

Findings

The path to successful sustainability efforts hinges on both “macro” and “micro” organizational factors. Combining these factors provides management with a powerful approach that engages a workforce in sustainability endeavors, resulting in positive employee‐level and organizational‐level sustainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

If research is reported on in the paper this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process. Applying the engagement model to corporate sustainability efforts is an important advancement in the theoretical sustainability literature. It is applicable to multiple sustainability efforts, and may be applied regardless of the industry or the size of the companies undertaking sustainability initiatives. The model provides guidance for researchers who are seeking to frame their inquiry from a multi‐level perspective and in relation to other disciplines. Future research should focus on the relationship between the different leadership factors identified in the model and sustainability performance.

Practical implications

Despite the observations into what needs to be done around sustainability, many organizations do not quite seem to know how to do it. Therefore, the model presented provides a road map that can be used to structure management's approach to their sustainability endeavors.

Originality/value

A gap exists in both the practitioner and academic literature regarding the development of a model that encompasses the key elements of corporate sustainability efforts from inception to implementation. Moreover, no clear leadership model exists with the expressed purpose of creating the most effective employee engagement during corporate sustainability efforts. In this paper it is demonstrated how a previously developed workforce engagement model can be leveraged to implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy. The multi‐level model provides a foundation for the formulation, implementation and successful execution of sustainability efforts.
The devil's dictionary of business strategy
Authors: Marren Patrick
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to humorously define various common business and strategy terms to amuse and illuminate.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a lexicon.

Findings

The paper finds that man's search for meaning can end up with one's nose in a dictionary.

Originality/value

The paper is a diversion.
Social media at the university: a demographic comparison
Authors: Ruleman Alice B.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine faculty and student responses to questions regarding their use of social media and to determine possible demographic differences.

Design/methodology/approach

A web‐based quantitative survey format utilizing multiple choice and matrix type questions was selected for this research.

Findings

Both faculty and students are active users of social media. Some distinct demographic differences were found but they did not always match expected results.

Research limitations/implications

The nature of a multiple‐choice survey creates some limitations although it also makes it easier to obtain responses from a broad range of individuals. The responses to this survey indicate some interesting demographic results particularly related to gender differences (or lack of) with the students and faculty, as well as the differences between the two groups even when comparing the same ages. Additional research could help to explain these differences.

Practical implications

This environmental scan can aid the library in determining potential social media to use to provide service to the campus.

Originality/value

The paper confirms that students and faculty are avid users of some, but not all, social media and the study raises some interesting questions regarding the differences between faculty and students.
Staffless libraries – recent Danish public library experiences
Authors: Gustav Johannsen Carl
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Modern IT‐based loans and delivery automation systems combined with video surveillance and monitoring cameras have enabled new service opportunities and models in public libraries. In Denmark, staffless public libraries have appeared recently in many local communities. This article aims to report on the Danish experiences with open libraries in terms of local community characteristics, their use – visits and loans, characteristics of the users in terms of sex and age and, finally, an analysis of critical success factors revealed in association with open libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The data upon which this article is based were collected during the autumn of 2011 by the Danish Center for Library and Media through an electronic questionnaire to all 97 of Denmark's municipalities.

Findings

The origins of the concept of open libraries were shaped by the opportunities made by a combination of the technological development of automated loans and delivery systems and electronic surveillance techniques. The open library concept has been described as a success in terms of growth rates of visits and increasing number of loans.

Originality/value

The article shows that the concept has been quite successful in terms of use and local support and that it has strengthened the position of the local public libraries in the local communities.
Rural library services II
Authors: Islam Shariful , Zabed Ahmed S.M.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This is the second article focusing on rural library services in Bangladesh. The main aim of this paper is to empirically measure the performance and impact of rural library activities in northern districts of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out separately in ten rural communities with library facilities. Background data about library collections were collected. Point‐of‐exit interviews with library users were carried out to gather their opinion on library collections, performance and impact.

Findings

The point‐of‐exit interview highlights the users' demographic characteristics, their library use and information needs, and their opinion on library collections, performance and impact. The constraints faced by users in using these libraries are also identified. The results show that most users are generally satisfied with the performance and impact of these libraries.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to measure empirically the performance and impact of rural library activities in Bangladesh. The authors expect more research on impact assessment of rural library activities in other developing countries.
E‐books: discussions of production, content, and future at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair
Authors: Westgate Hilary J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on panels and discussions about e‐books taking place at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.

Design/methodology/approach

The author chose to attend several panels discussing the current issues and the future of e‐books, particularly in relation to libraries.

Findings

Publishers' and libraries' views on e‐books vary widely between countries, but all agree that e‐books are a burgeoning marketplace that is here to stay, although nobody can say in what form.

Originality/value

This international conference allowed for leaders in the industry from multiple countries to come together and share their diverse viewpoints on the topic of e‐books and their value, marketing, and future.