bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetism of hexagonal Mn1.5X0.5Sn (X = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co) nanomaterials
Authors: Fuglsby R. , Kharel P. , Zhang W. , Valloppilly S. , Huh Y. , Sellmyer D. J.
Published: March 2015

Mn1.5X0.5Sn (X = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co) nanomaterials in the hexagonal Ni2In-type crystal structure have been prepared using arc-melting and melt spinning. All the rapidly quenched Mn1.5X0.5Sn alloys show moderate saturation magnetizations with the highest value of 458 emu/cm3 for Mn1.5Fe0.5Sn, but their Curie temperatures are less than 300 K. All samples except the Cr containing one show spin-glass-like behavior at low temperature. The magnetic anisotropy constants calculated from the high-field magnetization curves at 100 K are on the order of 1 Merg/cm3. The vacuum annealing of the ribbons at 550 °C significantly improved their magnetic properties with the Curie temperature increasing from 206 K to 273 K for Mn1.5Fe0.5Sn.
Size effect on multiferroic TbMn2O5 nanorods
Authors: Yang Chun-Chuen , Tung Yung-Hsiang , Chen Yi-Jung , Hsu Ting-Wei , You Pang-Yen , Chan Ting-Shan , Chen Yang-Yuan
Published: March 2015

The effect of the size of TbMn2O5 on their magnetoelectric properties is studied using a field emission transmission electron microscope, ac magnetic susceptibility, relative dielectric constant, specific heat capacity, and x-ray diffraction at various temperatures. A bulk sample and nanorods with two axial lengths, ⟨LC⟩, are investigated. Nanorods with ⟨LC⟩ of 216 nm and 64 nm crystallize with orthorhombic Pbam symmetry as the bulk material. The axial direction of the two sizes of nanorod is parallel to the c axis of the crystal. No particular radial direction is observed. The critical size for the magnetic ordering of TbMn2O5 is found to be between ⟨LC⟩ = 64 nm and 216 nm. Experiments on specific heat capacity verified these results. No similar phenomenon concerning the ferroelectric property is observed. At T = 30 K and 35 K, the ⟨LC⟩ = 216 nm sample yields a charge-ordering-like x-ray diffraction peak, which may be associated with the magnetically induced charge ordering superlattice.
Scale effects and the formation of polarization vortices in tetragonal ferroelectrics
Authors: Balakrishna Ananya Renuka , Huber John E.
Published: March 2015

Vortices consisting of 90° quadrant domains are rarely observed in ferroelectrics. Although experiments show polarization flux closures with stripe domains, it is as yet unclear why pure single vortices are not commonly observed. Here, we model and explore the energy of polarization patterns with vortex and stripe domains, formed on the square cross-section of a barium titanate nanowire. Using phase-field simulations, we calculate the associated energy of polarization patterns as a function of nanowire width. Further, we demonstrate the effects of surface energy and electrical boundary conditions on equilibrium polarization patterns. The minimum energy equilibrium polarization pattern for each combination of surface energy and nanowire width is mapped for both open- and short-circuit boundary conditions. The results indicate a narrow range of conditions where single vortices are energetically favorable: nanowire widths less than about 30 nm, open-circuit boundary condition, and surface energy of less than 4 N/m. Short-circuit boundary conditions tend to favor the formation of a monodomain, while surface energy greater than 4 N/m can lead to the formation of complex domain patterns or loss of ferroelectricity. The length scale at which a polarization vortex is energetically favorable is smaller than the typical size of nanoparticle in recent experimental studies. The present work provides insight into the effects of scaling, surface energy, and electrical boundary conditions on the formation of polarization patterns.
Ultra-high mobility two-dimensional electron gas in a SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum well
Authors: Melnikov M. Yu. , Shashkin A. A. , Dolgopolov V. T. , Huang S.-H. , Liu C. W. , Kravchenko S. V.
Published: March 2015

We report the observation of an electron gas in a SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum well with maximum mobility up to 240 m2/Vs, which is noticeably higher than previously reported results in silicon-based structures. Using SiO, rather than Al2O3, as an insulator, we obtain strongly reduced threshold voltages close to zero. In addition to the predominantly small-angle scattering well known in the high-mobility heterostructures, the observed linear temperature dependence of the conductivity reveals the presence of a short-range random potential.
Experimental study on terahertz metamaterial embedded in nematic liquid crystal
Authors: Kowerdziej Rafał , Jaroszewicz Leszek , Olifierczuk Marek , Parka Janusz
Published: March 2015

We present an electrically tunable metamaterial device consisting of a periodic array of crossed elements embedded in nematic liquid crystal. Our experimental results show that the transmittance and absorption coefficient of the metamaterial device can be substantially tuned (with an absorption coefficient change of up to 22% for 0.82 THz) by switching the liquid crystal alignment, induced by applying an external voltages applied to the wire electrodes. Structured tunable devices may find applications in modulation and switching elements operating in the visible–infrared–terahertz and microwave regimes.
Tenure Security as a Predictor of Housing Investment in Low-Income Settlements: Testing a Tripartite Model
Authors: van Gelder Jean-Louis , Luciano Eva C
Published: March 2015

Tenure security is widely believed to contribute to low-income settlement development by encouraging investment in housing improvement. However, in spite of consensus about its importance, it is still unclear what tenure security exactly entails and few studies have examined how it relates to housing improvement. Using survey data from six informal neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Argentina, we empirically test a model that specifies how the different types of tenure security that feature in academic and policy debates relate to each other, and the extent to which each predicts investment in housing improvement. We find that legal tenure security and de facto security of tenure influence investment in part through increases in perceptions of tenure security. We conclude that the hypothesized model accurately predicts investment in housing improvement and discuss how these findings inform current debates on tenure security and informality.
Naturalizing Neoliberalism and the De-Mexicanization of the Tequila Industry
Authors: Gaytán Marie Sarita , Bowen Sarah
Published: March 2015

Although scholars agree that nationalism remains an important aspect of the new vocabulary of neoliberalism, little is known about how these discourses operate on the ground and in particular contexts. In this paper, we investigate how a specific adaption of national identity, one that underscores the values of cultural integrity, is used to naturalize neoliberal shifts in the tequila industry. Tequila has long circulated in the images and myths of Mexican identity. However, in the last two decades, the Mexican government has increasingly relied on tequila's reputation as the nation's ‘spirit’ to obscure changes in tequila regulatory policies that are linked to broader neoliberal changes in Mexico. Extralocal actors—in particular, multinational companies—have more influence over the direction the industry is taking and the institutions that regulate it, while tequila production is increasingly untethered from the communities and traditions that make it distinct. Here, we examine how private and public actors mobilize the language of authenticity, place, and quality to justify the adoption of neoliberal measures in the tequila industry.
Effects of Frequency Separation and Diotic/Dichotic Presentations on the Alternation Frequency Limits in Audition Derived from a Temporal Phase Discrimination Task
Authors: Kanaya Shoko , Fujisaki Waka , Nishida Shin'ya , Furukawa Shigeto , Yokosawa Kazuhiko
Published: March 2015

Temporal phase discrimination is a useful psychophysical task to evaluate how sensory signals, synchronously detected in parallel, are perceptually bound by human observers. In this task two stimulus sequences synchronously alternate between two states (say, A-B-A-B and X-Y-X-Y) in either of two temporal phases (ie A and B are respectively paired with X and Y, or vice versa). The critical alternation frequency beyond which participants cannot discriminate the temporal phase is measured as an index characterizing the temporal property of the underlying binding process. This task has been used to reveal the mechanisms underlying visual and cross-modal bindings. To directly compare these binding mechanisms with those in another modality, this study used the temporal phase discrimination task to reveal the processes underlying auditory bindings. The two sequences were alternations between two pitches. We manipulated the distance between the two sequences by changing intersequence frequency separation, or presentation ears (diotic vs dichotic). Results showed that the alternation frequency limit ranged from 7 to 30 Hz, becoming higher as the intersequence distance decreased, as is the case with vision. However, unlike vision, auditory phase discrimination limits were higher and more variable across participants.
An Efficient Microwave Method for the Synthesis of Imines
Authors: Border Emily C. , Blair Victoria L. , Andrews Philip C.
Published: March 2015

A large variety of aryl and heterocyclic chiral and achiral imines can be generated simply, efficiently, and cleanly through the use of microwave irradiation and the use of a small amount of molecular sieve. Reactions are rapid and complete in a matter of minutes, and can be quantitative, reducing significantly the time and amount of solvents used in compound isolation and purification.
Cortically projecting basal forebrain parvalbumin neurons regulate cortical gamma band oscillations
Authors: Kim Tae , Thankachan Stephen , McKenna James T. , McNally James M. , Yang Chun , Choi Jee Hyun , Chen Lichao , Kocsis Bernat , Deisseroth Karl , Strecker Robert E. , Basheer Radhika , Brown Ritchie E. , McCarley Robert W.
Published: March 2015

Significance

When we are awake, purposeful thinking and behavior require the synchronization of brain cells involved in different aspects of the same task. Cerebral cortex electrical oscillations in the gamma (30–80 Hz) range are particularly important in such synchronization. In this report we identify a particular subcortical cell type which has increased activity during waking and is involved in activating the cerebral cortex and generating gamma oscillations, enabling active cortical processing. Abnormalities of the brain mechanisms controlling gamma oscillations are involved in the disordered thinking typical of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Thus, these findings may pave the way for targeted therapies to treat schizophrenia and other disorders involving abnormal cortical gamma oscillations.
Antigen specificity can be irrelevant to immunocytokine efficacy and biodistribution
Authors: Tzeng Alice , Kwan Byron H. , Opel Cary F. , Navaratna Tejas , Wittrup K. Dane
Published: March 2015

Significance

Cytokines (potent immunostimulatory proteins) exert powerful antitumor effects but often cause severe whole-body inflammation when used as cancer therapies. Contrary to the current paradigm that fusion to antitumor antibodies can constrain cytokine activity to tumors, we have found that, for some immunocytokines incorporating the cytokine IL-2, the cytokine moiety overrides antibody-mediated targeting, localizing the fusion protein to IL-2 receptor-expressing cells rather than tumor cells. Although the IL-2 immunocytokines did not selectively home to tumors, they persisted longer in circulation than free IL-2, such that a nontoxic immunocytokine dose could synergize with tumor-specific antibody to cure mice with aggressive solid tumors.
Plasmodium falciparumchloroquine resistance transporter is a H+-coupled polyspecific nutrient and drug exporter
Authors: Juge Narinobu , Moriyama Sawako , Miyaji Takaaki , Kawakami Mamiyo , Iwai Haruka , Fukui Tomoya , Nelson Nathan , Omote Hiroshi , Moriyama Yoshinori
Published: March 2015

Significance

Malaria caused byPlasmodium falciparumis a severe infectious disease with high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. Chloroquine (CQ) is a widely used antimalarial agent, but the emergence and spread of CQ-resistant parasites is a growing global health problem. Although its physiological relevance remains unknown,P. falciparumCQ resistance transporter (PfCRT) confers CQ resistance through CQ egress from digestive vacuoles ofP. falciparum. To address this issue, recombinant CQ-sensitive or CQ-resistant PfCRT proteins were purified and their transport activities were assessed. Both CQ-sensitive and CQ-resistant PfCRTs transported CQ, various antimalarial agents, and basic amino acids, indicating that PfCRT is a polyspecific drug and nutrient exporter.
Comprehensive analysis of heterotrimeric G-protein complex diversity and their interactions with GPCRs in solution
Authors: Hillenbrand Matthias , Schori Christian , Schöppe Jendrik , Plückthun Andreas
Published: March 2015

Significance

G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the target of 30% of all drugs on the market. Nevertheless, the lack of detailed knowledge of GPCR signaling impedes the development of highly specific drugs. In this respect, additional structures of GPCR/G-protein complexes could greatly enhance our knowledge on how to design specific drugs. Unfortunately, the nature of the GPCR/G-protein complex is characterized by a transient interaction and an intrinsic instability, thereby hampering structure determination. In our study, we show—besides new insights into the combinatorial diversity of heterotrimeric G proteins—that the combination of evolved, stable GPCR mutants and G-protein combinations selected from the natural pool of G proteins yields promisingly stable GPCR/G-protein complexes.
Improving recombinant Rubisco biogenesis, plant photosynthesis and growth by coexpressing its ancillary RAF1 chaperone
Authors: Whitney Spencer M. , Birch Rosemary , Kelso Celine , Beck Jennifer L. , Kapralov Maxim V.
Published: March 2015

Significance

Using a translational photosynthesis approach, we successfully increased CO
2
-assimilation in leaf chloroplasts of the model plant tobacco. Phylogenetic analysis revealed parallel evolutionary linkages between the large (L-) subunit of the CO
2
-fixing enzyme Rubisco and its molecular chaperone Rubisco accumulation factor 1 (RAF1). We experimentally tested and exploited this correlation using plastome transformation, producing plants that demonstrated the role of RAF1 in L-subunit assembly and resolve the RAF1 quaternary structure as a dimer. We show the increase in Rubisco biogenesis translated to improvements in leaf photosynthesis and growth of the plants. The outcomes have application to the growing interest into identifying and implementing strategies to supercharge photosynthesis to improve crop productivity and stem global food-security concerns.
Implantable hydrogel embedded dark-gold nanoswitch as a theranostic probe to sense and overcome cancer multidrug resistance
Authors: Conde João , Oliva Nuria , Artzi Natalie
Published: March 2015

Significance

The integration of biomaterials science, innovative imaging, and cancer biology now enables the design of smart responsive material platforms for cancer theranostics. We show herein that our developed nanovehicle is able to sense and silence a multidrug resistance gene based on its expression in the tumor microenvironment, followed by local chemotherapeutic drug release, with a significant tumor regression not achieved otherwise. This ON/OFF molecular nanoswitch approach can be used to reverse the resistance to many other chemotherapeutic drugs and can serve as a universal gene therapy and drug delivery vehicle for cancer therapy. This disease-responsive platform can revolutionize clinical outcome and cancer patients’ point of care.
Whole-genome sequence of the Tibetan frog
Nanorana parkeri
and the comparative evolution of tetrapod genomes
Authors: Sun Yan-Bo , Xiong Zi-Jun , Xiang Xue-Yan , Liu Shi-Ping , Zhou Wei-Wei , Tu Xiao-Long , Zhong Li , Wang Lu , Wu Dong-Dong , Zhang Bao-Lin , Zhu Chun-Ling , Yang Min-Min , Chen Hong-Man , Li Fang , Zhou Long , Feng Shao-Hong , Huang Chao , Zhang Guo-Jie , Irwin David , Hillis David M. , Murphy Robert W. , Yang Huan-Ming , Che Jing , Wang Jun , Zhang Ya-Ping
Published: March 2015

Significance

We provide a de novo genome of the Tibetan frog,
Nanorana parkeri
, and conduct a series of comparisons with other vertebrates. Approximately one-half of the genome of
Nanorana
consists of transposable elements (TEs). The frequencies and distributional patterns of TEs differ considerably between
Nanorana
and
Xenopus
, the only other amphibian for which a genome has been sequenced. The genomes of these two frogs exhibit substantial homologous synteny blocks with rare interchromosomal and intrachromosomal rearrangements. We also identify 11 Mb of amphibian-specific conserved elements comprising 217 genes. These highly conserved genes provide a basis for comparative genomic analyses throughout frogs.
Four basic residues critical for the ion selectivity and pore blocker sensitivity of TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels
Authors: Peters Christian J. , Yu Haibo , Tien Jason , Jan Yuh Nung , Li Min , Jan Lily Yeh
Published: March 2015

Significance

TMEM16A is a calcium-activated chloride channel, meaning that it is a protein found at the surface of a variety of cells that permits chloride to enter when internal calcium levels rise. TMEM16A has been implicated in a variety of biological processes, including epithelial fluid secretion, smooth muscle contraction, neuron firing, and cancer cell proliferation. However, it is unclear how chloride ions are guided across the cell membrane by this protein. Here, we have modified and tested positively charged amino acids of TMEM16A and found four that modify chloride flux. We also tested potential blockers from a high-throughput screen and describe two that appear to block chloride’s path, which should contribute to future studies attempting to further analyze TMEM16A’s function.
Steric clashes with bound OMP peptides activate the DegS stress-response protease
Authors: de Regt Anna K. , Baker Tania A. , Sauer Robert T.
Published: March 2015

Significance

Gram-negative bacteria sense and respond to compromised outer-membrane assembly to maintain cell integrity. In
Escherichia coli
, outer-membrane stress is sensed via regulated intramembrane proteolysis, a universal signal-transduction system. The C-terminal peptides of unassembled outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) bind and activate DegS, a periplasmic protease that cleaves a transmembrane anti-sigma factor, increasing transcription of stress-response genes. The molecular mechanism by which OMPs allosterically activate DegS has been unclear. We show that OMP-peptide binding to DegS initiates a steric clash that breaks autoinhibitory interactions, resulting in proteolytic activation. This mechanism does not require strong sequence conservation. As proteases related to DegS play important roles in protein-quality control and regulation in most organisms, these studies provide an important step forward in understanding these enzymes.
Rationally designed fluorogenic protease reporter visualizes spatiotemporal dynamics of apoptosis in vivo
Authors: To Tsz-Leung , Piggott Beverly J. , Makhijani Kalpana , Yu Dan , Jan Yuh Nung , Shu Xiaokun
Published: March 2015

Significance

By harnessing the unique interactions between infrared fluorescent protein and its chromophore, we have designed an infrared fluorogenic protease reporter (iProtease). A fluorogenic protease reporter is ideal for imaging protease activity in vivo, whereas a FRET-based reporter is limited by poor signal and requirement of image processing. The iProtease scaffold may be used as a core module to design reporters of various proteases with specific activity. This technology will aide important applications, including monitoring protease activity in vivo, dissecting signaling pathways that regulate protease activity, and high-throughput screening of protease inhibitors for drug development and biological study. Our work shows that phytochrome-derived infrared fluorescent protein is a promising scaffold in engineering fluorogenic reporters for visualizing spatiotemporal dynamics of cell signaling in vivo
.
What holds a narrative together? The linguistic encoding of episode boundaries
Authors: Bamberg Michael , Marchman Virginia A.
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a linguistic analysis of episode boundaries in narratives produced from a 24-page picture book by German and English speakers. We investigate the development of form/function relationships involved in the discursive organization of narratives, attempting to bring together research traditions that typically consider the linguistic structuring and the conceptualization of narratives as two separate domains. Focussing in our analysis on the linguistic realization of discourse boundaries, we integrate a qualitative and quantitative approach to the exploration of (1) the relationship between the existence and commonality (“availability”) of particular markers (e.g., aspect) in a given language and the structure that narratives take, and (2) the developmental patterns in the use of several formal devices for serving discourse (i.e., narrative) functions. Episode boundaries were identified with an “importance” judgment task. These ratings were used guiding the analyses of the narrative productions of 72 subjects in three age groups (5 and 9 years, and adults) and two languages (English and German). The findings suggest that, in general, event boundaries ranking higher in the episode hierarchy are more clearly marked than events that are seen to be less important. Further, comparing the English and German narratives, the availability of devices in a language can influence the explicitness with which episode boundaries are marked. Lastly, developmental analyses suggest that children in both language groups first mark episode boundaries in the service of highlighting and intensifying locally-defined discourse level units. The use of these markers evolves toward packaging larger discourse units, resulting in a global structuring of the episodic configuration of the narrative whole. These cross-linguistic and developmental patterns suggest that marking episode boundaries involves a complex interplay between two kinds of narrative orientations: (a) the horizontal alignment of linearly-ordered narrative events, and (b) the vertical organization of events along a hierarchical axis of narrative structure.
Yiddish V/1 declarative clauses in discourse
Authors: Miner Kenneth L.
Published: March 2015

Yiddish narratives contain a considerable number of declarative sentences which begin with the inflected verb: Hot im zayn vayb bald tsurikgeshikt dem briv ‘(So) his wife right away returned the letter.’ Such declarative sentences, which are never initial in a text, are often said to have resultative meaning (note the translation of the example just given); however grammarians concede that one encounters them often without such a meaning. The purpose of this study is to try to establish the discourse function of these V/1 clauses, utilizing the framework of Prince (1988). It turns out that the occurrence of the finite verb in initial position is a marker of cohesion, and that V/1 clauses actually contrast, in their ties to previous material, with non-V/1 clauses.

My study as a by-product supports the conclusions of Prince (1988) regarding other clauses in Yiddish in which the verb does not immediately follow the subject. I also include remarks on V/1 constructions in German (§4.0).
Ultrasonographic comparison of two landmarks for the internal jugular vein: high versus conventional approach
Authors: Hwang Jin-Young , Ju Jae-Woo , Min Seong-Won , Do Sang-Hwan , Ryu Jung-Hee
Published: March 2015

Objective

We assessed and compared two landmarks (conventional vs. high approach) used in internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation with respect to the degree of overlap with the carotid artery (CA) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the IJV using ultrasonography.

Patients and methods

Forty-eight adult patients were included. Using ultrasonography, the percentage overlaps with the CA and the CSA of both IJVs were measured in the supine and Trendelenburg positions using conventional and high approaches. With the conventional approach, the IJV is penetrated at the apex of Sedillot’s triangle, formed by the clavicle and the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The high approach involves the midpoint between the sternal notch and the mastoid process.

Results

The degree of overlap with the CA was 30.5 (7.5–69.4)% [median (interquartile range)] and 0.0 (0.0–25.4)% with the conventional and high approaches, respectively, for the right IJV (P<0.001) in the Trendelenburg position with 30° head rotation. The CSA of the right IJV was 1.22 (0.92–2.01) and 0.98 (0.79–1.72) cm2 with the conventional and high approaches, respectively (P<0.001), in the Trendelenburg position with 30° head rotation. IJV was more deeply positioned using the high approach than the conventional approach (P<0.001).

Conclusion

The high approach for IJV cannulation decreased both the degree of overlap with the CA and CSA of the IJV and increased the depth of the IJV from the skin compared with the conventional approach.
WRKY42 Modulates Phosphate Homeostasis through Regulating Phosphate Translocation and Acquisition in Arabidopsis
Authors: Su Tong , Xu Qian , Zhang Fei-Cui , Chen Yun , Li Li-Qin , Wu Wei-Hua , Chen Yi-Fang
Published: March 2015

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) WRKY transcription factor family has more than 70 members, and some of them have been reported to play important roles in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study shows that WRKY42 regulated phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis. The WRKY42-overexpressing lines, similar to the phosphate1 (pho1) mutant, were more sensitive to low-inorganic phosphate (Pi) stress and had lower shoot Pi content compared with wild-type plants. The PHO1 expression was repressed in WRKY42-overexpressing lines and enhanced in the wrky42 wrky6 double mutant. The WRKY42 protein bound to the PHO1 promoter under Pi-sufficient condition, and this binding was abrogated during Pi starvation. These data indicate that WRKY42 modulated Pi translocation by regulating PHO1 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of WRKY42 increased root Pi content and Pi uptake, whereas the wrky42 mutant had lower root Pi content and Pi uptake rate compared with wild-type plants. Under Pi-sufficient condition, WRKY42 positively regulated PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER1;1 (PHT1;1) expression by binding to the PHT1;1 promoter, and this binding was abolished by low-Pi stress. During Pi starvation, the WRKY42 protein was degraded through the 26S proteasome pathway. Our results showed that AtWRKY42 modulated Pi homeostasis by regulating the expression of PHO1 and PHT1;1 to adapt to environmental changes in Pi availability.
Crystal structure of 7-[(2E)-2-benzylidene-3-oxobutoxy]-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one
Authors: Caracelli Ignez , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Moran Paulo J. S. , Paula Bruno R. S. de , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2015

Two independent molecules (AandB) comprise the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C21H18O4. There are significant conformational differences between the molecules relating in particular to the relative orientation of the 3-oxo-2-(phenylmethylidene)butoxy substituent with respect to the superimposable chromen-2-one residues. To a first approximation, the substituents are mirror images; both are approximately perpendicular to the chromen-2-one fused ring system with dihedral angles of 88.50 (7) (A) and 81.96 (7)° (B). Another difference between the independent molecules is noted in the dihedral angles between the adjacent phenyl and but-3-en-2-one groups of 8.72 (12) (A) and 27.70 (10)° (B). The conformation about the ethene bond in both molecules isE. The crystal packing features C—H...O, C—H...π(aryl) and π–π [Cg...Cg= 3.6657 (8) and 3.7778 (8) Å] stacking interactions, which generate a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of bis(dimethylammonium) hexaaquacobalt(II) bis(sulfate) dihydrate
Authors: Held Peter
Published: March 2015

The title salt, (C2H8N)2[Co(H2O)6)](SO4)2·2H2O, is isotypic with (C2H8N)2[Ni(H2O)6)](SO4)2·2H2O. The Co—O bond lengths in the [Co(H2O)6]2+complex cation show very similar distances as in the related Tutton salt (NH4)2[Co(H2O)6)](SO4)2[average 2.093 (17) Å], but are significantly longer than in the isotypic NiIIcompound (Δd≃ 0.04 Å). The cobalt cation reaches an overall bond-valence sum of 1.97 valence units. The S—O distances are nearly equal, ranging from 1.454 (4) to 1.470 (3) Å [mean 1.465 (12) Å]; however, the O—S—O angles vary clearly from 108.1 (2) to 110.2 (2)° [average bond angle 109.5 (9)°]. The non-coordinating water molecules and dimethylammonium cations connect the sulfate tetrahedra and the [Co(H2O)6]2+octahedronviaO—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds of weak up to medium strength into a three-dimensional framework whereby the complex metal cations and sulfate anions are arranged in sheets parallel to (001).
Crystal structure of dichlorido{2,6-bis[(3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]pyridine}cobalt(II)
Authors: Son Kyung-sun , Woo Jeong Oh , Kim Daeyoung , Kang Sung Kwon
Published: March 2015

In the title complex, [CoCl2(C25H21N5)], the CoIIatom is coordinated by two Cl atoms and two N atoms, provided by a tridentate pyrazolylpyridyl ligand, forming a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry [range of angles: 96.51 (10) (chelate ring) to 118.60 (9)°]. The dihedral angle between Cl/Co/Cl and N/Co/N planes is 86.83 (7)°. The chelate ring has the conformation of a distorted boat. The dihedral angle between pyridyl ring and the coordinated pyrazolyl ring is 56.16 (12)°. The uncoordinated pyrazolyl ring is almost perpendicular to the pyridyl ring with the dihedral angle of 87.49 (10)°. In the crystal packing, intermolecular phenyl-C—H ...π(pyridyl) interactions generate dimeric aggregates. These are connected into a zigzag supramolecular chain along thec-axis directionviaπ–π interactions [inter-centroid distance between pyridyl and phenyl rings = 3.664 (2) Å].
Crystal structure of 3-mesityl-1-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ium bromide monohydrate
Authors: Quo Qi , Yang Liangru , Mao Pu , Xiao Yongmei , Yuan Jinwei
Published: March 2015

In the title hydrated salt, C19H24N3+·Br−·H2O, the values of the N—C bond lengths within the tetrahydropyrimidinium ring indicate delocalization of the N=C double bond. In the cation, the dihedral angle formed by the pyridine and benzene rings is 14.97 (12)°. In the crystal, ions and water molecules are linked by O—H...Br, O—H...N, C—H...Br and C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running parallel to thebaxis.
MIDCOM: a strategic initiative in the Middle East and Africa
Authors: Jham Vimi , Van Genderen Eric
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Marketing Strategy, International Marketing.

Study level/applicability

MBA Course Core course of Marketing Management. Specialization courses in Services marketing, Marketing Management, Retail Management. Executive training workshops on strategy formulations. Faculty development workshops on teaching pedagogy through cases. Capstone courses.

Case overview

The case talks about the declining share of Nokia globally, which affected Midcom's business. Despite this downfall, Midcom had maintained a majority share in the market. For now, the Middle East and Africa region was least effected by the global market share drop of Nokia, but Nokia's dropping market share was one of the threats Midcom might face in Africa. The segment where Android and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) had hit Nokia was a minority stake holder in Nokia's share in Africa. The market itself was growing, but there was stiff competition from brands such as Samsung, Tecno, HTC, Apple and other Chinese brands. The case revolves around the strategies adopted by Midcom to maintain its leadership in the market to avoid the threats from its competitors.

Expected learning outcomes

The case seeks an intensive reading, research and a stimulating in-class discussion on implementing marketing strategy mixed with creating experience in the service industry with special focus on the telecom industry. The case is also open to other angles as per the other intents and context of the course and course instructor. Some of the learning outcomes from the case will be in the area of: customer satisfaction, distribution management, market leadership, retailing, competitive strategies in marketing and international marketing.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or e-mail support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
Intrim Business Associates: taking on global consulting goliaths
Authors: Rastogi Parag , Sharma Radharani
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Entrepreneurship, Strategic Marketing, Retail Management.

Study level/applicability

It may be used in marketing/strategy/organisation behaviour courses of MBA programmes as well as in specific executive education programmes dealing with business strategy, sales and marketing, entrepreneurship and organisation behaviour.

Case overview

In 2002, Rajan Chhibba co-founded Intrim Business Associates (IBA), a niche strategy consulting firm in India. IBA pitched for a consulting assignment for retail strategy/implementation with a steel manufacturer in India, where they were pitched against a large global consulting firm. After conducting a diagnostic study and reaching a stage where IBA had almost got the project, the client put forth a demand which was make-or-break for IBA. The case puts forth the questions faced by Rajan Chhibba at the time of replying to the client: How was IBA different from global consulting firms? Was IBA willing to compromise on quality of the project to reduce costs? Was reduction of price the only option for getting the project? What factors should Rajan Chhibba consider before making his final pitch?

Expected learning outcomes

This case may help students to: appreciate an entrepreneur's smart strategy up against formidable competition, analyse the resources crunch an entrepreneur faces and how he overcomes them, understand how organisations learn from their experience and appreciate the challenges in a competitive environment.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited: the Celerio
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Gautam Vivek
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Marketing, new product launch and innovations.

Study level/applicability

Postgraduate students.

Case overview

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL), established in February 1981, formerly known as MarutiUdyog Limited, is a subsidiary of Japanese automobile Manufacturer Suzuki. It has a market share of 37 per cent in passenger car segment in India. Its product portfolio ranges from entry-level Alto to hatchbacks like A-Star, Zen Estilo, etc. to sedans like SX 4 to sports utility vehicles like Grand Vitara. MSIL is always known for delivering value on these lines – low cost of acquisition, high fuel economy, less maintenance hassles and wide service network. MSIL is planning to launch its much awaited hatchback Celerio with revolutionary auto gear shift technology for the first time in India at an affordable price. Promotional campaign is yet to be completed. Online trends reflect the consumer trends of any country. During the Auto Expo Week, Maruti Suzuki Celerio became the most searched hatchback on Google in the subcontinent according to a report published by the Indian Express citing the Google Trends Report. One of the key success factor is communicating the right message to the customers so as to attract them. So, MSIL's challenge is to plan a product launch so as to spread awareness.

Expected learning outcomes

To discuss the ways in which the product may be differentiated, to acquaint students with the process of developing a slogan for the introduction of Celerio to the existing market, to explain the concept of segmentation to the students, to familiarize students with communication mix and to give the students an idea about need of digital communication to promote the product.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Mastering the art of managing a conglomerate business empire in Myanmar
Authors: Goh Jenson Chong-Leng , Sabnani Manohar P. , Tan Gee Kwang Randolph , Tan Siew Peng
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Strategy.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate final year or MBA.

Case overview

This teaching case describes the journey undertaken by Yoma Strategic Holdings (YSH) Ltd, a Singapore-listed company that operates predominately in Myanmar, to become a successful and highly profitable conglomerate business empire in Myanmar. The case provides a rich contextual description of how YSH leveraged upon its partnerships and capabilities, especially with its parent and sister companies, to pursue its conglomerate business model. To facilitate the discussion that this teaching case aims to generate among lecturers and students, we have provided a summary of the latest developments in Myanmar since the 2010 general election. This helps to give students an appreciation of the challenges involved in creating a successful business in Myanmar.

Expected learning outcomes

The learning outcomes that this teaching case hopes to achieve in students are as follows: Understand the concept of “economies of scope” in corporate strategy; identify and explain the various corporate strategies (i.e. diversification and vertical integration) that can be implemented to develop a conglomerate business model; recognize the organizational and managerial issues arising from implementing these corporate strategies and understand the circumstances that influence its success; and assess the relative advantages of managing a business in a conglomerate business model and advise a company on whether a particular activity should be undertaken internally or outsourced.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Fastrack: pushing the boundaries of brand extension
Authors: Prabhakar Shekar , Lokhande Madhavi
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Marketing.

Study level/applicability

MBA students.

Case overview

Titan Industries Limited is the world's fifth-largest wristwatch manufacturer and India's leading producer of watches under the Titan, Fastrack, Sonata, Nebula, Raga, Regalia, Octane and Xylys brand names. When a joint venture with Timex came to an end, Titan found themselves without a range of watches for the youth, a growing segment with significant disposable incomes. To serve that segment, they launched a range of “cool” casual watches under the Fastrack from Titan sub-brand in 1998. Sunglasses were also launched but under the Accessories division of the company. In 2003, a decision was taken to combine the watches and sunglasses and spin it off under a new group called “Fastrack and New Brands”. Post this spin-off, Fastrack was launched as a standalone brand with the vision of becoming the most iconic and exciting fashion brand for youth. The overarching strategy was to bring affordable fashion to the youth and bridging the gap between the unorganized market and international brands. The product strategy was to extend the brand rapidly into other accessories such as belts, wallets, bags and wristbands. The brand personality was to be irreverent and comfortable with impropriety. Their communications reflected the brand attitude with edgy advertising. The distribution model adopted was to have their own branded stores. The brand grew from a mere INR30 crores in 2003 to INR770 crores in 2013. As the brand grew largely from moving into adjacent product categories, Fastrack managers were always looking for the next product category to enter and dominate. In 2013-2014, the product category seriously being looked at was two-wheeler helmets – a category dominated largely by the unorganized sector with low quality. The challenge was to take a product category that existed mainly due to safety regulations and turn it into a personal, fashion accessory. Was it a large enough market to penetrate and dominate? Would they be able to change consumer perception of helmets being a necessary evil to being a fashion accessory proudly displayed? Can they change consumer purchase behavior to go shopping for helmets instead ofjust buying the cheapest, comfortable helmet? Would the brand extension into helmets strengthen or dilute brand equity? These were the questions that faced Ronnie Talati, the Chief Marketing Officer.

Expected learning outcomes

Understand how to go about creating a brand strategy when re-launching it as a standalone brand without the support of the corporate umbrella brand; analyze different product markets to enter and how to arrive at a go/no-go decision; comprehend the challenges of extending the brand into different and sometimes unrelated product categories.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email: support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Non-Darcy natural convection flow for non-Newtonian nanofluid over cone saturated in porous medium with uniform heat and volume fraction fluxes
Authors: Chamkha A , Abbasbandy S , Rashad A.M.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of uniform lateral mass flux on non-Darcy natural convection of non-Newtonian fluid along a vertical cone embedded in a porous medium filled with a nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

– The resulting governing equations are non-dimensionalized and transformed into a non-similar form and then solved numerically by Keller box finite-difference method.

Findings

– A comparison with previously published works is performed and excellent agreement is obtained.

Research limitations/implications

– The model used for the nanofluid incorporates the effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. It is assumed that the cone surface is preamble for possible nanofluid wall suction/injection, under the condition of uniform heat and nanoparticles volume fraction fluxes.

Originality/value

– The effects of nanofluid parameters, Ergun number, surface mass flux and viscosity index are investigated on the velocity, temperature, and volume fraction profiles as well as the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.
Patterns of trophic niche divergence between invasive and native fishes in wild communities are predictable from mesocosm studies
Authors: Tran Thi Nhat Quyen , Jackson Michelle C. , Sheath Danny , Verreycken Hugo , Britton J. Robert
Published: March 2015

Ecological theory attempts to predict how impacts for native species arise from biological invasions. A fundamental question centres on the feeding interactions of invasive and native species: whether invasion will result in increased interspecific competition, which would result in negative consequences for the competing species, or trophic niche divergence, which would facilitate the invader's integration into the community and their coexistence with native species.

Here, the feeding interactions of a highly invasive fish, topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, with three native and functionally similar fishes were studied to determine whether patterns of either niche overlap or divergence detected in mesocosm experiments were apparent between the species at larger spatial scales. Using stable isotope analysis, their feeding relationships were assessed initially in the mesocosms (1000 L) and then in small ponds (<400 m2) and large ponds (>600 m2).

In the mesocosms, a consistent pattern of trophic niche divergence was evident between the sympatric fishes, with niches shifting further apart in isotopic space than suggested in allopatry, revealing that sharing of food resources was limited. Sympatric P. parva also had a smaller niche than their allopatric populations.

In eight small ponds where P. parva had coexisted for several years with at least one of the fish species used in the mesocosms, strong patterns of niche differentiation were also apparent, with P. parva always at a lower trophic position than the other fishes, as also occurred in the mesocosms. Where these fishes were sympatric within more complex fish communities in the large ponds, similar patterns were also apparent, with strong evidence of trophic niche differentiation.

Aspects of the ecological impacts of P. parva invasion for native communities in larger ponds were consistent with those in the mesocosm experiments. Their invasion resulted in divergence in trophic niches, partly due to their reduced niche widths when in sympatry with other species, facilitating their coexistence in invaded ecosystems. Our study highlights the utility of controlled mesocosm studies for predicting the trophic relationships that can develop from introductions of non‐native species into more complex ecosystems and at larger spatial scales.
Population differentiation determined from putative neutral and divergent adaptive genetic markers in Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus, Osmeridae), an anadromous Pacific smelt
Authors: Candy John R. , Campbell Nathan R. , Grinnell Matthew H. , Beacham Terry D. , Larson Wesley A. , Narum Shawn R.
Published: March 2015

Twelve eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus, Osmeridae) populations ranging from Cook Inlet, Alaska and along the west coast of North America to the Columbia River were examined by restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing to elucidate patterns of neutral and adaptive variation in this high geneflow species. A total of 4104 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were discovered across the genome, with 193 putatively adaptive SNPs as determined by FST outlier tests. Estimates of population structure in eulachon with the putatively adaptive SNPs were similar, but provided greater resolution of stocks compared with a putatively neutral panel of 3911 SNPs or previous estimates with 14 microsatellites. A cline of increasing measures of genetic diversity from south to north was found in the adaptive panel, but not in the neutral markers (SNPs or microsatellites). This may indicate divergent selective pressures in differing freshwater and marine environments between regional eulachon populations and that these adaptive diversity patterns not seen with neutral markers could be a consideration when determining genetic boundaries for conservation purposes. Estimates of effective population size (Ne) were similar with the neutral SNP panel and microsatellites and may be utilized to monitor population status for eulachon where census sizes are difficult to obtain. Greater differentiation with the panel of putatively adaptive SNPs provided higher individual assignment accuracy compared to the neutral panel or microsatellites for stock identification purposes. This study presents the first SNPs that have been developed for eulachon, and analyses with these markers highlighted the importance of integrating genome‐wide neutral and adaptive genetic variation for the applications of conservation and management.