bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simplified high figure-of-merit prism-free surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensor based on self adaptive angular interrogation
Authors: Lan Guoqiang , Liu Shugang , Zhang Xueru , Wang Yuxiao , Song Yinglin
Published: February 2015

We propose a simplified prism-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) refractive index sensor based on self adaptive angular interrogation. An orthogonal V-shaped box with liquid sample is designed to achieve the functions of prism, sample cell, and mirror in a single setup. The rotator taking the self adaptive sample box is the sole mobile part in the system, which simplifies the structure greatly. A glass slide coated with Ag film is employed in this sample box as the sensing chip, in which the Ag film is isolated from the sample and air to prevent oxidation and pollution. According to the experimental results, the system can attain the figure-of-merit with 312.3/RIU, which is almost triple as high as that of the conventional prism-based sensor with the same samples. The proposed configuration could also be potentially utilized for the microminiaturization of the SPR sensor.
Quantifying magnetic anisotropy dispersion: Theoretical and experimental study of the magnetic properties of anisotropic FeCuNbSiB ferromagnetic films
Authors: Alves T. M. L. , Bezerra C. G. , Viegas A. D. C. , Nicolodi S. , Corrêa M. A. , Bohn F.
Published: February 2015

We performed a theoretical and experimental investigation of the quasi-static magnetic properties of anisotropic systems. We considered a modified Stoner-Wohlfarth model to describe anisotropic systems, and a distribution function to express the magnetic anisotropy dispersion. We also proposed a procedure to calculate the magnetic properties from experimental results of the quadrature of magnetization curves, thus quantifying the magnetic anisotropy dispersion. To test the robustness of the approach, we applied the theoretical model to describe the quasi-static magnetic properties of amorphous FeCuNbSiB ferromagnetic films, and directly compared the theoretical results with longitudinal and transverse magnetization curves measured for the films. Our films are characterized by anisotropy fields between 7 and 10.5 Oe, values compatible with that obtained for several amorphous magnetic materials, as well as by anisotropy dispersions expressed by exponents n between 14 and 30. Thus, the excellent agreement between numerical calculation and experimental results provides support to confirm the validity of our theoretical approach to describe the magnetic properties of anisotropic amorphous ferromagnetic films.
Record Seebeck coefficient and extremely low thermal conductivity in nanostructured SnSe
Authors: Serrano-Sánchez F. , Gharsallah M. , Nemes N. M. , Mompean F. J. , Martínez J. L. , Alonso J. A.
Published: February 2015

SnSe has been prepared by arc-melting, as mechanically robust pellets, consisting of highly oriented polycrystals. This material has been characterized by neutron powder diffraction (NPD), scanning electron microscopy, and transport measurements. A microscopic analysis from NPD data demonstrates a quite perfect stoichiometry SnSe0.98(2) and a fair amount of anharmonicity of the chemical bonds. The Seebeck coefficient reaches a record maximum value of 668 μV K−1 at 380 K; simultaneously, this highly oriented sample exhibits an extremely low thermal conductivity lower than 0.1 W m−1 K−1 around room temperature, which are two of the main ingredients of good thermoelectric materials. These excellent features exceed the reported values for this semiconducting compound in single crystalline form in the moderate-temperatures region and highlight its possibilities as a potential thermoelectric material.
A hybrid plasmonic waveguide terahertz quantum cascade laser
Authors: Degl'Innocenti Riccardo , Shah Yash D. , Wallis Robert , Klimont Adam , Ren Yuan , Jessop David S. , Beere Harvey E. , Ritchie David A.
Published: February 2015

We present the realization of a quantum cascade laser emitting at around 2.85 THz, based on a hybrid plasmonic waveguide with a low refractive index dielectric cladding. This hybrid waveguide design allows the performance of a double-metal waveguide to be retained, while improving the emission far-field. A set of lasers based on the same active region material were fabricated with different metal layer thicknesses. A detailed characterization of the performance of these lasers revealed that there is an optimal trade-off that yields the best far-field emission and the maximum temperature of operation. By exploiting the pure plasmonic mode of these waveguides, the standard operation conditions of a double-metal quantum cascade laser were retrieved, such that the maximum operating temperature of these devices is not affected by the process. These results pave the way to realizing a class of integrated devices working in the terahertz range which could be further exploited to fabricate terahertz on-chip circuitry.
Perspective: Vibrational-induced steric effects in bimolecular reactions
Authors: Liu Kopin
Published: February 2015

The concept of preferred collision geometry in a bimolecular reaction is at the heart of reaction dynamics. Exemplified by a series of crossed molecular beam studies on the reactions of a C–H stretch-excited CHD3(v1 = 1) with F, Cl, and O(3P) atoms, two types of steric control of chemical reactivity will be highlighted. A passive control is governed in a reaction with strong anisotropic entry valley that can significantly steer the incoming trajectories. This disorientation effect is illustrated by the F and O(3P) + CHD3(v1 = 1) reactions. In the former case, the long-range anisotropic interaction acts like an optical “negative” lens by deflecting the trajectories away from the favored transition-state geometry, and thus inhibiting the bond rupture of the stretch-excited CHD3. On the contrary, the interaction between O(3P) and CHD3(v1 = 1) behaves as a “positive” lens by funneling the large impact-parameter collisions into the cone of acceptance, and thereby enhances the reactivity. As for reactions with relatively weak anisotropic interactions in the entry valley, an active control can be performed by exploiting the polarization property of the infrared excitation laser to polarize the reactants in space, as demonstrated in the reaction of Cl with a pre-aligned CHD3(v1 = 1) reactant. A simpler case, the end-on versus side-on collisions, will be elucidated for demonstrating a means to disentangle the impact-parameter averaging. A few general remarks about some closely related issues, such as mode-, bond-selectivity, and Polanyi’s rules, are made.
Effect of phase separation induced supercooling on magnetotransport properties of epitaxial La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y≈0.4) thin film
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Sharma Geetanjali , Thakur Mukesh K. , Siwach P. K. , Kumar Tyagi Pawan , Maurya K. K. , Singh H. K.
Published: February 2015

Thin films of La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y≈0.4) have been grown on single crystal SrTiO3 (001) by RF sputtering. The structural and surface characterizations confirm the epitaxial nature of these film. However, the difference between the ω-scan of the (002) and (110) peaks and the presence of pits/holes in the step-terrace type surface morphology suggests high density of defect in these films. Pronounced hysteresis between the field cooled cooling (FCC) and field cooled warming (FCW) magnetization measurements suggest towards the non-ergodic magnetic state. The origin of this nonergodicity could be traced to the magnetic liquid like state arising from the delicacy of the coexisting magnetic phases, viz., ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-charge ordered (FM/AFM-CO). The large difference between the insulator metal transitions during cooling and warming cycles (TIMC ∼ 64 K and TIMW ∼ 123 K) could be regarded as a manifestation of the nonergodicity leading to supercooling of the magnetic liquid while cooling. The nonergodicity and supercooling are weakened by the AFM-FM phase transition induced by an external magnetic field. TIM and small polaron activation energy corresponding the magnetic liquid state (cooling cycle) vary nonlinearly with the applied magnetic field but become linear in the crystalline solid state (warming cycle). The analysis of the low temperature resistivity data shows that electron-phonon interaction is drastically reduced by the applied magnetic field. The resistivity minimum in the lower temperature region of the self-field warming curve has been explained in terms of the Kondo like scattering in the magnetically inhomogeneous regime.
Increasing the active surface of titanium islands on graphene by nitrogen sputtering
Authors: Mashoff T. , Convertino D. , Miseikis V. , Coletti C. , Piazza V. , Tozzini V. , Beltram F. , Heun S.
Published: February 2015

Titanium-island formation on graphene as a function of defect density is investigated. When depositing titanium on pristine graphene, titanium atoms cluster and form islands with an average diameter of about 10 nm and an average height of a few atomic layers. We show that if defects are introduced in the graphene by ion bombardment, the mobility of the deposited titanium atoms is reduced and the average diameter of the islands decreases to 5 nm with monoatomic height. This results in an optimized coverage for hydrogen storage applications, since the actual titanium surface available per unit graphene area is significantly increased.
Increasing Pap smear rates at an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service through translational research and continuous quality improvement
Authors: Dorrington Melanie S. , Herceg Ana , Douglas Kirsty , Tongs Julie , Bookallil Marianne
Published: February 2015

This article describes translational research (TR) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes used to identify and address barriers and facilitators to Pap smear screening within an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS). Rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted, informed by client surveys, a data collection tool, focus groups and internal research. There was a statistically significant increase in Pap smear numbers during PDSA cycles, continuing at 10 months follow up. The use of TR with CQI appears to be an effective and acceptable way to affect Pap smear screening. Community and service collaboration should be at the core of research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health settings. This model is transferrable to other settings and other health issues.
Health assessments for Indigenous Australians at Orange Aboriginal Medical Service: health problems identified and subsequent follow up
Authors: Dutton Tegan , Stevens Wendy , Newman Jamie
Published: February 2015

This study aimed to document the types, management and follow up of health issues identified by all Aboriginal Health Assessments (AHA) performed at Orange Aboriginal Medical Service from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012. This was done with a retrospective audit of clinical records. In total, 1169 AHAs were performed: 41% child, 53% adult and 6% older person AHAs. Newly identified health issues were documented in 85% (984). Being overweight (41%; 476) and smoking (26%; 301) were the common risk factors identified. As a result of the AHA, most children who were not up-to-date with their vaccinations received catch-up immunisations; 11% (36) of adult women (n=314) received a Pap smear, although Pap smear status was unknown or not up-to-date for 61% (192); 27% (311) of cases were prescribed new medication; and 1239 referrals were made but only 40% were attended. At 6 months following the AHA, 26% (240) of cases with newly identified health issues were completely managed and followed up, whereas 25% (226) received no follow up. The AHAs are useful for identifying new health issues; however, follow up of the identified health issues should be improved. If AHAs are to improve health outcomes, appropriate management and follow up of the identified health issues are essential.
The bioenergy landscape: sustainable resources or the next great invasion?
Authors: Quinn L. D. , Barney J. N. , Matlaga D. P.
Published: February 2015

Government policies have spurred efforts to develop dedicated bioenergy crops that could avoid greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion and the consequences of land use change associated with "first-generation" biofuels. Dedicated bioenergy crops, slated to be cultivated on marginal lands, have been the subject of debate regarding their potential for invasion outside of cultivation. Critics have cited the weedy life-history strategies and history of invasion for some dedicated bioenergy feedstocks. Evaluations of feedstock invasion potential must balance the potential for negative ecological impacts resulting from future invasions with potential economic losses associated with an overly cautious approach. This already difficult situation is complicated further by the uncertain nature of candidate species traits, which are continually "improved" through traditional breeding and genetic modification techniques. Preventing invasions will require re-evaluation of antiquated weed laws that focus primarily on taxa impacting agriculture, not "natural" areas. In addition, prediction and prevention of future invasions will require the initiation of multi-year and multi-site empirical studies quantifying the invasion potential of novel feedstocks within their production regions. We acknowledge that establishment of a robust framework to evaluate the invasive potential of bioenergy crops will not be developed and implemented overnight; however, this book highlights important factors to consider now, and as the industry develops.
Potential risks of algae bioenergy feedstocks.
Authors: Phang SiewMoi Phang SiewMoi , Chu WanLoy Chu WanLoy
Published: February 2015

Algal biofuels are an attractive alternative to fossil fuels due to their high productivity and the possible integration of their production systems with wastewater treatment and bioremediation of CO2. However, there has been increasing concern over the risks associated with the use of algae for biofuel production, particularly the potential for algae to escape and invade surrounding ecosystems. Within this context, there are specific concerns about growing genetically modified (GM) algae, especially those conferred with traits of enhanced competitiveness in monoculture systems, efficient nutrient utilization, and other traits that could cause unknown impacts in surrounding ecosystems. If feral populations of GM algae establish and proliferate within the environment, they may harm ecosystem structure and function, and may lead to harmful algae blooms. There is also a non-negligible risk of lateral transfer of genes from GM algae to other organisms within invaded ecosystems. To date, these risks have not been adequately assessed. We recommend that more empirical work must be completed (i.e., mesocosm experiments) as well as modeling simulations to effectively assess the risks of biofuel algae prior to large-scale production.
Gene flow and invasiveness in bioenergy systems.
Authors: Ridley C. E. , Mallory-Smith C.
Published: February 2015

Gene flow between crops and their wild or weedy relatives can result in the establishment of hybrid populations outside of cultivation. Here, we examine the potential for gene flow between several emerging bioenergy feedstocks and their compatible relatives, and the factors that affect the magnitude and frequency of gene exchange. We also explore the potential that gene flow could lead to the escape of transgenes or invasion by resulting populations. A limited amount of information suggests that the potential for gene flow and invasion are low for jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) and relatively greater for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) where these crops are currently being cultivated. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz.) likely falls somewhere in between these two species. Canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.), a widely-grown crop already being used as a source of bioenergy, is a well-studied system in which weedy populations with crop ancestry have been found and transgenes have been detected outside of cultivation. From this case study, we suggest that both a Best Management Plan should be developed to limit gene flow between emerging bioenergy feedstocks and wild or weedy relatives, and a Mitigation Plan should be in place to address unintended release of transgenes and appearance of potentially invasive populations.
"Seeded-yet-sterile" perennial grasses: towards sustainable and non-invasive biofuel feedstocks.
Authors: Jessup R. W. , Dowling C. D.
Published: February 2015

Sustainable cropping systems for leading candidate biofuel crops currently focus predominantly on perennial grasses for which assessments of invasiveness potential remain incomplete. Perennial C4 grasses have significant capacity for biomass accumulation across diverse environments, providing intrinsic value towards protection and restoration of underutilized, marginal, and degraded lands. Varied seed and vegetative reproduction mechanisms, however, contribute to their invasive potential. The development of feedstocks possessing the minimum vegetative propagules required for perennial life habit, combined with seed sterility, would therefore greatly reduce the risk of perennial biofuel crops becoming biological invaders. Pearl millet-napiergrass ("PMN"; Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br. × Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) and king-grass (P. purpureum × P. glaucum) are examples of such feedstocks, being "seeded-yet-sterile" crops in which fertile parents allow seeded production of hybrids that are subsequently both seed-sterile and devoid of rhizomes in biomass production fields. The use of genomics tools provide further tools suitable for both characterizing genetic mechanisms governing weediness and deploying marker-assisted breeding programs for biofuel crops with reduced risk of negative environmental impacts.
Eradication and control of bioenergy feedstocks: what do we really know?
Authors: Enloe S. F. , Loewenstein N. J.
Published: February 2015

Feedstock removal is a matter of fundamental importance that is often completely overlooked or only given cursory attention in the current bioenergy dialogue. Feedstock removal generally refers to eradication or control efforts applied in a range of situations that may include everything from single escaped plants to entire production fields when crop rotation is desired. However, the terms "eradication" and "control" have been used carelessly, and there is much confusion about what they really mean. Furthermore, data is generally lacking on successful strategies for removal of most prospective bioenergy species from any situation. Within this chapter we seek to clarify the relevant terminology and provide an understanding of the current science of bioenergy feedstock removal. We discuss the three most important scenarios relevant to feedstock removal, which include: (i) eradication of escapes; (ii) removal from production fields during crop rotation; and (iii) removal from abandoned plantations if bioenergy markets collapse or fail to materialize. We also provide a practical discussion of the tools of feedstock removal including cultural, physical, biological, and chemical methods. We then review limited control and eradication data from the literature for three bioenergy candidate species that have some history as weeds and are currently at the heart of the bioenergy/invasive plant discussion: Arundo donax L. (giant reed), Pennisetum purpureum Schumacher (elephant grass or napiergrass), and certain Miscanthus Andersson (silvergrass) species. Although these perennial grasses are only one of several groups of prospective bioenergy crops, we believe that addressing these species will paint a general picture of the overall issue at hand. Finally, we present six key biological and ecological questions related to feedstock removal that often go unanswered but are of critical importance to the bioenergy discussion. It is our hope that the reader will recognize the importance of these questions which should be addressed by producers, researchers, and policy makers before opening what could be Pandora's box.
Thermal Potential for Steelhead Life History Expression in a Southern California Alluvial River
Authors: Boughton David A. , Harrison Lee R. , Pike Andrew S. , Arriaza Juan L. , Mangel Marc
Published: February 2015

Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (anadromous Rainbow Trout) near the southern limit of the species’ range commonly use shallow alluvial rivers for migration, spawning, and rearing. These rivers have been widely modified for water management, and an enduring question is whether their rehabilitation would create summer nursery habitat for steelhead. We used process‐based models to evaluate the thermal potential for steelhead nursery habitat in the Santa Ynez River, California, a regulated alluvial river that currently supports few steelhead. We assessed (1) how well a calibrated model of river heat fluxes predicted summer temperature patterns for a warm year and an average year; (2) whether those patterns created thermal potential for the rapid growth that is characteristic of steelhead nursery habitat; and (3) whether manipulation of flows from an upstream dam significantly altered thermal potential. In the heat flux model, the root mean square error for 15‐min temperatures was 1.51°C, about three times greater than that of the larger, deeper Sacramento River in northern California. Generally, the Santa Ynez River was thermally suitable but stressful for juvenile steelhead. Flow augmentation reduced the number of thermally stressful days only near the dam, but it reduced the intensity of thermal stress throughout the river. Daytime movement of steelhead into natural, thermally stratified pools would reduce stress intensity by similar levels. In this region, O. mykiss commonly pursue an anadromous (steelhead) life history by entering nursery habitat early in their first or second summer and rapidly growing to attain a threshold size for anadromy by fall. In the average year, the river was thermally suitable for the first‐summer pathway under high food availability and for the second‐summer pathway under medium food availability. The warm year also supported the second‐summer pathway under high food availability. Currently, the Santa Ynez River's capacity to support these pathways does not appear to be limited by summer temperature, thus indicating a need to identify other limiting factors.

Received July 21, 2014; accepted November 5, 2014
L'insurrection populaire et la Transition au Burkina Faso
Authors: Chouli Lila
Published: February 2015

At the end of October 2014, Africa was again the scene of a popular uprising: in two days the people of Burkina Faso, in mass demonstrations, emptied the presidential palace of its occupant, exceeding even the slogans launched by political opposition and civil society organisations. On 31 October President Blaise Compaoré, after 27 years in power, was forced to resign. In this briefing, after a very brief overview of the dynamics of the struggles in Burkina Faso, Lila Chouli presents in broad outline the nature of the post-October transition, its relationship to the uprising and some of the principal contradictions and tensions contained in these developments.

À la fin d'octobre 2014, l'Afrique était le “théâtre” d'un soulèvement populaire, particulier par sa fulgurance : en deux jours, les masses burkinabè ont vidé le palais présidentiel de son occupant, dépassant le mot d'ordre lancé par l'opposition politique ainsi que des organisations de la société civile. Qu'en est-il de l'après octobre 2014 ? Après un très bref rappel de la dynamique des luttes au Burkina Faso, nous présenterons à grands traits l'organisation de la transition post-octobre dans ses rapports à l'esprit du soulèvement populaire, dans sa pluralité, pouvant même être contradictoire …
On archaeal homologs of the human RNase P proteins Pop5 and Rpp30 in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis
Authors: Suematsu Kotaro , Ueda Toshifumi , Nakashima Takashi , Kakuta Yoshimitsu , Kimura Makoto
Published: February 2015

The ribonuclease P (RNase P) proteins TkoPop5 and TkoRpp30, homologs of human Pop5 and Rpp30, respectively, in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis were prepared and characterized with respect to pre-tRNA cleavage activity using the reconstitution system of the well-studied Pyrococcus horikoshii RNase P. The reconstituted particle containing TkoPop5 in place of the P. horikoshii counterpart PhoPop5 retained pre-tRNA cleavage activity comparable to that of the reconstituted P. horikoshii RNase P, while that containing TkoRpp30 instead of its corresponding protein PhoRpp30 had slightly lower activity than the P. horikoshii RNase P. Moreover, we determined crystal structures of TkoRpp30 alone and in complex with TkoPop5. Like their P. horikoshii counterparts, whose structures were solved previously, TkoRpp30 and TkoPop5 fold into TIM barrel and RRM-like fold, respectively. This finding demonstrates that RNase P proteins in T. kodakarensis and P. horikoshii are interchangeable and that their three-dimensional structures are highly conserved.
Cytotoxic effect of the immunotoxin constructed of the ribosome-inactivating protein curcin and the monoclonal antibody against Her2 receptor on tumor cells
Authors: Jaramillo-Quintero Lidia Patricia , Contis Montes de Oca Arturo , Romero Rojas Andrés , Rojas-Hernández Saúl , Campos-Rodríguez Rafael , Martínez-Ayala Alma Leticia
Published: February 2015

The toxicity of the curcin on cancer cells allows to consider this protein as the toxic component of an immunotoxin directed to Her2, which is associated with cancer. Reductive amination was proposed to conjugate curcin and an anti-Her2; the binding was tested using Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blot, and immunocytochemistry. The in vitro cytotoxicity of curcin and the immunotoxin was assessed on breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3 (Her2+) and MDA-MB-231 (Her2−). IC50 values for curcin were 15.5 ± 8.3 and 18.6 ± 2.4 μg/mL, respectively, statistically equivalent (p < 0.05). While to the immunotoxin was 2.2 ± 0.08 for SK-BR-3 and 147.6 ± 2.5 μg/mL for MDA-MB-231. These values showed that the immunotoxin was seven times more toxic to the SK-BR-3 than curcin and eight times less toxic to the MDA-MB-231. The immunotoxin composed of curcin and an antibody against Her2 and constructed by reductive amination could be a therapeutic candidate against Her2+ cancer.
Waxy Soft White Wheat: Extrusion Characteristics and Thermal and Rheological Properties
Authors: Kowalski Ryan J. , Morris Craig F. , Ganjyal Girish M.
Published: February 2015

Waxy wheat flour was analyzed for its thermal and rheological properties and was extruded to evaluate its potential for extruded products. Normal soft white wheat flour was analyzed with the same methods and same extrusion conditions to directly compare differences between the two types of flour. Through DSC analysis, waxy wheat flour was found to have a higher gelatinization peak temperature of 66.4°C than normal wheat at 64.0°C, although the transition required 2.00 J/g less energy. Rapid visco‐analysis indicated that the waxy wheat flour pasted much more quickly and at lower temperatures than the normal wheat flour. Preliminary extrusion experiments were conducted to determine the optimal screw profile for waxy wheat with respect to maximum radial expansion. The optimum screw profile was used for extrusion trials with varying flour moisture (15–25% wb) and extruder screw speed (200–400 rpm) while monitoring process conditions including back pressure and specific mechanical energy. Physical properties of the extrudates were then studied. The radial expansion ratios of the waxy wheat extrudates exceeded those of the normal wheat extrudates by nearly twice as much, and it was observed that the waxy wheat flour took less energy in the form of fewer shear screw elements to expand. The waxy wheat extrudates also exhibited significantly higher water solubility and less water absorption than the normal wheat extrudates owing to solubilizing of the extrudates. The results of our study indicate that waxy wheat flour may be a viable ingredient for creating direct expanded products with less energy.
Genomic Diversity and Climate Adaptation in Brachypodium
Authors: Wilson Pip , Streich Jared , Borevitz Justin
Published: February 2015

The Brachypodium genus contains the model grassesB. distachyon,B. staceiandB. hybridum, that are useful for molecular and physiological studies relevant to grain, pasture and bioenergy crops, as well as ecology. In this chapter we discuss the natural variation in climate/geography, genotypic and phenotypic diversity that exists within these species. We describe utilisation of this diversity via two methods, Genome Wide Association Studies and Landscape Genomics, to examine the interaction between specific genetic variants, phenotype, and environment. The aim is to identify adaptive loci that control specific traits in specific environments and understand the contribution of background polygenetic variation shaped by demographic processes. With recent developments in high throughput phenotyping, cheaper genotyping by sequencing and higher spatial/temporal resolution of climate data, these approaches can exploit the diversity of the Brachypodium. Experiments using this toolkit will reveal alleles, genes and pathways underlying agriculturally important and environmentally sensitive traits for use in grass breeding.
The Use of Distributions in SBML Models
Authors: Sauro Herbert M , Smith Lucian
Published: February 2015

In this technical note we describe modifications to Antimony (Biochemical model specification language) that allows modelers to use the SBML distributions package. In addition the article describes best practice for using distributions, including when they should and should not be used.
Ff-nano, Short Functionalized Nanorods Derived from Ff (f1, fd or M13) Filamentous Bacteriophage
Authors: Sattar Sadia , Bennett Nicholas J , Wen Wesley , Guthrie Jenness M , Blackwell Len F , Conway James F , Rakonjac Jasna
Published: February 2015

F-specific filamentous phage of Escherichia coli (Ff: f1, M13 or fd) are long thin filaments (860 nm x 6 nm). They have been a major workhorse in display technologies and bionanotechnology; however, some applications are limited by the high length-to-diameter ratio of Ff. Furthermore, use of functionalized Ff outside of laboratory containment is in part hampered by the fact that they are genetically modified viruses. We have now developed a system for production and purification of very short functionalized Ff-phage-derived nanorods, named Ff-nano, that are only 50 nm in length. In contrast to standard Ff-derived vectors that replicate in E. coli and contain antibiotic-resistance genes, Ff-nano are protein DNA complexes that cannot replicate on their own and do not contain any coding sequences. These nanorods show an increased resistance to heating at 70 °C in 1 % SDS in comparison to the full-length Ff phage of the same coat composition. We demonstrate that functionalized Ff-nano particles are suitable for application as detection particles in sensitive and quantitative “dipstick” lateral flow diagnostic assay for human plasma fibronectin.
ExoRNAi exposes contrasting roles for sugar exudation in host-finding by plant pathogens
Authors: Warnock Neil D , Wilson Leonie , Canet-Perez Juan V , Fleming Thomas , Fleming Colin C , Maule Aaron G , Dalzell Johnathan J
Published: February 2015

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) locate host plants by following concentration gradients of root exudate chemicals in the soil. We present a simple method for RNAi-induced knockdown of genes in tomato seedling roots, facilitating the study of root exudate composition, and PPN responses. Knockdown of sugar transporter genes,stp1andstp2in tomato seedlings triggers corresponding reductions of glucose and fructose, but not xylose, in collected root exudate. This corresponds directly with reduced infectivity and stylet thrusting of the promiscuous PPNMeloidogyne incognita,however we observe no impact on the infectivity or stylet thrusting of the selective Solanaceae PPNGlobodera pallida.This approach can underpin future efforts to understand the early stages of plant-pathogen interactions in tomato, and potentially other crop plants.
Do negative acts in Italian academia have a quadratic relationship with determinants of health?
Authors: Fadda Salvatore , Giorgi Gabriele , Benitez Muñoz Juan Luis , Justicia Justicia Fernando , Solinas Giuliana
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of workplace bullying in an Italian university.

Design/methodology/approach

– More than 200 workers have completed the Italian version of the Negative Acts Questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire.

Findings

– The results show a spread of low to medium negative actions in the specific setting. In addition, the effects of negative actions on health are less serious than believed by most of the studies on workplace bullying.

Originality/value

– In particular, a quadratic regression model appears to be more appropriate than a linear model.
Entrepreneurial orientation in business schools
Authors: Abou- Warda Sherein H.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences between the four main kinds of business schools in Egypt (private; internationally affiliated; public with local programs; and public with international programs) in terms of perceptions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO).

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered 212 with a response rate of 55.1 percent from a sample of academics in the four groups of business schools (private; internationally affiliated; public with local programs; and public with international programs) using self-administered questionnaires. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to check EO, construct validity and to identify meaningful factors. MANOVA was performed by using factors identified in the previous step to establish whether any significant differences exist between the four groups.

Findings

– The results show that differences between the four groups exist in terms of four sub-constructs of EO (research mobilization, unconventionality activities, industry collaboration, and perception of university policies) which successfully predict business school involvement in accreditation and commercialization setting.

Practical implications

– It is meaningful to conduct a comparative study of EO; the results of this study may be broadly applied to higher education (HE) systems in other countries where strong entrepreneurship has contribute to building a more solid economy.

Originality/value

– The recent literature has put little effort in understanding the effects of cultural differences among universities and its departments in terms of EO and none in identifying the differences between HE systems on the same topic.
Passion and compassion represent dualities for growth
Authors: Brink Tove
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of the impact of passion and compassion on innovation and growth and, in this way, add to the current knowledge on organising growth in the context of networking small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was conducted in three networks with a sample of 55 separate SMEs. Through a quantitative study, the anticipated positive impact of passion and compassion on growth and on intermediate innovation issues were tested.

Findings

– The analyses reveal no direct significant impacts of passion (own-profitability and interest) and compassion (other-profitability and interest) on growth. However, compassion had a very significant positive impact on manager ideas, which in turn had a positive impact on growth. Passion also had a positive impact, but this was proportionally much smaller. Moreover, the ability to organise the dualities of passion and compassion made a contribution to growth.

Research limitations/implications

– The results of the research enhance the understanding of an integrative approach of passion and compassion to innovation in a network context.

Practical implications

– Networking SMEs can use the findings to better understand and organise own actions to pursue growth. Policy bodies can use the findings to motivate SMEs to pursue growth.

Originality/value

– The findings of this study enhance the theoretical understanding of passion and compassion and their integrated impact on growth. In firm networks, compassion and passion have a dual impact with compassion being most significant to enable innovation and growth. A contribution is hereby made to organise growth in firm networks.
Graduate leadership students’ perspective on including spiritual topics
Authors: Allen Stuart , Williams Peter
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore working students’ perspectives on the inclusion of spiritual topics in graduate leadership and management programs at secular, nonreligious, and multifaith universities. The growth in interest in spiritual issues at work and in leadership and management education suggests that spiritual topics have a role to play in leadership and management education, but this has not been systematically researched from a student perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 128 graduate students in leadership and management programs were surveyed using a 22-item rating scale-based questionnaire, with three additional open-ended items. Questions were developed from a survey of the literature.

Findings

– Descriptive analysis suggests support for the inclusion of spiritual components in courses but emphasizes students’ desire for an unbiased learning experience. Factor analysis not only revealed student perceptions being influenced by openness to and interest in the topic but also identified concern or fear when engaging others in the educational context. Analysis of qualitative results supported the quantitative findings but provided a richer understanding of students’ perceptions of benefits (e.g. diversity awareness) and concerns (e.g. student and instructor bias).

Practical implications

– This research suggests a role for spiritual topics in management and leadership programs, with appropriate caution, classroom facilitation skill and control of bias by instructors.

Originality/value

– This study provides a systematic exploration of students’ perspectives on the inclusion of spirituality in graduate leadership and management programs.
Trust antecedents: emotional intelligence and perceptions of others
Authors: Christie Anne M.H. , Jordan Peter J. , Troth Ashlea C.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine if teachers’ trust in others is predicted by their perceptions of others and their emotional intelligence. Employees need to trust others to achieve outcomes, and a lack of trust can have a negative impact on workplace performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper surveys a sample of 84 employed teachers.

Findings

– Our findings show that perceptions of others’ ability, benevolence and integrity are strongly and positively associated with trust. The emotional intelligence ability to perceive emotions is also related to trust. Regression analysis showed that perceptions of others (ability and integrity) and an individual’s emotional intelligence (perceiving) combined to predict a large portion of the variance in trust.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was limited by a small sample size and the use of a cross-sectional design. These issues were addressed in our analysis.

Originality/value

– The majority of trust research examines employee-to-manager trust. Our study is one of the few to examine trust among co-workers. This study also contributes to research on the emotional intelligence and trust relationship by showing that the ability to perceive one’s own and others emotions significantly predicts increases in trust. It also reaffirms that perceptions of others’ integrity and ability are strongly linked to trust, but that further investigation of the benevolence construct is required.
Developing understanding of the spiritual aspects to resilience
Authors: Smith Jonathan , Charles Ginger , Hesketh Ian
Published: February 2015

Purpose –

The purpose of this paper is to deepen conceptual understanding of the spiritual components of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual paper drawing on research the authors have been conducting on resilience within the police community for a combined period of over half-a-century.

Findings

– A more holistic conceptualisation of resilience and particularly a more detailed and accurate picture of the spiritual aspects to resilience which is applicable to a wide variety of public and private sector leadership situations, not just those within the police.

Practical implications

– The paper provides an increased appreciation of resilience which the authors hope will lead to more practical research in this area, with the longer term goal being to impact positively on practical workplace issues of major current concern in a wide variety of workplaces across the world.

Originality/value

– The paper's contribution is to promote the importance of resilience, provide a greater theoretical understanding of holistic perspectives of resilience and further develop the spiritual component of resilience. This contribution is important because many leaders currently have a limited appreciation of all the aspects of resilience.
Salient features of Jinnah's politics
Authors: Yousaf Nadeem
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Jinnah was, to some extent, a successful leader in obtaining his goals of becoming the only spokesperson for Muslims in India and gaining a piece of land for Pakistan but the main question is whether these achievements can be attributed to transactional or transformational strategies. Has he managed transactional or transformational change in terms of political culture? This point will be discussed in the paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A documentary analysis of behaviors, statements and incidents of Jinnah and other relevant personages.

Findings

– The research shows that Jinnah was neither a transformational nor a charismatic leader. Therefore, his success cannot be attributed to his transformational ideology or charismatic personality. The political maneuvers that he adopted by frequently changing his espoused values and theories-in-use are the sources of his transactional success. Moreover, it is the international events and the vested political interests of the British are among the significant reasons that brought him success.

Research limitations/implications

– In this work, a detailed comparison has not been made between voluminous theories of leadership because it is beyond the scope of this research. Moreover, it is not the intention of the paper to compare his leadership with that of other leaders; however, the future research in this direction might be useful. Indeed, the relevant leadership examples have been selected from the All India Congress with the major point of reference being the All India Muslim League – the party that brought him real recognition and fame.

Practical implications

– It is stressed in the research that overt success is not a sufficient criterion to categorize a leader in a specific category without analyzing espoused theory and theories-in-use. The study will help those researchers who are interested in understanding the current political culture of Pakistan. The research will be helpful in enhancing the debate within the theme of leadership, especially transformational, transactional and charismatic. Moreover, the paper will encourage other researchers to compare Jinnah's leadership with that of other political leaders of the world.

Originality/value

– The research is original as Jinnah's leadership from the perspectives of transformational and transactional leadership styles and the espoused theory and theories-in-use has, so far, not been discussed. It presents significant new arguments and information, which will be in the interest of researchers.
A tool for public services research and development
Authors: Edwards Anne
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce in detail a research tool, which was first used to examine how the motivated actions of leaders in public services, such as Directors of Children's Services, take forward their strategic purposes and subsequently adapted for revealing the strategic actions of Family Support Workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical bases for the research tool are given in some depth and examples of the tool and its possibilities for adaptation are provided.

Findings

– This conceptual paper provides a resource for examining the connection between strategic purposes and motivated actions in everyday leadership practices.

Research limitations/implications

– The explication of theoretical foundations of the tool prepares the ground for further adaptations to meet the needs of other research studies which aim at analytically linking actions and strategies in studies of leadership in the public services.

Practical implications

– The tool has proven potential as a resource for reflective practice and professional learning.

Originality/value

– The arguments are based in cultural-historical approaches to understanding motivated action in institutional practices. This approach has been employed in a study of leadership in children's services, and the present paper gives detailed access to the main methodological device used in that study.
How manufacturer market orientation influences B2B customer satisfaction and retention: empirical investigation of the three market orientation components
Authors: Guo Chiquan , Wang Yong
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine how the three market orientation components (customer orientation, competitor orientation and interfunctional coordination) influence industrial manufacturers’ customer relationship management outcomes in a business-to-business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

– In linking market orientation components and their relationship outcomes, the authors examined the moderating effect of interfunctional coordination. The model was tested using data collected from 279 manufacturing firms in the USA.

Findings

– While customer orientation and competitor orientation both influence customer relationship outcomes, interfunctional coordination does not. However, interfunctional coordination lessens the positive relationships between customer orientation and customer retention as well as between competitor orientation and customer satisfaction. Although competitor orientation has a slightly stronger impact on customer satisfaction than customer orientation does, it only has an indirect relationship with customer retention through customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The findings illustrated the effects of the three components of market orientation on customer relationship outcomes within manufacturing-centered firms, and provided managerial implications to industrial manufacturers on market orientation implementation strategies in regard to successful B2B customer relationship management.