bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Adversity, Negativity in the Parent Child-Relationship, and Physiological Reactivity: An Examination of Pathways and Interactive Processes Affecting Young Children's Physical Health
Authors: Hagan Melissa J. , Roubinov Danielle S. , Adler Nancy E. , Boyce William Thomas , Bush Nicole R.
Published: August 2016

Objective

We tested the hypothesis that socioeconomic status (SES) would predict children's physical health problems at the end of kindergarten among children whose parent reported greater parent-child relationship (PCR) negativity and/or who exhibited greater parasympathetic (RSA) reactivity. We also tested whether RSA and PCR negativity mediated the SES-health association.

Methods

Data were collected from 338 children (mean [SD] age, 5.32 [.32] years) and their primary caregivers (87% biological mothers) during the fall and subsequent spring of kindergarten. In the fall, parents reported income and education level (SES) and PCR negativity, and RSA reactivity was assessed via a standardized challenge protocol for young children. In the fall and then spring, parents reported children's chronic medical conditions and physical health impairments. Multivariate regression was conducted within a structural equation-modeling framework to test hypotheses.

Results

Significant interactions were found between SES and PCR negativity (b= −0.074,p= .035) and between SES and RSA reactivity (b= 0.169,p= .019) as predicts children's spring health impairment, adjusting for health in the preceding fall. Lower SES was associated with greater health impairment among children whose parents reported more PCR negativity (b= −0.110,p= .024) and children who showed greater RSA reactivity (b= −0.106,p= .011). Socioeconomic status was unrelated to physical health at low PCR negativity or RSA reactivity. Mediation models were not supported.

Conclusion

Parent-child relationship quality and individual differences in stress reactivity may modulate the influence of SES on physical health in childhood.
Replication of the Association of BDNF and MC4R Variants With Dietary Intake in the Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: McCaffery Jeanne M. , Jablonski Kathleen A. , Franks Paul W. , Delahanty Linda M. , Aroda Vanita , Marrero David , Hamman Richard F. , Horton Edward S. , Dagogo-Jack Samuel , Wylie-Rosett Judith , Barrett-Connor Elizabeth , Kitabchi Abbas , Knowler William C. , Wing Rena R. , Florez Jose C.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Genomewide association studies (GWAS) have identified consistent associations with obesity, with a number of studies implicating eating behavior as a primary mechanism. Few studies have replicated genetic associations with dietary intake. This study evaluates the association between obesity susceptibility loci and dietary intake.

Methods

Data were obtained as part of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a clinical trial of diabetes prevention in persons at high risk of diabetes. The association of 31 genomewide association studies identified obesity risk alleles with dietary intake, measured through a food frequency questionnaire, was investigated in 3,180 participants from DPP at baseline.

Results

The minor allele at BDNF, identified as protective against obesity, was associated with lower total caloric intake (β = −106.06, SE = 33.13; p = .0014) at experimentwide statistical significance (p = .0016), whereas association of MC4R rs571312 with higher caloric intake reached nominal significance (β = 61.32, SE = 26.24; p = .0194). Among non-Hispanic white participants, the association of BDNF rs2030323 with total caloric intake was stronger (β = −151.99, SE = 30.09; p < .0001), and association of FTO rs1421085 with higher caloric intake (β = 56.72, SE = 20.69; p = .0061) and percentage fat intake (β = 0.37, SE = 0.08; p = .0418) was also observed.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate with the strength of independent replication that BDNF rs2030323 is associated with 100 to 150 greater total caloric intake per allele, with additional contributions of MC4R and, in non-Hispanic white individuals, FTO. As it has been argued that an additional 100 kcal/d could account for the trends in weight gain, prevention focusing on genetic profiles with high dietary intake may help to quell adverse obesity trends.

Clinical Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00004992.
Brief Report: Differential Effects of Tenofovir, Abacavir, Emtricitabine, and Darunavir on Telomerase Activity In Vitro
Authors: Stella-Ascariz Natalia , Montejano Rocío , Pintado-Berninches Laura , Monge Susana , Bernardino José I. , Pérez-Valero Ignacio , Montes María L. , Mingorance Jesús , Perona Rosario , Arribas José R.
Published: August 2016

In vitro, tenofovir and abacavir induced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of telomerase activity at therapeutic concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy subjects. Median inhibition of telomerase activity by tenofovir at 0.5 and 1 μM was 29% [Interquartile range (IQR) 29%–34%, P = 0.042] and 28% (IQR 28%–41%, P = 0.042), respectively. Abacavir inhibition was 12% (IQR 9%–13%, P = 0.043) at 3 μM and 14% (IQR 10%–29%, P = 0.043) at 10 μM. Tenofovir and abacavir did not change human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) levels or mRNA levels of other telomerase complex genes. Exposure to emtricitabine or darunavir did not affect telomerase activity, hTERT protein levels, or mRNA levels of telomerase/shelterin genes.
MZC Gel Inhibits SHIV-RT and HSV-2 in Macaque Vaginal Mucosa and SHIV-RT in Rectal Mucosa
Authors: Calenda Giulia , Villegas Guillermo , Barnable Patrick , Litterst Claudia , Levendosky Keith , Gettie Agegnehu , Cooney Michael L. , Blanchard James , Fernández-Romero José A. , Zydowsky Thomas M. , Teleshova Natalia
Published: August 2016

The Population Council's microbicide gel MZC (also known as PC-1005) containing MIV-150 and zinc acetate dihydrate (ZA) in carrageenan (CG) has shown promise as a broad-spectrum microbicide against HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human papillomavirus. Previous data show antiviral activity against these viruses in cell-based assays, prevention of vaginal and rectal simian–human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (SHIV-RT) infection, and reduction of vaginal HSV shedding in rhesus macaques and also excellent antiviral activity against HSV and human papillomavirus in murine models. Recently, we demonstrated that MZC is safe and effective against SHIV-RT in macaque vaginal explants. Here we established models of ex vivo SHIV-RT/HSV-2 coinfection of vaginal mucosa and SHIV-RT infection of rectal mucosa in macaques (challenge of rectal mucosa with HSV-2 did not result in reproducible tissue infection), evaluated antiviral activity of MZC, and compared quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay readouts for monitoring SHIV-RT infection. MZC (at nontoxic dilutions) significantly inhibited SHIV-RT in vaginal and rectal mucosas and HSV-2 in vaginal mucosa when present during viral challenge. Analysis of SHIV-RT infection and MZC activity by 1-step simian immunodeficiency virusgagquantitative RT-PCR and p27 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated similar virus growth dynamics and MZC activity by both methods and higher sensitivity of quantitative RT-PCR. Our data provide more evidence that MZC is a promising dual compartment multipurpose prevention technology candidate.
Acute Epididymo-orchitis–Related Global Testicular Infarction
Authors: Chang Ching-Di , Lin Jui-Wei , Lee Chen-Chang , Chen Yen-Ta , Huang Chung-Cheng , Lee Yi-Wei , Ng Shu-Hang , Ko Sheung-Fat
Published: August 2016

Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO)–related global testicular infarction (GTI) is rare. We report herein the clinical and ultrasound findings of 6 patients with AEO-related GTI. Seventeen patients with torsion-related GTI were also reviewed and compared. The echotexture of AEO-related GTI ranged from mildly inhomogeneous to diffuse heteroechoic, depending on the severity of testicular necrotic changes. All of the patients showed a juxta-epididymal string-of-bead pattern on color Doppler ultrasound, which was ascribed to patent arteries (5/6, 87%) and collateral vessels (1/6, 13%) in the tunica albuginea. There were no significant differences in age, laterality, leukocyte count, testicular volume ratio (infarcted/normal), frequencies of heteroechoic testicular parenchyma, scrotal skin thickening, and hydrocele between the 2 groups. However, the left testis was predominantly affected in both groups. Compared with torsion-related GTI, patients with AEO-related GTI had significantly longer duration from scrotal pain onset to surgery (13.5 ± 5.2 vs 2.6 ± 2.0 days, P < 0.001), a higher level of serum C-reactive protein (110.0 ± 82.0 vs 41.2 ± 35.9 mg/dL, P = 0.013), a higher frequency of the juxta-epididymal string-of-bead sign (100% vs 12%, P < 0.001), and a lower frequency of the whirlpool/knot sign (0% vs 88%, P = 0.002). Although the testis in AEO-related GTI may appear variable from mildly to extensively heteroechoic on gray-scale ultrasound, this unusual disease can be characterized by an avascular testis with a juxta-epididymal string-of-bead sign on color Doppler ultrasound.
The Learning Curve of Transareola Single-site Laparoendoscopic Thyroidectomy: CUSUM Analysis of a Single Surgeon’s Experience
Authors: Zhu Guanghui , Zhang Xueli , Tang Zhiqiang , Tan Zhanhai , Chen Jianrong , Shan Yuanzhou
Published: August 2016

Background:

Transareola single-site laparoendoscopic thyroidectomy (TASSET) is a rapidly advancing minimally invasive procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the learning curve for TASSET.

Subjects and Methods:

Forty-five consecutive patients were prospectively divided into group 1 (initial phase), group 2 (intermediate phase), and group 3 (advanced phase) according to their surgical order (15 patients in each group). The operative time, operative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, postoperative pain, and postoperative complications were compared using phases.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were observed in the different learning phases, among operative time (P<0.05), operative blood loss (P<0.05), hospital stay (P<0.05), and postoperative pain (P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate was low (3/45).

Conclusions:

Learning curve of the TASSET are improved synchronized at different phases and technical indicators. The establishment of operative space take longer time to skilled master.
Symbolism and discovery: eclipses in art
Authors: Blatchford Ian
Published: August 2016

There is a fascinating tradition of depicting solar eclipses in Western art, although these representations have changed over time. Eclipses have often been an important feature of Christian iconography, but valued as much for their biblical significance as for the splendour of the physical event. However, as Western culture passed through the Renaissance and Enlightenment the depictions of eclipses came to reflect new astronomical knowledge and a thirst for rational learning well beyond the confines of the church and other elites. Artists also played a surprisingly important role in helping scientists in the nineteenth century understand and record the full phenomena of an eclipse, even as the advent of photography also came to solve a number of scientific puzzles. In the most recent century, artists have responded to eclipses with symbolism, abstraction and playfulness.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
Meteorological effects of the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015: analysis of UK Met Office automatic weather station data and comparison with automatic weather station data from the Faroes and Iceland
Authors: Hanna Edward , Penman John , Jónsson Trausti , Bigg Grant R. , Björnsson Halldór , Sjúrðarson Sølvi , Hansen Mads A. , Cappelen John , Bryant Robert G.
Published: August 2016

Here, we analyse high-frequency (1 min) surface air temperature, mean sea-level pressure (MSLP), wind speed and direction and cloud-cover data acquired during the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 from 76 UK Met Office weather stations, and compare the results with those from 30 weather stations in the Faroe Islands and 148 stations in Iceland. There was a statistically significant mean UK temperature drop of 0.83±0.63°C, which occurred over 39 min on average, and the minimum temperature lagged the peak of the eclipse by about 10 min. For a subset of 14 (16) relatively clear (cloudy) stations, the mean temperature drop was 0.91±0.78 (0.31±0.40)°C but the mean temperature drops for relatively calm and windy stations were almost identical. Mean wind speed dropped significantly by 9% on average during the first half of the eclipse. There was no discernible effect of the eclipse on the wind-direction or MSLP time series, and therefore we can discount any localized eclipse cyclone effect over Britain during this event. Similar changes in air temperature and wind speed are observed for Iceland, where conditions were generally clearer, but here too there was no evidence of an eclipse cyclone; in the Faroes, there was a much more muted meteorological signature.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
On the variability of near-surface screen temperature anomalies in the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse
Authors: Clark Matthew R.
Published: August 2016

Near-surface air temperature (NSAT) anomalies during the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse are investigated at 266 UK sites, using operational data. The high density of observing sites, together with the wide range of ambient meteorological conditions, provided an unprecedented opportunity for analysis of the spatial variability of NSAT anomalies under relatively uniform eclipse conditions. Anomalies ranged from −0.03°C to −4.23°C (median −1.02°C). The maximum (negative) anomaly lagged the maximum obscuration by 15 min on average. Cloud cover impacted strongly on NSAT anomalies, with larger anomalies in clear-sky situations (
p
<0.0001). Weaker, but statistically significant, correlations were found with wind speed (larger anomalies in weaker winds), proximity to coast (larger anomalies at inland sites), topography (larger anomalies in topographical low points) and land cover (larger anomalies over vegetated surfaces). In this mid-morning eclipse, the topographical influences on NSAT anomalies were apparently dominated by variations in residual nocturnal inversion strength, as suggested by significant correlations between post-sunrise temperature and NSAT anomaly at clear-sky sites (larger negative anomalies with lower post-sunrise temperatures). The largest NSAT anomaly occurred at a coastal site where flow transitioned from onshore to offshore during the eclipse, in a situation with large coastal temperature gradients associated with antecedent nocturnal cooling.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
The National Eclipse Weather Experiment: an assessment of citizen scientist weather observations
Authors: Barnard L. , Portas A. M. , Gray S. L. , Harrison R. G.
Published: August 2016

The National Eclipse Weather Experiment (NEWEx) was a citizen science project designed to assess the effects of the 20 March 2015 partial solar eclipse on the weather over the United Kingdom (UK). NEWEx had two principal objectives: to provide a spatial network of meteorological observations across the UK to aid the investigation of eclipse-induced weather changes, and to develop a nationwide public engagement activity-based participation of citizen scientists. In total, NEWEx collected 15 606 observations of air temperature, cloudiness and wind speed and direction from 309 locations across the UK, over a 3 h window spanning the eclipse period. The headline results were processed in near real time, immediately published online, and featured in UK national press articles on the day of the eclipse. Here, we describe the technical development of NEWEx and how the observations provided by the citizen scientists were analysed. By comparing the results of the NEWEx analyses with results from other investigations of the same eclipse using different observational networks, including measurements from the University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory, we demonstrate that NEWEx provided a fair representation of the change in the UK meteorological conditions throughout the eclipse. Despite the simplicity of the approach adopted, robust reductions in both temperature and wind speed during the eclipse were observed.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
The solar eclipse: a natural meteorological experiment
Authors: Harrison R. Giles , Hanna Edward
Published: August 2016

A solar eclipse provides a well-characterized reduction in solar radiation, of calculable amount and duration. This captivating natural astronomical phenomenon is ideally suited to science outreach activities, but the predictability of the change in solar radiation also provides unusual conditions for assessing the atmospheric response to a known stimulus. Modern automatic observing networks used for weather forecasting and atmospheric research have dense spatial coverage, so the quantitative meteorological responses to an eclipse can now be evaluated with excellent space and time resolution. Numerical models representing the atmosphere at high spatial resolution can also be used to predict eclipse-related changes and interpret the observations. Combining the models with measurements yields the elements of a controlled atmospheric experiment on a regional scale (10–1000 km), which is almost impossible to achieve by other means. This modern approach to ‘eclipse meteorology’ as identified here can ultimately improve weather prediction models and be used to plan for transient reductions in renewable electricity generation. During the 20 March 2015 eclipse, UK electrical energy demand increased by about 3 GWh (11 TJ) or about 4%, alongside reductions in the wind and photovoltaic electrical energy generation of 1.5 GWh (5.5 TJ).

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
Terrestrial atmospheric responses on Svalbard to the 20 March 2015 Arctic total solar eclipse under extreme conditions
Authors: Pasachoff J. M. , Peñaloza-Murillo M. A. , Carter A. L. , Roman M. T.
Published: August 2016

This article reports on the near-surface atmospheric response at the High Arctic site of Svalbard, latitude 78° N, as a result of abrupt changes in solar insolation during the 20 March 2015 equinox total solar eclipse and notifies the atmospheric science community of the availability of a rare dataset. Svalbard was central in the path of totality, and had completely clear skies. Measurements of shaded air temperature and atmospheric pressure show only weak, if any, responses to the reduced insolation. A minimum in the air temperature at 1.5 m above the ground occurred starting 2 min following the end of totality, though this drop was only slightly beyond the observed variability for the midday period. Eclipse-produced variations in surface pressure, if present, were less than 0.3 hPa.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
CLIMB (the Cloud Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics): an online resource for the medical microbiology community
Authors: Connor Thomas R. , Loman Nicholas J. , Thompson Simon , Smith Andy , Southgate Joel , Poplawski Radoslaw , Bull Matthew J. , Richardson Emily , Ismail Matthew , Thompson Simon Elwood- , Kitchen Christine , Guest Martyn , Bakke Marius , Sheppard Samuel K. , Pallen Mark J.
Published: August 2016

The increasing availability and decreasing cost of high-throughput sequencing has transformed academic medical microbiology, delivering an explosion in available genomes while also driving advances in bioinformatics. However, many microbiologists are unable to exploit the resulting large genomics datasets because they do not have access to relevant computational resources and to an appropriate bioinformatics infrastructure. Here, we present the Cloud Infrastructure for Microbial Bioinformatics (CLIMB) facility, a shared computing infrastructure that has been designed from the ground up to provide an environment where microbiologists can share and reuse methods and data.
DNA damage is a major cause of sequencing errors, directly confounding variant identification
Authors: Chen Lixin , Liu Pingfang , Evans Thomas C. , Ettwiller Laurence M.
Published: August 2016

Pervasive mutations in somatic cells generate a heterogeneous genomic population within an organism and may result in serious medical conditions. While cancer is the most studied disease associated with somatic variations, recent advances in single cell and ultra deep sequencing indicate that a number of phenotypes and pathologies are impacted by cell specific variants. Currently, the accurate identification of low allelic frequency somatic variants relies on a combination of deep sequencing coverage and multiple evidences of the presence of variants. However, in this study we show that false positive variants can account for more than 70% of identified somatic variations, rendering conventional detection methods inadequate for accurate determination of low allelic variants. Interestingly, these false positive variants primarily originate from mutagenic DNA damage which directly confounds determination of genuine somatic mutations. Furthermore, we developed and validated a simple metric to measure mutagenic DNA damage, and demonstrated that mutagenic DNA damage is the leading cause of sequencing errors in widely used resources including the 1000 Genomes Project and The Cancer Genome Atlas.
Genetically targeted 3D visualisation ofDrosophilaneurons under Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microscopy using miniSOG
Authors: Ng Julian , Browning Alyssa , Lechner Lorenz , Terada Masako , Howard Gillian , Jefferis Gregory S. X. E.
Published: August 2016

Large dimension, high-resolution imaging is important for neural circuit visualisation as neurons have both long- and short-range patterns: from axons and dendrites to the numerous synapses at their endings. Electron Microscopy (EM) is the favoured approach for synaptic resolution imaging but how such structures can be segmented from high-density images within large volume datasets remains challenging.

Fluorescent probes are widely used to localise synapses, identify cell-types and in tracing studies. The equivalent EM approach would benefit visualising such labelled structures from within sub-cellular, cellular, tissue and neuroanatomical contexts.

Here we developed genetically-encoded, electron-dense markers using miniSOG. We demonstrate their ability in 1) labelling cellular sub-compartments of genetically-targeted neurons, 2) generating contrast under different EM modalities, and 3) segmenting labelled structures from EM volumes using computer-assisted strategies. We also tested non-destructive X-ray imaging on wholeDrosophilabrains to evaluate contrast staining. This enables us to target specific regions for EM volume acquisition.
ChimPipe: Accurate detection of fusion genes and transcription-induced chimeras from RNA-seq data
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín Bernardo , Palumbo Emilio , Marco-Sola Santiago , Griebel Thasso , Ribeca Paolo , Alonso Graciela , Rastrojo Alberto , Aguado Begoña , Guigó Roderic , Djebali Sarah
Published: August 2016

Background

Chimeric transcripts are commonly defined as transcripts linking two or more different genes in the genome, and can be explained by various biological mechanisms such as genomic rearrangement, read-through or trans-splicing, but also by technical or biological artefacts. Several studies have shown their importance in cancer, cell pluripotency and motility. Many programs have recently been developed to identify chimeras from Illumina RNA-seq data (mostly fusion genes in cancer). However outputs of different programs on the same dataset can be widely inconsistent, and tend to include many false positives. Other issues relate to simulated datasets restricted to fusion genes, real datasets with limited numbers of validated cases, result inconsistencies between simulated and real datasets, and gene rather than junction level assessment.

Results

Here we present ChimPipe, a modular and easy-to-use method to reliably identify chimeras from paired-end Illumina RNA-seq data. We have also produced realistic simulated datasets for three different read lengths, and enhanced two gold-standard cancer datasets by associating exact junction points to validated gene fusions. Benchmarking ChimPipe together with four other state-of-the-art tools on this data showed ChimPipe to be the top program at identifying exact junction coordinates for both kinds of datasets, and the one showing the best trade-off between sensitivity and precision. Applied to 106 ENCODE human RNA-seq datasets, ChimPipe identified 137 high confidence chimeras connecting the protein coding sequence of their parent genes. In subsequent experiments, three out of four predicted chimeras, two of which recurrently expressed in a large majority of the samples, could be validated. Cloning and sequencing of the three cases revealed several new chimeric transcript structures, 3 of which with the potential to encode a chimeric protein for which we hypothesized a new role.

Conclusions

ChimPipe combines spanning and paired end RNA-seq reads to detect any kind of chimeras, including read-throughs, and shows an excellent trade-off between sensitivity and precision. The chimeras found by ChimPipe can be validatedin-vitrowith high accuracy.
Empirical validation of directed functional connectivity
Authors: Mill Ravi D , Bagic Anto , Schneider Walter , Cole Michael W
Published: August 2016

Mapping directions of influence in the human brain connectome represents the next phase in understanding its functional architecture. However, a host of methodological uncertainties have impeded the application of directed connectivity methods, which have primarily been validated via 'ground truth' connectivity patterns embedded in simulated functional MRI (fMRI) and magneto-/electro-encephalography (MEG/EEG) datasets. Such simulations rely on many generative assumptions, and we hence utilized a different strategy involving empirical data in which a ground truth directed connectivity pattern could be anticipated with confidence. Specifically, we exploited the established 'sensory reactivation' effect in episodic memory, in which retrieval of sensory information reactivates regions involved in perceiving that sensory modality. Subjects performed a paired associate task in separate fMRI and MEG sessions, in which a ground truth reversal in directed connectivity between auditory and visual sensory regions was instantiated across task conditions. This directed connectivity reversal was successfully recovered across different algorithms, including Granger causality and Bayes network (IMAGES) approaches, and across fMRI ('raw' and deconvolved) and source-modeled MEG. These results extend simulation studies of directed connectivity, and offer practical guidelines for the use of such methods in clarifying causal mechanisms of neural processing.
Refinement of cryo-EM structures using scattering factors of charged atoms
Authors: Yonekura Koji , Maki-Yonekura Saori
Published: August 2016

This paper reports a suitable treatment of electron scattering factors of charged atoms for refinement of atomic models against cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps. The ScatCurve package developed here supports various curve models for parameterization of scattering factors and the parameter tables can be implemented in major refinement programs in structural biology. Partial charge values of charged amino acids in crystal structures were changed in small steps for refinement of the atomic models against electron diffraction data from three-dimensional crystals. By exploring a range of partial charges, the authors found the electrostatic setting that produces atomic models with improved statistics and better reflects experimental data. Structure refinement for single-particle analysis also benefits from the more accurate analysis and the programs could find wide use for model refinement against cryo-EM maps.
An advanced three-dimensional RHEED mapping approach to the diffraction study of Co/MnF2/CaF2/Si(001) epitaxial heterostructures
Authors: Suturin S. M. , Korovin A. M. , Fedorov V. V. , Valkovsky G. A. , Tabuchi M. , Sokolov N. S.
Published: August 2016

An advanced three-dimensional mapping approach utilizing reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) is introduced. The application of the method is demonstrated in detail by resolving the crystal structure and epitaxial relations of individual components within epitaxially grown magnetically ordered Co/MnF2/CaF2/Si(001) heterostructures. The electron diffraction results are cross-checked using synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements. A number of advantages of the three-dimensional mapping technique as compared to conventional electron diffraction are demonstrated. Not least amongst these is the possibility to build arbitrary planar cross sections and projections through reciprocal space, including the plan-view projection onto the plane parallel to the sample surface, which is otherwise impossible to obtain.
Crystal structure of Re-substituted lanthanum tungstate La5.4W1−yReyO12–δ(0 ≤y≤ 0.2) studied by neutron diffraction
Authors: Fantin Andrea , Scherb Tobias , Seeger Janka , Schumacher Gerhard , Gerhards Uta , Ivanova Mariya E. , Meulenberg Wilhelm A. , Dittmeyer Roland , Banhart John
Published: August 2016

A precise determination of sample composition and water uptake of La6−xWO12−δ(0.4 ≤x≤ 0.8) and Re-substituted La5.4W1−yReyO12−δ(0 ≤y ≤ 0.2) lanthanum tungstate is carried out. Sample compositions and water uptake were determined by electron probe micro-analysis and thermogravimetry, respectively. A single-phase region of Re-substituted lanthanum tungstates is reported. The crystal structure of two selected specimens produced by the citrate-complexation route based on the Pechini method, namely La5.4WO12−δand La5.4W0.8Re0.2O12−δ, was investigated by neutron diffraction in the temperature range 1.5 ≤T≤ 1200 K. The structural model for lanthanum tungstates is validated, according to which the Wyckoff site shared by La and W (Fm{\overline 3}m space group, 24dsite) is split with half-site occupancies (Fm{\overline 3}m space group, 48hsite). Replacement of W by up to 20 mol% Re does not change the lattice structure, and Re atoms substitute for W statistically in both 4aand 48hWyckoff sites of the Fm{\overline 3}m space group, as shown by combining the average neutron scattering length procedure, thermogravimetry and electron probe micro-analysis. Using the Willis and Pryor approach to anisotropic displacement parameters it is shown that the remaining static disorder in the unit cell found in La5.4WO12−δand La5.4W0.8Re0.2O12−δstructures is comparable, when the Fm{\overline 3}m space group with split 48hsite is employed. Through the estimation of the Debye temperature for both compounds, extracted from the analysis of thermal expansion coefficients and from the Willis and Pryor approach, anion anharmonic vibrations like those in yttria-stabilized zirconia are proven to exist in LaWO for the first time.
CTM4DOC: electronic structure analysis from X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Delgado-Jaime Mario Ulises , Zhang Kaili , Vura-Weis Josh , de Groot Frank M. F.
Published: August 2016

Two electronic structure descriptions, one based on orbitals and the other based on term symbols, have been implemented in a new Matlab-based program,CTM4DOC. The program includes a graphical user interface that allows the user to explore the dependence of details of electronic structure in transition metal systems, both in the ground and core-hole excited states, on intra-atomic electron–electron, crystal-field and charge-transfer interactions. The program can also track the evolution of electronic structure features as the crystal-field parameters are systematically varied, generating Tanabe–Sugano-type diagrams. Examples on first-row transition metal systems are presented and the implications on the interpretation of X-ray spectra and on the understanding of low-spin, high-spin and mixed-spin systems are discussed.
Internship impact on career consideration among business students
Authors: Rothman Miriam , Sisman Ruth
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the impact of the internship experience on business students’ career intentions in regard to pursuing a career path in the same job function or industry as their internship.

Design/methodology/approach

After completing and reflecting on an internship, 198 undergraduate students responded to the prompt: “discuss the impact of the internship on your career consideration.” Responses were analyzed using a content analysis methodology in order to determine whether or not interns would pursue the same job functions (e.g. sales) or industry (e.g. non-profit) as their internship in their post-graduation job search.

Findings

Across the job functions and industries identified within the internships, 54 and 45 percent of interns confirmed their expectations of career fit, respectively. The implications of confirming and disconfirming these expectations for students are discussed.

Originality/value

Given the value of internships to business students, surprisingly few studies have examined their influence on undergraduates’ career considerations. Students select internships with the intention of learning about job functions or industries for possible career fit, yet the authors know little about whether the experience confirms or disconfirms their expectations. This study seeks to address this gap. The authors suggest that internships, as experiential activities, merit greater attention as they provide students opportunities to learn what they do or do not want to do, where they do or do not want to work and whether their self-concept fits a possible career path – saving themselves and potential employers the cost of job dissatisfaction and turnover.
Teaching self- and social competencies in the retail sector
Authors: Edeling Sabrina , Pilz Matthias
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use teaching and learning units specially devised for development of self-competencies and social competencies in the retail sector to explore how learners assess these units in relation to acceptance, quality and self-assessment of improvement in their own performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on Poland, Italy and Germany, with a total of 1,020 learners undergoing initial vocational training in the retail sector taking part.

Findings

The findings point to high levels of acceptance by participants and to significant appreciation of the quality of the teaching and learning units. Learners also perceived a marked improvement in their performance after completing the units. Differences in outcomes between individual countries can be explained at least in part by the differing training framework in each country.

Research limitations/implications

The approach did not enable the authors adequately to evaluate the increase in learners’ competencies: participants’ self-assessment is of only limited value for this purpose. Moreover, only three countries were involved in the study. This area in particular will require substantial further research if reliable methods for evaluating competencies are to be developed that improve on the current instruments.

Originality/value

The pedagogical objective of the project was to develop teaching and learning materials that would accelerate the development of self- and social competencies in the retail sector. The aim was that the material should be capable of use right across a range of European countries and be evaluated in a proper way. The findings are based on a very high number of involved students. Also the results are positive and enable teachers in VET-courses to use well tested teaching materials.
Examination of cultural shock, inter-cultural sensitivity and willingness to adapt
Authors: D’Souza Clare , Singaraju Stephen , Halimi Tariq , Sillivan Mort Gillian
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify themes on international experiences that impact culture and how these findings will intervene in understanding cross-cultural training programs. Thereby an attempt is made to: evaluate cross-cultural insensitivity influences on cross-cultural shock and willingness to adapt, identify cultural impressions over a short overseas period, provide some insights on cross-cultural training that will improve training practices for cross-cultural assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

A diary method was used to analyze the data using NVivo. This research uses diary studies because they have been popular in identifying factors that influence learners to learn, as well as found to be productive to achieve short term experiences. They allow for in-depth analysis, uncovering several findings unlike observation and interviews that cannot reach. In addition, diary text is said to give information on areas of social reality that are not contained in the text. Following this the study used the theme category frequencies to enable us to undertake non-parametric testing of contingency tables.

Findings

Several descriptors were identified in this study; theχ2-test indicates that there is a difference in cultural shock experiences on negative cultural sensitivity but no difference in positive cultural sensitivity which was found significant at thep=0.05 level. On the other hand there is a significant association between positive cultural sensitivity and willingness to adjust and no significant association between negative cultural sensitivity and willingness to adjust which was found significant at thep=0.05 level.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows how learning in higher education can take into account the experiences by which learners can use their knowledge and skills for future cross-cultural training in international careers.

Practical implications

These results can be useful in guiding vocational interests. The results of the research offer descriptors of an exploratory nature which can also be used as a reference analysis for consequent phases in cross-cultural training.

Originality/value

Research provides several descriptors on international culture such as culture shock, positive and negative intercultural sensitivity, and willingness to adapt, some of which were significant. Diary method to analyze data are used which is distinctive and unique to understand behavior.
Trainer attributes as drivers of training effectiveness
Authors: Chukwu Gosim Martin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discover trainer variables that act as driving forces on training effectiveness. This can be a catalyst for improving the quality of training outcomes thereby making training firms more competitive as well as bridge the gap in literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research study used the grounded theory methodology. Data analysis was performed using open, axial and selective coding with a discursive set of theoretical propositions emerging. Qualitative data were collected through a focus group, one-on-one interviews and secondary sources. The subjects comprised primarily 26 past participants to the researcher’s firm’s training programs.

Findings

Seven major trainer attributes – facilitator disposition, real life examples, group work, interaction, participant involvement, stories/illustrations and demonstrations – were recognized by trainees whose post-training appraisals confirm that the training was effective. These trainer attributes combine with environmental factors to trigger trainee characteristics leading to behavior change and performance improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The paper makes a significant contribution to training evaluation literature. Researchers can take up any of the discovered attributes to further refine training evaluation theories or models.

Practical implications

New knowledge can be utilized to improve quality training presentations to improve learning outcomes. Organizational performance improvement, which is the desired return on investment of training, can better be achieved.

Originality/value

The paper goes beyond conceptual models to empirical discovery.
Effect of the fabric color on the visual perception of pilling
Authors: Barakzehi Marjan , Asadi Fatemeh , Ghareh Aghaji Ali Akbar
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Pilling is a fabric surface fault comprising of small, fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric that leads to poor handle and quality. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the fabric color in terms of depth and hue on the visual perception of pilling on the fabric surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Acrylic fabrics were prepared at various color depths and hues and then were applied with relatively equal amount of pilling on the surface of samples. The amount of perceived pilling was evaluated by human observers by employing paired comparison method and the results were analyzed using statistical methods.

Findings

According to the results, color depth and the visual perception of pilling in achromatic sample were nearly independent. Color hue can be considered as an important factor in the visual perception of pilling so when the color contrast between the pill and background decreases, the visual perception of pilling decreases as well. Hence, the achromatic sample have the most amount of pilling perception whereas green and blue samples show less pilling, in visual sensation.

Originality/value

There is a strong demand for acrylic fabrics in apparel industry but they have high tendency for pilling formation. To overcome this problem, experts have suggested some methods to prevent or reduce pilling. If it is proved that color influences on pilling perception, an useful instruction will be available for acrylic fabric manufacturers in order to satisfy their customer with good quality of products. In this work, the authors tried to find such relationships between the color and the pilling perception for human observers.
Modeling employee-based brand equity (EBBE) and perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) on a firm’s performance
Authors: Poulis Athanasios , Wisker Zazli
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of employee-based brand equity (EBBE) and perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an e-mail survey from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms in the UK and UAE. Sample sectors included cosmetics and toiletries, household care products, packaged food, soft drinks and tobacco firms. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results suggest strong support for the hypothesized relationships, thereby providing strong validation for the proposed model. One interesting finding was that the PEU affected employee brand equity significantly stronger in the UK than in the UAE. This phenomenon is explained in the discussion section.

Research limitations/implications

Although several studies have indicated several other elements for EBBE, such as brand commitment and brand citizen behavior, the authors borrowed Kinget al.’s (2012) EBBE concept and limited their variables on EBBE for brand endorsement, brand allegiance and brand consistent behavior.

Practical implications

Knowledge is expanded through an empirical study validating the proposed model, which provides meaningful insights for developing training tools for internal brand management. Firms have to increase the brand manager’s commitment to increase the employee brand equity, which in turn increases the firm’s performance.

Originality/value

This paper makes three imperative contributions to the branding literature: expanding the existing brand equity literature to incorporate employee brand equity; being the first known empirically tested PEU on employee brand equity; and empirically testing employee brand equity, which has been ignored in branding literature on firm performance.
Validating a scale to measure consumer’s luxury brand aspiration
Authors: S. Sreejesh , Sarkar Abhigyan , Roy Subhadip
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conceptualize consumer’s luxury brand aspiration and develop a psychometrically reliable scale to measure the construct. This study aims to extend the existing research in luxury branding domain through validating a scale to measure consumer’s luxury brand aspiration.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the dimensions of consumer’s luxury brand aspiration were identified through prior literature review and qualitative investigations. This was followed by a series of scale development studies suggested by Churchill (1979).

Findings

The results supported that the second-order measure of consumer’s luxury brand aspiration consist of four related first-order dimensions, namely, identity signaling, social recognition, self-esteem and achievement signaling. Luxury brand aspiration was found to have direct positive influences on brand commitment and brand attachment. Brand commitment and attachment in turn significantly influence intention to pay price premium.

Originality/value

Value of this research article lies in validating a scale to measure individual’s luxury brand aspiration for the first time in branding literature.
The impact of employee work perceptions on purchase intentions from a company store
Authors: Bodkin Charles D. , Peters Cara , Thomas Jane
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Company stores market to their internal employees via the distribution of branded promotional products. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may influence when an employee is more likely to purchase from a company store.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to the members of a chamber of commerce located in the southeastern USA. Data were analyzed using regression, and post hoc analyses were conducted using an analysis of covariance.

Findings

Organizational identification and job satisfaction significantly impacted employees’ intentions to purchase from a company store. Gender, education, marital status and years of work experience were personal factors that moderated that relationship. Firm size and employee rank were company factors that moderated the relationship between employee work perceptions and employee purchase intentions at a company store.

Originality/value

No research to date exists on company stores. This study is unique in that it proposes internal branding as a theoretical foundation for understanding company stores and examines factors that impact employees’ intentions to purchase from a company store.