bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Chronic Motor Axonal Polyneuropathy and Synaptic Impairment of Neuromuscular Junction
Authors: Galassi Giuliana , Canali Elena , Ariatti Alessandra , Valzania Franco
Published: May 2011

Polyneuropathies may exhibits clinical, electrophysiologic signs of neuromuscular junction impairment. Distal motor nerve terminals and neuromuscular junction contain pre or postsynaptically specific targets for circulating autoantibodies, if present in neuropathies. Motor nerve terminal blockade either reversible or permanent is a putative factor of muscle weakness. A 59-year-old patient exhibited oropharyngeal, facial, extremity weakness, fluctuating fatigability, and areflexia. Elecectrophysiologic studies showed purely motor axonal polyneuropathy. Thenar, facial slow rate repetitive stimulation revealed up to 47% decrement of compound muscle action potential size. Single fiber electromyography on voluntary activation confirmed increased jitter and impulse blocking in all muscles examined in one third of the fibers. Repeated testings for antibodies to gangliosides, acetylcholine, muscle tyrosine kinase receptors, voltage-gated calcium channels were negative. Oral pyridostigmine bromide improved bulbar symptoms. Pulse intravenous immunoglobulin, oral steroids, and azathioprine had steady benefit. Impairment of neuromuscular transmission if occurring in chronic axonal neuropathies highlights mechanisms and significance of neuromuscular chronic “synaptopathies.”
Vasculitic Neuropathy Associated With Minocycline Use
Authors: Thaisetthawatkul Pariwat , Sundell Robert , Robertson Carrie E , Dyck Peter J
Published: May 2011

Introduction:

Minocycline is an antibiotic used for the treatment of acne. It has been associated with several autoimmune syndromes, including drug-induced lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, and vasculitis.

Method and Results:

We report a case of a 28-year-old previously healthy woman who developed a left sciatic mononeuropathy 2 weeks after starting minocycline for acne. Magnetic resonance imaging studies supported the localization. A biopsy of the left sural nerve revealed acute nerve large arteriole necrotizing vasculitis. Her condition improved after the withdrawal of minocycline and a course of treatment with methylprednisolone.

Conclusion:

This case provides further evidence that minocycline may induce a nonsystemic necrotizing vasculitis.
Mucilaginibacter polysacchareus sp. nov., an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterial species isolated from the rhizoplane of the herb Angelica sinensis
Authors: Han Song-Ih , Lee Hyo-Jin , Lee Hae-Ran , Kim Ki-Kwang , Whang Kyung-Sook
Published: May 2011

Three exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria, designated strains DRP28T, DRP29 and DRP31, were isolated from the rhizoplane of Angelica sinensis from the Geumsan, Republic of Korea. Cells were straight rods, Gram reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and catalase- and oxidase- positive. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that these bacteria belong to the genus Mucilaginibacter in the phylum Bacteroidetes. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to strains of recognized species of the genus Mucilaginibacter were 93.8–97.4 %. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The strains contained MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone. Strains DRP28T, DRP29 and DRP31 formed a single, distinct genomospecies with DNA G+C contents of 41.9–42.7 mol% and DNA hybridization values of 82.6–86.8 %; the strains exhibited DNA–DNA hybridization values of only 20.4–41.3 % with related species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. On the basis of evidence presented in this study, strains DRP28T, DRP29 and DRP31 were considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter polysacchareus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DRP28T ( = KACC 15075T  = NBRC 107757T).
Tropicibacter multivorans sp. nov., an aerobic alphaproteobacterium isolated from surface seawater
Authors: Lucena Teresa , Pujalte María J. , Ruvira María A. , Garay Esperanza , Macián M. Carmen , Arahal David R.
Published: May 2011

Strain MD5T, an aerobic marine alphaproteobacterium, was isolated from Mediterranean seawater at Malvarrosa beach, Valencia, Spain. The strain was characterized in a polyphasic study and was placed phylogenetically within the

Roseobacter

clade in the family

Rhodobacteraceae

. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MD5T is related to

Tropicibacter naphthalenivorans

C02T,

Phaeobacter inhibens

T5T,

P. gallaeciensis

BS107T and

P. daeponensis

TF-218T, with 96.9, 96.2, 96.1 and 96.1 % sequence similarity, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that strain MD5T forms a stable clade only with

T. naphthalenivorans

C02T. Strain MD5T requires Na+ plus a divalent cation (either Mg2+ or Ca2+) to grow, does not reduce nitrate to nitrite and uses a large number of carbohydrates as sole carbon sources. It is positive for β-galactosidase and urease activities and aesculin hydrolysis. Enzyme activities displayed in the API ZYM strip were alkaline phosphatase, leucine arylamidase, acid phosphatase and α-glucosidase. Major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c; 70.9 %) and C16 : 0 (8.2 %). The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of this isolate from the only described species of the genus

Tropicibacter

. It is evident from the genotypic and phenotypic data obtained that the strain should be classified in a novel species in the genus

Tropicibacter

. The name Tropicibacter multivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain MD5T ( = CECT 7557T  = KCTC 23350T).
Kazachstania bromeliacearum sp. nov., a yeast species from water tanks of bromeliads
Authors: Araújo Fabio V. , Rosa Carlos A. , Freitas Larissa F. D. , Lachance Marc-André , Vaughan-Martini Ann , Mendonça-Hagler Leda C. , Hagler Allen N.
Published: May 2011

Cultures of a novel nutritionally specialized, fermentative yeast species were isolated from 34 water tanks of five bromeliad species, two mangrove sediment samples and one swamp water sample in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of the rRNA gene showed that the novel species belongs to the genus Kazachstania. The novel species differs from Kazachstania martiniae by 11 substitutions and 2 gaps in the sequence of the domains D1/D2 of the LSU rRNA gene. The name Kazachstania bromeliacearum sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species. The type strain is IMUFRJ 51496T ( = CBS 7996T  = DBVPG 6864T  = UFMG BR-174T).
Marivita hallyeonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater, reclassification of

Gaetbulicola byunsanensis

as Marivita byunsanensis comb. nov. and emended description of the genus

Marivita

Hwang et al. 2009
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Kang So-Jung , Lee Soo-Young , Jung Yong-Taek , Lee Jung-Sook , Oh Tae-Kwang
Published: May 2011

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated DPG-28T, was isolated from seawater on the southern coast of Korea. Strain DPG-28T grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DPG-28T formed a coherent cluster with members of the genera

Marivita

and

Gaetbulicola

, with which it exhibited sequence similarity values of 97.8–98.5 %. The DNA G+C content of strain DPG-28T was 65.1 mol%. The predominant ubiquinone of strain DPG-28T was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10), consistent with data for the genera

Marivita

and

Gaetbulicola

. The cellular fatty acid profiles of strain DPG-28T and the type strains of

Marivita cryptomonadis

,

Marivita litorea

and

Gaetbulicola byunsanensis

were essentially similar in that the common predominant fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c. Major polar lipids found in strain DPG-28T and the type strains of

M. cryptomonadis

,

M. litorea

and

G. byunsanensis

were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. From these data, it is proposed that

Gaetbulicola byunsanensis

be reclassified as a member of the genus

Marivita

, for which the name Marivita byunsanensis comb. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SMK-114T ( = CCUG 57612T  = KCTC 22632T), and that strain DPG-28T be classified in the genus

Marivita

. Differential phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness of strain DPG-28T demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from

M. cryptomonadis

,

M. litorea

and

G. byunsanensis

. On the basis of the data presented, strain DPG-28T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Marivita

, for which the name Marivita hallyeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DPG-28T ( = KCTC 23421T  = CCUG 60522T). An emended description of the genus

Marivita

is also provided.
Helicobacter pylori perceives the quorum-sensing molecule AI-2 as a chemorepellent via the chemoreceptor TlpB
Authors: Rader Bethany A. , Wreden Christopher , Hicks Kevin G. , Sweeney Emily Goers , Ottemann Karen M. , Guillemin Karen
Published: May 2011

Helicobacter
pylori moves in response to environmental chemical cues using a chemotaxis two-component signal-transduction system. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a quorum-sensing signal produced by the LuxS protein that accumulates in the bacterial environment in a density-dependent manner. We showed previously that a H. pylori luxS mutant was defective in motility on soft agar plates. Here we report that deletion of the luxS gene resulted in swimming behaviour with a reduced frequency of stops as compared to the wild-type strain. Stopping frequency was restored to wild-type levels by genetic complementation of the luxS mutation or by addition of synthetic 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD), which cyclizes to form AI-2. Synthetic DPD also increased the frequency of stops in wild-type H. pylori, similar to the behaviour induced by the known chemorepellent HCl. We found that whereas mutants lacking the chemoreceptor genes tlpA, tlpC or tlpD responded to an exogenous source of synthetic DPD, the chemoreceptor mutant tlpB was non-responsive to a gradient or uniform distribution of the chemical. Furthermore, a double mutant lacking both tlpB and luxS exhibited chemotactic behaviour similar to the tlpB single mutant, whereas a double mutant lacking both tlpB and the chemotransduction gene cheA behaved like a nonchemotactic cheA single mutant, supporting the model that tlpB functions in a signalling pathway downstream of luxS and upstream of cheA. We conclude that H. pylori perceives LuxS-produced AI-2 as a chemorepellent via the chemoreceptor TlpB.
A survey of the genetics of stomach, liver, and adipose gene expression from a morbidly obese cohort
Authors: Greenawalt Danielle M. , Dobrin Radu , Chudin Eugene , Hatoum Ida J. , Suver Christine , Beaulaurier John , Zhang Bin , Castro Victor , Zhu Jun , Sieberts Solveig K. , Wang Susanna , Molony Cliona , Heymsfield Steven B. , Kemp Daniel M. , Reitman Marc L. , Lum Pek Yee , Schadt Eric E. , Kaplan Lee M.
Published: May 2011

To map the genetics of gene expression in metabolically relevant tissues and investigate the diversity of expression SNPs (eSNPs) in multiple tissues from the same individual, we collected four tissues from approximately 1000 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and clinical traits associated with their weight loss and co-morbidities. We then performed high-throughput genotyping and gene expression profiling and carried out a genome-wide association analyses for more than 100,000 gene expression traits representing four metabolically relevant tissues: liver, omental adipose, subcutaneous adipose, and stomach. We successfully identified 24,531 eSNPs corresponding to about 10,000 distinct genes. This represents the greatest number of eSNPs identified to our knowledge by any study to date and the first study to identify eSNPs from stomach tissue. We then demonstrate how these eSNPs provide a high-quality disease map for each tissue in morbidly obese patients to not only inform genetic associations identified in this cohort, but in previously published genome-wide association studies as well. These data can aid in elucidating the key networks associated with morbid obesity, response to RYGB, and disease as a whole.
Interactions between brainstem noradrenergic neurons and the nucleus accumbens shell in modulating memory for emotionally arousing events
Authors: Kerfoot Erin C. , Williams Cedric L.
Published: May 2011

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAC) receives axons containing dopamine-β-hydroxylase that originate from brainstem neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Recent findings show that memory enhancement produced by stimulating NTS neurons after learning may involve interactions with the NAC. However, it is unclear whether these mnemonic effects are mediated by norepinephrine (NE) release from NTS terminals onto NAC neurons. The present studies approached this question by examining the contribution of NAC α-noradrenergic receptors in mediating this effect and assessed whether glutamatergic activation of the NTS alters NE concentrations in the NAC. Rats were trained for 6 d to drink from a water spout located at the end of an inhibitory avoidance chamber. On day 7, a 0.35-mA footshock was initiated once the rat approached the spout and remained active until it escaped into the neutral compartment. Blockade of α-noradrenergic receptors in the NAC with phentolamine (0.5 µg/0.5 µL) attenuated memory enhancement produced by glutamatergic (50 ng/0.5 µL) infusion on NTS neurons (P < 0.01). Experiment 2 used in vivo microdialysis to assess whether glutamate activation of NTS alters NAC NE concentrations. NE levels were unchanged by NTS infusion of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or low dose glutamate (50 ng/0.5 µL) but elevated significantly (P < 0.05) by combining the same dose with the footshock (0.35 mA, 2 sec) given in Study 1 or infusion of (100 ng/0.5 µL) glutamate alone. Findings demonstrate that NE released from NTS terminals enhances representations in memory by acting on α-noradrenergic receptors within the NAC.
Developing Rice with High Yield under Phosphorus Deficiency: Pup1 Sequence to Application
Authors: Chin Joong Hyoun , Gamuyao Rico , Dalid Cheryl , Bustamam Masdiar , Prasetiyono Joko , Moeljopawiro Sugiono , Wissuwa Matthias , Heuer Sigrid
Published: May 2011

The major quantitative trait locus (QTL) Phosphorus uptake1 (Pup1) confers tolerance of phosphorus deficiency in soil and is currently one of the most promising QTLs for the development of tolerant rice (Oryza sativa) varieties. To facilitate targeted introgression of Pup1 into intolerant varieties, the gene models predicted in the Pup1 region in the donor variety Kasalath were used to develop gene-based molecular markers that are evenly distributed over the fine-mapped 278-kb QTL region. To validate the gene models and optimize the markers, gene expression analyses and partial allelic sequencing were conducted. The markers were tested in more than 80 diverse rice accessions revealing three main groups with different Pup1 allele constitution. Accessions with tolerant (group I) and intolerant (group III) Pup1 alleles were distinguished from genotypes with Kasalath alleles at some of the analyzed loci (partial Pup1; group II). A germplasm survey additionally confirmed earlier data showing that Pup1 is largely absent from irrigated rice varieties but conserved in varieties and breeding lines adapted to drought-prone environments. A core set of Pup1 markers has been defined, and sequence polymorphisms suitable for single-nucleotide polymorphism marker development for high-throughput genotyping were identified. Following a marker-assisted backcrossing approach, Pup1 was introgressed into two irrigated rice varieties and three Indonesian upland varieties. First phenotypic evaluations of the introgression lines suggest that Pup1 is effective in different genetic backgrounds and environments and that it has the potential to significantly enhance grain yield under field conditions.
cis- and trans-Regulation of miR163 and Target Genes Confers Natural Variation of Secondary Metabolites in Two Arabidopsis Species and Their Allopolyploids
Authors: Ng Danny W-K. , Zhang Changqing , Miller Marisa , Palmer Gregory , Whiteley Marvin , Tholl Dorothea , Chen Z. Jeffrey
Published: May 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in plant and animal development, but the cause and effect of miRNA expression divergence between closely related species and in interspecific hybrids or allopolyploids are unknown. Here, we show differential regulation of a miR163-mediated pathway in allotetraploids and their progenitors, Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis arenosa. miR163 is a recently evolved miRNA in A. thaliana and highly expressed in A. thaliana, but its expression was undetectable in A. arenosa and repressed in resynthesized allotetraploids. Repression of A. arenosa MIR163 (Aa MIR163) is caused by a weak cis-acting promoter and putative trans-acting repressor(s) present in A. arenosa and allotetraploids. Moreover, ectopic Aa MIR163 precursors were processed more efficiently in A. thaliana than in resynthesized allotetraploids, suggesting a role of posttranscriptional regulation in mature miR163 abundance. Target genes of miR163 encode a family of small molecule methyltransferases involved in secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways that are inducible by a fungal elicitor, alamethicin. Loss of miR163 or overexpression of miR163 in mir163 mutant plants alters target transcript and secondary metabolite profiles. We suggest that cis- and trans-regulation of miRNA and other genes provides a molecular basis for natural variation of biochemical and metabolic pathways that are important to growth vigor and stress responses in Arabidopsis-related species and allopolyploids.
The use of Grounded Theory in PhD research in knowledge management
Authors: Idrees Inaam , Vasconcelos Ana Cristina , Cox Andrew M.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

New PhD researchers sometimes face challenges when attempting to follow Grounded Theory principles to conduct their studies. These challenges may lead them to change its features or even prevent them from using the approach at all. This paper seeks to argue that, although challenging to implement, Grounded Theory is congruent with the nature of PhD research. It aims to provide an example of the application of Grounded Theory in a typically time‐limited PhD research project without the need to change any of its key features and principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents and discusses the research design adopted in ongoing PhD research which integrates the main guiding principles of Grounded Theory in a simplified four‐stage model of theory development.

Findings

The proposed model four‐stage research design includes: an uncertainty stage, where the primary focus is formed; an emergence stage, where the core categories, which are the foundations of the theory, emerge; an ambiguity resolution stage, where the grey areas in the emerging theory are clarified; and a maturity stage, when relationships between categories are defined and the theory is refined.

Originality/value

This research design can help new PhD researchers unfamiliar with Grounded Theory to develop a clear understanding of the process by simplifying and clarifying its main guiding principles, as well as guiding them to a clear, phased approach that takes into account the iterative and non‐linear nature of this methodology. It also places boundaries on the issues that should be dealt with within each of the phases of research adopting this methodology.
Information and food blogging as serious leisure
Authors: Cox Andrew M. , Blake Megan K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore aspects of creating, seeking, sharing and management of information in food blogging as serious leisure.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants' conceptualisation of food blogging and the role of information in it is interpreted through in‐depth interviews and analysis of activity on the UK Food Bloggers Association web site.

Findings

Food blogging as a leisure pursuit resulted in the creation of new information sources, for which existing information is a source of inspiration. The content, and style of blogs, and so their nature as information sources, were influenced by the extent of involvement in a professional‐amateur‐public (PAP) system. Information about publics or audiences was of great concern and a focus of collegial information sharing. The management of content implies greater personal information management needs, but the data did not show great awareness of this, rather interviewees were concerned with access management. Pre‐professionals had an intensified concern with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Research limitations/implications

Food blogs may be better understood by placing them in the context of the PAP system.

Practical implications

Food bloggers are sophisticated users of information and ICTs, but have unrecognised access management and information management requirements that have potentially significant design implications.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing literature on information aspects of serious leisure by examining activity within Stebbins' professional‐amateur‐public system.
Playing video games: learning and information literacy
Authors: Gumulak Sabina , Webber Sheila
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to identify what motivates young people to play video games, and the extent to which video games are perceived as facilitating learning and information literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach, interviewing a convenience sample of 28 young people who enjoy playing video games. They were aged between 12 and 19, and all resident in Northern England. The interview transcripts were analysed thematically.

Findings

Entertainment and challenge were key reasons for playing video games. Of the respondents 89 per cent said they had learned something from gaming, including skills with real‐world application. Respondents used a variety of texts to solve gaming problems and to choose new games. Analysis of respondents' reported information behaviour showed that they were carrying out activities (e.g. searching, evaluating) that corresponded to models of information literacy, and these activities are mapped to the SCONUL Seven Pillars model. The interviewees showed determination in working out game problems and puzzles, rather than opting straight for an easy solution.

Practical implications

Librarians and other educators should design information literacy games, which challenge learners, using a problem‐solving approach. They also need to take account of learners' varying preferences for game genres.

Originality/value

There have been relatively few empirical studies into information literacy in videogaming (the focus is more usually on digital literacy, or literacy in reading and interpreting text). The paper identifies gamer preferences and behaviours that should influence design of information literacy games, and extend the information literacy model to include an attitudinal focus, fostering persistence and determination to solve information problems.
Health and social care information for visually‐impaired people
Authors: Beverley Catherine A. , Bath Peter A. , Barber Rosemary
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the health and social care information needs of people with a visual impairment; to identify the health and social care information sources used by visually‐impaired people seeking information; to identify differences in the information needs of people with different visual impairments; to examine ways in which developments in information provision may help to meet the needs of visually impaired people.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 28 semi‐structured interviews (face‐to‐face or telephone) were conducted with 31 visually impaired people living in or near Sheffield, UK. The participants included two groups: people with an age‐related visual impairment, and people with a visual impairment since birth or early childhood. Framework analysis was used to analyse the findings.

Findings

Four major themes were identified: health and social care information needs, sources of health and social care information, possible improvements, and “intervening variables”.

Practical implications

In this study only a small proportion of the health and social care information needs of visually impaired people were currently being met. There was minimal co‐ordination of information between the different information providers. Visually impaired people were dependent on acquiring and seeking out additional information from a wide variety of sources.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the health and social care information needs of visually impaired people and their sources of information, and starts to fill gaps identified in an earlier systematic review. The paper reinforces the view that visually impaired people are a heterogeneous group, with different needs according to their visual impairments.
Developing the legal information professional
Authors: Corrall Sheila , O'Brien James
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Legal information work has expanded with the growth in knowledge management and emergence of a new type of knowledge/information manager, the professional support lawyer. This study aims to investigate competency requirements for library‐based information work in UK law firms, including the specialist subject knowledge required, methods of development and the impact on information professionals of professional support lawyers.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation used a pragmatic mixed‐methods approach, including a mainly quantitative questionnaire, administered online to 64 legal information professionals, followed by eight semi‐structured interviews and a focus group with four participants. A literature review informed the questionnaire design and contextualised the findings.

Findings

The survey confirmed a broad range of competency requirements and clarified the specific subject knowledge needed. Participants favoured a varied combination of formal, and informal learning. Most participants also wanted specialised professional education for the sector.

Research limitations/implications

The nature of the sample and use of categorised questions were limiting factors, partly compensated by inviting open‐ended comments and follow‐up interviews. A larger study using qualitative methods with professional support lawyers and fee‐earners would provide a fuller more rounded picture.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that the subject knowledge needed for legal information work in law firms is more extensive than for other sectors and suggest that information science departments should strengthen and extend curriculum content to reflect this need.

Originality/value

The study has advanced the understanding of the competency, education and training needs of UK legal information professionals, challenging assumptions about academic/professional qualifications and illuminating the blend of competencies needed.
Computer science research in Malaysia: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bakri Aryati , Willett Peter
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the publications of, and the citations to, the current staff of 19 departments of computer science in Malaysian universities, and to compare these bibliometric data with expert peer reviews of Malaysian research performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper searches citation of the Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Findings

Both publication and citation rates are low, although this is at least in part due to some Malaysian universities having only a teaching function. More of the departments' publications were identified in Scopus than in Web of Science, but both databases were needed for comprehensive coverage. Statistically significant relationships were observed between the departments' publication and citation counts and the rankings of the departments' parent universities in two evaluations of the research performance of Malaysian universities.

Originality/value

This is the first comparison of bibliometric and peer‐review data for Malaysia, and, more generally, for a country with a newly developed higher education system.
The impact of decoupled payments on the cost of operating capital
Authors: Kropp Jaclyn D. , Whitaker James B.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how decoupled direct payments, paid to farm operators based on historical yields and base acreage, may lead to production distortions by altering a farmer's access to credit or enabling the farmer to receive more favorable credit terms. The authors estimate the impact of decoupled direct payments under the 2002 Farm Bill on the credit terms of farm operators, specifically the interest rate on short‐term operating loans. If farm operators are able to obtain more favorable credit terms and reduce their operating cost, then this offers an additional mechanism through which decoupled payments may distort current production.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate the impact of decoupled direct payments on the interest rate on short‐term operating loans. In the analysis, the authors control for farm financial characteristics, farm operator characteristics, and other factors. Data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey for the years 2005‐2007, are used in the weighted regression analysis. Jackknifed standard errors are also computed.

Findings

As the proportion of base acres to total operated acres increases it is found that interest rates decline by a small but statistically significant amount. This implies that direct payments lead to lower operating costs through better credit terms.

Research limitations/implications

Lower operating costs may in turn allow some farmers to expand production or produce on land that would otherwise be unprofitable to operate and hence left idle. Ultimately, this distorts current production. However, the small magnitude of the authors' results suggests that the reduction in interest rates, though positive, may have limited distortionary impacts.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence that decoupled payments alter a farm operator's credit terms and hence could lead to current production distortions. The paper contributes to the growing body of research investigating the mechanisms by which decoupled payments have the potential to distort current production.
The influence of GM crop adoption on the profitability of farms operated by young and beginning farmers
Authors: Detre Joshua D. , Uematsu Hiroki , Mishra Ashok K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impacts of GM crop adoption on the profitability of farms operated by young and/or beginning farmers and ranchers (YBFR).

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses weighted quantile regression analysis in conjunction with 2004‐2006 Agricultural Resource Management Survey to evaluate the impact of GM crop adoption on financial performance of farms operated by YBFR. The methodology employed in this study corrects for the simultaneity of technology adoption and farm financial performance.

Findings

As expected, the impact of GM crop adoption on profitability is positively affected by the scale of operation and leverage. On the other hand, off‐farm employment by “beginning” farmers has a negative impact on farm's profitability if they choose to adopt GM crops. Finally, quantile regression results from a farm household study shows that the model performs better at the higher quantile of the distribution.

Research limitations/implications

This study helps to determine whether the adoption of GM crops increases the profitability of farms operated by “beginning” farmers. In addition, it explores the impact of other factors (such as farm, operator, demographic, and financial characteristics) on the profitability of farms operated by “beginning” farmers.

Practical implications

Computing the profitability of adoption decisions for YBFR will provide significant information to YBFR that they can use in constructing their farm operations strategic business plan and future decisions regarding farming operations.

Originality/value

Existing research does not examine the impact of GM crops adoption on farm profitability of YBFR. Furthermore, YBFR operators face significant challenges in making their operations financially viable, owing to lack of access to capital and land.
A behavioral economic analysis of bounded rationality in farm financing decisions
Authors: Musshoff Oliver , Hirschauer Norbert
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Often farmers do not switch to a new bank even if it offers better interest rates than the house bank. This can be attributed partly to transaction costs, and partly to bounded rationality. The purpose of this paper is to better understand farm borrowers by analyzing the role of incomplete information and limited cognitive abilities in their finance decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the analysis were retrieved from a written survey conducted among German farmers who were “experimentally” confronted with a funding problem and who had to make a choice between two loan offers: one from the housebank, and one from a competing bank. Using contingent valuation, each farmer's willingness to pay (WTP) for continuing business with his house bank was assessed.

Findings

Approximately 90 per cent of the farmers misjudged the absolute losses caused by higher interest rates. In the frame “accepted interest rate surcharge” the WTP for staying with the house bank was, on average, ten times higher than in the frame “accepted surcharge in Euro”. The misjudgment was found to differ depending on education, the duration of the business relationship, etc. The findings indicate that bounded rationality is a relevant determinant of the “reluctance to switch”.

Originality/value

Complementing research on the decision making of lenders, this paper studies the demand side of the agricultural credit market. Two research questions are examined which, to the authors' knowledge, have not previously been investigated through empirical surveys: first, to what extent do farmers make bounded‐rational financing decisions? Second, which factors explain bounded rationality?
Are the Tokyo Grain Exchange non‐genetically modified organism (non‐GMO) and conventional soybean futures markets integrated?
Authors: Aruga Kentaka
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the market linkage and the strength of the linkage between the identity‐preserved (IP) non‐genetically modified organism (non‐GMO) and non‐IP conventional soybean futures markets at the Tokyo Grain Exchange (TGE) when effects from structural breaks are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The Johansen method is used for testing the market linkage and the law of one price (LOP) test is performed to find out the strength of the linkage. The Bai‐Perron test is conducted on the price series to identify the structural breaks. After the breaks are statistically determined by the Bai‐Perron test the Johansen tests are conducted for every break period.

Findings

Market linkage exists between the non‐GMO and conventional soybean futures markets but the LOP test suggests that the two markets are not fully linked and the relative price of the two soybeans is not constant. The breaks identified in the study affected the market linkage; the price relationship is lost during the break periods.

Practical implications

The results of this study help explain the value of other new markets where the product traded is a close substitute for an existing market.

Originality/value

This is the first study to apply the market integration theory to an IP market. The TGE non‐GMO soybean contract is the first market price series with sufficient information to appropriately model a price integration linkage for an IP market. The result is valuable in the future when more markets for IP commodities are developed.
Disassembly sequence planning for maintenance based on metaheuristic method
Authors: Zhong Lu , Youchao Sun , Ekene Gabriel Okafor , Haiqiao Wu
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Maintenance disassembly that involves separating failed components from an assembly or system plays a vital role in line maintenance of civil aircraft, and it is necessary to have an effective and optimal sequence planning in order to reduce time and cost in maintenance. The purpose of the paper is to develop a more effective disassembly sequence planning method for maintenance of large equipment including civil aircraft systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves the following steps: a component‐fastener graph is built to describe the equipment in terms of classifying components into two categories that are functional components and fasteners; interference matrix is developed to determine the removable component, and a disassembly sequence planning of functional components is proposed based on Dijkstra's algorithm; the disassembly sequence planning including fasteners is presented based on particle swarm optimization.

Findings

An application case, which takes the nose landing gear system of a regional jet as a study object, shows that the disassembly sequence planning method proposed in the paper can reduce the calculation complexity greatly, and its effectiveness is greater than that of a genetic algorithm‐based method, in most situations.

Practical implications

The method proposed herein can acquire the optimal maintenance disassembly sequence, which can reduce the cost and time for maintenance of large equipment.

Originality/value

A novel and effective disassembly sequence planning solution for maintenance of large equipment is presented, which can be applied to the line maintenance of civil aircraft.
Elevators in autogyro propeller wake enable low‐speed pitch control
Authors: Traum Matthew J.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

High autogyro accident rates prompted experimental investigation of this type of aircraft's low‐speed pitch characteristics. Pitch control is typically derived from main rotor tip‐path‐plane adjustment. Thus, autogyro designers often omit horizontal tails and pitch control surfaces. The purpose of this paper is to enable autogyro low‐speed pitch control by intentionally placing elevators in the propeller wake.

Design/methodology/approach

Wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 1:10 scale teetering rotor autogyro model. The model included a horizontal tail with elevators placed in the propeller wake. Straight‐and‐level flight conditions were estimated via a scaling scheme based on the main rotor diameter. At minimum flight speed, the pitching moment induced by 30° elevator deflection was measured. This process was repeated for a range of elevator positions behind the centre of the pitching rotation.

Findings

When placed in an autogyro propeller wake, deflected elevators induce significant pitching moments. If the elevator is shadowed from free stream flow by the autogyro cowling, the pitching moment remains unchanged regardless of the distance between elevators and centre of pitch rotation. However, if the elevator is immersed in the freestream, the pitching moment increases via deflection of both propeller wake and freestream flow.

Research limitations/implications

Kinematic similarity ensures ratios between propeller wake, wind speed, and main rotor flows are representative of full scale. Without flow visualization, main‐rotor‐diameter‐based scaling does not ensure kinematic similarity. Results are therefore qualitative.

Practical implications

Elevators mounted in autogyro propeller wake are worthy of inclusion on all autogyros for pitch control at low speed.

Originality/value

Improved low‐speed pitch control arising from elevators mounted in autogyro propeller wake could potentially reduce accidents.
Development of integrated rotorcraft design and virtual manufacturing framework
Authors: Anh Vu Ngoc , Lin Than , Azamatov Abdulaziz , Lwin Tun , Lee Jae‐Woo
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated rotorcraft design and virtual manufacturing framework. The framework consists of two major sub‐frameworks which are e‐design and virtual manufacturing frameworks. This paper aims to describe the process of generating a specific framework for helicopter design and manufacturing in general, and a method for main rotor blade design.

Design/methodology/approach

The e‐design process integrates a pre‐conceptual, conceptual and preliminary design phases and includes many high accuracy physics‐based analysis tools and in‐house codes. The development of analysis programs and integration of flow data are discussed under the e‐design process. The virtual manufacturing process discusses physical three‐dimensional (3D) prototypes using rapid prototyping, virtual process simulation model development using Delmia Quest, virtual machine tool simulation and process‐based cost model. Vehicle geometry is modelled parametrically in computer‐aided 3D interactive application (CATIA) V5 to enable integration between the e‐design and virtual manufacturing processes, and then saved in Enovia SmartTeam which is commercial software for product data management (PDM). Data saved in Enovia SmartTeam are used as a database for the virtual manufacturing process.

Findings

The integration framework was constructed by using Model Center software. A multi‐disciplinary design optimization loop for rotor blade considering manufacturing factors is discussed to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the framework.

Practical implications

The manufacturing (practical factors) could be considered at an early stage of the rotor blades design.

Originality/value

The gap between theoretical (engineering design: aerodynamic, structural, dynamic, design, etc.) and practical aspects (manufacturing) is bridged through integrated product/process development framework. The modern concurrent engineering approach is addressed for helicopter rotor blade design throughout the case study.
Peach juice as an anti‐corrosion inhibitor of mild steel
Authors: Yaro Aprael S. , Khadom Anees A. , Ibraheem Hadeel F.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate peach juice as a cheap, raw, green and non‐toxic anti‐corrosion material for mild steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid at different temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution in the presence of peach juice at temperature range of 30‐60°C and concentration range of 5‐50 cm3/l was studied using weight loss and polarization techniques. The inhibition effect, adsorption characteristics, mathematical and electrochemical modeling of peach juice were addressed.

Findings

Results show that inhibition efficiency rose with the increase of inhibitor concentration and temperature up to 50°C, while at temperatures above 50°C the values of efficiency decreased. The inhibitor adsorbed physically on metal surface and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Monolayer formed spontaneously on the metal surface. Maximum inhibition efficiency obtained was about 91 percent at 50°C in the 50 cm3/l inhibitor concentration.

Originality/value

This work is an attempt to find a new, safe to environment, non‐toxic corrosion inhibitor. Peach juice is a readily available material in Iraq and Middle East markets.
Inhibitive effect of salicylidene‐N‐N′‐dimorpholine towards corrosion of zinc in hydrochloric acid
Authors: Shah  , Panchal V.A. , Mudaliar G.V. , Shah N.K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the behavior of salicylidene‐N‐N′‐dimorpholine as a corrosion inhibitor for zinc in hydrochloric acid and the mechanism of its action.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of various parameters on the behavior of this inhibitor have been studied using weight loss, galvanostatic polarization, and cathodic protection methods. Thermodynamic parameters and adsorption data also were utilized.

Findings

The inhibitor showed excellent corrosion inhibition (>99 percent) at effective concentration. It appeared from thermodynamic parameters that an efficient inhibitor is characterized by a relatively greater decrease (i.e. more negative) in free energy of adsorption (ΔGA°), positive values of entropy of adsorption (ΔSA°), and lower heat of adsorption (QA). Galvanostatic polarization data indicate that this is a “mixed” type inhibitor with predominant effect on the cathode. The inhibitor followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm behavior. The cathodic protection indicated that the conjoint action of the inhibitor and the cathodic current was either synergistic or additive.

Originality/value

Very few inhibitors exhibit such excellent inhibitive effect on zinc in aggressive corrosive media as is shown in this paper.
A review of the corrosion of laser nitrided Ti‐6Al‐4V
Authors: Shoja Razavi Reza , Reza Gordani Gholam , Man H.C.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the corrosion properties of laser nitrided Ti‐6Al‐4V alloys that have been reported previously by several researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

Different kinds of surface nitriding methods of titanium alloys, such as plasma nitriding, ion nitriding, gas and laser nitriding, are introduced. Microstructure changes, such as phase formation and the influence of laser processing parameters in laser nitriding layers of Ti‐6Al‐4V alloys, were investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Based on investigations presented in the literature, the effect of laser nitriding on the corrosion behavior of Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy was reviewed.

Findings

By regulating the laser processing parameter, the microstructure of the nitrided layer can be controlled to optimize corrosion properties. This layer improves corrosion behavior in most environments, due to the formation of a continuous TiNxOy passive film, which can retard the ingress of corrosive ions into the substrate and can maintain a constant value of a current density. Therefore, the laser gas nitrided specimens have a relatively noble corrosion potential and a very small corrosion current, as compared to untreated specimens.

Originality/value

This paper comprises a critical review, and its collection of references is useful. It summarizes current knowledge in laser surface treatment research.