bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Heritage in International Investment Law and Arbitration
Authors: Vadi Valentina
Published: March 2014

Can states adopt protectionist cultural policies? What are the limits, if any, to state intervention in cultural matters? A wide variety of cultural policies may interfere with foreign investments, and a tension therefore exists between the cultural policies of the host state and investment treaty provisions. In some cases, foreign investors have claimed that cultural policies have negatively affected their investments, thereby amounting to a breach of the relevant investment treaty. This study maps the relevant investor-state arbitrations concerning cultural elements and shows that arbitrators have increasingly taken cultural concerns into consideration in deciding cases brought before them, eventually contributing to the coalescence of general principles of law demanding the protection of cultural heritage.
Chaotic rotation of a towed elliptical cylinder
Authors: Weymouth G. D.
Published: March 2014

In this paper I consider the self-excited rotation of an elliptical cylinder towed in a viscous fluid as a canonical model of nonlinear fluid–structure interactions with possible applications in the design of sensors and energy extraction devices. First, the self-excited ellipse system is shown to be analogous to the forced bistable oscillators studied in classic chaos theory. A single variable, the distance between the pivot and the centroid, governs the system bifurcation into bistability. Next, fully coupled computational fluid dynamics simulations of the motion of the cylinder demonstrate limit cycle, period doubling, intermittently chaotic and fully chaotic dynamics as the distance is further adjusted. The viscous wake behind the cylinder is presented for the limit-cycle cases and new types of stable wakes are characterized for each. In contrast, a chaotic case demonstrates an independence of the wake and structural states. The rotational kinetic energy is quantified and correlated to the vortex shedding and the trajectory periodicity. Chaotic and high-period system responses are found to persist when structural damping is applied and for Reynolds numbers as low as 200.
BLACK AND WHITE BODY MASS INDEX VALUES IN DEVELOPING NINETEENTH CENTURY NEBRASKA
Authors: CARSON SCOTT ALAN
Published: March 2014

Little is known about late 19th and early 20th century BMIs on the US Central Plains. Using data from the Nebraska state prison, this study demonstrates that the BMIs of dark complexioned blacks were greater than for fairer complexioned mulattos and whites. Although modern BMIs have increased, late 19th and early 20th century BMIs in Nebraska were in normal ranges; neither underweight nor obese individuals were common. Farmer BMIs were consistently greater than those of non-farmers, and farm labourer BMIs were greater than those of common labourers. The BMIs of individuals born in Plains states were greater than for other nativities, indicating that rural lifestyles were associated with better net current biological living conditions.
Parasites as valuable stock markers for fisheries in Australasia, East Asia and the Pacific Islands
Authors: LESTER R. J. G. , MOORE B. R.
Published: March 2014

Over 30 studies in Australasia, East Asia and the Pacific Islands region have collected and analysed parasite data to determine the ranges of individual fish, many leading to conclusions about stock delineation. Parasites used as biological tags have included both those known to have long residence times in the fish and those thought to be relatively transient. In many cases the parasitological conclusions have been supported by other methods especially analysis of the chemical constituents of otoliths, and to a lesser extent, genetic data. In analysing parasite data, authors have applied multiple different statistical methodologies, including summary statistics, and univariate and multivariate approaches. Recently, a growing number of researchers have found non-parametric methods, such as analysis of similarities and cluster analysis, to be valuable. Future studies into the residence times, life cycles and geographical distributions of parasites together with more robust analytical methods will yield much important information to clarify stock structures in the area.
Repair, Recycle or Re-use? Creating Mnemonic Devices Through the Modification of Object Biographies During the Late Bronze Age in Switzerland
Authors: Jennings Benjamin
Published: March 2014

The biographical approach has been applied to many studies of European prehistoric metalworking which frequently discuss the potential for recycling metalwork through melting to create new objects, drawing influence from the many ‘founders hoards’ known from across Europe. An agglomerate of half-molten bronze objects from Switzerland suggests that such recycling practices occurred there, although previous archaeometallurgical analysis has indicated that such practices were temporally limited. This article focuses on an alternative form of recycling — the direct conversion of one object into another through cutting and reshaping — observed on several razors from Late Bronze Age (LBA) lake-dwelling contexts in Switzerland. Atypical decorative motifs on these razors identify them as having been cut from arm- or leg-ring jewellery pieces. It is suggested that these ‘ring-razors’ were valued as individualized objects and created as personal mnemonic devices.
Did the Greeks Build According to the Golden Ratio?
Authors: Foutakis Patrice
Published: March 2014

The mathematical number of the golden ratio has long fascinated mathematicians, archaeologists, biologists, architects, engineers, historians, musicians and scholars. Until now, though, there have been only assertions about whether the ancient Greeks employed this ratio in their architecture. To determine whether evidence may have been overlooked, I examined the measurements of 15 temples, 18 monumental tombs, 8 sarcophagi and 58 grave stelae from the fifth century BC to the second century AD. The result is clear: the golden ratio was totally absent from Greek architecture of the classical fifth century BC, and only very rarely employed in the third and the second centuries BC. Consequently, four rare and therefore valuable examples of golden-ratio proportions were identified through this research in a tower, an altar, a tomb and a grave stele. This is the first time that clear evidence has been presented for golden-ratio application in constructions of ancient Greece.
Choosing anarchy: institutional alternatives and the global order
Authors: Kim Moonhawk , Wolford Scott
Published: March 2014

The international system may be anarchic, but anarchy is neither fixed nor inevitable. We analyze collective choices between anarchy, a system of inefficient self-enforcement, and external enforcement, where punishment is delegated to a third party at some upfront cost. In equilibrium, external enforcement (establishing governments) prevails when interaction density is high, the costs of integration are low, and violations are difficult to predict, but anarchy (drawing borders) prevails when at least one of these conditions fail. We explore the implications of this theory for the causal role of anarchy in international relations theory, the integration and disintegration of political units, and the limits and possibilities of cooperation through international institutions.
The search for dialogue as a hindrance to understanding: practices as inter-paradigmatic research program
Authors: Ringmar Erik
Published: March 2014

In a recent article Emanuel Adler and Vincent Pouliot argued that attention to ‘practices’ could help IR scholars overcome ontological gaps and provide a new basis, on which the discipline could be established. Four such dichotomies are particularly salient: between the material and the meaningful, the rational and the practical, between agencies and structures, and between the forces of stability and of change. By failing to provide a theoretical basis for a synthesis, however, this project will fail. What a ‘practice’ is, and how ontological gaps should be understood, cannot be determined outside of the context of a theory. The article reviews theoretical attempts to deal with the dichotomies Adler and Pouliot identified and investigates the role of practices in the study of international relations.
Lactobacillus-dominated cervicovaginal microbiota associated with reduced HIV/STI prevalence and genital HIV viral load in African women
Authors: Borgdorff Hanneke , Tsivtsivadze Evgeni , Verhelst Rita , Marzorati Massimo , Jurriaans Suzanne , Ndayisaba Gilles F , Schuren Frank H , van de Wijgert Janneke H H M
Published: March 2014

Cervicovaginal microbiota not dominated by lactobacilli may facilitate transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as miscarriages, preterm births and sepsis in pregnant women. However, little is known about the exact nature of the microbiological changes that cause these adverse outcomes. In this study, cervical samples of 174 Rwandan female sex workers were analyzed cross-sectionally using a phylogenetic microarray. Furthermore, HIV-1 RNA concentrations were measured in cervicovaginal lavages of 58 HIV-positive women among them. We identified six microbiome clusters, representing a gradient from low semi-quantitative abundance and diversity dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus (cluster R-I, with R denoting ‘Rwanda’) and L. iners (R-II) to intermediate (R-V) and high abundance and diversity (R-III, R-IV and R-VI) dominated by a mixture of anaerobes, including Gardnerella, Atopobium and Prevotella species. Women in cluster R-I were less likely to have HIV (P=0.03), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2; P<0.01), and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV; P<0.01) and had no bacterial STIs (P=0.15). Statistically significant trends in prevalence of viral STIs were found from low prevalence in cluster R-I, to higher prevalence in clusters R-II and R-V, and highest prevalence in clusters R-III/R-IV/R-VI. Furthermore, only 10% of HIV-positive women in clusters R-I/R-II, compared with 40% in cluster R-V, and 42% in clusters R-III/R-IV/R-VI had detectable cervicovaginal HIV-1 RNA (Ptrend=0.03). We conclude that L. crispatus-dominated, and to a lesser extent L. iners-dominated, cervicovaginal microbiota are associated with a lower prevalence of HIV/STIs and a lower likelihood of genital HIV-1 RNA shedding.
Inhibitory effect of Xenorhabdusnematophila TB on plant pathogens Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea in vitro and in planta
Authors: Fang Xiangling , Zhang Manrang , Tang Qian , Wang Yonghong , Zhang Xing
Published: March 2014

Entomopathogenic bacteria Xenorhabdus spp. produce secondary metabolites with potential antimicrobial activity for use in agricultural productions. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of X. nematophila TB culture on plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Phytophthora capsici. The cell-free filtrate of TB culture showed strong inhibitory effects (>90%) on mycelial growth of both pathogens. The methanol-extracted bioactive compounds (methanol extract) of TB culture also had strong inhibitory effects on mycelial growth and spore germinations of both pathogens. The methanol extract (1000 μg/mL) and cell-free filtrate both showed strong therapeutic and protective effects (>70%) on grey mold both in detached tomato fruits and plants and leaf scorch in pepper plants. This study demonstrates X. nematophila TB produces antimicrobial metabolites of strong activity on plant pathogens, with great potential for controlling tomato grey mold and pepper leaf scorch and being used in integrated disease control to reduce chemical application.
Thermo, pH and reduction responsive coaggregates comprising AB2C2 star terpolymers for multi-triggered release of doxorubicin
Authors: Miao Ke , Liu Huanhuan , Zhao Youliang
Published: March 2014

Novel disulfide-linked PEG(PCL)2(PNIPAM)2 and PEG(PCL)2(PAA)2 star terpolymers were synthesized and coassembled into mixed micelles or vesicles for multi-triggered drug release.
Facile in situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane
Authors: Yang Yuwen , Lu Zhang-Hui , Hu Yujuan , Zhang Zhujun , Shi Weimei , Chen Xiangshu , Wang Tingting
Published: March 2014

A facile in situ procedure has been successfully applied for synthesis of a RGO/Cu nanocomposite, which leads to the highest catalytic activity of Cu nanocatalysts up to now for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.
A rhodamine-formaldehyde probe fluorescently discriminates H2S from biothiols
Authors: Hou Xufeng , Guo Xinling , Luo Zhaoyang , Zhao Huijun , Chen Bing , Zhao Jin , Wang Jianhong
Published: March 2014

A novel mechanism-based fluorescent probeRhod-CHOwhich involved the initial nucleophilic addition of H2S to aldehyde followed by the subsequent intramolecular nucleophilic addition process.
Application of multivariate analysis to the turbidimetric determination of sulphate in seawater
Authors: Kortazar Leire , Sáez Janire , Agirre Josu , Izaguirre Jon Kepa , Fernández Luis Angel
Published: March 2014

An in-house Iterative Multivariate Standard Addition Method has been developed for the turbidimetric determination of sulphate in seawater.
Copper-catalyzed highly efficient ester formation from carboxylic acids/esters and formates
Authors: Liu Jun , Shao Changdong , Zhang Yanghui , Shi Guangfa , Pan Shulei
Published: March 2014

Copper-catalyzed ester formation from carboxylic acids/esters and formates has been developed with high efficiency and broad substrate scopes.
New semiconducting naphthalene bisimides N-substituted with alkoxyphenyl groups: spectroscopic, electrochemical, structural and electrical properties
Authors: Rybakiewicz Renata , Tszydel Izabela , Zapala Joanna , Skorka Lukasz , Wamil Damian , Djurado David , Pécaut Jacques , Ulanski Jacek , Zagorska Malgorzata , Pron Adam
Published: March 2014

Air operating n-channel FETs are obtained from alkoxyphenyl-substituted naphthalene bisimides.
Facile synthesis of enzyme–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers and their application as an immobilized trypsin reactor for highly efficient protein digestion
Authors: Lin Zian , Xiao Yun , Wang Ling , Yin Yuqing , Zheng Jiangnan , Yang Huanghao , Chen Guonan
Published: March 2014

Hybrid nanoflowers were synthesized by a novel approach. The nanoflowers exhibited an enhanced enzymatic activity and can be used as an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) for highly efficient protein digestion.
Alternative synthesis of the anti-baldness compound RU58841
Authors: Leonard Matthew J. , Lingham Anthony R. , Niere Julie O. , Jackson Neale R. C. , McKay Peter G. , Hügel Helmut M.
Published: March 2014

A bromine-nitro substitution at tertiary carbon and using 2-nitropropane as leaving group enable a short phosgene-free synthesis of RU58841.
Poly(mono-, bi- or trifuran): effect of oligomer chain length on the electropolymerization performances and polymer properties
Authors: Zhen Shijie , Lu Baoyang , Xu Jingkun , Zhang Shimin , Li Yuzhen
Published: March 2014

Herein we demonstrated the effect of oligomer chain length on the electropolymerization and properties of the resulting polyfuran films.
In situ microspectroscopic monitoring within a microfluidic reactor
Authors: Zmijan Robert , Carboni Michele , Capretto Lorenzo , Stulz Eugen , Zhang Xunli
Published: March 2014

A novel in situ microspectroscopic monitoring system has been developed for real time monitoring of chemical reaction progress within a microfluidic reactor by absorbance measurements. The formation process and rapid changes in size and shape of silver nanoprisms were successfully detected and reveal that these changes take place in a very short section of the microreactor.
A catalyst-free, facile and efficient approach to cyclic esters: synthesis of 4H-benzo[d][1,3]dioxin-4-ones
Authors: Lin Feng , Song Qiuling , Gao Yuyu , Cui Xiuling
Published: March 2014

A metal and additive free base-mediated method for the formation of 4H-benzo[d][1,3]dioxin-4-one and its derivatives, from salicylic acids and dichloromethane, was developed using dichloromethane (DCM) and 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCE) as the C1 source.
GDF15 regulates Kv2.1-mediated outward K+ current through the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway in rat cerebellar granule cells
Authors: Wang Chang-Ying , Huang An-Qi , Zhou Meng-Hua , Mei Yan-Ai
Published: March 2014

GDF15 (growth/differentiation factor 15), a novel member of the TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) superfamily, plays critical roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems, but the signal transduction pathways and receptor subtypes involved are not well understood. In the present paper, we report that GDF15 specifically increases the IK (delayed-rectifier outward K+ current) in rat CGNs (cerebellar granule neurons) in time- and concentration-dependent manners. The GDF15-induced amplification of the IK is mediated by the increased expression and reduced lysosome-dependent degradation of the Kv2.1 protein, the main α-subunit of the IK channel. Exposure of CGNs to GDF15 markedly induced the phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase), Akt and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), but the GDF15-induced IK densities and increased expression of Kv2.1 were attenuated only by Akt and mTOR, and not ERK, inhibitors. Pharmacological inhibition of the Src-mediated phosphorylation of TGFβR2 (TGFβ receptor 2), not TGFβR1, abrogated the effect of GDF15 on IK amplification and Kv2.1 induction. Immunoprecipitation assays showed that GDF15 increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of TGFβRII in the CGN lysate. The results of the present study reveal a novel regulation of Kv2.1 by GDF15 mediated through the TGFβRII-activated Akt/mTOR pathway, which is a previously uncharacterized Smad-independent mechanism of GDF15 signalling.
The construction of an interfacial valve-based microfluidic chip for thermotaxis evaluation of human sperm
Authors: Li Zhuoqi , Liu Weiran , Qiu Tian , Xie Lan , Chen Weixing , Liu Ran , Lu Ying , Mitchelson Keith , Wang Jundong , Qiao Jie , Cheng Jing
Published: March 2014

Thermotaxis has been demonstrated to be an important criterion for sperm evaluation, yet clinical assessment of thermotaxis capacity is currently lacking. In this article, the on-chip thermotaxis evaluation of human sperm is presented for the first time using an interfacial valve-facilitated microfluidic device. The temperature gradient was established and accurately controlled by an external temperature gradient control system. The temperature gradient responsive sperm population was enriched into one of the branch channels with higher temperature setting and the non-responsive ones were evenly distributed into the two branch channels. We employed air-liquid interfacial valves to ensure stable isolation of the two branches, facilitating convenient manipulation of the entrapped sperm. With this device, thermotactic responses were observed in 5.7%-10.6% of the motile sperm moving through four temperature ranges (34.0-35.3 °C, 35.0-36.3 °C, 36.0-37.3 °C, and 37.0-38.3 °C, respectively). In conclusion, we have developed a new method for high throughput clinical evaluation of sperm thermotaxis and this method may allow other researchers to derive better IVF procedure.
Two dimensional Leidenfrost droplets in a Hele-Shaw cell
Authors: Celestini Franck , Frisch Thomas , Cohen Alexandre , Raufaste Christophe , Duchemin Laurent , Pomeau Yves
Published: March 2014

We experimentally and theoretically investigate the behavior of Leidenfrost droplets inserted in a Hele-Shaw cell. As a result of the confinement from the two surfaces, the droplet has the shape of a flattened disc and is thermally isolated from the surface by the two evaporating vapor layers. An analysis of the evaporation rate using simple scaling arguments is in agreement with the experimental results. Using the lubrication approximation we numerically determine the shape of the droplets as a function of its radius. We furthermore find that the droplet width tends to zero at its center when the radius reaches a critical value. This prediction is corroborated experimentally by the direct observation of the sudden transition from a flattened disc into an expending torus. Below this critical size, the droplets are also displaying capillary azimuthal oscillating modes reminiscent of a hydrodynamic instability.
Enhanced exchange bias effect in size modulated Sm0.5Ca0.5MnO3 phase separated manganite
Authors: Giri S. K. , Yusuf S. M. , Mukadam M. D. , Nath T. K.
Published: March 2014

The effect of grain size modulation on exchange bias effect in CE-type antiferromagnetic Sm0.5Ca0.5MnO3 phase separated manganite is reported here. With the reduction of particle size, ferromagnetic clusters are found to form in the charge ordered antiferromagnetic matrix and gradually become larger. The horizontal and vertical shifts of the magnetic hysteresis loops in the field cooled magnetization process clearly indicate the size dependent exchange bias effect and it can be tuned with the reduction of particle sizes. The values of exchange bias parameter, i.e., exchange bias field (HE), coercivity (HC), remanence asymmetry (ME), and magnetic coercivity (MC) are found to depend strongly on the particle size. The variations of HE follow non-monotonic dependencies with reduction in particle size and show maximum (1205 Oe) at particle size of 150 nm at T = 5 K, which can be ascribed due to the changes in uncompensated surface spins. The values of HE and ME are found to decrease exponentially with increasing temperature below the spin- or cluster-glass like freezing temperature. The spin relaxation model has been employed for analysis of large magnetic training effect. The linear relationship between HE and ME further confirms the role of uncompensated surface spins. In view of spintronics application of manganites, the present observation of large exchange bias shift in this half-doped manganite may have great technological importance.
Spatially variant red blood cell crenation in alternating current non-uniform fields
Authors: An Ran , Wipf David O. , Minerick Adrienne R.
Published: March 2014

Alternating-current (AC) electrokinetics involve the movement and behaviors of particles or cells. Many applications, including dielectrophoretic manipulations, are dependent upon charge interactions between the cell or particle and the surrounding medium. Medium concentrations are traditionally treated as spatially uniform in both theoretical models and experiments. Human red blood cells (RBCs) are observed to crenate, or shrink due to changing osmotic pressure, over 10 min experiments in non-uniform AC electric fields. Cell crenation magnitude is examined as functions of frequency from 250 kHz to 1 MHz and potential from 10 Vpp to 17.5 Vpp over a 100 μm perpendicular electrode gap. Experimental results show higher peak to peak potential and lower frequency lead to greater cell volume crenation up to a maximum volume loss of 20%. A series of experiments are conducted to elucidate the physical mechanisms behind the red blood cell crenation. Non-uniform and uniform electrode systems as well as high and low ion concentration experiments are compared and illustrate that AC electroporation, system temperature, rapid temperature changes, medium pH, electrode reactions, and convection do not account for the crenation behaviors observed. AC electroosmotic was found to be negligible at these conditions and AC electrothermal fluid flows were found to reduce RBC crenation behaviors. These cell deformations were attributed to medium hypertonicity induced by ion concentration gradients in the spatially nonuniform AC electric fields.
Effect of embedded metal nanocrystals on the resistive switching characteristics in NiN-based resistive random access memory cells
Authors: Yun Min Ju , Kim Hee-Dong , Man Hong Seok , Hyun Park Ju , Su Jeon Dong , Geun Kim Tae
Published: March 2014

The metal nanocrystals (NCs) embedded-NiN-based resistive random access memory cells are demonstrated using several metal NCs (i.e., Pt, Ni, and Ti) with different physical parameters in order to investigate the metal NC's dependence on resistive switching (RS) characteristics. First, depending on the electronegativity of metal, the size of metal NCs is determined and this affects the operating current of memory cells. If metal NCs with high electronegativity are incorporated, the size of the NCs is reduced; hence, the operating current is reduced owing to the reduced density of the electric field around the metal NCs. Second, the potential wells are formed by the difference of work function between the metal NCs and active layer, and the barrier height of the potential wells affects the level of operating voltage as well as the conduction mechanism of metal NCs embedded memory cells. Therefore, by understanding these correlations between the active layer and embedded metal NCs, we can optimize the RS properties of metal NCs embedded memory cells as well as predict their conduction mechanisms.
In situ X-ray investigation of changing barrier growth temperatures on InGaN single quantum wells in metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Ju Guangxu , Honda Yoshio , Tabuchi Masao , Takeda Yoshikazu , Amano Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

The effects of GaN quantum barriers with changing growth temperatures on the interfacial characteristics of GaN/InGaN single quantum well (SQW) grown on GaN templates by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy were in situ investigated by X-ray crystal truncation rod (CTR) scattering and X-ray reflectivity measurements at growth temperature using a laboratory level X-ray diffractometer. Comparing the curve-fitting results of X-ray CTR scattering spectra obtained at growth temperature with that at room temperature, the InxGa1-xN with indium composition less than 0.11 was stabile of the indium distribution at the interface during the whole growth processes. By using several monolayers thickness GaN capping layer to protect the InGaN well layer within temperature-ramping process, the interfacial structure of the GaN/InGaN SQW was drastically improved on the basis of the curve-fitting results of X-ray CTR scattering spectra, and the narrow full width at half-maximum and strong luminous intensity were observed in room temperature photoluminescence spectra.
Identification of the ferroelectric switching process and dopant-dependent switching properties in orthorhombic HfO2: A first principles insight
Authors: Clima S. , Wouters D. J. , Adelmann C. , Schenk T. , Schroeder U. , Jurczak M. , Pourtois G.
Published: March 2014

The origin of the ferroelectric polarization switching in orthorhombic HfO2 has been investigated by first principles calculations. The phenomenon can be regarded as being the coordinated displacement of four O ions in the orthorhombic unit cell, which can lead to a saturated polarization as high as 53 μC/cm2. We show the correlation between the computed polarization reversal barrier and the experimental coercive fields.
Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Photoluminescent Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks Derived from 3,5-Bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)pyridine and Dicarboxylic Acids
Authors: Xu Jiakun , Sun Xiaochun , Yan Xingchen , Zhang Dongmei , Sun Mi
Published: March 2014

We successfully synthesized two new metal coordination polymers [Cd3(bdc)3(L)3(H2O)3]n (1) and [Co(tda)(L)]n (2) (H2bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2tda = 2,5-thiophendicarboxylic acid, and L = 3,5-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)pyridine), which were then characterized by IR, and elemental, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Complex 1 possesses a uninodal three-connected hcb Shubnikov hexagonal plane net with {63} topology. Complex 2 features a three-connected topological net with {82·10} topology (so-called ‘tongue-and-groove’ structure). A typical T-shaped molecular bilayer motif, which has rarely been reported previously, was successfully constructed by strategically selecting H2tda as the second ligand. In addition, the solid-state photoluminescent spectra of 1 and 2 were measured at room temperature.
Thirty-Day Laboratory-Based Surveillance for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area
Authors: Pereira Edwin C. , Shaw Kristin M. , Vagnone Paula M. Snippes , Harper Jane E. , Kallen Alexander J. , Limbago Brandi M. , Lynfield Ruth
Published: March 2014

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a growing problem in the United States. We explored the feasibility of active laboratory-based surveillance of CRE in a metropolitan area not previously considered to be an area of CRE endemicity. We provide a framework to address CRE surveillance and to monitor changes in the incidence of CRE infection over time.
Risk Factors for Colonization due to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae among Patients: Exposed to Long-Term Acute Care and Acute Care Facilities
Authors: Bhargava Ashish , Hayakawa Kayoko , Silverman Ethan , Haider Samran , Alluri Krishna Chaitanya , Datla Satya , Diviti Sreelatha , Kuchipudi Vamsi , Muppavarapu Kalyan Srinivas , Lephart Paul R. , Marchaim Dror , Kaye Keith S.
Published: March 2014

Background.

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) colonization among patients screened with rectal cultures upon admission to a hospital or long-term acute care (LTAC) center and to compare risk factors among patients who were screen positive for CRE at the time of hospital admission with those screen positive prior to LTAC admission.

Methods.

A retrospective nested matched case-control study was conducted from June 2009 to December 2011. Patients with recent LTAC exposure were screened for CRE carriage at the time of hospital admission, and patients admitted to a regional LTAC facility were screened prior to LTAC admission. Cases were patients with a positive CRE screening culture, and controls (matched in a 3:1 ratio to cases) were patients with negative screening cultures.

Results.

Nine hundred five cultures were performed on 679 patients. Forty-eight (7.1%) cases were matched to 144 controls. One hundred fifty-eight patients were screened upon hospital admission and 521 prior to LTAC admission. Independent predictors for CRE colonization included Charlson's score greater than 3 (odds ratio [OR], 4.85 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.64–14.41]), immunosuppression (OR, 3.92 [95% CI, 1.08–1.28]), presence of indwelling devices (OR, 5.21 [95% CI, 1.09–2.96]), and prior antimicrobial exposures (OR, 3.89 [95% CI, 0.71–21.47]). Risk factors among patients screened upon hospital admission were similar to the entire cohort. Among patients screened prior to LTAC admission, the characteristics of the CRE-colonized and noncolonized patients were similar.

Conclusions.

These results can be used to identify patients at increased risk for CRE colonization and to help target active surveillance programs in healthcare settings.
Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic member of the Firmicutes isolated from a hypersaline lake
Authors: Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Bagheri Maryam , Makhdoumi-Kakhki Ali , Didari Maryam , Schumann Peter , Nikou Mahdi Moshtaghi , Sánchez-Porro Cristina , Ventosa Antonio
Published: March 2014

A novel Gram-staining-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain A76T, was isolated from a brine sample of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Cells were strictly aerobic, coccus-shaped, non-motile, non-sporulating, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain A76T grew between pH 7.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 8.0), between 20 and 45 °C (optimal growth at 35 °C) and at salinities of 0.5 to 12.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5 %, w/v, NaCl). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain A76T was shown to belong to the phylum

Firmicutes

with sequence similarities of 94.1, 93.1 and 91.1 %, to the type species of the genera

Jeotgalicoccus

,

Salinicoccus

and

Nosocomiicoccus

, respectively. The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 38.8 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain A76T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, a glycolipid, an unknown lipid and two unknown phospholipids. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-6 (94 %), MK-5 (3 %) and MK-7 (3 %). The amino acid constituents of the cell wall were Lys, Asp, Gly, Glu and Ala. The physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic differences between strain A76T and type strains of taxa with validly published names suggest that this strain represents a novel species in a novel genus within the family

Staphylococcaceae

, for which the name Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aliicoccus persicus is strain A76T ( = CECT 8508T = DSM 28306T = IBRC-M 10081T).
Psychrosphaera aestuarii sp. nov. and Psychrosphaera haliotis sp. nov., isolated from the marine environment, and emended description of the genus Psychrosphaera
Authors: Lee Ji Hee , Baik Keun Sik , Kim Duwoon , Seong Chi Nam
Published: March 2014

Two motile, rod-shaped and agarolytic bacterial strains, designated PSC101T and KDW4T, were isolated from seawater and gut microflora of abalone, respectively, collected from the South Sea (Republic of Korea). Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strains PSC101T and KDW4T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other (98.6 %).

Psychrosphaera saromensis

SA4-48T was the nearest neighbour of strains PSC101T and KDW4T with 96.6 % and 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. DNA–DNA relatedness among strains PSC101T, KDW4T and

Psychrosphaera saromensis

KCTC 23240T was less than 70 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates belonged to the genus

Psychrosphaera

and formed a distinct phyletic line from

Psychrosphaera saromensis

SA4-48T. The common major cellular fatty acids of the two novel isolates were C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. The main ubiquinone was UQ-8 and the DNA G+C content of strains PSC101T and KDW4T was 49.5 and 42.5 mol%, respectively. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified amino lipid. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization of the two strains, it is suggested that the two isolates represent two novel species of the genus

Psychrosphaera

, for which the names Psychrosphaera aestuarii sp. nov. (type strain, PSC101T = KCTC 32274T = JCM 19496T) and Psychrosphaera haliotis sp. nov. (type strain, KDW4T = KCTC 22500T = JCM 16340T) are proposed. An emended description of the genus

Psychrosphaera

is also proposed.
Benchmarking the performance of department stores within an income elasticity of demand perspective
Authors: Mhatre Nehal , Joo Seong-Jong , Christopher Lee C.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purposes of this study are twofold: first, the authors attempt to confirm the effect of the income elasticity of demand in the retail industry by investigating the performance of department stores; second, the authors measure and benchmark the performance of individual department stores in order to develop strategic insights.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors employ data envelopment analysis for measuring and benchmarking the relative performance of department stores by using pertinent variables collected over a five-year period – 2006-2010.

Findings

– The results confirmed that the luxury department stores were more sensitive to an economic cycle, and all department stores in this study demonstrated higher performance in recent years, except for one discount department store that showed consistently deteriorating performance over the observation period.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations of this study include the use of financial data from companies' annual reports, along with the limited number of decision-making units and variables.

Originality/value

– Major contributions of this study include the confirmation of the effect of the income elasticity of demand in the retail industry in general and suggested strategic implications for specific department stores, which are not found in the current literature at the time of this study.
Competitive benchmarking technique for “the followers”: a case of Ukrainian dairies
Authors: G. Goncharuk Anatoliy
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The paper is devoted to develop the methodological technique for the implementation of competitive benchmarking in an industrial company in strategy of “the follower”. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the research, a non-parametric methodology of efficiency analysis is used. To solve the problem of finding the best competitor, the author proposes to apply the method of free disposal hull (FDH).

Findings

– The proposed methodological technique for the implementation of competitive benchmarking in an industrial company in strategy of the follower enables to gradually develop and make informed strategic decisions that ensure the achievement of efficiency frontier and a leadership in its market segment.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited by a single industry (dairy products). This is explained by requirement of technology (product, service) homogeneity when using FDH model.

Practical implications

– By a case of 60 Ukrainian dairies, the paper demonstrates how the author can use the proposed technique in a practice and what steps the author should make to find company benchmark and improve the efficiency. It is possible to use the results of this research to make competitive benchmarking for the other industries.

Originality/value

– This paper adopts FDH model for competitive benchmarking and implementing the strategy of the followers. The proposed technique enables to improve the various activities of the analyzed dairies.
Truck-sharing challenges for hinterland trucking companies
Authors: Islam Samsul , Olsen Tava
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to explore the challenges of truck-sharing and effective ways of dealing with those in achieving supply chain collaboration and collaboration in transportation management (e.g. transport collaboration) for transport capacity expansion, and reducing carbon emission and traffic congestion for integrating environmental and social sustainability issues. This paper also reveals insights into successful shared-transportation and a reduction in empty trips.

Design/methodology/approach

– This exploratory qualitative study was conducted by means of interviewing road carriers from the container transportation industry.

Findings

– In a truck-sharing initiative, technical issues (e.g. carrying capacity) arise, some of which involve the container truck and some involving constraints that cannot be controlled, such as driving restrictions, seaport operating hours, and the presence of the large number of container categories pertaining to the industry. Therefore, a significant amount of “structural empty running” may always prevail. It should also be noted that some, seemingly vital, constraints can actually be changed, treated, or modified for better truck-sharing outcomes, such as building a foundation of trust and establishing coordination among road carriers.

Practical implications

– A probable solution to the problem of increasing hinterland transport capacity is to make appropriate use of the huge number of idle truck slots that exist; this could be achieved by encouraging the acceptance of the challenges of truck-sharing realistically and suggesting an approach to handling them.

Originality/value

– To broaden its appeal, truck-sharing initiatives must be able to overcome challenges by combining theoretical insight with an understanding of the practical aspects of such an endeavor. This original research fosters knowledge that is unique and which also has real-life applications in maritime logistics studies and supply chain literature for both port authorities and container road carriers.
Locating medium volume and complexity manufacturing: cases from the ski industry
Authors: R. Caskey Kevin
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to examine the location of manufacturing for the major ski brands. The motivation is to explain, while there are no major manufacturers in the USA, the major European manufactures do produce locally even though their labor costs are even higher than those in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper first describes mid-volume, mid-complexity manufacturing. It then describes the ski industry and ski manufacturing. It then proposes several factors that could drive the choice of ski manufacturing location. It then reports interviews with several top managers at major manufacturers and suppliers.

Findings

– The findings show that development time and innovation are major drivers in the European market. The desire to lead the market with innovative products precludes the use of manufacturing in Asia, where production and delivery times would be longer.

Practical implications

– The findings give an example of the ability of manufacturing to remain in higher labor cost countries if development speed and innovation are significant market drivers.

Social implications

– The health of manufacturing in Western Europe and North America is currently of significant political interest. Companies and government entities may consider what actions they can take to encourage innovation-driven markets.

Originality/value

– The paper provides an explanation for a significant portion of the manufacturing of a mid-volume and complexity product remaining in higher labor cost countries. As innovation and development speed are found to be major drivers, this can inform manufacturers in other segments where the products and market share characteristics with those found in higher-end downhill skis.
Structural relationships between cultural values and coping behaviors of professionals in the stressful construction industry
Authors: Y.S. Chan Isabelle , Leung Mei-yung , Yuan Tina
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Coping behaviors are a popular area of research in relation to construction professionals, who are often compelled to face a great deal of stress while striving for good performance in a dynamic and demanding industry. The effectiveness of various coping behaviors on stress and performance of construction professionals have long been identified. However, factors associating with individual adoption of various coping behaviors are still uncertain. People from different cultural environments have different values and hence different preferences for coping strategies, which have different effects on construction professionals. Hence, the papers’ primary contribution to the overall body of knowledge is the establishment of statistical evidence that desired cultural values of construction professionals can influence their adoption of coping behaviors. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire survey was designed and conducted to investigate the relationships between cultural values and coping behaviors of construction professionals in Hong Kong (HK). Surveys were distributed to 500 HK construction professionals by fax, e-mail, or personal contact. Of these, 139 were returned, giving a response rate of 28.0 percent. Based on the data collected, a series of systematic statistical analyses, including factor analyses, regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), were conducted using SPSS 15.0 and Lisrel 8.5.

Findings

– Based on the results of factor analyses and regression analysis, a SEM was developed which reveals the following: first, interpersonal integration triggers planful problem solving; second, a disciplined work ethos triggers positive reappraisal and alleviates emotional discharge; and third, interpersonal integration triggers a disciplined work ethos. A series of personal-, interpersonal-, task-, and organizational-level recommendations are given on how to encourage construction stakeholders to adopt adaptive coping behaviors through cultivating their cultural values.

Originality/value

– The current study adopted a series of systematic analysis approaches to provide empirical support of how Chinese values of construction professionals predict their adoption of various coping behaviors in the dynamic and stressful industry. Since different coping behaviors have different impact on performance of construction professionals, the findings provide indications for future studies on enhancing performance through the cultivation of various cultural values and the coping behaviors they thereby adopt.
A cluster randomised controlled trial of “Bookstart+”: a book gifting programme
Authors: O’Hare Liam , Connolly Paul
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a free book gifting programme, called “Bookstart+”, in improving family reading outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Bookstart+ consists of a pack of books and reading materials provided to families at their two-year-old child's statutory health visit. The pack is accompanied by a short priming demonstration, delivered by the health visitor, on shared reading. The evaluation took the form of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 460 families from the client lists of 115 health visitors.

Findings

– The study found evidence of: a positive significant effect on parents’ attitudes to reading and books (Cohen'sd=+0.192,p=0.034); no significant effect on parental attitudes to their child reading (d=+0.085,p=0.279); and a negative effect, approaching significance, on public library usage (d=−0.160,p=0.055).

Research limitations/implications

– The attrition rate was high, with only 43.9 per cent of the target families completing all of the research. However, this level of attrition did not lead to any significant differences between the control and intervention groups on their pre-test measures.

Practical implications

– The study provides recommendations for free book gifting service provision in relation to pack contents and delivery.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the limited international RCT evidence on free book gifting programmes.