bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAME Production and Fatty Acid Profiles from Moist Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis oculata Biomass
Authors: Alves Sobrinho Rui C. M. , Vauchinski Laércio , de Moura Renata Rodrigues , Primel Ednei G. , Abreu Paulo C. V. , Montes D’Oca Marcelo G.
Published: February 2015

In the present study, we investigated the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from moist Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis oculata biomass using a hydrolysis–esterification process. Additionally, we evaluated for the first time the fatty acid profile before and after this process. Hydrolysis of the lipid fraction was performed on a moist biomass in the presence of differing amounts of an acid catalyst in both 50 and 100 % w/w water relative to the biomass. The esterification of the crude extracts of the free fatty acids (FFA) was then investigated. The experiments show that in the presence of 50 % w/w water relative to the biomass, the hydrolysis–esterification process results in higher FFA and FAME yields. The analysis of the fatty ester profiles did not reveal any degradation of the FFA from the microalgae biomass under the hydrolysis–esterification conditions. The results were compared with both extraction–transesterification and direct transesterification processes using dry biomass. The extraction–transesterification and hydrolysis–esterification processes resulted in similar FAME yields and similar profiles of the fatty esters from dry and moist biomass materials, respectively.
Endoscopically diagnosed cavernous hemangioma in the deep small intestine: A case report
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Hung , Tu Chia‐Hung , Lee Po‐Chu , Chiu Han‐Mo , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Wang Hsiu‐Po
Published: February 2015

We report a 27‐year‐old female with chronic iron deficiency anemia and unexplained fecal occult blood. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography disclosed a possible endoluminal lesion in the small intestine. Single‐balloon enteroscopy detected the target lesion in the proximal ileum. The lesion was a 2.5‐cm submucosal tumor that was purple‐red, soft, had a narrow base, and exhibited superficial telangiectasia. After endoscopic marking, the tumor was resected with minimally invasive laparoscopy. It was histologically confirmed as a cavernous hemangioma. In this report, we discuss the endoscopic characteristics, surgical and pathological assessment, and management strategy of hemangiomas in the small intestine.
Assessing proficiency in the National English Ability Test (NEAT) in South Korea
Authors: Ahn Hyejeong
Published: February 2015

The English language as a symbolic resource holds more notable cultural and social significance in South Korea than any other foreign language. In the current trend of globalisation, proficient English skills have been identified by the government as a critical resource for the country's survival, and developing these skills has been a major priority in all areas. A number of elite universities and sought-after conglomerates such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai have policies which noticeably favour and recruit students with high English proficiency levels (Lee, 2006: 67). In particular, scores achieved in the international proficiency tests such as the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), in preference to scores gained in other English tests, have become a major determining factor in gaining employment and promotion. According to the Samsung Economic Research Institute between 2004 and 2005, 102,340 Koreans sat for TOEFL. Koreans represented 18.5% of the total 554,942 people taking the test worldwide and they spend 700 billion Won (approximately US$700 million) a year on tests to evaluate their English proficiency.
Implementing CLIL for young learners in an EFL context beyond Europe
Authors: Wei Rining , Feng Jieyun
Published: February 2015

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is ‘a dual-focused educational approach in which an additional language is used for the learning and teaching of both content and language’ (Coyle, Hood & Marsh, 2010: 1). It represents a model of bilingual education which, broadly speaking, involves some use of two (or more) languages of instruction in connection with teaching courses other than languageper se.
Hypothetical Choice, Egalitarianism and the Separateness of Persons
Authors: HYAMS KEITH
Published: February 2015

Luck egalitarians claim that disadvantage is worse when it emerges from an unchosen risk than when it emerges from a chosen risk. I argue that disadvantage is also worse when it emerges from an unchosen risk that the disadvantaged agent would have declined to take, had he or she been able to do so, than when it emerges from an unchosen risk that the disadvantaged agent would not have declined to take. Such a view is significant because it allows both luck egalitarians and prioritarians to respond to Voorhoeve and Fleurbaey's charge that they fail to accommodate intuitions about the moral relevance of interpersonal boundaries – the so-called separateness of persons objection. I argue that the view is plausible independently of its ability to answer the separateness of persons objection, and is a natural extension of the luck egalitarian concern with the impact of unchosen circumstance.
Septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in Friedreich’s ataxia
Authors: Anderson Heather N. , Burkhart Harold M. , Johnson Jonathan N.
Published: February 2015

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with Friedreich’s ataxia is progressive, and there are few, if any, effective treatments available at present. This case report describes a Friedreich’s ataxia patient who had a septal myectomy for the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with improved symptoms over a 7-year period. This suggests that septal myectomy may be a viable option to relieve symptoms and interrupt progression of heart disease in appropriately selected Friedreich’s ataxia patients.
Positive selection is the main driving force for evolution of citrus canker-causing Xanthomonas
Authors: Zhang Yunzeng , Jalan Neha , Zhou Xiaofeng , Goss Erica , Jones Jeffrey B , Setubal João C , Deng Xiaoling , Wang Nian
Published: February 2015

Understanding the evolutionary history and potential of bacterial pathogens is critical to prevent the emergence of new infectious bacterial diseases. Xanthomonas axonopodis subsp. citri (Xac) (synonym X. citri subsp. citri), which causes citrus canker, is one of the hardest-fought plant bacterial pathogens in US history. Here, we sequenced 21 Xac strains (14 XacA, 3 XacA* and 4 XacAw) with different host ranges from North America and Asia and conducted comparative genomic and evolutionary analyses. Our analyses suggest that acquisition of beneficial genes and loss of detrimental genes most likely allowed XacA to infect a broader range of hosts as compared with XacAw and XacA*. Recombination was found to have occurred frequently on the relative ancient branches, but rarely on the young branches of the clonal genealogy. The ratio of recombination/mutation ρ/θ was 0.0790±0.0005, implying that the Xac population was clonal in structure. Positive selection has affected 14% (395 out of 2822) of core genes of the citrus canker-causing Xanthomonas. The genes affected are enriched in ‘carbohydrate transport and metabolism’ and ‘DNA replication, recombination and repair’ genes (P<0.05). Many genes related to virulence, especially genes involved in the type III secretion system and effectors, are affected by positive selection, further highlighting the contribution of positive selection to the evolution of citrus canker-causing Xanthomonas. Our results suggest that both metabolism and virulence genes provide advantages to endow XacA with higher virulence and a wider host range. Our analysis advances our understanding of the genomic basis of specialization by positive selection in bacterial evolution.
Unveiling the Dependence of Glass Transitions on Mixing Thermodynamics in Miscible Systems
Authors: Tu Wenkang , Wang Yunxi , Li Xin , Zhang Peng , Tian Yongjun , Jin Shaohua , Wang Li-Min
Published: February 2015

The dependence of the glass transition in mixtures on mixing thermodynamics is examined by focusing on enthalpy of mixing, ΔHmix with the change in sign (positive vs. negative) and magnitude (small vs. large). The effects of positive and negative ΔHmix are demonstrated based on two isomeric systems of o- vs. m- methoxymethylbenzene (MMB) and o- vs. m- dibromobenzene (DBB) with comparably small absolute ΔHmix. Two opposite composition dependences of the glass transition temperature, Tg, are observed with the MMB mixtures showing a distinct negative deviation from the ideal mixing rule and the DBB mixtures having a marginally positive deviation. The system of 1, 2- propanediamine (12PDA) vs. propylene glycol (PG) with large and negative ΔHmix is compared with the systems of small ΔHmix and a considerably positive Tg shift is seen. Models involving the properties of pure components such as Tg, glass transition heat capacity increment, ΔCp and density, ρ, do not interpret the observed Tg shifts in the systems. In contrast, a linear correlation is revealed between ΔHmix and maximum Tg shifts.
Impact of Sox9 Dosage and Hes1-mediated Notch Signaling in Controlling the Plasticity of Adult Pancreatic Duct Cells in Mice
Authors: Hosokawa Shinichi , Furuyama Kenichiro , Horiguchi Masashi , Aoyama Yoshiki , Tsuboi Kunihiko , Sakikubo Morito , Goto Toshihiko , Hirata Koji , Tanabe Wataru , Nakano Yasuhiro , Akiyama Haruhiko , Kageyama Ryoichiro , Uemoto Shinji , Kawaguchi Yoshiya
Published: February 2015

In the adult pancreas, there has been a long-standing dispute as to whether stem/precursor populations that retain plasticity to differentiate into endocrine or acinar cell types exist in ducts. We previously reported that adult Sox9-expressing duct cells are sufficiently plastic to supply new acinar cells in Sox9-IRES-CreERT2 knock-in mice. In the present study, using Sox9-IRES-CreERT2 knock-in mice as a model, we aimed to analyze how plasticity is controlled in adult ducts. Adult duct cells in these mice express less Sox9 than do wild-type mice but Hes1 equally. Acinar cell differentiation was accelerated by Hes1 inactivation, but suppressed by NICD induction in adult Sox9-expressing cells. Quantitative analyses showed that Sox9 expression increased with the induction of NICD but did not change with Hes1 inactivation, suggesting that Notch regulates Hes1 and Sox9 in parallel. Taken together, these findings suggest that Hes1-mediated Notch activity determines the plasticity of adult pancreatic duct cells and that there may exist a dosage requirement of Sox9 for keeping the duct cell identity in the adult pancreas. In contrast to the extended capability of acinar cell differentiation by Hes1 inactivation, we obtained no evidence of islet neogenesis from Hes1-depleted duct cells in physiological or PDL-induced injured conditions.
Application of IL-36 receptor antagonist weakens CCL20 expression and impairs recovery in the late phase of murine acetaminophen-induced liver injury
Authors: Scheiermann Patrick , Bachmann Malte , Härdle Lorena , Pleli Thomas , Piiper Albrecht , Zwissler Bernhard , Pfeilschifter Josef , Mühl Heiko
Published: February 2015

Overdosing of the analgesic acetaminophen (APAP, paracetamol) is a major cause of acute liver injury. Whereas toxicity is initiated by hepatocyte necrosis, course of disease is regulated by mechanisms of innate immunity having the potential to serve in complex manner pathogenic or pro-regenerative functions. Interleukin (IL)-36γ has been identified as novel IL-1-like cytokine produced by and targeting epithelial (-like) tissues. Herein, we investigated IL-36γ in acute liver disease focusing on murine APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Enhanced expression of hepatic IL-36γ and its prime downstream chemokine target CCL20 was detected upon liver injury. CCL20 expression coincided with the later regeneration phase of intoxication. Primary murine hepatocytes and human Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells indeed displayed enhanced IL-36γ expression when exposed to inflammatory cytokines. Administration of IL-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra) decreased hepatic CCL20 in APAP-treated mice. Unexpectedly, IL-36Ra likewise increased late phase hepatic injury as detected by augmented serum alanine aminotransferase activity and histological necrosis which suggests disturbed tissue recovery upon IL-36 blockage. Finally, we demonstrate induction of IL-36γ in inflamed livers of endotoxemic mice. Observations presented introduce IL-36γ as novel parameter in acute liver injury which may contribute to the decision between unleashed tissue damage and initiation of liver regeneration during late APAP toxicity.
Fluorescence-based detection of single-nucleotide changes in RNA using graphene oxide and DNAzyme
Authors: Hong Chaesun , Kim Dong-Min , Baek Ahruem , Chung Hyewon , Jung Woong , Kim Dong-Eun
Published: February 2015

We report a simple fluorometric method for detection of single-nucleotide changes in RNA using graphene oxide (GO) and RNA-cleaving DNAzyme.
Influence of alkali metal cations on the formation of zeolites under hydrothermal conditions with no organic structure directing agents
Authors: Nearchou Antony , Sartbaeva Asel
Published: February 2015

Alkali metal cations play an important role in directing formation of zeolite frameworks in the absence of organic structure directing agents.
Hydrogen bonding and molecular orientation at the liquid–vapour interface of water
Authors: Cipcigan Flaviu S. , Sokhan Vlad P. , Jones Andrew P. , Crain Jason , Martyna Glenn J.
Published: February 2015

We discover two hydrogen bonding motifs in liquid water and a related asymmetry linked with molecular orientation at its liquid–vapour interface.
High-pressure synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of TlCrO3 perovskite
Authors: Yi Wei , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Katsuya Yoshio , Yamaura Kazunari , Tsujimoto Yoshihiro , Presniakov Igor A. , Sobolev Alexey V. , Glazkova Yana S. , Lekina Yuliya O. , Tsujii Naohito , Nimori Shigeki , Takehana Kanji , Imanaka Yasutaka , Belik Alexei A.
Published: February 2015

TlCrO3 perovskite has many peculiarities in comparison with RCrO3 (R = rare earths), originating from the strong covalency of Tl3+–O bonds.
Stapling monomeric GCN4 peptides allows for DNA binding and enhanced cellular uptake
Authors: Iyer Abhishek , Van Lysebetten Dorien , Ruiz García Yara , Louage Benoit , De Geest Bruno G. , Madder Annemieke
Published: February 2015

Facile synthesis of DNA binding stapled peptides which show enhanced cellular uptake is described considering the GCN4 transcription factor as a model protein.
T
2- and T*2-weighted MRI of rat glioma using polysorbate-coated magnetic nanocrystals as a blood-pool contrast agent
Authors: Lee Young Han , Heo Dan , Hwang Myeonghwan , Kim Bongjune , Kang Soeckgu , Haam Seungjoo , Suh Jin-Suck , Yang Jaemoon , Huh Yong-Min
Published: February 2015

In this study, T2- and T*2-weighted imaging potential of polysorbate-coated magnetic nanocrystals (P-MNCs) was investigated as a blood-pool contrast agent using a 9L-rat glioma model after intravenous injection via 3.0T MRI.
Effect of surfactant on bound water content and extracellular polymers substances distribution in sludge
Authors: Hong Chen , Si Yanxiao , Xing Yi , Wang ZhiQiang , Qiao Qeng , Liu Min
Published: February 2015

Surfactant DDBAC boosts EPS, especially TB-EPS, peeling off from sludge flocs and partly hydrolyzing into small molecular organics, and more bound water is released than without the addition of DDBAC.
Protective effect of total saponins of Aralia elata (Miq) Seem on lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction via down-regulation of inflammatory signaling in mice
Authors: Chen Rong-Chang , Wang Jian , Yu Ying-Li , Sun Gui-Bo , Sun Xiao-Bo
Published: February 2015

TAS attenuates LPS-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunctionviadown-regulation of inflammatory signaling in mice.
A polymer supported ascorbate functionalized task specific ionic liquid: an efficient reusable catalyst for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition
Authors: Patil Jayavant D. , Patil Supriya A. , Pore Dattaprasad M.
Published: February 2015

In situ coalescence of copper on polymer supported ascorbate functionalized task specific ionic liquid, acts as an efficient catalyst for Huisgen 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition.
Fabrication of ordered arrays of CNT/TiO2 nanotubes and their photocatalytic properties
Authors: Qu Xiaofei , Cao Lixin , Du Fanglin
Published: February 2015

In this work, fabrication and characterization of ordered arrays of CNT/TiO2 nanotubes imbedded in porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes were reported.
The vapour phase detection of explosive markers and derivatives using two fluorescent metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Jurcic Monika , Peveler William J. , Savory Christopher N. , Scanlon David O. , Kenyon Anthony J. , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: February 2015

Microwave synthesis of a new Zn-MOF gives rapid synthesis of uniform microcrystals for highly sensitive detection of explosive taggant DMNB.
Preparation of a mesoporous Cu–Mn/TiO2 composite for the degradation of Acid Red 1
Authors: Min Hongyang , Ran Xianqiang , Fan Jianwei , Sun Yu , Yang Jianping , Teng Wei , Zhang Wei-xian , Li Guangming , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: February 2015

A simple two-step method was adopted to prepare the mesoporous Cu–Mn/TiO2 composite, which shows high catalytic activity for the degradation of Acid Red 1.
Beyond the H2/CO2upper bound: one-step crystallization and separation of nano-sized ZIF-11 by centrifugation and its application in mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Sánchez-Laínez Javier , Zornoza Beatriz , Mayoral Álvaro , Berenguer-Murcia Ángel , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: February 2015

Nano-sized ZIF-11 with similar features to ZIF-11 has been used for the adsorption of H2and CO2and in the preparation of mixed matrix membranes for H2/CO2separation.
Ca2+-induced self-assembly of Bombyx mori silk sericin into a nanofibrous network-like protein matrix for directing controlled nucleation of hydroxylapatite nano-needles
Authors: Yang Mingying , Zhou Guanshan , Shuai Yajun , Wang Jie , Zhu Liangjun , Mao Chuanbin
Published: February 2015

Ca2+binding induces self-assembly of sericin into a nanofibrous network and the subsequent mineralization for promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.
p-Benzoquinone adsorption–separation, sensing and its photoinduced transformation within a robust Cd(ii)-MOF in a SC–SC fashion
Authors: Yang Fan , Liu Qi-Kui , Wu Dan , Li An-Yan , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: February 2015

p-Benzoquinone (Q) adsorption–separation, sensing and its photoinduced transformation within a robust Cd(ii)-MOF (1) is reported.
Modeling ultrafast exciton deactivation in oligothiophenes via nonadiabatic dynamics
Authors: Fazzi Daniele , Barbatti Mario , Thiel Walter
Published: February 2015

Nonadiabatic excited-state dynamics reveal the exciton relaxation processes in oligothiophenes. Ultrafast deactivation and exciton localization are predicted to occur within 200 fs, involving bond stretching, ring puckering, and torsional oscillations.
miRNA-dis: microRNA precursor identification based on distance structure status pairs
Authors: Liu Bin , Fang Longyun , Chen Junjie , Liu Fule , Wang Xiaolong
Published: February 2015

MicroRNA precursor identification is an important task in bioinformatics.
Integrative analysis of lung development–cancer expression associations reveals the roles of signatures with inverse expression patterns
Authors: Zhang Chunlong , Li Chunquan , Xu Yanjun , Feng Li , Shang Desi , Yang Xinmiao , Han Junwei , Sun Zeguo , Li Yixue , Li Xia
Published: February 2015

Integrative analysis of lung development–cancer expression patterns reveals that proliferation and immunity were involved in the inverse expression patterns.
Metal catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl and benzyl methyl sulfides: nickel catalyzed Caryl–Csp3 and Csp3–Csp3 bond formations
Authors: Leiendecker Matthias , Chatupheeraphat Adisak , Rueping Magnus
Published: February 2015

The nickel catalyzed functionalization of CAr–SMe and Csp3–SMe bonds by direct exchange of the sulfur atom with an activated sp3-carbon has been developed. The protocol allows the conversion of aryl and benzyl methyl sulfides to trimethylsilylated products in good yields.
Novel biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(l-lactic acid) porous scaffolds fabricated by phase separation for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Liu Xifeng , Miller II A. Lee , Waletzki Brian E. , Yaszemski Michael J. , Lu Lichun
Published: February 2015

Three-dimensional polymer scaffolds with interconnected porous structures were fabricated by thermally induced phase separation of novel biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(l-lactic acid).
Facile synthesis of meso-structured Pd/FeOx and its highly catalytic performance for low temperature CO oxidation under ambient conditions
Authors: Li Liang , Li Gengnan , Yuan Yuan , Li Yongsheng
Published: February 2015

Meso-structured Pd/FeOx material exhibit excellent low temperature CO oxidation properties under ambient condition. Complete CO conversion could be achieved at as low as 0 °C, when 2.5 vol% H2O was introduced into the feed gas.
Synthesis and characterization of a tetracationic acidic organic salt and its application in the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes and protection of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Halimehjani Azim Ziyaei , Hooshmand Seyyed Emad , Shamiri Elham Vali
Published: February 2015

A new tetracationic acidic organic salt (TCAOS) based on DABCO was prepared, characterized and applied as an eco-friendly, powerful and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes and acetals with high turnover frequency (TOF).
Pristine graphene dispersion in solvents and its application as a catalyst support: a combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Wang Haining , Lu Shanfu , Zhang Yiwen , Lan Fei , Lu Xin , Xiang Yan
Published: February 2015

A combined theoretical and experimental study was carried out to understand the dispersion of pristine graphene in solvents and its application as an electro-catalyst support.
Effective diffusion on Riemannian fiber bundles
Authors: Valdes Carlos Valero
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this paper is to provide equations to model the evolution of effective diffusion over a Riemannian fiber bundle (under the hypothesis of infinite diffusion rate along compact fibers). These equations are obtained by projecting the diffusion equation onto the base manifold of the fiber bundle. The projection (or dimensional reduction) is achieved by integrating the diffusion equation along the fibers of the bundle. This work generalizes an put into a general framework previous work on effective diffusion over channels and the interfaces between curved surfaces.
Phase diagram of (1−x)PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3−xPbTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Qiu J. H. , Ding J. N. , Yuan N. Y. , Wang X. Q.
Published: February 2015

Experimental results indicated that the Rhombohedral (R) phase, Tetragonal (T) phase, Cubic (C) phase, and the Monoclinic (MC) phase are the stable phases in ferroelectric (1−x)PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3−xPbTiO3 single crystals. The Monoclinic MC phase, around the morphotropic phase boundary, was observed in a composition region (0.31 < x < 0.37) between the rhombohedral and tetragonal phase. However, the recent theory poses a challenge in explaining the “temperature–composition” phase diagram completely. Here, an eighth-order expansion of Landau-Dovenshire theory is constructed to investigate the phase transition properties of (1−x)PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3−xPbTiO3 single crystals. A full phase diagram is obtained in phenomenological parameter space which is in good accordance with experimental observation. The ferroelectric, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties are calculated in (1−x)PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3−xPbTiO3 single crystals with different compositions.
Comparative characterisation of two fulvic acids from East Lake and Liangzi Lake in central China
Authors: Wang Jun , Li Huijie , Chen Yong , Fang Yuan , Wang Zongping , Tao Tao , Zuo Yuegang
Published: February 2015

Environmental context
Fulvic acids account for a large proportion of dissolved organic matter in aquatic environments and affect the transportation and bioavailability of organic and inorganic pollutants. The structural and spectroscopic characteristics of fulvic acids mainly depend on the sources, seasons and anthropogenic activity. We present an advanced approach using fluorescence spectroscopy as a rapid and cost-effective method to investigate the composition, properties and origins of fulvic acids.

Abstract
Fulvic acids (FAs) isolated seasonally from the sediments of East Lake and Liangzi Lake in central China were comparatively investigated. The structural features of the FAs were characterised using chemical and spectroscopic methods, including elemental analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and three-dimensional excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The O/C, (O+N)/C and C/N ratios of FA extracted from Liangzi Lake (FAL) were higher than those of FA extracted from East Lake (FAE), indicating higher oxygen-containing functionality and polarity and less nutrient in FAL compared with FAE. The two FAs had similar UV-Vis spectra with different absorbance intensities. The FT-IR spectra showed that the two FAs had similar functional groups. The total fluorescence intensity and aromaticity of samples from Liangzi Lake were higher than those of East Lake except for those taken in the summer. The two FAs were largely terrestrially derived organic materials. Five fluorescent components, including four humic-like and two fulvic-like components, were identified by PARAFAC modelling of the EEM spectral data. The fluorescence was dominated by two components. The findings suggest that EEM fluorescence spectroscopy together with PARAFAC is a rapid and cost-effective method for understanding the characteristics and origins of FAs in natural water systems.
Ergodic theorem, ergodic theory, and statistical mechanics
Authors: Moore Calvin C.
Published: February 2015

This perspective highlights the mean ergodic theorem established by John von Neumann and the pointwise ergodic theorem established by George Birkhoff, proofs of which were published nearly simultaneously in PNAS in 1931 and 1932. These theorems were of great significance both in mathematics and in statistical mechanics. In statistical mechanics they provided a key insight into a 60-y-old fundamental problem of the subject—namely, the rationale for the hypothesis that time averages can be set equal to phase averages. The evolution of this problem is traced from the origins of statistical mechanics and Boltzman's ergodic hypothesis to the Ehrenfests' quasi-ergodic hypothesis, and then to the ergodic theorems. We discuss communications between von Neumann and Birkhoff in the Fall of 1931 leading up to the publication of these papers and related issues of priority. These ergodic theorems initiated a new field of mathematical-research called ergodic theory that has thrived ever since, and we discuss some of recent developments in ergodic theory that are relevant for statistical mechanics.
RAPTR-SV: a hybrid method for the detection of structural variants
Authors: Bickhart Derek M. , Hutchison Jana L. , Xu Lingyang , Schnabel Robert D. , Taylor Jeremy F. , Reecy James M. , Schroeder Steven , Van Tassell Curt P. , Sonstegard Tad S. , Liu George E.
Published: February 2015

Motivation: Identification of structural variants (SVs) in sequence data results in a large number of false positive calls using existing software, which overburdens subsequent validation.

Results: Simulations using RAPTR-SV and other, similar algorithms for SV detection revealed that RAPTR-SV had superior sensitivity and precision, as it recovered 66.4% of simulated tandem duplications with a precision of 99.2%. When compared with calls made by Delly and LUMPY on available datasets from the 1000 genomes project, RAPTR-SV showed superior sensitivity for tandem duplications, as it identified 2-fold more duplications than Delly, while making ∼85% fewer duplication predictions.

Availability and implementation: RAPTR-SV is written in Java and uses new features in the collections framework in the latest release of the Java version 8 language specifications. A compiled version of the software, instructions for usage and test results files are available on the GitHub repository page: https://github.com/njdbickhart/RAPTR-SV.

Contact: derek.bickhart@ars.usda.gov
Starspot activity and period change in RT CrB
Authors: Xiang Fu-Yuan , Xiao Ting-Yu , Yu Yun-Xia
Published: February 2015

The light curves of RT CrB in the B and V bands observed by İbanoğlu et al. (1985, Ap&SS, 112, 133), and in the V band and the radial velocity curves observed by Sabby and Lacy (2003, AJ, 125, 1448), are analyzed using the Wilson–Devinney code. The results show that the distortions in the light curve observed by Sabby and Lacy (2003) can be fitted by two spots, a hot spot on the primary component and a cool spot on the secondary star. The temperature ratios of the spotted region to the photosphere, Ts/Tph, are 1.181(±0.053) and 0.803(±0.057) respectively. Combining the radial velocity curves with the light curves, our analysis gives reliable, accurate estimates of the physical parameters of the system, M1 = 1.35(±0.01)M⊙ and R1 = 2.88(±0.05)R⊙ for the primary (hotter) component, M2 = 1.36(±0.01)M⊙ and R2 = 2.92(±0.04)R⊙ for the secondary (cooler) component. In addition, the orbital period variations of RT CrB are investigated based on all available times of light minima collected from literature and databases. We find that the orbital period exhibits a possible long-term period decrease with a rate of dP/dt = −3.11 × 10−7 d yr−1, suggesting that RT CrB is undergoing an angular momentum loss via magnetic braking.
Genetic Architecture of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Four Winter Triticale Populations
Authors: Kalih R. , Maurer H. P. , Miedaner T.
Published: February 2015

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease that causes significant reductions in yield and quality in wheat, rye, and triticale. In triticale, knowledge of the genetic architecture of FHB resistance is missing but essential due to modern breeding requirements. In our study, four doubled-haploid triticale populations (N = 120 to 200) were evaluated for resistance to FHB caused by artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum in four environments. DArT markers were used to genotype triticale populations. Seventeen quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance were detected across all populations; six of them were derived from rye genome and located on chromosomes 4R, 5R, and 7R, which are here reported for the first time. The total cross-validated ratio of the explained phenotypic variance for all detected QTL in each population was 41 to 68%. In all, 17 QTL for plant height and 18 QTL for heading stage were also detected across all populations; 3 and 5 of them, respectively, were overlapping with QTL for FHB. In conclusion, FHB resistance in triticale is caused by a multitude of QTL, and pyramiding them contributes to higher resistance.
Multilocus sequence analysis of the genus Citrobacter and description of Citrobacter pasteurii sp. nov.
Authors: Clermont Dominique , Motreff Laurence , Passet Virginie , Fernandez José-Carlos , Bizet Chantal , Brisse Sylvain
Published: February 2015

Strains originating from various sources and classified as members of the genus

Citrobacter

within the family

Enterobacteriaceae

were characterized by sequencing internal portions of genes rpoB, fusA, pyrG and leuS, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, average nucleotide identity (ANI) of genomic sequences and biochemical tests. Phylogenetic analysis based on the four housekeeping genes showed that the 11 species of the genus

Citrobacter

with validly published names are well demarcated. Strains CIP 55.13T and CIP 55.9 formed a distinct branch associated with

Citrobacter youngae

. The ANI between CIP 55.9 and CIP 55.13T was 99.19 %, whereas it was 94.75 % between CIP 55.13T and strain CIP 105016T of the species

C. youngae

, the most closely related species. Biochemical characteristics consolidated the fact that the two isolates represent a separate species, for which the name Citrobacter pasteurii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CIP 55.13T ( = DSM 28879T = Na 1aT).
Managing the flow of talent through organizations – a boundary-less model
Authors: Foster Carrie Louise
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify overlooked and unrecognized domains of talent management by existing academic and practitioner literature and provide a challenge to current boundaries around the area.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is an exploratory viewpoint based on the extant literature and the conceptual model of Boundary-less Talent Model (BTM) and its potential for practical application.

Findings

– This paper aims to expand on theoretical or conceptual understandings of talent management which have been surprising under-developed, as well as address the lack of attention in the practitioner community to addressing the talent potential of the wider employee population. The paper introduces the BTM, challenges the current boundaries and discusses how the model can be applied within an organization.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is written from a Western organizational perspective.

Practical implications

– In principle, anyone should be able to recognize talent, and anyone can be recognized as having talent, but in practice subjectivity and perception in relation to the assessment, judgement and management of talent, creating a problem of unidentified and/or underutilized talent. The result is that either at an organizational or an individual level, talent becomes an untapped resource, which when ignored may have a negative impact on organizational performance.

Social implications

– The identification, recruitment and retention of the right knowledge and skills for the organization’s needs will always outpace traditional talent management methodologies. Adaptability in the Information Age is necessary for organizations to respond to the social structural shifts and the emergence of the boundary-less organization.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an examination of the proposed BTM and the encouragement for academics and practitioners to re-think the ways in which various forms of talent are managed.
Improving organizational alignment by enhancing strategic thinking
Authors: Self Dennis R , Self Terry , Matuszek Tish , Schraeder Mike
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The article argues for increased use of knowledge management as a possible method for improving the alignment of organizations with the external environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is readily acknowledged that the external environment for organizations is characterized as fast-paced. As such, to remain successful, organizations must endeavor to remain aware of changes in the external environment and make timely adjustments to internal operations that will keep the organization properly aligned with the environment.

Findings

– Strategic thinking, bolstered by effective knowledge management, is one approach organizational leaders can consider in their quest to remain properly aligned with perpetual changes in the external environment.

Practical implications

– Employees represent a significant source of information and knowledge within organizations. Leveraging this information through knowledge management may enhance the strategic thinking within organizations, translating into practices that will help the organization remain properly aligned with the external environment.

Originality/value

– The topic of knowledge management is certainly not new. However, emphasizing knowledge management in the context of organizational alignment provides organizational leaders with an additional strategy that has considerable practical value.
Social media in business strategy: the learning and development implications
Authors: M. Schroeder Harold
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This article aims to consider why it is becoming so important for businesses to use social media, and to explore the transformational impacts on organizations and the implications for learning and development. Social media is changing the nature of business and introducing new learning and development needs. These are not confined to the specific skills required to design and implement social media strategies: in many companies, more extensive transformations of culture and organizational systems are necessary to support the new ways of working that are being driven by social media usage.

Design/methodology/approach

– The findings are based on a combination of literature review and our own research and experience across hundreds of projects.

Findings

– An organizational change readiness assessment exercise can be used to determine whether a company has the right types of skills and expertise and an appropriate organizational environment to maximize the benefits of social media participation, and to identify which areas need to be modified or strengthened. The specific requirements for change will vary by organization and industry, but few companies can now afford to neglect social media or the types of learning and development necessary to support their use as a core component of business strategy.

Originality/value

– This work links the benefits of social media participation to leaning areas that need to be modified or strengthened.
Promoting competition in Swedish primary care
Authors: Norén Lars , Ranerup Agneta
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of accreditation documents (ADs) in the competition based on provider quality in a quasi-market for primary healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a mixed-method research methodology to analyse two primary healthcare ADs in two Swedish regions. In total, 19 interviews were conducted with actors involved in the creation and use of such documents.

Findings

– This paper points to the crucial role of ADs in the identification of quality differences that influence the competition in primary healthcare. This finding contrasts with the commonly held laissez-faire idea that competition causes providers to develop their own service concepts and where the invisible hand creates quality differences. The paper adds to the discussion with its detailed description of how ADs create competition among primary healthcare providers through selection processes, quality differentiation, and ranking.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper does not explore quality differences in the medical treatment of patients in primary healthcare centres.

Practical implications

– The paper provides insights for politicians on how to use ADs to control competition and regulate choice.

Originality/value

– The paper takes an innovative approach to the examination of how ADs increase the competition in primary healthcare choice.
Reforming primary healthcare: from public policy to organizational change
Authors: Gilbert Frédéric , Denis Jean-Louis , Lamothe Lise , Beaulieu Marie-Dominique , D'amour Danielle , Goudreau Johanne
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Governments everywhere are implementing reform to improve primary care. However, the existence of a high degree of professional autonomy makes large-scale change difficult to achieve. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the change dynamics and the involvement of professionals in a primary healthcare reform initiative carried out in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical approach was used to investigate change processes from the inception of a public policy to the execution of changes in professional practices. The data were analysed from a multi-level, combined contextualist-processual perspective. Results are based on a longitudinal multiple-case study of five family medicine groups, which was informed by over 100 interviews, questionnaires, and documentary analysis.

Findings

– The results illustrate the multiple processes observed with the introduction of planned large-scale change in primary care services. The analysis of change content revealed that similar post-change states concealed variations between groups in the scale of their respective changes. The analysis also demonstrated more precisely how change evolved through the introduction of “intermediate change” and how cycles of prescribed and emergent mechanisms distinctively drove change process and change content, from the emergence of the public policy to the change in primary care service delivery.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was conducted among a limited number of early policy adopters. However, given the international interest in turning to the medical profession to improve primary care, the results offer avenues for both policy development and implementation.

Practical implications

– The findings offer practical insights for those studying and managing large-scale transformations. They provide a better understanding of how deliberate reforms coexist with professional autonomy through an intertwining of change content and processes.

Originality/value

– This research is one of few studies to examine a primary care reform from emergence to implementation using a longitudinal multi-level design.
An examination of how husbands, as key stakeholders, impact the success of women entrepreneurs
Authors: Nikina Anna , Shelton Lois M. , LeLoarne Séverine
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore: How do changes in the role of the husband affect the marriage of a woman entrepreneur? How do changes in the marriage affect the woman entrepreneur and her relationship with her business?

Design/methodology/approach

– A novel theoretical approach based on marriage contract theory, gender role ideology and psychological contracts was used. Qualitative methodology included analysis of multiple cases based on rich interview data gathered from 12 Scandinavian couples.

Findings

– Research revealed that the pattern of dominance between the husband and wife, the gender role ideologies of the two spouses, and the interaction between this pattern and the gender role ideologies, and overall level of marital harmony were key determinants of husbands’ spousal support.

Research limitations/implications

– Sample size and geographical limitations. Future research: exploring other cultural settings, further application of marriage and psychological contracts in female entrepreneurship; studies of the impact areas of the husband in the wife’s business – also from the perspective of implicit contracts.

Practical implications

– Research sheds light on how women run their businesses and how the changing roles of the spouse alter marriage dynamics and influence the wife-business relationship.

Social implications

– Findings benefit female entrepreneurs considering the launch of a business, couples in which the wife currently owns a business, state and governmental policymakers, business consultants, and entrepreneurship instructors. These findings can help couples better prepare for the demands of entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

– For scholars: expanded understanding of the work-family interface of female entrepreneurs via novel theoretical approach. For business practitioners: understanding the impact of a spouse on life and career of female entrepreneur.
A comparative study of regional innovative entrepreneurship in Russia and the United States
Authors: Kravchenko Natalia A , Kuznetsova Svetlana A , Yusupova Almira , Jithendranathan Thadavillil , Lundsten Lorman L , Shemyakin Arkady
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct comparative research of small innovative entrepreneurship under different types of institutional environment in Russia and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was administered among small innovative firms in the State of Minnesota (USA) and Novosibirsk Oblast (Russia). Mann-Whitney test for median differences adjusted for multiple comparisons using Benjamini-Hochberg procedure is used to establish statistically significant dissimilarities between Siberian and Minnesotan populations.

Findings

– The results indicate that there are significant differences in the challenges faced by the Russian and American firms. The most important among them are the lack of legal structure for innovation and availability of qualified staff in Russia.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited to two regions with comparable economic and geographic environments.

Practical implications

– It is indicated in the results that significant changes in institutional business environment are necessary for the future development of innovative entrepreneurship in Russia.

Originality/value

– This study is the first of its kind to compare the challenges facing small innovative entrepreneurship in Russia and the USA.
Should we change chest compression providers every 2 min when performing one‐handed chest compressions?
Authors: Oh Je Hyeok , Kim Sung Eun , Kim Chan Woong , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: February 2015

Objective

Because the one‐handed chest compression (OHCC) technique uses one hand, unlike the two‐handed chest compression (THCC) technique, compression depth might be reduced more rapidly in OHCC than THCC. The present study was conducted to determine whether compression depth was affected within 2 min after the start of OHCC in a simulated in‐hospital paediatric arrest model.

Methods

Forty medical doctors performed continuous OHCC on a child manikin lying on a hard floor using a CPRmeter for 2 min. The hand used to perform the OHCC technique was randomised to the right or left hand. The mean compression depth (MCD) and the mean compression rate (MCR) were calculated at 30 s intervals using the Q‐CPR review software.

Results

MCD values decreased significantly with time (0–30 s: 44.3 ± 4.1 mm, 30–60 s: 42.4 ± 4.9 mm, 60–90 s: 40.5 ± 5.8 mm, and 90–120 s: 38.7 ± 5.7 mm; P < 0.001). The MCR also tended to decrease with time (0–30 s: 119.3 ± 12.5/min, 30–60 s: 119.0 ± 13.1/min, 60–90 s: 117.9 ± 14.5/min, 90–120 s: 117.8 ± 14.9/min), and the differences were statistically significant between 30–60 s and 60–90 s (P = 0.037) and between 30–60 s and 90–120 s (P = 0.043).

Conclusions

Compression depth was decreased significantly from 30 s onwards after starting the OHCC technique using a simulated paediatric arrest model. The results of the present study suggest that future strategies should be established to prevent a decrease in compression depth within 1 min during OHCC.