bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment options for lactic acidosis and metabolic crisis in children with mitochondrial disease
Authors: Danhauser Katharina , Smeitink Jan A. M. , Freisinger Peter , Sperl Wolfgang , Sabir Hemmen , Hadzik Berit , Mayatepek Ertan , Morava Eva , Distelmaier Felix
Published: February 2015

The mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation route is a tightly regulated process, which is essential for aerobic cellular energy production. Disruption of this pathway may lead to severe neurometabolic disorders with onset in early childhood. A frequent finding in these patients is acute and chronic lactic acidemia, which is caused by increased conversion of pyruvate via the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. Under stable clinical conditions, this process may remain well compensated and does not require specific therapy. However, especially in situations with altered energy demands, such as febrile infections or longer periods of fasting, children with mitochondrial disorders have a high risk of metabolic decompensation with exacerbation of hyperlactatemia and severe metabolic acidosis. Unfortunately, no controlled studies regarding therapy of this critical condition are available and clinical outcome is often unfavorable. Therefore, the aim of this review was to formulate expert‐based suggestions for treatment of these patients, including dietary recommendations, buffering strategies and specific drug therapy. However, it is important to keep in mind that a specific therapy for the underlying metabolic cause in children with mitochondrial diseases is usually not available and symptomatic therapy especially of severe lactic acidosis has its ethical limitations.
Mini Dorsal Incision to the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: A New Surgical Approach
Authors: Murray David , Javed Saqib , Hayton Mike
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this paper is to describe a mini dorsal approach to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). We describe a mini incision approach which aims to preserve the structure and proprioception of the primary and secondary stabilisers of the wrist joint. This approach requires less dissection and provides adequate exposure to the distal aspect of the TFCC and allows visualisation of the distal radial ulna joint (DRUJ) with complete TFCC lesions.
Lewis Base Additives Improve the Zeolite Ferrierite‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Isostearic Acids
Authors: Ngo Helen L.
Published: February 2015

Isostearic acids (IA) are highly utilized for industrial purposes especially in the area of biolubricants, such as cosmetics and slip additives for polyolefin and related copolymer films. This study was designed to develop a zeolitic catalysis process for efficient IA production through isomerization of fatty acids. The process utilized zeolite protonated Ferrierite with a small amount of base additive to neutralize (i.e., poison) the acidic sites on the external surfaces of the zeolite particles to prevent side reactions. Of the six base additives examined, the proton sponge combined with the zeolite protonated Ferrierite was found to be the most effective for this isomerization. With only 0.5 wt% proton sponge additive to 5.0 wt% Ferrierite, the dimers were successfully suppressed from 20.6 wt% yield to 2.42 wt% with an IA yield of 83.4 wt% and a 98 % conversion.
Overview of current multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging approach in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer
Authors: Aydın Hasan , Kızılgöz Volkan , Tekin Berna Okudan
Published: February 2015

This article is primarily based on the utility and validity of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and staging of prostate gland tumors. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging, useful approach for evaluating and detecting prostate cancers. It also aids in the management of a tumor and improve the care and follow‐up of patients.
An unusual presentation of small bowel intussusception
Authors: Dankoff Samantha , Puligandla Pramod , Beres Alana , Bhanji Farhan
Published: February 2015

A previously healthy 2-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with a decreased level of consciousness. A physical examination was unremarkable except for miosis and atypical limb movements. The patient underwent an extensive workup, including the search for metabolic, infectious, neurologic, and toxicologic etiologies. An abdominal ultrasound was performed because the child continued to remain neurologically impaired with no cause identified on other investigations. The ultrasound revealed a persistent uncomplicated ileoileal intussusception. The patient was taken to the operating room for surgical reduction. The child recovered fully postoperatively. This case illustrates the rare presentation of intussusception encephalopathy, which can be a diagnostic dilemma, especially when none of the symptoms of intussusception are present. Endogenous opioid poisoning is hypothesized to be the cause of the miosis and may hint at the diagnosis and aid in early management.
Emission-Line Fluxes of Northern Planetary Nebulae
Authors: Aksaker N. , Yerli S. K. , Kızıloğlu Ü , Atalay B.
Published: February 2015

We present long slit spectrophotometric emission line fluxes of bright and extended (< 5 arcsec in diameter) planetary nebulae (PNe), selected from a catalogue with suitable equatorial coordinates for northern hemisphere. In total, 17 planetary nebulae have been chosen and observed in 2008–2010. To measure absolute fluxes, broad slit sizes, ranging from 3.5 to 7.5 arcsec were used and thus equivalent widths (EW) of all observable emission line fluxes were also calculated. Among 17 planetary nebulae observed, line flux measurements of 12 of them were made for the first time. This work also aims to extend the sky coverage of emission line flux standards in northern hemisphere (52 planetary nebulae in southern hemisphere; 6 planetary nebulae in northern hemisphere). Electron temperatures and densities, and chemical abundances of these planetary nebulae were also calculated in this work. These data are expected to lead the photometric or spectrometric further work for absolute emission line flux measurements needed for H ii regions, supernova remnants etc.
A fuss about the octopus
Authors: Otto Inge
Published: February 2015

The octopus is an animal which has served the BBC well as a topic for news reports, the main ingredient of exotic recipes, and as a worthy subject for usage advice:

The octopuses use the coconuts as a shelter.

Octopi live longer than squid, making them tougher and therefore a bit more tricky to prepare.

The plural of octopus is not, as recorded in last week's 10 Things, octopi, which would suggest the word was rooted in Latin. In fact the word comes from the Greek, so the correct plural is octopuses or even octopodes.

Besides showing that the BBC at times seems to give self-contradictory advice, the quotations suggest that the word octopus has three possible plurals in English: octopuses, octopi, and octopodes. To descriptivists, using any of the three forms is equally correct – to prescriptivists, at least some of the plurals are better than others.
Spelling the extra letter? The case of Australian English
Authors: Korhonen Minna
Published: February 2015

Spelling variation is something that all English users often come across and Australians are no exception. The Langscape 1 survey conducted in 1998 examined a number of lexemes with more than one spelling in a number of varieties of English including Australian English (AusE). This study presents the results of two later surveys that were conducted online in 2005 and 2013 and included a selection of the lexemes also examined in the Langscape survey. The present study concentrates on two types of spelling variation: the spelling of the classical digraphs ae/oe as in aesthetic and diarrhoea and the preservation of e before suffixes as in likeable and judgement. The purpose is to see if the spelling of ‘the extra letter’ is preferred or whether the simpler spellings are becoming more common in Australian English. The possible American English (AmE) influence also comes into question as it has been shown by previous research that Americans are more likely to use the shorter spellings than either British English (BrE) or Australian English users (see, for example, Peters 1998 for the results of the first Langscape survey).
A Modified Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment Algorithm from the New York City (USA) Fire Department
Authors: Arshad Faizan H. , Williams Alan , Asaeda Glenn , Isaacs Douglas , Kaufman Bradley , Ben-Eli David , Gonzalez Dario , Freese John P. , Hillgardner Joan , Weakley Jessica , Hall Charles B. , Webber Mayris P. , Prezant David J.
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The objective of this study was to determine if modification of the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) system by the addition of an Orange category, intermediate between the most critically injured (Red) and the non-critical, non-ambulatory injured (Yellow), would reduce over- and under-triage rates in a simulated mass-casualty incident (MCI) exercise.

Methods

A computer-simulation exercise of identical presentations of an MCI scenario involving a 2-train collision, with 28 case scenarios, was provided for triaging to two groups: the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY; n = 1,347) using modified START, and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers from the Eagles 2012 EMS conference (Lafayette, Louisiana USA; n = 110) using unmodified START. Percent correct by triage category was calculated for each group. Performance was then compared between the two EMS groups on the five cases where Orange was the correct answer under the modified START system.

Results

Overall, FDNY-EMS providers correctly triaged 91.2% of cases using FDNY-START whereas non-FDNY-Eagles providers correctly triaged 87.1% of cases using unmodified START. In analysis of the five Orange cases (chest pain or dyspnea without obvious trauma), FDNY-EMS performed significantly better using FDNY-START, correctly triaging 86.3% of cases (over-triage 1.5%; under-triage 12.2%), whereas the non-FDNY-Eagles group using unmodified START correctly triaged 81.5% of cases (over-triage 17.3%; under-triage 1.3%), a difference of 4.9% (95% CI, 1.5-8.2).

Conclusions

The FDNY-START system may allow providers to prioritize casualties using an intermediate category (Orange) more properly aligned to meet patient needs, and as such, may reduce the rates of over-triage compared with START. The FDNY-START system decreases the variability in patient sorting while maintaining high field utility without needing computer assistance or extensive retraining. Comparison of triage algorithms at actual MCIs is needed; however, initial feedback is promising, suggesting that FDNY-START can improve triage with minimal additional training and cost.

ArshadFH, WilliamsA, AsaedaG, IsaacsD, KaufmanB, Ben-EliD, GonzalezD, FreeseJP, HillgardnerJ, WeakleyJ, HallCB, WebberMP, PrezantDJ. A modified Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment algorithm from the New York City (USA) Fire Department. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(2):1-6.
Development and psychometric evaluation of a scale to measure impaired self-awareness of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Maier Franziska , Ellereit Anna L. , Eggers Carsten , Lewis Catharine J. , Pelzer Esther A. , Kalbe Elke , Ernstmann Nicole , Prigatano George P. , Fink Gereon R. , Timmermann Lars
Published: February 2015

Objective: Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can show impaired self-awareness of motor deficits (ISAm). We developed a new scale that measures ISAm severity of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in PD during medication on state and defined its psychometric criteria. Method: Included were 104 right-handed, non-depressed, non-demented patients. Concerning ISAm, 38 motor symptoms were assessed using seven tasks, which were performed and self-rated concerning presence of deficit (yes/no) by all patients. The whole procedure was videotaped. Motor symptoms were then evaluated by two independent experts, blinded for patient’s ratings, concerning presence, awareness of deficit, and severity. Exploratory principal component analysis (promax rotation) was applied to reduce items. Principal axis factoring was conducted to extract factors. Reliability was examined regarding internal consistency, split-half reliability, and interrater reliability. Validity was verified by applying two additional measures of ISAm. Results: Of the initial 38 symptoms, 15 remained, assessed in five motor tasks and merged to a total severity score. Factor analysis resulted in a four factor solution (dyskinesia, resting tremor right hand, resting tremor left hand, bradykinesia). For all subscales and the total score, measures of reliability (values 0.64–0.89) and validity (effect sizes>0.3) were satisfactory. Descriptive results showed that 66% of patients had signs of ISAm (median 2, range 0–15), with ISAm being most distinct for dyskinesia. Conclusions: We provide the first validation of a test for ISAm in PD. Using this instrument, future studies can further analyze the pathophysiology of ISAm, the psychosocial sequelae, therapeutic strategies and compliance with therapy. (JINS, 2015, 21, 1–10)
EDITORIAL
Authors: APPLEGATE CELIA
Published: February 2015

As a historian engaged with musicology, it seems to me that the discipline is in its golden age. The royal road from the musical past to the musical present built in the first century or so of its academic existence no longer contains all the traffic. But thanks to the earlier efforts at disciplinary definition, musicologists share an enormous amount of knowledge, understand what colleagues are doing and are able to face the challenge of understanding music-making outside of the Western cultures from which the field of musicology – and ethnomusicology – emerged. Rarely has a discipline been so well equipped for the task of deconstructing itself. But deconstruction (of canons, grand narratives and the like) accompanies construction: musicology has built and expanded, adding on more sources and more methods rather than abandoning the old ones. Given this happy state, it seems worthwhile to reconsider some of the cultural work that writing about music did before the discipline cohered in the nineteenth century, so that we can consider from a longer perspective why people tried to ‘discipline’ musical knowledge in the first place.
EL CUARTETO DE CUERDA EN ESPAÑA DE FINES DEL SIGLO XVIII HASTA LA ACTUALIDAD UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA, 20–21 MARCH 2014
Authors: MARÍN MIGUEL ÁNGEL
Published: February 2015

Imagine you are asked in an academic meeting to name three or four prominent Spanish composers in the field of the string quartet. How many would you be able to cite? You might be tempted to answer that the quartet was in fact hardly cultivated in Spain, or you might perhaps wonder whether Boccherini could be taken to be a ‘Spanish’ composer. These potential responses to this fictional situation encapsulate well two of the historiographical preconceptions that have governed our view of this area, the first of which is, to put it in Friedhelm Krummacher's words, that Spanish composers ‘adopted a particularly abstinent attitude’ towards the genre (‘sich . . . besonders abstinent zum Streichquartett verhielten’; Geschichte des Streichquartetts, volume 2 (Laaber: Laaber, 2005), 400).
FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY STUDIES WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, 20–22 MARCH 2014
Authors: GOLDMAN DIANNE L.
Published: February 2015

Often the most invigorating conferences are those which bring together many different specialties and integrate them within interdisciplinary panels. Such was the case with the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ASECS), which took place in March in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event was enormous, with over eight hundred presenters spread among 221 panels, in addition to seven plenary sessions and other special events such as the masquerade ball hosted by the Women's Caucus. Music and other performing arts were well represented throughout the weekend; both the Society for Eighteenth-Century Music and the Mozart Society of America sponsored panels, and many papers about the arts were included in other groupings. Given the large number of papers and other events, it was impossible to attend all or even most of the offerings. However, I will give an overview of my experiences in order to convey a sense of the conference's atmosphere.
Neuroinflammation and Aβ Accumulation Linked To Systemic Inflammation Are Decreased By Genetic PKR Down-Regulation
Authors: Carret-Rebillat Anne-Sophie , Pace Clarisse , Gourmaud Sarah , Ravasi Laura , Montagne-Stora Samantha , Longueville Sophie , Tible Marion , Sudol Erika , Chang Raymond Chuen-Chung , Paquet Claire , Mouton-Liger François , Hugon Jacques
Published: February 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, marked by senile plaques composed of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and neuroinflammation. Previous works have suggested that systemic inflammation could contribute to neuroinflammation and enhanced Aβ cerebral concentrations. The molecular pathways leading to these events are not fully understood. PKR is a pro-apoptotic kinase that can trigger inflammation and accumulates in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients. The goal of the present study was to assess if LPS-induced neuroinflammation and Aβ production could be altered by genetic PKR down regulation. The results show that, in the hippocampus of LPS-injected wild type mice, neuroinflammation, cytokine release and Aβ production are significantly increased and not in LPS-treated PKR knock-out mice. In addition BACE1 and activated STAT3 levels, a putative transcriptional regulator of BACE1, were not found increased in the brain of PKR knock-out mice as observed in wild type mice. Using PET imaging, the decrease of hippocampal metabolism induced by systemic LPS was not observed in LPS-treated PKR knock-out mice. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that PKR plays a major role in brain changes induced by LPS and could be a valid target to modulate neuroinflammation and Aβ production.
Simultaneous submicrometric 3D imaging of the micro-vascular network and the neuronal system in a mouse spinal cord
Authors: Fratini Michela , Bukreeva Inna , Campi Gaetano , Brun Francesco , Tromba Giuliana , Modregger Peter , Bucci Domenico , Battaglia Giuseppe , Spanò Raffaele , Mastrogiacomo Maddalena , Requardt Herwig , Giove Federico , Bravin Alberto , Cedola Alessia
Published: February 2015

Faults in vascular (VN) and neuronal networks of spinal cord are responsible for serious neurodegenerative pathologies. Because of inadequate investigation tools, the lacking knowledge of the complete fine structure of VN and neuronal system represents a crucial problem. Conventional 2D imaging yields incomplete spatial coverage leading to possible data misinterpretation, whereas standard 3D computed tomography imaging achieves insufficient resolution and contrast. We show that X-ray high-resolution phase-contrast tomography allows the simultaneous visualization of three-dimensional VN and neuronal systems of ex-vivo mouse spinal cord at scales spanning from millimeters to hundreds of nanometers, with nor contrast agent nor sectioning and neither destructive sample-preparation. We image both the 3D distribution of micro-capillary network and the micrometric nerve fibers, axon-bundles and neuron soma. Our approach is very suitable for pre-clinical investigation of neurodegenerative pathologies and spinal-cord-injuries, in particular to resolve the entangled relationship between VN and neuronal system.
Ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP): synthesis and properties of polyesters and polycarbonates
Authors: Paul Shyeni , Zhu Yunqing , Romain Charles , Brooks Rachel , Saini Prabhjot K. , Williams Charlotte K.
Published: February 2015

This feature article highlights the opportunities presented by ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) as a controlled route to prepare polyesters and polycarbonates.
Synthesis of AgCl hollow cubes and their application in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Wu Shikui , Shen Xiaoping , Ji Zhenyuan , Zhu Guoxing , Chen Chaojun , Chen Kangmin , Bu Ren , Yang Limin
Published: February 2015

The formation process and a typical FESEM image of AgCl hollow cubes.
How simple is too simple? Computational perspective on importance of second-shell environment for metal-ion selectivity
Authors: Gutten Ondrej , Rulíšek Lubomír
Published: February 2015

Factors determining metal-ion selectivity in peptidic sites were elucidated using the recently benchmarked DFT(BP86-D3//COSMO-RS) computational protocol.
Structure and dynamics of the fibronectin-III domains of Aplysia californica cell adhesion molecules
Authors: Kelly Catherine M. , Muzard Julien , Brooks Bernard R. , Lee Gil U. , Buchete Nicolae-Viorel
Published: February 2015

An atomistic structural model of apCAM's fibronectin-III tandem is presented, revealing amino acid contacts that control the stability of its β-sheet-rich structure and inter-domain interactions.
Properties of the liquid–vapor interface of acetone–methanol mixtures, as seen from computer simulation and ITIM surface analysis
Authors: Idrissi Abdenacer , Hantal György , Jedlovszky Pál
Published: February 2015

The intrinsic surface of acetone–methanol mixtures is studied by computer simulation and ITIM analysis.
Nanostructured Mo-based electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Hu Xianluo , Zhang Wei , Liu Xiaoxiao , Mei Yueni , Huang Yunhui
Published: February 2015

This review focuses on the recent progress in nanostructured Mo-based electrode materials for rechargeable lithium/sodium-ion batteries, Mg batteries, and supercapacitors.
Novel pyrrole derivatives as selective CHK1 inhibitors: design, regioselective synthesis and molecular modeling
Authors: Eldebss Taha M. A. , Gomha Sobhi M. , Abdulla Mohamed M. , Arafa Reem K.
Published: February 2015

3D binding interactions of 7a (magenta-colored carbons) and the co-crystallized ligand (cyan-colored carbons) with the active site amino acids of CHK1.
An ortho-directed C–H borylation/Suzuki coupling sequence in the formation of biphenylbenzylic amines
Authors: Hale Lillian V. A. , Emmerson David G. , Ling Emma F. , Roering Andrew J. , Ringgold Marissa A. , Clark Timothy B.
Published: February 2015

ortho-C–H borylation of benzylic amines has been used in conjunction with a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction to access biphenylbenzylic amines in good yields and requiring a single purification step.
Synthesis and the comparative lithium storage properties of hematite: hollow structures vs. carbon composites
Authors: Wu Chao , Zhuang Quan-Chao , Tian Lei-Lei , Wu Yong-Xin , Ju Zhi-Cheng , Zhang Hong , Zhang Xin-Xi , Chen Hong-Bo
Published: February 2015

The cycling performance of hollow structure α-Fe2O3improves with the increase of aspect ratio.
Firework-shaped TiO2 microspheres embedded with few-layer MoS2 as an anode material for excellent performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Guo Bangjun , Yu Ke , Fu Hao , Hua Qiqi , Qi Ruijuan , Li Honglin , Song Haili , Guo Shuang , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: February 2015

Firework-shaped TiO2 microspheres embedded with few-layer MoS2 are prepared by a novel strategy, and the composite electrode exhibits excellent cycling performance, high capacity and rate capability compared to pure MoS2 and TiO2 electrodes.
A lithiation/delithiation mechanism of monodispersed MSn5 (M = Fe, Co and FeCo) nanospheres
Authors: Xin Fengxia , Wang Xiaoliang , Bai Jianming , Wen Wen , Tian Huajun , Wang Chunsheng , Han Weiqiang
Published: February 2015

The same crystal structure, identical particle surface morphology and the similar particle size distribution of MSn5 (M = Fe, Co and FeCo) phases are ideal for comparison of the electrochemical performance, reaction mechanism, thermodynamics and kinetics.
Maleimide-based acyclic enediyne for efficient DNA-cleavage and tumor cell suppression
Authors: Song Depeng , Sun Shiyuan , Tian Yu , Huang Shuai , Ding Yun , Yuan Yuan , Hu Aiguo
Published: February 2015

A pH-sensitive acyclic enediyne (1) was synthesized for efficient DNA-cleavage and tumor cell suppression.
Transient absorption spectroscopy and photochemical reactivity of CAU-8
Authors: Baldovi Herme G. , Krüger Martin , Reinsch Helge , Alvaro Mercedes , Stock Norbert , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: February 2015

Time-resolved spectroscopy has provided evidence of the nature of the transients upon irradiation of CAU-8 and the photochemical reactivity has been used to promote styrene polymerisation and linker transformation.
A label-free electrochemical DNA sensor based on ZrO2/poly(thionine)/CNT modified electrode and its application for detecting CaMV35S transgene gene sequence
Authors: Zhang Na , Zhang Keying , Zhang Li , Wang Hongyan , Shi Hongwei , Wang Cong
Published: February 2015

Schematic representation of the immobilization of p-ssDNA and hybridization detection.
Correction: The first synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid 1,7-lactone
Authors: Colombo Raffaele , Anastasia Mario , Rota Paola , Allevi Pietro
Published: February 2015

Correction for ‘The first synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid 1,7-lactone’ by Raffaele Colombo et al., Chem. Commun., 2008, 5517–5519.
Unconventional charge distribution in the planar wheel-type M©B6H6−/0/+ (M = Mn, Fe and Co): central M with negative charges and peripheral boron ring with positive charges
Authors: Hou Jianhua , Duan Qian , Qin Jieming , Shen Xiande , Zhao Jianxun , Liang Qingcheng , Jiang Dayong , Gao Shang
Published: February 2015

Unconventional charge distribution exists in the planar wheel-type M©B6H6−/0/+ (M = Mn, Fe and Co).
Hydration structure of strongly bound water on the sulfonic acid group in a Nafion membrane studied by infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculation
Authors: Shimoaka T. , Wakai C. , Sakabe T. , Yamazaki S. , Hasegawa T.
Published: February 2015

The hydration structure of the ‘strongly bound water’ around the sulfonic acid (SA) groups in Nafion is studied using infrared spectroscopy with the aid of quantum chemical (QC) calculations.
Development of a flow method for the hydroboration/oxidation of olefins
Authors: Souto José A. , Stockman Robert A. , Ley Steven V.
Published: February 2015

A method for the continuous preparation of alcohols by hydroboration/oxidation of olefins using flow techniques is described.
Assemblies of single-walled carbon nanotubes generated by covalent cross-linking with organic linkers
Authors: Kumar Ram , Rao C. N. R.
Published: February 2015

Assemblies of covalently linked single-walled carbon nanotubes with superior gas adsorption properties have been prepared and characterized.
Low-activated Li-ion mobility and metal to semiconductor transition in CdP2@Li phases
Authors: Eckstein N. , Krüger I. , Bachhuber F. , Weihrich R. , Barquera-Lozada J. E. , van Wüllen L. , Nilges Tom
Published: February 2015

Solids with high ion mobility are of broad interest for energy storage applications.
In situ synthesis of novel ZIF-8 membranes on polymeric and inorganic supports
Authors: Isaeva V. I. , Barkova M. I. , Kustov L. M. , Syrtsova D. A. , Efimova E. A. , Teplyakov V. V.
Published: February 2015

The fabrication of integrated ZIF-8 membranes via a direct in situ crystallization on a porous polyacrylonitrile material and a composite aluminum zirconate based support was performed for the first time.
Biocompatible small peptide super-hydrogelators bearing carbazole functionalities
Authors: Martin Adam D. , Robinson Andrew B. , Thordarson Pall
Published: February 2015

Two novel short peptides bearing a novel carbazole capping group form gels at concentrations as low as 0.03% w/v and are biocompatible at or above their minimum gel concentrations.
Point-group sensitive orientation mapping of non-centrosymmetric crystals
Authors: Winkelmann Aimo , Nolze Gert
Published: February 2015

We demonstrate polarity-sensitive orientation mapping of non-centrosymmetric phases by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The method overcomes the restrictions of kinematic orientation determination by EBSD, which is limited to the centro-symmetric Laue-groups according to Friedel's rule. Using polycrystalline GaP as an example, we apply a quantitative pattern matching approach based on simulations using the dynamical theory of electron diffraction. This procedure results in a distinct assignment of the local orientation according to the non-centrosymmetric point group of the crystal structure under investigation.
Micromagnetic model analysis of high frequency heat-assisted magnetic recording
Authors: Kanai Yasushi , Greaves Simon J. , Yoshida Kazuetsu , Muraoka Hiroaki
Published: February 2015

FEM-boundary integral method micromagnetic software was used to analyze the recording field response of an indented magnetic head to high frequency recording currents (1–4 GHz). Next, micromagnetic simulations of heat-assisted magnetic recording were performed and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculated at high frequencies. With a soft magnetic underlayer, the head field was large enough and gave higher SNRs. The large head field strength at low frequency did not cause any deterioration of the SNR.
Controlling phase separation in La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y = 0.45) epitaxial thin films by strain disorder
Authors: Mishra Dileep K. , Sathe V. G. , Rawat R. , Ganesan V. , Kumar Ravi , Sharma T. K.
Published: February 2015

Present study reveals that the length-scale of phase separation in La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 thin films can be controlled by strain disorder invoked during the growth and relaxation process of film. Strain disorder provides an additional degree of freedom to tune colossal magnetoresistance. Magneto-transport measurements following cooling and heating in unequal fields protocol demonstrate that coherent strain stabilizes antiferromagnetic insulating phase, while strain disorder favors ferromagnetic metallic phase. Compared to bulk, antiferromagnetic-insulating phase freezes at lower temperatures in strain disordered films. Raman spectroscopy confirms the coexistence of charge-ordered-insulating and ferromagnetic-metallic phases which are structurally dissimilar and possess P21/m and R-3C like symmetries, respectively.
A variable-width harmonic probe for multifrequency atomic force microscopy
Authors: Cai Jiandong , Xia Qi , Luo Yangjun , Zhang Li , Wang Michael Yu
Published: February 2015

In multifrequency atomic force microscopy (AFM) to simultaneously measure topography and material properties of specimens, it is highly desirable that the higher order resonance frequencies of the cantilever probe are assigned to be integer harmonics of the excitation frequency. The harmonic resonances are essential for significant enhancement of the probe's response at the specified harmonic frequencies. In this letter, a structural optimization technique is employed to design cantilever probes so that the ratios between one or more higher order resonance frequencies and the fundamental natural frequency are ensured to be equal to specified integers and, in the meantime, that the fundamental natural frequency is maximized. Width profile of the cantilever probe is the design variable in optimization. Thereafter, the probes were prepared by modifying a commercial probe through the focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The resonance frequencies of the FIB fabricated probes were measured with an AFM. Results of the measurement show that the optimal design of probe is as effective as design prediction.
Hamlet without the prince: the capital approach to development, the New Zealand Treasury’s Living Standards Framework and policy making
Authors: Engelbrecht Hans-Jürgen
Published: February 2015

Many governments are going ‘beyond GDP’ to measure standards of living and to base policy on such wider considerations. One of the more advanced approaches is the Living Standards Framework used by the New Zealand Treasury as a complementary input into the policy process. This paper uses the Framework as a case study to highlight shortcomings and unresolved theoretical and empirical issues in the underlying theoretical model (i.e., the capital approach to development based on mainstream neoclassical economics). In particular, innovation is noticeable mostly by its absence, despite being the main driver of living standards in the long-run. It is argued that innovation should be at the centre of the Framework. Moreover, one must go beyond standard welfare analysis and use a model of the innovation–subjective wellbeing nexus in order to assess the many, potentially very complex, wellbeing implications of innovation. Adoption of such a perspective, although currently resisted by many policy makers, seems to fit well with the ‘normative turn’ in innovation economics. It does not make one a neo-Luddite. Instead, adoption might help overcome resistance to innovation. This should be especially important at a time when the spread of digital technologies is forecast to cause major societal disruptions.
Adhyāropa-apavāda Tarka: The Nature and Structure of the Soteriological Argument in Śaṅkarācārya’s and Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati’s Advaita Vedānta
Authors: Loundo Dilip
Published: February 2015

The article highlights some of the basic features of contemporary Vedāntin writer Swami Satchidanandendra Saraswati’s Advaita Vedānta as presented in his magum opus Vedānta Prakriyā Pratyabhijñā (The Method of the Vedānta). Elaborating on Śaṅkarācārya’s postulation of the Upaniṣads as ‘secret knowledge’ or ‘secret instruction’ (rahasya-upadeśa), Saraswati posits a sort of apophatic mystagogy that seeks to reinstate Upaniṣadic thinking (vicāra) as a rigorous rational discipline understood as a ‘device of imagination’ (kalpita-upāya) acceptable only on account of its results, viz., self-realisation (anubhava). Described as a systematic process of deliberate superimposition of attributes followed by their retraction (adhyāropa-apavāda), Upaniṣadic thinking aims at eliminating the various manifestations of the fundamental and recurrent error of objectifying the ultimate Reality (ātman/brahman).
The Type III Effector AvrBs2 in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola Suppresses Rice Immunity and Promotes Disease Development
Authors: Li Shuai , Wang Yanping , Wang Shanzhi , Fang Anfei , Wang Jiyang , Liu Lijuan , Zhang Kang , Mao Yuling , Sun Wenxian
Published: February 2015

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, the causal agent of bacterial leaf streak, is one of the most important bacterial pathogens in rice. However, little is known about the functions of individual type III effectors in virulence and pathogenicity of X. oryzae pv. oryzicola. Here, we examined the effect of the mutations of 23 putative nontranscription activator-like effector genes on X. oryzae pv. oryzicola virulence. The avrBs2 knock-out mutant was significantly attenuated in virulence to rice. In contrast, the xopAA deletion caused enhanced virulence to a certain rice cultivar. It was also demonstrated that six putative effectors, including XopN, XopX, XopA, XopY, XopF1, and AvrBs2, caused the hypersensitive response on nonhost Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Virulence function of AvrBs2 was further confirmed by transgenic technology. Pathogen-associated molecular pattern–triggered immune responses including the generation of reactive oxygen species and expression of pathogenesis-related genes were strongly suppressed in the AvrBs2-expressing transgenic rice lines. Although not inhibiting flg22-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, heterologous expression of AvrBs2 greatly promotes disease progression in rice caused by two important bacterial pathogens X. oryzae pvs. oryzae and oryzicola. Collectively, these results indicate that AvrBs2 is an essential virulence factor that contributes to X. oryzae pv. oryzicola virulence through inhibiting defense responses and promoting bacterial multiplication in monocot rice.
Micromonospora costi sp. nov., isolated from a leaf of Costus speciosus
Authors: Thawai Chitti
Published: February 2015

An endophytic actinobacterial strain, CS1-12T, was isolated from a leaf of Costus speciosus. Single spores were observed directly on the substrate mycelia. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of this strain exhibited meso-diaminopimelic acid and 3-OH-meso-diaminopimelic acid. Arabinose, glucose, ribose, xylose and rhamnose were detected as whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic phospholipids of this strain were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6), MK-10(H8), MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H4). The main components of the cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis data showed that strain CS1-12T should be classified in the genus

Micromonospora

and that it is closely related to

Micromonospora fulviviridis

DSM 43906T (99.3 %). The physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties, including the DNA–DNA hybridization results, indicated that strain CS1-12T could be judged a novel species of the genus

Micromonospora

, for which the name Micromonospora costi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CS1-12T ( = BCC 58124T = NBRC 109518T).
Getting stellar sales performance: why sales managers’ mentoring, coaching and technology capabilities make the difference
Authors: Khandelwal Das Komal , Kumar Upadhyay Ashwani , Das Subrata
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this viewpoint is to distinguish the importance of sales managers’ attitude and role clarity in the context of mentoring, coaching and technology capabilities to achieve stellar sales force operations and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This report reviews the sales training literature to highlight how managerial interventions enhance competencies, behaviours and advanced level of selling orientation by mentoring and coaching construct. The concept of manager’s creativity and imagination is brought out to explain why it should be adapted and carried out in an era of vibrant and dynamic selling paradigm.

Findings

– Adapting and implementing the concept of mentoring and coaching in a personal or industrial selling context may provide sales organization and academicians a better reason of how leadership and personality traits of manager enhance learning transfer.

Practical implications

– Sales managers could develop appropriate new metrics based on market orientation for building strategic relationships, thereby eliminates ambiguity in sales-force function.

Social implications

– Increased sales result in sales force retention, organizational sustainability and economic growth.

Originality/value

– This paper introduces the concept of mentoring and coaching touch as improvement tactics to transform average salespeople into exceptional performers in contemporary selling to surpass productivity records.
The inseparable nature of working and learning: peripheral management practice that facilitates employee learning
Authors: Andrew Cohen Jay
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to look at the peripheral management practice that facilitates employee learning. Such management practices are embedded or inseparable to working and being a good manager.

Design/methodology/approach

– Point of view.

Findings

– For many frontline managers and their employees, the separation between working and learning is often not apparent. There appears to be no clear distinction between when they are working and when they are learning.

Practical implications

– Better development of organizational managers.

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the informal nature of learning and working and builds on the understanding that much of the learning that occurs at work occurs as part of a social act, often involving managers and their employees. In this way, employee learning that is identified and facilitated by frontline managers is so often entwined in other management activity. Furthermore, this paper outlines some practical actions that organizations can undertake to aid greater frontline management involvement in employee learning.
Risk-based maintenance and remaining life assessment for gas turbines
Authors: Khalifa Mohamed , Khan Faisal , Thorp Joseph
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a quantitative model for risk-based maintenance and remaining life assessment for gas turbines.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed model uses historical failure and repair data from the operation of gas turbines. The time to failure of gas turbines is modeled using Weibull distribution.

Findings

– The total risk is estimated considering replacement cost, repair cost, operation cost, risk of failure and turbine remaining value after a specified period of time.

Originality/value

– The model is an effective tool to make optimal decisions regarding maintenance strategy (repair or replacement) and to assess the remaining life based on a comparison of the total risk. The literature review focusses on developing different models to make risk-based decisions regarding the selection of a maintenance strategy and maintenance interval, however, literature is silent regarding risk-based assessment of the equipment remaining life, which is the focus of present work. The model is tested and applied to ageing gas turbines in a cross-country pipeline.
Entrepreneurial tendencies in franchising: evidence from the UK
Authors: Dada Olufunmilola (Lola) , Watson Anna , Kirby David
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– In spite of the important contributions of franchising to many economies, it remains unclear whether it truly provides a scope for entrepreneurial tendencies to flourish amongst franchisees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the debate surrounding the franchisee as an entrepreneur from the perspectives of the main contributors within the UK franchising sector, franchisors and franchisees, by analysing their entrepreneurial tendencies and the franchisee selection process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on an empirical study using a focus group and a survey approach.

Findings

– The findings from this study demonstrate that franchisees have similar levels of entrepreneurial tendencies to franchisors. The results further indicate that franchisors appear to value entrepreneurial personalities within their franchised outlets, as demonstrated by their franchisee selection process.

Originality/value

– By providing an indication of the extent of the franchisee’s entrepreneurial tendencies, this study expatiates on major arguments in the franchising and entrepreneurship literature, which are also profound amongst practitioners in the fields of franchising and entrepreneurship.
Integrating TAM, TPB and TOE frameworks and expanding their characteristic constructs for e-commerce adoption by SMEs
Authors: Awa Hart O. , Ojiabo Ojiabo Ukoha , Emecheta Bartholomew Chinweuba
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose a framework that integrated the technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and technology-organization-environment (TOE) and extended the constructs to enrich literature and capture some peculiarities of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Individually, the frameworks of extant TAM, TPB and TOE are insightful to the understanding of e-commerce adoption but a bit parochial in their constructs and so, can rarely provide clear lenses to deal with SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The adoption of e-commerce depends largely on the users’ conscious assessment of the influencing constructs as proposed, among others, in theories of reasoned action, TAM, TPB and TOE. This paper reviewed, synthesized and extended the constructs of these models in an integrated framework. The proposed integrated framework led to 18 propositions to promote and facilitate future research, and to guide explanation and prediction of e-commerce adoption in an organized system.

Findings

– The introduced constructs in the integrated framework (e.g. company mission, individual difference factors, perceived trust and perceived service quality) introduce socio-technical systems and improve the theoretical base of adoption.

Research limitations/implications

– Neither the adoption drivers nor the constructs in the theoretical framework are mutually exclusive and exhaustive; rather, they are complementary and could incorporate other factors. Although the theoretical implications of the findings of this paper extend the scope of adoption drivers, the proposed framework needs to be tested empirically.

Originality/value

– The integrated and extended theoretical framework links three adoption drivers and attempts to improve existing knowledge on e-commerce adoption and to provide bases for more informed decision(s).
Assessment of knowledge economy
Authors: Alizadeh Parisa , Salami Reza
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status of the knowledge-based economy (KBE) in Iran in comparison to Turkey, the challenges encountered and the appropriate policies toward Iran’s Outlook 2025 based on which the country is expected to be ranked first in science and technology within the Middle East region.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is a descriptive research. The methodology used for this study is qualitative/quantitative secondary research. The method will be used for two main goals. First, we used the World Bank’s Knowledge Assessment Methodology, and the data are mostly collected from secondary sources such as the World Bank’s Development Indicators for Iran and Turkey. Second, desktop research will be used to summarize and synthesize available studies on the consideration of policy-making toward KBE, especially among developing economies.

Findings

– The paper provides policy considerations around four pillars: information and communications technology (ICT), innovation system, education and human resources development and economic incentives and institutional regime. It suggests that regarding ICT indicators, Iran has to join international programs to attract senior public authorities’ involvement and accountability. Regarding its innovation system, lessons for policymakers are implementing development plans and coordinating science and technology policies in the country. Moreover, the quality of education, in-company training, post-secondary technical education and scientific and technological workforce need to be improved. Finally, considering the weak macroeconomic circumstances, legislative measures are needed in addition to, establishing a promotion agency for foreign direct investment to coordinate the inflow and to grant incentives for attracting more investment.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the chosen research approach, the research results have not been confirmed by an experts group. Therefore, using some group decision-making methods, such as panel of experts, could be proposed to further test the findings.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for public policymakers, especially in developing countries, and for moving toward a KBE.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfills an identified need to learn from similar countries experiences in policymaking about the same problem.