bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic and 3D structure analyses highlight the C/D box snoRNP assembly mechanism and its control
Authors: Bizarro Jonathan , Charron Christophe , Boulon Séverine , Westman Belinda , Pradet-Balade Bérengère , Vandermoere Franck , Chagot Marie-Eve , Hallais Marie , Ahmad Yasmeen , Leonhardt Heinrich , Lamond Angus , Manival Xavier , Branlant Christiane , Charpentier Bruno , Verheggen Céline , Bertrand Edouard
Published: November 2014

In vitro, assembly of box C/D small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) involves the sequential recruitment of core proteins to snoRNAs. In vivo, however, assembly factors are required (NUFIP, BCD1, and the HSP90–R2TP complex), and it is unknown whether a similar sequential scheme applies. In this paper, we describe systematic quantitative stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture proteomic experiments and the crystal structure of the core protein Snu13p/15.5K bound to a fragment of the assembly factor Rsa1p/NUFIP. This revealed several unexpected features: (a) the existence of a protein-only pre-snoRNP complex containing five assembly factors and two core proteins, 15.5K and Nop58; (b) the characterization of ZNHIT3, which is present in the protein-only complex but gets released upon binding to C/D snoRNAs; (c) the dynamics of the R2TP complex, which appears to load/unload RuvBL AAA+ adenosine triphosphatase from pre-snoRNPs; and (d) a potential mechanism for preventing premature activation of snoRNP catalytic activity. These data provide a framework for understanding the assembly of box C/D snoRNPs.
CCDC88B is a novel regulator of maturation and effector functions of T cells during pathological inflammation
Authors: Kennedy James M. , Fodil Nassima , Torre Sabrina , Bongfen Silayuv E. , Olivier Jean-Frédéric , Leung Vicki , Langlais David , Meunier Charles , Berghout Joanne , Langat Pinky , Schwartzentruber Jeremy , Majewski Jacek , Lathrop Mark , Vidal Silvia M. , Gros Philippe
Published: November 2014

We used a genome-wide screen in mutagenized mice to identify genes which inactivation protects against lethal neuroinflammation during experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). We identified an ECM-protective mutation in coiled-coil domain containing protein 88b (Ccdc88b), a poorly annotated gene that is found expressed specifically in spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and thymus. The CCDC88B protein is abundantly expressed in immune cells, including both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and in myeloid cells, and loss of CCDC88B protein expression has pleiotropic effects on T lymphocyte functions, including impaired maturation in vivo, significantly reduced activation, reduced cell division as well as impaired cytokine production (IFN-γ and TNF) in response to T cell receptor engagement, or to nonspecific stimuli in vitro, and during the course of P. berghei infection in vivo. This identifies CCDC88B as a novel and important regulator of T cell function. The human CCDC88B gene maps to the 11q13 locus that is associated with susceptibility to several inflammatory and auto-immune disorders. Our findings strongly suggest that CCDC88B is the morbid gene underlying the pleiotropic effect of the 11q13 locus on inflammation.
Trade Liberalization versus Climate Change Policy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture: Some Insights from Norway
Authors: Blandford David , Gaasland Ivar , Vårdal Erling
Published: November 2014

Using a mathematical programming model of Norwegian agriculture, we explore interconnections between trade liberalization and reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We show that the Doha Round proposals for a new agreement on agriculture through the World Trade Organization would not generate significant reductions in emissions. Further trade liberalization would reduce emissions by cutting agricultural production but would not change production methods. Imposing a carbon tax would lead both to a reduction in output and the extensification of production. In contrast, if farmers are allowed to claim a credit for carbon sequestration the effect is to intensify agricultural production.
Fitting state–space models to seal populations with scarce data
Authors: Øigård Tor Arne , Skaug Hans J.
Published: November 2014

We estimate temporal variation in fecundity, the reproduction rate, for Barents Sea and Greenland Sea harp seals using a state–space approach. A stochastic process model for fecundity is integrated with an age-structured population dynamics model and fit to available data for these two harp seal populations. Owing to scarceness of data, it is necessary to “borrow strength” from the Northwest Atlantic harp seal population in form of prior distributions on autocorrelation and variance in fecundity. Comparison is made to a simpler deterministic population dynamics model. The state–space model is more flexible and is able to account for the variations in the data. For Barents Sea harp seals, the state–space model gives a higher estimate of current population size but also a much higher associated uncertainty. In the Greenland Sea, the differences between the stochastic and deterministic models are much smaller.
Iron Supplementation Until 6 Months Protects Marginally Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants From Iron Deficiency During Their First Year of Life
Authors: Berglund Staffan K. , Westrup Björn , Domellöf Magnus
Published: November 2014

Objectives:

Low‐birth‐weight (LBW) infants (<2500 g) have an increased risk of iron deficiency (ID) during their first 6 months of life. The optimal dose and duration of iron supplementation to LBW infants are, however, unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the long‐term effect on iron status and growth in marginally LBW (2000–2500 g) infants, of iron supplements given until 6 months of life.

Methods:

In a randomized controlled trial, 285 healthy marginally LBW infants received 0, 1, or 2 mg · kg−1 · day−1 of iron supplements from 6 weeks to 6 months of age. At 12 months and 3.5 years of life we measured length, weight, head circumference, and indicators of iron status (hemoglobin, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, and transferrin saturation) and assessed the prevalence of iron depletion, functional ID, and ID anemia.

Results:

At 12 months of age, there was a significant difference in ferritin between the groups (P = 0.006). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of iron depletion (23.7%, 10.6%, and 6.8%, respectively, in the placebo, 1‐mg, and 2‐mg groups, P = 0.009) and similar nonsignificant trends for functional ID and ID anemia. At 3.5 years of life there were no significant differences in iron status and the mean prevalence of iron depletion was 3.2%. Anthropometric data were not affected by the intervention.

Conclusions:

Iron supplements with 2 mg · kg−1 · day−1 until 6 months of life effectively reduces the risk of ID during the first 12 months of life and is an effective intervention for preventing early ID in marginally LBW infants.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of Zinc Supplementation for Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in Children Younger Than 5 Years in Colombia
Authors: Mejía Aurelio , Atehortúa Sara , Flórez Iván D. , Sierra Javier M. , Mejia María E. , Ramírez Carolina
Published: November 2014

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the cost‐effectiveness of zinc supplementation for the treatment of acute diarrhea (AD) in children younger than 5 years in Colombia.

Methods:

The cost‐effectiveness analysis was performed from the perspective of the Colombian health system. The standard treatment with the addition of zinc was compared with the standard treatment without zinc in children younger than 5 years. The time horizon was 1 month. Effectiveness was extracted from a systematic review of literature. The specific data for Colombia were taken from local databases and observational studies. To determine the costs, a typical case was constructed by reviewing guidelines and medical records and validated by experts. To evaluate the resources consumed, Colombian tariff manuals were used. Costs were stated in Colombian pesos (COP) and US dollar (USD) for 2010. Deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of changes in cost and effectiveness of the strategies on the results from the model.

Results:

The results from the model indicate that zinc supplementation is a dominant strategy; it is less costly and more effective than standard treatment without zinc (reduction of $15,210 COP [8.14 USD] per child). The results are sensitive to changes in the probability of hospitalization and of persistent diarrhea.

Conclusions:

Zinc for the treatment of AD is a highly cost‐effective strategy and is recommended for inclusion in the benefit plan of the Colombian health system. This intervention is more cost‐effective in children with a higher risk of persistent diarrhea and hospitalization.
Process-model simulations of cloud albedo enhancement by aerosols in the Arctic
Authors: Kravitz Ben , Wang Hailong , Rasch Philip J. , Morrison Hugh , Solomon Amy B.
Published: November 2014

A cloud-resolving model is used to simulate the effectiveness of Arctic marine cloud brightening via injection of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), either through geoengineering or other increased sources of Arctic aerosols. An updated cloud microphysical scheme is employed, with prognostic CCN and cloud particle numbers in both liquid and mixed-phase marine low clouds. Injection of CCN into the marine boundary layer can delay the collapse of the boundary layer and increase low-cloud albedo. Albedo increases are stronger for pure liquid clouds than mixed-phase clouds. Liquid precipitation can be suppressed by CCN injection, whereas ice precipitation (snow) is affected less; thus, the effectiveness of brightening mixed-phase clouds is lower than for liquid-only clouds. CCN injection into a clean regime results in a greater albedo increase than injection into a polluted regime, consistent with current knowledge about aerosol–cloud interactions. Unlike previous studies investigating warm clouds, dynamical changes in circulation owing to precipitation changes are small. According to these results, which are dependent upon the representation of ice nucleation processes in the employed microphysical scheme, Arctic geoengineering is unlikely to be effective as the sole means of altering the global radiation budget but could have substantial local radiative effects.
Stratospheric controlled perturbation experiment: a small-scale experiment to improve understanding of the risks of solar geoengineering
Authors: Dykema John A. , Keith David W. , Anderson James G. , Weisenstein Debra
Published: November 2014

Although solar radiation management (SRM) through stratospheric aerosol methods has the potential to mitigate impacts of climate change, our current knowledge of stratospheric processes suggests that these methods may entail significant risks. In addition to the risks associated with current knowledge, the possibility of ‘unknown unknowns’ exists that could significantly alter the risk assessment relative to our current understanding. While laboratory experimentation can improve the current state of knowledge and atmospheric models can assess large-scale climate response, they cannot capture possible unknown chemistry or represent the full range of interactive atmospheric chemical physics. Small-scale,
in situ
experimentation under well-regulated circumstances can begin to remove some of these uncertainties. This experiment—provisionally titled the stratospheric controlled perturbation experiment—is under development and will only proceed with transparent and predominantly governmental funding and independent risk assessment. We describe the scientific and technical foundation for performing, under external oversight, small-scale experiments to quantify the risks posed by SRM to activation of halogen species and subsequent erosion of stratospheric ozone. The paper's scope includes selection of the measurement platform, relevant aspects of stratospheric meteorology, operational considerations and instrument design and engineering.
Ethical aspects of the mitigation obstruction argument against climate engineering research
Authors: Morrow David R.
Published: November 2014

Many commentators fear that climate engineering research might lead policy-makers to reduce mitigation efforts. Most of the literature on this so-called ‘moral hazard’ problem focuses on the prediction that climate engineering research would reduce mitigation efforts. This paper focuses on a related ethical question: Why would it be a bad thing if climate engineering research obstructed mitigation? If climate engineering promises to be effective enough, it might justify some reduction in mitigation. Climate policy portfolios involving sufficiently large or poorly planned reductions in mitigation, however, could lead to an outcome that would be worse than the portfolio that would be chosen in the absence of further climate engineering research. This paper applies three ethical perspectives to describe the kinds of portfolios that would be worse than that ‘baseline portfolio’. The literature on climate engineering identifies various mechanisms that might cause policy-makers to choose these inferior portfolios, but it is difficult to know in advance whether the existence of these mechanisms means that climate engineering research really would lead to a worse outcome. In the light of that uncertainty, a precautionary approach suggests that researchers should take measures to reduce the risk of mitigation obstruction. Several such measures are suggested.
Solar geoengineering to limit the rate of temperature change
Authors: MacMartin Douglas G. , Caldeira Ken , Keith David W.
Published: November 2014

Solar geoengineering has been suggested as a tool that might reduce damage from anthropogenic climate change. Analysis often assumes that geoengineering would be used to maintain a constant global mean temperature. Under this scenario, geoengineering would be required either indefinitely (on societal time scales) or until atmospheric CO
2
concentrations were sufficiently reduced. Impacts of climate change, however, are related to the rate of change as well as its magnitude. We thus describe an alternative scenario in which solar geoengineering is used only to constrain the rate of change of global mean temperature; this leads to a finite deployment period for any emissions pathway that stabilizes global mean temperature. The length of deployment and amount of geoengineering required depends on the emissions pathway and allowable rate of change, e.g. in our simulations, reducing the maximum approximately 0.3°C per decade rate of change in an RCP 4.5 pathway to 0.1°C per decade would require geoengineering for 160 years; under RCP 6.0, the required time nearly doubles. We demonstrate that feedback control can limit rates of change in a climate model. Finally, we note that a decision to terminate use of solar geoengineering does not automatically imply rapid temperature increases: feedback could be used to limit rates of change in a gradual phase-out.
Governing solar geoengineering research as it leaves the laboratory
Authors: Parker Andy
Published: November 2014

One of the greatest controversies in geoengineering policy concerns the next stages of solar radiation management research, and when and how it leaves the laboratory. Citing numerous risks and concerns, a range of prominent commentators have called for field experiments to be delayed until there is formalized research governance, such as an international agreement. As a piece of pragmatic policy analysis, this paper explores the practicalities and implications of demands for ‘governance before research’. It concludes that ‘governance before research’ is a desirable goal, but that a delay in experimentation—a moratorium—would probably be an ineffective and counterproductive way to achieve it. Firstly, it is very unlikely that a moratorium could be imposed. Secondly, even if it were practicable it seems that a temporary ban on field experiments would have at best a mixed effect addressing the main risks and concerns, while blocking and stigmatizing safe research and delaying the development of good governance practices from learning by doing. The paper suggests a number of steps to ensure ‘governance before research’ that can be taken in the absence of an international agreement or national legislation, emphasizing the roles of researchers and research funders in developing and implementing good practices.
Corynebacterium atrinae sp. nov., isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a pen shell, Atrina pectinata
Authors: Kim Pil Soo , Shin Na-Ri , Hyun Dong-Wook , Kim Joon Yong , Whon Tae Woong , Oh Sei Joon , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: November 2014

A novel Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain PSPT56T, was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a pen shell (Atrina pectinata). Optimal growth of strain PSPT56Twas ascertained to occur at 30 °C, pH 8.0 and in the presence of 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8cand C17 : 0. Tuberculostearic acid was not present. The major cell-wall sugars were ribose, galactose, glucose and arabinose. Peptidoglycan amino acids weremeso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H2). Strain PSPT56Tcontained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified amino-lipids. Mycolic acids were detected as constitutive components of the cell wall. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain PSPT56Twas most closely related toCorynebacterium testudinorisM935/96/4TandCorynebacterium felinumM714/95/5Twith 98.69 % and 97.01 % similarity, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated less than 29.9 % relatedness to the phylogenetically closest species. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 67.6 mol%. The phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analyses indicated that strain PSPT56Trepresents a novel species within the genusCorynebacterium, for which the nameCorynebacterium atrinaeis proposed. The type strain is PSPT56T( = KACC 17525T = JCM 19266T).
Metallosphaera tengchongensis sp. nov., an acidothermophilic archaeon isolated from a hot spring
Authors: Peng Tang-Jian , Liu Li-Jun , Liu Chang , Yang Zhi-Fang , Liu Shuang-Jiang , Jiang Cheng-Ying
Published: November 2014

Two novel acidothermophilic archaea, strains Ric-AT and Ric-F, were isolated from muddy water samples of a sulfuric hot spring located in Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, PR China. The strains were aerobic and facultatively chemolithoautotrophic. Both strains could oxidize S0 and K2S4O6 for autotrophic growth, and could use organic materials for heterotrophic growth. Growth was observed at 55–75 °C and pH 1.5–6.5. The strains could oxidize metal sulfide ores, showing their potential in bioleaching. The DNA G+C contents of strains Ric-AT and Ric-F were 41.8 and 41.6 mol%, respectively. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains shared 99.8 % sequence similarity to each other, but <97 % to other known species of the genus

Metallosphaera

. DNA–DNA hybridization indicated that the isolates were different strains of a novel species of the genus

Metallosphaera

. Strains Ric-AT and Ric-F also shared a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics that distinguished them from recognized species of the genus

Metallosphaera

. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic comparisons with their closest relatives, it was concluded that strains Ric-AT and Ric-F represent a novel species of the genus

Metallosphaera

, for which the name Metallosphaera
tengchongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Ric-AT ( = NBRC 109472T = CGMCC 1.12287T).
Polymerase ζ activity is linked to replication timing in humans: evidence from mutational signatures
Authors: Seplyarskiy Vladimir B. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Soldatov Ruslan A.
Published: November 2014

Replication timing is an important determinant of germline mutation patterns, with a higher rate of point mutations in late replicating regions. Mechanisms underlying this association remain elusive. One of the suggested explanations is the activity of error-prone DNA polymerases in late-replicating regions. Polymerase ζ (pol ζ), an essential error-prone polymerase biased towards transversions, also has a tendency to produce dinucleotide mutations (DNMs), complex mutational events that simultaneously affect two adjacent nucleotides. Experimental studies have shown that pol ζ is strongly biased towards GC->AA/TT DNMs. Using primate divergence data, we show that the GC->AA/TT pol ζ mutational signature is the most frequent among DNMs, and its rate exceeds the mean rate of other DNM types by a factor of ~10. Unlike the overall rate of DNMs, the pol ζ signature drastically increases with the replication time in the human genome. Finally, the pol ζ signature is enriched in transcribed regions, and there is a strong prevalence of GC->TT over GC->AA DNMs on the non-template strand, indicating association with transcription. A recurrently occurring GC->TT DNM in HRAS gene causes the Costello syndrome; we find a 2-fold increase in the mutation rate, and a 2-fold decrease in the transition/transversion ratio, at distances of up to 1 kb from the DNM, suggesting a link between the Costello syndrome and pol ζ activity. This study uncovers the genomic preferences of pol ζ, shedding light on a novel cause of mutational heterogeneity along the genome.
The impact of comorbidity of intellectual disability on estimates of autism prevalence among children enrolled in US special education
Authors: Polyak Andrew , Kubina Richard M. , Girirajan Santhosh
Published: November 2014

Objectives

While recent studies suggest a converging role for genetic factors towards risk for nosologically distinct disorders including autism, intellectual disability (ID), and epilepsy, current estimates of autism prevalence fail to take into account the impact of comorbidity of these neurodevelopmental disorders on autism diagnosis. We aimed to assess the effect of potential comorbidity of ID on the diagnosis and prevalence of autism by analyzing 11 years of special education enrollment data.

Design

Population study of autism using the United States special education enrollment data from years 2000-2010.

Setting

US special education.

Participants

We analyzed 11 years (2000 to 2010) of longitudinal data on approximately 6.2 million children per year from special education enrollment.

Results

We found a 331% increase in the prevalence of autism from 2000 to 2010 within special education, potentially due to a diagnostic recategorization from frequently comorbid features like ID. In fact, the decrease in ID prevalence equaled an average of 64.2% of the increase of autism prevalence for children aged 3-18 years. The proportion of ID cases potentially undergoing recategorization to autism was higher (p=0.007) among older children (75%) than younger children (48%). Some US states showed significant negative correlations between the prevalence of autism compared to that of ID while others did not, suggesting differences in state-specific health policy to be a major factor in categorizing autism.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that current ascertainment practices are based on a single facet of autism-specific clinical features and do not consider associated comorbidities that may confound diagnosis. Longitudinal studies with detailed phenotyping and deep molecular genetic analyses are necessary to completely understand the cause of this complex disorder. Future studies of autism prevalence should also take these factors into account.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

We present a large-scale population study of autism prevalence using longitudinal data from 2000-2010 on approximately 6.2 million children enrolled in US special education.

We provide one possible but compelling explanation for increase in autism prevalence and show that current ascertainment of autism is based on single facet of clinical features without considering other comorbid features such as intellectual disability

We are not able to dissect the exact frequency of comorbid features over time as US special education allows for enrollment under only one diagnostic category and does not document comorbidity information.

This study examines how comorbidity of related phenotypes such as ID can impact estimates of autism prevalence and does not assess other factors reported to impact autism prevalence.
α-Band oscillations in intracellular membrane potentials of dentate gyrus neurons in awake rodents
Authors: Anderson Ross W. , Strowbridge Ben W.
Published: November 2014

The hippocampus and dentate gyrus play critical roles in processing declarative memories and spatial information. Dentate granule cells, the first relay in the trisynaptic circuit through the hippocampus, exhibit low spontaneous firing rates even during locomotion. Using intracellular recordings from dentate neurons in awake mice operating a levitated spherical treadmill, we found a transient membrane potential α-band oscillation associated with the onset of spontaneous motion, especially forward walking movements. While often subthreshold, α oscillations could regulate spike timing during locomotion and may enable dentate gyrus neurons to respond to specific cortical afferent pathways while maintaining low average firing rates.
Crystal structure of bis(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine-κ3N,N′,N′′)nickel(II) dicyanidoaurate(I)
Authors: White Frankie , Sykora Richard E.
Published: November 2014

The title compound, [Ni(C15H11N3)2][Au(CN)2]2, is an ionic compound composed of bis(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)nickel(II) dications and dicyanidoaurate(I) anions in a 1:2 ratio. The two tridentate terpyridine ligands define the coordination of the Ni2+cation, resulting in a nearly octahedral coordination sphere, although there is not any imposed crystallographic symmetry about the Ni2+site. The two nearly linear dicyanidoaurate(I) anions [C—Au—C = 179.0 (2) and 178.2 (2)°] contain a short aurophilic interaction of 3.1017 (3) Å. The structure does not demonstrate any π–π stacking. Non-classical C—H...N interactions between the cations and anions build up a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of (Z)-3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(4-chlorophenyl)imino]-2,3-dihydrothiazol-4-yl}-2H-chromen-2-one
Authors: Kayalvizhi M. , Vasuki G. , Kumar R. Raj , Rao V. Rajeswar
Published: November 2014

In the title compound, C24H14Cl2N2O2S, the 2H-chromene ring system is approximately planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.025 (2) Å. The thiazole ring is almost planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0022 Å, and makes a dihedral angle of 58.52 (7)° with the chromene ring system. The chromene ring system is inclined at angles of 58.3 (1) and 55.39 (9)° with respect to the two chlorophenyl rings. The two chlorophenyl rings show significant deviation from coplanarity, with a dihedral angle between them of 47.69 (8)°. The crystal structure features C—H...Cl interactions extending in (100) and propagating along thea-axis direction and weak π–π interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.867 (2) Å].
Crystal structure of 2-benzylamino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-cyclohepta[b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Nagalakshmi R. A. , Suresh J. , Maharani S. , Kumar R. Ranjith , Lakshman P. L. Nilantha
Published: November 2014

The title compound, C25H25N3O, comprises a 2-aminopyridine ring fused with a cycloheptane ring, which adopts a chair conformation. The central pyridine ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.013 Å) carries three substituents,viz.a benzylamino group, a methoxyphenyl ring and a carbonitrile group. The N atom of the carbonitrile group is significantly displaced [by 0.2247 (1) Å] from the plane of the pyridine ring, probably due to steric crowding involving the adjacent substituents. The phenyl and benzene rings are inclined to one another by 58.91 (7)° and to the pyridine ring by 76.68 (7) and 49.80 (6)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H...Nnitrilehydrogen bonds generateR22(14) loops. The dimers are linked by C—H...π and slipped parallel π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6532 (3) Å] into a three-dimensional structure.
Magnetic and nuclear structure of goethite (α-FeOOH): a neutron diffraction study
Authors: Zepeda-Alarcon Eloisa , Nakotte Heinz , Gualtieri Alessandro F. , King Graham , Page Katharine , Vogel Sven C. , Wang Hsiu-Wen , Wenk Hans-Rudolf
Published: November 2014

The magnetic structure of two natural samples of goethite (α-FeOOH) with varying crystallinity was analyzed at 15 and 300 K by neutron diffraction. The well crystallized sample has thePb′nmcolor space group and remained antiferromagnetic up to 300 K, with spins aligned parallel to thecaxis. The purely magnetic 100 peak, identifying this color space group, was clearly resolved. The nanocrystalline sample shows a phase transition to the paramagnetic state at a temperature below 300 K. This lowering of the Néel temperature may be explained by the interaction of magnetic clusters within particles. The nuclear structure, refined with the Rietveld and pair distribution function methods, is consistent with reports in the literature.
Synthesis and nucleation studies onL-leucine hydrobromide: a promising nonlinear optical material
Authors: Rani Radha , Thukral Kanika , Krishna Anuj , Sharma Geetanjali , Vijayan Narayanasamy , Rathi Brijesh , Bhagavannarayana Godavarthi
Published: November 2014

To achieve good quality bulk size crystal growth, an assessment of the nucleation kinetics of a semi-organic L-leucine hydrobromide (L-LHBr) crystal was carried out using double-distilled water as solvent medium. The effect on metastable zone width (MSZW) with increasing temperature and on induction period with varied supersaturation level was determined experimentally and was found to be very well in accordance with the nucleation theory prospects. Thereafter, various other nucleation parameters, such as Gibbs free energy and interfacial energy, were also determined. The knowledge of these nucleation parameters indicated the requisite temperature domain and the appropriate growth technique, leading to the successful single-crystal growth of L-LHBr by slow cooling in the temperature range 298–291 K. The cooling rate of 0.25 K per day was optimized after repeated trials. X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis were performed on grown crystals for the verification of the material. High-resolution X-ray diffraction analysis was used to assess the crystalline perfection of the grown crystals. To further explore the properties of the grown crystals, photoluminescence and time decay studies, etching analysis, andZ-scan measurements were performed.
High- and low-temperature phases in isostructural 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline and 4-iodo-3-nitroaniline
Authors: Fábry Jan , Dušek Michal , Vaněk Přemysl , Rafalovskyi Iegor , Hlinka Jiří , Urban Jiří
Published: November 2014

The structures of 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline, C6H5ClN2O2, (I), and 4-iodo-3-nitroaniline, C6H5IN2O2, (II), are isomorphs and both undergo continuous (second order) phase transitions at 237 and 200 K, respectively. The structures, as well as their phase transitions, have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and difference scanning calorimetry experiments. Both high-temperature phases (293 K) show disorder of the nitro substituents, which are inclined towards the benzene-ring planes at two different orientations. In the low-temperature phases (120 K), both inclination angles are well maintained, while the disorder is removed. Concomitantly, thebaxis doubles with respect to the room-temperature cell. Each of the low-temperature phases of (I) and (II) contains two pairs of independent molecules, where the molecules in each pair are related by noncrystallographic inversion centres. The molecules within each pair have the same absolute value of the inclination angle. The Flack parameter of the low-temperature phases is very close to 0.5, indicating inversion twinning. This can be envisaged as stacking faults in the low-temperature phases. It seems that competition between the primary amine–nitro N—H...O hydrogen bonds which form three-centred hydrogen bonds is the reason for the disorder of the nitro groups, as well as for the phase transition in both (I) and (II). The backbones of the structures are formed by N—H...N hydrogen bonding of moderate strength which results in the graph-set motifC(3). This graph-set motif forms a zigzag chain parallel to the monoclinicbaxis and is maintained in both the high- and the low-temperature structures. The primary amine groups are pyramidal, with similar geometric values in all four determinations. The high-temperature phase of (II) has been described previously [Gardenet al.(2004).Acta Cryst.C60, o328–o330].
The relationship between financial development indicators and human development in India
Authors: Sehrawat Madhu , Giri A.K.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between financial development indicators and human development in India using annual data from 1980-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Ng-Perron unit root test is used to check for the order of integration of the variables. The long run relationship and short run dynamics are examined by implementing the ARDL bounds testing approach to co-integration. Granger’s non-causality test and variance decomposition techniques are also used to examine the impact of financial development indicators on human development.

Findings

– The results confirm a long run relationship among the variables. The results of granger non causality indicate that unidirectional causality runs from financial development indicators to human development index (HDI). The variance decomposition analysis shows that among all the financial indicators, broad money supply (M3) has the largest contribution to changes in human development in India.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study recommends for appropriate reforms in financial market to attain sustainable human development in India. The findings will be useful for India’s policy makers, in order to maintain the parallel expansion of financial development and human development.

Originality/value

– This paper is first of its kind to empirically examine the casual relationship between financial development indicators and human capital development proxied by HDI in India by using modern econometric techniques.
Website-reflected operating characteristics of wineries’ wine clubs
Authors: C. Williamson Nicholas , Bhadury Joy
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this empirical research is to identify the distinguishing operating characteristics of wineries that use what is alleged to be the most profitable channel of distribution for marketing wine in the USA: the wine club.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research design entails the contrasting of the Web site-reflected operating features of wineries that support wine clubs with wineries that do not.

Findings

– Support was found for the great majority of operating features identified in the literature as likely characterizing the operations of wineries with wine clubs. A notable exception concerns the lack of confirmation of hypotheses concerning “Wine 2.0” variables.

Research limitations/implications

– In the apparent pursuit of higher profits, owners and managers of wineries with wine clubs more frequently adopt operating features that expose them to objective competitive comparisons than do owners and managers with other wineries. The former are also more prone to advertise on their Web sites a variety of offers that collectively constitute a more valuable quid pro quo in their relationships with consumer buyers than appears to be the case with other wineries. Strategically, results demonstrate that a winery’s adoption of a wine club is not a part of an evolutionary process of wineries in general.

Originality/value

– There has been no other published empirical research that concerned the identification of distinguishing operating features of wineries that use what has been argued to be the most profitable channel for marketing wine at retail in the USA: the wine club channel. Winery owners and managers will find particular value in the results and implications of the research.
Communities of practice: linking knowledge management and strategy in creative firms
Authors: Bashouri Joseph , Duncan Glen William
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of knowledge and its management in the creative professional service firm (PSF). The other purpose is to explore the role of communities of practice (CoPs) in knowledge management (KM) strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A single-case study approach was adopted with five open-ended semi-structured interviews conducted with middle and senior management having mainly an architectural background. The data were complemented with participant observation and reflection on experience together with conversations with work colleagues.

Findings

– The findings suggest that having an appropriately balanced strategy of personalisation/codification of knowledge through CoPs contributes to the competitiveness of the firm.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper provides a useful exploration of KM in creative PSFs, but the results may lack generalizability because of the small scale and qualitative nature of the research. The research is limited to one firm in one country. Future research is needed to test the findings in other creative PSFs and in other countries.

Practical implications

– The paper provides guidance to managers in creative PSFs on the need for positioning CoPs at the heart of the firm’s KM strategies.

Originality/value

– The paper tests a theoretical framework on how to link strategy with KM strategy in creative PSFs.
McLuhan’s nightmare
Authors: Martin Dick
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to re-examine Marshall McLuhan
'
s most famous aphorism – “the medium is the message” – within the context of recent sociological findings and concludes that business strategists should take heed of McLuhan’s warnings, both in their personal and professional lives. Marshall McLuhan was a sociologist of the 1970s whose observations about the impact of modern technology were quoted more widely than they were actually understood.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article reviews recent findings on the sociological and psychological impact of digital technologies and examines them within the context of McLuhan’s theories. The article includes a basic explanation of McLuhan’s classic aphorism – “The medium is the message.”

Findings

– Digital technologies promised to make the world smaller, but, in many ways, they have made us smaller. The fragmentation of audiences, more powerful tools for filtering information and the heightened availability of personal media have all led to increased polarization and a decline in empathic perspective sharing.

Practical implications

– This article invites practicing strategists to consider the implications of these developments in their personal and professional lives and offers practical advice for doing so.

Originality/value

– The article presents an original perspective on McLuhan’s thesis, drawing from a broad range of recent studies.
Intuition: the missing ingredient for good managerial decision-making
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Uzelac Borislav , Bauer Florian
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to clarify the role of intuition in managerial decision making by identifying when intuitive decision making is typically applied, of what value it is for organizations and what inhibits its application.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors combine insights from cognitive and social psychology with empirical evidence from a survey study with Austrian organizations.

Findings

– In conjunction with deliberation, intuitive decision making contributes positively to organizational performance. Its application is moderated by a person’s hierarchical position, organization size as well as the subject at hand.

Research limitations/implications

– While literature suggests to rely on self-reports to measure success, this approach can also be perceived as a limitation of this paper. Although insiders are most knowledgeable about their organizations, their information might lack objectivity. It is therefore important that future research applies more objective success measures.

Practical implications

– This research stresses the merits and dangers of intuitive decision making and advises managers how to become “good” intuitive decision makers.

Social implications

– Understanding the hallmarks of intuitive decision making, as well as the factors that moderate it, alters the understanding of our actions and therefore has implications for all human interactions.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to existing literature on intuition in management research by providing empirical data regarding the value of intuition and factors that inhibit its application in organizational contexts.
Brand extension evaluation: real world and virtual world
Authors: Ramanathan Jayasankar , Purani Keyoor
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to help marketing scholars view virtual worlds as new product–markets and trigger serious investigations on consumer evaluation of brand extensions when a brand is extended from the real world to a virtual world and vice versa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes an extensive review of studies on virtual world. Further, it amalgamates understanding from well-established literature on consumer evaluation of brand extensions into the emerging virtual world understanding to conceptualize moderating influence of contexts – the real world context and a virtual world context – on how consumers evaluate brand extensions.

Findings

– Through logical arguments supported by existing literature, the paper provides 14 well-conceptualized propositions that argue that the real world and virtual world contexts moderate the well-established relationships in brand extension literature. It broadly proposes that the relationships between the consumer evaluations of brand extension and its known determinants are stronger in case of within-the-world extensions and weaker in case of across-the-world extensions.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper introduces to the marketing scholars an entirely new area of enquiry as it challenges the known brand extension knowledge when a brand is extended across the worlds.

Practical implications

– Marketers considering launching new offerings across the contexts of real or virtual world would have implications on whether to extend the brand or not.

Originality/value

– Virtual worlds have largely been construed in marketing literature as fictional worlds. There is not much explored in terms of virtual worlds as new product–markets. The study offers unique value in conceptualizing differences among within-the-world brand extensions and across-the-world brand extensions.
Emerging market consumers’ country of production image, trust and quality perceptions of global brands made-in China
Authors: Akdeniz Ar Aybeniz , Kara Ali
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore the country of production (COP) image, trust and quality perceptions of Turkish consumers for well-known global brands that are produced in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the mall-intercept survey method from the 17 largest cities in Turkey, 3,373 consumers were interviewed about their thoughts on the COP images, trust and quality perceptions of well-known global brands.

Findings

– Study findings show that the COP had a significant negative effect on brand image, brand trust and perceived quality of the global brands when consumers learned that China was the COP. Product type also influenced the intensity of the negative perceptions. Quality perceptions, image and trust were found to be highly correlated with purchase intentions.

Research limitations/implications

– Consumers’ levels of involvement with the products used in this study might be different in different countries. Different variables (such as lifestyles and personality) could provide additional explanation for the strength of the relationships identified between the COP information and quality perceptions. Global brands with different brand strength levels could be evaluated differently by the consumers.

Practical implications

– When a consumer product is manufactured in a country with unfavorable perceptions, well-known or recognized brands are not immune to the negative influences of the COP effect on brand image, quality and purchase intentions.

Originality/value

– The study used large-scale representative data collected from consumers in the actual shopping environment and examined the influence of the COP on perceived quality and purchase intentions of global brands in an emerging market.
Psychological distress and attempted suicide in female victims of intimate partner violence: an illustration from the Philippines context
Authors: Antai Diddy , Anthony David
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of, and determined the factors associated with self-reported symptoms of suicide attempts and psychosocial distress among female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Design/methodology/approach

– Using cross-sectional data from 13,594 women aged 15-49 years from the 2008 Philippines Demographic and Health Surveys, the authors measured univariate prevalence, conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression models to examine the associations between outcomes, exposures, and potential explanatory variables.

Findings

– In total, 47 and 8 per cent of the women reported psychological distress, and suicide attempts following IPV, respectively. Physical and psychological IPV occurred in 7 per cent of the women, respectively, whilst sexual IPV occurred in 5 per cent of the women. Multivariate analyses showed significant association between physical and psychological IPV and suicide attempt, as well as psychological distress.

Research limitations/implications

– This study extends the knowledge about the interaction between IPV, suicide attempts, and psychological distress by redirecting the attention to more systemic expressions of the excess burden of IPV among abused women.

Practical implications

– It highlights the significance of screening for the presence of, and accumulated effect of IPV exposures as a risk factor for suicide attempt and psychological distress.

Social implications

– Since IPV is a product of gendered norms and power relations, the extent to which exposure to IPV results in poor mental health outcomes is determined by the interplay between societal gender norms and attitudes, poverty, and psychological distress.

Originality/value

– Given that most of the literature on the association between traumatic events, psychosocial stress, and suicidality derive from high-income countries, they do not reflect cultural differences within the context of low-middle-income countries like the Philippines, or be generalizable to the low-middle-income countries.