bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelagic larval duration of two diadromous species of Kuhliidae (Teleostei: Percoidei) from Indo-Pacific insular systems
Authors: Feutry Pierre , Valade Pierre , Ovenden Jennifer R. , Lopez Pascal Jean , Keith Philippe
Published: May 2012

Diadromous fish species in the family Kuhliidae are able to colonise freshwater systems in Indo-Pacific islands, but their life cycle and the mechanisms involved in the colonisation of such ecosystems are poorly documented. After validating the daily rate of increment deposition in otoliths of Kuhlia rupestris, we estimated the pelagic larval duration (PLD) of K. rupestris, widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific area, and K. sauvagii, endemic to the Indian Ocean. Median PLD of K. rupestris was significantly longer than that of K. sauvagii (40.6 ± 6.9 and 32.3 ± 3.4 days (± s.d.), respectively), implying that the PLD is probably one factor controlling the extent of distribution range in Kuhlia. Within K. rupestris, individuals from New Caledonia had longer PLDs than those from Réunion Island (44.3 ± 6.7 and 37.3 ± 4.7 days (± s.d.) respectively). Further research on larval migration is needed to determine whether this was due to different environmental conditions or is population-specific. Interestingly, the PLD of these Kuhlia species is shorter than the PLD of other tropical diadromous fishes. These results improve our understanding of the dispersal strategies of freshwater fauna, to colonise and persist in tropical islands.
Nanosensing protein allostery using a bivalent mouse double minute two (MDM2) assay
Authors: Robson Anna F. , Hupp Ted R. , Lickiss Fiona , Ball Kathryn L. , Faulds Karen , Graham Duncan
Published: May 2012

The tumor suppressor protein, p53, is either mutated or absent in >50% of cancers and is negatively regulated by the mouse double minute (MDM2) protein. Understanding and inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interaction are, therefore, critical for developing novel chemotherapeutics, which are currently limited because of a lack of appropriate study tools. We present a nanosensing approach to investigate full-length MDM2 interactions with p53, thus providing an allosteric assay for identifying binding ligands. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active nanoparticles, functionalized with a p53 peptide mimic (peptide 12.1), display biologically specific aggregation following addition of MDM2. Nanoparticle assembly is competitively inhibited by the N-terminal MDM2-binding ligands peptide 12.1 and Nutlin-3. This study reports nanoparticle assembly through specific protein–peptide interactions that can be followed by SERS. We demonstrate solution-based MDM2 allosteric interaction studies that use the full-length protein.
Phantom tones and suppressive masking by active nonlinear oscillation of the hair-cell bundle
Authors: Barral Jérémie , Martin Pascal
Published: May 2012

Processing of two-tone stimuli by the auditory system introduces prominent masking of one frequency component by the other as well as additional “phantom” tones that are absent in the sound input. Mechanical correlates of these psychophysical phenomena have been observed in sound-evoked mechanical vibrations of the mammalian cochlea and are thought to originate in sensory hair cells from the intrinsic nonlinearity associated with mechano-electrical transduction by ion channels. However, nonlinearity of the transducer is not sufficient to explain the rich phenomenology of two-tone interferences in hearing. Here we show that active oscillatory movements of single hair-cell bundles elicit two-tone suppression and distortions that are shaped by nonlinear amplification of periodic stimuli near the characteristic frequency of spontaneous oscillations. When both stimulus frequencies enter the bandwidth of the hair-bundle amplifier, two-tone interferences display level functions that are characteristic both of human psychoacoustics and of in vivo mechanical measurements in auditory organs. Our work distinguishes the frequency-dependent nonlinearity that emerges from the active process that drives the hair bundle into spontaneous oscillations from the passive nonlinear compliance associated with the direct gating of transduction channels by mechanical force. Numerical simulations based on a generic description of an active dynamical system poised near an oscillatory instability—a Hopf bifurcation—account quantitatively for our experimental observations. In return, we conclude that the properties of two-tone interferences in hearing betray the workings of self-sustained “critical” oscillators, which function as nonlinear amplifying elements in the inner ear.
Risk of Predation, Variation in Dissolved Oxygen, and their Impact upon Habitat Selection Decisions by Fathead Minnow
Authors: Abrahams Mark V. , Sloan Jennifer
Published: May 2012

Recent laboratory experiments suggest that for some species, an inverse relationship exists between body size and tolerance to hypoxic environments. Since most predator–prey relationships that involve fish require predators to be significantly larger than their prey, it is possible that the smaller prey may exploit their greater tolerance to hypoxic environments and seek such environments as a refuge from their predators. We conducted experiments that provided individually identified prey (fathead minnowPimephales promelas) with three environments that varied in the level of dissolved oxygen. The environments also contained a single live predator (yellow perchPerca flavescens), thus requiring the fathead minnow to make habitat selection decisions involving the risk of predation. By using individuals whose movements could be tracked with passive integrated transponder tags, we demonstrated that initially the prey preferentially occupied locations with lower dissolved oxygen and that such locations successfully excluded the predator. Through time, the predator became capable of using these environments, diminishing the effectiveness of low dissolved oxygen as a refuge against predators. We discuss potential mechanisms for our results and discuss environmental characteristics that would generate physiological predation refuges.
Variation in Individuals' Semantic Networks for Common Knowledge is Associated with False Memory
Authors: Stevens-Adams Susan M. , Goldsmith Timothy E. , Butler Karin M.
Published: May 2012

Three experiments assessed the relationships between false memories of words and their degree of connectedness within individual semantic networks. In the first two experiments, participants studied associated word lists (e.g., hot, winter, ice), completed a recognition test that included related nonstudied words (e.g., cold, snow), and then rated the semantic relatedness of all word pairs including studied and nonstudied words. In the third experiment, the task order was reversed; participants completed pairwise ratings and then, two weeks later, completed the false memory task. The relatedness ratings were analysed using the Pathfinder scaling algorithm. In all experiments, items that an individual falsely recognized had higher semantic Pathfinder node densities than those items correctly rejected.
Variability in Mean Duration of Mechanical Ventilation among Community Hospitals
Authors: Klompas Michael , Kleinman Ken P. , Karcz Anita
Published: May 2012

We explored intensive care units' mean ventilator-days per patient as a possible objective alternative to ventilator-associated pneumonia rates for assessing quality of care for ventilated Patients. Mean ventilator-days per patient varied 4-fold within a network of community hospitals despite adjusting for multiple patient and hospital factors. Further assessment of this metric is warranted.
Ability of an Antibiogram to Predict Pseudomonas aeruginosa Susceptibility to Targeted Antimicrobials Based on Hospital Day of Isolation
Authors: Anderson Deverick J. , Miller Becky , Marfatia Ruchit , Drew Richard
Published: May 2012

Objective.

To determine the utility of an antibiogram in predicting the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to targeted antimicrobial agents based on the day of hospitalization the specimen was collected.

Design.

Single-center retrospective cohort study.

Setting.

A 750-bed tertiary care medical center.

Patients and Methods.

Isolates from consecutive patients with at least 1 clinical culture positive for P. aeruginosa from January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2007, were included. A study antibiogram was created by determining the overall percentages of P. aeruginosa isolates susceptible to amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem-cilastin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and tobramycin during the study period. Individual logistic regression models were created to determine the day of infection after which the study antibiogram no longer predicted susceptibility to each antibiotic.

Results.

A total of 3,393 isolates were included. The antibiogram became unreliable as a predictor of susceptibility to ceftazidime, imipenem-cilastin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and tobramycin after day 10 and ciprofloxacin after day 15 but longer for gentamicin (day 21) and amikacin (day 28). Time to unreliability of the antibiogram varied for antibiotics based on location of isolation. For example, the time to unreliability of the antibiogram for ceftazidime was 5 days (95% confidence interval [CI], <1–8) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 12 days (95% CI, 7–21) in non-ICU hospital wards (P = .003).

Conclusions.

The ability of the antibiogram to predict susceptibility of P. aeruginosa decreases as duration of hospitalization increases.
Epidemiology of Human Metapneumovirus in a Pediatric Long-Term Care Facility
Authors: Neu Natalie , Plaskett Theresa , Hutcheon Gordon , Murray Meghan , Southwick Karen L. , Saiman Lisa
Published: May 2012

Background.

Viral respiratory pathogens cause outbreaks in pediatric long-term care facilities (LTCFs), but few studies have used viral diagnostic testing to identify the causative pathogens. We describe the use of such testing during a prolonged period of respiratory illness and elucidate the epidemiology of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) at our LTCF.

Design.

Retrospective study of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Setting.

A 136-bed pediatric LTCF from January 1 through April 30, 2010.

Methods.

The ILI case definition included fever, cough, change in oropharyngeal secretions, increase in oxygen requirement, and/or wheezing.

Results.

During the study period, 69 episodes of ILI occurred in 61 (41%) of 150 residents. A viral pathogen was detected in 27 (39%) of the episodes, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n = 3), influenza A virus (not typed; n = 2), parainfluenza virus (n = 2), adenovirus (n = 1), and hMPV (n = 19). Twenty-seven of the residents with ILI (44%) required transfer to acute care hospitals (mean length of hospitalization, 12 days; range, 3–47 days). Residents with tracheostomies were more likely to have ILI (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.99 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.87–8.53]; P = .0004). The mortality rate for residents with ILI was 1.6%. Residents with hMPV were younger (P = .03), more likely to be transferred to an acute care facility (OR, 3.73 [95% CI, 1.17–11.95]; P = .02), and less likely to have a tracheostomy (adjusted OR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.047–0.757]; P = .02).

Discussion.

Diverse pathogens, most notably hMPV, caused ILI in our pediatric LTCF during a prolonged period of time. Viral testing was helpful in characterizing the epidemiology of ILI in this population.
Establishment of a National Surveillance System for Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Consumption and Change in Consumption over 4 Years
Authors: Behnke Michael , Gastmeier Petra , Geffers Christine , Mönch Nadine , Reichardt Christiane
Published: May 2012

Germany established a national surveillance system for alcohol-based hand rub consumption (AHC) in 2008. In 2010, the median AHC was 83 mL/patient-day in 543 intensive care units (ICUs) and 18 mL/patient-day in 4,638 non-ICUs. There was a median increase in AHC of 35.9% (P < .01) in 159 hospitals that participated in the surveillance system for 4 years.
The Utility of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Scores for Prediction of Mortality among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Non-ICU Patients with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
Authors: Stevens Vanessa , Lodise Thomas P. , Tsuji Brian , Stringham Meagan , Butterfield Jill , Ashley Elizabeth Dodds , Brown Kristen , Forrest Alan , Brown Jack
Published: May 2012

Objective.

Bloodstream infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been associated with significant risk of in-hospital mortality. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score was developed and validated for use among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but its utility among non-ICU patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of APACHE II to predict death at multiple time points among ICU and non-ICU patients with MRSA bacteremia.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants.

Secondary analysis of data from 200 patients with MRSA bacteremia at 2 hospitals.

Methods.

Logistic regression models were constructed to predict overall in-hospital mortality and mortality at 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days using APACHE II scores separately in ICU and non-ICU patients. The performance of APACHE II scores was compared with age adjustment alone among all patients. Discriminatory ability was assessed using the c-statistic and was compared at each time point using X2 tests. Model calibration was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

Results.

APACHE II was a significant predictor of death at all time points in both ICU and non-ICU patients. Discrimination was high in all models, with c-statistics ranging from 0.72 to 0.84, and was similar between ICU and non-ICU patients at all time points. APACHE II scores significantly improved the prediction of overall and 48-hour mortality compared with age adjustment alone.

Conclusions.

The APACHE II score may be a valid tool to control for confounding or for the prediction of death among ICU and non-ICU patients with MRSA bacteremia.
Graphene patterned polyaniline-based biosensor for glucose detection
Authors: Nguyen Hai Binh , Nguyen Van Chuc , Nguyen Van Tu , Ngo Thi Thanh Tam , Nguyen Ngoc Thinh , Dang Thi Thu Huyen , Tran Dai Lam , Do Phuc Quan , Nguyen Xuan Nghia , Nguyen Xuan Phuc , Phan Hong Khoi , Phan Ngoc Minh
Published: May 2012

This paper describes a glucose electrochemical biosensor, layer-by-layer fabricated from graphene and polyaniline films. Graphene sheets (0.5×0.5 cm
2) with the thickness of 5 nm (15 layers) were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) under ambient pressure on copper tapes. Then they were transferred into integrated Fe
3
O
4-doped polyaniline (PANi) based microelectrodes. The properties of the nanocomposite films were thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical methods, such as square wave voltametry (SWV) and chronoamperometry. The above graphene patterned sensor (denoted as Graphene/Fe
3
O
4/PANi/GOx) shows much improved glucose sensitivity (as high as 47 μA 
mM
−1 
cm
−2) compared to a non-graphene one (10–30 μA 
mM
−1 
cm
−2, as previously reported in the literature). It can be expected that this proof-of-concept biosensor could be extended for other highly sensitive biodetection.
Identifying differentially expressed transcripts from RNA-seq data with biological variation
Authors: Glaus Peter , Honkela Antti , Rattray Magnus
Published: May 2012

Motivation: High-throughput sequencing enables expression analysis at the level of individual transcripts. The analysis of transcriptome expression levels and differential expression (DE) estimation requires a probabilistic approach to properly account for ambiguity caused by shared exons and finite read sampling as well as the intrinsic biological variance of transcript expression.

Results: We present Bayesian inference of transcripts from sequencing data (BitSeq), a Bayesian approach for estimation of transcript expression level from RNA-seq experiments. Inferred relative expression is represented by Markov chain Monte Carlo samples from the posterior probability distribution of a generative model of the read data. We propose a novel method for DE analysis across replicates which propagates uncertainty from the sample-level model while modelling biological variance using an expression-level-dependent prior. We demonstrate the advantages of our method using simulated data as well as an RNA-seq dataset with technical and biological replication for both studied conditions.

Availability: The implementation of the transcriptome expression estimation and differential expression analysis, BitSeq, has been written in C++ and Python. The software is available online from http://code.google.com/p/bitseq/, version 0.4 was used for generating results presented in this article.

Contact:  glaus@cs.man.ac.uk, antti.honkela@hiit.fi or m.rattray@sheffield.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SEQCHIP: a powerful method to integrate sequence and genotype data for the detection of rare variant associations
Authors: Liu Dajiang J. , Leal Suzanne M.
Published: May 2012

Motivation: Next-generation sequencing greatly increases the capacity to detect rare-variant complex-trait associations. However, it is still expensive to sequence a large number of samples and therefore often small datasets are used. Given cost constraints, a potentially more powerful two-step strategy is to sequence a subset of the sample to discover variants, and genotype the identified variants in the remaining sample. If only cases are sequenced, directly combining sequence and genotype data will lead to inflated type-I errors in rare-variant association analysis. Although several methods have been developed to correct for the bias, they are either underpowered or theoretically invalid. We proposed a new method SEQCHIP to integrate genotype and sequence data, which can be used with most existing rare-variant tests.

Results: It is demonstrated using both simulated and real datasets that the SEQCHIP method has controlled type-I errors, and is substantially more powerful than all other currently available methods.

Availability: SEQCHIP is implemented in an R-Package and is available at http://linkage.rockefeller.edu/suzanne/seqchip/Seqchip.htm

Contacts:  dajiang@umich.edu or sleal@bcm.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Trends of fish and elasmobranch landings in Italy: associated management implications
Authors: Dell'Apa Andrea , Kimmel David G. , Clò Simona
Published: May 2012

Dell'Apa, A., Kimmel, D. G., and Clò, S. 2012. Trends of fish and elasmobranch landings in Italy: associated management implications. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1045–1052. Elasmobranchs are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation, owing to their specific biology and life-history characteristics. However, European-managed shark fisheries have historically received less attention than fisheries targeting more commercially important fish species. We analysed and compared the national data of elasmobranch and fish landings in Italy between 1959 and 2004 to examine changes in fishery interest and the exploitation of elasmobranchs over time. Rays (Raja spp.) and smooth-hounds (Mustelus spp.) are the only elasmobranch categories present in the data, but also other similar species could have been mistakenly counted within these groups. Elasmobranch landings were steady until the beginning of the 1970s, peaked in the 1990s, then sharply declined. The mean annual landing for elasmobranchs between 1997 and 2004 decreased 77% compared with the previous years (1959–1982). This decrease may be attributed to overharvesting that occurred during the 1980s and 1990s in Italian seas. This was likely a direct consequence of the 41/82-law, which was developed to manage fish and not elasmobranchs. A direct effect of the 41/82-law was the establishment of an unreported and unregulated elasmobranch fishery since 1983 that lasted almost 10 years. We suggest that the conservation status of elasmobranch species in the Mediterranean and Black Seas be reconsidered.
Angustibacter peucedani sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil
Authors: Lee Soon Dong
Published: May 2012

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive actinobacterial strain was isolated from a rhizosphere soil of a wild plant (Peucedanum japonicum Thumb.) collected on Mara Island, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain RS-50T were oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, short rods and motile by means of a polar flagellum; the colonies were orange, circular, smooth and convex. meso-Diaminopimelic acid and glucose were the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall and the whole-cell sugar, respectively. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, two unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 73.6 mol%. In 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic trees, strain RS-50T formed a tight cluster with

Angustibacter luteus

(99.2 % sequence similarity); both were loosely related to the suborders

Kineosporiineae

and

Micrococcineae

. The DNA–DNA relatedness value of the isolate to

A. luteus

KACC 14249T was 22.3±0.9 %. On the basis of the results of phenotypic analyses and DNA–DNA hybridization experiments, strain RS-50T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Angustibacter

, for which the name Angustibacter peucedani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RS-50T ( = KCTC 19628T = DSM 45329T). The description of the genus

Angustibacter

is emended.
Reclassification of

Thermoproteus neutrophilus

Stetter and Zillig 1989 as Pyrobaculum neutrophilum comb. nov. based on phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Chan Patricia P. , Cozen Aaron E. , Lowe Todd M.
Published: May 2012

The hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon

Thermoproteus neutrophilus

V24StaT was originally classified before sequence-based phylogenetic analysis became standard for bacterial taxonomy. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses by various groups have shown that strain V24StaT groups more closely with strains of the genus

Pyrobaculum

than with those in the genus

Thermoproteus

. Based on phylogenetic comparison of rRNA gene sequences and ribosomal proteins, we propose that strain V24StaT be reclassified as Pyrobaculum neutrophilum comb. nov., with the type strain V24StaT ( = DSM 2338T = JCM 9278T). An emended description of the genus

Pyrobaculum

is also presented.
Copper Chaperone Antioxidant Protein1 Is Essential for Copper Homeostasis
Authors: Shin Lung-Jiun , Lo Jing-Chi , Yeh Kuo-Chen
Published: May 2012

Copper (Cu) is essential for plant growth but toxic in excess. Specific molecular mechanisms maintain Cu homeostasis to facilitate its use and avoid the toxicity. Cu chaperones, proteins containing a Cu-binding domain(s), are thought to assist Cu intracellular homeostasis by their Cu-chelating ability. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), two Cu chaperones, Antioxidant Protein1 (ATX1) and ATX1-Like Copper Chaperone (CCH), share high sequence homology. Previously, their Cu-binding capabilities were demonstrated and interacting molecules were identified. To understand the physiological functions of these two chaperones, we characterized the phenotype of atx1 and cch mutants and the cchatx1 double mutant in Arabidopsis. The shoot and root growth of atx1 and cchatx1 but not cch was specifically hypersensitive to excess Cu but not excess iron, zinc, or cadmium. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in atx1 and cchatx1 were markedly regulated in response to excess Cu, which confirms the phenotype of Cu hypersensitivity. Interestingly, atx1 and cchatx1 were sensitive to Cu deficiency. Overexpression of ATX1 not only enhanced Cu tolerance and accumulation in excess Cu conditions but also tolerance to Cu deficiency. In addition, the Cu-binding motif MXCXXC of ATX1 was required for these physiological functions. ATX1 was previously proposed to be involved in Cu homeostasis by its Cu-binding activity and interaction with the Cu transporter Heavy metal-transporting P-type ATPase5. In this study, we demonstrate that ATX1 plays an essential role in Cu homeostasis in conferring tolerance to excess Cu and Cu deficiency. The possible mechanism is discussed.
Looking Deep Inside: Detection of Low-Abundance Proteins in Leaf Extracts of Arabidopsis and Phloem Exudates of Pumpkin
Authors: Fröhlich Andreas , Gaupels Frank , Sarioglu Hakan , Holzmeister Christian , Spannagl Manuel , Durner Jörg , Lindermayr Christian
Published: May 2012

The field of proteomics suffers from the immense complexity of even small proteomes and the enormous dynamic range of protein concentrations within a given sample. Most protein samples contain a few major proteins, which hamper in-depth proteomic analysis. In the human field, combinatorial hexapeptide ligand libraries (CPLL; such as ProteoMiner) have been used for reduction of the dynamic range of protein concentrations; however, this technique is not established in plant research. In this work, we present the application of CPLL to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf proteins. One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed a decrease in high-abundance proteins and an enrichment of less abundant proteins in CPLL-treated samples. After optimization of the CPLL protocol, mass spectrometric analyses of leaf extracts led to the identification of 1,192 proteins in control samples and an additional 512 proteins after the application of CPLL. Upon leaf infection with virulent Pseudomonas syringae DC3000, CPLL beads were also used for investigating the bacterial infectome. In total, 312 bacterial proteins could be identified in infected Arabidopsis leaves. Furthermore, phloem exudates of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) were analyzed. CPLL prefractionation caused depletion of the major phloem proteins 1 and 2 and improved phloem proteomics, because 67 of 320 identified proteins were detectable only after CPLL treatment. In sum, our results demonstrate that CPLL beads are a time- and cost-effective tool for reducing major proteins, which often interfere with downstream analyses. The concomitant enrichment of less abundant proteins may facilitate a deeper insight into the plant proteome.
2-(3-Fluorophenyl)-5-iodo-7-methyl-3-methylsulfinyl-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C16H12FIO2S, the 3-fluorophenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 34.93 (7)° with the mean plane [r.m.s. deviation = 0.019 (1) Å] of the benzofuran fragment. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of I...O contacts [3.088 (2) Å] into inversion dimers. These dimers are connected by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
rac-6-Ethoxy-3,3a,4,9b-tetrahydro-1,3-diphenyl-1H-chromeno[4,3-c]isoxazole-3a-carbonitrile
Authors: Paramasivam S. , Srinivasan J. , Seshadri P. R. , Bakthadoss M.
Published: May 2012

The title compound, C25H22N2O3, with three stereogenic centres, crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group as a racemate. The pyran ring adopts a sofa conformation and the five-membered isoxazole ring exhibits an envelope conformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane through the near coplanar atoms of the pyran ring is 10.54 (9)°. In the crystal, no significant intermolecular interactions are observed.
catena-Poly[[[bis(acetato-κ2
O,O′)aquacadmium]-μ-[(pyridin-3-yl)(pyridin-4-yl)methanone]-κ2
N:N′] dihydrate]
Authors: Wang Zhi-Wei , Li Ai-Min , Zhang Ya
Published: May 2012

In the title complex, {[Cd(CH3COO)2(C11H8N2O)(H2O)]·2H2O}
n
, the CdII ion adopts an O5N2 pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry with four acetate O atoms and one water O atom at the equatorial sites and two pyridine N atoms at the axial sites. The (pyridin-3-yl)(pyridin-4-yl)methanone ligand acts in a μ2-bridging mode, linking the metal atoms, leading to an infinite chain along [-110]. O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the lattice water molecules connect these chains into a three-dimensional network.
Oxalic acid–pyridine-4-carbonitrile (1/2)
Authors: Zheng Wen-Ni
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, 2C6H4N2·C2H2O4, the oxalic acid molecule lies about an inversion center. The pyridine ring of the pyridine-4-carbonitrile molecule is almost planar, the largest deviation from the least-squares plane being 0.006 (1) Å; the nitrile N atom deviates from this plane by 0.114 (1) Å. In the crystal, the oxalic acid molecules and the pyridine-4-carbonitrile molecules form stacks. Neighboring molecules within the stacks are related by translation in the a direction, with interplanar distances of 3.183 (1) and 3.331 (2) Å, respectively. Each oxalic acid molecule forms strong O—H...N hydrogen bonds with two molecules of pyridine-4-carbonitrile. Besides this, there are also weak C—H...O interactions.
Bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate dihydrate
Authors: Wang Yu-feng
Published: May 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title organic salt, 2C4H7N2
+·C10H6O6S2
2−·2H2O, consists of a 2-methylimidazolium cation, a half of a naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate anion, which lies about a center of symmetry, and a water molecule. In the crystal, N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the cations, anions and water molecules into the layers parallel to (111).
[2,6-Bis(biphenyl-4-yl)-4-hydroxy-4-(pyridin-2-yl)cyclohexane-1,3-diyl]bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methanone]–butan-2-one (1/1)
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Ooi Chin Wei , Samshuddin S. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K.
Published: May 2012

In the title solvate, C47H37N3O3·C4H8O, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation and the plane through its near coplanar atoms forms dihedral angles of 82.58 (7), 89.27 (7), 60.30 (8), 54.54 (7) and 72.03 (7)°, respectively, with the three pyridine rings and the two attached benzene rings. The rings of the biphenyl units are twisted from each other, making dihedral angles of 35.27 (7) and 45.41 (7)°. All the rings are in equatorial orientations in the cyclohexane ring, except for the C=O-bonded pyridine ring in position 1, which is axial. Intramolecular O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds form one S(5) and three S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, molecules are linked via C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a chain along the c axis. The crystal structure also features weak C—H...π interactions and aromatic π–π stacking [centroid–centroid distances = 3.5856 (10) and 3.7090 (9) Å].
[1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl](thiophen-2-yl)methanone
Authors: Deng Gui-Ming , Zhang He-Ming , Ou-Yang Lin-Qi , Tong Qiao-Zhen , Li Shan
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C20H13ClN2O2S, the chlorophenyl, phenyl and thienoyl rings are oriented at dihedral angles 17.84 (7), 53.13 (8) and 34.03 (8)°, respectively, to the central pyrazole ring. An intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, pairs of bifurcated O—H...O hydrogen bonds link molecules into inversion dimers with R
2
2(12) graph-set motifs.
5-Bromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-amine
Authors: Ghabbour Hazem A. , Chia Tze Shyang , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C11H11BrN2O2S, the thiazole ring makes a dihedral angle of 53.16 (11)° with the adjacent benzene ring. The two methoxy groups are slightly twisted from the attached benzene ring with C—O—C—C torsion angles of −9.2 (3) and −5.5 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by a pair of N—H...N hydrogen bonds into an inversion dimer with an R
2
2(8) ring motif. The dimers are further connected by N—H...O hydrogen bonds into a tape along [-110].
2-((E)-{[4-(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl)phenol
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Abdelhamid Antar A. , Akkurt Mehmet , Fanwick Phillip E. , Maharramov A. M.
Published: May 2012

The title compound, C14H13NO2, adopts the enol–imine tautomeric form, with an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond which generates an S(6) ring motif. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 7.85 (7)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by O—H...O, O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional array that stacks along the a axis. In addition, a C—H...π interaction contributes to the stabilization of the crystal packing.
N′-[Bis(benzylsulfanyl)methylidene]benzohydrazide
Authors: Tayamon Shahedeh , Ravoof Thahira Begum S. A. , Tahir Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed , Crouse Karen A. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: May 2012

In the title hydrazonodithioate, C21H19N3OS2, the amide group is twisted out of the plane through the S2C=N atoms: the C—N—N—C torsion angle is 139.71 (13)°. The pyridine ring forms dihedral angles of 52.96 (8) and 86.46 (8)° with the phenyl rings, and the latter are approximately orthogonal [dihedral angle = 76.42 (9)°]. Supramolecular chains sustained by N—H...O hydrogen bonds and propagated by glide symmetry along the c axis are found in the crystal structure. The chains are consolidated into a three-dimensional architecture by C—H...O and C—H...N interactions.
1,1′-Dibenzyl-5,5′′-dichloro-1,1′′,2,2′′-tetrahydrodispiro[indole-3,7′-[6,9]diazatricyclo[7.3.0.02,6]dodecane-8′,3′′-indole]-2,2′′-dione
Authors: Al Mamari Khalil , Ennajih Hamid , Bouhfid Rachid , Essassi El Mokhtar , Ng Seik Weng
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C38H34Cl2N4O2, the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation. The pyrrolidine rings that are fused to the piperazine ring adopt envelope conformations (in which the C atoms connecting the two rings represent the flap). The indoline ring systems are approximately planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.026 and 0.034 Å) and are aligned at a dihedral angle of 54.98 (3)°.
(5,7-Dimethyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl diethyldithiocarbamate
Authors: Kumar K. Mahesh , Devarajegowda H. C. , Jeyaseelan S , Mahabaleshwaraiah N. M. , Kotresh O.
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C17H21NO2S2, the coumarin ring system is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.080 (2) Å from the mean plane. An intramolecular C—H...S hydrogen bond occurs. The crystal structure features C—H...S hydrogen bonds and weak π–π interactions with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.679 (1) Å.
The profit impacts of risk management tool adoption
Authors: Kuethe Todd H. , Morehart Mitch
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the profit impacts of adopting input and output risk management tools at the farm level.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis examines three years of farm‐level data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) that include detailed questions on the adoption of risk management tools. Propensity score matching is used to control for the endogeneity of adoption decisions, and the profit impacts are estimated based on the matched dataset.

Findings

The adoption of input price risk management tools improves farm‐level profits by 13‐17 percent.

Originality/value

This is the first paper which examines the profit impacts of risk management tools while controlling for the endogeneity of adoption.
Bringing the unemployed back to work in Germany: training programs or wage subsidies?
Authors: Neubäumer Renate
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically investigate the relative effects of wage subsidies and further vocational training on employment prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a theoretical approach that discusses the effects of two major active labor market programs; empirical test using a large administrative data set from Germany and statistical matching techniques.

Findings

Previously subsidized individuals and trained individuals who found a job immediately afterwards have the same employment rates.

Practical implications

Firms value training on a subsidized job as much as formal training programs.

Originality/value

The paper presents a model that draws attention to the role of hiring decisions of firms and to the formation of human capital by training programs and by training on subsidized jobs; estimation of relative average treatment effects on the differentially treated, i.e. participants of two active labor market programs; and comparisons not only of all unemployed but also of unemployed persons taking‐up or keeping a job after program end.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Sandelands Eric
Published: May 2012

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the Journal of Management Development is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: General; Executive Development; Management Education; Management Skills Training; Management Development Techniques; Career Management and Succession Planning.
Moral imagination and active imagination: searching in the depths of the psyche
Authors: Rozuel Cécile
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the parallels between the ethical concept of moral imagination and the psychoanalytical concept of active imagination. A model combining both concepts is then proposed and discussed. The paper argues that such synthesis is necessary to understand the process of moral deliberation, as well as to foster more consistent moral choices in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual, and builds upon relevant literature from the field of business ethics and analytical psychology.

Findings

Imagination is a thoroughly ambivalent concept, which can be used to pursue moral as well as immoral goals. Moral imagination is an important element influencing decision making, but its quality depends on the state of balance of the psyche. A sound and effective moral imagination must be grounded in a healthy psyche, and needs the assistance of active imagination (or other similar activities) to achieve this. Such inner work is especially necessary for leaders to clarify their moral values and capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The Active and Moral Imagination (AMI) model proposed has not been empirically tested; therefore its implications are tentative at this stage. The paper does not discuss in detail other psychological activities which may be complementary to active imagination.

Practical implications

Managers and leaders should reflect on their own unconscious, so as to understand the deeper mechanisms influencing their decisions and behaviours.

Originality/value

The paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to the role of imagination in ethics.
Investigating the value of restorative practice
Authors: Standing Vicky , Fearon Colm , Dee Tim
Published: May 2012

Purpose

In response to an increasingly high level of exclusion rates for boys within secondary school in the UK, this study seeks to explore the value of restorative practice and justice for changing student behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

As a piece of action research, the authors aimed to look at how methods of restorative practice could work with one student in a secondary school, following a whole school's move towards a personal responsibility charter. The focus of this research remained on the individual male subject, rather than the educational institution. It is based upon a process of reflecting upon key events that happened throughout the study. This research will use qualitative data gained from observing the student at school, as well as interview and written feedback from the subject himself and school staff. The paper is designed to offer real and informative insight into the value of restorative justice and practices.

Findings

Restorative practices had little overall impact on improving the subject's behaviour in school. He was able to have a mature discussion with an adult about the behaviour he was demonstrating. Nevertheless, when put back in the classroom situation he was unable to make a conscious decision to alter his negative behaviour. However, his skills in conferencing to resolve conflict were developed through the authors' involvement with him, as well as other school staff, and he was able to understand the school's new charter.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to restorative justice and practice literature and is insightful because of the action research approach taken.
Job satisfaction: factor analysis of Greek primary school principals' perceptions
Authors: Saiti Anna , Fassoulis Konstantinos
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the level of job satisfaction that school principals experience and, based on the findings, to suggest policies or techniques for improving it.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were administered to 180 primary school heads in 13 prefectures – one from each of the 13 Greek regions (including the metropolitan area: prefecture of Attiki, Athens) so that the sample would be representative of the whole country. The first section of the questionnaire includes the location of each respondent's school as well as personal and professional characteristics of the primary school teachers, while the second section asked school principals to reply to 36 statements that expressed perceptions relating to their level of job satisfaction. These responses yielded the principal components for factor analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that two factors – the role of superior and school heads' remuneration, and recognition of the principals' efforts – which account for 33.27 per cent of the total sample, seem to be particularly important for school heads' job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study cannot be used to generalize about the whole Greek education system as it only analyzes a small sample. Therefore, analysis of additional data from school principals may be necessary for comparison and to reaffirm the results. Further investigation is also needed in order to isolate the specific elements and significant differences in school heads' satisfaction ratings.

Practical implications

This paper would be useful to educational planners and policy makers. Meeting the school principals' needs and expectations seems to be a basic component in effective school leadership. As the school principal's role is directly related to human resources management (teachers) and subsequently to child development, the issue of a head's job satisfaction becomes even more pressing.

Originality/value

Given that the existing Greek literature on school management does not contain a substantially detailed discussion specifically on school heads' job satisfaction, this paper may contribute decisively to the smoother and more efficient operation of the school unit.
“How easy can the barley brie”
Authors: Jackson William J. , Paterson Audrey S. , Pong Christopher K.M. , Scarparo Simona
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to extend the development of the historical accounting research agenda further into the area of popular culture. The work examines the discourses that surrounded the drinking of alcohol in nineteenth century Britain and explores how an accounting failure disrupted the tension between the two established competing discourses, leading to a significant impact on UK drinking culture at the end of the nineteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs both primary and secondary sources. Secondary sources are used to develop the main themes of the discourses deployed by the temperance societies and the whisky companies. Primary sources derived from the contemporary press are employed, as necessary, in support.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that accounting, although it may not be central to a discourse or other social structure, can still have a profound impact upon cultural practices. The potential for research into culture and accounting should not therefore be dismissed if no immediate or concrete relationship between culture and accounting can be determined. Further support is provided for studies that seek to expand the accounting research agenda into new territories.

Originality/value

The study of popular culture is relatively novel in accounting research. This paper seeks to add to this research by exploring an area of cultural activity that has hitherto been neglected by researchers, i.e. by exploring how an accounting incident impacted upon the historical consumption of Scotch whisky in the UK.
Improving value chain flexibility and adaptability in build-to-order environments
Authors: Engelhardt-Nowitzki Corinna
Published: May 2012

Purpose

– Given volatile markets, the ability to quickly act is fundamental for companies – in regard to the internal production and to external supply flows in the value network. Related flexibility and adaptability concepts are vague and contradictory. Managerial methods either imply a generic application level or a narrow focus. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a three-step approach to facilitate a well-directed flexibility and adaptability design within a build-to-order context: context-specific operationalization, thorough segmentation using advanced logistic criteria and purposeful deduction of improvement means.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a thorough literature review, a procedural approach is developed and applied within two rigorously conducted company-cases. A triangulation setting is used within the empirical analysis.

Findings

– A company's capability to act appropriately, quickly and economically in the face of volatility can be remarkably advanced through context-specific analysis and well-reasoned segmentation. A respective approach to enhance flexibility and adaptability has to regard rational, emotional and cultural aspects.

Research limitations/implications

– The literature review is selective, not exhaustive. Two case studies cannot cover all thinkable aspects.

Practical implications

– The findings illustrate how flexibility and adaptability measures can be designed purposefully within a company-specific approach. Two potential directions of impact – uncertainty reduction and flexibility/adaptability improvement – are consolidated into significant criteria and applied to thoroughly classified areas in a feasible way.

Originality/value

– Current approaches do not apply a company-specific operationalization approach and are not based on segmentation or are using limited criteria. Besides, most approaches are neither designed for quick operationalization nor continuous application.