bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Science of Self-Help
Authors: Schueller Stephen M. , Parks Acacia C.
Published: April 2014

Positive psychology aims to understand the positive side of human functioning, expanding research on positive behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and character traits. The findings of this research have highlighted strategies (e.g., savoring, gratitude, kindness, social relationships, and hope and meaning) that, when practiced, lead to increases in individual happiness. Researchers and practitioners have translated these strategies into effective interventions that can be disseminated directly to individuals, allowing them to actively pursue greater levels of happiness. We present a summary of the current state of positive psychological interventions as they pertain to self-help. A major focus in the application of positive psychological interventions for self-help is dissemination – ensuring that those interested have access to evidence-based strategies to increase their happiness. The future of self-help involves spreading these practices through classes, workshops, books, and increasingly prevalent technologies such as Internet sites and mobile applications. We outline unique concerns related to providing self-help in the absence of professional support including motivation and engagement, variety and flexibility, and person-activity fit. As positive psychology has developed a host of evidence-based practices, the next stage of research requires implementing these strategies in ways to support their use in real-world contexts.
Trapping of drops by wetting defects
Authors: 't Mannetje Dieter , Ghosh Somnath , Lagraauw Rudy , Otten Simon , Pit Arjen , Berendsen Christian , Zeegers Jos , van den Ende Dirk , Mugele Frieder
Published: April 2014

Controlling the motion of drops on solid surfaces is crucial in many natural phenomena and technological processes including the collection and removal of rain drops, cleaning technology and heat exchangers. Topographic and chemical heterogeneities on solid surfaces give rise to pinning forces that can capture and steer drops in desired directions. Here we determine general physical conditions required for capturing sliding drops on an inclined plane that is equipped with electrically tunable wetting defects. By mapping the drop dynamics on the one-dimensional motion of a point mass, we demonstrate that the trapping process is controlled by two dimensionless parameters, the trapping strength measured in units of the driving force and the ratio between a viscous and an inertial time scale. Complementary experiments involving superhydrophobic surfaces with wetting defects demonstrate the general applicability of the concept. Moreover, we show that electrically tunable defects can be used to guide sliding drops along actively switchable tracks—with potential applications in microfluidics.
Lin28a regulates neuronal differentiation and controls miR-9 production
Authors: Nowak Jakub S. , Choudhury Nila Roy , de Lima Alves Flavia , Rappsilber Juri , Michlewski Gracjan
Published: April 2014

microRNAs shape the identity and function of cells by regulating gene expression. It is known that brain-specific miR-9 is controlled transcriptionally; however, it is unknown whether post-transcriptional processes contribute to establishing its levels. Here we show that miR-9 is regulated transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally during neuronal differentiation of the embryonic carcinoma cell line P19. We demonstrate that miR-9 is more efficiently processed in differentiated than in undifferentiated cells. We reveal that Lin28a affects miR-9 by inducing the degradation of its precursor through a uridylation-independent mechanism. Furthermore, we show that constitutively expressed untagged but not GFP-tagged Lin28a decreases differentiation capacity of P19 cells, which coincides with reduced miR-9 levels. Finally, using an inducible system we demonstrate that Lin28a can also reduce miR-9 levels in differentiated P19 cells. Together, our results shed light on the role of Lin28a in neuronal differentiation and increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating the level of brain-specific microRNAs.
Broadband Antireflection and Light Extraction Enhancement in Fluorescent SiC with Nanodome Structures
Authors: Ou Yiyu , Zhu Xiaolong , Jokubavicius Valdas , Yakimova Rositza , Mortensen N. Asger , Syväjärvi Mikael , Xiao Sanshui , Ou Haiyan
Published: April 2014

We demonstrate a time-efficient and low-cost approach to fabricate Si3N4 coated nanodome structures in fluorescent SiC. Nanosphere lithography is used as the nanopatterning method and SiC nanodome structures with Si3N4 coating are formed via dry etching and thin film deposition process. By using this method, a significant broadband surface antireflection and a considerable omnidirectional luminescence enhancement are obtained. The experimental observations are then supported by numerical simulations. It is believed that our fabrication method will be well suitable for large-scale production in the future.
Simultaneous and rapid asphaltene and TAN determination for heavy petroleum using an H-cell
Authors: Alabi Oluwarotimi O. , Bowden Stephen A. , Parnell John
Published: April 2014

Image of an H-cell device in operation capable of performing accurate asphaltene and TAN assays.
Design of tetraplex specific ligands: cyclic naphthalene diimide
Authors: Esaki Yugo , Islam Md. Monirul , Fujii Satoshi , Sato Shinobu , Takenaka Shigeori
Published: April 2014

Cyclic naphthalene diimide 1 bound to hybrid-type tetraplex DNA from 5′-AGGG(TTAGGG)3-3′ (K = 8.6 × 106 M−1) with 260-fold greater affinity than that when binding to double stranded oligonucleotide consisting of 5′-GGG AGG TTT CGC-3′ and 3′-CCC TCC AAA GCG-5′ (nK = 3.3 × 104 M−1) with 0.5 μM of IC50 for telomerase activity.
Novel syntheses of aryl quinoxaline C-nucleoside analogs by mild and efficient three-component sequential reactions
Authors: Zhang Fuyi , Xi Yuan , Lu Yanhui , Wang Liming , Liu Linwei , Li Jinliang , Zhao Yufen
Published: April 2014

Novel syntheses of aryl quinoxaline C-nucleoside analogs have been accomplished by mild and efficient three-component sequential reactions in high yields with a wide scope of substrates.
Copper-catalyzed olefinic C–H difluoroacetylation of enamides
Authors: Caillot Gilles , Dufour Jérémy , Belhomme Marie-Charlotte , Poisson Thomas , Grimaud Laurence , Pannecoucke Xavier , Gillaizeau Isabelle
Published: April 2014

An efficient copper-catalyzed method for the regioselective synthesis of β-difluoroester substituted enamides using BrCF2CO2Et is reported for the first time.
Towards the elucidation of the high oxygen electroreduction activity of PtxY: surface science and electrochemical studies of Y/Pt(111)
Authors: Johansson T. P. , Ulrikkeholm E. T. , Hernandez-Fernandez P. , Escudero-Escribano M. , Malacrida P. , Stephens I. E. L. , Chorkendorff I.
Published: April 2014

Insight into the high oxygen electroreduction activity of PtxY by studying single crystal Y/Pt(111).
Photophysical and structural characterisation of in situ formed quantum dots
Authors: Bansal A. K. , Antolini F. , Sajjad M. T. , Stroea L. , Mazzaro R. , Ramkumar S. G. , Kass K.-J. , Allard S. , Scherf U. , Samuel I. D. W.
Published: April 2014

Formation of emissive QDs after heating a polymer–precursor nanocomposite film.
Parallel deposition of size-selected clusters: a novel technique for studying size-selectivity on the atomic scale
Authors: Luo Yuan , Seo Hyun Ook , Beck Martin , Proch Sebastian , Kim Young Dok , Ganteför Gerd
Published: April 2014

A new size-selected cluster deposition technique referred to as “parallel-deposition” is presented.
Electron transport in MoWSeS monolayers in the presence of an external electric field
Authors: Zibouche Nourdine , Philipsen Pier , Heine Thomas , Kuc Agnieszka
Published: April 2014

The influence of an external electric field on single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides TX2 with T = Mo, W and X = S, Se (MoWSeS) has been investigated by means of density-functional theory within two-dimensional periodic boundary conditions under consideration of relativistic effects including the spin–orbit interactions.
Complex refractive indices in the near-ultraviolet spectral region of biogenic secondary organic aerosol aged with ammonia
Authors: Flores J. M. , Washenfelder R. A. , Adler G. , Lee H. J. , Segev L. , Laskin J. , Laskin A. , Nizkorodov S. A. , Brown S. S. , Rudich Y.
Published: April 2014

Distribution of the number of N atoms and the change in the complex refractive index of unreacted and NH3-aged limonene SOA.
Direct synthesis of a mesoporous TiO2–RuO2 composite through evaporation-induced polymeric micelle assembly
Authors: Bastakoti Bishnu Prasad , Salunkhe Rahul R. , Ye Jinhua , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: April 2014

Evaporation-induced assembly of spherical micelles made of an asymmetric triblock copolymer enables the fabrication of a mesoporous TiO2–RuO2 composite with a uniform pore size.
A ferroelectric photocatalyst for enhancing hydrogen evolution: polarized particulate suspension
Authors: Park Sangbaek , Lee Chan Woo , Kang Min-Gyu , Kim Sanghyeon , Kim Hae Jin , Kwon Ji Eon , Park Soo Young , Kang Chong-Yun , Hong Kug Sun , Nam Ki Tae
Published: April 2014

Improved hydrogen evolution in a particulate-suspension system is demonstrated for K0.5Na0.5NbO3powder polarizedviacorona poling, providing a guideline for imposing an electric field on a ferroelectric photocatalyst.
S-shaped decanuclear heterometallic [Ni8Ln2] complexes [Ln(iii) = Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho]: theoretical modeling of the magnetic properties of the gadolinium analogue
Authors: Hossain Sakiat , Das Sourav , Chakraborty Amit , Lloret Francesc , Cano Joan , Pardo Emilio , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli
Published: April 2014

S-shaped [Ni8Ln2] complexes were synthesized and characterized. Strong NiII–NiII antiferromagnetic interactions and weak NiII–LnIII interactions were observed.
Chiral transition-metal complexes as Brønsted-acid catalysts for the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts hydroxyalkylation of indoles
Authors: Carmona Daniel , Lamata M. Pilar , Sánchez Antonio , Viguri Fernando , Rodríguez Ricardo , Oro Luis A. , Liu Chunhui , Díez-González Silvia , Maseras Feliu
Published: April 2014

Water is the catalyst! The transition metal complex “only” modulates its acidity and provides a chiral environment.
The origin of exo-selectivity in methyl cyanoformate addition onto the CC bond of norbornene in Pd-catalyzed cyanoesterification
Authors: Okuda Yasuhiro , Szilagyi Robert K. , Mori Seiji , Nishihara Yasushi
Published: April 2014

The origin of exclusive exo-selectivity in the Pd-catalyzed cyanoesterification reaction of methyl cyanoformate is attributed to the decisive energy gap between the exo- and endo-coordination of norbornene to the PdII 14-electron, coordinatively unsaturated complex.
TiO2/CdSe core–shell nanofiber film for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation
Authors: Liu Ya , Zhao Liang , Li Mingtao , Guo Liejin
Published: April 2014

A novel photoanode complex structure, core–shell TiO2/CdSe nanofiber film, can be used for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation efficiently.
Lewis acid-promoted cyclization/halogenation of allenyl ethenetricarboxylates and the corresponding amides: stereoselective synthesis of haloalkenyl five-membered heterocycles
Authors: Fukushima Yugo , Yamazaki Shoko , Ogawa Akiya
Published: April 2014

Lewis acid-promoted intramolecular reactions of allenyl ethenetricarboxylates and the corresponding amides gave 3,4-trans haloalkenyl five-membered heterocycles stereoselectively. Transformations of the products utilizing the haloalkenyl functionality have been demonstrated.
The force of impacting rain
Authors: Soto Dan , De Larivière Aurélie Borel , Boutillon Xavier , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: April 2014

Drop impacts are difficult to characterize due to their transient, non-stationary nature.
Facile one-pot synthesis of copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle functionalised silica monoliths for the selective entrapment of 137Cs
Authors: Causse Jérémy , Tokarev Alexey , Ravaux Johann , Moloney Micheàl , Barré Yves , Grandjean Agnès
Published: April 2014

Copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle functionalised silica monoliths were synthesized following a one-pot procedure to selectively uptake radioactive 137Cs in water.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Land-Grant Universities and Regional Prosperity
Authors: Mack Elizabeth A , Stolarick Kevin
Published: April 2014

Land-grant universities are distinctly American institutions of higher education in two respects. First, the establishment of a land-grant university was an independent act by the US federal government that endowed specific counties across the country with a university. Second, their mission of inclusion, with an emphasis on the agricultural and mechanic arts, was designed to educate the industrial class for professional life. Despite these institutions' unique founding and mission, however, land-grant universities have received little specific attention in the broader literature on university impacts. Given the comparatively little attention devoted to these institutions, the goal of this study is to use a descriptive and exploratory quasi-experimental analysis to evaluate the potential impacts of land-grant institutions on their local communities. The results of this analysis suggest that land-grant universities do impact their local communities, but that these impacts did not begin to appear until approximately sixty years after their initial founding.
Coinquiry for Environmental Sustainability: A Review of the UK Beacons for Public Engagement
Authors: Genus Audley
Published: April 2014

In this paper I set the emergence of ‘coinquiry’ approaches to public engagement in the context of the apparent inability of conventional arrangements to contribute effectively to the transition to environmental sustainability. I explicate characteristics of coinquiry, which is distinguished from ‘upstream engagement’, in so doing developing criteria with which to evaluate its application. Examining documentary sources, I identify and critically review projects funded by the UK Beacons for Public Engagement on the topic of environment and sustainability. The conclusion highlights the factors limiting the capacity of the Beacon initiative—and possibly that of similar national initiatives to be undertaken in the future—to attain stated objectives relating to public engagement with environment and sustainability matters and the practice of coinquiry.
Alternative Forms of the High-Technology District: Corridors, Clumps, Cores, Campuses, Subdivisions, and Sites
Authors: Forsyth Ann
Published: April 2014

Does a high-tech economy create fundamentally different places from other employment areas? In this paper I propose a typology of small to medium-scale high-technology districts in terms of their physical environments rather than their economic features (which is the more common basis of such classifications). I define a set of recognizable high-tech places: corridors, clumps, cores, comprehensive campuses, tech nology subdivisions, and scattered technology sites. I argue that there are many overlaps in design and layout with generic urban industrial and office development, and with planned new towns, university campuses, and garden suburbs. However, as this part of the economy grows, so too will the effect of such places on long-term urban sustainability and livability. It is important that planning and design for such developments consider larger effects on issues such as transportation options, energy use, housing balance, and sense of place.
Chapter 6. China’s Road to Revival
Authors: Schneider Florian , Hwang Yih-jye
Published: April 2014

This chapter analyses how China’s propaganda specialists have used popular entertainment to frame China’s historiography. By examining two recent propaganda products, the TV documentary Road to Revival and the multi-media opera of the same name, we explore how the Party and state deploy a range of visual and verbal tropes to re-write revolutionary history and adapt it to modern 21st-century China. Through a critical decoding of the multi-modal discourse within the two Road to Revival media products, we show how revolutionary periods in modern Chinese history are re-worked in order to justify the CCP as China’s ruling Party, and how this effort creates a restrictive albeit legitimizing discursive framework within which future Chinese leaders will have to negotiate political action. Keywords: TV documentary; Road to Revival; representing history
Chapter 7. China’s soft power
Authors: Cao Qing
Published: April 2014

This chapter examines the discursive structure of ‘soft power’ in China, its cultural, historical and political backgrounds and the role the mass media play in mediating its meanings. Conceptualised within critical discourse analysis, this study assesses soft power discourse as a form of articulating traditional values by China’s political and intellectual elites, and offers a view on China’s future direction. It also discusses how official formulations of soft power are contested, critiqued, but crucially communicated in the commercialised but diversified mass media. Specifically, it focuses on three levels of analysis: (1) a description of the language of ‘soft power’, (2) an interpretation of soft power as an institutional practice, and (3) an explanation of the broad socio-political dynamics that shape the discourse of soft power. The chapter argues that the Chinese notion of soft power is significantly different from Nye’s. It functions in part as an instrument for an ideological reformulation in the official discourse and reconstruction of cultural identities in the intellectual discourse. The chapter concludes with a critical evaluation of the significance and implications of the soft power discourse.* Keywords: Soft power; Chinese media; Confucianism; ideology; traditional Chinese culture; Chinese socialism; discourse analysis; external communication
Concurrent and longitudinal cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness and morphological awareness in Chinese-English bilingual children
Authors: Luo Yang Cathy , Chen Becky Xi , Geva Esther
Published: April 2014

The present study was designed to examine concurrent and longitudinal cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness and morphological awareness at two levels, the construct level and the reading level. We investigated whether phonological awareness and morphological awareness measured in one language are related to the same constructs measured in another language in Chinese-English bilinguals. Moreover, we assessed the cross-linguistic effects of the two constructs on reading concurrently and one year later in Grade 1. Participants of the study included 91 kindergarten and Grade 1 Chinese-English bilingual children. The children were tested twice, approximately one year apart, on a battery of cognitive and literacy measures in both languages. The data were analyzed with comprehensive path models that included phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and word reading in both languages. Our results demonstrate cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness and morphological awareness at the construct level and cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness to reading concurrently. Keywords: transfer; phonological awareness; morphological awareness; word reading; Chinese-English bilingual children
relax: the analysis of biomolecular kinetics and thermodynamics using NMR relaxation dispersion data
Authors: Morin Sébastien , Linnet Troels E. , Lescanne Mathilde , Schanda Paul , Thompson Gary S. , Tollinger Martin , Teilum Kaare , Gagné Stéphane , Marion Dominique , Griesinger Christian , Blackledge Martin , d’Auvergne Edward J.
Published: April 2014

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for observing the motion of biomolecules at the atomic level. One technique, the analysis of relaxation dispersion phenomenon, is highly suited for studying the kinetics and thermodynamics of biological processes. Built on top of the relax computational environment for NMR dynamics is a new dispersion analysis designed to be comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use. The software supports more models, both numeric and analytic, than current solutions. An automated protocol, available for scripting and driving the graphical user interface (GUI), is designed to simplify the analysis of dispersion data for NMR spectroscopists. Decreases in optimization time are granted by parallelization for running on computer clusters and by skipping an initial grid search by using parameters from one solution as the starting point for another —using analytic model results for the numeric models, taking advantage of model nesting, and using averaged non-clustered results for the clustered analysis.

Availability and implementation: The software relax is written in Python with C modules and is released under the GPLv3+ license. Source code and precompiled binaries for all major operating systems are available from http://www.nmr-relax.com .

Contact:  edward@nmr-relax.com
Time-varying natural mortality in fisheries stock assessment models: identifying a default approach
Authors: Johnson Kelli F. , Monnahan Cole C. , McGilliard Carey R. , Vert-pre Katyana A. , Anderson Sean C. , Cunningham Curry J. , Hurtado-Ferro Felipe , Licandeo Roberto R. , Muradian Melissa L. , Ono Kotaro , Szuwalski Cody S. , Valero Juan L. , Whitten Athol R. , Punt A. E.
Published: April 2014

A typical assumption used in most fishery stock assessments is that natural mortality (M) is constant across time and age. However, M is rarely constant in reality as a result of the combined impacts of exploitation history, predation, environmental factors, and physiological trade-offs. Misspecification or poor estimation of M can lead to bias in quantities estimated using stock assessment methods, potentially resulting in biased estimates of fishery reference points and catch limits, with the magnitude of bias being influenced by life history and trends in fishing mortality. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the ability of statistical age-structured population models to estimate spawning-stock biomass, fishing mortality, and total allowable catch when the true M was age-invariant, but time-varying. Configurations of the stock assessment method, implemented in Stock Synthesis, included a single age- and time-invariant M parameter, specified at one of the three levels (high, medium, and low) or an estimated M. The min–max (i.e. most robust) approach to specifying M when it is thought to vary across time was to estimate M. The least robust approach for most scenarios examined was to fix M at a high value, suggesting that the consequences of misspecifying M are asymmetric.
Response of Fusarium thapsinum to Sorghum brown midrib Lines and to Phenolic Metabolites
Authors: Funnell-Harris Deanna L. , Sattler Scott E. , Pedersen Jeffrey F.
Published: April 2014

Sorghum lines were bred for reduced lignin for cellulosic bioenergy uses, through the incorporation of brown midrib (bmr)6 or -12 into two backgrounds (RTx430 and Wheatland) as either single or double-mutant lines. When these lines were assessed for resistance to Fusarium thapsinum stalk rot, a cause of lodging, they were as resistant to F. thapsinum as the near-isogenic wild type. Peduncles of newly identified bmr lines from an ethyl-methanesulfonate-mutagenized population, inoculated with F. thapsinum, were as resistant as the wild-type line, BTx623. One bmr line (1107) had significantly smaller mean lesion lengths than BTx623, suggesting that a mutation is associated with reduced susceptibility. Growing F. thapsinum on medium with ferulic, vanillic, sinapic, syringic, and caffeic acids (phenolic compounds derived from the lignin pathway and elevated in different bmr lines) indicated that F. thapsinum was tolerant to these compounds. When eight other sorghum fungi were tested for response to the presence of these compounds, ferulic acid inhibited these fungi. Most of the phenolics inhibited F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. Accumulation of phenolic metabolites in bmr plants may inhibit growth of some sorghum pathogens, while other factors such as aromatic phytoalexins or salicylic acid may be involved in resistance to F. thapsinum.
Responses of Tomato Genotypes to Avirulent and Mi-Virulent Meloidogyne javanica Isolates Occurring in Israel
Authors: Iberkleid Ionit , Ozalvo Rachel , Feldman Lidia , Elbaz Moshe , Patricia Bucki , Horowitz Sigal Brown
Published: April 2014

The behavior of naturally virulent Meloidogyne isolates toward the tomato resistance gene Mi in major tomato-growing areas in Israel was studied for the first time. Virulence of seven selected isolates was confirmed over three successive generations on resistant (Mi-carrying) and susceptible (non-Mi-carrying) tomato cultivars. Diagnostic markers verified the predominance of Meloidogyne javanica among virulent isolates selected on resistant tomato cultivars or rootstocks. To better understand the determinants of nematode selection on Mi-carrying plants, reproduction of Mi-avirulent and virulent isolates Mjav1 and Mjv2, respectively, measured as eggs per gram of root, on non-Mi-carrying, heterozygous (Mi/mi) and homozygous (Mi/Mi) genotypes was evaluated. Although no reproduction of Mjav1 was observed on Mi/Mi genotypes, some reproduction was consistently observed on Mi/mi plants; reproduction of Mjv2 on the homozygous and heterozygous genotypes was similar to that on susceptible cultivars, suggesting a limited quantitative effect of the Mi gene. Histological examination of giant cells induced by Mi-virulent versus avirulent isolates confirmed the high virulence of Mjv2 on Mi/mi and Mi/Mi genotypes, allowing the formation of well-developed giant-cell systems despite the Mi gene. Analysis of the plant defense response in tomato Mi/Mi, Mi/mi, and mi/mi genotypes to both avirulent and virulent isolates was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Although the jasmonate (JA)-signaling pathway was clearly upregulated by avirulent and virulent isolates on the susceptible (not carrying Mi) and heterozygous (Mi/mi) plants, no change in signaling was observed in the homozygous (Mi/Mi) resistant line following incompatible interaction with the avirulent isolate. Thus, similar to infection promoted by the avirulent isolate on the susceptible genotype, the Mi-virulent isolate induced the JA-dependent pathway, which might promote tomato susceptibility during the compatible interaction with the homozygous (Mi/Mi) resistant line. These results have important consequences for the management of Mi resistance genes for ensuring sustainable tomato farming.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying potyvirus infection
Authors: Ivanov K. I. , Eskelin K. , Lõhmus A. , Mäkinen K.
Published: April 2014

Potyviruses represent one of the most economically important and widely distributed groups of plant viruses. Despite considerable progress towards understanding the cellular and molecular basis of their pathogenicity, many questions remain about the mechanisms by which potyviruses suppress host defences and create an optimal intracellular environment for viral translation, replication, assembly and spread. The review focuses on the multifunctional roles of potyviral proteins and their interplay with various host factors in different compartments of the infected cell. We place special emphasis on the recently discovered and currently putative mechanisms by which potyviruses subvert the normal functions of different cellular organelles in order to establish an efficient and productive infection.
Genome sequence of a crustacean iridovirus, IIV31, isolated from the pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare
Authors: Piégu Benoît , Guizard Sébastien , Yeping Tan , Cruaud Corinne , Asgari Sassan , Bideshi Dennis K. , Federici Brian A. , Bigot Yves
Published: April 2014

Members of the family Iridoviridae are animal viruses that infect only invertebrates and poikilothermic vertebrates. The invertebrate iridovirus 31 (IIV31) was originally isolated from adult pill bugs, Armadillidium vulgare (class Crustacea, order Isopoda, suborder Oniscidea), found in southern California on the campus of the University of California, Riverside, USA. IIV31 virions are icosahedral, have a diameter of about 135 nm, and contain a dsDNA genome 220.222 kbp in length, with 35.09 mol % G+C content and 203 ORFs. Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of this virus and its annotation. This is the eighth genome sequence of an IIV reported.
4,4′-{[1,2-Phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(oxy)}dibenzoic acid dimethylformamide disolvate
Authors: Qiu Zhen-Zhe , Jing Bi , Li Qiu-Xia , Zhu Ai-Xin
Published: April 2014

In the title solvate, C22H18O6·2C3H7NO, the complete dicarboxylic acid molecule is generated by a crystallographic twofold axis, which bisects the central benzene ring and oneN,N-dimethylformamide solvent molecule. The dihedral angle between the central and pendant benzene rings is 54.53 (5)° while that between the pendant rings is 45.44 (5)°. In the crystal, the acid molecules are linked to the solvent moleculesviaO—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Further weak C—H...O interactions link adjacent acid molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Methyl 1-ethyl-3′-[hydroxy(naphthalen-1-yl)methyl]-1′-methyl-2-oxospiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrolidine]-3′-carboxylate
Authors: Vijayakumar Vinodhkumar , Peters Gunther H. , Suresh M. , Raghavachary Raghunathan , Jagadeesan G.
Published: April 2014

In the title compound, C27H28N2O4, the pyrrolidine ring adopts a twist conformation. The plane of the indole ring is almost perpendicular to that of the pyrrolidine ring, making a dihedral angle of 88.50 (6)°. The planes of the naphthyl ring system and the pyrrolidine ring are tilted by an angle of 55.86 (5)°. The molecular conformation is stabilized by intramolecular O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds.
1,4-Diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane tetrachloridocadmate(II) monohydrate
Authors: Ben Rhaiem Tarek , Boughzala Habib
Published: April 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound (C6H14N2)[CdCl4]·H2O contained one 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dication, a tetrahedral CdCl42−anion and a lattice water molecule. In the crystal, the solvate water molecule interacts with the cationic and anionic speciesviaN—H...O and O—H...Cl [O...Cl = 3.289 (7) Å] hydrogen-bond interactions, respectively, leading to a layered supramolecular structure extending parallel to (011).
1-(3-Hydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-4-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphthalen-2-yl)ethan-1-one
Authors: Lough Alan J. , Nagireddy Jaipal R. , Tam William
Published: April 2014

The stereochemistry and regioschemistry (exo) of the title compound, C15H18O5, were determined by the X-ray analysis. The methoxy groups essentially lie in the plane of the benzene ring to which they are attached, as described by the C—O—C...;C torsion angles of −176.80 (12) and 4.67 (19)°. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming chains ofR21(8) rings along [010].
Assessment of consumers' perception and cognition toward table grape consumption in China
Authors: Jianying Feng , Xia Wang , Zetian Fu , Weisong Mu
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to understand consumers' perception and cognition toward table grapes, which focuses on the most important attributes, consumption consequences and personal values of grape consumption and the relations among them.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study related grape consumption with consumers based on Means-end chain analysis. The data were gathered with both laddering interviews (n=37) and questionnaire survey returned by 843 individuals in 31 provinces of China. The data were firstly processed by SPSS software and descriptive statistics was adopted to evaluate consumers' awareness. Furthermore, MECanalyst software was opted for, to construct the hierarchical relations of table grape consumption.

Findings

– The findings are that consumers consume grapes based on their functional cognition and sensory perception. The quality-orientated characters are deemed to be the most important grape attributes, healthy and practical function are the main expected benefits and desired values in table grape consumption.

Practical implications

– The findings can provide some implications to producers, administers and operators in the grape industry and inspire them to design products that will better satisfy consumers. Stakeholders in grape industries should take measures to inform consumers of grape benefits so as to increase grape consumption and expand the market.

Originality/value

– The paper fulfils the combinations of laddering interview and structured questionnaire to conduct the large-scale samples survey about consumers' perception based on MEC analysis. Findings from this study reinforce the importance of research into the relationship between products and consumers.
Understanding variations in the consumption of functional foods – evidence from Croatia
Authors: Brečić Ružica , Gorton Matthew , Barjolle Dominique
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Drawing on a representative survey, this paper aims to identify the determinants of functional food consumption in Croatia. The objective is to introduce and test a conceptual model that four sets of factors (food choice motivations, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, knowledge of functional food and health status) underpin variations in functional food consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected via face-to-face interviews conducted in respondents' homes. Consumption of functional foods is modelled as a bootstrapped ordered probit model.

Findings

– Results confirm the significant influence of all four sets of factors for explaining variations in functional food consumption. Heavier users of functional food are those that place a greater weighting on health and convenience in food choice. In contrast, the salience of familiarity in food choice is negatively related with functional food consumption. Females and those with higher levels of educational attainment are heavier consumers of functional food. While perceived health status appears not to have any significant relationship with functional food consumption, there is a link with body mass index. Functional foods appeal most to those concerned about their health and desire convenient, “quick fixes”. Such “quick fixes” may however be employed at the expense of more fundamental adjustments to diet and fitness, which may provide the basis for superior overall disease prevention/health promotion.

Originality/value

– The study represents one of the first assessments of functional food consumption in Central and Eastern Europe, introducing and testing a comprehensive conceptual model.
Does subjective well-being predict health-enhancing behaviour? The example of fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Ding Ting , Mullan Barbara , Xavier Kristina
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Adhering to the guidelines regarding the consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with positive health outcomes. Subjective well-being has been demonstrated to have a causal influence on positive health outcomes. The aim of this paper is to examine whether subjective well-being could add to the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting fruit and vegetable consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 72 undergraduates completed online measures of the TPB variables, subjective well-being components (happiness and life satisfaction) and fruit and vegetable consumption at a single time point.

Findings

– Subjective well-being made a significant contribution to the variance explained for both intention to consume fruit and vegetables and actual fruit and vegetable consumption (1.7% and 4.3%, respectively). Perceived behavioural control and happiness were found to be significant unique predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Originality/value

– The TPB appears a useful model for predicting fruit and vegetable consumption, which is enhanced by the addition of subjective well-being variables. The current study provides direction to future interventions, suggesting that targeting perceived behavioural control and the subjective well-being component of happiness may be useful for improving fruit and vegetable consumption in young adults.
“We must have the wrong consumers” – a case study on new food product development failure
Authors: Ryynänen Toni , Hakatie Annaleena
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate, in detail, an unsuccessful food development project that took place in 2008-2010. The case is studied from the viewpoint of an interpretive paradigm. This article concentrates on constructing the critical elements that led to a food development project failure. The plan was to have a traditional Finnish dish updated and introduced as a mass produced high-end convenience food. The project included new convenience food development, packaging design, consumer market research and a sensory study to back up the food product development on behalf of a newly established company. Theoretical grounds for the case are based on the new product development (NPD) research process in the food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method applied is an explorative single within-case study. The research data were mainly obtained from qualitative materials that ranged from marketing plans to case study field notes compiled by the researchers. Quantitative data were also obtained from various types of materials but to a lesser extent.

Findings

– The results of the study show that the failure of new product development was connected to the factors identified in classic NPD research. In addition, five phenomena that contributed to product development failure were constructed: path-dependency; “information condensations”; the illusion of mutual knowledge and understanding; practices of problem definition; and window-of-opportunity effects. The results are presented in a form of analytical generalisation that can be applied, with certain restrictions, to other contexts for new food product development.

Originality/value

– Failure rates of NPD have remained the same for the last 30 years in the food sector. Failed NPD projects can be valuable assets for the food industry when properly analysed. Examination of successful NPD projects has provided valuable lists of success factors, but knowledge on phenomena having an effect on NPD failure is needed.
Effects of MnSO4 on microstructure and electrical resistance properties of electroless Ni−P thin-films and its application in embedded resistor inside PCB
Authors: Zhou Guoyun , Chen Chia-Yun , Li Liyi , Tao Zhihua , He Wei , Wong C.P.
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Nickel phosphorus (Ni−P) thin-films have been electrolessly deposited in an acid-plating bath with the addition of manganese sulfate monohydrate (MSM) to achieve higher resistance for the application of embedded resistor with value beyond 10 KΩ. As this material is being used for fabricating embedded resistors under the addition of MSM, its resistance properties including effects of MSM concentration and plating time on resistances, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and resistance tolerance of embedded resistor were investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The structure of fabricated Ni−P film was detected by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The properties of substrate, including the surface morphologies, glass transition process and boundary of copper pad and substrate surface, were performed by SEM, dynamic mechanical analysis and optical microscope, respectively. The resistance tolerances of embedded resistors were elaborated from the cases of Ni−P thin-film resistance tolerance and the size effects of resistors, respectively.

Findings

– The fabricated film was found to be constructed with numerous Ni−P amorphous nanoparticles, which was believed to be the reason of increasing thin-film resistance. The Ni−P thin-films presented over one magnitude order of resistance increasing in the case of MSM concentration varied from 0 to 40 g/L. For the case of TCRs, Ni−P thin-films deposited with 20 g/L MSM exhibited low TCRs of within ±100 ppm/°C Before TR at temperature elevating from 40 to 160°C, indicating that this Ni−P thin-film belongs to the constant TCR materials according to the military standard. For the tolerance of embedded resistor, the tolerance contributed by Ni−P thin-film was obtained to be 9.8 percent, whereas the geometry tolerances were in the range of 0-20 percent according to the geometries of embedded resistor.

Originality/value

– For Ni−P thin-film without MSM, its low resistance with around 100 ohm/sq. limit the values of resistor few KΩ and restricted its widespread application of embedded resistor with higher resistance beyond 10 KΩ. The authors introduced MnSO4 in Ni−P electroless plating process to improve the low resistance of Ni−P thin-film. The resistance was increased over one order of magnitude after added with 40 g/L MnSO4. Due to the specific structure, as this material is being used for fabricating embedded resistors, the electrical properties and its application properties to verify its appliance in embedded resistor were systematically investigated by means of SEM, TEM, XRD characterizations, TCRs, resistance tolerance analysis, respectively.
Ramifications of the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Act on IT governance
Authors: Karanja Erastus , Zaveri Jigish
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– In most firms, accounting and financial information and reporting systems are either incorporated or embedded in computer-based information systems (IS). Despite the important roles that these computer-based IS play in facilitating the SOX Act compliance initiatives, the act is silent on the roles of the CIOs, although it does stipulate specific functions for the CEOs, CFOs, and the auditors. Based on a detailed analysis of the extant literature, this article argues that IT units, under the leadership of the CIOs, contribute significantly in the procurement, design, implementation, and the governance of these computer-based IS. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researchers generate and empirically test hypotheses using a panel data set obtained from press releases issued by firms following the hiring of CIOs between 1999 and 2005.

Findings

– The results reveal that, after the enactment of the SOX Act in 2002, many firms hired new CIOs in the post-SOX Act period. Also, many of these executives were hired to fill newly created Chief information officer (CIO) positions. The results support the argument that the SOX Act has influenced the roles of senior IT executives and IT governance.

Research limitations/implications

– Although this study focused on hiring trends, there are other characteristics associated with CIOs that might have an impact on corporate IT governance. Future studies could investigate whether or not, for instance, firms reported fewer IT material weaknesses before or after the hire of the CIOs.

Originality/value

– This research presents the argument and detailed discussion that while the SOX Act does not explicitly require the CIOs to sign off on the accounting/financial statements and reports, their role is fundamental in making the firm meet the SOX Act compliance standards.
Does voluntary adoption of XBRL reduce cost of equity capital?
Authors: Hao Lizhong , H. Zhang Joseph , (Bob) Fang Jing
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to examine whether or not firms voluntarily filing in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) format enjoy a lower cost of capital. XBRL, or “interactive data” as the US Securities and Exchange Commission refers to it, is an information format that enables electronic exchange of standardized business and financial information.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors investigate whether voluntary adoption of XBRL impacts cost of equity capital using a sample of US firms participated in the SEC Voluntary Filer Program, each matched with a pair of non-XBRL filers (matched by two-digit SIC code, same fiscal yearend, and close total assets in the same year). The authors measure firm-specific cost of equity capital at the fiscal year of last voluntary XBRL filing, using the PEG ratio model proposed by Easton, Gode and Mohanram, and Hou et al.

Findings

– The results show that cost of equity capital is significantly and negatively associated with XBRL adoption. The magnitude of the coefficient on XBRL suggests that firms voluntarily adopting XBRL are associated with an average reduction in cost of equity capital by 17-20 basis points (conditional on different cost of capital measures).

Research limitations/implications

– There is a research limitation due to the sample of voluntary XBRL adopters as of self-selection bias. The authors address this issue by using the Heckman two-stage regression procedure.

Practical implications

– The study provides evidence on the economic consequence of XBRL adoption in that it benefits shareholders by reducing the cost of equity capital. The evidence should provide regulators like the SEC more incentives to mandate the XBRL standard and motivate companies to adopt the standard as well.

Originality/value

– By showing that voluntary XBRL adopters are associated with lower cost of equity capital, the study provides timely and relevant empirical evidence to the economic consequences of voluntary adoption of XBRL. It also contributes to the limited empirical research on the economic consequences of new information technology and highlights the importance of institutional regulation in shaping the outcomes of new financial reporting format.
Emotion regulation and conflict transformation in multi-team systems
Authors: van den Berg Walter , L. Curseu Petru , T.H. Meeus Marius
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to test the moderating role of emotion regulation in the transformation of both task and process conflict into relationship conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

– A field study of multi-teams systems, in which (94) respondents are engaged in interpersonal and inter-team interactions, was conducted to test the effects of the interaction of emotion regulation and task and process conflict on the emergence of relationship conflict in 23 multi-team client/supplier systems.

Findings

– The findings show that when collective emotion regulation strategies are effective, process conflict is less likely to transform into relationship conflict. An emerging finding of this study shows that process conflict mediates the interaction between task conflict and emotion regulation on relationship conflict in multi-team systems.

Research limitations/implications

– This study uses a relatively small number of projects and participants: further studies with larger samples are recommended; in addition, longitudinal studies would allow for further testing the effect of team longevity in the emergence of effective emotion regulation strategies.ct transforming into relationship conflicts.

Practical implications

– The findings imply that managers of multi-team systems should actively try to stimulate their teams to develop effective emotion regulation strategies as effective emotion regulation mechanisms minimize the risk of process conflict transforming into relationship conflicts.

Originality/value

– The paper looks at a real-world (as opposed to lab-situation) environment; it addresses a contingency model of intra-group conflict and tests the transformation of task and process conflicts into relationship conflict taking into account the moderating effect of emotion regulation.