bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of connectivity on metapopulation persistence: network symmetry and degree correlations
Authors: Shtilerman Elad , Stone Lewi
Published: April 2015

A spatial metapopulation is a mosaic of interconnected patch populations. The complex routes of colonization between the patches are governed by the metapopulation's dispersal network. Over the past two decades, there has been considerable interest in uncovering the effects of dispersal network topology and its symmetry on metapopulation persistence. While most studies find that the level of symmetry in dispersal pattern enhances persistence, some have reached the conclusion that symmetry has at most a minor effect. In this work, we present a new perspective on the debate. We study properties of the in- and out-degree distribution of patches in the metapopulation which define the number of dispersal routes into and out of a particular patch, respectively. By analysing the spectral radius of the dispersal matrices, we confirm that a higher level of symmetry has only a marginal impact on persistence. We continue to analyse different properties of the in–out degree distribution, namely the ‘in–out degree correlation’ (IODC) and degree heterogeneity, and find their relationship to metapopulation persistence. Our analysis shows that, in contrast to symmetry, the in–out degree distribution and particularly, the IODC are dominant factors controlling persistence.
The impact of over 80 years of land cover changes on bee and wasp pollinator communities in England
Authors: Senapathi Deepa , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Biesmeijer Jacobus C. , Dodson Cassie-Ann , Evans Rebecca L. , McKerchar Megan , Morton R. Daniel , Moss Ellen D. , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Kunin William E. , Potts Simon G.
Published: April 2015

Change in land cover is thought to be one of the key drivers of pollinator declines, and yet there is a dearth of studies exploring the relationships between historical changes in land cover and shifts in pollinator communities. Here, we explore, for the first time, land cover changes in England over more than 80 years, and relate them to concurrent shifts in bee and wasp species richness and community composition. Using historical data from 14 sites across four counties, we quantify the key land cover changes within and around these sites and estimate the changes in richness and composition of pollinators. Land cover changes within sites, as well as changes within a 1 km radius outside the sites, have significant effects on richness and composition of bee and wasp species, with changes in edge habitats between major land classes also having a key influence. Our results highlight not just the land cover changes that may be detrimental to pollinator communities, but also provide an insight into how increases in habitat diversity may benefit species diversity, and could thus help inform policy and practice for future land management.
Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. pragensis subsp. nov., occurring in human clinical material
Authors: Švec Pavel , Bel Annelies De , Sedláček Ivo , Petráš Petr , Gelbíčová Tereza , Černohlávková Jitka , Mašlanˇová Ivana , Cnockaert Margo , Varbanovová Ivana , Echahidi Fedoua , Vandamme Peter , Pantu˚ček Roman
Published: April 2015

Seven coagulase-negative, oxidase-negative and novobiocin-susceptible staphylococci assigned tentatively as Staphylococcus petrasii were investigated in this study in order to elucidate their taxonomic position. All strains were initially shown to form a genetically homogeneous group separated from remaining species of the genus Staphylococcus by using a repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting with the (GTG)5 primer. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene, hsp60, rpoB, dnaJ, gap and tuf sequences showed that the group is closely related to Staphylococcus petrasii but separated from the three hitherto known subspecies, S. petrasii subsp. petrasii, S. petrasii subsp. croceilyticus and S. petrasii subsp. jettensis. Further investigation using automated ribotyping, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and extensive biotyping confirmed that the analysed group represents a novel subspecies within S. petrasii, for which the name Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. pragensis subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NRL/St 12/356T ( = CCM 8529T = LMG 28327T).
Rabies Viral Vectors for Monosynaptic Tracing and Targeted Transgene Expression in Neurons
Authors: Wickersham Ian R. , Sullivan Heather A.
Published: April 2015

Deletion-mutant rabies viral (RV) vectors are powerful tools for neuroscience, allowing monosynaptic tracing of inputs to defined populations and rapid, high-level transgene expression in neurons targeted by multiple routes. High titers and high purity are critical for the successful use of RV vectors in vivo. Here we present a protocol for producing high-quality viral stocks that can be concentrated by ultracentrifugation for final titers in excess of 1010 infectious units per milliliter.
Lentiviral Vectors for Retrograde Delivery of Recombinases and Transactivators
Authors: Wickersham Ian R. , Sullivan Heather A. , Pao Gerald M. , Hamanaka Hiroki , Goosens Ki A. , Verma Inder M. , Seung H. Sebastian
Published: April 2015

Lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with the rabies virus (RV) envelope glycoprotein efficiently infect via axon terminals to stably deliver transgenes to distant neurons projecting to an injection site, but the resulting expression levels are too low and variable for most neuroscientific applications. If used to deliver recombinases or transactivators, however, lentiviral vectors are excellent means of targeting projection neurons when used in reporter mice or in combination with a second virus to express “payload” transgenes at high levels. For retrograde infection of significant numbers of neurons, high virus titers are critical. Here we present reagents and a protocol for generating high-titer supernatants that can be concentrated 1000-fold for final titers in excess of 1010 infectious units per milliliter. We demonstrate the usefulness of these vectors by selectively targeting corticothalamic and corticotectal neurons for high-level expression of a fluorophore in knock-in reporter mice.
Characterizing the Trigger for Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Release in Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Bito Virginie , Macquaide Niall , Sipido Karin R.
Published: April 2015

Here, we describe a method for characterizing the L-type Ca2+ current, ICaL, which is a major trigger for Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The protocol includes measuring ICaL amplitude and voltage dependence and the elicited SR Ca2+ release. The procedure for measuring ICaL activity is performed using solutions (internal and external) and voltage control such that other ionic currents are eliminated. The resultant relationship between the Ca2+ current and the associated internal [Ca2+]i transient is a first approach for evaluating coupling gain. We discuss which parameters are most appropriate for this analysis and how an evaluation of gain needs to be further explored by measuring the SR Ca2+ content.
Isolation of Ribosomes by Chromatography
Authors: Maguire Bruce A.
Published: April 2015

Mixed-mode chromatography on cysteine-SulfoLink resin efficiently separates ribosomes from cell lysates and is particularly effective at rapidly removing endogenous proteases and nucleases, resulting in ribosomes of improved purity, integrity, and activity. Binding occurs partly by anion exchange of the RNA of the ribosomes, so that cells must be lysed in a buffer of moderate ionic strength (conductivity no more than 20 mS for chromatography of bacterial ribosomes) without any highly charged additives (e.g., heparin, which is used to inhibit RNases in yeast). A robust protocol for Escherichia coli is given here as an example.
Strategies for Isolation of Exosomes
Authors: Zeringer Emily , Barta Timothy , Li Mu , Vlassov Alexander V.
Published: April 2015

Exosomes are tiny vesicles (diameter 30–150 nm) secreted by cells in culture and found in all body fluids. These vesicles, loaded with unique RNA and protein cargos, have many biological functions, of which only a small fraction is currently understood—for example, they participate in cell-to-cell communication and signaling within the human body. The spectrum of current scientific interest in exosomes is wide and ranges from understanding their functions and pathways to using them in diagnostics, as biomarkers, and in the development of therapeutics. Here we provide an overview of different strategies for isolation of exosomes from cell-culture media and body fluids.
Image Correlation Spectroscopy: Principles and Applications
Authors: Wiseman Paul W.
Published: April 2015

Image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) was developed as the imaging analog of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Using standard fluorescence microscopy image series as input, different versions of ICS can be used to extract parameters on the molecular transport properties (diffusion and flow) and oligomerization state for fluorescently labeled species in cells. This review introduces the various forms of spatial and temporal ICS and discusses application of these methods to reveal properties of the biomolecules that can be measured from standard fluorescence image time series sampled from cells and neurons.
Characterization of a Pt mirror to be used to deflect synchrotron radiation beam onto Langmuir monolayers
Authors: Vieira Carlos E. P. , Gasperini Antonio A. M. , Freitas Pedro P. S. , Oliveira Rafael G. , Cavalcanti Leide P.
Published: April 2015

A homemade mirror for X-rays has been built to prepare a diffraction beamline for liquid surface diffraction and scattering measurements. This simple approach is in operation at the XRD2 bending-magnet beamline at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory.
General method for automatic on-line beamline optimization based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Xi Shibo , Borgna Lucas Santiago , Du Yonghua
Published: April 2015

It is essential but inconvenient to perform high-quality on-line optimization for synchrotron radiation beamlines. Usually, synchrotron radiation beamlines are optimized manually, which is time-consuming and difficult to obtain global optimization for all optical elements of the beamline. In this contribution a general method based on the genetic algorithm for automatic beamline optimization is introduced. This method can optimize all optical components of any beamline simultaneously and efficiently. To test this method, a program developed usingLabVIEWis examined at the XAFCA beamline of the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source to optimize the beam flux at the sample position. The results demonstrate that the beamline can be optimized within 17 generations even when the initial flux is as low as 4% of its maximum value.
The Soft X-ray Research instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source
Authors: Dakovski Georgi L. , Heimann Philip , Holmes Michael , Krupin Oleg , Minitti Michael P. , Mitra Ankush , Moeller Stefan , Rowen Michael , Schlotter William F. , Turner Joshua J.
Published: April 2015

The Soft X-ray Research instrument provides intense ultrashort X-ray pulses in the energy range 280–2000 eV. A diverse set of experimental stations may be installed to investigate a broad range of scientific topics such as ultrafast chemistry, highly correlated materials, magnetism, surface science, and matter under extreme conditions. A brief description of the main instrument components will be given, followed by some selected scientific highlights.
Direct-write X-ray lithography using a hard X-ray Fresnel zone plate
Authors: Lee Su Yong , Noh Do Young , Lee Hae Cheol , Yu Chung-Jong , Hwu Yeukuang , Kang Hyon Chol
Published: April 2015

Results are reported of direct-write X-ray lithography using a hard X-ray beam focused by a Fresnel zone plate with an outermost zone width of 40 nm. An X-ray beam at 7.5 keV focused to a nano-spot was employed to write arbitrary patterns on a photoresist thin film with a resolution better than 25 nm. The resulting pattern dimension depended significantly on the kind of underlying substrate, which was attributed to the lateral spread of electrons generated during X-ray irradiation. The proximity effect originated from the diffuse scattering near the focus and electron blur was also observed, which led to an increase in pattern dimension. Since focusing hard X-rays to below a 10 nm spot is currently available, the direct-write hard X-ray lithography developed in this work has the potential to be a promising future lithographic method.
First experimental charge density study using a Bruker CMOS-type PHOTON 100 detector: the case of ammonium tetraoxalate dihydrate. Addendum
Authors: Jarzembska Katarzyna N. , Kamiński Radosław , Dobrzycki Łukasz , Cyrański Michał K.
Published: April 2015

Addendum to Jarzembskaet al.[Acta Cryst.(2014), B70, 847–855].
Cocrystals of 6-chlorouracil and 6-chloro-3-methyluracil: exploring their hydrogen-bond-based synthon motifs with several triazine and pyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Gerhardt Valeska , Egert Ernst
Published: April 2015

In order to obtain complexes held together by hydrogen as well as halogen bonds, 6-chlorouracil [6-chloropyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione; 6CU] and its 3-methyl derivative [6-chloro-3-methylpyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione; M6CU] were cocrystallized with 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine and the three triazine derivatives 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine (melamine), 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine and 2-chloro-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine, which all offer complementary hydrogen-bonding sites. Three of these compounds form cocrystals with 6CU; however, melamine yielded only a new pseudopolymorph with 6CU, but formed a cocrystal with M6CU. All six cocrystals contain solvent molecules (N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-dimethylacetamide orN-methylpyrrolidin-2-one), whose intermolecular interactions contribute significantly to the stabilization of the crystal packing. Each of these structures comprises chains, which are primarily formed by strong hydrogen bonds with a basic framework built byR22(8) hydrogen bonds of either pure N—H...N or mixed patterns. Solvent molecules are aligned to the border of these chainsviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds. Two of the reported crystal structures containing 6CU show additional Cl...O halogen bonds, which connect the chains to two-dimensional layers, while one weak and one strong Cl...Cl interaction are observed in the two structures in which molecules of M6CU are present.
Resonance-stabilized partial proton transfer in hydrogen bonds of incommensurate phenazine–chloranilic acid
Authors: Noohinejad Leila , Mondal Swastik , Ali Sk Imran , Dey Somnath , van Smaalen Sander , Schönleber Andreas
Published: April 2015

The co-crystal of phenazine (Phz) and chloranilic acid (H2ca) becomes ferroelectric upon cooling through the loss of inversion symmetry. Further cooling results in the development of an incommensurate ferroelectric phase, followed by a lock-in transition towards a twofold superstructure. Here we present the incommensurately modulated crystal structure of Phz-H2ca atT= 139 K with a symmetry given by the superspace groupP21(½ σ2½)0 and σ2= 0.5139. The modulation mainly affects the positions of the protons within half of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds that are responsible for the spontaneous polarization in all three low-temperature phases. Evidence for proton transfer in part of the hydrogen bonds is obtained from the correlated dependence on the phase of the modulation of the lengths of bonds involved in resonance stabilization of the acidic anion, and much smaller variations of bond lengths of atoms not involved in the resonance mechanism. Incommensurability is explained as competition between proton transfer favored for single hydrogen bonds on the basis of pKavalues and avoiding unfavorable Coulomb repulsion within the lattice of the resulting ionic molecules.
Synergy between transmission electron microscopy and powder diffraction: application to modulated structures
Authors: Batuk Dmitry , Batuk Maria , Abakumov Artem M. , Hadermann Joke
Published: April 2015

The crystal structure solution of modulated compounds is often very challenging, even using the well established methodology of single-crystal X-ray crystallography. This task becomes even more difficult for materials that cannot be prepared in a single-crystal form, so that only polycrystalline powders are available. This paper illustrates that the combined application of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder diffraction is a possible solution to the problem. Using examples of anion-deficient perovskites modulated by periodic crystallographic shear planes, it is demonstrated what kind of local structural information can be obtained using various TEM techniques and how this information can be implemented in the crystal structure refinement against the powder diffraction data. The following TEM methods are discussed: electron diffraction (selected area electron diffraction, precession electron diffraction), imaging (conventional high-resolution TEM imaging, high-angle annular dark-field and annular bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy) and state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques (atomic resolution mapping using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy).
Taking a closer look for a broader view: combining powder diffraction with electron crystallography for a better understanding of modulated structures
Authors: Palatinus Lukáš
Published: April 2015

Electron crystallography has made enormous progress over the last decade. It can provide the necessary information that complements powder diffraction data and allows for successful structure analysis of (not only) modulated structures.
A new phosphorothioic triamide structure: P(S)[NHCH2C6H5]3
Authors: Raissi Shabari Akbar , Pourayoubi Mehrdad , Marandi Pari , Dušek Michal , Eigner Václav
Published: April 2015

The structure ofN,N′,N′′-tribenzylphosphorothioic triamide, C21H24N3PS, (I), and analysis of the bond-angle sums at the N atoms for this compound, and for 74 structures with a P(S)[N]3skeleton and the N atom in a three-coordinate geometry found in the Cambridge Structural Database [CSD; Groom & Allen (2014).Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.53, 662–671], are reported. For (I), the bond-angle sum at one of the N atoms [359 (1)°] shows a nearly planar configuration, while the other two show a nonplanar geometry with bond-angle sums of 342 (1) and 347 (1)°. The location of the atoms attached to the nonplanar N atoms suggests anantiorientation of the corresponding lone electron pairs (LEPs) on these N atoms with respect to the P=S group. For 74 structures with a P(S)[N]3skeleton and with the N atom in a three-coordinate geometry, the bond-angle sums at the N atoms were found to be in the range 293–360°. Among 307 such three-coordinate N atoms, 39% (120 N atoms) have bond-angle sums in the range 359–360°, in accordance withsp2hybridization, and 45% (138 N atoms) have bond-angle sums in the range 352–359°, with hybridization close tosp2. For the orientation of the LEP with respect to the P=S group, theantiorientation was found to be a general rule for N atoms, with the corresponding bond-angle sums deviating by more than 8° from the planar value of 360°. In the title structure, the S atom takes part in intermolecular (N—H...)(N—H...)S hydrogen bonds, connecting the molecules into extended chains parallel to thebaxis. The co-operation of one N atom in an N—H...S hydrogen bond as an H-atom donor, and in an N—H...N hydrogen bond as an acceptor, is a novel feature of the crystal structure.
An investigation of polyhedral deformation in two mixed-metal diarsenates: SrZnAs2O7and BaCuAs2O7
Authors: Kovač Sabina , Karanović Ljiljana , Đorđević Tamara
Published: April 2015

Two isostructural diarsenates, SrZnAs2O7(strontium zinc diarsenate), (I), and BaCuAs2O7[barium copper(II) diarsenate], (II), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The three-dimensional open-framework crystal structure consists of corner-sharingM2O5(M2 = Zn or Cu) square pyramids and diarsenate (As2O7) groups. Each As2O7group shares its five corners with five differentM2O5square pyramids. The resulting framework delimits two types of tunnels aligned parallel to the [010] and [100] directions where the large divalent nine-coordinatedM1 (M1 = Sr or Ba) cations are located. The geometrical characteristics of theM1O9,M2O5and As2O7groups of known isostructural diarsenates, adopting the general formulaM1IIM2IIAs2O7(M1II= Sr, Ba, Pb;M2II= Mg, Co, Cu, Zn) and crystallizing in the space groupP21/n, are presented and discussed.
Crystal structure of [bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) phosphato-κO]tris(methanol-κO)lithium methanol monosolvate
Authors: Minyaev Mikhail E. , Nifant'ev Ilya E. , Tavtorkin Alexander N. , Korchagina Sof'ya A. , Zeynalova Shadana Sh.
Published: April 2015

Crystals of the title compound, [Li{OOP(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}(CH3OH)3]·CH3OH or [Li(C24H34O4P)(CH3OH)3]·CH3OH, have been formed in the reaction between HOOP(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2and LiOH in methanol. The title compound is of interest as it represents the first reported crystal structure of the family of lithium phosphate diesters. The {Li(CH3OH)3[O2P(O-iPr2C6H3)2]} unit displays the Li atom in a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination environment and exhibits one intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond between a coordinating methanol molecule and the terminal non-coordinating O atom of the phosphate group. The unit is connected with two non-coordinating methanol molecules through two intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, and with a neighbouring unit through two other O—H...O interactions. These intermolecular hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of infinite chains along [100]. There are no significant interactions between the chains.
Crystal structure of ethyl 6-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-sulfanylidene-4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-diazinane-5-carboxylate
Authors: Krishnamurthy M. S. , Begum Noor Shahina
Published: April 2015

In the title compound, C14H14F4N2O3S, the central dihydropyrimidine ring adopts a sofa conformation with the C atom bearing the 2-fluorobenzene ring displaced by 0.596 (3) Å from the other five atoms. The 2-fluorobenzene ring is positioned axially and bisects the pyrimidine ring with a dihedral angle of 70.92 (8)°. The molecular conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond, generating anS(6) ring. The crystal structure features C—H...F, N—H...S and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, which link the molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Synthèse et étude structurale de Na9Cr(MoO4)6
Authors: Dridi Wassim , Ennajeh Ines , Zid Mohamed Faouzi
Published: April 2015

The title compound, nonasodium chromium(III) hexakis[molybdate(VI)], Na9Cr(MoO4)6was prepared by solid-state reactions. The basic structure units are isolated polyhedral clusters composed of a central CrO6octahedron sharing vertices with six MoO4tetrahedra to form an open framework in which the Na+cations are bound to the free vertices of the MoO4tetrahedra. The Cr3+cation has site symmetry of 32 (6a), one Na atom sits on a twofold axis (18e), and all other atoms are at general positions. The bond-valance-sum model confirms the expected values of ion charges. The title compound is isotypic with Na9Sc(MoO4)6and Na9Fe(MoO4)6. It is compared and discussed with similar structures.
Crystal structure of 2-(1-methylethyl)-1,3-thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Smith Keith , Hegazy Amany S. , Alanazi Saud A. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: April 2015

In the title molecule, C9H10N2S, one of the methyl groups is almost co-planar with the thiazolopyridine rings with a deviation of 0.311 (3) Å from the least-squares plane of the thiazolopyridine group. In the crystal, weak C—H...N hydrogen-bonding interactions lead to the formation of chains along [011].
Crystal structure of quinolinium 2-carboxy-6-nitrobenzoate monohydrate
Authors: Mohana J. , Divya Bharathi M. , Ahila G. , Chakkaravarthi G. , Anbalagan G.
Published: April 2015

In the anion of the title hydrated molecular salt, C9H8N+·C8H4NO6−·H2O, the protonated carboxyl and nitro groups makes dihedral angles of 27.56 (5) and 6.86 (8)°, respectively, with the attached benzene ring, whereas the deprotonated carboxy group is almost orthogonal to it with a dihedral angle of 80.21 (1)°. In the crystal, the components are linked by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating [001] chains. The packing is consolidated by weak C—H...N and C—H...O interactions as well as aromatic π–π stacking [centroid-to-centroid distances: 3.7023 (8) & 3.6590 (9)Å] interactions, resulting in a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structures of dichloridopalladium(II), -platinum(II) and -rhodium(III) complexes containing 8-(diphenylphosphanyl)quinoline
Authors: Suzuki Takayoshi , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Fujiki Masayuki , Hashimoto Akira , Takagi Hideo D.
Published: April 2015

The crystal structures of dichloridopalladium(II), -platinum(II) and -rhodium(III) complexes containing 8-(diphenylphosphanyl)quinoline, (SP-4)-[PdCl2(C21H16NP)], (1) [systematic name: dichlorido(8-diphenylphosphanylquinoline)palladium(II)], (SP-4)-[PtCl2(C21H16NP)]·CH2Cl2, (2) [systematic name: dichlorido(8-diphenylphosphanylquinoline)platinum(II) dichloromethane monosolvate], and (OC-6–32)-[RhCl2(C21H16NP)2]PF6·0.5CH2Cl2·0.5CH3OH, (3) [systematic name:cis-dichloridobis(8-diphenylphosphanylquinoline)rhodium(III) hexafluoridophosphate dichloromethane/methanol hemisolvate] are reported. In these complexes, the phosphanylquinoline acts as a bidentate ligand, forming a planar asymmetrical five-membered chelate ring. The palladium(II) and platinum(II) complex molecules in (1) and (2), respectively, show a typical square-planar coordination geometry and form a dimeric structure through an intermolecular π–π stacking interaction between the quinolyl rings. The centroid–centroid distances between the stacked six-membered rings in (1) and (2) are 3.633 (2) and 3.644 (2) Å, respectively. The cationic rhodium(III) complex in (3) has acis(Cl),cis(P),cis(N)(OC-6–32) configuration of the ligands, in which two kinds of intramolecular π–π stacking interactions are observed: between the quinolyl and phenyl rings and between two phenyl rings, the centroid–centroid distances being 3.458 (2) and 3.717 (2) Å, respectively. The PF6−anion in (3) is rotationally disordered, the site occupancies of each F atom being 0.613 (14) and 0.387 (14). The CH2Cl2and CH3OH solvent molecules are also disordered and equal site occupancies of 0.5 are assumed.
High performance work system, HRD climate and organisational performance: an empirical study
Authors: Muduli Ashutosh
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the relationship between high-performance work system (HPWS) and organizational performance and to examine the role of human resource development (HRD) Climate in mediating the relationship between HPWS and the organizational performance in the context of the power sector of India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical research paper has been conceptualized on the basis of extensive literature survey and examined through a case-based approach. Data and information collected to examine strength of the proposed hypothesis in the context of a power-based company in India.

Findings

– Agreeing with most of the research, HPWS is found to be positively related with organizational performance. The result does not agree with the HPWS research conducted in Asian countries. Taking clues from “Black Box” approach, the role of HRD Climate as a mediating factor has been studied. The result proved that HPWS influences organizational performance through a supportive development environment (HRD climate) based on openness, confrontation, trust, authenticity, proaction, autonomy, collaboration and experimentation (OCTAPAC).

Research limitations/implications

– Designing and implementing HPWS requires the organization to nurture and develop a suitable HRD climate through development of organizational culture based on OCTAPAC.

Practical implications

– Implications for HRD–HPWS practices such as group-based pay, decentralized participative decisions, self-managed work teams, social and family events, and appraisal based on team goals along with OCTAPAC culture can significantly contribute to the transfer climate by influencing both peer and supervisor. It can significantly contribute to training motivation by influencing both career and job attitudes, and organizational commitment of trainees.

Originality/value

– The research is unique in its attempt to understand the role HRD climate as intermediating variables to enhance the effectiveness of HPWS. This may add a lot of value in encouraging organizations to establish HRD Climate.
Shaping the future of a globalized world
Authors: Burkhardt Joan , Bennett Elisabeth E.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand how everyday cross-cultural interactions affected the adjustment of undergraduate international students attending a private university in the northeastern United States of America.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected primarily through interviews with nine international students and observations at “Eastern University”. Students were purposively selected to balance gender and world regions. Analysis used constant comparison until findings emerged, which were member-checked with study participants (Merriam, 2009).

Findings

– Findings show that the impact of university diversity initiatives for promoting everyday cross-cultural interactions is described as creating an us/them divide, promoting solidarity and establishing a cultural presence. It is concluded that formal university events foster recognition of the campus diversity international students help provide, but their impact on everyday cross-cultural interactions is both positive and negative. Additionally, the mode by which undergraduate international students are introduced to their US campus affects their integration and future interaction patterns.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is needed to explore higher education institutions (HEIs)’ connection to human resource development (HRD) for shaping the future global arena. Studies that address the continuum from higher education to the workforce are needed to prepare the next generation of professionals for a global world. This study is limited due to small sample size. Findings are not generalizable in a statistical sense, but HRD professionals in HEIs may compare the details in this study with their own institutions.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the discussion of national HRD by addressing international students and their insights into how diversity programs impact adjustment in an American setting. Additionally, organizational and faculty development initiatives in academic institutions can be improved by understanding the insights found in this study.
The future of mega sport events: examining the “Dutch Approach” to legacy planning
Authors: Hartman Stefan , Zandberg Tjeerd
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Mega sport events (MSE) are immensely popular but also highly criticized because these include large public budgets and involve politically sensitive topics. In this context, there is an increasing attention toward legacy planning, the effort to confer long‐term benefits to a host destination through organizing MSEs, such as the Olympic Games. When it comes to event planning, large‐scale master plans are a common approach. However, in the Netherlands the authors see that an alternative development model is pursued called the Dutch Approach to prepare for the possible candidature to host the Olympic Games of 2028. This paper aims to analyze this approach with a specific focus on whether this approach has the potential to result in a positive legacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involves a literature review which distinguishes factors that positively or negatively influence event legacies. This results in a framework which is used as a guide for a content analysis of data on the Dutch Approach. Hence, data are obtained from analyzing academic and professional literature, policy documents, research reports, and newspaper articles on the Dutch Olympic ambitions, and the planning approach thereof. Moreover, data are derived from a study by the authors on the development of the area “Sportas Amsterdam”.

Findings

The research identifies factors that can contribute positively and negatively to the legacy of events. It provides a unique insight into the planning process of The Netherlands in the context preparing a bid for the Olympic Games of 2028. What can be learned from the Dutch Approach is that planning for a positive legacy is a long‐term and complex process that heavily relies on the support of a range of stakeholders. Due to the range of actors involved, it involves much negotiations and becomes increasingly difficult to achieve consensus.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a reflection on the concepts of legacy and legacy planning, and outlines a set of propositions concerning the future of MSEs that present an agenda for further research. By doing to, the paper highlights the importance of focusing on how the relations between stakeholder involvement, planning approaches, and types of urban regimes influence the extent to which a positive legacy can be achieved.

Originality/value

The paper provides a state of the art overview of contributions on event legacy and legacy planning. It draws attention to conditions for positive legacies and implications for planning and governance approaches. It is argued that a top‐down government‐led approach to a MSE will probably have less impact on future tourism compares to the Dutch Approach.
Dr Spock's Food Festival
Authors: Findlay Katherine , Yeoman Ian
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make the reader think about the consequences of food scarcity and how science would deal with the situation portrayed through Dr Spock's Food Festival set in Tokyo 2050.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a trends analysis perspective.

Findings

The authors explain the circumstances (or drivers) of how food scarcity would lead to particular future state. The paper portrays eight driving forces from increased urbanisation to a knowledgeable society.

Originality/value

What if it did occur as molecular gastronomy and the desire for new experiences are core values of today's restaurant industry.
Space tourism: prospects, positioning, and planning
Authors: Cole Sam
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how the elements of a tourism policy class (historical, structural, economic, social, and technological) are employed in the discussion and analysis of space tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The material serves as revision class of methods and concepts. The topics and methods covered depend in part on previous class content making use of space tourism materials available on the web and in the literature.

Findings

The sources cited cover a remarkable and growing range of space tourism endeavors worldwide. Whilst it is definitively not a forecast, the paper does appraise future directions in space tourism.

Practical implications

Further research is required in order to properly evaluate the value of space tourism to future human societies, and strategize accordingly.

Originality/value

As a source‐based review, the paper has limited originality, but shows the possibilities and limitations of tourism planning methods for space tourism.
Corrections for rooting volume and plant size reveal negative effects of neighbour presence on root allocation in pea
Authors: Chen Bin J. W. , During Heinjo J. , Vermeulen Peter J. , de Kroon Hans , Poorter Hendrik , Anten Niels P. R.
Published: April 2015

Plants are able to detect the presence of their neighbours below‐ground. The associated root responses may affect plant performance, plant–plant interactions and community dynamics, but the extent and direction of these responses is heavily debated.

Some studies suggest that plants will over‐proliferate roots in response to neighbours at the expense of reproduction, which was framed as a ‘tragedy of the commons’. Others propose an ‘ideal free distribution’ hypothesis stating that plants produce roots simply as a function of the amount of available nutrients. However, experimental evidence for either hypothesis that is unbiased by confounding effects of rooting volume and plant size in their experimental set‐ups is still lacking.

We grew split‐root pea plants in the presence or absence of a below‐ground neighbour at a range of rooting volumes, while providing equal amounts of nutrients per plant. Path analyses were used to disentangle the direct effects of neighbour presence on allocation patterns from the confounding effects of rooting volume and plant size.

Within the chosen range of rooting volumes, the presence of a below‐ground neighbour generally reduced plant root mass by 21% and total mass by 9%. A doubling of rooting volume generally increased plant root mass by 22% and total mass by 11%. Pod mass was only directly and positively correlated with vegetative mass.

The presence of a below‐ground neighbour induced less root allocation but more pod allocation, whereas increased rooting volume caused a reduction in reproductive allocation. A large part of these effects, however, was indirectly mediated through the influence on plant total mass.

Synthesis. Not considering the effects of rooting volume and plant size may lead to misinterpretations of plant growth strategies in response to neighbours. Accounting for these factors, we found pea allocating less mass to roots in the presence of a below‐ground neighbour. The obtained results can help to reconcile the various responses to below‐ground neighbours as they are published in the literature.
The double‐edged sword of immune defence and damage control: do food availability and immune challenge alter the balance?
Authors: Stahlschmidt Zachary R. , Acker Madison , Kovalko Ilya , Adamo Shelley A.
Published: April 2015

Animal immune systems must adaptively balance aggressive immune resistance (ability to destroy pathogens) with infection tolerance (ability to withstand the negative effects of infection; e.g. immunopathology or damage due to pathogen metabolism).

Insects offer unique insight into this balancing act because phenoloxidase (PO)‐mediated melanization is a key feature of immune resistance, but PO activation obligates the production of nonspecific reactive species that can cause self‐damage. The antioxidant glutathione (GSH) can provide protection against such reactive molecules, but high levels of GSH can impair melanization. In support of the hypothesis that GSH can protect insects (e.g. crickets) from self‐damage during an immune response, we found that bacterially infected crickets showed a significant positive relationship between GSH haemolymph concentration and fecundity after controlling for bacterial growth rate. That is, GSH may be a mechanism of infection tolerance because it correlated with fecundity despite bacterial proliferation.

Next, we factorially manipulated food availability and immune activation in female crickets to examine whether the relative balance between a component of immune resistance (i.e. PO) and protection from self‐damage (i.e. GSH) was plastic and sensitive to environmental conditions.

Glutathione and PO were positively correlated, and the PO:GSH ratio was robust and not affected by food availability or immune activation. Thus, increased investment in a mechanism of immune resistance may obligate a concomitant increase in GSH to reduce self‐damage (i.e. increase infection tolerance). Chronic immune activation led to greater tolerance of oxidative stress suggesting that repeated immune activation upregulates infection tolerance mechanisms. Food limitation led to reduced PO activity, but not GSH concentration. This result suggests that mechanisms of immune resistance may be more sensitive to resource scarcity than mechanisms of infection tolerance.

We demonstrate that some mechanisms of immune resistance and infection tolerance can be correlated and that they can be affected by food availability or immune activation.
The limits of autocracy promotion: The case ofRussia in the ‘near abroad’
Authors: Way Lucan A.
Published: April 2015

In recent years, observers have raised concerns about threats to democracy posed by external support for authoritarianism coming from regional powers such as Russia, China and Venezuela. This article assesses the efficacy of autocracy promotion through a close examination of Russian efforts to shape regime outcomes in the former Soviet Union. It finds that while Russian actions have periodically promoted instability and secessionist conflict, there is little evidence that such intervention has made post‐Soviet countries less democratic than they would have been otherwise. First, the Russian government has been inconsistent in its support for autocracy – supporting opposition and greater pluralism in countries where anti‐Russian governments are in power, and incumbent autocrats in cases where pro‐Russian politicians dominate. At the same time, the Russian government's narrow concentration on its own economic and geopolitical interests has significantly limited the country's influence, fostering a strong counter‐reaction in countries with strong anti‐Russian national identities. Finally, Russia's impact on democracy in the region has been restricted by the fact that post‐Soviet countries already have weak democratic prerequisites. This analysis suggests that, despite increasingly aggressive foreign policies by autocratic regional powers, autocracy promotion does not present a particularly serious threat to democracy in the world today.
Methadone Therapy in Underserved Urban Community: QTc Prolongation and Life‐Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: Chowdhury Mohsin , Wong Jason , Cheng Angela , Khilkin Michael , Palma Eugen
Published: April 2015

Aims

Methadone has been associated with QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias but the prevalence of QTc prolongation and association with ventricular arrhythmias remains unclear. We investigated this in our inner city urban community (Bronx, New York) that has a large number of patients on methadone.

Methods

Telemetry records, nursing documentation and electronic charts of 291 patients spanning856 encounters were evaluated. QT was manually measured from ECG utilizing standardized QT measurement guidelines and was corrected for heart rate using Hodges formula. QTc >470 ms in males and >480 ms in females was considered to be prolonged.

Results

Patients had prolonged QTc, QTc >500 ms and ventricular arrhythmias during 25.6%, 14.1% and 3.4% of encounters, respectively. There was a very weak dose dependent relationship between methadone dose and QTc (Spearman's rho = 0.09).In addition to methadone, patients were on at least one QT prolonging drugs during 39% of the encounters. Patients who were receiving two interacting drugs in addition to methadone had the highest prevalence (29%) of QTc prolongation.

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of QTc prolongation among patients on methadone therapy is high, the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia is relatively low. Hospitalized patients on sustained methadone therapy are frequently on multiple additional QTc prolonging drugs. There is no significant dose dependent relationship between methadone dose and QTc. However, the concurrent use of methadone and interacting drugs lead to an increased prevalence of QTc prolongation.
Reliability and Validity of the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist in Turkish
Authors: Kose Gulsah , Bolu Abdullah , Ozdemir Leyla , Acikel Cengizhan , Hatipolu Sevgi
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The aim was to investigate and evaluate validity and reliability of the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) in Turkey.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was used. Fifty‐nine patients in an intensive care unit for longer than 24 hr were included in this study.

Results

Cronbach's alpha coefficient indicated that the ICDSC was a reliable test with high internal consistency (specialist nurse min: 0.720, max: 0.855; primary nurse min: 0.728, max: 0.830). The sensitivity and specifity were high.

Conclusion

The findings showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the ICDSC are high for Turkish patients.

Implications for Nursing Practice

The ICDSC provides fast and effective evaluations of the patients for delirium. So, ICDSC may be easily integrated into routine nursing practice.
Spontaneous Age‐related Changes of Peripheral Nerves in Cattle: Morphological and Biochemical Studies
Authors: Biasibetti E. , Bisanzio D. , Mioletti S. , Amedeo S. , Iuliano A. , Bianco P. , Capucchio M. T.
Published: April 2015

Peripheral nerve function is significantly affected by ageing. During ageing process, multiple changes occur on tissue cells and extracellular matrix. The aim of this work was to study the ageing‐associated changes of peripheral nerves in adult and old regularly slaughtered cattle compared with young calves, and correlate them to the features reported in humans and laboratory animals. Samples of axial dorsal metacarpal nerves from 44 cows were collected immediately after slaughtering. Each nerve was dissected and divided into two fragments: one used for morphological evaluation (n = 43) and the other one for biochemical analysis (n = 31). Axonal degeneration, demyelination, thickness of perineurium and endoneurium and increase of mast cells were the most important features detected. The mean amount of glycosaminoglycan quantitative content recorded in the samples increased with the age. Axonal degeneration, demyelination and thickness of endoneurium were positively and significantly correlated with biochemistry. The presence of changes affecting the different elements of the peripheral nerves, similar to that reported in humans and in laboratory species, the easy availability of the nerve tissue in this species, the considerable size of the samples and the life conditions more similar to humans than to laboratory animals, allows the authors to consider cattle as a potential good model for the comparative study of spontaneous ageing nerve lesions.
Drug hypersensitivity in clonal mast cell disorders: ENDA/EAACI position paper
Authors: Bonadonna P. , Pagani M. , Aberer W. , Bilò M. B. , Brockow K. , Oude Elberink H. , Garvey L. , Mosbech H. , Romano A. , Zanotti R. , Torres M. J.
Published: April 2015

Mastocytosis is a clonal disorder characterized by the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells (MC) in different tissues, with a preferential localization in skin and bone marrow (BM). The excess of MC in mastocytosis as well as the increased releasability of MC may lead to a higher frequency and severity of immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Mastocytosis in adults is associated with a history of anaphylaxis in 22–49%. Fatal anaphylaxis has been described particularly following hymenoptera stings, but also occasionally after the intake of drugs such as nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, opioids and drugs in the perioperative setting. However, data on the frequency of drug hypersensitivity in mastocytosis and vice versa are scarce and evidence for an association appears to be limited. Nevertheless, clonal MC disorders should be ruled out in cases of severe anaphylaxis: basal serum tryptase determination, physical examination for cutaneous mastocytosis lesions, and clinical characteristics of anaphylactic reaction might be useful for differential diagnosis. In this position paper, the ENDA group performed a literature search on immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions in clonal MC disorders using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, reviewed and evaluated the literature in five languages using the GRADE system for quality of evidence and strength of recommendation.