bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Germanium-doped and germanium/nitrogen-codoped carbon nanotubes with highly enhanced activity for oxygen reduction in alkaline medium
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Ziwu , Li Meng , Wang Quan-De
Published: July 2016

Novel Ge-doped and Ge/N-codoped carbon nanotubes were prepared by chemical vapor deposition. Results indicate that the as-prepared Ge-containing carbon nanotubes exhibited superior activities and durability for O2 reduction in alkaline medium.
Detection and characterization of ponatinib reactive metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and elucidation of bioactivation pathways
Authors: Kadi Adnan A. , Darwish Hany W. , Attwa Mohamed W. , Amer Sawsan M.
Published: July 2016

This study involved the identification and characterization of ponatinib by LC-MS/MS. Additionally ponatinib reactive metabolites were also investigated using KCN as a trapping agent, showing the formation of four reactive cyano adducts.
Ruthenium nanoparticles supported over mesoporous TiO2 as an efficient bifunctional nanocatalyst for esterification of biomass-derived levulinic acid and transfer-hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Mandi Usha , Salam Noor , Kundu Sudipta K. , Bhaumik Asim , Islam Sk. Manirul
Published: July 2016

Ru NPs supported over mesoporous TiO2 nanocatalyst and its catalytic activity was evaluated in the esterification of levulinic acid and selective transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes.
Mixed anion effect on the ionic transport behavior, complexation and various physicochemical properties of ionic liquid based polymer gel electrolyte membranes
Authors: Shalu Shalu , Balo Liton , Gupta Himani , Singh Varun kumar , Singh Rajendra Kumar
Published: July 2016

Incorporation of IL in PGEMs increases the amorphicity of the membranes, through reducing the intermolecular interaction between the polymer chains, and also increases the membrane ionic conductivity.
Monitoring bicosomes containing antioxidants in normal and irradiated skin
Authors: Fernández Estibalitz , Hostachy Sarah , Sandt Christophe , Rodríguez Gelen , Bertrand Helene C. , Clède Sylvain , Cócera Mercedes , Maza Alfonso de la , Lambert François , Policar Clotilde , López Olga
Published: July 2016

Monitoring penetration of bicosomes containing antioxidants into normal and irradiated skin by FTIR.
Sulforaphene inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma through repressing keratin 8 and activating anoikis
Authors: Yang Ming , Ren Meng , Qu Yue , Teng Wendi , Wang Zhongpeng , Li Hao , Yuan Qipeng
Published: July 2016

Sulforaphene can induce anoikis in hepatoma cells though down-regulation of keratin 8 activating the Fas death receptor pathway.
Conformational analysis of bovine serum albumin adsorbed on halloysite nanotubes and kaolinite: a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Della Porta Valentina , Bramanti Emilia , Campanella Beatrice , Tiné Maria Rosaria , Duce Celia
Published: July 2016

Clay minerals are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations, therefore studying how they interaction with proteins is important because they can alter their biological functions.
Synthesis and effects of oxadiazole derivatives on tyrosinase activity and human SK-MEL-28 malignant melanoma cells
Authors: Fasihi Mohd Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil , Rullah Kamal , Huan Tan Huan , Meng Chan Kok , Jie Tan Si , Wei Leong Sze , Mansor Ahmad Hasnan , Yamin Bohari M. , Wai Lam Kok
Published: July 2016

Melanin is a form of pigment that gives colour to human skin, hair and eyes.
Adsorptive removal of toxic metals and cationic dyes by magnetic adsorbent based on functionalized graphene oxide from water
Authors: Sahraei Razieh , Hemmati Khadijeh , Ghaemy Mousa
Published: July 2016

Adsorption of heavy metal ions and cationic dyes from aqueous solutions by superparamagnetic GO-based polymeric nanocomposite.
Electronic structure and optical properties of β-GaSe based on the TB-mBJ approximation
Authors: Tavana A. , Sahmani M. R.
Published: July 2016

We have calculated the electronic structure and optical properties of gallium-selenide (GaSe) semiconductor in the β-structural phase, also, a single layer and a nano-particle of GaSe, based on the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson approximation.
Super toughened renewable poly(lactic acid) based ternary blends system: effect of degree of hydrolysis of ethylene vinyl acetate on impact and thermal properties
Authors: Sangeetha V. H. , Valapa Ravi babu , Nayak S. K. , Varghese T. O.
Published: July 2016

Effect of hydrolysed EVA on PLA ternary blend systems.
How the mechanism of a [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving a stabilized N-lithiated azomethine ylide toward a π-deficient alkene is changed to stepwise by solvent polarity? What is the origin of its regio- and endo stereospecificity? A DFT study using NBO, QTAIM, and NCI analyses
Authors: Emamian Saeedreza
Published: July 2016

The regio- and endo stereospecific 32CA reaction of the stabilized N-lithiated azomethine ylide 2 toward the π-deficient alkene 3in THF occurs to afford cycloadduct 6via a stepwise mechanism, passing through the zwitterionic intermediate 4.
Green synthesis, characterization and antioxidant potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from de-oiled biomass of thermotolerant oleaginous microalgae Acutodesmus dimorphus
Authors: Chokshi Kaumeel , Pancha Imran , Ghosh Tonmoy , Paliwal Chetan , Maurya Rahulkumar , Ghosh Arup , Mishra Sandhya
Published: July 2016

Antioxidant activity of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from de-oiled biomass of microalgaeA. dimorphus.
Surface and interface interplay on the oxidizing temperature of iron oxide and Au–iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Sarveena Sarveena , Muraca Diego , Zélis P. Mendoza , Javed Y. , Ahmad N. , Vargas J. M. , Moscoso-Londoño O. , Knobel M. , Singh M. , Sharma S. K.
Published: July 2016

Formation of core and shell shape through tuning the reaction time as well as the oxidizing temperatures. Spherical–spherical and spherical triangular shaped core–shell structures have been obtained at an optimum oxidation temperature of 150 °C.
Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative stereospecific amidation of cinnamic acids with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide
Authors: Yang Daoshan , Sun Mingyang , Wei Wei , Li Jin , Sun Pengfei , Zhang Qingyun , Tian Laijin , Wang Hua
Published: July 2016

A copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of cinnamic acids with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI), to give the substituted (E)-amination products stereospecifically, has been realized.
Intercalation behavior and orientation structure of graphene oxide/polyethylene glycol hybrid material
Authors: Li Chengjie , Xiang Meng , Ye Lin
Published: July 2016

Orientation of PEG-20 000 molecular chains in GO layers for the GO/80 PEG-20 000 hybrid.
Redox-responsive controlled DNA transfection and gene silencing based on polymer-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Yecheng , Yu Jimmy C. , Chan King Ming
Published: July 2016

Gene or DNA transfection is a non-viral tool for therapy on gene-based diseases by delivering nucleic acids into the target cells and change gene functions or protein expressions.
Combination of solid state NMR and DFT calculation to elucidate the state of sodium in hard carbon electrodes
Authors: Morita Ryohei , Gotoh Kazuma , Fukunishi Mika , Kubota Kei , Komaba Shinichi , Nishimura Naoto , Yumura Takashi , Deguchi Kenzo , Ohki Shinobu , Shimizu Tadashi , Ishida Hiroyuki
Published: July 2016

We examined the state of sodium electrochemically inserted in HC prepared at 700–2000 °C using solid state Na magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and multiple quantum (MQ) MAS NMR.
Assessing the outdoor photochemical stability of conjugated polymers by EPR spectroscopy
Authors: Shames Alexander I. , Inasaridze Liana N. , Akkuratov Alexander V. , Goryachev Andrei E. , Katz Eugene A. , Troshin Pavel A.
Published: July 2016

We report the first outdoor study of the intrinsic photochemical stability of a series of samples of conjugated polymers encapsulated in an inert atmosphere and exposed to natural sunlight illumination conditions in the Negev Desert.
A waste biomass derived hard carbon as a high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Pin , Li Yunming , Hu Yong-Sheng , Li Hong , Chen Liquan , Huang Xuejie
Published: July 2016

This study reports a hard carbon material derived from a waste biomass of corn cob and the influence of carbonized temperature on electrochemical performance. This study provides a promising anode material with low cost, high initial coulombic efficiency and excellent cycle performance, making sodium-ion batteries closer to practical applications.
Photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels functionalized with the RGD peptide and phosphoserine to enhance osteogenesis
Authors: Kim Soyon , Cui Zhong-Kai , Fan Jiabing , Fartash Armita , Aghaloo Tara L. , Lee Min
Published: July 2016

RGD peptide and phosphoserine functionalized photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels significantly enhanced osteogenesis.
A two-dimensional cobalt(ii) network with a remarkable positive axial anisotropy parameter exhibiting field-induced single-ion magnet behavior
Authors: Sun Lin , Zhang Sheng , Chen Sanping , Yin Bing , Sun Yichen , Wang Zhenxing , Ouyang Zhongwen , Ren Jianlin , Wang Wenyuan , Wei Qing , Xie Gang , Gao Shengli
Published: July 2016

With pyridyl-1,2,4-triazole (3,3′-Hbpt), {[Co(3,3′-Hbpt)2(SCN)2]·2H2O}n (1) and {[Ni(3,3′-Hbpt)2(SCN)2]·2H2O}n(2) are prepared and magnetically characterized.
Insights into the correlation between the molecular conformational change and AIE activity of 2,5-bis(dimesitylboryl)-3,4-diphenylsiloles
Authors: Chen Bin , Nie Han , Hu Rongrong , Qin Anjun , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: July 2016

Three novel AIEgens with low-lying LUMO energy levels are developed from p–π conjugated 2,5-bis(dimesitylboryl)-3,4-diphenylsiloles.
Adaptive authentication scheme for mobile devices in proxy MIPv6 networks
Authors: You Ilsun , Lim Jae Deok , Kim Jeong Nyeo , Ahn Hyobeom , Choi Chang
Published: July 2016

Mobility management has become a core function in internet services and networks as mobile devices have been widely used and their capabilities have dramatically advanced. It is expected that proxy mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6), which is the most prominent solution, will play an important role in supporting these devices’ mobility. To protect PMIPv6 networks, several authentication schemes have been presented. However, due to their static approach, the existing schemes failed to keep a good balance between security and efficiency. Motivated by this, the authors study an adaptive authentication scheme for mobile devices in PMIPv6 networks. In particular, the proposed scheme considers mobile nodes’ context information to decide authentication strength, based on which adaptive authentication is performed. It is shown from the formal security verification and the example study that the proposed scheme is not only correct, but also achieves a good trade‐off between security and efficiency
Control devices development of multi‐microgrids based on hierarchical structure
Authors: Xu Zhirong , Yang Ping , Zhang Yujia , Zeng Zhiji , Zheng Chengli , Peng Jiajun
Published: July 2016

With the fast proliferation of microgrids integrated into the power grid, several nearby microgrids with common benefit have been coupled to be multi‐microgrids (MMGs), which is a significant stage for developing the smart grid. A suitable control structure and corresponding control device need to be proposed for the MMGs operating efficiently. However, mostly micrgrid control devices are still restricted to the single microgrid and have limited application without the common design. The authors develop control devices with a prodigious popularisation value for the MMGs based on the hierarchical control structure. According to the proposed four‐layer control architecture (scheduling layer, central control layer, integrated terminal layer and bottom layer), the hardware and software design suitable for the MMGs control devices and its multi‐time scale communication architecture has been presented. Furthermore, the appearance design and interface exploitation were introduced as well. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed MMGs control structure and devices, which could contribute to the large‐scale application of MMGs control devices and provide a reference for other MMGs projects.
Ovule and megagametophyte development in selected species of Apeibeae and Grewieae (Malvaceae–Grewioideae) from South America and its systematic implications
Authors: Lattar Elsa , Galati Beatriz Gloria , Ferrucci María Silvia
Published: July 2016

This is the first embryological report of the Grewioideae subfamily, which is meant to contribute to the characterisation of the genera Corchorus, Luehea and Triumfetta. Ovule and female gametophyte development in C. argutus, L. divaricata and T. semitriloba was analysed. The ovules of all species are anatropous, bitegmic and of crassinucellate mixed type. The micropyle of the studied species is formed by the outer integument (exostome). The ovule of L. divaricata differs from those of the other two species because the chalazal tissue expands forming a cap, which gives rise to a wing in the seed. All species present one hypostase. The megaspore mother cell gives rise to a linear megaspore triad in C. argutus and L. divaricata, whereas in T. semitriloba, triads and diads can be observed in the same ovule. The chalazal megaspore develops a seven-celled and eight-nucleate female gametophyte corresponding to the Polygonum type. The synergids of L. divaricata have hooks and a conspicuous filiform apparatus. The antipodal cells in C. argutus are persistent, whereas in the other species, they are small and ephemeral. The embryological characters are compared with those of other taxa within the family and the megagametophyte formation in these species is discussed.
Manufactured home villages in Australia – a melting pot of chronic disease?
Authors: Robinson Karin , Ghosh Abhijeet , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: July 2016

Manufactured home villages (MHVs) are an increasingly popular housing option for older Australians. This paper reports a cross-sectional survey that sought to describe the health status and health service access of MHV residents. The survey tool comprised demographic and health status items, primary healthcare access perceptions and the World Health Organization Quality of Life tool (WHOQOL-BREF). One-hundred-eighty-six MHV residents from regional NSW completed the survey. Hypertension (54.8%) and arthritis (46.5%) were the most prevalent chronic diseases reported. Overall, respondents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the sense of safety and security (82.8%), neighbours (69.4%) and the overall location of the villages (66.7%). There was good to excellent internal consistency of all four WHOQOL-BREF domain scores, with a comparatively lower sample mean score for the ‘Physical’ and ‘Psychological’ domains. MHV residents are a significant cohort of older people with high rates of chronic disease and reasonably poor access to transport services, which affects their capacity to access health services. They also have comparatively low levels of quality of physical and psychological life along with low levels of satisfaction with their health.
The influence of funding models on collaboration in Australian general practice
Authors: McInnes Susan , Peters Kath , Bonney Andrew , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: July 2016

Despite more nurses working in Australian general practice, there has been limited investigation exploring ways that general practitioners and registered nurses work together to deliver clinical care. However, it has been postulated that the small business structure, common in Australian general practices, might influence collaboration between these two groups of health professionals. This paper presents one theme from a larger qualitative study. Eight general practitioners and fourteen registered nurses working in general practice participated in semistructured face-to-face interviews between February and May 2015. Naturalistic inquiry was adopted to elicit and explore the narrative accounts of participants about working together in general practice. An inductive process of thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse and report patterns and themes. Ancillary costs associated with the employment of registered nurses in general practice and the time registered nurses took to undertake procedural services were a concern for general practitioners. Registered nurses did not always work to their full scope of practice and many felt that their expertise was not appropriately remunerated. Findings suggested that fee for service-funding models can negatively influence collaboration between general practitioners and registered nurses working in general practice.
Multiple additions of rapidly decomposable residue alleviate the negative impact of salinity on microbial activity
Authors: Hasbullah Hasbullah , Marschner Petra
Published: July 2016

In previous research, we found that the reduction in soil respiration with increasing salinity was smaller in soils amended with rapidly decomposable residues (low C:N ratio) compared with slowly decomposable residues (high C:N ratio). However, with a single residue addition, available organic carbon will be quickly decomposed until only recalcitrant compounds remain. A more consistent supply of residues may improve the tolerance of microbes to salinity, but this effect could depend on residue decomposability. A 56-day incubation experiment was conducted with four loam soils having electrical conductivity (EC1:5) of 0.1, 1, 2.7 and 3.7dSm–1 amended 1–4 times with finely ground slowly decomposable canola (C:N=82) and rapidly decomposable kikuyu residues (C:N=19) with a total addition of 10gCkg–1 soil. There was a greater reduction in soil respiration with increasing salinity following addition of canola than addition of kikuyu. At all salinity levels and with both residues, cumulative respiration two weeks after addition of 10gCkg–1 was higher with multiple additions than with a single addition. The reduction of cumulative respiration with increasing salinity was smaller with repeated addition of rapidly decomposable residue than with only a single addition. However, this was not the case with slowly decomposable residue. The results suggest that for amelioration of saline soils, addition of rapidly decomposable residue is more effective than adding slowly decomposable residues, particularly when rapidly decomposable residues are added repeatedly.
WNV: emerging threat to the Americas and opportunities for control.
Authors: Kauffman E. , Kramer L. D.
Published: July 2016

West Nile virus (WNV; family Flaviviridae; genus
Flavivirus
) is currently the most widely distributed arbovirus in the world. It is maintained in nature in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes and avian hosts. At least five lineages of WNV have been reported based on nucleotide sequence homology, but lineages 1 and 2 predominate. Lineage 1 WNV was introduced into the eastern USA in 1999, and within 5 years it was established in North America and Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and South America. The hallmark of WNV activity in North America has been the significant morbidity and mortality in a wide range of avian species. Other vertebrates, including humans, have been infected with WNV, but their role in the transmission cycle is less significant because of their generally low levels of viraemia. Symptoms of WNV disease range from non-specific flu-like symptoms to muscle weakness and neuroinvasive disease [West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)]. Approximately 75% of humans infected with WNV develop no or very mild symptoms, 25% develop West Nile fever and one in 150-250 develops WNND. The elderly and immunocompromized individuals are at the greatest risk of developing WNND. Long-term neurologic sequelae have been noted. Effective arbovirus surveillance is essential to predicting human incidence of WNV infection and to planning prevention and control strategies, such as mosquito abatement and dissemination of public warnings. Human vaccines for prevention of WNV are in various stages of development, but currently none are available for human use, even though equine vaccines have been available since 2003.
Deciphering dynamics of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in a living organism
Authors: Ferguson Joshua P. , Willy Nathan M. , Heidotting Spencer P. , Huber Scott D. , Webber Matthew J. , Kural Comert
Published: July 2016

Current understanding of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) dynamics is based on detection and tracking of fluorescently tagged clathrin coat components within cultured cells. Because of technical limitations inherent to detection and tracking of single fluorescent particles, CME dynamics is not characterized in vivo, so the effects of mechanical cues generated during development of multicellular organisms on formation and dissolution of clathrin-coated structures (CCSs) have not been directly observed. Here, we use growth rates of fluorescence signals obtained from short CCS intensity trace fragments to assess CME dynamics. This methodology does not rely on determining the complete lifespan of individual endocytic assemblies. Therefore, it allows for real-time monitoring of spatiotemporal changes in CME dynamics and is less prone to errors associated with particle detection and tracking. We validate the applicability of this approach to in vivo systems by demonstrating the reduction of CME dynamics during dorsal closure of Drosophila melanogaster embryos.
A mitochondrial-derived vesicle HOPS to endolysosomes using Syntaxin-17
Authors: Juhász Gábor
Published: July 2016

Damaged mitochondrial content is packaged in mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs), which are targeted for degradation through an unclear mechanism. McLelland et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201603105) show that the SNARE Syntaxin-17 mediates MDV fusion with endolysosomes, promoting the delivery of mitochondrial cargo to lysosomes for degradation.
A program to reduce inequality
Authors: Short Ben
Published: July 2016

Study explores how developing organisms maintain tissue homogeneity.
BCL-B (BCL2L10) is overexpressed in patients suffering from multiple myeloma (MM) and drives an MM-like disease in transgenic mice
Authors: Hamouda Mohamed-Amine , Jacquel Arnaud , Robert Guillaume , Puissant Alexandre , Richez Valentine , Cassel Romeo , Fenouille Nina , Roulland Sandrine , Gilleron Jerome , Griessinger Emmanuel , Dubois Alix , Bailly-Maitre Beatrice , Goncalves Diogo , Mallavialle Aude , Colosetti Pascal , Marchetti Sandrine , Amiot Martine , Gomez-Bougie Patricia , Rochet Nathalie , Deckert Marcel , Avet-Loiseau Herve , Hofman Paul , Karsenti Jean-Michel , Jeandel Pierre-Yves , Blin-Wakkach Claudine , Nadel Bertrand , Cluzeau Thomas , Anderson Kenneth C. , Fuzibet Jean-Gabriel , Auberger Patrick , Luciano Frederic
Published: July 2016

Multiple myeloma (MM) evolves from a premalignant condition known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). However, the factors underlying the malignant transformation of plasmocytes in MM are not fully characterized. We report here that Eµ-directed expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-B protein in mice drives an MM phenotype that reproduces accurately the human disease. Indeed, with age, Eµ-bcl-b transgenic mice develop the characteristic features of human MM, including bone malignant plasma cell infiltration, a monoclonal immunoglobulin peak, immunoglobulin deposit in renal tubules, and highly characteristic bone lytic lesions. In addition, the tumors are serially transplantable in irradiated wild-type mice, underlying the tumoral origin of the disease. Eµ-bcl-b plasmocytes show increased expression of a panel of genes known to be dysregulated in human MM pathogenesis. Treatment of Eµ-bcl-b mice with drugs currently used to treat patients such as melphalan and VELCADE efficiently kills malignant plasmocytes in vivo. Finally, we find that Bcl-B is overexpressed in plasmocytes from MM patients but neither in MGUS patients nor in healthy individuals, suggesting that Bcl-B may drive MM. These findings suggest that Bcl-B could be an important factor in MM disease and pinpoint Eµ-bcl-b mice as a pertinent model to validate new therapies in MM.
Estimating Expected and Unexpected Losses for Agricultural Mortgage Portfolios
Authors: Dressler Jonathan B. , Tauer Loren W.
Published: July 2016

The financial crisis that began in 2008 placed renewed emphasis and responsibility on financial institutions to assess financial risks and provide evidence of adequate capital to accommodate those risks. Financial regulators in the United States are now requiring financial institutions with mortgage portfolios to show they have set aside sufficient capital reserves to meet expected and unexpected losses caused by credit defaults. Various methods exist to estimate the loss risk of agricultural loan portfolios, and those methods were used to estimate the economic capital necessary to cover loan losses for a financial institution. Combining estimates of probability of delinquency, probability of loss, loss given default, and exposure at default from various models, one‐year‐ahead expected loss estimates were derived. Value‐at‐Risk and expected shortfall estimates were obtained from loss distributions to arrive at unexpected loss estimates. Previous empirical studies reported in the literature often only measured the probability of default, but the other components are essential to determine the necessary economic capital to meet expected and unexpected loan losses. Results show that measures of liquidity, solvency, profitability, and controls for unobserved heterogeneity are important when modeling delinquency, while measures of leverage, state‐level economic output, and controls for unobserved heterogeneity are important when modeling loss given default. Predicted portfolio expected losses were greatest for the regression model combination that included the loss given default linear regression static variable models, and least for the regression model combination using static and time‐varying variables. These results should prove useful in determining and assessing capital reserve requirements for financial institutions with mortgage portfolios.
The Gravity of Water: Water Trade Frictions in California
Authors: Regnacq Charles , Dinar Ariel , Hanak Ellen
Published: July 2016

It is relatively well accepted that costs associated with transfers weigh upon water markets and deter some exchanges. But few studies explicitly address such costs and their impacts on trading behavior. In this article we fill this gap, using a tool from the international trade literature called the gravity equation. We first develop a theoretical model to assess the micro‐foundation of this approach in a water market context. The model distinguishes between variable and fixed costs of trade, which allows us to disentangle the decision to enter into the water market (extensive margin) and the decision on the quantity of water to be transferred (intensive margin). We then test the theoretical predictions using water transfer data among California water districts over a 17‐year period. We approximate transfer costs by distance and institutional factors. Results validate the theoretical predictions and show the importance of distance and institutional impediments in the decision to trade.
Effect of Fungicide Applications on Monilinia fructicola Population Diversity and Transposon Movement
Authors: Dowling Madeline E. , Bryson Patricia K. , Boatwright Harriet G. , Wilson Jennifer R. , Fan Zhen , Everhart Sydney E. , Brannen Phillip M. , Schnabel Guido
Published: July 2016

In this study, we investigated whether fungicide-induced mutagenesis previously reported in Monilinia fructicola could accelerate genetic changes in field populations. Azoxystrobin and propiconazole were applied to nectarine trees at weekly intervals for approximately 3 months between bloom and harvest in both 2013 and 2014. Fungicides were applied at half-label rate to allow recovery of isolates and to increase chances of sublethal dose exposure. One block was left unsprayed as a control. In total, 608 single-spore isolates were obtained from blighted blossoms, cankers, and fruit to investigate phenotypic (fungicide resistance) and genotypic (simple-sequence repeat [SSR] loci and gene region) changes. In both years, populations from fungicide-treated and untreated fruit were not statistically different in haploid gene diversity (P = 0.775 for 2013 and P = 0.938 for 2014), allele number (P = 0.876 for 2013 and P = 0.406 for 2014), and effective allele number (P = 0.861 for 2013 and P = 0.814 for 2014). Isolates from blossoms and corresponding cankers of fungicide treatments revealed no changes in SSR analysis or evidence for induced Mftc1 transposon translocation. No indirect evidence for increased genetic diversity in the form of emergence of reduced sensitivity to azoxystrobin, propiconazole, iprodione, and cyprodinil was detected. High levels of population diversity in all treatments provided evidence for sexual recombination of this pathogen in the field, despite apparent absence of apothecia in the orchard. Our results indicate that fungicide-induced, genetic changes may not occur or not occur as readily in field populations as they do under continuous exposure to sublethal doses in vitro.
Molecular Mapping of High Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot in Lettuce PI 358001-1
Authors: Wang Yunwen , Lu Huangjun , Hu Jinguo
Published: July 2016

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a diploid (2n = 18) with a genome size of 2,600 Mbp, and belongs to the family Compositae. Bacterial leaf spot (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians, is a major disease of lettuce worldwide. Leaf lettuce PI 358001-1 has been characterized as an accession highly resistant to BLS and has white seed. In order to understand inheritance of the high resistance in this germplasm line, an F3 population consisting of 163 families was developed from the cross PI 358001-1 × ‘Tall Guzmaine’ (a susceptible Romaine lettuce variety with black seed). The segregation ratio of reaction to disease by seedling inoculation with X. campestris pv. vitians L7 strain in the F3 families was shown to be 32:82:48 homozygous resistant/heterozygous/homozygous susceptible, fitting to 1:2:1 (n = 162, χ2 = 3.19, P = 0.20). The segregation ratio of seed color by checking F2 plants was 122:41 black/white, fitting to 3:1 (n = 163, χ2 = 0.002, P = 0.96). The results indicated that both BLS resistance and seed color were inherited as a dominant gene mode. A genetic linkage map based on 124 randomly selected F2 plants was developed to enable molecular mapping of the BLS resistance and the seed color trait. In total, 199 markers, comprising 176 amplified fragment length polymorphisms, 16 simple-sequence repeats, 5 resistant gene candidate markers, and 2 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) markers were assigned to six linkage groups. The dominant resistance gene to BLS (Xcvr) was mapped on linkage group 2 and the gene locus y for seed color was identified on linkage group 5. Due to the nature of a single gene inheritance, the high-resistance gene should be readily transferred to adapted lettuce cultivars to battle against the devastating disease of lettuce.
Pharmacology of W-18 and W-15
Authors: Huang Xi-Ping , Che Tao , Mangano Thomas J , Le Rouzic Valerie , Pan Ying-Xian , Majumdar Susruta , Cameron Michael , Bauman Michael , Pasternak Gavril W. , Roth Bryan L
Published: July 2016

W-18 (1-(4-Nitrophenylethyl)piperidylidene-2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamide)and W-15 (4-chloro-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-2-piperidinylidene]-benzenesulfonamide) represent two emerging drugs of abuse chemically related to the potent opioid agonist fentanyl (N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylpropanamide). Here we describe the comprehensive pharmacological profiles of W-18 and W-15. Although W-18 and W-15 have been described as having potent anti-nociceptive activity and are presumed to interact with opioid receptors, we found them to be without detectible opioid activity at μ, δ, κ and nociception opioid receptors in a variety of assays. We also tested W-18 and W-15 for activity as allosteric modulators at opioid receptors and found them devoid of significant positive or negative allosteric modulatory activity. Comprehensive profiling at essentially all the druggable G-protein coupled receptors in the human genome using the PRESTO-Tango platform revealed no significant activity. In silico predictions using the Similarity Ensemble Approach suggested activity for W-18 only weakly at H3-histamine receptors, which was not confirmed in radioligand binding studies. Weak activity at the sigma receptors and the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor were found for W-18 (Ki=271 nM); W-15 displayed weak antagonist activity at 5-HT2-family serotonin receptors. W-18 is extensively metabolized, but its metabolites also lack opioid activity. W-18 and W-15 did inhibit hERG binding suggesting possible cardiovascular side-effects with high doses. Thus although W-18 and W-15 have been suggested to be potent opioid agonists, our results reveal no significant activity at these or other known targets for psychoactive drugs.
Benchmarking presidents’ compensations in institutions of higher education relative to sustainability and other institutional practices
Authors: Pati Niranjan , Lee Jooh
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic effects of academic institutional factors including environmental, social, and economic sustainability indices on the compensation of the president of an institution of higher education (IHE). The objective is to build relationships among variables to benchmark compensation measures for IHE presidents across US universities to proliferate sustainability initiatives. Some of the variables of the study were environmental sustainability, social sustainability, cost efficiency as a measure of economic sustainability, tenure, institutional control of the university such as public or private fundraising reputation, endowment and professor’s salary.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 236 universities have been included in the study. The data for various dependent variables were studied to see the relationship between the independent and select dependent variables. The OLS regression approach was used to ascertain the relationships between the president’s salary, and a selected set of independent variables that includes the measures of sustainability.

Findings

– The key findings of this study is that variables such as environmental sustainability, tenure, classification, endowment, and professor salary were significantly and positively associated with the IHE president’s salary.

Research limitations/implications

– The current study is limited to the IHEs within the USA. Thus, the study cannot be generalized or extrapolated to other countries or contexts or cultures.

Practical implications

– The results of the study show that the trustees rarely use proliferation of sustainability as a criterion to compensate IHE presidents. The study concludes with the plea to trustees to benchmark sustainability across IHEs in evaluating and compensating IHE presidents.

Originality/value

– This paper extends the compensation study of IHE presidents to include environment, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. These variables are important in this age where IHEs have been challenged to do more to make our planet sustainable.
Analysis of green supply chain barriers using integrated ISM-fuzzy MICMAC approach
Authors: Dube Anil S. , Gawande Rupesh S.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers to implement green supply chain and to understand their mutual relationship. Green supply chain management (GSCM) barriers are identified using available GSCM literature and on consultations with experts from industry and academician. Interpretive structural model (ISM) was developed to identify the contextual relationship among these barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A group of experts from industries and academics was consulted and ISM is used to develop the contextual relationship among various GSCMBs for each dimension of GSCM implementation. The results of ISM are used as an input to fuzzy matrix of cross-impact multiplications applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis, to identify the driving and dependence power of GSCMBs.

Findings

– This paper has identified 14 key GSCMBs and developed an integrated model using ISM and the fuzzy MICMAC approach, which helps to identify and classify the important GSCMBs and reveal the direct and indirect effects of each GSCMB on the GSCM implementation. ISM model provides only binary relationship among GSCMBs, while fuzzy MICMAC analysis provides precise analysis related to driving and dependence power of GSCMB, to overcome this limitation, integrated approach is developed.

Research limitations/implications

– ISM model development and fuzzy MICMAC analysis were obtained through the judgment of academicians and industry experts. It is the only subjective judgment and any biasing by the person who is judging the GSCMBs might influence the final result.

Originality/value

– This is first kind of study to identify GSCMBs and further, to deploy ISM and fuzzy MICMAC to identify and classify the key GSCMEs that influence GSCM implementation in the organization. The results will be useful for business managers to understand the GSCMBs and overcome these GSCMBs during GSCM implementation in an organization.
Stakeholder group influence on media reputation in crisis periods
Authors: Vogler Daniel , Schranz Mario , Eisenegger Mark
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The concept of media reputation is a well-documented field in communication research. However, it often remains unclear how the process of reputation formation takes place exactly. The purpose of this paper is to analyze which stakeholder groups are the driving forces in the process of reputation constitution of the Swiss banking industry and how it was affected by the financial crisis in 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

– Given that mass media are the main source of information about an organization in crisis for the public, media reputation serves as a valuable concept for analyzing the effects of crises on organizations. This study is therefore based on a content analysis of Swiss newspapers published between 2004 and 2010.

Findings

– Data shows that the influence of political stakeholder groups on media reputation of Swiss banks is higher in times of crisis. In addition the focus in media coverage changes from economic topics in pre-crisis period to social topics in crisis period. The increased importance of political stakeholder groups and social topics in crisis lead to a more negative and less controllable media reputation.

Originality/value

– This study aims at a better understanding of the impact of stakeholder groups on corporate media reputation in crises. Instead of defining reputation as a single item this approach allows a more differentiated analysis of the process of reputation constitution.
Determinants of environmental accounting and reporting practices in Portuguese local entities
Authors: Ribeiro Verónica Paula , Aibar-Guzmán Cristina , Aibar-Guzman Beatriz , da Silva Monteiro Sónia Maria
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop environmental accounting and reporting practices (EARPs) by Portuguese local entities and their determining factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were obtained through a postal survey. In order to measure the degree of development of environmental accounting and reporting practices index was developed, which reflects the extent to which a set of eight EARPs have been implemented by the 69 Portuguese local entities included in the sample. Three variables are considered in this study as possible factors that drive the development of environmental management practices (EMPs) by local entities, namely, size of entity, accounting framework, degree of development of EMPs.

Findings

– Results indicate the degree of development of EARPs in Portuguese local entities is low. Additionally, accounting regulation and the degree of development of EMPs are explaining factors of the degree of development of environmental accounting practices in Portuguese local entities.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the international research on environmental accounting in public sector by providing empirical data from a country, Portugal, where empirical evidence is still relatively limited.
How stakeholders’ personal values influence their value expectations for legitimate organizations
Authors: Brummette John , Zoch Lynn M.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Through its use of a nationwide survey that assessed the most significant personal and organizational values among the general public, the purpose of this paper is to identify how individuals’ personal values serve an important role in guiding the value expectations they have for organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research firm was hired to disseminate a survey to a stratified sample of 735 of adults in the US measures used in the study were a socially desirable human values subscale and a socially desirable organizational values subscale.

Findings

– The results from several regression analyses confirmed that stakeholders’ personal values predict the values they expect from organizations with which they choose to conduct business.

Research limitations/implications

– Organizations must recognize that values play a significant role in the legitimation process as both are represented by actions and social desirability. In the realm of corporate communication, organizations continually encounter situations in which they must establish, maintain and defend their legitimacy using strategic communication efforts. These difficult feats can only be accomplished by viewing legitimacy as a measureable construct that is ultimately shaped by acting and communicating in ways that meet the value-driven expectations of stakeholders.

Originality/value

– This paper fills a gap in the literature that identifies whether stakeholders personal values drive or influence the values they expect to be displayed by legitimate organizations.
The development of mapping tool for work-based learning activities
Authors: Lemanski Tomasz , Overton Tina
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a new tool that can be used to help in the design and evaluation of work-based elements within programmes or to evaluate whole programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper takes a case study approach to describe the development of the mapping tool. The tool is based on a matrix which enables users to map four variables: teacher-centred delivery, employer-centred delivery and students outcomes in terms of knowledge and skills.

Findings

– The mapping tool provides a useful approach to evaluating the outcomes for work-based learning activities.

Practical implications

– The mapping tool provides tutors with a useful, easily used way to visualise the nature of their work-based learning activities.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a novel, practical and useful tool that has wide applicability in the field of work-based learning.
Using a blog and social media promotion as a collaborative community building marketing tool for library resources
Authors: Vaaler Alyson , Brantley Steve
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to explain the process of how Booth Library developed an online WordPress blog to market physical and electronic resources in the library’s collection. This report looks at specific tools that are used to maintain the blog and sample topics that the blog covers.

Design/methodology/approach

WordPress software was installed on library servers, making the blog a cohesive part of the library’s website. A PHP script called “List It!” was developed to produce book lists with cover images from a list of scanned library barcodes. After the book lists are inserted into blog posts, social media tools such as YOURLS and Hootsuite are used to schedule tweets and Facebook posts.

Findings

Since its launch in September 2014, Ref News has received a total of 6,180 views and 3,835 unique views for 88 posts. On average, users are spending two minutes and 44 seconds on a page or group of pages. Less measurable benefits include greatly expanded website content, booklists that can be reused and repurposed and a sense of ownership and increased morale for those who help curate book displays and write blog posts.

Originality/value

This report shows how a free WordPress blog can be used as a versatile and collaborative tool to market library resources and connect with users.
A novel method of yarn cross-sectional area calculation
Authors: Narkhedkar Ramesh
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to study the yarn cross-section shape which is a very important yarn physical parameter and has a dominant effect on the physical structure of the yarn. Four factors affecting the yarn cross section, i.e. twist multiplier, Roving hank, spinning system and doubling technique, were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

In past researches, the yarn cross-sectional area was calculated by considering any one yarn radius giving the approximate yarn cross-sectional area by assuming the yarn as a circular one.

Findings

In this study, a testing instrument is fabricated as shown in Plates 1 and 2 for yarn cross-section measurement and a novel method for calculating the correct yarn cross-sectional area of the yarn was developed.

Originality/value

In the past, no such studies have been conducted on the yarn cross-section studies because of the various limitations of the yarn cross-section measuring or testing instruments.
An overview of the application of image processing technology for yarn hairiness evaluation
Authors: Zhang Guohong , Xin Binjie
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to overview the current status of development and application of digital image processing technology used for the yarn hairiness evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

Digital image processing technology is one of the new methods used for the yarn detection, which can be used for the digital characterization and objective evaluation of yarn appearance. The comparison between the traditional detection methods and this new developed method was made and analyzed.

Findings

Compared with the traditional methods, image-based methods have the advantages of being objective, fast and accurate. Therefore, it was proved that digital image processing techniques should be a new trend in terms of the yarn appearance evaluation.
A noise-robust method for passive wireless resonant SAW sensor
Authors: Liu Boquan , Zeng Yicheng , Tang Pinghua
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a noise-robust method to estimate the frequency of the reflective echo to reduce the negative effects of noise and improve the accuracy and resolution of a resonant surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach exploits the singular value decomposition to obtain the frequency information of a SAW response signal and overcome the noise influences.

Findings

Compared with the commonly used Fourier transform (FT) method, the accuracy and resolution improvement of the proposed method used in the SAW sensor is validated.

Originality/value

The system using the proposed method delivers lesser standard deviation, that is, delivers higher performance than the conventional system using the fast FT method.