bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variational elastic solution for axially loaded piles in multilayered soil
Authors: Salgado Rodrigo , Seo Hoyoung , Prezzi Monica
Published: November 2011

Most analytical or semi‐analytical solutions of the problem of load‐settlement response of axially loaded piles are based on the assumption of zero radial displacement. These solutions also are only applicable to piles embedded in either a homogeneous or a Gibson soil deposit. In reality, soil deposits consist of multiple soil layers with different properties, and displacements in the radial direction within the soil deposit are not zero when the pile is loaded axially. In this paper, we present a load‐settlement analysis applicable to a pile with circular cross section installed in multilayered elastic soil that accounts for both vertical and radial soil displacements. The analysis follows from the solution of the differential equations governing the displacements of the pile–soil system obtained using variational principles. The input parameters needed for the analysis are the pile geometry and the elastic constants of the soil and pile. We compare the results from the present analysis with those of an analytical solution that considers only vertical soil displacements. The analysis presented in this paper also provides useful insights into the displacement and strain fields around axially loaded piles. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intermediate band photovoltaics based on interband–intraband transitions using In0.53Ga0.47As/InP superlattice
Authors: Hu Weiguo , Harada Yukihiro , Hasegawa Aiko , Inoue Tomoya , Kojima Osamu , Kita Takashi
Published: November 2011

We present a theoretical model to incorporate the quantum mechanism of two‐photon transitions into macroscopic operations. The two‐photon transition is described as a two‐step interband–intraband transition within the one‐band envelope‐function framework and is coupled with drift–diffusion as well as the potential distribution. In0.53Ga0.47As/InP superlattices (SLs) are chosen as the initial candidate to simulate intermediate band solar cell operation. In this type of structure, the absorption spectrum of interband and intraband transitions is asymmetric and strongly depends on device structure and operating conditions. Our results also reveal that the intraband transition dominates the detailed balance. Both the intermediate band (IB) configuration and the conversion efficiency are determined by the SL structure. Only well‐designed SLs can form the appropriate IB. Furthermore, an efficiency contour plot has been calculated to guide quantum design: the peak efficiency is 45.61% when the well thickness is 4 nm and the barrier thickness is 2 nm. As the well or barrier thickness increases to 10 nm, the absorption peak of the intraband transition gradually redshifts and narrows, so the efficiency correspondingly decreases to below 40%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Breath figures method to control the topography and the functionality of polymeric surfaces in porous films and microspheres
Authors: de León Alberto S. , Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Fernández‐García Marta , Rodríguez‐Hernández Juan
Published: November 2011

Polymeric films with porous structures and microsphere patterns were prepared by the method of breath figures, mixing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and amphiphilic copolymers containing glucose moieties in their structure, glycopolymers. Statistical and block glycopolymers were used in a proportion of 10 wt %. The statistical glycopolymers were synthesized via conventional free radical copolymerization, whereas the block copolymer of methyl methacrylate and 2‐{[(D‐glucosamin‐2‐Nyl) carbonyl]oxy}ethyl methacrylate, PMMA‐b‐PHEMAGl, was obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization. Glycopolymers were blended with a high molecular weight PMMA matrix and dissolved in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and a small amount of water. Results showed that, depending on experimental conditions (water content, humidity, and type of copolymer), the observed final film morphology changes significantly. Thus, films with honeycomb pattern structures, spherical particles, or a mixture of both were obtained. In addition, polar glucose moieties were oriented principally either inside of the pores in the case of films and towards the surface in the case of particles. The specific surface bioactivity of these materials was examined using the specific lectin concanavalin A conjugated with fluorescein, Con A‐FITC. The successful binding of the Con A was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy being more intense at the surface of the pores and of the particles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Highly reactive polyisobutylenes via AlCl3OBu2‐coinitiated cationic polymerization of isobutylene: Effect of solvent polarity, temperature, and initiator
Authors: Vasilenko Irina V. , Shiman Dmitriy I. , Kostjuk Sergei V.
Published: November 2011

The cationic polymerization of isobutylene using 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol (CumOH)/AlCl3OBu2 and H2O/AlCl3OBu2 initiating systems in nonpolar solvents (toluene, n‐hexane) at elevated temperatures (−20 to 30 °C) is reported. With CumOH/AlCl3OBu2 initiating system, the reaction proceeded by controlled initiation via CumOH, followed by β‐H abstraction and then irreversible termination, thus, affording polymers (Mn = 1000–2000 g mol−1) with high content of vinylidene end groups (85–91%), although the monomer conversion was low (≤35%) and polymers exhibited relatively broad molecular weight distribution (MWD; Mw/Mn = 2.3–3.5). H2O/AlCl3OBu2 initiating system induced chain‐transfer dominated cationic polymerization of isobutylene via a selective β‐H abstraction by free base (Bu2O). Under these conditions, polymers with very high content of desired exo‐olefin terminal groups (89–94%) in high yield (>85%) were obtained in 10 min. It was shown that the molecular weight of polyisobutylenes obtained with H2O/AlCl3OBu2 initiating system could be easily controlled in a range 1000–10,000 g mol−1 by changing the reaction temperature from −40 to 30 °C. The MWD was rather broad (Mw/Mn = 2.5–3.5) at low reaction temperatures (from −40 to 10 °C), but became narrower (Mw/Mn ≤ 2.1) at temperatures higher than 10 °C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Synthetic pathways enables the design of functionalized poly(lactic acid) with pendant mercapto groups
Authors: Pappalardo Daniela , Målberg Sofia , Finne‐Winstrad Anna , Albertsson Ann‐Christine
Published: November 2011

Functionalized poly(lactic acid) having sulfur‐protected groups along the chain have been synthesized with the ultimate aim to obtain materials for reversible and degradable self‐assembly systems. The first step in the synthesis was the preparation of hydroxy‐(4‐methyl‐phenylsulfanyl)‐propionic acid and hydroxy‐(tritylsulfanyl)‐propionic acid. These sulfur‐functionalized hydroxy acids were subsequently used as comonomers in the condensation polymerization of lactic acid producing functionalized polyesters with thio‐protected groups along the chain. The ratio of functionalized hydroxyl‐acid in the copolymer was determined by the feed ratio. The polyesters obtained were amorphous and size exclusion chromatography analysis showed a monomodal distribution. When treated with iodine, the polyesters chains bearing the tritylsulfanyl side groups assembled with the formation of SS bridges and the molecular weight increased accordingly. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Successive SET‐LRP and ATRP synthesis of ferrocene‐based PPEGMEA‐g‐PAEFC well‐defined amphiphilic graft copolymer
Authors: Zhai Sujuan , Shang Jing , Yang Dong , Wang Songyang , Hu Jianhua , Lu Guolin , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2011

A series of ferrocene‐based well‐defined amphiphilic graft copolymers, consisting of hydrophilic poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate] (PPEGMEA) backbone and hydrophobic poly(2‐acryloyloxyethyl ferrocenecarboxylate) (PAEFC) side chains were synthesized by successive single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The backbone was prepared by SET‐LRP of PEGMEA macromonomer, and it was then treated with lithium di‐isopropylamide and 2‐bromopropionyl bromide at −78 °C to give PPEGMEA‐Br macroinitiator. The targeted well‐defined graft copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.32) were synthesized via ATRP of AEFC initiated by PPEGMEA‐Br macroinitiator, and the molecular weights of the backbone and side chains were both controllable. The electro‐chemical behaviors of graft copolymers were studied by cyclic voltammetry, and it was found that graft copolymers were more difficult to be oxidized, and the reversibility of electrode process became less with raising the content of PAEFC segment. The effects of the preparation method, the length of hydrophobic PAEFC segment, and the initial water content on self‐assembly behavior of PPEGMEA‐g‐PAEFC graft copolymers in aqueous media were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The morphologies of micelles could transform from cylinders to spheres or rods with changing the preparation condition and the length of side chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Calculation of a divergence‐free lamb shift
Authors: Ritchie Burke
Published: November 2011

A divergence‐free theory of the Lamb shift is presented, and calculations are carried out for hydrogen‐like ions. The theory uses two Lorentz‐invariant equations of motion, one for the electron in the presence of the photon, which is Dirac's four‐space time‐dependent equation, and the other for the photon in the presence of the electron. The electron–photon interaction is calculated from the Dirac current. The distribution of photon frequencies is bounded by the distribution of electron frequencies intrinsic to the Dirac current, thereby guaranteeing a divergence‐free result for the Lamb shift. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Systematic evaluation of acetone and acetonitrile for use in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of basic small molecules
Authors: Heaton James , Jones Michael D. , Legido‐Quigley Cristina , Plumb Robert S. , Smith Norman W.
Published: November 2011

Sub‐2‐µm particle size hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography [HILIC] combined with mass spectrometry has been increasing in popularity as a complementary technique to reversed‐phase LC for the analysis of polar analytes. The organic‐rich mobile phase associated with HILIC techniques provides increases in compound ionization, due to increased desolvation efficiency during electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric (ESI‐MS) analysis. Although recent publications illustrated selectivity and response comparisons between reversed‐phase LC/MS and HILIC LC/MS, there are limited discussions evaluating the optimisation of the mass spectrometry parameters regarding analytes and alternative mobile phases. The use of acetone as an alternative organic modifier in HILIC has been investigated with respect to signal‐to‐noise in ESI‐MS for a variety of polar analytes. Analyte reponses were measured based on a variety of cone and capillary voltages at low and high pH in both acetone and acetonitrile. In order to visualise compound behaviour in the ESI source, surface plots were constructed to assist in interpreting the observed results. The use of acetone in ESI is complicated at low m/z due to the formation of condensation products. Favourable responses were observed for certain analytes and we envisage offering an insight into the use of acetone as an alternative to acetonitrile under certain analytical conditions for particular compound classifications for small molecule analysis. We also highlight the importance of optimising source voltages in order to obtain the maximum signal stability and sensitivity, which are invariably, highly solvent composition dependent parameters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New 2‐Methyl‐13‐Icosenoic Acid from the Temperate Calcisponge Leuconia johnstoni
Authors: Quévrain Elodie , Barnathan Gilles , Meziane Tarik , Domart‐Coulon Isabelle , Rabesaotra Vony , Bourguet‐Kondracki Marie‐Lise
Published: November 2011

The fatty acid composition of the temperate calcareous marine sponge Leuconia johnstoni Carter 1871 (Calcaronea, Calcarea) was characterized for the first time in specimens collected off the Brittany coast of France over four years from October 2005 to September 2008. Forty‐one fatty acids (FA) with chain lengths ranging from C14 to C22 were identified as fatty methyl esters (FAME) and N‐acyl pyrrolidide (NAP) derivatives by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Twenty‐two saturated fatty acids (SFA) were identified accounting for 52.1–59.0% of the total FA and dimethylacetals (DMA). In addition, among the SFA, we noticed the presence of numerous methyl‐branched iso and anteiso FA, suggesting a large number of associated bacteria within L. johnstoni. Thirteen monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 28.0–36.0% of total FA + DMA) were also identified as well as six polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 4.0–8.2%). A noticeable DMA was detected at a high level, particularly in September 2008 (11.8%), indicating the presence of plasmalogens in this sponge species. This calcareous sponge lacked the non‐methylene‐interrupted FA (NMI FA) with a Δ5,9 system typical of siliceous Demosponges and Hexactinellids. The occurrence of the unusual 8,13‐octadecadienoic acid was reported for the first time as a minor PUFA in a calcareous sponge. The major FA, representing 20–25% of this sponge FA, was identified as the new 2‐methyl‐13‐icosenoic acid from mass spectra of its methyl ester and its corresponding N‐acyl pyrrolidide derivatives as well as a dimethyl disulfide adduct.
Preparation and Evaluation of Biodiesel from Sterculia foetida Seed Oil
Authors: Bindhu Ch. , Reddy J. R. C. , Rao B. V. S. K. , Ravinder T. , Chakrabarti P. P. , Karuna M. S. L. , Prasad R. B. N.
Published: November 2011

Sterculia foetida oil contains cyclopropene fatty acids namely 8,9‐methylene‐heptadec‐8‐enoic acid (malvalic) and 9,10‐methylene‐octadec‐9‐enoic acid (sterculic) to an extent of 50–55%. The present study reports the preparation of biodiesel from S. foetida oil using sodium hydroxide as catalyst. The resultant biodiesel was evaluated for physico‐chemical properties namely iodine value (72.6), free fatty acids (0.17%), phosphorous content (0 ppm), flash point (179 °C), cloud point (3 °C), pour point (3 °C), viscosity at 40 °C (4.72 cSt), oxidative stability at 110 °C (3.42 h), density (0.850 g/cm3 at 15 °C), and trace metals (Group I metals 0.21 ppm). The properties were compared with that of sunflower, soybean and rapeseed oil‐based biodiesels and found to be comparable except for the pour point.
CellAnimation: an open source MATLAB framework for microscopy assays
Authors: Georgescu Walter , Wikswo John P. , Quaranta Vito
Published: November 2011

Motivation: Advances in microscopy technology have led to the creation of high-throughput microscopes that are capable of generating several hundred gigabytes of images in a few days. Analyzing such wealth of data manually is nearly impossible and requires an automated approach. There are at present a number of open-source and commercial software packages that allow the user to apply algorithms of different degrees of sophistication to the images and extract desired metrics. However, the types of metrics that can be extracted are severely limited by the specific image processing algorithms that the application implements, and by the expertise of the user. In most commercial software, code unavailability prevents implementation by the end user of newly developed algorithms better suited for a particular type of imaging assay. While it is possible to implement new algorithms in open-source software, rewiring an image processing application requires a high degree of expertise. To obviate these limitations, we have developed an open-source high-throughput application that allows implementation of different biological assays such as cell tracking or ancestry recording, through the use of small, relatively simple image processing modules connected into sophisticated imaging pipelines. By connecting modules, non-expert users can apply the particular combination of well-established and novel algorithms developed by us and others that are best suited for each individual assay type. In addition, our data exploration and visualization modules make it easy to discover or select specific cell phenotypes from a heterogeneous population.

Availability:CellAnimation is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). CellAnimationsource code and documentation may be downloaded from www.vanderbilt.edu/viibre/software/documents/CellAnimation.zip. Sample data are available at www.vanderbilt.edu/viibre/software/documents/movies.zip.

Contact:  walter.georgescu@vanderbilt.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data available at Bioinformatics online.
Intrathecal Injection of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 3 and 5 Agonist/Antagonist Attenuates Bone Cancer Pain by Inhibition of Spinal Astrocyte Activation in a Mouse Model
Authors: Ren Bing-xu , Gu Xiao-ping , Zheng Ya-guo , Liu Cheng-long , Wang Dan , Sun Yu-e , Ma Zheng-liang
Published: November 2011

Background

Astrocytes and metabotropic glutamate receptors play important roles in nociceptive processing. However, their roles in bone cancer pain were not well understood. This study sought to investigate whether selective mGluR3 and mGluR5 agonist or antagonist develop antinociceptive effects on bone cancer pain by inhibition of spinal astrocyte activation.

Methods

C3H/HeNCrlVr mice were inoculated into the intramedullary space of the femur with sarcoma NCTC 2472 cells to induce bone cancer pain. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiments examined messenger RNA and protein expression of spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein, mGluR3, and mGluR5. The authors further investigated effects of intrathecal treatment with the mGluR3 agonist (APDC), the mGluR3 antagonist (LY341495), the mGluR5 agonist (CHPG), or the mGluR5 antagonist (MTEP) on nociceptive behaviors and spinal astrocyte activation associated with bone cancer pain.

Results

Inoculation of sarcoma cells, but not α-MEM solution, induced progressive bone cancer pain and resulted in up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein, mGluR3, and mGluR5 expression on days 10, 14, and 21 postinoculation. Intrathecal administration of APDC and MTEP attenuated bone cancer-evoked spontaneous pain, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and reduced spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. However, treatment with LY341495 and CHPG induced thermal hyperalgesia and spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in control mice.

Conclusions

Spinal mGluR3 activation or mGluR5 inhibition reduced bone cancer pain. Inhibition of spinal astrocyte activation may contribute to the analgesic effects. These findings may lead to novel strategies for the treatment of bone cancer pain.
Compostimonas suwonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from spent mushroom compost
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Tamura Tomohiko , Hamada Moriyuki , Ahn Jae-Hyung , Weon Hang-Yeon , Park In-Cheol , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Kwon Soon-Wo
Published: November 2011

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rod, designated SMC46T, was isolated from a spent mushroom compost sample collected in the Suwon region, South Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain SMC46T was a member of the family

Microbacteriaceae

; however, the isolate formed a branch separate from other genera within the family. Sequence similarity between strain SMC46T and other members of the family

Microbacteriaceae

was ≤97 %, the highest sequence similarity being with

Frigoribacterium faeni

801T and

Frondihabitans australicus

E1HC-02T (both 97.0 %). Some chemotaxonomic properties of strain SMC46T were consistent with those of the family

Microbacteriaceae

: MK-11 and MK-12 as the predominant menaquinones, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid as the polar lipids. However, strain SMC46T contained a B-type peptidoglycan not previously found in the family

Microbacteriaceae

. The DNA G+C content was 68 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain SMC46T was considered to represent a novel genus and species in the family

Microbacteriaceae

, for which the name Compostimonas suwonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is SMC46T ( = KACC 13354T  = NBRC 106304T).
Microbispora hainanensis sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Excoecaria agallocha in a mangrove
Authors: Xu Xiao-Xiong , Wang Hai-Long , Lin Hai-Peng , Wang Cheng , Qu Zhi , Xie Qing-Yi , Ruan Ji-Sheng , Hong Kui
Published: November 2011

Strain 211020T was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Excoecaria agallocha in a mangrove in Hainan, China. The strain produced longitudinal pair spores branching from aerial hyphae. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belonged to the genus

Microbispora

, exhibiting the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.75 %) to

Microbispora corallina

JCM 10267T with a low DNA–DNA relatedness value (13±0.6 %). The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid but madurose was not detected. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H0), and the major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 0. The phospholipid profile of strain 211020T comprised phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosamine. The DNA G+C content was 70.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 211020T can be distinguished as a novel species of the genus

Microbispora

, for which the name Microbispora hainanensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is 211020T ( = CGMCC 4.5595T = DSM 45428T).
Brenneria goodwinii sp. nov., associated with acute oak decline in the UK
Authors: Denman Sandra , Brady Carrie , Kirk Susan , Cleenwerck Ilse , Venter Stephanus , Coutinho Teresa , De Vos Paul
Published: November 2011

A group of nine Gram-negative staining, facultatively anaerobic bacterial strains isolated from native oak trees displaying symptoms of acute oak decline (AOD) in the UK were investigated using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these isolates form a distinct lineage within the genus

Brenneria

, family

Enterobacteriaceae

, and are most closely related to

Brenneria rubrifaciens

(97.6 % sequence similarity to the type strain). Multilocus sequence analysis based on four housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD) confirmed their position within the genus

Brenneria

, while DNA–DNA hybridization indicated that the isolates belong to a single taxon. The isolates can be differentiated phenotypically from their closest phylogenetic neighbours. The phylogenetic and phenotypic data demonstrate that these isolates from oak with symptoms of AOD represent a novel species in the genus

Brenneria

, for which the name Brenneria goodwinii sp. nov. (type strain FRB 141T  = R-43656T  = BCC 845T  = LMG 26270T  = NCPPB 4484T) is proposed.
Deferrisoma camini gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic, dissimilatory iron(III)-reducing bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent that forms a distinct phylogenetic branch in the Deltaproteobacteria
Authors: Slobodkina G. B. , Reysenbach A.-L. , Panteleeva A. N. , Kostrikina N. A. , Wagner I. D. , Bonch-Osmolovskaya E. A. , Slobodkin A. I.
Published: November 2011

A moderately thermophilic, anaerobic, dissimilatory iron(III)-reducing bacterium (strain S3R1T) was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney located on the Eastern Lau Spreading Centre in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of about 2150 m. Cells of strain S3R1Twere ovals to short rods with a single polar flagellum, Gram-stain-negative, 0.5–0.6 µm in diameter and 0.8–1.3 µm long, growing singly or in pairs. The temperature range for growth was 36–62 °C, with an optimum at 50 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.5–7.5, with an optimum at pH 6.5. Growth of strain S3R1Twas observed at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 % (w/v), with an optimum at 2.0–2.5 % (w/v). The isolate used acetate, fumarate, malate, maleinate, succinate, propanol, palmitate, stearate, peptone and yeast extract as electron donors for growth and iron(III) reduction. All electron donors were oxidized completely to CO2and H2O. Iron(III) (in the form of ferrihydrite, ferric citrate or ferric nitrilotriacetate) and elemental sulfur (S0) were the electron acceptors that supported growth. The DNA G+C content was 64.4 mol%. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the novel bacterium was related to representatives of the ordersDesulfuromonadalesandSyntrophobacteraleswith 84–86 % sequence similarity and formed a distinct phylogenetic branch in theDeltaproteobacteria.On the basis of its physiological properties and results of phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the new isolate represents the sole species of a novel genus,Deferrisoma caminigen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain ofDeferrisoma caminiis S3R1T( = DSM 24185T = VKM B-2672T).
Do resource consent announcements provide valuable information?
Authors: Wirth Carolyn , Chi Jing , Young Martin
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Investor access to timely, financial resource consent information is problematic, consequently the purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic importance of New Zealand resource consent announcements to the stock exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply event study methodology and cross‐sectional rank regression using a sample of resource consent announcements from 1993 to 2007.

Findings

Evidence of excess return volatility is found both on and before resource consent announcement dates. The results show that stock market reactions to resource consent announcements are positive for news of successes and negative for news of setbacks. Uncertainty associated with resource consent announcements appears to contribute to a delayed negative market response. In contrast, price reactions to announcements of resource consent success are immediate and significantly positive only when the news is concurrently disseminated via the media.

Research limitations/implications

The findings imply that resource consent announcements are newsworthy and provide valuable information to the stock market regarding future regulatory compliance costs. Media dissemination is suggested to play an important role in the price‐adjustment process for news of resource consent successes. Given the increasing prominence of environmental compliance issues, the authors suggest that more informative disclosures regarding the types of consent(s) sought, the dollar value of expected compliance costs, expected time to gain consent, project investment costs and consent conditions imposed, would better assist investors to assess the economic impact of firm capital expenditures.

Originality/value

This study adds evidence to the literature on the role of environmental disclosures in disseminating information and reducing information asymmetry and offers suggestions to enhance the informativeness of environmental disseminations.
Exploring how gay men manage their social identities in the workplace
Authors: Roberts Simon
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look beyond the issue of disclosure/non‐disclosure in the workplace, to explore the ways gay men challenge, negotiate and conform in the two‐way process of managing their identities in what Jenkins terms the interaction order. In the validation of their external identities, the author aims to identify critical incidents and experiences in gay men's working lives in which they have resisted or challenged identities, labels and stereotypes ascribed by others.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through ten semi‐structured interviews with self‐identified gay men in a wide range of occupations and age ranges working in Bournemouth, UK.

Findings

The data focus on the fluidity of identity and the impact of organisational context. In their self‐presentations a number of strategies were deployed. The respondents experienced exclusion, stereotyping, being viewed as a piece of curiosity, silence, discomfort and a marked identity in the eyes of others. In response to these reactions, themes of compliance, conformity and adopting an educator role were uncovered.

Research limitations/implications

Although the findings presented are not necessarily generalizable, themes of exclusion, silence and marked identities were uncovered that echo many previous studies of gay men's experiences in the workplace.

Originality/value

Little research has been done on identity management in the workplace beyond the issue of disclosure of sexual identity. In particular, there has been limited focus on how gay men challenge, negotiate and modify the labels and social identities ascribed by others in what Jenkins terms the interaction order. Nor does there seem to be any research on whether gay men have modified the management of their social identities throughout their working lives.
A “lesbian advantage”?
Authors: Wright Tessa
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether lesbians may experience an “advantage” in non‐traditionally female work compared to heterosexual women, but argues for an intersectional approach to understanding the relationship between gender, sexuality and class in male‐dominated work.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses semi‐structured interviews with women working transport and construction, focusing here on an analysis of 13 interviews with lesbian workers, eight working in transport and five in construction, representing both professional/managerial and skilled manual occupations.

Findings

The paper considers the question of whether lesbians may experience an “advantage” in non‐traditionally female work compared to heterosexual women, but finds that their experience is complicated by other factors such as ethnicity, class and organisational culture. Organisational response and practice in relation to sexual orientation is found to be equally significant in shaping the realities of working lives for lesbians in traditionally male work.

Research limitations/implications

The findings in this paper are based on an analysis of interviews with lesbians drawn from a larger research project examining the experience of both heterosexual and lesbian women working in the transport and construction sectors.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a gap in the literature on lesbian experience in non‐traditionally female work and aims to contribute to knowledge of the diversity of lesbian experience through examining the working lives of lesbians in both professional and skilled manual roles.
Coupling of finite element and meshfree methods for locking‐free analysis of shear‐deformable beams and plates
Authors: Erkmen Emre , Bradford M.A.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a computational technique to couple finite element and meshfree methods for locking‐free analysis of shear deformable beams and plates, and to impose the boundary conditions directly when the matching field approach is adopted in the meshfree region.

Design/methodology/approach

Matching field approach eliminates shear‐locking which may occur due to inconsistencies in the approximations of the transverse displacement and rotation fields in shear‐deformable beams and plates. Continuous blending method is modified in order to be able to satisfy the constraint conditions of the matching field strategy.

Findings

For both transverse displacement and rotation fields, the developed technique produces approximation functions that satisfy the Kronecker delta property at the required nodes of the meshfree region when the matching field approach is adopted.

Originality/value

This approach allows for direct assembly of the stiffness matrices that are built for separate finite element and meshfree regions when the matching field approach is adopted. The boundary conditions can be directly applied, and the reaction forces can also be calculated directly from the structural stiffness matrix by using the developed technique.
A scheduling methodology for dealing with uncertainty in construction projects
Authors: Elena Bruni Maria , Beraldi Patrizia , Guerriero Francesca , Pinto Erika
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of scheduling under uncertainty in construction projects. The existing methods for determining a project schedule are based on assumption of complete knowledge of project parameters; but in reality there is uncertainty in construction projects, deriving from a multitude of context‐dependent sources and often provided as outcome of a risk analysis process. Thus, classical deterministic analysis might provide a schedule which is not sufficiently protected against possible disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology is developed for planning construction projects under uncertainty aimed at determining a reliable resource feasible project schedule by taking into account the available probabilistic information to produce solutions that are less sensitive to perturbations that occur on line. The methodology relies on a computer‐supported system that allows to identify, analyze and quantify the schedule reliability and the impact of possible disruptions on the duration of the project.

Findings

It is found that the proposed methodology can exploit more information about the uncertain parameters than the commonly‐used deterministic method, and it provides an improved understanding of the schedule reliability in presence of uncertainty. The schedule generated with a classical deterministic method sets a completely unrealistic planned project delivery date of about 1,250 days, with a probability around 50 per cent to be exceeded. This behavior can be very unsatisfactory for construction projects for which high penalties are usually associated to heavy due date violations.

Originality/value

This paper presents an approach for robust scheduling of construction project problem under uncertainty. We provide a tool able to support managers in developing a workable and realistic project schedule to be used as a guideline for project control and monitoring.
Special fiber elements for thermal analysis of fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Wang Hui , Qin Qinghua
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new special element model for thermal analysis of composites.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid finite element formulation taking the fundamental solution as kernel function is presented in this work for analyzing the thermal behavior and predicting the effective thermal conductivity of fiber‐reinforced composites. A representative volume cell containing single or multiple fibers (or inclusions) is considered to investigate the overall temperature distribution affected by the inclusions and the interactions among them, and to evaluate the effective thermal conductivity of the composites using the presented algorithm with special‐purpose inclusion elements. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method in analyzing fiber‐reinforced composites.

Findings

The independent intra‐element field and frame field, as well as the newly‐developed hybrid functional, make the algorithm versatile in terms of element construction, with the result that the related variational functional involves the element boundary integral only. All numerical results are compared with the solutions from ABAQUS and good agreement is observed for all cases, clearly demonstrating the potential applications of the proposed approach to large‐scale modeling of fiber‐reinforced composites. The usage of special inclusion element can significantly reduce model meshing effort and computing cost, and simultaneously avoid mesh regeneration when the fiber volume fraction is changed.

Practical implications

Due to the fact that the established special elements exactly satisfy the interaction of matrix and fiber within the element, only element boundary integrals are involved, thus the algorithm can significantly reduce modeling effort and computing cost with less elements, and simultaneously avoid mesh regeneration when the fiber volume fraction is changed.

Originality/value

Based on the special fundamental solution, a newly‐constructed inclusion element is applied to a number of test problems involving unit RVCs with multiple fibers to access the accuracy of the model. The effective thermal conductivity of the composites is evaluated for cases of single and multiple fibers using the average temperatures at certain points on a data‐collection surface. A new algorithm for evaluating effective properties with special elements is presented.
Boric acid in PCBs: compliance with EU REACH regulations
Authors: Mullins Michael J. , Luttrull David K. , Schumacher Hans
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Boric acid has been used for many years as a catalyst inhibitor and crosslinking agent to increase the glass transition temperature of epoxy resins for printed circuit boards (PCB), as well as in the glass fibre reinforcement. Recent regulation related to boric acid and its salts by the ECHA, a regulatory agency in the EU, may limit the use of these materials. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implications of this new regulation and to propose an analytical procedure that is relevant to PCB's.

Design/methodology/approach

Potential analytical procedures, including dissolution in acid and aqueous extraction followed by boric acid titration, are discussed and evaluated.

Findings

The use of acid for the digestion of prepreg, laminates and PCBs has the potential to greatly overstate the concentration of boric acid in PCBs.

Originality/value

An aqueous extraction method (German DIN 38414‐4) gives results that represent a worst‐case leaching process. It is proposed that it becomes the official analytical method for printed circuit boards in order to comply with the ECHA regulation.
The use and awareness of Web 2.0 tools by Greek LIS students
Authors: Garoufallou Emmanouel , Charitopoulou Vassiliki
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of Web 2.0 tools and their use by Greek library science and information systems (LSIS) students; to study to what extent students use these tools both in everyday life and in relation to their studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A web‐based questionnaire was distributed to students of the LSIS Department at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece; 240 (25.5 per cent) students of a total population of 958 responded. The paper presents students' knowledge concerning Web 2.0 tools, their use and understanding of such tools, and to draw conclusions regarding the penetration of such tools into their everyday life.

Findings

The research found that although most of the students have heard of the term Web 2.0 and its tools, further knowledge of the subject is limited. This lack of knowledge was apparent in the poor ways that students exploited Web 2.0 features. The questionnaire, which was divided into two sections, examined the knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools by students, and further explored the use of Web 2.0 tools in the educational process. It is hoped that the results of this study will provide insightful information to the Greek LIS community in order to better understand students' behaviour, with a view to encouraging the incorporation of new elements into the curriculum with regard to Web 2.0.

Practical implications

The research suggests that the knowledge and implementation of Web 2.0 should begin in the LIS schools to prepare future library staff for the new challenges ahead. The Greek LIS research community has so far largely overlooked students' use of Web 2.0

Originality/value

The paper highlights that Web 2.0 is playing a leading role in library science.
ICT skills and employability needs at the LIS programme Kuwait: a literature review
Authors: Buarki Hanadi , Hepworth Mark , Murray Ian
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review on information and communication skills (ICT) of library and information science (LIS) students in worldwide LIS education and compare them with those skills needed by the job market in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

Published literature – articles that may describe the LIS education situation in Kuwait – on the subject were reviewed and compared. In addition, content analysis of relevant web sites, reports, and LIS syllabus were used to provide further documentation and interpretation. The paper reviews ICT skills from the published research perspective; curricula review; professional association guidelines; employers' ICT skills needs; barriers and challenges of ICT adaption; and the ICT situation in Kuwait.

Findings

ICT skills have been recognised as essential qualities for LIS graduates’ employment. Various authors have stressed this in different publications. Few reviews on ICT skills were conducted, especially in developing countries such as Kuwait. A more comprehensive literature review on the importance of ICT skills and the job market needs is attempted.

Practical implications

This review will help professionals in reviewing/adding to their curriculum and collaborating with employers to know their ICT skills needs. It will help employers and stakeholders to understand the ICT skills needed for LIS employability. It will also help students and graduates to improve their ICT skills to meet the needs of the job market.

Originality/value

The paper was built upon previous articles, reviews of literature, and has identified certain gaps that have set the ground for further research in ICT skills, curriculum review, and employers’ skills needs.
Information literacy programmes in Nigeria: a survey of 36 university libraries
Authors: Baro Emmanuel E. , Zuokemefa Timi
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to examine the various information literacy (IL) practices in university libraries in Nigeria, to identify the likely barriers facing information literacy programmes in Nigeria, and to provide suggestions on how best to improve the IL practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Librarians from 36 university libraries participated in the survey which adopted an online method.

Findings

The study revealed that university libraries in Nigeria were found to be engaging in different information literacy (IL) practices ranging from library tour/orientations sessions to introductory information skills, database searching skills, bibliographic training and use of the library. Barriers such as lack of interest by students, teachers, and management, inadequate human resources to handle IL training, lack of facilities, low acceptance of online IL delivery approach and absence of IL policy were identified as factors militating against librarians' efforts when advocating and providing IL programmes in university libraries in Nigeria.

Practical implications

The study will inform librarians or library administrators in developing countries who want to train users on information literacy skills in order to facilitate full exploitation of information resources and services in their libraries.

Originality/value

The paper describes information literacy practices in university libraries in Nigeria. The findings may be of help to librarians who want to improve on their IL programmes in university libraries in Nigeria and other developing countries.
The recession, budgets, expectations and realities
Authors: Guarria Charles I.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This article seeks to provide insight on how librarians managed through the recession. It aims to highlight key areas of concern such as budgets and personnel. It is the culmination of two surveys administered in the succeeding summers of 2009 and 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

The library community was notified of the surveys and provided the surveys' link via numerous library listservs. The same listservs were used for each survey. The responses received were from representatives of academic, special and public libraries.

Findings

An examination of the surveys reveals that budget cuts were worse in fiscal year (FY) 2009 than they were in 2010. Suggesting the cuts enacted in FY 2009 were effective thus less severe cuts were needed in FY 2010. Stress levels were high for FY 2009 and inched higher in FY 2010. There was no significant help, in terms of cost sharing for purchases, from the departments within the organizations the libraries served. Best practice suggestions were offered in many areas to include communication, purchasing and personnel.

Originality/value

When the economy experiences a contraction, businesses, governments and the general population begins to rein in expenses. This affects libraries of all types, special, academic and public. The article explores how the library community dealt with this issue and provides information that generates problem solving ideas for those in budgetary and leadership roles.
Collection liquidation
Authors: Lund James R.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections.

Design/methodology/approach

The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age.

Findings

The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers.

Originality/value

The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age.
An advanced web attack detection and prevention tool
Authors: Kapodistria Helen , Mitropoulos Sarandis , Douligeris Christos
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new tool which detects, prevents and records common web attacks that mainly result in web applications information leaking using pattern recognition. It is a cross‐platform application, namely, it is not OS‐dependent or web server dependent. It offers a flexible attacks search engine, which scans http requests and responses during a webpage serving without affecting the web server performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a study of the most known web vulnerabilities and the way they can be exploited. Then, it focuses on those web attacks based on input validation, which are the ones the new tool detects through pattern recognition. This tool acts as a proxy server having a simple GUI for administration purposes. Patterns can be detected in both http requests and responses in an extensible and manageable way.

Findings

The new tool was compared to dotDefender, a commercial web application firewall, and ModSecurity, a widely used open source application firewall, using over 200 attack patterns. The new tool had satisfying results for every attack category examined having a high percentage of success. Results for stored XSS could not be achieved since the other tools are not able to search and detect them in http responses. The fact that the new tool is very extensible, it makes it possible for future work to be done.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a new web server plug‐in, which has some advanced web application firewall features with a flexible attacks search engine which scans http requests and responses. By scanning http responses, attacks such as stored XSS can be detected, a feature that cannot be found on other web application firewalls.