bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platelet G
i
protein Gα
i2
is an essential mediator of thrombo-inflammatory organ damage in mice
Authors: Devanathan Vasudharani , Hagedorn Ina , Köhler David , Pexa Katja , Cherpokova Deya , Kraft Peter , Singh Madhurendra , Rosenberger Peter , Stoll Guido , Birnbaumer Lutz , Piekorz Roland P. , Beer-Hammer Sandra , Nieswandt Bernhard , Nürnberg Bernd
Published: May 2015

Significance

Platelet activation is crucial for hemostasis and thrombosis but also contributes to inflammation and progression of tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury. Here we demonstrate that platelet activation through the G
i
protein Gα
i2
not only controls hemostatic responses but also thrombo-inflammatory tissue damage following cerebral and cardiac ischemia. Our report on a dual role of G
i
proteins in platelet function opens new options for pharmaco-therapeutic strategies fighting ischemic diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
Dynamics of appetite-mediated gene expression in daidzein-fed female rats in the meal-feeding method
Authors: Fujitani Mina , Mizushige Takafumi , Bhattarai Keshab , Iwahara Asami , Aida Ryojiro , Segawa Tomomi , Kishida Taro
Published: May 2015

We previously found that daidzein decreased food intake in female rats. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between dynamics of appetite-mediated neuropeptides and the anorectic effect of daidzein. We examined appetite-mediated gene expression in the hypothalamus and small intestine during the 3 meals per day feeding method. Daidzein had an anorectic effect specifically at the second feeding. Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and galanin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly higher after feeding in the control but not in the daidzein group, suggesting that daidzein attenuated the postprandial increase in NPY and galanin expression. The daidzein group had higher corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA levels in the hypothalamus after feeding, and increased cholelcystokinin (CCK) mRNA levels in the small intestine, suggesting that CCK is involved in the hypothalamic regulation of this　anorectic effect. Therefore, daidzein may induce anorexia by suppressing expression of NPY and galanin and increasing expression of CRH in the hypothalamus.
Dispersive decay for the 1D Klein-Gordon equation with variable coefficient nonlinearities
Authors: Sterbenz Jacob
Published: May 2015

We study the 1D Klein-Gordon equation with variable coefficient nonlinearity. This problem exhibits an interesting resonant interaction between the spatial frequencies of the nonlinear coefficients and the temporal oscillations of the solutions. In the case when only the cubic coefficients are variable we prove

L
∞

L^\infty

scattering and smoothness of the solution in weighted spaces with the help of both quadratic and cubic normal forms transformations. In the case of cubic interactions these normal forms appear to be novel.
IonGAP: integrative bacterial genome analysis for Ion Torrent sequence data
Authors: Baez-Ortega Adrian , Lorenzo-Diaz Fabian , Hernandez Mariano , Gonzalez-Vila Carlos Ignacio , Roda-Garcia Jose Luis , Colebrook Marcos , Flores Carlos
Published: May 2015

Summary: We introduce IonGAP, a publicly available Web platform designed for the analysis of whole bacterial genomes using Ion Torrent sequence data. Besides assembly, it integrates a variety of comparative genomics, annotation and bacterial classification routines, based on the widely used FASTQ, BAM and SRA file formats. Benchmarking with different datasets evidenced that IonGAP is a fast, powerful and simple-to-use bioinformatics tool. By releasing this platform, we aim to translate low-cost bacterial genome analysis for microbiological prevention and control in healthcare, agroalimentary and pharmaceutical industry applications.

Availability and implementation: IonGAP is hosted by the ITER’s Teide-HPC supercomputer and is freely available on the Web for non-commercial use at http://iongap.hpc.iter.es.

Contact:  mcolesan@ull.edu.es or cflores@ull.edu.es

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Treatment Options for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections
Authors: Morrill Haley J. , Pogue Jason M. , Kaye Keith S. , LaPlante Kerry L.
Published: May 2015

This article provides a comprehensive review of currently available treatment options for infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is an emerging and serious global public health threat. Carbapenems have been used as the “last-line” treatment for infections caused by resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including those producing extended spectrum ß-lactamases. However, Enterobacteriaceae that produce carbapenemases, which are enzymes that deactivate carbapenems and most other ß-lactam antibiotics, have emerged and are increasingly being reported worldwide. Despite this increasing burden, the most optimal treatment for CRE infections is largely unknown. For the few remaining available treatment options, there are limited efficacy data to support their role in therapy. Nevertheless, current treatment options include the use of older agents, such as polymyxins, fosfomycin, and aminoglycosides, which have been rarely used due to efficacy and/or toxicity concerns. Optimization of dosing regimens and combination therapy are additional treatment strategies being explored. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections are associated with poor outcomes and high mortality. Continued research is critically needed to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Sphingomonas zeae sp. nov., isolated from the stem of Zea mays
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Busse Hans-Jürgen , McInroy John A. , Glaeser Stefanie P.
Published: May 2015

A yellow-pigmented bacterial isolate (strain JM-791T) obtained from the healthy internal stem tissue of 1-month-old corn (Zea mays, cultivar ‘Sweet Belle’) grown at the Plant Breeding Unit of the E.V. Smith Research Center in Tallassee (Elmore county), Alabama, USA, was taxonomically characterized. The study employing a polyphasic approach, including 16S RNA gene sequence analysis, physiological characterization, estimation of the ubiquinone and polar lipid patterns, and fatty acid composition, revealed that strain JM-791T shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with type strains of Sphingomonas paucimobilis (98.3 %), Sphingomonas pseudosanguinis (97.5 %) and Sphingomonas yabuuchiae (97.4 %), but also showed pronounced differences, both genotypically and phenotypically. On the basis of these results, a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas is described, for which we propose the name Sphingomonas zeae sp. nov. with the type strain JM-791T ( = LMG 28739T = CCM 8596T).
Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from cyanobacterial aggregates in a eutrophic lake
Authors: Cai Haiyuan , Wang Yanan , Xu Huacheng , Yan Zaisheng , Jia Bin , Majid Maszenan Abdul , Jiang Helong
Published: May 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, slightly curved rod-shaped, non-spore-forming diazotrophic bacterium, designated strain TH16T, was isolated from cyanobacterial aggregates taken from eutrophic Lake Taihu, Jiangsu Province, China. The pH range for growth was 5–9 (optimum at pH 7.0), salinity range was 0–2  % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0  %) and temperature range was 20–37 °C (optimum 30 °C) in nutrient broth. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain TH16T clusters near and is closely related to the genus Niveispirillum within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria. Within the genus Niveispirillum, strain TH16T was related most closely to Niveispirillum irakense KBC1T (98.1  % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Niveispirillum fermenti CC-LY736T (97.0  %). The DNA G+C content of strain TH16T was 64 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain TH16T and the type strains of N. irakense and N. fermenti was 39.6 and 30.1  %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10.The major fatty acids (>10  %) were C18  :  1ω6c/C18  :  1ω7c, C18  :  1 2-OH and C16  :  0 3-OH. Genes in the puf operon, encoding proteins of the photosynthetic reaction centre and core light-harvesting complexes, were also present. Based on morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TH16T represents a novel species within the genus Niveispirillum, for which the name Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TH16T ( = CGMCC 1.12958T = LMG 28334T).
Sequencing of 15,622 gene-bearing BACs reveals new features of the barley genome
Authors: Muñoz-Amatriaín María , Lonardi S , Luo MC , Madishetty K , Svensson JT , Moscou MJ , Wanamaker S , Jiang T , Kleinhofs A , Muehlbauer GJ , Wise RP , Stein N , Ma Y , Rodriguez E , Kudrna D , Bhat PR , Chao S , Condamine P , Heinen S , Resnik J , Wing R , Witt HN , Alpert M , Beccuti M , Bozdag S , Cordero F , Mirebrahim H , Ounit R , Wu Y , You F , Zheng J , Šimková H , Doležel J , Grimwood J , Schmutz J , Duma D , Altschmied L , Blake T , Bregitzer P , Cooper L , Dilbirligi M , Falk A , Feiz L , Graner A , Gustafson P , Hayes PM , Lemaux P , Mammadov J , Close TJ
Published: May 2015

Barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) possesses a large and highly repetitive genome of 5.1 Gb that has hindered the development of a complete sequence. In 2012, the International Barley Sequencing Consortium released a resource integrating whole-genome shotgun sequences with a physical and genetic framework. However, since only 6,278 BACs in the physical map were sequenced, detailed fine structure was limited. To gain access to the gene-containing portion of the barley genome at high resolution, we identified and sequenced 15,622 BACs representing the minimal tiling path of 72,052 physical mapped gene-bearing BACs. This generated about 1.7 Gb of genomic sequence containing 17,386 annotated barley genes. Exploration of the sequenced BACs revealed that although distal ends of chromosomes contain most of the gene-enriched BACs and are characterized by high rates of recombination, there are also gene-dense regions with suppressed recombination. Knowledge of these deviant regions is relevant to trait introgression, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection model development and map-based cloning strategies. Sequences and their gene and SNP annotations can be accessed and exported viahttp://harvest-web.org/hweb/utilmenu.wcor through the software HarvEST:Barley (download from harvest.ucr.edu). In the latter, we have implemented a synteny viewer between barley andAegilops tauschiito aid in comparative genome analysis.
Crystal structures of methyl 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2,3,3a,4,9b-hexahydrothiochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole-3a-carboxylate, methyl 1-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)-1,2,3,3a,4,9b-hexahydrothiochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole-3a-carboxylate and methyl 1-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)-3,3a,4,9b-tetrahydro-1H-thiochromeno[4,3-c]isoxazole-3a-carboxylate
Authors: Raja R. , Suresh M. , Raghunathan R. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: May 2015

In the title compounds, C23H27NO2S, (I), and C21H23NO2S, (II), the pyrrole rings have envelope conformations with the C atom substituted by the benzene ring as the flap. In the third title compound, C20H21NO3S, (III), the isoxazole ring has a twisted conformation on the C—C bond substituted by the benzene ring and the carboxylate group. In all three compounds, the thiopyran ring has a half-chair conformation. The mean plane of the pyrrole ring is inclined to the mean plane of the thiopyran ring by 57.07 (9), 58.98 (9) and 60.34 (12)° in (I), (II) and (III), respectively. The benzene rings are inclined to one another by 73.26 (10)° in (I), 65.781)° in (II) and 63.37 (13)° in (III). In the crystals of all three compounds, there are no classical hydrogen bonds present. Only in the crystal of compound (I) are molecules linked by a pair of C—H...π interactions, forming inversion dimers. The isopropyl group in compound (I) is disordered over two sets of sites and has a refined occupancy ratio of 0.586 (13):0.414 (13).
Crystal structure of 14-methyl-11-(3-methylphenyl)-12-oxa-8,14-diazatetracyclo[8.3.3.01,10.02,7]hexadeca-2(7),3,5-triene-9,13-dione
Authors: Savithri M. P. , Suresh M. , Raghunathan R. , Raja R. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: May 2015

In the title compound, C21H20N2O3, the lactone ring adopts an envelope conformation with the quaternary C atom bonded to two other C atoms as the flap. The fused pyrrolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation about the Cq—N (q = quaternary) bond. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds generateR22(8) loops. The dimers are linked into [110] chains by pairs of C—H...O interactions, which generateR22(14) loops.
Is there a demand for multi-year crop insurance?
Authors: Osipenko Maria , Shen Zhiwei , Odening Martin
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the aggregate demand for single- and multi-year crop insurance contracts and to discuss market potential for multi-year crop insurances.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors develop a dynamic discrete choice model of insurance alternatives, in which single- and multi-year insurance contracts are offered to heterogeneous risk averse farmers. The farmers determine their insurances choices based on inter-temporal utilities.

Findings

– The results show that in a competitive insurance market with heterogeneous risk averse farmers, there is simultaneous demand for both insurance contracts. Moreover, the introduction of multi-year contracts enhances the market penetration of insurance products.

Research limitations/implications

– The effect of introducing multi-year crop insurance is moderate when applying the model to US corn production. In practice, however, the increase of insurance demand could be more pronounced because we did not consider marketing and administrative costs and thus ignore this cost reduction potential of multi-year insurance.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the literature analyzing the feasibility of multi-year crop insurance and also shows that there is market potential for multi-year crop insurance.
Modeling of ballistic-failure mechanisms in gas metal arc welds of mil a46100 armor-grade steel
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Ramaswami Subrahmanian , Snipes Jennifer , Galgalikar Rohan , Yavari Ramin , Yen Chian-Fong , Cheeseman Bryan , Montgomery Jonathan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recently developed multi-physics computational model for the conventional Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) joining process that has been upgraded with respect to its predictive capabilities regarding the spatial distribution of the mechanical properties controlling the ballistic limit (i.e. penetration resistance) of the weld.

Design/methodology/approach

– The original model consists of five modules, each dedicated to handling a specific aspect of the GMAW process, i.e.: electro-dynamics of the welding-gun; radiation-/convection-controlled heat transfer from the electric arc to the workpiece and mass transfer from the filler-metal consumable electrode to the weld; prediction of the temporal evolution and the spatial distribution of thermal and mechanical fields within the weld region during the GMAW joining process; the resulting temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the material microstructure throughout the weld region; and spatial distribution of the as-welded material mechanical properties. The model is upgraded through the introduction of the sixth module in the present work in recognition of the fact that in thick steel GMAW weldments, the overall ballistic performance of the armor may become controlled by the (often inferior) ballistic limits of its weld (fusion and heat-affected) zones.

Findings

– The upgraded GMAW process model is next applied to the case of butt-welding of MIL A46100 (a prototypical high-hardness armor-grade martensitic steel) workpieces using filler-metal electrodes made of the same material. The predictions of the upgraded GMAW process model pertaining to the spatial distribution of the material microstructure and ballistic-limit-controlling mechanical properties within the MIL A46100 butt-weld are found to be consistent with general expectations and prior observations.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first reported attempt to establish, using computational modeling, functional relationships between the GMAW process parameters and the mechanical properties controlling the ballistic limit of the resulting weld.
A four-node membrane element model with bending modification for one-step algorithm for bus rollover impact
Authors: Na Jingxin , Wang Tong , Wu Changfeng , Yan Yakun
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a new four-node membrane element model with bending modification based on the equilibrium principle of element nodal internal forces and bending moments for the application of the one-step algorithm for bus rollover collision. And it can be concluded whether the proposed four-node membrane element model has practical value in engineering application or not.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the equilibrium principle of element nodal internal forces and bending moments, the paper puts forward a four-node membrane element model with bending modification. A case study on the rollover of a typical bus body section is carried out by using the one-step algorithm for bus rollover collision to verify the effectiveness of the proposed element model.

Findings

– For the simulation of bus rollover collision, the computational accuracy can be guaranteed, meanwhile, the calculated amount is much smaller than the shell element, and computational efficiency is improved significantly.

Originality/value

– The proposed four-node membrane element model is used for the simulation of bus rollover collision for the first time. It holds the advantage of high computational efficiency of membrane element, and the computational accuracy is improved as well. In conclusion, it has some practical value in engineering application.
Decision-making criteria in tactical make-or-buy issues: an empirical analysis
Authors: Moschuris Socrates John
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek to contribute to the assessment of the impact of a number of decision-making criteria in resolving tactical make-or-buy issues in enterprises operating in Greece. Moreover, it sheds light on the relationship between the impact of each criterion and a number of independent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

– Initially, depth interviews were made with purchasing managers in ten industrial firms operating in Greece. The findings of these interviews and the review of the pertinent literature provided the basis for the questionnaire design. Then, a copy of the questionnaire and a prepaid self-addressed return envelope were mailed to a stratified sample of 300 industrial firms operating in Greece. By the end of this process, 85 questionnaires were received, representing a 28.3 percent response rate.

Findings

– Cost and quality appear to be the criteria with the most impact, which indicates that companies usually resolve tactical make-or-buy issues in order to achieve short-term cost savings or operational advantage. The emphasis placed upon the other criteria tends to vary with the situation under which the particular make-or-buy issue is resolved.

Originality/value

– It develops a more precise assessment of the impact of each make-or-buy decision-making criterion and investigates the relationship between this impact and a number of independent variables.
Numerical study of the rounded corners effect on flow past a square cylinder
Authors: Miran Sajjad , Sohn Chang Hyun
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the influence of corner radius on flow past a square cylinder at a Reynolds number 500.

Design/methodology/approach

– Six models were studied, for R/D=0 (square cylinder), 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 (circular cylinder), where R is the corner radius and D is the characteristic dimension of the body. The transient two-dimensional (2D) laminar and large eddy simulations (LES) models were employed using finite volume code. The Strouhal number, mean drag coefficient (CD), and root mean square (RMS) value of lift coefficient (CL,RMS), for different R/D values, were computed and compared with experimental and other numerical results.

Findings

– The computational results showed good agreement with previously published results for a Reynolds number, Re=500. It was found that the corner effect on a square cylinder greatly influences the flow characteristics around the cylinder. Results indicate that, as the corner radius ratio, R/D, increases, the Strouhal number increases rapidly for R/D=0-0.2, and then gradually rises between R/D=0.2 and 0.5. The minimum values of the mean drag coefficient and the RMS value of lift coefficient were found around R/D=0.2, which is verified by the time averaged streamwise velocity deficit profile.

Originality/value

– On the basis of the numerical results, it is concluded that rounded corners on a square cylinder are useful in reducing the drag and lift forces generated behind a cylinder. Finally, it is suggested that with a rounded corner ratio of around R/D=0.2, the drag and oscillation of the cylinder can be greatly reduced, as compared to circular and square cylinders.
Estimation of form deviation and the associated uncertainty in coordinate metrology
Authors: Jalid Abdelilah , Hariri Said , Senelaer Jean Paul
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The uncertainty evaluation for coordinate measuring machine metrology is problematic due to the diversity of the parameters that can influence the measurement result. From discrete coordinate data taken on curve (or surface) the software of these machines proceeds to an identification of the measured feature, the parameters of the substitute feature serve in the phase of calculation to estimate the form error of form, and the decisions made based on the result measurement may be outliers when the uncertainty associated to the measurement result is not taken into account. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors relied on the orthogonal distance regression (ODR) algorithm to estimate the parameters of the substitute geometrical elements and their uncertainties. The solution of the problem is resolved by an iterative calculation according to the Levenberg Marquard optimization method. The authors have also presented in this paper the propagation model of uncertainties to the circularity error. This model is based on the law of propagation of the uncertainties defined in the GUM.

Findings

– This work proposes a model based on ODR to estimates parameters of the substitute geometrical elements and their uncertainties. This contribution allows us to estimate the uncertaintof the form error by applying the law of propagation of uncertainties. An example of calculating the circularity error and the associated uncertainty is explained. This method can be applied to others geometry type: line, plan, sphere, cylinder and cone.

Practical implications

– This work interested manufacturing firms by allowing them: to meet the normative, which requires that each measurement must be accompanied by its uncertainty-in conformity assessment, the decision-making must take account of this uncertainty to avoid the aberrant decisions. Informing the operators on the capability of their measurement process

Originality/value

– This work proposes a model based on ODR to estimates parameters of the substitute geometrical elements and its uncertainties. without the hypothesis of small displacements torsor, this method integrates the uncertainty on the coordinates of points and can be applied in any reference placemark. This contribution allows us also to estimate the uncertainty of the form error by applying the law of propagation of uncertainties.
Statistical tolerance design to minimize dual-responses of APFA height deviations with tolerance cost-quality loss model
Authors: Chattinnawat Wichai
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply the statistical tolerancing technique to analyze the dual responses of APFA arm height deviation with respect to next stage of disk assembly process and simultaneously optimize and allocate the required tolerance of the responses onto its components at minimum cost of manufacturing and the quality loss.

Design/methodology/approach

– The relationships between the dual responses of APFA heights and the geometric dimensions and tolerances of APFA components, and orientation of the assembled part with respect to disk assembly were first defined. The effects of the APFA orientation, and the component tolerances on the distributions and variations of the responses were derived and investigated in terms of resultant product/process performance, quality loss, and the cost of assembly. The tolerance cost-based objective function is then formulated as the combined manufacturing/assembly cost and the quality loss. Direct search method was used to find the best feasible tolerance solutions satisfying the required product performance at minimum cost.

Findings

– The constructed relationship or transfer functions of the dual responses were probabilistic depending on the orientation of part with respect to the next assembly process. The Monte Carlo simulation is empirically suitable for the computation of the conditional distributions of the responses against the first-order linear approximation of component variances. The proposed solution of tolerance control plan increases the product performances,Cpm, from 0.6 to be at least 1. The proposed tolerance allocation plans will reduce the amount of rework currently as high as 5 percent to at most 0.01 percent with minimally increased assembly cost.

Practical implications

– This proposed methodology to design and allocate component tolerances is suitable and applicable to the APFA assembly process. The derived assembly functions of probabilistic type relating the responses to the process and component characteristics can represent the actual dynamic of assembled part better than a traditional single deterministic function developed under static concept. This presented methodology can be applied to other assembly cases where quality characteristic depends on the part dynamic.

Originality/value

– This research simultaneously optimized the dual APFA height deviation responses with minimum cost of tolerance and quality loss using two different conditional distributions and transfer functions of the resultant deviations generated from dynamic of APFA with respect to disk.
An assessment of service quality and resulting customer satisfaction in Pakistan International Airlines
Authors: Ali Faizan , Dey Bidit Lal , Filieri Raffaele
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess foreigners and overseas Pakistanis’ evaluation of the quality of the services provided by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and its effect on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– A convenience sample of 498 respondents was used to test the hypotheses of the study through structural equation modelling.

Findings

– The results of this study indicate that all of the hypotheses are supported and customer satisfaction of PIA customers is influenced by all of the five service quality dimensions (AIRQUAL), including airline tangibles, terminal tangibles, personnel, empathy, and image.

Research limitations/implications

– This research examines the relationship between service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction. The study focuses on the evaluation of overseas Pakistanis and foreigners regarding the service quality of PIA. The main limitation of this study is that it focuses on PIA: thus, the results cannot be generalised.

Practical implications

– The results indicate that managers should focus on different dimensions of airline service quality in order to enhance customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

– This study would enable PIA to have a better understanding of the effects of service quality, which will lead to passengers’ satisfaction and encourage the development of long-term relationships with their customers.
Managing storeroom operations using cluster-based preventative maintenance
Authors: Abdelhadi Abdelhakim , Alwan Layth C. , Yue Xiaohang
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact on the cost of materials used to conduct preventive maintenance (PM). The main motivation for this work is to demonstrate how the group technology concept can be used to improve PM operations. In assessing improvement, the impact on the cost of materials used to conduct PM is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the similarities between machines required maintenance and failure types, machines are grouped together into virtual cells using similarity coefficients. These cells, then, are used to come up with more efficient planning and scheduling procedures to conduct PM operations including inventory of parts and the execution of maintenance operations.

Findings

– The results demonstrated that the proposed PM approach could provide a significant cost savings over a traditional PM program, especially in industries for which there is considerable material cost for the performance of PM.

Originality/value

– The results presented in this paper are reliable, objective, and may be expanded by using the same concept of developing virtual cells to group other types manufacturing operations.
A nearly optimal inspection policy for a two-component series system
Authors: Maaroufi Ghofrane , Chelbi Anis , Rezg Nidhal , Daoud Ait-Kadi
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine a nearly optimal inspection sequence for a series system consisting of two components subject to gradual deterioration and whose failures are not self-announcing and can be detected only through inspection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The problem is tackled in the context of condition-based maintenance (CBM) with a maintenance model in the class of the control-limit policies for which the maintenance decision is made following inspection by comparison of the deterioration level to critical thresholds. A mathematical model is developed to express the total expected cost per time unit as a function of the inspection instants.

Findings

– For any given series system composed of two components with known critical deterioration threshold levels, and for any given set of costs related to inspection, inactivity due to failure, and preventive and corrective replacements of each component, a nearly optimal inspection sequence of the system is derived such as the total expected cost is reduced.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the complexity of the cost model with the inspection instants (×1, ×2, ×3, …) being the decision variables, it has not been possible to derive the optimal solution. A quasi-optimal sequence of inspection times is derived along with the corresponding total average cost per time unit.

Practical implications

– In many practical situations in which CBM is implemented, a tradeoff between inspection costs and inactivity and replacement costs has to be balanced when determining the intervals between successive inspections at which the degradation level of the components should be assessed and compared to predetermined critical threshold levels. Inspecting too often would increase inspection costs but in the same time it would also increase the probability to avoid a failure and end up with a preventive replacement, whereas not inspecting often enough would increase the probability to end up with a failure increasing replacement and inactivity costs.

Originality/value

– While the inspection problem has been largely treated for single component systems, inspection policies become much more complex when considering multi-component systems. A two-component series system is considered in this paper.
Multiple balances in workplace dialogue: experiences of an intervention in health care
Authors: Grill Christina , Ahlborg Jr Gunnar , Wikström Ewa , Lindgren Eva-Carin
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to illuminate and analyse the participants’ experiences of the influences of a dialogue intervention. Cooperation and coordination in health care require planning of dialogically oriented communication to prevent stress and ill health and to promote health, well-being, learning and efficiency in the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– An intervention method based on dialogue theory, with Socratic provocations and concrete workplace examples enhanced authenticity of conversations. A qualitative study, using qualitative content analysis, entailed interviews with 24 nurses, assistant nurses and paramedics, strategically selected from 156 intervention participants.

Findings

– Two themes emerged, dialogue-learning processes and dialogue-promoting communicative actions. The first includes risk-taking to overcome resistance and fear of dialogue, expressing openly thoughts and feelings on concrete issues and taboo subjects, listening to and reflecting on one’s own and others’ perspectives and problematising norms and values. The second comprises voicing opinions, and regarding one’s own limits; requesting support and room for manoeuvre; and restraining negative emotions and comments in the interest of well-being. Findings depict strengthened awareness and readiness regarding dialogue and multiple balancing of dialogue at work.

Research limitations/implications

– This study implies further observing and examining of communicative patterns during workplace dialogue.

Practical implications

– A useful approach to communication development for occupational health and personnel in health care and other workplace contexts.

Originality/value

– Previously, arenas have been created for dialogue, but close-process studies of dialogue in health-care work are scarce. This study provides insights into how workplace communication can develop towards dialogue.
Differential antioxidative and hypocholesterolemic responses to two fish protein hydrolysates (Sardina pilchardus and Boops boops) in cholesterol-fed rats
Authors: Benomar Souhila , Yahia Sanaa , Dehiba Faiza , Guillen Natalia , Rodriguez-Yoldi Maria Jesús , Osada Jesús , Boualga Ahmed
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activities of sardine and bogue protein hydrolysates in cholesterol-fed rats.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 18 male Wistar rats (220 ± 10 g) fed 20 per cent casein, 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid were divided into three groups and received a daily gavage of 250 mg of sardine (SPH) or bogue (BPH) protein hydrolysates for 30 days. The third group, named control group (CG), received in the same conditions water. Lipoproteins were fractionated by size-exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography, and serum lipids, apolipoproteins and lipoproteins were assayed.

Findings

– In SPH and BPH groups, serum total cholesterol concentrations were −66 per cent lower than in CG. This corresponded to the decreased very low-density lipoprotein-C in the former groups. Moreover, BPH treatment reduced low-density lipoprotein-C compared with CG and SPH groups. Compared with CG, serum phospholipids were reduced by SPH and BPH. Furthermore, BPH increased significantly APOA4 and sphingomyelin but lowered phosphatidylcholine. In the latter group, serum lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity was +23 per cent higher, but with SPH, this activity was −35 per cent reduced compared with CG. Apolipoprotein A-I contents were similar in the three groups. Compared with CG, hydroperoxide and lipid peroxidation contents in serum and lipoprotein fractions were reduced by SPH and BPH. Compared with CG, serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were increased in the treated groups, particularly in the BPH group.

Originality/value

– These results suggest that sardine protein hydrolysates and particularly those of bogue could be a very useful natural compound to prevent hypercholesterolemia by both improving the lipid profile and modulating oxidative stress in cholesterol-fed rats.
Destination unknown: Duncan Aviation in a global economy
Authors: Sebora Terrence C. , Ibrayeva Elina
Published: May 2015

Synopsis

This case followed Todd Duncan, Chairman of Duncan Aviation, as he considered which international locations Europe, Latin America, or Asia were most important in positioning Duncan to benefit from continued internationalization of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. The company had the option to hire Regional Managers to actively manage these areas, recruiting new customers and building relationships with existing ones. The case provides students with an opportunity to identify the core competencies of a company, and to recognize ways in which employee engagement contributes to Duncan's core competencies. Optionally, the case may be used to introduce students to Dunning's eclectic paradigm.

Research methodology

The research for this case was obtained from a combination of primary research, secondary research, and personal experiences. One of the research assistants for this case was employed at the company for over two years, and reflections thus obtained, supported with supplementary research, enriched and deepened the paper. Duncan's Debrief magazine and news releases were important secondary sources, in addition to industry web sites, industry journal articles, reference books, and newspaper articles.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is intended to be taught in undergraduate international business or marketing courses.

Theoretical bases

This case is an illustration of the complexity, and strategic importance, of considering whether, and how, to build customer relationships outside the firm's home country. Such decisions confront many companies facing increasingly global industry environments. The eclectic paradigm, developed by John Dunning, explains why companies expand and participate in international markets.
Hyatt's housekeeper debacle
Authors: Landau Jacqueline
Published: May 2015

Case description

This case describes what happened when three Boston area hotels, the Hyatt Regency Boston, the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, and the Hyatt Harborside, decided, during the 2009 recession, to layoff all their housekeepers and replace them with employees from an outsourcing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The action created a public relations nightmare for the company. In 2009 many other organizations had implemented layoffs with little reaction from the public. Students are asked to think about why the Hyatt Hotels had been singled out. Was the main problem their decision, or the communication and implementation of their decision, and what could they have done differently?
Forest disturbance accelerates thermophilization of understory plant communities
Authors: Stevens Jens T. , Safford Hugh D. , Harrison Susan , Latimer Andrew M.
Published: May 2015

Climate change is likely to shift plant communities towards species from warmer regions, a process termed ‘thermophilization’. In forests, canopy disturbances such as fire may hasten this process by increasing temperature and moisture stress in the understory, yet little is known about the mechanisms that might drive such shifts, or the consequences of these processes for plant diversity.

We sampled understory vegetation across a gradient of disturbance severity from a large‐scale natural experiment created by the factorial combination of forest thinning and wildfire in California. Using information on evolutionary history and functional traits, we tested the hypothesis that disturbance severity should increase community dominance by species with southern‐xeric biogeographic affinities. We also analysed how climatic productivity mediates the effect of disturbance severity, and quantified the functional trait response to disturbance, to investigate potential mechanisms behind thermophilization.

The proportion of north‐temperate flora decreased, while the proportion of southern‐xeric flora increased, with greater disturbance severity and less canopy closure. Disturbance caused a greater reduction of north‐temperate flora in productive (wetter) forests, while functional trait analyses suggested that species colonizing after severe disturbance may be adapted to increased water stress. Forests with intermediate disturbance severity, where abundances of northern and southern species were most equitable, had the highest stand‐scale understory diversity.

Synthesis. Canopy disturbance is likely to accelerate plant community shifts towards species from warmer regions, via its effects on understory microclimate at small scales. Understory diversity can be enhanced by intermediate disturbance regimes that promote the coexistence of species with different biogeographic affinities.
Termites amplify the effects of wood traits on decomposition rates among multiple bamboo and dicot woody species
Authors: Liu Guofang , Cornwell William K. , Cao Kunfang , Hu Yukun , Van Logtestijn Richardus S. P. , Yang Shijian , Xie Xiufang , Zhang Yalin , Ye Duo , Pan Xu , Ye Xuehua , Huang Zhenying , Dong Ming , Cornelissen Johannes H. C.
Published: May 2015

Wood decomposition is a key process in the terrestrial carbon cycle, controlling carbon storage with feedback to climate. In (sub) tropical forest, termites are major players in wood decomposition, but their role relative to that of microbial decomposers and wood traits of different tree species is poorly understood. The current literature also has strong bias towards dicot tree decomposition, while abundant woody monocots, particularly bamboos, also contribute greatly to (sub) tropical carbon cycling.

Here, we present the first experiment to disentangle effects of dead wood traits and termite activity on decomposition of 66 angiosperm species of wide‐ranging phylogenetic position: 31 bamboos, eight non‐bamboo Poaceae, 18 eudicots and nine magnoliids. We incubated dead stems of up to 4 size classes per species in a ‘common garden’ in tropical S China. We tested the hypotheses that (i) dead wood of bamboo (monocots) is less decomposable than dead wood of eudicots or magnoliids; (ii) both microbial‐ and termite‐driven decomposition show negative relationships with initial wood density and with dry matter content.

Bamboo wood generally decomposed more slowly than dicot wood but only slightly slower at given wood density or diameter. Wood decomposition in both bamboo and dicot clades decreased with wood density or dry matter content. Termites contributed greatly to this pattern, explaining 53.4% of the variance in wood decomposition and preferentially attacking dead wood of lower initial density, which corresponded with thicker outer culm walls in the case of bamboo species. Thus, termites strongly strengthen the relationship between species' wood traits and litter decomposition as driven by microbial activity.

Synthesis. These previously unknown relationships among dead wood quality, diameter, termites and decomposing microbes of both woody monocots and dicots will advance our understanding of the driving mechanisms of (sub) tropical wood decomposition and its contribution to the global carbon cycle.
XoxF encoding an alternative methanol dehydrogenase is widespread in coastal marine environments
Authors: Taubert Martin , Grob Carolina , Howat Alexandra M. , Burns Oliver J. , Dixon Joanna L. , Chen Yin , Murrell J. Colin
Published: May 2015

The xoxF gene, encoding a pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent methanol dehydrogenase, is found in all known proteobacterial methylotrophs. In several newly discovered methylotrophs, XoxF is the active methanol dehydrogenase, catalysing the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. Apart from that, its potential role in methylotrophy and carbon cycling is unknown. So far, the diversity of xoxF in the environment has received little attention. We designed PCR primer sets targeting clades of the xoxF gene, and used 454 pyrosequencing of PCR amplicons obtained from the DNA of four coastal marine environments for a unique assessment of the diversity of xoxF in these habitats. Phylogenetic analysis of the data obtained revealed a high diversity of xoxF genes from two of the investigated clades, and substantial differences in sequence composition between environments. Sequences were classified as being related to a wide range of both methylotrophs and non‐methylotrophs from Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. The most prominent sequences detected were related to the family Rhodobacteraceae, the genus Methylotenera and the OM43 clade of Methylophilales, and are thus related to organisms that employ XoxF for methanol oxidation. Furthermore, our analyses revealed a high degree of so far undescribed sequences, suggesting a high number of unknown bacterial species in these habitats.
Molecular characterization of arginine deiminase pathway in Laribacter hongkongensis and unique regulation of arginine catabolism and anabolism by multiple environmental stresses
Authors: Xiong Lifeng , Teng Jade L. L. , Watt Rory M. , Liu Cuihua , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y.
Published: May 2015

The betaproteobacterium Laribacter hongkongensis is associated with invasive bacteremic infections and gastroenteritis. Its genome contains two adjacent arc gene cassettes (arc1 and arc2) under independent transcriptional control, which are essential for acid resistance. Laribacter hongkongensis also encodes duplicate copies of the argA and argB genes from the arginine biosynthesis pathway. We show that arginine enhances the transcription of arcA2 but suppresses arcA1 expression. We demonstrate that ArgR acts as a transcriptional regulator of the two arc operons through binding to ARG operator sites (ARG boxes). Upon temperature shift from 20°C to 37°C, arcA1 transcription is upregulated while arcA2, argA2, argB2 and argG are downregulated. The transcription of arcA1 and arcA2 are augmented under anaerobic and acidic conditions. The transcription levels of argA1, argA2, argB1, argB2 and argG are significantly increased under anaerobic and acidic conditions but are repressed by the addition of arginine. Deletion of argR significantly decreases bacterial survival in macrophages, while expression of both arc operons, argR and all five of the anabolic arg genes increases 8 h post‐infection. Our results show that arginine catabolism in L. hongkongensis is finely regulated by controlling the transcription of two arc operons, whereas arginine anabolism is controlled by two copies of argA and argB.
Excessive Access Cannulation Site Bleeding Predicts Long‐Term All‐Cause Mortality in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Tsai Wan‐Chuan , Chen Hung‐Yuan , Lin Chi‐Lin , Huang Shu‐Chen , Hsu Shih‐Ping , Pai Mei‐Fen , Peng Yu‐Sen , Chiu Yen‐Ling
Published: May 2015

Our group has previously reported that excessive vascular access bleeding during dialysis treatment in stable hemodialysis (HD) patients was associated with anemia and may indicate poorer health. The association between excessive blood loss from access cannulation site and clinical outcomes was unknown. We hypothesized that excessive access bleeding may have an impact on all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in this population. We prospectively conducted an observational, longitudinal study of 360 HD patients. Excessive access bleeding was defined as at least an occurrence of blood loss greater than 4 mL per HD session during a study period of one month. During a median follow‐up of 83 months, all‐cause mortality and CV mortality were registered. Outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. A total of 118 (32.8%) participants died and 54 of these were from CV death. Using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, access bleeding was found to be an independent predictor of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.67, 95% CI 0.96–2.91, P = 0.070) but not for CV death (HR 1.53, 95% CI 0.88–2.68, P = 0.135). Our study identified that excessive access cannulation site bleeding could be a novel marker for increased risk of death in HD patients.