bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OsTCP19 influences developmental and abiotic stress signaling by modulatingABI4-mediated pathways
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Pradipto , Tyagi Akhilesh Kumar
Published: April 2015

Class-I TCP transcription factors are plant-specific developmental regulators. Inthis study, the role of one such rice gene, OsTCP19, in water-deficit andsalt stress response was explored. Besides a general upregulation by abioticstresses, this transcript was more abundant in tolerant than sensitive ricegenotypes during early hours of stress. Stress, tissue and genotype-dependentretention of a small in-frame intron in this transcript was also observed.Overexpression of OsTCP19 in Arabidopsis caused upregulation ofIAA3, ABI3 and ABI4 and downregulation of LOX2, andled to developmental abnormalities like fewer lateral root formation. Moreover,decrease in water loss and reactive oxygen species and hyperaccumulation of lipiddroplets in the transgenics contributed to better stress tolerance both duringseedling establishment and in mature plants. OsTCP19 was also shown to directlyregulate a rice triacylglycerol biosynthesis gene in transient assays. Genes similarto those up- or downregulated in the transgenics were accordingly found to coexpresspositively and negatively with OsTCP19 in Rice Oligonucleotide ArrayDatabase. Interactions of OsTCP19 with OsABI4 and OsULT1 further suggest itsfunction in modulation of abscisic acid pathways and chromatin structure. Thus,OsTCP19 appears to be an important node in cell signaling whichcrosslinks stress and developmental pathways.
New calix[4]arene based highly selective fluorescent probe for Al3+ and I−
Authors: Memon Shahabuddin , Bhatti Ashfaque Ali , Ocak Ümmühan , Ocak Miraç
Published: April 2015

This approach highlights the synthesis of a 2-hydroxy naphthalene functionalized calix[4]arene based fluorophoric Schiff base, C4SB.
Well-defined sulfamethazine-imprinted magnetic nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization for highly selective enrichment of sulfonamides in food samples
Authors: Mao Xuedong , Sun Hongyu , He Xiwen , Chen Langxing , Zhang Yukui
Published: April 2015

A facile and efficient approach combining surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to prepare Fe3O4@SMZ-MIP core–shell nanoparticles is presented. The MIPs exhibit high adsorption capacity and selectivity.
Development of a resin based silica monolithic column encapsulation
Authors: Spilstead Kara B. , Haswell Stephen J. , Barnett Neil W. , Conlan Xavier A. , Stevenson Paul G. , Francis Paul S.
Published: April 2015

A robust technique for the encapsulation of silica-monolithic columns into microfluidic devices. This new approach overcomes the deleterious wall-effects of previous approaches and enables direct fluidic connection to the monolith using standard fittings.
Elastin-based biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Ozsvar Jazmin , Mithieux Suzanne M. , Wang Richard , Weiss Anthony S.
Published: April 2015

Elastin-based biomaterials can direct mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.
A new design of organic radical batteries (ORBs): carbon nanotube buckypaper electrode functionalized by electrografting
Authors: Aqil Abdelhafid , Vlad Alexandru , Piedboeuf Marie-Laure , Aqil Mohamed , Job Nathalie , Melinte Sorin , Detrembleur Christophe , Jérôme Christine
Published: April 2015

A novel hybrid material displaying a fast and reversible charge storage capability is prepared by electrografting of an alkoxyamine-bearing acrylate onto a carbon nanotubes buckypaper.
Matrix-free synthesis of spin crossover micro-rods showing a large hysteresis loop centered at room temperature
Authors: Peng Haonan , Molnár Gábor , Salmon Lionel , Bousseksou Azzedine
Published: April 2015

Acicular micro-rods of the novel [Fe(Htrz)3](CF3SO3)2 complex exhibiting large hysteretic spin crossover behavior perfectly centered at room temperature.
Influence of halogen substitutions on rates of charge tunneling across SAM-based large-area junctions
Authors: Kong Gyu Don , Kim Miso , Jang Hyeon-Jae , Liao Kung-Ching , Yoon Hyo Jae
Published: April 2015

The role of halogenation in charge transport across molecular junctions was investigated.
A study of the relationship between water and anions of the Hofmeister series using pressure perturbation calorimetry
Authors: Bye Jordan W. , Falconer Robert J.
Published: April 2015

Pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC) was used to study the relationship between water and sodium salts with a range of different anions.
Direct monitoring of ultrafast electron and hole dynamics in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Piatkowski Piotr , Cohen Boiko , Javier Ramos Francisco , Di Nunzio Maria , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Grätzel Michael , Ahmad Shahzada , Douhal Abderrazzak
Published: April 2015

Electron and hole dynamics, and internal and surface trap states in perovskite-based solar cells are explored by fs transient absorption spectroscopy.
Non-alternant non-benzenoid kekulenes: the birth of a new kekulene family
Authors: Miyoshi Hirokazu , Nobusue Shunpei , Shimizu Akihiro , Tobe Yoshito
Published: April 2015

Theoretical and experimental aspects of kekulene and its benzenoid, non-benzenoid and non-alternant type congeners are reviewed.
Complexation of uranium(vi) with glutarimidoxioxime: thermodynamic and computational studies
Authors: Endrizzi Francesco , Melchior Andrea , Tolazzi Marilena , Rao Linfeng
Published: April 2015

Glutarimidoxioxime forms a bidentate complex with UO22+viathe oxime and imino groups. Hydrogen bonding between water and the carbonyl group helps to stabilize the complex. The complex is much weaker than that of glutarimidedioxime previously studied.
Synthesis of the MoS2@CuO heterogeneous structure with improved photocatalysis performance and H2O adsorption analysis
Authors: Li Honglin , Yu Ke , Lei Xiang , Guo Bangjun , Li Chao , Fu Hao , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: April 2015

A prominently enhanced photocatalytic ability of the MoS2@CuO heterojunction and better response/recover times were obtained. The calculations showed that water molecule could bind stronger to the CuO surface in comparison with MoS2.
Fe3O4@ZIF-8: magnetically recoverable catalysts by loading Fe3O4 nanoparticles inside a zinc imidazolate framework
Authors: Schejn Aleksandra , Mazet Thomas , Falk Véronique , Balan Lavinia , Aranda Lionel , Medjahdi Ghouti , Schneider Raphaël
Published: April 2015

Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in ZIF-8 crystals along with their catalytic properties and reusability are presented.
Oxaliplatin vs. cisplatin: competition experiments on their binding to lysozyme
Authors: Marasco Daniela , Messori Luigi , Marzo Tiziano , Merlino Antonello
Published: April 2015

The model protein hen egg white lysozyme was challenged with oxaliplatin and cisplatin.
Templating growth of gold nanostructures with a CdSe quantum dot array
Authors: Paul Neelima , Metwalli Ezzeldin , Yao Yuan , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Yu Shun , Roth Stephan V. , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Paul Amitesh
Published: April 2015

The controlled gold sputtering on quantum dot arrays forms gold nanostructures exclusively on top of quantum dots by self-assembly. A real time observation of the gold nanostructure growth is enabled with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS).
Polymeric AIE-based nanoprobes for biomedical applications: recent advances and perspectives
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyong , Wang Ke , Liu Meiying , Zhang Xiqi , Tao Lei , Chen Yiwang , Wei Yen
Published: April 2015

The recent advances and prospects of polymeric AIE dye-based nanoprobes for biomedical applications are summarized in this review article.
Preparation of complex multiblock copolymers via aqueous RAFT polymerization at room temperature
Authors: Martin Liam , Gody Guillaume , Perrier Sébastien
Published: April 2015

Room temperature RAFT polymerisation for the design of multiblock acrylate/acrylamide copolymers.
Dendrimer-PLGA based multifunctional immuno-nanocomposite mediated synchronous and tumor selective delivery of siRNA and cisplatin: potential in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sherwani Mohd. Asif , Tufail Saba , Khan Aijaz Ahmed , Owais Mohammad
Published: April 2015

The in-house synthesized PLK-1 siRNA and cisplatin loaded innovative dendrimer-PLGA immuno-nanocomposite bears the capacity of delivering both the cargos simultaneously to the same liver cancer cell in a targeted manner.
Photovoltaic behaviour of lead methylammonium triiodide perovskite solar cells down to 80 K
Authors: Zhang Hua , Qiao Xianfeng , Shen Yan , Moehl Thomas , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Grätzel Michael , Wang Mingkui
Published: April 2015

Possible ionic motion becomes visible by an impedance spectroscopy technique in the different phases of CH3NH3PbI3.
Carbohydrate-binding module assisting glycosynthase-catalysed polymerizations
Authors: Codera Victoria , Gilbert Harry J. , Faijes Magda , Planas Antoni
Published: April 2015

Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are found within multi-modular polysaccharide degrading enzymes [glycoside hydrolases (GHs)]. CBMs play a critical role in the recognition of plant cell-wall polysaccharides and enhance the hydrolase activity of their cognate catalytic domains by increasing enzyme substrate proximity. Mimicking their role in Nature, we, in the present study, propose that CBMs may assist in vitro glycosynthase-catalysed polymerization reactions to produce artificial polysaccharides. Glycosynthases are GHs that have been engineered to catalyse glycoside bond formation for the synthesis of oligosaccharides, glycoconjugates and glycans. The degree of polymerization (DP) of the glycans generated is limited by the solubility of the polymeric product. In the present study, we have targeted the synthesis of artificial 1,3-1,4-β-glucans with a regular sequence using the glycosynthase E134S derived from a Bacillus licheniformis lichenase. We show that the addition of CBM11, which binds mixed-linked β-glucans, either as an isolated protein or fused to the glycosynthase E134S, has an effect on the DP of the polysaccharide products that is dependent on the rate of polymerization. The mechanism by which CBM influences the DP of the synthesized glycans is discussed.
Remodeling of Displaced Condylar Fractures with Functional Treatment: High-Quality Radiographic Documentation in Three-Patient Series
Authors: Yildirim Yavuz , Keller Eugene E.
Published: April 2015

Treatment of condylar fractures is variable and controversial. Treatment options for management of condylar fractures include surgical and nonsurgical methods, and if a nonsurgical method is as effective as a surgical method, the former is preferred. Although plain film radiographs and functional outcomes attained through nonsurgical treatment are well established in literature, evidence of the remodeling process through detailed, high-quality imaging is lacking. The purpose of this case series is to describe and illustrate two adults and one pediatric patient with significantly displaced condylar fractures treated nonsurgically with excellent clinical results. It is unique for such patients to have pre- and posttreatment computed tomography scans with high-quality three-dimensional reconstruction as in the case of two adults and to have 3.5-year posttrauma radiographs and 14.5-year follow-up as in the case of the pediatric patient. As such, this report is useful in visually presenting three examples of repositioning and reformation of the temporomandibular joint structures in displaced condylar fractures in a postmenarche 14-year-old female patient, a 21-year-old male patient, and an 18-month-old male patient.
Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation versus Bipolar Electrocautery for the Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: Comparison of Efficacy and Postoperative Morbidity
Authors: Uluyol Sinan , Karakaya Nermin , Gur Mehmet , Kilicaslan Saffet , Kantarcioglu Esin , Yagiz Ozlem , Arslan Ilker
Published: April 2015

Introduction Numerous surgical methods are used to treat nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The primary goal of the therapy is to maximize the nasal airway for as extended a period of time as possible while minimizing therapeutic complications.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the effects of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) and bipolar electrocautery (BEC) on the removal of nasal obstruction in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy and on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC). Patients in both groups were also evaluated in terms of postoperative morbidity.

Methods We compared the outcomes of two groups of patients: those treated with RFTA (n = 23) and those who underwent BEC (n = 20). Nasal obstruction was graded using a visual analog scale (VAS) and MCC was measured using a saccharin clearance test. Both measurements were performed before and 2 months after treatment.

Results Pre- and postoperative VAS scores showed significant improvement for both groups. However, MCC results did not significantly differ between two groups. Neither edema nor crust formation persisted for more than 1 week in any patients.

Conclusion Submucosal cauterization with preservation of the nasal mucosa and periosteum is as effective and safe as RFTA and should be considered when planning inferior turbinate interventions.
Visible photoelectrochemical water splitting into H
2
and O
2
in a dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cell
Authors: Alibabaei Leila , Sherman Benjamin D. , Norris Michael R. , Brennaman M. Kyle , Meyer Thomas J.
Published: April 2015

Significance

Mesoporous SnO
2
/TiO
2
core/shell nanostructured electrodes derivatized with a surface-bound Ru(II) polypyridyl-based chromophore–catalyst assembly are used for water splitting into H
2
and O
2
with visible light in a dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cell. Photocurrents with a small applied bias are among the highest reported. Stabilization of the assembly on the surface of the TiO
2
shell by using atomic layer deposition to deposit overlayers of Al
2
O
3
or TiO
2
results in long-term water splitting even in a phosphate buffer at pH 7.
Increasing intracellular trehalose is sufficient to confer desiccation tolerance to
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tapia Hugo , Young Lindsey , Fox Douglas , Bertozzi Carolyn R. , Koshland Douglas
Published: April 2015

Significance

Diverse organisms across taxa are desiccation tolerant, capable of surviving extreme water loss. Remarkably, desiccation-tolerant organisms can survive years without water. The study of desiccation tolerance has the potential to provide novel insights into many aspects of stress and stress responses. Additionally, the study of desiccation tolerance may generate biomedical (blood storage) and agricultural (drought tolerance) applications. The disaccharide, trehalose, is one of several factors predicted to mitigate the adverse effects of desiccation tolerance. Here, we establish the sufficiency of trehalose in the desiccation tolerance of budding yeast. This study provides insights into the in vivo potential of small chemical chaperones to act as stress effectors and informs on the potential for in vivo metabolism under extreme desiccation conditions.
Puccini and the Music Boxes
Authors: Sheppard W. Anthony
Published: April 2015

This article reveals the source for two major themes in Madama Butterfly – one associated with Butterfly herself, the other with her patrimony. The assumption has been that Puccini based these themes on Japanese melodies, but his source was actually a Swiss music box playing Chinese tunes. Specific moments in the opera indicate that Puccini was aware of the titles of these tunes. The sound of music boxes in Butterfly and Turandot suggests previously unnoticed connections between these operas. The music-box melodies may be traced to Fritz Bovet's transcriptions. Puccini encountered ‘Jasmine Flower’ on these boxes, and in Turandot reaffirmed its status as the token of Chinese music.
Anti-obesity effect of Triticum aestivum sprout extract in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Im Ji-Young , Ki Hyeon-Hui , Xin Mingjie , Kwon Se-Uk , Kim Young Ho , Kim Dae-Ki , Hong Sun-Pyo , Jin Jong-Sik , Lee Young-Mi
Published: April 2015

Obesity is a common disease worldwide that often results in serious conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Many herbal medicines have been examined with regard to ameliorating obesity. We investigated the anti-obesity effects of 50% EtOH extract of Triticum aestivum sprout (TAEE) in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. TAEE administration (10, 50, or 200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks significantly decreased the body weights, serum total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in HFD-fed mice. TAEE treatment reduced lipid accumulation in epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) and liver. Moreover, TC and lipid levels were decreased by TAEE treatment in liver. Serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations were reduced by TAEE treatment. TAEE-treated mice showed decreases in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fatty acid synthase expression in EWAT. Furthermore, TAEE administration elevated levels of PPARα protein in the liver of HFD-induced obese mice. These results suggest that TAEE supplementation might be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of obesity and related diseases.
Acute Effects of Riociguat in Borderline or Manifest Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Ghofrani Hossein A. , Staehler Gerd , Grünig Ekkehard , Halank Michael , Mitrovic Veselin , Unger Sigrun , Mueck Wolfgang , Frey Reiner , Grimminger Friedrich , Schermuly Ralph T. , Behr Juergen
Published: April 2015

Riociguat is the first oral soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator shown to improve pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH). This pilot study assessed the impact of a single dose of riociguat on hemodynamics, gas exchange, and lung function in patients with PH associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Adults with COPD‐associated borderline or manifest PH (pulmonary vascular resistance > 270 dyn·s·cm−5, mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 23 mmHg, ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] to forced vital capacity < 70%, and partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood > 50 and ≤ 55 mmHg, respectively) received riociguat 1 or 2.5 mg during right heart catheterization. Twenty‐two patients completed the study (11 men, 11 women, aged 56–82 years; 1‐mg group: n = 10 [mean FEV1: 43.1%]; 2.5‐mg group: n = 12 [mean FEV1: 41.2%]). Riociguat caused significant improvements (P < 0.01) from baseline in mean pulmonary artery pressure (1 mg: −3.60 mmHg [–11.44%]; 2.5 mg: −4.83 mmHg [–14.76%]) and pulmonary vascular resistance (1 mg: −58.32 dyn·s·cm−5 [–15.35%]; 2.5 mg: −123.8 dyn·s·cm−5 [–32.96%]). No relevant changes in lung function or gas exchange were observed. Single doses of riociguat were well tolerated and showed promising hemodynamic effects without untoward effects on gas exchange or lung function in patients with COPD‐associated PH. Placebo‐controlled studies of chronic treatment with riociguat are warranted.
A topological characterization of the Moufang property for compact polygons
Authors: Radu Nicolas
Published: April 2015

We prove a purely topological characterization of the Moufang property for disconnected compact polygons in terms of convergence groups. As a consequence, we recover the fact that a locally finite thick affine building of rank 

3
3

is a Bruhat–Tits building if and only if its automorphism group is strongly transitive. We also study automorphism groups of general compact polygons without any homogeneity assumption. A compactness criterion for sets of automorphisms is established, generalizing the theorem by Burns and Spatzier that the full automorphism group, endowed with the compact-open topology, is a locally compact group.
Heliospheric plasma flow at Voyager 2 is almost coplanar with the hydrogen deflection plane
Authors: Grygorczuk J. , Czechowski A. , Grzedzielski S.
Published: April 2015

We show that for the undisturbed interstellar velocity vector $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$ and magnetic field direction $\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$ defined by IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) Ribbon centre, the radial direction of Voyager 2 over the last decade, and the (thermal proton) plasma velocity measured by the spacecraft since 2010.5, are almost parallel to the ($\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$, $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$)-plane, which coincides in practice with the hydrogen deflection plane. In consequence the plasma flow velocity measured by Voyager 2 in the inner heliosheath rotates more in the transverse than in the polar direction (explanation alternative to McComas & Schwadron). Note that the ($\boldsymbol {B}_{\rm IS}$, $\boldsymbol {V}_{\rm IS}$) plane is a symmetry plane of the interstellar plasma flow at large heliocentric distances.
Exploring the Performance of Multilevel Modeling and Poststratification with Eurobarometer Data
Authors: Toshkov Dimiter
Published: April 2015

This text reports the results of an evaluation of the performance of multilevel regression modeling and poststratication (MRP) in reconstructing state-level estimates from federal-level data. The evaluation makes use of Eurobarometer data and relies on the fact that Eurobarometer provides representative survey data for each European Union state to further explore the performance of MRP. I repeatedly draw subsets of the entire Eurobarometer sample, then I compute adjusted country means using MRP with census data, and I compare the resulting estimates to the true country means from the full sample. I do that for ten survey items from various Eurobarometer waves. The results show that MRP is generally successful in producing estimates that are highly correlated with the true values (mean of 0.90). But the approach is less capable of reconstructing the relative rankings of the country means and hitting the range of plausible values of the individual state means. I also show that the great part of the adjustment comes from the modeling of the state means and not from poststratification, and that population-weighted samples perform no worse than samples in which countries have equal shares of the pool of respondents.
Nonlinear ionizing radiation-induced changes in eye lens cell proliferation, cyclin D1 expression and lens shape
Authors: Markiewicz Ewa , Barnard Stephen , Haines Jackie , Coster Margaret , van Geel Orry , Wu Weiju , Richards Shane , Ainsbury Elizabeth , Rothkamm Kai , Bouffler Simon , Quinlan Roy A.
Published: April 2015

Elevated cataract risk after radiation exposure was established soon after the discovery of X-rays in 1895. Today, increased cataract incidence among medical imaging practitioners and after nuclear incidents has highlighted how little is still understood about the biological responses of the lens to low-dose ionizing radiation (IR). Here, we show for the first time that in mice, lens epithelial cells (LECs) in the peripheral region repair DNA double strand breaks (DSB) after exposure to 20 and 100 mGy more slowly compared with circulating blood lymphocytes, as demonstrated by counts of γH2AX foci in cell nuclei. LECs in the central region repaired DSBs faster than either LECs in the lens periphery or lymphocytes. Although DSB markers (γH2AX, 53BP1 and RAD51) in both lens regions showed linear dose responses at the 1 h timepoint, nonlinear responses were observed in lenses for EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxy-uridine) incorporation, cyclin D1 staining and cell density after 24 h at 100 and 250 mGy. After 10 months, the lens aspect ratio was also altered, an indicator of the consequences of the altered cell proliferation and cell density changes. A best-fit model demonstrated a dose-response peak at 500 mGy. These data identify specific nonlinear biological responses to low (less than 1000 mGy) dose IR-induced DNA damage in the lens epithelium.
Comparison of methods to determine point-to-point resistance in nearly rectangular networks with application to a ‘hammock’ network
Authors: Essam John W. , Izmailyan Nikolay Sh. , Kenna Ralph , Tan Zhi-Zhong
Published: April 2015

Considerable progress has recently been made in the development of techniques to exactly determine two-point resistances in networks of various topologies. In particular, two types of method have emerged. One is based on potentials and the evaluation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Laplacian matrix associated with the network or its minors. The second method is based on a recurrence relation associated with the distribution of currents in the network. Here, these methods are compared and used to determine the resistance distances between any two nodes of a network with topology of a hammock.
The duality of spatial death–birth and birth–death processes and limitations of the isothermal theorem
Authors: Kaveh Kamran , Komarova Natalia L. , Kohandel Mohammad
Published: April 2015

Evolutionary models on graphs, as an extension of the Moran process, have two major implementations: birth–death (BD) models (or the invasion process) and death–birth (DB) models (or voter models). The isothermal theorem states that the fixation probability of mutants in a large group of graph structures (known as isothermal graphs, which include regular graphs) coincides with that for the mixed population. This result has been proved by Lieberman
et al.
(2005
Nature
433, 312–316. (
doi:10.1038/nature03204
)) in the case of BD processes, where mutants differ from the wild-types by their birth rate (and not by their death rate). In this paper, we discuss to what extent the isothermal theorem can be formulated for DB processes, proving that it only holds for mutants that differ from the wild-type by their death rate (and not by their birth rate). For more general BD and DB processes with arbitrary birth and death rates of mutants, we show that the fixation probabilities of mutants are different from those obtained in the mass-action populations. We focus on spatial lattices and show that the difference between BD and DB processes on one- and two-dimensional lattices is non-small even for large population sizes. We support these results with a generating function approach that can be generalized to arbitrary graph structures. Finally, we discuss several biological applications of the results.
Approximate series solution of multi-dimensional, time fractional-order (heat-like) diffusion equations using FRDTM
Authors: Singh Brajesh K. , Srivastava Vineet K.
Published: April 2015

The main goal of this paper is to present a new approximate series solution of the multi-dimensional (heat-like) diffusion equation with time-fractional derivative in Caputo form using a semi-analytical approach: fractional-order reduced differential transform method (FRDTM). The efficiency of FRDTM is confirmed by considering four test problems of the multi-dimensional time fractional-order diffusion equation. FRDTM is a very efficient, effective and powerful mathematical tool which provides exact or very close approximate solutions for a wide range of real-world problems arising in engineering and natural sciences, modelled in terms of differential equations.
The crystal and molecular structure of sodium 4-(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)benzoate in terms of the photochemical behaviour of the anion
Authors: Konieczny Krzysztof , Bąkowicz Julia , Turowska-Tyrk Ilona
Published: April 2015

Contrary to the known 4-(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)benzoate salts, di-μ-aqua-bis[tetraaquasodium(I)] bis[4-(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)benzoate] dihydrate, [Na2(H2O)10](C23H27O3)2·2H2O, (1), does not undergo a photochemical Norrish–Yang reaction in the crystalline state. In order to explain this photochemical inactivity, the intermolecular interactions were analyzed by means of the Hirshfeld surface and intramolecular geometrical parameters describing the possibility of a Norrish–Yang reaction were calculated. The reasons for the behaviour of the title salt are similar crystalline environments for both theo-isopropyl groups in the anion, resulting in similar geometrical parameters and orientations, and that these interaction distances differ significantly from those found in salts where the photochemical reaction occurs.
Mandatory corporate social responsibility assurance practices
Authors: Ackers Barry , Eccles Neil Stuart
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Despite its voluntary nature, the Johannesburg stock exchange (JSE) requires all listed companies to apply the King III principles, including providing independent CSR assurance. King III has accordingly made independent CSR assurance a de facto mandatory requirement, albeit on an “apply or explain” basis. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) assurance practices in South Africa, within a King III context.

Design/methodology/approach

– To understand the impact of King III on South African CSR assurance practices, a longitudinal study covering reporting periods both before and after King III implementation. The first stage reviewed the annual reports of the 200 largest JSE-listed companies to establish the frequency of CSR assurance provision. The second stage involved performing a content analysis on the CSR assurance reports.

Findings

– King III is driving the institutionalisation of CSR assurance practices in South Africa, as evidenced by the growth in CSR assurance since the implementation of King III. The study also found that the audit profession’s dominance was being eroded by specialist CSR assurors providing higher levels of assurance, despite concerns about the rigour of their assurance methodologies. Voluntary CSR assurance practices have resulted in the inconsistent application of CSR assurance practices, impairing the ability of stakeholders to understand the nature and scope of CSR assurance engagements. It is argued that this deficiency may be overcome through the imposition of a mandatory CSR assurance regime.

Originality/value

– The pervasive impact of the King Code of Governance on South African organisations makes it appropriate to examine its impact on South African CSR assurance practices. As such, this paper represents one of the first studies to specifically consider the impact of a mandatory regulatory requirement for independent CSR assurance and suggests a future direction for global CSR assurance practices.
The mediating roles of psychological safety and employee voice on the relationship between conflict management styles and organizational identification
Authors: Erkutlu Hakan , Chafra Jamel
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between conflict management styles (CMS) used by leaders and organizational identification of their followers as well as to test the mediating effects of psychological safety and employee voice on that relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected on site from 1,023 employees in 13 multinational companies in Turkey. The mediating roles of psychological safety and employee voice on the CMS and organizational identification relationship were tested using ordinary least squares regression analyses.

Findings

– The results show that cooperative CMS is positively and significantly correlated with organizational identification. In addition, the results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses support the mediating effects of psychological safety and employee voice with regard to the relationship between CMS and organizational identification.

Practical implications

– Given that cooperative CMS are associated with valued organizational outcomes such as higher employees’ commitment, trust and satisfaction in leaders and citizenship behaviors, organizational efforts to foster cooperative CMS should prove fruitful. Moreover, focussing on efforts to improve leader-follower relationship and to create a trust-based work environment could increase the likelihood that CMS will increase level of employees’ identification with their organizations.

Originality/value

– The value of this study is its original contribution to the research literature, as no previous studies, which incorporated CMS, organizational identification, and psychological safety and voice behavior as mediating variables were found during the exhaustive literature review.
Does transformational leadership build resilient public and nonprofit organizations?
Authors: Valero Jesus N. , Jung Kyujin , Andrew Simon A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership – broadly defined as an individual who is visionary, innovative, inspirational and sensitive to the needs of followers – on the level of organizational resiliency.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs multiple hierarchical regression analysis to test the causal relationship between transformational leadership and organizational resiliency by utilizing 112 respondents working in emergency management departments of local governments, fire and police stations, and nonprofit organizations in the Southeastern Economic Region of South Korea.

Findings

– The results of the analysis indicate that transformational leadership style has a positive and statistically significant effect on perceived organizational resiliency. The findings also indicate that elected officials such as mayors are more likely to focus on building organizational resiliency than appointed officials and nonprofit leaders.

Originality/value

– This study fills the gap of the current literature in the field of emergency management by establishing empirical evidence of the need to identify leaders with transformational traits in order to build a resilient organization, which can better respond and adapt to a catastrophic event in the Asian context.
Perspectives on sustainability in humanitarian supply chains
Authors: Haavisto Ira , Kovács Gyöngyi
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for analysing how humanitarian organisations (HOs) address different expectations regarding sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative and qualitative content analysis is used to assess the annual reports (ARs) of HOs for their discussions on sustainability overall, and in relation to contextual expectations, subsystems and supply chains, organisational structure and strategy.

Findings

– HOs address sustainability primarily from the perspective of contextual expectations from society and beneficiaries. Some fits between supply chain design and societal expectations are attended to, but fits between programmes and contextual expectations are not discussed explicitly.

Research limitations/implications

– ARs express what organisations want to portray of their activities rather than being direct reflections of what occurs in the field, hence the use of ARs for the study delimits its findings. However, HOs rarely publish sustainability reports.

Practical implications

– Even though there is a general pursuit of the elusive aim of aid effectiveness, organisational structures need to be further aligned with societal aims as to support these.

Social implications

– Beneficiaries are still seen as external to the humanitarian supply chain and humanitarian programmes, though their role may change with the introduction of more cash components in aid, voucher systems, and ultimately, their empowerment through these.

Originality/value

– The suggested conceptual framework combines elements of contingency theory with a prior four perspectives model on sustainability expectations. The framework helps to highlight fits between the humanitarian context, operations and programmes as well as misalignments between these.
Information literacies of self-identified sadomasochists: an ethnographic case study
Authors: Harviainen J. Tuomas
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present findings on the way in which self-identified sadomasochist apply their information literacy skills, and to analyse those applications in the context of existing research on information literacies (IL).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on the author’s two decades of ethnographic work within a national-level sadomasochist community, supplemented by interviews with 30 practitioners and an extensive literature survey.

Findings

– Sadomasochists avoid the social stigma associated with their activities by developing highly refined ILs. Central among these is the ability to learn from other practitioners by reading and interpreting their actions as “texts.” They furthermore stockpile potentially useful information for later use. Their ILs not only make sadomasochists more skilled in their practices, but also provide them with safety.

Originality/value

– By examining its subject community, the paper develops the ideas of embodied information literacy, currently strongly associated with workplace learning, to the hobby and lifestyle sectors, as it deals with a particularly corporeal set of ILs. This radical example allows scholars to conduct research on the ILs other communities of practice, in which the activities may be less obviously corporeal, but the literacies just as based on embodied interpretation and the reading of others’ activities as texts.
Knowledge creation and play – a phenomenological approach
Authors: Suorsa Anna Reetta
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiential nature of knowledge creating interaction and to introduce a framework to explore it theoretically coherently with hermeneutic phenomenology and Hans-Georg Gadamer’s concept of play.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents a literature-based conceptual analysis of the concept of play. Gadamerian conception is related with the descriptions of knowledge creating interaction in the research of knowledge management and with the uses of the concept of play in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). Theoretical analysis is applied in this study to structure the argumentation.

Findings

– This study illustrates how the preconceptions of experiences and different modes of being in interaction are implicitly present in the research of knowledge creation (KC) in the descriptions of interaction and human factors enhancing KC. A framework for examining KC in organizational circumstances is developed based on the hermeneutic phenomenology and Gadamer’s concept of play, which provide a basis for understanding KC as being together in interaction.

Research limitations/implications

– This theoretical study develops a framework for examining the process of KC also empirically. In this study the examination of hermeneutic phenomenology is limited to the conceptions of play, authenticity and everydayness; phenomenology offers means for further explication of human being and experience.

Originality/value

– This study provides a new view on KC based on hermeneutic phenomenology and play, and contributes to the examination of interactive knowledge processes in the field of LIS.
Social foresight
Authors: Poli Roberto
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the three guiding ideas of the social foresight course, namely, the difference between abstract and concrete futures (i.e. the difference between risk and uncertainty); the three levels of futures studies (forecast, foresight and anticipation); and an overview of the early signs of the incipient shift of human and social sciences from their so-far predominant past-orientation to a new, still unfolding, future-orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is a reconstruction of the guiding ideas that have been used for designing the social foresight course.

Findings

– As far as anticipation is concerned, the authors’ understanding of anticipation is still cursory, and the novelty of the perspective may conceal the difficulty implied by this otherwise refreshingly new vision. The theory is at such an early phase of development that it still lacks a unified conceptual language for theorizing and operationalizing anticipation to facilitate cross-disciplinary conversations.

Originality/value

– The ability to anticipate in complex environments may improve the resilience of societies under threat from a global proliferation of agents and forces by articulating insecurities through anticipatory processes. However, to achieve this end, the joint expertise and theoretical awareness of both the futurists and the human and social scientists is needed.
Preparation and evaluation of nanosized mixed calcium iron oxide (CaFe2O4) as high heat resistant pigment in paints
Authors: Abd El-Wahab H. , Hassan A.M. , Naser A.M. , Fouad O.A. , El-Din A.M. , Wahba O.A.G.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to prepare and evaluate a nanosized mixed calcium iron oxide as a high heat-resistant pigment. Heat-resistant pigments can be defined as chemical substances that impart color to a substrate or binder and retain their color and finish at elevated temperatures. Mixed metal oxides have been widely used as pigments in coating formulations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This work presents synthesis of nanosized calcium iron oxide as an inorganic pigment by using simple synthesis technique, namely, solid-state calcination method, to study its heat and corrosion resistance. The prepared pigment was characterized by using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and inductive coupling plasma. It was incorporated into paint formulations, and the heat, corrosion and mechanical resistance of dry paint film was evaluated.

Findings

– In this work, the prepared calcium iron oxide pigment showed excellent heat and corrosion resistance.

Research limitations/implications

– Heat-resistant coatings are required for industrial applications, mainly for reactors, exhaust pipes, space craft, stacks and similar equipments that are permanently and occasionally exposed to elevated temperatures. It was previously quite difficult to formulate heat-resistant organic coatings because of binder deficiencies; new vehicles for such applications are now available. Thus, the development of silicon resins has markedly advanced the utility of heat-resistant paints. High-temperature pigments are inorganic chemical compounds that impart and retain their color and finish to a substrate or binder at elevated temperatures.

Practical implications

– The nanosized mixed calcium iron oxide could be used as a pigment in paint formulations. It was found that it significantly enhances the heat, corrosion and mechanical resistance. It can also find numerous applications in other paint formulations for surface coating.

Originality/value

– The paper shows how the pigment consisting nanosized mixed calcium iron oxide could be used in heat-resistant paint formulations for coating metal surfaces.
Lycopene inhibits cyclic strain‐induced endothelin‐1 expression through the suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and induction of heme oxygenase‐1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Sung Li‐Chin , Chao Hung‐Hsing , Chen Cheng‐Hsien , Tsai Jen‐Chen , Liu Ju‐Chi , Hong Hong‐Jye , Cheng Tzu‐Hurng , Chen Jin‐Jer
Published: April 2015

Lycopene is the most potent active antioxidant among the major carotenoids, and its use has been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is a powerful vasopressor synthesized by endothelial cells and plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CVD. However, the direct effects of lycopene on vascular endothelial cells have not been fully described. This study investigated the effects of lycopene on cyclic strain‐induced ET‐1 gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and identified the signal transduction pathways that are involved in this process. Cultured HUVECs were exposed to cyclic strain (20% in length, 1 Hz) in the presence or absence of lycopene. Lycopene inhibited strain‐induced ET‐1 expression through the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through attenuation of p22phox mRNA expression and NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Furthermore, lycopene inhibited strain‐induced ET‐1 secretion by reducing ROS‐mediated extrace‐llular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Conversely, lycopene treatment enhanced heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) gene expression through the activation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, followed by induction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation; in addition, HO‐1 silencing partially inhibited the repressive effects of lycopene on strain‐induced ET‐1 expression. In summary, our study showed, for the first time, that lycopene inhibits cyclic strain‐induced ET‐1 gene expression through the suppression of ROS generation and induction of HO‐1 in HUVECs. Therefore, this study provides new valuable insight into the molecular pathways that may contribute to the proposed beneficial effects of lycopene on the cardiovascular system.
Justifying Redevelopment ‘Failures' Within Urban ‘Success Stories': Dispute, Compromise, and a New Test of Urbanity
Authors: Holden Meg , Scerri Andy , Esfahani Azadeh Hadizadeh
Published: April 2015

Large‐scale waterfront redevelopment projects, an urban development phenomenon that originated in the 1970s, are attractive to a growing suite of cities worldwide. But why? These mega‐projects are full of pitfalls, broken promises, cost overruns, disappointments and are often accused of promoting inequality. In this article, we consider the specific case of Melbourne's Docklands, which local popular opinion has roundly judged a failure despite the countervailing judgment of success in the revival of ‘liveability' of the adjacent Melbourne central business district. We use the Docklands case to illustrate the utility of a ‘critical pragmatic' framework of analysis to get behind dominant explanations of the demands of the urban growth machine and postmodern neoliberal capitalism. Without denying the existence of these dynamics, nor their hegemony, we nevertheless explicate how a critical pragmatic analysis can reveal the social dynamics driving the judgments and justifications offered by actors in urban redevelopment. A pragmatic analysis of these dynamics of argument and action at critical moments in the long process of an urban redevelopment can reveal new kinds of compromises and tests by which these projects are judged. In other words, what counts as failure and as success in the work of city building will shift, depending on what actors do and how they talk about it, and on how well these actions and justifications hold up to public challenges about the true character of a successful city. By gauging how these challenges are constituted and settled, we can better understand the evolution of the urban value proposition, and the new notion of justice grounded in urbanity that is emerging at the urban redevelopment frontier.
Analysis of Forensic Autopsy in 120 Cases of Medical Disputes Among Different Levels of Institutional Settings
Authors: Yu Lin‐Sheng , Ye Guang‐Hua , Fan Yan‐Yan , Li Xing‐Biao , Feng Xiang‐Ping , Han Jun‐Ge , Lin Ke‐Zhi , Deng Miao‐Wu , Li Feng
Published: April 2015

Despite advances in medical science, the causes of death can sometimes only be determined by pathologists after a complete autopsy. Few studies have investigated the importance of forensic autopsy in medically disputed cases among different levels of institutional settings. Our study aimed to analyze forensic autopsy in 120 cases of medical disputes among five levels of institutional settings between 2001 and 2012 in Wenzhou, China. The results showed an overall concordance rate of 55%. Of the 39% of clinically missed diagnosis, cardiovascular pathology comprises 55.32%, while respiratory pathology accounts for the remaining 44. 68%. Factors that increase the likelihood of missed diagnoses were private clinics, community settings, and county hospitals. These results support that autopsy remains an important tool in establishing causes of death in medically disputed case, which may directly determine or exclude the fault of medical care and therefore in helping in resolving these cases.