bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utopologies
Authors: Clarke David B
Published: November 2011

Against a backdrop of nostalgia for a lost utopia, the paper adopts the standpoint that utopia has been achieved. Yet its accomplishment serves only to place the utopian imaginary in question. The basic plotline concerns utopia's entrapment behind the mirror, and the consequences that ensue from the subsequent implosion of the real and the imaginary. Reflecting on Baudrillard's association of utopia with the figure of Lichtenberg's knife, as well as Marin's assimilation of the utopic to the neutral, the paper examines the relations between the real, the symbolic, and the imaginary with respect to utopian thought and characterises the achievement of a minimal utopia.
Efficient Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydro-1H-Perimidine Derivatives Using HBOB as a Novel Solid Acid Catalyst
Authors: Phadtare Sunanda B. , Vijayraghavan R. , Shankarling Ganapati S. , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: November 2011

An efficient method for the synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidine derivatives is described using bis(oxalato)boric acid (HBOB) as catalyst. The methodology provides an easily handled and recyclable catalyst for this type of reaction as an alternative platform to the conventional acid-catalyzed thermal processes. The time required to complete the reaction using HBOB was found to be shorter than conventional methods. Recycling of the catalyst has been efficiently achieved using a simple procedure.
Phytoplankton composition and constraints to biomass in the middle reaches of an Australian tropical river during base flow
Authors: Townsend S. A. , Przybylska M. , Miloshis M.
Published: November 2011

Under high flows, the biomass of riverine phytoplankton can be constrained by short transport times and advective losses. However, under slower flows and longer transport times, secondary factors and sometimes their interaction with flow may constrain phytoplankton biomass. To contribute to a wider understanding of the riverine conditions that constrain phytoplankton biomass, we tested the hypothesis that phytoplankton of the Daly River (tropical Australia) was constrained by transport time during dry-season base flow. The river is virtually undisturbed, with oligotrophic nutrient concentrations during the dry season. The most frequently occurring taxa were planktonic, rather than benthic, and dominated by the dinoflagellate Peridinium inconspicuum which has r-strategist traits that favour rapid growth in a nutrient-deficient environment. Our hypothesis was not supported because increased downstream loads of Chlorophyll a and the domination of P. inconspicuum inferred phytoplankton net growth. Instead, phytoplankton biomass was more likely to be nutrient-limited, although transport time may limit phytoplankton growth over some reaches and for specific taxa. The present study demonstrated that even in the fast-flowing middle reaches of a river (~0.4 m s–1), a population of phytoplankton can be sustained.
How does tidal submersion time affect macroinvertebrate community patterns on a temperate sheltered sandflat?
Authors: Paavo B. L. , Ham D. , Görlitz S. , Probert P. K.
Published: November 2011

A general model of vertical zonation has been a fruitful foundation of rocky shore ecology, but no analogous model is widely accepted for intertidal soft sediments. Various local proxies have been used for shore height or tidal submersion time, although objective measurements are rare in the literature. In this study, temperature loggers identified submersion period (SP) in a sheltered temperate New Zealand inlet at discrete distances along transect vertical profiles associated with macrofaunal community differences. Our aim was to evaluate this submersion quantification method and determine whether SP described macrofaunal patterns. Despite the patchy presence of engineering species Zostera muelleri and Callianassa filholi, the method was effective in quantifying SP in an inlet with asymmetric tides and SP described spatial macroinvertebrate patterns well. Macrofaunal assemblages corresponded with shore height differences of ~100 mm and SP differences of ~10%. Observations distinguished assemblages submerged less than 30% of the time from those submerged >50% of the time with a continuous community gradient between. We suggest that future intertidal soft-sediment investigations should directly measure SP to: (1) adequately control for this influence when studying more obvious processes with subtle impacts; and (2) further a generic model of soft-sediment zonation.
Grunt language versus accent: the perceived communication barriers between international medical graduates and patients in Central Wheatbelt catchments
Authors: Sommer Jessica , Macdonald William , Bulsara Caroline , Lim David
Published: November 2011

Due to the chronic shortages of GPs in Australian rural and remote regions, considerable numbers of international medical graduates (IMG) have been recruited. IMG experience many difficulties when relocating to Australia with one of the most significant being effective GP−patient communication. Given that this is essential for effective consultation it can have a substantial impact on health care. A purposive sample of seven practising GPs (five IMG, two Australian-trained doctors (ATD)) was interviewed using a semistructured face-to-face interviewing technique. GPs from Nigeria, Egypt, United Kingdom, India, Singapore and Australia participated. Interviews were transcribed and then coded. The authors used qualitative thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify common themes. IMG−patient communication barriers were considered significant in the Wheatbelt region as identified by both IMG and ATD. ATD indicated they were aware of IMG−patient communication issues resulting in subsequent consults with patients to explain results and diagnoses. Significantly, a lack of communication between ATD and IMG also emerged, creating a further barrier to effective communication. Analysis of the data generated several important findings that rural GP networks should consider when integrating new IMG into the community. Addressing the challenges related to cross-cultural differences should be a priority, in order to enable effective communication. More open communication between ATD and IMG about GP−patient communication barriers and education programs around GP−patient communication would help both GP and patient satisfaction.
Gene expression profile differences in embryos derived from prepubertal and adult Japanese Black cattle during in vitro development
Authors: Dorji  , Ohkubo Yukihiro , Miyoshi Kazuchika , Yoshida Mitsutoshi
Published: November 2011

The present study was carried out to compare the gene expression profiles of in vitro-generated embryos derived from adult and prepubertal Japanese Black cattle oocytes using GeneChip Bovine Genome Array (containing 24 072 probe sets representing over 23 000 transcripts). Microarray experiments were performed on populations of 8- to 16-cell stage embryos and blastocysts derived from adult (24–35 months old) versus prepubertal (9–10 months old) Japanese Black cattle oocytes matured and fertilised in vitro. In total, 591 (2.4%) and 490 (2.0%) genes were differentially expressed in prepubertal and adult bovine in 8- to 16-cell and blastocyst stage embryos, respectively. Out of these, 218 and 248 genes were upregulated, while 373 and 242 were downregulated in prepubertal and adult 8- to 16-cell and blastocysts stage embryos, respectively. Gene ontology classification regarding biological process, molecular functions and cellular component revealed diversity in transcript abundances between prepubertal and adult groups in both the distinct developmental stages. Quantitative reverse transcription–PCR validated the expression differences of some selected transcripts as identified by microarray analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the significant number of genes differentially expression (>2-fold, P < 0.01) in preimplantition embryos between adult and prepubertal Japanese Black cattle during in vitro development.
Zona pellucida birefringence correlates with developmental capacity of bovine oocytes classified by maturational environment, COC morphology and G6PDH activity
Authors: Held Eva , Mertens Eva-Maria , Mohammadi-Sangcheshmeh Abdollah , Salilew-Wondim Dessie , Besenfelder Urban , Havlicek Vitezslav , Herrler Andreas , Tesfaye Dawit , Schellander Karl , Hölker Michael
Published: November 2011

In the present study we aimed to analyse structural changes during in vitro maturation of the bovine zona pellucida (ZP) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ands zona pellucida birefringence (ZPB). Here we show that alterations during in vitro maturation invasively analysed by SEM are reflected in ZPB. In vivo-matured oocytes displayed significantly lower birefringence parameters and significantly higher blastocyst rates compared with in vitro-derived oocytes (39.1% vs 21.6%). The same was observed for in vitro-matured oocytes with cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) Quality 1 (Q1) compared with Q3-COCs with respect to zona birefringence and developmental capacity. Immature oocytes with Q1-COCs displayed higher ZPB values and a higher developmental capacity to the blastocyst stage (27.7% vs 16.9%) compared with immature Q3-COCs. Considering in vitro-matured oocytes, only those with Q1-COC showed a trend for ZPB similar to in vivo-matured oocytes. Therefore, a decreasing trend for ZPB during in vitro maturation seems to be typical for high-quality oocytes and successful cytoplasmic maturation. In accordance, fully-grown immature oocytes reached significantly higher blastocyst rates (32.0% vs 11.5%) and lower ZPB values compared with still-growing ones. In conclusion, we successfully evaluated the applicability of zona imaging to bovine oocytes: alterations during in vitro maturation invasively analysed by scanning electron microscopy were reflected in the birefringence of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes affecting developmental capacity at the same value. Therefore ZPB measurement by live zona imaging has potential to become a new tool to assess correctness of in vitro maturation and to predict developmental competence.
Expression, purification and structural analysis of recombinant rBdh-2His6, a spermadhesin from buck (Capra hircus) seminal plasma
Authors: Nascimento Antônia Sâmia F. , Cajazeiras João B. , Nascimento Kyria S. , Nogueira Sara Monalisa S. , Sousa Bruno L. , Teixeira Edson H. , Melo Luciana M. , da Cunha Rodrigo Maranguape S. , Silva André Luiz C. , Cavada Benildo S.
Published: November 2011

Spermadhesins, a family of secretory proteins from the male genital tract of ungulate species, belong to the group of animal lectins. Spermadhesins have a prominent role in different aspects of fertilisation, such as spermatozoid capacitation, acrosomal stabilisation, sperm–oviduct interaction and during sperm–oocyte fusion. Proteins (spermadhesins) in buck seminal plasma were described. In the present study, bodhesin Bdh-2 cDNA present in buck seminal plasma was subcloned with the expression plasmid pTrcHis TOPO used to transform Escherichia coli Top10 One shot cells. The recombinant clones were selected by growth in 50 µg mL–1 ampicillin-containing LB broth and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Recombinant rBdh-2His6 synthesis was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and followed by immunoblotting using monoclonal anti-His antibody. Production of rBdh-2 using low temperatures was not satisfactory. Greater production of rBdh-2 occurred with 1.5 mM isopropyl β-d-thiogalactoside after 2 h of induction. The method used to purify rBdh-2 was affinity chromatography on a His-Trap column following ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-Sephacel column. The secondary structure of the rBdh-2His6 was evaluated by spectral profile circular dichroism (CD). The prevalence of secondary structures like β-sheets, with fewer unfolded structures and α-helices, was confirmed. The structure of rBdh-2His6 remained stable up to 35°C. However, significant structural changes were observed at temperatures higher than 40°C related to a distortion of the CD spectrum.
Interdependencies between flame length and fireline intensity in predicting crown fire initiation and crown scorch height
Authors: Alexander Martin E. , Cruz Miguel G.
Published: November 2011

This state-of-knowledge review examines some of the underlying assumptions and limitations associated with the inter-relationships among four widely used descriptors of surface fire behaviour and post-fire impacts in wildland fire science and management, namely Byram’s fireline intensity, flame length, stem-bark char height and crown scorch height. More specifically, the following topical areas are critically examined based on a comprehensive review of the pertinent literature: (i) estimating fireline intensity from flame length; (ii) substituting flame length for fireline intensity in Van Wagner’s crown fire initiation model; (iii) the validity of linkages between the Rothermel surface fire behaviour and Van Wagner’s crown scorch height models; (iv) estimating flame height from post-fire observations of stem-bark char height; and (v) estimating fireline intensity from post-fire observations of crown scorch height. There has been an overwhelming tendency within the wildland fire community to regard Byram’s flame length–fireline intensity and Van Wagner’s crown scorch height–fireline intensity models as universal in nature. However, research has subsequently shown that such linkages among fire behaviour and post-fire impact characteristics are in fact strongly influenced by fuelbed structure, thereby necessitating consideration of fuel complex specific-type models of such relationships.
Nanoengineering a single-molecule mechanical switch using DNA self-assembly
Authors: Halvorsen Ken , Schaak Diane , Wong Wesley P
Published: November 2011

The ability to manipulate and observe single biological molecules has led to both fundamental scientific discoveries and new methods in nanoscale engineering. A common challenge in many single-molecule experiments is reliably linking molecules to surfaces, and identifying their interactions. We have met this challenge by nanoengineering a novel DNA-based linker that behaves as a force-activated switch, providing a molecular signature that can eliminate errant data arising from non-specific and multiple interactions. By integrating a receptor and ligand into a single piece of DNA using DNA self-assembly, a single tether can be positively identified by force–extension behavior, and receptor–ligand unbinding easily identified by a sudden increase in tether length. Additionally, under proper conditions the exact same pair of molecules can be repeatedly bound and unbound. Our approach is simple, versatile and modular, and can be easily implemented using standard commercial reagents and laboratory equipment. In addition to improving the reliability and accuracy of force measurements, this single-molecule mechanical switch paves the way for high-throughput serial measurements, single-molecule on-rate studies, and investigations of population heterogeneity.
Mean value property for 𝑝-harmonic functions
Authors: Giorgi Tiziana , Smits Robert
Published: November 2011

We derive a mean value property for

p
p

-harmonic functions in two dimensions,

1
>
p
>
∞

1>p>\infty

, which holds asymptotically in the viscosity sense. The formula coincides with the classical mean value property for harmonic functions, when

p
=
2

p=2

, and is a consequence of a representation for the Game

p
p

-Laplacian obtained via

p
p

-averaging.
Nonlinear perturbations of linear elliptic systems at resonance
Authors: Korman Philip
Published: November 2011

We consider a semilinear system
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartLayout 1st Row 1st Column normal upper Delta u 2nd Column a m p semicolon plus lamda v plus b 1 left-parenthesis v right-parenthesis equals f left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis comma x element-of normal upper Omega comma u equals 0 reverse-solidus reverse-solidus reverse-solidus reverse-solidus comma reverse-solidus comma for x element-of partial-differential normal upper Omega comma 2nd Row 1st Column normal upper Delta v 2nd Column a m p semicolon plus StartFraction lamda 1 squared Over lamda EndFraction u plus b 2 left-parenthesis u right-parenthesis equals g left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis comma x element-of normal upper Omega comma v equals 0 reverse-solidus reverse-solidus reverse-solidus reverse-solidus comma for x element-of partial-differential normal upper Omega comma EndLayout">

Δ
u

a
m
p
;
+
λ
v
+

b
1

(
v
)
=
f
(
x
)
,

x
∈
Ω
,

u
=
0

\ \ \ \,\,for 

x
∈
∂
Ω

,

Δ
v

a
m
p
;
+

λ
1
2

λ

u
+

b
2

(
u
)
=
g
(
x
)
,

x
∈
Ω
,

v
=
0

\ \ \ \, for 

x
∈
∂
Ω

,

\begin{align*} \Delta u&+ \lambda v+b_1(v)=f(x),\;\; x \in \Omega ,\quad \;\;\; u=0 \mbox {\ \ \ \,\,for $x \in \partial \Omega $} ,\\ \Delta v&+\frac {\lambda ^2 _1}{\lambda } u+b_2(u) =g(x),\;\; x \in \Omega ,\quad v=0 \mbox {\ \ \ \, for $x \in \partial \Omega $}, \end{align*}

whose linear part is at resonance. Here

λ
>
0

\lambda >0

and the functions

b
1

(
t
)

b_1(t)

and

b
2

(
t
)

b_2(t)

are bounded and continuous. Assuming that

t

b
i

(
t
)
>
0

tb_i(t)>0

for all

t
∈
R

t \in R

,

i
=
1
,
2

i=1,2

, and that the first harmonics of

f
(
x
)

f(x)

and

g
(
x
)

g(x)

lie on a certain straight line, we prove the existence of solutions. This extends a similar result for one equation, due to D.G. de Figueiredo and W.-M. Ni.
Age-Related Differences in the Effect of a Perceived Threat to Stability on Postural Control
Authors: Laufer Yocheved , Barak Yaron , Chemel Idit
Published: November 2011

Background. Studies indicate that the strategy for postural control may be affected by psychological factors, and that young adults respond to perceived threat to stability by increasing their ankle stiffness. The objective of this study was to compare the postural control strategy adopted by young and old adults when faced with postural threat induced by manipulating surface height.

Methods. Sixty elderly (mean age 77.5 ± 4.4 years) and 20 young volunteers (mean age 21.5 ± 3.7 years) participated in the study. Movement of the center of pressure (COP) was recorded for 60 seconds with a portable force-plate, as participants stood with eyes open and closed, both at ground level and 85 cm above ground level. Analysis of variance and Tukey–Kramer tests were conducted to determine the effects of age, postural threat, and vision on mean power frequency (MPF), on amplitude variability both in the anterior–posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions, and on mean COP sway velocity, with the significance level set at p =.05.

Results. Postural threat did not affect COP measures for the young adults, whereas it induced greater changes in MPF in the AP and ML directions in the elderly participants. A similar trend was observed in the elderly group for amplitude variability in the ML direction and for mean COP sway velocity.

Conclusions. In comparison with young adults, elderly adults tend to have an exaggerated postural response to conditions that are perceived as threatening to stability. This response involves primarily increases in MPF, with limited compensatory decreases in amplitude variability observed only in the ML direction.
Variations in Service Use in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Is More Better?
Authors: Temkin-Greener Helena , Bajorska Alina , Mukamel Dana B.
Published: November 2011

Background.  To date, there has been little empirical evidence about the relationship between service use and risk-adjusted functional outcomes among the frail, chronically ill elderly population. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) offers a unique model within which to investigate this relationship. We examine variation in the risk-adjusted utilization of acute, rehabilitative, and supportive services in PACE, and assess whether use of these services is associated with risk-adjusted functional outcomes.

Methods.  The analytical sample included 42,252 records for 9853 individuals in 29 programs, over 3 years. Outcome was measured as change in functional status. Service use was assessed for hospital and nursing home admissions, day center attendance, therapy encounters, and personal home care. Mixed regression, generalized estimating equation (GEE) log-linear Poisson models and bootstrap procedures were used.

Results.  We examined the marginal effect of the five services on functional status over time, having controlled for each program's risk-adjusted use of services and functional status of their enrollees. We observed a statistically significant association between hospital admissions and functional status. Sites using more hospital care had worse functional outcomes. We found no other significant relationship between functional change and service use. However, correlations between program-level measures showed that sites providing more day center care and more therapy had significantly fewer hospital admissions.

Conclusions.  Findings suggest that programs with high hospital use may do well to re-examine and adjust the intensity of day center care. Greater focus on service provision in this setting may enhance care coordination and lead to reductions in hospitalizations, better outcomes, and cost savings.
Strains of Singlehood in Later Life: Do Race and Gender Matter?
Authors: Pudrovska Tetyana , Schieman Scott , Carr Deborah
Published: November 2011

Objectives. Few studies have identified the distinctive aspects of singlehood that are distressing to older adults. The objectives of our study were: (a) to examine whether divorced, widowed, and never-married older adults differed in their experiences of single strain, an indicator of chronic stressors associated with being unmarried; and (b) to assess whether the marital status differences we explored varied by gender and race.

Methods. Using data from a subsample of 530 unmarried older adults and ordinary least squares regression, we estimated main and interactive effects of marital status, gender, and race on single strain.

Results. Divorced and widowed persons reported higher single strain than never-married persons, although the magnitude of these effects varied considerably by race and gender. Never-married White women reported higher levels of single strain than their male counterparts. White widows and widowers exhibited higher single strain than widowed Black adults. Black women uniformly fared better than White women, whereas divorced and never-married Black men were not different from their White peers in terms of single strain.

Discussion. Psychological adjustment to singlehood among older adults reflects patterns of gender and race stratification and socialization over the life course.
The origins of non-human primates' manual gestures
Authors: Liebal Katja , Call Josep
Published: November 2011

The increasing body of research into human and non-human primates' gestural communication reflects the interest in a comparative approach to human communication, particularly possible scenarios of language evolution. One of the central challenges of this field of research is to identify appropriate criteria to differentiate a gesture from other non-communicative actions. After an introduction to the criteria currently used to define non-human primates' gestures and an overview of ongoing research, we discuss different pathways of how manual actions are transformed into manual gestures in both phylogeny and ontogeny. Currently, the relationship between actions and gestures is not only investigated on a behavioural, but also on a neural level. Here, we focus on recent evidence concerning the differential laterality of manual actions and gestures in apes in the framework of a functional asymmetry of the brain for both hand use and language.
Stone tools, language and the brain in human evolution
Authors: Stout Dietrich , Chaminade Thierry
Published: November 2011

Long-standing speculations and more recent hypotheses propose a variety of possible evolutionary connections between language, gesture and tool use. These arguments have received important new support from neuroscientific research on praxis, observational action understanding and vocal language demonstrating substantial functional/anatomical overlap between these behaviours. However, valid reasons for scepticism remain as well as substantial differences in detail between alternative evolutionary hypotheses. Here, we review the current status of alternative ‘gestural’ and ‘technological’ hypotheses of language origins, drawing on current evidence of the neural bases of speech and tool use generally, and on recent studies of the neural correlates of Palaeolithic technology specifically.
A neuropsychological perspective on the link between language and praxis in modern humans
Authors: Roby-Brami Agnes , Hermsdörfer Joachim , Roy Alice C. , Jacobs Stéphane
Published: November 2011

Hypotheses about the emergence of human cognitive abilities postulate strong evolutionary links between language and praxis, including the possibility that language was originally gestural. The present review considers functional and neuroanatomical links between language and praxis in brain-damaged patients with aphasia and/or apraxia. The neural systems supporting these functions are predominantly located in the left hemisphere. There are many parallels between action and language for recognition, imitation and gestural communication suggesting that they rely partially on large, common networks, differentially recruited depending on the nature of the task. However, this relationship is not unequivocal and the production and understanding of gestural communication are dependent on the context in apraxic patients and remains to be clarified in aphasic patients. The phonological, semantic and syntactic levels of language seem to share some common cognitive resources with the praxic system. In conclusion, neuropsychological observations do not allow support or rejection of the hypothesis that gestural communication may have constituted an evolutionary link between tool use and language. Rather they suggest that the complexity of human behaviour is based on large interconnected networks and on the evolution of specific properties within strategic areas of the left cerebral hemisphere.
The neural and cognitive correlates of aimed throwing in chimpanzees: a magnetic resonance image and behavioural study on a unique form of social tool use
Authors: Hopkins William D. , Russell Jamie L. , Schaeffer Jennifer A.
Published: November 2011

It has been hypothesized that neurological adaptations associated with evolutionary selection for throwing may have served as a precursor for the emergence of language and speech in early hominins. Although there are reports of individual differences in aimed throwing in wild and captive apes, to date there has not been a single study that has examined the potential neuroanatomical correlates of this very unique tool-use behaviour in non-human primates. In this study, we examined whether differences in the ratio of white (WM) to grey matter (GM) were evident in the homologue to Broca's area as well as the motor-hand area of the precentral gyrus (termed the KNOB) in chimpanzees that reliably throw compared with those that do not. We found that the proportion of WM in Broca's homologue and the KNOB was significantly higher in subjects that reliably throw compared with those that do not. We further found that asymmetries in WM within both brain regions were larger in the hemisphere contralateral to the chimpanzee's preferred throwing hand. We also found that chimpanzees that reliably throw show significantly better communication abilities than chimpanzees that do not. These results suggest that chimpanzees that have learned to throw have developed greater cortical connectivity between primary motor cortex and the Broca's area homologue. It is suggested that during hominin evolution, after the split between the lines leading to chimpanzees and humans, there was intense selection on increased motor skills associated with throwing and that this potentially formed the foundation for left hemisphere specialization associated with language and speech found in modern humans.
From action to language: comparative perspectives on primate tool use, gesture and the evolution of human language
Authors: Steele James , Ferrari Pier Francesco , Fogassi Leonardo
Published: November 2011

The papers in this Special Issue examine tool use and manual gestures in primates as a window on the evolution of the human capacity for language. Neurophysiological research has supported the hypothesis of a close association between some aspects of human action organization and of language representation, in both phonology and semantics. Tool use provides an excellent experimental context to investigate analogies between action organization and linguistic syntax. Contributors report and contextualize experimental evidence from monkeys, great apes, humans and fossil hominins, and consider the nature and the extent of overlaps between the neural representations of tool use, manual gestures and linguistic processes.
Herbidospora

mongoliensis sp. nov., isolated from soil, and reclassification of

Herbidospora osyris

and

Streptosporangium claviforme

as synonyms of

Herbidospora cretacea
Authors: Ara Ismet , Tsetseg Baljinova , Daram Damdinsuren , Suto Manabu , Ando Katsuhiko
Published: November 2011

A Gram-reaction-positive aerobic actinomycete, designated strain MN08-A0118T, which produced short chains of non-motile spores on the tips of long sporophores and formed yellow–brown colonies with branched substrate mycelium, was studied in detail to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, strain MN08-A0118T was grouped into the genus

Herbidospora

, being most closely related to

Streptosporangium claviforme

(98.2 %),

Herbidospora osyris

(98.2 %),

Herbidospora daliensis

(98.2 %),

Herbidospora cretacea

(97.9 %) and

Herbidospora yilanensis

(97.4 %). Chemotaxonomic data supported allocation of the strain to the genus

Herbidospora

. MK-10(H4) was the predominant menaquinone with minor amounts of MK-10(H6), MK-10(H2) and MK-9(H4); the fatty acid profile contained major amounts of iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 0 10-methyl, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 2-OH; the phospholipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and glucosamine-containing phospholipids; and the whole-cell sugars included ribose, glucose, galactose, madurose and rhamnose (trace). The phylogenetic data, phenotypic and genotypic properties and DNA–DNA hybridization differentiated this strain from its closely related strains,

S. claviforme

(35–54 % DNA–DNA relatedness),

H. osyris

(39–51 %),

H. daliensis

(3–16 %),

H. cretacea

(34–39 %) and

H. yilanensis

(34–42 %). Thus, MN08-A0118T represents a novel species of the genus

Herbidospora

, for which the name

Herbidospora

mongoliensis sp. nov. is proposed, with MN08-A0118T ( = NBRC 105882T  = VTCC D9-22T) as the type strain. In addition, DNA–DNA hybridization results showed that

S. claviforme

and

H. osyris

are synonyms of

H. cretacea

.
Progesterone at encoding predicts subsequent emotional memory
Authors: Ertman Nicole , Andreano Joseph M. , Cahill Larry
Published: November 2011

Significant sex differences in the well-documented relationship between stress hormones and memory have emerged in recent studies. The potentiating effects of glucocorticoids on memory vary across the menstrual cycle, suggesting a potential interaction between these stress hormones and endogenously cycling sex hormones. Here, we show that memory for emotional materials changes significantly in accordance with hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, suggesting that ovarian sex hormones influence the modulation of emotional memories. Sixty healthy, naturally cycling women rated 120 images on arousal and valence. One week later they completed free recall and recognition memory tests. Their menstrual cycle phases were estimated by self-report and confirmed by salivary assay of 17β-estradiol and progesterone. Memory for emotional items only was significantly better in the high hormone (luteal) phase compared with the low hormone (follicular) phase on the free recall test; on both tests memory correlated positively with progesterone collected at the time of encoding. These findings suggest that emotional memory performance changes across the menstrual cycle, and that this change is in part mediated by endogenous progesterone cycling.
Information seeking behaviour of library users at Metropolitan College of New York
Authors: Mavodza Judith
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to comment on the information seeking behaviour of Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) library users.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on studying database usage patterns from January 2007 to December 2010, as well as a literature review.

Findings

The results of the study suggest the position that database usage statistics can give insight into information behaviour and help inform collection management decisions, but on their own are not sufficient to give the complete picture.

Practical implications

The outcomes may be useful in the design of library instruction sessions in future student groups in the College as well as in postsecondary settings, in addition to informing collection management decisions.

Originality/value

A study of library database use patterns by library users brought out relevant information relating to the tailoring and enhancement of library service.
Changing technology
Authors: Rudall B.H.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to review current research with particular reference to new research and development initiatives and examines some of the changes since 1971.

Design/methodology/approach

A general review and survey of selected research and development topics is given and some new challenges and applications of future technologies are considered with particular reference to their impact and potential.

Findings

The paper illustrates the multi‐ and trans‐disciplinary nature of studies in cybernetics, systems and management sciences, with a view to further research and development activity. It comments on some of the changes that have occurred in the late twentieth and early twenty‐first century.

Practical implications

The choice of review provides an awareness of current trends in these areas of endeavour.

Originality/value

The reviews are selected from a global database and give a studied assessment of current research and development initiatives. With notes on the contribution of Kybernetes to communicating changes in technology.
Benchmarking leading supply chain management and logistics strategy journals
Authors: Ellinger Alexander E. , Chapman Karen
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of the supply chain management and logistics (SCML) strategy journals recently added to the Web of Science database to the performance of journals from other business disciplines also recently admitted to the Web of Science database on the Thomson Reuters selection process criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

A benchmarking approach is used to examine the relative performance of SCML journals over a two‐year period.

Findings

The two sets of journals' publishing standards and the number of citations for authors from the two groups are quite similar. Journals in the benchmark group had greater international diversity and balance among their authors, editors and editorial boards, while the SCML journals were cited more often in Web of Science and had lower self‐citation rates.

Research limitations/implications

This study required a great deal of counting, and some of the data were collected multiple times to check for accuracy. Still, it is possible that mistakes were made. Data from different years and different authors may have yielded different results.

Practical implications

The recent addition of six journals to the Web of Science database allows leading SCML journals to compete on a level playing field with other top‐tier business journals and can therefore be regarded as a major step forward in the maturation of the discipline, as well as recognition of the quality of the journals.

Originality/value

The authors' benchmarking study extends previous examinations of SCML journals relative to leading journals in other business fields, and offers direction for how SCML researchers and journal editors can continue to contribute to the maturation of the discipline.
Israeli response to mass death
Authors: Levinson Jay
Published: November 2011

Purpose

In recent years Israel has had extensive experience of dealing with mass disasters. Its response mechanism is always adapting itself to new threat patterns. This paper aims to focus on Israel's disaster response activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on personal research and experience and reviews disaster response in Israel.

Findings

From the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 until the late‐1980s, disaster response, even in the civilian sector, was considered a military responsibility. The Israel Police was viewed at best as a support to the army, rendering purely technical assistance such as fingerprint comparison for victim identification. Although the civilianization of response became predominant during recurrent terrorist attacks of the 1990s, the army still continues its planning under the previous model as governmental authorities refrain from intervention. In the new working framework the Israel Police and other civilian offices, both official and volunteer, have accrued considerable practical experience in responding to disasters and mass death situations.

Practical implications

Numerous lessons learnt with practical application are described. The paper highlights that what was successful yesterday gives no guarantee for the future. Planning must always be up to date with current technology and trends.

Originality/value

The paper is original and no similar work exists.
A fuzzy AHP based decision support system for disaster center location selection and a case study for Istanbul
Authors: Tuğba Turğut Banu , Taş Gamze , Herekoğlu Ahmet , Tozan Hakan , Vayvay Ozalp
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a disaster logistics center location selection decision support system, based on analytic hierarchy/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods, which will serve to fulfill the needs of disaster victims and rescue teams after a possible earthquake, and to implement the proposed systems for Istanbul.

Design/methodology/approach

Determining the appropriate location from among the possibilities by taking many sophisticated and inter‐related processes and parameters into consideration under stringent constraints is one of the keystones of logistics. Disaster logistics center location selections are extremely complex and vital. In this paper, analytic hierarchy/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods are used to compose a decision support system for determining the location of disaster logistics centers. The criteria and the weighting for the criteria that are used are determined via a questionnaire technique applied to specialists working in the Istanbul Center of Disaster Coordination.

Findings

Results gathered from the implementation of the proposed models to the chosen case illustrate that systems successfully determine the location, and both models point out the same result with different weights.

Originality/value

The paper introduces two disaster logistics center location selection decision support systems (fuzzy and crisp) and presents an empirical case study of the proposed models for Istanbul. The proposed model and outcomes from the application may shed light on future work, especially in the field of disaster logistics management.
Blogging about crises
Authors: Valentini Chiara , Romenti Stefania
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of the blogosphere in framing Alitalia's performance during its 2008 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was chosen as research method to investigate bloggers' perceptions of Alitalia's crisis. Five major Italian blogs were selected and each blog was operationalised in units of analysis and explored for posts and post comments. The final sample comprises 27 blog posts and 467 blog post comments.

Findings

The results show that the Italian blogosphere was mostly interested in the exploration of technical, economic aspects of the crisis and consequences for the community. Although some differences in the way the crisis was discussed by bloggers and blog readers are visible, both bloggers and blog readers primarily framed Alitalia's crisis with a negative tone and were extremely critical towards the Italian government and Alitalia management in the way they handled the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the choice of a qualitative inquiry, based on a single case study, generalisability of results is not possible.

Practical implications

This analysis suggests that crises are framed differently in the blogosphere than in traditional media and therefore, public relations managers should differentiate their crisis response strategies addressed to the blogosphere from those for traditional media. The lack of official statements by Alitalia also shows that public relations practitioners should have taken a more active role in the discussions in the blogosphere to correct wrong or distorted information in posts and comments.

Originality/value

This study provides practitioners and scholars with interesting insights into the blogosphere and bloggers' opinions during a crisis situation.
Key process area mapping in the production of an e‐capability maturity model for UK construction organisations
Authors: Eadie Robert , Perera Srinath , Heaney George
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the production of the key process areas (KPAs) for an e‐capability maturity model for construction organisations, based on drivers and barriers to e‐procurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous researchers have recognised the positive consequences of possessing a model to sustain the embedment of any business process within an organisation. The capability maturity model progressed into one of the most internationally recognised since the release of the Software Capability Maturity Model (CMM) in 1991. Since then, many CMMs have been developed. This paper reports on how a CMM based on drivers and barriers to e‐procurement identified in Eadie et al. can be developed to form the KPAs in the formation of a model to gauge the maturity of an organisation in relation to e‐procurement.

Findings

It was found that factor analysis could be used as a data reduction technique to reduce the 20 drivers and 32 barriers identified as being applicable to e‐procurement in construction, to 12 KPAs: Quality management system; Cost management system; Intergroup coordination; Time management system; Operational analysis; Organisational change management system; Integrated teaming; Governance management system; Requirements development; Knowledge management system; Integration management system; and Organisational environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides particulars of a research project which uses factor analysis to produce a set of KPAs from the drivers and barriers identified in Eadie et al. These KPAs are then subjected to a mapping process linking them to maturity levels to develop a CMM to analyse the e‐procurement capability of construction organisations. This mapping will be reported in a later paper. This e‐readiness of organisations will indicate the current state of a construction organisation in terms of its readiness to carry out e‐procurement. The paper describes in detail the identification of the KPAs.
Concentration in the UK construction sector
Authors: Lowe John
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the competition in the UK construction industry and the key sectors that supply it, thereby identifying the degree of industrial concentration affecting the construction product.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on Official Statistics giving details of the concentration ratios of 127 industrial sectors in the UK. The quantitative information on concentration is backed up by qualitative data from reports by the Competition Commission and its predecessors plus enquiries from the Office of Fair Trading. This is used to grade each industry and weight the key inputs by their relative importance to obtain an overall picture of competition in construction.

Findings

The paper concludes that construction is one of the most competitive sectors in the economy and its input structure is also amongst the least concentrated. This is measured by taking the industrial sectors that supply construction and weighting them in terms of their contribution.

Research limitations/implications

The data used are not totally comprehensive as certain information is withheld because of commercial confidentiality. The sectors concerned, including banking and real estate, might warrant further investigation.

Practical implications

The implications are that construction remains a highly competitive sector and there is little to be gained by regulation other than the work currently being undertaken on collusion in bidding, and on mergers and acquisitions. The key point is to ensure that competitive bidding is free from collusion.

Originality/value

The paper goes beyond most of the existing research in challenging the conventional view that construction has a highly concentrated input structure.
Insurance law reform: deterring fraud in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Swaby Gerald
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical examination of the current law and the possible changes that are under consideration by the Law Commissions, after public consultation in relation to the continuing duty of good faith and post‐contractual duties owed by the insured towards the insurer.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is addressed using case law, statutes, current academic and Law Commissions publications in the UK.

Findings

First, the paper finds that the current state of the law allows for the insurer to claim damages from an insured when a fraudulent claim is made to recover the cost of any investigations. Second the insurer can refuse to meet a claim that is tainted by fraud. Third the insurer can have the right to avoid the policy obligations upon the discovery of a fraud, but subject to some limitations. Fourth there is a need for the insured to be protected against an insurer's unjustified allegations of fraud.

Research limitations/implications

This work does not address detailed issues in relation to pre‐contractual issues of good faith. These have been discussed in a previous edition of this journal see Swaby. G. (2010) “Insurance law: fit for purpose in the twenty‐first century?” IJLMA, 52 (1), pp. 21‐39. ISSN 1754‐243X.

Practical implications

The Law Commission will be undertaking further consultations before reforming this area of law.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to legal practitioners and academics and those in the insurance industry.