bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Orchestral Music of Michael Tippett
Authors: Schuttenhelm Thomas
Published: March 2014

With extracts from the composer's letters, writings, interviews and broadcasts, and supported by evidence from his sketchbooks and manuscripts, The Orchestral Music of Michael Tippett explores Tippett's intentions and argues that the experiences that triggered his creative impulses are integral to understanding his music. In his discussion of Tippett's creative process, Thomas Schuttenhelm attempts to recapture the circumstances under which Tippett's orchestral works were created, to document how his visionary aspirations were developed and sustained throughout the creative cycle, and to chart how conception was transmuted from idea through to performance. Analysing Tippett's orchestral works throughout his long career, from the Symphonic Movement of 1931 to his final masterpiece The Rose Lake in 1991–3, Schuttenhelm explores each work in detail to provide a comprehensive commentary on one of the most influential British composers of the twentieth century.
Columbarium Tombs and Collective Identity in Augustan Rome
Authors: Borbonus Dorian
Published: March 2014

Columbarium tombs are among the most recognizable forms of Roman architecture and also among the most enigmatic. The subterranean collective burial chambers have repeatedly sparked the imagination of modern commentators, but their origins and function remain obscure. Columbarium Tombs and Collective Identity in Augustan Rome situates columbaria within the development of Roman funerary architecture and the historical context of the early Imperial period. Contrary to earlier scholarship that often interprets columbaria primarily as economic burial solutions, Dorian Borbonus shows that they defined a community of people who were buried and commemorated collectively. Many of the tomb occupants were slaves and freed slaves, for whom collective burial was one strategy of community building that counterbalanced their exclusion in Roman society. Columbarium tombs were thus sites of social interaction that provided their occupants with a group identity that, this book shows, was especially relevant during the social and cultural transformation of the Augustan era.
The Living Icon in Byzantium and Italy
Authors: Chatterjee Paroma
Published: March 2014

This is the first book to explore the emergence and function of a novel pictorial format in the Middle Ages, the vita icon, which displayed the magnified portrait of a saint framed by scenes from his or her life. The vita icon was used for depicting the most popular figures in the Orthodox calendar and, in the Latin West, was deployed most vigorously in the service of Francis of Assisi. This book offers a compelling account of how this type of image embodied and challenged the prevailing structures of vision, representation and sanctity in Byzantium and among the Franciscans in Italy between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. Paroma Chatterjee uncovers the complexities of the philosophical and theological issues that had long engaged both the medieval East and West, such as the fraught relations between words and images, relics and icons, a representation and its subject, and the very nature of holy presence.
Topological selection in stratified fluids: an example from air–water systems
Authors: Camassa R. , Chen S. , Falqui G. , Ortenzi G. , Pedroni M.
Published: March 2014

Topologically non-trivial configurations of stratified fluid domains are shown to generate selection mechanisms for conserved quantities. This is illustrated within the special case of a two-fluid system when the density of one of the fluids limits to zero, such as in the case of air and water. An explicit example is provided, demonstrating how the connection properties of the air domain affect total horizontal momentum conservation, despite the apparent translational invariance of the system. The correspondence between this symmetry and the selection process is also studied within the framework of variational principles for stratified ideal fluids.
Decoding the Blombos Engravings, Shell Beads and Diepkloof Ostrich Eggshell Patterns
Authors: Hodgson Derek
Published: March 2014

The debate regarding the status of the Blombos ochre engravings and shell beads for gauging the timeline of when cognitive abilities and symbolic intent appeared has been controversial. This is mainly due to the fact that what is referred to as symbolic is often too loosely defined and is therefore attributed to artefacts in an indiscriminate way. Recent evidence from various concurrent sites in southern Africa, including Blombos, provide the opportunity for a more nuanced analysis of the probable level of symbolic intent and how this relates to neuro-cognitive precursors. In what follows, it will be shown that, although some of the southern African artefacts do indeed demonstrate particular kinds of ‘symbolic’ intent, others need to be approached with caution. Data from the visual brain is presented that provides crucial evidence as to the appropriate level of intent suggested by the engravings and shell beads from the southern Africa context.
First Sculpted Human Face in the Western Mediterranean Early Neolithic
Authors: Binder Didier , Hamon Caroline , Bellot-Gurlet Ludovic , Beyries Sylvie , Pradeau Jean-Victor , Vautier Franck , Voldoire Olivier
Published: March 2014

The development of the Neolithic way of life in the western Mediterranean during the sixth millennium cal. BC is the consequence of the spread of populations from the Near East after successive stages of cultural remodelling. Despite the clear contribution of the Near Eastern and Aegean Neolithic to the economic and technical changes that happened to the west, little is known here about their symbolic legacies, because of the scarcity of representations and ritual evidences associated to the earliest western Neolithic contexts. Excavations at the rock shelter of Pendimoun (southeastern France) yielded the first anthropomorphic stone sculpture from the western Mediterranean Neolithic (early sixth millennium cal. BC). Using both carving and painting techniques, it represents a realistic-looking human face and is a unique example within the western Mediterranean and European frameworks. After describing the shaping and colouring details of the mask, the authors here deal with its possible social significances and cultural connections.
Status of iodine deficiency among pregnant mothers in Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Kapil Umesh , Prakash Shyam , Sareen Neha , Bhadoria Ajeet Singh , Khenduja Preetika , Nigam Sukirty , Vijay Jyoti
Published: March 2014

Objective

Iodine is an essential micronutrient needed for the production of thyroid hormones. Pregnant mothers who are deficient in iodine provide less iodine to the fetal thyroid. This results in low production of thyroid hormones by the fetal thyroid, thereby leading to compromised mental and physical development of the fetus. The current study aimed to assess the current status of iodine nutrition among pregnant mothers in Himachal Pradesh, India, a known endemic region for iodine deficiency.

Design

Three districts, namely Kangra, Kullu and Solan, were selected.

Setting

In each district, thirty clusters (villages) were identified by utilizing the population-proportional-to-size cluster sampling methodology. In each cluster, seventeen pregnant mothers attending the antenatal clinics were included.

Subjects

A total of 1711 pregnant mothers (647 from Kangra, 551 from Kullu and 513 from Solan) were studied. Clinical examination of the thyroid of each pregnant mother was conducted. Spot urine samples were collected from ten pregnant mothers in each cluster. Similarly, salt samples were collected from eleven pregnant mothers in each cluster.

Results

Total goitre rate was 42·2 % (Kangra), 42·0 % (Kullu) and 19·9 % (Solan). The median urinary iodine concentration was 200 μg/l (Kangra), 149 μg/l (Kullu) and 130 μg/l (Solan). The percentage of pregnant mothers consuming adequately iodized salt (iodine content of 15 ppm and more) was found to be 68·3 % (Kangra), 60·3 % (Kullu) and 48·5 % (Solan).

Conclusion

Pregnant mothers in Kullu and Solan districts had iodine deficiency as indicated by a median urinary iodine concentration less than 150 μg/l.
Beyond the national resource privilege: towards an International Court of the Environment
Authors: Schuppert Fabian
Published: March 2014

The national resource privilege, which holds that states are allowed to control all the natural resources found in their territory, is a cornerstone of international politics. Supporters of the national resource privilege claim that without the privilege states would fail to be sovereign and self-determining entities which provide for the needs of their citizens. However, as this paper shows the case is not as simple as that. In fact, control over resources must be carefully unpacked. Doing so shows that states do not require full control over all resources found in their territory in order to be sovereign. Moreover, sovereignty and self-determination come with a set of responsibilities and duties attached. Based on these observations the paper will sketch the contours of an alternative resource governance scheme built around the idea of an International Court of the Environment.
Single cell genomic study of Dehalococcoidetes species from deep-sea sediments of the Peruvian Margin
Authors: Kaster Anne-Kristin , Mayer-Blackwell Koshlan , Pasarelli Ben , Spormann Alfred M
Published: March 2014

The phylum Chloroflexi is one of the most frequently detected phyla in the subseafloor of the Pacific Ocean margins. Dehalogenating Chloroflexi (Dehalococcoidetes) was originally discovered as the key microorganisms mediating reductive dehalogenation via their key enzymes reductive dehalogenases (Rdh) as sole mode of energy conservation in terrestrial environments. The frequent detection of Dehalococcoidetes-related 16S rRNA and rdh genes in the marine subsurface implies a role for dissimilatory dehalorespiration in this environment; however, the two genes have never been linked to each other. To provide fundamental insights into the metabolism, genomic population structure and evolution of marine subsurface Dehalococcoidetes sp., we analyzed a non-contaminated deep-sea sediment core sample from the Peruvian Margin Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) site 1230, collected 7.3 m below the seafloor by a single cell genomic approach. We present for the first time single cell genomic data on three deep-sea Chloroflexi (Dsc) single cells from a marine subsurface environment. Two of the single cells were considered to be part of a local Dehalococcoidetes population and assembled together into a 1.38-Mb genome, which appears to be at least 85% complete. Despite a high degree of sequence-level similarity between the shared proteins in the Dsc and terrestrial Dehalococcoidetes, no evidence for catabolic reductive dehalogenation was found in Dsc. The genome content is however consistent with a strictly anaerobic organotrophic or lithotrophic lifestyle.
Connecting molecule oxidation to single crystal structural and charge transport properties in rubrene derivatives
Authors: Uttiya S. , Miozzo L. , Fumagalli E. M. , Bergantin S. , Ruffo R. , Parravicini M. , Papagni A. , Moret M. , Sassella A.
Published: March 2014

Stable rubrene derivatives displaying the same crystal packing features as orthorhombic rubrene are synthesized and their solid state properties studied.
Fabrication of disposable electrochemical devices using silver ink and office paper
Authors: de Araujo W. R. , Paixão T. R. L. C.
Published: March 2014

We report a novel and simple approach to fabricate a three-electrode configuration electrochemical cell using office paper instead of chromatographic paper. The device is suitable for the quantification of different analytes in aqueous solutions, and the manufacturing process is extremely cost-efficient and uses off-the-shelf products.
Tuning the thermal conductivity of solar cell polymers through side chain engineering
Authors: Guo Zhi , Lee Doyun , Liu Yi , Sun Fangyuan , Sliwinski Anna , Gao Haifeng , Burns Peter C. , Huang Libai , Luo Tengfei
Published: March 2014

Side chain engineering of the conjugated polymer backbone improves its thermal conductivity.
Benzyl β-malolactonate polymers: a long story with recent advances
Authors: Jaffredo Cédric G. , Guillaume Sophie M.
Published: March 2014

Benzyl β-malolactonate (MLABe) and its corresponding poly(benzyl β-malolactonate) (PMLABe) homopolymers and copolymers of the poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) family.
Poly(methacrylic acid)-based AB and ABC block copolymer nano-objects prepared via RAFT alcoholic dispersion polymerization
Authors: Semsarilar M. , Ladmiral V. , Blanazs A. , Armes S. P.
Published: March 2014

A series of well-defined amphiphilic methacrylic AB diblock and ABC triblock copolymers are synthesized via polymerization-induced self-assembly using an alcoholic dispersion polymerization formulation.
Palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization for the construction of spiro-N,O-acetals
Authors: Cheng Jiashun , Chen Pinhong , Liu Guosheng
Published: March 2014

A facile Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization of N-alkenylamine and pyruvic acids has been developed to construct spiro-N,O-acetals efficiently.
Microcomputer-based data acquisition and stabilization system for piezoelectrically scanned Fabry-Perot interferomter
Authors: Yamada Masayoshi , Ikeshima Hiroyuki , Takahashi Yutaka
Published: March 2014

A microcomputer-based data acquisition and stabilization system is presented for piezoelectrically scanned plane-parallel Fabry-Perot interferometers which typically required some form of active stabilization system for long-term operation. The microcomputer takes the place of the programable ramp generator, multichannel analyzer, and stabilizer. The control algorithm developed here is workable against strong fluctuations of reference peak. Brillouin scattering spectrum from fused quartz is included to demonstrate the operation of the system.
Superposition of elliptic functions as solutions for a large number of nonlinear equations
Authors: Khare Avinash , Saxena Avadh
Published: March 2014

For a large number of nonlinear equations, both discrete and continuum, we demonstrate a kind of linear superposition. We show that whenever a nonlinear equation admits solutions in terms of both Jacobi elliptic functions cn(x, m) and dn(x, m) with modulus m, then it also admits solutions in terms of their sum as well as difference. We have checked this in the case of several nonlinear equations such as the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, MKdV, a mixed KdV-MKdV system, a mixed quadratic-cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the Ablowitz-Ladik equation, the saturable nonlinear Schrödinger equation, λϕ4, the discrete MKdV as well as for several coupled field equations. Further, for a large number of nonlinear equations, we show that whenever a nonlinear equation admits a periodic solution in terms of dn2(x, m), it also admits solutions in terms of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}${\rm dn}^2(x,m) \pm \sqrt{m} {\rm cn}(x,m) {\rm dn}(x,m)$\end{document} dn 2(x,m)±m cn (x,m) dn (x,m), even though cn(x, m)dn(x, m) is not a solution of these nonlinear equations. Finally, we also obtain superposed solutions of various forms for several coupled nonlinear equations.
Evidence on simultaneous improvement of motional impedance and Q-factor of silicon phononic crystal micromechanical resonators by variously engineering the cavity defects
Authors: Wang Nan , Hsiao Fu-Li , Palaniapan Moorthi , Lee Chengkuo
Published: March 2014

In this work, we report the experimental evidence on the capability to simultaneously improve the Q-factor (Q) and motional impedance (Z) of silicon phononic crystal (PnC) micromechanical (MM) resonators by properly engineering the cavity defects on an otherwise perfect two-dimensional (2D) silicon PnC slab. The cavity defects of the resonators in the current study are engineered by patterning additional scattering holes to the pure Fabry-Perot resonant cavity, which is created by deleting two rows of scattering air holes from the centre of the 2D square air-hole array. Experimental results show that by varying the radii of the additional scattering holes patterned in the cavity, the fabricated silicon PnC MM resonators can have their Q and Z improved simultaneously, showing great potential in overcoming the trade-off between Z and Q in conventional resonators of piezoelectric type and capacitive type.
Tip-based source of femtosecond electron pulses at 30 keV
Authors: Hoffrogge Johannes , Paul Stein Jan , Krüger Michael , Förster Michael , Hammer Jakob , Ehberger Dominik , Baum Peter , Hommelhoff Peter
Published: March 2014

We present a nano-scale photoelectron source, optimized for ultrashort pulse durations and well-suited for time-resolved diffraction and advanced laser acceleration experiments. A tungsten tip of several-ten-nanometers diameter mounted in a suppressor-extractor electrode configuration allows the generation of 30 keV electron pulses with an estimated pulse duration of 9 fs (standard deviation; 21 fs full width at half maximum) at the gun exit. We infer the pulse duration from particle tracking simulations, which are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements of the electron-optical properties of the source in the spatial domain. We also demonstrate femtosecond-laser triggered operation of the apparatus. The temporal broadening of the pulse upon propagation to a diffraction sample can be greatly reduced by collimating the beam. Besides the short electron pulse duration, a tip-based source is expected to feature a large transverse coherence and a nanometric emittance.
Development of MnBi permanent magnet: Neutron diffraction of MnBi powder
Authors: Cui J. , Choi J. P. , Li G. , Polikarpov E. , Darsell J. , Kramer M. J. , Zarkevich N. A. , Wang L. L. , Johnson D. D. , Marinescu M. , Huang Q. Z. , Wu H. , Vuong N. V. , Liu J. P.
Published: March 2014

MnBi attracts great attention in recent years for its great potential as permanent magnet materials. MnBi phase is difficult to obtain because of the rather drastic peritectic reaction between Mn and Bi. In this paper, we report our effort on synthesizing high purity MnBi compound using conventional powder metallurgical approaches. Neutron diffraction was carried out to investigate the crystal and nuclear structure of the obtained powder. The result shows that the purity of the obtained powder is about 91 wt. % at 300 K, and the magnetic moment of the Mn atom in MnBi lattice is 4.424 and 4.013 μB at 50 K and 300 K, respectively.
Magnetization analysis of oriented chains of hexagonal cobalt nanoplates
Authors: Vargas E. , Denardin J. C. , Lavín R. , Mascaró P. , Chaneac C. , Coradin T.
Published: March 2014

High quality single-crystalline hexagonal cobalt nanoplates have been obtained by a simple chemical reduction method using ultrasonic assistance. Individual nanoplates tend to form agglomerates due to their strong in-plane anisotropy. These particles were incorporated within a polyethylene matrix by a solution blending method and arrays of magnetic chains were generated by solidification of the solution of nanoparticles in the presence of a magnetic field. The easy axis of the Co plates is oriented along the field, in the direction of the chains length. Micromagnetic simulations, magnetic measurements, and FORC diagrams are used to clarify the complex magnetic behavior in these systems.
Terahertz field enhancement via coherent superposition of the pulse sequences after a single optical-rectification crystal
Authors: Sajadi Mohsen , Wolf Martin , Kampfrath Tobias
Published: March 2014

Terahertz electromagnetic pulses are frequently generated by optical rectification of femtosecond laser pulses. In many cases, the efficiency of this process is known to saturate with increasing intensity of the generation beam because of two-photon absorption. Here, we demonstrate two routes to reduce this effect in ZnTe(110) crystals and enhance efficiency, namely, by (i) recycling the generation pulses and by (ii) splitting each generation pulse into two pulses before pumping the crystal. In both methods, the second pulse arrives ∼1 ns after the first one, sufficiently long for optically generated carriers to relax. Enhancement is achieved by coherently superimposing the two resulting terahertz fields.
Motion of a virtual cathode in a cylindrical channel with electron beam transport in the “compressed” state
Authors: Belomyttsev S. Ya. , Grishkov A. A. , Kurkan I. K. , Tsygankov R. V.
Published: March 2014

This paper studies the motion of a virtual cathode in a two-section drift tube with the formation and breakup of the “compressed” state of an electron beam. Experimental arrangements to intercept part of the injected current during the voltage pulse and to provide virtual cathode motion toward the collector are proposed. The arrangements were implemented on the SINUS-7 high-current electron accelerator. Theoretical and experimental dependences of the virtual cathode velocity on the injected current and cathode voltage are presented. The experimental data on virtual cathode motion agree with its theoretical model based on analytical solutions of equations assisted by computer simulation with the PIC code KARAT. The results of the work demonstrate the feasibility of controlling the virtual cathode motion which can be used in collective ion acceleration and microwave generation.
The calculation of electron chemical potential and ion charge state and their influence on plasma conductivity in electrical explosion of metal wire
Authors: Shi Zongqian , Wang Kun , Li Yao , Shi Yuanjie , Wu Jian , Jia Shenli
Published: March 2014

The electron chemical potential and ion charge state (average ion charge and ion distribution) are important parameters in calculating plasma conductivity in electrical explosion of metal wire. In this paper, the calculating method of electron chemical potential and ion charge state is discussed at first. For the calculation of electron chemical potential, the ideal free electron gas model and Thomas-Fermi model are compared and analyzed in terms of the coupling constant of plasma. The Thomas-Fermi ionization model, which is used to calculate ion charge state, is compared with the method based on Saha equation. Furthermore, the influence of electron degenerated energy levels and ion excited states in Saha equation on the ion charge state is also analyzed. Then the influence of different calculating methods of electron chemical potential and ion charge state on plasma conductivity is discussed by applying them in the Lee-More conductivity model.
Low-threshold photonic-band-edge laser using iron-nail-shaped rod array
Authors: Choi Jae-Hyuck , No You-Shin , Hwang Min-Soo , Kwon Soon-Yong , Jeong Kwang-Yong , Kwon Soon-Hong , Yang Jin-Kyu , Park Hong-Gyu
Published: March 2014

We report the experimental demonstration of an optically pumped rod-type photonic-crystal band-edge laser. The structure consists of a 20 × 20 square lattice array of InGaAsP iron-nail-shaped rods. A single-mode lasing action is observed with a low threshold of ∼90 μW and a peak wavelength of 1451.5 nm at room temperature. Measurements of the polarization-resolved mode images and lasing wavelengths agree well with numerical simulations, which confirm that the observed lasing mode originates from the first Γ-point transverse-electric-like band-edge mode. We believe that this low-threshold band-edge laser will be useful for the practical implementation of nanolasers.
A preliminary study into the use of ‘heat pipes’ to prevent high rigor temperature in beef carcasses by increasing cooling rate
Authors: Jacob Robin H. , Beatty David T. , Warner Robyn D.
Published: March 2014

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the use of a custom-made heat pipe to reduce muscle temperature in beef carcasses during the initial part of the refrigeration period post slaughter. The effects of muscle depth (Experiment 1) and radial distance from a heat pipe (Experiment 2) were investigated initially. Then the use of multiple heat pipes was compared with no heat pipes for the loin and hind leg regions of a carcass (Experiment 3). All three experiments were conducted at a commercial beef abattoir in Western Australia. Without heat pipes, the time taken for the temperature to fall to 35°C in the hind leg was 10, 90 and 300 min for depths of 25, 50 and 100 mm from the surface, respectively. Temperature increased with radial distance from a heat pipe and the relative differences in temperature between different positions increased with time. Temperatures 110 min after the commencement of cooling were 35.7, 36.8 and 38.3°C for 20, 40 and 80 mm from the heat pipe, compared with 39.8°C without the pipe. The loin cooled faster than the rump, which cooled faster than the leg. Heat pipes increased the rate of temperature loss in the leg but not the loin. The time taken for the leg temperature to reach 35°C, measured at a depth of 100 mm, reduced from 150 to 76 min. These experiments confirm that heat pipes containing methanol could be used to increase the rate of heat loss from leg muscles in beef carcasses. Further work is required to determine if the magnitude of these increases in cooling rate would improve eating quality for large carcasses.
A Simple Route to Prepare Zeolite Y Nanosheets with Hierarchical Perfoliate Pores
Authors: Cui Daming , Zhou Bin , Yin Jia , Lou Meiqing
Published: March 2014

Using the high siliceous zeolite Y crystals (ZY-C) as precursor, zeolite Y nanosheets (ZY-N) with hierarchical perfoliate pores were successfully synthesised via a simple ‘top-down’ approach. The ultra-thin faujasite nanosheets with intact zeolite Y framework and hierarchical micro-meso-macropores were first observed in ZY-N during characterisation. Contrary to the layer assembly process in growing zeolite Y crystals, the breakage and swelling of the energy-poor T–O–T (where T is the tetrahedral atom, Si) bonds within the double six-membered rings (D6R) between the neighbouring faujasite sheets demonstrated the possible principle for the synthesis of ZY-N.
Molecular characteristics of permanganate- and dichromate-oxidation-resistant soil organic matter from a black-C-rich colluvial soil
Authors: Suárez-Abelenda Manuel , Kaal Joeri , Camps-Arbestain Marta , Knicker Heike , Macías Felipe
Published: March 2014

Samples from a colluvial soil rich in pyrogenic material (black C, BC) in north-west Spain were subjected to K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4 oxidation and the residual soil organic matter (SOM) was NaOH-extracted and analysed using analytical pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS) and solid-state 13C cross-polarisation magic angle spinning–nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP MAS-NMR) in order to study the susceptibility of different SOM fractions (fresh, degraded/microbial, BC and aliphatic) towards these oxidising agents. Untreated samples that were NaOH-extracted were also analysed. The Py-GC/MS and 13C NMR indicated that KMnO4 promotes the oxidation of carbohydrate products, mostly from degraded/microbial SOM and lignocellulose, causing a relative enrichment of aliphatic and aromatic structures. Residual SOM after K2Cr2O7 oxidation contained BC, N-containing BC and aliphatic structures. This was corroborated by a relatively intense resonance of aromatic C and some signal of alkyl C in 13C NMR spectra. These results confirm that dichromate oxidation residues contain a non-pyrogenic fraction mainly consisting of aliphatic structures.
Career performance trajectories of Olympic swimmers: Benchmarks for talent development
Authors: Allen Sian V. , Vandenbogaerde Tom J. , Hopkins William G.
Published: March 2014

The age‐related progression of elite athletes to their career‐best performances can provide benchmarks for talent development. The purpose of this study was to model career performance trajectories of Olympic swimmers to develop these benchmarks. We searched the Web for annual best times of swimmers who were top 16 in pool events at the 2008 or 2012 Olympics, from each swimmer's earliest available competitive performance through to 2012. There were 6959 times in the 13 events for each sex, for 683 swimmers, with 10 ± 3 performances per swimmer (mean ± s). Progression to peak performance was tracked with individual quadratic trajectories derived using a mixed linear model that included adjustments for better performance in Olympic years and for the use of full‐body polyurethane swimsuits in 2009. Analysis of residuals revealed appropriate fit of quadratic trends to the data. The trajectories provided estimates of age of peak performance and the duration of the age window of trivial improvement and decline around the peak. Men achieved peak performance later than women (24.2 ± 2.1 vs. 22.5 ± 2.4 years), while peak performance occurred at later ages for the shorter distances for both sexes (∼1.5–2.0 years between sprint and distance‐event groups). Men and women had a similar duration in the peak‐performance window (2.6 ± 1.5 years) and similar progressions to peak performance over four years (2.4 ± 1.2%) and eight years (9.5 ± 4.8%). These data provide performance targets for swimmers aiming to achieve elite‐level performance.
Multidrug-ResistantAcinetobacter baumanniiInfection, Colonization, and Transmission Related to a Long-Term Care Facility Providing Subacute Care
Authors: Mortensen Eva , Trivedi Kavita K. , Rosenberg Jon , Cody Sara H. , Long Janet , Jensen Bette J. , Vugia Duc J.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

To investigateAcinetobacter baumanniiinfection, colonization, and transmission related to a long-term care facility (LTCF) providing subacute care (facility A).

Methods.

We reviewed facility A and affiliated local hospital records for facility A residents withA. baumanniiisolated during the period January 2009 through February 2010 and comparedA. baumanniiantimicrobial resistance patterns of residents with those of hospital patients. During March 2010, we implemented a colonization survey of facility A residents who received respiratory support or who could provide sputum samples and looked forA. baumanniicolonization risks. Available clinical and survey isolates underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE); PFGE strains were linked with overlapping stays to identify possible transmission.

Results.

During the period January 2009 through February 2010, 33 facility A residents hadA. baumanniiisolates; all strains were multidrug resistant (MDR), which was a significantly higher prevalence of MDR strains than that found among isolates from hospital patients (81 [66%] of 122 hospital patient isolates were MDR;P< .001). The sputum survey found that 14 (20%) of 70 residents hadA. baumanniicolonization, which was associated with ventilator use (adjusted odds ratio, 4.24 [95% confidence interval, 1.06–16.93]); 12 (86%) of 14 isolates were MDR. Four facility A resident groups clustered with 3 PFGE strains and overlapping stays. One of these facility A residents also clustered with 3 patients at an affiliated hospital.

Conclusions.

We documented substantial MDRA. baumanniiinfections and colonization with probable intra- and interfacility spread associated with a single LTCF providing subacute care. Given the limited infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship resources in such settings, regional collaborations among facilities across the spectrum of health care are needed to address this MDR threat.
Rab35, acting through ACAP2 switching off Arf6, negatively regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination
Authors: Miyamoto Yuki , Yamamori Natsuki , Torii Tomohiro , Tanoue Akito , Yamauchi Junji
Published: March 2014

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells differentiate to produce myelin sheaths that insulate axons to ensure fast propagation of action potentials. Many aspects of differentiation are regulated by multiple extracellular signals. However, their intracellular signalings remain elusive. We show that Rab35 and its effector, ACAP2, a GTPase-activating protein that switches off Arf6 activity, negatively regulate oligodendrocyte morphological differentiation. Knockdown of Rab35 or ACAP2 with their respective small interfering RNAs promotes differentiation. As differentiation initiates, the activities of Rab35 and ACAP2 are down-regulated. The activity of Arf6, in contrast, is up-regulated. Arf6 knockdown inhibits differentiation, indicating that Rab35 and ACAP2 negatively regulate differentiation by down-regulating Arf6. Importantly, as differentiation proceeds, the activity of cytohesin-2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that switches on Arf6 activity, is up-regulated. Pharmacological inhibition of cytohesin-2 inhibits differentiation, suggesting that cytohesin-2 promotes differentiation by activating Arf6. Furthermore, using oligodendrocyte-neuronal cocultures, we find that knockdown of Rab35 or ACAP2 promotes myelination, whereas inhibition of cytohesin-2 or knockdown of Arf6 inhibits myelination. Thus Rab35/ACAP2 and cytohesin-2 antagonistically control oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination through Arf6 regulation, presenting a unique small GTPase on/off switching mechanism.
Data and time poverty in fisheries estimation: potential approaches and solutions
Authors: Bentley Nokome
Published: March 2014

The increasingly sophisticated methods developed for stock assessment are not always suited to data-poor fisheries. Data-poor fisheries are often low in value, so the researcher time available for their assessment is also small. The dual constraints of reduced data and reduced time make stock assessments for low-value stocks particularly challenging. Prior probability distributions are useful for transferring knowledge from data-rich to data-poor fisheries. When data are limited, it is important to make the most of what few data is available. However, fully understanding potential biases in data are just as important in the data-poor context as it is in data-rich fisheries. A key aspect of stock assessment is peer review. Providing a comprehensive, yet concise, set of diagnostics is crucial to a stock assessment where time is limited. Against the standards by which data-rich stock assessments are judged, stock assessments for data-poor stocks are likely to be found deficient. A key challenge is to maintain a balance between the opposing risks of inappropriate management “action” due to assessment inaccuracy, and inappropriate management “inaction” due to assessment uncertainty.
Inter-ring rotations of AAA ATPase p97 revealed by electron cryomicroscopy
Authors: Yeung Heidi O. , Förster Andreas , Bebeacua Cecilia , Niwa Hajime , Ewens Caroline , McKeown Ciarán , Zhang Xiaodong , Freemont Paul S.
Published: March 2014

The type II AAA+ protein p97 is involved in numerous cellular activities, including endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, transcription activation, membrane fusion and cell-cycle control. These activities are at least in part regulated by the ubiquitin system, in which p97 is thought to target ubiquitylated protein substrates within macromolecular complexes and assist in their extraction or disassembly. Although ATPase activity is essential for p97 function, little is known about how ATP binding or hydrolysis is coupled with p97 conformational changes and substrate remodelling. Here, we have used single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) to study the effect of nucleotides on p97 conformation. We have identified conformational heterogeneity within the cryo-EM datasets from which we have resolved two major p97 conformations. A comparison of conformations reveals inter-ring rotations upon nucleotide binding and hydrolysis that may be linked to the remodelling of target protein complexes.
Analysis of the small RNA spf in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000
Authors: Park So Hae , Bao Zhongmeng , Butcher Bronwyn G. , D’Amico Katherine , Xu Yun , Stodghill Paul , Schneider David J. , Cartinhour Samuel , Filiatrault M. J.
Published: March 2014

Bacteria contain small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are typically responsible for altering transcription, translation or mRNA stability. ncRNAs are important because they often regulate virulence factors and susceptibility to various stresses. Here, the regulation of a recently described ncRNA ofPseudomonas syringaeDC3000,spot 42(now referred to asspf), was investigated. A putative RpoE binding site was identified upstream ofspfin strain DC3000. RpoE is shown to regulate the expression ofspf. Also, deletion ofspfresults in increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide compared with the wild-type strain, suggesting thatspfplays a role in susceptibility to oxidative stress. Furthermore, expression ofalg8is shown to be influenced byspf, suggesting that this ncRNA plays a role in alginate biosynthesis. Structural and comparative genomic analyses show this ncRNA is well conserved among the pseudomonads. The findings provide new information on the regulation and role of this ncRNA inP. syringae.
Plants Utilize a Highly Conserved System for Repair of NADH and NADPH Hydrates
Authors: Niehaus Tom D. , Richardson Lynn G.L. , Gidda Satinder K. , ElBadawi-Sidhu Mona , Meissen John K. , Mullen Robert T. , Fiehn Oliver , Hanson Andrew D.
Published: March 2014

NADH and NADPH undergo spontaneous and enzymatic reactions that produce R and S forms of NAD(P)H hydrates [NAD(P)HX], which are not electron donors and inhibit various dehydrogenases. In bacteria, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and mammals, these hydrates are repaired by the tandem action of an ADP- or ATP-dependent dehydratase that converts (S)-NAD(P)HX to NAD(P)H and an epimerase that facilitates interconversion of the R and S forms. Plants have homologs of both enzymes, the epimerase homolog being fused to the vitamin B6 salvage enzyme pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase. Recombinant maize (Zea mays) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NAD(P)HX dehydratases (GRMZM5G840928, At5g19150) were able to reconvert (S)-NAD(P)HX to NAD(P)H in an ATP-dependent manner. Recombinant maize and Arabidopsis epimerases (GRMZM2G061988, At5g49970) rapidly interconverted (R)- and (S)-NAD(P)HX, as did a truncated form of the Arabidopsis epimerase lacking the pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase domain. All plant NAD(P)HX dehydratase and epimerase sequences examined had predicted organellar targeting peptides with a potential second start codon whose use would eliminate the targeting peptide. In vitro transcription/translation assays confirmed that both start sites were used. Dual import assays with purified pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts and mitochondria, and subcellular localization of GFP fusion constructs in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) suspension cells, indicated mitochondrial, plastidial, and cytosolic localization of the Arabidopsis epimerase and dehydratase. Ablation of the Arabidopsis dehydratase gene raised seedling levels of all NADHX forms by 20- to 40-fold, and levels of one NADPHX form by 10- to 30-fold. We conclude that plants have a canonical two-enzyme NAD(P)HX repair system that is directed to three subcellular compartments via the use of alternative translation start sites.
Analysis of management practices in performance-based outsourcing contracts
Authors: Omizzolo Lazzarotto Bruna , Borchardt Miriam , Pereira Giancarlo , Almeida Caroline
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Outsourcing-based performance practices establish goals for supplier performance and compensation. The management of contracts based on performance is complex as is the alignment of long-term relationship and indicators. The purpose of this research is to analyse the practices that contracting companies utilise to manage outsourcing contracts with performance-based compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multiple case studies were conducted with five contracting companies. Nine performance-based outsourcing contracts were analysed.

Findings

– The selection and evaluation processes have been neglected by the buyers associated with contracts that are over ten years old. The process of transferring activities relied on the knowledge of employees. Management practices based on indicators and the adoption of results-based compensation are commonplace in a number of contracts and are consistent with theory.

Originality/value

– This paper identifies management practices that differ between what is expected from the theoretical framework and what is observed in the actual examined contracts. Opportunities for improvement have been identified mainly in the areas of supplier selection and activity transfer; the use of pilot tests and the reengineering of the outsourced processes are suggested.
Corporate strategies of automotive firms: how to become global leaders
Authors: Caiazza Rosa , Nueno Pedro
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to evidence current trend in automotive industry and discuss corporate strategies to become global leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case studies are used to evidence the relevance of cross-border M&A in automotive industry.

Findings

– This study evidences how automotive firms can become global leaders.

Originality/value

– The article offers a better understanding of firms' strategies to compete in automotive industry.
Understanding project stakeholders’ perceptions of public participation in China's infrastructure and construction projects
Authors: Xie Lin-lin , Yang Yu , Hu Yi , P.C. Chan Albert
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Public participation has been implemented with growing frequency as an instrument for dealing with the increased socio-economic and environmental disputes in public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects in China. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of major stakeholders on the major aspects related to public participation practices in China's PIC projects and intends to convey what is presently happening in this segment of the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Specific topics of the social effects, benefits, forms, and barriers were addressed through a recent survey of the major stakeholders involved in PIC projects. The survey results were used to perform a strength-weakness-opportunity-threat analysis for evaluating the status quo of public participation in PIC projects.

Findings

– The survey results indicate that the development of public participation practices in China remains relatively slow despite the urgent need to promote this mechanism for solving socio-economic and environmental disputes in PIC projects. Thus, a four-step strategic plan is suggested to be established to overcome main barriers for the implementation of public participation and promote its development in China.

Originality/value

– This study aims to evaluate the status quo of the public participation practices in China by conducting a national survey, which has never been conducted before. The findings of this paper provide a holistic view of the status quo of public participation in China's PIC projects and promote a better application of this mechanism in the construction industry.
Having “a say”: forms of voice in Australian call centres
Authors: McDonnell Anthony , Connell Julia , Hannif Zeenobiyah , Burgess John
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to bridge a gap in the call centre literature by considering how individual employees perceive their level of voice over workplace decisions. The inclusion of direct voice mechanisms is noteworthy as these are forms that have received much less attentionvis-à-visindirect voice.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed-method approach was utilized comprising focus groups and questionnaires from over 350 respondents in nine call centres in Australia.

Findings

– The most pervasive type of employee voice found across all call centres was through direct channels. The team leader was viewed as especially important in terms of employees asserting that they have some influence over workplace issues. There was evidence that the greater the number of voice mechanisms available the higher the perception of autonomy and influence over work tasks, pace of work and quality standards.

Research limitations/implications

– Greater consideration is needed in the voice literature at how employees perceive different mechanisms and how institutionalized and legitimate these are within organizations. There appeared to be minimal positive feedback on how union's influenced the workplace, even in unionized environments. We call for further research on how union representation and direct voice channels work together and the impact on key individual and organizational outcomes.

Practical implications

– Employees may view the provision of multiple voice channels more favourable than any particular mechanism. The role of the team leader appears especially crucial in positive perceptions of employee voice.

Originality/value

– Call centre environments may be changing for the better and effective team leader/employee relationships appear to be at the heart of these changes. The paper demonstrates that direct voice mechanisms dominate the case study sites and that employee perceptions of “being heard” are as important as the actual voice mechanisms.
Effects of board and ownership structure on corporate performance
Authors: Arouri Houda , Hossain Mohammed , Badrul Muttakin Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ownership structure and board composition on bank performance as measured by Tobin's Q and market to book value in Gulf Co-Operation Council (GCC) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A dataset of 58-listed banks of GCC countries for the period 2010 is used. The methodology is based on multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

– The result shows that the extent of family ownership, foreign ownership and institutional ownership has a significant positive association with bank performance. However, government ownership does not have a significant impact on performance. Other governance variables such as CEO duality and board size appear to have an insignificant impact on performance.

Practical implications

– Better corporate governance mechanisms are imperative for every company and should be encouraged for the interest of the investors and other stakeholders. The study implies that ownership by corporate governance is more effective for GCC countries. The study also suggests that unlike in western countries, corporate boards may not be an effective corporate governance mechanism in GCC countries.

Originality/value

– The paper extends the findings of the corporate governance and bank performance relationship in GCC countries that are neglected in the previous literature.