bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two‐dimensional gel‐based alkaline proteome of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilusNCFM
Authors: Majumder Avishek , Cai Liyang , Ejby Morten , Schmidt Bjarne G. , Lahtinen Sampo J. , Jacobsen Susanne , Svensson Birte
Published: April 2012

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM) is a well‐documented probiotic bacterium isolated from human gut. Detailed 2D gel‐based NCFM proteomics addressed the so‐called alkaline range, i.e., pH 6–11. Proteins were identified in 150 of the 202 spots picked from the Coomassie Brilliant Blue stained 2D gel using MALDI‐TOF‐MS. The 102 unique gene products among the 150 protein identifications were assigned to different functional categories, and evaluated by considering a calculated distribution of abundance as well as grand average of hydrophobicity values. None of the very few available lactic acid bacteria proteome reference maps included the range of pI >7.0. The present report of such data on the proteome of NCFM fundamentally complements current knowledge on protein profiles limited to the acid and neutral pH range.
Regulation of thiamine synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for improved pyruvate production
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Hua Qiang , Duan Ningjun , Liu Liming , Chen Jian
Published: April 2012

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for high‐yield production of carboxylic acid requires a cytosolic pyruvate pool as precursor. In this study, a novel strategy to improve pyruvate production and reduce metabolic by‐products via regulating thiamine synthesis was explored. Two of the thiamine biosynthesis regulatory genes, THI2 and THI3, were disrupted in the S. cerevisiae parent strain FMME‐002. The mutants FMME‐002ΔTHI2 and FMME‐002ΔTHI3 both exhibited an enhanced pyruvate yield. Moreover, FMME‐002ΔTHI2 achieved a relatively higher pyruvate production, and the highest concentration of pyruvate was achieved when 0.04 µ m thiamine was added. Enzyme assays and fermentation profiles of the THI2‐complemented strain indicated that the observed metabolic changes represented intrinsic effects of THI2 deletion on the physiology of S. cerevisiae. Under optimal C:N ratio conditions, FMME‐002ΔTHI2 produced pyruvate up to 8.21 ± 0.30 g/l, whereas the ethanol titre decreased to 2.21 ± 0.24 g/l after 96 h of cultivation. These results demonstrate the possibility of improving pyruvate production by regulating thiamine synthesis in S. cerevisiae. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invasive Species and Evolution
Authors: Stigall Alycia L.
Published: April 2012

Invasive species are a major threat to modern ecosystems and cause billions of dollars in economic damage annually. The long-term impacts of species invasions are difficult to assess on ecological timescales available to biologists, but the fossil record provides analogues that allow investigation of the long-term impacts of species invasions. Two case studies of ancient invasions, the Late Devonian Biodiversity Crisis (~375 million years ago) and the Late Ordovician Richmondian Invasion (~446 million years ago), provide insight into the effect of invasive species on extinction, speciation, and ecosystem structuring. During both intervals, invasive species are characterized by broad ecological tolerances, broad geographic ranges, and higher-than-average survival potential through the crisis interval. Among the native species, narrowly adapted ecological specialists are more likely to become extinct, while broadly-adapted generalist species persisted through the invasion interval by modifying aspects of their ecological niche through niche evolution. In addition, formation of new species practically stopped during the invasion intervals due to reduced opportunities for geographic isolation and speciation. The results of these impacts produced post-invasion biotas with less diversity, greater biotic homogenization between regions, and a lack of new species forming. Conservation efforts to eradicate invasive species may help mitigate these outcomes in the current biodiversity crisis.
LidNA, a novel miRNA inhibitor constructed with unmodified DNA
Authors: Tachibana Akira , Yamada Yui , Ida Hiroyuki , Saito Satoshi , Tanabe Toshizumi
Published: April 2012

Many miRNA inhibitors have been developed and they are chemically modified oligonucleotides such as 2′‐O‐methylated RNA and locked nucleic acid (LNA). Unmodified DNA was not yet reported as a miRNA inhibitor because of the low affinity of DNA/miRNA compared to mRNA/miRNA. We designed a structured unmodified DNA that significantly inhibits miRNA function. The clue structure for activity is the miRNA binding site between double stranded regions which is responsible for the miRNA inhibitory activity and tight binding to miRNA. We developed the miRNA inhibitor constructed with unmodified DNA, and named it LidNA, DNA that puts a lid on miRNA function.
Folgen des Klimawandels im urbanen Kontext
Authors: Hoffmann Albrecht
Published: April 2012

Einleitung

„Alle Städte sind durch die Folgen des Klimawandels in höchstem Maße verwundbar“, formulierten der Weltbürgermeisterrat für Klimaschutz und der Weltstädteverband United Cities and Local Governments 2007 in ihrem „Weltklimaschutzabkommen der Bürgermeister und Kommunen“, herausgegeben 2008 vom Cities Climate Center, Bonn, und weisen damit sowohl auf die besondere Herausforderung, vor der Städte und Gemeinden heutzutage stehen, als auch auf deren politische hervorgehobene Rolle, die sie für die Lösung auch der gesundheitlichen Probleme haben, hin.
Treatment outcome of the two‐part semi‐rigid oral appliance in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Umemoto George , Yoshimura Chikara , Aoyagi Naoko , Toyoshima Hideo , Matsumoto Takemasa , Watanabe Kentaro , Maki Hideaki , Kikuta Toshihiro
Published: April 2012

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the two‐part semi‐rigid oral appliance, Silensor® (Erkodent, Tuttlingen, Germany) which prevents the mandible from retracting during mouth opening.

Materials and methods: Ten patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea (2 males and 8 females; mean age = 62.5 ± 10.0 years) were recruited and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken. The patients underwent polysomnography before and after 3 months of receiving treatment with the Silensor®. The relationship between the improvement in the polysomnographic variables after the therapy and the cephalometric features was analyzed.

Results: A significant difference was observed in the apnea–hypopnea index after 3 months of Silensor® therapy (1st (baseline), 17.1 ± 5.5; 2nd (therapy of Silensor®), 11.0 ± 7.2, p = 0.011). Furthermore there was a significant positive correlation between the improvement in the degree of slow wave sleep (%) and the mandibular plane angle (R = 0.662, p = 0.037), as well as between the improvement in degree of slow wave sleep (%) and the lower face height (R = 0.845, p = 0.002). A significant negative correlation was observed between the improvement in degree of sleep efficiency (%) and the soft palate area (R = −0.809, p = 0.005).

Conclusion: These results suggested that keeping the nasopharyngeal airway space during mouth opening improves apnea–hypopnea index of some patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea and quality of sleep in obstructive sleep apnea patients with a long lower face height and a small soft palate.
Long-range corrected hybrid meta-generalized-gradient approximations with dispersion corrections
Authors: Lin You-Sheng , Tsai Chen-Wei , Li Guan-De , Chai Jeng-Da
Published: April 2012

We propose a long-range corrected hybrid meta-generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) functional, based on a global hybrid meta-GGA functional, M05 [Y. Zhao, N. E. Schultz, and D. G. Truhlar, J. Chem. Phys. 123, 161103 (2005)10.1063/1.2126975], and empirical atom-atom dispersion corrections. Our resulting functional, ωM05-D, is shown to be accurate for a very wide range of applications, such as thermochemistry, kinetics, noncovalent interactions, equilibrium geometries, frontier orbital energies, fundamental gaps, and excitation energies. In addition, we present three new databases, IP131 (131 ionization potentials), EA115 (115 electron affinities), and FG115 (115 fundamental gaps), consisting of experimental molecular geometries and accurate reference values, which will be useful in the assessment of the accuracy of density functional approximations.
The interaction between colloids in polar mixtures above T
c
Authors: Samin Sela , Tsori Yoav
Published: April 2012

We calculate the interaction potential between two charged colloids immersed in an aqueous mixture containing salt near or above the critical temperature. We find an attractive interaction far from the coexistence curve due to the combination of preferential solvent adsorption at the colloids’ surface and preferential ion solvation. We show that the ion-specific interaction strongly depends on the amount of salt added as well as on the mixture composition. The calculations are in good agreement with recent experiments. For a highly antagonistic salt of hydrophilic anions and hydrophobic cations, a repulsive interaction at an intermediate inter-colloid distance is predicted even though both the electrostatic and adsorption forces alone are attractive.
Mechanical impulses can control metaphase progression in a mammalian cell
Authors: Itabashi Takeshi , Terada Yasuhiko , Kuwana Kenta , Kan Tetsuo , Shimoyama Isao , Ishiwata Shin’ichi
Published: April 2012

Chromosome segregation machinery is controlled by mechanochemical regulation. Tension in a mitotic spindle, which is balanced by molecular motors and polymerization-depolymerization dynamics of microtubules, is thought to be essential for determining the timing of chromosome segregation after the establishment of the kinetochore-microtubule attachments. It is not known, however, whether and how applied mechanical forces modulate the tension balance and chemically affect the molecular processes involved in chromosome segregation. Here we found that a mechanical impulse externally applied to mitotic HeLa cells alters the balance of forces within the mitotic spindle. We identified two distinct mitotic responses to the applied mechanical force that either facilitate or delay anaphase onset, depending on the direction of force and the extent of cell compression. An external mechanical impulse that physically increases tension within the mitotic spindle accelerates anaphase onset, and this is attributed to the facilitation of physical cleavage of sister chromatid cohesion. On the other hand, a decrease in tension activates the spindle assembly checkpoint, which impedes the degradation of mitotic proteins and delays the timing of chromosome segregation. Thus, the external mechanical force acts as a crucial regulator for metaphase progression, modulating the internal force balance and thereby triggering specific mechanochemical cellular reactions.
Changes in life-history traits in relation to climate change: bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the northwestern Mediterranean
Authors: Sabatés Ana , Martín Paloma , Raya Vanesa
Published: April 2012

Sabatés, A., Martín, P., and Raya, V. 2012. Changes in life-history traits in relation to climate change: bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the northwestern Mediterranean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1000–1009. This study shows the strong relationship between the increasing surface temperature in the NW Mediterranean and the expansion northwards of the bluefish distribution range with the species reproducing in the new distribution areas. Two shifts in temperature were detected: the first one in the early 1980s and the second around 1997. This last shift, explained by warmer springs (April–June), when the species migrates for spawning, led to the observed changes in bluefish. In the western Mediterranean basin, a significant increase in bluefish landings was observed by the mid nineties, whereas in the Catalan coast, the northern edge of the species distribution, a northward expansion was observed from 2000. At present, spawning takes place all along the Catalan coast (June to September), including the new distribution areas, being 21°C the threshold for the presence of larvae in the plankton. This temperature was not attained in June two decades ago. The highest concentrations of larvae were located near the mouth of the Ebro River and their distribution to the north did not extend beyond the thermal front. Bluefish has taken the advantage of the changing environmental conditions and is established in new northernmost distribution areas.
Listeria fleischmannii sp. nov., isolated from cheese
Authors: Bertsch David , Rau Jörg , Eugster Marcel R. , Haug Martina C. , Lawson Paul A. , Lacroix Christophe , Meile Leo
Published: April 2012

A study was performed on three isolates (LU2006-1T, LU2006-2 and LU2006-3), which were sampled independently from cheese in western Switzerland in 2006, as well as a fourth isolate (A11-3426), which was detected in 2011, using a polyphasic approach. The isolates could all be assigned to the genus

Listeria

but not to any known species. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data were compatible with the genus

Listeria

and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that the closest relationships were with members of this genus. However, DNA–DNA hybridization demonstrated that the isolates did not belong to any currently described species. Cell-wall-binding domains of

Listeria monocytogenes

bacteriophage endolysins were able to attach to the isolates, confirming their tight relatedness to the genus

Listeria

. Although PCR targeting the central portion of the flagellin gene flaA was positive, motility was not observed. The four isolates could not be discriminated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. This suggests that they represent a single species, which seems to be adapted to the environment in a cheese-ripening cellar as it was re-isolated from the same type of Swiss cheese after more than 5 years. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that the isolates harbour a transferable resistance to clindamycin. The isolates did not exhibit haemolysis or show any indication of human pathogenicity or virulence. The four isolates are affiliated with the genus

Listeria

but can be differentiated from all described members of the genus

Listeria

and therefore they merit being classified as representatives of a novel species, for which we propose the name Listeria fleischmannii sp. nov.; the type strain is LU2006-1T ( = DSM 24998T  = LMG 26584T).
Brevibacterium siliguriense sp. nov., a facultatively oligotrophic bacterium isolated from river water
Authors: Kumar Arvind , İnce İkbal Agah , Katı Ahmet , Chakraborty Ranadhir
Published: April 2012

A Gram-positive-staining, rod-shaped, facultatively oligotrophic bacterial strain, designated MB18T, was isolated from a water sample collected from the River Mahananda at Siliguri (26° 44′ 23.20′ N, 88° 25′ 22.89′ E), West-Bengal, India. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest relative of this strain was

Brevibacterium epidermidis

NCDO 2286T (96 % similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain MB18T was 64.6 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data [MK-8(H2) as the major menaquinone, galactose as the sole cell-wall sugar, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as constituents of the polar lipids, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids] supported the affiliation of strain MB18T to the genus

Brevibacterium

. The results of DNA G+C content, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and biochemical and physiological analyses allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain MB18T from its nearest neighbour

B. epidermidis

. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Brevibacterium siliguriense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MB18T ( = DSM 23676T = LMG 25772T).
Pontibacter saemangeumensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Kang Ji Young , Joung Yochan , Chun Jeesun , Kim Haneul , Joh Kiseong , Jahng Kwang Yeop
Published: April 2012

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink bacterial strain, designated strain GCM0142T, was isolated from the confined seawater in the Saemangeum Tide Embankment of South Korea, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain GCM0142T indicated that the isolate belonged to the phylum

Bacteroidetes

and exhibited similarity levels of 94.0–96.4 % to the type strains of recognized

Pontibacter

species. Strain GCM0142T was oxidase- and catalase-positive. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C17 : 1I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1B, 36.8 %), iso-C15 : 0 (22.3 %) and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 6.2 %). The DNA G+C content of strain GCM0142T was 48.9 mol% and the major quinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids (AL1–2), an unknown aminophospholipid, five unknown lipids (L1–5) and an unknown glycolipid. On the basis of the evidence presented, strain GCM0142T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Pontibacter

, for which the name Pontibacter saemangeumensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GCM0142T ( = KACC 16448T = JCM 17926T).
Micromonospora

sediminicola sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment
Authors: Supong Khomsan , Suriyachadkun Chanwit , Tanasupawat Somboon , Suwanborirux Khanit , Pittayakhajonwut Pattama , Kudo Takuji , Thawai Chitti
Published: April 2012

An actinomycete strain, designated strain SH2-13T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Andaman Sea of Thailand. Applying a polyphasic approach, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus

Micromonospora

using morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, including the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan. Whole-cell sugars were arabinose, galactose, glucose, rhamnose, ribose and xylose. Diagnostic polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and phosphoglycolipids. The major menaquinones were MK-10(H2), MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed similarity to

Micromonospora marina

JSM1-1T (99.1 %),

Micromonospora coxensis

2-30-b(28)T (99.1 %),

Micromonospora aurantiaca

DSM 43813T (98.8 %) and

Micromonospora chalcea

DSM 43026T (98.7 %). However, a combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties indicated that strain SH2-13T ( = NBRC 107934T = BCC 45601T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species, with the proposed name

Micromonospora

sediminicola sp. nov.
Castellaniella hirudinis sp. nov., isolated from the skin of Hirudo verbana
Authors: Glaeser Stefanie P. , Galatis Harald , Martin Karin , Kämpfer Peter
Published: April 2012

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain E103T, was isolated from the skin of the medical leech Hirudo verbana. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate was closely related to species of the genus

Castellaniella

.

Castellaniella ginsengisoli

DCY36T was shown to be the most closely related (98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), followed by

Castellaniella denitrificans

NKNTAUT and

Castellaniella daejeonensis

MJ06T (both 97.8 %), then

Castellaniella caeni

Ho-11T (97.5 %). Chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone, Q-8; major polar lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine; predominant polyamine, putrescine with a moderate amount of 2-hydroxyputrescine; and major fatty acids, C17 : 0 cyclo, C16 : 0 and summed feature 4 comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus

Castellaniella

. DNA–DNA hybridization values with the type strains of all species of the genus

Castellaniella

were 23 % (reciprocal, 18 %) with

C. ginsengisoli

KCTC 22398T, 20 % (26 %) with

C. daejeonensis

KCTC 22454T, 11 % (58 %) with

C. denitrificans

DSM 11046T and 13 % (12 %) with

C. caeni

KCTC 12197T
. Phenotypic differentiation of strain E103T from its closest neighbours was possible. Strain E103T therefore represents a novel species of the genus

Castellaniella

, for which the name Castellaniella hirudinis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain E103T ( = CCUG 62394T = LMG 26910T).
Actinomadura

xylanilytica sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil
Authors: Zucchi Tiago Domingues , Kim Byung-Yong , Bonda Avinash Naga Venkata , Goodfellow Michael
Published: April 2012

The taxonomic position of a soil isolate, strain BK147T, was established using data from a polyphasic study. The organism showed a combination of chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus

Actinomadura

. It formed a distinct phyletic line in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of members of the genus

Actinomadura

and was most closely, albeit loosely, related to

Actinomadura bangladeshensis

DSM 45347T,

Actinomadura meyerae

DSM 44715T and

Actinomadura napierensis

NRRL B-24319T but was readily distinguished from these strains using a range of phenotypic properties. Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic data it is proposed that isolate BK147T ( = KACC 20919T = NCIMB 14771T = NRRL B-24852T) be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus

Actinomadura

, for which the name

Actinomadura

xylanilytica sp. nov. is proposed.
Second Life in the library: an empirical study of new users' experiences
Authors: Clarke Christopher Peter
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the experiences of new users of Second Life in order to identify potential barriers and attractors to the expansion of the userbase and therefore the market for in‐world information services.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐faceted methodological approach was taken utilising two questionnaires (pre‐ and post‐immersion), non‐participant overt observation, structured interviews, and online diary keeping. Data was then analysed to identify barriers and attractors.

Findings

More negative experiences were recorded than positive, with the costs, time commitment, stigma of using, the lack of structure, social interaction, and the complexity of the control interface all provoking negative responses. Avatar creation, and the creativity and quality of graphical presentation produced positive responses.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the investment in time required to participate in the research, the sample size is smaller than ideal thus limiting the conclusions that can be generalised. The research also did not directly include interaction with online library or information services.

Practical implications

For librarians using SL the research demonstrates that the response from new users is less than enthusiastic and that when designing virtual library services care should be taken to avoid the barriers identified here and to focus on the features found attractive by participants.

Originality/value

Previous studies have examined the implementation of in‐world information services without examining the experience of new users. Those studies that have looked directly at the user's interaction with virtual worlds are more focused on MMORPGs and on current users.
Outsourcing and replication considerations in disaster recovery planning
Authors: Guster Dennis C. , Lee Olivia F. , McCann Brandon P.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to use a case study approach to compare the performance of traditional models and an in‐house and outsourced solution and assess the importance of adequate network bandwidth in the remote replication process.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the authors’ autonomous computer system, the cost/benefits of five different disaster recovery (DR) models are determined and reported in a table. Further, experimental data gleaned from a series of data updates on remote replicas connected via the internet are reported.

Findings

The results indicate that the traditional models lack performance flexibility. The virtualized replica model and the outsourced solution are similar in terms of investment cost, but the former offers attractive performance and sound reliability characteristics, and provided adequate network bandwidth. The minimum practical speed to support replication updates in the authors’ autonomous system was 10 Mbs.

Research limitations/implications

The results herein are only directly applicable to a system with characteristics similar to the authors’ autonomous system. However, the results do provide a general trend one would expect to carry across a wide variety of autonomous systems.

Originality/value

The primary value of this paper is the evaluation of several DR models in relationship to a live data centre. Each model is evaluated with regard to its cost, complexity, recovery time capabilities, and replication characteristics. While the models themselves are not new, the data puts “a face” on them and provides the reader with the degree of difference among the models.
The implication of open contract to emergency planning
Authors: Wang Jieh‐Jiuh
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The scope of disaster impacts has become extensive. It is important that resources can be distributed to the needed places in time, and to prevent a second disaster. The appropriate usage of open contract to disaster management is important; therefore, this study aims to discuss the implication, possible problems and strategies of the current use of open contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was used to analyze the operation experiences from contract data collaterally. An in‐depth interview with contract participants was also applied to probe into more issues in practice.

Findings

The study targeted emergency supplies and services, focusing on three dimensions: regulation, contract preparation and contract execution, and found that: conflicts and problems exist between current major procurement and disaster management regulations; government must master open contract suppliers; items in the open contract must be concrete and specific; performance bond and default clause would only keep contractors away from any service; missing links are still among audit system, construction estimation, and construction inspection and acceptance in the current open contract system.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be applied to assist governments to review the current implications of open contract, and to construct better systems which meet the features and needs of emergency responses.

Originality/value

Open contract is a very important tool for saving lives during emergencies, although rarely discussed. This study explored current problems and strategies, and can be provided for better future system construction.
Health care management courses in Greek universities
Authors: Kotsifos Vangelis , Alegakis Athanasios , Philalithis Anastas
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The object of this study is to formulate, establish and apply a suitable and reliable tool for measuring the course experience satisfaction of Master graduates. A questionnaire was formulated, based on similar tools, and adjusted to the reality of Hellenic Higher Education, in order to measure the satisfaction of graduates in three Master programmes in the area of health care management.

Design/methodology/approach

Master graduates of the study (n=162), 2003‐2007 admission years, filled in the questionnaire either electronically (web‐based) or by phone interview. The overall response rate was 50.6 per cent. In total, 37 statements were used for the measure of satisfaction while other questionnaire parts recorded the demographic, occupational and educational characteristics of the graduates.

Findings

Analysis revealed seven factors, listed as teaching, skills, assessment, feedback, social opportunities, facilities and organization of the course. Gender and first degree content do not affect the produced total satisfaction score. Married participants scored higher than those that are single in three factors and older participants scored higher than younger ones in two factors. The University of Crete's graduates scored higher than other graduates in two factors.

Originality/value

The paper is the first attempt to assess satisfaction, based on the grounds of quality, for Master programs in Hellenic State Universities. In this study are presented the first results and conclusions of the application of the developed questionnaire. Further results, relative to graduates' occupational status changes and professional development, are currently under investigation.
When are integrative tactics more effective? The moderating effects of moral identity and the use of distributive tactics
Authors: Han Inhyun , Kwon Seungwoo , Bae Jonghoon , Park Kyungdo
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This study aims to investigate when integrative tactics are more effective in generating higher joint outcomes in an integrative negotiation. The authors test whether, first, the moral identity of the negotiators and, second, the concurrent use of distributive tactics increase the effectiveness of integrative tactics on joint outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two weeks prior to the experiment, moral identity was measured using SIMI. Participants were classified into three groups: high, medium, and low SIMI. Two participants from the same group played a modified version of the Towers Market negotiation exercise. Distributive and integrative tactics were measured.

Findings

Results show that negotiators with high moral identity achieve higher joint outcomes in an integrative negotiation by using integrative tactics more effectively. In addition, the positive effects of integrative tactics on joint outcomes increase as the two negotiators employ distributive tactics along with integrative tactics rather than integrative tactics alone.

Research limitations/implications

Results support the firm‐flexibility rule and dual‐concern model of negotiation. In addition, the results of this study are consistent with the argument of the differentiation‐before‐integration principle.

Originality/value

Contradictory to the assumption that negotiators should not use distributive tactics to increase joint outcome, negotiators can increase joint outcome when they use distributive tactics along with integrative tactics. In addition, this study shows that negotiators with high morality do a better job in an integrative negotiation not because they adopt integrative tactics more frequently, but because they use them more effectively, especially when coupled with negotiators with a similar level of morality.
The effect of personality traits on private brand consumer tendencies
Authors: Herstein Ram , Tifferet Sigal , Luís Abrantes José , Lymperopoulos Constantine , Albayrak Tahir , Caber Meltem
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between three personality traits (individualism, materialism and the “need for cognition”) and two characteristics of shoppers who buy private‐label brands (their predisposition to do so, and the importance they attach to the “brand dimensions”) across four member countries of the Union of the Mediterranean.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire in the local language, using questions, items and scales adapted from previous studies, was completed by 683 undergraduate students. The scaled data were analysed by SPSS, and tested for internal reliability and equivalence.

Findings

Overall, the personality traits were significantly associated with both behavioural characteristics. Specifically, materialism and the need for cognition were linked to inclination to purchase private brands, and materialism and individualism to the perceived importance of brand dimensions. Cross‐cultural differences were found.

Originality/value

The demographic profile of the private‐brand consumer is well known, but not the behavioural profile. This study provides retail planners with valuable new marketing intelligence.
Evaluation of environmental noise based upon the percentage of dissatisfied
Authors: Roelofsen Paul
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This article is a proposal and aims to be a first step to develop a method to evaluate and classify environmental noise, according to EN‐15251 and CR‐1752, in the built environment based on the percentage of dissatisfied related to the equivalent background noise level.

Design/methodology/approach

In the European guideline CR‐1752 and the standard EN‐15251 three categories of the indoor environment in buildings are prescribed (category A, B and C). In the recommendations, the limit whereby the percentage of dissatisfied should remain under varies in each category for both the thermal indoor environment and the air quality. The categories for noise and illumination criteria are not yet explicitly related to a percentage of dissatisfied.

Findings

Using the percentage of dissatisfied as the evaluation criterion, when related to the equivalent background noise, produces a more refined evaluation of comfort than an evaluation based on the percentage of seriously disturbed or the effects of sleep deprivation in relation to external noise. Furthermore, this corresponds to the European standards and recommendations concerning quality classification of the indoor environment, based on the percentage of dissatisfied.

Originality/value

Based on recent European undertakings concerning the development of categories for the indoor environment based on the percentage of dissatisfied, it is desirable to utilise these categories to noise aspects too, and to relate it to the equivalent background noise level.
Public reporting of HAI rates
Authors: Black Bernard
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Health‐care associated infections (HAIs) kill about 100,000 people annually; many are preventable. In response, 18 states currently require hospitals to publicly report their infection rates and national reporting is planned. Yet there is limited evidence on the effects of public reporting on HAI rates, and none on what elements of a reporting plan affect its impact on HAI rates. The author aims to review here what little we know, emphasizing his own case study of Pennsylvania.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper contains a narrative description of empirical challenges in attributing changes in infection rates to the introduction of public reporting, and the author's own research findings from a case study of Pennsylvania using both infection rates estimated from administrative (billing) data (“inpatient rates”) and public reported rates.

Findings

Hospitals, faced with public HAI reporting, may respond both by reducing infection rates and through time‐inconsistent reporting (“gaming”). Both effects are likely to be stronger at hospitals with high reported rates, relative to peers. From 2003‐2008, Pennsylvania inpatient CLABSI rates dropped by 14 per cent, versus a 9 per cent increase in control states. The overall drop comes primarily from hospitals in the highest third of reported rates. Reported CLABSI rates fell much faster, by 40 per cent, from 2005 to 2007. This difference suggests time‐inconsistent reporting.

Practical implications

Much more research is needed before we can have confidence that public reporting affects HAI rates (and for which HAIs), or know how to design an effective reporting scheme. HAI reporting cannot yet be considered to be “evidence based.” National reporting mandates will foreclose the state experiments needed to address these questions.

Originality/value

What little we know about impact of public reporting on HAI rates comes in significant part from the case study of Pennsylvania described in this article.
Learning how to lead self before leading others: an industry perspective from Australia
Authors: Short Tom
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present research‐based insight on the significance of building self‐awareness and self‐efficacy as foundation to other forms of leadership development

Design/methodology/approach

The research is taken from a two‐year interpretive study conducted in the Australian rail industry aimed at establishing a unified approach to developing rail leaders. Using mixed methods, seven major rail organizations contributed to detailed case studies, online surveys and in‐depth interviews at various levels of management.

Findings

The findings support a new variation of leadership capability that has emerged and is being applied in organizations where managers are empowered to create and define their own work roles. In order to achieve this autonomy, a higher level of self‐awareness and self‐efficacy is essential. Self‐awareness requires the leader to use a wide range of cognitive processes such as: focussing attention and evaluating current behaviour to internal standards and values; recognising their personality characteristics, strengths and weaknesses; and, having a clear perception of their emotions and self‐esteem. Importantly, leaders need to know how they relate to others, how they communicate and what makes them happy.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are contextual and may not fit all settings, but they offer a comparative account of leadership development in an industry facing perpetual change, economic challenges and a shortage of leadership talent.

Practical implications

The paper has practical implications for human resource practitioners and professionals involved in the implementation of leadership development programs. Leadership is a global priority and organizations need to get much better spotting and developing leadership talent.

Originality/value

This paper will be of value to human resource professionals and managers, assisting them to think differently about leadership by focussing on an emerging underdeveloped area of leadership training and development
Experiential learning – creating learning experiences with business impact
Authors: Moody Ruth
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to show the benefits of experiential learning for delivering business results, and to justify the cost of training in our current economic climate.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to examine the business and personal results gained from undertaking experiential learning courses across three different companies, and to show how they applied what was learnt to the workplace.

Findings

It was found that individuals from all three companies were able to use what they learnt on the courses and apply it back to the workplace, demonstrating real, measurable results.

Practical implications

The learning experiences themselves had a profound effect on individuals, however it was the shared experiences, learning from other delegates through feedback and rigorous follow‐up, that delivered business results. It was found that although experiential learning courses might be more expensive than traditional classroom‐based courses, the return on investment is much more significant as individuals learn much more easily through experience, remember what they have learnt for longer, and are more loyal and committed because of them.

Originality/value

The value of this article is to learning and development professionals or organizations wishing to find out about the most economic and engaging ways in which to approach learning and development.
Smart experimentation: moving in‐market with maximum velocity and minimum risk
Authors: Moosa Naveed , Lee Joe
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Companies lose tolerance for risk in tough economic times. The level of risk inherent in new ideas prevents organizations from investing in big, bold innovations that could unlock valuable new sources of revenue and profit. This paper describes how to apply methods extracted from the scientific approach to experimentation to de‐risk radical new business model innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The ideas presented in the paper were distilled from many years of experience working with organizations such as McDonalds and Best Buy, which have successfully applied the principles of experimentation to developing and launching new business concepts.

Findings

Road‐tested principles from the scientific method, combined with business acumen, define the new science of systemic innovation. Every bold new business concept should be de‐risked and tuned by applying six methods: break it down; sequence learning; iterate; operate at multiple levels of abstraction; create a safe learning environment; and apply experienced hands and new voices.

Originality/value

The paper presents a systemic and rigorous new method for de‐risking radical new business concepts based on well‐known methods extracted from the scientific lab. The approach is particularly important for large companies seeking new sources of growth while facing intense competition in their core businesses from relatively new players.
The Directed Evolution methodology
Authors: Harrington H. James , Voehl Frank , Zlotin Boris , Zusman Alla
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the Directed Evolution methodology, illustrate its usefulness in creating systemic change, and how it can be implemented in face of strong resistance to change. The paper aims to demonstrate how comprehensive product/program systems redesign for higher organizational effectiveness can be realized through a well‐defined Directed Evolution implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel model and process for Directed Evolution implementation to facilitate systemic change in organizations and in communities are described. After successful implementation in several types of organizational units, the model was examined for congruence with well‐known frameworks in change management.

Findings

The paper finds that the model has congruence with several systemic change management frameworks. It complements systems thinking by harnessing organizational knowledge through creative involvement of organizational members, employing five‐phase execution to sustain organizational members’ motivation throughout the program; and realizing comprehensive patent and intellectual property redesign while improving program and product functionality.

Originality/value

The study show‐cases system thinking and new innovation tools and techniques as an excellent systemic change intervention.
The breadth and depth of foundation courses in Qatar's only public institution of higher education
Authors: Nasser Ramzi
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the levels of foundation‐year courses at the only public, four‐year institution of higher education in Qatar.

Design/methodology/approach

A basic crossed design was used to assess the degree to which the number and kind of foundation courses taken related to student enrollment, graduation, academic dismissal and academic performance. A chi‐square statistical analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a repeated measure (MANOVA) were used to address the research questions.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrate that those students who are enrolled in an English foundation course and take at least one or more foundation course are more likely to remain enrolled in the university. In contrast, those students who enroll in more than one mathematics foundation course are more likely to be academically dismissed than to remain at this university. Students who pass through preparatory courses in English have higher scores in both their first and second post‐foundation English courses than those who do not participate in the program. In contrast, students who take foundation courses in mathematics were less likely to do well in post‐foundation courses than those who had not taken foundation courses. Those students who had taken an English foundation course were more likely to fail a post‐foundation course at the university level than to pass such a course. Those students who had taken a mathematic foundation course were just as likely to fail as those students who had not taken one. Generally, those students who went through English and mathematics foundation courses were more likely to perform at a significantly higher level and achieve a higher grade point average than those students who did not complete the preparatory program.

Originality/value

A significant role of the preparatory program is to bring students to an academic level that allows them to continue on to regular university programs. This paper is significant because it assesses the worth and benefits of a preparatory program in a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Peeling the onion: public policy in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Cornwall Jeffrey R. , Dennis William J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine some basic pathways to bring issues of public policy into entrepreneurship classes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at policy issues related to taxation, regulation and employment which all offer important topics that can be integrated into a variety of standard entrepreneurship courses.

Findings

Integrating policy issues into entrepreneurship classes is important to assist students understand the importance of compliance, to see the linkages to their broader university education, and to help make them more informed citizens.

Originality/value

This paper hopes to foster more integration of public policy into both the entrepreneurship classroom and into more traditional streams of entrepreneurship research.
Influence of preliminary etching on the stability of bonds created by one‐step self‐etch bonding systems
Authors: Taschner Michael , Nato Fernando , Mazzoni Annalisa , Frankenberger Roland , Falconi Mirella , Petschelt Anselm , Breschi Lorenzo
Published: April 2012

Taschner M, Nato F, Mazzoni A, Frankenberger R, Falconi M, Petschelt A, Breschi L. Influence of preliminary etching on the stability of bonds created by one‐step self‐etch bonding systems.

 

Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 239–248. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci

We evaluated the effects of preliminary etching of dentine on the stability of the bond created by one‐step self‐etch adhesives under different storage conditions. Adper Easy Bond (3M ESPE) and iBond Self‐Etch (iBond SE; Heraeus Kulzer) were applied with an etch‐and‐rinse (i.e. after preliminary phosphoric acid etching for 15 s) or a self‐etch approach. Resin–dentine bonded specimens were sectioned perpendicularly to the adhesive interface according to the ‘non‐trimming technique’. Beams were stored in artificial saliva for 24 h, 6 months, or 1 yr at 37°C, or in 10% NaOCl for 5 h at room temperature, and then stressed until failure; the microtensile bond strengths were calculated. Interfacial nanoleakage of additional teeth was evaluated using light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy. Adper Easy Bond showed higher bond strength than iBond SE, regardless of the dentine treatment. Similar microtensile bond strength results were obtained for teeth subjected to artificial ageing in 10% NaOCl for 5 h at room temperature and for teeth stored in artificial saliva for 6 months at 37°C. The additional etching step increased the microtensile bond strength for Adper Easy Bond and iBond SE. This study supports the use of one‐step adhesives on etched dentine because of the increased bond strength compared with their application onto smear‐layer‐covered dentine, regardless of storage conditions.