bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) for forcing in greenhouse
Authors: Tendaj Maria , Mysiak Barbara
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this work was the evaluation of yielding and the content of some chemical ingredients of Japanese bunching onion yield obtained from forcing in greenhouse conditions. Plants used for forcing were from field cultivation and had the pseudostem trimmed in the autumn of each year (2002, 2003 and 2004) at the height of 2-4 and 8-10 cm. In the spring of the following year (2003, 2004 and 2005) from the middle of March, the plants were forced in a heated greenhouse (temperature 16-20°C) and an unheated one (temperature 6-12 °C). The whole yield was evaluated when the plants reached the market size for bunching. The weight and height were determined in the plants, as well as the number of laterals and leaves in clusters. In green shoots and the pseudostem, the content of dry weight, total and reducing sugars, L-ascorbic acid, flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined. Very high yield of plants useful for bunching was obtained (average 13.7 kg·m-2 of area). The plants with a longer pseudostem before forcing yielded better. The conditions of forcing did not have a significant influence on the size of the obtained yield, but the content of L-ascorbic acid and flavonoids was much higher (especially in green shoots) in the plants from forcing in the unheated greenhouse. Lower temperature at the time of forcing was favorable to higher reducing sugar content, especially in the pseudostem. Japanese bunching onion turned out to be useful for forcing for harvest in bunching form.
Flora of fallow lands of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu mesoregion
Authors: Skrzyczyńska Janina , Stachowicz Piotr
Published: June 2013

Studies on flora of fallow lands of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu mesoregion were carried out between 2001 and 2003 in the area of 77 localities, situated in 20 communes. A systematic list of fallow land flora was made and its variation with respect to occurrence frequency, biological spectrum, persistence and belonging to geographic-historical and sociological-ecological groups was analyzed. Flora of fallow lands of the Podlaski Przełom Bugu mesoregion includes 442 species included in 60 families and 241 botanical genera. The most numerous group comprises very rare, rare and quite frequent species. In the floristic composition of the analysed flora, apophytes (72.2%) predominate over anthropophytes (2.8%) as well as perennials (61%) over ephemerals (39%). Considering the biological spectrum of flora, hemicryptophytes (49%) and terophytes (32%) predominate over other life forms. Forest and shrub species (18.5%) as well as meadow (17%) and xerothermic sward plants (17.4%) have the largest share in the flora. The abundant occurrence of segetal (15.8%) and long-lived ruderal communities (8.1%) was also noted. Moreover, the occurrence of 25 species endangered with extinction in fallow land communities of the Południowopodlaska Lowland was noted. They are as follows: Nigella arvensis, Potentilla recta, Platanthera chlorantha, Agrostemma githago, Prunella grandiflora, Populus alba, Silene tatarica, Papaver argemone, Papaver rhoeas, Veronica polita, Hieracium floribundum, Bromus secalinus, Polygonum bistorta, Geum alleppicu, Astragalus arenarius, Centaurium erythraea, Veronica agrestis, Veronica verna, Cirsium rivulare, Allium oleraceum, Hierochloë odorata, Chenopodium polyspermum, Vinca minor, Dipsacus silvestris and Campanula latifolia.
Flowering and airborne pollen - a novel statistical approach
Authors: Kasprzyk Idalia , Walanus Adam
Published: June 2013

The time pattern of flowering significantly affects the pollen season, its beginning, length and the concentration of pollen grains in air. The forecasting models used in aerobiological studies were chiefly based on the elements of weather conditions; however, recently the phenology of pollen shedding has been taken into consideration in these models more and more frequently. The aim of the presented investigations was to determine to what extent the flowering and the occurrence of allergenic pollen grains in air coincided in time. The investigation was carried out in Rzeszów (SE Poland) in the years 2003-2004. The flowering of 19 allergenic plant species was observed and seven phenophases were distinguished. Aerobiological monitoring was based on the volumetric method. In the case of most herbaceous plants, the flowering period overlapped the pollen season, high concentrations of pollen being recorded throughout several phenophases. In general, the pollen of trees occurred during very short periods, frequently during one phenophase, while the investigated phenomena were missing each other. The most intensive growth of inflorescences of alder, hazel and birch was observed at the beginning of full fl owering or towards the end of full flowering.
Pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa in Kraków and its neighbourhood
Authors: Myszkowska Dorota , Jenner Bartosz , Cywa Katarzyna , Kuropatwa Monika , Stępalska Danuta , Piotrowicz Katarzyna
Published: June 2013

The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics of pollen seasons of selected tree and shrub taxa among measurement sites in Kraków and its neighbourhood. The study was performed in Kraków and Piotrkowice Małe in 2002, as well as in Kraków and Giebułtów in 2006. During the study the volumetric method was applied and pollen grains were counted along four horizontal lines. The lowest percentage of Corylus pollen and the highest percentage of Betula pollen were found in the analysed sites. The differences among start dates in various measurement sites in a given year were inconsiderable. Statistically signifi cant differences of SPI values for the majority of taxa were found between measurement sites and between seasons for Kraków. The pollen season dynamics showed one (Betula, Pinaceae) or more maximum values (Corylus, Populus, Fraxinus, Salix). The occurrence of many peaks could be explained by the appearance of several species within one genus in the studied area or by various weather conditions. In 2002 maximum pollen concentrations were recorded earlier than in 2006. The differences in these dates could be explained better by cumulative temperature >5℃ than >0℃.
Grass pollen (Poaceae) in the air of Sosnowiec (Poland), 1997 - 2006
Authors: Chłopek Kazimiera
Published: June 2013

The article presents the analysis results of the grass pollen seasons from 1997 to 2006 in Sosnowiec. The research was carried out by means of the volumetric method with the use of a Burkard device. The duration of the pollen seasons was determined by means of the 98% method. The influence of meteorological conditions on the starting date and duration of the grass pollen seasons has been estimated in the article. The beginning of the pollen seasons was recorded between 23 April and 23 May. It has been demonstrated that the average duration of the pollen season amounted to 138 days. The period of maximum concentrations was recorded in June and the first half of July. The highest daily concentration was found in 2000 (495 grains in m3) and the highest annual sums in 2002 and 2000. The daily concentration distribution curve has shown three peaks. The highest values were recorded from 7 am until 11 am, from 13 pm until 17 pm and from 19 pm until 21 pm. It has been found that there is a significant influence of weather conditions (temperature, precipitation and relative humidity) on the beginning and duration of the pollen seasons and the period of maximum concentrations.
Cladosporium spores in the air of Szczecin
Authors: Grinn-Gofroń Agnieszka
Published: June 2013

Moulds are common aeroallergens and Cladosporium is considered to be the most prevalent of them. The objective of the studies was to determine the seasonal variation in concentrations of Cladosporium spores due to meteorological parameters. The meteorological parameters analysed were maximum air temperature, relative humidity, amount of precipitation and wind speed. The greatest threat from Cladosporium allergens was posed from the middle of May (2004, 2006) and June (2005) till the middle of October (2005) and in the end of October (2004) till the middle of November (2006). Statistically significant correlations were found among the Cladosporium spore count in the air and maximum air temperature in all the analysed seasons, and amount of precipitation only in one season. The spore count of Cladosporium was determined by weather conditions, especially by air temperature.
Terrorist Use of Smuggling Tunnels
Authors: Lichtenwald Terrance G. , Perri Frank S.
Published: June 2013

This article examines terrorists’ use of smuggling tunnels to finance terrorism and/or launch terrorist operations. Israel’s Operation Pillar of Cloud and Hamas’ Operation Stones of Shale are used to illustrate both the physical structure of smuggling tunnels and social networks of the people who build and use smuggling tunnels. The sociological factors of terrorists and criminals engaged in smuggling in the same country, such as the Gaza Strip and Egypt during peaceful times and the Gaza Strip and Israel during a state of war, is examined. The article proposes the application of open-source social-network models applicable to regional and transnational tunnel analysis during times of peace and war, employing intelligence from law enforcement and national security sources to improve border security.
Estimating the Benefits of a Faith-Based Correctional Program
Authors: Duwe Grant , Johnson Byron R.
Published: June 2013

A recent outcome evaluation of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative (InnerChange), a faith-based prisoner reentry program that has operated within Minnesota’s prison system since 2002, showed the program is effective in lowering recidivism. This study extends research on InnerChange by conducting a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Because InnerChange relies heavily on volunteers and program costs are privately funded, the program exacts no additional costs to the State of Minnesota. As a result, this study focused on estimating the program’s benefits by examining recidivism and post-release employment. The findings showed that during its first six years of operation in Minnesota, InnerChange produced an estimated benefit of $3 million, which amounts to nearly $8,300 per participant. Much of this benefit stems from costs avoided as a result of the program’s impact on reoffending.
A Highly Oxidizing and Isolable Oxoruthenium(V) Complex [RuV(N4O)(O)]2+: Electronic Structure, Redox Properties, and Oxidation Reactions Investigated by DFT Calculations
Authors: Guan Xiangguo , Chan Sharon Lai‐Fung , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: June 2013

The electronic structure and redox properties of the highly oxidizing, isolable RuVO complex [RuV(N4O)(O)]2+, its oxidation reactions with saturated alkanes (cyclohexane and methane) and inorganic substrates (hydrochloric acid and water), and its intermolecular coupling reaction have been examined by DFT calculations. The oxidation reactions with cyclohexane and methane proceed through hydrogen atom transfer in a transition state with a calculated free energy barrier of 10.8 and 23.8 kcal mol−1, respectively. The overall free energy activation barrier (ΔG≠=25.5 kcal mol−1) of oxidation of hydrochloric acid can be decomposed into two parts: the formation of [RuIII(N4O)(HOCl)]2+ (ΔG=15.0 kcal mol−1) and the substitution of HOCl by a water molecule (ΔG≠=10.5 kcal mol−1). For water oxidation, nucleophilic attack on RuVO by water, leading to OO bond formation, has a free energy barrier of 24.0 kcal mol−1, the major component of which comes from the cleavage of the HOH bond of water. Intermolecular self‐coupling of two molecules of [RuV(N4O)(O)]2+ leads to the [(N4O)RuIVO2RuIII(N4O)]4+ complex with a calculated free energy barrier of 12.0 kcal mol−1.
Structure Determination and Total Synthesis of (+)‐16‐Hydroxy‐16,22‐dihydroapparicine
Authors: Hirose Tomoyasu , Noguchi Yoshihiko , Furuya Yujiro , Ishiyama Aki , Iwatsuki Masato , Otoguro Kazuhiko , Ōmura Satoshi , Sunazuka Toshiaki
Published: June 2013

Herein, we describe the first asymmetric total synthesis and determination of the relative and absolute stereochemistry of naturally occurring 16‐hydroxy‐16,22‐dihydroapparicine. The key steps include 1) a novel phosphinimine‐mediated cascade reaction to construct the unique 1‐azabicyclo[4.2.2]decane core, including a pseudo‐aminal‐type moiety; 2) a highly stereospecific 1,2‐addition of 2‐acylindole or a methylketone through a Felkin–Anh transition state for the construction of a tetrasubstituted carbon center; and 3) an intramolecular chirality‐transferring Michael reaction of the ketoester, with neighboring‐group participation, to introduce a chiral center at C15 in the target molecule. In addition, we evaluated the antimalarial activity of synthetic (+)‐(15S,16R)‐16‐hydroxy‐16,22‐dihydroapparicine and its intermediate against chloroquine‐resistant Plasmodium falciparum (K1 strain) parasites.
Highly Sensitive Fluorometric Assay Method for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Based on Nile Red‐Adsorbed Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Han Wenting , Liao Shuzhen , Zhang Chonghua , Ding Huazhi , Wu Zhaoyang , Shen Guoli , Yu Ruqin
Published: June 2013

A new sensitive fluorometric assay method for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its inhibitor was developed using a fluorescent dye, nile red (NR). Due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the NR and the gold nanoparticle (AuNPs), the fluorescence was quenched. AChE can break down acetylthiocholine to produce a thiol‐bearing compound, thiocholine. In the presence of thiocholine, the nile red is replaced from the AuNPs surfaces and simultaneously transformed to a derivative of nile red. The fluorescence intensity of the derivative is much stronger than that of the native nile red with the same concentration and its maximum emission wavelength has a blue shift so that the sensor achieves a good signal‐to‐background ratio. In addition, when organophosphate pesticide (OPs) exists, the activity of AChE can be inhibited, the generation of thiocholine will be prevented and no fluorescence enhancement occurs. The results show that the method is sensitive to AChE and paraoxon with the detection limits of 0.2 mU/mL and 0.05 ng/mL, respectively.
Membraneless Glucose/Oxygen Enzymatic Fuel Cells Using Redox Hydrogel Films Containing Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: MacAodha Domhnall , Conghaile Peter Ó , Egan Brenda , Kavanagh Paul , Leech Dónal
Published: June 2013

Co‐immobilisation of three separate multiple blue copper oxygenases, a Myceliophthora thermophila laccase, a Streptomyces coelicolor laccase and a Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase, with an [Os(2,2′‐bipyridine)2(polyvinylimidazole)10Cl]+/2+ redox polymer in the presence of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on graphite electrodes results in enzyme electrodes that produce current densities above 0.5 mA cm−2 for oxygen reduction at an applied potential of 0 V versus Ag/AgCl. Fully enzymatic membraneless fuel cells are assembled with the oxygen‐reducing enzyme electrodes connected to glucose‐oxidising anodes based on co‐immobilisation of glucose oxidase or a flavin adenine dinucleotide‐dependent glucose dehydrogenase with an [Os(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)2(polyvinylimidazole)10Cl]+/2+ redox polymer in the presence of MWCNTs on graphite electrodes. These fuel cells can produce power densities of up to 145 μW cm−2 on operation in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution at 37 °C containing 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM glucose and 0.12 mM O2. The fuel cells based on Myceliophthora thermophila laccase enzyme electrodes produce the highest power density if combined with glucose oxidase‐based anodes. Although the maximum power density of a fuel cell of glucose dehydrogenase and Myceliophthora thermophila laccase enzyme electrodes decreases from 110 μW cm−2 in buffer to 60 μW cm−2 on testing in artificial plasma, it provides the highest power output reported to date for a fully enzymatic glucose‐oxidising, oxygen‐reducing fuel cell in artificial plasma.
Study of Low‐Voltage Ride‐Through Performance for Wind Power Generation with Doubly Fed Induction Generator
Authors: Hirawata Ryoya , Kai Takaaki
Published: June 2013

The introduction of wind power generation is increasing rapidly. The ratio of wind power generation to the total generation capacity is becoming higher and higher. When a phase‐to‐phase fault occurs in the power system, the frequency of the power system is lower due to disconnection of wind power generation with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG). Therefore, the power system might become unstable. This paper describes an LVRT (low‐voltage ride‐through) performance improvement scheme for wind power generation with DFIG. The wind power generator is disconnected from the grid in case of a power system fault. It is made to operate in isolation from the grid by controlling the inverters installed with the generators. After clearance of the power system fault, wind power generation is immediately reconnected to the grid. As a result, instability in the power system disappears. The performance of LVRT is confirmed by using the simulation software PSCAD/EMTDC. The simulation results show excellent results for the three‐phase short‐circuit fault with a voltage dip of 100%. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(1): 17–26, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22423
IS ECONOMIC RECOVERY A MYTH? ROBUST ESTIMATION OF IMPULSE RESPONSES
Authors: Teulings Coen N. , Zubanov Nikolay
Published: June 2013

We estimate the impulse response function (IRF) of GDP to a banking crisis using an extension of the local projections method. We demonstrate that, though robust to misspecifications of the data‐generating process, this method suffers from a hitherto unnoticed bias which increases with the forecast horizon. We propose a correction to this bias and show through simulations that it works well. Applying our corrected local projections estimator to the data from a panel of 99 countries observed between 1974 and 2001, we find that an average banking crisis yields a GDP loss of just under 10% in 10 years, with little sign of recovery. Like the original local projections method, our extension of it is widely applicable. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced glycation end products impair glucose‐induced insulin secretion from rat pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Hachiya Hiroyuki , Miura Yoshikazu , Inoue Ken‐ichi , Park Kyung Hwa , Takeuchi Masayoshi , Kubota Keiichi
Published: June 2013

Background

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are derivative compounds generated from non‐enzymatic glycosylation and oxidation. In comparison with glucose‐derived AGEs (Glu‐AGEs), glyceraldehyde‐derived AGEs (Glycer‐AGEs) have stronger toxicity to living systems. In this study, we compared the effects of Glu‐AGE and Glycer‐AGE on insulin secretion.

Method

Rat pancreatic islets were isolated by collagenase digestion and primary‐cultured in the presence of 0.1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 0.1 mg/ml Glu‐AGE or Glycer‐AGE‐albumin. After 24 h of culture, we performed an insulin secretion test and identified the defects by a battery of rescue experiments. Also, mRNA expression of genes associated with insulin secretion was measured.

Results

Insulin secretion induced by a high glucose concentration was 164.1 ± 6.0, 124.4 ± 4.4 (P < 0.05) and 119.8 ± 7.1 (P < 0.05) μU/3 islets/h in the presence of BSA, Glu‐AGE, and Glycer‐AGE, respectively. Inhibition of insulin secretion by Glu‐AGE or Glycer‐AGE was rescued by a high extracellular potassium concentration, tolbutamide and α‐ketoisocaproic acid, but not by glyceraldehyde, dihydroxacetone, methylpyruvate, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and acetylcholine. Glu‐AGE or Glycer‐AGE reduced the expression of the malate dehydrogenase (Mdh1/2) gene, which plays a critical role in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) shuttle.

Conclusion

Despite its reported cytotoxicity, the effects of Glycer‐AGE on insulin secretion are similar to those of Glu‐AGE.
Conformational modulation of DNA by polyamide binding: structural effects of f‐Im‐Py‐Im based derivatives on 5′‐ACGCGT‐3′
Authors: Wang Shuo , Chai Yun , Babu Balaji , Satam Vijay , Lee Moses , David Wilson W.
Published: June 2013

The DNA sequence 5′‐ACGCGT‐3′ is in the core site of the Mlu 1 cell‐cycle box, a transcriptional element in the promoter region of human Dbf4 gene that is highly correlated with a large number of aggressive solid cancers. The polyamide formamido‐imidazole‐pyrrole‐imidazole‐amine+ (f‐Im‐Py‐Im‐Am+) can target the minor groove of 5′‐ACGCGT‐3′ as an antiparallel stacked dimer and has shown good activity in inhibiting transcription factor binding. Recently, f‐Im‐Py‐Im‐Am+ derivatives that involve different orthogonally positioned substituents were synthesized to target the same binding site, and some of them have displayed improved binding and pharmacological properties. In this study, the gel electrophoresis–ligation ladders assay was used to evaluate the conformational effects of f‐Im‐Py‐Im‐Am+ and derivatives on the target DNA, an essential factor for establishing the molecular basis of polyamide–DNA complexes and their transcription factor inhibition. The results show that the ACGCGT site in DNA has a relatively wide minor groove and a B‐form like overall structure. After binding with f‐Im‐Py‐Im‐Am+ derivatives, the DNA conformation is changed as indicated by the different mobilities in the gel. These conformational effects on DNA will at least help to point to the mechanism for the observed Mlu 1 inhibition activity of these polyamides. Therefore, modulating DNA transcription by locking the DNA shape or altering the minor groove geometry to affect the binding affinity of certain transcription factors is an attractive possible therapeutic mechanism for polyamides. Some of the substituents are charged with electrostatic interactions with DNA phosphate groups, and their charge effects on DNA gel mobility have been observed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The selection of predictors in a regression‐based method for gap filling in daily temperature datasets
Authors: Tardivo Gianmarco , Berti Antonio
Published: June 2013

The presence of gaps in meteorological time series is a very common problem for long term studies, for example when computer activity is needed to carry out general climatological analysis. This problem can be solved through a method to reconstruct missing data; the method must be adapted to the density of the suitable stations and the climate zone which they belong to. Regression‐based ones are among the most important methods used to carry out such reconstructions. A suitable search strategy for identifying the best reconstructing stations is a basic requisite for the proper implementation of this class of methods. In this article a detailed analysis of the effects of the number of predictors for a regression‐based approach and their search strategy is presented. The multiple correlation between stations, related to the distance from the target station, was studied checking performances with a recently published regression model. This study was carried out for daily data of minimum, mean and maximum temperature of a dense network (111 stations within an area of a ∼76.5 km radius, on average). For the density of this network and comparing the system through different values of distance from target station, a better performance was achieved when the maximum radius within which to start searching for predictors was equal to or greater than 40 km. As a consequence it can be deduced that stations used to reconstruct gaps do not strictly need to be close to the target station. Setting the maximum number of predictors at four, and the maximum radius at exactly 40 km significantly reduces the number of the cases in which the reconstructed values present a reversing of the natural order: minimum < mean < maximum temperature.
1H and 13C NMR spectral assignments of chalcones bearing pyrazoline–carbothioamide groups
Authors: Yoon Hyuk , Ahn Seunghyun , Park Mijoo , Kim Dong‐Wook , Kim Sang Ho , Koh Dongsoo , Lim Yoongho
Published: June 2013

Chalcones are known to act on various physiological targets. As a result, structural modifications of chalcones have been studied extensively. Benzochalcones, in which the A‐ring of chalcone is substituted with a naphthalene unit, inhibits breast cancer resistance protein. Chalcones in which the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl group is switched with a pyrazoline moiety are potent cytotoxic agents against various cancer cell lines, and chalcones with a pyrazoline‐1‐carbothioamide group instead of an α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl group exhibit antimicrobial activities. The present report describes hybrid molecules designed from benzochalcone and pyrazoline–carbothioamide. Methoxylation of plant‐derived polyphenols alters their hydrophobicity, resulting in changes in biological function and intracellular compartmentation. In the current study, 22 novel methoxylated 3‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐N,5‐diphenyl‐pyrazoline‐1‐carbothioamide derivatives were prepared. This report provides complete assignments of their 1H and 13C NMR data, which can be used to subsequently identify chalcones bearing pyrazoline–carbothioamide groups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting the effects of a high‐energy diet on fatty liver and hippocampal‐dependent memory in male rats
Authors: Darling J.N. , Ross A.P. , Bartness T.J. , Parent M.B.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

In rodents, diets exceeding nutritional requirements (i.e., high‐energy diets; HED) impair hippocampal‐dependent memory. Our research suggests that the effects likely involve HED‐induced increases in liver lipids. In this experiment, rats were provided with diet choices to test whether voluntary consumption of a HED impairs spatial memory, whether differences in initial weight gain predict memory deficits, and whether increases in liver lipids are associated with the memory deficits.

Design and Methods:

Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were given a control diet or cafeteria‐style HED for 8 weeks. Weight gain during the first 5 days on the diet was used to divide rats into a HED‐Lean group and a HED‐Obese group. Spatial water maze memory was tested 8 weeks later and postmortem liver lipid concentrations were quantified.

Results:

Compared with the HED‐Lean and control rats, the HED‐Obese rats had impaired spatial memory and met the human diagnostic criterion of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (>5% liver lipids relative to liver weight). Moreover, liver lipids were correlated with memory deficits.

Conclusions:

These findings show that voluntary consumption of a HED impairs memory, that initial weight gain predicts fatty liver and memory deficits, and that fatty liver may contribute to the memory‐impairing effects of obesity.
Nonlinear d10‐ML2 Transition‐Metal Complexes
Authors: Wolters Lando P. , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: June 2013

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. F. Matthias Bickelhaupt. The cover picture illustrates the authors′ quantum chemical finding that π electrons can significantly bend otherwise linear d10‐ML2 complexes through backbonding. For more details, see the Full Paper on p. 106 ff.
Facile synthesis of pH‐responsive glycopolypeptides with adjustable sugar density
Authors: Mildner Robert , Menzel Henning
Published: June 2013

Well‐defined pH‐responsive glycopolypeptides were prepared by polymer‐analogous aqueous amide coupling of d‐glucosamine to poly(α,l‐glutamic acid) (PGA) using the coupling agent 4‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylmorpholinium chloride (DMT‐MM) without any organic solvents, additives, or buffers. Degrees of substitution (DS) up to 80% can be achieved, and the DS is adjustable by the molar ratio of DMT‐MM to PGA repeating units. Successful glycosylation of both low MW and high MW PGA was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy as well as by an enhanced solubility at low pH. CD spectroscopy revealed that glycosylated PGAs with a DS up to 0.63 are able to undergo a pH‐responsive and reversible helix‐coil transition. However, for polymers with higher DS no transition occurs. A comparison with PGAs functionalized with monoethanolamine showed that the low helicity at high DS is not a steric effect due to the bulky sugar moieties, but a solvation effect. Preliminary turbidimetric tests with the lectin Concanavalin A indicate a biological activity of these glycosylated polypeptides. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3925–3931
Once Nice, Always Nice? Results on Factors Influencing Nice Behavior from an Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Experiment
Authors: Fleiß Jürgen , Leopold‐Wildburger Ulrike
Published: June 2013

The reliability of human behavior in situations where cooperation is beneficial for all but is hindered by individual incentives not to cooperate is a central research question in economics and the social sciences. Little is known about how the interaction results of a subject with one partner may affect this subject's behavior when subsequently matched with a new partner. We extend this knowledge by studying the development of cooperation in a repeated prisoner's dilemma experiment. After several rounds, each subject is matched with a new partner. We analyse whether the interaction outcomes with the first partner lead subjects to change their behavior when they interact with the second partner. We focus on niceness as introduced by Axelrod and find statistically significant effects. Mutual cooperation with the first partner is positively correlated with the continuation of a nice strategy, whereas mutual defection leads subjects to give up their nice strategy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
E-Shariah: Information and Communication Technologies for Shariah Court Management
Authors: Wan Mohd Saman Wan Satirah , Haider Abrar
Published: June 2013

This paper, written by Wan Satirah Wan Mohd Saman and Abrar Haider, presents a case study of E-Shariah and discusses the application of information and communication technologies in the administration of Shariah Courts in Malaysia. The technologies have two roles in the administration of Shariah courts; firstly, these technologies enable the workflow of the courts and facilitate information management, and secondly they are used to integrate State Shariah Courts in various jurisdictions of Malaysia. The case study highlights the issues and challenges faced during implementation of this initiative and provides an appreciation of how effectively technology has been used to help Shariah Courts dispense speedy justice.
Computer-mediated and face-to-face communication in metastatic cancer support groups
Authors: Vilhauer Ruvanee P.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

To compare the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in computer-mediated and face-to-face support groups.

Method:

Interviews from 18 women with MBC, who were currently in computer-mediated support groups (CMSGs), were examined using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The CMSGs were in an asynchronous mailing list format; women communicated exclusively via email. All the women were also, or had previously been, in a face-to-face support group (FTFG).

Results:

CMSGs had both advantages and drawbacks, relative to face-to-face groups (FTFGs), for this population. Themes examined included convenience, level of support, intimacy, ease of expression, range of information, and dealing with debilitation and dying. CMSGs may provide a sense of control and a greater level of support. Intimacy may take longer to develop in a CMSG, but women may have more opportunities to get to know each other. CMSGs may be helpful while adjusting to a diagnosis of MBC, because women can receive support without being overwhelmed by physical evidence of disability in others or exposure to discussions about dying before they are ready. However, the absence of nonverbal cues in CMSGs also led to avoidance of topics related to death and dying when women were ready to face them. Agendas for discussion, the presence of a facilitator or more time in CMSGs may attenuate this problem.

Significance of results:

The findings were discussed in light of prevailing research and theories about computer-mediated communication. They have implications for designing CMSGs for this population.
Acoustic and Semantic Enhancements for Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Smiljanic Rajka , Sladen Douglas
Published: June 2013

Purpose

In this study, the authors examined how signal clarity interacts with the use of sentence context information in determining speech-in-noise recognition for children with cochlear implants and children with normal hearing.

Method

One hundred and twenty sentences in which the final word varied in predictability (high vs. low semantic context) were produced in conversational and clear speech. Nine children with cochlear implants and 9 children with normal hearing completed the sentence-in-noise listening tests and a standardized language measure.

Results

Word recognition in noise improved significantly for both groups of children for high-predictability sentences in clear speech. Children with normal hearing benefited more from each source of information compared with children with cochlear implants. There was a significant correlation between more developed language skills and the ability to use contextual enhancements. The smaller context gain in clear speech for children with cochlear implants is in accord with the effortfulness hypothesis (McCoy et al., 2005) and points to the cumulative effects of noise throughout the processing system.

Conclusion

Modifications of the speech signal and the context of the utterances through changes in the talker output hold substantial promise as a communication enhancement technique for both children with cochlear implants and children with normal hearing.
Modification of plasma flows with gas puff in the scrape-off layer of ADITYA tokamak
Authors: Sangwan Deepak , Jha Ratneshwar , Brotankova Jana , Gopalkrishna M. V.
Published: June 2013

The parallel Mach numbers are measured at three locations in the scrape-off layer (SOL) plasma of ADITYA tokamak by using Mach probes. The flow pattern is constructed from these measurements and the modification of flow pattern is observed by introducing a small puff of working gas. In the normal discharge, there is an indication of shell structure in the SOL plasma flows, which is removed during the gas puff. The plasma parameters, particle flux and Reynolds stress are also measured in the normal discharge and in the discharge with gas puff. It is observed that Reynolds stress and Mach number are coupled in the near SOL region and decoupled in the far SOL region. The coupling in the near SOL region gets washed away during the gas puff.
Towards Managing Nonlinear Regional Development Trajectories
Authors: Hartman Stefan , De Roo Gert
Published: June 2013

Regions can become ‘locked’ into a spatial-economic development trajectory, thereby losing their capacity to adapt to spatial dynamics. This is in contrast to those regions that seem to be able to reinvent themselves by adapting to processes that drive spatial change, deviating from past development trajectories and giving rise to nonlinearity. This paper focuses on the influence that spatial planning has on stimulating as well as frustrating such nonlinear development. On the basis of an analysis of the development trajectory of the Wadden Sea Region, we clarify the relationship between spatial planning, lock-in situations, and the coming about of nonlinear development trajectories. For conceptual support on nonlinearity we turn to the complexity sciences. This assists us to reflect on planning strategies, and we discuss how spatial planning can contribute to managing emergent nonlinearity.
Trust in the Justice Administration: Is it Dependent on the Economic Cycle and on Decentralization?
Authors: Esteller-Moré Alejandro
Published: June 2013

Trust in the justice administration conditions the sustainability of the very rule of law, and can even promote interpersonal trust and, hence, social capital. Inferring its determinants, which is what I seek to do for the Spanish case, is therefore of paramount importance. I find that the level of trust is dependent on the economic cycle (with evidence of anticyclicality) and independent of whether the service provision is decentralized. These outcomes suggest that citizens expect the justice administration to play a positive role in insuring them against a negative economic shock, unless the economic downturn is particularly marked, while they do not expect—independently of the state of the economy—decentralization to improve performance (or are unaware of which tier of government is responsible for its provision). Finally, we obtain indirect evidence that trust would be strengthened if the resolution rate in the civil jurisdiction were to increase substantially (by around 25%), while in the criminal jurisdiction this margin of improvement is moderate.
Exploring the Emergence of the Subject in Power: Infant Geographies
Authors: Holt Louise
Published: June 2013

Following Butler's argument that understanding the operations of power requires an examination of the contexts of ‘infants' emergence’, this paper explores the potential for infant geographies. Butler points to the importance of infancy to subjection, the formation of psyches, and the ‘fiction’ of an interior or socially anterior self. Attention to infants' everyday geographies therefore has the potential to unravel how individuals are subjected; how power becomes an embodied part of individuals' subjective identities, operating creatively to produce subjects with agency, and, at the same time, limiting and circumscribing appropriate subjectivities. A critical reflection on Butler suggests a need to focus upon how subjection occurs in specific material spaces, and the role of a host of human and nonhuman others to the process of subjection. Also pertinent is a fuller exploration of how diversities of kinship and nonkinship social relations might lead to other constellations of power in the subjection of infants. How the geographies of infants can be operationalised methodologically and epistemologically is also explored. The paper has broader resonance to issues of subjection; to how embodied inequalities are reproduced, transformed, or both; to questions of agency; and to concerns to deconstruct an autonomous, thinking, rational, human subject within human geography—reconfiguring individuals as constituted within emotional and psychic interdependency.
Dietary fatty acids affect the growth, body composition and performance of post-weaning gilt progeny
Authors: Wilkinson S. J. , Downing J. A. , Thomson P. C. , Newman R. E.
Published: June 2013

Gilt progeny are born lighter, have lower weaning weights and require more medication throughout their life time than do sow progeny. Therefore, strategies to improve their post-weaning performance are of importance to pork producers. Dietary fatty acids have been shown to be potent modulators of physiological processes. Studies in other species have reported that dietary fatty acids affect in utero development, cognitive behaviour, immune system function, carcass composition as well as feed efficiency of offspring. However, little information is available that details their use in gilt progeny and when fed throughout their lifetime. In the present study, two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding three different types of fat to gilts and their progeny on the growth, body composition and performance post-weaning. Diets were enriched with either saturated fatty acids (SFA; tallow), or n-3 (fish-oil extracts) or n-6 (safflower oil) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and were fed to gilts through gestation and to their progeny post-weaning. In Experiment 2, half of the female progeny from n-3 and n-6 PUFA litters were fed SFA post-weaning. For both studies, there was no significant difference in weaning bodyweights. However, in Experiment 1, pigs fed n-6 PUFA diets post-weaning were significantly lighter 7 days post-weaning than were pigs fed SFA- and n-3 PUFA-enriched diets. Despite feed intake of n-6 PUFA-fed pigs becoming comparable to that of the other groups during the finisher period, bodyweight for this group remained significantly lower than that of the other groups at the conclusion of the experiment. No effect of dietary fatty acid type on the carcass composition of finisher pigs, as determined by computed tomography, was found. The results of Experiment 2 showed that feeding pigs n-6 PUFA diets post-weaning through to slaughter significantly compromised their growth, being in agreement with those from Experiment 1. Feed consumption for this group was significantly less during the post-weaning and the finisher periods. However, pigs from n-6 PUFA litters that were fed SFA diets post-weaning showed no compromise in growth and performance and were comparable to pigs from the other treatment groups. During the grower and finisher periods, pigs fed n-6 PUFA diets had a significantly higher rate of mortality that was as much as 13 times that of pigs fed SFA diets. Pigs from n-6 PUFA litters that were fed SFA diets post-weaning were not affected in this manner. The results of the current study showed that feeding diets enriched with n-6 PUFA to pigs significantly compromised their growth and performance and that this fatty acid type may also have negative health effects with prolonged consumption. The data suggested that the type of fatty acid used in pig diets may be an important consideration for nutritionists when formulating diets to optimise post-weaning growth and performance.
Semantic process benchmarking to improve process performance
Authors: Teuteberg Frank , Kluth Martin , Ahlemann Frederik , Smolnik Stefan
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and evaluate the semantic process benchmarking concept.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' approach includes the use of metamodels and ontologies, which make the process models syntactically and semantically comparable. Furthermore, a software prototype is presented to analyze and compare individual process models and their performance information. Thereafter, the technical, conceptual, and economic perspectives of the approach's evaluation are aligned with their respective outcomes.

Findings

The evaluation proves that this approach is generally suitable to generate novel and useful information on different process models and their performance within the same problem domain. However, the initial set‐up costs are high and will only pay off once process models are used regularly.

Practical implications

The proposed approach depends strongly on the availability of appropriate metrics and ontologies, as well as on the annotation of these ontologies to process models, which is a time‐consuming task. If large benchmarking clearing centers are established, the approach will be more cost‐effective. The developed SEMAT prototype, that demonstrates and proves the proposed approach's general viability, supports cost‐effective ontology engineering and annotation in the context of semantic process benchmarking initiatives.

Originality/value

To date, process benchmarking has primarily been a manual process. In this article, the authors suggest an approach that allows time‐consuming and costly process analysis to be partially automated, which makes the performance indicators, as well as qualitative differences between processes, apparent.
Performance evaluation of e‐government services using balanced scorecard
Authors: Alhyari Salah , Alazab Moutaz , Venkatraman Sitalakshmi , Alazab Mamoun , Alazab Ammar
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasise on a balance between quantitative and qualitative measures, and examine the use of Balanced Scorecard to evaluate and estimate the performance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in delivering valuable e‐government services through the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the hypotheses of e‐government effectiveness using Balanced Scorecard technique by incorporating qualitative measures within a quantitative research methodology with data collected by means of a survey questionnaire. The survey sample of 383 stakeholders includes common customers, employees of e‐government, and employees from the IT sector. The survey data were analysed to test the hypothesis in measuring e‐government effectiveness from Balanced Scorecard's four dimensions: customer perspective, financial perspective, internal business process perspective, and innovation and learning perspective.

Findings

The results show that the Balanced Scorecard factors fit very well with monitoring and measuring the performance of e‐government in Jordan, and also in evaluating their success in IT project investments.

Originality/value

This study attempts to address this gap in the literature and would benefit future studies in applying Balanced Scorecard for performance evaluation of various IT projects that are gaining huge investments from governments and organisations.
Survey of GPs’ understanding of tobacco and nicotine products
Authors: Ramesh Patwardhan Sudhanshu , Murphy Marina A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Despite substantial declines in cigarette smoking in England since the 1970s, around 20 per cent of the adult population still smokes. In Sweden, 10 per cent of adult males and 12 per cent of adult females smoke cigarettes, while snus use is prevalent among 19 per cent of adult males and 4 per cent of adult females. Traditional cessation‐only approaches may need to be supplemented with broader tobacco harm reduction measures to reduce smoking prevalence further. General practitioners (GPs) are well placed to give patients advice on tobacco harm reduction. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors administered an online survey to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to tobacco and nicotine products to 220 GPs (100 in England and 120 in Sweden).

Findings

Most GPs (96 [96 per cent] England, 115 [98 per cent] Sweden) addressed smoking cessation with patients as part of their regular practice. Most GPs (87 [87 per cent] England, 102 [85 per cent] Sweden) felt extremely or fairly knowledgeable about the risks associated with cigarettes, but less so about nicotine in tobacco products and pharmaceutical nicotine. When asked to rank various products on a risk continuum, GPs rated cigarettes as riskiest and tobacco cessation and nicotine‐containing products as least risky. However, when asked to rank components of cigarettes based on their health risks, GPs ranked nicotine as the third riskiest (74 [74 per cent] England, 104 [87 per cent] Sweden), after tar and carbon monoxide, but before smoke or tobacco. When asked questions about a hypothetical nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product that looks like a cigarette and is licensed for harm reduction, GPs perceived that sensory experience and tobacco harm reduction could be benefits to patients, but perceived appeal to children and risk for abuse could be drawbacks.

Originality/value

Most respondent GPs are well informed about the relative risks of nicotine and tobacco, but more research needs to be done to investigate their concerns over the long‐term substitution of cigarettes with alternative nicotine products.