bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerobic oxidation of aldehydes: selectivity improvement using sequential pulse experimentation in continuous flow microreactor
Authors: Vanoye Laurent , Pablos Mertxe , Smith Neil , de Bellefon Claude , Favre-Réguillon Alain
Published: October 2014

The selectivity of the aerobic oxidation of aldehydes can be strongly enhanced by means of a synergistic use of salts and catalyst.
Novel fluorescent sensors based on benzimidazo[2,1-a]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one-12-carboxylic acid for Cu2+
Authors: Liu Zheng , Qi Yuhua , Guo Chaoxia , Zhao Yingying , Yang Xiaofeng , Pei Meishan , Zhang Guangyou
Published: October 2014

(1) Two new fluorescent sensors were developed based on benzimidazo[2,1-a]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one. (2) BothC1andC2showed fluorescence turn-on response toward Cu2+in buffer solutions. (3) The detection limit of C1 towards Cu2+reached 5.7 × 10−8M. (4) The Cu2+sensing ofC1andC2were both based on the PET process. (5) Addition of OH−could lead to significantly color changes ofC1solution.
A mechanistic study on the effect of a surface protecting agent on electrocrystallization of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Guin Saurav K. , Phatak Rohan , Pillai Jisha S. , Sarkar Arnab , Aggarwal Suresh K.
Published: October 2014

Surface protecting agent slowed down the kinetics of electrocrystallization due to introduction of a higher activation overpotential at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The true density of AgNPs significantly differs from the calculated values from the SH, SM, SRWBS and HT models.
Catalysis of water oxidation in acetonitrile by iridium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Hidalgo-Acosta Jonnathan C. , Méndez Manuel A. , Scanlon Micheál D. , Vrubel Heron , Amstutz Véronique , Adamiak Wojciech , Opallo Marcin , Girault Hubert H.
Published: October 2014

Micro-domains of water molecules surrounded by organic solvent exhibit enhanced reactivity towards oxidation compared to highly hydrogen-bonded bulk water molecules.
The complete conformational free energy landscape of β-xylose reveals a two-fold catalytic itinerary for β-xylanases
Authors: Iglesias-Fernández Javier , Raich Lluís , Ardèvol Albert , Rovira Carme
Published: October 2014

Ab initio conformational free energy landscapes, together with molecular dynamics simulations, enable to predict the catalytic itineraries of β-xylanase enzymes.
Flow instability due to coupling of shear-gradients with concentration: non-uniform flow of (hard-sphere) glasses
Authors: Jin Howon , Kang Kyongok , Ahn Kyung Hyun , Dhont Jan K. G.
Published: October 2014

A microscopic theory explains the origin of mass fluxes induced by spatial gradients in the shear rate, and leads to an expression for the corresponding transport coefficient. The resulting instability gives rise to banded flow profiles in glassy systems for low shear rates.
Enhanced DNA release from disulfide-containing layered nanocomplexes by heparin-electrostatic competition
Authors: Chen Zhenzhen , He Yuling , Zhang Lifen , Li Yanfeng
Published: October 2014

DNA/PEIS/HA–HP ternary complexes enhance DNA release by heparin-electrostatic competition, show excellent DNA transfection, and exhibit significant inhibition of tumor formation.
Transgenerational safety of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots and the underlying cellular mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhao Yunli , Liu Qian , Shakoor Shumaila , Gong Jian Ru , Wang Dayong
Published: October 2014

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) are safe for environmental release.
Single soft switched isolated converter with constant output current for light emitting diode driver
Authors: Amini Mohammad Reza , Emrani Amin , Adib Ehsan , Farzanehfard Hosein
Published: October 2014

In this study, a single switch soft‐switching isolated converter for light emitting diode (LED) driver applications is introduced. In the proposed converter, the transformer parasitic elements are employed as resonant elements to transfer energy and to attain soft‐switching condition. The converter constant output current only depends on the input voltage, resonant capacitor, switching frequency and transformer turns ratio. Thus, the converter does not require any current feedback to regulate the LED current. In addition, the adjustment of light emission can be simply accomplished which results in cost reduction and system simplicity. Experimental results are presented to justify the validity of theoretical analysis.
Simplified embedded control scheme for two‐stage multistring off‐grid inverter
Authors: Dastagiri Reddy B. , Selvan Manickavasagam Parvathy , Moorthi Sridharan
Published: October 2014

This study proposes an embedded control for an off‐grid single‐phase multistring inverter with front‐end DC–DC conversion stage followed by a synchronised H‐bridge. In this inverter, the duty cycle of DC–DC converter is varied in the form of fully rectified sinusoidal fashion to produce a similar output voltage across the DC‐link capacitor. This unidirectional voltage is converted into an AC voltage by the synchronised H‐bridge. An application of this inverter topology with the proposed control scheme in micro‐grid is investigated in the present study. The proposed control scheme not only possesses better steady‐state performance with both linear and non‐linear loads but also provides fast dynamic response during a step change in load. A digital controller based on field programmable gate array is utilised for the simultaneous generation of high‐frequency switching pulses for DC–DC converter and synchronised fundamental frequency switching pulses for H‐bridge. The entire system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink® environment and its functioning is verified with linear and non‐linear loads. The hardware prototype of inverter is also built in the laboratory and its performance is validated. Further, the better performance of the proposed system for supplying household appliances is ascertained in the laboratory.
Ellis—van Creveld Syndrome with Sagittal Craniosynostosis
Authors: Fischer Andrew S. , Weathers William M. , Wolfswinkel Erik M. , Bollo Robert J. , Hollier Larry H. , Buchanan Edward P.
Published: October 2014

Ellis—van Creveld syndrome (EVC) is a rare disorder (the incidence is estimated at around 7/1,000,000) characterized by the clinical tetrad of chondrodystrophy, polydactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cardiac anomalies. Sagittal synostosis is characterized by a dolichocephalic head shape resulting from premature fusion of the sagittal suture. Both are rare disorders, which have never been reported together. We present a case of EVC and sagittal synostosis. We report the clinical features of a Hispanic boy with EVC and sagittal craniosynostosis who underwent cranial vault remodeling. The presentation of this patient is gone over in detail. A never before reported case of EVC and sagittal synostosis is presented in detail.
Oxidation of CrIII aminocarboxylate complexes by hydrous manganese oxide: products and time course behaviour
Authors: Carbonaro Richard F. , Stone Alan T.
Published: October 2014

Environmental context Oxidation of CrIII (trivalent chromium) to CrVI (hexavalent chromium) is of environmental concern because CrVI is a known mutagen and carcinogen. Our results show that hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) is capable of oxidising soluble CrIII complexed with iminodiacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid to CrVI at appreciable rates. CrVI production from soluble CrIII organic complexes is therefore expected to occur in natural and engineered systems that contain HMO. Abstract MnIII,IV (hydr)oxides are believed to be the principal oxidants of CrIII in the subsurface. In nearly all previous work on this subject, the CrIII reactant was prepared from inorganic salts (e.g. nitrate, chloride, sulfate). In our present work, CrIII complexes with the synthetic chelating agents iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) were reacted with hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) over a wide pH range to examine rates of reaction and product distribution. Capillary electrophoresis was used to quantify changes in reactant (CrIII–IDA and CrIII–NTA) and product (CrVI, free IDA and free NTA) concentrations as a function of time. In addition, a small number of experiments were performed using solutions prepared from CrIII alum (KCr(SO4)2·12H2O(s)) as the CrIII reactant. CrIII–IDA and CrIII–NTA were oxidised to CrVI, but rates were considerably lower than those obtained using inorganic CrIII. Within the timescales of our experiments, complete conversion of CrIII–NTA occurred at pH >7, but not under moderately acidic conditions, even when there was a large stoichiometric excess of HMO. MnCl2 addition experiments indicated that the observed reaction inhibition was attributable to MnII generation during the reaction. Our previous work has shown that citric acid, IDA, NTA and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solubilise CrIII from amorphous Cr(OH)3(s) at appreciable rates. The results of this study show that HMO is capable of oxidising the resulting soluble CrIII complexes, providing a viable mechanism for CrIII oxidation to CrVI over a wide pH range.
Are we adequately providing support services for optimal infant nutrition in Australia? A study in regional NSW
Authors: Hegedus Jessica , Mullan Judy
Published: October 2014

Evidence from the literature suggests that parents of infants in Australia may not be receiving appropriate professional assistance to support best practice in infant feeding. This study aimed to investigate whether services for infant nutrition (including breastfeeding, infant formula feeding and support for at-risk infants) complied with current recommendations. Relevant services in a regional area of NSW completed a questionnaire to characterise the assistance they provided for parents of infants in the first 6 months of life. Services for breastfeeding, unlike services for use of infant formula, were consistent with recommendations in the literature. Services were significantly more likely to provide education (χ2 (1, n = 44) = 5.939, P < 0.025) and various forms of professional support (χ2 (1, n = 44) = 20.29, P < 0.0001) for breastfeeding compared with infant formula. At-risk infants were mostly identified through growth monitoring, and extra support services were mostly provided on site. Parents of at-risk infants were encouraged to attend services; strategies included involving family in consultations, offering multiple services on site, free services and home visits. Other important measures recommended in the literature, such as providing continuous care from the antenatal period and transport, were provided infrequently.
Promotion or suppression of glucose isomerization in subcritical aqueous straight- and branched-chain alcohols
Authors: Gao Da-Ming , Kobayashi Takashi , Adachi Shuji
Published: October 2014

The influence of water-miscible alcohols (methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and t-butyl alcohol) on the isomerization of glucose to fructose and mannose was investigated under subcritical aqueous conditions (180–200 °C). Primary and secondary alcohols promoted the conversion and isomerization of glucose to afford fructose and mannose with high and low selectivity, respectively. On the other hand, the decomposition (side-reaction) of glucose was suppressed in the presence of the primary and secondary alcohols compared with that in subcritical water. The yield of fructose increased with increasing concentration of the primary and secondary alcohols, and the species of the primary and secondary alcohols tested had little effect on the isomerization behavior of glucose. In contrast, the isomerization of glucose was suppressed in subcritical aqueous t-butyl alcohol. Both the conversion of glucose and the yield of fructose decreased with increasing concentration of t-butyl alcohol. In addition, mannose was not detected in reactions using subcritical aqueous t-butyl alcohol.
Cardenolide glycosides from the seeds of Digitalis purpurea exhibit carcinoma-specific cytotoxicity toward renal adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Fujino Tomofumi , Kuroda Minpei , Matsuo Yukiko , Kubo Satoshi , Tamura Chikako , Sakamoto Nami , Mimaki Yoshihiro , Hayakawa Makio
Published: October 2014

Four cardenolide glycosides, glucodigifucoside (2), 3′-O-acetylglucoevatromonoside (9), digitoxigenin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-3-O-acetyl-β-D-digitoxopyranoside (11), and purpureaglycoside A (12), isolated from the seeds of Digitalis purpurea, exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN. These compounds exhibited significantly lower IC50 values against ACHN than that against normal human renal proximal tubule-derived cell line HK-2. In particular, 2 exhibited the most potent and carcinoma-specific cytotoxicity, with a sixfold lower IC50 value against ACHN than that against HK-2. Measurement of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor levels revealed that upregulation of p21/Cip1 expression was involved in the carcinoma-specific cytotoxicity of 2. Further, compound 2 also exhibited the carcinoma-specific cytotoxicity toward hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.
Septins promote stress fiber–mediated maturation of focal adhesions and renal epithelial motility
Authors: Dolat Lee , Hunyara John L. , Bowen Jonathan R. , Karasmanis Eva Pauline , Elgawly Maha , Galkin Vitold E. , Spiliotis Elias T.
Published: October 2014

Organogenesis and tumor metastasis involve the transformation of epithelia to highly motile mesenchymal-like cells. Septins are filamentous G proteins, which are overexpressed in metastatic carcinomas, but their functions in epithelial motility are unknown. Here, we show that a novel network of septin filaments underlies the organization of the transverse arc and radial (dorsal) stress fibers at the leading lamella of migrating renal epithelia. Surprisingly, septin depletion resulted in smaller and more transient and peripheral focal adhesions. This phenotype was accompanied by a highly disorganized lamellar actin network and rescued by the actin bundling protein α-actinin-1. We show that preassembled actin filaments are cross-linked directly by Septin 9 (SEPT9), whose expression is increased after induction of renal epithelial motility with the hepatocyte growth factor. Significantly, SEPT9 overexpression enhanced renal cell migration in 2D and 3D matrices, whereas SEPT9 knockdown decreased migration. These results suggest that septins promote epithelial motility by reinforcing the cross-linking of lamellar stress fibers and the stability of nascent focal adhesions.
Crystal structures of IFT70/52 and IFT52/46 provide insight into intraflagellar transport B core complex assembly
Authors: Taschner Michael , Kotsis Fruzsina , Braeuer Philipp , Kuehn E. Wolfgang , Lorentzen Esben
Published: October 2014

Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that assemble via intraflagellar transport (IFT) and function as signaling hubs on eukaryotic cells. IFT relies on molecular motors and IFT complexes that mediate the contacts with ciliary cargo. To elucidate the architecture of the IFT-B complex, we reconstituted and purified the nonameric IFT-B core from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and determined the crystal structures of C. reinhardtii IFT70/52 and Tetrahymena IFT52/46 subcomplexes. The 2.5-Å resolution IFT70/52 structure shows that IFT52330–370 is buried deeply within the IFT70 tetratricopeptide repeat superhelix. Furthermore, the polycystic kidney disease protein IFT88 binds IFT52281–329 in a complex that interacts directly with IFT70/IFT52330–381 in trans. The structure of IFT52C/IFT46C was solved at 2.3 Å resolution, and we show that it is essential for IFT-B core integrity by mediating interaction between IFT88/70/52/46 and IFT81/74/27/25/22 subcomplexes. Consistent with this, overexpression of mammalian IFT52C in MDCK cells is dominant-negative and causes IFT protein mislocalization and disrupted ciliogenesis. These data further rationalize several ciliogenesis phenotypes of IFT mutant strains.
Paxilline inhibits BK channels by an almost exclusively closed-channel block mechanism
Authors: Zhou Yu , Lingle Christopher J.
Published: October 2014

Paxilline, a tremorogenic fungal alkaloid, potently inhibits large conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK)-type channels, but little is known about the mechanism underlying this inhibition. Here we show that inhibition is inversely dependent on BK channel open probability (Po), and is fully relieved by conditions that increase Po, even in the constant presence of paxilline. Manipulations that shift BK gating to more negative potentials reduce inhibition by paxilline in accordance with the increase in channel Po. Measurements of Po times the number of channels at negative potentials support the idea that paxilline increases occupancy of closed states, effectively reducing the closed–open equilibrium constant, L(0). Gating current measurements exclude an effect of paxilline on voltage sensors. Steady-state inhibition by multiple paxilline concentrations was determined for four distinct equilibration conditions, each with a distinct Po. The IC50 for paxilline shifted from around 10 nM when channels were largely closed to near 10 µM as maximal Po was approached. Model-dependent analysis suggests a mechanism of inhibition in which binding of a single paxilline molecule allosterically alters the intrinsic L(0) favoring occupancy of closed states, with affinity for the closed conformation being >500-fold greater than affinity for the open conformation. The rate of inhibition of closed channels was linear up through 2 µM paxilline, with a slope of 2 × 106 M−1s−1. Paxilline inhibition was hindered by either the bulky cytosolic blocker, bbTBA, or by concentrations of cytosolic sucrose that hinder ion permeation. However, paxilline does not hinder MTSET modification of the inner cavity residue, A313C. We conclude that paxilline binds more tightly to the closed conformation, favoring occupancy of closed-channel conformations, and propose that it binds to a superficial position near the entrance to the central cavity, but does not hinder access of smaller molecules to this cavity.
Default risk in agricultural lending, the effects of commodity price volatility and climate
Authors: Castro Carlos , Garcia Karen
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Commodity price volatility and small variations in climate conditions may have an important impact on the creditworthiness of any agricultural project. The evolution of such risk factors is vital for the credit risk analysis of a rural bank. The purpose of this paper is to determine the importance of price volatility and climate factors within a default risk model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors estimate a generalized linear model (GLM) based on a structural default risk model. With the estimated factor loadings, the authors simulate the loss distribution of the portfolio and perform stress test to determine the impact of the relevant risk factors on economic capital.

Findings

– The results indicate that both the price volatility and climate factors are statistically significant; however, their economic significance is smaller compare to other factors that the authors control for: macroeconomic conditions for the agricultural sector and intermediate input prices.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis of non-systemic risk factors such as price volatility and climate conditions requires statistical methods focussed on measuring causal effects at higher quantiles, not just at the conditional mean, this is, however, a current limitation of GLMs.

Practical implications

– The authors provide a design of a portfolio credit risk model, that is more suited to the special characteristics of a rural bank, than commercial credit risk models.

Originality/value

– The paper incorporates agricultural-specific risk factors in a default risk model and a portfolio credit risk model.
Interrelationships between theory and research impact
Authors: Holt Gary D. , Goulding Jack , Akintoye Akintola
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Of late within the UK, government funded research has emphasised “impact” as a prerequisite for financial support, while the Research Excellence Framework (REF) now also includes impact as an assessment criterion. The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceptions of the construction management research (CMR) community on “impact”, especially, in relation to its possible future interrelationships with theory generation and development, research design and research outputs.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed methods design employs a structured questionnaire survey of CMR academics to collect numeric (scaled) and qualitative (narrative) data. These are analysed using graphical, descriptive statistical and informal content analysis techniques to examine perceptions and inference.

Findings

– There is a self-reported high understanding of impact and theory as separate concepts, but variance among perceptions as to their interrelationships. In addition, there is greater acceptance of the role of impact relating to research grants, but less so in relation to the REF. Respondents were ambivalent regarding possible effects, that an increasing emphasis on impact may have for the future. There was “slight agreement” that impact was good for CMR and, that existing theory must always be considered in research design.

Research limitations/implications

– The contribution of this study adds empirical evidence to the ongoing debate regarding the “emerging” role of research impact within the UK; to some extent generally, and with respect to the CMR community more specifically.

Originality/value

– The empirical findings are entirely novel.
How significant are users’ opinions in social media?
Authors: Khobzi Hamid , Teimourpour Babak
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to assign polarity score to each post from Facebook fan pages, and then examine whether the Comments submitted by users on a post from fan page have a significant relationship with the popularity of that post. Being aware of how to enhance the popularity of posts will help companies in terms of administrating their fan pages.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the context of fan page and post popularity, the authors test significance of the relationship between Comments’ polarity and number of Likes and Comments of a post in different Facebook pages by regression method. The data are collected from different fan page posts in Facebook, and a sentiment analysis approach is proposed to accomplish this research.

Findings

– Results show that the relation between users’ Comments and popularity of fan page posts is strongly significant. Outcomes of this research are useful for every company in terms of monitoring and managing their brand fan pages on social networking sites such as Facebook.

Originality/value

– Investigation of factors influencing popularity of fan page posts in social media is almost a new area of study that dates back to recent years. The authors use a sentiment analysis approach to evaluate a new concept describing the relationship between users’ Comments and popularity of posts from Facebook fan pages. Moreover, a part of dataset is extracted from Facebook by a crawler which is an advantage to prior studies.
ERP system implementation announcements: does the market cheer or jeer the adopters and vendors?
Authors: Ajit D. , Donker Han , Patnaik Sapan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to examine the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) on the announcement of firms’ stock market returns. The authors investigate the stock market reaction on ERP adopters and ERP vendor firms in the USA during 1990-2010. The study examines firm- and non-firm-specific factors including the role of the financial analyst in explaining the determinants of the cumulative abnormal returns surrounding ERP announcements of adopting firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data on ERP system implementation announcements of 112 US firms for the period 1990-2010 were collected from LexisNexis Academics. The authors estimate abnormal returns using an event study methodology for each of the ERP announcements based on the Fama–French three-factor and Fama–French-momentum four-factor models for ERP adopters and for vendors. Subsequently, the authors explain the determinants of abnormal returns in terms of firm and non-firm behavioral variables using cross-section regression methodology.

Findings

– The empirical results establish that cumulative abnormal returns of US firms on ERP system implementation announcements are positive, signifying that investors view this decision positively and that ERP implementation contributes to enhanced business value in the future. On the contrary, the impact of ERP announcements on vendors is muted. We find that the extent of financial analyst coverage negatively impacts abnormal returns, while the extent of stock market liquidity has a significant positive impact on abnormal returns.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is based on a sample of ERP implementing firms which are predominantly large firms and on technology provided by one vendor that is predominantly monopolistic.

Practical implications

– Firms’ attitudes toward implementing an ERP system for future efficiency gains and the implications on the stock market (and indirectly, on the cost of equity of adopters) provide valuable insights for firms and stock markets.

Originality/value

– This study brings clarity to the debate on stock market impacts of ERP implementation announcements – stock markets cheer such announcements. The study also contributes to the literature by examining firm-specific factors (such as performance, size and leverage) and non-firm-specific factors (such as market risk and analyst coverage) in explaining the determinants of abnormal returns of firms announcing ERP investment.
The effect of power and gender on technology acceptance
Authors: Zhang Lu , Nyheim Peter , S. Mattila Anna
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the joint effect of power and gender on individuals’ perceptions and evaluations of information systems (IS), and their behavioral intentions of technology acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a 2 (powerful vs powerless) × 2 (female vs male) between-subject experimental design. A total of 128 subjects participated in the experiment.

Findings

– The results suggest that there is a significant gender difference in terms of technology acceptance in the high-power condition. Further, such a gender difference is attenuated in the low-power condition. Specifically, when primed with the feeling of powerful, male users (vs female users) have higher computer self-efficacy and rate the IS as easier to use and more enjoyable. However, when the feeling of powerless was elicited, the effect of gender on technology acceptance disappeared.

Originality/value

– The gender effect on technology acceptance has been widely studied. The current research extends the literature by considering the moderating effect of power on such a gender effect.
In-room technology trends and their implications for enhancing guest experiences and revenue
Authors: Jung SoYeon , (Sunny) Kim Jungsun , Farrish John
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a benchmark for hotel operators to understand in-room technology trends and the impact of in-room technology on business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey questions are based on existing literature and suggestions from the American Hotel and Lodging Association Technology and E-commerce Committee. The authors collected 206 usable samples from managers, vice presidents, presidents, owners and executives from hotel companies and utilized cross-tab analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

– The results demonstrate that installing specific in-room technologies can have a significant effect on enhancing the customer experience and increasing revenue. The study also presents the most commonly installed in-room technologies those hoteliers plan to install in the near future.

Research limitations/implications

– Proper strategies are recommended to help hospitality managers understand the impact of different in-room technologies on the hospitality industry; particularly as they relate to guest experience and profitability.

Originality/value

– By identifying the most popular in-room technologies currently available and examining which in-room technologies can be effective at enhancing guest experience and increasing revenue, this study fills the gap between the findings of previous studies and the observations from industry practitioners.
Culture, politics and university library consortia in China and the US
Authors: Perushek D. E. , Douglas Anne
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Using three university library consortia China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS) (China), Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA) (USA) and Joint University Librarians Advisory Committee (JULAC) (Hong Kong) as examples, the purpose of this paper is to compare the administration of three university consortia and to explore the cultural, educational and geopolitical forces that produce and shape university library consortia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology used reviewed published and proprietary documents, interviews and observation.

Findings

– While the stated objectives are similar, the three vary markedly in size, funding source, and whether programming is a bottom-up decision or emanates from the central government. CALIS was started by China ' s Ministry of Education, who also helps in setting programmatic agendas and appointing managers; GWLA came into existence through the efforts of a small group of university librarians, elect their own board and set programming in response to member needs and suggestions; JULAC, initiated by the university librarians in Hong Kong has some support from the government through bodies charged with the oversight of the universities. The differing educational systems also influence programming, for example in the relative importance member libraries place on preferential inter-library loan.

Originality/value

– There are few comparative studies of library consortia found in Asia and the US comparative studies of consortia encourage an understanding of the benefits of different consortia models.
Improving academic library website accessibility for people with disabilities
Authors: Billingham Lisa
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain how Edith Cowan University (ECU) Library improved the accessibility of their web site, aiming for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 Level AA. It describes the results obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

– Initial testing by consultants was conducted in October 2012. The web site was defined as all webpages which appear part of the library web site, including supplier webpages, plus pages from the university web site and library web site. Library staff applied the recommendations to pages which they could edit, and discussed the recommendations with suppliers to improve their product
'
s accessibility. The web site was re-tested in June 2013.

Findings

– ECU Library web site failed WCAG 2.0 Level A standard in the initial testing and re-testing. Many individual pages which failed initially passed the re-test. The smallest improvement was seen in suppliers’ web sites.

Practical implications

– This paper could help libraries to improve web site accessibility, as it covers negotiating with suppliers to upgrade their web sites, plus upgrading editable webpages. It shows initial and re-test results, allowing libraries to compare their results to those of ECU. Legislation and guidelines state web sites should be accessible to all users and organisations providing non-accessible web sites risk being sued.

Social implications

– A web site not complying with WCAG version 2.0 would be very difficult for people with disabilities to access. Upgrading ECU Library
'
s web site will provide all users with more equal access to the resources.

Originality/value

– This study describes problems in upgrading academic library webpages and related supplier web sites and organisation web site to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
Optimal control during drilling in GFRP composite laminates
Authors: Pal Singh Amrinder , Sharma Manu , Singh Inderdeep
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Damage due to delamination is an important issue during drilling in polymer-matrix composites (PMCs). It depends on thrust force and torque which are functions of feed rate. Transfer function of thrust force with feed rate and torque with feed rate is constructed through experiments. These transfer functions are then combined in state-space to formulate a sixth-order model. Then thrust force and torque are controlled by using optimal controller. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A glass fiber reinforced plastic composite is drilled at constant feed rate during experimentation. The corresponding time response of thrust force and torque is recorded. Third-order transfer functions of thrust force with feed rate and torque with feed rate are identified using system identification toolbox of Matlab®. These transfer functions are then converted into sixth-order combined state-space model. Optimal controller is then designed to track given reference trajectories of thrust force/torque during drilling in composite laminate.

Findings

– Optimal control is used to simultaneously control thrust force as well as torque during drilling. There is a critical thrust force during drilling below which no delamination occurs. Therefore, critical thrust force profile is used as reference for delamination free drilling. Present controller precisely tracks the critical thrust force profile. Using critical thrust force as reference, high-speed drilling can be done. The controller is capable of precisely tracking arbitrary thrust force and torque profile simultaneously. Findings suggest that the control mechanism is efficient and can be effective in minimizing drilling induced damage in composite laminates.

Originality/value

– Simultaneous optimal control of thrust force and torque during drilling in composites is not available in literature. Feed rate corresponding to critical thrust force trajectory which can prevent delamination at fast speed also not available has been presented.
Process modeling, joint-property characterization and construction of joint connectors for mechanical fastening by self-piercing riveting
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S. , Abu-Farha Fadi
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a computational approach in order to help establish the effect of various self-piercing rivet (SPR) process and material parameters on the quality and the mechanical performance of the resulting SPR joints.

Design/methodology/approach

– Toward that end, a sequence of three distinct computational analyses is developed. These analyses include: (a) finite-element modeling and simulations of the SPR process; (b) determination of the mechanical properties of the resulting SPR joints through the use of three-dimensional, continuum finite-element-based numerical simulations of various mechanical tests performed on the SPR joints; and (c) determination, parameterization and validation of the constitutive relations for the simplified SPR connectors, using the results obtained in (b) and the available experimental results. The availability of such connectors is mandatory in large-scale computational analyses of whole-vehicle crash or even in simulations of vehicle component manufacturing, e.g. car-body electro-coat paint-baking process. In such simulations, explicit three-dimensional representation of all SPR joints is associated with a prohibitive computational cost.

Findings

– It is found that the approach developed in the present work can be used, within an engineering optimization procedure, to adjust the SPR process and material parameters (design variables) in order to obtain a desired combination of the SPR-joint mechanical properties (objective function).

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first public-domain report of the comprehensive modeling and simulations including: self-piercing process; virtual mechanical testing of the SPR joints; and derivation of the constitutive relations for the SPR connector elements.
Damage alarming analysis for ancient wood structures based on wavelet packet energy spectrum
Authors: Wang Xin , Bing Hu Wei , Bo Meng Zhao
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish the damage alarming indexes for ancient wood structures and study the damage sensitivity and noise robustness of these indexes under random excitation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Xi’an Bell Tower is taken as a case in this paper to simulate the damage of ancient wood structures through finite element (FE) simulation and determine the satisfactory damage alarming indexes with wavelet packet energy spectrum.

Findings

– The results of this paper show that: 1) the damage alarming indexes can effectively identify the damage of ancient wood structures, each index with a different damage sensitivity; 2) the energy ratio deviation is greater than the energy ratio variance and is close to the maximum variation of energy ratio; 3) the energy ratio deviation has a better alarming effect than the energy ratio variance during the initial period of the damage. With the accumulation of the damage, the energy ratio variance outperforms the energy ratio deviation; 4) the sensitivity of the energy ratio deviation and variance varies from positions, changing from the highest to lowest at the mortise-and-tenon joints, the beam mid-span and the plinth; 5) if signal to noise ratio (SNR) is 40db or larger, the indexes can accurately identify the damage of ancient wood structures. As SNR increases, the indexes will have an increasingly higher sensitivity and certain ability to resist noise.

Research limitations/implications

– The FE model is simpiy, it does not completely reflect Xi’an Bell Tower.

Practical implications

– It will provide a theoretical basis for the damage alarming of Xi’an Bell Tower.

Social implications

– It makes structural health monitoring through structural vibration response under ambient excitation a new research field in damage detection as well as a positive way of ancient architecture protection.

Originality/value

– This paper studies the damage alarming effect on ancient wood structures from different wavelet functions and wavelet packet decomposition levels. To study the effect under white noise environment, this paper adds Gaussian white noise with a SNR of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 db to the acceleration response signal of intact structure and damaged structure.
All-atom molecular-level computational simulations of planar longitudinal shockwave interactions with polyurea, soda-lime glass and polyurea/glass interfaces
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Yavari Ramin , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S. , Barsoum Roshdy
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanical response of polyurea, soda-lime glass (glass, for short), polyurea/glass/polyurea and glass/polyurea/glass sandwich structures under dynamic-loading conditions involving propagation of planar longitudinal shockwaves.

Design/methodology/approach

– The problem of shockwave generation, propagation and interaction with material boundaries is investigated using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. The results obtained are used to construct basic shock Hugoniot relationships associated with the propagation of shockwaves through a homogeneous material (polyurea or glass, in the present case). The fidelity of these relations is established by comparing them with their experimental counterparts, and the observed differences are rationalized in terms of the microstructural changes experienced by the shockwave-swept material. The relationships are subsequently used to predict the outcome of the interactions of shockwaves with polyurea/glass or glass/polyurea material boundaries. Molecular-level simulations are next used to directly analyze the same shockwave/material-boundary interactions.

Findings

– The molecular-level simulations suggested, and the subsequent detailed microstructural analyses confirmed, the formation of topologically altered interfacial regions, i.e. polyurea/glass and glass/polyurea interphases.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is a first attempt to analyze, using molecular-level simulation methods, the interaction of shockwaves with material boundaries.
Towards a critical study of standardization
Authors: George Bocean Claudiu , Delattre Miguel , Ocler Rodolphe , Soriana Sitnikov Catalina
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to highlight the links among standardization, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and critical management. It also aims at understanding the implication of the normalization process for CSR but also questions the nature of this concept.

Design/methodology/approach

– To determine the interest in standardization, we forecasted the trend in issuing ISO certificates based on autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and Holt statistical models. Then a critical approach is used to understand the nature of CSR.

Findings

– The paper focuses on a critical approach and challenge the definition of CSR through the lenses of standardization. It shows that the notion of CSR is polysemic and highlights the limits of standardization process.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is only based on ISO standards, not other kind of standardization process.

Social implications

– The paper questions the notion of CSR and shows the different elements that this notion covers.

Originality/value

– The paper questions the role of standardization and its impact on CSR adopting a critical view.
Bark beetles attacking conifer seedlings: picking on the weakest or feasting upon the fittest?
Authors: Sopow Stephanie L. , Bader Martin K.‐F. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G.
Published: October 2014

Plant stress from causes such as drought is thought to increase the susceptibility of plants to herbivore attack and damage. Although this forms the basis of the widely cited plant stress hypothesis, there are few cases where this has been tested thoroughly.

We compared the frequency of attack and damage of an invasive pine bark beetleHylates ater, on seedlings ofPinus radiata, using a 2 × 2 factorial design with artificially induced stress and insecticide application to distinguish effects of beetle attack and direct effects of stress.

Contrary to expectations based on the plant stress hypothesis, twice as many unstressed seedlings (22%) were attacked than stressed seedlings (11%). However, stressed seedlings were twice as likely to experience sustained bark beetle feeding resulting in girdling, than unstressed seedlings (31% and 15%, respectively).

In response to beetle attack, unstressed seedlings showed much stronger resin production than stressed seedlings, which is likely to explain the greater survival of unstressed seedlings after attack.

Experimental drought stress caused a 50% reduction in shoot growth.

Synthesis and applications. Maximizing seedling vigour and minimizing (pre‐)planting stress are key for the resilience of planted forests. Managers should emphasize a stress‐free transition of seedlings from nursery to field as well as correct planting techniques, in order to safeguard this vulnerable stage. This is particularly crucial since drought stress and insect invasions are likely to increase as a result of global change.
Original and generic latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: Are they really the same?
Authors: Golan Shani , Rosenfeld Eldar , Shemesh Gabi , Kurtz Shimon
Published: October 2014

We compared the intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering effect and safety profile of latanoprost (Xalatan) with its generic variant, Glautan (Unipharm, Tel Aviv, Israel). After 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, a randomized, prospective, cross‐over comparison was carried out that included patients with open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, either naïve or treated and well‐controlled, who were attending the Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel, between May 2010 and November 2012. After a 3‐week washout period for the medicated subjects, the participants were randomized to 4 weeks of treatment with either Xalatan or Glautan once every evening and then, after a 3‐week washout period, crossed‐over to the other treatment for an additional 4 weeks. Efficacy was expressed by a change in intraocular pressure at three designated hours of the day after 1 week and 1 month of treatment, and tolerability was determined by ocular side‐effects as reported by the patient in a questionnaire. A total of 19 patients (mean age at initial diagnosis 66 ± 9 years, 14 females) were enrolled, of whom 17 had bilateral open‐angle glaucoma and two had unilateral disease. Both drugs lowered intraocular pressure after 1 week and 1 month (P = 0.06 and P = 0.04, respectively) of treatment. Xalatan had a tendency of greater efficacy than Glautan both after 1 week and 1 month, but the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.69 and P = 0.34, respectively). Drug safety was similar for Xalatan or Glautan, but more ocular side‐effects were reported after treatment with Glautan (21 vs 12 for Xalatan, P = 0.06).
Economic Insecurity in Australia: Who is Feeling the Pinch and How?
Authors: Rohde Nicholas , Tang Kam Ki , Osberg Lars , Rao D.S. Prasada
Published: October 2014

We produce micro‐level estimates of economic insecurity in Australia using a range of different approaches. Measures are calculated annually from 2001 to 2011 and it is observed that when aggregated, they loosely track the national unemployment rate and GDP growth rate. The insecurity indices are then stratified using a number of demographic variables and it is observed that young, unmarried persons with low educational attainments are more insecure than the general population. Panel data regressions show that these individuals are also more insecure when controlling for various factors including time‐invariant individual‐specific heterogeneity. Further, dynamic models indicate that most individuals have high persistence in insecurity over time.