bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A polarizable coarse-grained water model for dissipative particle dynamics
Authors: Peter Emanuel K. , Pivkin Igor V.
Published: October 2014

We present a polarizable water model for the Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) method. Employing long-range electrostatics and Drude oscillators, we calibrate the model using the compressibility and the dielectric constant of water. We validate the model by sampling the dielectric properties of solutions of sodium chloride at various concentrations. Additionally, we apply our model in equilibrium and electroporation simulations of a pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer, a pure cholesterol domain and a mixed DPPC-cholesterol membrane in polarizable water. Finally, we simulate the transport of a short DNA segment through a DPPC bilayer driven by an external electric field. The new water model is suitable for the DPD simulations of systems where polarization effects play an essential role.
Nanoscale selective area growth of thick, dense, uniform, In-rich, InGaN nanostructure arrays on GaN/sapphire template
Authors: Sundaram S. , Puybaret R. , El Gmili Y. , Li X. , Bonanno P. L. , Pantzas K. , Orsal G. , Troadec D. , Cai Z.-H. , Patriarche G. , Voss P. L. , Salvestrini J. P. , Ougazzaden A.
Published: October 2014

Uniform, dense, single-phase, 150 nm thick indium gallium nitride (InGaN) nanostructure (nanorods and nanostripes) arrays have been obtained on gallium nitride templates, by metal organic chemical vapor deposition and nanoscale selective area growth on silicon dioxide patterned masks. The 150 nm thick InGaN nanorods have a perfect hexagonal pyramid shape with relatively homogenous indium concentration up to 22%, which is almost twice as high as in planar InGaN grown in the same condition, and luminesce at 535 nm. InGaN nanostripes feature c-axis oriented InGaN in the core which is covered by InGaN grown along semi-polar facets with higher In content. Transmission electron microscope and sub micron beam X-rays diffraction investigations confirm that both InGaN nanostructures are mostly defect free and monocrystalline. The ability to grow defect-free thick InGaN nanostructures with reduced polarization and high indium incorporation offers a solution to develop high efficiency InGaN-based solar cells.
Polarized Raman spectroscopy of Cu-poor and Zn-rich single-crystal Cu2ZnSnSe4
Authors: Nam Dahyun , Kim Jungcheol , Lee Jae-Ung , Nagaoka Akira , Yoshino Kenji , Cha Wonsuk , Kim Hyunjung , Hwang In Chul , Yoon Kyung Byung , Cheong Hyeonsik
Published: October 2014

Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) is a p-type semiconductor which has been developed as an absorber layer of polycrystalline thin film solar cells. Generally, Cu-poor and Zn-rich compositions tend to give the highest solar conversion efficiencies. Raman spectroscopy has been used to detect secondary phases such as ZnSe and Cu2SnSe3 in CZTSe thin films. However, the fundamental phonon modes in single-crystal CZTSe with a composition matching that of high-efficiency thin film solar cells have not yet been fully understood. We performed polarized Raman measurements on Cu-poor and Zn-rich single-crystal CZTSe and identified 12 peaks, including two low-frequency peaks. By comparing the polarization dependence of the Raman peaks with a group theoretical analysis, we concluded that the crystal structure of CZTSe single-crystal is kesterite and made appropriate peak assignments.
Controllable exchange bias in Fe/metamagnetic FeRh bilayers
Authors: Suzuki Ippei , Hamasaki Yosuke , Itoh Mitsuru , Taniyama Tomoyasu
Published: October 2014

We report the studies of tuning the exchange bias at ferromagnetic Fe/metamagnetic FeRh bilayer interfaces. Fe/FeRh(111) bilayers show exchange bias in the antiferromagnetic state of FeRh while no exchange bias occurs at Fe/FeRh(001) interface. The contrasting results are attributed to the spin configurations of FeRh at the interface, i.e., the uncompensated ferromagnetic spin configuration of FeRh appears exclusively for (111) orientation. The exchange bias disappears as the bilayers are warmed above the antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperature. The direction of the exchange bias for Fe/FeRh(111) is also found to be perpendicular to the cooling-field direction, in contrast to the commonly observed direction of exchange bias for ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interfaces. In view of these results, the exchange bias in Fe/FeRh bilayers with the (111) crystallographic orientation should be useful for the design of rapid writing technology for magnetic information devices.
Decomposition of Regional Wage Differences Along the Wage Distribution in Portugal: The Importance of Covariates
Authors: Galego Aurora , Pereira João
Published: October 2014

Unlike previous studies, in this paper we estimate the contribution of covariates for the regional wage decomposition components along the wage distribution employing a method first described in 2009 by S Firpo, N Fortin, and T Lemieu ( Econometrica 77 953–973). We consider the case of Portugal, a country with persistent and large regional wage gaps. We find that education, occupation, and firm size are the most important factors in explaining the growing importance of the composition effect. The wage structure effect, in turn, is mainly determined by differences in reward for experience and tenure. Moreover, we conclude that the importance of these covariates for both effects is not equal along the wage distribution.
Here Be Startups: Exploring London's ‘Tech City’ Digital Cluster
Authors: Nathan Max , Vandore Emma
Published: October 2014

The digital industries cluster known as Silicon Roundabout has been quietly growing in East London since the 1990s. Rebranded Tech City, it is the focus of huge public and government attention. National and local policy makers wish to accelerate the local area's development: such cluster policies are back in vogue as part of a reawakened interest in industrial policy. Surprisingly little is known about Tech City's firms or the wider ecosystem, however, and cluster programmes have a high failure rate. We perform a detailed mixed-methods analysis, combining rich enterprise-level data with semistructured interviews. We track firm and employment growth from 1997 to 2010 and identify several distinctive features: branching from creative to digital content industries; street-level sorting of firms; the importance of local amenities and a lack of conventional cluster actors such as universities or anchor businesses. We also argue that the existing policy mix embodies a number of tensions, and suggest areas for improvement.
Proteome profiling of the sperm maturation milieu in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) epididymis
Authors: Liu Xin , Jin Shao-Hua , Liu Xue-Xia , Wang Wen-Juan , Liu Fu-Jun
Published: October 2014

The mammalian spermatozoon acquires its fertilising potential during transit through the epididymis, where it interacts with epididymal luminal fluid proteins (the sperm maturation milieu). In order to highlight the epididymal-specific function of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) in sperm maturation, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of epididymal luminal fluid proteins was followed by identification by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) or MALDI-TOF/TOF and revealed over five hundred spots, comprising 198 non-redundant proteins. Some mass spectrometric data were confirmed by western blotting identification. Some common epididymal fluid proteins were identified, such as clusterin, α-1-antitrypsin, malate dehydrogenase, L-lactate dehydrogenase B, α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 and α-mannosidase. More than 7% of all proteins were anti-oxidative, which might control oxidative stress within the male tract. When compared with bull and human epididymal luminal fluid proteins, those in the rhesus monkey had more overlap with the human, which provides evidence of a close evolutionary relationship between the rhesus monkey and man. This study provides new proteomic information on possible rhesus monkey epididymal functions and novel potential biomarkers for the noninvasive assessment of male fertility.
New approach to capture and characterize synaptic proteome
Authors: Liu Xin-An , Kadakkuzha Beena , Pascal Bruce , Steckler Caitlin , Akhmedov Komolitdin , Yan Long , Chalmers Michael , Puthanveettil Sathyanarayanan V.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Here we report a strategy for isolating and characterizing populations of proteins targeted to synapses. Using this approach, we isolated and characterized multiple protein transport complexes from mouse brain, providing novel insights into the synaptic targeting of proteins and composition of synaptic proteome.
Arabidopsis
protein arginine methyltransferase 3 is required for ribosome biogenesis by affecting precursor ribosomal RNA processing
Authors: Hang Runlai , Liu Chunyan , Ahmad Ayaz , Zhang Yong , Lu Falong , Cao Xiaofeng
Published: October 2014

Significance

The functional relationship between protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and ribosome biogenesis was proposed a decade ago, but the underlying mechanism still remains elusive. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge that the coexistence of two pre-rRNA processing pathways is conserved in plants; and
Arabidopsis
PRMT3 is required for the balance between these pathways. These findings uncover an important link between PRMT and proper pre-rRNA processing, which not only extends our understanding of the regulatory scope of PRMTs but also reveals the complexity of regulation of ribosome biogenesis. The alternative pre-rRNA processing pathways in plants modulated by PRMT3 may be conserved in other multicellular organisms, thereby shedding light on PRMT functions and regulation of ribosome biogenesis in animals.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Hypertension Prevalence, Treatment, and Control for Outpatients in Northern California 2010–2012
Authors: Zhao Beinan , Jose Powell O. , Pu Jia , Chung Sukyung , Ancheta Irma B. , Fortmann Stephen P. , Palaniappan Latha P.
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) is a known major cardiovascular disease risk factor, but prevalence, treatment, and control of HTN among rapidly growing minority groups such as Asian Americans and Hispanics are unknown largely due to either underrepresentation in epidemiologic studies or aggregation of Asian American subgroups.

METHODS

A three-year cross-section (2010–2012) of patients from a large ambulatory care setting in northern California was examined in the following subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexicans, non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). We defined HTN as two separate nonemergent office visit blood pressure measurements ≥140/90mm Hg, physician diagnosis of HTN, or use of antihypertensive medications.

RESULTS

A total of 208,985 patients were included in the study. Age-adjusted HTN prevalence ranged from 30.0% in Chinese women to 59.9% in Filipino men. Most minority subgroups had lower or similar odds of having HTN compared with NHWs, except for Filipinos and NHBs whose odds were significantly higher after adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Asian Americans and NHBs were more likely to be treated for HTN compared with NHWs. Achievement of blood pressure control was lower among Filipino women (odds ratio = 0.82, 99% confidence interval 0.70–0.96) and NHB men (odds ratio = 0.73, 99% confidence interval 0.58–0.91), compared with NHW women and men.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial racial/ethnic variation in HTN prevalence, treatment, and control was found in our study population. Filipino and NHB women and men are at especially high risk for HTN and may have more difficulty in achieving adequate blood pressure control.
The Pattern of Secreted Molecules During the Co-Inoculation of Alfalfa Plants With Sinorhizobium meliloti and Delftia sp. strain JD2: An Interaction That Improves Plant Yield
Authors: Morel M. A. , Cagide C. , Minteguiaga M. A. , Dardanelli M. S. , Castro-Sowinski S.
Published: October 2014

Delftia sp. strain JD2 is a plant-growth-promoting bacterium that enhances legume nodulation and growth, acting as nodule-assisting bacterium during the co-inoculation of plants with rhizobial strains. In this work, we evaluate how the co-inoculation of alfalfa with Sinorhizobium meliloti U143 and JD2 increases plant yield under greenhouse conditions and we analyze the pattern of secreted bioactive compounds which may be involved in the microbe-plant communication. The chemical composition of extracellular cultures (EC) produced in hydroponic conditions (collected 4, 7, and 14 days after bacterial treatment) were characterized using different chromatographic and elucidation techniques. In addition, we assessed the effect that plant irrigation with cell-free EC, produced during co-inoculation experiments, would have on plant yield. Results showed increased alfalfa shoot and root matter, suggesting that U143-JD2 co-inoculation might be a beneficial agricultural practice. The pattern of secreted secondary metabolites among treatments showed important differences. Qualitative and quantitative changes in phenolic compounds (including flavonoids), organic acids, and volatile compounds were detected during the early microbe-plant interaction, suggesting that the production of some molecules positively affects the microbe-plant association. Finally, the irrigation of co-inoculated plants with cell-free EC under greenhouse conditions increased plant yield over agronomic expectations. This effect might be attributed to the bioactive secondary metabolites incorporated during the irrigation.
Characterization of Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicide Resistance in Cercospora sojina and Development of Diagnostic Tools for its Identification
Authors: Zeng F. , Arnao E. , Zhang G. , Olaya G. , Wullschleger J. , Sierotzki H. , Ming R. , Bluhm B. H. , Bond J. P. , Fakhoury A. M. , Bradley C. A.
Published: October 2014

Frogeye leaf spot of soybean, caused by the fungus Cercospora sojina, reduces soybean yields in most of the top-producing countries around the world. Control strategies for frogeye leaf spot can rely heavily on quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides. In 2010, QoI fungicide-resistant C. sojina isolates were identified in Tennessee for the first time. As the target of QoI fungicides, the cytochrome b gene present in fungal mitochondria has played a key role in the development of resistance to this fungicide class. The cytochrome b genes from three QoI-sensitive and three QoI-resistant C. sojina isolates were cloned and sequenced. The complete coding sequence of the cytochrome b gene was identified and found to encode 396 amino acids. The QoI-resistant C. sojina isolates contained the G143A mutation in the cytochrome b gene, a guanidine to cytosine transversion at the second position in codon 143 that causes an amino acid substitution of alanine for glycine. C. sojina-specific polymerase chain reaction primer sets and TaqMan probes were developed to efficiently discriminate QoI-resistant and -sensitive isolates. The molecular basis of QoI fungicide resistance in field isolates of C. sojina was identified as the G143A mutation, and specific molecular approaches were developed to discriminate and to track QoI-resistant and -sensitive isolates of C. sojina.
A Comparison of Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Corpectomy in Patients With 4-level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: a Minimum 2-year Follow-up Study
Authors: Li Zhonghai , Huang Jiancheng , Zhang Zhizhong , Li Fengning , Hou Tiesheng , Hou Shuxun
Published: October 2014

Study Design:

Retrospective clinical series.

Objectives:

To compare perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, radiographic parameters, and complication rates of segmental anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (sACCF) plus preservation of middle vertebrae with those of multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (mACDF) in 70 patients with 4-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods:

Between July 2006 and May 2011, 70 consecutive patients [49 males and 21 females; mean age 56.8 y (range, 38–72 years)] with 4-level CSM were enrolled in this study and divided into sACCF (n=39) group and mACDF (n=31) group. The study compared perioperative parameters, complication rates, clinical parameters, and radiologic parameters.

Results:

No significant differences between the groups were found in demographic, baseline disease characteristics, operation time, hospital stay, and follow-up time. Significant improvements of clinical outcome were seen from preoperative to postoperative in both groups. Satisfaction was rated as excellent or good by 79.5% of the sACCF group and 80.6% of the mACDF group, which was not a significant difference. Mean postoperative cervical lordosis was significantly greater in the mACDF group than in the sACCF group. Blood loss was significantly greater in the sACCF group than in the mACDF group and instrumentation-related and/or graft-related complication rate significantly lower for the mACDF group. Both sACCF and mACDF groups achieved solid fusion rates (87.1% and 90.3%, respectively).

Conclusions:

Both mACDF and sACCF provide satisfactory clinical outcomes and fusion rates for 4-level CSM. However, mACDF is associated with better radiologic parameter, less blood loss, and lower instrumentation-related and/or graft-related complication rate.
Liposomes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Authors: Monteiro Nelson , Martins Albino , Reis Rui L. , Neves Nuno M.
Published: October 2014

Liposomes are vesicular structures made of lipids that are formed in aqueous solutions. Structurally, they resemble the lipid membrane of living cells. Therefore, they have been widely investigated, since the 1960s, as models to study the cell membrane, and as carriers for protection and/or delivery of bioactive agents. They have been used in different areas of research including vaccines, imaging, applications in cosmetics and tissue engineering. Tissue engineering is defined as a strategy for promoting the regeneration of tissues for the human body. This strategy may involve the coordinated application of defined cell types with structured biomaterial scaffolds to produce living structures. To create a new tissue, based on this strategy, a controlled stimulation of cultured cells is needed, through a systematic combination of bioactive agents and mechanical signals. In this review, we highlight the potential role of liposomes as a platform for the sustained and local delivery of bioactive agents for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches.
Homological scaffolds of brain functional networks
Authors: Petri G. , Expert P. , Turkheimer F. , Carhart-Harris R. , Nutt D. , Hellyer P. J. , Vaccarino F.
Published: October 2014

Networks, as efficient representations of complex systems, have appealed to scientists for a long time and now permeate many areas of science, including neuroimaging (Bullmore and Sporns 2009
Nat. Rev. Neurosci.
10
, 186–198. (
doi:10.1038/nrn2618
)). Traditionally, the structure of complex networks has been studied through their statistical properties and metrics concerned with node and link properties, e.g. degree-distribution, node centrality and modularity. Here, we study the characteristics of functional brain networks at the mesoscopic level from a novel perspective that highlights the role of inhomogeneities in the fabric of functional connections. This can be done by focusing on the features of a set of topological objects—
homological cycles
—associated with the weighted functional network. We leverage the detected topological information to define the
homological scaffolds
, a new set of objects designed to represent compactly the homological features of the correlation network and simultaneously make their homological properties amenable to networks theoretical methods. As a proof of principle, we apply these tools to compare resting-state functional brain activity in 15 healthy volunteers after intravenous infusion of placebo and psilocybin—the main psychoactive component of magic mushrooms. The results show that the homological structure of the brain's functional patterns undergoes a dramatic change post-psilocybin, characterized by the appearance of many transient structures of low stability and of a small number of persistent ones that are not observed in the case of placebo.
Prenatal learning in an Australian songbird: habituation and individual discrimination in superb fairy-wren embryos
Authors: Colombelli-Négrel Diane , Hauber Mark E. , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: October 2014

Embryos were traditionally considered to possess limited learning abilities because of the immaturity of their developing brains. By contrast, neonates from diverse species show behaviours dependent on prior embryonic experience. Stimulus discrimination is a key component of learning and has been shown by a handful of studies in non-human embryos. Superb fairy-wren embryos (Malurus cyaneus) learn a vocal password that has been taught to them by the attending female during incubation. The fairy-wren embryos use the learned element as their begging call after hatching to solicit more parental feeding. In this study, we test whether superb fairy-wren embryos have the capacity to discriminate between acoustical stimuli and whether they show non-associative learning. We measured embryonic heart rate response using a habituation/dishabituation paradigm with eggs sourced from nests in the wild. Fairy-wren embryos lowered their heart rate in response to the broadcasts of conspecific versus heterospecific calls, and in response to the calls of novel conspecific individuals. Thus, fairy-wrens join humans as vocal-learning species with known prenatal learning and individual discrimination.
Effects of ploidy and sex-locus genotype on gene expression patterns in the fire antSolenopsis invicta
Authors: Nipitwattanaphon Mingkwan , Wang John , Ross Kenneth G. , Riba-Grognuz Oksana , Wurm Yannick , Khurewathanakul Chitsanu , Keller Laurent
Published: October 2014

Males in many animal species differ greatly from females in morphology, physiology and behaviour. Ants, bees and wasps have a haplodiploid mechanism of sex determination whereby unfertilized eggs become males while fertilized eggs become females. However, many species also have a low frequency of diploid males, which are thought to develop from diploid eggs when individuals are homozygous at one or more sex determination loci. Diploid males are morphologically similar to haploids, though often larger and typically sterile. To determine how ploidy level and sex-locus genotype affect gene expression during development, we compared expression patterns between diploid males, haploid males and females (queens) at three developmental timepoints inSolenopsis invicta. In pupae, gene expression profiles of diploid males were very different from those of haploid males but nearly identical to those of queens. An unexpected shift in expression patterns emerged soon after adult eclosion, with diploid male patterns diverging from those of queens to resemble those of haploid males, a pattern retained in older adults. The finding that ploidy level effects on early gene expression override sex effects (including genes implicated in sperm production and pheromone production/perception) may explain diploid male sterility and lack of worker discrimination against them during development.
Deinococcus antarcticus sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Dong Ning , Li Hui-Rong , Yuan Meng , Zhang Xiao-Hua , Yu Yong
Published: October 2014

A pink-pigmented, non-motile, coccoid bacterial strain, designated G3-6-20T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in the Grove Mountains, East Antarctica. This strain was resistant to UV irradiation (810 J m−2) and slightly more sensitive to desiccation as compared with

Deinococcus radiodurans

. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that the organism belongs to the genus

Deinococcus

. Highest sequence similarities were with

Deinococcus ficus

CC-FR2-10T (93.5 %),

Deinococcus xinjiangensis

X-82T (92.8 %),

Deinococcus indicus

Wt/1aT (92.5 %),

Deinococcus daejeonensis

MJ27T (92.3 %),

Deinococcus wulumuqiensis

R-12T (92.3 %),

Deinococcus aquaticus

PB314T (92.2 %) and

Deinococcus radiodurans

DSM 20539T (92.2 %). Major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain G3-6-20T was 63.1 mol%. Menaquinone 8 (MK-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. Based on its phylogenetic position, and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain G3-6-20T represents a novel species of the genus

Deinococcus

, for which the name Deinococcus antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G3-6-20T ( = DSM 27864T = CCTCC AB 2013263T).
Information sources and adoption of vaccine during pandemics
Authors: Sengupta Sanjit , Deanna Wang Hui-ming
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of different information sources on consumer health behavior during pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

– We collected survey data from 321 adults in a large western US city during November 2009 by mall and street intercepts. We analyzed their beliefs, attitudes and intentions with regard to adoption of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. We developed and tested two alternative models on the role of mass media and personal information sources on the attitude towards the disease and the intention to get vaccinated.

Findings

– Our study finds that mass media and personal sources of information simultaneously impact perceived threat from disease (attitude) and the intention to get vaccinated during a global pandemic. Personal information sources are more effective than mass media sources in impacting both attitude and intention. While the impact of mass media weakens from the attitude stage to the intention stage, the impact of personal information sources increases from the attitude stage to the intention stage.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper to health policy makers and marketers is to draw implications on how mass media and personal information sources could be better utilized to counter future global pandemics.
A longitudinal study of MNE innovation: the case of Goodyear
Authors: Giada Scalera Vittoria , Mukherjee Debmalya , Perri Alessandra , Mudambi Ram
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to provide insights into the innovation trajectory, and knowledge pipelines of mature industry multinational enterprises (MNEs). The ability to innovate constantly amidst a turbulent and competitive environment is often the key force behind MNE survival and dominance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study conducts an in-depth longitudinal study of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, a global manufacturing company in the tire and rubber industry. The findings are based on USPTO patent and trademark data from 1975-2005.

Findings

– The analysis reveals three crucial trends: the major role of continuous investment in innovation in the firm’s survival and turnaround; the evolution of the firm’s innovation network from a headquarters-centric model toward more geographical dispersal; and the changing mix of innovation from traditional “hard” science-based research toward a greater emphasis on “softer” competencies in design and trademarks. This third trend, in particular, opens up important new avenues for research on MNE innovation practices.

Originality/value

– This study integrates historical analysis of a single firm in the context of its changing industry environment. The historical analysis is enriched by a detailed longitudinal quantitative analysis using a variegated dataset of patents and trademarks to investigate innovation.
Corporate strategic responses to foreign entry: insights from prospect theory
Authors: Hutzschenreuter Thomas , Kleindienst Ingo , Groene Florian , Verbeke Alain
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address how firms adapt their product and geographic diversification as a response to foreign rivals penetrating their domestic market by adopting a behavioral perspective to understand firm-level strategic responses to foreign entry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study proposes that strategic responses to foreign entry selected by domestic incumbents have both a framing component and a related, strategic choice component, with the latter including changes in product and geographic market diversification (though other more business strategy-related responses are also possible, e.g. in product pricing and marketing). This study tests a set of hypotheses building on panel data of large US firms.

Findings

– The study finds, in accordance with our predictions, that domestic incumbents reduce their product and geographic diversification when facing an increase in import penetration. However, when increased market penetration by foreign firms takes the form of FDI rather than imports, the corporate response appears to be an increase in product and geographic diversification, again in line with our predictions.

Originality/value

– The study develops a new conceptual framework that is grounded in prospect theory, but builds on recent insights from mainstream international strategic management studies (Bowen and Wiersema, 2005; Wiersema and Bowen, 2008).
Exploration of motivational drivers towards social entrepreneurship
Authors: Omorede Adesuwa
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the reasons behind individuals’ motivational drivers to start social enterprises in Nigeria and their persistence in the entrepreneurial process. By presenting an emergent model, the paper aims to provide more understanding on why certain individuals devote their efforts in addressing nagging issues and tackling longstanding inefficiencies in communities and societies.

Design/methodology/approach

– An inductive study, which draws upon qualitative data (interviews and archival data) of social entrepreneurs and people surrounding them, was conducted.

Findings

– The findings show that local conditions such as widespread ignorance and unscientific beliefs together with the individual’s intentional mindset are contributing factors, which explain engagement in starting a social enterprise. It is further suggested that the combination of local conditions and intentional mindset, in turn, triggers the individuals’ passion for a cause that is facilitated by the support provided from their social network, which both seem to be important for maintaining persistence in the oftentimes challenging situation of being a social entrepreneur.

Originality/value

– This study makes two significant contributions to the literature of social entrepreneurship. First, the study presents an emergent model that introduces specific empirically grounded reasons toward individuals’ drives and motives for starting and persisting in social entrepreneurship. Second, the study adds to the development of literature by highlighting the importance of contextual factors when studying social entrepreneurship and also provides explanations for the significant role of passion for social entrepreneurial activities.
Personality trait differences between traditional and social entrepreneurs
Authors: Smith Rachael , Bell Robin , Watts Helen
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify personality trait differences between social and traditional entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Durham Business School’s General Enterprise Tendencies (GET) test was chosen to measure an individual’s entrepreneurial personality. The choice was based on the test’s established use within industry and its ability to measure traits most commonly considered “entrepreneurial” by the extant literature. The test was adapted for this study and distributed to both social and traditional entrepreneurs. The results were then statistically analysed to test for significant differences between the two groups.

Findings

– It was found that social entrepreneurs exhibited statistically significantly higher levels of creativity, risk-taking and need for autonomy than traditional entrepreneurs. The results were then discussed critically in light of the literature.

Research limitations/implications

– The modest sample size was the main limitation of the research. In addition, the sample set was fairly culturally homogeneous. It has been recommended that an additional test be carried out with a larger sample size, consisting of a more culturally diverse range of participants, to improve the generalisation of the findings.

Originality/value

– This research provides new insights into personality trait differences between social and traditional entrepreneurs and is particularly useful to those with an interest in entrepreneurial orientation and those interested in the identification and development of social entrepreneurs.
Tree communities rapidly alter soil microbial resistance and resilience to drought
Authors: Rivest David , Paquette Alain , Shipley Bill , Reich Peter B. , Messier Christian
Published: October 2014

The ability of soil microbial communities to withstand and recover from disturbance or stress is important for the functional stability of forest ecosystems. However, the relationship between the community responses of soil microbes and variation in tree mixtures vs functional composition remains poorly understood.

We investigated soil biochemical properties and soil microbial resistance and resilience to drought in three 4‐year‐old tree monocultures (Acer saccharum Marsh, Larix laricina (Duroi) K. Koch and Pinus strobus L.) and two tree species combinations (L. laricina/A. saccharum and L. laricina/P. strobus) planted in a high‐density tree field experiment located in southern Quebec, Canada. The experimentally imposed drought stress consisted of maintaining soil material for 30 days at 25% of water‐holding capacity (WHC). Microbial biomass was assessed immediately after the water stress (resistance) and 15 and 30 days following drought (resilience).

Results showed that tree communities influenced soil chemistry, soil respirometry properties and microbial resistance and resilience. We measured significant non‐additive (i.e. both synergistic and antagonistic) effects of mixing tree species in some of the soil biochemical properties measured, mostly in the L. laricina/A. saccharum mixture. However, we did not find non‐additive effects of tree mixtures on microbial resistance and resilience. A structural equation modelling analysis revealed that resistance and resilience were mostly modulated by direct effects of community‐weighted means (CWM) of leaf litter lignin content and mineralizable N, and by indirect links from tree density and CWM of leaf litter N content via mineralizable N.

This study suggests that tree species identity surpassed species mixtures as a key driver of soil microbial resistance and resilience. We showed a trade‐off between microbial resistance and resilience in soil food webs, which is consistent with ecological theory. Our results indicate that differences in functional traits between tree species may rapidly be reflected in divergent soil biochemical properties and that these differences can in turn drive soil microbial resistance and resilience to drought.
A comparison of the retention of pathogenic Escherichia coli O157 by sprouts, leaves and fruits
Authors: Mathews Stephanie L. , Smith Rachel B. , Matthysse Ann G.
Published: October 2014

The retention (binding to or association with the plant) of Escherichia coli by cut leaves and fruits after vigorous water washing was compared with that by sprouts. Retention by fruits and leaves was similar but differed from retention by sprouts in rate, effect of wounding and requirement for poly‐β,1‐6‐N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine. Escherichia coli was retained by cut ends of lettuce leaves within 5 min while more than 1 h was required for retention by the intact epidermis of leaves and fruits, and more than 1 day for sprouts. Retention after 5 min at the cut leaf edge was specific for E. coli and was not shown by the plant‐associated bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Sinorhizobium meliloti. Escherichia coli was retained by lettuce, spinach, alfalfa, bean, tomato, Arabidopsis thaliana, cucumber, and pepper leaves and fruits faster than by sprouts. Wounding of leaves and fruits but not sprouts increased bacterial retention. Mutations in the exopolysaccharide synthesis genes yhjN and wcaD reduced the numbers of bacteria retained. PgaC mutants were retained by cut leaves and fruits but not by sprouts. There was no significant difference in the retention of an O157 and a K12 strain by fruits or leaves. However, retention by sprouts of O157 strains was significantly greater than K12 strains. These findings suggest that there are differences in the mechanisms of E  coli retention among sprouts, and leaves and fruits.
Estimation of cost efficiencies from mergers: application to US radio
Authors: Jeziorski Przemysław
Published: October 2014

This article estimates fixed‐cost efficiencies from mergers using a dynamic oligopoly model in which mergers and repositioning of products are endogenous. The inference is based on revealed preference approach selecting cost synergies that rationalize observed merger decisions. The estimates can be used to assess the total welfare impact of retrospective and counterfactual mergers. The framework is applied to estimate cost efficiencies after the 1996 deregulation of U.S. radio industry. Within the period of 1996 to 2006 the cost savings resulting from mergers amount to $1.2 billion per year (equally split across economies of scale and within‐format cost synergies).
Quantifying search and switching costs in the US auto insurance industry
Authors: Honka Elisabeth
Published: October 2014

I estimate demand for auto insurance in the presence of two types of market frictions: search and switching costs. I develop an integrated utility‐maximizing model in which consumers decide over which and how many companies to search and from which company to purchase. My modelling approach rationalizes observed consideration sets as being the outcomes of consumers' search processes. I find search costs to range from $35 to $170 and average switching costs of $40. Search costs are the most important driver of customer retention and their elimination is the main lever to increase consumer welfare in the auto insurance industry.
An integrative taxonomic approach to assess the status of Corsican bumblebees: implications for conservation
Authors: Lecocq T. , Brasero N. , De Meulemeester T. , Michez D. , Dellicour S. , Lhomme P. , de Jonghe R. , Valterová I. , Urbanová K. , Rasmont P.
Published: October 2014

Many islands are biodiversity hotspots that host numerous endemic species. Unfortunately, insular faunas suffer from high rates of extinction and endangerment, and numerous conservation plans have been developed for their protection. These conservation plans are often assessed on the basis of occurrence and proportion of endemic taxa. However, delimitations of species and subspecies are still confusing and controversial. From a practical point of view, these disagreements make it difficult for government agencies and non‐governmental organizations to initiate conservation measures. The present study develops a pragmatic integrative taxonomic approach on the basis of molecular and eco‐chemical criteria. This method is applied to the insular bumblebee fauna of Corsica. For each taxon, the differentiation of Corsican taxa from the nearest related allopatric parents is characterized using genetic markers and the chemical composition of cephalic labial gland secretions. Phylogenetic analyses, Bayesian implementation of the general mixed Yule‐coalescent approach, and comparative chemical studies show that two Corsican taxa can be considered as endemic species while five others can be considered as subspecies. Regardless of the taxonomic assessment the method facilitates diagnosis of evolutionarily significant units and rank taxa according to their distinctiveness. International Union for Conservation of Nature red lists are reconsidered according to the new taxonomic hypothesis for Corsican bumblebees. Modifications in species assessments are proposed. The present approach provides useful data sets for policy‐makers and conservation organizations.
Biobehavioral mechanisms of topiramate's effects on alcohol use: an investigation pairing laboratory and ecological momentary assessments
Authors: Miranda Robert , MacKillop James , Treloar Hayley , Blanchard Alexander , Tidey Jennifer W. , Swift Robert M. , Chun Thomas , Rohsenow Damaris J. , Monti Peter M.
Published: October 2014

Topiramate reduces drinking, but little is known about the mechanisms that precipitate this effect. This double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study assessed the putative mechanisms by which topiramate reduces alcohol use among 96 adult non‐treatment‐seeking heavy drinkers in a laboratory‐based alcohol cue reactivity assessment and in the natural environment using ecological momentary assessment methods. Topiramate reduced the quantity of alcohol heavy drinkers consumed on drinking days and reduced craving while participants were drinking but did not affect craving outside of drinking episodes in either the laboratory or in the natural environment. Topiramate did not alter the stimulant or sedative effects of alcohol ingestion during the ascending limb of the blood alcohol curve. A direct test of putative mechanisms of action using multilevel structural equation mediation models showed that topiramate reduced drinking indirectly by blunting alcohol‐induced craving. These findings provide the first real‐time prospective evidence that topiramate reduces drinking by reducing alcohol's priming effects on craving and highlight the importance of craving as an important treatment target of pharmacotherapy for alcoholism.
Laparoscopic resection aided by preoperative 3‐D CT angiography for rectosigmoid colon cancer associated with a horseshoe kidney: A case report
Authors: Maeda Yoshiaki , Shinohara Toshiki , Nagatsu Akihisa , Futakawa Noriaki , Hamada Tomonori
Published: October 2014

We herein report a case of laparoscopic high anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection for rectosigmoid colon cancer with a horseshoe kidney. A 65‐year‐old Japanese man referred to our hospital for rectosigmoid colon cancer was found to have a horseshoe kidney on a CT scan. On 3‐D CT angiography, an aberrant renal artery was visualized feeding the renal isthmus that arises from the aorta just below the root of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). Laparoscopic anterior rectal resection with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. During the operation, the IMA, left ureter, left gonadal vessels and hypogastric nerve plexus could be seen passing over the horseshoe kidney isthmus. With the aid of preoperative 3‐D CT angiography, the root of the IMA was identified on the temporal side of the isthmus and divided safely just above the hypogastric nerve. As a horseshoe kidney is often accompanied by aberrant renal arteries and/or abnormal running of the ureter, 3‐D CT angiography is useful for determining the location of these structures and avoiding intraoperative injury.
Surgical excision of umbilical endometriotic lesions with laparoscopic pelvic observation is the way to treat umbilical endometriosis
Authors: Chikazawa Kenro , Mitsushita Junji , Netsu Sachiho , Konno Ryo
Published: October 2014

Primary umbilical endometriosis is extremely rare, although cases secondary to previous surgery have occasionally been reported. Here, we report three cases of umbilical endometriosis: two cases with previous cesarean section and one case of primary umbilical endometriosis. The treatment of choice for umbilical endometriosis is the excision of the lesions, and we believe laparoscopic pelvic observation is a beneficial addition, as 13%–15% of umbilical endometriosis cases are accompanied by pelvic endometriosis.
Successful treatment of gallbladder dyskinesia by laparascopic cholecystectomy: Report of a case
Authors: Sasaki Takamitsu , Kato Daisuke , Shinya Satoshi , Nakashima Ryo , Shiwaku Hironari , Yamashita Kanefumi , Yamashita Yuichi
Published: October 2014

A 75‐year‐old woman entered the hospital emergency room complaining of severe epigastric pain. She had experienced similar repeated abdominal pain for some time. Biliary tract dyskinesia was suspected based on the Roma III criteria. When drip infusion cholangiography‐CT with egg yolk load was performed, the contraction rate of the gallbladder before and after applying the load was as low as 33.5%. Upon biliary tract scintigraphy, biliary excretion into the intestinal tract was found to be normal, but after the egg yolk load, the biliary excretion rate in the gallbladder decreased to 14.5%. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed under a diagnosis of flaccid‐type gallbladder dyskinesia. A few reports exist describing cases in which cholecystectomy was performed for gallbladder dyskinesia, so we are submitting this report with some bibliographic consideration.
Effects of utilization of local food by‐products as total mixed ration silage materials on fermentation quality and intake, digestibility, rumen condition and nitrogen availability in sheep
Authors: Yani Srita , Ishida Kyohei , Goda Shuzo , Azumai Shigeyoshi , Murakami Tomoyuki , Kitagawa Masayuki , Okano Kanji , Oishi Kazato , Hirooka Hiroyuki , Kumagai Hajime
Published: October 2014

Four wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate in vivo digestibility of total mixed ration (TMR) silage with food by‐products for dairy cows, and the ruminal condition and nitrogen (N) balance were examined. Five by‐products (i.e. potato waste, noodle waste, soybean curd residue, soy sauce cake and green tea waste) were obtained. Four types of TMR silage were used: control (C) containing roughage and commercial concentrate, T1:20% and T1:40% containing the five by‐products replacing 20% and 40% of the commercial concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively, and T2:40% containing three by‐products (potato waste, noodle waste and soybean curd residue) replacing 40% of the commercial concentrate on a DM basis. The ingredients were mixed and preserved in oil drum silos for 4 months. The TMR silages showed 4.02–4.44% and 1.75–2.19% for pH and lactic acid contents, respectively. The digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrient content were higher (P < 0.05) for T2:40% feeding than for C feeding. Urinary nitrogen excretion tended to be lower (P = 0.07) for T2:40% than for C. The results suggested 40% replacing of commercial concentrate by using the three food by‐products can be most suitable for TMR silage.