bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multireference configuration interaction studies on higher valence and Rydberg states of OClO, ionization potentials, and electron detachment energies
Authors: Grein Friedrich
Published: July 2011

MRCI results are reported for the vertical excitation energies (VEE) and oscillator strengths f of doublet states of OClO up to 11 eV, including 3b1 → 4s, 4p, 3d, 5s, 5p, 4d, and most 1a2, 8a1, 5b2 → 4s and 4p Rydberg states. The lowest Rydberg states 3b1 → 4s and 3b1 → 4px have mixed valence-Rydberg character. The observed spectral bands were reassigned to include valence states which have generally higher oscillator strengths. The well-known valence state 12A2 has a VEE of 3.63 eV, and a relatively high f of 0.042. Overall, the calculated oscillator strengths are in good agreement with measured values. The lowest quartet state, 14B2, lies at 6.95 eV. Quartet Rydberg states start with 1a2 → 4s at 9.28 eV. According to calculated vertical ionization potentials (VIP) of OClO, the second VIP at 12.59 eV is reassigned from 13B1 to 13B2 (ionization from 1a2, rather than 8a1), and the third VIP at 12.63 eV from 11B1 to 13B1 (ionization from 8a1). Vertical electron detachment energies of OClO− have been calculated up to 8.9 eV. There is good agreement with experimental values.
DNA methylation profiling in nanochannels
Authors: Fang Lim Shuang , Karpusenko Alena , Sakon John J. , Hook Joseph A. , Lamar Tyra A. , Riehn Robert
Published: July 2011

We report the profiling of the 5-methyl cytosine distribution within single genomic-sized DNA molecules at a gene-relevant resolution. This method linearizes and stretches DNA molecules by confinement to channels with a dimension of about 250×200nm2. The methylation state is detected using fluorescently labeled methyl-CpG binding domain proteins (MBD), with high signal contrast and low background. DNA barcodes consisting of methylated and non-methylated segments are generated, with both short and long concatemers demonstrating spatially resolved MBD binding. The resolution of the technique is better than 10 kbp, and single-molecule read-lengths exceeding 140 kbp have been achieved.
Polarizable interaction potential for molecular dynamics simulations of actinoids(III) in liquid water
Authors: Duvail Magali , Martelli Fausto , Vitorge Pierre , Spezia Riccardo
Published: July 2011

In this work, we have developed a polarizable classical interaction potential to study actinoids(III) in liquid water. This potential has the same analytical form as was recently used for lanthanoid(III) hydration [M. Duvail, P. Vitorge, and R. Spezia, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 104501 (2009)]10.1063/1.3081143. The hydration structure obtained with this potential is in good agreement with the experimentally measured ion-water distances and coordination numbers for the first half of the actinoid series. In particular, the almost linearly decreasing water-ion distance found experimentally is replicated within the calculations, in agreement with the actinoid contraction behavior. We also studied the hydration of the last part of the series, for which no structural experimental data are available, which allows us to provide some predictive insights on these ions. In particular we found that the ion-water distance decreases almost linearly across the series with a smooth decrease of coordination number from nine to eight at the end.
A self-contained polymeric cartridge for automated biological sample preparation
Authors: Xu Guolin , Lee Daniel Yoke San , Xie Hong , Chiew Deon , Hsieh Tseng-Ming , Ali Emril Mohamed , Lun Looi Xing , Li Mo-Huang , Ying Jackie Y.
Published: July 2011

Sample preparation is one of the most crucial processes for nucleic acids based disease diagnosis. Several steps are required for nucleic acids extraction, impurity washes, and DNA/RNA elution. Careful sample preparation is vital to the obtaining of reliable diagnosis, especially with low copies of pathogens and cells. This paper describes a low-cost, disposable lab cartridge for automatic sample preparation, which is capable of handling flexible sample volumes of 10 μl to 1 ml. This plastic cartridge contains all the necessary reagents for pathogen and cell lysis, DNA/RNA extraction, impurity washes, DNA/RNA elution and waste processing in a completely sealed cartridge. The entire sample preparation processes are automatically conducted within the cartridge on a desktop unit using a pneumatic fluid manipulation approach. Reagents transportation is achieved with a combination of push and pull forces (with compressed air and vacuum, respectively), which are connected to the pneumatic inlets at the bottom of the cartridge. These pneumatic forces are regulated by pinch valve manifold and two pneumatic syringe pumps within the desktop unit. The performance of this pneumatic reagent delivery method was examined. We have demonstrated the capability of the on-cartridge RNA extraction and cancer-specific gene amplification from 10 copies of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The on-cartridge DNA recovery efficiency was 54–63%, which was comparable to or better than the conventional manual approach using silica spin column. The lab cartridge would be suitable for integration with lab-chip real-time polymerase chain reaction devices in providing a portable system for decentralized disease diagnosis.
Physical origins of apparently enhanced viscosity of interfacial fluids in electrokinetic transport
Authors: Wu Peng , Qiao Rui
Published: July 2011

A key concept in classical electrokinetic theories is that the viscosity of interfacial fluids is much higher than that of bulk fluids, and this concept is indirectly supported by experimental evidence and molecular dynamics simulations. However, a universal mechanism that encompasses the breadth of experimental evidence is still lacking. Here we show, using molecular dynamics simulations, that the “apparent” thickening of interfacial fluids in electrokinetic transport near molecularly smooth surface originates mainly from the fact that ion-wall interactions are not accounted for in the hydrodynamic model of classical electrokinetic theories. Specifically, strong ion-wall interactions cause intermittent adsorption of ions on charged walls, and this in turn leads to loss of driving force for flow and screening of fluid flow by the adsorbed ions. Although not considered in the classical electrokinetic theories, these effects can significantly suppress electrokinetic transport. Consequently, when the classical theories are used to interpret the electrokinetic data, the viscosity of interfacial fluids appears to be greatly enhanced even if their material viscosity is similar to that of the bulk fluids. This mechanism for the apparent thickening of interfacial fluids is applicable to electrokinetic transport near any type of charged surface.
Photoluminescence dynamics in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells under pulsed intersubband excitation
Authors: Zybell S. , Schneider H. , Winnerl S. , Wagner M. , Köhler K. , Helm M.
Published: July 2011

We investigate the time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of an undoped GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well under mid-infrared (MIR) irradiation. A time-delayed MIR laser pulse from a free-electron laser, tuned to the intersubband transition energy of the quantum well, induces temporal quenching of the PL intensity with subsequent recovery. The experimental data can be accurately described by a simple rate-equation model, which accounts for the cooling of the non-radiative states to radiative states. By performing polarization sensitive measurements, we are able to discriminate the contributions of free-carrier absorption from that of intersubband absorption, where the latter is about 50 times more efficient.
Layered mesoporous nanostructures for enhanced light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Liu Bin , Aydil Eray S.
Published: July 2011

Incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency of TiO2 photoanodes is increased significantly in the visible and near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum by assembling films that are structured on both micrometer and nanometer length scales. Photoanodes assembled from alternating layers of TiO2 nanoparticles and mesoporous TiO2 microspheres increase the overall power conversion efficiencies of dye-sensitized solar cells by as much as 26%. This increase is due to enhanced light scattering by porous TiO2 microspheres and is achieved without sacrificing the specific surface area.
Manipulating absorption and diffusion of H atom on graphene by mechanical strain
Authors: Yang Ming , Nurbawono Argo , Zhang Chun , Wu Rongqin , Feng Yuanping , Ariando
Published: July 2011

Effects of the tensile strain on absorption and diffusion of hydrogen atoms on graphene have been studied by first-principles calculations. Our calculations suggested that there exists a barrier of 0.22 eV for H atom to diffuse from free space to graphene. The barrier originates from the transition of the hybridization of the H-binded carbon atom in graphene from sp2 to sp3, and is robust against the tensile strain. It was also found that, first, the in-plane diffusion of H atoms on graphene is unlikely to happen at low temperature due to the high barrier without or with strain, and second, the tensile strain along the armchair direction greatly decreases the out-plane diffusion barrier of H atoms, making it possible at low temperature. In particular, when the armchair strain is moderate (<10%), we found that the out-plane diffusion of H atoms likely to happen by diffusing through C-C bonds, and for relatively large armchair strain around 15%, the out-plane diffusion will happen though the center of the benzene ring.
Age, growth and reproduction of a common deep-water shark, shortspine spurdog (Squalus cf. mitsukurii), from Hawaiian waters
Authors: Cotton Charles F. , Grubbs R. Dean , Daly-Engel Toby S. , Lynch Patrick D. , Musick John A.
Published: July 2011

About half of the extant shark species occur only in deep waters (defined as >200 m depth), yet few published studies on sharks include these taxa. As fisheries worldwide enter deeper waters, the provision of biological data for these little-known taxa is critical to management and conservation. The shortspine spurdog, Squalus cf. mitsukurii, is an abundant shark on the insular slopes of the Hawaiian Islands. We assigned ages by counting growth bands on the enamel caps of both dorsal fin spines. Age estimates ranged from 3 to 26 years for females and from 6 to 23 years for males. Growth was modelled with multiple length-at-age models, fitted using maximum likelihood estimation and nonlinear least-squares methods. For female data, the logistic model yielded the most biologically cogent parameter estimates (L∞ = 126 cm (total length, TL) and k = 0.080 year–1). The two-parameter von Bertalanffy Growth Model yielded optimal model fit and realistic parameter estimates for males (L∞ = 72 cm (TL) and k = 0.080 year–1). Maturity ogives suggested that females and males mature at 64-cm TL (15 years) and 47-cm TL (8.5 years), respectively. Fecundity ranged from 3 to 10 embryos; mating appeared to be aseasonal. We reveal a conservative life history, common among deep-water elasmobranchs, and provide further evidence of geographic variation in reproductive and growth parameters in this nominal species.
Architecture, constraints, and behavior
Authors: Doyle John C. , Csete Marie
Published: July 2011

This paper aims to bridge progress in neuroscience involving sophisticated quantitative analysis of behavior, including the use of robust control, with other relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks from systems engineering, systems biology, and mathematics. Familiar and accessible case studies are used to illustrate concepts of robustness, organization, and architecture (modularity and protocols) that are central to understanding complex networks. These essential organizational features are hidden during normal function of a system but are fundamental for understanding the nature, design, and function of complex biologic and technologic systems.
Positive selecting cell type determines the phenotype of MHC class Ib-restricted CD8
+
T cells
Authors: Cho Hoonsik , Bediako Yaw , Xu Honglin , Choi Hak-Jong , Wang Chyung-Ru
Published: July 2011

Several studies have demonstrated an apparent link between positive selection on hematopoietic cells (HCs) and an “innate” T-cell phenotype. Whereas conventional CD8
+
T cells are primarily selected on thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and certain innate T cells are exclusively selected on HCs, MHC class Ib-restricted CD8
+
T cells appear to be selected on both TECs and HCs. However, whether TEC- and HC-selected T cells represent distinct lineages or whether the same T-cell precursors have the capacity to be selected on either cell type is unknown. Using an M3-restricted T-cell receptor transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate that not only are MHC class Ib-restricted CD8
+
T cells capable of being selected on either cell type but that selecting cell type directly affects the phenotype of the resulting CD8
+
T cells. M3-restricted CD8
+
T cells selected on HCs acquire a more activated phenotype and possess more potent effector functions than those selected on TECs. Additionally, these two developmental pathways are active in the generation of the natural pool of M3-restricted CD8
+
T cells. Our results suggest that these two distinct populations may allow MHC class Ib-restricted CD8
+
T cells to occupy different immunological niches playing unique roles in immune responses to infection.
Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis
ATR1 effector is a repeat protein with distributed recognition surfaces
Authors: Chou Seemay , Krasileva Ksenia V. , Holton James M. , Steinbrenner Adam D. , Alber Tom , Staskawicz Brian J.
Published: July 2011

The
in planta
association of the
Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis
effector ATR1 with the cognate
Arabidopsis thaliana
RPP1 immune receptor activates a disease-resistance signaling pathway that inhibits pathogen growth. To define the molecular events specifying effector recognition by RPP1, we determined the crystal structure of ATR1 and assayed
in planta
the effects of surface polymorphisms that are critical to activating plant immunity. ATR1 adopts an elongated, all-helical, two-domain, seahorse-like structure with an overall architecture unlike any previously described fold. Structural comparisons highlight a tandemly duplicated, five-helix motif in the C-terminal domain that creates a structural framework for rapid diversification. Identification and mapping of critical recognition sites suggest that ATR1 detection by the RPP1 resistance protein is mediated by several distinct protein surfaces that allow the effectors to escape recognition through diverse surface polymorphisms. ATR1 gain-of-recognition mutants demonstrate that multiple amino acid substitutions are necessary for recognition and that surface polymorphisms exert additive effects. These results suggest that ATR1 is a modular repeat protein belonging to an ancient family of oomycete effectors that rapidly evolves to escape host detection and adopt diverse virulence functions.
La traducción de anuncios multilingües: un reto para el traductor del siglo XXI
Authors: García Vizcaíno María José
Published: July 2011

This article aims to present multilingual advertising from the point of view of translation. In particular, I will focus on the case of the Spanish airline Vueling whose signature feature is the mixture of languages in its advertising campaigns.
The method of analysis used in this study will be the pragmalinguistic model used by Hickey (1999) in the translation of humorous texts since humor is the main function of Vueling advertisements. This model is based upon the individual analysis of each one of the three elements in the speech act (locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary) of the source text in order to render a translation triggering the same effects on the target reader as the ones provoked on the source reader.
This method of analysis will be applied to several examples of ads as well as their translations into English. The main conclusions of this study show the importance of stylistic equivalence in this type of translations—sometimes over semantic and pragmatic equivalences—since it is precisely the code-switching feature and the formal contrast that produces on the reader what creates the comical effect so characteristic of these campaigns.
Keas rely on social information in a tool use task but abandon it in favour of overt exploration
Authors: Koppany Gajdon Gyula , Amann Laurent , Huber Ludwig
Published: July 2011

To what extent do keas, Nestor notabilis, learn from each other? We tested eighteen captive keas, New Zealand parrots, in a tool use task involving visual feature discrimination and social learning. The keas were presented with two adjacent tubes, each containing a physically distinct baited platform. One platform could be collapsed by insertion of a block into the tube to release the bait; the other platform could not be collapsed. In contrast to birds that acted on their own (“individual learners”), birds that could observe a demonstrator bird operated the collapsible platform first. However, they soon changed their behaviour to inserting blocks indiscriminately in either tube. When we reversed the collapsibility of the platforms, only adult observers but neither their demonstrators that had individually learnt nor the juveniles immediately altered their former preference. Observers, however, did not simply reverse their initial preference but rather moved to and then stayed at a chance performance as to where to insert a block first. In conclusion, the keas' overt exploration soon overrode the effect of social learning. We argue that such behaviour might help keas to find more efficient extractive foraging techniques in their native variable, low-risk environment.
Keywords: tool use behaviour; social learning; reversal learning; physical cognition
An evolutionary take on (im)politeness
Authors: Bax Marcel
Published: July 2011

This paper is intended as an overall template of the evolution of (im)politeness. It elucidates how (linguistic) rapport management originated and developed over time, and tries to come to grips with (some of) the sociocultural factors behind such changes. Taking its point of departure in human prehistory (Section 1), the paper argues that, contrary to received wisdom, politeness and impoliteness are not two sides of the same coin (Section 2), and it discusses the dissimilar evolutionary antecedents of politeness and impoliteness (Sections 3 and 4). The paper then maps out three broad-scale diachronic trends regarding the conveyance of interpersonal distance, ipso facto the marking out of socio-proxemic interactional space; namely, (a) from performative to verbal, (b) from self-display to other-concern and (c) from collectivity-oriented to individual-oriented (Section 5).
Subsidiarity breeds contempt
Authors: Vítores David Fernández
Published: July 2011

When the principle of subsidiarity was introduced into Community law in 1992, it was hailed as a triumph of diversity over the previous uniformity of an excessively centralised European Union. It was generally believed to be an infallible way to preserve the cultural and linguistic heritage of each Member state, as it meant that responsibility for the design and implementation of educational, cultural and linguistic policies lay with the Member States. However, this transfer is not producing the desired results. On the contrary, it is helping to consolidate a monolingual tendency already observed in the EU since the United Kingdom joined the EU in 1973. In this context, the article examines the defensive strategies based on subsidiarity adopted by France and Germany and briefly assesses the outcome of these strategies.
Bleaching a dialectal voice in political discourse
Authors: Boussofara Naima
Published: July 2011

In 1973, former President of Tunisia, Habib Bourguiba delivered nine speeches in which he recounted episodes of the national movement. Even though delivered in an official setting and to a highly educated audience, the semi-planned speeches were delivered in the dialectal variety of Arabic, i.e. Tunisian Arabic. The speeches were brought together in a book form titled ḥayātī, ’ārā’ī, jihadi (My Life, My Opinions, My Jihād). Their publication in a book form meant that the original performed texts were modified from a spoken mode to a written mode and ‘translated’ from Tunisian Arabic, a dialectal form of Arabic, to fuṣḥā, the High variety of Arabic (Ferguson 1959). The rewriting of the speeches led to strategic sociolinguistic choices. In the translation process, the linguistic product was regulated by a web of competing institutions of power, sites of linguistic ideologies, and linguistic practices; each of which represents an institution of power whose interests shift strategically between moments of ideological convergence and/or divergence, if not rivalry and connivance, among and between them. The present essay is an attempt to explore those sociolinguistic choices translated into erasures, shifts, modifications, and polishing of the original text. The carefully orchestrated changes in the original text, I believe, aim at re-establishing the authoritative presidential voice, restoring the institutional linguistic status quo, and rendering Bourguiba’s personal ‘ḥkāyāt’, stories, to ‘tārīkh aš-šaʿb t-tūnsi’, ‘the history of the Tunisian people’.
Variation in the (non)metonymic capital names in Mainland Chinese and Taiwan Chinese
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Speelman Dirk , Geeraerts Dirk
Published: July 2011

This paper examines the (non)metonymic usage of capital names in news articles from Mainland Chinese and Taiwan Chinese and shows that this phenomenon is actually more complex than might have been expected. We annotated capital names extracted from a self-built news corpus with insights from previous studies on place name metonymies in Cognitive Linguistics and identified factors that would influence their (non)metonymic usage. To quantitatively explore the data, logistic regression analysis was employed. The statistical results reveal that the variation in the (non)metonymic capital names is a result of an intricate interplay of a number of conceptual, lectal and discursive factors: (1) more metonymic capital names are found in subject than non-subject position and in political than non-political news topics; types of capital may influence their metonymic usage; (2) differences between Mainland Chinese and Taiwan Chinese cannot be ignored, especially for the interpretation of a specific metonymy, i.e. CAPITAL FOR GOVERNMENT; (3) the (non)metonymic usage of a capital name is also determined by its sequencing and location in discourse. We hope this study may shed some light on the usage-based trend of current Cognitive Linguistics, i.e. investigating metonymy in authentic linguistic data by a range of empirical methodologies.
Word order and discourse functions in spoken Hebrew
Authors: Netz Hadar , Kuzar Ron
Published: July 2011

In this article we discuss the discourse functions of the alternative linearizations of Spoken Hebrew sentences, as reflected in the possessive sentence pattern. We begin by presenting the available variants of possessive sentences in Hebrew. Next, we address the issue of markedness in our discussion of the discourse functions of the different word orders. The discourse functions demonstrated are contrast, parallelism, side-sequencing, emotive and argumentative discourse. The study is based on corpora of naturally occurring speech. Previous studies of possessive sentences in Hebrew have focused mainly on grammatical issues. These studies have not addressed the field of discourse functions, nor have they used naturally occurring speech. The current study fills this gap.
Passiveness and inversion in Mbuun (Bantu B87, DRC)
Authors: Bostoen Koen , Mundeke Léon
Published: July 2011

In this article, we examine two word order inversion constructions in Mbuun, a Bantu language which lacks a true morphological or periphrastic passive. Mbuun uses both an ‘OSV construction’ and an ‘impersonal 3PL construction’ as functional passives. We demonstrate that the pre-posed object in both constructions is more than a mere topic in a syntactically adjoined position. It can be considered a syntactic argument and even displays certain properties which are generally associated with grammatical subjects. Hence, both constructions involve more than the pragmatic topicalization of the object. They are more than just functional passives. They have to some extent also evolved grammatically towards passiveness. Comparing the two Mbuun functional passives from a pragmatic point of view, the impersonal 3PL construction comes closest to passive prototype, because it obligatorily deletes the AGENT. In the related OSV construction, the AGENT is maintained in pre-verbal position, thus retains substantial topicality, and can even receive new information focus.
Reflexive nominal compounds
Authors: König Ekkehard
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a detailed analysis of reflexive nominal compounds like self-assessment in English and their counterparts in nine other languages, whose number and use has strongly increased in these languages over the last several decades. The first component of these compounds is shown to be related to intensifiers like selbst in German and its cognate form self- in English, whose multiple uses also underlie different semantic types of reflexive compounds (self-help vs. self-control), whereas the second component typically derives from transitive verbs. Among the central problems discussed in this paper are the question of the productivity of these compounds and the possibility of deriving their meaning in a compositional fashion. The parameters of variation manifested by the sample of languages under comparison in this pilot study concern inter alia the form of the intensifier (native or borrowed, one or two), the semantic type, and the lexical category of the resultant compound.
From adjective to affix in Dutch and French
Authors: Van Goethem Kristel
Published: July 2011

This study, which builds on previous work on the grammaticalization of lexemes into affixes (affixization), is devoted to the evolution from adjective to affix (prefix or suffix) in Dutch and French. By means of several case studies (oud- ‘old’, dol- ‘mad’, nouveau- ‘new’, -vriendelijk ‘friendly’) which are assessed against grammaticalization parameters such as de- or resemanticization and decategorization, I show that the affixization of adjectives is more productive and more advanced in Dutch than in French. To account for these differences, I argue that the affixization process strongly interacts with the different word order patterns of both languages. According to this hypothesis, the Dutch modifier-head structure would favour the grammaticalization of adjectives into prefixes and suffixes, whereas the French head-modifier structure impedes the affixization process.
Neuroligins/LRRTMs prevent activity- and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent synapse elimination in cultured neurons
Authors: Ko Jaewon , Soler-Llavina Gilberto J. , Fuccillo Marc V. , Malenka Robert C. , Südhof Thomas C.
Published: July 2011

Neuroligins (NLs) and leucine-rich repeat transmembrane proteins (LRRTMs) are postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules that bind to presynaptic neurexins. In this paper, we show that short hairpin ribonucleic acid–mediated knockdowns (KDs) of LRRTM1, LRRTM2, and/or NL-3, alone or together as double or triple KDs (TKDs) in cultured hippocampal neurons, did not decrease synapse numbers. In neurons cultured from NL-1 knockout mice, however, TKD of LRRTMs and NL-3 induced an ∼40% loss of excitatory but not inhibitory synapses. Strikingly, synapse loss triggered by the LRRTM/NL deficiency was abrogated by chronic blockade of synaptic activity as well as by chronic inhibition of Ca2+ influx or Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) kinases. Furthermore, postsynaptic KD of CaM prevented synapse loss in a cell-autonomous manner, an effect that was reversed by CaM rescue. Our results suggest that two neurexin ligands, LRRTMs and NLs, act redundantly to maintain excitatory synapses and that synapse elimination caused by the absence of NLs and LRRTMs is promoted by synaptic activity and mediated by a postsynaptic Ca2+/CaM-dependent signaling pathway.
Measurement of RyR permeability reveals a role of calsequestrin in termination of SR Ca2+ release in skeletal muscle
Authors: Sztretye Monika , Yi Jianxun , Figueroa Lourdes , Zhou Jingsong , Royer Leandro , Allen Paul , Brum Gustavo , Ríos Eduardo
Published: July 2011

The mechanisms that terminate Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum are not fully understood. D4cpv-Casq1 (Sztretye et al. 2011. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.201010591) was used in mouse skeletal muscle cells under voltage clamp to measure free Ca2+ concentration inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), [Ca2+]SR, simultaneously with that in the cytosol, [Ca2+]c, during the response to long-lasting depolarization of the plasma membrane. The ratio of Ca2+ release flux (derived from [Ca2+]c(t)) over the gradient that drives it (essentially equal to [Ca2+]SR) provided directly, for the first time, a dynamic measure of the permeability to Ca2+ of the releasing SR membrane. During maximal depolarization, flux rapidly rises to a peak and then decays. Before 0.5 s, [Ca2+]SR stabilized at ∼35% of its resting level; depletion was therefore incomplete. By 0.4 s of depolarization, the measured permeability decayed to ∼10% of maximum, indicating ryanodine receptor channel closure. Inactivation of the t tubule voltage sensor was immeasurably small by this time and thus not a significant factor in channel closure. In cells of mice null for Casq1, permeability did not decrease in the same way, indicating that calsequestrin (Casq) is essential in the mechanism of channel closure and termination of Ca2+ release. The absence of this mechanism explains why the total amount of calcium releasable by depolarization is not greatly reduced in Casq-null muscle (Royer et al. 2010. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.201010454). When the fast buffer BAPTA was introduced in the cytosol, release flux became more intense, and the SR emptied earlier. The consequent reduction in permeability accelerated as well, reaching comparable decay at earlier times but comparable levels of depletion. This observation indicates that [Ca2+]SR, sensed by Casq and transmitted to the channels presumably via connecting proteins, is determinant to cause the closure that terminates Ca2+ release.
Modern Food Retailers and Traditional Markets in Developing Countries: Comparing Quality, Prices, and Competition Strategies in Thailand
Authors: Schipmann Christin , Qaim Matin
Published: July 2011

Supermarkets and hypermarkets are expanding rapidly in many developing countries. While consequences for farmers and consumers were analyzed recently, little is known about the implications for traditional retail formats such as wet markets. Using data from a market survey in Thailand and hedonic regressions, we analyze quality and prices for fresh vegetables from different retail outlets. Compared to wet markets, modern retailers sell higher quality at higher prices, indicating that they are primarily targeting better‐off consumers, and not directly competing for the same market segments. Yet there are signs that modern and traditional markets will gradually converge. Policy implications are discussed.
Aspergillus affinis sp. nov., a novel ochratoxin A-producing Aspergillus species (section Circumdati) isolated from decomposing leaves
Authors: Davolos Domenico , Persiani Anna Maria , Pietrangeli Biancamaria , Ricelli Alessandra , Maggi Oriana
Published: July 2011

Two ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing Aspergillus isolates, recently collected from submerged riparian decomposing leaves in Italy, were found to have a similar morphology to Aspergillus cretensis (subgenus Circumdati, section Circumdati). However, marked differences emerged between these two novel isolates and A. cretensis as the former displayed different colony features and had larger vesicles, metulae, phialides and conidia, as well as a distinct sclerotial form and size. In order to determine the taxonomic status and to infer the evolutionary relationships of these two morphologically identical isolates, a molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed on all the officially recognized lineages in the section Circumdati. The DNA sequences and the deduced amino acid residues from the nuclear loci were analysed. Both rRNA and protein coding genes were assessed, which are widely used to differentiate taxa belonging to genus Aspergillus at various evolutionary levels. The 5.8S rDNA gene and internal transcribed spacers (ITS), the D1/D2 domains of the 28S rDNA gene, a region of the tubulin beta chain gene (benA) and part of the calmodulin gene (cmd) were amplified by PCR and then sequenced. The analysis of the rRNA regions and of the benA and cmd sequence data indicated that the two isogenic isolates belonged to a genetically distinct OTA-producing species of the genus Aspergillus. The isolates are proposed as representing a novel species, Aspergillus affinis sp. nov., with the type strain ATCC MYA-4773T ( = CBS 129190 = 417). Phylogenetically, A. affinis sp. nov. appeared to be very closely related to A. cretensis, from which it could be distinguished by means of a morphological trait analysis.
Investigation of process parameters in superplastic free bulge forming
Authors: Sedighi M. , Moattari M.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Aerospace industry was pioneered in the use of superplastic forming (SPF) process. Weight saving is the most important need in this industry. For this reason, there is special attention paid to this method. Blow forming is a common method for SPF process. Process parameters such as temperature and pressure have significant effects on part accuracy, quality and desired characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical and experimental investigation of process parameters in superplastic free bulge forming.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, superplastic free bulge forming of Al‐5083 has been studied. First, free bulge tests have been done at two different pressures. Bulge height variations were recorded for different pressure and temperature. The forming time was determined according to the forming pressure and temperature. Then, simulation of free bulge process has been carried out using creep behavior model at high temperature. Bulge height and thickness distribution are obtained at two different pressure settings. These results have been compared with experimental results presenting a good agreement. Also the effects of temperatures and pressure on the required process time are compared for a certain bulge height. Finally, thickness distribution profile for different temperatures, pressures and initial thicknesses have been studied.

Findings

A numerical and experimental investigation has been presented that can be used to study the process parameters. These findings show the effects of temperatures, pressure and initial thicknesses on sheet forming.

Originality/value

The results of this work show that higher temperature and forming pressure will reduce the required process time for a certain bulge height. Reduction of these parameters can improve thickness distribution. Also, by considering the effects of both pressure and temperature, it is shown that using lower forming pressure at higher temperature is more suitable for forming. The findings of this work can provide more understanding of the process for aircraft part designers and manufacturing process planners.
Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid solution by rice bran extracts
Authors: Dong Liu , Yuanhua Lin , Yigang Ding , Dezhi Zeng
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper reports an investigation into the use of aqueous extracts of rice bran as a green inhibitor for corrosion of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Extracts from the rice bran were used as the main component of an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for use in HCl pickling processes. Inhibition behavior on carbon steel in HCl was investigated by means of mass‐loss tests, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Findings

The results show that the extract exhibited good inhibition performance in 1 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in the concentration of the inhibitor and was only moderately affected by temperature variations in the range 303‐363 K. The inhibitive action was due to adsorption on the A3 steel and the adsorption process was consistent with the Langmuir isotherm. The free energy of adsorption (ΔGads.) was −4.192 kJ/mol. The negative value of ΔGads. indicated spontaneous adsorption of the inhibitor occurred on the surface of A3 steel.

Practical implications

Rice bran extract is an effective inhibitor and can be used to protect carbon steel from corrosion in HCl solution.

Originality/value

The rice bran extracts are an effective green inhibitor and can be widely used in the pickling of metals.
The gender gap in food choice motives as determinants of consumers' attitudes toward GM foods in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Mei‐Fang
Published: July 2011

Purpose

In addition to having an understanding of consumers' food choice motives which influence their attitudes toward GM foods in Taiwan, the aim of this study is to ascertain whether gender differences play a role in consumers' food choice motives and their attitudes toward GM foods.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 12 distinct food choice motives, adapted from the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) is posted on a questionnaire collection web site to collect research data. A total of 522 useful responses were elicited as the data input for analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that mood, sensory appeal, price, and familiarity were found to have positive impacts on consumers' attitudes toward GM foods but natural content is observed to have a negative impact on consumers' attitudes toward GM foods. Moreover, female consumers have a more negative attitude toward GM foods than male consumers when they consider whether GM foods are healthy or not.

Practical implications

The marketers of this GM foods sector in Taiwan should emphasize the price advantage and the appealing sensory aspects of GM foods. By doing so, consumers could familiarize themselves with such foods being promoted. However, how to prevent them from treating GM foods as unnatural and unhealthy is an important task for GM foods marketers.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate the gender gap in food choice motives as a determinant of consumers' attitudes toward GM foods in Taiwan. Based on the empirical findings, some suggestions are provided here to benefit the marketers of this GM foods sector in Taiwan.
Price or relational behaviours?
Authors: Gyau Amos , Spiller Achim , Wocken Christian
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine the relative importance of actual price and behavioural factors for the quality of the business relationship between German dairies and their milk suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the results of field study involving 209 farmers in Lower Saxony and the northern section of North Rhine‐Westphalia regions in northwest Germany. These regions are the most important milk production centres in Germany.

Findings

The results indicate that, whereas behavioural factors, specifically relationship management practices and price satisfaction, have a positive influence on the quality of the business relationship between the farmers and the dairies, the actual price levels have no influence.

Practical implications

Actual prices paid to the farmers is not the most important factor which influences the quality of their relationship with the dairies but rather behavioural norms such as milk price satisfaction and relational norms. Dairies are advised to enhance price perception through price negotiations and transparency in order to facilitate quality relationship instead of through higher price payment alone.

Originality/value

This study is the first to integrate and compare the actual prices and behavioural variables to determine their relative importance and influence on relationship quality.
Consumers' experience of spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice
Authors: Paasovaara Rami , Luomala Harri T.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how differences in message content and in need for cognition influence consumers' sensory evaluation, product attitudes and purchase intentions in terms of spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research methods were used. Four taste experiments were carried out among Finnish female consumers (n=129).

Findings

Health‐related product information had a positive impact on attitude towards and intention to purchase spelt porridge, and safety‐related product information had a positive impact on sensory experience of sea buckthorn juice. In addition, in the examination of the need for cognition effects revealed a tendency indicating that spelt porridge and sea buckthorn juice were experienced more positively among individuals high in need for cognition than among individuals low in need for cognition.

Research limitations/implications

The instrument of need for cognition is also applicable to investigating actual behavioural elements such as sensory evaluation.

Practical implications

This paper has implications for novel food marketing.

Originality/value

The findings advance understanding of the roles of subtle message differences and need for cognition in consumers' food product experiences.
Dynamic performance management: how to deliver more, with less, forever
Authors: Black Octavius , Marshall‐Lee Debbie
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The research is unequivocal: when it comes to return on equity, revenue growth, profitability and employee turnover, performance management can deliver remarkable results for next to no investment. However, in most companies, performance management has a poor reputation. It takes up valuable time and resources, yet delivers little return. The reason is simple: managers focus on forms, systems and processes. What they need to focus on is the quality of their conversations. This paper, which is a concise version of the authors' in‐depth white paper, aims to highlight the five key ingredients that lead to dynamic performance conversations.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 50 independent academic studies were analysed, and leaders in a dozen leading businesses were consulted. The authors also draw lessons from The Mind Gym's ten years of work with 40 per cent of FTSE 100 companies.

Findings

Five vital ingredients for dynamic performance conversations are: stretching goals with fortnightly feedback; consistent differentiation; commercial coaching; job crafting; and employees taking responsibility.

Practical implications

The authors share a “ready reckoner”, developed for organisations to discover how they fare at the five ingredients. The authors explore simple yet powerful ways that managers and individuals can put these five ingredients into practice.

Originality/value

The paper gives individuals, line managers and HR professionals clear, practical advice on where to focus their effort so that they realise the full personal and commercial benefits of dynamic performance management.
Lafarge develops employee talent through e‐learning
Authors: Martin Frédéric
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The number of companies using remote learning solutions to develop talent and skills has witnessed an upsurge in recent years. Thanks to Web 2.0 and other types of technology, classroom learning or “traditional distance learning” offers have undergone a major transformation. E‐learning has become an indispensable tool, especially for globally dispersed companies wishing to respond to modern day management and leadership challenges. The aim of this paper is to explore e‐learning within the context of global talent management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the experiences of Lafarge, an international industrial company specialising in four major products (cement, concrete, aggregates, and gypsum), as a case study.

Findings

Lafarge's initial experience with e‐learning solutions from provider CrossKnowledge has proved to be particularly efficient and effective. After the successful launch of 140 CrossKnowledge modules in four languages (Chinese, Spanish, English and French), which are currently used by 40,000 employees within the framework of a corporate university, Lafarge plans to develop Arabic and is currently working on a pilot of around ten modules with a view to developing more in the near future. Polish modules are available too. Additionally, the company is continuing to develop tailor‐made modules in‐house. For Lafarge, e‐learning is an ongoing project and the company intends to migrate towards its own “knowledge communities” offer, thereby departing from the formal learning offer in order to be able to manage and operate a more “informal learning” programme.

Originality/value

This ambitious venture has enabled Lafarge to create an equal skills base for managers in over 80 different countries all across the globe and ensure that the people responsible for running the operation abroad understand corporate strategy and managerial requirements in order to develop staff locally. This is a useful case study for leadership and management training and HR professionals operating within a global organisation.
Developing a system for training unemployed adults at the VTC (vocational training centres) in Greece
Authors: Brinia Vasiliki , Soundoulounakis Nicolaos
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The educational methodology of lifelong learning and adult education ensures human employment, the progress of society and peaceful social coexistence. Programs of vocational training for unemployed people or for groups with special needs are the common ways to ensure that employment inequalities are diminished and job opportunities for a better life are provided to the members of the community. Obviously, the standards of such education are of a great importance. If high standards are ensured, better results are achieved. The purpose of this paper is to document the development of a prototype system that will ensure high quality standards in the operation of a vocational training centre (VTC).

Design/methodology/approach

Research was carried out among students, teachers and staff of a specific VTC in Xanthi, aiming at specifying the key factors that influence the quality of the training provided.

Findings

The results of the research are presented and in relation to the answers given to special questionnaires there are suggestions regarding the issues of decision making, dealing with complaints, monitoring the quality of the training procedure and evaluating the vocational program in coordination with all members of the VTC (students, trainers and staff) and the companies where the trainees had practical training.

Practical implications

Some of these suggestions have already been implemented, with promising results.

Originality/value

The paper draws conclusions and makes recommendations for further research on specific topics that may improve the operational quality of the vocational training centres under discussion. Initiatives that will be taken by the state authorities are also described.