bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel environmental species isolated from the plaster wall surface of mural paintings in the Takamatsuzuka tumulus: Bordetella muralis sp. nov., Bordetella tumulicola sp. nov. and Bordetella tumbae sp. nov.
Authors: Tazato Nozomi , Handa Yutaka , Nishijima Miyuki , Kigawa Rika , Sano Chie , Sugiyama Junta
Published: October 2015

Ten strains of Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile coccobacilli were isolated from the plaster wall surface of 1300-year-old mural paintings inside the stone chamber of the Takamatsuzuka tumulus in Asuka village (Asuka-mura), Nara Prefecture, Japan. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the isolates, they belonged to the proteobacterial genusBordetella(classBetaproteobacteria) and could be separated into three groups representing novel lineages within the genusBordetella.Three isolates were selected, one from each group, and identified carefully using a polyphasic approach. The isolates were characterized by the presence of Q-8 as their major ubiquinone system and C16 : 0(30.0–41.8 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7cand/or C16 : 1ω6c; 10.1–27.0 %) and C17 : 0cyclo (10.8–23.8 %) as the predominant fatty acids. The major hydroxy fatty acids were C12 : 02-OH and C14 : 02-OH. The DNA G+C content was 59.6–60.0 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization tests confirmed that the isolates represented three separate novel species, for which the namesBordetella muralissp. nov. (type strain T6220-3-2bT = JCM 30931T = NCIMB 15006T),Bordetella tumulicolasp. nov. (type strain T6517-1-4bT = JCM 30935T = NCIMB 15007T) andBordetella tumbaesp. nov. (type strain T6713-1-3bT = JCM 30934T = NCIMB 15008T) are proposed. These results support previous evidence that members of the genusBordetellaexist in the environment and may be ubiquitous in soil and/or water.
Roseomonas oryzicola sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Chung Eu Jin , Yoon Hwan Sik , Kim Kyung Hyun , Jeon Che Ok , Chung Young Ryun
Published: October 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, coccobacilli-shaped bacterium, designated YC6724T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of rice in Jinju, Korea. The taxonomy of strain YC6724Twas studied using a polyphasic approach. Strain YC6724Tgrew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0–8.0. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the strain was most closely related toRoseomonas soli5N26T(98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity),Roseomonas lacusTH-G33T(97.3 %) andRoseomonas terraeDS-48T(97.3 %). Sequence similarities with other species of the genusRoseomonaswith validly published names were lower than 94.0 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YC6724Tformed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genusRoseomonas. Strain YC6724Thad DNA–DNA relatedness values of 16.6 %, 44.0 % and 33.2 % withR. soliKACC 16376T,R. terraeKACC 12677TandR. lacusKACC 11678T, respectively. The predominant fatty acids of strain YC6724Twere C18 : 1ω7cand/or C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0and C18 : 12-OH. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown aminolipid and two unknown lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.5 mol% and the major quinone was Q-10. Strain YC6724Tcontained spermidine as the major polyamine. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, it is clear that strain YC6724Trepresents a novel species of the genusRoseomonas, for which the nameRoseomonas oryzicolasp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6724T( = KCTC 22478T = NBRC 109439T).
Nocardioides ungokensis sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Qingmei , Kang Myung-Suk , Jin Fengxie , Yu Hongshan , Im Wan-Taek
Published: October 2015

A Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, coccus- to rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain UKS-03T) was isolated from a sediment sample of Ungok Lake in Gochang, Republic of Korea. The taxonomic position of this bacterium was determined in an investigation based on a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain UKS-03T was shown to belong to the family Nocardioidaceae and to be related most closely to Nocardioides ginsengisegetis Gsoil 485T (98.5 % similarity), Nocardioides koreensis MSL-09T (98.4 %) and ‘Nocardioides panaciterrulae’ Gsoil 958 (97.3 %). Strain UKS-03T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in its cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the main polar lipids, and iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 0 10-methyl as its major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.9 mol%. Mean DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain UKS-03T and N. ginsengisegetis Gsoil 485T, N. koreensis KCTC 19272T and ‘N. panaciterrulae’ Gsoil 958 were 37.5 ± 7.2, 6.8 ± 0.9 and 3.1 ± 0.7 %, respectively. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain UKS-03T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides ungokensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UKS-03T ( = KACC 18304T = LMG 28591T).
Nocardioides glacieisoli sp. nov., isolated from a glacier
Authors: Liu Qing , Liu Hong-Can , Zhang Jian-Li , Zhou Yu-Guang , Xin Yu-Hua
Published: October 2015

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain HLT3-15T) was isolated from the ice tongue surface of the Hailuogou glacier in Szechwan Province, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain HLT3-15T belonged to the genus Nocardioides. The highest levels of sequence similarities were found with Nocardioides hwasunensis CGMCC 4.6881T and Nocardioides ganghwensis CGMCC 4.6875T (98.5 % and 98.3 %, respectively). However, DNA–DNA relatedness demonstrated that strain HLT3-15T was distinct from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. The major cellular fatty acids of strain HLT3-15T were C17 : 1ω8c and iso-C16 : 0. Strain HLT3-15T contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. On the basis of a polyphasic approach, a novel species, Nocardioides glacieisoli sp. nov., is proposed with HLT3-15T ( = CGMCC 1.11097T = NBRC 109781T) as the type strain.
Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., with ginsenoside-converting activity isolated from soil used for cultivating ginseng
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Qingmei , Kang Myung-Suk , Jin Fengxie , Yu Hongshan , Im Wan-Taek
Published: October 2015

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated Gsoil 636T was isolated from soil of a ginseng cultivation field in Pocheon Province, South Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Gsoil 636T grew at 18–30 °C and at pH 6.0–8.0 on R2A medium. Gsoil 636T possessed β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb1 (ones of the dominant active components of ginseng) to F2. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, Gsoil 636T was shown to belong to the family Chitinophagaceae and to be related to Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae Gsoil 492T (96.7 % sequence similarity), Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 643T (96.6 %) and Flavisolibacter rigui 02SUJ3T (96.6 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 48.9 %. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. DNA and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of Gsoil 636T to the genus Flavisolibacter. Gsoil 636T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the species of the genus Flavisolibacter with validly published names. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 636T (KCTC 22818T = JCM 18197T = KACC 14277T).
Filimonas endophytica sp. nov., isolated from surface-sterilized root of Cosmos bipinnatus
Authors: Han Ji-Hye , Kim Tae-Su , Joung Yochan , Kim Seung Bum
Published: October 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, motile by gliding, filamentous bacterium, designated SR 2-06T, was isolated from surface-sterilized root of garden cosmos. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that SR 2-06T was related most closely to Filimonas lacunae YT21T of the family Chitinophagaceae at a sequence similarity of 96.90 %, while levels of similarity to other related taxa were less than 93.08 %. Strain SR 2-06T exhibited similar features to F. lacunae in that it contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone, and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and a summed feature consisting of C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. However, strain SR 2-06T was distinguished from F. lacunae using a combination of physiological and biochemical properties. The cellular polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminophospholipids, unknown aminolipids, an unknown phospholipid and unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 46.0 mol%. The phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence clearly indicates that strain SR 2-06T represents a novel species of the genus Filimonas, for which the name Filimonas endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR 2-06T ( = KCTC 42060T = JCM 19844T).
Investigating the importance of anatomical homology for cross-species phenotype comparisons using semantic similarity
Authors: Manda Prashanti , Mungall Christopher J. , Balhoff James P. , Lapp Hilmar , Vision Todd J.
Published: October 2015

There is growing use of ontologies for the measurement of cross-species phenotype similarity. Such similarity measurements contribute to diverse applications, such as identifying genetic models for human diseases, transferring knowledge among model organisms, and studying the genetic basis of evolutionary innovations. Two organismal features, whether genes, anatomical parts, or any other inherited feature, are considered to be homologous when they are evolutionarily derived from a single feature in a common ancestor. A classic example is the homology between the paired fins of fishes and vertebrate limbs. Anatomical ontologies that model the structural relations among parts may fail to include some known anatomical homologies unless they are deliberately added as separate axioms. The consequences of neglecting known homologies for applications that rely on such ontologies has not been well studied. Here, we examine how semantic similarity is affected when external homology knowledge is included. We measure phenotypic similarity between orthologous and non-orthologous gene pairs between humans and either mouse or zebrafish, and compare the inclusion of real with faux homology axioms. Semantic similarity was preferentially increased for orthologs when using real homology axioms, but only in the more divergent of the two species comparisons (human to zebrafish, not human to mouse), and the relative increase was less than 1% to non-orthologs. By contrast, inclusion of both real and faux random homology axioms preferentially increased similarities between genes that were initially more dissimilar in the other comparisons. Biologically meaningful increases in semantic similarity were seen for a select subset of gene pairs. Overall, the effect of including homology axioms on cross-species semantic similarity was modest at the levels of divergence examined here, but our results hint that it may be greater for more distant species comparisons.
Dynamic enhancer–gene body contacts during transcription elongation
Authors: Lee Kiwon , Hsiung Chris C.-S. , Huang Peng , Raj Arjun , Blobel Gerd A.
Published: October 2015

Enhancers govern transcription through multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). We characterized the dynamics of looped enhancer contacts during synchronous transcription elongation. We found that two model enhancers form stable contacts with their target promoters during the entire interval of elongation. Notably, we detected additional dynamic enhancer contacts throughout the gene bodies that track with elongating RNAPII and the leading edge of RNA synthesis. These results support a model in which the gene body changes its position relative to a stable enhancer–promoter complex, which has broad ramifications for enhancer function and architectural models of transcriptional elongation.
Proliferation of progeria cells is enhanced by lamina-associated polypeptide 2α (LAP2α) through expression of extracellular matrix proteins
Authors: Vidak Sandra , Kubben Nard , Dechat Thomas , Foisner Roland
Published: October 2015

Lamina-associated polypeptide 2α (LAP2α) localizes throughout the nucleoplasm and interacts with the fraction of lamins A/C that is not associated with the peripheral nuclear lamina. The LAP2α–lamin A/C complex negatively affects cell proliferation. Lamins A/C are encoded by LMNA, a single heterozygous mutation of which causes Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). This mutation generates the lamin A variant progerin, which we show here leads to loss of LAP2α and nucleoplasmic lamins A/C, impaired proliferation, and down-regulation of extracellular matrix components. Surprisingly, contrary to wild-type cells, ectopic expression of LAP2α in cells expressing progerin restores proliferation and extracellular matrix expression but not the levels of nucleoplasmic lamins A/C. We conclude that, in addition to its cell cycle-inhibiting function with lamins A/C, LAP2α can also regulate extracellular matrix components independently of lamins A/C, which may help explain the proliferation-promoting function of LAP2α in cells expressing progerin.
Widespread JNK-dependent alternative splicing induces a positive feedback loop through CELF2-mediated regulation of MKK7 during T-cell activation
Authors: Martinez Nicole M. , Agosto Laura , Qiu Jinsong , Mallory Michael J. , Gazzara Matthew R. , Barash Yoseph , Fu Xiang-dong , Lynch Kristen W.
Published: October 2015

Alternative splicing is prevalent among genes encoding signaling molecules; however, the functional consequence of differential isoform expression remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that, in response to T-cell activation, the Jun kinase (JNK) kinase MAP kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) is alternatively spliced to favor an isoform that lacks exon 2. This isoform restores a JNK-docking site within MKK7 that is disrupted in the larger isoform. Consistently, we show that skipping of MKK7 exon 2 enhances JNK pathway activity, as indicated by c-Jun phosphorylation and up-regulation of TNF-α. Moreover, this splicing event is itself dependent on JNK signaling. Thus, MKK7 alternative splicing represents a positive feedback loop through which JNK promotes its own signaling. We further show that repression of MKK7 exon 2 is dependent on the presence of flanking sequences and the JNK-induced expression of the RNA-binding protein CELF2, which binds to these regulatory elements. Finally, we found that ∼25% of T-cell receptor-mediated alternative splicing events are dependent on JNK signaling. Strikingly, these JNK-dependent events are also significantly enriched for responsiveness to CELF2. Together, our data demonstrate a widespread role for the JNK–CELF2 axis in controlling splicing during T-cell activation, including a specific role in propagating JNK signaling.
Mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in the developing and diseased heart
Authors: Dorn Gerald W. , Vega Rick B. , Kelly Daniel P.
Published: October 2015

The mitochondrion is a complex organelle that serves essential roles in energy transduction, ATP production, and a myriad of cellular signaling events. A finely tuned regulatory network orchestrates the biogenesis, maintenance, and turnover of mitochondria. The high-capacity mitochondrial system in the heart is regulated in a dynamic way to generate and consume enormous amounts of ATP in order to support the constant pumping function in the context of changing energy demands. This review describes the regulatory circuitry and downstream events involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and its coordination with mitochondrial dynamics in developing and diseased hearts.
Crystal structure of 5-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzoyl)-2-(2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)nicotinonitrile
Authors: Vimala G. , Poomathi N. , AaminaNaaz Y. , Perumal P. T. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: October 2015

In the title compound, C22H14ClN3O2, the indole unit is essentially coplanar, with a maximum deviation of 0.035 Å for the C atom bearing the methyl group. The central pyridine ring is inclined to the indole ring system by 43.7 (1)°. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the indole ring system is 15.7 (2)°, while that between the phenyl ring and the central pyridine ring is 46.3 (1)°. The molecular structure is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding, forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(16) ring motif. The crystal structure also features C—H...π and π–π interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.688 (1) Å].
Crystal structure ofN-[(4-ethoxyphenyl)carbamothioyl]cyclohexanecarboxamide
Authors: Vimala G. , Haribabu J. , Srividya S. , Karvembu R. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: October 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H22N2O2S, contains two crystallographically independent molecules (AandB). In moleculeA, the cyclohexane ring is disordered over two orientations [occupancy ratio 0.841 (10):0.159 (10)]. In each molecule, the central carbonyl thiourea unit is nearly planar (r.m.s. deviations for all non-H atoms of 0.034 Å in moleculeAand 0.094 Å in moleculeB). In both molecules, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation. The mean plane of the cyclohexane ring makes dihedral angles of 35.8 (4) (moleculeA) and 20.7 (3)° (moleculeB) with that of the benzene ring. Each molecule features an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond, which closes anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of weak N—H...S interactions, forming inversion dimers with anR22(8) ring motif for both molecules. The crystal structure also features weak C—H...π ring interactions.
Crystal structure of 1-methyl-2-methylamino-3-nitro-1H-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridin-5(10aH)-one
Authors: Raja Rajamani , Poomathi Nataraj , Perumal Paramasivam T. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: October 2015

In the title compound, C14H13N3O4, the pyran ring adopts an envelope conformation with the methine C atom as the flap. The dihedral angle between the benzene and hydropyridine rings is 29.33 (3)°. The methylamine C atom deviates from the plane of its attached ring by 0.380 (5) Å and an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances vary from 3.6529 (10) to 3.6872 (10) Å] link the molecules, generating a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of a helical silver(I) coordination polymer based on an unsymmetrical dipyridyl ligand:catena-poly[[silver(I)-μ-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)pyridine-3-amine-κ2N:N′] tetrafluoridoborate methanol hemisolvate]
Authors: Moon Suk-Hee , Kang Youngjin , Park Ki-Min
Published: October 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[AgL]·BF4·0.5CH3OH}n,L=N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)pyridine-3-amine, C11H11N3, contains one AgIion, one ligandL, one tetrafluoridoborate anion disordered over two orientations in a 0.669 (13):0.331 (13) ratio and one half of a methanol solvent molecule situated on an inversion center. Each AgIion is coordinated by two N atoms from twoLligands in a distorted linear geometry [N—Ag—N = 174.70 (19)°]. EachLligand bridges two AgIions, thus forming polymeric helical chains propagating in [010]. In the crystal, Ag...Ag [3.3369 (10) Å] and π–π interactions between the aromatic rings [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.676 (4) Å] link these chains into layers parallel to (10-1). Ag...F and weak N(C)—H...F interactions further consolidate the crystal packing.
Crystal structures of three co-crystals of 4,4′-bipyridyl with 4-alkoxybenzoic acids: 4-ethoxybenzoic acid–4,4′-bipyridyl (2/1), 4-n-propoxybenzoic acid–4,4′-bipyridyl (2/1) and 4-n-butoxybenzoic acid–4,4′-bipyridyl (2/1)
Authors: Tabuchi Yohei , Gotoh Kazuma , Ishida Hiroyuki
Published: October 2015

The crystal structures of three hydrogen-bonded co-crystals of 4-alkoxybenzoic acid–4,4′-bipyridyl (2/1), namely, 2C9H10O3·C10H8N2, (I), 2C10H12O3·C10H8N2, (II) and 2C11H14O3·C10H8N2, (III), have been determined at 93 K. Although the structure of (I) has been determined in the space groupP21withZ= 4 [Laiet al.(2008).J. Struct. Chem.49, 1137–1140], the present study shows that the space group isP21/nwithZ= 4. In each crystal, the components are linked by O—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a linear hydrogen-bonded 2:1 unit of the acid and the base. The 2:1 unit of (I) adopts nearly pseudo-C2symmetry,viz. twofold rotation around an axis passing through the mid-point of the central C—C bond of 4,4′-bipyridyl, while the units of (II) and (III), except for the terminal alkyl chains, have pseudo-inversion symmetry. The 2:1 units of (I), (II) and (III) are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming sheet, double-tape and tape structures, respectively.
Crystal structure of 3-methoxy-2-[5-(naphthalen-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]phenol
Authors: Koh Dongsoo
Published: October 2015

In the title compound, C20H18N2O2, the central pyrazoline ring has an envelope conformation with the atom substituted by the naphthalene ring as the flap. It bridges a benzene ring and a naphthalene ring system which are almost normal to one another, making a dihedral angle of 82.03 (6) °. There is an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...π interactions, forming inversion dimers. There are also C—H...π interactions present and the dimers are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming ribbons propagating along thea-axis direction.
E-marketing orientation and social media implementation in B2B marketing
Authors: Habibi Fatemeh , Hamilton Caroline Anne , Valos Michael John , Callaghan Michael
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of an organisational orientation, namely the electronic marketing orientation (EMO) to address implementation issues in business-to-business (B2B) social media implementation. Previous research has demonstrated differences between B2B and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on existing B2B marketing, social media and organisational orientation literature, both academic and practitioner. This facilitates the development of a conceptual model and research proposition as a basis of further research into addressing contemporary barriers to B2B social media implementation.

Findings

– The paper contends that each of the four components of the EMO addresses different implementation issues faced in implementing social media and, more specifically, the unique issues faced by B2B marketers.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is conceptual in nature; however, it provides directions for future empirical research.

Practical implications

– The differences in promotional and sales channels and messages required in B2B context are addressed in the research propositions. The paper highlights implementation challenges and how a particular organisational orientation can facilitate the decision-making in dealing with them.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a unique theoretical contribution by introducing the EMO conceptual model in a specific context of B2B social media marketing.
Social network analysis and the internationalization of SMEs
Authors: Pinho José Carlos , Pinheiro Miguel Linhares
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper highlights the relevance of using social network analysis (SNA) as a different methodological approach to understand the numerous complex interactions that take place within the internationalization process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is divided into three major sections: First, it identifies relevant articles on social networks published in appropriate academic journals; second, the process leading to SNA is presented; third, an illustrative case is described to show the relevance of SNA within the context of international business.

Findings

– Drawing on relevant literature, the authors found that most studies in the field of social networks and internationalization rely on conventional research methods based on qualitative (e.g. multiple case studies) or quantitative studies (e.g. surveys). Without questioning the relevance of these methods, the authors claim that very few studies have used the SNA methodology, which is based on a sociometric approach addressing the interactional dynamics embedded in international relationships.

Originality/value

– Specifically, this paper attempts to analyze the major advantages and shortcomings of the SNA methodology, which may be useful to understand interactional (or relational) effects associated with an internationalization strategy.
Marketing tourists gazing into the tourism domain
Authors: Marshall Roger , De Villiers Rouxelle
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Urry’s model of Tourism Gaze as described by Woodside is problematic, in that tourist participant observers change the phenomenon they observe. The purpose of this study is to present an alternative model that better represents the dialectic between tourists and the destination culture.

Design/methodology/approach

– A story-telling technique, based upon personal experience and introspection that matches the story told by Woodside, is used to illustrate the theory development and formulate an alternative model.

Findings

– A new model is proposed that acknowledges that the more a tourist lives their tourism experience and becomes immersed in the destination culture, the greater the affect he/she has upon the destination. The issue of authenticity is discussed in relationship to this new model, as – in a sense – the experience of a one-time traveler is as authentic as those of a long-term stay tourist.

Practical implications

– The practical implications are both for tourist operators and policymakers. Cultures change, regardless of any tourism activity; but, such activity is a major change-agent, especially so as the emerging Asian countries discover the pleasures of “globe-trotting”. Although the cultural experience of tourists will remain authentic, large-scale tourism projects will inevitably change the culture the tourists sought to experience in the first place. The value of alternate tourism strategies based on the tourist’s impact upon the host culture is becoming increasingly critical.

Originality/value

– The new model is simple but effective, and is more pragmatic and accurate than the original tourist gaze model of Urry. The introspective, story-telling, methods used are more typical of academic marketing than tourism research, but serve the purpose here well by making the conceptual idea readily available to the reader.
Comparing Choice and Partnership Approach assumptions to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Authors: Wilson Scott , Metcalfe Julie , McLeod Stephen
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) activity data over a one-year period to the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) demand and capacity model assumptions, providing an evaluation of CAPA model implementation and its effects on actual demand and capacity of the service.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three assumptions within the CAPA model are tested against activity data extracted from the patient management system. Analysis by patient record assesses the number of appointments the patients received and the patients’ journey from assessment to treatment. A combination of community CAMHS data are combined to compare actual activity against assumed capacity required to meet demand according to the CAPA model.

Findings

– Tested against an audit of 2,896 patient records, CAMHS average 7.76 core appointments per patient compared to the CAPA assumption of 7.5 appointments at a 0 per cent DNA rate. The second CAPA assumption states that 66 per cent of assessments will result in treatment, compared to 73.55 per cent in NHSGGC CAMHS. Finally, the workforce model in CAMHS has clinical capacity to meet demand according to the CAPA assumption of weekly accepted referral rates not exceeding the number of clinical whole time equivalent.

Originality/value

– The data allow for identification of inefficiencies within CAMHS and highlights how capacity can be increased, without increasing budgets, to meet a rising clinical demand. The results allow managers and clinicians to improve job planning to ensure more children and young people have quick access to services.
Applying importance-performance analysis to patient safety culture
Authors: Lee Yii-Ching , Wu Hsin-Hung , Hsieh Wan-Lin , Weng Shao-Jen , Hsieh Liang-Po , Huang Chih-Hsuan
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The Sexton et al.’s (2006) safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) has been widely used to assess staff’s attitudes towards patient safety in healthcare organizations. However, to date there have been few studies that discuss the perceptions of patient safety both from hospital staff and upper management. The purpose of this paper is to improve and to develop better strategies regarding patient safety in healthcare organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Chinese version of SAQ based on the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation is used to evaluate the perceptions of hospital staff. The current study then lies in applying importance-performance analysis technique to identify the major strengths and weaknesses of the safety culture.

Findings

– The results show that teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition and working conditions are major strengths and should be maintained in order to provide a better patient safety culture. On the contrary, perceptions of management and hospital handoffs and transitions are important weaknesses and should be improved immediately.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is restricted in generalizability. The assessment of hospital staff in patient safety culture is physicians and registered nurses. It would be interesting to further evaluate other staff’s (e.g. technicians, pharmacists and others) opinions regarding patient safety culture in the hospital.

Originality/value

– Few studies have clearly evaluated the perceptions of healthcare organization management regarding patient safety culture. Healthcare managers enable to take more effective actions to improve the level of patient safety by investigating key characteristics (either strengths or weaknesses) that healthcare organizations should focus on.
Evaluating the impact of accreditation and external peer review
Authors: Kilsdonk Melvin , Siesling Sabine , Otter Renee , Harten Wim van
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Accreditation and external peer review play important roles in assessing and improving healthcare quality worldwide. Evidence on the impact on the quality of care remains indecisive because of programme features and methodological research challenges. The purpose of this paper is to create a general methodological research framework to design future studies in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature search on effects of external peer review and accreditation was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Embase and Web of Science. Three researchers independently screened the studies. Only original research papers that studied the impact on the quality of care were included. Studies were evaluated by their objectives and outcomes, study size and analysis entity (hospitals vs patients), theoretical framework, focus of the studied programme, heterogeneity of the study population and presence of a control group.

Findings

– After careful selection 50 articles were included out of an initial 2,025 retrieved references. Analysis showed a wide variation in methodological characteristics. Most studies are performed cross-sectionally and results are not linked to the programme by a theoretical framework.

Originality/value

– Based on the methodological characteristics of previous studies the authors propose a general research framework. This framework is intended to support the design of future research to evaluate the effects of accreditation and external peer review on the quality of care.
Service quality of hospital outpatient departments: patients’ perspective
Authors: Zarei Ehsan
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Assessment of patient perceptions of health service quality as an important element in quality assessments has attracted much attention in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to assess the service quality of hospital outpatient departments affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from the patients’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 in Tehran, Iran. The study samples included 500 patients who were selected by multi-stage random sampling from four hospitals. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 50 items, and the validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed. For data analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Friedman test, and descriptive statistics were used through LISREL 8.54 and SPSS 18 applications.

Findings

– Eight significant factors were extracted for outpatient service quality, which explained about 67 per cent of the total variance. Physician consultation, information provided to the patient, and the physical environment of the clinic were the three determining factors of the quality of outpatient services. The highest and lowest perceptions were related to physician consultation and perceived waiting time dimension, respectively. The mean score of patients’ perception of outpatient service quality was 3.89 (±0.60). About 59.5 per cent of patients assessed the quality of outpatient services as good, 38.2 per cent as moderate, and 2.3 per cent as poor.

Practical implications

– The instrument developed for this study is valid and reliable, and it can help hospital managers to identify the areas needing improvement and correction.

Originality/value

– According to the findings of this study, the majority of patients had a positive experience with outpatient departments of teaching hospitals, and the services provided in these centres were of adequate quality, based on patient assessments.
The liberalization of air services: prospects and challenges for the Indian economy
Authors: Amana Amade Roberts
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine, with a specific reference to the Indian economy, the interface between the World Trade Organization (WTO)/General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) disciplines and aviation services; the challenges to the incorporation of air services regimes into the world trade treaty; and the alternative routes for the liberalization of air services markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts the doctrinal approach to legal research in analyzing literature on the integration of air services into the multi-lateral trading system. The paper takes a critical look at the current state of the aviation industry, the rationales and routes for liberalization, as well as the challenges facing it.

Findings

– The paper reveals the state of the Indian aviation market and its preparedness for integration into the global market system. The merit of a gradual approach is examined.

Research limitations/implications

– The WTO framework offers the traditional route for the liberalization of trade. However, since the inception of air travel, air traffic rights have been traded between countries on a bilateral basis, involving concepts of sovereignty over national airspace. The paper offers some ideas on how the two can be integrated.

Originality/value

– The research draws on recent events in the Indian aviation sector. It is of importance, especially to other emerging economies with similar social-economic indicators. It objectively questions the rationales for liberalization or globalization and its merits.
Employment Effects of Multilateral Development Bank Support: The Case of the African Development Bank
Authors: Simpasa Anthony , Shimeles Abebe , Salami Adeleke O.
Published: October 2015

The impact of development aid on employment in Africa is investigated using a set of projects implemented by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in the last 20 years. The results indicate a heterogeneous effect of aid. Projects directed at productive sectors, mainly those that focus on financing small‐scale enterprises and microcredit institutions, tend to have the largest employment impact than those focusing on health and education. More importantly, the implied employment effect of AfDB projects is much larger than the potential employment that could be deduced from the aid‐growth‐employment nexus using macro data, particularly in the last decade. This could be due to the shift in the focus of development assistance away from productive sectors over this period. If inclusive development is the overarching objective of development assistance, then there may be a need to revisit the current allocation of aid to different uses.
The Emerging Australian Date Palm Industry: Date Fruit Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds and Valuable Processing By‐Products
Authors: Sirisena Sameera , Ng Ken , Ajlouni Said
Published: October 2015

Date palm is a popular and high‐revenue crop, and the consumption of date fruits is no longer limited to the Middle Eastern countries. Date fruit has gained interest due to its nutritional value and taste, and date seeds have recently been identified as sources of valuable bioactive ingredients. Australia has excellent agronomic conditions for cultivating date palm, and the value of this crop has been identified by the Australian government and private sectors. However, more work needs to be done to raise awareness of this industry among potential investors and researchers in order to develop a sustainable date palm industry in Australia. Several date varieties have been successfully grown at a small scale in Central and Southern Australia. Medjool and Barhee have been among the most recommended varieties due to their high market potential in domestic and international markets.

Date seeds have also been recognized as a source of valuable functional ingredients including dietary fiber and natural antioxidants. Date seed extracts have shown very good bioactive properties potentially useful in treating some neurodegenerative diseases, and possibly cancer. The utilization of date seeds, which is an abundant by‐product of date processing, could improve profitability and financial security of this industry. This review discusses the emergence of the date fruit and seed industry in Australia and its associated benefits to farmers and consumers.
Enhancing Nutraceutical Performance Using Excipient Foods: Designing Food Structures and Compositions to Increase Bioavailability
Authors: McClements David Julian , Zou Liqiang , Zhang Ruojie , Salvia‐Trujillo Laura , Kumosani Taha , Xiao Hang
Published: October 2015

The oral bioavailability of many bioactives (pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, nutrients, and nutraceuticals) is limited because of physicochemical and physiological events that occur within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) after their ingestion. These events include: (i) restricted liberation from drugs, supplements, or foods; (ii) extensive metabolism or chemical transformation during passage through the GIT; (iii) low solubility in intestinal fluids; (iv) low permeation through the intestinal cell monolayer; and (v) efflux from epithelium cells. Bioactive bioavailability can often be improved by designing the composition and structure of food matrices to control their liberation, transformation, solubilization, transport, absorption, and efflux in the GIT. This article reviews the potential impact of food composition and structure on the oral bioavailability of bioactives, and then shows how this knowledge can be used to design excipient foods that can improve the bioavailability profile of bioactives. The bioactive may be incorporated within an excipient food or co‐ingested with an excipient food. The suitability of oil‐in‐water emulsions as excipient foods is highlighted. The utilization of excipient foods may provide a new strategy for improving the efficacy of nutraceuticals, supplements, and pharmaceuticals.
Agroforestry on an Active Volcanic Small Island in Indonesia: Prospering with Adversity
Authors: Rampengan Mercy Maggy Franky , Boedhihartono Agni Klintuni , Margules Chris , Sayer Jeffrey , Law Lisa , Gaillard Jean‐Christophe , Tien Ong Thi Ngan , Linh Tran Thi My
Published: October 2015

This paper draws on the literature on agroforestry, disaster risk reduction, and livelihoods of people on small islands as it applies to a community prospering in conditions of adversity in Kinali village on Siau Island, Indonesia. Siau Island produces between one‐third and one‐half of all nutmeg and mace exported from Indonesia. The Kinali community has adopted strategies that enable it to prosper in spite of the risks of living on a small island with an active volcano. The paper charts the sociocultural dynamics of the village and examines how local coping mechanisms based on an agroforestry economy have assisted villagers in dealing with the multiple hazards and constraints arising from the biophysical characteristics of their island. The paper thus contributes to more informed responses to managing volcanic risk.
Testing the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Technology and Treatments framework using the evaluation of post‐prostatectomy radiotherapy techniques
Authors: Duchesne Gillian M , Haworth Annette , Bone Eric , Carter Hannah , Ebert Martin A , Gagliardi Frank , Gibbs Adrian , Hornby Colin , Martin Andrew , Sidhom Mark , Wood Maree , Jackson Michael
Published: October 2015

Introduction

We tested the ability of the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Technology and Treatments framework to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared with 3‐dimensional radiation therapy (3DCRT) for post‐prostatectomy radiation therapy (PPRT) to support its timely health economic evaluation.

Methods

Treatment plans produced using FROGG guidelines provided dosimetry parameters for both techniques at 64 Gy and 70 Gy and were also used to model early and late outcome probabilities. Clinical parameters were derived from early toxicity and quality of life patient data, systematic literature review and expert opinion. Dosimetry parameters were correlated with the measures of clinical efficacy and safety.

Results

Data from two patient cohorts (29 and 27 respectively) were collected within the project timeframe, providing evidence for acute toxicity and quality of life, and dosimetric comparisons. Relative rates of tumour control probability (TCP) and normal tissue control probability (NTCP) modelling were readily derived from the planning exercise and demonstrated advantages in uncomplicated TCP for IMRT over 3DCRT, predominantly due to normal tissue sparing. The safety of IMRT delivery was demonstrated with TCP uncompromised by IMRT protocol violations, which achieved rectal sparing only by reducing minimum target dose and coverage.

Conclusion

Sources of desk‐top and patient‐based evidence were successfully used to demonstrate potential improved clinical efficacy and safety of applying dose escalation using IMRT instead of 3DCRT in PPRT.
Development and preliminary evaluation of a genomewide single nucleotide polymorphisms resource generated by RAD‐seq for the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis)
Authors: Zhang Bai‐Dong , Xue Dong‐Xiu , Wang Juan , Li Yu‐Long , Liu Bing‐Jian , Liu Jin‐Xian
Published: October 2015

Recent advances in high‐throughput sequencing technologies have offered the possibility to generate genomewide sequence data to delineate previously unidentified genetic structure, obtain more accurate estimates of demographic parameters and to evaluate potential adaptive divergence. Here, we identified 27 556 single nucleotide polymorphisms for the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) using restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing of 24 individuals from two populations. Significant sources of genetic variation were identified, with an average nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.00105 ± 0.000425 across individuals, and long‐term effective population size was thus estimated to range between 26 172 and 261 716. According to the results, no differentiation between the two populations was detected based on the SNP data set of top quality score per contig or neutral loci. However, the two analysed populations were highly differentiated based on SNP data set of both top FST value per contig and the outlier SNPs. Moreover, local adaptation was highlighted by an FST‐based outlier tests implemented in LOSITAN and a total of 538 potentially locally selected SNPs were identified. blast2go annotation of contigs containing the outlier SNPs yielded hits for 37 (66%) of 56 significant blastx matches. Candidate genes for local adaptation constituted a wide array of biological functions, including cellular response to oxidative stress, actin filament binding, ion transmembrane transport and synapse assembly. The generated SNP resources in this study provided a valuable tool for future population genetics and genomics studies of L. polyactis.
Financial Stability and the Trans‐Pacific Partnership: Lessons from Chile and Malaysia
Authors: Ffrench‐Davis Ricardo , Gallagher Kevin P. , Lim Mah‐Hui , Soverel Katherine
Published: October 2015

There is growing recognition that nations may need to deploy cross‐border financial regulations to prevent and mitigate financial crises. Indeed, in December 2012 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on a new ‘institutional view’ that notes how the IMF will begin to recommend that nations deploy cross‐border financial regulations in the future. However, many nations have become party to global, regional and bilateral trade and investment treaties that may restrict their ability to deploy such regulations effectively. This article analyzes the cases of two countries currently in negotiation over a Trans‐Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP): Chile and Malaysia. This article examines the extent to which each nation has deployed cross‐border financial regulations in the past, and the extent to which they have negotiated the policy space for such regulations in its trade and investment treaties. Finally, this article analyzes the degree to which such measures would be permitted if the TPP's investment provisions looked like the model bilateral investment treaty of the USA. We find that, with some important exceptions, both countries have successfully deployed cross‐border financial regulations and have carved out the ability to do so under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and some regional commitments. However, such policy space would be jeopardized if the TPP conformed to the US model rather than arrangements that each country has been able to broker in other arenas.