bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatty acids composition, cholesterol and vitamin E contents of Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinosus muscles of Suino Nero Lucano pigs slaughtered at two different weights
Authors: Perna Annamaria , Simonetti Amalia , Intaglietta Immacolata , Gambacorta Emilio
Published: October 2014

The nutritional quality of the lipid fraction of two muscles (Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinous) from Italian autochthonous genotype Suino Nero Lucano pigs slaughtered at two different weights was evaluated. Meat of Suino Nero Lucano pig showed a relatively low content of cholesterol and a higher proportion of unsaturated (UFA) than saturated fatty acids (SFA). Total cholesterol content was influenced by muscle, being higher in Longissimus dorsi (LD) than in Semitendinous (ST) muscle. No significant effects related to slaughter weight or muscle were found regarding vitamin E content. Slaughter weight strongly influenced n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contents that decreased with increasing weight, and consequently, PUFA/SFA ratio. Muscle markedly influenced the contents of SFA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and PUFA, and the dietetic properties of the meat. ST muscle, compared with the LD muscle, showed higher PUFA/SFA and PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratios, and lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices.
An Exploration of Organocatalyst 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane in the Direct Regioselective and Chemoselective γ-Addition of β-Keto Amide on Isatin to Afford Structurally Diverse Molecular Frameworks
Authors: Thakur Pramod B. , Meshram Harshadas M.
Published: September 2014

An efficient protocol promoted by 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane is described for the regioselective and chemoselective γ-addition of β-keto amides on isatins to afford γ-(3-hydroxy-2-oxindole)-β-keto amide structural framework under metal-free conditions. The developed method is mild, generates high yields, and is applicable for a variety of isatin electrophiles as well as β-keto amides. Moreover, the procedure is very handy and environmentally benign in nature, and provides direct access for the synthesis of diverse functionalized 3-β-keto amide-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole structural scaffolds from readily available starting materials.
Shiny-phyloseq: Web application for interactive microbiome analysis with provenance tracking
Authors: McMurdie Paul J. , Holmes Susan
Published: September 2014

Summary: We have created a Shiny-based Web application, called Shiny-phyloseq , for dynamic interaction with microbiome data that runs on any modern Web browser and requires no programming, increasing the accessibility and decreasing the entrance requirement to using phyloseq and related R tools. Along with a data- and context-aware dynamic interface for exploring the effects of parameter and method choices, Shiny-phyloseq also records the complete user input and subsequent graphical results of a user’s session, allowing the user to archive, share and reproduce the sequence of steps that created their result—without writing any new code themselves.

Availability and implementation : Shiny-phyloseq is implemented entirely in the R language. It can be hosted/launched by any system with R installed, including Windows, Mac OS and most Linux distributions. Information technology administrators can also host Shiny-phyloseq from a remote server, in which case users need only have a Web browser installed. Shiny-phyloseq is provided free of charge under a GPL-3 open-source license through GitHub at http://joey711.github.io/shiny-phyloseq/ .

Contact : mcmurdie@alumni.stanford.edu .
switchBox: an R package for k–Top Scoring Pairs classifier development
Authors: Afsari Bahman , Fertig Elana J. , Geman Donald , Marchionni Luigi
Published: September 2014

Summary : k–Top Scoring Pairs ( kTSP ) is a classification method for prediction from high-throughput data based on a set of the paired measurements. Each of the two possible orderings of a pair of measurements (e.g. a reversal in the expression of two genes) is associated with one of two classes. The kTSP prediction rule is the aggregation of voting among such individual two-feature decision rules based on order switching. kTSP , like its predecessor, Top Scoring Pair ( TSP ), is a parameter-free classifier relying only on ranking of a small subset of features, rendering it robust to noise and potentially easy to interpret in biological terms. In contrast to TSP , kTSP has comparable accuracy to standard genomics classification techniques, including Support Vector Machines and Prediction Analysis for Microarrays. Here, we describe ‘switchBox’, an R package for kTSP -based prediction.

Availability : The ‘switchBox’ package is freely available from Bioconductor: http://www.bioconductor.org .

Contact : bahman@jhu.edu

Supplementary information : Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Near- to mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of two buried AGNs of the nearby merging galaxy NGC 6240 with Subaru/IRCS+AO and GTC/CanariCam
Authors: Mori Tamami I. , Imanishi Masatoshi , Alonso-Herrero Almudena , Packham Chris , Ramos Almeida Cristina , Nikutta Robert , González-Martín Omaira , Perlman Eric , Saito Yuriko , Levenson Nancy A.
Published: October 2014

We report near-infrared K ′, L′, and M ′ band imaging observations of the nearby merging galaxy NGC 6240 with the Infrared Camera and Spectrograph on the Subaru telescope. The observations were performed with the assistance of the Subaru Adaptive Optics System, and the achieved spatial resolutions were around 0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$10–0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$20. We also obtained new mid-infrared imaging in the Si-2 filter band (8.7 μm) and N-band (7.5–13 μm) spectroscopy of this galaxy with the CanariCam on the Gran Telescopio Canarias with a spatial resolution of 0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$4–0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$5. In the K ′ band image the two nuclei of the galaxy each show a double peak suggesting the complex geometry of the source, while the L′, M ′, and Si-2 band images show single compact structures in each of the two nuclei. Assuming that the center core observed at wavelengths longer than 3.8 μm is associated with dust heated by the buried AGN, we re-evaluated the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the southern nucleus from 2 to 30 μm with additional literature values, and performed the SED+spectroscopy fit using the clumpy torus models of Nenkova et al. (2008a, ApJ, 685, 145; 2008b, ApJ, 685, 160) and a Bayesian fitting approach. The model fit suggests that the high covering factor torus emission in the southern nucleus is also obscured by foreground dust in the host galaxy. The estimated AGN bolometric luminosity of the southern nucleus, Lbol(AGN) ∼ 1 × 1045 erg s−1, accounts for approximately 40% of the whole luminosity of the system.
Specialization and generalization in the diversification of phytophagous insects: tests of the musical chairs and oscillation hypotheses
Authors: Hardy Nate B. , Otto Sarah P.
Published: October 2014

Evolutionary biologists have often assumed that ecological generalism comes at the expense of less intense exploitation of specific resources and that this trade-off will promote the evolution of ecologically specialized daughter species. Using a phylogenetic comparative approach with butterflies as a model system, we test hypotheses that incorporate changes in niche breadth and location into explanations of the taxonomic diversification of insect herbivores. Specifically, we compare the oscillation hypothesis, where speciation is driven by host-plant generalists giving rise to specialist daughter species, to the musical chairs hypothesis, where speciation is driven by host-plant switching, without changes in niche breadth. Contrary to the predictions of the oscillation hypothesis, we recover a negative relationship between host-plant breadth and diversification rate and find that changes in host breadth are seldom coupled to speciation events. By contrast, we present evidence for a positive relationship between rates of host switching and butterfly diversification, consonant with the musical chairs hypothesis. These results suggest that the costs of trophic generalism in plant-feeding insects may have been overvalued and that transitions from generalists to ecological specialists may not be an important driver of speciation in general.
Distinct structural transitions of chromatin topological domains correlate with coordinated hormone-induced gene regulation
Authors: Le Dily François , Baù Davide , Pohl Andy , Vicent Guillermo P. , Serra François , Soronellas Daniel , Castellano Giancarlo , Wright Roni H.G. , Ballare Cecilia , Filion Guillaume , Marti-Renom Marc A. , Beato Miguel
Published: October 2014

The human genome is segmented into topologically associating domains (TADs), but the role of this conserved organization during transient changes in gene expression is not known. Here we describe the distribution of progestin-induced chromatin modifications and changes in transcriptional activity over TADs in T47D breast cancer cells. Using ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with high-throughput sequencing), Hi-C (chromosome capture followed by high-throughput sequencing), and three-dimensional (3D) modeling techniques, we found that the borders of the ∼2000 TADs in these cells are largely maintained after hormone treatment and that up to 20% of the TADs could be considered as discrete regulatory units where the majority of the genes are either transcriptionally activated or repressed in a coordinated fashion. The epigenetic signatures of the TADs are homogeneously modified by hormones in correlation with the transcriptional changes. Hormone-induced changes in gene activity and chromatin remodeling are accompanied by differential structural changes for activated and repressed TADs, as reflected by specific and opposite changes in the strength of intra-TAD interactions within responsive TADs. Indeed, 3D modeling of the Hi-C data suggested that the structure of TADs was modified upon treatment. The differential responses of TADs to progestins and estrogens suggest that TADs could function as “regulons” to enable spatially proximal genes to be coordinately transcribed in response to hormones.
Measurement of Luminal pH of Acidic Stores as a Readout for NAADP Action
Authors: Galione Antony , Chuang Kai-Ting , Funnell Tim M. , Davis Lianne C. , Morgan Anthony J. , Ruas Margarida , Parrington John , Churchill Grant C.
Published: October 2014

In addition to mobilizing Ca2+, NAADP plays a role in modulating the luminal pH (pHL) of acidic stores of the endolysosomal system. The effects of NAADP on pHL have been most extensively studied in the sea urchin egg, both in the intact egg and in egg homogenates. Related observations have also been made in mammalian systems (e.g., guinea pig atrial myocytes and pancreatic acinar cells). Although the connection between Ca2+ mobilization and increase in pHL is not understood, pHL can be a useful parameter to measure when studying NAADP-mediated signaling. This protocol describes the fluorescent measurement of pHL of acidic stores. It relies on the use of acridine orange (AO), a standard dye for pHL. AO selectively accumulates to high concentrations in the lumen of organelles as a function of acidity; at these high concentrations it self-quenches. When pHL increases, some AO is lost from the vesicle. As a result, the lower luminal AO concentration relieves the quenching and fluorescence increases in the lumen.
Fluorodeoxyglucose-Based Positron Emission Tomography Imaging to Monitor Drug Responses in Solid Tumors
Authors: Newbold Andrea , Martin Ben P. , Cullinane Carleen , Bots Michael
Published: October 2014

Positron emission tomography (PET) is used to monitor the uptake of the labeled glucose analogue fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) by solid tumor cells, a process generally believed to reflect viable tumor cell mass. The use of 18F-FDG exploits the high demand for glucose in tumor cells, and serves to document over time the response of a solid tumor to an inducer of apoptosis. The apoptosis inducer crizotinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often dysregulated in human tumors. In this protocol, we describe how to monitor the response of a solid tumor to crizotinib. Human gastric tumor cells (GTL-16 cells) are injected into recipient mice and, on tumor formation, the mice are treated with crizotinib. The tracer 18F-FDG is then injected into the mice at several time points, and its uptake is monitored using PET. Because 18F-FDG uptake varies widely among different tumor models, preliminary experiments should be performed with each new model to determine its basal level of 18F-FDG uptake. Verifying that the basal level of uptake is sufficiently above background levels will assure accurate quantitation. Because 18F-FDG uptake is not a direct measure of apoptosis, it is advisable to carry out an additional direct method to show the presence of apoptotic cells.
Cell-Flow Technique
Authors: Hess George P. , Lewis Ryan W. , Chen Yongli
Published: October 2014

Various devices have been used to flow neurotransmitter solutions over cells containing receptors (e.g., ligand-gated ion channels) for whole-cell current recordings. With many of the devices, the orientation between the porthole of the flow device and the cell is not maintained absolutely constant. Orientation is critical for reproducibility in kinetic experiments. To be able to change the composition of the flowing solution during an experiment and still maintain a constant orientation, we use the cell-flow device described here. A peristaltic pump, a stainless steel U-tube, two different sizes of peristaltic tubing, and a solenoid valve are required to create a simple solution exchange system that can rapidly apply and remove solutions over the surface of a cell in tens of milliseconds. This system allows one to test multiple conditions on a cell containing the receptor of interest while constantly “washing” the cell with extracellular buffer solution between experimental applications. The use of the solenoid valve allows for the application of solutions to be precisely timed and controlled by a computer during electrophysiological current recording.
The polyoctahedral silsesquioxane (POSS) 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octaphenylpentacyclo[9.5.1.13,9.15,15.17,13]octasiloxane (octaphenyl-POSS)
Authors: Chinnam Parameswara Rao , Gau Michael R. , Schwab Joseph , Zdilla Michael J. , Wunder Stephanie L.
Published: September 2014

Solvent-free single crystals of 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octaphenylpentacyclo[9.5.1.13,9.15,15.17,13]octasiloxane (abbreviated as octaphenyl-POSS), C48H40O12Si8, were obtained by dehydration/condensation of the tetrol Si4O4(Ph)4(OH)4. The powder pattern generated from the single-crystal data matches well with the experimentally measured powder pattern of commercial octaphenyl-POSS. The geometry of the centrosymmetric molecule in the crystal was compared with that in the gas phase, and had shorter Si—O bond lengths and a broader range of Si—O—Si bond angles. The average Si—O bond length [1.621 (3) Å], and Si—O—Si and O—Si—O bond angles [149 (5) and 109 (1)°, respectively] were within the same range measured previously for octaphenyl-POSS solvates.
NMR analysis of a series of 1,2-bis(1-R-5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-4-ylidene)ethanes and X-ray crystal structure analysis of theR= mesityl compound
Authors: Liu Qi , Song Xiu-Qing , Yan Hong
Published: September 2014

Four tetramethyl 4,4′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis[1-R-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylate] compounds, denoted class (1), are a series of conjugated buta-1,3-dienes substituted with a heterocyclic group. The compounds can be used as dyes and pigments due to their long-range conjugated systems. Four structures were studied using1H NMR,13C NMR and mass spectroscopy,viz.withR= 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, (1a),R = cyclohexyl, (1b),R=tert-butyl, (1c), andR= isopropyl, (1d). A detailed discussion is presented regarding the characteristics of the three-dimensional structures based on NMR analysis and the X-ray crystal structure of (1a), namely tetramethyl 4,4′-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis[5-oxo-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylate], C36H36N2O10. The conjugation plane and stability were also studiedviaquantum chemical calculations.
The topotactic dehydration of monoclinic {[Co(pht)(bpy)(H2O)2]·2H2O}ninto orthorhombic [Co(pht)(bpy)(H2O)2]n(pht is phthalate and bpy is 4,4′-bipyridine)
Authors: Harvey Miguel Angel , Suarez Sebastián , Cukiernik Fabio D. , Baggio Ricardo
Published: September 2014

Controlled heating of single crystals of the previously reported [Köferstein & Robl (2007).Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem.633, 1127–1130] dihydrate {[Co(pht)(bpy)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, (II) [where pht is phthalate (C8H4O4) and bpy is 4,4′-bipyridine (C10H8N2)], produced a topotactic transformation into an unreported diaqua anhydrate, namely poly[diaqua(μ2-benzene-1,2-dicarboxylato-κ2O1:O2)(μ2-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2N:N′)cobalt(II)], [Co(C8H4O4)(C10H8N2)(H2O)2]n, (IIa). The structural change consists of the loss of the two solvent water molecules linking the original two-dimensional covalent substructures which are the `main frame' of the monoclinicP2/nhydrate (strictly preserved during the transformation), with further reaccommodation of the latter. The anhydrate organizes itself in the orthorhombic system (space groupPmn21) in a disordered fashion, where the space-group-symmetry restrictions are achieved only in a statistical sense, with mirror-related two-dimensional planar substructures, mirrored in a plane perpendicular to [100]. Thus, the asymmetric unit in the refined model is composed of two superimposed mirror-related `ghosts' of half-occupancy each. Similarities and differences with the parent dihydrate and some other related structures in the literature are discussed.
Police interpretation examinations in Taiwan during the period of Japanese rule
Authors: Shu Yang Cheng
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– During the period of Japanese rule after 1895, the language barrier resulted in social and political problems. Thus, the Japanese implemented an interpretation examination system, with an aim of encouraging rank-and-file members of the police force to learn interpretation. The system included tiers and stipends, and offered incentives such as career advancement. This policy, which started at the early period of Japanese rule, lasted up to 40 years. The purpose of this paper is to conduct an analysis of the contents of examinations and statements from interpreters in the system of multiple role interpreters during the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through analysis of several hundred examination questions on Japanese-Taiwanese interpretation, and dozens of pieces of literature examining the interpreter reactions toward this system and the examination questions, this study will explore the examination methodology, content of examination questions, and the difficulty of the examinations.

Findings

– The tangible aspects of colonial rule can be seen through the contents of the examinations, and the roles and functions granted by the rulers to the interpreters can be described.

Originality/value

– The establishment of a database for police interpretation examination questions and analysis of said questions in database.
From home to civic: designing the Australian school
Authors: Willis Julie
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the design of state school buildings in Australia from the 1880s to the 1980s to establish common threads or similar concerns evident in their architecture at a national level.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researcher compiled a significant data set of hundreds of state schools, derived from government, professional and other publications, archival searches and site visits. Standard analytical methods in architectural research are employed, including stylistic and morphological analysis, to read the designs for meaning and intent.

Findings

– The data set was interrogated to draw out major themes in school design, the identification of which form the basis of the paper's argument. Four major themes, identifiable at a national level, are identified: school as house; school as civic; school as factory; and school as town. Each theme reflects a different chronological period, being approximately 1900-1920, 1920-1940, 1940-1960 and 1960-1980. The themes reflect the changing representation of aspiration for the school child and their engagement with wider society through the architecture of the school.

Originality/value

– The paper considers, for the first time, the concerns of educational architecture over time in Australia on a consciously national, rather than state, level.
Performance assessment is a two-way street at Dell
Authors: Singh Jasmeet
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the principal human resource (HR) management policies at global computer giant Dell.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper focuses on performance management, recruitment, career development, employee development, remuneration and research and development.

Findings

– The importance of the company’s Tell Dell survey, which gives employees the regular opportunity to comment on the performance of their managers has been highlighted.

Practical implications

– This paper explains that this produces such high-quality information that it feeds directly into the company’s total-quality-management initiatives.

Social implications

– It has been revealed that Dell employees can recommend their family or friends for employment at the company.

Originality/value

– A useful overview of HR management at Dell.
Situations-vacant fall where employees are engaged
Authors: P. Bandura Randall , R. Lyons Paul
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to summarize recent commentary and research about employee engagement. It offers information on practices and suggestions aimed at helping human resource specialists and general managers to stimulate opportunities for employees to become more engaged in their work.

Design/methodology/approach

– Discusses employee engagement based on an extensive literature review of recent research and commentary regarding the concept.

Findings

– Advances the view that, depending upon one’s organizational culture, work tasks and employee characteristics, there are many practical opportunities for managers to help employees to become more engaged in their work and organization.

Practical implications

– Explains how employee involvement can help to improve product quality, cut costs, bolster employee retention and boost organizational performance.

Social implications

– Argues that employees have to find personal meaning in their work to be engaged.

Originality/value

– Serves as a refresher for those interested in the concept of employee engagement. Offers practical suggestions for human resource specialists.
Who is responsible for my workaholism: me, my parents or my workplace?
Authors: Srivastava Manjari
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of workaholism, the factors driving it and its impact on executives and their companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the author’s first-hand experience of working in this area.

Findings

– It identifies types of workaholism among managers. Explains that the positive side is individuals who are self-reliant, well-organized, have high standards and feel fulfillment when work is completed to a high standard and on time. The negative side is feelings of anxiety and physical and mental exhaustion, being restless and mentally preoccupied with work.

Practical implications

– It highlights the roles of parental upbringing, personal values and workplace culture and practices as drivers of workaholism. Being workaholic may lead to a rewarding career but can harm health and work-life balance.

Social implications

– It suggests that, by understanding the nature of workaholism, individuals and organizations can take corrective measures.

Originality/value

– It takes a psychological approach to understanding and managing workaholism.
Evaluation of researchers’ satisfaction with electronic resources in two universities of Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Shamshad , Amjad Anam
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction level of researchers with electronic resources as well as the uses, purposes, reasons and problems faced by them in using of these resources in the context of Pakistani Universities.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper opted for a quantitative study using a questionnaire for survey. Response rate was 80 per cent and data were analyzed from 261 researchers of two universities of Pakistan. Five-point Likert scale ranked from “Dissatisfied” (5) to “Extremely Satisfied” (1) was used to evaluate the satisfaction level of researchers.

Findings

– The paper found that mostly researchers were “Very Satisfied” with electronic resources though they faced problems in using of these resources.

Research limitations/implications

– Research scholars from Faculty of Arts, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, were included in this paper.

Practical implications

– This paper advances knowledge about the current status of the use of university library electronic resources, helps librarians in Pakistani university libraries understand the information need of the researchers more specifically, and provides some guidelines for the efficient and effective use of these resources.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils the identified need of researchers and indicates how researchers can utilize electronic resources in a better way.
SMIRK – developing a new mobile resource from an existing project
Authors: Kelt Marion
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this case study describes the process of designing and building SMIRK, a mobile information literacy and communication skills package. It describes the original package, SMILE, and the problems in its use and development. SMILE is not suitable for use on all mobile devices, so it had to be adapted and rewritten to meet our users’ needs. The selection of a software package and the practical issues involved with building the new product is outlined. Plans for future development and use in the university environment are described.

Design/methodology/approach

– The problems with the original package are described, and the requirements for a new version are listed. The software selection process and factors affecting it are outlined. Practical issues in the build are described and solutions presented.

Findings

– This paper presents the use of software designed for the creation of small mobile sites in a new “nested” way to provide a larger, easy to use mobile site.

Research limitations/implications

– The use of the existing and new sites is examined by the use of Google analytics, and feedback is collected using Google forms. This can be used to inform further development of the sites. SMIRK will be made available as an open educational resource (OER), and its reuse will be monitored using Jorum analytics. This should help inform the wider OER community in the field of information literacy.

Practical implications

– SMIRK will be embedded in virtual learning environment modules to support face-to-face training in information literacy and communication skills. This will be presented as a set of deep links directly to small information units which can be used by students on their smartphones or tablets.

Social implications

– SMIRK is available on the open web, so anyone can use it. It has been publicised at the Scottish information literacy group which contains members from all library sectors, so we hope that it will be used in further education (FE) and possibly secondary schools to provide a set of transferable skills.

Originality/value

– This case study describes a novel way of using Dreamweaver’s JQuery mobile function to create a new online product to support information literacy and communication skills training in the academic environment.
Designing the Greek Citation Index in the humanities and the social sciences (GCI – H&SS)
Authors: Kyriaki-Manessi Daphne
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the major policy issues regarding the formation of a Greek Citation Index.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature search for determining international practices on the formation of citation indexes and applied inquiries on the major citation indexes available today online for which goals, policies on inclusion of published research, issues on impact factor, major concerns on distribution and use were examined within the Greek parameters imposed by language barriers, readability and usability. A blueprint of scholarly Greek production in humanities and social sciences (H&SS) was made along with the development of a mechanism for assessing and incorporating journals to the index.

Findings

– The study reports on the following issues: selection of H&SS as a start of point for the citation index; setting of the index’s goals and objectives in view of the use of impact factor for the assessment of academics; comparison of international to national production of citation indexes; development of a mechanism needed to establish policies regarding the use of standards, selection of material, compliance with repository policies and open-access practices; and assessment of difficulties arising from language (and alphabet) differences, demographics, audience and scientific production.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the designing of an information tool in a unique language environment and in isolation from the international indexing community. In addition, it contributes to the adoption of international indicators, such as impact factor, and their implementation within the Greek environment and the specification of parameters arising from language, demographics and publishing practices of the country.
Introducing a new continuous improvement framework for increased organisational return on investment
Authors: Heavey Colm , Ledwith Ann , Murphy Eamonn
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a new framework for continuous improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The literature review on customer value and strategic quality provides the basis for the identification of a conceptual framework for continuous improvement. This conceptual framework is validated using the in-depth interview and the survey approach.

Findings

– The empirical study concluded that the new framework contains all the core components or forces of continuous improvement. These forces are customer value focused co-leadership, customer value focused strategic objectives, improvement specialists with people performance knowledge and improvement methodology. By adopting this framework, all process personnel can have a role to play in process improvement leading to increased organisational returns on investment. Overall, it is an effective framework that is easily understood and can be applied throughout any process led organisation. This is supported by the empirical data.

Practical implications

– This new framework can demonstrate to each organisational employee where they fit into the organisational continuous improvement strategy. This paper provides practitioners with a new validated continuous improvement framework that has application in all organisations that are involved in process customer value improvement. The researchers contend that this new framework can compliment existing continuous improvement frameworks.

Originality/value

– This paper develops and validates a new framework for continuous improvement. By adopting this framework, all process personnel can have a role to play in process improvement leading to increased organisational returns on investment. This is supported by the empirical data. Also, the authors contend that this framework embraces the systems thinking approach (Conti, 2010) or systemic approach as people interact with customers, processes, improvement methodologies and each other to drive customer value improvement. Consequently, this generates a need to take global view of the combined effect of all customer value improvement components. This systems thinking can feed into future research.
Synergising total productive maintenance elements with ISO 9001:2008 standard based quality management system
Authors: Sivaram N.M. , Devadasan S.R. , Murugesh R. , Karthi S. , Sreenivasa C.G.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the integration of total productive maintenance (TPM) and ISO 9001 certification by contributing a model named as TPM 9001:2008.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the beginning of the paper, the origin, growth and capabilities of TPM and ISO 9001 certification in enabling the organizations to perform at world class level are appraised by citing research outcomes reported in literature arena. The information and knowledge thus gathered from literature arena are used to conceptualize TPM 9001:2008 model. Through this conceptualization, the eight TPM pillars are fitted into the five major clauses of ISO 9001:2008 standard. In order to illustrate this conceptualization, the contents of a sub-clause of TPM 9001:2008 model are presented and the rationale behind designating it is appraised.

Findings

– TPM 9001:2008 model brings out synergy from the two renowned world class strategies namely “TPM” and “ISO 9001 certification”.

Practical implications

– The paper points out that the practical validity of TPM 9001:2008 model shall be established by conducting real time case studies in various organizations.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a unique approach for integrating TPM elements with ISO 9001:2008 standard based quality management system, as a single framework benefiting the contemporary organizations.
Variation in Emergency Department Head Computed Tomography Use for Pediatric Head Trauma
Authors: Marin Jennifer R. , Weaver Matthew D. , Barnato Amber E. , Yabes Jonathan G. , Yealy Donald M. , Roberts Mark S.
Published: October 2014

Objectives

The objectives were to evaluate general emergency department (ED) variation in head computed tomography (CT) use for pediatric head trauma, hospital factors associated with CT use, and recent secular trends in CT utilization for pediatric head trauma.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of a sample of general EDs in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS; 2006–2010). The authors included visits by patients <19 years of age with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, diagnosis codes for head trauma and determined head CT use via Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Fourth Edition, codes. Crude and risk‐adjusted proportions of visits with CT for each hospital were calculated using multilevel mixed effects logistic regression. The association between hospital‐level characteristics and head CT were evaluated by constructing multivariable negative binomial regression models.

Results

There were 324,435 pediatric head trauma visits to 848 EDs in the sample. Median patient age was 8 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 2 to 15 years) and 62% of visits were by males. A minority of patients (0.7%) were severely injured, and only 4.2% were admitted to the hospital. Most EDs (79%) were nonteaching institutions, and 84% were nontrauma centers. Risk‐adjusted median CT use was 56.0% (IQR = 46.4% to 64.7%). In multivariate analysis, nontrauma centers were 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4% to 15%) less likely to use head CT for pediatric head trauma patients and among discharged patients, EDs within nonteaching hospitals were 8% more likely to perform CT imaging (95% CI = 2% to 14%). There was no change in CT use from 2006 through 2010 (p = 0.31).

Conclusions

There is significant variability among general EDs in CT use for pediatric head trauma, indicating the need for strategies to reduce variation and improve ED imaging practices for this population.
Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Pregnant Patients Investigated for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department
Authors: Kline Jeffrey A. , Richardson Danielle M. , Than Martin P. , Penaloza Andrea , Roy Pierre‐Marie
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Pregnancy causes a small increase in risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but a large increase in concern upon presentation to an emergency department (ED) with symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE), which may cause physicians to employ a low test threshold. This was a systematic review with the hypothesis that symptomatic pregnant patients in the ED have a low relative risk (RR) for VTE outcome.

Methods

Studies in all languages were identified by structured search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and bibliographies in February 2014. Papers with ED patients evaluated for possible PE that included pregnancy status, and had adequate reference standards, were included. An outcome of VTE (either deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or PE) was considered disease‐positive (VTE+). Papers were assessed for selection and publication bias, and heterogeneity (I2). The random effects model was used if I2 > 24%.

Results

Seventeen full‐length studies of 25,339 patients were analyzed. Pooled data showed I² = 0% with a symmetrical funnel plot. Two small studies with less than 1% of all patients had evidence of selection bias. The frequency of VTE+ rate among the 506 pregnant patients was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6% to 6.0%), compared with 12.4% (95% CI = 9.0% to 16.3%) among nonpregnant patients. The pooled RR of pregnancy for VTE+ diagnosis was 0.60 (95% CI = 0.41 to 0.87). Patients in the third trimester had a RR of 0.85 (95% CI = 0.40 to 1.77), and patients of childbearing age (≤45 years) had a RR of 0.56 (95% CI = 0.34 to 0.93).

Conclusions

In the ED setting, physicians test for PE in pregnant patients at a low threshold, resulting in a low rate of VTE diagnosis and a RR of VTE that is lower than that for nonpregnant women of childbearing age who are tested for PE in the ED setting.
Transmitting pro‐environmental behaviours to the next generation: A comparison between Germany and Japan
Authors: Ando Kaori , Yorifuji Kayo , Ohnuma Susumu , Matthies Ellen , Kanbara Ayumi
Published: October 2014

The present study examined the processes by which children acquire pro‐environmental behaviours in different cultures. Our focus was on parental influence. Several studies have been conducted on adults' environmental behaviours; however, we know little about how children's environmental attitudes and behaviours are formed. We conducted a questionnaire survey with elementary school children and one of their parents in Germany and Japan. Two hundred and twenty‐one pairs participated in Germany and 365 in Japan. The results of structural equation modelling showed that parents' behaviours affected children's environmental behaviours directly and also via the subjective norm (the children's experienced expectations of their parents). A comparison of the two countries revealed that hypothesized cultural differences between the impact of personal norms and subjective norms were clearer for adults. The results also showed that the effects of subjective norms were stronger for children, indicating that children are more likely to be influenced by expectations of others. The results of the study suggest that for promoting children's environmental behaviours, showing the behaviours in daily life would be most effective.
Combining One-Sample Confidence Procedures for Inference in the Two-Sample Case
Authors: Fay Michael P. , Proschan Michael A. , Brittain Erica
Published: October 2014

We present a simple general method for combining two one-sample confidence procedures to obtain inferences in the two-sample problem. Some applications give striking connections to established methods; for example, combining exact binomial confidence procedures gives new confidence intervals on the difference or ratio of proportions that match inferences using Fisher's exact test, and numeric studies show the associated confidence intervals bound the type I error rate. Combining exact one-sample Poisson confidence procedures recreates standard confidence intervals on the ratio, and introduces new ones for the difference. Combining confidence procedures associated with one-sample t-tests recreates the Behrens–Fisher intervals. Other applications provide new confidence intervals with fewer assumptions than previously needed. For example, the method creates new confidence intervals on the difference in medians that do not require shift and continuity assumptions. We create a new confidence interval for the difference between two survival distributions at a fixed time point when there is independent censoring by combining the recently developed beta product confidence procedure for each single sample. The resulting interval is designed to guarantee coverage regardless of sample size or censoring distribution, and produces equivalent inferences to Fisher's exact test when there is no censoring. We show theoretically that when combining intervals asymptotically equivalent to normal intervals, our method has asymptotically accurate coverage. Importantly, all situations studied suggest guaranteed nominal coverage for our new interval whenever the original confidence procedures themselves guarantee coverage.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in malignant melanoma
Authors: Umansky Viktor , Sevko Alexandra , Gebhardt Christoffer , Utikal Jochen
Published: September 2014

Melanoma is known for its rapid progression, metastasis to distant organs and therapeutic resistance. Despite high melanoma immunogenicity, the results of immunotherapeutic clinical studies are mostly unsatisfactory. One explanation is the development of strong immunosuppression mediated by highly immunosuppressive regulatory leukocytes, in particular, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These cells were found to be enriched and activated in the melanoma microenvironment, inducing a profound impairment of anti‐tumor immune responses and leading to the tumor progression. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of MDSC generation, migration to the tumor site and activation as well as their targeting is important for the development of novel strategies for effective melanoma immunotherapy. We suggest that such therapeutic approaches should involve the inhibition of MDSC‐mediated immunosuppressive melanoma microenvironment combined with other immunologic treatments.
Seizures associated with hypoglycaemia and subsequent epilepsy
Authors: Cross J Helen
Published: October 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Gataullina et al. on pages 194–199 of this issue.
Reduction of nitrite levels in fresh lettuces with aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment
Authors: Hao Jianxiong , Li Huiying , Wan Yangfang , Liu Haijie
Published: October 2014

Leafy vegetables are the major source of nitrite intake in the human diet, and technological processing to control the nitrite levels is necessary to the harvested vegetables destined for consumption. In this work, the effect of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment on the nitrite levels in fresh lettuces during storage was studied. The results showed the appropriate aqueous ClO2 solutions treatment (30 and 45 mg L−1, 10 min) could reduce the nitrite levels or retard the peak occurrence in fresh lettuces during storage. The reduction of nitrite levels in fresh lettuces with appropriate ClO2 treatment can be attributed to two aspects including the inactivation of nitrate reductase directly and the reduction of the bacterial populations. This study will provide a useful method to reduce the nitrite levels in fresh lettuces destined for short storage followed by consumption.
Individually assessed boldness predicts Perca fluviatilis behaviour in shoals, but is not associated with the capture order or angling method
Authors: Kekäläinen J. , Podgorniak T. , Puolakka T. , Hyvärinen P. , Vainikka A.
Published: October 2014

Selectivity of recreational angling on fish behaviour was studied by examining whether capture order or lure type (natural v. artificial bait) in ice‐fishing could explain behavioural variation among perch Perca fluviatilis individuals. It was also tested if individually assessed personality predicts fish behaviour in groups, in the presence of natural predators. Perca fluviatilis showed individually repeatable behaviour both in individual and in group tests. Capture order, capture method, condition factor or past growth rate did not explain variation in individual behaviour. Individually determined boldness as well as fish size, however, were positively associated with first entrance to the predator zone (i.e. initial risk taking) in group behaviour tests. Individually determined boldness also explained long‐term activity and total time spent in the vicinity of predators in the group. These findings suggest that individual and laboratory‐based boldness tests predict boldness of P. fluviatilis in also ecologically relevant conditions, i.e. in shoals and in the presence of natural predators. The present results, however, also indicate that the above‐mentioned two angling methods may not be selective for certain behavioural types in comparison to each other.
Effects of Different Demineralization‐Inhibiting Methods on the Shear Bond Strength of Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Dilber Erhan , Akın Mehmet , Yavuz Tevfik , Erdem Ali
Published: October 2014

Purpose

This in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different demineralization‐inhibiting methods on the shear bond strength (SBS) of glass‐ceramics.

Materials and Methods

Ninety extracted intact human mandibular lateral insicors were randomly divided into six equal groups. Group C was left untreated, while enamel subsurface demineralization was induced in the other groups. In group D, porcelain discs (3 mm in diameter) were cemented to demineralized enamel by using total‐etch photopolymerizing luting composite resin without pretreatment. Demineralized specimens in groups F, CA, M, and I were pretreated with fluoride gel, CPP‐ACP paste, microabrasion, and resin infiltration, respectively, and then porcelain discs were cemented. SBS (MPa) was calculated from the failure load (N) per bonded area (mm2). Fracture types were examined by optical microscopy (40× magnification). Data were analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey's test, and G‐test.

Results

ANOVA revealed significant intergroup differences (p < 0.01). No significant differences in SBS (MPa) were found between groups C (19.48 ± 2.0) and I (20.02 ± 1.6). Lower SBS values were recorded in groups D (7.93 ± 0.8), F (12.51 ± 1.5), CA (17.08 ± 1.3), and M (14.84 ± 1.4). Mixed and cohesive failures were the most prevalent in groups M and I, respectively.

Conclusion

Resin infiltration enhanced the SBS of porcelain discs bonded to demineralized enamel when compared with the other demineralization‐inhibiting methods. Clinical Relevance: Resin infiltration could be useful to enhance adhesion of glass‐ceramics to teeth with white spot lesions.