bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-assembly of a superparamagnetic raspberry-like silica/iron oxide nanocomposite using epoxy–amine coupling chemistry
Authors: Cano Manuel , de la Cueva-Méndez Guillermo
Published: January 2015

We used epoxy–amine coupling chemistry for the straightforward fabrication of a stable superparamagnetic colloidal composite from a simple mixture of its constituent nanoparticles, in the absence of any other reactant.
The theoretical investigation on the 4-(4-phenyl-4-α-naphthylbutadieny)-triphenylamine derivatives as hole transporting materials for perovskite-type solar cells
Authors: Chi Wei-Jie , Li Ze-Sheng
Published: January 2015

The hole mobility of hole transport materials is improved by the face-to-face packing mode, and phenyl is an outstanding substituent group for improving hole mobility.
A composite additive used for an excellent new cyanide-free silver plating bath
Authors: Liu Anmin , Ren Xuefeng , Zhang Jie , Yuan Guohui , Yang Peixia , Zhang Jinqiu , An Maozhong
Published: January 2015

Mirror bright silver deposits with smooth and compact morphology could be obtained in the presence of the introduced composite additive.
Inside the structure of a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane: how hybrid particles get along with the polymer matrix
Authors: Maréchal M. , Niepceron F. , Gebel G. , Mendil-Jakani H. , Galiano H.
Published: January 2015

The structure of a hybrid electrolytic membrane is multiscale and intrinsically complex. However a dichotomous approach allows to incrementally underpin the description of such nanostructures.
In situ imaging and control of layer-by-layer femtosecond laser thinning of graphene
Authors: Li D. W. , Zhou Y. S. , Huang X. , Jiang L. , Silvain J.-F. , Lu Y. F.
Published: January 2015

An approach to in situ imaging and control of layer-by-layer femtosecond laser thinning of graphene has been developed.
Alkynylation of heterocyclic compounds using hypervalent iodine reagent
Authors: Kamlar M. , Císařová I. , Veselý J.
Published: January 2015

The alkynylation of various nitrogen- and/or sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds using hypervalent iodine TMS-EBX by utilization of tertiary amines under mild conditions is described.
Quaternary rare-earth selenides with closed cavities: Cs[RE9Mn4Se18] (RE = Ho–Lu)
Authors: Lin Hua , Shen Jin-Ni , Shi Yong-Fang , Li Long-Hua , Chen Ling
Published: January 2015

Five new selenides, Cs[RE9Mn4Se18] (RE = Ho–Lu), adopting the BaV13O18-structure type and the A/M-structure correlation are reported.
A solution based route to GaAs thin films from As(NMe2)3 and GaMe3 for solar cells
Authors: Sathasivam Sanjayan , Arnepalli Ranga R. , Singh Kaushal K. , Visser Robert J. , Blackman Christopher S. , Carmalt Claire J.
Published: January 2015

The novel deposition of GaAs thin films on glass substrates from a solution based route involving the aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) of As(NMe2)3 and GaMe3 dissolved in toluene is reported.
Real-time monitoring of self-assembling worm-like micelle formation by organic transistors
Authors: Preziosi V. , Tarabella G. , D'Angelo P. , Romeo A. , Barra M. , Guido S. , Cassinese A. , Iannotta S.
Published: January 2015

OECT (Fig. a) for monitoring micelle formation in a spherical (red points – Fig. b) and a wormlike (blue points – Fig. b) regime solutions.
Nanoporous photocatalysts developed through heat-driven stacking of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets
Authors: Huang Zhijun , Li Fengbo , Chen Bingfeng , Yuan Guoqing
Published: January 2015

Nanostructured g-C3N4 with high surface area from heat treatment of guanidinium cyanurate exhibits better optical properties and enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Molecular modeling studies of dihydro-alkyloxy-benzyl-oxopyrimidines (DABOs) as non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase using 3D-QSAR, Topomer CoMFA and molecular docking simulations
Authors: Dong Minghui , Ren Yujie
Published: January 2015

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) is generally regarded as a target for the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Two heteroleptic Ir(iii)–bisthienylethene compounds: syntheses, structures and aggregation-induced luminescence
Authors: Wei Ruo-Hong , Chen Jun-Feng , Feng Jia-Qi , Hu Jiong-Sheng , Cao Deng-Ke
Published: January 2015

Bisthienylethene hnbdtiH and its heteroleptic complexes [Ir(dfppy)2(hnbdti)]·2CH3OH (1) and [Ir(ppy)2(hnbdti)]·CH3OH (2) were synthesized and characterized by crystal structures. Aggregation-induced phosphorescence emission was observed in 1.
Synthesis of PVC/CNT nanocomposite fibers using a simple deposition technique for the application of Alizarin Red S (ARS) removal
Authors: Hasan Mudassir , Kumar Rajeev , Barakat M. A. , Lee Moonyong
Published: January 2015

A novel deposition route for PVC/CNT nanocomposite fibers synthesis and its application towards ARS removal.
Using animations in identifying general chemistry students' misconceptions and evaluating their knowledge transfer relating to particle position in physical changes
Authors: Christopher Smith K. , Villarreal Savannah
Published: January 2015

This article reports on the types of views and misconceptions uncovered after assessing 155 freshman general chemistry students on the concept of particle position during the reversible physical change of melting, using the Melting Cycle Instrument, which illustrates particulate-level representations of a melting–freezing cycle. Animations involving particulate-level representations of phase changes including melting and freezing were viewed and discussed, and the students were assessed a second time, on the concept of particle position during the reversible physical change of dissolving, using the Dissolving Cycle Instrument, which illustrates particulate-level representations of a dissolving-solvent evaporation cycle. Overall, the results of the assessments showed that some misconceptions did remain after viewing and discussing the animations, and that the use of the animations had no effect on the students' views on the movement of particles within the liquid.
Hierarchically porous carbon architectures embedded with hollow nanocapsules for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Yu Chang , Chen Meng , Li Xiaoju , Zhao Changtai , He Lianlong , Qiu Jieshan
Published: January 2015

Hierarchically porous carbon architectures composed of a micro-sized porous carbon sphere matrix embedded with hollow nanocapsules are configured, demonstrating a large capacity and an ultra-high rate capability in lithium ion batteries.
Renewable, fluorescent, and thermoresponsive: cellulose copolymers via light-induced ligation in solution
Authors: Hufendiek Andrea , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: January 2015

We introduce a mild photochemically driven strategy for the synthesis of fluorescent cellulose copolymers in solution using filter paper as the starting material.
Structural basis of cofactor-mediated stabilization and substrate recognition of the α-tubulin acetyltransferase αTAT1
Authors: Yuzawa Satoru , Kamakura Sachiko , Hayase Junya , Sumimoto Hideki
Published: January 2015

Tubulin acetylation by the enzyme αTAT1 regulates microtublules that participate in various events including cell division and cellular transport. Here we show quantity control of αTAT1 by its cofactor (acetyl-CoA and CoA)-mediated stabilization and molecular mechanism for substrate recognition of αTAT1
Solution of the equivalence problem for the third Painlevé equation
Authors: Bagderina Yulia Yu. , Tarkhanov Nikolai N.
Published: January 2015

We find necessary conditions for a second order ordinary differential equation to be equivalent to the Painlevé III equation under a general point transformation. Their sufficiency is established by reduction to known results for the equations of the form y″ = f(x, y). We consider separately the generic case and the case of reducibility to an autonomous equation. The results are illustrated by the primary resonance equation.
Bose-Einstein condensation on a manifold with non-negative Ricci curvature
Authors: Akant Levent , Ertuğrul Emine , Tapramaz Ferzan , Turgut O. Teoman
Published: January 2015

The Bose-Einstein condensation for an ideal Bose gas and for a dilute weakly interacting Bose gas in a manifold with non-negative Ricci curvature is investigated using the heat kernel and eigenvalue estimates of the Laplace operator. The main focus is on the nonrelativistic gas. However, special relativistic ideal gas is also discussed. The thermodynamic limit of the heat kernel and eigenvalue estimates is taken and the results are used to derive bounds for the depletion coefficient. In the case of a weakly interacting gas, Bogoliubov approximation is employed. The ground state is analyzed using heat kernel methods and finite size effects on the ground state energy are proposed. The justification of the c-number substitution on a manifold is given.
FePtC magnetic recording media with (200) textured MoC intermediate layer
Authors: Tsai Jai-Lin , Tseng Yun-Ting , Li Chia-Ru , Fu Sheng-Chun
Published: January 2015

The FePt films with thickness of 4–10 nm were deposited on MoC/CrRu/glass at 425 °C by using magnetron sputtering. The Mo40C60 target was used to form the MoC and C two phases after deposition. The MoC intermediate layer was epitaxially grown on the (200) textured CrRu seed layer at 425 °C and the MoC (200) diffraction peak was not clearly indexed below 10 nm but observed at 25 nm. Finally, the FePt film was prepared on (200) textured MoC at 425 °C and shown the strong (001) texture. Perpendicular anisotropy of 1.7 × 107 erg/cm3 and out-of-plane coercivity of 7.5 kOe has been demonstrated in 10 nm thick FePt film. From microstructure, the FePt grains were distributed in- or between-islands like structure and further separated by excess carbon from MoC intermediate layer. Thinner FePt film was more separated by excess carbon and shown higher coercivity.
‘Imagine if I gave up smoking ...’: a qualitative exploration of Aboriginal participants’ perspectives of a self-management pilot training intervention
Authors: Chapple Kimberley , Kowanko Inge , Harvey Peter , Chong Alwin , Battersby Malcolm
Published: January 2015

This paper reports on a pilot qualitative study investigating Aboriginal participants’ perspectives of the Flinders Living Well Smoke Free (LWSF) ‘training intervention’. Health workers nationally have been trained in this program, which offers a self-management approach to reducing smoking among Aboriginal clients. A component of the training involves Aboriginal clients volunteering their time in a mock care-planning session providing the health workers with an opportunity to practise their newly acquired skills. During this simulation, the volunteer clients receive one condensed session of the LWSF intervention imitating how the training will be implemented when the health workers have completed the training. For the purpose of this study, 10 Aboriginal clients who had been volunteers in the mock care-planning process, underwent a semi-structured interview at seven sites in Australia, including mainstream health services, Aboriginal community controlled health services and remote Aboriginal communities. The study aimed to gauge their perspectives of the training intervention they experienced. Early indications suggest that Aboriginal volunteer clients responded positively to the process, with many reporting substantial health behaviour change or plans to make changes since taking part in this mock care-planning exercise. Enablers of the intervention are discussed along with factors to be considered in the training program.
The first step of peptide selection in antigen presentation by MHC class I molecules
Authors: Garstka Malgorzata A. , Fish Alexander , Celie Patrick H. N. , Joosten Robbie P. , Janssen George M. C. , Berlin Ilana , Hoppes Rieuwert , Stadnik Magda , Janssen Lennert , Ovaa Huib , van Veelen Peter A. , Perrakis Anastassis , Neefjes Jacques
Published: January 2015

Significance

MHC class I molecules select and present a limited set of peptides from a broad repertoire provided by TAP. How MHC class I makes this selection is unclear. We show that MHC class I H-2Kbmolecules initially bind many peptides because of highly flexible binding pockets. Peptide binding is followed by a selection step wherein a large fraction of these peptides is released, leaving the canonical peptides for presentation. The peptide presentation has a remarkable temperature dependency and explains the low-affinity peptides found associated to MHC class I molecules in cells cultured at low temperature. Our data suggest that MHC class I goes through rounds of considering and rejecting peptides until peptides with high affinity are acquired for presentation.
Retroviral envelope gene captures and
syncytin
exaptation for placentation in marsupials
Authors: Cornelis Guillaume , Vernochet Cécile , Carradec Quentin , Souquere Sylvie , Mulot Baptiste , Catzeflis François , Nilsson Maria A. , Menzies Brandon R. , Renfree Marilyn B. , Pierron Gérard , Zeller Ulrich , Heidmann Odile , Dupressoir Anne , Heidmann Thierry
Published: January 2015

Significance

Syncytins
are “captured” genes of retroviral origin, corresponding to the fusogenic envelope gene of endogenized retroviruses. They are present in a series of eutherian mammals, including humans and mice where they play an essential role in placentation. Here we show that marsupials—which diverged from eutherian mammals ∼190 Mya but still possess a primitive, short-lived placenta (rapidly left by the embryo for development in an external pouch)—have also captured such genes. The present characterization of the
syncytin-Opo1
gene in the opossum placenta, together with the identification of two additional endogenous retroviral envelope gene captures, allow a recapitulation of the natural history of these unusual genes and definitely extends their “symbiotic niche” to all clades of placental mammals.
Eurovision song contest and identity crisis in Moldova
Authors: Iglesias Julien Danero
Published: January 2015

The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) was created for strengthening the development of a European soul. But generally speaking, one can say it has been used as a tool for nation-branding, and as a means for Central and Eastern countries to “return” to Europe, in particular after the fall of their Communist regimes. In the difficult social, economic, political, and historical context of the Republic of Moldova nowadays, the ESC furthermore allows the discursive construction of the nation and the building of a particularself.Accordingly, based on a method inspired by the Critical Discourse Analysis methodology applied to three local newspapers, the research demonstrates how the ESC acts as a sound box when building the Moldovanself.The Moldovan identity that emerges from the articles seems to be an identity in crisis which proves much different from the usual political constructions of the nation. This bottom-up identity put forward by journalists has indeed to be related to the twofold crisis in which Moldova is at the moment: social and economic, on the one hand, and linked to a permanent struggle between a separate Moldovan or an integrated Romanian identity, on the other.
Perceived health problems in swimmers according to the chemical treatment of water in swimming pools
Authors: Fernández‐Luna Álvaro , Burillo Pablo , Felipe José Luis , del Corral Julio , García‐Unanue Jorge , Gallardo Leonor
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to determine which chemical treatment used for disinfecting water in indoor swimming pools had the least impact on users' perceptions of health problems, and which generated the greatest satisfaction with the quality of the water. A survey on satisfaction and perceived health problems was given to 1001 users at 20 indoor swimming pools which used different water treatment methods [chlorine, bromine, ozone, ultraviolet lamps (UV) and salt electrolysis]. The findings suggest that there is a greater probability of perceived health problems, such as eye and skin irritation, respiratory problems and skin dryness, in swimming pools treated with chlorine than in swimming pools using other chemical treatment methods. Pools treated with bromine have similar, although slightly better, results. Other factors, such as age, gender, time of day of use (morning and afternoon) and type of user (competitive and recreational), can also affect the probability of suffering health problems. For all of the above, using combined treatment methods as ozone and UV, or salt electrolysis produces a lower probability of perceived health problems and greater satisfaction.
Rate of cyp51A mutation in Aspergillus fumigatus among lung transplant recipients with targeted prophylaxis
Authors: Shalhoub S. , Luong M.-L. , Howard S. J. , Richardson S. , Singer L. G. , Chaparro C. , Keshavjee S. , Akinlolu Y. , Rotstein C. , Mazzulli T. , Husain S.
Published: January 2015

Objectives

The most common mechanism of azole (itraconazole and voriconazole) resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is a mutation at the cyp51A locus. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of cyp51A mutations in lung transplant recipients (LTR) undergoing targeted antifungal prophylaxis with 12 weeks of voriconazole.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study that included 22 LTR with A. fumigatus between October 2008 and November 2011. Of those, 10 LTR were colonized with A. fumigatus and 12 had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Results

Four patients were found to have A. fumigatus isolates with a cyp51A mutation, two had colonization and two had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The remaining 18 LTR had WT cyp51A A. fumigatus isolates. All A. fumigatus isolates (except one due to mixed growth) were tested for antifungal susceptibility. A total of nine LTR were exposed to azoles prior to A. fumigatus isolation for a median duration of 249 (IQR 99–524) days. Azole exposure preceded the isolation of two mutant isolates and seven WT isolates. None of the cyp51A mutant isolates conferred phenotypic resistance to azoles.

Conclusions

Targeted antifungal prophylaxis in LTR did not lead to cyp51A resistance mutations in this cohort. Data on larger cohorts who receive universal antifungal prophylaxis are needed.
Identification of protein complexes that bind to histone H3 combinatorial modifications using super-SILAC and weighted correlation network analysis
Authors: Kunowska Natalia , Rotival Maxime , Yu Lu , Choudhary Jyoti , Dillon Niall
Published: January 2015

The large number of chemical modifications that are found on the histone proteins of eukaryotic cells form multiple complex combinations, which can act as recognition signals for reader proteins. We have used peptide capture in conjunction with super-SILAC quantification to carry out an unbiased high-throughput analysis of the composition of protein complexes that bind to histone H3K9/S10 and H3K27/S28 methyl-phospho modifications. The accurate quantification allowed us to perform Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to obtain a systems-level view of the histone H3 histone tail interactome. The analysis reveals the underlying modularity of the histone reader network with members of nuclear complexes exhibiting very similar binding signatures, which suggests that many proteins bind to histones as part of pre-organized complexes. Our results identify a novel complex that binds to the double H3K9me3/S10ph modification, which includes Atrx, Daxx and members of the FACT complex. The super-SILAC approach allows comparison of binding to multiple peptides with different combinations of modifications and the resolution of the WGCNA analysis is enhanced by maximizing the number of combinations that are compared. This makes it a useful approach for assessing the effects of changes in histone modification combinations on the composition and function of bound complexes.
Seroprevalence of Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Antibodies in the United States Population, 2009–2010
Authors: Lebo Emmaculate J. , Kruszon-Moran Deanna M. , Marin Mona , Bellini William J. , Schmid Scott , Bialek Stephanie R. , Wallace Gregory S. , McLean Huong Q.
Published: January 2015

Background.  In the United States, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella immunity is now primarily achieved through vaccination. Monitoring population immunity is necessary.

Methods.  We evaluated seroprevalence of antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2009–2010.

Results.  Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella seroprevalence was 92.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.9%−93.0%), 87.6% (CI, 85.8%−89.2%), 95.3% (CI, 94.3%−96.2%), and 97.8% (CI, 97.1%−98.3%), respectively. United States (US)-born persons had lower mumps seroprevalence and higher varicella seroprevalence than non-US born persons.

Conclusions.  Seroprevalence was high (88%–98%) for all 4 viruses in the US population during 2009−2010.
Solar rotation inferred from radial velocities of the Sun-as-a-star during the 2012 May 21 eclipse
Authors: Takeda Yoichi , Ohshima Osamu , Kambe Eiji , Toda Hiroyuki , Koyano Hisashi , Sato Bun'ei , Nakamura Yasuhisa , Narita Norio , Sekii Takashi
Published: January 2015

With the aim of examining how much information of solar rotation can be obtained purely spectroscopically by observing the Sun-as-a-star during the 2012 May 21 eclipse at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory, we studied the variation of radial velocities (Vr), which were derived by using the iodine-cell technique based on a set of 184 high-dispersion spectra consecutively obtained over a time span of ∼ 4 hr. The resulting Vr(t) was confirmed to show the characteristic variation (Rossiter–McLaughlin effect) caused by time-varying visibility of the solar disk. By comparing the observed Vr(t) curve with the theoretical ones [which were simulated with the latitude (ψ) dependent solar rotation law ωsidereal(ψ) = A + B sin 2ψ (degree d−1)] we found that the relation B ≃ −5.5A + 77 gives the best fit, though separate determinations of A and B were not possible. Since this relationship is consistent with the real values known for the Sun (A ≃ 14.5, B ≃ −2.8), we may state that our analysis yielded satisfactory results. This consequence may provide the prospect of getting useful information on stellar rotation of eclipsing binaries from radial-velocity studies during eclipse, if many spectra of sufficiently high time-resolution are available.
Physicochemical, Structural, and Proteomic Analysis of Starch Granules from Maize Landraces of Northwest Mexico
Authors: Pineda‐Hidalgo Karen V. , Vega‐Alvarez Elthon , Calderon‐Zamora Loranda , Salazar‐Salas Nancy Y. , Gutierrez‐Dorado Roberto , Reyes‐Moreno Cuauhtemoc , Bello‐Perez Luis A. , Lopez‐Valenzuela Jose A.
Published: January 2015

The variability in grain and starch characteristics and their relationship with the accumulation of starch granule associated proteins were investigated in five maize landraces of Northwest Mexico (Blando de Sonora, Chapalote, Elotero de Sinaloa, Reventador, and Tabloncillo). Significant differences were observed in grain hardness related traits, starch physicochemical properties, and structural properties. Blando de Sonora showed very soft grains, whereas the hardest grains were observed for Chapalote and Reventador. Starch granules isolated from landraces with hard grains contained more amylose and showed polygonal shapes, lower crystallinity and enthalpy of gelatinization, and greater retrogradation and proportion of long amylopectin chains. Proteomic analysis identified the enzymes granule‐bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), starch synthase I and IIa, starch branching enzyme IIb, sucrose synthase 1, and pyruvate phosphate dikinase 2 as granule‐associated proteins. The abundance of GBSSI correlated significantly with amylose content, consistent with the positive correlation observed between amylose and grain hardness. These results showed that the variability in the characteristics evaluated was mainly related to changes in the proportion of amylose in the starch granules, which were associated with differences in the expression of GBSSI. This information may be useful to define strategies for the exploitation and conservation of the landraces.
β-Aminobutyric Acid–Induced Resistance Against Root-Knot Nematodes in Rice Is Based on Increased Basal Defense
Authors: Ji Hongli , Kyndt Tina , He Wen , Vanholme Bartel , Gheysen Godelieve
Published: January 2015

The nonprotein amino acid β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to protect plants against various pathogens. The mode of action is relatively diverse and specific in different plant-pathogen systems. To extend the analysis of the mode of action of BABA to plant-parasitic nematodes in monocot plants, we evaluated the effect of BABA against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne graminicola in rice. BABA treatment of rice plants inhibited nematode penetration and resulted in delayed nematode and giant cell development. BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR) was still functional in mutants or transgenics defective in salicylic acid biosynthesis and response or abscisic acid (ABA) response. Pharmacological inhibition of jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) biosynthesis indicated that BABA-IR against rice RKN likely occurs independent of JA and ET. However, histochemical and biochemical quantification in combination with quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data suggest that BABA protects rice against RKN through the activation of basal defense mechanisms of the plant, such as reactive oxygen species accumulation, lignin formation, and callose deposition.
Alterations in Gas Exchange and Oxidative Metabolism in Rice Leaves Infected by Pyricularia oryzae are Attenuated by Silicon
Authors: Domiciano Gisele Pereira , Cacique Isaías Severino , Chagas Freitas Cecília , Filippi Marta Cristina Corsi , DaMatta Fábio Murilo , do Vale Francisco Xavier Ribeiro , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila
Published: January 2015

Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is the most important disease in rice worldwide. This study investigated the effects of silicon (Si) on the photosynthetic gas exchange parameters (net CO2 assimilation rate [A], stomatal conductance to water vapor [gs], internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio [Ci/Ca], and transpiration rate [E]); chlorophyll fluorescence a (Chla) parameters (maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II [Fv/Fm], photochemical [qP] and nonphotochemical [NPQ] quenching coefficients, and electron transport rate [ETR]); concentrations of pigments, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and lypoxigenase (LOX) in rice leaves. Rice plants were grown in a nutrient solution containing 0 or 2 mM Si (−Si or +Si, respectively) with and without P. oryzae inoculation. Blast severity decreased with higher foliar Si concentration. The values of A, gs and E were generally higher for the +Si plants in comparison with the −Si plants upon P. oryzae infection. The Fv/Fm, qp, NPQ, and ETR were greater for the +Si plants relative to the −Si plants at 108 and 132 h after inoculation (hai). The values for qp and ETR were significantly higher for the –Si plants in comparison with the +Si plants at 36 hai, and the NPQ was significantly higher for the –Si plants in comparison with the +Si plants at 0 and 36 hai. The concentrations of Chla, Chlb, Chla+b, and carotenoids were significantly greater in the +Si plants relative to the –Si plants. For the –Si plants, the MDA and H2O2 concentrations were significantly higher than those in the +Si plants. The LOX activity was significantly higher in the +Si plants than in the –Si plants. The SOD and GR activities were significantly higher for the –Si plants than in the +Si plants. The CAT and APX activities were significantly higher in the +Si plants than in the –Si plants. The supply of Si contributed to a decrease in blast severity, improved the gas exchange performance, and caused less dysfunction at the photochemical level.
Margaret Fountaine: a lepidopterist remembered
Authors: Waring Sophie
Published: January 2015

Margaret Fountaine (1862–1940) was a lepidopterist during a period of transition and professionalization in natural history. Over her lifespan she collected more than 22 000 butterflies, published extensively and wrote a diary of more than a million words. Wealthy and independent, Fountaine toured Europe in her early twenties and then, over the next 50 years, travelled the globe collecting butterflies. Fountaine straddles many of the boundaries that historians have constructed to aid understanding of natural history in this period, specifically those defining gender roles, the nature of scientific knowledge and the divide between amateur and professional. Fountaine reminds us that these categories are never a clear or perfect division and that the reality of natural history research and exchange was much more complex than these boundaries often allow for. Fountaine herself is under-researched and this article contains a useful account of her entomological career.
On the duality of resilience and privacy
Authors: Crowcroft Jon
Published: January 2015

Protecting information has long been an important problem. We would like to protect ourselves from the risk of loss: think of the library of Alexandria; and from unauthorized access: consider the very business of the ‘Scandal Sheets’, going back centuries. This has never been more true than today when vast quantities of data (dare one say lesser quantities of information) are stored on computer systems, and routinely moved around the Internet, at almost no cost. Computer and communication systems are both fragile and vulnerable, and so the risk of catastrophic loss or theft is potentially much higher. A single keystroke can delete a public database, or expose a private dataset to the world. In this paper, I consider the problems of providing resilience against loss, and against unacceptable access as a
dual
. Here, we see that two apparently different solutions to different technical problems may be transformed into one another, and hence give better insight into both problems.
Dyadobacter jiangsuensis sp. nov., a methyl red degrading bacterium isolated from a dye-manufacturing factory
Authors: Wang Li , Chen Liang , Ling Qi , Li Chen-chen , Tao Yong , Wang Min
Published: January 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, L-1T, which was capable of degrading methyl red was isolated from a dye-manufacturing factory in China. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses established affiliation of the isolate to the genus

Dyadobacter

. Cells occurred in pairs in young cultures but became chains of coccoid cells in old cultures, and produced a flexirubin-like yellow pigment. Strain L-1T could not hydrolyse cellulose, and had a DNA G+C content of 51.3 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 3-OH were the other major fatty acid components. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strainL-1T was most closely related to

Dyadobacter fermentans

DSM 18053T (99.2 %),

Dyadobacter soli

JCM 16232T (98.9 %) and

Dyadobacter beijingensis

CGMCC 1.6375T (98.7 %). However, the new isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness with respect to JCM 16232T (41.2±1.8 %), DSM 18053T (38.6±2.6 %) and CGMCC 1.6375T (35.0±2.1 %). Strain L-1T could also be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives based on differences in several phenotypic characteristics. These data suggest that strain L-1T represents a novel species of the genus

Dyadobacter

, for which the name Dyadobacter jiangsuensis sp. is proposed. The type strain is L-1T (DSM 29057T = CGMCC 1.12969T).
Sphingomonas gei sp. nov., isolated from roots of Geum aleppicum
Authors: Zhu Lingfang , Si Meiru , Li Changfu , Xin Kaiyun , Chen Chaoqiong , Shi Xu , Huang Ruijun , Zhao Liang , Shen Xihui , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2015

A yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain ZFGT-11T, was isolated from roots of Geum aleppicum Jacq. collected from Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi Province, north-west China, and was subjected to a taxonomic study by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain ZFGT-11T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic rods that were surrounded by a thick capsule and were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ZFGT-11T was a member of the genus

Sphingomonas

and was closely related to

Sphingomonas naasensis

KACC 16534T (97.6 % similarity),

Sphingomonas kyeonggiense

JCM 18825T (96.8 %),

Sphingomonas asaccharolytica

IFO 15499T (96.7 %) and

Sphingomonas leidyi

DSM 4733T (96.6 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C17 : 1ω6c, C14 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C15 : 0 2-OH. The major polyamine of strain ZFGT-11T was sym-homospermidine. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified aminoglycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. The DNA G+C content was 66.8 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness for strain ZFGT-11T with respect to its closest phylogenetic relative

S. naasensis

KACC 16534T was 26.2±4.8 % (mean±sd). On the basis of data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, strain ZFGT-11T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Sphingomonas

, for which the name Sphingomonas gei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZFGT-11T ( = CCTCC AB 2013306T = KCTC 32449T = LMG 27608T).
TEM‐producing Capnocytophaga sputigena primary bactaeremia in a breast cancer patient
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Qian , Li Hui , Wang Chun‐Xia , Hu Yue , Niu Xiao‐Bin , Pei Dong‐Xu , Li Yong‐Wei
Published: January 2015

Introduction:

Bacteraemia caused by Capnocytophaga sputigena is rarely reported. Here, we present a case of bacteraemia with C. sputigena in a breast cancer patient.

Case presentation:

C. sputigena was isolated from blood in a breast cancer patient who suffered from oral mucosal barrier breakage for several years. The bacterium was initially identified in the blood culture of the patient by conventional techniques and confirmed by mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotics susceptible testing revealed the bacterium was resistant to penicillins, first‐, second‐ and third‐generation cephalosporins and monobactam. PCR was used to detect common β‐lactamase genes; the TEM gene was detected and confirmed by sequencing.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bacteraemia in a breast cancer patient caused by TEM‐producing C. sputigena.
Leaf Responses to Mild Drought Stress in Natural Variants of Arabidopsis
Authors: Clauw Pieter , Coppens Frederik , De Beuf Kristof , Dhondt Stijn , Van Daele Twiggy , Maleux Katrien , Storme Veronique , Clement Lieven , Gonzalez Nathalie , Inzé Dirk
Published: January 2015

Although the response of plants exposed to severe drought stress has been studied extensively, little is known about how plants adapt their growth under mild drought stress conditions. Here, we analyzed the leaf and rosette growth response of six Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions originating from different geographic regions when exposed to mild drought stress. The automated phenotyping platform WIWAM was used to impose stress early during leaf development, when the third leaf emerges from the shoot apical meristem. Analysis of growth-related phenotypes showed differences in leaf development between the accessions. In all six accessions, mild drought stress reduced both leaf pavement cell area and number without affecting the stomatal index. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis (using RNA sequencing) of early developing leaf tissue identified 354 genes differentially expressed under mild drought stress in the six accessions. Our results indicate the existence of a robust response over different genetic backgrounds to mild drought stress in developing leaves. The processes involved in the overall mild drought stress response comprised abscisic acid signaling, proline metabolism, and cell wall adjustments. In addition to these known severe drought-related responses, 87 genes were found to be specific for the response of young developing leaves to mild drought stress.
GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR5 Stimulates Arabidopsis Chloroplast Division, Photosynthesis, and Leaf Longevity
Authors: Vercruyssen Liesbeth , Tognetti Vanesa B. , Gonzalez Nathalie , Van Dingenen Judith , De Milde Liesbeth , Bielach Agnieszka , De Rycke Riet , Van Breusegem Frank , Inzé Dirk
Published: January 2015

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf development relies on subsequent phases of cell proliferation and cell expansion. During the proliferation phase, chloroplasts need to divide extensively, and during the transition from cell proliferation to expansion, they differentiate into photosynthetically active chloroplasts, providing the plant with energy. The transcription factor GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR5 (GRF5) promotes the duration of the cell proliferation period during leaf development. Here, it is shown that GRF5 also stimulates chloroplast division, resulting in a higher chloroplast number per cell with a concomitant increase in chlorophyll levels in 35S:GRF5 leaves, which can sustain higher rates of photosynthesis. Moreover, 35S:GRF5 plants show delayed leaf senescence and are more tolerant for growth on nitrogen-depleted medium. Cytokinins also stimulate leaf growth in part by extending the cell proliferation phase, simultaneously delaying the onset of the cell expansion phase. In addition, cytokinins are known to be involved in chloroplast development, nitrogen signaling, and senescence. Evidence is provided that GRF5 and cytokinins synergistically enhance cell division and chlorophyll retention after dark-induced senescence, which suggests that they also cooperate to stimulate chloroplast division and nitrogen assimilation. Taken together with the increased leaf size, ectopic expression of GRF5 has great potential to improve plant productivity.
Crystal structure of 4-aminobenzoic acid–4-methylpyridine (1/1)
Authors: Kumar M. Krishna , Pandi P. , Sudhahar S. , Chakkaravarthi G. , Kumar R. Mohan
Published: January 2015

In the title 1:1 adduct, C6H7N·C7H7NO2, the carboxylic acid group is twisted at an angle of 4.32 (18)° with respect to the attached benzene ring. In the crystal, the carboxylic acid group is linked to the pyridine ring by an O—H...N hydrogen bond, forming a dimer. The dimers are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating (010) sheets.
Employee empowerment: factors affecting the consequent success or failure (Part II)
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Karasek Robin , Lapointe Francis , Quelch Kim
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to uncover and synthesise the main factors that affects and determines the success or failure of empowerment initiatives from a macro and micro perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– A thorough review of scholarly articles and empirical evidence was conducted on the topic of empowerment in order to bring to light the correlation between the different factors affecting structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and the effect of leadership style.

Findings

– It has been determined that a team based structure and a culture based on trust and open communication are the key factors affecting the successful implementation of empowerment. Furthermore, although, many positive points can be made for transformational leadership, transactional leadership cannot be discounted as the research shows that the right combination of incentives and rewards, coupled with a certain organisational culture can breed empowerment among certain types of employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful. Such a model would allow for a far more in-depth understanding of empowerment and its defining factors and would provide an invaluable tool to organisations wishing to implement empowerment in the most optimal way.

Practical implications

– In applying a combination of theories on empowerment, leadership and individuals as part of an organisation, the authors posit that empowerment initiatives are predisposed to either success or failure. In order for empowerment to permeate the corporate culture and prove successful, the predispositions of decentralised management and personal ambition are strong factors of success.

Social implications

– The authors postulate that the deciding factors regarding the success or failure of empowering an employee originate from the employees themselves. Even though employees can adopt new corporate cultures and be transformed by their leaders, their core traits remain the same and will have a decisive impact on the eventual success or failure of empowerment initiatives.

Originality/value

– Going forward in terms of research on the increasingly popular concept of empowerment, it is believed that a more fully integrated model should be developed. Although some models do incorporate analysis of various macro and micro variables, a more comprehensive and encompassing model would prove useful.
How to support and develop first-time managers?
Authors: Sillett Dawn
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by first-time managers on their promotion and present suggestions for aiding successful transition.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on 15 years’ experience of working with first-time managers and their employers’ organizations, designing and delivering training and development programs in a corporate environment, as well as informal study of research by academic and practising professionals in the management development field.

Findings

– Newly promoted managers can face daunting challenges when they take on responsibility for managing others, which can adversely affect their own and others’ performance and engagement.

Practical implications

– The paper provides practical suggestions for supporting first-time managers’ transition to their new role.

Originality/value

– This paper is of value to HR and learning and development professionals, as well as senior managers who seek practical ways to enhance the development of their first-time managers.
Managing, tracking and evaluating coaching Part 1: where are you now?
Authors: Yates Kirsty
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the extent to which clients manage, track and evaluate coaching within their organisation, including awareness of the number of individuals being coached, awareness of their annual coaching spend, existence of a consistent and robust process for tracking all coaching, quality assurance processes in existence, and the evaluation of the impact of coaching.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured telephone interviews with HR, OD and L&D Directors and Managers in 69 large UK organisations collectively employing approximately 688,000 people.

Findings

– Whilst a handful of organisations are very satisfied with how coaching is managed, the vast majority feel there is room for improvement. The research highlights a number of issues: more than half the respondents do not know how many of their employees are currently working with an external coach and less than half are involved in a three-way meeting to sign off the coaching objectives at the beginning of the contract. In terms of evaluation and ROI, less than one in seven organisations have calculated their return on coaching investment, despite some organisations spending well in excess of £100k per year.

Originality/value

– Whilst the prevalence and benefits of coaching have been discussed at length over recent years, despite significant resources being invested in coaching there appeared to be very little research on how coaching is being resourced, managed and tracked in organisations. To that end, The Learning Curve (TLC) Ltd commissioned Adsum to investigate this research gap.
Felt discrimination increases offensiveness of stereotyped out-group depictions
Authors: Leak Roland L , Woodham Omar P , Stone George W
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the effects of minorities’ who experienced discrimination on perceptions of offensiveness tied to brand imagery that stereotypically depicts other minorities classified as out-group members.

Design/methodology/approach

– Study 1 utilizes factor analysis to develop dependent variables, and a path analysis to model relationships between the focal independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DVs). Study 2 uses an experimental approach analyzing data with ANOVA and bootstrapping methodologies.

Findings

– Minorities who report experiencing more discrimination perceive more offensiveness tied to branding containing overt stereotypical depictions of out-groups. This effect is mediated through a perceived sympathy for the out-group. However, while some minorities perceive these branded logos as relatively more offensive, minorities, as a group, do not perceive these stereotyped logos as overly offensive.

Research limitations/implications

– Minorities not depicted in or alluded to in stereotypical imagery associated with a brand may be a valuable consumptive bloc that can be recruited to oppose such uses of stereotypes. This research highlights that any sympathy that these minorities report holding for depicted minority groups may be important to future targeted communications. Brand managers may need to aggressively defend the brand against negative attributions derived from non-depicted minorities’ felt sympathy. Depicted minorities fighting to remove stereotypical imagery in brands may be able to leverage non-depicted minorities’ expressed sympathy to form coalitions. Depicted minorities’ communications, however, may need to increase issue relevance to non-depicted minorities.

Originality/value

– This research explores how non-affected groups perceive stereotypes infused in branding. It demonstrates that, depending on past experiences, these individuals may defend against a perceived social threat targeted at a societal out-group.
The impact of consumer resistance to brand substitution on brand relationship
Authors: Mogos Descotes Raluca , Pauwels-Delassus Véronique
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to propose and test a model that aims to identify key determinants which could alleviate the loss of brand trust and loyalty caused by brand name change using the resistance to change theory (RCT).

Design/methodology/approach

– Because of the causal nature of the research, the quantitative research methodology was considered as best suitable. An online questionnaire was administered on a sample composed of 313 consumers.

Findings

– The paper provides empirical insights regarding the fact that consumers’ resistance to the brand name substitution is the main determinant of the transfer of consumers’ trust from the old to the new brand. Finally, loyalty transfer heavily relies on trust transfer.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the convenience sample used, the research results may lack generalisability. Furthermore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed hypotheses based on different brand name change cases.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for the alleviation of consumers’ resistance to the brand name substitution, a main determinant for the loss of brand trust and loyalty in the case of brand name change.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils an identified need to study how consumers’ resistance to the brand name change can be diminished. Overall, our research supports the use of the RCT for a better understanding of brand name change-related issues.