bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact evaluation of a health promotion-focused organisational development strategy on a health service
Authors: Costello Michelle , Taylor Jane , O'Hara Lily
Published: September 2014

A comprehensive primary health care approach is required to address complex health issues and reduce inequities. However, there has been limited uptake of this approach by health services nationally or internationally. Reorienting health services towards becoming more health promoting provides a mechanism to support the delivery of comprehensive primary health care. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a health promotion-focused organisational development strategy on the capacity of a primary health care service to deliver comprehensive primary health care. A questionnaire and semistructured individual interviews were used to collect quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation data, respectively, from 13 health service staff across three time points with regard to 37 indicators of organisational capacity. There were significant increases in mean scores for 31 indicators, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to nearly perfect. A range of key enablers and barriers to support the delivery of comprehensive primary health care was identified. In conclusion, an organisational development strategy to reorient health services towards becoming more health promoting may increase the capacity to deliver comprehensive primary health care.
Universality in numerical computations with random data
Authors: Deift Percy A. , Menon Govind , Olver Sheehan , Trogdon Thomas
Published: September 2014

Significance

Universal fluctuations are shown to exist when well-known and widely used numerical algorithms are applied with random data. Similar universal behavior is shown in stochastic algorithms and also in an algorithm that models neural computation. The question of whether universality is present in all, or nearly all, computation is raised.
Structural insights into the role of iron–histidine bond cleavage in nitric oxide-induced activation of H-NOX gas sensor proteins
Authors: Herzik Mark A. , Jonnalagadda Rohan , Kuriyan John , Marletta Michael A.
Published: September 2014

Significance

Nitric oxide (NO) influences diverse biological processes, ranging from vasodilation in mammals to communal behavior in bacteria. Heme-nitric oxide/oxygen (H-NOX) binding domains, a recently discovered family of heme-based gas sensor proteins, have been implicated as regulators of these processes. Crucial to NO-dependent activation of H-NOX proteins is rupture of the heme–histidine bond and formation of a five-coordinate NO complex. To delineate the molecular details of NO binding, high-resolution crystal structures of a bacterial H-NOX protein in the unligated and intermediate six- and five-coordinate NO-bound states are reported. From these structures, it is evident that NO-induced scission of the heme–histidine bond elicits a pronounced conformational change in the protein as a result of structural rearrangements in the heme pocket.
Chapter 9. The Japanese inflectional paradigm in a Transeurasian perspective
Authors: Robbeets Martine
Published: September 2014

Although the genealogical relationship between Japanese and the Transeurasian languages has been a source of contention for nearly two centuries, scholars seem to agree that paradigmatic morphology could substantially help to prove relatedness. Starting from this consensus, this contribution examines whether the correlations in verb inflections between Japanese and these languages can be characterized as “paradigmatic” and whether they are more likely to result from chance or borrowing than from inheritance. For this purpose, this paper advances Transeurasian cognates for the five basic inflected forms of Japanese grammar as well as one derived stem. Taking into account internal cohesion between ordered sets of cognate forms, shared idiosyncrasies and extended relationships of grammatical patterning, the paper concludes that the correlations in verb inflections are indeed paradigmatic and more likely to be inherited than to be coincidental or borrowed.
Thomas Reid on truth, evidence and first principles
Authors: Lehrer Keith
Published: September 2014

Reid had a theory of the human mind containing a theory of truth, both of our evidence of truth and the conditions of truth, fully consistent with empiricism. The justification and evidence of first principles is something felt in consciousness rather than some external relation. This is the result of our faculties, original and natural powers of our constitution. Original convictions and conceptions arise from our faculties in response to experience as a result of our natural development. Reid combines elements of foundationalism, coherentism, falliblism and nominalism. I distinguish and compare Reid to Hume, Moore, Quine, James and Wittgenstein.
The extension of color sensations: Reid, Stewart, and Fearn
Authors: Grandi Giovanni B.
Published: September 2014

According to Reid, color sensations are not extended nor are they arranged in figured patterns. Reid further claimed that ‘there is no sensation appropriated to visible figure.’ Reid justified these controversial claims by appeal to Cheselden's report of the experiences of a young man affected by severe cataracts, and by appeal to cases of perception of visible figure without color. While holding fast to the principle that sensations are not extended, Dugald Stewart (1753–1828) tried to show that ‘a variety of colour sensations is a necessary means for the perception of visible figure.’ According to John Fearn (1768–1837), two motives appear to be central to Reid's views about color sensations and extension: his commitment to the Cartesian doctrine of the immateriality of the soul, and his attempt to evade ‘Hume's dilemma’ about the existence and immateriality of the soul.
Reid on powers of the mind and the person behind the curtain
Authors: Jaffro Laurent
Published: September 2014

According to Thomas Reid, powers of will and powers of understanding are distinguishable in thought, but conjoined in practice. This paper examines the claim that there is no inert intelligence, the operations of the understanding involving some degree of activity. The question is: whose activity? For it is clear that a great deal of our mental activity is not in our power. We need to distinguish between a weak and a strong sense of ‘power’, and consider our dependence ‘upon God and the laws of nature’ in our mental exertions.
Reason and trust in Reid
Authors: Wolterstorff Nicholas
Published: September 2014

My theme in this essay is the anti-rationalism in Reid's thought. I explore three areas of Reid's thought in which anti-rationalism is a prominent feature: Reid's attack on the Way of Ideas and his own account of how beliefs are formed, in particular, perceptual beliefs, his response to the skeptic, and his understanding of the task of the philosopher.
New Zealand wine: a model for other small industries?
Authors: Hira Andy , Benson-Rea Maureen
Published: September 2014

New Zealand’s remarkable transformation from a wool and meat producer to a highly diversified economy is one of the more remarkable economic stories of the post-World War II period. Part of this diversification is tied to New Zealand’s development as a world-class wine producer, a remarkable feat given its small population. New Zealand’s institutional arrangements provide an example for other small agriculturally-based producers wishing to move to higher value-added production. To supplement the existing literature, mail surveys, phone and Skype interviews were carried out by the authors in spring and summer 2012. In addition, the authors held several informative discussions with local experts during the AAWE Conference in Stellenbosch in summer 2013. Experts came from academia, industry and government, as one would expect with a study on the Triple Helix model. Several agreed to review the document for factual accuracy, though the interpretations are solely those of the authors. While New Zealand’s institutions support the basic premise of the Triple Helix framework, that is, of the need for coordination of research, production and policy efforts, there are some important additional elements that are noteworthy for other small producers. Niche specialisation around a long-term strategy and a limited but strategic role for government are important, but the more remarkable feature is the ability to harness multinational investment towards local development. Yet, as we discuss, such approaches also carry with them their own vulnerabilities, requiring further strategy adjustments on the part of firms.
Crystal structure of class III chitinase from pomegranate provides the insight into its metal storage capacity
Authors: Masuda Taro , Zhao Guanghua , Mikami Bunzo
Published: September 2014

Chitinase hydrolyzes the β-1,4-glycosidic bond in chitin. In higher plants, this enzyme has been regarded as a pathogenesis-related protein. Recently, we identified a class III chitinase, which functions as a calcium storage protein in pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed (PSC, pomegranate seed chitinase). Here, we solved a crystal structure of PSC at 1.6 Å resolution. Although its overall structure, including the structure of catalytic site and non-proline cis-peptides, was closely similar to those of other class III chitinases, PSC had some unique structural characteristics. First, there were some metal-binding sites with coordinated water molecules on the surface of PSC. Second, many unconserved aspartate residues were present in the PSC sequence which rendered the surface of PSC negatively charged. This acidic electrostatic property is in contrast to that of hevamine, well-characterized plant class III chitinase, which has rather a positively charged surface. Thus, the crystal structure provides a clue for metal association property of PSC.
Stereoselective syntheses of cryptocarya diacetate and all its stereoisomers in optically pure forms
Authors: Yamauchi Satoshi , Nishimura Hiroki , Nishiwaki Hisashi
Published: September 2014

Cryptocarya diacetate and each of its stereoisomers were stereoselectively synthesized in 8–16 steps. One of the three chiral carbons was converted from the chiral center of a yeast-reduction product. The other two chiral carbons were constructed by employing stereoselective allylation and syn-and anti-1,3-reductions. The enantiomeric excesses of the synthesized cryptocarya diacetate and its stereoisomers were determined to be more than 99%ee using a chiral column.
The Modal Theory of Function Is Not about Functions
Authors: Artiga Marc
Published: September 2014

In a series of papers, Bence Nanay has recently put forward and defended a new theory of function, which he calls the ‘Modal Theory of Function’. In this article, I critically address this theory and argue that it fails to fulfill some key desiderata that a satisfactory theory of function must comply with. As a result, I conclude that, whatever property Nanay’s notion of function refers to, it is not the property having the function that is standardly attributed in science.
Time and Knowability in Evolutionary Processes
Authors: Sober Elliott , Steel Mike
Published: September 2014

Historical sciences like evolutionary biology reconstruct past events by using the traces that the past has bequeathed to the present. Markov chain theory entails that the passage of time reduces the amount of information that the present provides about the past. Here we use a Moran process framework to show that some evolutionary processes destroy information faster than others. Our results connect with Darwin’s principle that adaptive similarities provide scant evidence of common ancestry whereas neutral and deleterious similarities do better. We also describe how the branching in phylogenetic trees affects the information that the present supplies about the past.
Aggregating Causal Judgments
Authors: Bradley Richard , Dietrich Franz , List Christian
Published: September 2014

Decision making typically requires judgments about causal relations: we need to know the causal effects of our actions and the causal relevance of various environmental factors. We investigate how several individuals’ causal judgments can be aggregated into collective causal judgments. First, we consider the aggregation of causal judgments via the aggregation of probabilistic judgments and identify the limitations of this approach. We then explore the possibility of aggregating causal judgments independently of probabilistic ones. Formally, we introduce the problem of causal-network aggregation. Finally, we revisit the aggregation of probabilistic judgments when this is constrained by prior aggregation of qualitative causal judgments.
Inferring Coevolution
Authors: Lamm Ehud , Kammar Ohad
Published: September 2014

We discuss two inference patterns for inferring the coevolution of two characters on the basis of their properties at a single point in time and determine when developmental interactions can be used to deduce evolutionary order. We discuss the use of the inference patterns we present in the biological literature and assess the arguments’ validity, the degree of support they give to the evolutionary conclusion, how they can be corroborated with empirical evidence, and to what extent they suggest new empirically addressable questions. We suggest that the developmental argument is uniquely applicable to cognitive-cultural coevolution.
On the behavior of the solution of a viscoplastic contact problem
Authors: Barboteu M. , Matei A. , Sofonea M.
Published: September 2014

We consider a mathematical model which describes the frictionless contact between a viscoplastic body and an obstacle, the so-called foundation. The process is quasistatic and the contact is modeled with normal compliance and unilateral constraint. We provide a mixed variational formulation of the model which involves a dual Lagrange multiplier, and then we prove its unique weak solvability. We also prove an estimate which allows us to deduce the continuous dependence of the weak solution with respect to both the normal compliance function and the penetration bound. Finally, we provide a numerical validation of this convergence result.
Perfect cloaking of ellipsoidal regions
Authors: Dassios George
Published: September 2014

Most of the existing explicit forms of cloaking devices concern spherical regions which exhibit the following behavior. If the cloaking region comes from blowing up a point we achieve perfect cloaking, but the conductivity tensor becomes singular and therefore hard to realize. A nonsingular conductivity tensor can be achieved by blowing up a small sphere, but then the cloaking is not perfect, since the interior field is controlled by the square of the radius of the initial small sphere. This behavior reflects the highly focusing effect of the spherical system where the 2-D manifold of a sphere degenerates to the 0-D manifold of its center as the radius diminishes to zero. In the present work, we demonstrate a cloaking region in the shape of an ellipsoid which achieves perfect interior cloaking and at the same time preserves the regularity of the conductivity tensor. This is possible since the confocal ellipsoidal system does not exhibit any loss of dimensionality as the ellipsoid collapses down to its focal ellipse. This is another example where high symmetry has a high price to pay. Furthermore, from the practical point of view, the most “economical” cloaking structure, for three dimensional objects, is provided by the ellipsoid which has three degrees of freedom and therefore can best fit any reasonable geometrical object. Cloaks in the shape of a prolate or an oblate spheroid, an almost disk, an almost needle, as well as a sphere are all cases of ellipsoidal degeneracies.
Complete canthi removal reveals that forces from the amnioserosa alone are sufficient to drive dorsal closure inDrosophila
Authors: Wells Adrienne R. , Zou Roger S. , Tulu U. Serdar , Sokolow Adam C. , Crawford Janice M. , Edwards Glenn S. , Kiehart Daniel P.
Published: September 2014

Drosophila's dorsal closure provides an excellent model system with which to analyze biomechanical processes during morphogenesis. During native closure, the amnioserosa, flanked by two lateral epidermal sheets, forms an eye-shaped opening with canthi at each corner. The dynamics of amnioserosa cells and actomyosin purse strings in the leading edges of epidermal cells promote closure, whereas the bulk of the lateral epidermis opposes closure. Canthi maintain purse string curvature (necessary for their dorsalward forces), and zipping at the canthi shortens leading edges, ensuring a continuous epithelium at closure completion. We investigated the requirement for intact canthi during closure with laser dissection approaches. Dissection of one or both canthi resulted in tissue recoil and flattening of each purse string. After recoil and a temporary pause, closure resumed at approximately native rates until slowing near the completion of closure. Thus the amnioserosa alone can drive closure after dissection of one or both canthi, requiring neither substantial purse string curvature nor zipping during the bulk of closure. How the embryo coordinates multiple, large forces (each of which is orders of magnitude greater than the net force) during native closure and is also resilient to multiple perturbations are key extant questions.
Membrane tethering by the atlastin GTPase depends on GTP hydrolysis but not on forming the cross-over configuration
Authors: Saini Simran G. , Liu Chuang , Zhang Peijun , Lee Tina H.
Published: September 2014

The membrane-anchored atlastin GTPase couples nucleotide hydrolysis to the catalysis of homotypic membrane fusion to form a branched endoplasmic reticulum network. Trans dimerization between atlastins anchored in opposing membranes, accompanied by a cross-over conformational change, is thought to draw the membranes together for fusion. Previous studies on the conformational coupling of atlastin to its GTP hydrolysis cycle have been carried out largely on atlastins lacking a membrane anchor. Consequently, whether fusion involves a discrete tethering step and, if so, the potential role of GTP hydrolysis and cross-over in tethering remain unknown. In this study, we used membrane-anchored atlastins in assays that separate tethering from fusion to dissect the requirements for each. We found that tethering depended on GTP hydrolysis, but, unlike fusion, it did not depend on cross-over. Thus GTP hydrolysis initiates stable head-domain contact in trans to tether opposing membranes, whereas cross-over formation plays a more pivotal role in powering the lipid rearrangements for fusion.
PHI-DAC: protein homology database through dihedral angle conservation
Authors: Maatuk Noa , Glantz-Gashai Yitav , Rotman Maya , Baydany Meirav , Fonar Gennadiy , Shechvitz Amir , Shemer Karin , Peleg Aviva , Reuveni Eli , Samson Abraham O.
Published: September 2014

Finding related conformations in the Protein Data Bank is essential in many areas of bioscience. To assist this task, we designed a dihedral angle database for searching protein segment homologs. The search engine relies on encoding of the protein coordinates into text characters representing amino acid sequence, φ and ψ dihedral angles. The search engine is advantageous owing to its high speed and interactive nature and is expected to assist scientists in discovering conformation homologs and evolutionary kinship. The search engine is fast, with query times lasting a few seconds, and freely available at http://tarshish.md.biu.ac.il/∼samsona

Contact:  avraham.samson@biu.ac.il

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
METAINTER: meta-analysis of multiple regression models in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Vaitsiakhovich Tatsiana , Drichel Dmitriy , Herold Christine , Lacour André , Becker Tim
Published: September 2014

Motivation : Meta-analysis of summary statistics is an essential approach to guarantee the success of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Application of the fixed or random effects model to single-marker association tests is a standard practice. More complex methods of meta-analysis involving multiple parameters have not been used frequently, a gap that could be explained by the lack of a respective meta-analysis pipeline. Meta-analysis based on combining p -values can be applied to any association test. However, to be powerful, meta-analysis methods for high-dimensional models should incorporate additional information such as study-specific properties of parameter estimates, their effect directions, standard errors and covariance structure.

Results : We modified ‘method for the synthesis of linear regression slopes’ recently proposed in the educational sciences to the case of multiple logistic regression, and implemented it in a meta-analysis tool called METAINTER. The software handles models with an arbitrary number of parameters, and can directly be applied to analyze the results of single-SNP tests, global haplotype tests, tests for and under gene–gene or gene–environment interaction. Via simulations for two-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) models we have shown that the proposed meta-analysis method has correct type I error rate. Moreover, power estimates come close to that of the joint analysis of the entire sample. We conducted a real data analysis of six GWAS of type 2 diabetes, available from dbGaP ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gap ). For each study, a genome-wide interaction analysis of all SNP pairs was performed by logistic regression tests. The results were then meta-analyzed with METAINTER.

Availability : The software is freely available and distributed under the conditions specified on http://metainter.meb.uni-bonn.de

Contact : vait@imbie.meb.uni-bonn.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
History and examination
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Relevant pages in other chapters. Principal sources. Listen, look, and learn. Presenting complaint. The dental history. The medical history. Medical examinatio. Examination of the head and neck. Examination of the mouth. Investigations—general. Investigations—specific. Radiology and radiography. Advanced imaging techniques. Differential diagnosis and treatment plan.
Preventive and community dentistry
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Relevant pages in other chapters. Principal sources and further reading. Dental caries.Caries diagnosis. Fluoride. Planning fluoride therapy. Bacterial plaque and dental decay. Fissure sealants. Sugar. Dietary analysis and advice. Dental health education. Provision of dental care. Receipt of care. Dentistry for the disabled. Dental Care Professionals (DCPs). Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
Orthodontics
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. What is orthodontics?. Definitions. Orthodontic assessment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Cephalometrics. More cephalometrics. Treatment planning. Management of the developing dentition. Extractions. Extraction of poor quality first permanent molars. Spacing. Distal movement of the upper buccal segments. Buccally displaced maxillary canines. Palatally displaced maxillary canines. Increased overjet. Increased overbite. Management of increased overbite. Anterior open bite (AOB). Reverse overjet. Crossbites. Anchorage. Temporary anchorage devices (TAD). Removable appliances. Fixed appliances. Functional appliances—rationale and mode of action. Types of functional appliance and practical tips. Orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Cleft lip and palate.
Restorative dentistry 2: repairing teeth
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Repair and replacement of teeth. Management planning. Dental pain. Occlusion—1. Occlusion—2. Teamworking. Isolation and moisture control. Principles of operative procedures. Posterior composite restorations. Indirect resin composite or porcelain inlays/onlays. Posterior amalgam restorations. Anterior proximal (Class III), incisal (Class IV), cervical (Class V), and root surface caries. Management of extensive/deep restorations. Survival and failure of restorations. Tooth wear/tooth surface loss. ‘Cosmetic’ dentistry. Tooth whitening. Veneers. Anterior crowns for vital teeth. Anterior post and core crowns. Anterior post and core crowns—practical tips. Posterior crowns. Temporary restorations.
Restorative dentistry 4: endodontics
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Preserving pulp vitality. The root canal system. Root canal treatment—rationale. Root canal treatment—instruments. Root canal treatment—materials. Root canal preparation—1. Root canal preparation—2. Common errors in canal preparation. Root canal obturation. Some endodontic problems and their management. Restoration of the root-treated tooth. Treatment outcomes.
Oral medicine
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Bacterial infections of the mouth. Viral infections of the mouth. Oral candidosis (candidiasis). Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (ulcers). Vesiculo-bullous lesions—intraepithelial. Vesiculo-bullous lesions—subepithelial. White patches. Pigmented lesions of the mouth. Premalignant lesions. Oral cancer. Abnormalities of the lips and tongue. Salivary gland disease—1. Salivary gland disease—2. Drug-induced lesions of the mouth. Facial pain. Oral manifestations of skin disease. Oral manifestations of gastrointestinal disease. Oral manifestations of haematological disease. Oral manifestations of endocrine disease. Oral manifestations of neurological disease. Oral manifestations of HIV infection and AIDS. Cervico-facial lymphadenopathy. An approach to oral ulcers. Temporomandibular pain—dysfunction/facial arthromyalgia.
Maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Advanced trauma life support (ATLS). Primary management of maxillofacial trauma. Assessing head injury. Mandibular fractures. Mid-face fractures. Nasal and malar fractures. Treatment of facial fractures. Facial soft-tissue injuries. Surgery and the temporomandibular joint. Major preprosthetic surgery. Clefts and craniofacial anomalies. Orthognathic surgery. Salivary gland tumours. Surgery of the salivary glands. Facial skin cancer. Oral cancer. Neck lumps. Flaps and grafts. Aesthetic facial surgery.
Therapeutics
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Prescribing. Analgesics in general dental practice. Analgesics in hospital practice. Anti-inflammatory drugs. Antidepressants. Antiemetics. Anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquillizers. Antibiotics—1. Antibiotics—2. Antifungal and antiviral drugs. Antihistamines and decongestants. Drugs influencing dental treatment. Miscellaneous. Alarm bells.
Analgesia, anaesthesia, and sedation
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Indications, contraindications, and common sense. Local analgesia—tools of the trade. Local analgesia—techniques. Local analgesia—problems and hints. Sedation—relative analgesia. Sedation—benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines—techniques. Anaesthesia—drugs and definitions. Anaesthesia and the patient on medication. Anaesthesia—hospital setting. Anaesthesia—practice setting.
Law and ethics
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Legal processes. Complaints. Consent. Contracts. Negligence. Professional indemnity and defence organizations. Professional standards and ethics. The General Dental Council and registration. Wise precautions or how to avoid litigation. Forensic dentistry. Useful contact information.
Professionalism and communication
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. What is professionalism?. Politics and the public. Standards. CanMEDS. Commitments. Understanding (and overcoming) systems. Human factors. Understanding personalities. Change management. Verbal and non-verbal communication. Principles of neurolinguistic programming. Presentation skills. Teaching, learning, and assessing professionalism. In-workplace assessment tools.
Practice management
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Management skills. Hiring and firing staff. Health and safety. Financial management. Running late. Marketing. Practice leaflets. Computers and IT. Independent and private practice. Foundation/vocational training. Clinical governance, continuing professional development, clinical audit, and peer review. Evidence-based practice. Prevention of cross-infection. X-rays—the statutory regulations. X-rays—practical tips and helpful hints.
Syndromes of the head and neck
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Introduction. Definitions. Syndromes.
Useful information and addresses
Authors: Mitchell David A. , Mitchell Laura , McCaul Lorna
Published: September 2014

Contents. Tooth notation. Some qualifications in medicine and dentistry. File sizes for endodontic therapy. What’s your poison?. Passing exams. Dentistry and the Internet. Useful websites. Useful addresses.
Accretion in action: phase space coherence of stellar debris and globular clusters in Andromeda's South-West Cloud
Authors: Mackey A. D. , Lewis G. F. , Collins M. L. M. , Bate N. F. , Ibata R. A. , Martin N. F. , Chapman S. , Conn A. , Elahi P. , Ferguson A. M. N. , Huxor A. , Irwin M. , McConnachie A. , McMonigal B. , Peñarrubia J. , Veljanoski J.
Published: September 2014

A central tenet of the current cosmological paradigm is that galaxies grow over time through the accretion of smaller systems. Here, we present new kinematic measurements near the centre of one of the densest pronounced substructures, the South-West Cloud, in the outer halo of our nearest giant neighbour, the Andromeda galaxy. These observations reveal that the kinematic properties of this region of the South-West Cloud are consistent with those of PA-8, a globular cluster previously shown to be co-spatial with the stellar substructure. In this sense, the situation is reminiscent of the handful of globular clusters that sit near the heart of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, a system that is currently being accreted into the Milky Way, confirming that accretion deposits not only stars but also globular clusters into the haloes of large galaxies.
Streptomyces lopnurensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil
Authors: Zheng Bei , Han Xiao-Xue , Xia Zhan-Feng , Wan Chuan-Xing , Zhang Li-Li
Published: September 2014

A novel actinomycete, designated strain TRM 49590T, was isolated from a soil sample from Lop Nur in Xinjiang Province, China. Strain TRM 49590T was aerobic, Gram-staining-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 1.5 % (w/v) and an optimum temperature for growth of 28–37 °C. The aerial mycelium was sparse, cylindrical and smooth-surfaced with irregular branches on ISP medium 4. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 49590T were ribose and glucose. The diagnostic diamino acid contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8), with MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H6) present in smaller amounts. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.2 mol%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TRM 49590T belongs to the genus

Streptomyces

with a sequence similarity of 97.16 % with the most closely related species

Streptomyces sodiiphilus

. Based on these observations, strain TRM 49590T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus

Streptomyces

for which the name Streptomyces lopnurensis sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is TRM 49590T ( = CCTCC AA 2013018T = NRRL B59109T).
The novel Legionella pneumophila type II secretion substrate NttC contributes to infection of amoebae Hartmannella vermiformis and Willaertia magna
Authors: Tyson Jessica Y. , Vargas Paloma , Cianciotto Nicholas P.
Published: September 2014

The type II protein secretion (T2S) system of Legionella pneumophila secretes over 25 proteins, including novel proteins that have no similarity to proteins of known function. T2S is also critical for the ability of L. pneumophila to grow within its natural amoebal hosts, including Acanthamoeba castellanii, Hartmannella vermiformis and Naegleria lovaniensis. Thus, T2S has an important role in the natural history of legionnaires’ disease. Our previous work demonstrated that the novel T2S substrate NttA promotes intracellular infection of A. castellanii, whereas the secreted RNase SrnA, acyltransferase PlaC, and metalloprotease ProA all promote infection of H. vermiformis and N. lovaniensis. In this study, we determined that another novel T2S substrate that is specific to Legionella, designated NttC, is unique in being required for intracellular infection of H. vermiformis but not for infection of N. lovaniensis or A. castellanii. Expanding our repertoire of amoebal hosts, we determined that Willaertia magna is susceptible to infection by L. pneumophila strains 130b, Philadelphia-1 and Paris. Furthermore, T2S and, more specifically, NttA, NttC and PlaC were required for infection of W. magna. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the T2S system of L. pneumophila is critical for infection of at least four types of aquatic amoebae and that the importance of the individual T2S substrates varies in a host cell-specific fashion. Finally, it is now clear that novel T2S-dependent proteins that are specific to the genus Legionella are particularly important for L. pneumophila infection of key, environmental hosts.
Editorial
Authors: Ogliastri Enrique
Published: September 2014

In this issue there are seven published research articles originating from Argentina, Spain, Chile and Mexico. The subjects of the articles are varied: first, the best performance determinants of banks in eight South American countries; second, the determinant factors of short term bank‐debt policies of companies, particularly the effect of growth opportunities, the ownership structure of companies and the institutional surrounding; third, the use of personal loans instead of institutional loans in small and medium size companies; fourth, the impact of the economic groups characteristics on the performance of its companies and the benefit of groups to the economy; fifth, the priorities of the companies in the use of logistic services within the supply chain; sixth, the impact of the corporate responsibility in the image and loyalty in hotel brands; seventh, the entrepreneurial intention when starting up a new company and the determinants of his perception on advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the venture.

En este número se publican siete artículos de investigación originados en Argentina, España, Chile y México. Los temas de los artículos son variados: 1‐ Los determinantes del mejor desempeño de los bancos en ocho países latinoamericanos. 2‐ Los condicionantes del plazo de vencimiento de la deuda bancaria de las empresas, en particular el efecto de oportunidades de crecimiento, la estructura de propiedad de la empresa, y el entorno institucional. 3‐ El uso de préstamos personales en lugar de institucionales en las empresas pequeñas y medianas. 4‐ El impacto de las características de los grupos económicos en el desempeño de las empresas y en el beneficio de la economía en conjunto. 5‐ Las prioridades de las empresas en el uso de servicios logísticos dentro de la cadena de suministro. 6‐ El impacto de la responsabilidad corporativa en la imagen y lealtad de marca de los hoteles. 7‐ La intención de emprender y los determinantes de la percepción sobre sus ventajas y desventajas.
Is bank‐debt maturity contingent on the financial system?
Authors: Saona Paolo , Vallelado Eleuterio
Published: September 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether bank debt‐maturity decisions are conditioned by growth opportunities, the firms’ ownership structure, or the institutional environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is undertaken using an unbalanced panel data of Chilean and Spanish firms.

Findings

The results indicate that when banks are not allowed to become stockholders, managers use bank debt‐maturity as a corporate governance mechanism. When banks can participate in the ownership of the firms that they finance, short‐term bank debt can serve as a substitute for a governance mechanism.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is the analysis of how differences in financial development among countries modify financial decisions by firms.
The role of personal loans in the financing of SMEs
Authors: Briozzo Anahi , Vigier Hernán
Published: September 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the determinants of the use of personal loans in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Personal loans are addressed as a function of the borrower and collateral. To empirically test the hypothesis of this study, a probit model was applied to a group of companies in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, with a previous analysis of the possible effects of sample selection.

Findings

Older companies, firms with lower expected growth rates, younger owners, those who seek to create value or growth, and owners who perceive low emotional costs associated with bankruptcy, are less likely to use personal loans to finance their operations.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by the availability of data on SMEs in Argentina.

Social implications

The results highlight the importance of financial aid programmes that focus on SME scarce availability of collateral.

Originality/value

This study makes three principal contributions: first, it investigates the phenomenon of personal loan utilisation in SMEs; second, it analyses financing decisions from both the supply and demand perspectives; and third, it presents a database that includes variables that have not been previously studied in Argentina or other emerging economies.
Classifying difference in organizing, or how to create monsters
Authors: Diedrich Andreas
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation of classification mechanisms in organizational life, and how they construct the skills and knowledge of initially marginalized client groups.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on an ethnographically inspired case study of a Swedish labour market procedure, which was designed to validate the skills and knowledge of non-western immigrant job-seekers. Qualitative data were generated through observations, in-depth interviews and document analysis.

Findings

– The study found that, contrary to policy-makers’ intentions, the validation procedure ended up dissociating the non-western job-seekers’ heterogeneous experiences, skills and knowledge from the organizing processes of the labour market, displacing them beyond the boundaries of legitimate knowledge, and reproducing their marginalized position on the labour market. As non-western skills and knowledge were found unclassifiable according to the validation procedure, they were deemed too different and monstrous.

Research limitations/implications

– The research approach and the specific institutional context of Swedish immigration and labour market policy means that the research results are not readily generalizable to other empirical contexts. Therefore, studies outside of Sweden are needed to generate knowledge about similar policies in other countries.

Practical implications

– The classification of skills and knowledge and the organizing of difference does not primarily require new tools and methods, but a whole new perspective, which recognizes the multiplicity and heterogeneity of unusual skills and knowledge as an important part of labour market integration.

Originality/value

– The paper examines the monstrous aspects of classification mechanisms within the empirical context of labour market integration efforts, which is hitherto underexplored in the literature on the management of difference and diversity.
Culture of collaboration improves safety and efficiency at Travis Perkins
Authors: Kavanagh Carol
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to detail the award-winning approach to achieving gold-standard safety and efficiency used by the Travis Perkins Group, a UK chain of builders’ merchant and do-it-yourself stores.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper focuses on company culture, teamwork, management style, communication, recruitment and training procedures.

Findings

– The authors describe how implementing a company-wide culture of collaboration and engagement with business goals has directly affected both safety and efficiency, including a number of success stories detailing how employee contributions have resulted in practical solutions to challenges. It has also resulted in the group’s building–trade supplier subsidiary company Travis Perkins, achieving gold level in Transport for London’s fleet-operator recognition scheme.

Practical implications

– This paper shows the positive and company-wide implications of fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment for employees.

Social implications

– The key role management plays in fostering employee engagement and the value of listening to, and acting on, employee feedback have been highlighted.

Originality/value

– A number of HR practices that aid communication and motivation among employees have been explained. This paper shows that strong training and communication processes have a positive effect on employee motivation and work ethic, leading workers at all levels to contribute ideas and feedback that, in multiple cases, have led to changes in procedures that positively affect workers, customers and profitability.
Knowledge management helps MindTree to flourish
Authors: C. Pandey Satyendra , Dutta Andrew
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describes the role of knowledge management at MindTree, a medium-sized Indian information technology firm that has featured among the Global Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises (MAKE) and the best companies to work for.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper investigates the relationship between knowledge management and innovation at the company and describes its various knowledge-management initiatives.

Findings

– The paper explains that the company streamlined the process of discovering what knowledge was lying where and established various policies and processes to encourage information sharing and creativity.

Practical implications

– It highlights the role of self-organized knowledge communities, various software tools and the prevailing organizational culture in promoting knowledge exchange and original thinking.

Social implications

– It hints that knowledge management will be an increasingly important source of competitive advantage in the years ahead.

Originality/value

– It describes knowledge-management practices that can be used by other companies to foster innovation and business leadership among employees.
It really does pay to give employees a pat on the back
Authors: Rao M.S.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present tips for leaders on receiving and giving feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

– Various types of feedback and the difference between feedback and criticism have been described.

Findings

– It has been emphasized that leaders need to view feedback as a developmental tool. Its importance in achieving leadership excellence also has been stressed.

Practical implications

– This paper argues that feedback helps employees to recognize their blind spots, correct themselves and perform better. It also serves as an employee retention tool. People crave feedback, especially positive feedback. But the feedback givers must know the art of giving feedback so that they are respected for it.

Social implications

– This paper advances the view that people excel through improvement and can improve through feedback.

Originality/value

– This paper describes how to use feedback as a tool to develop future leaders.
Service quality and word of mouth: a study of the banking sector
Authors: Choudhury Koushiki
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of the dimensions of service quality on customers’ word-of-mouth (WOM) in the context of the retail banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A modified SERVQUAL instrument was used to capture customers’ perceptions of service quality followed by exploratory factor analysis to study the dimensionality of service quality in retail banking. Multiple regression was used to probe the influence of the dimensions of service quality on WOM.

Findings

– The study revealed four dimensions of service quality in retail banking, namely, attitude, competence, tangibles and convenience and showed that the service quality factor attitude is most important in influencing WOM.

Research limitations/implications

– Continued refinement of the scale for measuring service quality in retail banking, proposed in this study, is certainly possible based on further research and trends in retail banking. Further research may also incorporate multiple measures of the WOM construct.

Practical implications

– Retail bank managers must realise the importance of employees’ attitude towards customers, be sensitive to the intangible aspects of the service, particularly the customer-orientation of its frontline personnel and engender and continuously rejuvenate a customer-oriented culture. This is because, the provision of personalised, courteous service and helpful employees who understand the customers’ needs is the strongest driver for WOM.

Originality/value

– This study explores the relationship between service quality and WOM by linking both constructs at their dimensional level. This increases the diagnostics of explaining customers’ propensity for WOM.