bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opportunity crime and the Great American Garage Sale
Authors: Vardalis James J. , Bowen Kendra N. , Waters‐Bland Shannon 
Published: April 2013

PurposeDue to several factors that include a declining economy, high unemployment, home down‐sizing trends and the aging population, the weekend private home sales have permeated every residential neighborhood in the country. Countless households have garage sales, and many times they contain items of considerable value. Little is known about this vast phenomenon and its potential for criminal opportunity. Based on a survey of North Texas residents that held a garage sale, the authors aimed to extract some important findings on a topic that has had little attention.Design/methodology/approachDue to the exploratory nature of the study, descriptive statistics were utilized to provide insight into what takes place at garage sales. The areas of concentration in this research included the independent variables of the home garage sale environment and the dependent variables of theft and deviant behavior. Although several environmental factors were examined.FindingsFindings included thefts, inquiry to buy guns, small organized groups working to distract watchers, changing prices, and attempting intimidation with inappropriate remarks.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has several limitations that require explanation. First, the authors utilized a convenience sample by mailing to addresses from public newspapers. The study findings suggested that future research utilize a larger random sample of different areas over a longer period of time to increase generalizability.Practical implicationsThe researchers realize that each state and city may be different from the area studied and may not be applicable to everyone. Nevertheless, this study highlights the need for, as well as provides the basis for, additional interest in determining crime at garage and yard sales.Social implicationsThe study suggested offenders may be attracted into neighborhoods where, as strangers, they are not recognized as strangers therefore allowing them unrestricted access to communities.Originality/valueCrime and associated criminal activity and yard sales have been overlooked. Not until they seem to permeate every neighborhood has anyone related them to crime. Little is known about this vast phenomenon and its potential for criminal opportunity.
Preventing alienation and social disorder with “Emotional Logic”
Authors: Griffiths Trevor 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on eight years of piloting an innovative, practical, lifelong learning intervention that improves emotional intelligence in families, schools, communities and workplaces in a unique way: each person gains insights to adjust constructively together to disappointments. “Emotional Logic” identifies a root cause in accumulating complex loss reactions that produces the destructive behaviour, self‐centredness and vengefulness seen in riots and other distress and tension reactions.Design/methodology/approach“Emotional Logic” is a teachable language technology, with a set of tools that safely maps emotional chaos. From this mapping, a learning plan is generated that guides self‐help action and improves communication at the right emotional level to promote co‐operation between people and prevent recurrences of distress reactions.FindingsAn outline of the wide range of piloting studies is given. Self‐respect, honesty, empathy and the capacity to make realistic decisions rapidly improve, leading to personal development with unpredictable outcomes.Practical implicationsTraining for front‐line staff, managers and redundant health and social care workers could produce leaders for community‐based “Emotional Logic Learning Clubs” within nine months.Social implicationsMany young people cover a sense of shame and anxiety with bravado, or they withdraw into an existential depression. Learning Emotional Logic may improve both communication across generations, and understanding of the common humanity between different groups within our one British culture. The new emotional insights could help young people to resist being inappropriately led, and enable them instead to bring assertive order to situations.Originality/valueThe Emotional Logic tools are unique. Each person can safely map their emotional chaos during times of change, and link these feelings to values they had not named before.
Connecting the dots
Authors: Abban Rita , Omta S.W.F. (Onno) , Aheto John B.K. , Scholten V.E. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeMost research on networks of exporting SMEs has been conducted in developed economies. The present paper aims to apply this concept to a developing economy arguing that there is a combination of internal firm factors (human and physical capital, social and management team networks) that will lead to higher (past) performance in terms of firm size given different contextual factors (such as institutions and supply chain complexity).Design/methodology/approachTen SME case studies are analysed in the non‐traditional agricultural export (NTAE) sector in Ghana.FindingsThe findings suggest that performance is highest for those SMEs where the CEO has received tertiary level education and has export experience for over five years, which export directly (no use of traders), make extensive use of Ghana's export institutions, use export contracts and are members of SME associations.Research limitations/implicationsPolicy makers in Sub Saharan governments in general and Ghanaian government officials in particular can use these findings to focus their policy on these types of SMEs.Originality/valueWhereas most research on networks of exporting SMEs has been conducted in developed economies, this paper seeks to apply this concept to a developing economy. Policy makers and officials in government can use the findings to focus their policy on the types of SMEs where performance is highest.
Customer‐perceived relationship quality and satisfaction
Authors: Negi Rakshit , Ketema Eyob 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore and assess the contribution of relationship marketing constructs namely trust, commitment, communication, and conflict handling to perceived quality of customer relationship and satisfaction in an Ethiopian mobile communications perspective.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive research approach was used, and a sample of 350 respondents was drawn using systematic random sampling technique. Multivariate analyses (factor and multiple regressions) were applied to test the theoretical framework set for the study.FindingsAll relationship marketing dimensions were found to be significant contributors to both relationship quality and customer satisfaction. Empirically, similar to other studies conducted in varying contexts, customer satisfaction was found to be a significant predictor of relationship quality in the Ethiopian mobile telecommunication sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of the study is limited to the mobile service subscribers of Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation in Addis Ababa.Practical implicationsAs the quality of firm‐customer relationship plays a key role in practising relationship marketing, understanding the way it operates in the corporation's context is of great relevance to facilitate long‐term customer relationships.Originality/valueSince most of the previous studies target to see the contribution of basic relationship marketing constructs to firm‐customer relationship quality, this study explored their contribution in developing satisfied customers, and examined the role of satisfaction in bringing quality to firm‐customer relationships.
Preliminary reflections on the privatization policy in Nigeria
Authors: Etieyibo Edwin 
Published: April 2013

PurposeLike many developing countries, Nigeria embarked on the privatization of many of its state owned enterprises (SOEs) in the late 1980s. Although a number of stakeholders, for different reasons, are opposed to the divesture of many of the country's SOEs, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the agency charged with the responsibility of implementing the Nigerian policy on privatization and commercialization, has continued with the exercise. The first phase of the privatization programme began in 1988 under the Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization (TCPC) and ended in 1993, and the second phase began in 1998 under the BPE and is proceeding with full steam. As of last count about 400 SOEs have been divested both by the TCPC and BPE. This paper aims to reflect on the privatization policy in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper seeks to reflect on the privatization policy in Nigeria and examines some of the strengths/successes and weaknesses/failures of the exercise.FindingsThere are enormous benefits that Nigeria can reap from privatization if the exercise is done properly. This is possible if it addresses the major problems that confront it with regards to various aspects of the implementation of the sale of SOEs.Originality/valueThe paper reflects on privatization in Nigeria, proffers some way forward and points to some lessons for other African or developing countries that have embraced or are planning on embracing the policy.
Precipitation of alacranite (As8S9) by a novel As(V)‐respiring anaerobe strain MPA‐C3
Authors: Mumford Adam C. , Yee Nathan , Young Lily Y. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryStrain MPA‐C3 was isolated by incubating arsenic‐bearing sediments under anaerobic, mesophilic conditions in minimal media with acetate as the sole source of energy and carbon, and As(V) as the sole electron acceptor. Following growth and the respiratory reduction of As(V) to As(III), a yellow precipitate formed in active cultures, while no precipitate was observed in autoclaved controls, or in uninoculated media supplemented with As(III). The precipitate was identified by X‐ray diffraction as alacranite, As8S9, a mineral previously only identified in hydrothermal environments. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain MPA‐C3 is a member of the Deferribacteres family, with relatively low (90%) identity to Denitrovibrio acetiphilus DSM 12809. The arsenate respiratory reductase gene, arrA, was sequenced, showing high homology to the arrA gene of Desulfitobacterium halfniense. In addition to As(V), strain MPA‐C3 utilizes NO3−, Se(VI), Se(IV), fumarate and Fe(III) as electron acceptors, and acetate, pyruvate, fructose and benzoate as sources of carbon and energy. Analysis of a draft genome sequence revealed multiple pathways for respiration and carbon utilization. The results of this work demonstrate that alacranite, a mineral previously thought to be formed only chemically under hydrothermal conditions, is precipitated under mesophilic conditions by the metabolically versatile strain MPA‐C3.
Multi‐factorial drivers of ammonia oxidizer communities: evidence from a national soil survey
Authors: Yao Huaiying , Campbell Colin D. , Chapman Stephen J. , Freitag Thomas E. , Nicol Graeme W. , Singh Brajesh K. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe factors driving the abundance and community composition of soil microbial communities provide fundamental knowledge on the maintenance of biodiversity and the ecosystem services they underpin. Several studies have suggested that microbial communities are spatially organized, including functional groups and much of the observed variation is explained by geographical location or soil pH. Soil ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) are excellent models for such study due to their functional, agronomic and environmental importance and their relative ease of characterization. To identify the dominant drivers of different ammonia oxidizers, we used samples (n = 713) from the National Soil Inventory of Scotland (NSIS). Our results indicate that 40–45% of the variance in community compositions can be explained by 71 environmental variables. Soil pH and substrate, which have been regarded as the two main drivers, only explained 13–16% of the total variance. We provide strong evidence of multi‐factorial drivers (land use, soil type, climate and N deposition) of ammonia‐oxidizing communities, all of which play a significant role in the creation of specific niches that are occupied by unique phylotypes. For example, one AOA phylotype was strongly linked to woodland/semi‐natural grassland, rainfall and N deposition. Some soil typologies, namely regosols, have a novel AOA community composition indicating typology as one of the factors which defines this ecological niche. AOA abundance was high and strongly linked the rate of potential nitrification in the highly acidic soils supporting the argument that AOA are main ammonia oxidizers in acidic soils. However, for AOB, soil pH and substrate (ammonia) were the main drivers for abundance and community composition. These results highlight the importance of multiple drivers of microbial niche formation and their impact on microbial biogeography that have significant consequences for ecosystem functioning.
The lowering of external pH in confined environments by thermo‐acidophilic algae (class: Cyanidiophyceae)
Authors: Lowell Christina , Castenholz Richard W. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe unicellular, asexual thermo‐acidophilic algae of the class Cyanidiophyceae, order Cyanidiales (the ‘cyanidia’) include only three genera, walled Cyanidium and Galdieria, and ‘naked’ Cyanidioschyzon, names based on morphological and cytological characters. Most species and strains of this class live in acid hot springs or acid soils or steam vents associated with these springs at pH 0.5 to ∼ 4.0 at temperatures of ∼ 38–56°C. No other phototrophs live in this combination of factors in these habitats, except for a small overlap with other acidophilic algae at the highest pH and the lowest temperature. The optimum pH for growth of the ‘cyanidia’ in this study was ∼ 2.3. Galdieria‐like walled cells of Cyanidioschyzon and naked Cyanidioschyzon cells were exposed in culture to higher pH conditions of 6.0, 5.5 and 5.0 in confined, illuminated environments (cotton plugged flasks). The subsequent acidification of the medium towards or to 2.3 occurred as growth and biomass increased. There was a direct correlation with final biomass (Chl a) and lower pH. All eight strains isolated from Yellowstone acidic conditions were able to lower the supra‐optimal pH of their medium, while only two from other continents and none of the three from Japan were competent. It is probable that the ability to lower pH to an optimal level has survival value in some niches in natural habitats.
Growth of Japanese breastfed infants compared to national references and World Health Organization growth standards
Authors: Tanaka H , Ishii H , Yamada T , Akazawa K , Nagata S , Yamashiro Y 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare the growth of Japanese infants that were exclusively breastfed to those of national references and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.MethodsMothers, who delivered a normal term baby and had been exclusively breastfeeding for at least 4 months, were enrolled. The lengths, body weights and head circumferences of 647 children, aged 0–24 months, were obtained and compared to national references and WHO standards.ResultsComparisons of the national references for both length and body weight indicated that breastfed infants were significantly shorter and lighter almost throughout the first 24 months. Conversely, head circumferences of breastfed infants were significantly larger at 1 and 6 months of age in boys and 6 months in girls. Compared to WHO standards, similar trends to the comparisons with national references were found.ConclusionThere were significant differences identified between the growth of breastfed infants and existing national references and WHO standards.
Impact of Obesity in Children with Narcolepsy
Authors: Inocente Clara Odilia , Lavault Sophie , Lecendreux Michel , Dauvilliers Yves , Reimao Rubens , Gustin Marie‐Paule , Castets Sarah , Spiegel Karine , Lin Jian‐Sheng , Arnulf Isabelle , Franco Patricia 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAimsTo evaluate the impact of obesity on clinical and sleep characteristics in a population of narcoleptic children.MethodsData from the children diagnosed with idiopathic narcolepsy in the National Reference Centers for Narcolepsy were collected between 2008 and 2011. Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were compared between obese (body mass index [BMI] greater than P97) and nonobese children.ResultsThe 117 children (65 boys, 59 de novo patients) had a mean age of 11.6 ± 3.1 years on diagnosis. Cataplexy was present in 81%, DQB1*0602 in 91%. Mean BMI was 23.2 ± 5.2 kg/m2 and BMI z‐score was 2.9 ± 2.6. Obesity was found in 60% with a similar prevalence in treated versus de novo patients and in patients with and without cataplexy. Sleepiness and cataplexy started earlier in obese children. Obese narcoleptic children had lower sleep efficiency, higher apnea hypopnea index and respiratory arousals index (RAI) than nonobese children. BMI z‐score was positively correlated with RAI. Obese children were more tired and missed more often school than nonobese children.ConclusionObesity affects more than 50% of narcoleptic children, mostly younger at disease onset, and has a deleterious impact on sleep quality as well as on school attendance.
Involvement of the insular cortex in the consolidation and expression of contextual fear conditioning
Authors: Alves Fernando H. F. , Gomes Felipe V. , Reis Daniel G. , Crestani Carlos C. , Corrêa Fernando M. A. , Guimarães Francisco S. , Resstel Leonardo B. M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe insular cortex (IC) has been reported to be involved in the modulation of memory and autonomic and defensive responses. However, there is conflicting evidence about the role of the IC in fear conditioning. To explore the IC involvement in both behavioral and autonomic responses induced by contextual fear conditioning, we evaluated the effects of the reversible inhibition of the IC neurotransmission through bilateral microinjections of the non‐selective synapse blocker CoCl2 (1 mm) 10 min before or immediately after the conditioning session or 10 min before re‐exposure to the aversive context. In the conditioning session, rats were exposed to a footshock chamber (context) and footshocks were used as the unconditioned stimulus. Forty‐eight hours later, the animals were re‐exposed to the aversive context for 10 min, but no shock was given. Behavioral (freezing) as well as cardiovascular (arterial pressure and heart rate increases) responses induced by re‐exposure to the aversive context were analysed. It was observed that the local IC neurotransmission inhibition attenuated freezing and the mean arterial pressure and heart rate increase of the groups that received the CoCl2 either immediately after conditioning or 10 min before re‐exposure to the aversive context, but not when the CoCl2 was injected before the conditioning session. These findings suggest the involvement of the IC in the consolidation and expression of contextual aversive memory. However, the IC does not seem to be essential for the acquisition of memory associated with aversive context.
Emulsified isoflurane protects rat heart in situ after regional ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Hu Zhao‐Yang , Peng Xia‐Ying , Liu Fei , Liu Jin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractVolatile anesthetic postconditioning reduces myocardial infarct size against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We tested the hypothesis that emulsified isoflurane (EIso) administrated after ischemia exerts cardioprotection in a rat model of myocardial I/R. Male SD rats underwent 30‐min coronary occlusion followed by 3‐h reperfusion except for sham rats. All vehicles were administrated intravenously at reperfusion onset for 30 min. In the first study, 56 rats were given saline (CON), 30% intralipid (IL) and 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 mL/kg EIso for infarct size measurement. In a second study, 32 rats were randomized to four groups and administrated saline in sham (sham) and control (CON) groups, 30% intralipid in IL group and 2 mL/kg emulsified isoflurane in EIso group. Cardiomyocytic enzyme activity was determined. Myocardial mitochondria and cytosol were isolated to determine mitochondrial energy metabolism, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Morphologic changes in mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Compared with CON and IL, 2, 4 and 8 mL/kg EIso limited infarct size (P < 0.01). Serum levels of cardiac enzyme leakage were reduced in EIso‐treated hearts compared with CON (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). EIso preserved the ultrastructure of mitochondria, protected against mPTP opening, decreased cytochrome c release and preserved ATP production and ΔΨm. In conclusion, EIso is effective in reducing infarct size and in preserving mitochondrial function after ischemia and reperfusion injury.
AT1 blockade abolishes left ventricular hypertrophy in heterozygous cMyBP‐C null mice: role of FHL1
Authors: Vignier Nicolas , Le Corvoisier Philippe , Blard Charlotte , Sambin Lucien , Azibani Feriel , Schlossarek Saskia , Delcayre Claude , Carrier Lucie , Hittinger Luc , Su Jin Bo 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis research investigated the impact of angiotensin AT1 receptor (Agtr1) blockade on left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in a mouse model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which carries one functional allele of Mybpc3 gene coding cardiac myosin‐binding protein C (cMyBP‐C). Five‐month‐old heterozygous cMyBP‐C knockout (Het‐KO) and wild‐type mice were treated with irbesartan (50 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 8 weeks. Arterial blood pressure was measured by tail cuff plethysmography. LV dimension and function were accessed by echocardiography. Myocardial gene expression was evaluated using RT‐qPCR. Compared with wild‐type littermates, Het‐KO mice had greater LV/body weight ratio (4.0 ± 0.1 vs. 3.3 ± 0.1 mg/g, P < 0.001), thicker interventricular septal wall (0.70 ± 0.02 vs. 0.65 ± 0.01 mm, P < 0.02), lower Mybpc3 mRNA level (−43%, P < 0.02), higher four‐and‐a‐half LIM domains 1 (Fhl1, +110%, P < 0.01), and angiotensin‐converting enzyme 1 (Ace1, +67%, P < 0.05), but unchanged Agtr1 mRNA levels in the septum. Treatment with irbesartan had no effect in wild‐type mice but abolished septum‐predominant LV hypertrophy and Fhl1 upregulation without changes in Ace1 but with an increased Agtr1 (+42%) in Het‐KO mice. Thus, septum‐predominant LV hypertrophy in Het‐KO mice is combined with higher Fhl1 expression, which can be abolished by AT1 receptor blockade, indicating a role of the renin‐angiotensin system and Fhl1 in cMyBP‐C‐related HCM.