bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the Electrophilic Isothiocyanate Sulforaphane in Arabidopsis Local Defense Responses
Authors: Andersson Mats X. , Nilsson Anders K. , Johansson Oskar N. , Boztaş Gülin , Adolfsson Lisa E. , Pinosa Francesco , Petit Christel Garcia , Aronsson Henrik , Mackey David , Tör Mahmut , Hamberg Mats , Ellerström Mats 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPlants defend themselves against microbial pathogens through a range of highly sophisticated and integrated molecular systems. Recognition of pathogen-secreted effector proteins often triggers the hypersensitive response (HR), a complex multicellular defense reaction where programmed cell death of cells surrounding the primary site of infection is a prominent feature. Even though the HR was described almost a century ago, cell-to-cell factors acting at the local level generating the full defense reaction have remained obscure. In this study, we sought to identify diffusible molecules produced during the HR that could induce cell death in naive tissue. We found that 4-methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate (sulforaphane) is released by Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf tissue undergoing the HR and that this compound induces cell death as well as primes defense in naive tissue. Two different mutants impaired in the pathogen-induced accumulation of sulforaphane displayed attenuated programmed cell death upon bacterial and oomycete effector recognition as well as decreased resistance to several isolates of the plant pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Treatment with sulforaphane provided protection against a virulent H. arabidopsidis isolate. Glucosinolate breakdown products are recognized as antifeeding compounds toward insects and recently also as intracellular signaling and bacteriostatic molecules in Arabidopsis. The data presented here indicate that these compounds also trigger local defense responses in Arabidopsis tissue.
Brassinosteroid Regulates Cell Elongation by Modulating Gibberellin Metabolism in Rice
Authors: Tong Hongning , Xiao Yunhua , Liu Dapu , Gao Shaopei , Liu Linchuan , Yin Yanhai , Jin Yun , Qian Qian , Chu Chengcai 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBrassinosteroid (BR) and gibberellin (GA) are two predominant hormones regulating plant cell elongation. A defect in either of these leads to reduced plant growth and dwarfism. However, their relationship remains unknown in rice (Oryza sativa). Here, we demonstrated that BR regulates cell elongation by modulating GA metabolism in rice. Under physiological conditions, BR promotes GA accumulation by regulating the expression of GA metabolic genes to stimulate cell elongation. BR greatly induces the expression of D18/GA3ox-2, one of the GA biosynthetic genes, leading to increased GA1 levels, the bioactive GA in rice seedlings. Consequently, both d18 and loss-of-function GA-signaling mutants have decreased BR sensitivity. When excessive active BR is applied, the hormone mostly induces GA inactivation through upregulation of the GA inactivation gene GA2ox-3 and also represses BR biosynthesis, resulting in decreased hormone levels and growth inhibition. As a feedback mechanism, GA extensively inhibits BR biosynthesis and the BR response. GA treatment decreases the enlarged leaf angles in plants with enhanced BR biosynthesis or signaling. Our results revealed a previously unknown mechanism underlying BR and GA crosstalk depending on tissues and hormone levels, which greatly advances our understanding of hormone actions in crop plants and appears much different from that in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Learning outcomes’ role in higher education teaching
Authors: Nasrallah Rita 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this multiple-case study was to examine the ambiguity surrounding course learning outcomes and how they are perceived by faculty members in four private universities, while simultaneously investigating the dominant teaching perspectives, practices and assessment techniques. In parallel, theory of constructive alignment was shared with faculty members and students as a possible teaching-learning model.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study is a qualitative multiple-case study designed based on Yin’s (2009) case study protocol and Stake’s (2006) cross-case analysis report. In the process, 52 faculty members were interviewed, and 38 of the 52 were observed teaching, plus 15 of 52, faculty members participated in separate focus groups about constructive alignment. Further, 18 students were interviewed in separate focus groups to find out how they perceive effective teaching and constructive alignment.

Findings
– The findings showed why faculty members misunderstood the course learning outcomes. Both faculty members and students withheld similar perceptions when it came to efficient teaching; however, they disagreed regarding the utility of constructive alignment as a proposed teaching-learning model. The 52 faculty members were mainly knowledge transmitters and this contradicts with the notion of the learning outcomes, which is student-centered. In addition, they are not familiar with the teaching-learning theories or with the various pedagogical tools that may render learning constructive.

Research limitations/implications
– The fact that this study is a multiple-case study automatically implies that the results cannot be generalized within the larger higher education context. Nevertheless, the research findings can help to clarify the reasons hindering the proper implementation of the learning outcomes in other institutions, as it can serve as a guide to improve all the detected weaknesses, which may be applicable in other contexts. It can also aid administrative bodies at the different institutions in dealing with the obstacles that restrict the workability of the learning outcomes.

Practical implications
– Teaching in higher education must be nurtured through continuously investing time and effort in supporting faculty members to develop their teaching-learning skills to suit the changing profiles of students to render learning a durable experience.

Originality/value
– The study is unique in how it combined Yin’s protocol with Stake’s cross-case analysis report. Additionally, the classroom observation instrument was, to an extent, a precedent in terms of higher education research in the Lebanese context. Further, the results obtained added to the results of previous research, i.e. the reasons why the learning outcomes were not functional. Plus, a cyclical/retrograding motion learning model emerged in the process, and the practicality of the theory of constructive alignment in the Lebanese context was questioned.
The effect of marketing constructs and tourists’ satisfaction on loyalty to a sport destination
Authors: Reza Jalilvand Mohammad , Khazaei Pool Javad , Nasrolahi Vosta Leila , Shabani Nafchali Javad 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of the current study is to explore complicated structural relationships among the variables of tourists’ perceptions of quality and the value of a sport tourist destination and their satisfaction level and loyalty that are vital for successful destination marketing and management.

Design/methodology/approach
– A survey was used to collect data from a sample of 570 sport tourists who traveled to Nowshahr and Chalous cities in Iran during September 2012. These data were gathered by convenience sampling method and analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM).

Findings
– The results of the SEM revealed that tourists’ perceived quality and perceived value have a significant impact on their satisfaction. Further, tourists’ satisfaction had a positive and significant effect on the level of their loyalty.

Practical implications
– Findings of the current study contribute to a better perception of behavioral mechanisms and incentives and provide an acceptable basis to improve tourism industry in both regional and national levels.

Originality/value
– This is the first such study of the Iranian sports sector.
Strategic plan compilation using system dynamics modeling: case study of a university
Authors: Sababi Pour Asl Golnaz , Bafandeh Zendeh Alireza 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to measure the demand for bachelors, masters and PhD degree students at an Iranian university.

Design/methodology/approach
– System dynamics (SD) modeling is used for the strategic plan compilation.

Findings
– After successful examination of the model, a simulation was carried out for the coming 18 years. The results show that in the future, the university will face reductions in the numbers of BA, MA and PhD students. Therefore, university leaders need to develop appropriate strategies to deal with this challenge.

Originality/value
– SD modeling for strategic plan compilation has been used for the first time in an examination of higher education in Iran.
A cross-cultural study of students’ perceptions of assessment practices in higher education
Authors: F. Alquraan Mahmoud 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This study aims to utilized the item response theory (IRT) rating scale model to analyze students’ perceptions of assessment practices in two universities: one in Jordan and the other in the USA. The sample of the study consisted of 506 university students selected from both universities. Results show that the two universities still focus on paper-pencil testing to assess students’ learning outcomes. The study recommends that higher education institutes should encourage their teachers to use different assessment methods to assess students’ learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach
– The convenience sample consisted of 506 selected university students from the USA and Jordan, and participants were distributed according to their educational levels, thus: 83 freshmen, 139 sophomores, 157 juniors and 59 seniors. (Note: some students from both universities did not report their gender and/or their educational level). The USA university sample consisted of 219 students from three colleges at a major university in the southeast of the USA studying for arts and sciences, education and commerce and business qualifications, of whom 43 were males and 173 were females. The study used the Students Perception of Assessment Practices Inventory developed by Alquraan (2007), and for the purpose of this study, the RUMM2020 program was used for its rating scale model.

Findings
– Both universities, in Jordan and the USA, still focus more on the developmental (construction of assessment tasks), organizational and planning aspects of assessment processes than they do on assessments of learning and assessment methods (traditional and new assessment methods). The assessment practices that are used frequently in both universities based on the teachers sampled are: “(I27) I know what to study for the test in this class”, “(I6) Teacher provides a good environment during test administration” and “(I21) My teacher avoids interrupting students as they are taking tests”. This indicates that teachers in the selected universities have a tendency to focus on the administrative and communicative aspects of assessment (e.g. providing a good environment during test administration) more than on using different assessment methods (e.g. portfolios, new technology, computers, peer and self-assessment) or even using assessment practices that help students learn in different ways (e.g. assessing students’ prior knowledge and providing written feedback on the graded tests).

Originality/value
– This is a cross-cultural study focus assessment of students learning in higher education.
Lean metric appraisement: exploration of grey numbers set theory
Authors: Ram Matawale Chhabi , Datta Saurav , Sankar Mahapatra Siba 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– Lean manufacturing is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination. In today's competitive global marketplace the concept of lean manufacturing has gained vital consciousness to all manufacturing sectors, their supply chains and hence a logical measurement index system is indeed required in implementing leanness in practice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The present work exhibits an efficient grey-based leanness assessment system using concept of grey numbers theory.Findings– Such leanness estimation can help the enterprises to assess their existing leanness level; can compare different industries who are adapting this lean concept. The methodology described here has been found fruitful while applying for a particular industry, in India, as a case study.Originality/value– Lean extent evaluation module (lean index appraisement system) exploring grey numbers theory is quite new and not documented in literature before.
Grey cluster model based approach for selecting international cooperation key-technology projects
Authors: Xie Naiming 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to construct index system of international cooperation project selection, propose a grey cluster model for project selection and apply propose model for Jiangsu international cooperation key-technology projects selection.

Design/methodology/approach
– Considering supply of international cooperation project is different with its demand, and regional key cooperation technologies should consider urgency and possibility of project cooperation, the author separately construct index groups for supply and demand. To aggregate assessment information of each cooperation project, whitenization function for each index is constructed and then cluster coefficient of index group could be aggregated by using each index and its weight information. Fixed weight grey cluster model is redefined and applied for selecting international cooperation project. And steps of calculation of model are given out. Real application of Jiangsu international cooperation projects’ selection is used for demonstrating process of the proposed model.

Findings
– Results show that constructed indexes of international cooperation project selection can be used for selecting regional cooperation projects well. And proposed fixed weight grey cluster model can aggregate all indexes information well. Therefore, proposed indexes and model in this manuscript is effective and also it can be used for solving similar problems.

Practical implications
– Jiangsu province is a developed region of China, and its international cooperation is more active than other regions accordingly. Constructed indexes of international cooperation project selection and fixed weight grey cluster model can help government to select needed projects easily.

Originality/value
– This manuscript first define a demand as urgency and supply as possibility, and a new index system of international cooperation project selection is constructed with several urgency indexes and several possibility indexes. And a new assessment model, named as fixed weight grey cluster model, is proposed to aggregate indexes’ information.
Targeting, cascading and indirect tax design
Authors: Keen Michael 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to address two fundamental issues in indirect tax design. It first revisits the case for reduced rates on items especially important to the poor, and then explores the welfare costs from cascading taxes.Design/methodology/approach– Applied theory was used in this paper.Findings– On the first issue, the paper establishes conditions under which even very crudely targeted spending measures better serve the interests of the poor than does the reduced taxation of particular commodities looming large in their consumption. On the second, it shows that these may actually be lower the wider the set of inputs that are taxed but, more to the point, may plausibly be large even at a low nominal tax rate and with relatively few stages of production: contrary to a common mantra, “a low rate on a broad base” is not always good policy.Originality/value– Both issues addressed in the paper are recurrent and central concerns in the design of indirect taxes in general, and the value-added tax (VAT)/general sales tax (GST) in particular. The author is unaware of other treatments that are at all comparable in perspective or results. The author hopes the analysis will prove useful in many contexts where these issues arise – not least in India, where these issues are central to discussions of VAT/GST reform.
Poverty by social, religious and economic groups in India and its largest states
Authors: Panagariya Arvind , More Vishal 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to ground in serious empirical evidence the debate on whether the post-reform acceleration in growth has helped bring poverty down for all economic, social and religious groups and in all state or has left certain groups or states.Design/methodology/approach– The paper uses unit-level data from the so-called thick rounds of expenditure surveys by National Sample Survey (NSS) in the years 1993-1994, 2004-2005, 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 and estimates the proportion of the population below the official Tendulkar line. Adequate care is taken to address the issue of sample size in reporting the estimates.Findings– Whether we slice the data by social, religious or economic groups, by states or by rural and urban areas, poverty has significantly declined between 1993-1994 and 2011-2012 with a substantial acceleration during the faster-growth period from 2004-2005 to 2011-2012. Poverty rates among the disadvantaged social groups and minorities have declined faster so that the gap in poverty rates between them and the general population has declined. In 7 of the 16 states with large Muslim populations, the poverty rate for them is now below that for the Hindus.Research limitations/implications– Use of survey data has its limitations, especially when the sample sizes are small. The paper also does not assess the direct contribution of growth in relation to that through redistribution.Practical implications– The paper presents implications for identification of the poor for the purpose of designing targeted interventions.Originality/value– This is the first paper to offer up-to-date estimates of poverty by social, religious and economic groups, by states and by rural and urban areas.
Optimal tax and expenditure policy in the presence of emigration
Authors: Backlund Kenneth , Sjögren Tomas , Stage Jesper 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to present a theoretical underpinning for the fact that empirical studies have found an inverted-U curve relationship between emigration and per capita income, based on credit restrictions. The implications for tax policy are also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach
– Using an intertemporal general equilibrium model, the authors characterize how the presence of an “inverted U-curve” relationship between emigration and per capita income will influence the optimal tax and expenditure policy in a country where agents have the option to move abroad.

Findings
– Among the results it is shown that if age-dependent taxes are available, the presence of an inverted-U curve provides an incentive to tax young labor harder, but old labor less hard, than otherwise.

Originality/value
– This migration model fits the empirical facts of migration better than most of the migration models previously used in the optimal taxation literature.
CFD based study of thermal sensation of occupants using thermophysiological model. Part I
Authors: Pichurov George , Angelova Radostina , Simova Iskra , Rodrigo Iosu , Stankov Peter 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to integrate a thermophysiological human body model into a CFD simulation to predict the dry and latent body heat loss, the clothing, skin and core temperature, skin wettedness and periphery blood flow distribution. The integration of the model allows to generate more realistic boundary conditions for the CFD simulation and allows to predict the room distribution of temperature and humidity originating from the occupants.

Design/methodology/approach
– A two-dimensional thermophysiological body model is integrated into a CFD simulation to predict the interaction between the human body and room environment. Parameters varied were clothing insulation and metabolic activity and supply air temperature. The body dry and latent heat loss, skin wettedness, skin and core temperatures were predicted together with the room air temperature and humidity.

Findings
– Clothing and metabolic activity were found to have different level of impact on the dry and latent heat loss. Heat loss was more strongly affected by changes in the metabolic rate than in the clothing insulation. Latent heat loss was found to exhibit much larger variations compared to dry heat loss due to the high latent heat potential of water.

Originality/value
– Unlike similar studies featuring naked human body, clothing characteristics like sensible resistance and vapor permeability were accommodated into the present study. A method to ensure numerical stability of the integrated simulation was developed and implemented to produce robust and reliable simulation performance.
Functional characteristics of textile fabrics by plasma-nano treatment
Authors: Vellingiri K. , Ramachandran T. , Senthilkumar P. 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– Any change in physical performance of the fibre corresponds to a change in its molecular structure. Basically polyester is hydrophobic in nature due to the absence of attracting polar groups and the dense packing in its polymeric structure. Due to the dense packing in polymeric structure and lack of hydroxyl groups of polyester it does not absorb water hence breathability is poor. The possibility of using air and oxygen plasma treatments for fibre surface activation to facilitate the improvement of hydrophilicity is attempted and has been improved. The purpose of this paper is to study the possibility of engineering the multifunctional of fabrics.Design/methodology/approach– The treated fabric is evaluated through measuring the ultraviolet protection factor, thermal resistance, and antibacterial activity properties. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy graphs show deposition of nano particles (NPs) of Chitosan, TiO2and ZnO onto the fibre after washing several times.Findings– Air plasma-nano Chitosan treatment affects positively the antibacterial activity, thermal resistance of the fibre and air plasma-nano TiO2and ZnO the fibre protection against ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, the plasma treatment solves an environmental problem which offers safe production process and working place and decreases the unit cost.Originality/Value– The authors are confident that textiles will adopt this technology in the future.