bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective degeneration of a physiological subtype of spinal motor neuron in mice with SOD1-linked ALS
Authors: Hadzipasic Muhamed , Tahvildari Babak , Nagy Maria , Bian Minjuan , Horwich Arthur L. , McCormick David A. 
Published: November 2014

Significance
We describe a method that allows, for the first time to our knowledge, the preparation of viable acute spinal cord slices from adult mice, enabling patch-clamp recording from fluorescent motor neurons. From electrophysiological parameters, four subtypes of motor neurons were identified. Two fast firing subtypes innervated fast twitch muscle, whereas the two slow firing subtypes innervated slow twitch muscle. In superoxide dismutase 1-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice, the same four firing types were observed before the onset of symptoms, but the fastest firing type was lost after symptoms developed.
Pharmacological protection of retinal pigmented epithelial cells by sulindac involves PPAR-α
Authors: Sur Arunodoy , Kesaraju Shailaja , Prentice Howard , Ayyanathan Kasirajan , Baronas-Lowell Diane , Zhu Danhong , Hinton David R. , Blanks Janet , Weissbach Herbert 
Published: November 2014

Significance
Oxidative stress-induced damage to retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells is implicated in the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is one of the primary causes of vision loss in the elderly. The present studies show that sulindac, a known nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, can protect an established RPE cell line, low-passage human fetal RPE, and polarized primary human fetal RPE cells against oxidative damage. The results with the RPE cell line indicate that the protective response is similar to that seen with ischemic preconditioning. Our results suggest that preventing oxidative damage in RPE cells by this drug-induced protective mechanism could be an inexpensive and relatively nontoxic therapeutic approach for AMD treatment.
Development of formulae for estimating amylose content, amylopectin chain length distribution, and resistant starch content based on the iodine absorption curve of rice starch
Authors: Nakamura Sumiko , Satoh Hikaru , Ohtsubo Ken’ichi 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Not only amylose but also amylopectin greatly affects the gelatinization properties of rice starch and the quality of cooked rice grains. We here characterized the starches of 32 rice cultivars and evaluated the relationship between their iodine absorption curve, apparent amylose content (AAC), pasting property, resistant starch (RS) content, and chain length distribution of amylopectin. We found that the iodine absorption curve differed among the various sample rice cultivars. Using the wavelength at which absorbance becomes maximum on iodine staining of starch (λmax), we propose a novel index, “new λmax” (AAC/(λmax of sample rice starches–λmax of glutinous rice starch)). We developed the novel estimation formulae for AAC, RS contents, and amylopectin fractions with the use of λmax and “new λmax.” These formulae would lead to the improved method for estimating starch properties using an easy and rapid iodine colorimetric method.
Higher education and research innovation in China
Authors: Qiu Jane 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
China places a great emphasis on boosting its innovative capability, which it says is key to meeting the challenges in economic development and global competition. At the heart of the matter is how the country could produce its own agent of innovation—creative graduates and postgraduates.
In a forum chaired by National Science Review's executive associate editor Mu-ming Poo, five panelists from top universities discuss the problems and challenges of higher education in China and in what ways the system needs to be reformed.
Yuanfang Chen
Physician and Vice Chair of Peking Union Medical College's Expert Committee on Education in Beijing
Song Gao
Chemist and Vice President of Peking University in Beijing
Ke Gong
Electronic Engineer and President of Nankai University in Tianjin
Yigong Shi
Biologist and Dean of Tsinghua University's School of Life Sciences in Beijing
Chia-Wei Woo
Physicist and Founding President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong
Mu-ming Poo (Chair)
Neuroscientist and Director of Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai
Modes of interaction between individuals dominate the topologies of real world networks
Authors: Lee Insuk , Kim Eiru , Marcotte Edward M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe find that the topologies of real world networks, such as those formed within human societies, by the Internet, or among cellular proteins, are dominated by the mode of the interactions considered among the individuals. Consequently, a major dichotomy in previously studied networks arises from modeling networks in terms of pairwise versus group tasks. The former often intrinsically give rise to scale-free, disassortative, hierarchical networks, whereas the latter often give rise to broad-scale, assortative, nonhierarchical networks. These dependencies explain contrasting observations among previous topological analyses of real world complex systems. We also observe this trend in systems with natural hierarchies, in which alternate representations of the same networks, but which capture different levels of the hierarchy, manifest these signature topological differences. For example, in both the Internet and cellular proteomes, networks of lower-level system components (routers within domains or proteins within biological processes) are assortative and nonhierarchical, whereas networks of upper-level system components (internet domains or biological processes) are disassortative and hierarchical. Our results demonstrate that network topologies of complex systems must be interpreted in light of their hierarchical natures and interaction types.
Pitting corrosion of super martensitic stainless steel 00Cr13Ni5Mo2
Authors: Li J.L. , Qu C.T. , Zhu S.D. , Liu L. , Gao Z.Q. 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this study was to investigate the pitting resistance and assess the critical pitting temperature (CPT) of a super martensitic stainless steel, 00Cr13Ni5Mo2, made in China, considering especially the difference in the pitting corrosion resistance between the domestic super martensitic stainless steel and an imported one.

Design/methodology/approach
– Potentiodynamic sweep tests were applied to investigate the effects of four NaCl concentrations (weight per cent) of 1, 3.5, 9 and 17, and four testing temperatures of 30, 50, 75 and 90°C on the pitting resistance of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel in the presence of CO2. Potentiostatic sweep tests were utilized to determine the CPT. Furthermore, chemical immersion exposures, implemented according to the appropriate standard were used to evaluate the difference in the pitting corrosion resistance between the domestic super martensitic stainless steel and an imported one. In addition, the morphology of pits was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope.

Finding
– The pitting potential of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel decreased with an increase in NaCl concentration and temperature in the presence of CO2. The CPT of the domestic super martensitic stainless steel measured by potentiostatic polarization was 41.16°C. Two types of typical corrosion pits, closed pits formed at 35°C and open pits formed at 50°C, were observed. Furthermore, compared to the super martensitic stainless steel made in Japan, the domestic one was better in terms of pitting potential, corrosion rate and the density of the pits, but worse in terms of the depth of the pits, which may result in a risk of corrosion perforation of tubing and casings.

Originality/value
– The paper highlights that chloride ions, temperature and the presence of CO2 play an important role on the pitting resistance of super martensitic stainless steel.
Corrosion protective performance of epoxy-amino branched polydimethylsiloxane hybrid coatings on carbon steel
Authors: Mohammad Suleiman Rami 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this work was to prepare a hybrid organic/inorganic coating with interesting barrier properties against the corrosion of plain carbon steel sheets in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution. The search for replacing chromates in protective coatings has led to the development of hybrid sol-gel anticorrosive coatings. Appropriate functionalization can dramatically enhance the chemical durability and mechanical strength of these coatings.

Design/methodology/approach
– To prepare the targeted coating, 1,2-epoxybutane (EB) was mixed with 2-4 per cent aminoethylaminopropyl-methylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymer and 1,6-diaminohexane. The above coating (EBAC) was further mixed with three different corrosion inhibitors “Moly-white® 101-ED, Hfucophos Zapp®” and Cerium Ammonium Nitrate, yielding the coatings (EBAC-M), (EBAC-Z) and (EABC-Ce), respectively. The corrosion characteristics of all coatings on carbon steel panels immersed in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution were obtained using different electrochemical methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopic and Tafel polarization measurements.

Findings
– The newly prepared coatings showed interesting properties for protecting the steel substrate against corrosion in chloride containing media.

Originality/value
– The results provide a good approach for the modification of polydimethylsiloxane coatings using a simple organic modifier.
Galvanic corrosion of electric resistance welded X52 steel in CO2-containing solution
Authors: Omar Rihan Rihan 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to report an experimental investigation of the galvanic corrosion that occurs between the base metal and the welds in X52 carbon steel petroleum pipelines when exposed in carbon dioxide (CO2)-containing saltwater at pH 4 at room temperature. The pipeline was fabricated by electric resistance welding (ERW).

Design/methodology/approach
– The experimental setup was a closed glass cell equipped with a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrode, two working electrodes (the weld metal and the parent steel specimens) and a gas bubbler. The corrosion potential and polarization resistance of the base metal and the weld were determined using electrochemical testing methods: potentiodynamic polarization scans and linear polarization resistance measurement. The galvanic currents of the base metal when coupled to the weld metal were measured using zero resistance ammetry.

Findings
– The weld metal was the anode of the couple for a very short time at the beginning of the experiment and then became the cathode until the end of the experiment. This indicates that electric resistance welded X52 steel pipe is a promising material to be operated in CO2-containing saltwater at pH 4 and 25°C because the weld area is cathodic to the parent metal, the value of the galvanic current is very low (in the order of nanoamps) and the area of the anode (i.e. the parent metal) is significantly larger than that of the cathode (weld metal).

Research limitations/implications
– Further experimental research could be performed to investigate the galvanic corrosion behavior between the parent metal and the weld area of X52 carbon steel petroleum pipelines in CO2-containing saltwater at different pH values, temperature and velocity.

Practical implications
– Electric resistance welded X52 steel pipe is a promising material for use with CO2-containing saltwater environments at pH 4 and 25°C.

Originality/value
– The new information presented in the paper is the galvanic corrosion behavior between the parent metal and the ERW weld metal of X52 carbon steel in CO2-containing solutions. The paper should be useful to researchers working in the field of oil industry corrosion.
Editorial
Authors: Ogliastri Enrique 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Six research papers are published on this issue: three on finances, two regarding public administration and one on business economy. They come from six countries and ten universities. The first paper analyses the effect of a new platform for transactions in the Colombian stock exchange. The second studies the factors that influence the capital structure of the non‐financial companies that quote in the stock market of Lima. The third studies a sample of Brazilian coffee growers in order to determine the influence of attitudes and behaviours in their price risk management decisions. The fourth studies the relation between financial stress, decentralisation and outsourcing of public local services in Spain, by particularly taking into account the length of the financial stress, the effectiveness of the measures taken to attenuate it and the lapse between the crisis and an answer based on the portion of privatisation and decentralisation of the public services. The fifth explores the Chilean small and medium businesses determinants that from their beginnings are orientated towards the global international market. Lastly, the concepts of marketing services and higher education are used to analyse the evaluations of professors given by Mexican university students. The journal is shifting towards a new electronic platform. It will begin to be trimestral in the year 2015 and will continue to broaden its net of Associate Editors.

Resumen
En este número publicamos seis artículos de investigación: tres en finanzas, dos en administración pública, y uno en economía de negocios, provenientes de seis países y diez universidades. El primer artículo analiza el efecto de una nueva plataforma para las transacciones en la bolsa de valores de Colombia. El segundo, estudia los factores que influyen en la estructura de capital de las empresas no financieras que cotizan en el mercado de valores de Lima. El tercero, estudia una muestra de cultivadores de café brasileños para determinar la influencia de las actitudes y comportamientos en sus decisiones de gestión del riesgo del precio. El cuarto, estudia la relación entre estrés financiero, descentralización y contratación externa de servicios públicos locales en España, particularmente al enfocarse en la consideración de la duración del estrés financiero, la efectividad de las medidas tomadas para atenuarlo, y el lapso entre la crisis y una respuesta basada en la opción de privatización y descentralización de servicios públicos. El quinto explora los determinantes de que las pequeñas y medianas empresas chilenas desde el principio estén orientadas al mercado global internacional. Finalmente, se utilizan conceptos del mercadeo de servicios y la educación superior para el análisis de las evaluaciones de los profesores por parte de los estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. La revista está migrando a una nueva plataforma electrónica, pasará a ser trimestral en el año 2015 y se continúa ampliando la red de Editores Asociados.
Teaching performance: determinants of the student assessment
Authors: Rodríguez Adriana Morales , Capelleras Joan‐Lluís , Gimenez Garcia Víctor M. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the nature and factors that influence student evaluation of the teaching performance of university teachers by integrating two areas of research: services marketing and higher education.Design/methodology/approachA set of hypotheses were developed taking into consideration customer (student), employee (teacher) and service (course) characteristics. They were then tested using data from 952 courses for a three‐year period and employing different multivariate techniques.FindingsStudents basically evaluate the expertise, attitude and behavior of teachers. The results also indicate that this evaluation is a complex phenomenon that depends on factors related to teacher, student and course profiles.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the nature of the data used here, future studies should extend the scope of research to other institutions, examine quality from an objective standpoint and include teachers’ perceptions and the outcomes of their research activity.Practical implicationsBased on the results of this paper, the authors recommend the following: to permit teachers to teach the same courses repeatedly, allowing them to consolidate their practice; to provide training in teaching techniques and ethics; to pay particular attention to those students who move to another degree program; and to maintain an appropriate class size.Originality/valueThis study integrates two areas of research and proposes a wide range of service quality determinants in the context of higher education, including several factors that had not been previously considered.
Corporate strategy and the environment: towards a four-dimensional compatibility model for fostering green management decisions
Authors: Martinez Fabien 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– This article aims to draw on the contingency theory to develop a conceptual model of compatibility between corporate environmental responsibility and business strategy that reflects heterogeneity in this relationship. Four dimensions of compatibility are explored: trade-off, ambidexterity, synergy and symbiosis.Design/methodology/approach– The intended contribution is essentially conceptual. A company case study is included to contribute to the development of the four dimensions of compatibility and support the practical relevance of the model. Twelve in-depth interviews with six managers in different functions of the company were conducted. A grounded theory approach was used to identify and express the patterns of compatibility that emerge from the qualitative data and how these patterns are grounded in managers’ meaning-in-use.Findings– The contribution of the compatibility framework is essentially made to the literature on environmental strategy management, evolved from an implicit and, at most, two-dimensional (win–win and win–lose) conceptualisation of the relationship between green and business strategy into an explicit and multi-dimensionally grounded identification of processes and strategic challenges of corporate environmental and social responsibility. The resulting model contributes to a better understanding of corporate greening as a strategic and moral concern to individuals acting on behalf of business organisations and a greater understanding of the linkages between green and business strategies and operations.Originality/value– By clarifying the construct of corporate environmental sustainability and providing useful directions for theory and practice, this research claims to inform green management decision-making. While the compatibility model is not intended to explain all pathways by which firms may elicit contingencies of relevance to environmental and social responsibility, it is suggested that the model paints a more complete and contextualized picture of environmental management mechanisms in business.
Determinants of non-economic investment goals among Indian investors
Authors: Sreekumar Nair Abhilash , Ladha Rani 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify underlying characteristics of Indian investors that influence them to achieve their non-economic investment goals.

Design/methodology/approach
– The conceptual model posits that investors’ choice of non-economic goal (NEG) is determined by their values and beliefs which are measured through survey data collected from 342 respondents with prior experience of investing in the stock market. A structural equation model is specified to estimate the measurement model. Further, the study analyses the mediating effect of social investment efficacy on the impact of investors’ values and beliefs and their pursuit of non-economic investment goals.

Findings
– Religiosity and the belief that one’s actions can bring about a change in the society are the two important determinants of Indian investors’ pursuit of non-economic investment goal.

Research limitations/implications
– The model ignores aspects of an investor’s financial stability that may influence the urge to pursue non-economic investment goals.

Practical implications
– Socially responsible (SR) funds with investment filters designed to propagate religious values of Indian investors can be designed. As a result, it should be possible to channelize a part of the more than $15 billion available in different religious institutions across the country into the capital market.

Social implications
– Availability of SRI funds would provide investors with yet another avenue invest in companies that conform to their protected values.

Originality/value
– This is the first study that attempts to study investor characteristics (values and beliefs) and its impact on investor’s NEG in the Indian context.
Indian MFI at crossroads: sustainability perspective
Authors: Dutta Pinky , Das Debabrata 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the financial sustainability of the Indian Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) post-Andhra Pradesh (AP) crisisDesign/methodology/approach– Regression analysis is used to test the significance of the independent variables on the variable of interest, i.e. the operational self-sustainability. Three-stage regression analysis, i.e. PartialF-test, residual analysis and Box–Cox-type transformations is applied to see the impact of the variables on financial sustainability of the Indian MFIs. The study is based on the data of the Indian MFIs during three fiscal years from 2010-2011 to 2012-2012 reported in the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX).Findings– The authors’ results indicate that in 2010-2011, the linear regression model seems to be good fit to the data, whereas in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, the appropriateness of the linear regression models seems questionable (the error distribution seems to be skewed). It is observed that square root of the dependent variable exhibits adequate fit for 2011 and 2012. Therefore, a substantial change in the model for estimating sustainability of Indian MFIs is observed in the post-AP crisis era. It is observed that portfolio quality and capital management are important determinants for the financial sustainability of the MFIs.Practical implications– This study identifies the factors affecting the sustainability of the Indian MFIs, especially after the reforms following the AP crisis in India. The study suggests that from 2012-2013, the factors such as write-off ratio, capital-to-asset ratio, ratio of financial revenue to assets and provision for loan impairment-to-asset ratio are the main factors which have significant impact on the operational self-sufficiency (OSS) of Indian MFIs. This indicates that the quality of portfolio must be improved to reduce the vulnerability of the Indian MFIs.Social implications– After the AP crisis, the performance of Indian MFIs is stabilized to a greater extent. The various performance indicators are improving.Originality/value– The paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of the factors effecting financial sustainability of the Indian MFIs, before and after the regulatory reforms in 2011. A substantial change is observed after 2011-2012. Such a study on the Indian microfinance sector seems to be new (to the best of the authors’ knowledge).