bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why Eco‐labels can be Effective Marketing Tools: Evidence from a Study on Italian Consumers
Authors: Testa F. , Iraldo F. , Vaccari A , Ferrari E. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTAn emerging topic in environmental management studies is the role of eco‐labels in guiding consumers in their purchasing choices. In order to contribute to the current debate on this topic, this research paper aims to assess, through a quantitative analysis, whether the knowledge, awareness and information that consumers gather on the environmental impact of a product through an eco‐label can stimulate an eco‐friendly behavior. Moreover, we assess whether general attitudes in purchasing behaviors determine a personal attitude toward ecological consumption. The findings from this study, which is based on a large dataset of Italian consumers, highlight a significant role of eco‐labels in increasing the consumer's perceived behavioral control, unlike loyalty in brand and in store, which do not exert a significant influence. Practical implications for green business strategies emerge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainable Development and Corporate Financial Performance: A Study Based on the FTSE4Good IBEX Index
Authors: Charlo Maria J. , Moya Ismael , Muñoz Ana M. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe social and environmental aspects of business investment and financing are becoming increasingly important. Most studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on analysing the relationship between company performance in the financial and social fields. However, the results obtained have not been conclusive, mainly due to the variables used to measure CSR. In order to simplify its measurement, in this work we used an empirical analytical method to determine possible differences between the financial variables of firms considered to be socially responsible and those not considered to be such. The results obtained show that socially responsible corporations obtain higher profits for the same level of systematic risk and show greater sensitivity to market changes, leverage levels and company size. This pioneering study is the first to make use of the first, and at the present time only, Spanish sustainability index, the FTSE4Good IBEX. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
‘Some People It's Very Difficult to Trust’: Attributions of Agency and Accountability in Practitioners' Talk About Integration
Authors: Kirkwood Steve , McKinlay Andy , McVittie Chris 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe concept of ‘integration’ plays an important role in policy and practice regarding the settlement of migrants, yet the term is used in a variety of ways. This article examines how practitioners who support the integration of refugees in Scotland construct ‘integration’ at the community level to justify or challenge particular policies and sets of social relations. Analysis shows that integration can be worked up in contexts involving (i) descriptions of ‘us’ and ‘them’ in relation to a single community, (ii) social inclusion of those in multiple communities, or (iii) group level intercultural contact. Each version of integration is bound up with different attributions of agency for advancing integration and attributions of blame for current problems. Instead of relying upon a concept that is so open to multiple uses, local organizations might usefully specify outcomes in terms of social actors and interactions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Assembly of Hierarchical Nanostructures from Dopamine and Polyoxometalate for Oral Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Hong , Jia Yi , Wang Anhe , Cui Wei , Ma Hongchao , Feng Xiyun , Li Junbai 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe preparation of 3D hierarchical nanostructures by a simple and versatile strategy of self‐assembly of dopamine (DA) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is described. The size and morphology of the hierarchical nanostructures could be simply controlled by varying the ratio of the two components, their concentrations, and the pH of the initial Tris‐HCl solution. The self‐assembly of the flowerlike microspheres has been found to involve a two‐stage growth process. Moreover, use of the hierarchical nanostructures as a possible carrier for an anticancer drug in chemotherapy has been explored. The nanostructures showed an intriguing pH‐dependent release behavior, making them promising for applications in biomedical science.
Crown‐Ether‐Like Structures Derived from a Ti8O8(Carboxylate)16 Metallacycle
Authors: Artner Christine , Czakler Matthias , Schubert Ulrich 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMixed‐metal clusters have been obtained from the reaction of titanium alkoxides with either strontium or lead acetate and methacrylic acid. The structures of the clusters are derived from the metallacycle Ti8O8(methacrylate)16. The Sr and Pb atoms in Sr2Ti8O8X2(OOCMe)2(methacrylate)16 (X: acetate or OiPr) and Pb2Ti8O8(OBu)2X2(methacrylate)16(BuOH)2 (X: acetate or methacrylate) occupy the central cavity of the Ti8O8 ring. In addition to the crown‐ether‐like coordination of the ring oxygen atoms to the Sr or Pb atoms, bridging carboxylate ligands support the coordination of the latter atoms. In the compound Pb2Ti6O5(OiPr)3X(methacrylate)14 (X: OiPr or methacrylate), the lead atoms are coordinated by a fragment of the Ti8O8(methacrylate)16 metallacycle.
Significant Substituent Effect on the Anomerization of Pyranosides: Mechanism of Anomerization and Synthesis of a 1,2‐cis Glucosamine Oligomer from the 1,2‐trans Anomer
Authors: Manabe Shino , Satoh Hiroko , Hutter Jürg , Lüthi Hans Peter , Laino Teodoro , Ito Yukishige 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAminoglycosides containing a 2,3‐trans carbamate group easily undergo anomerization from the 1,2‐trans glycoside to the 1,2‐cis isomer under mild acidic conditions. The N‐substituent of the carbamate has a significant effect on the anomerization reaction; in particular, an N‐acetyl group facilitated rapid and complete α‐anomerization. The differences in reactivity due to the various N‐substituents were supported by the results of DFT calculations; the orientation of the acetyl carbonyl group close to the anomeric position was found to contribute significantly to the directing of the anomerization reaction. By exploiting this reaction, oligoaminoglycosides with multiple 1,2‐cis glycosidic bonds were generated from 1,2‐trans glycosides in a one‐step process.
Well‐Dispersed CoS Nanoparticles on a Functionalized Graphene Nanosheet Surface: A Counter Electrode of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Miao Xiaohuan , Pan Kai , Wang Guofeng , Liao Yongping , Wang Lei , Zhou Wei , Jiang Baojiang , Pan Qingjiang , Tian Guohui 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWith a facile electrophoretic deposition and chemical bath process, CoS nanoparticles have been uniformly dispersed on the surface of the functionalized graphene nanosheets (FGNS). The composite was employed as a counter electrode of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which yielded a power conversion efficiency of 5.54 %. It is found that this efficiency is higher than those of DSSCs based on the non‐uniform CoS nanoparticles on FGNS (4.45 %) and built on the naked CoS nanoparticles (4.79 %). The achieved efficiency of our cost‐effective DSSC is also comparable to that of noble metal Pt‐based DSSC (5.90 %). Our studies have revealed that both the exceptional electrical conductivity of the FGNS and the excellent catalytic activity of the CoS nanoparticles improve the conversion efficiency of the uniformly FGNS‐CoS composite counter electrode. The electrochemical impedance spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and Tafel polarization have evidenced the best catalytic activity and the fastest electron transport. Additionally, the dispersion condition of CoS nanoparticles on FGNS plays an important role for catalytic reduction of I3−.
A Single Subexcitation‐Energy Electron Can Induce a Double‐Strand Break in DNA Modified by Platinum Chemotherapeutic Drugs
Authors: Rezaee Mohammad , Alizadeh Elahe , Cloutier Pierre , Hunting Darel J. , Sanche Léon 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe sensitization of malignant cells to ionizing radiation is the clinical rationale for the use of platinum‐drug‐based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cancer treatment; however, the specific mechanisms of radiosensitization and their respective contributions still remain unknown. Biological mechanisms such as inhibition of DNA repair may contribute to the efficacy of CCRT; nevertheless, there is a dearth of information on the possible contribution of nanoscopic mechanisms to the generation of lethal DNA lesions, such as double‐strand breaks (DSB). The present study demonstrates that the abundant near zero‐eV (0.5 eV) electrons, created by ionizing radiation during radiotherapy, induce DSB in supercoiled plasmid DNA modified by platinum‐containing anticancer drugs (Pt drugs), but not in unmodified DNA. They do so more efficiently than other types of radiation, including soft X‐rays and 10 eV electrons. The formation of DSB by 0.5 eV electrons is found to be a single‐hit process. These findings reveal insights into the radiosensitization mechanism of Pt drugs that can have implications for the development of optimal clinical protocols for platinum‐based CCRT and the deployment of in situ sources of subexcitation‐energy electrons (e.g., Auger electron‐emitting radionuclides) to efficiently enhance DSB formation in DNA modified by Pt drugs in malignant cells.
A User‐Oriented Method for Preferential Color Scheme Generation
Authors: Hu Guosheng , Zhang Mingmin , Pan Zhigeng , Lin Ling , Rhalibi Abdennour E. L. , Song Jianwen 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHarmony and preference are two important factors in constructing color combination for the purpose of color design. We presented a method for generating harmonious color scheme in a previous project. As an extension to the project, we propose here a method for generating color schemes that are based on user's preference. We considered color combinations as a set of color relations rather than a summation of specific color components (color elements); and we derived a model of six‐variable color relations, representative value of hue, representative value of saturation, representative value of lightness, span of hue, span of saturation, and span of lightness. With this model, color combinations can be expressed as specific parameters of the six‐variable model. Individual preferences are represented as certain parameters, from which new color schemes can be reconstructed to meet individual requirements. An interactive system for generating preferential color schemes is built with all these principles integrated. As a color design toolkit for user study, the system accesses user's preference features for color combinations, and provides new color schemes that fit the user's need. User study shows that both professionals and novices can generally acquire preferential color schemes of their own. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 147–156, 2015
Dual Lewis Base Functionalization of Ionic Liquids for Highly Efficient and Selective Capture of H2S
Authors: Huang Kuan , Cai Da‐Niu , Chen Yong‐Le , Wu You‐Ting , Hu Xing‐Bang , Zhang Zhi‐Bing 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThree dual Lewis base functionalized ionic liquids (DLB‐ILs) tethered with both carboxyl and tertiary amine groups on their anions were designed for highly efficient and selective absorption of H2S. It was found that the DLB‐ILs could reversibly absorb 0.39–0.84 mol of H2S per mole of IL at 1 bar and 60 °C, which is significantly higher than that of other ILs. On the contrary, the CO2 absorption in this class of DLB‐ILs was shown to be quite limited relative to H2S owing to the coupling effect of the two Lewis base groups. It is the dual Lewis base functionalization that enables the significantly high values calculated for the ideal absorption selectivity for H2S/CO2, that is, 13–26 at 1 bar and 29–70 at 0.1 bar (60 °C). The selectivity even goes up to >100 at low pressures and high temperatures. It was further illustrated from DFT calculations and spectroscopy studies that the cooperation interaction of carboxyl⋅⋅⋅H2S⋅⋅⋅amine and the reduced binding with CO2 were the major contributions to the high H2S absorption capacity and H2S/CO2 selectivity.
Energy Losses Due to Radiation Reaction for Electrons Accelerated by Interfering Intense Laser Pulses with Tilted Amplitude Fronts
Authors: Galkin A. L. , Trofimov V. A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe dynamics of an electron accelerated by laser radiation with the help of a scheme based on the interference of three relativistically intense electromagnetic pulses with titled amplitude fronts is analyzed. It is shown that, starting at the center of the interference pattern, the electron moves along a spiral trajectory with the axis perpendicular to the wave vectors of the laser beams, gaining considerable kinetic energy in the process. The impact of radiation reaction under the arrangement is simulated numerically in the framework of various approaches intended to take into account the energy loss resulting from the effect. The energy loss by the electron is shown to depend strongly on its initial energy and on whether the electron and the laser pulse initially travel in the same or opposite directions. The relation between small energy losses due to radiation reaction and the electron capture by the optical field is established. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Task scheduling scheme based on resource clustering in desktop grids
Authors: Gil Joon‐Min , Kim Sungsuk , Lee JongHyuk 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYDesktop grids are platforms for grid computing that incorporate desktop resources into a grid infrastructure. The purpose of this computing paradigm is to process a massive computational tasks by exploiting the donated resources connected over the Internet. In desktop grids, it is important to guarantee fast turnaround time in the presence of dynamic properties, such as volatility and heterogeneity. To achieve this objective, we propose a task scheduling scheme based on resource clustering that can selectively allocate tasks to those resources that are most suitable for the current situation of a desktop grid environment. As a classifier of resources, the k‐means clustering algorithm is introduced to classify resources according to their own task execution availability and result‐return probability. The experimental results show that our scheduling scheme is more efficient than existing scheduling schemes with respect to reducing both the turnaround time and the quantity of resources consumed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling inorganic nitrogen leaching in nested mesoscale catchments in central Germany
Authors: Jiang Sanyuan , Jomaa Seifeddine , Rode Michael 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTWater quality models are increasingly used to predict nutrient losses from anthropogenically impacted catchments, but comprehensive model calibration and transfer of model parameters are often difficult. The objectives of this study are (i) to assess the Hydrological Predictions for the Environment (HYPE) model for simulating runoff and inorganic nitrogen (IN) leaching in nested and spatially heterogeneous mesoscale catchments in central Germany and (ii) to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of IN leaching. A multi‐site and multi‐objective calibration approach using the parameter estimation tool PEST was employed. Results showed that parameters related to evapotranspiration were most sensitive for runoff simulation. The nitrogen balance was controlled by plant uptake and denitrification. Runoff was well reproduced for both calibration (1994–1999) and validation (1999–2004) periods at all three gauging stations, with the lowest Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0·86 and bias (PBIAS) of less than 15%. In addition, the model was tested successfully to predict the dynamics of soil water storage during extreme climatological events. IN concentrations showed increase in magnitude and decrease in dynamics from upstream to downstream of the catchment, reflecting the combined effects of nutrient inputs and IN in‐stream retention. The dynamics of monthly IN loads were well represented by the model during the whole simulation period, with the lowest NSE and PBIAS of 0·69 and 33%, respectively. Results revealed seasonal dynamics of IN leaching due to the combined effects of hydrological and biogeochemical processes, which is consistent with runoff dynamics. This indicates the controlling role of hydrology on nitrogen transport processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐Ion Magnetism in a Luminescent Er3+ β‐Diketonato Complex with Multiple Relaxation Mechanisms
Authors: Martín‐Ramos Pablo , Ramos Silva Manuela , Coutinho Joana T. , Pereira Laura C. J. , Chamorro‐Posada Pedro , Martín‐Gil Jesús 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn the crystal structure of tris(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐heptanedionato)mono(bathophenanthroline)erbium(III), C57H73ErN2O6, the Er3+ ion is in an antiprismatic environment, surrounded by two N atoms and six O atoms. The β‐diketonato ligands show structural disorder. The ac susceptibility studies conducted at frequencies from 33 to 9995 Hz and at temperatures from 1.7 to 10 K revealed that the application of a static magnetic field induces a slow magnetic relaxation. Two relaxation modes (fast relaxation = FR; slow relaxation = SR) could be distinguished with energy barriers UFR/kB = 15.6 K and USR/kB = 22.4 K and relaxation times of 10–6 and 10–4 s, respectively. The Er3+ compound is luminescent in the solid state, emitting in the near IR region.
Affinity probe capillary electrophoresis of insulin using a fluorescence‐labeled recombinant Fab as an affinity probe
Authors: Shimura Kiyohito , Kasai Ken‐Ichi 
Published: December 2013

Affinity probe CE (APCE) separates and detects a target molecule as a complex using a fluorescence‐labeled affinity probe (AP) by CE. The electrophoretic separation of the complex ensures accurate identification of a specific signal among nonspecific ones, which often compromises the credibility of immunoassays. APCE of insulin using a recombinant Fab (rFab) as an AP was demonstrated as a model system in this report. Anti‐insulin rFab was expressed in Escherichia coli and labeled at a cysteine residue in the hinge region with a thiol‐reactive rhodamine dye. Electrophoretically pure labeled rFab was recovered from a focused band in slab‐gel IEF and used as an AP. A mixture of standard insulin and the AP with carrier ampholyte was introduced into a neutral‐polymer coated fused silica capillary (50 μm id, 120 mm long). IEF was carried out at 500 V/cm, and the capillary was scanned for laser‐induced fluorescence under focusing conditions. The insulin‐AP complex focused at pH 6.6 within 6 min along with the free AP at pH 7.6. The complex peak decayed according to the first‐order reaction kinetics with a half life of 3.8 min. A linear calibration line was obtained for standard insulin at a concentration range of 20 pM to 5 nM using the AP at 50 nM. These results demonstrate that rFab is useful for the preparation of an AP for APCE.
Imidacloprid perturbs feeding of Gammarus pulex at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Agatz Annika , Ashauer Roman , Brown Colin D. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Changes in food uptake by detritivorous macroinvertebrates could disrupt the ecosystem service of leaf litter breakdown, necessitating the study of shredding under anthropogenic influences. The impact of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid on the feeding rate of individual Gammarus pulex was measured at a daily resolution both during and after a 4-d exposure period. The authors found that imidacloprid inhibits feeding of G. pulex during exposure at concentrations ≥30 µg/L and that there was no recovery in feeding on transfer into clean media for 3 d. Exposure to imidacloprid at concentrations ≥0.81 µg/L and ≤9.0 µg/L resulted in increased feeding after exposure even though there was no significant effect on feeding during the exposure itself. Comparison with the literature shows that concentrations found to influence feeding lie within the range of estimated and measured environmental concentrations. Additionally, effects on feeding rate were observed at concentrations 2 orders of magnitude lower than those causing mortality. The lethal concentration for 50% of test organisms after 4 d of exposure (270 µg/L, literature data) and the effect concentration for a reduction in feeding by 50% (5.34 µg/L) were used for this comparison. The present study discusses the potential that effects on feeding may evoke effects at the population level or disturb leaf litter breakdown in the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:648–653. © 2013 SETAC
Human mercury exposure and effects in Europe
Authors: Višnjevec Ana Miklavčič , Kocman David , Horvat Milena 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

The effects of human exposure to mercury (Hg) and its compounds in Europe have been the focus of numerous studies that differed in their design, including recruiting different population groups at different levels of exposure and using different protocols and recruitment strategies. The objective of the present study was to review current studies of Hg exposure in Europe, taking into account the potential routes of Hg exposure, actual Hg exposure levels assessed by different biomarkers, and the effects of Hg to Europeans. All published studies from 2000 onward were reviewed, and exposure and effects studies were compared with known Hg levels in environmental compartments by mapping the various population groups studied and taking into account known sources of Hg. A study of the spatial distribution trends confirmed that the highest exposure levels to Hg, mostly as methylmercury (MeHg), are found in coastal populations, which consume more fish than inland populations. Fewer studies addressed exposure to elemental Hg through inhalation of Hg in air and inorganic Hg in food, particularly in highly contaminated areas. Overall, at the currently low exposure levels of Hg prevalently found in Europe, further studies are needed to confirm the risk to European populations, taking into consideration exposure to various Hg compounds and mixtures of stressors with similar end-points, nutritional status, and a detailed understanding of Hg in fish present in European markets. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1259–1270. © 2013 SETAC