bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating rRNA as an indicator of microbial activity in environmental communities: limitations and uses
Authors: Blazewicz Steven J , Barnard Romain L , Daly Rebecca A , Firestone Mary K 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Microbes exist in a range of metabolic states (for example, dormant, active and growing) and analysis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is frequently employed to identify the ‘active’ fraction of microbes in environmental samples. While rRNA analyses are no longer commonly used to quantify a population’s growth rate in mixed communities, due to rRNA concentration not scaling linearly with growth rate uniformly across taxa, rRNA analyses are still frequently used toward the more conservative goal of identifying populations that are currently active in a mixed community. Yet, evidence indicates that the general use of rRNA as a reliable indicator of metabolic state in microbial assemblages has serious limitations. This report highlights the complex and often contradictory relationships between rRNA, growth and activity. Potential mechanisms for confounding rRNA patterns are discussed, including differences in life histories, life strategies and non-growth activities. Ways in which rRNA data can be used for useful characterization of microbial assemblages are presented, along with questions to be addressed in future studies.
Stochastic changes over time and not founder effects drive cage effects in microbial community assembly in a mouse model
Authors: McCafferty Jonathan , Mühlbauer Marcus , Gharaibeh Raad Z , Arthur Janelle C , Perez-Chanona Ernesto , Sha Wei , Jobin Christian , Fodor Anthony A 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Maternal transmission and cage effects are powerful confounding factors in microbiome studies. To assess the consequences of cage microenvironment on the mouse gut microbiome, two groups of germ-free (GF) wild-type (WT) mice, one gavaged with a microbiota harvested from adult WT mice and another allowed to acquire the microbiome from the cage microenvironment, were monitored using Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing over a period of 8 weeks. Our results revealed that cage effects in WT mice moved from GF to specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions take several weeks to develop and are not eliminated by the initial gavage treatment. Initial gavage influenced, but did not eliminate a successional pattern in which Proteobacteria became less abundant over time. An analysis in which 16S rRNA sequences are mapped to the closest sequenced whole genome suggests that the functional potential of microbial genomes changes significantly over time shifting from an emphasis on pathogenesis and motility early in community assembly to metabolic processes at later time points. Functionally, mice allowed to naturally acquire a microbial community from their cage, but not mice gavaged with a common biome, exhibit a cage effect in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced inflammation. Our results argue that while there are long-term effects of the founding community, these effects are mitigated by cage microenvironment and successional community assembly over time, which must both be explicitly considered in the interpretation of microbiome mouse experiments.
Wideband power line isolation using open stub structures
Authors: Kang H.D. , Ha J. , Koh E. , Yook J.G. 
Published: July 2013

A wideband isolation topology of a power line is proposed, using open stub structures for high‐speed digital interconnects. To reduce the coupled noise to the power line in the absence of a common‐mode choke (CMC), which could degenerate signal integrity due to its loss and unbalanced properties, ferrite bead and open stub structures are utilised as they are suitable to the small size of commercial systems. In terms of the enhanced isolation characteristics, the induced power noise is reduced from 83 to 12 mV (86% reduction ratio) under a mobile high‐definition link data transfer without data losses. Therefore, the proposed open stub structures are a very effective tool for both power integrity and signal integrity, and most importantly the cost is minimal when the CMC is removed from the high‐speed digital interconnect.
4 × 10 Gbit/s full‐duplex optical link with compact optical sub‐assemblies and thin GI 50/125 plastic optical fibre ribbon
Authors: Schlepple N. , Nishigaki M. , Uemura H. , Furuyama H. , Sugizaki Y. , Shibata H. , Koike Y. 
Published: July 2013

A full‐duplex data link at 10 Gbit/s per channel (two upstream and two downstream) between two compact bidirectional optical sub‐assemblies is presented. Each sub‐assembly is based on the authors' optoelectronic ferrule and carries both laser diodes and photodiodes while maintaining a compact form factor of less than 20 mm3. The authors use plastic optical fibres with 50 µm graded‐index cores and thin 125 µm claddings bundled in a four‐channel ribbon but split the ribbon in order to reach both laser diodes and photodiodes within the optoelectronic ferrule, hence directly butt‐coupling each channel with its own optical fibre. This method keeps both assembly form factor and complexity at a minimum and performance high. Eventually error‐free signal transmission at 10 Gbit/s per channel over 5 m with 0.67 unit intervals eye opening is confirmed.
28 GHz MMIC resonant tunnelling diode oscillator of around 1mW output power
Authors: Wang J. , Wang L. , Li C. , Romeira B. , Wasige E. 
Published: July 2013

Presented is a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) resonant tunnelling diode (RTD) oscillator that employs two In0.53Ga0.47As/AlAs RTDs (5 × 5 µm2) in parallel. The oscillator works at 28.7 GHz with −0.7 dBm output power. The phase noise was −95 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz and −114 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset. This reported work demonstrates the potential of RTD oscillators in achieving high output power at high frequencies by utilising suitable power maximising and combining techniques.
Daily use of an electric vehicle: behavioural changes and potential for ITS support
Authors: Labeye Elodie , Adrian Julien , Hugot Myriam , Regan Michael A. , Brusque Corinne 
Published: July 2013

In order to reduce CO2 emissions, the electric vehicle (EV) represents today an alternative to traditionally fuelled vehicles. However, this new eco‐friendly mode of transport involves different kinds of constraints to use that are likely to affect mobility. To assess driver acceptability of EVs and to study the impact of electric technology on the mobility behaviours of drivers, the MINI E France project was undertaken by IFSTTAR and carried out in cooperation with the vehicle manufacturer Bavarian Motor Works Germany. Fifty ‘private users’ from Paris drove for 6 months an electric MINI E. This paper presents and describes the mobility, charging and driving behaviours reported by EV users. In particular, the paper focuses on how users organise themselves to deal with the limited range of the EV, what changes are induced in their mobility and what are their requirements in terms of intelligent transport system functions relevant for e‐mobility.
Neighbors and Extension Agents in Ethiopia: Who Matters More for Technology Adoption?
Authors: Krishnan Pramila , Patnam Manasa 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe increased adoption of fertilizer and improved seeds are two key aspects to raising the level of land productivity in Ethiopian agriculture. However, the adoption and diffusion of such technologies has been slow. We use data from Ethiopia between 1999–2009 to examine the role of learning from extension agents versus learning from neighbors for both improved seeds and fertilizer adoption. We combine farmers' spatial networks with panel data to identify these influences, and find that while the initial impact of extension agents was high, the effect wore off after some time, in contrast to learning from neighbors.
Positive End-expiratory Pressure Influences Echocardiographic Measures of Diastolic Function
Authors: Juhl-Olsen Peter , Hermansen Johan Fridolf , Frederiksen Christian Alcaraz , Rasmussen Linda Aagaard , Jakobsen Carl-Johan , Sloth Erik 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background:
Ultrasonography of the cardiovascular system is pivotal for hemodynamic assessment. Diastolic function is evaluated with a combination of tissue Doppler (e’ and a’) and pulsed Doppler (E and A) measures of transmitral- and mitral valve annuli velocities. However, accurate echocardiographic evaluation in the intensive care unit or perioperative setting is contingent on relative resistance to positive pressure ventilation and changes in preload. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and positioning on echocardiographic measures of diastolic function.

Methods:
The study was a prospective, randomized, crossover study. Cardiac surgery patients with ejection fraction greater than 45% and averaged e’ of 9 or more were included. Postoperatively, anesthetized patients were randomized into six combinations of PEEP (0, 6, 12 cm H2O) and positions (horizontal, Trendelenburg). At each combination, e’ (primary endpoint), a’, E, and A were obtained with transesophageal echocardiography along with left ventricular area. Image analysis was performed blinded to the protocol.

Results:
Thirty patients completed the study. PEEP decreased lateral e’ from 6.6 ± 3.6 to 5.3 ± 3.0 cm/s (P < 0.001) in the horizontal position and from 7.4 ± 4.2 to 6.5 ± 3.3 cm/s (P < 0.001) in Trendelenburg. Similar results were found for septal e’, a’ bilaterally and transmitral pulsed Doppler measures, and PEEP decreased left ventricular area. E/A, E/e’, and e’/a’ remained unaffected by PEEP and positioning.

Conclusions:
When evaluating diastolic function by echocardiography, the levels of PEEP and its effect on ventricular area have to be taken into account. In addition, this study dissuades the use of E/e’ for tracking changes in left ventricular filling pressures in cardiac surgery patients.
Real exchange rate misalignment and economic growth in Malaysia
Authors: Tsen Wong Hock 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine real exchange rate misalignment and economic growth in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe result of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and the generalized forecast error variance decomposition.FindingsThe result of the ARDL approach shows an increase in the real interest rate differential, productivity differential, the real oil price or reserve differential will lead to an appreciation of the real exchange rate in the long run. The result of the generalized forecast error variance decomposition shows that the real interest rate differential, productivity differential, the real oil price, and reserve differential are generally important to the real exchange rate determination. Moreover, the result of the ARDL approach shows that an increase in real exchange rate misalignment will lead to a decrease in economic growth. More specifically, devaluation will promote economic growth and appreciation will hurt economic growth. Exchange rate can be a policy variable to influence economic growth. Real exchange rate misalignment should be avoided to enable the allocation of resources in the economy according to fundamentals.Originality/valueA managed floating exchange rate regime could be a choice of exchange rate regime in other developing countries to achieve rapid economic growth.
Collaborative design: outdoor environments for veterans with PTSD
Authors: Wagenfeld Amy , Roy‐Fisher Connie , Mitchell Carolyn 
Published: July 2013

PurposeProviding veterans diagnosed with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their families, and staff opportunities to experience physical and mental restoration in outdoor environments designed based on evidence is important. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between evidence‐based collaborative design of outdoor environments and their potential capacity to contribute to a veteran's journey to wellness.Design/methodology/approachThere is no existing precedent in the peer‐reviewed literature linking positive health outcomes associated with outdoor environments to veterans with PTSD. This review of the literature is conceptualized as a means to extrapolate these benefits to this unique population.FindingsAccess to nature improves physiological and psychological health outcomes. A collaborative design approach ensures that design outcomes meet specific populations' needs.Practical implicationsMany service‐members are reluctant to seek traditional treatments for PTSD, fearing threat to future military service and limited available resources. Alternative treatments, access to sensitively designed outdoor environments and/or a re‐examination of traditional treatments and the environments in which they are provided supports best practice approaches to ameliorating the debilitating effects of this disorder.Social implicationsAn integrated design approach blending the skills of landscape architecture and occupational therapy is key to achieve design outcomes that support the healing process to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.Originality/valueAn inter and/or trans‐disciplinary team approach to design and programming of outdoor environments for veterans with PTSD blends landscape architecture with occupational therapy to ensure both form and function are achieved, thus positing positive health outcomes.
Retrocomputing as preservation and remix
Authors: Takhteyev Yuri , DuPont Quinn 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe paper's aim is to describe the world of retrocomputing, a constellation of largely non‐professional practices involving old computing technology. It seeks to show how retrocomputing serves the goals of collection and preservation, particularly in regards to historic software, and how retrocomputing practices challenge traditional notions of authenticity. It then seeks to propose an alternative conceptualization and suggest new avenues for collaboration between retrocomputing practitioners and memory institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on extensive observation of retrocomputing projects, conducted primarily online.FindingsRetrocomputing includes many activities that can be seen as constituting collection and preservation. At the same time, it is often transformative, producing assemblages that “remix” fragments from the past with newer elements or joining together historic components that were never combined before. While such “remix” may seem to undermine preservation, it also allows for fragments of computing history to be reintegrated into a living, ongoing practice, contributing to preservation in a broader sense. The seemingly unorganized nature of retrocomputing assemblages also provides space for alternative “situated knowledges” and histories of computing, which can sometimes be quite sophisticated.Research limitations/implicationsRetrocomputing challenges established notions of collection and preservation. A “situated knowledges” perspective provides a possible resolution.Practical implicationsRetrocomputing presents memory institutions (and libraries in particular) with an opportunity for new forms of collaboration in collection and preservation of software applications.Originality/valueThe paper puts at the center the ways in which retrocomputing challenges the established notions of collection and preservation. It offers alternative conceptualizations that suggest new forms of collaboration.
Beyond loyalty: customer satisfaction, loyalty, and fortitude
Authors: Fraering Martin , S. Minor Michael 
Published: July 2013

Purpose
– This paper aims to discuss the first effort to examine the relationships between satisfaction, the four loyalty phases, fortitude, and a sense of virtual community.

Design/methodology/approach
– Oliver proposed an innovative framework to explain the relationships between satisfaction, loyalty, fortitude, and a sense of community.

Findings
– Analysis of questionnaire responses of 493 customers of banks and credit unions indicated that satisfaction, cognitive, affective, conative, and action loyalty are positively related to fortitude.

Research limitations/implications
– The Beyond Loyalty Model (BLM) does not address important strategic issues often associated with loyalty, such as firm profitability, complaint resolution, and firm profitability.

Practical implications
– This research is the first to find that customers of financial institutions acquire satisfaction and strong loyalty ties with their bank or credit union after dealing with their financial services provider for a relatively short period of time. Thus financial institutions should consistently seek relationship-building opportunities from the outset of their relationships with their customers.

Originality/value
– The resulting Beyond Loyalty Model (BLM) improves upon the American Bankers Association
'
s ABA Financial Client Satisfaction Index, and is a means by which financial institutions can monitor and enhance the satisfaction, loyalty, and fortitude of the customers of financial institutions. Further, the increasing acceptance of virtual banking calls for additional study of this area.
Carbon emission reduction strategies in the UK industrial sectors: an empirical study
Authors: Renukappa Suresh , Akintoye Akintola , Egbu Charles , Goulding Jack 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe problem of climate change is one aspect of the broader problem of sustainability. Many businesses in most sectors now accept that they must address the issue of climate change in order to survive and grow in ever‐changing entangled business economies. Due to mounting pressure from stakeholders, top executives of many organisations are now implementing various carbon emissions reduction strategies. However, the extent to which businesses embrace climate change and carbon management as an integral pillar of their business models remains unclear and poorly understood. This paper seeks to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe aim of this research is to investigate the key carbon emissions reduction initiatives currently being implemented in the UK industrial sectors so as to improve their competitiveness. In order to achieve this aim, a mixed research methodological approach was adopted to collect and analyse data. Four industry sectors were examined, specifically: energy and utilities, transportation, construction and not‐for‐profit organisations; with specific respect to their environmental, social and economic impact on the UK society.FindingsThe level of implementation of carbon emissions reduction strategies within the UK industrial sectors is fairly “low” and varies significantly across the four sectors; with relatively high uptake in the energy and utilities sector, and low uptake in the construction sector. The level of implementation of change management initiatives to deal with carbon emissions reduction initiatives is also relatively “low”.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that carbon emissions reduction strategies are in their infancy. Taken together, the impact of management commitment and leadership, climate change‐related policies, structures, reward systems, training programmes and performance reporting are key factors in successful implementation of low carbon strategies. The paper concludes that there is a need for cross‐sector collaboration to capture and share best and worst practices relating to low carbon strategies.Originality/valueThe paper provides a richer insight into the understanding and awareness of low carbon strategies for competitive advantage.
Eve's emancipation or lingering subordination to Adam?
Authors: Aloni Gil , Syna Desivilya Helena 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe current study aims to examine couples' conjoint negotiation with a third party, testing the effects of asymmetrical contextual ambiguity, gender stereotypes' priming and egalitarianism. It predicted differences in the processes of decision making between egalitarian and traditional couples, reflected in choices of female or male negotiator.Design/methodology/approachEgalitarianism levels were measured by the Altrocchi and Crosby Marriage Questionnaire. The asymmetrical contextual ambiguity was manipulated through two newly constructed negotiation cases – one feminine‐stereotyped and the other masculine‐stereotyped, based on Miles and LaSalle. Priming of gender stereotypes was manipulated using two passages inducing explicit or implicit priming, based on Kray, Galinsky and Thompson. Primary statistical analysis was χ2 test for equal proportions.FindingsThe hypotheses were by and large supported: as expected in all four experimental conditions, traditional couples chose men as their negotiator. By contrast, egalitarian couples tended to nominate their negotiator depending on the situation (feminine, masculine, and under implicit priming). In addition, under explicit priming their selection was in the predicted direction but not significant.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights with respect to effective ways to conduct conjoint negotiations. In addition, it indicates the need to enhance women's negotiation self‐efficacy, so that they can become more active in negotiation processes.Originality/valueThe current study explored real‐life couples' conjoint negotiation with a third party, rather than examining couples' internal negotiation processes or individuals' dyadic negotiation, which prevailed in extant research. Future research should adopt the focus on genuine couples' conjoint negotiation, employed in this study.
Collective narratives as indicators of examining intergroup relations
Authors: Srour Anan , Sagy Shifra , Mana Adi , Mjally‐Knani Serene 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThis study aims to examine inter‐group relations between two religious minorities, Palestinian Christians and Muslim citizens of Israel, by measuring perceptions of in‐group and “other” group collective narratives.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a representative sample of 1,121 Muslims and 756 Christians in Israel. The questionnaire presents narratives that are common among Muslim and Christian populations in Israel, relating to eight different historical, social, or political events. Subjects were asked to rate levels of legitimacy, feeling of empathy, and anger towards each one of the presented narratives.FindingsIn comparison to Muslims, Christians reported a lower tendency to give legitimacy to the narrative of the other, showed more emotions of anger, and lower feeling of empathy towards the Muslim narrative. In addition, a content analysis of the narratives that were used in the questionnaire revealed two different patterns of response to narratives. One related to narratives with national issues, where Christians seemed to be excluded from the Palestinian nation, and the other related to narratives with religious issues, where Muslims reported more anger, less empathy and less legitimacy towards the Christian narratives.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new tool based on Sagy, Adwan and Kaplan, developed to examine perceptions of in‐group and “other” group collective narratives. This study examined the tool in a different context of conflict. In addition to the quantitative measures of the perceptions of the collective narratives, the paper describes a new method for analyzing the data collected by this tool.