bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mild Method for Preparation of 4,4‐Dimethyloxazoline Derivatives of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for GC–MS
Authors: Svetashev Vasily I. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA mild and convenient method has been developed for preparing 4,4‐dimethyloxazoline (DMOX) derivatives of fatty acids for GC–MS analysis. First, fatty acid methyl esters are converted to corresponding amides by incubation overnight at room temperature with 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol and a catalytic amount of sodium methoxide. The resulting 2‐(methylpropanol) amides were isolated by partition between hexane–diethyl ether and water, and then converted to 4,4‐dimethyloxazoline derivatives by treatment with trifluoroacetic anhydride under mild conditions (50 °C for 45 min). Structures of 2‐methylpropanol amide and a DMOX derivative of oleic acid were confirmed by GC–MS. This method was applied to different FAME prepared from animal, plant or microbial lipids. The suggested method is most suitable for structure analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and for acids with double bonds in close to terminal positions. Application of the method is illustrated with spectra of the DMOX derivatives of 16:1(n‐13), 24:5(n‐6) and 24:6(n‐3) acids.
PGE2 Release from Tryptase‐Stimulated Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes is Mediated by Calcium‐Independent Phospholipase A2γ
Authors: Sharma Janhavi , McHowat Jane 
Published: April 2011

AbstractInflammation is associated with cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, myocarditis and congestive heart failure. Mast cells have been implicated in inflammation, but their precise role in cardiac inflammation remains unclear. Mast cells contain a variety of pre‐formed granule‐associated mediators, including tryptase. We have previously demonstrated that the majority of the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes is membrane‐associated, calcium‐independent and selective for plasmalogen phospholipids. We hypothesized that tryptase stimulation of rabbit ventricular myocytes would increase iPLA2 activity, leading to increased arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. Isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes were stimulated with tryptase and iPLA2 activity, arachidonic acid and PGE2 release were measured. Tryptase stimulation increased iPLA2 activity after 5 min. Activation of iPLA2 was accompanied by increased arachidonic acid and PGE2 release in tryptase‐stimulated myocytes. However no increase in platelet activating factor was observed with tryptase stimulation. To distinguish between different iPLA2 isoforms in the myocardium, we pretreated ventricular myocytes with the (R)‐ and (S)‐enantiomers of bromoenol lactone (BEL) to selectively inhibit iPLA2γ and β respectively. Pretreatment with (R)‐BEL resulted in complete inhibition of tryptase‐stimulated iPLA2 activity, arachidonic acid and PGE2 release, suggesting the iPLA2γ is the predominant myocardial isoform activated by tryptase. These studies demonstrate that PGE2 release from tryptase stimulated rabbit ventricular myocytes is mediated primarily by iPLA2γ.
Application of a Portable Handheld Infrared Spectrometer for Quantitation of trans Fat in Edible Oils
Authors: Birkel Emily , Rodriguez‐Saona Luis 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTrans fat poses serious health risks to consumers. In order to meet the FDA labeling requirements for trans fatty acids, development of fast, accurate, easy‐to‐use analytical methods for oils, fats and related products is desirable. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a well‐established analytical technique for quantifying trans fats, and the development of handheld FTIR units over the past decade presents new application opportunities. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of a handheld FTIR sensor for measuring trans fat content between 0.1 and 20% trans (w/w) in edible saturated and unsaturated oils. Calibration models were built by measuring height of the band at 966 cm−1 and by partial least squares regression (PLSR) using benchtop FTIR as a reference method. Predictive accuracy of the models was validated with an independent test set of commercial edible oils. Calibration models developed using PLSR and linear regression of band heights gave correlation coefficients R2 > 0.98. Multivariate analysis for the handheld unit gave standard error of prediction (SEP) of approximately 1%, comparable to values obtained with benchtop systems. This study demonstrates that handheld FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics is a suitable method for quantitation of trans fat content.
Crystallization of Fats: Influence of Minor Components and Additives
Authors: Smith Kevin W. , Bhaggan Krish , Talbot Geoff , van Malssen Kees F. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractOver the years, there has been a steady stream of publications on the influence that minor components and additives have on the physical properties of fat continuous systems. These have been reviewed here. Both indigenous and added components are taken into account. The various materials have been discussed, ranging from partial glycerides and phospholipids to esterified sugars and polyols. Within the publications in this area, the (sub‐)micron effects that these minor components have on nucleation, crystal growth, morphology, heat capacity and polymorphic stability have been described and discussed and, sometimes, explained. Similarly, the effects on a macroscopic level, such as visual aspects, melting profiles, post‐hardening and rheology have been the subject of research. Although limited compositional information, especially of additives, hinders appropriate discussions of the relevant mechanisms, some generic guidelines as to what type and strength of effect can be expected have been derived. As a general rule, a more significant influence is observed when the acyl group of the minor component (where present) is similar to those present in the fat itself. Additives may have different effects depending on the fat they are added to, their concentration and the temperature, especially with increasing undercooling (which typically reduces the effect of additives).
Technical principles of computed tomography in patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Stinn Bjoern , Stolzmann Paul , Fornaro Juergen , Hibbeln Dennis , Alkadhi Hatem , Wildermuth Simon , Leschka Sebastian 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography are often the primary imaging techniques for many patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, with modern generations of CT systems and recent advances in temporal and spatial resolution, cardiac CT has been gaining an increasing reputation in the field of cardiac imaging and in the evaluation of patients with congenital heart disease. The CT imaging protocol depends on the suspected cardiac defect, the type of previous surgical repair, and the patient’s age and level of cooperation. Various strategies are available for reducing radiation exposure, which is of utmost importance particularly in paediatric patients. A sequential segmental analysis is a commonly used approach to analysing congenital heart defects. Familiarity of the performing radiologist with dedicated CT protocols, the complex anatomy, morphology and terminology of CHD, as well as with the surgical procedures used to correct congenital abnormalities is a prerequisite for correct diagnosis.
Probing surface tension additivity on chemically heterogeneous surfaces by a molecular approach
Authors: Wang Jihang , Bratko Dusan , Luzar Alenka 
Published: April 2011

Surface free energy of a chemically heterogeneous surface is often treated as an approximately additive quantity through the Cassie equation [Cassie ABD (1948)
Discuss Faraday Soc
3:11–16]. However, deviations from additivity are common, and molecular interpretations are still lacking. We use molecular simulations to measure the microscopic analogue of contact angle,
θ

c

, of aqueous nanodrops on heterogeneous synthetic and natural surfaces as a function of surface composition. The synthetic surfaces are layers of graphene functionalized with prototypical nonpolar and polar head group: methyl, amino, and nitrile. We demonstrate positive as well as negative deviations from the linear additivity. We show the deviations reflect the uneven exposure of mixture components to the solvent and the linear relation is recovered if fractions of solvent-accessible surface are used as the measure of composition. As the spatial variations in polarity become of larger amplitude, the linear relation can no longer be obtained. Protein surfaces represent such natural patterned surfaces, also characterized by larger patches and roughness. Our calculations reveal strong deviations from linear additivity on a prototypical surface comprising surface fragments of melittin dimer. The deviations reflect the disproportionately strong influence of isolated polar patches, preferential wetting, and changes in the position of the liquid interface above hydrophobic patches. Because solvent-induced contribution to the free energy of surface association grows as cos
θ

c

, deviations of cos
θ

c

from the linear relation directly reflect nonadditive adhesive energies of biosurfaces.
Bacterial and Plant Signal Integration via D3-Type Cyclins Enhances Symptom Development in the Arabidopsis-Rhodococcus fasciansInteraction
Authors: Stes Elisabeth , Biondi Stefania , Holsters Marcelle , Vereecke Danny 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe phytopathogenic actinomycete Rhodococcus fascians drives its host to form a nutrient-rich niche by secreting a mixture of cytokinins that triggers plant cell division and shoot formation. The discrepancy between the relatively low amount of secreted cytokinins and the severe impact of R. fascians infection on plant development has puzzled researchers for a long time. Polyamine and transcript profiling of wild-type and cytokinin receptor mutant plants revealed that the bacterial cytokinins directly stimulated the biosynthesis of plant putrescine by activating arginine decarboxylase expression. Pharmacological experiments showed that the increased levels of putrescine contributed to the severity of the symptoms. Thus, putrescine functions as a secondary signal that impinges on the cytokinin-activated pathway, amplifying the hormone-induced changes that lead to the formation of a leafy gall. Exogenous putrescine and treatment with polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors combined with transcript and polyamine analyses of wild-type and mutant plants indicated that the direct target of both the bacterial cytokinins and plant putrescine was the expression of D3-type cyclins. Hence, the activated d-type cyclin/retinoblastoma/E2F transcription factor pathway integrates both external and internal hormonal signals, stimulating mitotic cell divisions and inducing pathological plant organogenesis.
The Role of Bundle Sheath Extensions and Life Form in Stomatal Responses to Leaf Water Status
Authors: Buckley Thomas N. , Sack Lawren , Gilbert Matthew E. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) are key features of leaf structure with currently little-understood functions. To test the hypothesis that BSEs reduce the hydraulic resistance from the bundle sheath to the epidermis (r be) and thereby accelerate hydropassive stomatal movements, we compared stomatal responses with reduced humidity and leaf excision among 20 species with heterobaric or homobaric leaves and herbaceous or woody life forms. We hypothesized that low r be due to the presence of BSEs would increase the rate of stomatal opening (V) during transient wrong-way responses, but more so during wrong-way responses to excision (V e) than humidity (V h), thus increasing the ratio of V e to V h. We predicted the same trends for herbaceous relative to woody species given greater hydraulic resistance in woody species. We found that V e, V h, and their ratio were 2.3 to 4.4 times greater in heterobaric than homobaric leaves and 2.0 to 3.1 times greater in herbaceous than woody species. To assess possible causes for these differences, we simulated these experiments in a dynamic compartment/resistance model, which predicted larger V e and V e/V h in leaves with smaller r be. These results support the hypothesis that BSEs reduce r be. Comparison of our data and simulations suggested that r be is approximately 4 to 16 times larger in homobaric than heterobaric leaves. Our study provides new evidence that variations in the distribution of hydraulic resistance within the leaf and plant are central to understanding dynamic stomatal responses to water status and their ecological correlates and that BSEs play several key roles in the functional ecology of heterobaric leaves.
Linking leadership empowerment behaviour to employee attitudes and behavioural intentions
Authors: Dewettinck Koen , van Ameijde Maaike 
Published: April 2011

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between leadership empowerment behaviour (LEB), employee psychological empowerment and employee attitudes (affective commitment and job satisfaction) and behavioural intentions (intention to stay).Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were simultaneously tested on a sample of 380 frontline service employees, using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe paper found a direct relationship between leadership empowerment behaviour and job satisfaction and affective commitment. Psychological empowerment partially mediates these relationships. Employee attitudes were also shown to be related to intention to stay.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides validation of the LEB construct in an individualized working context and suggests that psychological empowerment is a relevant construct to link LEB to employee attitudes and behavioural intentions. The cross‐sectional nature of this study restricts the clear pinpointing of temporal causal relationships within the empowerment process. Furthermore, common method bias might have inflated correlations between constructs.Practical implicationsThe LEB dimensions provide organizations with concrete behaviour that leaders should emphasize in order to foster employee commitment, satisfaction and loyalty to the company.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that studies the relationship between leadership empowerment behaviour and the multi‐dimensional conceptualization of psychological empowerment. It aims to gain further insights into the relationship between structural and psychological perspectives on empowerment and clarifies how these constructs relate to employee attitudes and behavioural intentions.
Goal‐setting in practice
Authors: Bipp Tanja , Kleingeld Ad 
Published: April 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate how individual perceptions by employees of a goal‐setting program and personality traits influence job satisfaction and goal commitment.Design/methodology/approachUsing the German version of Locke and Latham's goal‐setting questionnaire, 97 production employees judged the quality of the goal‐setting program in their company with regard to content‐related problems of goals (e.g. goal clarity), process in dyad (e.g. supervisor support), and setting‐related aspects (e.g. rewards). Data were also collected on the participants' conscientiousness and neuroticism.FindingsThe results showed that job satisfaction is predicted by content and setting‐related aspects, whereas content‐related aspects affected goal commitment. Conscientiousness explained variance in goal commitment independent of individual perceptions of the goal‐setting program, whereas neuroticism affected job satisfaction indirectly via the perceptions of goal content.Practical implicationsPerformance management programs that incorporate goals belong to the most widely used management techniques worldwide. The study provides evidence on critical success factors from the view of staff members, which helps to design or optimize current goal‐setting programs. Furthermore, the study implies practical consequences in terms of person‐job fit based on personality traits.Originality/valueThe study helps to build a more comprehensive picture of how content, process, and setting‐related perceptions of a goal‐setting program influence job satisfaction and goal commitment. In addition, it provides important insights into the processes through which individual differences affect work behavior.
Multicultural organizations: common language, knowledge sharing and performance
Authors: Lauring Jakob , Selmer Jan 
Published: April 2011

PurposeMulticultural organizations are often argued to hold potential knowledge resources that can be used to increase performance. However, while only a few studies have been undertaken on the subject, linguistic differences are argued to make the use of knowledge and the sharing of knowledge a challenge in multicultural organizations. This study seeks to explore the relationships between language, knowledge sharing and performance.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was directed electronically to members of academic multicultural departments in Denmark.FindingsResults showed that consistency in English management communication was the dominating factor with strong relationships with all of the investigated knowledge sharing and performance variables. English communication consistently had an association with some of the knowledge sharing and performance variables but not with all of them. The number of languages and the communication frequency were generally positively associated with the outcome variables.Research limitations/implicationsThis study targeted multicultural academic organizations. The findings may not be generalizable to other organizations.Practical implicationsResults indicate that multicultural organizations should support consistent English communication in general and English management communication in particular.Originality/valueSince there are no similar large‐scale studies on the intra‐unit management of language diversity, the findings may be of considerable theoretical and practical importance.
Improving employee outcomes in the public sector
Authors: Rodwell John J. , Noblet Andrew J. , Allisey Amanda F. 
Published: April 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of the demand‐control‐support model, augmented with employee perceptions of organisational justice and degree of met expectations.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 128 public sector employees working in a large state police force operating under many of the elements of new public management. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted using four indicators of occupational strain: employee wellbeing, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and intent to quit.FindingsThe results of this study suggest that the demand‐control‐support model has great utility in identifying those aspects of the work environment associated with employee strain. Job control and social support at work in particular were the most consistent predictors. In contrast, the expectation and justice variables failed to make significant contributions to the model in all but one analysis providing no support for the “injustice as stressor” perspective.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough a cross‐sectional design was utilized, these results highlight the value of applying the parsimonious demand‐control‐support model to a wider set of outcomes, especially in a public sector environment.Practical implicationsThe results emphasize the importance of the relatively neglected “softer” work characteristics support and control. In order to combat the ill‐effects of organisational reforms and prompt a shift towards the public value approach, managers operating under elements of new public management should ensure that adequate social support at work is available and that employee control is commensurate with their demands.Originality/valueThis study examined an augmented demand‐control‐support model and identified that whilst perceptions of justice can influence employee attitudes and wellbeing, the demand, control, and support variables remain the most influential factors with regard to public sector employee attitudes and wellbeing.
Effective autonomy, organisational relationships and skilled jobs in subsidiaries
Authors: Gammelgaard Jens , McDonald Frank , Tüselmann Heinz , Dörrenbächer Christoph , Stephan Andreas 
Published: April 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the proportion of skilled jobs in subsidiaries is influenced by resource gaps created by subsidiary development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a range of propositions that connect the constructs of effective autonomy and organisational relationships with subsidiary employment. Propositions are built on an extensive literature review based on such approaches as the resource‐based view, transaction cost economics, network approach, and institutional theory.FindingsThe framework developed in the paper suggests that a higher proportion of employment in skilled jobs in subsidiaries is most likely in cases where subsidiary entrepreneurship, role specialization, and absorptive capacity are higher. Conversely, the proportion is likely to be lower in cases of increased institutional distance from the parent company.Practical implicationsThe conceptual model can help parent company managers assess the likely effects of developments in effective autonomy and organisational relationships in their subsidiaries. Subsidiary managers can assess the possible impact of such factors as development of entrepreneurial activities, specialization within the multinational corporation supply chain and enhancement of absorptive capacity on the proportion of skilled jobs.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to describe subsidiary development from a skilled job perspective. It further develops the concept of autonomy and introduces the term “effective autonomy”.
Managing telework: risks, fears and rules
Authors: Pyöriä Pasi 
Published: April 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to serve as a reminder that all work arrangements, including the present case of distributed work, have their costs and benefits.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to a literature review, the paper presents concrete recommendations and guidelines for practicing managers about how to avoid pitfalls in distributed work arrangements and how to manage teleworkers.FindingsThe diffusion of telework has been a slower process than anticipated, among other reasons because the most vital businesses are largely concentrated in the biggest growth centres. Growth centres can offer a diverse range of both jobs and amenities that outweigh the quiet and safety of rural areas. Apart from geographical realities and regional policy issues, another factor that has decisively contributed to the slow diffusion of telework is the absence of an established contractual framework and “culture” of teleworking.Originality/valueTelework has the best prospects of success if from the outset all the people involved know what to expect and are prepared to deal with any problems and fears associated with the new work culture. It is also important that distributed work arrangements are designed in compliance with national labour legislation. To avoid potential risks, a part‐time telework arrangement is advisable for most organizations.