bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hand-held computers to increase accuracy and productivity in agricultural work study
Authors: Bechar Avital , Eben-Chaime Moshe
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Labor is the largest single cost contributor in agriculture. Accurate estimation of labor requirements is, thus, a key to cost reduction. Work measurement is the professional discipline for this type of estimations, in the industrial engineering domain. Horticulture, however, lays a substantial barrier to work and, thus, to work measurement. Till harvesting, its products – fruits/flowers, are in fixed positions, and for all tasks the workers have to arrive at the plant. The purpose of this paper is to develop, test and analyze a system to perform horticultural work study in agricultural environments in order to accurately estimate the required amount of labor for each activity and to improve productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the development of an advanced system for work study on a hand-held computer (HHC) platform for horticultural work measurement is presented and an experimental study was conducted. The methodology consists of characteristics of the system platform including hardware, interface and software, development of a dedicated measuring software, a controlled experiment in agricultural environment and a statistical analysis.

Findings

– The study shows that a single surveyor who uses traditional tools is subject to measurement errors, which can be reduced only with the assistance of a second surveyor. The study further shows that the HHC platform enables to avoid this second surveyor – a single surveyor who uses the HHC platform performs as accurate as two surveyors who use traditional tools. Of course, being computers, the HHC platform maintains the advantage of error free data transfer, in practically negligible time.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a unique approach to perform work study in agricultural environment and contributes to minimize the errors accumulated in the process and the manpower required to perform the measurements.
Haiti'scaisses populaires: home-grown solutions to bring economic democracy
Authors: S. Hossein Caroline
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Bad governance and corrupt politics have left millions of people disenfranchised. In spite of an oppressive and undemocratic state, poor Haitians have created their own informal groups, cooperatives andcaisses populaires(credit union) movements – a testimony to the democratic spirit of the poor masses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed qualitative study using interviews, surveys, focus groups, ethnography techniques and literature review.

Findings

– Lenders who run thecaisses populairesare not class or race biased; they understand how to make microfinance assist the marginalized poor in a society segregated by class and race. Cooperatives and credit unions (calledcaisses populairesin Haiti) are able to reach hundreds of thousands of people.

Originality/value

– These lenders one or two generations removed from the people they serve understand their reality and take careful steps and plan in a way to ensure their loans are structured to be socially inclusive. In fact, black microfinance lenders, as well as whitened local elites and foreigners, have a socially conscious philosophy of using microfinance as a vehicle to ensure economic democracy for the masses. In doing this, they take personal risks. Theti machannsrecognize these efforts and as a result trust these credit programs.
Measuring blog service innovation in social media services
Authors: Yang Ming-Hsien , Weng Sung-Shun , Hsiao Pei-I
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Blog is a web-based social activity that has become mainstream media. The purpose of this paper is to develope a measurement instrument for assessing blog service innovation, which social media services providers and bloggers can use to promote blog functions and to ensure high quality blog services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods and performed four steps of scale development, including item generation and item pooling, pretest and initial purification, scale refinement, and scale validation and critical item analysis.

Findings

– From a user-oriented service perspective, the major findings of the study were the 18 measurement items for blog service innovation scale (BLOG-S-INNO scale), which was derived from the innovative blog cognition of blog users. One critical factor in the BLOG-S-INNO scale was further identified to effectively predict outcomes of blog service innovation in social media services.

Research limitations/implications

– Management at social media services providers can apply the BLOG-S-INNO scale as a diagnostic tool to assess organizational innovation capabilities in relation to blog services, and to link their innovation strategies with the innovation experiences of bloggers improving bloggers’ affection. The findings of this study also make it possible to offer recommendations to help bloggers improve service innovation to increase the experience and preference of blog browsers.

Originality/value

– The study used qualitative research methods to construct a pool of items for measuring blog service innovation. Furthermore, the paper conducted quantitative research methods to develop a new blog service innovation scale and analyzed the key indicators of blog service innovation.
The effects of own- and other-prior entry modes in the internationalization of Japanese multinational companies in the electronic sector
Authors: Henrique Ogasavara Mario
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper goes above and beyond the prior research on entry mode by considering the organizational approach and examines entry mode selection between wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint venture by taking into account the existence of different types of joint ventures. In this way, this paper seeks to investigate whether or not a relationship exists between the first entry strategy decision of a particular firm and the prior foreign market entries made by other firms. Moreover, considering that foreign market entry is not a one-time decision, this study analyses whether or not prior entry in a particular country has influence on the choice of repeated entries in the same country.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses data of 1,470 subsidiaries established by Japanese electronics firms in 64 countries. The propositions are tested by applying a statisticalt-test to compare the mean differences between the analyzed cases.

Findings

– The findings revealed the legitimacy effect on the entry mode selection. Firms tend to follow the prior entry strategies of its rivals in the case of first time investors, while for subsequent investments, both prior entries made by the parent firm and competitors have great influence on the market access in a particular country. It suggests that the effect of market competition cannot be neglected when examining entry mode selection. Furthermore, there is a need to consider entry strategy as a dynamic rather than a static decision-making process.

Originality/value

– The findings from this study are useful for scholars interested in advancing the knowledge on entry mode strategies of multinational companies.
Cross market price support and agricultural development
Authors: J. Verteramo Chiu Leslie , G. Turvey Calum
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to develop a market-driven mechanism for commodity price insurance in developing countries lacking access to futures markets or other forms of hedging products.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model incorporates futures, exchange rate and local basis risk under the Black-Scholes framework to develop quanto (quantity adjusting option). When the domestic price of a commodity in a developing country is strongly correlated to the price in a futures market, price support premiums can be estimated. The authors use daily corn futures prices, exchange rate MXP/USD, and prices of corn and sorghum at several locations in Mexico.

Findings

– The authors calculated the price insurance premium at various local markets in Mexico for corn and sorghum. The results are consistent with those for the USA, showing that relative price premiums are similar.

Research limitations/implications

– The results provide a benchmark to estimate the net welfare effects of government programs for agricultural price support.

Practical implications

– The model shows that privately provided agricultural price insurance is feasible under certain conditions for developing countries without an established futures market.

Originality/value

– This paper provides market-based agricultural options in Mexico which contributes to the existing government price support program.
The influence of cognitive tasks on mentoring provided
Authors: Waaland Torbjørn
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The main purpose of this article is to study the influence of cognitive tasks on mentoring provided and the moderating influence of professional teacher education.

Design/methodology/approach

– This cross-sectional survey was based on a questionnaire that was sent to a total of 435 employees from 29 pre-schools in Norway. A total of 284 responses were returned, a response rate of 65.3 per cent. Two research hypotheses were formulated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to develop three measurement models and structural equation modelling (SEM) based on multi-group analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The results revealed that cognitive tasks increase the occurrence of mentoring provided at work and professional teacher education moderates this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

– The use of convenience sampling and self-reports are discussed, especially related to representativeness and reporting biases.

Practical implications

– The findings implicate a need for increased interdisciplinary co-operation both at work and in the teacher education.

Originality/value

– This is an under-studied area and no previous research has used a confirmatory approach to investigate how cognitive tasks and professional education influence the occurrence of mentoring provided.
State of the art and future direction of additive manufactured scaffolds-based bone tissue engineering
Authors: Tarik Arafat M. , Gibson Ian , Li Xu
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the advances in additive manufactured (AM) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (TE). A discussion on the state of the art and future trends of bone TE scaffolds have been done in terms of design, material and different AM technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Different structural features and materials used for bone TE scaffolds are evaluated along with the discussion on the potential and limitations of different AM scaffolds. The latest research to improve the biocompatibility of the AM scaffolds is also discussed.

Findings

– The discussion gives a clear understanding on the recent research trend in bone TE AM scaffolds.

Originality/value

– The information available here would be useful for the researchers working on AM scaffolds to get a quick overview on the recent research trends and/or future direction to work on AM bone TE scaffolds.
Pilot study of the wrist orthosis design process
Authors: Palousek David , Rosicky Jiri , Koutny Daniel , Stoklásek Pavel , Navrat Tomas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a manufacturing methodology for a wrist orthosis. The case study aims to offer new approaches in the area of human orthoses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article describes the utilization of rapid prototyping (RP), passive stereo photogrammetry and software tools for the orthosis design process. This study shows the key points of the design and manufacturing methodology. The approach uses specific technologies, such as 3D digitizing, reverse engineering and polygonal-surface software, FDM RP and 3D printing.

Findings

– The results show that the used technologies reflect the patient's requirements and also they could be an alternative solution to the standard method of orthosis design.

Research limitations/implications

– The methodology provides a good position for further development issues.

Practical implications

– The methodology could be usable for clinical practice and allows the manufacturing of the perfect orthosis of the upper limb. The usage of this methodology depends on the RP system and type of material.

Originality/value

– The article describes a particular topical problem and it is following previous publications in the field of human orthoses. The paper presents the methodology of wrist orthosis design and manufacturing. The paper presents an alternative approach applicable in clinical practice.
Development of a patient-specific bone analog for the biomechanical evaluation of custom implants
Authors: J. Horn Timothy , L.A. Harrysson Ola , A. West II Harvey , P. Little Jeffrey , J. Marcellin-Little Denis
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to describe an improved experimental substrate for the mechanical testing of patient-specific implants fabricated using direct metal additive manufacturing processes. This method reduces variability and sample size requirements and addresses the importance of geometry at the bone/implant interface.

Design/methodology/approach

– Short-fiber glass/resin materials for cortical bone and polyurethane foam materials for cancellous bone were evaluated using standard tensile coupons. A method for fabricating bone analogs with patient-specific geometries using rapid tooling is presented. Bone analogs of a canine radius were fabricated and compared to cadaveric specimens in several biomechanical tests as validation.

Findings

– The analog materials exhibit a tensile modulus that falls within the range of expected values for cortical and cancellous bone. The tensile properties of the cortical bone analog vary with fiber loading. The canine radius models exhibited similar mechanical properties to the cadaveric specimens with a reduced variability.

Research limitations/implications

– Additional replications involving different bone geometries, types of bone and/or implants are required for a full validation. Further, the materials used here are only intended to mimic the mechanical properties of bone on a macro scale within a relatively narrow range. These analog models have not been shown to address the complex microscopic or viscoelastic behavior of bone in the present study.

Originality/value

– Scientific data on the formulation and fabrication of bone analogs are absent from the literature. The literature also lacks an experimental platform that matches patient-specific implant/bone geometries at the bone implant interface.
Reexamining supply chain integration and the supplier's performance relationships under uncertainty
Authors: Huang Ming-Chang , Yen Ghi-Feng , Liu Tzu-Chuan
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Effective and efficient supply chain coordination requires the integration of all product flow processes. However, inconsistent empirical results have been obtained with respect to the relationships between supply chain integration (SCI) and performance. Drawing on efficiency-flexibility arguments, this paper seeks to develop a SCI model that includes buyer-supplier-supplier relationships, and proposes a contingency framework for reexamining the SCI-supplier performance relationship under demand and technological uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two-stage data collection process was conducted, and a total of 878 suppliers that listed in the Taiwanese “Center-Satellite Production System” with supply contract were contacted for this study. Finally 164 suppliers were gathered and screened as valid responses. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses in this study.

Findings

– Evidence indicates that SCI has a significant positive effect on the suppliers' performance. The positive SCI-performance relationship can be moderately weakened by demand uncertainty; however, this positive SCI-performance relationship will be strengthened by technological uncertainty.

Originality/value

– While supply chain management is needed to manage the vertical and horizontal relationships simultaneously, this study offers a framework to solve efficiency-flexibility dilemma arguments when dealing with “exploitation” and “exploration” alternatives to help to reexamine the inconsistent SCI-performance relationship. Furthermore, based on transaction cost theory, this paper takes the nature of uncertainty into account for improving the theoretical background of the SCI-performance relationship arguments. Empirical results indicate the existence of an ambidextrous supply chain integration strategy which justifies the choice of which one is preferable in efficiency-flexibility dilemma arguments.
Supply chain as an autopoietic learning system
Authors: Breite Rainer , U. Koskinen Kaj
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper seeks to present a comprehensive overview of the supply chain as an autopoietic system. The new autopoietic approach suggests a transition from traditional cognitivist epistemology to the theory of learning as a creational matter, and this type of thinking can potentially shed light on the role of knowledge creation as a part of supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is structured as follows: the first section describes the theoretical background of the concept of knowledge management in the supply chain. After that, the paper examines the general systems theory and the role of an autopoietic system within it. Then the paper addresses autopoietic epistemology. In particular, the notions of knowledge, learning, and knowledge flows are described so that the focus is on the context of the supply chain and supply chain management at operational level.

Findings

– The supplier's, customer's, and firm's own organization and parts of the organization have autonomy system memories, which ultimately formulate how the intended development ideas are in fact realized and how they are adopted by the organization. Supply chain managers should take into account the fact that the routines and norms of the node are part of the system that are not controlled from outside. Instead, the system can modify its objectives internally as part of its autonomous operation, which should be taken into consideration in the knowledge sharing process.

Originality/value

– The description of a supply chain as an autopoietic knowledge system is a new way to examine knowledge sharing in a supply chain.
Automatic measuring and processing system of audio sensing for real-time arc height control of pulsed GTAW
Authors: Lv Na , Zhong Jiyong , Wang Jifeng , Chen Shanben
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Surface forming control of welding bead is the fundamental study in automated welding. Considering that the vision sensing system cannot extract the height information of weld pool in pulsed GTAW process, so this paper designed a set of automatic measurement and control technology to achieve real-time arc height control via audio sensing system. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The experiment system is based on GTAW welding with acoustic sensor and signal conditioner. A combination denoising method was used to reduce the environmental noise and pulse interference noise. After extracting features of acoustic signal, the relationship between arc height and arc sound pressure was established by linear fitting. Then in order to improve the prediction accuracy of that model, the piecewise linear fitting method was proposed. Finally, arc height linear model of arc sound signal and arc height is divided into two parts and built in two different arc height conditions, which are arc height 3-4 and 4-5-6 mm.

Findings

– The combination denoising method was proved to have great effect on reducing the environmental noise and pulse interference noise. The experimental results showed that the prediction accuracy of linear model was not stable in different arc height changing state, like 3-4 and 4-5-6 mm. The maximum error was 0.635588 mm. And the average error of linear model was about 0.580487 mm, and the arc sound signal was accurately enough to meet the requirement for real-time control of arc height in pulse GTAW.

Originality/value

– This paper tries to make a foundation work to achieve controlling of depth of welding pool through arc sound signal, then the welding quality control. So a new idea of arc height control based on automatic measuring and processing system through arc sound signal was proposed. A new way to remove environmental noise and pulse interference noise was proposed. The results of this thesis had proved that arc sound signal was an effective features and precisely enough for online arc height monitoring during pulsed GTAW.
Nanomaterials for gas sensing: a review of recent research
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a detailed review of gas sensor research which exploits the properties of nanomaterials and nanostructures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following an introduction, this paper discusses developments in gas sensors based on carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide nanotubes, graphene, nanocrystalline diamond and a range of metal oxide nanomaterials. It concludes with a discussion of this research and its commercial potential and a list of references to the research considered in the main text.

Findings

– Gas sensors based on a multitude of nanomaterials are the subject of a global research effort which has generated an extensive literature. Prototype devices have been developed which respond to numerous important gases at concentrations which correspond well with industrial requirements. Other critical performance characteristics have been studied extensively and the results suggest commercial prospects for these technologies.

Originality/value

– This paper provides details of the highly topical field of nanomaterial-based gas sensor research.
Infrared receptors of pyrophilous jewel beetles as model for new infrared sensors
Authors: Kahl Thilo , Bousack Herbert , S. Schneider Erik , Schmitz Helmut
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Early detection of forest fires offers the chance to put the fire out before it gets out of control. The purpose of this paper is to look into nature and to learn how certain insects detect remote forest fires. A small group of highly specialized insects that have been called pyrophilous is attracted by forest fires and approaches fires sometimes from distances of many kilometers. As a unique feature some of these insects are equipped with infrared (IR) receptors, which in case of two species of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) are used for fire detection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper has investigated the IR receptors of the pyrophilous beetles with various morphological techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, neuroanatomy and the paper also investigated the thermo-/mechanical properties of the IR receptors by nanoindentation. Data were used for subsequent modeling of a biomimetic technical sensor. Finally, a macroscopic prototype was built and tested.

Findings

– This biological principle was transferred into a new kind of uncooled technical IR receptor. A simple model for this biological IR sensor is a modified Golay sensor in which the gas has been replaced by a liquid. Here, the absorbed IR radiation results in a pressure increase of the liquid and the deflection of a thin membrane. For the evaluation of this model, analytical formulas are presented, which permits the calculation of the pressure increase in the cavity, the deformation of the membrane and the time constant of an artificial leak to compensate ambient temperature changes. Some organic liquids with high thermal expansion coefficients may improve the deflection of the membrane compared to water.

Originality/value

– Results so far obtained suggest that it seems promising to take the photomechanic IR receptors of pyrophilous jewel beetles as models for the building of new uncooled IR sensors. The beetle receptors have been shaped by evolution since thousands of years and, therefore, can be considered as highly optimized sources of inspiration for new technical sensors suitable for remote fire detection.
Anti‐hepatitis C virus compounds obtained from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and other Glycyrrhiza species
Authors: Adianti Myrna , Aoki Chie , Komoto Mari , Deng Lin , Shoji Ikuo , Wahyuni Tutik Sri , Lusida Maria Inge , Soetjipto  , Fuchino Hiroyuki , Kawahara Nobuo , Hotta Hak
Published: January 2014

Development of complementary and/or alternative drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still much needed from clinical and economic points of view. Antiviral substances obtained from medicinal plants are potentially good targets to study. Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. glabra have been commonly used in both traditional and modern medicine. In this study, extracts of G. uralensis roots and their components were examined for anti‐HCV activity using an HCV cell culture system. It was found that a methanol extract of G. uralensis roots and its chloroform fraction possess anti‐HCV activity with 50%‐inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 20.0 and 8.0 μg/mL, respectively. Through bioactivity‐guided purification and structural analysis, glycycoumarin, glycyrin, glycyrol and liquiritigenin were isolated and identified as anti‐HCV compounds, their IC50 being 8.8, 7.2, 4.6 and 16.4 μg/mL, respectively. However, glycyrrhizin, the major constituent of G. uralensis, and its monoammonium salt, showed only marginal anti‐HCV activity. It was also found that licochalcone A and glabridin, known to be exclusive constituents of G. inflata and G. glabra, respectively, did have anti‐HCV activity, their IC50 being 2.5 and 6.2 μg/mL, respectively. Another chalcone, isoliquiritigenin, also showed anti‐HCV activity, with an IC50 of 3.7 μg/mL. Time‐of‐addition analysis revealed that all Glycyrrhiza‐derived anti‐HCV compounds tested in this study act at the post‐entry step. In conclusion, the present results suggest that glycycoumarin, glycyrin, glycyrol and liquiritigenin isolated from G. uralensis, as well as isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone A and glabridin, would be good candidates for seed compounds to develop antivirals against HCV.
Prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children from a developing country: a school‐based study
Authors: Abujam Bonnie , Mishra Rishabh , Aggarwal Amita
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Musculoskeletal complaints are common in children. Studies from developed countries have found most to be non‐inflammatory and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to be less than 0.1%. However, there is limited data from developing countries such as India.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted from March 2010 to April 2011 among school children aged 6–17 years in northern India. Prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and JIA were determined using a questionnaire on musculoskeletal complaints. This was filled either by parents (always in children < 14 years) or children themselves. Subsequently, all children were individually met and responses verified. An abbreviated musculoskeletal examination (GALS) was performed on every child. In cases of suspected inflammatory arthritis, further investigations were performed.

Results

Of the 2059 children (851 girls, 1208 boys) who were included in this study, mean (± SD) age was 11.5 ± 2.9 years. Joint pain (more than 1 week) was present in 158 (7.6%), back pain in 63 (3.1%) and heel pain in 62 (3%) of them. Limb pains, suggestive of ‘growing pains’, were present in 45 (2.1%) children. There were six suspected cases of inflammatory musculoskeletal pain; however, only one child was confirmed as having JIA (enthesitis‐related arthritis). The estimated prevalence of JIA was 48/100 000 in Indian children.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal complaints were not uncommon in children from a developing country like India. Estimated prevalence of JIA was 48/100 000 (95%CI 10–280).
Comparison of in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in a Scandinavian community
Authors: BUANES E. A. , HELTNE J. K.
Published: January 2014

Background

Reported incidence and survival from in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest show great variability, making it difficult to compare the groups. In order to eliminate effects of time and culture, we investigated out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest compared with in‐hospital cardiac arrest in our community over a 1‐year period.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study including patients with in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest. Multiple data sources were screened in order to identify all cardiac arrest patients. Utstein style data were collected prospectively from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009 with subsequent analysis.

Results

A total of 380 resuscitations because of cardiac arrest were included, 154 (40.6%) in‐hospital and 226 (59.4%) out‐of‐hospital. The in‐hospital cardiac arrest group was older, had higher proportions of witnessed cardiac arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bystander direct current (DC) shock and professional first rescuer. Survival to hospital discharge was 16.2% for in‐hospital cardiac arrest vs. 16.8% for out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest.

Conclusion

Survival from in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in this cohort is similar.
Mark–recapture of Agriotes obscurus and Agriotes lineatus with dense arrays of pheromone traps in an undisturbed grassland population reservoir
Authors: Vernon Robert S. , van Herk Willem G. , Blackshaw Roderick P. , Shimizu Yoko , Clodius Markus
Published: January 2014

The present study was conducted using mark–released populations of male Agriotes obscurus (AO) and Agriotes lineatus (AL) adults to simulate the spatial and temporal capture rates of wild beetle populations in dense arrays of pheromone traps in a confined, nonfarmed habitat.

Two parallel rows of traps, spaced 3 m apart along corridors of grassy dyke, recaptured 85.6% of AO and 77.8% of AL with arrays of their respective pheromone traps, mostly within the first week of release. In arrays of mixed AO and AL traps, recapture rates were 77.8% and 83.3%, respectively.

In arrays with only AO traps, 31.2% of AL males released within the arrays mistakenly entered the AO traps, which declined to only 2.2% when released in arrays with both AO and AL traps. In arrays with only AL traps, only 0.7% of released AO were mistakenly taken in the AL traps, and only 0.3% mistakenly entered AL traps in mixed AO and AL trap arrays.

Between 34.4–38.9% of AO and 21.1–25.6% of AL released in areas immediately adjacent to the trapping arrays were caught, mostly in the outermost traps.

The implications of these results for determining the efficacy of mass trapping as a click beetle management approach are discussed.
Bach and His
Authors: Beasley Wyn
Published: January 2014

This paper examines the career of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) and the role played by Wilhelm His I (who was, with Albert von Haller, a noted pioneer of physiology) in the exhumation of Bach's remains in 1894. His's examination of these remains allowed the sculptor Carl Seffner to produce the celebrated statue of Bach which stands outside the church of St Thomas in Leipzig, where the composer was employed from 1723 until his death. Modern forensic techniques have recently enabled Bach's image to be reconstructed in even more spectacular detail.
Use of Left Ventricular Assist Device (HeartMate II): A Singapore Experience
Authors: Lim Choon Pin , Sivathasan Cumaraswamy , Tan Teing Ee , Lim Chong Hee , Kerk Ka Lee , Sim David Kheng Leng
Published: January 2014

Recent advances in medical and device therapies in heart failure have improved the survival of patients with heart failure. However, due to the limited availability of suitable heart donors, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become an important tool as a bridge‐to‐heart transplantation for patients with refractory heart failure in Singapore. We report our experience with the HeartMate II (HMII) LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA, USA) as a bridge‐to‐heart transplant in our center from 2009 to 2012. This was a retrospective review of 23 consecutive patients who underwent HMII LVAD implantation in our center between May 2009 and December 2012. All patients were classified as Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) levels 1 to 3 and underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge‐to‐heart transplant. There were 17 male and 6 female patients. The mean age was 43.6 years old (range 14 to 64). The etiologies of heart failure included ischemic heart disease [8], idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy [11], viral myocarditis [2], and chemotherapy‐induced cardiomyopathy [2]. Nine patients were INTERMACS level 1, 12 patients level 2, and two patients level 3. All patients successfully underwent HMII LVAD implantation. There was no mortality within the first 30 postoperative days. Postoperative complications included stroke with full neurological recovery (21.7%), mediastinal infection (21.7%), cardiac tamponade or mediastinal collection requiring reopening of the chest (39.1%), cardiac arrhythmia (13.0%), and pump thrombosis with pump replacement (4.3%). All patients were discharged from hospital after LVAD implantation. Three patients experienced driveline infections during outpatient follow‐up. There were 19 readmissions due to the following conditions: sub‐therapeutic anticoagulation (13.0%), gastrointestinal bleeding (13.0%), suspected pump thrombosis (13.0%), transient ischemic attack (8.7%), arrhythmia (8.7%), congestive cardiac failure due to severe aortic regurgitation (8.7%), right ventricular failure (4.3%), rhabdomyolysis (4.3%), and hematuria (4.3%). Post‐LVAD implantation, 20 patients were functionally New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I, while 3 reported NYHA III symptoms. Three patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation. One patient was successfully explanted 11 months after LVAD implantation. There were two mortalities during the follow‐up period. The average duration of LVAD support was 522 days (range 47 to 1316 days). The HeartMate II LVAD has proven to be effective in our Asian population. Driveline infection rate remains low even in the tropical hot, humid climate in Singapore. With more patients ending up on extended periods of LVAD support, increased emphasis in the detection and management of long‐term complications of ventricular assist devices will be needed.
Political Determinants of Public Health Investment inChina andIndia
Authors: Joshi Devin K. , Yu Bin
Published: January 2014

This article examines long‐term political determinants of divergent levels of public health investment inChina andIndia. Addressing the welfare‐state literature hypothesis that democracies tend to invest more than non‐democracies in social services including public health, we hypothesize that in low‐income countries the development ideologies held by political leaders and the degree to which lower classes pressure the state for public services may impact public health investment more strongly than regime type. We offer a test of this hypothesis through comparative historical analysis of democraticIndia and non‐democraticChina. Controlling for economic growth rates and including analysis of the outlyingIndian state ofKerala, we find support for our hypothesis that development ideology and systematic pressure from the lower classes have a major impact on government investment in public health.
Understanding the Rules of the Game: Evidence From Taiwan's Mixed Legislative System
Authors: Rich Timothy S.
Published: January 2014

How does the public understand mixed‐member legislative systems? Mixed systems combine seats allocated by single‐member districts and proportional representation within the same legislature. Despite a sizable literature, little attention is placed on how the public perceives these electoral systems. Survey data prior to Taiwan's second mixed legislative election allow for an analysis of technical knowledge of the system. Empirical analysis finds low levels of knowledge across five preelection survey waves, with supporters of smaller parties more likely to correctly identify electoral rules. Ultimately, this analysis contributes to our understanding of how the public adapts to electoral reforms.
The role of ice dynamics in shaping vegetation in flowing waters
Authors: Lind Lovisa , Nilsson Christer , Polvi Lina E. , Weber Christine
Published: January 2014

Ice dynamics is an important factor affecting vegetation in high‐altitude and high‐latitude streams and rivers. During the last few decades, knowledge about ice in streams and rivers has increased significantly and a respectable body of literature is now available. Here we review the literature on how ice dynamics influence riparian and aquatic vegetation. Traditionally, plant ecologists have focused their studies on the summer period, largely ignoring the fact that processes during winter also impact vegetation dynamics. For example, the freeze‐up period in early winter may result in extensive formation of underwater ice that can restructure the channel, obstruct flow, and cause flooding and thus formation of more ice. In midwinter, slow‐flowing reaches develop a surface‐ice cover that accumulates snow, protecting habitats under the ice from formation of underwater ice but also reducing underwater light, thus suppressing photosynthesis. Towards the end of winter, ice breaks up and moves downstream. During this transport, ice floes can jam up and cause floods and major erosion. The magnitudes of the floods and their erosive power mainly depend on the size of the watercourse, also resulting in different degrees of disturbance to the vegetation. Vegetation responds both physically and physiologically to ice dynamics. Physical action involves the erosive force of moving ice and damage caused by ground frost, whereas physiological effects – mostly cell damage – happen as a result of plants freezing into the ice. On a community level, large magnitudes of ice dynamics seem to favour species richness, but can be detrimental for individual plants. Human impacts, such as flow regulation, channelisation, agriculturalisation and water pollution have modified ice dynamics; further changes are expected as a result of current and predicted future climate change. Human impacts and climate change can both favour and disfavour riverine vegetation dynamics. Restoration of streams and rivers may mitigate some effects of anticipated climate change on ice and vegetation dynamics by, for example, slowing down flows and increasing water depth, thus reducing the potential for massive formation of underwater ice.
Transactional Links Between Teacher–Child Relationship Quality and Perceived Versus Sociometric Popularity: A Three‐Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: De Laet Steven , Doumen Sarah , Vervoort Eleonora , Colpin Hilde , Van Leeuwen Karla , Goossens Luc , Verschueren Karine
Published: January 2014

This study examined how peer relationships (i.e., sociometric and perceived popularity) and teacher–child relationships (i.e., support and conflict) impact one another throughout late childhood. The sample included 586 children (46% boys), followed annually from Grades 4 to 6 (Mage.wave1 = 9.26 years). Autoregressive cross‐lagged modeling was applied. Results stress the importance of peer relationships in shaping teacher–child relationships and vice versa. Higher sociometric popularity predicted more teacher–child support, which in turn predicted higher sociometric popularity, beyond changes in children's prosocial behavior. Higher perceived popularity predicted more teacher–child conflict (driven by children's aggressive behavior), which, in turn and in itself, predicted higher perceived popularity. The influence of the “invisible hand” of both teachers and peers in classrooms has been made visible.
Ovalbumin‐specific IgE/IgG4 ratio might improve the prediction of cooked and uncooked egg tolerance development in egg‐allergic children
Authors: Vazquez‐Ortiz M. , Pascal M. , Jiménez‐Feijoo R. , Lozano J. , Giner M. T. , Alsina L. , Martín‐Mateos M. A. , Plaza A. M.
Published: January 2014

Background

Accurate predictors of natural tolerance development to cooked and uncooked egg are needed in egg‐allergic patients.

Objective

To compare the diagnostic performance of different immunological tests in relation to egg allergy versus tolerance.

Methods

Children aged 5–18 years diagnosed with IgE‐mediated egg allergy were prospectively recruited. All followed an egg‐free diet. Prick test and specific IgE (sIgE) to ovalbumin, ovomucoid and egg white, ovalbumin‐sIgG4 and ovomucoid‐sIgG4 were determined. By boiled and raw egg challenges, children were classified as cooked egg allergic (CEA, n = 50) or tolerant (CET, n = 35), and uncooked egg allergic (UEA, n = 64) or tolerant (UET, n = 21). Statistics. Comparative analysis (CEA vs. CET and UEA vs. UET). Multivariate logistic regression. Partial receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of tests in relation to CEA and UEA. Negative decision points were defined as cut‐offs with sensitivity 95%.

Results

Ovalbumin‐sIgG4 resulted an independent protective factor for uncooked egg allergy. To identify patients with high probability of egg tolerance, ovalbumin‐sIgE/sIgG4 tended to perform better than sIgE and prick, specifically in children with ovalbumin‐sIgE < 1.9 kU/L (for UEA) and ovomucoid‐sIgE < 2.12 kU/L (for CEA). The most accurate cut‐offs to recommend challenges were ovalbumin‐sIgE/sIgG4 below 2.49 for cooked egg and 1.45 for uncooked egg, which associated 89.5% and 80% probability of tolerance (negative likelihood ratios 0.08 and 0.06), respectively. These cut‐offs identified correctly as tolerant an additional 23% and 14% of children with negative challenges to cooked and uncooked egg, respectively, in comparison with sIgE negative decision points. Additionally, prick test tended to perform better than sIgE alone in predicting cooked and uncooked egg tolerance for ovomucoid‐sIgE < 0.92 kU/L and ovalbumin‐sIgE < 1.37 kU/L, respectively.

Conclusions

Ovalbumin‐specific IgG4 is an independent predictor of tolerance development to uncooked egg. Ovalbumin‐sIgE/sIgG4 ratio, followed by skin prick test (SPT), seems to perform better than sIgE in identifying egg‐allergic children with high probability of tolerance to cooked and uncooked egg over follow‐up.
Effects of Invasive Cordgrass on Presence of Marsh Grassbird in an Area where It Is Not Native
Authors: MA ZHIJUN , GAN XIAOJING , CHOI CHI‐YEUNG , LI BO
Published: January 2014

The threatened Marsh Grassbird (Locustella pryeri) first appeared in the salt marsh in east China after the salt marsh was invaded by cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), a non‐native invasive species. To understand the dependence of non‐native Marsh Grassbird on the non‐native cordgrass, we quantified habitat use, food source, and reproductive success of the Marsh Grassbird at the Chongming Dongtan (CMDT) salt marsh. In the breeding season, we used point counts and radio‐tracking to determine habitat use by Marsh Grassbirds. We analyzed basal food sources of the Marsh Grassbirds by comparing the δ13C isotope signatures of feather and fecal samples of birds with those of local plants. We monitored the nests through the breeding season and determined the breeding success of the Marsh Grassbirds at CMDT. Density of Marsh Grassbirds was higher where cordgrass occurred than in areas of native reed (Phragmites australis) monoculture. The breeding territory of the Marsh Grassbird was composed mainly of cordgrass stands, and nests were built exclusively against cordgrass stems. Cordgrass was the major primary producer at the base of the Marsh Grassbird food chain. Breeding success of the Marsh Grassbird at CMDT was similar to breeding success within its native range. Our results suggest non‐native cordgrass provides essential habitat and food for breeding Marsh Grassbirds at CMDT and that the increase in Marsh Grassbird abundance may reflect the rapid spread of cordgrass in the coastal regions of east China. Our study provides an example of how a primary invader (i.e., cordgrass) can alter an ecosystem and thus facilitate colonization by a second non‐native species.

Efectos de Spartina alterniflora Invasora Sobre Locustella pryeri en un Área Donde No Es Nativa
Using Hashtags to Capture Fine Emotion Categories from Tweets
Authors: Mohammad Saif M. , Kiritchenko Svetlana
Published: January 2014

Detecting emotions in microblogs and social media posts has applications for industry, health, and security. Statistical, supervised automatic methods for emotion detection rely on text that is labeled for emotions, but such data are rare and available for only a handful of basic emotions. In this article, we show that emotion‐word hashtags are good manual labels of emotions in tweets. We also propose a method to generate a large lexicon of word–emotion associations from this emotion‐labeled tweet corpus. This is the first lexicon with real‐valued word–emotion association scores. We begin with experiments for six basic emotions and show that the hashtag annotations are consistent and match with the annotations of trained judges. We also show how the extracted tweet corpus and word–emotion associations can be used to improve emotion classification accuracy in a different nontweet domain.

Eminent psychologist Robert Plutchik had proposed that emotions have a relationship with personality traits. However, empirical experiments to establish this relationship have been stymied by the lack of comprehensive emotion resources. Because personality may be associated with any of the hundreds of emotions and because our hashtag approach scales easily to a large number of emotions, we extend our corpus by collecting tweets with hashtags pertaining to 585 fine emotions. Then, for the first time, we present experiments to show that fine emotion categories such as those of excitement, guilt, yearning, and admiration are useful in automatically detecting personality from text. Stream‐of‐consciousness essays and collections of Facebook posts marked with personality traits of the author are used as test sets.
Influence of age on manifestation, VC and TLCO values, and bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts of sarcoidosis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Authors: Sterclova Martina , Paluch Peter , Skibova Jelena , Vasakova Martina
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Immune response probably changes during human life, being influenced by cumulative exposure to environmental factors and individual genetic background.

Methods

Patients investigated for suspected interstitial lung disease were prospectively enrolled. After completing the diagnostic process, 121 patients were diagnosed extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) and 136 sarcoidosis. Three groups according to age were established (<30 years, 30–60 years, >60 years), clinical manifestation, vital capacity (VC), forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1), lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide‐transfer factor (TLCO) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) differential cell count were compared among the groups.

Results

Age subgroups of EAA patients did not significantly differ in lung functions. In the group above 60 years, non‐significantly higher neutrophils and eosinophils counts and CD4/CD8 ratio were observed. Sarcoidosis patients were significantly younger than EAA group and had significantly better lung functions (VC, FEV1, TLCO). Patients with sarcoidosis above 60 years of age had significantly higher percentages of neutrophils in BALF compared with younger patients. BALF percentage of neutrophils positively correlated with age.

Conclusions

Presented results may support the hypothesis that reactivity of immune system changes during the life, which may result in different manifestation of interstitial lung diseases according to age.