bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life on the edge: environmental determinants of tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) abundance since its virtual extinction in 1882
Authors: Fisher Jonathan A. D. , Frank Kenneth T. , Petrie Brian , Leggett William C.
Published: May 2014

Unlike many temperate marine species that alter spatial or depth distributions in response to environmental change, tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) has such specific habitat requirements that off the coast of New England, USA, it is restricted to the normally warm-water, upper continental shelf slope, where it excavates and occupies burrows. In 1882, tens of millions of adult tilefish died suddenly following the intrusion of lethally cold Subarctic water into the tilefish habitat. Here we show that the same climate driver implicated in the 1882 event (the North Atlantic Oscillation: NAO) has also affected commercial tilefish landings throughout most of the 20th century by altering slope water temperatures and likely the tilefish's reproductive success. We also show that this temperature–landings relationship broke down in the 1970s coincident with dramatically increased exploitation. Reconstructions of decadal to millennial scale variations in slope water temperatures explain why no mass mortality occurred following the 2010 negative NAO anomaly, despite being similar in magnitude to the NAO anomaly that preceded the 1882 event.
Patient-reported Long-term Cosmetic Outcomes Following Short Fractionation Whole Breast Radiotherapy With Boost
Authors: Chan Elisa K. , Tabarsi Nazlee , Tyldesley Scott , Khan Mohamed , Woods Ryan , Speers Caroline , Weir Lorna
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

To evaluate the cosmetic effect of a tumor-bed boost after hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HF-WBI+B) using a patient-reported questionnaire.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2000 and 2005, 4392 women aged 75 years and younger with unilateral early-stage breast cancer received HF-WBI alone or HF-WBI+B. From each group, 800 randomly sampled surviving and nonrelapsed women were invited to complete the Breast Cancer Treatment Outcomes Scale questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 312 women completed the questionnaire: 154 received HF-WBI alone and 158 received HF-WBI+B. Median ages of respondents were 57 years for HF-WBI alone and 52 years for HF-WBI+B (P<0.001). Women receiving HF-WBI+B had a shorter follow-up interval, higher T stage, higher grade, and were more likely to have had nodal radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There were similar responses comparing the overall appearance of the treated to untreated breast (42% stating no or slight difference for HF-WBI alone vs. 41% for HF-WBI+B, P=0.87). The HF-WBI+B group was: (a) slightly worse on the cosmetic subscale (2.3 vs. 2.1, P=0.02); (b) worse on the pain subscale (2.0 vs. 1.6, P<0.0001); but (c) better on the functional subscale (1.5 vs. 1.8, P<0.001). When the pain subscale was applied to the area around the scar (a surrogate for the tumor-bed), the 2 groups were similar (2.0 vs. 2.0, P=0.71).

Conclusions:

Similar to conventional fractionated whole breast radiotherapy with a tumor-bed boost, women who received short fractionation whole breast radiotherapy with boost self-report only slightly worse long-term cosmetic and pain outcomes compared with women who received short fractionation alone.
Heritable strategies for controlling insect vectors of disease
Authors: Burt Austin
Published: May 2014

Mosquito-borne diseases are causing a substantial burden of mortality, morbidity and economic loss in many parts of the world, despite current control efforts, and new complementary approaches to controlling these diseases are needed. One promising class of new interventions under development involves the heritable modification of the mosquito by insertion of novel genes into the nucleus or of
Wolbachia
endosymbionts into the cytoplasm. Once released into a target population, these modifications can act to reduce one or more components of the mosquito population's vectorial capacity (e.g. the number of female mosquitoes, their longevity or their ability to support development and transmission of the pathogen). Some of the modifications under development are designed to be self-limiting, in that they will tend to disappear over time in the absence of recurrent releases (and hence are similar to the sterile insect technique, SIT), whereas other modifications are designed to be self-sustaining, spreading through populations even after releases stop (and hence are similar to traditional biological control). Several successful field trials have now been performed with
Aedes
mosquitoes, and such trials are helping to define the appropriate developmental pathway for this new class of intervention.
Clinical and information governance proposes; human fallibility disposes
Authors: Renaud Karen
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– There is a strong drive within the UK's National Health Service (NHS) towards ensuring quality and reducing adverse events. This incorporates clinical governance, which applies to clinical activities, and information governance, which applies to preserving the confidentiality, availability and integrity of patient information. The purpose of this paper is to consider why humans make errors, how the current governance tools can minimise the incidence of such errors and the causatives that can increase the likelihood of an error. Errors sometimes lead to adverse events, which have to be reported. The latest adverse event reports from NHS Scotland, recently published on the BBC website, were analysed to identify major themes that emerged from the recommendations made by the investigative teams. These themes are then discussed in terms of how the current clinical governance tools should be applied to further reduce the incidence of adverse events. A revised clinical governance diagram that more clearly depicts the cross-cutting nature of the themes that emerged from the analysis is proposed. Finally some opportunities for future research are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative analysis of adverse incidence reports in order to identify causatives. Used the insights delivered by this analysis in order to propose a change to Scally and Donaldson's clinical governance diagram.

Findings

– A clear reliance on education and training by adverse event review teams was found, which suggests that they do not really understand what causes error, and they do not acknowledge the impact of the situation on the actors. Also – a tendency to define processes to cover all eventualities, even though some situations cannot be encoded as processes. The main insight is that there are a number of cross-cutting concerns which means that the original clinical governance diagram would benefit from a level of integration which is not currently present.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysed reports were severely redacted which meant that nuances of the situation could have been missed by the researcher. However, the recommendations were never redacted so the researcher focused on these.

Practical implications

– The paper, in general, highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to clinical governance and less reliance on education and training as the universal panacea.

Social implications

– Over reliance on education and training puts the blame on the person, and does not acknowledge the causatives in the situation. Acknowledging the more complex nature of the problem makes adverse events less blame-worthy and more likely to lead to real learning and effective mitigation.

Originality/value

– The author is not aware of anyone else having analysed these reports.
CGIJ review
Authors: MacVane Phipps Fiona
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Provides an overview of the content of the current issue of CGIJ.

Design/methodology/approach

– This review is prepared by the review editor to highlight key points within each article.

Findings

– Enables readers to scan content and select articles of most interest or relevance to their needs.

Originality/value

– CGIJ is the only Emerald health journal providing this service to its readers.
Taxing times? Smoker response to tax increases
Authors: Cowie Nathan , Glover Marewa , Gentles Dudley
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Taxing tobacco is one of the most effective means to reduce smoking but concerns about the impact on poor smokers are a barrier. New Zealand resumed increasing tobacco taxes in April 2010. The paper hypothesised smokers would attempt to stop smoking and/or adapt, changing their smoking behaviours in response to price increases. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a door knock survey of smokers and recent ex-smokers who were home when visited. Participants (n=428) were from socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods of Auckland with large proportions of Māori and Pacific Island people.

Findings

– Many smokers (66 per cent) attempted to quit an average of 3 times. More than 40 per cent stopped for at least 24 hours without intending to quit altogether, monthly or more. Consumption reduced among 40 per cent of participants, by an average 7.1 cigarettes daily. More than a fifth of participants switched to cheaper brands. Switching from factory made cigarettes to roll your own tobacco (6 per cent) or vice versa (5 per cent) was uncommon.

Research limitations/implications

– The method resulted in a low response rate. Tobacco tax is associated with reduced consumption and high levels of frequent quit attempts in socioeconomically deprived communities therefore our study supports tax increases as a means of reducing smoking.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to investigate the effect of large recent New Zealand tobacco tax increases on low-income smokers’ adaptive behaviours.
The prevalence of suicide attempts among community-dwelling US Chinese older adults – findings from the PINE study
Authors: Dong XinQi , Chen Ruijia , Chang E-Shien , A. Simon Melissa
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of suicide attempts and explore the suicide methods among community-dwelling Chinese older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) study, a population-based epidemiological study of Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above in the greater Chicago area. Guided by the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the study enrolled 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults from 2011 to 2013.

Findings

– The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts is 791 per 100,000 and the past 12-month prevalence of suicide attempts is 285 per 100,000. Medication overdose is the most common suicide method both in the group of lifetime suicide attempts and 12-month suicide attempts. Lower income is positively correlated with lifetime suicide attempts and 12-month suicide attempts. Living with fewer household members is positively correlated with lifetime suicide attempts but not with 12-month suicide attempts.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings emphasize the needs for improved understanding of suicidal behavior among minority older adults and to develop culturally and linguistically sensitive prevention and intervention strategies.

Practical implications

– Community stakeholders should improve the accessibility and availability of culturally sensitive mental health services and extend timely and effective suicide interventions in the Chinese community.

Originality/value

– This study represents the first and largest population-based epidemiological study to investigate the suicide attempts and methods among US Chinese older adults. In addition, the implementation of the CBPR approach allows us to minimize the cultural barriers associated with suicide investigation. The study emphasizes the need for improved understanding on suicidal behavior among minority older adults to inform culturally and linguistically sensitive prevention and intervention strategies.
Factors influencing attrition from a researcher training program
Authors: Schmidt David , Robinson Keira , Webster Emma
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This study explored attrition from a novice health researcher training program. The aim of this paper was to identify factors contributing to attrition from the RRCBP that if understood could decrease attrition from this standalone researcher training program.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a capacity building framework, this case-control study compared demographic characteristics and features of 30 withdrawn research trainees to 68 graduated trainees from the Rural Research Capacity Building Program, run by the Health Education and Training Institute of New South Wales, Australia between 2006 and 2010. Data were analysed using Exact Logistic Regression, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests.

Findings

– An attrition rate of 29 per cent was associated with a range of individual, organisational and supra-organisational factors. Withdrawals occurred prior to ethics submission (n=13, 43 per cent), after unsuccessful ethics submission (n=8, 27 per cent), or after receiving ethics approval (n=9, 30 per cent). Clinicians were less likely to withdraw than non-clinical staff (p=0.03). Profession, project ownership, funding sources and type of research were not significant factors in attrition, while the effect of location was mixed indicating a potential impact of peer support networks in areas with high numbers of trainees.

Practical implications

– This research demonstrates attrition from a research training program is associated with trainees receiving appropriate and timely support. In the formative stages researchers require support, particularly those working in professional or geographical isolation.

Originality/value

– This study is the first of its kind in examining in detail reasons for withdrawal from a standalone research training program and will allow coordinators of similar programs to target support to vulnerable research trainees at critical time points.
Effect of surface roughness on magneto-hydrodynamic squeeze-film characteristics between a sphere and a porous plane surface
Authors: Bhujappa Naduvinamani Neminath , Rajashekar Mareppa
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to analyse the effects of surface roughness on the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) squeeze-film characteristics between a sphere and a porous plane surface, which have not been studied so far.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analytical model takes into account the effect of porosity by assuming that the flow in the porous matrix obeys modified Darcy's law. The stochastic MHD Reynold's type equation is derived by using the Christensen's stochastic method developed for hydrodynamic lubrication of rough surfaces. Two types of one-dimensional surface roughness (radial and azimuthal) patterns are considered.

Findings

– The expressions for the mean MHD squeeze-film pressure and mean load-carrying capacity are obtained numerically. The results are shown graphically for selected representative parametric values. It is found that the response time increases significantly for the MHD case as compared to the corresponding non-conducting lubricants. The effect of roughness parameter is to increase/decrease the load-carrying capacity and the response time for azimuthal/radial roughness patterns as compared to the smooth case. Also, the effect of porous parameter is to decrease the load-carrying capacity and response time as compared to the solid case.

Originality/value

– In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyse the combined effects of surface roughness and permeability on the MHD squeeze-film characteristics between a sphere and a plane surface.
Dry sliding of composites with PBT matrix and micro glass beads on steel
Authors: Georgescu Constantin , Deleanu Lorena , Botan Mihail
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This research aims to characterize the tribological behavior of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and PBT composites with micro glass beads (MGB) on steel, in dry conditions and on a block-on-ring tester, pointing out the influence of sliding distance and speed. The tribology of PBT and its composites is still in an early stage because this thermoplastic polyester requires accurate technological and thermal treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The composites were produced by ICEFS Savinesti Romania and contain PBT grade Crastin6130NC010 (as supplied by Du Pont), 0.5 […] 1.0 per cent (weight) Relamyd B-2Nf (polyamide grade produced by ICEFS, for a better dispersion of MGB), 1 per cent (weight) black carbon for technological and tribological reasons and different micro glass beads (MGB) concentrations (10.0 and 20.0 per cent weight). Tests were done for different sliding distances (2,500, 5,000 and 7,500 m) and speeds (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s) and a normal load of 5 N.

Findings

– The friction coefficient and the wear parameter (as mass loss of polymeric blocks) pointed out a good tribological behavior for these composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed particular aspects of PBT local transfer on steel. Also, 10 per cent MGB in PBT reduces wear, especially for longer distances (75,000 m) and higher speeds (0.5 and 0.75 m/s); the friction coefficient is only slightly increased up to 0.23, being less influenced by the speed and the sliding distance as compared to neat polymer.

Originality/value

– PBT and PBT composites could become challengers for replacing materials in applications similar to tested ones. Even the neat polymer exhibits a good tribological behavior. The composites have a lower sensibility to higher speeds and sliding distances for the applied load.
Optimizing wear resistance of ceramic (TiN, WC and TiC) clad layer by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
Authors: Peng De-Xing
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to compare the wear performance of carbon steel specimens clad with TiC, WC and TiN powders by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method under optimum processing conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Various ceramic powders (TiC, WC and TiN) with equal percentages by weight were prepared for use as cladding materials to compare their effects on wear resistance. The wear behaviors of different cladding specimens were evaluated with a rotating-type tribometer under dry sliding conditions. The cladding microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry.

Findings

– The experimental results confirmed that the hardness was also much higher in the carbon steel with cladding than in carbon steel without cladding. The pin-on-disc wear test showed that the wear-resistance of ceramics clad with TiC is better than that in ceramics clad with WC or TiN. The wear scar area of the specimen with TiC cladding was only one-tenth that of carbon steel without cladding.

Originality/value

– The experiments confirm that the cladding surfaces of ceramic particles reduce wear rate and friction.
Influence of hydroxyl group functionalization and alkyl chain length on physicochemical and antiwear properties of hexafluorophosphate imidazolium ionic liquids
Authors: Xia Yanqiu , Wang Zhihong , Song Yanxin
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the present paper is that three long-chain hydroxyethyl alkylimidazolium hexaﬂuorophosphate ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and evaluated as lubricants for steel-steel contacts at room temperature and boundary lubrication conditions. Hydroxyethyl functional group and alkyl chain length effect on the physicochemical and fretting tribological behaviors of the ILs was comparatively investigated, as compared to traditional dialkylimidazolium ILs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The fretting friction and wear tests were carried out using an Optimol SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester. The worn surface was observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of copper disks in selected imidazolium-based ionic liquids was studied using a CHI660B electrochemical workstation.

Findings

– This can be seen by comparing the results for the non-hydroxyl ILs and hydroxyl ILs that the latter exhibited the littler friction coefficient, the smaller wear volume, although the latter electrochemical corrosion behavior of copper disks is slightly higher than the former. The results also revealed that the ILs with a longer alkyl chain displayed larger viscosities, better anti-corrosion capacities, higher hydrophobic properties and more excellent friction-reducing and anti-wear performance than those with a shorter alkyl chain.

Originality/value

– This work might offer new knowledge in the design and application of new ILs as lubricants; it also confirms some in-depth physicochemical questions, e.g. the function mechanism, the correlations between structure and performance. Additionally, a proposed interaction model between the ILs and the friction substrate has been given.
Effect of surface roughness and elastic deformation on the performance of a magnetic fluid-based squeeze film in rotating porous annular plates
Authors: E. Shimpi Mukesh , Deheri Gunamani
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study and analyse the behaviour of a magnetic fluid-based squeeze film between rotating transversely rough porous annular plates, taking the elastic deformation into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

– The stochastic film thickness characterizing the roughness is considered to be asymmetric with non-zero mean and variance and skewness while a magnetic fluid is taken as the lubricant. The associated stochastically averaged Reynolds-type equation is solved with appropriate boundary conditions to obtain the pressure distribution, which in turn is used to derive the expression for the load-carrying capacity.

Findings

– It is observed that the roughness of the bearing surfaces affects the performance adversely, although the bearing registers an improved performance owing to the magnetic fluid lubricant. Also, it is seen that the deformation causes reduced load-carrying capacity. The bearing can support a load even in the absence of flow, unlike the case of conventional lubricants.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper lies in the fact that the negative effect of porosity, deformation and standard deviation can be minimized to some extent by the positive effect of the magnetic fluid lubricant in the case of negatively skewed roughness by suitably choosing the rotational inertia and aspect ratio. This effect becomes sharper when negative variance occurs.
Design and fast verification of pocket elliptical journal bearings
Authors: Stefani Fabrizio
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to conceive a fast method to verify design and performance of elliptical pocket journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The computer-aided verification of pocket journal bearings is performed by means of a suitable finite element analysis method.

Findings

– The results of sample analyses indicate that the machining tolerances are very influential on elliptical pocket bearing performances, and they must be included among the input data.

Originality/value

– Although elliptical pocket bearings are widely used in turbomachineries, the influence of their design on performance has not been specifically investigated. A lot of works about tribological models are available, but few of them focus on their application to bearing design at the industrial level.
Investigation on the application of YAG laser texturing technology to the cylinder wall of auto engine
Authors: Zhan Jian , Yang Mingjiang
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to develop a new approach using a pulse YAG laser with rational power density and pulse width to texture desired discrete distribution morphology on the cylinder wall.

Design/methodology/approach

– Variational rules of the effects of these three parameters were found by calculating the oil film on the cylinder/piston ring system. The experiment results were compared between laser texturing cylinders and conventional honing cylinders.

Findings

– It was found that the coefficient of friction and wear rate of laser texturing cylinders were reduced by 50 and 85.7 per cent, respectively, and the piston ring wear rate was decreased by 50 per cent under full lubrication condition. Under starved lubrication condition, the cylinder liner wear was reduced by 34.3 per cent.

Originality/value

– The effectiveness of which was determined by three control parameters: depth-to-diameter ratio, area density and distribution angle of the dimples.
Whose online reviews have the most influences on consumers in cultural offerings? Professional vs consumer commentators
Authors: Chiou Jyh-Shen , Hsiao Cheng-Chieh , Su Fang-Yi
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– To improve the effectiveness of online reviews in the cultural industries, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of online cultural reviews of professional and consumer commentators on consumer responses toward elite and mass cultural offerings by drawing upon associative learning theory and social influence theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used a 2 (cultural offerings: elite vs mass)×2 (commentators: professional vs consumer) between-participants factorial design to examine the proposed hypotheses. A total of 195 participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental cells.

Findings

– The ANOVA results indicate that the credibility of online cultural reviews is significantly higher for professional commentators than for consumer commentators across both elite and mass cultural offerings. Furthermore, the results confirm that there is a significant cultural offering type by commentator interaction on a consumer's offering evaluation, overall attitude, and behavioral intention.

Research limitations/implications

– This study provides strong support for the congruence between cultural commentators and cultural offerings in online cultural reviews. The findings can also effectively explain the weak correlation between professional judgments and popular appeal.

Practical implications

– For better effectiveness of online cultural reviews, the findings recommend cultural marketers that the use of professional commentators is effective for elite cultural offerings, whereas the use of consumer commentators is effective for mass cultural offerings.

Originality/value

– This study proposes a useful dichotomy to classify cultural offerings as elite and mass. Meanwhile, this study is one of the first to examine the congruence between cultural offerings and cultural commentators in online reviews.
Strategic flexibility and SME performance in an emerging economy
Authors: Guo Hai , Cao Zhi
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to address the following question: when strategic flexibility can be most beneficial to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on dynamic capabilities perspective, this study builds a contingency model and examines it with survey data collected from 166 SMEs in China.

Findings

– This study finds that the relationship between strategic flexibility and firm performance is extensively moderated by external (competitive intensity and environmental munificence), internal (resource combination activities), as well as bridging factors (managerial ties).

Originality/value

– The findings contribute to the contingency view of strategic flexibility and firm performance research by incorporating insights from the dynamic capabilities perspective and by expanding the scope of existing research to emerging economies.
Leadership styles to engage employees: evidence from human service organizations in Italy
Authors: Sarti Daria
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the relationship between work engagement and leadership styles in human service organizations (HSOs). Specifically two leadership styles are investigated that are: participative and instrumental leadership style.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was used for data collection, and analysis of data were carried out using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Findings

– By examining workers (n=251) operating in nine HSOs in Italy, this study shows that the three dimensions of work engagement relate to leadership styles. The data analysis found that while the participative leadership style of supervisors is particularly significant in predicting vigour and dedication among employees, the instrumental leadership style is positively related to vigour and absorption.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has some limitations that could represent stimuli for future research. The analysis is cross-sectional, and variables were measured using a common method and source. Furthermore, since the study involves only a small number of Italian HSOs, the results cannot be generalized and must be interpreted accordingly.

Practical implications

– The findings from this study give rise to implications for the development of employees' engagement in HSOs. It additionally provides useful suggestions on effective leadership style among supervisors in HSOs.

Originality/value

– An important contribution of the present study to current debate on work engagement is an insight into the construct of leadership styles as antecedents of work engagement. Furthermore, support is provided to the current debate that calls for a multi-dimensionality of work engagement and therefore suggests that the three dimensions may be differently affected by the antecedents. A third contribution is a greater understanding of ways to manage human resources in HSOs through the lever of leadership style.
Environmentally responsible management of MNE subsidiaries: stakeholder perspective
Authors: Choi Jiyul , Il Park Byung
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to empirically analyze the extent of the impact stakeholders' pressure has as a determinant of multinational enterprises' MNEs' local environmentally responsible management (ERM), aiming to contribute to the interlocution with stakeholders and ERM strategy establishment of MNE subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

– To identify key stakeholders, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used. The data were collected from 300 foreign subsidiaries established by Korean MNEs from August to December 2012.

Findings

– The results show the parent company (as a major internal stakeholder) and government, NGOs and media (as external stakeholders) are major factors that promote ERM by subsidiaries. Stakeholder theory provides a comprehensive understanding about stakeholders' pressure as a force to engage overseas subsidiaries with environmental responsibility.

Originality/value

– The research contributes to environmental and international business literature by investigating antecedents of ERM of overseas subsidiaries. A stakeholder perspective is used as an overarching theory in order to develop an ERM framework.
Environmentally responsible management in international business: a literature review
Authors: H. Cave Adam
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This paper sets out to identify and categorize existing academic literature using the CSA/FSA matrix as it relates to environmentally responsible management in an international business context. It further identifies current trends and potential future research avenues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper undertook an examination of the literature as it pertains to international business activities of multinational enterprises (MNE) and environmentally responsible management (ERM) practices. In keeping with the focus of this review, only articles that discussed ERM in an international or multinational setting were considered, meaning that research focused on practices in only one country was not included.

Findings

– Some general themes were found in the literature regarding ERM activity and development in an international business context. One overriding theme is the relationship between the strategies, organization, goals and values of MNEs on the one hand versus the conditions and natures of host countries on the other. The CSA/FSA matrix uncovered a significant lack in FSA based research suggesting a focus for future research.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a thorough review of existing literature and supplements future research by categorizing major areas of focus and methodologies. This review generates significant building blocks for future research avenues and paths to be discovered through the use of the CSA/FSA matrix and the interaction between the factors.
Management education: obsolete by default?
Authors: F. Marques Joan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Business Schools have received much criticism up to, and definitely after, the most recent economic meltdown. Management education in particular, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, has come under scrutiny, and the pressure is on to make management education more aligned with contemporary workforce needs. This paper aims to review the validity of this demand, and offer some options to prepare current students for the volatile work environment that awaits them.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on the author's experiences as a management educator, and her observations of the changed nature of management, hence, the changed needs to educate this phenomenon.

Findings

– Reflections are offered on what is perceived as possible ways for management educators to prepare future workforce members for management in a rapidly changing work environment. This is presented in a unifying, three-tier approach: 1. Connection: Establishing interaction with current workforce members and situations. 2. Completion: Ensuring a well-rounded approach by including interdisciplinary elements in our education. 3. Comprehension: Instilling the eagerness to become lifelong learners. In addition, the changed nature of work and the inability to optimally prepare future workforce members for jobs and careers that yet have to come into existence are underscored.

Originality/value

– The paper presents an overview of alternative facilitative approaches and insights based on in-depth review of-, and extensive engagement in management education.
A learning approach to the ethical organization
Authors: E. Smith George , J. Barnes Kathleen , Harris Claudia
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This review explores the parallels between the characteristics of learning organizations and the characteristics of ethical organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of the literature was conducted to examine the characteristics of learning organizations and those that encourage and support ethical behavior.

Findings

– There are significant parallels between the characteristics of learning organizations and those of ethical organizations. These include leadership, culture, communication, systems thinking, and problem-solving orientation, which are important in creating learning organizations and in encouraging ethical behavior. These parallels encourage social network stimulation, acceptance of new ideas, open discussion, the ability to disagree without rancor, a lessening of hierarchy, employees seeing themselves as part of a larger whole. All of these elements create an environment wherein organizational members are able to contend with and resolve ethical problems.

Practical implications

– When endeavoring to foster an ethical organizational environment, managers can be aware of the benefits of creating a learning organization, as the two correspond closely. Additionally, managers in learning organizations can leverage this capacity to enhance ethical decision making and behavior.

Originality/value

– Research on learning organizations has often centered on their value in encouraging innovation and on strategies for implementing the changes needed to establish them. This paper identifies and discusses the parallels between the characteristics of learning organizations and ethical organizations. This is an area that has not been directly explored in the extant literature.
Reflections on archaeology, poverty and tourism in the Bolivian Amazon
Authors: H. Walker John
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to argue that one of the ways of enabling tourism to become sustainable is for archaeologists to relate archaeology to poverty, while being aware of the process of heritage production. It proposes that one way to engage with issues of poverty is to talk to people who are trying to get out of poverty. Many archaeologists are already at work using a similar perspective not just to integrate international scholarship with local interests, but to hand over authority relating to aspects of research to the local community.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews literature about and archaeological study in the Bolivian Amazon region. Here, all-weather roads are scarce and unreliable. Scholars are beginning to document and analyze the archaeological record of this region, and as lowland Bolivians develop tourism, the article considers how archaeology could help connect the Bolivian Amazon to an international audience.

Findings

– An anthropological perspective suggests that projects in which local people are connected to decision-making will have long-term effects. Without such integration, cycles of boom and bust are likely to repeat. The article cites two examples: the inscription of the Ichapekene Piesta Moxos on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the Museo Yacuma, in Santa Ana del Yacuma. Community archaeology, in which the community makes decisions about how research will proceed, is a developing trend, which stands to benefit local people, archaeologists and tourists.

Originality/value

– The paper outlines how community archaeology in the Beni region of Bolivia can be built on a strong foundation: first, by a community of Benianos that are ready, willing and able to be a part of both the development of tourism and of archaeology and second, via its long and varied archaeological record, providing plenty of material for the development of heritage. The question is whether a community archaeology can generate and sustain archaeological heritage as part of a tourism industry?
αB‐Crystallin R120G variant causes cardiac arrhythmias and alterations in the expression of Ca2+‐handling proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice
Authors: Jiao Qibin , Sanbe Atsushi , Zhang Xingwei , Liu Jun‐Ping , Minamisawa Susumu
Published: May 2014

Mutations of αB‐crystallin (CryαB), a small heat shock protein abundantly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscles, are known to cause desmin‐related myopathies. The CryαB R120G allele has been linked to a familial desminopathy and, in transgenic mice, causes a sudden death at about 28 weeks of age. To investigate the mechanisms of the sudden cardiac arrest of CryαB R120G transgenic mice, we prepared protein samples from left ventricular tissues of two different age groups (10 and 28 weeks) and examined Ca2+‐handling proteins. Expression of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) 2, phospholamban, ryanodine receptor 2 and calsequestrin 2 was significantly decreased in 28‐ versus 10‐week‐old CryαB R120G transgenic mice. In addition, low heart rate variability, including heart rate, total power and low frequency, was observed and continuous electrocardiogram monitoring revealed cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular block and atrial flutter, in 28‐week‐old CryαB R120G transgenic mice. In contrast, expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) degradation enhancing α‐mannosidase‐like protein, inositol requirement 1 and X‐box binding protein 1 were increased significantly in 28‐ versus 10‐week‐old CryαBR120G transgenic mice, suggesting that the CryαBR120G transgenic mice exhibit increased ER stress compared with wild‐type mice. Together, the data suggest that the CryαB R120G dominant variant induces ER stress and impairs Ca2+ regulation, leading to ageing‐related cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias and decreased autonomic tone with shortened lifespan.
Temperature impacts differentially on the methanogenic food web of cellulose‐supplemented peatland soil
Authors: Schmidt Oliver , Horn Marcus A. , Kolb Steffen , Drake Harold L.
Published: May 2014

The impact of temperature on the largely unresolved intermediary ecosystem metabolism and associated unknown microbiota that link cellulose degradation and methane production in soils of a moderately acidic (pH 4.5) fen was investigated. Supplemental [13C]cellulose stimulated the accumulation of propionate, acetate and carbon dioxide as well as initial methane production in anoxic peat soil slurries at 15°C and 5°C. Accumulation of organic acids at 15°C was twice as fast as that at 5°C. 16S rRNA [13C]cellulose stable isotope probing identified novel unclassified Bacteria (79% identity to the next cultured relative Fibrobacter succinogenes), unclassified Bacteroidetes (89% identity to Prolixibacter bellariivorans), Porphyromonadaceae, Acidobacteriaceae and Ruminococcaceae as main anaerobic degraders of cellulose‐derived carbon at both 15°C and 5°C. Holophagaceae and Spirochaetaceae were more abundant at 15°C. Clostridiaceae dominated the degradation of cellulose‐derived carbon only at 5°C. Methanosarcina was the dominant methanogenic taxa at both 15°C and 5°C. Relative abundance of Methanocella increased at 15°C whereas that of Methanoregula and Methanosaeta increased at 5°C. Thaumarchaeota closely related to Nitrosotalea (presently not known to grow anaerobically) were abundant at 5°C but absent at 15°C indicating that Nitrosotalea sp. might be capable of anaerobic growth at low temperatures in peat.
Development of genomic resources for Nothofagus species using next‐generation sequencing data
Authors: El Mujtar V. A. , Gallo L. A. , Lang T. , Garnier‐Géré P.
Published: May 2014

Using next‐generation sequencing, we developed the first whole‐genome resources for two hybridizing Nothofagus species of the Patagonian forests that crucially lack genomic data, despite their ecological and industrial value. A de novo assembly strategy combining base quality control and optimization of the putative chloroplast gene map yielded ~32 000 contigs from 43% of the reads produced. With 12.5% of assembled reads, we covered ~96% of the chloroplast genome and ~70% of the mitochondrial gene content, providing functional and structural annotations for 112 and 52 genes, respectively. Functional annotation was possible on 15% of the contigs, with ~1750 potentially novel nuclear genes identified for Nothofagus species. We estimated that the new resources (13.41 Mb in total) included ~4000 gene regions representing ~6.5% of the expected genic partition of the genome, the remaining contigs potentially being nongenic DNA. A high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms resource was developed by comparing various filtering methods, and preliminary results indicate a strong conservation of cpDNA genomes in contrast to numerous exclusive nuclear polymorphisms in both species. Finally, we characterized 2274 potential simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, designed primers for 769 of them and validated nine of 29 loci in 42 individuals per species. Nothofagus obliqua had more alleles (4.89) on average than N. nervosa (2.89), 8 SSRs were efficient to discriminate species, and three were successfully transferred in three other Nothofagus species. These resources will greatly help for future inferences of demographic, adaptive and hybridizing events in Nothofagus species, and for conserving and managing natural populations.
Basophil response to peanut allergens in Mediterranean peanut‐allergic patients
Authors: Mayorga C. , Gomez F. , Aranda A. , Koppelman S. J. , Diaz‐Perales A. , Blanca‐López N. , Blazquez A. B. , Blanca M. , Torres M. J.
Published: May 2014

Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3 are important sensitizers in peanut allergy. Ara h 9 has also been shown to be relevant in the Mediterranean area. We evaluated the basophil response to peanut allergens and Pru p 3 in Mediterranean patients: Group 1, peanut and peach allergy; Group 2, peanut allergy and tolerance to peach; Group 3, peach allergy and tolerance to peanut; Group 4, nonallergic subjects that tolerate both peanut and peach. Compared to controls (Group 4), there was an increased basophil activation with Ara h 2 (P = 0.031) and Pru p 3 (P = 0.009) in Group 1 and with Ara h 1 (P = 0.016), Ara h 2 (P = 0.001), and Ara h 9 (P = 0.016) in Group 2. Importantly, only Ara h 2 showed an increased activation (P = 0.009) in Group 2 compared to Group 3. Ara h 2 is the best discriminating allergen for peanut allergy diagnosis in a Mediterranean population showing two patterns: patients also allergic to peach, responding to Ara h 2 and Pru p 3, and patients allergic only to peanut, responding to Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 9.
Impact of right‐handedness on anaesthetic sensitivity, intra‐operative awareness and postoperative mortality
Authors: Rao S. , Huverserian A. R. , Ben Abdallah A. , Lees K. , Willingham M. D. , Burnside B. A. , Villafranca A. J. , Glick D. B. , Jacobsohn E. , Avidan M. S.
Published: May 2014

Anatomical, neurological and behavioural research has suggested differences between the brains of right‐ and non‐right‐handed individuals, including differences in brain structure, electroencephalogram patterns, explicit memory and sleep architecture. Some studies have also found decreased longevity in left‐handed individuals. We therefore aimed to determine whether handedness independently affects the relationship between volatile anaesthetic concentration and the bispectral index, the incidence of definite or possible intra‐operative awareness with explicit recall, or postoperative mortality. We studied 5585 patients in this secondary analysis of data collected in a multicentre clinical trial. There were 4992 (89.4%) right‐handed and 593 (10.6%) non‐right‐handed patients. Handedness was not associated with (a) an alteration in anaesthetic sensitivity in terms of the relationship between the bispectral index and volatile anaesthetic concentration (estimated effect on the regression relationship −0.52 parallel shift; 95% CI −1.27 to 0.23, p = 0.17); (b) the incidence of intra‐operative awareness with 26/4992 (0.52%) right‐handed vs 1/593 (0.17%) non‐right‐handed (difference = 0.35%; 95% CI −0.45 to 0.63%; p = 0.35); or (c) postoperative mortality rates (90‐day relative risk for non‐right‐handedness 1.19, 95% CI 0.76–1.86; p = 0.45). Thus, no change in anaesthetic management is indicated for non‐right‐handed patients.