bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole transcriptome analysis reveals changes in expression of immune-related genes during and after bleaching in a reef-building coral
Authors: Pinzón Jorge H. , Kamel Bishoy , Burge Colleen A. , Harvell C. Drew , Medina Mónica , Weil Ernesto , Mydlarz Laura D.
Published: April 2015

Climate change is negatively affecting the stability of natural ecosystems, especially coral reefs. The dissociation of the symbiosis between reef-building corals and their algal symbiont, or coral bleaching, has been linked to increased sea surface temperatures. Coral bleaching has significant impacts on corals, including an increase in disease outbreaks that can permanently change the entire reef ecosystem. Yet, little is known about the impacts of coral bleaching on the coral immune system. In this study, whole transcriptome analysis of the coral holobiont and each of the associate components (i.e. coral host, algal symbiont and other associated microorganisms) was used to determine changes in gene expression in corals affected by a natural bleaching event as well as during the recovery phase. The main findings include evidence that the coral holobiont and the coral host have different responses to bleaching, and the host immune system appears suppressed even a year after a bleaching event. These results support the hypothesis that coral bleaching changes the expression of innate immune genes of corals, and these effects can last even after recovery of symbiont populations. Research on the role of immunity on coral's resistance to stressors can help make informed predictions on the future of corals and coral reefs.
Initiation and spread of escape waves within animal groups
Authors: Herbert-Read James E. , Buhl Camille , Hu Feng , Ward Ashley J. W. , Sumpter David J. T.
Published: April 2015

The exceptional reactivity of animal collectives to predatory attacks is thought to be owing to rapid, but local, transfer of information between group members. These groups turn together in unison and produce escape waves. However, it is not clear how escape waves are created from local interactions, nor is it understood how these patterns are shaped by natural selection. By startling schools of fish with a simulated attack in an experimental arena, we demonstrate that changes in the direction and speed by a small percentage of individuals that detect the danger initiate an escape wave. This escape wave consists of a densely packed band of individuals that causes other school members to change direction. In the majority of cases, this wave passes through the entire group. We use a simulation model to demonstrate that this mechanism can, through local interactions alone, produce arbitrarily large escape waves. In the model, when we set the group density to that seen in real fish schools, we find that the risk to the members at the edge of the group is roughly equal to the risk of those within the group. Our experiments and modelling results provide a plausible explanation for how escape waves propagate in nature without centralized control.
Optimality, reduction and collective motion
Authors: Justh Eric W. , Krishnaprasad P. S.
Published: April 2015

The planar self-steering particle model of agents in a collective gives rise to dynamics on theN-fold direct product ofSE(2), the rigid motion group in the plane. Assuming a connected, undirected graph of interaction between agents, we pose a family of symmetric optimal control problems with a coupling parameter capturing the strength of interactions. The Hamiltonian system associated with the necessary conditions for optimality is reducible to a Lie–Poisson dynamical system possessing interesting structure. In particular, the strong coupling limit reveals additional (hidden) symmetry, beyond the manifest one used in reduction: this enables explicit integration of the dynamics, and demonstrates the presence of a ‘master clock’ that governs all agents to steer identically. For finite coupling strength, we show that special solutions exist with steering controls proportional across the collective. These results suggest that optimality principles may provide a framework for understanding imitative behaviours observed in certain animal aggregations.
Measuring Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Content, Fractional Release, and Ca2+ Buffering in Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Macquaide Niall , Bito Virginie , Sipido Karin R.
Published: April 2015

Here, we describe a protocol for the reliable measurement of the amount of Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ store of cardiac myocytes. The whole-cell patch-clamp method is used to provide controlled loading of the SR during conditioning depolarizing pulses, followed by rapid application of a high dose of caffeine to release all SR Ca2+ and to prevent Ca2+ reuptake by the SR. Simultaneous measurement of membrane currents records Ca2+ extruded through the Na+–Ca2+ exchanger. The integral of the caffeine-induced Na+–Ca2+ exchange current is then used as a measure of the SR Ca2+. Derived measurements include the Ca2+ buffering capacity and measurement of fractional release as an indicator of coupling gain. Caveats, advantages, and disadvantages of this method and alternative methods are discussed.
Hydrogen bonding between aromatic H and F groups leading to a stripe structure withR- andS-columns: the crystal structure of (2,7-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)(3-fluorophenyl)methanone and comparison with its 1-aroylnaphthalene analogues
Authors: Mohri Saki , Ohisa Shinji , Isozaki Katsuhiro , Yonezawa Noriyuki , Okamoto Akiko
Published: April 2015

In the molecule of (2,7-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)(3-fluorophenyl)methanone, C19H15FO3, (I), the dihedral angle between the plane of the naphthalene ring system and that of the benzene ring is 85.90 (5)°. The molecules exhibit axial chirality, with either anR- or anS-stereogenic axis. In the crystal structure, each enantiomer is stacked into a columnar structure and the columns are arranged alternately to form a stripe structure. A pair of (methoxy)C—H...F hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between the benzene rings of the aroyl groups link anR- and anS-isomer to form a dimeric pair. These dimeric pairs are piled up in a columnar fashion through (benzene)C—H...O=C and (benzene)C—H...OCH3hydrogen bonds. The analogous 1-benzoylated compound, namely (2,7-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)(phenyl)methanone [Katoet al.(2010).Acta Cryst.E66, o2659], (II), affords three independent molecules having slightly different dihedral angles between the benzene and naphthalene rings. The three independent molecules form separate columns and the three types of column are connected to each otherviatwo C—H...OCH3hydrogen bonds and one C—H...O=C hydrogen bond. Two of the three columns are formed by the same enantiomeric isomer, whereas the remaining column consists of the counterpart isomer. In the case of the fluorinated 1-benzoylated naphthalene analogue, namely (2,7-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)(4-fluorophenyl)methanone [Watanabeet al.(2011).Acta Cryst.E67, o1466], (III), the molecular packing is similar to that of (I),i.e.it consists of stripes ofR- andS-enantiomeric columns. A pair of C—H...F hydrogen bonds betweenR- andS-isomers, and C—H...O=C hydrogen bonds betweenR(orS)-isomers, are also observed. Consequently, the stripe structure is apparently induced by the formation ofR...Sdimeric pairs stacked in a columnar fashion. The pair of C—H...F hydrogen bonds effectively stabilizes the dimeric pair ofR- andS-enantiomers. In addition, the co-existence of C—H...F and C—H...O=C hydrogen bonds makes possible the formation of a structure with just one independent molecule.
TOE drivers for cloud transformation: direct or trust-mediated?
Authors: LI Min , Zhao Dingtao , Yu Yan
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain cloud service transformation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on technology-environment-organization paradigm and understand the role of cloud service trust in transformation process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey involving 107 SMEs was conducted to examine the research model and hypotheses.

Findings

– First, cloud service trust is found to have a significant positive effect on the SMEs’ cloud service transformation intention. The second finding is about significant influences of technological drivers (reliability and information security), environmental drivers (institutional pressure, structure assurance, and vendor scarcity) and entrepreneurship on SMEs’ cloud service trust. Further, the authors found mediating effects of trust on relationships between external drivers and cloud service transformation.

Practical implications

– For vendors, it suggests building cloud service trust by distinguishing advantages of their cloud service and by establishing strategic alliances with existing users in marketing to attract potential clients. Vendors should target entrepreneurial organizations as initial customers and then expand to other types of organizations. For users, the study implies the need of cultivating entrepreneurship, if they have innovative IT initiatives and need to speed up the IT innovation absorption. Market regulators can provide adequate structural assurances and survival-of-the-fittest market mechanism to stimulate cloud service market.

Originality/value

– This study is on the leading edge of systematically investigating drivers for SMEs’ cloud service transformation and further reveals a mediating process, in which technological and environmental aspects have primary effects on cloud service trust that sequentially influences cloud service transformation. These mediating effects imply an essential trust building process of cloud service transformation.
Fuzzy based appraisement module for 3PL evaluation and selection
Authors: Sahu Nitin Kumar , Datta Saurav , Mahapatra Siba Sankar
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– In today’s’ highly competitive market, outsourcing logistic activities have become a global trend as it offers wide range of services including transportation, distribution, packaging, labeling, warehousing, freight forwarding and order fulfillment. The demand of third-party logistics (3PL) provider becomes an increasingly important issue for corporate seeking improved customer service, operational efficiency, logistics costs as well as capital expenditure reduction. However, choosing a proper 3PL provider is a kind of multi-criteria decision making problem under consideration of complicated criteria hierarchy. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop an efficient appraisement module towards performance evaluation as well as selecting the best 3PL provider. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present paper proposes a fuzzy based appraisement platform for evaluation and selection of 3PL providers. The theory behind interval-valued fuzzy numbers (IVFNs) has been utilized to aid the said decision-modeling. Based on two appraisement modules for 3PL evaluation; empirical data have been analyzed to validate case application.

Findings

– The proposed method has been found efficient for solving the group decision-making problem under uncertain environment due to vagueness, ambiguity associated with decision-makers’ subjective judgment. The proposed appraisement platform has been explored by an Indian automobile part manufacturing company at eastern part of India. 3PL providers have been evaluated individually to check their performance level with respect to various evaluation attributes. Apart from estimating overall performance metric, the model presented here can identify ill-performing areas which necessitate future attention.

Originality/value

– The major contributions of this work have been summarized as follows: First, development and implementation of an efficient decision-making procedural hierarchy to support 3PL evaluation and selection. Second, an overall performance metric has been introduced. Third, concept of IVFNs has been efficiently explored to facilitate such a appraisement cum selection decision making. Final, the appraisement index system has been extended with the capability to search ill-performing areas which require future progress.
Development of a framework for green product development
Authors: Jasti Naga Vamsi Krishna , Sharma Aditya , Karinka Shashikantha
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The concept of “green product development (GPD)” has been emerged as a global phenomenon. The main objective of GPD is to minimize the impact of industrial growth on the environment across the globe. Many researchers have actively contributed articles for developing GPD, but none of them provide direction and guidance for an effective implementation of GPD in organizations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify a comprehensive list of the principles, practices, tools and techniques, and integrate them to develop and propose a new framework for GPD for effective implementation in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study has examined 37 frameworks published from 1991 to 2012 in selected 23 peer reviewed journals. The study has also identified pillars of the framework with the help of comparative analysis performed on the selected GPD frameworks. The study has formed a team to identify critical elements in the field of GPD. The team consisted academicians, practitioner and consultant.

Findings

– The findings of the present paper bring out extremely incoherent utilization of elements for implementing GPD. The study has identified 80 unique elements and 11 pillars to propose a comprehensive conceptual framework in the field of GPD with the help of comparative analysis. Also, the present study analysis of selected research articles founds that future research in GPD should be directed towards finding a coherent set of elements that may be further employed to formulate and execution of frameworks. To achieve the required task, the study has proposed a conceptual comprehensive framework in the field of GPD with the help of extensive literature survey and comparative analysis.

Originality/value

– The study has conducted extensive literature survey using various online portals and sources. It has not only performed critical review on existing sample of the frameworks but also raised the issue of what is really a framework and how to identify the frameworks from the literature. The study also provides guidelines to the future researchers to propose new frameworks in the field of GPD.
Collegiality in business schools
Authors: Miles Morgan P. , Shepherd C.  David , Rose Jacob M. , Dibben Mark
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– While collegiality is often discussed and touted as a critical aspect of academia, there is little research that empirically examines collegiality in university business schools. One cause of the paucity of research is the lack of a reliable scale to measure collegiality (Sabharwal, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale that measures collegiality at the departmental level for university faculty, and then uses it to understand the implications of collegiality within an academic department within a business school.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study uses a scale development process consisting of: defining the domain of the construct; item generation; and psychometric assessment of the scale’s reliability and validity. Items were adapted for a university business school context from Shah (2011) and Seigel and Miner-Rubino (2009). The scale was administrated using a convenience non-random sample design drawn from active marketing and entrepreneurship academics who subscribe to the American Marketing Association’s ELMAR and the Academy of Management’s ENTRE list-serves.

Findings

– The faculty collegiality scale (FCS) was found to exhibit sound psychometric properties in this study. The study found that assessments of department-level collegiality are associated with budgets, performance evaluation processes, and workload allocations. In addition, factors from the FCS mediate the relationships between institutional variables and work satisfaction, which indicate that collegiality is an important determinant of work satisfaction in a contemporary university environment.

Originality/value

– The FCS developed in the present study offers business school academics and administrators a glimpse into the dimensions of what the marketing and entrepreneurship academics perceive makes a good colleague – one that provides professional and social support and is trustworthy; does not engage in politics, positioning, or rent-seeking to advantage their own situation; and that contributes to the well-being of the students, the department, the discipline and the university. In addition, the present study found that the FCS was related to budgets, performance evaluation processes, and faculty workloads.
Reflections on a bilingual peer assisted learning program
Authors: Cui Jin , Huang Tairan Kevin , Cortese Corinne , Pepper Matthew
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate faculty and academic staff perceptions, experiences and expectations with respect to a voluntary, bilingual peer assisted learning (PAL) program, which operates for the benefit of students studying in the Faculty of Business at a regional Australian University.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey instrument and semi-structured interviews were used to faculty executive and academic staff in order to collect information about the perceived benefits of the program and identify opportunities for improvement.

Findings

– Based on an analysis of student results, the bilingual PAL program is shown to have a positive effect on performance of students participating in the program. Results from interviews with executive and academic staff indicate a high level of support for this type of student learning program.

Originality/value

– Although the value of both bilingual teaching and PAL has been explored in the teaching and learning literature, few studies have examined the integration of these two approaches. This research contributes to the literature by exploring the practical contribution of integrating these approaches. This research also provides valuable information regarding executive and academic perceptions of PAL programs, which is infrequently addressed in the literature. Findings may be used to inform institutions of the value of bilingual PAL programs in relation to international student retention and learning support and provide a starting point for discussions around the practical implications of such programs.
Analysis of teachers’ task and extra-role performance under different autonomy regimes
Authors: Duyar Ibrahim , Ras Nancy , Pearson Carolyn L.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Teachers constitute one of the largest groups of knowledge workers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents and outcomes of teachers’ task and extra-role performance (ERP) under two different autonomy regimes in charter and regular public schools. A special emphasis was given to the ERP of teachers. Both the predictors and outcomes of teacher work performance were comparatively investigated in these two different school environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– By applying a social-cognitive perspective and a causal comparative design, the study comparatively tested the reciprocal relationships among the study variables in public and charter schools. The clustered sample included 812 public school teachers and 112 charter school teachers.

Findings

– The findings revealed that the predictors and outcomes of teachers’ task and ERP have differing dynamics in these two distinct types of public schools. The School Type, which represented the differences in school autonomy between public and charter schools, appeared to be the strongest differentiating factor across two groups of schooling. Both types of teacher performance (task and extra role) in charter schools outweighed their counterparts in public schools. Similarities and differences were observed on the predictors and outcomes of teacher work performance.

Originality/value

– The current study contributed to the scant literature on the effects of school autonomy on teacher task and ERP. A clear understanding on the predictors and outcomes of teacher work performance under two different school autonomy regimes may guide practitioners and policymakers in their efforts to bring public schools to a more competitive edge.
SmartWoW – constructing a tool for knowledge work performance analysis
Authors: Palvalin Miikka , Vuolle Maiju , Jääskeläinen Aki , Laihonen Harri , Lönnqvist Antti
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– New Ways of Working (NewWoW) refers to a novel approach for improving the performance of knowledge work. The purpose of this paper is to seek innovative solutions concerning facilities, information technology tools and work practices in order to be able to “work smarter, not harder.” In order to develop work practices toward the NewWoW mode there is a need for an analytical management tool that would help assess the status of the organization’s current work practices and demonstrate the impacts of development initiatives. This paper introduces such a tool.

Design/methodology/approach

– Constructive research approach was chosen to guide the development of the Smart ways of working (SmartWoW) tool. The tool was designed on the basis of previous knowledge work performance literature as well as on interviews in two knowledge-intensive organizations. The usefulness of the tool was verified by applying it in four organizations.

Findings

– SmartWoW is a compact questionnaire tool for analyzing and measuring knowledge work at the individual level. The questionnaire consists of four areas: work environment, personal work practices, well-being at work and productivity. As SmartWoW is a standardized tool its results are comparable between organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– SmartWoW was designed a pragmatic managerial tool. It is considered possible that it can be valuable as a research instrument as well but the current limited amount of collected data does not yet facilitate determining its usefulness from that perspective.

Originality/value

– This paper makes a contribution to the existing literature on knowledge work measurement and management by introducing an analytical tool which takes into account the NewWoW perspective.
Information technology (IT) productivity paradox in the 21st century
Authors: Hajli Mahmood , Sims Julian M. , Ibragimov Valisher
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Since the 1970s productivity growth in most economies slowed, while information and communication technology expenditures increased: the “information technology (IT) productivity paradox.” Some researchers reported an end to the paradox, but this is most likely due to IT industry growth approaching the Year 2000 phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to update IT productivity paradox research.

Design/methodology/approach

– For comparability this research replicates methods employed by previous studies but employs a two-level approach: first macroeconomic indicators; second labor and multi-factor productivity.

Findings

– Findings suggest IT investment has high positive correlation with gross domestic product growth, but not labor or multi-factor productivity. This ambiguity suggests the paradox is still poorly understood.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are not conclusive; the authors cannot confirm or reject the existence of the productivity paradox. The global recession and banking crisis makes it prudent to wait until recovery before analyzing data from that period.

Practical implications

– Lack of convincing evidence supporting positive effects from IT investment suggests some firms benefit from IT investment, but not others, and that IT investment has questionable returns.

Social implications

– Firm level studies might find IT investment benefits some firms, but lack of convincing macroeconomic level evidence of positive effects of IT investment suggests the paradox still exists.

Originality/value

– This research updates the IT productivity paradox demonstrating the phenomenon is still poorly understood and thus worthy of further study, questioning the benefits of IT investment for industry and national economies.
Trends in family tourism
Authors: Schänzel Heike A. , Yeoman Ian
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Families represent a large and growing market for the tourism industry. Family tourism is driven by the increasing importance placed on promoting family togetherness, keeping family bonds alive and creating family memories. Predictions for the future of family travel are shaped by changes in demography and social structures. With global mobility families are increasingly geographically dispersed and new family markets are emerging. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the trends that shape the understanding of families and family tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines ten trends that the authors as experts in the field identify of importance and significance for the future of family tourism.

Findings

What emerges is that the future of family tourism lies in capturing the increasing heterogeneity, fluidity and mobility of the family market.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding about the changes taking place in family tourism and what it means to the tourism industry in the future.
Constrained investments and opportunity cost – evidence from Islamic funds
Authors: Dah Mustafa , Hoque Monzurul , Wang Song
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Shariah guidelines on the performance of the Dow Jones Islamic Index (DJIM-US). Shariah or Islamic law is a set of rules that determines Islamic allowed activities including socially and ethically acceptable investments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors apply four risk-adjusted methodologies and co-integration analysis to investigate whether limited asset universe Shariah investments limit investment opportunities and impose an opportunity cost on investors given the prediction of conventional portfolio theories.

Findings

– In contrast to the prediction of conventional portfolio theories, the findings suggest no apparent opportunity cost for Shariah compatible investments. In particular, Dow Jones Islamic Mutual Funds do not under-perform the broader market US benchmarks nor do they have any co-integration with the broader indexes. Moreover, the authors find similar evidence in the studies of Islamic mutual funds in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Kuwait.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings will be reinforced when the authors will look into long run performance of Shariah compliant funds in future. Using non-linear approach will add further clarity to the findings.

Practical implications

– The results provide an insight suggesting that successful mutual fund managers are able to overcome Shariah restrictions and constraints through creative investment strategies. In the data set, the Amana Trust Growth fund and the Amana Trust Income fund were always the best performers with a highly significant abnormal return, no matter what the methodology was.

Social implications

– The performance of Islamic funds during the approximately seven-year period covered by the study is very promising. Popularity of Islamic Investment is expected to grow as Muslim population represents about 25 percent of the world population and the possibility for the Muslim funds to be considered as viable alternative by non-Shariah abiding or non-Muslim investors. The empirical results in the paper provide evidence that lack in diversification did not constrain the performance of Islamic funds.

Originality/value

– This paper applied comprehensive risk-adjusted methodologies and co-integration analysis to Islamic Funds for a seven-year period for multiple countries. The findings confirm previously obtained results and highlight the fact that constrained Islamic Funds may not under-perform as per conventional portfolio theories.
Cross-sectional determinants of an executive performance metric index
Authors: Robinson John
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Performance-based executive compensation has been well studied in the academic literature but relatively little attention has been paid to the performance metrics disclosed by corporations in their proxy statements. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using these statements from a large sample of US firms from 1996 to 2005, the author constructs an accounting-based-metric index based on the inclusion or exclusion of performance benchmarks from five categories.

Findings

– The author finds firm rely more heavily on accounting-based evaluation when their stock market valuation is low. Larger firms, firms with a high marginal tax rate, and firms with low earnings per share are more likely to use accounting-based pay, levered firms are not more or less likely.

Originality/value

– These results are consistent with accounting-based pay being used by firms with fewer intangible assets, smaller unrealized growth options, and more established lines of business.
Design criteria for video digital libraries
Authors: Albertson Dan , Ju Boryung
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on a user-centred analysis of video digital libraries and to present users’ criteria based on concepts emerging directly from the responses of study participants. As a time-based and multi-channeled format, video warrants considerations for information delivery through interactive tools such as digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey method was used to collect open-ended responses from participants. Content analysis was performed on the responses, and categories then emerged to form the coding scheme where simple and weighted frequencies were calculated to obtain a ranked set of users’ criteria. Cohen’sκwas 0.87, indicative of high-level of inter-coder reliability. In the end, 81 participants contributed a total of 385 open-ended responses, which were all then analysed and coded.

Findings

– The emergent coding method and continuous refinements to the coding scheme ultimately produced 28 criteria (subcategories) under four primary categories. Criteria corresponding to “retrieval functionality” of video digital libraries emerged as the highest, or most frequently referenced, primary category, while the “user interface”, “collection qualities”, and “user support” followed, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

– The primary research contribution is a baseline for video digital libraries that can be applicable throughout design and evaluation. Future studies can utilise findings presented here as guidance for the initial design stages and/or for assessing systems via targeted evaluations.

Originality/value

– While users’ criteria of digital libraries have been analysed from non-visual contexts, they have not been directly assessed as they pertain to users’ experiences and perceptions with video, which is needed as the nature and structure of video can influence users and use.
Service sector statistics in India: problems and way forward
Authors: Joshi Seema
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– It has been observed in various studies that the “servicization” of the structures of production and employment has taken place in India. However, a problem peculiar to this sector or several types of services is that the output of some components of this sector is difficult to measure as well as to value it in monetary terms. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems encountered in the measurement of service sector output.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes use of secondary sources of data including various reports, books and journals, etc. An attempt has been made in this paper to review those studies which deal with measurement problems in services sector output.

Findings

– In the Indian context, it has been found that the data base on the service sector is highly disorganized. It has been recognized in studies that the limitation of the existing system is marred by the absence of a well-organized mechanism for maintaining a regular and proper database for this sector. A large number of the unorganized units are located in the service sector and the composition of units in the domain undergoes changes at a rapid pace because new units or newer service areas come into existence and others disappear with alarming frequency. Therefore, the need for “devising a proper classification of services” by identifying all new services and adopting a suitable methodology so as to maintain international comparability of data has been highlighted in various studies.

Originality/value

– Although there are studies which try to point out measurability problems of services in developed European economies, however, studies related to service sector statistics problems in India are far less in number. This paper will therefore mainly focus on the service sector statistics problems in India and point out the way forward.
Educational inclusion in England: origins, perspectives and current directions
Authors: Lauchlan Fraser , Greig Susan
Published: April 2015

In this paper we examine different aspects of the inclusion debate, including how it has been shaped by the political context in England over the past 30 years. We then give consideration to the key argument that has dominated the inclusion agenda over the last decade: should effective inclusion be considered only as placement in mainstream school settings, or can one consider inclusion in a specialist placement as successful? Research studies examining the views of children, parents and teaching staff are also discussed. Consideration is given as to whether a ‘universalist’ view of inclusion (in which special schools should not be offered) is one that is feasible and desirable. The key arguments highlighted include those relating to ‘quality’ in education, academic and social inclusion, human rights, parental choice and teachers' attitudes and skills. The role of some professional groups in supporting inclusion, such as educational psychologists (EPs) and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos), is also examined.
Certain performance values arising from mammographic test set readings correlate well with clinical audit
Authors: Soh BaoLin Pauline , Lee Warwick Bruce , Mello‐Thoms Claudia , Tapia Kriscia , Ryan John , Hung Wai Tak , Thompson Graham , Heard Rob , Brennan Patrick
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Test sets have been increasingly utilised to augment clinical audit in breast screening programmes; however, their relationship has never been satisfactorily understood. This study examined the relationship between mammographic test set performance and clinical audit data.

Methods

Clinical audit data over a 2‐year period was generated for each of 20 radiologists. Sixty mammographic examinations, consisting of 40 normal and 20 cancer cases, formed the test set. Readers located any identifiable cancer, and levels of confidence were scored from 2 to 5, where a score of 3 and above is considered a recall rating. Jackknifing free response operating characteristic (JAFROC) figure‐of‐merit (FOM), location sensitivity and specificity were calculated for individual readers and then compared with clinical audit values using Spearman's rho.

Results

JAFROC FOM showed significant correlations to: recall rate at a first round of screening (r = 0.51; P = 0.02); rate of small invasive cancers per 10 000 reads (r = 0.5; P = 0.02); percentage of all cancers read that were not recalled (r = −0.51; P = 0.02); and sensitivity (r = 0.51; P = 0.02). Location sensitivity demonstrated significant correlations with: rate of small invasive cancers per 10 000 reads (r = 0.46; P = 0.04); rate of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) per 10 000 reads (r = 0.44; P = 0.05); detection rate of all invasive cancers and DCIS per 10 000 reads (r = 0.54; P = 0.01); percentage of all cancers read that were not recalled (r = −0.57; P = 0.009); and sensitivity (r = 0.57; P = 0.009). No other significant relationships were noted.

Conclusion

Performance indicators from test set demonstrate significant correlations with specific aspects of clinical performance, although caution needs to be exercised when generalising test set specificity to the clinical situation.
Autologous serum and plasma rich in growth factors in ophthalmology: preclinical and clinical studies
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Muruzabal Francisco , Tayebba Ali , Riestra Ana , Perez Victor L. , Merayo‐Lloves Jesus , Orive Gorka
Published: April 2015

The use of blood derivatives represents an alternative therapeutic approach that is gaining interest in regenerative medicine due to its potential to stimulate and accelerate tissue healing. Autologous serum eye drops and platelet‐enriched plasma eye drops are being used in the treatment of different ophthalmological disorders. In this review, we summarize the different blood‐derived formulations used in the treatment and care of ocular surface disorders. The biological basis and use of autologous serum and plasma rich in growth factors are deeply evaluated as well as the challenges to be addressed in the future in this new generation of blood‐derived therapies.
Carl Friedrich Richard Foerster (1825–1902) – the inventor of perimeter and photometer
Authors: Grzybowski Andrzej , Sobolewska Bianka
Published: April 2015

Carl Friedrich Richard Foerster (1825–1902) was a German who was born in the Polish city Leszno. He studied medicine at the Medical Faculty of Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland) University, and later in Heidelberg and Berlin. From 1855, he worked in Breslau, where he established in 1857 the first ophthalmology clinic. Later, he became a professor in ophthalmology, the first director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Breslau, and even the rector of this University. Forster did many pioneering works on visual fields, invented a photometer and the first perimeter, known for many years as the Foerster perimeter. Moreover, he studied night blindness, visual field changes due to different pathologies, and many eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataract, retinal and choroidal diseases.
Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS‐C)
Authors: Leu Shang‐Herng , Chou Jen‐Yu , Lee Pei‐chin , Cheng Hsiu‐Chu , Shao Wen‐Chuan , Hsien Wan‐Lin , Huang Chieh‐Liang , Chen Vincent Chin‐Hung
Published: April 2015

Introductions

This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS‐C) among depression patients in Taiwan.

Methods

To validate the SDS‐C, two samples were selected: Sample 1 (n = 78) consisted of patients diagnosed with Depressive Disorder, while sample 2 (n = 63) consisted of a nondepressive population. Sample 1 was evaluated with SDS twice with 7–14 days interval to measure test–retest reliability. Both samples were also evaluated with The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), Family APGAR (adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, resolve) score, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and brief questionnaire of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL‐BREF) and by a psychiatrist. The two samples were combined to measure validity.

Results

In concurrent validity, SDS‐C scores were significantly correlated with the total score of GAF. The discriminative validity was carried out by comparing the score of SDS‐C between subjects with and without current depressive disorder (t = 12.32, df = 139, P < 0.001). Another discriminative validity by receiver‐operating characteristic analysis showed the optimal cut‐point was >11 (sensitivity: 82.1, specificity: 93.7). The area under the curve was 0.93 (±0.02). For the factor validity, principal components analysis showed that a single factor solution was the best solution accounting for 88.9% of the variance. Regarding the construct validity, SDS‐C scores were significantly correlated with CESD, WHOQOL‐BREF, and the Family APGAR score. For test–retest reliability, the intra‐class correlation coefficient for the total SDS‐C score was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.82–0.93) and internal consistency Cronbach's alpha was 0.94.

Discussion

The SDS‐C was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for current depressive disorder patients in Taiwan.
Cognitive existential couple therapy (CECT) in men and partners facing localised prostate cancer: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Couper Jeremy , Collins Anna , Bloch Sidney , Street Annette , Duchesne Gillian , Jones Tessa , Olver James , Love Anthony
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of cognitive existential couple therapy (CECT) for relationship function, coping, cancer distress and mental health in men with localised prostate cancer and in their partners.

Patients Subjects and Methods

A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 62 couples randomly assigned to the six‐session CECT programme or care as usual. The couple's relationship function (primary outcome), and coping, cancer distress and mental health (secondary outcomes) were evaluated at T0 (baseline), T1 (after treatment) and T2 (9 months from T0). A repeated‐measures analysis of covariance model, which incorporated T0 measurements as a covariate, was used to compare treatment groups at T1 and T2.

Results

After CECT, patients reported significantly greater use of adaptive coping (P = 0.03) and problem‐focused coping (P = 0.01). These gains were maintained at follow‐up, while relationship cohesion had improved (P = 0.03), as had relationship function for younger patients (P = 0.01). Younger partners reported less cancer‐specific distress (P = 0.008), avoidance (P = 0.04), intrusive thought (P = 0.006), and hyperarousal (P = 0.01). Gains were maintained at follow‐up, while relationship cohesion (P = 0.007), conflict resolution (P = 0.01) and relational function (P = 0.009) all improved.

Conclusion

CECT resulted in improved coping for patients and lower cancer‐distress for partners. Maintained over time this manifests as improved relationship function. CECT was acceptable to couples, alleviated long‐term relationship decline, and is therefore suitable as a preventative mental health intervention for couples facing prostate cancer. Given resourcing demands, we recommend dissemination of CECT be targeted at younger couples, as CECT was more acceptable to the younger group, and they derived greater benefit from it.
Attitudes and intentions to smoke: a study of young Brazilian children
Authors: Pires P. P. , Ribas R. C. , Borzekowski D. L. G.
Published: April 2015

Background

Children at earlier stages tend to be more susceptible towards different types of tobacco messages. These are able to influence attitudes and behaviours around smoking. This study examined how these messages are able to influence 5‐ and 6‐year olds' attitudes about smokers and their smoking intentions.

Methods

Researchers worked one‐on‐one with 5‐ and 6‐year olds (n = 398) in Brazil. Children could attribute positive and negative characteristics to two different persons in photos as smoker/non‐smoker. Children could indicate the attribute as of a smoker, a non‐smoker, both or none. Children were asked also about their smoking intentions. Analysis considered parental smoking, sex, age, cigarette and alcohol brand logos, children's location and media characters from cartoons. We conducted a path analysis for a multivariate model of children's attitudes and intentions about smoking.

Results

Overall, children had negative attitudes about smokers (M = −4.58, SD = 4.08) and a total of 32 (8.0%) of them reported intentions to smoke. The resulting multivariate model indicates that parental smoking is a source for a positive image of smokers, while being 6 years old, living in rural areas, being aware of alcohol brands and recognizing educational cartoons tended to be negatively correlated to children's attitudes. Further, 6 year olds were found to be less likely to have smoking intentions, while attitude about smokers was positively related with intentions. One's attitudes served as a mediator for all of the variables in the model towards smoking intentions. The path models differed for each sex.

Conclusion

Shaped by social and environmental influences, very young children have opinions about smokers. In turn, these attitudes significantly predict children's smoking intentions. To corroborate this research, we recommend that longitudinal designs be employed to help model why Brazilian children become smokers.
Rare presentation of pseudosequestration in childhood: CT and CT angiography findings
Authors: Gormez Ayşegul , Ozcan H. Nursun , Oguz Berna , Yalçın Ebru , Ariyurek Macit , Haliloglu Mithat , Emiralioglu Nagehan
Published: April 2015

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the lungs with normal bronchial branching and pulmonary arterial supply is an unusual variant of the sequestration spectrum. Pseudosequestration is referred as the combination of systemic arterial supply to lung with normal bronchial connection. Thorax computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography are non‐invasive and useful techniques in making the definitive diagnosis. Herein, we report two paediatric patients with anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal basal segments of the lower lobes.
One‐year sustained glycaemic control and less hypoglycaemia with new insulin glargine 300 U/ml compared with 100 U/ml in people with type 2 diabetes using basal plus meal‐time insulin: the EDITION 1 12‐month randomized trial, including 6‐month extension
Authors: Riddle M. C. , Yki‐Järvinen H. , Bolli G. B. , Ziemen M. , Muehlen‐Bartmer I. , Cissokho S. , Home P. D.
Published: April 2015

Aims

To evaluate the maintenance of efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla‐300) versus glargine 100 U/ml (Gla‐100) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using basal plus meal‐time insulin for 12 months in the EDITION 1 trial.

Methods

EDITION 1 was a multicentre, randomized, open‐label, two‐arm, phase IIIa study. Participants completing the initial 6‐month treatment period continued to receive Gla‐300 or Gla‐100, as previously randomized, once daily for a further 6‐month open‐label extension phase. Changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose concentrations, insulin dose, hypoglycaemic events and body weight were assessed.

Results

Of 807 participants enrolled in the initial phase, 89% (359/404) assigned to Gla‐300 and 88% (355/403) assigned to Gla‐100 completed 12 months. Glycaemic control was sustained in both groups (mean HbA1c: Gla‐300, 7.24%; Gla‐100, 7.42%), with more sustained HbA1c reduction for Gla‐300 at 12 months: least squares mean difference Gla‐300 vs Gla‐100: HbA1c −0.17 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.30 to −0.05]%. The mean daily basal insulin dose at 12 months was 1.03 U/kg for Gla‐300 and 0.90 U/kg for Gla‐100. Lower percentages of participants had ≥1 confirmed [≤3.9 mmol/l (≤70 mg/dl)] or severe hypoglycaemic event with Gla‐300 than Gla‐100 at any time of day [24 h; 86 vs 92%; relative risk 0.94 (95% CI 0.89–0.99)] and during the night [54 vs 65%; relative risk 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.94)], while the annualized rates of such hypoglycaemic events were similar. No between‐treatment differences in adverse events were apparent.

Conclusion

During 12 months of treatment of T2DM requiring basal and meal‐time insulin, glycaemic control was better sustained and fewer individuals reported hypoglycaemia with Gla‐300 than with Gla‐100. The mean basal insulin dose was higher with Gla‐300 compared with Gla‐100, but total numbers of hypoglycaemic events and overall tolerability did not differ between treatments.