bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital disclosure by Chinese and Indian information technology companies
Authors: Wang Qianyu , Sharma Umesh , Davey Howard
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent and quality of voluntary intellectual disclosures by information technology (IT) companies of China and India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research method adopted for this study is content analysis. The research is limited to the intellectual capital information disclosed in companies’ annual report. The sample for this research is based on 20 IT companies listed by market capitalization listed on Shenzhen or Shanghai stock exchange market, and the largest 20 companies listed on Indian stock market.

Findings

– Indian IT companies tends to perform better than Chinese IT companies in extent and quality of disclosures. The extent of disclosure of both countries is at a relatively high level. The most frequently reported disclosure category in India is external capital, while the least one is human capital. In China, external capital is the most frequently disclosed category, while the internal capital is the least one.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample size of the study is relatively small. Future research can expand on the sample size to get an overview of the intellectual capital disclosure, and conduct a longitudinal study to capture the trend of reporting practices.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study have implications for policy makers and standard setters for rethinking of inclusion of intellectual capital disclosure in annual reports as compulsory items. This will not only add tot he quality of information but various stakeholders will be able to make an assessment of the values of a firm.

Originality/value

– Previous studies of intellectual capital (IC) disclosure have covered little on the relationship between market capitalization and quality of disclosure and cross-country disclosure on IC. This research tends to extend the literature on IC disclosure.
Portfolio forming decisions: the role of intellectual capital
Authors: Zavertiaeva Marina
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a tool to categorize companies as potentially profitable on the basis of an intellectual capital (IC) analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper distinguishes two crucial attributions for picking shares: IC and capitalization of IC-based growth potential. Using these two attributions, the author creates a portfolio from a sample of European companies and annually rebalances it. To test its attractiveness, the author then compares the portfolio with benchmarks and random portfolios during the period from 2006 to 2013 using a Sharpe coefficient.

Findings

– The comparison of the constructed portfolio with the benchmarks demonstrates the importance of IC for market investors and the validity of the proposed tool. The Sharpe ratio of the portfolio is significantly higher than the mean and median Sharpe ratios of random portfolios. In addition, the importance of IC for choosing proper investment goal increases in crisis.

Research limitations/implications

– This investigation can be improved by analysing other IC such as the qualification of CEOs, participation of the company in business alliances, and a company’s innovation activity. In addition, the paper considers only European companies.

Practical implications

– The proposed tool provides a method to construct investment-attractive portfolios on the basis of IC.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the literature by identifying the underestimated shares on the basis of a company’s IC and by developing an algorithm to create an IC-based investment portfolio.
The valuation of pharmaceutical intangibles
Authors: Russell Mark
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to value the patents of pharmaceutical companies using discounted cash flows, and compare the value-relevance of these assets against alternative intangible asset measures such as reported intangible assets and R
&
D capital.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study values pharmaceutical intangibles using three methods: an income method; the sum of unamortised R
&
D expenditures; the firm’s reported intangible assets. Value-relevance tests use ordinary least squares regression and Vuong and Clarke tests.

Findings

– First, the study finds that the discounted cash-flow valuation of pharmaceutical patents is value-relevant. Second, the value of pharmaceutical patents explains market value better than reported intangible assets but not R
&
D capital. However, the valuation of pharmaceutical patents is more consistent with the risks of R
&
D than the valuation of R
&
D capital which assumes recovery of R
&
D expenditure.

Originality/value

– This is the first known study that values patents using an income method and compares those valuations with reported intangible assets and R
&
D capital valuation models.
Factors influencing adoption of the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in accounting education
Authors: Alzeban Abdulaziz
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by accounting educators in their attempts to incorporate IFRS materials in their teaching and explores the impact of various factors (instructor’s attitude, size of accounting department, teaching load, type of institution, teaching experience and teaching materials) on the time spent on teaching IFRS materials in undergraduate accounting programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to faculty members working in Saudi Arabian universities, and interviews were held with a small number of such individuals in different universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The results indicate that the instructor’s attitude and availability of IFRS materials exert the most influence upon the time spent by teachers on the IFRS. They further find that departmental support, familiarity with IFRS, training and teaching experience in IFRS are positively associated with the time spent on teaching the IFRS.

Originality/value

The important implication is that accounting educators must adapt their teaching practice in light of the increasing adoption of the global financial reporting standards.
Measuring the success of reforestation for restoring biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Derhé Mia A. , Murphy Helen , Monteith Geoff , Menéndez Rosa
Published: June 2016

Effective assessment of the success of ecological restoration projects is critical in justifying the use of restoration in natural resource management as well as improving best practice. One of the main goals of ecological restoration is the recovery of ecosystem function, yet most researchers assume that increasing species and or functional diversity equates with restoration of ecosystem function, rather than empirically demonstrating these mechanistic relationships.

In this study, we assess how dung beetle species diversity, community composition, functional diversity and ecological functions vary along a restoration chronosequence and compare restored areas with reference (rain forest) and degraded (pasture) systems. We also directly investigate the dung beetle diversity – ecosystem functioning relationship in the context of ecological rain forest restoration by testing the predictive power of traditional taxonomic indices and functional diversity metrics for functionality.

Species richness, abundance, biomass and functional richness all increased with restoration age, with the oldest restoration sites being most similar to rain forest, whereas functional evenness and functional divergence decreased with restoration age. Community composition in the restored areas was clearly progressing towards the rain forest sites and deviating from the pasture sites with increasing restoration age.

Secondary seed dispersal rates increased with restoration age, but there was only a weak positive relationship between dung removal and soil excavation and restoration age. Biodiversity metrics explained 47–74% of the variation in functions mediated by dung beetles; however, functional trait‐based indices provided greater explanatory power of functionality than traditional species‐based metrics.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide empirical evidence on the potential of tropical forest restoration to mitigate biodiversity losses, recovering not only faunal species diversity, but also functional diversity and ecosystem functions in a relatively short period of time. We also demonstrate that functional trait‐based metrics are better predictors of functionality than traditional species‐based metrics but that the relationship between restoration age, diversity and ecosystem functioning is not straightforward and depends on the functions, traits and metrics used.
The Future of Foreign Aid in a Globalizing World with Climate Change
Authors: Hübler Michael
Published: June 2016

This essay discusses a forward‐looking integrated policy concept of foreign aid in a globalizing world with climate change. First, it opts for an integrated treatment of short‐term aid, striving for the urgent fulfillment of basic human needs, and long‐term aid, striving for socioeconomic development and self‐dependence. It opts for an integrated treatment of the human‐society‐economy dimension and the biodiversity‐nature‐earth dimension as well. Second, it proposes a “global insurance for survival” fulfilling basic needs. Besides, it advocates a strong role of (multinational) enterprises and foreign direct investment in socioeconomic development to promote investment and technology diffusion. Firms' activities should be backed up and regulated by a reliable global legal framework. Third, it suggests financing foreign aid via a globally unified tax to foster global justice. As a novel suggestion, the allocation of aid project funding occurs on a market base with the help of a certificate trading scheme to foster efficiency.
Toward a More Robust and Efficient Usability Testing Method of Clinical Decision Support for Nurses Derived From Nursing Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Lopez Karen Dunn , Febretti Alessandro , Stifter Janet , Johnson Andrew , Wilkie Diana J. , Keenan Gail
Published: June 2016

PURPOSE

To develop methods for rapid and simultaneous design, testing, and management of multiple clinical decision support (CDS) features to aid nurse decision‐making.

METHODS

We used quota sampling, think‐aloud and cognitive interviews, and deductive and inductive coding of synchronized audio video data and archival libraries.

FINDINGS

Our methods and organizational tools allowed us to rapidly improve the usability, understandability, and usefulness of CDS in a generalizable sample of practicing nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

The method outlined allows the rapid integration of nursing terminology based electronic health record data into routine workflow and holds strong potential for improving patient outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The methods and organizational tools for development of multiple CDS system features can be used to translate knowledge into practice.
Assessment of Withdrawal and Hangover is Confounded in the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule: Withdrawal Prevalence is Likely Inflated
Authors: Boness Cassandra L. , Lane Sean P. , Sher Kenneth J.
Published: June 2016

Background

The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule‐IV (AUDADIS‐IV) and AUDADIS‐5 are diagnostic interviews used in major epidemiological and other studies of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Much of what we know regarding the prevalence of AUD in the United States is based upon this interview. However, past research and meta‐analytic evidence suggest that differential operationalization of the AUD criteria across instruments can lead to differential endorsement of symptoms and resulting AUD diagnosis rates. In particular, studies employing the AUDADIS are observed to have markedly higher endorsement rates of withdrawal than other large epidemiological studies. One explanation for this is that when assessing withdrawal, the AUDADIS combines effects from the morning after drinking with those from the days following, thereby conflating hangover and withdrawal.

Methods

This study addresses whether this operationalization confounds rates of endorsement when compared to simpler, less ambiguous hangover or withdrawal stems. To this aim, 497 college student drinkers were randomized into 1 of 3 stem conditions: (i) hangover (n = 164), (ii) withdrawal (n = 167), or (iii) combined AUDADIS‐IV (n = 166).

Results

Across conditions, participants were more likely to report the occurrence of each withdrawal symptom in the combined stem condition than in the explicit withdrawal stem condition, but not in the explicit hangover stem condition. Within the combined stem condition, probed symptoms were more likely to be reported as a result of a hangover.

Conclusions

The AUDADIS potentially results in false positives for withdrawal, arguably a pathognomonic symptom of alcoholism and, in turn, likely affects rates of the diagnosis of AUD.
Estimating Risk of Alcohol Dependence Using Empirically Validated Ordinal Risk Zones Versus Recommended Binary Risk Zones of the RAPS4: A Validation Study Using Stratum‐Specific Likelihood Ratio Analysis
Authors: Cousins Gráinne , Mongan Deirdre , Barry Joe , Smyth Bobby , Rackard Marion , Long Jean
Published: June 2016

Background

Effective treatment options for alcohol dependence exist; yet, only 10% of people with alcohol dependence receive treatment. The objective of the current study was to examine the performance of previously recommended Rapid Alcohol Problem Screen 4 (RAPS4) risk zones, based on single binary cut‐points (RAPS4 ≥ 1; RAPS4 ≥ 2), and empirically identified RAPS4 risk zones to identify people with alcohol dependence so that further diagnostic assessment or interventions can be offered.

Method

Stratum‐specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to compare the screening performance of empirically identified “risk zones” on the RAPS4 to previously recommended binary cut‐points in a general population sample of current drinkers in Ireland (N = 4,267). SSLRs were also used along with the pretest prevalence of alcohol dependence to estimate posttest probabilities of alcohol dependence for the recommended and empirically identified risk zones.

Results

The weighted prevalence estimate of alcohol dependence among current drinkers was 6.9% (9.3% men; 4.5% women). The SSLR analysis identified multiple risk zones in the RAPS4, with each of the individual scores (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) retained as 5 separate ordinal risk zones for both men and women. A comparison of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the ordinal RAPS4 risk zones performed better than recommended binary thresholds for both men and women. Based on the pretest probability of 9.3% and the identified SSLRs for the ordinal risk zones, the posttest probability of alcohol dependence for men ranged from 1.6% for those in the lower risk zone (RAPS4 = 0) to 86.7% for those in the highest risk zone (RAPS4 = 4). The posttest probability of alcohol dependence for women ranged from 0.4% for those in the lower risk zone to 80% for those in the higher risk zone.

Conclusions

The detection of alcohol dependence may be improved using the empirically identified ordinal RAPS4 risk zones for both men and women. The application of the identified SSLRs, particularly if integrated into a clinical decision support system, may be helpful for clinicians in providing feedback to patients regarding their risk of alcohol dependence.
Adolescent Pathways to Entrepreneurship
Authors: Obschonka Martin
Published: June 2016

Entrepreneurship is crucial not only for creating jobs and innovating, but also because it reflects how personal agency and risk taking contribute to social change. Because entrepreneurship is widely regarded as a skill of the 21st century, societies worldwide want to design and implement education programs to encourage entrepreneurs. In this article, I discuss the role of the formative years of adolescence in the development of entrepreneurship, reviewing research on adolescent precursors of entrepreneurship. I also explore the role of the developing self‐concept and the interplay between biology and levels of context in the development of entrepreneurial skills throughout life. Finally, I propose a biopsychosocial model of entrepreneurial development and conclude with questions for researchers.
Steroid‐induced glaucoma treated with trabecular ablation in a matched comparison with primary open‐angle glaucoma
Authors: Dang Yalong , Kaplowitz Kevin , Parikh Hardik A , Roy Pritha , Loewen Ralitsa T , Francis Brian A , Loewen Nils A
Published: June 2016

Background

To evaluate the outcomes of trabectome‐mediated ab interno trabeculectomy in patients with steroid‐induced glaucoma (SIG).

Design

A retrospective, observational cohort study performed in the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Participants

The data of 60 patients with SIG and 484 controls with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) matched by age, gender and glaucoma index were collected from the Trabectome Study Group database.

Methods

Reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and medications were compared between POAG and SIG by multivariate regression. Kaplan–Meier was used for survival analysis. Success was defined as IOP ≤21 mmHg and at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline for any two consecutive visits after 3 months without secondary glaucoma surgery. Postoperative IOP and number of medications were compared with baseline in the SIG subgroups by the Wilcoxon test.

Main Outcome Measures

Intraocular pressure reduction and 1‐year success rate.

Results

Patients with SIG had a higher baseline IOP (31.4 ± 10.4vs. 24.1 ± 7.6 mmHg,P < 0.01) and obtained a greater IOP reduction than controls with POAG (48.4%vs. 31.5%,P < 0.01). Multivariate regression showed that patients with SIG had an IOP reduction of 6.7 ± 1.1 mmHg more than those with POAG. Survival rates at 12 months were comparable at 86% in the SIG group and 85% in the POAG group (P = 0.47). Patients with SIG with a high baseline IOP, younger age and advanced glaucoma experienced a larger IOP drop.

Conclusion

Trabectome appears to be an effective surgical treatment in reducing IOP for patients with SIG.
TUG1: a pivotal oncogenic long non‐coding RNA of human cancers
Authors: Li Zheng , Shen Jianxiong , Chan Matthew T.V. , Wu William Ka Kei
Published: June 2016

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group greater than 200 nucleotides in length. An increasing number of studies has shown that lncRNAs play important roles in diverse cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and chromatin remodelling. In this regard, deregulation of lncRNAs has been documented in human cancers. TUG1 is a recently identified oncogenic lncRNA whose aberrant upregulation has been detected in different types of cancer, including B‐cell malignancies, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and osteosarcoma. In these malignancies, knock‐down of TUG1 has been shown to suppress cell proliferation, invasion and/or colony formation. Interestingly, TUG1 has been found to be downregulated in non‐small cell lung carcinoma, indicative of its tissue‐specific function in tumourigenesis. Pertinent to clinical practice, TUG1 may act as a prognostic biomarker for tumours. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning the role of TUG1 in tumour progression and discuss mechanisms associated with it.
Proactive treatment of hip subluxation in cerebral palsy
Authors: Bauer Jeremy
Published: June 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Wawrzuta et al. on pages 1273–1280 of this issue.
Exit and the Epistemic Quality of Voice
Authors: Taylor Brad R.
Published: June 2016

Debates over the relationship between exit and voice in politics have focused on the quantity of citizen voice and its effectiveness in influencing public decisions. The epistemic quality of voice, on the other hand, has received much less attention. This article uses rational choice theory to argue that public sector exit options can lead to more informed and less biased expressions of voice. Whereas voters have weak incentives to gather and process information, exit options provide sharper epistemic incentives to produce knowledge which can spill over into voting decisions. Exit can thus improve democratic competence.
Contrasting Developments in UK Energy Regulation: Retail Policy and Consumer Engagement
Authors: Littlechild Stephen
Published: June 2016

This article explores the role of regulation as a supporting institution for an energy market. Two aspects are examined: first, the role of regulation in promoting a competitive market for the retail supply of energy, and second, the role of regulation in providing access to the transmission and distribution networks, assumed to be monopolies, that provide services for the retail suppliers. UK regulation promoted retail energy competition until 2008, but in that year changed direction, and since then has been restricting retail competition. In contrast, UK regulation since 2008 has encouraged more customer engagement in the network part of the energy sector. This offers the prospect, at least, of the emergence of a form of competition and choice in the process of setting price controls.
Collapse of Aortic Graft through Its Disarticulation Secondary to Periaortic Root Abscess: An Unusual Cause of Syncope
Authors: Tabakci Mehmet Mustafa , Yazicioglu Mehmet Vefik , Toprak Cuneyt , Demirel Muhittin , Avci Anıl
Published: June 2016

Mini‐Abstract

A 37‐year‐old man with prosthetic aortic valve and composite aortic graft was admitted to our emergency department with syncope and dyspnea. A transesophageal echocardiography revealed a vegetative mass on the aortic mechanic valve and a flow that originates from the left ventricle into the periaortic echogenic free space. There were a partial dehiscence of the mechanical valve conduit from the base of the heart and a periaortic root abscess/hematoma. Real time three‐dimensional TEE revealed complete disarticulation of the aortic graft that was totally collapsing during systole. We herein report a case who presented with syncope secondary to entire aortic graft collapse and periaortic annular abscess.
Unexpected platelets elevation in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenia treated with oseltamivir for influenza infection
Authors: Bigot Pierre , Auffret Marine , Gautier Sophie , Weinborn Marie , Ettahar Nicolas‐Kader , Coupé Patrick
Published: June 2016

Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor approved for the prevention and treatment of influenza. Few haematological side effects have been reported with oseltamivir. We report herein the case of an unexpected platelet increase in a 46‐year‐old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with oseltamivir for influenza. The mechanism may involve the neuraminidase inhibition which decrease platelet surface sialic acid content and reduce their removal by the reticuloendothelial system. Oseltamivir may be responsible for platelet increase especially in patients with ITP.
Rainfall and hydrological stability alter the impact of top predators on food web structure and function
Authors: Marino Nicholas A. C. , Srivastava Diane S. , MacDonald A. Andrew M. , Leal Juliana S. , Campos Alice B. A. , Farjalla Vinicius F.
Published: June 2016

Climate change will alter the distribution of rainfall, with potential consequences for the hydrological dynamics of aquatic habitats. Hydrological stability can be an important determinant of diversity in temporary aquatic habitats, affecting species persistence and the importance of predation on community dynamics. As such, prey are not only affected by drought‐induced mortality but also the risk of predation [a non‐consumptive effect (NCE)] and actual consumption by predators [a consumptive effect (CE)]. Climate‐induced changes in rainfall may directly, or via altered hydrological stability, affect predator–prey interactions and their cascading effects on the food web, but this has rarely been explored, especially in natural food webs. To address this question, we performed a field experiment using tank bromeliads and their aquatic food web, composed of predatory damselfly larvae, macroinvertebrate prey and bacteria. We manipulated the presence and consumption ability of damselfly larvae under three rainfall scenarios (ambient, few large rainfall events and several small rainfall events), recorded the hydrological dynamics within bromeliads and examined the effects on macroinvertebrate colonization, nutrient cycling and bacterial biomass and turnover. Despite our large perturbations of rainfall, rainfall scenario had no effect on the hydrological dynamics of bromeliads. As a result, macroinvertebrate colonization and nutrient cycling depended on the hydrological stability of bromeliads, with no direct effect of rainfall or predation. In contrast, rainfall scenario determined the direction of the indirect effects of predators on bacteria, driven by both predator CEs and NCEs. These results suggest that rainfall and the hydrological stability of bromeliads had indirect effects on the food web through changes in the CEs and NCEs of predators. We suggest that future studies should consider the importance of the variability in hydrological dynamics among habitats as well as the biological mechanisms underlying the ecological responses to climate change.
Social innovation in rural development: identifying the key factors of success
Authors: Neumeier Stefan
Published: June 2016

In political and lay discourses, social innovation has recently been seen as a promising solution to fill gaps caused by austerity politics, or as a means to meet the so‐called Grand Challenges of the twenty‐first century. This article focuses on factors supporting the success of social innovation; that is, factors that support the development of a social innovation that enhances the probability of a high rate of adoption. To achieve this, the questions addressed are: Which factors bring forward social innovation? Where in the innovation process do they take effect? To what extent can rural development policy purposefully exert influence on these factors? Drawing on findings in innovation and social innovation research as well as from the rural participative planning discourse, it is shown that three tiers of factors influence the success of social innovation. These are: (1) factors important for the success of the overall innovation process; (2) factors influencing the room to manoeuvre for the social innovation actor network; and (3) factors influencing the actual participation process. A closer look at each of these factors reveals that most of them are excluded from external steering, and only factors influencing the room to manoeuvre provide potential links for rural policy to support social innovation. This allows one to conclude that social innovation in rural development cannot be easily initiated or steered from the top down, raising the question of whether social innovation can be politically instrumentalised.
Daclatasvir/peginterferon lambda‐1a/ribavirin in patients with chronic HCV infection and haemophilia who are treatment naïve or prior relapsers to peginterferon alfa‐2a/ribavirin
Authors: Santagostino E. , Pol S. , Olveira A. , Reesink H. W. , van Erpecum K. , Bogomolov P. , Xu D. , Critelli L. , Srinivasan S. , Cooney E.
Published: June 2016

Aim

This study explores the potential role of a novel interferon‐containing regimen for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and underlying haemophilia.

Methods

This trial (NCT01741545) was an open‐label, non‐randomized phase 3 study, which included adult haemophiliacs with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Patients with HCV genotypes (GT)‐2 or ‐3 were treated with Lambda‐IFN/ribavirin (RBV)/daclatasvir (DCV) for 12 weeks (cohort A). Patients with HCV GT‐1b or ‐4 were treated with Lambda‐IFN/RBV/DCV for 12 weeks, followed by Lambda‐IFN/RBV for an additional 12 weeks (cohort B). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a sustained virologic response at post‐treatment follow‐up week 12 (SVR12). Clinical development of Lambda‐IFN was discontinued during this trial leading to study termination before a 24‐week post‐treatment follow‐up was obtained for all participants.

Results

Overall, 51 patients were treated (cohort A, n = 12; cohort B, n = 39). The proportion of patients achieving SVR12 was 92% in cohort A and 90% in cohort B. Therapy was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events (AEs) were related to elevations in serum transaminases and/or bilirubin. Five serious AEs, four discontinuations due to AEs, and no deaths were reported. The rate of grade 3–4 bilirubin elevations was 17–18% across cohorts.

Conclusion

Lambda‐IFN/RBV/DCV treatment demonstrated a high SVR rate and was generally well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with expectations for this special patient population. This study supports use of DCV as part of a combination treatment regimen for haemophiliacs with CHC.
Workplace Violence in Mental Health: A Victorian Mental Health Workforce Survey
Authors: Tonso Michael A. , Prematunga Roshani Kanchana , Norris Stephen J. , Williams Lloyd , Sands Natisha , Elsom Stephen J.
Published: June 2016

The international literature suggests workplace violence in mental health settings is a significant issue, yet little is known about the frequency, nature, severity and health consequences of staff exposure to violence in Australian mental health services. To address this gap, we examined these aspects of workplace violence as reported by mental health services employees in Victoria, Australia. The project used a cross‐sectional, exploratory descriptive design. A random sample of 1600 Health and Community Services Union members were invited to complete a survey investigating exposure to violence in the workplace, and related psychological health outcomes. Participants comprised employees from multiple disciplines including nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology and administration staff. A total of 411 members responded to the survey (26% response rate). Of the total sample, 83% reported exposure to at least one form of violence in the previous 12 months. The most frequently reported form of violence was verbal abuse (80%) followed by physical violence (34%) and then bullying/mobbing (30%). Almost one in three victims of violence (33%) rated themselves as being in psychological distress, 54% of whom reported being in severe psychological distress. The more forms of violence to which victims were exposed, the greater the frequency of reports of psychological distress. Workplace violence is prevalent in mental health facilities in Victoria. The nature, severity and health impact of this violence represents a serious safety concern for mental health employees. Strategies must be considered and implemented by healthcare management and policy makers to reduce and prevent violence.
Microsatellite diversity of the Nordic type of goats in relation to breed conservation: how relevant is pure ancestry?
Authors: Lenstra J.A. , Tigchelaar J. , Biebach I. ,   Econogene Consortium, Hallsson J.H. , Kantanen J. , Nielsen V.H. , Pompanon F. , Naderi S. , Rezaei H.‐R. , Sæther N. , Ertugrul O. , Grossen C. , Camenisch G. , Vos‐Loohuis M. , van Straten M. , de Poel E.A. , Windig J. , Oldenbroek K.
Published: June 2016

In the last decades, several endangered breeds of livestock species have been re‐established effectively. However, the successful revival of the Dutch and Danish Landrace goats involved crossing with exotic breeds and the ancestry of the current populations is therefore not clear. We have generated genotypes for 27 FAO‐recommended microsatellites of these landraces and three phenotypically similar Nordic‐type landraces and compared these breeds with central European, Mediterranean and south‐west Asian goats. We found decreasing levels of genetic diversity with increasing distance from the south‐west Asian domestication site with a south‐east‐to‐north‐west cline that is clearly steeper than the Mediterranean east‐to‐west cline. In terms of genetic diversity, the Dutch Landrace comes next to the isolated Icelandic breed, which has an extremely low diversity. The Norwegian coastal goat and the Finnish and Icelandic landraces are clearly related. It appears that by a combination of mixed origin and a population bottleneck, the Dutch and Danish Land‐races are separated from the other breeds. However, the current Dutch and Danish populations with the multicoloured and long‐horned appearance effectively substitute for the original breed, illustrating that for conservation of cultural heritage, the phenotype of a breed is more relevant than pure ancestry and the genetic diversity of the original breed. More in general, we propose that for conservation, the retention of genetic diversity of an original breed and of the visual phenotype by which the breed is recognized and defined needs to be considered separately.
The first months at sea: marine migration and habitat use of sea trout Salmo trutta post‐smolts
Authors: Flaten A. C. , Davidsen J. G. , Thorstad E. B. , Whoriskey F. , Rønning L. , Sjursen A. D. , Rikardsen A. H. , Arnekleiv J. V.
Published: June 2016

The early migration and habitat use of brown trout Salmo trutta post‐smolts tagged with acoustic transmitters (n = 50) were investigated in a fjord system in central Norway from 30 April to 26 November 2014. The main aims were to investigate return rate, marine residence time and spatial use of the fjord system. Median seaward migration and return to fresh water dates were 22 May and 4 July, respectively. Of the 40 seaward migrating smolts, 26 returned to fresh water, giving a minimum return rate to fresh water of 65%. Entrance to the fjord from the river occurred mainly at night (80% of the S. trutta), however, no such diurnal pattern was observed during the return migration. Mean marine residence time was 38 days, but with large individual variation (22–99 days). The innermost parts of the study area were more utilized than the outer part of the fjord system during the sea residency, and with more use of the near shore habitat than the open, pelagic areas. Many post‐smolts also utilized the outer part of the fjord system, however, and 94% of the post‐smolts were recorded at least 14 km from the home river mouth. Marine survival and distribution in the fjord were size dependent with the largest individuals utilizing outer fjord areas and having higher return rates to fresh water. As far as is known, this is the first published study on temporal and spatial behaviour in the marine environment of first‐time S. trutta migrants during the full course of their first trip to sea.
Recovery of Proteins from Rice Mill Industry Waste (Rice Bran) Using Alkaline or NaCl‐Assisted Alkaline Extraction Processes
Authors: Gadalkar Sagar M. , Gogate Parag R. , Rathod Virendra K.
Published: June 2016

The extraction of rice bran proteins from rice mill industry waste was performed using alkali and NaCl combined with alkali (at pH of 9) as the extracting medium. Initially, residual oil was extracted from the crude rice bran followed by removal of solvent used for oil extraction. The optimum processing conditions for the alkaline extraction were established as pH of 9, solute to solvent ratio as 1:50, agitation speed as 400 rpm and recovery time of 2 h. Using these optimized conditions, the yield obtained was around 76%, but some undesired phenolic compounds were also extracted along with proteins giving bitter taste and dark color to the recovered protein. To eliminate this issue, extraction was also performed using NaCl solution in combination with alkali and the optimum parameters for this combined approach were established as NaCl concentration of 0.5 M, solute to solvent ratio as 1:50, recovery time of 2 h and agitation speed of 400 rpm. Under these conditions, 70% recovery of proteins was achieved but most importantly with the desired quality characteristics.

Practical Applications

Current industrial processes use harsh conditions to extract oil and recovery of hexane after oil extraction, which denatures the proteins in rice bran, due to high temperatures used in processing. Also, there are some protein extraction processes, in which extraction is performed with higher alkaline pH giving bitterness and dark color to the final protein concentrate. A modified process was developed using low temperature (60°C) for oil extraction and hexane recovery with application of vacuum (200 mbar). Protein extraction was performed using alkaline extraction at optimum pH of 9 and combined NaCl and alkaline extraction, which helped to eliminate the problem of bitterness and color. The development of process with higher extraction in a lower time and improved protein quality is of great importance from an industrial point of view.
In vitro Antagonistic Interactions Between Endophytic Basidiomycetes of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) and Ganoderma boninense
Authors: Naidu Yuvarani , Idris Abu Seman , Madihah Ahmad Zairun , Kamarudin Norman
Published: June 2016

Ganoderma boninense is a white rot basidiomycete that causes basal stem rot disease of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). The aims of this study were to identify endophytic basidiomycetes occurring naturally within oil palm and to assess their potential as biocontrol agents against G. boninense strain PER71 in vitro. In total, 376 isolates were recovered from samples collected from the root, stem and leaves of oil palm using Ganoderma‐selective medium. Ten of these isolates (2.7% of the total 376 isolates) were identified as basidiomycetes on the basis of clamp connections and the production of poroid basidiomes after incubation in glass jars containing PDA medium for 7–12 days. The isolates were identified using ITS rDNA sequencing as Neonothopanus nambi (five isolates), Schizophyllum commune (four isolates) and Ganoderma orbiforme (one isolate). The N. nambi isolates showed the greatest antagonistic activity against G. boninense, based on 73–85% inhibition of the radial growth measurements of G. boninense in dual culture and 76–100% inhibition of G. boninense growth in a culture filtrate assay. Possible modes of action for the antagonism shown by N. nambi against G. boninense in vitro include competition for substrate availability, space and the production of non‐volatile metabolites or antibiotics that inhibited the growth of G. boninense. Further in vivo investigations are required to determine the ability of N. nambi isolates to colonize oil palm seedlings and to protect oil palm from infection when challenged with G. boninense.
Teacher Identified Professional Learning Needs to Effectively Include a Child With Down Syndrome in Primary Mathematics
Authors: Faragher Rhonda , Clarke Barbara
Published: June 2016

The practices of effective primary school teachers including students with Down syndrome in their mathematics classes are largely unexplored and many teachers feel unprepared to teach students with an intellectual disability. The authors sought to find out what these specific professional learning (PL) needs were and if they changed over time. A mixed methods study was undertaken to investigate the practices of primary mathematics teachers including students with Down syndrome in regular class lessons in two Australia educational jurisdictions. A variety of approaches was used to gain an understanding of their practices. Findings are based on responses to a questionnaire administered to teaching teams at the beginning and end of the school year. There was a strong endorsement of inclusion as an appropriate practice in primary mathematics. The PL needs of teaching teams changed across the teaching year. Early requirements concerned understanding Down syndrome and its impact on learning and behavior. As the school year progressed, PL needs changed toward a greater focus on the need for specific resources and strategies for teaching mathematics. The PL requirements of teachers included the need for “in‐time” support. The authors conclude that even if it may be infrequent when a teacher has a student with Down syndrome in a mathematics class, teachers still need access to PL that evolves across the school year, from less focus on syndrome‐specific information to greater emphasis on teaching mathematics through adjusting learning outcomes and teaching approaches.
Development of Self‐Help, Language, and Academic Skills in Persons With Down Syndrome
Authors: de Graaf Gert , de Graaf Erik
Published: June 2016

Using visual analysis by means of scatterplots, correlational analysis, and linear regressions, the authors explored the skills of individuals with Down syndrome in the areas of self‐help, language, academics, and computer skills. By combining data of several Dutch studies, they obtained 1,252 different observations made by parents on 862 individuals, aged <1–35 years. Research shows advancement in language skills up to the age of 12, with plateauing afterward. In contrast, self‐help skills still increase in adolescence and young adulthood. Academics and computer skills improve up to the age of 14. However, less developed academic skills (and computer skills) of adolescents and young adults appear to be a generational difference, rather than a loss of acquired skills. In their analysis, the authors differentiated between students with a primarily regular school career vs. those with a primarily special school career. In addition, in both groups, the studies were differentiated between students with an IQ >50 vs. an IQ between 35 and 50. The comparison between the various subgroups revealed that children with special education backgrounds in the higher IQ range demonstrated less advanced academic skills than children with regular education backgrounds in the lower IQ range. This suggests that regular education is more stimulating for academic skill development. Using age, “school career,” and IQ (<35; 35–50; 50–60; 60–70; >70) as predictors, regressions confirmed this conclusion. The authors conclude that their analyses show that the shift in the early 1990s in the Netherlands toward more inclusion in education for students with Down syndrome has led to better outcomes in academic skill development for these students.
Effect of Taekwondo Training on Lower Body Strength and Balance in Young Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Carter Kathy , Horvat Michael
Published: June 2016

Research with individuals with Down syndrome (DS) suggests that increasing strength and balance may lead to increases in independence and self‐reliance. Taekwondo has been shown to increase strength and balance in typically developing (TD) individuals. A study was undertaken to determine whether Taekwondo training can improve lower body strength and balance of young adults with DS. Forty‐four adults with DS aged 21–30 years were assigned to either taekwondo classes 2 days/weeks for 10 weeks (n = 22) or a control group (n = 22). Measurements were taken prior to training, after 5 weeks and after 10 weeks of training, and after a 5 week detraining period. Strength was measured utilizing a hand‐held dynamometer. Balance tests utilized the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB) with eyes open and closed, whereas dynamic balance was measured utilizing a limits of stability (LOS) test. A repeated measures MANOVA (significance level set at p < .05) was utilized to determine differences between groups over time for each of the three assessments. It was found that there was a significant mean increase in lower body strength after 5 weeks (pre: 142.1 lbs ± 52.4; 5 week: 197.7 lbs ± 71.2), and an additional increase after 10 weeks of training (10 week: 227.9 lbs ± 74.9). A decrease in strength was shown after detraining (188.5 lbs ± 63.7). Strength measures for the control group remained unchanged. There were no significant differences seen between groups in static or dynamic balance. The authors concluded that Taekwondo can be an effective method to increase strength of individuals with DS. Additional research is needed to determine if these strength changes lead to benefits related to physical function and independence.
Comprehensive In Situ Analysis of Arteriolar Network Geometry and Topology in Rat Gluteus Maximus Muscle
Authors: Al Tarhuni Mohammed , Goldman Daniel , Jackson Dwayne N.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To provide detailed geometric and topological descriptions of the rat gluteus maximus arteriolar network, and to measure the distribution of diameters and lengths as well as their associated variability within and between networks.

Methods

Complete arteriolar networks arising from feed artery (inferior gluteal artery) to terminal branches were imaged under baseline conditions, using IVVM. Photomontages of complete networks were assembled and evaluated offline for measurements of geometry and topology. Single‐line (skeletonized) tracings of the networks were made for fractal analysis.

Results

Diameters and lengths decreased with increasing topological order (centrifugal), while number of elements increased with increasing order. Horton's laws were shown to be valid within the arteriolar networks of the rat GM. Inter‐network variability in diameter (~5–22%) and length (~17–30%) at each order was generally lower than the corresponding intra‐network variability in diameter (~10–48%) and length (~39–106%).

Conclusions

Data presented in this study provide crucial quantitative analysis of complete arteriolar networks within healthy skeletal muscle, and may serve as ideal experimental inputs for future theoretical studies of skeletal muscle microvascular structure and function.
Mechanosensitive Gq/11 Protein–Coupled Receptors Mediate Myogenic Vasoconstriction
Authors: Mederos y Schnitzler Michael , Storch Ursula , Gudermann Thomas
Published: June 2016

Myogenic vasoconstriction (Bayliss effect) is mediated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of small resistance arteries sensing mechanical forces. During the last three decades, several proteins have been proposed as VSMC mechanosensors. Our previous studies highlighted agonist‐independent mechanical activation of Gq/11 protein‐coupled receptors (Gq/11PCRs) in VSMCs of resistance arteries. In particular, angiotensin II AT1 receptors (AT1Rs) emerged as mechanosensors mediating myogenic tone. Moreover, we found that the AT1B receptor isoform was more mechanosensitive than the AT1A receptor. Interestingly, cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptors (CysLT1Rs) were up‐regulated in AT1R‐deficient arteries as an essential backup strategy to compensate for the loss of vasoconstrictor receptors. Up‐regulation of CysLT1Rs resulted in increased myogenic tone at low intraluminal pressures resulting in hyperactivity of AT1R‐deficient arteries. Only at high intraluminal pressures myogenic tone was reduced, thus reflecting the loss of AT1Rs. Further, CysLT1Rs were involved in myogenic vasoconstriction of wild‐type arteries. Simultaneous blockade of AT1Rs and CysLT1Rs in wild‐type arteries caused reduction in myogenic tone of more than 60% comparable to the application of the selective Gq/11‐protein inhibitor YM‐254890. Our findings suggest that AT1Rs and CysLT1Rs are crucial mechanosensors in resistance arteries mediating 60% of myogenic vasoconstriction via the Gq/11‐protein pathway without involvement of endogenous agonists.