bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation plan and “green maintenance” from sustainable repair perspectives
Authors: Kayan Brit Anak
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– It is well recognised that Conservation Plan has attracted attention to the maintenance of historic buildings; despite diverse array of issues, particularly associated with “Green Maintenance” concept and methodology and sustainable repair approach. The theory of these three concepts currently exists, but fails to be realised in practical integration. The purpose of this paper to ask why this failure is occurring and how it influences sustainable historic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is composed of a critical review of existing literature and an argument built based on the concept of a Conservation Plan, “Green Maintenance” concept and methodology and sustainable repair approach for historic buildings.

Findings

– Despite the need of maintenance of historic buildings, this review suggests that a Conservation Plan often mitigates against its own association with “Green Maintenance”. Conversely, this could be improved by transforming the integration to be more pronounced in achieving sustainable repair for historic buildings.

Practical implications

– An integration of the concept of a Conservation Plan, “Green Maintenance” and sustainable repair approach could be utilised to form the basis of decision-making process for achieving sustainable historic environment.

Social implications

– An integration of Conservation Plan, “Green Maintenance” and sustainable repair approach will be positively welcomed as our society moves towards a low carbon economy and materials as well as “green” procurement.

Originality/value

– Unless integration between of a Conservation Plan, “Green Maintenance” and sustainable repair is improved, much of our culturally significant historic buildings will not be repaired in sustainable ways and our future generation may lose their historic environment.
Climate adaptation strategies: achieving insight in microclimate effects of redevelopment options
Authors: Kleerekoper L. , Dobbelsteen A.A.J.F. van den , Hordijk G.J. , Dorst M.J. van , Martin C.L.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Due to the predicted global temperature rise and local expansion and densification of cities, Urban Heat Islands (UHI) are likely to increase in the Netherlands. As spatial characteristics of a city influence its climate, urban design could be deployed to mitigate the combined effects of climate change and UHIs. Although cities are already experiencing problems during warm-weather periods, no clear spatial means or strategies are available for urban designers to alleviate heat stress. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– There is a lack of knowledge on cooling effects that can be achieved through urban design in Dutch neighbourhoods. In this paper, the cooling effects of various design measures are compared on the level of urban blocks and neighbourhoods, with a focus on a 1960s neighbourhood in Amsterdam-West. The cooling effects are simulated by means of the microclimate model ENVI-met, here the effects on air temperature and physiological equivalent temperature will be evaluated.

Findings

– The use of green, and a higher roof albedo in particular, seem to perform well as cooling measures. Combinations of cooling measures do not necessarily result in better performance and might even counteract other cooling effects. However, combinations of measures that lead to an increase in the environmental temperature show the largest heating.

Research limitations/implications

– Effects of green roofs and facades are beyond the scope of this study, though future suggestions for this research will be included.

Originality/value

– The results add to the body of knowledge in the area of climate design enabling policy makers and designers to estimate the effect of simulated measures in comparable neighbourhoods and thus improve thermal comfort in outdoor spaces.
East Side Bank: The Dilemma of Technology
Authors: Drexel C. Michael
Published: May 2015

Carol O'Reilly is the Executive Vice President of a regional bank in the New York metro area. She is evaluating an investment in online banking as an extension of bank services. Her bank, East Side Bank, is one of the most productive in the U.S. In fact, it was named America's most efficient bank in 1998. This became a cornerstone of their marketing strategy and they fiercely protected their efficiency ratio. She received a visiting contingent of bankers from Finland. Their use of technology and online banking was far more developed than most U.S. banks. Yet they were not nearly as efficient as the top U.S. banks. They discovered on their visit, that their cross selling had suffered as their online capability advanced. The U.S. bank customer was more profitable because they used multiple bank services and were willing to pay higher fees for the personal contact. This case centers on the implications of this revelation to East Side Bank.

The primary subject matter of this case concerns the potential impact of the adoption of online banking to a commercial bank. Secondary issues include strategic decision making in the banking industry and a comparison of the impact of technology on banks in Finland and the U.S.

The case has a difficulty level of three, which makes it appropriate for a junior level course. The case is designed to be taught in ½ hours and requires about 3 hours of preparation. It is designed for use in Strategy, Marketing, Money and Banking, or International Business courses.
Clouds on the Horizon: IQSoft Ltd
Authors: Scherpereel Christopher M.
Published: May 2015

The case is set in the emerging markets of Central Europe, shortly after the fall of communism. IQSOFT Ltd Hungary is a small information technology firm spun off from a centralized government agency. With very little capital, IQSOFT Ltd found itself competing in the same market with large multinational companies. The situation presents the delicate balance between traditional beliefs and values and the need to survive. As an organizational change problem there is an interrelationship between the strategy of the firm, the organizations capabilities, and the capacity to change. These interrelationships must then be meshed within the human context. The biases, opinions, agendas, and experiences of the key decision makers all have an impact on the feasibility of any change recommendation. Balint Domolki, Managing director of IQSoft, realized that the organization had evolved to meet the firm's survival needs, but was it positioned correctly for the future?
Pastor Karl at the Whitney Avenue Congregational Church
Authors: O'Connell David
Published: May 2015

This case presents the challenges facing a new pastor at Whitney Avenue Congregational church. For many years the church has seen declining membership. Karl, the new pastor, is expected to help foster growth, but as he has learned, some organization members fear that he may want to change more than they would like to see changed. Karl must decide how to conduct himself at the next church council meeting. He also must decide on an approach to effect positive change in the organization.
To Palletize or Not to Palletize?
Authors: Clendenen Gary , Hutchins John Mark
Published: May 2015

East Texas Oxygen (ETOX) delivered high-pressure cylinders of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen to twelve wholly-owned branches scattered throughout East Texas and Louisiana. Employees loaded and unloaded individual high-pressure cylinders off of and onto trailers manually and the firm had never had a related accident. Robert Jenkins had been challenged to decrease the cost of supplying the branches with cylinders and other supplies. He was considering recommending the palletization of delivery operations which required numerous changes within the organization. This case required students to determine the best routing for the delivery truck(s) and to determine whether or not the number of trucks and drivers could be reduced under palletization. Students were then required to do a capital budgeting analysis and make a recommendation of whether or not to palletize.
Professor Moore and The “Demons” of Review
Authors: Vega Gina , Armandi Barry , Leach Thomas
Published: May 2015

This is the third in a series of articles about case research, writing, teaching, and reviewing. In this article, the protagonist, Prof. Moore, receives mixed reviews on his case submission and learns how to respond to them in a positive way. The article is written as if it were a case; it is fictitious.
Enterprise Risk Management at Great Plains Energy
Authors: Leggio Karyl B. , Taylor Marilyn L. , Utter Jana
Published: May 2015

This case looks at the design and implementation of a risk management strategy. It reviews the early moves by Great Plains Energy (GPE) to establish a corporate-wide Enterprise Risk Management program. The corporate Chief Risk Officer is Andrea Bielsker. Andrea appointed Jana Utter to take charge of coordinating the design and implementation of the ERM program. Utter faces a number of challenges. She has had to first conceptualize the program given the charge by the Board of Directors, then design a process by which she identifies the risks that the corporation faces, assist in designing measures for the risks, and work with the various divisions and functional areas to put processes in place to mitigate the identified risks.
Exploring Strategic Change A Case Analysis of the ConocoPhillips Merger
Authors: Ockree Kanalis A. , Martin James , Moellenberndt Richard A.
Published: May 2015

This is an illustrative case analyzing shareholder and accounting outcomes and legal issues resulting from a merger of two major publicly traded companies. In today's business world, the “urge to merge” is tempered by heightened shareholder activism. In response to this activism, boards must proceed with care when negotiating mergers. Challenges to mergers that appear to be in the shareholders' best interest occur often. As is the case here, shareholders and their well funded legal representatives, seek damages for alleged bad decisions. Conoco Oil and Phillips Petroleum announced their intention to merge in November 2001. At that time the cost of gasoline spiraled ever upward and large oil firms put heavy competitive pressure on smaller oil producer/refiners. The merger described as a “merger of equals”, intimated that neither Conoco nor Phillips shareholders would receive a financial advantage (or disadvantage) over other merging shareholders following the completion of the merger. Immediately following the announcement, Michael Iorio, a Conoco shareholder, filed a lawsuit, claiming damages to Conoco shareholders from the merger of the two firms.
Microfinance Institutions in Transition: The Case of Fonkoze's Transformation
Authors: Tucker Michael , Tellis Winston , Franceschi Dina
Published: May 2015

Fonkoze is the largest Microfinance Institution in Haiti whose clients are mostly poor women. The authors had access to documents and meetings of the organization for an extended period, and observed the growth of the organization from a single office to 21 branch offices. In so doing, their staff had to spend increasing time in fundraising so that they could make more loans to the existing and new customers. This case presents the decisions of the Board and the management to alleviate some of those problems. Against a backdrop of political and civil turmoil, the case could be instructive for students and instructors alike. The Board had to decide whether to apply for status as a regulated bank, or to transform into some other financial entity.
Business Models & Financial Structures A Strategy Mystery Game
Authors: Hurt Stephanie , Hurt Marcus
Published: May 2015

The ‘Game’ is really a multi-industry case that aims at developing participants' awareness of the links between firms' strategic choices and the financial structures the choices engender. Participants are provided with Balance Sheet percentages and common ratios for firms in 12 different industries and list of different businesses and asked to match the figures with the kind of business. The goal is for participants to understand how industries' operating models impose certain financial structures.

The case is run as a kind of mystery game but leads to rather sophisticated analysis of industry and business models. The case leads students to a better understanding of the essential concepts of a business strategy course: 1) external analysis by helping students ‘see’ the structures of different industries; 2) making clear the link between the competencies and capabilities needed by firms in their internal environment to successfully compete in their industries by matching the key success factors at work; 3) providing a tangible illustrations of the competencies that must be developed to successfully pilot business strategies like cost leadership and differentiation; and, 4) developing insight into integration and outsourcing strategies and their effects.

A detailed Teaching Note accompanies the case.
Hughes Family Furniture Store1
Authors: Carson Charles M. , Ishee Jonathan N.
Published: May 2015

Erick Wilson and Richard Hyche, managers of Hughes Family Furniture Store in Charlotte N.C. are exploring new ways to motivate their sales force to sell more of one of their most profitable items, a Furniture Protection Plan. They are considering a new compensation plan but are concerned about how this new change might affect their sales force.
Jaśkiewicz i S – ka1
Authors: Tiemann Thomas K. , Gunby Norris W.
Published: May 2015

Jan Jaśkiewicz was a successful small grocer in Białystok, Poland, a city of about 300,000. When Poland became a capitalistic nation again in the late 1980s, Jaśkiewicz was among the early entrepreneurs. In the late 1990s, multi-national grocery chains from across Europe began building new, large stores on the outskirts of most Polish cities, including Białystok. In early summer 2000, a few days before the case begins, local independent grocers had been called together by Lewiatan, a Polish wholesale grocer. Lewiatan could offer the smaller grocers the advantages of the chains: bulk buying, Lewiatan-branded goods, slotting fees, and cooperative advertising. The local grocers liked many of the benefits Lewiatan would bring, but were suspicious and wanted someone they knew to be the area representative before they would agree to join Lewiatan. They had called a second meeting to try and find someone to fill the role. Jaśkiewicz was a natural choice: he had been in both the retail and wholesale grocery business, had been in business longer than almost everyone else, and was well-respected. Jan was tempted. Not only did he want to grow his own business, he wanted other Poles to be successful business owners and felt that if he could help Lewiatan, Lewiatan could help others compete with the new, large, foreign-owned and professionally-managed stores.
Poland’s LPP
Authors: Nair Anil , Karweta Maja
Published: May 2015

In 2005, LPP SA was one of the fastest growing firms in Poland’s apparel industry, with popular brands such as RESERVED and CROPP. This case focuses on the apparel industry, LPP’s business and international strategies, and its internal capabilities. The case also offers a background on the communist rule in Poland and how it led to economic malaise that sparked the strikes by Solidarity under the leadership of Lech Walesa. These strikes eventually cascaded into the demand for reforms and the collapse of the communist regime. Thus, the case tracks Poland’s transition into an “emerging market” and the environment within which LPP developed. The case concludes by asking readers whether LPP needs to reorient its strategies and develop new capabilities to sustain its growth.
Reinventing the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Maryi*
Authors: Vega Gina , Primeaux Patrick
Published: May 2015

The Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CBVM), a Catholic order founded in the early 1800s, was faced with a series of strategic concerns, including an aging clerical population, a changing laity, reduced finances, very limited vocations, and an evolving mission. Some of these concerns faced the Catholic Church in America as a whole (including sexual abuse, not discussed in this case) and several of these issues were also facing the Catholic Church worldwide. The serious matters facing them were threatening the continued viability of the order in America, and the guidance they were receiving from Rome - instruction to decide which of three suggested models for restructuring they would adopt - seemed to back them into a corner, requiring selection from among several strategies not devised by their membership and commitment to the selected strategy going forward. Change was necessary, but one of the major concerns of the order was that it remain consistent with its stated mission while adapting to a new environment and “operating system.” Their decisions were driven by Rome, but the decisions were not made by Rome; the CBVM was as autonomous in its decision-making as any decentralized international organization.
Case Writing and Research: Professor Moore Teaches a Class with Cases1
Authors: Sherman Herbert , Vega Gina
Published: May 2015

This is the fourth in a series of articles about case research, writing, teaching, and reviewing. In this article, the protagonist, Prof. Moore, consults experienced case teachers and learns many different approaches to use in the classroom. The article is written as if it were a case; it is fictitious.
le Papertique, LLC1
Authors: Subramanian Ram
Published: May 2015

Heather Loya started her custom designed wedding invitations business in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, when she was no longer comfortable commuting to New York City from New Jersey for her corporate job. In the ensuing years, her business picked up to the extent that she was making a reasonable income from it. She was due to become a first time mother in July 2007. Her impending motherhood made her realize that she would not be able to work long hours in her one-person business after the birth of her child. She had started a webbased business that was set up to sell wedding invitation accessories (such as boxes, ribbons, etc.) procured from various vendors. This business was expected to take less of her time as compared to the custom business, but the custom business made better use of her creative talents. Heather now had to make a decision whether to emphasize the web-based business to compensate for the likely decrease in revenues from her custom business (because of motherhood) or to just continue her custom business in a scaled down form.
The MBA Consulting Project with Steel City Salvage
Authors: Gurley Kathleen , Wishart Craig G.
Published: May 2015

This case study is based on an MBA team's experience in analyzing a scrap metal recycling business and developing recommendations to improve the performance of the business. The company, Steel City Salvage, has three locations which are managed as separate business entities. The case focuses on the business repercussions of the poor integration across the three locations, and the team's choice of options to improve the integration. These options include changes in organizational structure, processes or culture/leadership style. The case allows students to see how their own experience and education may bias their selection of a preferred option.
CBS Radio and the Imus Incident
Authors: Bacon Calvin M.
Published: May 2015

On April 4, 2007, Don Imus, one of the company&s most popular talk show personalities made comments on the air regarding the Rutgers women&s basketball team. According to the transcription from Media Matters for America, Imus said, “ That&s some nappy-headed hos there. I&m gonna tell you that now, man, that&s some … woo. And the girls from Tennessee, they all look cute, you know, so, like … kinda like … I don&t know.” At first, the comments did not seem out of the ordinary for one of radio&s “shock jocks.” However, as the public reaction grew, the situation changed considerably. Under pressure from the public, Moonves reluctantly suspended Imus. But it was too little too late. By the end of the day on April 11, analysts estimated that $2.5 million in advertising revenue was lost. On April 12, Moonves terminated Don Imus& contract.

After Moonves fired Imus, there was still a lot to consider. He really wanted a way for the company to meet the demands of the company&s stakeholders. In addition, he wanted to avoid any more distractions from the firm&s normal day-to-day operations.
ER Medical Director1
Authors: Carson Charles M. , Marshall Jennings B.
Published: May 2015

Dr. Lawrence Frazier was an emergency room physician who was an employee of Honore Staffing Services of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He worked at Methodist Health System hospital in Grant, Georgia. He had recently added the title of ER Medical Director and served as liaison between Honore staffing and the Methodist hospital. His additional duties included overseeing the other physicians which staff the emergency room. Methodist had a bonus system in place based on obtaining 31 patients’ satisfaction surveys each month. Dr. Frazier believed that the small sample lead to erroneous results and created problems for the physicians under his supervision. He wanted to change the data collection process (e.g. sample size collected, instrument), but encountered obstacles when he broached the subject with his hospital administrators.
Kija Kim and Harvard Design & Mapping Co.
Authors: Moore Lynda L. , Betters-Reed Bonita L.
Published: May 2015

This case is about Kija Kim, a Korean born founder and CEO of Harvard Design and Mapping Inc. (HDM). Founded in 1988, HDM is a cutting-edge GIS firm with $5 million in revenue and 35 employees in their Cambridge, MA and Washington D.C. offices. Through Kija Kim's leadership, HDM has become a significant niche player in homeland security and disaster relief. The case ends in fall 2005 just after HDM provided Hurricane Katrina mapping support, and Kija is nominated for the SBA Small Business Person of the Year. This case explores the intersection between cultural heritage, leadership effectiveness and organizational behavior. It particularly notes Kija's ability to turn her immigrant female minority status into a business advantage. This strength coupled with her ethos of care and ability to network in all walks of her life contributes to her distinctive and integrated leadership style. Definitions of leadership success and implications for decision making are also highlighted.
Transforming fire prevention: a case study
Authors: Higgins Emma , Taylor Mark , Francis Hulya , Jones Mark , Appleton Deb
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the transformation of fire prevention processes via improved targeting of fire prevention interventions over a four-year period.

Design/methodology/approach

– A four-year case study of the transformation of fire prevention processes involving a UK fire and rescue service, local council, National Health Service primary care trust and a police force was undertaken.

Findings

– Understanding the socio-economic causal factors underlying unintentional dwelling fires, and the need to work in collaborative partnerships to achieve change in such factors can support more targeted and effective fire prevention activities.

Research limitations/implications

– Analysis of underlying causal factors and their relationships, together with population segmentation and working in coordinated collaborative partnerships, can support enhanced fire risk assessment and community safety. This supported more pro-active early intervention fire risk management.

Practical implications

– Analysis of socio-economic causal factors and socio-economic groups associated with unintentional dwelling fires can assist in targeting fire prevention activities in a more effective and efficient manner. This enabled the fire and rescue service to target fire prevention to social groups most at risk of dwelling fires and the types of fires (for example, kitchen fires) relevant to the different social groups.

Social implications

– Collaborative public sector partnerships can achieve change in the socio-economic circumstances of at-risk individuals to support fire prevention. This enables the social- and health-related factors underlying fire risk to be addressed by the relevant partner health or social services agencies.

Originality/value

– The detailed analysis of the transformation of fire prevention activities that led to an implemented approach to enhance community safety. In particular, the analysis and evaluation of the move to collaborative multi-agency partnerships to support and improve fire prevention activities.
Urbanization, oxidative stress and inflammation: a question of evolving, acclimatizing or coping with urban environmental stress
Authors: Isaksson Caroline
Published: May 2015

To estimate the impact of urbanization on wild animals, it is important to know how different species, populations and/or individuals deal with and respond to environmental stress. Are more urbanized species adapted to their environment, or do individuals acclimatize over the course of their life? Alternatively, do they simply cope at the expense of other functions? These are three key processes that I will address using two important physiological responses as case traits, namely oxidative stress and inflammation, – which are known to be under genetic control as well as showing great plasticity.

Oxidative stress is a state of more reactive oxidants than antioxidants, which may cause tissue damage linked to disease and senescence. Inflammation, on the other hand, is the response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli. However, under progressive stimuli, inflammation may also cause tissue destruction and pathology.

Although patterns and strengths of effects are not always clear cut, the often interconnected oxidative stress and inflammation have the potential to be severely affected by urban stressors, thereby mechanistically linking ecology to fitness. Here I discuss five major urban stressors: chemical, noise and artificial night light pollution, disease and diet, and how their individual and combinatory effects may affect these two physiological responses.

To start to disentangle whether physiological responses are a question of evolving, acclimatizing or coping with the urban environment, population genetics along with regulatory mechanisms of gene expression will shed light on the ‘costs’ of urban life and help to understand why some species or genotypes thrive, while others are absent, in urban areas. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been successful for explaining local adaptation and tolerance towards acute toxic substances. However, for multiple stressors acting in concert, at low chronic exposure, investigations of epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression may be more illuminating.

Here I review the pathways by which genetic and epigenetic mechanisms can affect oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in urban environments, thereby affecting overall fitness. By doing so, I identify the major outstanding gaps of knowledge in the interfaces between ecology, toxicology, evolutionary and molecular biology to inform future studies of urban wildlife.
Exploiting the richest patch has a fitness pay‐off for the migratory swift parrot
Authors: Stojanovic Dejan , Terauds Aleks , Westgate Martin J. , Webb Matthew H. , Roshier David A. , Heinsohn Robert
Published: May 2015

Unlike philopatric migrants, the ecology of nomadic migrants is less well understood. This life‐history strategy reflects responses to spatiotemporal variation in resource availability and the need to find resource rich patches to initiate breeding. The fitness consequences of movements between regions of patchily distributed resources can provide insight into ecology of all migrants and their responses to global change.

We link broad‐scale data on spatiotemporal fluctuation in food availability to data on settlement patterns and fitness outcomes for a nomadic migrant, the endangered swift parrot Lathamus discolor. We test several predictions to determine whether facultative movements are adaptive for individual swift parrots in an environment where resources are patchily distributed over time and space.

Variation in the availability of swift parrot food resources across our study period was dramatic. As a consequence, swift parrots moved to breed wherever food was most abundant and did not resettle nesting regions in successive years when food availability declined. By moving, swift parrots exploited a variable food resource and reproduced successfully.

Exploiting the richest patches allowed swift parrots to maintain stable fitness outcomes between discrete breeding events at different locations. Unlike sedentary species that often produce few or lower quality offspring when food is scarce, nomadic migration buffered swift parrots against extreme environmental variation.

We provide the first detailed evidence that facultative movements and nomadic migration are adaptive for individuals in unpredictable environments. Our data support the widely held assumption that nomadic migration allows animals to escape resource limitation.
Spatial distribution of fishes in a NorthwestAtlantic ecosystem in relation to risk of predation by a marine mammal
Authors: Swain Douglas P. , Benoît Hugues P. , Hammill Mike O.
Published: May 2015

Numerous studies have shown that, at spatial scales of metres to several kilometres, animals balance the trade‐off between foraging success and predation mortality by increasing their use of safer but less profitable habitats as predation risk increases. However, it is less clear whether prey respond similarly at the larger spatiotemporal scales of many ecosystems.

We determine whether this behaviour is evident in a large marine ecosystem, the southernGulf ofSt.Lawrence (sGSL, 75 000 km2) over a 42‐year period. This ecosystem is characterized by a recent increase in the abundance of a large marine predator, the grey seal (Halichoerus grypusFabricius), by more than an order of magnitude.

We compared changes in spatial distribution over the 1971–2012 period between important prey of grey seals (Atlantic cod,Gadus morhuaL.; white hake,Urophycis tenuisMitchill; and thorny skate,Amblyraja radiataDonovan) and non‐prey fishes. Distribution was modelled using generalized additive models incorporating spatially variable effects of predation risk, density dependence and water temperature.

Distributions of cod, hake and skate were strongly related to risk of predation by seals, with distribution shifting into lower risk areas as predation risk increased. Non‐prey species did not show similar changes in habitat use. Spatial variation in fish condition suggests that these low‐risk areas are also less profitable for cod and skate in terms of food availability. The effects of density dependence and water temperature were also important in models, but did not account for the changes in habitat use as the risk of predation increased.

These results indicate that these fish are able to assess and respond to spatial variation in predation risk at very large spatial scales. They also suggest that non‐consumptive ‘risk’ effects may be an important component of the declines in productivity of seal prey in this ecosystem, and of the indirect effects at lower trophic levels.
Real‐Time Major Events Monitoring and Alert System through Social Networks
Authors: Bahir Eitan , Peled Ammatzia
Published: May 2015

The volume of information generated by social and cellular networks has significantly increased in recent years. Automated collection of these data and its rapid analyses allow for better and faster detection of major (in terms of National impact) ‘real life’ events. This study uses data obtained from social networks such as Twitter and Google+. It proposes a mechanism for detecting major events and a system to alert on their manifestation. The article describes the considerations and needed algorithms required to develop and establish such a system. The methodology presented here is based on linking major events that occurred in Israel during the years 2011–2014, with information extracted from social networks. Results indicate that alerts were received shortly after the event occurred for most of major events. Such are large fires, earthquakes and terror attacks. However, attempts to achieve alerts for ‘local’ secondary events failed. This as their impact on the social network is low. Furthermore, it was found that the volume of false alerts depends on the type of domain and keywords.
Musculoskeletal desmoid tumours: Diagnostic imaging appearances
Authors: Liu Daniel , Perera Warren , Schlicht Stephen , Choong Peter , Slavin John , Pianta Marcus
Published: May 2015

This study aimed to discuss the role medical imaging has on diagnosis of musculoskeletal desmoid tumours and to describe their radiological appearances on various imaging modalities. Imaging of histologically proven cases of desmoid tumours at St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne were obtained via picture archiving communication system (PACS) and then assessed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Suitable imagings were obtained from PACS. All imaging chosen was de‐identified.

Desmoid tumours can occur in many areas of the body. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of these tumours and magnetic resonance imaging has been the gold standard for imaging and is the most accurate in terms of assessing tumour margins and involvement of surrounding structures.
What's Happened to the Rate of Return to Business Masters?
Authors: Corliss Michael , Lewis Phil , Daly Anne
Published: May 2015

While business masters degrees are popular with students wishing to enhance their career prospects, there is little evidence available on the private rate of return to these degrees in Australia. Furthermore, there is little evidence about the effects of the huge growth in graduates in recent decades and changing business conditions on the profitability of a business masters degree from an individual's point of view. This is despite the expectation that there would be significant consequences of the changes in demand and supply to the relative income of higher degree holders. This paper presents estimates of the rate of return in Australia associated with the completion of business masters degrees over the period 2001 and 2011. The results show that for the average person, there are incentives to complete these degrees, and the private rate of return compares favourably with the real long term real bond rate. However, the profitability of an investment in a business masters has fallen significantly over time.
Asymmetric price volatility transmission between food and energy markets: The case of Spain
Authors: Abdelradi Fadi , Serra Teresa
Published: May 2015

The proportion of agricultural production that is being transformed into biofuels has been growing worldwide over the last decade. This has spurred the food versus fuel debate. This article aims at shedding light on this issue by studying price volatility relationships between food and biofuel prices in Spain. We use an asymmetric MGARCH model to evaluate volatility spillovers between the Spanish biodiesel blend and refined sunflower oil prices. Empirical results confirm that there are bidirectional and asymmetric volatility spillovers between these two prices.
Arguing collaboratively: Argumentative discourse types and their potential for knowledge building
Authors: Felton Mark , Garcia‐Mila Merce , Villarroel Constanza , Gilabert Sandra
Published: May 2015

Background

There is growing interest in using argumentative discourse in educational settings. However, in a previous study, we found that discourse goals (persuasion vs. consensus) while arguing can affect student outcomes in both content learning and reasoning.

Aims

In this study, we look at argumentative discourse data from a previous study to ask how differences in discourse might account for the differences we observed in learning and reasoning outcomes.

Sample

One hundred and five dialogues (57 disputative, 48 consensus) between 7th grade science students attending a public high school near Tarragona, Spain.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to conditions and paired with peers who disagreed with them on three topics related to renewable energy sources. After instruction on each topic, they were asked to either ‘argue to convince’ (persuasion condition) or ‘argue to reach consensus’ (consensus condition) on that topic. Conversations were audio‐recorded and transcribed for analysis.

Results

Students in the persuasion condition engaged in shorter conversational exchanges around argumentative claims and were more likely to use moves that foreclosed discussion, whereas students in the consensus condition were more likely to use moves that elicited, elaborated on, and integrated their partners' ideas.

Conclusions

When arguing to reach – rather than defend – a conclusion, students are more likely to coconstruct knowledge by exchanging and integrating arguments. These findings are consistent with predictions about the potential of argumentation for knowledge building and suggest that teachers must attend to discourse goals when using argumentation to support learning and reasoning.
A phase II trial of RCHOP followed by radioimmunotherapy for early stage (stages I/II) diffuse large B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: ECOG3402
Authors: Witzig Thomas E. , Hong Fangxin , Micallef Ivana N. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Dogan Ahmet , Wagner Henry , Kahl Brad S. , Advani Ranjana H. , Horning Sandra J.
Published: May 2015

Patients with early stage diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receive RCHOP (rituximab cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) alone or with involved field radiotherapy (IFRT). Anti‐CD20 radioimmunotherapy (RIT) delivers radiation to microscopic sites outside of known disease. This phase II study aimed to achieve a functional complete response (CR) rate of ≥75% to RCHOP and 90Yttrium‐ibritumomab tiuxetan RIT. Patients with stages I/II DLBCL received 4–6 cycles of RCHOP followed by RIT [14·8 MBq/kg (0·4 mCi/kg)]; patients with positron emission tomographypositive sites of disease after RCHOP/RIT received 30 Gy IFRT. Of the 62 patients enrolled; 53 were eligible. 42% (22/53) had stage I/IE; 58% (31/53) stage II/IIE. After RCHOP, 79% (42/53) were in CR/unconfirmed CR. Forty‐eight patients proceeded to RIT. One partial responder after RIT received IFRT and achieved a CR. The best response after RCHOP + RIT in all 53 patients was a functional CR rate of 89% (47/53; 95% confidence interval: 77–96%). With a median follow‐up of 5·9 years, 7 (13%) patients have progressed and 4 (8%) have died (2 with DLBCL). At 5 years, 78% of patients remain in remission and 94% are alive. Chemoimmunotherapy and RIT is an active regimen for early stage DLBCL patients. Eighty‐nine percent of patients achieved functional CR without the requirement of IFRT. This regimen is worthy of further study for early stage DLBCL in a phase III trial.
Gonadal function and fertility after stem cell transplantation in childhood: comparison of a reduced intensity conditioning regimen containing melphalan with a myeloablative regimen containing busulfan
Authors: Panasiuk Anna , Nussey Stephen , Veys Paul , Amrolia Persis , Rao Kanchan , Krawczuk‐Rybak Maryna , Leiper Alison
Published: May 2015

The occurrence of late sequelae after myeloablative conditioning regimens for stem‐cell transplantation (SCT) has prompted the introduction of reduced‐intensity chemotherapy (RIC) regimens in an attempt to reduce toxicity and spare fertility. We retrospectively evaluated gonadal function in survivors of SCT in childhood by comparing patients conditioned with a myeloablative regimen containing busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BuCy, N = 51, 28 boys) and a RIC regimen containing fludarabine and melphalan (FluMel, N = 40, 19 boys). Spontaneous puberty occurred in 56% of girls and 89% of boys after BuCy, whereas 90% of females and all males in the FluMel group entered puberty spontaneously (P = 0·012). Significantly more females (61%) conditioned with BuCy required hormone replacement compared with the FluMel group (10·5%, P = 0·012). Females in the FluMel group took significantly longer to develop elevation of serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations (>10 iu/l) from the onset of puberty than females in the BuCy group (median 5·2 years vs. 2·7 years respectively, P = 0·0135). In males no difference was noted between the two conditioning groups in time to FSH elevation (median 4 years in FluMel versus 6 years in BuCy). Whilst the two regimens have similar effects on the testis, ovarian function seems to be better preserved in females undergoing SCT with RIC.
Cretaceous deformation of the southern Central Andes: synorogenic growth strata in the Neuquén Group (35° 30′–37° S)
Authors: Fennell Lucas M. , Folguera Andrés , Naipauer Maximiliano , Gianni Guido , Rojas Vera Emilio A. , Bottesi Germán , Ramos Victor A.
Published: May 2015

The Neuquén Group is an Upper Cretaceous continental sedimentary unit exhumed during the latest Miocene contractional phase occurred in the southern Central Andes, allowing a direct field observation and study of the depositional geometries. The identification of growth strata on these units surrounding the structures of the frontal parts of the Andes, sedimentological analyses and U–Pb dating of detrital components, allowed the definition of a synorogenic unit that coexisted with the uplift of the early Andean orogen since ca. 100 Ma, maximum age obtained in this work, compatible with previous assignments and constrained in the top by the deposition of the Malargüe Group, in the Maastrichtian (ca. 72 Ma). The definition of a wedge top area in this foreland basin system, where growth strata were described, permitted to identify a Late Cretaceous orogenic front and foredeep area, whose location and amplitude contrast with previous hypotheses. This wedge top area was mostly fed from the paleo‐Andes with small populations coming from sources in the cratonic area that are interpreted as a recycling in Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sections, which contrasts with other analyses performed at the foredeep zone that have mixed sources. In particular, Permian sources are interpreted as coming directly from the cores of the basement structures, where Neopaleozoic sections are exposed, next to the synorogenic sedimentation, implying a strong incision in Late Cretaceous times with an exhumation structural level similar to the present. The maximum recognised advance for this Late Cretaceous deformation in the study area is approximately 500 km east of the Pacific trench, which constitutes an anomaly compared with neighbour segments where Late Cretaceous deformations were found considerably retracted. The geodynamic context of the sedimentation of this unit is interpreted as produced under the westward fast moving of South America, colliding with two consecutive mid‐ocean ridges during a period of important plate reorganisation. The subduction of young, anhydrous, buoyant lithosphere would have produced changes in the subduction geometry, reflected first by an arc waning/gap and subsequently by an arc migration that coexisted with synorogenic sedimentation. These magmatic and deformational processes would be the product of a shallow subduction regime, following previous proposals, which occurred in Late Cretaceous times, synchronous to the sedimentation of the Neuquén Group.
Amino Acid‐Based Cationic Lipids With α‐Tocopherol Hydrophobic Tail for Efficient Gene Delivery
Authors: Yi Wen‐Jing , Zheng Li‐Ting , Su Rong‐Chuan , Liu Qiang , Zhao Zhi‐Gang
Published: May 2015

In this work, three amino acid‐based cationic lipids L1‐L3 bearing the same α‐tocopherol moiety and biodegradable ester bond linkage, but differing in the polar head‐group, were prepared and applied as non‐viral gene delivery vectors. The physicochemical properties such as size, zeta‐potential, stability, and cellular uptake of the lipoplexes formed from lipids L1‐L3 as well as the transfection efficacy (TE) were investigated. The results showed that the chemical composition of the cationic head‐group clearly affects the physicochemical parameters of the amino acid‐based lipids, especially the TE. Besides their low cytotoxicity, these lipoplexes also showed comparable TE to commercially available lipofectamine 2000. In particular, dipeptide lipid L3 gave excellent TE, which was 1.8 times higher than bPEI 25k in the presence of 10% serum in Hela cells. These results demonstrate the promising use of novel dipeptide lipids for safe and efficient gene delivery.
Chronic rhinosinusitis: patient experiences of primary and secondary care – a qualitative study
Authors: Erskine S.E. , Verkerk M.M. , Notley C. , Williamson I.G. , Philpott C.M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To explore the experience of CRS and its management from the perspective of patients with CRS. To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study exploring sinus disease.

Design

Semi‐structured qualitative interviews.

Setting

ENT outpatient clinic.

Participants

Twenty‐one adult patients with CRS: 11 male, 10 female. Patients suffered from a range of types of CRS (including polyps and fungal disease) and differing durations of symptoms (1.5–47 years). Participants were purposively selected. Thematic analysis was used.

Outcome measures

Patient experience of CRS and its management.

Results

Patients had concerns regarding management of their symptoms by both healthcare professionals and themselves, including delays to referral and repeated medications. They reported reduced quality of life and high financial and psychosocial costs associated with living with CRS.

Conclusions

Despite guidelines for CRS treatment, outcomes remain variable leading to dissatisfaction with treatment. Adherence to existing guidelines may result in fewer repeated consultations in primary care and earlier referrals to secondary care.
Culturally Competent Strategies for Recruitment and Retention of African American Populations into Clinical Trials
Authors: Otado Jane , Kwagyan John , Edwards Diana , Ukaegbu Alice , Rockcliffe Faun , Osafo Nana
Published: May 2015

Purpose

To identify successful recruitment strategies, challenges and best practices for researchers to engage African American communities in clinical studies taken into consideration target participants’ culture and context.

Methods

We reviewed 50 studies conducted from 2001 to 2012 at an inner‐city research center to determine the type, duration, anticipated enrollments and actual enrollments. Survey was sent to study coordinators to obtain data on recruitment and retention strategies, challenges and dropout rates. We also interviewed 25 study coordinators on challenges and strategies.

Results

Of the 50 studies, 24 had completed recruitment at the time of this report. The completed studies achieved a median recruitment rate of 88% (range: 50–110). Successful recruitment and retention strategies included: field‐based strategy and snowballing. Major barriers were: distrust, compensation, education disadvantage, lack of interest, and inability to have study partner. Strategies to reduce barriers included providing informational sessions, disseminating newsletters about study outcomes. Best practices include being culturally sensitive including demonstrating a caring attitude and being responsive to participants needs.

Conclusions

Cultural competence is critical in order to design and implement successful recruitment strategies in this population. Research teams should consist of multiethnic staff, involve the community, demonstrate trust and deliver concise education of the research endeavor.