bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding players’ achievement values from MMORPGs: an exploratory study
Authors: Lin Chwen-Yea , Hung Wei-Hsi , Fang Kwoting , Tu Chien-Chung
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Achievement is considered to be an important value for students. The purpose of this paper is to explore what achievement values were derived from playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), especially for high-engaged MMORPGs players.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research employed two approaches to collect data: focus group and a web survey of online game players were conducted. Moreover, an addiction-engagement scale was used to ensure all participants were genuinely highly engaged MMORPGs players in data collection process. There are 12 highly engaged players were recruited as focus group members in Phase 1. The online survey yielded 315 responses, of which 267 were considered valid, and 177 of those were considered to be genuine highly engaged players in Phase 2. In the study, exploratory factor analysis was performed to reveal underlying structure of achievement values.

Findings

– The result focussing on popular MMORPGs reveal that highly engaged players derived six achievement values from playing MMORPGs, including fantasy satisfaction, adventure, victory, socialization ability, self-actualization, and advancement of wealth and status.

Originality/value

– In view of the prevalence of MMORPGs, it is imperative to draw attention to understand students’ achievement values derived from playing MMORPGs. By doing that, educators know how to bridge students’ achievement values to their academic performance.
Rethinking pathways to completed suicide by female prisoners
Authors: Oakes-Rogers Sophie , Slade Karen
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of trauma experience in pathways to self-harm or attempted suicide in female prisoners who died through self-inflicted death in England and Wales.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative study using the Prison and Probation Ombudsmen’s independent reports on deaths in custody. In total, 32 cases of female self-inflicted death in custody were coded on the presence of direct or interpersonal trauma, presence of superficial self-harm (SSH), near-lethal self-harm (NLSH), suicide attempts and recent significant life event. The number of previous suicide attempts (PSAs) and age at time of death was recorded.

Findings

– Direct trauma is linked with repeated suicide attempts but recued the likelihood of SSH prior to suicide. Neither interpersonal trauma nor age increased likelihood of pre-suicide behaviours. NLSH was not predicted by either traumatic experience. Amongst these completed suicide cases, 56 per cent were not reported as having experienced trauma, 46 per cent had no recorded PSAs and 12 per cent also had no previous self-harm reported.

Research limitations/implications

– The small sample limited statistical power and specificity of classifications. Provides support for direct trauma in developing capacity for repeated suicidal behaviour as indicated in theoretical models of suicide (Joiner, 2005; O’Connor, 2011).

Practical implications

– Different pathways to suicide likely to exist for female prisoners and importance of trauma intervention services.

Originality/value

– Using cases of completed suicide in female prisoners to investigate the pathway to suicide from trauma through previous self-harm and attempted suicide.
Professional reactions and changes in practice following patient suicide: what do we know about mental health professionals’ profiles?
Authors: Gulfi Alida , Heeb Jean-Luc , Castelli Dransart Dolores Angela , Gutjahr Elisabeth
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze and describe the profiles of mental health professionals and their relationship to professional reactions and changes in working practice following a patient suicide.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from 713 mental health professionals working in various institutional settings and in private practice in French-speaking Switzerland were collected by written questionnaires.

Findings

– Four distinct profiles with low to moderate professional reactions and changes in working practice were identified by cluster analysis. The type and intensity of relationship between professional and patient, and psychological and/or social support following the patient suicide were the most discriminant factors of the four profiles.

Originality/value

– The findings contribute to the understanding of professional consequences of patient suicide on mental health professionals.
The internationalisation of social marketing research
Authors: Truong V. Dao , Dang Nam V.H. , Hall C. Michael , Dong X. Dam
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the internationalisation of social marketing research. Since the social marketing concept was introduced, it has captured increased research attention of scholars. This is evidenced by a growing number of peer-reviewed publications and participation in academic conferences. Although the reasons behind the development of social marketing research have been suggested, its nature, significance and diffusion as a concept has not been examined from an international perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of the social marketing and related literature was conducted to identify the patterns, drivers and actors of the internationalisation of social marketing research.

Findings

– Different levels and dimensions of internationalisation were identified but the overall level of diffusion was relatively low. Growth is concentrated in developed countries. There appears to be a substantial gap with respect to the adoption of the concept by researchers based in the less developed countries.

Originality/value

– This is arguably the first paper to explore the nature and significance of the degree of internationalisation of social marketing research.
What Generation Y in Greece thinks about Green Hotels
Authors: Karavasilis George , Nerantzaki Dafni-Maria , Pantelidis Panagiotis , Paschaloudis Dimitrios , Vrana Vasiliki
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Environmental awareness has significant impact on hotel selection. As hotel customers’ become more ecologically conscious tend to prefer hotels that have environmental policies in place. The purpose of this paper is to examine customers’ perceptions of what a green hotel should do or should be and exploring intentions to choose a green hotel.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical research study was conducted using an online survey. The questionnaire used investigates what a green hotel should do or should be environmental concerns, eco-friendly attitudes, eco-friendly activities, awareness, overall image, intention to pay more and intention to visit a green hotel. In total, 159 completed and usable questionnaires were received.

Findings

– Findings reveal that potential customers’ are highly environmentally conscious. However, they are not fully aware about green hotels and do not always intent to visit a green hotel, or are willing to pay more.

Originality/value

– Hotel customers’ perceptions towards intention to visit a green hotel are different among various ages and geographic locations. Thus, the study focuses on perceptions of Generation Y in Greece. Hotel managers should be aware of customers’ buying behaviour towards green practices and communicate more, green hotel practices.
Entrepreneurship development and financial literacy in Africa
Authors: Abubakar Habib Auwal
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the level of financial literacy in Africa based on previous studies and evidence from financial literacy surveys, with the aim of establishing how financial literacy impacts entrepreneurship development in Africa. The study specifically looks at how financial literacy affects the household behaviour regarding financial decision making, as well as the gender gap in financial literacy. As financial literacy is gaining momentum both in developed economies with sophisticated financial systems and developing countries with low levels of financial services, this research seeks to establish a formal relationship between financial literacy and access to finance and what impact both have for developing an entrepreneurship society in Africa. It also focuses on the relationship between financial decision making and gender as well as access to finance with the aim of carefully examining the implications on entrepreneurship development.

Design/methodology/approach

– To attain the above objective, the study employed a mixed methodology research design where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A survey method on financial literacy, conducted by: (Finscope, OECD) was thoroughly analysed in addition to previous work on entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, access to finance and poverty reduction in Africa.

Findings

– The results show that the difficulties in access to finance, access to market, policy support and entrepreneurship culture are the main problems and constraints on entrepreneurship development in Africa which has a very strong implication for financial literacy on the continent particularly on micro, small and medium enterprises. Other important problems include unfavorable investment climate, absence of entrepreneurship training programmes, unfriendly investment business environment, gender gap and lack of value chain in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is limited to the established survey and mainly concentrates on Africa.

Practical implications

– African governments and other development partners should re-evaluate their intervention programmes to strengthen financial literacy skills while simultaneously supporting entrepreneurship development by promoting an entrepreneurship culture through the right policy that will actively stimulate the development of entrepreneurs that will contribute to entrepreneurship ecosystems and ultimately enhance Africa’s economic development.

Originality/value

– This paper aims at enhancing understanding of entrepreneurship development and financial literacy in Africa and will help policy makers and researcher fill the missing gap between financial literacy and entrepreneurship education. The recommendations made could significantly boost entrepreneurship activities as well as enhance financial literacy skills in the region, which can as well help increase access to finance on the continent.
The role of business incubators for start-ups development in Brazil and Portugal
Authors: Carvalho Luisa Margarida Cagica , Galina Simone Vasconcelos
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative study about features, services and networks offered by business incubators (BI) to encourage start-ups development in Portugal and Brazil. Recently, these countries have revealed several cases of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems and Brazil receive a special position on Latin America; besides comparative studies between European and Latin American countries are scarce.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a qualitative research methodology to study the role of BI in creation and growing of start-ups in Portugal and Brazil.

Findings

– The results do not reveal particular differences between Brazilian and Portuguese BI, except in international profile of tenants; in Portugal, probably due the market size, most of the firms born global or intend to internationalize.

Research limitations/implications

– The BI results depend on the wide services provided, networking platforms and support provided by BI staff individually to their tenants. These remarks provide some clues to develop public policies suitable to entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Originality/value

– BI have a special role on supporting start-ups creation and growth and to provide technology transfer. They are also considered as a key element to guarantee entrepreneurial ecosystems in a regional level, this research provide some contributes based on a case study with eight interviews in Portugal and Brazil, and compare for the first time these two countries with similar culture but with different levels of development.
Trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion of controlled‐source electromagnetic data in the German North Sea
Authors: Gehrmann Romina A. S. , Dettmer Jan , Schwalenberg Katrin , Engels Martin , Dosso Stan E. , Özmaral Asli
Published: September 2015

This paper presents the first controlled‐source electromagnetic survey carried out in the German North Sea with a recently developed seafloor‐towed electrical dipole–dipole system, i.e., HYDRA II. Controlled‐source electromagnetic data are measured, processed, and inverted in the time domain to estimate an electrical resistivity model of the sub‐seafloor. The controlled‐source electromagnetic survey targeted a shallow, phase‐reversed, seismic reflector, which potentially indicates free gas. To compare the resistivity model to reflection seismic data and draw a combined interpretation, we apply a trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion that estimates model parameters and uncertainties, and samples probabilistically over the number of layers of the resistivity model. The controlled‐source electromagnetic data errors show time‐varying correlations, and we therefore apply a non‐Toeplitz data covariance matrix in the inversion that is estimated from residual analysis. The geological interpretation drawn from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results and borehole and reflection seismic data yield resistivities of ∼1 Ωm at the seafloor, which are typical for fine‐grained marine deposits, whereas resistivities below ∼20 mbsf increase to 2–4 Ωm and can be related to a transition from fine‐grained (Holocene age) to unsorted, coarse‐grained, and compacted glacial sediments (Pleistocene age). Interface depths from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion generally match the seismic reflector related to the contrast between the different depositional environments. Resistivities decrease again at greater depths to ∼1 Ωm with a minimum resistivity at ∼300 mbsf where a seismic reflector (that marks a major flooding surface of late Miocene age) correlates with an increased gamma‐ray count, indicating an increased amount of fine‐grained sediments. We suggest that the grain size may have a major impact on the electrical resistivity of the sediment with lower resistivities for fine‐grained sediments. Concerning the phase‐reversed seismic reflector that was targeted by the survey, controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results yield no indication for free gas below it as resistivities are generally elevated above the reflector. We suggest that the elevated resistivities are caused by an overall decrease in porosity in the glacial sediments and that the seismic reflector could be caused by an impedance contrast at a thin low‐velocity layer. Controlled‐source electromagnetic interface depths near the reflector are quite uncertain and variable. We conclude that the seismic interface cannot be resolved with the controlled‐source electromagnetic data, but the thickness of the corresponding resistive layer follows the trend of the reflector that is inclined towards the west.
How many routes lead to migration? Comparison of methods to assess and characterize migratory movements
Authors: Cagnacci Francesca , Focardi Stefano , Ghisla Anne , van Moorter Bram , Merrill Evelyn H. , Gurarie Eliezer , Heurich Marco , Mysterud Atle , Linnell John , Panzacchi Manuela , May Roel , Nygård Torgeir , Rolandsen Christer , Hebblewhite Mark
Published: September 2015

Decreasing rate of migration in several species as a consequence of climate change and anthropic pressure, together with increasing evidence of space‐use strategies intermediate between residency and complete migration, are very strong motivations to evaluate migration occurrence and features in animal populations.

The main goal of this paper was to perform a relative comparison between methods for identifying and characterizing migration at the individual and population level on the basis of animal location data.

We classified 104 yearly individual trajectories from five populations of three deer species as migratory or non‐migratory, by means of three methods: seasonal home range overlap, spatio‐temporal separation of seasonal clusters and the Net Squared Displacement (NSD) method. For migratory cases, we also measured timing and distance of migration and residence time on the summer range. Finally, we compared the classification in migration cases across methods and populations.

All methods consistently identified migration at the population level, that is, they coherently distinguished between complete or almost complete migratory populations and partially migratory populations. However, in the latter case, methods coherently classified only about 50% of the single cases, that is they classified differently at the individual‐animal level. We therefore infer that the comparison of methods may help point to ‘less‐stereotyped’ cases in the residency‐to‐migration continuum. For cases consistently classified by all methods, no significant differences were found in migration distance, or residence time on summer ranges. Timing of migration estimated by NSD was earlier than by the other two methods, both for spring and autumn migrations.

We suggest three steps to identify improper inferences from migration data and to enhance understanding of intermediate space‐use strategies. We recommend (i) classifying migration behaviours using more than one method, (ii) performing sensitivity analysis on method parameters to identify the extent of the differences and (iii) investigating inconsistently classified cases as these may often be ecologically interesting (i.e. less‐stereotyped migratory behaviours).
Can landscape‐scale approaches to conservation management resolve biodiversity–ecosystem service trade‐offs?
Authors: Cordingley Justine E. , Newton Adrian C. , Rose Robert J. , Clarke Ralph T. , Bullock James M.
Published: September 2015

Conservation management is increasingly being required to support both the provision of ecosystem services and maintenance of biodiversity. However, trade‐offs can occur between biodiversity and ecosystems services. We examine whether such trade‐offs can be resolved through landscape‐scale approaches to management.

We analysed the biodiversity value and provision of selected ecosystem services (carbon storage, recreation, aesthetic and timber value) on patches of lowland heathland in the southern English county of Dorset. We used transition matrices of vegetation dynamics across 112 heathland patches to forecast biodiversity and ecosystem service provision on patches of different sizes over a 27‐year timeline. Management scenarios simulated the removal of scrub and woodland and compared (i) no management (NM); (ii) all heaths managed equally (AM); and management focused on (iii) small heaths (SM) and (iv) large heaths (LM).

Results highlighted a number of trade‐offs. Whereas biodiversity values were significantly lower in woodland than in dry and humid heath, timber, carbon storage and aesthetic values were highest in woodland. While recreation value was positively related to dry heath area, it was negatively related to woodland area. Multicriteria analysis ranked NM highest for aesthetic value, carbon storage and timber value. In contrast, SM ranked highest for recreation and LM highest for biodiversity value. In no scenario did the current site‐based approach to management (AM) rank highest.

Synthesis and applications. Biodiversity–ecosystem service trade‐offs are reported in lowland heathland, an ecosystem type of high conservation value. Trade‐offs can be addressed through a landscape‐scale approach to management, by varying interventions according to heathland patch size. Specifically, if management for biodiversity conservation is focused on larger patches, the aesthetic, carbon storage and timber value of smaller patches would increase, as a result of woody succession. In this way, individual heathland patches of either relatively high biodiversity value or high value for provision of ecosystem services could both potentially be delivered at the landscape scale.
Prescribed fire does not promote outbreaks of a primary bark beetle at low‐density populations
Authors: Tabacaru Crisia Alexandra , Park Jane , Erbilgin Nadir
Published: September 2015

The causes of bark beetle outbreaks – particularly the role of disturbances – are poorly understood. Stand‐scale disturbances, like fires, can suddenly improve local host susceptibility and may attract beetles; however, whether such increases can lead to outbreaks in post‐disturbance stands is unclear.

Using low‐densityDendroctonus ponderosaemountain pine beetle populations inPinus contortalodgepole pine forests in western Canada, we investigated whether prescribed fires promote outbreaks or provide only short‐term resources.

Proportionally more burned than non‐burned trees were attacked. At one site, beetle attacks increased in response to a resource pulse, but the proportions of attacked trees and numbers of attacks per tree declined over four years after fire. Elsewhere, beetle attacks remained very low.

As the resource (phloem) quality of burned trees remained high three years after fire, we propose that post‐fire mortality, resulting in fewer available host trees, can at least partially explain whyD. ponderosaedid not build up populations in burned stands.

Synthesis and applications. Our study emphasizes the importance of examining long‐term trends in fire–bark beetle interactions, and of understanding low‐density beetle populations. Because fire does not seem to promote mountain pine beetle outbreaks, we recommend the continued use of prescribed fire for the general management ofP. contortaforests with low‐density beetle populations.
HDAC4 stabilizes SIRT1 via sumoylation SIRT1 to delay cellular senescence
Authors: Han Xiaolin , Niu Jing , Zhao Yang , Kong Qingsheng , Tong Tanjun , Han Limin
Published: September 2015

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide‐dependent protein deacetylase silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) regulates cellular lifespan in several organisms. Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) belongs to the class IIa group of HDACs; this class of HDACs is composed of proteins that are important regulators of gene expression that control pleiotropic cellular functions. However, the role of HDAC4 in cellular senescence is still unknown. This study shows that the expression patterns of HDAC4 and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1; the mammalian homolog of Sir2) are positively correlated during cellular senescence. Moreover, the overexpression of HDAC4 delays senescence, whereas the knockdown of HDAC4 leads to premature senescence in human fibroblasts. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that HDAC4 increases endogenous SIRT1 expression by enhancing its sumoylation modification levels, thereby stabilizing its protein levels. This study, therefore, provides a new molecular mechanism for the regulation of cellular senescence.
‘Social Mixing' or ‘Gentrification'? Contradictory Perspectives on Urban Change in the Berlin District of Neukölln
Authors: Huning Sandra , Schuster Nina
Published: September 2015

In the past two decades, the Berlin district of Neukölln has received considerable attention from politicians, planners, urban scholars and the media. This article discusses the role that the academic concepts of ‘social mixing' and ‘gentrification' play in the overlapping and partly contradictory narratives that have been employed to interpret transformations in one particular part of the district, Nord‐Neukölln. While the area is still characterized as a place of poverty and decline, it has more recently come to be known as a ‘hip place to be' among young (creative) urbanites, students and artists. Various urban players such as politicians, planners, urban sociologists, activists, interest groups and the media participate in the construction of these narratives and, in the process, adopt the concepts of social mixing and gentrification according to their respective rationales and preferences. Both concepts play a pivotal role in justifying contradictory claims and interventions. As a consequence, ‘social mixing' and ‘gentrification' are more than just analytical concepts for interpreting urban transformations; they have themselves become part of these transformations and have an impact on local developments. We conclude that urban scholarship must reflect more on its own role and positioning in the arena of urban transformation.
Food allergy in schools: The importance of government involvement
Authors: Lawlis Tanya , Bakonyi Sarah , Williams Lauren T.
Published: September 2015

Aim

Children have the highest rates of food‐related allergic reactions. While 85% of children outgrow allergies including cow's milk and eggs by five years of age, allergies to peanuts and seafood continue into adulthood. The school setting poses a high‐risk environment for allergen exposure. The aim of the present study was to examine the availability, drivers and communication of school food allergy awareness and management policies/guidelines in one Australian education jurisdiction.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study comprising an online survey of principals on school allergy awareness (n = 100) was conducted in public, catholic and independent primary and high schools in an Australian education jurisdiction between August 2011 and November 2012.

Results

Sixty‐three per cent (17/27) of schools responding to the survey reported using food allergy management guidelines. An average of 13 students per school were reported to have a food allergy with 93% of schools reported having students with at least one food allergy. Parents, not government policy, were identified as primary drivers of food allergy guideline implementation and a third of schools provided anaphylaxis training annually. Communication of food allergy management was limited with only 42 school websites either providing access to policies/guidelines or providing a food allergy statement.

Conclusions

Detailed awareness and management guidelines are integral for schools to adequately manage food‐induced allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in the school environment. To enable this, national government support through legislation and policy is needed to ensure a consistent, up‐to‐date and policed approach to food allergy management in the Australian education sector.
Adequacy of the Activities in the Nursing Intervention Exercise Therapy: Ambulation for Medical‐Surgical Patients With Impaired Physical Mobility
Authors: Costa Renata Bulhões , dos Santos Eduarda Ribeiro , Lopes Camila Takao , Bergamasco Ellen Cristina
Published: September 2015

Objective

To evaluate the adequacy of the activities in the nursing intervention Exercise Therapy: Ambulation for medical‐surgical patients with impaired physical mobility.

Methods

A methodological study with 60 medical‐surgical nurses in a large hospital in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Nurses judged the appropriateness of the 20 activities that comprise the intervention, classified as major or minor.

Results

Eight activities were classified as major and 12 as minor for the care of medical‐surgical patients with impaired physical mobility.

Conclusion and Implications for Practice

The activities of the intervention Exercise Therapy: Ambulation were considered adequate for medical‐surgical patients with impaired physical mobility. These results contribute to future content validation studies and teaching of undergraduate students.
FROM ZARA TO ZAMBIA
Authors: Marsh Hannah
Published: September 2015

Professor Jérémie Gallien is using his corporate supply‐chain experience to improve vital healthcare services in sub‐Saharan Africa
ACCOUNTING FOR PEOPLE
Authors: Higson Chris
Published: September 2015

Putting a number on the value added by the people in an organisation is near impossible. Instead, says Chris Higson, the focus should be on developing reliable metrics to signal the health of the firm's human resources
WHAT IF EVERYONE LIVED TO 100?
Authors: Peters Georgina
Published: September 2015

Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott are among those contemplating a world where reaching the age of 100 is the rule rather than the exception
WHAT IF THERE WERE NO LEADERS?
Authors: Goddard Jules , Hlupic Vlatka , Whiteley Philip
Published: September 2015

Vlatka Hlupic, Jules Goddard and Philip Whiteley imagine a world without formal leadership roles and examine leadership ft for the 21st century
THE FINTECH REVOLUTION
Authors: Mackenzie Annette
Published: September 2015

How innovators are using technology to take on the world of finance
Avian community responses to post‐fire forest structure: implications for fire management in mixed conifer forests
Authors: White A. M. , Manley P. N. , Tarbill G. L. , Richardson T. W. , Russell R. E. , Safford H. D. , Dobrowski S. Z.
Published: September 2015

Fire is a natural process and the dominant disturbance shaping plant and animal communities in many coniferous forests of the westernUS. Given that fire size and severity are predicted to increase in the future, it has become increasingly important to understand how wildlife responds to fire and post‐fire management. TheAngoraFire burned 1243 hectares of mixed conifer forest inSouthLakeTahoe,California. We conducted avian point counts for the first 3 years following the fire in burned and unburned areas to investigate which habitat characteristics are most important for re‐establishing or maintaining the native avian community in post‐fire landscapes. We used a multi‐species occurrence model to estimate how avian species are influenced by the density of live and dead trees and shrub cover. While accounting for variations in the detectability of species, our approach estimated the occurrence probabilities of all species detected including those that were rare or observed infrequently. Although all species encountered in this study were detected in burned areas, species‐specific modeling results predicted that some species were strongly associated with specific post‐fire conditions, such as a high density of dead trees, open‐canopy conditions or high levels of shrub cover that occur at particular burn severities or at a particular time following fire. These results indicate that prescribed fire or managed wildfire which burns at low to moderate severity without at least some high‐severity effects is both unlikely to result in the species assemblages that are unique to post‐fire areas or to provide habitat for burn specialists. Additionally, the probability of occurrence for many species was associated with high levels of standing dead trees indicating that intensive post‐fire harvest of these structures could negatively impact habitat of a considerable proportion of the avian community.
Do Vietnamese upland farmers benefit from high world market prices for maize?
Authors: Luckmann Jonas , Ihle Rico , Kleinwechter Ulrich , Grethe Harald
Published: September 2015

For rural households in the north of Vietnam, maize cropping is the main source of income. In the face of the world market price increases of the recent past, we analyze the regional marketing chain of this commodity qualitatively and econometrically investigating to what extent smallholder farmers in developing countries are affected by international price movements. Vietnamese maize markets are found to be well integrated. Recent price hikes have fully transmitted along the regional supply chain so that farmers profited. Nevertheless, adverse factors such as increasing input prices have neutralized these benefits resulting in a decline in real income of smallholders.
Is there a slowdown in agricultural productivity growth in South America?
Authors: Trindade Federico José , Fulginiti Lilyan Estela
Published: September 2015

This article estimates agricultural productivity growth in 10 South American countries in 1969–2009 with the objective of investigating if the slowdown being measured in other countries is present in the region. Results show that productivity growth accounts for half of the three‐fold increase in agricultural output during this period and that performance is sensitive to R&D investments in the sector. The slowdown found for the 1990s to 2000s in the U.S. and some European economies does not seem to be present yet in South America. The region's total factor productivity (TFP) growth rate increased steadily from 1.07% during the 1970s to 2.29% during the 2000s. Given lags in adoption and the adaptive nature of innovations in these economies, we have yet to see the potential effects in South American agriculture of decreases in R&D in advanced economies.
Y‐Chromosomal Lineages of Latvians in the Context of the Genetic Variation of the Eastern‐Baltic Region
Authors: Pliss Liana , Timša Līga , Rootsi Siiri , Tambets Kristiina , Pelnena Inese , Zole Egija , Puzuka Agrita , Sabule Areta , Rozane Sandra , Lace Baiba , Kucinskas Vaidutis , Krumina Astrida , Ranka Renate , Baumanis Viesturs
Published: September 2015

Variations of the nonrecombining Y‐chromosomal region were investigated in 159 unrelated Baltic‐speaking ethnic Latvians from four different geographic regions, using 28 biallelic markers and 12 short tandem repeats. Eleven different haplogroups (hgs) were detected in a regionally homogeneous Latvian population, among which N1c, R1a, and I1 cover more than 85% of its paternal lineages. When compared its closest geographic neighbors, the composition of the Latvian Y‐chromosomal gene pool was found to be very similar to those of Lithuanians and Estonians. Despite the comparable frequency distribution of hg N1c in Latvians and Lithuanians with the Finno‐Ugric‐speaking populations from the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, the observed differences in allelic variances of N1c haplotypes between these two groups are in concordance with the previously stated hypothesis of different dispersal ways of this lineage in the region. More than a third of Latvian paternal lineages belong specifically to a recently defined R1a‐M558 hg, indicating an influence from a common source within Eastern Slavic populations on the formation of the present‐day Latvian Y‐chromosome gene pool.
SOMANZ guidelines for the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 2014
Authors: Lowe Sandra A. , Bowyer Lucy , Lust Karin , McMahon Lawrence P. , Morton Mark , North Robyn A. , Paech Michael , Said Joanne M.
Published: September 2015

This guideline is an evidence based, practical clinical approach to the management of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Since the previous SOMANZ guideline published in 2008, there has been significant international progress towards harmonisation of definitions in relation to both the diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. This reflects increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of these conditions, as well as their clinical manifestations. In addition, the guideline includes the management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy, an approach to screening, advice regarding prevention of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and discussion of recurrence risks and long term risk to maternal health. The literature reviewed included the previous SOMANZ Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy guideline from 2008 and its reference list, plus all other published National and International Guidelines on this subject. Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CCRCT), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Evidence Search, and Database of Abstracts and Reviews of Effects (DARE) were searched for literature published between January 2007 and March, 2014.
Phenotypic plasticity and targeting of Siglec‐FhighCD11clow eosinophils to the airway in a murine model of asthma
Authors: Abdala Valencia H. , Loffredo L. F. , Misharin A. V. , Berdnikovs S.
Published: September 2015

Eosinophil recruitment in asthma is a multistep process, involving both trans‐endothelial migration to the lung interstitium and trans‐epithelial migration into the airways. While the trans‐endothelial step is well studied, trans‐epithelial recruitment is less understood. To contrast eosinophil recruitment between these two compartments, we employed a murine kinetics model of asthma. Eosinophils were phenotyped by multicolor flow cytometry in digested lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) simultaneously, 6 h after each ovalbumin (OVA) challenge. There was an early expansion of tissue eosinophils after OVA challenge followed by eosinophil buildup in both compartments and a shift in phenotype over the course of the asthma model. Gradual transition from a Siglec‐FmedCD11c− to a Siglec‐FhighCD11clow phenotype in lung tissue was associated with eosinophil recruitment to the airways, as all BAL eosinophils were of the latter phenotype. Secondary microarray analysis of tissue‐activated eosinophils demonstrated upregulation of specific integrin and chemokine receptor signature suggesting interaction with the mucosa. Using adhesion assays, we demonstrated that integrin CD11c mediated adhesion of eosinophils to fibrinogen, a significant component of epithelial barrier repair and remodeling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only report to date dissecting compartmentalization of eosinophil recruitment as it unfolds during allergic inflammation. By capturing the kinetics of eosinophil phenotypic change in both tissue and BAL using flow cytometry and sorting, we were able to demonstrate a previously undocumented association between phenotypic shift of tissue‐recruited eosinophils and their trans‐epithelial movement, which implicates the existence of a specific mechanism targeting these cells to mucosal airways.
Effect of activated protein C in second intention healing of equine distal limb wounds: a preliminary study
Authors: Bischofberger AS , Tsang AS , Horadagoda N , Dart CM , Perkins NR , Jeffcott LB , Jackson CJ , Dart AJ
Published: September 2015

Objective

To investigate the effect of activated protein C (APC) on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in horses.

Methods

In this experimental study of eight Standardbred geldings, six full‐thickness skin wounds (2 × 1.5 cm) were created on one metacarpus (biopsy limb) and five similar wounds were created on the contralateral metacarpus (photographed limb). Three wounds on the biopsy limb were treated topically with 190 µg APC on days 1, 3, 6 and 9, while the remaining three wounds were untreated (control). One treated and one control wound were biopsied on days 4, 7 and 11 for histopathology. Wounds on the photographed limb were treated with either 66% Manuka honey gel, a commercial antibiotic ointment (bacitracin–neomycin–polymixin B ointment; BNP) or petrolatum daily throughout healing, treated on days 1,3,6 and 9 with 190 µg APC or left untreated. These wounds were digitally photographed and the wound area measured on day 1, then weekly until day 49. Overall time to healing was recorded.

Results

There was no effect of APC on wound size, the rate of healing or the overall time to heal. However, compared with control wounds, histological scoring demonstrated enhanced epithelialisation (day 4) and angiogenesis (day 11). Wound healing variables for wounds treated with APC, Manuka honey gel and control wounds were not different and the variables for wounds treated with BNP and petrolatum demonstrated delayed healing.

Conclusion

The improvements in histological scores in APC‐treated wounds suggest further study into the effect of APC on second intention wound healing in horses is warranted.
Fibrous ingluvial foreign bodies in 33 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Authors: Rosenwax AC , Cowan ML
Published: September 2015

The presentation, treatment and outcomes of 33 ingluvial fibrous foreign bodies in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are described. Vomiting, lethargy and weight loss were the most common presenting signs. Diagnosis was made on palpation of a mass in the crop (ingluvies). Both surgical and non‐surgical treatment regimens were evaluated. The overall mortality rate was 33%, suggesting fibrous materials are not safe for cockatiels to groom or ingest and should not be offered as cage accessories.
Infectious reproductive disease pathogens in dairy herd bulls
Authors: Hancock AS , Younis PJ , Beggs DS , Mansell PD , Pyman MF
Published: September 2015

Objective

Investigate the presence of infectious reproductive disease pathogens in dairy herd bulls in south‐west Victoria, Australia, using a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Dairy herd bulls from 32 herds were sampled for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV: 256 bulls, 32 herds) prior to the natural mating period, bovine herpes virus‐1 prior to (10 bulls, 5 herds) and after (118 bulls, 19 herds) the natural mating period, and for Campylobacter fetus spp. and Tritrichomonas foetus after the natural mating period (61 bulls, 7 herds). BVDV was detected from an ear‐notch sample using a commercially available rapid assay ELISA, bovine herpes virus‐1 and T. foetus were screened for by PCR from a penile swab and preputial sample respectively, and C. fetus spp. were screened for by culture of preputial samples.

Results

None of the bulls tested positive for BVDV antigen. Campylobacter fetus venerealis (or C. fetus fetus) was cultured in 6.6% (4/61) of bulls, representing 2 of the 7 (28.6%) farms that were not vaccinating bulls against bovine genital campylobacteriosis. Bovine herpes virus‐1 was identified in 7.8% (10/128) bulls sampled; T. foetus was not identified in any samples.

Conclusion

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is present in south‐western Victoria, despite longstanding recommendations to vaccinate bulls. Screening bulls for persistent infection with BVDV is probably justified, despite the absence of persistently infected bulls in this study. Further research is warranted to investigate the potential reproductive implications of BHV‐1, and the presence of T. foetus.
Hypothesis Test of Mediation Effect in Causal Mediation Model With High-Dimensional Continuous Mediators
Authors: Huang Yen-Tsung , Pan Wen-Chi
Published: September 2015

Causal mediation modeling has become a popular approach for studying the effect of an exposure on an outcome through a mediator. However, current methods are not applicable to the setting with a large number of mediators. We propose a testing procedure for mediation effects of high-dimensional continuous mediators. We characterize the marginal mediation effect, the multivariate component-wise mediation effects, and the norm of the component-wise effects, and develop a Monte-Carlo procedure for evaluating their statistical significance. To accommodate the setting with a large number of mediators and a small sample size, we further propose a transformation model using the spectral decomposition. Under the transformation model, mediation effects can be estimated using a series of regression models with a univariate transformed mediator, and examined by our proposed testing procedure. Extensive simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of our methods for continuous and dichotomous outcomes. We apply the methods to analyze genomic data investigating the effect of microRNA miR-223 on a dichotomous survival status of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We identify nine gene ontology sets with expression values that significantly mediate the effect of miR-223 on GBM survival.
Different Bla‐g T cell antigens dominate responses in asthma versus rhinitis subjects
Authors: Dillon M. B. C. , Schulten V. , Oseroff C. , Paul S. , Dullanty L. M. , Frazier A. , Belles X. , Piulachs M.‐D. , Visness C. , Bacharier L. , Bloomberg G. R. , Busse P. , Sidney J. , Peters B. , Sette A.
Published: September 2015

Background and objective

The allergenicity of several German cockroach (Bla‐g) antigens at the level of IgE responses is well established. However, less is known about the specificity of CD4+ TH responses, and whether differences exist in associated magnitude or cytokine profiles as a function of disease severity.

Methods

Proteomic and transcriptomic techniques were used to identify novel antigens recognized by allergen‐specific T cells. To characterize different TH functionalities of allergen‐specific T cells, ELISPOT assays with sets of overlapping peptides covering the sequences of known allergens and novel antigens were employed to measure release of IL‐5, IFNγ, IL‐10, IL‐17 and IL‐21.

Results

Using these techniques, we characterized TH responses in a cohort of adult Bla‐g‐sensitized subjects, either with (n = 55) or without (n = 17) asthma, and nonsensitized controls (n = 20). T cell responses were detected for ten known Bla‐g allergens and an additional ten novel Bla‐g antigens, representing in total a 5‐fold increase in the number of antigens demonstrated to be targeted by allergen‐specific T cells. Responses of sensitized individuals regardless of asthma status were predominantly TH2, but higher in patients with diagnosed asthma. In asthmatic subjects, Bla‐g 5, 9 and 11 were immunodominant, while, in contrast, nonasthmatic‐sensitized subjects responded mostly to Bla‐g 5 and 4 and the novel antigen NBGA5.

Conclusions

Asthmatic and nonasthmatic cockroach‐sensitized individuals exhibit similar TH2‐polarized responses. Compared with nonasthmatics, however, asthmatic individuals have responses of higher magnitude and different allergen specificity.
A Hierarchical Approach for Regular Centroidal Voronoi Tessellations
Authors: Wang L. , Hétroy‐Wheeler F. , Boyer E.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we consider Centroidal Voronoi Tessellations (CVTs) and study their regularity. CVTs are geometric structures that enable regular tessellations of geometric objects and are widely used in shape modelling and analysis. While several efficient iterative schemes, with defined local convergence properties, have been proposed to compute CVTs, little attention has been paid to the evaluation of the resulting cell decompositions. In this paper, we propose a regularity criterion that allows us to evaluate and compare CVTs independently of their sizes and of their cell numbers. This criterion allows us to compare CVTs on a common basis. It builds on earlier theoretical work showing that second moments of cells converge to a lower bound when optimizing CVTs. In addition to proposing a regularity criterion, this paper also considers computational strategies to determine regular CVTs. We introduce a hierarchical framework that propagates regularity over decomposition levels and hence provides CVTs with provably better regularities than existing methods. We illustrate these principles with a wide range of experiments on synthetic and real models.