bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the study of Lean transformation through organizational culture analysis
Authors: Snyder Kristen , Ingelsson Pernilla , Bäckström Ingela
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and synthesize approaches to studying Lean transformation to further develop a comprehensive approach that integrates organizational culture analysis and performance measurement systems from a systems perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual in nature and based on a review of the literature in the areas of measuring Lean transformation and studying organizational culture. Three questions guide this conceptual analysis: “What approaches have been used to examine Lean transformation in business and public sector organizations?”; “Is there evidence of a focus on organizational culture in the measurement practices in Lean transformation and, if so, how?”; and “What can we learn from organizational cultural theorists about developing a more comprehensive framework to study Lean transformation?”. The analysis was conducted in two phases: In Phase 1, a database search was conducted using the key words Lean transformation, studying Lean, studying Lean transformation, studying organizational culture in Lean and measuring Lean, from which eight papers were selected. In Phase 2, the authors reviewed two models for studying organizational culture.

Findings

Findings indicated that the dominant approach to study and measure Lean transformation is based on the performance measurement model. Based on this approach, there was little evidence of a focus on organizational culture, and few integrated the human dimensions with the tools and practices. The authors also found evidence of a greater awareness of the need to develop a balanced performance measurement system that reflects both the subjective soft measures and the objective hard measures. Among the approaches studied, two models did reflect integration between hard and soft measures: Dahlgaard et al.’s (2011) 4Ps and Najem et al. ’s (2012) assessment model for studying organizational culture in Lean. Both of these methods provide a strong framework from which to further enhance the study of Lean transformation by incorporating elements from Bantz’s (1993) organizational communication culture method and Martin’s (1992) Matrix concept.

Originality/value

This paper furthers the academic dialogue on measuring Lean transformation through its unique analysis of studying organizational culture.
ACODE Benchmarks for technology enhanced learning (TEL)
Authors: Sankey Michael , Padró Fernando F.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present findings from a benchmarking exercise by 24 higher education institutions (HEIs) about the use of the Australasian Council on Open, Distance and e-learning (ACODE) Benchmarks and its benchmarking process to provide data about technology-enhanced learning (TEL) environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Results of the first instalment of a major benchmarking activity of the robustness of the benchmarks and of the benchmarking process itself based on two surveys provided participants, one during the collaborative session between participants from the 24 HEIs and nine months later.

Findings

The most important conclusion was the interest and usefulness of the benchmarks for participating HEIs, especially the sharing of information between HEIs. Six recommendations from the data indicated the desire to formally endorse the benchmarks, facilitate a formal benchmarking activity every two years, postpone the merger of four benchmarks into two and create more online tools to share practice.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected and analysed through non-validated surveys based on ACODE’s need-to-know to develop baselines specific to the usefulness of the benchmarks themselves, the benchmarking process itself and next steps.

Practical implications

This paper provides a comparative view of how 24 universities approach online education and their use of the ACODE Benchmarks and how they facilitate HEI regulatory compliance.

Social implications

ACODE Benchmarks are one of few institution-wide quality improvement tools or frameworks for TEL available for universities to use. The benchmarking exercise provides a process through which HEIs can learn from each other how to improve their approaches to e-learning activities to better serve student learning needs.

Originality/value

Reporting of how universities seen as leading practitioners in TEL pursue good/best practice, decision-making and reporting.
Defining and measuring student adjustment-seeking behavior
Authors: Geyer Paul D.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and define the concept of student adjustment-seeking behavior, differentiating it from the related behaviors of compliance-seeking, and help-seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of college students, documentation is provided as to the frequency of occurrence of student adjustment-seeking behavior. Also presented is empirical, albeit exploratory, evidence of a statistically significant correlation between self-reports of prior adjustment-seeking behavior, and adjustment-seeking likelihood.

Findings

In support of the study hypothesis, a moderately high, bivariate correlation was observed between adjustment-seeking likelihood and prior adjustment-seeking behavior.

Originality/value

Further attention to the topic and measurement of adjustment-seeking behavior would seem to be justified and continued efforts to validate the measure of adjustment-seeking likelihood may be fruitful in efforts to better understand adjustment-seeking behavior. Research recommendations, practical applications, and study limitations are discussed.
Public private partnership (PPP) facilities management for healthcare services in Malaysia
Authors: Hashim Hariati Abdullah , Sapri Maimunah , Low Sheau-Ting
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges associated with the delivery of facilities management (FM) under public–private partnership (PPP) for healthcare services in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey has been administrated to PPP practitioners in Malaysia. The study has adopted reliability and descriptive method for analysis.

Findings

This research resulted in a series of 14 challenges that have to be faced in the implementation of PPP FM for healthcare services in Malaysia. Inadequate specific PPP risk management model is identified as the most significant challenge followed by the difficulty in reaching agreements and project complexity.

Originality/value

This study is considered the first study that identifies and assesses the challenges of PPP within the Malaysian context. The findings will provide a more informed basis for decision-making process, especially for the FM bidders.
How are we funding professional sports stadiums? An overview
Authors: Alakshendra Abhinav
Published: September 2016

Purpose

American taxpayers heavily subsidize professional sports leagues and teams through direct and indirect public funding to build professional sports stadiums. Today, the proportion of public funding to build professional sports stadiums is greater than private contribution. In last 20 years, almost all of the 100 professional stadiums opened have received some form of direct or indirect financial assistance from local, state and federal government. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates and documents most often used methods of stadium financing in recent years along with the historical shift from privately built stadiums to public funded stadiums in the span of 65 years. This paper also briefly reviews the literature evaluating the impacts of public spending for professional sports stadiums. The vast literature on the topic reveals that economists and city planners agree that public subsidy to build expensive professional sports stadiums cannot be justified on the grounds of perceived economic development.

Findings

Over the years, funding mix to build professional sports facilities has changed dramatically. Local government has been coming up with various financing strategies involving new and old instruments.

Originality/value

The findings also suggest that share of local and state government has gone up in recent years compare to federal government share.
CSR, relationship quality, loyalty and psychological connection in sports
Authors: Nyadzayo Munyaradzi W. , Leckie Civilai , McDonald Heath
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role played by corporate social responsibility (CSR) in building relationship quality (RQ) in the context of sports organisations. In turn, the link between RQ and customer loyalty is examined. Acknowledging that customers develop a psychological connection with the sports organisation over time, the study also examines whether the link between CSR and RQ is moderated by the psychological continuum model (PCM) stages (awareness, attraction, attachment and allegiance).

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data were drawn from almost 6,000 season ticket holders of a professional sports club. Structural equation modelling and the non-parametric bootstrapping regression technique were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results support the direct impact of CSR activities on RQ. RQ, in turn, drives customer loyalty. Importantly, RQ is found to fully mediate the relationship between CSR and customer loyalty. However, as customers move through the psychological connection stages, the effect of CSR on customer loyalty via RQ tends to diminish.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence of a direct impact of CSR activities on RQ, and also attests the role of psychological connection in sports organisations.

Originality/value

The incorporation of a multidimensional RQ construct and the PCM stages allows a deeper understanding of how CSR might be employed to achieve organisational goals.
A sample survey analysis of the effectiveness of training and development initiatives in Bahrain’s financial sector on employability of Bahraini nationals in 2015
Authors: Ganguli Subhadra , Matar Reem Hameed
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Bahrain has been the center for financial services industry in the Middle East since 1970s as a result of the national strategy of diversification of its economy from oil-based resources to financial services. Since then Bahrain has also become the center for training and development for the Bahraini nationals with the aim of recruiting Bahrainis as employees of choice by the sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of training and development initiatives on the employability of Bahrainis in the financial services sector in 2015. To this end, pioneering initiatives were undertaken by the government in creating institutions for training and continuous education in Bahrain. The Economic Vision 2030 of Bahrain lays emphasis on a vibrant private sector with Bahrainis being the employees of choice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a mixed approach using quantitative and qualitative methods through the use of a survey questionnaire and secondary data to analyze the impact of training and development on the employability of Bahraini nationals in the financial sector as of 2015.

Findings

The findings show that training and development lead to career progression which impact employability rates of Bahrainis in the financial services sector for the selected sample of financial sector employees.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by only a cross-section of data collected via questionnaire and does not consider the historical development and analysis of employability rates in Bahrain over the years. The questionnaire has some limitations and there are expected possible biases in the responses.

Originality/value

Given the sensitivity of the topic of research, the analysis has policy implications for the labor market of Bahrain due to the Bahrain 2030 Vision of privatization and diversification and is the first study of its kind for the financial sector of Bahrain.
The price of looking sexy: visual ecology of a three‐level predator–prey system
Authors: Outomuro David , Söderquist Linus , Johansson Frank , Ödeen Anders , Nordström Karin
Published: September 2016

Colour signals and colour vision play a pivotal role in intraspecific communication and predator–prey interactions. However, the costs of expressing conspicuous sexual signals at multiple trophic levels have been largely overlooked. Sexual signals can also experience character displacement in sympatric populations of closely related species, leading to potential changes in conspicuousness.

We here investigate a bird–damselfly–fruit fly predator–prey system, where two closely related damselfly species have conspicuous, sexually selected wing coloration. The damselflies can occur in sympatry and allopatry, and reproductive character displacement in the coloration size has been previously reported.

We quantify the damselfly wing reflectance from replicated sympatric and allopatric populations, and use receptor noise models to investigate the visual discriminability of the wing coloration for the bird, damselfly and fly vision systems, against natural backgrounds. We perform electroretinograms to study damselfly eye sensitivity. We also estimate damselfly predation risk in natural populations.

We find that the chromatic component of wing coloration makes males highly discriminable to the predator, but not to the prey. However, female wing coloration is predominantly cryptic for the predator and prey, and interestingly, also for male damselflies. A female being cryptic to conspecifics likely reduces male harassment. The estimates of predation risk partially support the discriminability results. We also show that there is no difference in colour vision sensitivity between the two damselfly species and sexes, and no difference in wing coloration or its discriminability between sympatric and allopatric populations.

Our results suggest that sexually selected traits can be antagonistically selected by predators and prey and that this antagonistic selection can be sex‐dependent: males are paying a large cost in terms of conspicuousness, while females remain mostly cryptic. Our study thus emphasizes the need for investigating visual communication at multitrophic levels since the degree of colour discriminability can differ between predators, prey and the focal species.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Micro X‐Ray computed tomography imaging and ultrasonic velocity measurements in tetrahydrofuran‐hydrate‐bearing sediments
Authors: Schindler Mandy , Batzle Michael L. , Prasad Manika
Published: September 2016

Naturally occurring gas hydrates contain significant amounts of natural gas that might be produced as an energy resource in the foreseeable future. Thus, it is necessary to understand the pore‐space characteristics of hydrate reservoirs, particularly the pore‐scale distribution of the hydrate and its interaction with the sediment. Four end‐member models for hydrate distribution in the pore space are pore filling, sediment‐frame component, envelope cementing, and contact cementing. The goal of this study is to compare the models with pore‐scale hydrate distributions obtained in laboratory‐formed hydrates. Our results verify hydrate pore‐scale distributions by direct, visual observations that were previously implied by indirect, elastic property measurements.

Laboratory measurements were conducted using tetrahydrofuran as a guest molecule since tetrahydrofuran hydrate can be used as a proxy for naturally occurring hydrates. We performed micro X‐ray computed tomography to obtain information about the distribution of hydrate in the pore space of synthetic sediment (glass beads). We also made ultrasonic velocity measurements on the same samples. Micro X‐ray computed tomography images and ultrasonic velocity measurements both indicate that the tetrahydrofuran hydrate forms in the pore space with a part of the hydrate bridging the grains without touching the grain surfaces. These hydrate‐bearing sediments appear to follow a pore‐filling model with a portion of the hydrate becoming a load‐bearing part of the sediment frame.
Sensitivity of the farmland bird community to crop diversification in Sweden: does the CAP fit?
Authors: Josefsson Jonas , Berg Åke , Hiron Matthew , Pärt Tomas , Eggers Sönke
Published: September 2016

Crop diversification has been introduced as an environmental strategy in the ‘Greening’ of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2015–2020. The primary target of crop diversification is soil and ecosystem resilience, but claims for potential benefits for farmland biodiversity are also common. However, understanding of relationships between the number (compositional heterogeneity) and spatial arrangement (configurational heterogeneity) of crop fields and biodiversity is generally poor, making such claims relatively unfounded.

In this study, we monitored crop and farmland bird diversity on 178 farms across Sweden's main agricultural areas. From a pre‐implementation assessment, we show that >97% of the assessed farms would not be required to change their management under the CAP crop diversification measure (minimum of three crops for farms with 30+ ha), suggesting that this measure has generated little change on Swedish farms.

While accounting for non‐crop elements and farming system (conventional or organic), we show that crop structural diversity (i.e. the management and vegetation structure of crops) rather than crop diversity senso lato positively affected richness of non‐crop breeding bird species with stronger effects in arable, compared with forest‐dominated landscapes. No such effects were observed among field‐nesting farmland bird species.

Organic farming had little influence on farmland birds with positive effects only in the most arable‐dominated landscapes and for field‐nesting species only. In forest‐dominated landscapes, organic farms even held lower field‐nester densities compared with conventional farms, possibly due to the dominance of grasslands on organic farms that in these landscapes support lower densities of field‐nesting species compared with cereals.

Policy implications. Our study illustrates the importance of a consideration of structural instead of species diversity of crops for biodiversity, in this case farmland birds. We also underline the absence of such a distinction in current EU Common Agricultural Policy Greening, while simultaneously setting levels on crop diversification too low resulting in little to no change in landscape‐scale crop diversity on Swedish farmland. We recommend that future efforts to manage farmland biodiversity should include ways of increasing the structural diversity of crops at the scale of farms and landscapes.
Effects of nitrogen deposition on reproduction in a masting tree: benefits of higher seed production are trumped by negative biotic interactions
Authors: Bogdziewicz Michał , Crone Elizabeth E. , Steele Michael A. , Zwolak Rafał
Published: September 2016

Relatively little is known about the effects of anthropogenic environmental changes on reproductive ecology of trees. Yet, recruitment is a primary determinant of the long‐term dynamics of plant populations in changing environments.

We used the Long‐Term Ecological Research site at Harvard Forest to evaluate the effects of chronic (over 25 years) nitrogen fertilization on reproductive ecology of red oaks (Quercus rubra).

Oaks growing in fertilized plots produced 4–9 times more acorns than control trees. However, nitrogen deposition simultaneously affected oaks’ biotic interactions. It increased pre‐dispersal seed predation by insects (primarily weevils, Curculio spp.) on fertilized plots, most likely as the result of the disruption of predator satiation. In addition, infestation by weevils was more likely to result in embryo destruction in fertilized than in control acorns. Furthermore, the proportion of acorns dispersed and cached by rodents decreased on fertilized plots. Finally, germination of fertilized acorns was lower than control acorns, even after controlling for the effects of weevils and rodents.

Inclusion of the altered biotic interactions reversed the final picture of the effects of long‐term nitrogen fertilization on oak reproduction: the positive effects on acorn quantity were trumped by the nitrogen‐mediated changes in biotic interactions.

Synthesis. Our results stress the importance of considering indirect effects and consumer interactions when evaluating the effects of environmental change on plant population dynamics. Long‐term nitrogen fertilization has a strong potential to decrease the recruitment of masting trees. Given the ubiquitous increase in the anthropogenic nitrogen deposition, processes similar to those found in our system might operate in others, resulting in a widespread alteration in trees’ recruitment dynamics.
Upper limb motor training using a Saebo™ orthosis is feasible for increasing task‐specific practice in hospital after stroke
Authors: Lannin Natasha A. , Cusick Anne , Hills Caroline , Kinnear Bianca , Vogel Karin , Matthews Kate , Bowring Greg
Published: September 2016

Background/aim

Assistive technologies have the potential to increase the amount of movement practice provided during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using the Saebo‐Flex™ device in a subacute stroke setting to increase task‐specific practice for people with little or no active hand movement. The secondary aim was to collect preliminary data comparing hand/upper limb function between a control group that received usual rehabilitation and an intervention group that used, in addition, the Saebo‐Flex™ device.

Methods

Nine inpatients (mean three months (median six weeks) post‐stroke) participated in this feasibility study conducted in an Australian rehabilitation setting, using a randomised pre‐test and post‐test design with concealed allocation and blinded outcome assessment. In addition to usual rehabilitation, the intervention group received eight weeks of daily motor training using the Saebo‐Flex™ device. The control group received usual rehabilitation (task‐specific motor training) only. Participants were assessed at baseline (pre‐randomisation) and at the end of the eight‐week study period. Feasibility was assessed with respect to ease of recruitment, application of the device, compliance with the treatment programme and safety. Secondary outcome measures included the Motor Assessment Scale (upper limb items), Box and Block Test, grip strength and the Stroke Impact Scale.

Results

Recruitment to the study was very slow because of the low number of patients with little or no active hand movement. Otherwise, the study was feasible in terms of being able to apply the Saebo‐Flex™ device and compliance with the treatment programme. There were no adverse events, and a greater amount of upper limb rehabilitation was provided to the intervention group. While there were trends in favour of the intervention group, particularly for dexterity, no between‐group differences were seen for any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

This pilot feasibility study showed that the use of assistive technology, specifically the Saebo‐Flex™ device, could be successfully used in a sample of stroke patients with little or no active hand movement. However, recruitment to the trial was very slow. The use of the Saebo‐FlexTM device had variable results on outcomes, with some positive trends seen in hand function, particularly dexterity.
A state of limbo: the politics of waiting in neo‐liberal Latvia
Authors: Ozoliņa‐Fitzgerald Liene
Published: September 2016

This article presents an ethnographic study of politics of waiting in a post‐Soviet context. While activation has been explored in sociological and anthropological literature as a neo‐liberal governmental technology and its application in post‐socialist context has also been compellingly documented, waiting as a political artefact has only recently been receiving increased scholarly attention. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork at a state‐run unemployment office in Riga, this article shows how, alongside activation, state welfare policies also produce passivity and waiting. Engaging with the small but developing field of sociological literature on the politics of waiting, I argue that, rather than interpreting it as a clash between ‘neo‐liberal’ and ‘Soviet’ regimes, we should understand the double‐move of activation and imposition of waiting as a key mechanism of neo‐liberal biopolitics. This article thus extends the existing theorizations of the temporal politics of neo‐liberalism.
Milking machine test survey of British installations: An update
Authors: Berry Elizabeth A , Scrivens Mark , Hillerton J Eric
Published: September 2016

A review of milking machine tests on 640 dairy farms in England and Wales between 2012 and 2014 suggests more machines now comply with installation and operation standards than 10 years ago. However, approximately 60% of systems tested failed to meet the milking machine requirements of the farm assurance standards in the UK, with most failing to reach operational requirements on one aspect. The most common problem (47%) was that the systems had excessive vacuum line losses, with other vacuum/airline losses also common. Many machines failed on more than one aspect.
Probiotics– the journey continues
Authors: Thomas Linda V
Published: September 2016

Papers from the recent Society of Dairy Technology's spring conference on probiotics are reviewed. Legislation relating to probiotic health claims was outlined, with comparison of the EU with other countries, including Japan. Research evidence for numerous probiotic benefits was described, with particular focus on obesity‐related disorders, antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea, infections and cancer. The mechanisms of activity underlying these effects were explained. Research on the gut microbiota early and late in life was presented, with examples of new product development. The physicochemical and microbial considerations for probiotic delivery in a cheese matrix were discussed, and the manufacturing process for galacto‐oligosaccharides used in infant formula was outlined.
An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field
Authors: Masry Ayad , Furlong Michael J. , Clarke Anthony R. , Cunningham John Paul
Published: September 2016

Good culturing methods play an important role in the study of insect behavior and its application to pest management. Here, we describe and validate a new method for rearing the parasitoid wasp, Diachasmimorpha kraussii, which attacks some of the world's worst fruit fly pests and is an internationally used biological control agent. Our method differs from standard culturing approaches by presenting adult wasps with host‐infested artificial media within a “culturing bag,” which mimics a natural (fruit) oviposition substrate. In laboratory trials using wild collected D. kraussii, the culturing bag method was compared to the use of host‐infested nectarines, and a commonly used laboratory method of presenting host‐infested artificial media within Petri dishes. The culturing bag method proved to be a significant improvement on both methods, combining the advantages of high host survival in artificial media with parasitism levels that were the equivalent to those recorded using host‐infested fruits. In our field study, culturing bags infested with the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, and hung in a mixed peach and nectarine orchard proved to be effective “artificial fruits” attracting wild D. kraussii for oviposition. Significantly more adult wasps were reared from the culturing bags compared to field collected fruits. This was shown to be due to higher fruit fly larval density in the bags, as similar percentage parasitism rates were found between the culturing bags and ripe fruits. We discuss how this cheap, time‐efficient method could be applied to collecting and monitoring wild D. kraussii populations in orchards, and assist in maintaining genetic variability in parasitoid laboratory cultures.
Beer Clarification by Novel Ceramic Hollow‐Fiber Membranes: Effect of Pore Size on Product Quality
Authors: Cimini Alessio , Moresi Mauro
Published: September 2016

In this work, the crossflow microfiltration performance of rough beer samples was assessed using ceramic hollow‐fiber (HF) membrane modules with a nominal pore size ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 μm. Under constant operating conditions (that is, transmembrane pressure difference, TMP = 2.35 bar; feed superficial velocity, vS = 2.5 m/s; temperature, T = 10 °C), quite small steady‐state permeation fluxes (J*) of 32 or 37 L/m2/h were achieved using the 0.2‐ or 0.5‐μm symmetric membrane modules. Both permeates exhibited turbidity <1 EBC unit, but a significant reduction in density, viscosity, color, extract, and foam half‐life with respect to their corresponding retentates. The 0.8‐μm asymmetric membrane module might be selected, its corresponding permeate having quite a good turbidity and medium reduction in the aforementioned beer quality parameters. Moreover, it exhibited J* values of the same order of magnitude of those claimed for the polyethersulfone HF membrane modules currently commercialized. The 1.4‐μm asymmetric membrane module yielded quite a high steady‐state permeation flux (196 ± 38 L/m2/h), and a minimum decline in permeate quality parameters, except for the high levels of turbidity at room temperature and chill haze. In the circumstances, such a membrane module might be regarded as a real valid alternative to conventional powder filters on condition that the resulting permeate were submitted to a final finishing step using 0.45‐ or 0.65‐μm microbially rated membrane cartridges prior to aseptic bottling. A novel combined beer clarification process was thus outlined.
Deodorization of Garlic Breath by Foods, and the Role of Polyphenol Oxidase and Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Mirondo Rita , Barringer Sheryl
Published: September 2016

Garlic causes a strong garlic breath that may persist for almost a day. Therefore, it is important to study deodorization techniques for garlic breath. The volatiles responsible for garlic breath include diallyl disulfide, allyl mercaptan, allyl methyl disulfide, and allyl methyl sulfide. After eating garlic, water (control), raw, juiced or heated apple, raw or heated lettuce, raw or juiced mint leaves, or green tea were consumed immediately. The levels of the garlic volatiles on the breath were analyzed from 1 to 60 min by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS). Garlic was also blended with water (control), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), rosemarinic acid, quercetin or catechin, and the volatiles in the headspace analyzed from 3 to 40 min by SIFT‐MS. Raw apple, raw lettuce, and mint leaves significantly decreased all of the garlic breath volatiles in vivo. The proposed mechanism is enzymatic deodorization where volatiles react with phenolic compounds. Apple juice and mint juice also had a deodorizing effect on most of the garlic volatiles but were generally not as effective as the raw food, probably because the juice had enzymatic activity but the phenolic compounds had already polymerized. Both heated apple and heated lettuce produced a significant reduction of diallyl disulfide and allyl mercaptan. The presence of phenolic compounds that react with the volatile compounds even in the absence of enzymes is the most likely mechanism. Green tea had no deodorizing effect on the garlic volatile compounds. Rosmarinic acid, catechin, quercetin, and PPO significantly decreased all garlic breath volatiles in vitro. Rosmarinic acid was the most effective at deodorization.
Sparing healthy lung by focusing the radiation beam flow onto the emphysematous regions in the treatment of lung cancer
Authors: Jumeau Raphael , Peguret Nicolas , de Bari Berardino , Moeckli Raphael , Soares‐Rodrigues Joao‐Luis , Durham Andrea Dante , Hojnowski Sophie , Bourhis Jean , Ozsahin Mahmut , Beigelman‐Aubry Catherine
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Currently, routine radiotherapy (RT) planning for locally advanced lung cancer (LC) does not take into consideration the functional state of the lung. The goal of this study was to determine if it is technically feasible to integrate the sites of pulmonary emphysema (PE) into the RT planning process.

Methods

Ten patients with LC and PE treated with helical Tomotherapy© were retrospectively included. After extraction by Myrian© software based on diagnostic CT (DCT), the PE data were transferred to the treatment planning system (TPS). PE‐optimized plans were performed for patients with significant PE, where the dose was focused onto the PE. We compared the PE‐optimized RT plans to the initial RT plans.

Results

The median dose to the planning target volume (PTV) was 52 Gy (range, 36–66) in fractions of 2–3 Gy. The median PE volume was 220 cm3 (range: 12–1394), and six patients were eligible for a PE‐optimized RT plan. Considering the lung without PE, the V20 and V30 variations were not significant (P > 0.05), the V5 decreased from 50% to 44% after re‐planning (P < 0.05). The mean PTV D98 was 50 Gy versus 48 Gy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Focusing the RT beam flow on the PE structure rather than the healthy lung appears feasible, and may be a promising technique to help preserve pulmonary function and minimize RT‐related pulmonary toxicity.
Uncovering behavioural states from animal activity and site fidelity patterns
Authors: Mahoney Peter J. , Young Julie K.
Published: September 2016

Space use by animals has important implications for individual fitness. However, resource requirements often vary throughout the course of a lifetime and are a reflection of the demands associated with daily tasks or specific life‐history phases, from food acquisition to reproduction, and emphasize the need to classify resource selection relative to specific behavioural states. Site fidelity is often indicative of behaviours important for individual maintenance (e.g. foraging), species' life history (e.g. seasonal site selection), social communication (e.g. scent‐marking) and species interactions (e.g. predation, competition). Thus, resolving site fidelity patterns associated with key behaviours is essential to accurately quantify behavioural‐dependent resource needs and the fitness consequences of space use.

We propose a novel method for identifying site fidelity patterns in animal location data using a convex hull clustering program called R Animal Site Fidelity (rASF). We also provide a means of integrating activity as a measure of behavioural state. We demonstrate the utility of the approach in identifying cougar (Puma concolor) predation events, coyote (Canis latrans) den and rendezvous sites, and coyote territorial boundaries.

We parameterized rASF based on site fidelity characteristics that best characterized the clustering behaviour of interest and estimated behavioural state from either dual‐axial accelerometer data or movement trajectory statistics. When behaviour was used in conjunction with cluster‐specific metrics (duration, proportion of diurnal fixes and landscape composition), we could accurately predict prey species associated with cougar kills and differentiate pup‐rearing from scent‐marking sites in coyotes.

Site fidelity patterns and activities associated with animal revisitation will be key to identifying the behavioural motivations behind observed patterns of space use. Our approach provides an efficient, rigorous and repeatable means of identifying site fidelity patterns associated with specific behavioural states without the need for direct observations, which are often impossible to collect at large spatial scales and in dense habitat. As such, this framework has significant potential to inform theory in behavioural ecology while providing managers with better resolution on appropriate management targets associated with key aspects of a species' life history.
Bringing Economics Back into Assimilation: The Select Committee of Inquiry into the Grievances of The Yirrkala Aborigines 1963
Authors: Watson Virginia
Published: September 2016

This article takes as its starting point Marcia Langton's argument for a clearer understanding of the role of economic history in Australian Indigenous affairs in order to examine the testimony presented to the Select Committee established to respond to the Bark Petitions in 1963. The testimony is discussed in four categories, dealing with questions of (a) land and land use; (b) employment, education and training; (c) infrastructure, water, health and housing, and (d) the distinct perspective of the Indigenous witnesses and those sympathetic to their viewpoint. I highlight the various ways in which the economic dimensions of the Yirrkala community's relationship to land were systematically ignored and suppressed, despite the claim among proponents of assimilation to be seeking the incorporation of Australian Aborigines into mainstream economic activity. I conclude by identifying the light thrown by the Select Committee's testimony on the ways in which Aboriginal Australians have been ignored as economic actors, thus systematically undermining the aims of assimilation policy rather than advancing them.

“We would not mind the natives standing on the banks and watching the shovels work if they want to do so.”
Australian Religious Thought
Authors: Tregenza Ian
Published: September 2016

Australian Religious Thought. By Wayne Hudson (Melbourne: Monash University Publishing, 2016), pp. xxiv + 248. AU$39.95 (pb).
Rushing for Gold: Life and Commerce on the Goldfields of New Zealand and Australia
Authors: Richards Jonathan
Published: September 2016

Rushing for Gold: Life and Commerce on the Goldfields of New Zealand and Australia. Edited by Lloyd Carpenter and Lyndon Fraser (Dunedin: Otago University Press, 2016), 396 pp. ISBN 978‐1‐877578‐54‐0, NZ$45.00 (pb).
Armenia, Australia and the Great War
Authors: Fathi Romain
Published: September 2016

Armenia, Australia and the Great War. By Vicken Babkenian and Peter Stanley (Sydney: New South Publishing, 2016), pp. xii + 323. Two maps. AU$34.99 (pb).
The Fifth Column in World War II: Suspected Subversives in the Pacific War and Australia
Authors: Cain Frank
Published: September 2016

The Fifth Column in World War II: Suspected Subversives in the Pacific War and Australia. By Robert Loeffel (Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015), pp. x + 219, £60.00 (cloth).
Contemporary Australian Political Party Organisations
Authors: Clune David
Published: September 2016

Contemporary Australian Political Party Organisations. Edited by Narelle Miragliotta, Anika Gauja and Rodney Smith (Clayton, Victoria: Monash University Publishing, 2015), pp xx+263. AU$49.95 (pb).
Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis postmorcellated resection of uterine leiomyomatous tissue
Authors: Sekulic Miroslav , Moench Laura , Movahedi‐Lankarani Saeid
Published: September 2016

In a retrospective review, we identified six cases of disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) that occurred after resection for uterine leiomyoma(ta) using a morcellation procedure between 2010 and 2016. DPL occurred in less than 1% of all patients who underwent a prior hysterectomy with morcellation, and DPL never occurred without having underwent such a resection. The median age of women at the time of their original resection of uterine tissue was 38.6 years; the median time interval until resection of DPL after the primary morcellation procedure was 73 months and the median age was 48 years. At the time of DPL resection, a median of 6.5 individual lesions was present per patient, with each lesion having a median size of 1.2 cm in the greatest dimension. The most common peritoneal sites of involvement included the sigmoid colon serosa, right pelvis/pelvic side wall, and anterior abdominal parietal peritoneum. The same parameters are described for previously reported cases of DPL in the literature developing after a morcellated resection of uterine leiomyoma(ta). The use of morcellating hysterectomy specimens with leiomyomata may lead to the development of DPL by seeding, may involve numerous peritoneal sites, and often presents 2 years after the original resection.
Leather quality of beefalo‐Nellore cattle in different production systems
Authors: Ítavo Luís Carlos Vinhas , Mateus Rodrigo Gonçalves , Ítavo Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira , Dias Alexandre Menezes , Gomes Fabio Candal , da Silva Fabiano Ferreira , Schio Alex Resende , Nogueira Eriklis , Petit Hélène Véronique
Published: September 2016

The aim was to compare the effects of two production systems on performance, carcass traits and physical‐mechanical characteristics of leather from Beefalo‐Nellore steers and heifers and to determine if the response to the production system was similar for both genders. A total of 40 Beefalo‐Nellore cattle, 20 steers and 20 heifers, were evaluated. Animals were divided into two production systems: slaughtered at 15 (intensive system) or 26 (extensive system) months of age. In the intensive system, all animals received a ration containing 600 g/kg corn silage and 400 g/kg concentrate. In the extensive system, animals were kept on a pasture predominantly based on Brachiaria sp. and supplemented with 2 kg/day concentrate. In the intensive system, there was no difference in slaughter weight (470 kg body weight) between steers and heifers but steers in the extensive system had greater slaughter weight than heifers (463 and 428 kg body weight, respectively). Leather weight was higher for animals in the intensive than extensive system but there was no difference in leather weight once excess fat was removed. Leather quality from Beefalo‐Nellore cattle slaughtered at 15 or 26 months of age is similar although carcass yield is higher for cattle slaughtered at a younger age.
Epispadias and the associated embryopathies: genetic and developmental basis
Authors: Suzuki K. , Matsumaru D. , Matsushita S. , Murashima A. , Ludwig M. , Reutter H. , Yamada G.
Published: September 2016

The abnormalities in the urogenital organs are frequently observed as human developmental diseases. Among such diseases, the defects in the upper part of external genitalia are rather rare named epispadias. The cleft in the dorsal part of external genitalia often reaches to the urethra. In general, the urogenital abnormalities accompany defects in the adjacent tissues and organs. The ventral body wall and bladder can also be affected in the patients with dorsal defects of the external genitalia. Therefore, such multiple malformations are often classified as bladder exstrophy and epispadias complex (BEEC). Because of the lower frequency of such birth defects and their early embryonic development, animal models are required to analyze the pathogenic mechanisms and the functions of responsible genes. Mutant mouse analyses on various signal cascades for external genitalia and body wall development are increasingly performed. The genetic interactions between growth factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmp) and transcription factors such as Msx1/2 and Isl1 have been suggested to play roles for such organogenesis. The significance of epithelial–mesenchymal interaction (EMI) is suggested during development. In this review, we describe on such local interactions and developmental regulators. We also introduce some mutant mouse models displaying external genitalia‐body wall abnormalities.
Long‐term functional outcome of colonic resections: how much does faecal impairment influence quality of life?
Authors: Magdeburg J. , Glatz N. , Post S. , Kienle P. , Rickert A.
Published: September 2016

Aim

Older data suggest that colonic resection has a negative impact on continence and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of colonic resections for colonic cancer and diverticulitis and its influence on quality of life.

Methods

Patients who underwent colonic resection between 2005 and 2013 were identified from a prospective database. A survey with two questionnaires [Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) scale, Short Form 12 (SF‐12)] and additional questions concerning bowel function was sent to all patients.

Results

Colonic resection was performed in 362 patients in the study period; 297 patients returned the questionnaires (response rate 82.0%). Faecal urgency or incontinence more than once a month was present in 15% of patients and 25% of patients reported that bowel symptoms limited their quality of life. The mean total FIQL score for all patients was 3.58. The SF‐12 score was comparable to a reference population without prior colonic resection. Patients after right‐sided resections had liquid stool more often than others (45.3% vs 38.7%, P = 0.011). No differences in bowel function and quality of life were detected between resections for colonic cancer and diverticulitis.

Conclusion

Most patients experience no limitation in bowel function after segmental colectomy. Those with limitations in bowel function still seem to cope well, as the quality of life is not severely affected. Nevertheless, most patients with lower functional scores also had lower quality of life scores. Whether surgery is a relevant factor has to be questioned, as the prevalence of faecal incontinence in a comparable population without prior surgery is almost identical.
A clinical tool to risk stratify potential kidney transplant recipients and predict severe adverse events
Authors: Nygaard Rachel M. , Sirany Anne‐Marie , Wyman Elizabeth A. , Bodner Jennifer , Richardson Chad J. , Ney Arthur L. , Odland Mark D. , Hill Mark J.
Published: September 2016

Preoperative risk assessment of potential kidney transplant recipients often fails to adequately balance risk related to underlying comorbidities with the beneficial impact of kidney transplantation. We sought to develop a simple scoring system based on factors known at the time of patient assessment for placement on the waitlist to predict likelihood of severe adverse events 1 year post‐transplant. The tool includes four components: age, cardiopulmonary factors, functional status, and metabolic factors. Pre‐transplant factors strongly associated with severe adverse events include diabetic (OR: 3.76, P<.001), coronary artery disease (OR: 3.45, P<.001), history of CABG/PCI (OR 3.1, P=.001), and peripheral vascular disease (OR 2.74, P=.008).The score was evaluated by calculation of concordance index. The C statistic of 0.74 for the risk stratification group was considered good discrimination in the validation cohort (N=127) compared to the development cohort (N=368). The pre‐transplant risk group was highly predictive of severe adverse events (OR 2.36, P<.001). Patients stratified into the above average‐risk group were four times more likely to experience severe adverse events compared to average‐risk patients, while patients in the high‐risk group were nearly 11 times more likely to experience severe adverse events. The pre‐transplant risk stratification tool is a simple scoring scheme using easily obtained preoperative characteristics that can meaningfully stratify patients in terms of post‐transplant risk and may ultimately guide patient selection and inform the counseling of potential kidney transplant recipients.