bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of the blockchain on the supply chain: a theory-based research framework and a call for action
Authors: Treiblmaier Horst
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to strive to close the current research gap pertaining to potential implications of the blockchain for supply chain management (SCM) by presenting a framework built on four established economic theories, namely, principal agent theory (PAT), transaction cost analysis (TCA), resource-based view (RBV) and network theory (NT). These theories can be used to derive research questions that are theory-based as well as relevant for the industry. This paper is intended to initiate and stimulate an academic discussion on the potential impact of the blockchain and introduces a framework for middle-range theorizing together with several research questions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on previous theories that are frequently used in SCM research and shows how they can be adapted to blockchain-related questions.

Findings

This paper introduces a framework for middle-range theorizing together with several research questions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents blockchain-related research questions derived from four frequently used theories, namely, PAT, TCA, RBV and (NT). These questions will guide future research pertaining to structural (PAT, TCA) and managerial issues (RBV, NT) and will foster middle-range theory development in SCM research.

Practical implications

Blockchain technology has the potential to significantly change SCM. Given the huge investments by industry, academic research is needed which investigates potential implications and supports companies. In this paper, various research questions are introduced that illustrate how the implications of blockchain on SCM can be investigated from different perspectives.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, no academic papers are published in leading academic journals that investigate the relationship between SCM and blockchain from a theory-based perspective.
Relations between static and dynamic moduli of sedimentary rocks
Authors: Fjær Erling
Published: October 2018

Static moduli of rocks are usually different from the corresponding dynamic moduli. The ratio between them is generally complex and depends on several conditions, including stress state and stress history. Different drainage conditions, dispersion (often associated with pore fluid effects), heterogeneities and strain amplitude, are all potential reasons for this discrepancy. Moreover, comparison of static and dynamic moduli is often hampered and maybe mistaken due to insufficient characterization of anisotropy.

This paper gives a review of the various mechanisms causing differences between static and dynamic moduli. By careful arrangements of test conditions, it is possible to isolate the mechanisms so that they can be studied separately. Non‐elastic deformation induced by the large static strain amplitudes is particularly challenging, however a linear relationship between non‐elastic compliance and stress makes it possible to eliminate also this effect by extrapolation to zero strain amplitude.

To a large extent, each mechanism can be expressed mathematically with reasonable precision, thus quantitative relations between the moduli can be established. This provides useful tools for analyses and prediction of rock behaviour. For instance, such relations may be used to predict static stiffness and even strength based on dynamic measurements. This is particularly useful in field situations where only dynamic data are available. Further, by utilizing the possibility for extrapolation of static measurements to zero strain amplitude, dispersion in the range from seismic to ultrasonic frequencies may be studied by a combination of static and dynamic measurements.
Integrating cellular senescence with the concept of damage accumulation in aging: Relevance for clearance of senescent cells
Authors: Ogrodnik Mikolaj , Salmonowicz Hanna , Gladyshev Vadim N.
Published: October 2018

Understanding the aging process and ways to manipulate it is of major importance for biology and medicine. Among the many aging theories advanced over the years, the concept most consistent with experimental evidence posits the buildup of numerous forms of molecular damage as a foundation of the aging process. Here, we discuss that this concept integrates well with recent findings on cellular senescence, offering a novel view on the role of senescence in aging and age‐related disease. Cellular senescence has a well‐established role in cellular aging, but its impact on the rate of organismal aging is less defined. One of the most prominent features of cellular senescence is its association with macromolecular damage. The relationship between cell senescence and damage concerns both damage as a molecular signal of senescence induction and accelerated accumulation of damage in senescent cells. We describe the origin, regulatory mechanisms, and relevance of various damage forms in senescent cells. This view on senescent cells as carriers and inducers of damage puts new light on senescence, considering it as a significant contributor to the rise in organismal damage. Applying these ideas, we critically examine current evidence for a role of cellular senescence in aging and age‐related diseases. We also discuss the differential impact of longevity interventions on senescence burden and other types of age‐related damage. Finally, we propose a model on the role of aging‐related damage accumulation and the rate of aging observed upon senescent cell clearance.
A dynamic, modifiable model for estimating cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy: application to an RCT of self‐help delivered by text message
Authors: Jones Matthew , Smith Murray , Lewis Sarah , Parrott Steve , Coleman Tim
Published: October 2018

Background and Aims

Previous evaluations of smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy have several limitations. Our solution to these limitations is the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy (ESIP) model, which estimates the life‐time cost‐effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy from a National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services perspective. We aim to (1) describe how ESIP has been constructed and (2) illustrate its use with trial data.

Methods

ESIP links mothers’ and offspring pregnancy outcomes to estimate the burdens of smoking‐related disease they experience with different rates of smoking in pregnancy, both in pregnancy and throughout their life‐times. Smoking rates are inputted by model users. ESIP then estimates the costs of treating disease burdens and also mothers’ and offspring life‐years and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). By comparing costs incurred and healthy life following different smoking rates, ESIP estimates incremental cost‐effectiveness and benefit–cost ratios for mothers or offspring or both combined. We illustrate ESIP use using data from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial that tested a smoking cessation intervention in pregnancy.

Results

Throughout women's and offspring life‐times, the intervention proved cheaper than usual care, having a negative incremental cost of £38.37 (interquartile range = £21.46–56.96) and it improved health, demonstrating a 0.04 increase in incremental QALYs for mothers and offspring, implying that it is ‘dominant’ over usual care. Benefit–cost ratios suggested that every £1 spent would generate a median of £14 (interquartile range = £8–20) in health‐care savings.

Conclusions

Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy is the first economic model to link mothers’ and infants’ costs and benefits while reporting cost‐effectiveness in readily‐comparable units. Using ESIP with data from a trial which reported only short‐term economic analysis showed that the intervention was very likely to be cost‐effective in the longer term and to generate health‐care savings.
Operating time for total knee arthroplasty in public versus private sectors: where does the efficiency lie?
Authors: Cowley Richard J. , Frampton Chris , Young Simon W.
Published: October 2018

Background

Efforts to improve theatre efficiency aim to reduce health costs and maximize productivity. Operating lists in the private sector typically contain more cases than the public sector but it is unclear if this is a result of shorter operative times or reduced times between cases. We aimed to answer the question: Are operating times from skin incision to skin closure shorter in private compared to the public sector for total knee arthroplasty (TKA)?

Method

The New Zealand Joint Registry was used to compare operating times for primary TKA performed for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis between the public and private sectors. Surgeries included were completed by surgeons who had performed more than 50 TKAs in both sectors. Multivariate analysis was used to control for other variables which may influence operative duration.

Results

After adjustment for the variables of patient sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, body mass index and surgeon effect, a 3‐min difference was present between the public and private sectors (public mean: 79.9 min versus private mean: 76.4 min (P < 0.05)).

Conclusions

This study found minimal difference in operating time for TKA between the public and private sectors suggesting differences in overall theatre efficiency between the two sectors are not due to a shorter operative duration.
Prevalence of and risk factors for abnormal vaginal flora and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a rural district in north‐east Bangladesh
Authors: Baqui Abdullah H. , Lee Anne C. C. , Koffi Alain K. , Khanam Rasheda , Mitra Dipak K. , Dasgupta Sushil K. , Uddin Jamal , Ahmed Parvez , Rafiqullah Iftekhar , Rahman Mahmoodur , Quaiyum Abdul , Koumans Emilia H. , Christian Parul , Saha Samir K. , Mullany Luke C. , Labrique Alain ,   the MIST Study Team of the Projahnmo Study Group in Bangladesh
Published: October 2018

Introduction

The role of screening and treatment for abnormal vaginal flora (AVF) on adverse pregnancy outcomes remains unclear. Using data from women who participated in a population‐based cluster randomized trial who were screened and treated for AVF, we report risk factors for AVF and association of persistent AVF with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Material and methods

Pregnant women (n = 4221) <19 weeks of gestation provided self‐administered mid‐vaginal swabs; smears were Nugent‐scored. AVF was treated with oral clindamycin; if AVF was present 3 weeks after treatment, persistent AVF was re‐treated. We examined risk factors for AVF and the association of persistent AVF with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results

The prevalence of AVF was 16.5%: 9.8% of women had bacterial vaginosis and 6.8% had intermediate flora. Lower economic and educational status of women were associated with increased risk of AVF. One‐third of women with AVF had persistent abnormal flora; these women had a higher risk of a composite measure of adverse pregnancy outcomes from 20 to <37 weeks (preterm live birth, preterm still birth, late miscarriage) (relative risk [RR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07‐1.65) and of late miscarriage alone (RR 4.15, 95% CI 2.12‐8.12) compared to women without AVF.

Conclusions

In this study in Sylhet District, Bangladesh, rates of AVF and persistent AVF were high and persistent AVF was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, with an especially high associated risk for late miscarriage. Further characterization of the microbiome and relative bacterial species density associated with persistent AVF is needed.
Outcome‐Based Perceptions of Morality and Support for Political Candidates
Authors: Drolet Caroline E. , Hafer Carolyn L.
Published: October 2018

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Trump supporters expressed that they believed Trump was a moral candidate because of his past successes. Such statements are consistent with our argument that people judge others’ morality based on their success and failure‐related outcomes, even though these outcomes are usually associated with judgments of competence. Moreover, we argue that these outcome‐based perceptions of morality play a crucial role in responses to political candidates, independent of perceived competence. In three experiments, we manipulated a hypothetical candidate's outcomes (past successes vs. failures, or success in light of past misfortune vs. good fortune). We examined the effect of the manipulation on perceptions of the candidate's morality and competence, as well as support for the candidate (e.g., voting intentions). Across the three experiments, candidates’ outcomes affected not only perceptions of their competence, but also their morality. In turn, outcome‐based perceptions of competence and morality independently predicted candidate support. Our findings have implications for how people responded to the campaigns in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, especially the campaign run by Donald Trump.
Improving empathy with motivational strategies in batterer intervention programmes: Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Romero‐Martínez Ángel , Lila Marisol , Gracia Enrique , Moya‐Albiol Luis
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Empathy (i.e., the ability to decode emotions, as well as cognitive and emotional empathy) is involved in moral reasoning, prosocial behaviour, social and emotional adequacy, mood and behaviour regulation. Hence, alterations in these functions could reduce behaviour control and the adoption of specific types of violence such as intimate partner violence (IPV). Although interventions forIPVperpetrators focus on reducingIPVrisk factors and increasing protective factors to prevent this kind of violence, the study of the effectiveness of these programmes in promoting changes in empathy (cognitive and emotional) has been neglected.

Design

Hence, the main aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different modalities ofIPVintervention programmes (Standard Batterer Intervention Programs [SBIP] vs.SBIP + Individualized Motivational Plan [IMP]) in promoting empathic improvements after both interventions.

Method

Participants were randomly assigned to receiveSBIP(n = 40) orSBIP + IMP(n = 53). The effectiveness of the intervention in the total sample and the group effects were evaluated with general linear model repeated‐measuresANOVA.

Results

Results revealed that only theIPVperpetrators who received theSBIP + IMPwere more accurate in decoding emotional facial signals and presented better cognitive empathy (perspective taking) after the intervention programme.

Conclusions

Our study reinforces the view that different modalities ofIPVintervention might lead to different cognitive outcomes after the intervention. Thus, these results may help professionals to develop specific intervention programmes focused on improving cognitive abilities in order to reduceIPVrecidivism.

Practitioner points

Interventions for batterers’ neglected empathic changes after these programmes.

Not enough randomized controlled trials for these kinds of interventions.

An improvement in the ability to decode emotions after the intervention programme.

An improvement in cognitive empathy (perspective taking) after the intervention programme.

Different modalities of IPV intervention might lead to different cognitive outcomes after the intervention.
When does measurement error in covariates impact causal effect estimates? Analytic derivations of different scenarios and an empirical illustration
Authors: Sengewald Marie‐Ann , Steiner Peter M. , Pohl Steffi
Published: October 2018

The average causal treatment effect (ATE) can be estimated from observational data based on covariate adjustment. Even if all confounding covariates are observed, they might not necessarily be reliably measured and may fail to obtain an unbiased ATE estimate. Instead of fallible covariates, the respective latent covariates can be used for covariate adjustment. But is it always necessary to use latent covariates? How well do analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) or propensity score (PS) methods estimate the ATE when latent covariates are used? We first analytically delineate the conditions under which latent instead of fallible covariates are necessary to obtain the ATE. Then we empirically examine the difference between ATE estimates when adjusting for fallible or latent covariates in an applied example. We discuss the issue of fallible covariates within a stochastic theory of causal effects and analyse data of a within‐study comparison with recently developed ANCOVA and PS procedures that allow for latent covariates. We show that fallible covariates do not necessarily bias ATE estimates, but point out different scenarios in which adjusting for latent covariates is required. In our empirical application, we demonstrate how latent covariates can be incorporated for ATE estimation in ANCOVA and in PS analysis.
Effects of development of wind energy and associated changes in land use on bird densities in upland areas
Authors: Fernández‐Bellon Darío , Wilson Mark W. , Irwin Sandra , O'Halloran John
Published: October 2018

Wind energy development is the most recent of many pressures on upland bird communities and their habitats. Studies of birds in relation to wind energy development have focused on effects of direct mortality, but the importance of indirect effects (e.g., displacement, habitat loss) on avian community diversity and stability is increasingly being recognized. We used a control‐impact study in combination with a gradient design to assess the effects of wind farms on upland bird densities and on bird species grouped by habitat association (forest and open‐habitat species). We conducted 506 point count surveys at 12 wind‐farm and 12 control sites in Ireland during 2 breeding seasons (2012 and 2013). Total bird densities were lower at wind farms than at control sites, and the greatest differences occurred close to turbines. Densities of forest species were significantly lower within 100 m of turbines than at greater distances, and this difference was mediated by habitat modifications associated with wind‐farm development. In particular, reductions in forest cover adjacent to turbines was linked to the observed decrease in densities of forest species. Open‐habitat species’ densities were lower at wind farms but were not related to distance from turbines and were negatively related to size of the wind farm. This suggests that, for these species, wind‐farm effects may occur at a landscape scale. Our findings indicate that the scale and intensity of the displacement effects of wind farms on upland birds depends on bird species’ habitat associations and that the observed effects are mediated by changes in land use associated with wind‐farm construction. This highlights the importance of construction effects and siting of turbines, tracks, and other infrastructure in understanding the impacts of wind farms on biodiversity.
Meeting in the Middle: Scaling‐up and Scaling‐over in Alternative Food Networks
Authors: Brislen Lilian
Published: October 2018

The “scaling‐up” of Alternative Food Networks (AFN) through food hubs and other values‐based supply chains has the potential to simultaneously serve the needs of mid‐sized farmers and expand the scope of AFN impact and access. This paper argues for greater consideration of the process and practice of scaling‐up as it applies to farmers transitioning into AFNs from conventional markets. Interviews with mid‐sized farmers from two food hubs in the Southeastern U.S. shows that food hub farmers consist of a mixture of new‐entrant farmers growing their farm enterprises from direct markets, and heritage (e.g., multi‐generational) farmers already engaged in large‐scale production who are scaling‐over to wholesale AFNs from traditional commodity production. Relative to first‐generation farmers, the larger scale heritage farmers have distinct motivations and challenges that vary along a number of dimensions of their personal and enterprise history. The paper concludes that by supporting the unique needs of mid‐sized farmers scaling‐over from conventional markets, Food Hubs can play a transformative role in the expansion of AFNs and thus the broader goal of transforming our food systems.
Small Farms, Big Plans: Mechanization and Specialization as Measures of “The Middle”
Authors: Janssen Brandi
Published: October 2018

Over the past decades, farms in the U.S. have become fewer and larger. Along with the trend of increasing in size, farms have become increasingly specialized, producing fewer products per farm, and mechanized, relying on precision equipment rather than human labor. The concepts of farm size, specialization, and mechanization, appear to be tightly articulated. As a farm increases in size, it becomes more specialized and reliant on equipment. Conversely, a smaller farm is more diverse and labor‐intensive. This paper attempts to disconnect these three concepts by first showing where anthropologists have questioned the inevitability of increasing specialization and mechanization as farm size increases, particularly in the years following the 1980s farm crisis. Second, using ethnographic examples from local food producers in Iowa, this paper explores the utility of specialization and mechanization, even on very small acreages. Using ethnographic analysis to disentangle specialization and mechanization with farm size can help us reconceptualize what we mean by the agricultural middle, focusing on farm practices, rather than farm size.
What is a fourdimensionalist to do about temporally extended properties?
Authors: Perovic Katarina
Published: October 2018

Some properties and relations take time to be instantiated. They are not instantiated at a time, but through a temporal interval. Cognitive properties and relations such as understanding and thinking are like this, but also many biological, chemical, and microphysical properties and relations such as absorbing, freezing, radiating, and decaying. In this paper, I make a case for taking seriously such temporally extended properties (TEPs). I argue that they are ubiquitous and that our current theories of persistence would do well to make room for them in their ontology. The focus here is on fourdimensionalism and different ways it can accommodate TEPs. I explore four different ways of dealing with TEPs within a fourdimensionalist framework. These are: (a) to make the objects that bear apparent TEPs temporally more extended or “chunky,” while giving TEPs a reductive or eliminativist treatment in favor of instantaneous properties (IPs); (b) to make a series of objects the bearer of TEP predicates, while, again, holding only to IPs; (c) to endorse TEPs in their own right and take them to be temporally extended in a literal sense; and (d) to hold on to TEPs as atemporal properties and make the exemplification relation temporally extended. I discuss each of these options and highlight the types of problems that a fourdimensionalist faces in attempting to accommodate TEPs. I conclude that fourdimensionalists do not yet have a satisfactory account of TEPs in their hands.
Stereo‐electroencephalography‐guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation in patients with focal epilepsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bourdillon Pierre , Cucherat Michel , Isnard Jean , Ostrowsky‐Coste Karine , Catenoix Hélène , Guénot Marc , Rheims Sylvain
Published: October 2018

Objective

Despite the increasing number of studies reporting results of stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG)–guided radiofrequency‐thermocoagulation (SEEG‐guided RF‐TC) in the treatment of patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy, the exact efficacy of this approach remains unclear. The seizure‐freedom rate varies greatly across studies and the factors associated with efficacy have not been formally investigated.

Methods

All prospective or retrospective studies reporting efficacy and/or safety of SEEG‐guided RF‐TC in patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy were included. The primary outcome was the seizure‐free rate 1 year after the procedure. Secondary outcomes were (1) the responder rate 1 year after the procedure and (2) the proportion of patients with permanent neurologic deficit 1 year after the procedure. Each outcome was assessed in all patients and in 4 groups of patients defined by the etiology of epilepsy. Each outcome was pooled using inverse variance weighting, logit transformation of proportion, and a random‐effects model.

Results

No prospective study was identified and a total of 6 retrospective studies, reporting efficacy and safety data of 296 patients, were included. The pooled rate of permanent neurologic deficit was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2%‐5.3%), without heterogeneity across studies. In contrast, both the seizure‐free and responder rates varied greatly across studies, and statistical heterogeneity was high. The pooled seizure‐free and responder rates were 23% (95% CI 8%‐50%) and 58% (95% CI 36%‐77%), respectively. Both for the seizure‐free and responder rates, the greatest efficacy was observed in patients with periventricular nodular heterotopia and the lowest in patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Significance

SEEG‐guided RF‐TC is a safe procedure with low risk of complications. In contrast, the level of evidence regarding its efficacy remains low. Better identification of factors associated with seizure outcome are needed.
Professionals’ Views About Child Interviews for Family Law Assessments
Authors: Turoy‐Smith Katrine M. , Powell Martine B. , Brubacher Sonja P.
Published: October 2018

Interviews with children form a major part of assessments in contested family law matters. This study provides a qualitative analysis of professionals’ perceptions regarding how children are interviewed for family law purposes and the challenges associated with these interviews. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 15 professionals who had experience in the area of family law and/or interviewing children. Transcripts of these interviews were analyzed using an inductive coding process and key themes identified. The overriding message found was that interviewing children for family law matters is complex and warrants considerable skill and expertise. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing the purpose of each child interview and the appropriate process and strategies to conduct each interview.
Bringing nature back: using hibernation to reboot organ preservation
Authors: Hadj‐Moussa Hanane , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: October 2018

Recently, organ transplant therapy has received a major boost from a change in perspective – a move away from damaging, cold static organ storage to the use of warm normothermic perfusion. The concept for warm preservation is one that has been borrowed from Nature, and it is only fitting that we go back to the wild for more ‘tricks’ to further improve warm organ stabilization. Current warm preservation strategies are designed to mimic natural conditions in the human body as closely as possible, but what if we could mimic these conditions while simultaneously inducing a reversible state of torpor that would further extend the viability window of donor organs? Indeed, the original driver for using cold organ storage was its ability to strongly reduce metabolic rate many‐fold when organs were cooled from 37 to 5 °C. Herein, we discuss the adaptations that allow warm hibernators such as bears and lemurs (fellow primates) to naturally depress their metabolic rate and retreat into states of suspended animation, and how these can be applied to improve organ transplant therapy. Can we look to Nature for instructions to induce torpor in human organs? This article discusses the possibilities.
The receptor channel formed by ppk25, ppk29 and ppk23 can sense the Drosophila female pheromone 7,11‐heptacosadiene
Authors: Liu Tong , Wang Ying , Tian Yue , Zhang Jin , Zhao Jianjian , Guo Aike
Published: October 2018

In Drosophila, pheromones play a crucial role in regulating courtship behaviors. In males, female aphrodisiac pheromones promote male‐female courtship, and male antiaphrodisiac pheromones inhibit male‐male courtship. Previous studies have reported that receptor proteins belonging to the pickpocket (ppk) family, ionotropic receptor family and gustatory receptor family are required for pheromone detection and normal courtship. However, none of them has been shown to be sufficient for sensing pheromones after ectopic expression in originally unresponsive cells. “M” cells are activated by male antiaphrodisiac pheromones but not female aphrodisiac pheromones, and the activated cells inhibit male‐male courtship. In our study, male flies with ectopic expression of ppk25, ppk29 and ppk23 in “M” cells showed decreased male‐female courtship. Using an in vivo calcium imaging approach, we found that the “M” cells expressing these three ppks were significantly activated by the female aphrodisiac pheromone 7,11‐heptacosadiene (7,11‐HD). Our results indicate that a sodium channel consisting, at minimum, of ppk25, ppk29 and ppk23, can sense 7,11‐HD, most likely as a receptor. Our findings may help us gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of pheromonal functions.
Trophic interactions across 61 degrees of latitude in the Western Atlantic
Authors: Longo Guilherme O. , Hay Mark E. , Ferreira Carlos E. L. , Floeter Sergio R.
Published: October 2018

Aim

The aim was to evaluate the hypothesis that biotic interactions are more intense in the tropics using reef fishes (from both functional and taxonomic perspectives), the crucial consumers on most reefs.

Location

Fifteen reef locations between 34°N and 27°S in the Western Atlantic.

Time period

2011–2014.

Major taxa studied

Reef fishes.

Methods

We quantified fish feeding pressure on the benthos across 61° of latitude in the Western Atlantic via 1,038 10 min videos of 2 m2 reef areas, where every fish feeding on the benthos was identified, had its total length estimated, and the number of bites on the reef substratum was counted. Fish were assigned to functional groups based on diet and feeding modes. Benthic cover estimates were also obtained through visual assessments from the videos.

Results

We documented feeding rates that were 2‐ to 22‐fold higher in tropical versus extratropical locations. This pattern was driven mainly by an interaction between fish functional group and temperature, with herbivory dominating in tropical regions (c. 20‐fold higher), shifting to omnivory in temperate regions of both Hemispheres. Feeding by invertivores was common across all latitudes. Consumer species composition differed between Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but functional groups were similar, and their feeding changed in a similar manner with temperature regardless of Hemisphere.

Main conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that biotic interactions, especially plant–herbivore interactions, are more intense in the tropics. These findings help to explain the lower palatability of tropical versus extratropical seaweeds and suggest that herbivory is favoured in warm conditions but omnivory in colder waters. The functional approach indicated that factors associated with latitude or temperature have selected for similar feeding functions among the different species occupying these geographical regions. Understanding the shifting trophic interactions across latitudes might help to predict the impacts of global changes on ecosystem function as tropical species move polewards and contact temperate systems.
The impacts of introduced House Mice on the breeding success of nesting seabirds on Gough Island
Authors: Caravaggi Anthony , Cuthbert Richard J. , Ryan Peter G. , Cooper John , Bond Alexander L
Published: October 2018

Invasive species are the main threat to island biodiversity; seabirds are particularly vulnerable and are one of the most threatened groups of birds. Gough Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Atlantic Ocean, is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, and one of the most important seabird colonies globally. Invasive House Mice Mus musculus depredate eggs and chicks of most seabird species on the island, but the extent of their impact has not been quantified. We used field data and bootstrapped normal distributions to estimate breeding success and the number of surviving chicks for 10 seabird species on Gough Island, and compared estimates with those of analogous species from predator‐free islands. We examined the effects of season and nest‐site location on the breeding success of populations on Gough Island, predicting that the breeding success of Gough birds would be lower than that of analogues, particularly among small burrow‐nesting species. We also predicted that winter‐breeding species would exhibit lower breeding success than summer‐breeding species, because mice have fewer alternative food sources in winter; and below‐ground nesters would have lower breeding success than surface nesters, as below‐ground species are smaller so their chicks are easier prey for mice. We did indeed find that seabirds on Gough Island had low breeding success compared with analogues, losing an estimated 1 739 000 (1 467 000–2 116 000) eggs/chicks annually. Seven of the 10 focal species on Gough Island had particularly high chick mortality and may have been subject to intense mouse predation. Below‐ground and winter breeders had lower breeding success than surface‐ and summer‐breeders. MacGillivray's Prion Pachyptila macgillivrayi, Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta and Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena are endemic or near‐endemic to Gough Island and are likely to be driven to extinction if invasive mice are not removed.
Changes in the area of optimal tree cover of a declining Afro‐Palaearctic migrant across the species’ wintering range
Authors: Buchanan Graeme M. , Mallord John W. , Orsman Christopher J. , Roberts Japheth T. , Boafo Kwame , Skeen Roger Q. , Whytock Robin C. , Hulme Mark F. , Guilain Tsetagho , Segniagbeto Gabriel H. , Assou Délagnon , Vickery Juliet A.
Published: October 2018

Land use change in sub‐Saharan Africa continues apace, but its role in driving the declines of Afro‐Palaearctic migrant birds is unknown. This is due partly to a lack of knowledge of migrants’ requirements on the wintering grounds, and of spatially explicit assessments of land cover change. We compared tree cover data derived from satellite remote sensing (available for the period 2000–2014) with distributional data from surveys in four West African countries for the Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, one such declining migrant, to determine the extent of, and change in, optimal tree cover. Wood Warblers were most likely to occur where tree cover per hectare was between 40 and 61% (optimal tree cover). Extrapolation to the whole of the wintering range indicated there was a 46.7% net increase in extent between 2000 and 2014. This was due to an alarming 27 683 km2 of previously closed forest being degraded from > 61% cover to between 40 and 61%, an area greater than that of the optimal tree cover that was lost. Increases in optimal tree cover were greatest in countries with greatest forest cover, such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo. The results suggest that loss of optimal tree cover in the wintering range might not be a key driver of population decline for Wood Warblers, but the degradation will probably impact species that rely upon dense tree cover.
Glutathione transferase modulates acute ethanol‐induced sedation in Drosophila neurones
Authors: Choi H.‐J. , Cha S. J. , Kim K.
Published: October 2018

Heavy alcohol consumption leads to neuropathological damage and alcohol use disorder, which affects the health of people and results in a cost burden. However, the genes modulating sensitivity to ethanol remain largely unknown. Here, we identified a novel gene, Drosophila glutathione transferase omega 1 (GstO1), which plays a critical role in regulating sensitivity to ethanol sedation. GstO1 mutant flies showed highly increased ethanol sensitivity. Furthermore, the expression level of GstO1 regulates the behavioural response to ethanol, because decreasing and increasing GstO1 affects sedation sensitivity in a contrasting manner. In addition, the RNA interference‐mediated knockdown of GstO1 expression reveals that GstO1 mediates sensitivity to ethanol sedation in neurones, including dopaminergic and serotonergic neurones. Altogether, our findings provide the first evidence for the involvement of glutathione transferase in the response to alcohol in Drosophila and provide a novel mechanistic insight into the toxicity and sensitivity of ethanol exposure.
Thermally stimulated depolarization current properties of Co4Nb2O9 ceramics
Authors: Xie Yuanmiao , Zang Hao , Ceng Wendan , Wang CunCang
Published: October 2018

Thermally stimulated depolarization current in magnetoelectric antiferromagnet Co4Nb2O9 were investigated above Néel temperature, and five current peaks (denoted as P0 ~ P4 in the order of ascending temperature) were observed. These peaks are related to holes which can be trapped by cobalt vacancies, their surrounding medium (self‐trapped), internal, and surface barrier layers. In low‐temperature range, the holes are bound to cobalt vacancies. The polarization caused by bound holes yields P0 peak at 46 K. In middle‐temperature range, the holes are localized by the surrounding medium forming polarons. The hopping motions of the self‐trapped holes create P2 peak at ~120 K. The microdisplacements around their locating positions for the self‐trapped holes lead to P1 peak, whose peak temperature strongly depends on the poling temperature but lower than that of P2 peak. In high‐temperature range, the holes are trapped by internal and surface barrier layers giving rise to P3 peak at ~150 K and P4 peak at ~230 K, respectively.
Growth rate effect on colony formation in directional solidification of Al2O3/YAG/ZrO2
Authors: Stelian Carmen , Cherif Maya , Carroz Laurent , Barhalay Nicolas , Duffar Thierry
Published: October 2018

Mechanical properties of Al2O3/Y3Al5O12/ZrO2 ternary eutectic ceramics are strongly affected by structural defects as pores or colonies. Experimental investigation of the microstructure of this ternary composite indicates that the colonies are generally observed when the solidification occurs at high rates. In this work, the influence of the growth rate on the solid‐liquid interface shape and formation of colonies in directional solidification of Al2O3/Y3Al5O12/ZrO2 by Bridgman, Edge‐defined Film‐fed Growth (EFG), and Czochralski (Cz) methods is numerically and experimentally investigated. Numerical modeling of the Bridgman growth process shows large curvatures of the solid‐liquid interface when the pulling rate is increased up to 80 mm/h. The ingots solidified at rates between 5 and 80 mm/h exhibit colony type microstructure. The analysis of EFG growth of ceramic ribbons reveals less curved solid‐liquid interfaces in this system. Numerical modeling shows significant increase in the interface curvature with increasing pulling rate. The microstructure of ribbons grown at pulling rates between 6 and 12 mm/h exhibits colonies only for the ingots solidified at higher rate. Simulations carried out for Czochralski growth process show that the solidification front is almost plane in this system. These results are in agreement with experimental observations showing good structural quality of Cz grown crystals with a flat solid‐liquid interface. Finally it is concluded that formation of colonies in directional solidification of this ternary eutectic composite is linked to large curvatures of the growth interface.
Bandwidth controlled metal‐insulator transition in Au–VO2 nanocomposite thin films
Authors: Fu Guangsheng , Ning Xingkun , Chen Mingjing , Wang Shufang , Liu Peng , Wang Jianglong , Li Xiaowei
Published: October 2018

Recognizing and controlling the metal‐insulator transition (MIT) in VO2 transition‐metal oxides is interesting for the future electronic devices. However, the effect of the electron correlation for the structure‐coupled MIT in VO2 is as yet an open question. In this study, we present for the first time direct spectroscopic evidence for the charge‐transfer assistance bandwidth controlled MIT (BC‐MIT) in Au–VO2 nanocomposite thin films (NCTFs). A significantly enhancement of the MIT temperature (about 350 K) is realized in Au–VO2 films with Au volume ratio of 1.1 mol%. However, by further increasing Au ratios, the MIT temperature in Au–VO2 NCTFs is downward shifted by ~16 K and forward shifted 6 K. The V L‐edge and O K‐edge have been investigated. The basic electronic parameters such as the covalency (W) have been tuned. The relationship between bandwidth and the MIT temperature has been clearly elucidated a linear relationship. The experimental results demonstrate that MIT in VO2 is BC‐MIT which improved our understanding of the electron correlation effect in VO2 systems.
Empirical models for layered A‐site ordering in perovskite titanates
Authors: Smith Evan , Ubic Rick
Published: October 2018

In industry and labs, predictive models describing processing‐structure relationships are inherently valuable, yet few exist for cation ordering in perovskites. In this work, 15 compositions in the [(NayLi1−y)(1−3x)/2La(1+x)/2]TiO3 (NLLT) system (y = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75; x = 0, 0.0533, 0.1, 0.1733, and 0.225) were synthesized using a conventional solid‐state mixed‐oxide method. X‐ray diffraction data show that some degree of long‐range ordering of A‐site cations exists for x ≥ 0.1, although electron‐diffraction data indicate that short‐range ordering exists even for x < 0.1, with the degree of ordering decreasing as the value of x increases. Empirical models have been derived for the A‐site ordering parameter (η) as well as the resultant expansion (ΔrA) for each y series in the NLLT system, from which two general models were derived for perovskites with any arbitrary degree of 1:1 layered A‐site ordering. These general models allow for the prediction of the order parameter and resulting expansion using only published ionic radii data.
Directors skill and financial reporting quality
Authors: Rubin Amir , Segal Dan
Published: October 2018

Motivated by theoretical models in economics which show that there is matching between CEO skill and firm size, we introduce a new measure of director skill which is based on the aggregate size of firms on which the director serves as an independent director. We validate our measure by showing that it is positively associated with director experience, financial expertise, industry expertise and managerial experience. We then examine whether our average measure of skill across board members is positively associated with monitoring quality. Controlling for the endogenous relationships between board composition and financial reporting quality, we find a positive association between our board measure for skill and monitoring quality, and we show that directors have a causal impact on monitoring effort and outcomes. Furthermore, consistent with the enhanced monitoring provided by skilled directors, we document a positive association between the level of and changes in our measure and firm value.
Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dunning Darren L. , Griffiths Kirsty , Kuyken Willem , Crane Catherine , Foulkes Lucy , Parker Jenna , Dalgleish Tim
Published: October 2018

Background

Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) are an increasingly popular way of attempting to improve the behavioural, cognitive and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents, though there is a suggestion that enthusiasm has moved ahead of the evidence base. Most evaluations of MBIs are either uncontrolled or nonrandomized trials. This meta‐analysis aims to establish the efficacy of MBIs for children and adolescents in studies that have adopted a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) design.

Methods

A systematic literature search of RCTs of MBIs was conducted up to October 2017. Thirty‐three independent studies including 3,666 children and adolescents were included in random effects meta‐analyses with outcome measures categorized into cognitive, behavioural and emotional factors. Separate random effects meta‐analyses were completed for the seventeen studies (n = 1,762) that used an RCT design with an active control condition.

Results

Across all RCTs we found significant positive effects of MBIs, relative to controls, for the outcome categories of Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, Attention, Depression, Anxiety/Stress and Negative Behaviours, with small effect sizes (Cohen's d), ranging from .16 to .30. However, when considering only those RCTs with active control groups, significant benefits of an MBI were restricted to the outcomes of Mindfulness (d = .42), Depression (d = .47) and Anxiety/Stress (d = .18) only.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis reinforces the efficacy of using MBIs for improving the mental health and wellbeing of youth as assessed using the gold standard RCT methodology. Future RCT evaluations should incorporate scaled‐up definitive trial designs to further evaluate the robustness of MBIs in youth, with an embedded focus on mechanisms of action.
Evaluation and modeling of a microwave‐assisted unit for continuous flow pasteurization of liquid foods: Residence time distribution, time–temperature history, and integrated lethality
Authors: Siguemoto Érica Sayuri , Pires Marcos Neves , Funcia Eduardo dos Santos , Gut Jorge Andrey Wilhelms
Published: October 2018

Focused microwave heaters have potential to replace heat exchangers in continuous flow pasteurization of liquid foods. The objective of this work was to evaluate a pilot scale unit used for microwave assisted pasteurization of low viscosity liquid foods in order to model the heat transfer and residence time distribution (RTD) to, subsequently, predict the average time–temperature history and estimate the level of heat treatment of the process and contributions from each step. RTD data using water showed that it was possible to assume plug‐flow (negligible axial dispersion). Heat transfer experiments using water provided heat transfer coefficients as functions of Reynolds number and microwave power absorption. Mathematical modeling was used to determine the temperature distribution along the product path, and results were validated. Integrated lethality calculated from the time–temperature histories (pasteurization at 70 °C) revealed the contribution of each process step. Results showed that focused microwave heating provided the necessary temperature increase in a very short time, with a lethality contribution of only 0.7% as compared to 59–68% when using only the conventional heat exchanger. The methods described can be useful for the evaluation of other continuous flow pasteurization units processing low viscosity liquid foods.

Practical applications

The mathematical modeling approach and experimental methods presented herein can be used for the analysis of continuous flow pasteurization systems based on tubular heat exchangers and with low axial dispersion (plug flow), providing temperature and lethality distribution along the product path, showing the contribution from each section on inactivation. Specifically for the equipment used in the experiments, the obtained heat transfer and resident time distribution parameters will be useful to study the processing of low viscosity foods such as fruit juices and nectars on ongoing works from the group.