bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the safety of physician-directed nurse-administered propofol sedation in low-risk patients undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy
Authors: Sathananthan Dharshan , Young Edward , Nind Garry , George Biju , Ashby Angelie , Drummond Sharon , Redel Kasia , Green Neville , Singh Rajvinder
Published: February 2017

Background and study aims Physician-directed nurse-administered balanced propofol sedation (PhD NAPS) in patients undergoing endoscopy and/or colonoscopy is being increasingly utilized worldwide. However, this method of sedation is not universally employed in Australian hospitals due to concerns surrounding its safety. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of PhD NAPS in low-risk patients undergoing endoscopy and/or colonoscopy.

Patients and methods This study was conducted at a single tertiary teaching hospital in Adelaide, Australia. It was a prospective study involving 1000 patients with an ASA score of 1 – 3 presenting with any indication for endoscopy, colonoscopy or both. A total of 981 patients (451 male) with a mean age of 53 years (range: 16 – 87) were recruited from January 2010 to October 2012. 440 endoscopies, 420 colonoscopies, and 121 combined procedures were performed. The intra-procedural adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results There were no major intra-procedural adverse events. Minor AEs occurred in 6.42 % of patients, and resolved spontaneously or with intravenous fluid boluses in all cases.

Conclusion PhD NAPS is safe when the proceduralist and nursing staff are adequately trained and strict patient selection criteria are used.
Pocket-creation method facilitates endoscopic submucosal dissection of colorectal laterally spreading tumors, non-granular type
Authors: Sakamoto Hirotsugu , Hayashi Yoshikazu , Miura Yoshimasa , Shinozaki Satoshi , Takahashi Haruo , Fukuda Hisashi , Okada Masahiro , Ino Yuji , Takezawa Takahito , Sunada Keijiro , Lefor Alan , Yamamoto Hironori
Published: February 2017

Background and study aims The pocket-creation method (PCM) is a novel strategy for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of the PCM for colorectal laterally spreading tumors, non-granular type (LST-NG).

Patients and methods The records of 126 consecutive patients with colorectal LST-NG who underwent ESD between April 2012 and July 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into PCM (n = 73) and conventional method (CM) (n = 53) groups.

Results The en bloc resection rate in the PCM group was significantly higher than in the CM group (100 % [73/73] vs. 92 % [49/53], P = 0.03). The en bloc resection rate with severe fibrosis was higher in the PCM group than in the CM group (100 % [3/3] vs. 60 % [3/5]). The R0 resection rate for the two groups was not statistically significantly different (93 % [68/73] vs. 91 % [48/53], P = 0.74). The perforation rate in the PCM group was lower than in the CM group although not statistically significantly less (0 % 0/73 vs. 4 % 2/53, P = 0.18). For lesions resected en bloc, dissection speed for the PCM group was significantly faster than for the CM group (median [IQR], 19 [13 –24] vs. 14 [10 – 22] mm2/min, P = 0.03).

Conclusion ESD using PCM achieves a reliable and safe resection of colorectal LST-NG.
Background–limited long wavelength infrared InAs/InAs1− xSbx type-II superlattice-based photodetectors operating at 110 K
Authors: Haddadi Abbas , Dehzangi Arash , Adhikary Sourav , Chevallier Romain , Razeghi Manijeh
Published: February 2017

We report the demonstration of high-performance long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) nBn photodetectors based on InAs/InAs1− xSbx type-II superlattices. A new saw-tooth superlattice design was used to implement the electron barrier of the photodetectors. The device exhibited a cut-off wavelength of ∼10 μm at 77 K. The photodetector exhibited a peak responsivity of 2.65 A/W, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 43%. With an R × A of 664 Ω·cm2 and a dark current density of 8 × 10−5 A/cm2, under −80 mV bias voltage at 77 K, the photodetector exhibited a specific detectivity of 4.72 × 1011 cm·Hz/W and a background–limited operating temperature of 110 K.
Role of inter-particle force between micro and nano magnetic particles on the stability of magnetorheological fluid
Authors: Laherisheth Zarana , Parekh Kinnari , Upadhyay R. V.
Published: February 2017

The concept of phase condensation of larger size particles in a poly-dispersed magnetic fluid (also known as ferrofluid) is employed as a tool to investigate the interaction of nanoparticles with micro particles in magnetorheological (MR) fluid. Two different shapes iron micron sized particles are used in MR fluid formulation: spherical and flake shaped. The magnetic fluid is used as a base carrier having three different magnetic nanoparticles volume fraction (0.2%, 0.6% and 0.8%). The study suggests that the interaction of magnetic nanoparticles with micron sized particle depends on the geometrical shape of the particle as well as surface roughness. The sedimentation ratio of flake shaped MR fluid increases with nanoparticles volume fractions while for spherical particles it remains virtually constant. The supernatant fluid analysis suggests that, larger sized particle fraction from magnetic fluid are attached to the surface of micron sized flake shape particles, which results in reduction of sliding friction between the particles and small sized fraction clouds around the flake. The atomic force microscopy results suggest that the surface roughness of flake shape particles are nearly 5 times higher than spherical shape particles. The role of these two different interactions is reflected in the sedimentation ratio of MR fluid.
Room-temperature vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers at 4 μm with GaSb-based type-II quantum wells
Authors: Veerabathran G. K. , Sprengel S. , Andrejew A. , Amann M.-C.
Published: February 2017

We report electrically pumped λ = 4 μm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) that significantly extend the wavelength range covered with electrically pumped VCSELs into the mid infrared. A single stage active region with eight type-II quantum wells provides sufficient gain, while lateral current confinement and waveguiding are accomplished with the proven buried tunnel junction technology. These devices operate in continuous wave (CW) up to −7 °C and in pulsed operation up to 45 °C. Their CW threshold pump power levels are below 10 mW at temperatures well accessible by thermo-electric cooling, and their maximum single-mode output power is around 0.18 mW. Single-mode operation with side-mode suppression ratio of more than 20 dB and a continuous electro-thermal tuning range as large as 19.2 nm are achieved.
Dielectrophoresis study of temporal change in internal conductivity of single CHO cells after electroporation by pulsed electric fields
Authors: Salimi E. , Braasch K. , Butler M. , Thomson D. J. , Bridges G. E.
Published: February 2017

Applying sufficiently strong pulsed electric fields to a cell can permeabilize the membrane and subsequently affect its dielectric properties. In this study, we employ a microfluidic dielectrophoresis cytometry technique to simultaneously electroporate and measure the time-dependent dielectric response of single Chinese hamster ovary cells. Using experimental measurements along with numerical simulations, we present quantitative results for the changes in the cytoplasm conductivity of single cells within seconds after exposure to 100 μs duration pulsed electric fields with various intensities. It is shown that, for electroporation in a medium with conductivity lower than that of the cell's cytoplasm, the internal conductivity of the cell decreases after the electroporation on a time scale of seconds and stronger pulses cause a larger and more rapid decrease. We also observe that, after the electroporation, the cell's internal conductivity is constrained to a threshold. This implies that the cell prevents some of the ions in its cytoplasm from diffusing through the created pores to the external medium. The temporal change in the dielectric response of each individual cell is continuously monitored over minutes after exposure to pulsed electric fields. A time constant associated with the cell's internal conductivity change is observed, which ranges from seconds to tens of seconds depending on the applied pulse intensity. This experimental observation supports the results of numerical models reported in the literature.
Spin-dependent thermoelectric effects in graphene-based superconductor junctions
Authors: Beiranvand Razieh , Hamzehpour Hossein
Published: February 2017

Using the Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism, we investigate the charge and spin-dependent thermoelectric effects in graphene-based superconductor junctions. The results demonstrate that despite normal-superconductor junctions, there is a temperature-dependent spin thermopower in both the graphene-based ferromagnetic-superconductor and ferromagnetic-Rashba spin-orbit region-superconductor junctions. It is also shown that in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit interaction, the charge and spin-dependent Seebeck coefficients reach their maximum up to 3.5 kB/e and 2.5 kB/e, respectively. Remarkably, these coefficients have a zero-point critical value with respect to the magnetic exchange field and chemical potential. This effect disappears when the Rashba coupling is absent. These results suggest that graphene-based superconductors can be used in spin-caloritronic devices.
Coexistence of two types of metal filaments in oxide memristors
Authors: Xu D. , Shangguan X. N. , Wang S. M. , Cao H. T. , Liang L. Y. , Zhang H. L. , Gao J. H. , Long W. M. , Wang J. R. , Zhuge F.
Published: February 2017

One generally considers the conducting filament in ZnO-based valence change memristors (VCMs) as an aggregation of oxygen vacancies. Recently, the transmission electron microscopy observation showed the filament is composed of a Zn-dominated ZnOx. In this study, careful analysis of the temperature dependence of the ON state resistance demonstrates that the formation/rupture of a Zn filament is responsible for the resistive switching in ZnO VCMs. Cu/ZnO/Pt memristive devices can be operated in both VCM and ECM (electrochemical metallization memristor) modes by forming different metal filaments including Cu, Zn and a coexistence of these two filaments. The device operation can be reversibly switched between ECM and VCM modes. The dual mode operation capability of Cu/ZnO/Pt provides a wide choice of select devices for constructing memristive crossbar architectures.
Electronic structures of solids made of C20 clusters
Authors: Hussain M. B. , Xu L. H. , Wu S. Q. , Zhu Z. Z.
Published: February 2017

By performing first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory, we have investigated the optimized structures, cohesive energies and electronic properties of crystalline solids made of C20 clusters. A very interesting result is found from the optimized diamond structure made of C20’s, where the dimered C20 clusters, i.e., (C20)2 dimmers, are formed. Such (C20)2 dimers are then condensed by weak van der Waals interaction between them, leading to the formation of a molecular solid. We also found that one-dimensional molecular solid could be formed when C20 clusters are head to head. Results on C20 clusters arranged in the two-dimensional graphene structure and in fcc structure both show that there are significant coalescences of neighboring C20 fullerenes, leading to metallic characters for both the graphene and fcc structures.
Path-integral and Ornstein-Zernike computations of quantum fluid structures under strong fluctuations
Authors: Sesé Luis M.
Published: February 2017

This work deals with the computation of the structure factors of quantum fluids under complex conditions involving substantial density fluctuations and/or large particle delocalization effects. The method is based on the combination of path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) simulations and the pair Ornstein-Zernike framework (OZ2). PIMC provides the radial correlation functions (centroid, instantaneous, and thermalized-continuous total linear response), which are used as data input to the OZ2 calculations that lead to their associated structure factors. To undertake this project normal liquid 4He and supercritical 3He are selected, studying conditions in the range (T = 4.2 K; 0.01886 <ρN/Å-3 < 0.02687). Full inter-comparison between the structure factors determined via both OZ2 and direct PIMC calculations is made. In addition, comparison with experimental data, including thermodynamic properties, is made wherever possible. The results establish that, even under severe thermodynamic and/or quantum fluctuation conditions, OZ2 remains in the quantum domain as a highly reliable and cost-effective framework to determine accurate structure factors, also allowing one to understand the related isotopic shifts in fluid He.
Investigation of injection molding of orthogonal fluidic connector for microfluidic devices
Authors: Xu Zheng , Cao Dong , Zhao Wei , Song Man-cang , Liu Jun-shan
Published: February 2017

Orthogonal fluidic connections are essential for developing multilayered microfluidic devices. At present, most orthogonal connectors are realized by a horizontal channel and a vertical channel in different plates. Therefore, some extra alignment and adhesion processes for precise plate assembly are required. In this paper, the method of injection molding is proposed to make a one-body-type orthogonal connector in a single plastic plate. The connector was composed of a cantilevered tube and the other in the substrate. An injection mold was developed in which a side core-pulling mechanism and an ejection mechanism of push-pipes were combined to form the mold for an orthogonal connector. Both the type and the location of gate were optimized for the mold. The results showed that the fan gate in the middle position of the plate was the most suitable in term of both defect control and practicability. The effect of melt temperature was numerically investigated and then verified experimentally. With the optimized parameters, the relative length and the relative wall thickness of a cantilevered tube in the plastic part can reach 98.89% and 99.80%, respectively. Furthermore, using the plastic part as a cover plate, a three-layer plastic microfluidic device was conveniently fabricated for electrochemical detection.
The use of certain medicinal plant extracts reduced in vitro methane production while improving in vitro organic matter digestibility
Authors: Akanmu Abiodun M. , Hassen Abubeker
Published: February 2017

Some medicinal plants have the tendency to manipulate the rumen microbial ecosystem, which in turn might reduce methane (CH4) emissions. The anti-methanogenic activities of leaf fraction of Piper betle, Aloe vera, Carica papaya, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, Tithonia diversifolia, Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera pods were studied at different doses. The plant materials were extracted with pure methanol and subsequently reconstituted at the rate of 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg in 1000 mL distilled water. Four mL of each plant extracts preparation was anaerobically incubated with 400 mg Eragrostis curvula hay in four replicates and the experiment was repeated five times. Plant extracts of P. betle and A. vera significantly increased total gas produced whereas other extracts recorded lesser or similar values to the control group. Leaf extracts of A. indica, C. papaya, J. curcas, M. oleifera, T. diversifolia and M. oleifera pods all significantly reduced CH4 volume at dosages of 25 and 50 mg/L due to the activities of their phytochemicals. Total volatile fatty acids and in vitro organic matter digestibility values recorded for all extracts were generally superior when compared with the control. Methane yield per unit of total gas were significantly lower in extracts of T. diversifolia, M. oleifera, A. indica, M. oleifera pods whereas it is higher in P. betle and A. vera. It can be concluded from the study that methanolic extracts of A. indica, C. papaya, J. curcas, M. oleifera, M. oleifera pods and T. diversifolia resulted in reduced CH4 production, and thus can be used potentially to manipulate rumen condition, improve feed digestibility and reduce enteric CH4 emission from ruminants. However, the in vitro results needs to be verified using in vivo studies by administering concentrated crude extracts at a rate of 25 mg or 50 mg per kg of roughage feed for small ruminants.
Cyclists’ perceptions of motorist harassment pre‐ to post‐trial of the minimum passing distance road rule amendment in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Heesch Kristiann C. , Schramm Amy , Debnath Ashim Kumar , Haworth Narelle
Published: February 2017

Issues addressed

Cyclists’ perceptions of harassment from motorists discourages cycling. This study examined changes in cyclists’ reporting of harassment pre‐ to post‐introduction of the Queensland trial of the minimum passing distance road rule amendment (MPD‐RRA).

Methods

Cross‐sectional online surveys of cyclists in Queensland, Australia were conducted in 2009 (pre‐trial; n = 1758) and 2015 (post‐trial commencement; n = 1997). Cyclists were asked about their experiences of harassment from motorists while cycling. Logistic regression modelling was used to examine differences in the reporting of harassment between these time periods, after adjustments for demographic characteristics and cycling behaviour.

Results

At both time periods, the most reported types of harassment were deliberately driving too close (causing fear or anxiety), shouting abuse and making obscene gestures or engaging in sexual harassment. The percentage of cyclists who reported tailgating by motorists increased between 2009 and 2015 (15.1% to 19.5%; P < 0.001). The percentage of cyclists reporting other types of harassment did not change significantly.

Conclusions

Cyclists in Queensland continue to perceive harassment while cycling on the road. The amendment to the minimum passing distance rule in Queensland appears to be having a negative effect on one type of harassment but no significant effects on others.

So what?

Minimum passing distance rules may not be improving cyclists’ perceptions of motorists’ behaviours. Additional strategies are required to create a supportive environment for cycling.
Depositional facies and extent of the late Neogene Sandringham Sandstone in southern Victoria, Australia
Authors: VandenBerg Alfons H.M.
Published: February 2017

The late Neogene sedimentary rocks in the Port Phillip region have in the past been subdivided into a lower shallow marine unit, Black Rock Sandstone, overlain by a fluvial unit, Red Bluff Sandstone. Re-examination of the type section of these units at Sandringham shows that it is entirely of paralic origin, with no evidence for fluvial deposition. Criteria for interpreting a shallow marine origin are sedimentary structures including a planar bedding style and swaley cross-stratification, and highly rounded clasts in conglomerates. Using these criteria it can be demonstrated that all named late Neogene sedimentary rock units in the Port Phillip region are paralic deposits, and that the same applies to the Hanson Plain Sand of the Port Campbell Embayment. Because these were deposited as a continuous sheet, the multiplicity of names used hitherto is not justified and should be unified under the single name Sandringham Sandstone. This formation was deposited on a strandplain that extends across western Victoria to the southern fringe of the Western Uplands. The same lateral continuity applies to the underlying
Miocene marl formation, which is unified under the name Gellibrand Marl.
Winter durability of pygmy bluetongue lizard burrows is higher for occupied than for unoccupied burrows and for those in less-grazed neighbourhoods
Authors: Nielsen Torben P. , Bull C. Michael
Published: February 2017

Context Many ectothermic animals survive winter by hibernating, either buried or in burrows. During their hibernation these animals are vulnerable to changes in soil structure and temperature caused by the activity of grazing mammals. This may be a particular risk to ectotherms living in native grassland, as this habitat is often used for livestock grazing. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard lives in burrows, in fragments of native grassland in South Australia, and these burrows are likely to be affected by sheep grazing during the lizards’ hibernation. Aims The current study aimed to determine the following effects on the persistence of burrows suitable to the pygmy bluetongue lizard: different levels of grazing, winter vegetation cover, burrow entrance size and whether a lizard was overwintering in the burrow. Methods During two winters, we applied different grazing treatments to six experimental paddocks and determined whether suitable lizard burrows located in autumn were still suitable to lizards in the following spring. For each burrow, we recorded whether a lizard was overwintering, the burrow entrance diameter and the vegetation cover around the burrow during the winter. Key results Increased grazing pressure led to decreased persistence of lizard burrows. We also found that burrows with an overwintering lizard had a greater chance of persisting, but found no direct effect of winter vegetation cover or entrance diameter. Conclusions The results show that although pygmy bluetongue lizards may be able to stabilise their own burrows, the more intense the grazing the lower the chance of lizard burrow persistence. Implications Management of sheep grazing is an important component in future conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard. Grazing on grassland with a lizard population should be kept at a moderate level and hard grazing should be avoided.
Cross-linguistic categorization of throwing events
Authors: Wang Haoshu , Hong Gao Helena
Published: February 2017

Research on cross-linguistic categorization reveals that there were universal principles constraining the categorization of motion events across languages, and variations only distributed in a limited range. However, this finding has not been widely verified across languages and semantic domains. In this paper, we will address whether the universal constraints exist in the cross-linguistic categorization of throwing events, with the data collected with a behavioral approach. We asked 79 adult native speakers of English(12 male, 17 female), Chinese(15 male, 15 female), and German(18 male, 12 female) to perform actions denoted by near-synonymous ‘throw’ verbs in their native languages. Then we coded the features of their actions and compared them across individuals and languages. The results support the finding of previous studies that event categorization is constrained across languages. In addition, the top-down approach we adopted in this study allowed us to capture the focal and extensional semantic range of each verb involved, which advanced our knowledge of event categories and different semantic representations of a class of near-synonyms.
Ethical considerations of secondary data use
Authors: Jol Guusje , Stommel Wyke
Published: February 2017

In this paper we discuss the ethical aspects of secondary use of language data: data that have been created and stored for purposes such as administration, training or quality monitoring. Such recordings provide interesting natural language data that stay clear of the observer’s paradox (Labov, 1972). Additionally, they offer opportunities for the field of applied linguistics that seeks to understand everyday language use and to assist language users. However, obtaining informed consent from interactants can be extremely difficult if gatekeepers shield them from researchers for reasons of professional ethics or because of legislation. In this article, we draw on our conversation analytic research into police interviews with child witnesses to argue a) that conceptualizing pre-recorded data as archival data is more appropriate than applying the ‘human participants’ ethical model; and b) that if sufficient protective measures are taken, secondary use of data without informed consent can be ethically sound.
Tracking semantic change infl- monomorphemes in theOxford English Dictionary
Authors: Smith Chris A.
Published: February 2017

This study aims to track diachronic semantic shift in a small set of monomorphemes collected from theOxford English Dictionary(OED), carrying the initialfl- phonestheme, such asflounder, flummox, flail, etc. The purpose is to determine the semantic behavior offl- monomorphemes by identifyingOEDkey words, which are then classified into eleven conceptual categories of semantic features. Five features of the eleven are conjectured as major on the basis of frequency of occurrence and frequency of combination with other features. Features which share similar progression rates are hypothesized to be linked through the natural process of metonymy (MTA, SV, SBT). Early emergent features are viewed as primary (MTA and MTL). From there, directionality of shift is assessed by comparing co-emergent with post-attestation features. Although no general pattern is discernible on this scale, several case studies of unexpected semantic shift towards minor features as inflummerandflourishshow promising results for the field of historical lexical semantics.
A comparison of maternal and child language in normally-hearing and hearing-impaired children with cochlear implants
Authors: Vanormelingen Liesbeth , De Maeyer Sven , Gillis Steven
Published: February 2017

The present study examines the amount of input and output in congenitally hearing-impaired children with a cochlear implant (CI) and normally-hearing children (NH) and their normally-hearing mothers. The aim of the study was threefold: (a) to investigate the input provided by the two groups of mothers, (b) to investigate the output of the two groups of children, and (c) to investigate the influence of the mothers’ input on child output and expressive vocabulary size. Mothers are less influenced by their children’s hearing status than the children are: CI children are more talkative and slower speakers. Mothers influenced their children on most parameters, but strikingly, it was not maternal talkativeness as such, but the number of maternal turns that is the best predictor of a child’s expressive vocabulary size.
Explanatory content and visibility effects on the young child’s verbal and gestural behavior in free dialogues
Authors: Mazur-Palandre Audrey , Lund Kristine
Published: February 2017

In this study we analyzed the verbal and gestural behavior of 6-year-old French children during free dialogue explanation. We expected that children would alter their gestures according to content explained and interlocutor visibility. Thirty children explained two games to a peer: fifteen could not see their interlocutor whereas fifteen could. Results showed that the mean number of clauses per explanation of a child speaker interacting with a child addressee did not significantly change according to content explained or the visibility of the addressee. However, the mean number of gestures per clause is higher for a child speaker interacting with a child addressee both when explaining the spatial game and when face-to-face. Finally, children explaining how to play a spatial game produced more representational gestures and made more interactive gestures when the addressee was visible. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies on children’s language production and acquisition.
Mélanges interpropositionnels chez les enfants bilingues franco-allemands
Authors: Schmeißer Anika , Eichler Nadine , Gil Laia Arnaus , Müller Natascha
Published: February 2017

The literature on the mixing of two languages in children bilingual from birth distinguishes code switching on different levels, switching within the same sentence or utterance (‘intra-sentential switching’, ‘intra-utterance switching’ following Genesee, Boivin & Nicoladis, 1996 : 428–429) and mixing between sentences or utterances in the same conversation (‘inter-sentential switching’, ‘inter-utterance switching’). This article presents a longitudinal study on inter-sentential switching, still rarely investigated, in four bilingual French-German children between the age of two and four years. The main goal is to detect the characteristics of such switching, to increase our understanding as to whether they are comparable to intra-sentential switching in terms of frequency and motivation. Inter-sentential switching is much more frequent than intra-sentential switching. Analysis of the data shows that inter-sentential switching is frequent in the weaker language of children classified as imbalanced bilinguals during the study. In contrast, inter-sentential switching is nearly absent in children who are balanced bilinguals. Results also show that inter-sentential switching does not generally follow the characteristics of code-switching, but rather depends on emotional and cognitive factors.
Beyond sayingthanks
Authors: Mir Montserrat , Cots Josep M.
Published: February 2017

This study explores how American English and Peninsular Spanish speakers respond to a compliment. Participants completed an online discourse completion test with nine different complimenting scenarios. A total of 14 different strategies for responding to a compliment were found in the data. Based on verbal reports on language use, it was found that Peninsular Spanish speakers do not compliment as often as American English speakers do. The data analysis also revealed that both language groups clearly prefer to accept a compliment, but whereas American English speakers regard a simple ‘thank you’ as an appropriate compliment response, Peninsular Spanish speakers prefer to agree with the complimented assertion by making a semantically fitted comment. Other differences include the importance of returning a compliment in American English and the need to scale down the illocutionary force of the compliment among Peninsular Spanish speakers.
Preliminary quantification of the in situ performance of a novel hydrogen peroxide based explosive
Authors: Onederra Italo , Araos Miguel
Published: February 2017

This paper reports the results of a preliminary monitoring program designed to quantify the in situ performance of newly developed hydrogen peroxide based explosives. Their advantage is that they do not produce NOx fumes upon detonation. Direct measurements of velocity of detonation, pressure, temperature and displacement were obtained. Detonation velocities ranged from 2607 to 5100 m s−1 with differences mainly attributed to density variations. The data showed consistent relative differences in pressure and temperature with measurements in the range of 0.6–2.6 GPa and 2036–3551 °C respectively. Multiple hole tests showed that there was no adverse impact on product behaviour such as dead pressing or desensitisation. Video analysis confirmed that displacement was prominent in single hole crater tests but limited in multiple hole tests. Observations confirmed that new fracturing and dilation of discontinuities was evident; with relative differences in fragmentation associated with changes in rock mass conditions.
Duplication events downstream ofIRX1cause North Carolina macular dystrophy at the MCDR3 locus
Authors: Cipriani Valentina , Silva Raquel S. , Arno Gavin , Pontikos Nikolas , Kalhoro Ambreen , Valeina Sandra , Inashkina Inna , Audere Mareta , Rutka Katrina , Puech Bernard , Michaelides Michel , van Heyningen Veronica , Lace Baiba , Webster Andrew R , Moore Anthony T
Published: February 2017

Autosomal dominant North Carolina macular dystrophy (NCMD) is believed to represent a failure of macular development. The disorder has been assigned by linkage to two loci, MCDR1 on chromosome 6q16 and MCDR3 on chromosome 5p15-p13. Recently, noncoding variants upstream ofPRDM13and a large duplication includingIRX1have been identified. However, the underlying disease-causing mechanism remains uncertain. Through a combination of sequencing studies, we report two novel overlapping duplications at the MCDR3 locus, in a gene desert downstream ofIRX1and upstream ofADAMTS16.One duplication of 43 kb was identified in nine NCMD families (with evidence for a shared ancestral haplotype), and another one of 45 kb was found in a single family. The MCDR3 locus is thus refined to a shared region of 39 kb that contains DNAse hypersensitive sites active at a restricted time window during retinal development. Publicly available data confirmed expression ofIRX1andADAMTS16in human fetal retina, withIRX1preferentially expressed in fetal macula. These findings represent a major advance in our understanding of the molecular genetics of NCMD at the MCDR3 locus and provide insights into the genetic pathways involved in human macular development.

Abbreviations list

aCGH

array comparative genomic hybridization

CNV

Copy number variant

IBD

Identical-by-descent

iPSC

Induced pluripotent stem cell

DHS

DNase hypersensitive site

HH

Homozygosity Haplotype

MCDR

Macular dystrophy region

NCMD

North Carolina macular dystrophy

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction

RCHH

Region with a Conserved Homozygosity Haplotype

SNP

Single-nucleotide polymorphism

SNV

Single nucleotide variant

SV

Structural variant

WGS

Whole-genome sequencing
Response to nitrogen addition reveals metabolic and ecological strategies of soil bacteria
Authors: Samad Md Sainur , Johns Charlotte , Richards Karl G. , Lanigan Gary J. , de Klein Cecile A. M. , Clough Timothy J. , Morales Sergio E.
Published: February 2017

The nitrogen (N) cycle represents one of the most well studied systems yet the taxonomic diversity of the organisms that contribute to it is mostly unknown, or linked to poorly characterized microbial groups. While progress has allowed functional groups to be refined, they still rely ona prioriknowledge of enzymes involved, and the assumption of functional conservation, with little connection to the role the transformation plays for specific organisms. Here, we use soil microcosms to test the impact of N deposition on prokaryotic communities. By combining chemical, genomic and transcriptomic analysis we are able to identify and link changes in community structure to specific organisms catalyzing given chemical reactions. Urea deposition led to a decrease in prokaryotic richness, and a shift in community composition. This was driven by replacement of stable native populations, which utilize energy from N-linked redox reactions for physiological maintenance, with fast responding populations that use this energy for growth. This model can be used to predict response to N disturbances and allows us to identify putative life strategies of different functional, and taxonomic, groups thus providing insights into how they persist in ecosystems by niche differentiation.
Report of the Executive Committee for 2015
Authors: Dacombe M.
Published: February 2017

The report of the Executive Committee for 2015 is presented.
Multi-criteria optimization for a cost-effective design of an RFID-based meat supply chain
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed , Wang Qian
Published: February 2017

Purpose

In this paper, the authors investigated a proposed radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based meat supply chain to monitor quality and safety of meat products we purchase from supermarkets. The supply chain consists of farms, abattoirs and retailers. The purpose of this paper is to determine a cost-effective trade-off decision obtained from a developed multi-criteria optimization model based on three objectives. These objectives include customer satisfaction in percentage of product quantity as requested by customers, product quality in numbers of meat products and the total implementation cost. Furthermore, this work was aimed at determining the number and locations of farms and abattoirs that should be established and quantities of products that need to be transported between entities of the proposed supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

To this aim, a tri-criteria optimization model was developed. The considered criteria were used for minimizing the total implementation cost and maximizing customer satisfaction and product quality. In order to obtain Pareto solutions based on the developed model, four solution approaches were employed. Subsequently, a new decision-making algorithm was developed to select the superior solution approach in terms of values of the three criteria.

Findings

A case study was applied to examine the applicability of the developed model and the performance of the proposed solution approaches. The computational results proved the applicability of the developed model in obtaining a trade-off among the considered criteria and solving the RFID-based meat supply chain design problem.

Practical implications

The developed tri-criteria optimization model can be used by decision makers as an aid to design and optimize food supply chains.

Originality/value

This paper presents a development of first, a cost-effective optimization approach for a proposed RFID-based meat supply chain seeking a trade-off among three conflicting criteria; and second, a new decision-making algorithm which can be used for any multi-criteria problem to select the best Pareto solution.
Comparing UK food retailers corporate social responsibility strategies
Authors: Souza-Monteiro Diogo , Hooker Neal
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how socio-economic and institutional factors impact UK food retailers’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies as revealed in corporate communications and product marketing. Building on institutional theory, the authors empirically examine whether discourse in CSR reports aligns with commercial strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a mixed method approach the authors quantify quotes related to key CSR themes in annual reports and claims on new private label products launched in nine key product categories using information from Mintel’s Global New Products Database. These measures are grouped into eight distinct CSR themes across seven retailers and seven years (2006-2012).

Findings

Health and safety and environment are the leading themes in both data sets. Animal welfare, community and biotechnology and novel foods take the middle ground with differing use across reports and products. Fair trade, labor and human resources and procurement and purchasing are the least commonly described themes in reports and on products. Retailers focus on different CSR themes in reports and new products, which may be evidence of competitive rather than pre-competitive strategies.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows that UK food retailers CSR strategies between 2006 and 2012 were more competitive than pre-competitive, which is in line with theory that suggests economic pressures decrease incentives to cooperate. However, this research is limited to innovation data and analysis of CSR reports. A more complete analysis would need to consider sales or consumption data, wider sources of corporate communications and independent measures of social, environmental and economic impact. The authors’ findings caution policy makers to be wary of retailers commitments to voluntary agreement pledges, particularly when the competitive environment and economic conditions are more challenging.

Practical implications

Firms are increasingly pressured to contribute to social and environmental domestic and international commitments. Business should enhance coordination between CSR offices and commercial divisions to develop more consistent and effective social responsibility programs.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to compare the evolution of CSR discourse and marketing strategy over time and across businesses in a key retail market.
The influence of time of day on decision fatigue in online food choice experiments
Authors: Olsen Søren Bøye , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Mørkbak Morten Raun , Bonnichsen Ole
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Fatigue effects related to answering a sequence of choice tasks have received much scrutiny in the stated choice experiments (SCE) literature. However, decision fatigue related to the time of day when respondents answer questionnaires has been largely overlooked in this literature even though time of day related fatigue effects are well known in the psychology literature. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that variations in the time of day when respondents answer an online food choice experiment will translate into observable fatigue effects in the food choices.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical SCE concerning food choices is conducted using a web-based questionnaire for interviews in a pre-recruited online panel of consumers. Timestamps collected during the online interviews provide knowledge about the time of day at which each respondent has answered the survey. This information is linked with knowledge from a food sociology survey on typical meal times as well as biophysical research linking food intake to blood sugar and mental energy in order to generate a proxy variable for each respondent’s level of mental energy when answering the food choice tasks in the questionnaire.

Findings

Results show evidence of a time of day effect on error variance in the stated food choices as well as the subsequently estimated market share predictions. Specifically, respondents provide less consistent answers during the afternoon than at other times of the day.

Originality/value

The results indicate that time of day can affect responses to an online survey through increased fatigue and correspondingly less choice consistency. Thus, especially online surveys might account for this in data analysis or even restrict accessibility to the online survey for certain times of day.
Performance and access to finance in Indonesian horticulture
Authors: Wulandari Eliana , Meuwissen Miranda P.M. , Karmana Maman H. , Oude Lansink Alfons G.J.M.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Access to finance is an important condition for the development of agriculture and the farms’ performance. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the association between the technical efficiency of horticultural farms and access to finance from different finance providers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 434 farmers who produce mango, mangosteen, chili and red onion in Indonesia. Data were subsequently analysed using data envelopment analysis and bootstrap truncated regression.

Findings

The results show that commercial credit from banks and in-kind finance provided through farmers’ associations have a positive association with the technical efficiency of some types of horticultural farms. Commercial credit from micro finance institution and flexible payment of inputs to the agricultural input kiosk generally have negative associations, especially with the technical efficiency of mangosteen farms. Subsidised credit from banks and in-kind finance from traders have both positive and negative associations with the technical efficiency of the horticultural farms.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature by analysing access to finance from a broader range of finance providers and its relation to technical efficiency.
Eliciting consumer preferences for credence attributes in a fine-dining restaurant
Authors: Schjøll Alexander , Alfnes Frode
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and discuss methodology issues in menu-labelling experiments in commercial full-service restaurants, and to investigate how the menu description and price affects customers’ choice of an organic veal entrée in a Norwegian restaurant.

Design/methodology/approach

A menu-labelling experiment was conducted in a fine-dining restaurant during ordinary opening hours over a period of two weeks. The menu description of an organic veal entrée was altered repeatedly and the effect of these changes on the sales of this entrée was investigated.

Findings

Adding words to the menu description, such as “organic”, or describing animal welfare had a very limited effect on customers’ choices in the restaurant.

Research limitations/implications

The research illustrates the use of a natural field experiment in a commercial full-service restaurant and discusses strengths and weaknesses of the methodology.

Originality/value

Few experiments have been performed on the effect on credence attributes in commercial full-service restaurants and there is little knowledge about research challenges in menu-labelling experiments. This paper contributes to the knowledge on both issues by conducting a natural field experiment in a fine-dining restaurant.
Material flow cost accounting for food waste in the restaurant industry
Authors: Christ Katherine Leanne , Burritt Roger
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a new tool, material flow cost accounting (MFCA), can effectively support and be used to improve food waste management in the restaurant industry, thereby improving the financial viability and environmental performance of restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper brings together two previously unrelated research streams – MFCA and restaurant waste management – with specific focus on food waste.

Findings

The advantages of using MFCA for assessing food waste in the restaurant industry are derived from the joint literatures. These include simplicity and low cost of application of the tool, as well as the potential for experimentation on a case-by-case basis to demonstrate the advantages for assessing and managing food waste in the industry.

Practical implications

This pragmatic research introduces the MFCA tool to the restaurant industry. It highlights the need for restaurants to implement MFCA for themselves for it to be effective. It also encourages small restaurants to work together to obtain the resource and financial advantages MFCA can deliver.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to integrate the internationally recognised International Organization for Standardization 14051 MFCA literature with the problem of food waste management in restaurants.
How important is country-of-origin for organic food consumers? A review of the literature and suggestions for future research
Authors: Thøgersen John , Pedersen Susanne , Paternoga Maria , Schwendel Eva , Aschemann-Witzel Jessica
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the country-of-origin (COO) effect in the context of organic food and develop suggestions for further research in this area. Research has investigated COO effects and consumer responses to organic food, but there is little research on the combination of the two.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative review of two research streams and their intersection, forming the basis for the development of a research agenda.

Findings

There are few studies analysing the possible interaction between the effects of organic and COO on consumers’ food preferences and choices. In general, COO seems to lose impact when other quality cues are salient. This suggests a lower impact of COO for organic than for conventional food products. However, there is still no research on the possible impact of organic labelling in categories where products from a foreign country are able to demand a premium, and little is known about consumer preferences for different import countries regarding organic food. Six potential future research directions are suggested.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for research that more systematically investigates the possible interactions between COO and organic labelling on consumers’ food product preferences and choices. A research agenda is suggested as a starting point.

Originality/value

This literature review highlights the lack of research on the interaction between COO effects and consumer responses to organic food. The literature review creates a basis for future research and a possible research agenda is suggested.