bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying threatened species in the "south" using new criteria
Authors: J. Stattersfield A.
Published: May 2016

The first application of the new IUCN threatened species categories to birds is reviewed. The advantage of this system is that it is characterized by clear, objective, quantitative criteria. However, for many species, requisite numerical data are lacking, and the magnitude of potential threats has to be inferred. Numbers of threatened species are compared for South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Indo-Pacific Islands. Further analysis identifies the most important countries in terms of priority for conservation action for threatened species, the key habitats for their survival and the main dangers faced. The changes between successive Red Lists indicate a possible extinction crisis of considerable magnitude, whereby half the world's birds could disappear in 800 years. Averting this crisis requires identifying and protecting sites where suites of threatened species co-occur.
Mound springs in the Dawson River Valley, Queensland. Vegetation-environment relations and consequences of a proposed impoundment on botanical values
Authors: J. Fensham R.
Published: May 2016

Boggomosses are perennial mound springs in the Dawson River Valley, Queensland, an area subject to seasonal and often more prolonged drought. The results of a vegetation survey of the boggomosses are presented and assessed in relation to an impoundment proposed for the area. A classification of site-species data defined four boggomoss communities having distinct associations with soil texture and fertility, landscape position and possibly the age of springs. A measure of biogeographic significance was assigned to the plant species on the basis of rarity, isolation, affinity with the coastal flora and latitudinal limits. An impoundment at the maximum proposed height of 185 m would: a) inundate about 58% of the total number of springs; b) inundate 62% of significant community 1 springs that have high conservation significance; c) inundate all boggomoss populations of 26% of native plant species; d) inundate 30% of the boggomoss populations of the species that currently have two or more boggomoss populations to a level of one or less boggomoss populations; e) inundate all boggomoss populations of two out of 25 biogeographically significant species; f) inundate six out of 12 boggomoss populations of the vulnerable species Arthraxon hispidus; g) not inundate the single population of the vulnerable species Thelypteris confluens although the population would be within 1 m altitude of the maximum water height; h) not inundate the two populations of the endangered species Eriocaulon carsonii and Myriophyllum sp. (Aramac B. Wilson 110). Substantial lessening of impact on community 1 sites are achieved at dam water levels down to 177 m altitude and this trend is reftected in a progessive increase in the security of individual species. For example at the latter level, 88% of species would remain intact in more than one population and all known populations of Arthraxonwould remain intact.
Handing on the right to fish: the law of the land and cross-cultural co-operation in a gulf community in Australia
Authors: Sharp Nonie
Published: May 2016

Drawing on oral and written sources, this paper discusses an Aboriginal community's experience in taking primary responsibility for land and waters on behalf of the generations. It explores the reasons why Aboriginal people's distinctive relationship to the environment and to future generations forms a framework for their management practices. Respect for the law of the land became the pre-condition for more than a decade of co-operation with neighbouring commercial fishermen and others. Given a recognition of important cultural differences in the way relationships to land and sea are constructed, it is suggested that these experiences may offer some guidelines on sharing lands and coasts in Australia.
The genetic diversity and distinctiveness of the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby Petrogale xanthopus (Gray, 1854) in New South Wales
Authors: C. Pope Lisa , Sharp Andy , Moritz Craig
Published: May 2016

Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies (YFRW) Petrogale xanthopus have declined in numbers since European settlement from past hunting for skins, habitat disturbance and predation and competition with feral animals (Gordon et al. 1978, 1993; Copley 1983; Henzell 1990). This has led to the species being classed as potentially vulnerable to extinction in Australia (Kennedy 1992), and endangered in New South Wales (Schedule 1, Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995).
Wilderness and its place in nature conservation in Australia
Authors: G. Mackey B. , G. Lesslie R. , B. Lindenmayer D. , A. Nix H.
Published: May 2016

Most of the concepts considered under the broad umbrella of nature conservation have changed considerably during the last century. This is the result of an evolving process driven primarily by the rapid and sustained transformation of natural systems due to agricultural and industrial development, growth in public awareness and appreciation of the value of natural systems, and developments and shifting priorities in conservation science. Prevailing views and accepted principles are necessarily challenged as a part of this process. At present, both in Australia and internationally, the concept of wilderness is under challenge. In particular, its relevance and role in nature conservation is being questioned in the light of present priorities such as the conservation of biodiversity and concerns over global environmental change. This is taking place against a background of changing understandings as to the relationship between indigenous societies and the environment.
Climate Change 1995
Authors: T. Watts Gregory
Published: May 2016

Climate Change 1995 is a scientific assessment that was generated by more than 1 000 contributors from over 50 nations. It was jointly co-ordinated through two international agencies; the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. The assessment was completed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with a primary aim of reviewing the current state of knowledge concerning the impacts of climate change on physical and ecological systems, human health, and socioeconomic factors. The second aim was to review the available information on the technical and economic feasibility of the potential mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Conservation of the Noisy Scrub-bird: a review of 35 years of research and management
Authors: Danks Alan
Published: May 2016

The Noisy Scrub-bird is a small, semi-flightless insectivore which forages in leaf litter and the lower stratum of dense vegetation. More widespread when discovered last century the species declined rapidly after European settlement of Westem Australia due to habitat clearing and large scale, uncontrolled wildfires. A small, remnant population survived in dense low forest and thickets on Mt Gardner at Two Peoples Bay. Exclusion of fire from scrub-bird habitat allowed the population at Two Peoples Bay to increase through natural breeding. Translocations to new sites, where successful, have provided more habitat for the scrub-bird resulting in seven sub-populations in the area between Oyster Harbour and Cheyne Beach east of Albany. Rapid increases in numbers have occurred in the Mt Manypeaks area in recent years. The whole population has now increased to 10.5 times its size at rediscovery. This paper reviews Noisy Scrub-bird conservation efforts during the 35 years since its rediscovery and focuses on recent progress, population trends, and the current status of the species. Successful conservation management has been based on research into the scrub-bird's biology and ecology and has involved habitat reservation and protection, fire management, population monitoring, and translocation. Scrub-bird conservation has also provided benefits for other threatened species.
The Origin and Evolution of Pacific Island Biotas, New Guinea to Eastern Polynesia: Patterns and Processes
Authors: D. Majer Jonathan
Published: May 2016

A number of publications have considered the biogeography of various subsets of the Pacific Region, including the earlier works by J. L. Gressitt (Pacific Basin Biogeography) and by F. J. Radovsky and others (Biogeography of the Tropical Pacific). In addition to these, substantial edited volumes have been produced on the Biogeography and Ecology of New Guinea (by J. L. Gressitt), on Biogeography and Ecology in Australia (by A. Keast), on the relationship between these two regions in Bridge and Barrier: The Natural and Cultural History of the Torres Strait (by D. Walker) and on Hawaiian Biogeography: Evolution of a Hot Spot Archipelago (by W. L. Wagner and V. A. Funk). A substantial list of papers, reviews and symposia also pertain to the biogeography of this region.
Uncertainty in assessing the viability of the Powerful Owl Ninox strenua in Victoria, Australia
Authors: A. McCarthy Michael , Webster Alan , H. Loyn Richard , W. Lowe Kim
Published: May 2016

A model of the metapopulation dynamics of Powerful Owls Ninox strenua in Victoria, Australia is described, and its parameters were derived from available data. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the survival rate of adult owls is the most important parameter in the model. Because estimates of this parameter are uncertain, the predictions of the model are uncertain and unreliable. Using the best estimates of the parameters, the predicted risk of decline across Victoria is low, and local populations larger than 100 pairs have a low risk of extinction. If the lower estimates of adult and sub-adult survival are used, the abundance of Powerful Owls across Victoria is predicted to decline exponentially and faces extinction from deterministic forces. A prohibitively large field programme involving monitoring of individuallyrecognizable owls would be required to obtain an improved estimate of adult survival, and so further use of population viability analysis to assess the adequacy of particular management strategies is unlikely to be useful for this species. An alternative is to establish a long-term monitoring programme to document changes in abundance of the species in logged and unlogged landscapes.
Temporary undernutrition during early gestation, corpora lutea morphometrics, ovarian progesterone secretion and embryo survival in gilts
Authors: Langendijk P. , Bouwman E. G. , Chen T. Y. , Koopmanschap R. E. , Soede N. M.
Published: May 2016

The present study reports effects of severe undernutrition on luteal function and pregnancy in pigs. Gilts were inseminated and either fasted on Day 10 and 11 after conception (n = 11) or fully fed throughout (n = 10). Fasting did not affect LH or progesterone pulsatile secretion pattern on Day 11 in samples taken from blood vessels draining an ovary. Ultrasonographic measurements of the size of the corpora lutea did not show any effect of fasting either. However, fasted gilts had 10 to 30 % lower systemic progesterone from Day 12 through Day 15 after conception (P < 0.05). All gilts farrowed, but fasted gilts had fewer born piglets than fully fed gilts (8.8 ± 0.8 vs 10.9 ± 0.5 respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, fasting during embryo elongation can compromise embryonic survival by affecting ovarian function in the days after fasting, without having an immediate effect on LH secretion and progesterone output by the ovaries.
Diversity and phylogeny of south-east Queensland Bathynellacea
Authors: Little John , Schmidt Daniel J. , Cook Benjamin D. , Page Timothy J. , Hughes Jane M.
Published: May 2016

The crustacean order Bathynellacea is amongst the most diverse and widespread groups of subterranean aquatic fauna (stygofauna) in Australia. Interest in the diversity and biogeography of Australian Bathynellacea has grown markedly in recent years. However, relatively little information relating to this group has emerged from Queensland. The aim of this study was to investigate bathynellacean diversity and phylogeny in south-east Queensland. Relationships between the south-east Queensland fauna and their continental relatives were evaluated through the analysis of combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Bathynellaceans were collected from alluvial groundwater systems in three catchments in south-east Queensland. This study revealed a diverse bathynellacean fauna with complex evolutionary relationships to related fauna elsewhere in Queensland, and on the wider Australian continent. The multifamily assemblage revealed here is likely to represent several new species, and at least one new genus within the Parabathynellidae. These taxa likely have relatively restricted geographic distributions. Interestingly, the south-east Queensland Bathynellacea appeared to be distantly related to their north-east Queensland counterparts. Although it was not possible to determine the generic identities of their closest relatives, the south-east Queensland Parabathynellidae appear to be most closely affiliated with southern and eastern Australian lineages. Together with previous survey data, the findings here suggest that there is likely to be considerable bathynellacean diversity in alluvial groundwater systems across the wider Queensland region. Further assessment of stygofauna distributions in south-east Queensland is necessary to understand the biological implications of significant groundwater use and development in the region.
Chloroplast FBPase and SBPase are thioredoxin-linked enzymes with similar architecture but different evolutionary histories
Authors: Gütle Desirée D. , Roret Thomas , Müller Stefanie J. , Couturier Jérémy , Lemaire Stéphane D. , Hecker Arnaud , Dhalleine Tiphaine , Buchanan Bob B. , Reski Ralf , Einsle Oliver , Jacquot Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2016

Significance

We demonstrate that, although the two phosphatases of the Calvin–Benson cycle of photosynthesis [sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase)] share extensive structural homology, their redox-regulatory disulfides are incorporated in strikingly different positions, in agreement with an independent evolutionary origin of each enzyme. This article compares in detail the structures of the enzymes together with their regulatory and catalytic properties as well as their phylogenies. Significantly, the substrate binding site of SBPase is larger than that of FBPase, thus allowing it to accommodate both seven- and six-carbon sugar phosphate substrates, whereas FBPase is active only with the latter. The data suggest that SBPase is of archaeal origin, whereas FBPase is descended from bacteria.
Finite groups acting symplectically on 𝑇²×𝑆²
Authors: Mundet i Riera Ignasi
Published: May 2016

For any symplectic formω\omegaonT2×S2T^2\times S^2we construct infinitely many nonisomorphic finite groups which admit effective smooth actions onT2×S2T^2\times S^2that are trivial in cohomology but which do not admit any effective symplectic action on(T2×S2,ω)(T^2\times S^2,\omega ). We also prove that for anyω\omegathere is another symplectic formω′\omega ’onT2×S2T^2\times S^2and a finite group acting symplectically and effectively on(T2×S2,ω′)(T^2\times S^2,\omega ’)which does not admit any effective symplectic action on(T2×S2,ω)(T^2\times S^2,\omega ).

A basic ingredient in our arguments is the study of the Jordan property of the symplectomorphism groups ofT2×S2T^2\times S^2. A groupGGis Jordan if there exists a constantCCsuch that any finite subgroupΓ\GammaofGGcontains an abelian subgroup whose index inΓ\Gammais at mostCC. Csikós, Pyber and Szabó proved recently that the diffeomorphism group ofT2×S2T^2\times S^2is not Jordan. We prove that, in contrast, for any symplectic formω\omegaonT2×S2T^2\times S^2the group of symplectomorphismsSymp(T2×S2,ω)\mathrm {Symp}(T^2\times S^2,\omega )is Jordan. We also give upper and lower bounds for the optimal value of the constantCCin Jordan’s property forSymp(T2×S2,ω)\mathrm {Symp}(T^2\times S^2,\omega )depending on the cohomology class represented byω\omega. Our bounds are sharp for a large class of symplectic forms onT2×S2T^2\times S^2.
Long-term dynamics of multisite phosphorylation
Authors: Rubinstein Boris Y. , Mattingly Henry H. , Berezhkovskii Alexander M. , Shvartsman Stanislav Y.
Published: May 2016

Multisite phosphorylation cycles are ubiquitous in cell regulation systems and are studied at multiple levels of complexity, from molecules to organisms, with the ultimate goal of establishing predictive understanding of the effects of genetic and pharmacological perturbations of protein phosphorylation in vivo. Achieving this goal is essentially impossible without mathematical models, which provide a systematic framework for exploring dynamic interactions of multiple network components. Most of the models studied to date do not discriminate between the distinct partially phosphorylated forms and focus on two limiting reaction regimes, distributive and processive, which differ in the number of enzyme–substrate binding events needed for complete phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Here we use a minimal model of extracellular signal-related kinase regulation to explore the dynamics of a reaction network that includes all essential phosphorylation forms and arbitrary levels of reaction processivity. In addition to bistability, which has been studied extensively in distributive mechanisms, this network can generate periodic oscillations. Both bistability and oscillations can be realized at high levels of reaction processivity. Our work provides a general framework for systematic analysis of dynamics in multisite phosphorylation systems.
Pain management
Authors: Swann Meriel
Published: May 2016

Pain management for surgical patients is a complex, but important, issue. Pain management is often inadequately achieved, and therefore it is imperative that this aspect of care is improved. Delays in pain management can result in suffering for the patient and further complications, including prolonged hospital admission. To address this, healthcare professionals need to be familiar with all aspects of pain management. This chapter provides an overview of pain physiology, assessment, and pharmacological interventions, including analgesics, epidurals, and patient-controlled analgesia.
No apparent superluminal motion in the first-known jetted tidal disruption event Swift J1644+5734
Authors: Yang J. , Paragi Z. , van der Horst A. J. , Gurvits L. I. , Campbell R. M. , Giannios D. , An T. , Komossa S.
Published: May 2016

The first-known tidal disruption event (TDE) with strong evidence for a relativistic jet – based on extensive multiwavelength campaigns – is Swift J1644+5734. In order to directly measure the apparent speed of the radio jet, we performed very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations with the European VLBI network (EVN) at 5 GHz. Our observing strategy was to identify a very nearby and compact radio source with the real-time e-EVN, and then utilize this source as a stationary astrometry reference point in the later five deep EVN observations. With respect to the in-beam source FIRST J1644+5736, we have achieved a statistical astrometric precision about 12 μas (68 per cent confidence level) per epoch. This is one of the best phase-referencing measurements available to date. No proper motion has been detected in the Swift J1644+5734 radio ejecta. We conclude that the apparent average ejection speed between 2012.2 and 2015.2 was less than 0.3c with a confidence level of 99 per cent. This tight limit is direct observational evidence for either a very small viewing angle or a strong jet deceleration due to interactions with a dense circum-nuclear medium, in agreement with some recent theoretical studies.
AKARI far-infrared maps of the zodiacal dust bands
Authors: Ootsubo Takafumi , Doi Yasuo , Takita Satoshi , Nakagawa Takao , Kawada Mitsunobu , Kitamura Yoshimi , Matsuura Shuji , Usui Fumihiko , Arimatsu Ko
Published: May 2016

Zodiacal emission is thermal emission from interplanetary dust. Its contribution to the sky brightness is non-negligible in the region near the ecliptic plane, even in the far-infrared (far-IR) wavelength regime. We analyze zodiacal emission observed by the AKARI far-IR all-sky survey, which covers 97% of the entire sky at arcminute-scale resolution in four photometric bands, with central wavelengths of 65, 90, 140, and 160 μm. AKARI detected small-scale structures in the zodiacal dust cloud, including the asteroidal dust bands and the circumsolar ring, at far-IR wavelengths. Although the smooth component of the zodiacal emission structure in the far-IR sky can be reproduced well by models based on existing far-IR observations, previous zodiacal emission models have discrepancies in the small-scale structures compared with observations. We investigate the geometry of the small-scale dust-band structures in the AKARI far-IR all-sky maps and construct template maps of the asteroidal dust bands and the circumsolar ring components based on the AKARI far-IR maps. In the maps, ± 1$_{.}^{\circ}$4, ± 2$_{.}^{\circ}$1, and ± 10° asteroidal dust-band structures are detected in the 65 μm and 90 μm bands. A possible ± 17° band may also have been detected. No evident dust-band structures are identified in either the 140 μm or the 160 μm bands. By subtracting the dust-band templates constructed in this paper, we can achieve a similar level of flux calibration of the AKARI far-IR all-sky maps in the |β| < 40° region to that in the region for |β| > 40°.
Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide in spinal cord injury neuropathic pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Andresen Sven R. , Bing Jette , Hansen Rikke M. , Biering-Sørensen Fin , Johannesen Inger L. , Hagen Ellen Merete , Rice Andrew S. C. , Nielsen Jørgen F. , Bach Flemming W. , Finnerup Nanna B.
Published: May 2016

Neuropathic pain and spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI) represent significant problems. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a fatty acid amide that is produced in many cells in the body, is thought to potentiate the action of endocannabinoids and to reduce pain and inflammation. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel multicenter study was performed to investigate the effect of ultramicronized PEA (PEA-um) as add-on therapy on neuropathic pain in individuals with SCI. A pain diary was completed and questionnaires were completed before and after the 12-week treatment with either placebo or PEA-um. The primary outcome measure was the change in mean neuropathic pain intensity from the 1-week baseline period to the last week of treatment measured on a numeric rating scale ranging from 0 to 10. The primary efficacy analysis was the intention to treat (baseline observation carried forward). Secondary outcomes included a per protocol analysis and effects on spasticity, evoked pain, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and global impression of change. We randomized 73 individuals with neuropathic pain due to SCI, of which 5 had a major protocol violation, and thus 68 were included in the primary analysis. There was no difference in mean pain intensity between PEA-um and placebo treatment (P = 0.46, mean reductions in pain scores 0.4 (−0.1 to 0.9) vs 0.7 (0.2-1.2); difference of means 0.3 (−0.4 to 0.9)). There was also no effect of PEA-um as add-on therapy on spasticity, insomnia, or psychological functioning. PEA was not associated with more adverse effects than placebo.
The landscape of gene fusions in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Chengpei , Lv Yanling , Wu Liangcai , Guan Jinxia , Bai Xue , Lin Jianzhen , Liu Tingting , Haohai Zhang , Anqiang Wang , Yuan Xie , Xueshuai Wan , Yongchang Zheng , Xiaobo Yang , Ruoyu Miao , Simon C. Robson , Xinting Sang , Xue Chenghai , Zhao Haitao
Published: May 2016

Most hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients are diagnosed at advanced stages and suffer limited treatment options. Challenges in early stage diagnosis may be due to the genetic complexity of HCC. Gene fusion plays a critical function in tumorigenesis and cancer progression in multiple cancers, yet the identities of fusion genes as potential diagnostic markers in HCC have not been investigated.Paired-end RNA sequencing was performed on noncancerous and cancerous lesions in two representative HBV-HCC patients. Potential fusion genes were identified by STAR-Fusion in STAR software and validated by four publicly available RNA-seq datasets. Fourteen pairs of frozen HBV-related HCC samples and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues were examined by RT-PCR analysis for gene fusion expression.We identified 2,354 different gene fusions in the two HBV-HCC patients. Validation analysis against the four RNA-seq datasets revealed only 1.8% (43/2,354) as recurrent fusions that were supported by public datasets. Comparison with four fusion databases demonstrated that three (HLA-DPB2-HLA-DRB1, CDH23-HLA-DPB1, and C15orf57-CBX3) out of 43 recurrent gene fusions were annotated as disease-related fusion events. Nineteen were novel recurrent fusions not previously annotated to diseases, including DCUN1D3-GSG1L and SERPINA5-SERPINA9. RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of 14 pairs of HBV-related HCC samples confirmed expression of six of the new fusions, including RP11-476K15.1-CTD-2015H3.2.Our study provides new insights into gene fusions in HCC and could contribute to the development of anti-HCC therapy. RP11–476K15.1-CTD–2015H3.2 may serve as a new therapeutic biomarker in HCC.
Small retailer’s new product acceptance in emerging market: a grounded theory approach
Authors: Shaikh Ateeque , Gandhi Aradhana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of small retailers’ new product acceptance criteria using a grounded theory approach in an emerging market, India.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical research on retailers’ new product acceptance either takes survey design or modeling approach. This study uses grounded theory approach to systematically collect and analyze data to generate a model for the small retailers’ new product acceptance in an emerging market, India. In depth interviews with ten small retailers, five situated in small market town and five in a metro were conducted.

Findings

– Retail margin on offer is the first and foremost criteria considered while accepting a new product along with product and market-related factors. The small retailers spelt out the tradeoff decision on retail margins while accepting a new product. The tradeoff criteria that emerged during the analysis are trade and promotional support, sales potential of the product, salesperson relationship with the retailer, aspects of fairness in the relationship, corporate reputation, relevant product information, and availability of the product with other retail competitors.

Practical implications

– The study suggests that marketers have to maintain healthy relationship with the channel partners especially the retailers who are in direct contact with the final consumer. The findings of the study suggest that marketers specifically need to take into consideration aspects of fairness and encourage salespersons to build and foster relationships with small retailers.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the few study which uses grounded theory approach to propose a retailer’s new product acceptance model.
A lean thinking and simulation-based approach for the improvement of routing operations
Authors: Villarreal Bernardo , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Kumar Vikas
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The improvement of routing operations performance has been of great concern for organisations. This has led to the development of alternative lean-based methods, however the literature research on the applications of lean thinking in the transportation sector is still considered rather limited. The purpose of this paper is to present a lean thinking and simulation-based approach to improve the efficiency of warehousing and routing operations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the existing literature in the area of lean transportation and then presents and applies a novel approach to improve the vehicle routing operations of a Mexican firm. The proposed approach suggests the classification of wastes into those relevant to transport operations, their identification through a transportation value stream mapping study, and the use of the transportation overall vehicle effectiveness (TOVE) index for the measure of the overall performance of the transport operations.

Findings

– The results obtained from the case study indicate that the proposed approach is an effective alternative for the improvement of vehicle routing operations as the number of routes decreased from 30 to 22 and the distance travelled by 32 per cent. Similarly, the average number of clients served by each route increased by 23 per cent as well as the TOVE index increased from 6.9 to 19.3 per cent. The TOVE component measures of vehicle performance and operating availability efficiencies also increased significantly while quality issues, in the form of number of customers not served per route, were reduced from six to zero.

Originality/value

– The improvement of routing operations performance has been traditionally addressed through operations research and mathematical modelling approaches. This paper presents an alternative and novel lean thinking and simulation-based approach to improve the efficiency of routing operations.
The impact of telephone crisis services on suicidal users: a systematic review of the past 45 years
Authors: Assing Hvidt Elisabeth , Ploug Thomas , Holm Søren
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Telephone crisis services are increasingly subject to a requirement to “prove their worth” as a suicide prevention strategy. The purpose of this paper is to: first, provide a detailed overview of the evidence on the impact of telephone crisis services on suicidal users; second, determine the limitations of the outcome measures used in this evidence; and third, suggest directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

– MEDLINE via Pubmed (from 1966), PsycINFO APA (from 1967) and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses (all to 4 June 2015) were searched. Papers were systematically extracted by title then abstract according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Findings

– In total, 18 articles met inclusion criteria representing a range of outcome measures: changes during calls, reutilization of service, compliance with advice, caller satisfaction and counsellor satisfaction. The majority of studies showed beneficial impact on an immediate and intermediate degree of suicidal urgency, depressive mental states as well as positive feedback from users and counsellors.

Research limitations/implications

– A major limitation pertains to differences in the use of the term “suicidal”. Other limitations include the lack of long-term follow-up and of controlled research designs. Future research should include a focus on long-term follow-up designs, involving strict data protection. Furthermore, more qualitative research is needed in order to capture the essential nature of the intervention.

Originality/value

– This paper attempts to broaden the study and the concept of “effectiveness” as hitherto used in the literature about telephone crisis services and offers suggestions for future research.
Figshare: a universal repository for academic resource sharing?
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Kousha Kayvan
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– A number of subject-orientated and general websites have emerged to host academic resources. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the uptake of such services in order to decide which depositing strategies are effective and should be encouraged.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper evaluates the views and shares of resources in the generic repository Figshare by subject category and resource type.

Findings

– Figshare use and common resource types vary substantially by subject category but resources can be highly viewed even in subjects with few members. More active subject areas do not tend to have more viewed or shared resources.

Research limitations/implications

– The view counts and share counts analysed may reflect author accesses or may be spammed.

Practical implications

– Limited uptake of Figshare within a subject area should not be a barrier to its use. Several highly successful innovative uses for Figshare show that it can reach beyond a purely academic audience.

Originality/value

– This is the first analysis of the uptake and use of a generic academic resource sharing repository.
Utilizing overtly political texts for fully automatic evaluation of political leaning of online news websites
Authors: Zhitomirsky-Geffet Maayan , David Esther , Koppel Moshe , Uzan Hodaya
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Reliability and political bias of mass media has been a controversial topic in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to propose and implement a methodology for fully automatic evaluation of the political tendency of the written media on the web, which does not rely on subjective human judgments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The underlying idea is to base the evaluation on fully automatic comparison of the texts of articles on different news websites to the overtly political texts with known political orientation. The authors also apply an alternative approach for evaluation of political tendency based on wisdom of the crowds.

Findings

– The authors found that the learnt classifier can accurately distinguish between self-declared left and right news sites. Furthermore, news sites’ political tendencies can be identified by automatic classifier learnt from manifestly political texts without recourse to any manually tagged data. The authors also show a high correlation between readers’ perception (as a “wisdom of crowds” evaluation) of the bias and the classifier results for different news sites.

Social implications

– The results are quite promising and can put an end to the never ending dispute on the reliability and bias of the press.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes and implements a new approach for fully automatic (independent of human opinion/assessment) identification of political bias of news sites by their texts.
Countries of the world: free and subscription information sources
Authors: Shores Mark
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize the quality and usefulness of several online resources, both subscription and free, for finding information on countries of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes several free and commercial sources that can be used for conducting research on countries of the world, evaluates them and makes recommendations regarding their use and appropriateness for specific clientele.

Findings

There are many free resources that can be used for locating information on countries of the world, but researchers needing current and in-depth economic and demographic information may need to consult subscription databases.

Research limitations/implications

This paper intentionally limits its analysis to resources that provide basic statistical and narrative information, along with descriptions of culture; online tools for gathering comprehensive data on country economics and demographics have been excluded for purposes of brevity.

Originality/value

This paper offers a comparative overview, survey and analysis of multiple references sources that can be utilized to locate country information, which will be of value to information professionals, as well as information seekers.
A Question of Culture or Economics? Public Attitudes to the European Union in Britain
Authors: Curtice John
Published: May 2016

Previous research has suggested that attitudes towards the European Union (EU) are shaped by two sets of considerations—economic and cultural. Using data from the 2015 British Social Attitudes survey, this article assesses which matters more in shaping attitudes in Britain towards the EU as the country prepares to vote in a referendum on whether it should remain in or leave the European Union. It shows that while concern about the cultural consequences of EU membership is widespread, voters are inclined to think that membership is economically beneficial. This cultural concern underpins a widespread scepticism about Europe, but voters are only likely to want to leave the EU if they are also convinced of the economic case for doing so.
Shear stress regulates endothelial cell function through SRB1‐eNOS signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liao Bin , Li Miaoling , Cheng Min , Fu Yong , Liu Qing , Chen Qi , Liu Hongduan , Fang Yibing , Zhang Gen , Yu Fengxu
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore whether transmembrane flow shear stress could regulate eNOS expression and mediate endothelial cell function via SR‐B1 signaling transduction.

Methods

Parallel‐plate flow chamber was used to impose laminar shear stress and evaluate the effect of shear stress upon human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of SR‐B1 and eNOS at both RNA and protein levels was detected under different dynamic conditions. RNA interference and gene transfection were performed to overexpress and knock down the SRB1 to confirm the role of SR‐B1‐eNOS signaling pathway.

Results

The expression levels of SR‐B1 and eNOS were downregulated when HUVECs were treated with 4.2 dyne/cm2 shear stress compared with those of the control group. However, the expression of SR‐B1 and eNOS was upregulated as HUVECs exposed to 8.4 and 15 dyne/cm2 shear stress. When exposed to 8.4 dyne/cm2, SR‐B1 and eNOS expression was significantly higher compared with those of the other groups. When SR‐B1 was knocked down through RNAi technique, the expression of eNOS was significantly downregulated than those of the other groups. While overexpression of SR‐B1 could upregulate eNOS significantly.

Conclusion

Shear stress regulates endothelial cell function through SR‐B1‐eNOS signaling pathway. SR‐B1 may play a pivotal role in the process of anti‐atherosclerosis.
Self‐tonometry as a complement in the investigation of glaucoma patients
Authors: Chen Enping , Quérat Laurence , Åkerstedt Christina
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the reliability of intraocular pressure measured by patients with glaucoma themselves using a new hand‐held tonometer and to observe whether the intraocular pressure (IOP) variations have the same pattern on different days while glaucoma treatment is constant.

Methods

Eighty‐seven patients diagnosed with open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were recruited to the study. Intraocular pressure measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) was compared with IOP measured using tonometry at baseline and on the second visit. Patients measured their IOP at home using the hand‐held tonometers.

Results

The mean difference between GAT and iCare® values varies from 0 to 1 mmHg. Seventy‐eight per cent of iCare® measurements were within 3 mmHg of the GAT measurements. Approximately 64% of the study eyes had higher IOP in the morning than in the afternoon/evening. Circadian patterns differed between consecutive days in 47% of the study eyes. There were IOP peaks outside office hours in up to 16% of the study eyes.

Conclusion

Measurements made using rebound self‐tonometry are accurate and could be used to complement the investigation of patients with glaucoma. Intraocular pressure curves provide valuable data usable when adapting glaucoma treatment.
Clinicians in 25 countries prefer to use lower levels of oxygen to resuscitate preterm infants at birth
Authors: Oei Ju Lee , Ghadge Alpana , Coates Elisabeth , Wright Ian M. , Saugstad Ola D. , Vento Maximo , Buonocore Giuseppe , Nagashima Tatsuo , Suzuki Keiji , Hosono Shiguhero , Davis Peter G. , Craven Paul , Askie Lisa , Dawson Jennifer , Garg Shalabh , Keech Anthony , Rabi Yacov , Smyth John , Sinha Sunil , Stenson Ben , Lui Kei , Hunter Carol Lu , Tarnow Mordi William ,   The HOLISTIC (Higher Or Lower oxygen and Infant Saturation Targeting: International Collaboration) Study Group
Published: May 2016

Aim

This study determined current international clinical practice and opinions regarding initial fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) targets for delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants of less than 29 weeks of gestation.

Methods

An online survey was disseminated to neonatal clinicians via established professional clinical networks using a web‐based survey programme between March 9 and June 30, 2015.

Results

Of the 630 responses from 25 countries, 60% were from neonatologists. The majority (77%) would target SpO2 between the 10th to 50th percentiles values for full‐term infants. The median starting FiO2 was 0.3, with Japan using the highest (0.4) and the UK using the lowest (0.21). New Zealand targeted the highest SpO2 percentiles (median 50%). Most respondents agreed or did not disagree that a trial was required that compared the higher FiO2 of 0.6 (83%), targeting the 50th SpO2 percentile (60%), and the lower FiO2 of 0.21 (80%), targeting the 10th SpO2 percentile (78%). Most (65%) would join this trial. Many considered that evidence was lacking and further research was needed.

Conclusion

Clinicians currently favour lower SpO2 targets for preterm resuscitation, despite acknowledging the lack of evidence for benefit or harm, and 65% would join a clinical trial.
Measuring international business cycles by saving for a rainy day
Authors: Crucini Mario J. , Shintani Mototsugu
Published: May 2016

Macroeconomics inevitably begins with a trend‐cycle decomposition of a nation's output. We propose a decomposition in which consumption is the trend component and savings is the cycle component. Using data from the G‐7 plus Australia, we show that this decomposition identifies international business cycles that are: (i) more volatile, (ii) of longer mean duration and (iii) less correlated across countries than the cycle component from the Hodrick‐Prescott filter. We argue that this difference stems from the fact that our method imposes a basic theoretical restriction arising from the permanent income hypothesis similar to the restriction used in Cochrane's decomposition.
Sharing the burden for climate change mitigation in the Canadian federation
Authors: Böhringer Christoph , Rivers Nicholas , Rutherford Thomas , Wigle Randall
Published: May 2016

Dividing the burden for greenhouse gas abatement among the provinces has proven challenging in Canada and contributes to Canada's failure to limit emissions. This paper uses a computable general equilibrium model to compare a number of rules for sharing the burden of emission reductions among Canadian provinces. Because of the substantial heterogeneity among Canadian provinces, these different rules imply significantly different relative abatement effort among provinces, and also significantly different welfare implications. We compare these archetypal burden sharing rules to existing provincial emission reduction commitments and find that none of the standard burden sharing rules comes close to existing commitments.
CHANGING ROLES OF ABILITY AND EDUCATION IN U.S. INTERGENERATIONAL MOBILITY
Authors: Richey Jeremiah , Rosburg Alicia
Published: May 2016

Using data on young adults from the 1979 and 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we investigate the changing roles of ability and education in the transmission of economic status across generations. We find that ability plays a substantially diminished role for the most recent cohort whereas education plays a much larger role. The first finding results primarily from a smaller effect of children's ability on status, the second from an increased correlation between parental status and educational attainment. A replication of the analysis by gender reveals that the changes in the role of ability are largely driven by men whereas the changes in education's role are largely driven by women. (JEL J62, I24)
CTOD‐R curves of the metal‐clad interface of API X52 pipes cladded with an Inconel 625 alloy by welding overlay
Authors: Araújo A. A. de , Bastian F. L. , Castrodeza E. M.
Published: May 2016

Crack‐tip opening displacement resistance curves (CTOD‐R) of the substrate/cladding interface of an API 5 L X52 steel pipe internally coated with Inconel 625 applied by TIG (GTAW) welding were experimentally evaluated. A small pipe section with 168 mm of outer diameter and 22.5 mm of thickness was internally coated with a 15 mm thick layer of Inconel 625 corrosion resistant alloy. Tension test specimens were obtained from both substrate and cladding, as well as compact tension test specimens (C(T)) for the evaluation of CTOD‐R curves. The fracture testing specimens were notched at the interface in RL orientation. In addition to fracture and tensile testing, microstructural characterization was conducted at the interface using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Qualitative chemical composition scanning and microhardness determination were also performed. The results indicated high fracture toughness for the substrate/cladding interface and the absence of low toughness regions at the interface of the tested samples.
Individual and Social Influences on Students’ Attitudes to Debt: a Cross‐National Path Analysis Using Data from England and New Zealand
Authors: Harrison Neil , Agnew Steve
Published: May 2016

This study examines the construction of debt attitudes among 439 first‐year undergraduates in England and New Zealand. It works from a conceptual model that predicts that attitudes will be partly determined by a range of social factors, mediated through personality and ‘financial literacy’. Path analysis is used to explore this model. The proposed model was found to be basically sound, with some notable negative findings. Socio‐economic status was found to have a negligible role in determining debt attitudes, while the role of financial literacy was limited to reducing the likelihood of seeing debt as useful for lifestyle expenditure. Debt anxiety was found to be higher among students with a general predisposition to anxiety and inversely related to viewing student debt as a form of educational investment. It is concluded that student debt attitudes are multidimensional and individualised, challenging simplistic ideas of debt aversion in earlier literature.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of (TiB2+ SiC) Reinforced Ti3SiC2Composites Synthesized byIn SituHot Pressing
Authors: Pan Limei , Song Kai , Gu Jian , Qiu Tai , Yang Jian
Published: May 2016

Fully dense (TiB2+ SiC) reinforced Ti3SiC2composites with 15 vol% TiB2and 0–15 vol% SiC were designed and synthesized byin situreaction hot pressing. The increase in SiC content promoted densification and significantly inhibited the growth of Ti3SiC2grains. Thein situincorporated TiB2and SiC reinforcements showed columnar and equiaxed grains, respectively, providing a strengthening–toughening effect by the synergistic action of particulate reinforcement, grain's pulling out, “self‐reinforcement,” crack deflection, and grain refining. A maximum bending strength of 881MPa and a fracture toughness of 9.24MPam1/2were obtained at 10 vol% SiC. The Vickers hardness of the composites increased monotonously from 9.6 to 12.5GPa.
Effect of combined microwave‐hot air drying and superheated steam drying on physical and chemical properties of rice
Authors: Horrungsiwat Sawanee , Therdthai Nantawan , Ratphitagsanti Wannasawat
Published: May 2016

Jasmine rice (Oryza sativa L.) was subjected to two drying operations: combined microwave‐hot air drying (MHA) at initial power intensity of 3, 4 and 6 W g−1 and superheated steam drying (SHS) at 300 °C and 400 °C. During drying, kinetic rate constants of SHS were significantly higher than those of MHA. Both drying operations could decrease enthalpy of starch gelatinisation from 9.28 J g−1 to 1.64–6.17 J g−1, increase gelatinisation extent to 33.51–82.33%, decrease crystallinity from 28.87% to 18.15–21.33%, improve scavenging ability of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, increase ferric reducing antioxidant power and increase hardness of cooked rice from 5.66 N to 5.83–6.55 N, depending on microwave power and drying medium temperature. However, taste profiles and liking scores were comparable to the regular brown rice. Therefore, MHA and SHS operations could be potentially used for reducing drying process and promoting antioxidant activity.