bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigation of the cogging torque and loss minimization in a permanent magnet machine using shape and topology optimization
Authors: Putek Piotr Adam
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The paper presents the topology optimization method to design the rotor and the tooth base in the stator of the permanent magnet (PM) excited machine with the improved high-speed features. The topological and shape sensitivity through the Multi-Level Set Method (MLSM) have been used to attain an innovative design of both the rotor and stator made of different materials.

Design/methodology/approach

This framework is based on the application of the topological and the shape derivative, obtained by incorporating the AVM into the multi-level set method for the magnetoquasistatic system. The representation of the shape and their evolution during the iterative optimization process are obtained by the multi-level set method.

Findings

To find the optimal configuration of a PM machine, the stator and rotor poles were simultaneously optimized by redistributing the iron and the magnet material over the design domains. In this way, it was possible to obtain an innovative design which allows to reduce mechanical vibration and the acoustic noise caused by the Cogging Torque, while taking the back-EMF into account.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed method is to apply the modified multi-level-set algorithm with the Total Variation (TV) to the magnetoquasistatic optimization problem. Given the eddy currents phenomenon in the model of a PM machine, it was possible not only to optimize the structure of a PM machine but also to analyse electromagnetic losses distribution.
A 4-node quadrilateral flat shell element formulated by the shape-free HDF plate and HSF membrane elements
Authors: Shang Yan , Cen Song , Li Chenfeng
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an efficient low-order quadrilateral flat shell element that possesses all outstanding advantages of novel shape-free plate bending and plane membrane elements proposed recently.

Design/methodology/approach

By assembling a shape-free quadrilateral hybrid displacement-function (HDF) plate bending element HDF-P4-11β (Cen et al. 2014) and a shape-free quadrilateral hybrid stress-function (HSF) plane membrane element HSF-Q4θ-7β (Cen et al. 2011b) with drilling degrees of freedom, a new 4-node, 24-DOF (6 DOFs per node) quadrilateral flat shell element is successfully constructed. The trial functions for resultant/stress fields within the element are derived from the analytical solutions of displacement and stress functions for plate bending and plane problems, respectively, so that they can a priori satisfy the related governing equations. Furthermore, in order to take the influences of moderately warping geometry into consideration, the rigid link correction strategy (Taylor 1987) is also employed.

Findings

The element stiffness matrix of a new simple 4-node, 24-DOF quadrilateral flat shell element is obtained. The resulting models, denoted as HDF-SH4, not only possesses all advantages of original HDF plate and HSF plane elements when analyzing plate and plane structures, but also exhibits good performances for analyses of complicated spatial shell structures. Especially, it is quite insensitive to mesh distortions.

Originality/value

This work presents a new scheme, which can take the advantages of both analytical and discrete methods, to develop low-order mesh-distortion resistant flat shell elements.
Indirect cost of maternal mortality in the WHO African Region, 2013
Authors: Kirigia Joses M , Mwabu Germano M , Orem Juliet N , Muthuri Rosenabi Karimi
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to estimate discounted value of potential non-health gross domestic product (GDP) losses attributable to the 167,913 maternal deaths that occurred among 45 countries in the WHO African Region in 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cost-of-illness method was used to estimate non-health GDP losses related to maternal deaths. Future non-health GDP losses were discounted at 3 per cent. The analysis was undertaken for countries categorized under three income groups.

Findings

– The discounted value of future non-health GDP loss due to maternal deaths in 2013 is in the order of Int$5.53 billion. About 17.6 per cent of that occurred in countries in the high and upper income group, 45.7 per cent in the middle income group and 36.7 per cent in the lower middle income group, and the average non-health GDP loss per maternal death was Int$136,799, Int$43,304 and Int$19,822, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

– This study omitted costs related to direct health care, direct non-health care treatment, patient time for treatment, informal caregivers’ time, intangible costs such as pain and grief, lost output due to morbidity, and negative externalities on the family and community.

Social implications

– The study demonstrated that maternal deaths have a sizable negative effect on non-health GDP of the region, implying that maternal mortality is not only a human rights concern but also an economic issue and that universal coverage of maternal health interventions ought to be an imperative goal in all countries.

Originality/value

– This paper provides new evidence on the impact of maternal deaths on non-health GDP of 45 countries in the WHO African Region.
Experiencing the impact of Marcellus Shale: a case study
Authors: Ramsaran Dave , Rousu Matthew C
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to attempt to ascertain how people who are experiencing the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract gas, define it. A case study is done on the town of Canton in Central Pennsylvania.

Design/methodology/approach

– A combination of in-depth interviews and content analysis of town hall meetings in the area, and content analysis of articles in the local newspaper (Canton Sentinel) were used to get a sense of how the people who live in this area are experiencing the increase in natural gas extraction. The study attempts to use the notion of framing and interpretive methodology to make sense of how some people in a small town experience the process.

Findings

– The major finding is that those that benefit directly from the industry tend to have more positive evaluation than those that do not benefit directly. Even those that benefited directly had concerns about the environmental impact of fracking, however have not as yet developed an appropriate narrative with which to articulate their concerns in a coherent manner.

Originality/value

– Few studies have been done that attempt to take into consideration the point of view of those who are directly experiencing the operation of the gas companies. How local residents are interpreting the impact of the gas industry is only just emerging however understanding that process would be paramount for public policy creation after the gas industry has matured and begins to decline.
Labour force participation of elderly in India: patterns and determinants
Authors: Reddy A Bheemeshwar
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the labour force participation of older persons (aged 60 and above) in India from 1983 to 2011-2012. The paper also briefly reviews the conditions of work for the elderly and examines different socio-economic and demographic factors that are associated with labour force participation of elderly in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses data from repeated cross-sectional rounds of Employment and Unemployment Surveys of National Sample Survey Office from 1983 to 2011-2012. The author uses probit regression model to identify the socio-economic and demographic variables that are associated with the labour participation of the elderly in India.

Findings

– The results show that labour force participation rate of older persons in rural India remained almost stable between 1983 and 2011-2012, despite the rapid economic growth that India experienced during the same period. Further, the results show that among the elderly, those who belong to relatively poor socio-economic status are more likely to participate in the labour force. It is observed that large percentage of the elderly workforce are engaged in poorly paid jobs in the informal sector, either as casual workers or as self-employed in low-skilled or unskilled occupations.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is mostly descriptive in its analysis and it only points to the possible socio-economic and demographic determinants of elderly labour force participation in India.

Originality/value

– Given that the studies on employment of elderly in India are scanty, this paper provides new evidence on changes in labour force participation of elderly over last three decades. Further, this study makes an attempts to understand who among the elderly most likely to participation in labour force in India.
Prioritizing lean management practices in public and private hospitals
Authors: Hussain Matloub , Malik Mohsin
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to prioritize 21 healthcare wastes in public and private hospitals of United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

– Seven healthcare wastes linked with lean management are further decomposed in to sub-criteria and to deal with this complexity of multi criteria decision-making process, analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method is used in this research.

Findings

– AHP framework for this study resulted in a ranking of 21 healthcare wastes in public and private hospitals of UAE. It has been found that management in private healthcare systems of UAE is putting more emphasis on the inventory waste. On the other hand, over processing waste has got highest weight in public hospitals of UAE.

Research limitations/implications

– The future directions of this research would be to apply a lean set of tools for the value stream optimization of the prioritized key improvement areas.

Practical implications

– This is a contribution to the continuing research into lean management, giving practitioners and designers a practical way for measuring and implementing lean practices across health organizations.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this research, through successive stages of data collection, measurement analysis and refinement, is a set of reliable and valid framework that can be subsequently used in conceptualization, prioritization of the waste reduction strategies in healthcare management.
Evaluating a physician leadership development program – a mixed methods approach
Authors: Throgmorton Cheryl , Mitchell Trey , Morley Tom , Snyder Marijo
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– With the extent of change in healthcare today, organizations need strong physician leaders. To compensate for the lack of physician leadership education, many organizations are sending physicians to external leadership programs or developing in-house leadership programs targeted specifically to physicians. The purpose of this paper is to outline the evaluation strategy and outcomes of the inaugural year of a Physician Leadership Academy (PLA) developed and implemented at a Michigan-based regional healthcare system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors applied the theoretical framework of Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation and used surveys, observations, activity tracking, and interviews to evaluate the program outcomes. The authors applied grounded theory techniques to the interview data.

Findings

– The program met targeted outcomes across all four levels of evaluation. Interview themes focused on the significance of increasing self-awareness, building relationships, applying new skills, and building confidence.

Research limitations/implications

– While only one example, this study illustrates the importance of developing the evaluation strategy as part of the program design. Qualitative research methods, often lacking from learning evaluation design, uncover rich themes of impact. The study supports how a PLA program can enhance physician learning, engagement, and relationship building throughout and after the program. Physician leaders’ partnership with organization development and learning professionals yield results with impact to individuals, groups, and the organization.

Originality/value

– Few studies provide an in-depth review of evaluation methods and outcomes of physician leadership development programs. Healthcare organizations seeking to develop similar in-house programs may benefit applying the evaluation strategy outlined in this study.
Using systems thinking to support clinical system transformation
Authors: Best Allan , Berland Alex , Herbert Carol , Bitz Jennifer , van Dijk Marlies W , Krause Christina , Cochrane Douglas , Noel Kevin , Marsden Julian , McKeown Shari , Millar John
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The British Columbia Ministry of Health’s Clinical Care Management initiative was used as a case study to better understand large-scale change (LSC) within BC’s health system. Using a complex system framework, the purpose of this paper is to examine mechanisms that enable and constrain the implementation of clinical guidelines across various clinical settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– Researchers applied a general model of complex adaptive systems plus two specific conceptual frameworks (realist evaluation and system dynamics mapping) to define and study enablers and constraints. Focus group sessions and interviews with clinicians, executives, managers and board members were validated through an online survey.

Findings

– The functional themes for managing large-scale clinical change included: creating a context to prepare clinicians for health system transformation initiatives; promoting shared clinical leadership; strengthening knowledge management, strategic communications and opportunities for networking; and clearing pathways through the complexity of a multilevel, dynamic system.

Research limitations/implications

– The action research methodology was designed to guide continuing improvement of implementation. A sample of initiatives was selected; it was not intended to compare and contrast facilitators and barriers across all initiatives and regions. Similarly, evaluating the results or process of guideline implementation was outside the scope; the methods were designed to enable conversations at multiple levels – policy, management and practice – about how to improve implementation. The study is best seen as a case study of LSC, offering a possible model for replication by others and a tool to shape further dialogue.

Practical implications

– Recommended action-oriented strategies included engaging local champions; supporting local adaptation for implementation of clinical guidelines; strengthening local teams to guide implementation; reducing change fatigue; ensuring adequate resources; providing consistent communication especially for front-line care providers; and supporting local teams to demonstrate the clinical value of the guidelines to their colleagues.

Originality/value

– Bringing a complex systems perspective to clinical guideline implementation resulted in a clear understanding of the challenges involved in LSC.
Strategic management cultures: historical connections with science
Authors: Abreu Pederzini Gerardo David
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The implicit and indirect influence of classical science on strategic management has been of utmost importance in the development of the discipline. Classical science has underpinned the main and even contrasting strategic management cultures. Classical science has undoubtedly allowed strategic management to thrive. Nevertheless, important limitations, roadblocks and challenges have also been produced. This paper aims to explore the influence of classical science on the main positivist and interpretive strategic management cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual review is done on the influence of classical science on positivist and interpretivist traditions in strategic management.

Findings

The benefits and shortcomings of classical science in strategic management are explored and presented. Furthermore, the convoluted implicit relationship between strategic management and science is shown to be changing but persisting, as to face some of the challenges of the classical science culture of strategic management, a complexity culture, also inspired partially on science, seems to be developing in strategic management. Complexity seems to be emerging as an alternative, which might allow strategic management to solve some of its current dilemmas and, thus, change its implicit relationship with science.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel way to conceptualize historical cultures of strategic management via their connection with academic cultures that have historically emerged from science. Through the analysis here done, a possible candidate for a Kuhninan normal strategic management and its potential revolution will be suggested, based on the recognition of the inheritance of classical science and currently complexity theory in strategic management.
The legitimacy of IFRS
Authors: Wingard Christa , Bosman Jan , Amisi Bright
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the influences on the due process of standard-setting with reference to the legitimacy of the financial reporting “soft law” that is International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a literature review to analyse the governance structures, due process steps, staffing and funding of IFRS standard-setting activities. The study also uses descriptive statistics to analyse constituent participation during the development of two IFRS standards. The mean, median and standard deviation are used as measures of location and dispersion when analysing constituent participation.

Findings

IFRS governance structures are dominated by G20 countries. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) depends on international accounting firms, the European Commission and the G8 countries for its financial viability. Well-resourced national standard-setters, major international companies, international accounting firms and educational institutions are able to second their staff to the IASB thereby providing them with direct lobbying opportunities. The IFRS due process procedures provide opportunities for participation but actual participation is dominated by constituents from Europe with African and South American constituents the least active.

Practical Implications

IFRS are required or permitted in over 100 countries. The IASB, with no legal or formal mandate, is performing a task normally reserved for national standard-setters. The legitimacy of IFRS is questionable if the standard-setting due process is perceived as invalid.

Originality/value

The global financial crisis exposed weaknesses in the IFRS due process when the IASB amended IAS 39 without following the due process. African and South American standard-setters should take note that their lack of participation in IFRS standard-setting, coupled with the influence of powerful stakeholders on IFRS standard-setting, could result in standards not relevant for their regions.
A family business perspective on emergence and potential of mass retail industry in India
Authors: Prabhakar Guru Prakash , Saran Pankaj
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

This article helps to understand the mind-set and leadership qualities of leaders hailing from family-run businesses in India.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Faunal community consequence of interspecific bark trait dissimilarity in early‐stage decomposing logs
Authors: Zuo Juan , Berg Matty P. , Klein Roy , Nusselder Jasper , Neurink Gert , Decker Orsi , Hefting Mariet M. , Sass‐Klaassen Ute , van Logtestijn Richard S. P. , Goudzwaard Leo , van Hal Jurgen , Sterck Frank J. , Poorter Lourens , Cornelissen Johannes H. C.
Published: April 2016

Dead tree trunks have significant ecosystem functions related to biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles. When lying on the soil surface, they are colonized by an array of invertebrate fauna, but what determines their community composition is still unclear.

We apply community assembly theory to colonization of tree logs by invertebrates. During early decomposition, the attached bark is critically important as an environment filter for community assembly through habitat provision. Specifically, we hypothesized that the more dissimilar bark traits were between tree species, the more their faunal community compositions would differ.

We tested this hypothesis by investigating the effects of bark traits on the invertebrate communities in the early‐decomposing logs of 11 common, temperate tree species placed in the ‘common garden’ experimentLOGLIFE. Bark traits included bark looseness, fissure index, outer bark thickness, ratio of inner to outer bark thickness, punch resistance, water storage capacity and barkpH. The predominant faunal groups studied were Annelida, Isopoda, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Diptera and Coleoptera.

Our results showed (i) strong interspecific differences in bark traits, (ii) that bark traits related to environmental buffering had profound effects on the abundance of specific invertebrate groups, and (iii) the higher the overall bark trait dissimilarity between tree species, the more dissimilar these tree species were in faunal community composition, and the higher was the joint invertebrate family richness.

A suite of bark traits together has fundamental afterlife effects on invertebrate community assembly, strongly filtering the colonizing invertebrates in early‐decomposing logs, driving variation in their community composition and diversity. Our findings indicate that bark trait dissimilarity among tree species in forest stands is likely a better indicator of early‐phase dead trunk fauna diversity than tree species diversityper se.

Alay summaryis available for this article.
An exploratory international study into occupational therapy students' perceptions of professional identity
Authors: Ashby Samantha E. , Adler Jessica , Herbert Lisa
Published: April 2016

Background/aim

The successful development and maintenance of professional identity is associated with professional development and retention in the health workforce. This paper explores students' perspectives on the ways pre‐entry experiences and curricula content shape professional identity.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional survey was sent to students enrolled in the final year of entry‐level programmes in five countries. Descriptive statistical analyses of data were completed.

Results

The results reflect the perceptions of 319 respondents from five countries. Respondents identified professional education (98%) and professional socialisation during placement (92%) as curricula components with the greatest influence on professional identity formation. Discipline‐specific knowledge such as, occupation‐focussed models and occupational science were ranked lower than these aspects of practice. The students' length of programme and level of entry‐level programme did not impact on these results.

Conclusion

When designing curricula educators need to be mindful that students perceive practice education and professional socialisation have the greatest affect on professional identity formation. The findings reinforce the need for curricula to provide students with a range of practice experiences, which allow the observation and application of occupation‐based practices. It highlights a need for educators to provide university‐based curricula activities, which better prepare students for a potential dissonance between explicit occupation‐based curricula and observed practice education experiences. The study indicates the need for further research into the role curricula content, and in particular practice education, plays in the multidimensional formation of professional development within entry‐level programmes.
A pilot play‐based intervention to improve the social play interactions of children with autism spectrum disorder and their typically developing playmates
Authors: Henning Belindi , Cordier Reinie , Wilkes‐Gillan Sarah , Falkmer Torbjorn
Published: April 2016

Background/aim

Occupational therapists play a key role in addressing the social difficulties of children with ASD. However, interventions are often time intensive, without outcomes generalising beyond the clinic setting. To examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intervention to address the social play skills of children with ASD.

Methods

Participants in this multiple case study design were five children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), five typically developing playmates and five parents of children with ASD. Two therapists and parents delivered the intervention involving clinic play sessions and home modules. Parents' treatment adherence was recorded. The Test of Playfulness was scored by a blinded rater to examine child outcomes following the intervention. Line graphs were used to examine case data. Percentage of non‐overlapping data (PND) was used to calculate the single‐case effect size for each child.

Results

Parents completed 92.2% of the intervention. Children's case data showed an upwards trend from pre‐ to post‐intervention in four of the five pairs (child with ASD and playmate). However, there was a decrease in scores from post‐intervention to the two‐month home follow‐up for all but one pair. PND indicated the intervention was effective for two children with ASD and three of their playmates, had a questionable effect on three children with ASD and no observable effect on two playmates.

Conclusion

The intervention demonstrated preliminary feasibility and effectiveness for improving the social play skills of some children with ASD. Careful consideration is needed to identify which children with ASD and which playmates would be best suited for this intervention approach.
Pyomelanin‐producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa selected during chronic infections have a large chromosomal deletion which confers resistance to pyocins
Authors: Hocquet Didier , Petitjean Marie , Rohmer Laurence , Valot Benoît , Kulasekara Hemantha D. , Bedel Elodie , Bertrand Xavier , Plésiat Patrick , Köhler Thilo , Pantel Alix , Jacobs Michael A. , Hoffman Lucas R. , Miller Samuel I.
Published: April 2016

When bacterial lineages make the transition from free‐living to permanent association with hosts, they can undergo massive gene losses, for which the selective forces within host tissues are unknown. We identified here melanogenic clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with large chromosomal deletions (66 to 270 kbp) and characterized them to investigate how they were selected. When compared with their wild‐type parents, melanogenic mutants (i) exhibited a lower fitness in growth conditions found in human tissues, such as hyperosmolarity and presence of aminoglycoside antibiotics, (ii) narrowed their metabolic spectrum with a growth disadvantage with particular carbon sources, including aromatic amino acids and acyclic terpenes, suggesting a reduction of metabolic flexibility. Despite an impaired fitness in rich media, melanogenic mutants can inhibit their wild‐type parents and compete with them in coculture. Surprisingly, melanogenic mutants became highly resistant to two intraspecific toxins, the S‐pyocins AP41 and S1. Our results suggest that pyocins produced within a population of infecting P. aeruginosa may have selected for bacterial mutants that underwent massive gene losses and that were adapted to the life in diverse bacterial communities in the human host. Intraspecific interactions may therefore be an important factor driving the continuing evolution of pathogens during host infections.
Hydroxylamine‐dependent anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) by “Candidatus Brocadia sinica”
Authors: Oshiki Mamoru , Ali Muhammad , Shinyako‐Hata Kaori , Satoh Hisashi , Okabe Satoshi
Published: April 2016

Although metabolic pathways and associated enzymes of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) of ‘Ca. Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ have been studied, those of other anammox bacteria are still poorly understood.
reduction to NO is considered to be the first step in the anammox metabolism of ‘Ca. K. stuttgartiensis’, however, ‘Ca. Brocadia’ lacks the genes that encode canonical NO‐forming nitrite reductases (NirS or NirK) in its genome, which is different from ‘Ca. K. stuttgartiensis’. Here, we studied the anammox metabolism of ‘Ca. Brocadia sinica’. 15N‐tracer experiments demonstrated that ‘Ca. B. sinica’ cells could reduce
to NH2OH, instead of NO, with as yet unidentified nitrite reductase(s). Furthermore, N2H4 synthesis, downstream reaction of
reduction, was investigated using a purified ‘Ca. B. sinica' hydrazine synthase (Hzs) and intact cells. Both the ‘Ca. B. sinica’ Hzs and cells utilized NH2OH and
, but not NO and
, for N2H4 synthesis and further oxidized N2H4 to N2 gas. Taken together, the metabolic pathway of ‘Ca. B. sinica’ is NH2OH‐dependent and different from the one of ‘Ca. K. stuttgartiensis’, indicating metabolic diversity of anammox bacteria.
Comparative and transcriptional analysis of the predicted secretome in the lignocellulose‐degrading basidiomycete fungus Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Alfaro Manuel , Castanera Raúl , Lavín José L. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Oguiza José A. , Ramírez Lucía , Pisabarro Antonio G.
Published: April 2016

Fungi interact with their environment by secreting proteins to obtain nutrients, elicit responses and modify their surroundings. Because the set of proteins secreted by a fungus is related to its lifestyle, it should be possible to use it as a tool to predict fungal lifestyle. To test this hypothesis, we bioinformatically identified 538 and 554 secretable proteins in the monokaryotic strains PC9 and PC15 of the white rot basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus. Functional annotation revealed unknown functions (37.2%), glycosyl hydrolases (26.5%) and redox enzymes (11.5%) as the main groups in the two strains. When these results were combined with RNA‐seq analyses, we found that the relative importance of each group was different in different strains and culture conditions and the relevance of the unknown function proteins was enhanced. Only a few genes were actively expressed in a given culture condition in expanded multigene families, suggesting that family expansi on could increase adaptive opportunities rather than activity under a specific culture condition. Finally, we used the set of P. ostreatus secreted proteins as a query to search their counterparts in other fungal genomes and found that the secretome profiles cluster the tested basidiomycetes into lifestyle rather than phylogenetic groups.
Financial Centre and Monetary Outsider: How Precarious is the UK's Position in the EU?
Authors: Schelkle Waltraud
Published: April 2016

The UK's negotiating position in the area of ‘economic governance’ started from the assumption that there is a deep dividing line between insiders and outsiders of the ‘euro zone’. To protect the outsiders, the UK government did not ask for a veto, but for a safeguard mechanism that can postpone a decision in the euro area. This is exactly what David Cameron achieved in the negotiations with Council President Tusk. This article explains why the UK demands were so modest. Key is the peculiar situation of the UK being the major financial centre for a currency union to which it does not belong. Hence, the UK taxpayer needs protection from the City, and EU membership has helped to provide this. There is not much else a UK government could ask for.
Similar but different: differences in comprehension diagnosis on the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability and the York Assessment of Reading for Comprehension
Authors: Colenbrander Danielle , Nickels Lyndsey , Kohnen Saskia
Published: April 2016

Background

Identifying reading comprehension difficulties is challenging. There are many comprehension tests to choose from, and a child's diagnosis can be influenced by various factors such as a test's format and content and the choice of diagnostic criteria. We investigate these issues with reference to the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (NARA) and the York Assessment of Reading for Comprehension (YARC).

Methods

Ninety‐five children were assessed on both tests. Test characteristics were compared using Principal Components and Regression analyses as well as an analysis of passage content.

Results

NARA comprehension scores were more dependent on decoding skills than YARC scores, but children answered more comprehension questions on the NARA and passages spanned a wider range of difficulty. Consequently, 15–34% of children received different diagnoses across tests, depending on diagnostic criteria.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of comprehension tests is essential when attempting to diagnose reading comprehension difficulties.
Towards a Transformative Conceptualisation of Violence Against Women ‐ A Critical Frame Analysis of Council of Europe Discourse on Violence Against Women
Authors: Choudhry Shazia
Published: April 2016

Much academic attention has been devoted to violence against women (VAW) in Europe and research has focused on the mounting policy reform initiatives and capacity building strategies in the EU. Council of Europe initiatives in this area have, surprisingly, by contrast, remained under‐researched. This paper seeks to fill the gap in the literature by engaging in an examination and critique of the ways in which the Council of Europe has incorporated and framed VAW within various legal and policy initiatives. It will employ a methodology of critical frame analysis as theorised by the literature on social movements, and anti‐essentialist critiques within feminist literature to ask: how VAW is problematised; what solutions are offered; where they are located; to what extent they are gendered; and who has a voice in these policy and legal texts.
A Multi‐sector Model of the Australian Economy
Authors: Rees Daniel M. , Smith Penelope , Hall Jamie
Published: April 2016

This paper describes the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model currently in use at the Reserve Bank of Australia. The model extends previous DSGE models of the Australian economy by incorporating multiple production sectors, including a resource sector. We estimate the model, describe its dynamic properties, illustrate its use in scenario analysis and use it to identify the sources of Australian business cycle fluctuations.
Relevance of the Functional Properties of Enzymatic Plant Protein Hydrolysates in Food Systems
Authors: Wouters Arno G.B. , Rombouts Ine , Fierens Ellen , Brijs Kristof , Delcour Jan A.
Published: April 2016

Proteins play a crucial role in determining texture and structure of many food products. Although some animal proteins (such as egg white) have excellent functional and organoleptic properties, unfortunately, they entail a higher production cost and environmental impact than plant proteins. It is rather unfortunate that plant protein functionality is often insufficient because of low solubility in aqueous media. Enzymatic hydrolysis strongly increases solubility of proteins and alters their functional properties. The latter is attributed to 3 major structural changes: a decrease in average molecular mass, a higher availability of hydrophobic regions, and the liberation of ionizable groups. We here review current knowledge on solubility, water‐ and fat‐holding capacity, gelation, foaming, and emulsifying properties of plant protein hydrolysates and discuss how these properties are affected by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis. In many cases, research in this field has been limited to fairly simple set‐ups where functionality has been assessed in model systems. To evolve toward a more widely applied industrial use of plant protein hydrolysates, a more thorough understanding of functional properties is required. The structure–function relationship of protein hydrolysates needs to be studied in depth. Finally, test model systems closer to real food processing conditions, and thus to real foods, would be helpful to evaluate whether plant protein hydrolysates could be a viable alternative for other functional protein sources.
Findings of the margin around lesions by magnifying endoscopy with narrow‐band imaging in early gastric carcinoma and intestinal metaplasia
Authors: Hamada Kazu , Itoh Tohru , Kawaura Ken , Azukisawa Sadafumi , Kobayashi Rika , Okamura Hideyuki , Kitakata Hidekazu , Urashima Sachio , Nojima Takayuki , Fujino Masayuki A
Published: April 2016

Objective

Many endoscopists have reported their own classifications of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) using magnifying narrow‐band imaging (M‐NBI). However, few reports on classifying the margin around lesions by M‐NBI have been published. The aim of this study was to advocate the usefulness of the demarcation area classification for the diagnosis of EGC.

Methods

Altogether 197 lesions that could be investigated by M‐NBI were included in this study, consisting of 115 EGC and 82 intestinal metaplasias (IM). We hypothesized that the changes in white zone (fusion and erasure signs) and blood vessel (extend and draw sign) were the indications of EGC and we retrospectively investigated this hypothesis.

Results

For the investigation of the white zone in the demarcation area, both fusion (P < 0.0001) and erasure signs (P < 0.0001) were observed more often in EGC than in IM, with an accuracy of 80.7%. For the investigation of blood vessel in the demarcation area, both the extend (P < 0.001) and the draw sign (P < 0.0001) were observed more often in EGC than in IM, with an accuracy of 59.9%.

Conclusion

Estimations of the white zone and blood vessels in the demarcation area are useful for the diagnosis of EGC.
Desmopressin after cardiac surgery in bleeding patients. A multicenter randomized trial
Authors: Bignami E. , Cattaneo M. , Crescenzi G. , Ranucci M. , Guarracino F. , Cariello C. , Baldassarri R. , Isgrò G. , Baryshnikova E. , Fano G. , Franco A. , Gerli C. , Crivellari M. , Zangrillo A. , Landoni G.
Published: April 2016

Background

Previous studies showed that desmopressin decreases post‐operative blood loss in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. These studies were small and never studied the effect of desmopressin in patients with active bleeding. Objective of the study was to determine whether desmopressin reduces red blood cells transfusion requirements in patients with active bleeding after cardiac surgery who had been pre‐treated with tranexamic acid.

Methods

This multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study randomized elective patients with bleeding after cardiac surgery despite pre‐treatment with tranexamic acid, to receive placebo (saline solution) or a single administration of desmopressin (0.3 μg/kg in saline solution). The primary endpoint was the number of patients requiring red blood cells transfusion after randomization and during hospital stay. Secondary end points were: blood loss from chest tubes during the first 24 h after study drug administration, hours of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and in‐hospital mortality.

Results

The study was interrupted after inclusion of 67% of the planned patients for futility. The number of patients requiring red blood cells transfusion after randomization was 37/68 (54%) in desmopressin group and 33/67 (49%) in placebo group (P = 0.34) with no difference in blood loss: 575 (interquartile 422–770) ml in desmopressin group and 590 (476–1013) ml in placebo group (P = 0.42), mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay or mortality.

Conclusions

This multicenter randomized trial demonstrated that, in patients pre‐treated with tranexamic acid, desmopressin should not be expected to improve treatment of patients who experience bleeding after cardiac surgery.
Burden of allergy diets in Finnish day care reduced by change in practices
Authors: Erkkola M. , Saloheimo T. , Hauta‐alus H. , Kukkonen A. K. , Virta S. , Kronberg‐Kippilä C. , Vaara E. , Pelkonen A. S. , Fogelholm M. , Mäkelä M. J. ,   the LILLA study group
Published: April 2016

Background

Nonessential allergy diets in children with mild symptoms may harm the development of immunological tolerance and impose a burden on families and day care. We aimed to reduce the high prevalence of allergy diets in day care by reforming the practices for inquiring about need of special diets from parents.

Methods

We developed a new special diet form and an information leaflet based on the new allergy guidelines. The new form was implemented into 40 Finnish day care centres in the capital region in 2013–2015. The questionnaires on practices concerning special diets in day care centres and allergy knowledge were collected from the personnel.

Results

After 2 years, the new special diet form was used by 64% of families with food‐allergic children, and the prevalence of allergy diets in day care centres decreased by 43% to 4.3% (IQ range 3.05–5.96). A significant decrease was found in the prevalence of all basic (milk, grains, egg) and most other allergy diets (P for trend < 0.01). The new practice was well accepted by day care and kitchen personnel. Lack of updated allergy knowledge was noted among day care personnel.

Conclusions

The burden of allergy diets in day care settings could be decreased by simple pragmatic changes based on current allergy guidelines. Old allergy attitudes persisted among day care personnel, indicating the need for continuous education.
The effect of maneuvers for shoulder delivery on perineal trauma: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aabakke Anna J.M. , Willer Hanne , Krebs Lone
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Approximately 85% of vaginal deliveries are accompanied by perineal trauma. The objective of this trial was to compare the incidence of perineal trauma after primary delivery of either the anterior or posterior shoulder during vaginal delivery.

Material and methods

This was a randomized single‐blinded trial comparing primary delivery of either the anterior or posterior shoulder in women having their first vaginal delivery. Primary outcome was any perineal trauma. Results were analyzed according to the intention‐to‐treat principle and supplemented with a per‐protocol and as‐treated analysis.

Results

Between June 2013 and March 2015, 650 women were randomized, and 543 (posterior, n = 281; anterior, n = 262) were included in the final intention‐to‐treat analysis. Most group characteristics were similar. The frequency of any perineal trauma did not differ between the two groups (posterior: 91.5%, anterior: 90.5%; odds ratio 1.130, 95% confidence interval 0.628‒2.032, p = 0.684). The results did not change after adjustment for basic characteristics with significant group differences (a1odds ratio 1.174, 95% confidence interval 0.632‒2.179, p = 0.612) or predefined risk factors (a2odds ratio 1.139, 95% confidence interval 0.599‒2.166, p = 0.691). The rate of perineal trauma also did not differ between the groups in a “per‐protocol” and “as‐treated” analysis.

Conclusions

There was no difference in the degree of perineal trauma after primary delivery of either the anterior or posterior shoulder. Consequently both maneuvers for shoulder delivery can be used at vaginal delivery, but further trials are warranted before certain methods can be recommended.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) therapy attenuates left ventricular dysfunction and metabolic disturbance by improving FGF21 sensitivity, cardiac mitochondrial redox homoeostasis and structural changes in pre‐diabetic rats
Authors: Tanajak P. , Sa‐nguanmoo P. , Wang X. , Liang G. , Li X. , Jiang C. , Chattipakorn S. C. , Chattipakorn N.
Published: April 2016

Aims

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) acts as a metabolic regulator and exerts cardioprotective effects. However, the effects of long‐term FGF21 administration on the heart under the FGF21‐resistant condition in obese, insulin‐resistant rats have not been investigated. We hypothesized that long‐term FGF21 administration reduces FGF21 resistance and insulin resistance and attenuates cardiac dysfunction in obese, insulin‐resistant rats.

Methods

Eighteen rats were fed on either a normal diet (n = 6) or a high‐fat diet (HFD; n = 12) for 12 weeks. Then, rats in the HFD group were divided into two subgroups (n = 6 per subgroup) and received either the vehicle (HFV) or recombinant human FGF21 (rhFGF21, 0.1 mg kg−1 day−1; HFF) injected intraperitoneally for 28 days. The metabolic parameters, inflammation, malondialdehyde (MDA), heart rate variability (HRV), left ventricular (LV) function, cardiac mitochondrial redox homoeostasis, cardiac mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation (FAO) and anti‐apoptotic signalling pathways were determined.

Results

HFV rats had increased dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, plasma FGF21 levels, TNF‐α, adiponectin and MDA, depressed HRV, and impaired LV and mitochondrial function. HFV rats also had decreased cardiac Bcl‐2, cardiac PGC‐1α and CPT‐1 protein expression. However, FGF21 restored metabolic parameters, decreased TNF‐α and MDA, increased serum adiponectin, and improved HRV, cardiac mitochondrial and LV function in HFF rats. Moreover, HFF rats had increased cardiac Bcl‐2, cardiac PGC‐1α and CPT‐1 protein expression.

Conclusion

Long‐term FGF21 therapy attenuates FGF21 resistance and insulin resistance and exerts cardioprotection by improving cardiometabolic regulation via activating anti‐apoptotic and cardiac mitochondrial FAO signalling pathways in obese, insulin‐resistant rats.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance
Authors: Liu F. , Wang X.‐W. , Chen L. , Hu P. , Ren H. , Hu H.‐D.
Published: April 2016

Background

The seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is considered to be associated with favourable clinical outcomes. However, previous studies with inconsistent findings reported that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could still develop in those patients.

Aim

To establish the proportion of HCC occurrence in CHB patients after HBsAg seroclearance, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed.

Methods

Databases of Medline, Web of Science and Embase were searched from inception to July 2015. The proportion of patients who developed HCC after HBsAg seroclearance was pooled by a random‐effects model.

Results

Twenty‐eight studies were finally included, involving 34 952 patients with HBsAg seroclearance. The overall pooled proportion suggested that 2.29% (95% CI: 1.19–4.37%) CHB patients would develop HCC despite HBsAg seroclearance. In HBsAg seroclearance patients without cirrhosis and HCV co‐infection, the pooled proportion of HCC development was 1.55% (95% CI: 0.92–2.61%). Moreover, patients with cirrhosis or age greater than 50 years at the time of HBsAg seroclearance were at significantly higher risk for HCC development. Nonetheless, the seroclearance of HBsAg was significantly associated with a reduced risk for HCC compared with persistently positive HBsAg (RR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20–0.56, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite that HBsAg seroclearance can significantly reduce the risk for HCC, HCC can still develop in a proportion of CHB patient after HBsAg seroclearance. Closer attention should be paid to those patients with established cirrhosis or older age than 50 years at the time of HBsAg seroclearance.