bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On some Formulas for use in Life Office Valuations
Authors: M'Lauchlan James John
Published: April 2013

1. In the following Paper I propose to investigate formulas for use in the valuation of ordinary whole-term policies, endowment assurance policies, and limited-payment policies; with special reference to the modifications which these of formulas are subject, when the next premium Paper is due, not immediately, but at the end of some fractional portion of a year, and when the premiums are payable half-yearly or quarterly.

2. It may be well to point out that it is no part of my plan to deal with the more important questions of principle that arise in connection with a Life Office Valuation, such as:—What mortality table or rate of interest should be used, Whether the valuation ought to be a net premium or a gross premium valuation, How the effect of selection should be allowed for, or whether any allowance should be made for the special expenditure of the first year.
The Recent Australian Bank Failures
Authors: Low George M.
Published: April 2013

When I had the honour of being asked to occupy this chair, I had little difficulty in choosing a subject upon which to address you at the opening meeting of the Session. For I at once determined to bring before you something of a practical nature, connected with the business in which most of us are engaged, and there was one subject in particular which had lately been occupying my own mind and the minds of many others who have to do with the investment of money. The stoppage of thirteen Banks within a period of six weeks, suspending liabilities for deposited money amounting to many millions sterling, and creating a financial situation in the Australian Colonies unparalleled perhaps in the whole history of modern times, is an occurrence which may well engage our attention if we are able to gather from it any of the lessons which must surely be involved in an event of such remarkable significance.

Let me say at the outset that I cannot pretend to offer to you any picture of the situation as that must have presented itself to those in the midst of it. Nor is it my purpose to attempt to bring before you the inner and more intimate causes which contributed to the catastrophe. I could no doubt quote a good deal that has been written and said on the subject of Australian banking and finance generally, pointing out the artificial prosperity created by an undue importation of borrowed money—the inflation of land-values that led up to the ‘boom’ in Melbourne and its natural issue in collapse—the consequent failure of Companies that practically had been formed to assist or engage in land speculation—the reaction upon the Banks of these things and of the resulting financial depression—and the culmination of these and other causes in the loss of public confidence that brought about the disasters of the present year.
On Probability and Chance, and their connection with the Business of Insurance
Authors: Sprague T. B.
Published: April 2013

Gentlemen,—This Society was privileged during a recent Session to listen to an eloquent and highly original address by Professor Chrystal:— ‘On some fundamental Principles in the Theory of Probability.’ The value of such addresses, dealing, as Professor Chrystal's did, with questions on which wide differences of opinion exist, is not to be measured simply by the amount of information they contain ; they serve a much more useful purpose, by leading those who hear them, or afterwards read them, to think out for themselves the various questions discussed. Speaking for myself, I have to thank the Professor, not only for a pleasant evening spent in listening to him, but for causing me to consider carefully the fundamental principles of the theory with which, as Actuaries, we are all supposed to be so much concerned. I have found the subject a most interesting one, and I propose to lay before you this evening, some of the reflections that have occurred to me, and the conclusions at which I have arrived, after carefully studying what has been written on the subject by a number of authors.
Lecture I. Conditions in Life Policies
Authors: Harvey William
Published: April 2013

In the lectures which I delivered last year to the Actuarial Society of Edinburgh, I dealt with the representations in the proposal for insurance which usually form the subject of one of the conditions in the policy. In the present lecture I propose dealing with the other usual conditions in life policies, including the statutory condition as to insurable interest, the conditions relating to the payment of premiums, and lastly, the conditions excepting certain risks from the policy in respect either of locality, occupation, or cause of death. I shall also deal incidentally with the powers of local agents to waive a forfeiture of any of the conditions of the policy. In regard to the references to the American authorities, perhaps I should explain that I have in all cases referred to English or Scottish authorities where there were any, and have only used American cases as ancillary to our own, or where there was no English or Scottish authority. In some cases I have referred to American authorities by way of contrast, but when this is the case, I have always explained the differences between the American law and our own.
An Investigation as to how far Life Assurance is of a Provident Nature, as benefiting the Assured and his Family; and how far it is of a merely Financial Character, as benefiting his Creditors and Assignees
Authors: Sprague A. E.
Published: April 2013

In the first portion of the President's address this Session, we were favoured with a short account of the origin of life assurance, which showed that, in the earliest days of insurance, a policy was a contract of indemnity to secure a certain sum. in the event of the life assured dying within a specified time (usually a year) of the date of the assurance; that there was no right of renewal on the part of the assured; and that the object of the contract was originally to secure creditors against loss, the earliest life policies being effected in connection with marine insurance. The safety of a ship and its cargo depends largely on the skill of the captain, and would probably be endangered to a certain extent by his death, and it was therefore natural to provide against the risk of this by a contract to pay a certain sum in the event of his dying during the voyage in question, or within a specified time, say a year. In later times, when the right of renewal was granted to the assured, the contract appears to have radically altered in its object, and to have been entered into chiefly for the purpose of providing a fund for the maintenance, after the death of the life assured, of those who were dependent on him, and particularly to guard against their being left destitute by his premature death. In fact, at that time an assurance company was somewhat of the same nature as the “Friendly” or “Benefit” Societies of the present day.
Note upon Select Life Tables
Authors: Hart J. R.
Published: April 2013

Some time ago it was suggested to me that select life tables might form the subject upon which a few remarks might be acceptable to this Society; and the following include a brief review of what has been done in the past towards furnishing us with select tables, and a note of those at present available for office use. An apology is almost needed for bringing forward again such a well-worn subject, especially as it is neither presented in a new light, nor is anything added to the original contributions, that have appeared from time to time. But while there is little of what follows that is not already very familiar to the older members, these remarks may suggest to them a few points for discussion, and it may be useful to the younger members to have a few facts concerning these tables brought together. In various ways there seems to have recently been a revival of interest in the subject of select tables. In connection with the new experience, the preliminary stage of collecting from the contributing offices their mortality cards is, I believe, nearly complete; and the results we may expect from this material, when investigated, will probably place us in a new position with regard to the instruments we employ in office calculations. While from many causes there has probably been a decline in the death rate since the twenty offices' experience, most offices have within the last few years suffered from the heavy mortality amongst young and old due to influenza; and it is possible that premiums on a select basis, ascertained from the new experience, may be higher than those we have at present, especially for the older lives.
Old Age Pensions and Pauperism—A Present-day Problem
Authors: Paulin David
Published: April 2013

Gentlemen,—I have to thank you sincerely for the honour you have conferred upon me in calling me to fill the office of Honorary President this Session. I accepted the honour with hesitation, recollecting the long list of distinguished men who have occupied and adorned the high office since the year 1859, and whose Inaugural Addresses we cherish as a valuable heritage. I felt, however, under such great obligations to the Society for having opened up to me in the past so many new fields of study that I could not refuse to undertake any service to which by your goodwill I might be called.

The subject of State Pensions for the Aged Poor, which I propose to bring under your notice to-night, is one which has occupied public interest and attention to a large extent during recent years. Suggestions numerous and varied have been made for the solution of the difficulties which surround the question, but the problem unsolved still holds the field. This winter it will be again much in evidence, as a Committee on Old Age Pensions, appointed by Government, will meet at the Treasury from time to time under the presidency of Lord Rothschild. It has been remitted to this Committee.
On Extra Risk: with some Particulars of the recent Investigation of the Mortality of Persons engaged in the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors
Authors: Low George M.
Published: April 2013

The lives which present themselves for assurance are, in the process of selection, divided into three main groups or classes:—

I. Lives insurable at the ordinary rate.

II. Lives insurable only at extra rates.

III. Uninsurable lives.

Although, in measuring what we call “extra risk,” only the subdivisions of Class II. are of practical significance, yet each of the three classes admits of almost indefinite subdivision in respect of the quality of the lives embraced in it.

In the first class, some lives present no flaw of any kind in health, physical condition, occupation, or family history; others, at the further end of the scale, present flaws which bring them close to the border line of Class II.; and between those two extremes there is every degree of variation. Using terms that are not unfamiliar, Class I. may be subdivided into three distinct groups:—

(a) Unexceptionable lives, presenting no unfavourable feature.

(b) Good average lives, in which the personal or family history, or the physical condition, is not entirely faultless, but which present no feature likely to tell against the life-prospects.

(c) Fair average lives, presenting some flaw or imperfection, or some combination of unfavourable circumstances, which only falls short of requiring an extra premium.
Some Notes on the Selection of Lives for Assurance
Authors: Gunn N. B.
Published: April 2013

Gentlemen,—Allow me in the first place to thank you most sincerely for the honour which you have conferred upon me, in electing me President of the Actuarial Society for this Session. A consideration of the long list of those who have been my predecessors in the Chair, makes me all the more sensible of the honour, and it is therefore with diffidence though with great pleasure that I accept the post. While my residence out of Edinburgh will prevent me from presiding at as many ordinary meetings of the Society as I should like, I think I may assert with confidence, that no one takes a deeper interest in its progress. I have been a member of it for thirty-three years, and have experienced the varied benefits which a Society conducted as yours has been, is able to bestow, and to which many here are largely indebted for assistance in their career. The main benefits to which I refer are (first) the stimulating effect of intercourse with men desirous to raise the standard of our profession, founded as it is on the threefold basis of exact science, true benevolence, and honest business principles—a combined foundation which few professions are able to claim; (second) the information and culture which are gained from the perusal and study of the papers read to the Society; and (third) what is perhaps more valuable than either of the other two, and which therefore I would more emphatically impress upon the younger members—the training which is obtained in preparing papers for a Society like this.
Some Questions arising in the Valuation of Special Class Policies
Authors: Brown Hugh W.
Published: April 2013

The subject of Valuation is one of such superlative importance to the actuary that possibly even a merely repetitional paper may not be wholly without interest. Two of the most important contributions to the practical side of the science have appeared but recently in the Journal of the Institute of Actuaries—Mr. Chatham's paper on the books to be used in scheduling the particulars of the risks of a Life Assurance Company J.I.A., xxxii. 393), and that by Mr. Lidstone on the Valuation of Endowment Assurances in groups J.I.A., xxxiv. 61). What follows is in great measure an attempt, on the basis of these papers, to present forms for valuation purposes adapted to an Office declaring quinquennial reversionary bonuses on the Sum Assured or on the Sum Assured and Existing Bonuses—furnishing the particulars essential to an annual investigation, while at the same time providing for a quinquennial return to the Board of Trade.
Notes on Life Assurance in the United States of America
Authors: Hunter Arthur
Published: April 2013

My principal object in presenting this paper is to assist the student in his endeavour to obtain a knowledge of Life Insurance as it is practised in the United States of America, and to correct certain misconceptions regarding it among many of the older members of the profession.

The casual reader is apt to receive wrong impressions of Insurance in America through a want of knowledge of the conditions surrounding it. He is probably under the impression that nearly all American companies do business on the tontine plan, that new assurance is obtained at enormous cost, and that “Assessment Insurance” of the original type is the only system practised. Before proceeding to discuss these matters, it will be well to give a brief review of the history of Insurance in the United States. Without historical knowledge it is difficult to understand the legislative enactments regarding “Old Line” Insurance, or to realise the astonishingly large proportions to which Assessment Insurance has grown.
Internationalizing the U.S. Undergraduate Psychology Curriculum: A Qualitative Investigation of Faculty Perspectives
Authors: Bikos Lynette H. , DePaul Chism Nicola F. , Forman Rebekah L. , King David R.
Published: April 2013

Owing to U.S. centrism, policy regulations, language barriers, institutional resistance, and faculty member interests, efforts to internationalize the undergraduate psychology curriculum are not yet realized. Therefore, we conducted a consensual qualitative research ( Hill, 2012 ; Hill et al., 2005 ; Hill, Thompson, & Williams, 1997 ) investigation of current efforts to internationalize the U.S. undergraduate psychology curriculum. We interviewed 15 faculty members (eight women, seven men) regarding their perspectives and recommendations. Regarding nationality, 12 of the participants were U.S. nationals and 3 were conationals (with the United States as one of the nationalities). Data analysis led to the identification of 23 categories organized within five domains: (a) establishing “Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum,” (b) anticipated outcomes for students, (c) instructional strategies, (d) obstacles to an internationalized curriculum, and (e) university structural development. Our findings suggest that establishing an internationalized curriculum begins with the study of cultural contexts but expands to include discipline-specific content. Further, internationalization at all levels of the profession is prerequisite to internationalizing the curriculum.
The Legitimacy of Humanitarian Military Interventions: A Preliminary Study of Angolan and Mozambican University Students' Views
Authors: Neto Félix , Pinto Maria da Conceição , Mullet Etienne
Published: April 2013

The study examined (a) the extent to which educated people living in two African countries agree with the idea that humanitarian military interventions by United Nations (UN) forces can be legitimate, and (b) the contextual factors that may impact on their level of acceptance of these interventions. Concrete cases depicting an emergency situation were presented to university students from Angola and Mozambique. For a large majority of participants, UN interventions can, at least under certain circumstances, be considered as legitimate. Qualitatively different views were found. The most common one was to consider that, in most cases where a government (or a majority group) threatens the minorities in the country, humanitarian interventions are legitimate, even in relatively benign cases such as forced acculturation. The second most common view was to consider that legitimacy strictly depends on the government's political project: when there was a serious threat of massacre or genocide, support for humanitarian interventions was high, irrespective of the other circumstances.
How mental health clinicians want to evaluate the care they give: a Western Australian study
Authors: Davison Sophie , Hauck Yvonne , Martyr Philippa , Rock Daniel
Published: April 2013

Objectives.
To explore how Western Australian mental health clinicians want to evaluate their care.

Methods.
Using a participatory action research framework, 10 senior psychiatrists and 11 clinical nurse specialists working in an inpatient mental health setting participated in individual interviews, focus groups and meetings. All interviews were de-identified during transcription and transcripts and field notes were analysed for common themes.

Results.
Participants identified what they wanted to measure, how they wanted to measure it and how these changes could be implemented. Clinicians stressed the importance of measuring context (physical, clinical and service) and process as well as outcome, and of evaluating care at an individual and service level with consumer involvement.

What is known about the topic?
Completion rates of mandatory national outcome measures in mental health in Australia are variable and clinicians have mixed views as to their value. Several barriers have been identified as to their use including clinical, resource and ownership issues.

What does this paper add?
Some studies have identified areas of good practice and elicited practical suggestions for improvement but few have asked clinicians how they actually want to evaluate the care they provide. This study explored how mental health clinicians wanted to evaluate their care, using a participatory action research framework that encouraged participants to pinpoint problems and issues, account for their social context and develop actions to address them.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Clinicians were enthusiastic for high quality care and evaluation, but pessimistic about their ability to introduce sustainable change. Establishing and supporting active and responsible leadership at service level may solve this, as may encouraging local standard setting and benchmarking in collaboration with consumers and carers.
Effect of growth temperature on the high stearic and high stearic-high oleic sunflower traits
Authors: Izquierdo N. G. , Aguirrezábal L. A. N. , Martínez-Force E. , Garcés R. , Paccapelo V. , Andrade F. , Reid R. , Zambelli A.
Published: April 2013

We investigated variability in the response of oil fatty acid composition to temperature among high stearic and high stearic-high oleic sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes. Two experiments were conducted with high stearic (including the CAS-3 mutation) and high stearic-high oleic inbred lines (including both the CAS-3 and the high oleic Soldatov mutations). Plants were cultivated in pots with soil, irrigated, and fertilised. Plants were exposed to different day/night temperatures during grain filling: 16/16°C, 26/16°C, 26/26°C, and 32/26°C. Oil fatty acid composition was determined by gas–liquid chromatography in seeds harvested after physiological maturity. Higher temperature during grain filling increased palmitic and oleic acid percentages and reduced stearic and linoleic acid percentages, suggesting some modifications on enzymatic activities. When the high oleic mutation was included, the variation in stearic and oleic acid percentages in response to temperature was reduced but not the variation in palmitic acid concentration. Variations in fatty acid composition in high stearic genotypes were mainly associated with night temperature as reported previously for traditional and high oleic hybrids. Knowing the effect of temperature on oil fatty acid composition in traditional and mutated genotypes is useful for selecting the environment in which to produce grains with the desired oil quality.
Eco‐schooling and sustainability citizenship: exploring issues raised by corporate sponsorship
Authors: Huckle John
Published: April 2013

Eco‐Schools, run by the charity Keep Britain Tidy and sponsored by the corporations ASDAN, EDF Energy, HSBC, and Homebase, are now the major vehicle for education for sustainable development in English schools. This article examines the ways in which corporations shape policy on sustainable development and education and goes on to suggest that corporate sponsorship may be limiting the potential of eco‐schooling to develop sustainability citizenship. It draws on Fielding and Moss%s advocacy of radical education, Dobson%s understanding of sustainability citizenship, and Hayward%s typology of environmental citizenship education, to recommend a more politically realistic approach to eco‐schooling. Lessons from the Eco‐Schools website and from The Pod are examined and revisions suggested to reflect this approach.
Exploring and developing student understandings of sustainable development
Authors: Walshe Nicola
Published: April 2013

There has recently been significant emphasis placed on environmental education through the United Nations’ Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). One of the aims of the DESD is to ‘prepare young people for a lifetime of sustainable living’, and yet, despite this, there is a lack of evidence to suggest whether or not the aims of ESD have been achieved within schools. This paper presents findings from a longitudinal study investigating one class of 14‐ and 15‐year‐old Geography students in England%s understandings of sustainability and their attitudes towards sustainable development. The research used dialogic diaries and semi‐structured interviews to explore the students’ understandings of sustainability, within a case study framework. The study found that the students’ understandings of sustainability became more nuanced across the year, with a focus on the environmental perspective of sustainable development. Many students also appeared to feel a growing sense of responsibility towards sustainable development which is significant given the DESD%s aim of developing young people%s pro‐sustainable behaviour. However, despite this, it is argued that more work needs to be done with young people to develop their understanding of sustainability, and to encourage them to fully engage with issues of sustainable development in today%s society.
Who Blames the Poor?
Authors: Kallio Johanna , Niemelä Mikko
Published: April 2013

The article analyses the support for and determinants of individualistic explanations of poverty among Europeans. The analyses are conducted using multilevel logistic regression models. Findings suggest that the level of support for the individualistic explanation of poverty varies between European nations. Hence, the results contradict the analysis of Alesina and Glaeser (2004, Fighting Poverty in the US and Europe. A World of Difference), which gives us a very homogenous picture of European attitudes towards the poor. Among the determinants of poverty perceptions, welfare regime, short-term economic growth and social expenditures as well as individual-level demographic factors, perceived economic hardship, political affiliation and egalitarian values are associated with the individualistic attribution for poverty. In general, the findings hold critical implications for future research to develop further dynamic measurement of contextual level explanatory factors.
Hospital Basins Used to Administer Chlorhexidine Baths Are Unlikely Microbial Reservoirs
Authors: Rupp Mark E. , Huerta Tomas , Yu Stephanie , Cavalieri R. Jennifer , Alter Roxanne , Fey Paul D. , Lyden Elizabeth , Van Schooneveld Trevor
Published: April 2013

Basins, commonly used to bathe patients who are unable to bathe themselves, frequently become contaminated with potential pathogens and may serve as a source for nosocomial transmission. Chlorhexidine (CHG) has bactericidal activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens and is increasingly used in antiseptic patient baths. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether basins used to administer CHG bed baths are likely to become contaminated.

Bed bath conditions were simulated by mixing 30 mL of a 4% CHG product or soap preparation to 1 L of warm (37°C) tap water in a 6-L plastic basin (Medical Action Industries). Two commercial brands of CHG (Hibiclens, Molnlycke Health Care [hereafter, CHG-A], or Scrub Care, Cardinal Health [hereafter, CHG-B]) and 1 brand of soap (SensiCare SeptiSoft, ConvaTec) were used. Basins were inoculated with 108 colony-forming units (CFUs) of 1 species of bacteria, mixed for 30 seconds, incubated for 20 minutes at room temperature, emptied, and allowed to dry for 1 hour. A 100-cm2 area on the bottom of the basin was sampled for 10 seconds in 2 directions with a cotton swab premoistened with normal saline. Swab tips were placed in 2 mL of trypticase soy broth (Difco) and vortex-mixed for 30 seconds, and the solution was quantitatively cultured on sheep blood agar (Remel). Cultures were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and colonies were counted and expressed as CFUs per square centimeter. Tap water with and without a bacterial inoculum served as positive and negative controls, respectively.
Antimicrobial Stewardship and Automated Pharmacy Technology Improve Antibiotic Appropriateness for Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Ostrowsky Belinda , Sharma Shweta , DeFino Maryrose , Guo Yi , Shah Purvi , McAllen Susan , Chung Philip , Brown Shakara , Paternoster Joseph , Schechter Alan , Yongue Brandon , Bhalla Rohit
Published: April 2013

Background.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS's) Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program includes the initial selection of antibiotics for adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients as a performance measure. A multidisciplinary team denned opportunities for improving performance in appropriate antibiotic use among CAP patients. The team consisted of personnel from the emergency department (ED), the antimicrobial stewardship program (infectious disease, pharmacy), and performance improvement.

Design.

Quasi-experimental before-after study.

Setting.

A large, urban, multicampus academic medical center.

Interventions.

Interventions included an algorithm for ED providers identifying appropriate antibiotic selections, development of a CAP kit consisting of appropriate antibiotics and dosing regimens bundled with the treatment algorithm, and preloading an automated ED medication dispensing and management system. A quality improvement methodology (“plan, do, check, act”) was used to pilot stewardship interventions at one ED campus and later at a second ED campus.

Results.

In the pilot ED, appropriate antibiotic selection for CAP improved from 54.9% before the intervention in 2008 to 93.4% after the intervention in 2011 (P< .001). Subsequently, in the second ED appropriate antibiotic regimens for CAP improved from 64.6% before the intervention in 2008 to 91.3% after the intervention in 2011 (P = .004). The rates of another CMS measure, antibiotic administration within 6 hours, were not statistically different before and after the interventions. In an interrupted time series logistic regression analysis, the intervention was found to be significantly associated with the improved prescribing (P< .001).

Discussion.

The combination of interdisciplinary teamwork, antibiotic stewardship, education, and information technology is associated with replicable and sustained prescribing improvements.
The universal rotation curve of spiral galaxies — I. The dark matter connection
Authors: Persic Massimo , Salucci Paolo , Stel Fulvio
Published: April 2013

We use a homogeneous sample of about 1100 optical and radio rotation curves (RCs) and relative surface photometry to investigate the main mass structure properties of spirals, over a range of 6 mag and out to ≾ 1.5 and 2 optical radii (for the optical and radio data, respectively). We confirm the strong dependence on luminosity for both the profile and the amplitude of RCs claimed by Persic & Salucci. Spiral RCs show the striking feature that a single global parameter, e.g. luminosity, dictates the rotational velocity at any radius for any object, so revealing the existence of a universal RC. At high luminosities, there is a slight discrepancy between the profiles of RCs and those predicted from the luminous matter (LM) distributions: this implies a small, yet detectable, amount of dark matter (DM). At low luminosities, the failure of the LM prediction is much more severe, and the DM is the only relevant mass component. We show that the universal RC implies a number of scaling properties between dark and luminous galactic structure parameters: (i) the DM/LM mass ratio scales inversely with luminosity; (ii) the central halo density scales as L−0.7; (iii) the halo core radius is comparable to the optical radius, but shrinks for low luminosities; (iv) the total halo mass scales as L0.5. Such scaling properties can be represented as a curve in the (luminosity)-(DM/LM mass ratio)-(DM core radius)-(DM central density) space, which provides a geometrical description of the tight coupling between the dark and the luminous matter in spiral galaxies.
A clothes-peg-shaped binucleartrans-bis(2-aminotroponato)palladium(II) complex bearing pentamethylene spacers
Authors: Komiya Naruyoshi , Kageyama Takeharu , Naito Masaya , Naota Takeshi
Published: April 2013

rac-Bis{μ-trans-2,2′-[pentane-1,5-diylbis(azanediyl)]ditroponato}dipalladium(II), [Pd2(C19H20N2O2)2], has been synthesized and fully characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction,1H NMR, FT–IR and mass spectroscopy. Thetranscoordination, vaulted structure andanticonformation have been unequivocally established from the X-ray diffraction studies. This is the first example of a bis(aminotroponato)palladium complex. In the crystalline state, the molecule has twofold symmetry and each molecular unit undergoes intermolecular offset π-stacking of the tropone rings to afford heterochiral interpenetrating dimers that are aligned in a lamellar manner with a herringbone packing motif.
catena-Poly[tris(μ3-acetylacetonato)nickelate(II)sodium(I)]
Authors: Baldo Bianca , Cruz Carlos , Venegas-Yazigi Diego , Vega Andres , Paredes-García Verónica
Published: April 2013

The title complex, [NaNi(C5H7O2)3]n, contains an anionic tris(acetylacetonato)nickelate(II) unit, [Ni(acac)3]−(acac is acetylacetonate), with a highly regular octahedral coordination geometry. The NiIIcation lies on a Wyckoffasite, resulting inD3symmetry of the anion. Charge balance is provided by sodium cations, which occupy Wyckoff typebsites. Each sodium cation is surrounded by two [Ni(acac)3]−anions, each of which is connected to the alkali metal through three O atoms, in afacconfiguration. This arrangement leads to the formation of linear [Na{Ni(acac)3}]nchains along thecaxis. The Ni...Na distance is 2.9211 (10) Å. The title complex is one of the few examples of heterometallic systems based on alkali and transition metal cations bridged by acetylacetonate ligands.
DROP: the Durable Reconnaissance and Observation Platform
Authors: Parness Aaron , McKenzie Clifford
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The Durable Reconnaissance and Observation Platform (DROP) is a prototype robotic platform with the ability to climb vertical cinder block surfaces at a rate of 25 cm/s, make rapid horizontal to vertical transitions, carry an audio/visual reconnaissance payload, and survive impacts from 3 meters.

Design/methodology/approach

The platform uses a two‐wheel, two‐motor design that delivers high mobility with low complexity. DROP extends microspine climbing technology from a linear to rotary implementation, providing improved transition ability, increased speeds, and simpler body mechanics while maintaining microspine's ability to opportunistically grip rough surfaces.

Findings

The DROP prototype was able to climb rough, vertical walls at a speed of 25 cm/s. These wheels were also deployed on a commercial platform, the ReconRobotics Scout, and demonstrated additional mobility capabilities such as curb mounting and stair climbing.

Originality/value

This robot is the first wheeled robot to use microspine technology. Various aspects of the prototype robot's design and performance are discussed, including the climbing mechanism, body design, and impact survival.
Snake‐like, tracked, mobile robot with active flippers for urban search‐and‐rescue tasks
Authors: Neumann Marc , Predki Thomas , Heckes Leif , Labenda Patrick
Published: April 2013

Purpose

After a building collapse, people buried alive have to be localized and rescued. This requires the damage site's inspection and surveillance. These tasks are dangerous and challenging due to the area's hard‐to‐reach and hazardous environment. The damage site cannot be actively entered but must be inspected from a safe distance. In this context, mobile robots gain in importance as they can be operated semi‐autonomously or remote‐controlled without exposing the first responders to the risk. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel robot.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel robot introduced in this paper has a snake‐like build‐up, uses tracks and active flippers for locomotion and negotiates completely structured as well as extremely unstructured and rough terrain. The system's slender, segmented and modular structure is actively articulated by the use of overall 30 degrees‐of‐freedom, which allow the robot's flexible adaptation to a given terrain. System‐terrain‐interaction is detected by the use of an innovative, RFID‐based sensory integrated in the system's tracks.

Findings

The paper presents the mobile robot's basic features, as well as first experimental results for semi‐autonomy and tele‐operation.

Originality/value

The introduced robot stands out due to its high locomotion and mobility capabilities.
Target tracking control of mobile robot in diversified manoeuvre modes with a low cost embedded vision system
Authors: Xu He , Shen Yi‐ping
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Target tracking systems are generally computationally intensive and require expensive and power‐hungry visual sensors. On the other hand, the existing target tracking control approaches fail to track the target swiftly and accurately when the mobile robot moves in the diversified manoeuvre modes. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel target tracking control method with a low cost embedded vision system to achieve high accuracy and speediness of target tracking control, regardless of the type of manoeuvre modes.

Design/methodology/approach

The pan/tilt angle differences are transformed from the tracking error between the image centre and the coordinates of the target centroid returned by the CMUcam3; the corresponding pan/tilt angle variation rates are calculated based on the manoeuvre control. All of them are fed to the controller. Then the controller generates appropriate control signals to fit the changing speed of target centroid and compensate for the tracking error. The experiments are designed in a way that the CMUcam3 keeps the target centre coincident with the image centre when the mobile robot moves in the diversified manoeuvre modes.

Findings

In spite of the type of manoeuvre modes, the controller responds to the tracking error instantly and actuates the pan/tilt with suitable position and speed commands, and the target centroid remains in the bounding box during the entire movement.

Originality/value

The proposed target tracking control takes the correlation between the robot manoeuvre modes and the target tracking control into account, and particularly suits for the target tracking tasks in planetary exploration, surveillance and military applications.
Examining talent management using CG as proxy measure: a case study of State Bank of India
Authors: Chahal Hardeep , Kumari Archana
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The present paper aims to measure talent management using corporate governance as a proxy measure and examine its impact on business performance in a public‐sector bank, i.e. State Bank of India.

Design/methodology/approach

Quarterly reports of State Bank of India from the financial periods 2006‐2007 to 2009‐2010 are used to collect data with respect to boardroom characteristics and ownership structure, and audit and nomination committees. The data used to assess boardroom characteristics and the audit committee include the number of meetings held, frequency, and meetings attended by board members. Business performance is assessed using ROA, ROE and Tobin's Q.

Findings

On the basis of the results, the study found that boardroom characteristics have an insignificant impact on business performance, while audit committee and ownership structure have a significant impact on business performance (i.e. ROA, ROE and Tobin's Q).

Research limitations/implications

The study considers corporate governance as a proxy measure of talent management, and only three corporate governance committees are used to examine their impact on business performance. Secondly, the results are based on quarterly reports from four years' financial statements.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing literature in exploring relationships between corporate governance, talent management governance and business performance in an Indian setting.
Importance of rabies virus nucleoprotein in viral evasion of interferon response in the brain
Authors: Masatani Tatsunori , Ito Naoto , Ito Yuki , Nakagawa Keisuke , Abe Masako , Yamaoka Satoko , Okadera Kota , Sugiyama Makoto
Published: April 2013

By using a cultured neuroblastoma cell line, the present authors recently showed that the N protein of virulent rabies virus fixed strain Nishigahara (Ni), but not that of the attenuated derivative Ni‐CE, mediates evasion of induction of type I interferon (IFN). In this study, to determine whether Ni N protein indeed fulfills this function in vivo, the abilities to suppress IFN responses in the mouse brain of Ni‐CE and the virulent chimeric virus CE(NiN), which has the N gene from Ni in the genetic background of Ni‐CE, were compared. It was demonstrated that CE(NiN) propagates and spreads more efficiently than does Ni‐CE in the brain and that IFN response in brains infected with CE(NiN) is weaker than in those infected with Ni‐CE. It was also shown that amino acids at positions 273 and 394 in the N protein, which are known as pathogenic determinants, affect the ability of the viruses to suppress IFN response in the brain. These findings strongly suggest that, in the brain, rabies virus N protein plays important roles in evasion of innate immune responses and thereby in efficient propagation and spread of virus leading to lethal outcomes of infection.
Exploring the ecological constraints to multiple ecosystem service delivery and biodiversity
Authors: Maskell Lindsay C. , Crowe Andrew , Dunbar Michael J. , Emmett Bridget , Henrys Peter , Keith Aidan M. , Norton Lisa R. , Scholefield Paul , Clark Douglas B. , Simpson Ian C. , Smart Simon M.
Published: April 2013

Understanding and quantifying constraints to multiple ecosystem service delivery and biodiversity is vital for developing management strategies for current and future human well‐being. A particular challenge is to reconcile demand for increased food production with provision of other ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Using a spatially extensive data base (covering Great Britain) of co‐located biophysical measurements (collected in the Countryside Survey), we explore the relationships between ecosystem service indicators and biodiversity across a temperate ecosystem productivity gradient.

Each service indicator has an individual response curve demonstrating that simultaneous analysis of multiple ecosystem services is essential for optimal service management. The shape of the response curve can be used to indicate whether ‘land sharing’ (provision of multiple services from the same land parcel) or ‘land sparing’ (single service prioritization) is the most appropriate option.

Soil carbon storage and above‐ground net primary production indicators were found to define opposing ends of a primary gradient in service provision. Biodiversity and water quality indicators were highest at intermediate levels of both factors, consistent with a unimodal relationship along a productivity gradient.

Positive relationships occurred between multiple components of biodiversity, measured as taxon richness of all plants, bee and butterfly nectar plants, soil invertebrates and freshwater macroinvertebrates, indicating potential for management measures directed at one aspect of biodiversity to deliver wider ecosystem biodiversity.

We demonstrate that in temperate, human‐dominated landscapes, ecosystem services are highly constrained by a fundamental productivity gradient. There are immediate trade‐offs between productivity and soil carbon storage but potential synergies with services with different shaped relationships to production.

Synthesis and applications. Using techniques such as response curves to analyse multiple service interactions can inform the development of Spatial Decision Support tools and landscape‐scale ecosystem service management options. At intermediate productivity, ‘land‐sharing’ would optimize multiple services, however, to deliver significant soil carbon storage ‘land‐sparing’ is required, that is, resources focused in low productivity areas with high carbon to maximize investment return. This study emphasizes that targets for services per unit area need to be set within the context of the national gradients reported here to ensure best use of limited resources.
The impact of cigarette pack shape, size and opening: evidence from tobacco company documents
Authors: Kotnowski Kathy , Hammond David
Published: April 2013

Aims

To use tobacco industry documents on cigarette pack shape, size and openings to identify industry findings on associations with brand imagery, product attributes, consumer perceptions and behaviour.

Methods

Internal tobacco industry research and marketing documents obtained through court disclosure contained in the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library were searched using keywords related to pack shapes, sizes and opening methods. The search identified 66 documents related to consumer research and marketing plans on pack shape, size and openings, drawn from 1973 to 2002.

Results

Industry research consistently found that packs that deviated from the traditional flip‐top box projected impressions of ‘modern’, ‘elegant’ and ‘unique’ brand imagery. Alternative pack shape and openings were identified as an effective means to communicate product attributes, particularly with regard to premium quality and smooth taste. Consumer studies consistently found that pack shape, size and opening style influenced perceptions of reduced product harm, and were often used to communicate a ‘lighter’ product. Slim, rounded, oval and booklet packs were found to be particularly appealing among young adults, and several studies demonstrated increased purchase interest for tobacco products presented in novel packaging shape or opening. Evidence from consumer tracking reports and company presentations indicate that pack innovations in shape or opening method increased market share of brands.

Conclusions

Consumer research by the tobacco industry between 1973 and 2002 found that variations in packaging shape, size and opening method could influence brand appeal and risk perceptions and increase cigarette sales.
Lymphovascular space invasion is highly associated with lymph node metastasis and recurrence in endometrial cancer
Authors: Hahn Ho‐Suap , Lee In‐Ho , Kim Tae‐Jin , Lee Ki‐Heon , Shim Jae‐Uk , Kim Jae‐Wook , Lim Kyung‐Taek
Published: April 2013

Background

Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) has been evaluated as a predictor for nodal metastasis or poor survival in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Aims

To evaluate whether LVSI is a prognostic factor for lymph node metastasis and relapse of disease in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Materials & Methods

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 438 women with endometrial adenocarcinoma treated by surgical staging, including pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection, between January 1996 and July 2011.

Results

One hundred sixty‐three women (37.2%) were LVSI‐positive and 275 (62.8%) were negative. LVSI‐positive women were significantly older and showed more advanced stage, poorer differentiation, and a higher frequency of non‐endometrioid histology type, myometrial invasion, and positive peritoneal cytology than LVSI‐negative women. Surgeries by laparotomy rather than laparoscopy and more adjuvant therapies were conducted in LVSI‐positive women. The median number of pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes removed were not different, but LVSI‐positive patients showed more lymph node metastases. The LVSI‐positive group also showed a higher recurrence of disease and lower survival rates than the LVSI‐negative group. Negative predictive values of LVSI for lymph node metastasis and recurrence of disease were 96.4 and 97.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, LVSI did not influence overall or disease‐free survival after adjusting for several confounding factors.

Conclusions

In the cases that the nodal status has not been assessed in endometrial adenocarcinoma, the presence of LVSI may be a reasonable surrogate in addition to other risk factors, in determining the need for adjuvant therapy.