bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the influence of individual and academic differences on the placement participation rate among international students
Authors: Crawford Ian , Wang Zhiqi , Andrews Georgina
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the low placement participation rate among international students compared with UK students, by examining the impact of individual factors such as gender and domicile and academic achievement such as prior academic qualification, prior academic results and subsequent academic results on students’ choices of degree programmes as well as their graduation status.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adopts a quantitative approach by using 268 accounting and finance students in a UK university.

Findings

– The analyses show that UK students on entry are 35 per cent more likely than international students to choose a degree programme with a placement module after controlling for individual and academic differences. Among females, international students who switch to a degree without placement following entry significantly and statistically underperformed their UK counterparts who complete a degree with placement from the first year onwards. This trend is not observable among male students. Instead, male students who select and graduate with a degree without placement are the worst performers, regardless of their nationalities.

Research limitations/implications

– The quantitative data used here are collected in a UK institution so the results reported here may lack generalisability.

Practical implications

– International students need to know more about the benefits of undertaking placements on their academic performance and the development of generic skills before entry. Moreover, UK universities need to provide more assistance to international students, especially females about how to secure placements and how to widen their search for potential placements.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explain the low participation rate among international students in UK higher education.
Towards an integrated approach to the recognition of professional competence and academic learning
Authors: Bravenboer Darryll , Lester Stan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits of reclaiming the idea of professional competence and challenges fragmented approaches to academic qualification and professional recognition. It is argued that academic programmes that are integrated with the requirements for professional recognition can resolve the potentially unhelpful differentiation between “theory” and “practice” and between “knowledge” and “competence”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three contextualised case studies are presented to demonstrate a range of possibilities for developing academic programmes that integrate professional competence in the fields of construction, aviation and management.

Findings

– It is argued that the examples described provide some evidence that where competence is conceived of as a matter of open on-going professional development, it can be effectively integrated and aligned with the intended outcomes of academic qualifications. Furthermore, that the examples described demonstrate that the idea of professional competence can operate to ground knowledge in practice contexts and ensure that professional values are positioned as a requirement of being qualified.

Originality/value

– The diversity of the examples provided across three distinct sectors illustrate the potential for wider curriculum development opportunities for higher education practitioners. The need to align professional body recognition with academic qualification for higher and degree apprenticeships may also indicate significant implications for policy in this area. The cases presented provide evidence that academic qualifications can be developed that are at the same time recognised by employers as delivering a professionally competent workforce. This kind of development activity can provide both an incentive for employers to pay for education and training and opening opportunities for career progression for those in work.
An interdisciplinary exploration of collegiate internships
Authors: Hoyle Jeffrey , Deschaine Mark Edward
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– Collegiate internships play an important role in the development of professionals. They provide students the opportunity to experience real world expectations embedded within actual vocational environments under the support of their collegiate faculty. Although there are a number of common reasons why internships are utilized in each academic area, the requirements for the experiences are substantially different across disciplines and level of coursework. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the commonalities and differences that exist for internships across collegiate academic disciplines at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and identify their salience for programs from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this conceptual piece, the authors took an introspective qualitative look at both programs and compared and contrasted them based on internally available documentation and information. Although this was theoretical in nature, the authors utilized materials available for certification and accreditation purposes for each of their programs. Multiple data sources were stakeholder interviews and conversations, site visits/observations, and site artifacts/documents.

Findings

– The authors found a great deal of both similarity and dissimilarity across programs, and these findings were utilized as grounds for programmatic introspection, evaluation, accreditation, and certification to better understand how stakeholder voice is involved in the processes. Table I provides an overview of items identified, and will serve as a guide for the remainder of this paper.

Originality/value

– An inclusive awareness will consider the voices of the student, university, employer, and other stakeholders, including co-workers and employers that currently do not offer internships. Given the rising cost of tuition and the wealth of competition in the market, the pressure is on for institutions of higher education to up the ante when it comes to providing quality experiential learning opportunities. The next step should focus on defining expectations and tailoring each internship program, and for that to be accomplished, all stakeholders must be “all in.”
IFRS adoption in ASEAN countries
Authors: Joshi Mahesh , Yapa Prem W. Senarath , Kraal Diane
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of professional accountants from three countries from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to evaluate their perceived benefits associated with the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in their respective nations as well as the implications of these standards for the accounting and auditing professions in their country of practice. It also explores the extent to which the adoption of IAS/IFRS accounting standards have been supported by the state, media and local professional accounting bodies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses survey approach to seek perceptions of professional accountants in these three countries with a view to understanding their perceptions regarding the socio-economic issues related to the adoption of the IFRS and role of social institutions. The study also uses appropriate statistical tests for interpretation of the data.

Findings

– The analysis of the data shows that accounting professionals in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia strongly supported IFRS adoption; their opinions did not differ significantly by place of training, experience or professional qualifications. Respondents agreed that their countries benefited economically from harmonisation with global accounting standards. The surveyed accountants believed that pressure from international agencies was instrumental in the adoption of IFRS in the region. The findings also show that governments, the media and professional accounting bodies have supported the adoption, communication and application of IFRS.

Originality/value

– This is the first study examining the role of social and professional institutions in the adoption of the IFRS and one which also provides an inter-country comparison of accountant’s perspectives on adoption of the IFRS among three ASEAN countries.
The perceived value-relevance of open data in the parents’ choice of Dutch primary schools
Authors: Kool Dennis de , Bekkers Victor
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived value-relevance of open data published by the Dutch Inspectorate of Education in the parents’ choice of Dutch primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical data were collected through a mixed method strategy including quantitative and qualitative methods: quantitative surveys among parents of pupils in 25 primary schools; and semi-structured in-depth interviews using a topic list.

Findings

– Parents make little use of the Inspectorate’s website compared to other information sources. The perceived usefulness of this website to parents choosing a primary school is also relatively low. Personal information gathered by school visits, written information from schools and information from other parents are more important sources.

Research limitations/implications

– Subjective considerations, such as the atmosphere and ambience of a school, play an important role in parents’ choice behavior. Pragmatic considerations also play a role, such as a school’s nearness. This study shows that it is necessary to rethink the rational assumptions behind publishing performance data.

Practical implications

– This study observed a mismatch between the demand and supply of open data about primary schools. The Inspectorate’s publication strategy is based on “hard” and “written” data presented on a website, but parents also appreciate “soft” and personal “oral” data. Parents state that the Inspectorate should not only focus on negative school results for censuring (“naming and shaming”), but also give attention to schools that perform well (“naming and faming”).

Originality/value

– Research about parents’ and citizens’ use of quality information in general is scarce. These findings show that parents’ choice behavior is less rational than assumed. Relativistic notions about decision-making processes are recognized in other studies also, but they suggest that highly educated parents are over-represented in the group of parents who actively make school choices, whereas this study found no indications that parents’ educational level affects their choices.
Entrepreneurial leadership in retail pharmacy: developing economy perspective
Authors: Harrison Christian , Paul Stuart , Burnard Kevin
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the challenges facing entrepreneurs in a developing economy, using the retail pharmacy sector in Nigeria. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial leadership attributes that have proved to be valuable in overcoming the challenges faced in this sector will be identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is exploratory. Data collection is based on semi-structured interviews with retail pharmacy entrepreneurs and their employees. Although there has been some body of literature on entrepreneurial leadership, (Fernaldet al., 2005; Guptaet al., 2004), none have addressed the nexus of leadership and entrepreneurship (Cogliser and Brigham, 2004) from the retail pharmacy sector of a developing economy.

Findings

Findings show that retail pharmacy entrepreneurs in a developing economy are faced with challenges such as inadequate capital and poor infrastructural facilities. However, despite these challenges, these entrepreneurial leaders were successful because of key attributes, namely, vision, risk-taking and opportunity recognition and exploitation.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is a limitation to the study. Future studies with a larger sampling base as well as a different sector will provide greater insight.

Originality/value

This study is the first qualitative study to explore the impact of entrepreneurial leadership in the retail pharmacy sector in Nigeria. It identified the training needs for entrepreneurs in this context. By the participants sharing their experiences, the study identified the prerequisites for success, hence motivating other retail pharmacy entrepreneurs.
Ultraviolet Absorbers for Textiles
Authors: Das B.R. , Ishtiaque S.M. , Rengasamy R.S. , Hati S. , Kumar A.
Published: April 2016

The incidences of skin cancer have been rising worldwide due to excessive exposure to sunlight. Increase in exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight results in skin damage such as sunburn, premature skin ageing, allergies and skin cancer. Medical experts suggest several means of protection against ultraviolet radiation, including use of sunscreens, avoidance of the sun at its highest intensities, and wearing clothing that covers as much of the skin surface as possible. This paper provides insight on how UV absorbers can be efficiently used with textile material to protect human skin from harmful UV radiation. The manufacturers of various UV absorbers and their commercial products are reviewed and discussed. The interacting mechanism of UV absorbers with textile clothing for providing UV protection and an evaluation of the performance of UV absorbers are summarized.
Synthesis and Characterization of Soluble Conducting Polymers
Authors: Kaynak Akif , Foitzik Richard
Published: April 2016

Although conducting polymers have various potential applications, lack of solubility is an impediment in their direct application to material surfaces. Synthesis of alkyl pyrrole monomers and subsequent polymerization into soluble conducting polymers are aimed as alternatives to conventional methods of application of conducting polymers on substrates. Alkyl chains are attached to a pyrrole ring to produce solubility in the resulting conducting polypyrroles, which allow direct application of conductive polymer emulsions to any desired surface. Friedel-Crafts acylation of the tosyl-protected pyrrole provides high yields of the 3-acylated product. The conductivity values of poly-3- and 3, 4-substituted pyrroles are
generally less than the unmodified polypyrrole. Increasingly bulkier groups attached to the pyrrole means lower conductivity of the resultant polymer. As the carbon chain length attached to the 3-position of pyrrole increases, the solubility also increases. However, the magnitude of change in conductivity of films and pellets of soluble conducting polypyrroles over the alkyl range is not significant.
Wear Performance of Fly Ash-enhanced Aramid Fibre Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
Authors: Satapathy Bhabani K. , Patnaik Amar
Published: April 2016

The abrasive wear performance of fly ash filled aramid fibre reinforced phenolic based composites has been investigated on a rubber wheel abrasive wear tester (RWAT). The design of the experiment approach which uses Taguchi’s orthogonal arrays is adopted to objectively evaluate and prioritize five influencing factors that are taken as experimental variables. A predictive mathematical model for damage assessment in wear rate is developed and validated by a well designed set of experiments. The study reveals that sliding distance, external abrading particle size and fly ash content show greater influence on the specific wear rate of the composites. An investigation on worn surface morphology with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been carried out to understand the plausible wear mechanisms. The study thus carried out has revealed the decisive role of quartz particles and photovoltaic (PV) conditions in terms of their influence not only on the alterations of topographical attributes, but also surface ploughing, micro-pitting and sub-surface damage as the various modes of wear of these composites.
Electronic Textile Platforms for Monitoring in a Natural Environment
Authors: Paradiso Rita , Caldani Laura
Published: April 2016

Electronics textile platforms are conceived as the implementation into textile of added functions like sensing, actuation, computing and power managing with the whole being part of an interactive communication network. Systems based on such platforms combine the knowledge of advances in fields such as fiber and polymer research, material processing, microelectronics, signals processing, nanotechnologies and telecommunication.

Textile is the common platform where smart materials in form of fibers are integrated, where the properties of the material can be tuned through the combination of chemical surfaces processes and the implementation of multi-laminated and differentiated structures,
where the exploitation of textile manufacturing potentiality allows the use of redundant sensors configurations and the combination of mechanical and electrochemical properties to create new multifunctional patterns. This paper presents several platforms developed in the last ten years in the frame of research projects targeting different applications, from health care and rehabilitation to security purposes; a special emphasis will be given to the description of technical and functional solutions implemented to satisfy functional and comfort requirements.
Towards Fibered Electronics: Materials and Devices
Authors: Mattana Giorgio , Bonfiglio Annalisa
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we present a synthetic review of the evolution of fibered electronics. Starting from inorganic materials used as coating layers for flexible yarns, and arriving at organic semiconductors, several attempts to obtain an active device in the form of a textile yarn have been presented in recent years and are described here. The challenge is to provide the basis for a new kind of electronic technology that combines the electrical properties of semiconductors (and the functions performed by active electronic devices) with the mechanical properties needed for textile technology. A further issue is to find the possibility of an easy and cost-effective fabrication of such structures. Finally, a perspective on the future promising evolutions of this field is also given.
Robust Fabric Substrates for Photonic Textile Applications
Authors: Pieterson Liesbeth van , Bouten Piet , Kriege Koen , Bhattacharya Rabin
Published: April 2016

Textiles are a ubiquitous part of human life. By combining them with electronics to create electronic textile systems, new application fields emerge. In this paper, technology and applications of light-emitting textile systems are presented: a fabric substrate is described for electronic textile with robust interwoven connections between the conductive yarns in it. The fabric robustness, as a function of the electrical reliability of its conductive yarn connections, is shown to hold over large deformations. This fabric is then used to create a light-emitting
diode (LED) based photonic textile display. Finally, we will show an example of an application that could make use of such a photonic textile system.
Thermo-physiological Comfort Characteristics of Fine-denier Polypropylene Fabrics
Authors: Das B. R. , Bhattacharjee D. , Kumar K. , Srivastava A.
Published: April 2016

Three types of polypropylene knitted fabrics in terry pile (uncut) structures with a similar knit design are developed by using fine denier filaments to make the inner layer for extreme cold weather clothing. The denier per filament is varied to assess its influence on thermo-physiological comfort properties, viz. thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and absorptivity, air permeability, water vapour permeability and wicking. The thermal properties are measured with an Alambeta instrument, and in-plane liquid flow through the fabrics is measured by using a gravimetric in-plane wicking tester. A statistical analysis is carried out at the 95% significance level for different experiments to establish the specific trend exhibited by the fabrics. It is observed that the water uptake increases, but water vapour permeability decreases with a decrease in filament denier. The thermal properties and air permeability values do not show any specific trends with filament denier. The porosity value is observed to be similar for all three developed fabrics.
Spider Silk: A Smart Biopolymer with Water Switchable Shape Memory Effects -Unraveling the Mystery of Superconraction
Authors: Hu Jinlian , Zhu Yong
Published: April 2016

The work represents an advance in understanding spider silks related to supercontraction which is clearly the water triggered shape recovery phenomenon. A structural model of spider silks is established, which can integrate a number of phenomena such as tunable mechanical properties, the origin, functions and ground state of supercontraction. The shape memory mechanism of protein fibers lays foundation for man-making and bio-mimicking spider silks using chemical approaches rather than genetic ones.
Medicinal Uses of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in Turkey
Authors: Ozturk M. , Uysal I. , Gucel S. , Altundag E. , Dogan Y. , Baslar S.
Published: April 2016

PPlants have been grown for natural dyes to produce a wide range of colors.. N Natural dyes become increasingly important these days as synthetic dyes cause serious damage to the environment and have to be replaced. The published records show that Turkey has about 10,000 taxa of higher plants, 145 of which come from 92 genera and 51 families and can be used as dyeing sources of 17 colors. The most common families used for dyeing are Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae and Euphorbiaceae, and the dominating genera are Rumex, Anthemis, Euphorbia, and Salvia. Dye plants are of great medicinal value as well and can be used for producing antihelmintic, antiseptic, appetizer, carminative, diuretic, exudative, laxative, sedative and stomachic preparations.
Development of An Ideation Toolkit Supporting Sustainable Fashion Design and Consumption
Authors: Hur Eunsuk , Beverley Katharine , Cassidy Thomas
Published: April 2016

This paper explores the potential for co-design to link sustainable consumption and production in the fashion industry. We review relevant research and perspectives and propose a co-design platform and an ideation toolkit in which users are encouraged to explore sustainability as a way of thinking at the early stages of the fashion design development process. We explain the rationale behind the ideation toolkit, its structure and demonstrate how to apply the toolkit to fashion design through a case study. Finally, we discuss both opportunities and challenges of co-designing the fashion system and its implementation in sustainable fashion and textile design education.
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Identifying Pedagogies for Teaching Sustainability Issues to Fashion Students
Authors: Kennedy Tracy , Terpstra Caroline
Published: April 2016

This paper identifies how educational experiences have influenced attitudes, raised awareness of sustainability issues and increased sustainable literacy amongst a group of second-year Bachelor of Design (Fashion) students at Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand. This research project establishes a baseline understanding of student knowledge and awareness, attitudes and motivation towards sustainability via a survey conducted before and after a lecture series. The application and integration of this learning is evaluated through a practice-based collaborative project. Our analysis identifies the most effective pedagogies to use when integrating sustainability into the fashion curriculum. The implications of these findings are discussed for higher education and in particular the need for institutions to provide an environment which supports new approaches to teaching and learning.
Novel Method for Fast Bleaching of Cellulose Acetate Fabric by Using H2O2 Aided by Ultrasonic Waves
Authors: Ramadan M.A. , Raslan W.M. , Abdel-Hady M. , Hebeish A.
Published: April 2016

This research focuses on the use of ultrasonic waves to aid ultrasonic aided hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching (UAB) of cellulose acetate fabrics. UAB is studied under different conditions and based on the results obtained, the following conditions are established: H2O2 concentration, 10g/l; reaction temperature, 30°C; reaction time, 3 min; and pH, 9.0. The bleaching effect is expressed in terms of acetyl content, loss in fabric weight, whiteness index, roughness degree, tensile strength and elongation at break when the cellulose acetate fabrics are bleached per the UAB method as well as the conventional method. A comparison between the two methods with regards to these properties reveal the superiority of the UAB method with its novelty and fast inducing bleaching under the influence of cavitations and extra energy generated thereof; the cavitations are caused by the high frequency of the ultrasonic waves. Electron scanning microscopies of the UAB bleached fabric display a smooth and partially swollen surface morphology opposite those of conventionally bleached fabric in which the surfaces are irregular, rough and scratched bleached. In addition, UAB bleached fabric displays a significantly higher dyeability towards disperse dyes than the untreated fabric and fabric bleached by using the conventional method.
Fibre Migration in Mechanically (Magnetic) Compacted Spun Yarns
Authors: Ganesan P. , Chandrasekaran P.
Published: April 2016

This research deals with studies on the migration properties of conventional and mechanically (magnetic) compacted yarns. Carded cotton yarns (1% tracer fibre added) of 20 Ne have been produced for use with various parameters, such as traveler weight, twist level, and off set position in conventional and mechanically (magnetic) compacted methods. The yarns are tested for migration parameters, and packing density. It is found that migration behavior is better for conventional ring yarn in comparison with mechanically compacted yarn due to the presence of a spinning triangle which is formed in conventional ring spinning. However, the packing density is better for compact yarn. Due to the special arrangement in the compact device, it has control over the floating fibres in the drafting zone.
A cube-based saliency detection method using integrated visual and spatial features
Authors: Liu Tao , Fang Zhixiang , Mao Qingzhou , Li Qingquan , Zhang Xing
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The spatial feature is important for scene saliency detection. Scene-based visual saliency detection methods fail to incorporate 3D scene spatial aspects. This paper aims to propose a cube-based method to improve saliency detection through integrating visual and spatial features in 3D scenes.

Design/methodology/approach

In the presented approach, a multiscale cube pyramid is used to organize the 3D image scene and mesh model. Each 3D cube in this pyramid represents a space unit similar to a pixel in the image saliency model multiscale image pyramid. In each 3D cube color, intensity and orientation features are extracted from the image and a quantitative concave–convex descriptor is extracted from the 3D space. A Gaussian filter is then used on this pyramid of cubes with an extended center-surround difference introduced to compute the cube-based 3D scene saliency.

Findings

The precision-recall rate and receiver operating characteristic curve is used to evaluate the method and other state-of-art methods. The results show that the method used is better than traditional image-based methods, especially for 3D scenes.

Originality/value

This paper presents a method that improves the image-based visual saliency model.
Embedded medical sensors, an emerging technology to monitor hearts, brains, nerves and addressing other medical applications for improved patient care
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of embedded medical sensors into the medical monitoring environment. It also examines the current range of applications that have been addressed, trends for additional applications and factors driving this movement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of published information and papers on research as well as contact and discussions with researchers in this field at universities, manufacturers and research centers.

Findings

Microelectronics and electrochemical technologies have been a major factor in this development along with technology advancements to transmit energy and signals to and from miniature electronic devices, thus eliminating the need for stored energy and wires for transmitting information. Sensors are addressing medical issues in the heart, the brain, cancer treatment and prosthetic control. The move to implanted sensors follows development of other implanted medical devices as well as wearable sensors.

Originality/value

Readers may be very excited to learn of the many new tasks that embedded medical sensors can address and the many unique benefits that are provided to the patient and the medical staff caring for the patient.
LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
Authors: Mackenzie Annette
Published: April 2016

How a fixation with success can cloud the chance to learn from mistakes
Tactics and Tactility: A Sensory Semiotics of Handshakes in Coastal Kenya
Authors: Hillewaert Sarah
Published: April 2016

In this article, I approach hand greetings in coastal Kenya as both a form of embodied social action and an everyday tactic used in the presentation of self, the assessment of others, and the negotiation of interpersonal relations. Looking beyond the assumption that a handshake is a simple social performance subject to strategic manipulation, I draw attention to the significance of the felt bodily contact associated with this gesture in order to propose that meaning is generated not only in the dichotomous acts of offering or refusing a handshake but also in utilizing the gesture's tactility. In particular, I argue that women in coastal Kenya negotiate changing understandings of heshima (respectability), and the social positions to which it is tied, by manipulating the sensory details of hand greetings. This article contributes to recent discussions in sensory anthropology while also providing an ethnographic illustration of an embodied theory of social interaction.
Do marine phytoplankton follow Bergmann's rule sensu lato?
Authors: Sommer Ulrich , Peter Kalista H. , Genitsaris Savvas , Moustaka‐Gouni Maria
Published: April 2016

Global warming has revitalized interest in the relationship between body size and temperature, proposed by Bergmann's rule 150 years ago, one of the oldest manifestations of a ‘biogeography of traits’. We review biogeographic evidence, results from clonal cultures and recent micro‐ and mesocosm experiments with naturally mixed phytoplankton communities regarding the response of phytoplankton body size to temperature, either as a single factor or in combination with other factors such as grazing, nutrient limitation, and ocean acidification. Where possible, we also focus on the comparison between intraspecific size shifts and size shifts resulting from changes in species composition. Taken together, biogeographic evidence, community‐level experiments and single‐species experiments indicate that phytoplankton average cell sizes tend to become smaller in warmer waters, although temperature is not necessarily the proximate environmental factor driving size shifts. Indirect effects via nutrient supply and grazing are important and often dominate. In a substantial proportion of field studies, resource availability is seen as the only factor of relevance. Interspecific size effects are greater than intraspecific effects. Direct temperature effects tend to be exacerbated by indirect ones, if warming leads to intensified nutrient limitation or copepod grazing while ocean acidification tends to counteract the temperature effect on cell size in non‐calcifying phytoplankton. We discuss the implications of the temperature‐related size trends in a global‐warming context, based on known functional traits associated with phytoplankton size. These are a higher affinity for nutrients of smaller cells, highest maximal growth rates of moderately small phytoplankton (ca. 102 µm3), size‐related sensitivities for different types of grazers, and impacts on sinking rates. For a phytoplankton community increasingly dominated by smaller algae we predict that: (i) a higher proportion of primary production will be respired within the microbial food web; (ii) a smaller share of primary production will be channeled to the classic phytoplankton – crustacean zooplankton – fish food chain, thus leading to decreased ecological efficiency from a fish‐production point of view; (iii) a smaller share of primary production will be exported through sedimentation, thus leading to decreased efficiency of the biological carbon pump.
Weak relationships between leaf phenology and isohydric and anisohydric behavior in lowland wet tropical forest trees
Authors: Braga Nathália da Silva , Vitória Angela P. , Souza Gustavo Maia , Barros Claudia F. , Freitas Leandro
Published: April 2016

Wet tropical forest trees display a wide range of leaf phenology dynamics. However, the interrelation between deciduousness, water status, and leaf and stem characteristics have been poorly investigated compared with dry forests. We studied wet forest trees to answer the following questions: (1) do water regulation modes (iso/anisohydric behavior) of evergreen species differ from those found in deciduous species? (2) Does leaf water potential (ΨL) influences leaffall and emergence dynamics? (3) Are leaf and stem characteristics consistent across evergreen and deciduous trees? We evaluated vegetative phenology, ΨL, and leaf and stem characteristics of six evergreen and three deciduous species monthly for 2 yr. Species exhibited different leaffall and emergence dynamics, as well as different water regulation modes, independent of their deciduousness. Thus, the relationship between leaf phenology and water regulation behaviors appears to be a species‐specific property rather than a functional group attribute. ΨL had no direct influence on the dynamics of leaffall and/or emergence, indicating that this process is not modulated by water availability alone. Individual groups of evergreen and deciduous species could not be identified using principal component analysis (PCA), but a decoupling was observed in the leaf and stem economics spectra. The lack of an interrelation between deciduousness and iso/anisohydry, as well as the independence of leaf and stem trade‐offs, emphasizes that more systematic measurements of vegetative phenology and ecophysiological characteristics are necessary to advance our knowledge of leaf habit and water regulation behaviors based on the functional traits of wet forest plants.
Psychosocial burden and desire for support in outpatients with skin cancer
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Wiesmann Ulrich , Bahlmann Johannes , Lutze Stine , Eggert Claudia , Arnold Andreas , Daeschlein Georg , Jünger Michael , Hannich Hans‐Joachim
Published: April 2016

Background

An important basis for adequate psycho‐oncological and psychosocial care of cancer patients is the regular assessment of their psychosocial distress and thus their need for care. For this purpose, there are numerous questionnaires available. The objective of the present study was to assess whether distressed patients require professional support and which screening instrument outpatients with skin cancer prefer.

Patients and methods

In a cross‐sectional survey, we asked outpatients with skin cancer to fill out three questionnaires assessing psychosocial stress, and to indicate which one they considered most adequate. Patients were offered the following three instruments: Hornheide Questionnaire (27 items), Hornheide Screening Instrument (7 items), and the Distress Thermometer. In addition, we inquired about the patients’ desire for support.

Results

(1) Comparing subjective distress and patients’ declared desire for support revealed a marked divergence. While one‐third of the 137 patients were identified as being in need of care, only 11.5 % of the sample requested such support. (2) 63.7 % of patients chose the long version of the Hornheide Questionnaire.

Conclusions

In addition to their psychosocial burden, patients’ desire for support should be assessed. Moreover, apart from screening tools, other ways to provide access to psychosocial care should be considered.
Histologic features of granulomatous skin diseases
Authors: Mitteldorf Christina , Tronnier Michael
Published: April 2016

Granulomatous disorders affecting the skin belong to a heterogeneous group of diseases, which were predominantly classified based on pathogenetic features. In infections diseases a granuloma is formed if an agent could not be eliminated by the immune system. Typical agents which cause granulomatous reactions are mycobacteria, fungal infections, especially extra European agent, which could effect the skin by, dissemination (e.g. histoplasmosis) or parasites, like leishmaniasis.
Histologische Merkmale granulomatöser Hauterkrankungen: Teil 2: Infektiöse granulomatöse Erkrankungen
Authors: Mitteldorf Christina , Tronnier Michael
Published: April 2016

Granulomatöse Hauterkrankungen gehören einer heterogenen Gruppe an, die zumeist aufgrund ihrer Pathogenese klassifiziert werden. Im Rahmen von Infektionen treten Granulome insbesondere dann auf, wenn der Erreger durch das Immunsystem schlecht zu eliminieren ist. Klassische Vertreter auf der Seite der Bakterien sind die Mykobakterien, bei den Pilzen finden sich insbesondere extraeuropäische Erreger, die zum Teil durch Dissemination das Hautorgan befallen (z. B. Histoplasmose) sowie die Leishmanien aus der Gruppe der Parasiten.
Proktologie – Erkrankungen der Analregion
Authors: Kreuter Alexander
Published: April 2016

Die Proktologie ist ein medizinischer Teilbereich, der Krankheitsbilder der Perianalregion, des Analkanals und des Enddarmes umfasst. Der Hautarzt hat in der Proktologie eine besondere Bedeutung, da entzündliche perianale Erkrankungen, erregerbedingte und sexuell übertragbare Erkrankungen sowie perianale Tumorerkrankungen und deren Vorstufen eine dermatologische Kernkompetenz darstellen. In diesem Beitrag erfolgt eine komprimierte Darstellung aller in der Proktologie relevanten Erkrankungsgruppen wie entzündliche Erkrankungen der Analregion, „klassische“ proktologische Erkrankungen, sexuell übertragbare Erkrankungen der Analregion, Tumorerkrankungen der Analregion sowie erregerbedingte Erkrankungen, wobei auf spezielle, für den Dermatologen relevante Aspekte besonders eingegangen wird. Trotz der Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Krankheitsbilder der Analregion existieren in der Regel nur fünf führende Symptome, die zur Konsultation eines Proktologen führen. Diese umfassen Juckreiz bzw. Brennen, Nässen, Blutung, Schmerz und Fremdkörpergefühl. Ein einfacher Algorithmus, der diese Symptome und wenige klinisch führende Charakteristika berücksichtigt, kann im Alltag schnell und einfach dabei helfen, zur richtigen Diagnose zu kommen.
Neural reuse in the organization and development of the brain
Authors: Anderson Michael L
Published: April 2016

Neural reuse is the process by which neural elements originally developed for one purpose are put to many different subsequent uses. In this brief review I will outline the role of neural reuse in the development of the brain. Special attention will be paid to elucidating and differentiating between two different mechanisms of neurocognitive development: Hebbian plasticity, the importance of which is already well known, and a neural search mechanism that supports the establishment of new functional partnerships in the brain. I describe how these two mechanisms work in concert throughout development to produce the functional architecture we observe in the adult brain; outline the evidence for the importance of neural reuse; offer suggestions for some clinical implications of neural reuse; and point to future research directions.
Prenatal ischemia deteriorates white matter, brain organization, and function: implications for prematurity and cerebral palsy
Authors: Coq Jacques‐Olivier , Delcour Maxime , Massicotte Vicky S , Baud Olivier , Barbe Mary F
Published: April 2016

Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of neurodevelopmental disorders of posture and movement that are frequently associated with sensory, behavioral, and cognitive impairments. The clinical picture of CP has changed with improved neonatal care over the past few decades, resulting in higher survival rates of infants born very preterm. Children born preterm seem particularly vulnerable to perinatal hypoxia‐ischemia insults at birth. Animal models of CP are crucial for elucidating underlying mechanisms and for development of strategies of neuroprotection and remediation. Most animal models of CP are based on hypoxia‐ischemia around the time of birth. In this review, we focus on alterations of brain organization and functions, especially sensorimotor changes, induced by prenatal ischemia in rodents and rabbits, and relate these alterations to neurodevelopmental disorders found in preterm children. We also discuss recent literature that addresses the relationship between neural and myelin plasticity, as well as possible contributions of white matter injury to the emergence of brain dysfunctions induced by prenatal ischemia.
Postural variability and sensorimotor development in infancy
Authors: Dusing Stacey C
Published: April 2016

Infants develop skills through a coupling between their sensory and motor systems. Newborn infants must interpret sensory information and use it to modify movements and organize the postural control system based on the task demands. This paper starts with a brief review of evidence on the use of sensory information in the first months of life, and describes the importance of movement variability and postural control in infancy. This introduction is followed by a review of the evidence for the interactions between the sensory, motor, and postural control systems in typically development infants. The paper highlights the ability of young infants to use sensory information to modify motor behaviors and learn from their experiences. Last, the paper highlights evidence of atypical use of sensory, motor, and postural control in the first months of life in infants who were born preterm, with neonatal brain injury or later diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).
Rethinking preventive post‐discharge intervention programmes for very preterm infants and their parents
Authors: van Wassenaer‐Leemhuis Aleid G , Jeukens‐Visser Martine , van Hus Janeline W P , Meijssen Dominique , Wolf Marie‐Jeanne , Kok Joke H , Nollet Frans , Koldewijn Karen
Published: April 2016

Post‐discharge preventive intervention programmes with involvement of the parent may support the resilience and developmental outcomes of infants born very preterm. Randomized controlled trials of home‐based family‐centred intervention programmes in very preterm infants that aimed to improve cognitive outcome, at least at age two, were selected and updated on the basis of a recent systematic review to compare their content and effect over time to form the basis of a narrative review. Six programmes were included in this narrative review. Four of the six programmes led to improved child cognitive and/or motor development. Two programmes, which focused primarily on responsive parenting and development, demonstrated improved cognitive outcome up till 5 years after completion of the programme. The programmes that also focused on maternal anxiety remediation led to improved maternal mental well‐being, along with improved child behaviour, in one study – even at 3 years after completion of the programme. The magnitude of the effects was modest. Family‐centred preventive intervention programmes that aim at improvement of child development should be continued after discharge home to improve the preterm child's resilience. Programmes may be most effective when they support the evolvement of a responsive parent–infant relationship over time, as well as the parent's well‐being.
Early intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders: underlying neural mechanisms
Authors: Cioni Giovanni , Inguaggiato Emanuela , Sgandurra Giuseppina
Published: April 2016

Neurodevelopmental disorders affect motor, cognitive, language, learning, and behavioural development with lifelong consequences. Early identification of infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders is a major prerequisite for intervention programmes. This ensures that interventions which aim to positively modify the natural history of these disorders can start in the first weeks or months of life. As indicated by recent scientific evidence, gene abnormalities or congenital brain lesions are not the sole determinants for the neurodevelopmental outcome of affected infants. In fact, environment and experience may modify brain development and improve the outcome in infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we analyse the complexity and sensitivity of the brain to environmental stimuli, highlighting clinical effects of early intervention, mainly reported so far in preterm infants, and summarizing the effects of enriched environment on human and animal models. Finally, we discuss some new approaches to early intervention, based on recent neurophysiological theories and new breakthroughs in biotechnologies for diagnosis and rehabilitation.
The effect of training on Italian firms’ productivity: microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives
Authors: Guerrazzi Marco
Published: April 2016

In this article, I explore the effect of training on the productivity of a sample of Italian firms and the impact of training on EU economic growth. Specifically, retrieving data from a survey performed by the Italian Institute for the Development of Vocational Training in 2009, I find that employer‐sponsored training displays a positive and significant effect on the main corporate performance indexes. However, in comparison with companion longitudinal evidence, the magnitude of this impact appears quite narrow. Untangling the determinants of training provision at the firm level and exploring the consequences of training on growth rates by means of the EU's Continuous Vocational Training Survey 4 records, I show that this finding is the outcome of microeconomic and macroeconomic size effects that influence, respectively, the identification of the training impact on corporate productivity and the aggregate performance of the whole economy.
The End of China's One‐Child Policy
Authors: Feng Wang , Gu Baochang , Cai Yong
Published: April 2016

Starting on January 1, 2016, all Chinese couples are allowed to have two children. This marks the end of China's one‐child policy, which has restricted the majority of Chinese families to only one child for the last 35 years. Yet, China's policy change came at least a decade later than it should have. The costly lessons to be learned are not only in politics and public policymaking, but also in how parts of the academic community informed and misinformed public policymaking.
Discovering Hardy's Poetry in the Russian‐Speaking World
Authors: Novokreshchennykh Ekaterina
Published: April 2016

This paper considers the reception of Thomas Hardy's poetry in Russia at different periods during the 20th century, including in companions, encyclopedias and writers' diary notes. The author stresses the importance of Joseph Brodsky's vision of Hardy the poet (as expressed in his essay on Hardy) for the contemporary Russian‐speaking reader.
Bollywood Adaptations of Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Authors: Dutta Shanta
Published: April 2016

The cinematic potential of Thomas Hardy's novels has long been recognized. Indeed, quite a few of his novels open with the reader/viewer getting a glimpse of a panoramic sweep of the English countryside, often with a solitary human figure silhouetted against a winding country lane. Focusing on two Hindi films, this essay considers ways in which Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry, has responded to Tess of the d'Urbervilles by adapting it to the Indian sociocultural milieu.