bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sure Start: where did it come from; where is it going?
Authors: Glass Norman
Published: November 2014

This article describes the origin of the UK's Sure Start programme, an innovative early years' programme launched in 1998. The programme owed its beginnings to support from the UK Treasury that saw it as a vehicle for combating intergenerational deprivation. The programme has expanded rapidly in the past few years. This paper analyses how the programme has changed and in particular how some of its basic characteristics, such as the integrated working across disciplines, the involvement of parents and the stress on family support, seem likely to change. The dilemmas posed by spreading the funding more thinly are also examined. There is some danger that the features of the programme that made it so attractive to participants and workers will be lost in the rush to mainstream the programme, so that it may become a victim of its own success.
Improving outcomes for children in the island of Ireland: the role of philanthropic investment
Authors: Little Michael , Abunimah Ali
Published: November 2014

Ireland has suddenly become a hub of activity around children's services — at central and local government levels, involving the primary statutory and voluntary agencies, and engaging some of the more disadvantaged communities. In the previous article, Sylda Langford outlined relevant aspects of the broader context in Ireland before describing the origins and work of the Office of the Minister for Children (OMC), of which she is Director‐General.This article considers the role of philanthropic investment in the reforms. It outlines a 10‐year programme of work funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies to encourage strategy development and service design to improve outcomes for children on the island of Ireland. It assesses progress thus far and reflects on lessons learnt that might be useful for those mounting similar programmes in the future. We do not normally write for the journal that we edit but given our close involvement in the aforementioned work it was deemed necessary in this instance. Future articles in the series will examine the reform process at a local level (from the perspective of a leader in one of the community engagement sites) and put the reforms into the context of the evolution of children's services in Ireland over the last 20 years (by a leading figure in the voluntary sector).
Nordic child welfare services: variations in norms, attitudes and practice
Authors: Grinde Turid
Published: November 2014

Earlier Nordic comparative studies show variation between countries in child welfare practice, reflecting cultural differences, and that case workers share the norms, values and attitudes of their society. Can cultural factors be concretised for discussion? Child welfare workers in Denmark, Iceland and Norway were presented with five child care stories (vignettes) that focused on the ‘threshold’ between preventive measures and out‐of‐home care (consensual or compulsory). Vignette themes included parental neglect, maternal alcohol misuse and youth problems. Study participants gave written answers to the vignettes and took part in group discussions with colleagues. The results showed significant differences between countries in case workers' responses. Variations in arguments, decisions, use of compulsion and working style reflected national views and priorities. A central dimension was how case workers balanced parental interests with children's needs: in Denmark they were reluctant to intervene with parental rights, whereas the Norwegians were more accepting of compulsory decisions to protect children.
Diverging family policies to promote children's well‐being in the UK and US: some relevant data from family research and intervention studies
Authors: Cowan Philip , Cowan Carolyn
Published: November 2014

In response to what are perceived as the negative consequences for children of family change over the past century, governments in the UK and the US have devoted substantial funds to programmes to strengthen families, but the focus of intervention in the two countries has moved in opposite directions. In the UK, financial support has shifted away from couple strengthening to parenting programmes, while in the US financial support has shifted substantially toward couple‐focused interventions. This review article summarises studies relevant to these policy choices. We present research evidence for a multidomain family risk‐child outcome model, and then describe the results of three studies using a randomised clinical trial design to examine the impact of intervention with couples on children's adaptation. The data support the hypothesis that interventions focusing on strengthening couple relationships may have a more positive impact on families and children than interventions that focus on increasing parenting skills.
Family life in the 21st century: the implications for parenting policy in the UK
Authors: Walker Janet
Published: November 2014

The ever‐increasing diversity in family forms has provoked concerns in the UK about the instability of family life in the 21st century and promoted a plethora of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening families and supporting parents. This article explores the changes and continuities in family life and the implications for parenting and family policy. It argues that despite the immense diversity of family relationships, there is an enduring attachment to family ties and commitment. Understanding the inter‐relationships between risk and protective factors and how resilience may be fostered is critical, therefore, to the development of policies that can support families at times of stress.
Food additives and children's behaviour: evidence‐based policy at the margins of certainty
Authors: Stevenson Jim
Published: November 2014

The possible effects of food additives (specifically artificial colours) have been debated for over 30 years. The evidence accumulated suggests that for some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) food colours exacerbate their condition. Two studies undertaken by a research group at the University of Southampton have extended these findings to the effects on hyperactivity in children from the general population who do not show ADHD. This article reviews the response from policy‐makers to these findings and concludes that the failure to impose a mandatory ban on the six food colours in the Southampton study is inadequate and that such a ban would be an appropriate application of the precautionary principle when the evidence is considered to be at the margins of certainty.
‘What works’ for juvenile prisoners: the role of group climate in a youth prison
Authors: van der Helm Peer , Klapwijk Marian , Stams Geert , van der Laan Peter
Published: November 2014

The Dutch juvenile justice system locks up an increasing number of adolescent boys and girls at a cost of approximately €250,000 for each inmate annually (Boone & Moerings, 2007; Tonry, 2005). Questions have been raised, however, about the cost‐effectiveness of treatment in closed institutions. This study, with a sample of 49 adolescents residing in a Dutch youth prison, examined the role of group climate in establishing and maintaining treatment effects. Results show that an open group climate, with group workers paying more attention to the psychological needs of the adolescents and giving them ‘space’ to experiment, led to inmates feeling that they were ‘being understood by the group workers’. This perception of being understood was associated with greater treatment motivation and higher internal locus of control. Positive prison workers in the living group turned out to be a key factor in building an open group climate and subsequently higher internal locus of control and greater treatment motivation.
Piloting a classroom‐based intervention in after‐school programmes: a case study in science migration
Authors: Hynes Kathryn , Smith Emilie , Perkins Daniel
Published: November 2014

Policy‐makers are looking to after‐school programmes to improve family and child wellbeing and are searching for evidence‐based ways to improve the quality of after‐school programmes. This study examines whether the Good Behaviour Game, a behaviour management curriculum designed for school classrooms, can be easily migrated to academically focused after‐school programmes. Our results are based on programme observations, qualitative interviews and ratings of implementation fidelity. We describe the structure and activities in these after‐school programmes and then identify challenges to implementing and evaluating classroom‐based interventions in the after‐school setting.
Classics in project management: revisiting the past, creating the future
Authors: Söderlund Jonas , Geraldi Joana
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the need of continuously revisiting and reformulating the contributions of past research. In particular the focus is on project management writings. In addition, the purpose of the paper is to introduce the reader to the special issue on Classics in project management and give an overview of the different contributions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on literature in related fields and the approach is paradigmatic, illustrating the value of common literature and common language to develop a knowledge domain.

Findings

The authors provide an introductory framework and arguments for the need to revisit the contributions of the past. Since “the past” and readings of it will continuously change and develop, exploring it is not a “one‐off” job, but part of the dialogue within the academic community. From an evolutionary perspective, the authors make the point that an important role for scholars is to “store” knowledge from the past to tell the stories found in prior research, the influential ideas and their development within the knowledge domain/discipline. In a critical realm, the authors also see the role of critical engagement with the past to question what we take for granted to be able to improve our collective ability to think and from that end develop project management thinking and research. In that sense, revisiting the past might provide avenues to future research and adventurous explorations.

Originality/value

The authors introduce the idea of classics in project management as an ongoing and important debate among scholars within the field. This discussion has so far received only limited attention among scholars in the field of project management.
The “impossibility theorems” of Islamic economics
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bring out with analytical argumentation and mathematical treatment the central problem of Islamic economics, finance, institutionalism and socio‐scientific thought as it is being practiced today and for some time now. The problem arises from the failure of contemporary Islamic intellection to formulate its methodology according to the cardinal principle, and the singularly central and minimal axiom of all its inferences. This is the precept of the oneness of God explained in terms of the epistemology of unity of divine knowledge and the unity of the consequential knowledge‐induced world‐system.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is achieved by mathematical theorems for pointing out the impossibility problem of Islamic economics and finance. The analytical alternative in the epistemological framework of unity of knowledge, or the functional law of oneness of God in its functional ontological functioning in economics and finance are formalized.

Findings

A number of Impossibility Theorems of Islamic economics and finance are stated and solved. Alternative epistemological premise and its functional nature are presented in the light of unity of knowledge or what is known as the law of oneness of God and its application to the unified world‐system.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical paper based on analytical argumentation and mathematical formalism to bring out the theorems that state and resolve the problem of impossibility of attaining the goals of Islamic economics and finance under their present pursuit.

Practical implications

Although the paper is of a theoretical nature it has profound practical extensions. The principal ones are in the direction of developing the structure of Islamic economy and financing within a globally interactive, integrative and evolutionary system of practical interrelations. Such a structuring will embed the economy, finance, business and society in an organic model of unity of interrelations.

Social implications

The paper presents a new social and ethical meaning to the present exogenous treatment of Islamic economics that proceeds on by an exogenous treatment of morality, ethics and their functioning in an unsustainable economic, finance, and social order.

Originality/value

This paper is emphatically original. It questions the entire premise and methodological orientation of the prevailing nature of Islamic economics and finance. The intellection and its application based on the absence of unity of knowledge as the divine mooring of Islamic intellection in everything has been distanced or treated as an exogenous still‐born axiom having no dynamics in the analytical and functional system otherwise.
The efficiency of Islamic and conventional commercial banks in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Suraya , Rahim Abdul Rahman Abdul
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relative efficiency of the Islamic commercial banks (ICBs) and conventional commercial banks (CCBs) in Malaysia. The study measures and compares the level of efficiency of both ICBs and CCBs from the year 2003 to 2007.

Design/methodology/approach

There are ten local commercial banks selected in Malaysia, which comprise of eight CCBs and two ICBs. The study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the relative efficiency of the selected banks in intermediating inputs into outputs. The study then analyses the difference in the average efficiency score of the ICBs and CCBs using the Mann‐WhitneyUtest.

Findings

This study found that the CCBs outperformed ICBs in all efficiency measures. The finding indicates that the CCBs may be more efficient than the ICBs due to managerial efficiency and technological advancement.

Research limitations/implications

This study may be extended in various ways. Since, this study only covers a sample period of five years, i.e. 2003 to 2007, future research might cover more sample periods. Further studies could also take a bigger sample size by including both the domestic and foreign commercial banks.

Practical implications

The study indicates that the domestic commercial banks' management is well organised, reflecting the effective roles of a bank as the mediator between the savers and entrepreneurs. The technology used in the commercial banks may be up‐to‐date and fully utilised in the bank's operation. However, the commercial banks in Malaysia are facing the scale inefficiency. This means that the banks are unable to fully utilise their capabilities and capacities in generating the outputs from their resources. The findings also indicate that the scale inefficiency is the main factor that leads to the low technical efficiency in the ICBs as their size is relatively smaller than the CCBs.

Originality/value

This study identified the most and least efficient domestic banks and the finding could be useful to the regulators and the banks to identify the bank's ranking within the industry. Thus, it is hoped that the regulators are able to address the gap between the best and worst‐practices. The study may also improve the awareness among the least efficient banks to initiate the proactive measures in order to be sustainable in the industry.
Putting recovery into practice: organisational change and commissioning
Authors: Boardman Jed , Shepherd Geoff
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the outline of a methodological approach to help address ten key challenges for the implementation of Recovery‐orientated services.

Design/methodology/approach

At the onset of the project the authors produced a policy paper, Making Recovery a Reality. This formed the basis of a series of workshops on implementing Recovery in organisations that were held in five mental health trusts in 2008 and 2009.

Findings

A key element driving the transformation of Recovery‐orientated mental health services will be the joint work of local systems, setting priorities, agreeing goals and contracts and then monitoring progress and reviewing.

Originality/value

The impetus for the project arose out of the increasing attention being given to the principles of recovery in government policy and in local mental health services, combined with an increasing frustration that there was little to guide how these principles could be put into practice.
The Prospects for Industrial Robots in Automated Warehouses
Authors: Arnström A.
Published: November 2014

COST AND ERGONOMY PROBLEMS IN WAREHOUSES: The achievment of an optimum solution to the automation of a warehouse is a difficult task, involving a great deal of money, money that nobody really is interested in spending, as ‘the warehouse does nothing productive to the product’.
HOW SALESPEOPLE ERR WITH PURCHASERS: OVERSTEPPING ETHICAL BOUNDS
Authors: Fredrick Trawick I. , Swan John E.
Published: November 2014

Introduction Perhaps one of the most embarrassing and painful things that can occur in dealing with another is to suggest that a person would commit an immoral act and then find that the person considers the act to be totally out of character: “I'm not that kind of person.” An industrial salesperson would certainly wish to avoid a suggestion that would violate the ethical precepts of a buyer. However, it is difficult to assess what a particular buyer might consider to be ethical.
SPEEDING YOUR NEW PRODUCT TO MARKET
Authors: Rosenau Milton D.
Published: November 2014

There are several reasons why new products must be developed faster than before. This article reviews this changing imperative and describes several specific techniques that can help shorten new product development durations.
WOMEN AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY
Authors: Kirkpatrick R. George , Zurcher Louis A.
Published: November 2014

In the last ten years, feminists in and out of the universities have developed a power‐ful critique of pornography as “the ideology of rape” and the “ideological justifica‐tion for male dominance”. This article is a sociological analysis of the feminist social movement which has grown up around the issues of male violence and male culture.
Validating credibility measures of public relations and communications: Interviews with senior‐level managers and executives from other corporate disciplines
Authors: Wright Donald K.
Published: November 2014

This paper reports on personal and telephone interviews with senior‐level corporate managers and executives from fields other than public relations and communications (administration, engineering, finance and accounting, human resources, legal, marketing, sales and production) in three corporations. This qualitative study (n = 61) is a follow‐up to the author's earlier quantitative postal questionnaire survey of a similar group of subjects (n = 423). All interview participants were subjects in the quantitative research. The results add additional evidence to the author's previous findings suggesting that corporate executives from other fields do not understand the corporate communications or public relations functions. As was the case in the quantitative research, subjects interviewed in this qualitative study considered external communications — especially media relations — to be the most important task that their organisation's public relations professionals were responsible for. Technical public relations skills were considered more necessary than communications management abilities for public relations professionals. The findings also suggest that the public relations function needs to do a better job of being accountable by establishing metrics to measure the effectiveness of communications efforts. Public relations also needs to be managed in such a way that it will help organisations better to achieve business goals, especially those of the new global economy.
Cyberbridging: How the communication manager role can link with the dominant coalition
Authors: Kornegay Jennifer , Grunig Larissa S.
Published: November 2014

Communication technicians are engaged in electronic public relations activities such as producing e‐mail newsletters, setting up teleconferences, creating Web pages, and generating electronic press releases. This paper explores how and why communication managers should use computer‐based technology and new media. The concept of cyberbridging is introduced, whereby communication managers can use electronic communication technologies (eg, the Internet, WWW and on‐line databases) to conduct environmental scanning and informal and evaluation research. Through cyberbridging activities, communication managers gain power, connect with the dominant coalition, and have input to an organisation's broader decision‐making processes. The linkages with the dominant coalition and improved relationships with key publics result in greater organisational effectiveness.
A HANDLIST OF PSYCHOLOGY PERIODICALS IN THE LEARNED LIBRARIES OF GREAT BRITAIN
Authors: SCOTT J.W. , SMITH F.V.
Published: November 2014

This survey of psychology periodicals was begun whilst the library of the British Psychological Society was still in Nottingham, and was intended to reduce the difficulties of the research worker in psychology in London. Thirty‐nine London libraries most helpfully supplied information on their holdings in seventy‐nine selected periodicals. Librarians also suggested other periodicals for inclusion in the list, and, as a growing number of individuals became interested, the list of periodicals grew during the last two years to its present total of 179.
THE LIBRARIES OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL
Authors: Barnicot J.D.A.
Published: November 2014

In his Presidential Address to the Library Association Conference at Eastbourne, in May 1949, Sir Ronald Adam, Chairman of the British Council, included a comprehensive description of the Council's library work in various parts of the world. This address, which also covered the other related activities, such as book‐exhibitions, book‐reviews, presentations of periodicals, and bibliographical publications, was printed in full in the Library Association Record of June 1949 and also in the Library Association's Papers and summaries of discussions at the Eastbourne conference. A reasonably up‐to‐date survey of the Council's libraries overseas is thus available in print, and the present article is accordingly more in the nature of footnotes to Sir Ronald's text than a repetition of the facts given by him. A conspectus of the system of Council libraries as of the end of 1950 is provided as an appendix to this article. Since the Eastbourne Conference there have, of course, been some developments, not all of them, unhappily, forward. There have been new libraries in India, Pakistan, Ceylon, and Indonesia. There has been a decrease in the work in West Africa, due to the transfer, as planned, of the library at Accra to an independent board. There has been a decrease in Europe, owing to the withdrawal, unplanned, of Council libraries, with the rest of the Council's activities, from Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia. There have been one or two smaller libraries closed in other parts of the world, due entirely to cuts in the Council's budget. The year 1951/2 will almost certainly witness further, perhaps major, cessations of library work in several areas; and the general tempo of development is likely to be severely curtailed almost everywhere, simply because of sheer lack of financial means to carry on. In view of the peculiar financial relations which ultimately determine the library development of the Council, as they determine its every other activity, it may be helpful to place the Council's libraries in the setting of the Council's general structure.
PERIODICAL LITERATURE FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Authors: Coile R.C.
Published: November 2014

A study of problems of documentation in Electrical Engineering is being carried out at the Vail Library of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This paper reports some of the preliminary progress. The periodicals used by electrical engineers have been studied by analysing the footnote references in six key journals for a year. A list of 308 source journals ranked in relative usefulness by the number of reference citations is given. One measure of the useful life of a paper is the time interval between publication of the paper and its citations as a reference. Fifty per cent. of the references analysed were less than 4 years old and only 5 per cent. of the total references were more than 25 years old. It is estimated that there are between 10,000 and 20,000 papers of interest to electrical engineers published each year. The total number of such papers published since 1900 is estimated to be of the order of 250,000 to 500,000. Literature searching is aided by a number of abstract and reference publications. The possibility of mechanizing a portion of a library's activities by microfilm abstract machines of the Bush ‘Rapid Selector’ type is now being studied.
‘WHODUNNIT’: NOTES ON THE SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE D.S.I.R., H.Q. LIBRARY FOR THE CONTROL OF PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY CORPORATE AUTHORS
Authors: Jacobs R.M.
Published: November 2014

In January 1950 there appeared an article by Mortimer Taube on a new approach to the problem of recording publications issued by organizations, or, in library parlance, a set of rules for establishing corporate author entries designed to reduce the time and effort now required when applying the present Anglo‐American Code.
THE DOCUMENTATION OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY THE FUTURE: HOW CAN FURTHER CO‐OPERATION TAKE PLACE?
Authors: KNOX J.
Published: November 2014

Those of us here who, like myself, are looking at documentation and its future from the outside, may justifiably feel a little confused about the general situation. So I propose to confine my attention to a few of the prime factors governing future developments in the field of efficient documentation (which to me implies a better service to the user of research information).
READING HABITS OF STUDENTS
Authors: OPPENHEIM A.N.
Published: November 2014

This is a report on a readership survey carried out among the students at the London School of Economics in the beginning of 1960. The survey was carried out by a group of third‐year sociology students under the direction of the writer. The primary purpose of the study was to give some practical research training to these students, as part of their course. The survey does not, in some respects, come up to professional standards since on‐the‐job training and lack of experience inevitably produce shortcomings, but the results are none the less worth having, and yield interesting comparisons with results of earlier readership surveys among students.
United States and Civil in rem Forfeiture: The History and Its Ancient Roots
Authors: Baldwin Fletcher N.
Published: November 2014

The practice of civil in rem forfeiture has roots in ancient codes and commandments. It is found in the common law doctrine of deodand and in the laws of the nomadic agricultural Israelites. In the second section of the Torah or Book of the Law known as the Book of Exodus there are three groups of laws: (1) the Ten Commandments or Decalogue; (2) Ritual Decalogue; and (3) the Book of the Covenant or the Covenant Code. The Covenant Code is thought to be the earliest lengthy codification of primitive law among the Hebrews; it contains detailed laws for all phases of ancient Israelite life: religious, moral, commercial and humanitarian and crime and penalties. Chapter 21 includes the lex talionis or law of retaliation, a stipulated legal punishment appropriate to the injury, and the assignment of in rem.
The Potential Overreliance on Break‐Even Analysis
Authors: Conine Thomas E.
Published: November 2014

The creation of value for shareholders, the central theme of contemporary financial theory, is generally regarded as the ultimate goal for management. The uncertain outlook for the remainder of this decade indicates that a management that does not concern itself with the creation of value for shareholders may be jeopardizing its own existence. The recent and continuing popularity of takeover activity, proxy fights, and existence of stock options suggests it is important for management to be cognizant of shareholders' desire for wealth.
A Plan for Environmental Packaging
Authors: Casey Eugene J.
Published: November 2014

Corporate executives who sit back and take a wait‐and‐see attitude in regard to defining their internal strategy for an environmental packaging program will face a rude awakening. Today's consumer will not accept a so‐called green package that is not an improvement over previous efforts and in addition, costs more. In reality, consumers are not speaking up for the environment with their pocketbooks; instead, they are speaking out and reacting in ways that are leading to environmental legislation.
EQUIPMENT SEEN AT THE PHYSICAL SOCIETY EXHIBITION
Authors: E.G.E.
Published: November 2014

IT is understandable that the science of physics is to‐day associated in the public mind almost exclusively with its more spectacular achievements : atomic energy, space flight and the electronic ‘brain’. Press, television, film and fiction have contributed to this mental attitude and, at first sight and sound, a visit to the 42nd Physical Society Exhibition at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster (March 24th—27th), appeared to confirm it. A little diligent search by your correspondent soon revealed that many other, possibly more familiar, aspects were very ably presented.
Outsourcing relationships: a case of accounting surveillance
Authors: Ryan Bill , Delgado‐Sanchez Alejandra
Published: November 2014

Note of retraction
Emerald Group Publishing Limited wishes to inform the reader that the article “Outsourcing relationships: a case of accounting surveillance” by Bill Ryan and Alejandra Delgado‐Sanchez (Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 55‐71) has been withdrawn from the Emerald database. This is due to potential legal issues with the data.
Dr Bill Ryan, Royal Holloway College
A parallel, scalable and memory efficient inversion code for very large‐scale airborne electromagnetics surveys
Authors: Kirkegaard Casper , Auken Esben
Published: November 2014

Over the past decade the typical size of airborne electromagnetic data sets has been growing rapidly, along with an emerging need for highly accurate modelling. One‐dimensional approximate inversions or data transform techniques have previously been employed for very large‐scale studies of quasi‐layered settings but these techniques fail to provide the consistent accuracy needed by many modern applications such as aquifer and geological mapping, uranium exploration, oil sands and integrated modelling. In these cases the use of more time‐consuming 1D forward and inverse modelling provide the only acceptable solution that is also computationally feasible.

When target structures are known to be quasi layered and spatially coherent it is beneficial to incorporate this assumption directly into the inversion. This implies inverting multiple soundings at a time in larger constrained problems, which allows for resolving geological layers that are undetectable using simple independent inversions. Ideally, entire surveys should be inverted at a time in huge constrained problems but poor scaling properties of the underlying algorithms typically make this challenging.

Here, we document how we optimized an inversion code for very large‐scale constrained airborne electromagnetic problems. Most importantly, we describe how we solve linear systems using an iterative method that scales linearly with the size of the data set in terms of both solution time and memory consumption. We also describe how we parallelized the core region of the code, in order to obtain almost ideal strong parallel scaling on current 4‐socket shared memory computers. We further show how model parameter uncertainty estimates can be efficiently obtained in linear time and we demonstrate the capabilities of the full implementation by inverting a 3327 line km SkyTEM survey overnight. Performance and scaling properties are discussed based on the timings of the field example and we describe the criteria that must be fulfilled in order to adapt our methodology for similar type problems.
Age‐dependent trait variation: the relative contribution of within‐individual change, selective appearance and disappearance in a long‐lived seabird
Authors: Zhang He , Vedder Oscar , Becker Peter H. , Bouwhuis Sandra
Published: November 2014

Within populations, the expression of phenotypic traits typically varies with age. Such age‐dependent trait variation can be caused by within‐individual change (improvement, senescence, terminal effects) and/or selective (dis)appearance of certain phenotypes among older age classes.

In this study, we applied two methods (decomposition and mixed modelling) to attribute age‐dependent variation in seven phenological and reproductive traits to within‐individual change and selective (dis)appearance, in a long‐lived seabird, the common tern (Sterna hirundo).

At the population level, all traits, except the probability to breed, improved with age (i.e. phenology advanced and reproductive output increased). Both methods identified within‐individual change as the main responsible process, and, within individuals, performance improved until age 6–13, before levelling off. In contrast, within individuals, breeding probability decreased to age 10, then levelled off.

Effects of selective appearance and disappearance were small, but showed that longer‐lived individuals had a higher breeding probability and bred earlier and that younger recruits performed better throughout life than older recruits in terms of both phenology and reproductive performance. In the year prior to death, individuals advanced reproduction, suggesting terminal investment.

The decomposition method attributed more age‐dependent trait variation to selective disappearance than the mixed‐modelling method: 14–36% versus 0–8%, respectively, which we identify to be due to covariance between rates of within‐individual change and selective (dis)appearance leading to biased results from the decomposition method.

We conclude that the decomposition method is ideal for visualizing processes underlying population change in performance from one age class to the next, but that a mixed‐modelling method is required to investigate the significance and relative contribution of age effects.

Considerable variation in the contribution of the different age processes between the seven phenotypic traits studied, as well as notable differences between species in patterns of age‐dependent trait expression, calls for better predictions regarding optimal allocation strategies with age.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors acting on the reproductive process in alpine‐snowbed plants: roles of phenology, biological interaction, and breeding system
Authors: Kameyama Yoshiaki , Kudo Gaku
Published: November 2014

Pollinator activity and competition for pollinators lead to quantitative and qualitative pollen limitations on seed production and affect the reproductive success of plant species, depending on their breeding system (e.g., self‐compatibility and heterospecific compatibility) and genetic load (e.g., inbreeding depression and hybrid inviability). In alpine ecosystems, snowmelt regimes determine the distribution and phenology of plant communities. Plant species growing widely along a snowmelt gradient often grow with different species among local populations. Their pollinators also vary in their abundance, activity, and behavior during the season. These variations may modify plant–pollinator and plant–plant interactions. We integrated a series of our studies on the alpine dwarf shrub, Phyllodoce aleutica (Ericaceae), to elucidate the full set of intrinsic (species‐specific breeding system) and extrinsic factors (snow condition, pollinator activity, and interspecific competition) acting on their reproductive process. Seasonality of pollinator activity led to quantitative pollen limitation in the early‐blooming populations, whereas in the late‐blooming populations, high pollinator activity ensured pollination service, but interspecific competition for pollinators led to qualitative and quantitative pollen limitation in less competitive species. However, negative effects of illegitimate pollen receipt on seed‐set success might be reduced when cryptic incompatibility systems (i.e., outcross pollen grains took priority over self‐ and heterospecific pollen grains) could effectively prevent ovule and seed discounting. Our studies highlight the importance of species‐specific responses of plant reproduction to changing pollinator availability along environmental gradients to understand the general features of pollination networks in alpine ecosystems.
Interference competition among disperser ants affects their preference for seeds of an ant‐dispersed sedge Carex tristachya (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Tanaka Koki , Suzuki Nobuhiko
Published: November 2014

For animal‐dispersed plants, evolutionary direction of seed traits is largely determined by the trait preference of disperser animals. Thus, clarifying conditions determining the disperser's preferences is important for understanding the evolution of dispersal traits in animal‐dispersed plants. The intensity of the interference competition among dispersers may be a factor affecting the seed trait preference of disperser animals, because it often weakens the food preference of various animals. To test this possibility, we examined correlation between the intensity of interference competition among disperser ants and their trait preference for seeds of an ant‐dispersed sedge, Carex tristachya Thunb. (Cyperaceae). By a cafeteria experiment conducted in the field, we first confirmed the overall preference by disperser ants for the elaiosome, which is a seed appendage facilitating the dispersal by ants. Second, we detected the negative correlation between the preference for elaiosomes and the frequency of interference among ants at a depot. Third, we compared this trend between dominants and subordinates of ants and revealed that the negative correlation was seen only in dominant species. These results suggest that the intensity of interference competition and the variation in its effect on animal species at different social status play important roles for the evolution of seed traits via the modification of seed trait preference by disperser animals.
The association of pre‐pregnancy alcohol drinking with child neuropsychological functioning
Authors: Kesmodel US , Kjaersgaard MIS , Denny CH , Bertrand J , Skogerbø Å , Eriksen H‐LF , Bay B , Underbjerg M , Mortensen EL
Published: November 2014

Objective

To examine the effects of pre‐pregnancy alcohol drinking on child neuropsychological functioning.

Design

Prospective follow‐up study.

Setting and population

154 women and their children sampled from the Danish National Birth Cohort.

Methods

Participants were sampled based on maternal alcohol consumption before pregnancy. At 5 years of age, the children were tested with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence‐Revised, the Test of Everyday Attention for Children at Five (TEACh‐5), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) was completed by the mothers and a preschool teacher. Parental education, maternal IQ, prenatal maternal smoking, child's age at testing, child's sex, and maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy were considered potential confounders.

Main outcome measures

Performance on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence‐Revised, the TEACh‐5, the MABC, and the BRIEF.

Results

Intake of 15–21 drinks/week on average prior to pregnancy was not associated with any of the outcomes, but intake of ≥22 drinks/week on average was associated with a significantly lower adjusted mean full scale IQ and lower adjusted means in overall attention and sustained attention score, but not in selective attention score or any of the BRIEF index scores or MABC scores.

Conclusions

Intake of ≥22 drinks/week before pregnancy was associated with lower mean full scale IQ, overall attention and sustained attention. Assessment of pre‐pregnancy drinking provides additional information regarding potential prenatal alcohol exposure and its implications for child neurodevelopment.
Life history differences of Psilotreta locumtenens (Trichoptera: Odontoceridae) in two reaches of a mountain stream in Korea
Authors: Seo Ye Ji , Kim Dong Gun , Baek Min Jeong , Bae Yeon Jae
Published: November 2014

The life history traits of the caddisfly, Psilotreta locumtenens Botosaneanu (Odontoceridae), were studied in two stream reaches with different thermal ranges (main and branch streams) of the Gapyeong Stream, a typical mountain stream located in the central Korean Peninsula. Psilotreta locumtenens larvae were quantitatively sampled monthly from November 2008 to July 2010, and biweekly during the emergence period (late April to early July), using a Surber sampler (30 × 30 cm). Adults were quantitatively sampled with a sweep net. Larval density in the main stream (324.21 ± 38.59 m−2) was higher than that in the branch stream (60.48 ± 10.86 m−2). The larvae hatched in the early summer and overwintered as 5th and 3rd instars in the main and branch streams, respectively. The emergence peak at the main stream was approximately 2 weeks earlier. The sex ratio at both sites was approximately 0.3. The life history in both streams was univoltine. Secondary production in the main stream was much higher than in the branch stream, owing to high larval densities, and the P/B ratios at the two sites were similar. This study demonstrated remarkable differences in larval growth patterns and emergence peaks in P. locumtenens between the two stream reaches due to differences in accumulated degree days (230.30 DD) and other phenological cues such as daily mean threshold water temperature (9°C) during the ascending phase, despite their relatively small mean annual water temperature difference of 0.58°C.
Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Kermesiinae (Hemiptera: Meenoplidae) from Korea
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Atikur , Kwon Yong Jung , Suh Sang Jae
Published: November 2014

The planthopper subfamily Kermesiinae is revised taxonomically from Korea. Two genera and three species have been recorded in the Korean fauna, among which one species is new to science: Nisia nervosa (Motschulsky 1863), Eponisiella guttulinervis (Matsumura 1914), and Eponisiella andonga sp. nov. These three species are described and illustrated. Key to genus and species are provided.
Emergence agitation after orthognathic surgery: a randomised controlled comparison between sevoflurane and desflurane
Authors: CHOI G. J. , BAEK C. W. , KANG H. , PARK Y. H. , YANG S. Y. , SHIN H. Y. , JUNG Y. H. , WOO Y. C. , LEE U. L.
Published: November 2014

Background

This study aimed to compare emergence agitation following sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia in adults undergoing orthognathic surgery. The hypothesis was that there might be a difference in the incidence of emergence agitation following sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia considering the difference in blood solubility and speed of recovery between the two.

Methods

In this prospective randomised double‐blind study, 144 adults undergoing orthognathic surgery were randomly allocated to either sevoflurane or desflurane anaesthesia. The incidence of emergence agitation and possible causative factors were then compared between the groups.

Results

The incidence of emergence agitation was lower in the desflurane group than in the sevoflurane group (24% vs. 71%, P < 0.001). In addition, the time intervals between the discontinuation of anaesthetics and the first response, extubation, and discharge from post‐anaesthesia care unit were significantly shorter in the desflurane group (P = 0.002, P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). The other variables were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

In adults undergoing orthognathic surgery, desflurane anaesthesia was associated with less emergence agitation than was sevoflurane anaesthesia.
Glucose and Metformin Modulate Human First Trimester Trophoblast Function: a Model and Potential Therapy for Diabetes‐Associated Uteroplacental Insufficiency
Authors: Han Christina S. , Herrin Melissa A. , Pitruzzello Mary C. , Mulla Melissa J. , Werner Erika F. , Pettker Christian M. , Flannery Clare A. , Abrahams Vikki M.
Published: November 2014

Problem

Diabetes confers an increased risk of preeclampsia, but its pathogenic role in preeclampsia is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of excess glucose on trophoblast function and whether any changes could be reversed by metformin.

Method of study

The human first trimester trophoblast cell line (Sw.71) was treated with glucose at 5, 10, 25, and 50 mm, in the presence and absence of metformin. Trophoblast migration was quantified and supernatant cytokine, chemokine, and angiogenic factors measured.

Results

Increasing concentrations of glucose significantly increased trophoblast secretion of the inflammatory cytokines/chemokines: IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, GRO‐α, RANTES, and G‐CSF; significantly increased trophoblast secretion of the anti‐angiogenic factors sFlt‐1 and sEndoglin; and significantly decreased trophoblast migration. Excess glucose‐induced trophoblast IL‐1β production was inhibited by disabling the Nalp3/ASC inflammasome. Metformin partially reduced the glucose‐induced inflammatory response, but had no effect on the anti‐angiogenic or antimigratory response.

Conclusion

Excess glucose induced a pro‐inflammatory, anti‐angiogenic, and antimigratory state in first trimester trophoblast cells. Glucose‐induced trophoblast IL‐1β secretion was mediated by the inflammasome. Glucose‐induced inflammation was partially reversed by metformin. These findings demonstrate the pleiotropic effects of hyperglycaemia on the trophoblast, providing potential explanations for the strong link between diabetes and preeclampsia.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections: From molecular biofilm biology to new treatment possibilities
Authors: Tolker‐Nielsen Tim
Published: November 2014

Bacteria in natural, industrial and clinical settings predominantly live in biofilms, i.e., sessile structured microbial communities encased in self‐produced extracellular matrix material. One of the most important characteristics of microbial biofilms is that the resident bacteria display a remarkable increased tolerance toward antimicrobial attack. Biofilms formed by opportunistic pathogenic bacteria are involved in devastating persistent medical device‐associated infections, and chronic infections in individuals who are immune‐compromised or otherwise impaired in the host defense. Because the use of conventional antimicrobial compounds in many cases cannot eradicate biofilms, there is an urgent need to develop alternative measures to combat biofilm infections. The present review is focussed on the important opportunistic pathogen and biofilm model organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Initially, biofilm infections where P. aeruginosa plays an important role are described. Subsequently, current insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and the associated antimicrobial tolerance are reviewed. And finally, based on our knowledge about molecular biofilm biology, a number of therapeutic strategies for combat of P. aeruginosa biofilm infections are presented.