bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complications of long-term central venous lines and chemotherapy extravasation
Authors: Cassidy Jim , Bissett Donald , Spence OBE Roy A. J. , Payne Miranda , Morris-Stiff Gareth
Published: September 2015

Describes the need for central venous access. The types of devices in common use together with their strengths and weaknesses. Describes, symptoms and signs of complications such as thrombosis or infection of lines. Outlines investigation and therapy strategies. Describes problem of extravasation of chemotherapy drugs into peripheral tissues. Outlines immediate therapy guidelines and describes long term consequences of this side effect
Variants in theFTOandCDKAL1loci have recessive effects on risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes respectively
Authors: Wood Andrew R , Tyrell Jessica , Beaumont Robin , Jones Samuel E. , Tuke Marcus A. , Ruth Katherine S. ,   The GIANT consortium, Yaghootkar Hanieh , Freathy Rachel , Murray Anna , Frayling Timothy M. , Weedon Michael N.
Published: September 2015

Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of common genetic variants associated with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. These studies have focused on additive association tests. Identifying deviations from additivity may provide new biological insights and explain some of the missing heritability for these diseases.

To identify non-additive associations we performed a genome-wide association study using a dominance deviation model for BMI, obesity and Type 2 diabetes (4,040 cases) in 120,286 individuals of British ancestry from the UK Biobank study.

Known obesity-associated variants inFTOshowed strong evidence for deviation from additivity (P=3×10−5) through a recessive effect of the BMI-increasing allele. The average BMI of individuals carrying 0, 1 or 2 BMI-raising alleles was 27.27kg/m2(95% CI:27.22-27.31), 27.54kg/m2(95% CI:27.50-27.58), and 28.07kg/m2(95% CI:28.0-28.14), respectively. A similar effect was observed in 105,643 individuals from the GIANT consortium (P=0.003;Pmeta-analysis=1×10−7). We also detected a recessive effect (Pdomdev=5×10−4) atCDKAL1for Type 2 diabetes risk. Homozygous risk allele carriers had an OR=1.48 (95% CI:1.32-1.65) in comparison to the heterozygous group that had an OR=1.06 (95% CI:0.99-1.14), a result consistent with a previous study. We did not identify any novel genome-wide associations.

In conclusion, although we find no evidence for widespread non-additive effects contributing to the genetic risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, we find robust examples of recessive effects at theFTOandCDKAL1loci.
Mixed Effects Models for Resampled Network Statistics Improves Statistical Power to Find Differences in Multi-Subject Functional Connectivity
Authors: Narayan Manjari , Allen Genevera I.
Published: September 2015

Many complex brain disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, exhibit a wide range of symptoms and disability. To understand how brain communication is impaired in such conditions, functional connectivity studies seek to understand individual differences in brain network structure in terms of covariates that measure symptom severity. In practice, however, functional connectivity is not observed but estimated from complex and noisy neural activity measurements. Imperfect subject network estimates can compromise subsequent efforts to detect covariate effects on network structure. We address this problem in the case of Gaussian graphical models of functional connectivity, by proposing novel two-level models that treat both subject level networks and population level covariate effects as unknown parameters. To account for imperfectly estimated subject level networks when fitting these models, we propose two related approaches — R2based on resampling and random effects test statistics, and R3that additionally employs random adaptive penalization. Simulation studies using realistic graph structures reveal that R2and R3have superior statistical power to detect covariate effects compared to existing approaches, particularly when the number of within subject observations is comparable to the size of subject networks. Using our novel models and methods to study parts of the ABIDE dataset, we find evidence of hypoconnectivity associated with symptom severity in autism spectrum disorders, in frontoparietal and limbic systems as well as in anterior and posterior cingulate cortices.
Antimicrobial Activity of Ethnobotanical Plant Psidium Guajava
Authors: Nath Abhijit , Bhattacharjee Mrinal Kanti
Published: September 2015

The present work demonstrates the antimicrobial potential of Psidium guajava leaves extract by using various solvents. The results indicate that water and acetone are better than methanol and ether for the extraction of the antibacterial properties of guava. The results also indicate that the plant extracts have antibacterial effect on both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria, that is, can be used as broad spectrum antibacterial compounds. The observed inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria E.coli suggests that guava possesses compounds containing antibacterial properties that can effectively suppress the growth when extracted using acetone and water as solvent. Comparisons with related data from the literature indicate that according to the different methodologies of studies on antibacterial activity, the most diverse outcomes can be obtained. This study provides scientific insight to further determine the antimicrobial principles and investigate other pharmacological properties of guava. On the basis of the present finding, P. guajava leaves possess capabilities of being a good candidate in the search for a natural antimicrobial agent against infections and/or diseases caused by S. aureus and E.coli.
Structural basis for the sequestration of the anti-σ70factor Rsd from σ70by the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein HPr
Authors: Park Young-Ha , Um Si-Hyeon , Song Saemee , Seok Yeong-Jae , Ha Nam-Chul
Published: September 2015

Histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) is a general component of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) involved in the phosphorylation-coupled transport of numerous sugars called PTS sugars. HPr mainly exists in a dephosphorylated form in the presence of PTS sugars in the medium, while its phosphorylation increases in the absence of PTS sugars. A recent study revealed that the dephosphorylated form of HPr binds and antagonizes the function of the antisigma factor Rsd. This anti-sigma factor sequesters the housekeeping sigma factor σ70to facilitate switching of the sigma subunit on RNA polymerase from σ70to the stress-responsive sigma factor σSin stationary-phase cells. In this study, the structure of the complex of Rsd and HPr was determined at 2.1 Å resolution and revealed that the binding site for HPr on the surface of Rsd partly overlaps with that for σ70. The localization of the phosphorylation site on HPr at the binding interface for Rsd explains why phosphorylation of HPr abolishes its binding to Rsd. The mutation of crucial residues involved in the HPr–Rsd interaction significantly influenced the competition between HPr and σ70for binding to Rsd bothin vitroandin vivo. The results provide a structural basis for the linkage of global gene regulation to nutrient availability in the external environment.
In vacuoX-ray data collection from graphene-wrapped protein crystals
Authors: Warren Anna J. , Crawshaw Adam D. , Trincao Jose , Aller Pierre , Alcock Simon , Nistea Ioana , Salgado Paula S. , Evans Gwyndaf
Published: September 2015

The measurement of diffraction data from macromolecular crystal samples heldin vacuoholds the promise of a very low X-ray background and zero absorption of incident and scattered beams, leading to better data and the potential for accessing very long X-ray wavelengths (>3 Å) for native sulfur phasing. Maintaining the hydration of protein crystals under vacuum is achieved by the use of liquid jets, as with serial data collection at free-electron lasers, or is side-stepped by cryocooling the samples, as implemented at new synchrotron beamlines. Graphene has been shown to protect crystals from dehydration by creating an extremely thin layer that is impermeable to any exchanges with the environment. Furthermore, owing to its hydrophobicity, most of the aqueous solution surrounding the crystal is excluded during sample preparation, thus eliminating most of the background caused by liquid. Here, it is shown that high-quality data can be recorded at room temperature from graphene-wrapped protein crystals in a rough vacuum. Furthermore, it was observed that graphene protects crystals exposed to different relative humidities and a chemically harsh environment.
Structural and functional studies of a metallo-β-lactamase unveil a new type of structurally encoded nickel-containing heterodinuclear site
Authors: Choi Hwajung , Kim Hee Jung , Matsuura Atsushi , Mikami Bunzo , Yoon Hye-Jin , Lee Hyung Ho
Published: September 2015

The selection of correct metal ions with high fidelity against competing cellular cations is crucial for the function of many metalloenzymes; however, the understanding of the principles that govern metal selectivity is still incomplete. In this study, the crystal structure of the Tm1162 protein fromThermotoga maritima, a metallo-β-lactamase, is reported. Several crystal structures of wild-type Tm1162 and its mutants were solved. Homologues of Tm1162 are widely distributed in bacteria and archaea, including several human pathogens. The monomer possesses an αβ/βα fold, with the core β-strands having the β-sheet sandwich structure common to the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily. Tm1162 exists as a trimer in the crystal and this trimeric unit is likely to be present in solution. In the trimer, three active sites reside at the interface between subunits, suggesting that the oligomeric assembly is crucial for catalysis. A new type of structurally encoded heterodinuclear site has been identified by confirming the identity of nickel-containing heteronuclear sites in Tm1162viaX-ray absorption spectroscopy and anomalous difference Fourier maps. The second coordination sphere, including His8 and Glu73, maintains the side-chain orientations of histidines and stabilizes the metal-binding site. Nickel coordination was crucial for the oligomerization of Tm1162. The nickel-dependent and manganese-dependent β-lactamase and phosphodiesterase activities of Tm1162 have also been characterized.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase displays alternate binding modes for nicotinamide nucleotides
Authors: Pfoh Roland , Pai Emil F. , Saridakis Vivian
Published: September 2015

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) catalyzes the biosynthesis of NAD+and NaAD+. The crystal structure of NMNAT fromMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicumcomplexed with NAD+and SO42−revealed the active-site residues involved in binding and catalysis. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to further characterize the roles played by several of these residues. Arg11 and Arg136 were implicated in binding the phosphate groups of the ATP substrate. Both of these residues were mutated to lysine individually. Arg47 does not interact with either NMN or ATP substrates directly, but was deemed to play a role in binding as it is proximal to Arg11 and Arg136. Arg47 was mutated to lysine and glutamic acid. Surprisingly, when expressed inEscherichia coliall of these NMNAT mutants trapped a molecule of NADP+in their active sites. This NADP+was bound in a conformation that was quite different from that displayed by NAD+in the native enzyme complex. When NADP+was co-crystallized with wild-type NMNAT, the same structural arrangement was observed. These studies revealed a different conformation of NADP+in the active site of NMNAT, indicating plasticity of the active site.
Double salt crystal structure of hexasodium hemiundecahydrogenα-hexamolybdoplatinate(IV) heminonahydrogenα-hexamolybdoplatinate(IV) nonacosahydrate: dihydrogen disordered-mixture double salt
Authors: Joo Hea-Chung , Park Ki-Min , Lee Uk
Published: September 2015

The title double salt containing two distinct, differently protonated hexamolybdoplatinate(IV) polyanions, Na6[H5.5α-PtMo6O24][H4.5α-PtMo6O24]·29H2O, has been synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction atcapH 1.80. The positions of the H atoms in the polyanions were established from difference Fourier maps and confirmed by the interpolyanion hydrogen bonds, bond-distance elongation, and bond-valence sum (BVS) calculations. The fractional numbers of H atoms in each polyanion are required for charge balance and in order to avoid unrealistically short H...H distances in the interpolyanion hydrogen bonds. Considering the disorder, the refined formula of the title polyanion, {[H5.5α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (A) and [H4.5α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (B)}6−, can be rewritten as a set of real formula,viz. {[H6α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (A). [H4α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (B)}6−and {[H5α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (A). [H5α-PtMo6O24]; polyanion (B)}6−. The polyanion pairs both form dimers of the same formula,viz. {[H10α-Pt2Mo12O48]}6−connected by seven interpolyanion O—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of 2-[2-(hydroxyimino)-1-phenylpropylidene]-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide
Authors: Anderson Brian J. , Freedman Michael B. , Millikan Sean P. , Smolenski Victoria A. , Jasinski Jerry P.
Published: September 2015

In the title compound, C16H16N4OS, an intramolecular C—H...S hydrogen bond is observed. With the exception of the phenyl ring of the phenylpropylidene unit, the remainder of the molecule has an almost planar skeleton with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.121 (5) Å from the plane through the remaining 16 atoms. In the crystal O—H...N hydrogen bonds are observed between the terminal hydroxyimino groups, forming inverson dimers withR22(6) graph-set motifs. Additional C—H...N contacts stack the dimers along [100]. While no π—π interactions are present, weak C—H...O and O—H...Cginteractions are also observed and help stabilize the crystal packing.
The changing pattern of UK strikes, 1964-2014
Authors: Lyddon Dave
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the changing strike activity in the UK over the last 50 years.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on a wide literature on UK strikes and an extensive trawl of newspaper sources. It is divided into four main sections. The first two summarise, in turn, the changing amount and locus of strike activity between 1964 and 2014. The third discusses the changing relationship and balance between official and unofficial strikes. The last covers the role of the courts and legislation on strikes, highlighting some key moments in this turbulent history.

Findings

– The period 1964-2014 can be divided into three sub-periods: high-strike activity until 1979; a transition period of “coercive pacification” in the 1980s; and unprecedentedly low-strike activity since the early 1990s. Unions were more combative against the legislative changes of the 1980s than they are normally given credit for.

Research limitations/implications

– Given its broad scope, this paper cannot claim to be comprehensive.

Originality/value

– This is a rare study of the changing nature of UK strikes over such a long time period.
Beyond consensus: the state and industrial relations in the United Kingdom from 1964 to 2014
Authors: Martinez Lucio Miguel
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on some of the problems and issues emerging from the changing role of the state in the UK’s industrial relations since 1964 – the year the Labour Party was elected to power under Harold Wilson’s leadership. The paper argues that the UK has seen an uneven set of developments in terms of the role of the state in the industrial relations system. Increasingly progressive interventions on a range of subjects such as equality, health and safety and others have coincided with a greater commercialisation of the state and greater fragmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is based on a reflective review of various texts and a personal interest in the role of the political in the arena of employee relations. It references a range of texts on the subject of the state in the context of the UK’s employee relations system.

Findings

– In political terms there has been an uneven and incoherent set of positions which have meant that there is a growing set of tensions and breakdown in the political consensus over worker rights. In addition, the agencies of the state and other state bodies entrusted with the development of a more socially driven view of industrial relations have been increasingly and steadily undermined and weakened by governments especially those on the right. The political context of industrial relations has become fractured and unable to sustain a coherent longer term view.

Originality/value

– The paper tries to bring out the role of the political context and the way in has shaped the changing terrain of industrial relations and argues that the question of fragmentation is not solely visible in employee relations but in the broader political context.
Reading the death of Mrs A: a serious case review
Authors: Foley Marian , Cummins Ian
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the main themes identified into the Serious Case Review (SCR) produced by Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) regarding the suicide of Mrs A in January 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study approach is used to examine the SCR. The paper links the findings of the SCR with the broader literature, which has examined the experiences of witnesses and complainants in cases of sexual violence.

Findings

– The report emphasises that support for witnesses in historic sexual assault cases has improved but there are still significant gaps in provision. In particular, the systems need to support witnesses for longer after giving evidence. Mental health services need to be more aware of the potential impact of Court cases on victims of sexual violence. The case also highlights the potentially devastating impact of the media reporting of evidence given by victims in rape cases.

Practical implications

– The authors hope that a wider consideration of the circumstances of this case will lead to a greater focus on the needs of victims in cases of historic rape and other sexual assault cases. The SCR highlights that the provision of support for women giving evidence in sexual abuse cases is patchy. Such cases raise very serious ethical issues including the question of how to use the special measures that exist to support vulnerable or intimidated witnesses.

Originality/value

– The paper brings together a number of themes in the wider literature and links them to current practice. It also uses a case study approach to exploring the implications for women, in cases of historical sexual abuse, of giving evidence in Court proceedings.
Parents and the Preschool PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) curriculum
Authors: Kelly Barbara , Edgerton Carole , Graham Seonaid , Robertson Elaine , Syme Barry
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider evidence on the effectiveness of preschool social and emotional interventions in preschool contexts and focuses on the application of an implementation framework described in relation to the Preschool Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum. Active parent involvement and engagement were not included in the implementation but preschool establishments spontaneously involved parents or parents sought involvement, creating innovations in delivery and context. The need for structured parent involvement and its impact are considered in relation to evidence on integrated programmes and different models of parent involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reports on an interim evaluation of practitioners’ and parents’ experiences of the implementation processes, focusing on the involvement and engagement of parents.

Findings

– Evidence for the rationale for parent engagement in this context is substantiated. The Preschool PATHS curriculum is known to impact on children’s social competence, problem behaviour and, in the early school context, attainment. However the programme does not target parent skill directly or address parent behaviours that may affect children’s social competence and behaviour. It is suggested that the programme needs to be extended to provide structured input for parents via training and information similar to that provided for practitioners. A pilot study using integrated parent training material and supported by an implementation framework is advised.

Originality/value

– The paper describes a flexible, evidence-based framework supporting replicable processes useful to service providers across programmes and contexts. An “innovation” (a term used to describe deviations from programme fidelity or implementation standards) is explored which affected the creation of parallel parent involvement strategies but not the delivery of the programme itself which was carefully monitored. While adaptations and deviations are inevitable, some flag up areas where development or issues of contextual fit need to be addressed and might, as in this case, inform better integration of evidence and practice development.
The effects of military-connected parental absence on the behavioural and academic functioning of children: a literature review
Authors: Moeller Jeremy D. , Culler Erica D. , Hamilton Mallori D. , Aronson Keith R. , Perkins Daniel F.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Military-connected students experience a high rate of parental absence due to their parents’ military obligations. Military work-related parental absences can affect school-aged children’s emotional and behavioural health and overall academic functioning. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The current review identified research studies that explored the effects of military-connected parental absence on school-aged children. Specifically, quantitative and qualitative research studies that examine the impact of military parental absences on dependent variables related to internalising and externalising behaviours and academic functioning were of interest. In all, 26 studies were identified for inclusion in the review.

Findings

– Overall, military-connected students who experience a parental absence due to military service are more likely to exhibit an increase in problem behaviours and a decrease in academic functioning compared to civilian peers or military-connected peers who were not experiencing parental absence.

Originality/value

– The current review elucidates parental absence within the military context, highlighting key factors that may contribute to increased and decreased behavioural and academic functioning of military-connected students. Results from the review in relation to risk and protective factors for military-connected students, future research and school programming directions are discussed.
Focus group interview through storytelling
Authors: Jug Tjaša , Vilar Polona
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an adapted form of a qualitative research method, focus group interview, for use with small children and demonstrate its use in a small-scale study. Researchers often avoid direct study of children, and study them indirectly by asking adults. This was frequent before 1990s, but today, researchers increasingly discuss research with children rather than on children. Nevertheless, in research with young children it is not possible to use all research methods, therefore the authors modified and tested one. The additional research objectives, besides verification of methodology, were to determine the pre-school children’s attitudes to books, book-related places, reading.

Design/methodology/approach

– The adaptation of the focus group interview involved merging the content questions of the research with a story and using a toy as the storyteller. This resembled storytelling and enabled the children to directly participate by talking to the animation toy instead of the researcher. The authors tested the method on a purposive sample of 13 pre-school children aged four and five in one public kindergarten.

Findings

– Despite of the belief of some experts, who claim that focus group interview is not an appropriate method to explore habits or opinions of children, the authors found that adaptation of this method for the use with small children by means of storytelling and toy animation brings positive results because it enabled gathering data directly from the children. The content results show positive attitudes towards books and reading, differences in reading interests between boys and girls, daily exposure to books and reading, both in kindergarten and at home, and quite good knowledge of book-related places, especially libraries, somewhat less bookstores.

Research limitations/implications

– Since this is only the first attempt to use this adapted methodological approach, it is necessary that the method is tested on different user groups and in different circumstances to further validate its suitability for this user group. Regarding the content of the study, the results cannot be generalized due to non-probability purposive sampling.

Originality/value

– This is the first attempt to use the adapted methodological approach for researching young children. The research may serve as a beginning and incentive for further research in this area, since only high-quality results provide good modifications and adaptations of educational programmes and activities to ensure proper development of children’s reading competences and attitudes to books and reading.
Infrastructure as intermeditation – from archives to research infrastructures
Authors: Anderson Sheila , Blanke Tobias
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the steps taken to produce new kinds of integrated documentation on the Holocaust in the European Holocaust Research Infrastructure project. The authors present the user investigation methodology as well as the novel data design to support this complex field.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on the scholarly primitives framework. From here, it proceeds with two empirical studies of Holocaust archival research and the implementation steps taken. The paper employs key insights from large technology studies in how to organise such work. In particular, it uses the concepts of social-technical assemblages and intermediation.

Findings

– The paper offers a number of findings. First from the empirical studies, it presents how Holocaust researchers and archivist perceive the way they currently do research in archives. It then presents how the intermediation and digital transformation of such research can be enabled without violating its foundations. The second major insight is the technical research into how to use graph databases to integrate heterogeneous research collections and the analysis opportunities behind.

Originality/value

– The paper is based on existing work by the authors but takes this work forward into the world of real-life existing historical research on archives. It demonstrates how the theoretical foundations of primitives are fit for purpose. The paper presents a completely new approach on how to (re)organise archives as research infrastructures and offers a flexible way of implementing this. Next to these major insights, a range of new solutions are presented how to arrange the socio-technical assemblages of research infrastructures.
The role of emotions in online information seeking and sharing
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to specify the role of emotions played in information seeking and sharing taking place in online discussion forum. To this end, an explorative study was made that focussed on consumer awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on the analysis of a sample of 30 discussion threads containing altogether 1,630 messages available in Canadian Content – a major online platform. The expression of emotions was examined by using the categories of the interaction process analysis (IPA) model. Two research questions were addressed: first, what kind of emotions are expressed in the four functional areas of the IPA model when discussing online about consumer awareness? and second, what is the role of positive and negative emotions in information seeking and sharing about the above topic? The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Findings

– Of the emotional expressions, 42 percent were positive and 58 percent negative. The most frequent emotions were amusement, contempt, worry, irritation and pleasure. The frequencies of positive and emotional expressions varied in the context of 12 IPA categories. Positive emotions predominated when participants showed solidarity or agreed, while negative emotions were particularly prevalent when indicating antagonism. The repertoire of positive and negative emotions was broadest while providing opinions or sharing information with others. In contrast, emotions were expressed rarely in the context of information seeking.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is explorative in nature and the findings are based on the examination of an online discussion group focussed on the issues of consumer awareness.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the study of affective factors in computer-mediated interaction by empirically specifying the repertoire of positive and negative emotions expressed in online discussion.
“Bringing the future to life: Maureen’s postcard to Beryl”=North Wales Regional Single Point of Access Programme
Authors: Moore Jane
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the journey so far for the North Wales Regional Single Point of Access (SPOA) through the lens of programme manager with views from the programme team. SPOA is the integration of access points to community health and social care services with strengthened links to the third sector, one SPOA in each of six local authorities in the Betsi Cadwallader University Health Board footprint.

Design/methodology/approach

Kotter’s 8 step theory of change model (1996) supplemented by the organisational, cultural and professional and contextual factors from research that impact on integrated working between health and social care (Cameron et al., 2012); the focus is programme level.

Findings

Kotter’s 8 step model is a useful tool for reflection on the factors identified in research that promote and hinder integrated working. Key messages and innovative ideas of interest for practitioners embarking on a similar “Quest”, including: “keep using your ‘levers for change’”, “Adopt and Adapt”, “right people in the right place”, “it’s ok to tweak your vision, ‘Make it mean something to everyone’, ‘accept and Adapt’, ‘Don’t sweat what you can’t affect’, ‘Find your allies – it’s better together’, ‘Celebrate ‘small wins’’, ‘The people’s voice drives change’ and ‘a sense of humour brings you through’”.

Research limitations/implications

This is a personal reflection from the North Wales Regional SPOA Programme.

Originality/value

It makes use of collaborative work focused on delivering a SPOA, helping others to learn from the struggle.
Real estate fund active management
Authors: Lee Stephen , Morri Giacomo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of UK property funds using the dual sources of active management, Active Share and tracking error, to distinguish between the types of active management styles used by funds.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use data on 38 UK real estate funds and classify them into five active management categories using the dual sources of active management, Active Share and tracking error. Then, the authors compare their return performance against Active Share, tracking error, fund size and leverage. Therefore the paper is able to answer two of the fundamental questions of investment: does active management add value and what form of active management, stock selection or factor risk, is better at adding value to the fund?

Findings

– There are three main conclusions. First, the approach of Cremers and Petajisto (2009) and Petajisto (2010) is able to classify real estate funds in the UK on their management activity into categories that makes intuitive sense and seem stable over time. Second, balanced funds show relatively low Active Shares and particularly low tracking errors, due to the benefits of property-type diversification. In contrast, specialists funds display higher Active Shares and both low and high tracking errors depending on their stock-picking approach; diversified or concentrated. Third, an analysis over different time periods confirmed that funds in the sample essentially remained in the same categories within the sample period, even during markedly different market return periods. This implies that investors need to constantly monitor changes in the market and switch between fund management styles, if at all possible.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis was only based on 38 funds with complete data over the sample period and the relationship between fees and active management was not examined, even though ultimately investors are concerned with returns after management fee. It would be instructive therefore if the number of funds and time period was expanded to see if the results are robust and to see whether management fees outweigh the benefits of active manager.

Practical implications

– The findings should enable investors to make a more informed investment decisions in the future.

Originality/value

– To the best of the author’s knowledge this is the first paper to apply the dual sources of active management, Active Share and tracking error, in the UK real estate market.
Decentralization and heterogeneity in complex adaptive systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Rodriguez Diego , Hernandez-Carrion Jose Rodolfo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Following a bacterial-based modeling approach, the authors want to model and analyze the impact of both decentralization and heterogeneity on group behavior and collective learning. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Inspired by bacterial conjugation, the authors have defined an artificial society in which agents’ strategies adapt to changes in resources location, allowing migration, and survival in a dynamic sugarscape-like scenario. To study the impact of these variables the authors have simulated a scenario in which resources are limited and localized. The authors also have defined three constraints in genetic information processing (inhibition of plasmid conjugation, inhibition of plasmid reproduction and inhibition of plasmid mutation).

Findings

– The results affirmed the hypothesis that efficiency of group adaptation to dynamic environments is better when societies are varied and distributed than when they are homogeneous and centralized.

Originality/value

– The authors have demonstrated that in a model based on free interactions among autonomous agents, optimal results emerge by incrementing heterogeneity levels and decentralization of communication structures, leading to a global adaptation of the system. This organic approach to model peer-to-peer dynamics in complex adaptive systems (CAS) is what the authors have named “bacterial-based algorithms” because agents exchange strategic information in the same way that bacteria use conjugation and share genome.
Governance for sustainability: learning from VSM practice
Authors: Espinosa Angela
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– While there is some agreement on the usefulness of systems and complexity approaches to tackle the sustainability challenges facing the organisations and governments in the twenty-first century, less is clear regarding the way such approaches can inspire new ways of governance for sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to progress ongoing research using the Viable System Model (VSM) as a meta-language to facilitate long-term sustainability in business, communities and societies, using the “Methodology to support self-transformation”, by focusing on ways of learning about governance for sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– It summarises core self-governance challenges for long-term sustainability, and the organisational capabilities required to face them, at the “Framework for Assessing Sustainable Governance”. This tool is then used to analyse capabilities for governance for sustainability at three real situations where the mentioned Methodology inspired bottom up processes of self-organisation. It analyses the transformations decided from each organisation, in terms of capabilities for sustainable governance, using the suggested Framework.

Findings

– Core technical lessons learned from using the framework are discussed, include the usefulness of using a unified language and tool when studying governance for sustainability in differing types and scales of case study organisations.

Research limitations/implications

– As with other exploratory research, it reckons the convenience for further development and testing of the proposed tools to improve their reliability and robustness.

Practical implications

– A final conclusion suggests that the suggested tools offer a useful heuristic path to learn about governance for sustainability, from a VSM perspective; the learning from each organisational self-transformation regarding governance for sustainability is insightful for policy and strategy design and evaluation; in particular the possibility of comparing situations from different scales and types of organisations.

Originality/value

– There is very little coherence in the governance literature and the field of governance for sustainability is an emerging field. This piece of exploratory research is valuable as it presents an effective tool to learn about governance for sustainability, based in the “Methodology for Self-Transformation”; and offers reflexions on applications of the methodology and the tool, that contribute to clarify the meaning of governance for sustainability in practice, in organisations from different scales and types.
The experiences of British South Asian carers caring for a child with developmental disabilities in the UK
Authors: Heer Kuljit , Larkin Michael , Rose John
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of culture in shaping the caregiving experiences of British South Asian families caring for a child with developmental disabilities in the UK. In particular it explores how the coexistence of two distinct cultures (British/South Asian) impacts upon these caregiving experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative design using in-depth interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used with seven parents identifying as British South Asian who had been born in the UK or had moved to the UK as young people.

Findings

– Three master themes emerged: living with loss, uncertainty and overwhelming responsibility; learning about disability and facing stigma; and having to cope.

Research limitations/implications

– Using a relatively homogeneous sample of carers this study provides an insight into how exposure to two different cultures shapes the understanding and adaptations of British South Asian carers in the UK.

Social implications

– Issues in the acculturation of these parents emerge which demonstrate the tensions they face in relating to both South Asian and Western cultural influences. The study makes recommendations for how services can work with such families in order to help them make sense of their children’s disability, access culturally appropriate support and cope with the numerous demands of being a caregiver.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to a growing literature on the experience of South Asian parents who care for children with intellectual disabilities. It has important messages for workers about how to support these individuals most effectively.
REVIEW: Plant functional traits in agroecosystems: a blueprint for research
Authors: Martin Adam R. , Isaac Marney E.
Published: September 2015

Functional trait‐based ecological research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of natural plant community dynamics. However, to date, principles of functional trait ecology have not been widely applied to agricultural research and management. Here, we discuss why and how a functional trait approach – distinct from a traditional agronomic trait approach that focuses strictly on crop yield components – can provide a valuable framework for agricultural research. We illustrate these points with an emphasis on commodity crops.

The literature suggests a key role for functional trait‐based research in understanding the causes and consequences of changes in agroecosystem structure and function. This includes novel approaches to understanding crop breeding and productivity, agroecosystem dynamics and non‐crop biodiversity maintenance, the contributions of agroecosystems to global net primary productivity and other biogeochemical cycles, and agricultural vulnerability to climate change.

We propose that a key step in advancing trait‐based agricultural research is the consolidation of functional trait data for the world's most common crop and fodder species, the main commodities on ∼1·2 billion ha of land.

Using Coffea arabica as an example, we show there is strong potential to populate a comprehensive data base of crop functional trait data. For C. arabica, there exist hundreds of observations for ecologically important ‘leaf economics’ and ‘root economics’ traits, either in smaller data bases or peer‐reviewed studies, but these have not been consolidated. A similar opportunity for functional trait data consolidation exists for many of the world's most common crops.

Synthesis and applications. A unified functional trait data base for just 65 of the world's most common agricultural crops can be used to provide baseline evaluations of the functional diversity across croplands covering ∼8·1% of the Earth's land surface. This functional trait data, and other trait‐based research, could further be used to evaluate how changes in interspecific and intraspecific crop diversity are mechanistically linked with alterations in agroecosystem function. Ultimately, trait‐based research that examines the causes and consequences of agricultural homogenization may contribute to more ecologically informed management of agricultural diversity, from genetic through to global scales.
Cross‐Cultural Consumer Acceptability and Purchase Intent of Forage‐Finished Rib‐Eye Steaks
Authors: Torrico Damir Dennis , Wardy Wisdom , Pujols Kairy Dharali , Carabante Kennet Mariano , Jirangrat Wannita , Scaglia Guillermo , Janes Marlene E. , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: September 2015

Rib‐eye steaks, from 3 forage‐finished systems (S1, S2, and S3) and 1 commercial steak (C), either cooked by 1‐sided‐grilling or 2‐sided‐grilling, were evaluated for sensory acceptability [overall appearance (ORA) and overall appearance of fat (OAF) for raw steaks; overall appearance (OCA), overall beef aroma (OBA), overall beef flavor (OBF), juiciness, tenderness and overall liking (OL) for cooked steaks] and purchase intent by Hispanic, Asian and U.S. consumers. They also indicated preferred degree of doneness and cooking methods. Cross‐cultural differences in preferences and consumer acceptability of rib‐eye steaks were observed. Grilling was the most preferred cooking method. Hispanics and Asians preferred medium and/or medium well, while U.S. consumers preferred medium and/or medium rare. For cooked steaks, the population effect was significant for all sensory attributes; Asians generally scored lower than did Hispanics and U.S. consumers. C and S3 generally had higher scores for all sensory attributes across 3 populations. Purchase intent for all forage‐finished steaks was higher for Hispanics and U.S. consumers compared to Asians (50.0% to 77.8% compared with 43.2% to 65.9%). Attributes influencing purchase intent of forage‐finished steaks differed among populations: tenderness (odds ratio = 1.4) for Hispanics, OCA (odds ratio = 1.5) for Asians, and OBF (odds ratio = 1.3) for U.S. consumers. Overall, this study demonstrated that the type of forage‐finished system and ethnic differences influenced sensory acceptability and purchase intent of forage‐finished rib‐eye steaks.
Pterostilbene Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Migration and Matrix Metalloproteinase‐2 through Modulation of MAPK Pathway
Authors: Lin Hsing‐Chun , Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Peng Chiung‐Huei , Yang Shun‐Fa , Huang Chien‐Ning
Published: September 2015

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) migration and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) activation are main roles in atherosclerosis. Pterostilbene (trans‐3, 5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxystilbene) is known to have various pharmacologic effects such as anti‐inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. The present study aimed to investigate the anti‐atheroscleroic property of pterostilbene in the rat smooth muscle cell (SMC) A7r9 cell lines and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, pterostilbene treatment significantly inhibited migration/invasion capacities of in A7r9 cell. Pterostilbene was also found to significantly decreased MMP‐2 activity and expression by gelatin zymography and western blot assay in SMC. In the MAPK signaling pathway, western blot assay also indicated that pterostilbene up‐regulated the phosphorylation of extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (Erk)1/2. Moreover, inhibition of Erk1/2 by specific inhibitors significantly abolished the pterostilbene‐decreased expression of MMP‐2 and migration/invasion capacities. These findings suggest that pterostilbene inhibited SMC migration and that MMP‐2 activation could be mediated via Erk1/2 phosphorylation. It is further possible that pterostilbene could play a novel role in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
The Inhibition of Maillard Browning by Different Concentrations of Rosmarinic Acid and Epigallocatechin‐3‐Gallate in Model, Bakery, and Fruit Systems
Authors: Favreau‐Farhadi Nicole , Pecukonis Lauren , Barrett Ann
Published: September 2015

Rosmarinic acid and Epigallocatechin gallate concentrations were studied as natural inhibitors of Maillard browning in glucose/glycine model systems, and in bakery rolls and applesauce. The concentrations of the inhibitors were varied to determine the highest level of inhibition without a pro‐oxidant/browning effect. UV absorbance and gas chromatography/mass spec (GC/MS) with solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling was used to study browning in the model systems. Hunter L*, a*, b* was used to analyze the color change results of the inhibitors on applesauce and bakery rolls. It was determined that a 1.0% solution of either antioxidant in the glucose/glycine system produced the greatest inhibition and a synergistic effect was not apparent when the two were combined. Inhibition of browning and a lack of synergy between the antioxidants were also determined in food systems consisting of applesauce and bakery rolls. GC/MS analysis of the model system revealed a high level of pyrazine formation in no‐inhibitor control samples and the absence of pyrazines in inhibitor‐containing samples.