bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimism and Challenge for Science‐Based Conservation of Migratory Species in and out of U.S. National Parks
Authors: BERGER JOEL , CAIN STEVEN L. , CHENG ELLEN , DRATCH PETER , ELLISON KEVIN , FRANCIS JOHN , FROST HERBERT C. , GENDE SCOTT , GROVES CRAIG , KARESH WILLIAM A. , LESLIE ELAINE , MACHLIS GARY , MEDELLIN RODRIGO A. , NOSS REED F. , REDFORD KENT H. , SOUKUP MICHAEL , WILCOVE DAVID , ZACK STEVE
Published: January 2014

Public agencies sometimes seek outside guidance when capacity to achieve their mission is limited. Through a cooperative agreement and collaborations with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), we developed recommendations for a conservation program for migratory species. Although NPS manages ∼36 million hectares of land and water in 401 units, there is no centralized program to conserve wild animals reliant on NPS units that also migrate hundreds to thousands of kilometers beyond parks. Migrations are imperiled by habitat destruction, unsustainable harvest, climate change, and other impediments. A successful program to counter these challenges requires public support, national and international outreach, and flourishing migrant populations. We recommended two initial steps. First, in the short term, launch or build on a suite of projects for high‐profile migratory species that can serve as proof to demonstrate the centrality of NPS units to conservation at different scales. Second, over the longer term, build new capacity to conserve migratory species. Capacity building will entail increasing the limited knowledge among park staff about how and where species or populations migrate, conditions that enable migration, and identifying species’ needs and resolving them both within and beyond parks. Building capacity will also require ensuring that park superintendents and staff at all levels support conservation beyond statutory borders. Until additional diverse stakeholders and a broader American public realize what can be lost and do more to protect it and engage more with land management agencies to implement actions that facilitate conservation, long distance migrations are increasingly likely to become phenomena of the past.

Optimismo y Retos para la Conservación Científicamente Basada de Especies Migratorias Dentro y Fuera de Parques Nacionales de E.U.A.
Reanalysis of study of pancreatic effects of incretin therapy: methodological deficiencies
Authors: Bonner‐Weir S. , In't Veld P. A. , Weir G. C.
Published: January 2014

A recently published study by Butler et al. concluded that incretin treatment had adverse effects on the human type 2 diabetic pancreas including ‘a marked expansion of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic compartments, the former being accompanied by increased proliferation and dysplasia and the latter by α‐cell hyperplasia with the potential for evolution into neuroendocrine tumours’. Incretin therapy has become widely used for type 2 diabetes, so these conclusions have instigated major concerns with regard to patient safety. We reassessed both the clinical case information and virtual microscopy images of the same 34 cases that were used in the Butler study as well as Network for Pancreatic Organ Donation (nPOD) cases that were not included. Whereas we would like to stress that it is important to investigate in depth any indication that incretin treatment may lead to inflammation or dysplasia in the pancreas, we find that the data presented in the Butler paper have serious methodological deficiencies that preclude any meaningful conclusions.
Mating disruption of pea moth (Cydia nigricana) in organic peas (Pisum sativum)
Authors: Saucke H. , Balasus A. , Finckh M.R. , Formowitz B. , Schmidt R. , Kratt A.
Published: January 2014

We appraised mating disruption (MD) to control pea moth, Cydia nigricana (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by assessing male attraction to monitor traps, larval pod infestation, and larval age structure in pheromone‐treated and untreated grain pea fields [Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae)], over a 5‐year period. Cellulose pheromone dispensers were manually attached to the top shoots of pea plants and released 540 mg ha−1 day−1 synthetic pheromone E8,E10‐dodecadien‐1‐yl acetate in a first test series (2000–2001) and ca. 4 200 mg pheromone ha−1 day−1 in a second series (2004–2006). The dispensers had a half‐life of about 30 days. Although male attraction to pheromone monitoring traps was largely suppressed at the edges and within MD fields in both test series, MD treatments did not reduce pod infestation in the open field in 2000 and 2001. In the 2004–2006 series, larval damage reduction was achieved in the majority of the trials but overall MD efficacy in the open field was only 61% and not significant. In contrast, in field cages placed within the experimental sites and supplied with unmated pea moths, MD control was consistently high and significant. There were no obvious differences in the larval age distribution in all MD and control treatments, suggesting that infestations started and developed further similarly. As a univoltine species, C. nigricana larvae stay in the soil of pea fields for hibernation and pupate. The following year, emerging adults disperse and fly to the closest pea crop. Combined emergence site and pea crop treatments were conducted over 2 years to include this early migration phase of C. nigricana adults. However, the emergence site treatments did not enhance MD‐control efficacy. We conclude that mating activity was only prevented in cage tests, whereas substantial mating occurred during the transit phase outside the pheromone‐treated fields either within non‐crop vegetation and/or at the edges of pheromone‐treated pea fields orientated upwind. Thus, resulting gravid female entry can be regarded as the major constraint to reliable MD control.
A bi‐objective approach to reschedule new jobs in a one machine model
Authors: Teghem Jacques , Tuyttens Daniel
Published: January 2014

We consider a one machine scheduling model, minimizing a classical objective function—either the total completion time or the maximum tardiness—and with two sets of jobs: one with initial jobs already scheduled and one with new jobs that must be inserted in the schedule. As such rescheduling can create a modification of the schedule of the initial jobs, a disruption objective is considered in addition to the original objective. This additional objective can be formulated in four different ways. Such model has been introduced by Hall and Potts, minimizing either a linear aggregation of the two objectives or the initial objective under a constraint giving an upper limit of the disruption objective. In this paper, the aim is to obtain the set of efficient schedules in regard to the two objectives. Algorithms are provided for the eight possible bi‐objective problems and illustrated by some didactic examples.
A joint analysis to identify loci underlying variation in nematode resistance in three European sheep populations
Authors: Riggio V. , Pong‐Wong R. , Sallé G. , Usai M.G. , Casu S. , Moreno C.R. , Matika O. , Bishop S.C.
Published: January 2014

Gastrointestinal nematode infections are one of the main health/economic issues in sheep industries, worldwide. Indicator traits for resistance such as faecal egg count (FEC) are commonly used in genomic studies; however, published results are inconsistent among breeds. Meta (or joint)‐analysis is a tool for aggregating information from multiple independent studies. The aim of this study was to identify loci underlying variation in FEC, as an indicator of nematode resistance, in a joint analysis using data from three populations (Scottish Blackface, Sarda × Lacaune and Martinik Black‐Belly × Romane), genotyped with the ovine 50k SNP chip. The trait analysed was the average animal effect for Strongyles and Nematodirus FEC data. Analyses were performed with regional heritability mapping (RHM), fitting polygenic effects with either the whole genomic relationship matrix or matrices excluding the chromosome being interrogated. Across‐population genomic covariances were set to zero. After quality control, 4123 animals and 38 991 SNPs were available for the analysis. RHM identified genome‐wide significant regions on OAR4, 12, 14, 19 and 20, with the latter being the most significant. The OAR20 region is close to the major histocompatibility complex, which has often been proposed as a functional candidate for nematode resistance. This region was significant only in the Sarda × Lacaune population. Several other regions, on OAR1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 19, 20 and 24, were significant at the suggestive level.
Association of a specific major histocompatibility complex class IIβ single nucleotide polymorphism with resistance to lactococcosis in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)
Authors: Colussi S , Prearo M , Bertuzzi S A , Scanzio T , Peletto S , Favaro L , Modesto P , Maniaci M G , Ru G , Desiato R , Acutis P L
Published: January 2014

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci encode glycoproteins that bind to foreign peptides and initiate immune responses through their interaction with T cells. MHC class II molecules are heterodimers consisting of α and β chains encoded by extremely variable genes; variation in exon 2 is responsible for the majority of observed polymorphisms, mostly concentrated in the codons specifying the peptide‐binding region. Lactococcus garvieae is the causative agent of lactococcosis, a warm‐water bacterial infection pathogenic for cultured freshwater and marine fish. It causes considerable economic losses, limiting the profitability and development of fish industries in general and the intensive production of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in particular. The disease is currently controlled with vaccines and antibiotics; however, vaccines have short‐term efficacy, and increasing concerns regarding antibiotic residues have called for alternative strategies. To explore the involvement of the MHC class II β‐1 domain as a candidate gene for resistance to lactococcosis, we exposed 400 rainbow trout to naturally contaminated water. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and one haplotype were associated with resistance (P < 0.01). These results are promising for using MHC class IIβ as a molecular marker in breeding rainbow trout resistant to lactococcosis.
Are opioid antagonists effective in reducing self‐injury in adults with intellectual disability? A systematic review
Authors: Roy A. , Roy M. , Deb S. , Unwin G. , Roy A.
Published: January 2014

Background

Self‐injury in people with intellectual disability (ID) may be due to variety of factors both environmental and biological. As the drive in UK is to manage people with ID and problem behaviours in the community, it is important to critically examine all treatment options available. As abnormalities in the endogenous opioid system may be a factor in some people with ID, we undertook a systematic review to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of opioid antagonists.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched for relevant journal articles. In addition, cross‐referencing of pertinent reviews and a hand search for articles in major international ID journals between the years 2010 and 2012 was carried out to ensure that all relevant articles were identified. We also searched databases for unpublished clinical trials to overcome publication bias. Each database was searched up to present (February 2013) with no restrictions on the date of publication. The search terms consisted of broad expressions used to describe ID and autistic spectrum disorder as well as terms relating to opioid antagonists and specific drugs. All studies identified by the electronic database search and hand search were examined on the basis of title alone for relevance and duplication. The abstracts of the remaining papers were then scrutinised against the inclusion criteria. Where abstracts failed to provide adequate information, the full texts for these papers were obtained. All the full texts were then evaluated against the inclusion proforma. Two reviewers carried out all the stages of the process independently. The reviewers met to discuss their selections and where disagreements arose, these were settled by discussion with a member of the study group. Data from each study meeting the inclusion criteria was extracted on a pre‐piloted data extraction form. The quality of each study was further assessed using the Jadad scale, a tool developed to assess the quality of randomised controlled trials.

Results

Out of 10 randomised control trials eight reported a reduction in the frequency of self‐injurious behaviour. This meant that 62 participants out of 124 (50%) showed an improvement of which 61 were statistically significant. Forty‐nine participants had autism. Eleven (9%) had minor side‐effects. The improvement was more marked in people with severe and profound ID and was not affected by the coexistence of autism.

Conclusions

This review suggests that some people respond to opioid antagonists with a reduction in self‐injury but the trials do not predict who they may be. Future research may identify this sub‐group when opioid antagonists may prove to be a useful addition in the pharmacotherapy of self‐injury.
ESTIMATING THE RIVALNESS OF STATE‐LEVEL INWARD FDI
Authors: Brülhart Marius , Schmidheiny Kurt
Published: January 2014

We develop a method for estimating the rivalness of tax bases using the structures of the conditional logit, Poisson, and nested logit models. As an illustration, we apply this method to estimate the effect of state‐level capital taxation on U.S. inward foreign direct investment (FDI). The assumption of perfect nonrivalness can in some cases be rejected, but the assumption of perfect rivalness cannot. Competition over FDI across U.S. states could well be a zero‐sum game.
Medication errors in hospitalised children
Authors: Manias Elizabeth , Kinney Sharon , Cranswick Noel , Williams Allison
Published: January 2014

Aim

This study aims to explore the characteristics of reported medication errors occurring among children in an Australian children's hospital, and to examine the types, causes and contributing factors of medication errors.

Methods

A retrospective clinical audit was undertaken of medication errors reported to an online incident facility at an Australian children's hospital over a 4‐year period.

Results

A total of 2753 medication errors were reported over the 4‐year period, with an overall medication error rate of 0.31% per combined admission and presentation, or 6.58 medication errors per 1000 bed days. The two most common severity outcomes were: the medication error occurred before it reached the child (n = 749, 27.2%); and the medication error reached the child who required monitoring to confirm that it resulted in no harm (n = 1519, 55.2%). Common types of medication errors included overdose (n = 579, 21.0%) and dose omission (n = 341, 12.4%). The most common cause relating to communication involved misreading or not reading medication orders (n = 804, 29.2%). Key contributing factors involved communication relating to children's transfer across different clinical settings (n = 929, 33.7%) and the lack of following policies and procedures (n = 617, 22.4%). More than half of the reports (72.5%) were made by nurses.

Conclusion

Future research should focus on implementing and evaluating strategies aimed at reducing medication errors relating to analgesics, anti‐infectives, cardiovascular agents, fluids and electrolytes and anticlotting agents, as they are consistently represented in the types of medication errors that occur. Greater attention needs to be placed on supporting health professionals in managing these medications.
New material of Natchitochia jonesi and a comparison of the innominata and locomotor capabilities of Protocetidae
Authors: Uhen Mark D.
Published: January 2014

New material of Natchitochia from the Bartonian Archusa Marl Member is described here, including thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, an innominate, proximal femur, and pedal? phalanx. The vertebrae and innominate are similar to those of Qaisracetus and Georgiacetus. The structure of the caudal vertebrae support previous observations that as sacral vertebrae disconnect from the sacrum, they become caudalized, developing hemal processes on the posteroventral margins of the bodies, reminiscent of chevron bones associated with true caudal vertebrae. The innominate of Natchitochia shares an elongate ilium and pubis with Qaisracetus and Georgiacetus, which differ from the innominata of the more apomorphic archaeocetes. Comparison of archaeocete innominata and sacra in a phylogenetic context indicates that the apomorphic sacrum composed of 4 vertebrae (Pakicetus, Ambulocetus, Rodhocetus, Maiacetus) was reduced to 3 (Qaisracetus) to 2 (Protocetus?, Natchitochia) to 0 (Georgiacetus, Basilosauridae), while the innominata remained robust, supporting a large hind limb until the origin of the Basilosauridae. In Georgiacetus, the innominate is large but detached from the vertebral column, preventing the use of the hind limb in terrestrial locomotion. More crownward cetaceans for which the innominate is known display greatly reduced innominata and hind limbs are disconnected from the vertebral column.
Metalworking atHazor: A Long‐Term Perspective
Authors: Yahalom‐Mack Naama , Gadot Yuval , Eliyahu‐Behar Adi , Bechar Shlomit , Shilstein Sana , Finkelstein Israel
Published: January 2014

The temporal and spatial distribution of metal production remains fromHazor was used in this study to sketch the development of metalworking (bronze, iron and silver) at this important site. The remains attest to a long sequence of metalworking atHazor, from theMiddleBronzeAge through to theIronAge, and significantly highlight the transition from bronze to iron production and the mode of bronze production after the transition had been completed.
The Augustan Temple and Forum of the Colony of Barcino: A 90 Degree Turn
Authors: Orengo Hector A. , Cortés Ada
Published: January 2014

The Augustan Roman temple at Barcino has been a key element during the last 60 years in the research of the colony's urban development. Its peculiar elongated and narrow plan, first proposed in 1835, and its location at the highest point of the ancient city have dictated our understanding of the urban layout of Barcino by conditioning the shape of the city's forum and affecting the interpretation of the archaeological excavations carried out in the area since then. This paper proposes an alternative plan of the temple, based on data drawn from recent archaeological excavations, topographical analysis, typological comparisons, and the study of written sources. Our alternative hypothesis for the temple permits an in‐depth reinterpretation of the plan of the forum and the evolution of the urban plan.
TRANSPARENT TESTA2 regulates embryonic fatty acid biosynthesis by targeting FUSCA3 during the early developmental stage of Arabidopsis seeds
Authors: Wang Zhong , Chen Mingxun , Chen Tianlong , Xuan Lijie , Li Zhilan , Du Xue , Zhou Longhua , Zhang Guoping , Jiang Lixi
Published: January 2014

TRANSPARENT TESTA2 (TT2) regulates the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins in the seed coat of Arabidopsis. We recently found that TT2 also participates in inhibition of fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis in the seed embryo. However, the mechanism by which TT2 suppresses the accumulation of seed FA remains unclear. In this study, we show that TT2 is expressed in embryos at an early developmental stage. TT2 is directly bound to the regulatory region of FUSCA3 (FUS3), and mediates the expression of numerous genes in the FA biosynthesis pathway. These genes include BCCP2, CAC2, MOD1 and KASII, which encode proteins involved in the initial steps of FA chain formation, FAD2 and FAD3, which are responsible for FA desaturation, and FAE1, which catalyzes very‐long‐chain FA elongation. Loss of function of TT2 results in reduced expression of GLABRA2 but does not cause a significant reduction in the mucilage attached to the seed coats, which competes with FA for photosynthates. TT2 is expressed in both maternal seed coats and embryonic tissues, but proanthocyanidins are only found in wild‐type seed coats and not in embryonic tissues. The amount of proanthocyanidins in the seed coat is negatively correlated with the amount of FAs in the embryo.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Eight Malaysian Pineapple Cultivars using a Chloroplastic Marker (rbcL gene)
Authors: Hamdan Norfadilah , Abd Samad Azman , Hidayat Topik , Mohd Salleh Faezah
Published: January 2014

To date, Malaysian pineapple cultivars has only been characterized morphologically. A more consistent and accurate method such as biomarker is highly crucial to distinguish and establish the genetic relationship between different cultivars. In this work, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of eight Malaysian pineapple cultivars using a chloroplastic DNA biomarker, ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) gene. The rbcL gene was isolated from genomic DNA, amplified and sequenced. The rbcL gene of Ananas comosus is approximately 1100 bp. From the multialignment of eight cultivars, the percentage of sequence similarity ranged from 71.1% to 94.98% and is highly conserved throughout the sequences. Phylogenetic analysis which is carried out using maximum parsimony method revealed that the eight Malaysian pineapple cultivars can be classified into two groups. The first group consist of Yankee and Gandul cultivars while Moris, Moris Bentanggur, Moris Gajah, N36, Josaphine and Sarawak falls under the second group. Bootstrap values in some branches are low which reflect the small number of informative characters (981 are conserved, 12 are potentially informative). Formation of several group or subclades is due to its similar genetic pattern, thus supporting this classification. This study confirmed that rbcL gene is a good indicator to determine the phylogenetic relationship distinguishing the Malaysian pineapple cultivars.
Internet Traffic Classification Algorithm Based on Hybrid Classifiers to Identify Online Games Traffic
Authors: Ibrahim Hamza Awad Hamza , Mohd Nor Sulaiman , Ahmed Ali
Published: January 2014

Classification of interactive applications such as online games has gained more attention in the last few years. However, most of the current classification methods were only valid for offline classification. The three common classification methods i.e. port, payload and statistics based have some limitations. This paper exploits the advantages of all the three methods by combining them to produce a new classification algorithm called SSPC (Signature Static Port Classifier). In the proposed algorithm, each of the three classifiers will individually classify the same traffic flow. Based on some priority rules, SSPC makes classification decision for each flow. The SSPC algorithm was used to classify online game (LOL) traffic in two stages, initially offline and later online. SSPC produces a higher accuracy of 91% on average for online classification when compared with other classifiers. In addition, as demonstrated in the real time online experiments done, SSPC algorithm uses a short time to classify traffic and thus it is suitable to be used for online classification.
Breakdown Strength Characteristic of RBDPO and Mineral Oil Mixture as an Alternative Insulating Liquid for Transformer
Authors: M. Yusnida , Azmi Kiasatina , Ahmad Mohd Azmier , Ahmad Zulkifli , Kamarol Mohamad
Published: January 2014

Mineral oil (MO) works as an important electrical insulation and coolant in transformer which is non-biodegradable and nearly running out. Therefore, for sustainable and environmental concern, an alternative biodegradable insulating oil that potential to replace the mineral oil is introduced. In view of that, the breakdown strength characteristic of Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Oil (RBDPO) and MO mixtures were investigated by varying the mixing percentage of RBDPO from 0% to 100% at 40oC. The results showed that the breakdown strength of the oil mixture abruptly decline to the minimum breakdown voltage of 50 kV at  20% of  RBDPO mixture and gradually increased when  the ratio of the RBDPO is added. The highest breakdown strength is achieved 87kv at 80% of RBDPO content. The result of kinematic viscosity is also presented.
Phenol Removal from Water by Pulsed Power Discharge: A Review
Authors: Ahmadi Hashem , Sidik Muhammad Abu Bakar , Khamooshi Mehrdad , Buntat Zulkafle
Published: January 2014

In the last three decades, pulsed high voltage discharge technology has offered promising techniques for the treatment of wastewaters released to the environment by industry. A significant effort has been directed towards understanding the processes that occur during the discharge of solutions for a variety of reactor configurations. This review presents the disadvantages and advantages of different reactors based on discharge phase. Detailed information is also provided on the principals used in each technique and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each method. Finally, a discussion on the different discharge areas is presented.
Hardware Design of Laser Optical Tomography System for Detection of Bubbles Column
Authors: Mohd Fadzil Naizatul Shima , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi , Karis Mohd Safirin , Mohd Muji Siti Zarina , Abdul Sahib Mohd Fadzli , Mansor Mohd Saiful Badri , Nor Ayob Nor Muzakkir , Jumaah Mohd Fahajumi , Zawahir Mohd Zikrillah
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a hardware design and optical tomography application for fast cross sectional detection of single or two phase flows in pipes or bubble columns. Sixteen laser pointer transmitters and photodiode receivers are arranged at the object cross sectional boundary to detect the existence of bubbles inside a vertical column pipeline. A valve is installed at the bottom of the pipe to produce the source of bubbles. Due to the simple operation, good heat transfer and mass transfer of bubble columns, they can be applied in a wide range of applications in the chemical process industry. The size of the bubbles produced was estimated to be between 5 mm and 20 mm in diameter. The voltage drop at the sensor directly shows the existence of bubbles between the transmitter and receiver.
Identifying the Networks of Mobile Application Services
Authors: Kim Jieun , Lee Hakyeon
Published: January 2014

The mobile service industry has recently moved into a new epoch due to the explosive growth in mobile application services available at “App Stores”. This research empirically analyzes the interrelationships among the mobile application services to characterize their structures and identify local positions. Particularly, this paper develops mobile application service network through a text-mining based network analysis using the descriptions posted in App Store to visualize inter-service relationships and gauge structural and positional properties. It can be helpful to understand the relationships and sectoral characteristics of mobile services in terms of contents and functionalities in App Store.
The Impact of Performance Variables on Industry in K-Economy
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Jawad , Hassan Ibn-e-
Published: January 2014

In the knowledge economy, companies are thought to be the experts who develop innovative product or service as per demand and then market it to generate the revenue. The role of industry in a knowledge economy is to search and to promote inter-organizational collaborations for learning and to search linkages to arrange for complementary resources. These interactions improve the performance of industry in the knowledge economy. This research has been conducted to find out the impact of industry associated variables that significantly influence the performance of knowledge economy. Important attributes have therefore, been identified from the studies conducted in the field of knowledge economy. Influence of identified attributes on industry has been measured using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Data has been collected using survey questionnaire. Findings of the study confirm that there exist a strong relationship among the industry and it’s identified variables that collectively influence the performance of industry in the knowledge economy.
Important Human Resource Competence for HR Managers in Iranian Top Ranked Universities
Authors: Jamshidi Mir Hadi Moazen , Yusof Rorlinda , Gheysari Hamed , Poor Sabet Pejman Ghasemi , Aadal Hamid
Published: January 2014

Nowadays, the role of Human Resource (HR) managers in educational centers is very vital.1 Undoubtedly, to achieve organizational goals, educational institutes such as colleges and universities are required to have well-structured strategic programs as well as qualified HR managers who are able to lead their departments in compliance with their university mission.2 To achieve this goal, HR administrators and professionals should use a suitable and developed pattern of human resource competencies.3 The following article, offers to investigate the important competencies for the HR administrators and professionals in the top ranked universities. Mixed method approach of both quantitative and qualitative was used. The HR competencies were identified by experts involved in an interview and Delphi study. Twenty seven competencies were identified for the HR managers and professionals in five groups of competencies.
An Exploratory Study of Malaysian Technology-based Firms Leadership Styles
Authors: Arshad Azlin Shafinaz , Rasli Amran , Mustafar Mastora , Norhalim Nadhirah
Published: January 2014

Leaders are effective when they are able to determine the success or failure of a firm. In a recent study on leadership styles within technology-based firms, three leadership styles have been identified; transformational, transactional and ambidextrous leadership.  The present study is conducted to determine the level of leadership styles of technology-based firms in Malaysia based on these three styles. A survey was conducted on 46 technology-based firms in Malaysia. The findings revealed that all constrcuts of leadership styles were found to be significant. Practical implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
An Exploratory Study of Operations Management Best Practices
Authors: Mustafar Mastora , Rasli Amran , Mohamad Arshad Azlin Shafinaz , Norhalim Nadhirah
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an exploratory investigation on the level of operations management best practices.  A sample random t-test analysis was used upon a high technology company that was selected based on simple random sampling from government agency directory. After various attempts, 72 out of 138 are providing feedback. However, only 34 can be used, the rest did not answer completely. Descriptive analysis and t-test analysis were performed on 34 completed feedbacks. Six factors in the form of quality commitment, customer focus, formalization of performance measurement, people management, process management and technology management were examined as predictors for operations management best practices. Findings indicated that the mean value is more than 3 for all dimensions. Furthermore, most cases are significant as the selected samples are high technology based companies and their workers are knowledgeable in terms of operations management best practices.
Nexus of Asian Equity Markets and Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Ali Ghulam , Anuar Melati Ahmad , Ziaei Sayyed Mahdi
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Global Financial Crisis on interlinking connectivity of Asian equity markets. Weekly data of 12 major stock indices from 1st January, 2000 to 10th September, 2010 is used in the study. The impact of Global Financial Crisis 2007 on co-movement of Asian markets is analyzed by applying Rotated Factor Analysis technique. Results of the analysis revealed that Asian markets demonstrate a linear interaction. However, nexus of Asian markets stayed similar in pre-and post-financial crisis periods. Findings of the study can be used by Asian regional investors to construct their investment portfolios to minimize the systematic risk through diversification.
Optimal Operation of Klang Gate Dam Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Hossain Md. S. , El-Shafie A.
Published: January 2014

Operation of a reservoir system is full of complexities as it deals with different uncertainties, nonlinearities and time dependent variables. An optimal water distribution relation needs to be maintained between water release and storage in every operational time period. In this study, water release curves have produced for every month of the year in respect of different initial storage conditions, so that it will be easier for the decision maker to understand the operating criteria. Most popular optimization technique- Genetic Algorithm (GA) has used to find out the optimal release with maintaining all the general constraints (such as- water balance, release bounds and storage constraints) of a reservoir system. Historical daily rainfall and storage data regarding Klang gate dam (located in Malaysia) has used as inputs of the model. Three different category of inflow (high, medium and low) has considered in search of the optimum solutions. 22 years of actual historical inflow data has used for model verification purposes. The results from the model and the patterns of the release curves shows that, GA can be used as a useful and easily applicable tool to developed the release policy for optimal operation of Klang gate dam.
Nonlinear Analysis of a New Extended Lattice Model With Consideration of Multi-Anticipation and Driver Reaction Delays
Authors: Chen Jianzhong , Shi Zhongke , Yu Lei , Peng Zhiyuan
Published: January 2014

A new extended lattice model of traffic flow is presented by taking into account both multianticipative behavior and the reaction-time delay of drivers. The linear stability theory and the nonlinear analysis method are applied to the model. The linear stability condition is obtained. The Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation near the neutral stability line and the modified Korteweg–de Vries (mKdV) equation near the critical point are derived. The numerical results show that the stability of traffic flow will be enhanced by multianticipative consideration and will be weakened with the increase of the reaction-time delay. The unfavorable effect induced by driver reaction delays can be partly compensated by considering multianticipative behavior.
Bioinspired Spring-Loaded Biopsy Harvester—Experimental Prototype Design and Feasibility Tests
Authors: Jelínek Filip , Smit Gerwin , Breedveld Paul
Published: January 2014

Current minimally invasive laparoscopic tissue–harvesting techniques for pathological purposes involve taking multiple imprecise and inaccurate biopsies, usually using a laparoscopic forceps or other assistive devices. Potential hazards, e.g., cancer spread when dealing with tumorous tissue, call for a more reliable alternative in the form of a single laparoscopic instrument capable of repeatedly taking a precise biopsy at a desired location. Therefore, the aim of this project was to design a disposable laparoscopic instrument tip, incorporating a centrally positioned glass fiber for tissue diagnostics; a cutting device for fast, accurate, and reliable biopsy of a precisely defined volume; and a container suitable for sample storage. Inspired by the sea urchin's chewing organ, Aristotle's lantern, and its capability of rapid and simultaneous tissue incision and enclosure by axial translation, we designed a crown-shaped collapsible cutter operating on a similar basis. Based on a series of in vitro experiments indicating that tissue deformation decreases with increasing penetration speed leading to a more precise biopsy, we decided on the cutter's forward propulsion via a spring. Apart from the embedded spring-loaded cutter, the biopsy harvester comprises a smart mechanism for cutter preloading, locking, and actuation, as well as a sample container. A real-sized biopsy harvester prototype was developed and tested in a universal tensile testing machine at TU Delft. In terms of mechanical functionality, the preloading, locking, and actuation mechanism as well as the cutter's rapid incising and collapsing capabilities proved to work successfully in vitro. Further division of the tip into a permanent and a disposable segment will enable taking of multiple biopsies, mutually separated in individual containers. We believe the envisioned laparoscopic optomechanical biopsy device will be a solution ameliorating time-demanding, inaccurate, and potentially unsafe laparoscopic biopsy procedures.
Intrathoracic gossypiboma
Authors: Hameed Aamir , Naeem Ayesha , Azhar Maimoona , Fatimi Saulat Husnain
Published: January 2014

Gossypiboma refers to retained sponge or swab in any body cavity after surgery. Although it is a rare occurence, it can lead to various complications which include adhesions, abscess formation and subsequent infections. Gossypiboma occurs as a result of not using radio-opaque sponges, poorly performed sponge counts, inadequate wound explorations on suspicion and misread intraoperative radiographs. Therefore, this event can be avoided if strict preventive measures are taken. Moreover, further complications can be avoided following the correct and early diagnosis of gossypiboma. Gossypiboma is an important topic as it carries great medicolegal consequences for the surgeon. We have presented three cases of intrathoracic gossipiboma following previous cardiothoracic surgeries. They presented years after their surgeries, with features varying from patient to patient, ranging from cough and fever to no sypmtoms at all. CT scan only showed a mass lesion in all cases, therefore we proceeded for CT-guided biopsy which was also found to be inconclusive. It was only after entering the thoracic cavity via video-assisted thoracoscopy/thoracotomy that the diagnosis was made and sponges were taken out successfully. All our cases recovered with no further complications.
Pre-operative fasting - a patient centered approach
Authors: Hamid Sana
Published: January 2014

Prolonged pre-operative fasting can be an unpleasant experience and result in serious medical complications. The Royal College of Nursing guidelines state a minimum fasting period of six hours for food and two hours for clear fluids, prior to elective anaesthesia or sedation in healthy patients. We audited the Moorfields South Pre-operative Assessment Unit fasting instruction policy to ensure it is clear and in accordance with national guidelines.

A questionnaire assessing the clarity and accuracy of fasting instructions and patient hydration was employed to survey patients undergoing elective anaesthesia or sedation in July 2013 (first cycle) and September 2013 (second cycle). The fasting instruction policy and patient information leaflet were reviewed; they state “nothing to eat or drink from midnight” for morning surgery and “nothing to eat or drink from 7AM” for afternoon surgery.

The 10 patients surveyed in the first cycle reported that the instructions they were given were clear. 70% expressed subjective dehydration and 40% showed clinical evidence of dehydration. The patients had not been encouraged to drink clear fluids up till two hours before surgery. Patients fasted for unnecessarily prolonged periods, the longest of which was 17 hours.

Our interventions were: delivering a teaching session to update staff of current pre-operative fasting guidelines, producing a patient information leaflet that was correct, reader-friendly and comprehensive and displaying posters as a reminder of the updated fasting instruction policy.

The 12 patients surveyed in the second cycle had been encouraged to drink clear fluids up till two hours before surgery. A dramatically reduced 25% expressed subjective dehydration and 25% showed clinical evidence of dehydration. The longest fasting period was reduced to eight hours.

We encourage all hospitals to adopt a patient centered approach to pre-operative fasting, dispelling the “nil my mouth for eight hours” policy, to improve patient wellbeing and satisfaction.
M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction inhibits Rac1 activity and disrupts VE-cadherin/β-catenin and actin cytoskeleton interaction
Authors: Jiao Zhou-Yang , Wu Jing , Wen Bing , Zhao Wen-Zeng , Du Xin-Ling
Published: January 2014

The objective was to investigate whether M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) dysfunction disrupts the linkage between the vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in the adherens junctional complex and the actin-based cytoskeleton, increasing vascular permeability in atherosclerosis. Western blotting revealed that a selective M3 receptor antagonist, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), and M3 receptor siRNA decrease VE-cadherin and β-catenin in Triton X-100–insoluble fractions, indicating that M3 receptor inhibition weakens the linkage between the VE-cadherin/β-catenin complex and the actin cytoskeleton. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that M3 receptor inhibition reduces Rac1 activity and the association of IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) with Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), while increasing the interaction between IQGAP1 and β-catenin. Using IQGAP1 siRNA, we found that IQGAP1 is required for stable interaction between VE-cadherin/β-catenin and the actin cytoskeleton in quiescent endothelial cells; IQGAP1 siRNA augments the M3 receptor inhibition-induced dissociation between them. Moreover, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, attenuates this disassociation and Rac1 activity inhibition. The M3 receptor facilitates interaction of the VE-cadherin–based adherens junctional complex and the actin-based cytoskeleton by maintaining Rac1 activity, which regulates the interaction between IQGAP1/Rac1 and IQGAP1/β-catenin, and may contribute to endothelial barrier function under physiological conditions.
Regional outbreak dynamics of Dothistroma needle blight linked to weather patterns in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Welsh Cedar , Lewis Kathy J. , Woods Alex J.
Published: January 2014

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) has caused extensive mortality in plantations of lodgepole pine in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, and even mature pine trees in natural forests are succumbing. We examined a number of explanatory models to determine which temperature or precipitation variable is most important in explaining DNB outbreak occurrence. We compared a multicentury tree-ring outbreak reconstruction with mean monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation during the individual and seasonal spring (April, May, June) and summer (July, August, September) months. A trend towards increased August minimum temperatures appears to be an important climate factor contributing to the spread of the disease. Graphical comparisons of total April precipitation reveal that periods of above-average precipitation coincided with periods of outbreak increase. Decreases in August minimum temperature also correspond to decreases in outbreak severity. Even more pronounced was a spike in spring precipitation and its association with the current epidemic. The correspondence of past outbreaks with periods of wet and warm conditions suggests that regional climate trends drive DNB behavior. The extent and severity of the current disease epidemic raises the possibility that the key factors that drive outbreaks have become more frequent, enabling the emergence of DNB as a serious disease.
Constructing CO2-facilitated transport highway in supported ionic liquid membranes
Authors: Sun Xiang Jun , Luo Ju Jie , Zhang Meng , Li Jin Ping
Published: January 2014

A Carbon dioxide-facilitated transport highway ( CO 2-FTH) on the microporous surface of a membrane matrix was designed using the amino carrier 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Owing to the reversible reaction between CO 2 molecules and fixed-site carriers, this supported ionic liquid membrane was able to selectively transfer CO 2 more quickly. This concept may inspire means of fabricating a highly permeable and selective membrane to break through Robeson's upper bound.
Long-term ketogenic diet causes glucose intolerance and reduced β- and α-cell mass but no weight loss in mice
Authors: Ellenbroek Johanne H. , van Dijck Laura , Töns Hendrica A. , Rabelink Ton J. , Carlotti Françoise , Ballieux Bart E. P. B. , de Koning Eelco J. P.
Published: January 2014

High-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets (KD) are used for weight loss and for treatment of refractory epilepsy. Recently, short-time studies in rodents have shown that, besides their beneficial effect on body weight, KD lead to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. However, the long-term effects on pancreatic endocrine cells are unknown. In this study we investigate the effects of long-term KD on glucose tolerance and β- and α-cell mass in mice. Despite an initial weight loss, KD did not result in weight loss after 22 wk. Plasma markers associated with dyslipidemia and inflammation (cholesterol, triglycerides, leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, IL-1β, and IL-6) were increased, and KD-fed mice showed signs of hepatic steatosis after 22 wk of diet. Long-term KD resulted in glucose intolerance that was associated with insufficient insulin secretion from β-cells. After 22 wk, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was reduced. A reduction in β-cell mass was observed in KD-fed mice together with an increased number of smaller islets. Also α-cell mass was markedly decreased, resulting in a lower α- to β-cell ratio. Our data show that long-term KD causes dyslipidemia, a proinflammatory state, signs of hepatic steatosis, glucose intolerance, and a reduction in β- and α-cell mass, but no weight loss. This indicates that long-term high-fat, low-carbohydrate KD lead to features that are also associated with the metabolic syndrome and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in humans.
Impaired exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in the obese Zucker rat, despite PGC-1α induction, is due to compromised mitochondrial translation elongation
Authors: Greene Nicholas P. , Nilsson Mats I. , Washington Tyrone A. , Lee David E. , Brown Lemuel A. , Papineau Alyssa M. , Shimkus Kevin L. , Greene Elizabeth S. , Crouse Stephen F. , Fluckey James D.
Published: January 2014

Previously, we demonstrated that high-volume resistance exercise stimulates mitochondrial protein synthesis (a measure of mitochondrial biogenesis) in lean but not obese Zucker rats. Here, we examined factors involved in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in the same animals. PGC-1α was 45% higher following exercise in obese but not lean animals compared with sedentary counterparts. Interestingly, exercised animals demonstrated greater PPARδ protein in both lean (47%) and obese (>200%) animals. AMPK phosphorylation (300%) and CPT-I protein (30%) were elevated by exercise in lean animals only, indicating improved substrate availability/flux. These findings suggest that, despite PGC-1α induction, obese animals were resistant to exercise-induced synthesis of new mitochondrial and oxidative protein. Previously, we reported that most anabolic processes are upregulated in these same obese animals regardless of exercise, so the purpose of this study was to assess specific factors associated with the mitochondrial genome as possible culprits for impaired mitochondrial biogenesis. Exercise resulted in higher mRNA contents of mitochondrial transcription factor A (∼50% in each phenotype) and mitochondrial translation initiation factor 2 (31 and 47% in lean and obese, respectively). However, mitochondrial translation elongation factor-Tu mRNA was higher following exercise in lean animals only (40%), suggesting aberrant regulation of mitochondrial translation elongation as a possible culprit in impaired mitochondrial biogenesis following exercise with obesity.