bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contingencies and characteristics of service recovery system design
Authors: Contiero Enrico , Ponsignon Frederic , Smart Philip Andrew , Vinelli Andrea
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contingencies and characteristics of service recovery system (SRS) design.

Design/methodology/approach

Informed by extensive case study data from two large Italian retail banks, the theory-building study builds on the seven design characteristics proposed by Smithet al.(2009). In all, 19 sub-dimensions are identified that provide a finer-grain view of the SRS at the operational level. The design characteristics and the corresponding sub-dimensions comprise the SRS design framework. These sub-dimensions are then analysed across the two cases. Specific attention is given to sub-dimensions that are contingent upon service recovery strategy.

Findings

The findings suggest that the extended set of SRS sub-dimensions (providing greater specificity) contributes to identifying commonality and difference between SRS configurations. This specificity facilitates the identification of two sets of SRS design characteristics (S-type and C-type) that correspond with the SR strategy. Two propositions have been formulated with respect to this SR strategy – SRS contingency. An additional set of sub-dimensions, common to both cases, is explained by conformance to regulatory control.

Originality/value

The paper provides novel theoretical insights into SRS design. The increased specificity of the SRS framework and the sets of sub-dimensions contingent on SR strategy extend the current theory. This provides opportunities for both practising managers and for future theoretical development.
The effect of board of directors and audit committee effectiveness on internet financial reporting
Authors: Bin-Ghanem Hasan , Ariff Akmalia M.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board of directors and audit committee effectiveness on the level of internet financial reporting (IFR) disclosure practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 152 listed financial companies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Based on agency theory, the authors posit that board of directors and audit committee effectiveness influence corporate IFR disclosure practice. Content analysis approach, based on an un-weighted index of 35 IFR items is used to measure the level of IFR disclosure. Thus, multiple regression analysis is utilized to analyse the results of this paper.

Findings

The results show that board of directors and audit committee effectiveness has significant influence on the level of IFR disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

One potential limitation of this paper is that the sample is drawn only from the GCC listed financial companies. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to other than the financial institutions.

Practical implications

The finding(s) highlights the importance of board of directors and audit committee characteristics in corporate governance and in the development of financial markets that foster IFR disclosure.

Originality/value

This paper extends previous IFR disclosure studies by considering both the role of board of directors and audit committee effectiveness score in examining IFR disclosure.
Correlates of suicidal ideation in incarcerated offenders: a pilot study in three Belgian prisons
Authors: Wittouck Ciska , Favril Louis , Portzky Gwendolyn , Vander Laenen Freya , Declercq Frédéric , Audenaert Kurt
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlates of suicidal ideation in offenders incarcerated in three Belgian prisons.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional questionnaire design was used. In total, 60 participants were recruited from three Belgian prisons. In addition to a questionnaire regarding demographic, social, institutional, and criminological factors, validated self-report instruments of psychological and psychiatric variables (coping, hopelessness, and depressive symptomatology) were administered. Associations with suicidal ideation were tested using regression analysis.

Findings

Coping style, life events, and social support were most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in prisoners. In particular, a passive coping style, feelings of loneliness, and the loss of a significant other contributed most to the presence of suicidal ideation, whereas a close partner relationship constituted a protective factor of suicidal thoughts.

Research limitations/implications

This pilot study used a convenience sampling strategy, prone to sampling bias. Additionally, given the small sample size, results must be interpreted with caution, as they might not be representative of the general population of prisoners in Belgium.

Practical implications

Interventions focussing on improving coping skills and social support and on impeding the availability and accessibility of suicide methods are promising suicide prevention strategies in custodial settings.

Originality/value

To date, no studies have been conducted in Belgium focussing on suicidality in prisoners. Furthermore, the examination of suicidal ideation in prison settings has received relatively scant attention in international research.
A multilevel puzzle: Migrants’ voting rights in national and local elections
Authors: ARRIGHI JEAN‐THOMAS , BAUBÖCK RAINER
Published: October 2016

How does international migration impact the composition of the demos? Constitutional doctrines and democratic theories suggest contrasting responses: an insular one excludes both non‐citizen immigrants and citizen‐emigrants; a deterritorialised one includes all citizens wherever they reside; a postnational one includes all residents and only these. This article argues that none of these predicted responses represents the dominant pattern of democratic adaptation, which is instead a level‐specific expansion of the national franchise to include non‐resident citizens and of the local franchise to include non‐citizen residents. This is demonstrated by analysing an original dataset on voting rights in 31 European and 22 American countries, and outlining a level‐sensitive normative theory of citizenship that provides support for this pattern as well as a critical benchmark for current franchise policies. The findings can be summarised in two inductive generalisations: (1) Voting rights today no longer depend on residence at the national level and on citizenship of the respective state at the local level; (2) Voting rights do, however, generally depend on citizenship of the respective state at the national level and on residence at the local level. In the article, these are called the patterns of franchise ‘expansion’ and ‘containment’. The former supports the idea of widespread level‐specific expansion of the franchise and refutes the insular view of the demos. The latter signals corresponding level‐specific restrictions, which defeats over‐generalised versions of deterritorialised or postnational conceptions of the demos. In order to test how robust this finding is, cases are analysed where the dominant patterns of expansion have been resisted and where unexpected expansion has occurred. With regard to the former, the article identifies constitutional and political obstacles to voting rights expansion in particular countries. With regard to the latter, the article shows that even where national voting rights have been extended to non‐citizen residents, containment remains strong through indirect links to citizenship.
PrimerMiner: an r package for development and in silico validation of DNA metabarcoding primers
Authors: Elbrecht Vasco , Leese Florian
Published: October 2016

DNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool to assess biodiversity by amplifying and sequencing a standardized gene marker region. Its success is often limited due to variable binding sites that introduce amplification biases. Thus, the development of optimized primers for communities or taxa under study in a certain geographic region and/or ecosystems is of critical importance. However, no tool for obtaining and processing of reference sequence data in bulk that can serve as a backbone for primer design is currently available.

We developed the r package PrimerMiner, which batch downloads DNA barcode gene sequences from BOLD and NCBI data bases for specified target taxonomic groups and then applies sequence clustering into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) to reduce biases introduced by the different number of available sequences per species. Additionally, PrimerMiner offers functionalities to evaluate primers in silico, which are in our opinion more realistic than the strategy employed in another available software for that purpose, ecoPCR.

We used PrimerMiner to download cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for 15 important freshwater invertebrate groups, relevant for ecosystem assessment. By processing COI markers from both data bases, we were able to increase the amount of reference data 249‐fold on average, compared to using complete mitochondrial genomes alone. Furthermore, we visualized the generated OTU sequence alignments and describe how to evaluate primers in silico using PrimerMiner.

With PrimerMiner, we provide a useful tool to obtain relevant sequence data for targeted primer development and evaluation. The OTU‐based reference alignments generated with PrimerMiner can be used for manual primer design or processed with bioinformatic tools for primer development.
Review: DNA methylation and alcohol use disorders: Progress and challenges
Authors: Zhang Huiping , Gelernter Joel
Published: October 2016

Background and Objectives

Risk for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is influenced by gene–environment interactions. Environmental factors can affect gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. This review outlines the findings regarding the association of DNA methylation and AUDs.

Methods

We searched PubMed (by April 2016) and identified 29 studies that examined the association of DNA methylation and AUDs. We also evaluated the methods used in these studies.

Results

Two studies demonstrated elevated global (repetitive element) DNA methylation levels in AUD subjects. Fifteen candidate gene studies showed hypermethylation of promoter regions of six genes (AVP, DNMT3B, HERP, HTR3A, OPRM1, and SNCA) or hypomethylation of the GDAP1 promoter region in AUD subjects. Five genome‐wide DNA methylation studies demonstrated widespread DNA methylation changes across the genome in AUD subjects. Six studies showed significant correlations of DNA methylation with gene expression in AUD subjects. Three studies revealed interactive effects of genetic variation and DNA methylation on susceptibility to AUDs. Most studies analyzed AUD‐associated DNA methylation changes in the peripheral blood; a few studies examined DNA methylation changes in postmortem brains of AUD subjects.

Discussion and Conclusions

Chronic alcohol consumption may result in DNA methylation changes, leading to neuroadaptations that may underlie some of the mechanisms of AUD risk and persistence. Future studies are needed to confirm the few existing results, and then to elucidate whether DNA methylation changes are the cause or consequence of AUDs.

Scientific Significance

DNA methylation profiles may be used to assess AUD status or monitor AUD treatment response. (Am J Addict 2017;26:502–515)
Temporal analysis of thyroid cancer management in a Melbourne tertiary centre
Authors: Lee James C. , Chang Paula , Grodski Simon , Yeung Meei , Johnson William , Serpell Jonathan
Published: October 2016

Background

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) management guidelines for thyroid cancer were revised in 2009. The aim of this study was to determine if management of thyroid cancer in our institution has changed in accordance with the introduction of the revised ATA guidelines (ATA2009
), and to compare the characteristics and management of thyroid cancer in a Melbourne endocrine surgery unit over a 7‐year period.

Methods

All patients treated by the Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit for thyroid cancer between 2007 and 2013 were divided into two groups – the pre‐ATA2009
group (2007–2010) and the post‐ATA2009
group (2011–2013). Comparisons were made of the demographics, cytology, pathology, surgical outcome and adjuvant therapy using t‐test and chi‐squared tests.

Results

There were 333 patients in the pre‐ATA2009
group and 342 patients in the post‐ATA2009
group. Fewer non‐diagnostic fine‐needle aspiration cytology results were identified in the post‐ATA2009
group (4% versus 0.9%; P = 0.01), while the rates of other fine‐needle aspiration cytology categories were similar. There was a reduction in the use of radioactive iodine ablation in the post‐ATA2009
group, both in the proportion of patients being treated (66% versus 48%; P < 0.001) and the dosages used (mean 96 mCi versus 80 mCi; P < 0.01), despite similar tumour size in both groups.

Conclusion

The key changes in practice thought to be attributable to the 2009 revised ATA guidelines were the reduction in the use and dosage of radioactive iodine in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer.
Excessive homework, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity and screen viewing time are major contributors to high paediatric obesity
Authors: Ren Hong , Zhou Zhixiong , Liu Wenxi (Kevin) , Wang Xiujiang , Yin Zenong
Published: October 2016

Aim

This study examined the relationships between energy balance‐related behaviours (EBRBs) outside school hours and obesity in Chinese primary school students. We also explored the influence of gender on those relationships.

Methods

The study sample was a cross‐sectional cohort of 5032 Chinese children who were enrolled in grades 1–6 in primary schools in five Chinese cities and whose mean ages ranged from seven years and three months to 11.9 years. The children's parents completed a survey on their child's height, weight and EBRBs outside school hours.

Results

The response rate was 97%, and the reported rates of overweight and obesity were 13.6% and 13.8%, respectively. The obesity rates were higher in boys and lower grade children. Most EBRBs varied between boys and girls and with increased grade levels. The amount of time spent on academic‐related activities, screen viewing, outdoor activities and sleep was mostly associated with obesity on weekdays and varied by gender.

Conclusion

Rate of obesity was alarmingly high in the primary school Chinese children in this cohort, especially in younger children. Excessive time spent on academic‐related activities outside school hours, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity and higher levels of screen viewing were major contributors to obesity in these Chinese children.
Quality of life in climacteric Turkish women with urinary incontinence
Authors: Güvenç Gülten , Kocaöz Semra , Kök Gülşah
Published: October 2016

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health problem and negatively affects the quality of life of women who are afflicted. The aim of the study is to explore the prevalence and risk factors of UI among climacteric Turkish women and to examine the effects of UI on their quality of life. This cross‐sectional study was conducted with 258 women aged 40–64 years who visited the outpatient clinic in Ankara, Turkey, between 15 June 2012 and 15 January 2013. The data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire. This paper reveals that the overall prevalence of UI was 45.3%. Stress UI, mixed UI, and urge UI were reported by 54.7%, 22.2%, and 10.3% of the subjects, respectively. The proportion of women suffering from UI who seek medical treatment was low despite mild or moderate negative effect impacts on their quality of life. Increasing women's awareness of UI and protective measures is essential, and standard UI assessment should be added to all patient examinations.
Comprehensive First‐Line Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hypertension: Experience From a Single‐Center Tertiary Referral Clinic
Authors: Burchell Amy E. , Rodrigues Jonathan C. L. , Charalambos Max , Ratcliffe Laura E. K. , Hart Emma C. , Paton Julian F. R. , Baumbach Andreas , Manghat Nathan E. , Nightingale Angus K.
Published: October 2016

European guidelines recommend that patients with hypertension be assessed for asymptomatic organ damage and secondary causes. The authors propose that a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can provide comprehensive first‐line imaging of patients assessed via a specialist hypertension clinic. A total of 200 patients (56% male, aged 51±15 years, office BP 168±30/96±16 mm Hg) underwent MRI of the heart, kidneys, renal arteries, adrenals and aorta. Comparisons were made with other imaging modalities where available. A total of 61% had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), 14% had reduced ejection fraction, and 15 patients had myocardial infarcts. Echocardiography overdiagnosed LVH in 15% of patients and missed LVH in 14%. Secondary causes were identified in 14.5% of patients: 12 adrenal masses, 10 renal artery stenoses, seven thyroid abnormalities, one aortic coarctation, one enlarged pituitary gland, one polycystic kidney disease, and one renal coloboma syndrome. This comprehensive MRI protocol is an effective method of screening for asymptomatic organ damage and secondary causes of hypertension.
Nucleotide substitutions in CD101, the human homolog of a diabetes susceptibility gene in non‐obese diabetic mouse, in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Okuno Misako , Kasahara Yoshihito , Onodera Masafumi , Takubo Noriyuki , Okajima Michiko , Suga Shigeru , Watanabe Nobuyuki , Suzuki Junichi , Ayabe Tadayuki , Urakami Tatsuhiko , Kawamura Tomoyuki , Kikuchi Nobuyuki , Yokota Ichiro , Kikuchi Toru , Amemiya Shin , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Hayashi Keiko , Hata Kenichiro , Matsubara Yoichi , Ogata Tsutomu , Fukami Maki , Sugihara Shigetaka
Published: October 2016

Aims/Introduction

Although genome‐wide association studies have identified more than 50 susceptibility genes for type 1 diabetes, low‐frequency risk variants could remain unrecognized. The present study aimed to identify novel type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes by newly established methods.

Materials and Methods

We carried out whole‐exome sequencing and genome‐wide copy‐number analysis for a Japanese family consisting of two patients with type 1 diabetes and three unaffected relatives. Further mutation screening was carried out for 127 sporadic cases. The functional consequences of identified substitutions were evaluated by in silico analyses and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting of blood samples.

Results

Whole‐exome sequencing and genome‐wide copy‐number analysis of familial cases showed co‐segregation of the p.V863L substitution in CD101, the human homolog of an autoimmune diabetes gene in the non‐obese diabetic mouse, with type 1 diabetes. Mutation screening of CD101 in 127 sporadic cases detected the p.V678L and p.T944R substitutions in two patients. The p.V863L, p.V678L and p.T944R substitutions were absent or extremely rare in the general population, and were assessed as ‘probably/possibly damaging’ by in silico analyses. CD101 expression on monocytes, granulocytes and myeloid dendritic cells of mutation‐positive patients was weaker than that of control individuals.

Conclusions

These results raise the possibility that CD101 is a susceptibility gene for type 1 diabetes.
The colour of paternity: extra‐pair paternity in the wild Gouldian finch does not appear to be driven by genetic incompatibility between morphs
Authors: Bolton P. E. , Rollins L. A. , Brazill‐Boast J. , Kim K‐W. , Burke T. , Griffith S. C.
Published: October 2016

In socially monogamous species, individuals can use extra‐pair paternity and offspring sex allocation as adaptive strategies to ameliorate costs of genetic incompatibility with their partner. Previous studies on domesticated Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) demonstrated a genetic incompatibility between head colour morphs, the effects of which are more severe in female offspring. Domesticated females use differential sex allocation, and extra‐pair paternity with males of compatible head colour, to reduce fitness costs associated with incompatibility in mixed‐morph pairings. However, laboratory studies are an oversimplification of the complex ecological factors experienced in the wild and may only reflect the biology of a domesticated species. This study aimed to examine the patterns of parentage and sex ratio bias with respect to colour pairing combinations in a wild population of the Gouldian finch. We utilized a novel PCR assay that allowed us to genotype the morph of offspring before the morph phenotype develops and to explore bias in morph paternity and selection at the nest. Contrary to previous findings in the laboratory, we found no effect of pairing combinations on patterns of extra‐pair paternity, offspring sex ratio or selection on morphs in nestlings. In the wild, the effect of morph incompatibility is likely much smaller, or absent, than was observed in the domesticated birds. Furthermore, the previously studied domesticated population is genetically differentiated from the wild population, consistent with the effects of domestication. It is possible that the domestication process fostered the emergence (or enhancement) of incompatibility between colour morphs previously demonstrated in the laboratory.
Pervasive, yet idiosyncratic, epistatic pleiotropy during adaptation in a behaviourally complex microbe
Authors: Zee P. C. , Liu J. , Velicer G. J.
Published: October 2016

Understanding how multiple mutations interact to jointly impact multiple ecologically important traits is critical for creating a robust picture of organismal fitness and the process of adaptation. However, this is complicated by both environmental heterogeneity and the complexity of genotype‐to‐phenotype relationships generated by pleiotropy and epistasis. Moreover, little is known about how pleiotropic and epistatic relationships themselves change over evolutionary time. The soil bacterium Myxococcus xanthus employs several distinct social traits across a range of environments. Here, we use an experimental lineage of M. xanthus that evolved a novel form of social motility to address how interactions between epistasis and pleiotropy evolve. Specifically, we test how mutations accumulated during selection on soft agar pleiotropically affect several other social traits (hard agar motility, predation and spore production). Relationships between changes in swarming rate in the selective environment and the four other traits varied greatly over time in both direction and magnitude, both across timescales of the entire evolutionary lineage and individual evolutionary time steps. We also tested how a previously defined epistatic interaction is pleiotropically expressed across these traits. We found that phenotypic effects of this epistatic interaction were highly correlated between soft and hard agar motility, but were uncorrelated between soft agar motility and predation, and inversely correlated between soft agar motility and spore production. Our results show that ‘epistatic pleiotropy’ varied greatly in magnitude, and often even in sign, across traits and over time, highlighting the necessity of simultaneously considering the interacting complexities of pleiotropy and epistasis when studying the process of adaptation.
Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 and Trichoderma hamatum URM 6656 are Biocontrol Agents that act against Cassava Root rot through different Mechanisms
Authors: da Silva José Aldo Teixeira , de Medeiros Erika Valente , da Silva Jéssica Morais , Tenório Dyana de A. , Moreira Keila Aparecida , Nascimento Talita Camila Evaristo da Silva , Souza‐Motta Cristina
Published: October 2016

Trichoderma has been used to manage a large number of pathogens, but there is a gap in the mechanisms used by these biocontrol agents regarding the physiological response of cassava plants (Manihot esculenta) when it is subjected to cassava root rot. The aims of this study were to investigate the antagonist activity of ten Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium solani on potato dextrose Agar (PDA), to quantify the chitinase production, to select and test in vivo the best isolate from each experiment and to assess the physiological response of cassava to the production of oxidative enzyme complex production (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase). All Trichoderma isolates have shown competitive capability against F. solani, and Trichoderma hamatum URM 6656 showed the highest inhibition of pathogen growth (88.91%). All isolates have shown chitinase activity, but Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 produced the highest amount of chitinase. T. hamatum URM 6656 and T. aureoviride URM 5158 were selected to be applied in vivo. The two Trichoderma strains reduced 64 and 60% of the disease severity in the shoot and 82 and 84% in the root. Cassava plants infected with Trichoderma have shown the highest peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase production. Our results have indicated that T. aureoviride URM 5158 is an effective biocontrol agent against cassava root rot caused by F. solani, because it presented competitive antagonist capability in vitro, the highest chitinase production, and reduced the cassava root rot severity. The application of T. aureoviride has led to the maximum enzyme activity of reactive oxygen species group in cassava plants.
Childhood Victimization in a National Sample of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Pfeffer Rebecca D.
Published: October 2016

There are a number of hidden populations in the United States whose victimization goes undetected and unreported. This study aims to assess the victimization experiences of one such population: American children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Utilizing the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), this study obtained past‐year and lifetime prevalence rates of interpersonal violence in a sample of children with ASDs (N = 262). Results showed that almost 89% of these children had experienced an incident of victimization in their lifetime, while almost as many (82.1%) had experienced an incident within the last year. Among those who had been victimized once within the last year, 92% experienced at least a second victimization within that same time period, pointing to significant levels of poly‐victimization. Risk ratios confirm that if a child experiences an incident of victimization in the past year, s/he is at risk to experience another type of victimization during that time frame, no matter what type of initial victimization exposure was examined. Previous research specifically addressing the victimization of children with ASDs in the United States has been limited and often focuses on a specific form of victimization, such as bullying. Implications include considering the impact of exposure to multiple forms of victimization and addressing the possibility of long‐term trauma resulting from chronic exposure to victimization.
Spatio‐temporal genetic structure and the effects of long‐term fishing in two partially sympatric offshore demersal fishes
Authors: Henriques Romina , von der Heyden Sophie , Lipinski Marek R. , du Toit Nina , Kainge Paulus , Bloomer Paulette , Matthee Conrad A.
Published: October 2016

Environmental gradients have been shown to disrupt gene flow in marine species, yet their influence in structuring populations at depth remains poorly understood. The Cape hakes (Merluccius paradoxus and M. capensis) are demersal species co‐occurring in the Benguela Current system, where decades of intense fishing resulted in severely depleted stocks in the past. Previous studies identified conflicting mtDNA genetic substructuring patterns and thus contrasting evolutionary trajectories for both species. Using 10 microsatellite loci, the control region of mtDNA and employing a seascape genetics approach, we investigated genetic connectivity and the impact of prolonged exploitation in the two species, which are characterized by different patterns of fishing pressure. Three consecutive years were sampled covering the entire distribution (N = 2100 fishes). Despite large estimated population sizes, both species exhibited low levels of contemporary genetic diversity (0.581 < HE < 0.692), implying that fishing has had a significant impact on their genetic composition and evolutionary trajectories. Further, for M. paradoxus, significant temporal, but not spatial, divergence points to the presence of genetic chaotic patchiness. In contrast, M. capensis exhibited a clear latitudinal cline in genetic differentiation between Namibia and South Africa (FST = 0.063, P < 0.05), with low (0.2% per generation) estimates of contemporary gene flow. Seascape analyses reveal an association with bathymetry and upwelling events, suggesting that adaptation to local environmental conditions may drive genetic differentiation in M. capensis. Importantly, our results highlight the need for temporal sampling in disentangling the complex factors that impact population divergence in marine fishes.
Mosquitoes of field and forest: the scale of habitat segregation in a diverse mosquito assemblage
Authors: REISKIND M. H. , GRIFFIN R. H. , JANAIRO M. S. , HOPPERSTAD K. A.
Published: October 2016

Knowledge of the distribution of arthropod vectors across a landscape is important in determining the risk for vector‐borne disease. This has been well explored for ticks, but not for mosquitoes, despite their importance in the transmission of a variety of pathogens. This study examined the importance of habitat, habitat edges, and the scale at which mosquito abundance and diversity vary in a rural landscape by trapping along transects from grassland areas into forest patches. Significant patterns of vector diversity and distinct mosquito assemblages across habitats were found. The scale of individual species' responses to habitat edges was often dramatic, with several species rarely straying even 10 m from the edge. The present results suggest blood‐seeking mosquito species are faithful to certain habitats, which has consequences for patterns of vector diversity and risk for pathogen transmission. This implies that analysts of risk for pathogen transmission and foci of control, and developers of land management strategies should assess habitat at a finer scale than previously considered.
Consumer Search Ability, Price Dispersion and the Digital Divide
Authors: McDonald Stephen , Wren Colin
Published: October 2016

The ‘digital divide’ in online activities is believed to arise from differences in Internet access, but this paper advances an alternative explanation that is related to consumer search ability. It argues that this leads to greater price dispersion, causing some consumers to be discriminated against. It analyses price data for the UK Internet motor insurance market, collecting data on 32,255 prices for 110 sub‐markets, where differences in price dispersion across these by age, occupation and sex of the driver are argued to reflect differences in search ability. Allowing for price dispersion to also depend on the insurance risk, it finds greater price dispersion for consumers with weaker search abilities, i.e. older, unemployed, retired or female consumers. As this is not explained by alternative hypotheses, the paper concludes that improved Internet access alone will not close the ‘digital divide’. The implication is that policymakers should address the online search abilities of individuals as well as Internet access.
Mitigation of sperm tail abnormalities using demembranation approach in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
Authors: Tipkantha W , Thuwanut P , Siriaroonrat B , Comizzoli P , Chatdarong K
Published: October 2016

Contents

Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) produced high proportion of abnormal spermatozoa (mainly tail defects) that can limit sperm movement and conception. The study aimed to better identify the origin of those defects using a demembranation approach. Ejaculates (1–2 ejaculations/male; n = 9) were allocated to simple washing (control; resulting in 11.7% ± 1.9% coiled tails) and processed through colloid centrifugation to reduce the number of sperm with tail defects (treatment, resulting in 5.9% ± 0.9% coiled tails). Aliquots of semen were incubated in hypo‐osmotic solution (HOS, 60 mOsm fructose solution) containing 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) (a reducing agent) to prevent oxidation of sperm membrane. Thereafter, 20% Triton X‐100 (TX) (a detergent) was added to the HOS/DTT‐treated samples. After HOS/DTT incubation, the control samples and sperm‐selected samples presented 73.4% ± 3.1% and 73.9% ± 2.5% swollen sperm (bent and coiled) indicating membrane intact, respectively. Most of the coiled tail in the raw ejaculates could not be opened by TX indicating that the cause of coiled sperm tails may be from testicular origin. The proportion of sperm with tightly coiled tail tended to be lower in the sperm‐selected group than control group (18.8% ± 3.8% and 26.5% ± 3.4%; p = .1), whereas the sperm opened up by TX tended to be higher in the sperm‐selected group (53.6% ± 10.4% and 21.1% ± 7.9%; p = .06). The results indicated TX was able to uncoil half of the tightly coiled sperm in the semen undergone preparation. In conclusion, the coiled sperm in the clouded leopard semen were likely not a defect of sperm volume regulation during post‐ejaculate (osmotic swelling) but pre‐ejaculate origin. Semen preparation demonstrated its ability to lessen the primary sperm defects and selected spermatozoa that were prone to be mitigated after demembranation.
Measuring Residual Renal Function in Hemodialysis Patients without Urine Collection
Authors: Wong Jonathan , Kaja Kamal Raja Mohammed , Vilar Enric , Farrington Ken
Published: October 2016

Many patients on hemodialysis retain significant residual renal function (RRF) but currently measurement of RRF in routine clinical practice can only be achieved using inter‐dialytic urine collections to measure urea and creatinine clearances. Urine collections are difficult and inconvenient for patients and staff, and therefore RRF is not universally measured. Methods to assess RRF without reliance on urine collections are needed since RRF provides useful clinical and prognostic information and also permits the application of incremental hemodialysis techniques. Significant efforts have been made to explore the use of serum based biomarkers such as cystatin C, β‐trace protein and β2‐microglobulin to estimate RRF. This article reviews blood‐based biomarkers and novel methods using exogenous filtration markers which show potential in estimating RRF in hemodialysis patients without the need for urine collection.
Narrating Genocide: Time, Memory, and Blame
Authors: Nyseth Brehm Hollie , Fox Nicole
Published: October 2016

More than 20 years have passed since the Rwandan genocide, yet we know little about how Rwandans remember the violence. This article draws upon more than 100 interviews with genocide survivors to assess collective memories of the atrocity. We find that survivors organize their narratives by conceptualizing the genocide as a watershed event that divides time into two distinct eras. When discussing the pregenocide period, survivors focus on macrolevel events and structures, locating blame for the genocide in institutions rather than on Rwandan citizens. By contrast, narratives of life after the genocide focus on perceived progress since 1994. We interpret these findings in light of the state's memory projects, the potential functionality of the memories, and the time needed for collective memories to resonate.
Characterizing STEM Teacher Education: Affordances and Constraints of Explicit STEM Preparation for Elementary Teachers
Authors: Rinke Carol R. , Gladstone‐Brown Wendy , Kinlaw C. Ryan , Cappiello Jean
Published: October 2016

Although science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education sits at the center of a national conversation, comparatively little attention has been given to growing need for STEM teacher preparation, particularly at the elementary level. This study analyzes the outcomes of a novel, preservice STEM teacher education model. Building on both general and STEM‐specific teacher preparation principles, this program combined two traditional mathematics and science methods courses into one STEM block. Analysis compared preservice teachers in the traditional courses with those enrolled in the STEM block, investigating STEM teaching efficacy, reported and exhibited pedagogical practices, and STEM literacies using a pre‐post survey as well as analysis of lesson planning products. Linear regression models indicated that substantial growth was seen in both approaches but STEM block preservice teachers reported significantly greater gains in STEM teaching efficacy as compared with traditional‐route teachers. Lesson planning artifacts also demonstrated increased facilitation of STEM literacies, with specific attention to content integration, engineering and design, and arts inclusion. Technology and computational thinking emerged as areas for further growth and clarification in STEM teacher education models. Findings contribute to a growing research base on developing the STEM teacher workforce.
Impact of Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) On the Stock Market Performances in Nigeria (1985-2014)
Authors: Cordelia Onyinyechi Omodero , Ekwe M.C.
Published: October 2016

The study examined the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the stock market performances in Nigeria, from 1985 – 2014. The secondary data used were collected from IMF, International Financial Statistics (2015), CBN Statistical Books (2015). Multiple regression of least square estimation was the tool used to analyze the data in this study.  In the model, the FDI was regressed on RGDP, Consumer Price Index, Real effective exchange rate, Money supply (M2), Share price index, Treasury bill, Nigerian stock exchange transactions. The study revealed that FDI has an insignificant and negative impact on the economy and the macroeconomic variables that determine the performances of the Nigerian stock market. The paper therefore recommends policies that would encourage foreign firms operating in the oil and gas including the telecommunication and agricultural sectors to be listed since it would go a long way in attracting more FDI, leading to improvement in the stock market performances.
Experimental Investigation of a Two-Stage Nonlinear Vibration Isolation System With High-Static-Low-Dynamic Stiffness
Authors: Lu Zeqi , Yang Tiejun , Brennan Michael J. , Liu Zhigang , Chen Li-Qun
Published: October 2016

A novel design of a two-stage nonlinear vibration isolation system, with each stage having a high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS), is studied experimentally in this paper. The positive stiffness in each stage is realized by a metallic plate, and the corresponding negative stiffness is realized by a bistable carbon fiber–metal (CF) composite plate. An analytical model is developed as an aid to design a bistable composite plate with the required negative stiffness, and a static test of the plate is conducted to measure the actual stiffness of the plate. Dynamic tests of the two-stage isolator are carried out to determine the effectiveness of the isolator. Two tests are conducted, one with the bistable composite plates removed so that the isolator behaves as a linear device and one with the bistable composite plates fitted. An improvement in the isolator transmissibility of about 13 dB at frequencies greater than about 100 Hz is achieved when the bistable composite plates are added.
Wrinkling in Sandwich Structures With a Functionally Graded Core
Authors: Birman Victor , Vo Nam
Published: October 2016

This paper illustrates the effectiveness of a functionally graded core in preventing wrinkling in sandwich structures. The problem is solved for piecewise and continuous through-the-thickness core stiffness variations. The analysis is extended to account for the effect of temperature on wrinkling of a sandwich beam with a functionally graded core. The applicability of the developed theory is demonstrated for foam cores where the stiffness is an analytical function of the mass density. In this case, a desirable variation of the stiffness can be achieved by varying the mass density through the thickness of the core. Numerical examples demonstrate that wrinkling stability of a facing can significantly be increased using a piecewise graded core. The best results are achieved locating the layers with a higher mass density adjacent to the facing. A significant increase in the wrinkling stress can eliminate wrinkling as a possible mode of failure, without noticeably increasing the weight of the structure. In the case of a uniform temperature applied in addition to compression, wrinkling in a sandwich beam with a functionally graded core is affected both by its grading as well as by the effect of temperature on the facing and core properties. Although even a moderately elevated temperature may significantly lower the wrinkling stress, the advantage of a graded core over the homogeneous counterpart is conserved.
Influence of Nonzero Mean Impulse Amplitudes on the Response Statistics of Dynamical Systems
Authors: Guo Siu-Siu , Shi Qing-Xuan , Zhu Hai-Tao
Published: October 2016

This paper investigates the influences of nonzero mean Poisson impulse amplitudes on the response statistics of dynamical systems. New correction terms of the extended Itô calculus, as a generalization of the Wong–Zakai correction terms in the case of normal excitations, are adopted to consider the non-normal property in the case of Poisson process. Due to these new correction terms, the corresponding drift and diffusion coefficients of Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation have to be modified and they become more complicated. Herein, the exponential–polynomial closure (EPC) method is employed to solve such a complex FPK equation. Since there are no exact solutions, the efficiency of the EPC method is numerically evaluated by the simulation results. Three examples of different excitation patterns are considered. Numerical results indicate that the influence of nonzero mean impulse amplitudes on system responses depends on the excitation patterns. It is negligible in the case of parametric excitation on displacement. On the contrary, the influence becomes significant in the cases of external excitation and parametric excitation on velocity.
State Space Reconstruction of Nonstationary Time-Series
Authors: Ma Hong-Guang , Zhang Chun-Liang , Li Fu
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a new method of state space reconstruction is proposed for the nonstationary time-series. The nonstationary time-series is first converted into its analytical form via the Hilbert transform, which retains both the nonstationarity and the nonlinear dynamics of the original time-series. The instantaneous phase angle θ is then extracted from the time-series. The first- and second-order derivatives θ˙, θ¨ of phase angle θ are calculated. It is mathematically proved that the vector field [θ,θ˙,θ¨] is the state space of the original time-series. The proposed method does not rely on the stationarity of the time-series, and it is available for both the stationary and nonstationary time-series. The simulation tests have been conducted on the stationary and nonstationary chaotic time-series, and a powerful tool, i.e., the scale-dependent Lyapunov exponent (SDLE), is introduced for the identification of nonstationarity and chaotic motion embedded in the time-series. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated.
Disposable Fluidic Actuators for Miniature In-Vivo Surgical Robotics
Authors: Pourghodrat Abolfazl , Nelson Carl A.
Published: October 2016

Fusion of robotics and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has created new opportunities to develop diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Surgical robotics is advancing from externally actuated systems to miniature in-vivo robotics. However, with miniaturization of electric-motor-driven surgical robots, there comes a trade-off between the size of the robot and its capability. Slow actuation, low load capacity, sterilization difficulties, leaking electricity and transferring produced heat to tissues, and high cost are among the key limitations of the use of electric motors in in-vivo applications. Fluid power in the form of hydraulics or pneumatics has a long history in driving many industrial devices and could be exploited to circumvent these limitations. High power density and good compatibility with the in-vivo environment are the key advantages of fluid power over electric motors when it comes to in-vivo applications. However, fabrication of hydraulic/pneumatic actuators within the desired size and pressure range required for in-vivo surgical robotic applications poses new challenges. Sealing these types of miniature actuators at operating pressures requires obtaining very fine surface finishes which is difficult and costly. The research described here presents design, fabrication, and testing of a hydraulic/pneumatic double-acting cylinder, a limited-motion vane motor, and a balloon-actuated laparoscopic grasper. These actuators are small, seal-less, easy to fabricate, disposable, and inexpensive, thus ideal for single-use in-vivo applications. To demonstrate the ability of these actuators to drive robotic joints, they were modified and integrated in a robotic arm. The design and testing of this surgical robotic arm are presented to validate the concept of fluid-power actuators for in-vivo applications.
Provenance information as a tool for addressing engineered nanoparticle
reproducibility challenges
Authors: Baer Donald R. , Munusamy Prabhakaran , Thrall Brian D.
Published: October 2016

Nanoparticles of various types are of increasing research and technological importance in biological and other applications. Difficulties in the production and delivery of nanoparticles with consistent and well defined properties appear in many forms and have a variety of causes. Among several issues are those associated with incomplete information about the history of particles involved in research studies, including the synthesis method, sample history after synthesis, including time and nature of storage, and the detailed nature of any sample processing or modification. In addition, the tendency of particles to change with time or environmental condition suggests that the time between analysis and application is important and some type of consistency or verification process can be important. The essential history of a set of particles can be identified as provenance information and tells the origin or source of a batch of nano-objects along with information related to handling and any changes that may have taken place since it was originated. A record of sample provenance information for a set of particles can play a useful role in identifying some of the sources and decreasing the extent of particle variability and the lack of reproducibility observed by many researchers.
Trenched 4H-SiC with tapered sidewall formed by Cl2/O2 reactive ion etching
Authors: Tseng Yuan-Hung , Tsui Bing-Yue
Published: October 2016

In this article, trenches with various sidewall slant angles were generated on 4H silicon carbide substrate using Cl2/O2-based reactive ion etching. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of chamber environmental conditions, including Cl2/O2 mixing ratios, radio frequency power, and process pressure. The results indicate that the chamber pressure, ion energy, redeposition of etch products/byproducts, and even the existence of photoresist are critical factors affecting the slant angle. The introduction of oxygen not only changes the etch profile but may also cause a serious problem known as the micromasking effect. A method combining photoresist and hydrofluoric acid clean was proposed to eliminate the micromasking effect while keeping the sidewall passivation.