bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving ED specimen TAT using Lean Six Sigma
Authors: Sanders Janet H , Karr Tedd
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Lean and Six Sigma are continuous improvement methodologies that have garnered international fame for improving manufacturing and service processes. Increasingly these methodologies are demonstrating their power to also improve healthcare processes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a case study for the application of Lean and Six Sigma tools in the reduction of turnaround time (TAT) for Emergency Department (ED) specimens. This application of the scientific methodologies uncovered opportunities to improve the entire ED to lab system for the specimens.

Design/methodology/approach

– This case study provides details on the completion of a Lean Six Sigma project in a 1,000 bed tertiary care teaching hospital. Six Sigma’s Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control methodology is very similar to good medical practice: first, relevant information is obtained and assembled; second, a careful and thorough diagnosis is completed; third, a treatment is proposed and implemented; and fourth, checks are made to determine if the treatment was effective. Lean’s primary goal is to do more with less work and waste. The Lean methodology was used to identify and eliminate waste through rapid implementation of change.

Findings

– The initial focus of this project was the reduction of turn-around-times for ED specimens. However, the results led to better processes for both the internal and external customers of this and other processes. The project results included: a 50 percent decrease in vials used for testing, a 50 percent decrease in unused or extra specimens, a 90 percent decrease in ED specimens without orders, a 30 percent decrease in complete blood count analysis (CBCA) Median TAT, a 50 percent decrease in CBCA TAT Variation, a 10 percent decrease in Troponin TAT Variation, a 18.2 percent decrease in URPN TAT Variation, and a 2-5 minute decrease in ED registered nurses rainbow draw time.

Practical implications

– This case study demonstrated how the quantitative power of Six Sigma and the speed of Lean worked in harmony to improve the blood draw process for a 1,000 bed tertiary care teaching hospital. The blood draw process is a standard process used in hospitals to collect blood chemistry and hematology information for clinicians. The methods used in this case study demonstrated valuable and practical applications of process improvement methodologies that can be used for any hospital process and/or service environment.

Originality/value

– While this is not the first case study that has demonstrated the use of continuous process improvement methodologies to improve a hospital process, it is unique in the way in which it utilizes the strength of the project focussed approach that adheres more to the structure and rigor of Six Sigma and relied less on the speed of lean. Additionally, the application of these methodologies in healthcare is emerging research.
Event-triggered robust control for networked control systems with actuator failures and time-varying transmission delays
Authors: Pan Peng , Jiang Shun , Pan Feng
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is with robust control problem for event-triggered networked control systems (NCSs) with actuator failures and time-varying transmission delays.

Design/methodology/approach

– A random sequence is introduced to describe the actuator faults, and a novel event-triggering communication scheme is adopted in the sensor-to-controller channel. By taking the event-triggered mechanism and network transmission delay into consideration, a delay system model is constructed.

Findings

– Based on Lyapunov stability theory and free weighting matrix method, the feasibility criteria for co-designing both the controller gain and the trigger parameters are derived. Finally, a simulation example is exploited to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) approach.

Originality/value

– The introduced approach is interesting for NCSs with actuator failures and time-varying transmission delays.
Auto-regressive multiple-valued logic neurons with sequential Chua’s oscillator back-propagation learning for online prediction and synchronization of chaotic trajectories
Authors: Mozaffari Ahmad , Azad Nasser L. , Fathi Alireza
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural and computational potentials of a powerful class of neural networks (NNs), called multiple-valued logic neural networks (MVLNN), for predicting the behavior of phenomenological systems with highly nonlinear dynamics. MVLNNs are constructed based on the integration of a number of neurons working based on the principle of multiple-valued logics. MVLNNs possess some particular features, namely complex-valued weights, input, and outputs coded by kth roots of unity, and a continuous activation as a mean for transferring numbers from complex spaces to trigonometric spaces, which distinguish them from most of the existing NNs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The presented study can be categorized into three sections. At the first part, the authors attempt at providing the mathematical formulations required for the implementation of ARX-based MVLNN (AMVLNN). In this context, it is indicated that how the concept of ARX can be used to revise the structure of MVLNN for online applications. Besides, the stepwise formulation for the simulation of Chua’s oscillatory map and multiple-valued logic-based BP are given. Through an analysis, some interesting characteristics of the Chua’s map, including a number of possible attractors of the state and sequences generated as a function of time, are given.

Findings

– Based on a throughout simulation as well as a comprehensive numerical comparative study, some important features of AMVLNN are demonstrated. The simulation results indicate that AMVLNN can be employed as a tool for the online identification of highly nonlinear dynamic systems. Furthermore, the results show the compatibility of the Chua’s oscillatory system with BP for an effective tuning of the synaptic weights. The results also unveil the potentials of AMVLNN as a fast, robust, and efficient control-oriented model at the heart of NMPC control schemes.

Originality/value

– This study presents two innovative propositions. First, the structure of MVLNN is modified based on the concept of ARX system identification programming to suit the base structure for coping with chaotic and highly nonlinear systems. Second, the authors share the findings about the learning characteristics of MVLNNs. Through an exhaustive comparative study and considering different rival methodologies, a novel and efficient double-stage learning strategy is proposed which remarkably improves the performance of MVLNNs. Finally, the authors describe the outline of a novel formulation which prepares the proposed AMVLNN for applications in NMPC controllers for dynamic systems.
The social assistance policy in urban China: a critical review
Authors: Zhang Haomiao
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess China’s urban social assistance policy, mainly by examining the findings of in-depth interviews with urban Dibao recipients in Chengdu about their experiences with social assistance, and by comparing what the social assistance offers with the urban poor households’ actual needs and vulnerabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, the author interviewed 15 people from urban Dibao Households in Wuhou District and Qingyang District of Chengdu, China. The interviews were conducted from April to August in 2013, usually in their homes. The small sample naturally limits generalizations, however it can point to directions for future research.

Findings

– It is found out that urban Dibao which is the core of social assistance policy provides insufficient cash support and other special assistance programs are more of tokenistic which do not offer much help. Besides, due to lack of psychological aid, many recipients show negative and pessimistic attitudes toward life.

Originality/value

– Regarding the assessment of social assistance policy in China, the international literature has shown little interest. Several Chinese scholars have analyzed urban social assistance system, but they tend to examine or assess from the perspective of policy makers and focus on making policy suggestions. Thus, there is not much information about whether what the social assistance offers could meet the urban poor households’ actual needs and vulnerabilities. An interesting endeavor would be to explore and assess the urban social assistance policy from the perspective of the recipients, and this is exactly what this paper aims to do.
Welfare reform and the street level bureaucrat in homelessness services
Authors: Alden Sarah Louise
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Lipsky’s street level bureaucrat conceptual framework is employed to assist in understanding the ways in which statutory frontline homelessness practitioners are engaging with the current welfare reform agenda. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Draws the street level bureaucrat framework. A national baseline survey of homelessness practitioners was followed by targeted qualitative interviews involving 12 local authorities in England.

Findings

– Homelessness practitioners are facing a twofold crisis due to an increase in service users and corresponding decrease in feasible housing options or resources to tackle this. It was reported that effective service provision for all who required it was becoming increasingly difficult, which in turn fostered an environment in which unlawful gatekeeping practices could thrive. Further, it was found that a service user’s position may be additionally weakened due to the new powers conferred in the Localism Act.

Research limitations/implications

– Qualitative data were limited to North East Authorities due to limited research resources.

Social implications

– The current austere climate is negatively impacting upon the delivery of statutory homelessness provision. Differing implementation of the Localism Act will lead to inequitable service outcomes.

Originality/value

– Application of the street level bureaucrat implementation framework to English homelessness services, a national survey of English frontline service delivery in an austere climate.
Roles of perceived value and individual differences in the acceptance of mobile coupon applications
Authors: Liu Fen , Zhao Xuefeng , Chau Patrick Y.K. , Tang Qing
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumers’ value evaluation and personality factors influence consumers’ intention to adopt mobile coupon (M-coupon) applications in China. The moderating effect of gender on the relationships between personality factors and consumers’ adoption intention is also tested.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study conducted a survey to collect data from M-coupon application users. In total, 271 valid responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) technology.

Findings

– The results indicate that perceived value, personal innovativeness, and coupon proneness positively affect consumers’ acceptance of M-coupon applications. Personal innovativeness has more positive impact on behavioral intention for males than for females. However, the differential effects of coupon proneness on behavioral intention are not significant between males and females. In addition, the findings show that perceived convenience, perceived enjoyment, and perceived money savings positively influence perceived value, whereas perceived fees and perceived privacy risk negatively influence it.

Practical implications

– This study helps M-coupon application providers to identify who is positive toward their services and how to improve consumers’ perceived value of the services, eventually expanding their user base.

Originality/value

– Prior studies mainly focussed on the usage behavior of M-coupons and overlooked the important role of M-coupon applications in promoting M-coupon use. This research fills this gap. The research findings offer insights into the factors influencing consumers’ behavioral intention to adopt M-coupon applications. Besides, the results of gender’s moderating effect advance the understanding of the differences in males’ coupon usage intentions between the contexts of M-coupon applications and paper-based coupon services, which enrich couponing research.
The role of trust in enhancing Internet use in a high-risk society
Authors: Touray Almamy , Savolainen Taina , Salminen Airi , Sutinen Erkki , Dai Yue
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine the key trust antecedents that influence Internet users’ trust level toward Internet service providers (ISPs) in a high-risk society. It also investigates trust-building process, major causes of its violation, their potential implications and restoration.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed-method approach was used in collecting data in Kenya in 2014 by using questionnaire and interview techniques. The former was administered to 250 (with 81 per cent response rate) randomly selected Internet users at Kenyatta University while the latter focused on key decision-makers from four randomly selected ISPs in Nairobi.

Findings

– The results show that Internet users’ perceptions of ISPs’ ability to be trusted in Kenya depend more on their competence in terms of service delivery (ability) and desire to protect users (benevolence) than upholding acceptable standards (integrity). The results also indicate a lack of trust manifested in poor communication and greed for profit among ISPs as major causes of trust violation.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes two frameworks that can enhance Internet use by providing a better understanding of trust in a high-risk society.
Barriers to the use of mobile sales force automation systems: a salesperson’s perspective
Authors: Sinisalo Jaakko , Karjaluoto Heikki , Saraniemi Saila
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers associated with the adoption and use of mobile sales force automation (SFA) systems from a salesperson’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative investigation of two business-to-business companies was conducted. Data collected from ten semi-structured interviews with directors or sales managers were analyzed to understand the main barriers to SFA system adoption.

Findings

– The study confirms the existence of three barriers (customer knowledge, quality of information and the characteristics of mobile devices) to a mobile SFA system use and identifies two additional barriers: lack of time and optimization issues.

Research limitations/implications

– The explorative nature of the study and the qualitative method employed limit the generalizability of the results. The propositions could be further validated and tested with a wider population.

Practical implications

– Organizations wishing to speed the adoption of a mobile SFA system should evaluate the importance and significance of the five identified barriers to adoption, and plan how to overcome them. It is important for the providers of the mobile SFA systems to focus on developing systems that can exploit the different characteristics of each channel and, in parallel, overcome the inherent limitations of any single channel. The content of an SFA system should be customizable for each type of mobile device.

Originality/value

– Ever increasing mobility has led to a rise in the use of smartphones and tablet PCs (tablets) in business and the consequent growth in the use of SFA systems. Although SFA systems have been studied for roughly 30 years, little is known of the impact of newly developed mobile devices on sales management and sales personnel.
Improving effectiveness of mitigation measures in EIA follow-up
Authors: Gallardo Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo , Cavalhieri Caio Pompeu , Campos Sofia Julia Alves Macedo , Bitar Omar Yazbek
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of mitigation measures adopted in a scheme of EIA follow-up by examining their performance in reducing geo-environmental impacts in earthwork activities during the Rodoanel southern section construction in São Paulo, Brazil. This environment is fragile in terms of affected watersheds because the highway crosses two important reservoirs that supply most of the metropolitan water demand. Therefore, this research also aims at promoting water quality control.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study combines complementary sources as evidences in the literature and field checks, tests and monitoring. The methodology was supported by criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures in the case study approach.

Findings

– The EIA follow-up activities contributed to the maintenance of environmental conditions in the majority of the control points at the end of the construction phase. Water quality parameters were not statistically different before and during the construction of the highway. The choice and arrangement of mitigation measures were successful in ensuring water quality control by avoiding siltation.

Practical implications

– A robust scheme for designing and evaluating mitigation measures contributes to the improvement of their effectiveness and is pivotal to the success of the EIA follow-up.

Originality/value

– This case study serves as an example for extending EIA follow-up practice in special to the improvement of the design and evaluation of mitigation measures in similar contexts.
Theory of constraints – application in land transportation systems
Authors: Zivaljevic Aleksandar
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore use of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) approach in addressing traffic congestion as the main impediment to improving utility of the land transportation systems. The observed element is a motorway segment with regulated access.

Design/methodology/approach

– As the literature addressing this topic is rare or nonexistent, this study employs exploratory design, developing tentative theory through the generation of new ideas and assumptions forming grounded picture as a base for further investigation.

Findings

– The study concludes that the most binding constraint is broken in the third out of the TOC’ five steps and that the improvement in the given segment of the land transportation system is possible to be achieved using this framework.

Originality/value

– Although the merits of use of TOC have been considered in other than just production-planning environments, its application in land transportation systems has never been examined. This study presents one of the rare, if not the only attempt to make use of this unique theory that is systematised in the systems management paradigm within the realm of land transportation systems.
The impact of the quality of the bus fleet in the implementation of strategy of sustainable development of a region
Authors: Misiurski Przemyslaw
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the condition of the bus fleet operated by the bus companies and its impact on the passengers’ decision about the choice of means of transport in the light of the strategy of sustainable development of a region and the European Union (EU) transport policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the legal documents of the EU relating to the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development of a region in a public transport. It shows the current condition of research on the shape of the bus fleet in bus companies in Poland, and on the basis of the analysis performed, it indicates the status of its operation and use. It also shows the results of a survey on factors which direct passengers when choosing a means of transport.

Findings

– The paper shows that the condition of the bus fleet is of great importance to the quality of transport services provided by the bus company and, as a result, to the implementation of sustainable development policy in a region.

Practical implications

– By pointing to the fact that the aim of the EU transport policy is to increase the role of public transport, strategic action should be taken to renew the bus fleet in the bus companies.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the need to adapt the condition of the bus fleet to the requirements of its passengers, which in turn will improve the attractiveness of bus transport and will increase the role of public transport in passenger transportation.
Organisational effectiveness and personality disorder
Authors: Yeandle Jane , Fawkes Liz , Carter Clare , Gordon Chris , Challis Elizabeth
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– National treatment guidelines regarding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2009) make a number of recommendations relating to system and cultural treatment variables including: access to services, autonomy and choice, developing an optimistic and trusting relationship and managing endings and transitions. The purpose of this paper is to look at a model which could help organisational effectiveness across a range of service settings in relation to personality disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

– Explanation of why the McKinsey 7S organisational model (Waterman et al., 1980) may be useful in assessing organisational effectiveness in relation to personality disorder.

Findings

– Cultural and organisational factors across a range of levels need to be aligned to allow for effective service delivery. This is particularly important in working with this client group where strong emotional reactions and subsequent organisational splits are common.

Practical implications

– The application of this tool within clinical leadership and service development would be particularly important for coherence within generalist (as opposed to specialist) settings.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge this analysis is unique as a review of NHS culture across a range of settings and discussion of the implications for service delivery for patients with BPD.
Do you want therapy with that? A critical account of working within IAPT
Authors: Binnie James
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The IAPT programme has been rolled out across England in the last ten years. Although undoubtedly many people have benefited from having greater access to psychological therapy there are several issues with the practicalities of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and also with its ideology. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a personal reflection of working within the IAPT system for several years. Significant statements heard or interpretations of what has been said are presented alongside an analysis of the implications.

Findings

– A number of important concerns are presented. The overarching concept of the “McDonaldization” process is discussed as a way of encapsulating the IAPT experience; with its theoretical reliance on the medical model and the real world impact of tendering for services in the modern NHS. The impact of IAPT on cognitive behavioural psychotherapy is also highlighted.

Originality/value

– A lot has been written in the press and online about IAPT. Many of the criticisms seem to derive from people outside of the IAPT system, many of whom have their own personal or professional agenda for attacking IAPT and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); often the criticisms are uninformed. This paper is a reflection of working within the IAPT system and not just an uninformed critique of CBT. Several concerns are raised that without remedy may seriously hold back the progress that psychological therapy has made in recent years.
Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) evaluation and selection
Authors: Alkhatib Saleh Fahed , Darlington Robert , Nguyen Trung Thanh
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight to the outsourcing decision-making through investigating if the old evaluation/selection criteria and methods still fit with current business priorities or not and, therefore, to identify the appropriate criteria and methods to develop a new selection framework. Since the economic recession of 2008, logistics outsourcing decisions have become more prominent to avoid high fixed costs and heavy investment requirements and to achieve competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a focused literature review prepared after analyzing 56 articles related to the logistics service provider (LSP) evaluation and selection methods and criteria during 2008-2013. The academic articles are analyzed based on research focus/area, evaluation and selection methodology/methods and evaluation and selection criteria. Then reviewed result is compared with previous literature studies for the periods (1991-2008) to identify any possible shifts.

Findings

– The review reveals that: several problems in current LSPs literature have been identified; the reviewed papers can be categorized into seven groups, the usage and importance of evaluation and selection criteria fluctuate during different periods; 12 crucial criteria have been identified, increasing the importance of specific selection methods and the integrated models and fuzzy logic in logistics literature. Then, a comprehensive LSPs’ evaluation and selection framework has been developed.

Originality/value

– To the best of our knowledge, this is the first focused logistics outsourcing study that reviews the 2008-2013 period in detail, comparing results with previous literature studies, identifies current LSPs literature problems/gaps, new trends and shifts in the way that LSPs are evaluated and selected, identifies crucial selection criteria and proposes a new holistic LSPs evaluation and selection framework. In addition, it identifies important issues for future research.
Crowdsourcing: a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Hossain Mokter , Kauranen Ilkka
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of crowdsourcing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is a comprehensive review of 346 articles on crowdsourcing. Both statistical and contents analyses were conducted in this paper.

Findings

– ISI listed journal articles, non-ISI listed journal articles and conference articles have had nearly the same contribution in crowdsourcing literature. Articles published in non-ISI listed journals have had an essential role in the initial theory development related to crowdsourcing. Scholars from the USA have authored approximately the same number of articles as scholars from all the European countries combined. Scholars from developing countries have been more relatively active in authoring conference articles than journal articles. Only very recently, top-tier journals have engaged in publishing on crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing has proven to be beneficial in many tasks, but the extant literature does not give much help to practitioners in capturing value from crowdsourcing. Despite understanding that the motivations of crowds are crucial when planning crowdsourcing activities, the various motivations in different contexts have not been explored sufficiently. A major concern has been the quality and accuracy of information that has been gathered through crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing bears a lot of unused potential. For example, it can increase employment opportunities to low-income people in developing countries. On the other hand, more should be known of fair ways to organize crowdsourcing so that solution seekers do not get a chance to exploit individuals committing to provide solutions.

Research limitations/implications

– The literature included in the study is extensive, but an all-inclusive search for articles was limited to only nine selected publishers. However, in addition to the articles retrieved from the nine selected publishers, 52 highly cited articles were also included from other publishers.

Practical implications

– Crowdsourcing has much unused potential, and the use of crowdsourcing is increasing rapidly. The study provides a thematic review of various applications of crowdsourcing.

Originality/value

– The study is the first of its kind to explore the development of crowdsourcing literature, discussing the loci and foci of extant articles and listing applications of crowdsourcing. Successful applications of crowdsourcing include idea generation, microtasking, citizen science, public participation, wikies, open source software and citizen journalism.
The influence of stakeholder power on corporate social responsibility: evidence from a relationship-based economy
Authors: Rashid Afzalur
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to examine whether lenders’ power and other attributes influence corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses content analysis to examine specific CSR-related attributes from 115 publicly listed firms in Bangladesh. By using various attributes of social and environmental reporting a disclosure index is also constructed. This study uses an Ordinary Lease Square Regression analysis to examine the relationship between stakeholders’ power and CSR reporting.

Findings

– The finding is that lenders’ power, or the extent of borrowing, does not influence CSR exposure. However, lenders’ cost of monitoring and ability to monitor significantly and positively influence CSR exposure.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is subject to some limitations, such as the subjectivity or judgement associated in the coding process.

Practical implications

– The implication of this study is that, when multiple borrowing creates “claim-dilution” problems, lenders are found to influence CSR activity.

Originality/value

– This study also supports the stakeholder theory and contributes to the literature on the practices of CSR reporting in the context of developing countries.
Weight gain and obesity in schizophrenia: epidemiology, pathobiology, and management
Authors: Manu P. , Dima L. , Shulman M. , Vancampfort D. , De Hert M. , Correll C. U.
Published: May 2015

Objective

To review recent advances in the epidemiology, pathobiology, and management of weight gain and obesity in patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate the extent to which they should influence guidelines for clinical practice.

Method

A Medline literature search was performed to identify clinical and experimental studies published in 2005–2014 decade.

Results

Weight gain and obesity increase the risk of adult‐onset diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders, non‐adherence with pharmacological interventions, quality of life, and psychiatric readmissions. The etiology includes adverse effects of antipsychotics, pretreatment/premorbid genetic vulnerabilities, psychosocial and socioeconomic risk factors, and unhealthy lifestyle. Patients with schizophrenia have higher intake of calories in the form of high‐density food and lower energy expenditure. The inverse relationship between baseline body mass index and antipsychotic‐induced weight gain is probably due to previous antipsychotic exposure. In experimental models, the second‐generation antipsychotic olanzapine increased the orexigenic stimulation of hypothalamic structures responsible for energy homeostasis.

Conclusion

The management of weight gain and obesity in patients with schizophrenia centers on behavioural interventions using caloric intake reduction, dietary restructuring, and moderate‐intensity physical activity. The decision to switch antipsychotics to lower‐liability medications should be individualized, and metformin may be considered for adjunctive therapy, given its favorable risk‐benefit profile.
Ecosystem risk assessment of Georgina gidgee woodlands in central Australia
Authors: Wardle Glenda M. , Greenville Aaron C. , Frank Anke S. K. , Tischler Max , Emery Nathan J. , Dickman Chris R.
Published: May 2015

Ecosystems across the world, and the biodiversity they support, are experiencing increasing anthropogenic pressure, and many will not persist without intervention. Given their complexity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has adopted an international standard for ecosystem risk assessment that builds on the strengths of the species‐based Red List criteria. We applied this protocol to the relatively understudied Georgina gidgee woodland ecosystem, which has a patchy but widespread distribution in central Australia. To address the extensive knowledge gaps, we gathered data to provide the first description of the characteristic biota, distribution of dominant species and the processes that support the ecosystem. Criteria evaluated include historical, current and future declines in spatial distribution, the extent and area of occupancy, and disruptions to abiotic and biotic processes. Future declines in suitable habitat were based on key climatic variables of rainfall, temperature and soil substrate. We also quantified the uncertainty in bioclimatic models and scenarios as part of predicting degradation of the abiotic environment. Overall, we assessed the risk status of Georgina gidgee woodlands as vulnerable based on the degradation of abiotic and biotic processes. Bioclimatically suitable habitat was predicted to decline by at least 30% in eight scenarios over the period 2000 to 2050. Predicted declines in overall suitable habitat varied substantially across all scenarios (7–95%). Pressures from grazing, weed encroachment and altered fire regimes further threaten the ecosystem; therefore, vulnerable status was also recorded for future declines based on altered biotic processes. Accurate mapping and monitoring of the study ecosystem should receive priority to inform conservation decisions, and sustainable grazing practices encouraged. Our findings focus attention on other patchily distributed ecosystems that may also have escaped attention despite their contribution to supporting unique biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is timely that environmental monitoring and policy account for these natural assets.
The accuracy and cost‐effectiveness of hepatitis C core antigen assay in the monitoring of anti‐viral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4
Authors: Kamal S. M. , Kassim S. , EL Gohary E. , Fouad A. , Nabegh L. , Hafez T. , Bahnasy K. , Hassan H. , Ghoraba D.
Published: May 2015

Background

Quantitative hepatitis C (HCV) polymerase chain reaction (qtHCV‐PCR), the gold standard for monitoring HCV therapy, is an expensive, time‐consuming procedure that requires equipped laboratories and trained personnel.

Aims

To assess the accuracy and cost‐effectiveness of the automated Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay (Wiesbaden, Germany) in monitoring response to pagylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin therapy for chronic HCV genotype 4 (G4).

Methods

This longitudinal, non‐inferiority study compared the efficacy and cost benefit of an All‐HCV core antigen assay protocol and a hybrid qtHCV RNA PCR and HCV core Ag assay protocol to the standard All‐qtHCV‐PCR protocol in chronic HCV G4 patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin.

Results

Four hundred and ten patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The sustained virological response rate (SVR) was 66.34%. The All‐HCV core antigen and hybrid monitoring assays resulted in the significant cost savings without compromising performance. A good correlation existed between HCV viral load and HCV core antigen levels (r = 0.944; P < 0.0001). Baseline HCV RNA values <600 IU/mL, baseline HCV core Ag levels <2000 fmol/L, rapid virological response, rapid decline in HCV core antigen were strong predictors of SVR.

Conclusion

Hepatitis C core Ag assay is a point‐of‐care, reproducible, reliable, cost‐effective monitoring tool with rapid turnaround time that, which can effectively replace or adjunct to qRT‐PCR in monitoring interferon based or interferon‐free anti‐viral therapy in chronic hepatitis genotype 4 patients in resource‐limited countries with a high burden of hepatitis C.
Syntenin and syndecan in the biogenesis of exosomes
Authors: Friand Véronique , David Guido , Zimmermann Pascale
Published: May 2015

Cells communicate with their environment in various ways, including by secreting vesicles. Secreted vesicles are loaded with proteins, lipids and RNAs that compose ‘a signature’ of the cell of origin and potentially can reprogram recipient cells. Secreted vesicles recently gained in interest for medicine. They represent potential sources of biomarkers that can be collected from body fluids and, by disseminating pathogenic proteins, might also participate in systemic diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegeneration. The mechanisms controlling the biogenesis and the uptake of secreted vesicles are poorly understood. Some of these vesicles originate from endosomes and are called ‘exosomes’. In this review, we recapitulate recent insight on the role of the syndecan (SDC) heparan sulphate proteoglycans, the small intracellular adaptor syntenin and associated regulators in the biogenesis and loading of exosomes with cargo. SDC–syntenin‐associated regulators include the endosomal sorting complex required for transport accessory component ALG‐2‐interacting protein X, the small GTPase adenosine 5′‐diphosphate‐ribosylation factor 6, the lipid‐modifying enzyme phospholipase D2 and the endoglycosidase heparanase. All these molecules appear to support the budding of SDC–syntenin and associated cargo into the lumen of endosomes. This highlights a major mechanism for the formation of intraluminal vesicles that will be released as exosomes.
Food web structure of the fungivorous insect community on bracket fungi in a Bornean tropical rain forest
Authors: YAMASHITA SATOSHI , ANDO KIYOSHI , HOSHINA HIDETO , ITO NOBORU , KATAYAMA YUJI , KAWANABE MAKOTO , MARUYAMA MUNETOSHI , ITIOKA TAKAO
Published: May 2015

1. If fungivorous insect diversity is maintained by host specialisation on particular fungi, it should be higher in the tropics than in temperate or boreal regions owing to high macrofungus species diversity.

2. To reveal the community and food web structure of fungivorous insects on bracket fungi, fungivorous insects were collected from 427 fruiting bodies belonging to 22 genera throughout the development and deterioration process in a 3‐ha plot of lowland dipterocarp tropical rain forest on Borneo Island.

3. Eight hundred and twenty‐nine individuals of 82 coleopteran species in 13 families from 111 fruiting bodies of 15 fungal genera were collected. Tenebrionidae and Staphylinidae were most common. Fifty‐three and 19 insect species were observed onGanodermaandPhellinus, respectively. The numbers of insect species and individuals on a particular fungal genus were positively correlated with the abundance of that fungal genus.

4. Quantitative food web analysis revealed a high degree of specialisation at the whole‐community level. At least 65% of insect individuals were observed onGanodermaat every stage of development and deterioration. Diverse insects coexist on one dominant fungal genus,Ganoderma, in contrast to our hypothesis.

5. The high abundance ofGanodermafruiting bodies, which lack obvious defences against insect feeding, probably influences the bracket fungus–insect food web in this tropical rainforest.
Ecological management of cereal stemborers in African smallholder agriculture through behavioural manipulation
Authors: MIDEGA CHARLES A. O. , BRUCE TOBY J. A. , PICKETT JOHN A. , KHAN ZEYAUR R.
Published: May 2015

1. Africa faces serious challenges in feeding its rapidly growing human population owing to the poor productivity of maize and sorghum, the most important staple crops for millions of smallholder farmers in the continent, with yields being among the lowest in the world.

2. A complex of lepidopterous stemborers attack cereals in Africa. However, their effective control is difficult, largely as a result of the cryptic and nocturnal habits of moths, and protection provided by host stem for immature pest stages. Moreover, current control measures are uneconomical and impractical for resource‐poor farmers.

3. An ecological approach, based on companion planting, known as ‘push–pull’, provides effective management of these pests, and involves combined use of inter‐ and trap cropping systems where stemborers are attracted and trapped on trap plants with added economic value (‘pull’), and are driven away from the cereal crop by antagonistic intercrops (‘push’).

4. Novel defence strategies inducible by stemborer oviposition have recently been discovered, leading to the attraction of egg and larval parasitoids, in locally adapted maize lines but not in elite hybrids. We also established that landscape complexity did not improve the ecosystem service of biological control, but rather provided a disservice by acting as a ‘source’ of stemborer pests colonising the crop.

5. Here we review and provide new data on the direct and indirect effects of the push–pull approach on stemborers and their natural enemies, including the mechanisms involved, and highlight opportunities for exploiting intrinsic plant defences and natural ecosystem services in pest management in smallholder farming systems in Africa.
Long non‐coding RNA uc.217 regulates neurite outgrowth in dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Yao Chun , Wang Jing , Zhang Honghong , Zhou Songlin , Qian Tianmei , Ding Fei , Gu Xiaosong , Yu Bin
Published: May 2015

The intrinsic regeneration capacity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons can be activated after sciatic nerve injury, and peripheral nerve regeneration is a complex process regulated by multiple molecular responses and signaling pathways. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts > 200 nucleotides in length without protein‐coding potential. They regulate gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels, and are thus involved in many biological processes and human diseases. However, the role and mechanisms of lncRNAs in regulating the responses of DRG neurons to sciatic nerve injury are not fully investigated. We have previously analysed the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in L4‐6 DRGs, following rat sciatic nerve transection, by microarray analysis, and constructed a coexpression network of dysregulated lncRNAs and coding genes. In this study, one of these dysregulated lncRNAs, uc.217, was chosen for detailed examination of its expression changes and regulative functions in regenerative DRG neuronal outgrowth. Quantitative real‐time PCR and in situ hybridisation confirmed that the expression of uc.217 was down‐regulated in DRG neurons after sciatic nerve injury. Silencing of uc.217 expression by small interfering RNA could significantly promote neurite outgrowth in cultured DRG neurons. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation were performed to identify several potential targets of uc.217, which were involved in the regulation of DRG neuron outgrowth. Collectively, our results suggested that a new lncRNA, uc.217, played an important regulative role in peripheral nerve regeneration.
Living on the continental shelf edge: habitat use of juvenile shortfin makos Isurus oxyrinchus in the Great Australian Bight, southern Australia
Authors: Rogers Paul J. , Huveneers Charlie , Page Brad , Goldsworthy Simon D. , Coyne Micheal , Lowther Andrew D. , Mitchell James G. , Seuront Laurent
Published: May 2015

We used satellite telemetry data to investigate the movement patterns and habitat use of juvenile shortfin makos Isurus oxyrinchus (Lamnidae) tagged in the Great Australian Bight, southern Australia. Tracking durations ranged from 49–672 days and six deployments were > 1 year. During winter and spring, some shortfin makos migrated to the tropical NE Indian Ocean and Coral Sea, and the Subtropical Front region. One shortfin mako undertook an extended migration of 25 550 km across the Indian Ocean. Areas characterized by sea‐mounts in the NE Indian Ocean, the oceanic Subtropical Front region, and the continental shelf edge (200‐m depth) and slope canyons were visited by several sharks. Juvenile shortfin makos used the outer continental shelf, the shelf edge, the slope and oceanic waters during migrations and mostly exhibited fidelity in the mid‐outer shelf, the shelf edge and slope habitats characterized by high bathymetric relief and oceanographic frontal gradients. Our findings highlighted that the continental shelf and slope and associated submarine canyons of the Great Australian Bight represent ecologically important habitats for juvenile shortfin makos. The findings of this study will be pertinent during future management processes for this highly migratory species in this Southern Hemisphere region.
Effect of bariatric surgery on cardiometabolic risk in elderly patients: A population‐based study
Authors: Batsis John A , Miranda William R , Prasad Chaithra , Collazo‐Clavell Maria L , Sarr Michael G , Somers Virend K , Lopez‐Jimenez Francisco
Published: May 2015

Aim

Obesity is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor. Bariatric surgery (BSx) is an approved therapeutic alternative for class II–III obesity, but little evidence focuses on older adults. We assessed the effect of BSx on cardiometabolic variables and long‐term CV risk in older adults.

Methods

We carried out a population‐based, observational study from 1990–2009, of 40 consecutive elderly (age ≥60 years) residents of Olmsted County, MN, USA, with class II–III obesity treated with BSx at a University‐based, academic health center. Data were obtained from the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined using American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria (increased triglycerides, low high‐density lipoprotein, increased blood pressure, increased glucose and body mass index as a modified measure of obesity instead of waist circumference). Change in CV risk factors, MetS prevalence, and impact on predicted CV risk using the Framingham risk score was ascertained at 1 year postoperatively and assessed statistically.

Results

Mean age and body mass index were 64.4 ± 3.7 and 45.0 ± 6.3 kg/m2, respectively, and 28 out of 40 (70%) were women. One participant died during the 11‐month study period after BSx from respiratory complications related to BSx, and one participant died at 2 years. Percentage of excess weight loss decreased by 57.5% at 1 year. Prevalence 1 year after BSx decreased for diabetes (57.5% to 22.5%; P < 0.03), hypertension 87.5% to 73.7% (P = 0.003), dyslipidemia (80% to 42.5%; P < 0.001) and sleep apnea (62.5% to 23.7%; P < 0.001).MetS prevalence decreased from 80% to 45% (P < 0.002). Baseline risk was 14.1%, which changed at follow up at 8.2%.

Conclusions

In older adults, BSx induces considerable weight loss, improves CV risk factors, decreases MetS prevalence and is an effective treatment in this population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 618–624.