bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving positive social outcomes through participatory urban wildlife conservation projects
Authors: Hobbs Sarah J. , White Piran C. L.
Published: January 2016

Context As urbanisation continues to increase on a global scale, people are becoming increasingly distanced from nature. Fewer opportunities to encounter nature mean that the benefits of engaging with nature are often not realised by urban residents. In response to this, there is a growing number of initiatives that aim to connect people with nature, for the benefit of individuals, communities and nature conservation. However, in order to maximise these benefits, it is important to understand the potential transformative effects for participants, both on a personal level and in terms of wider impacts. Aims In this study, we evaluate the social outcomes of a participatory wildlife conservation project in an urban area in north-east England, using hedgehogs as the focal species. Methods Based on an approach of community volunteers working alongside scientific researchers in an evaluation of hedgehog urban habitat use, we examine the transformative effects of this involvement at the individual and community levels via qualitative semi-structured interviews with community volunteers. Key results Participants were motivated by personal wellbeing factors such as enjoying proximity to the study species, learning and social factors. Participation in the study itself indicates a degree of motivation for engaging with a study of this sort. Nevertheless, involvement in the study was a successful vehicle for increasing participants’ engagement with nature both during the study and potentially into the future, particularly in terms of biological recording and gardening for wildlife. Conclusions Participation in a wildlife study is a positive experience for many volunteers, leading to actual and potential changes in both personal and wider social outcomes. Implications Participatory initiatives such as the one described have an important role to play in signposting and supporting volunteers to follow future environmental aspirations and maximise the personal and social benefits associated with participation. This could be enhanced by ensuring that volunteering opportunities are linked in with pre-existing community-based networks that can act as advocates for environmental and wildlife conservation.
Confining Legitimacy: The Impact of Prison Experiences on Perceptions of Criminal Justice Legitimacy
Authors: Smoyer Amy , Blakenship Kim M. , Kershaw Trace
Published: January 2016

There are currently 2 million people incarcerated in the UnitedStates. For social workers whose practice includes people whohave experienced confinement, building knowledge about theimpact of the incarceration on individual lives is critical. Understanding how the prison experience shapes perceptions of self and others can inform the design of case management plans and program interventions that respond to clients’ needs. This article expands understanding about the prison experience by exploringthe impact of this experience on perceptions of criminal justice legitimacy.
Preliminary Evaluation of Structured Professional Judgment to Assess Removal in Child Protection Practice
Authors: De Bortoli Lillian , Ogloff James , Coles Jan , Dolan Mariead
Published: January 2016

This study is a pilot validation of a newly devised evidence-based clinical instrument that assists professional judgment for decisions relating to child removal. The Child Protection Removal Assessment (ChiPRA) instrument adopts a structured professional judgement (SPJ) approach to decision-making and was developed from a literature review of studies identifying factors associated with severe child abuse. A study comparing the predictive validity of ChiPRA and an actuarial instrument was conducted using court file data from 298 child protection cases. A logistic function from all ChiPRA items, χ² (11) = 147.546, p < 0.000, correctly classified 86.3% of cases (Area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.799, p < 0.000, 95% confidence interval: 0.738–0.859). The abuse subscale of the actuarial instrument yielded a modest but significant AUC (0.595, 95% CI: 0.530–0.660). Results indicate an increased reliance upon dynamic factors by magistrates when determining child removal. SPJ instruments warrant further research including prospective studies measuring reliability and validity studies.
Intimate Partner Violence, Gender and Lethality: A Case Analysis of Two Fatalities
Authors: BARNER JOHN R. , Carney Michelle Mohr
Published: January 2016

Deaths caused by intimate partner violence (IPV) are an area of significant concern for advocates, practitioners, and experts. Aspart of collaborative community interventions to curb violence,the creation of multi-agency fatality review teams has shown effectiveness in reducing IPV and concomitant homicides. The following study is deviant case analysis of 2 female perpetrators within a multi-phasic fatality review of 22 felony cases of IPV resulting in homicide in a city in the southeastern United States. This study was designed to effectively gauge whether gender is avariable for those accused of felony murder as a result of IPV. Results indicate gender disparities for women, including inabilityto act as free agents within increasingly violent relationships; disparate characterization of violent women as more egregious than those of male counterparts within law enforcement and behavioral health and the pressing need for legal and therapeutic rehabilitative services provided to violent women offenders.
Finding the Right Fit: Disparities Between Cisgender and Transgender Women Arrested for Prostitution in Baltimore
Authors: BAILEY-KLOCH MARIE , Shmdaimah Corey , Osteen Philip
Published: January 2016

This article highlights gender in Baltimore’s court-affiliatedprostitution diversion program. Administrative data were gatheredover a 19-month period from 616 defendants charged with prosti-tution in Baltimore City. Using logistic regression, gender was astatistically significant predictor for defendants’ history ofsubstance abuse history or mental illness. Transgender defendantswere 81%less likely to report substance abuse (p<.001) and 75%less likely to report mental health problems (p<.001) comparedto cisgender defendants. Qualitative findings indicate thattransgender participants often engage in prostitution due to dis-crimination and that current programming provides them withsome useful assistance. Recommendations include a need to moreappropriately tailor services to the experiences and goals oftransgender participants and to combat stigma within and outsidethe court. Programs must be cognizant of discrimination faced by transgender program participants that may impact the range of options available to them during and after participation.
Quantum stochastic thermodynamic on harmonic networks
Authors: Deffner Sebastian
Published: January 2016

Fluctuation theorems are symmetry relations for the probability to observe an amount of entropy production in a finite-time process. In a recent paper Pigeon et al (2016 New. J. Phys.

18 013009) derived fluctuation theorems for harmonic networks by means of the large deviation theory. Their novel approach is illustrated with various examples of experimentally relevant systems. As a main result, however, Pigeon et al provide new insight how to consistently formulate quantum stochastic thermodynamics, and provide new and robust tools for the study of the thermodynamics of quantum harmonic networks.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of transcription start sites and promoters in the tunicate Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Yokomori Rui , Shimai Kotaro , Nishitsuji Koki , Suzuki Yutaka , Kusakabe Takehiro G. , Nakai Kenta
Published: January 2016

The tunicate Ciona intestinalis, an invertebrate chordate, has recently emerged as a powerful model organism for gene regulation analysis. However, few studies have been conducted to identify and characterize its transcription start sites (TSSs) and promoters at the genome-wide level. Here, using TSS-seq, we identified TSSs at the genome-wide scale and characterized promoters in C. intestinalis. Specifically, we identified TSS clusters (TSCs), high-density regions of TSS-seq tags, each of which appears to originate from an identical promoter. TSCs were found not only at known TSSs but also in other regions, suggesting the existence of many unknown transcription units in the genome. We also identified candidate promoters of 79 ribosomal protein (RP) genes, each of which had the major TSS in a polypyrimidine tract and showed a sharp TSS distribution like human RP gene promoters. Ciona RP gene promoters, however, did not appear to have typical TATA boxes, unlike human RP gene promoters. In Ciona non-RP promoters, two pyrimidine-purine dinucleotides, CA and TA, were frequently used as TSSs. Despite the absence of CpG islands, Ciona TATA-less promoters showed low expression specificity like CpG-associated human TATA-less promoters. By using TSS-seq, we also predicted trans-spliced gene TSSs and found that their downstream regions had higher G+T content than those of non-trans-spliced gene TSSs. Furthermore, we identified many putative alternative promoters, some of which were regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Our results provide valuable information about TSSs and promoter characteristics in C. intestinalis and will be helpful in future analysis of transcriptional regulation in chordates.
Isolating Epithelial and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Populations from Primary Tumors by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting
Authors: Aiello Nicole M. , Rhim Andrew D. , Stanger Ben Z.
Published: January 2016

Transgenic mice that express conditional reporters allow for the isolation of specific cell lineages. These cells can be further stratified by gene expression and collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for further analysis. Using Cre-recombinase (Cre) technology we have generated a transgenic mouse line termed PKCY in which all pancreatic epithelial cells and therefore all pancreatic cancer cells are constitutively labeled with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). We have used immunofluorescent staining for E-cadherin to divide the YFP+ tumor population into epithelial cells (E-cadherin positive) and cells that have undergone an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT; E-cadherin negative). This protocol describes how to prepare a tumor sample for FACS, with an emphasis on separating epithelial and EMT populations. These cells can then be used for a number of applications including, but not limited to, the generation of cell lines, gene-expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or RNA sequencing, DNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and western blots.
Inducing RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans by Injection of dsRNA
Authors: Hammell Christopher M. , Hannon Gregory J.
Published: January 2016

In Caenorhabditis elegans, long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are overwhelmingly the trigger of choice for inducing RNA interference (RNAi). Although injection of dsRNA into the somatic or germline tissues of animals requires both specific equipment and technical skills, the ability of C. elegans to amplify the initial dsRNA trigger and to transmit the RNAi activity to other somatic tissues and to the progeny of injected animals is one of the main advantages of using C. elegans as a model system. The direct injection of dsRNA into parental animals is the most reliable method for RNAi and also presents the least experiment-to-experiment and animal-to-animal variability.
Detecting Autophagy in Caenorhabditis elegans Embryos Using Markers of P Granule Degradation
Authors: Palmisano Nicholas J. , Meléndez Alicia
Published: January 2016

Autophagy plays an active role during the early stages of embryogenesis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Although their exact function is unknown, P granules are ribonucleoprotein particles that play a role in germ cell specification. The localization of P granules is restricted to the germline precursor cells in wild-type embryos, as a result of their degradation in the somatic cell lineage. Autophagy is known to be required for the degradation of P granules, as mutations in various autophagy genes, including those encoding the adaptor SEPA-1 and the p62-like adaptor SQST-1, result in the accumulation of the P granule components PGL-1 and PGL-3 (termed PGL granules) in the somatic cells of C. elegans embryos. In this protocol, we present a methodology for using fusion reporters of SEPA-1, SQST-1, and PGL-1 that have aided in the identification of new genes for normal autophagy activity by screening for mutant animals that lack the degradation of these autophagy substrates.
An Introduction to CRISPR Technology for Genome Activation and Repression in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Du Dan , Qi Lei S.
Published: January 2016

CRISPR interference/activation (CRISPRi/a) technology provides a simple and efficient approach for targeted repression or activation of gene expression in the mammalian genome. It is highly flexible and programmable, using an RNA-guided nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) protein fused with transcriptional regulators for targeting specific genes to effect their regulation. Multiple studies have shown how this method is an effective way to achieve efficient and specific transcriptional repression or activation of single or multiple genes. Sustained transcriptional modulation can be obtained by stable expression of CRISPR components, which enables directed reprogramming of cell fate. Here, we introduce the basics of CRISPRi/a technology for genome repression or activation.
Four- and five-component molecular solids: crystal engineering strategies based on structural inequivalence
Authors: Mir Niyaz A. , Dubey Ritesh , Desiraju Gautam R.
Published: January 2016

A synthetic strategy is described for the co-crystallization of four- and five-component molecular crystals, based on the fact that if any particular chemical constituent of a lower cocrystal is found in two different structural environments, these differences may be exploited to increase the number of components in the solid. 2-Methylresorcinol and tetramethylpyrazine are basic template molecules that allow for further supramolecular homologation. Ten stoichiometric quaternary cocrystals and one quintinary cocrystal with some solid solution character are reported. Cocrystals that do not lend themselves to such homologation are termed synthetic dead ends.
Efficiency ranking method using DEA and TOPSIS (ERM-DT): case of an Indian bank
Authors: Chitnis Asmita , Vaidya Omkarprasad S
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a tie-breaking procedure for computing performance efficiencies to improve benchmarking and performance evaluation process in a business situation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors propose a unified approach based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), to overcome the difficulty of unique ranking in the prevalent benchmarking and performance evaluation processes such as DEA, Super efficiency DEA model, etc., under constant return to scale (CRS) assumption. This model is called as efficiency ranking method using DEA and TOPSIS (ERM-DT). In order to check the consistency of the approach, various input-output combinations (to calculate the efficiencies) have been illustrated. Further, the authors present a case of an Indian Bank to illustrate an application of the proposed approach.

Findings

– The proposed approach, ERM-DT enables assign a unique rank to decision making units and provides a tie breaking procedure. Results obtained using the proposed approach are statistically compared with those obtained from the CRS DEA approach and super efficiency DEA approach using Friedman’s test.

Practical implications

– The proposed model provides an efficiency ranking method based on a score obtained by considering the minimum distance from the best value and maximum distance from the worst value. The proposed methodology is capable of handling negative data and undesirable output variables. This approach is unit invariant and makes the calculations simple. The authors present an application to compute the efficiency of various branches of an Indian bank. The authors hope the proposed method can enhance the decision-making ability of the management in complex situations.

Originality/value

– The authors propose an integrated DEA and TOPSIS framework for better benchmarking and performance evaluation. This approach provides a tie-breaking procedure for the efficiencies computed using CRS DEA approach. Ranks are assigned based on score obtained by considering the distance from the worst and the best solution. The proposed approach can be used with non-positive data points and undesirable output variables.
Towards a new measure of a country’s competitiveness: applying canonical correlation
Authors: Wenzel Lars , Wolf André
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to develop and implement a new approach of ranking countries according to their level of economic competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Competitiveness is conceptualized as the degree of participation in global integration, measured by the levels of exports, capital inflows and immigration. Based on a wide range of development indicators, composite indicators are constructed by means of a principal component analysis. In turn, these composites enter a canonical correlation analysis and estimated canonical weights are used as weights in the calculation of index scores.

Findings

– Measures of institutional and political quality are shown to be most closely connected to a country’s ability to export and to attract foreign factors of production. Inflows of foreign capital turn out to correlate much less with our weighting composites than export volumes.

Research limitations/implications

– Regarding prospects for future research, a broad range of further applications of this approach in the macro area is conceivable, including measures of a country’s quality of schooling, the quality of its health care system or of its governmental institutions.

Originality/value

– In comparison to prevailing macroeconomic indices, this method of index construction is superior in at least two respects. First, direct measures of a country’s performance are methodologically separated from mere performance drivers, contributing to higher clarity concerning the concept to be measured. Second, weights of performance drivers are not determined arbitrarily or based on subjective judgment, but emerge from a transparent and well-established statistical procedure.
(Mis)managing diversity: exploring the dangers of diversity management orthodoxy
Authors: Knights David , Omanović Vedran
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to challenge the dominance of the mainstream discourse and practice of diversity management (DM) by identifying and problematizing three distinct but related issues that it encompasses: first, its tendency to displace all alternative approaches; second, its general neglect of the social-historical context and third, its almost exclusive focus on the business case rationale for supporting diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

– Employing ethnographic research methods, the empirical material was collected in an international manufacturing corporation based in Sweden. It consists of three different, but interconnected approaches: archival research, interviews and observations.

Findings

– The paper shows that in neglecting power, identity, intersectionality and the changing socio-historical context of diversity, a well-meaning corporate diversity programme tended to obscure ethnic and age-related disadvantages at work.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations of this research relate largely to its dependence on a single case study and the limited focus on diversity as it affected able-bodied, white male immigrant workers. A broader study of the multiplicity of types of discrimination and ways in which diversity is managed in a range of countries and organizations could facilitate a more in-depth exploration of these issues and arguments.

Originality/value

– Although not entirely new, the three arguments that have been drawn upon to discuss, analyse and illustrate DM through our data have rarely been brought together in one theoretical and empirical study.
Virtual HRD and national culture: an information processing perspective
Authors: Chung Chih-Hung , Angnakoon Putthachat , Li Jessica , Allen Jeff
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with a better understanding of the cultural impact on information processing in virtual learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a causal loop diagram to depict the cultural impact on information processing in the virtual human resource development (VHRD) learning platform. This study takes a theoretical approach and examines current literature pertaining to VHRDs, virtual worlds (VWs), system dynamics, causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and cross-cultural studies.

Findings

– This study provides a conceptual model to describe and discuss the cultural impact on information processing in VHRD.

Research limitations/implications

– Literature has begun to reflect the concerns with cultural impact in VHRD; however, research is still in the beginning stages. This study proposes a conceptual model of information processing that includes the cultural impact. Future work based on this study will continue to test and improve the conceptual model.

Practical implications

– The conceptual model accounts for the complexities of the interaction between internal and external information processing systems. Instructional designers or educators can apply this conceptual model to understand the impact of culture on information process during training programs in the VHRD environment. With this model, they could provide an effective or efficient training programs for their trainees.

Social implications

– The conceptual model adopts a systemic viewpoint to describe the cultural impact on VHRD. For future studies, researchers could adopt this conceptual model to further illustrate the association between understanding information processing and recognizing the cultural impact on information processing.

Originality/value

– This study provided a framework for HRD researchers and practitioners to detect challenges and opportunities to work with cultural impact on information processing in VHRD. Instructional designers or educators could utilize this model to understand the process, and further offer an effective or efficient training programs for their trainees.
Experience value as a function of hedonic and utilitarian dominant services
Authors: Prebensen Nina K. , Rosengren Sara
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative importance of dimensions of experience value in four different hedonic- and utilitarian-dominated services.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hypotheses are tested by an experimental design. Altogether, four different service experiences, taking place during a tourist weekend trip, were studied using a scenario-based approach. In total, 938 members of a nationally representative online panel in Sweden participated in the research.

Findings

Both hedonic and utilitarian value dimensions are present for the different experiences. However, the structures of the value dimensions differ between hedonic- and utilitarian-dominant services. Surprisingly, functional value and value for money influence satisfaction most for both categories of services.

Research limitations/implications

The design of the experiment allowed the authors to test different experiences within the same travel setting. The paper shows that all services include both hedonic and utilitarian elements, indicating awareness of what attracts tourists during the whole process of experiencing a journey. Findings suggest that further studies on different hedonic- and utilitarian-dominant firms within the different tourism service categories should be performed.

Originality/value

Theoretically, the paper only partly confirms the two structures of consumer service value, hedonic and utilitarian, revealed in earlier studies. The paper also reveals that functional value affects satisfaction more strongly in both hedonic- and utilitarian-dominant services. Several explanations for this are suggested. For the tourism industry to enhance experience value and tourist satisfaction, they should, therefore, focus on delivering functional value during the stay and probably more on emotional value in attracting visitors to travel. Results of the paper reveal that services are a part of a continuum between what is mostly utilitarian at the one end and mostly hedonic at the other end.
Supply chain processes
Authors: Prajogo Daniel , Oke Adegoke , Olhager Jan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the value chain processes that represent the “black box” between supply logistics integration and competitive operational performance in firms. To realize this objective, the authors develop a research model which comprises a series of linkages from supply logistics integration to operational outcomes using Porter’s concept of value chain and the relational view of resource-based theory as theoretical lenses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data set for testing the hypothesized relationships in this study was drawn from 232 Australian manufacturing firms.

Findings

– The findings show that there is no significant direct relationship between supply logistics integration and competitive operational performance; rather, the relationship is fully mediated by inbound supply performance and internal lean production processes. Further, lean production processes have a positive effect on inbound supply performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The study shows the importance of managing both internal (production processes) and external processes (logistics and supply chain) of firms’ operations in an integrated manner in which supply logistics integration act through key internal processes to impact competitive performance which the end customers actually experience.

Originality/value

– This is the first study which uncovers what happens “in between” the incoming materials and the end outputs delivered by firms into the market. This “in between black box” is important in improving our understanding of how inbound supply activities are translated into outbound competitive performance outcomes.
Supply chain management practices and intellectual property protection in China
Authors: Fredendall Lawrence D. , Letmathe Peter , Uebe-Emden Nadine
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategy used by German Mittelstand companies to achieve a profitable business in China. It explores how those firms seek to reduce their risk of entry into this market.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey data were gathered over the phone from individuals in the companies who were identified as knowledgeable contacts. Their responses were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.

Findings

– German Mittelstand firms that hire Chinese nationals in China obtain market knowledge and a higher return on investment than others. German managers’ efforts to understand the Chinese cultural norms increased the firm’s unwillingness to share information with others. This was probably because their concern about protecting their competitive secrets increased, so they shared less information with suppliers, which decreased their return on investment.

Research limitations/implications

– First, the small sample size limited the analysis. Second, there was low inter-rater reliability on multiple items, so these responses could not be analyzed. There is a need to further validate the survey, and obtain a larger sample to analyze alternative models.

Practical implications

– This suggests to the practitioner that while it may be relatively easy to start a manufacturing business in China, it requires great effort to manage their risk of losing corporate secrets to their competitors in China.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a unique set of data from practicing managers about the risks and gains from doing business in China. This data can be of use to both researchers and to practitioners and it provides a foundation to examine how the risk of losing proprietary knowledge to Chinese competitors affects business.
The mediating role of total quality management between the entrepreneurial orientation and the organizational performance
Authors: Al-Dhaafri Hassan Saleh , Al-Swidi Abdullah Kaid , Yusoff Rushami Zien Bin
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and total quality management (TQM) on the organizational performance. In addition, this study aimed to examine the ability of TQM to transmit the effect of EO on the organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– To examine the hypothesized model of the study, the survey questionnaire research design was employed. The data were collected from Dubai police department. The total number of questionnaires distributed was 320 out of which only 111 usable questionnaires were returned. The structural equation modeling partial least squares approach was used.

Findings

– The statistical results confirmed the effect of EO and TQM on the organizational performance. In addition, TQM was found to partially mediate the effect of EO on organizational performance.

Practical implications

– Further details and valuable implications of this study were discussed throughout the study. The results of this study have many practical implications. The results will help managers to make the proper decisions when deciding to implement TQM in their organizations. TQM can help managers with strong EO to achieve maximum performance in organizations and to remain competitive in the market.

Originality/value

– This study is a rare and unique empirical study that examines the effect of EO on TQM and the mediating effect of TQM on the EO-performance relationship.
The cone-of-learning: a visual comparison of learning systems
Authors: Hamilton John , Tee Singwhat
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Four learning modes, interacting through students as different learning systems, are mapped into a cone-of-learning continuum that allows tertiary institutions to visually re-consider where within their cone-of-learning, they choose to position their learning approaches. Two forms of blended learning are also distinguished. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Undergraduate law, business, IT, and creative arts student perceptions are structural equation modelled (SEM) into traditional, blended-enabled, blended-enhanced, and flexible learning systems.

Findings

– Within the SEM derived learning cone-of-learning continuum, a migration from traditional learning systems towards blended and flexible learning systems typically offers higher-net levels of undergraduate student learning experiences and outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors do not capture learning system feedback loops, but the cone-of-learning approaches can position against chosen competitors. The authors recognise benchmark, positioning, and transferability differences may exist between different tertiary institutions; different learning areas; and different countries of operation. Cone-of-learning studies can expand to capture student perceptions of their value acquisitions, overall satisfaction, plus trust, and loyalty considerations.

Practical implications

– The cone-of-learning shows shifts towards flexibility as generating higher student learning experiences, higher student learning outcomes, and as flexible technologies mature this demands higher student inputs. These interactive experiential systems approaches can readily incorporate new technologies, gamifications, and engagements which are testable for additional student deep-learning contributions. Experiential deep-learning systems also have wide industrial applications.

Social implications

– Understanding the continuum of transitioning between and across deeper-learning systems offers general social benefit.

Originality/value

– Learning system studies remain complex, variable systems, dependent on instructors, students, and their shared experiential engagements environments. This cone-of-learning continuum approach is useful for educators, business, and societal life-long learners who seek to gauge learning and outcomes.
Knowledge based engineering approach for subsea pipeline systems’ FFR assessment
Authors: Ratnayake R.M. Chandima
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing a knowledge-based engineering (KBE) approach to recycle the knowledge accrued in an industrial organization for the mitigation of unwanted events due to human error. The recycling of the accrued knowledge is vital in mitigating the variance present at different levels of engineering applications, evaluations and assessments in assuring systems’ safety. The approach is illustrated in relation to subsea systems’ functional failure risk (FFR) analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– A fuzzy expert system (FES)-based approach has been proposed to facilitate FFR assessment and to make knowledge recycling possible via a rule base and membership functions (MFs). The MFs have been developed based on the experts’ knowledge, data, information, and on their insights into the selected subsea system. The rule base has been developed to fulfill requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008.

Findings

– It is possible to use the FES-based KBE approach to make FFR assessments of the equipment installed in a subsea system, focussing on potential functional failures and related consequences. It is possible to integrate the aforementioned approach in an engineering service provider’s existing structured information management system or in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) available in an asset owner’s industrial organization.

Research limitations/implications

– The FES-based KBE approach provides a consistent way to incorporate actual circumstances at the boundary of the input ranges or at the levels of linguistic data and risk categories. It minimizes the variations present in the assessments.

Originality/value

– The FES-based KBE approach has been demonstrated in relation to the requirements and guidelines specified in DNV standard DNV-RP-F116 and NORSOK standard Z-008. The suggested KBE-based FES that has been utilized for FFR assessment allows the relevant quantitative and qualitative data (or information) related to equipment installed in subsea systems to be employed in a coherent manner with less variability, while improving the quality of inspection and maintenance recommendations.
A Retrospective Review of Forensic Odontology Reports Written by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Central Identification Laboratory for Remains Identified from the Korean War
Authors: Shiroma Calvin Y.
Published: January 2016

As of August 2014, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command has identified the remains of 1980 previously unknown U.S. service members; 280 were from the Korean War. To determine the accuracy and completeness of the available antemortem (AM) dental records, a review of the AM/postmortem (AM/PM) dental record comparisons from 233 Forensic Odontology Reports written in support of remains identified from the Korean War was performed. Seventy‐two AM/PM comparisons resulted in exact dental chartings while 161 contained discrepancies which were explainable. Explainable discrepancies include undocumented treatment (103), incorrectly charted third molars as missing (82), differing opinions of specific molars present/missing (20), and erroneous treatment documentation and/or misidentification of teeth present/missing (22, other than molars). Reassessment has revealed varying levels of completeness for our available AM dental records, the need to thoroughly review our computerized comparisons, adjust our comparisons to include molar pattern variations/third molars, and updating our database comparison program.
Long‐Term Safety of a Coordinated Delivery Tablet of Enteric‐Coated Aspirin 325 mg and Immediate‐Release Omeprazole 40 mg for Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Patients at GI Risk
Authors: Goldstein Jay L. , Whellan David J. , Scheiman James M. , Cryer Byron L. , Eisen Glenn M. , Lanas Angel , Fort John G.
Published: January 2016

Introduction

In two, 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind Phase 3 trials, PA32540 (enteric‐coated aspirin 325 mg and immediate‐release omeprazole 40 mg) compared to aspirin alone was associated with fewer endoscopic gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients requiring aspirin therapy for secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention who were at risk for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) events.

Aims

In this 12‐month, open‐label, multicenter Phase 3 study, we evaluated the long‐term cardiovascular and gastrointestinal safety of PA32540 in subjects who were taking aspirin 325 mg daily for ≥3 months for secondary CVD prevention and were at risk for aspirin‐associated UGI events. Enrolled subjects received PA32540 once daily for up to 12 months and were assessed at baseline, month 1, month 6, and month 12.

Results

The overall safety population consisted of 379 subjects, and 290 subjects (76%) were on PA32540 for ≥348 days (12‐month completers). Adverse events (AEs) caused study withdrawal in 13.5% of subjects, most commonly gastroesophageal reflux disease (1.1%). Treatment‐emergent AEs occurred in 76% of the safety population (11% treatment‐related) and 73% of 12‐month completers (8% treatment‐related). The most common treatment‐related AE was dyspepsia (2%). One subject had a gastric ulcer observed on for‐cause endoscopy. There were five cases of adjudicated nonfatal myocardial infarction, one nonfatal stroke, and one cardiovascular death, but none considered treatment‐related.

Conclusions

Long‐term treatment with PA32540 once daily for up to 12 months in subjects at risk for aspirin‐associated UGI events is not associated with any new or unexpected safety events.
Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drink Use as an Event‐Level Predictor of Physical and Verbal Aggression in Bar Conflicts
Authors: Miller Kathleen E. , Quigley Brian M. , Eliseo‐Arras Rebecca K. , Ball Natalie J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Young adult use of alcohol mixed with caffeinated energy drinks (AmEDs) has been globally linked with increased odds of interpersonal aggression, compared with the use of alcohol alone. However, no prior research has linked these behaviors at the event level in bar drinking situations. The present study assessed whether AmED use is associated with the perpetration of verbal and physical aggression in bar conflicts at the event level.

Methods

In Fall 2014, a community sample of 175 young adult AmED users (55% female) completed a web survey describing a recent conflict experienced while drinking in a bar. Use of both AmED and non‐AmED alcoholic drinks in the incident were assessed, allowing calculation of our main predictor variable, the proportion of AmEDs consumed (AmED/total drinks consumed). To measure perpetration of aggression, participants reported on the occurrence of 6 verbal and 6 physical acts during the bar conflict incident.

Results

Linear regression analyses showed that the proportion of AmEDs consumed predicted scores for perpetration of both verbal aggression (β = 0.16, p < 0.05) and physical aggression (β = 0.19, p < 0.01) after controlling for gender, age, sensation‐seeking and aggressive personality traits, aggressive alcohol expectancies, aggressogenic physical and social bar environments, and total number of drinks.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that in alcohol‐related bar conflicts, higher levels of young adult AmED use are associated with higher levels of aggression perpetration than alcohol use alone and that the elevated risk is not attributable to individual differences between AmED users and nonusers or to contextual differences in bar drinking settings. While future research is needed to identify motivations, dosages, and sequencing issues associated with AmED use, these beverages should be considered a potential risk factor in the escalation of aggressive bar conflicts.
Inhibition of Mammary Cancer Progression in Fetal Alcohol Exposed Rats by β‐Endorphin Neurons
Authors: Zhang Changqing , Franklin Tina , Sarkar Dipak K.
Published: January 2016

Background

Fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) increases the susceptibility to carcinogen‐induced mammary cancer progression in rodent models. FAE also decreases β‐endorphin (β‐EP) level and causes hyperstress response, which leads to inhibition of immune function against cancer. Previous studies have shown that injection of nanosphere‐attached dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) into the third ventricle increases the number of β‐EP neurons in the hypothalamus. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of stress regulation using methods to increase hypothalamic levels of β‐EP, a neuropeptide that inhibits stress axis activity, in treatment of carcinogen‐induced mammary cancer in fetal alcohol exposed rats.

Methods

Fetal alcohol exposed and control Sprague Dawley rats were given a dose of N‐Nitroso‐N‐methylurea (MNU) at postnatal day 50 to induce mammary cancer growth. Upon detection of mammary tumors, the animals were either transplanted with β‐EP neurons or injected with dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres into the hypothalamus to increase β‐EP peptide production. Spleen cytokines were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Metastasis study was done by injecting mammary cancer cells MADB106 into jugular vein of β‐EP‐activated or control fetal alcohol exposed animals.

Results

Both transplantation of β‐EP neurons and injection of dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres inhibited MNU‐induced mammary cancer growth in control rats, and reversed the effect of FAE on the susceptibility to mammary cancer. Similar to the previously reported immune‐enhancing and stress‐suppressive effects of β‐EP transplantation, injection of dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres increased the levels of interferon‐γ and granzyme B and decreased the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in fetal alcohol exposed rats. Mammary cancer cell metastasis study also showed that FAE increased incidence of lung tumor retention, while β‐EP transplantation inhibited lung tumor growth in both normal and fetal alcohol exposed rats.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that increase of β‐EP production in the hypothalamus may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating the cancer growth in patients with chronic stress and compromised immune function, such as the patients with FAE.
Asian Participation and Performance at theOlympicGames
Authors: Noland Marcus , Stahler Kevin
Published: January 2016

This paper examinesAsian exceptionalism at theOlympics.NortheastAsian countries conform to the statistical norm, whereas the rest ofAsia lags, but this result obscures underlying distinctions. Asian women do better than men. Non‐NortheastAsia's relative underperformance is due to the men.Asian performance is uneven across events, finding more success in culturally connected and weight‐stratified contests. The models imply thatChina,Japan, andSouthKorea will place among the top 10 medaling countries at the 2016Games, whereasChina will continue to close the medal gap with theUnitedStates.
Level the Playing Field to Bolster the Boardroom: Sports as a Springboard for Women's Labor Force Advancement in Asia
Authors: Kotschwar Barbara , Stahler Kevin
Published: January 2016

We promote women's participation in sports as part of a solution to better integrate women into the labor force of Asian economies. Women in Asia lag other regions in terms of labor force participation and membership in corporate leadership bodies; this is particularly acute in East Asia. Involvement in sport has been found to be associated with long‐term economic benefits for women internationally, including enhanced returns to education and labor outcomes. We propose a number of sports program‐related policies for Asian countries to consider in order to better integrate women into education, society, labor, and corporate boardrooms.
The virtue of culture in understanding motivation at school: Commentary on the special issue on culture and motivation
Authors: Guay Frédéric
Published: January 2016

Students' higher level of motivation is not based solely on intrapersonal factors as innate characteristics, but also on contexts in which students are supposed to develop their competencies. Thus, the cultural context is expected to shape motivation. Values and beliefs shared by a cultural group will affect students' motivation to learn and educational outcomes. This special issue on culture and motivation presents a collection of ground‐breaking research ideas that advance our knowledge on how motivation is shaped by the cultural context and how motivation processes are affected by the cultural milieu. Hopefully, this special issue will stimulate new research that will advance our understanding of motivation at school.
Is immersion of any value? Whether, and to what extent, game immersion experience during serious gaming affects science learning
Authors: Cheng Meng‐Tzu , Lin Yu‐Wen , She Hsiao‐Ching , Kuo Po‐Chih
Published: January 2016

Many studies have shown the positive impact of serious gaming on learning outcomes, but few have explored the relationships between game immersion and science learning. Accordingly, this study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of learning by playing, as well as the dynamic process of game immersion experiences, and to further identify whether, and to what extent, immersion affects science learning through serious gaming by using the techniques of cluster analysis. A total of 63 seventh‐grade students participated in the study, and a quasi‐experimental research design was employed. The results demonstrated that the students gained a holistic understanding of the relevant scientific concepts because their performances on the scenario‐based science assessment were significantly improved across serious gameplaying occasions, and the effect of learning was retained long term. Moreover, serious gaming provided students with the experience of immersion insofar as the students indicated a greater degree of immersion in the game over time. Furthermore, two core clusters presenting meaningful patterns, high gaming performance/high immersion and high science learning/low immersion, were revealed. Finally, various interpretations and implications of the obtained data are discussed.