bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ice sheets and nitrogen
Authors: Wolff Eric W.
Published: May 2013

Snow and ice play their most important role in the nitrogen cycle as a barrier to land–atmosphere and ocean–atmosphere exchanges that would otherwise occur. The inventory of nitrogen compounds in the polar ice sheets is approximately 260 Tg N, dominated by nitrate in the much larger Antarctic ice sheet. Ice cores help to inform us about the natural variability of the nitrogen cycle at global and regional scale, and about the extent of disturbance in recent decades. Nitrous oxide concentrations have risen about 20 per cent in the last 200 years and are now almost certainly higher than at any time in the last 800 000 years. Nitrate concentrations recorded in Greenland ice rose by a factor of 2–3, particularly between the 1950s and 1980s, reflecting a major change in NO

x

emissions reaching the background atmosphere. Increases in ice cores drilled at lower latitudes can be used to validate or constrain regional emission inventories. Background ammonium concentrations in Greenland ice show no significant recent trend, although the record is very noisy, being dominated by spikes of input from biomass burning events. Neither nitrate nor ammonium shows significant recent trends in Antarctica, although their natural variations are of biogeochemical and atmospheric chemical interest. Finally, it has been found that photolysis of nitrate in the snowpack leads to significant re-emissions of NO

x

that can strongly impact the regional atmosphere in snow-covered areas.
Flavobacterium jumunjinense sp. nov., isolated from a lagoon, and emended descriptions of Flavobacterium cheniae , Flavobacterium dongtanense and Flavobacterium gelidilacus
Authors: Joung Yochan , Kim Haneul , Joh Kiseong
Published: May 2013

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, motile by gliding, designated HME7102T, was isolated from lagoon water in Korea. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HME7102Tformed a distinct lineage within the genusFlavobacterium. Strain HME7102Twas closely related toFlavobacterium cheniaeNJ-26T(94.5 %),Flavobacterium dongtanenseLW30T(94.4 %) andFlavobacterium gelidilacusLMG 21477T(94.2 %). The major fatty acids of strain HME7102Twere iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G, iso-C17 : 03-OH and iso-C15 : 03-OH. The major polyamine was homospermidine and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain HME7102Twas 36.5 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HME7102Trepresents a novel species of the genusFlavobacterium, for which the nameFlavobacteriumjumunjinensesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HME7102T( = KCTC 23618T = CECT 7955T). Emended descriptions ofF. cheniae,F. dongtanenseandF. gelidilacusare also proposed.
Burkholderia rhynchosiae sp. nov., isolated from Rhynchosia ferulifolia root nodules
Authors: De Meyer Sofie E. , Cnockaert Margo , Ardley Julie K. , Trengove Robert D. , Garau Giovanni , Howieson John G. , Vandamme Peter
Published: May 2013

Two strains of Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from root nodules of the South African legume Rhynchosia ferulifolia and authenticated on this host. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, strains WSM3930 and WSM3937T belonged to the genus

Burkholderia

, with the highest degree of sequence similarity to

Burkholderia terricola

(98.84 %). Additionally, the housekeeping genes gyrB and recA were analysed since 16S rRNA gene sequences are highly similar between closely related species of the genus

Burkholderia

. The results obtained for both housekeeping genes, gyrB and recA, showed the highest degree of sequence similarity of the novel strains towards

Burkholderia caledonica

LMG 19076T (94.2 % and 94.5 %, respectively). Chemotaxonomic data, including fatty acid profiles and respiratory quinone data supported the assignment of strains WSM3930 and WSM3937T to the genus

Burkholderia

. DNA–DNA hybridizations, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strains WSM3930 and WSM3937T from the most closely related species of the genus

Burkholderia

with validly published names. We conclude, therefore, that these strains represent a novel species for which the name Burkholderia rhynchosiae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain WSM3937T ( = LMG 27174T = HAMBI 3354T) as the type strain.
Gracilimonas

mengyeensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan, south-western China
Authors: Wang Yong-Xia , Li Ya-Ping , Liu Ji-Hui , Xiao Wei , Lai Yong-Hong , Li Zhi-Ying , Ding Zhang-Gui , Wen Meng-Liang , Cui Xiao-Long
Published: May 2013

A facultatively anaerobic, Gram-staining-negative, pale red-pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain YIM J14T, was isolated from a sediment sample from a salt mine in Yunnan, south-western China. Growth occurred at NaCl concentrations of between 2 % and 15 % (w/v) and optimally with 5–9 % NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth of the strain were 28 °C and pH 7.5. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c/10-methyl-C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile was composed predominantly of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and one unknown phospholipid. Minor amounts of other lipids were also detectable. The genomic DNA G+C content was 47.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain YIM J14T was related to

Gracilimonas tropica

in the phylum

Bacteroidetes

. The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM J14T and

Gracilimonas tropica

CL-CB462T was 96.9 %. A DNA–DNA hybridization experiment between strain YIM J14T and

Gracilimonas tropica

indicated levels of relatedness of 28 %. Chemotaxonomic data supported the placement of strain YIM J14T in the genus

Gracilimonas

. DNA–DNA hybridization and biochemical and physiological characterization allowed strain YIM J14T to be differentiated from

Gracilimonas tropica

. It is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Gracilimonas

, for which the name

Gracilimonas

mengyeensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain YIM J14T ( = ACCC 10717T = DSM 21985T).
Radiation hardening and sensors for radioactive environments
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the effects of radiation on certain classes of sensors and electronic devices and discusses the sensors used in high radiation environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper firstly discusses the effects of radiation on semiconductors. It then considers the sensor technologies employed in high radiation applications and examines the impact of radiation on MEMS devices. Finally, it describes a radiation‐tolerant imaging sensor technology.

Findings

Ionising and non‐ionising radiation in terrestrial and space environments can exert a detrimental effect on semiconductor devices and has led to the development of a range of radiation hardening technologies. Most of the sensors used in nuclear power plants utilise long‐established and well‐characterised technologies which are inherently radiation‐tolerant but silicon MEMS devices are more prone to damage and a range of failure mechanisms have been identified. Most conventional image sensors are susceptible to radiation damage but a radiation‐hard technology termed the charge‐injection device has been developed which overcomes these problems.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of the sensor technologies used in high radiation applications.
Ukraine nanomaterials conference highlights sensing of molecular and physical variables
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the nanosensor research reported at the “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties 2012” conference, held in the Ukraine in September 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short overview of the event, this paper describes the nanosensor research reported at the conference, arranged according to the variables involved, i.e. chemical sensing, gas sensors and physical sensing. Brief consideration is also given to developments in power sources.

Findings

This shows that, although nanosensors were not a major theme at the event, several innovative developments for sensing a range of molecular and physical variables were reported.

Originality/value

This paper provides details of the nanosensor research reported at “Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties 2012”.
Wide area registration on camera phones for mobile augmented reality applications
Authors: Duan Liya , Guan Tao , Luo Yawei
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The authors aim to present a vision based wide area registration method for camera phones based mobile augmented reality applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The tracking system uses a drift‐free 6 DOF tracker based on prebuilt multiple maps, and can be initialized using the authors' compacted key‐frames recognition engine.

Findings

Given the current location and camera pose, the authors show how the corresponding virtual objects can be accurately superimposed even in the case of varying user positions.

Originality/value

The authors' system can be used in wide area scenarios and provides an accurate registration between real and virtual objects.
Spectroscopic profiling of soluble solids content and acidity of intact grape, lime, and star fruit
Authors: Fairuz Omar Ahmad
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Visible and near infrared spectroscopy have been applied widely in fruits quality assessment especially on the measurement of soluble solids content (SSC) measured in oBrix and acidity measured in pH. Spectroscopy technique has been applied on three botanically different categories of fruits, that is: imported Californian table grape, Mandarin lime and star fruit. The purpose is to examine the ability of spectroscopy technique to quantify internal quality parameters with very narrow variability due to the characteristics of the raw material analyzed. This work also presents comparative study on peak wavelengths that can best be used to calibrate SSC and pH of different types of fruits.

Design/methodology/approach

The effective wavelengths chosen for calibration development are compared with those selected by other researchers in similar experiments. NIR wavelengths 910 nm (C−H band) and 950 nm (O−H band) are the most important wavelengths for the prediction of SSC for all examined fruits while wavelengths 922‐923 nm and 990‐995 nm for pH. Visible wavelength 605, 675 and 654 nm can efficiently improve the SSC and pH prediction for grape, lime and star fruit, respectively.

Findings

The best prediction for SSC has been achieved with R2=0.953 and RMSE=0.182 for grape, R2=0.918 and RMSE=0.109 for lime and R2=0.957 and RMSE=0.354 for star fruit. The best prediction for pH has been achieved with R2=0.763 and RMSE=0.110 for grape, R2=0.841 and RMSE=0.073 for lime and R2=0.862 and RMSE=0.261 for star fruit.

Originality/value

Currently, the spectroscopy research conducted for the measurement of fruits qualities is conducted through wide range spectrometer. However, the peak responses are only located at specific wavelengths. Hence, the selection of wavelengths related to SSC and pH will allow the design of low cost instruments for the prediction of these internal quality parameters.
The influence of social class on the perceptions of country of origin
Authors: Miranda Mario Joseph , Parkvithee Narissara
Published: May 2013

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a study, conducted in Thailand, which examined the working class and middle class consumers’ evaluation and purchase intentions of high equity versus low equity Thai fashion labels of sophisticated and standard apparel, outsourced for production to three Asian countries of varying manufacturing competence. Design/methodology/approach – Data from a field survey was analysed through a 2×2×3 factorial design and the influence of a particular factor over the others in specific scenarios was observed. Findings – Consumers from both social classes are inclined to be partial to a specific quality dimension of their national brands made abroad. When considering purchase of reputed brands of standard products, working class consumers are particularly concerned about the item's country‐of‐origin (COO). On the other hand, middle class consumers’ apprehensions of multi‐featured products’ COO run across both high and low equity brands. Research limitations/implications – Common methods bias may have occurred in this study as a result of respondents in the self‐report survey wanting to avoid cognitive dissonance, trying to correlate their responses with their answers to previous questions. Practical implications – Consumers belonging to a particular social segment in the brands’ home country can be encouraged to buy their national brands produced abroad on the promise that these products will deliver their favoured quality features. Originality/value – The research results are presented in the form of a consumer typology based on the dimensions of perceived quality, and explain the effect of the interaction of country's competence, brand equity and product purchase involvement on middle class and working class consumers’ evaluation and purchase intention of brands outsourced for production abroad.
Planning tourism through sporting events
Authors: Presenza Angelo , Sheehan Lorn
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build on the concept of using a population or portfolio of events to help rejuvenate or redefine the strategic position of a destination. The aim is to gain a general understanding of the local community outlook towards a process of repositioning the tourism product based on a portfolio of sporting events.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design using a case study approach examined resident attitudes in a beach community of south Italy. In total, 740 questionnaires were received and a cluster analysis was used to study the 11 statements about residents’ perceptions of tourism development and sport events.

Findings

The findings reveal that resident attitudes towards tourism development are strongly related to their perceptions of their degree of involvement in the setting of strategy and the direction of development. The results also support previous beliefs about increasing interest in the sport tourism product and that sporting events are viewed as important drivers of tourism destination development. The research reveals the presence of different resident attitudes and the cluster analysis is helpful in finding homogeneous groups of residents within the destination.

Originality/value

There is limited understanding of the degree to which the local community fits into the plans of a city's pro‐growth agenda and the role that a tourism strategy based on sport events can have. This is particularly true in southern Italy where the classical sun, sea and sand (3S) tourism model is in severe crisis and new ways of development are urgently required.
Heat and mass transfer from mixed convection flow of polar fluid along a plate in porous media with chemical reaction
Authors: Patil P.M. , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to study heat and mass transfer from mixed convection flow of polar fluid along a plate in porous media with chemical reaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations for this problem are solved numerically.

Findings

Polar fluids behave very differently from Newtonian fluids.

Originality/value

This work is original as little work has been reported for polar fluids.
A semi‐analytical technique for the solution of differential‐algebraic equations and applications in flow of an incompressible viscous fluid
Authors: Soltanian F. , Dehghan Mehdi , Karbassi S.M.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to find convenient methods to solve the differential‐algebraic equations which have great importance in various fields of science and engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a semi‐analytical approach, using both the homotopy analysis method (HAM) and the modified homotopy analysis method (MHAM) for finding the solution of linear and nonlinear DAEs.

Findings

The results show that the new modification can effectively reduce computational costs and accelerates the rapid convergence of the series solution.

Originality/value

Some high index DAEs are investigated to present a comparative study between the HAM and the MHAM.
Effect of heating location and size on MHD mixed convection in a lid‐driven cavity
Authors: Malleswaran A. , Sivasankaran S. , Bhuvaneswari M.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of various lengths and different locations of the heater on the left sidewall in a square lid‐driven cavity.

Design/methodology/approach

The non‐dimensional equations are discretized by the finite‐volume method. The upwind scheme and the central difference scheme are implemented for the convection and the diffusion terms, respectively.

Findings

On increasing the Richardson number, the overall heat transfer is increased whether the length and the location of the heater is considered or not. Among the various lengths of the heater considered, the total heat transfer is better only for the length LH=1/3 of the heater if it is extended from top or bottom of the cavity. In the case of location of the heater, the average heat transfer enhances for center location of the heater. Existence of the magnetic field suppresses the convective heat transfer and the fluid flow.

Practical implications

The results can be used in the cooling of electronic devices and heat transfer improvement in heat exchangers.

Originality/value

The numerical results obtained here focus on the detailed investigation of flow and temperature field in a discretely heated lid‐driven square cavity. The findings will be helpful in many applications such as heat exchangers and cooling of electronic devices.
Fast incremental indexing with effective and efficient searching in XML element retrieval
Authors: Keyaki Atsushi , Miyazaki Jun , Hatano Kenji , Yamamoto Goshiro , Taketomi Takafumi , Kato Hirokazu
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose methods for fast incremental indexing with effective and efficient query processing in XML element retrieval. The effectiveness of a search system becomes lower if document updates are not handled when these occur frequently on the Web. The search accuracy is also reduced if drastic changes in document statistics are not managed. However, existing studies of XML element retrieval do not consider document updates, although these studies have attained both effectiveness and efficiency in query processing. Thus, the authors add a function for handling document updates to the existing techniques for XML element retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

Though it will be important to enable fast updates of indices, preliminary experiments have shown that a simple incremental update approach has two problems: some kinds of statistics are inaccurate, and it takes a long time to update indices. Therefore, two methods are proposed: one to approximate term weights accurately with a small number of documents, even for dynamically changing statistics; and the other to eliminate unnecessary update targets.

Findings

Experimental results show that this proposed system can update indices up to 32 per cent faster than the simple incremental updates while the search accuracy improved by 4 per cent compared with the simple approach. The proposed methods can also be fast and accurate in query processing, even if document statistics change drastically.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there could be a more practical XML element search engine, which can access the latest XML documents accurately and efficiently.
Computer‐mediated communication and social networking tools at work
Authors: Xiaojuan Ou Carol , Ling Sia Choon , Kit Hui Chun
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Advances in information technology (IT) have resulted in the development of various computer‐mediated communication (CMC) and social networking tools. However, quantifying the benefits of utilizing these tools in the organizational context remains a challenge. In this study, the authors aim to investigate the effects of three specific tools, viz. instant messenger, email and knowledge forum, on facilitating the communication and social network at work, and their subsequent influence on individuals’ work performance. Together with a social network diagram, the proposed model is validated by a survey of 59 employees of a company which embeds these three CMC and social networking tools in the work process. The key findings, implications and future research are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors verify the research model with data from the Hong Kong office of an international bank headquartered in London, UK. They also collected the data on the social networks of 59 employees to draw a network diagram of the respondents using the social network analysis software UCINET.

Findings

The research model is fully supported by the survey data. Meanwhile, the social networks analysis also suggests the linkage of using IM at work and the high level of degree and high level of closeness.

Originality/value

This study provided an empirical verification of media performance theories, evidenced by interactive tools such as IM and email. This research also directly linked the elements of social network, viz. degree, closeness and betweenness, with the CMC and social network tools, the communication, interactivity, relationship, and work performance.
Hedonic customer responses to fast fashion and replicas
Authors: Miller Karen
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Very little fast fashion literature focuses on pleasure‐seeking activities or luxury‐fast‐fashion and the purpose of this paper is to start addressing these gaps from the perspective of the customer.

Design/methodology/approach

Over eight months, a naturalistic inquiry obtained publicly available online information from customers who during their normal daily lives freely shared their opinions and reflections about fast fashion purchases.

Findings

A clearly apparent and unexpected finding is that pleasure‐seeking consumers enjoy creativity associated with ephemeral fashions and uniqueness, as these add value to the customer in different ways, depending on whether the customer is a fast fashion or a replica customer.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the fast fashion context and lays the foundation for future researchers to consider other contexts of fashion or luxury brands to qualify or quantify the extent of pleasure seeking and its contribution to the fashion experience in the context of the designer, the fashion brand and the customer.

Practical implications

Developing fashion games or fashion applications that enable the user to create and design fashion items, or mix and match fashion items will reinforce enjoyment in the design experience and linking these to the brand should reinforce positive affirmations toward the fast fashion brand.

Originality/value

This paper takes a fresh approach to uncover and describe hedonic customer responses to replica and fast fashion, the results of which update fast fashion and the luxury brand literatures and demonstrate the importance of creativity in the experience.
Consumption practices of fast fashion products: a consumer‐based approach
Authors: Gabrielli Veronica , Baghi Ilaria , Codeluppi Vanni
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The aim the present study is to investigate the consumption practices of fast fashion products. During the introductory stage of this phenomenon, most academic literature has focused its attention on structural and industrial aspects of the fast fashion phenomenon. Now that the phenomenon has been present as a part of individuals’ daily lives for some years, the time is ripe for taking a closer look at consumers’ standpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative technique of focus groups was chosen to carry out the research study within Italian consumers. The decision to exploit this methodology was largely guided by the exploratory purposes of this study and by the willingness to analyze the phenomenon of fast fashion and the consumption practices by adopting a social perspective.

Findings

Results of the exploratory study show an overview of the phenomenon of fast fashion from the standpoint of the consumers and especially of the way they “live” fast fashion and integrate these products in their consumption practices.

Originality/value

The study reveals a new perspective of analysis (consumers’ standpoint) to the phenomenon of fast fashion not previously investigated and suggests useful ideas to guide the strategic levers and communications through which fast fashion companies can identify their own evolutionary path.
Authentic leadership and its relationship with risk perception and safety climate
Authors: Birkeland Nielsen Morten , Eid Jarle , Mearns Kathryn , Larsson Gerry
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine how authentic leadership relates to risk perception in safety critical organizations (SCOs). It is hypothesized that authentic leaders influence risk perception through the mediating effect of safety climate.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey design, the variables were assessed in a cross‐sectional sample of 293 offshore oil installation workers from a single company.

Findings

The authors’ findings show that follower ratings of authentic leadership are negatively related to risk perception and positively associated with ratings of safety climate. Controlling for personality characteristics and leadership responsibility among respondents, the results confirm the hypothesis in that safety climate mediates the relationship between authentic leadership and risk perception. Safety climate had the strongest relationship with risk perception when assessed as a higher order construct.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate the relationship between authentic leadership and safety. The results indicate that authentic leadership and safety climate are important factors that relate to risk perception in SCOs. The authors’ findings suggest that SCOs should consider recruiting and developing authentic leaders to foster positive safety climates and risk management.
Optimization of electrochemical treatment of textile dye wastewater
Authors: Canan Pekel Lutfiye , Ertunc Suna , Zeybek Zehra , Alpbaz Mustafa
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the electrochemical treatment of textile dye wastewater in the presence of NaCl electrolyte by using aluminium electrodes.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrochemical treatment of textile dye wastewater was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM‐based D‐optimal design was employed to construct statistical models relating turbidity and designed effective parameters known as current density, electrolyte concentration and electrolysis time. The experimental plan consists of a three‐factor (three numerical) matrix.

Findings

The results show that the current density has significant effect on the reduction of turbidity. Besides, electrolysis time is the most influential factor on the turbidity. In order to enhance the electrochemical treatment performance, no coagulant addition or further physicochemical processes were employed.

Originality/value

Industrial certain textile dye wastewater in Turkey is used to determine optimal values.
Foreign direct investments in real estate sector and CO2emission
Authors: Gholipour Fereidouni Hassan
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In recent years, most emerging economies have experienced large foreign direct investment inflows to the real estate sector (FDIRE) and increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the effect of FDIRE on CO2emissions in a set of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying fixed‐effect and generalized method of moments (GMM) techniques, this paper uses related observations from 31 emerging economies between 2000 and 2008 to analyze the impacts of FDIRE on CO2emissions.

Findings

The empirical results show that FDIRE does not contribute to CO2emissions. It is also found that energy consumption, urbanization and economic development are important determinants of CO2emissions in emerging economies.

Originality/value

While there has been a series of papers that investigated the relationship between aggregate FDI and CO2emissions, very few empirical studies have examined the relation between sectoral FDI and CO2emissions across a large number of emerging economies.
Social media and scholarly reading
Authors: Tenopir Carol , Volentine Rachel , King Donald W.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how often university academic staff members use and create various forms of social media for their work and how that use influences their use of traditional scholarly information sources.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on a 2011 academic reading study conducted at six higher learning institutions in the United Kingdom. Approximately 2,000 respondents completed the web‐based survey. The study used the critical incident of last reading by academics to gather information on the purpose, outcomes, and values of scholarly readings and access to library collections. In addition, academics were asked about their use and creation of social media as part of their work activities. The authors looked at six categories of social media – blogs, videos/YouTube, RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, user comments in articles, podcasts, and other. This article focuses on the influence of social media on scholarly reading patterns.

Findings

Most UK academics use one or more forms of social media for work‐related purposes, but creation is less common. Frequency of use and creation is not as high as might be expected, with academics using or creating social media occasionally rather than regularly. There are some differences in use or creation based on demographic factors, including discipline and age. The use and creation of social media does not adversely affect the use of traditional scholarly material, and high frequency users or creators of social media read more scholarly material than others.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates that academics who are engaged with traditional materials for their scholarly work are also embracing various forms of social media to a higher degree than their colleagues. This suggests that social media tools could be a good addition to traditional forms of scholarly content as a way to promote academic growth. Social media is not replacing traditional scholarly material, but rather is enhancing their use.
Private equity coming out of the dark
Authors: Kend Michael , Katselas Dean
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to gain a better understanding of the motivations behind private equity (PE) activities in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports findings arising from face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews with individuals representing stakeholders in the market for private equity; namely, PE partners and finance professionals. Interviews were conducted in two stages, during the pre‐Global Financial Crisis (GFC) period (2007‐2008) and the post‐GFC period (2012).

Findings

In general, the stakeholders interviewed perceive that the motivations behind PE bids are not well understood, and they highlight the need for more education. They state that PE enables a company's management to make decisions more promptly; capture opportunities more effectively; reduce paperwork for executives; provide no accountability to a broad investor base; and most importantly create value for a business, as the ownership is more closely involved with the management in the day‐to‐day operations of the business. According to the interviewees, since the GFC, PE firm reputation and track record are considered to be even more crucial than before the GFC, as debt providers in particular have become more wary when lending.

Originality/value

The findings have implications for the agency relationship model. The principals' role might appear to be more tightly aligned with that of the agent, and so are their motivations, thus reducing monitoring costs, but post‐GFC interview responses indicate that this might not necessarily be the case. Concerns over empire building and gains through transaction costs were raised. The paper concludes by drawing from the insights gained by the authors from the interview data. Although it is only a small part of the economy's Gross Domestic Product, PE activity has helped Australia become a more competitive business economy.
Direct contribution of vascular mineralocorticoid receptors to blood pressure regulation
Authors: Barrett Kathleen V , McCurley Amy T , Jaffe Iris Z
Published: May 2013

Hypertension is an extremely prevalent cardiovascular risk factor and current antihypertensive therapies do not adequately treat hypertension in many affected individuals. Thus, a better understanding of mechanisms of hypertension could lead to novel therapies.

Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) are known to regulate blood pressure by responding to aldosterone in the kidney to regulate sodium retention. Recent evidence supports a direct contribution of the vasculature to control of BP and suggests the possibility that MR antagonists may also lower blood pressure by acting on extrarenal MR.

This review summarizes existing research considering the role of the vascular MR in regulating vasoreactivity and blood pressure.

Multiple studies indicate a role for vascular MR in modulating vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation. Activation of MR in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells leads to increased reactive oxygen species production and decreased availability of nitric oxide, important regulators of vascular reactivity.

Transgenic mouse models, including an endothelial MR overexpressing mouse and a smooth muscle cell‐specific MR‐knockout mouse, support a direct role for vascular MR in control of blood pressure.

This new evidence demonstrating that vascular MR directly contribute to control of vasoreactivity and blood pressure supports vascular MR and the pathways they control as novel therapeutic targets to treat hypertension.
Generation and discourse in working life stories
Authors: Foster Karen
Published: May 2013

Following Mannheim's () Problem of Generations, many scholars have warned of the analytical and political risks of conflating generation with cohort. Yet the temptation persists, as relying on cohort is a convenient method of dividing a population to study it. This article proposes that cohort is only convenient if the objective is understanding generations as definitive groups of people. It suggests a supplementary objective: understanding generation as a matter of discourse. Qualitative data from interviews with 52 Canadians illustrates how the discursive forms of generation in their stories render difference, human agency and social change in atomistic or voluntaristic terms. The most extreme manifestations of this theme appear related to the perception of generational conflict. Guided by James' principle of pragmatism, this article maintains that understanding generation as a discursive, historically contingent ‘thought’ with ‘effects’ is as important as understanding its structural form and contents.
Acute kidney injury in patients with severe sepsis in Finnish Intensive Care Units
Authors: POUKKANEN M. , VAARA S. T. , PETTILÄ V. , KAUKONEN K.‐M. , KORHONEN A.‐M. , HOVILEHTO S. , INKINEN O. , LARU‐SOMPA R. , KAMINSKI T. , REINIKAINEN M. , LUND V. , KARLSSON S. ,   FINNAKI study group
Published: May 2013

Background

Severe sepsis is one of the leading causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). Patients with sepsis‐associated AKI demonstrate high‐hospital mortality. We evaluated the incidence of severe sepsis‐associated AKI and its association with outcome in intensive care units (ICUs) in Finland.

Methods

This was a predetermined sub‐study of the prospective, observational, multicentre FINNAKI study conducted in 17 ICUs during 1 September 2011 and 1 February 2012. All emergency ICU admissions and elective admissions exceeding 24 hours in the ICU were screened for presence of severe sepsis and AKI up to 5 days in ICU. AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria and severe sepsis according to the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria.

Results

Of the 2901 included patients, severe sepsis was diagnosed in 918 (31.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 29.9–33.4%) patients. Of these 918 patients, 488 (53.2% [95% CI 49.9–56.5%]) had AKI. The 90‐day mortality rate was 38.1% (95% CI 33.7–42.5%) for severe sepsis patients with AKI and 24.7% (95% CI 20.5–28.8%) for those without AKI. After adjusting for covariates, KDIGO stage 3 AKI was associated with an increased risk for 90‐day mortality with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.94 (95% CI 1.28–2.94), but stages 1 and 2 were not.

Conclusions

More than half of the patients with severe sepsis had AKI according to the KDIGO classification, and AKI stage 3 was independently associated with 90‐day mortality.
Effects of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone on smoking and related behaviors in smokers preparing to quit: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: King Andrea , Cao Dingcai , Zhang Lingjiao , Rueger Sandra Yu
Published: May 2013

Aims

To determine if naltrexone affects smoking behaviors in smokers preparing to quit, and whether or not such pre‐quit responses predict post‐quit date outcomes.

Design

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized study. The current study focused on smoking‐related outcomes in the pre‐quit phase, which was 1 week prior to the quit date, and these findings were linked with reductions in the same outcomes demonstrated in the post‐quit phase published previously for this randomized controlled trial (RCT) in mediation analyses.

Setting

Community sample of adult smokers desiring to quit in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Participants

Participants were 315 smokers randomized to naltrexone (n = 161; mean age = 42.58 years; 60% Caucasian) or placebo (n = 154; mean age = 41.32 years; 55% Caucasian).

Measurements

The difference from baseline in the number of cigarettes smoked during the pre‐quit phase interval was the primary outcome. Secondary pre‐quit outcomes were assessed using Likert scales of subjective responses and consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and food. Number of cigarettes smoked, alcoholic drinks consumed and the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges were assessed in the post‐quit phase.

Findings

Relative to placebo, naltrexone decreased the number of cigarettes smoked (−4.21 versus −2.93, P < 0.05), smoking urge (P = 0.02) and number of alcoholic drinks consumed (P = 0.04). Exploratory mediation analyses linking outcomes of the pre‐quit and post‐quit phases found that naltrexone's effects on reducing smoking urge, cigarettes smoked and alcoholic drinks consumed in the pre‐quit phase demonstrated full mediation of their respective effects during the post‐quit phase.

Conclusions

Naltrexone taken in the week before a quit attempt reduces cigarette consumption, urges to smoke and alcohol consumption relative to placebo. The size of the effect mediates statistically the size of similar effects after the quit date.
Antigovernment Networks in Civil Conflicts: How Network Structures Affect Conflictual Behavior
Authors: Metternich Nils W. , Dorff Cassy , Gallop Max , Weschle Simon , Ward Michael D.
Published: May 2013

In this article, we combine a game‐theoretic treatment of public goods provision in networks with a statistical network analysis to show that fragmented opposition network structures lead to an increase in conflictual actions. Current literature concentrates on the dyadic relationship between the government and potential challengers. We shift the focus toward exploring how network structures affect the strategic behavior of political actors. We derive and examine testable hypotheses and use latent space analysis to infer actors’ positions vis‐à‐vis each other in the network. Network structure is examined and used to test our hypotheses with data on conflicts in Thailand from 2001 to 2010. We show the influential role of network structure in generating conflictual behavior.
Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitors or nonselective NSAIDs plus gastroprotective agents: what to prescribe in daily clinical practice?
Authors: Masclee G. M. C. , Valkhoff V. E. , van Soest E. M. , Schade R. , Mazzaglia G. , Molokhia M. , Trifirò G. , Goldstein J. L. , Hernández‐Díaz S. , Kuipers E. J. , Sturkenboom M. C. J. M.
Published: May 2013

Background

Two strategies for prevention of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) events for nonselective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (nsNSAID) users are replacement of the nsNSAID by a cyclo‐oxygenase‐2‐selective inhibitor (coxib) or co‐prescription of a gastroprotective agent (GPA).

Aim

To identify whether and in whom either of these strategies should be preferred in daily practice.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted using three European primary care databases. We selected a cohort including all naive nsNSAID+GPA (≥80% GPA adherence) and coxib users (without GPA use) aged ≥50 years. Cases with an UGI event (i.e. symptomatic UGI ulcer or bleeding) were matched to cohort members without an UGI event on age, sex and number of individual UGI risk factors (i.e. UGI event history, age ≥65 years, concomitant use of anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or glucocorticoids) and calendar time. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI, while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Within the NSAID cohort (n = 617 220), 398 UGI cases were identified. The risk of UGI events was equivalent for coxib and nsNSAID+GPA (≥80% adherence) users (OR: 1.02; 95%CI: 0.77–1.37). In concurrent glucocorticoid users, the risk of UGI events was significantly elevated for nsNSAID+GPA (≥80% adherence) compared with coxib users (OR: 9.01; 95%CI: 1.61–50.50).

Conclusions

The risk of UGI events was similar in nsNSAID+GPA (≥80% adherence) and coxibs users. In patients concurrently using glucocorticoids, a significant increase in the risk of UGI events for nsNSAID+GPA users was observed and coxibs should be preferred.
Laparoscopic Anderson–Hynes pyeloplasty without symphysiotomy for hydronephrosis with horseshoe kidney
Authors: Nishi Morihiro , Iwamura Masatsugu , Kurosaka Shinji , Fujita Tetsuo , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Yoshida Kazunari
Published: May 2013

Introduction

The objective of this study is to clarify whether symphysiotomy is an essential procedure combined with the laparoscopic pyeloplasty for the surgical treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction related to horseshoe kidney.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed five horseshoe kidney patients with symptomatic hydronephrosis who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal Anderson–Hynes pyeloplasty without symphysiotomy between July 2002 and October 2011.

Results

All procedures were completed successfully without open conversion. Mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 209 min and 40 mL, respectively. Anterior crossing vessels were observed in all cases, and four of them were defined as a principle cause of the obstruction. In the remaining case, intrinsic stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction was noted. Crossing vessels were transposed behind the ureter with ureteropelvic anastomosis at the anterior aspect of these structures. Preoperative symptoms were absent postoperatively in all cases. Diuretic renogram showed that renal function of the side with hydronephrosis was unchanged, but diuretic excretion half‐time was diminished in all cases.

Conclusion

The present data suggest that symphysiotomy can be avoided in many, if not all, cases of hydronephrosis related to horseshoe kidney. Laparoscopic Anderson‐Hynes pyeloplasty with transposition of anterior crossing vessels seems effective, especially if aberrant vessels are strongly suspected to be present from the preoperative imaging examination.
Sociodemographic disparities in the treatment of small renal masses
Authors: Becker Andreas , Roghmann Florian , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Hansen Jens , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Noldus Joachim , Perrotte Paul , Graefen Markus , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Sun Maxine
Published: May 2013

Objective

To examine the presence of specific sociodemographic disparities in the treatment of individuals with small renal masses.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed with pT1aN0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (years 1988–2008).

Treatment type was stratified into non‐surgical and surgical management and the group of patients who underwent surgical intervention was further stratified into those who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) and those who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN).

The main variables of interest were race and gender, as well as family income and poverty and education levels.

Temporal trend analyses and logistic regression models were performed.

Results

Of 26 468 patients with T1aN0M0 RCC, 2797 (10.6%) were non‐surgically managed and 23 671 (89.4%) underwent surgery. Of the latter, 14 705 (62.1%) underwent RN and 8966 (37.9%) PN.

In multivariable analyses, black patients were 23% more likely to be non‐surgically managed than other ethnic groups, and if surgically managed, were 20% less likely to undergo PN (both P ≤ 0.007). Men were 19% more likely than women to be non‐surgically managed, but remained 14% more likely to receive a PN (both P < 0.001).

Treatment disparities according to income, education and poverty level were recorded. Poverty (odds ratio [OR]: 1.002) and education (OR: 0.998) proxies emerged as important determinants of non‐surgical management, whereas income (OR: 1.08, all P ≤ 0.02) was a determinant of PN.

Conclusions

Social inequalities regarding access to treatment remain prevalent among patients diagnosed with small renal masses.

The persistence of such a phenomenon is a concerning trend which merits further investigation.