bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public private partnership (PPP) outcomes in e-government – a social capital explanation
Authors: Das Aundhe Madhuchhanda , Narasimhan Ramesh
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how and why the intangible critical success factors (CSFs) determine the outcomes of public-private partnerships (PPP) projects in e-governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the literature, PPP was conceptualized as an organization which facilitates the creation of social capital. It is argued that the intangible CSFs correspond to the key dimensions of the social capital that drives the development of intellectual capital in the course of addressing the challenges faced during the execution of an e-governance project. These efforts determine the accomplishment of the desired project objectives. The emergent framework was applied to an e-governance PPP project to anecdotally exemplify how the deficiency of organizational characteristics impedes the formation of social capital, resulting in project failure.

Findings

A theoretical framework was developed to illuminate the mechanisms and the attendant propositions that explain how and why the intangible factors influence the PPP outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This study fills a critical gap in the literature on PPP projects in general, and on e-governance projects in particular. It also extends the application of the social capital framework from an intra-organizational to an inter-organizational context.

Practical implications

The results of this study foster a better understanding of the drivers of success in managing a PPP model in e-governance initiatives.

Social implications

This research work would help in improving the formulation and management of PPPs in the emerging economies, which could potentially enhance the societal outcomes.

Originality/value

The explanatory framework of this research serves as a useful perspective to address policy and program implementation issues of PPP initiatives in e-governance.
Media reactions to the Panorama programme “Behind Closed Doors: Social Care Exposed” and care staff reflections on publicity of poor practice in the care sector
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Njoya Esther , Harris Jess , Norrie Caroline , Moriarty Jo
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of media reactions to the BBC Television Panorama programme,Behind Closed Doors’ and to set this in the context of interviews with care staff about their reflections on publicity about poor practice in the care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on an analysis of media reactions to recent exposé of abuse in social care in England and data from an interview-based study of care workers. The interviews were analysed to consider the impact of such media reports on staff and to explore their views of action that might be need to be taken about care failings.

Findings

There are mixed reactions to exposé of poor care on television and to the debates that precede and follow their broadcast. Debates occur in print and on television, but also in social media. The particular exposé of care home practices by the Panorama programme,Behind Closed Doors, led to debate in England about the potential role of covert cameras in care homes. The interviews revealed that while care staff are affected by scandals in the media about social care, they do not necessarily focus on themes that the media stories subsequently highlight. Overall some are disenchanted while others have ideas of what needs to change to improve practice. Care staff consider that there remain problems in raising concerns about practices and some staff feel unable to stay in workplaces where they have made complaints.

Research limitations/implications

The care workers interviewed may not be representative of the sector and they may have wished to provide socially acceptable answers to the researchers. Practice was not observed.

Practical implications

Local Safeguarding Adult Boards may wish to develop a communications strategy to deal with requests for reactions to media reports locally and nationally. Safeguarding practitioners may wish to prepare for increased referrals following media coverage of poor care in their areas. They may later be able to use media reports to discuss any local differences of interpretation over matters such as prosecutions for abuse. Trainers and educationalists may wish to clarify the importance given by care providers to raising concerns, the ways in which difficult conversations can be held, and the protections available to whistle-blowers or those raising concerns – with local examples to provide assurance that this is not mere rhetoric.

Originality/value

Television reports of problems with social care attract wide media interest but the authors know very little about how care workers respond to depictions of their work and their occupational grouping. This paper links media and expert commentator reactions to television exposé with data acquired from interviews with those on the frontline of care.
The potential uses and abuses of a power of entry for social workers in England: a re-analysis of responses to a government consultation
Authors: Norrie Caroline , Manthorpe Jill , Martineau Stephen , Stevens Martin
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Whether social workers should have a power of entry in cases where individuals seem to be hindering safeguarding enquiries for community-dwelling adults at risk is a topical question in England. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a re-examination of relevant sections of the 2012 Government Safeguarding Power of Entry Consultation.

Design/methodology/approach

Re-analysis of responses to question three of the 2012 Government’s Safeguarding Power of Entry Consultation was undertaken in late 2015-early 2016. The consultation submissions were located and searched for information on views of the prevalence of the situations where access to an adult at risk (with decision-making capacity) is being hindered by a third party and the nature of examples where a new power of entry might be considered appropriate by consultation respondents.

Findings

The majority of respondents to the consultation generally reported that situations when a new power of entry would be required were not encountered regularly; however a minority of respondents stated these situations occurred more frequently. Examples of situations where third parties appeared to be hindering access were given across the different categories of adults at risk and types of abuse and current practices were described. Respondents observed that the risks of excessive or inappropriate use of any new powers needed to be considered carefully.

Originality/value

This re-analysis sheds light on the prevalence and circumstances of the problems encountered about access to adults at risk. The legal framework of adult safeguarding continues to be of interest to policy makers, researchers and practitioners.
Fashion spheres – from a systemic to a sphereological perspective of fashion
Authors: Laurell Christofer
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the fragmentation of the fashion system can be conceptually explained by drawing on Peter Sloterdijk’s theory of spheres.

Design/methodology/approach

By conceptually discussing the changing nature of the fashion system and the institutional pressures exerted on fashion systems as a result of digital technology, the fundamental conceptual underpinnings of the theory of spheres are applied to these developments in order to explain the character of the contemporary organization of fashion.

Findings

Based on the conceptual analysis, this paper illustrates how a sphereological perspective to fashion provides a conceptual approach to explain the transformation and fragmentation of fashion systems.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field of fashion marketing and management by demonstrating how the concept of fashion spheres can explain social arrangements going beyond the boundaries of fashion systems and the associated implications that this brings to bear on the role of fashion.
What is sustainable fashion?
Authors: Henninger Claudia E. , Alevizou Panayiota J. , Oates Caroline J.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine what the term sustainable fashion means from the perspective of micro-organisations, experts, and consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is qualitative in nature, utilising a multi-methods case study approach (semi-structured interviews, semiotics, questionnaires). Grounded analysis was applied to analyse the data.

Findings

Findings indicate that interpretation of sustainable fashion is context and person dependent. A matrix of key criteria provides the opportunity to find common elements.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the nature of this research the sample size is limited and may not be generalised. Data were collected in the UK and are limited to a geographical region.

Practical implications

An important implication is that defining sustainable fashion is vital in order to avoid challenges, such as greenwashing, which were faced in other industries that have a longer history in sustainable practices. Micro-organisations should take advantage of identifying key sustainable fashion criteria, which will enable them to promote their fashion collections more effectively.

Social implications

The criteria identified provide assurance for consumers that sustainable fashion is produced with social aspects in mind (fair wages, good working conditions).

Originality/value

The paper proposes a matrix that allows micro-organisations to clearly identify their collections as sustainable.
Leadership and management in UK medical school curricula
Authors: Jefferies Richard , Sheriff Ibrahim H.N. , Matthews Jacob H. , Jagger Olivia , Curtis Sarah , Lees Peter , Spurgeon Peter C. , Oldman Alex , Habib Ali , Saied Azam , Court Jessica , Giannoudi Marilena , Sayma Meelad , Ward Nicholas , Cork Nick , Olatokun Olamide , Devine Oliver , O'Connell Paul , Carr Phoebe , Angelos Kotronias Rafail , Gardiner Rebecca , Buckle Rory T , Thomson Ross J , Williams Sarah , Nicholson Simon J. , Goga Usman , Fountain Daniel Mark
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Although medical leadership and management (MLM) is increasingly being recognised as important to improving healthcare outcomes, little is understood about current training of medical students in MLM skills and behaviours in the UK. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used validated structured interviews with expert faculty members from medical schools across the UK to ascertain MLM framework integration, teaching methods employed, evaluation methods and barriers to improvement.

Findings

Data were collected from 25 of the 33 UK medical schools (76 per cent response rate), with 23/25 reporting that MLM content is included in their curriculum. More medical schools assessed MLM competencies on admission than at any other time of the curriculum. Only 12 schools had evaluated MLM teaching at the time of data collection. The majority of medical schools reported barriers, including overfilled curricula and reluctance of staff to teach. Whilst 88 per cent of schools planned to increase MLM content over the next two years, there was a lack of consensus on proposed teaching content and methods.

Research limitations/implications

There is widespread inclusion of MLM in UK medical schools’ curricula, despite the existence of barriers. This study identified substantial heterogeneity in MLM teaching and assessment methods which does not meet students’ desired modes of delivery. Examples of national undergraduate MLM teaching exist worldwide, and lessons can be taken from these.

Originality/value

This is the first national evaluation of MLM in undergraduate medical school curricula in the UK, highlighting continuing challenges with executing MLM content despite numerous frameworks and international examples of successful execution.
Integrating research, clinical care, and education in academic health science centers
Authors: King Gillian , Thomson Nicole , Rothstein Mitchell , Kingsnorth Shauna , Parker Kathryn
Published: October 2016

Purpose

One of the major issues faced by academic health science centers (AHSCs) is the need for mechanisms to foster the integration of research, clinical, and educational activities to achieve the vision of evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) and optimal client care. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper synthesizes literature on organizational learning and collaboration, evidence-informed organizational decision making, and learning-based organizations to derive insights concerning the nature of effective workplace learning in AHSCs.

Findings

An evidence-informed model of collaborative workplace learning is proposed to aid the alignment of research, clinical, and educational functions in AHSCs. The model articulates relationships among AHSC academic functions and sub-functions, cross-functional activities, and collaborative learning processes, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional activities in enhancing collaborative learning processes and optimizing EIDM and client care. Cross-functional activities involving clinicians, researchers, and educators are hypothesized to be a primary vehicle for integration, supported by a learning-oriented workplace culture. These activities are distinct from interprofessional teams, which are clinical in nature. Four collaborative learning processes are specified that are enhanced in cross-functional activities or teamwork: co-constructing meaning, co-learning, co-producing knowledge, and co-using knowledge.

Practical implications

The model provides an aspirational vision and insight into the importance of cross-functional activities in enhancing workplace learning. The paper discusses the conceptual and empirical basis to the model, its contributions and limitations, and implications for AHSCs.

Originality/value

The model’s potential utility for health care is discussed, with implications for organizational culture and the promotion of cross-functional activities.
Continuous quality improvement in a Maltese hospital using logical framework analysis
Authors: Buttigieg Sandra C. , Gauci Dorothy , Dey Prasanta
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the application of logical framework analysis (LFA) for implementing continuous quality improvement (CQI) across multiple settings in a tertiary care hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a multiple case study approach. LFA is implemented within three diverse settings, namely, intensive care unit, surgical ward, and acute in-patient psychiatric ward. First, problem trees are developed in order to determine the root causes of quality issues, specific to the three settings. Second, objective trees are formed suggesting solutions to the quality issues. Third, project plan template using logical framework (LOGFRAME) is created for each setting.

Findings

This study shows substantial improvement in quality across the three settings. LFA proved to be effective to analyse quality issues and suggest improvement measures objectively.

Research limitations/implications

This paper applies LFA in specific, albeit, diverse settings in one hospital. For validation purposes, it would be ideal to analyse in other settings within the same hospital, as well as in several hospitals. It also adopts a bottom-up approach when this can be triangulated with other sources of data.

Practical implications

LFA enables top management to obtain an integrated view of performance. It also provides a basis for further quantitative research on quality management through the identification of key performance indicators and facilitates the development of a business case for improvement.

Originality/value

LFA is a novel approach for the implementation of CQI programs. Although LFA has been used extensively for project development to source funds from development banks, its application in quality improvement within healthcare projects is scant.
RiskTRACK: the five-factor model for measuring risk tolerance
Authors: Holzhauer Hunter Matthew , Lu Xing , McLeod Robert , Wang Jun
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Currently, few academics agree on a standard and scientific way to measure risk tolerance. This paper aims to create a unique model for empirically measuring risk tolerance and to make a strong contribution to the growing literature in risk tolerance and risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use factor analysis and regression analysis to identify relevant factors for measuring risk tolerance.

Findings

The risk tolerance model is based on the acronymed model riskTRACK, which includes the five significant factors this paper identifies for measuring risk tolerance: traditional risk factor, reflective risk factor, allocation risk factor, capacity risk factor and knowledge risk factor.

Research limitations/implications

Uses for future research streams devoted to risk tolerance and risk management.

Practical implications

The results also have practical applications for the financial services industry, particularly risk management, portfolio management and financial planning.

Originality/value

In sum, this research expands previous research in risk tolerance and also adds to the growing literature in risk management. Once again, this paper is unique in that the authors develop a valid and reliable risk tolerance model based on five specific factors for measuring risk tolerance.
A Bayesian inference model for the credit rating scale
Authors: Gmehling Philipp , La Mura Pierfrancesco
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a theoretical explanation of why credit rating agencies typically disclose credit risk of issuers in classes rather than publishing the qualitative ranking those classes are based upon. Thus, its goal is to develop a better understanding of what determines the number and size of rating classes.

Design/methodology/approach

Investors expect ratings to be sufficiently accurate in estimating credit risk. In a theoretical model framework, it is therefore assumed that credit rating agencies, which observe credit risk with limited accuracy, are careful in not misclassifying an issuer with a lower credit quality to a higher rating class. This situation is analyzed as a Bayesian inference setting for the credit rating agencies.

Findings

A disclosure in intervals, typically used by credit rating agencies results from their objective of keeping misclassification errors sufficiently low in conjunction with the limited accuracy with which they observe credit risk. The number and size of the rating intervals depend in the model on how much accuracy the credit rating agencies can supply.

Originality/value

The paper uses Bayesian hypothesis testing to illustrate the link between limited accuracy of a credit rating agency and its disclosure of issuers’ credit risk in intervals. The findings that accuracy and the objective of avoiding misclassification determine the rating scale in this theoretical setting can lead to a better understanding of what influences the interval disclosure of major rating agencies observed in practice.
Stand-alone vs systemic risk-taking of financial institutions
Authors: Strobl Sascha
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study investigates the risk-taking behavior of financial institutions in the USA. Specifically, differences between taking risks that affect primarily the shareholders of the institution and risks contributing to the overall systemic risk of the financial sector are examined. Additionally, differences between risk-taking before, during and after the financial crisis of 2007/2008 are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the determinants of stand-alone and systemic risk, a generalized linear model including size, governance, charter value, business cycle, competition and control variables is estimated. Furthermore, Granger causality tests are conducted.

Findings

The results show that systemic risk has a positive effect on valuation and that corporate governance has no significant effect on risk-taking. The influence of competition is conditional on the state of the economy and the risk measure used. Systemic risk Granger-causes idiosyncratic risk but not vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitations of this study are related to the analyzed subset of large financial institutions and important risk-culture variables being omitted.

Practical implications

The broad policy implication of this paper is that systemic risk cannot be lowered by market discipline due to the moral hazard problem. Therefore, regulatory measures are necessary to ensure that individual financial institutions are not endangering the financial system.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the empirical literature on bank risk-taking in several ways. First, the characteristics of systemic risk and idiosyncratic risk are jointly analyzed. Second, the direction of causality of these two risk measures is examined. Moreover, this paper contributes to the discussion of the effect of competition on risk-taking.
Conference report: Special Libraries Association in Philadelphia: a unique blend of corporate, government, and academic librarians
Authors: Kesselman Martin
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present a report of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) conference.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conference report.

Findings

The paper includes the impressions of the SLA.

Originality/value

Original thoughts are presented in this paper.
Relationship between competitive strategy and construction organisation performance
Authors: Oyewobi Luqman Oyekunle , Windapo Abimbola Olukemi , Rotimi James Olabode Bamidele , Jimoh Richard Ajayi
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible moderating role of organisational characteristics (organisational structure, management style and decision-making style) in the relationship between strategy and organisational performance among large construction organisations in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire survey to obtain data from 72 large construction organisations in South Africa. Using hierarchical multiple regression, the paper examines the relationship between the constructs discussed in the study.

Findings

The internal characteristics of the organisation form the vital basis for achieving optimal performance. The results obtained from the analysis revealed that decision-making style directly influences the measure of organisational effectiveness, while it could also be inferred that organisational characteristics partly moderate the relationship between competitive strategy and organisational performance. The findings indicate that internal characteristics is one of the means through which organisational strategic factors and contextual aspects are organised to achieve greater organisational performance levels.

Originality/value

The findings have theoretical implications for strategic management literature in construction as it extends the scope of research on strategic management from assessing a set of individual management practices to evaluating a complex mechanism that connects internal characteristics and competitive advantage. It is believed that this study will contribute positively to the role of organisational characteristics in the competitive strategy-performance relationships in large construction organisations in South Africa and to the ongoing discussion on emerging strategic management issues in construction.
A computational analysis of the utility of chemical reactions within protective structures in mitigating shockwave-impact effects
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze a new blast-wave impact-mitigation concept using advanced computational methods and tools. The concept involves the use of a protective structure consisting of bimolecular reactants displaying a number of critical characteristics, including: a high level of thermodynamic stability under ambient conditions (to ensure a long shelf-life of the protective structure); the capability to undergo fast/large-yield chemical reactions under blast-impact induced shock-loading conditions; large negative activation and reaction volumes to provide effective attenuation of the pressure-dominated shockwave stress field through the volumetric-energy storing effects; and a large activation energy for efficient energy dissipation. The case of a particular bimolecular chemical reaction involving polyvinyl pyridine and cyclohexyl chloride as reactants and polyvinyl pyridinium ionic salt as the reaction product is analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

Direct simulations of single planar shockwave propagations through the reactive mixture are carried out, and the structure of the shock front examined, as a function of the occurrence of the chemical reaction. To properly capture the shockwave-induced initiation of the chemical reactions during an impact event, all the calculations carried out in the present work involved the use of all-atom molecular-level equilibrium and non-equilibrium reactive molecular-dynamics simulations. In other words, atomic bonding is not pre-assigned, but is rather determined dynamically and adaptively using the concepts of the bond order and atomic valence.

Findings

The results obtained clearly reveal that when the chemical reactions are allowed to take place at the shock front and in the shockwave, the resulting shock front undergoes a considerable level of dispersion. Consequently, the (conserved) linear momentum is transferred (during the interaction of the protective-structure borne shockwaves with the protected structure) to the protected structure over a longer time period, while the peak loading experienced by the protected structure is substantially reduced.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first attempt to simulate shock-induced chemical reactions at the molecular level, for purposes of blast-mitigation.
Two zone modeling of combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a cylinder head porous medium engine with experimental validation
Authors: Chidambaram Kannan , Thulasi Vijayakumar
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The development of a theoretical model for predicting the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a cylinder head porous medium engine becomes necessary due to imposed requirements from the viewpoint of power, efficiency and toxic gases in the exhaust. The cylinder head porous medium engine was found to have superior combustion, performance and emission characteristics when compared to a conventional diesel engine. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to heterogeneous and transient operation of diesel engine under conventional and porous medium mode, the combustion process becomes complex, and achieving a pure analytical solution to the problem was difficult. Although, closer accuracy of correlation between the computer models and the experimental results is improbable, the computer model will give an opportunity to quantify the combustion and heat transfer processes and thus the performance and emission characteristics of an engine.

Findings

In this research work, a theoretical model was developed to predict the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a cylinder head porous medium engine through two-zone combustion modeling technique, and the results were validated through experimentation.

Originality/value

The two-zone model developed by using programming language C for the purpose of predicting combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a porous medium engine is the first of its kind.
Electromagnetic absorption and thermoelastic analysis of a functionally graded wave absorber
Authors: Tian Hongyan , Sang Jianbing , Ao Rihan , Hou Shujun
Published: October 2016

Purpose

As a good absorbing material candidate, a functionally graded wave absorber can be tailored to satisfy the impedance match principle by gradually changing material property. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The electromagnetic wave absorption properties are discussed. An analysis model is proposed to provide an insight into its mechanical characteristics during wave absorption. Considering the energy-converting and thermal deformation properties, the thermoelastic behaviors of an absorber are analyzed by numerical method. The effects of material and geometrical properties are discussed in detail.

Findings

The results demonstrate that absorbing effect of graded composite is enhanced. Good performance of low reflectance and high absorption with gentle thermal stress distribution can be obtained by proper designing of the gradient absorber.

Originality/value

Functionally graded materials exhibit a progressive compositional gradient change along certain dimension of structures, which can be used as absorbing materials for the gradual change of material property tailored to satisfy the principle of impedance match. The design of functionally graded absorbing materials usually should consider not only the electromagnetic performance, but also the mechanical properties simultaneously. Therefore, few investigations have addressed the mechanical characteristics of absorbers. This paper presents some studies on the electromagnetic, especially mechanical behaviors during electromagnetic wave absorption. It is helpful to provide mechanical reference for designing an absorber.
An upper-bound finite element solution for rolling of stainless steel 304L under warm and hot deformation conditions
Authors: Pourabdollah P. , Serajzadeh S.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermomechanical behavior of stainless steel AISI 304L during rolling at elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-dimensional finite element analysis together with the upper-bound solution were used for predicting temperature field and required power in warm and hot rolling operations. The required power and heat of deformation were estimated employing an upper-bound solution based on cylindrical velocity field and at the same time, temperature distributions within the rolling steel and the work rolls were determined by means of a thermal finite element analysis. To consider the effect of flow stress and its dependence on temperature, strain and strain rate, a neural network model was used and combined with the thermal and mechanical models. Finally, the microstructure of rolled steel was studied and the effect of rolling conditions was justified employing the predictions.

Findings

The results have shown that the predicted temperature variations were in good agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the model was shown to be capable of determining the effects of various rolling parameters such as reduction and rolling speed with low-computational cost as well as reasonable accuracy.

Originality/value

A combined upper-bound finite element analysis was developed to predict the required power and temperature field during plate rolling while the model can be employed under both hot and warm rolling conditions.
Design variation of thin-walled composite beam cross-section properties
Authors: Valido Aníbal J.J. , Cardoso João Barradas
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a design sensitivity analysis continuum formulation for the cross-section properties of thin-walled laminated composite beams. These properties are expressed as integrals based on the cross-section geometry, on the warping functions for torsion, on shear bending and shear warping, and on the individual stiffness of the laminates constituting the cross-section.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to determine its properties, the cross-section geometry is modeled by quadratic isoparametric finite elements. For design sensitivity calculations, the cross-section is modeled throughout design elements to which the element sensitivity equations correspond. Geometrically, the design elements may coincide with the laminates that constitute the cross-section.

Findings

The developed formulation is based on the concept of adjoint system, which suffers a specific adjoint warping for each of the properties depending on warping. The lamina orientation and the laminate thickness are selected as design variables.

Originality/value

The developed formulation can be applied in a unified way to open, closed or hybrid cross-sections.
Core skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor calcium release complex
Authors: Dulhunty Angela F , Wei‐LaPierre Lan , Casarotto Marco G , Beard Nicole A
Published: October 2016

The core skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) calcium release complex extends through three compartments of the muscle fibre, linking the extracellular environment through the cytoplasmic junctional gap to the lumen of the internal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium store. The protein complex is essential for skeletal excitation‐contraction (EC)‐coupling and skeletal muscle function. Its importance is highlighted by perinatal death if any one of the EC‐coupling components are missing and by myopathies associated with mutation of any of the proteins. The proteins essential for EC‐coupling include the DHPR α1S subunit in the transverse tubule membrane, the DHPR β1a subunit in the cytosol and the RyR1 ion channel in the SR membrane. The other core proteins are triadin and junctin and calsequestrin, associated mainly with SR. These SR proteins are not essential for survival but exert structural and functional influences that modify the gain of EC‐coupling and maintain normal muscle function. This review summarises our current knowledge of the individual protein/protein interactions within the core complex and their overall contribution to EC‐coupling. We highlight significant areas that provide a continuing challenge for the field. Additional important components of the Ca2+ release complex, such as FKBP12, calmodulin, S100A1 and Stac3 are identified and reviewed elsewhere.
Coprinuslactone protects the edible mushroom Coprinus comatus against biofilm infections by blocking both quorum‐sensing and MurA
Authors: de Carvalho Maira P. , Gulotta Giuseppe , do Amaral Matheus W. , Lünsdorf Heinrich , Sasse Florenz , Abraham Wolf‐Rainer
Published: October 2016

Pathogens embedded in biofilms are involved in many infections and are very difficult to treat with antibiotics because of higher resistance compared with planktonic cells. Therefore, new approaches for their control are urgently needed. One way to search for biofilm dispersing compounds is to look at defense strategies of organisms exposed to wet environments, which makes them prone to biofilm infections. It is reasonable to assume that mushrooms have developed mechanisms to control biofilms on their sporocarps (fruiting bodies). A preliminary screening for biofilms on sporocarps revealed several species with few or no bacteria on their sporocarps. From the edible mushroom Coprinus comatus where no bacteria on the sporocarp could be detected (3R,4S)‐2‐methylene‐3,4‐dihydroxypentanoic acid 1,4‐lactone, named coprinuslactone, was isolated. Coprinuslactone interfered with quorum‐sensing and dispersed biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, where it also reduced the formation of the pathogenicity factors pyocyanin and rhamnolipid B. Coprinuslactone also damaged Staphylococcus aureus cells in biofilms at subtoxic concentrations. Furthermore, it inhibited UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase (MurA), essential for bacterial cell wall synthesis. These two modes of action ensure the inhibition of a broad spectrum of pathogens on the fruiting body but may also be useful for future clinical applications.
Variation Across Price Segments and Locations: A Comprehensive Quantile Regression Analysis of the Sydney Housing Market
Authors: Waltl Sofie R.
Published: October 2016

Standard house price indices measure average movements of average houses in average locations belonging to an average price segment and hence obscure spatial and cross‐sectional variation of price appreciation rates even within a single metropolitan area. This article combines penalized quantile regression techniques with the hedonic imputation approach to reveal such kind of variation. The method is applied to house transactions from Sydney between 2001 and 2014. The analysis finds significant variation across sub‐markets over time and in particular during the boom‐and‐bust cycle peaking in 2004. Appreciation rates were highest for suburban, low‐priced and lowest for inner‐city, high‐priced houses.
What is the chance all your trainees will pass the next Fellowship exam: A statistician's view
Authors: Chu Kevin H , Mahmoud Ibrahim , Brown Anthony FT
Published: October 2016

Your department has had a good track record over many years for preparing trainees to successfully sit for the ACEM Fellowship exam. On average the pass rate for your trainees is over 80%. Then, to your dismay, suddenly only two of five of your trainees pass the latest Fellowship exam. Does this anomaly necessitate an urgent review of your department's training programme, or is it just a statistical quirk? Let us suppose you can prepare candidates so that they all have at least an 80% chance of passing. The probability that all five candidates would have passed is 32.8% (or 0.85) based on the multiplication rule of probability for independent events. The probability that only two of five passed is 5.1% (or 10 × 0.82 × 0.23) based on the binomial distribution, which is a probability distribution analogous to the normal distribution. The construction of the binomial distribution depends on two parameters: (i) number of candidates sitting (‘n’), and (ii) probability of passing for any individual candidate (‘P’). The distribution gives the probability that ‘x’ number of individuals will pass when ‘n’ number of individuals sit. Thus despite an 80% pass rate historically, the probability that only two of five candidates will pass is not negligible at 5.1%. It is an anomaly, which we may choose not to act on unless it is recurrent, noting it will be expected to occur naturally about one time out of 20. The real challenge is to maintain or increase that individual probability at 80% or higher.
Analysis of animal accelerometer data using hidden Markov models
Authors: Leos‐Barajas Vianey , Photopoulou Theoni , Langrock Roland , Patterson Toby A. , Watanabe Yuuki Y. , Murgatroyd Megan , Papastamatiou Yannis P.
Published: October 2016

Use of accelerometers is now widespread within animal biologging as they provide a means of measuring an animal's activity in a meaningful and quantitative way where direct observation is not possible. In sequential acceleration data, there is a natural dependence between observations of behaviour, a fact that has been largely ignored in most analyses.

Analyses of acceleration data where serial dependence has been explicitly modelled have largely relied on hidden Markov models (HMMs). Depending on the aim of an analysis, an HMM can be used for state prediction or to make inferences about drivers of behaviour. For state prediction, a supervised learning approach can be applied. That is, an HMM is trained to classify unlabelled acceleration data into a finite set of pre‐specified categories. An unsupervised learning approach can be used to infer new aspects of animal behaviour when biologically meaningful response variables are used, with the caveat that the states may not map to specific behaviours.

We provide the details necessary to implement and assess an HMM in both the supervised and unsupervised learning context and discuss the data requirements of each case. We outline two applications to marine and aerial systems (shark and eagle) taking the unsupervised learning approach, which is more readily applicable to animal activity measured in the field. HMMs were used to infer the effects of temporal, atmospheric and tidal inputs on animal behaviour.

Animal accelerometer data allow ecologists to identify important correlates and drivers of animal activity (and hence behaviour). The HMM framework is well suited to deal with the main features commonly observed in accelerometer data and can easily be extended to suit a wide range of types of animal activity data. The ability to combine direct observations of animal activity with statistical models, which account for the features of accelerometer data, offers a new way to quantify animal behaviour and energetic expenditure and to deepen our insights into individual behaviour as a constituent of populations and ecosystems.
‘The deserving’: Moral reasoning and ideological dilemmas in public responses to humanitarian communications
Authors: Seu Irene Bruna
Published: October 2016

This study investigates everyday moral reasoning in relation to donations and prosocial behaviour in a humanitarian context. The discursive analysis focuses on the principles of deservingness which members of the public use to decide who to help and under what conditions. The study discusses three repertoires of deservingness – ‘seeing a difference’, ‘waiting in queues’, and ‘something for nothing’ – to illustrate participants' dilemmatic reasoning and to examine how the position of ‘being deserving’ is negotiated in humanitarian crises. Discursive analyses of these dilemmatic repertoires of deservingness identify the cultural and ideological resources behind these constructions and show how humanitarianism intersects and clashes with other ideologies and value systems. The data suggest that a neoliberal ideology, which endorses self‐gratification, materialistic and individualistic ethics, and cultural assimilation of helper and receiver play important roles in decisions about humanitarian helping. The study argues for the need for psychological research to engage more actively with the dilemmas involved in the moral reasoning related to humanitarianism and to contextualize decisions about giving and helping within the sociocultural and ideological landscape in which the helper operates.
How risk perception shapes collective action intentions in repressive contexts: A study of Egyptian activists during the 2013 post‐coup uprising
Authors: Ayanian Arin H. , Tausch Nicole
Published: October 2016

Social psychological research has overlooked collective action in repressive contexts, where activists face substantial personal risks. This paper examines the social psychological processes motivating activists to engage in collective action in risky contexts. We investigate the idea that perceived risks due to government sanctions can galvanize action through fuelling anger, shaping efficacy beliefs, and increasing identification with the movement. We also argue that anger, efficacy, and identification motivate action intentions directly and indirectly through reducing the personal importance activists attach to these risks. We tested our hypotheses within a sample of Egyptian activists (N = 146) from two protest movements who protested against Morsi's government and the military interventions, respectively, during the 2013 anticoup uprising. In line with our hypotheses, the perceived likelihood of risks was positively associated with anger and identity consolidation efficacy and positively predicted action intentions indirectly through these variables. Risk was also associated with increased political efficacy, but only among antimilitary protesters. Anger and political efficacy predicted action intentions directly and indirectly through reduced risk importance. Results also highlighted differential significance of emotional and instrumental motives for the two protest movements. We discuss directions for future research on the motivators of collective action in repressive contexts.
Barriers to increasing the physical activity of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Cartwright Luke , Reid Marie , Hammersley Richard , Walley Robert M.
Published: October 2016

Accessible summary

We talked to people with intellectual disabilities and their carers about being healthy.

Sometimes it was difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to take part in activities that would help keep them healthy.

Being active is not just about doing special sports and activities. It can be part of everyday life.

People with intellectual disabilities could become more active and be healthier with help from their carers.

Background: The prevalence of obesity, inactivity and related morbidity and mortality is higher amongst people with intellectual disabilities than in the population in general, an issue of global concern. This research examined the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and their carers, on exercise and activity.

Materials and Methods: Qualitative data were collected via interviews and a focus group with people with intellectual disabilities and their paid and family carers, recruited via state‐funded community‐based day centres in Scotland.

Results: Three barriers hindered service users with intellectual disabilities from regular involvement in physical activity: (i) acceptance of an inactive lifestyle by carers; (ii) restrictions on activity due to paid carer preferences and resource limitations; (iii) communication issues between family carers and paid carers. Barriers were based on assumptions made by paid and family carers, so there is potential to increase activity by changing attitudes, improving communication and reconceptualising activity as integral to everyday living, rather than as additional exercise requiring special resources.

Conclusions: Carers should be supported to promote physical activity in a variety of ways to enhance the motivation of service users, to encourage them to engage with physical activity as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and to transfer this to their lives beyond day care.
Considerations for successful cancer immunotherapy in aged hosts
Authors: Hurez V , Padrón Á S , Svatek R S , Curiel T J
Published: October 2016

Immunotherapy is now experiencing unprecedented successes in treating various cancers based on new understandings of cancer immunopathogenesis. Nonetheless, although ageing is the biggest risk factor for cancer, the majority of cancer immunotherapy preclinical studies are conducted in young hosts. This review will explore age-related changes in immunity as they relate to cancer immune surveillance, immunopathogenesis and responses to immunotherapy. Although it is recognized that declining T cell function with age poses a great challenge to developing effective age-related cancer immunotherapies, examples of successful approaches to overcome this hurdle have been developed. Further, it is now recognized that immune functions do not simply decline with age, but rather change in ways than can be detrimental. For example, with age, specific immune cell populations with detrimental functions can become predominant (such as cells producing proinflammatory cytokines), suppressive cells can become more numerous or more suppressive (such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells), drugs can affect aged immune cells distinctly and the aged microenvironment is becoming recognized as a significant barrier to address. Key developments in these and other areas will be surveyed as they relate to cancer immunotherapy in aged hosts, and areas in need of more study will be assessed with some speculations for the future. We propose the term ‘age-related immune dysfunction’ (ARID) as best representative of age-associated changes in immunity.