bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sward complexity and grass species composition affect the performance of grass-white clover pasture mixtures
Authors: Papadopoulos Y. A. , McElroy M. S. , Fillmore S. A. E. , McRae K. B. , Duyinsveld J. L. , Fredeen A. H.
Published: November 2012

Papadopoulos, Y. A., McElroy, M. S., Fillmore, S. A. E., McRae, K. B., Duyinsveld, J. L. and Fredeen, A. H. 2012. Sward complexity and grass species composition affects the performance of grass-white clover pasture mixtures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1199–1205. The productivity of managed permanent pastures is closely associated with the species composition of seeded mixtures. Ecological theory suggests that increasing plant species' diversity will result in higher productivity, resilience, and resistance to invasive species. To better understand the relationship between sward species composition and pasture productivity, mixtures of four common pasture grass species, timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.), were seeded in 2004 in binary (two-grass), tertiary (three-grass), and quaternary (four-grass) combinations with white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Plots were rotationally grazed for 5 yr, with yield determined in the first post-establishment year (2005) and in 3 subsequent production years (2007, 2008, and 2009). Mean dry matter yield (DMY) increased appreciably from post-establishment (3801 kg ha−1) to the production years (6613 kg ha−1). Contrasts revealed significantly higher DMY production in quaternary mixtures versus less complex plots in production years. Repeated measure analysis found significant quadratic trends in DMY for plots containing bluegrass and timothy, showing different patterns of growth between the respective mixtures. Principal component analysis (PCA) of averaged yields over the production years revealed a strong association between seeded grass growth and DMY. This relationship between DMY and seeded grass growth was strongest in swards containing a combination of timothy and bluegrass. In general, the growth of unseeded grasses and forbs increased in mixtures with large proportions of timothy and reed canarygrass. In spite of the fact that mixtures containing timothy and bluegrass were shown to produce high DMY, it appears the aggressiveness of bluegrass suppressed the yield potential of timothy. White clover yields and unseeded grasses/forbs were both significantly lower in mixtures containing bluegrass. Also, the PCA revealed a favourable compatibility between meadow fescue and white clover growth, while bluegrass appears to suppress meadow fescue growth. Results show that species complexity increases sward productivity over the long term, and that the presence of two grass species, in particular (timothy and bluegrass), has considerable influence on DMY.
Characterizing nitrogen transfer from red clover populations to companion bluegrass under field conditions
Authors: Thilakarathna R. M. M. S. , Papadopoulos Y. A. , Rodd A. V. , Gunawardena A. N. , Fillmore S. A. E. , Prithiviraj B.
Published: November 2012

Thilakarathna, R. M. M. S., Papadopoulos, Y. A., Rodd, A. V., Gunawardena, A. N., Fillmore, S. A. E. and Prithiviraj, B. 2012. Characterizing nitrogen transfer from red clover populations to companion bluegrass under field conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1163–1173. The ability of two red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivars, AC Christie (diploid) and Tempus (tetraploid), to transfer fixed nitrogen (N) to companion bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) was evaluated under field conditions. Plant samples were harvested three times during the 2009 growing season and N transfer from the red clover cultivars to bluegrass was determined using the natural abundance method for first harvest and 15N dilution techniques for second and third harvests. Soil and soil water samples were used to evaluate cultivar effects on soil N conditions. Both red clover cultivars derived more than 90% of their N from biological N fixation. The proportion of bluegrass N derived from interplant N transfer was 7, 11, and 26% for the first, second, and third harvests, respectively. Soil KCl extractable nitrate increased along the three cuts for Tempus in the 0 to 15-cm soil zone. Soil-water nitrate content increased periodically for AC Christie and remained constant for Tempus throughout the growing season. This result indicates that the two cultivars have distinctly different N cycling patterns.
West Nile Virus Ecology in a Tropical Ecosystem in Guatemala
Authors: Morales-Betoulle Maria E. , Komar Nicholas , Panella Nicholas A. , Alvarez Danilo , López María R. , Betoulle Jean-Luc , Sosa Silvia M. , Müller María L. , Kilpatrick A. Marm , Lanciotti Robert S. , Johnson Barbara W. , Powers Ann M. , Cordón-Rosales Celia , _ _
Published: November 2012

West Nile virus ecology has yet to be rigorously investigated in the Caribbean Basin. We identified a transmission focus in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, and established systematic monitoring of avian abundance and infection, seroconversions in domestic poultry, and viral infections in mosquitoes. West Nile virus transmission was detected annually between May and October from 2005 to 2008. High temperature and low rainfall enhanced the probability of chicken seroconversions, which occurred in both urban and rural sites. West Nile virus was isolated from Culex quinquefasciatus and to a lesser extent, from Culex mollis/Culex inflictus, but not from the most abundant Culex mosquito, Culex nigripalpus. A calculation that combined avian abundance, seroprevalence, and vertebrate reservoir competence suggested that great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) is the major amplifying host in this ecosystem. West Nile virus transmission reached moderate levels in sentinel chickens during 2007, but less than that observed during outbreaks of human disease attributed to West Nile virus in the United States.
Regulating the Anticommons: Insights from Public‐Expenditure Theory
Authors: Van Essen Matt
Published: November 2012

This article offers a new interpretation of the traditional Cournot complements problem, or anticommons, by using the theory of public goods to gain a perspective on the problem. Specifically, I examine the pricing strategies and regulation of multiple monopolies that produce products which consumers view as perfect complements. I show that collusion by the firms increases total social welfare and that the collusion problem can be reinterpreted as a problem of provision of public goods from the point of view of the firms. I take this insight further and derive the familiar concepts of the Samuelson marginal condition and the ratio equilibrium for the firms. I compare these outcomes to the first best solution and then apply incentive‐compatible mechanisms to strategically implement the Pareto superior ratio‐equilibrium outcome and the optimal marginal‐cost pricing outcome. Finally, I show how this methodology can be applied to the more familiar Cournot model of oligopoly.
Seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric mercury across the US determined from AMNet monitoring data
Authors: Lan X. , Talbot R. , Castro M. , Perry K. , Luke W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Speciated atmospheric mercury observations collected over the period from 2008 to 2010 at the Environmental Protection Agency and National Atmospheric Deposition Program Atmospheric Mercury Network sites (AMNet) were analyzed for its spatial, seasonal, and diurnal characteristics across the US. Median values of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM) at 11 different AMNet sites ranged from 148–226 ppqv (1.32–2.02 ng m−3), 0.05–1.4 ppqv (0.47–12.4 pg m−3) and 0.18–1.5 ppqv (1.61–13.7 pg m−3), respectively. Common characteristics of these sites were the similar median levels of GEM as well as its seasonality, with the highest mixing ratios occurring in winter and spring and the lowest in fall. However, discernible differences in monthly average GEM were as large as 30 ppqv, which may be caused by sporadic influence from local emission sources. The largest diurnal variation amplitude of GEM occurred in the summer. Seven rural sites displayed similar GEM summer diurnal patterns, in that the lowest levels appeared in the early morning, and then the GEM mixing ratio increased after sunrise and reached its maxima at noon or in the early afternoon. Unlike GEM, GOM exhibited higher mixing ratios in spring and summer. The largest diurnal variation amplitude of GOM occurred in spring for most AMNet sites. The GOM diurnal minima appeared before sunrise and maxima appeared in the afternoon. The increased GOM mixing ratio in the afternoon indicated a photochemically driven oxidation of GEM resulting in GOM formation. PBM exhibited diurnal fluctuations in summertime. The summertime PBM diurnal pattern displayed daily maxima in the early afternoon and lower mixing ratios at night, implying photochemical production of PBM in summer.
Cloud-resolving modeling of aerosol indirect effects in idealized radiative-convective equilibrium with interactive and fixed sea surface temperature
Authors: Khairoutdinov M. F. , Yang C.-E.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The study attempts to evaluate the aerosol indirect effects over tropical oceans in regions of deep convection applying a three-dimensional cloud-resolving model run over a doubly-periodic domain. The Tropics are modeled using a radiative-convective equilibrium idealization when the radiation, turbulence, cloud microphysics, and surface fluxes are explicitly represented while the effects of large-scale circulation are ignored. The aerosol effects are modeled by varying the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at 1% supersaturation, which serves as a proxy for the aerosol amount in the environment, over a wide range, starting from pristine maritime (50 cm−3) to polluted (1000 cm−3) conditions. No direct effects of aerosol on radiation are included. Two sets of simulations have been run to equilibrium: fixed (non-interactive) sea surface temperature (SST) and interactive SST as predicted by a simple slab-ocean model responding to the surface radiative fluxes and surface enthalpy flux. Both sets of experiments agree on the tendency to make the shortwave cloud forcing more negative and reduce the longwave cloud forcing in response to increasing CCN concentration. These, in turn, tend to cool the SST in interactive-SST case. It is interesting that the absolute change of the SST and most other bulk quantities depends only on relative change of CCN concentration; that is, same SST change can be the result of doubling CCN concentration regardless of clean or polluted conditions. It is found that the 10-fold increase of CCN concentration can cool the SST by as much as 1.5 K. This is quite comparable to 2 K warming obtained in a simulation for clean maritime conditions, but doubled CO2 concentration. Qualitative differences between the interactive and fixed SST cases have been found in sensitivity of the hydrological cycle to the increase in CCN concentration; namely, the precipitation rate shows some tendency to increase in fixed SST case, but robust tendency to decrease in interactive SST case.
Brown carbon absorption linked to organic mass tracers in biomass burning particles
Authors: Lack D. A. , Bahreni R. , Langridge J. M. , Gilman J. B. , Middlebrook A. M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Traditional gas and particle phase chemical markers used to identify the presence of biomass burning (BB) emissions were measured for a large forest fire near Boulder, Colorado. Correlation of the mass spectroscopic marker of levoglucosan (m/z 60) with measured particle light absorption properties found no link at 532 nm, and a strong correlation at 404 nm. Non-black carbon (BC) absorption at 404 nm was well correlated to the ratio of the mass fractions of particulate organic matter (POM) that were m/z 60 (f60) to m/z 44 (f44). The f60 to f44 ratio did not fully explain the variability in non-BC absorption, due to contributions of brown carbon (BrC) absorption and absorption due to internal mixing of POM with BC. The absorption Ångstrom exponent (å) showed a good correlation to f60/f44; however the best correlation resulted from the mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of BrC at 404 nm (MAEPOM-404 nm) and f60/f44. This result indicates that the absorption of POM at low visible and UV wavelengths is primarily driven by emissions of levoglucosan (and related compounds), although they do not contribute to 532 nm absorption in this fire. The linear relationship between MAEPOM-404 nm and f60/f44 suggests that the impact of BrC can be predicted by emissions of f60-related organic matter.
Multi-season eddy covariance observations of energy, water and carbon fluxes over a suburban area in Swindon, UK
Authors: Ward H. C. , Evans J. G. , Grimmond C. S. B.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Eddy covariance measurements of the turbulent sensible heat, latent heat and carbon dioxide flux for twelve months (2011–2012) are reported for the first time for a suburban area in the UK. The results from Swindon are compatible with suburban studies of similar surface cover elsewhere but reveal large seasonal variability. Energy partitioning favours turbulent sensible heat during summer (midday Bowen ratio 1.4–1.6) and latent heat in winter (0.05–0.7), a significant proportion of energy is stored (and released) by the urban fabric and the estimated anthropogenic heat flux is small but non-negligible (0.5–0.9 MJ m−2 day−1). The sensible heat flux is negative at night and for much of winter daytimes, reflecting the vegetated nature of the site (44%). Latent heat fluxes appear to be water limited during a dry spring in both 2011 and 2012, when the response of the surface to moisture availability can be seen on a daily timescale. Energy and other factors are more relevant controls at other times; at night the wind speed is important. Surface conductance follows a smooth, asymmetrical diurnal course peaking at around 7–10 mm s−1 but values are larger and highly variable for wet conditions. The combination of natural (vegetative) and anthropogenic (emission) processes is most evident in the temporal variation of the carbon flux: significant photosynthetic uptake is seen during summer, whilst traffic and building emissions explain peak release in winter (9.87 g C m−2 day−1). The area is a net source of CO2 annually. Analysis by wind direction highlights the role of urban vegetation in promoting evapotranspiration and offsetting CO2 emissions, especially when contrasted against peak traffic emissions from sectors with more roads. Given the extent of suburban land use, these results have important implications for understanding urban energy, water and carbon dynamics.
Two new sources of reactive gaseous mercury in the free troposphere
Authors: Timonen H. , Ambrose J. L. , Jaffe D. A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in the food chain. Mercury is emitted to the atmosphere primarily in its elemental form, which has a long lifetime allowing global transport. It is known that atmospheric oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) generates reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) which plays an important role in the atmospheric mercury cycle by enhancing the rate of mercury deposition to ecosystems. However, the primary GEM oxidants, and the sources and chemical composition of RGM are poorly known. Using speciated mercury measurements conducted at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory since 2005 we present two previously unidentified sources of RGM to the free troposphere (FT). Firstly, we observed elevated RGM concentrations, large RGM/GEM-ratios, and anti-correlation between RGM and GEM during Asian long-rang transport events, demonstrating that RGM is formed from GEM by in-situ oxidation in some anthropogenic pollution plumes in the FT. During the Asian pollution events the measured RGM/GEM-ratios reached peak values, up to ~0.20, which are significantly larger than ratios typically measured (RGM/GEM < 0.05) in the Asian source region. Secondly, we observed very high RGM levels – the highest reported in the FT – in clean air masses that were processed upwind of Mt. Bachelor Observatory over the Pacific Ocean. The high RGM concentrations (up to 700 pg m−3), high RGM/GEM-ratios (up to 1), and very low ozone levels during these events provide the first observational evidence indicating significant GEM oxidation in the lower FT. The identification of these processes changes our conceptual understanding of the formation and distribution of oxidized Hg in the global atmosphere.
Growing season methane emission from a boreal peatland in the continuous permafrost zone of Northeast China: effects of active layer depth and vegetation
Authors: Miao Y. , Song C. , Sun L. , Wang X. , Meng H. , Mao R.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Boreal peatlands are significant natural sources of methane and especially vulnerable to abrupt climate change. However, the controlling factors of CH4 emission in boreal peatlands are still unclear. In this study, we investigated CH4 fluxes and abiotic factors (temperature, water table depth, active layer depth, and dissolved CH4 concentrations in pore water) during the growing seasons in 2010 and 2011 in both shrub-sphagnum- and sedge-dominated plant communities in the continuous permafrost zone of Northeast China. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of vegetation types and abiotic factors on CH4 fluxes from a boreal peatland. In an Eriophorum-dominated community, mean CH4 emissions were 1.02 and 0.80 mg m−2 h−1 in 2010 and 2011, respectively. CH4 fluxes (0.38 mg m−2 h−1) released from the shrub-mosses-dominated community were lower than that from Eriophorum-dominated community. Moreover, in the Eriophorum-dominated community, CH4 fluxes showed a significant temporal pattern with a peak value in late August in both 2010 and 2011. However, no distinct seasonal variation was observed in the CH4 flux in the shrub-mosses-dominated community. Interestingly, in both Eriophorum- and shrub-sphagnum-dominated communities, CH4 fluxes did not show close correlation with air or soil temperature and water table depth, whereas CH4 emissions correlated well to active layer depth and CH4 concentration in soil pore water, especially in the Eriophorum-dominated community. Our results suggest that CH4 released from the thawed CH4-rich permafrost layer may be a key factor controlling CH4 emissions in boreal peatlands, and highlight that CH4 fluxes vary with vegetation type in boreal peatlands. With increasing temperature in future climate patterns, increasing active layer depth and shifting plant functional groups in this region may have a significant effect on CH4 emission.
Tracing inputs of terrestrial high molecular weight dissolved organic matter within the Baltic Sea ecosystem
Authors: Deutsch B. , Alling V. , Humborg C. , Korth F. , Mörth C. M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. To test the hypothesis whether high molecular weight dissolved organic matter (HMW-DOM) in a high latitude marginal sea is dominated by terrestrial derived matter, 10 stations were sampled along the salinity gradient of the central and northern Baltic Sea and were analyzed for concentrations of dissolved organic carbon as well as δ13C values of HMW-DOM. Different end-member-mixing models were applied to quantify the influence of terrestrial DOM and to test for conservative versus non-conservative behavior of the terrestrial DOM in the different Baltic Sea basins. The share of terrestrial DOM to the total HMW-DOM was calculated for each station, ranging from 43 to 83%. This shows the high influence of terrestrial DOM inputs for the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The data also suggest that terrestrial DOM reaching the open Baltic Sea is not subject to substantial removal anymore. However compared to riverine DOM concentrations, our results indicate that substantial amounts of HMW-DOM (> 50%) seem to be removed near the coastline during estuarine mixing. A budget approach yielded residence times for terrestrial DOM of 2.8, 3.0, and 4.5 yr for the Bothnian Bay, the Bothnian Sea and the Baltic Proper.
Conditioning model output statistics of regional climate model precipitation on circulation patterns
Authors: Wetterhall F. , Pappenberger F. , He Y. , Freer J. , Cloke H. L.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Dynamical downscaling of Global Climate Models (GCMs) through regional climate models (RCMs) potentially improves the usability of the output for hydrological impact studies. However, a further downscaling or interpolation of precipitation from RCMs is often needed to match the precipitation characteristics at the local scale. This study analysed three Model Output Statistics (MOS) techniques to adjust RCM precipitation; (1) a simple direct method (DM), (2) quantile-quantile mapping (QM) and (3) a distribution-based scaling (DBS) approach. The modelled precipitation was daily means from 16 RCMs driven by ERA40 reanalysis data over the 1961–2000 provided by the ENSEMBLES (ENSEMBLE-based Predictions of Climate Changes and their Impacts) project over a small catchment located in the Midlands, UK. All methods were conditioned on the entire time series, separate months and using an objective classification of Lamb's weather types. The performance of the MOS techniques were assessed regarding temporal and spatial characteristics of the precipitation fields, as well as modelled runoff using the HBV rainfall-runoff model. The results indicate that the DBS conditioned on classification patterns performed better than the other methods, however an ensemble approach in terms of both climate models and downscaling methods is recommended to account for uncertainties in the MOS methods.
The Relationship between Person Organization Fit, Person-Job-Fit and Turnover Intention in Banking Sector of Pakistan: The Mediating Role of Psychological Climate
Authors: Hassan Masoodul , Akram Ammara , Naz Sana
Published: November 2012

In last few decades, employees’ job related attitudes and behaviors have remained topics of considerable interest in the fields of organizational behavior and human resource management. This study aims to explore the impact of person-organization-fit and person-job-fit on employee turnover intention while considering psychological climate as a mediating variable. Sample for this research is consisted of 260 employees from top five commercial banks of large cities of Pakistan. SPSS 17 is used for analyzing the data. Correlation and regression analysis is used to test the direct and mediating relationship between key variables. Results indicate that both person-organization-fit and person-job-fit have negative relationship with turnover intention. Psychological climate partially mediates the relationship between person-organization-fit and turnover intention while fully mediates the relationship between person-job-fit and turnover intention.
Early Outcomes of the Intraluminal Flow Guard Device for Secondary Renal Access
Authors: Mistry Hiren , Stephenson Matthew A. , Valenti Domenico
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The Flixene Intraluminal Flow Guard (IFG) is a novel arteriovenous graft for use in complex renal access patients. The IFG is a PTFE graft with a covered nitinol stent at the venous end implanted into the axillary vein rather than anastomosed. The purported benefits are improved hemodynamic flow in the vein with reduced neointimal hyperplasia. Our primary aim was to assess its early patency and complications. Our center is the first to publish early outcomes.

Methods

All patients on whom we would have otherwise performed a standard brachial-axillary graft from April to November 2011 were instead given an IFG graft if they were suitable and consented. The only exclusion criteria was an axillary vein size under 5.5 mm as this would not accommodate the intraluminal stent graft. Data were collected prospectively and follow-up was identical to our usual graft surveillance.

Results

A total of 12 patients (mean age 64, mean follow-up 393 days) had IFG grafts implanted during the study period. There were no exclusions and all patients consented. All patients were having secondary access following previous failed fistulae or grafts and no patient had an autogenous hemodialysis option. On average each patient had already had 1.1 previous ipsilateral access procedures. Mean operating time was 109 minutes. Functional patency at one year was 65.6%, with a mean functional patency of 162 days. There was only one early complication (wound hematoma) and one graft infection requiring explantation.

Conclusions

The IFG device provides an alternative to standard brachial-axillary grafts and brings similar early patency and complication profile. Continued monitoring of outcomes, however, is required to determine long-term results.
The European Court of Human Rights: Hirsi Jamaa et al. v. Italy
Authors: Hessbruegge Jan
Published: November 2012

Between 2007 and 2009, Italy and Libya (then under the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi) concluded several agreements to combat clandestine immigration. Pursuant to these agreements, Italy instated a policy of sending undocumented migrants and asylum seekers who had crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Africa back to Libya. In a number of cases, boats were intercepted on the high seas, and those on board sent back to Libya without a prior individualized assessment of their situation and protection needs. The present judgment concerns one such ‘‘push back operation’’ during which Italy intercepted a group of Somali and Eritrean nationals on the high seas, took them back to Tripoli, and handed them over to the Libyan authorities.
The Admission of Palestine to Unesco and Related Documents
Authors: Cerone John
Published: November 2012

In November 2011, Palestine was admitted to the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (‘‘UNESCO’’), a specialized agency of the United Nations, as a Member State. Since that time, Palestine has become a party to several UNESCO treaties.
Beyond Unidirectional Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Ulhøi John , Neergaard Helle , Bjerregaard Toke
Published: November 2012

Using theory on technology transfer and on trust and an in-depth study of nine university departments and nineteen science-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the authors explore the nature and direction of knowledge flows during university–industry R&D collaboration. More specifically, they examine the nature and direction of R&D technological knowledge transfer in collaborations between universities and science-based SMEs and the primary mechanisms regulating such collaborations. The findings suggest that these collaborations are highly recursive processes of technological knowledge exchange, the innovative outcome of which is greater than the sum of the activities of the respective partners during the period concerned. Surprisingly, given the highly strategic nature of the R&D activities, the collaborations were largely regulated by non-contractual measures (trust). The authors discuss the implications of their findings for R&D managers, policy makers and future studies.
Measuring Business Incubation Outcomes
Authors: Stephens Simon , Onofrei George
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the impact of business incubation on its participants (incubatees). The research presented enhances the conceptual framework of performance measures for business incubation proposed by Voisey et al (2006). Following an extensive review of the literature, data were collected using a survey of 43 incubatees and interviews with a random sample of 12 of them. The survey questionnaire examined data in two categories: hard and soft measures – the former relating to sales turnover, profitability, growth, independence and the number of clients, and the latter to professionalism, improved business skills, confidence, productivity, knowledge, cost savings and publicity. The interviews explored the incubatees' experience of life in a business incubation centre and of networking with other incubatees. The findings indicate that the measurement of business incubation outcomes needs to be broader than a set of statistical outputs. A modified version of the framework proposed by Voisey et al provides an appropriate holistic approach to evaluating business incubation outcomes. The framework proposed includes hard and soft measures and the measurement of outcomes at three stages: pre-incubation, during incubation and post-incubation. This study offers an example of a measurement approach that captures the value of business incubation, and thus should be useful to incubators, sponsors, incubatees and academics.
High Technology and Economic Development: The BioCity Nottingham Technology Incubator
Authors: Ehret Michael , McDonald-Junor Daniel , Smith David
Published: November 2012

The Case Study section of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves two purposes. First, the case studies presented are concerned with problematical issues that are pertinent to students of entrepreneurship. Thus they constitute appropriate teaching and learning vehicles on a variety of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Each case study is accompanied by a set of guidelines for the use of tutors. Second, it is envisaged that those engaged in entrepreneurial activities will find the cases both interesting and useful.

Since the 1990s, public policy makers and private investors have been creating bio-incubators with the aim of obtaining a foothold in what many presume is one of the hottest future industries. This case study provides an in-depth picture of the biggest UK-based bio-incubator – BioCity Nottingham. The study outlines the history and regional context of the incubator as well as its service portfolio and a profile of its supported firms. The study provides insights into the formation of biotechnology companies, the role of the regional context in shaping business models and the emergence of a science-based business network. As a major implication, Nottingham's location, remote from the epicentre of both science and venture capital in the UK, favours service-based business models. BioCity provides a fascinating opportunity to become acquainted with local conditions of business incubation.
LiBC – Synthesis, Electrochemical and Solid-state NMR Investigations
Authors: Langer Thorsten , Dupke Sven , Dippel Christian , Winter Martin , Eckert Hellmut , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: November 2012

LiBC was synthesized from the elements in a sealed niobium ampoule. It represents a totally intercalated heterographite with a structural relationship to graphite, the most commonly used anode material for lithium ion batteries. Since LiBC could accommodate three times as much lithium as graphite, its electrochemical properties in the anode and the cathode voltage range were investigated. However, LiBC did show poor performance both as an anode and as a cathode material. The unfavorable characteristics of LiBC with respect to electrochemical de-lithiation and re-insertion can be rationalized on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance results. 7Li and 6Li isotropic chemical shifts are consistent with complete ionization of the lithium species. Variable-temperature static 7Li NMR lineshapes indicate that the mobility of the lithium ions is rather restricted, even at temperatures up to 500 K. The 11B and 13C NMR parameters are consistent with those measured in sp2-hybridized boron/carbon networks and also support the ionic bonding model.
Copper-rich Intermetallic Compounds RECu9Cd2(RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) with YNi9In2-type Structure
Authors: Johnscher Michael , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: November 2012

The YNi9In2-type copper-rich compounds RECu9Cd2 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) were synthesized directly from the elements in sealed niobium ampoules in an induction furnace and were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The structure of PrCu9Cd2 was refined from single-crystal Xray diffractometer data: P4/mbm, a=849.0(3), c=498.2(3) pm, wR2=0.0418, 374 F2 values, 23 variables. The structure has two striking polyhedral motifs: Pr@Cu16Cd4 and Cu2@Cu8Cd4. The packing of these polyhedra describes the whole structure. The copper and cadmium atoms build up a three-dimensional [Cu9Cd2] network with broader ranges of Cu-Cu (246 - 274 pm) and Cu-Cd (272 - 288 pm) distances. The cadmium atoms show segregation through pair formation with Cd-Cd distances of 288 pm.
The Organ Donation Conundrum
Authors: Gilligan Conor , Sanson-Fisher Robert William , Turon Heidi
Published: November 2012

A discrepancy exists between the demand for and the availability of solid organs for transplant. Barriers to organ donation can be encountered at 2 key points: (1) when trying to increase the number of people willing to become organ donors and registering their intent and (2) at the time of organ procurement. Several predictors of individual willingness to register as an organ donor are discussed, along with issues surrounding families' refusal of consent or failures in the hospital system to identify potential donors. Several countries have adopted presumed-consent policies and have seen a subsequent increase in donation rates. Research is needed to explore the effectiveness of approaches to overcome the barriers to individual registration and family consent, particularly in countries where presumed consent has not been and is not likely to be adopted.
Personal Attitudes and Beliefs regarding Organ and Tissue Donation: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Australian Emergency Department Clinicians
Authors: Marck Claudia H. , Weiland Tracey J. , Neate Sandra L. , Hickey Bernadette B. , Jelinek George A.
Published: November 2012

Context

Resources are currently targeted at increasing organ and tissue donation rates from emergency departments in Australia. Health care professionals' beliefs and personal attitudes regarding organ and tissue donation are known to influence professional attitudes and practice.

Objective

To assess emergency department clinicians' general beliefs and personal attitudes toward organ and tissue donation, how general beliefs influence personal attitudes, and which demographic characteristics are related.

Design

A cross-sectional online survey, based on available literature and the validated and widely used Hospital Attitude Survey (DonorAction).

Participants

Data were collected from 811 Australian emergency department clinicians, invited to participate through the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia, and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

Results

Most clinicians were very supportive of organ and tissue donation (96.2%), believed that organ and tissue donation can save lives (98.5%), and that organs and tissues will be allocated fairly (82.6%); however, 30.1% did not agree that organ and tissue donation can help the next of kin cope with grief. Holding positive general beliefs increased positive personal attitudes toward organ and tissue donation ( P < .001). Most reported willingness to donate their own organs and tissues after death (90%) and give family consent for their children (79.6%) or adult family (86.6%) member to donate. Eighty-six percent had discussed their wishes with next of kin, but only 50.7% had registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Older clinicians, male clinicians, and clinicians of certain religious and cultural backgrounds were identified as having less positive general beliefs and personal attitudes.

Conclusion

Although Australian emergency department clinicians are generally positive toward organ and tissue donation, some groups could potentially benefit from education to change their beliefs and attitudes about organ and tissue donation further.
Practice Pattern and Professional Issues of Nurse Practitioners in Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs in the United States: A Survey Report
Authors: Casida Jesus M. , Pastor Jessica
Published: November 2012

Context

Few data-based reports about the role and work environment of advanced practice nurses, specifically nurse practitioners in mechanical circulatory support programs, have been published.

Objective

To describe the practice pattern and professional issues confronted by nurse practitioners in the rapidly evolving and expanding mechanical circulatory support programs in the United States.

Design

A descriptive research design was employed using the data from the 2010 mechanical circulatory support nurses survey. Quantitative and qualitative data that pertained to the demographic and practice profiles as well as barriers and overall issues faced by the nurse practitioners in their clinical practice were analyzed.

Participants

Nonrandom sample of 48 nurse practitioners from 95 mechanical circulatory support programs nationwide.

Results

The practice pattern of nurse practitioners in mechanical circulatory support programs is similar to the practice pattern reported for nurse practitioners in acute and critical care settings. However, only 44% and 10% of nurse practitioners in mechanical circulatory support programs are authorized to admit and transfer patients into and out of the hospital, respectively. High workload, lack of institutional support, knowledge deficit, role ambiguity, lack of professional recognition, and burnout were the common issues faced by the participants in their clinical practice.

Conclusion

The results provide preliminary evidence on the practice pattern, restrictions, and work environment issues that may threaten the viability of an mechanical circulatory support program in which nurse practitioners play a crucial role. Implications for clinical practice, research, and policy development are discussed.
Older Adolescents' Experiences Living with a Parent Who is a Transplant Patient
Authors: Kurz Jane M.
Published: November 2012

This descriptive qualitative study using telephone interviews and surveys explored how parental transplant status affected older adolescents. A sample of 8 adolescents (62% female) between 15 and 20 years old participated. Findings revealed “a normal life.” Other themes were feeling the impact, worrying, coping, and keeping healthy. Parental transplant status had positive and negative effects. No evidence was found of signs or symptoms of depression. Transplant candidates' children worried about “something going wrong”; recipients' children worried about organ rejection. Most stated that parental transplant status did not influence career plans, jobs, or friends. Strategies and recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.
A Sequential Decision Framework for Increasing College Students' Support for Organ Donation and Organ Donor Registration
Authors: Peltier James W. , D'Alessandro Anthony M. , Dahl Andrew J. , Feeley Thomas Hugh
Published: November 2012

Context

Despite the fact that college students support social causes, this age group has underparticipated in organ donor registration. Little research attention has been given to understanding deeper, higher-order relationships between the antecedent attitudes toward and perceptions of organ donation and registration behavior.

Objective

To test a process model useful for understanding the sequential ordering of information necessary for moving college students along a hierarchical decision-making continuum from awareness to support to organ donor registration.

Design and Setting

The University of Wisconsin organ procurement organization collaborated with the Collegiate American Marketing Association on a 2-year grant funded by the US Health Resources and Services Administration. A total of 981 association members responded to an online questionnaire.

Measures

The 5 antecedent measures were awareness of organ donation, need acknowledgment, benefits of organ donation, social support, and concerns about organ donation. The 2 consequence variables were support for organ donation and organ donation registration.

Results

Structural equation modeling indicated that 5 of 10 direct antecedent pathways led significantly into organ donation support and registration. The impact of the nonsignificant variables was captured via indirect effects through other decision variables. Model fit statistics were good: the goodness of fit index was .998, the adjusted goodness of fit index was .992, and the root mean square error of approximation was .001.

Implications

This sequential decision-making model provides insight into the need to enhance the acceptance of organ donation and organ donor registration through a series of communications to move people from awareness to behavior.
Quality of Internet Education about Living Kidney Donation for Hispanics
Authors: Gordon Elisa J. , Rodde Jillian , Gil Sorelly , Caicedo Juan Carlos
Published: November 2012

Context

Hispanics need disproportionately more kidney transplants, yet receive disproportionately fewer kidney transplants and living donor kidney transplants than non-Hispanic whites. Lack of knowledge and cultural beliefs about living kidney donation contribute to these disparities. The Internet is an optimal venue to educate underserved, low-literacy populations.

Design

Websites were evaluated for information on living kidney donation targeted to Hispanics. Hispanic websites addressing living kidney donation were identified through the Google search engine, using the search terms Hispanic, Latino, Spanish, and living kidney donor/donation. Websites were evaluated for accessibility of information, readability, and content required by 9 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations representing 12 topics, and cultural competency.

Results

Twenty resources met inclusion criteria. Websites contained 2.3 pages on living kidney donation and required 2.4 links to access all information on living kidney donation. Websites were written at the 9th grade reading level. Sites described alternative treatments for recipients (n = 14), the evaluation process (n = 7), and the surgical procedure (n=6). Few addressed psychosocial risks (n =2). Some contained culturally sensitive colors and pictures (n = 8), but few addressed Hispanic cultural beliefs (n = 4).

Conclusions

A comprehensive website on living kidney donation that provides more robust content and is targeted to Hispanics is needed to increase Hispanics' understanding of treatment options.
Prevention of Poor Psychosocial Outcomes in Living Organ Donors: From Description to Theory-Driven Intervention Development and Initial Feasibility Testing
Authors: Dew Mary Amanda , Zuckoff Allan , DiMartini Andrea F. , Dabbs Annette J. DeVito , McNulty Mary L. , Fox Kristen R. , Switzer Galen E. , Humar Abhinav , Tan Henkie P.
Published: November 2012

Context

Although some living donors experience psychological, somatic, and interpersonal difficulties after donation, interventions to prevent such outcomes have not been developed or evaluated.

Objective

To (1) summarize empirical evidence on psychosocial outcomes after donation, (2) describe a theoretical framework to guide development of an intervention to prevent poor outcomes, and (3) describe development and initial evaluation of feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

Methods

Based on a narrative literature review suggesting that individuals ambivalent about donation are at risk for poor psychosocial outcomes after donation, the intervention targeted this risk factor. Intervention structure and content drew on motivational interviewing principles in order to assist prospective donors to resolve ambivalence. Data were collected on donors' characteristics at our institution to determine whether they constituted a representative population in which to evaluate the intervention. Study participants were then recruited to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. They were required to have scores greater than 0 on the Simmons Ambivalence Scale (indicating at least some ambivalence about donation).

Results

Our population was similar to the national living donor population on most demographic and donation-related characteristics. Eight individuals who had been approved to donate either a kidney or liver segment were enrolled for pilot testing of the intervention. All successfully completed the 2-session telephone-based intervention before scheduled donation surgery. Participants' ratings of acceptability and satisfaction were high. Open-ended comments indicated that the intervention addressed participants' thoughts and concerns about the decision to donate.

Conclusions

The intervention is feasible, acceptable, and appears relevant to donor concerns. A clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention is warranted.
Bone Loss after Heart Transplant: Effect of Alendronate, Etidronate, Calcitonin, and Calcium plus Vitamin D3
Authors: Gilfraguas Lourdes , Guadalix Sonsoles , Martinez Guillermo , Jodar Esteban , Vara Jesus , Gomez-Sanchez Miguel Angel , Delgado Juan , Cruz Javier De La , Lora David , Hawkins Federico
Published: November 2012

Objective

To compare the effects of calcitonin, etidronate, and alendronate in preventing bone loss during the first 2 years after heart transplant.

Methods

A total of 222 heart transplant recipients (mean [SD] age, 52.4 [10] years, 85% male) were evaluated. Patients with normal bone mineral density (reference group, n = 102) received 1000 mg/d calcium plus 800 IU/d vitamin D3. The rest were assigned to 200 IU/d of calcitonin (n = 42), 400 mg/d etidronate orally for 14 days quarterly (n = 33), or 10 mg/d alendronate (n = 45). All patients received calcium and vitamin D. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine, the entire femur, and the femoral neck at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after transplant.

Results

At 2 years after transplant, bone mineral density in the lumbar spine had decreased in the reference group (−3.07%), calcitonin group (−0.93%), and etidronate group (−1.87%) but not in the alendronate group (+4.9%; P < .001). After 2 years, bone mineral density in the entire femur decreased in all groups (−3.2% in the reference group, −3.6% in the calcitonin group, −4.6% in the etidronate group, and −0.5% in the alendronate group) but bone loss was significantly lower in the alendronate group ( P < .001). Bone mineral density in the femoral neck also decreased in all groups. The incidence of vertebral fractures did not differ among groups. Adverse events were similar between groups.

Conclusions

Alendronate therapy in heart transplant recipients was associated with a significant increase in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and less bone loss at the hip.
Recent Developments in Enzymatic Asymmetric CC Bond Formation
Authors: Müller Michael
Published: November 2012

Some of the recent developments in enzymatic asymmetric CC bond formation are described in this review. The close relationship of biocatalysis and biosynthesis is highlighted with a special emphasis on diversity and biogenesis. One focus of this review is the creation of tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters. Members of the supposedly well‐known aldolase and hydroxynitrile lyase enzyme families possess the ability to catalyze the formation of tertiary alcohols. In the case of aldolases, this can occur through intramolecular cyclization or intermolecular asymmetric CC bond formation. Thiamine diphosphate‐dependent YerE has been identified as a potent catalyst for the acyloin condensation with ketones as acceptor substrates. C1 transformations such as methylation or carboxylation are catalyzed in an asymmetric manner by enzymes from different classes, for example S‐adenosylmethionine‐dependent (radical) enzymes or NADPH‐dependent oxidoreductases. Insights from biosynthetic and mechanistic studies of enzymatic reactions proceeding via radical intermediates give valuable hints towards possible applications in biocatalysis. Still, the oxygen sensitivity of many of these biocatalysts poses a considerable challenge for practical applications.