bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coexistence of species with different dispersal across landscapes: a critical role of spatial correlation in disturbance
Authors: Liao Jinbao , Ying Zhixia , Woolnough Daelyn A. , Miller Adam D. , Li Zhenqing , Nijs Ivan
Published: May 2016

Disturbance is key to maintaining species diversity in plant communities. Although the effects of disturbance frequency and extent on species diversity have been studied, we do not yet have a mechanistic understanding of how these aspects of disturbance interact with spatial structure of disturbance to influence species diversity. Here we derive a novel pair approximation model to explore competitive outcomes in a two-species system subject to spatially correlated disturbance. Generally, spatial correlation in disturbance favoured long-range dispersers, while distance-limited dispersers were greatly suppressed. Interestingly, high levels of spatial aggregation of disturbance promoted long-term species coexistence that is not possible in the absence of disturbance, but only when the local disperser was intrinsically competitively superior. However, spatial correlation in disturbance led to different competitive outcomes, depending on the disturbed area. Concerning ecological conservation and management, we theoretically demonstrate that introducing a spatially correlated disturbance to the system or altering an existing disturbance regime can be a useful strategy either to control species invasion or to promote species coexistence. Disturbance pattern analysis may therefore provide new insights into biodiversity conservation.
LD Hub: a centralized database and web interface to perform LD score regression that maximizes the potential of summary level GWAS data for SNP heritability and genetic correlation analysis
Authors: Zheng Jie , Erzurumluoglu A. Mesut , Elsworth Benjamin L. , Howe Laurence , Haycock Philip C. , Hemani Gibran , Tansey Katherine , Laurin Charles ,   Early Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) Eczema Consortium, St. Pourcain Beate , Warrington Nicole M. , Finucane Hilary K. , Price Alkes L. , Bulik-Sullivan Brendan K. , Anttila Verneri , Paternoster Lavinia , Gaunt Tom R. , Evans David M. , Neale Benjamin M.
Published: May 2016

Motivation

LD score regression is a reliable and efficient method of using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary-level results data to estimate the SNP heritability of complex traits and diseases, partition this heritability into functional categories, and estimate the genetic correlation between different phenotypes. Because the method relies on summary level results data, LD score regression is computationally tractable even for very large sample sizes. However, publicly available GWAS summary-level data are typically stored in different databases and have different formats, making it difficult to apply LD score regression to estimate genetic correlations across many different traits simultaneously.

Results

In this manuscript, we describe LD Hub – a centralized database of summary-level GWAS results for 177 diseases/traits from different publicly available resources/consortia and a web interface that automates the LD score regression analysis pipeline. To demonstrate functionality and validate our software, we replicated previously reported LD score regression analyses of 49 traits/diseases using LD Hub; and estimated SNP heritability and the genetic correlation across the different phenotypes. We also present new results obtained by uploading a recent atopic dermatitis GWAS meta-analysis to examine the genetic correlation between the condition and other potentially related traits. In response to the growing availability of publicly accessible GWAS summary-level results data, our database and the accompanying web interface will ensure maximal uptake of the LD score regression methodology, provide a useful database for the public dissemination of GWAS results, and provide a method for easily screening hundreds of traits for overlapping genetic aetiologies.

Availability and implementation

The web interface and instructions for using LD Hub are available athttp://ldsc.broadinstitute.org/
Dual functions of Intraflagellar Transport Protein IFT20 in spermiogenesis: formation of sperm flagella and removal of cytoplasm by autophagy
Authors: Zhang Zhengang , Li Wei , Zhang Yong , Zhang Ling , Teves Maria E , Liu Hong , Liu Junpin , Strauss Jerome F , Pazour Gregory J , Foster James A , Hess Rex A. , Zhang Zhibing
Published: May 2016

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is a conserved mechanism thought to be essential for the assembly and maintenance of cilia and flagella. However, little is known about mammalian sperm flagella formation. To fill this gap, we disrupted theIft20gene in male germ cells. Homozygous mutant mice were infertile with significantly reduced sperm counts and motility. In addition, abnormally shaped elongating spermatid heads and bulbous round spermatids were found in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Electron microscopy revealed increased cytoplasmic vesicles, fiber-like structures, abnormal accumulation of mitochondria and decreased mature lysosomes. The few developed sperm had disrupted axoneme and retained cytoplasmic lobe components on the flagella. ODF2 and SPAG16L, two sperm flagella proteins failed to be incorporated into sperm tails of the mutant mice. Expression levels of an autophagy core protein that associates with IFT20, Atg16, were significantly reduced in the testis of theIft20mutant mice. Our studies suggest that IFT20 is essential for spermiogenesis in mice, and it plays a role in sperm flagella formation, and removing excess cytoplasmic components by regulating autophagy core proteins.
Description of a new genus of primitive ants from Canadian amber, with the study of relationships between stem- and crown-group ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Borysenko Leonid H.
Published: May 2016

A detailed study of the holotype ofSphecomyrma canadensisWilson, 1985 from Canadian amber has led to the conclusion that the specimen belongs to a new genus, here namedBoltonimeciagen.n. Since the taxonomy of stem-group ants is not well understood, in order to find the taxonomic position of this genus, it is necessary to review the classification of stem-group ants in a study of their relation to crown-group ants. In the absence of data for traditional taxonomic approaches, a statistical study was done based on a morphometric analysis of antennae. Scape elongation is believed to play an important role in the evolution of eusociality in ants; however, this hypothesis has never been confirmed statistically. The statistical analysis presented herein lends support to the view that antennal morphology reliably distinguishes stem-group ants from crown-group ants to determine whether a species belongs to one or the other group. This, in turn, may indicate a relationship exists between eusociality and scape elongation. A review of Cretaceous records of ants is made and the higher classification of Formicidae with definitions of stem and crown groups is proposed. Newly obtained data are discussed focusing particularly on the origin, evolution and diversity of ants.
Performance in a GO/NOGO perceptual task reflects a balance between impulsive and instrumental components of behaviour
Authors: Berditchevskaia A. , Cazé R.D. , Schultz S.R.
Published: May 2016

In recent years, simple GO/NOGO behavioural tasks have become popular due to the relative ease with which they can be combined with technologies such asin vivomultiphoton imaging. To date, it has been assumed that behavioural performance can be captured by the average performance across a session, however this neglects the effect of motivation on behaviour within individual sessions. We investigated the effect of motivation on mice performing a GO/NOGO visual discrimination task. Performance within a session tended to follow a stereotypical trajectory on a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) chart, beginning with an over-motivated state with many false positives, and transitioning through a more or less optimal regime to end with a low hit rate after satiation. Our observations are reproduced by a new model, the Motivated Actor-Critic, introduced here. Our results suggest that standard measures of discriminability, obtained by averaging across a session, may significantly underestimate behavioural performance.
Pan- and core- network analysis of co-expression genes in a model plant
Authors: He Fei , Maslov Sergei
Published: May 2016

Genome-wide gene expression experiments have been performed using the model plant Arabidopsis during the last decade. Some studies involved construction of coexpression networks, a popular technique used to identify groups of co-regulated genes, to infer unknown gene functions. One approach is to construct a single coexpression network by combining multiple expression datasets generated in different labs. We advocate a complementary approach in which we construct a large collection of 134 coexpression networks based on expression datasets reported in individual publications. To this end we reanalyzed public expression data. To describe this collection of networks we introduced concepts of ‘pan-network’ and ‘core-network’ representing union and intersection between a sizeable fractions of individual networks, respectively. We showed that these two types of networks are different both in terms of their topology and biological function of interacting genes. For example, the modules of the pan-network are enriched in regulatory and signaling functions, while the modules of the core-network tend to include components of large macromolecular complexes such as ribosomes and photosynthetic machinery. Our analysis is aimed to help the plant research community to better explore the information contained within the existing vast collection of gene expression data in Arabidopsis.

Research Area

Systems and Synthetic Biology

By analyzing 134 microarray datasets for Arabidopsis, we found that gene coexpression networks are highly context-dependent.

Financial source

Work at Brookhaven was supported by grants PM-031 from the Office of Biological Research of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Estimation of the density distribution from small-angle scattering data
Authors: Hansen Steen
Published: May 2016

The one-dimensional density distribution for symmetrical scatterers is estimated from small-angle scattering data. The symmetry of the scatterers may be one dimensional (lamellar), two dimensional (cylindrical) or three dimensional (spherical). Previously this problem has been treated either by a two-step approach with the distance distribution as an intermediate [Glatter (1981).J. Appl. Cryst.14, 101–108] or in a single step using spherical harmonics [Svergun, Feigin & Schedrin (1982).Acta Cryst.A38, 827–835]. A combination of these two methods is presented here, where the density distribution is estimated using constraints without the explicit use of an intermediate distribution. A maximum entropy constraint is introduced for this problem and the results are compared with the results of the conventional smoothness constraint. Bayesian methods are used for estimation of the overall noise level of the experimental data and for the maximum dimension of the density distribution. The method described is tested on both simulated and experimental data and shown to provide reliable estimates for the Guinier radius and maximum dimension. In both cases the effects of minor deviations from the assumed symmetry as well as incorrect background subtraction are studied.
m-Xylylenediaminium sulfate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Guesmi Afef , Gatfaoui Sofian , Roisnel Thierry , Marouani Houda
Published: May 2016

The crystal structure of the title salt {systematic name: [1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(azanium) sulfate}, C8H14N22+·SO42−, consists of infinite (100) sheets of alternating organic and inorganic entities Them-xylylenediaminium cations are linked to the sulfate anions by N—H...O and asymmetric bifurcated N—H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. A weak C—H...O interaction also occurs. The Hirshfeld surface analysis and the two-dimensional fingerprint maps indicate that the packing is dominated by H...O/O...H and H...H contacts.
Hydrogen-bonded network in the salt 4-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium picrate
Authors: Song Xue-gang , Su Ping , Xu Xing-man
Published: May 2016

In the title molecular salt, C4H7N2+·C6H2N3O7−, the phenolic proton of the starting picric acid has been transferred to the imidazole N atom. The nitro groups are twisted away from the benzene ring plane, making dihedral angles of 12.8 (2), 9.2 (4) and 29.3 (2)°. In the crystal, the component ions are linked into chains along [010]viaN—H...O and bifurcated N—H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds. These chains are further linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. The complex three-dimensional network can be topologically simplified into a 4-connected uninodal net with the point symbol {4.85}.
Ethyl 13-(4-chlorophenyl)-11-methyl-6-oxo-5-phenyl-8-thia-3,4,5,10-tetraazatricyclo[7.4.0.02,7]trideca-1(9),2(7),3,10,12-pentaene-12-carboxylate
Authors: Al-Taifi Elham A. , Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Bakhite Etify A.
Published: May 2016

In the title molecule, C24H17ClN4O3S, the central tricyclic moiety is twisted slightly, as indicated by the dihedral angles of 4.86 (5) and 0.97 (6)°, respectively, between the five-membered ring and the C3N3and pyridyl rings. Additionally, the chlorobenzene ring makes a dihedral angle of 65.80 (5)° with the pyridyl ring. Weak C—H...O, C—Cl...N [3.0239 (13) Å] and π–π stacking interactions [inter-centroid distance between thienyl rings = 3.6994 (8) Å, and between thienyl and pyridyl rings = 3.7074 (8) Å] contribute to the molecular packing. The ethyl group in the ester moiety is disordered over two sets of sites, with the major component having an occupancy of 0.567 (11).
Diethyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate
Authors: Prasad N. L. , Begum Noor Shahina
Published: May 2016

In the title compound, C23H25NO4, the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring adopts a flattened boat conformation. The naphthalene ring system forms a dihedral angle of 88.59 (6)° with the pyridine ring. In the crystal, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds generate anR12(6) ring motif and result in a zigzag chain along thebaxis. Additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds form infinite chains along thec-axis direction.
International benchmarking for performance improvement in construction safety and health
Authors: Saunders Lance W. , McCoy Andrew P , Kleiner Brian M. , Lingard Helen , Cooke Tracy , Mills Thomas , Blismas Nick , Wakefield Ronald
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge on the advantages of integrating safety earlier in the construction project lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study approach is used to collect data from construction sites in the USA, which performs poorly in construction safety and health, and Australia (AU), which performs well in construction safety and health. Qualitative data are collected to determine how and when safety is considered in the project lifecycle in both countries, and then the results are benchmarked to determine the benefits of addressing safety earlier in the process.

Findings

– Data show that addressing a potential hazard earlier in the project lifecycle has performance benefits in terms of the level of hazard control.

Research limitations/implications

– The processes that are identified as possibly explaining the performance difference are just based on qualitative data from interviews. Targeted research addressing the relationship between these processes and safety outcomes is an opportunity for further research.

Practical implications

– The case study data are used to identify specific processes that are used in AU that might be adopted in the USA to improve performance by integrating safety earlier into the decision-making process.

Social implications

– This paper highlights the advantages of integrating safety as a decision factor early in the process. Worker safety is not just an issue in the construction industry, and thus the findings are applicable to all industries in which worker safety is an issue.

Originality/value

– This paper advances the safety in design literature by quantitatively supporting the link between when a hazard is addressed and performance. It also links the results to specific processes across countries, which advances the literature because most research in this area to data is within a single country.
Research on the transmission mechanism between the money market interest rates and the capital market interest rates
Authors: Zhang Xiu , Chen Shoudong , Liu Yang
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the transmission mechanism between benchmark interest rate of financial market, money market interest rate and capital market yields in order to reveal the dynamic evolution characters and core influential structure between different market interest rates.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Dirichlet-VAR (DVAR) model, this study analyze the relationship between markets rates according to the equilibrium model in money market and capital market.

Findings

– Empirical results show that the interest rate transmission mechanism functions smoothly between interest rates of different levels. Interest rate of bills issued by the central bank can effectively reflect changes in monetary policy and guide the fluidity of market, playing the anchor role in interest rate pricing. There exists a closed loop feedback between interest rate of bills issued by the central bank, and money market interest rate, as well as between money market interest rate and bond market interest rate. The former is a loop by administrative means while the latter is the one mainly affected by market-oriented means. The response by money market and bond market toward the change of benchmark interest rate is unsymmetrical as money market is more sensitive to a loose monetary policy while bond market is more sensitive to a tight monetary policy. Stock market is strongly affected by uncertainty of benchmark interest rate.

Originality/value

– DVAR model is the extension of research on instable data and multiple variable causality test, which expands the causality analysis between two variables to multiple variables causality impact analysis which contains non-stable and structurally instable economic data.
Multi-physics coupling aid uniformity improvement in pattern plating
Authors: Ji Linxian , Wang Chong , Wang Shouxu , Zhu Kai , He Wei , Xiao Dingjun
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The uniformity of electrodeposition is the key to successful application of pattern plating because the quality of electrodeposited copper layer has a huge impact on the performance of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The multi-physics coupling technology was used to accurately analyze and forecast the characteristics of electrochemical system. Further, an optimized plating bath was used to achieve a uniform electrodeposition.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-physics coupling numerical simulation based on the finite element method was used to optimize electrodeposition conditions in pattern plating process. The influences of geometric and electrochemical factors on uniformity of current distribution and electrodeposited layer thickness were discussed by multi-physics coupling.

Findings

The model results showed that the distance between cathode and anode and the insulating shield had a great impact on uniformity of electrodeposition. By numerical simulation, it had been proved that using an auxiliary cathode was an effective and simple way to improve uniformity of electrodeposition due to redistributing of the current. This helped to achieve more uniform surface of the copper patterns by preventing the edge effect and the roughness of the copper layer was reduced to 1 per cent in the secondary current distribution model.

Research limitations/implications

The research is still in progress with the development of high-performance computers.

Practical implications

A multi-physics coupling platform is an excellent tool for quickly and cheaply studying the process behaviors under a variety of operating conditions.

Social implications

The numerical simulation method has laid the foundation for the design and improvement of the plating bath.

Originality/value

By multi-physics coupling technology, we built a bridge between theoretical and experimental study for control of uniformity of pattern plating in PCB manufacturing. This method can help optimize the design of plating bath and uniformity of pattern plating in PCB manufacturing.
The polluter pays principle and the remediation of the land
Authors: Lees Emma
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the national law regimes related to the remediation of contaminated land.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is comparative. Models for different systems are described on the basis of varying interpretations of the polluter pays principle. The regimes present in the Member States are then analysed to see which model they have adopted. A comparator from each model group is then considered.

Findings

This article presents three key findings. First, it concludes that the extent to which additional national legislation relating to environmental damage is permitted, which depends upon the notion of “more stringent” legislation, is incoherent where more than one interpretation is given to the polluter pays principle. Second, the different interpretations given to the principle undermine harmonisation. Finally, this has wider implications for how we justify liability for contaminated land.

Originality/value

This comparative study of the interpretation of the polluter pays principle, through its implementation in Member States, provides a valuable and novel insight into environmental liability regimes in Europe. It also demonstrates the different type of regimes that are developed on the basis of such different interpretations. Although the different national attitudes to contaminated land policy and remediation have been considered before, this article adds to this debate by suggesting a central cause of such variation in the shape of different interpretations of a principle of the European Union.
Optimal strategies for manufacturer with strategic customer behavior under carbon emissions-sensitive random demand
Authors: Jiang Wen , Chen Xu
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the manufacturer’s production, pricing and green technology investment decision problem when strategic customer behavior and carbon emissions-sensitive random demand is taken into consideration and discuss the impact of carbon emissions-sensitive demand on the manufacturer’s operation strategies, total carbon emissions and maximum expected profit.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors formulate a model to introduce carbon emissions-sensitive demand into the newsvendor framework with strategic customer behavior. The authors characterize the rational expectations equilibrium to derive the optimal solutions to the manufacturer. The authors analyze the effects of carbon emissions-sensitive demand on the manufacturer’s optimal strategies, total carbon emissions and maximum expected profit by comparative analysis.

Findings

– The authors obtain the manufacturer’s optimal production, pricing and green technology investment strategies under rational expectations equilibrium in scenario of price-sensitive demand and that of carbon emissions-sensitive demand, respectively. The authors find that as customer demand changes from price-sensitive demand to carbon emissions-sensitive demand, the manufacturer’s optimal prices are the same but optimal production quantity, optimal unit carbon emissions and maximum expected profit go down. Though the total emissions decrease, the carbon emissions reduction would not increase as the demand is more carbon emissions-sensitive. Whether it increases or decreases depends on the model parameters.

Originality/value

– Carbon emissions-sensitive demand and strategic customer behavior are considered simultaneously in an integrated model. The result can guide the manufacturer decision-making. The proposed model are hoped to shed light to the future works in the field of sustainable supply chain management.
Constrained clustering method for class-based storage location assignment in warehouse
Authors: Yang Chao-Lung , Nguyen Thi Phuong Quyen
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Class-based storage has been studied extensively and proved to be an efficient storage policy. However, few literature addressed how to cluster stuck items for class-based storage. The purpose of this paper is to develop a constrained clustering method integrated with principal component analysis (PCA) to meet the need of clustering stored items with the consideration of practical storage constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to consider item characteristic and the associated storage restrictions, the must-link and cannot-link constraints were constructed to meet the storage requirement. The cube-per-order index (COI) which has been used for location assignment in class-based warehouse was analyzed by PCA. The proposed constrained clustering method utilizes the principal component loadings as item sub-group features to identify COI distribution of item sub-groups. The clustering results are then used for allocating storage by using the heuristic assignment model based on COI.

Findings

– The clustering result showed that the proposed method was able to provide better compactness among item clusters. The simulated result also shows the new location assignment by the proposed method was able to improve the retrieval efficiency by 33 percent.

Practical implications

– While number of items in warehouse is tremendously large, the human intervention on revealing storage constraints is going to be impossible. The developed method can be easily fit in to solve the problem no matter what the size of the data is.

Originality/value

– The case study demonstrated an example of practical location assignment problem with constraints. This paper also sheds a light on developing a data clustering method which can be directly applied on solving the practical data analysis issues.
Enablers of supply chain integration
Authors: Wang Bill , Childerhouse Paul , Kang Yuanfei , Huo Baofeng , Mathrani Sanjay
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Previous research on supply chain integration (SCI) enablers has primarily focussed on interorganizational relationships, the purpose of this paper is to broaden the discussion to include interpersonal relationships (IPRs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a comprehensive literature review, a series of propositions are postulated and synthesized into a conceptual model of how IPRs maintain and enable SCI, which is decomposed into strategic alliance, information sharing, and process coordination.

Findings

– The authors find that IPRs including personal affection, communication, and credibility, have a positive influence on SCI, and these links are mediated by interorganizational relationships including trust, commitment, and power.

Originality/value

– The framework developed in this study provides new insights into the role of interpersonal networks in interorganizational relationships, which lead to SCI.
The winding path for foreign companies: building R&D centers in China
Authors: Jolly Dominique , Masetti-Placci Francesco
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Only a few foreign companies have started significant R&D activities in China. Although these forerunners have opened the door, their experience now needs to be transferred to followers. The purpose of this paper is to use this experience to offer some guidance to foreign companies wishing to launch R&D activities in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ recommendations are based on their investigation into 50 existing foreign R&D centers in China and one pioneering experience into the management of one of those centers. The authors especially investigated the questions of location, people and intellectual property rights, and relationships with authorities.

Findings

Foreign companies wishing to do R&D in China will have to adapt to an environment different from those they are used to. The authors draw up recommendations that should help them to find their way. They particularly emphasize location in or close to clusters, the type of relationships to be developed with public authorities and with the communist party, the specific characteristics needed by workers in those centers, the need for a cautious intellectual property rights approach and the key role of returnees in R&D centers. These findings are based on previous experience and lessons learned directly by the authors as well as through meetings with R&D executives and managers of medium/large foreign companies or joint ventures s in China.

Research limitations/implications

The Chinese research, development and innovation landscape has evolved rapidly and has still not stabilized. Consequently, the authors’ recommendations, which capture best practices and recently learned lessons, are applicable for the next five years. Some of them might change in the future as the overall national and international situation evolves.

Practical implications

These recommendations offer guidelines to companies without R&D centers established in China for expanding their international technology strategy. They will help companies already operating successful R&D centers to better leverage previous investments and efficiently set up and operate R&D activities in China.

Originality/value

China has been on the R&D map for only a few years as exemplified by the surge of scientific publications and patent deposits, making China the country with the most patents in the world. No foreign company engaged in R&D can ignore this fact. Yet, few papers have been published with “how to?” guidelines.
Fit-bitting the dog
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the increasing use of data monitoring of employees by companies. As companies gather data on employees’ keystrokes and mouse clicks, as well as data on employees’ movements and interactions during the work day, they have an opportunity to strengthen the relationship of trust between employer and employee or weaken it. This viewpoint attempts to lay out some opportunities to have a positive outcome in this changing relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The viewpoint looks at current practices in the monitoring of employees through secondary research into published sources to arrive at some hypotheses about how companies could create value for employees with the data they are gathering.

Findings

The viewpoint concludes that the dangers of poisoning the employer/employee relationship through intrusive monitoring and abuse of the data collected are very real. However, there is also an opportunity to empower employees with the very data being gathered on their behaviors and activities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based largely on anecdotal insights and the views of individual corporate leaders and proponents of monitoring software. Primary research will be required to assess the actual opinions of employees about the monitoring software being used by their employers.

Practical implications

Those companies that embrace the empowerment of employees through the sharing of data being gathered and practice transparency about its gathering will gain competitive advantage as a favored employer.

Originality/value

Although there have been a significant number of articles describing the expansion in the digital monitoring of employees, the author is not aware of any discussion of the potential of this data gathering to produce positive results for employees.
The effect of cues on service quality expectations and service selection in a restaurant setting
Authors: Sweeney Jill , Armstrong Robert W. , Johnson Lester W.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit our original paper published over 20 years ago and reflect on its purpose, contribution and what we can glean that might have implications for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A Google Scholar search showed that the article was cited 74 times. We discuss some of the contexts in which it was cited and identify two research themes that have emanated from this paper and hold promise for future research.

Findings

We discuss two of the several contexts in which our research is discussed. These include the differential ways in which cues are used in a services context, including the ways in which different cues are used to evaluate services and how cues are used to develop consumer expectations.

Originality/value

The study, which was cited 74 times according to Google Scholar, was formative in terms of discussion of, for example, how a variety of cues influence customer expectations and service evaluation, and how categories of cues, such as marketer controlled versus non-marketer controlled and personal versus non-personal, impact outcomes. The retrospective analysis was helpful in both reflecting on the status quo on some of these issues and suggesting directions for future research.
Factors Explaining Public Participation in the Central Government Budget Process
Authors: Ríos Ana‐María , Benito Bernardino , Bastida Francisco
Published: May 2016

This paper attempts to examine which factors explain public participation in the budget process in an international comparative approach. In particular, we investigate which socioeconomic, institutional, and political factors promote public engagement in the central government budget process. Using a sample of 93 countries, our results indicate that Internet penetration, population diversity, governmental financial situation, and budget transparency determine opportunities for public engagement in the central government budget process. In addition, we show that not only budget transparency promotes public participation but also public participation is necessary to enhance budget transparency.
The Effect of Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®) on the Development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and its Implications for Forensic Entomology
Authors: Baia Tainá Costa , Campos Alessandra , Wanderley Bruno Mattos Silva , Gama Renata Antonaci
Published: May 2016

This study investigated the potential effects of flunitrazepam (known as “date rape drug”) on the developmental cycle of Chrysomya megacephala, an important forensic species, and their possible implications for the calculation of the PMI. A 1050 C. megacephala eggs were divided into five groups with seven replications each. The eggs were placed on artificial diet prepared with four drug concentrations of flunitrazepam (4, 8, 16, and 32 ng/g), besides the control group (prepared with water). Were evaluated the potential effects on development time, weight gain, and mortality during the cycles. The drug had no significant effect on development time or mortality although it did affect the weight of the pupae and adults (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.05). The result can be deduced that the determination of the postmortem interval is not affected.
Effectiveness of a Multimodal Intervention Program for Older Individuals Presenting to the Emergency Department After a Fall in the Northern French Alps Emergency Network
Authors: Ageron François‐Xavier , Ricard Cécile , Perrin‐Besson Sophie , Picot Françoise , Dumont Odile , Cabillic Sandrine , Haesevoet Marc , Dalmon Philippe , Gaillard Corine , Cezard Odile , Belle Loïc , Couturier Pascal
Published: May 2016

Objective

Fall‐related visits to emergency departments (EDs) are common among older individuals. We aimed to assess effectiveness of a healthcare intervention program for the management of elderly patients admitted to EDs after a fall.

Methods

Using a before–after observation method, we investigated ED healthcare staff practices related to fall‐related injuries in 2010 (period 1) and 2012 (period 2) in 13 centers participating in the Northern French Alps Emergency Network. Following the identification of initial weaknesses, several information and training tools were introduced between the two periods to improve patient management. All individuals aged 75 years or over who presented to an ED after a fall were included in the study. We reviewed the completeness and quality of medical records during both periods and compared the rate of clinical–paraclinical check‐ups performed, geriatric evaluation/assessment in the ED, and the 1‐month recurrence of visits to the ED for the same reason.

Results

During period 1, a total of 2,425 falls were recorded, while 2,684 were reported in period 2. The 2012 medical charts contained significantly more information about risk factors than those of 2010. An electrocardiogram (64% vs. 53%; p < 0.001), biologic check‐up (65% vs. 57%; p < 0.001), balance, orthostatic hypotension, and cognitive impairment tests were more often performed in 2012. There was no change in the hospitalization rate, although short‐duration hospitalization in the ED was more frequent in 2012. Geriatrists were more often consulted by patients in 2012 (18% vs. 13%; p < 0.001) and more involved in ED evaluation and hospitalization. The intervention program had a beneficial impact on the fall recurrence rate (n = 29 [3.6%] in period 1 and n = 17 [2.0%] in period 2; odds ratio = 0.52; p = 0.037), which significantly decreased between 2010 and 2012.

Conclusions

The intervention program was associated with a decrease of fall recurrence. Further efforts should be made in EDs to ensure a sustained level of satisfactory and long‐lasting management of the elderly.
Resting state default mode network connectivity in children and adolescents with ADHD after acute tryptophan depletion
Authors: Biskup C. S. , Helmbold K. , Baurmann D. , Klasen M. , Gaber T. J. , Bubenzer‐Busch S. , Königschulte W. , Fink G. R. , Zepf F. D.
Published: May 2016

Objective

Alterations of the default mode network (DMN) have been described in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐HT) is known to modulate DMN activity. This study aimed to explore the role of 5‐HT on the DMN and its functional connectivity (FC) in young patients with ADHD.

Methods

Young male patients with ADHD (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 10) (both aged 12–17 years) were subjected to acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) and subsequently diminished brain 5‐HT synthesis. Three hours after challenge intake (ATD or a balanced control condition, BAL), resting state fMRI scans were obtained.

Results

In patients, ATD led to attenuated FC of the right superior premotor cortex (BA 6) with the DMN, comparable to the extent found in controls after BAL administration. ATD lowered FC of the left somatosensory cortex (BA 3) with the DMN, independently of the factor group, but with stronger effects in controls.

Conclusions

Data reveal a serotonergic modulation of FC between BA 6 and 3, known to be relevant for motor planning and sensory perception, and the DMN, thereby possibly pointing toward ATD acting beneficially on neural planning of motor activity in patients with ADHD.
Management of acute traumatic intracranial haematoma in rural and remote areas of Australia
Authors: Gilligan John , Reilly Peter , Pearce Andrew , Taylor Danielle
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Outcomes are reviewed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) involving intracranial haematomata (ICH) with patients in rural and remote areas of South Australia and adjacent states. Patients were referred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), a level 1 trauma centre with a major neurosurgical service.

Method

From 2000 to 2013, 1107 multiple trauma cases included 162 with severe TBI. Local medical officers (LMOs) phoned a specific number to access resuscitative and neurosurgical advice. Onsite neurosurgical support was provided when requested. Specialist teams later retrieved these patients to RAH. Locations were coded according to the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+). Injuries were coded using ICD 9 and 10.

Results

General surgeon LMOs drained nine clinically progressive ICHs. Neurosurgical attendance was provided in four instances. Eight patients survived. The remaining 153 patients had other injuries involving thoraco‐abdominal organs, spine, pelvis and limbs. The overall mortality was 30%. Twenty‐six had ICHs requiring surgical drainage later at the RAH, with 46% mortality. Average Injury Severity Score was 30 (range 9–66). Male/female ratio was 76/24. Motor vehicular accidents predominated (60%), followed by falls (26%) and assaults (10%). Those under 30 years were overrepresented. Patients were transported a mean distance of 283 km (maximum distance 2600 km).

Conclusion

LMOs in remote locations may consider immediate drainage of deteriorating traumatic ICH. Adequate support from a distant major trauma centre can help achieve acceptable outcomes. Effective communications are vital. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Neurosurgical Society of Australasia guidelines based on the Early Management of Severe Trauma protocols can assist LMOs in making the decision to undertake emergency craniotomy.
Impact of Ageing on Serum Concentrations of Risperidone and Its Active Metabolite in Patients with Known CYP2D6 Genotype
Authors: Molden Espen , Waade Ragnhild Birkeland , Hoff Maren , Haslemo Tore
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ageing on serum concentrations of risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone in patients with known CYP2D6 genotype. We included retrospective therapeutic drug monitoring data from 464 genotyped patients with measured serum concentrations of risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone after oral administration. Patients were divided into two age subgroups, that is ≤65 (n = 396) and >65 years (n = 68), and dose‐adjusted concentrations (C:D ratios) were compared using multiple linear regression analyses with CYP2D6 genotype and gender as covariates. Moreover, absolute concentrations and prescribed daily doses were compared between age subgroups by simple, univariate Mann–Whitney tests. Age had no effect on C:D ratio of risperidone (p > 0.4), but C:D ratios of 9‐hydroxyrisperidone and risperidone + 9‐hydroxyrisperidone (total active moiety) were estimated to be 2.6 and 2.0 times higher in patients >65 versus ≤65 years (p < 0.001). Female gender and a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer (PM) genotype were also associated with significantly higher C:D ratio of the total active moiety (p < 0.01). Despite lower dosing in patients >65 versus ≤65 years (median 1.5 versus 3.0 mg/day, p < 0.0001), absolute concentration of the total active moiety did not differ between the age subgroups (median 52.5 versus 47.0 nmol/L, p > 0.6). In conclusion, ageing implies significantly increased dose‐adjusted serum concentration of risperidone active moiety, and treatment intensity is not generally reduced by halving the oral dose in the elderly. Tolerability of risperidone therapy should therefore be closely monitored in older patients, and female CYP2D6 PMs >65 years might be a particularly vulnerable subgroup of adverse effects.
Agricultural intensification alters bat assemblage composition and abundance in a dynamic Neotropical landscape
Authors: Cleary Katherine A. , Waits Lisette P. , Finegan Bryan
Published: May 2016

The recent trend of agricultural intensification in tropical landscapes poses a new threat to biodiversity conservation. Conversion of previously heterogeneous agricultural landscapes to intensive plantation agriculture simplifies and homogenizes the landscape, reducing availability, and connectivity of natural habitat for native species. To assess the impact of agricultural intensification on bats, we characterized the bat assemblage in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica, where heterogeneous land uses are being converted to intensive, large‐scale pineapple plantations. In 2012 and 2013, we sampled bats in 20 remnant forest patches surrounded by varying proportions of pasture, mature forest, and pineapple and captured 1821 individual bats representing 39 species. We used ordination analyses to evaluate changes in species composition, where pineapple is the main component of the agricultural matrix. We identified landscape metrics specifically correlated with pineapple and used multiple linear regression to test their effects on bat species richness, diversity, and guild‐specific relative abundance. Results suggest pineapple expansion is driving changes in assemblage composition in remnant forest patches, resulting in new assemblages with higher proportions of frugivorous bats and lower proportions of insectivorous bats than in continuous mature forests. In addition, while pineapple does not diminish total bat species richness and diversity, the reduced forest cover and increased distance between forest patches in pineapple plantations has a significant negative impact on the relative abundance of insectivores. We also identify a potential threshold effect whereby patches surrounded by more than 50 percent forest can retain assemblage composition similar to that found in continuous mature forest.
Inverse Modelling of Incompressible Gas Flow in Subspace
Authors: Zhai Xiao , Hou Fei , Qin Hong , Hao Aimin
Published: May 2016

This paper advocates a novel method for modelling physically realistic flow from captured incompressible gas sequence via modal analysis in frequency‐constrained subspace. Our analytical tool is uniquely founded upon empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and modal reduction for fluids, which are seamlessly integrated towards a powerful, style‐controllable flow modelling approach. We first extend EMD, which is capable of processing 1D time series but has shown inadequacies for 3D graphics earlier, to fit gas flows in 3D. Next, frequency components from EMD are adopted as candidate vectors for bases of modal reduction. The prerequisite parameters of the Navier–Stokes equations are then optimized to inversely model the physically realistic flow in the frequency‐constrained subspace. The estimated parameters can be utilized for re‐simulation, or be altered toward fluid editing. Our novel inverse‐modelling technique produces real‐time gas sequences after precomputation, and is convenient to couple with other methods for visual enhancement and/or special visual effects. We integrate our new modelling tool with a state‐of‐the‐art fluid capturing approach, forming a complete pipeline from real‐world fluid to flow re‐simulation and editing for various graphics applications.