bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hong Kong’s curriculum reform: intentions, perceptions and practices
Authors: Lo Joe Tin-yau , Cheng Irene Nga-yee , Wong Emmy Man-yee
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the complex, intricate relationships between the central (intended) curriculum, teachers’ perceived curriculums, and the enacted/assessed curriculum in classroom contexts. To do this, the authors have used Hong Kong’s new core senior-secondary liberal studies (LS) curriculum as a case study, with a special focus on its key pedagogical component – inquiry teaching/learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s objects are two teachers (from two local schools), each with a LS teacher’s education. Documentary analysis, lesson observation, and focus interviews were used to triangulate data for interpretation and analysis.

Findings

The findings illuminate: how LS teachers’ perceptions of inquiry teaching/learning relate to and align with the advocacy embodied in the intended curriculum, the relationships between teachers’ perceptions and practices of inquiry learning and teaching, and how this aspect of the intended curriculum reform can be made more relevant to the classroom context.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the under-researched area of curriculum gaps and (mis)alignments in Hong Kong’s LS curriculum reform.
The Summer 2014 protests in Macau: their contexts and continuities
Authors: Wong Hio Hei Albert
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide the historical and social contexts for the three protests in Macau in the Summer of 2014, while examining the popular discourse of the protests. These include simultaneous eruptions toward immediate issues, the political apathy of Macau residents and Castell’s model of “networked social networks.” It also discusses the competition for youth after the protests.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first reviews the history of Macau, in particular the people’s struggle against corruption and privilege, and its little-discussed history of protest. Its innovation in communications, political structure and education development are also explained to illustrate the foundations which make possible protests against an obsolete social structure.

Findings

The author finds that the history of Macau since the nineteenth century does not lack protests, with goals ranging from protests against colonialism to national and local demands. Macau youth are now more able and willing to mobilize themselves to make demands on the administration, and activists find it necessary to pass down such experience for generations to come.

Originality/value

The paper deconstructs the traditional image of Macau’s politics, by appealing to the linkage between continuity and contemporary events, and calls for the reader’s attention toward its social activism.
Perception and responses of traders to climate change in downtown, Accra, Ghana
Authors: Arku Frank S. , Angmor Emmanuel N. , Adjei Godlove T.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

What people understand by climate change can differ depending on whether and how the change affects their livelihoods. It is largely documented that farmers who depend on rainfall to cultivate crops understand climate change as a change in climatic elements, especially rainfall which negatively affects crop production. However, studies on how people whose livelihoods do not directly depend on climate change understand it, whether and how the changes affect their livelihoods and whether and how they are coping to the change are limited in the literature. This paper aims to therefore determine perspective of traders of climate change and how they cope.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection took place in Accra, which is the capital city of Ghana. Thousand traders who sold unprocessed and processed food as well as manufactured goods took part in the study. Questionnaires which were largely open-ended were administered. SPSS version 16 was used to analyse the data. In addition, some of the interview responses were included verbatim to support study participants view on some issues.

Findings

The majority of the respondents engaged in trading of manufactured goods. The respondents understood climate change as prolonged dry season and changes in rainfall pattern. About 97 per cent of the respondents said climate change had negatively impacted their trading activities, and almost all respondents (91 per cent) who were affected by climate change livelihoods were also affected such that they were unable to meet their basic needs. About 23 per cent have adopted coping strategies by depending on friends, relatives and engaging in menial jobs, and 63 per cent adopted no coping strategy.

Originality/value

It seems that rural farmers may have more options than urban traders during climate change. This can mean that research and policy efforts towards adaption to climate change should not focus only on farmers but traders as well.
Prioritising agri-environment options for greenhouse gas mitigation
Authors: Warner Douglas , Tzilivakis John , Green Andrew , Lewis Kathleen
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to assess agri-environment (AE) scheme options on cultivated agricultural land in England for their impact on agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It considers both absolute emissions reduction and reduction incorporating yield decrease and potential production displacement. Similarities with Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) introduced in 2015 as part of the post-2014 Common Agricultural Policy reform, and their potential impact, are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

A life-cycle analysis approach derives GHG emissions for 18 key representative options. Meta-modelling is used to account for spatial environmental variables (annual precipitation, soil type and erosion risk), supplementing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodology.

Findings

Most options achieve an absolute reduction in GHG emissions compared to an existing arable crop baseline but at the expense of removing land from production, risking production displacement. Soil and water protection options designed to reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching decrease GHG emissions without loss of crop yield. Undersown spring cereals support decreased inputs and emissions per unit of crop yield. The most valuable AE options identified are included in the proposed EFAs, although lower priority is afforded to some.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made where applicable to modify option management prescriptions and to further reduce GHG emissions.

Originality/value

This research is relevant and of value to land managers and policy makers. A dichotomous key summarises AE option prioritisation and supports GHG mitigation on cultivated land in England. The results are also applicable to other European countries.
Interpreting and predicting the spread of invasive wild pigs
Authors: Snow Nathan P. , Jarzyna Marta A. , VerCauteren Kurt C.
Published: December 2016

The eruption of invasive wild pigs (IWPs) Sus scrofa throughout the world exemplifies the need to understand the influences of exotic and nonnative species expansions. In particular, the continental USA is precariously threatened by a rapid expansion of IWPs, and a better understanding of the rate and process of spread can inform strategies that will limit the expansion.

We developed a spatially and temporally dynamic model to examine three decades (1982–2012) of IWP expansion, and predict the spread of IWPs throughout the continental USA, relative to where IWPs previously inhabited. We used the model to predict where IWPs are likely to invade next.

The average rate of northward expansion increased from 6·5 to 12·6 km per year, suggesting most counties in the continental USA could be inhabited within the next 3–5 decades. The spread of IWPs was primarily associated with expansion into areas with similar environmental characteristics as their previous range, with the exception of spreading into colder regions. We identified that climate change may assist spread into northern regions by generating milder winters with less snow. Otherwise, the spread of IWPs was not dependent on agriculture, precipitation or biodiversity at the county level. The model correctly predicted 86% of counties that were invaded during 2012, and those predictions indicate that large portions of the USA are in immediate danger of invasion.

Synthesis and applications. Anti‐invasion efforts should focus along the boundaries of current occupied range to stop natural expansion, and anti‐invasion policies should focus on stopping anthropogenic transport and release of invasive wild pigs. Our results demonstrate the utility of a spatio‐temporal examination to inform strategies for limiting the spread of invasive wild pigs.
School leavers with learning disabilities moving from child to adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) teams: SLTs’ views of successful and less successful transition co‐working practices
Authors: McCartney Elspeth , Muir Margaret
Published: December 2016

School‐leaving for pupils with long‐term speech, language, swallowing or communication difficulties requires careful management. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) support communication, secure assistive technology and manage swallowing difficulties post‐school. UK SLTs are employed by health services, with child SLT teams based in schools. School‐leaving entails transition from child‐ to adult‐services. Little is known about the process, or how SLTs develop co‐working across managerial boundaries. A qualitative study within one health board employing separately managed child and adult SLT teams interviewed SLTs and analysed their views on successful and less successful school‐leaver transitions. A critical incident approach elicited views on transitions that ‘stuck in the mind’, rather than typical instances, identifying supportive and risky co‐working factors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, checked and thematically analysed. Three linked overarching themes emerged: SLT team remits and properties; communication and information exchange across SLT teams, and outside influences on teams. These applied to successful and less successful transitions, suggesting robust constructs along which SLTs evaluated transitions. Risk factors included unclear provision, pupils’ earlier discharge by child SLTs affecting referral at school‐leaving, and practical issues in accessing notes. SLTs used existing social‐capital relationships to facilitate transitions. Implications for practice and ways of improving transitions are discussed.
Quantifying Uncertainty in Estimations of the Total Weight of Drugs in Groups of Complex Matrices: Using the Welch–Satterthwaite Equation
Authors: Alberink Ivo , Sprong Annette , Bolck Annabel , Vergeer Peter
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a method is described to quantify estimations of the total amount of drugs in groups of seized items, including quantification of the precision. Previous work on this topic was based on the assumptions of normally distributed measurements and grouping of items with a common relative standard deviation. In practice, these assumptions are often violated, for example, for data with point masses at 0, or if certain items in a group have a very high standard deviation. The method described in this paper is based on work by Welch and Satterthwaite and does not assume constant relative standard deviations. Case examples are described for which the method is applied, and simulation studies are carried out for which both methods are applied. In the cases, both methods perform reasonably well. If the assumption of common relative standard deviations clearly does not apply, it is advised to use the method described.
Scoring of Decomposition: A Proposed Amendment to the Method When Using a Pig Model for Human Studies
Authors: Keough Natalie , Myburgh Jolandie , Steyn Maryna
Published: December 2016

Decomposition studies often use pigs as proxies for human cadavers. However, differences in decomposition sequences/rates relative to humans have not been scientifically examined. Descriptions of five main decomposition stages (humans) were developed and refined by Galloway and later by Megyesi. However, whether these changes/processes are alike in pigs is unclear. Any differences can have significant effects when pig models are used for human PMI estimation. This study compared human decomposition models to the changes observed in pigs. Twenty pigs (50–90 kg) were decomposed over five months and decompositional features recorded. Total body scores (TBS) were calculated. Significant differences were observed during early decomposition between pigs and humans. An amended scoring system to be used in future studies was developed. Standards for PMI estimation derived from porcine models may not directly apply to humans and may need adjustment. Porcine models, however, remain valuable to study variables influencing decomposition.
Fish oil and wheat germ oil supplementation modulates brain injury in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Khedr Naglaa F.
Published: December 2016

Background

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus causes neuronal damage because of increased intracellular glucose. Natural products as complementary therapy may reduce neuronal complications. This study investigated whether fish oil (FO) and wheat germ oil (WGO) supplementation protects the brain in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats by estimating lipid peroxidation and the inflammatory and anti‐oxidant status of the brain.

Methods

Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single i.p. injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Four weeks after diabetes induction, rats were divided into an untreated group and a group supplemented with 0.4 g/kg per day FO +WGO mix, p.o., for 4 weeks. Brain oxidant status was assessed by measuring nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), the GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. Inflammatory biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]‐α levels and nuclear factor (NF)‐κβ immunoreaction) were measured in brains, combined with histological studies. Cholinergic function was assessed on the basis of acetylcholine (ACh) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity.

Results

Supplementation with FO + WGO reduced MDA and NO (
P
 < 0.001) in diabetic rat brains and enhanced brain antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased GSH, GSH/GSSG ratio (
P
 < 0.01), and SOD and CAT activity (
P
 < 0.01). In addition, FO + WGO supplementation suppressed NF‐κB immunoreaction and TNF‐α levels (
P
 < 0.001). Cholinergic function was improved by FO + WGO as a result of increased ACh levels and reduced AChE activity (
P
 < 0.001).

Conclusions

Supplementation of the diet with the FO + WGO mix modulated diabetic brain injury and this mix could potentially be used for preventing diabetic neurodegenerative sequelae.
Effects of weekly supervised exercise or physical activity counseling on fasting blood glucose in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Bgeginski Roberta , Ribeiro Paula A.B. , Mottola Michelle F. , Ramos José Geraldo L.
Published: December 2016

Background

Exercise is an important part of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) lifestyle management. However, no meta‐analysis has analyzed the effects of exercise programs on fasting blood glucose (FBG) in women with GDM. A systematic review with meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of weekly supervised exercise (EXE) or physical activity counseling (PA) in women with GDM compared with usual prenatal care (UPN) on glycemic control.

Methods

Eligible trials were identified from Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and SportDiscus up to December 2016. Data were retrieved from randomized controlled trials comparing UPN with UPN plus weekly supervised (at least once a week) prenatal exercise or PA counseling for which FBG values before and after intervention were available. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed for mean difference in FBG after exercise intervention.

Results

The search yielded 781 publications, of which 82 were assessed for eligibility and eight were included in the meta‐analysis. The overall effect on absolute FBG concentrations was not significant (P = 0.11) compared with UPN. However, PA versus UPN showed a significant reduction in absolute FBG concentrations (weighted mean difference −3.88 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval −7.33, −0.42 mg/dL; I
2 48%; P
heterogeneity < 0.15).

Conclusions

Physical activity counseling in women with GDM showed a significant effect compared with UPN on FBG concentrations, possibly due to a longer follow‐up time compared with the EXE groups. This result highlights the importance of an early intervention that lasts to delivery for best practice of GDM management.
New Localities and Palaeoscolecid Worms from the Cambrian (Stage 4, Series 2) Guanshan Biota in Kunming, Yunnan, South China
Authors: LIU Jianni , HAN Jian , LI Jinshu , WU Yichen , PENG Jie , QI Nan , YANG Yiyao , LI Juan
Published: December 2016

The Guanshan Biota from the Cambrian Stage 4 Wulongqing Formation is a typical Burgess‐shale type Lagerstätte that had witnessed the Cambrian explosion. Here we report two new localities of the Guanshan Biota, which is located at Baimei village, south of Kunming and Xinglong village, Wuding County, Yunnan Province respectively. Both localities produce soft‐body fossils and several new taxa, e.g. a new species of palaeoscolecidans (Palaeoscolex xinglongensis sp. nov.) reported herein. The comparative study of the new species with similar form not only indicates that there is a diversification of palaeoscolecid species in Guanshan Biota, but also strengthens the ties between the older Chengjiang Biota and the younger Kaili Biota (and also the coeval Burgess Shale community). Three paleoecological features, including high diversity, little disparity and richness of palaeoscolecid worms, are summarized as a case study to represent the differences between Guanshan and Chengjiang Biota.
Trilobite Biostratigraphy of the lower Paleozoic (Cambrian–Ordovician) Joseon Supergroup, Taebaeksan Basin, Korea
Authors: CHOI Duck K. , LEE Jeong Gu , LEE Seung‐Bae , PARK Tae‐Yoon S. , HONG Paul S.
Published: December 2016

In Korea, trilobites are among the most intensively studied fossil groups in the past century and provide invaluable information about lower Paleozoic stratigraphy, paleogeography, and tectonics of the Korean Peninsula. Trilobites occur in the lower Paleozoic Joseon Supergroup of the Taebaeksan Basin which was part of the Sino‐Korean Craton in the Paleozoic. The Joseon Supergroup is divided into the Taebaek, Yeongwol, and Mungyeong groups. The Taebaek and Yeongwol groups are richly fossiliferous, while the Mungyeong Group is poorly fossiliferous. Contrasting trilobite faunal contents of the Taebaek and Yeongwol groups resulted in two separate biostratigraphic schemes for the Cambrian–Ordovician of the Taebaeksan Basin. A total of 22 biozones or fossiliferous horizons were recognized in the Taebaek Group; 19 zones were established in the Yeongwol Group; and four biozones were known from the Mungyeong Group. These trilobite biozones of the Taebaeksan Basin indicate the Joseon Supergroup ranges in age from the Cambrian Series 2 to Middle Ordovician and can be correlated well with the formations of North China, South China, and Australia.
Test Investigation on Liquefied Deformation Structure in Saturated Lime‐Mud Composites Triggered by Strong Earthquakes
Authors: TIAN Hongshui , ZHANG Shenhe , ZHANG Aishe
Published: December 2016

Three identical model boxes were made from transparent plexiglass and angle iron. Using the method of sinking water and according to the sedimentary rhythm of saturated calcium carbonate (lime‐mud) intercalated with cohesive soil, calcites with particle sizes diameters of ≤ 5 μm, 10–15 μm and 23–30 μm as well as cohesive soil were sunk alternatively in water of three boxes to build three test models, each of which has a specific size of calcite. Pore water pressure gauges were buried in lime‐mud layers at different depths in each model, and connected with a computer system to collect pore water pressures. By means of soil tests, physical property parameters and plasticity indices (Ip) were obtained for various grain‐sized saturated lime‐muds. The lime‐muds with Ip ranging from 6.3 to 8.5 (lower than 10) are similar to liquid saturated silt in the physical nature, indicating that saturated silt can be liquefied once induced by a strong earthquake. One model cart was pushed quickly along the length direction of the model so that its rigid wheels collided violently with the stone stair, thus generating an artificial earthquake with seismic wave magnitude greater than VI degree. When unidirectional cyclic seismic load of horizontal compression‐tension‐shear was imposed on the soil layers in the model, enough great pore water pressure has been accumulated within pores of lime‐mud, resulting in liquefaction of lime‐mud layers. Meanwhile, micro‐fractures formed in each soil layer provided channels for liquefaction dewatering, resulting in formation of macroscopic liquefaction deformation, such as liquefied lime‐mud volcanoes, liquefied diapir structures, vein‐like liquefied structures and liquefied curls, etc. Splendid liquefied lime‐mud eruption lasted for two to three hours, which is similar to the sand volcano eruption induced by strong earthquake. However, under the same artificial seismic conditions, development of macroscopic liquefied structures in three experimental models varied in shape, depth and quantity, indicating that excess pore water pressure ratios at initial liquefaction stage and complete liquefaction varied with depth. With size increasing of calcite particle in lime‐mud, liquefied depth and deformation extent increase accordingly. The simulation test verifies for the first time that strong earthquakes may cause violent liquefaction of saturated lime‐mud composed of micron‐size calcite particles, uncovering the puzzled issue whether seafloor lime‐mud can be liquefied under strong earthquake. This study not only provides the latest simulation data for explaining the earthquake‐induced liquefied deformations of saturated lime‐mud and seismic sedimentary events, but also is of great significance for analysis of foundation stability in marine engineering built on the soft calcium carbonate layers in neritic environment.
Pyrite‐hydrocarbon Interaction under Hydrothermal Conditions: an Alternative Origin of H2S and Organic Sulfur Compounds in Sedimentary Environments
Authors: DING Kangle , MEI Ping , LUO Yue
Published: December 2016

Sulfate rocks and organic sulfur from sedimentary organic matter are conventionally assumed as the original sulfur sources for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in oil and gas reservoirs. However, a few recent experiments preliminarily indicate that the association of pyrite and hydrocarbons may also have implications for H2S generation, in which water effects and natural controls on the evolution of pyrite sulfur into OSCs and H2S have not been evaluated. In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted from 200 to 450°C to investigate chemical interactions between pyrite and hydrocarbons under hydrothermal conditions. Based on the experimental results, preliminary mechanism and geochemical implications were tentatively discussed. Results of the experiments showed that decomposition of pyrite produced H2S and thiophenes at as low as 330°C in the presence of water andn‐pentane. High concentrations of H2S were generated above 450°C under closed pyrolysis conditions no matter whether there is water in the designed experiments. However, much more organic sulfur compounds (OSCs) were formed in the hydrous pyrolysis than in anhydrous pyrolysis. Generally, most of sulfur liberated from pyrite at elevated temperatures was converted to H2S. Water was beneficial to breakdown of pyrite and to decomposition of alkanes into olefins but not essential to formation of large amounts of H2S, given the main hydrogen source derived from hydrocarbons. In addition, cracking of pyrite in the presence of 1‐octene under hydrous conditions was found to proceed at 200°C, producing thiols and alkyl sulfides. Unsaturated hydrocarbons would be more reactive intermediates involved in the breakdown of pyrite than alkanes. The geochemistry of OSCs is actually controlled by various geochemical factors such as thermal maturity and the carbon chain length of the alkanes. This study indicates that the scale of H2S gas generated in deep buried carbonate reservoirs via interactions between pyrite and natural gas should be much smaller than that of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) due to the scarcity of pyrite in carbonate reservoirs and the limited amount of long‐chained hydrocarbons in natural gas. Nevertheless, in some cases, OSCs and/or low contents of H2S found in deep buried reservoirs may be associated with the deposited pyrite‐bearing rock and organic matters (hydrocarbons), which still needs further investigation.
An Updated Review of the Middle‐Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota: Chronology, Taphonomy, Paleontology and Paleoecology
Authors: XU Xing , ZHOU Zhonghe , SULLIVAN Corwin , WANG Yuan , REN Dong
Published: December 2016

The northeastern Chinese Yanliao Biota (sometimes called the Daohugou Biota) comprises numerous, frequently spectacular fossils of non‐marine organisms, occurring in Middle‐Upper Jurassic strata in western Liaoning, northern Hebei, and southeastern Inner Mongolia. The biota lasted for about 10 million years, divided into two phases: the Bathonian‐Callovian Daohugou phase (about 168–164 million years ago) and the Oxfordian Linglongta phase (164–159 million years ago). The Yanliao fossils are often taphonomically exceptional (many vertebrate skeletons, for example, are complete and accompanied by preserved integumentary features), and not only are taxonomically diverse but also include the oldest known representatives of many groups of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. These fossils have provided significant new information regarding the origins and early evolution of such clades as fleas, birds, and mammals, in addition to the evolution of some major biological structures such as feathers, and have demonstrated the existence of a complex terrestrial ecosystem in northeast China around the time of the Middle‐Late Jurassic boundary.
Paleoenvironmental Evolution of the Beilun River Estuary, Northwest South China Sea, During the Past 20,000 Years Based on Diatoms
Authors: CHEN Min , QI Hongshuai , LAN Dongzhao , LAN Binbin , FANG Qi
Published: December 2016

The paleoenvironmental history of the Beilun River estuary on the coast of Beibu Gulf in the northwest South China Sea is reconstructed based on fossil diatoms, isotopic dating, sedimentary grain size data, mineralogy and geochemistry in three sediment core samples. Results show that the estuary has experienced significant environmental changes since deposition began about 20,000 yr ago. Freshwater runoff of the Beilun River initially was strong. However, the freshwater runoff reduced significantly after a transgressive event. Subsequently the estuary's position began to migrate to the northeast. At the end of the Late Pleistocene the estuary shifted gradually towards the southwest. In the Early‐Mid Holocene, the estuary's geomorphology was shaped by seawater transgressing into the ancient river channel. The basin was filled continuously but slowly to form the present Beilun River estuary. Holocene transgression in this area could be divided roughly into three stages, including oscillation period 1, the maximum transgression period, and oscillation period 2.
Characterising uncertainty in generalised dissimilarity models
Authors: Woolley Skipton N.C. , Foster Scott D. , O'Hara Timothy D. , Wintle Brendan A. , Dunstan Piers K.
Published: December 2016

Generalised dissimilarity modelling (GDM) is a statistical method for analysing and predicting patterns of turnover in species composition, usually in response to environmental gradients that vary in space and time. GDM is becoming widely applied in ecology and conservation science to interpret macro‐ecological and biogeographical patterns, to support conservation assessment, predict changes in species distributions under climate change and prioritise biological surveys.

Inferential and predictive uncertainty is difficult to characterise using current implementations of GDM, reducing the utility of GDM in ecological risk assessment and conservation decision‐making. Current practice is to undertake permutation tests to assess the importance of variables in GDM. Permutation testing overcomes the issue of data‐dependence (because dissimilarities are calculated on a smaller number of observations) but it does not give a quantification of uncertainty in predictions. Here, we address this issue by utilising the Bayesian bootstrap, so that the uncertainty in the observations is carried through the entire analysis (including into the predictions).

We tested our Bayesian bootstrap GDM (BBGDM) approach on simulated data sets and two benthic species data sets. We fitted BBGDMs and GDMs to compare the differences in inference and prediction of compositional turnover that resulted from a coherent treatment of model uncertainty. We showed that our BBGDM approach correctly identified the signal within the data, resulting in an improved characterisation of uncertainty and enhanced model‐based inference.

We show that our approach gives appropriate parameter estimates while better representing the underlying uncertainty that arises when conducting inference and making predictions with GDMs. Our approach to fitting GDMs will provide more realistic insights into parameter and prediction uncertainty.
Predation by the carabid beetle Harpalus rufipes on the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum in the laboratory
Authors: El‐Danasoury H. , Cerecedo C. , Córdoba M. , Iglesias‐Piñeiro J.
Published: December 2016

The Harpalini species Harpalus rufipes, as many other generalist carabids, consume a wide variety of prey and it is known to feed on pest slugs such as the grey field slug Deroceras reticulatum, but quantitative data about the predatory activity of H. rufipes on slugs are very scarce. In laboratory experiments, we assessed the capability of male H. rufipes to kill eggs and different‐sized slugs of the pest species D. reticulatum in either the absence or the presence of alternative live prey (dipteran larvae and aphids). We also investigated the preference of H. rufipes for eggs and hatchlings of D. reticulatum in a choice experiment. H. rufipes killed considerable amounts of eggs and small juveniles (≤5.0 mg) of D. reticulatum, both in no‐choice and in choice situations. Medium‐sized juvenile slugs (10–20 mg) were seldom killed only in no‐choice situations, and no large juveniles (50–60 mg) were killed. Dipteran larvae and aphids were killed also in no‐choice and in choice situations. The type of alternative prey presented with slug eggs affected the survival of the eggs to H. rufipes predation. The presence of dipteran larvae as alternative prey did not affect the survival of juvenile slugs. When eggs and small juvenile slugs were offered together, the survivals of both items were similar. The obtained results under laboratory conditions suggest that the generalist predator H. rufipes might realise an important contribution to the control of pest slugs.
Towards a Set of Design Principles for Executive Compensation Contracts
Authors: Shan Yaowen , Walter Terry
Published: December 2016

Executive compensation has been controversial for many years. Controversies over executive pay have sparked outrage from some sectors and calls for increased regulation and reform. Yet others argue that knee‐jerk reactions to perceived abuses of pay can lead to a host of unintended and inefficient outcomes. This paper argues that much of this controversy is due to executives being rewarded via contracts that have weaknesses in design. We argue that few stakeholders in firms would object to generous compensation for managers whose performance results in abnormally high long‐term shareholder wealth creation. We state a set of principles, developed from a review of the extensive theoretical, regulatory, and empirical literature, that we offer as fundamental building blocks for designing executive remuneration systems in public firms, especially where ownership and control are separated. Our purpose is to generate broad debate and discussion leading to a consensus as to the principles that should be present in all executive compensation contracts such that the interests of shareholders and managers are more closely aligned.
Rice demand in Tanzania: an empirical analysis
Authors: Lazaro Edith , Sam Abdoul G. , Thompson Stanley R.
Published: December 2016

We investigate the consumer side of the Tanzania rice market with the primary objective of estimating price elasticities of imported and domestically produced rice. Previous studies of the rice market in Tanzania claim that domestic rice is implicitly protected by consumer preference of its perceived better quality. However, rice producers increasingly complain that imported rice adversely impacts the price of domestic rice. Using household consumer survey data, we estimate price and expenditure elasticities of imported rice, domestic rice, and maize to assess their substitutability in the Tanzanian diet. Our results show that Tanzanian consumers have a preference for domestic rice varieties with weak substitutability between domestic and imported rice varieties.
Leveling the field for biofuels: comparing the economic and environmental impacts of biofuel and other export crops in Malawi
Authors: Schuenemann Franziska , Thurlow James , Zeller Manfred
Published: December 2016

Biofuels often raise the specter of food insecurity, water resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions from land clearing. These concerns underpin the “sustainability criteria” governing access to European biofuel markets. However, it is unclear if producing biofuels in low‐income countries does exacerbate poverty and food insecurity, and moreover, whether the sustainability criteria should apply to all agricultural exports entering European markets. We develop an integrated modeling framework to simultaneously assess the economic and environmental impacts of producing biofuels in Malawi. We incorporate the effects of land use change on crop water use, and the opportunity costs of using scarce resources for biofuels instead of other crops. We find that biofuel production reduces poverty and food insecurity by raising household incomes. Irrigated outgrower schemes, rather than estate farms, lead to better economic outcomes, fewer emissions, and similar water requirements. Nevertheless, to gain access to European markets, Malawi would need to reduce emissions from ethanol plants. We find that biofuels’ economic and emissions outcomes are generally preferable to tobacco or soybeans. We conclude that the sustainability criteria encourage more sustainable biofuel production in countries like Malawi, but are perhaps overly biased against biofuels since other export crops raise similar concerns about food security and environmental impacts.
Targeting, bias, and expected impact of complex innovations on developing‐country agriculture: evidence from Malawi
Authors: Haile Beliyou , Azzarri Carlo , Roberts Cleo , Spielman David J.
Published: December 2016

Agronomic analyses of new technologies are often conducted under carefully controlled research station programs or trials managed by self‐selected farmers. Oftentimes, the technologies are then scaled up with minimal evaluation under real‐world conditions. Yet, the interim step between agronomic trials and large‐scale promotion is crucial to generate evidence on the social and economic impact of technologies that is both internally valid and generalizable. The article focuses on a participatory action research program in Malawi designed to test and identify scalable technology options to intensify the smallholder sector and contribute to poverty reduction and food and nutrition security. We examine the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers testing technologies and find evidence of systematic targeting of better‐endowed farmers. After controlling for observable differences using matching and a doubly robust estimator, we find evidence of early positive effects on maize yield and harvest value, although placebo tests suggest possible selection on unobservables. We note that attention should be given to program design and household characterization to better define and improve targeting criteria, technology selection, and external validity.
Cocoa pricing options and their implications for poverty and industrialization in Ghana
Authors: Mulangu Francis M. , Miranda Mario J. , Maïga Eugenie W.H.
Published: December 2016

This study establishes the cocoa pricing subsidization options that will stabilize processors’ throughput while meeting the multiple, but possibly conflicting, public policy objectives of maximizing government revenue and reducing poverty among Ghanaian cocoa beans producers. To evaluate these options, we construct and numerically simulate a structural dynamic stochastic model of a representative cocoa processor who maximizes the present value of current and expected future profits, given prevailing market conditions and cocoa pricing policies. Our results indicate that, given current processing capacity, the Ghana Cocoa Board would have to offer a 92% discount to processors on main‐crop beans in order to achieve the industrial goal of locally processing 40% of annual production. This would cause light‐crop beans used in processing to be completely displaced by main‐crop beans carried over as inventory. It would also increase mean processor revenues by 167%, but cause the Ghana Cocoa Board to operate at a significant deficit, implying that the stated goal could only be achieved through massive government subsidies.
AllergoOncology – the impact of allergy in oncology: EAACI position paper
Authors: Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Bax H. J. , Bianchini R. , Capron M. , Corrigan C. , Castells M. , Dombrowicz D. , Daniels‐Wells T. R. , Fazekas J. , Fiebiger E. , Gatault S. , Gould H. J. , Janda J. , Josephs D. H. , Karagiannis P. , Levi‐Schaffer F. , Meshcheryakova A. , Mechtcheriakova D. , Mekori Y. , Mungenast F. , Nigro E. A. , Penichet M. L. , Redegeld F. , Saul L. , Singer J. , Spicer J. F. , Siccardi A. G. , Spillner E. , Turner M. C. , Untersmayr E. , Vangelista L. , Karagiannis S. N.
Published: December 2016

Th2 immunity and allergic immune surveillance play critical roles in host responses to pathogens, parasites and allergens. Numerous studies have reported significant links between Th2 responses and cancer, including insights into the functions of IgE antibodies and associated effector cells in both antitumour immune surveillance and therapy. The interdisciplinary field of AllergoOncology was given Task Force status by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2014. Affiliated expert groups focus on the interface between allergic responses and cancer, applied to immune surveillance, immunomodulation and the functions of IgE‐mediated immune responses against cancer, to derive novel insights into more effective treatments. Coincident with rapid expansion in clinical application of cancer immunotherapies, here we review the current state‐of‐the‐art and future translational opportunities, as well as challenges in this relatively new field. Recent developments include improved understanding of Th2 antibodies, intratumoral innate allergy effector cells and mediators, IgE‐mediated tumour antigen cross‐presentation by dendritic cells, as well as immunotherapeutic strategies such as vaccines and recombinant antibodies, and finally, the management of allergy in daily clinical oncology. Shedding light on the crosstalk between allergic response and cancer is paving the way for new avenues of treatment.
The Consequences of Vagueness in Consent to Organ Donation
Authors: Shaw David M.
Published: December 2016

In this article I argue that vagueness concerning consent to post‐mortem organ donation causes considerable harm in several ways. First, the information provided to most people registering as organ donors is very vague in terms of what is actually involved in donation. Second, the vagueness regarding consent to donation increases the distress of families of patients who are potential organ donors, both during and following the discussion about donation. Third, vagueness also increases the chances that the patient's intention to donate will not be fulfilled due to the family's distress. Fourth, the consequent reduction in the number of donated organs leads to avoidable deaths and increased suffering among potential recipients, and distresses them and their families.

There are three strategies which could be used to reduce the harmful effects of this vagueness. First, recategorizing the reasons (commonly referred to as ‘overrules’ under the current system) given by families who refuse donation from registered donors would bring greater clarity to donation discussions. Second, people who wish to donate their organs should be encouraged to discuss their wishes in detail with their families, and to consider recording their wishes in other ways. Finally, the consent system for organ donation could be made more detailed, ensuring both that more information is provided to potential donors and that they have more flexibility in how their intentions are indicated; this last strategy, however, could have the disadvantage of discouraging some potential donors from registering.
Eradication of minimal residual disease improves overall and progression‐free survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, evidence from NCRN CLL207: a phase II trial assessing alemtuzumab consolidation
Authors: Varghese Abraham M. , Howard Dena R. , Pocock Christopher , Rawstron Andy C. , Follows George , McCarthy Helen , Dearden Claire , Fegan Christopher , Milligan Donald , Smith Alexandra F. , Gregory Walter , Hillmen Peter ,   NCRI CLL Sub‐Group
Published: December 2016

With immunochemotherapy, remission duration and survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is dependent on the level of minimal residual disease (MRD) after treatment. This phase II trial assessed alemtuzumab consolidation post‐chemotherapy in patients who responded with persistent low levels of detectable disease. Blood was screened for MRD using multi‐parameter flow cytometry, 6–24 months post‐chemotherapy. MRD‐positive participants received alemtuzumab 30 mg subcutaneously 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. Following a marrow assessment, MRD‐negative participants or non‐responders stopped therapy and MRD‐positive participants with 1 + log reduction had 6 more weeks of alemtuzumab. Alemtuzumab consolidation was received by 47 participants. One death and 19 of 22 serious adverse events reported from 17 (36%) participants were alemtuzumab‐related. MRD eradication from blood and bone marrow was achieved in 39 (83%) participants at the end of consolidation, with 18 (38%) remaining MRD‐negative in the blood 6 months later. Of the 18 participants who were MRD‐negative at 6 months, the median time to MRD relapse was 46 months, which was similar to patients who were MRD‐negative at baseline and were followed up. The 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of participants who were MRD‐negative at 6 months was significantly better than MRD‐positive participants [PFS: 78% vs. 39% (P = 0·010), OS: 89% vs. 64% (P = 0·029)].
Androgen‐induced lncRNA POTEF‐AS1 regulates apoptosis‐related pathway to facilitate cell survival in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Misawa Aya , Takayama Ken‐ichi , Fujimura Tetsuya , Homma Yukio , Suzuki Yutaka , Inoue Satoshi
Published: December 2016

Although long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been associated with a variety of cancers, the interplay between lncRNAs and androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer is still unclear. We identified an androgen‐dependent lncRNA, POTEF‐AS1, whose expression was regulated by androgen receptor in two androgen‐dependent cells by using directional RNA sequencing analysis. POTEF‐AS1 promoted cell growth, repressed genes related to the Toll‐like receptor signaling and apoptosis pathways, and inhibited apoptosis in docetaxel‐treated LNCaP cells. These findings suggest that POTEF‐AS1 would play a key role in the progression of prostate cancer by repressing Toll‐like receptor signaling.
FKBP51 regulates cell motility and invasion via RhoA signaling
Authors: Takaoka Miho , Ito Shun , Miki Yoshio , Nakanishi Akira
Published: December 2016

FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51), a member of the immunophilin family, is involved in multiple signaling pathways, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance. FKBP51 expression correlates with metastatic potential in melanoma and prostate cancer. However, the functions of FKBP51, particularly involving the regulation of cell motility and invasion, are not fully understood. We discovered two novel interacting partner proteins of FKBP51, i.e., deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) and deleted in liver cancer 2 (DLC2), using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. DLC1 and DLC2 are Rho GTPase‐activating proteins that are frequently downregulated in various cancers. Next, we demonstrated that overexpression of FKBP51 enhances cell motility and invasion of U2OS cells via upregulation of RhoA activity and enhanced Rho‐ROCK signaling. Moreover, FKBP51‐depleted cells displayed a cortical distribution of actin filaments and decreased cell motility and invasion. Consistent with this phenotype, FKBP51 depletion caused a downregulation of RhoA activity. Considered together, our results demonstrate that FKBP51 positively controls cell motility by promoting RhoA and ROCK activation; thus, we have revealed a novel role for FKBP51 in cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell migration and invasion.
Synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of 1‐phenylsulphonyl‐2‐(1‐methylindol‐3‐yl)‐benzimidazole derivatives as novel potential tubulin assembling inhibitors
Authors: Wang Yan‐Ting , Cai Xun‐Chao , Shi Tian‐Qi , Zhang Ya‐Liang , Wang Zhong‐Chang , Liu Chang‐Hong , Zhu Hai‐Liang
Published: December 2016

A series of new 1‐phenylsulphonyl‐2‐(1‐methylindol‐3‐yl)‐benzimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and anthropic cancer cell lines. Among them, compound 33 displayed the most potent tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity in vitro (IC50 = 1.41 μM) and strong antiproliferative activities against A549, Hela, HepG2 and MCF‐7 cell lines in vitro with GI50 value of 1.6, 2.7, 2.9 and 4.3 μM, respectively, comparable with the positive control colchicine (GI50 value of 4.1, 7.2, 9.5 and 14.5 μM, respectively) and CA‐4 (GI50 value of 2.2, 4.3, 6.4 and 11.4 μM, respectively). Simultaneously, we evaluated that compound 33 could effectively induce apoptosis of A549 associated with G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Immunofluorescence microscopy also clearly indicated compound 33 a potent antimicrotubule agent. Docking simulation showed that compound 33 could bind tightly with the colchicine‐binding site and act as a tubulin inhibitor. Three‐dimensional‐QSAR model was also built to provide more pharmacophore understanding that could be used to design new agents with more potent tubulin assembling inhibitory activity in the future.