bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capture and release of cancer cells using electrospun etchable MnO2 nanofibers integrated in microchannels
Authors: Liu Hui-qin , Yu Xiao-lei , Cai Bo , You Su-jian , He Zhao-bo , Huang Qin-qin , Rao Lang , Li Sha-sha , Liu Chang , Sun Wei-wei , Liu Wei , Guo Shi-shang , Zhao Xing-zhong
Published: March 2015

This paper introduces a cancer cell capture/release microchip based on the self-sacrificed MnO2 nanofibers. Through electrospinning, lift-off and soft-lithography procedures, MnO2 nanofibers are tactfully fabricated in microchannels to implement enrichment and release of cancer cells in liquid samples. The MnO2 nanofiber net which mimics the extra cellular matrix can lead to high capture ability with the help of a cancer cell-specific antibody bio-conjugation. Subsequently, an effective and friendly release method is carried out by using low concentration of oxalic acid to dissolve the MnO2 nanofiber substrate while keeping high viability of those released cancer cells at the same time. It is conceivable that our microchip may have potentials in realizing biomedical analysis of circulating tumor cells for biological and clinical researches in oncology.
The Geotemporal Demographics of Twitter Usage
Authors: Longley Paul A , Adnan Muhammad , Lansley Guy
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a preliminary empirical evaluation of the strategic importance of infusing Twitter social media data into classifications of small areas, as a way of moving beyond the nighttime residential geographies of conventional geodemographic classifications. We attempt an empirically based critique of the merits and drawbacks of the use of social media data, in which the value of high spatial and temporal granularity of revealed activity patterns is contrasted with the paucity of individual attribute information. We apply new and novel methods to enrich the profiles of Twitter users in order to generalize about activity patterns in London, our case-study city. More insidious problems in the use of social media data arise from the as-yet-unknown sources and operation of bias in their user bases. Our contribution is to begin to identify and assess the biases inherent in social media usage in social research, and use these to evaluate their deployment in research applications.
Contested ‘Relational Policy Spaces’ in Two European Border Regions
Authors: Dörry Sabine , Walther Olivier J
Published: March 2015

Cross-border cooperation to promote economic development and political integration has been among the EU's key themes since the 1990s, and contemporary policy networks are considered useful organisational solutions. Focusing on transport policies in the border regions of Basel and Luxembourg, we analyse the persistency of national preferences among policy actors, mapping their perceived ‘policy spaces of action’ and conceptualising these policy spaces as relational. We discuss that the networks’ various actors on either side of the border appear to perceive the actual ‘policy spaces’ very differently. Therefore, and due to the networks’ terminability, these policy spaces are highly contested and frequently negotiated between the actors. Based on a combination of in-depth interviews, sketch maps, and social network analysis, we show that large spatiocultural differences still prevail among network actors, potentially impacting on the decisions taken in cross-border policy networks.
Other People's Homes as Sites of Uncertainty: Ways of Knowing and Being Safe
Authors: Pink Sarah , Morgan Jennie , Dainty Andrew
Published: March 2015

The home visit—when professionals work in service users' homes—is a growing phenomenon. It changes the configuration of home—both for home living and for those who go to work in other people's homes. In this paper we advance recent discussions of the emotional and political geographies of home through a focus on the home visit worker and her or his experience of other people's homes as sites of uncertainty. For such workers the home visit is played out as an interface between the private and intimate and the regulatory occupational safety and health frameworks of policy and corporate interests. It disrupts existing academic definitions of home and defines the regulatory interests of institutions. An examination of the home visit, we propose, has implications for theories of home and the search for certainties that is embedded in regulatory guidelines.
Neoliberal Niagara? Examining the Political History of Fish Consumption Advisories in New York State
Authors: Besek Jordan Fox
Published: March 2015

Fish consumption advisories (FCAs), or voluntary state recommendations for foraging and consuming fish from compromised waters, place the onus of negotiating contaminated environments squarely upon individuals who consume local fish. As a result, peoples who eat fish caught from local waters for reasons of food insecurity, cultural practice, or religious practice are ignored, producing environmental inequalities. This paper examines the political history of FCAs in a specific geographical context, New York State, in order to assess the explicit environmental governance frameworks through which these inequalities are generated. It demonstrates that FCA policy is principally an outgrowth of a conservation movement geared towards support for recreational anglers and not those who fish for subsistence. However, conservationism is not the only governance framework at work, as this paper also demonstrates that commercialized processes of neoliberal environmental governance substantially mediate scientific data that inform FCA recommendations. In this way this study illustrates how multiple frameworks—conservationist, neoliberal, or other—can, and often do, intertwine to construct environmental policies.
Cross-Border Marriage, Transgovernmental Friction, and Waiting
Authors: Zhang Juan , Lu Melody Chia-Wen , Yeoh Brenda S A
Published: March 2015

This paper examines how discrepant governmental rationalities and processes produce friction and shifting experiences of subjectification as transmigrants cross borders. Using the experiences of mainland Chinese marriage migrants in Singapore as an example, the paper explores the notion of ‘transgovernmental friction’ and how it reinforces state boundaries, reshapes body politics, and animates waiting as an active practice that transforms migrant subjectivities. Locating the workings of governmentality, mobility, and space in the domain of transnational marriage and family, the paper brings to light the friction and crevices of governmental processes across borders and the embodied politics of im/mobility.
Compositing MODIS time series for reconstructing burned areas in the taiga–steppe transition zone of northern Mongolia
Authors: Chu Thuan , Guo Xulin
Published: March 2015

Wildfire is the main natural disturbance in forest ecosystems; it controls and modifies vegetation compositions, landscape properties and global carbon cycle. Estimates of areas burned by wildfires vary greatly depending on the environmental conditions, data availability and methods used. This paper aims to develop a framework for reconstructing time series of burned areas in the taiga–steppe transition zone using MODIS composites. The estimated accuracy of the developed mapping algorithm and other statistical indications denote that the clear land surface composites of MODIS data in spring (Julian dates, JD 97–177), logistic regression and MODIS active fire product can be integrated successfully for reconstructing burned areas in the taiga–steppe transition zone. Time series of burned areas between 2000 and 2012 derived from the MODIS spring composite algorithm were validated using Landsat-based burned areas, showing average omission and commission errors of 18% and 31%. Compared with the MCD45A1 burned area product, the developed algorithm significantly improved the prediction of burned areas and successfully separated late-season from early-season burns. The derived long-term burned areas will assist in understanding the complex relationships among forest dynamics, forest recovery and fire in the vulnerable boreal forest ecosystem as well as its transition zone under climate change in northern Mongolia and Central Asia.
Ocean-driven thinning enhances iceberg calving and retreat of Antarctic ice shelves
Authors: Liu Yan , Moore John C. , Cheng Xiao , Gladstone Rupert M. , Bassis Jeremy N. , Liu Hongxing , Wen Jiahong , Hui Fengming
Published: March 2015

Significance

The floating parts of the Antarctic ice sheet (“ice shelves”) help to hold back the flow of the grounded parts, determining the contribution to global sea level rise. Using satellite images, we measured, for the first time, all icebergs larger than 1 km2calving from the entire Antarctic coastline, and the state of health of all the ice shelves. Some large ice shelves are growing while many smaller ice shelves are shrinking. We find high rates of iceberg calving from Antarctic ice shelves that are undergoing basal melt-induced thinning, which suggests the fate of ice shelves may be more sensitive to ocean forcing than previously thought.
Climate change and pollution speed declines in zebrafish populations
Authors: Brown A. Ross , Owen Stewart F. , Peters James , Zhang Yong , Soffker Marta , Paull Gregory C. , Hosken David J. , Wahab M. Abdul , Tyler Charles R.
Published: March 2015

Significance

Climate change impacts on wildlife populations are likely to be accentuated by pollution. Small (inbred) populations may be more vulnerable to these effects, but empirical data supporting these hypotheses are lacking. We present the first substantial empirical evidence, to our knowledge, for interactive effects on population viability of elevated temperature (climate); an endocrine disrupting chemical, clotrimazole (pollution); and inbreeding. Using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model, we show these three factors interact to skew population sex ratios toward males and that this interaction can lead to increased risk of extinction. Our results suggest that climate change and pollution impacts are likely to pose significant extinction risks for small, endangered populations exhibiting environmental sex determination and/or differentiation.
Different personal propensities among scientists relate to deeper vs. broader knowledge contributions
Authors: Bateman Thomas S. , Hess Andrew M.
Published: March 2015

Significance

Scientists’ productivity usually is measured with a single metric, such as number of articles published. Here, we study two dimensions of scientists’ knowledge contributions in 10-y publication records: their depth and their breadth. Study 1 shows that scientists view pursuing a deeper research project to be more attractive than pursuing a broader project; for example, scientists viewed broad projects as riskier and less important than deeper projects. Study 2 shows that scientists’ personal dispositions predict the aggregated depth vs. breadth of their published articles. Armed with such knowledge, scientists can strategically consider the desired nature of their research portfolios, criteria for choosing and designing research projects, how to compose research teams, and the inhibitors and facilitators of boundary-crossing research.
Nonsense suppression by near-cognate tRNAs employs alternative base pairing at codon positions 1 and 3
Authors: Roy Bijoyita , Leszyk John D. , Mangus David A. , Jacobson Allan
Published: March 2015

Significance

Readthrough-promoting drugs cause amino acid insertion at premature termination codons (PTCs), and thus have broad potential as a therapeutic approach to inherited disorders attributable to nonsense mutations. Because the mechanism involved in the insertion of near-cognate tRNAs at nonsense codons is unknown, we have identified the yeast translation errors ensuing from nonsense suppression occurring either inherently or enhanced by drugs or mutations that compromise termination fidelity. Our analyses of the products of nonsense suppression provide insights into the rules that govern readthrough at PTCs and delineate specific nonstandard Watson–Crick codon/anticodon base pairings critical to this process. These results should enable predictions of the likelihood of obtaining functional full-length readthrough products, and thus better clinical outcomes, with therapeutic nonsense suppression.
n-type thermoelectric material Mg
2
Sn
0.75
Ge
0.25
for high power generation
Authors: Liu Weishu , Kim Hee Seok , Chen Shuo , Jie Qing , Lv Bing , Yao Mengliang , Ren Zhensong , Opeil Cyril P. , Wilson Stephen , Chu Ching-Wu , Ren Zhifeng
Published: March 2015

Significance

Thermoelectric materials have been extensively studied for applications in conversion of waste heat into electricity. The efficiency is related to the figure-of-merit,
ZT
= (
S
2
σ
/
κ
)
T
, where
S
,
σ
, and
κ
are the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, respectively. Pursuing higher
ZT
for higher efficiency has been the focus by mainly reducing the thermal conductivity. In this paper, we point out, for a given
ZT
, higher power factor (
S
2
σ
) should be pursued for achieving more power because power is determined by (
T

h

−
T

c

)
2
(
S
2
σ
)/
L
, where
T

h

,
T

c

, and
L
are the hot and cold side temperatures, and leg length, respectively. We found a new material, Mg
2
Sn
0.75
Ge
0.25
, having both high
ZT
and high power factor.
Production of new amilorides as potent inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory complex I
Authors: Murai Masatoshi , Habu Sayako , Murakami Sonomi , Ito Takeshi , Miyoshi Hideto
Published: March 2015

Amilorides, well-known inhibitors of Na+/H+ antiporters, have also shown to inhibit bacterial and mitochondrial NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I). Since the membrane subunits ND2, ND4, and ND5 of bovine mitochondrial complex I are homologous to Na+/H+ antiporters, amilorides have been thought to bind to any or all of the antiporter-like subunits; however, there is no direct experimental evidence in support of this notion. Photoaffinity labeling is a powerful technique to identify the binding site of amilorides in bovine complex I. Commercially available amilorides such as 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride are not suitable as design templates to synthesize photoreactive amilorides because of their low binding affinities to bovine complex I. Thereby, we attempted to modify the structures of commercially available amilorides in order to obtain more potent derivatives. We successfully produced two photoreactive amilorides (PRA1 and PRA2) with a photolabile azido group at opposite ends of the molecule.
Corneal Abrasion in Hysterectomy and Prostatectomy
Authors: Sampat Ajay , Parakati Isaac , Kunnavakkam Rangesh , Glick David B. , Lee Nita K. , Tenney Meaghan , Eggener Scott , Roth Steven
Published: March 2015

AbstractAbstract

In a review of nearly 1 million prostatectomy and hysterectomy cases from the National Inpatient Sample, corneal abrasion was not increased with robotic-assisted prostatectomy. Compared with open hysterectomy, risk of corneal abrasion was increased nearly fourfold with the laparoscopic technique and nearly 6.5-fold with the robotic technique.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is most commonly performed laparoscopically with a robot (robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, R/PROST). Hysterectomy, which may be open hysterectomy (O/HYST) or laparoscopic hysterectomy (L/HYST), has been increasingly frequently done via robot (R/HYST). Small case series suggest increased corneal abrasions (CAs) with less invasive techniques.

Methods:

The authors identified RP (166,942), O/HYST (583,298), or L/HYST (216,890) discharges with CA in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000–2011). For 2009–2011, they determined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CA, in R/PROST, non-R/PROST, L/HYST, O/HYST, and R/HYST. Uni- and multivariate models studied CA risk depending on surgical procedure, age, race, year, chronic illness, and malignancy.

Results:

In 2000–2011, 0.18% RP, 0.13% L/HYST, and 0.03% O/HYST sustained CA. Compared with 17,554 non-R/PROSTs (34 abrasions, 0.19%) in 2009–2011, OR was not significantly higher in 28,521 R/PROSTs (99, 0.35%; OR 1.508; CI 0.987 to 2.302; P < 0.057). CA significantly increased in L/HYST (70/51,323; 0.136%) versus O/HYST (70/191,199; 0.037%; OR 3.821; CI 2.594 to 5.630; P < 0.0001), further increasing in R/HYST (63/21, 213; 0.297%; OR 6.505; CI 4.323 to 9.788; P < 0.0001). For hysterectomy, risk of CA increased with age (OR 1.020; CI 1.007 to 1.034; P < 0.003) and number of chronic conditions (OR 1.139; CI 1.065 to 1.219; P < 0.0001). CA risk was likewise elevated in R/HYST with number of chronic conditions. Being African American significantly decreased CA risk in R/PROST and in R/HYST or L/HYST.

Conclusions:

L/HYST increased CA nearly four-fold, and R/HYST approximately 6.5-fold versus O/HYST. Identifiable preoperative factors are associated with either increased risk (age, chronic conditions) or decreased risk (race).
Crystal structure of (S)-5,7-diphenyl-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine
Authors: Price Ivy K. , Rougeot Celine , Hein Jason E.
Published: March 2015

The title compound, C16H13N5, was synthesized by coupling aminotetrazole with chalcone in the presence of an amine organocatalyst derived from chincona alkaloid. There are two molecules,AandB, in the asymmetric unit. In moleculeA, the dihedral angles between the partly hydrogenated pyrimidine ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.056 Å) and thesp2- andsp3-bonded phenyl groups are 33.32 (11) and 86.53 (11)°, respectively. The equivalent data for moleculeBare 0.049 Å, and 27.05 (10) and 85.27 (11)°, respectively. In the crystal,A+Bdimers linked by pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds generateR22(8) loops. The dimers are linked by aromatic π–π stacking interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.5367 (15) Å], which results in a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of 4-methoxy-N-[(pyrrolidin-1-yl)carbothioyl]benzamide
Authors: Suhud Khairi , Heng Lee Yook , Hasbullah Siti Aishah , Ahmad Musa , Kassim Mohammad B.
Published: March 2015

In the title compound, C13H16N2O2S, the pyrrolidine ring has a twisted conformation on the central –CH2–CH2– bond. Its mean plane is inclined to the 4-methoxybenzoyl ring by 72.79 (15)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to the same O-atom acceptor, forming chains along [001]. The chains are linkedviaslipped parallel π–π interactions [inter-centroid distance = 3.7578 (13) Å], forming undulating slabs parallel to (100).
Crystal structure of 5-{4′-[(2-{2-[2-(2-ammonioethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)carbamoyl]-4-methoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl}-3-oxo-1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-2-ide 1,1-dioxide: a potential inhibitor of the enzyme protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)
Authors: Ruddraraju Kasi Viswanatharaju , Hillebrand Roman , Barnes Charles L. , Gates Kent S.
Published: March 2015

The title compound, C24H32N4O8S, (I), crystallizes as a zwitterion. The terminal amine N atom of the [(2-{2-[2-(2-ammonioethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)carbamoyl] side chain is protonated, while the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide N atom is deprotonated. The side chain is turned over on itself with an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. The 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide ring has an envelope conformation with the aryl-substituted N atom as the flap. Its mean plane is inclined by 62.87 (8)° to the aryl ring to which it is attached, while the aryl rings of the biphenyl unit are inclined to one another by 20.81 (8)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming slabs lying parallel to (010). Within the slabs there are C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions present.
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[diaquabis(4-formylbenzoato-κO1)cobalt(II)]-μ-pyrazine-κ2N:N′]
Authors: Aşkın Gülçin Şefiye , Çelik Fatih , Dilek Nefise , Necefoğlu Hacali , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: March 2015

In the title polymeric compound, [Co(C8H5O3)2(C4H4N2)(H2O)2]n, the CoIIatom is located on a twofold rotation axis and has a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere. In the equatorial plane, it is coordinated by two carboxylate O atoms of two symmetry-related monodentate formylbenzoate anions and by two N atoms of two bridging pyrazine ligands. The latter are bisected by the twofold rotation axis. The axial positions are occupied by two O atoms of the coordinating water molecules. In the formylbenzoate anion, the carboxylate group is twisted away from the attached benzene ring by 7.50 (8)°, while the benzene and pyrazine rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 64.90 (4)°. The pyrazine ligands bridge the CoIIcations, forming linear chains running along theb-axis direction. Strong intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the water molecules to the carboxylate O atoms. In the crystal, weak O—Hwater...Owaterhydrogen bonds link adjacent chains into layers parallel to thebcplane. The layers are linkedviaC—Hpyrazine...Oformylhydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. There are also weak C—H...π interactions present.
Service innovation by Dubai International Airport: the battle to remain competitive
Authors: Albeshr Hasan , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: March 2015

Subject area

Tourism and hospitality management, strategy, economics and customer service.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate students studying hospitality management, customer satisfaction, customer service and economics.

Case overview

Dubai International Airport is one of the most celebrated airports worldwide. It was constructed by order of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1969 and has developed significantly in all sections over the years. Passenger numbers and profits have increased dramatically and the airport has received many awards from various countries and organizations, contributing greatly to economic and tourism development. Dubai International Airport offers unique services and facilities to customers, including the Airport Medical Centre, special needs services, Dubai International Airport Hotel, transportation, lounges, a children's play area, smoking rooms, Al Majlis services, executive flight services, Ahlan services, a modern baggage-handling system and Dubai Duty Free. The quality of service is one of the significant concerns of an international company, including Dubai International Airport, as a high quality brings many benefits to the organization, such as increased customer satisfaction and revenue. Thus, to maintain a high-quality level and compete with other international airports, Dubai International Airport needs to ensure the development of its service.

Expected learning outcomes

This cast study will help understand both the services offered by the airport and their features and understand the concepts of increasing value to customers in lieu of money, the contribution of the airport to economic growth, exceeding customers' expectations, intonation in providing services, some factors of competitive advantages, the application of customer satisfaction theories, the services market triangle and providing a role model to other airports.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email: support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface
Authors: Hayat Tasawar , Ashraf Bilal , Shehzad Sabir Ali , Alsaedi A. , Bayomi N.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic nanofluid induced by an exponentially stretching surface.

Design/methodology/approach

– Similarity transformations are utilized to reduce the partial differential equations into the ordinary differential equations. The corresponding non-linear problems are solved by homotopy analysis method.

Findings

– The authors found that an increase in thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameter enhance the temperature. Here thermal conductivity of fluid is enhanced due to which higher temperature and thicker thermal boundary layer thickness is obtained.

Practical implications

– Heat and mass transfer effects in mixed convection flow over a stretching surface have numerous applications in the polymer technology and metallurgy. Such flows are encountered in metallurgical processes which involve the cooling of continuous strips or filaments by drawing them through a quiescent fluid and that in the process of drawing, these strips are sometimes stretched.

Originality/value

– Three-dimensional flows over an exponentially stretching surface are very rare in the literature. Three-dimensional flow of viscoelastic nanofluid due to an exponentially stretching surface is first time investigated.
Mixing of electrokinetically-driven power-law fluids in zigzag microchannels
Authors: Cho Ching-Chang , Chen Cha’o-Kuang , Yau Her-Terng
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the mixing performance of the electrokinetically-driven power-law fluids in a zigzag microchannel.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Poisson-Boltzmann equation, the Laplace equation, the modified Cauchy momentum equation, and the convection-diffusion equation are solved to describe the flow characteristics and mixing performance of power-law fluids in the zigzag microchannel. A body-fitted grid system and a generalized coordinate transformation method are used to model the grid system and transform the governing equations, respectively. The transformed governing equations are solved numerically using the finite-volume method.

Findings

– The mixing efficiency of dilatant fluids is higher than that of pseudoplastic fluids. In addition, the mixing efficiency can be improved by increasing the width of the zigzag blocks or extending the total length of the zigzag block region.

Originality/value

– The results presented in this study provide a useful insight into potential strategies for enhancing the mixing performance of the power-law fluids in a zigzag microchannel. The results of this study also provide a useful source of reference for the development of efficient and accurate microfluidic systems.
Direct numerical simulation of multiple interacting particles at intermediate Reynolds numbers
Authors: Nie Deming , Qiu Limin , Zhang Xiaobin
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the flow patterns and particle-particle collisions during the sedimentation of multiple circular particles under gravity at intermediate Reynolds numbers through direct numerical simulations (DNS).

Design/methodology/approach

– The previously developed lattice Boltzmann-direct forcing/fictitious domain (LB-DF/FD) method is adopted in this work to conduct DNS.

Findings

– It is found that the number of particle-particle collisions display a linear growth at long times after an initial evolution, resulting in a constant collision rate, which also depends the initial arrangement.

Originality/value

– The problem of particle-particle collisions during sedimentation with two kinds of particle density has not been considered before and it is of special importance in various industries.
Greening manufacturing practices in a continuous process industry
Authors: Fore S. , Mbohwa C.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The paper aims to observe a continuous process industry, the cement manufacturing industry with the aim of identifying greening opportunities in its production operations. The study analyses areas pertaining to the cement industry that impact the environment with specific focus on the industry within a developing, lower income country.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cleaner production (CP) approach was used in a case study approach, focussing on issues such as gaseous emissions and particulate emissions. Both capital intensive and less intensive options are proposed. Source reduction and pollution prevention operations that were used in this study include chemical substitution, technology modification and on-site reuse/recovery/recycling opportunities.

Findings

– The paper provides insights about how change is brought about within a continuous process industry. It suggests that successful leaders act as “integrating forces” on two levels: integrating the elements of corporate identity structures and mediating between the corporate branding structures and the individual. Capital interventions included redesigning the clinker conveyor, as well as restructuring the dust transportation system. There is a need for the developing countries to track and identify modern interventions that are available within industry and adopt them.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper focusses on a single cement factory in a low income country, as the case study approach was used. As such, findings and options generated may not be generalized, as the processes from one industry to another tend to differ in different economies.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for the development of greening manufacturing practices in the cement industry.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils an identified need to study how greening practices can be enabled and enhanced in a continuous manufacturing industry. The work informs greening practices at any level, with a focus of production experiences in the cement industry in a lower technology, developing economy that is less industrialized.
Black South African women in construction: cues for success
Authors: English Jane , Hay Paula
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe the findings of interviews based on a questionnaire and a focus group discussion (conducted in 2011) with three Black women employees who were part of a 2006 study, which canvassed 176 employees and employers, in which carpentry was found to be considered the most accessible and appropriate skills area for women, and chronicles their development and assessment of current employment for women in construction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The focus group was made up of the women from the 2006 study still in the same employment or better positions in the same company Neil Muller Construction (NMC) after five years. Women from NMC, in particular, were selected because the company has been considered a best practice example and therefore would provide an interesting context in terms of the issues around retention of women and potentially a model for the industry. Foci are female representation, barriers, conditions, skills acquisition and employers’ attitudes to family responsibilities. In particular, measures to support women and the impact of role models and mentoring programmes are discussed.

Findings

– The results of the 2011 focus group study show that positive measures for women to work in construction are developing, both through legislation (e.g. the Construction Charter) and company efforts such as those of NMC. Both the 2006 and 2011 studies highlighted that female attributes such as being peacekeepers on site were considered favourable, indicating a positive shift in attitude regarding women working in construction.

Research limitations/implications

– There has been and remains a paucity of research into and literature on the topic of women in the construction industry, particularly working at the skills level.

Practical implications

– The paper has practical implications for employers wanting to increase employment and retention of women on site by providing a best practice example.

Social implications

– Increased employment of women is a statuary requirement of South African employment law. Women are, on average, the lowest wage earners.

Originality/value

– The paper reviews challenges for women in construction and ways these can be circumvented through interaction between industry and companies. The challenges are entry and retention because of the practices and attitudes typical in a male-dominated work environment. As a follow-up to previous research of 2006 into barriers to entry for women, this paper adds value by considering retention and a best practice example. As women’s lack of knowledge of the sector is also a barrier, this paper contributes to building knowledge. Further research should determine developing trends in terms of women’s representation in the construction industry.
Influence of cement/sand ratio on behavior of cement mortar
Authors: Mollo Luigi
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of cement/sand ratio on behaviour of cement mortar.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review was used to confirm that the cement/sand ratio have influence on the mortar strength and that its influence is not very studied. The literature points out also that the constitutive model of mortar is very important in the structural design of masonry but it has not been investigated much.

Findings

– The results of study allow to forecast the mortar strength by the cement/sand ratio when the water/cement ratio is fixed (0.50). Besides, the obtained experimental results allow defining a constitutive model for sand mortar.

Research limitations/implications

– Other experiments would be proper to extend the research field.

Practical implications

– The findings are of particular importance to mix design of cement mortar and to structural design of masonry. In fact, for mortar in the practices, there are no constitutive equations to use in the structural calculation, and so, normally the engineers use the constitutive equations of concrete (very rough). The idea is to find constitutive equations that, using simple and economic tests, allow to engineers to model more correctly the realty.

Originality/value

– There are few studies which try to investigate the relationship between the behaviour of cement mortar and cement/sand ratio, as well as to study constitutive model of cement mortar. This paper contributes to bridging that gap.
In hot and cold water: differential life‐history traits are key to success in contrasting thermal deep‐sea environments
Authors: Marsh Leigh , Copley Jonathan T. , Tyler Paul A. , Thatje Sven
Published: March 2015

Few species of reptant decapod crustaceans thrive in the cold‐stenothermal waters of the Southern Ocean. However, abundant populations of a new species of anomuran crab, Kiwa tyleri, occur at hydrothermal vent fields on the East Scotia Ridge.

As a result of local thermal conditions at the vents, these crabs are not restricted by the physiological limits that otherwise exclude reptant decapods south of the polar front.

We reveal the adult life history of this species by piecing together variation in microdistribution, body size frequency, sex ratio, and ovarian and embryonic development, which indicates a pattern in the distribution of female Kiwaidae in relation to their reproductive development.

High‐density ‘Kiwa’ assemblages observed in close proximity to sources of vent fluids are constrained by the thermal limit of elevated temperatures and the availability of resources for chemosynthetic nutrition. Although adult Kiwaidae depend on epibiotic chemosynthetic bacteria for nutrition, females move offsite after extrusion of their eggs to protect brooding embryos from the chemically harsh, thermally fluctuating vent environment. Consequently, brooding females in the periphery of the vent field are in turn restricted by low‐temperature physiological boundaries of the deep‐water Southern Ocean environment. Females have a high reproductive investment in few, large, yolky eggs, facilitating full lecithotrophy, with the release of larvae prolonged, and asynchronous. After embryos are released, larvae are reliant on locating isolated active areas of hydrothermal flow in order to settle and survive as chemosynthetic adults. Where the cold water restricts the ability of all adult stages to migrate over long distances, these low temperatures may facilitate the larvae in the location of vent sites by extending the larval development period through hypometabolism.

These differential life‐history adaptations to contrasting thermal environments lead to a disjunct life history among males and females of K. tyleri, which is key to their success in the Southern Ocean vent environment.

We highlight the complexity in understanding the importance of life‐history biology, in combination with environmental, ecological and physiological factors contributing to the overall global distribution of vent‐endemic species.
The Analysis of Colored Acrylic, Cotton, and Wool Textile Fibers Using Micro‐Raman Spectroscopy. Part 2: Comparison with the Traditional Methods of Fiber Examination
Authors: Buzzini Patrick , Massonnet Genevieve
Published: March 2015

In the second part of this survey, the ability of micro‐Raman spectroscopy to discriminate 180 fiber samples of blue, black, and red cottons, wools, and acrylics was compared to that gathered with the traditional methods for the examination of textile fibers in a forensic context (including light microscopy methods, UV‐vis microspectrophotometry and thin‐layer chromatography). This study shows that the Raman technique plays a complementary and useful role to obtain further discriminations after the application of light microscopy methods and UV‐vis microspectrophotometry and assure the nondestructive nature of the analytical sequence. These additional discriminations were observed despite the lower discriminating powers of Raman data considered individually, compared to those of light microscopy and UV‐vis MSP. This study also confirms that an instrument equipped with several laser lines is necessary for an efficient use as applied to the examination of textile fibers in a forensic setting.
Deformation, Stratigraphy, Structures and Shortening of the Zagros Fold‐Thrust Belt in Southwest Iran Analysis by Restoration
Authors: Ehsan BARZGAR , Iraj ABDOLLAHIE FARD , Rasoul HAMIDZADEH MOGHADAM , Emadoddin ABDOLLAHIE KHALILI , Aboozar GARAVAND
Published: March 2015

A structural cross‐section constructed across the Zagros Fold‐Thrust Belt covering the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone applied 2D and 3D seismic data, well data, surface and subsurface geological maps, satellite images and field reconnaissance. Besides validation and modification of the cross‐section, restoration allows better understanding of the geology, structural style and stratigraphy of the Zagros basin. In the area of interest, the Hormuz basal decollement and the Gachsaran detachment play the most significant roles in the structural style and deformation of the Zagros belt. More complexity is associated with interval decollements such as Triassic evaporites, Albian shales and Eocene marls. A variety of lithotectonic units and detachment surfaces confound any estimation of shortening, which generally decreases with increasing depth. Deformation completely differs in the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment and Izeh Zone because of different sedimentation histories and tectonic evolution; gentle and young structures can be interpreted as pre‐collisional structures of the Dezful Embayment before the Late Cretaceous. After the Late Cretaceous, the Mountain Front Fault is the main control of sedimentation and deformation in the Zagros Basin, and this completely characterizes fold style and geometry within the Dezful Embayment and the Izeh Zone.
Chronology and Crust‐Mantle Mixing of Ore‐forming Porphyry of the Bangongco: Evidence from Zircon U‐Pb Age and Hf Isotopes of the Naruo Porphyry Copper‐Gold Deposit
Authors: Xiong ZHOU , Guangchun FEI , Yu ZHOU , Chunqi WEN , Yi ZHANG , Xiangyuan YUE
Published: March 2015

The Naruo porphyry copper‐gold deposit (hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit) in Tibet is a potentially ultra‐large, typical gold‐rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco‐Nujiang metallogenic belt. This study analyzed U‐Pb chronology and Hf isotopes of the ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Naruo deposit using the LA‐ICPMS dating technique. The results show that the weighted average age is 124.03±0.94Ma (MSWD=1.7, n=20), and 206Pb/238U isochron age is 126.2±2.7 Ma (MSWD=1.02, n=20), both of which are within the error. The weighted average age represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the ore‐bearing porphyry in the Naruo deposit area was formed in the Early Cretaceous and further implies that the Neo‐tethys Ocean had not been closed before 124 Ma under a typical island‐arc subduction environment. The εHf(t) of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry varies from 2.14 to 9.07, with an average of 5.18, and all zircons have εHf(t) values greater than 0; 176Hf/177Hf ratio is relatively high (0.282725–0.282986). Combined with the zircon age—Hf isotope correlation diagram, the aforementioned data indicate that the source reservoir might be a region that is mixed with depleted mantle and ancient crust, which possibly contains more materials sourced from depleted mantle. Rock‐forming ages and ore‐forming ages of the Duolong ore concentrate area are 120–124 Ma and 118–119 Ma, respectively, which indicate 124–118 Ma represents the main rock‐forming and ore‐forming stage within the area. The Naruo deposit is located in the north of the Bangongco‐Nujiang suture, and it yielded a zircon LA‐ICPMS age of 124.03 Ma. This indicates the Bangongco‐Nujiang oceanic basin subducted towards the north at about 124 Ma, and the Neo‐tethys Ocean had not been closed before the middle Early Cretaceous. It is possible that the crust‐mantle mixing formed the series of large and giant porphyry copper‐gold deposits in the Bangongco.
Formation Conditions and Sedimentary Model of Over‐Flooding Lake Deltas within Continental Lake Basins: An Example from the Paleogene in the Jiyang Subbasin, Bohai Bay Basin
Authors: Jian WANG , Yingchang CAO , Huimin LIU , Yongjin GAO
Published: March 2015

A large quantity of drilling core, paleontology, geochemistry and geophysics data revealed several features of the Jiyang subbasin during the deposition of the Ek1‐Es4x members: (1) the paleotopography of the gentle slope belt had an extremely low gradient; (2) the paleoclimate frequently alternated between dry and wet periods in a generally arid setting; (3) there was strong weathering around the periphery of the basin; (4) the lake was very shallow; (5) the lake level frequently rose and fell; and (6) the sedimentary environment of the gentle slope belt was an over‐flooding lake. All of these factors provided favorable geological conditions for the development of an over‐flooding lake delta. The lithologies of the continental over‐flooding lake delta deposits are complex and diverse. The compositional maturity is moderate to low, and the grain size distribution curves and sedimentary structures indicate the presence of both gravity and traction currents. The sedimentary microfacies associations consist of a combination of ordered superposition of flood channels, distributary channels and sheet sands. The delta exhibits a weak foreset seismic reflection. The over‐flooding lake delta deposits are laterally extensive. The sandstone content is high, and the individual sandstone beds are thin. The flood channel and distributary channel deposits exhibit evidence of bifurcation and lateral migration. The distribution of the sandbodies and the oxidation color of the mudstones provide evidence of cyclic deposition. The paleoclimate was the dominant factor controlling the development of the over‐flooding lake delta. Due to the frequently alternating wet and dry paleoclimates, the over‐flooding lake delta is characterized by the development of a broad upper plain and a lower delta plain. The upper delta plain is characterized by flood channel deposits, whereas the lower delta plain is represented by distributary channel deposits. The transition zone is characterized by the interaction of flood channels and distributary channels. Due to fault activity, the sandbodies of the over‐flooding lake delta were juxtaposed against hydrocarbon source rocks, which was favorable for the development of lithologic reservoirs or structural‐lithologic reservoirs. The lower delta plain deposits comprise the most favorable reservoirs.
Using a simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ score to predict in‐hospital care and outcomes
Authors: JOKELA K. , SETÄLÄ P. , VIRTA J. , HUHTALA H. , YLI‐HANKALA A. , HOPPU S.
Published: March 2015

Background

Medical emergency team (MET) activation criteria serve as a predictor of serious adverse events on hospital wards and in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to determine whether in‐hospital MET activation criteria would be useful in identifying patients at risk in pre‐hospital care.

Methods

The data were collected retrospectively from 610 adult patients treated by physician‐staffed helicopter emergency medical services. Pre‐hospital vital signs were compared with MET activation criteria and scored accordingly to receive a simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ score. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality. The secondary outcome measures were admission to intensive care unit and the length of ED stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay. The simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ score was also compared with Emergency Severity Index (ESI) used as a triage tool in ED.

Results

Higher simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ scores were associated with hospital mortality (P < 0.001), the need for ICU treatment (P < 0.001) and a more urgent ESI class in the ED (P < 0.001). Higher simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ scores were associated with shorter stay in the ED (P < 0.001), longer stay in the ICU (P < 0.001) and longer hospital stay (P < 0.001). A simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ score was an independent predictor for hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.42, confidence interval 1.84 3.18, P < 0.001), regardless of age or patient's previous overall physical health classified by American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system.

Conclusion

A simplified pre‐hospital ‘MET’ score is a predictor for patient outcome and could serve as a risk assessment tool for the health care provider on‐scene.
CGRP receptor antagonists and antibodies against CGRP and its receptor in migraine treatment
Authors: Edvinsson Lars
Published: March 2015

Recently developed calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonistic molecules have shown promising results in clinical trials for acute treatment of migraine attacks. Drugs from the gepant class of CGRP receptor antagonists are effective and do not cause vasoconstriction, one of the major limitations in the use of triptans. However their use had to be discontinued because of risk of liver toxicity after continuous exposure. As an alternative approach to block CGRP transmission, fully humanized monoclonal antibodies towards CGRP and the CGRP receptor have been developed for treatment of chronic migraine (attacks >15 days/month). Initial results from phase I and II clinical trials have revealed promising results with minimal side effects and significant relief from chronic migraine as compared with placebo.

The effectiveness of these various molecules raises the question of where is the target site(s) for antimigraine action. The gepants are small molecules that can partially pass the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and therefore, might have effects in the CNS. However, antibodies are large molecules and have limited possibility to pass the BBB, thus effectively excluding them from having a major site of action within the CNS. It is suggested that the antimigraine site should reside in areas not limited by the BBB such as intra‐ and extracranial vessels, dural mast cells and the trigeminal system. In order to clarify this topic and surrounding questions, it is important to understand the localization of CGRP and the CGRP receptor components in these possible sites of migraine‐related regions and their relation to the BBB.