bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4-(Prop-2-yn-1-ylsulfanyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine
Authors: El Hafi Mohamed , Boulhaoua Mohammed , Ramli Youssef , Benchidmi Mohammed , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: October 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H6N4S, consists of two independent molecules differing in the orientation of the side chain. In the crystal, molecules form dimers through N—H...N hydrogen bonds. The dimers stack along thea-axis direction with weak π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances of 3.898 (2) and 3.908 (2) Å]. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component twin.
Improvement of individual performance in the public sector
Authors: Palma Raffaela , Hinna Alessandro , Mangia Gianluigi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether a pro-social motivation called user orientation (UO), which aims at helping specific others, may affect performance of public sector employees in addition to public service motivation (PSM), and whether any personal, and/or contextual factors affect this relationship (age, tenure, role, and context).

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing cross-sectional survey data obtained from 618 Italian public teachers, PLS-structural equation modeling is used to investigate the relationship between PSM, UO, and performance, along with the moderating effects of individual/contextual factors.

Findings

Findings show positive relationships between the two levers (PSM/UO) and individual performance (IP), depending on job and organizational tenure, role, and the social environment of the areas the schools are located in.

Research limitations/implications

There might be problems related to causal inference and common method variance, due to the use of the cross-sectional self-reported data.

Practical implications

Managers should be aware of the crucial role UO and PSM play in order to improve IP in contexts where there is direct contact with the service beneficiaries.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a clearer understanding of which motives are involved in the process that leads public service employees to enhance their performance.
Facets of job satisfaction and work engagement
Authors: Yalabik Zeynep Yesim , Rayton Bruce A. , Rapti Andriana
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the facets of job satisfaction and the work engagement. Previous studies that focus on the linkages between work engagement and overall job satisfaction ignore the multi-faceted nature of job satisfaction construct. In this study, how job satisfaction facets are linked to three dimensions of work engagement – i.e. vigor, dedication and absorption – is discussed by drawing on the social exchange theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-lagged data used in this study come from the specialist lending division of a UK bank. The linear multiple regression analyses are run to test the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

The results show that among all the job satisfaction facets, the “satisfaction with work itself” is the key driver of all dimensions of work engagement, i.e. vigor, dedication and absorption. The “satisfaction with conditions” is negatively linked to absorption of employees in their work. This means that the employees with high workload might not be absorbed in their work. Finally, it is found that employees who are satisfied with the communication in their work are also absorbed in their work.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our knowledge of the drivers of work engagement over time. The facets of job satisfaction as the drivers help us to have a comprehensive understanding of the link between the job satisfaction facets and work engagement. This study first contributes to the work engagement literature which has neglected the multi-dimensional approach of job satisfaction. This study also contributes to the limited number of work engagement studies conducted in service sector and in UK.
Investigation on the statistical methods in research studies of library and information science
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wang Yanyan , Zhao Yuehua
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The statistical method plays an extremely important role in quantitative research studies in library and information science (LIS). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of statistical methods used in the field, their application areas and the temporal change patterns during a recent 15-year period.

Design/methodology/approach

The research papers in six major scholarly journals from 1999 to 2013 in LIS were examined. Factors including statistical methods, application areas and time period were analyzed using quantitative research methods including content analysis and temporal analysis methods.

Findings

The research studies using statistical methods in LIS have increased steadily. Statistical methods were more frequently used to solve problems in the information retrieval area than in other areas, and inferential statistical methods were used more often than predictive statistical methods and other statistical methods. Anomaly analysis on statistical method uses was conducted and four types of anomaly were specified.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can help educators, graduates and researchers in the field of LIS better understand the patterns and trends of the applications of statistical methods in this field, depict an overall picture of quantitative research studies in LIS from the perspective of statistical methods and discover the change patterns of statistical method applications in LIS between 1999 and 2013.
Engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours: a structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Joo Yeon Kyoung , Kim Youngseek
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors that influence engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

The data reuse behaviour model of engineering researchers was investigated by using a survey method. A national survey was distributed to engineering researchers in the USA, and a total of 193 researchers responded.

Findings

The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived concerns and norms of data reuse have significant relationships with attitudes toward data reuse. Also, attitudes toward data reuse and the availability of data repositories were found to have significant influences on engineering researchers’ intention to reuse data.

Research limitations/implications

This research used a combined theoretical framework by integrating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). The combination of the TPB and the TAM effectively explained engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours by addressing individual motivations, norms and resource factors.

Practical implications

This research has practical implications for promoting more reliable and beneficial data reuse in the engineering community, including encouraging positive motivations toward data reuse, building community norms of data reuse and setting up more data repositories.

Originality value

As prior research on data reuse mainly used interviews, this research used a quantitative approach based on a combined theoretical framework and included diverse research constructs which were not tested in the previous research models. As one of the initial studies investigating data reuse behaviours in the engineering community, the current research provided a better understanding of data reuse behaviours and suggested possible ways to facilitate engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours.
Distinctive organisational business imperatives of Big Data: a literature review
Authors: Smeda Jorina
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the business imperatives characteristic of an organisation that will benefit from the use of Big Data, to give business managers, knowledge workers and librarians guidance as to whether their business will benefit from the use of this technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to identify and categorise Big Data benefits into four overall benefit categories. This provided a basis to identify the business imperatives distinctive of an organisation that would be able to benefit from the use of Big Data. As a final step, the degree of impact of each of the benefit categories was concluded to assist business managers in the better understanding and evaluation of whether Big Data would be a suitable technology for their specific organisation.

Findings

The competitive advantage that a business can gain from the use of analysing large amounts of data (Big Data) is because it is equipped to utilise the information obtained through analysing the data in such a way that it provides better knowledge management within the organisation. The business imperatives and benefits identified in this study will assist organisations in evaluating whether Big Data will be a suitable technology for their organisation.

Originality/value

This paper provides a better understanding of business imperatives distinctive of organisations that can benefit from the use of Big Data.
Business tools in nonprofit organizations: a performative story
Authors: Petitgand Cécile
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of introducing business tools into nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Exploring the case of an NPO trying to embrace the social enterprise model, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the managerialization process affecting third sector organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on an in-depth ethnographic immersion conducted at a Brazilian NPO, this paper adopts a performativity lens to analyze the appropriation process of a traditional business tool, the Individual Development Plan (IDP), at the organization.

Findings

The story of the IDP’s appropriation reveals how business tools act as market devices to actualize economic behaviors and representations among NPOs’ beneficiaries. Reinforcing the control of managers upon their constituencies, business tools can thus create an unequal balance of power within NPOs.

Practical implications

Admittedly, this paper relies on one single case study, which imposes strong limitations to generalize empirical findings. Nonetheless, this analysis calls for more caution in the promotion of business tools for the development of social entrepreneurship in third sector organizations.

Originality/value

Rather than debating the accuracy and efficiency of business tools in NPOs, this paper adopts a performative approach to understand how artifacts change the nature of relationships between managers and beneficiaries within social ventures. Rejecting a normative stance, this paper proposes a micro-level analysis of managerialization, focusing on an organization from an emerging country, Brazil, which is rarely at the core of social entrepreneurship studies.
The international market for corporate control and high-valuation cross-border acquisitions
Authors: Liang Jie , Xie En , Redding K.S.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Nested within the industrial organization and corporate finance literature, this paper aims to analyze the market for cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the world economy, developed economies, developing economies and transition economies. As multinational companies hold a large proportion of cash reserves and expand into diverse geographic markets, the paper aims to examine market patterns of high-valuation cross-border acquisition transactions. Specifically, it proposes a framework explaining the influential factors, motives and effects of high-valuation transactions by discussing some case evidences.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon inductive and deductive logic, the paper discusses market trends and market patterns of cross-border M&A transactions by triangulating archival data analyses and accessible M&A literature. Some case examples are derived from news archive and official source sites. Regarding sample period, it considers the past two decades 1994-2013 to show market trends in various institutional settings and the past decade 2004-2013 to present market patterns of 62 high-valuation cross-border deals.

Findings

The transaction analysis indicates four cycles in the market trend, namely, growing period (1994-2000); declining, but promising period (2001-2006); financial crisis period (2007-2008); and recovering, but reversing period (2009-2013). A number of acquisitions undertaken by firms from emerging economies around the 2007-2008 global financial crisis have exemplified geographic (product) diversification as a primary motive of firm’s global strategy. In particular, a large proportion of sample high-valuation deals are spotted in developed economies such as the USA and the UK. In case of industry pattern, a good number of high-valuation deals are noticed in banking and finance, telecommunications and oil and gas sector.

Originality/value

Although several scholars have examined cross-border acquisitions in economics, corporate finance, strategy and international business literature, there is hardly any study that analyzes high-profile cross-border M&A deals. An exclusive market analysis of high-valuation international deals is important for several reasons. This paper fills this knowledge gap by showing both market trends and market patterns of cross-border M&A transactions. Importantly, to date, this paper is the first to propose a framework explaining the influential factors, motives and effects of high-valuation M&A transactions.
Determinants of capital structure: an empirical study of manufacturing firms in India
Authors: Sofat Rajni , Singh Sukhdev
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the most significant determinants of capital structure of manufacturing firms in India and to investigate whether the capital structure models derived from foreign research provide convincing explanations for capital structure decisions of Indian firms by using multiple regression model.

Design/methodology/approach

Different conditional theories of capital structure like trade off theory, pecking order theory and agency theory are reviewed to formulate testable propositions concerning determinants of capital structure of manufacturing firms. Multiple regression model and correlation matrix have been used as statistical tools to investigate the most significant determinants of capital structure of manufacturing firms in India with the help of SPSS Software for a sample of top 100 manufacturing firms listed in BSE.

Findings

The results suggest that variables like asset composition, business risk and return on assets are positively related to debt ratio whereas firm size and debt service capacity are negatively related to debt ratio. The asset composition, business risk and return on assets appear to be significant determinants of capital structure, while firm size and debt service capacity are insignificant determinants.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are consistent with predictions of trade off, pecking order and agency theory of finance which helps in understanding financing behaviour of firms in India.

Practical implications

This study has laid some ground work to explore the determinants of capital structure of Indian firms upon which a more detailed evaluation could be based. Furthermore, empirical findings should help corporate managers to make optimal capital structure decisions.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that explores the most significant determinants of capital structure of manufacturing firms in India by using the most recent data. Moreover, this study also confirms that same factors affect the capital structure decisions of firms in developing countries as identified for firms in developed economies.
Exploring channel conflict in an emerging economy: the small retailer’s perspective
Authors: Satyam  , Aithal Rajesh K. , Maurya Harshit
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore channel conflict from the small retailer’s perspective in the context of emerging economies. The study investigates the factors and probable outcomes of perceived channel conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design is adopted. This study involves semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 small retailers, selected through the purposive sampling technique, in a capital city of North India.

Findings

This exploratory study reveals five key reasons for channel conflict in the context of small retailers: coercive sources of power, retailer dependence, competitive intensity, retailer characteristics, and distributors’ role performance. The findings also highlight channel exit and passive acceptance as two probable outcomes of perceived channel conflict. Conflict may also lead to changes in the channel structure, which may significantly affect the success of multinational firms in emerging economies. The paper concludes with a discussion and presents an agenda for further research.

Originality/value

Channel conflict is a well-researched area, but the context of most existing studies has been larger retailers in developed economies. The findings of this study provide the reasons for and outcomes of the channel conflict encountered by small retailers in emerging economies. This study should be of interest to marketing managers, especially of consumer packaged goods firms, who want to succeed in emerging economies. These managers can use insights from the study to manage channel conflict in the context of small retailers.
The distant fan segment
Authors: Pu Haozhou , James Jeffrey
Published: October 2017

Purpose

With the available technological tools, fans are able to access sport products regardless of geographic proximity. Through technology, fans can follow sports teams from other countries. In contrast to previous research focused on the local fan, in this paper we report on a study of a group of distant fans – Chinese National Basketball Association (NBA) fans – as the focal object. The study was guided by three questions: RQ1: what motives drive a distant fan’s involvement with their favorite NBA team? RQ2: are there differences in the motives associated with the different stages of psychological connection among distant fans? RQ3: are there differences in the amount of media consumption at the different stages of psychological connection? The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was distributed to consumers of a Chinese sports message board to assess the motives of distant fans (n=281) following teams in the NBA, and strength of psychological connection to the NBA based on the psychological continuum model (PCM).

Findings

There were significant differences in the motives for following a distant NBA team among the respondents at different stages of psychological connection. Significant differences were also found among Chinese NBA fans at the respective stages regarding media consumption.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding sport fandom. It is one of the first studies to include an assessment of the sport consumption motives of distant fans, more specifically, motives influencing Chinese fans’ consumption of the NBA. Utilizing the PCM allows for the segmentation of a specific fan population and to ascertain whether there are differences in the motives and behaviors associated with different stages of an individual’s psychological connection with a team.
Mary Ann to her Ginger: comparing the extended brand identity of two elite female athletes
Authors: Lobpries Jami , Bennett Gregg , Brison Natasha
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the extended brand identities of two elite female athletes. Specifically, this exploratory case study assessed the extended brand identities of Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman, two iconic female softball athlete brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the qualitative analysis of individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews, various documents, and social media, data revealed themes associated with positioning, personality, and presentation of the female athlete brands.

Findings

Theoretically, the themes provide empirical support for existing brand identity frameworks.

Practical implications

Practically, findings provide evidence for defining an athlete’s extended brand identity that can serve as the foundation for branding efforts that generate long-term value during and after their sport careers.

Originality/value

This case study adds to the extant literature on athlete branding and offers practical content for marketers seeking to brand female athletes.
A model bridging team brand experience and sponsorship brand experience
Authors: Biscaia Rui , Trail Galen , Ross Stephen , Yoshida Masayuki
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Previous research has focused on the antecedents of fan loyalty or the link between fans and the team on sponsorship reactions, but no comprehensive framework has been developed to combine these perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework of how team brand experience during the season impacts sponsorship brand experience.

Design/methodology/approach

To create the conceptual model, a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was conducted in electronic databases and journal reference lists. The authors identified constructs from prior research aimed at understanding sponsorship effectiveness. These constructs not only included aspects of the sponsorship brand experience, but also aspects within the team brand experience that form the link between consumers’ responses derived from team-related stimuli and the responses evoked by sponsor-related stimuli.

Findings

This conceptual framework yields a set of 11 propositions regarding fans’ interactions with both team and sponsorship brands highlighting how to strengthen the bond between fans, teams, and sponsors. It provides a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon and identifies opportunities to increase fan support and the appeal of professional teams to potential sponsors.

Originality/value

This study extends previous research by providing a unique conceptual framework that highlights the importance of understanding how fans view both the team brand and the sponsor brand. Several suggestions for future studies and strategies to increase the benefits for both teams and sponsors can be drawn from this framework.
The expected social impact of the Winter Olympic Games and the attitudes of non-host residents toward bidding
Authors: Liu Dongfeng , Hautbois Christopher , Desbordes Michel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Using Beijing’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games as an example, the purpose of this paper is to explore the expected social impact of mega-sporting events, as perceived by non-host city residents, and the way in which this perception affects attitudes toward bidding.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey study was conducted in which data were collected from residents in Shanghai, comprising a sample of 483 respondents. An exploratory factor analysis identified 40 items loaded on eight distinctive factors that underlie the expected social impact of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the perceived impact on residents’ attitudes toward the bid to host the Olympics.

Findings

Among the eight identified impact factors, six were found to be positive and two negative. While all factors were significantly higher above the point of indifference, perceived positive impact factors tended to outweigh those that were negative. In addition, seven out of the eight factors were found to be significantly predictive of support for Beijing’s bidding: while the effect of “tourism and environment,” “social capital and psychic income,” “international cooperation and exchange,” “infrastructure,” “national image,” and “sport development” was positive, the effect of the “higher living cost” factor was negative with regard to the support of the bidding. This study seeks to contribute by taking a non-host community perspective.

Originality/value

A growing body of literature has documented perspectives on events and their specific timing during event cycles, i.e., during the bidding stage. In addition, it also offers insight into the perception and attitudes of citizens from emerging markets toward event bidding and hosting, both of which play an increasingly important role in global sports but, on the whole, remain relatively under researched.
Optimizing lifetime reproductive output: Intermittent breeding as a tactic for females in a long‐lived, multiparous mammal
Authors: Desprez Marine , Gimenez Olivier , McMahon Clive R. , Hindell Mark A. , Harcourt Robert G.
Published: October 2017

In iteroparous species, intermittent breeding is an important life‐history tactic that can greatly affect animal population growth and viability. Despite its importance, few studies have quantified the consequences of breeding pauses on lifetime reproductive output, principally because calculating lifetime reproductive output requires knowledge of each individual's entire reproductive history. This information is extremely difficult to obtain in wild populations.

We applied novel statistical approaches that account for uncertainty in state assessment and individual heterogeneity to an 18‐year capture–recapture dataset of 6,631 female southern elephant seals from Macquarie Island. We estimated survival and breeding probabilities, and investigated the consequences of intermittent breeding on lifetime reproductive output.

We found consistent differences in females’ demographic performance between two heterogeneity classes. In particular, breeding imbued a high cost on survival in the females from the heterogeneity class 2, assumed to be females of lower quality. Individual quality also appeared to play a major role in a female's decision to skip reproduction with females of poorer quality more likely to skip breeding events than females of higher quality.

Skipping some breeding events allowed females from both heterogeneity classes to increase lifetime reproductive output over females that bred annually. However, females of lower quality produced less offspring over their lifetime.

Intermittent breeding seems to be used by female southern elephant seals as a tactic to offset reproductive costs on survival and enhance lifetime reproductive output but remains unavoidable and driven by individual‐specific constraints in some other females.
Land use type, forest cover and forest edges modulate avian cross‐habitat spillover
Authors: Boesing Andrea Larissa , Nichols Elizabeth , Metzger Jean Paul
Published: October 2017

Natural habitats adjacent to agricultural areas are often considered sources of species that provide beneficial regulating ecosystem services through cross‐habitat spillover. Both inter‐habitat matrix and landscape configuration can influence spillover by controlling organismal ability to disperse through landscapes, and affecting the provision of additional or supplementary resources that impact organism survival.

To understand how landscape structure in terms of matrix land use type, forest cover and edge density might facilitate avian cross‐habitat spillover, we sampled avian communities in forest patches and adjacent land use types (coffee plantations or cattle pastures) using a well‐replicated study design across 92 sampling sites across a landscape‐context forest cover gradient (6%–60%).

Land use type was a key factor influencing avian cross‐habitat spillover, facilitating species movement into coffee plantations and acting as a barrier to spillover into cattle pastures. We found that 24% of the forest‐dependent species pool was capable of spillover into coffee plantations, while spillover was nearly non‐existent in cattle pastures.

Forest cover was also the main driver of spillover into coffee plantations. There was a positive relationship between forest cover and spillover, potentially due to processes related with (1) a higher density of organism in‐patches, (2) decreased isolation among patches facilitating species movement and (3) higher landscape supplementation processes.

Finally, we found edge density had an additive effect with forest cover on spillover. Spillover was higher in high‐forested landscapes with many forest‐matrix edges, possibly due to increased structural connectivity for species able to move through edges, and to improved access for forest‐dwelling species to different resource types (complementation processes).

Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate that land use type is a key factor facilitating species spillover into agricultural matrices and that the influence of land use type on spillover is further modulated by a combination of native habitat amount and edge density. These results should be considered in efforts to design or manage sustainable agricultural landscapes in order to enhance both bird persistence and the provision of bird‐mediated ecosystem services.
Stability of prevailing lactobacilli and yeasts in kefir grains and kefir beverages during ten weeks of propagation
Authors: Vardjan Tinkara , Mohar Lorbeg Petra , Čanžek Majhenič Andreja
Published: October 2017

The microbial stability of kefir grains and kefir beverage during 10‐week propagation in two different laboratories was investigated. Plate counts and denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints of lactobacilli and yeasts from kefir grains were comparable between the two laboratories, with Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens subsp. kefirgranum, Lb. kefiri, Lb. parakefiri, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Kazachstania exigua being the prevalent microorganisms. The counts and composition of lactobacilli and yeasts in the kefir beverage in all serial sampling in both laboratories were also very stable and similar to those obtained with kefir grains. Our findings demonstrate that a stable microbiota of kefir grains ensures consistent and constant product quality that is of crucial importance for dairy industry.
Effect of homogenisation of cheese milk and high‐shear mixing of the curd during cream cheese manufacture
Authors: Ningtyas Dian Widya , Bhandari Bhesh , Bansal Nidhi , Prakash Sangeeta
Published: October 2017

The role of the homogenisation pressure of cheese milk (0, 25, 100 MPa) and high‐shear mixing of cheese curd at different speeds (750, 1500, and 3000 r.p.m.) and times (2 and 4 min) in improving the texture of medium‐fat cream cheese was investigated independently. Homogenisation resulted in small fat globules and firmer texture, while increasing speed and mixing times resulted in a decrease in curd particle size and an increase in the spreadability of the cheese. All curd samples from both the trials exhibited shear‐thinning behaviour. Unhomogenised milk and high‐shear mixing of the curd showed a low coefficient of friction (better lubrication property).
Relationship Between Mortality and Cancer‐Bearing Status in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Attended an Educational Program
Authors: Tanaka Akihito , Inaguma Daijo , Watanabe Yu , Murata Minako , Shinjo Hibiki , Koike Kiyomi , Otsuka Yasuhiro , Takeda Asami
Published: October 2017

Patients with malignancy have a poorer prognosis than others do, which must be taken into consideration when treating them for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there are few studies investigating their prognosis. This was an observational study of 515 (394 men and 121 women) stable non‐dialysis patients with CKD who attended a CKD educational program. Mean age was 68.8 ± 13.0 years. Median follow‐up was 968.5 days. Mean creatinine was 3.4 ± 1.6 mg/dL. Of these, 63 had malignancy and 452 did not; 20.6% of the former and 11.9% of the latter group died by the end of the study period (P = 0.0548). Malignancy was not associated with all‐cause mortality (HR: 1.3475, 95% CI: 0.7202–2.5214, P = 0.3507) but with malignancy‐associated mortality (HR: 3.9477, 95% CI: 1.6348–9.5331, P = 0.0023). Renal replacement therapy was not associated with mortality. Since malignancy greatly affects the prognosis, it must be taken into consideration when treating these patients.
Influence of Bioenergy Crop Production and Climate Change on Ecosystem Services
Authors: Cibin Raj , Chaubey Indrajeet , Muenich Rebecca L. , Cherkauer Keith A. , Gassman Philip W. , Kling Catherine L. , Panagopoulos Yiannis
Published: October 2017

Land use change can significantly affect the provision of ecosystem services and the effects could be exacerbated by projected climate change. We quantify ecosystem services of bioenergy‐based land use change and estimate the potential changes of ecosystem services due to climate change projections. We considered 17 bioenergy‐based scenarios with Miscanthus, switchgrass, and corn stover as candidate bioenergy feedstock. Soil and Water Assessment Tool simulations of biomass/grain yield, hydrology, and water quality were used to quantify ecosystem services freshwater provision (FWPI), food (FPI) and fuel provision, erosion regulation (ERI), and flood regulation (FRI). Nine climate projections from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase‐3 were used to quantify the potential climate change variability. Overall, ecosystem services of heavily row cropped Wildcat Creek watershed were lower than St. Joseph River watershed which had more forested and perennial pasture lands. The provision of ecosystem services for both study watersheds were improved with bioenergy production scenarios. Miscanthus in marginal lands of Wildcat Creek (9% of total area) increased FWPI by 27% and ERI by 14% and decreased FPI by 12% from the baseline. For St. Joseph watershed, Miscanthus in marginal lands (18% of total area) improved FWPI by 87% and ERI by 23% while decreasing FPI by 46%. The relative impacts of land use change were considerably larger than climate change impacts in this paper. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on SWAT Applications for Emerging Hydrologic and Water Quality Challenges. See the February 2017 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Assessment of Bioenergy Cropping Scenarios for the Boone River Watershed in North Central Iowa, United States
Authors: Gassman Philip W. , Valcu‐Lisman Adriana M. , Kling Catherine L. , Mickelson Steven K. , Panagopoulos Yiannis , Cibin Raj , Chaubey Indrajeet , Wolter Calvin F. , Schilling Keith E.
Published: October 2017

Several biofuel cropping scenarios were evaluated with an improved version of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) as part of the CenUSA Bioenergy consortium for the Boone River Watershed (BRW), which drains about 2,370 km2 in north central Iowa. The adoption of corn stover removal, switchgrass, and/or Miscanthus biofuel cropping systems was simulated to assess the impact of cellulosic biofuel production on pollutant losses. The stover removal results indicate removal of 20 or 50% of corn stover in the BRW would have negligible effects on streamflow and relatively minor or negligible effects on sediment and nutrient losses, even on higher sloped cropland. Complete cropland conversion into switchgrass or Miscanthus, resulted in reductions of streamflow, sediment, nitrate, and other pollutants ranging between 23‐99%. The predicted nitrate reductions due to Miscanthus adoption were over two times greater compared to switchgrass, with the largest impacts occurring for tile‐drained cropland. Targeting of switchgrass or Miscanthus on cropland ≥2% slope or ≥7% slope revealed a disproportionate amount of sediment and sediment‐bound nutrient reductions could be obtained by protecting these relatively small areas of higher sloped cropland. Overall, the results indicate that all biofuel cropping systems could be effectively implemented in the BRW, with the most robust approach being corn stover removal adopted on tile‐drained cropland in combination with a perennial biofuel crop on higher sloped landscapes. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on SWAT Applications for Emerging Hydrologic and Water Quality Challenges. See the February 2017 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Employment for radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand: Recent graduates survey of experiences and perspectives
Authors: Leung John , Kariyasawam Sanjeewanie , Forstner Dion , Chee Raphael , James Melissa
Published: October 2017

Introduction

This paper reports the key findings of the first survey of recent Radiation Oncology graduates in Australia, New Zealand (ANZ) and Singapore. It explores their experiences in entering the workforce, challenges and perspectives.

Methods

The survey was conducted in April and May 2016 focusing on graduates from 2013 to 2015. The questions related to relocation, current employment, experiences in finding a job, intentions regarding rural work, job satisfaction and perceptions of the job market.

Results

The response rate was 80% (66/83). Most respondents (72.7%) commenced and completed their training in the same location. The large majority of respondents (91%) were employed with 51% as consultants, 20% as fellows and 15% as locums. Sixty‐four percent of respondents spent more than twelve weeks looking for a consultant position, but this was expected by 80% of respondents. Seventy‐three percent of respondents spent more than four weeks looking for a fellowship position, but this was expected by 90%. Twenty seven percent of respondents lived and worked in a rural area with nearly half of respondents who did not work in a rural area, indicating they would consider so if certain conditions were met. The large majority (75%) were satisfied with their current employment with only seven percent reporting dissatisfaction. Respondents felt that the job market was very competitive because of the large number of trainees and better workforce planning was required to ensure a reasonable balance between workforce supply and demand. Some career guidance and mentorship for readiness for the job market was thought to be beneficial.

Conclusions

This initial survey of recent Radiation Oncology graduates in ANZ and Singapore has revealed the large majority are employed as consultants or fellows, although there is apprehension about a competitive job market. The survey should be repeated on a regular basis to monitor future trends.
Explaining Resource Nationalism
Authors: Pryke Sam
Published: October 2017

This article attempts to dissect the term resource nationalism (hereafter RN). It looks first at the origins of the term. Second, it examines various definitions of RN: in the business press where a zero sum conception of state and corporate interest is generally assumed, related definitions in academic writings that hinge on the relative control of resources by government and company, explanations that subsume the phenomenon within economic nationalism, accounts that stress how it restricts outputs and, finally, recent discussions that question prevailing understandings of RN and emphasise instead the diversity of its contemporary forms. The article then considers drivers of RN: the capture of economic rents, the corollary of the influence of market prices on this objective, obsolescing bargaining, the pressures of natural scarcity and the role of national identity. Fourth, the global context, commercial and legal, in which RN operates. Finally, the article considers the fluctuations in RN in recent years.
Interactive Effects of Maternal Alcohol Problems and Parental Separation on Timing of Daughter's First Drink
Authors: Waldron Mary , Watkins Nicole K. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Heath Andrew C.
Published: October 2017

Background

Few studies examine risk to offspring who experience both parental alcohol problems and parental separation and still fewer consider gender of the affected parent. We examined interactive effects of maternal versus paternal alcohol problems and parental separation on timing of first alcoholic drink in daughters.

Methods

Data were drawn from a sample of 3,539 European (or other) ancestry (EA) and 611 African ancestry (AA) female twins born between 1975 and 1985, median age 15 at first assessment. Cox proportional hazards regression models were estimated predicting age at first full drink from parental history of alcohol problems (mother only, father only, or both parents), parental separation during childhood, and the interaction of parental alcohol problems and parental separation. Cox models were estimated without and with adjustment for correlated risk factors, separately for EA and AA twins.

Results

For both EA and AA twins, a significant interaction between parental separation and mother‐only alcohol problems was observed, suggesting reduced risk of drinking associated with mother‐only alcohol problems in separated versus intact families.

Conclusions

Findings highlight parental separation as an important moderator of risk to children of mothers who have a history of problem drinking, with interactive effects observed consistently across racial group. To identify underlying processes, additional research is needed with more detailed characterization of separated families where mother only has a history of alcohol problems.
Adverse cardiac events in out‐patients initiating clozapine treatment: a nationwide register‐based study
Authors: Rohde C. , Polcwiartek C. , Kragholm K. , Ebdrup B. H. , Siskind D. , Nielsen J.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Using national Danish registers, we estimated rates of clozapine‐associated cardiac adverse events. Rates of undiagnosed myocarditis were estimated by exploring causes of death after clozapine initiation.

Method

Through nationwide health registers, we identified all out‐patients initiating antipsychotic treatment (January 1, 1996–January 1, 2015). Rates of clozapine‐associated myocarditis and pericarditis within 2 months from clozapine initiation and rates of cardiomyopathy within 1–2 years from clozapine initiation were compared to rates for other antipsychotics. Mortality within 2 months from clozapine initiation was extracted.

Results

Three thousand two hundred and sixty‐two patients of a total 7932 patients initiated clozapine as out‐patients (41.12%). One patient (0.03%) developed myocarditis, and no patients developed pericarditis within 2 months from clozapine initiation. Two (0.06%) and four patients (0.12%) developed cardiomyopathy within 1 and 2 years respectively. Rates were similar for other antipsychotics. Twenty‐six patients died within 2 months from clozapine initiation. Pneumonia (23.08%) and stroke (11.54%) were the main causes of death. We estimated the maximum rate of clozapine‐associated fatal myocarditis to 0.28%.

Conclusion

Cardiac adverse effects in Danish out‐patients initiating clozapine treatment are extremely rare and these rates appear to be comparable to those observed for other antipsychotic drugs.
Out of the frying pan: Reintroduction of toad‐smart northern quolls to southern Kakadu National Park
Authors: Jolly Christopher J. , Kelly Ella , Gillespie Graeme R. , Phillips Ben , Webb Jonathan K.
Published: October 2017

Invasive species are a leading cause of native biodiversity loss. In Australia, the toxic, invasive cane toad Rhinella marina has caused massive and widespread declines of northern quolls Dasyurus hallucatus. Quolls are fatally poisoned if they mistakenly prey on adult toads. To prevent the extinction of this native dasyurid from the Top End, an insurance population was set up in 2003 on two toad‐free islands in Arnhem Land. In 2015, quolls were collected from one of these islands (Astell) for reintroduction. We used conditioned taste aversion to render 22 of these toad‐naïve quolls toad averse. Seven quolls received no taste aversion training. The source island was also predator‐free, so all quolls received very basic predator‐aversion training. In an attempt to re‐establish the mainland population, we reintroduced these 29 northern quolls into Kakadu National Park in northern Australia where cane toads have been established for 13 years. The difference in survival between toad‐averse and toad‐naive quolls was immediately apparent. Toad‐naive quolls were almost all killed by toads within 3 days. Toad‐averse quolls, on the other hand, not only survived longer but also were recorded mating. Our predator training, however, was far less effective. Dingo predation accounted for a significant proportion of toad‐smart quoll mortality. In Kakadu, dingoes have been responsible for high levels of quoll predation in the past and reintroduced animals are often vulnerable to predation‐mediated population extinction. Dingoes may also be more effective predators in fire degraded landscapes. Together, these factors could explain the extreme predation mortality that we witnessed. In addition, predator aversion may have been lost from the predator‐free island populations. These possibilities are not mutually exclusive but need to be investigated because they have clear bearing on the long‐term recovery of the endangered northern quoll.
Why does on‐farm storage fail to mitigate price volatility?
Authors: Maître d'Hôtel Elodie , Le Cotty Tristan
Published: October 2017

We analyze the role of farm stock management on price volatility under liquidity constraints and heterogeneous price expectations. In commodity markets, speculative behaviors by stockholders tend to reduce price volatility, but this is not the case in certain agricultural markets, where speculation by farmers regarding decisions to sell or store grain is subject to liquidity constraints and heterogeneous price expectations. Like stockholders, most farmers sell grain if they expect a price drop in the near future, but unlike stockholders, they are not necessarily able to purchase grain if they expect a price increase in the next period. Heterogeneous price expectations can also lead to suboptimal storage decisions, further increasing price volatility. For these reasons, the storage management behavior of farmers often fails to mitigate price drops in the way that speculation by stockholders does. We merge historical data on maize prices and household storage collected in Burkina Faso in order to build a dynamic panel over the 2005–2012 period. We show that carryover from one season to the next is associated with unexpected price drops during the preceding lean season and that carryover is associated with more frequent unexpected price drops following the subsequent post‐harvest season.
Chemical peels: A review of current practice
Authors: O'Connor Alicia A , Lowe Patricia M , Shumack Stephen , Lim Adrian C
Published: October 2017

Chemical peels belong to a group of cutaneous resurfacing procedures that are used in the treatment of photoageing, inflammatory dermatoses, epidermal proliferations, pigmentary disorders and scarring. This review describes best current practice, highlights recent advances in chemical peel technology and discusses the recommended uses for different peel types. It also presents the results of a survey of the chemical peeling practices of 30 Australian dermatologists.