bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Bishop-Hill model combined finite element analysis for elastic-yield limited design
Authors: Takahashi Ribeka , Fullwood David T. , Rampton Travis M. , Skousen Darrell J. , Adams Brent L. , Mattson Christopher A.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Microstructure-sensitive design (MSD), for optimal performance of engineering components that are sensitive to material anisotropy, has largely been confined to the realm of theory. The purpose of this paper is to insert the MSD framework into a finite element environment in order to arrive at a practical tool for improved selection and design of materials for critical engineering situations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study applies the recently developed Hybrid Bishop-Hill (HBH) model to map the yield surface of anisotropic oxygen free electronic copper. Combining this information with the detailed local stresses determined via finite element analysis (FEA), a “configurational yield stress” is determined for the entire component. By varying the material choice/processing conditions and selecting the directionality of anisotropy, an optimal configuration is found.

Findings

– The paper provides a new FEA-based framework for MSD for yield-limited situations. The approach identified optimal directionality and processing configurations for three engineering situations that are particularly sensitive to material anisotropy.

Research limitations/implications

– The microstructure design space for this study is limited to a selection of eight copper materials produced by a range of processing methods, but is generalizable to many materials that exhibit anisotropic behavior.

Originality/value

– The introduction of MSD methodology into a finite element environment is a first step toward a comprehensive designer toolkit for exploiting the anisotropy of general materials (such as metals) in a way that is routinely undertaken in the world of fiber-based composite materials. While the gains are not as sizeable (due to the less-extreme anisotropy), in many applications they may be extremely important.
Automated element grouping and self-stress identification of tensegrities
Authors: Koohestani Kambiz
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The determination of feasible self-stress modes and grouping of elements for tensegrities with predefined geometry and multiple self-stress modes is very important, though difficult, in the design of these structures. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach to the automated element grouping and self-stress identification of tensegrities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of feasible solutions conforming to the unilateral behaviour of elements is obtained through an optimisation process, which is solved using a genetic algorithm. Each chromosome in the population having a negative fitness is a distinctive feasible solution with its own grouping characteristic, which is automatically determined throughout the evolution process.

Findings

– The self-stress identification is formulated through an unconstrained minimisation problem. The objective function of this minimisation problem is defined in such a way that takes into account both the feasibility of a solution and grouping of elements. The method generates a set of feasible self-stress modes rather than a single one and automatically and simultaneously suggests a grouping of elements for every feasible self-stress mode. A self-stress mode with a minimal/subminimal grouping of elements is also obtained.

Originality/value

– The method can efficiently generate sets of feasible solutions rather than a single one. The authors also address one of the challenging issues related to this identification, i.e., automated grouping of elements. These features makes the method very efficient since most of the state-of-the-art methods address the self-stress identification of tensegrities based on predefined groupings of elements whilst providing only a single corresponding solution.
Entrepreneurship education: a need for reflection, real-world experience and action
Authors: Kassean Hemant , Vanevenhoven Jeff , Liguori Eric , Winkel Doan E.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of common undergraduate entrepreneurship classroom activities on students’ motivational processes related to entrepreneurial careers.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 700 undergraduate students from a variety of majors at a large midwestern university in the USA were invited to take a web-based survey. They were asked to indicate which experiential activities they would participate/were participating in as part of their program.

Findings

– The findings show that students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) is a driving force in classroom activities enhancing students’ intentions. However, the authors also found that the type of classroom activities that are common in entrepreneurship education negatively impact students’ ESE.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalizability is limited to the US region and the link from intention to behavior goes untested, but results strongly supported the adoption of social cognitive career theory to the entrepreneurship domain.

Practical implications

– This study lends support to the argument that promoting the learning process in entrepreneurship education should focus on real-world experience, action, and reflective processes to engage students in authentic learning, which should lead to greater entrepreneurial abilities and propensity, and eventually to enhanced entrepreneurial performance, which benefits individuals and societies.

Social implications

– This study suggests that the goals and pedagogical approaches to teaching entrepreneurship are issues that educators may need to revisit and update if the economic benefits of entrepreneurship are to be fully realized.

Originality/value

– While the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship activity is well documented in extant literature, this study found that activities that are common in entrepreneurship education may negatively impact students’ ESE and need to be further explored.
Resource sharing in Latin America
Authors: Marvin Stephen G
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate the developments in resource sharing in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is based on research carried out in a number of countries in Latin America financed and supported by a number of organizations, including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publication (INASP) and The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC).

Findings

– Dominance of English language databases, publications and indexing has notably created a barrier for access and entry of Spanish language publications in Latin America. The consortia project encountered barriers of language and infrastructure, conflicts with trade barriers, the value of forming consortia and the values of literacy. Prospects of positive change were noted with engagement in electronic resources.

Originality/value

– One of the very few studies of developments in resource sharing in Latin America with an excellent apparatus of Web sites and references.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 90
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the current LIS literature for document supply, resource sharing and other issues such as open access that have an impact on the service.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is based on the scanning of about 150 journals, reports, websites and blogs.

Findings

– Important changes are taking place at the British Library. The new (4th) edition of the STM report is well worth reading. Much again, on open access, particularly the high costs of Gold. Elsevier comes in for some more bad press.

Originality/value

– The only regular literature review that focuses on interlending, document supply and related issues.
FIZ AutoDoc – the customer-oriented document delivery service
Authors: Hauser Robert
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– To describe both the service and recent developments of FIZ AutoDoc.

Design/methodology/approach

– An in depth description with particular emphasis on copyright issues.

Findings

– That FIZ AutoDoc has developed to respond to the information needs of its customers primarily in the commercial sector internationally.

Originality/value

– A full description of a valuable service that draws upon the resources of many partners to provide commercial organizations with the information that they need.
Determinants of influence strategies in international strategic alliances
Authors: Lin Xiaohua , Guan Jian
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate how relative power and mutual commitment affect partners’ choice of influence strategies and how national culture may moderate these effects in the context of international strategic alliances.

Design/methodology/approach

– In two experiments involving US and Chinese managers, respectively, the study looks into situations wherein a party’s power is lower, equal or higher, all relative to the other party, and there is high versus low mutual commitment between the two parties. The effects of relative power and mutual commitment on influence strategies are also compared between US and Chinese managers.

Findings

– There is no significant difference between low and equal power with regard to choice of influence strategies. However, moving from a low/equal power to a high-power position, a party’s use of integrative (non-mediated) communications decreased significantly, whereas the use of coercive (mediated) communications increased significantly. The results also show that the effect of relative power is greater when mutual commitment is low than when mutual commitment is high. Finally, there is evidence that the effect of power is stronger for the Americans, whereas the effect of commitment is stronger for the Chinese.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a finer account of power relations wherein a party’s power is lower than, equal to or higher than that of the other party and explores the moderating effect role of national culture on the linkages from relative power and relationship commitment to influence strategy use.
Exploring barriers to the implementation of city development strategies (CDS) in Iranian cities
Authors: Maghsoodi Tilaki Mohammad Javad , Hedayati Massoomeh
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to explore the barriers to the implementation of city development strategy (CDS) to achieve the goals in Iranian cities which have experienced rapid uncontrolled growth in recent decades. As comprehensive planning method has failed to tackle the challenges facing the cities, various recommendations have been made to employ the CDS as a successful method based on strategic urban planning to develop Iranian cities.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is qualitatively conducted based on the primary and secondary data in which the primary data were obtained from 11 semi-structured interviews, while the secondary data were collected through a review of international theoretical studies, Iranian experimental research and reports.

Findings

– The findings of this study indicate five major barriers to the implementation of the Iranian urban planning process based on the CDS. These comprise the centralization of urban planning structure, coordination and relationship of agencies, financial resources, related laws and regulations and public participation.

Originality/value

– This study develops a compelling argument that what is missing from research on CDS is an examination of the potential barriers of CDS implementation, particularly in Iranian cities.
Pressures for sustainability practices in an oil and gas company: evidence from Sudan
Authors: Abdalla Yousif Abdelbagi , A.K Siti-Nabiha
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the pressures to adhere to sustainability practices in an oil company in Sudan and its response to these pressures.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative case study research was conducted through interviews with the case company’s managers and various external stakeholders. The interviews were complemented by several informal conversations, observations and documentary materials.

Findings

– There were external and internal pressures exerted on the company to adopt sustainability practices. However, the coercive pressures did not necessarily bring about a real change in the organisation. The forces of change were mainly the foreign partner’s audit pressure and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) allegations, which were given serious attention, due to the importance of reputation as an asset to the company.

Practical implications

– Clear regulatory frameworks, more direct engagement with NGOs and meeting the expectations of the local communities were considered as crucial factors to ensure there is a pathway for sustainability in the oil and gas industry of developing countries.

Originality/value

– Most previous studies on the motivation for corporate sustainability practices focussed on external pressures. This study examined the specific types of stakeholders’ group, among the internal and external stakeholders, that has most influence on the organisation’s sustainability practices, in the context of a developing country with weak regulatory governance.
“Modes of mediation” for conceptualizing how different roles for accountants are made present
Authors: El-Sayed Heba , Youssef Mayada Abd El-Aziz
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to, using the concept of “modes of mediation”, examine how different roles for accountants are “made present” in an Egyptian manufacturing company. The paper introduces the notion of “modes of mediation” as a different perspective for the opposing popular archetypes of accountants: “bean-counter” versus “business partner”. Modes of mediation emphasise the materiality of artefacts, entities and technologies, as well as organisational space and spatial settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on a field study in an Egyptian manufacturing company where accountants are engaged as business partners and involved in operations planning and decision-making. The data were collected over a period of four years through participant observation, interviews and ethnographic techniques.

Findings

– The paper reveals the relational nature of accountants’ calculative agency and shows how roles of accountants are intimately associated with a web of technologies and artefacts, as well as spatial working arrangements that represent particular “modes of mediation”.

Research limitations/implications

– The concept of “modes of mediation”, which is still under-explored in the role change literature, is useful in studying the roles of accountants. It enriches our understanding of the wider involvement of accountants in business decision-making that goes beyond the major drivers of role change and deliberate interventions discussed in the existing literature.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the literature on role change by drawing attention to the way in which different modes of mediation, involving certain material and spatial arrangements, enact different forms of calculative agency. Minor alteration to these arrangements can result in a wider involvement of accountants in business decision-making.
Optimum portfolio selection using a hybrid genetic algorithm and analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Solimanpur Maghsoud , Mansourfar Gholamreza , Ghayour Farzad
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a multi-objective model to the optimum portfolio selection using genetic algorithm and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Portfolio selection is a multi-objective decision-making problem in financial management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed approach solves the problem in two stages. In the first stage, the portfolio selection problem is formulated as a zero-one mathematical programming model to optimize two objectives, namely, return and risk. A genetic algorithm (GA) with multiple fitness functions called as Multiple Fitness Functions Genetic Algorithm is applied to solve the formulated model. The proposed GA results in several non-dominated portfolios being in the Pareto (efficient) frontier. A decision-making approach based on AHP is then used in the second stage to select the portfolio from among the solutions obtained by GA which satisfies a decision-maker’s interests at most.

Findings

– The proposed decision-making system enables an investor to find a portfolio which suits for his/her expectations at most. The main advantage of the proposed method is to provide prima-facie information about the optimal portfolios lying on the efficient frontier and thus helps investors to decide the appropriate investment alternatives.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper is due to its comprehensiveness in which seven criteria are taken into account in the selection of a portfolio including return, risk, beta ratio, liquidity ratio, reward to variability ratio, Treynor’s ratio and Jensen’s alpha.
A quantitative critique of Kerlin’s macro-institutional social enterprise framework
Authors: Monroe-White Thema , Kerlin Janelle A. , Zook Sandy
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide the first large data-set regression analysis to test Kerlin’s (2013) macro-institutional social enterprise framework in relation to the country social enterprise models that flow from it. Kerlin (2013) offers a conceptual framework for country social enterprise models that allows countries to retain their unique understanding of social enterprise and better understand the factors influencing its development.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the theory of historical institutionalism and multiple global datasets to test formal hypotheses on the relationship between macro-institutional factors and the size of the social enterprise sector across countries. Social enterprise data were obtained from the 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor dataset. Hypotheses were tested using logistic hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

– Results provide support for the framework at a significant level. Nearly half of the variance in the size of the social enterprise sector can be attributed to countries-level factors. We also find that the size of the social enterprise sector varies by economic competitiveness rank, size of the welfare state and collectivist cultural orientation.

Research limitations/implications

– The countries included in this study are not representative of the global landscape. Researchers are encouraged to test the framework with a more representative sample of countries, including those in the Global South.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for policy makers and researchers seeking to facilitate cross-regional dialogue, the transfer and support of social enterprises and research.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfills an identified need to advance the field of social enterprise by quantitatively testing established frameworks.
Role of physical factors in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid: Case report series and a comprehensive review of the published work
Authors: Dănescu Sorina , Chiorean Roxana , Macovei Victorina , Sitaru Cassian , Baican Adrian
Published: July 2015

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease affecting mainly the elderly. The subtype of the disease induced by physical agents represents a rare and, therefore, insufficiently characterized form. In the present study, we aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the onset of BP induced by different trigger factors. We have retrospectively analyzed nine cases of BP. All patients were characterized based on clinical, epidemiological and immunological parameters. For each case, the trigger factor involved was specified. In addition to our retrospective analysis, a comprehensive review of the 59 published cases was conducted, regarding the involvement of trigger factor in BP, and clinical, epidemiological and immunological data were collected. In the local study, conducted on nine patients diagnosed with BP, various trigger factors were identified: contrast substance injection, surgical procedure, mechanical trauma, insect bite, thermal burn, radiotherapy and ultraviolet exposure associated with pre‐existing psoriasis. The autoantibodies from all patients were shown to activate granulocytes and induce dermal–epidermal split. Different hypotheses regarding the pathogenetic mechanism involving the trigger factors have been discussed. In regard of the pathogenetic mechanism, we believe that the most reliable hypothesis is that BP patients already have low titers of anti‐basement membrane autoantibodies which activate the granulocytes. However, more studies are needed for a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism of the intervention of trigger factors.
A bust but no boom: responses of floodplain bird assemblages during and after prolonged drought
Authors: Selwood Katherine E. , Clarke Rohan H. , Cunningham Shaun C. , Lada Hania , McGeoch Melodie A. , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: July 2015

Climate change alters the frequency and severity of extreme events, such as drought. Such events will be increasingly important in shaping communities as climate change intensifies. The ability of species to withstand extreme events (resistance) and to recover once adverse conditions abate (resilience) will determine their persistence.

We estimated the resistance and resilience of bird species during and after a 13‐year drought (the ‘Big Dry’) in floodplain forests in south‐eastern Australia.

We conducted bird surveys at the beginning and end of the Big Dry, and after the abrupt end to the drought (the ‘Big Wet’), to evaluate species‐specific changes in reporting rates among the three periods. We assessed changes in bird‐breeding activity before and after the Big Wet to estimate demographic resilience based on breeding.

Between the start and the end of the Big Dry (1998 vs. 2009), 37 of 67 species declined substantially. Of those, only two had increased reporting rates after the Big Wet (2009 vs. 2013) that were equal to or larger than their declines, while three partially recovered. All other declining species showed low resilience: 25 showed no change in reporting rates and seven declined further. The number of breeding species and total breeding activity of all species declined after the Big Wet, and there was no change in the number of young produced.

The Big Dry caused widespread declines in the floodplain avifauna. Despite the drought being broken by 2 years of well‐above‐average rainfall and subsequent near‐average rainfall, most species showed low resilience and there was little indication that overall breeding had increased. The effects of drought appeared to be pervasive for much of the floodplain avifauna, regardless of species traits (species body mass, fecundity, mobility or diet). Ecosystems such as these are likely to require active management and restoration, including reinstatement of natural flooding regimes, to improve ecological condition, to enhance resistance and resilience to extreme climate events.
Biological Flora of the British Isles:Neottia ovata
Authors: Kotilínek Milan , Těšitelová Tamara , Jersáková Jana
Published: July 2015

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofNeottia ovata(L.) Bluff & Fingerh. (Common Twayblade;Listera ovata(L.) R. Br.) that are relevant to an understanding of its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theBiological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, reproductive characteristics, herbivores, history and conservation.

Neottia ovatais one of the commonest orchids in the British Isles. It occupies a wide range of habitats from lowlands to mountains and from wet to dry sites: deciduous broadleaved and mixed woodland, forest edges, calcareous grassland and scrub, hedgerows, dry meadows, pastures, sand dunes, fens, floodplains and some anthropogenic sites.

Neottia ovatais a perennial herb whose populations are maintained predominantly by sexual reproduction, as vegetative spread is limited. The main perennating organ is a horizontal rhizome that produces a new internode every year. The numerous adventitious roots are mainly colonized by Basidiomycota from Sebacinales (Clade B) but also by several other fungal groups. Dormancy, that is the failure of above‐ground parts to appear in a growing season, followed by reappearance of full‐sized photosynthetic plants in subsequent seasons, has been occasionally observed and typically lasts for one, or sometimes 2 years.

The species flowers from early May to the beginning of July, or August at higher altitudes. The flowers of the genusNeottiapossess a sensitive rostellum that releases a viscid fluid when it is touched, gluing the pollinia to the pollinator.N. ovatais pollinated mainly by three insect groups: ichneumonids, sawflies and beetles. The mean fraction of flowers setting fruit isc. 40%, but it depends on weather conditions: in rainy weather, it decreases to 10%, and in warm, dry weather, it can increase to 100%. Spontaneous autogamy is rare (1% of flowers).

Neottia ovatais classified as a species of Least Concern in Great Britain. Although it appears well adapted to countryside changes, thanks to its wide habitat range, the species has vanished from almost 30% of its historical sites in Britain and Ireland. Agricultural activities are mainly responsible for losses ofN. ovatasites in the lowlands.
Anti‐oxidative effect of the β‐blocker carvedilol on diabetic nephropathy in non‐obese type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Yonekura Yuriko , Fujii Hideki , Nakai Kentaro , Kono Keiji , Goto Shunsuke , Shinohara Masami , Nishi Shinichi
Published: July 2015

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The β‐blocker carvedilol has been proven to have an anti‐oxidant property. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of carvedilol on diabetic nephropathy. At 20 weeks of age, male Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats were divided into three groups based on treatment: (i) an INS group (administered insulin); (ii) a CAR group (administered 10 mg/kg per day, p.o., carvedilol); and (iii) a diabetic (DM) group (administered vehicle). Rats were treated for a period of 10 weeks and were killed at 30 weeks of age. Urinary albumin excretion, renal histomorphology, and oxidative stress were evaluated. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly lower in the CAR than DM group (42.82 ± 3.94 vs 76.62 ± 13.74 mg/day respectively; P < 0.05). The mesangial index was lower in the CAR group than in the DM group. Urinary excretion of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), the number of 8‐OHdG‐positive cells in glomeruli, and the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase p22phox and p47phox were also lower in the CAR than DM group. However, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood pressure levels were comparable between the two groups. The results suggest that carvedilol could prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy by suppressing oxidative stress.
Remedial early numeracy education: can children identified as having a language deficiency benefit?
Authors: Van Luit Johannes E. H. , Toll Sylke W. M.
Published: July 2015

Background

Growing attention has been paid to the possibility of supporting early numeracy in at‐risk kindergartners. Furthermore, it is assumed that language proficiency is an important prerequisite in early maths skills.

Aims

To examine whether remedial early numeracy education in kindergarten, which has been proven to be effective in general, is also beneficial for children with a language deficiency.

Methods & Procedures

Based on intensive selection, four different conditions were included: two groups received remedial education, one consisting of children being language proficient (N = 86) and one of children with a language deficiency (N = 26), and two groups followed the regular curriculum, one consisting of children being language proficient (N = 51) and one of children with a language deficiency (N = 24). Remedial education was for 1.5 school years (90 sessions, 30 min per session, twice per week), following the programme ‘The Road to Mathematics’. During this period, the children receiving remedial education did not attend the regular maths lessons in the classroom, which were offered for at least 1 h per week. Effects were assessed for early numeracy and mathematical skills (operationalized as basic calculation fluency) in kindergarten and first grade.

Outcomes & Results

Three analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) revealed that, when accounting for achievement at pre‐test, children with a language deficiency who received remedial numeracy education performed better on early numeracy skills in kindergarten and first grade than kindergartners with a language deficiency that followed the regular curriculum. Furthermore, they were able to catch up with their language proficient peers in early numeracy. However, children with a language deficiency who received remedial numeracy education did not differ from children who followed the regular curriculum on mathematical skills, suggesting that benefits for numeracy did not generalize to more advanced skills of addition and subtraction.

Conclusions & Implications

Since, in general, it can be concluded that early numeracy education is indeed effective for kindergartners with a language deficiency, this study finds evidence that intensive support is desirable for children with delayed or impaired language development.
International Relations Theory and Global Sexuality Politics
Authors: Langlois Anthony J.
Published: July 2015

Responding to efforts to ‘resurrect’ International Relations theory, this article suggests that the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) – and, more controversially perhaps, queer – global sexuality politics can bring new and transformative insights to the discipline. The study of this global sexuality politics is replete with ideas and approaches that can and should be integrated with IR theory. The article ﬁrst considers the general absence of global sexuality politics within IR, and why this is signiﬁcant for theorising the international. It then surveys some recent scholarship which shows how the study of global sexuality politics can speak to and within IR.
Suburban Inertia: The Entrenchment of Dispersed Suburbanism
Authors: Filion Pierre
Published: July 2015

During the years following the second world war, an urban development model—dispersed suburbanism (DS)—came to predominate in North America. The low‐density functional specialization and all‐out automobile orientation of this new urban form were ideally suited to the circumstances of the time, thus accounting for its rapid adoption. DS also proved to be adaptable to changing societal circumstances, which explains its predominance as an urban development model under both Fordism and neoliberalism. The adaptability of this urban form also contributed to its spread across much of the world, including Europe. This essay contends that powerful path dependencies maintain DS in place, despite planning efforts to achieve more compact, public‐transit oriented urban development. It also argues that the persistence of DS is a source of hardship for low‐income households forced to live in suburban environments, and entrenches conservative political values.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States: Risk Factors for Untimely Access
Authors: Hsia Renee Y. , Shen Yu‐Chu
Published: July 2015

Objective

To determine how access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is distributed across demographics.

Data Sources

Secondary data from the 2011 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey data combined with 2010 Census.

Study Design

We calculated prehospital times from 32,370 ZIP codes to the nearest PCI center. We used a multivariate logit model to determine the odds of untimely access by the ZIP code's concentration of vulnerable populations.

Data Collection

We used ZIP code–level data on community characteristics from the 2010 Census and supplemented it with 2011 AHA survey data on service‐line availability of PCI for responding hospitals.

Principal Findings

For approximately 306 million Americans, the median prehospital time to the nearest PCI center is 33 minutes. While 84 percent of Americans live within one hour of a PCI center, the odds of untimely access are higher in low‐income (OR: 3.00; 95 percent CI: 2.39, 3.77), rural (8.10; 95 percent CI: 6.84, 9.59), and highly Hispanic communities (2.55; 95 percent CI: 1.86, 3.49).

Conclusions

While the majority of Americans live within 60 minutes of a PCI center, rural, low‐income, and highly Hispanic communities have worse PCI access. This may translate into worse outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Is bigger better? Male body size affects wing‐borne courtship signals and mating success in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Benelli Giovanni , Donati Elisa , Romano Donato , Ragni Giacomo , Bonsignori Gabriella , Stefanini Cesare , Canale Angelo
Published: July 2015

Variations in male body size are known to affect inter‐ and intrasexual selection outcomes in a wide range of animals. In mating systems involving sexual signaling before mating, body size often acts as a key factor affecting signal strength and mate choice. We evaluated the effect of male size on courtship displays and mating success of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Wing vibrations performed during successful and unsuccessful courtships by large and small males were recorded by high‐speed videos and analyzed through frame‐by‐frame analysis. Mating success of large and small males was investigated. The effect of male–male competition on mating success was evaluated. Male body size affected both male courtship signals and mating outcomes. Successful males showed wing‐borne signals with high frequencies and short interpulse intervals. Wing vibrations displayed by successful large males during copulation attempt had higher frequencies over smaller males and unsuccessful large males. In no‐competition conditions, large males achieved higher mating success with respect to smaller ones. Allowing large and small males to compete for a female, large males achieve more mating success over smaller ones. Mate choice by females may be based on selection of the larger males, able to produce high‐frequency wing vibrations. Such traits may be indicative of “good genes,” which under sexual selection could means good social‐interaction genes, or a good competitive manipulator of conspecifics.
Challenges for Use of PeroxySafe™ MSA Kit for Analysis of Poultry Meat
Authors: King Annie J. , Suen Lok T. M.
Published: July 2015

The rapid SafTest PeroxySafe™ MSA Kit (PeroxySafe method) was approved by the AOAC to determine peroxide values (PVs) in foods. Studies were conducted to remedy challenges (reaction time, lack of turbidity in samples, effect of prooxidant [NaCl]) for use of the method when analyzing PVs in turkey meat. Initially, PVs could not be consistently obtained after a reaction time of 10 min (per directions) for variously processed meat. However, trends indicated that heated and heated/stored samples generally had higher numerical values than Fresh ones. This trend agreed with that of other investigators, suggesting usefulness of the method if consistent data could be obtained. Data for PVs of all treatments within processing conditions were recorded at 10, 20, and 30 min. There was a highly significant (P ≤ 0.0001) effect for reaction time with 30 min > 20 min > 10 min. An increase in PVs was noted for heated samples when lipids and oxidation products were released by homogenization, rather than vortexing with glass beads, and data were recorded at the 30 min. It is likely that these precautions may promote more accurate determination of PVs from samples with NaCl, a prooxidant. Comparison of extraction procedures for the PeroxySafe method and that of Grau and others (2000) showed that the extraction procedure (homogenization) of the latter method produced numerically greater PVs for fresh/stored samples than that of the former. However, it was concluded that the PeroxySafe method could be used for comparative analyses of samples when adequate extraction (turbidity) occurred and measurements were recorded after a 20 to 30 min reaction time.
The Influence of Two‐Stage Ditches with Constructed Floodplains on Water Column Nutrients and Sediments in Agricultural Streams
Authors: Davis Robert T. , Tank Jennifer L. , Mahl Ursula H. , Winikoff Sarah G. , Roley Sarah S.
Published: July 2015

The two‐stage ditch is a novel management practice originally implemented to increase bank stability through floodplain restoration in channelized agricultural streams. To determine the effects of two‐stage construction on sediment and nutrient loads, we monitored turbidity, and also measured total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) species, and phosphorus (P) after two‐stage ditch construction in reference and manipulated reaches of four streams. Turbidity decreased during floodplain inundation at all sites, but TSS and P, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) decreased only in the two‐stage ditches with longer duration of inundation. Both TSS and TP were positively correlated within individual streams, but neither were correlated with turbidity. Phosphorus was elevated in the stream to which manure was applied adjacent to the two‐stage reach, but not the reference reach, suggesting that landscape nutrient management plans could restrict nutrient transport to the stream, ultimately determining the efficacy of instream management practices. In addition, ammonium and nitrate decreased in two‐stage reaches with lower initial N concentrations. Overall, results suggest that turbidity, TSS, and TP were reduced during floodplain inundation, but the two‐stage alone may not be effective for managing high inorganic N loads.
Reliability of Box and Block Test for manual dexterity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study
Authors: Ranjan Alok , Raj Lydia Edward , Kumar Dilesh , Sandhya Pulukool , Danda Debashish
Published: July 2015

Objective

This study is aimed to determine the reliability of the Box and Block (B&B) Test for manual dexterity of upper extremity function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare the results with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, and also with available normative data.

Methods

The reliability of B&B Test was assessed within and between testers using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in patients with RA attending rheumatology clinics of Christian Medical College Hospital, India. The dexterity scores of patients were then compared with age‐ and sex‐matched controls and the Mathiowetz's population‐based normative data by Student's independent t‐test.

Results

The interrater and intrarater reliability of the B&B Test in patients with RA (n = 60) ranged from 0.92 to 0.97 and 0.91 to 0.95, respectively. The dexterity scores in patients with RA were lower as compared to the control group (dominant hand 54.87 vs. 68.18, P < 0.001; contralateral hand 52.65 vs. 65.6, P < 0.001) and population‐based normative score (dominant hand 54.87 vs. 80.02, P < 0.001; contralateral hand 52.65 vs. 77.23; P < 0.001). The control group scores were also lower than the normative data. Higher age of patient, longer disease duration and higher disease activity reflected by Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS‐28) also correlated well with lower dexterity score.

Conclusions

The B&B Test is a reliable tool for assessing upper extremity function in patients with RA and the dexterity scores are lower for RA patients. The scores had correlation with age, disease duration and disease activity.
Consensus development on eligibility of government subsidisation of biologic disease modifying anti‐rheumatic agents for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: The Singapore experience
Authors: Cheung Peter P. , Lahiri Manjari , Teng Gim‐Gee , Lui Nai‐Lee , Chia Faith L. , Koh Dow‐Rhoon , Koh Wei‐Howe , Ng Swee‐Cheng , Suresh Ernest , Leong Khai‐Pang , Lim Anita Y. N. , Thumboo Julian , Lau Tang‐Ching , Leong Keng‐Hong
Published: July 2015

Introduction

The beneficial effects of biologic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), such as tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (anti‐TNF) in active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are well established. The significant costs on patients in the absence of financial subsidization can limit their use. The objective was to describe a consensus development process on recommendations for government‐assisted funding of biologic therapy for AS patients in Singapore.

Methods

Evidence synthesis followed by a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) was used. Eleven rheumatologists rated indications for therapies for different proposed clinical scenarios. Points reflecting the output from the formal group consensus were used to formulate 10 practice recommendations.

Results

It was agreed that a bDMARD (anti‐TNF) is indicated if a patient has active AS with a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥ 4 and spinal pain of ≥ 4 cm on visual analogue scale (VAS) on two occasions at least 12 weeks apart, despite being on a minimum of two sequential non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs at maximal tolerated dose for at least 4 weeks, in addition to adherence to an appropriate physiotherapy program for at least 3 months. To qualify for continued biologic therapy, a patient must have documentation of response every 3 months and at least 50% improvement in BASDAI and reduction of spinal pain VAS ≥ 2 cm.

Conclusion

A validated and feasible consensus process can enable pragmatic standardized recommendations to be developed for bDMARD subsidization for AS patients in a local Asian context.
Is there a Future for ‘Jus ex Bello’?
Authors: Colonomos Ariel
Published: July 2015

This article discusses the future potential of a norm that emerged recently from the academic literature surrounding the ethics of war, and that echoes a number of political and moral viewpoints around the necessity of terminating ongoing and bloody wars that otherwise are unnecessarily prolonged: the norm of ‘jus ex bello’. While it argues in favor of a possibilistic approach to norms – in order to argue why norms should develop, it is necessary to analyze whether they could develop – this article finds that jus ex bello might be an appropriate response to some of the arguments in favor of the need for normative change in warfare. However, four major obstacles to this potential innovation are identified, grounded in cultural history, politics, morality and cognition. Based on the further examination of these, the article goes on to make suggestions for institutional design initiatives, in themselves dependent on possible significant social and cultural evolution, that would favor normative change and the development of jus ex bello.
Using the Spatial Population Abundance Dynamics Engine for conservation management
Authors: Beeton Nicholas J. , McMahon Clive R. , Williamson Grant J. , Potts Joanne , Bloomer Jonathan , Bester Marthán N. , Forbes Larry K. , Johnson Chris N.
Published: July 2015

An explicit spatial understanding of population dynamics is often critical for effective management of wild populations. Sophisticated approaches are available to simulate these dynamics, but are largely either spatially homogeneous or agent based, and thus best suited to small spatial or temporal scales. These approaches also often ignore financial decisions crucial to choosing management approaches on the basis of cost‐effectiveness.

We created a user‐friendly and flexible modelling framework for simulating these population issues at large spatial scales – the Spatial Population Abundance Dynamics Engine (SPADE). SPADE is based on the Spatio‐Temporal Animal Reduction (STAR) model (McMahon et al. 2010) and uses a reaction–diffusion approach to model population trajectories and a cost‐benefit analysis technique to calculate optimal management strategies over long periods and across broad spatial scales. It expands on STAR by incorporating species interactions and multiple concurrent management strategies, and by allowing full user control of functional forms and parameters.

We used SPADE to simulate the eradication of feral domestic cats Felis catus on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island (Bester et al., South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 32, 2002, 65) and compared modelled outputs to observed data. The parameters of the best‐fitting model reflected the conditions of the management programme, and the model successfully simulated the observed movement of the cat population to the southern and eastern portion of the island under hunting pressure. We further demonstrated that none of the management strategies would likely have been successful within a reasonable time frame if performed in isolation.

Spatial Population Abundance Dynamics Engine is applicable to a wide range of population management problems and allows easy generation, modification and analysis of management scenarios. It is a useful tool for the planning, evaluation and optimisation of the management of wild populations and can be used without specialised training.
E‐cigarettes and expectancies: why do some users keep smoking?
Authors: Harrell Paul T. , Simmons Vani N. , Piñeiro Barbara , Correa John B. , Menzie Nicole S. , Meltzer Lauren R. , Unrod Marina , Brandon Thomas H.
Published: July 2015

Background and aims

Many smokers who have tried electronic cigarettes (‘e‐cigarettes’) continue to smoke, perhaps influenced by their beliefs about the outcomes of using e‐cigarettes (‘e‐cigarette expectancies’). The primary aims of this study were to compare expectancies of dual users to former smokers, and to examine the association between expectancies and intentions to quit or reduce ‘vaping’ among former smokers.

Design and Setting

A large cross‐sectional online survey of e‐cigarette users conducted in the United States.

Participants

We surveyed current e‐cigarette users (n = 1815), including both current cigarette smokers (‘dual users’, n = 381) and former smokers (n = 1434). We further subdivided former smokers into those with (n = 686) and without (n = 748) intentions to reduce or quit e‐cigarette use.

Measurements

The primary outcomes were self‐reported past‐month smoking status and, among former smokers, current intentions to reduce or quit e‐cigarette use, both adjusted for potential confounders. E‐cigarette expectancy items were derived primarily from a previously validated measure of smoking expectancies.

Findings

Dual users reported less positive expectancies than former smokers about e‐cigarettes, rating e‐cigarettes as more physically irritating (β = 0.10, P < 0.001) and addictive (β = 0.06, P = 0.016), as well as less satisfying (β = –0.11, P < 0.001). Former smokers with intentions to quit e‐cigarettes also rated e‐cigarettes less positively than former smokers without intentions to quit e‐cigarettes, rating them more likely to damage health (β = 0.16, P < 0.001) and cause addiction (β = 0.10, P < 0.001), but less likely to taste good (β = –0.08, P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Positive e‐cigarette expectancies among e‐cigarette users are associated with a greater likelihood of having quit smoking, but lower likelihood of intention to quit e‐cigarette use.