bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a sustainable apprenticeship system
Authors: Crawford-Lee Mandy Samantha
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a short overview of current government policy and context to the development of higher and degree apprenticeships and the engagement of higher education (HE) providers in delivery to achieve the ambition of three million apprenticeship starts by 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinion piece contextualising the UK Government’s approach to apprenticeship reforms and the role of HE and further education in the design and development and delivery of higher and degree apprenticeships.

Findings

The apprenticeship system is at a critical stage of development and HE providers need to embrace the opportunities and address the competitive challenges of apprenticeship delivery given the £2.5 billion per annum that will be raised by the apprenticeship levy and the threat to their existing and traditional HE provision.

Originality/value

Reflects the ambition and mission of the University Vocational Awards Council.
Sustainable adaptation for resolving climate displacement issues of south eastern islands in Bangladesh
Authors: Barua Prabal , Rahman Syed Hafizur , Molla Morshed Hossan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Climate change is affecting people displacement in Bangladesh by both sudden environmental events and gradual environmental change. This paper aims to assess the sustainable adaptation measures for resolving the displacement problem induced by climate change considering the socioeconomic differences between the past and the present location of living places for island dwellers of the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for conducting the study. The main tool of the household survey was a questionnaire survey. In addition to the estimate of displacement, the authors have used hazard impact analysis, weightage analysis and sustainable adaptation analysis with various ranking. Meaningful data were analyzed through SPSS software and presented through statistical techniques.

Findings

Climate change-induced different natural disasters, such as cyclone, tidal surge, tidal flood and coastal erosion, were frequent in the study areas and responsible for mass displacement. After displacement, people lost not only their identity but also social and cultural harmony and faced different economic and environmental crises. However, nearly 20 types of adaptation options were identified for protection from the displacement of coastal people.

Practical implications

The study prescribed 11 specific criteria and 4 principles of sustainable adaptation options for resolving the climate displacement problem. Moreover, seven adaptation practices showed high sustainability, ten showed medium sustainability and five showed low sustainability in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and implementation ability.

Originality/value

The study would help to establish sustainable adaptation measures through the combination of environment, economic and social harmony with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Understanding climate change vulnerability, adaptation and risk perceptions at household level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Wahid , Nihei Takaaki , Nafees Muhammad , Zaman Rahman , Ali Muhammad
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate risks associated with climate change vulnerability and in response the adaptation methods used by farming communities to reduce its negative impacts on agriculture in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used household survey method of data collection in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involving 116 randomly selected respondents.

Findings

Prevalent crops diseases, water scarcity, soil fertility loss and poor socio-economic conditions were main contributing factors of climate change vulnerability. The results further showed that changing crops type and cultivation pattern, improved seed varieties, planting shaded trees and the provision of excessive fertilizers are the measures adapted to improve agricultural productivity, which may reduce the climate change vulnerability at a household level.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study was the exclusion of women from the survey due to religious and cultural barriers of in Pashtun society, wherein women and men do not mingle.

Practical implications

Reducing climate change vulnerability and developing more effective adaptation techniques require assistance from the government. This help can be in the form of providing basic resources, such as access to good quality agricultural inputs, access to information and extension services on climate change adaptation and modern technologies. Consultation with other key stakeholder is also required to create awareness and to build the capacity of the locals toward reducing climate change vulnerability and facilitating timely and effective adaptation.

Originality/value

This original research work provides evidence about farm-level vulnerability, adaptation strategies and risk perceptions on dealing with climate-change-induced natural disasters in Pakistan. This paper enriches existing knowledge of climate change vulnerability and adaptation in this resource-limited country so that effective measures can be taken to reduce vulnerability of farming communities, and enhance their adaptive capability.
On the development of socially beneficial infrastructure projects
Authors: Badasyan Norayr , Alfen Hans Wilhelm
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a project development framework (PDF) aiming to find socially beneficial public infrastructure provision (PIP) projects in the transport sector. From this perspective, the current paper focuses on the framework of finding an optimized PIP organizational model based on which the projects will be both economically and financially viable and will meet the interests of all the stakeholders. From this perspective, the objective of the current paper is to find in the design phase of the projects, a PIP organizational model for the transport sector, that generates the socially required economic internal rate of return (hereinafter EIRR), thus providing the society with the added social values from the relevant infrastructure projects and, at the same time, ensuring relevant level of the financial internal rate of return (hereinafter FIRR) for the private companies interested in investing in relevant assets. This allows finding socially beneficial PIP organizational model according to the adopted PDF.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology aiming to develop the PDF focuses on analyzing both the economic and financial effectiveness of the PIP projects by exploring different combinations of available options for business, contractual, and financial models of relevant projects. Based on the example of the Republic of Armenia it is shown how the EIRR can be calculated for the PIP projects using the adopted PDF by taking into consideration the transport sector specifics of the country.

Findings

The main advantage of the designed framework is that it focuses on the calculation of the EIRR not only based on the different design options, but also explores the influence of the chosen procurement models on the economic output of the projects. The identification and the calculation of the positive and negative externalities (benefits and losses of the projects) in the economic values within the current PDF serve as the main instrument for the development of the PIP optimized socially beneficial/viable organizational models. The main privilege of the paper is that it considers the social aspect of the project together with the financing aspect without extruding any interests of the parties.

Originality/value

The uniqueness and the novelty of the adopted PDF is that it considers the efficiency of the PIP projects based on the analysis of not only the design options that influence the economic and financial output of the projects, but also compares the impact of the different combinations of the existing privatization, partnership, contractual, financial, and business models on the level of the EIRR and the FIRR. The socially beneficial infrastructure (economically viable) model generates economically and financially viable projects. Thus, the public partner is provided with the highest social value while the private partner is guaranteed a desired financial return.
The threshold effects of household indebtedness on multidimensional poverty
Authors: Ntsalaze Lungile , Ikhide Sylvanus
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the existence of critical tipping points for explanatory variables (age, government grants, education and household size) – in particular, household debt service-to-income on multidimensional poverty.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a generalized additive model (GAM) using regression splines on National Income Dynamics Study data to establish threshold effects of the explanatory variables on multidimensional poverty.

Findings

The results show that the tipping point at which debt is associated with improved household welfare is 42.5 percent (level of debt service-to-income). With significant findings, household heads younger than 60 years of age and more children are associated with lower multidimensional poverty. Government grants may suffer from fungibility as they do not seem to be an effective tool for multidimensional poverty eradication. The ideal household size with negative significant correlation to multidimensional poverty is less than four members. And lastly, education proves to be the best instrument for households to escape multidimensional poverty.

Social implications

High household indebtedness is a severe social problem. Its effects include deteriorating physical and mental health, relationship difficulties and breakdown. Significant social costs arise such as medical treatment and indirectly, reduction of productivity. Further effects on society include rising criminal behavior, children dropping out of school thereby transferring poverty to succeeding generations. Non-performing loans increase and in turn lead to reduced credit availability. The overall health of the economy is impacted due to reduced aggregate demand.

Originality/value

Macro studies have demonstrated the presence of thresholds on debt analyses. However, such is not known in micro analyses, this paper attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by applying GAM for analysis of debt-poverty nexus at the micro level.
Does female human capital contribute to economic growth in India?: an empirical investigation
Authors: Sehrawat Madhu , Giri A.K.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of female human capital on economic growth in the Indian economy during 1970-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs Ng-Perron unit root test to check the order of integration of the variables. The study also used ARDL-bounds testing approach and the unrestricted error-correction model to investigate co-integration in the long run and short run; Granger’s causality test to investigate the direction of the causality; and variance decomposition test to capture the influence of each variable on economic growth.

Findings

The study constructed a composite index for both male and female human capitals by taking education and health as a proxy for human capital. The empirical findings reveal that female human capital is significant and positively related to economic growth in both short run and long run, while male human capital is positive but insignificant to the economic growth; same is the case for physical capital, it implies that such investment regarding female human capital needs to be reinforced. Further, there is an evidence of a long-run causal relationship from female human capital, male human capital and physical capital to economic growth variable. The results of variance decomposition show the importance of the female human capital variable is increasing over the time and it exerts the largest influence in change in economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical findings suggest that the Indian economy has to pay attention equally on the development of female human capital for short-run as well as long-run growth of the economy. This implies that the policy makers should divert more expenditure for developing support for female education and health.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to study the relationship between female human capital and economic growth in the context of the Indian economy.
Multi-objective optimization in end-milling of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites using desirability functional analysis and grey relational analysis
Authors: Jenarthanan M.P. , Gujjalapudi Venkata Sai Sunil , V. Venkatraman
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to originate a statistical model for delamination factor, surface roughness, machining force and also to determine and compare the effects of machining parameters (spindle speed, fiber orientation angle, helix angle and feed rate) on the output responses during end-milling of glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) by using desirability functional analysis (DFA) and grey relational analysis (GRA).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array, milling experiments were carried on GFRP composite plates employing solid carbide end mills with different helix angles. The machining parameters were optimized by an approach based on DFA and GRA, which were useful tools for optimizing multi-response considerations, namely, machining force, surface roughness and delamination factor. A composite desirability index was obtained for multi-responses using individual desirability values from DFA. Based on this index and grey relational grade the optimum levels of parameters were identified and significant contribution of parameters was ascertained by analysis of variance.

Findings

Fiber orientation angle (66.75 percent) was the significant parameter preceded by feed rate (15.05 percent), helix angle (7.76 percent) and spindle speed (0.30 percent) for GFRP composite plates.

Originality/value

Multi-objective optimization in end-milling of GFRP composites using DFA and GRA has not been performed yet.
Dementia cafés: recommendations from interviews with informal carers
Authors: Akhtar Farrukh , Greenwood Nan , Smith Raymond , Richardson Angela
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Dementia cafés (also known as Alzheimer’s or memory cafés) have been running in the UK since 2000. The purpose of this paper is to report on the recommendations from recent research that interviewed family carers on their experiences of using the cafés.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was carried out in cafés in and around London, and focussed on informal, unpaid carers’ experiences of using them. In total, 11 carers from five different dementia cafés were interviewed, using semi-structured questionnaires. The results were thematically analysed.

Findings

The findings showed that carers had an overwhelming appreciation of the cafés and what they offered, but several of the findings led to the recommendations about the recruitment and training of café co-ordinators; how cafés present themselves and their services and how they can offer dedicated support to informal carers.

Originality/value

These recommendations will be of use to café organisers and commissioners, especially considering the dearth of information currently available in this area.
Environmental conditions shape the chemical signal design of lizards
Authors: Baeckens Simon , Martín José , García‐Roa Roberto , Pafilis Panayiotis , Huyghe Katleen , Van Damme Raoul
Published: September 2017

The signals that animals use to communicate often differ considerably among species. Part of this variation in signal design may derive from differential natural selection on signal efficacy; the ability of the signal to travel efficiently through the environment and attract the receiver's attention. For the visual and acoustic modalities, the effect of the physical environment on signal efficacy is a well‐studied selective force. Still, very little is known on its impact on chemical signals.

Here, we took a broad, phylogenetic comparative approach to test for a relationship between animals' signal chemistry and properties of their natural environment. Our study focused on lizards from the Lacertidae family.

We sampled 64 species across three continents and determined the lipophilic composition of their glandular signalling secretions using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. For each species, an array of environmental variables of high temporal and spatial resolution was obtained from climate databases.

Species varied considerably in the overall richness (number of constituents) of their secretions, as well as in the relative contribution of the major chemical compound classes. Signal richness and the relative contribution of the respective compounds exhibited little evidence of phylogenetic relatedness, suggesting that chemical signals may change very rapidly. Neither insularity nor substrate use affected chemical signal composition, however, we found a strong statistical relationship between the chemistry of the lizards' secretions and aspects of the thermal and hydric environment they inhabit.

Species from ‘xeric’ milieus contained high proportions of stable fatty acid esters and high molecular weight alcohols in their glandular secretions, which likely increase the persistence of secretion scent‐marks. In contrast, species inhabiting ‘mesic’ environments produced secretions of a high chemical richness comprising high levels of aldehydes and low molecular weight alcohols. This chemical mix probably creates a volatile‐rich signal that can be used for long‐distance airborne communication.

We argue that the observed variation in signal design results from differential natural selection, optimizing signal efficacy under contrasting environmental conditions.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Axial xylem architecture ofLarix deciduaexposed to CO2enrichment and soil warming at the tree line
Authors: Prendin Angela Luisa , Petit Giai , Fonti Patrick , Rixen Christian , Dawes Melissa Autumn , von Arx Georg
Published: September 2017

Trees continuously adjust their axial xylem structure to meet changing needs imposed by ontogenetic and environmental changes. These axial structure–function responses need to be coordinated among competing biophysical constraints to avoid failure of the xylem system. Here, we investigated if ontogeny or experimental manipulation ofCO2and soil temperature influence these structure–function responses.

We performed detailed xylem cell anatomical quantification along the axis of 40‐year‐oldLarix deciduatrees planted at the Swiss tree line and exposed to a combination of elevatedCO2(+200 ppm) and soil warming (+4°C) between 2001 and 2012. We assessed how mean hydraulic tracheid diameter (Dh), the cell wall reinforcement ((t/b)2), tracheid wall thickness (CWT) and the percent area of ray parenchyma (PERPAR)—proxies for hydraulic efficiency, hydraulic safety, biomechanical support and metabolic xylem functions, respectively—covary along the tree axis.

Dh increased from the stem apex to base, strictly following a power function (R2=0.81), independent from ontogeny and experimental treatments. In contrast, axial trends of(t/b)2and CWT were either influenced by treatment and/or ontogeny, or showed no axial trend (PERPAR). Additionally, we found that a largerDh only at the stem apex promoted primary and secondary growth.

Our approach of analysing xylem anatomical traits along the tree axis and across tree rings provides novel insights into xylem functional architecture and allows reconstructing xylem function over time. We conclude that the maintenance of hydraulic efficiency during ontogeny is very robust, that the tracheid diameter undergoes a strong apical control, and plays a fundamental role for assimilation and tree growth. Instead, the other functional traits more plastically vary with ontogeny and environmental changes.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Increasing resolution of reverse‐time migration using time‐shift gathers
Authors: Xue Zhiguang , Fomel Sergey , Sun Junzhe
Published: September 2017

Reverse‐time migration has become an industry standard for imaging in complex geological areas. We present an approach for increasing its imaging resolution by employing time‐shift gathers. The method consists of two steps: (i) migrating seismic data with the extended imaging condition to get time‐shift gathers and (ii) accumulating the information from time‐shift gathers after they are transformed to zero‐lag time‐shift by a post‐stack depth migration on a finer grid. The final image is generated on a grid, which is denser than that of the original image, thus improving the resolution of the migrated images. Our method is based on the observation that non‐zero‐lag time‐shift images recorded on the regular computing grid contain the information of zero‐lag time‐shift image on a denser grid, and such information can be continued to zero‐lag time‐shift and refocused at the correct locations on the denser grid. The extra computational cost of the proposed method amounts to the computational cost of zero‐offset migration and is almost negligible compared with the cost of pre‐stack shot‐record reverse‐time migration. Numerical tests on synthetic models demonstrate that the method can effectively improve reverse‐time migration resolution. It can also be regarded as an approach to improve the efficiency of reverse‐time migration by performing wavefield extrapolation on a coarse grid and by generating the final image on the desired fine grid.
Ecosystem services and disservices provided by small rodents in arable fields: Effects of local and landscape management
Authors: Fischer Christina , Gayer Christoph , Kurucz Kornélia , Riesch Friederike , Tscharntke Teja , Batáry Péter
Published: September 2017

In agriculture, both valuable ecosystem services and unwanted ecosystem disservices can be produced by the same organism group. For example, small rodents can provide biological control through weed seed consumption but may also act as pests, causing crop damage.

We studied the hypothesized causal relationships between ecosystem services (removal of weed seeds) and disservices (removal of wheat grains and crop damage) derived by small rodents (voles and mice) at multiple spatial scales. At the landscape scale, we studied the effects of landscape compositional and configurational heterogeneity on the abundance of voles and mice and their related ecosystem services and disservices along the former inner German border in east and west Germany. At the local scale, we studied how abundance and ecosystem functions are affected by management intensity (organic vs. conventional winter wheat), associated differences in crop characteristics and edge effects.

Linear mixed‐effects models and path analysis show that voles drove ecosystem disservices, but not ecosystem services, in agricultural fields. Daily wheat seed removal by voles was influenced by increasing wheat height and was almost three times higher than weed seed removal, which was not related to local‐ or landscape‐scale effects.

Abundance of voles and associated crop damage decreased with lower crop density and higher wheat height, which were associated with organic farming. Abundance of voles and crop damage were highest in conventional fields in west Germany.

Synthesis and applications. As the ecosystem disservice of wheat seed consumption by small rodents must be considered mainly during crop sowing, management before crop harvest should focus on decreasing the pest potential of voles but not mice. Our results suggest that densities of voles and their ecosystem disservices could be reduced by having fields with low crop density and high wheat height, practices associated with organic farming. Surrounding landscapes with low compositional and configurational heterogeneity could further reduce voles’ pest potential, but with probable negative effects on farmland biodiversity.
Declining social mobility? Evidence from five linked censuses in England and Wales 1971–2011
Authors: Buscha Franz , Sturgis Patrick
Published: September 2017

In this paper we add to the existing evidence base on recent trends in inter‐generational social mobility in England and Wales. We analyse data from the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study (ONS‐LS), which links individual records from the five decennial censuses between 1971 and 2011. The ONS‐LS is an excellent data resource for the study of social mobility because it has a very large sample size, excellent population coverage and low rates of nonresponse and attrition across waves. Additionally, the structure of the study means that we can observe the occupations of LS‐members' parents when they were children and follow their own progress in the labour market at regular intervals into middle age. Counter to widespread prevailing beliefs, our results show evidence of a small but significant increase in social fluidity between 1950s and the 1980s for both men and women.
Women's experiences of more than one termination of pregnancy within two years: a mixed‐methods study
Authors: Purcell C , Riddell J , Brown A , Cameron ST , Melville C , Flett G , Bhushan Y , McDaid L
Published: September 2017

Objective

To examine the experiences of women seeking more than one termination of pregnancy (TOP) within 2 years.

Design

Mixed methods study.

Setting

Six TOP services across Scotland.

Sample

Women presenting for TOP between July and December 2015.

Methods

Descriptive and inferential analysis of quantitative survey data, thematic analysis of qualitative interview data and integrative analysis. In quantitative analysis, multinomial logistic regression was used to compare three groups: previous TOP within 2 years, previous TOP beyond 2 years and no previous TOP.

Main outcome measures

Characteristics and experiences of women seeking TOP.

Results

Of 1662 questionnaire respondents, 14.6% (n = 242) and 19.8% (n = 329) reported previous TOP within and beyond 2 years, respectively. The previous TOP within 2 years group was significantly less likely to own their accommodation than the no previous TOP group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18–0.62) and previous TOP beyond 2 years group (aOR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23–0.85); and more likely to report inconsistent (aOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.04–2.57; aOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.16–3.28) and consistent (aOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.39–3.26; aOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.07–2.76) contraceptive use than the no previous TOP and previous TOP within 2 years groups, respectively. Twenty‐three women from the previous TOP within 2 years group were interviewed. Qualitative and integrative analyses highlight issues relating to contraceptive challenges, intimate partner violence, life aspirations and socio‐economic disadvantage.

Conclusions

Women undergoing more than one TOP within 2 years may experience particular challenges and vulnerabilities. Service provision should recognise this and move away from stigmatising discourses of ‘repeat abortion’.

Funding

Scottish Government.

Tweetable abstract

Women having two or more terminations of pregnancy in 2 years may face key challenges/vulnerabilities including intimate partner violence and socio‐economic disadvantage.
Fast and cost‐effective single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection in the absence of a reference genome using semideep next‐generation Random Amplicon Sequencing (RAMseq)
Authors: Bayerl Helmut , Kraus Robert H. S. , Nowak Carsten , Foerster Daniel W. , Fickel Joerns , Kuehn Ralph
Published: September 2017

Biodiversity has suffered a dramatic global decline during the past decades, and monitoring tools are urgently needed providing data for the development and evaluation of conservation efforts both on a species and on a genetic level. However, in wild species, the assessment of genetic diversity is often hampered by the lack of suitable genetic markers. In this article, we present Random Amplicon Sequencing (RAMseq), a novel approach for fast and cost‐effective detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nonmodel species by semideep sequencing of random amplicons. By applying RAMseq to the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), we identified 238 putative SNPs after quality filtering of all candidate loci and were able to validate 32 of 77 loci tested. In a second step, we evaluated the genotyping performance of these SNP loci in noninvasive samples, one of the most challenging genotyping applications, by comparing it with genotyping results of the same faecal samples at microsatellite markers. We compared (i) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success rate, (ii) genotyping errors and (iii) Mendelian inheritance (population parameters). SNPs produced a significantly higher PCR success rate (75.5% vs. 65.1%) and lower mean allelic error rate (8.8% vs. 13.3%) than microsatellites, but showed a higher allelic dropout rate (29.7% vs. 19.8%). Genotyping results showed no deviations from Mendelian inheritance in any of the SNP loci. Hence, RAMseq appears to be a valuable tool for the detection of genetic markers in nonmodel species, which is a common challenge in conservation genetic studies.
3D spatial conservation prioritisation: Accounting for depth in marine environments
Authors: Venegas‐Li Rubén , Levin Noam , Possingham Hugh , Kark Salit
Published: September 2017

While marine environments are three‐dimensional (3D) in nature, current approaches and tools for planning and prioritising actions in the ocean are predominantly two dimensional. Here, we develop a novel 3D marine spatial conservation prioritisation approach, which explicitly accounts for the inherent vertical heterogeneity of the ocean. This enables both vertical and horizontal spatial prioritisation to be performed simultaneously. To our knowledge, this is the first endeavour to develop prioritisation of conservation actions in 3D.

We applied the 3D spatial conservation prioritisation approach to the Mediterranean Sea as a case study. We first subdivided the Mediterranean Sea into 3D planning units by assigning them azcoordinate (representing depth). We further partitioned these 3D planning units vertically into three depth layers; this allowed us to quantify biodiversity (1,011 species and 19 geomorphic features) and the cost of conservation actions at different depths. We adapted the prioritisation software Marxan to identify 3D networks of sites where biodiversity conservation targets are achieved for the minimum cost.

Using the 3D approach presented here, we identified networks of sites where conservation targets for all biodiversity features were achieved. Importantly, these networks included areas of the ocean where only particular depth layers along the water column were identified as priorities for conservation. The 3D approach also proved to be more cost‐efficient than the traditional 2D approach. Spatial priorities within the networks of sites selected were considerably different when comparing the 2D and 3D approaches.

Prioritising in 3D allows conservation and marine spatial planners to target specific threats to specific conservation features, at specific depths in the ocean. This provides a platform to further integrate systematic conservation planning into the wider ongoing and future marine spatial planning and ocean zoning processes.
A call for viewshed ecology: Advancing our understanding of the ecology of information through viewshed analysis
Authors: Aben Job , Pellikka Petri , Travis Justin M. J.
Published: September 2017

There has been rapid increase of interest in the role that information acquisition plays in ecological process and in shaping life histories and their evolution. Compared to auditory and olfactory cues, the range at which visual cues are likely to be informative to animals is particularly sensitive to the spatial structure of the environment. However, quantification of and accounting for availability of visual information in fundamental and applied ecological research remains extremely limited.

We argue that a comprehensive understanding of animal behaviour in a spatial context would greatly benefit from objective quantification of the area an animal can potentially obtain visual information from and therefore draw broad attention to viewshed analysis. This analysis identifies all cells of a gridded surface that are connected by lines‐of‐sight to a viewpoint, hence, providing information on how much of the environment surrounding a location can be seen. Although heavily used in non‐ecological disciplines including civil planning and archaeology, viewshed analysis has seldom been applied in an ecological context.

Here, we highlight the opportunity to make use of viewshed approaches in conjunction with three‐dimensional remote sensing data and data from animal tracking to make major progress in understanding how visual information influences animal spatial behaviour, ecology and evolution.
Low medical morbidity and mortality after acute courses of electroconvulsive therapy in a population‐based sample
Authors: Blumberger D. M. , Seitz D. P. , Herrmann N. , Kirkham J. G. , Ng R. , Reimer C. , Kurdyak P. , Gruneir A. , Rapoport M. J. , Daskalakis Z. J. , Mulsant B. H. , Vigod S. N.
Published: September 2017

Background

To determine event rates for specific medical events and mortality among individuals receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Method

Population‐based cohort study using health administrative data of acute ECT treatments delivered in Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2011. We measured the following medical event rates, per 10 000 ECT treatments, up to 7 and 30 days post‐treatment: stroke, seizure, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, deep vein thrombosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, falls, hip fracture, and mortality.

Results

A total of 135 831 ECT treatments were delivered to 8810 unique patients. Overall medical event rates were 9.1 and 16.8 per 10 000 ECT treatments respectively. The most common medical events were falls (2.7 and 5.5 per 10 000 ECT treatments) and pneumonia (1.8 and 3.8 per 10 000 ECT treatments). Fewer than six deaths occurred on the day of an ECT treatment. This corresponded to a mortality rate of less than 0.4 per 10 000 treatments. Deaths within 7 and 30 days of an ECT treatment, excluding deaths due to external causes (e.g., accidental and intentional causes of death), were 1.0 and 2.4 per 10 000 ECT treatments respectively.

Conclusion

Morbidity and mortality events after ECT treatments were relatively low, supporting ECT as a low‐risk medical procedure.
Nabilone pharmacotherapy for cannabis dependence: A randomized, controlled pilot study
Authors: Hill Kevin P. , Palastro Matthew D. , Gruber Staci A. , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Greenfield Shelly F. , Lukas Scott E. , Weiss Roger D.
Published: September 2017

Background and Objectives

We assessed the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of nabilone, a cannabinoid agonist, to treat cannabis dependence.

Methods

Eighteen adults with DSM‐IV cannabis dependence were randomized to receive either 2 mg/day of nabilone (n = 10) or placebo (n = 8) for 10 weeks in addition to medication management. Twelve participants, six in each group, completed treatment. The safety and tolerability of nabilone was assessed at each visit. Any side effects from nabilone or the placebo were documented. Cannabis use outcomes were assessed via self‐report of days of use and twice‐weekly urine cannabinoid tests; secondary outcomes included cannabis craving and anxiety.

Results

We assessed safety and tolerability at each study visit. A total of eight adverse events, all mild or moderate, were reported in two participants in the nabilone group, and six events were reported in four participants in the placebo group during study treatment. A total of eight adverse events were reported in two participants in the nabilone group and six events were reported in four participants in the placebo group during study treatment. All reported adverse events were rated mild‐to‐moderate. There were no side effects deemed serious enough to be classified as an FDA‐defined serious adverse event. In general, participants in both groups reported reduced cannabis use according to self‐report over the course of the study, although these reductions were not statistically discernible. Moreover, there was no difference in cannabis use between the nabilone group and the placebo group as measured by self‐report.

Discussion and Conclusions

Nabilone pharmacotherapy was safe and well‐tolerated in participants with cannabis dependence. Future studies might evaluate a higher dose of nabilone to determine its effects on cannabis use outcomes in participants with cannabis dependence.

Scientific Significance

There remains a clear need for additional pharmacotherapy trials for cannabis dependence, and nabilone remains a candidate for such trials. (Am J Addict 2017;26:795–801)
Adult's amae as a tool for adjustment to a new environment
Authors: Niiya Yu
Published: September 2017

Past research has found that people of East Asian backgrounds avoid seeking help out of relational concerns. Research on amae, however, suggests that Japanese may use amae to simultaneously obtain the needed help and enhance relationships. Study 1 showed that among Japanese entrepreneurs and managers, the propensity toward amae correlated with perceiving fewer costs of help‐seeking, seeking more help at work, greater engagement in new relationships and higher general trust. These associations suggest that the Japanese may be using amae to get the help they need and to build new relationships. Study 2 further showed that first‐year undergraduates who reported engaging in amae soon after entering college showed a significant increase in sense of purpose and satisfaction with college life in their first year. These findings suggest that, unlike dependency or passive love, amae can be highly adaptive for the Japanese.
AllergoOncology: Opposite outcomes of immune tolerance in allergy and cancer
Authors: Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Bax H. J. , Bianchini R. , Crescioli S. , Daniels‐Wells T. R. , Dombrowicz D. , Fiebiger E. , Gould H. J. , Irshad S. , Janda J. , Josephs D. H. , Levi‐Schaffer F. , O′Mahony L. , Pellizzari G. , Penichet M. L. , Redegeld F. , Roth‐Walter F. , Singer J. , Untersmayr E. , Vangelista L. , Karagiannis S. N.
Published: September 2017

While desired for the cure of allergy, regulatory immune cell subsets and nonclassical Th2‐biased inflammatory mediators in the tumour microenvironment can contribute to immune suppression and escape of tumours from immunological detection and clearance. A key aim in the cancer field is therefore to design interventions that can break immunological tolerance and halt cancer progression, whereas on the contrary allergen immunotherapy exactly aims to induce tolerance. In this position paper, we review insights on immune tolerance derived from allergy and from cancer inflammation, focusing on what is known about the roles of key immune cells and mediators. We propose that research in the field of AllergoOncology that aims to delineate these immunological mechanisms with juxtaposed clinical consequences in allergy and cancer may point to novel avenues for therapeutic interventions that stand to benefit both disciplines.
Neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer: the Westmead experience
Authors: Cocco Annelise M. , Messer David , Brown Alexander , Sriram Nina , Gilchrist Jenny , Al‐Mansouri Loma , Kefford Richard , Meybodi Farid , French James , Hsu Jeremy , Elder Elisabeth
Published: September 2017

Background

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) can be used to treat breast cancer. Pathologic complete response (pCR) is a surrogate marker for improved survival. This study examined response in the breast and axilla to NAST and identified features associated with pCR.

Methods

Patients undergoing NAST and surgery between January 2012 and June 2016 by surgeons at Westmead Breast Cancer Institute were identified. Patients with inflammatory or metastatic disease were excluded. Data were analysed to identify factors predictive of pCR.

Results

Ninety‐one patients were identified. Mean age was 49 years. Forty‐one patients had axillary metastases identified prior to NAST. Eighty‐three patients received chemotherapy alone, six endocrine therapy alone and two had both. Thirty‐seven patients had mastectomy and 54 had breast‐conserving surgery. The overall breast pCR rate was 29% higher in patients with triple‐negative (50%) or HER2‐positive (39%) disease and lower in luminal disease (11.6%, P = 0.001). Forty percent of node‐positive patients became node negative. The only variable associated with pCR was tumour biology. Patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer were more likely to have axillary pCR than those with luminal cancer (odds ratio: 28, P = 0.00005).

Conclusion

pCR in either the breast or axilla was most likely to be achieved in patients with HER2‐positive or triple‐negative breast cancers. In patients with luminal cancers, the goal of NAST is best considered to facilitate surgical options rather than obtaining a pCR.
Medium‐term outcomes of fenestrated endovascular repair of juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Shiraev Timothy P. , Kwok Trevor M. Y. , Dubenec Steven R.
Published: September 2017

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysms pose a substantial clinical burden, and a significant proportion are not anatomically suitable for open repair or standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), instead requiring fenestrated EVAR (fEVAR). We sought to compare clinical outcomes and trends over time in patients undergoing fEVAR in Australia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing fEVAR at a tertiary referral centre between 2010 and 2015, including outcomes and complications, both as inpatients and after discharge.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients underwent fEVAR during the study period, with mean age of 75 years and mean aneurysm size of 61 mm. One hundred and thirty‐four target vessels were treated and inhospital mortality was 5% (two patients). There were nine inhospital, eight Type II and one Type III endoleaks. Ten patients suffered acute kidney injury, one of whom required dialysis. Mean follow‐up was 14.5 months (range: 0–46.7). Target vessel patency was 99.2% at follow‐up. There were six Type II endoleaks at follow‐up, and two patients died during the follow‐up period (of non‐aneurysm‐related causes).

Conclusion

fEVAR is an effective treatment with low morbidity and mortality, and we have demonstrated excellent survival and target vessel patency at a mean follow‐up of 14 months. Endoleak rates were low, despite the high complexity of the aneurysms treated.
Functional outcome of low rectal resection evaluated by anorectal manometry
Authors: Ihnát Peter , Vávra Petr , Prokop Jiří , Pelikán Anton , Ihnát Rudinská Lucia , Penka Igor
Published: September 2017

Background

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) covers disordered bowel function after rectal resection, leading to deterioration in patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate anorectal function after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) by means of standardized instruments.

Methods

This was a prospective clinical cohort study conducted in a single institution to assess functional outcome of patients 1 year after laparoscopic LAR by means of LARS score and high‐resolution anorectal manometry.

Results

In total, 65 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean tumour height was 9.4 ± 1.8 cm; total mesorectal excision during laparoscopic LAR with low end‐to‐end colorectal anastomosis was performed in all patients. One year after the surgery, minor LARS was detected in 33.9% of patients, major LARS in 36.9% of patients. Anorectal manometry revealed decreased resting pressure and normal squeeze pressure of the anal sphincters in the majority of our patients. Rectal compliance and rectal volume tolerability (first sensation, urge to defaecate and discomfort volume) were significantly reduced. The statistical testing of the correlation between LARS and manometry parameters showed that with increasing seriousness of LARS, values of some parameters (resting pressure, first sensation, urge to defaecate, discomfort volume and rectal compliance) were reduced.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the majority of patients after laparoscopic LAR experience symptoms of minor or major LARS. These patients have decreased resting anal sphincter pressures, decreased rectal volume tolerability and decreased rectal compliance.
Inventory and assessment of geomorphosites for geotourism development: A case study of Aït Bou Oulli valley (Central High‐Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Bouzekraoui Hicham , Barakat Ahmed , Touhami Fatima , Mouaddine Atika , El Youssi Mohammed
Published: September 2017

Aït Bou Oulli valley is located in the heart of the Moroccan central High‐Atlas, with a height of 4,068 metres in Ighil M'goun and 3,800 metres in Rat Mountain. Mountain areas are characterised by higher geodiversity compared with other areas. The valley possesses a geoheritage that is very rich and diverse, has an exceptional landscape of high mountains and attracts tourists every year. However, the number of visitors is still restricted because of a lack of tools for promotion, valorisation and mediation of this heritage. It is with the aim to promote this rich heritage that the present work was performed. The work focuses on the inventory, selection and quantitative evaluation of the remarkable geomorphosites in order to classify them. The results reveal the presence of 81 potential sites, of which 24 are conducive to geotourism. These conducive sites included: nine fluvial landforms of which five are enviable panoramic viewpoints and four are karstic forms; four structural landforms; three glacial landforms: two gravitatives landforms; one anthropic landform; and one lake landform. Rich information provided by this study and knowledge of these new geomorphosites are important for promotion of tourism activities in the Aït Bou Oulli region and can assist planners and authorities to formulate suitable plans for sustained development of the region.
In labor or in limbo? The experiences of women undergoing induction of labor in hospital: Findings of a qualitative study
Authors: Jay Annabel , Thomas Hilary , Brooks Fiona
Published: September 2017

Background

Induction of labor currently accounts for around 25% of all births in high‐resource countries, yet despite much research into medical aspects, little is known about how women experience this process. This study aimed to explore in depth the induction experience of primiparous women.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken, using a sample of 21 first‐time mothers from a maternity unit in the south of England. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in women's homes between 3 and 6 weeks postnatally. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically.

Results

Women awaiting induction on the prenatal ward appeared to occupy a liminal state between pregnancy and labor. Differences were noted between women's and midwives’ notions of what constituted “being in labor” and the ward lacked the flexibility to provide individualized care for women in early labor. Unexpected delays in the induction process were common and were a source of anxiety, as was separation from partners at night. Women were not always clear about their plan of care, which added to their anxiety.

Conclusions

Conceptualizing induction as a liminal state may enhance understanding of women's feelings and promote a more woman‐centered approach to care. Thorough preparation for induction, including an explanation of possible delays is fundamental to enabling women to form realistic expectations. Care providers need to consider whether women undergoing induction are receiving adequate support, analgesia, and comfort aids conducive to the promotion of physiological labor and the reduction of anxiety.