bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of facilities and estate management in the Scottish central government civil estate 1989-2015
Authors: Andrew Anthony , Pitt Michael 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The paper aims to examine how Scottish facility and estate managers have developed estates and facilities management strategies to ensure that the Scottish government civil estate has remained fit for purpose in a period of rapid social, economic and technological change, and political development covering the devolution period.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the development of the policy frameworks within which facility mangers have worked and how they have adapted the asset portfolio to meet the demands of modern working practices and the budgetary disciplines resulting from economic change.

Findings
The period 1989-2015 has shown major changes. It commenced with a highly centralised model driven by the Whitehall Department of the Treasury and run by the Property Services Agency. Just before and during devolution, there was administrative decentralisation of activity to agencies and non-departmental public bodies, and this was reflected in decentralised property management first to departments and then to the agencies and non-departmental public bodies. During this time, profound changes occurred in working practices, e-mail, e-records, mobile telephones and open-plan layouts; remote working changed the ways buildings were used. Public sector property was used to promote distribution of jobs to outer areas. Towards the latter end of the period from 2008 onwards, the economic difficulties have led to acute budget pressures, and from 2011 onwards, there has been a trend both in Whitehall, and the Scottish devolved administration towards greater corporate management of the estate to drive down costs and promote more modern ways of working which may lead to a model similar to the one which prevailed at the start of the period.

Research limitations/implications
The paper explains the development of the management framework and changes on the estate itself to inform the debate between policymakers, academic researchers and FM practitioners interested in the efficient use of central government assets.

Practical implications
The paper will help academics and practitioners understand the historic context within which they are working.

Social implications
The paper indicates how the Scottish Government has adapted its property assets to meet the needs of users.

Originality/value
The paper is an historic exposition of how public sector facility managers have adapted the management of the Scottish Government estate in Scotland to meet the needs of central government staff and the public to whom it provides wider services and considers how this illuminates wider FM issues.
Direct force control for human-machine system with friction compensation
Authors: Yu Lie , Zheng Jianbin , Wang Yang , Zhan Enqi , Song Qiuzhi 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a direct force control which uses two closed-loop controller for one-degree-of-freedom human-machine system to synchronize the human position and machine position, and minimize the human-machine force. In addition, the friction is compensated to promote the performance of the human-machine system.Design/methodology/approach– The dynamic of the human-machine system is mathematically modeled. The control strategy is designed using two closed-loop controllers, including a PID controller and a PI controller. The frictions, which exist in the rotary joint and the hydraulic wall, are compensated separately using the Friedland’s observer and Dahl’s observer.Findings– When human-machine system moves at low velocity, there exists a significant amount of static friction that hinders the system movements. The simulation results show that the system gives a better performance in human-machine position synchronization and human-machine force minimization when the friction is compensated.Research limitations/implications– The acquired results are based on simulation not experiment.Originality/value– This paper is the first to apply the electrohydraulic servo systems to both actuate the human-machine system, and use the direct force control strategy consisting of two closed-loop controllers. It is also the first to compensate the friction both in the robot joint and hydraulic wall.
An application of an extended effort-reward imbalance model to police absenteeism behaviour
Authors: Allisey Amanda , Rodwell John , Noblet Andrew 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Frequent absences from work can be highly disruptive, whilst also potentially indicating problematic working conditions that can lead to increased withdrawal behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to test the predictive capability of an expanded effort-reward imbalance model on employee absenteeism within the context of policing.Design/methodology/approach– Three separate reward systems are identified by the effort-reward imbalance model. In this study, the authors assessed these individual components for their contribution to officer withdrawal behaviour in the form of absenteeism frequency. Data were gathered from a sample of operational officers (n=553) within a large Australian police agency.Findings– Findings indicate that there was a strong influence of social rewards such as social support and recognition in the workplace on officer absenteeism rates. Low workload was associated with a higher frequency of absenteeism suggesting a potential underloading effect. There were a number of significant interactions providing support for the effort-reward imbalance mechanism and the separation of the reward construct. Security rewards were particularly influential and significantly moderated the relationship between effort and absenteeism.Research limitations/implications– Differential effects of occupational rewards were identified in the study, indicating that there are significant opportunities for expansion of the effort-reward imbalance model along with opportunities for HRM practitioners in terms of employee recognition and remuneration programmes. This research was focused on a specific sample of operational officers, therefore should be expanded to include multiple occupational groups.Originality/value– This paper considers and expanded model of worker strain and contributes a longitudinal assessment of the association between perceived effort and reward systems and worker absenteeism.
Are ecosystem services adequately quantified?
Authors: Boerema Annelies , Rebelo Alanna J. , Bodi Merche B. , Esler Karen J. , Meire Patrick 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Quantification of ecosystem services (ES) is an important step in operationalizing the concept for management and decision‐making. With the exponential increase in ES research, ES have become a ‘catch‐all phrase’, which some suggest has led to a poorly defined, impractical and ambiguous concept. An overview of the methods used in ES quantification is needed to examine their scientific rigour and provide guidelines for selecting appropriate measures.

We present a systematic review of 405 peer‐reviewed ES research papers to address the question: ‘Is the biophysical and socio‐economic reality of ES adequately quantified? First, we considered whether ES measures are scientifically rigorous enough by considering four predefined criteria (the type of data used, quantification of uncertainty, validation done and data reported). Secondly, using a novel approach, we determined which part of the ES cascade was measured: the ecosystem property, function, service, benefit or value.

Our results showed that each of the 21 ES analysed had on average 24 different measures, which may indicate the complex reality of ES and/or suggest a potential lack of consensus on what constitutes an ES. We found that uncertainty is often not included and validation mostly missing.

When analysing which part(s) of the ES cascade each measure corresponded to, we found that for regulating ES, ecosystem properties and functions (ecological aspects) are more commonly quantified (67% of measures). Conversely for provisioning ES, benefits and values (socio‐economic aspects) are more commonly quantified (68%). Cultural ES are predominantly quantified using scores (35%).

In conclusion, ES appear to be poorly quantified in many cases, as often only one side of the cascade is considered (either the ecological or socio‐economic side) and oversimplified and variable indicators are often used.

Policy implications. This review provides a detailed overview of ecosystem services (ES) quantification (ranging from simple scores to advanced methods) with the aim to support future ES quantification and ultimately the successful application of the ES concept.
Bottom trawling affects fish condition through changes in the ratio of prey availability to density of competitors
Authors: Hiddink Jan G. , Moranta Joan , Balestrini Stephen , Sciberras Marija , Cendrier Marine , Bowyer Rosie , Kaiser Michel J. , Sköld Mattias , Jonsson Patrik , Bastardie Francois , Hinz Hilmar 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Bottom‐trawl fisheries are widespread and cause mortality of benthic invertebrates, which in turn may lead to a decrease in the availability of prey for target fish species. Exploitation also reduces the abundance of the fish species themselves. Modelling studies have shown that bottom trawling could lead to both increases and decreases in fish production, but so far empirical evidence to test these ideas has been very limited. We hypothesize that the effect of bottom trawling on the food intake and condition of fish depends on how the ratio of prey to consumers changes with increasing fishing pressure.

We assessed the impact of bottom trawling on the food availability, condition and stomach contents of three flatfishes and the Norway lobster in an area in the Kattegat that is characterized by a steep commercial bottom‐trawling gradient due to the establishment of an area closed to all fisheries, but otherwise has homogeneous environmental conditions.

For plaice, prey biomass initially decreased at a slower rate with trawling than the biomass of fish, and as a result, the amount of food available per plaice increased before decreasing at trawling frequencies >5 times year−1. This pattern was mirrored in both the condition and stomach contents of plaice and for long‐rough dab.

No effect of trawling on dab prey and condition was found. Conversely, the condition of the main target species – Norway lobster – increased as its biomass decreased with increased trawling intensities.

Together, these results support the idea that when the abundance of the prey declines in response to exploitation, the ratio of the prey to consumer biomass will determine whether exploitation will result in an increase or a decrease in the food intake and condition of the predator.

Synthesis and applications. Our study indicates that fish production may be maximized by keeping bottom‐trawling intensities relatively low, although this may negatively affect the economically more important Nephrops fishery. The effects of bottom trawls may be mitigated by switching to gears, which affect prey availability to a lesser extent, such as pots or creels.
The determinants of tropical forest deciduousness: disentangling the effects of rainfall and geology in central Africa
Authors: Ouédraogo Dakis‐Yaoba , Fayolle Adeline , Gourlet‐Fleury Sylvie , Mortier Frédéric , Freycon Vincent , Fauvet Nicolas , Rabaud Suzanne , Cornu Guillaume , Bénédet Fabrice , Gillet Jean‐François , Oslisly Richard , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Lejeune Philippe , Favier Charly 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Understanding the environmental determinants of forests deciduousness i.e. proportion of deciduous trees in a forest stand, is of great importance when predicting the impact of ongoing global climate change on forests. In this study, we examine (i) how forest deciduousness varies in relation to rainfall and geology, and (ii) whether the influence of geology on deciduousness could be related to differences in soil fertility and water content between geological substrates.

The study was conducted in mixed moist semi‐deciduous forests in the northern part of the Congo basin. We modelled the response of forest deciduousness to the severity of the dry season across four contrasting geological substrates (sandstone, alluvium, metamorphic and basic rocks). For this, we combined information on forest composition at genus level based on commercial forest inventories (62 624 0.5 ha plots scattered over 6 million of ha), leaf habit, and rainfall and geological maps. We further examined whether substrates differ in soil fertility and water‐holding capacity using soil data from 37 pits in an area that was, at the time, relatively unexplored.

Forest deciduousness increased with the severity of the dry season, and this increase strongly varied with the geological substrate. Geology was found to be three times more important than the rainfall regime in explaining the total variation in deciduousness. The four substrates differed in soil properties, with higher fertility and water‐holding capacity on metamorphic and basic rocks than on sandstone and alluvium. The increase in forest deciduousness was stronger on the substrates that formed resource‐rich clay soils (metamorphic and basic rocks) than on substrates that formed resource‐poor sandy soils (sandstone and alluvium).

Synthesis. We found evidence that tropical forest deciduousness is the result of both the competitive advantage of deciduous species in climates with high rainfall seasonality, and the persistence of evergreen species on resource‐poor soils. Our findings offer a clear illustration of well‐known theoretical leaf carbon economy models, explaining the patterns in the dominance of evergreen versus deciduous species. And, this large‐scale assessment of the interaction between climate and geology in determining forest deciduousness may help to improve future predictions of vegetation distribution under climate change scenarios. In central Africa, forest is likely to respond differently to variation in rainfall and/or evapotranspiration depending on the geological substrate.
A human cadaveric workshop: One solution to competence in the face of rarity
Authors: Ferguson Ian MC , Shareef Mohammed Z , Burns Brian , Reid Cliff 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCompetent performance of cricothyroidotomy, lateral canthotomy and resuscitative thoracostomy is an expected standard for Australasian emergency physicians, but infrequent exposure to these procedures could impair physician confidence, reducing the likelihood of their execution in a critical timeframe. Training to perform these procedures is a recognised challenge for non‐surgeons, and cadaver‐based training is one method of addressing this need. We describe a 1 day cadaver‐based workshop for emergency medicine doctors and briefly report on its impact on physician confidence. This workshop appeared effective in increasing the confidence of emergency medicine physicians to carry out rarely performed life and sight‐saving procedures and also provides an opportunity for senior clinicians to increase compliance with continuing profession development schemes.
Oral tranexamic acid lightens refractory melasma
Authors: Tan Aaron Wei Min , Sen Priya , Chua Sze Hon , Goh Boon Kee 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesMelasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentary disorder, particularly among Asians and Hispanics, but its exact pathomechanism is poorly understood. Tranexamic acid has been found to lighten melasma by interfering with the interaction of melanocytes and keratinocytes by inhibiting the plasminogen/plasmin system. The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of oral tranexamic acid in the treatment of melasma refractory to topical skin‐lightening agents.MethodsThis retrospective study analyses patients with melasma recruited from a tertiary dermatological centre in Singapore between 1 August 2009 and 31 March 2011. The patients chosen had refractory melasma treated with oral tranexamic acid 250 mg twice daily in addition to pre‐existing combination topical therapy. Objective assessment using the physician's global assessment and melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were performed based on a post‐hoc analysis of photographic records by three independent physicians. A paired t‐test was used to evaluate the changes in the MASI scores pre‐therapy and post‐treatment. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.ResultsAltogether 25 patients were treated with tranexamic acid for a mean period of 3.7 ± 0.33 months, in addition to combination topical therapy. Their mean age was 47.2 ± 1.61 years. The mean MASI scores after tranexamic acid treatment (2.7 ± 1.6) were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those prior to treatment (8.8 ± 4.2). The mean improvement in scores was 69%. The follow‐up period was up to 6 months.ConclusionLow‐dose oral tranexamic acid can serve as a safe and useful adjunct in the treatment of refractory melasma.
Effect of medium additives during liquid storage on developmental competence of in vitro matured bovine oocytes
Authors: Suttirojpattana Tayita , Somfai Tamas , Matoba Satoko , Parnpai Rangsun , Nagai Takashi , Geshi Masaya 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOur aim was to improve the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during their liquid storage by using additives. In vitro matured oocytes were stored for 20 h at 25°C in HEPES buffered TCM 199 medium (base medium). After storage, in vitro embryo development after in vitro fertilization was compared to those of non‐stored (control) ones. Addition of 10% (v/v) newborn calf serum or 10.27 mmol/L pyruvate alone to the base medium did not improve blastocyst formation rates in stored oocytes; however, their simultaneous addition significantly improved the rate compared with those stored in base medium (P < 0.05). Supplementation of the holding medium with dithiothreitol (DTT) at any concentrations did not improve embryo development from stored oocytes. Although supplementation with cyclosporine A (CsA) significantly reduced apoptosis and membrane damage rates during storage, it did not improve the developmental competence of oocytes. 1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy) ethane N,N,N’,N’‐tetraacetic acid tetrakis‐acetoxymethyl ester and ruthenium red had no effect on oocyte apoptotic rates. Blastocyst formation rates in all stored groups remained significantly lower than that of the control. In conclusion, pyruvate and serum had a synergic effect to moderate the reduction of oocyte quality during storage, whereas mitochondrial membrane pore inhibitor CsA and the antioxidant DTT did not affect their developmental competence.
Adherence to long‐term anticoagulation treatment, what is known and what the future might hold
Authors: Abdou John K. , Auyeung Vivian , Patel Jignesh P. , Arya Roopen 
Published: May 2016

SummaryAdherence to medication, commonly reported as being 50% in chronic diseases, is of great concern in healthcare. Medication non‐adherence is particularly apparent in chronic diseases, where treatment is often preventative and may provide little or no symptomatic relief or feedback for the patient. A lot of research has been undertaken to describe the extent of non‐adherence to long‐term anticoagulation therapy, particularly with vitamin K antagonists and more recently with direct oral anticoagulants. However, the literature is scarce with respect to describing adherence to anticoagulation in terms of the behavioural aspects that influence medicine use. Utilizing the COM‐B (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) psychological model of non‐adherence, we present the available evidence, not only in terms of describing the extent of the non‐adherence problem, but also describing why patients do not adhere, offering theory‐driven and evidence‐based solutions to improve long‐term adherence to chronic anticoagulation therapy. Lessons learned are not only applicable within the field of anticoagulation but throughout haematology.
A NOTE ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND EXPORTS IN VERTICALLY DIFFERENTIATED INDUSTRIES
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhou Jidong 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTWe examine the FDI versus exports decision of a multiproduct multinational firm which supplies vertically differentiated products, and show that the proximity‐concentration trade‐off can generate FDI‐export coexistence, i.e., the firm supplies the low‐quality products through FDI and the high‐quality products through exports. We also show that the opposite can never happen. Moreover, when the multiproduct multinational firm faces price competition in the target markets, it has an incentive to use trade costs to soften price competition, which can reduce its FDI incentive.
Hepatic NAD+ deficiency as a therapeutic target for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in ageing
Authors: Zhou Can‐Can , Yang Xi , Hua Xia , Liu Jian , Fan Mao‐Bing , Li Guo‐Qiang , Song Jie , Xu Tian‐Ying , Li Zhi‐Yong , Guan Yun‐Feng , Wang Pei , Miao Chao‐Yu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackground and PurposeAgeing is an important risk factor of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we investigated whether the deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a ubiquitous coenzyme, links ageing with NAFLD.Experimental ApproachHepatic concentrations of NAD+, protein levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and several other critical enzymes regulating NAD+ biosynthesis, were compared in middle‐aged and aged mice or patients. The influences of NAD+ decline on the steatosis and steatohepatitis were evaluated in wild‐type and H247A dominant‐negative, enzymically‐inactive NAMPT transgenic mice (DN‐NAMPT) given normal or high‐fat diet (HFD).Key ResultsHepatic NAD+ level decreased in aged mice and humans. NAMPT‐controlled NAD+ salvage, but not de novo biosynthesis pathway, was compromised in liver of elderly mice and humans. Given normal chow, middle‐age DN‐NAMPT mice displayed systemic NAD+ reduction and had moderate NAFLD phenotypes, including lipid accumulation, enhanced oxidative stress, triggered inflammation and impaired insulin sensitivity in liver. All these NAFLD phenotypes, especially release of pro‐inflammatory factors, Kupffer cell accumulation, monocytes infiltration, NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and hepatic fibrosis (Masson's staining and α‐SMA staining), deteriorated further under HFD challenge. Oral administration of nicotinamide riboside, a natural NAD+ precursor, completely corrected these NAFLD phenotypes induced by NAD+ deficiency alone or HFD, whereas adenovirus‐mediated SIRT1 overexpression only partially rescued these phenotypes.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results provide the first evidence that ageing‐associated NAD+ deficiency is a critical risk factor for NAFLD, and suggest that supplementation with NAD+ substrates may be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat NAFLD.