bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

PurposeThe 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsHigh 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/valueMacro 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

Abstract

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

AbstractTrees 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

ABSTRACTReverse‐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

Abstract

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

AbstractIn 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

ObjectiveTo examine the experiences of women seeking more than one termination of pregnancy (TOP) within 2 years.DesignMixed methods study.SettingSix TOP services across Scotland.SampleWomen presenting for TOP between July and December 2015.MethodsDescriptive 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 measuresCharacteristics and experiences of women seeking TOP.ResultsOf 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.ConclusionsWomen 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’.FundingScottish Government.Tweetable abstractWomen 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

AbstractBiodiversity 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.