bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aging and real estate prices: evidence from Japanese and US regional data
Authors: Saita Yumi , Shimizu Chihiro , Watanabe Tsutomu 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– Aging in Japan is advancing faster than in other major developed nations, and this is expected to have substantial effects on the country’s economic systems, including its social security system. What kind of effect will the falling birth rate, aging society and declining population have on the real estate market? Will the often mentioned real estate price asset meltdown really occur? The purpose of this paper is to address these questions by investigating how much demographic factors affected real estate prices in Japan and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors use regional panel data for Japan and the USA real estate prices and estimate the effects of demographic factors, such as dependency ratio, i.e. the ratio of population aged 65+ to population aged 20-64. For Japan, as no region-by-region quality-adjusted housing price indexes covering the entire country exist, data are constructed by conducting quality adjustment using hedonic regression.

Findings
– Both in Japan and the USA, real estate prices in a region are inversely correlated with the old age dependency ratio in that region, and positively correlated with the total number of population in that region. The demographic factor had a greater impact on real estate prices in Japan than in the USA. For Japan, it was also found that demographic impact on land prices will be −2.4 per cent per year in 2012-2040, while it was −3.7 per cent per year in 1976-2010, suggesting that aging will continue to have downward pressure on land prices over the next 30 years, although the demographic impact will be slightly smaller than it was in 1976-2010, as the old age dependency ratio will not increase as much as it did before.

Originality/value
– Japan’s regional panel data are newly constructed based on a hedonic approach. Analyzing the effect of dependency ratio for Japan and the USA panel data is a new challenge. Forecasting future impact of demographic factor on Japan’s land prices based on the population forecast is a new challenge.
Space standardisation of low-income housing units in India
Authors: Roy Uttam Kumar , Roy Madhumita 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– This paper aims to develop a set of affordable space and dimensional standards for market-driven low-income housing in Indian context for the purpose of mass production using industrialised building system.

Design/methodology/approach
– For this, the paper first explains the significance of standardisation from the literature and revisits the codes and contemporary practices in industrialised building system (IBS) in India. Next, it undertakes a market survey of ongoing/completed housing projects to study the space/dimensions reflected in the market demand by the people. After considering conditions like modular grid suitability and provisions of code, it identifies a set of dimensional standards of activity spaces, emerging from the market study. It also suggests a framework of modular units showing the incremental attachment possibility for component-based construction using IBS. These standards and design frameworks will make the path for developing various products and components towards an open system in India.

Findings
– The paper gives an insight of the market trends of low-income housing, focusing on unit designs and spatial elements.

Research limitations/implications
– Local contextualisation during the unit designs will be required and that is not addressed in this paper.

Practical implications
– This will benefit developers, manufacturers, designers as well as policymakers towards a market-driven housing delivery using IBS.

Social implications
– As a result of this standardisation, housing delivery will be faster and there will be more numbers of market-driven affordable housing in masses for low-income people, thus solving housing shortage.

Originality/value
– A developing country like India is a diversified country having many geographical and social variations. Such standardisation for a space and design framework has never been attempted before and will make a contribution for the public housing sector.
Does a firm’s innovation category matter in practising eco-innovation? Evidence from the lens of Malaysia companies practicing green technology
Authors: Fernando Yudi , Wah Wen Xin , Shaharudin Muhammad  Shabir 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate different types of innovations and their effects on eco-innovation practices by firms practicing green technology in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper collected data via postal and online surveys. The population frame for this study was obtained from the External Trade Development Corporation directory 2010 and the MyHijau Directory published in 2013. Surveys were distributed to the top management of green technology companies.

Findings
– Based on the reflections from the managers who participated in the survey, this study found that environmental compliance has become a critical issue and lack of enforcement can no longer be ignored. Despite that fact that eco-innovation inspection activities to comply with environmental regulations are carried out periodically by the studied firms, the challenges in deploying the latest green technologies and their potential benefits have remain evident. Often, a shortage of resources has restricted firms in setting up in-house research and development units.

Practical implications
– The findings of this study lead to the suggestion that firms practicing green technology should engage in an information-sharing culture with key suppliers regarding the latest know-how and technological developments. Among the recommendations are that firms should engage employees, customers, suppliers and competitors through co-production. This engagement will help improve product marketability, lean production processes and the design of desired green products.

Originality/value
– This study investigated the level of eco-innovation practices for each dimension of its construct and compared that level to the different stages of firm innovation. The results will fill in the gaps in the literature because previous studies only focused on theory testing and modelling of eco-innovation from a multidisciplinary approach.
Homogeneity of manufacturing choices in subcontractor SMEs
Authors: Löfving Malin 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the choices made in manufacturing decision categories by subcontractor small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and determines if subcontractor SMEs make homogenous manufacturing choices.Design/methodology/approach– A literature review was used to develop theoretical propositions. A multiple case study with 19 subcontractor SMEs was conducted.Findings– Factors that might lead to homogenous choices in the manufacturing strategy decision categories were formalised into four theoretical propositions. The propositions were based on new institutionalism factors as well as SME factors. The findings reveal that there is considerable heterogeneity across the subcontractor SMEs in the various manufacturing decision categories. However, there are similarities between some manufacturing choices. This can partly be explained by the proposed factors and partly by other factors, such as SME characteristics and process choices.Research limitations/implications– The study reinforces the need for more research that is focused on manufacturing decisions and choices in SMEs. All cases were of Swedish SMEs belonging to three different industries, potentially limiting the generalisability of findings to other industries or countries.Practical implications– This study highlights the importance of the different choices made considering manufacturing and the factors influencing those choices. This provides guidance for managers when they make manufacturing choices in various decision categories.Originality/value– By addressing new institutionalism, SME characteristics and decision categories in the same study, the author provides new insights into the categories of manufacturing decisions.
An approach to evaluation of emergency plans for unconventional emergency events based on soft fuzzy rough set
Authors: Bingzhen Sun , Weimin Ma 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for evaluation of emergency plans for unconventional emergency events by using the soft fuzzy rough set theory and methodology.

Design/methodology/approach
– In response to the problems of insufficient risk identification, incomplete and inaccurate data and different preference of decision makers, a new model for emergency plan evaluation is established by combining soft set theory with classical fuzzy rough set theory. Moreover, by combining the TOPSIS method with soft fuzzy rough set theory, the score value of the soft fuzzy lower and upper approximation is defined for the optimal object and the worst object. Finally, emergency plans are comprehensively evaluated according to the soft close degree of the soft fuzzy rough set theory.

Findings
– This paper presents a new perspective on emergency management decision making in unconventional emergency events. Also, the paper provides an effective model for evaluating emergency plans for unconventional events.

Originality/value
– The paper contributes to decision making in emergency management of unconventional emergency events. The model is useful for dealing with decision making with uncertain information.
Thirty‐day postoperative mortality for endometrial carcinoma in England: a population‐based study
Authors: Gildea C , Nordin A , Hirschowitz L , Poole J 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo quantify trends in 30‐day mortality following surgery for endometrial carcinoma in England, and investigate hospital‐ and geographical‐level variations.DesignRetrospective population‐based observational study using cancer registration and Hospital Episodes Statistics data.SettingEngland.PopulationWomen diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma (ICD10 C54‐C55 excluding sarcomas and malignant mixed Mullerian tumours) between 2000 and 2009 who were treated surgically (n = 38 332).MethodsRandom effects logistic regression model of postoperative mortality rates, adjusting for patient‐ and/or tumour‐level factors (namely age, income deprivation, year of diagnosis, FIGO stage and grade). Case‐mix adjusted postoperative mortality rates for hospitals and cancer networks were derived from the model. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing stage and grade data.Main outcome measures30‐day postoperative mortality rate.ResultsFor 2000–2009, the percentage of women dying within 30 days of surgery for endometrial carcinoma was very low at 0.61% (235 deaths), and decreased from 0.70% in 2000–2001 to 0.48% in 2008–2009. Postoperative mortality rates were lower for laparoscopic surgery, and higher for older women, those with advanced stage disease and high‐grade tumours. Crude and case‐mix adjusted results indicated that one hospital had a higher postoperative mortality rate than expected.ConclusionsThe postoperative mortality rate for endometrial carcinoma in England is low and has improved since 2000, with increasing use of laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative mortality rates differed by surgical approach, patient age, disease stage and tumour grade. Only one hospital had a higher postoperative mortality rate than expected after adjusting for patient case‐mix.Tweetable abstractMore women with endometrial cancer but better 30‐day survival after surgery since 2000.
Does the Epi‐No® birth trainer prevent vaginal birth‐related pelvic floor trauma? A multicentre prospective randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kamisan Atan I , Shek KL , Langer S , Guzman Rojas R , Caudwell‐Hall J , Daly JO , Dietz HP 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveVaginal childbirth may result in levator ani injury secondary to overdistension during the second stage of labour. Other injuries include perineal and anal sphincter tears. Antepartum use of a birth trainer may prevent such injuries by altering the biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor. This study evaluates the effects of Epi‐No® use on intrapartum pelvic floor trauma.DesignMulticentre prospective randomised controlled trial.SettingTwo tertiary obstetric units in Australia.PopulationNulliparous women carrying an uncomplicated singleton term pregnancy.MethodsParticipants were assessed clinically and with 4D translabial ultrasound in the late third trimester, and again at 3–6 months postpartum. Women randomised to the intervention group were asked to use the Epi‐No® device from 37 weeks of gestation until delivery.Main outcome measuresLevator ani, anal sphincter, and perineal trauma diagnosed clinically and/or with translabial ultrasound imaging.ResultsOf 660 women randomised, 504 (76.4%) returned for assessment at a mean of 5 months postpartum. There was no significant difference in the incidence of levator avulsion [12 versus 15%; relative risk (RR) 0.82, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.51–1.32; absolute risk reduction (ARR) 0.03, 95% CI −0.04 to 0.09; P = 0.39], irreversible hiatal overdistension (13 versus 15%; RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.52–1.42; ARR 0.02, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.09; P = 0.51), clinical anal sphincter trauma (7 versus 6%; RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.49–2.60; ARR –0.01, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.06; P = 0.77), and perineal tears (51 versus 53%; RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.78–1.17; ARR 0.02, 95% CI −0.08 to 0.13; P = 0.65). A marginally higher rate of significant defects of the external anal sphincter on ultrasound was observed in the intervention group (21 versus 14%; RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.97–2.20; ARR –0.06, 95% CI −0.13 to 0.05; P = 0.07).ConclusionAntenatal use of the Epi‐No® device is unlikely to be clinically beneficial in the prevention of intrapartum levator ani damage, or anal sphincter and perineal trauma.Tweetable abstractNo evidence of a protective effect of the Epi‐No® device on intrapartum pelvic floor rauma.
Phylogenetic diversity and biogeography of the Mamiellophyceae lineage of eukaryotic phytoplankton across the oceans
Authors: Monier Adam , Worden Alexandra Z. , Richards Thomas A. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryHigh‐throughput diversity amplicon sequencing of marine microbial samples has revealed that members of the Mamiellophyceae lineage are successful phytoplankton in many oceanic habitats. Indeed, these eukaryotic green algae can dominate the picoplanktonic biomass, however, given the broad expanses of the oceans, their geographical distributions and the phylogenetic diversity of some groups remain poorly characterized. As these algae play a foundational role in marine food webs, it is crucial to assess their global distribution in order to better predict potential changes in abundance and community structure. To this end, we analyzed the V9‐18S small subunit rDNA sequences deposited from the Tara Oceans expedition to evaluate the diversity and biogeography of these phytoplankton. Our results show that the phylogenetic composition of Mamiellophyceae communities is in part determined by geographical provenance, and do not appear to be influenced – in the samples recovered – by water depth, at least at the resolution possible with the V9‐18S. Phylogenetic classification of Mamiellophyceae sequences revealed that the Dolichomastigales order encompasses more sequence diversity than other orders in this lineage. These results indicate that a large fraction of the Mamiellophyceae diversity has been hitherto overlooked, likely because of a combination of size fraction, sequencing and geographical limitations.
Remnants of marine bacterial communities can be retrieved from deep sediments in lakes of marine origin
Authors: Langenheder Silke , Comte Jérôme , Zha Yinghua , Samad Md Sainur , Sinclair Lucas , Eiler Alexander , Lindström Eva S. 
Published: February 2016

SummarySome bacteria can be preserved over time in deep sediments where they persist either in dormant or slow‐growing vegetative stages. Here, we hypothesized that such cells can be revived when exposed to environmental conditions similar to those before they were buried in the sediments. To test this hypothesis, we collected bacteria from sediment samples of different ages (140–8500 calibrated years before present, cal BP) from three lakes that differed in the timing of their physical isolation from the Baltic Sea following postglacial uplift. After these bacterial communities were grown in sterile water from the Baltic Sea, we determined the proportion of 16S rRNA sequence reads associated with marine habitats by extracting the environment descriptive terms of homologous sequences retrieved from public databases. We found that the proportion of reads associated with marine descriptive term was significantly higher in cultures inoculated with sediment layers formed under Baltic conditions and where salinities were expected to be similar to current levels. Moreover, a similar pattern was found in the original sediment layers. Our study, therefore, suggests that remnants of marine bacterial communities can be preserved in sediments over thousands of years and can be revived from deep sediments in lakes of marine origin.
Use of single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes associated with daughter pregnancy rate for prediction of genetic merit for reproduction in Holstein cows
Authors: Ortega M. S. , Denicol A. C. , Cole J. B. , Null D. J. , Hansen P. J. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryWe evaluated 69 SNPs in genes previously related to fertility and production traits for their relationship to daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), cow conception rate (CCR) and heifer conception rate (HCR) in a separate population of Holstein cows grouped according to their predicted transmitting ability (PTA) [≤−1 (n = 1287) and ≥1.5 (n = 1036)] for DPR. Genotyping was performed using Sequenom MassARRAY®. There were a total of 39 SNPs associated with the three fertility traits. The SNPs that explained the greater proportion of the genetic variation for DPR were COQ9 (3.2%), EPAS1 (1.0%), CAST (1.0%), C7H19orf60 (1.0%) and MRPL48 (1.0%); for CCR were GOLGA4 (2.4%), COQ9 (1.8%), EPAS1 (1.1%) and MRPL48 (0.8%); and for HCR were HSD17B7 (1.0%), AP3B1 (0.8%), HSD17B12 (0.7%) and CACNA1D (0.6%). Inclusion of 39 SNPs previously associated with DPR in the genetic evaluation system increased the reliability of PTA for DPR by 0.20%. Many of the genes represented by SNPs associated with fertility are involved in steroidogenesis or are regulated by steroids. A large proportion of SNPs previously associated with genetic merit for fertility in Holstein bulls maintained their association in a separate population of cows. The inclusion of these genes in genetic evaluation can improve reliabilities of genomic estimates for fertility.
Resiliency and socioemotional functioning in youth receiving surgery for orofacial anomalies
Authors: Ruff Ryan Richard , Sischo Lacey , Broder Hillary 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesRestorative interventions for cleft lip and palate involve annual evaluations, adjunct treatment, and multiple surgeries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal impact of cleft surgery on psychosocial functioning among youth with cleft.MethodsData were derived from a 5‐year, multicenter, prospective longitudinal study of children with cleft (N = 1196). Children completed psychological inventories for self‐concept, anxiety, depression, mastery, and relatedness. Multilevel mixed‐effects models were used to analyze the effects of craniofacial surgery for cleft on psychosocial outcomes over time.ResultsThere were 1196 participants at baseline, of whom 258 (27.5%) received a surgical intervention prior to their 1st follow‐up visit. Approximately 78% of participants had cleft lip and palate, and 22% had cleft palate only. Surgery receipt was significantly associated with lower relatedness (β = −1.48, 95% CI = −2.91, −0.05) and mastery (β = −1.32, 95% CI = −2.49, −0.15) scores, although overall scores appeared to increase over time. Surgery was not related to anxiety (β = −0.15, 95% CI = −1.08, 0.79), depression (β = 0.18, 95% CI = −0.65, 1.01), and self‐concept (β = −0.84, 95% CI = −1.83, 0.15). The treatment–time interaction was not significant. Significant differences in psychosocial functioning were found across sex, race/ethnicity, and age groups.ConclusionsSurgery may have negative short‐term impacts on psychosocial functioning, although effects may diminish over time. Given the limited postsurgical follow‐up period, long‐term change in psychological well‐being and the moderating effects of surgery may not be fully realized. Further follow‐up of children with cleft through adulthood to explore developmental trajectories of psychosocial functioning in more detail is recommended.
Recovery of adrenal function after chronic secondary adrenal insufficiency in patients with hypopituitarism
Authors: Munro V. , Tugwell B. , Doucette S. , Clarke D.B. , Lacroix A. , Imran S.A. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryObjectivePrevious studies have reported recovery of secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) in patients with pituitary disorders, generally immediately after pituitary surgery; however, data regarding recovery of long‐term SAI are lacking. We conducted a study to assess the longer term recovery rate of SAI in patients with pituitary disorders.MethodsWe identified all SAI patients in the Halifax Neuropituitary Database from 1 November 2005 to 30 September 2014, who had required glucocorticoid therapy for ≥3 months, and had a minimum follow‐up of 6 months. Patients with ACTH‐secreting adenomas, those receiving glucocorticoids only in the routine peri‐operative period for pituitary surgery and those on glucocorticoids for nonpituitary conditions were excluded. SAI was defined as either basal serum cortisol < 130 nm and/or a subnormal cortisol response to ACTH‐(1–24) stimulation test or insulin tolerance test response.ResultsFifty‐one patients fulfilled the criteria. Nine (17·6%) patients had complete recovery of SAI over a median of 20 months (range: 8–51) after initiating glucocorticoid replacement. Patients with smaller tumour size had increased likelihood of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis recovery, whereas those with secondary hypogonadism or growth hormone deficiency were less likely to recover. Those with initial cortisol >175 nm had an almost one in two chance of recovery.ConclusionResults from our study show that approximately one in six patients with SAI recover adrenal function, even up to 5 years after diagnosis. We recommend that patients with SAI undergo regular testing to assess recovery in order to prevent unnecessary glucocorticoid therapy.