bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated sustainability management for organizations
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Panagiotis , Espinosa Angela , Walker Jon 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose the Viable System Model (VSM) as an effective model to base the analysis of organizational sustainability (long-term viability). It is specifically proposed as a model to integrate the various sustainability tools, and as the basis for designing a unified Sustainability Management System.

Design/methodology/approach
– The VSM is used as an organizational model to examine three prominent sustainability standards: ISO 26000, ISO 14001 and ISO 14044. A generic manufacturing company is used as a template; and its typical business processes are related to each of the VSM’s components. Each clause of the three sustainability standards is then mapped on to the VSM model. These three models are integrated into one, by analysing the differences, similarities and complementarities in the context of each VSM component, and by identifying common invariant functions.

Findings
– In all, 12 generic sustainability functions are identified. ISO 26000 has the widest scope; ISO 14001 is focused primarily on internal measurement and control (System 3), while ISO 14044 is a complex performance indicator at the System 3 level. There is a general absence of System 2. Each standard can be regarded as a distinct management layer, which needs to be integrated with the Business Management layer.

Research limitations/implications
– Further research is needed to explore the specifics of integration.

Practical implications
– This integration should not be based on creating distinct roles for each management layer.

Originality/value
– The paper uses the insights of organizational cybernetics to examine prominent sustainability standards and advance sustainability management at the business level.
Assisting individuals ageing with learning disability: support worker perspectives
Authors: Wark Stuart , Hussain Rafat , Edwards Helen 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– While ageing with an intellectual (learning) disability has been subject to increased research in recent years, there remains little knowledge regarding the daily practice issues that disability workers struggle most to support in this cohort. The purpose of this paper is to gain feedback directly from staff regarding the problems they experience in daily work, and to evaluate whether any changes to legislation or practice could potentially alleviate identified areas of concern.Design/methodology/approach– A Delphi project was conducted over three rounds with participants from rural areas of New South Wales (NSW). The panel was composed of support workers who assist people ageing with a learning disability. Participants were asked their perceptions of the main practice issues facing them while they provide support.Findings– The panel identified 29 issues that were considered problematic in the provision of support to people ageing with a learning disability. A thematic analysis indicated three main themes of access to services; time constraints; and funding.Research limitations/implications– The participants in this study were all disability workers employed by non-government organisations in rural NSW, and as such, many of the issues identified may be specific to this population cohort and geographic setting. Any generalisation of these results to other locations or populations must be considered within these limitations.Originality/value– Identification of the issues facing disability staff may facilitate government, health care providers and disability organisations to proactively plan to address current and future problem areas. The consequent effect of improving practices can assist individuals to receive better support and lead to a corresponding improvement in their quality of life. The current implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia is an ideal opportunity for cross-sectoral collaboration to change practice to facilitate better support for a highly vulnerable group of the community.
Commentary – what is a resource allocation system?
Authors: Duffy Simon 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– In discussing some of the issues arising from the paper by Sue Davies and colleagues, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the development of the concept of a Resource Allocation System (RAS).

Design/methodology/approach
– Critical analysis based on review of literature and personal experience.

Findings
– The role and purpose of the RAS has changed over time and is unlikely to remain stable.

Practical implications
– Local authorities may consider whether their RAS will be fit for purpose in the future.

Social implications
– Social innovations are often unstable and may have unexpected consequences; especially when other factors beyond their original design intentions begin to influence their use.

Originality/value
– The author of a social innovation reflects on the failure of that innovation to achieve its original purpose.
Transient dynamics of competitive exclusion in microbial communities
Authors: Louca Stilianos , Doebeli Michael 
Published: September 2015

SummaryMicrobial metabolism drives our planet's biogeochemistry and plays a central role in industrial processes. Molecular profiling in bioreactors has revealed that microbial community composition can be highly variable while maintaining constant functional performance. Furthermore, following perturbation bioreactor performance typically recovers rapidly, while community composition slowly returns to its original state. Despite its practical relevance, we still lack an understanding of the mechanisms causing the discrepancy between functional and compositional stability of microbial communities. Using a mathematical model for microbial competition, as well as simulations of a model for a nitrifying bioreactor, we explain these observations on grounds of slow non‐equilibrium dynamics eventually leading to competitive exclusion. In the presence of several competing strains, metabolic niches are rapidly occupied by opportunistic populations, while subsequent species turnover and the eventual dominance of top competitors proceeds at a much slower rate. Hence, functional redundancy causes a separation of the time scales characterizing the functional and compositional stabilization of microbial communities. This effect becomes stronger with increasing richness because greater similarities between top competitors lead to longer transient population dynamics.
Anaerobic choline metabolism in microcompartments promotes growth and swarming of Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Jameson Eleanor , Fu Tiantian , Brown Ian R. , Paszkiewicz Konrad , Purdy Kevin J. , Frank Stefanie , Chen Yin 
Published: September 2015

SummaryGammaproteobacteria are important gut microbes but only persist at low levels in the healthy gut. The ecology of Gammaproteobacteria in the gut environment is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that choline is an important growth substrate for representatives of Gammaproteobacteria. Using Proteus mirabilis as a model, we investigate the role of choline metabolism and demonstrate that the cutC gene, encoding a choline‐trimethylamine lyase, is essential for choline degradation to trimethylamine by targeted mutagenesis of cutC and subsequent complementation experiments. Proteus mirabilis can rapidly utilize choline to enhance growth rate and cell yield in broth culture. Importantly, choline also enhances swarming‐associated colony expansion of P. mirabilis under anaerobic conditions on a solid surface. Comparative transcriptomics demonstrated that choline not only induces choline‐trimethylamine lyase but also genes encoding shell proteins for the formation of bacterial microcompartments. Subsequent analyses by transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of such novel microcompartments in cells cultivated in liquid broth and hyper‐flagellated swarmer cells from solid medium. Together, our study reveals choline metabolism as an adaptation strategy for P. mirabilis and contributes to better understand the ecology of this bacterium in health and disease.
Ten‐year follow up of graduates from the Aspiring Dietitians Study: Implications for dietetic workforce development
Authors: Plint Hayley , Ball Lauren , Hughes Roger , Desbrow Ben 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo explore the career pathways and practice experiences of dietitians in the first decade following graduation to identify factors influencing workforce development.MethodsA qualitative, follow up study was conducted on a previously recruited cohort of aspiring dietetic students who had graduated as dietitians over the preceeding decade. Participants completed an individual, semistructured telephone interview which focused on retrospectively exploring factors influencing career pathways, perceptions of career success and satisfaction and the competencies required for effective practice. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and underwent qualitative descriptive and triangular analysis.ResultsCareer pathways were opportunistic rather than planned, influenced more by actual employment opportunities and lifestyle preferences (particularly location) than initial career preferences and plans. Most acknowledged that initial unfamiliarity of the profession, employment realities and pragmatic career decision‐making explained the misalignment of plans with actual career pathways. Participants rated competencies of communication, teamwork, counselling and specific disciplinary knowledge as most relevant to effective practice. Despite some participants acknowledging that their career was not as originally anticipated, there was a consistent theme of career success and satisfaction determined more by intrinsic factors (helping people, effective in job, being acknowledged as a specialist) than extrinsic variables (remuneration level, management progression). Retention in the dietetic workforce appeared to be high, particularly when opportunities to specialise or undertake research were realised.ConclusionsWorkforce preparation that facilitates graduates to be flexible to employment, continuing professional development opportunities and support specialisation and research in practice are likely to be important for nutrition and dietetic workforce retention.
Two new species and one new record species of Rhopus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species
Authors: Zu Guo‐Hao , Li Cheng‐De 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRhopus antennalis sp. nov. and R. qingdaoensis sp. nov. are described as new to science and R. nigroclavatus (Ashmead, 1902) is first recorded from China. A key to all the known Chinese species of the genus also presented.
Temporal analysis of 16 STR loci in human blood drawn from two culicid mosquitoes cultured at different temperatures
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed M.A. , Alrakan Lamia A. , Alaifan Saleh Ahmed , Al‐Mekhlafi Fahd A. , Kassab Ahmed Ch. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFemale mosquitoes feed on human blood, which can be collected to analyze human short tandem repeat (STR) sequences; these are specific to each human individual. Analysis of STRs might help in identification of a person found near a crime scene. Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens mosquitoes fed on human blood were cultured at 18°C or 40°C (median temperature for summer and winter time in Riyadh governorate, Saudi Arabia) for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. In A. aegypti, human DNA concentration was reduced with time at both temperatures. At 18°C, we obtained full STR profiles up to 48 h post feeding on human blood while none of the 16 loci were obtained at 72 h. At 40°C, we missed six sites at 12 h after blood sucking, 12 at 24 h, and 15 at 48 h and 72 h. In C. pipiens cultured at 18°C, full profiles were developed up to 48 h following blood feeding while we could not amplify five sites at 72 h. At 40°C, mortality among females was 50% at 24 h and 100% at both 48 h and 72 h; however, we had full profiles in all samples including dead insects. This research addressed the possibility of using mosquitoes in forensic research by DNA genotyping by changing the mosquito culturing temperature and mosquito genus. Our findings proved that different types of mosquito change the temporal pattern of STR analysis and showed that the mosquito culturing temperature affects the integrity of DNA for STR analysis.
Water and carbohydrate levels at different developmental stages and dynamics in hibernating pupae of Pieris melete (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
Authors: Xiao HaiJun , Chen JunHui , Chen Chao , Xue Fangsen 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFor insight into the physiological indicators of diapause in Pieris melete, water and carbohydrate (glycogen and trehalose) levels were measured under both natural and laboratory conditions. The highest water content (3.71–3.79 mg/mg dry weight) was found in larvae and developing pupae, which was substantially higher than in diapausing pupae (2.59 mg/mg dry weight). Water content was almost stable during diapause, except for individuals approaching diapause termination (3.43–3.58 mg/mg dry weight). The total carbohydrate level was significantly higher in pre‐pupae (47.41 μg/mg) compared to larvae (22.80 μg/mg) and developing pupae (21.48 μg/mg). The highest level of trehalose was detected in winter diapausing pupae, and no trehalose was found in larvae or developing pupae. Levels of glycogen were highest in pre‐pupae and lowest in diapausing pupae. Levels of total carbohydrate decreased as diapause proceeded, and no significant changes were found in trehalose levels for diapausing pupae under natural conditions or treated for 60–90 days at 5°C. Pupae treated at 20°C for 60–90 days had significantly lower levels of trehalose than those treated for 30 days. Glycogen content was relatively stable at 5°C, but increased after treatment under natural conditions and 20°C for more than 60 days. These results suggest that the dynamics of water and carbohydrate levels are potential physiological diapause indicators, which show metabolic differences between trehalose and glycogen during diapause development.
Cost‐efficacy of biologic therapies for psoriatic arthritis from the perspective of the Taiwanese healthcare system
Authors: Yang Tsong‐Shing , Chi Ching‐Chi , Wang Shu‐Hui , Lin Jing‐Chi , Lin Ko‐Ming 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundBiologic therapies are more effective but more costly than conventional therapies in treating psoriatic arthritis.ObjectivesTo evaluate the cost‐efficacy of etanercept, adalimumab and golimumab therapies in treating active psoriatic arthritis in a Taiwanese setting.MethodsWe conducted a meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials to calculate the incremental efficacy of etanercept, adalimumab and golimumab, respectively, in achieving Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC) and a 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology score (ACR20). The base, best, and worst case incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for one subject to achieve PsARC and ACR20 were calculated.ResultsThe annual ICER per PsARC responder were US$27 047 (best scenario US$16 619; worst scenario US$31 350), US$39 339 (best scenario US$31 846; worst scenario US$53 501) and US$27 085 (best scenario US$22 716; worst scenario US$33 534) for etanercept, adalimumab and golimumab, respectively. The annual ICER per ACR20 responder were US$27 588 (best scenario US$20 900; worst scenario US$41 800), US$39 339 (best scenario US$25 236; worst scenario US$83 595) and US$33 534 (best scenario US$27 616; worst scenario US$44 013) for etanercept, adalimumab and golimumab, respectively.ConclusionsIn a Taiwanese setting, etanercept had the lowest annual costs per PsARC and ACR20 responder, while adalimumab had the highest annual costs per PsARC and ACR responder.
The importance of assessment and management of morning stiffness in Asian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Recommendations from an expert panel
Authors: Mok Chi Chiu , Cha Hoon Suk , Hidayat Rudy , Nguyen Lan Thi Ngoc , Perez Emmanuel C. , Ramachandran Raveendran , Tsay Gregory J. , Yoo Dae Hyun ,   the Asia Pacific Morning Stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Expert Panel
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveIn patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), morning stiffness is linked more to functional disability and pain than disease activity, as assessed by joint counts and markers of inflammation. As part of the Asia Pacific Morning Stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Expert Panel, a group of eight rheumatologists met to formulate consensus points and develop recommendations for the assessment and management of morning stiffness in RA.MethodsOn the basis of a systematic literature review and expert opinion, a panel of Asian rheumatologists formulated recommendations for the assessment and medical treatment of RA.ResultsThe panel agreed upon 10 consensus statements on morning stiffness, its assessment and treatment. Specifically, the panel recommended that morning stiffness, pain and impaired morning function should be routinely assessed in clinical practice. Although there are currently no validated tools for these parameters, they should be assessed as part of the patients' reported outcomes in RA. The panel also agreed on the benefits of low‐dose glucocorticoids in RA, particularly for the improvement of morning stiffness.ConclusionsThese recommendations serve to guide rheumatologists and other stakeholders on the assessment and management of morning stiffness, and help implement the treat‐to‐target principle in the management of RA.
Study of the early management of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Nesvaderani Maryam , Eslick Guy D. , Faraj Shadi , Vagg Daniel , Cox Michael R. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute surgical presentation with evidence‐based guidelines for early management. The aim of this study was to assess the compliance to the published guidelines in patients presenting with AP in Western Sydney.MethodsA retrospective case note audit was conducted for all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AP from 2008 to 2011 in Western Sydney.ResultsThere were 932 patients. The mortality was low for mild (0.7%) and severe (1.2%) AP. There was an under‐utilization of ultrasound (U/S) with 239 (25.6%) patients not having a U/S. There was an over‐utilization of early (within 72 h) computed tomography scanning for diagnosis (31.1%), assessment of severity (16.1%) and assessment for the presence of complications (7.3%). Inappropriate prophylactic antibiotic usage occurred in 15.3% patients. Of 373 cases of gallstone pancreatitis, only 231 (69.1%) had a cholecystectomy within 4 weeks of presentation. There was an under‐utilization of early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for associated cholangitis (12.5%). Only 16 (18.8%) patients with severe pancreatitis received enteric feeding. In patients with pancreatic necrosis, 50% had invasive intervention delayed beyond 4 weeks and 69% had minimally invasive procedures performed prior to necrosectomy. Patients having a minimally invasive procedure initially showed an improvement in mortality compared with those who had primary necrosectomy (0 versus 40%, P = 0.025).ConclusionsAlthough morbidity and mortality were acceptable, there was a failure to comply with evidence‐based guidelines for the early management of pancreatitis. The results support for the development and auditing of protocols for the early assessment and treatment of AP in all hospitals.
Implementation of psychiatric‐focused lifestyle medicine programs in Asia
Authors: Sarris Jerome , Nishi Daisuke , Xiang Yu‐Tao , Su Kuan‐Pin , Bannatyne Amy , Oliver Georgina , Kua Ee‐Heok , Ng Chee Hong 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLifestyle‐focused health programs are growing in interest throughout Western society, and a range of lifestyle factors are known to enhance both physical and mental health. However, it remains largely unknown as to whether this approach is salient for the Asian context. The major components of integrative lifestyle‐focused health programs to enhance mental and physical health are considered to include the evidence‐based adoption of physical activity and exercise, dietary modification, general psychoeducation, adequate relaxation/sleep and social interaction, use of mindfulness techniques, the reduction of substance use, attention of intersecting environmental factors, and the potential use of motivation and goal‐setting techniques. This paper outlines an overview of the evidence underpinning these elements, and discusses potential barriers and challenges, and what logistical considerations may need to be addressed in the implementation of such programs within the context of Asian cultures.
PenPC: A Two-Step Approach to Estimate the Skeletons of High-Dimensional Directed Acyclic Graphs
Authors: Ha Min Jin , Sun Wei , Xie Jichun 
Published: September 2015

Summary
Estimation of the skeleton of a directed acyclic graph (DAG) is of great importance for understanding the underlying DAG and causal effects can be assessed from the skeleton when the DAG is not identifiable. We propose a novel method named PenPC to estimate the skeleton of a high-dimensional DAG by a two-step approach. We first estimate the nonzero entries of a concentration matrix using penalized regression, and then fix the difference between the concentration matrix and the skeleton by evaluating a set of conditional independence hypotheses. For high-dimensional problems where the number of vertices p is in polynomial or exponential scale of sample size n, we study the asymptotic property of PenPC on two types of graphs: traditional random graphs where all the vertices have the same expected number of neighbors, and scale-free graphs where a few vertices may have a large number of neighbors. As illustrated by extensive simulations and applications on gene expression data of cancer patients, PenPC has higher sensitivity and specificity than the state-of-the-art method, the PC-stable algorithm.
Brain‐volume changes in young and middle‐aged smokers: a DARTEL‐based voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Peng Peng , Wang Zhenchang , Jiang Tao , Chu Shuilian , Wang Shuangkun , Xiao Dan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIntroductionMany studies have reported brain volume changes in smokers. However, the volume differences of grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in young and middle‐aged male smokers with different lifetime tobacco consumption (pack‐years) remain uncertain.ObjectivesTo examine the brain volume change, especially whether more pack‐years smoking would be associated with smaller gray matter and white matter volume in young and middle‐aged male smokers.MethodsWe used a 3T MR scanner and performed Diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie algebra (DARTEL)‐based voxel‐based morphometry on 53 long‐term male smokers (30.72 ± 4.19 years) and 53 male healthy non‐smokers (30.83 ± 5.18 years). We separated smokers to light and heavy smokers by pack‐years and compared brain volume between different smoker groups and non‐smokers. And then we did analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) between smokers and non‐smokers by setting pack‐years as covariates.ResultsLight and heavy smokers all displayed smaller GM and WM volume than non‐smokers and more obviously in heavy smokers. The main smaller areas in light and heavy smokers were superior temporal gyrus, insula, middle occipital gyrus, posterior cingulate, precuneus in GM and posterior cingulate, thalamus and midbrain in WM, in addition, we also observed more pack‐years smoking was associated with some certain smaller GM and WM volumes by ANCOVA.ConclusionYoung and middle‐aged male smokers had many smaller brain areas than non‐smokers. Some of these areas' volume had negative correlation with pack‐years, while some had not. These may due to different pathophysiological role of smokings.