bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global logistics management curriculum: perspective from practitioners in Taiwan
Authors: Jim Wu Yen‐Chun , Kevin Huang Shihping , Goh Mark , Hsieh Ying‐Jiun 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThis study attempts to list and rank the necessary skills required of a global logistics professional based on objective evaluations from industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a novel mixed‐methods approach using elements of concept mapping (brainstorming, multi‐dimensional scaling, cluster analysis), and link analysis. Concept mapping through repeated brainstorming by industry practitioners helps to summarize the key skill required of an effective global logistician. The multidimensional scaling method and cluster analysis support the classification and weighting of the capabilities into nine clusters. Link analysis helps to evaluate the significance of the results and addresses the gap between industry and academic perceptions of the existing global logistics curriculum in Taiwan.FindingsIn dealing with globalization, a logistician needs to be able to integrate, communicate, and analyze from an international perspective, perform financial analysis, maintain good industry and customer relations, exhibit strong people skills, stay healthy, and understand laws and regulations. Significant differences exist between industry practitioners and educators. The former believe that cross‐functional marketing skills are critical and emphasize the importance of risk and financial management. In contrast, logistics educators consider the traditional logistics management skills, such as demand forecasting, sourcing, planning, and system integration, as key priorities.Research limitations/implicationsThere is room for research and theory on how to narrow the mismatch between the current logistics curricula in academia and practical requirements. Different pedagogical strategies and techniques can be further investigated to orchestrate an effective and balanced global logistics management course. One research limitation arises from the sample which is confined to Taiwan. Thus, the authors' findings may be constrained by local and cultural influences. Future research could extend to a large‐scale multi‐country data collection and analysis to reduce the possibility of cultural and context bias.Practical implicationsArming students with such important but diverse global logistics skills presents a challenge for logistics educators who need to find the right balance between breadth and depth of the modules. Educators and practitioners need to work closely together to co‐design and adapt the logistics curricula for a rapidly changing global environment. This will help to shorten the last stage from the classroom to the workplace by keeping abreast of the changes in industry and produce relevant logisticians without compromising on rigour.Originality/valueThe results provide a reference for educators keen on blending logistics education course design with practitioner inputs, to better develop global logistics capabilities. It also provides a reference to help prioritize what skills are important to be taught jointly in a module.
Characteristics of Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices Accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners
Authors: Weinberg Mitchell , Weedn Victor W. , Weinberg Seth , Fowler David 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe National Association of Medical Examiners accredits medical examiner and coroner offices. Approximately 60 offices were fully or provisionally accredited as of late 2011, and these offices serve one‐quarter of the U.S. population. The calculated average population served was 1.6M but ranged from 0.3 to 10.5M. The calculated mean death rate was 794 deaths/100K population, and the mean homicide rate was 7.2 homicides/100K population. The calculated mean budget was $4.35M, but budgets ranged from $0.67 to $26.8M. The calculated mean budget/capita was $3.02 but ranged from $0.62 to $10.22. The average size of the facility was under 30,000 sq. ft. The calculated average staffing was found to include five forensic pathologists, four and a half autopsy technicians, and nine investigators. The mean forensic pathologists/1M population was 3.7. Calculated workload indices included 222 autopsies/pathologist and an autopsy rate of 77.6/100K population. These results show that offices of every size can achieve accreditation.
Weight References for Burned Human Skeletal Remains from Portuguese Samples
Authors: Gonçalves David , Cunha Eugénia , Thompson Tim J. U. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWeight is often one of the few recoverable data when analyzing human cremains but references are still rare, especially for European populations. Mean weights for skeletal remains were thus documented for Portuguese modern cremations of both recently deceased individuals and dry skeletons, and the effect of age, sex, and the intensity of combustion was investigated using both multivariate and univariate statistics. The cremains from fresh cadavers were significantly heavier than the ones from dry skeletons regardless of sex and age cohort (p < 0.001 to p = 0.003). As expected, males were heavier than females and age had a powerful effect in female skeletal weight. The effect of the intensity of combustion in cremains weight was unclear. These weight references may, in some cases, help estimating the minimum number of individuals, the completeness of the skeletal assemblage, and the sex of an unknown individual.
Rugoscopy: Predominant Pattern, Uniqueness, and Stability Assessment in the Indian Goan Population
Authors: A.A. Dawasaz , Dinkar Ajit D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe palatine rugae possess unique characteristics that could be used when it is difficult to identify a dead person according to fingerprints or dental records. They are permanent and unique to each person. The rugae are surrounded by cheeks, lips, tongue, and buccal pad of fat; hence, they remain protected in trauma, incineration, or mass disasters. Their pattern of orientation is formed by the 12th to 14th week of gestation and remains stable throughout life. In this study, dental casts of 120 patients were analyzed for individual rugae characteristics and strength and subsequent individual codes were given. No two individuals were having exactly matching rugae codes. Dimensions of rugae pattern, incisive papilla, and midpalatal raphe were also noted. Rugae were reevaluated after one year to check its stability, which showed no significant difference. The coding system followed can be adopted as a good and simple technique to achieve electronic transfer of the records of the palatal rugae.
Preliminary Analysis of the Nature and Processing of Palm Marks by a U.K. Fingerprint Bureau
Authors: Sutton Raul , Glazzard Zoe , Riley Darren , Buckley Kevan 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe nature of crime scene palmar images (CSPI) or factors affecting search parameters using a palm‐enabled AFIS system have not been investigated. A questionnaire‐based survey, undertaken by U.K. fingerprint experts utilizing the U.K.'s IDENT‐1 system during the period January to July 2010, of CSPI marks has been conducted to provide descriptive statistical data on the nature of CSPI and some aspects of the ACE‐V process. 45 scene‐recovered marks were analyzed for part of the CSPI recovered, friction ridge detail, and process times. U.K. population handedness was different from recovered CSPI. Most and least frequently recovered regions were hypothenar pad B and the central pad, respectively. There was a nonsignificant association between palm region and number of palm regions recovered, as well as identification rate and analysis times and characteristics. The number of CSPI regions was significantly related to time for analysis, identification, and comparison.
Conditional inactivation of nicastrin restricts amyloid deposition in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Authors: Sesele Katia , Thanopoulou Kalliopi , Paouri Evi , Tsefou Eliona , Klinakis Apostolos , Georgopoulos Spiros 
Published: July 2013

SummaryProduction of Aβ by γ‐secretase is a key event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The γ‐secretase complex consists of presenilin (PS) 1 or 2, nicastrin (ncstn), Pen‐2, and Aph‐1 and cleaves type I transmembrane proteins, including the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Although ncstn is widely accepted as an essential component of the complex required for γ‐secretase activity, recent in vitro studies have suggested that ncstn is dispensable for APP processing and Aβ production. The focus of this study was to answer this controversy and evaluate the role of ncstn in Aβ generation and the development of the amyloid‐related phenotype in the mouse brain. To eliminate ncstn expression in the mouse brain, we used a ncstn conditional knockout mouse that we mated with an established AD transgenic mouse model (5XFAD) and a neuronal Cre‐expressing transgenic mouse (CamKIIα‐iCre), to generate AD mice (5XFAD/CamKIIα‐iCre/ncstnf/f mice) where ncstn was conditionally inactivated in the brain. 5XFAD/CamKIIα‐iCre/ncstnf/f mice at 10 week of age developed a neurodegenerative phenotype with a significant reduction in Aβ production and formation of Aβ aggregates and the absence of amyloid plaques. Inactivation of nctsn resulted in substantial accumulation of APP‐CTFs and altered PS1 expression. These results reveal a key role for ncstn in modulating Aβ production and amyloid plaque formation in vivo and suggest ncstn as a target in AD therapeutics.
Crop damage by African elephants assessment in kaftasheraro national park, Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Dawit , Bouer Hans , Tesfay Yaynshet 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study was conducted in Kafta‐Sheraro wereda in Northwest Tigray region of Ethiopia to assess community take on crop damage by the African Elephant, to identify visiting time of Elephants to agricultural plots and identify any other animals causing crop damage. A total of 240 households were selected from twelve villages using a stratified random sampling procedure. Half of the villages represented samples closer to the park and the other half, represented samples farther away. Whether the farmer owned or rented plots on which crops were grown as well as the distance to the park from the plots were the primary factors significantly (P < 0.05) influencing crop damage by elephants in the area. Time of the elephants visiting the agricultural plots was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at night. In a ranking exercise, among seven species considered, Elephants were ranked second in importance after Warthogs for crop destruction in villages close to the park but last in villages farther away. In the latter area, the most problematic animal was the Warthog followed by the Crested Porcupine. In the former areas where elephants' damage to crops was more frequent, farmers ranked fire as the most effective way of controlling the invasion. The study concludes that bringing the community to the discussion on elephant crop damage, increasing the time of keeping vigil during the night; improving the extension services and training in awareness creation and additional research's should be undertaken to evaluate in monetary terms the value of crop damage.
Clinicopathologic features of solid variant papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Chang Hojin , Kim Seok Mo , Chun Ki Won , Kim Bup Woo , Lee Yong Sang , Chang Hang‐Seok , Hong Soon Won , Park Cheong Soo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundSolid variant papillary thyroid cancer (SVPTC) is a rare type of thyroid malignancy whose clinical characteristics remain poorly defined. Therefore, we evaluated the characteristics of 14 patients with SVPTC treated at our institution.MethodsOf the 6052 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) evaluated at our institution between January 2008 and December 2011, 14 (0.23%) had SVPTC and were analysed retrospectively.ResultsOf the 14 patients with SVPTC, two were men and 12 were women, with a mean age of 48.2 years (range: 33–72 years). The mean follow‐up period was 24 months (range: 8–36 months). All patients were assessed preoperatively by ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), with the diagnosis confirmed by permanent pathology and immunohistochemical staining performed by a specialized endocrine pathologist. Only one patient was diagnosed with SVPTC by preoperative FNAC, whereas 11 (78.6%) were diagnosed with PTC or suspected of having PTC. The mean tumour size was 1.02 ± 0.30 cm, with all tumours less than 2.0 cm in diameter. The infiltrative tumour margins were observed in eight patients (57.1%) and the extrathyroidal invasion in seven (50.0%). The central lymph node metastases were found in five patients (35.7%), and the lateral lymph node metastasis in one (7.1%). No patient experienced tumour recurrence or distant metastasis during follow‐up.ConclusionsDespite the small sample size and the short follow‐up period, our results indicate that SVPTC may not be as aggressive a subtype as previously thought.
The Adventitia Layer Modulates the Arterial Wall Elastic Response to Intra‐Aortic Counterpulsation: In Vivo Studies
Authors: Cabrera‐Fischer Edmundo I. , Bia Daniel , Zócalo Yanina , Wray Sandra , Armentano Ricardo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThere is a relationship between the intra‐aortic balloon pumping (IABP) benefits and the dynamic behavior of muscular arteries, which is associated with induced changes on the vessel walls through an endothelial‐dependent mechanism. The arterial wall elastic behavior is influenced by adventitial function; however, no studies were performed in order to elucidate if this layer plays a role in the changes determined by IABP. Our aim was to quantify acute IABP effects on the mechanical properties of muscular arteries in induced acute heart failure (AHF), before and after adventitia removal. Pressure and diameter were recorded in the iliac arteries (IA) of sheep (n = 7), before and during 1:2 IABP: (i) in control state (CS) with intact IA, (ii) in CS after IA adventitia removal, and (iii) in de‐adventitialized IA after AHF. Conduit function, compliance and arterial distensibility were calculated in each state. During CS, IABP resulted in intact IA dilatation and in an increase in conduit function, compliance and distensibility; adventitial removal determined an increase of arterial stiffness with respect to the CS, which decreased when IABP was used; the increase in arterial stiffness observed after adventitia removal was also detected in AHF state; IABP improves conduit function and arterial stiffness in de‐adventitialized arteries, both before and during AHF. However, the improvement in these properties was lower than in intact arteries. Before and after AHF induction, the improvements of conduit function and arterial distensibility determined by IABP in intact IA were significantly reduced after adventitia removal. Adventitial layer integrity would be necessary to maximize IABP‐related beneficial effects on arterial system properties.
Science learning via multimedia portal resources: The Scottish case
Authors: Elliot Dely , Wilson Delia , Boyle Stephen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractScotland's rich heritage in the field of science and engineering and recent curricular developments led to major investment in education to equip pupils with improved scientific knowledge and skills. However, due to its abstract and conceptual nature, learning science can be challenging. Literature supports the role of multimedia technology in addressing the difficulties associated with science learning. This paper reports on a two‐phase investigation that explored the impact of multimedia resources situated in a national e‐learning portal to (1) assist generalist and specialist science teachers' teaching practices and (2) stimulate pupils' interest, encourage engagement and improve overall science learning experiences. Our research also investigated how portal resources facilitated and/or acted as barriers for teaching and learning. Findings from our research affirm that multimedia technology has transformed science learning; with these resources accessible through a national portal, radically different learning experiences ensued. These findings raise serious implications for teacher education and professional development in ensuring that teachers acquire sound science content and pedagogical knowledge as well as practical strategies for utilising technology‐rich environments, as this is likely to become the norm. Harnessing the fullest potential that information and communication technology, multimedia and e‐learning portals can offer starts by addressing these challenges.
A systematic review of workplace health promotion interventions for increasing physical activity
Authors: Malik Sumaira H. , Blake Holly , Suggs L. Suzanne 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe benefits of an active lifestyle are widely documented, yet studies show that only a small proportion of adults engage in sufficient levels of physical activity. The workplace presents an ideal avenue for delivering initiatives to promote physical activity, overcoming commonly cited barriers such as a ‘lack of time’ and providing access to a large intersection of society. The purpose of this study was to (1) explore the types of interventions workplaces implement to promote physical activity among staff, (2) describe the characteristics of those interventions, (3) understand whether these interventions positively impact on activity levels, and (4) assess the methodological quality of studies.MethodsA systematic review of workplace physical activity interventions published up to April 2011 was conducted to identify types of interventions and their outcomes.ResultsOf the 58 studies included, the majority utilized health promotion initiatives. There were six physical activity/exercise interventions, 13 counselling/support interventions, and 39 health promotion messages/information interventions. Thirty‐two of these studies showed a statistically significant increase in a measure of physical activity against a control group at follow‐up.ConclusionsWhile the studies included in this review show some evidence that workplace physical activity interventions can be efficacious, overall the results are inconclusive. Despite the proliferation of research in this area, there is still a need for more well‐designed studies to fully determine the effectiveness of workplace interventions for increasing physical activity and to identify the types of interventions that show the most promise.Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Despite the recognized health benefits of regular physical activity, only a small proportion of adults engage in sufficient levels of physical activity.

The workplace presents an ideal avenue for the delivery of initiatives to promote physical activity.

Previous reviews have concluded that the efficacy of workplace physical activity interventions is unclear and that many published studies are of poor methodological quality.

What does this study add?

This systematic review includes more randomized controlled trials and quasi‐experimental studies than previously published reviews of workplace physical activity interventions.

While the studies included in this review do show some evidence that workplace physical activity interventions can be efficacious, overall the results are inconclusive.

This review highlights that there is still a need for further well‐designed studies to be carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of workplace interventions for increasing physical activity and identify the types of interventions that show the most promise.
The Fire Refuge Value of Patches of a Fire‐Sensitive Tree in Fire‐prone Savannas: Callitris intratropica in Northern Australia
Authors: Radford Ian. J. , Andersen Alan N. , Graham Gordon , Trauernicht Clay 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPatches of fire‐sensitive vegetation often occur within fire‐prone tropical savannas, and are indicative of localized areas where fire regimes are less severe. These may act as important fire refugia for fire‐sensitive biota. The fire‐sensitive tree Callitris intratropica occurs in small patches throughout the fire‐prone northern Australian savannas, and is widely seen as an indicator of low‐severity fire regimes and of good ecosystem health. Here, we address the question: to what extent do Callitris patches act as refuges for other fire‐sensitive biota, and therefore play a broader conservation role? We contrast floral and faunal species composition between Callitris patches and surrounding eucalypt savanna, using three case studies. In the first case study, a floristic analysis of 47 Callitris patches across Western Australia's Kimberley region showed that woody species in these patches were overwhelmingly widespread, fire‐tolerant savanna taxa. No species of special conservation concern occurred disproportionately within Callitris patches. Similarly, there was no concentration of fire‐sensitive fauna or flora in five Callitris patches in the East Kimberley. Finally, there was no difference in ant species composition among 12 Callitris patches and surrounding eucalypt savannas in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, and there were no fire‐sensitive ant species in Callitris patches. Our three case studies from throughout the northwestern Australia provide no evidence that Callitris patches act as important refuges for fire‐sensitive flora or fauna within fire‐prone eucalypt savannas. This calls into question the notion that Callitris is a strong indicator of general ecosystem health.
Children's and young people's participation within child welfare and child protection services: a state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: van Bijleveld Ganna G. , Dedding Christine W. M. , Bunders‐Aelen Joske F. G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis state‐of‐the‐art literature review, based on a literature search of multiple scientific bibliographic databases, aims to shed light on what is known about barriers and factors facilitating child participation within the child protection and child welfare services from both children's and social workers' perspectives. The personal relationship between the child and the social worker is mentioned as one of the most important facilitators for participation, although multiple barriers in creating this relationship are demonstrated by both children and case managers and social workers. In studies, children say they should always participate while social workers and case managers identify many situations where, according to them, participation is inappropriate. Professionals' objections to participation mainly stem from the socio‐cultural image of children as vulnerable and in need of adult protection, and a lack of understanding of what participation actually entails. Interventions to strengthen participation should be directed at making social workers and case managers aware that children are knowledgeable social actors.
Effect of sodium carbonate on appearance and textural properties of glutinous rice cake
Authors: Reepholkul Kunyarat , Charoenrein Sanguansri 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe effect of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) on the appearance and textural properties of glutinous rice cake was investigated. Glutinous rice kernels were soaked in Na2CO3 solution (0–1.2 N) at 25 °C for 24 h. Soaked rice was used for glutinous rice cake (GRC) production. The results showed that the rice soaked in Na2CO3 had lower protein and fat content, but higher ash content than those of untreated rice, while the amylose content in treated and untreated rice was not significantly different. Moreover, images from scanning electron microscopy showed that the starch granules from rice treated with Na2CO3 had smoother surfaces than untreated ones. From the alkali digestion test, the rice kernels treated with Na2CO3 suggest a lower gelatinization temperature than untreated rice. The GRC was uniform, and yellow colour was enhanced. Moreover, GRC exhibited an increase in softness and stickiness with increasing Na2CO3 concentration.