bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Collaborative, Thematic Problem‐Based Learning to Integrate Curricula
Authors: Sroufe Robert , Ramos Diane P. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThis study chronicles learning from faculty who designed and delivered collaborative, problem‐based learning courses that anchor a one‐year MBA emphasizing sustainability. While cultivating the application of learning across the curriculum, the authors engaged MBA students in solving complex, real‐world sustainability challenges using a pedagogical emphasis on nurturing creativity via double‐looped learning, meaningful self‐directed assessment, and professional development coaching. While such collaborative problem solving offers tangible benefits for all stakeholders, implementing the necessary pedagogy can be challenging. However, the value for students (and faculty) includes improved skills in framing complex problems, first‐hand insight into emerging business challenges, increased cross‐discipline integration. Moreover, it offers a proving ground for applying emerging theories and analytical tools and models in the decision sciences. In addition, instructors gain new perspectives on their disciplines while exploring innovative avenues for cross‐functional research, publication, and the documentation of assurance of learning. For corporate partners, benefits include creative solutions and feasible recommendations for cutting costs, enhancing competitiveness, and applying best practices. We propose directions for integrating curriculum and for gaining institutional support and investment to overcome resistance to changing course content and delivery.
Catecholaminergic contributions to vocal communication signals
Authors: Matheson Laura E. , Sakata Jon T. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSocial context affects behavioral displays across a variety of species. For example, social context acutely influences the acoustic and temporal structure of vocal communication signals such as speech and birdsong. Despite the prevalence and importance of such social influences, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying the social modulation of communication. Catecholamines are implicated in the regulation of social behavior and motor control, but the degree to which catecholamines influence vocal communication signals remains largely unknown. Using a songbird, the Bengalese finch, we examined the extent to which the social context in which song is produced affected immediate early gene expression (EGR‐1) in catecholamine‐synthesising neurons in the midbrain. Further, we assessed the degree to which administration of amphetamine, which increases catecholamine concentrations in the brain, mimicked the effect of social context on vocal signals. We found that significantly more catecholaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra (but not the central grey, locus coeruleus or subcoeruleus) expressedEGR‐1 in birds that were exposed to females and produced courtship song than in birds that produced non‐courtship song in isolation. Furthermore, we found that amphetamine administration mimicked the effects of social context and caused many aspects of non‐courtship song to resemble courtship song. Specifically, amphetamine increased the stereotypy of syllable structure and sequencing, the repetition of vocal elements and the degree of sequence completions. Taken together, these data highlight the conserved role of catecholamines in vocal communication across species, including songbirds and humans.
Development of formulations for reduced‐sugar and sugar‐free agar‐based fruit jellies
Authors: Riedel Romy , Böhme Birgit , Rohm Harald 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBecause of the increasing consumer awareness of health‐related issues, there is a rising demand for noncariogenic, reduced‐energy confectionery products. This study was carried out to develop formulations for reduced‐sugar and sugar‐free, agar‐based jelly products. This was obtained by substituting sucrose and glucose syrup through a combination of sugar replacers, fibre, gelling agents and sweeteners. The application of a combination of polydextrose, oligofructose, sucralose and erythritol resulted in a sensory sweetness profile that was comparable to that of a sugar‐containing standard product. Concerning texture and sensory properties, reduced‐sugar and sugar‐free jellies processed using the respective formulations were comparable to the sugar‐containing standard products. Consumer evaluation using the Just‐about‐right technique exhibited satisfactory acceptance of the sugar‐free jellies.
Participation under Lula: Between Electoral Politics and Governability
Authors: Bruera Hernán F. Gómez 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article shows how and why the initial attempts of the Lula administration in Brazil to promote innovative counterhegemonic participatory strategies, such as those put in place by the PT in some of its subnational governments, fell by the wayside. It is argued that the implementation and scope of participatory initiatives under Lula were caught between electoral motivations and the need to secure governability. On the one hand, the need to produce quick results in order to maximize vote-seeking strategies hindered attempts to promote counterhegemonic participation, while Lula and his inner circle opted for policies that would score immediate marks with the poorest sectors or influence public opinion. On the other hand, participation also took a back seat because the PT concentrated most of its energies on reaching agreements with strategic actors, such as opposition parties or powerful economic groups.
A Natural Experiment in Political Decentralization: Local Institutions and Citizens' Political Engagement in Uruguay
Authors: Rosenblatt Fernando , Bidegain Germán , Monestier Felipe , Rodríguez Rafael Piñeiro 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe potential democratizing effect of political decentralization reforms has been a matter of substantial theoretical and empirical debate. This article analyzes the effect of local democratic institution building on the political attitudes and behavior of citizens living in small towns in Uruguay. More specifically, using a natural experiment design, this research seeks to establish the causal impact of recently established elections of local authorities on individuals' political engagement. It develops a comparative case study analyzing the consequences of this institutional innovation in two towns. It shows that individuals from the town where citizens have the opportunity to elect their local authorities have more positive attitudes toward politics than those from the town without such elections.
Three scenarios for industrial relations in Europe
Authors: HYMAN Richard 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe author outlines three scenarios for the future of industrial relations in Europe. The first – perhaps the most realistic – projects continuing erosion of national industrial relations systems and conditions of employment, in line with current trends. The second envisages that “elite reform” from above will succeed in re‐engineering industrial relations and workers' protection according to an ideal social policy agenda – an unlikely prospect given the overriding importance of financial considerations and globalized competition. The third scenario centres on a counter‐movement from below which presents trade unions with the daunting challenge of mobilizing the discontented far beyond their traditional constituency.
Alternative labour protection movements in the United States: Reshaping industrial relations?
Authors: FINE Janice 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe United States is one of the developed countries that have experienced the steepest declines of unionization and collective bargaining in recent decades. Its traditional industrial relations institutions, premised on the prevalence of “standard” employment relationships, have long been eroded by restrictive legislation and employer opposition. Meanwhile, precarious employment, sub‐standard conditions and marginalization have become widespread features of the labour market, leading to the spontaneous emergence of alternative, often community‐based initiatives to protect vulnerable workers using highly innovative strategies. “Worker centres”, in particular, have been very active to that end, often teaming up with formal trade unions to pursue their objectives.
Shrinking collective bargaining coverage, increasing income inequality: A comparison of five EU countries
Authors: BOSCH Gerhard 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWage‐setting institutions can play a crucial part in containing the socio‐economically destabilizing growth of income inequality. Using an analytical framework that distinguishes between protective and participative standards, the author examines their respective effects on the incidence of low‐paid employment and income inequality under the wage‐setting systems of Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. His comparative focus on the interplay of statutory minimum wages and collective wage bargaining shows that while the latter is more effective than the former at reducing inequality, both require state intervention, with particular emphasis on participative standards to counter the erosion of industrial relations institutions.
Book Review Symposium: The future of the International Labour Organization in the global economy, by Francis Maupain: Introduction
Authors: LANGILLE Brian , MUNDLAK Guy 
Published: April 2015

The short papers in this book review symposium are based on the authors' contributions to a workshop held in Montreal in May 2014, where they were invited to comment on Francis Maupain's (2013) book The future of the International Labour Organization in the global economy. The workshop took place within the framework of the International Conference “New frontiers for citizenship at work” organized by the Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work (CRIMT).At the heart of this book is a daunting question: how can an organisation whose structure, mandate and resources were developed almost a century ago pretend to retain relevance and effectiveness in the face of realities that have virtually nothing in common with those of its origins?
Functional redundancy of multiple forest taxa along an elevational gradient: predicting the consequences of non‐random species loss
Authors: Mori Akira S. , Shiono Takayuki , Haraguchi Takashi F. , Ota Aino T. , Koide Dai , Ohgue Takayuki , Kitagawa Ryo , Maeshiro Ryo , Aung Toe Toe , Nakamori Taizo , Hagiwara Yusuke , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Ikeda Anzu , Hishi Takuo , Hobara Satoru , Mizumachi Eri , Frisch Andreas , Thor Göran , Fujii Saori , Osono Takashi , Gustafsson Lena 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimsClimate change can substantially alter ecological communities. However, we hypothesized that, even if novel communities emerge, those communities may not be novel in terms of functional composition. To infer the processes associated with rising temperatures, we evaluated elevational taxonomic/functional turnover of plant and invertebrate communities. Because climate change interacts synergistically with other environmental factors, and therefore is not the sole driver of change in ecological communities, we also considered how the taxonomic/functional composition of the communities would be affected by mammalian overgrazing/browsing, which has become prominent in the study region.LocationShiretoko National Park, Shiretoko Peninsular, Hokkaido, Japan.MethodsWe investigated the diversity of eight groups of organisms (taxa) in forests of northern Japan, and calculated the distance decay of taxonomic/functional similarity (Sørensen's β‐diversity) along an elevational gradient. A null model was used to separate functional turnover from taxonomic turnover. We then simulated how taxonomic/functional turnover along the gradient would be changed after non‐random loss of species sensitive to mammalian herbivory.ResultsWe found that each group showed elevational decay in taxonomic similarity. Along an elevational gradient, species groups structured by stronger dispersal limitation showed faster species turnover. This suggested differences in the process of climate‐induced species reassembly among the groups. We also found that elevational turnover of communities based on functional traits tended to be lower than that based on taxonomic identity for the majority of the groups, supporting our hypothesis of functional redundancy across the elevational gradient. We thus speculated that climate‐induced emergence of taxonomically novel communities may have limited influence on critical ecosystem processes supported by functional diversity. Furthermore, while random species loss did not change functional turnover, non‐random loss of species attributable to mammalian herbivory substantially accelerated elevational functional turnover of the taxa. This suggested a possible loss of the functional redundancy of communities.Main conclusionsFuture communities may be novel not simply because climates are changing at unprecedented rates but also because of the synergetic influences of other environmental changes. Thus ecological processes may be more seriously affected in the future than is generally anticipated based on existing climate‐change scenarios, with possible consequences for ecosystem functioning.
Estimating Protistan Diversity Using High‐Throughput Sequencing
Authors: Hu Sarah K. , Liu Zhenfeng , Lie Alle A. Y. , Countway Peter D. , Kim Diane Y. , Jones Adriane C. , Gast Rebecca J. , Cary S. Craig , Sherr Evelyn B. , Sherr Barry F. , Caron David A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSequencing hypervariable regions from the 18S rRNA gene is commonly employed to characterize protistan biodiversity, yet there are concerns that short reads do not provide the same taxonomic resolution as full‐length sequences. A total of 7,432 full‐length sequences were used to perform an in silico analysis of how sequences of various lengths and target regions impact downstream ecological interpretations. Sequences that were longer than 400 nucleotides and included the V4 hypervariable region generated results similar to those derived from full‐length 18S rRNA gene sequences. Present high‐throughput sequencing capabilities are approaching protistan diversity estimation comparable to whole gene sequences.
Managing Discretionary Accruals and Book‐Tax Differences in Anticipation of Tax Rate Increases: Evidence from China
Authors: Wong Raymond M. K. , Lo Agnes W. Y. , Firth Michael 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates how firms manage their earnings to trade off various incentives when tax rates increase. We hypothesize and find that firms generally choose to manage their taxable income upward in a book‐tax non‐conforming manner rather than in a book‐tax conforming manner before a tax rate increment, which in turn reduces the detection risk of aggressive financial reporting. These results suggest that firms give more weight to tax incentives and tax audit or regulatory inspection risks than to boosting financial reporting income in tax management. However, when firms have higher book management incentives or lower tunneling incentives (i.e., non‐state‐owned enterprises), we find that they manage their taxable income and book income upward together (i.e., in a book‐tax conforming manner), whereas their counterparts (i.e., state‐owned enterprises) do not. Overall, our paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating the interplay of tax, tunneling and financial reporting incentives in influencing tax management strategies. The findings from our paper should also help government and regulators understand more about firms’ reactions to tax rate increases.
Tamoxifen stimulates calcitonin‐producing thyroid C‐cells and prevents trabecular bone loss in a rat model of androgen deficiency
Authors: Filipović Branko , Šošić‐Jurjević Branka , Ajdžanović Vladimir , Živanović Jasmina , Isenović Esma , Popovska‐Perčinić Florina , Milošević Verica 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThyroid C‐cells produce calcitonin (CT), a hypocalcemic hormone, that acts as an inhibitor of bone resorption. In this study, we investigated the effects of tamoxifen (TAM) as a selective estrogen receptor modulator on thyroid C‐cells, trabecular bone and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in an animal model of androgen deficiency, represented by middle‐aged orchidectomized (Orx) rats. Fifteen‐month‐old male Wistar rats were divided into: Orx and sham‐operated (SO) groups. Rats from one Orx group were injected subcutaneously with TAM citrate (Orx + TAM; 0.3 mg kg−1 b.w.), while the rats from SO and a second Orx group received vehicle alone, once a day for 3 weeks. The peroxidase–antiperoxidase method was applied for localization of CT in C‐cells. Thyroid C‐cells were morphometrically and ultrastructurally analyzed. An ImageJ image‐processing program was used to measure bone histomorphometric parameters. Blood serum samples were analyzed for CT, osteocalcin (OC), calcium (Ca2+) and phosphorus (P). Urinary Ca2+ concentrations were measured. TAM treatment significantly increased thyroid C‐cell volume (Vc) and serum CT when compared with vehicle‐treated Orx rats. Analysis of trabecular microarchitecture of the tibia showed that administration of TAM significantly increased cancellous bone area, trabecular thickness and trabecular number, whereas trabecular separation was significantly decreased compared with vehicle‐treated Orx rats. Serum OC and urinary Ca2+ concentrations were significantly lower in comparison with the control Orx group. These results indicate that in our rat model of androgen deficiency, TAM stimulated calcitonin‐producing thyroid C‐cells and increased trabecular bone mass.
Towards the resolution of a long‐standing evolutionary question: muscle identity and attachments are mainly related to topological position and not to primordium or homeotic identity of digits
Authors: Diogo Rui , Walsh Sean , Smith Christopher , Ziermann Janine M. , Abdala Virginia 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSignaling for limb bone development usually precedes that for muscle development, such that cartilage is generally present before muscle formation. It remains obscure, however, if: (i) tetrapods share a general, predictable spatial correlation between bones and muscles; and, if that is the case, if (ii) such a correlation would reflect an obligatory association between the signaling involved in skeletal and muscle morphogenesis. We address these issues here by using the results of a multidisciplinary analysis of the appendicular muscles of all major tetrapod groups integrating dissections, muscle antibody stainings, regenerative and ontogenetic analyses of fluorescently‐labeled (GFP) animals, and studies of non‐pentadactyl human limbs related to birth defects. Our synthesis suggests that there is a consistent, surprising anatomical pattern in both normal and abnormal phenotypes, in which the identity and attachments of distal limb muscles are mainly related to the topological position, and not to the developmental primordium (anlage) or even the homeotic identity, of the digits to which they are attached. This synthesis is therefore a starting point towards the resolution of a centuries‐old question raised by authors such as Owen about the specific associations between limb bones and muscles. This question has crucial implications for evolutionary and developmental biology, and for human medicine because non‐pentadactyly is the most common birth defect in human limbs. In particular, this synthesis paves the way for future developmental experimental and mechanistic studies, which are needed to clarify the processes that may be involved in the elaboration of the anatomical patterns described here, and to specifically test the hypothesis that distal limb muscle identity/attachment is mainly related to digit topology.
Significance of chorionicity on long‐term outcome of low birthweight infants of <1500g in twin pregnancies
Authors: Kawamura Hiroshi , Ishii Keisuke , Yonetani Naoto , Mabuchi Aki , Hayashi Shusaku , Mitsuda Nobuaki 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term outcomes of very low birthweight twins by chorionicity and to identify the perinatal predictors for outcomes in the era of laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome.Material and MethodsThis was a retrospective single‐center cohort study of twin pregnancy infants <1500 g from 2003 through 2010. During the study period, laser surgery was performed on cases of twin–twin transfusion syndrome. The composite of adverse outcomes at 3 years of age was defined, including death, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. The association between perinatal factors and adverse outcomes was evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 162 infants (79 dichorionic diamniotic twins [DCDA] and 83 monochorionic diamniotic twins [MCDA]) were included in this study. Laser surgery was performed on 11 cases. The rate of adverse outcomes was 13.9% for DCDA and 26.5% for MCDA. The incidence of each outcome for DCDA and MCDA was: cerebral palsy, 1.3% and 4.8%; developmental delay, 8.9% and 9.6%; and death, 3.8% and 14.5%. Gestational age at birth (adjusted odds ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.84); and anemia at birth (adjusted odds ratio, 10.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.69–66.9) were independent risk factors, whereas chorionicity did not have significance for outcomes.ConclusionThe long‐term outcome of very low birthweight MCDA was almost identical to that of DCDA. Gestational age and anemia at birth were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes.
Concentrations of retinol and tocopherols in the milk of cows supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Gessner D. K. , Most E. , Schlegel G. , Kupczyk K. , Schwarz F. J. , Eder K. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) changes the concentrations of retinol and tocopherols in the milk of cows. To investigate this hypothesis, Holstein cows received daily from 3 weeks ante‐partum to 14 weeks post‐partum either 172 g of a CLA‐free rumen‐protected control fat (control group, n = 20) or the same amount of a rumen‐protected CLA fat, supplying 4.3 g of cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA and 3.8 g of trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA per d (CLA group, n = 20). Milk samples (collected at weeks 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 of lactation) were analysed for retinol, α‐ and γ‐tocopherol concentrations. Milk of cows supplemented with CLA had higher concentrations of retinol (+34%), α‐tocopherol (+44%) and γ‐tocopherol (+21%) than milk of control cows (p < 0.05). The daily output of these vitamins via milk was also greater in cows of the CLA group than in cows of the control group (+36, 50 and 24% for retinol, α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol, respectively, p < 0.05). In agreement with higher concentrations of tocopherols, concentrations of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, determined in milk of week 5, were lower in cows of the CLA group than in control cows, indicative of a lower susceptibility of milk lipids to peroxidation. Plasma concentrations of retinol and α‐tocopherol, determined at 1 and 5 weeks post‐partum, were not different between the two groups of cows. In conclusion, this study shows that supplementing dairy cows with a moderate amount of CLA causes an increase of the concentrations of vitamins A and E in the milk and results in an increased output of those vitamins via milk. These effects might be beneficial with respect to the nutritional value of dairy products and the susceptibility of milk fat to oxidative deterioration.