bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of e-government services: the role of trust
Authors: Mpinganjira Mercy 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of trust in understanding usage of e-government services in South Africa. Of interest are services that involve two way interactions between citizens and government.

Design/methodology/approach
– Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from members of the public using in-depth interviews and a structured questionnaire, respectively.

Findings
– The findings show that trust in internet and in government as a provider of e-services are important factors that differentiates users and non-users of e-government services. The two factors are also significantly related to willingness to start using e-government services. Trust in e-service provider unlike trust in internet was however found to be a stronger differentiator of users and non-users and to have a stronger relationship with willingness to start using e-government services.

Practical implications
– Efforts aimed at promoting use of e-government services need to be based on a good understanding of factors that impact on citizens’ decisions in this regard. Such efforts need to include activities targeted at improving people’s trust in government’s ability to provide reliable and secure e-services.

Originality/value
– While provision of government services using the online channel is a growing phenomenon in most African countries, not much research has been done into what governments should focus on in order to entice more citizens to take up this channel. This study contributes to addressing this gap.
A classificatory scheme for antecedents of the sources of “online brand equity”
Authors: Rana Arunima , Bhat Anil , Rani Leela 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of the paper is to systematically review and summarize the literature addressing various sources of online brand equity. The evolution of social media, online forums and virtual communities drive the diversity in nomenclature of online marketing variables. Different researchers have used different marketing variables to indicate the same source of online brand equity. The definitions of the marketing variables change with the change in context, due to the complex e-commerce environment. The marketing variables used in different studies have lead to a conceptual overlap and repetitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach
– This confusion is sought to be classified by the proposed classificatory scheme that used content analysis of 42 previous studies. The definitions of the antecedents of sources of the online brand equity used by the authors are analyzed with the help of content analysis to summarize the marketing variables in a meaningful way.

Findings
– The paper identifies 15 major marketing variables by authors in their studies related to various sources of online brand equity. The final list contains 13 frequently used variables which also comprises variables which are evolving due to the dynamic e-commerce environment like the feeling of “virtual-real”.

Practical implications
– The variables identified can be used by the businesses as a check list to their marketing activities.

Originality/value
– This is the first paper which identifies and clarifies the ambiguity present in the application of the various online marketing variables.
Distributed leadership, team working and service improvement in healthcare
Authors: Boak George , Dickens Victoria , Newson Annalisa , Brown Louise 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the introduction of distributed leadership and team working in a therapy department in a healthcare organisation and to explore the factors that enabled the introduction to be successful.Design/methodology/approach– This paper used a case study methodology. Qualitative and quantitative information was gathered from one physiotherapy department over a period of 24 months.Findings– Distributed leadership and team working were central to a number of system changes that were initiated by the department, which led to improvements in patient waiting times for therapy. The paper identifies six factors that appear to have influenced the successful introduction of distributed learning and team working in this case.Research limitations/implications– This is a single case study. It would be interesting to explore whether these factors are found in other cases where distributed leadership is introduced in healthcare organisations.Practical implications– The paper provides an example of successful introduction of distributed leadership, which has had a positive impact on services to patients. Other therapy teams may consider how the approach may be adopted or adapted to their own circumstances.Originality/value– Although distributed leadership is thought to be important in healthcare, particularly when organisational change is needed, there are very few studies of the practicalities of how it can be introduced.
Preparing academic medical department physicians to successfully lead
Authors: Revere Lee , Robinson Arlin , Schroth Lynn , Mikhail Osama 
Published: September 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a case study which details the successful development, design and deployment of a leadership course for academic medical department chairs. The course provides a needed local and contextual alternative to the lengthy and often theoretical MBA/MHA.

Design/methodology/approach
– Faculty developers used a multi-tiered methodology for developing the physician leadership course. The methodology consisted of literature findings, needs assessment, stakeholder input and structured interviews with administrative leaders.

Findings
– The research, stakeholder input and interviews revealed an increasing number of physician leaders with a general lack of fundamental administrative leadership skills. These shortfalls are largely because of underexposure to core management competencies during medical school and limited contextual knowledge outside their organization. There is an urgent need for leadership development opportunities aimed at current and future academic medical department chairs.

Research limitations/implications
– This research is limited by the assumptions that the curriculum meets the ever-changing needs of health-care leaders, the course’s focus on academic medical department chairs within the Texas Medical Center and the lack of long range follow-up data to substantiate the effectiveness of the curriculum content and course structure.

Practical implications
– The Academic Medical Department Leadership course offers valuable management skills training which complements standard medical training. Much of the course structure and content is adaptable to physician administrative and leadership positions in all settings.

Originality/value
– Although the Academic Medical Department Leadership course is a response to a local concern, the study offers a generalizable approach to addressing the demand for skilled physician leaders.
An Update on the Hazards and Risks of Forensic Anthropology, Part I: Human Remains
Authors: Roberts Lindsey G. , Dabbs Gretchen R. , Spencer Jessica R. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis work reviews the hazards and risks of practicing forensic anthropology in North America, with a focus on pathogens encountered through contact with unpreserved human remains. Since the publication of Galloway and Snodgrass' seminal paper concerning the hazards of forensic anthropology, research has provided new information about known pathogen hazards, and regulating authorities have updated recommendations for the recognition and treatment of several infections. Additionally, forensic anthropology has gained popularity, exposing an increased number of students and practitioners to these hazards. Current data suggest many occupational exposures to blood or body fluids go unreported, especially among students, highlighting the need for this discussion. For each pathogen and associated disease, this work addresses important history, reviews routes of exposure, provides an overview of symptoms and treatments, lists decontamination procedures, and presents data on postmortem viability. Personal protection and laboratory guidelines should be established and enforced in conjunction with the consideration of these data.
A Resource‐based View of the EU's Regional and International Leadership
Authors: Héritier Adrienne , Prakash Aseem 
Published: September 2015

AbstractHow does one explain the variation in the EU's success in enacting and enforcing policies that lead to the supply of regional or global public goods? We examine how the EU deploys its positional resources to enact laws that compel governments or firms to contribute to the provision of public goods. We suggest that leaders such as the EU are able to compel public goods contributions if they have the legal authority to do so, and are able to deploy their positional resources to build effective coalitions or reduce the leverage of potential veto players. We look at two issue areas empirically: banking and the environment. In the banking cases, the EU sought to provide regional public goods; in the environmental cases, it sought to provide regional and global public goods. We examine instances of leadership success as well as failure. In the banking cases, we examine Outright Monetary Transactions (success) and banking single resolution mechanism (less successful); the environmental cases pertain to chemical regulation (success) and airline emissions (failure). These cases reveal the EU's skill and limitations in deploying its positional authority to induce contributions for public goods provision from EU member governments, EU firms and nonEU firms.
Modification of aquaporin expression in response to fenretinide‐induced transdifferentiation of ARPE‐19 cells into neuronal‐like cells
Authors: Salik Dany , Motulsky Elie , Gregoire Françoise , Delforge Valérie , Bolaky Nargis , Caspers Laure , Perret Jason , Willermain François , Delporte Christine 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeThe goal of this study was to investigate the modifications of aquaporin (AQP) expression in ARPE‐19 cells in response to fenretinide‐induced transdifferentiation into neuronal‐like cellsMethodsARPE‐19 cells were treated daily for 7 days with 3 μm fenretinide or dimethyl sulphoxide as control. mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real‐time quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence.ResultsControl ARPE‐19 cells expressed AQP1, AQP4, AQP6 and AQP11 at the mRNA level, but only AQP4, AQP6 and AQP11 at the protein level. Fenretinide induced the transdifferentiation of ARPE‐19 cells into neuronal‐like cells. Indeed, fenretinide induced morphological changes similar to neurons characterized by elongated cell body and the formation of neurite branching. Moreover, ARPE‐19 cells transdifferentiated to neuron‐like cells were characterized by significant decrease in retinal pigmented epithelium markers, for example cytokeratin 8 and cellular retinaldehyde‐binding protein, as well as an increase in neuronal markers such as synaptophysin and calretinin. AQP4 expression, at both mRNA and protein levels, and AQP6 expression, only at protein level, were significantly decreased in ARPE‐19 cells transdifferentiated into neuronal‐like cells.ConclusionsThe expression of AQP4 and AQP6 is downregulated during fenretinide‐induced transdifferentiation.
Long‐term impact of puerperal metritis on the profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes in peripartum dairy cows
Authors: Magata Fumie , Kitaoka Ryuji , Morino Ikumi , Teramura Makoto , Kawashima Chiho , Haneda Shingo , Shimizu Takashi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTo determine the effects of puerperal metritis on the immune response, changes in the differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts were analyzed during the peripartum period in cows with or without metritis. Multiparous Holstein cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups: healthy (n = 11) or metritis (n = 5) cows. The lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the proportion of CD8+lymphocytes were higher in cows with metritis compared to healthy cows. Moreover, the effects of puerperal metritis on the lymphocyte counts and CD4+/CD8+ratio persisted weeks after the uterine inflammation had self‐resolved. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate the possible long‐term alterations of systemic immune responses in cows with puerperal uterine inflammation. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Polychlorinated biphenyls in pigments: inadvertent production and environmental significance
Authors: Rodenburg Lisa , Guo Jia , Christie Robert 
Published: September 2015

Polychlorobiphenyls are toxic, bioaccumulative, and persistent chemicals whose intentional manufacture has been banned throughout the developed world. Polychlorobiphenyls may be generated inadvertently during the production of certain pigments, including diarylides. This inadvertent production is allowed under various regulatory schemes, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act in the United States and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Generally, these regulations require polychlorobiphenyl levels in batches of pigment to be less than certain regulatory limits, usually 50 ppm. A growing body of evidence suggests that the use of pigments is dispersing polychlorobiphenyls throughout the environment. Polychlorobiphenyl congeners associated with pigments have been found throughout the United States in sediments and in surface waters at levels exceeding the prevailing water quality standards. A recent Japanese government study reported measured polychlorobiphenyl concentrations well above 50 ppm in several commercial batches of azo pigments. A strong case may thus be argued that pigment manufacturers should modify existing production processes to reduce, ideally prevent, the formation of polychlorobiphenyls, or develop new pigments that do not have the potential to form polychlorobiphenyls. This paper, the result of a collaboration involving environmental scientists (LR and JG) and a pigment chemist (RC), reviews the evidence for environmental contamination from inadvertent polychlorobiphenyl production in specific pigments, together with a rationalisation of the conclusions based on the reaction mechanisms involved in their manufacture. Broad measures are proposed that might address these issues, both from environmental and from chemical perspectives.
Establishing conservation baselines with dynamic distribution models for bat populations facing imminent decline
Authors: Rodhouse Thomas J. , Ormsbee Patricia C. , Irvine Kathryn M. , Vierling Lee A. , Szewczak Joseph M. , Vierling Kerri T. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimBat mortality rates from white‐nose syndrome and wind power development are unprecedented. Cryptic and wide‐ranging behaviours of bats make them difficult to survey, and population estimation is often intractable. We advance a model‐based framework for making spatially explicit predictions about summertime distributions of bats from capture and acoustic surveys. Motivated by species‐energy and life‐history theory, our models describe hypotheses about spatio‐temporal variation in bat distributions along environmental gradients and life‐history attributes, providing a statistical basis for conservation decision‐making.LocationOregon and Washington, USA.MethodsWe developed Bayesian hierarchical models for 14 bat species from an 8‐year monitoring dataset across a ~430,000 km2 study area. Models accounted for imperfect detection and were temporally dynamic. We mapped predicted occurrence probabilities and prediction uncertainties as baselines for assessing future declines.ResultsForest cover, snag abundance and cliffs were important predictors for most species. Species occurrence patterns varied along elevation and precipitation gradients, suggesting a potential hump‐shaped diversity–productivity relationship. Annual turnover in occurrence was generally low, and occurrence probabilities were stable among most species. We found modest evidence that turnover covaried with the relative riskiness of bat roosting and migration. The fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes), canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus) and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) were rare; fringed myotis occurrence probabilities declined over the study period. We simulated anticipated declines to demonstrate that mapped occurrence probabilities, updated over time, provide an intuitive way to assess bat conservation status for a broad audience.Main conclusionsLandscape keystone structures associated with roosting habitat emerged as regionally important predictors of bat distributions. The challenges of bat monitoring have constrained previous species distribution modelling efforts to temporally static presence‐only approaches. Our approach extends to broader spatial and temporal scales than has been possible in the past for bats, making a substantial increase in capacity for bat conservation.
Cheaters must prosper: reconciling theoretical and empirical perspectives on cheating in mutualism
Authors: Jones Emily I. , Afkhami Michelle E. , Akçay Erol , Bronstein Judith L. , Bshary Redouan , Frederickson Megan E. , Heath Katy D. , Hoeksema Jason D. , Ness Joshua H. , Pankey M. Sabrina , Porter Stephanie S. , Sachs Joel L. , Scharnagl Klara , Friesen Maren L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCheating is a focal concept in the study of mutualism, with the majority of researchers considering cheating to be both prevalent and highly damaging. However, current definitions of cheating do not reliably capture the evolutionary threat that has been a central motivation for the study of cheating. We describe the development of the cheating concept and distill a relative‐fitness‐based definition of cheating that encapsulates the evolutionary threat posed by cheating, i.e. that cheaters will spread and erode the benefits of mutualism. We then describe experiments required to conclude that cheating is occurring and to quantify fitness conflict more generally. Next, we discuss how our definition and methods can generate comparability and integration of theory and experiments, which are currently divided by their respective prioritisations of fitness consequences and traits. To evaluate the current empirical evidence for cheating, we review the literature on several of the best‐studied mutualisms. We find that although there are numerous observations of low‐quality partners, there is currently very little support from fitness data that any of these meet our criteria to be considered cheaters. Finally, we highlight future directions for research on conflict in mutualisms, including novel research avenues opened by a relative‐fitness‐based definition of cheating.
End‐user involvement in a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative research of non‐pharmacological interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder delivered in school settings: reflections on the impacts and challenges
Authors: Coon Jo Thompson , Gwernan‐Jones Ruth , Moore Darren , Richardson Michelle , Shotton Catherine , Pritchard Will , Morris Christopher , Stein Ken , Ford Tamsin 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe benefits of end‐user involvement in health‐care research are widely recognized by research agencies. There are few published evaluations of end‐user involvement in systematic reviews.Objectives(i) Describe end‐user involvement in a complex mixed‐methods systematic review of ADHD in schools, (ii) reflect on the impact of end‐user involvement, (iii) highlight challenges and benefits experienced and (iv) provide suggestions to inform future involvement.MethodsEnd‐users were involved in all stages of the project, both as authors and as members of an advisory group. In addition, several events were held with groups of relevant end‐users during the project.ResultsEnd‐user input (i) guided the direction of the research, (ii) contributed to a typology of interventions and outcomes, (iii) contributed to the direction of data analysis and (iv) contributed to the robustness of the syntheses by demonstrating the alignment of interim findings with lived experiences. Challenges included (i) managing expectations, (ii) managing the intensity of emotion, (iii) ensuring that involvement was fruitful for all not just the researcher, (iv) our capacity to communicate and manage the process and (v) engendering a sense of involvement amongst end‐users.ConclusionsEnd‐user involvement was an important aspect of this project. To minimize challenges in future projects, a recognition by the project management team and the funding provider that end‐user involvement even in evidence synthesis projects is resource intensive is essential to allow appropriate allocation of time and resources for meaningful engagement.
Extraction, optimisation and characterisation of phenolics from Thymus vulgaris L.: phenolic content and profiles in relation to antioxidant, antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties
Authors: Alu'datt Muhammad H. , Rababah Taha , Johargy Ayman , Gammoh Sana , Ereifej Khalil , Alhamad Mohammad N. , Brewer Mary Susan , Saati Abdullah A. , Kubow Stan , Rawshdeh Mervat 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to examine varying extraction conditions of Thymus vulgaris L. as related to phenolic content and profiles of the extracts and their antioxidant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties. Phenolics were extracted under various conditions pertaining to free and bound phenolics, solvent type and combination of extraction time and temperature, and these extracts were evaluated in terms of their antioxidant activities and inhibitory activities of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase. The acetone–water solvent mixture (1:1; v/v) produced the extract with the greatest phenolic content, antioxidant activity and inhibitory activities of ACE and α‐glucosidase. The optimal extraction temperature for maximum phenolic content and antioxidant activity associated with methanol extraction was 60 °C, whereas a lower temperature at 40 °C was required to maximise inhibitory activities for ACE, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase. An inverse relationship was seen between antioxidant and glucosidase inhibitory activities vs. the ACE and α‐amylase inhibitory activities, which suggests the need for extractions to be directed to specific bioactivities of thyme extracts. Generally, the results indicate major differences in phenolic profiles among the tested extraction conditions with thymol as the predominant phenolic seen in most extractions, while gallic acid, rosmarinic acid or diosmin also predominated in other extracts. Extracts with the same predominant phenolic compound and similar phenolic content showed major disparities in their ACE, glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitory activities, indicating that the major phenolic profiles of thyme extracts may not be necessarily related to the degree of inhibition of ACE, glucosidase and α‐amylase enzymes.