bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maximizing bidder's profit in online auctions using grey system theory's predictor agent
Authors: Lim Deborah , Anthony Patricia , Chong Mun Ho 
Published: November 2014

PurposeAs the demand for online auctions increases, the process of monitoring multiple auction houses, deciding which auction to participate in and making the right bids, become challenging tasks for consumers. Hence, knowing the closing price of a given auction would be an advantage, since this information will ensure a win in a given auction. However, predicting a closing price for an auction is not easy, since it is dependent on many factors. The purpose of this paper is to report on a predictor agent that utilises grey system theory to predict the closing price for a given auction.Design/methodology/approachThe focus of the research is on grey system agent. This paper reports on the development of a predictor agent that attempts to predict the online auction closing price in order to maximise the bidder's profit. The performance of this predictor agent is compared with two well‐known techniques, the Simple Exponential Function and the Time Series, in a simulated auction environment and in the eBay auction.FindingsThe grey theory agent gives a better result when less input data are made, while the Time Series Agent can be used with the availability of a lot of information. Although the Simple Exponential Function Agent is able to predict well with less input data, it is not an appropriate method to be applied in the prediction model since its formula is not realistic and applicable in predicting the online auction closing price. The experimental results also showed that using moving historical data produces a higher accuracy rate than using fixed historical data for all three agents.Originality/valueGrey system theory prediction model, GM(1, 1) has not been applied in online auction prediction. In this paper the authors have applied grey theory into an agent to predict the closing price of an online auction, in order to increase the profit of bidders in the bidding stage. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the grey prediction model is more then 90 per cent, with less then eight historical data inputs.
Parameters optimization of GM(1,1) model based on artificial fish swarm algorithm
Authors: Lin Zhensi , Zhang Qishan , Liu Hong 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enhance the forecast precision of GM(1,1) model using an improved artificial fish swarm algorithm.Design/methodology/approachAn optimization model of GM(1,1) model about identifying the parameters is proposed, which takes the minimum of the average relative error as objective function and takes the development coefficient and grey action quantity as decision variables, then an improved artificial fish swarm algorithm is designed to solve the optimization model.FindingsThe results show that the proposed method may enhance the precision of GM(1,1) model, and have better performance than particle swarm optimization.Practical implicationsThe method exposed in the paper can be used to optimize the parameters of GM(1,1) model, which is used frequently to solve the economic and management problem.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in enhancing the forecast precision of GM(1,1) model using an improved artificial fish swarm algorithm.
A multi‐objective programming approach to solve grey linear programming
Authors: Hossein Razavi Hajiagha Seyed , Akrami Hadi , Sadat Hashemi Shide 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend an approach to solve linear programming problems with grey data and variables, based on a developed multi‐objective programming approach.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed approach to generally solve the grey linear programming problems is based on the notion of order relation between interval grey numbers. This notion is applied to cascade the grey objective function to a bi‐objective problem based on the objective function of the original problem. The same approach is taken to transform grey constraints to a set of corresponding linear constraints. Finally, the obtained multi‐objective model can be solved by any existing methods in the literature.FindingsOne of the shortcomings of previous approaches to solve grey linear programming problems was that they required the grey coefficients of objective function to be both side negative or positive. The approach proposed here does not have such a requirement and guarantees the feasibility of solutions.Originality/valueA different approach is developed in the paper that can be used to solve grey linear programming problems in general form. The method relaxes the limitation of existing approaches.
Experiences of violence at work in community intellectual disability teams
Authors: Daynes Shona , Wills Sarah , Baker Peter 
Published: November 2014

PurposeMuch of the research related to experiences of violence at work in intellectual disability services has focused on paid carers, with very little exploring the experiences of staff in community intellectual disability teams (CIDT). This study aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis study began with a brief survey sent to staff across six CIDTs in South East England. These experiences were further explored with in‐depth interviews with a sub‐sample of the respondents.FindingsThe results of the survey indicated that 34 per cent of the respondents (n=105) had experienced some form of verbal or physical aggression at work during the previous six months. Emerging themes focused on the types of risks faced by this staff group; factors that helped with risk assessment and management (and why these things do not always happen); and how workers develop the skills in managing these risks.Originality/valueImplications are discussed in terms of gaps in current formal training and the role of more informal learning processes in addressing the specific needs of staff working with this client group.
Monitoring for metabolic syndrome in people with intellectual disability on antipsychotic medication
Authors: Baburaj Raghu , El Tahir Mohamed 
Published: November 2014

PurposePeople with intellectual disability are subject to increased health morbidity when compared to the general population. This paper assesses the monitoring of metabolic syndrome in people with an intellectual disability who have been prescribed antipsychotic medication.Design/methodology/approachA pre‐audit analysis was followed by an audit of 32 patients. The height, weight and body mass index was recorded in 34 per cent prior to initiation, which decreased to 22 per cent at the three monthly follow up. Blood pressure was recorded in 6 per cent of the patients at baseline, but there was no record during treatment. The biochemical parameters including plasma glucose and plasma cholesterol were measured in 40 per cent of the patients on initiation which decreased to 33 per cent at three monthly follow up in the first year. In total, 21 per cent of patients received four monthly monitoring of the biochemical parameters, i.e. their height and weight, 25 per cent of the patients had an annual monitoring of all parameters.FindingsThe results indicate inconsistent monitoring of metabolic syndrome in people with intellectual disability being treated with antipsychotic medication. While a proportion of patients may have been monitored in primary care, these data indicate the need for remedial action to improve the standard of metabolic syndrome detection in those people with intellectual disability receiving antipsychotic medication.Originality/valueThis study highlights the inadequate monitoring of biochemical and physical parameters of metabolic syndrome in people with an intellectual disability who are prescribed antipsychotic medication. National criteria for monitoring the prescription of antipsychotic medication in people with intellectual disability who are prescribed antipsychotic medication is proposed.
Having Fragile X syndrome – a personal account
Authors: Zwink Katherine 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present the viewpoint of someone with Fragile X syndrome.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper presents the author's views and experiences of living with Fragile X syndrome.

Findings
– The paper provides the author's perspective on diagnosis, the impact on family life, dealing with stigma and the effect that the condition had on school, college, work and interactions with other people.

Originality/value
– The paper provides a unique insight into the day-to-day experiences of living with Fragile X syndrome.
A tough choice
Authors: Kravchenko Nataliya A. , Kuznetsova Svetlana A. 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Strategic decision making, strategic alternatives.

Study level/applicability
This case is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate business and management, MBA programs; the case could be used in strategic management, strategic analysis methods, change management courses.

Case overview
This case illustrates how Storm, a small innovation company located in the city of Novosibirsk, Russia, tackled the problem of future development. The company was set up in 1992 by young scientists to produce equipment for automatic process control systems in power engineering. All the engineering solutions were based on the developments of the company's founders. Currently Storm is the regional leader in creating engineering complexes for power generating companies. However, because of the drastic changes in the business environment and increased market competition, the company faced the challenge of further development. The company's management and owners saw the further development prospects and risks differently. Three strategic alternatives are available and the company is required to choose one of them, substantiating the choice made.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the case study assignment, learners should be able to: state the strategic problems of small business development; identify the challenges of the external environment for company development; apply the tools of strategic analysis for evaluation of the company's market position; analyze the company's internal strengths and weaknesses; and elaborate and evaluate strategic alternatives for the company's growth.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available – consult your librarian for access.
Development of a Lexicon for Caviar and Its Usefulness for Determining Consumer Preference
Authors: Baker Allison K. , Vixie Beata , Rasco Barbara A. , Ovissipour Mahmoudreza , Ross Carolyn F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAlthough caviar is a premium product which offers nutritional benefits, few studies have characterized its sensory properties. As such, this study sought to develop a lexicon for sensory evaluation of caviar appearance, texture, aroma, and flavor/taste and to relate these attributes to consumer acceptance. A trained panel identified 16 sensory attributes for evaluation along a 15‐cm scale and used CATA (check all that apply) methodology to indicate the less frequently encountered off‐aromas, appearance traits, and persistent flavors. Using this lexicon, the trained panel described differences among caviar samples harvested from sturgeon fed varying diets. Acceptance of the caviar was also evaluated by a consumer panel. As evaluated by the trained panelists, analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated differences among caviar in the sensory attributes of tactile firmness, mustard color, egg size, in‐mouth firmness, seafood fresh flavor, fresh butter flavor, earthy flavor, yeasty flavor, and bitterness (P < 0.05). Logistic regression of CATA responses indicated that caviar varied by diet in several aroma and aftertaste attributes, and marbled appearance (P < 0.05). Using partial least squares analysis on the consumer and trained panel data, overall consumer acceptance of caviar was driven by tactile firmness, sea fresh flavor, fresh butter flavor, and black color. This overall acceptance was highly correlated with acceptance of texture (r = 0.867) and flavor/taste (r = 0.999). Overall, this lexicon allows for standardized sensory evaluation of caviar using a common set of descriptors. This lexicon and information regarding the drivers of caviar acceptance can be used by industry professionals to ensure optimal caviar quality.
Increasing the chance of successful translocation of a threatened lizard
Authors: McCoy E. D. , Osman N. , Hauch B. , Emerick A. , Mushinsky H. R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMany reptile translocations fail, and they fail largely because the translocated individuals are faced with low habitat quality at the recipient site and/or disperse away from it. At least some failures may be forestalled by developing clear goals and success criteria, having a better understanding of the species' biology and the threats it faces, ensuring the quality of the site to which individuals are being moved and following through with long‐term monitoring. We incorporated these considerations into a translocation that moved more than 500 individuals of the threatened Florida sand skink Plestiodon reynoldsi Stejneger from a site slated for mining to an apparently suitable, but unoccupied site. Translocated individuals were placed into enclosures at the recipient site at densities similar to those at the donor site. Environmental conditions were varied within the enclosures in a replicated design, to tease out the conditions that promote successful colonization by translocated individuals. Overall success of the translocation will be judged by population viability, but we also set two benchmarks (initial survival and reproduction; completion of the life cycle through subsequent recruitment of offspring) to monitor progress. So far, we have monitored the translocated individuals long enough to determine that they have survived and are reproducing. Modeling of the influence of the environment on successful establishment suggests that soil and light conditions are important influences, but in a complex way that implicates the overriding importance of habitat heterogeneity. The Florida sand skink appears to be a resilient species that exploits the available habitat heterogeneity to find suitable microhabitats, and we suggest that these characteristics of the habitat and species contributed to its successful meeting of the first benchmark. These characteristics may contribute to successful translocation of xeric reptiles in general.
Ecosystem risk assessment for Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest, Lord Howe Island, Australia
Authors: Auld Tony D. , Leishman Michelle R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractGnarled Mossy Cloud Forest is a globally unique ecosystem, combining floristic elements from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. It is restricted to a very small area (28 ha) at elevations above 750 m on the summits of two mountains on Lord Howe Island in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 570 km off the east coast of Australia. Moisture derived from clouds is a key feature of the ecosystem. We assessed the conservation status of this ecosystem using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List criteria for ecosystems. There has been no historical clearing of the ecosystem, but declines (with large uncertainty bounds) were estimated for two abiotic variables that are important in maintaining the component species (cloud cover and rainfall). Overall, we found the ecosystem to be Critically Endangered based on a restricted geographic distribution combined with continuing decline (criterion B1aii, iii, B1b, B1c and B2aii, iii, B2b, B2c). Decline was inferred from: a loss of moisture from declining rainfall and cloud cover due to climate change (affecting disturbance regimes, gap formation and species survival and recruitment); ongoing exotic rat predation on seeds and seedlings of several sensitive species that are structural components of the ecosystem (affecting survival and recruitment); and the fact that the ecosystem is considered to exist at only one location. This mirrors similar threats from exotic species and climate change to other Pacific island cloud forests. Eradication of rats from Lord Howe Island will reduce the immediate risk to this ecosystem; however, only global mitigation of greenhouse gases could alleviate risk from declining cloud cover and moisture availability.
Diadenosine pentaphosphate modulates glomerular arteriolar tone and glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Patzak A. , Carlström M. , Sendeski M. M. , Lai E. Y. , Liu Z. Z. , Sällström J. , Flöge J. , Heintz B. , Jankowski J. , Jankowski V. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIntroductionMechanisms and participating substances involved in the reduction of glomerular filtration (GFR) in contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (CI‐AKI) are still matter of debate. We hypothesized that diadenosine polyphosphates are released by the action of contrast media on tubular cells and may act on glomerular arterioles and reduce GFR.MethodsFreshly isolated rat tubules were treated with the contrast medium iodixanol (47 mg iodine per mL) at 37 °C for 20 min. The content of ApnA (n = 3–6) in the supernatant of treated tubules and in the plasma of healthy persons and patients with AKI was analysed using reversed‐phase chromatography, affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. GFR was obtained in conscious mice by inulin clearance. Concentration response curves for ApnA (n = 3–6, 10−12–10−5 mol L−1) were measured in isolated perfused glomerular arterioles.ResultsIodixanol treatment of tubules significantly increased the concentration of ApnA (n = 3–5) in the supernatant. Ap6A was below the detection limit. AKI patient shows higher concentrations of ApnA compared to healthy. Application of Ap5A significantly reduced the GFR in conscious mice. Ap5A reduced afferent arteriolar diameters, but did not influence efferent arterioles. The constrictor effect on afferent arterioles was strong immediately after application, but weakened with time. Then, non‐selective P2 inhibitor suramin blocked the Ap5A‐induced constriction.ConclusionThe data suggest that Ap5A plays a role in the pathophysiology of CI‐AKI. We show a contrast media‐induced release of Ap5A from tubules, which might increase afferent arteriolar resistance and reduce the GFR.
Obesity, adipokines and cancer: an update
Authors: Lee C.H. , Woo Y.C. , Wang Y. , Yeung C.Y. , Xu A. , Lam K.S.L. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObesity causes dysfunction of adipose tissue, with resultant chronic inflammation and adverse interplay of various adipokines, sex steroids and endocrine hormones. All these drive tumourigenesis and explain the epidemiological link between obesity and cancer. Over the past decade, the associations among obesity, adipokines and cancer have been increasingly recognized. Adipokines and their respective signalling pathways have drawn much research attention in the field of oncology and cancer therapeutics. This review will discuss the recent advances in the understanding of the association of several adipokines with common obesity‐related cancers and the clinical therapeutic implications.
Biological invasions, climate change and genomics
Authors: Chown Steven L. , Hodgins Kathryn A. , Griffin Philippa C. , Oakeshott John G. , Byrne Margaret , Hoffmann Ary A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe rate of biological invasions is expected to increase as the effects of climate change on biological communities become widespread. Climate change enhances habitat disturbance which facilitates the establishment of invasive species, which in turn provides opportunities for hybridization and introgression. These effects influence local biodiversity that can be tracked through genetic and genomic approaches. Metabarcoding and metagenomic approaches provide a way of monitoring some types of communities under climate change for the appearance of invasives. Introgression and hybridization can be followed by the analysis of entire genomes so that rapidly changing areas of the genome are identified and instances of genetic pollution monitored. Genomic markers enable accurate tracking of invasive species’ geographic origin well beyond what was previously possible. New genomic tools are promoting fresh insights into classic questions about invading organisms under climate change, such as the role of genetic variation, local adaptation and climate pre‐adaptation in successful invasions. These tools are providing managers with often more effective means to identify potential threats, improve surveillance and assess impacts on communities. We provide a framework for the application of genomic techniques within a management context and also indicate some important limitations in what can be achieved.
Connecting carbon and nitrogen storage in rural wetland soil to groundwater abstraction for urban water supply
Authors: Lewis David Bruce , Feit Sharon J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe investigated whether groundwater abstraction for urban water supply diminishes the storage of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and organic matter in the soil of rural wetlands. Wetland soil organic matter (SOM) benefits air and water quality by sequestering large masses of C and N. Yet, the accumulation of wetland SOM depends on soil inundation, so we hypothesized that groundwater abstraction would diminish stocks of SOM, C, and N in wetland soils. Predictions of this hypothesis were tested in two types of subtropical, depressional‐basin wetland: forested swamps and herbaceous‐vegetation marshes. In west‐central Florida, >650 ML groundwater day−1 are abstracted for use primarily in the Tampa Bay metropolis. At higher abstraction volumes, water tables were lower and wetlands had shorter hydroperiods (less time inundated). In turn, wetlands with shorter hydroperiods had 50–60% less SOM, C, and N per kg soil. In swamps, SOM loss caused soil bulk density to double, so areal soil C and N storage per m2 through 30.5 cm depth was diminished by 25–30% in short‐hydroperiod swamps. In herbaceous‐vegetation marshes, short hydroperiods caused a sharper decline in N than in C. Soil organic matter, C, and N pools were not correlated with soil texture or with wetland draining‐reflooding frequency. Many years of shortened hydroperiod were probably required to diminish soil organic matter, C, and N pools by the magnitudes we observed. This diminution might have occurred decades ago, but could be maintained contemporarily by the failure each year of chronically drained soils to retain new organic matter inputs. In sum, our study attributes the contraction of hydroperiod and loss of soil organic matter, C, and N from rural wetlands to groundwater abstraction performed largely for urban water supply, revealing teleconnections between rural ecosystem change and urban resource demand.