bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies in real estate management: two strategic pathways
Authors: Palm Peter 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify different strategic pathways for structuring the real estate management organization. Different strategic pathways regarding commercial real estate organizations, and the alignment of their business models with the environment are studied and outlined.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an analysis of 15 interviews with top‐level managers in the Swedish commercial real estate sector.FindingsWhen making strategic plans for a company, the commercial real estate industry has two strategic pathways to consider regarding real estate management. The first is to choose whether to have its own frontline personnel or to outsource this function. The second is to decide how the leasing task should be treated: Should it be treated as a real estate manager's task or should it be a function of its own in the organization? The conclusion of the study is that the organizations studied can be structured using both pathways, and the firm can still be successful. Furthermore, the argument by the top‐level managers are the same regardless of how their organization is structured. They all base their strategic plans on the view that their structure of the organization is the best way to take care of the customer. In other words, they have the same arguments but haves chosen different strategic pathways to achieve strategic fit.Research limitations/implicationsThe research in this paper is limited to the Swedish commercial real estate industry.Originality/valueThis paper outlines the strategic pathways for real estate management from a top‐level management view.
Factors affecting maintenance cost of hospital facilities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Assaf Sadi , Al‐Ofi Khalaf , Al‐Abdullah Abdullah 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe objectives of this paper are to identify and assess the factors that affect the cost of maintenance of hospital facilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a literature review on hospital maintenance cost to identify the factors affecting the cost of maintenance and interviewed a selected group of ten experienced facilities managers of both public and private hospitals. 33 factors were identified, and synthesized in seven groups. A questionnaire survey was developed to assess the factors. Responses were obtained on the developed questionnaire survey by interviewing the facilities managers of the full population of the 40 hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, 20 of which were public hospitals and the other 20 were private hospitals. The data received were analyzed to identify the level of importance for the factors. The factors were ranked according to their importance index values.FindingsThe most important factors from the perspectives of public hospitals are “transfer of problems from the construction phase to the maintenance phase for resolution”, “lack of coordination between the construction and maintenance group”, and “lack of quality control measures during the installation of systems”. These three factors were all encompassed within the construction group. The most important factors from the perspectives of the private hospitals were encompassed in the statutory requirements and the design phase groups. These factors are “duration of the maintenance contract” and “the method of classifying maintenance contractors”, “errors conducted during the design of the project” and “lack of feedback from the maintenance group to the design team”.Practical implicationsThis paper is of practical significance to hospital project managers and facilities managers, as it will prompt the management of hospital facilities to focus on the most important factors affecting the cost of maintenance and thereby reduce that cost.Originality/valueThis paper is original in the sense that the areas of knowledge and practice encompassed in the identified factors were scattered and not available in one source. The factors were derived from personal interviews with selected facilities managers of both private and public hospitals, as well as from the relevant literature.
Living a managed community lifestyle: managed community lifestyle from Queensland
Authors: Cradduck Lucy 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe paper aims to improve consumer awareness of the complexities of community living. It does this by clarifying how living in a managed community is different from a “traditional” neighbourhood; and identifying matters that can become disputes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on research by other authors into strata scheme disputes by examining recent Queensland cases.FindingsMany disputes appear to result from a lack of understanding of the complexities of community living. Matters that should be able to be easily resolved are therefore escalated to formal disputes.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper considers law and cases from Queensland. The types of matters considered, however, are relevant for any managed community and therefore the research is relevant for all jurisdictions. The research will be of particular interest to jurisdictions looking to boost living density by increasing the development of managed communities.Practical implicationsThe research will assist in consumer transactions by providing guidance as to the matters to be considering prior to moving into a managed community. More informed decision making by prospective residents will lead to a decreased likelihood of disputes arising.Originality/valueThe paper is an up‐to‐date consideration of the issues arising from community living. It highlights the benefits arising from increased consumer awareness of the complexities of community living and the potential for consumer education to reduce the number of disputes.
Financing Constraints and Agricultural Investment: Effects of the Irish Financial Crisis
Authors: O'Toole Conor M. , Newman Carol , Hennessy Thia 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis paper considers the role of financing constraints in agricultural investment since the recent financial crisis. Using Irish micro data over the period 1997–2010, we estimate the Q model of investment and test for financing constraints using a measure of internal finance dependence. Our econometric method controls for censoring, heterogeneity and endogeneity. We find that financing constraints are binding and the impact of constraints becomes much more acute following the financial crisis. Constraints are found to be well above pre‐crisis levels and especially elevated in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The effects are greatest for medium‐sized farms and farms in the dairy sector.
Morphological integration and functional modularity in the crocodilian skull
Authors: PIRAS Paolo , BUSCALIONI Angela D. , TERESI Luciano , RAIA Pasquale , SANSALONE Gabriele , KOTSAKIS Tassos , CUBO Jorge 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe explored the morphological organization of the skull within Crocodylidae, analyzing functional and phylogenetic interactions between its 2 constituent functional modules: the rostrum and the postrostrum. We used geometric morphometrics to identify localized shape changes, focusing on the differences between the major clades of the crown‐group Crocodylia: Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae. We used published bite performance data to correlate rostral function with postrostral morphology. The skull modules appear more integrated within Alligatoridae than within Crocodyliade. Phylogenetic effects on shape variation are more evident in Alligatoridae than in Crocodylidae, where functional parameters concerning the rostral morphology are proportionally more important than phylogeny. Long‐snouted species are characterized by low structural performance, which is significantly associated with a reduction of the pterygoid‐quadrate cranial nipper, suggesting that the nipper is important for the ingestion of large food items in generalist species. This functional association is coupled with a significant evolutionary allometry at the clade level, while Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae show different degrees of evolutionary allometry for their entire shape and rostrum. The postrostrum is more conservative than the rostrum in terms of morphospace occupation, evolutionary allometry and phylogenetic signal.
Global evolution of Equidae and Gomphotheriidae from South America
Authors: PRADO José L. , ALBERDI María T. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe contemporary South American mammalian communities were determined by the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama and by the profound climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. Horses and gomphotheres were 2 very conspicuous groups of immigrant mammals from North America that arrived in South America during the Pleistocene. The present study compiles updated data on the phylogeny, systematics and ecology of both groups in South America. The horses in South America are represented by 2 genera,HippidionandEquus, as are the gomphotheres, represented byCuvieroniusandStegomastodon. Both genera of horses include small (Hippidion devillei, H. saldiasi, E. andiumandE. insulatus) and large forms (Equus neogeusandH. principale), which dispersed into South America using 2 different routes. The possible model for this dispersion indicates that the small forms used the Andes corridor, while larger horses dispersed through the eastern route and through some coastal areas. In the case of gomphotheres,CuvieroniusandStegomastodonreached South America in 2 independent dispersal events, andCuvieroniusdispersed across the Andean corridor, while largeStegomastodonspread along the eastern route. Horses and gomphotheres present values of δ13C from woodlands to C4 grasslands.Hippidionpresent lower values of δ13C thanEquusin the late Pleistocene, whereas the gomphotheres diverge from value of δ18O, reflecting thatCuvieroniusinhabited the Andean corridor andStegomastodondispersed through eastern plains. The gomphothere and horse species recorded in South America became extinct around the time that humans arrived.
Perceived damage and areas of needed research for wildlife pests of California agriculture
Authors: BALDWIN Roger A. , SALMON Terrell P. , SCHMIDT Robert H. , TIMM Robert M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMany wildlife species cause extensive damage to a variety of agricultural commodities in California, with estimates of damage in the hundreds of millions annually. Given the limited availability of resources to solve all human–wildlife conflicts, we should focus management efforts on issues that provide the greatest benefit to agricultural commodities in California. This survey provides quantitative data on research needs to better guide future efforts in developing more effective, practical and appropriate methods for managing these species. We found that ground squirrels, pocket gophers, birds, wild pigs, coyotes and voles were the most common agricultural wildlife pest species in California. The damage caused by these species could be quite high, but varied by agricultural commodity. For most species, common forms of damage included loss of crop production and direct death of the plant, although livestock depredation was the greatest concern for coyotes. Control methods used most frequently and those deemed most effective varied by pest species, although greater advancements in control methods were listed as a top research priority for all species. Collectively, the use of toxicants, biocontrol and trapping were the most preferred methods for control, but this varied by species. In general, integrated pest management practices were used to control wildlife pests, with a special preference for those approaches that were efficacious and quick and inexpensive to apply. This information and survey design should be useful in establishing research and management priorities for wildlife pest species in California and other similar regions.
The Lushan earthquake and the giant panda: impacts and conservation
Authors: ZHANG Zejun , YUAN Shibin , QI Dunwu , ZHANG Mingchun 
Published: July 2013

AbstractEarthquakes not only result in a great loss of human life and property, but also have profound effects on the Earth's biodiversity. The Lushan earthquake occurred on 20 Apr 2013, with a magnitude of 7.0 and an intensity of 9.0 degrees. A distance of 17.0 km from its epicenter to the nearest distribution site of giant pandas recorded in the Third National Survey was determined. Making use of research on the Wenchuan earthquake (with a magnitude of 8.0), which occurred approximately 5 years ago, we briefly analyze the impacts of the Lushan earthquake on giant pandas and their habitat. An earthquake may interrupt ongoing behaviors of giant pandas and may also cause injury or death. In addition, an earthquake can damage conservation facilities for pandas, and result in further habitat fragmentation and degradation. However, from a historical point of view, the impacts of human activities on giant pandas and their habitat may, in fact, far outweigh those of natural disasters such as earthquakes. Measures taken to promote habitat restoration and conservation network reconstruction in earthquake‐affected areas should be based on requirements of giant pandas, not those of humans.
Genetic and environmental influences on the ages of drinking and gambling initiation: evidence for distinct aetiologies and sex differences
Authors: Richmond‐Rakerd Leah S. , Slutske Wendy S. , Heath Andrew C. , Martin Nicholas G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimsTo investigate the genetic and environmental contributions to age at first drink (AFD) and age first gambled (AFG), assess their overlap and examine sex differences.DesignUnivariate twin models were fitted to decompose the variation in AFD and AFG into additive genetic, shared environmental and unique environmental factors. Bivariate genetic models were fitted to assess the genetic and environmental contributions to the sources of covariation in AFD and AFG.SettingNational Australian Twin Registry.ParticipantsA total of 4542 same‐sex and opposite‐sex twins aged 32–43 years, 42% male and 58% female.MeasurementsAFD and AFG were assessed via structured psychiatric telephone interviews. Age of onset was treated as both continuous and categorical (early/late onset).FindingsAFD and AFG were modestly correlated (r = 0.18). Unique environmental influences explained a substantial proportion of the variation in both AFD (0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50–0.61) and AFG (0.66, 95% CI = 0.59–0.72), but these influences were uncorrelated (rE = 0.01). Additive genetic factors explained a notable proportion of variation in AFG (0.21, 95% CI = 0.003–0.39), while shared environmental factors were important for AFD (0.31, 95% CI = 0.15–0.46). Among men, genetic factors influenced variation in AFG but not in AFD and shared environmental factors influenced variation in AFD but not in AFG. Among women, shared environmental factors influenced variation in both AFD and AFG, but these environmental factors were not significantly correlated (rC = 0.09).ConclusionsAmong Australian twins, age at first drink and age first gambled are influenced by distinct unique environmental factors, and the genetic and environmental underpinnings of both phenotypes differ in men and women.
Cytokine production by bone marrow mononuclear cells in inherited bone marrow failure syndromes
Authors: Matsui Ken , Giri Neelam , Alter Blanche P. , Pinto Ligia A. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryFanconi anaemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia (DBA), and Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome (SDS) are characterized by the progressive development of bone marrow failure. Overproduction of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) from activated bone marrow T‐cells has been proposed as a mechanism of FA‐related aplasia. Whether such overproduction occurs in the other syndromes is unknown. We conducted a comparative study on bone marrow mononuclear cells to examine the cellular subset composition and cytokine production. We found lower proportions of haematopoietic stem cells in FA, DC, and SDS, and a lower proportion of monocytes in FA, DC, and DBA compared with controls. The T‐ and B‐lymphocyte proportions were similar to controls, except for low B‐cells in DC. We did not observe overproduction of TNF‐α or IFN‐γ by T‐cells in any patients. Induction levels of TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor in monocytes stimulated with high‐dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were similar at 4 h but lower at 24 h when compared to controls. Unexpectedly, patient samples showed a trend toward higher cytokine level in response to low‐dose (0·001 μg/ml) LPS. Increased sensitivity to LPS may have clinical implications and could contribute to the development of pancytopenia by creating a chronic subclinical inflammatory micro‐environment in the bone marrow.
Estimating the proportion of prescription opioids that is consumed by people who inject drugs in Australia
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Gilmour Stuart , Shand Fiona , Bruno Raimondo , Campbell Gabrielle , Mattick Richard P. , Larance Briony , Hall Wayne 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIntroduction and Aims.To estimate the contribution that people who inject drugs (PWID) make to population‐level use of prescription opioids in Australia.Design and Methods.Data on prescriptions of oxycodone, morphine and methadone tablets were obtained for New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland, and time series analyses used to characterise the trends from 2002 to 2010. Estimates of the number of PWID were combined with data on their levels, frequency and typical doses of morphine, methadone tablet (only prescribed in Australia for pain) and oxycodone from 2004 to 2010. Estimated consumption per 1000 PWID and per 1000 persons aged 20–69 years was contrasted and the proportion of total consumption accounted for by PWID estimated.Results.Morphine prescribing declined; oxycodone prescribing increased. PWID had far higher rates of prescription opioid consumption (defined daily doses per 1000) than the general population. Tasmania had highest use of prescribed opioids. PWID contribution to morphine consumption in Tasmania increased to 28% (range 22–37%) in 2010; elsewhere, PWID contribution was lower (midpoints of 2–12%, 2010). Methadone tablet use was less elevated compared with the general population. With the exception of Tasmania, PWID were estimated to consume less than 5% of oxycodone.Discussion and Conclusions.PWID use prescription opioids at high levels and can account for a significant proportion of consumption. Increased oxycodone prescribing in Australia has not been driven by PWID. Opioid substitution therapy and other effective treatments need to be more available and attractive to PWID. [Degenhardt L, Gilmour S, Shand F, Bruno R, Campbell G, Mattick RP, Larance B, Hall W. Estimating the proportion of prescription opioids that is consumed by people who inject drugs in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:468–474]
A ‘navigator’ model in emerging mental illness?
Authors: Bieling Peter J. , Madsen Victoria , Zipursky Robert B. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimWhile there is clearly much to be gained from ensuring that youth with emerging mental illness across a variety of psychiatric illnesses receive care that reduces symptoms and improves functioning, it is not at all clear how best to achieve these results within a health‐care system that has limited resources. Outside of the area of psychosis, there is little evidence to guide us around a model of care that might be effective, efficient and linked to existing mental health systems.MethodsWe summarize the literature on early intervention (EI) in psychosis and derive five key lessons for transdiagnostic prevention. We then broadened our search to find clinical and systems models that shared challenges similar to those identified for EI, high levels of patient and family distress, need for rapid yet comprehensive diagnostic assessment and timely initiation of specific treatment.ResultsCancer navigators have numerous functions that appear to overlap with the key issues in transdiagnostic psychiatric EI. A navigation clinic with a separate identity, but clearly connected to specialized mental health facilities has the potential to speed assessment, diagnosis and treatment streaming. Navigators would be involved with youth and their family throughout different levels of care, making clinical decisions based on illness and functional status.ConclusionsIn sum, the evidence from navigation services in cancer care offers the mental health field a progressive clinical model that might be an important guide for EI in youth.
Precision of a Novel Computed Tomographic Method for Quantification of Femoral Varus in Dogs and an Assessment of the Effect of Femoral Malpositioning
Authors: Oxley Bill , Gemmill Toby J. , Pink Jonathan , Clarke Stephen , Parry Andrew , Baines Stephen , Malcolm McKee W. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the precision of a novel protocol for determination of femoral varus angle (FVA) using computed tomography (CT) in dogs, and to quantify the effect of femoral rotational and sagittal plane malpositioning on measured FVA.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.Sample PopulationFemora (n = 66) from dogs that had pelvic limb CT examination for patellar instability (26) or other reasons (10).MethodsThree observers measured FVA of each of 66 femora on three separate occasions. Standardized orientation of a volume rendered image was achieved by superimposition of the caudal and distal aspects of the femoral condyles on a lateral projection, definition of a sagittal plane axis, and finally rotation through 90° to yield a cranial projection. Intra‐ and inter‐observer variability were estimated using the intra‐class correlation coefficient. The effect of variation in rotational and sagittal plane orientation on measured FVA was subsequently quantified using 6 femora with FVAs between −0.4° and 19°.ResultsIntra‐class correlation coefficients for the 3 observers, indicating intra‐observer variation, were 0.982, 0.937, and 0.974. The intra‐class correlation coefficient of the means of the results from each observer, indicating inter‐observer variation, was 0.976. Consistent linear variations in measured FVA occurred as a result of rotational malpositioning in all 6 tested femora, and as a result of sagittal plane malpositioning in femora with FVAs ≥ 7.9°.ConclusionsThe reported protocol for the measurement of FVA in dogs is repeatable and reproducible. Small variations in femoral orientation, as might be expected with conventional radiography, lead to clinically significant alterations in measured FVA.