bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A commentary on home‐region internationalization in financial groups from emerging economies
Authors: François Outreville J. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine where large financial firms are expanding their operations, including financial firms from emerging economies. This paper has two objectives. The first is the documentation of the relative importance of the largest financial groups in emerging countries. The second objective is to describe the regional nature of financial firms.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of the internationalization process of these groups is based on a list of top 50 financial groups ranked by total assets in 2010.FindingsThe paper shows that the majority of the largest financial institutions from emerging countries are expanding their business in the home region where they are headquartered. This result provides support to the debate on the home‐region preference.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides an example on preferences for the home‐region orientation but does not provide an analysis of the determinants of FDI in the financial sector.Originality/valueThe paper examines where large financial firms are expanding their operations, including financial firms from emerging economies.
Stability analysis of Jintan underground rock salt gas storage cavern
Authors: Liu Jian , Song Juan , Zhang Qiangyong , Zhang Wenqian 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze stability of Jintan underground rock salt gas storage caverns during operation period. Some factors such as complex geological and operation conditions and high variability of physico‐mechanical parameters which will influence the safety of underground storage caverns are also considered.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, taking account of stability and sealability, numerical models of single cavern and two caverns for Jintan rock salt are established and calculated based on Mohr‐Coulomb criterion and damage‐dilatancy criterion. Response surface method combining with Monte Carlo method are adopted to calculate the failure probabilities of elements near the caverns. Various working conditions including different operation pressures and distances between caverns are also considered.FindingsShear failure is the main failure mode of Jintan underground rock salt gas storage caverns. The major failure area is located in the middle of the cavern. Reliability of the middle part of the cavern improves as storage pressure increases.Research limitations/implicationsAccording to the simulation results on stability and sealability of caverns, the smallest internal operation pressure should be controlled strictly during the gas release process. Plastic area and failure probabilities of elements near the caverns increase obviously as the distance between caverns decreases. Damaged and dilatancy areas have the same trend. Twice the diameter of the cavern is recommended as the minimum distance between caverns.Originality/valueThe conclusions can be used as a guide during operation and design period of underground caverns.
Adding value to scholarly journals through a citation indexing system
Authors: Zainab A.N. , Abrizah A. , Raj R.G. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to relate the problems identified about scholarly journal publishing in Malaysia to establish motivation for the system development; to describe the design of MyCite, a Malaysian citation indexing system and to highlight the added value to journals and articles indexed through the generation of bibliometrics performance reports.Design/methodology/approachThe system uses a rapid prototyping method, modeling the functions identified in the Web of Science databases and Scopus, as the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia requires the system to be ready within a year, mainly to help improve the quality, accessibility and performance of Malaysian scholarly journals.FindingsThe paper shows the relational tables and module functions in MyCite; highlights the value added to bibliographic data through performance reports of authors, journals, institutions, country and bibliographical control of Malaysian journals; and provides performance tables of top authors, rank list of 75 journals by yearly impact factor, and other bibliometric indices.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper highlight the problems in gaining access to full contents of journals, authors' adoption of variant names, and the vast variations in referencing style adopted by publishers, which may result in inaccurate counting and lost citations.Originality/valueThe strength of MyCite is in its reference editor module, which is a programme that segments article references into manageable chunks that helps speed up the data preparation for citation counting. MyCite improves the availability and visibility of Malaysian journals, enriches national research content, and provides better knowledge of national research outputs funded by universities and research institutions.
Hepatitis E virus infection in two different regions of Indonesia with identification of swine HEV genotype 3
Authors: Widasari Dewiyani I. , Yano Yoshihiko , Utsumi Takako , Heriyanto Didik S. , Anggorowati Nungki , Rinonce Hanggoro T. , Utoro Totok , Lusida Maria I. , Soetjipto   , Asmara Widya , Hotta Hak , Hayashi Yoshitake 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTHepatitis E is an emerging disease with a high incidence globally. Few data are available on hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Indonesia. To obtain molecular information on HEV infection in two regions of Indonesia with different customs and swine breeding conditions, serum samples from 137 swine farm workers, 100 blood donors and 100 swine (27 fecal samples also obtained) in Yogyakarta (Central Java) and from 12 and 64 swine farm workers, 42 and 135 local residents and 89 and 119 swine in Tulungagung (East Java) and Mengwi (Bali), respectively, from our previous study, were compared. Serological tests for anti‐HEV antibodies by ELISA, HEV‐RNA detection by RT‐PCR and phylogenetic analysis were performed. The total prevalence of anti‐HEV antibodies in humans was higher in Bali (11.6%) than in Java (5.1%; P = 0.015). No significant differences in anti‐HEV prevalence among swine farm workers and local residents in Java were found. The finding of swine HEV genotype 3 in specimens from Yogyakarta and genotype 4 from Tulungagung and Bali is somewhat different from other reports. We suggest other factors in addition to close contact with swine might play an important role in HEV transmission of non‐endemic/related custom groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on swine HEV genotype 3 in Indonesia.
Modulation of O‐antigen chain length by the wzz gene in Escherichia coli O157 influences its sensitivities to serum complement
Authors: Osawa Kayo , Shigemura Katsumi , Iguchi Atsushi , Shirai Hiroki , Imayama Toru , Seto Kazuko , Raharjo Dadik , Fujisawa Masato , Osawa Ro , Shirakawa Toshiro 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTEscherichia coli O157 strains belonging to a distinct lineage and expressing different O‐antigen (Oag) lengths were isolated. Although the function of wzz in E. coli has not been adequately investigated, this gene is known to be associated with regulation of Oag length. Using E. coli O157:H7 ATCC43888 (wild‐type), several wzz mutants of E. coli O157, including a wzz deletion mutant, were generated and the relationship between the length of Oag modulated by the wzz gene and sensitivities to serum complement investigated. SDS–PAGE, immunoblot analyses and sensitivity tests to human serum complement were performed on these strains. The lengths of the O157‐antigen could be modulated by the wzz gene mutations and were classified into long, intermediate and short groups. The short chain mutant was more serum sensitive than the wild‐type strain and the other wzz mutants (P < 0.001). In conclusion, Oag chain length modulated by the wzz gene in E. coli O157 influences its sensitivities to serum complement. The present findings suggest that E. coli O157 strains with intermediate or long length Oag chains might show greater resistance to serum complement than those with short chains.
Regulation of thermal acclimation varies between generations of the short‐lived mosquitofish that developed in different environmental conditions
Authors: Seebacher Frank , Beaman Julian , Little Alexander G. 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Environmental variability and perturbations can influence population persistence. It is therefore important to understand whether and how animals can compensate for environmental variability and thereby increase resilience of natural populations. Evolutionary theory predicts that in fluctuating environments, selection should favour developmental modifiers that reduce phenotypic expression of genetic variation. The expected result is that phenotypes are buffered from environmental variation across generations.

Our aim was to determine whether phenotypes of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) remain stable across generations in which individuals were born into different thermal environments. We predicted that the spring generation (cool environment) would acclimate by increasing the concentration of regulatory transcription factor mRNA and activities of rate‐limiting enzymes (hierarchical regulation) to compensate for the negative thermodynamic effects of lower temperatures on metabolic and locomotor performance. In contrast, the summer‐born generation (warm environment) would show less capacity for acclimation and hierarchical regulation.

We show that fish from both generations acclimated, but that there were significant differences in the phenotypic consequences of acclimation. The overall result was that burst performance, metabolic scope, and the activities of cytochrome c oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase were buffered from environmental change and did not differ between spring and summer fish at their natural water temperatures of 15 °C and 25 °C, respectively. However, there were differences between generations in sustained swimming performance and citrate synthase activity.

We used metabolic control analysis to show that modes of regulation of metabolic scope and locomotor performance differed between generations. Spring‐born fish relied to a greater extent on rate‐limiting enzymes and transcriptional regulator (PGC‐1α and β) mRNA concentrations than summer‐born fish.

We suggest that developmental modifiers are favoured in fluctuating environments to maximize phenotypic fitness of each generation. We show that the interaction between developmental and reversible acclimation can increase the resilience of physiological performance in a natural population to climate variation.
Estimating resource acquisition and at‐sea body condition of a marine predator
Authors: Schick Robert S. , New Leslie F. , Thomas Len , Costa Daniel P. , Hindell Mark A. , McMahon Clive R. , Robinson Patrick W. , Simmons Samantha E. , Thums Michele , Harwood John , Clark James S. 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Body condition plays a fundamental role in many ecological and evolutionary processes at a variety of scales and across a broad range of animal taxa. An understanding of how body condition changes at fine spatial and temporal scales as a result of interaction with the environment provides necessary information about how animals acquire resources.

However, comparatively little is known about intra‐ and interindividual variation of condition in marine systems. Where condition has been studied, changes typically are recorded at relatively coarse time‐scales. By quantifying how fine‐scale interaction with the environment influences condition, we can broaden our understanding of how animals acquire resources and allocate them to body stores.

Here we used a hierarchical Bayesian state‐space model to estimate the body condition as measured by the size of an animal's lipid store in two closely related species of marine predator that occupy different hemispheres: northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) and southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). The observation model linked drift dives to lipid stores. The process model quantified daily changes in lipid stores as a function of the physiological condition of the seal (lipid:lean tissue ratio, departure lipid and departure mass), its foraging location, two measures of behaviour and environmental covariates.

We found that physiological condition significantly impacted lipid gain at two time‐scales – daily and at departure from the colony – that foraging location was significantly associated with lipid gain in both species of elephant seals and that long‐term behavioural phase was associated with positive lipid gain in northern and southern elephant seals. In northern elephant seals, the occurrence of short‐term behavioural states assumed to represent foraging were correlated with lipid gain. Lipid gain was a function of covariates in both species. Southern elephant seals performed fewer drift dives than northern elephant seals and gained lipids at a lower rate.

We have demonstrated a new way to obtain time series of body condition estimates for a marine predator at fine spatial and temporal scales. This modelling approach accounts for uncertainty at many levels and has the potential to integrate physiological and movement ecology of top predators. The observation model we used was specific to elephant seals, but the process model can readily be applied to other species, providing an opportunity to understand how animals respond to their environment at a fine spatial scale.
FORUM: Landscape‐scale conservation: collaborative agri‐environment schemes could benefit both biodiversity and ecosystem services, but will farmers be willing to participate?
Authors: McKenzie Ailsa J. , Emery Steven B. , Franks Jeremy R. , Whittingham Mark J. 
Published: July 2013

Summary

The primary aim of many agri‐environment schemes (AES) is to enhance biodiversity; however, the results of AES designed for this purpose have, to date, been largely underwhelming. One reason for this may be because AES tend to be administered at the farm scale.

We argue that collaborative AES (cAES) – single environmental management agreements for multiple farm units – can benefit biodiversity. We then discuss how a shift to this type of scheme may impact upon ecosystem services (ES).

Evidence gathered from studies carried out across European farmland demonstrated that more than a third (18 of 52; 35%) of the bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and bumblebee species important in English farmland operate at scales larger than the typical English farm (146 ha) in the breeding season. While this study relates ranging behaviour specifically to England and the English AES system, the estimates of ranging behaviour presented in this study could also be used (with caution) to compare with farm sizes elsewhere in Europe, making the results of wider geographical relevance.

Data were obtained from face‐to‐face interviews with 32 farmers with differing AES backgrounds [current participants at either low or high level (entry‐level Stewardship or higher‐level Stewardship/countryside Stewardship scheme), or current non‐participants]. Eighty‐one per cent of interviewees were found to be willing, in principle, to participate in a collaborative AES (cAES) programme. However, they viewed less extensive options (e.g. management of existing hedgerows) more favourably than extensive or cooperatively demanding land management options (e.g. large‐scale habitat creation). Data from an online consultation of a further 122 farmers supported the principal finding, with 75% of respondents willing, in theory, to participate in collaborative schemes.

Synthesis and applications. Well‐designed landscape‐scale schemes are likely to be more beneficial than farm‐scale schemes for a small but significant number of key farmland species and ES, such as bats, mammals and some important pollinators, while unlikely to harm species operating at smaller scales. These schemes can be expected to attract widespread participation from landowners. Thus, policymakers may be heartened that collaborative AES are a potential multifaceted solution to environmental management on farmland.
Changes in sex ratios of a dioecious grass with grazing intensity: the interplay between gender traits, neighbour interactions and spatial patterns
Authors: Graff Pamela , Rositano Florencia , Aguiar Martin R. 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Dioecious plants frequently face sex‐related resource allocation trade‐offs. Differential traits of male and female plants can have important consequences that influence their direct and indirect interactions with neighbours and herbivores.

Gender differences in traits have been considered to be inherently linked to sex‐biased ratios along environmental stress gradients. However, the mechanisms behind the variation in sex ratios with increasing biotic stress remain elusive.

We linked the results of process‐based field experiments with fine‐scale spatial patterns of naturally established plants (both sexes) at different grazing intensities. We demonstrated that slow‐growing females were better defended against insects and small mammals but were more susceptible than males to competition from neighbours.

In large‐herbivore exclosures, we found that sex‐biased spatial patterns at the microsite scale can be predicted from gender‐specific traits, with females more segregated from competitors (unpalatable grasses) than males. Traits related to growth/defence trade‐off in females, coupled with their higher competition costs than males, suggest that gender dimorphism in traits can directly influence species interactions and spatial organization.

In the presence of large herbivores, female individuals were preferentially browsed despite their larger investment in antiherbivore compounds. The greater distance of females from unpalatable competitors was the main determinant of female‐biased consumption by domestic herbivores. Females growing close to neighbours successfully eluded browsing but also faced competition. Scaling up to a population level, population sex ratios drift from female‐ to male‐bias with increasing domestic grazing intensity.

Synthesis: The sexual dimorphism in traits of a dioecious bunchgrass results in differential herbivory by natural enemies, differential competitive ability and differential spatial distribution of sexes. Domestic grazers disrupt this balance by shifting species interactions and their spatial organization. Changes in dioecious plant populations towards male‐biased sex ratios with grazing intensity could not be predicted solely by gender‐specific traits.
Event narratives in 11–14 year olds with autistic spectrum disorder
Authors: King Diane , Dockrell Julie E. , Stuart Morag 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundChildren with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to have difficulties in narrative language and especially with use of evaluative enrichment devices. However, little is known about their production of event narratives.AimsTo establish if children with ASD differ from typically developing peers in their production of general and specific event narratives, and, if so, how this might be affected by levels of oral language.Methods & ProceduresPerformance on general and specific event narrative tasks of 27 high‐functioning children with ASD, aged 11–14 years, was compared with that of language‐ and age‐matched groups of typically developing children. Narratives were coded for structural and evaluative language measures.Outcomes & ResultsThe general and specific event narratives of the ASD group differed from those of both comparison groups in structural language measures. They were shorter, contained fewer different word roots and had shorter mean length of utterances. In evaluative measures they differed from those of the typically developing age match group but not the younger language match group in the number of causal statements made in both event conditions, and in mental state references and evaluative devices in the specific event narrative condition.Conclusions & ImplicationsChildren with ASD display specific difficulties with the use of grammar and vocabulary in event narratives which cannot be explained in terms of language levels. However, the use of evaluative devices was commensurate with oral language levels. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Video feedback intervention: a case series in the context of childhood hearing impairment
Authors: James Deborah M. , Wadnerkar‐Kamble Meghana B. , Lam‐Cassettari Christa 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundRecent research shows that parental sensitivity can explain a significant and unique amount of growth in speech and language outcomes in children with cochlear implants. In this intervention study we explored the impact of an intervention designed to support parental sensitivity on children's communication development.AimsThis study tests the effect of a complex intervention in the context of childhood hearing impairment using a case study design of three families. Propositions for each case were made using parental report of the child's development in an attempt to identify change in outcome measurements that were not likely to be due to general development in the child or a halo effect from the intervention.Methods and ResultsMultiple pre‐ and post‐intervention measures were taken. Outcome measures were mother–child contingencies to vocal utterances, emotional availability and an assessment of early communication in the child. Results for each case showed that improvements in some outcome measurements were found after the intervention and were maintained at follow‐up.Conclusions & ImplicationsTaking account of developmental change in intervention studies with children is challenging. Single‐subject intervention studies can be designed to allow research interventions to be tailored to meet families’ specific needs. Video interaction guidance may support pre‐linguistic communicative development in children with hearing impairment.
Aeromonas spp.: ubiquitous or specialized bugs?
Authors: Martino Maria Elena , Fasolato Luca , Montemurro Filomena , Novelli Enrico , Cardazzo Barbara 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe genus Aeromonas comprises ubiquitous bacteria that are known to play several roles in the environment. These bacteria were first described as fish pathogens, but their presence was documented in other reservoirs, such as animals and humans. Today, these bacteria are described as emerging pathogens, but their effective role in human pathogenicity is still controversial. In addition, their taxonomy is heavily debated, as species distinction is often difficult to achieve. To study the interspecies relationships and to investigate their connection with the environment, a multilocus sequence typing scheme previously developed for Aeromonas spp. was applied to 258 strains, and the genetic data were analysed by population software. Sampling was a fundamental step, including several of the main sources of Aeromonas: fish, food products and human cases of disease. The objective was to characterize the isolates and to find potential associations among them according to the following: species, sharing of virulence factors, source and adaptation to a specific habitat. The strains were characterized and demonstrated exceptionally high nucleotide variability in the Aeromonas genus. Among the sampled sources, different species distributions were found, highlighting the occurrence of adaptation processes towards specific habitats.