bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Habitat’ Suitability Index Mapping for Industrial Symbiosis Planning
Authors: Jensen Paul D. , Basson Lauren , Hellawell Emma E. , Leach Matthew 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBy ‘working with the willing’, the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) has successfully facilitated industrial symbiosis throughout the United Kingdom and, in the process, delivered significant economic and environmental benefits for both Programme members and the country as a whole. One of the keys to NISP's success is that, unlike failed attempts to plan and construct eco‐industrial systems from scratch, the Programme works largely with existing companies who have already settled in, developed, and successfully operate within a given locale. This article argues that existing and mature industrial systems provide the best prospects for identifying opportunities for, and ultimately facilitating, industrial symbiosis. Due to levels of diversification and operational fundamental niches that, in the fullness of time, develop within all industrial systems, industrially mature areas are deemed to be industrial symbiosis ‘conducive environments’. Building on the conservation biology concept of a habitat suitability index, the article presents a methodology for comparing a potential site for eco‐industrial development to a known baseline industrial ‘habitat’ already identified as being highly conducive to industrial symbiosis. The suitability index methodology is further developed and applied to a multi‐criteria evaluation geographic information system to produce a ‘habitat’ suitability map that allows practitioners to quickly identify potential industrial symbiosis hotspots (the methodology is illustrated for England). The article concludes by providing options for the development of symbiosis suitability indices and how they can be used to support the facilitation of industrial symbiosis and regional resource efficiency.
Capacity Investment Under Responsive Pricing: Implications of Market Entry Choice*
Authors: Wang Yimin 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTWe consider a manufacturer’s new market entry problem when it already has some established facility in its existing market. We consider two common market entry strategies: the export strategy and the foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy. In the export strategy the firm increases the capacity at its existing facility and subsequently allocates the output to the existing and the new market dynamically, depending on realized market conditions. The export strategy is a flexible strategy. In the FDI strategy, the firm invests in a dedicated capacity to serve the new market only. The FDI strategy is a (partially) dedicated strategy. We study these two strategies from a planning perspective, that is, how the firm’s strategy choice influences the optimal capacity levels. We find that the firm’s strategy choice can significantly impact the optimal capacity investment levels. We prove, for example, that the firm may enter the new market in the export strategy but not in the FDI strategy, even if the capacity investment cost is identical in the existing and the new market. In addition, we prove that the firm may invest a strictly higher capacity level in the export strategy than that in the FDI strategy. We also prove that new market entry in the FDI strategy may strictly decrease the firm’s supply to its existing market but this is not so in the export strategy, and hence policy makers should carefully consider the implications of trade regulations on firms’ market entry choices.
Net Neutrality, Broadband Market Coverage, and Innovation at the Edge*
Authors: Guo Hong , Cheng Hsing Kenneth , Bandyopadhyay Subhajyoti 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTNet neutrality (NN) is a widely debated policy issue that has the potential to alter the dynamics of accessing online content. The focal point of the debate lies in whether broadband service providers (BSPs) should be allowed to charge content providers for the preferential delivery of their digital content. This decision will affect broadband market coverage for end consumers as well as the issues of long‐term competition and innovation in the market of digital content. Our research aims to analyze and address these issues. We propose a game theoretical model with three players—the BSP, the content providers, and the consumers—where the BSP, in its capacity as a gatekeeper between the content providers and the consumers, is modeled as a two‐sided market platform. We find that while abandoning the principle of NN might sometimes result in increased consumer surplus and broadband market coverage, it can also hinder the ability of startups to compete against established rivals and thus reduce innovation at the edge. The results should be of great interest to policymakers as they debate on this very crucial issue.
Competitive Capabilities among Manufacturing Plants in Developing, Emerging, and Industrialized Countries: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Schoenherr Tobias , Power Damien , Narasimhan Ram , Samson Danny 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTCompetitive capabilities have been defined as a plant's actual performance relative to its competitors, with the most commonly investigated capabilities being quality, delivery, flexibility, and cost. However, most research in this realm has investigated capabilities within developed countries, and neglected the context of developing and emerging nations, which are increasingly becoming viable economic entities in global supply chains in their own right. The present study fills this gap and carries out a comparative analysis of competitive capabilities among plants in developing, emerging, and industrialized countries. Basing our arguments on the resource‐based view of the firm, we suggest that the influence of competitive capabilities on each other varies among plants in differentially industrialized regions. Specifically, we suggest that, on average, competitive capabilities tend to influence each other to a greater degree in plants in emerging and developing countries compared to industrialized countries. Along similar lines, we suggest that the influence of the four competitive capabilities on performance improvement is manifested more strongly among plants in emerging and developing countries than among plants in industrialized nations. We investigate these contentions with data from 1,211 plants in 21 countries. The results are particularly important for decision makers as they decide on the increasingly global location of their manufacturing operations or the configuration of their global supply chains.
Characterization of the Thoracodorsal Artery: Morphology and Reactivity
Authors: BILLAUD MARIE , LOHMAN ALEXANDER W , STRAUB ADAM C , PARPAITE THIBAUD , JOHNSTONE SCOTT R , ISAKSON BRANT E 
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as: Billaud M, Lohman AW, Straub AC, Parpaite T, Johnstone SR, Isakson BE. Characterization of the thoracodorsal artery: morphology and reactivity. Microcirculation 19: 360–372, 2012.AbstractObjectives:  In this paper, we describe the histological and contractile properties of the thoracodorsal artery (TDA), which indirectly feeds the spinotrapezius muscle.Methods:  We used immunolabelling techniques to histologically characterize the TDA while the contractile properties were assessed using pressure arteriography.Results:  Our results demonstrate that the TDA is composed of approximately one to two layers of smooth muscle cells, is highly innervated with adrenergic nerves, and develops spontaneous tone at intraluminal pressures above 80 mmHg. The reactivity of the TDA in response to various contractile agonists such as phenylephrine, noradrenaline, angiotensin II, serotonin, endothelin 1, and ATP, as well as vasodilators, shows that the TDA exhibits a remarkably comparable reactivity to what has been observed in mesenteric arteries. We further studied the different components of the TDA response to acetylcholine, and found that the TDA was sensitive to TRAM 34, a blocker of the intermediate conductance potassium channel, which is highly suggestive of an endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization.Conclusions:  We conclude that the TDA exhibits comparable characteristics to other current vascular models, with the additional advantage of being easily manipulated for molecular and ex vivo vasoreactivity studies.
Spontaneously formed nanostructures on titanium surfaces
Authors: Wennerberg Ann , Svanborg Lory Melin , Berner Simon , Andersson Martin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe aim was to investigate the evolution of nanostructures on the SLActive surface, as a function of time, storage conditions, material dependence and to identify the step in which the reorganization of the outermost titanium oxide layer into well defined nanostructures takes place.Material and methodsTitanium grade 2 discs were surface modified in seven different modes; (1) SLA (sand blasted, large grit, acid etched) protocol. (2) SLActive protocol (SLA stored in 0.9% NaCl solution), (3) SLActive, but stored in water instead of 0.9% NaCl solution, (4) pmod SLA: SLA discs subjected to oxygen plasma cleaning and stored in 0.9% NaCl solution, (5) SLAnano: SLActive discs aged for several months and then dried, (6) Mod A: same etching procedure and storage as for SLActive, but no sand blasting prior to etching, (7) pmod P: the discs were polished, oxygen plasma cleaned and stored in 0.9% NaCl solution. In addition TiZr alloy discs were prepared like the Ti SLActive samples. The surfaces were evaluated with SEM, interferometry, contact angle measurements and XPS.ResultsThe samples stored dry were hydrophobic whereas the discs stored in liquid were hydrophilic. The evolution of nanostructures took 2 weeks, thereafter they were stable over time. The nanostructures occured after storage both in water and NaCl solution. Nanostructures were formed on Ti and TiZr although the morphology and distribution was quite different between the two materials.ConclusionsAcid etching in conjunction with storage in aqueous solution is responsible for the reorganization of the outermost titanium oxide layer into well defined nanostructures.
Hematological: Low all‐cause mortality and low occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in hematological patients with bacteremia receiving no antibacterial prophylaxis: a single‐center study
Authors: Kjellander Christian , Björkholm Magnus , Cherif Honar , Kalin Mats , Giske Christian G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Bacteremia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies.Objectives:  The aim of this study was to define temporal trends in species distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility, and all‐cause mortality in bacteremic hospitalized patients receiving no antibacterial prophylaxis during chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia.Methods:  A total of 677 clinical episodes of bacteremia were identified in 463 patients during 2002–2008, and the results were compared with those published from the same institution during 1980–86 and 1988–2001. No major changes in patient selection were introduced during this period.Results:  Between 2002 and 2008, the dominating pathogens were Escherichia coli (18%), coagulase‐negative staphylococci (15%), viridans streptococci (14%), Klebsiella spp. (10%), and Enterococcus faecium (8%). The 7‐d crude mortality rate was 5.2%. Polymicrobial bacteremia was seen in 25.7% of the patients who died within 7 d and in 13.1% of the survivors (P = 0.04). Acquired resistance was rarely observed, but a statistically significant increase in ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli was observed. Comparing 2002–2008 with historical data from the same institution, the proportion of Gram‐positive isolates remained stable at 53–55% from 1988.Conclusions:  The avoidance of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis may have contributed to a stable proportion of Gram‐positive bacteremia. The crude mortality was low in an international perspective. Acquired resistance was uncommon, but ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli increased significantly. We believe that an indiscriminate use of antibacterial prophylaxis could be avoided in neutropenic patients without a negative impact on mortality.
Vegetation discontinuities and altitudinal indicator species in mountains ofWestGreenland: finding the best positions and traits to observe the impact of climate warming in theArctic
Authors: Jedrzejek Birgit , Drees Birgit , Daniëls Fred J. A. , Hölzel Norbert 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAimsTo delineate boundaries of vegetation belts, characterize these belts by indicator species, plant functional types and plant distribution types, and explore options for climate change monitoring.LocationThree research sites in the continental inland of West Greenland.MethodsBased on spatially constrained clustering of 147 vegetation relevés and 145 transect plots of plant communities, boundaries of altitudinal vegetation belts were assessed. Indicators for altitudinal sections were identified from 664 vegetation relevés among vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and plant functional types usingindicator species analysis. The performance of different plant groups along the altitudinal gradient was visualized with response curves.ResultsBoundaries of altitudinal vegetation belts were detected at 400, 800 and 1175 m a.s.l. on north‐facing slopes and at 450, 900 and 1250 m a.s.l. on south‐facing slopes. The resulting four vegetation belts were well defined by 99 indicator species and nine indicator plant functional types. Species, plant functional types and vascular plant distribution types showed clear sequences along the altitudinal gradient, which partly resemble their distribution along the latitudinal gradient.ConclusionsAs an easily observable expansion of shrubs and a decline of mosses and lichens is expected, the boundary at 400/450 m a.s.l. is particularly promising for climate change monitoring. The anticipated replacement of numerous cryophilous by thermophilous indicator species, as well as an obvious shift of plant functional types suggest several monitoring options at 800/900 m a.s.l. The summit areas above 1175/1250 m a.s.l., having a discontinuous plant cover, are considered to be especially vulnerable to fast invasion by species of lower altitudes such as woody plants and sedges. Due to steep gradients and short migration distances in mountains, it can be assumed that these anticipated changes in the study area will be stronger and faster than the already observed changes along the latitudinal gradient in lowland areas of the Arctic.
Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Ontario: Are Dedicated Units Better?
Authors: Foley Norine , Meyer Matthew , Salter Katherine , Bayley Mark , Hall Ruth , Liu Ying , Willems Deborah , McClure J. Andrew , Teasell Robert 
Published: February 2012

Background The superiority of dedicated stroke rehabilitation over generalized rehabilitation services has been suggested by the literature; however, these models of service delivery have not been evaluated in terms of their relative effectiveness in situ. Aims A comparison of the process indicators associated with these two models of service provision was undertaken within the Ontario healthcare system. Methods All adults admitted with a diagnosis of stroke for inpatient rehabilitation in Ontario, Canada during the years 2006–2008 were identified from the National Rehabilitation Reporting System database. Each of the admitting institutions was classified as providing rehabilitation services on either a stroke dedicated or nondedicated unit. A dedicated unit was identified by the presence of a collection of geographically distinct, stroke-dedicated beds and dedicated therapists. Selected process indicators from the National Rehabilitation Reporting System database were compared between the two facility types. Results Sixty-seven facilities provided stroke rehabilitation services to 6709 adult stroke patients during the years 2006–2008. Of the total number of patients who entered inpatient rehabilitation, 1725 (25.7%) received care in eight facilities that met basic criteria for a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit. On average, these patients took significantly longer to arrive for inpatient rehabilitation (37.2 ± 155.5 vs. 22.8 ± 95.0 days, P < 0.001), were admitted with higher Functional Independence Measure scores (77.5 ± 22.5 vs. 74.8 ± 24.5, P < 0.001), had significantly longer lengths of stay (42.1 ± 25.9 vs. 35.4 ± 27.2 days, P < 0.001), and demonstrated significantly lower Functional Independence Measure efficiency scores (0.62 ± 0.47 vs. 0.88 ± 1.03, P > 0.001) compared with patients who were admitted to nondedicated units. The proportion of patients admitted to a dedicated unit and subsequently discharged home was similar to that of patients discharged from nondedicated units (70.5% vs. 68.8%, P = 0.206). Conclusions In Ontario, patients admitted to dedicated stroke rehabilitation units fared no better on commonly-used process metrics compared with patients admitted to nondedicated rehabilitation units.
Intracranial Vessel Localization with Power Motion Doppler (PMD-TCD) Compared with CT Angiography in Patients with Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Barlinn Kristian , Zivanovic Zeljko , Zhao Limin , Kesani Maruthi , Balucani Clotilde , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Alexandrov Andrei V. 
Published: February 2012

Introduction With a view to develop an operator-independent monitoring system for sonothrombolysis, we aimed to evaluate the per cent agreement of power motion transcranial Doppler vessel tracks compared with computed tomography angiography in identification of the anterior and posterior circulation vessels in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Methods Consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients who underwent emergent brain computed tomography angiography and bedside power motion transcranial Doppler were studied. Depth ranges for detecting anterior and posterior circulation vessels were derived from power motion transcranial Doppler flow tracks and computed tomography angiography images of the circle of Willis. We calculated percent agreement of power motion transcranial Doppler with computed tomography angiography for the anterior and posterior circulation vessel localization using computed tomography angiography as reference. Results Samples were obtained from 34 acute ischaemic stroke patients (mean age 61 ± 16 years, 62% men, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 5, interquartile range 2–8). A total of 229 Power motion Doppler computed tomography angiography vessel pairs were analysed. Power motion transcranial Doppler tracks for M1 and proximal M2 middle cerebral artery (MCA) were located at 24–68 mm (M1 MCA: 36–68 mm; M2 MCA: 24–53 mm); anterior cerebral artery (ACA): 50–78 mm; P1 posterior cerebral artery (PCA): 50–74 mm; left vertebral artery: 30–74 mm; right vertebral artery: 30–78 mm; basilar artery: 76–106 mm. The per cent agreement of power motion Doppler-transcranial Doppler for identifying proximal intracranial arteries compared to computed tomography angiography was: M1 and M2 MCA: 100% (95% confidence interval: 96–100%); M1 MCA: 98% (95% confidence interval: 86–100%); M2 MCA: 94% (95% confidence interval: 79–99%); A1 ACA: 82% (95% confidence interval: 68–91%); P1 PCA: 70% (95% confidence interval: 53–83%); left vertebral artery: 96% (95% confidence interval: 80–100%); right vertebral artery: 96% (95% confidence interval: 79–100%); basilar artery: 100% (95% confidence interval: 89–100%). Conclusions Power motion transcranial Doppler intercepts proximal vessels with good-to-excellent agreement with computed tomography angiography. Depth ranges (as opposed to average depths) can be used to target intracranial arterial segments for sonothrombolysis.
Exceptionally high mortality rate of the 1918 influenza pandemic in the Brazilian naval fleet
Authors: Schuck‐Paim Cynthia , Shanks G. Dennis , Almeida Francisco E. A. , Alonso Wladimir J. 
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as: Schuck‐Paim et al. (2012) Exceptionally high mortality rate of the 1918 influenza pandemic in the Brazilian naval fleet. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/j.1750‐2659.2012.00341.x.Background  The naval experience with the 1918 pandemic during World War I remains underexplored despite its key role on the pandemic’s global diffusion and the epidemiological interest of isolated and relatively homogeneous populations. The pandemic outbreak in the Brazilian naval fleet is of particular interest both because of its severity and the fact that it was the only Latin American military force deployed to war.Objectives  To study the mortality patterns of the pandemic in the Brazilian fleet sent to patrol the West African coast in 1918.Method  We investigated mortality across vessels, ranks, and occupations based on official population and mortality records from the Brazilian Navy Archives.Results  The outbreak that swept this fleet included the highest influenza mortality rate on any naval ship reported to date. Nearly 10% of the crews died, with death rates reaching 13–14% on two destroyers. While overall mortality was lower for officers, stokers and engineer officers were significantly more likely to die from the pandemic, possibly due to the pulmonary damage from constant exposure to the smoke and coal dust from the boilers.Conclusions  The fatality patterns observed provide valuable data on the conditions that can exacerbate the impact of a pandemic. While the putative lack of exposure to a first pandemic wave may have played a role in the excessive mortality observed in this fleet, our results indicate that strenuous labor conditions, dehydration, and exposure to coal dust were major risk factors. The unequal death rates among vessels remain an open question.
Molecular study and genotype/phenotype correlation of β thalassemia in Malaysia
Authors: SIVALINGAM M. , LOOI M. L. , ZAKARIA S. Z. S. , HAMIDAH N. H. , ALIAS H. , LATIFF Z. A. , IBRAHIM H. , JAMAL R. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryIntroduction:  To study the ß‐gene mutations spectrum, the genotype/phenotype correlation, the modulatory effect of co‐inherited factors such as α‐gene mutations and of Xmn1 polymorphism in a large cohort of Malaysian patients.Methods:  A total of 264 cases clinically diagnosed as Thalassemia major (TM) (111), Thalassemia intermedia (21), HbE‐β Thalassemia (131), and 1 HbE homozygous were studied. The detection of α and ß gene mutations and characterization of Xmn1 polymorphism were performed by multiplex PCR, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), DNA sequencing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)‐PCR.Results:  A total of 19 ß Thalassemia mutations were characterized. CD26 and CD41/42 were the most common found in the Malay and Chinese population, respectively. The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis for β TM, thalassemia intermedia, and HbE/β thalassemia was 94.0%, 15.2%, and 89.2%, respectively. Patients with Xmn1 heterozygosity [+/−] required less frequent transfusion compared with those without the polymorphism. Co‐inheritance of α‐thalassemia alleviates the severity of HbE‐β thalassemia in our cohort.Conclusion:  Molecular analysis should be used for a better diagnosis and management of β thalassemia.