bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Birds Of Joypurhat District, Bangladesh
Authors: Karmakar Shapna , Parween Selina , Reza AM Saleh
Published: February 2012

With a view to gather information on the diversity, habitat, distribution and residential status of avifauna of Joypurhat District under Rajshahi Division, a systematic field study was conducted for a period of eight months from April to November 2010. The study area was divided into the following five Upazila sites viz. Site A Joypurhat Sadar; Site B Khetlal; Site C Panchbibi; Site D Akkelpur and Site E Kalai. A total of 57 species, belonging to 8 orders, 28 families and 48 genera, were recorded. Of 57 species, 47.37% were non-passerines and 52.63% passerines; 89.43% were resident and 11.57% migratory. The status of the birds ranged from 14.04% for fairly common to 45.61% for rare species. The diversity of the bird species ranged from 25 (47.37%) for site D to 39 (68.42%) for site A. The study revealed that most of the species used more than one habitat and the highest number of species, 52 (91.23%), was observed on the trees, whereas the lowest number of species, 3 (5.26%), was found around the ponds. A number of environmental and man-made factors appeared to be responsible for declining population and species diversity of the birds in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9721 JLES 2011 6: 51-57
Aggression In Adolescent Chakma Tribal Students As A Function Of Gender And Stage Of Development
Authors: Ahmed Rasel
Published: February 2012

Aggression behaviour in 160 adult Chakma tribal students was studied. The subjects were equally divided into boys and girls. Each category was again subdivided into early adolescent and late adolescent. Age of early adolescent group ranged from 11 to 14 years and late adolescent group ranged from 15 to 18 years. Thus, the study used a 2×2 factorial design representing two levels of gender (boy versus girl) and two levels of stage of development (early versus late adolescence). The measure of aggressive behaviour was administered on the sample for data collection. It was found that regardless of stage of development, boys expressed significantly higher rates of aggression than girls. Similarly, regardless of gender, respondents at early adolescent stage expressed significantly higher rates of aggression than the respondents at late adolescent stage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9722 JLES 2011 6: 59-63
Observation On The Induced Spawning Practices In The Hatcheries Of Rajshahi District Of Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan Abdus Salam , Aktar Naima
Published: February 2012

An investigation was conducted during the period from March to December 2009 to investigate the induced spawning practices in 22 hatcheries of 6 Upazilas of Rajshahi District of Bangladesh. It was observed that, 6 native fish species viz. rui (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala), calibaush (Labeo calbasu), bata (Labeo bata), gonia (Labeo gonius) and six exotic fish species such as silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys moltrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Thai pangus (Pangasius sutchi), rajputi (Puntius gonionotus) were used in the surveyed hatcheries for induced spawning purpose. The average length limit was 41.70±13.02 to 72.81±25.98 cm, average age limit was 1.96±0.75 to 3.08±0.90 years and average weight limit was 1.83±0.79 to 7.54±3.92 kg of the brood fish. Two types of hormone injections like PG (pituitary gland) and HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) were used for induced spawning. The rate of 1st doses of injections of PG were from 1 to 4 mg/kg and HCG from 150 to 500 IU/kg and the rate of 2nd doses of injections of PG for native and exotic species were from 4 to 8 mg/kg and 4 to 10 mg/kg respectively. The incubation period and hatching rate in different fish species varied from 10 to 72 hours and 55% to 80%, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9723 JLES 2011 6: 65-68
Land Use Changing Pattern And Challenges For Agricultural Land: A Study On Rajshahi District
Authors: Islam Md Rahedul , Hassan Md Zahidul
Published: February 2012

Due to alterations in physiographic and social-economic conditions, climatic changes, adaptation and population growth, the land use pattern of Bangladesh is changing very rapidly. Bangladesh is a small country but it bears a huge population, resulting in a very high density of population and very high intensity of land and resource use. Per capita land is estimated to be only about 0.0526 ha. Two significantly prominent phenomena driving country’s overall scenario of economic development and environment imbalance include: (a) the high growth rate of population engulfing precious land for settlement and (b) scarcity of land for ever increasing demand of food. As a result, the land use pattern of the country is changing at a great momentum. Every year the country is losing 1% arable land due to the population growth and its infrastructure development. This study was conducted on Rajshahi District where the major focus was to see the land use pattern of the area, trend in the change of land uses, and in particular, challenges for the agricultural land. For analyses remotely sensed data (Landsat MSS-1977, TM-1990 and TM- 2010) and GIS techniques were used and secondary data were collected from SPARRSO, published and unpublished data regarding crop, population and other ambient information from mostly government sources. Results show that the land use pattern of Rajshahi District is changing, especially the agricultural land is decreasing in an alarming rate and now it is become more and more vulnerable. The agricultural land of the study area is losing 0.46% per year and the area under infrastructure use is increasing 5.86% per year. If this rate continues, the agricultural land will be totally eliminated within the next 217 years. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9724 JLES 2011 6: 69-74
Control Of Epilachna Vigintioctopuntata Fab. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Using Some Indigenous Plant Extracts
Authors: Islam Kamrul , Islam M Saiful , Ferdousi Zennat
Published: February 2012

Epilachna vigintioctopunctata is an important pest that causes considerable economic losses to many crops including egg-plants. The crude aqueous extracts of leaves from three indigenous plants namely Ricinus communis, Calotropis procera and Datura metel were used against this beetle aiming at its control under laboratory conditions. Larvicidal bioassays of the extracts showed the following order of toxicity: R. communis (LC50=18.40%) > C. procera (LC50=23.70%) > D. metel (LC50=29.61%). Subsequent data on some vital life-history traits were promising because the extracts significantly reduced both oviposition and egg-hatch, prolonged larval duration (P<0.001), and inhibited pupae formation and adult emergence (P<0.05). However, female ratio was not significantly affected by the treatments. Relevance of these findings on the control of this phytophagous species has been discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9725 JLES 2011 6: 75-80
Formation Of Self-Concept Of Early Adolescent Boys And Girls As A Function Of Academic Achievement And Parental Profession
Authors: Enam Shahuria , Islam Md Shariful , Kayesh Kazi Imrul
Published: February 2012

The study conducted an empirical investigation on self-concept as related to gender, parental profession and academic achievement among early-adolescent boys and girls in various institutions of Rajshahi city. A total of 160 respondents constituted the sample of the study. A 2×2×2 factorial design involving two levels of gender (boy/girl), two levels of parental profession (service/business) and two levels of academic achievement (high achiever/low achiever) were used. The results showed significantly higher self-concept of girls than boys. In case of academic achievement high achievers expressed significantly more positive self-concept than low achievers. In case of parental service, high achiever boys and high achiever girls expressed significantly more positive self-concept followed by their counterpart low achievers. In case of parental business, it was found that high achiever girls expressed significantly more positive self-concept than low achiever girls. However no significant mean difference was obtained between high achiever boys and low achiever boys in case of parental business. Thus, self-concept of young children was found to be determined by gender, parental profession and academic achievement during early adolescent stage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9728 JLES 2011 6: 97-103
Repellent Activity Of Derris Indica Extracts Against Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst) Adults
Authors: Mondal Omar Ali , Islam Hedayetul , Biswas Sukumar , Islam Nurul
Published: February 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9731JLES 2011 6: 113-115
Field Surveys of Non-Residential Solar Water Heating Systems in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Wei-Min , Chang Keh-Chin , Liu Yi-Mei , Chung Kung-Ming
Published: February 2012

To develop indigenous alternative and renewable energy resources, long-term subsidy programs (1986–1991 and 2000–present) for solar water heaters have been enforced in Taiwan. By the end of 2010, the total installed area of solar collectors had exceeded 2 million square meters. However, over 98% of solar water heaters were used in residential systems for hot water production, with the areas of installed solar collector being less than 10 square meters. There were only 98 systems with area of solar collectors installed exceeding 100 square meters put into operation from 2001 to 2010. These systems were mainly installed for water heating in dormitories, swimming pools, restaurants, and manufacturing plants. In the present study, a comprehensive survey of these large-scale solar water heaters was conducted. The objectives of the survey were to assess the system performance and to collect feedback from individual users. It is found that lack of experience in system design and maintenance are the key factors affecting reliable operation of a system. Hourly, daily and long-term field measurements of a dormitory system were also examined to evaluate its thermal efficiencies. Results indicated that thermal efficiency of the system is associated with the daily solar radiation. Hot water use pattern and operation of auxiliary heater should be taken into account in system design.
Characterization of Catalase from Psychrotolerant Psychrobacter piscatorii T-3 Exhibiting High Catalase Activity
Authors: Kimoto Hideyuki , Yoshimune Kazuaki , Matsuyma Hidetoshi , Yumoto Isao
Published: February 2012

A psychrotolerant bacterium, strain T-3 (identified as Psychrobacter piscatorii), that exhibited an extraordinarily high catalase activity was isolated from the drain pool of a plant that uses H2O2 as a bleaching agent. Its cell extract exhibited a catalase activity (19,700 U·mg protein−1) that was higher than that of Micrococcus luteus used for industrial catalase production. Catalase was approximately 10% of the total proteins in the cell extract of the strain. The catalase (PktA) was purified homogeneously by only two purification steps, anion exchange and hydrophobic chromatographies. The purified catalase exhibited higher catalytic efficiency and higher sensitivity of activity at high temperatures than M. luteus catalase. The deduced amino acid sequence showed the highest homology with catalase of Psycrobacter cryohalolentis, a psychrotolelant bacterium obtained from Siberian permafrost. These findings suggest that the characteristics of the PktA molecule reflected the taxonomic relationship of the isolate as well as the environmental conditions (low temperatures and high concentrations of H2O2) under which the bacterium survives. Strain T-3 efficiently produces a catalase (PktA) at a higher rate than Exiguobacterium oxidotolerans, which produces a very strong activity of catalase (EktA) at a moderate rate, in order to adapt to high concentration of H2O2.
Ethyl 3-{2-[(3-Methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]­hydrazinylidene}­butanoate
Authors: Farghaly Thoraya A. , Gomha Sobhi M.
Published: February 2012

The title compound, ethyl 3-{2-[(3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]hydrazinylidene} butanoate (3), was prepared via reaction of 3-methyl-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide (1) and ethyl 3-oxo­butanoate (2) under reflux. The structure of the synthesized compound was assigned on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, mass spectral and X-ray data.
Stimuli Responsive Ionogels for Sensing Applications—An Overview
Authors: Kavanagh Andrew , Byrne Robert , Diamond Dermot , Fraser Kevin J.
Published: February 2012

This overview aims to summarize the existing potential of “Ionogels” as a platform to develop stimuli responsive materials. Ionogels are a class of materials that contain an Ionic Liquid (IL) confined within a polymer matrix. Recently defined as “a solid interconnected network spreading throughout a liquid phase”, the ionogel therefore combines the properties of both its solid and liquid components. ILs are low melting salts that exist as liquids composed entirely of cations and anions at or around 100 °C. Important physical properties of these liquids such as viscosity, density, melting point and conductivity can be altered to suit a purpose by choice of the cation/anion. Here we provide an overview to highlight the literature thus far, detailing the encapsulation of IL and responsive materials within these polymeric structures. Exciting applications in the areas of optical and electrochemical sensing, solid state electrolytes and actuating materials shall be discussed.
Anthocyanins and Their Variation in Red Wines II. Anthocyanin Derived Pigments and Their Color Evolution
Authors: He Fei , Liang Na-Na , Mu Lin , Pan Qiu-Hong , Wang Jun , Reeves Malcolm J. , Duan Chang-Qing
Published: February 2012

Originating in the grapes, anthocyanins and their derivatives are the crucial pigments responsible for the red wine color. During wine maturation and aging, the concentration of monomeric anthocyanins declines constantly, while numerous more complex and stable anthocyanin derived pigments are formed, mainly including pyranoanthocyanins, polymeric anthocyanins produced from condensation between anthocyanin and/or flavan-3-ols directly or mediated by aldehydes. Correspondingly, their structural modifications result in a characteristic variation of color, from purple-red color in young red wines to brick-red hue of the aged. Because of the extreme complexity of chemical compounds involved, many investigations have been made using model solutions of know composition rather than wine. Thus, there is a large amount of research still required to obtain an overall perspective of the anthocyanin composition and its change with time in red wines. Future findings may well greatly revise our current interpretation of the color in red wines. This paper summarizes the most recent advances in the studies of the anthocyanins derived pigments in red wines, as well as their color evolution.
Carotenoids of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Grown on Soil Enriched with Spent Coffee Grounds
Authors: Cruz Rebeca , Baptista Paula , Cunha Sara , Pereira José Alberto , Casal Susana
Published: February 2012

The impact of spent coffee grounds on carotenoid and chlorophyll content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) was evaluated. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with spent coffee amounts ranging from 0% to 20% (v/v). All evaluated pigments increased proportionally to spent coffee amounts. Lutein and β-carotene levels increased up to 90% and 72%, respectively, while chlorophylls increased up to 61%. Biomass was also improved in the presence of 2.5% to 10% spent coffee, decreasing for higher amounts. Nevertheless, all plants were characterized by lower organic nitrogen content than the control ones, inversely to the spent coffee amounts, pointing to possible induced stress. Collected data suggests that plants nutritional features, with regards to these bioactive compounds, can be improved by the presence of low amounts of spent coffee grounds (up to 10%). This observation is particularly important because soil amendment with spent coffee grounds is becoming increasingly common within domestic agriculture. Still, further studies on the detailed influence of spent coffee bioactive compounds are mandatory, particularly regarding caffeine.
Palynological Origin, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Properties of Honeybee-Collected Pollen from Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Freire Kristerson R. L. , Lins Antonio C. S. , Dórea Marcos C. , Santos Francisco A. R. , Camara Celso A. , Silva Tania M. S.
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the palynological origin, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties of twenty-five samples of bee pollen harvested during a nine-month period (February–November) from the Canavieiras municipality (northeastern Brazil). Of the 25 samples analyzed, only two (February 01 and 02) were heterofloral. The predominant pollens in the samples analyzed during that month were: Cecropia, Eucalyptus, Elaeis, Mimosa pudica, Eupatorium, and Scoparia. Ethyl acetate fractions were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The flavonoids isoquercetin, myricetin, tricetin, quercetin, luteolin, selagin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were detected. The flavonoid present in all 22 samples was isolated and identified as isorhamnetin 3-O-b-neohesperidoside. The total phenolic contents determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent ranged from 41.5 to 213.2 mg GAE/g. Antioxidant activities based on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and Fe2+ ion chelating activity assays were observed for all extracts, and correlated with the total phenolic content.
Antiapoptotic and Antiautophagic Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Cardiac Myoblasts Exposed to Palmitic Acid
Authors: Cetrullo Silvia , Tantini Benedetta , Flamigni Flavio , Pazzini Claudia , Facchini Annalisa , Stefanelli Claudio , Caldarera Claudio M. , Pignatti Carla
Published: February 2012

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death that plays a critical role in cell homeostasis. In particular, apoptosis in cardiomyocytes is involved in several cardiovascular diseases including heart failure. Recently autophagy has emerged as an important modulator of programmed cell death pathway. Recent evidence indicates that saturated fatty acids induce cell death through apoptosis and this effect is specific for palmitate. On the other hand, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been implicated in the protection against cardiovascular diseases, cardiac ischemic damage and myocardial dysfunction. In the present study we show that n-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) treatment to culture medium of H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts protects cells against palmitate-induced apoptosis, as well as counteracts palmitate-mediated increase of autophagy. Further investigation is required to establish whether the antiautophagic effect of EPA may be involved in its cytoprotective outcome and to explore the underlying biochemical mechanisms through which palmitate and EPA control the fate of cardiac cells.
E-SAP: Efficient-Strong Authentication Protocol for Healthcare Applications Using Wireless Medical Sensor Networks
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Lee Sang-Gon , Lee Hoon-Jae
Published: February 2012

A wireless medical sensor network (WMSN) can sense humans’ physiological signs without sacrificing patient comfort and transmit patient vital signs to health professionals’ hand-held devices. The patient physiological data are highly sensitive and WMSNs are extremely vulnerable to many attacks. Therefore, it must be ensured that patients’ medical signs are not exposed to unauthorized users. Consequently, strong user authentication is the main concern for the success and large scale deployment of WMSNs. In this regard, this paper presents an efficient, strong authentication protocol, named E-SAP, for healthcare application using WMSNs. The proposed E-SAP includes: (1) a two-factor (i.e., password and smartcard) professional authentication; (2) mutual authentication between the professional and the medical sensor; (3) symmetric encryption/decryption for providing message confidentiality; (4) establishment of a secure session key at the end of authentication; and (5) professionals can change their password. Further, the proposed protocol requires three message exchanges between the professional, medical sensor node and gateway node, and achieves efficiency (i.e., low computation and communication cost). Through the formal analysis, security analysis and performance analysis, we demonstrate that E-SAP is more secure against many practical attacks, and allows a tradeoff between the security and the performance cost for healthcare application using WMSNs.
A Plea for Caution: Huge Risks Associated with Lab-bred Flu
Authors: Müller Viktor
Published: February 2012

I wish to express concern about the maintenance of laboratory strains of H5N1 influenza viruses that might be adapted for transmission among humans.
Mayak Workers Study Cohort
Authors: Azizova T. V. , Fedirko V. , Tsareva Y. , Tretyakov F. , Funch Lassen C. , Friis S. , Schüz J.
Published: February 2012

Background: The cause-of-death register at the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Russia, was established to document the number and causes of deaths in the Mayak workers cohort, which includes all persons (N = 22,377) employed at Mayak nuclear facility between 1948 and 1982. Most workers were occupationally exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation and have been shown to have increased risks of various chronic diseases including cancer.

Objectives: To investigate the quality of cause of death coding in the SUBI register.

Methods: A random sample of 246 deaths (~1% of the total) was coded independently at the SUBI and the Danish Cancer Society using the International Classification of Diseases 9 (ICD-9). Proportions of matching codes were calculated.

Results: Overall, 233 deaths (95%) were identically classified using the ICD-9 main category matching. Excluding mismatches that were considered to be incorrectly coded during validation, the validity of the register increased to 98%. Using the specific ICD-9 first three-digit matching, 182 deaths were identically coded (74%) and the respective validity of the register was 85%. There were also some non-resolvable discrepancies demonstrating limitations of assigning one code for each death or using language-adapted ICD-9 version.

Conclusions: This validation study was an important quality check of a register used for mortality follow-up in a highly influential epidemiological study on radiation-related health effects. The results of the inter-institutional comparison were generally favourable; however, since the comparison revealed individual mismatches and some systematically differing coding practices, it is essential to repeat it on a regular basis in order to maintain a high quality.
Les inversions mentales de l'informatique
Authors: Berry Gérard , Deshayes Christophe
Published: February 2012

Résumé La génération qui vient sera celle des digital natives, qui fonctionnent de façon très différente de nous. Sommes-nous prêts à leur confier ce monde qui n’est déjà plus tout à fait le nôtre et de plus en plus le leur ?
Guérir : un désir, un rêve ; une fonction sociale, entre compétence et charisme ; un don gratuit ou un devoir moral
Authors: Gueullette Jean-Marie
Published: February 2012

Résumé Guérir apparaît dans le discours bien au-delà des signes physiques de guérison qui sont identifiés comme la conséquence d’un processus thérapeutique efficace. Il est bien difficile, de ce fait, de donner une définition précise de ce qu’est la guérison, mais cela n’empêche pas d’analyser comment l’être humain, confronté à la souffrance et à la maladie, est porteur, sous ce vocable, d’un désir de normalité, d’une attente de salut qui vont le conduire à s’en remettre à des membres de sa communauté humaine culturellement identifiés comme porteurs d’un pouvoir de guérir. Les modalités de cette reconnaissance sociale sont le premier registre de régulation du pouvoir de guérir, l’autre étant celui de l’éthique de la pratique thérapeutique elle-même.
L'evidence based medicine (ebm) et la légitimité du pouvoir de guérir
Authors: Boussageon Rémy
Published: February 2012

Résumé L’ Evidence-Based Medicine ( ebm ), ou médecine fondée sur les preuves, est nécessaire d’un point de vue éthique malgré toutes ses limites et toutes les critiques fondées ou non qu’on peut lui adresser. Selon nous, elle est encore loin d’être une réalité car loin de répondre à toutes les questions que se pose un médecin quand il doit prescrire un traitement à son malade. En effet, en pratique, les autres légitimités sont encore largement dominantes et les prescriptions ne sont pas assez fondées sur des preuves de qualité, à tel point que l’on peut se demander si les recommandations et les recherches qui les sous-tendent sont vraiment au service des patients ! Nous verrons que la plupart des critiques faites à l’ ebm ne sont pas fondées ou sont liées à une mauvaise compréhension de ce qu’elle est vraiment. En revanche, dans un second temps, à partir de la définition de ce qu’est une thérapeutique, on montre en quoi ce que l’ ebm considère comme le meilleur niveau de preuve actuel de l’efficacité des traitements, à savoir l’essai clinique randomisé ( ecr ) contre placebo en double-insu, n’est pas suffisant pour légitimer une thérapeutique en médecine soignante.
Croisements du psychique et du spirituel
Authors: Forthomme Bernard
Published: February 2012

Résumé Cette étude examine les rapports du psychique et du spirituel dans un cadre plus large que celui qui prévaut habituellement – la discretio spirituum ou le diagnostic psychologique – car elle aborde la question à partir de son horizon social et institutionnel, mais en faisant appel également à l’élucidation théologique ; en effet, la dimension psychologique paraît difficilement évitable dans la démarche théologique chrétienne où Dieu est nommé pater noster . Après avoir tiré quelques-unes des conséquences de la confusion fréquente entre santé et salut (notamment dans certains rituels de guérison ou dans certains groupes charismatiques), l’analyse se poursuit par un examen critique des différents textes évangéliques qui paraissent révoquer la dimension psychique ou familiale dans l’exercice de la vie religieuse, et favoriser ainsi l’éviction sectaire des proches, sinon la manipulation des personnes sous prétexte des vœux d’obéissance, de chasteté et de pauvreté, sans parler de l’automanipulation de son désir. Nous concluons cette réflexion systématique par un examen anthropologique de la santé comme capacité de plusieurs normes (et pas d’une seule), comme la puissance de devenir malade mais aussi de surmonter, serait-ce provisoirement, l’appétit universel de bonheur, car le Christ lui-même, conçu pourtant comme appetitus maximus légitime, ne refuse pas de surpasser librement, lors de sa Passion, le désir immédiat de bonheur.
Correlating Novice Nurses’ Perceptions of Nursing Orientation and First-Year Support With Direct Preceptor Interventions
Authors: Nelson Joyce L. , Arjes Michelle , Bushman Katie , Carlson Marny , Czaplewski Laurie , Derby Kelly , Godman Krista , Horton Diane , Stansfield Turie , Tan Hing Paul
Published: February 2012

Can preceptors correlate novices’ experiences of the transition into nursing with interventions for support? A medical specialty preceptor committee representing more than 300 nurses at a large academic medical center conducted educational sessions for 46 inpatient nurses who had successfully completed orientation, but were still in the first year of practice. The novice forum used literature themes to guide exploration of the novices’ perceptions. In the two novice forum sessions, the new nurses were invited to reflect on their experiences using a Turning Point Query
©
. The questions posed addressed the themes in the literature concerning the transition into professional practice. After noting and discussing the group responses, each preceptor committee representative held a discussion with two novices about their struggles and successes. The preceptors, after learning about novices’ needs in this way, planned and directed forums for preceptor development of their peers. Concepts and teaching activities addressed the novices’ identified concerns, which targeted greater need for feedback, affirmation, and debriefing, as well as reflective discussions on practice. This group thus correlated novices’ perceptions with preceptor development activities.
Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) soaks and UVB TL01 treatment for chronic hand dermatoses
Authors: Jensen Lisbeth , Stensgaard Anette , Andersen Klaus Ejner
Published: February 2012

Chronic eczematous hand dermatoses with and without contact allergies are complex diseases, which makes it a challenge to select the best treatment and obtain an optimal patient experience and a satisfactory treatment result. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the clinical effect and patient experience of local treatment with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) soaks and TL01 phototherapy for severe chronic hand dermatoses, and also to evaluate the quality of life for the subgroup of patients with allergic contact dermatitis including Compositae allergy. A retrospective evaluation of results for 94 consecutive patients having received a total of 121 treatment courses with local PUVA soaks or TL01 phototherapy for one of the following diagnoses (n=number of treatment courses): psoriasis (n=19), hyperkeratotic hand eczema (n=27), Pustulosis Palmoplantaris (PPP) (n=22), vesicular eczema (n=16), Compositae dermatitis (n=24), and allergic contact dermatitis (n=13). Moreover, semi-structured interviews with 6 selected patients having multiple contact allergies including Compositae allergy were used to evaluate quality of life. As a result, we found that PUVA soaks has good effect in patients with psoriasis and hyperkeratotic hand eczema and local phototherapy for chronic hand dermatoses is a useful treatment option in selected cases.
Plantar pitted keratolysis: a study from non-risk groups
Authors: Kaptanoglu Asli Feride , Yuksel Ozlem , Ozyurt Selcuk
Published: February 2012

Pitted keratolysis is an acquired, superficial bacterial infection of the skin which is characterized by typical malodor and pits in the hyperkeratotic areas of the soles. It is more common in barefooted people in tropical areas, or those who have to wear occlusive shoes, such as soldiers, sailors and athletes. In this study, we evaluated 41 patients who had been diagnosed with plantar pitted keratolysis. The patients were of high socioeconomic status, were office-workers, and most had a university degree. Malodor and plantar hyperhydrosis were the most frequently reported symptoms. The weight-bearing metatarsal parts of the feet were those most affected. Almost half the women in the study gave a history of regular pedicure and foot care in a spa salon. Mean treatment duration was 19 days. All patients were informed about the etiology of the disease, predisposing factors and preventive methods. Recurrences were observed in only 17% of patients during the one year follow-up period. This study emphasizes that even malodorous feet among non-risk city dwellers may be a sign of plantar pitted keratolysis. A study of the real incidence of the disease in a large population-based series is needed.
Treatment of a woman with emetophobia: a trauma focused approach
Authors: Jongh Ad de
Published: February 2012

A disproportionate fear of vomiting, or emetophobia, is a chronic and disabling condition which is characterized by a tendency to avoid a wide array of situations or activities that might increase the risk of vomiting. Unlike many other subtypes of specific phobia, emetophobia is fairly difficult to treat. In fact, there are only a few published cases in the literature. This paper presents a case of a 46-year old woman with emetophobia in which a trauma-focused treatment approach was applied; that is, an approach particularly aimed at processing disturbing memories of a series of events which were considered to be causal in the etiology of her condition. Four therapy sessions of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) produced a lasting decrease in symptomatology. A 3-year follow up showed no indication of relapse.
Long Term Outcome of Acquired Food Allergy in Pediatric Liver Recipients: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Mavroudi Antigoni , Xinias Ioannis , Deligiannidis Aristidis , Parapanissiou Efthimia , Imvrios George
Published: February 2012

Food induced sensitization has been reported in pediatric liver recipients. However long term follow up has not been established so far. We report here our experience regarding 3 pediatric patients who developed acquired food allergy after liver transplantation. The first patient suffered from persistent diarrhea and eczema. The second one presented with abdominal pain with no signs of rejection, abdominal discomfort, vomiting when ingesting milk proteins and responded well to the elimination diet. The third patient presented with facial angioedema and hoarseness of voice. She had multiple food allergies and reacted to milk, egg and sesame. All the patients had elevated total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and elevated specific IgE antibodies to the implicated food allergens. The first patient presented clinical manifestations of allergy when she was 19 months old. The second patient became allergic at the age of 16 and the third patient at the age of 3. The symptoms of food allergy persisted for 8 years in the first case and for 2 years in the other two cases. Low levels of specific IgE antibodies to the implicated food allergens and an enhanced T-helper 1 cell immune response toward interferon-gamma production were markers of tolerance acquisition. The long term prognosis in our cases was excellent. Food allergy resolved in all the patients. The long term prognosis of acquired food allergy after liver transplantation is currently obscure. More studies would be needed including greater number of patients to determine whether acquired food allergy is transient in pediatric liver recipients.
Analitiese konsepte in middel-Foucault
Authors: Beukes Johann
Published: February 2012

Analytic concepts in middle Foucault. This article investigates prominent analytic concepts in the philosophical historiographies of Michel Foucault (1926–1984), with specific regards to the work done in the middle phase of his career. These concepts accentuate the relation between history, power and contingency within the context of social inquiry. The author qualifies a particular order in the isolation of these concepts from the middle part of Foucault’s oeuvre: the notion of present history is introduced as the central concept in Foucault’s analyses from this period. It is argued that the notion of present history sustains Foucault’s other unique historiographical and socio-diagnostic tools from the particular period, namely archaeology, genealogy, discourse and power analysis. The article contributes to Foucaultian scholarship by periodising these concepts within the larger oeuvre, without subordinating Foucault to the parameters of his own ‘method’.
Successor characteristics, change in the degree of firm internationalization, and firm performance: The moderating role of environmental uncertainty
Authors: Lin Wen-Ting , Liu Yunshi
Published: February 2012

Our study examines the relationship among successor characteristics, post-succession firm change in the degree of internationalization, and firm performance. We use the upper echelon, organization change, and contingency perspectives to frame our conceptual arguments. Based on data from 187 succession observations for listed companies in Taiwan between 2000 and 2005, we find that firms will opt for higher levels of change in their degree of internationalization when they experience outside succession and that the negative impact of change in the degree of firm internationalization on subsequent firm performance is relatively low. We extend the industrial environment, explaining the moderating effect of chief executive officer succession on change in the international strategy model. Outsider successors foster a greater degree of change in the level of firm internationalization when the industrial environment is munificent or complex.
Strategic flexibility and change: The impact of social networks
Authors: Fernández-Pérez Virginia , Fuentes-Fuentes María del Mar , Bojica Ana
Published: February 2012

This paper examines how the characteristics of CEOs' social networks, such as the size of the network and the strength of the ties, influence strategic flexibility from a strategic change perspective. External social networks can affect strategic flexibility positively. Previous experience with strategic change will influence external social networks differently, in ways that have repercussions for strategic flexibility. The data were gathered from surveys completed by the CEOs of 203 Spanish firms. The methodology used is regression analysis. We observe that external social networks affect strategic flexibility positively, primarily through the greater size of the networks. We also find that the effects vary if previously the organization is involved in a process of strategic change.
Collaborative planning and its antecedents: An assessment in supply chain relationships
Authors: Guenter Hannes , Grote Gudela
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactive effects of individual work autonomy and interdependence on collaborative planning, building on the distinction of task and outcome interdependence. Using a questionnaire study, we assess collaborative planning and its antecedents in supply chain relationships, incorporating the forestry and timber industry. While no interactive effects hold for task interdependence, outcome interdependence only facilitates collaborative planning for individuals with low work autonomy. Individuals with high autonomy always invest in collaborative planning. This study provides a picture of supply chain reality more complete than that sketched in studies that have assessed interdependence as a one-dimensional construct and alludes to the importance, often overlooked, of work autonomy in supply chain relationships.
Towards an understanding of the relationship between family-oriented benefits and employee behaviors: Does coworker support matter?
Authors: Bourne Kristina A , McComb Sara Ann , Woodard Melissa S
Published: February 2012

Drawing on social exchange theory, we explore the reciprocal relationship between the perception of being offered family-oriented benefits (childcare information services and childcare vouchers) and parent–employees' engagement in organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). We examine the moderating role of both general and family-oriented social support from coworkers, an often cited, but less frequently studied aspect of parent–employees' work experiences. Based on survey data from parent–employees and their supervisors in the United States, we find that the strength of the relationship between the benefits and OCBs varies when coworker support is high versus low and that the direction of the relationship varies according to the type of coworker support. Specifically, when childcare vouchers are offered, OCBs are related to general support, whereas when childcare information is offered, OCBs are related to family-oriented support.
Forms of growth: How SMEs combine forms of growth to achieve high growth
Authors: Navarro Jose Luis Barbero , Casillas Jose Carlos , Barringer Bruce
Published: February 2012

The majority of the literature on high-growth firms focuses on two main aspects: growth factors and rates of growth, but little information exists on how SMEs grow. Past research has implicitly considered high-growth firms as a homogeneous category of businesses, however, in reality, they use different forms of growth: domestic and international geographical expansion, the launch of new related and unrelated products, product improvement, client retention and the acquisition of new clients. This work attempts to identify how high-growth SMEs benefit from different combinations of forms of growth to perform successfully. A sample of 89 high-growth SMEs was selected – with an annual growth rate of more than 10% over a 5-year period – and, by means of a cluster analysis, we found four significantly different combinations of forms of growth. To externally test the robustness of those combinations, a group of demographic variables was considered (size, age, sector), as well as a set of variables related to the growth strategy (personnel involvement, the extent to which growth is a priority, perceived growth with respect to competitors), which support the existence of significant differences between the groups.
Bromine and iodine chemistry in a global chemistry-climate model: description and evaluation of very short-lived oceanic sources
Authors: Ordóñez C. , Lamarque J.-F. , Tilmes S. , Kinnison D. E. , Atlas E. L. , Blake D. R. , Sousa Santos G. , Brasseur G. , Saiz-Lopez A.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The global chemistry-climate model CAM-Chem has been extended to incorporate an expanded bromine and iodine chemistry scheme that includes natural oceanic sources of very short-lived (VSL) halocarbons, gas-phase photochemistry and heterogeneous reactions on aerosols. Ocean emissions of five VSL bromocarbons (CHBr3, CH2Br2, CH2BrCl, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl) and three VSL iodocarbons (CH2ICl, CH2IBr, CH2I2) have been parameterised by a biogenic chlorophyll-a (chl-a) dependent source in the tropical oceans (20° N–20° S). Constant oceanic fluxes with 2.5 coast-to-ocean emission ratios are separately imposed on four different latitudinal bands in the extratropics (20°–50° and above 50° in both hemispheres). Top-down emission estimates of bromocarbons have been derived using available measurements in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, while iodocarbons have been constrained with observations in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Emissions of CH3I are based on a previous inventory and the longer lived CH3Br is set to a surface mixing ratio boundary condition. The global oceanic emissions estimated for the most abundant VSL bromocarbons – 533 Gg yr−1 for CHBr3 and 67.3 Gg yr−1 for CH2Br2 – are within the range of previous estimates. Overall the latitudinal and vertical distributions of modelled bromocarbons are in good agreement with observations. Nevertheless, we identify some issues such as the reduced number of aircraft observations to validate models in the Southern Hemisphere, the overestimation of CH2Br2 in the upper troposphere – lower stratosphere and the underestimation of CH3I in the same region. Despite the difficulties involved in the global modelling of the shortest lived iodocarbons (CH2ICl, CH2IBr, CH2I2), modelled results are in good agreement with published observations in the MBL. Finally, sensitivity simulations show that knowledge of the diurnal emission cycle for these species, in particular for CH2I2, is key to assess their global source strength.
Modeling the climate impact of road transport, maritime shipping and aviation over the period 1860–2100 with an AOGCM
Authors: Olivié D. J. L. , Cariolle D. , Teyssèdre H. , Salas D. , Voldoire A. , Clark H. , Saint-Martin D. , Michou M. , Karcher F. , Balkanski Y. , Gauss M. , Dessens O. , Koffi B. , Sausen R.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. For the period 1860–2100 (SRES scenario A1B for 2000–2100), the impact of road transport, maritime shipping and aviation on climate is studied using an Atmosphere Ocean General Circulation Model (AOGCM). In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from these transport sectors, most of their non-CO2 emissions are also taken into account, i.e. the forcing from ozone, methane, black carbon, organic carbon, sulfate, CFC-12 and HFC-134a from air conditioning systems in cars, and contrails. For the year 2000, the CO2 emissions from all sectors together induce a global annual-mean surface air temperature increase of around 0.1 K. In 2100, the CO2 emissions from road transport induce a global mean warming of 0.3 K, while shipping and aviation each contribute 0.1 K. For road transport, the non-CO2 impact is largest between 2000 and 2050 (of the order of 0.1 K) becoming smaller at the end of the 21st century. The non-CO2 impact from shipping is negative, reaching −0.1 K between 2050 and 2100, while for aviation it is positive and its estimate varies between 0 and 0.15 K in 2100. The largest changes in sea-level from thermal expansion in 2000 are 1.6 mm for the CO2 emissions from road transport, and around −3 mm from the non-CO2 effects of shipping. In 2100, sea-level rises by 18 mm due to the CO2 emissions from road transport and by 4.6 mm due to shipping or aviation CO2 emissions. Non-CO2 changes are of the order of 1 mm for road transport, −6.6 mm for shipping, and the estimate for aviation varies between −1.2 and 4.3 mm. When focusing on the geographical distribution, the non-CO2 impact from road transport and shipping on the surface air temperature is only slightly stronger in northern than in southern mid-latitudes, while the impact from aviation can be a factor of 5 stronger in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Further it is observed that most of the impacts are more pronounced at high latitudes, and that the non-CO2 emissions from aviation strongly impact the NAO index. The impacts on the oceanic meridional overturning circulation and the Niño3.4 index are also quantified.
An observation-based approach to identify local natural dust events from routine aerosol ground monitoring
Authors: Tong D. Q. , Dan M. , Wang T. , Lee P.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Dust is a major component of atmospheric aerosols in many parts of the world. Although there exist many routine aerosol monitoring networks, it is often difficult to obtain dust records from these networks, because these monitors are either deployed far away from dust active regions (most likely collocated with dense population) or contaminated by anthropogenic sources and other natural sources, such as wildfires and vegetation detritus. Here we propose a new approach to identify local dust events relying solely on aerosol mass and composition from general-purpose aerosol measurements. Through analyzing the chemical and physical characteristics of aerosol observations during satellite-detected dust episodes, we select five indicators to be used to identify local dust records: (1) high PM10 concentrations; (2) low PM2.5/PM10 ratio; (3) higher concentrations and percentage of crustal elements; (4) lower percentage of anthropogenic pollutants; and (5) low enrichment factors of anthropogenic elements. After establishing these identification criteria, we conduct hierarchical cluster analysis for all validated aerosol measurement data over 68 IMPROVE sites in the Western United States. A total of 182 local dust events were identified over 30 of the 68 locations from 2000 to 2007. These locations are either close to the four US Deserts, namely the Great Basin Desert, the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert, and the Chihuahuan Desert, or in the high wind power region (Colorado). During the eight-year study period, the total number of dust events displays an interesting four-year activity cycle (one in 2000–2003 and the other in 2004–2007). The years of 2003, 2002 and 2007 are the three most active dust periods, with 46, 31 and 24 recorded dust events, respectively, while the years of 2000, 2004 and 2005 are the calmest periods, all with single digit dust records. Among these deserts, the Chihuahua Desert (59 cases) and the Sonoran Desert (62 cases) are by far the most active source regions. In general, the Chihuahua Desert dominates dust activities in the first half of the eight-year period while the Sonoran Desert in the second half. The monthly frequency of dust events shows a peak from March to July and a second peak in autumn from September to November. The large quantity of dust events occurring in summertime also suggests the prevailing impact of windblown dust across the year. This seasonal variation is consistent with previous model simulations over the United States.