bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The anatomy of the product recall message: The structure and function of product recall messages published in the UK press
Authors: Gurău Călin , Serban Adriana
Published: April 2007

Product recall messages represent an essential communication tool in crisis situations. Their function is twofold: to provide information of a practical nature regarding the defective product, and the operational process of recalling it, and to defend the reputation of the affected firm. This paper attempts to analyse the structure and the function of product recall messages published in the UK national press, using as points of reference best practice guides published by professional or governmental organisations.
CEOs’ views on reputation management
Authors: Murray Kevin , White Jon
Published: April 2007

This paper summarises the findings arising from a series of extended qualitative interviews with 14 CEOs and chairmen from leading UK corporations and international organisations. The purpose of the interviews was to try to establish the value that CEOs attach to public relations, and to get a sense of how they would assess its value and contribution to overall business and organisational performance. The study also tried to determine the role CEOs play in reputation management. The findings conclude that CEOs do not expect or look for a simple return on investment (ROI) for public relations expenditure; that public relations is used regularly to enhance and protect reputation; that public relations has become mission critical for businesses and the management of reputation; that CEOs themselves take overall responsibility for the management of corporate reputation; that the CEO's personal reputation is closely linked to that of the corporation; that CEOs' profiles and the media demands made of them have never been higher; that public relations can influence organisational strategy; and that high calibre people working in public relations are highly sought after and valued by CEOs. There are many lessons and implications for public relations practitioners.
Police officer physical ability testing – Re‐validating a selection criterion
Authors: Anderson Gregory S. , Plecas Darryl , Segger Tim
Published: April 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the bona fide occupational requirements of general duty police work, and use this information to re‐validate a physical abilities test used in the police recruit selection process. A systematic random sample (n = 267) of general duty police officers completed two questionnaires: one concerning “average” duties, and one concerning the most physically demanding critical incident occurring in the 12 months prior. Of those completing the surveys, observational data were collected on every second officer, resulting in observational data collected for 121 officers, involving the recording of all physical activities and movement patterns observed throughout a ten hour shift. Data collected suggest there is a core of bona fide occupational requirements for general duty police work – walking, climbing stairs, manipulating objects, twisting/turning, pulling/pushing, running, bending, squatting and kneeling, and lifting and carrying. Many of these are involved in physical control of suspects, and can be tested using a well designed physical abilities test that simulates getting to the problem, controlling the problem, and removing the problem.
Walking among giants 50 years later
Authors: Cancino Jeffrey Michael
Published: April 2007

Approximately 50 years ago, William Westley’s (1953) pioneering study of police officers brought to the forefront the special characteristics of police work. The present research raises the question: how far have thepolice come since Westley? Using focus group interviews and surveys collected from alarge Southwest police department, the study examines the situational role context of physical force. In doing so, it provides an explanation of physical force today, compared to explanations offered by Westley. The current research examines whether officer use of physical force and its severity are determined by the situation. The results confirm this hypothesis by suggesting that physical force is determined situationally, according to low‐order excessive force and high‐order violent force. As a way of understanding the lack of change in attitudes and practice of physical force, a possible explanation is the patrol culture.
Case research into the evolution of a corporate university development process
Authors: Dealtry Richard
Published: April 2007

This article appraises the dynamics of development at the mid‐point in the evolution of the corporate university paradigm in a large public company. It presents a summary of the key research findings that have been derived from a detailed cross section analysis of the developments to date. The methodology for the analysis is based upon a progressive process model that highlights the developmental status of the main corporate university decision strands that are essential for success. The author concludes from the research findings and considers the state of organisational readiness in the company to move further ahead into a comprehensive and viable manifestation of the corporate university concept.
Knowledge management in organizations: examining the interaction between technologies, techniques, and people
Authors: Bhatt Ganesh D.
Published: April 2007

Argues that the knowledge management process can be categorized into knowledge creation, knowledge validation, knowledge presentation, knowledge distribution, and knowledge application activities. To capitalize on knowledge, an organization must be swift in balancing its knowledge management activities. In general, such a balancing act requires changes in organizational culture, technologies, and techniques. A number of organizations believe that by focusing exclusively on people, technologies, or techniques, they can manage knowledge. However, that exclusive focus on people, technologies, or techniques does not enable a firm to sustain its competitive advantages. It is, rather, the interaction between technology, techniques, and people that allow an organization to manage its knowledge effectively. By creating a nurturing and “learning‐by‐doing” kind of environment, an organization can sustain its competitive advantages.
Developing best value in a scottish local authority
Authors: Sheffield James , Coleshill Paul
Published: April 2007

Best Value was introduced as a local government policy in 1997, after the election of a New Labour administration. The policy was designed to reconfigure service delivery by local government, with local authorities assuming the role of enablers rather than service providers. In order to help achieve this change, Best Value was constructed around a balanced scorecard approach. As a result, local authorities are examining organisational structure for a number of reasons. Internal management information requirements have changed. Best Value has also occurred at the same time as a number of other local government reforms, which are emphasising strategic decision making; accountability; transparency; sound governance and an awareness of the citizen’s perspective. Consequently, the traditional committee structure is being examined in many local authorities. This paper examines organisational changes within one local authority as a result of Best Value, which are designed to produce a more efficient, citizen focussed, and quality‐driven organisation.
The heart of the beast
Authors: Denton Keith D.
Published: April 2007

Asserts that history shows humanity’s quest for power over its environment and of individuals over each other. Suggests that ignoring the desire for power and influence or leaving a vacuum where people are left to feel powerless is to invite trouble; instead, these primal needs should be faced in a positive and worthwhile manner. Proposes that the need for power should be addressed and a sense of being powerful, rather than powerless, should be encouraged throughout organizations. Concludes that, in the 1990s, having power will increasingly mean sharing information, knowledge and trust.
A review of the literature on employee empowerment
Authors: Honold Linda
Published: April 2007

“Employee empowerment” as a term is frequently used in management circles. In practice, however, it is a daunting effort to find an exact definition of it. There are hundreds of articles on the topic. Some attempt their own definition; others expect that the reader already knows what the concept means. What is employee empowerment? What are its roots? What do the various theoretical voices have to say about the concept? An exploration of these questions is the content of this article.
Building benchmarking competence through knowledge management capability ‐ An empirical study of the Kuwaiti context
Authors: Al‐Athari Ahmad , Zairi Mohamed
Published: April 2007

This paper is based on a study which examined the availability of knowledge management Systems in the Kuwaiti private and public sectors. The paper examines the actual situation, and how it could be improved to achieve organisational and national objectives through more effective training methods and more investment in human resources, geared towards enhancing and achieving effectiveness and efficiency. The study sample was five UK organisations (recognised as best practice organisations in their knowledge management systems) and 77 Kuwaiti organisations (40 government and 37 private ones). Interviews and questionnaires were used. The study reveals that the majority of respondents in both government and private sectors believe that their knowledge management system was very important to the development of their organisations, and that the most important sources of ideas come from employees’ and organisations’ existing knowledge. The most important method used by Kuwaiti organisations to facilitate the sharing of knowledge between employees, was found to include internal journals.
Agile manufacturing: the next logical step
Authors: Hormozi Amir M.
Published: April 2007

Agile manufacturing is a new and revolutionary way of manufacturing and assembling products. It is the next logical step in the evolutionary chain of manufacturing technologies, following on the heels of its predecessors, craft production, mass production, and lean production. This paper explains what agile manufacturing is, and what needs to be done to successfully pave the way for its implementation. Successful implementation requires changes in five areas: government regulation, business cooperation, information technology, reengineering, and employee flexibility. The potential benefits of successfully implementing agile manufacturing are much too great for an organization to overlook, as are the potential consequences of failing to implement it. Though many organizations have made strides toward implementing agile manufacturing, there is much work that needs to be done. Corporations need the backing of strong infrastructure to make agile manufacturing successful. This will require cooperation between government and business.
ERP and application integration
Authors: Themistocleous Marinos , Irani Zahir , O’Keefe Robert M.
Published: April 2007

During the 1990s, companies focused on the adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to solve integration problems. However, ERP systems automate core business activities without solving underlying business structures and processes. As a result a number of disparate applications often coexist with ERP systems. To better understand ERP and application integration (AI) problems, this paper proposes to identify, analyse and present the problems of ERP systems, as well as examining new approaches for AI. In doing so, a multi‐choice questionnaire has been designed, and was distributed to ERP specialists over the Internet. Responses show that ERP systems amplified the need for integration, as existing systems have to be incorporated with ERP applications. AI securely incorporates functionality from disparate applications, and has shown to lead to the development of new strategic business solutions for enterprises. The results of the research confirm AI as a new means of system integration that adds value by placing business logic in the applications network, thus creating a more dynamic information systems infrastructure.
ERP implementation issues in advanced and developing countries
Authors: Huang Zhenyu , Palvia Prashant
Published: April 2007

There is an increasing need to implement a total business solution which supports major functionalities of a business. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is designed to meet this need, and has been widely adopted by organizations in developed countries. Meanwhile, ERP is beginning to appear in many organizations of developing countries. Little research has been conducted to compare the implementation practices of ERP in developed vs developing countries. Our research shows that ERP technology faces additional challenges in developing countries related to economic, cultural, and basic infrastructure issues. This article identifies a range of issues concerning ERP implementation by making a comparison of advanced and developing countries.
Clinical governance in primary care: early impressions based on Bradford South and West Primary Care Group’s experience
Authors: Walsh Matthew J. , Small Neil
Published: April 2007

The experience of implementing clinical governance in Bradford South and West Primary Care Group illustrates how an emphasis on cultural change rather than on target setting, scrutiny and enforcement is both more consistent with the primary care context and more likely to create lasting improvements. The emerging focus on governance is reviewed and its implementation in one PCG via baseline assessment, strategic planning and innovative practice is presented. Linking clinical governance with a reduction in medical autonomy, as some commentators have done, does not allow for the complexity of power and responsibility characteristic of primary care. Alternative analytic models that draw on organizational theory and on sociology are offered.
Further developments in the use of an impact survey
Authors: Thornton Steve
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Following the partial privatisation of Dstl's parent organisation, a major change in the structure and philosophy of the LIS has been carried through and, although many of its services appear unchanged to its clients, a great deal of resources have been invested to change the content, delivery and technology behind them. This paper aims to describe the use of an impact survey to identify the effect of these changes from the clients' viewpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's IMPACT survey, which produces baseline figures for the impact of library and information services (LIS) offerings to a research organisation, has been reported on earlier. It surveys the authors of the research papers generated by the organisation to identify the impact that identified services had on their ability to produce the final intellectual product.

Findings

The results demonstrate to the organisation and its management that the investment strategy has produced a step‐change in service delivery.

Originality/value

The IMPACT survey, though limited to those organisations where a tangible intellectual product is the main output, provides a demonstrable valuation of offered services.
Implementing a description grammar:generating housing programs online
Authors: Duarte José P. , Correia Rodrigo
Published: April 2007

The current goal is to implement a description grammar that generates housing briefs based on user and site data. The ultimate goal is to customize mass housing. This paper discusses these issues. Previous research proposed a mathematical model for the automatic generation of customized designs based on description and shape grammars. This paper describes the implementation of a description grammar that codifies the Portuguese housing design guidelines, as well as the intelligence of a human designer using them inferred after experimental work. Knowledge was sequentially converted from table format into English, Mathematical notation, and then the CLIPS language. Java Experts system Shell is the rule application engine, and JAVA and XML are used for coding theinterface and information tables, respectively.It describes how to implement a description grammar and it shows the feasibility of using them for automating the generation of housing briefs that contain enough technical information for design. In a subsequent step, it permits the automatic generation of housing solutions in real time. Backtracking is limited, theinterface does not provide visual clues for improving understanding of the available options, and the brief does not record intuitive or emotional information. It can help designers identifying the specifications of their clients' houses. It can be linked to a system that automatically generates, in a given language, housing solutions that match such specifications, thereby enabling the mass customization of housing. This paper describes the first practical implementation of a description grammar found in the literature.
Potential for improving site management practices through knowledge management
Authors: Fikri Mohamed Sarajul , Anumba Chimay J.
Published: April 2007

To examine the development of a viable framework for the enhancement of construction site management practices through an integration of knowledge management (KM) processes ‐ underpinned by case study findings from construction organizations that have implemented knowledge management. A multiple case study approach (that incorporates qualitative comparators with observations made within five construction sites) was adopted. The main aims were to investigate the key problems of site management practices, to observe existing practice in managing knowledge on the construction site, and to present opportunities for improvement. The case study findings revealed that services obstruction, poor site communication and information, incomplete design, local residents, and cooperation and motivation issues are major problems inhibiting construction site performance. They also identified that the site management team used conventional approaches (meeting and observation) to resolve management and technical problems onthe construction site. The site management teams should be prepared to deal with on‐site problems and risks in a systematic and efficient way.KM can help to prevent the site management team from repeating past errors; by capturing best practices, lessons learned,and especially, the solutions to problems that arise on site, similar situations in the future can be dealt with efficiently and effectively.There is little written on how to improve site management practices through knowledge management.This paper focuses on a KM deployment at site management level and demonstrates that site management teams still do not have any systematic methods for the creation, capture, storage, sharing and reuse of knowledge.
Sustainable climate control for historic buildings in subtropical climates
Authors: Maekawa S. , Toledo F.
Published: April 2007

To preserve both cultural collections and historical buildings that house them, a technologically simple yet robust climate control system was installed in the Historic Archive of the Canary Islands. The archive is located in a municipal building, a late nineteenth century massive masonry building in the city of La Laguna, on Tenerife Island, Spain. The system was designed to maintain the RH level necessary for preventing microbial activities on collections in cultural institutions, by operating residential‐type ventilators and a convective heater under a humidistatic control. We have confirmed that the system not only successfully eliminated events of high relative humidity but also stabilized the climate. The annual temperature variation was significantly reduced, although daily variations increased. The room's moisture content was reduced to less than that of the outside, and microbial activities were reduced in the environment. The system was simple to install and inexpensive to operate.
Hot toys are dead: long live hot products
Authors: Byrne Christopher
Published: April 2007

Recalls the hot toys phenomenon of several past Christmases in the USA, such as for Cabbage Patch dolls and Power Rangers. Argues that such toys created headlines in order to gain publicity, but also that this trend appears to have died because of eBay: what made toys hot and a cultural event was their inaccessibility, but eBay makes them all accessible for those willing to pay the price. Continues with how toys have changed: the old barriers between adults’ real objects (like trains) and children’s toy objects (toy trains) no longer applies to computers and iPods, and instead of toy versions there are simpler versions of, for instance camcorders, which nevertheless work. Shows how companies now know how to design products which make children feel part of the adult world but are also appropriate to their ages: examples are the “Chat Now” closed‐system walkie talkie with cellphone features, and mobile phones with parental controls. Concludes with how adults too enjoy working toys like iPods: not only are there KGOY (Kids Getting Older Younger) but ANGU (Adults Not Growing Up).
Measuring Interphase Recession by Fiber Push‐In Testing
Authors: Lewinsohn Charles A. , Henager Charles H. , Jones Russell H. , Eldridge Jeffrey I.
Published: April 2007

A novel technique for measuring interphase recession in ceramic‐matrix composites (CMCs) due to oxidation is described. The technique involves fiber push‐in testing and analysis of the load–displacement curves. Fiber push‐in tests were conducted on carbon‐coated Hi‐Nicalon SiC fibers in a CVI SiC matrix, where the carbon interphase had recessed due to oxidation. Estimates of interphase recession distances from analysis of fiber push‐in tests are in reasonable agreement with measurements made by optical microscopy. Besides measuring the recession distance, the fiber push‐in test can be used to investigate environmental effects on fiber bridging.
Robocast Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 Ceramic Monoliths and Composites
Authors: Tuttle Bruce A. , Smay James E. , Cesarano Joseph , Voigt James A. , Scofield Timothy W. , Olson Walter R. , Lewis Jennifer A.
Published: April 2007

Robocasting, which is a computer‐controlled slurry‐deposition technique, was used to fabricate ceramic monoliths and composites of chemically prepared Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 ceramics. The densities and electrical properties of the robocast samples were equivalent to those obtained for cold isostatically pressed parts formed under a pressure of 200 MPa. Three‐layer robocast composites that consisted of alternating layers of different sintered densities—93.9%/96.1%/93.9%—were fabricated using different levels of organic pore‐former additions. Modification from a single‐material to a multiple‐material deposition robocaster was essential for the fabrication of composites that could withstand repeated cycles of saturated polarization switching under fields of 30 kV/cm. Furthermore, these composites withstood a poled ferroelectric‐to‐antiferroelectric phase transformation that was induced by a hydrostatic pressure of 500 MPa, during which strain differences on the order of 0.8% occurred between the composite elements.
Egg allergy: Are all childhood food allergies the same?
Authors: Allen Clare Wendy , Campbell Dianne Elizabeth , Kemp Andrew Stewart
Published: April 2007

Abstract:  Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood affecting about 1–2% of preschool children and differs in a number of ways from other common childhood food allergies such as cows milk and peanut. Common egg allergens are altered both by heat and gastric enzymes. Compared with peanuts/tree nuts and milk, egg allergy appears less likely to cause severe life‐threatening reactions or fatal anaphylaxis. Children are much more likely to outgrow egg allergy by school age as compared with peanut allergy. While the MMR vaccine is no longer contraindicated in egg allergy, influenza vaccine is contraindicated in children with anaphylaxis to egg. An understanding of the similarities and differences in these common food allergies of childhood is helpful in the management of these common and increasing problems.
Factors influencing breastfeeding rates in south‐western Sydney
Authors: Yeoh Berlinda H , Eastwood John , Phung Hai , Woolfenden Sue
Published: April 2007

Aim:  To explore the socio‐demographic factors and other maternal characteristics that influence breastfeeding initiation rates. In particular, this paper aims to (i) estimate the rate of breastfeeding by maternal socio‐demographic factors and other maternal characteristics at first well‐baby visit; and (ii) investigate the relationship between breastfeeding rates and these maternal factors.

Methods:  Cross‐sectional data were obtained for 9618 babies in south‐western Sydney in New South Wales from the Ingleburn Baby Information Systems database from January 2000 to June 2004 and included information on breastfeeding status, socio‐demographic factors and other maternal characteristics.

Results:  At first visit, 59.8% of mothers were breastfeeding. The factors that increased the risk for NOT breastfeeding on multivariate analysis were being Australian‐born (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.45–1.89, P < 0.001), unmarried (OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.52–2.11, P < 0.001), living in disadvantaged accommodation (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.60–2.26, P < 0.001), having lower levels of education (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.38–2.54, P < 0.001) and current smoking (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.51–1.96, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The results from this large population‐based study suggest that breastfeeding rates are significantly influenced by socio‐demographic factors and maternal characteristics. Consequently, subgroups of the population ‘at risk’ for not breastfeeding can be identified and targeted for further strategies to promote breastfeeding.
Feasibility of neonatal hearing screening program with two‐stage transient otoacoustic emissions in Turkey
Authors: MANSUR TATLI M. , BULENT SERBETCIOGLU M. , DUMAN NURAY , KUMRAL ABDULLAH , KIRKIM GUNAY , OGUN BASAK , ÖZKAN HASAN
Published: April 2007

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of hearing loss in neonates and evaluate the feasibility of a two‐stage Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) screening test. Maternal concerns about hearing screening were also studied.

Methods: Neonatal intensive care patients and well babies were screened using a two‐stage TEOAE test, which was followed by an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test for those babies who failed the first test twice.

Results: In total, 711 neonates were screened. At the end of the two TEOAE tests, the cumulative pass rate was 99.3% and false–positive rate was 0.3%. Five neonates (0.7%) were referred for the ABR test. Sensorineural hearing loss was found in three of them (0.4%). Of these three neonates, one was from the well baby nursery and two were from the NICU population. Families generally welcomed the screening program, with no refusals. Positive test results have not caused important maternal concerns.

Conclusions: Congenital hearing impairment is a prevalent disease in Turkey. The two‐stage TEOAE program is suitable for the neonatal hearing screening program. In general, hearing screening tests do not cause notable maternal concerns.
Ionized and total magnesium concentration in patients with severe preeclampsia‐eclampsia undergoing magnesium sulfate therapy
Authors: Aali Bibi Shahnaz , Khazaeli Payam , Ghasemi Fatemeh
Published: April 2007

Aim:  As ionized magnesium is the active form of magnesium and exerts a therapeutic effect, the present study was performed to determine the levels and correlations between ionized and total magnesium under baseline and therapeutic conditions in patients with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia receiving magnesium sulfate.

Methods:  Fifty singleton patients with severe preeclampsia received a loading dose of 4 g of magnesium sulfate, followed by 2 g per hour as maintenance dose until 24 h after delivery, or 24 h after the last seizure in case of postpartum convulsions. Serial blood samples were taken before magnesium sulfate infusion, 30 min and 240 min after the initiation of the infusion and 4 h after the discontinuation of the drug. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA and paired t‐test.

Results:  Baseline levels of total and ionized magnesium were 2.4 ± 0.6 mEq/L and 1.3 ± 0.5 mEq/L (mean ± SD), respectively. Putative level of 4 mEq/L of total magnesium was not obtained in up to 42% of patients during the treatment. There was not any significant correlation between the two forms of magnesium under baseline and therapeutic conditions.

Conclusion:  Despite the effectiveness of the standard regimen of magnesium sulfate in the treatment and prevention of eclamptic seizures, it can not provide the proposed therapeutic level of magnesium in all patients. With respect to the lack of correlation between ionized and total magnesium, further studies are necessary to investigate the superiority of measurement of ionized, rather than total magnesium, for titration of therapeutic magnesium sulfate infusion.
Paclitaxel and carboplatin for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Tangjitgamol Siriwan , Manusirivithaya Sumonmal , Choomchuay Nantana , Leelahakorn Surawute , Thawaramara Thaowalai , Pataradool Kamol , Suekwatana Pacheun
Published: April 2007

The prognosis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the uterine cervix is generally poor despite multimodality of treatments. We report a case of advanced stage cervical LCNEC that showed definite response to paclitaxel/carboplatin, resulting in years of survival. The patient was referred to our institution after undergoing a simple hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy in her local hospital because of a ruptured metastatic ovarian mass. She declined pelvic radiation treatment, so adjuvant chemotherapy (six cycles of paclitaxel/carboplatin) was given for the residual pelvic nodal diseases. Clinical complete remission was obtained, with a disease‐free period of 19 months. Systemic recurrent diseases also showed partial response to the same drug regimen for months with only minimal toxicity. However, she subsequently had progressive diseases in the liver and brain and finally died at 44 months after primary diagnosis and 19 months after recurrent diseases.
Angiographic uterine artery embolization followed by immediate curettage: An efficient treatment for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding in cervical pregnancy
Authors: Xu Bing , Wang Yan‐Kui , Zhang Yong‐Hua , Wang Song , Yang Ling , Dai Shu‐Zhen
Published: April 2007

Two cases of cervical pregnancy with heavy bleeding successfully treated by uterine artery embolization (UAE) followed by immediate curettage are described in this report. Case 1 demonstrated intermittent bleeding after serious bleeding was successfully controlled by UAE. Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) level rose remarkably after a short time decline. Transvaginal sonography consistently revealed a heterogeneous mass in the cervix. Repeated UAE followed by immediate curettage was performed and complete resolution was achieved. Case 2 was also successfully managed by UAE followed by immediate curettage after failure of medical treatment. This report suggests that UAE followed by immediate curettage is a safe and efficient procedure for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding when fertility capacity is desired in cases of cervical pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity and high β‐hCG concentration.
Multiple geographies of the Arab Internet
Authors: Warf Barney , Vincent Peter
Published: April 2007

The Arab world plays a relatively minor role in the rapidly changing geographies of global cyberspace. This paper explores the multiple geographies of the Arab Internet. First, it addresses Internet penetration rates, which averaged 7.8 per cent in 2006, although these varied widely among and within the region's countries. Between 2000 and 2006, the number of users jumped by 830 per cent, indicating these geographies are in rapid flux. It then examines the telecommunications infrastructure of the Middle East and North Africa, including fixed and mobile telephone networks and Internet cafes. Third, it turns to the reasons why the Internet has experienced relatively late adoption among Arab countries, including the dominance of the Latin alphabet, high access costs reflecting state‐owned telecommunications monopolies, low Arab literacy rates, and restrictive gender relations that keep the proportion of female users low. The paper pays special attention both to government censorship of the Arab Internet as well as resistance to such controls and attempts to utilize the Internet counter‐hegemonically. Finally, it explores the impacts of the Internet on some Arab societies, including the opening of discursive communities of politics, the Palestinian–Israeli conflict, Iraq and electronic commerce.
Caspase inhibition reduces cardiac myocyte dyshomeostasis and improves cardiac contractile function after major burn injury
Authors: Carlson Deborah L. , Maass David L. , White Jean , Sikes Patricia , Horton Jureta W.
Published: April 2007

In the heart, thermal injury activates a group of intracellular cysteine proteases known as caspases, which have been suggested to contribute to myocyte inflammation and dyshomeostasis. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were given either a third-degree burn over 40% total body surface area plus conventional fluid resuscitation or sham burn injury. Experimental groups included 1) sham burn given vehicle, 400 μl DMSO; 2) sham burn given Q-VD-OPh (6 mg/kg), a highly specific and stable caspase inhibitor, 24 and 1 h prior to sham burn; 3) burn given vehicle, DMSO as above; 4) burn given Q-VD-OPh (6 mg/kg) 24 and 1 h prior to burn. Twenty-four hours postburn, hearts were harvested and studied with regard to myocardial intracellular sodium concentration, intracellular pH, ATP, and phosphocreatine (23Na/31P nuclear magnetic resonance); myocardial caspase-1, -3,and -8 expression; myocyte Na+(fluorescent indicator, sodium-binding benzofurzan isophthalate); myocyte secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10; and myocardial performance (Langendorff). Burn injury treated with vehicle alone produced increased myocardial expression of caspase-1, -3, and -8, myocyte Na+loading, cytokine secretion, and myocardial contractile depression; cellular pH, ATP, and phosphocreatine were stable. Q-VD-OPh treatment in burned rats attenuated myocardial caspase expression, prevented burn-related myocardial Na+loading, attenuated myocyte cytokine responses, and improved myocardial contraction and relaxation. The present data suggest that signaling through myocardial caspases plays a pivotal role in burn-related myocyte sodium dyshomeostasis and myocyte inflammation, perhaps contributing to burn-related contractile dysfunction.
Phonetic Typology and Positional Allophones for Alveolar Rhotics in Catalan
Authors: Recasens Daniel , Espinosa Aina
Published: April 2007

The present study reports electropalatographic and acoustic data on the positionaland contextual characteristics of alveolar taps and trills in Majorcan,Valencian and Eastern Catalan. The two consonant classes are invariably opposedby degree of tongue dorsum contact and F2, but only differentiated by place ofarticulation when constriction location for the trill is sufficiently retracted. Trillsare produced with less than three contacts and may exhibit a single contact inutterance-initial position and, less often, in /Cr, VrV/ sequences. Word-final and, toa lesser extent, preconsonantal rhotics are implemented as taps in Majorcan andValencian, and strengthened into trills in Eastern Catalan. Moreover, thereappears to be an inverse relationship between initial strengthening, and intervocalicweakening and the absence of syllable-final strengthening, for Valencianrhotics, which could be indicative of a pattern of intersegmental organization.Shortening and articulatory reduction turned out not to be necessarily related forextremely short Valencian taps, which undergo much undershoot intervocalicallybut are highly constricted in /Cɾ , rC/ sequences. Other research aspects suchas devoicing and intergestural timing for Catalan alveolar rhotics are alsoinvestigated.
Using a Bayesian method to assign individuals to karyotypic taxa in shrew hybrid zones
Authors: Basset P. , Yannic G. , Brünner H. , Hausser J.
Published: April 2007

Individuals sampled in hybrid zones are usually analysed according to their sampling locality, morphology, behaviour or karyotype. But the increasing availability of genetic information more and more favours its use for individual sorting purposes and numerous assignment methods based on the genetic composition of individuals have been developed. The shrews of the Sorex araneus group offer good opportunities to test the genetic assignment on individuals identified by their karyotype. Here we explored the potential and efficiency of a Bayesian assignment method combined or not with a reference dataset to study admixture and individual assignment in the difficult context of two hybrid zones between karyotypic species of the Sorex araneus group. As a whole, we assigned more than 80% of the individuals to their respective karyotypic categories (i.e. ‘pure’ species or hybrids). This assignment level is comparable to what was obtained for the same species away from hybrid zones. Additionally, we showed that the assignment result for several individuals was strongly affected by the inclusion or not of a reference dataset. This highlights the importance of such comparisons when analysing hybrid zones. Finally, differences between the admixture levels detected in both hybrid zones support the hypothesis of an impact of chromosomal rearrangements on gene flow.
Intergenomic translocations in unisexual salamanders of the genus Ambystoma (Amphibia, Caudata)
Authors: Bi K. , Bogart J.P. , Fu J.
Published: April 2007

Intergenomic interactions that include homoeologous recombinations and intergenomic translocations are commonly observed in plant allopolyploids. Homoeologous recombinations have recently been documented in unisexual salamanders in the genus Ambystoma and revealed exchanged chromosomal segments between A. laterale and A.jeffersonianum genomes in individual unisexuals. We discovered intergenomic translocations in two widespread unisexual triploids A.laterale – 2 jeffersonianum (or LJJ) and its tetraploid derivative A.laterale – 3 jeffersonianum (or LJJJ) by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Two different types of intergenomic translocations were observed in two unisexual populations and one contained novel chromosomes generated by an intergenomic reciprocal translocation. We also observed chromosome deletions in several individuals and these chromosome fragmentations were all derived from the A. jeffersonianum genome. These observed intergenomic reciprocal translocations are believed to be caused by non-homologous pairing during meiosis followed by breakage-rejoining events. Genomes of unisexual Ambystoma undergo complicated structural changes that include various intergenomic exchanges that offer unisexuals genetic and phenotypic complexity to escape their evolutionary demise. Unisexual Ambystoma have persisted as natural nuclear genomic hybrids for about four million years. These unisexuals provide a vertebrate model system to examine the interaction of distinct genomes and to evaluate the corresponding genetic, developmental and evolutionary implications of intergenomic exchanges. Intergenomic translocations and homoeologous recombinations appear to be frequent chromosome reconstruction events among unisexual Ambystoma.
Identification of the sex chromosome pair in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Authors: Phillips R.B. , DeKoning J. , Morasch M.R. , Park L.K. , Devlin R.H.
Published: April 2007

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe to the male-specific GH-Y (growth hormone pseudogene) was used to identify the Y chromosome in the karyotypes of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). The sex chromosome pair is a small acrocentric chromosome pair in chum salmon and the smallest metacentric chromosome pair in pink salmon. Both of these chromosome pairs are morphologically different from the sex chromosome pairs in chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). The 5S rRNA genes are on multiple chromosome pairs including the sex chromosome pair in chum salmon, but at the centromeres of two autosomal metacentric pairs in pink salmon. The sex chromosome pairs and the chromosomal locations of the 5S rDNA appear to be different in all five of the North American Pacific salmon species and rainbow trout. The implications of these results for evolution of sex chromosomes in salmonids are discussed.
X-Y-autosome translocation, chromosome compaction, NOR expression and heterochromatin insulation in the Scarabaeid beetle Dynastes hercules hercules
Authors: Dutrillaux A.M. , Mercier J. , Dutrillaux B.
Published: April 2007

The karyotype of the giant beetle Dynastes hercules hercules is composed of only 16 autosomes and large sex chromosomes. Meiotic studies in the males showed that a large part of the sex chromosomes undergo synapsis at pachynema similarly to autosomes, demonstrating that both derived from an autosome-gonosome translocation. Therefore, karyotype formula is 18,neoXY. The heterochromatisation of the neoX short arm at pachynema indicates that it corresponds to the ancestral X. It carries the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in its proximal part, which is undercondensed, especially in male mitotic and meiotic cells. In female mitotic cells, both NOR staining and undercondensation were more difficult to observe in the neoX short arms. In somatic interphase nuclei, NOR expression strongly varies with the sex. Two separated compact groups of silver dots were observed in female nuclei, while a single dispersed and large group of silver deposit exists in the males. Both the lower condensation and the higher NOR expression of the single neoX of the males, compared to each of the two neoXs of the females, is interpreted to be a consequence of dosage compensation, a mechanism not yet described in Coleoptera. In mammals as well as in Coleoptera, the carriers of gonosome-autosome translocations not exhibiting deleterious phenotypes show constitutive heterochromatin at the autosome-gonosome junction. Thus, heterochromatin may play an important universal role by clearly separating chromosome segments with different regulations of gene expression, such as inactivation or dosage compensation of the X chromosome on the one side and a conventional autosomal structure on the other side.
Effects of Anesthetics on the Function of Orexin-1 Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes
Authors: Minami Kouichiro , Uezono Yasuhito , Sakurai Takeshi , Horishita Takafumi , Shiraishi Munehiro , Ueta Yoichi
Published: April 2007

Neurons in the hypothalamus containing the neuropeptide orexin have been implicated in the control of sleep and wakefulness and in the pathology of narcolepsy. In this study, we investigated the effects of volatile anesthetics, ethanol and intravenous anesthetics on orexin-A-induced Ca2+-activated Cl– currents using Xenopus oocytes expressing orexin-1 receptors (OX1Rs). The volatile anesthetics isoflurane, enflurane and halothane inhibited Cl– currents elicited by 1-µmol/l orexin-A. Ethanol and the intravenous anesthetics pentobarbital and ketamine also inhibited the action of orexin-A. The inhibitory effects of all of the compounds tested were shown to be caused by the inhibition of OX1R function. These results may, at least in part, explain their hypnotic effects.
Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke Among Japanese Men and Women
Authors: Iso Hiroyasu , Sato Shinichi , Kitamura Akihiko , Imano Hironori , Kiyama Masahiko , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Cui Renzhe , Tanigawa Takeshi , Shimamoto Takashi
Published: April 2007

Background and Purpose—

Limited evidence was available on the metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular disease in Asia. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of the metabolic syndrome and risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease in Japanese men and women.

Methods—

We conducted an 18-year prospective study of 9087 Japanese people aged 40 to 69 years (3595 men and 5492 women), initially free of ischemic heart disease or stroke. During follow-up, there were 116 (74 men and 42 women) cases of ischemic heart disease and 256 (144 men and 112 women) ischemic strokes. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII), with the presence of ≥3 of the following factors: (1) serum triglycerides ≥1.69 mmol/L (150 mg/dL); (2) HDL-cholesterol <1.03 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men and <1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women; (3) glucose ≥6.11 mmol/L (110 mg/dL) fasting or ≥7.77 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) nonfasting, or on treatment; (4) blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg or medication use, and (5) body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m
2
.

Results—

For both sexes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol were associated with increased risks of ischemic heart disease or stroke after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. A dose-response relationship was found between the number of metabolic risk factors and incidence of these cardiovascular end points. The multivariable hazard ratio (95% CI) associated with metabolic syndrome was 2.4 (1.4 to 4.0) in men and 2.3 (1.2 to 4.3) in women for ischemic heart disease, and 2.0 (1.3 to 3.1) and 1.5 (1.0 to 2.3), respectively, for ischemic stroke. The contribution of metabolic syndrome to the risks was independent of serum total cholesterol levels but stronger among smokers.

Conclusions—

The metabolic syndrome is a major determinant of ischemic cardiovascular disease among middle-aged Japanese men and women, in particular among smokers.
Depressive Disorders After 20 Months in Elderly Stroke Patients
Authors: Lindén Thomas , Blomstrand Christian , Skoog Ingmar
Published: April 2007

Background and Purpose—

Depression is common after stroke. Reported frequencies vary widely between studies because of differences in patient selection, time from stroke to assessment, evaluation methods and diagnostic criteria. Poststroke depression is related to increased mortality and poorer rehabilitation outcome. Few studies have been done in the elderly, and there is a lack of studies with population-based controls. We aimed to examine the risk of depression in elderly patients one and a half years after stroke and to compare the risk with a population-based control sample.

Methods—

We examined 149 elderly stroke survivors and 745 age- and sex-matched controls from the general population with semistructured psychiatric examinations and cognitive assessments. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-III-R. Independent samples
t
test and χ
2
test were used to test for significance, Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios with 95% CI for relative risk and Tarone statistics for risk differences between groups.

Results—

The frequency of depression was 34% in stroke patients and 13% in population controls (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.3 to 5.0). The risk of depression was increased in both men and women and in all age groups but not related to the predominant side of stroke symptoms.

Conclusion—

Depression is common after stroke. It is therefore important to identify depression in stroke patients because it is a treatable condition that may have implications for poorer outcome in relation to rehabilitation and mortality.