bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Can we just stop and talk?” patients value verbal communication about discharge care plans
Authors: Shoeb Marwa , Merel Susan Eva , Jackson Molly Blackley , Anawalt Bradley D.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

Studies show that hospitalized patients often do not understand their postdischarge care plan. There are few studies about patients' preferences regarding the content of discharge care plans.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify what patients view as essential elements of a post‐hospitalization plan.

DESIGN:

Anonymous written survey distributed on the second day of admission to internal medicine wards.

SETTING:

An academic tertiary care hospital and an academic county hospital in Seattle, Washington.

PATIENTS:

Two hundred English‐speaking adult inpatients ≥18 years or their proxies.

RESULTS:

The majority of patients (64.5%) surveyed wanted verbal discharge instructions, with only 10.5% requesting written instructions (P < 0.0001). One hundred percent of patients valued the following discharge instructions as essential: “when you need to follow‐up with [primary care provider] PCP,” “warning signs to call PCP,” and “medicines to continue post‐hospitalization.” One hundred percent of patients wanted “a lot of information about my condition” and “test results,” but only 39% wanted “a lot of information about my medications” (P < 0.0001). When asked to choose the most important piece of discharge instruction related to their disease, 67.5% of patients chose “lifestyle changes.” One hundred percent of patients thought that personal communication between the inpatient provider and the outpatient primary care provider was “extremely important” or “essential.”

CONCLUSION:

Patients uniformly placed high value on: 1) verbal communication about discharge care plans; 2) information about lifestyle changes for improved health; and 3) personal communication between inpatient and outpatient providers. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
A transoral highly flexible robot
Authors: Rivera‐Serrano Carlos M. , Johnson Paul , Zubiate Brett , Kuenzler Richard , Choset Howie , Zenati Marco , Tully Stephen , Duvvuri Umamaheswar
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Organ preservation surgery is a major focus in head and neck oncology. Current approaches are aimed toward improving quality of life and decreasing treatment‐related morbidity. Transoral robotic surgery was developed to overcome the limitations of traditional surgical approaches. The most widely used robotic system is the da Vinci Surgical System. Although the da Vinci offers clear surgical advantages over traditional approaches, its rigid operative arms prevent complex maneuverability in three‐dimensional space. The ideal surgical robot would configure to the anatomy of the patient and maneuver in narrow spaces. We present the first cadaveric trials of the use of a highly flexible robot able to traverse the nonlinear upper aerodigestive tract and gain physical and visual access to important anatomical landmarks without laryngeal suspension.

Study Design:

Feasibility.

Methods:

Using human cadavers, we investigated the feasibility of visualizing the endolarynx transorally with a highly flexible robot without performing suspension of the larynx. Two fresh and four preserved human specimens were used.

Results:

Unhampered visualization of the endolarynx was achieved in all specimens without performing laryngeal suspension. Standard mouth retractors facilitated the delivery of the robot into the endolarynx.

Conclusions:

The flexible robot technology mitigates laryngeal suspension and the limitations of current robotic surgery with rigid line‐of‐sight–directed instruments. Having demonstrated the feasibility of physical and visual access to the endolarynx, future work will study the feasibility of using the highly flexible robot in transoral robotic procedures with flexible instrumentation placed in the robot's available working ports. Laryngoscope, 2012
Effect of passive smoking on the ultrastructure of the nasal mucosa in children
Authors: Elwany Samy , Ibrahim Ahmed Aly , Mandour Zeyad , Talaat Iman
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Passive exposure to cigarette smoke has been implicated in a number of respiratory childhood disorders. Most studies concerning smoking were directed to its carcinogenic effect on the lungs. However, the effects of smoking on nasal respiratory mucosa have not been widely studied. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to study the ultrastructural changes in the nasal mucosa of a pediatric population exposed to passive smoking.

Study Design:

The study included 20 children between the ages of 5 and 11 years, who were scheduled for tonsillectomy and at the same time had a positive history of prolonged exposure to household passive smoke. Another 10 children with a negative household smoking history were included as a control group. All children were nonatopic and with a negative family history of allergy. None of them had adenoids or infective rhinosinusitis.

Methods:

At the time of surgery, a 1‐mm3 biopsy was taken was taken from the lower border of the inferior turbinate. The specimens were processed and examined with electron microscopy

Results:

Examination of the nasal mucosa showed several ultrastructural changes. These included patchy loss of cilia, generalized loss of cilia, squamous metaplasia, hyperplasia of goblet cells and seromucinous acini, and vascular congestion. More severe changes were observed with longer passive exposures to cigarette smoke. The study did not disclose any evidence of ongoing allergic reaction or neoplastic transformations.

Conclusions:

Children exposed to passive cigarette smoke may develop several structural changes in the respiratory nasal mucosa with subsequent negative effects on its ciliary activity and mucociliary function. As a result of these effects, defense mechanisms of the nose may be ruined or lost, and those children may develop persistent sinonasal infections. Exposure of these children to passive smoking for longer periods of time may also induce other significant changes that were not detected in the present study.
Rapid salivary pepsin test: Blinded assessment of test performance in gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Saritas Yuksel Elif , Hong Shih‐Kuang S. , Strugala Vicki , Slaughter James C. , Goutte Marion , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Dettmar Peter W. , Vaezi Michael F.
Published: March 2012

Objective/Hypothesis:

Pepsin lateral flow device (LFD) is a rapid noninvasive test to detect salivary pepsin as a surrogate marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to establish the test sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) in patients with symptomatic and objective evidence of GERD compared to healthy controls.

Study Design:

Prospective, blinded, controlled cohort study.

Methods:

A total of 230 samples were analyzed. In vitro bench testing was conducted on 52 gastric juice and 54 sterile water samples to assess test sensitivity and specificity. Saliva was collected from 58 patients with GERD and 51 controls. All patients with GERD underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and wireless 48‐hour pH monitoring off acid suppressive therapy. PPV and NPV were calculated based on disease definition of esophagitis and/or abnormal pH monitoring.

Results:

Receiver operating characteristics analysis of in vitro samples found assay sensitivity and a specificity of 87%. There were 6/51 (12%) control subjects and 13/58 (22%) patients with GERD who tested positive for salivary pepsin (P = .25). There was a step‐wise increase in the prevalence of positive salivary pepsin: esophagitis (55%), abnormal pH monitoring (43%), GERD symptoms only (24%) (P < .001). Salivary pepsin test showed a PPV of 81% and NPV of 78% for those with objective evidence of GERD (abnormal pH and/or esophagitis).

Conclusions:

Rapid LFD for salivary pepsin has acceptable test characteristics in patients with GERD. A positive salivary pepsin test in this group may obviate the need for more expensive diagnostic testing by EGD or pH monitoring.
Synthesis, crystalline morphologies, self‐assembly, and properties of H‐shaped amphiphilic dually responsive terpolymers
Authors: Yuan Weizhong , Zhang Jinchun , Zou Hui , Ren Jie
Published: March 2012

Novel and well‐defined amphiphilic H‐shaped terpolymers poly(L‐lactide)‐block‐(poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) ‐block‐)poly(ε‐caprolactone)(‐block‐poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)) ‐b‐poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA‐b‐(PDMAEMA‐b‐)PCL(‐b‐PDMAEMA)‐b‐PLLA) were synthesized by the combination of ring‐opening polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, and click chemistry. The H‐shaped amphiphilic terpolymers can self‐assemble into spherical nano‐micelles in water. Because of the dually responsive (temperature and pH) properties of PDMAEMA segments, the hydrodynamic radius of the micelles of the H‐shaped terpolymer solution can be adjusted by altering the environmental temperature or pH values. The thermal properties investigation and the crystalline morphology analysis indicate that the branched structure of the H‐shaped terpolymers and the presence of amorphous PDMAEMA segments together led to the obvious decrease of PCL segments and the complete destruction of crystallinity of the PLLA segments in the H‐shaped terpolymers. In addition, the H‐shaped terpolymer film has better hydrophilicity than linear PCL or triblock polymer of PLLA‐b‐(N3)PCL(N3)‐b‐PLLA, due to the decrease or destruction of the crystallizability of the PCL or PLLA in the H‐shaped terpolymer and the presence of hydrophilic PDMAEMA segments. These unique H‐shaped amphiphilic terpolymers composed of biodegradable and biocompatible PCL and PLLA components and intelligent and biocompatible PDMAEMA component will have the potential applications in biomedical fields. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Bidirectional solid phase synthesis of a model oligoglycine bolaamphiphile and purification by rapid self‐assembly
Authors: Naidoo Venthan B. , Rautenbach Marina
Published: March 2012

We utilised a simple bidirectional (N→C and C→N) solid phase synthesis strategy entailing conventional solid phase peptide synthesis and fragment condensation with a water‐soluble carbodiimide to synthesise a model anionic glycylglycine bolaamphiphile containing a suberic acid linker moiety, namelyN,N′‐suberoyldiglycylglycine. The synthetic suberoyldiglycylglycine was purified using its inherent ability to rapidly self‐assemble in an aqueous acidic solution (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid). Monitoring of the rapid assembly process corroborated our visual observation and confirmed packing‐directed self‐assembly rather than non‐specific aggregation or precipitation. The progress of suberoyldiglycylglycine self‐assembly was observed to be via the formation of oligomers in the solution, which then self‐assembled to form layeredβ‐sheet type macrostructures. Within 24 h, nanotubes grew from these macrostructures and eventually combined to formed microtubes, which we isolated after 5–7 days. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacopa monnieri Increases Cerebral Blood Flow in Rat Independent of Blood Pressure
Authors: Kamkaew Natakorn , Norman Scholfield C. , Ingkaninan Kornkanok , Taepavarapruk Niwat , Chootip Krongkarn
Published: March 2012

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Brahmi in India and Thailand) is an ayurvedic dementia treatment, but its effect on cerebral blood flow (CBF) is still unknown. We sought to test its chronic and acute effects on CBF compared with Ginkgo biloba and donepezil. CBF was measured by laser Doppler from rat cerebral cortex after 8 weeks of daily oral dosing of these drugs. Systolic blood pressure was also measured using the tail cuff method or via arterial cannulation. In rats treated with B. monnieri (40 mg/kg), CBF was 25% increased [2927 ± 123 perfusion units, (PU)] compared with shams (2337 ± 217 PU, p < 0.05, nine rats). G. biloba (60 mg/kg) also increased CBF (by 29% to 3019 ± 208 PU, p < 0.05, nine rats). No clear effect was obtained with donepezil (1 mg/kg). Chronic administration of the preparations had no effect on blood pressure. In contrast, intravenous acute infusion of these herbals (20–60 mg/kg) had marked dose‐dependent hypotensive actions (diastolic ~31 mmHg lower with 40 mg/kg of either extract), which correspondingly reduced CBF by ~15%. Likewise, CBF fell slightly with acute intravenous sodium nitroprusside and rose with noradrenaline. Donepezil (1 mg/kg) was slightly hypotensive without affecting CBF. Increased CBF with B. monnieri may account for its reported procognitive effect, and its further exploration as an alternative nootropic drug is worthwhile. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quercetin Reduces High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Fat Accumulation in the Liver by Regulating Lipid Metabolism Genes
Authors: Jung Chang Hwa , Cho Iljin , Ahn Jiyun , Jeon Tae‐Il , Ha Tae‐Youl
Published: March 2012

To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of quercetin on the physiological effects of hyperlipidemia, we investigated its role in the prevention of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity and found that it regulated hepatic gene expression related to lipid metabolism. Quercetin supplementation in mice significantly reduced the HFD‐induced gains in body weight, liver weight, and white adipose tissue weight compared with the mice fed only with HFD. It also significantly reduced HFD‐induced increases in serum lipids, including cholesterol, triglyceride, and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS). Consistent with the reduced liver weight and white adipose tissue weight, hepatic lipid accumulation and the size of lipid droplets in the epididymal fat pads were also reduced by quercetin supplementation. To further investigate how quercetin may reduce obesity, we analyzed lipid metabolism‐related genes in the liver. Quercetin supplementation altered expression profiles of several lipid metabolism‐related genes, including Fnta, Pon1, Pparg, Aldh1b1, Apoa4, Abcg5, Gpam, Acaca, Cd36, Fdft1, and Fasn, relative to those in HFD control mice. The expression patterns of these genes observed by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction were confirmed by immunoblot assays. Collectively, our results indicate that quercetin prevents HFD‐induced obesity in C57B1/6 mice, and its anti‐obesity effects may be related to the regulation of lipogenesis at the level of transcription. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen sulfide adsorption on a defective graphene
Authors: Borisova Dobrina , Antonov Vladislav , Proykova Ana
Published: March 2012

We have used density functional theory (DFT) to study adsorption of H2S molecules onto defective graphene as a function of vacancy concentration. The calculations are performed with the Quantum Espresso code, a plane‐wave realization of the DFT with norm‐conserving pseudopotentials. The Perdew et al. generalized gradient approximation to the density functional for exchange correlation energy of a many‐electron system is used. The computations show that a hydrogen sulfide molecule interacts stronger with the carbon atoms surrounding the vacancy than with the carbon atoms in a perfect arrangement. The most favorable energetically configuration is the one with the sulfur atom heading the center of the vacancy. Such a configuration facilitates covalent binding of the sulfur atom with three carbon atoms with unsaturated bonds. The density of states of perfect, defective graphene and defective graphene with chemisorbed sulfur demonstrate that the systems change their conductivity. The chemisorption is followed by a release of the hydrogen atoms, which form a H2 molecule. In the presence of more isolated vacancies per unit cell, more H2S molecules are chemisorbed. This process opens very interesting applications in the environmental and energy research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isotope labeling experiments in metabolomics and fluxomics
Authors: Klein Sebastian , Heinzle Elmar
Published: March 2012

Metabolomics, the study of all the small molecules in and outside a cell and fluxomics, comprising all conversion rates in a cell, are increasingly used in fundamental and applied sciences to unravel structures and activities of cellular networks and their regulation, to investigate mechanisms of diseases and toxicity, and to improve producing strains among other applications. For both fluxomics and metabolomics the application of isotopes became almost indispensable. Their use in these techniques is discussed, focusing primarily on studies applying stable isotopes and using mass spectrometry. This includes the underlying principles, experimental and computational methods used, and examples of application. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2012 doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1167

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Metabolomics
Metal Ion‐tuned Complexes based on Benzene‐1, 2, 4, 5‐tetracarboxylic Acid and the Semirigid Ligand 1, 4‐Bis(2‐methylbenzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl) Benzene
Authors: Guo Qianqian , Xu Chunying , Zhao Dandan , Jia Yanyuan , Wang Xianjuan , Hou Hongwei , Fan Yaoting
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Two metal‐organic coordination polymers [Co(bmb)(btc)0.5]n(1) and {[Zn(bmb)0.5(btc)0.5(H2O)]·0.5bmb·H2O}n (2) [H4btc = benzene‐1, 2, 4, 5‐tetracarboxylic acid, bmb = 1, 4‐bis(2‐methylbenzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl) benzene] were prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that both complexes have a 2D framework structure with (4·62) (42·62·82) topology. Interestingly, the hydrogen bonds in 2 form a fascinating meso‐helix. The catalytic activity of 1 for oxidative coupling of 2, 6‐dimethylphenol (DMP) and the photoluminescence properties of 2 were investigated. Furthermore, the complexes were investigated by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.
Zur Elektronenstruktur metallorganischer Komplexe der f‐Elemente. 78[1]Ergänzende Informationen von “polarisierten” Raman‐Spektren orientierter Einkristalle und Modellrechnungen auf der Grundlage der Dichtefunktionaltheorie bei der Zuordnung der Schwingungsspektren von Decamethylosmocen
Authors: Reddmann Hauke , Prosenc Marc Heinrich , Amberger Hanns‐Dieter
Published: March 2012

The far and mid infrared (FIR/MIR) spectra of powdered Os(η5‐C5Me5)2 (OsCp*2) as well as the polarized Raman spectra of an oriented single crystal (where the two molecules of D5h symmetry in the unit cell are uniformly oriented) have been recorded. The latter allow the assignment of the observed Raman lines to irreducible representations (irreps) which agree well with the predictions of a calculation applying density functional theory. This finding suggests additional correlation of the observed (unpolarized) bands in the FIR/MIR spectra with the calculated wavenumbers (and their irreps) of IR active normal modes. Neglecting νCH vibrations an r.m.s. deviation of 15.8 cm–1 for 40 assignments (Raman and IR) could be achieved. Skeletal and intra‐ligand vibrations could be identified and a number of previous assignments of the latter had to be revised. Because of mixing with skeletal modes some of the low frequency intra‐ligand vibrations display a noticeable dependence on the mass of the central atom which prevents the direct transfer of the identified γCCH3 and βCCH3 normal modes from MCp*2 (M = Fe, Ru, Os) to LnCp*3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) complexes.
Optical Thomson scattering measurements of cylindrical wire array parameters
Authors: Harvey-Thompson A. J. , Lebedev S. V. , Patankar S. , Bland S. N. , Burdiak G. , Chittenden J. P. , Colaitis A. , De Grouchy P. , Hall G. N. , Khoory E. , Hohenberger M. , Pickworth L. , Suzuki-Vidal F. , Smith R. A. , Skidmore J. , Suttle L. , Swadling G. F.
Published: March 2012

A Thomson scattering diagnostic has been used to measure the parameters of cylindrical wire array Z pinch plasmas. The scattering operates in the collective regime (α>1) allowing spatially localised measurements of the ion or electron plasma temperatures and of the plasma bulk velocity. The ablation flow is found to accelerate towards the axis reaching peak velocities of 1.2–1.3 × 107 cm/s in aluminium and ∼1 × 107 cm/s in tungsten arrays. Measurements of the precursor ion temperature shortly after formation are found to correspond to the kinetic energy of the converging ablation flow. Measurements during the implosion phase of tungsten arrays show the main imploding mass reaches velocities of ∼1.4–1.7 × 107 cm/s and is non-zero even at large radii close to the start of the x-ray pulse indicating current flow in the trailing mass.
Spatiotemporal chaos in the dynamics of buoyantly and diffusively unstable chemical fronts
Authors: Baroni M. P. M. A. , Guéron E. , De Wit A.
Published: March 2012

Nonlinear dynamics resulting from the interplay between diffusive and buoyancy-driven Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities of autocatalytic traveling fronts are analyzed numerically for various values of the relevant parameters. These are the Rayleigh numbers of the reactant A and autocatalytic product B solutions as well as the ratio D=DB/DA between the diffusion coefficients of the two key chemical species. The interplay between the coarsening dynamics characteristic of the RT instability and the constant short wavelength modulation of the diffusive instability can lead in some regimes to complex dynamics dominated by irregular succession of birth and death of fingers. By using spectral entropy measurements, we characterize the transition between order and spatial disorder in this system. The analysis of the power spectrum and autocorrelation function, moreover, identifies similarities between the various spatial patterns. The contribution of the diffusive instability to the complex dynamics is discussed.
Extracting reliable electronic properties from transmission spectra of indium tin oxide thin films and nanocrystal films by careful application of the Drude theory
Authors: Mendelsberg Rueben J. , Garcia Guillermo , Milliron Delia J.
Published: March 2012

Analysis of the transmittance and reflectance of transparent conducting oxide thin films and nanocrystal films can be accurately modeled using the Drude free electron theory to extract electrical transport properties if enough care is taken. However, several fits starting from different initial guesses are needed before confidence in the extracted Drude parameters can be obtained. Film thickness, optical carrier concentration, and optical carrier mobility can be reliably derived when using either a fully empirical or semiempirical model for the ionized impurity scattering. The results are in good agreement with those based on more arduous spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. Furthermore, fitting the reflectance along with the transmittance reduces the uncertainty, but does not significantly affect the values of the extracted parameters.
On the motion of inertial particles by sound waves
Authors: Cleckler Jay , Elghobashi Said , Liu Feng
Published: March 2012

This paper describes the numerical simulation of the motion of a heavy spherical particle in an acoustic wave using the equation of motion for a point particle. Our results agree well with the recent experimental data of Gonzàlez, Hoffmann, and Gallego [“Precise measurements of particle entrainment in a standing-wave acoustic field between 20 and 3500 Hz,” J. Aerosol Sci. 31, 1461–1468 (2000)]. Our simulations cover a range of particle relaxation number, τ* = ωτ, where τ is the particle relaxation time and ω is the angular acoustic frequency from 0.06 to 10, particle to fluid density ratios, ρp/ρf, from 2500 to 2, and moderate acoustic velocity amplitudes. The results show that the Stokes force controls particle motion for τ* < 1 and ρp/ρf > 25. Within this regime it is appropriate to consider the Basset, pressure gradient, and virtual mass forces as “higher order” corrections to the Stokes force. The magnitude of the Basset force exceeds that of the Stokes force for ρp/ρf ⩾ 25 and τ* ⩾ 4. All the forces in the particle equation of motion should be accounted for when simulating particle motion in an acoustic wave for ρp/ρf < 25.
Role of cobalt in room-temperature ferromagnetic Co-doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Wang C. C. , Liu M. , Man B. Y. , Chen C. S. , Jiang S. Z. , Yang S. Y. , Gao X. G. , Xu S. C. , Hu B. , Sun Z. C. , Guo J. J. , Hou J.
Published: March 2012

A series of Co-doped ZnO thin films were prepared under various deposition conditions using the pulsed laser deposition method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XPS depth profiling were used to detect the elemental valence states of Zn, Co and O. It was found that the films deposited under low temperature and high oxygen pressure exhibited intrinsic ferromagnetic properties due to oxidation of Co (Co2+) from the material. However, when the films were deposited under high temperature and low oxygen pressure, metallic cobalt (Co0) appeared and the ferromagnetism was greatly enhanced.
Defect-induced room temperature ferromagnetism in un-doped InN film
Authors: Xie Q. Y. , Gu M. Q. , Huang L. , Zhang F. M. , Wu X. S.
Published: March 2012

Diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs), with the Curie temperature at room temperature, are of technological and fundamental importance. Defect engineering has been an effective way to introduce magnetic moments in various non-magnetic systems. Here we show firstly, InN film directly grown on (0001)-oriented Al2O3 substrate with In deficiency is ferromagnetic with its Curie temperature as high as 297K. The undesirable large lattice mismatch between the film and substrate leads to a peculiar surface structure that the film separates into distinct In-rich and In-poor regions. Our first-principles calculations suggest the defect of In-vacancy is responsible for the magnetism. A local magnetic moment of 2.5μB is found, in agreement with experimental results. Our findings demonstrate that room-temperature ferromagnetism can also be induced in narrow band gap semiconductors through defect engineering, which remains largely unexplored so far.
Mechanistic Constraints on Evolutionary Outcomes
Authors: Baetu Tudor M.
Published: March 2012

Understanding the role mechanistic constraints play in shaping evolution can relieve the tension between the generally accepted intuition that there are no strict laws in biology and empirical findings showing that evolutionary processes are biased toward preferred outcomes. Mechanistic constraints explain why some evolutionary outcomes are more probable than others and allow for predictions in specific lineages. At the same time, mechanistic constraints are neither necessary nor universal in the way laws are traditionally characterized: they remain contingent on the past evolution of the biological mechanisms underpinning them and only constrain the future evolution of the organisms possessing them.
Does religious fasting increase fat free mass (FFM) and reduce abdominal obesity?
Authors: Khan Khattak Muhammad M. Ali , Abu Bakar Ibrahim , Yeim Layana
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of fasting on anthropometry and body composition in fasting obese and non‐obese subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 25 volunteers (male and female) were recruited during Ramadan. Age, sex, weight, height, waist and hip circumference and menstrual cycle status (in case of females) were recorded on day 1, and on day 21 weight and waist and hip circumference were also recorded. Similarly, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed on days 1 and 21 for the assessment of changes in body composition. From weight and height, basal metabolic Index (BMI) was determined. Waist‐hip ratio was determined from the waist and hip circumferences.

Findings

Weight was significantly (p<0.001) reduced in obese individuals on day 21 and accompanied by significant (p<0.01) reduction in waist hip ratios. BIA showed no significant change in the intra or extra cellular water. However, there has been shift of water between the two compartments and there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.9) between the fat free mass and total body water and negative association (r=−0.9) with total body water.

Originality/value

This study indicates that fasting could be a useful tool for the management of body weight without having a major shift in the body composition.
Soybean glycinin (11S) increases HDL‐cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats
Authors: Giácomo Fassini Priscila , de Souza Ferreira Ederlan , Aparecida da Silva Maraiza , Augusto Neves Valdir , Demonte Aureluce
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of isolated soy glycinin (11S) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet.

Design/methodology/approach

Male Wistar rats were kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions. The animals were divided into three groups (n=9): normal diet (STD) given a diet containing casein as protein source, recommended in AIN‐93M; hypercholesterolemic (HC) fed a normal diet with 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid; and hypercholesterolemic+glycinin (HC+11S), fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, plus 11S soy protein (300 mg/kg/day), dissolved in saline and administered by gavage. After 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood and liver removed for biochemical analysis of total cholesterol (TC), HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, hepatic TC and TG.

Findings

A single daily dose of glycinin given to the hypercholesterolemic group demonstrated its functional role, particularly in raising HDL‐C and reducing triglycerides in the liver.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the action of the 11S globulin in soybean as a serum lipid lowering agent, in addition to its nutritional properties, especially in raising the HDL‐C.
Solar‐powered sensors: a review of products and applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the technology and applications of solar‐powered sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this paper first considers photovoltaic technology and then describes a selection of solar‐powered sensors and their applications.

Findings

It is shown that solar‐powered sensors may be used as nodes in wireless sensor networks and also as stand‐alone devices. They offer a number of key operational and economic benefits and find applications in such diverse fields as structural and environmental monitoring, traffic management, weather forecasting, agriculture, process control, gas detection, satellite remote sensing and healthcare.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the important role that solar‐powered sensors and systems play in a wide range of applications and industries.
Preparation and characterization of the solid‐state Ag/AgCl reference electrode for RC structures
Authors: Qiao Guofu , Xiao Huigang , Hong Yi , Qiu Yuelan
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Corrosion sensors and networks are the most effective techniques to obtain the corrosion information and recognize the corrosion status of reinforced concrete structures. However, reference electrode is the key element to provide the baseline for potential control of the corrosion monitoring sensors during corrosion measurement process. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide the novel solid‐state reference electrode for the corrosion sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

A solid‐state Ag/AgCl reference electrode has been prepared. Furthermore, the performance of the reference electrode, such as stability, temperature response, anti‐polarization and influence of the concrete admixture, has been investigated.

Findings

The results indicate that the balance potential and the temperature coefficient of the reference electrode are 3.64±1mv (vs. SCE) at 25°C and −0.51 mv/°C±0.03 mv/°C, respectively. Furthermore, the polarization curve exhibits characteristics of three stages as the polarization current is in (−10μA/cm2,+10μA/cm2). Additionally, the reference electrode is insensitive to the concrete admixtures which include Na2SO4, NaCl, NaNO3 and NaNO2.

Originality/value

The research provides the key element for the corrosion monitoring sensors to integrate structural health monitoring system in future.
Do family SME managers value marketing capabilities' contribution to firm performance?
Authors: Pérez‐Cabañero Carmen , González‐Cruz Tomás , Cruz‐Ros Sonia
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to extend knowledge on the impact of different marketing capabilities on various measures of organisational performance in the context of family‐run small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Aspects regarding marketing capabilities in family‐owned SMEs and their impact on superior performance are identified and briefly discussed according to the existing literature. Then, quantitative research is presented followed by a discussion of the findings. The paper ends with the conclusion, managerial implications, limitations and lines for future research.

Findings

The results of the study show the relevance of marketing capabilities for product differentiation to gain stakeholders' satisfaction. Other marketing capabilities related to marketing planning and pricing have a positive impact on financial performance.

Originality/value

Different marketing capabilities have a different impact on various measures of performance. The nature of the marketing capabilities under consideration determines whether their main impact is on financial performance rather than on stakeholders' satisfaction.
Company image and corporate social responsibility: reflecting with SMEs' managers
Authors: Fraj‐Andrés Elena , López‐Pérez M. Eugenia , Melero‐Polo Iguácel , Vázquez‐Carrasco Rosario
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper is focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Its main interest consists of establishing a framework for clarifying the drivers of CSR activities in such a context. This paper also aims to analyse how CSR influences SMEs' image and positioning.

Design/methodology/approach

The general conceptual framework proposed by the literature is complemented with empirical research based on a longitudinal multi‐case study (inter and intra‐industry).

Findings

The research proposes that the owner/managers' values, market pressures and laws are key drivers for CSR in the SMEs context. Managers expect positive outcomes when CSR is implemented. However, the data suggest that while proactive and consistent SMEs may build up a good image and strong positioning, reactive and opportunistic firms may be penalised by stakeholders (e.g. customers).

Practical implications

CSR activities, when adequately managed, contribute for a better SME image and market positioning.

Originality/value

The ideas presented in this paper may help in achieving better management of resources in SMEs.
Congratulations! You've landed an interview
Authors: Hodge Megan , Spoor Nicole
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Although the job market remains extremely competitive for entry‐level librarian positions, only individual, anecdotal stories of what hiring committees are looking for in the candidates they invite to interview currently exist; no formal studies have been conducted since the recession began in early 2008. This survey was created with the aim of allowing those with recent experience on hiring committees to provide advice to those on the market for entry‐level public and academic librarian positions and to answer what are, for many job‐seekers, burning questions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory study designed to give librarians with hiring committee experience an opportunity to speak honestly about their preferences, explain how the interview process works at their institutions, and provide advice to job‐seekers.

Findings

The results of this survey provide guidance on what candidates can do to make the most of their abilities, knowledge and skills during the interview process.

Originality/value

Can a new library school graduate compete with those who have so much more experience? What traits are hiring committees looking for in an entry‐level librarian? While the literature does give some indication of best practices for hiring committees in libraries, the researchers of this study wanted to delve into what hiring committees really seek in entry‐level librarians now that the competition is more intense.
IFLA 2011 in Puerto Rico
Authors: Koren Marian
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an account of the highlights of the IFLA Congress 2011 held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an account of the IFLA Congress in the context of the four strategic directions of the IFLA Strategic Plan.

Findings

This paper provides information about IFLA's five key initiatives for 2011‐2012.

Originality/value

Information about a major international conference for the information and library profession is provided in this paper.
Sponsorship congruence and brand image
Authors: Woisetschläger David M. , Michaelis Manuel
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Existing research on sponsorship effects shows that the congruence (i.e. fit) between sponsor and sponsored cause is critical for a change in brand image. Congruence between sponsor and sponsored cause is seen as static in nature. From a dynamic perspective it is unclear why congruence should be seen as constant, and why it is critical for sponsorship effects. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes effects of sponsorship evaluative congruence on brand image over time using individual difference measures. Individual level data were obtained from two surveys before and after the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, including 268 respondents who participated in both surveys.

Findings

Findings show significant positive effects of learning and remembering of a sponsorship stimulus on brand image over time. In contrast to existing literature, positive incongruence of brand image (i.e. sponsor) and event image (i.e. sponsored cause) in the pre‐analysis results in a significant increase of brand image over time. Moreover, a change in event image over time has a positive effect on the change in brand image.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should replicate this study in different contexts, including event‐ and brand‐related contexts. Future studies should use a more detailed scale to measure brand (event) image, which would allow a more rigorous assessment of image transfer on an attribute level. A replication of the relationship between event image and brand image over time would be especially interesting in a setting, in which event image is negative or a negative Δ event image could be expected.

Practical implications

Linking explanatory variables such as (Δ) event image and Δ brand image over time is important for a reliable assessment of the positive (negative) consequences of sponsorship activities. A sponsorship that might have been positively incongruent in the beginning can turn out to be congruent over time. Hence, the current view that incongruent sponsorships are less promising might be misleading.

Originality/value

In experimental studies, congruence between sponsor and sponsored event is seen as static in nature. From a dynamic perspective, this viewpoint can be challenged. Both sponsor and event image are subject to change over time. Hence, this study determines the impact of event image change over time on brand image.
Dual nature of cause‐brand fit
Authors: Bigné Enrique , Currás‐Pérez Rafael , Aldás‐Manzano Joaquín
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the dual nature of social cause‐brand fit by studying the influence of two cause‐brand fit categories, functional fit and image fit, on the formation of brand corporate social responsibility consumer perception (CSR perception) in a cause‐brand alliance (CBA) context.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is proposed, based on previous research, which explains the effect of functional fit and image fit on altruistic attributions, brand credibility and CSR image; these relationships were assessed through structural equation modelling. The model was estimated with a sample of 299 Spanish consumers of toiletries and cosmetics products, randomly selected. Two newly created, printed CBA advertisements served as the basic stimulus of the study.

Findings

This research shows that consumers perceive functional and image fit differently, and each has its own mechanism for influencing brand CSR perception. While functional fit has a direct, although gentle influence on CSR perception, image fit has an indirect influence, as it is used as a cue to evaluate altruistic brand motivations and brand credibility.

Research limitations/implications

The chosen research approach may reduce the generalisability of the results. Further empirical testing using alternative brands and outcome measures is encouraged.

Practical implications

Both types of fit influence the formation of CSR perception, and should therefore be postulated as decision criteria to brand managers for choosing the CBA partner. Specifically, brands which are likely of being perceived as not credible or egoistic when associating with the cause, must pay special attention to image fit.

Originality/value

This work analyses and compares simultaneously the influence of functional fit and image fit on CSR brand perception formation in the context of a CBA strategy.
Networking and managers' career success in the Malaysian public sector
Authors: Mohd Rasdi Roziah , Garavan Thomas N. , Ismail Maimunah
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how managerial level moderates the relationships between networking behaviours and career success (objective and subjective) in the context of a public sector organisation in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilised a cross‐sectional design and investigated these relationships indicated on a sample of 288 managers from the Malaysian public sector.

Findings

The study found that increasing internal visibility was related to monthly income and subjective career success. Managerial level moderated the relationships between some types of networking and objective career success.

Research limitations/implications

The study was cross‐sectional in nature and involved a sample of managers from public sector organisations. However, there is scope to longitudinally investigate the impact of specific networking behaviours on both objective and subjective career success.

Practical implications

The study findings highlight the advantages that senior managers have in respect of networking opportunities and the importance of particular types of networking objective and subjective career success.

Originality/value

The study findings extend the knowledge of the value of networking and demonstrate that the relationships found in Western organisations also are true in Asian organisations and cultures and in public as well as private sector organisations.
Political management and local performance: a testing relationship?
Authors: Fenwick John , Johnston Miller Karen
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Reform of local political management continues to be part of the international agenda for change as governments seek to create the conditions for better performance in local government. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of changes in political management upon the performance of local government, with England as a case study, and the implications for local government reform elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

Using statistical data derived from the system of comprehensive performance assessment (CPA), the analysis uses Kendall's tau to correlate CPA score per local authority against the respective political governance arrangement of each local authority in England.

Findings

As the correlation coefficient did not reach the level of statistical significance, the principal finding is that the relationship between different political governance arrangements and local authorities' performance is not demonstrated. The implications of this for governments' reforms of political management are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The data are based upon English sources and point to the importance of conducting comparable analysis in other societies that have undergone similar changes in local political management.

Practical implications

In instituting reforms of local governance, governments rarely pay serious attention to measurable outcomes and the paper suggests the value in so doing.

Originality/value

The specific relationship between local political management and performance has not previously been measured in precisely this way.
The omnipresent personal narrative: story formulation and the interplay among narratives
Authors: Hawkins Matthew A. , Saleem Fathima Z.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Stories draw meaning from narratives. The resulting narrative component in a story is entirely personal or contains fragments of organizational and/or societal narratives. Therefore, understanding how stories obtain these narrative fragments is critical to offering valid interpretations of narratives based on stories. In an effort to advance narrative research, the purpose of this paper is to address this fundamental question: How do stories obtain their reflected narrative fragments? Without a firm understanding of how stories draw meaning from narratives, the critical role of disentangling compound narratives from stories – interpretation – remains suspect.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are drawn from extant research and prior conceptualizations, and the story formulation model is introduced.

Findings

Through the introduction of the story formulation model, it is shown that personal narratives are omnipresent within collective narratives. Additionally, the analysis indicates there are two stages in which narrative interaction occurs, during the formulation of stories and during the formulation of narratives.

Originality/value

The findings have significant impact on the interpretation of stories, as well as furthering the understanding of how stories draw their meaning from narratives. In particular, the omnipresence of personal narratives within stories is particularly relevant for interpreting stories and narratives. Therefore, this paper offers a framework in which to conceptualize the story formulation process and contributes to story and narrative analysis research methodologies.
Legitimate peripheral irritations
Authors: Basbøll Thomas
Published: March 2012

Purpose

In 2010, the author published a practical critique of some of Karl Weick's writings, to which Weick offered a rejoinder. The purpose of this paper is to use his response as an occasion to reflect on the rhetorical conditions of critique in the sensemaking tradition.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a rhetorical analysis of Weick's response to the author's critique, showing that it is directed at the ethos of the critic. For the purpose of the analysis, ethos is conventionally defined as the character, competence and goodwill of the speaker.

Findings

The analysis shows that Weick's dismissal of the author's critique suggests the lack of a “dwelling place” (the primordial sense of “ethos” in pre‐Socratic Greek) for critical scholarship in sensemaking research.

Originality/value

All scholarly communities need a space for the critical evaluation of the claims their members make. In an attempt to establish such a place, the author counters the standard disciplinary pedagogy of sensemaking, which is inspired by Lave and Wenger's “legitimate peripheral participation”, with a call for legitimate peripheral irritation.