bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building an evidence base for community health: a review of the quality of program evaluations
Authors: Jolley Gwyn M , Lawless Angela P , Baum Fran E , Hurley Catherine J , Fry Denise
Published: February 2010

An assessment of the quality of program evaluations
conducted in South Australian community
health services investigated how effective evaluation
reporting is in producing an evidence base for
community health. Evaluation reports were
assessed by a team of reviewers. Practitioner
workshops allowed an understanding of the uses
of evaluation and what promotes or acts as a
barrier to undertaking evaluations.
Community health services do undertake a good
deal of evaluation. However, reports were not generally
explicit in dealing with the principles that
underpin community health. Few engaged with program
theory or rationale. Typically, reports were of
short-term projects with uncertain futures so there
may seem little point in considering issues of longterm
health outcomes and transferability to other
settings. The most important issue from our study is
the lack of investment in applied health services
research of the sort that will be required to produce
the evidence for practice that policy makers desire.
The current lack of evidence for community health
reflects failure of the system to invest in research
and evaluation that is adequately resourced and
designed for complex community settings.
The AROC Annual Report: the state of rehabilitation in Australia 2005
Authors: Simmonds Frances , Stevermuer Tara
Published: February 2010

This is the inaugural comprehensive annual report
that describes patients discharged from subacute
inpatient rehabilitation programs provided by facilities
that are members of the Australasian Rehabilitation
Outcomes Centre (AROC). Collection of
a standardised dataset has enabled the provision
of a national benchmarking system, which in turn
has led to an improved understanding of factors
that influence rehabilitation outcomes and costs,
and therefore performance of the sector.
An alternative approach to projecting health expenditure in Australia
Authors: Begg Stephen , Vos Theo , Goss John , Mann Nicholas
Published: February 2010

Objective: To introduce a large body of work that
explores the modelling of expenditure on health
services per person living with major causes of
disease or injury as a valid basis for conclusions
regarding future health expenditure in Australia.
Methods: Separate projections were calculated for
important health conditions (or groups of conditions)
by type of expenditure (hospital care, medical services,
pharmaceuticals, aged care homes and other
health services). Analyses accounted for expected
changes in the number of affected cases, the proportion
of cases treated, the volume of health services
per treated case and excess health price inflation.
Results: Total health expenditure in Australia is
expected to increase from 9.4% of GDP in 2002?03
to 10.8% of GDP in 2032?33. This represents a 15%
increase in the ?health :GDP? proportion over the
projection period, or an annual growth of 0.5%. Twothirds
of this growth is accounted for by expected
increases in population size and population ageing.
Conclusions: The lower annual growth in the
?health :GDP? proportion compared with other estimates
for Australia (range, 0.9% to 1.7%) was
attributed to different assumptions regarding nondemographic
growth factors, particularly volume per
case. Explicit modelling of these factors separately
for each condition ensured that assumptions
remained within plausible limits.
Planning for transition care
Authors: Crombie Angela , Ham Jenni , Masman Kevin , Mills Terence M
Published: February 2010

The Australian Government introduced the
National Transition Care Program in the 2004?
2005 Federal Budget. This program is designed to
assist elderly patients who have completed a stay
in hospital to move from the hospital to their
homes or other suitable accommodation. In planning
for transition care services, managers are
faced with the question, ?How many places should
be allocated to transition care in our facility?? This
case study offers an approach to this question
based on queueing theory.
Working together: collaboration between midwives and doctors in public hospitals
Authors: Reiger Kerreen M , Lane Karen L
Published: February 2010

While collaborative, multidisciplinary teamwork is
widely espoused as the goal of contemporary
hospitals, it is hard to achieve. In maternity care
especially, professional rivalries and deep-seated
philosophical differences over childbirth generate
significant tensions. This article draws on qualitative
research in several Victorian public maternity
units to consider the challenges to inter-professional
collaboration. It reports what doctors and
midwives looked for in colleagues they liked to
work with ? the attributes of a ?good doctor? or a
?good midwife?. Although their ideals did not
entirely match, both groups respected skill and
hard work and sought mutual trust, respect and
accountability. Yet effective working together is
limited both by tensions over role boundaries and
power and by incivility that is intensified by
increasing workloads and a fragmented labour
force. The skills and qualities that form the basis of
?professional courtesy? need to be recognised as
essential to good collaborative practice.
Statistical process control part 1: a primer for using statistical process control in health care process improvement
Authors: Chetter Tamara G
Published: February 2010

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT is increasingly important
for health care organisations both nation-wide
and internationally. There is greater recognition
of both the variances in patient care and the gaps
between evidence-based research and current
practice. At the same time, demand, not only for
the quantity of services, but for higher quality
services, continues to grow. Realising this, most
major hospitals across Australia are initiating the
redesign of hospital processes in order to maximise
the timeliness and quality of patient care.
But changing a process does not always result in
an improvement.1,2 For this reason, a key component
of any quality improvement effort is the
robust measurement, analysis, and interpretation
of appropriate clinical outcomes and processes,
to ensure beneficial changes occur.
Evaluating multidisciplinary health care teams: taking the crisis out of CRM
Authors: Sutton Gigi
Published: February 2010

High-reliability organisations are those, such as
within the aviation industry, which operate in complex,
hazardous environments and yet despite this
are able to balance safety and effectiveness. Crew
resource management (CRM) training is used to
improve the non-technical skills of aviation crews
and other high-reliability teams. To date, CRM
within the health sector has been restricted to use
with ?crisis teams? and ?crisis events?. The purpose
of this discussion paper is to examine the
application of CRM to acute, ward-based multidisciplinary
health care teams and more broadly to
argue for the repositioning of health-based CRM
to address effective everyday function, of which
?crisis events? form just one part. It is argued that
CRM methodology could be applied to evaluate
ward-based health care teams and design nontechnical
skills training to increase their efficacy,
promote better patient outcomes, and facilitate a
range of positive personal and organisational level
outcomes.
The Breast Service Psychosocial Model of Care Project
Authors: Mann Bruce G , Williams Lauren K
Published: February 2010

Objective:

It has been consistently demonstrated that many women with breast disease will experience psychosocial distress at some stage along the patient journey. Psychosocial care has recently gained more prominence and is increasingly recognised as an important aspect of care offered to patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this project was to develop a model that improved the way psychosocial services were provided to patients. The aim of this paper is to describe the process in developing this psychosocial model of care for patients with breast disease.
Methods:

Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with a sample of patients and staff, we examined psychosocial concerns experienced by breast patients and the factors associated with the effective assessment and delivery of psychosocial care. The project was approved by the Royal Women?s hospital ethics secretariat as a quality assurance project.
Results:

An inductive analysis of staff responses indicated that a standardised screening and referral pathway was needed in a context of well defined staff roles and a multidisciplinary team environment. An inductive analysis of patient responses indicated that psychosocial concerns were common, but varied, and a tailored approach to the provision of psychosocial care was warranted.
Discussion:

In line with these findings, a standardised assessment and referral pathway was developed for The Breast Service that may be extended for use in other clinical settings and tumour streams.
The strategic planning of health management information systems
Authors: Smith Jack
Published: February 2010

This paper discusses the roles and functions of strategic planning of informationsystems in health services. It selects four specialised methodologies of strategicplanning for analysis with respect to their applicability in the health field. It thenexamines the utilisation of information planning in case studies of three healthorganisations (two State departments of health and community services and oneacute care institution). Issues arising from the analysis concern the planning process,the use to which plans are put, and implications for management.
The process of developing and validating national core competencies for diabetes educators
Authors: Colagiuri Ruth , Ritchie Jan
Published: February 2010

The National Core Competencies for Diabetes Educators were developed on behalfof the Australian Diabetes Educators Association between July 1994 and November1995. This paper traces the development of the competencies including the rationalefor undertaking the project, the process involved and the measures taken to ensuretheir relevance and validity. The limitations of applying the competency concept tohealth professionals are discussed. The paper also explores issues affecting professionalbodies which attempt to define and document competencies and describes some of theobstacles which may be encountered during the process.
Tourists as inpatients in Queensland regional hospitals
Authors: Nicol Jennifer , Wilks Jeffrey , Wood Maryann
Published: February 2010

This study analysed medical record data from seven regional hospitals in Queenslandto determine the types of medical conditions and injuries that resulted in overseas andinterstate tourists being admitted to hospital. From a total of 135- 128 admissionsto the participating hospitals, 695 (0.51- per cent) were identified as overseas touristsand 3479 (2.57- per cent) were from interstate. The main reasons for admission ofoverseas tourists, based on principal diagnoses, were injuries and poisonings (37.6- percent), circulatory disorders (11.7- per cent), digestive conditions (9.8- per cent), andgenito-urinary disorders (8.8- per cent). For interstate tourists, the main reasons foradmission were genito-urinary disorders (19.8- per cent), injuries and poisonings(15.4- per cent), neoplasms (11.4- per cent) and circulatory disorders (10.6- per cent).These findings are discussed in relation to current literature in the field of travelmedicine, emphasising the burden of care placed on the admitting hospital?s resources,and the growing number of visitors to Queensland needing health care.Introduction
Leadership as a management competency in rural health organisations
Authors: Hartley Ross
Published: February 2010

The management competency of leadership was measured on 34 middle and seniorhealth managers from the Murray Health Service, using Situational LeadershipQuestionnaires. Using self-analysis, the managers found their leadership behavioursto be entrenched, inflexible and less effective than they might otherwise be. Thisconclusion was supported by results of the questionnaires completed on each managerby their followers. In almost half of the cases, followers had a different perception oftheir manager?s leadership style than did the manager. This paper discusses thesefindings in the context of management assessment centres and the Charter for Changenow facing all health organisations.
Managing the gap: Balancing advances in technology with advances in management practice
Authors: Ritchie David
Published: February 2010

Expenditure on information systems is widely anticipated to lead to improvedmanagement of health care resources. Despite large investments in hardware andsoftware, these expectations are difficult to realise. Part of the difficulty lies in themanner in which information systems are applied to, rather than integrated within,organisations. This paper considers some of the personal and organisational issues thatneed to be addressed to ?manage the gap? in balancing advances in informationtechnology with advances in management practice. The issues identified are consistentwith the concept of a learning organisation dealing with environmental change.Introduction
Increasing general practitioner skills with patients with serious mental illness
Authors: Tobin Margaret , Hickie Ian B , Urbanc Amanda
Published: February 2010

This report describes a clinical training program designed to increase generalpractitioner involvement with a public mental health service. The program involvedone half-day clinical session per week and one two-hour formal training seminar permonth, over a six-month period. Prior to training, participants demonstrated major clinical and theoretical skill deficits when assessing patients with serious mental illnesses. While specific knowledge of psychiatry increased by the end of the training program, little change in clinical interview skills was evident. Current initiatives toenhance general practitioner involvement in mental health care may be hampered if these skill deficits are not directly addressed in relevant shared care programs.
The Asian currency crisis and the Australian health industry
Authors: Barraclough Simon
Published: February 2010

This article identifies linkages between the Australian health industry and theglobal economy. It discusses some of the consequences of the Asian currency crisisof 1997?98 for the Australian economy and health industry, with special emphasisupon exports. Devaluation of the Australian dollar will increase the cost of mostpharmaceutical and medical imports, but may offer competitive advantages to someAustralian exporters. The nascent engagement with Asia of many health industryenterprises is likely to be stifled. It is therefore important for Australian governments,as well as the Australian health industry, to provide intelligence and encouragementto those enterprises that wish to continue their engagement with Asia or resume itwhen economic equilibrium returns. Markets throughout the world must also befurther developed. The crisis may therefore provide the stimulus for re-thinking andre-stating Australian health export policy.
Indigenous health: Patterns of variation in terms of disease categories
Authors: Ishak Maged
Published: February 2010

While many studies investigated the higher morbidity and mortality levels ofindigenous Australians in the high-density indigenous areas in the Northern Territory,Western Australia and South Australia, few examined the situation in New SouthWales, where more than 28% of the indigenous population lives. Admissions to acutepublic and private hospitals in New South Wales for 1989?1995 are used in the studyreported here to examine indigenous health and its differential patterns by diseasecategories. The study allowed for the monitoring of disease groups with particularlyhigh indigenous admissions and, accordingly, pinpointed areas for improvement. Age-standardisedestimates for the indigenous population are provided. Age compositionof admissions for each disease category and admissions by residential area are alsoestimated.
Health care practice and the minimisation of patient medical litigation
Authors: Moyle Stephanie
Published: February 2010

This article explores why patients sue their health care providers. Following an extensive literature review, it identifies 'sue' motivators and then examines the legal basis of medical litigation by reviewing contemporary case law. Armed with the 'sue' motivators and having considered the types of claims brought against health care providers, the article focuses upon what health care providers may do to minimise litigation. It recommends specific provocative measures, which are based upon satisfying a myriad of patient needs through consenting practices, and early recognition and resolution of patient issues by providers.
Disruption of angiogenesis and tumor growth with an orally active drug that stabilizes the inactive state of PDGFRβ/B-RAF
Authors: Murphy Eric A. , Shields David J. , Stoletov Konstantin , Dneprovskaia Elena , McElroy Michele , Greenberg Joshua I. , Lindquist Jeff , Acevedo Lisette M. , Anand Sudarshan , Majeti Bharat Kumar , Tsigelny Igor , Saldanha Adrian , Walsh Breda , Hoffman Robert M. , Bouvet Michael , Klemke Richard L. , Vogt Peter K. , Arnold Lee , Wrasidlo Wolfgang , Cheresh David A.
Published: February 2010

Kinases are known to regulate fundamental processes in cancer including tumor proliferation, metastasis, neovascularization, and chemoresistance. Accordingly, kinase inhibitors have been a major focus of drug development, and several kinase inhibitors are now approved for various cancer indications. Typically, kinase inhibitors are selected via high-throughput screening using catalytic kinase domains at low ATP concentration, and this process often yields ATP mimetics that lack specificity and/or function poorly in cells where ATP levels are high. Molecules targeting the allosteric site in the inactive kinase conformation (type II inhibitors) provide an alternative for developing selective inhibitors that are physiologically active. By applying a rational design approach using a constrained amino-triazole scaffold predicted to stabilize kinases in the inactive state, we generated a series of selective type II inhibitors of PDGFRβ and B-RAF, important targets for pericyte recruitment and endothelial cell survival, respectively. These molecules were designed in silico and screened for antivascular activity in both cell-based models and a Tg(fli1-EGFP) zebrafish embryogenesis model. Dual inhibition of PDGFRβ and B-RAF cellular signaling demonstrated synergistic antiangiogenic activity in both zebrafish and murine models of angiogenesis, and a combination of previously characterized PDGFRβ and RAF inhibitors validated the synergy. Our lead compound was selected as an orally active molecule with favorable pharmacokinetic properties which demonstrated target inhibition in vivo leading to suppression of murine orthotopic tumors in both the kidney and pancreas.
Two isoforms of human RNA polymerase III with specific functions in cell growth and transformation
Authors: Haurie Valérie , Durrieu-Gaillard Stéphanie , Dumay-Odelot Hélène , Da Silva Daniel , Rey Christophe , Prochazkova Martina , Roeder Robert G. , Besser Daniel , Teichmann Martin
Published: February 2010

Transcription in eukaryotic nuclei is carried out by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases I, II, and III. Human RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcribes small untranslated RNAs that include tRNAs, 5S RNA, U6 RNA, and some microRNAs. Increased Pol III transcription has been reported to accompany or cause cell transformation. Here we describe a Pol III subunit (RPC32β) that led to the demonstration of two human Pol III isoforms (Pol IIIα and Pol IIIβ). RPC32β-containing Pol IIIβ is ubiquitously expressed and essential for growth of human cells. RPC32α-containing Pol IIIα is dispensable for cell survival, with expression being restricted to undifferentiated ES cells and to tumor cells. In this regard, and most importantly, suppression of RPC32α expression impedes anchorage-independent growth of HeLa cells, whereas ectopic expression of RPC32α in IMR90 fibroblasts enhances cell transformation and dramatically changes the expression of several tumor-related mRNAs and that of a subset of Pol III RNAs. These results identify a human Pol III isoform and isoform-specific functions in the regulation of cell growth and transformation.
‘For whom the bell tolls’: Listening and its Implications
Authors: Irving David R. M.
Published: February 2010

This response highlights the cultural specificity of the ‘work-concept’ and questions the tripartite scheme of listening proposed by John Butt. It offers an alternative set of listening categories, and makes reference to the issues of early-modern class structures and the role of music in religious devotions. The argument is supported by critiques of historical vignettes that include the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's transcription of Gregorio Allegri's Miserere and Jean Joseph Marie Amiot's demonstration of French music to a Chinese audience in the mid-eighteenth century.
‘Take Heed What Ye Hear’: Listening as a Moral, Transcendental and Sacramental Act
Authors: Wannenwetsch Bernd
Published: February 2010

This paper aims to demonstrate that listening is not only a highly complex sensory-perceptive phenomenon, but also an activity that invites considerations of its moral, political and religious dimensions. Drawing from the perspective of an early monastic tradition that understood theology as a sounding practice rather than a primarily cognitive one, the author draws attention to the fact that the biblical tradition itself prioritized hearing over seeing in its portrayal of the human being as ‘all ear’ when communicating with and responding to a God that addresses her from the first. Analyses of Martin Luther's account of the new creation in Christ as one that will be awakened to hearing afresh, thus becoming attentive to the ‘address of creation through creation’, and of his theology of the psalter, in which the reformer presents an excitingly different hermeneutics of scriptural interpretation based on the sensory perception of hearing/chanting the text, prepare for concluding remarks on the inevitably communicative and quasi-sacramental character of listening.
Action control while seeing mirror images of one's own movements: Effects of perspective on spatial compatibility
Authors: Sutter Christine , Müsseler Jochen
Published: February 2010

It is examined whether and how the perspective of seeing one's own movements exerted an influence on action control. Such change in the perspective challenges an information processor, as she or he has to handle successfully the discrepancies between the tactile/proprioceptive feedback and the visual feedback on a projection screen. In the experiments participants responded to visual stimuli, but saw their responses either from the top or with an x-axis reflection, a y-axis reflection, or a reflection about both axes. The results showed that a change in perspective did not impair performance as long as the left–right relations corresponded with the body space (e.g., with visual feedback reflected about the x-axis). By contrast, performance was drastically reduced when visual feedback was reflected about the y-axis or about both axes, so that performed left-side (right-side) movements were seen as right-side (left-side) movements. It is concluded that an actor preferably relies on the information of the visual system, but refers to the tactile/proprioceptive information when it facilitates the task demands.
Dielectric dispersion of BaxSr1 − xTiO3thin film with parallel-plate and coplanar interdigital electrodes
Authors: Xiao-Yu Zhang  , Qing Song  , Feng Xu  , Su Sheng  , Peng Wang  , C K Ong
Published: February 2010

Figures 1, 2 and 5 of this paper are reprinted from the authors' previous paper, Zhang X-Y, Wang P, Sheng S, Xu F and Ong C K 2008 Ferroelectric BaxSr1 −xTiO3thin-film varactors with parallel plate and interdigital electrodes for microwave applicationsJ. Appl. Phys.104124110, copyright 2008, with permission from the American Institute of Physics.
Deuterium inventory in the full-tungsten divertor of ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Sugiyama K. , Mayer M. , Rohde V. , Balden M. , Dürbeck Th. , Herrmann A. , Lindig S. , Wiltner A. , Müller H.W. , Neu R.
Published: February 2010

The deuterium inventory in tungsten-coated divertor tiles used during the first full-tungsten plasma-facing wall phase of ASDEX Upgrade was measured by various methods of analysis. The D inventory in the inner divertor was still dominated by codeposition with residual carbon, whereas it was dominated by trapping in the thicker vacuum plasma sprayed tungsten layers at the outer divertor. The total inventory in the divertor area decreased by a factor of 5–10 compared with the period of carbon-dominated plasma-facing wall.
The super X divertor (SXD) and a compact fusion neutron source (CFNS)
Authors: Kotschenreuther M. , Valanju P. , Mahajan S. , Zheng L.J. , Pearlstein L.D. , Bulmer R.H. , Canik J. , Maingi R.
Published: February 2010

A new magnetic geometry, the super X divertor (SXD), is invented to solve severe heat exhaust problems in high power density fusion plasmas. SXD divertor plates are moved to the largest major radii inside the TF coils, increasing the wetted area by 2–3 and the line length by 2–5. Two-dimensional fluid simulations with SOLPS (Schneider et al 2006 SOLPS 2-D edge calculation code Contrib. Plasma Phys.
46) show a several-fold decrease in divertor heat flux and plasma temperature at the plate. A small high power density tokamak using SXD is proposed, for either (1) useful fusion applications using conservative physics, such as a component test facility (CTF) or fission–fusion hybrid, or (2) to develop more advanced physics modes for a pure fusion reactor in an integrated fusion environment.
Resonant magnetic perturbation effect on tearing mode dynamics
Authors: Frassinetti L. , Olofsson K.E.J. , Brunsell P.R. , Drake J.R.
Published: February 2010

The effect of a resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) on the tearing mode (TM) dynamics is experimentally studied in the EXTRAP T2R device. EXTRAP T2R is equipped with a set of sensor coils and active coils connected by a digital controller allowing a feedback control of the magnetic instabilities. The recently upgraded feedback algorithm allows the suppression of all the error field harmonics but keeping a selected harmonic to the desired amplitude, therefore opening the possibility of a clear study of the RMP effect on the corresponding TM. The paper shows that the RMP produces two typical effects: (1) a weak oscillation in the TM amplitude and a modulation in the TM velocity or (2) a strong modulation in the TM amplitude and phase jumps. Moreover, the locking mechanism of a TM to a RMP is studied in detail. It is shown that before the locking, the TM dynamics is characterized by velocity modulation followed by phase jumps. Experimental results are reasonably explained by simulations obtained with a model.
Experimental particle transport studies by pellet injection in helical equilibria
Authors: Terranova D. , Auriemma F. , Canton A. , Carraro L. , Lorenzini R. , Innocente P.
Published: February 2010

Helical equilibria have been experimentally found in the RFX-mod reversed field pinch both as spontaneous and induced states. These states are associated with a dominant helicity in the spectrum of magnetic field fluctuations producing a helical deformation of magnetic surfaces in a large fraction of the plasma core. In particular, they are also characterized by an improvement in global plasma performances in terms of electron temperature and energy confinement time with respect to the standard axisymmetric configuration with multiple helicities in the magnetic spectrum. These observations suggest that one should also expect an improvement in terms of particle confinement although this has never been experimentally observed due to the lack of a particle source in the core of RFX-mod plasmas. To address this point perturbative experiments were done in RFX-mod by injecting pellets (a known particle source) both inside and outside the helical magnetic structure present during such states. These experiments show that plasma density asymmetries and variations in the ablation rate of pellets are correlated with the internal magnetic field structure obtained by means of a line tracing code based on an equilibrium reconstructed in toroidal geometry using external measurements. In particular, they prove that particle transport is significantly reduced in the helical states with respect to axisymmetric configurations. An increase by a factor 2–3 was determined for the global electron particle confinement time calculated with a zero-dimensional model taking into account the helical geometry.
Flavobacterium ponti sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Park Sooyeon , Kang So-Jung , Oh Soo-Jin , Myung Soon Chul , Kim Wonyong
Published: February 2010

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated GSW-R14T, was isolated from seawater of Geoje Island in the South Sea, Korea. Strain GSW-R14T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GSW-R14T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium, joining Flavobacterium gelidilacus LMG 21477T by a bootstrap resampling value of 100 %. Strain GSW-R14T exhibited 97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to F. gelidilacus LMG 21477T and similarities of 91.2–95.2 % to other members of the genus Flavobacterium. Strain GSW-R14T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. The fatty acid profile of strain GSW-R14T was similar to that of F. gelidilacus LMG 21477T. The DNA G+C content of strain GSW-R14T was 31.4 mol% and its DNA–DNA relatedness with F. gelidilacus LMG 21477T was 31 %. Strain GSW-R14T could be distinguished from F. gelidilacus and the other species of the genus Flavobacterium by its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness and by several phenotypic properties. On the basis of these data, strain GSW-R14T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ponti sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is GSW-R14T (=KCTC 22802T =CCUG 58402T).
Marinobacterium coralli sp. nov., isolated from mucus of coral (Mussismilia hispida)
Authors: Chimetto Luciane A. , Cleenwerck Ilse , Brocchi Marcelo , Willems Anne , De Vos Paul , Thompson Fabiano L.
Published: February 2010

A Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated R-40509T, was isolated from mucus of the reef builder coral (Mussismilia hispida) located in the São Sebastião Channel, São Paulo, Brazil. The strain was oxidase-positive and catalase-negative, and required Na+for growth. Its phylogenetic position was in the genusMarinobacteriumand the closest related species wereMarinobacterium sediminicola,Marinobacterium maritimumandMarinobacterium stanieri; the isolate exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.5–98.0 % with the type strains of these species. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with other type strains of the genusMarinobacteriumwere below 96 %. DNA–DNA hybridizations between strain R-40509Tand the type strains of the phylogenetically closest species of the genusMarinobacteriumrevealed less than 70 % DNA–DNA relatedness, supporting the novel species status of the strain. Phenotypic characterization revealed that the strain was able to grow at 15–42 °C and in medium containing up to 9 % NaCl. The isolate could be differentiated from phenotypically related species by several features, including its ability to utilized-alanine,l-alanine, bromosuccinic acid,β-hydroxybutyric acid andα-ketovaleric acid, but not acetate orl-arabinose. It produced acetoin (Voges–Proskauer), but did not have esterase lipase (C8) or catalase activities. It possessed C18 : 1ω7c(35 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 02-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c; 25 %) and C16 : 0(22 %) as major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The nameMarinobacterium corallisp. nov. is proposed to accommodate this novel isolate; the type strain is R-40509T(=LMG 25435T=CAIM 1449T).
Thermasporomyces composti gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic actinomycete isolated from compost
Authors: Yabe Shuhei , Aiba Yoshifumi , Sakai Yasuteru , Hazaka Masaru , Yokota Akira
Published: February 2010

A thermophilic, Gram-positive bacterium that formed a branched vegetative mycelium was isolated from compost. The strain, designated I3T, grew at temperatures between 35 and 62 °C, with optimum growth at 50–55 °C. No growth was observed below 29 °C or above 65 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.7–10.0, the pH for optimum growth was 7.0 and no growth was observed below pH 5.6 or above pH 10.8. The DNA G+C content of strain I3Twas 69.2 mol%. The major fatty acids found were C15 : 0iso (14.2 %), C15 : 0anteiso (12.1 %), C17 : 0iso (16.3 %) and C17 : 0anteiso (21.7 %). The major menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-10(H4) and MK-11(H4). The cell wall contained glutamic acid, glycine, alanine andll-diaminopimelic acid in a molar ratio of 1.0 : 3.9 : 0.6 : 0.5. The polar lipids consisted of ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown glycolipid. The cell-wall sugars were rhamnose and arabinose. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis assigned this actinomycete to the familyNocardioidaceae, but its 16S rRNA gene sequence shared no more than 95.5 % similarity with those of other members of the family. The chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics of strain I3Tdiffered in some respects from those of members of the genusActinopolymorpha, the most closely related genus. Therefore, strain I3Trepresents a novel species in a new genus of the familyNocardioidaceae, for which the nameThermasporomyces compostigen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is I3T(=JCM 16421T=DSM 22891T).
Application of variable number of tandem repeats typing to describe familial outbreaks of brucellosis in Argentina
Authors: Lucero Nidia E. , Tenenbaum Marina , Jacob Nestor R. , Escobar Gabriela I. , Groussaud Pauline , Whatmore Adrian M.
Published: February 2010

Consumption of inadequately pasteurized dairy products is the most common means of transmission of brucellosis. This report describes two foodborne outbreaks that occurred in families infected after consumption of fresh home-made cheese bought in different Argentine provinces. High resolution variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR)-based analysis revealed two well-defined groups comprising essentially identical profiles and corresponding to the two different outbreaks. Similar clinical findings in members of the same family could indicate that the differential virulence of different bacterial clones, as indicated by VNTR data, could have influenced the course of the disease. We observed the importance of adequate treatment in early stages of the disease; combination therapy and extended treatment for 6 weeks or longer yielded significantly better results. The risk of the foodborne transmission of this zoonotic disease and disease prevention should be considered.
Cholesterol utilization in mycobacteria is controlled by two TetR-type transcriptional regulators: kstR and kstR2
Authors: Kendall Sharon L. , Burgess Philippa , Balhana Ricardo , Withers Mike , ten Bokum Annemieke , Lott J. Shaun , Gao Chen , Uhia-Castro Iria , Stoker Neil G.
Published: February 2010

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is able to use a variety of carbon sources in vivo and current knowledge suggests that cholesterol is used as a carbon source during infection. The catabolized cholesterol is used both as an energy source (ATP generation) and as a source of precursor molecules for the synthesis of complex methyl-branched fatty acids. In previous studies, we described a TetR-type transcriptional repressor, kstR, that controls the expression of a number of genes involved in cholesterol catabolism. In this study, we describe a second TetR-type repressor, which we call kstR2. We knocked this gene out in Mycobacterium smegmatis and used microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR to examine the effects on gene expression. We identified a palindromic regulatory motif for KstR2, showed that this motif is present in three promoter regions in mycobacteria and rhodococcus, and demonstrated binding of purified KstR2 to the motif. Using a combination of motif location analysis, gene expression analysis and the examination of gene conservation, we suggest that kstR2 controls the expression of a 15 gene regulon. Like kstR, kstR2 and the kstR2 regulon are highly conserved among the actinomycetes and studies in rhodococcus suggest a role for these genes in cholesterol catabolism. The functional significance of the regulon and implications for the control of cholesterol utilization are discussed.
cwrA, a gene that specifically responds to cell wall damage in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Balibar Carl J. , Shen Xiaoyu , McGuire Dorothy , Yu Donghui , McKenney David , Tao Jianshi
Published: February 2010

Transcriptional profiling data accumulated in recent years for the clinically relevant pathogen Staphylococcus aureus have established a cell wall stress stimulon, which comprises a coordinately regulated set of genes that are upregulated in response to blockage of cell wall biogenesis. In particular, the expression of cwrA (SA2343, N315 notation), which encodes a putative 63 amino acid polypeptide of unknown biological function, increases over 100-fold in response to cell wall inhibition. Herein, we seek to understand the biological role that this gene plays in S. aureus. cwrA was found to be robustly induced by all cell wall-targeting antibiotics tested – vancomycin, oxacillin, penicillin G, phosphomycin, imipenem, hymeglusin and bacitracin – but not by antibiotics with other mechanisms of action, including ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, triclosan, rifampicin, novobiocin and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone. Although a ΔcwrA S. aureus strain had no appreciable shift in MICs for cell wall-targeting antibiotics, the knockout was shown to have reduced cell wall integrity in a variety of other assays. Additionally, the gene was shown to be important for virulence in a mouse sepsis model of infection.
TheArabidopsis thalianaSTYLISH1 Protein Acts as a Transcriptional Activator Regulating Auxin Biosynthesis
Authors: Eklund D. Magnus , StÅldal Veronika , Valsecchi Isabel , Cierlik Izabela , Eriksson Caitriona , Hiratsu Keiichiro , Ohme-Takagi Masaru , Sundström Jens F. , Thelander Mattias , Ezcurra Inés , Sundberg Eva
Published: February 2010

The establishment and maintenance of auxin maxima in vascular plants is regulated by auxin biosynthesis and polar intercellular auxin flow. The disruption of normal auxin biosynthesis in mouse-ear cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) leads to severe abnormalities, suggesting that spatiotemporal regulation of auxin biosynthesis is fundamental for normal growth and development. We have shown previously that the induction of the SHORT-INTERNODES/STYLISH (SHI/STY) family member STY1 results in increased transcript levels of the YUCCA (YUC) family member YUC4 and also higher auxin levels and auxin biosynthesis rates in Arabidopsis seedlings. We have also shown previously that SHI/STY family members redundantly affect development of flowers and leaves. Here, we further examine the function of STY1 by analyzing its DNA and protein binding properties. Our results suggest that STY1, and most likely other SHI/STY members, are DNA binding transcriptional activators that target genes encoding proteins mediating auxin biosynthesis. This suggests that the SHI/STY family members are essential regulators of auxin-mediated leaf and flower development. Furthermore, the lack of a shoot apical meristem in seedlings carrying a fusion construct between STY1 and a repressor domain, SRDX, suggests that STY1, and other SHI/STY members, has a role in the formation and/or maintenance of the shoot apical meristem, possibly by regulating auxin levels in the embryo.
Physico‐chemical and sensorial evaluation of new varieties of acerola
Authors: Mamede M.E.O. , Miranda M.P.S. , Ritzinger R. , Godoy R.C.B. , Velozo E.S.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the chemical, physical and sensory composition of three new varieties of acerola (Rubra, Cabocla and CMF 017).

Design/methodology/approach

The samples of ripe acerola were collected from the Active Germoplasm Bank of Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits – Cruz das Almas/Bahia, from the speciesMalpighia emarginataDC and analyzed by using standard methods.

Findings

The findings were that the Rubra variety stood out among the others in terms of flavour and purchasing intention, probably due to its pH 3.60, total acid (0.83 percent malic acid) and Vitamin C (911.97 g ascorbic acid/100 g) which gave the variety a less acidic flavour. As regards size, the average acceptability of this variety was 6.01, statistically different from Cabocla (8.08). Total anthocyanins were also found to be the highest, 76.7 mg/100 g and therefore the antioxidant activity of the peel was greater (85 percent) compared with the other varieties, though not differing statistically from the CMF 017 variety. According to these results, the Rubra variety is the one which should be of most interest to producers.

Practical implications

The new variety often fails to exceed nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of existing varieties in the market with established acceptance levels. The paper evaluates the chemical and sensorial composition of new varieties of acerola fruit, which could be launched on to the market. It was observed that one particular variety had better sensorial and nutritive quality.

Originality/value

This kind of data is important both for consumers who want to buy the best quality fruit and producers who want to plant more of the better quality variety so that they can gain greater added‐value in the commercialization of the fruit.
Library Review: The banning of books in libraries
Authors: Berwick Sayers W.C.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Aims to focus on the correct attitude of the librarian when selecting fiction.

Design/methodology/approach

The article discusses the banning of books in libraries from the context of what was perceived as a moral decline in the literature at the time that the article was written in 1928.

Findings

The author's view is that no novel written has sufficient quality to be a source of trouble between a public library and its people. It should be bought if the reviewers praise it enough; it should be circulated freely until someone objects; and in that event it should be withdrawn from the open shelf, but it should be left in the catalogue. The person who wants it will ask for it, and if that person is of mature years, may be allowed, without question, to have it.

Originality/value

The article provides information of a historical nature, of value to information professionals.
Whither rational thought
Authors: McMenemy David
Published: February 2010

Purpose

In light of the decision of the American Library Association to offer the television psychic James Van Praagh a speaking slot at its last annual conference, this paper aims to consider the responsibility of the library profession in advocating the rational over the irrational.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a reflective overview; examining issues related to the role of the professions in promoting a rational viewpoint.

Findings

That to allow questionable claims to be made within our conferences and meetings ethically obliges us to ensure that the alternative viewpoint is also presented, to ensure the exchange of debate and furtherance of knowledge. To not do so risks the danger of legitimising the irrational viewpoint in the eyes of observers.

Practical implication

The paper relates to the wider responsibilities of the library profession.

Originality/value

The paper presents a personal viewpoint related to a modern responsibility that the profession should be aware of.
Uniting information behaviour research and the information professional
Authors: Shenton Andrew K.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the key journals publishing on the topic of information behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focusses on four key textbooks in the field to compile a list of key journals that were being cited.

Findings

The primary aim of the project discussed in this paper is to identify the serials that may be considered the core journals reporting research on young people's information behaviour, with a view to helping the information professional stay up‐to‐date with important work in this field. While the study is in progress, it emerges that the research may also be of value to practitioner researchers looking to publish their own investigations in this area since it may be assumed that the journals in the upper echelons of the ranking lists are particularly receptive to submissions relating to information behaviour.

Practical implications

The paper should be of interest to practitioners involved in the support of information seeking in young people.

Originality/value

The paper offers a useful insight for researchers and others interest in information behaviour into the journals they should focus energy in consulting.
The effect of natural fermented milk in the protection of liver from cancer
Authors: Rayes Amna A.H. , El‐Naggar Sabah M.M. , Mehanna Nayra Sh.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the protective effect of natural fermented milk (NFM) against liver cancer.

Design/methodology/approach

Five types of NFM were collected from different places around Makka. The natural flora which present in them were studied and certain types which contain Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. strains were selected to be used in the research. The nutritional experiment was carried out on 20 Albino mice divided into four groups. The first group (A) was control (not fed on NFM). The second (B) and third (C) groups were fed daily on (NFM) for two weeks. The final group (D) received basal diet only for four weeks, but after two weeks the third and fourth groups were treated orally by one dose of toxic mutagen (0.25 mg/mouse). The quality of life was measured by: specific strain count in stool; histopathological and histochemical studies on liver; and lymphocytic count.

Findings

Cow's milk which contains Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. has a protective effect depending on its anti‐microbial properties. Also it enhances the endogenous intestinal probiotic bacteria that have several beneficial effects (i.e. detoxification and antigen toxicity) and stimulation of immune modulator cells.

Originality/value

The paper evaluates the protective effect of natural fermented milk (NFM) against cancer of the liver.
Undeclared work: a new source of employment?
Authors: Renooy Piet
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus upon some of the more innovative projects that are being pursued in Europe that move beyond the conventional punitive approach and seek to provide positive incentives and new institutional arrangements to enable undeclared work to be transformed into legitimate employment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper evaluates the service vouchers policy initiative in Belgium and the Harz Committee policy recommendations, especially mini jobs, in Germany.

Findings

The finding is that although significant numbers of declared jobs have been created by these schemes, sometimes at a relatively low cost compared with other options for creating new formal jobs, such initiatives have had a relatively minor impact on the overall level of undeclared work in these societies.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to bring these innovative policy initiatives to the attention of an English‐speaking audience.