bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participant‐generated imagery scripts produce greater EMG activity and imagery ability
Authors: Wilson Christine , Smith Dave , Burden Adrian , Holmes Paul
Published: November 2010

In this study, we examined whether movement imagery results in greater physiological responses and greater imagery ability when the imagery script is generated by the participant than when generated by the experimenter. Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure left and right biceps brachii and triceps muscle activity in 19 participants during physical and imagined performance of a set of 16 repetitions of a dumbbell curl performed with the right arm. EMG was measured during a relaxed baseline, physical trial and experimenter‐generated and participant‐generated imagery conditions. The experimenter‐generated scripts were based on previously published imagery studies using the same task, whereas the participant‐generated scripts were based on the self‐reported stimulus and response propositions of the participants. The results showed that self‐reported imagery ability ratings were higher, and EMG activity in the right bicep was greater, when the participants generated their own imagery scripts than when the script was produced by the experimenter. Results also showed that this effect was specific to the task‐relevant muscle and arm. These results support Lang's (1979, 1985) bioinformational theory and emphasize the importance of personalizing imagery interventions to produce a vivid imagery experience that is accompanied by task‐specific physiological responses.
Three‐dimensional glenohumeral arthrokinematics related to internal impingement in throwing athletes: Communication on six clinical cases
Authors: Baeyens Jean‐Pierre , Van Glabbeek Francis , Clijsen Ron , Vissers Dirk , Cabri Jan
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to undertake a comparative arthrokinematic evaluation of the shoulder of throwers with internal impingement. The participants were six throwing athletes with internal impingement type I. The intra‐articular position of the humeral head on the glenoid in the apprehension test pose was evaluated using three‐dimensional reconstructions obtained on medical images. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, external rotation gain, and the difference in posterior shoulder tightness were assessed goniometrically. No abnormal translation behaviour of the humeral head on the glenoid could be demonstrated, with a posterior positioning of the humeral head in relation to the centre of the glenoid of −6.6±0.9 mm and a superior positioning of +2.3±1.5 mm, despite the presence of a glenohumeral internal rotation deficit between the throwing shoulder and the contralateral shoulder of −26.3±7.2° and a difference in posterior shoulder tightness of −6.7±2.9 cm. In conclusion, the results do not support the biomechanically based hypotheses relating internal impingement at the end of the late preparatory phase of throwing with an increased posterior‐superior or anterior‐inferior glenohumeral translation. Instead, the results favour a physiological cause of symptomatic internal impingement.
Wickerhamomyces ochangensis sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast isolated from the soil of a potato field
Authors: Shin Kee-Sun , Bae Kyung-Sook , Lee Kang Hyun , Park Doo-Sang , Kwon Gi-Seok , Lee Jung-Bok
Published: November 2010

A novel ascomycetous yeast, designated strain N7a-Y2T, was isolated from soil collected in a potato field in Ochang, Korea, and its taxonomic position was studied. A neighbour-joining tree based on the D1/D2 domain of large-subunit rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the Wickerhamomyces clade and that it was closely related to Wickerhamomyces bisporus, Candida quercuum, Candida ulmi and Wickerhamomyces alni. Strain N7a-Y2T formed Saturn-shaped ascospores in unconjugated and persistent asci. D1/D2 domain 26S rRNA gene sequence divergences of 11.0–21.1 % between strain N7a-Y2T and other members of the Wickerhamomyces clade indicate that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Wickerhamomyces, for which the name Wickerhamomyces ochangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N7a-Y2T ( = KCTC 17870T  = CBS 11843T).
Nutrition labelling in restaurants: a UK‐based case study
Authors: Zick Andrea , Wake Yvonne , Reeves Sue
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The food standards agency recently encouraged catering companies in the UK to introduce calorie labelling on menus or at the point of purchase. The purpose of this paper is to report the feasibility of implementing such a scheme in a restaurant in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A practical case study approach was adopted whereby all foods on the menu of a London‐based five star hotel restaurant were analysed nutritionally. The menu presented the amount of calories, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fibre and sodium each dish contained. The issues surrounding the display of nutritional information on restaurant menus, perceived difficulties or barriers and resistance to the scheme by staff were documented qualitatively.

Findings

Time constraints, and the consequential financial costs, were identified as being barriers that need to be surmounted if the scheme is to operate successfully. The scheme was also viewed as being of low priority by the restaurant operational team.

Practical implications

The paper provides a greater understanding of the operational aspects of nutrition labelling in the catering industry.

Originality/value

This paper adds practical knowledge to the limited literature that exists in relation to nutrition labelling in restaurants in the UK and identifies barriers that need to be overcome for such schemes to be widely implemented and successful.
Attitudes towards entrepreneurship education: a comparative analysis
Authors: Packham Gary , Jones Paul , Miller Christopher , Pickernell David , Thomas Brychan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of enterprise education on entrepreneurial attitude within European higher education institutions (HEIs) in France, Germany and Poland. The research seeks to consider whether differences between cultural and industrial heritage can influence entrepreneurial attitude and mediate the effectiveness of enterprise education.

Design/methodology/approach

Research argues that Europe requires more entrepreneurs willing to innovate and create new ventures to facilitate economic growth. This research builds on prior studies, which have examined the impact of enterprise education and training on business start‐up. In particular the study utilises the concept of entrepreneurial attitude to measure how enterprise education influences students' perceptions of, and motivations towards, entrepreneurship as a viable career option. The study contrasts and compares the impact of a short enterprise course on entrepreneurial attitude among undergraduate students in French, German and Polish HEIs. A quantitative methodology employed a research instrument utilising five‐point Likert arrays to contrast attitudes and opinions of students both prior to, and after, the delivery of the course.

Findings

Enterprise education has a positive impact on entrepreneurial attitude of French and Polish students. Conversely, the course had a negative impact on male German students. It was also found that while female students are more likely to perceive a greater benefit from the learning experience, the impact of enterprise education on entrepreneurial attitude is actually more significant for male students.

Practical implications

The research findings are of interest to academia and policy makers. The study suggests that entrepreneurial attitude among European students can be influenced by exposure to enterprise education. The results also indicate that gender, cultural and industrial heritage can moderate the impact of enterprise education.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence that differences between gender, culture and regional settings need to be considered in the design and delivery of enterprise programmes if they are to have the desired impact on entrepreneurial intent and graduate entrepreneurship.
Systematic performance measurement for university libraries in Vietnam
Authors: Kim Thi Ninh Thoah , Tanner Kerry , Johanson Graeme , Denison Tom
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Higher education reform in Vietnam has recently required university libraries to improve their quality, to evaluate their performance, and to be accountable for the purpose of quality assessment and accreditation. Systematic performance measurement is an integral part of this process. The aims of this paper are: to provide an overview of the current state of performance development in Vietnamese university libraries; to address issues related to the measurement of library performance; and to propose an approach to evaluation for university libraries in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature on library performance measurement, with particular focus on university libraries in Vietnam. Relevant documents relating to performance measurement were examined, and two case studies of performance measurement in university libraries in Vietnam were carried out.

Findings

It is critical that university libraries in Vietnam develop systematic performance measures and apply different methods and tools for performance measurement. To succeed, cooperation between the administering authority, university administration and library management is essential.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reports on the first phase of a doctoral research project at Monash University. Further research is being undertaken to develop a framework for quality assurance and performance measurement for Vietnamese university libraries. The efficacy if this framework is yet to be tested through its deployment in practice.

Originality/value

While performance measurement is well established in Western countries, it is less so in Vietnam. The current research is seeking to develop a performance measurement framework for university libraries that is attuned to the Vietnamese context. The paper stresses the urgent need for the development of effective performance measures and systematic performance measurement systems amongst this sector.
Workplace practices and firm performance in manufacturing
Authors: Cristini Annalisa , Pozzoli Dario
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of innovative workplace practices in a sample of manufacturing establishments.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises manufacturing establishments located in Italy and a comparable sample extracted from the British Workplace Employee Relations Survey (WERS). The paper controls for sector, size, skill quality and industrial relations.

Findings

Job rotation and technical training are positively associated with current performance in both samples. On average, British establishments are more productive: the different endowment in terms of workplace practices, skills and industrial relations accounts for 40 per cent of the gap, while the different efficacy of the endowment on performance accounts for the remainder.

Originality/value

In both samples the introduction of team working implies a relatively important advance along the reorganisation process, which was undertaken in the early stages of reorganisation in British establishments but much later in Italian firms. Linking the progression of the reorganisation to non‐convexities in supermodular production functions may be an interesting line of future research.
Conflict inflation: an open economy approach
Authors: Vera Leonardo
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to draw together the various essential elements of the conflict inflation approach within the context of an open economy and to highlight the importance of global external factors in explaining inflation.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is proposed based on a model with a few simple building‐blocks. A supply side relationship that determines the trade‐off between a stable distribution of income and the external balance is first derived. As a second step the model combines the supply side relationship with James Meade's analysis of the relation between internal and external balance.

Findings

The study first shows, in the context of an small open economy, relevant trade‐offs among three crucial macroeconomics targets – external balance, internal balance, and workers/firms' aspiration balance. It then disentangles the adjustment mechanism that explains how an adverse balance of payments shocks may lead eventually to the breakdown of the conflicting claims equilibrium and inflation. Finally, it provides analytical reasons for believing that the focus of globalization (sustained and higher world demand and strong global competitiveness) is the main cause of global disinflation.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides a starting‐point for further theoretical developments within the conflict inflation approach and requires empirical testing.

Originality/value

The open economy conflict inflation framework could prove to be useful in improving the understanding of the relationship between global external forces and domestic inflation.
Consumer adoption of technological innovations
Authors: Antioco Michael , Kleijnen Mirella
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate barriers in the consumer adoption process of technological innovations under different contingencies. The paper aims to focus on barriers impeding adoption of technologies characterized by high incompatibility and high uncertainty – i.e. a “lack of content” (LoC) situation – versus technologies characterized by low incompatibility and low uncertainty – i.e. a “presence of content” (PoC) situation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature study, the paper develops hypotheses that distinguish the diverging effects of both psychological and functional barriers on consumer adoption in different situations (LoC versus PoC). Data were collected by means of a survey, resulting in an effective sample of 229 respondents.

Findings

In the case of LoC, the value, risk (financial and performance) and image barrier are negatively related to adoption intention, where the latter barrier is significantly stronger for the LoC situation than for the PoC situation. For PoC, it is found that the value, image, and financial risk barriers are negatively related to adoption intention, where the value barrier outweighs all other barriers. Interestingly, the traditional barrier reveals a positive effect on adoption intention.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers and retailers should develop a more sophisticated understanding of consumers' adoption intention of new technologies. Distinguishing between LoC and PoC situations offers managers the opportunity to differentiate their communication strategies and design more compelling ways for consumers to overcome the specific barriers they perceive in each situation.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to offer a more fine‐grained understanding of consumer adoption by investigating the extent to which the lack versus the presence of content gives rise to differences regarding the effects of psychological and functional barriers to technology adoption.
The “killer” ad: an assessment of advertising violence
Authors: Söderlund Magnus , Dahlén Micael
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine whether violence embedded in stories in ads can contribute to advertising effectiveness along the same lines as well‐researched ad elements such as the celebrity endorser and the physically attractive ad model. More specifically, the paper aims to assess whether violent content in an ad story adds to excitement perceptions and to overall evaluations such as the attitude toward the ad and the attitude toward the advertised product.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an experimental approach comprising two studies in which participants were randomly allocated to ads with different levels of violence in an ad story.

Findings

The main finding is that representations of real violence (as opposed to staged violence) produced higher levels of excitement, attitude toward the story, attitude toward the ad, and attitude toward the advertised product compared with no violence. Such effects, however, were moderated by the level of congruence between the ad story and the advertised product; the highest response levels were obtained for ads with violent story content dealing explicitly with the advertised product.

Originality/value

The finding that violent stories in ads can have a positive charge is consonant with the assumption that violence is a narrative device that may heighten the excitement created by a story. It is also in accord with the observation that many consumers appear to relish stories with a violent content. Yet the main finding challenges existing research on violent ads in which violence consists of an image visually co‐exposed with a brand – and it questions the dominant approach in media violence research, which emphasizes the negative effects of media violence.
Building corporate reputation with stakeholders
Authors: Dickinson‐Delaporte Sonia , Beverland Michael , Lindgreen Adam
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Managing the corporate reputation of hybrid firms (organizations that act commercially to pursue social agendas) involves particular challenges because of competing stakeholder interests. With reference to the Trappist beer market, the paper seeks to identify the value of message ambiguity in reducing stakeholder tension, while simultaneously achieving a clear market positioning.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 25 in‐depth interviews were conducted with brand marketers, owners, channel buyers, industry representatives and consumers.

Findings

The findings demonstrate how ambiguous communications minimize tension between stakeholders. One form of ambiguous message strategy is identified – i.e. the deliberate use of “authenticity” as a positioning device. This positioning allows stakeholders to ascribe conflicting meanings to the Trappist brand, resulting in increased reputation and decreased stakeholder tension.

Research limitations/implications

The use of authenticity and message ambiguity represents one means of balancing stakeholder interests, while achieving a clear market position. The paper believes the findings are particularly relevant for social marketers and managers of highly symbolic brands.

Originality/value

Marketers can reduce stakeholder conflict through the use of brand images that emphasize normative as opposed to performance‐based commitments. Such commitments need to be broad enough to allow different stakeholders to ascribe their own meaning to the brand without diminishing the strength of the firm's market position.
Training in the use of e‐resources in academic libraries: one university's approach
Authors: Adeleke A.A. , Olorunsola R.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the experience of the Redeemer's University Library in Nigeria in its information literacy (IL) training programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a brief literature review of current trends in IL training and challenges. A description of methods of training, schedules, content of IL, successes, and shortcomings are detailed. Information and data for the paper were collected from records kept by the IL librarian. The experiences of the authors and observation complemented the data.

Findings

The IL librarian's training programs have enabled a good number of students to attain IL. But much needs to be done by both librarians and faculty to attain the desired result of making every students information literate.

Originality/value

This paper provides information on Redeemer's University Library in Nigeria, and is useful for librarians in developing countries who may want to improve on their IL programs.
Effects of ethnocentric tendency on consumers' perception of product attitudes for foreign and domestic products
Authors: Zafer Erdogan B. , Uzkurt Cevahir
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and product attitudes, including country of origin, and to investigate whether ethnocentric tendencies and product attitudes vary by demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected through a face‐to‐face survey of consumers in Turkey. Of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 283 were accepted as usable for the study. Consumer ethnocentrism was measured by CETSCALE.

Findings

The findings show that shoppers with high levels of ethnocentricity are more likely to be less educated and to earn lower monthly income than those with low levels of ethnocentric tendency. As expected, those with low‐ethnocentricity levels perceive foreign products more favorably than their high‐ethnocentricity counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

The study has two limitations. First, the research sample was located in only one Turkish city which is a clear constraint on the generalizibility of the results. Second, consumers were asked to evaluate the attributes of foreign‐origin products without reference to a specific product group.

Practical implications

These findings provide useful market intelligence for marketing strategists targeting Turkey, but must be generalized with caution.

Originality/value

This paper both supports and contributes to the existing literature by examining consumer ethnocentrism and country of origin together.
RFID adoption and the role of organisational size
Authors: Strüker Jens , Gille Daniel
Published: November 2010

Purpose

There is no doubt about the economic importance of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in industrialised countries. The amount of research on organisational size as a factor of radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption, however, is as yet, minimal. This paper aims to fill that gap by first determining firm‐size specific characteristics of RFID and then using organisational inertia theory to derive the hypothesis that the size and structure of SMEs can be advantageous for the adoption of RFID.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on organisational inertia theory and survey data.

Findings

A survey conducted among German enterprises already deploying RFID is used to test our hypothesis. It confirms that smaller enterprise size can make RFID adoption and exploitation of the productivity potential easier. Accordingly, it recommends that SMEs avoid adopting a wait‐and‐see position or restricting themselves to easy‐to‐conduct RFID automation applications.

Originality/value

The study provides a starting point for future research and facilitates knowledge accumulation and creation concerning the role of organisational size for RFID adoption.
Intellectual capital and performance: testing interaction effects
Authors: Kamukama Nixon , Ahiauzu Augustine , Ntayi Joseph M.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction effect of intellectual capital elements and how they fuse to affect financial performance in microfinance institutions. The major purpose is to explore the appropriate blend or mix of intellectual capital elements that explains the source of value creation – hence performance – in microfinance institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the ModGraph program (Excel version) along with the Kenny and Boran approach to test conditional hypotheses.

Findings

The magnitude effect of human capital on performance depends on any of structural or relational capital; hence the assumption of nonadditivity is met. However, no significant interaction effects were established between relational and structural capital.

Research limitations/implications

Only a single research methodological approach was employed and future research through interviews could be undertaken to triangulate. Furthermore, the findings from the present study are cross‐sectional – future research should be undertaken to examine the multiplicative effects studied in this paper across time

Practical implications

In order to boost the wealth of microfinance institutions in Uganda, managers should always endeavor to find a viable intellectual capital mix or blend that can add value to the firm.

Originality/value

This is the first study that focuses on testing the interactive effects of intellectual capital elements on financial performance in Ugandan microfinance institutions.
Prototype KPIs for rural infrastructure development
Authors: Posayanant Suchanya , Chareonngam Chotchai
Published: November 2010

Purpose

It is difficult to manage and measure the effectiveness of infrastructure development efforts of the sub‐district local governments called Tambon Administrative Organizations (TAOs), the lowest level of local governments in Thailand. This paper aims to develop and demonstrate the applicability of key performance indicators (KPIs) based on the integration of balanced scorecard (BSC) and value chain approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The processes of designing KPIs are described with emphasis of how to apply a value chain model into designing BSC's KPIs. Expert focus groups and case studies from various parts of Thailand were conducted to give an insight into the adaptation of the performance measures in infrastructure development of TAOs.

Findings

The application of a value chain model is critical for the design of practical BSC's KPIs because they can be conveniently embedded into existing practices. The case studies of prototype KPIs demonstrate the performance measurement of infrastructure development, which associates executive and operational views with the hierarchy of scorecards.

Practical implications

The prototype KPIs illustrate a quantifiable measure that the councils and staffs can use to communicate infrastructure development performance for target setting and accomplishment.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the key issue of how to design KPIs based on the balanced scorecard and value chain model. The integration of a value chain framework reflects the delivery process of infrastructure development.
An investigation on PMS attributes in service organisations in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Amir Amizawati , Nazli Nik Ahmad Nik , Har Sani Mohamad Muslim
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to the performance measurement system (PMS) literature by concentrating on the service context. Providing a Malaysian perspective on PMS design, the study aims to identify the desirable PMS attributes that are perceived to be important for the service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by administering a mail questionnaire survey to top‐level management of private service firms operating in Malaysia. The sampling frame was based on information provided by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia, and the Central Bank of Malaysia. An extensive search of directories/portals was undertaken to compile the mailing list of each service sector. Samples were randomly selected from the list using proportionate stratified sampling.

Findings

The findings suggest that service firms placed greater emphasis on elements of performance evaluation, benchmarking, timeliness and precise PMS information. Differentiation strategy and intensity of competition are the most prominent factors that influence the choice of PMS attributes.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study pertains to the low response from the foreign‐owned service firms operating in Malaysia, thus limiting the generalisability of the findings to local‐owned firms.

Practical implications

To service managers, the evidence demonstrates the relevance of PMS in service firms, where the greater strategic uncertainty and intensity of market competition requires greater reliance on contemporary PMS attributes.

Originality/value

The evidence indicates the applicability of PMS in managing both professional service and mass service firms that removed the traditional view that all service activities are unique.
International differences in job satisfaction
Authors: Westover Jonathan H. , Taylor Jeannette
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore cross‐national differences in job satisfactions and its determinants over time (1989‐2005), which, in turn, impact long‐term worker productivity and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing non‐panel longitudinal data from the International Social Survey Program on Work Orientations I, II, and III for 1989, 1997 and 2005, various bivariate and multivariate descriptive statistics and ordinary least squared regression analysis are used to explore the relationship between job satisfaction and its key determinants cross‐nationally in six countries (West Germany, Great Britain, the USA, Hungary, Norway and Israel).

Findings

For all countries, findings clearly show that intrinsic rewards explain the most variance in the respondents' job satisfaction, followed by work relations with management. In contrast, public service motivation‐fit (PSM‐fit) and work relations with co‐workers are found to play a less prominent role in shaping job satisfaction. Additionally, findings show that the above‐mentioned determinants of job satisfaction vary by country. Additionally, apart from age, which is found to be a significant antecedent of job satisfaction for 1989, 1997 and 2005 waves, the significance of the personal antecedents tends to vary with each wave.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitations to this research relate to the use of a pre‐existing dataset. The measurement of the study variables, particularly job satisfaction and public service motivation (PSM), is constrained by the limited single‐item measurement scales used in the surveys. Additionally, the measurement scale of PSM could be more rigorous. Data collected from self‐completed survey such as this can also suffer from common method variance; the respondents may have a distorted perception of their organizational conditions. Despite these limitations, this research supports the descriptive literature and empirical studies that look at job satisfaction, PSM, workplace rewards, and interpersonal dynamics.

Practical implications

In an increasingly competitive global market, more and more organizations have to ask the difficult question, “How can we get more out of our employees?” However, though there are diverse “quick‐fix” methods to achieving rather short‐term gains in worker productivity and performance, long‐term and enduring improvement requires a strengthening and spreading of core organizational values and beliefs that increase overall worker satisfaction to help create a high engagement and achievement organizational culture.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is in looking at cross‐national differences in worker satisfaction and its determinants cross‐nationally over a 16‐year period. Additionally, the paper develops and justifies the use of a new construct, PSM‐fit, as an important component to understanding job satisfaction.
Mortality and HIV transmission among male Vietnamese injection drug users
Authors: Quan Vu Minh , Minh Nguyen Le , Ha Tran Viet , Ngoc Nguyen Phuong , Vu Pham The , Celentano David D. , Mo Tran Thi , Go Vivian F.
Published: November 2010

Aims  To estimate all‐cause mortality rate and to assess predictors of all‐cause mortality among injection drug users (IDUs) in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam between 2005 and 2007.

Design  Prospective cohort study.

Setting  Community‐dwelling IDUs were enrolled and followed at 3‐month intervals for up to 2 years.

Participants  A total of 894 male IDUs (median age of 32 years, 22.8% HIV‐positive, all having injected opioids).

Measurements   Deaths were confirmed by family members and by reviewing government records. Marginal Cox proportional hazards models for clustered data were constructed to determine the independent predictors of all‐cause mortality, using both fixed baseline measurements and time‐dependent repeated measurements.

Findings  During 710.1 person‐years of follow‐up, 45 (5.0%) drug injectors died. The causes of deaths were AIDS‐related (14 cases, 31%), drug overdose (12, 27%), suicide (three, 7%), traffic accident (three, 7%), violence (two, 4%), pneumonia (two, 4%), non‐traffic accident (one, 2%) and unknown causes (eight, 18%). The all‐cause mortality rate was 6.3% (95% CI = 4.6–8.5) per 100 person‐years. The standardized mortality ratio was 13.4. The HIV incidence rate was 5.2 (95% CI = 3.5–7.6) per 100 person‐years. In multi‐factorial analysis, HIV infection [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.9–6.3] and previous diagnosis of tuberculosis (HR = 10.0, 95% CI = 4.1–24.3) were associated significantly with increased hazard of death.

Conclusions  The all‐cause, age‐ and sex‐standardized mortality among Vietnamese IDUs is 13‐fold higher than the general population and substantially higher than IDUs studied in developed countries. Effective prevention and control of HIV infection and tuberculosis are needed urgently.
Treating heavy smokers in primary care with the nicotine nasal spray: randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Stapleton John A. , Sutherland Gay
Published: November 2010

Aims  Of six established nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) formulations, only the gum and patch have been tested without specialist clinic support in placebo‐controlled trials. We aimed to broaden the evidence base by examining if the nicotine nasal spray (NNS) could be effective with only brief support in general practice.

Design  Randomized placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting  Twenty‐seven English general practices.

Participants  A total of 761 heavy smokers received brief support and 12 weeks of treatment with NNS (506) or placebo (255).

Measurements  The primary outcome was biochemically verified complete abstinence from smoking throughout weeks 3–12.

Findings  NNS compared with placebo more than doubled the number who successfully stopped smoking [15.4% versus 6.7%, odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5–4.4]. Many participants reported minor irritant adverse symptoms. NNS was particularly effective among those who were more highly dependent on nicotine (OR = 6.17, 95% CI = 2.13–17.9). Of those who failed to stop during the first week (417, 54.8%), only one (0.2%) achieved later success.

Conclusions  NNS is effective when given in primary care. The benefit was lower than in a specialist clinic but similar to that with the nicotine patch in primary care. Unlike most other NRT formulations, bupropion or varenicline, NNS was especially helpful for more dependent smokers. Continuing treatment of those initially failing was not beneficial. An initial 1‐week prescription to those more dependent on nicotine is likely to be the most cost‐effective NNS treatment protocol. These results should offer support to the effectiveness of the other NRT formulations untested in this setting.
Effects of competition on tree radial‐growth vary in importance but not in intensity along climatic gradients
Authors: Kunstler Georges , Albert Cécile H. , Courbaud Benoît , Lavergne Sébastien , Thuiller Wilfried , Vieilledent Ghislain , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Coomes David A.
Published: November 2010

1. Plant interactions play a central role in regulating plant communities and this role can be altered by abiotic stress. With increasing stress, ecological theory predicts that the role of competition decreases whilst that of facilitation increases. Such predictions have been tested with short‐term plant removal experiments using two distinct indices evaluating the role of plant interactions: the intensity (absolute impact) and the importance (impact relative to that of other abiotic constraints) of plant interactions.

2. Using data on individual tree radial growth from more than 17 000 forest plots covering the habitat conditions of 16 species in the Alps and the Jura mountains of France, we show that non‐manipulative estimates of plant interactions provide an alternative to this experimental approach. We developed a Bayesian neighbourhood growth competition model to test theoretical predictions about plant–plant interactions with a much larger spatio‐temporal scope and set of study species than classically used in experimental studies of plant–plant interactions.

3. Our analyses revealed that competition – measured as neighbours effects on adult tree growth – varies in importance but not in intensity along two major bioclimatic gradients (degree‐day sum and water availability). Observed patterns of competition importance differed between shade‐tolerant and shade‐intolerant tree species. First, the mean importance of competition was found to be much higher for shade‐intolerant species. Second, for shade‐intolerant species the importance of competition remained high even at low crowding indices (i.e. at a low competitor density), whereas for shade‐tolerant species competition only became important at high crowding indices.

4.
Synthesis. Our non‐manipulative approach to the study of plant–plant interactions allows analysing interactions among many species over large climatic gradients. Our results clearly demonstrate that a quantitative estimation of density dependence effects is key to understanding how plant–plant interactions vary along abiotic gradients. Growth predictions derived from our model can easily be integrated with other results on tree regeneration and mortality in individual‐based models to investigate how plant–plant interactions drive tree population and community dynamics under varying climatic conditions.
Neurological soft signs in non‐psychotic patients with cannabis dependence
Authors: Dervaux Alain , Bourdel Marie‐Chantal , Laqueille Xavier , Krebs Marie‐Odile
Published: November 2010

Psychomotor performance has consistently been found to be altered in chronic cannabis users. Neurological soft signs (NSS) reflect neurological dysfunction involving integrative networks, especially those involving the cerebellum, where cannabinoid receptors are particularly concentrated. Our objective was to study, for the first time, NSS in a group of patients with cannabis dependence compared with a of healthy control subjects, matched for age, gender and level of education. All outpatients seeking treatment for chronic cannabis use in the substance abuse department of Sainte‐Anne Hospital in Paris between June 2007 and May 2009 and meeting the cannabis dependence DSM‐IV criteria were included in the study (n = 45). Patients with psychotic disorders, bipolar 1 disorder and current alcohol, opioid or cocaine dependence were excluded. All patients and controls were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, which screens for lifetime DSM‐IV diagnoses, and the Standardized Neurological Examination of Neurological Soft Signs. NSS scores were significantly higher in patients with cannabis dependence compared with healthy subjects (8.90 ± 4.85 versus 6.71 ± 2.73, respectively, Mann–Whitney: U = 775.0, P = 0.05). Patients had particularly high scores on motor coordination and sensory integration NSS factors. Cannabis dependence is associated with more NSS and especially motor coordination and sensory integration signs. These results suggest that cannabinoids interact with the brain networks underlying NSS, known to be altered in schizophrenia.
Proteomic analysis of functional dyspepsia in stressed rats treated with traditional Chinese medicine “Wei Kangning”
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Xia , Hao Jianjun , Zhang Rong , Guo Jianli , Zong Yiqiang , Lu Yanjun , Qu Shen , Tian Jun
Published: November 2010

Background and Aim:  Chinese traditional medical science is generally used as a therapeutic method against functional dyspepsia (FD) in China. Although great effort is made to understand the pharmaceutical mechanisms of Chinese traditional medicine, such as typical traditional Chinese medicine, Wei Kangning, there are still many mysteries to be uncovered.

Methods:  The model of FD was established by stimulating rats via tail damping and the rats were treated with traditional Chinese medicine, Wei Kangning. The proteins of the rat gastrointestinal tissues were extracted and run by 2‐DE, then the differential proteins were identified using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and validated with Western blotting or fluorescent quantitation polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  A total of 228 unique proteins in FD model rats were detected with significant changes in their expression levels corresponding with traditional Chinese medicine, Wei Kangning, administration. Twenty‐eight of these proteins were identified, which are involved in many biological functions, such as organism antioxidant enzymes, energy metabolism, glutathione S‐transferase, pi2, superoxide dismutase 2 and alpha‐enolase and so on.

Conclusions:  These proteomic results presented therefore provide additional support to the hypothesis that glutathione S‐transferase, pi2, superoxide dismutase 2, α‐enolase and voltage‐dependent anion channel are the targets of FD treated with traditional Chinese medicine, Wei Kangning.
Laryngeal penetration and aspiration in individuals with stable COPD
Authors: CVEJIC Lydia , HARDING Richard , CHURCHWARD Thomas , TURTON Anthony , FINLAY Paul , MASSEY David , BARDIN Philip G. , GUY Paul
Published: November 2010

Background and objective:  Swallowing is closely coordinated with breathing but in COPD altered synchronization may predispose patients to a breach of the upper airway protective mechanisms. However, aspiration during swallow has never been shown in COPD. We examined penetration of liquid material into the airway of patients with COPD and correlated it with breathing‐swallow patterns.

Methods:  A case–control study was performed. Patients with COPD (n = 16) were matched with normal control subjects (n = 15). Sub‐mandibular videofluoroscopy was carried out during swallow of graduated volumes of barium to detect penetration (contrast enters the airway and may contact vocal folds) and aspiration (contrast passes glottis). Respiration was monitored simultaneously to gauge synchronization. Hospitalization and mortality were assessed after 36 months.

Results:  Penetration/aspiration scores were higher in patients with COPD (3.3 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 0.4 in healthy controls, P = 0.03; mean ± SE). Penetration with aspiration was observed in 4/16 patients with COPD versus 1/15 controls (P = 0.07). Penetration with or without aspiration was found in 6/16 patients (P = 0.04). Inspiration‐swallow‐expiration patterns were favoured in individuals with COPD (P = 0.02). Penetration/aspiration was associated with higher respiratory rates (P = 0.01), reduced hyoid elevation (P = 0.04), post‐swallow larynx penetration (P = 0.05) and oxygen desaturation (P = 0.01). There was a trend for the penetration/aspiration group to have an adverse outcome.

Conclusions:  Upper airway protective mechanisms may be flawed in COPD, possibly through reduced coordination of breathing with swallowing. This abnormality may contribute to COPD morbidity in a subgroup of patients.
Security rules and banned items in psychiatric acute admission wards in Athens, Greece
Authors: Koukia Evmorfia , Giannouli Eleni , Gonis Nikolaos , Douzenis Athanassios
Published: November 2010

Mental health nurses play a key role in maintaining the safety of patients, themselves, and others during hospitalization. The aim of the research was to evaluate the safety measures that are taken by mental health nurses to identify the security policies that exist in acute mental health wards. The Ward Safety and Security Rules Survey was used as a method of data collection. Descriptive analysis and content analysis were carried out in order to identify nurses' practices. The total sample consisted of 172 mental health nurses and nurses' assistants who worked in 14 acute inpatient psychiatric wards in three psychiatric hospitals in the greater area of Athens, Greece. The results show a minimum number of security features existing in the wards. Only one of the 14 wards had an intercom system. In only nine wards, there was a panic alarm in the office, and in eight, an emergency response telephone extension. A wide range of practices were noted concerning banned items and patient searches upon admission and return from leave. The results indicate the significant lack of protocols and specific safety rules to guide nurses' actions across psychiatric acute admission wards in Athens.
Alexithymia and script‐driven emotional imagery in healthy female subjects: no support for deficiencies in imagination
Authors: BAUSCH SANDRA , STINGL MARKUS , HARTMANN LUISA C. , LEIBING ERIC , LEICHSENRING FALK , KRUSE JOHANNES , STARK RUDOLF , LEWEKE FRANK
Published: November 2010

Bausch, S., Stingl, M., Hartmann, L.C., Leibing, E., Leichsenring, F., Kruse, J., Stark, R. & Leweke, F. (2011). Alexithymia and script‐driven emotional imagery in healthy female subjects: no support for deficiencies in imagination. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 179–184.

Alexithymia is associated with a limited access to inner emotional processes. Furthermore, alexithymia is assumed to be characterized by a limited ability to use imagination. To evaluate the frequently proposed thesis of a reduced imagination ability in alexithymic persons, 25 high and 24 low alexithymic women self‐rated their imagination ability. Furthermore, the electrodermal activity (EDA) during script‐driven emotional imagination was determined and valence, arousal, and vividness of the respective imaginations were rated. Our results indicate no significant differences between high and low alexithymic women in the self‐rated imagination ability, the EDA during imagination and the ratings of valence, arousal and vividness. The study provides evidence that healthy high alexithymic women are capable of differentiated emotional imagination.
Qualitative Business Surveys: Signal or Noise?
Authors: Lui Silvia , Mitchell James , Weale Martin
Published: November 2010

The paper identifies the information content at the firm level of qualitative business survey data by examining the consistency between these data and the quantitative data that are provided by the same respondents to the UK’s Office for National Statistics in official surveys. Since the qualitative data are published ahead of the quantitative data the paper then assesses the ability of the qualitative data to predict the firm level quantitative data.
Histological evaluation of residual basal cell carcinoma after shave biopsy prior to Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: Alcalay J. , Alkalay R.
Published: November 2010

Background  Patients who are referred for Mohs surgery after pre‐operative biopsy has been performed show in some cases no clinical or pathological evidence of tumour persistence. We have previously shown that 25% of these patients show no residual skin cancer either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The reasons for ‘disappearance’ of the tumour may be true non‐persistence or false non‐persistence because of wrong‐site Mohs surgery.

Objective  To determine the incidence of residual basal cell carcinoma after shave biopsy of primary nodular basal cell carcinoma prior to Mohs micrographic surgery.

Methods  A prospective unblinded study was performed on patients undergoing Mohs surgery for primary nodular basal cell carcinoma. The tumour was removed as a shaved excision using a No. 15 blade at the clinical borders like a shave biopsy (Mohs shave). The bases of the tumors were excised and then sectioned vertically at the middle and cut to the periphery at 10–15 μm intervals till the edge.

Results  Fifty‐one patients were evaluated. In 40 patients, residual basal cell carcinoma was found at the base of the shave excision site (78.4%).

Conclusions  Pre‐operative shave biopsy performed during Mohs surgery for primary nodular basal cell carcinoma is ‘curative’ in 22% of the patients.