bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cultural transferability on IT business application: iReservation system
Authors: Nabil Almunawar Mohammad , Susanto Heru , Anshari Muhammad
Published: June 2013

Purpose

– The emergence of innovative internet-based reservation systems (iReservation systems) is threatening the sustainability of retail travel agencies (TAs) in Brunei Darussalam. With the friendliness and convenience offered by iReservation systems, many customers nowadays prefer to book their tickets and accommodations online. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of iReservation systems on TAs in Brunei Darussalam. In other words, the authors are interested to find out how TAs and customers react to iReservation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– To fulfil this objective, surveys were conducted on both the responses from TAs and their customers regarding iReservation systems in Brunei Darussalam.

Findings

– Most individual customers prefer to book their tickets and accommodations through iReservation systems. However, government and corporate customers still prefer to book tickets and accommodation by TAs. Most TAs are affected by iReservation systems either negatively or positively, depending on how TAs respond with their sustaining strategies such as segmentation, targeting and positioning in the market.

Originality/value

– It is clear that without proper strategies in facing turbulent changes in the tourism industry, eventually traditional TAs will be disintermediated.
EMIR: an overview of the new framework
Authors: Aron Tim , Lalone Nathaniel , Jackson Carolyn
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, known as EMIR, adopted on July 4, 2012 as the Regulation on OTC Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains EMIR's clearing and reporting requirements, who is within the scope of those requirements, who is a financial and non‐financial counterparty, the clearing thresholds, the clearing and reporting obligations, when those obligations will begin, the risk mitigation obligations, and a range of potential questions anyone trading in OTC derivatives should consider.

Findings

EMIR requires that all standardized OTC derivatives contracts be cleared through a central counterparty and reported to a trade repository.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical guidance by experienced financial services lawyers.
Innovative winemaking: consumer acceptance of red table wines
Authors: Bonatto Machado de Castilhos Maurício , Gonçalves Cattelan Marília , Carolina Conti‐Silva Ana , Luiz Del Bianchi Vanildo
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the consumer acceptance of Bordô and Isabel wines from innovative winemaking in order to increase red wine consumption by consumers to obtain nutritional benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

All wines were produced by a standard procedure of vinification. Pre‐drying treatment aimed at drying the grapes up to 22°Brix and static pomace wines presented the constant contact between the must and pomace. Sensory acceptance was carried out by 80 consumers who evaluated eight samples (six experimental wines and two commercial wines) concerning the attributes: appearance, aroma, body, flavor and overall acceptance.

Findings

Experimental wines presented higher acceptance when compared to commercial wines and cluster analysis shows the splitting of consumer preferences, highlighting the higher acceptance of traditional Bordô wine and static pomace samples in all sensory attributes. Pre‐drying process enhances the concentration of coloured compounds, to highlight the appearance acceptance of these samples.

Research limitations/implications

Although this paper has limited the consumer acceptance of red table wines, the innovative treatments will be applied in Vitis vinifera red wines.

Practical implications

The wide acceptance of static pomace and pre‐drying wines has promoted further information about innovative winemaking that can be applied in Brazilian and worldwide wineries.

Social implications

The innovative treatments can change sensorial features of wines and therefore influence the choice of consumers as well as enhancing the nutritional benefits of red wines.

Originality/value

The pre‐drying and static pomace winemaking are the novelty of this study and the wide acceptance of the sensory attributes concerning these treatments indicates the potential for application in wineries.
The effect of pectinase enzyme on some quality attributes of a Nigerian mango juice
Authors: Adelakun O.E. , Metcalfe D. , Tshabalala P. , Stafford B. , Oni B.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the use of pectinase enzymes for producing clarified mango juice with blend of orange juice and to evaluate some of its quality attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

Mango pulp was incubated at 60oC for 1 hr to destroy natural enzymes present in the juice. Prepared mango pulp and separately prepared orange juice were formulated into various mixes in the ratio mango:orange (v/v) 100:0, 50:50 and 0:100. A portion of the mango pulp or the one with equal volume of orange was then treated with 0.1 per cent (v/w) pectinase enzymes at 40oC for 24 hrs. All the treated and untreated mixes were separately packed inside a bottle and pasteurized at 80oC for 10 mins. Samples were analyzed using methods reported in the literature for some chemical and sensory properties.

Findings

From this project work, the use of enzyme (pectinase) in juice production from mango was found beneficial and profitable since it increases the yield of juice extracted. A blend of mango and orange juice which was processed with enzyme was found not to be significantly different from orange juice in terms of sweetness, appearance, flavour and general acceptability.

Originality/value

The paper has demonstrated effect of pectinase enzymes in the production of clarified mango juice with blend of orange juice and its acceptability.
Nutritional quality evaluation of non‐netted muskmelon fruit during its development and ripening
Authors: Menon Soumya V. , Ramana Rao T.V.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the sweetness and antioxidant profile‐based nutritional quality of non‐netted orange fleshed muskmelon (cv Maduri) fruit during its development and ripening.

Design/methodology/approach

The important nutritional quality determining parameters like sugars, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics and total antioxidant activity were quantitatively analyzed at five sequential stages of development and ripening of muskmelon. The activities of sugar metabolizing enzymes such as sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase were evaluated. Further, antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase which played a significant role in scavenging reactive oxygen species were also assayed.

Findings

The results of the present study demonstrated that the sugars got accumulated in high amount in the ripened muskmelon fruit, indicating it as a high sucrose accumulating genotype. However, sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase exhibited inconsistency in their activities. Phenolics also got accumulated initially with their maximum quantity in the pre‐ripened stage, but thereafter they decreased. Superoxide dismutase and polyphenol oxidase exhibited a progressive synergetic relationship of scavenging of reactive oxygen species with the development and ripening of fruit.

Originality/value

This study revealed that non‐netted muskmelon is a nutritionally rich fruit with significant accumulation of antioxidants and having an added potential source of sweetness.
Determination of lead residue levels in raw milk from different regions of Mashhad (north‐east of Iran) by AAS method
Authors: Nikpooyan Hosein , Mohamadi Sani Ali , Zavezad Nafise
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study was to test the presence of lead in raw milk from different regions of Mashhad (north‐east of Iran) through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 60 samples of raw cow's milk were collected from the bulk holding tanks of 20 dairy farms of Mashhad and analysed immediately.

Findings

The mean level of lead content was 4.07 ng/ml, with a range from 0.02 to 44 ng/ml and a standard deviation of 7.54 ng/ml. The Pb concentration of one sample exceeded 20 ng/ml (maximum concentration accepted by Codex). Lead residue in 70 per cent of the samples was below 5 ng/ml and the Pb concentration in 10, 9.18 and 9.18 per cent of the samples was, respectively, in the range of 5‐10, 10‐15 and 15‐20 ng/ml. The results obtained for limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) in μgkg−1 were, respectively, 0.65 and 2.1 while for the recovery 94.47 per cent.

Social implications

The results reduce the public concern about lead contamination in milk in this region.

Originality/value

No research had been done to detect lead residue in raw milk in this region. Milk is not a major source for lead poisoning in Mashhad.
Dietitians as entrepreneurs
Authors: Blades Mabel
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of dietitians who work as entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses examination of websites for professional dietitians, relevant literature and discussions with dietitians who work as entrepreneurs.

Findings

Dietitians in the USA are well established as entrepreneurs. The role is also established in the UK. There appear to be increasing opportunities for entrepreneurial dietitians.

Research limitations/implications

This is an examination of existing information in websites and publications, not an original survey.

Practical implications

Dietitians could consider entrepreneurial opportunities as a career.

Social implications

Dietitians have skills that could benefit both individuals and organisations. Offering these by entrepreneurial activities could provide positive benefits.

Originality/value

There appear to be few articles in the UK on entrepreneurial dietetics.
Chiasmatic interpretative communities: an innovative methodology
Authors: Billany Ruth
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Qualitative social research strives to deepen our understanding of aspects of everyday human life and the narrative metaphor of people living storied lives is re‐created in the focus group method. The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative methodology for social research, that is, chiasmatic interpretative communities (CIC).

Design/methodology/approach

The importance of evidence‐based research to inform future social policy and practice depends on trustworthy information and the chosen research design or methodology must fit the purpose. The strengths and limitations of the focus group method are critically evaluated. Potential issues of accuracy during analysis are resolved by informing the interpretation of the discourse with experts from the community.

Findings

Chiasmatic interpretative communities offer a re‐imagined synthesis of a repeated focus group approach, with community experts as interpreters.

Research limitations/implications

This blurs two methodological boundaries to enhance academic rigor. They are, the temporal blurring of linear sequential phases in research design (data collection and then data analysis) and the spatial blurring of power relations within the researcher:participant dyad.

Practical implications

This transformative methodology is described from a pragmatist standpoint within an evaluative framework.

Social implications

This innovative methodology potentially provides an emic perspective to inform social policy decisions. It aims to bring participants into the research process that might shape their future social services.

Originality/value

A final section discusses the foresight of CIC and describes the bricolage of this critical qualitative research methodology.
Bradshaw mania: battle of the reprints
Authors: Duckett Bob
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the numerous reprints recently published of the work of George Bradshaw.

Design/methodology/approach

An account is given of how various publishers have handled the reprint process, and how their publications compare, both with the originals and with each other.

Findings

Publishers of reprints have taken a number of different approaches. While editing and re‐formatting can add value, publishers have not always been careful to document what is original and what they have added, resulting in some confusion. More could be done to improve appeal.

Originality/value

With the shift from photo‐reproduction to digital scanning, there are new possibilities for reprinting classic texts, though few publishers have taken advantage of these. The popularity of transport history and heritage issues, particularly with media tie‐ins, opens up new publishing possibilities.
Geographic variation and local adaptation in Oryza rufipogon across its climatic range in China
Authors: Zhou Wen , Wang Zhixiu , Davy Anthony J. , Liu Guihua
Published: June 2013

Variation in plant functional traits and demographic behaviour in populations of widely distributed species on geographic gradients may be key to understanding their geographic range limits. Oryza rufipogon, a wild progenitor of rice, occurs in discrete wetland populations over a wide latitudinal range in China.

We examined correlations between plant functional traits, latitude, longitude and climatic variables in 34 populations of O. rufipogon across its northern range limit. We also investigated the responses of individuals from all populations after transplantation to two experimental gardens: one north of its range and the other in the extreme south.

Seed mass in the field was positively correlated with latitude and longitude, whereas flag‐leaf area was negatively correlated with latitude; both effects could be explained largely as a response to temperature. Transplantation revealed that both plasticity and population differentiation contributed to geographic variation. All populations reproduced and overwintered in the southern garden, but in the northern garden, only populations from the northern range were able to reproduce (65%) and survive the winter (58%).

Synthesis: Environmentally determined variation in plant functional traits is complex, with both plastic trade‐offs between traits and genetic differentiation between populations contributing to the location of the northern limit of Oryza rufipogon.
Vomeronasal organ lesion disrupts social odor recognition, behaviors and fitness in golden hamsters
Authors: LIU Yingjuan , ZHANG Jinhua , LIU Dingzhen , ZHANG Jianxu
Published: June 2013

Most studies support the viewpoint that the vomeronasal organ has a profound effect on conspecific odor recognition, scent marking and mating behavior in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). However, the role of the vomeronasal organ in social odor recognition, social interaction and fitness is not well understood. Therefore, we conducted a series of behavioral and physiological tests to examine the referred points in golden hamster. We found that male hamsters with vomeronasal organ lesion showed no preference between a predator odor (the anal gland secretion of the Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) and putative female pheromone components (myristic acid and palmitic acid), but were still able to discriminate between these 2 kinds of odors. In behavioral tests of anxiety, we found that vomeronasal organ removal causes female hamsters to spend much less time in center grids and to cross fewer center grids and males to make fewer crossings between light and dark boxes than sham‐operated controls. This indicates that a chronic vomeronasal organ lesion induced anxious responses in females. In aggressive behavioral tests, we found that a chronic vomeronasal organ lesion decreased agonistic behavior in female hamsters but not in males. The pup growth and litter size show no differences between the 2 groups. All together, our data suggested that vomeronasal organ ablation disrupted the olfactory recognition of social chemosignals in males, and induced anxiety‐like and aggressive behavior changes in females. However, a vomeronasal organ lesion did not affect the reproductive capacity and fitness of hamsters. Our studies may have important implications concerning the role of the vomeronasal organ in golden hamsters and also in rodents.
The Archaeometric Characterization of Majolica Ceramics from Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo (Toledo, Spain)
Authors: Guirao D. , Pla F. , Acosta A.
Published: June 2013

In this study, an archaeometric characterization of 32 ceramic fragments from Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo, dated between the 16th and 18th centuries, has been carried out. Together with three fragments of biscuit, they have been analysed through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC–TGA). From these chemical results, a statistical study using exclusively majolica ceramics has been carried out. This work has allowed us to find certain differences between the manufactures of the two production centres on the basis of their chemical composition. The mineralogical study has allowed us to determine the estimated firing temperatures of each sample, using the estimated firing temperature (EFT) as an argument for their classification into three fabrics.
The validation of the self‐report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for use by 6‐ to 10‐year‐old children in the UK
Authors: Curvis Will , McNulty Susannah , Qualter Pamela
Published: June 2013

Objective

To examine the factor structure of the self‐report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for data from a sample of British children aged 6–10 years.

Method

The self‐report SDQ was administered to 900 children aged 6–10 years via interviews with trained counsellors.

Results

Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses showed that a two‐factor solution comprising ‘externalizing and peer problems’ and ‘internalizing problems’ fit the data well for both the 6‐ to 7‐ and 8‐ to 10‐year‐old samples. The factors were correlated in both samples.

Conclusions

Children between 6 and 10 years of age provided meaningful SDQ data. The identified two‐factor model maps broadly onto the constructs of externalizing and internalizing behaviour.

Practitioner points

The findings suggest that children in the United Kingdom younger than 11 years of age are able to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), providing practitioners with a picture of a child's insight and understanding of their problems.

The findings show that, with children aged 6–10 years, the self‐report SDQ provides information about two factors that map broadly onto the constructs of externalizing and internalizing behaviour.

This study is the first in the United Kingdom to examine the self‐report SDQ in young children, adding weight to an emerging literature base.

To support understanding in very young children, the self‐report SDQ should to be delivered via interview, so that self‐descriptions are appropriate to the child's developmental level.
Recombinant streptokinase suppositories in the treatment of acute haemorrhoidal disease. Multicentre randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial (THERESA‐2)
Authors: Hernández‐Bernal F. , Valenzuela‐Silva C. M. , Quintero‐Tabío L. , Castellanos‐Sierra G. , Monterrey‐Cao D. , Aguilera‐Barreto A. , López‐Saura P. ,   the THERESA‐2 Group of Investigators
Published: June 2013

Aim

A four‐arm multicentre randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial was undertaken to assess the effect and safety of suppositories containing recombinant streptokinase (rSK) at two dose levels (100 000 IU and 200 000 IU) with sodium salicylate (SS) compared with placebo and SS for the treatment of acute haemorrhoidal disease.

Method

Patients with acute symptoms of haemorrhoids were randomized to four treatment groups: (I) placebo, (II) SS, (III) SS + rSK 100 000 IU and (IV) SS + rSK 200 000 IU per suppository. Inpatient treatment was by four suppositories given every 6 h to discharge at 24 h. Evaluations were made at the time of discharge (24 h) and at 3, 5 and 20 days later. The main end‐point was the degree of relief of pain, oedema and reduction in the size of the lesion by 90% on day 5. Adverse events and the occurrence of anti‐SK antibodies were also determined.

Results

Eighty patients were included. Respective response rates in the four groups were 16%, 30%, 25% and 52%. In the last group there was a significant difference (36.8%) compared with control (95% CI 7.0–58.4%). The time to response was significantly shorter (median 5 days) in the 200 000 IU rSK group with respect to the others. There were no adverse events attributable to the treatment. No increase in anti‐SK antibodies was detected 20 days after treatment.

Conclusion

Suppositories with 200 000 IU rSK showed a significant improvement in symptoms of acute haemorrhoids, with an adequate safety profile.
Neonatal electrophysiological predictors of cognitive and language development
Authors: Ortiz‐Mantilla Silvia , Benasich April A
Published: June 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Maitre et al. on pages 834–839 of this issue.
Financial Liberalization and Institutional Development
Authors: Alzer Markus , Dadasov Ramin
Published: June 2013

This study empirically analyzes the effects of de jure financial openness on institutional quality as captured by indicators on investment risk, corruption level, impartiality of judiciary system, and the effectiveness of bureaucracy. We show that a higher degree of financial openness improves institutional quality mainly by reducing investment risks. We also study the effect of a single liberalization reform. Again, we find evidence for the beneficial impact of financial liberalization with the exception of corruption. We additionally show that the benign consequences of financial opening for the institutional development are even larger if financial liberalization is supported by simultaneous political liberalization, while financial deregulation in former socialist countries tends to worsen institutional quality.
Private Property Rights, Investment Patterns, and Asset Structure
Authors: An Zhiyong
Published: June 2013

The right to private property was first written into the Constitution of the People's Republic of China in March 2004. This study takes advantage of the 2004 amendment and uses a difference‐in‐differences approach to empirically test the impact of private property rights security on investment patterns and thereby on asset structure. Employing the Chinese Industrial Enterprises Database from 2000 to 2007 to implement the analysis, we find that private property rights security has not only led enterprises to boost investment in both fixed assets and intangible assets but also induced them to allocate available resources more towards intangible assets. We address two potential concerns about our empirical design.
The effect of Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease on human visuomotor learning
Authors: Gutierrez‐Garralda Juan Manuel , Moreno‐Briseño Pablo , Boll Marie‐Catherine , Morgado‐Valle Consuelo , Campos‐Romo Aurelio , Diaz Rosalinda , Fernandez‐Ruiz Juan
Published: June 2013

Visuomotor adaptation is often driven by error‐based (EB) learning in which signed errors update motor commands. There are, however, visuomotor tasks where signed errors are unavailable or cannot be mapped onto appropriate motor command changes, rendering EB learning ineffective; and yet, healthy subjects can learn in these EB learning‐free conditions. While EB learning depends on cerebellar integrity, the neural bases of EB‐independent learning are poorly understood. As basal ganglia are involved in learning mechanisms that are independent of signed error feedback, here we tested whether patients with basal ganglia lesions, including those with Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease, would show impairments in a visuomotor learning task that prevents the use of EB learning. We employed two visuomotor throwing tasks that were similar, but were profoundly different in the resulting visual feedback. This difference was implemented through the introduction of either a lateral displacement of the visual field via a wedge prism (EB learning) or a horizontal reversal of the visual field via a dove prism (non‐EB learning). Our results show that patients with basal ganglia degeneration had normal EB learning in the wedge prism task, but were profoundly impaired in the reversing prism task that does not depend on the signed error signal feedback. These results represent the first evidence that human visuomotor learning in the absence of EB feedback depends on the integrity of the basal ganglia.
Explaining Andean megadiversity: the evolutionary and ecological causes of glassfrog elevational richness patterns
Authors: Hutter Carl R. , Guayasamin Juan M. , Wiens John J.
Published: June 2013

The Tropical Andes are an important global biodiversity hotspot, harbouring extraordinarily high richness and endemism. Although elevational richness and speciation have been studied independently in some Andean groups, the evolutionary and ecological processes that explain elevational richness patterns in the Andes have not been analysed together. Herein, we elucidate the processes underlying Andean richness patterns using glassfrogs (Centrolenidae) as a model system. Glassfrogs show the widespread mid‐elevation diversity peak for both local and regional richness. Remarkably, these patterns are explained by greater time (montane museum) rather than faster speciation at mid‐elevations (montane species pump), despite the recency of the major Andean uplift. We also show for the first time that rates of climatic‐niche evolution and elevational change are related, supporting the hypothesis that climatic‐niche conservatism decelerates species' shifts in elevational distributions and underlies the mid‐elevation richness peak. These results may be relevant to other Andean clades and montane systems globally.
Caregiver Attributions for Late‐Life Depression and Their Associations with Caregiver Burden
Authors: Polenick Courtney Allyn , Martire Lynn M.
Published: June 2013

Late‐life depression (LLD) has detrimental effects on family caregivers that may be compounded when caregivers believe that depressive behaviors are volitional or within the patient's capacity to control. In this study we examined three person‐centered caregiver attributions that place responsibility for LLD on the patient (i.e., character, controllability, and intention), and the impact of such attributions on levels of general caregiver burden and burden specific to patient depressive symptoms. Participants were 212 spouses and adult children of older adults enrolled in a depression treatment study. Over one third of caregivers endorsed character attributions, which significantly predicted greater levels of both general and depression‐specific burden. Intention attributions were significantly associated with general burden, but not depression‐specific burden. Contrary to our expectation, controllability attributions did not predict either type of burden. Our findings suggest that the assessment of family caregiver attributions for LLD may be useful in identifying caregivers at risk for burden and subsequent health effects, as well as those who may need education and support to provide effective care to a vulnerable population of older adults.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of the Fortalezas Familiares Intervention for Latino Families Facing Maternal Depression
Authors: Valdez Carmen R. , Padilla Brian , Moore Sarah McArdell , Magaña Sandra
Published: June 2013

This pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a linguistically and culturally adapted intervention for immigrant Latina mothers with depression and their families. Fortalezas Familiares (Family Strengths) is a community‐based, 12‐week, multifamily group intervention that aims to increase communication about family processes leading up to and affected by the mother's depression, build child coping and efficacy, enhance parenting competence and skills, and promote cultural and social assets within the family. In terms of feasibility, of 16 families who enrolled and participated in the intervention, 13 families attended more than 90% of meetings and completed the intervention. Posttests reported positive changes following the intervention, including improved psychological functioning, increased family and marital support, and enhanced family functioning, as reported by mothers and other caregivers. Mothers also reported decreased conduct and hyperactivity problems among their children. Children reported positive changes in their psychological functioning and coping, parenting warmth and acceptance, and overall family functioning. Postintervention focus groups and surveys measuring acceptability revealed families' satisfaction with the intervention and suggested areas of improvement. We discuss similarities and differences in outcomes between the adapted intervention, Fortalezas Familiares, and the original intervention, Keeping Families Strong, and propose future areas of intervention adaptation and development.
Quality of Life, Treatment Adherence, and Locus of Control: Multiple Family Groups for Chronic Medical Illnesses
Authors: López‐Larrosa Silvia
Published: June 2013

The Multiple Family Groups (MFGs) approach for patients with a chronic medical illness and their families is a structured psychoeducational program that unfolds in six weekly 90‐minute sessions. In the MFGs, patients and family members explore new ways to balance illness and nonillness priorities in family life (Steinglass, 1998; Steinglass, 2000 Cuadernos de Terapia Familiar, 44‐45, 11; Steinglass, Ostroff, & Steinglass, 2011 Family Process, 50, 393).
Prevalence of root caries among ambulant older adults living in central Chile
Authors: Mariño Rodrigo J. , Fu Chiang S. , Giacaman Rodrigo A.
Published: June 2013

Objective

To assess the prevalence of root caries and the treatment needs in an ambulant population of older adults, living in the Maule Region, Chile.

Basic research design

The source of primary data was the Regional Oral Health Survey. A random sample of 438 older adults, aged 65–74 years, living independently in the community was orally examined, and underwent an oral health interview.

Results

This was a largely dentate population (74.9%). Dentate participants had 70.4% of their root surfaces with recession. Those with exposed root surfaces had an average of 29.8 root surfaces exposed. The root caries index (RCI) was 8.23%, and a mean of 0.21 and 0.55 root surfaces filled and decayed, respectively.

Conclusion

Participants had better oral health status than previously reported. Consistent with studies conducted in independent‐living older adults, root caries occurred in a lower frequency among Chilean ambulant older adults. The proportion of unmet restorative needs could be reduced. Community‐based preventive care programmes specifically tailored to older adults are needed to address this challenge.
A novel proposal for labelling sunscreens based on compliance and performance
Authors: Pissavini M. , Doucet O. , Diffey B.
Published: June 2013

Synopsis

Objective

To propose a new way of classifying sunscreens, which combines the labelled SPF with an objective measure of compliance.

Methods

The in vitro determination of uniformity of sunscreen application was combined with an in vivo measure of applied thickness to derive a Compliance Factor for each of 10 sunscreens.

Results

The predicted SPF resulting from real‐life application of each sunscreen product, which is termed the SPFin vivo veritas, was calculated from the Compliance Factor and the labelled SPF. It was shown that for a number of products, there is expected to be a significant mismatch between labelled and delivered SPF.

Conclusion

We believe that by adopting our proposal, consumers would be given more appropriate guidance on the delivered photoprotection they can expect to receive than relying solely on the labelled SPF.
Development of an in vitro model of menopause using primary human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Remoué N. , Molinari J. , Andres E. , Lago J. C. , Barrichello C. , Moreira P. L.
Published: June 2013

Synopsis

Objective

To overcome the current lack of in vitro models to specifically reproduce hormonal skin ageing in women, and in search of active ingredients with innovative efficacy claim for cosmetic skin care, we developed a cell culture‐based model by simulating menopause's hormonal decline and assessed several parameters of collagen metabolism.

Methods

Human dermal fibroblasts were incubated with media containing 17β‐oestradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 at concentrations corresponding to those of non‐menopausal women's sera and then of menopausal women's sera. We measured cell proliferation [by 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)], matrix metalloproteinase‐1 and metalloproteinase‐3 (MMPs) release (by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay – ELISA), total collagen deposition (by Sirius red staining), types I and III collagen deposition (by ELISA), and types I and III procollagen gene expression (by real‐time q‐RT‐PCR).

Results

Our results showed a significant decrease over time in cell proliferation, collagen deposition and type III/type I collagen ratio, together with an increase in MMP release, when cells were incubated in media containing sex hormones at menopausal levels. This is consistent with in vivo data from menopausal women available in the literature. Surprisingly, procollagen gene expression was only reduced within the first hours and increased afterwards when compared with non‐menopausal culture conditions.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the increased procollagen synthesis with menopausal conditions was not sufficient to compensate for the MMPs' catabolic effects and/or the impaired procollagen protein maturation, resulting in a decrease in extracellular collagen content. These findings add to the overall understanding of hormone‐dependent skin behaviour and highlight the suitability of this in vitro model for cosmetic actives testing aiming to underpin claims of anti‐ageing efficacy, specifically for menopausal women, regarding collagen metabolism and balance of types, for maintenance of dermal mechanical properties.
Senior dentists' perceptions of dental therapists' roles and education needs in Malaysia
Authors: Nor NAM , Murat NA , Yusof ZYM , Gamboa ABO
Published: June 2013

To describe the perceptions of senior dental officers (SDOs) on the roles of dental therapists (DTs) and their education needs in Malaysia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted using a self‐administered postal questionnaire targeting all 112 SDOs in the Malaysian Ministry of Health. The SDOs were asked about their perceptions of DT's roles in relation to clinical tasks, oral health promotion, administration and the dental team and their perceptions of DT's future education needs. Data were analysed using spss software, version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The response rate was 60%. A majority of SDOs were women (68%) with a mean age of 44.9 (SD: 8.04). Generally, the majority of SDOs perceived the current roles of DT in non‐complex clinical tasks such as examination and diagnosis, preventive treatment, extraction of deciduous teeth and oral health promotion as very important. Fewer than half of SDOs perceived DT's role in the extraction of permanent teeth as important. Most SDOs perceived the need to train DT in ‘scaling and polishing for adults’ (80.5%), ‘delivering inferior alveolar nerve block’ (57.3%) and ‘pulp therapy’ (59.2%). They also had positive perceptions of providing education for DT up to degree level (70.8%).

Conclusion

This study suggests that Malaysian SDOs have positive perceptions of the current roles of DT and of the expansion of some of their clinical tasks to include broader client groups through further training and education. These findings indicate a need to revise the current curriculum and legislation pertaining to DT's education and scope of practice in Malaysia.
Cues versus proximate drivers: testing the mechanism behind masting behavior
Authors: Pearse Ian S. , Koenig Walter D. , Knops Johannes M. H.
Published: June 2013

Masting, the intermittent and synchronized production of seeds, is a common and important phenomenon throughout the plant kingdom. Surprisingly, the proximate mechanisms by which populations of masting plants synchronize their seed sets have been relatively unexplored. We examined how temperature influences the acorn crop of the valley oak Quercus lobata, a masting species common in California, USA, over 33 years in order to assess whether temperature acts directly on acorn crop as a cue or whether it acts instead through intermediate steps indicative of a direct mechanistic connection to acorn production. Compared to several alternatives, the difference in temperature during the spring flowering period over the prior two years (Δt) was a good predictor of annual acorn crop in valley oak, as proposed recently by Kelly et al. Significantly, Δt correlates positively with temperatures the previous April, a likely driver of pollination success in valley oak, and negatively with the previous year's acorn crop, which is in turn negatively correlated with the current year's acorn crop, presumably due to resource limitation. Thus, the success of Δt is not as a cue but rather explained by its close relationship to the proximate drivers that have a direct, mechanistic relationship with acorn crop size.
Competitive Strategies and Growth of NeighbouringBromus valdivianusPhil. andLolium perenneL. Plants Under Water Restriction
Authors: López I. F. , Kemp P. D. , Dörner J. , Descalzi C. A. , Balocchi O. A. , García S.
Published: June 2013

Often perennial pastures have to tolerate soil water restriction during summer, which can affect the relative abundance of the most desired species. In the south of Chile,Bromus valdivianusandLolium perenneare preferred species. The competitiveness ofB. valdivianusandL. perennewas evaluated when sown in pots in a glasshouse as monocultures or a mix (50/50 %) with restricted water availability. The water restriction treatments were as follows: 80–85 % field capacity (FC), 45–50 %FCand 20–25 %FC, maintained for 1196 growing degree days. For both species, dry matter (DM) accumulated per plant and per pot decreased similarly with increasing water restriction, but at tiller level, resource allocation differed, forB. valdivianusroot growth was accentuated over aerial development, but this was less so forL. perenne. The foliage mass per tiller forB. valdivianusdecreased relatively more than that forL. perennewith increasing water restriction. As monocultures,B. valdivianusproduced larger tillers thanL. perenne, such thatB. valdivianustillers had 2.2 times greater lamina mass, 3.6 times more leaf area and 2.5 times greater root mass than those ofL. perenne. However,L. perenneproduced a larger number of smaller tillers that enabled foliage, root and total mass at plant level, to be similar to that ofB. valdivianus. Within the mixed pasture,L. perennetiller density increased compared with when grown as a monoculture, but not forB. valdivianus. The results of the study suggested thatL. perenneandB. valdivianushave differences in growth strategies that allow them to survive under environmental stress and competition. Competitiveness increased forL. perenneaboveground without water restriction and that forB. valdivianusincreased belowground as water restriction was increased.
Romantic attachment, sexual activity, and substance use: findings from substance‐using runaway adolescents
Authors: Letcher Amber , Slesnick Natasha
Published: June 2013

Research on adolescent attachment is limited, but is growing. Studies to date have focused primarily on high‐functioning, college student samples with minimal attention given to at‐risk, early adolescents. The current study assessed the relationship between sexual activity, substance use, physical and sexual abuse, and attachment avoidance and anxiety in a sample of substance using, runaway youth. Seventy‐three adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years were recruited from a local runaway shelter. The main finding was that attachment avoidance was related to a later age at first use of marijuana. Results provide some support for the utility of the attachment framework in understanding problem behaviors among runaway adolescents. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Advances in the treatment of acute graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Qian Liren , Wu Zhengcheng , Shen Jianliang
Published: June 2013

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used for the treatment of hematologic malignant and non‐malignant hematologic diseases and other diseases. However, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a life‐threatening complication of allogeneic transplantation. Acute GVHD may occur in 30% of transplant recipients, which is a syndrome of erythematous skin eruption, cholestatic liver disease and intestinal dysfunction, resulting from the activation of donor T lymphocytes by host antigen‐presenting cells, resulting in an immune‐mediated inflammatory response. Recent scientific advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis involved in the development of acute GVHD and clinical investigation have provided more effective therapeutic strategies for acute GVHD. This review focuses on major scientific and clinical advances in the treatment of acute GVHD.
Association of autoimmune diseases with oral lichen planus: a cross‐sectional, clinical study
Authors: López‐Jornet P. , Parra‐Perez F. , Pons‐Fuster A.
Published: June 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between autoimmune disease and oral lichen planus (OLP), comparing OLP patients with a control population.

Methods

This cross‐sectional clinical study evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in male and female patients with OLP. The variables analysed were age, sex, tobacco and alcohol consumption, the clinical form of OLP, time of evolution and the presence of autoimmune diseases.

Results

Autoimmune diseases were present in 7% of OLP patients (10/130) and 4% of the control group (6/130) without statistically significant difference (P = 0.67). The estimated odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of the presence of autoimmune disease in OLP sufferers was 1.033 (0.97–1.10). A logistic regression model for presence/absence of the risk autoimmune disease found statistically significant differences in relation to age.

Conclusions

At present, there is no definitive hypothesis that explains the coexistence of OLP and autoimmune disease; further research is required into the mechanisms whereby this coexistence occurs.
Kininogen‐dependent antiphosphatidylethanolamine antibodies and autoantibodies to factor XII in patients with recurrent pregnancy losses
Authors: Sugi Toshitaka
Published: June 2013

Factor XII, plasma prekallikrein and high‐molecular‐weight kininogen were first identified as coagulation proteins in the intrinsic pathway because patients deficient in these proteins had marked prolongation of in vitro surface‐activated coagulation time. However, deficiencies of these proteins are not associated with clinical bleeding. Paradoxically, studies suggest that these proteins have anticoagulant and profibrinolytic activities. In fact, association between deficiencies of these proteins and thrombosis has been reported. Recently, autoantibodies to these proteins and antiphospholipid antibodies are frequent coagulation‐related abnormalities found in unexplained recurrent aborters. Evidence has accumulated for the presence of the kallikrein–kininogen–kinin system in the fetoplacental unit. The contact system, or kallikrein–kininogen–kinin system, in the reproductive tract plays an essential roll in the regulation of thrombosis, hemostasis, angiogenesis and in the defense against invasive bacterial infection. Autoantibodies to these proteins may be associated with pregnancy losses due to disruption of this system. These possibilities will be reviewed, the functions of the individual components will be summarized, and their role in blood coagulation and pregnancy discussed.
Achieving Customer Satisfaction through Integrated Products and Services: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Raja Jawwad Z. , Bourne Dorota , Goffin Keith , Çakkol Mehmet , Martinez Veronica
Published: June 2013

Complex products such as manufacturing equipment have always needed maintenance and repair services. Increasingly, leading manufacturers are integrating products and services to generate increased revenues and achieve customer satisfaction. Designing integrated products and services requires a different approach to new product development and a clear understanding of how customers perceive the value they obtain from actual usage of products and services—so‐called value‐in‐use. However, there is a lack of research on integrated products and services and how they impact customer satisfaction.

An exploratory study was undertaken to understand customers' views on integrated products and services and the value‐in‐use derived from such offerings. As value‐in‐use and its impacts are complicated concepts, a technique from psychology—Repertory Grid Technique—was used to gather data in 33 interviews. The interviews allowed a deep understanding of customer views on integrated products and services to be obtained, and a systematic analysis identified the key attributes of value‐in‐use. In order to probe further, the data were then analyzed using Honey's procedure, which identified the impact of the attributes of value‐in‐use on customer satisfaction. Two key attributes—relational dynamic and access—were found to have the most influence on customer satisfaction. This paper contributes to the innovation field by identifying customer needs for integrated products and services and how these impact customer satisfaction. These are key points and need to be fully considered by managers during new product and service development. Similarly, the paper identifies a number of important areas for further research.